Chapter 11: Weakness

A/N: Hello dearies! Sorry I haven't updated in so long. I took up the Percy Jackson series again and just lost track of time. Rick Riordan is amazing.

Naruto wasn't sure how to describe how he was feeling but it wasn't a good feeling. He felt like he was in charge. Like he was the proverbial 'man of the house' now. Like all the decisions were now on his shoulders.

He felt like an alpha. Or at least he guessed that this was how an alpha felt. It certainly wasn't what an omega was supposed to feel. If it was he wouldn't be feeling so uneasy and wrong…

He glanced over at Sasuke who was still in his wolf form, bound and bandaged, and snoring softly. Morning light was just beginning to stream through the window and while Sasuke was incapacitated, well, it was up to Naruto to pick up the slack.

It had been four days since they'd been back home and aside from dragging himself to the kitchen where he hunched over a bowl and drank the stews and porridges that Naruto had been making he hadn't left the bed much. Which meant that the next able bodied person had to go outside to check the property line, to check to wells, to check the fire wood, to replace the firewood under the drums, to check on and feed their pig, to tend to their garden and to make the meals and keep the clothes clean. It was an ever growing list of chores that exhausted Naruto to the core but when he settled in next to his mate he felt good that he was holding up so well.

He'd been taught that an omega wasn't ever to overstep their boundaries. To encroach on an alpha's position and make them feel unsure of their ability to provide and protect was the worst thing a mate could do and yet as he wiped Sasuke clean after a day of trotting around the house and testing the limits of his wounds Naruto convinced himself that this was just temporary. That Sasuke wouldn't be offended by him and look at him or treat him any differently. That the dynamic of their relationship wouldn't change; Sasuke was the alpha, dominant and strong and Naruto was his omega, submissive and the source of Sasuke's strength.

Still, though, he wondered if perhaps the dynamic of the house had shifted. He still felt like he was accomplishing his role as a mate but Sasuke's injuries had somehow tipped the power balance to Naruto's dismay. He'd been the one ordering Sasuke to sleep, to rest, to not push himself. Told him when to come to eat, when it was time to bathe and when it was time for bed.

Sasuke had not grumbled nor complained, being a full wolf was the least of it. If he truly wanted to oppose Naruto he would have done so. Stood his ground and asserted himself.

But he hadn't.

He'd complied quietly and not for the first time Naruto was beginning to wonder if his pride was wounded as well as his body.

On the fifth morning Naruto woke to the smell of slightly burnt eggs and Sasuke half hunched at the stove, leaning on the table top to steady himself while he cooked.

All the worries that had been swelling inside the omega burst open and he openly started to cry. Sasuke rushed to his side the best he could. The bandages all gone, probably fell off since his wolf's body was bigger than his human body so there was nothing for them to hold on to. Sasuke hugged him close, kissed his head and whispered comforting words to him.

His disillusions of being the substitute alpha evaporated as soon as they came and he felt like a huge burden had been lifted off his shoulders. A weight he'd been toting around since that man had been inside their home. Just being reminded of him shook the blonde again and then he was crying even more.

The thought of overstepping his boundaries and challenging Sasuke's authority as the alpha of the house made his stomach churn terribly. He feared that maybe Sasuke wouldn't trust him anymore. That was even scarier than seeing Sasuke's unmoving body under powdery white snow. He tried to explain his distraught to his mate but his words were all jumbled and he was so relieved and so tired and so guilty all at once that when Sasuke led him back to the bed and ordered him not to move he obeyed without question.

Sasuke stirred the pot as he listened to Naruto snore loudly from their bedroom. He had forced his body to shift back even though it had been excruciating. If he was wounded as a wolf he needed to stay a wolf so that he could heal himself, shifting might've wounded him even more, the force of the change might have broken bones along the way. He'd been meaning to take it slow so that he could recover fully but hearing the frantic patter patter of Naruto's heart over the days had worried him.

