Author Note: Well, here it is. It didn't go as I planned because I didn't
know where to cut this one. And it was so much longer then I first thought
but what are double episodes for if not to be longer? ^_^ I don't have much
to say. I'm working on the next chapter in all of my stories and with
school it takes time. ~I leave for school at 7.10 a.m. and don't come home
until around 8.00-10.00 pm each night. Then I would be so tired that I
almost didn't have the energy to do anything other than shower, eat
something small and then fall into bed and just sleep.
Let us know what you think of this one after you've read it. It will really help me to know...
Editors Note: Yeah I really wanna know what you guys think! This is the first Fan Fic I've edited so tell me if you think I'm doing a good or bad job!
Okay, I have a confession to make: IT IS COMPLETELY MY FAULT THAT THIS CHAPTER HAS TAKEN SO LONG TO UPDATE! I BOW MY HEAD IN SHAME! You see, Monkan sent me the chapter last friday like usual, but, well, it was Passover, and I had family here, and then... well, to tell you the truth: I'm VERY behind in watching the Naruto Anime, and so I've been trying to catch up... I still have like a season and a half to go... so... yeah, there was that, and I'm just lazy... I kept doing a Shikamaru and going "Oh it's too troublesome, I'll do it another day." Yeah. So. It's my fault, and I'm sorry, and don't kill Monkan for it! And I promise I'll be faster next time, I SWEAR! If it makes you feel any better, I stayed up until 3:45 a.m. editing it. YAWNS Alright! Bedtime for me!
~Kat.
Ranting: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Warning: This contains one scene/memory from Naruto 78 so if you still haven't seen the latest episode this one will spoil slightly. But I believe you all have seen it. Sorry Kat I forgot to say it to you *hides away*.
Couples: Sasunaru. Yaoi right through.
Chapter 10 - The Path of Memories
Written by Monkan Edited by Kat Hathaway.
It had been almost two weeks since Sasuke had seen Naruto, two weeks since the kiss. No matter how embarrassed he had been at first, Sasuke felt that he missed the blond even more now that he wasn't around.
He was sitting in the art room, painting. Ok, so he was also hiding from the annoying girls. They hadn't stopped asking him if he was alright after the field trip. They went on and on about how worried they were that he had been hurt. In the end he'd come to the conclusion that if he didn't get away from them soon he would knock himself out. His sanctuary was the art room. How much he loved the art room. He'd get the key from Iruka and then he could just sit there and paint. The silence was one of the best things he heard sometimes, it let him think in peace. He was doing the painting from the field trip. Iruka wanted all of them in two days. He was painting the clearing as he remembered it. It surprised him how clearly he remember that place, every detail was marked in his memory.
He was thinking about the "dream," as he had come to call it, that he had had in the clearing. It bugged him that it seemed like something important but he couldn't remember why.
When he looked at the clock he saw, much to his disappointment, that he had to go to his English class soon. He looked at what he had painted.
It was beautiful, almost alive. He'd really out done himself this time. He moved it into another room where he kept his work. As he was about to walk out he saw the one he had made last week and picked it up. It was a sketch of Naruto. He was standing with his arms crossed over his chest, a big smile on his face. Sasuke hadn't realized what he was doing before Sakura had snuck up to him and peeked over his shoulder. She'd said it was a very good picture. Then she had grabbed his arm saying he could do a better of someone close to him, like her no doubt. He had shaken her off and gone back to what he was doing.
Sighing he put it down and walked out of the room. As he walked to his next class he didn't really see the hall and the other students. It was like he was walking in a dream. When he got to the class he heard that their English teacher was sick and that they had the rest of the day free. Sasuke didn't hear anything as the girls immediately gathered around him asking him out for a date. He just sat in his chair looking at nothing in particular. The wind came through the open window.
^~^Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke was sitting behind a desk with huge bunches of papers on. The window was open, letting the wind in. He sighed as he read a mission report. He was bored out of his sanity. For the last 9 hours he had done nothing but read through reports of finished D to B ranked missions. This wasn't how he had planed to spend the day. He had thought he could go out and meet Naruto like he promised today. He really had hoped to make it. Today was an important day for them. But once he set his foot in the office he had been drowned in paperwork.
"Naruto's probably mad at me for not meeting him today." When he thought of the blond shinobi he laid the paper down and his head followed. Just a little harder. He groaned. "Hell, even I'm mad at myself for not seeing him on this day."
He hadn't realized the person he was thinking about had just entered through the window and was standing there with crossed arms. Sasuke just went on.
"Of all day's Tsunade had to leave for a meeting, it had to be today of all days." Sasuke banged his head against the desk repeatedly. "Why today of all days? Why today?"
"You are going to get a headache if you keep that up."
Sasuke raised his head and looked in the direction of the voice. "Naruto."
Naruto smiled his fox smile as he walked over to Sasuke. He reached out with his hand and gently grasped Sasuke's chin before pressing his lips against Sasuke's. Sasuke moaned into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Naruto's neck. Deepening the kiss. When they parted they were both panting. "Missed me?" Naruto asked.
"Always." Sasuke stole another kiss from Naruto. "What are you doing here? You aren't on duty today."
