Disclaimer: I'm too lazy to own Naruto.

My beloved Sound Four have finally appeared in the English version of Naruto. With decent voices. :waves flag: I'm thrilled. Now I get to watch two old men duke it out. Joy.

Chapter 12

"Goddammit, Kiba, just sit down."

"Well so-rry, Princess Sasuke."

"Could you two not fight?" Sakura sighed, rubbing her temples.

"And don't make fun of Sasuke either!" Ino shot in.

"Kiba—just take my seat if you have to."

Sasuke scowled as Kiba plopped down on the couch next to him, throwing an arm around his shoulders and wagging his eyebrows at the raven. "Hey cutie, what's—ow!"

Sasuke's scowl deepened as he put as much distance between himself and the dog-loving boy, whom was currently rubbing his aching cheek, as possible. He folded his arms, and Naruto gave him a look that clearly said, 'it was your idea; you can't kill me for this'.

The two girls sitting on the floor traded exasperated looks, before Ino took the initiative to play the movie. Naruto sat on the arm of the couch, next to the (not!) pouting boy.

And Sasuke sulked the whole time. Even during the funny parts.

Eventually, though, he leaned against Naruto a little and let the blond rub his shoulders. He wasn't sure if it had been a good idea to come to Sakura's house for a movie night; Sasuke never deluded himself into thinking he like socializing, and he was surrounded by four of the most social people he knew. What had made him agree to this?

When the movie had ended—Sasuke hadn't particularly liked it—everyone began chattering, and Sasuke couldn't lean on Naruto because he didn't want to tell the girls he was dating the blond yet. Actually, he was trying to avoid it for as long as humanly possible.

Sasuke was bored. Instead of participating in the conversations going on around him, he leaned back against the couch and began to count the cracks in the ceiling. After a few minutes, Sakura, Ino, and Kiba went into the kitchen for more popcorn and food. Sasuke could hear the mutt hitting on Ino. Freak.

His mind went from drifting to alert when he felt a mouth gently take his earlobe. He glanced at the not-so-innocent blond out of the corner of his eye, best he could.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He hissed quietly, eyes flicking toward Sakura's kitchen. He heard Naruto chuckle in his throat and his heart lept.

"You looked bored." The blond breathed into his ear and Sasuke shuddered.

"Cut it out!" He warned quietly. He really shouldn't have been surprised when Naruto didn't listen.

Naruto pinned him back onto the couch and kissed his ear, teeth nipping down his jaw. Sasuke felt his face warm up, but couldn't help but tilt his head to give Naruto a better vantage of his neck. "Moron..." He muttered. Naruto only chuckled again, leaving warm kisses on Sasuke's throat.

"Oh!"

Both boys flinched and looked up at the exclamation and Sasuke's mortification only deepened at seeing Sakura with her hands over her mouth, expression caught between embarrassed and horrified. Ino stood slightly behind her, herself looking somewhat curious, rather than awkward. Kiba was just leaning on the door frame, smirking knowingly.

Sasuke was sorely tempted to close his eyes and will himself to stop existing. As it was, he was stuck lying under Naruto, who had the decency to look embarrassed—What did he think was going to happen? Sasuke wondered, but decided that it wasn't important—and was forced to stare up at the blushing girl and feel unduly guilty.

"Sakura-chan—" Naruto began in way of explanation, but stopped short as the girl dropped her hands from her mouth and gave a shaky and uncertain smile.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... interrupt." Her voice came out as strained and it was clear she was trying to hide her hurt feelings and discomfort.

With a breath, Sasuke kicked Naruto in the knee, earning a sharp, "Ow!" and Naruto released his wrists and allowed the shorter boy to sit up. Sasuke struggled with his embarrassment and finally managed to choke it down, then tried to find words for the pink-haired girl.

He was spared the trouble, for better or worse, by Kiba, whom decided to take pity on the couple.

"Yo. Ino, we should leave..." He began, face having grown a bit more serious as he regarded the pink-haired girl. "So they can... talk." He muttered 'or something' and shifted uneasily. Ino seemed conflicted between staying with her best friend and giving her space, but in the end nodded.

"We'll just take a short walk, then." Kiba said as he turned, Ino in tow. "I've got my cellphone if you need us."

Naruto nodded and Sasuke was hit by a sudden impulse.

"Naruto, go with them."

"Wha—"

"Go." Sasuke demanded again and Naruto's expression was between worry and a pout, but nodded timidly and stood to follow Kiba and Ino, giving Sakura an apologetic smile.

Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose as he heard the front door click shut behind the three friends and was left alone with Sakura.

Truth be told, he wasn't sure if he'd made a good decision, but experience told him that he was much more tactful than Naruto would ever be, and he felt like he owed Sakura this much. She was, after all, one of his few friends and while they had never been very close, she'd always been polite to him and wasn't overly pushy.

"Sakura." He began with a sigh, not because it would be tedious, but because he didn't know exactly what to begin with.

"So, you and Naruto..." She intervened timidly, a small blush still present on her face. "You two are..." She cleared her throat, but couldn't seem to find the words she was looking for.

Sasuke didn't press her, though, and motioned her over to him. She sat next to him hesitatingly, unconsciously chewing her lip. He felt awkward, never having been an emotional person and never having really comforted someone. He took in a breath.

"Naruto and I have been dating since—" He thought back, "—April. I'm sorry, Sakura, I should have told you sooner."

The girl looked up at him and gave him a small smile, although it was still somewhat watery. "No, Sasuke-kun, it's okay. I mean, you and Naruto have always been close, right? Closer than you and I..." She gave a small laugh, "Oh, poor Hinata is going to be so crushed when she finds out!"

Sasuke rose an eyebrow and he looked down at his lap, seeing Sakura's hands fisted tightly in her own. If things had been different... If things had been different, if Sakura had reached out before Naruto had, he was pretty sure he could have fallen in love with her. And right now, maybe it would be Naruto in Sakura's place. Or maybe he'd be dating Hinata. Was it even right to love another boy? But things weren't different, and now that he'd been with Naruto, he didn't think he could love Sakura like he did Naruto.

A soft, warm hand touched his own and he looked up at her.

"Thank you, Sasuke-kun."

He released the breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. He gave her a small smile.

"Naruto's really something, isn't he?" Sakura started.

"Hm?" Sasuke turned back to her, confused.

"Well..." She began, and grinned a little. "He's always so happy. Like nothing can bring him down." She gave a tiny laugh, "And if he can made a frigid icicle like you into a nice person, he's really a miracle worker." She laughed again as Sasuke rolled his eyes. "But I used to be so cold to him." She lamented with a sigh, "Even though he's really not so bad."

Sasuke only shrugged and muttered something about annoying blond morons and not liking them either.

For a long moment a companionable silence settled between them as they just listened to the small sounds of the house—Sakura's parents were gone for the night.

Sasuke thought it over and decided it wasn't so bad that he had gone to see his school friends.


"I said I'm sorry!"

Naruto whimpered and trailed after Sasuke, the shorter boy sulking as he walked ahead, leading the way to their apartment.

"C'mon Sasuke!" He pleaded. "Don't be mad!"

He got no reply for his efforts and was about to add something onto his pathetic pleas, when the dark-haired boy spoke up.

"Why did you have to jump me at Sakura's house? Are you that much of a pervert?"

Naruto looked up at Sasuke's irritated black eyes.

"Yeah." He said pathetically and the annoyance flickered away as Sasuke sighed.

"You moron."

Naruto gave a vulpine grin and took his chance to sidle up to his lover and slid an arm around his waist.

"But you love me!"

Sasuke sighed again as Naruto nuzzled his neck and mumbled that he was a moron again.

Yes, he was in love with a total and utter moron.

Fate was cruel.


Sunday, Naruto was quite content to do utterly nothing all day.

This started with the fact that he, for once, woke before Sasuke, who just looked so damn sexy and innocent when he was asleep. He reminded himself that if he jumped the raven before he was fully awake, he could possibly end up missing a part of his body he liked very much.

Sasuke woke up around 9'o clock.

They didn't eat breakfast until 11.

But Sasuke absolutely refused to let Naruto shower with him. He was proud to say he was immune to puppy eyes.

Naruto lounged around in sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt, sending Sasuke knowing looks that made him fidget.

It had been a fairly normal day. But it was just after the couple ate something that could be called dinner, that Sasuke stood from the couch—which he had been monopolizing—that he felt a sense of vertigo. Shaking it off, he stepped forward, wincing when his legs failed to support him and his knees painfully hit the ground. Sasuke tried to stand again, but his body was unresponsive. His eyes widened in realization and his breath came in quick gasps as he began to tremble lightly.

