(Shitza stares on the stats page once again, in pure disbelief)

25 000 HITS?

(looks around, sees you, falls out of her chair, climbs back s-l-o-w-l-y)

(Weakly:) Ohayo! I'm sorry for that, I just got a real shock today. This story has gone far beyond anything my imagination has been able to think of.

Hope you guys won't miss me for a while. This will probably be the last update before I leave for Prague. Personally, I can't wait for leaving the country for a while! I'm doing a lot this autumn... Prague, and later this year me and my parents are going to Madeira, a small island outside Portugal. But, that will be in a few more weeks.

Anyway, no matter, I am so happy at the moment after almost 100 000 words I have finally started on the SasuNaru parts of the story, in other words, i am probably the first crazy author to ever wait 95 000 words before writing romance when it says romance. And it will be romance, mixed with action and adventures. I need a break from this anyway, I am not completely sure of what of all the things that needs to be done, which one will start the whole chaos?

I also pray that for the continuing chapter, I won't manage to make either Naruto or Sasuke to sound girly-like. If you find elements that make them sound more female then their characters can handle, please warn me so I don't fall of track.

Warning:

For those who still don't get that this is really a boyxboy pairing, then I suggest either you bear it, or leave at once. This chapter contains...

(clasps her hands over her ears as the fans starts screaming. Like Shikamaru would say: How troublesome!)

...fluff, yes, fluff. Loads of fluffiness! Still, not enough to get this M-rated.

I rarely change my pairings to M-rated stuff. It feels better writing T rated stories for me.

Shitza

Ps: I just wanted to make sure, when you read the first part of this story, do remember that it's been a jump of months, and well, during months you get to think a lot. Like my mum says, the longer something is hidden within you, the greater the thing gets.

PPs: This chapter may seem a little weird. But that's because I have, what would have really been a sole chapter, stuck within it, between a certain something happening.

PPPs: If people think that Sasuke and Naruto will have an easy life after this, I am afraid not. Homosexuality had almost never been accepted by culture, and neither does it here. Really, the only time period I know who hasn't been completely against the topic of whom you fall in love with was the ancient Rome, where it didn't really matter who you fell in love with.

Chapter 25

Now the Wheels Turn,

A New Beginning, and the Consequences

Tales tell us of many things, some speak of bravery, some of something we all all could need to learn and some of the unknown. As the unknown, it was an unfamiliar feeling wakening up with someone pressed close to you. Sasuke couldn't understand when he had fallen asleep like this, yesterday he had decided to stay later into the night, as it was Naruto's birthday he thought he could at least make sure that Naruto wouldn't be alone on the Big Day. Many others had visited as well, bringing huge amounts of flowers and gifts. A coma was no reason for them to stop celebrating his birthday. Outside Konoha feasted for the sealing of the Nine Tailed fox, yet inside this little hospital room, painted in green walls, things were quiet. About everyone who knew him had visited, people he had helped came to wish him a speedy recovery, for example the lady with the tomato plants, and many more. There was at least five persons in the room, excluding him and Sasuke, who stayed there for almost the whole day, except for an early mission which Tsunade had said no matter how much he wanted, he could not back away from it. Also, it was a quick A-rank mission that didn't take more then one and a half hour to finish.

The last Sasuke could remember, from yesterday night was that he had been talking with Kakashi, who came for a late night visit before turning in himself. When their Ex-sensei had left, he must have dozen off, or fallen asleep beside the blond. Waking up, he knew he would have to get up sooner or later, but his tired body refused to move. Instead he experimentally curled closer to the warmth, to his surprise he heard a soft murmur. His eyes flew open immediately!

"Naruto?" he said moving so that he was standing on all four, looking at the stirring blond. An explosion of feelings washed over him as Naruto's eyes opened. The bright blue eyes looked more alive then ever, looking straight into his, confusedly. Naruto opened his mouth, his lips were dry, his throat had not spoken for months.

"Where am I?" he asked.

Sasuke felt a wave of relief wash over his shoulders as he answered:

"Konoha Hospital, usuratonkachi." he said, putting some more emotions into his words then his usual speech. Naruto was looking around, the blond sat up (thankfully Sakura had been one of his treaters and she had personally made sure that his health wouldn't completely go to a waste during his sleep. His body was technically feeling better then it normally did.)

Naruto suddenly opened his eyes wider, his left hand travelled to under his shirt, touching what used to be a mark on his stomach. But it wasn't there anymore. The seal had disappeared, completely disappeared. Normally, whenever he did this he would feel a sudden warmth run through his body, but today. Nothing...

