TTP,TTK

Chapter Eleven!

…

"I will not allow it." The stern voice of Tsunade, the head of KAGE, was enough for Itachi's step to falter. He stopped in the middle of the doorway, that was her office, as he heard her raise from her seat and take a step toward him. "There has to be another way." She said softly.

He turned around and faced her. Itachi's face carefully blank but determined. "…It's the only way."

The woman, who was looking older these days, breathed a sigh of defeat. "Naruto is not going to like this," she said. Her hand coming up to massage her temples in slight frustration. She could never convince or sway Itachi otherwise after he has made a decision. What was the point of being the boss then? She was getting too old for this.

"Orochimaru is moving faster than any of us anticipated." Itachi continued, elaborating his decision further. "I will not let him take Sasuke when the one he's after is me."

Tsunade shook her head. Her blond hair moving with the motion. "You know as well as I do that Orochimaru is greedy. Even if you go to Orochimaru yourself he will still go after Sasuke."

They locked eyes for a moment. The air still and a silence swallowing the room. Itachi finally broke the eye contact, turning around and facing the open doorway once again. "I know that," his tone was confident. "That's why I left Sasuke in Naruto's care." Itachi strode through the door leaving those as his parting words.

…

"Stop being such a bastard, Sasuke." Naruto whispered into the raven's ear making sure his hot breath fanned it's way down the pale neck.

The smirk that was on Sasuke's face only stretched, along with the hand that he had placed on Naruto's thigh. Before, Sasuke had loved to annoy Naruto. He would throw an insult or two just to see Naruto all riled up. But now that the nature of their relationship changed, so did the way he riled up Naruto.

The blond withheld a hiss of pleasure as the raven's hand caressed him a tad more forcefully. They were in the middle of class and Naruto didn't exactly want to make a scene. However his sense of right and wrong was quickly leaving him with each stroke that neared his groin. "Goddamn it, Sasuke." The blond breathed warningly. He was loving it and hating it at the same. Sasuke was such a tease, he didn't know what he had gotten himself into.

Sasuke leaned toward him, a smirk still playing on his lips. "What's wrong, Naruto?"

See? He's such a tease. "You know goddamn well what's wrong." Naruto said, a growl threatening to spill from his throat. His blue eyes darted to the front of the room. The professor was writing notes on the huge blackboard, you know, one of those that took up nearly the whole wall. Judging by how the blackboard was already more than halfway covered in white chalk, the five minute break that always took place between lectures, was coming up soon. "Before long I'll make it right."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow in question but Naruto ignored him, as well as the hand that was still on his thigh. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the five minute break commenced and Naruto promptly dragged Sasuke out the classroom door. He needed to take Sasuke somewhere secluded. He'd doubt Sasuke would appreciate it if Naruto promptly made-out with him with so many students nearby. He doubted he'll be able to stop once he started.

"In a hurry aren't we?" Sasuke taunted. Naruto's reply was a tug of impatience. The blond weaved them though a throng of students and teachers toward the far set of bathrooms. Sasuke, finally having enough of being dragged around, stopped in his tracks. "Not in the restrooms." He said sternly, crossing his arms for added affect.

Naruto couldn't help but grin. He was going to make a comment, something along the lines of 'prissy bastard' but he held his tongue and said instead. "Then you lead the way."

Sasuke smirked in victory and amusement. Soon enough Naruto found himself in an all too familiar dark, unused classroom. "Why is this classroom always empty?" The blond asked as he watched Sasuke turn the lock on the door.

"The curriculum was dropped. Three classrooms in this hall are going unused until next year."

Score! That's what you call convenience. Naruto smiled and his voice dropped to a low sultry level. "Well, not entirely unused…" The blond then dipped his head to kiss Sasuke on the lips. That one little act revved everything into motion. Sasuke's back was pressed harshly and urgently against the opposite wall. His raven head titling up and his mouth open. Deep, wet kisses echoed through the dim classroom. He could feel Naruto smile against his lips. Sasuke grabbing the back of his head to deepen the kiss all over again.

Naruto, as he enjoyed every second of his mouth moving in sync with Sasuke's, moved his large hands under the ravens shirt, caressing the smooth, fit stomach underneath. He willed his blue eyes open to watch as the raven arched to his every touch. Their bodies reacting to each other pleasantly. Aside from the occasional gasp, Sasuke didn't make much noise. Those that did spill from his lips, those satisfied moans that told him everything he ever wanted to know, fueled Naruto further and faster.

