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Let's begin our journey of this week…
Warning: Unbeta'd, Sasuke will be a bit OOC but he will not be miserable, he will hold his ground at times. Naruto will not be so happy go lucky. This is boy x boy paring and M-preg. If you don't like then don't read. Excuse the grammatical mistakes. I'm really sorry for them.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
…...
The wooden door of the apartment opened slightly.
"Tadaima…" a soft voice called out. Too soft for a shinobi who's job is assassination. Who kills without mercy, who plays with life and death all the time.
Sasuke was stunned for a moment hearing those words. He and Naruto are not in that good term that the blond would think that Sasuke would greet him when he returns home.
Sasuke scowled, he himself has never said those words since the day he had left his home. Why would he? There was no one to greet him when he would return to his empty house. And now Naruto expects him to greet him?
"Okairi…" the same soft voice replied. The door was closed softly behind him and Naruto swiftly removed his sandals and walked in.
Sasuke's head snapped back at the source of the voice. No, Naruto was not expecting him to answer. He was….he was just filling his loneliness with a hope that someday there will be someone to greet him when he returns, his apartment will become a home…once again the young Uchiha felt his heart clench painfully in his chest at the thought.
Sasuke was so absorbed in his thoughts that he had not noticed when the orange clad ninja has moved in front of the couch.
He jumped up a little when the table lamp was lit. Naruto was standing in front of him, looking at him with a concerned expression.
Sasuke blinked and sat up. He looked at Naruto and frowned "What?" he asked his hand moved on its own to comb through his hair in an attempt to fix the messy wet hair.
Why was he feeling self-conscious again?
The blond just shrugged and placed a packet on the table in front of him.
"How are you feeling? Did you get into any trouble in these past two days?" he asked, there was a blank emotionless look on his face instead of the concern Sasuke has seen a moment ago.
Naruto was not sure how would Sasuke react to him so he kept his face blank though he was feeling really happy watching the raven healthy and still in his house willingly.
"Fine." Sasuke replied curtly and stood up from the couch.
For the first time he noticed that is a head shorter than the blond and too pale and thin in contrast to the tan masculine blond in front of him. Well that was quite obvious he does not spent a lot of time in sun so it's just natural that he we'll be pale. Moreover he has not worked out in years and now his muscles are thin and barely visible compared to the blond.
Naruto nodded his head to Sasuke, he pointed his index finger towards the packet and said,
"There is some ramen for you. Please eat it, you need to eat properly to get your strength back. I've also brought two apples for you."
With that Naruto swiftly turned on his heels and headed towards the bathroom.
"Matte!" Naruto stopped dead in his tracks as soon as he heard the voice, his heart beating wildly in his ribcage, like it will just jump out of his chest. 'Sasuke is gonna refuse the food, he is gonna say he won't eat it.' Those words just kept ringing in his head over and over again.
"W-What about you?" Sasuke shuttered out. 'Damn it why am I shuttering?' his subconscious screamed at him.
"Huh?" Naruto turned to look at Sasuke, a dumb forted expression on his face. 'What about him?' he could not understand what Sasuke was asking!
"Dobe!" the words left Sasuke's mouth before he could stop them. He placed one hand over his mouth as soon as the word escaped his lips, a slight blush forming in his pale cheeks.
Taking some deep breaths he once again looked up only to meet a pair of big confused sea blue eyes.
"Have you eaten?" he finally asked barely managing to hide his embarrassment and putting up a straight face once again.
Naruto stared at him as if he has said something weird, something he should not have said, something Naruto could not understand and then a soft smile formed on his lips which soon turned into a grin.
Sasuke once again felt his cheeks heat up as those azure eyes fixed on him and the blond flashed him a bright grin before replying, "Yeah! I've already eaten. It's late eat up and sleep!"with that the blond turned around and left.
Sasuke watched the empty spot where the blond was standing for a long time and after a long moment his own lips tugged upwards, "Dobe…" he whispered before picking up the packet from the table and walking towards the kitchen.
….
Naruto felt like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders as the cold spray of water hit his naked body.
"Gods…" he murmured, but then a small true smile spread on his lips. A part of him was sure that Sasuke would reject his food but not just Sasuke has accepted, he has even offered Naruto to eat with him. 'This is a good sign right?' he thought to himself.
His stomach grumbled loudly remembering him of his hunger. Naruto sighed heavily and rubbed his wet hands around his navel.
