Author: Talais
Title: Naruto's Aniki
Chapter 6
Disclaimer: Don't own, Don't sue.
paring: Naruto and Sasuke.
This is the promised chapter. unfortunatly I couldn't find a beta reader so it is going up as is. If you would like to beta it write me and I will be glade to have some outside input. Anyway I am off to start chapters 7 and 8. hope you enjoy this chapter. give me your comments.
now on to the fic, hehe
The boys had taken a seat at the bar like ramen shop, Sasuke was a little on edge that Naruto had sat between Iruka and himself, but he wasn't going to complain. The food was better than Sasuke had thought it would be and decided that it might be more because of the company than the food's actual taste.
Iruka asked about the mission and Naruto rambled on in great length and detail, Sasuke had to correct him on a few things though. Like the fact that Naruto had not rescued Kakashi from Zabuza's water prison single handed, or that Naruto was the one that had needed to be carried back to the house after their night of tree climbing exercise. By the time Naruto had reached the part of Haku's ice prison Iruka was shaking his head in disbelief.
Sasuke was startled at the bare bones description that Naruto gave of the fight between Haku and themselves. Sasuke didn't ask how Naruto had had the strength to fight after he had collapsed but it struck him as odd when he remembered the voice in the flames. Could that have been Naruto's Aniki?!
Sasuke was stunned, why hadn't he thought of this before? He ran the memory over again in his mind trying to remember the sound of it, and what it had said to him. I could ask Naruto, he might tell me.
Iruka paid for the bill and left the boys to finish, Naruto asked Sasuke something but the dark haired boy was still thinking of the fight and the voice. "Sorry what did you say?" He asked again.
"I just asked if you wanted to come over tonight?" Naruto repeated hopefully, "you don't have to, I just thought it might be fun to have a friend over."
Sasuke's heart beat like it might come out of his chest, but he needed to figure some things out, and he just couldn't seem to think for long on one subject with the beautiful boy sitting near him. I think Naruto is beautiful now?Sasuke was annoyed because he knew that he did think he was beautiful. "Not tonight, I should go to my apartment and check to make sure everything is alright. I'll see you tomorrow for our next mission." Sasuke could see that Naruto was crest fallen but he had to think things out, he just had to figure out where Naruto fit in to all this.
"Yeah that's cool, I should check on my place too. See ya later!" Naruto grinned and ran off, not wanting Sasuke to see that he wasn't that happy. The quiet boy watched Naruto leave kicking himself for making his new friend upset.
Sasuke stood there looking at where Naruto had disappeared around the corner. He thought back to when he had first started to change, trying to find the minute that he had started to like the blonde boy. It was only when the street lights flickered on that he came back to himself. I've been standing here for three hours! I have to get to my apartment.
Naruto walked home a little upset, he had hoped that Sasuke would have come for a visit. I haven't ever had a friend see the apartment,Sasuke had seen his apartment sure but never as his friend, Sasuke had never seen his home, only his apartment.
Naruto smiled as he came up to his house, he really loved it here, climbing the stairs he opened the door to his small home, and gagged! Well that answers that question. No I did not put the milk away.Maybe it was good that Sasuke hadn't come home with him.
Naruto opened all the windows and propped the door open. He took his fan and set it in one of the windows and turned it on to blow the air outside. The last time this had happened the landlady had threatened to kick Naruto out, no matter if the Hokage was paying his rent or not.
Last time Naruto had set the fans to blow fresh air into his apartment, but at the same time the smell of rotten milk was sent into the rest of the building. Naruto had heard about it from every other tenant and was still disliked even more than usual by the lady across the hall.
The offending milk was quickly wrapped up and taken to the dumpster. Naruto decided to give the house a cleaning, it seemed that no matter where he went there was a bad odor coming from something. The lights came on in the streets before Naruto finished cleaning up his apartment. He smiled to himself as he looked over all that he owned. It wasn't much but it was his. A small TV that he got from the dump, an old game system no one had wanted any more and some of the games. His kitchen had a small stove and fridge that had come with the apartment but the table and chairs were his, a gift from the Hokage, it was rickety and old and there were only three chairs but Naruto only needed one, unless Iruka-sensei came over for breakfast. Maybe Sasuke will come over for a meal sometime.