Day after day Naruto sounded close to a panic attack and Sasuke had no idea how to help except return to his human form. He'd waited until he heard Naruto fall asleep, out of exhaustion no doubt, before he dragged himself out of the bed and into the howl of the winds outside before he attempted to change again. The pain had almost made him black out but after feeling that he didn't rip anything open he limped back inside, spots dancing before his eyes. His bandages fell off as he walked, his stitches hung loosely from his scars, unable to hold anything together anymore. He slipped on a shirt and slipped quietly beside his mate before he too passed out.

Morning was better. He wasn't twisted in agony and after cutting away the excess threads that he could reach he applied some salve all over his body and drank a tonic to ease the rest of his pain. He was only just burning the edges of the eggs when he heard Naruto crying.

Comforting Naruto had grounded him somehow and after Naruto finally fell asleep it felt like the state of the house was back in order. Naruto slept soundly and not once did he wake to check on Sasuke. Maybe he subconsciously picked up that since Sasuke was human again he no longer required the constant attention. Whatever the reason, Sasuke was glad that Naruto slept undisturbed.

He wanted to wake the blonde up with a big breakfast but he remembered why he always ate at the pub in the first place. He was a terrible cook and in his efforts to comfort his mate the eggs had burnt black. It didn't matter. He just made something else. He was just happy to be of use again.

Feeling sticky and tired after being around the pot for so long he lumbered quietly into the bedroom to pick out a proper suit of clothes before he filled the tub and took a long soak until he heard Naruto rustling around. He twisted his head around to see Naruto by the doorway staring and smiling at him. "Hey," he murmured. He looked tired still and Sasuke felt something heavy settle on his chest.

"Hey. I can make dinner tonight. You can sleep for the rest of the day."

The blonde shook his head. "I slept enough," he sniffled and looked off to the side. "Uhm about earlier..."

"You don't need to explain yourself Naruto. I know I've been a burden-"

"No!" Naruto abandoned the doorway to hurry into the bathroom and drop to his knees beside the tub, "you weren't a burden at all!" He insisted, blue eyes stern and slanted. "I just missed your stupid face."

Sasuke snorted at that and leaned over until his lip pressed against his mate's. He sighed through his nose when Naruto pressed close to deepen the kiss. Gosh he'd miss this. "I missed you too…" Sasuke murmured against his lips when they finally pulled apart. Naruto cupped his cheeks and pressed their foreheads together.

"Our lives are screwed up." Naruto chuckled darkly and Sasuke couldn't agree anymore.

"It is… but only for now. I refuse to live in fear. You shouldn't have to live like that. I promise you it will get better." Sasuke pulled away and lifted the blonde's chin with his index, forcing Naruto to look at him. "I promise you." He stared deeply into warm blue eyes and mentally prayed that Naruto could feel the conviction behind his words. The blonde nodded as his eyes slipped closed again and together they sat there basking in each other's company in the warmth of the afternoon before Sasuke remembered that he needed to tell Naruto something important.

He struggled up out of the tub with Naruto's assistance and together they dressed, Sasuke into a comfortable suit and Naruto out of his sleep wear and together they sat at the table where Naruto started to fidget when Sasuke announced that they needed to talk. "What's wrong?" the blonde asked and Sasuke thought that he needed to change the atmosphere of the house. No one should start a conversation thinking the worst possible outcome.

"Actually nothing." He smiled at the blonde and squeezed his fingers. He hoped he didn't look constipated. He was trying to portray 'happy'. "I think… I'm not sure… but I think you're pregnant." Naruto cocked his head to the side his ears flopping over to one side. Then he shook his head. "No really. I know that the Anbu dog came here for the Mugwort-"

"So it was Orochimaru," Naruto muttered darkly. "We haven't even been married for a month. Jesus what is wrong with that man?" It seemed like Naruto was finally grasping the entirety of their situation.

"Yes it was but I think we'll have a respite in the coming months. He won't bother us while you're pregnant so we have to come up with a plan to leave the village."

Naruto sighed heavily and leaned back in his chair, setting his hands in his lap as he did so. "I'm not pregnant Sasuke. I really have been drinking the tea."

"Yes I know." Sasuke pressed his palms flat against the table instead. "But maybe it took the first time we mated."

The blonde shook his head. "It's still too soon to tell. Beside Orochimaru wouldn't have sent for the Mugwort if I was already pregnant. No one can tell. It's too early."