"Stupid stupid tummy! Don't embarrass me in front of him now." He murmured. But his stomach was as stubborn as him so it grumbled again.
Shaking his head Naruto pressed his forehead on the metal shower stand. The soothing cold feeling quickly spreading through his nerves, making him feel relaxed.
When he has finished washing himself he dressed in a casual t-shirt and pjs. Well he cannot move around in boxers when there is a guest in his house now, can he?
Naruto stepped out of the bathroom only to freeze on his spot. Sasuke was sitting on the couch; there were two bowls of ramen placed on the table and the raven was waiting patiently.
As Sasuke's ebony eyes landed on the frozen shinobi standing in front of the bathroom door he rolled his eyes. Moving his head towards the bowl he said in a smooth voice, "Come eat."
Once again Naruto stared at the raven with wide disbelieving eyes. He could not understand why Sasuke is being so nice with him, not that he is complaining, no, but still…
Naruto snapped out of his thoughts when his stomach made another loud annoying noise, declaring its hunger once again. His cheeks colored a light shade of pink in embracement when the inky black eyes looked at him and a thin black eyebrow was rose. Naruto cursed under his breath and slowly walked over towards the table.
Sasuke's lips twitched and a small smirk formed as he watched the blonde blush in shame. 'That was priceless' Sasuke thought to himself before breaking his chopsticks and starting to eat his share of ramen.
Naruto also followed. He was so hungry that he finished his food in almost two minutes and stood up from his chair opposite to Sasuke, who was still eating.
Washing his bowl and placing it in the cupboard Naruto slowly walked towards the bedroom, muttering "I need some books" while crossing the living room as an explanation to Sasuke, after all it's kinda Sasuke's room now.
Entering the bedroom Naruto rushed towards the bed and knelt in front of it. Removing the hanging bed covers he looked under the bed. A satisfied smile formed on his face as he found the thing he was searching for, a jar in which he has saved his extra pay for years.
He has given his today's pay to those children so he needs money to buy food for Sasuke. 'Well…' Naruto sighed, 'I think I can go for two more days without eating proper food.' he thought.
The pay he gets from his mission is barely enough for his meals and clothes and now with Sasuke there he needs to save more. He cannot allow Sasuke to starve because of him.
Naruto pulled out two notes from the jar. Closing it he once again placed it under his bed, hiding properly behind the boxes of his old cloths and books.
Standing up Naruto's eyes landed on the golden cover that was peeking from under the bundle of blankets.
Curiously Naruto removed the blankets. His eyes widen when he found two scrolls on fire style jutsus and his favorite book, a reminder of his godfather. Slowly he picked up the book. He has read it hundred times but still it is his favorite book.
Naruto turned towards the entrance when he heard the sound of footsteps entering the room. Sasuke was standing there at the door. His eyes wide, expression much like a child caught stealing a candy, as he stared at Naruto and the book on his hand.
Naruto almost laughed seeing the expression on the raven's face but instead he controlled himself and raised a questioning golden eyebrow at the raven.
Sasuke hung his head. 'I shouldn't have touched his things without permission' he thought, but there is nothing he could do now.
"Gomen…" he murmured.
Suddenly Sasuke felt the blond moving towards him. The bigger man stood directly in front of him. Sasuke closed his eyes waiting for a harsh slap or a rude comment but nothing came.
After a few silent uneventful moments Sasuke gathered the courage to look up and his eyes instantly met a pair of ocean blue staring at him.
"Have you read these?" Naruto gestured at the book in his hand and the scrolls on the bed.
"I just read the book." Sasuke replied truthfully. "I didn't get enough time to read the scrolls." He admitted once again lowering his head and looking at the ground.
"Sasuke…" Naruto said softly. "Do you want to learn new jutsus?"
Sasuke's head snapped towards the blonde, he could not believe his ears, 'will he allow me to read them?' he felt his hopes rising at the bottom of his heart. Meeting the blonde's gaze he slowly nodded his head. His heart thumped in his chest as he waited for the blonde's reply.
"Okay then." Naruto replied cheerfully. "I'll help you train. We'll start tomorrow at five."
"Really?" Sasuke could not keep the excitement hidden from his voice. How long he had waited to hear those words from someone, how much he had wanted to learn new jutsus, to become a ninja. Though the last will never be possible but still he is happy if he becomes strong enough to protect himself and his precious people, well if he found someone precious again that is.