The third chair sat in the corner with all of his manga towering on it, it was the sturdiest of the three chairs. He had a few wall posters and half a dozen scrolls, most on basic jutsus, there were only a few with advanced techniques.
He grinned at the Kakashi doll that he had hung from the ceiling. He would have to get his needle and thread out, some of the stuffing was coming out of the head again. "I guess I have been a little hard on you eh, taken one too many to the head." Naruto laughed at his own joke as he took out his needles.
Naruto kept on cleaning and fixing things up until he noticed that his apartment was spotless for the first time in years. His Kakashi doll was fixed and hanging back on its rope ready for another beating. One of these days he would have to thank that old librarian. The old woman had tricked him into learning sewing jutsu. She had told him that the greatest jutsu was held in her most favourite scroll. Naruto had begged her to let him take it, she had agreed only after he had promised that he would learn all of the jutsu held in the scroll. He swore to her that he would or give up trying for Hokage.
Naruto heard what sounded like laughter inside his head, his Aniki had thought it was hilarious that he had promised to learn sewing. Well it is good to know!He yelled to the laughing voice, so sewing jutsu isn't that glamorous, but I can fix my own clothes, and stuff!If he hadn't have promised he would have just returned the scroll, but he had and so he learned sewing. It was another of his secrets that he hoped that no one found out about.
"Let's see what else needs to be done?" Naruto said. The boy went over his floor again with the broom. Naruto, he said he wasn't coming. Aniki's voice was quiet and gentle. Sasuke hasn't had a friend in a very long time, he needs to adjust, relax.
Naruto stopped sweeping, I just thought that he might come, I mean he didn't sound positive that he wasn't coming over tonight.Naruto turned out his lights and went to his bedroom. His clock said it was 20 minutes past midnight.
Crawling into his bed Naruto stared up at the ceiling waiting for sleep to come. It was so quiet in his room, he had started getting use to the quiet breathing of Sasuke and Kakashi sharing the tent. Aniki can you hum to me?Naruto asked, turning on his side.
In his mind he heard the tune start that his Aniki always sang to him. A song with no words only deep rumbling notes to lull and sooth. Naruto drifted to sleep with thoughts of his new friend and wondering if he could tell him about his first friend.
Sasuke unlocked the front door of his small duplex, he had no use for something this big but it was his, part of his inheritance. He lived here and rented out the other half to an old man; someone who left him alone. The money that he got from the rent was enough to pay for what he needed, not that he didn't have money from his clan. Sasuke just refused to take that money until he could avenge his family.
He lived here rather than the Uchiha clan compound. There were too many ghosts that haunted his dreams for him to stay there, those demons visited him here too but here he could keep them at bay. He was not surrounded by reminders of his clans massacre here. The gates of his ancestral home were locked and he had no intention of opening them anytime soon.
The air of his house was stuffy, like no one had been there for a while, Sasuke nodded to himself, good.Opening the windows he sat down in a large wooden rocking chair. His house was plain, nothing in it would even suggest that anyone was currently living there, and certainly not a young boy. Against one wall was a shelving system that held a number of scrolls and books, photo albums with a heavy layer of dust covering them. A television and gaming station were next to the shelves but these looked as though they hadn't been used in years. Sasuke couldn't remember the last time he had even turned the thing on.
Sasuke rocked in his fathers chair; his chair now. He had to think, had to try to figure out what to do about Naruto. It had been so long since anyone had been able to get him to feel anything but hatred for his brother. How can I be a friend? What do friends do with each other anyway?Sasuke had no answer for that and the other question plaguing him, Who is Naruto's Aniki and how is that seal involved?
The sound of the rocking chair usually brought a sense of calm to Sasuke, he could sit in his fathers chair and remember those strong arms of his father around him; but tonight Sasuke felt naked and alone. His father and everyone he loved was gone.
The gentle creaking sound seemed to emphasize the lack of life in Sasuke's house. Sasuke felt as though everything were pressing in around him. The walls seemed to move inwards on him and he felt trapped, his thoughts became frantic, will I always be alone?Sasuke had to get out, had to move, had to escape; before his demons claimed him and dragged him back to relive his clans downfall.
