There's some slight SasuNaru (or NaruSasu, whatever floats your boat) in this chapter. Just as a warning, and the final pairing will be ItaSasu. I will stay true to that, so no whining. ;) Reviews are dealt with at the end.
Chapter 8: Awkward Moments
"So you're coming back, right?"
I nearly smacked my head, and refrained from giving Naruto a nice blow to the jaw.
"Forget it. I'm done with that place."
"Sasuke, what is out there for you? Home is where you belong, with your friends."
I turned to him with a sneer. "Friends? Is that what you think you are to me, a friend? Sorry to disappoint you, dobe, but I have none. I'm an avenger."
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Will you shut up about all that "avenger" crap? Look, your brother did what he did. He'll get his own sometime; it doesn't have to come from you."
"That's where you're wrong," I said, my patience wearing thin. "It's coming from me. I want it to come from me. Now hurry up."
"Okay, so if you're going to stay stubborn, and we're not going home, just where are you taking me?"
"Quiet. Your voice is far too loud and jarring." I darted my eyes around, trying to detect any signs of my brother as I stuck my head out of the cave mouth. Sensing nothing, I motioned for the fox-child to follow me out. Thankfully he did so without complaint.
I couldn't answer him as to where we were going, because I had no clue. Where could I possibly take him that Itachi would not be able to get his hands on him? It seemed like a hopeless task. Well, you have to start out somewhere, so I logically decided to keep going in a direction opposite from Itachi's location. Hopefully those jounin could hold him off a little longer.
Listen to me, conspiring against my own brother. My own brother that I am infatuated with. I must be crazy. I had to remind myself that I was doing this for his own protection; he did not have to be a puppet to the Akatsuki any more than I had to be a puppet to Orochimaru. We could get through this world together, the two of us. We didn't need any of them. What a sickeningly sentimental thought. I think Itachi would gag if he heard me, if that was his style.
I kept Naruto walking for the majority of the day, until twilight was finally setting in. The blonde opened his mouth to protest several times, but I shut him up quickly. The idiot didn't even know I was helping him. He should be on his knees, grateful for my treachery to my own blood. He wasn't even worth the effort, but keeping the Kyuubi away from the Akatsuki was. As long as the fox demon resided in Naruto, I would have to put up with the blonde during our escape.
Looking around, I tried to find some place we could rest the night. I certainly wasn't going to sit out in the open with a campfire; that would just scream out my location to Itachi or Kabuto. Still, I had no brilliant plan on how to evade them if we did meet up. There were no caves that I could see in this area, and sleeping in a thorny bush was something I'd rather not have to do. Finally I spotted it: a tree hollow that seemed just big enough to squeeze the two of us in.
Naruto looked in it and looked back at me with a 'you've got to be joking,' look. I glared and shoved him inside in response. He yelped at the action, and I piled in after him before he could try to escape.
"Just quit your whining and make some space," I ordered. I didn't like the sleeping arrangements any more than he did, but at least we were hidden. Currently the dobe's elbow was digging into my collarbone and his legs were tangled in mine, jamming my knee into the rough inside wall of the tree.
"It's too tight in here! Ow, you've got your elbow in my stomach! I think there are spiders crawling all over me."
"Just shut up," I hissed.
"What are we running from anyway? Orochimaru?" he asked. In the dim light I could see him tilt his head to the side in confusion.
"Partially. Now stop asking questions." I tried to shift around a little to find a more comfortable position. Naruto gave a squeak of protest that I ignored. Figuring that my new posture was as good as it was going to get, I relaxed a little, preparing myself to go into a sort of half-sleep.
Naruto was being strangely quiet, and I could hear his breath coming unevenly. His skin felt warm and I moved slightly closer. It was a cold night, and if I was going to have to be squashed up against the Konoha idiot, I was going to use him as my own portable fire as well. The blonde made a hissing sound through his teeth, and I wasn't sure if I had jabbed him painfully or not. Not that I cared if I did. After all, I could be back with Itachi, not helping this incompetent nin.
It was soon that I noticed I had something pressed uncomfortably against my leg. I shifted around to lessen the prodding, causing a strange squeak to come out of Naruto.