It all felt like too much and, damn it, not enough. The blond knew he was breathing too heavily. Hell, his chest ached as though it would explode. How is it, that after all of the sexual encounters that Naruto's been through, that this one is easily, and most definitely, the most intense?

Into a willing pale neck Naruto sank his teeth. A long moan followed and Naruto just had to kiss those lips again. Damn, he could kiss Sasuke all day.

Sasuke's hands wandered from Naruto's shoulders down to his sides. In a flash of realization Naruto completely tensed. If Sasuke moved his hands just a little bit lower and just a little bit to the right- Naruto's small 9mm handgun would be revealed. The blond cursed inwardly. Their hot make-out session could quickly turn into a very awkward conversation about why Naruto had a gun tucked away in his pants.

The assassin-turned-bodyguard quickly grabbed Sasuke's hands and he firmly pinned them above the ravens head. In a low sexy voice, a grin in place, Naruto spoke. "Keep your hands to yourself." He then let his tongue taste the length of Sasuke's neck. "This is your punishment for teasing me in class."

Sasuke seemed to like that, if the groan of undiluted pleasure was anything to go by. Naruto's grin widened and he used his free hand, his other hand locking both of Sasuke's wrists onto the wall, to travel down and cup his captive's covered semi-erection.

Sasuke's breath only hitched and Naruto frowned. "I want to hear your voice, baby." The blond said as he pressed their bodies flush together.

Sasuke's response was a challenging smile. "Then give me something to moan about, Naruto." The way the raven said Naruto's name sent a tremor running down the blonds' spine. Sasuke followed with a thrust of his hips that almost sent Naruto buckling.

Sasuke smirked and dominated for a while longer until Naruto finally had enough. He increased his grip on Sasuke's wrists, to almost painful levels, his other hand reaching down and unzipping Sasuke's pants. "I want to fuck you so bad, Sasuke." He reached in and wrapped his hand around Sasuke. The action made the ravens head fall back, his dark eyes snap shut, and his bruised lips parting. "But not here." Naruto kissed his lips. "I want to take you on a bed." Another kiss. His hand running up and down Sasuke's length. "Go all night until you're sore. Till you can't walk the next morning." A long kiss along with a tight squeeze. "Until your voice is so hoarse from screaming my name over and over again." Naruto pumped Sasuke hard, escalating, going faster and faster. "Would you like that, Sasuke?"

With a drawn out moan Sasuke came into Naruto's hand. Naruto made sure Sasuke rode out his orgasm, pumping him a few more times and then tucking him back in. Naruto kissed his lips once more and spoke into his ear. "Let's get back to class, Sasuke."

…

"Gaara."

The redhead tensed from surprise. "Itachi." He replied into the receiver. Gaara rarely got calls from Itachi. First off, Itachi wasn't his boss. Hell, they didn't work in the same company. Gaara only knew and worked with Naruto, and the only times they got to work together was when their separate companies did joint missions. Why was Itachi calling him all of a sudden?

"I need to inform you on Orochimaru's updated actions." Itachi said smoothly.

Gaara narrowed his sea-green eyes. "You want me to be the one to tell Naruto." Gaara deduced, switching the phone to his other ear as he did so. He was in Naruto's apartment having just returned from gorging himself silly at Hinata's place. He didn't get to go through her garbage but he supposed he could do that another time.

"Yes." Itachi replied directly.

Gaara stared blankly ahead. The phone being cradled on his shoulder as he spoke. "I assume Naruto is not going to like this news so you're unloading the task onto me." Gaara was frank with everybody. Itachi was no acceptation.

"It's more than that." Itachi said, sounding slightly annoyed. "I need your confirmation that Naruto would receive the news."

Gaara raised an eyebrow. Itachi was up to something. The redhead didn't ask, only shrugged and answered into the receiver. "I will deliver the news."

…

For the last class of the day. The clock nearing three o'clock in the afternoon. Naruto had walked through the classroom door with Sasuke and had immediately noticed Gaara. The redhead was sitting alone in the far corner. His gaze forward and a finger tapping on the desk in no particular rhythm. The fact that he had no cookies in front of him troubled Naruto.

Sasuke walked down the small carpeted stairs and sat down in his usual spot. His dark eyes watched as Naruto came up beside him and placed his books down distractingly. "What is it?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto snapped to attention and quickly gave Sasuke a grin. "Ah, nothing. I just spotted Gaara." Naruto's blue eyes swept over to Gaara's form. "I'm going to talk with him real quick. Watch my stuff." Naruto said. Sasuke had no time to reply as Naruto briskly walked away.