Running out of the house Sasuke ran blindly towards the town. Knowing only that he was leaving his memories behind him, the memories that sought to destroy him. He had to see people, to know that he wasn't alone, that there were people still living. He had to know that he wasn't completely alone.
Before he even had an idea of where he should go he had arrived at Naruto's apartment. Why am I here?! There are other people that would talk to me.Not that he planned on talking, but he needed another person to To what? Prove that you're not pathetic?
Sasuke watched for signs of movement in the little apartment, he must be sleeping.Sasuke didn't want to wake Naruto up he just needed to have a presence near him. Moving quietly around the outside of Naruto's apartment Sasuke saw a fan propped in the window, I can slip in and... And what? Sit on his bed, curl up like a pet puppy at his side?Sasuke watched the blades of the fan as he berated himself. The blades seemed to move slowly to his enhanced vision but he did not move any closer to the building. Finally he moved away form the blonde boy and his apartment, back to the cold solitude of his house. He had not noticed Kakashi watching him watch the fan, and the blonde boy it hid.
Sasuke reached his house and went in, he started the tub filling after he slipped out of his clothes. Sasuke felt the temperature of the water, he seemed to be able to think better after a long soak in a hot bath. He went back into the living room and sat in his fathers chair to wait for the tub to fill, as he did so his mind wandered. He didn't notice the air conditioning unit kick on, or anything else as the vision of a bright day at the river side started to play through his mind.
he was waiting beside the river, his brother had told him that they were going fishing today, but Itachi hadn't shown up yet....
The morning was well on its way to being noon and the three ninjas were waiting this time not on Kakashi, but Sasuke. "This isn't like Sasuke at all, should we go and find him?" Sakura asked, "I know where he lives."
Kakashi waited a little longer in silence then said. "No, there's no mission today, I just wanted to get a training program set up for the three of you, Sasuke probably just slept in." Although I have never known the boy to sleep in."Naruto you go and find him and tell him that you two are to work on your Chakra control. Sakura, you and I need to try and get you stronger, you'll never catch up to Sasuke or Naruto at the rate your going."
"But sensei, I wanted to go find Sasuke-kun!" Sakura wailed
Kakashi grimaced honestly If she went an octave higher she could break glass,Kakashi had never found himself hating something, but that whiny voice was the first on the list. "No Sakura, I should have had you training back at the forest but I thought that you would just be a distraction for the boys, Naruto hounding you and you hounding Sasuke.Kakashi felt a little bit of an evil grin tug at his lips, how he loved tormenting people.
Sakura hung her head in defeat, Usually this would be the time that Naruto would shout at Kakashi that 'Sakura-chan shouldn't be treated so rough,' she waited for his voice, but it never came. She looked up to see why Naruto wasn't defending her she saw that the boy was already gone. "What where's Naruto!" inner-Sakura Why didn't he shout at Kakashi for me!
"Well that's a surprise! I think he's over you!" Kakashi's one eye looked startled. "Maybe it isn't one sided."
"Maybe what isn't one sided sensei?" Sakura asked
"What's that? Oh don't worry about it, it has nothing to do with you." Kakashi indicated that Sakura should follow him and leapt into the surrounding trees. Not that she could do anything about it now anyway. Those two seem to be running full out in everything, I hope they see the cliff in time to slow down for it. That is if they haven't already fallen off it. I just hope they can figure out if their relationship can fly before they hit the bottom.
As Naruto ran towards Sasuke's house he planned out what taunts he would use on him. I mean Sasuke never sleeps in, this is a once in a life time opportunity!At the back of his mind though there was worry, a nagging that something wasn't right, Sasuke was never late. He just slept in, Sasuke can kick almost everyone's ass in town, he's fine.Naruto didn't like that he sounded like he was trying to convince himself.
Naruto had never actually been to Sasuke's house before so he was surprised to see that it was so big. I could fit my home in there twice!Landing in front of the house the blonde knocked on the door and shouted. "Wake up Sasuke! You're late!" The bright smile that was on Naruto's face seemed to slip as he waited for an answer that didn't come.
"Sasuke!" Naruto yelled louder, banging again on the door. "I'm coming in." Naruto opened the door the nagging voice in his head louder, No, Sasuke is fine, he has to be.As Naruto stepped into the house he felt the cold air seem to force him back as though he were trespassing. The air conditioning was going full tilt and he could here water running somewhere.
