A/N: Awww, MAN has it been a while! (winces) I'm so, so sorry for this awfully long wait! My mind's been in about a million places and I've had serious inspiration issues, but at least NOW there'll FINALLY be a new chappy! (cheers loudly)

First off, ENORMOUS thank yous for those unbelievable reviews you guys hve left! (huggles) You're the ones who made me come back from the break, ya know? So THANK YOU! Responses to anonymous reviews can, as usual, be found from underneath the chappy. (grins)

Awkay, because I've already kept you waiting wayyyyy longer than enough, let's get on with it, ne? (gulps nervously) I REALLY hope this chappy turns out worth the looooong wait.

CHAPTER 10: April

The spring had advanced shockingly quickly, and soon came the last days when it was possible to skate on the nature's own ice. That's why Naruto asked Sakura, Neji, Shikamaru, Shino and Kiba to come with him to a lake on the edge of Konoha, and even managed to persuade and half-threaten Sasuke to come along as well.

Evening had fallen long since as they all sat by a fireplace that crackled joyfully. Kiba whistled while looking at the fairytale land type of a landscape around them. " This place is amazing, you know?" The brunette shook his head. " I can't believe you found this, man! I mean, I've lived in Konoha almost all my life and even I didn't know about this."

Naruto felt a stab of guilt at those words, once more remembering what he was trying to hide, but despite that managed to grin palely. " Heh, I guess I was in a luck." He chose to ignore the warning, nearly accusing look Sakura darted his way. The day was way too good to be spoiled with dwelling in troubling matters.

After a couple of moments' hesitation everything returned to normal as though someone had moved a magic wand. Kiba barfed, dropped something or did something equally unintelligent, and pretty much everyone – including Akamaru, it seemed – started laughing.

Naruto didn't know how long they'd already spent outside when he suddenly realized that although the proud Uchiha wouldn't admit a thing, Sasuke was shivering quite badly.

He rolled his eyes, feeling a hint of something he didn't identify. " And you call me an idiot", he muttered, so that only the raven heard. He examined the other with his gaze for a moment. " Why didn't you tell me you're cold?"

Sasuke looked away, appearing irritated and humiliated. " Hn."

At that moment he got an idea.

The knowledge of the others looking didn't matter, nor did the fact that they were both still very unsure as to what they should do with each other.

Feeling no fear or hesitation, Naruto wrapped his arms around Sasuke, and grinned even more brightly than the flames they were looking at when the raven didn't fight him.

For the upcoming few hours everything was good in the world.

During his brief life, Sasuke had been forced to learn the fine art of reading his father's moods before he even entered their house. And that evening – as he saw how ominously dark the house was, already sensed the reek of alcohol although it shouldn't have been humanly possible – he froze five steps from the doorway, not sure if he'd ever have what it'd take to enter.

He'd already been through this so many times. Would he really…?

Just then his brother's voice – booming from inside the house – pulled him back into reality, made him run. " Leave Hinata alone!" Gosh, he'd never heard Itachi scream like that…! " Don't you dare touch her!"

By then he was already stood by the kitchen's doorway, and felt his heart miss a couple of beats at what he found. For right before his eyes, his father had grabbed obviously petrified Hinata by the collar, and seemed to be prepared for slamming his fist right at her face.

And he realized that whatever it'd take, he could not let the man do this to her.

" Father, stop it." His voice was more of a hiss than anything else. The man's eyes were filled with fury that chilled him down to the core when they clashed with his. " She hasn't done anything to you."

For exactly two seconds his father stood absolutely still, most likely paralyzed by rage. Then – so fast that he couldn't do a thing to dodge – the man was attacking him.

He didn't know how many punches later he hit something that shattered under his weight, and he soon realized it to be the cabin where they held some precious memories. In an instant – as glass ripped wounds and he slid to the floor – he understood it was a miracle he hadn't blacked out.

He really wished he had. Because despite Itachi's screams and attempts to stop the man, their father wasn't done.

-

Sakura was just walking towards the house – having remembered that there were some books she was supposed to give Sasuke – before she froze when hearing the noise inside.

Shit…

Soon enough she'd grabbed her cell-phone and was dialing numbers.

-

To Sasuke everything progressed in a fog from thereon.