Naruto smiled more. "I know but since you didn't show up I decided to pay your highness a visit and save you."
"Save me?" Sasuke looked confused.
"Hai, from all this." Naruto gestured to the desk. "Come on, we're leaving." Naruto said as he dragged Sasuke up from the chair.
"Wait, I can't go out the door. They will want to know if I'm done with the reports as soon as they see me. Even if we manage to sneak out I'll be recognized by anyone with this." Sasuke gestured to his Hokage clothes.
"Who ever said we were going to use the door?" Naruto asked as he reached into his bag and took out a set of black clothes, throwing them to Sasuke who caught them. "Put this on. We are going to sneak out like normal ANBU members."
Sasuke smiled as he understood that Naruto had it all planed out. "Watch the door."
Ten minutes later they sat on the roof of Naruto's apartment, watching the sun settle over the Hokage Mountain. With both of them in ANBU uniforms it had been easy sneaking away and when they were out of sight they had removed their masks.
Sasuke looked over at Naruto and admired how beautiful he was with the dying sunlight covering him, lighting up his face and hair. He looked just as innocent as always. *I don't think I will be able to live on if he ever left me.*
Sasuke gently grasped Naruto's hand in his. Naruto turned his head and looked Sasuke in his eyes, smiling. "Happy anniversary, love." He said.
"Happy anniversary, koibito." Sasuke said before he leaned forward and kissed...
^~^End Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke was hit in the head with something soft and came back to his senses. He looked at the paper ball in front of him. Then he heard an awful noise and turned to see that the girls were advancing on the boy who had accidentally hit him with the paper ball. *Poor, kid.*
He stood up quietly and left before the girls noticed. The few guys that saw him just smirked.
In no time he was on his way home. He'd picked up a few things from the art room before leaving the school.
*What was that again? It was almost like a memory but it wasn't mine. Or was it? No, it's impossible for it to be. I'm not even that old. Am I going crazy? Maybe the stress has finally got to me and I'm starting to make things up. Yeah, that must be it. But at the same time it seemed so real, like it really was a memory. I could remember the feel and smell from it.* He stopped for a moment before concluding. *I'm going crazy.*
He was about to turn from the street and pass over a bridge when he saw someone stumbling through the street with very bright hair and a black coat.
"Naruto?"
Naruto lifted his head to see Sasuke. He smiled softly at the familiar face. Sweat clinged to his forehead. He had to lean on the wall next to him.
^~^Naru Flashback^~^
"Hey Sasuke, why have you been acting so cold lately? Did something happen?"
"You wouldn't understand dobe." Sasuke turned around to walk away.
"Hey, don't call me that and don't underestimate me. I'm a lot smarter then I look, so maybe I'll understand." Naruto was getting angry. Why couldn't that bastard talk to him with just one friendly sentence?
"Whatever, dobe." He just continued to walk. Naruto got angrier and ran after him, grabbing his arm, making the other boy stop.
"What is it with you, baka? You close yourself up like something will harm you. You can talk to me, I don't bite, at least not hard."
"You bit me quite hard during training yesterday." Sasuke pointed out.
Naruto blushed. Why had he followed that instinct? "Oh, that, well, gomen but that still doesn't explain why you are so cold now."
Sasuke turned his head away from Naruto's intense look. "You would hate me."
"Huh, why would I do that? I'm sure it can't be that bad."
"Wanna bet?" Sasuke challenged.
Never being the one to back down, Naruto said: "Sure, tell me what it is and we'll see if I hate you." In Naruto's mind he said.
*I could never hate you. If you knew what I feel for you, you would be the one to hate me.*
Sasuke looked at Naruto to see if he was serious. The next moment he had bent his head down and softly kissed the shorter boy.
"Do you hate me now?"
^~^End Naru Flashback^~^
Pushing himself off the wall he had been leaning against, Naruto took a few unsteady steps before falling to the ground.
Sasuke dropped what he held and ran to Naruto. People that were around stopped what they were doing and came closer to him to see what was wrong.
Sasuke knelt down beside the blond.
^~^Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke and Naruto were walking down the street, laughing at some silly joke they'd heard from Sakura about Kakashi and Iruka. People looked at them and couldn't help but smile slightly. There was no way they could be in a bad mood when those two were around. Suddenly there was a shout from a man in a red outfit.
"BEHOLD MY POWER."
Shuriken's and kunai's started raining from him in all directions. People screamed and ran to take cover before the weapons reached them.
Sasuke felt Naruto push him out of the way of the kunai's and shielding him.
When he didn't hear the sound of weapons piercing everything they could reach he started to get up but found that Naruto wouldn't move. "Naruto, what's wrong?"
"Sasuke-kun, Naruto!" Sakura screamed as she and Kakashi rushed to them. Kakashi grabbed Naruto and lifted him off Sasuke.
Sasuke was grateful for the help but that didn't last long as he looked over at his friend and saw him laying on his stomach, his back was pierced by at least 6 shuriken's and god knows how many kunai's.
"Naruto!" The scream echoed through Konoha.
^~^End Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke shook Naruto's shoulder. "Naruto?" He asked, trying to get the other boys attention. Naruto opened his sky blue eyes and stared at Sasuke's face. "Sasuke?"