"Side effects." Sasuke gasped, his arm trembling as it kept him propped up. He saw Naruto kneel next to him, but couldn't meet his eyes, focusing on trying to keep his breathing even.

"Sasuke??" A rough hand cupped his cheek and caressed it, and before he knew it, the raven found himself in Naruto's lap, face buried in his chest and hand gripping his shirt like it was a lifeline. He focused on Naruto's heartbeat until he felt things begin to return to normal. Slowly, he worked his fingers into releasing Naruto's shirt, vaguely hoping he hadn't stretched it. After a moment, he slowly pulled back.

"I'm sorry." He whispered dryly, not quite looking up at Naruto.

"What just happened, Sasuke?" Naruto was running a hand through his hair, and it soothed Sasuke in a way that he didn't want to admit.

"Nothing... Just... didn't feel very well is all."

"Side effects of what, Sasuke?"

Sasuke's eyes widened. Had he said that aloud? He schooled his features and spoke calmly, forcing himself not to tug at his sleeves in anxiety. "I don't know what you're talking about. Side effects of bad food maybe..." He knew it was a horrible, not even decent joke, and he said it so monotone that it hurt, and he knew that Naruto could see right through it, but... He'd rather Naruto know he was hiding something than tell him about Orochimaru. He didn't want Naruto to look at him like... that. Like he was a case to be pitied...

The side effects had been pretty mild this time, Sasuke realized. Last time he'd been unconscious for three days, but this time he'd only been delirious for a few moments. He wanted to think that was a good sign, but he couldn't help but be doubtful.

And he could handle it; no matter how bad the side effects got, he could handle them. He wouldn't be reduced to returning to Orochimaru for help.

Naruto looped his arms around Sasuke protectively and searched his face. "Stop lying to me."

Sasuke pulled away, breaking Naruto's hold on him and slowly stood. "There's nothing to lie about."

"Goddammit Sasuke!"

The raven found himself pinned to the wall, Naruto's nails digging into his shoulders. He swallowed his apprehension and met Naruto's furious but desperate gaze.

"Just tell me. Tell me what he did to you." His voice broke and he swallowed, "I want to help you."

"It's nothing." Sasuke swallowed and looked to the side. "Naruto, let me go."

Naruto's bruising fingers disappeared from Sasuke's shoulders and Sasuke went into their bedroom and settled for some sleep without a glance at the blond.

He had been half-hoping Naruto would have made him stay.


Sasuke woke at the sound of the door creaking open, a sliver of light falling into the darkened room. Sasuke guessed he'd been sleeping for two hours, even though he was groggy, so that'd make it 10 PM.

Naruto was in the doorway, seeming to be torn between leaving or crawling into bed with Sasuke. He hadn't noticed the raven was awake yet.

"Naruto?" Sasuke called and the blond stiffened in surprise, automatically walking over to his boyfriend. Sasuke loosely intertwined their fingers, tone apologetic. "I'm cold. Come to bed with me."

Even in the dark Sasuke could see a bit of relief flicker over Naruto's face and he tugged on the blond's hand to encourage him, shifting over to make room. Naruto slipped into bed and Sasuke subconsciously wrinkled his nose at the realization that he had worn his pajamas all day. But he curled up against Naruto anyway, legs entangled and he drifted off.


At a time that Sasuke could only describe a 'early', the raven felt small movements next to him. "I'm leaving now, okay?" Naruto murmured in his ear. Sasuke shifted slightly, not opening his eyes. Naruto. Work. Right.

"Mmm."

Naruto kissed his collarbone, causing Sasuke's lips to lift, then he felt the taller, warmer body leave the bed. Sasuke drifted back into a comfortable sleep.


It was a few hours later when Sasuke, finally crawling out of bed, dragged himself to the kitchen and made himself tea. He turned the cup in his hands and smiled a little. Even with all the complications—this felt so good. Waking up when he wanted, with no fear of someone using him. To do what he wanted, with no paranoia of been watched.

Being with Naruto...

He was free. He hadn't been this happy since...

As if in pure contradiction of his thoughts, Sasuke felt himself being to grow irrationally nervous, shivering at some unknown anxiety. Frowning, he stood, abandoning his cup of tea, and softly strode over to the living room.

Everything seemed to be in order: TV was as dusty as ever, couch had a blanket thrown haphazardly over it. Everything was right. Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

There were recent footprints on the floor, just a dusting of dirt. Sasuke took a step forward.