"I can tell."

Naruto raised a brow at that and crossed his arms across his chest. "Oh?"

"Trust me Naruto. I know the thought of having pups is less and less enticing but I assure that you're pregnant."

Naruto looked concerned. He leaned across the table and pressed his hands on top of Sasuke's, "Sasuke hear yourself. Even Chiyo couldn't tell so there's no way-"

"But Chiyo isn't your mate. I know because of the advance on my powers. Remember how I found you in the crowded market place? It was with my powers. Powers I got because there are additions to our family. It's because we're mates."

Naruto pulled back again looking distinctly uncomfortable now. Sasuke didn't blame him for being skeptical though. "Uhmm… Sasuke…"

"I know you're afraid, but I think this is just the beginning of our powers. You'll get yours soon too. I'm positive." Sasuke grinned at him. He was excited to know what Naruto's powers would be. "I asked Shikamaru about it. He says their bond links their powers as well. So your strength might increase to match my increased senses. I think that before you start showing we can hone our powers to the highest they can be. We can-"

"Sasuke that's enough!" Naruto yelled slamming his fist on the table and Sasuke stared at him wide eyed.

"I thought you'd be excited…"

"I am! I really am. I don't know what's happening with your senses but it's not mate related. You… you still haven't given me the claiming bite. So even if I was pregnant you wouldn't know." He looked away now probably to soften the blow of his next words. "We haven't bonded yet…" but it still hit Sasuke like a brick to the chest.

That's right. He had yet to bond with Naruto.

It had always been one thing or the other so they hadn't truly had the alone time or security and sometimes Sasuke had just plainly forgot about it. He'd fantasized about marking Naruto as his own so many times before that he just automatically assumed the blonde had it.

Of course he didn't have it. With a bond came a heat and Sasuke had been so preoccupied with making sure they were safe and had everything they'd need for when winter finally came that he'd overlooked something as basic as the bond. He felt like kicking himself.

Naruto's calloused palm brought him out of his reverie to gaze up into concerned blue eyes. "Sasuke?" Naruto murmured.

"No sorry. Yes, I'm here. I just… I was thinking. You're right. All this time and I forgot something as important as that," he laughed to himself at the absurdity of it all.

Naruto walked around the short length of the table to lean his hip against and smirk at his mate. "Well… do you want to fix that?" Sasuke caught a sharp wisp of Naruto's arousal and his nostrils flared. "Well I mean. If you can…?" Naruto pointedly looked at his abdomen where he was mimicking Frankenstein's monster.

Sasuke snorted, leave it to Naruto to always be trying to make him feel better despite what a poor alpha he's been lately. "I can't believe I forgot to claim you."

"Well… we've had more important stuff to do you know. It's not like I'm upset about it." Sasuke snorted at that and pulled the blonde down into his lap.

"Aren't you?"

Naruto flushed as the memory of their first day together as a mated pair came to him. He was furious when he noticed that Sasuke hadn't given him his mark. "Well yea I was mad but only because you didn't explain it to me beforehand."

"Well I can give it to you now if you want it…"

"Does it take if we don't mate during it?" Naruto asked as he ran his hand through Sasuke's hair still wet from the bath. "You didn't properly dry your hair. I'll go get a towel." Naruto murmured distractedly and before Sasuke could object Naruto was up and walking off.

Sasuke trailed after him and watched as he bent over and rummaged through the bottom of the closet for their clean linen. "Very nice view." He commented loudly leaning against the doorjamb. Naruto twisted so he could see his mate from under his arm.

He laughed out loud as he pulled a fluffy brown towel from the drawer. "I think it looks better from up close."

Sasuke took that as an invitation to come closer, he just ran his hands down Naruto's side when the blonde bumped him on the side and pushed him down on the bed. Hiking up his dress he straddled Sasuke's waist and draped the towel on his head. Sasuke's hands immediately drifted up under the blonde's dress and massaged his ass cheeks. "We probably shouldn't." Naruto grumbled as he massaged and dried Sasuke's hair.

"I'm good…" Sasuke muttered gazing up at his mate. "Kiss me."