With annoyed, narrowed eyes, Sasuke watched as Naruto took the empty seat beside Gaara and immediately started talking. Too bad he couldn't hear what they were saying.

…

"What are you doing here, Gaara?" Naruto frowned. "Something up?"

Gaara gave a nod. "You are not going to like this."

"Goddamn it, I hate when you do that, you know?" Naruto buried his face into his hands. "Don't tell me that Orochimaru is on the move…"

Gaara was silent and Naruto lifted up his head to meet sea-green eyes. "Fuck, he is, isn't he? It's too soon! He never acts this quickly. What's going on?"

Gaara spoke calmly. "Several of Orochimaru's henchmen were spotted in town. Orochimaru himself was on his way here but he reportedly stopped."

"Stopped?"

"No one can find him."

Naruto's fisted hand slammed on the desk. The resulting sound was evident and several eyes turned toward them. The blond ignored them and leaned closer to the redhead. "Were any spotted on campus grounds? Right now we shouldn't worry about Orochimaru, he'll send a wave of his pawns first."

Gaara nodded, agreeing with Naruto on that assessment. "So far the grounds are clear but not for much longer."

Naruto groaned and glanced over his shoulder to where Sasuke was seated. The raven's hand was moving swiftly over paper with a bored expression on his face. Naruto sighed. Soon everything was going to be turned upside down. His time with Sasuke was about up and his chest constricted at the thought. The blond turned back toward Gaara. "Exiting this class we have to cross the courtyard in order to make it to the front of the building." Naruto sighed once again. "If they're on campus that's where we'll be attacked. It's one large open space so we will pretty much be open targets." Naruto cringed at the thought.

Gaara gave a nod of his head. He watched as Naruto glanced over his shoulder again. The blue eyes then sweeping across the classroom.

"There are too many civilians, Gaara." Naruto said in a small distressed voice. "Orochimaru no doubt gave the order to just come in blindly shooting." His blue eyes dulled with sadness. "I hate casualties."

The way Naruto spoke, it made Gaara tense up. He hated seeing Naruto looking so goddamn distraught. It just didn't suit him. The redhead remembered one particular mission. It was on the streets of a small normal town in which Gaara and Naruto were targeted. On a rooftop not-too-far-away a sniper laid in cover. The frantic shooting caught many bystanders. Gaara had no doubt that Naruto was thinking of the same incident.

"Do not worry, Naruto." Gaara said, in an unyielding tone. "Since this is such a public area, all the agents have been summoned. They will make sure that no civilians will get injured. SAND has also sent agents." He laid a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "All you should focus on is protecting Sasuke."

Naruto gazed at him gratefully. The blond needed to be focused. He then shook his head ridding himself of the previous sadness. A thought then emerged. "Has Lee arrived?" He asked.

Gaara removed his hand from Naruto's shoulder and bristled. "I do not know why you invited him along." The redhead said frowning.

Naruto chuckled. "Come on, Gaara." Still chuckling. "Don't tell me you guys still don't get along."

Sea-green eyes shut and he raised a hand to rub the bridge of his nose. "You know I haven't apologized to him. You did this on purpose."

Naruto looked taken aback but Gaara knew better. "Ah, just because you broke his leg, nearly crippling him, because you thought- and I quote: 'That he was from the underground world of green Smurfs'"

Gaara narrowed his eyes dangerously. "You know how much I hate Smurfs."

Naruto smiled. "Hate? I think you mean afraid. "

For a moment Naruto thought Gaara might hit him but then Gaara straightened in his seat and spoke with as much calmness he could muster. "I hate Smurfs. The fact that a green one appeared in front of me wasn't my fault. "

Naruto stomach was hurting from restraining from bursting out laughing. Gaara and Lee were quite a sight to see when they were in the same room. "Okay" -chuckle- "I'm sorry." -more giggling- "but it's so damn funny!"

Gaara made to stand up.

"Wait," Naruto said breathlessly, his chest still heaving from the uncontrolled giggles. "I didn't ask for Lee to come just to piss ya off, Gaara." Naruto coughed into his hand, the urge to laugh now gone. "I asked for him because he's one of the best and one of the few I can trust." He looked Gaara directly in the eye. "I don't care if he resembles a green Smurf. Your worst nightmare and all that. I just really need you to try and work with him."

