Illusions Within Illusions

-o-o-o-

Summary: To keep Sasuke compliant, Orochimaru presented a clone slave to tend to his needs. A dark secret lies in this clone however. What happens when Sasuke realizes the truth? Implied Rape and Fluff maybe? SasuNaru.

-o-o-o-

A wide smirk graced Orochimaru's face as he looked at the young man in front of him. While the young Uchiha may not show it, no matter how hard he try, the older sannin was aware; it's clear as day really- the Uchiha's adoration for the fox vessel runs deep and Orochimaru had no qualms using it to keep his pet in line, an insurance police to keep his future body within arm's reach at all times.

"What's the meaning of this?" The Uchiha asked, irritation in his voice at having his training interrupted. But Orochimaru was perceptive. He knew the irritation was only a veiled attempt to hide surprise and worry for the young man at the sannin's side. The man who used to be so full of life, of sun and light and all that is good, looking defeated as he stared at Sasuke submissively.

"Now now… make no mistake Sasuke-kun… No need to be so hostile."

The mask came back quicker this time and Sasuke sneered, an ever uncaring attitude plastered on his face.

"I cut my ties to them, Orochimaru. You should know this. What makes you think I care about him now?" Orochimaru's smirk widened, ignoring the younger man tense and wince by his side.

"He's a clone, Sasuke-kun. An experiments of sorts." It was Kabuto who explained this time. "Have you always wondered what it felt like to test your real strength against your greatest rival?"

Relief flashed across dark eyes as he looked at the spitting image of his best friend more carefully. And the slight sag of his shoulders, and the heave of breath did not escape the older ninja's notice, least of all Orochimaru, who looked at his pet with intense golden eyes.

"What good is a clone against the real thing?"

"Ahhh but you're mistaken Sasuke-kun. This is not an ordinary clone. This one uses a real body. Come now. I know you're interested. In reward for your continued performance, you may do with him as you wish."

"Hn." But Sasuke wasn't opposed to the idea. A small smile was now playing on his lips. Orochimaru's smirk widened as wordlessly, Sasuke took the clone's hand and dragged it away outside the throne room. As the pair left, Kabuto turned to his leader, a quizzical expression on his face. Sometimes, he has no idea what the sannin is thinking.

Orochimaru merely dismissed him.

"Now, we'll see if he wants to leave."

"You're very cruel aren't you?"

"Am I, Kabuto? The way I see it, I'm helping Naruto-kun fulfill his dreams, achieve a goal he always fought for. I don't see what's wrong with that."

"But to make that promise…."

"Of course. I had no intention of letting Sasuke-kun go home." He chuckled as he stared at the empty space that Sasuke left. It's not his fault that Naruto is far too trusting for his own good.

-o-o-o-

Days turned to weeks to months. And Sasuke was extremely pleased with his sparring partner. All the dobe's old techniques, all his strategies… all so familiar… so intact that it felt like he's back in Konoha once more.

As the last of the Uchiha became more and more familiar, the old banters returned, the old comebacks felt like a return to the childhood days he lost. And so, one day, he seized his opportunity. He pinned the younger man to the ground a wide smirk on his face as he glanced down on surprised blue eyes.

"I win."

"So it would seem, teme." Sasuke smiled, it really felt like Naruto is here with him; HIS NARUTO. A devious plan was forming on his mind as he licked his lips. His body missed his dobe's touch… and sure, they touched during spars and training but his body and heart was craving something more… something beyond innocent touches and fleeting contact.

So without thinking, his body went on autopilot, hands wandering as it slipped into orange and black jacket.

"What are you doing?" The clone asked.

"I win… so you have to do what I ask right? That was the deal." Blue eyes widened as he realized what Sasuke's asking him. And sure, he loved to feel the raven around him, inside him but not like this.

"What are you saying, teme?"

"Oh… you know." Sasuke's smirk widened as he flipped the other man over, hasty hands opening the other's jacket, exposing tanned flesh.

"Wait… Sasuke… stop."

"No… I earned this Naruto. You have no idea how long I dreamt about this." Sasuke descended upon warm flash, who writhed under his hold.

"Wait! I'm a clone, bastard. Stop it!"

"At this circumstance, I really can't complain. If I can't have the real thing, I'll settle for a clone any day. Now shut up." And Naruto would have protested more, but Sasuke's lips and hands were upon him, his body responding just as he expected. And when Sasuke penetrated him mercilessly, hastily, Naruto's world exploded in pain and pleasure he could not comprehend, could not resist.

This routine would become a regular occurrence. It doesn't matter anymore if it was Sasuke or Naruto who lost a spar. Over the coming days, Sasuke would take him, sometimes whispering gentle words into his ears, but most of the times tearing into him like a deprived animal, uncaring to the blood and tears of the other.

