Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Congratulations. I now qualify as a retard for saying the same thing over and over again for twenty-six times.

By now, until the end of the exams…

Naruto - Kouryuu

Gaara – Mujina

Orochimaru – Gen'yumaru

Well, this came out late because of the usual I-have-thesis excuse. That and I have a life –for how long I dunno- but I will update, and when I say it I…specifically don't mean it. Aw, just trust me that I'll update this!

-

Chapter 26: Reunions Are So Troublesome

-

The Godaime's words were running around in circles around Sasuke's head.

"Now, listen." Tsunade made special mention of this to Team Seven. "Sound Team is arriving tomorrow. I'm not sure if Orochimaru will be tagging along (though I doubt he won't, she grumbled) or if he'll do Henge or any other shitty body-altering jutsu. We don't know much about their jounin instructor, Kabuto is no enigma but Gaara and Naruto will be."

Sasuke shook slightly from his position.

"We don't know how much power or techniques Naruto would have learned from the snake. But I assure you, with the seal still in his arm, Naruto would have no problems dealing with lesser chuunin and such. I want Sasuke on Naruto."

The Uchiha turned a shade of crimson at the innocent implication of the order. Kakashi, however, caught on and coughed softly to hide the bit of mirth that escaped and turned his head sideways.

"Sasuke will be excellent against Naruto. You two were always equally matched, even so, you having received training from Jiraiya. But I don't want you to get careless, as far as I know, Orochimaru still wants you as his vessel." Tsunade gave a nod towards Shizune who, confirmed the signal, and went out of the door.

"When they arrive tomorrow, I want your team, Kakashi; to stick like glue at them. Know their abilities, so you won't be surprised. Confirm any suspicion you might have on any of them. Acquaint with them if you can. They might anticipate an action like this, but they can't do anything much about it. For diplomacy's sake, they won't shake you off their tails.

"And about Gaara…" Tsunade momentarily paused as her 'guests' came inside.

Sasuke decided to block out the rest of the memory, deeming it unimportant. It would his first time seeing Naruto since a few months ago. He was impressed. albeit insulted, by their last meeting; and Sasuke was itching on returning the favor.

"Hurry up, Kiba-kun!" Sasuke was jolted from his short reverie with Sakura's incessant whining. Kiba was hulking over, his face sulky. He was walking a bit slower than even Kakashi was, who wasn't minding anyone. Kakashi's thoughts were a bit away…

"What should I do? Naruto's gonna be hear any minute…what will I say?" Kiba grumbled under his breath, only too soft for the Uchiha to hear.

"Moron." Uchiha scoffed at him.

Kiba directed a heated glare at him, his beady eyes intent on the Uchiha's hair.

"His returning here doesn't merit anything at all. For whatever intent, he is still a nuke-nin."

The dog-nin caught on with the gleam on Sasuke's eye.

Sasuke dared him to say anything about it.

Kakashi silently observed from behind.

Everybody went silent.

A prisoner.

Caged inside my own body.

Bound by my own will.

A puppet of another person.

I became this.

Because…

Isn't this what I wanted?

"One week to set our plans into motion. Konoha can expect what they want to, but they won't be able to do anything about it." Orochimaru grinned in his jounin form.

Yet memories don't lie.

And I see the foolishness of my past.

I…

I want to be free!

"Uchiha Sasuke will be yours by the end of the exams, Orochimaru-sama. Everything will be done swiftly and without delay." Kouryuu silkily replied, delighted when Orochimaru ran his hand through his hair.

I…I hate you!

Orochimaru.

Sooner or later, I will have my chance.

And when I do, I'll escape from your grasp.

"I will do anything that pleases Orochimaru-sama." Kouryuu added for reassurance. The snake gave a smirk.

You've played enough with me for too long.

And now, I've grown bored with you.

Won't it come as a shock when I turn the tables on you?

"Orochimaru-sama…" The group halted in their tracks when they eyed a familiar-looking group of ninjas in the horizon.

From behind the bandages on his face, Naruto gave out a grin for quite so long.

"Uchiha…Sasuke…"

"Uzumaki…Naruto…"

Sasuke gritted out, his eyes immediately directed at the smirking Sound jounin, the stoic redheaded genin, and the detached Kabuto.