Naruto waited for Gaara's reply. The redheads features set in what Naruto would call a pout, but he wouldn't say that to his face. "Fine." Gaara finally said. The redhead then stood up. "I'll lead the agents to the courtyard and instruct them to evacuate and protect when the raid begins."

Naruto gave a nod. "Thank you, Gaara."

"See you outside, Naruto."

The redhead left. The assassin-turned-bodyguard took a few moments to compose himself- of the heaviness of the situation and the comedy effect of Gaara's fears of Smurfs- and walked over to Sasuke and took his regular seat beside him.

The raven looked up from his notes. "What was that about?"

Naruto waved the question off with a grin. "Nothing important. Gaara needed a confidence boost in order to meet up with a green Smurf."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. From what he saw it looked like a very serious discussion. Green Smurfs? Sasuke lazily shrugged one of his shoulders and focused on the Teacher's lecture. Beside him Naruto was content on doing the same.

…

'Calm down, Naruto!' The blond said to himself. Sasuke and him just exited class and were headed toward the courtyard double doors. The double doors were wide open. Held there by two sizable stone bricks as the cool evening air entered with ease. In what resembled a flood, students filed away into the open courtyard. The sun was still strong in the sky and the breeze was light enough to not require a jacket. The grass was a brilliant green, trees surround the open space, and park benches were sprawled all over the place. It would have been a wonderful day, Naruto mused, if not for the impending doom. And he meant that literally.

With Sasuke beside him, Naruto's blue eyes quickly spotted agents. They surrounded the courtyard. Some between trees, some on benches, and even some on the rooftops. There were many students in the courtyard but thankfully less than Naruto first predicted there will be.

Naruto stuck to the more populated area. For one, it would make Sasuke a harder target with so many people around. Although, doing so would make the chances of somebody getting hurt, even killed, grow to an uncomfortable level.

Naruto's stomach twisted. Orochimaru's henchmen were low and troubled psychopaths. They would have no problem mowing through a crowd just to get to them.

Unconsciously, Naruto's hand landed on the small end of Sasuke's back, making them walk more closely together. Sasuke looked at him, slightly startled about the abrupt public display, but Naruto didn't seem to notice.

They were halfway through the courtyard when it happened. A gunshot resounding through the open air. Panic and mayhem rang true as people fled and fell to the ground. With one hand Naruto pushed Sasuke to the ground. Sasuke falling on his knees and his forehead held to the dirt as Naruto placed a hand on the back of his neck to hold him down.

The blond quickly knelt beside him, his other hand swiping for his gun. He pulled it out just in time to shoot the man that was coming up from behind him. A direct hit on the shoulder that caused the man to yelp in pain and drop his gun.

In the background other gunshots could be heard. Panic was still heavy in the air but it seemed as though most of the crowd had diminished and fled successfully. The agents had done their job well. Naruto, no longer worried about innocents, did a quick count of Orochimaru's followers. Thirteen. Gunshots still echoed but most of them were engaged in hand to hand.

From beside him, Sasuke's once frozen, tense body, tensed even more as he grunted and attempted to sit up. Naruto put more pressure on the back of Sasuke's neck, holding him down roughly. "Do not move." Naruto said, knowing his tone of voice was fierce and probably uncharacteristic for Sasuke to hear. But he needed to make his point across.

From the right, one of Orochimaru's followers killed an agent and was headed straight for Naruto. With practiced precision Naruto fired his gun and took him down.

Underneath his hand Naruto could feel Sasuke jump and attempt to stand up again. "I said, do not move." Sasuke tensed, his muscles tight, but he remained still. Naruto did his best to control his emotions. His blond hair swayed in the wind, his head snapping to the left just in time to block the kick that was directed at his head. The kick was powerful. His hand losing grip on his gun and falling to the floor.

Unarmed, Naruto engaged in combat with his one free hand. With clean hits Naruto took the man down. Before Naruto could react toward the next henchman that was coming his way, Gaara had stepped up beside him and covered for him. Naruto muttered a thanks as he picked up his gun and reloaded it. A sudden silence enveloped the courtyard. The first wave of Orochimaru's henchman were dealt with. He inwardly sighed and asked Gaara for a quick count.

Gaara, with expert eyes, read the scene. "Two agents dead, three injured, no civilians harmed."

With the pressure on the back of his neck withdrawn, Sasuke was able to sit up. He stared at Naruto with unreadable eyes and then suddenly turned away.

With his heart on the verge of breaking into pieces, Naruto opened his mouth but he couldn't force a sound out.

-End of Chapter Eleven!-