Naruto shivered, but it wasn't the cold, the very feel of the house seemed empty, like it were nothing but a shell, a facade of a home. Aniki, how can some one live in a house like this?
They can't, a person could exist, but hardly more than that. Aniki voice seemed to ache with pity, I think your friend was in more pain than I thought. He is alone in this world too, but it is because he has forced everyone away.
Naruto kicked off his shoes and ran into the house, Sasuke is in the shower that's all. I'll run in there and he can yell at me for seeing him in the shower!Naruto ran to the sound of the water, the door was open and Sasuke wasn't there. The tub was over flowing with water. Naruto shut the taps off, they are both running as cold as ice.
Now the fear was clutching at him and Naruto felt panicked. He ran out to the living room and as he went towards the kitchen he saw Sasuke. He seemed to be shrouded in shadows, naked in an old wooden rocking chair. Naruto felt relief for an instant, until Aniki spoke. Naruto hurry, your friend dreams of his demons.
Naruto grabbed Sasuke but his hand released him again immediately, his skin feels like ice, and he's too pale. What do I do?
He needs body heat, I'd say a hot bath would work too but it'll take too long to heat the water. Find extra blankets and get undressed, hurry! Naruto was ripping closets open and pulling out all the contents till he finally finding some heavy winter blankets.
Stripping down Naruto pulled Sasuke up from the chair and carried him into the bedroom, setting him on the bed he climbed in beside the pale cold body of his friend. Naruto pulled the covers up and around them and hugged Sasuke close to himself. "Don't leave me Sasuke, please." It was hardly more than a whisper, but Naruto had never felt so strongly in his life, If Sasuke dies I don't want to live.
Naruto wrapped himself tightly around Sasuke and tried to ignore the fact that his lower regions and Sasuke's were rubbing in a most erotic way. No I am keeping Sasuke warm, nothing else. He wouldn't want me anyway.Naruto tried to empty his mind, Sasuke's skin was so soft. No, I am here to help him!It was a struggle to keep himself calm but he managed.
In Sasuke's dreams he heard his brother accusing the clan of betrayal and theft. Itachi's words to him when Sasuke found him over their mothers body rang in his head. 'They sought to rid themselves of our ancestor's history, the secret to our blood. They stripped him of his identity, because they feared him. And in doing so almost killed all of us. They have to pay, we should all pay.'
Sasuke was drowning in his past, memories that had been shut out were flooding back to him, he now knew the secret of the Uchiha's blood, knew the crimes for which Itachi had killed everyone. The clan was descended from a demon, when they split from the Hyuuga. The heiress of the Hyuuga clan had married a demon, causing the split and bringing the Sharingan into being. After centuries of the demons existence among the clan the leaders of the clan had sought to kill him, to strip the soul away from the Kyuubi. Stealing the Kyuubi's name had been their sin, and Itachi had tried to make amends for it by killing the transgressors. The Uchiha had sinned against their ancestors and caused thousands to die, among them the fourth Hokage.
"Don't leave me Sasuke, please." why is Naruto's voice in my dream?Sasuke felt numb from the pain of his dreams, as though he couldn't move. "Please Sasuke, come back."
Baka! I'm right here, where do you think I wpuld go?Sasuke tried to open his eyes so that he could shout at the blonde for waking him up. He had finally learned something and wanted to learn more, but Naruto's voice seemed to be impossible to ignore. His eye lids didn't want to open, it felt as though weights were tied to them. Slowly, almost painfully his eyes opened and warmth seemed to surround him as they did.
It took a moment for his eyes to focused and when they did Sasuke tried to draw back. Fear surged inside of him, one eye of fire and blood, a slit like a cat's stared back at him, and the other eye a serene blue, its depths radiating a peace Sasuke had never known looked back at him. Naruto's blue and why did Naruto have eyes like the Kyuubi?
"Sasuke." Naruto breathed, a smile danced on his face, "I was afraid that you were going to die." Naruto could feel that Sasuke's body was still cold and so decided not to loosen his hug.