Both parties slowly walked towards each other, Sasuke and Naruto's gaze intent upon the other. Kiba, Sakura and Kakashi only followed, as much as the disguised Orochimaru, Gaara and Kabuto trailed after the platinum blond Naruto.

Finally, both parties were but a few feet from each other.

"Konoha extends its hospitality to its guests." Sasuke drawled out, his tone more on the border of annoyance than of hospitality.

"And Sound appreciates the hospitality it is given. We honor the courtesy." Kouryuu drawled back, his voice tinted with challenge.

Both boys glared at each other after the trade of words.

Orochimaru felt someone directing a heated gaze at him.

"I believe I never met you before."

Kakashi had just fixed his forehead protector.

"Gen'yumaru. An honor to meet one of the elite ninjas Konoha can be proud of…"

Orochimaru sniffed.

"Hatake Kakashi. The ninja that was able to copy a thousand jutsus."

Kakashi gave a bored look.

"That is like so yesterday. I've heard that from too many people already."

Gen'yumaru didn't reply. Is that so? I can make it so that I'll be the last person you'll here that from.

Kakashi's eye narrowed at the mirth forming at the Sound jounin's lips.

Sasuke and Kouryuu were still eyeing one another with meticulous scrutiny. It was almost as if both were treating each other like lab rats.

"Is there a need for you to hide your face, dobe?" Sasuke started the conversation, since he doubted the boy would. His face was in a confident smirk, as if he knew everything that ran in Kouryuu's mind.

Kouryuu's visible eye relaxed, taking on a demeaning stance.

"You're not worth seeing my face, teme." The last word was spoken in the same tone Naruto once did, but it was cool and stiff, unlike the past.

"The name is Inshi Kouryuu. And I don't need to guess that you are…Uchiha Sasuke." He simpered, his head still low.

Sasuke made a disinterested sound, unsure what to think of. Kouryuu stood straight, passed a glance at Kakashi, Sakura and Kiba. He gave a meaningful glance at Sasuke before disappearing. The Uchiha's eyes widened a bit before he disappeared as well.

Everybody looked surprised at the laughter emanating from Gen'yumaru.

"Isn't this fun? The exams haven't even started and our students are getting acquainted already?"

Kakashi shared in his amusement.

"You're right. It's been a long time since I saw Sasuke…'attach' himself to another person so readily. Your…'student' must be so…interesting for Sasuke to be so fascinated about." Kakashi made pause at each interval, as if in spite of the Sound jounin.

Gen'yumaru made a 'we'll-pass-you-by' motion with his hands as he directed his team towards a nearby inn.

Kakashi, wondering what their next moves might be, and where Sasuke and 'Kouryuu' had gone off, decided to leave and head for the Hokage Tower to report.

Sakura, having a niggling suspicion at what was happening ran off to another direction as well. He had to talk to someone.

And Kiba…

He was shaking, knuckles turning white. He was biting his lips so hard; his fangs had caused a line of blood to trail off to his chin. His eyes wandered from one direction to another, as if distraught, confused.

He recognized that scent. Kiba recognized the strong, adrenaline-hinted scent of Naruto. He was ecstatic at first, when the faint scent of ramen, blood, flowers and a spicy variant of Naruto smell wafted into his nose. He could trace it towards the Sound genin, of which even Sasuke suspected to be him.

And then…

His canine instincts were riled up when an unmistakable odor mixed in with Naruto's. He couldn't be wrong about it, even Akamaru, by his side, was growling, as if irritated by the scent.

The scent spoke of slyness, of treachery and of cunning. It was unpredictability and it was an enigma. The scent warned him of a wildcard character.

Kiba had smelled a fox's scent.

Too strong to be just a passing whiff.

He was certain it came from inside the boy.

Sasuke followed the Sound genin away from main Konoha. They were silently running and jumping, Kouryuu leading and Sasuke following.

Twice they had passed the same houses, and Sasuke realized Kouryuu was going in circles. It may have been to deter anyone following them, but Sasuke didn't mind. He wanted to find out about things, and if it meant going round and round Konoha for the whole day, then he'd goddamn do it.

