Maybe a Caravan is not so Bad
Chapter Ten
Naruto x Sasuke
AU
I do not own Naruto or anything related to the series. No copyright infringement intended
"D-dobe, s-stop…" Sasuke stuttered as Naruto nipped at the skin on his neck, lightly sucking on some areas until it left a slight mark, "we are right o-outside the caravan window. What if t-the Hokage sees us?"
"And what if he does, mm?" Naruto teased, pausing his assault on his neck to meet his lips in an intense kiss, tongues fighting a fierce battle for dominance.
"Its embarrassing…" he protested, pushing the blonde away from him before immediately being pulled back into another kiss which he again broke away from, "Are you an exhibitionist? What happened to my request of taking things slowly?"
"So your saying you don't like it, teme?" he whispered into a pale ear, giving the lobe a quick lick, "you would prefer me to back off?" Naruto took his hands from Sasuke's waist and turned away from him, suddenly finding something interesting in the clouds to look at.
"When did I start enjoying this…" Sasuke muttered running his hands through his spiky hair frustrated by the lack of contact, "I take it back, idiot."
"Not lis-ten-ing." Naruto said in an annoying sing song voice still looking up at the sky, "not until you call me by my name."
"Your one to talk, calling me teme, bastard…"
"Still not listening…"
"For gods sake, how old are you…" Sasuke rolled his eyes, "Fine. Just grab me and kiss me, Naruto Uzumaki."
"Better." Naruto grinned before pulling the Uchiha's body close to his, slipping his hands up the back of his shirt as he kissed him passionately, exploring the lightly defined muscles underneath.
"Mm…N-Naruto" Sasuke managed to say between kisses, as he felt the other begin to rub slowly against him.
"ahm, when did you g-get so submissive mighty Uchiha?" the blonde sighed.
"No Uchiha's are submissive" A voice said angrily from behind making the couple jump away from each other, "get away from him now."
"Shit!" Sasuke yelled, immediately recognising the voice, pulling away from Naruto who suddenly looked guilty, "oh…just shi-"
"Sasuke I taught you much better than to use language like that." Fugaku said surprisingly calmly, grabbing his son by the shoulder and pulling him further away from Naruto, "and I also taught you better than to go playing around with other boys."
"I'm so sorry!" Minato cried running up to Sasuke with Itachi in tow, "it just slipped, god I really messed up!"
"No. He would have found out eventually." Sasuke said to the Hokage before turning to his father, "and I was not 'playing around'."
"Really? Then what would you call that then?" Fugaku said, a trace of repulsion in his voice.
"Sharing a kiss with my boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" The Uchiha head snorted, something Sasuke was sure he had never heard before from him, "do not make me laugh."
"I don't think you have the ability to."
"Sasuke." Fugaku said his voice dropping to a serious tone, "Stay away from him. I don't want to see you near him again."
"Father, don't you think you are being much too hard on him?" Itachi said stepping forward, "why should it matter what gender Sasuke is with?"
"Of course it matters!" Fugaku suddenly snapped at Itachi making both brothers flinch, "you know more than anyone how much it matters!"
"But if they are in lo-"
"Stay out of this Hokage." he spat, venom dripping from every word, "Sasuke I don't want you to even look on him."
"Why the hell are you so homophobic!" Naruto yelled marching up to Fugaku, his eyes almost red in anger, fingers in a tight fist, "Why you bastard!"
"Naruto no!" Minato cried, restraining his son before he could punch the Uchiha, "calm down. Please."
"Hn. I am not homophobic, insolent brat." he said without even flinching at the young blonde's actions.
"If you were not homophobic you would not have a problem with who I date," Sasuke said, the calm Uchiha trait still present in his voice unlike his boyfriend, "But you obviously do."
"No, I just can't have you date another boy," Fugaku said and his youngest son groaned.
"So what if Itachi was to bring home another man?"
"As long as he was decent, I would accept his choice."
"What the hell!" Naruto cried, shaking free from his dad's grip, "that is messed up! What have you got against Sasuke?"
"How dare you suggest I do not love my son." Fugaku said narrowing his eyes at the blonde, his words angry but his tone still composed, "What do you understand about my affairs."
"Enough to know you're a cold hearted ba-"
"Naruto don't…think before you speak." Minato hissed.
"Sasuke. I am telling you again, keep away from him." Fugaku warned, "if your teenage hormones are becoming dominant then so be it, we will find a nice girl to satisfy you."
