"We need to heat the East Wing."

Nodding in response, Izumo moved to the corner of the room towards an open heater. Kakashi watched with bored eyes as the man bent down to look into it.

"Why do we need to heat the place? He's not lasting long." Izumo scoffed slightly. He hated to be pessimistic, but optimism was death in a place like this. Kakashi shrugged lightly.

"Iruka asked me to have you take care of it."

"So he thinks he is going to last."

"I suppose."

Izumo shrugged, and with Kotetsu's help, loaded thick logs into the heater, lighting them. Heat slowly radiated off the gigantic stone fire pit, but it went unnoticed by the three men.

"What do you think Kakashi?" Kotetsu asked, scratching his head in thought. "Is he lunch or will he stick around?"

Kakashi smirked slightly behind his mask. "I think this one has successfully caught our Lord's attention."

Looking up at a clock near him, Iruka sighed and stood. "Let's get you into some clothing, and then we need to head to the South wing. Lord Sasuke is expecting you in twenty minutes."

Groaning lightly, Naruto stretched and followed the brunet out the door, noticing that the halls were definitely warmer than previously. He still shivered slightly, making a face. "Man, it's so warm in there. Why did we have to leave?" Iruka just laughed, motioning for the boy to follow him. He led him into a small room that was basically a closet. Glancing around at all the clothing material, Naruto whined,

"Can't I just wear my clothes?"

"No. They're dirty. But not to worry, we'll find you something similar." Iruka shook his head with a smile. After a few minutes of riffling through the clothing, he finally found something Naruto wouldn't refuse to wear. The boy quickly changed while Iruka turned his back to him, and soon they were back in the hall. "If you'll follow me this way Naruto-Kun."

Naruto kept himself occupied on the long walk, staring around at things on the wall. Most of them were bare, but a few had hanging scrolls with gorgeous artwork on them. On one was a very realistic waterfall, Naruto could practically hear the rushing water and feel the coolness on his cheeks; another had a horrific battle between what looked to be angels and demons, the battleground drenched with crimson blood; and yet another with a beautiful sandstorm, each individual particle delicate and drawn with care. They were all signed with a Kanji for love, and whoever drew them, Naruto had to hand it to them. They were good.

"Hey, Iruka-Sensei?"

"Yes?"

"Who drew those? Sasuke?"

Iruka chuckled, stopping to look at the sandstorm picture. "Certainly not. While Sasuke sees the art of painting below him, he does in fact procure pieces when he has time. These ones were painted by our resident artist. You may meet him later." Iruka started off down the hall again.

Staring hard into the picture, Naruto could almost swear the sand was moving, the particles shining different colors in the light. Pale blue, light purple, deep orange, the tiny dabs of color were concealed, but there. You had to really be looking. "Wow. . ." He muttered. Glancing down at the corner, he frowned. "There wasn't sand in that corner a moment ago. Did it-"

"Naruto-Kun! Come on!" Iruka was peeking around the corner at the blonde. Grinning sheepishly, Naruto quickly caught up with him.

"Sorry, I was distracted."

"I noticed." Iruka's smile was warm. "See something you liked?"

"The Sandstorm picture. I could almost swear the sand was moving!"

"Maybe it was. Things aren't as they appear around here." Iruka brushed off Naruto's called questions. "Now come, we've kept Uchiha-Sama waiting for longer then we should have."

Eventually, they came to an open doorway, the light pouring into the dark. The shaft of light could not reach the darker depths though, and most of the room was shrouded. Naruto's skin crawled.

"My Lord, I've brought him." Iruka bowed very low, motioning for Naruto to do the same. Remembering his previous lesson on bowing, he inclined his head defiantly.

"Good. Come in, boy." A surge of blue magic that resembled electricity shot out of the dark, coiling its way around Naruto. Giving a surprised shout, Naruto was yanked forward even as he resisted his bonds. With a lurch, he was submerged in darkness as the door slammed shut, sealing the outside world off.

Iruka watched as the door slammed and locked, his face stricken with fear and grief for the poor boy. Naruto had no idea what he was in for. 'I hope he comes out of this okay. . .'