His father didn't attack him anymore, because the man was handcuffed and dragged away all of a sudden. There was a lot of screaming, and foreign hands he immediately brushed away roughly tried to reach out for him. At some point someone even tried to hold him, but he responded with pushing the person away and getting away from all the people who felt threatening to him as fast as possible.

All his chaotic mind could focus on was one thought.

The hell he'd been living in… It was over. It was finally over. His father was finally gone from his life.

He was almost sure he threw up at some point.

In the meantime Naruto and Gaara were walking around. The blond had visited Yuugao – who was still in the hospital because of pregnancy problems – and the redhead had decided to go along to get his thoughts off of Kimimaro for at least a second.

Unfortunately, however, the distraction didn't seem to be working well. For no matter how hard he tried to focus on Naruto – who was telling him excitedly about the ultrasound pictures of Yuugao and Hayate's baby he'd just seen – Gaara's thoughts kept slipping.

Lately, he'd been having far too many sick nightmares for it to be a coincidence. He couldn't help wondering what those dreams meant. And once again thoughts of Kimimaro came flying back.

" You're thinking about Kimimaro, aren't you?" Naruto's voice attacked him so suddenly that it almost startled him.

At first he thought about lying, but when he met those blue eyes… He sighed inwardly and looked away. " I… haven't gotten a hold of him for days now. I'm worried", he confessed, although it took all his pride.

Naruto grinned a bit, placing a hand to his shoulder. " Meh, don't worry. I'm sure he can take care of himself."

He could tell his eyes darkened while he fell back into his thoughts. " Yeah…"

Just then something that felt almost like a stab attacked his chest, and he frowned.

That sensation… He just couldn't ignore it. Something was wrong.

" Naruto… You go to the orphanage", he all but muttered, deep in thought. " I'll follow you in a bit."

The blond frowned, obviously not trusting his words. " You won't do anything stupid, right?"

He shook his head, trying his hardest to smile a bit although it didn't come out naturally. " No, I'm just taking a walk, that's all. I'll see you in a bit."

Naruto nodded slowly, still not seeming all that trusting. " Just… Be careful, okay?"

All he could do was nod back.

As soon as his friend had disappeared he started to move.

He'd been waiting long enough. It was time to do something.

When approaching the orphanage about an hour later, Naruto stiffened when finding none other than Zaku waiting for him. His eyes narrowed. " What the hell are you doing here?"

Zaku's eyes were dangerous when turning towards him. " I came because it looks like you need another warning, freak." Just then his cell phone started bleeping, and a knowing look rose to the brunette's face. " Go ahead and pick up – don't let me disturb your… social life."

Although talking to Sasuke in front of Zaku was the last thing he wanted to do he picked up. " Look, Sasuke…"

" No, it's… It's me." Sakura's voice… It sounded so panicked that chills ran down his spine. " It's… I was just bringing some books to Sasuke, and the police was here."

He felt unimaginably cold, and if it wasn't for Zaku looking at him he would've definitely gasped for breath. He licked his lips, wondering why they felt so dry. " He's okay, right?"

Sakura kept her quiet for so long that it made his stomach twist into tight knots. " Just come here, okay?"

He nodded without any hesitation, although Sakura couldn't see it, no words managing their way through his throat. He hung up without even noticing it.

He didn't know how long he'd remained there, trembling pitiably, until a voice he wouldn't have wanted to hear snatched him back to reality. " I can see you haven't cut your ties as we agreed yet." Damn it, he'd almost managed to forget Zaku's presence. The brunette's eyes smouldered. " Go to him, and you lose everything, understood?" The boy folded his arms. " You wouldn't want to jeopardize everything, would you? I know exactly what you're about, freak."

His eyes flamed in a way that might've scared him if he'd been at least a little bit saner. " So you think I'm a freak, huh? You think… You think I'm a…!" The rest died out under his rage. " Well I'm going to show you just what I am!"

The expression of horror he saw on Zaku's face brought him much more pleasure than he would've liked to admit.

After so many weeks of waiting, Gaara decided that he just couldn't sit around doing nothing any longer. Kimimaro was in that creep's hands, and not knowing what was going on was driving him insane – no matter how many times the boy had tried to tell him everything was okay, it just wasn't enough, especially with the past days without a trace of the other. And so that evening, he did something a part of him already then knew to be a huge mistake.