He was jerked away from his reverie when the boy in front of him veered at a sharp angle. Sasuke took an extra step as he barely missed an electric post. The boy was now leading him towards a familiar looking field.

"Naruto…" Sasuke mouthed out, voice traced with tired irritation and condescending familiarity.

The boy said nothing, jumping across tree branches, farther away and away from civilization. Sasuke only followed silently, but still causing a bit of commotion to let Naruto know that he was still being followed.

Finally…

Naruto jumped towards the center of a clearing.

And Sasuke followed.

It was already nighttime when they stood at that place again.

The moon, once again, shone on them. The fireflies flew in agitation and excitement.

So long…too much time has passed when two people last visited this field.

…There was confidence.

"You still hide behind your mask…Naruto…" The boy in concern flinched.

…There was memory.

"You promised me…that even just for each night…"

…There was hope.

"We take down our masks…and we become friends…"

Then…

"Have you forgotten…"

…there was rage.

Cold and calculated anger.

And yet when Sasuke dealt anger, it was like a sword that did not give pronounced wound. It was a long, serrated lance, it spilt little blood…but the insides hurt much.

Yet for someone dead…will anything hurt?

Naruto fidgeted a little, before his hands had traveled from his sides towards his face. The wind had gained speed, and the bandages that dangled had gained the characteristics of a whip, lashing wildly.

The white strips of cloth that blocked his face slowly came off, save for a lone strip that ran across his nose, from one cheek to the other. His whisker scars were still hidden amongst the tangle of bandages.

"Sasuke…"

Hoarse voice. As if it was never used. Yet the familiarity Sasuke longed to hear from that voice wasn't in it. It was but merely a regard of acknowledgement that the boy was in front of him.

Orochimaru's genjutsu was dispelled. Gold immediately sprouted from white. And Kouryuu became Naruto in front of Sasuke.

"Are you happy now?"

There was still no emotion in his voice. Naruto gave a disinterested look at Sasuke.

"Is this what you want to see?"

There was a hint of venom in his voice.

"Sasuke-kun?"

The boy in question gritted his teeth, but silkily hid his annoyance.

"Aa, yes. No need to feel all cowardly by hiding under silly bandages. You brought me here." Sasuke talked smoothly, as if he wasn't unnerved by any of this.

Naruto squatted down, his eyes still on Sasuke. The wind had changed direction and blew from behind him. The number of bandages lashed towards Sasuke, like mock-tentacles.

"I was wondering what you'd do if I told you that I brought you here…"

Naruto paused, lips forming into a smirk.

"so I can break your arms and legs?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"Was that it?"

Naruto made a scoffing sound, a gesture of 'I-knew-you'd-say-that'.

"Or maybe stick a kunai through your stomach and run it up to your chest?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes upwards.

"Not feeling threatened? Scared?" Naruto plucked a blade of grass and nipped at it. His eyebrows were knit in curiosity and cockiness.

Sasuke turned his head to his side and gave a knowing smirk. His hands dug inside his pockets.

"Not a bit. You're too stupid to be able to pull it off anyways." He remarked, a bit expectant with having Naruto riled up and suddenly charging at him with fists clenched.

The last thing that came on his mind was laughter.

"Killing you would be hard, I can admit, Sasuke-kun. " Naruto had quit laughing as abruptly as it started.

"Of course, why would I…when one thing I desire is your body…" Naruto's face took an imperceptible shade.

"Sa-su-ke…kun…" The name went out in a singsong tone.

Somehow, Sasuke felt disgusted at how low Naruto became Orochimaru's puppet. So that's it then? You've become a mini-Orochimaru yourself.

"You almost sound like that snake, you moron." Sasuke had stressed on the last word. "You want to steal my body for him?"

Naruto flashed his sharp teeth at him.

"Fuck Orochimaru, I don't give a damn about his needs…"

"Wha…"

"I'll have you for myself…and nobody else's." Naruto grinned, his indigo pupils taking on feral slits.

Sasuke had to admit, this part he was unprepared for.