Naruto abruptly turned to Sasuke, who was combing his hair with his fingers. "What happened?" he asked, his voice still croaking. Sasuke stood up, walked to his bag to fetch a water bottle he had in his bag. He gently gave it to his friend, his eyes unusually distant as if he was travelling into his memories. Sasuke wasn't his usual cold self. He seemed almost, weaker, then his usual powerful self.

"I almost lost you." he said hoarsely, trying to hide his emotions but for the first time in his life his feelings betrayed him in front of others. Tears trickled down his cheeks as he told Naruto the story how he brought in here, how everyone came to do their best to treat him. Sakura took care of his physical injuries, Ino had tried many times to reach him within his mind, but there had been nothing there. All though both Neji and Hinata had said that his chakra circulation was still functioning, which meant that he had not died. Iruka had come twice a day, before and after the Academy school days started and ended. Kakashi came and went, he too was concerned for his health. So many days had gone they were almost loosing hope of seeing him again.

Naruto moved slowly, his eyes clearly reflected curiosity and worry. Sasuke could understand why, he almost never cried, and never before anyone else. The blond opened his arms slowly, as the Uchiha moved closer towards him. They fit like pieces of a puzzles, as after seconds Sasuke found himself being soothed by Naruto. For a short moment, he felt like his younger self being taken cared of by his mother. But Naruto was different. He didn't say words, his hands just gently stroked his back. His mother had always talked with him, telling him that tomorrow would be a brighter day. Naruto didn't need to do that, because Sasuke could feel himself relax in the warm embrace. His head was resting on the blond's shoulder, and vice-versa. The two of them didn't move for several minutes. Not until the Uchiha's tears dried out. As the last tears fell, they slowly moved apart. Naruto looked into dark black eyes, while Sasuke gazed happily into the blue heaven within his friend.

It was one of those magical moments in life you don't need words to describe what is happening. Both had known each other long enough to know what the other wanted. Both knew this was perhaps wrong, yet right and they didn't mind it anymore. Their feelings had finally taken a symbios, there was no longer any arguments to take that step backwards, there was no hindrance in their movements, no regret, no fear, no worries.

They moved closer, their breaths tingling on their skins. Dark eyes filled with a complete new emotion, love, gazed into the deep sea of blue.

Naruto closed his eyes once Sasuke's lips met his. Sasuke's lids were half open, the Sharingan was slowly forming into it. Naruto was moaning softly as the kiss grew deeper. Naruto pulled Sasuke's head closer, Sasuke had his hands on Naruto's shoulders, clinging into this moment for all he was worth. They only parted for seconds, to remove their shirts, before diving into this feeling yet again. Everything became a bliss of white blankets and emotions that were on fire.

It took a long time before they stopped, and only because both felt too tired to move any longer. Everything they had wanted to tell the other, everything they had wanted say wasn't needed anymore. They knew, and that was all they needed.

There would be more opportunities to say it. And it could wait. Naruto lay, his head resting on Sasuke's shoulder, while the elder teen silently stroked his blond hair. Naruto had closed his eyes again, slowly falling asleep. Sasuke turned his head, smiling kissing the mass of blond hair before closing his eyes as well.

In their dream they were walking on a pure white beach. Sasuke's hair was slightly wet still, but like it mattered. So many nights he had wanted to reach here, now he was finally here he would never leave. Naruto gave him one of his more sincere, no goofy, smiles. In the blond's right hand was a single red rose, newly picked from somewhere.

This peaceful dream would in a few hours be disrupted by a female squeal coming from Sakura, as she was there to do the daily examination.

Few times life seemed to be wonderful. Well, this was one of those days nothing in the world would be able to make it bad. Love is not something a shinobi takes for granted, it is not something that is easy. And love is not always easily found. You don't go searching for it, you find nothing. No, you let it come to you.

000

No one knew where this lay. It had been completely forgotten for around the last hundred years, had probably stayed in that folder for around a decennium. It was an old shrine, had probably stayed there for two hundred years at least, but no one knew who had seen it, knew when it had been built.All you could say for certain was that an old Clan had once lived there. Because all over the shrine, painted as a pattern, was a red and white fan. Inside there was some sort of sacrificial table where animals had been brought in to be burnt, but there was no trace of some kind of a place for the fire. All you could take notice of was jar containing ashes, dark dried blood on the table.

Yet there had probably been no fires there for years and years. Whatever had made the sacrifices stop lay on that very same table. It was a rolled up piece of fabric, containing a battered looking scroll. Flecks of blood, and what seemed like tears stained it. The message itself was almost unreadable, but the story itself will never be forgotten.

It would be impossible.