"What's the matter with you dobe?" It was just then I realized just what was against my leg, and I could almost see the blonde's face glowing a brilliant red in the darkness. "Ugh, fuck, what the hell's wrong with you?" I said, squirming away as much as I could, not succeeding in our enclosed space.
"Would you stop moving?" Naruto said in exasperation. "How do you expect me to react with you rubbing up against me like that?"
I made an irritated and disgusted noise as I failed once again at trying to put some space in between us. Really, this was just plain uncomfortable in both a physical and emotional sense.
I could tell that Naruto was mortified. Hell, I was mortified, and it was only the start of the night. We were stuck here until morning, since there was no moon out tonight to light our way. Going out would just be begging to walk off a cliff or ram into a tree. Trying to get my mind off the pressure that was now against my thigh, I shut my eyes to the dark and counted to ten. Whatever moron said that the method worked was wrong.
Naruto began to hum to himself, probably trying a different method to distract him from the awkward situation. Unfortunately, like practically everything the blonde did, it grated my nerves to a point where I finally told him to shut up. There was silence for a little while before Naruto finally spoke up.
"Where are you going to go, if you're not going to Orochimaru's?"
Great, I was going to get into an in-depth conversation about my future aspirations while the blonde's obvious hard-on dug into my leg.
"Wherever the hell I please," I said, hoping the conversation would end there.
"Sasuke, I'm worried about you. You're pushing yourself too hard, you don't know what you're getting into, and you're being hunted down at the same time. Why wont you listen to anything I tell you?"
"Because it's hard to take you seriously at a moment like this," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Do you have to be a prick every second of your life?"
"To you, yes." If only Naruto knew how much more of a prick my brother could be.
Naruto let out a lengthy sigh. "I don't want to see you get hurt."
"I think that's my choice to make."
"That's unfair to everyone, especially me! We've worked so hard to try and protect you from your own goddamn self! You're just too stubborn. Sasuke, what do I have to do to get you to listen?"
"Well for one, you could shut u—"
I was cut off by a sharp stinging on my cheek. Did Naruto have a death wish? Picking a fight with me in an enclosed space was not smart. Kyuubi or no Kyuubi, he was going to get it.
"I-I'm sorry Sasuke," Naruto's wavering voice finally came through the darkness. Apparently, he hadn't realized he had slapped me until after he had finished. Well, it was too late for apologies by now.
I fumbled around in the dark for his collar, grabbing it roughly and pulling him close. Naruto yelped and tried to struggle away.
"I said I was sorry! Ow, Sasuke, you're hurting me!"
"You're such a whiner," I growled, "Quit acting like a baby and grow up." I drew back my fist to give him a nice solid punch when a noise outside made me freeze. Someone was coming closer. Naruto and I stayed frozen in the darkness, my fist still raised and my other hand clutching the blonde's shirt collar—now white-knuckled and sweaty. It was too dark to see, so we wouldn't be detected inside if they just looked, but all it took was a hand to reach in and feel the amount of flesh that was squeezed into the small hollow and we were done for. There was absolutely no way to escape, and not even enough room to manoeuvre.
Naruto and I held our breaths as the footsteps grew closer. I could hear them right outside the tree, and I willed myself not to cough as my throat went parch dry with fear. Thankfully, the footsteps kept going and soon faded off into the distance. When I was absolutely sure I couldn't hear them anymore, I finally allowed myself to relax, going slightly limp on Naruto as I breathed out a sigh of relief. I could feel both our heartbeats going at an unbelievably rapid pace. That was just too close.
Naruto was taking deep even breaths to calm himself down after the ordeal, and I could feel him shift position, his face brushing past my hair.
"Um…Sasuke?"
"What?"
"……Nothing."
I then realized how close I was to Naruto; hell, I was practically sitting/lying on top of him with my head buried in his shoulder. I could feel my face heat up as I moved slightly away, which wasn't all that far because I had gotten my ankle wedged in between the wall and the blonde's foot. Clearing my throat to try and hide my embarrassment, I turned my head away from where I knew Naruto's was. That only served to have his breath tickle my neck, and I flatly ignored the tingling sensation it brought.
"Sasuke?"
I flinched as his word sent a puff of hot air against my neck, and made sure to sound characteristically cold and indifferent when I opened my mouth to respond.
"What?"
"Why do you hate me?"