The people standing around sighed with relief before some of them started to whisper.
Sasuke ignored them. "What happened to you? Are you hurt somewhere?"
Naruto pushed himself into a sitting position before he collected his strength and stood up. Half way up he winched with pain. Naruto's hand flew to the place where it hurt and gasped as hot flames shot through his side. Bending over with the pain Naruto steadied himself on Sasuke.
"Naruto?" Sasuke said again, but now he was worried. He then noticed the blood on Naruto's hand. "You need to get to the hospital." He said in a hurried tone.
Naruto shook his head. "No, I need to see Hokage-sama."
"Like hell you need. You need to go to the hospital first." Sasuke couldn't believe it. Naruto was hurt and he wanted to see the Hokage before taking care of his wounds. Sasuke tried to drag Naruto with him toward the hospital but Naruto wouldn't have any of it and pushed Sasuke away. Sasuke landed on the ground.
"You don't understand, I have to see your Hokage." He swore silently as he saw the crowd that was gathering around him.
He tried to walk in the direction of the Hokage's office but stopped after just three steps. He fell to his knees. *Damn at this rate I won't make it.*
Some of the people watching had helped Sasuke stand up again. He walked back to Naruto and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You!" A shinobi in the crowd exclaimed. "Is it you?" He asked.
Naruto looked up and recognized the man from his mission. "I need to talk to the Hokage. It's important. Please get him."
If Sasuke didn't know better he would have said that Naruto was pleading the man.
"Don't worry." The man disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Naruto closed his eyes.
^~^Naru Flashback^~^
"Hey, are you alright? Sacredy-cat?"
"Naruto!"
"There's no way an idiot like you are the Sasuke I know."
^~^End Naru Flashback^~^
Naruto open his eyes again and stared at Sasuke. *What is this I keep seeing?* Then he reached into his coat and pulled the fastening open slightly to let his wound get some fresh air. *Kuso, Kuji's attack was pretty strong.* He winched as the cold air hit the wound.
Breathing deeply Naruto concentrated on sending chakra to his wound. Slowly healing it.
^~^Naru & Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke raised himself to his feet, standing shakily on them. "I everything once before. Never again. I don't want to see my most precious comrades die in front of me."
Naruto stared at Sasuke. "Precious Comrades."
Memories of Sakura as she tried to protect Sasuke earlier flashed through Naruto's mind. "I won't ever let my comrades die." He saw Kakashi's smiling face and his calm voice.
"I get it..." Naruto said slowly as he stood up. "That's right."
"Because he was like me... because he's lived the feeling of sadness and loneliness like I did. I thought he is strong because he's living in such loneliness and kept fighting for himself."
Sasuke stood beside him, his face showed surprise and shock. "Naruto."
"But real strength isn't something like that. You cannot gain real strength from fighting only for yourself.
Haku's smiling face flashed through his head. "Is there somebody precious to you? When a person wants to protect something or somebody precious to him..." Naruto remembered Iruka-sensei as he saved him from Mizuki's gigantic shuriken. Haku as he took the death blow from Kakashi instead of Zabuza. "...he can be truly strong." Haku's voice said.
Inari with the rest villagers from the village as they stood up to protect their village and everyone in it.
Naruto raised his hand. The memories of Haku's back walking away form him. "You will become strong."
Sasuke's eyes widen as Naruto brought his hands together. Sasuke gasped. Naruto screamed as he pulled out a massive amount of chakra.
"What amount of chakra is he creating!? Is this Naruto?"
"I'll definitely... protect them until the end!"
^~^End Naru & Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke watched Naruto closely. It felt like some kind of puzzle was coming together. Like he was finally remembering something important. And all was linked to the boy in front of him. But a big piece was still missing.
^~^Sasu Flashback^~^
"Naruto what are you doing?" Sasuke walked up to Naruto as he stood watching the Hokage Mountain in front of them.
"Just thinking." He answered. "How much life goes on like this and nothing really changes for so long." He said in a sad tone.
"What are talking about?"
Naruto looked into Sasuke's eyes. "What am I to you? You say you love me and I love you back but you still hide me from the village, from everyone. It's like I'm not meant to exist beside you in the world outside our bedroom."
"Naruto..." Sasuke was cut off.
"It's been 7 years, and all the time we've had to sneak around and act like nothing's happened in public. I see other people that are closer to you in public, like on a stage, while I stand behind the curtain. Do you know how much that eats at my heart Sasuke? How much it hurts to be denied something as simple as that? Are you ashamed of me or something? Or is it that you just don't want an empty bed to sleep in?"
Sasuke was speechless. What could had driven Naruto to this point? All he knew was that he had thought Naruto was happy with him, as they were now, but apparently the blond had held so much inside that he hadn't dared to let out. He actually didn't know what to say, he wasn't used to this kind of situation. What could he say? How could he repair the unknown damage he had put on his lover?
"Naruto... I didn't mean to hurt you. I do love you with all my heart. I thought you wanted to keep it private as much as I did... if you had said to me earlier how you felt about it, you wouldn't have had to suffer as much as you have."
"It's too late for that now. I can only hope that I won't have to wait too long." Naruto said as the ghost of a smile played on his lips.
