::sighs:: I'm happy with this chapter, but what follows afterward is still not to my liking. I'm sorry to those of you that want more now, but I really want to do this right. Hope it doesn't bother you too much. Well, maybe this chapter will keep people happy for a while.

As always, thank you for reading, and thank you for your reviews.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters (though that would be nice…sometimes I wonder if having a shinobi-style life would be better than my own. Then again, both options have rabid people trying to suck the life out of you in one form or another….I guess it's a toss up.)

SPOILERS: If you have not been keeping up with the manga and you do not want any inkling of spoilers, you may not want to read. But it is up to you.

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Run From You

            By Doskoipanda

Chapter 10: Troubled

Naruto didn't remember much after he had lost consciousness. Once the Kyuubi had taken over completely, he had fallen into an eternity of deep cool blue. He had felt nothing there. Seen nothing there. It was as comfortable as sleep and as pressing as death.

But then, like being thrown into hot water, he had returned to the world of pain, fire and heat. And voices. So many voices…and he couldn't remember what they were saying…

All there was to remember…to hold on to…was the warmth of a body supporting his own wracked, listless one….a warmth that was possessive and reassuring.

One clear voice among the garbled background noise…

"I've got you, Naruto."

He slept.

But now everything was annoyingly white. Naruto screwed up his eyes against the glow of sunlight streaming onto spotless bed sheets.

He suddenly moaned in chagrin. He knew where he was now; he'd seen this place more times than not: the Hidden Village of the Leaf's hospital.

"Been awhile since you came here, huh?"

Naruto tentatively tried one eye against the sunlight. "Iruka-sensei?" he croaked.

Smiling gently, the jounin came forward and sat on the edge of the bed. "Good morning, Naruto."

The blonde shinobi strained to sit up. Iruka shook his head. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Your chakra was completely drained. If you move around too much now, you'll damage your chakra capacity permanently.

Naruto snorted, but stopped moving. He had an awful headache; the room seemed to swim as he fell back onto his pillow. "Can I eat, at least?" he asked in what he thought to be a plaintive tone.

"Here." Iruka plunked a cup of miso soup onto the bedside table. Naruto gave a heart-wrenching moan. "Noodles?!"

"Quit that," the older man chuckled. Naruto sighed and took up the cup, making a face at it as if it were sewage water. "Where's Kakashi-sensei?" he asked as he eyed his scant meal.

"He's doing a patrol," Iruka answered. "Most of the jounin are surveying the damage inside the village, but Kakashi went with ANBU to scan the outer territo—."

"Damage?!"

Iruka sighed inwardly as Naruto's eyes darted to the window and took in the ravaged surroundings, the blue pupils dilating in horror. After a shocked moment, the eyes dulled and Naruto's brow furrowed. Things were coming back to him.

"Iruka-sensei…" Naruto looked up at his mentor. "What happened?"

The brown-haired jounin rose and made his way to the window, looking out at the damaged buildings and rubble. And he began to speak.

            "….and so Uchiha brought you here." Iruka finished, finally turning from the window to look at his pupil.

            Naruto was hunched in the bed, knees drawn up to his forehead. Iruka's heart squeezed painfully, and he moved to the bed and sat upon it again. "Naruto?" he asked gently.

            "This all happened because of me, huh?" The blonde's voice was fatalistic. Iruka sighed. "It's not your fault in a direct sense, Naruto, but you do have a monster inside of you, and a powerful one at that. I don't think this is the last time something like this might happen—"

            "But I don't want it to happen, dammit!" Naruto turned his head and fixed his eyes on his teacher's, pain shining like a beacon over a sea of troubled blue. "I don't want this place to get hurt, I don't want the people to get hurt, dammit, I don't fucking want—"

            He clenched his teeth together and swallowed hard against Iruka's flak jacket. The jounin had taken hold of him and had gently wrapped an arm around his tense, quivering frame.

            "People don't want a lot of things that happen to them," Iruka said quietly. "I don't think you would have volunteered to hold a demon inside you if you'd been given a choice. Kakashi lost some really precious people; he didn't want that. But he still moves on, he still lives and smiles, and he tries to pass the love he had for those lost ones onto others. He does what he can, and he doesn't lose himself to the pain of his fate."