"I do not want any girl, thank you, nor some play toy."
"Sasuke if you think I am going to stand for this-"
"I only want Naruto." Sasuke said, his voice coming out shakily despite trying to sound firm, "that is what I want right now. I do not love him, not at all, and my opinion could change in a week or so, who knows. But for now that is what I want, and I do know for certain I never want some girl."
"I have had more than enough of this!" Fugaku suddenly yelled, "I am not having the Uchiha family line end like this!"
"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked confused and both Itachi and Minato grimaced.
"I mean that this company has been the Uchiha's life for over 100 years, we have built it up to what it is now and I am not going to see it go to someone not of Uchiha blood after we all die."
"Well that's no problem is it!" Sasuke cried shooting his father a glare, "Itachi is the oldest so the company will automatically go to him anyway, so he can provide you a new Uchiha heir."
"No Sasuke, that will not work!" Fugaku cried loosing all of his composure, "Itachi is infertile."
Itachi suddenly flushed bright red and looked away noticeably embarrassed and Sasuke stared in shock.
"He is…what?"
"You heard him…no need to repeat it," Itachi said without making eye contact.
"Why else do you think I was always so hard on you?" Fugaku said exasperated, "you were always too lax. You knew you were the youngest so you wouldn't get the company so you never even tried to reach your full potential. I pushed you and pushed you to try to get you to Itachi's level as he won't inherit. He will reject the company and pass it straight to you. You're the only one who can continue the Uchiha bloodline."
"I…" Sasuke stated but could not finish. He had all that pressure on him?
"Now, you understand the situation." Fugaku said returning to his usual calm self, "Forget about Uzumaki, and we will help you find a suitable girlfriend."
"No." Sasuke said and Naruto gasped, "I have already said I am not doing that."
"Sasuke, you know how imp-"
"Yeah, but I am not going to be with a girl just because of that, the thought sickens me."
Everyone was silent for a moment, simply staring at Sasuke and Fugaku, wondering what the next move would be. The youngest Uchiha was paler than usual, looking unsure in everything he says instead of his normal declarative tone.
"Is that your final answer?" Fugaku asked, breathing deeply.
"Yes."
"In that case, I have no choice." The oldest Uchiha said, actually looking genuinely regretful, "you are not yet 18 so I can not completely remove you. But I do not want to look at you, or have you in the same room as me until you change your mind and come to me saying you accept your role and will provide me with an heir. You are not to stay in the same caravan as me, I don't care where you go, and after this holiday has finished you will not return to the Uchiha estate or at least stay in a remote part of it. Maybe this will make you realise what your missing and awaken your brain. This decision is final."
"Father that is the most st-"
"Itachi, if you stand up to him you too will be out."
For a second Itachi looked as though he was going to ignore what Fugaku said and speak up for his younger brother but his mouth closed and he was silent, flashing Sasuke an apologetic look.
"Good, at least your obedient." Fugaku said, giving Sasuke a small shove away from him and turning his back, "Itachi, lets go."
After a slight pause Itachi followed Fugaku in what seemed to be the direction of their caravan, leaving Sasuke behind with Minato and Naruto. The three were silent as they simply watched the two Uchihas leave without another word to the youngest member of their family. As soon as they were out of sight Sasuke dropped to the floor, falling on his knees, breathing deeply.
"Sasuke…are you okay?" Naruto asked rushing to his boyfriend's side while Minato still looked extremely apologetic.
"Naruto leave me alone." Sasuke said quietly.
"But Sasuke…"
"I said leave me alone idiot!" the raven snapped, slamming his fist into the ground.
"C'mon, give him some time." Minato said, putting his arm around his son who looked both angry and upset and leading him back into their caravan.
xx
"You can stay with us as long as you like, Sasuke." Minato said in a forced light tone, trying to stay cheerful despite the situation, "if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask!"
"Okay. Thanks." Sasuke said. He was sitting on the sofa in their caravan, vaguely watching whatever was on the television. Minato had waited until the young Uchiha had calmed down before inviting him to stay with them, and he had hesitantly agreed. Sasuke did not want to be a burden on them but conversely he had nowhere else to go. The Hokage was currently busy clearing the table of the many papers involving the Uchiha business, trying to get rid of any reminders to Sasuke. Naruto hovered in the doorway between his bedroom and the main room, unsure of what action to make. His mouth often got him in trouble and he did not want to accidentally provoke the raven anymore. Yet, all he wanted was to hold him close and tell him it would be alright. But he did not believe that either, would his insincerity show through? A sharp knock on the door shook Naruto from his thoughts and he hurried to answer it, swinging it wide open.