"I'll try not to make you wait, I promise, but you know how busy I am now, with the peace treaty and all."
"You don't have to explain, I know." Naruto looked over at the mountain again. "I want you to know that I will wait until that day comes. I won't give up on us." The smile was more evident now.
Sasuke smiled back at Naruto. "A chance is all I asked for." Sasuke looked over at the mountain for a minute. "You really look more like him every day that passes." He said finally, after a few minutes of silence.
"Who?"
"The 4th."
^~^End Sasu Flashback^~^
The man from before landed in front of Sasuke and Naruto with the Hokage right behind him, along with a few other ANBU. The Hokage walked directly toward Naruto.
"What is it? Did something happen to the mission?"
People started to whisper again among themselves. Who was this stranger? What kind of mission? What was happening? "Get these people out of here, now." The 46th ordered.
"Yes and no." Naruto open his eyes and then reached into his coat again to retrieve a scroll. "The mission is completed. There's no doubt about it but there are some side effects." Naruto slowly stood up with much more ease then before. That shocked everyone. The 46th Hokage stared into Naruto's face which bore a serious expression. "Kuji and a few of his friends are on their way here right now as we speak."
The 46th's eyes widened. "Kuji, as in Memorlis Kuji?" Naruto nodded. "Shimatta. Tomino, gather all Jounin and ANBU members that are in Konoha at this moment. I want them to be here as soon as possible."
The ANBU nodded before disappearing. "Excuse me Hokage-sama but who is this Kuji?" Another asked.
"Ever heard of the earthquake in the Hidden Sand?" Naruto asked. Sasuke walked closer to Naruto to stand behind him.
"Yes."
"That wasn't true, it was a slaughter and he did it. Memorlis Kuji, Master of the Demon Knives. He's the last of his kind but the most dangerous."
The ANBU looked scared. "He did all that by himself?"
"Hai." Naruto said. "Did you know he even took on the sand demon and won?"
Some of the ANBU looked pale under their masks. More Jounin and ANBU members started to fill the place. They were filled in on what was happening.
Sasuke didn't have a clue what they were talking about. He hadn't heard of a slaughter in Hidden Sand. "What are you talking about?" He asked Naruto.
"4 years ago, you heard of the horrible earthquake that almost destroyed Hidden Sand?"
Sasuke nodded.
"It was just a cover up story to hide the true cause. A man with the knives of the demons walked into the village and killed every one that came in his way. Man or woman, young or old, shinobi or civilian, it didn't matter. He killed them all. The people tried to stop him but nothing they did could stop the flying knives he held in his hands. After he had satisfied his thirst for blood he left them to pick up the dead. After that they made up the story that you learned about. Only the people in high places know of the truth, like the five Kages and their most trusted people. Another reason for the cover up was because they thought they could get rid of Kuji before something new happened and it would leak out. There is curse on that man. Because he is a master of Demon Knives he fights with knives that are cursed and by doing so he put a curse on every person he kills."
Naruto was deep in thought for a moment. *That is only part of his curse. A man that evil doesn't even deserve to live in this world.* He looked at Sasuke. Sasuke hadn't moved one inch and Naruto couldn't read his expression. "Sasuke?" Naruto reached out to touch Sasuke's arm.
\\Watch out brat, he's here\\
There was a loud explosion that made every one turn toward the new huge hole in Konoha's wall.
When the smoke cleared, five men stood on the crumbled wall, Kuji in front of them. Kuji smiled evily when he saw the one person he would most enjoy killing.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Naruto turned to face Kuji. "Memorlis Kuji."
"I must say you are the first person to stay alive after one of my attacks. You never stop to surprise me." As he said the last sentence he pulled three black knives out of thin air. "Make this enjoyable for me, will you? I will treasure the look on your face when you die."
Naruto was walking towards Kuji as he reached up to the main fastening on his coat. "Unfortunately I'm not here to entertain you." With that he completely removed his coat. Under it Naruto was wearing a pair of black trousers and a shirt in a bright orange colour. The right side of it was slightly darker and wet from the spilled blood of his wound. At his waist was fastened a sword. From his wrists to his elbows bandages were wrapped tightly.
Naruto and Kuji didn't move as they kept on staring at each other. The air got thicker with the tension and everyone there could feel it. One of the men behind Kuji jumped forward. He landed between Kuji and Naruto.
"Let me handle him, Kuji-sama." The man said. He was not older then twenty with grey hair. Kuji smiled and stood up normally.
"Sure, show me how well you can do against him."
Tbc....
Author note: What a cliff hanger but I had to cut it somewhere. Don't dislike me for it. It makes it all more fun. Let me/us know what you think of this story. I haven't said it in a long time in this story but.... please review more... I need the encouragement to keep this story alive. This is a little sad to say but Kat won't edit my story anymore. So leave something for her too, she deserve it. ^_^ ... I mean it... a short working relationship but it was worth it...
To Kat: I know I've improved my English thanks to you so... many thanks to you. ^_^ ~ ^_^
So from now on the spelling and grammar will be horrible again, I know, so no flames needed on that subject ok? *phew* I'm about done with chap 11 but I still have some left and then I need to through it too. But it's even longer then this one and I really hope it won't let you down; I worked very hard on it to get it right. I'm no pro on attacks and fighting scenes and I try not to repeat myself on some words. But I will try getting it up soon.