Unexpectedly, a pale arm encircled his waist from behind, another crossing over his chest to hold him tight. Iruka relaxed against Kakashi, loving how the man seemed to turn up just when Iruka needed him; as if he could sense his lover's distress. A gentle brushing like butterfly wings touched his mind. 'I know, love. I hope so too.' Was the silent answer.

'Do you think it's possible he'll live?'

'Likely. Now come, let's head back to our chambers.'

With a small smile, Iruka let Kakashi lead him off. The pale hand rubbing circles on his back was soothing.

"Lemme go!" Naruto struggled against the ropes of magic that had somehow become very tangible and strong. A dark chuckle only made him struggle harder.

"Scared, Dobe? You should be. I haven't paid you back for the broken nose." There was a rustle of material as someone stood.

"So kicking me in the head while you made sure I couldn't fight back wasn't good enough? That was lame ass cheating!" Naruto shouted. "Just what I'd expect from a stupid demon!"

In the dark, Sasuke's eyebrow twitched in irritation. 'This idiot has a mouth on him.' Rolling his shoulders back and standing tall and proud, he stepped towards the boy.

"You better watch yourself, or next time I won't be so merciful." Sasuke growled lowly, grabbing the front of the boy's shirt in a tight fist. Naruto scoffed.

"Mercy, psh! Whatever!" Naruto smirked slightly up at him. "You don't know the meaning of the word! You're just like an angry toddler!"

The loud smack resounded throughout the room. Naruto's face was turned; his cheek red as he sat sprawled on the floor. A hand slowly came up to touched the tender skin and Sasuke watched from where he stood with the boy at his feet, his chest rising and falling with calming anger. Red eyes were locked on the small movements of the tan hand.

Suddenly, angry blue eyes met his, shining with hate and disgust. They were slightly shiny with withheld tears, and Sasuke's eyebrow rose in contempt. "Are you going to cry?"

"No!" Naruto exclaimed, glaring.

"Good. You're not as much of a wimp as I thought."

"And you're as much of an asshole as I thought."

"Thank you." Sasuke smirked, taking a few steps back to sit on the bed, motioning for the blonde boy to stand. "Come here then." Naruto rose slowly.

"No."

Sasuke was suddenly still, expressionless. "What did you say?"

"I said no."

Naruto ignored the evil aura that seemed palpable in the air around them. 'Well, I've just signed my death warrant.' He thought, watching as the man stood and strode quickly towards him. Sasuke reached a hand out, shoving him hard against the wall. The tomoe in his red eyes were spinning furiously.

"You don't deny me, of anything. I always get what I want." Sasuke shoved him harder against the wall, ignoring the boy's shout of pain. His voice was quiet and deadly, like Kusanagi's blade. "Do you understand me?"

"I said . . . no!" Naruto gasped, bringing his knee up into the man's gut. Sasuke doubled over in shock, and Naruto took the chance to shove the man away from him.

For a while they just stood there, panting and glaring at each other. Sasuke had straightened up, and the blonde had his guard up, fists quivering slightly in concealed fear. Sasuke watched them, and then smirked.

"You're afraid." Sasuke expected a scathing denial.

"Of course I am! Hell, I'm in a room with a Demon who is either going to molest or eat me!" Naruto answered truthfully with a scoff.

The smirk grew. "Probably both."

Naruto brushed the perverse statement off. "I'd be stupid to not be afraid."

"You're stupid regardless."

"HEY! Shut up Teme!"

Sasuke watched him for a moment, eyes scanning over him slowly. Then he sighed harshly. "You have one night's reprieve Moron. Be ready tomorrow." Sasuke had his back turned to him, but slowly turned his head around to catch his eye. Dark hair swept over his cheeks, his smirk seductive. Naruto felt the heat rise in his cheeks. "I plan on devouring you."

Naruto left quickly without a glance backwards.

A/N: Again, Sasuke's a little out of character. But, again, he has to be to suit my needs! He has to be a jerk, at least at first. And I can SO picture him bitch slapping Naruto. XD

Thanks for reading, and sorry for the time it took me to update!

Until next time! Please review!