I paused, slightly taken aback by his words. "I don't have any hate to spare on you. That is reserved for my murderous brother." That's it Sasuke, lie through your teeth.
"I'm sorry for smacking you."
"Just shut up and let's try and get some sleep."
"Shouldn't one of us stay up to keep watch?" Naruto suggested.
"Watch what? It's pitch black. I don't know how good your vision is, but all I see is the dark. Besides, even if someone came, we're not going to be able to escape or fight back, so it doesn't really matter. Just get some sleep, dobe." I moved my leg slightly and finally surrendered to using the blonde's shoulder as a pillow. I was tired, and that was the softest thing I could rest upon. Naruto would just have to live with it.
I got no complaints from him, so I shut my eyes and allowed my mind to wander into a hazy wave of sleep. I could feel Naruto relax under me as sleep took me over.
- - -
I lay encased in comforting warmth and kept my eyes shut, afraid that it would dissolve away once the bright rays of reality set in. My face was buried in something soft and warm that smelled like earth and sweat, though not unpleasantly. The pressure I felt around my waist I took to be two arms wrapped around me. I had longed for this for a while. For once, brother, you didn't leave me cold.
Lifting my lashes to welcome the bright sunlight of morning and my brother's face—one which I hoped displayed at least the slightest smile—I was jarred to find myself staring at the sleeping face of Naruto. Memories flooded back from the previous night, and the painful cramping in my legs reminded me I was currently jammed in a tree hollow with him. Disgruntled and disappointed, I moved a bit, trying to regain feeling in my body.
Naruto groaned and squeezed his eyes shut tighter before bringing a lazy hand up from around my hips to rub at an eye. His unfocused blue eyes opened, before regaining their clarity and shifting to me. His mouth broke into a tired cheerful grin as he shook the last of his sleep off.
"Hey, did you sleep any better after?"
"After what? What are you talking about?" I asked, running a hand through my hair and trying to fix it without appeared too vain.
"Well, you seemed to have some sort of nightmare last night." Naruto asked. "I had to rub your back to calm you down, but afterwards you seemed pretty quiet. Don't you remember?"
"No," I stated bluntly. I had recalled my dream to be rather pleasant. Just what was this dobe going on about?
"Well, you were moaning your brother's name in your sleep."
Shit! I quickly forced down a blush that threatened to come. Better for Naruto to think I was moaning from pain than pleasure.
"I'm not a child anymore. Now let's get going." I moved into a better position to peek outside the hole. Anything to avoid extra questioning about my dream. The coast was clear, so I slid myself out. When I had finally been able to stretch my limbs fully, I realized just how cramped I had been in the hollow.
Naruto poked his head out of the hollow like some demented squirrel and looked around as well before leaping out.
"I wont ask you where we're headed, because I know you wont answer, but I'll go with you to make sure you're safe," he stated.
"I can take care of myself." At least Naruto was learning not to question my actions.
We maintained the same uncertain course as I tried to figure out just where the hell I could hide the blonde. We could go to another village, but the Akatsuki I'm sure were everywhere, so he wouldn't be safe. Things were looking pretty hopeless. I hated not having a direction.
To Naruto's credit, he followed without complaint, but at the same time I felt like complaining. We were just wandering, getting nowhere. If Naruto noticed, he didn't say anything. I stopped walking, thoughts and doubts in my head warring with each other. I should just let Naruto go back to Konoha; he was as safe there as any. Going up against the Akatsuki was too big of a job for me; I couldn't handle it. Like my brother said, I was weak and pathetic. It was stupid for me to try and do this.
Naruto paused and looked at me questioningly as I stood there. With a sigh, I hung my head. Forget it. None of this was worth the effort if it was all going to end in failure anyway. Turning around to go back in the direction we had come, I ran into a firm solid chest cloaked in red and black. Looking up, I confirmed why I hadn't sensed the presence sooner.
Itachi stared down at my shocked expression. "Where are you off to in such a hurry, Sasuke?"
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I wasn't sure what to say. Just how long had brother been trailing us? Naruto was tense by my side, a kunai drawn in his hand. Itachi spared him a glance.
"At least you can do one thing right." He placed a hand on top of my head as he walked past me, advancing towards Naruto.