            Naruto didn't say anything. Iruka didn't take his arm away. "Your fate is heavy, so heavy that it impacts others without you meaning to. Just like last night," he said solemnly.

            And other nights so long ago…

            "But you're equally strong and you can match it, and you do what you can." Iruka let his gaze travel to the window again, but this time he focused on the blue sky. "You do what you can to protect what you love most. And you did protect us this time. Somehow or another, you kept the Kyuubi from breaking free and destroying this village. Those of us that know your secret know that, Naruto. What happened here wasn't your fault. But what could have happened was prevented, thankfully, by you and Uchiha."

            Iruka turned his head to look at his pupil, a smile growing on his face. "So buck up," he said gently. "It isn't like you to sulk so long."

            Naruto was quiet for a moment longer, then he turned his head and peeped a bit shyly at his mentor. "Thanks, Iruka-sensei," he said, a half-smile on his lips. "Thanks for…I'm sorry I…I mean…ya know."

            Iruka reached out to ruffle the golden hair. "You don't ever have to thank me."

            Naruto nodded, then let his gaze fall onto the forgotten cup of soup in his hands. "Noodles," he sighed sadly.

            "Stop that." Iruka's patronizing air returned. "You can't have solid food for today. And stop looking at me like that and just deal with it. Uchiha's got five stitches in his neck and has to stay here overnight, you don't hear him complaining—"

            "SASUKE!!" Naruto screamed as if remembering something.

            Iruka stuck a finger in his ear, opening his eyes to glare at the blonde. "I swear I'll go deaf by next year at the rate you—"

            He found himself speaking to an empty bed and a cooled cup of miso soup. At first he chuckled, but then the laughter died as he recalled and identified what he'd heard in Naruto's voice. Apprehension. Fear.

            What happened to the two of you now? he wondered.

* * * * * * * * * *

Sakura refused to let her eyes stray to the heavy bandages on Sasuke's neck. "It was Orochimaru again, wasn't it," she asked quietly.

"Yeah." Sasuke closed his eyes. "But I don't think we have to worry much about him anymore."

"If you say so," Sakura said quietly.

They were quiet for a moment. Sasuke knew that behind Sakura's quiet face was a storm of horror and concern. She had always been so worried about his connection with Orochimaru, things were no different now. But she would never say it aloud so as to avoid hurting his pride.

After the silence passed peacefully, Sakura rose. "I need to get going," she said briskly as she bustled about gathering up her things. "I need to teach in half an hour and I wanted to see Naruto and Ino before I had to leave…you gonna be ok?"

"Yeah," he replied quietly. She nodded and made her way to the door, but before she stepped over the threshold, he spoke once more.

"Thanks, Sakura."

Sakura smiled a fond smile to herself. "Of course. Get some rest."

She was not five steps down the hall when a yellow blur hurtled into Sasuke's room, followed by a terrible crash.

Guess Naruto's doing ok, she thought ruefully. I'll see Ino first…

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Naruto disentangled himself from a serving cart and whirled to face Sasuke, who was sitting up in bed with a characteristically emotionless expression.

"How much did you see?!" Naruto bellowed, his headache intensifying with every word. Sasuke blinked. "Wha—"

"You know what I'm talking about! How much?!" Naruto's eyes were wide and shockingly blue against the sterilizing white of the room, like gems lighted from behind, glowing with color.

Sasuke did not let his expression change. "If you mean the Kyuubi, I saw enough."

Naruto's body seemed to shrink as he swore softly. Then he looked up with a frightened expression. "You…you didn't…tell anyone…did you?"

When Sasuke didn't answer right away, Naruto felt his insides drop to his feet. So many of his peers didn't know about the Kyuubi, and he felt that the older generation had at last put it in the past…he'd worked so hard to show them that he was not the demon they imagined him to be…now they'd—

Sasuke smirked. "I'm the only one who saw it, dobe. It's no one else's business, so why should I tell anyone?"

Naruto was at the bedside in an instant. "Really?!" he cried, his eyes pulsing with hope. "You didn't—you're not gonna—"

The Uchiha shook his head, still smirking. Naruto slowly let his face crinkle into a grin before a confident sneer took its place. "I mean, you better not tell anyone, or I'll kill you. Yeah, even you, Uchiha Sasuke."

"Whatever."