After all, it was just a clone right? A clone given to him by Orochimaru. And he can do whatever he wants with it, indulge in whatever fantasies he wanted, to explore what he could not and touch the love he never could. Through it all, Naruto shut his eyes and gritted his teeth. He just had to endure this.

Endure it.

And maybe… Sasuke will finally return home.

After all, that's what Orochimaru told him right? That Sasuke will eventually return home; and they'll return to their Halcyon days of old.

-o-o-o-

It was particularly different this time around.

Sasuke was rougher than usual. Perhaps it was the desperation of wishing for the real thing, but he became more and more aggressive, nipping, biting, even hitting the other as he entered and penetrated without preparation. He wanted more, to feel more…even if it was just an illusion…

And Naruto drew one last shaky breath before his world turned dark, his body unable to cope with the rigorous training by day and the harsh treatment at Sasuke's hands by night. Sasuke merely shrugged his shoulders as he left the other's bleeding and exhausted body on the bed, he had training to attend to.

After all, this is just a clone.

And he needs to become stronger to defeat his brother… to defeat Orochimaru and protect the real Naruto from all who would dare harm him.

It wasn't until hours later when he returned to the room.

A thick suffocating pressure greeted him when he entered their bedroom. And Sasuke felt the familiar pinpricks coursing through his skin. His eyes widened at the sight on his bed. There, a naked Naruto, laid unconscious, a thick crimson chakra enveloping his body.

"What's going on here?" He whispered to himself as realization set in. "You're… you're the real one aren't you?" He reached out to touch the other's soft golden hair. But a hand caught his wrist, and he found himself staring at familiar crimson eyes.

"Don't touch him!" a deep voice greeted him. A familiar voice that sent a sharp tingle down Sasuke's spine.

"Kyuubi…"

"Very perceptive of you Uchiha. Too bad you could never realize that it was him didn't you? Or is it perhaps that you knew and chose to ignore it… and chose to indulge in your twisted whiles and fantasies anyway?"

"No! I love him. I never would have… If I only knew…" Sasuke breathed out as realization hit him in full force, all that he did came crashing on him as he looked at the various bruises and cuts and gashes that were now starting to heal. Naruto's face sneered at him, the very proof that this is the real deal, lies in the crimson eyes glistening with rage in front of him. "How? How is this possible? This isn't-"

"Have you thought for a minute how that snake can conjure up something so alike to the real thing? Have you ever pondered that maybe it's not a clone but the real one? To think that a clone can defeat you in a sparring match. Have you thought of that, Uchiha?"

Kyuubi's voice was full of venom, his face so hostile and hateful that Sasuke winced at the look so wrong on his Naruto's face.

"Why? I don't understand how this is possible."

"The kit sneaked here a few months ago. As you can tell, we were caught. But that snake made a deal with him. He'll provide you a decent training partner, to further your strength and growth, to make you into a perfect host, a ninja far stronger than any. And he'll allow you to return."

Sasuke's eyes widened. Had Naruto been doing this for him? All this time, Naruto had to endure the harsh training and his treatment, and the separation from his home and friends… all for him?

"We knew the snake couldn't be trusted, but naively, the kit took the deal."

"Let me talk to him… Kyuubi please…"

The demon sighed. "As much as I'd like to, Uchiha, the kit is far too weak at the moment. And even I am barely holding on. The training he had to endure not just with you but Orochimaru as well, was far too damaging. Leave… I.. have to heal him. But I can't do that if you keep hurting him every night. Let him rest for tonight, at least. That's all I ask." Sasuke winced as he finally realized the reason why he was still alive despite the Kyuubi's anger.

The demon sounded so tired… so weary that he had to beg the Uchiha to let him rest, to let him heal for the night.

Whatever training Naruto had to endure at Orochimaru's hands and the damage he had to endure while staying here, it must have taken a toll. And now he too had to train with Sasuke and had to endure his treatment every night.

"Will he… will he be okay…"

The Kyuubi smirked. "A foolish question." And that was all he said before he collapsed in Sasuke's arms once more.

Sasuke looked at the man in his arms, his mind and his heart a whirlwind of so many questions. But one thing is clear, the clone he had been training with, the clone he unloaded all his frustrations on day in and day out, it had been the real Naruto who was silently fighting for him… for his safe return to Konoha.

He bit his lips as he gripped the unconscious man's shoulder, forehead resting on the other as tears threatened to spill from the edge of his eyes, guilt eating away at him. But no, he would entertain his guilt later.

For now, the hawk had a snake to hunt. Sasuke's sharingan flared to life as he covered the other's frail and weak body with a blanket, his body making way for one clear destination.