But Sasuke's happiness was short lived as another doubt arises in his mind, "Wait won't the other ninjas protest if they found a carrier is training ninjutsues? It's forbidden isn't it?" he asked.
Naruto gave him a small reassuring smile and walked out of the room, "They does not come to training ground seven only I train there. So don't worry. Sleep now. I'll wake you up." With that the Kyuubi jinchuriki walked over to the couch and lay down.
Sasuke followed the blonde's movements; his lips curved in a pleasant smile, a warm sensation spread through the core of his heart. Turning around Sasuke made his way towards the bed. The smile never leaving his face, after a long long time he is looking forward to tomorrow.
…...
Naruto woke up at the brink of dawn like every other day, he sat up and stretched his body yawing. The room was glowing in the morning sunlight that was passing through the curtains. Naruto could hear birds chipping. Yes, it is a beautiful day.
Slowly he stood up and walked towards the bedroom. He will start training Sasuke today. He was about to enter the room when he heard the shower running in the bathroom.
'So he is already awake. Guess he would be interested.' He thought to himself. Making his way towards the kitchen he filled the kettle with water and placed it on the heater to make some tea.
'We need some breakfast.' Naruto thought, he opened the counter, there was a few slices of bread and two carrots and two apples he had brought yesterday. Sighing Naturo took a carrot out, washing it he proceed to cut one it pieces. 'I'll make a sandwich for him.' He thought.
The kettle gave a whistle, signaling that the water has boiled. Naruto took two cups from the shelf and poured some hot water in them. He took two tea bags and dipped them in the cups.
Putting the sandwich and the cup on the table Naruto slowly started to drink his tea. He took a slice of bread put it in his mouth, chewing it while taking a few sips of tea from the cup.
He heard the bathroom door open, after a few moments Sasuke entered the kitchen he was fully clothed in his own cloths and from the gleam in his eyes Naruto could tell that he is really excited.
Finishing his breakfast Naruto put the cup in the sink, he'll wash it later. "Eat your breakfast. I'll take a shower and we'll go." Naruto said and walked towards the bathroom to take a shower.
It was around five fifteen when they reached the training ground. Naruto has teleported both himself and Sasuke to avoid any kind of suspicions, for which Sasuke was really grateful.
Sasuke watched the view in front of him with mesmerized eyes. He had never gotten the opportunity to train in these compounds, only visited them a few times with Itachi but he was too small then to remember properly.
The compound was huge, surrounded by different kinds of trees and he could see the Hokage Mountain from here clearly. The heads of the previous hokages engraved on it as a reminder of their bravery and sacrifices. The sky is clear blue, without any traces of clouds in it. Sasuke could even hear the sound of the flowing stream of the river clearly.
Sasuke turned back only to meet Naruto's blue gaze, who was patiently waiting for him to finish his survey.
"So I've seen you perform Katon jutsu. What else do you know?" Naruto asked.
"I've only been in the academy for a few months before I …" Sasuke paused. Those memories still hurt Sasuke no matter how many years has passed. He swallowed the lump in his throat and continued,
"I know the transform and cloning jutsu." He answered curtly. Naruto nodded his head.
"Do you know how to handle shurikens and kunai?"
Sasuke shook his head, "Not really. I've just started learning but then I was dropped out." This time he managed to answer without any weaver of his voice. He hates showing weakness in front of others.
"All right." Naruto handed Sasuke his pouch of shurikens and kunais and pointed towards a tree at around five meters distance.
"Aim for that tree. We'll work on your aim and some taijutsu today as some warm up. Tomorrow I'll teach you about chakra control." Naruto said and leaned on a tree beside him watching Sasuke position himself keenly.
Sasuke pull out one kunai and aimed for the tree Naruto has told him to hit and threw it. The kunai didn't even reach near the tree.
He once again took two shurikens before repeating the same procedure. This time the shurikens flew in totally wrong directions. One embedded on a tree at this left and the other hit the ground.
He tried a few more times but the results were same. Frustrated Sasuke ran his hands through his hair and glanced towards Naruto who was doing push-ups now.
Sasuke sighed, he'll manage it himself, he doesn't need help he thought before pulling out another kunai and positioning.
A large hand grabbed Sasuke's smaller one, Sasuke almost jumped at the close proximity of the other person. They were so close that Sasuke could almost feel the heat radiating from the other's body.