Sasuke stared into Naruto's eyes, both the deepest blue now. He couldn't understand it, he felt cold but he could feel a warmth radiating into him. Slowly sensation came back to Sasuke and he felt a hardness against his stomach, it seemed familiar but not. Slowly shifting his hand he touched the hardness, feeling it trying to figure out what it was. Naruto yelped and pulled his hips away from Sasuke's touch. He didn't succeed very well as he refused to release his hug on the boy.
As Naruto pulled away Sasuke recognized what he had been feeling and went a bright red. "Why are you naked in my bed." he asked calmly. Sasuke felt anything but calm, and as his own boyhood stiffened he tried to move his own hips away from Naruto's warm soft skin. STOP THINKING ABOUT HIS SKIN DAMN IT!he shouted at him self.
"No, I'm not," Naruto started, "okay well yes I am, but not for any reason." Sasuke's eyes widened, "No I mean that you were naked and so I had too."
Naruto wasn't explaining very well, I wish he would stop staring like that, and why does he feel so good?!"I mean when I came in to find you this morning you were in a chair naked and all cold, you felt like a dead fish and Aniki said I had to get you warm or you could die and the hot water was all gone and I'm sorry." Naruto stopped as Sasuke nodded his head.
Sasuke remembered now, he had run a tub to think but had passed out in his fathers chair, dragged into his memories by the demons that haunted him, or are they angels?
"You have to believe me, I didn't want you to die. You can hate me just don't die on me." Naruto was crying now, trying to hide it but tears leaked down his sun kissed cheeks. "I should have gone for Sakura, but there was no time. You wouldn't have cared if it was a girl, I knew that but there was no time. I can get out, but you are still cold an....." Naruto's sentance was cut short as Sasuke's lips pressed against Naruto's in a kiss.
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise then slowly closed as the kiss deepened. As his eyes closed Sasuke was gone and Naruto was left mouth open and eyes closed looking like a fish. Now why the hell did you do that?Sasuke asked himself.
"Sasuke what, well I mean why, uh..." Naruto was blushing as he tried to figure out how to ask Sasuke why he had kissed him.
"I had to shut you up somehow." Sasuke was red in the face too, "you weren't listening, just babbling."
"Oh, sorry." Naruto said looking down. his head snapped back up quickly though and he blushed again. Sasuke did to and Naruto noticed that when Sasuke blushed his whole body went red. "So you don't hate me?"
"Baka." Sasuke said I think I like you; a lot.
Naruto grinned and snuggled closer with out realizing it. "Good." It's just like sleeping with my old teddy bear. Sasuke tried to move his arms but with Naruto's around him like they were he couldn't move them very much. Sasuke was surprised that he didn't really mind.
"We should get up Naruto, Kakashi-sensei will come looking for us, we must be late." Sasuke didn't want to leave his friends warm embrace but they had work to do and he really didn't want Kakashi to come in and see him like this. The guy doesn't need more things to dream about. The pervert.
"No Kakashi said it was a free day, he had just wanted up to start chakra training." Naruto yawned and curled into Sasuke a little more. "He took Sakura out for private training and sent me to find why you had slept in." It was getting hard to keep his eyes open, he had used a lot of chakra to revive Sasuke, And the fact that you were up till past midnight didn't help.He thought groggily.
Sasuke lay there for a few minutes thinking of what he could do on a free day when he heard a gentle rumbling. Naruto had fallen asleep. He sleeps like a cat, it even sounds like he's purring.A smile twitched at the corners of Sasuke's lips, he's purring because he's with me.Sasuke was glad that Naruto was asleep, it had loosened his grip and he could move his hand to wipe away the small trickle of blood that had started to run from his nose. Oh yeah Sasuke, Kakashi might be a pervert, but you aren't far behind."Naruto? Hey Naruto." Sasuke tried to rouse the slumbering boy but if anything all it did was increase the purring to a light snoring. He really is asleep.
Sasuke sighed, he wasn't tired at all and it would have been nice to talk with the blonde boy. Not that I'd talk, but I like hearing him rant, it's funny.As Sasuke lay there a new thought came to him, one that made his pulse race.
Slowly Sasuke disentangled himself from the sleeping boy, with my luck he'll wake up now.But Naruto didn't his steady purring continued. Sasuke shivered as he got out of bed and pulled on the top quilt. he moved quickly to the living room and nearly cursed, the place was a mess. Water was soaking the carpets and the closets seemed to have vomited all of their contents across the room. Worry about that later, get the scrolls now.He crossed to the shelves and found the scrolls he was looking for. There were two on seals and runes and one on his ancestral heritage. He dashed back to the room and relaxed as he heard Naruto still purring, and now sprawled like a cat sunning in front of a bright window.