Next Up: Chapter 11 – I remember you. The ultimate Battle.
Let us know what you think of this one after you've read it. It will really help me to know...
Editors Note: Yeah I really wanna know what you guys think! This is the first Fan Fic I've edited so tell me if you think I'm doing a good or bad job!
Okay, I have a confession to make: IT IS COMPLETELY MY FAULT THAT THIS CHAPTER HAS TAKEN SO LONG TO UPDATE! I BOW MY HEAD IN SHAME! You see, Monkan sent me the chapter last friday like usual, but, well, it was Passover, and I had family here, and then... well, to tell you the truth: I'm VERY behind in watching the Naruto Anime, and so I've been trying to catch up... I still have like a season and a half to go... so... yeah, there was that, and I'm just lazy... I kept doing a Shikamaru and going "Oh it's too troublesome, I'll do it another day." Yeah. So. It's my fault, and I'm sorry, and don't kill Monkan for it! And I promise I'll be faster next time, I SWEAR! If it makes you feel any better, I stayed up until 3:45 a.m. editing it. YAWNS Alright! Bedtime for me!
~Kat.
Ranting: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Warning: This contains one scene/memory from Naruto 78 so if you still haven't seen the latest episode this one will spoil slightly. But I believe you all have seen it. Sorry Kat I forgot to say it to you *hides away*.
Couples: Sasunaru. Yaoi right through.
Chapter 10 - The Path of Memories
Written by Monkan Edited by Kat Hathaway.
It had been almost two weeks since Sasuke had seen Naruto, two weeks since the kiss. No matter how embarrassed he had been at first, Sasuke felt that he missed the blond even more now that he wasn't around.
He was sitting in the art room, painting. Ok, so he was also hiding from the annoying girls. They hadn't stopped asking him if he was alright after the field trip. They went on and on about how worried they were that he had been hurt. In the end he'd come to the conclusion that if he didn't get away from them soon he would knock himself out. His sanctuary was the art room. How much he loved the art room. He'd get the key from Iruka and then he could just sit there and paint. The silence was one of the best things he heard sometimes, it let him think in peace. He was doing the painting from the field trip. Iruka wanted all of them in two days. He was painting the clearing as he remembered it. It surprised him how clearly he remember that place, every detail was marked in his memory.
He was thinking about the "dream," as he had come to call it, that he had had in the clearing. It bugged him that it seemed like something important but he couldn't remember why.
When he looked at the clock he saw, much to his disappointment, that he had to go to his English class soon. He looked at what he had painted.
It was beautiful, almost alive. He'd really out done himself this time. He moved it into another room where he kept his work. As he was about to walk out he saw the one he had made last week and picked it up. It was a sketch of Naruto. He was standing with his arms crossed over his chest, a big smile on his face. Sasuke hadn't realized what he was doing before Sakura had snuck up to him and peeked over his shoulder. She'd said it was a very good picture. Then she had grabbed his arm saying he could do a better of someone close to him, like her no doubt. He had shaken her off and gone back to what he was doing.
Sighing he put it down and walked out of the room. As he walked to his next class he didn't really see the hall and the other students. It was like he was walking in a dream. When he got to the class he heard that their English teacher was sick and that they had the rest of the day free. Sasuke didn't hear anything as the girls immediately gathered around him asking him out for a date. He just sat in his chair looking at nothing in particular. The wind came through the open window.
^~^Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke was sitting behind a desk with huge bunches of papers on. The window was open, letting the wind in. He sighed as he read a mission report. He was bored out of his sanity. For the last 9 hours he had done nothing but read through reports of finished D to B ranked missions. This wasn't how he had planed to spend the day. He had thought he could go out and meet Naruto like he promised today. He really had hoped to make it. Today was an important day for them. But once he set his foot in the office he had been drowned in paperwork.
"Naruto's probably mad at me for not meeting him today." When he thought of the blond shinobi he laid the paper down and his head followed. Just a little harder. He groaned. "Hell, even I'm mad at myself for not seeing him on this day."
He hadn't realized the person he was thinking about had just entered through the window and was standing there with crossed arms. Sasuke just went on.
"Of all day's Tsunade had to leave for a meeting, it had to be today of all days." Sasuke banged his head against the desk repeatedly. "Why today of all days? Why today?"
"You are going to get a headache if you keep that up."
Sasuke raised his head and looked in the direction of the voice. "Naruto."
Naruto smiled his fox smile as he walked over to Sasuke. He reached out with his hand and gently grasped Sasuke's chin before pressing his lips against Sasuke's. Sasuke moaned into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Naruto's neck. Deepening the kiss. When they parted they were both panting. "Missed me?" Naruto asked.
"Always." Sasuke stole another kiss from Naruto. "What are you doing here? You aren't on duty today."
Naruto smiled more. "I know but since you didn't show up I decided to pay your highness a visit and save you."
"Save me?" Sasuke looked confused.
"Hai, from all this." Naruto gestured to the desk. "Come on, we're leaving." Naruto said as he dragged Sasuke up from the chair.