"Itachi?"
Sasuke's head turned at the mention of his older brother's name and a flash of hope ran through him.
"I'm just here to drop this off, it is all I am allowed." Itachi said, his voice void of all emotion as he handed Naruto Sasuke's suitcase and rucksack, full of everything which he had took on holiday.
"oh, right." the blonde said dropping the luggage on the floor next to him as Itachi turned and left without another word, the hope leaving Sasuke immediately.
"What an amazing brother…" Naruto heard Sasuke mutter as he closed the door, pushing Sasuke's things closer to him when he noticed an envelope resting on the top of a suitcase, 'My sweetie' written on it in looped handwriting.
"Sasuke, is there another boy you have not been telling me about?" Naruto asked half seriously as he handed over the envelope which Sasuke snatched immediately.
"That's my mother's writing, idiot." Sasuke said as he ripped it open, scanning his eyes rapidly over the letter which was inside.
"Oh, haha that makes sense." Naruto said scratching his head, "well, what does it say?"
Sasuke handed over the piece of paper wordlessly to the blonde, his expression seemingly more depressed than before.
"Sasuke sweetie, I love you. Don't forget that. I will bring you back soon, give me time to talk around your father. If it fails, I will divorce and make sure I provide a home for you with me, or I fail as a mother. Love, Mikoto." Naruto read aloud softly before folding the paper in half and handing it back to Sasuke.
"My family is falling apart…" he said slowly, running his hands through his dark spikes, "and its all my fault."
"Well I guess a mother's bond is strong, huh." Naruto said, a trace of sadness in his voice as it shook slightly saying the words, something Minato picked up on.
"Kushina, your mother, loved you too Naruto." he said, but the blonde simply shrugged.
"How would I know?" Naruto said quickly, "and anyway it is not your fault," he continued, changing the subject before Minato could say anymore.
"It is." Sasuke said simply, "I am a selfish bastard. Your right Naruto, I really am a bastard. A cold hearted, unfeeling ba-"
"Oh shut up!" Naruto yelled, "thinking like that will not get you out of this shit!"
"No, but it won't do any harm either, especially as its true."
"So your regretting the decision you made, is that it? You wish you chose some whore over me instead now?"
"Perhaps."
"I…I'll leave you to it." Minato said hastily, grabbing an armful of papers and rushing out of the room to his bedroom, leaving both boys alone.
"You clearly don't want to stay here, so there is the door," Naruto fumed, swinging open the door for emphasis, "go get some girl knocked up and run back to your daddy. I am sure he will welcome you with open arms then."
"For gods sake, do you really think that is what I want?" Sasuke yelled, marching over to where Naruto was standing and pushing the door closed, "if I wanted that I would not be in this situation now, would I?"
"But-"
"No but, dobe, I chose you. I chose you because for the first time someone made me feel wanted in my life, and now you're the one pushing me out the door!"
Naruto fell silent, a flood of guilt washing over him and he flopped to the sofa sighing.
"I have just been shunned by my own family, are you going to do the same?"
"I'm sorry…" the blonde said quietly, running his fingers through his blonde hair, "our relationship was just starting to work as well…we had a great day…"
"I know." Sasuke sighed joining Naruto on the sofa, "I don't want us to be arguing like this."
"Then lets stop?"
"Yeah."
The two sat on the sofa in an awkward silence, neither now knowing what to say now the arguments had stopped. Words came out easier when they were been thrown in a heated battle, but the aftermath was always difficult. Taking a risk Naruto reached over to grab Sasuke's hand and he held it tightly, giving it a quick squeeze which the raven returned appreciatively. Soon the Uchiha was resting in the older boy's arms, allowing himself to be cradled against his chest as his raven spikes were stroked gently.
"We can work something out, yeah teme?"
"Do you believe that?" Sasuke asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice, "you have seen what my father is like."
"Damn, caught."
"Your useless, definitely a dobe." he said, but it seemed more endearing than an insult.
"But don't forget, my dad's the Hokage." Naruto said, a small grin spreading on his face, "that is an advantage right?"
"A small one."
"Any advantage is better than none!"