His body turned to ice as a cold, white hand wrapped around his chest and pulled him back. He was acutely aware that a larger form was just behind him.

He couldn't move.

"Sasuke... I told you... There isn't any place where my eyes can't see..." Orochimaru's lips brushed his ear, voice falsely affectionate.

It was no use.

Sasuke couldn't do anything. Nothing could be done to stop him...

He had lost...

Eyes fluttering close in defeat, Sasuke flinched when a needle pressed into his hip and numbness quickly reassured him into sleep.


Sasuke groaned and tried to roll on his side, wondering why he felt cold.

Where's Naruto?

His fingers felt not soft bedsheets but instead...

His eyes shot open.

The cold steel of an operating table.

His eyes darted around the room.

No...

He couldn't be...

He knew his breathing was poor... It was too short and quick and it was only making things worse...

"Awake, dear Sasuke?"

The world came to a standstill.

He felt fingers brush hair out of his eyes.

"No one gets away from me." He could hear the anger and cruelty in his voice. Then he heard the smile. "Not without punishment, anyway."

He felt a cold needle slide into his arm.

He felt his body go numb.

Sasuke wasn't sure what he was injected with—he never was—but being unable to move was now the worst torture he could think of. He couldn't do anything as he was unbound, Orochimaru lifting him; he tried to fight back, even so much as to push away from the Snake, but his strength seemed to have gone.

Orochimaru half-carried, half-dragged him. Sasuke's bleary eyes surveyed his surroundings.

Panic rose in him as he saw where Orochimaru was taking him; remembered the pointed explanation of what the room was for.

The Snake unceremoniously threw him into the soft room. It resembled a padded cell, empty, with nothing hard to cause injuries.

"Enjoy yourself."

The door swung closed, leaving Sasuke alone in total darkness.

Sasuke gathered what little strength he could muster and used his legs to help him sit up, with his back against a wall. He took a deep breath.

Sitting alone in the dark for long periods of time could ruin a man, but Sasuke wasn't fooled.

The real torture would begin in no more than an hour.

And then Orochimaru would savor his screams.


Three hours later, Kabuto was sent to retrieve Sasuke. He opened the door, light pouring into the small, dark room.

Sasuke sitting in a corner with his legs drawn up to his chest, arms folded over his knees and head resting on them.

"Sasuke-kun?" He called softly.

He didn't move.

The gray-haired doctor crossed the room and kneeled down at Sasuke's side. He touched the boy's shoulder.

"Sasuke-kun, we have to go."

Still no response.

Kabuto's gaze traveled down the boy's arm. His fingers were bloody.

The medic's heart rate increased as a thousand gory possibilities appeared in his head. He gently took the boy's arm. He almost felt relieved.

Long, bloody scratch marks marred the teenager's arms.

Kabuto glanced back at Sasuke and nearly jumped. The boy had lifted his head, dull dark eyes meeting meeting his.

"Come on." Kabuto beckoned.

He helped Sasuke stand, and led him out of the room.

Kabuto didn't know much about this particular drug; from what he understood it induced an extreme form of hysteria, complete with hallucinations. He could only imagine what a mind like Sasuke's could come up with.

He wasn't sure if Sasuke had scratched at his arms in an attempt to cause pain and thus attempt to block out the illusions; or if he really was trying to kill himself. Either way, the scrapes were far too shallow to do anything significant.

He gently cleaned the cuts and bandaged them, Sasuke's dead eyes staring into oblivion. Kabuto cleaned Sasuke's fingers with a damp washcloth, trying to ignore the fact that Sasuke's complete silence unnerved him.

Kabuto led him to his room, and left the boy in peace.

He was only able to leave the teenager alone in good conscience knowing that the room had been thoroughly searched for knives and other such things.

Of course, Sasuke might not have noticed anyway, far gone as he was.


"I'm home!" Naruto called as he entered his apartment.

No reply.

Is Sasuke asleep? I wouldn't put it past him, that jerk.

"Oi, Sasuke!"

Still no reply.

Maybe he left for something... Sasuke was a light sleeper, and he would have awoken by now. Naruto wandered over to the kitchen, looking for a note.

Rather than a note, he found a long-cold cup of tea.


This time when he woke, he felt bedsheets under his skin, but still no trace of a warm human body. No Naruto was there.

In that sense, this bed was even colder than the operating table; as if it served only to taunt him.

He stared out the wide window, knowing that it was sealed shut; knowing it would be useless to try and jump.