The moment Kimimaro opened the tiny apartment's door, answering to his extremely demanding knocking, the boy's green eyes flew wide with no control. The shiner covering the white-haired's left eye was much too clear against unnaturally pale skin. " You… shouldn't be here. I thought we…"

He shook his head, effectively cutting the speech with the look in his eyes. " No." His voice was firm, harsh almost. " I've been waiting long enough, prayed for some stupid miracle. Now I'm done." He folded his arms and lifted his chin a little. " I'm not leaving without you."

For several moments the boy looked at him, appearing disbelieving and so torn that in some other situation it might've shattered his heart. In the end, however, the male moved – only two steps, but nonetheless giving him a clear enough permission to enter. " He'll be back in two minutes – he never leaves for long."

His eyes flashed while he entered. Nausea balled up in his stomach while he scanned through the apartment that had barely any light. All the smell, odd devices he didn't even want to recognize, bars before windows… Shit… It was a thousand times worse than he'd thought. " Where's your stuff?" he asked rather gruffly, taking the other boy's hand without noticing it and closing it into a firm, determined hold.

Kimimaro remained silent for the longest moment without meeting his gaze, as though the boy would've had something to be embarrassed of. " I… don't have any, really. Except for one old picture."

He nodded, not sure if he should've felt heartbroken or relieved. The takeoff wouldn't take long, then. " Go and get it. We better start running."

After only a blink of what looked like utter confusion Kimimaro obeyed, disappearing into a closet like room that had a shabby curtain as a door. In less than thirty seconds they were in the hallway, on their way to safety.

And it was then Gaara met Orochimaru's eyes for the second time. This time, they looked like those of a deranged beast's. " Going somewhere?"

For the next twenty seconds everything happened so fast that he barely had the time to register the events. Kimimaro took a stand before him, as though trying to protect him. " Orochimaru-sama, no!" That voice… wasn't the one he'd grown accustomed to. " This… isn't his fault. I planned this. Don't punish him."

Had he had the time, he would've surely moved – done something, damn it – to stop the hit before it ever happened, but he didn't snap back into reality until Orochimaru's hand had already moved, sending Kimimaro backwards against him. " Stay out of this." It was almost horrifying that Orochimaru's tone held absolutely no anger at all. " We'll talk later."

And it was then Gaara finally felt himself boil over. Giving a loud, low growl he jumped from behind Kimimaro, absolutely everything inside him burning, seething. " Leave him the fuck alone, asshole!" he snarled as loudly as he could, his breath hitched with rage that didn't fit into any human standards. " Don't ever lay a hand on him again."

Orochimaru seemed almost amused, although something dangerous loomed behind the expression. " Exactly what are you planning to do to stop me?"

Without even thinking he charged forth. He lost track on how many kicks, punches and hisses were exchanged until he became distracted by the sound of his cell phone ringing. In a matter of seconds he got a payment for his slip of attention.

At first he flew, straight towards the stairs behind him, and fell so long that he already wondered if he was ever going to land. Then everything became pitch black.

On the very edge of consciousness, he was almost sure he heard a blood-stilling scream. " GAARA!"

-

Kimimaro didn't know what to think or how to feel as he watched the space where Gaara had just stood, his heart racing on its very limit and his eyes widening. Everything inside him – from physical changes to emotions – were on such an overdrive that his whole body and mind seemed to be shutting down.

He didn't know of the tears that spilled.

He barely heard Orochimaru's voice. " Well, it looks like we'll have that talk earlier than expected…"

-

On the other side of the town Deidara frowned when putting away his cell phone once finally believing that Gaara wouldn't answer.

A voice inside him messaged, screamed, that something was badly wrong. But then again, lately he hadn't really been able to rely on his instincts when it came to his boyfriend…

" Let me guess." Sasori's voice swept his thoughts elsewhere. " No reply?" The redhead's hand roamed far too comfortably on his lower torso. " What do you think about it?"

One of his eyebrows rose high while a battle started inside him.

When Naruto got that phone call from Sakura he didn't hesitate. Faster than he'd ever moved he was at the raven's house, and found himself all but terrified when finding Sakura sitting on the building's porch with a desolate expression. It was easy to see how her shoulders relaxed when she noticed him. " Finally!"

He didn't bother with greetings or any other pleasantries, for his mind was already racing entirely elsewhere. " Where is he?"

Sakura seemed to hold back a sigh. " In his room – he didn't let the medics in when they came to check up on him, didn't let even Itachi in."