"Guess so."
"So, want some ramen?" Naruto asked, noticeably a bit more brighter, hugging Sasuke closer to his chest.
"What? No." Sasuke said shocked that he could be thinking about food in this situation. He wriggled free from the blonde's grasp and stood up giving the other a quick glare.
"But you have not eaten since this morning, aren't you hungry?" Naruto said frowning.
"No."
"I can make other things as well as Ramen, you know. How about…pot noodle?"
"You have got to be kidding. No."
"But Sa-suke, its unhealthy to not eat."
"Your calling Ramen healthy?"
"Well…no. But-"
"I think I am just going to go to bed." Sasuke sighed, staring at the clock which read 7pm.
"Really?" Naruto asked frowning, "but its still early."
"Yeah, but everything that has gone on…I just need to sleep. Clear my mind."
"I guess your right." the blonde said nodding, "It must be hard to take in. But please eat something first?"
"Hn, if it will shut you up."
xx
"You can sleep here." Naruto said, leading Sasuke into his bedroom and clearing a bunch of clothes off the bed with one swipe of his hand, "I will have the other one."
After finally being persuaded to give eating a try, the Uchiha allowed his boyfriend to attempt to cook, settling at trying to 'make' toast. He burnt it. Sasuke could not believe how helpless the blonde was in the kitchen, making putting a slice of bread in a toaster seem like an impossible task. He did not believe him when he said he could heat up instant ramen in the microwave, not by his toasting skills. When he eventually had an edible slice of toast in front of him, Sasuke almost threw up the first bite. It was not that it did not taste right, surprisingly it was fine, but he just could not stomach anything. An image of his father, then the rest of his family just appeared in his mind and suddenly his stomach churned. Everything was still just unreal to him.
"Okay…thanks." Sasuke said, dumping his luggage on the already cluttered floor and sitting on the bed, looking at Naruto rather expectantly.
"What?" the blonde asked and the other sighed in annoyance.
"I need to get changed."
"Yeah…so?"
Sasuke simply looked at Naruto and eventually it clicked, the blonde nodding and grabbing his pyjamas from under his pillow.
"Er, I will change in the bathroom then." he said sheepishly hurrying out the room, leaving Sasuke to change alone in his room.
Sasuke quickly shed his clothes, putting on his sleeping joggers as fast as he could, just on the off chance that Naruto could be watching him from behind the door even though he knew he would not do that. As soon as he was suitably dressed he climbed in between the sheets, wrapping them close to his body. Although the sheets were surprisingly comfy, the bed felt foreign. It was not his own, the one he had slept in countless times before. It was not his room, the one he shared with Itachi, and even though he complained at the time he really missed him now. Sasuke looked over at the bed next to his. It was empty. He knew that in a moment Naruto would be filling it, but he wasn't Itachi. It wasn't the same. It had only been a few hours and he already missed his family. Even his father.
"Hey, is it safe for me to come in?" Naruto's voice came from behind the door.
"Yeah." Sasuke called and the door opened revealing his boyfriend in what seemed to be a pair of grey joggers and no top, showing off his toned, tanned chest. He expected him to be in orange. Unaware of Sasuke's staring, Naruto climbed into his own bed, pulling the covers over himself before turning to look at Sasuke concerned.
"Are you feeling okay?" he asked and the Uchiha grunted, not appreciating the concern.
"Yes, I'm fine." the raven answered, a touch of sarcasm in his reply which the other did not pick up on.
"Well…if you need to talk…" Naruto said awkwardly and Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"I don't."
"Fine. I am turning off the light then."
"Knock yourself out."
This time the blonde rolled his eyes as he reached over to flick the switch on the lamp, plunging the room in darkness except for pale moonlight seeping through the curtains.
"Night teme."
"…dobe."
xx
Naruto tossed and turned in his sheets as he tried to find a position that was comfortable. Looking over at the digital clock on the bedside table, he noticed the time was 11pm. He had got into bed just after half eight, and since then he had not been able to get an ounce of sleep. It was not as though he was not tired, the tribulations of the day had began to get the better of him and his eyelids were desperate to shut, but every position he tried seemed to be uncomfortable in some way, and his mind was too full to clear. Every time he closed his eyes his mind swarmed with different stresses and worries, Sasuke, the business, his own well being, all stopping him from getting much needed rest. If he was struggling, he could not imagine what it would be like for Sasuke. Sasuke. Naruto rolled so he was lying on his side and facing Sasuke's bed. All he could see through the darkness was the faint outline of the Uchiha curled up under the covers.