-o-o-o-

"Ahh… Sasuke-kun… What is it that you want?" Orochimaru smirked as he laid on his bed, but his years as a shinobi kept his eyes wary, feeling the wrath around the Uchiha as he walked into the room.

"You knew didn't you?"

"Ahhh… that…" Orochimaru nonchalantly answered, recognizing what the Uchiha meant. "He was always the naïve one in your team wasn't he, Sasuke-kun?"

"You didn't have to drag him here, Orochimaru!"

"I didn't have to. He came here… of his own volition. And who am I to deny his wishes? He thought you were still within salvation. But you're mine, Sasuke-kun. Always will be."

"No… You know what, I'm done. I was his first. And now I'm returning to him."

"You can't seriously believe he'll still take you back.. Not after what you did to him." Orochimaru smirked. He knew of what went on behind Sasuke's closed doors, the same reason why he allowed whatever atrocities the younger one can think of. Surely, the Uchiha knew, he had driven his own sun away from him by now. Redemption is a fleeting dream. He knew he was right in introducing the other one as a mere clone. He knew that Sasuke would test the very limits, would go beyond restraints. For he knew that only the real Naruto could really rein in on the other's impulsive nature.

"Maybe not. But I'll atone just the same. I'll start with killing you!"

"Surely, you don't believe that? I made you into what you are Sasuke-kun. You are nothing without my power."

"I already outgrew you, Orochimaru. Your mistake was making me far stronger in the hopes of taking my body for your own. But now, I am stronger… and your current body is rotting. This can only end one way."

"Don't underestimate me, boy! I am sannin!"

"Don't overestimate yourself, old one. You're a relic of the past!" And both lunged at each other, a battle like no other erupted in the chambers of the once great Sannin.

-o-o-o-

Sasuke heaved as droplets of blood fell from his hand. The snake is now dead. His body mindlessly, went back to that one person who kept him going. As he entered their room, he noticed that the Kyuubi's chakra has disappeared.

He quickly ran to Naruto's side, clutching the other's hand like his life depended on it.

"Dobe… We can finally go home… Please… open your eyes… I know what I did to you was unforgiveable, and I don't expect you to forgive me. But I'll do whatever it takes to earn your gaze on me again. Just please… open your eyes."

He nuzzled his cheeks against the back of scarred tanned hands, hoping against hope that his Naruto would awaken…

And then, he felt it… a slight twitch… before a voice reached his ears…

"You mean it? You'll come home with me?"

Sasuke stared in shock as his red sharingan eyes met hopeful pair of blue. And was shocked even more so when a gentle smile now rested on Naruto's face. He clutched the other's hand tighter.

"How… how can you lay there and smile… how can you think only of me at times like this?"

He felt the other shift, before he was pulled downward, a soft chaste kiss on his lips causing him to open his eyes and looked at his old teammate.

"Teme… have you forgotten what you told me… the first time we did it?"

Sasuke winced as he remembered it. They were sparring then. And he took Naruto rather forcefully. He was so overwhelmed at having his dobe in his arms, in his touch that he blanked out by the end.

"You said you loved me… and you'd do anything to protect me… right?"

"I… don't remember."

"Bastard… stop playing dumb. While I am offended that you think I need protecting… I'm seriously thinking you're the idiot of us two."

Sasuke looked back, confused, before Naruto just laughed at him, pulled him for another kiss, much deeper this time.

"Let's go home, alright? Oh and Sasuke… I love you, too teme."

Sasuke's eyes widened. How can it be, how can Naruto forgive him so easily? He left his home, he left the other battered in the Valley of the end, and all the horrible things Naruto had to endure for him. And yet, here he is, smiling in his arms like nothing had happened… and telling him he loved him too…

"When we return… you're treating me to ramen alright?"

"Of course Naruto… you can have all the ramen you…. Want" Sasuke finished before he heard snores from the man in his arms. When he saw how peacefully Naruto was sleeping on his arms, that was when he allowed his tears to fall.

He may have to spend the rest of his life atoning for his crimes. But for now, he's content… He knew now that all he really needed is acceptance from this one man who would do anything… who would go to the ends of the earth just to have him back.

And Sasuke will see to it that his Naruto will get what he deserves.

Now and forever, he will dedicate his life to this one man… to this insufferably idiotic yet loyal and irreplaceable….

Important person.

For he is Sasuke's first bond.

First love.

Brother.

Family.

They are Sun and Moon. Never to be separated from each other ever again. And Sasuke will protect that bond to his dying breath.

-o-o-o-

A/N: It was a slightly weird one but I hope you enjoyed it just the same. As always, let me know what you think of it. :)