He fought back a wince. Maybe he'd have more luck… " Thanks." With that – never hearing her wishes of luck – he rushed inside, knowing the way almost scarily well.

Sasuke's door was open, he discover, and for some reason the fact unnerved him. It took a beat's worth of hesitation before he managed to move forth and found himself stood by the doorway. What he met made him want to grimace.

Inside, Sasuke was sitting on his bed, hugging his legs that'd been brought against his chest, a somewhat hazy look in those formerly fiery onyx eyes. The boy's injuries were chillingly easy to spot, although the raven had most likely done a lot of work to hide them; wounds on several places, a clearly visible black eye…

Suppressing a sigh, he finally willed himself to move, and when Sasuke did nothing to stop him – didn't react in any way whatsoever, actually – he made it all the way to the boy, sat to the bedside. In a matter of moments his hand found the Uchiha's.

He remained still for a very long moment, not sure what to say. In the end a tiny, sad smile rose to his face. " It's… It's all right now, you know? It's over."

Silence lingered, and time stood until he started to feel dizzy from holding his breath. Then, so suddenly that he shuddered a little, there was an extremely gentle pressure on his hand as a sign of the Uchiha accepting his support. He already thought the other wouldn't fight against him at all until the raven moved again.

Sasuke's gaze rose to meet his slowly, almost as though unwillingly, and onyx eyes flashed with something that seemed close to fear or self hatred. " You shouldn't have come here to pity me", the boy all but growled after a long silence and looked away, obviously mentally declaring the issue closed.

Usually, he might've felt frustrated, even lashed out. But today… His motions were uncharacteristically soft while he brushed gently a bruise he could just see. " I'm not here because of pity, idiot", he stated in a voice that didn't even try to hide what he was feeling. Not hesitating, he leaned his forehead against the Uchiha's, savouring the sensation of a bond he could feel lingering somewhere between them. " Don't you think I know better than that already?"

He wondered if Sasuke noticed how the raven snuggled closer. " Hmmph." Coming from the Uchiha, that was just as good as asking ' Hold me'.

Not saying a word – because he knew no words would work in this case – he simply sighed inwardly and wrapped his arms rather tightly around the raven, holding the tattered being as tightly as he could although he felt every single one of the boy's muscles tense up against the touch. He didn't give up – didn't loosen his embrace the slightest – until Sasuke finally relaxed one muscle by one; with the realization that he wasn't leaving, due to fatigue or for some other reason he couldn't tell.

A tiny smile gracing his lips, he placed a kiss to the top of the other's head.

" You can fight as long as you want", he murmured, only distinctly realizing that he was speaking out loud. " But I'm not giving up on you, okay?"

Sasuke sat absolutely still for so long that he wondered if the Uchiha had fallen asleep, then gave something so quiet he barely caught it. " Should've known. You're an idiot."

-

They didn't know that two pairs of eyes watched them through a slightly open door, one of them unseeing yet softened by the sight.

Itachi gave a small sigh while closing the door without a sound.

Finally, after so long, there seemed to be hope for both of them…

" So…" Hinata's voice carried a hint of amusement. " It looks like Sasuke's going to be alright, after all."

His chest rose, and it wasn't until then he realized how tight and how long it'd been. " Yeah."

He shivered a little when feeling Hinata's hand grab his. " Come on." It amazed him how demanding and strong her voice suddenly was. " You can barely stand. Let's go to sleep, okay?"

-

Once two hours had passed, Naruto – who'd almost dozed off with Sasuke's comfortable warmth in his arms – shuddered just a little bit when sensing sudden movement. The Uchiha's hand… It was…

His eyes widened, and it took his all not to squeak. " Sasuke, what the…?!" Everything else died into his throat when sensations he'd never experienced before floated in like a tideway.

Onyx eyes were filled with something completely different from the past couple of hours when locking with his. " What… does it look like, idiot?"

He shivered violently with something he could only call pleasure when the other brushed something very private. " Are…" Gosh, it was almost impossible to think coherently with everything there was zooming through and inside him! " you sure…?" Could he really trust on a this dramatic change?

Oh, Sasuke's hands and mouth didn't feel uncertain at all… " Does it look like I'm not?"

He gasped, certainly not used to such a contact, and found it almost deviously easy to get lost into the tide. It was so very hard to fight the pulsating sensation that was making his pants much too tight… " This… This isn't your first time, huh?" he muttered, although it was the about least romantic choice of words imaginable.