"You are doing wrong. Hold it like this." The large hand guided his pale slender fingers to hold the kunai properly and aimed. The kunai flew towards their target hitting it with absolute accuracy.
"See not so hard." Naruto said. Sasuke could feel the other's breath ghosting over his shoulder.
Suddenly Sasuke shoved the blond back, causing him to fell on the ground. "Don't touch me." He said in a warning tone.
"Whoa! Whoa! All right Sasuke calm down. I was just helping you." Naruto said putting his arms in front of him in a defensive manner.
Sasuke huffed and turned back, concentrating on his target once again. Naruto looked at the raven from his position. He is talented, Naruto is quite sure that if he was a trained ninja he would have been a jouinin level by now.
Naruto has only helped him once and now almost all the weapons are hitting the target accurately or grazing by the tree. He is a quick learner, an exceptional talent, but abandoned, just like himself, Naruto thought.
"I'll help you to become strong. I promise." Naruto murmured lowly, determination evident in his words. "I'll not let your talent be wasted."
….
By the end of the day Sasuke has managed to hit targets properly within six meters distance. Naruto is quite amazed by his progress. When he had thought about teaching him he had never expected him to be this talented.
He had always heard that 'Carriers' are worthless, they does not have enough chakra or strength to become ninja. But after training with Sasuke for only a few hours Naruto is quite sure that this is another baseless thinking of their corrupted society.
Naruto has also showed some taijutsu moves to Sasuke though that part was a little difficult because Sasuke absolutely refused to let the blonde touch any part of him even so slightly. So it was hard to correct his postures.
Nevertheless Sasuke has managed to learn some moves and practiced them on the logs in the compound.
Though something is terribly wrong with the raven. Naruto could feel a tension in his movements. His behavior towards Naruto has also changed from yesterday. It was as if something was bothering him. But Naruto could not think of anything he has done wrong to cause it.
Currently Naruto was lying on the couch while Sasuke was sleeping in the bedroom. He has been exhausted from all the training and went to bed as soon as they returned.
Naruto did not have a mission and neither he was exhausted enough to fall asleep that early so he was just lying on the couch thinking about the day and about a certain raven.
He turned on the other side to make himself more comfortable in the small couch, it is almost evening, he has not gone to buy food because they still have some for the dinner. He will do that tomorrow.
Naruto doesn't know when he has dozed off so he almost jumped in surprised when the silence of the apartment was pierced by a loud scream.
As soon as Naruto's sleep hazed mind caught up with his consciousness and he recognized the voice as Sasuke's he ran towards his bedroom.
Slamming the door open Naruto stopped on his tracks. Sasuke was thrashing and kicking some invisible enemy just like the day he was injured and was having a nightmare. But unlike that day today Sasuke was screaming his lungs out.
His raven locks were sticking to his forehead, soft broken sobs were escaping from his lips, his body was covered in sweat.
Sasuke's hands were closed in fists so tightly that Naruto could see strains of blood from his position. He was mumbling something but Naruto could not quite make out what he was saying.
He slowly moved beside the bed without making any sound in hopes to not startle the Uchiha.
Now that Naruto was close enough to the other boy, he could understand his words and Naruto felt his heart shatter in pieces at the broken pleas coming from the proud Uchiha.
"Please. Please. Please….stop…." Sasuke murmured in between sobs and screams. His face strained in tears has an expression of pure agony; his whole body was trembling like some leaf in the midst of a storm.
"Sasuke.." Naruto called softly, "Wake up. It's just a nightmare." He said but the raven showed no signs of hearing him.
Naruto sat down on the corner of the bed carefully to avoid the punches and kicks Sasuke was throwing aimlessly. He shook the screaming boy slightly, "Sasuke.."
Suddenly a pair of terrified onyx eyes opened and the raven shoved the blonde away with as much force as he can master.
He scrambled away at the far corner of the bed and curled up to himself, hugging his knees to his chest and burying his face in his hands he murmured over and over again, "Stop..please…I'm sorry…please…don't please…"
…And Naruto couldn't take any more. He knew touching Sasuke will only make the matter worse so he called out, "Stop this Sasuke. No one is going to hurt you. You are safe hare." He said repeatedly in a calm soothing voice.
…..
Darkness, blood, pain, despair were all Sasuke could make out. There were four men, hurting him, calling him names, beating him.
