Heeeeey. ^_^ I was so excited to write this chapter I didn't wait at all to start. Enjoy it, dammit. :)

And, for the record, that word 'Nat' at the end of every chapter is my name. Whoever asked that, you somehow made me laugh myself into unconsciousness almost.

kudos to you

Warning: this chapter contains a sexual dream, not particularly graphic. Also mental torture? I don't know what to call it... Sasuke is just screwed up, ya feels me? (lol)

You've been told.~

Itachi threw the last man onto the floor wildly, brushing a few loose strands of hair out of his eyes before stumbling toward the door down the hallway. The young man panted slightly from the aching in his side. He supposed one of the men must have broken a rib or two of his. Itachi covered his side gingerly and opened the next door, sighing as he noticed it, too, was empty. He'd been searching all over this building and still hadn't found a trace of his younger sibling ever being here. The man left the dark bedroom and walked further down the hallway, stepping over the numerous, unconscious guards in his way and opening the next door.

A gasp escaped Itachi as he was hit in the back by something, grabbing the doorframe and balancing himself before spinning around to find out what or who had nailed his side. A small bundle of shadows lied on the floor a few feet up the hallway, gasping being heard emitting from them. Itachi grimaced and gripped his kunai tighter before stalking toward the form.

"On your feet," he ordered in a gruff voice, watching as, to his surprise, a child's face appeared. The blond was young and covered in bruises. He watched Itachi with wide, frightened, blue eyes. The older ninja lowered his weapon upon looking over the boy. He bent down and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, it's alright. I'm not here to hurt you-"

"Get the fuck away from us!" the blond bellowed and hit Itachi across the face. The Uchiha wiped his mouth with a grunt of pain, jumping to attention as he heard another, softer voice.

"Na-aruto... Na-...," the voice whimpered, barely coherent. Itachi's blood froze in his veins. He knew that voice. Though, it was slightly deeper, but not enough to throw his identity off.

"Sa-... Sasuke?" he stuttered in shock, watching the blond boy, Naruto, scoop up the other child roughly. His brother sobbed quietly in the blond's hold, making Itachi rise swiftly to his feet. Naruto took off at his action, disappearing down the hallway and through the front door. Itachi stood in silence, repeatedly swallowing the lump now clogging his throat. That had been Sasuke, his baby brother. He'd seen him. After all these years.

The thought to chase after the two entered his mind, but, with his broken ribs, he knew there would be no chance of reaching them. As much as it killed him, he'd just have to wait a little longer. The Uchiha, after regaining his senses, slowly started limping to the front door, heart beating rapidly in his chest.

'They won't get far... You'll find them,' he told himself reluctantly.

Naruto stumbled through the rain, bare feat slapping against the road loudly. His skin was tingling at the sight of that man. His eyes had terrified him. They looked like Sasuke's sharingan, now that he thought about it. The boy in his arms let out a small cry as his holder tripped slightly.

"Sorry, Sasuke... You're... We're safe now. We're free," he whispered tiredly, finally turning his back against a tree and sliding down it. Sasuke trembled against the tan boy's chest violently. Naruto brushed his black locks behind his ears and out of his eyes gently, wanting to see the child's face. Grief overwhelmed him. The Uchiha's eyes still hadn't changed. They still shown with disgrace and fear to him.

"D-Don't hurt me, again!" the Uchiha blurted quickly. "I'll do anything y-you want- just... please, don't... do it again."

"Calm down, Sasuke. I won't... I swear... If... Kyuubi does break out again, I want you to do whatever you can to stop me. Sasuke, you might... have to kill me...," Naruto trailed off, tears finally escaping his eyes once more. The smaller ninja eyes him with wide, black orbs.

"Kill you?"

"Yea... Don't hold back if you feel frightened... I promise Orochimaru won't come back and hurt you for it," the blond explained slowly, wanting nothing more than for his friend to be safe and stand up for himself. The Uchiha shivered and kept his eyes up on him. He seemed to be letting the words soak in. Naruto tensed with surprise as the other slowly leaned back against him, arms squished between his and Naruto's chests. The blond smiled softly and let his head fall back against the rough bark, trying to make this position more comfortable. Though, he didn't need to be selfish right now. Sasuke was comfortable, and that's all that mattered.

Hours passed before one of them finally stirred, that being Sasuke. The Uchiha cracked his heavy eyelids open, not remembering the last time he'd slept so deeply. Every time he'd tried to rest while with Orochimaru, those snakes had woken him up as they crawled over his skin. The Uchiha shivered at the memories and blushed. He looked up to see Naruto, blacked out against the tree with his head rolled to the side bonelessly. He seemed to be fine, other than the occasional furrowing of his eyebrows. The pale child decided against waking the boy and returned to pressing his cheek into the warm chest near him.