Eyes shut in relief, Naruto grinned. Then the smile faded as his gaze focused on the mass of bandages over Sasuke's neck.

And he remembered something very blurred and crimson in color….Sasuke's scent and the taste of blood…a scream of pain and the lust for killing—

"I did that, didn't I," Naruto did not ask, but stated softly.

Sasuke's gaze suddenly became sharp. "That wasn't you," he said quietly.

"It was, though." Naruto tentatively lifted a hand, the question in his gaze. Sasuke nodded, and Naruto carefully laid his hand on the bandaged area. "Is it bad?"

"It's nothing, just a couple of stitches," Sasuke said dismissively. In reality, the wound was quite deep, but he wasn't going to tell Naruto that.

Nodding, the blonde shinobi took his hand away. Then they were both quiet for a moment.

Abruptly, Naruto sat on the edge of the bed. The headache was not abating—it felt worse now that relief had kicked in—and he felt dizzy, but he wanted to speak. He had to.

"I've only lost control a few times," he said softly. "I think this was the worst, though. Those other times, I've been able to see what was going on even though he was in control. But this time, I didn't see anything after the…I didn't see anything."

Sasuke did not speak. Naruto kept his eyes on the floor. "It was like I was sleeping. I didn't hear or feel much at all. But when I woke up, I was ok. And that means that someone had to have brought me back."

Naruto drew a deep breath and sighed. "And you were…you were the only one there with me…you didn't run away from me or nothin'…you probably stopped me from doing something awful. I just…wanted to say thanks for that…"

He turned to Sasuke, a small smile on his face. "So thanks…ya know," he finished.

The Uchiha slowly shook his head. "It was probably my fault to begin with."

"Huh?" Naruto peered inquisitively at Sasuke. "What's that mean?"

            "When he is emotionally broken…"

            "Because of what happened. Between us."

            Naruto froze. Then after a moment of stunned silence, he grinned. "Uh…I don't know what you're talking about."

            But Sasuke could see something like horror and trepidation deep in the cerulean depths of Naruto's pupils. A small ache began to spread through his chest.

Are you going to push me away after all this?

A brazen grin still pasted on his face, Naruto was contemplating bolting. I need to get out of here, he thought, trying to keep calm.

I said that I

I'm not gonna let him hold me responsible!

But his head hurt so badly, and his body ached with mighty pain. It almost made him sick to think of running….running in a circle….like the room was circling now—

            Naruto suddenly pitched forward. Sasuke leaned to catch him before he slid off the bed. "Naruto?!" he asked harshly.

            "Dizzy…" the blonde shinobi muttered. "…bad headache…"

            "You shouldn't be out of bed anyway," Sasuke masked the concern in his voice with a scaldingly condescending tone. "Your chakra's not anywhere near replenished yet."

            "I'm…fine," Naruto held his head in one hand, pressing against the pulsing ache. "Just gonna go…back…"

            His vision blurred horribly as the room spun once more. But through the vertigo and throbbing pain, he felt something warm and solid gather him close, strong arms cradling his tormented head. The spinning stopped, and all was still.

            And when his head cleared enough to re-evaluate his situation, he stiffened. For he was wrapped in Sasuke's arms, he was leaning against Sasuke's body, the last of the Uchiha clan held him in a grip that unmistakably fell into the category of embracing.

            Oh….

            Oh….SHIT.

            But before Naruto could gather the strength to push away, say or do something, anything, Sasuke tightened his grip almost warningly. "Just stay still," he ordered quietly. Gently. "Just rest."

            "Get off—"

            "Shut up and sit still."

            After trying to struggle and failing, Naruto gave in and relaxed his body with little grace. He didn't want to, ESPECIALLY not like this, but he was so dizzy. Well, at least his tongue worked. "You're such a stuck-up bastard," he said sullenly.

            "Whatever."

            "Mothering me."

            "You're the one falling down all over the place."

            "I'm fine—"

            "Just shut up."

            "……….I hate you."

            Silence.

            "No you don't," Sasuke said quietly.

            Naruto squeezed his eyes shut and gave in to a moment of terror. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. Sasuke wasn't going to give this up. Trust the asshole to make this DIFFICULT. But he was Uzumaki Naruto. He could deal.

            He could end this.