"Wait, I can't go out the door. They will want to know if I'm done with the reports as soon as they see me. Even if we manage to sneak out I'll be recognized by anyone with this." Sasuke gestured to his Hokage clothes.
"Who ever said we were going to use the door?" Naruto asked as he reached into his bag and took out a set of black clothes, throwing them to Sasuke who caught them. "Put this on. We are going to sneak out like normal ANBU members."
Sasuke smiled as he understood that Naruto had it all planed out. "Watch the door."
Ten minutes later they sat on the roof of Naruto's apartment, watching the sun settle over the Hokage Mountain. With both of them in ANBU uniforms it had been easy sneaking away and when they were out of sight they had removed their masks.
Sasuke looked over at Naruto and admired how beautiful he was with the dying sunlight covering him, lighting up his face and hair. He looked just as innocent as always. *I don't think I will be able to live on if he ever left me.*
Sasuke gently grasped Naruto's hand in his. Naruto turned his head and looked Sasuke in his eyes, smiling. "Happy anniversary, love." He said.
"Happy anniversary, koibito." Sasuke said before he leaned forward and kissed...
^~^End Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke was hit in the head with something soft and came back to his senses. He looked at the paper ball in front of him. Then he heard an awful noise and turned to see that the girls were advancing on the boy who had accidentally hit him with the paper ball. *Poor, kid.*
He stood up quietly and left before the girls noticed. The few guys that saw him just smirked.
In no time he was on his way home. He'd picked up a few things from the art room before leaving the school.
*What was that again? It was almost like a memory but it wasn't mine. Or was it? No, it's impossible for it to be. I'm not even that old. Am I going crazy? Maybe the stress has finally got to me and I'm starting to make things up. Yeah, that must be it. But at the same time it seemed so real, like it really was a memory. I could remember the feel and smell from it.* He stopped for a moment before concluding. *I'm going crazy.*
He was about to turn from the street and pass over a bridge when he saw someone stumbling through the street with very bright hair and a black coat.
"Naruto?"
Naruto lifted his head to see Sasuke. He smiled softly at the familiar face. Sweat clinged to his forehead. He had to lean on the wall next to him.
^~^Naru Flashback^~^
"Hey Sasuke, why have you been acting so cold lately? Did something happen?"
"You wouldn't understand dobe." Sasuke turned around to walk away.
"Hey, don't call me that and don't underestimate me. I'm a lot smarter then I look, so maybe I'll understand." Naruto was getting angry. Why couldn't that bastard talk to him with just one friendly sentence?
"Whatever, dobe." He just continued to walk. Naruto got angrier and ran after him, grabbing his arm, making the other boy stop.
"What is it with you, baka? You close yourself up like something will harm you. You can talk to me, I don't bite, at least not hard."
"You bit me quite hard during training yesterday." Sasuke pointed out.
Naruto blushed. Why had he followed that instinct? "Oh, that, well, gomen but that still doesn't explain why you are so cold now."
Sasuke turned his head away from Naruto's intense look. "You would hate me."
"Huh, why would I do that? I'm sure it can't be that bad."
"Wanna bet?" Sasuke challenged.
Never being the one to back down, Naruto said: "Sure, tell me what it is and we'll see if I hate you." In Naruto's mind he said.
*I could never hate you. If you knew what I feel for you, you would be the one to hate me.*
Sasuke looked at Naruto to see if he was serious. The next moment he had bent his head down and softly kissed the shorter boy.
"Do you hate me now?"
^~^End Naru Flashback^~^
Pushing himself off the wall he had been leaning against, Naruto took a few unsteady steps before falling to the ground.
Sasuke dropped what he held and ran to Naruto. People that were around stopped what they were doing and came closer to him to see what was wrong.
Sasuke knelt down beside the blond.
^~^Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke and Naruto were walking down the street, laughing at some silly joke they'd heard from Sakura about Kakashi and Iruka. People looked at them and couldn't help but smile slightly. There was no way they could be in a bad mood when those two were around. Suddenly there was a shout from a man in a red outfit.
"BEHOLD MY POWER."
Shuriken's and kunai's started raining from him in all directions. People screamed and ran to take cover before the weapons reached them.
Sasuke felt Naruto push him out of the way of the kunai's and shielding him.
When he didn't hear the sound of weapons piercing everything they could reach he started to get up but found that Naruto wouldn't move. "Naruto, what's wrong?"
"Sasuke-kun, Naruto!" Sakura screamed as she and Kakashi rushed to them. Kakashi grabbed Naruto and lifted him off Sasuke.
Sasuke was grateful for the help but that didn't last long as he looked over at his friend and saw him laying on his stomach, his back was pierced by at least 6 shuriken's and god knows how many kunai's.
"Naruto!" The scream echoed through Konoha.
^~^End Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke shook Naruto's shoulder. "Naruto?" He asked, trying to get the other boys attention. Naruto opened his sky blue eyes and stared at Sasuke's face. "Sasuke?"
The people standing around sighed with relief before some of them started to whisper.
Sasuke ignored them. "What happened to you? Are you hurt somewhere?"