Before the boy could fully relax himself, his stomach tightened annoyingly. He told himself that this ninja could not be trusted, that he shouldn't be showing this much unmasked emotion around him. He was dangerous. Sasuke, in a bout of revelation, corrected himself firmly. Naruto could be trusted, though Kyuubi could not be. Although, that was following the story the blue-eyed teen had explained to him, which may, or may not, have been the truth. It was a stretch, a decision Sasuke did not want to tussle with at this moment in time.

Now was time to rest. They were safe. But how could that be? How was that possible when Master was not with him? Surely he'd be hurt by the perversities surrounding him without his owner's strong protection. The Uchiha let his eyes roll down the gaze at the damp grass. Master had always hurt him in perverse ways, though...

Sasuke balled his hands into fists weakly and shook his head. Master loved him. That was love that he showed to him, and love... love hurt. Love always hurt, the Uchiha explained to himself. Master said that to him always, and what Master said was truth. When two people were in love, the strong had to take over the weaker. It was natural, wasn't it? Didn't everyone share such relations with their lovers? Surely they did, because Master had said they did...

'Maybe... Master was wrong... Naruto loves me, yet... he hasn't hurt me as himself... But he did, didn't he? Kyuubi couldn't be real. A lie. He told me a lie... Naruto lies... Master wouldn't lie to me,' the child battled inwardly, trying to sort his thoughts and straighten everything out logically. Sasuke winced as his ass pulsed, feeling Naruto move slightly and groan throatily. Sasuke quivered at the noise and ducked his head submissively.

"Sasuke... You should be sleeping," the blond whispered through his groggy haze, blue orbs gently peering down at the Uchiha. The black-haired child lifted his gaze carefully. He nodded obediently and nestled back into the tan boy's chest. Naruto sighed and rubbed his friend's smooth back, trailing it up and down and in careful strokes. Orochimaru's shirt felt so thin, now that he took the time to feel the soft cotton.

"I'm sorry you have to wear his clothes... I would say we could buy some, but I don't have any money," Naruto explained in a serious voice, though underlying anxiety was evident. Sasuke watched him intently as he continued, saying, "I've never lived without an owner before and I don't know how-... I'm not very sure what normal people do." His words were not a shock. Naruto had been living this life long before he had, Sasuke thought. He, even if he had been free a year longer, still wasn't quite sure himself. It really would be a dilemma. The Uchiha shakily leaned away, white shirt draping over his thin frame.

"W-what are we going to do?" he asked innocently, tears entering his ebony orbs. Naruto reached out and rubbed the other's arm comfortingly, seeing he, too, was worried sick. Of course, he would be. He was in the worse position, to be honest.

"We'll be alright, Sasuke. Calm down, I promise I'll take care of us."

"I-I'll die without Master," the pale ninja sobbed pitifully, body shaking with the intensity. "I'm scared, Naruto," Sasuke finished as he began to wipe away his streaming tears uselessly. The blond watched with saddened, blue orbs. He gently got into a better position, sitting on his shins and looking down at his friend quietly. Sasuke paused as he did so, quivering and eyeing him with fright.

"N-Naruto!" he yelped as two, warm, muscular arms enveloped him and dragged him gently into the older male's chest. The Uchiha gently raised his hands to lay them on the hot skin against him, thinking of pushing away but not quite knowing yet.

The blond waited patiently. He wouldn't mind if Sasuke pulled away. Yes- It would hurt, but he'd understand, nevertheless. Their friendship would take time to heal and mend itself, and maybe, someday, it would become close to returning to normal.

"You can push away, Sasuke. I won't mind," the blond laughed sadly, then waited for the shove to come. But, it did not. Sasuke's gentle, trembling fingers remained on his chest, ghosting over his hot skin ever so softly. Sasuke's cheek remained pressed into his heartbeat, as well, seemingly enjoying the lulling rhythm. A grin tugged at the blue-eyed boy's lips, though he did not have a chance to smile before the Uchiha did lean away.

Sasuke hugged himself a bit as he sat on his own bruised shins, giving his friend an apologetic stare. He really just couldn't handle any more touching on his sensitive body. Now that he had a choice, he'd certainly go with less physical interaction.

"I-I'm sorry... I just... just..-"

"You don't have to explain anything. It's alright. I'm not mad," Naruto cut in, seeing the boy struggling for words. The Uchiha sighed lightly, as if a weight had lifted off his shoulders suddenly. "I'm happy you're doing what you want to do. Now that we're free, you choose what you do. Not me, not Orochimaru- No one, but you," the blond said, allowing his grin to spread now. The ninja before him nodded slightly, looking down with tired eyes.