I stood staring straight ahead before quickly turning around and grabbing my brother's sleeve. He stopped without looking at me, his eyes focused on the defensive Naruto.
"What is it, Sasuke?" he asked softly.
My mind was a blank slate. I tried to grasp some sort of semblance of words, anything that would make Itachi listen. I failed.
Itachi stood there, waiting for me to speak up, and when I didn't he gave a small snort of annoyance. "Sasuke, let go of my arm." When I still did not respond, he turned his head partially to stare at me. "Sasuke."
I hung my head. "Onii-san…"
Naruto was looking shocked and wary at the rather comfortable and casual behaviour displayed between my brother and I. I suppose he had a right to be so, since every time I mentioned Itachi, it was also with colourful description of how I would tear him limb to limb. Here I was, clinging onto my brother's arm like some lost child, trying to communicate my silent need to his deaf ears.
Itachi pursed his lips together in displeasure and broke away from my grip. "It is getting late. Go get firewood for the campfire, Sasuke."
I hesitated, wary of leaving my brother alone with Naruto. What if I came back and they both were gone?
Itachi looked back when he realized I hadn't moved. "Go on. We're not going anywhere. Now do as I had said."
I nodded and headed off into the woods to gather some firewood. Though I had turned away quickly, I couldn't miss the painfully shocked and betrayed look written all over Naruto's face. Dobe. You should've known from the start that I wasn't to be trusted. You probably wouldn't believe I was trying to help you escape. I couldn't even do that right, and now it looks like we're both trapped. I'm sorry.
Since I knew the blonde couldn't read minds, my thoughts would be of no comfort to him.
And now for review responses. Keep them coming guys. :)
KagomeHigarashi - Heh, I may have done well, but I sure as hell didn't play well. But thanks anyway. And I shall continue with this delightfully fun fic. :)
Catherine Lewie Rain - Lol, I've written the opposite of what I meant several times, lol, even in this fic. I think twice since I started this fic I've found errors where Sasuke saying the opposite of what he means. Quite humorous at times, but I'm glad I caught the errors before I posted. And don't worry, I like long reviews. :D
Patty - Ack! I've been spelling Konoha wrong forever if that's the case! Gomen, and thanks for pointing that out. I'll go back and fix it. Heh, I'm glad you like the twist. Lol, I was a little freaked out, because at the part where Naru and Sasu were running from Kabuto, I wasn't fully sure how they were going to get out of it, but just like Sasuke, I got a little lightbulb in my head and they did it. I have a vague outline of the events to come, since I actually wasn't planning on reincorporating Naruto back into the story, but liked the idea. It gives the fic a bit more flavour. And yes, we all have to love Sasuke...I know of far too many people that hate him, which shocks me, because you have to love him despite him being a jerk. You have to love him because he's a jerk! lol
tidAL rabbiT - Heh, he'll figure something out I'm sure. I have faith in our little Uchiha. Even if he doesn't, it should be an interesting ride.
rAiNwAtEr - I wanted to get my update in before I started classes, so I sat for a few hours on Sunday and just wrote and wrote and wrote until I got the long chapter to satiate you guys. It would be nice for Sasuke to be nicer to Naruto, but by force of habit and his pride, he'll probably be a jerk most of the time. Dear little Naruto will just have to put up with it.
mayfaire - Lol, I wanted Itachi to kiss Sasuke too in that scene, but knew he'd leave Sasuke hanging just to frustrate his little ototo just a little bit more. I hope for more ItaSasu smut soon, though I'm not sure when that'll occur. I just know it will, because I want it as a fangirl! Lol. And of course Sasuke would run into his brother again while trying to escape. You don't think Itachi would let him slip through his fingers like that, do you? ;)
riikaa - Itachi wont let that vile Kyuubi do anything to his precious Sasu-chan. Lol.
WOZA - Yeah, I figured Itachi needed a push in the right direction, since he was taking Sasuke for granted. 'shakes finger at Itachi' Less teasing and more smut!
UchihaMangekyou – Sweet! I would love that! One of my clones could eat for me too, since I have no time to eat between my 4 classes, then three hour lab, then another class that I have three times a week. I wish I could just sit at home and write. That would be bliss…
myworld101 – From what I understand, Itachi was 13 when he killed the clan, and Sasuke was 9. If anyone knows different, please speak up. :)