Two men forced him on his knees while the other ripped his clothes off his body. The small ten years old Sasuke shivered in cold. He cried, screamed, plead, his voice was raw, his body was hurting from the previous beating.
He tried to kick and punch those men, tried to scramble away from them and run but he was too weak. He could feel their lust filled gaze on him, cold rough hands ran all over his pale shivering body, touching and bruising his soft skin.
"Stop…please…don't…I'm sorry….stop…please…."
And then, pain…agony….waves after waves of pain…blood…hot tears….screams….darkness…he felt numb, empty, like a lifeless shell.
There was a voice. A calm soothing voice calling him, trying to erase his pain, trying to stop his suffering. A hand, touching him tenderly, drawing soothing circles on his shoulders….warm…tender…nice.
Bloodshot, puffy onyx eyes look up to meet concerned azure.
"Sasuke…"Naruto's own voice was trembling, there were tears at the corner of his sapphire orbs. "Are you alright?"
Sasuke gave him a lifeless blank look and Naruto's heart sank. "Sasuke…" he tried again, his hands still drawing soothing circles on the raven's shoulder.
"Why are you crying?" Sasuke's voice was hoarse from all the screaming and crying. Another memory flashed in front of Sasuke's eyes, red eyes, park, little girl, injured, 'Demon'.
"You are just like them." He murmured lowering his head and removing Naruto's arm from his shoulder.
"What are you talking about?" Naruto asked confused at the weird behavior of the raven.
Sasuke chuckled, his voice humorless, pain filled and dry. "That day…in the park…you tried to force yourself on that little girl didn't you?" he asked.
"What are you talking about what girl…" Naruto stopped and looked at Sasuke with wide eyes as realization drowned into him, "Sasuke listen to me." Naruto said desperately, "It was not me…It was the man I was beating. You have to believe me. I was trying to protect her." Naruto finished, a pleading look in his eyes as he looked at Sasuke who was not even looking at him.
"Why should I believe you?" Sasuke's voice was tired, hopeless and Naruto does not like it a bit. Grabbing Sasuke's shoulders Naruto forced the raven to look at him. He locked gazes with the raven and said firmly,
"Listen to me if I was the one trying to take advantage of her then I would have done that. I had beaten the other man and I knew you were no ninja. If I wanted I would have had my way with her. And if I was like them…" Naruto swallowed thickly,
"If I wanted your body I wouldn't have waited this long…please Sasuke you have to believe me."
There was no response from the raven. His eyes were downcast and hands clenched in fists. Naruto loosened his grip on the raven's shoulders and got up from the bed.
"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry Sasuke." Naruto murmured. He does not even know what he was apologizing for, he just felt like he should do it.
He was about to turn around and leave the room when his hand was gasped from behind. He looked at Sasuke whose was still looking at the bed sheets but his hand was holding Naruto's tightly.
"Don't…I'm sorry…"came the soft reply. Naruto sat down on the bed beside the raven and placed his other hand over the raven's trembling one, he gave Sasuke a reassuring smile.
They sat there in silence for a few moments that felt like hours to Naruto. He rubbed the raven's palms soothingly while his eyes tried to analyze the raven's condition.
He had not noticed that he was crying until a pale hand brushed his wet cheeks tenderly.
"You are the first one to cry for me…." Sasuke said, his voice soft, tiny, slightly shaking by those overwhelming emotions flowing through him.
Sasuke's pale arms encircled around Naruto's neck and the raven buried his head in the blonde's broad chest. His body shook as soft sobs ripped through the core of his being. Naruto held the raven in a tight embrace as the younger boy cling to him for dear life and cried his heart out.
The night was dark, silent Sasuke was still holding onto Naruto, he has cried himself to sleep in the protective embrace of the blond. But the said blonde was wide awake, leaning against the headboard of the bed.
He could not close his eyes. Previously his dreams were only assaulted by the ghosts of his past but now as soon as he closes his eyes he could hear Sasuke's pain filled cries, his body strained in blood as broken sobs escaped his mouth. And Naruto could not bear it.
Naruto pulled the sleeping raven closer and pressed a soft kiss on his forehead. "I'll protect you no matter what." He vowed to himself. A promise he would keep even in death.
…...
Finally another chapter! I hope you have enjoyed it. Please review/fav/follow if you like the story. If you have any suggestions regarding the plot you may tell me. I hope to see you next week with another new chapter.
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