Focus… Focus, focus, focus…

Damnit, he was doomed.

Sasuke breathed against his neck, the warm air forming causing him chills. " No." He wasn't sure which of the feelings rising was stronger – disappointment or such a heat that it was almost enough to drive him insane. The Uchiha cut his thoughts quite effectively with biting his neck so that he moaned. " But I'm more than willing to teach you, dobe."

He closed his eyes and bit back another moan, afraid of what it'd do to him.

Goodness, how much a part of him would've wanted this! But… he didn't want it to happen this way, not when he knew just how fragile Sasuke was against his touch. What if he'd make a wrong move and destroy everything, what if he'd bring even further damage?

Although every single cell in his body screamed against it, he placed his hand to Sasuke's chest, gently stopping the raven's movements. " No", he murmured, giving the boy a kiss to soften the refusal. " You're not ready for this, not yet – I can feel it. And I'm not planning on using you like this."

Sasuke took a deep breath, then sighed and all but slumped limply against the mattress. There was half of an infinity of silence until the raven finally spoke so softly that he had difficulties with catching it. " I'm tired", the boy admitted, although it was apparent how much pride such an admittance required.

His eyes softened while he stroked the boy's dark locks, liking the feeling of them. " I know." He also lay down, holding on tight and nuzzling his head against the other's while closing his eyes. " Now sleep. It's almost morning, anyway."

He could tell how Sasuke struggled before finally sighing heavily. " Hn."

In the spur of the moment he added, so quietly that he wondered if it could even be heard. " I'm not gonna let you get hurt again, okay?" He sighed in deep. " I'll do anything to keep you from getting hurt again."

He was fairly sure Sasuke rolled his eyes before muttering way past halfway asleep. " Go to sleep, dobe."

As Naruto wrapped his arms even more tightly around the raven he was almost ridiculously happy that the boy didn't try to fight back, instead snuggled closer, most likely almost fully asleep.

This, he mused, most likely meant that they were a real, official couple – after all, they'd just stepped well over the line of a friendship. And surprisingly enough that thought didn't feel horrifying to him. Instead he felt better than ever in his life.

While he rested there, with Sasuke in his arms and the Uchiha's scent he found himself liking very much filling his mind, he found it easy to believe that things could finally be turning towards the better.

On the other side of the town, Kin's eyebrow rose high up when Zaku entered the apartment, slamming the door shut. Her gaze strayed to the huge bruise decorating his left eye, along with the other injuries he seemed to have sustained. " What the hell ran you over?"

Zaku grit his teeth, eyes flaming unlike ever before. " That Uzumaki freak did – and for the last time", the boy screeched, cracking his knuckles. " It's time to put the plan into a motion – that bastard just made his last mistake."

As Naruto and Sasuke stepped into the school the next day – their hands clasped together underneath everyone's stares – they had no idea of the storm that'd erupt in a little over a month.

TBC, right?

A/N: So Sasuke and Itachi's father is FINALLY getting what he deserves, and Zaku got beaten up. Hooray – this is a good day for our good guys! (pumps fist into air) But… What's Zaku going to do now? Because it sure looks ominous. And what about Gaara and Kimimaro? (gulps thickly)

Heh, the battery of my laptop is gonna die soon, so I've gotta start tuning off. PLEEEASE, do leave a review – after such a long break I could use one to know if any of you waited for this chappy! (gives pupp-eyes and offers cupcakes, too)

Only four chappies to go, including the epilogue! (gawks, and sniffles a bit) Dang, unbelievable!

Until next time, folks – I REALLY hope it won't take this long, and that ya'll all join in then!

Be good!

Ami : Hooray! I'm THRILLED to hear you consider the story thus far interesting.

Ah, I kind of agree with you. Naruto should just spill the beans; no secret can possibly be as bad as these games and lies, ne? (nod, nod)

Enormous thank yous for the review! I really hope I'll be seeing you around.

-

lalala : Awww, don't worry! I'm just glad ya're back now, un. (grins, and hugs)

You really like this one THAT much?! (beams with utter joy) Gosh, I can't even describe how good that's to hear! (hugs again, and offers some more muffins)

Gigantic thank yous for the review!

I hope ya'll have a great ride with the rest of the story as well.