Sasuke slipped back under the covers for a few minutes to get warm again. He was glad that his futon was raised off the floor slightly, it wasn't wet at all. Once he was warm again he sat up and opened the scrolls, wrapped in his blanket he pushed the blankets on Naruto down to expose the dull glowing seal on the tanned boys belly. I was right, he was using chakra to help pull me back out of the dream.
Something his brother had said in his dream had made him think of Naruto's seal, it was there on the tip of his mind but he couldn't think of why it made him think of Naruto. Sasuke touched the seal and was a little surprised that is was warm, and not the warmth of the boy's skin, it seemed almost hot. Gently so that he wouldn't wake his friend he sent chakra to his finger tips, trying to delve the seal.
Sasuke was just starting to weave the chakra into the seal when he yelped in surprise as Naruto's hand clasped his wrist. Sasuke felt the strength in Naruto's grip, if Naruto put anymore pressure on it his wrist would shatter.
A voice boomed in Sasuke's mind Do not Sasuke knew fear then. He knew that this presence could snuff out his life like a candle in a high wind.
"I need to know, I need to know if..." Sasuke's voice faltered as he looked down at Naruto, eyes like a cat stared back at him, they burned with a hatred and seemed to pulse with fire.
Then ask him, what you do is steel his secrets. What you do is betrayal of the lowest kind. You are a thief! Anger filled the voice in his head.
Sasuke recoiled from the voice, it seemed to echo Itachi's words. Traitor, thief. Tears leaked from Sasuke's eyes. I'm a traitor, like my family, like my clan!"NO, NO! I will not betray Naruto." Sasuke tried to shake Naruto's hand off, he couldn't meet those eyes. Eyes that promised his death. "I just need to find the answer, I will never betray Naruto. NEVER!"
The strain on Sasuke wrist relaxed then let go, the cat like eyes vanished fading to a brilliant blue, the presence in Sasuke's mind vanished too. "Sasuke? what are you doing?" Naruto asked, looking up into the ashen face of the boy above him.
"Nothing!" Sasuke said too quickly, his hand had fallen on Naruto's seal and he pulled his hand back as if burned. "Just ah..." what do you say now?"I mean I was just comparing!"WHAT!Sasuke yelled at himself, now not only do you try to steal Naruto's secrets you lie about it too! And why that lie?In an instant his hand flashed down and flipped off the blankets covering Naruto; hiding the scrolls the boy had not noticed yet. There, now I'm not lying!
"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted sitting up and covering himself, he jerked the covers back over himself and saw the scrolls lying on the bed.
Sasuke didn't wait for Naruto to ask, he grabbed the scrolls and made a dash for the living room, thinking that he could hide them. I shouldn't have tried to figure out his seal, I should have asked him, I'm sorry Naruto. I'm sorry.
Sasuke was half way across the living room when he felt Naruto's arms wrap around his waist and bowl him over. The two boys went sprawling in a mess of arms legs and scrolls, landing in a heap together on the floor. Naruto sitting across Sasuke's chest. "What were you doing?" Naruto asked again as he took one of the scrolls and opened it. Sasuke's heart sank.
Sasuke looked Naruto in the eye he had to, Naruto's balls were almost sitting on his face. God don't let him look back.Sasuke was stone hard and he knew why. He likes girls, and he wouldn't want me now even if he didn't.
"I'm Sorry Naruto, I wanted to figure something out. I think it has something to do with your seal, and me." Sasuke said quickly, trying to keep Naruto's attention on his face. "It was something my brother said."
"YOU WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MY SEAL WAS FOR?" Naruto shouted, he couldn't help it, he felt a burning in his stomach, like he had just been sucker punched. "You could have asked, I might have told you! Why would you do this!" Naruto felt hot tears in his eyes and he rubbed them roughly away, "All I wanted was a friend. Maybe I'm not supposed to have friends. I just wanted..." Naruto had to wipe at his eyes again and swallow the lump in his throat. "If it makes you try this hard to find out what my seal does, I'll tell you. It seals the Kyuubi to my body." Naruto stood up slowly and pulled his clothes off the chair he had thrown them on last night. Sasuke wanted to speak but his voice seemed to be frozen.