"Sasuke…are you awake?" Naruto whispered.
"…Yeah." Came the eventual reply, the shape of the raven unmoving.
"Can't you sleep either?" the blonde asked, before realising how stupid a question it was.
"I am thinking." Sasuke said, Naruto shocked that he did not just snap at him.
"Mm, about?"
"Myself."
"Yourself?" Naruto asked, subtly pressing the other for more information, to get a rare insight into the Uchiha's thoughts.
"Hn, when I think about it I was never attracted to girls." Sasuke admitted quietly, "at first I thought you were the reason I started to like boys, but now I realise you were just a catalyst."
"A cata-what?"
"Catalyst, dobe, you must have done science in school," the Uchiha said slightly annoyed, "you just sped my realisation up. Eventually I would have discovered I was gay."
"Oh, I get it." Naruto said nodding, "but what has this to do with anything?"
"I was…looking for someone to blame." Sasuke almost stuttered, his voice beginning to go slightly wavy, "I looked to blame you. Your fault why I am gay, your fault why I can never give my father an heir, your fault why I have been shoved out my own family. But really, its all me. It is not your fault, its mine. I am a failure as a son, and…" he trailed off, his words becoming more and more slurred as he talked.
"Sasuke…no. Its no one's fault, not yours." Naruto said earnestly. "I mean it." He said for conformation after he received no reply from his boyfriend. Again, Sasuke said nothing, and that was when Naruto noticed it. The faint moonlight that did manage to seep through the windows reflected off Sasuke's face, two silvery streaks ran from his eyes down his cheeks and the blonde bit his lip. He never thought he would see Sasuke cry. The raven did not seem the type, he was not overly emotional and hardly expressive with his feelings. A mere laugh was a rarity, something Naruto had only seen a couple of occasions, so to let all his guard down and cry…he knew Sasuke was broken. Completely unsure what to do in the situation, Naruto thought for a moment. He could barely handle the Uchiha at the best of times, one wrong word could have them in a major argument. So why use words? Taking a deep breath, Naruto climbed out of his bed and carefully got into Sasuke's, pulling the quilt around both of them. To his shock Sasuke made no protest and instead immediately snuggled his head into Naruto's warm chest, legs and arms entwining with one another's. Silently, the blonde began to pull Sasuke closer to him, the thinness of their clothing making it the most intimate position they had been with one another, the raven snuggling deeper and deeper to find warmth, to feel connected to another. It was obvious, in this moment in time his usual wall was shattered, he just needed to be close to another.
"Shh, Sasuke-baby, it will be okay," Naruto soothed in between stroking the raven spikes and pressing soft kisses down his neck, "he will come around. Your dad will realise his mistake."
"He won't, I'm the mistake, I-"
Naruto cut him off by claiming his lips in a short but emotional kiss, a slightly salty taste entering his mouth.
"Don't think that way. In the morning, we will sort it out. Sleep."
"Its not going to be that easy, idiot!"
"Well is lying here worrying, becoming more exhausted going to help?"
The pair fell silent, the only noise present the sound of their breathing, getting increasingly heavier as they pressed further against each other, sparks being felt in their bodies in ways they could not imagine.
"They don't want me," Sasuke eventually said quietly, "no one does." From the position his head was on Naruto's chest he could feel and hear every heartbeat, each pound coming stronger and harder with each second, and the blonde pushed the Uchiha's head up for another kiss. This one was more passionate, a slight moan escaping both boys as new sensations began to take over their feelings, and the kiss deepened.
"S-Sasuke.." Naruto moaned, pulling away from the kiss, "don't be stupid. Of course someone wants you."
This time Sasuke drew Naruto into the kiss, his tongue slipping into the other's mouth and tangling with his as hand began to wantonly explore each other's bodies. Again, Naruto pulled away, his breaths coming in short pants.
"Sasuke…I-I love you."
x
Exactly one week! Much quicker update than before, and also the longest, longest chapter by far in fact. So I hope you enjoyed it! This is the chapter which I consider to be the turning point in the story, and therefore I put a lot of effort into it so I hope it shows through! If you read the chapter carefully you might notice a future problem with the last sentence )
Anyway, if you enjoyed please review, and thank you to all my reviewers and readers as you are so amazingly awesome!