"Tired," he whispered simply, lying down on his side in the damp grass. He ignored its annoying feel, how it plastered against his ivory skin, and gently shut his eyes. Darkness advanced upon him and he willingly gave into its desires.

The rain had stopped, finally, and the air was chilly around him. Though, Naruto was not focussed on the weather at the time. No, his eyes were locked on his whimpering friend beside him.

Sasuke clawed and fisted his hands into the grass under his writhing form, mouth open as slurs passed his pink lips. He had been doing this for at least ten minutes now, and Naruto was beginning to wonder if he should try and wake him up. Perhaps, he thought to himself, it would pass. Orochimaru's death should have eased at least some of the child's anxiety off of him. He may not have been dreaming of the man, though. The blond couldn't make out a single thing Sasuke had choked out.

"N-no... Ah!" the Uchiha whimpered and flopped onto his back, sweat starting to shimmer across his face and exposed neck. Apparently, the dream was turning worse.

The hands. Those cold, rough, perverse hands were on his hips, on his mouth, on his privates. His stomach flipped with pleasure, though. He wanted this. He wanted this love. This was love Master was giving him. Love was rough, demeaning, brutal sex, he knew.

Another thrust. Another yelp from his bruised throat.

This is how much I love you, Sasuke

Another yank on his member. Another bite on his skin.

This is what real lovers do. This is how they bond; become one

It hurts so much...

A slap to his face at such words of defiance. If this was love, Sasuke thought, then he didn't want any of it...

Naruto flinched as he saw bright, clear tears sliding out from under his friend's eyelids. The blond shot up and grabbed hold of the Uchiha's shoulders, jerking him roughly.

"Wake up, Sasuke... Come on," he whispered as he shook the smaller boy. Sasuke groaned and snapped his eyes open, revealing his bright, red eyes. Naruto backed up at the sight. Why had he activated his sharingan? Was he angry with him for waking him up? Was he upset? The blond still did not quite understand his friend's rare ability.

Sasuke immediately covered his crotch by tugging down on his thin, white shirt, a blush creeping over his tear-streaked face.

"Narut-to," he pleaded between small sobs and hiccups, the tears continuing to run down his flushed cheeks. The blond slowly returned to his friend, enveloping the red-eyed Uchiha in a comforting hold. He only hoped Sasuke wasn't planning on using those eyes of his. He hadn't witnessed them in ages.

Sasuke trembled and roughly shoved the muscular body away from him, despising the soft, gentle touch. He felt too much- too sensitive. He wanted to scream out in lamentation over his dream, realization beginning to hit him. The black-haired boy paused, though, noticing the change in his sight. He turned to Naruto with fright. The boy swirled with blue flames, a small, red pit in the center. Sasuke raised his hands to look them over, watching more blue flames spiral across his vision.

"M-my eyes," he choked out roughly and covered his face, crying harder. "They... sting," he whimpered helplessly.

Naruto sat by in silence until he heard those words, gently scooting closer once again.

"It's just your sharingan, Sasuke, don't worry. They sting when you activate them... You said so last time you turned them on," the blue-eyed ninja explained soothingly, lips turning thin as the small boy crashed into his chest with a groan. Naruto gave him a confused look. Perhaps, the power had drained him? Most likely. Sasuke was obviously in no shape to be doing such a thing.

The blond boy got to his feet after gently lying Sasuke back down on the grass. They didn't need to be sitting around idly. There was still the matter of getting to a safe location. Orochimaru had many, many followers, one of those being Kabuto, and they'd certainly be lusting after vengeance at this point. Though, the tan child had no clue where they could go or what they could do. This world, though they had been living in it for years, was an utter mystery to them. Were slaves common? Did everyone want to hurt them? The boy didn't even remember where he'd lived before, though he knew for a fact he'd been someplace other then that hell hole he'd just escaped. He'd had a life at one point, until it had been forcibly ripped away from his hands and placed into another's. The same went for Sasuke, who he knew wouldn't be much of a help if he did remember anyways. The Uchiha was a train wreck...

A heavy sigh slipped past his red, chapped lips before he bent down to pick Sasuke up into his arms, walking off in an unknown direction, toward an unknown destination, in an unknown world.

The stares dug into him like claws, scratching his back and tearing at his vulnerable, tan flesh. Hadn't these people seen children before? Why such a reaction? Naruto's worried, blue eyes roamed over the frozen clumps of people, who all stared back with slightly parted lips. Perhaps, he remembered, it was because him and Sasuke both were half nude. The blond lowered his gaze as he did so, embarrassment flooding him. Even if he'd lived a life without clothing, or dignity for that matter, he still would have liked to not show more people his body.