"He was sealed to me just after I was born. I have no family, no friends; accept one. He always accepts me though." Naruto dressed as he spoke.
Sasuke sat up, releived that Naruto would still think of him as a friend. "Naruto I..."
"It's all right Sasuke, Aniki will always be with me, how can he leave? He has always been there I guess he is my family, I know he is my only friend. I know you hate me, but I had fun being your friend. You aren't such a hard ass after all." Naruto smiled weakly. Sasuke's mind was moving like lightning, It's the Kyuubi, Naruto has my ancestor sealed in him... Wait, what did he say? The Kyuubi is his only friend, his Aniki?Sasuke tried to say that Naruto was wrong, that he was his friend too, but Sasuke's mouth didn't seem to want to work.
"I can hear him now, outside of my dreams, people hate him and so they hate me. But he was always there when I needed him, he was my family, I love him. Please, don't say anything I won't hurt anyone, and neither will he. If they knew I could talk to Aniki they might try to kill him."
Sasuke could only nod dumbly, Naruto tried to smile again but faltered. "Thanks, there's a mission tomorrow. Say good bye to Kakashi for me. Be careful, I lo.." Naruto;s voice cracked as his throat constricted with sorrow. He already hates me, why can't I say I love him?"You were my first real friend, and my first kiss. Goodbye." Sasuke sat there stupidly as he watched Naruto walk out of his house.
The door closed behind a now hiccoughing Naruto, I can't cry, not anymore. I WON'T!The thought raged through the blonde boy and his tears evaporated from his face. Rent is due Aniki!And with that Naruto wrenched the Kyuubi's chakra out from it's sealed depths and ran from Sasuke, and the memory of his first living friend.
As the door clicked shut Sasuke seemed to be able to move. "Wait Naruto!" He yelled as he ran towards the door. Too late, the door opened and there was nothing there, Naruto was gone.
Sasuke shot out of his house not even noticing he was still naked. I have to find him. Naruto don't leave me, please.It was a desperate thought, he had to find Naruto. Sasuke searched for a broken twig a foot print anything to indicate which way Naruto had gone. There was no sign of his trail anywhere. Sasuke found the trail of Naruto coming to his house, but it seemed that was it. Great now he doesn't leave a trail! What a time to get good at stealth!He thought about going to get Kakashi but if he did he would have to tell him that Naruto could speak with the Kyuubi and he would not betray Naruto again.
Sasuke put his hands over his face and fell to his knees wailing. His heart felt as though it would burst, Gone, Naruto is gone.He had betrayed his friend like his clan had betrayed their ancestor. Irony gave the blade a twist, his family; descendants of the Kyuubi had stolen his name, his identity. Enraged at the betrayal the Kyuubi tore the land and sea apart seeking to avenge himself. But was sealed into the navel of a new born baby, and then the last child of the Uchiha clan betrayed the boy and the Kyuubi held with in. Sasuke got up again and leapt into the trees, he had to find Naruto.
With the speed the Kyuubi's chakra gave Naruto he seemed to fly rather than just run, the red chakra was a bonfire in his ears drowning out all other sound and feeling. Aniki spoke but Naruto pushed the voice away ignoring it. Naruto moved like the wind and left less than the sun after setting.
By midnight Naruto collapsed, The endless chakra of the Kyuubi was still burning in him but his body was to spent to go on. He found himself laying beside the hot spring where he had first let the Kyuubi enter one of his clones. Forming the seals he cloned himself and pushed the consciousness of the Kyuubi into it. "Aniki" Naruto whispered.
"I'm here little one," Aniki spoke from the clone, eyes of fire and blood looking into Naruto's deep blue.
"You're free, I release you." Naruto lay his head down on the hard earth then, "you can leave."
"No Naruto, I can't go." Aniki sat down and pulled Naruto's head onto his lap and stroked his hair gently, "I won't go."
Naruto felt tears coursing down his face at least he had his Aniki. He cried silently as the Kyuubi sang to him and then he knew no more. Aniki watched as Naruto fell asleep in his lap, dreaming of Sasuke and the times they had shared.