It all began really back in the same time period when demons still walked all across the world. In the West there was mainly elves, unicorns, trolls and such that very soon became extinct since long. People forgot they ever existed. In the East, the animals haunted them, animals possessed by evil spirits or demons born to resemble humans. Their story was harder to forget.

It all started with an really old Clan, who lived Close to the Waterfalls, which today holds the secret entrance for the Hidden Village of Waterfalls. Back then it was not just this little temple that stood there, but a huge glorious mansion filled with the even more glorious family that lived there. Uchihas were widely known for their fighting skills, their leadership and loyalty to the ones who hired them. After all, this was before any Hidden Village was born.

During the same time that the demons were so strong, they were close enough upon taking over, there was one Uchiha born within the family who was given the name Madara. A prediction was made around the son. He would bring new fortunes for the family, but at a great cost. Well, as greedy as the family was back then, they only saw this as good.

Madara grew up, trained to be a strong soldier like the rest of his family. His best friend was the current heir of the Head Family, the one who would bring the Clan's famous and frightening Jutsu, Sharingan no Jutsu, forward.

Madara wasn't a person to feel down just because he was a Branch Family member, on the contrary he was the sort of person who saw to everyone and was happy for the little he had.

Yet his life suddenly took a turn, while he and his best friend, the heir, was out, playing by the waterfall like they did everyday. They were only eight after all, childish and playing.

What they didn't see however was that a weasel demon was watching them, who knew well enough about the family jutsu, wanting it for himself. To do that, he took possession of Madara as he went to fetch after the ball they were playing with. A common demon isn't strong, yet strong enough to possess, however it did not know Madara was only a Branch family member, it thought all Uchihas knew the jutsu. When Madara came back his eyes were darker, his lips smiling evilly.

He strangled his best friend that day.

When the Family found out what had happened all of them became terrified of the young boy, and very soon he was thrown out from the family, hopefully for good. The demon had long since left him, but people feared him because of what he had done. Madara though, went to find the gods and very well he found one river god during his long walk. He asked the river God for powers to revenge his friend, and the God listened. From that day he changed Madara's eyes, to resemble the Sharingan that the Head Family used, however it had a great flaw. The more you used it, the more it took damage to your eyes until you one day would be blind from using it.

Madara made great use of his new gift, killing demons, every demon he found. He became known for being Uchiha Madara, the Demon Slayer, the Mangekyo's father. He never returned to the Uchiha ground again in his life, not until death. During that time, as the rumours passed the Head Family, out of pure fright, shared their knowledge with the Branch in case more Branch Family members would start acting on their own. Madara became legendary, a legend that would remain remembered for years to come.

He died at the age of 28, very young, due to overuse of his great eyes. Negative emotions or feelings are the worst feelings that absorbs all the consequences of Mangekyo, it completely leaves you blind after a few years.

However, before he died, Madara took Mangekyo to the second stage, or the alternative stage. Feeling afraid that the Mangekyo would be used for bad purposes one day, as it had the privilege to receive it you had to kill your best friend like he had done, it didn't keep the evil from using it, in fact he was sure someone someday would use it to kill others around him/her. So, hoping that the Gods listened to his last words he prayed that with even deeper emotions, such as joy, kindness and most importantly love a person would be able to unlock a new version of the same technique, Mangekyo. He prayed that this, because of the light within it, wouldn't be at harm, but instead it would be able to stand against his creation. Because, as soon as the Mangekyo came to him the same technique would forever be used by the blood he came from.

Sharingan, like every other jutsu, soon became a blood trait used within the same family, the Jutsu itself affected it so well enough it became a part of the body, blooming around the time the person would have learnt the technique anyway. More technique did this, for example the Byakugan no Jutsu, used by the Hyuuga Clan. More Bloodlines like this would probably be born, as about a hundred years before present time, more similar jutsus were born, such as Kage Mane no Jutsu, used at first to keep the Nara Clan's deers to the right place. Shintenshin no Jutsu, used by the Yamanaka Clan in order to protect themselves from what used to be an enemy Clan. Baika no Jutsu, which was really foolishly enough invented by Akimichi Chouma to be able to stuff more food into his already large belly.

Times goes and come, Madara wasn't wring to think that something horrible would one day happen. Though he would never believe the horror would come out of his Clan one day being killed down to only two people alive. A brother who had lost himself to the darkness, and a brother who fought that darkness.

000

Two weeks later

News spread fast around Konoha. Too fast for Sasuke's liking. It had been two weeks since Sakura had found him and Naruto together in that hospital bed. She had given them both a bear hug, to their surprise she didn't feel bad about this at all. Her crush for Sasuke was since long gone now, and she felt happy for the two of them.

If only that counted for everyone.