Naruto pushed himself into a sitting position before he collected his strength and stood up. Half way up he winched with pain. Naruto's hand flew to the place where it hurt and gasped as hot flames shot through his side. Bending over with the pain Naruto steadied himself on Sasuke.
"Naruto?" Sasuke said again, but now he was worried. He then noticed the blood on Naruto's hand. "You need to get to the hospital." He said in a hurried tone.
Naruto shook his head. "No, I need to see Hokage-sama."
"Like hell you need. You need to go to the hospital first." Sasuke couldn't believe it. Naruto was hurt and he wanted to see the Hokage before taking care of his wounds. Sasuke tried to drag Naruto with him toward the hospital but Naruto wouldn't have any of it and pushed Sasuke away. Sasuke landed on the ground.
"You don't understand, I have to see your Hokage." He swore silently as he saw the crowd that was gathering around him.
He tried to walk in the direction of the Hokage's office but stopped after just three steps. He fell to his knees. *Damn at this rate I won't make it.*
Some of the people watching had helped Sasuke stand up again. He walked back to Naruto and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You!" A shinobi in the crowd exclaimed. "Is it you?" He asked.
Naruto looked up and recognized the man from his mission. "I need to talk to the Hokage. It's important. Please get him."
If Sasuke didn't know better he would have said that Naruto was pleading the man.
"Don't worry." The man disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Naruto closed his eyes.
^~^Naru Flashback^~^
"Hey, are you alright? Sacredy-cat?"
"Naruto!"
"There's no way an idiot like you are the Sasuke I know."
^~^End Naru Flashback^~^
Naruto open his eyes again and stared at Sasuke. *What is this I keep seeing?* Then he reached into his coat and pulled the fastening open slightly to let his wound get some fresh air. *Kuso, Kuji's attack was pretty strong.* He winched as the cold air hit the wound.
Breathing deeply Naruto concentrated on sending chakra to his wound. Slowly healing it.
^~^Naru & Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke raised himself to his feet, standing shakily on them. "I everything once before. Never again. I don't want to see my most precious comrades die in front of me."
Naruto stared at Sasuke. "Precious Comrades."
Memories of Sakura as she tried to protect Sasuke earlier flashed through Naruto's mind. "I won't ever let my comrades die." He saw Kakashi's smiling face and his calm voice.
"I get it..." Naruto said slowly as he stood up. "That's right."
"Because he was like me... because he's lived the feeling of sadness and loneliness like I did. I thought he is strong because he's living in such loneliness and kept fighting for himself."
Sasuke stood beside him, his face showed surprise and shock. "Naruto."
"But real strength isn't something like that. You cannot gain real strength from fighting only for yourself.
Haku's smiling face flashed through his head. "Is there somebody precious to you? When a person wants to protect something or somebody precious to him..." Naruto remembered Iruka-sensei as he saved him from Mizuki's gigantic shuriken. Haku as he took the death blow from Kakashi instead of Zabuza. "...he can be truly strong." Haku's voice said.
Inari with the rest villagers from the village as they stood up to protect their village and everyone in it.
Naruto raised his hand. The memories of Haku's back walking away form him. "You will become strong."
Sasuke's eyes widen as Naruto brought his hands together. Sasuke gasped. Naruto screamed as he pulled out a massive amount of chakra.
"What amount of chakra is he creating!? Is this Naruto?"
"I'll definitely... protect them until the end!"
^~^End Naru & Sasu Flashback^~^
Sasuke watched Naruto closely. It felt like some kind of puzzle was coming together. Like he was finally remembering something important. And all was linked to the boy in front of him. But a big piece was still missing.
^~^Sasu Flashback^~^
"Naruto what are you doing?" Sasuke walked up to Naruto as he stood watching the Hokage Mountain in front of them.
"Just thinking." He answered. "How much life goes on like this and nothing really changes for so long." He said in a sad tone.
"What are talking about?"
Naruto looked into Sasuke's eyes. "What am I to you? You say you love me and I love you back but you still hide me from the village, from everyone. It's like I'm not meant to exist beside you in the world outside our bedroom."
"Naruto..." Sasuke was cut off.
"It's been 7 years, and all the time we've had to sneak around and act like nothing's happened in public. I see other people that are closer to you in public, like on a stage, while I stand behind the curtain. Do you know how much that eats at my heart Sasuke? How much it hurts to be denied something as simple as that? Are you ashamed of me or something? Or is it that you just don't want an empty bed to sleep in?"
Sasuke was speechless. What could had driven Naruto to this point? All he knew was that he had thought Naruto was happy with him, as they were now, but apparently the blond had held so much inside that he hadn't dared to let out. He actually didn't know what to say, he wasn't used to this kind of situation. What could he say? How could he repair the unknown damage he had put on his lover?
"Naruto... I didn't mean to hurt you. I do love you with all my heart. I thought you wanted to keep it private as much as I did... if you had said to me earlier how you felt about it, you wouldn't have had to suffer as much as you have."
"It's too late for that now. I can only hope that I won't have to wait too long." Naruto said as the ghost of a smile played on his lips.
"I'll try not to make you wait, I promise, but you know how busy I am now, with the peace treaty and all."
"You don't have to explain, I know." Naruto looked over at the mountain again. "I want you to know that I will wait until that day comes. I won't give up on us." The smile was more evident now.