            "Ok fine. We're pals. But you're still an ass—"

            Naruto's eyes widened to their fullest capacity as he felt Sasuke's mouth press tentatively against his forehead in a clumsy but unmistakable gesture. And once again, he was left completely speechless, unable to breathe, unable to think.

            But as unbelievable as it felt, as ethereal, it had to end.

            Exhale. Exhale, Naruto. EXHALE!!!!!!!!!

            "—hole…"

            Sasuke drew back and regarded Naruto, who was staring at him with absolute shock and wonder. And he felt something in him glow, something rather foreign to him but by no means unpleasant.

            Naruto swallowed. "Did you mean to do that?" he asked.

            Sasuke considered the question carefully. "Yes," he finally said.

            The blonde shinobi nodded slowly, and then smiled widely. "Ok. Well, I'm feeling a lot better now, so I'll be goi—"

            "Coward," said Sasuke quietly. Deliberately.

            "FUCK ME, YES, GODDAMMIT, I AM!!" Naruto broke loose from Sasuke's arms and stood unsteadily, hands clenched as he stared at Sasuke. His head hurt, his heart hurt, everything screamed in pain. "I am fucking afraid!! All right?! Are you happy now?!"

            Sasuke turned his head to stare at his hands, pale even against the white sheets of the bed. "I am too," he said.

            I don't know how to do this.

            "No, you are not!" Naruto's whole body was trembling now, not because of his physical condition, but by the power of his emotions. "You don't know, you don't have the same kind of fear that I have!! I lost you once, in case you forgot. And the last thing I want now, the last goddamn thing, is to lose you again! Do you understand, Sasuke?! That's what I'm afraid of more than anything on this earth!"

            The dark-haired shinobi looked at Naruto once more, watched the blue eyes glow with pain and fear and need and bitter sadness. "I don't understand," he said as gently as he could.

            And as he had hoped, Naruto seemed to calm slightly, hands unclenching and slowly coming down to rest at his sides. But the golden head bowed as if he was surrendering.

            "I'm fine with where we are now," The vibrant voice was so soft, so forlorn. Defeated. "So…let's just—"

            Sasuke suddenly loomed before him. Naruto instinctively tried to take a step back, but found himself against the wall of the room. Which was bad, because Sasuke had that look on his face again, that dangerous, predator-like look.

            Naruto did not turn his face away, refused to look away. He stared at his rival, his teammate, his joy and his sorrow, with the same determination and bravado he showed in all of his fighting. But barely hidden behind the confidence was an overwhelming fear and despair that he couldn't contain.

This was the end.

Sasuke's voice, husky and low, fell on his ears. "Do you love me?" he asked softly.

No more running, something whispered deep in Naruto's soul.

"Yes, dammit," Naruto said quietly, unwaveringly. And he waited, waited for Sasuke to laugh, tell him that he could never feel the same way, that his destiny as an Uchiha put him apart from such things, that he had always hated Naruto and nothing would change.

            And when nothing happened, Naruto finally broke the eye contact and made to push past Sasuke and escape for the last time—

            Hands gripped his shoulders painfully, pushed him back against the wall, and then Sasuke's mouth was crushing his own in a hungry kiss, one that had no beauty, no gentleness or tenderness. There was only a white hot power, a need to fulfill, a pain to ease. This was love in its most naked, most passionate form.

            For Sasuke, it was like a dam breaking in his chest, a rush of heat and hunger flooding his senses, overpowering his self-control. He could not stop. He did not want to.

            It was Naruto who broke first, jerking back to stop the kiss. Both of them sucked in air greedily, neither opening their eyes, as if to risk losing the moment. Sasuke's hands left Naruto's shoulders and settled on either side of Naruto's head, cradling it, and he leaned forward to rest his forehead against Naruto's. They stood there and took in each other's presence, and let the world spin on without them.

            And gradually, inevitably, Naruto eased out of Sasuke's grip and pulled away, leaving the Uchiha facing the white, expressionless wall.

            He leaned one arm on it and waited to hear Naruto's footsteps recede into the hall. But they did not. He was waiting too. And Sasuke knew what he had to do, what he should have done long ago.

            "I love you," he said quietly, not turning around.

            And after a moment, he truly was alone.

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Thanks for reading, I will do my best to finish soon. Please review!