Sasuke's lithe body lied defenseless in his arms, mouth opened and face half buried in his chest. He'd been unconscious for so long, and Naruto was beginning to worry over him more and more. The blond-haired boy stopped, though, as a woman approached slowly. Animal instinct seemed to take over as the young ninja crouched and prepared himself for flight. What else could he do, but flee if trouble arose? The woman smiled at him softly, lifting a small hand out toward the two.

"It's alright," she said in a light voice, reminding the blue-eyed boy of a mouse. "Just calm down. I just want to help."

"We're fine. We don't need any help," Naruto snapped in response to her caring words and the female's smile fell from her lips. The boy winced at the sight, knowing he'd hurt her in some way. But, he tried not to dwell on that, knowing they were probably conspiring in some way against them.

"Can I at least give you some clothes? I promise to leave you be if you just allow me to give you some clothes...," the woman spoke again- pleading, more like it. Sasuke groaned as his carrier straightened himself up and nodded to the older female. The brunette once again brought the smile back up to her face, red lips curving up joyously.

"Thank you. Now, if you would please come with me to my house? It's just up the road a little ways, and you don't even have to wait outside on the porch. I'm sure your friend would enjoy taking a quick nap, or maybe yourself, instead?" the woman began and started up the muddy street, followed closely by the two ninja. Her house was small and modest, the porch being made out of smooth, redwood that soothed the bottoms of Naruto's bruised feet. He wiggled his numb toes a bit as he watched the brunette unlock her door. After doing so, she rushed him inside, hurrying off to grab some blankets.

Naruto and Sasuke were left standing in the small living room, both shivering from the dampness on their clothes. Sasuke, seeming the awaken due to the change in noise level, cautiously slid his eyes open to look hazily upwards at his carrier. The tan boy smiled in response silently. He was grateful to see those coal-black eyes again, instead of that fiery-red which haunted him oh, so eerily.

Sasuke, realizing that the blond's eyes were on him, watching his movements intently, lifting a cold hand to brush some bangs out of his eyes and effectively hide himself with it at the same time. He didn't like being stared at, even if it wasn't in a possessive manner. His entire life he'd been looked over like a piece of meat. Being touchy over the action now was understandable.

"Is... Master here?" he whispered, making his friend frown upon hearing his question. Perhaps, the Uchiha was still trying to wake up. Blackouts sometimes made people wake up in confusion, he believed. At least, from personal experience, he thought as much.

"Sasuke, he's gone, remember?" the blond whispered gently, sitting down on the chair nearby. The black-haired ninja in his arms shook in realization, fresh tears shimmering over the surface of his ebony orbs.

"M-M-Master...," he sobbed out, staring with wide eyes as the woman walked back into the room. The pale boy buried his face into Naruto's welcoming chest, crying harder with fear. The brunette clutched the quilts in her arms tight and rushed over, kneeling before Naruto and running a manicured hand through Sasuke's cold hair.

"Sweetie! Sweetie, it's alright-"

"Stop!" the Uchiha squealed and struggled uselessly against his carrier's arms, who had also leaned farther back into the chair after the woman's quick approach. He also was not yet used to such affection. And from a female? So confusing.

The lady sighed and returned her hand to her chest, messing uncomfortably with her necklace as she looked over the two with pity-filled, hazel eyes.

"Poor things... It's alright, now. Ayami-chan has everything under control," the woman, who Naruto presumed to now be named Ayami, said gleefully. She gently stood back up, draping the blankets over the arm of the chair before holding a hand out to the blond boy. Naruto eyed her questionably for a few minutes, wondering what she was planning to do before his thoughts were interrupted by Ayami saying, "Oh, I guess you have to keep your friend there warm. Here," the brown-haired female lifted Naruto to his feet carefully, "you go, dear. Now, how does a hot bath sound to you? Or some soup? You both look terribly thin."

Ayami led the tan child into the hallway, carrying on and continuing to ask what Sasuke and he needed. The blond, though still jumpy as hell, slowly began to thaw out. Perhaps, this woman- Ayami could help.

Perhaps, this world was not as cruel as it seemed to be...

AWWW, adorable as hell to me. Haha, fast update, awwww yeaaaa.

Sorry to everyone who wanted Itachi to reach them! I just couldn't let it happen... not yet! Not now! Later, though, I promise. Ohhhhhh, hopefully Kabuto isn't too angry. (;

And poor Sasuke... God, I love messing with his cute, little head...

REVIEWS ARE ADORED :3

Nat