The news first spread towards Tsunade, who had received a fit of laughter saying that both Orochimaru and Jiraya were turning around in their graves if they saw this. But the Hokage had no problems with them being together, indeed she saw it as cute, something both f them couldn't really agree to.

The next to hear had been Iruka and Kakashi, who had heard the rumours and decided to turn up for inspection. Likely to say, they walked up on their pair when they were quite busy. Kakashi could be lucky to have a mask on his face as his cheeks blossomed red, while Iruka had to find a tissue to stop the nose bleed. The Chuunin found it more difficult to watch the pair then the more perverted Jounin.

Later on, team Asuma came, from said rumours given by Sakura. Naruto had still not been allowed out of hospital, so finding them was no problem. Neither seemed to mind, well except for Ino who was cheering highly hugging both. Shikamaru simply stared up at the roof, thinking how troublesome things were getting while Chouji was eating a bag of chips, like always. The five of them (Asuma was out on mission) sat talking late to night. Mainly because Shikamaru wanted to know some things about future steps, and what people were planning, and what plans they had. Konoha's Strategist was already five steps ahead of anyone, and it would probably stay like that.

Not that Sasuke and Naruto was thinking about the future steps yet, though they had been talking a lot about their goals. Sasuke still had his goal upon killing his brother, and even though Naruto didn't like the idea of Itachi's blood on Sasuke, something he was sure that was planned from the start from both parts, he would follow Sasuke and help him. They were both strong by high standards, yet they still had more to grow. But Sasuke had taken a step further from his brother's instructions now that he didn't live from hate. While hate is a choking feeling, love takes almost nothing from you, only gives.

After Team Asuma's visit Team Gai came. Like the time with Kakashi and Iruka, they walked in on them when they were busy once again. Yet, it wasn't too much, like it had been when Iruka almost fainted. More like a chaste morning kiss. Tenten of course went into a squealing frenzy (like almost all girls had), Lee, as well as Gai, was singing out the Youth of Love for them, receiving glares from Neji. Whatever the Hyuuga Heir thought about this relationship wasn't clear, however he still could think his teacher's behaviour as weird. Lee was by now wearing more to normal clothes then his old suit, a white t-shirt, and jeans. Over the shirt he had a green jumper, you couldn't ask him to discard his favourite colour.

Team Gai stayed until noon, for around three hours until they were called of to a mission, as well as Lee who had to go back to the Academy. There was a lot of talking around the team as there was a vacant position left. Though all three said they did not want anyone to fill in that place, it would always be Lee's spot in the team, and no one would be able to fill that.

Left Lee crying, that is for sure. Such noble words.

The last team to come visit was team Kurenai. Thankfully, or things would have gone worse, neither Naruto or Sasuke were intime at the moment, or half of the team would have fainted. Kiba hadn't taken the news that well, his family was against all homosexuality and even though he liked Naruto as a friend, and respected Sasuke deeply, it became too hard for his mind to accept. Hinata as well was more distant, but whether this was her usual shyness or something else it was hard to say. Shino was quiet like always, quiet and a bit distant. He didn't say a word. It was the most tension-filled meeting yet, only Kurenai seemed to wish them well.

But the worst was the rest of the Village's reaction. Though many had accepted, or learnt to accept them as individuals, this became like the last straw. Things went out of control, shops closed when they came close, many shot them dark glances as they walked down the street. Their friends even received some of the suffering as well. Chouji for example was thrown out from a restaurant that he often visited, most saddening as the tears simply flowed.

He had not gotten to his third helping of everything.

Kiba also took a blow once Akamaru was out for treatment. The dog owner had to wait for more then a whole day to let his little friend got his medicine, something his mother as well as himself had been furious about.

One was thing was certain. He actually thought better of his friends after that. But only because he couldn't stand when people are treated differently.

Shikamaru also had his problems, being neglected during his mission. He didn't take this lightly, if you say, but had some well chosen words for Tsunade once he returned, not truly out of harm to say having been chased by enemies almost all the way.

The last straw, for everyone really, came when both Hinata and Neji had been rejected to meet up with the Hokage before a mission. They never made it to the mission. Both were ambushed by around five ANBU members whom all were against the current theme. What could have been a quiet meeting between the strongest families and the council now turned into a bloody inner battle between the local villagers and the shinobi. The shinobi all did their best to make sure that no one came in harm, while the villagers thought different.

Tension spread within the walls, a deep crack had started to widen between them all. People stopped talking, except for closer friends, and it was one for one. Many shops closed, many took up signs that said: Forbidden for all ninjas to enter! Ichiraku closed as well, the small ramen store that was friendly to all shinobi was forced to close down. The owner of the store surely retired back for a while, until all tension would drop. If it would drop at all.