Sasuke smiled back at Naruto. "A chance is all I asked for." Sasuke looked over at the mountain for a minute. "You really look more like him every day that passes." He said finally, after a few minutes of silence.
"Who?"
"The 4th."
^~^End Sasu Flashback^~^
The man from before landed in front of Sasuke and Naruto with the Hokage right behind him, along with a few other ANBU. The Hokage walked directly toward Naruto.
"What is it? Did something happen to the mission?"
People started to whisper again among themselves. Who was this stranger? What kind of mission? What was happening? "Get these people out of here, now." The 46th ordered.
"Yes and no." Naruto open his eyes and then reached into his coat again to retrieve a scroll. "The mission is completed. There's no doubt about it but there are some side effects." Naruto slowly stood up with much more ease then before. That shocked everyone. The 46th Hokage stared into Naruto's face which bore a serious expression. "Kuji and a few of his friends are on their way here right now as we speak."
The 46th's eyes widened. "Kuji, as in Memorlis Kuji?" Naruto nodded. "Shimatta. Tomino, gather all Jounin and ANBU members that are in Konoha at this moment. I want them to be here as soon as possible."
The ANBU nodded before disappearing. "Excuse me Hokage-sama but who is this Kuji?" Another asked.
"Ever heard of the earthquake in the Hidden Sand?" Naruto asked. Sasuke walked closer to Naruto to stand behind him.
"Yes."
"That wasn't true, it was a slaughter and he did it. Memorlis Kuji, Master of the Demon Knives. He's the last of his kind but the most dangerous."
The ANBU looked scared. "He did all that by himself?"
"Hai." Naruto said. "Did you know he even took on the sand demon and won?"
Some of the ANBU looked pale under their masks. More Jounin and ANBU members started to fill the place. They were filled in on what was happening.
Sasuke didn't have a clue what they were talking about. He hadn't heard of a slaughter in Hidden Sand. "What are you talking about?" He asked Naruto.
"4 years ago, you heard of the horrible earthquake that almost destroyed Hidden Sand?"
Sasuke nodded.
"It was just a cover up story to hide the true cause. A man with the knives of the demons walked into the village and killed every one that came in his way. Man or woman, young or old, shinobi or civilian, it didn't matter. He killed them all. The people tried to stop him but nothing they did could stop the flying knives he held in his hands. After he had satisfied his thirst for blood he left them to pick up the dead. After that they made up the story that you learned about. Only the people in high places know of the truth, like the five Kages and their most trusted people. Another reason for the cover up was because they thought they could get rid of Kuji before something new happened and it would leak out. There is curse on that man. Because he is a master of Demon Knives he fights with knives that are cursed and by doing so he put a curse on every person he kills."
Naruto was deep in thought for a moment. *That is only part of his curse. A man that evil doesn't even deserve to live in this world.* He looked at Sasuke. Sasuke hadn't moved one inch and Naruto couldn't read his expression. "Sasuke?" Naruto reached out to touch Sasuke's arm.
\\Watch out brat, he's here\\
There was a loud explosion that made every one turn toward the new huge hole in Konoha's wall.
When the smoke cleared, five men stood on the crumbled wall, Kuji in front of them. Kuji smiled evily when he saw the one person he would most enjoy killing.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Naruto turned to face Kuji. "Memorlis Kuji."
"I must say you are the first person to stay alive after one of my attacks. You never stop to surprise me." As he said the last sentence he pulled three black knives out of thin air. "Make this enjoyable for me, will you? I will treasure the look on your face when you die."
Naruto was walking towards Kuji as he reached up to the main fastening on his coat. "Unfortunately I'm not here to entertain you." With that he completely removed his coat. Under it Naruto was wearing a pair of black trousers and a shirt in a bright orange colour. The right side of it was slightly darker and wet from the spilled blood of his wound. At his waist was fastened a sword. From his wrists to his elbows bandages were wrapped tightly.
Naruto and Kuji didn't move as they kept on staring at each other. The air got thicker with the tension and everyone there could feel it. One of the men behind Kuji jumped forward. He landed between Kuji and Naruto.
"Let me handle him, Kuji-sama." The man said. He was not older then twenty with grey hair. Kuji smiled and stood up normally.
"Sure, show me how well you can do against him."
Tbc....
Author note: What a cliff hanger but I had to cut it somewhere. Don't dislike me for it. It makes it all more fun. Let me/us know what you think of this story. I haven't said it in a long time in this story but.... please review more... I need the encouragement to keep this story alive. This is a little sad to say but Kat won't edit my story anymore. So leave something for her too, she deserve it. ^_^ ... I mean it... a short working relationship but it was worth it...
To Kat: I know I've improved my English thanks to you so... many thanks to you. ^_^ ~ ^_^
So from now on the spelling and grammar will be horrible again, I know, so no flames needed on that subject ok? *phew* I'm about done with chap 11 but I still have some left and then I need to through it too. But it's even longer then this one and I really hope it won't let you down; I worked very hard on it to get it right. I'm no pro on attacks and fighting scenes and I try not to repeat myself on some words. But I will try getting it up soon.
Next Up: Chapter 11 – I remember you. The ultimate Battle.