He was expecting things like Naruto expressing his blatant loyalty to Orochimaru, and how he will accomplish that snake's will. Yes, and with the number of kinjutsus Naruto would have learned, he will easily sway Sasuke over blah blah blah…

But when he saw the hungry look Naruto suddenly directed at him, it was enough to set the Uchiha a few steps back.

"You're not even remotely funny, dobe…" Sasuke felt unnerved.

Naruto showed no sign of surprise at the vulnerability the other boy exuded.

"I'm not trying to." He was still hungrily leering at Sasuke.

Sasuke itched for a kunai right now; his hand was positioned just above his holster. One more step and screw the thing about saving the idiot blonde.

Naruto noticed the stance, and grinned to himself. Slowly, he walked towards Sasuke. The other boy, fully aware, finally took a kunai out and stood his ground.

"What, Sasuke-kun? Gonna stab me with that pointy knife?" The blond taunted.

Sasuke remained quiet, knit in concentration if the blond made any sudden movements.

The wind howled even more, Naruto's bandages were now lashing wildly in the air.

Sasuke still held his ground, crouched in an open stance.

Unexpectedly, a white strip of cloth snapped at Sasuke's left eye. The brunet took time to clutch at the sore area, unknowing that it would be his undoing.

Naruto took the opportunity and tackled the Uchiha unawares. Rolling a few good meters, both boys tried gaining the upper ground against the other.

Finally, the scuffle cleared; with Naruto hovering above Sasuke. The blond's blatant pleasure was visible with the confident smirk plastered on his face. Naruto had straddled the Uchiha by the hips, Sasuke's wrists held down secure by Naruto's hands.

Sasuke didn't know what to say (things happened so fast…) He thought he had read Naruto by now, but when he expressed self-interest, his imagery of Naruto being Orochimaru's puppet had been suddenly destroyed.

"What are you, really?" Sasuke gazed eye to eye with the blond.

"I am Naruto." The smirk was gone.

"I know who you are…but what are you?"

Indigo orbs suddenly took on an unexplainable depth.

"…" Naruto was silent.

Sasuke was still waiting for an answer.

And for a moment, Naruto turned towards him and his eyes glowed with unbidden tears.

There was neither more the haughtiness nor the hunger he displayed earlier.

Naruto plunged the distance between them and kissed Sasuke.

And with the warmth of his lips, Sasuke felt warm drops flow from the other boy's whiskered cheek to his own pale ones.

He felt a foreign tongue prodding his own, to join it in a dance they'd know by instinct.

Tentative.

Shy.

Naruto had lightened his grip on Sasuke's wrists when he wrestled him down.

Tanned hands slowly left its hold and joined the pale hands beneath them.

Entwined.

Joined.

Never letting go.

And then…

Sasuke's tears joined Naruto's own.

Salty streams converged and dripped into the earth.

Naruto's eyes were on Sasuke, and Sasuke's were on Naruto's. Both licked by tears that had passed. Still kissing, one remembering and the other, trying to remember.

So bitter…Sasuke thought. The taste had him wondering whether Naruto had been living off on bitter plants on his absence.

It was as if all bitter emotions were leaking out of the blond.

A few minutes passed before both parted. Sasuke's eyes were still soft from the kiss, whereas Naruto's indigo had hardened once again.

Sasuke could still feel the tentative massaging of Naruto's fingers on his hand. He still felt the soft doki doki of Naruto's heart. He could still acknowledge the warmth of Naruto's body on him.

The blond had begun to remove himself from the Uchiha. Sasuke had felt remarkably cold at the sudden disappearance of heat.

Both boys had stood up, everything was quiet again, unlike the few minutes ago where gasps and pants had shred the silence shared by the field and the fireflies.

"Goodbye, Sasuke…"

The Uchiha was forced to face the blond. A gentle smile graced his semi-throbbing lips,

"I'll kill you." Sasuke whispered, as if stating a fact and not a threat.

Naruto turned around, ready to leave. Bandages whipping wildly minutes ago had calmed down.

"And I, to you." He smiled, as if thankful of the other boy.

The blond had left their sanctuary.

Minutes later, Uchiha did the same.

And the fields turned quiet just as it did months before. When two boys stopped meeting each other by night to share a few stolen moments.