He closed his eyes with a shaky breath.

Orochimaru would come for him soon.


Kakashi stopped by after work at the police station to catch up with Naruto. They sat at the kitchen table, talking idly, exchanging dirty jokes they had heard.

Kakashi went to the refrigerator to grab a soda ("By the way, your milk is expired."), and Naruto looked through the files that he had left on the table, knowing full well he wasn't really supposed to.

Naruto stared at the picture clipped to a file.

"Kakashi... Who is this?" He asked, lifting the photo for him to see. Kakashi glanced before turning back to the fridge.

"Orochimaru. He's a wanted criminal that we think might be active in this area."

Naruto swallowed, "What's he wanted for?"

"Lots of things. Mostly murder and kidnapping. Conspiracy. He used to work for the military until he was caught doing human experimentation, or something..." Kakashi replied casually.

Naruto took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. It wasn't working.

"Are you sure? That it's this guy...?"

Something in Naruto's voice made Kakashi turn to face the boy and he saw how tightly he was gripping the mugshot. His hands were shaking.

The man swallowed uneasily and resolved to tell the truth.

"I'm sure."

The change was so abrupt that Kakashi flinched. Naruto's barely contained emotions snapped and he stood sharply, nearly knocking his chair over, anger so thick and pure it was nearly tangible.

"That fucking... I'm going to kill him. I'm going to fucking kill that sick bastard."

It took Kakashi a moment to fully register how strongly the boy was reacting. It wasn't the first time he'd told Naruto about a criminal, after all: he'd spoken of rapists and murderers and anarchists, but before it was only distaste that colored Naruto's voice. Never, never before had it been such pure, unadulterated hatred and loathing.

When the man realized the blond was going to leave the apartment, he practically ran and grasped him by the shoulder and turned him around.

It was then he realized Naruto was crying. Solemn, painful, silent tears fell down his face and the anger broke into sorrow. Kakashi swallowed again.

"Naruto..."

"Kakashi..." His voice shook, "I know this person." He glanced down at the picture crumpled in his hand and then back up at Kakashi, the man's face flickering through several different emotions.

"He's Sasuke's guardian. Warujie." Naruto breathed past the tightness in his throat and continued. "He... I haven't seen Sasuke at all... Not since this morning."

Kakashi's heart seemed to stop beating as the confession stumbled out of Naruto's mouth and only by instinct did he wrap the teenager in a loose hug as his own brand of anger settled in.

Someone was hurting Sasuke—his top student, his almost-son's boyfriend, a mere child. The cold reality of the situation dawned upon him and hardened his resolve. He had a few phone calls to make.


Sasuke knew something had happened to his eyes.

He knew he wasn't going blind; it didn't hurt, whatever had happened...

No, it more was like he could truly see...

"What do you think, Sasuke? Amazing, aren't they?" Orochimaru boasted. For the first time in nine years, Sasuke looked at him while he was on the table. "I developed the theory some time ago, but it seems that most bodies reject the procedure and die... Kimimaro, unfortunately, was unable to adapt... But I'm sure he'd be glad to know that his death helped me learn more about it... and I was able to safely give it to you... And even prevent the blindness that it usually causes. After all, I don't want to take risks with you..."

Sasuke's breathing was irregular, his eyes darting around the room.

Kimimaro... you... this... killed him...?

His hands fought against their restraints; he wanted to rip out his eyes... He didn't want these eyes... He didn't want the eyes that killed the only person that cared...

No. Not the only one...

He felt the damned hands ensnare his left wrist, keeping it from moving despite Sasuke's best efforts. A needle slid into his arm and after a few moments, Sasuke's body felt too heavy to move...

"Sasuke, really, you should learn self-control... tsk... I thought you would like these eyes... It's called Sharingan." Orochimaru sighed in apparent disapproval of Sasuke.

Sasuke flinched; he saw Orochimaru's hand touch his brow before it actually happened.

Sasuke winced and tried to pull his head away from those cruel fingers, but they followed him, tortured him...

Orochimaru smiled.

End Chapter 12

Did you guys see kidnapper!Orochimaru coming? Of course you did. Because I'm so damn clichéd and predictable.

But did you see the Sharingan coming? (Now, now. Don't lie. I want to get a good idea of how well I can beat around the bush...) I gave you a few hints; mostly mentioning that the experiments effected Sasuke's eyes; made them hurt or he saw things in a contrasted sort of way. More fun stuff ahead.