"Is that an order alpha?" Naruto teased.

"It is," Naruto moaned as Sasuke's fingers gently started to pull his underwear down. He leaned forward and captured Sasuke's lips in a heated kiss. Very gently but also as quickly as they could they pulled each others' clothes off, hardly separating where their lips connecting. Sasuke led the blonde to the bed and rolled over him so they were on their sides, him on his good side, Naruto pressed his body as close to Sasuke as he could.

He moaned as he felt Sasuke's fingers brush at his entrance. Sasuke groaned at the slippery feel of Naruto's wetness. He loved how Naruto seemed always ready for him. So pliant and willing. The absolute perfect omega. Sasuke couldn't ask for much more. "Come here," Sasuke tugged on the back of Naruto's knee until the omega climbed on top of him.

"Me on top?" The blonde asked still pressed chest to chest. "You sure?" he asked even though he was already grinding and wiggling.

"Think you can handle it?" Sasuke smirked as Naruto playfully bit his lip. Naruto seemed a lot more eager than he was which was rare.

Naruto giggled, "I just missed you. So much." He gently ran his fingertips along Sasuke's red scars while Sasuke angled himself and pressed against Naruto's wet hole. The blonde moaned softly as he sank down on Sasuke's length. The alpha groaned at the tightness of his mate. "It's been too long." Naruto muttered against his chest. Sasuke pressed his finger into Naruto's skin, reveling in his prints left behind.

They pressed as close together as they could, careful of Sasuke's wounds but still touching as much as possible. Naruto felt hyper aware of everything, the feel of Sasuke's breath on his neck, the thickness inside him and how tight it all felt, the slow burn building up to his climax. He wasn't sure when it happened, his orgasm blanked his mind out and when he opened his eyes Sasuke was towering over him lathering kisses down his chin to his chest then to his nipple. Latching on as he sucked gently on it.

Wearily he felt his neck and there, right at the junction where shoulder met neck, was a perfect mold of Sasuke's teeth. When he pulled his fingers away, a wide grin on his face, he saw blood. "I broke the surface sorry." The blonde couldn't stop grinning though. Finally, they were officially mates and would be for the rest of their lives.

"It's okay. Just proof that you didn't try to run away last minute." He grinned as Sasuke pinched his side then winced as the alpha pulled out of him and collapsed on his side. "No knot this time?"

Sasuke groaned. "Gimme a minute to catch my breath," the dark haired alpha muttered, his scars were aching.

"Want me to get the salve?" Naruto turned on his side and pressed up next to Sasuke. The wolf wrapped them up in the sheets and tucked Naruto close.

"Not yet. Let's just lie here. Maybe your powers need to settle or something."

The blonde snorted but didn't complain. "I don't think that's how it works."

Sasuke kissed his forehead before he closed his eyes. "How your neck?"

"It's weird. It doesn't even hurt. I thought it was supposed to hurt. Maybe sting or something."

Sasuke hummed, "Maybe I didn't do it right…" He cracked an eye open to see Naruto's blue eyes twinkling with mirth. "What?"

"You did it right. Don't worry."

"You can tell the difference?"

"Yea. It's an omega thing."

Sasuke snorted, "bullshit."

"No, no for real. I can tell." Sasuke cracked a grin and pinched his hip.

"Okay sweetheart. I believe you."

"How about we make a bet then?"

"Oh?" The alpha stared up at the ceiling. "I don't think I have anything to wager though…"

"We can wager chores. You're overdue to clean the pig pen." Naruto poked his cheek with a fingernail.

"Ugh… but yeah you're right. Alright what's the bet?"

"I bet you shoveling snow, firewood duty, drum refilling and pig pen duties for a two months if I win." Sasuke nodded. "Both ways?"

"Hmm… " The alpha thought for a moment. "I raise you clothes."

"Laundry?"

Sasuke smirked at him, glancing at him from the corner of his eyes. "Remember those newspapers I told you about?" a nod, "well other towns have some… very specific omega wear. I want you to make some of those and wear them every day for the months."

Naruto raised a brow, "you sure? I'm a pretty good tailor. I can make anything."