It was now, two weeks after that they had gone together, that the two of them were walking home. Hateful glances followed them all the way, people turned and whispered at them, though both were quite used to being talked about on the streets, it was still an unpleasant feeling when someone was throwing you dirty glances. As they walked hand in hand, Naruto squeezed Sasuke's hand tighter. The Raven haired Jounin looked over to him, gave him one of his quick and rare smiles he only showed to him, before continuing meeting the glances with his own glares. Like this people knew how to stay away from the two, but less to say, the crack between villagers and shinobi grew each day.

Soon enough, thankfully, they reached the Uchiha mansion, which lay far away from where people normally walked these days. In the mansion was their free zone, their wall against all the bad stuff outside. Naruto gave out a deep sigh, taking of his shoes as the two of them walked back. The blond had been on observation for quite a while, it was still unsure how much of Kyuubi that had survived and because of this, Sasuke had as mission to watch over the blond. He didn't have anything against that, after all, since the attack Naruto would have to restart building up his physical strength, and something both teens enjoyed deeply it was sparring with each other.

Naruto was just about to make some tea when someone was knocking on the door. Sasuke, who sat on the couch sharpening one of his kunai looked up almost reluctantly. "It's open!" he said, his voice ringing down the corridor. The living room, where he was located, was closest to the hall.

A blur of pink appeared by the door, looking sulking as ever. "Ohayo Sasuke-kun!" Sakura said walking into the living room. Behind her was both Tenten and Hinata. Tenten had her arm bandaged while Hinata had gotten her clothes shred. Something had probably happened to them. Moments later Neji appeared, his fury clearly showing in his white eyes. He carefully helped Hinata to sit down in one of the chairs. Tenten sat down on an opposite chair, while Sakura joined Sasuke in the couch. Naruto soon appeared, having heard more people entered he brought a tray containing tea and some mugs. Sasuke stood up, took the tray from him while Naruto went to fetch a third chair for himself. There was a high tension, no one knew where to start exactly.

The silence was broken when Hinata suddenly started to whine softly. Sakura stood up immediately to see what had happened. It was nothing more then a bruise, but it was a bruise that had appeared like a slash over her arm.

"It's really getting worse." Tenten said, saying the first line since Sakura entered the building.

Everyone nodded.

"The villagers, they attack whenever they find us alone. I hardly think anyone remembers why this started, and no one blames you. You have all rights to be happy, Naruto... Sasuke." Neji said, his eyes following the Medic Nin whose healing chakra was doing its best to take away some of the bruises.

The usual stoic blond sighed. There was nothing really he could laugh at at the moment, and that really was a worrying thing itself.

"What shall we do then? What can we do?" Sasuke said, putting down the kunai he had been sharpening earlier. "We can't attack the inhabitants, without death sentence. We can't stop the riot because it's already out of hand. The village wants our blood, and if this doesn't stop soon, and the news will spread, how many of our enemies will not take this to their advantage?"

"We can end up like the old Hidden Dragonfly Village in the mountains." Sakura commented.

Silence yet again...

"Our Hokage is already working all day to sort this out. Konoha has spent a lot of money, time and energy to make the rumours as small as possible." Tenten said. "Our sources are already running out. Akatsuki are still on the run, free somewhere out there. Konoha has suffered enough already, I don't think we can take much more."

"M-M-Maybe Ho-Hokage-sama can wo-work this out s-somehow." Hinata stuttered.

Everyone sighed deeply, because no matter what they wished or hoped, they would probably be able to do nothing about this.

Their meeting was suddenly put to and end by Ino, who was standing outside the living room window. Sakura walked over, opened the window slightly so that they could hear what she had to say.

"I am sorry to disrupt you, but Hokage-sama wants to see us all in her tower. Something about Akatsuki on the move coming this way."

TBC

I can say, writing this chapter saved the future chapters, because once again I know what to write. Mainly, when I write everything comes to me while I am doing it. Pretty many dangers by that, but still. That's how I am.

Now, don't think I updated to fast. This week to come has so much stuffed into it, I have a feeling the next time I start writing is after Prague.

Okay, perhaps I had work over the weekend as well, I have finished half of it. But it's due to be finished on Tuesday most of it. I got the worst kind of English teacher in my whole life. She speaks English as if she has never been to england, or America. Swenglish like I like to call it, mixed English and Swedish.

Anyway, this chapter is finished for today, and I am happy for it. I am really happy for all of the responses for the last chapter, 8 reviews, thank you so much!

See you again in a long time. Until then...

See yah!

Shitza