Sasuke smirked wickedly, "oh I'm counting on it." He detangled himself from Naruto's embrace and the cling of the sheets before he dragged himself up with a groan and began rooting around under the mattress.

"You keep magazines under the bed?" Naruto asked skeptically holding the sheets up to his chest.

"Only the special ones." Finding the one he wanted he climbed back into the bed and pulled Naruto back against him. He flipped the magazine open and started to flipped to the page he wanted while Naruto peeked in. The blonde's eyes widened suddenly and he snatched the magazine away. "Hey!" Sasuke protested trying to snatch it back but Naruto rolled away and out of the bed. Furiously he started flipping through the thin magazine, only 10 pages but it was so scandalous Naruto's face was tomato red.

"Sasuke what the heck is this?" Naruto demanded crushing the magazine in his fist.

"Okay calm down! It's not what you think." Naruto glared at him, silently demanding an explanation. "Okay… It may be what you think it is," when he saw Naruto's eyes gain new fire he quickly continued. "But! I've had that magazine for years!" That definitely did not help. Naruto ripped the book in two and the sound resonated with Sasuke's soul. He was up and out of the bed in an attempt to salvage what was left of his most prized possession. "Naruto calm down! What have you done?"

"I am your mate! You don't need this… this porn!"

"It's not porn! Not really! I'm sorry! Please I just want to show you something!"

"I don't care! I'm going to burn it!" Naruto, being uninjured and wiley, easily dodged Sasuke's attempts to recover his smut and stomped into the kitchen, still naked and still trying to rip the rest of the glossy papers into bit.

Sasuke hurried after him but doubled over halfway after the blonde and growled in agony. Naruto was by his side in an instance. "Sasuke!" the blonde yelped, his eyes wide with worry. "I'll get the salve." he suggested as he turned in the other direction to run back their bedroom but as he passed Sasuke the alpha snatch the crumpled papers from him and smirked, straightening up to his full height.

Realising he'd been tricked Naruto's eyes turned a dark dangerous hue of blue. "Stop!" Sasuke stuck his hand out as Naruto started to stalk towards him. Instinctively he obeyed, freezing in place. "I haven't touched one of these since we started our courtship." Naruto frowned at him, "I swear to you Naruto. I haven't."

Naruto drew in a breath wearily before he crossed his hands across his chest and pursed his lips. "Alright… say I believe you. Why'd you go for it now? And we just mated."

"Because," the alpha said shuffling over to the table and sitting down, the chair was cool against his bare bottom. He dragged the other chair beside his own and beckoned Naruto to him. "Just let me show you something. It's for the bet." Naruto held his mate's gaze with a glare as he reluctantly went over and sat down.

Cautiously Sasuke laid the halves of crumpled up paper on the table, silently crying for his lost love, and smoothed them out the best he could. He flipped the book open, smoothing out page after page as he went so they both got a good look at the half naked omegas in various poses. He glanced sideways at Naruto but other than glaring at the book as if it were the most disgusting thing he'd ever laid eyes on he didn't make a move for it. Finally, he reached the page he wanted. Sasuke dragged his finger down the page where there was a long list of clothing items. The skimpiest, most sensual bits of clothing Naruto had ever seen. Most of them were just bits of string and lace. He flushed again but for a whole other reason. "Oh." he said realizing what Sasuke wanted.

The dark haired wolf draped his arm across the back of Naruto's chair. He grinned lewdly, "so, what's the bet."

Naruto stuttered for a minute, "but wait. If I win the bet then does that mean you have to wear these?" Sasuke's grin fell. It was Naruto's turn to grin to now.

"In theory I suppose…" he muttered quietly.

"Oh ho ho I think I like these odds."

"Just tell me what's the bet."

Naruto twisted in his seat, a sweet smile on his lips, "I bet you that my heat comes in 5 days."

Sasuke gawked at him, "that's too specific! There's no way you can predict that."

Naruto waved him off. "Well then you don't have anything to worry about do you?"

Sasuke smirked at him, "fine. You're right. I'll take that bet." He regretted agreeing the minute he saw Naruto's sinful grin. It felt like he already lost.

A/N: Again I'm sorry for the delay but I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Remember to leave a review.