The Kyuubi watched Naruto for a while and tried to calm himself. He was angry at Sasuke, Naruto had just started to enjoy his life and now that boy had driven Naruto away. He has exerted himself beyond his limits, and I can't help him.
Kakashi went to Sasuke's house the following morning himself when neither Naruto or the dark haired boy showed up at the bridge. He had sent Sakura home and gone to see what had become of the two boys. Hmmm, I wonder how far they've got? Maybe they're still at it.Kakashi grinned as he walked up to Sasuke's house thinking that he might catch them kissing or maybe... the smile vanished as he got close to the house though. The door to the house was open and he could here no noises coming from within.
Kakashi ran into the house and saw Sasuke, laying naked on the floor, cuts and scraps covered his body and twigs and leaves were snagged in his hair. "Sasuke! where's Naruto? What happened here?"
Scrolls lay scattered across the floor and other things seem to have been thrown across the room. Sasuke had searched for Naruto all night long, and when he couldn't see for lack of chakra he had dragged himself back to the house to pour over the family scrolls, hoping to find the name of the Kyuubi, to be able to restore what was stolen when he found Naruto. Because he refused to believe that Naruto was gone.
Sasuke became aware of another presence in the room as he felt a heavy blanket tossed over his body and strong arms lift him gently from the floor. Naruto!Sasuke looked around but instead of the deep blue eyes of his friend he saw a black one, the other covered by the forehead protector. "Sasuke, what happened here? Where is Naruto?" Kakashi asked again.
"Gone, I betrayed him, drove him away." His body shook as he tried to cry, but his tears were gone, all cried out.
"Sasuke what's going on, I sent Naruto to find you yesterday, we had a mission today." Kakashi could see that the boy in his hands was a wreak. "Where's Naruto?"
"He found me. Helped me, I betrayed him, stole his secret. He left." Sasuke's head dropped to his chest, what's the point, Naruto's gone.
"Well we just have to look for him, he isn't too hard to find usually." Kakashi said happily, trying to draw Sasuke out of his depression. It was like trying to get blood from a stone.
"I HAVE looked. All night, you think I look this way cause I was just walking through the forest?" Sasuke bit off the words, how can he know! he has never lost the only one he ever wanted."I can't find a trace of him, not even a twisted leaf! I ran a circle out at a one, two and four mile radius I didn't see anything, and I am faster than him or I thought I was." Sasuke pulled himself out of Kakashi's grip and stalked to his father's chair and threw himself into it. "I have looked all night. He's GONE!" Anger flared in him as he spoke, he just wanted to be left alone. Without Naruto he was alone anyway.
Kakashi put his hands up in a soothing motion, "We'll look again. Don't worry, we'll find him."
"Get out." Sasuke said, he didn't want to be calm, he wanted Naruto.
Kakashi shrugged, "I'll look anyway, give it a few days and he'll come back on his own. Even though it doesn't look like it he thinks of us as his family, the way you two squabble it's almost like you were brothers." Kakashi had to duck as a scroll came flying at his head.
"GET OUT!" Sasuke roared, Naruto I'm sorry.
"Sasuke you have a mission tomorrow I expect you to be there, even if I don't find Naruto." Kakashi called back into the house as he left, jumping into the trees and heading away from the house.
Naruto had slept the whole night and the Kyuubi saw that he showed no signs of waking. Aniki decided that the best thing for Naruto would be to fix the situation between the two boys. He was still angry that this Sasuke kid would go behind Naruto's back to find out about the seal but on the other hand the dark haired boy seemed to genuinely care for Naruto, and he had been sorry for what he had tried to do.
At first the Kyuubi thought of simply turning into the small dark haired boy that held so much of Naruto's attention, but on considering it he decided against it, he didn't know how far this Sasuke was willing to go and if Naruto ever tried to go the distance with the real one there would be too much explaining to do. In the end he settled on going and getting the real Sasuke, if he is here they can settle their differences and get back to being friends.
Kyuubi got to his feet slowly, If I have to run back and forth I am at least going to use a body better suited to it.Forming the seals there was poof of smoke and where the red eyed Naruto had stood was now an older youth. He looked to be in his mid teens with long black hair that seemed to glisten like a ravens feather. His eyes were burning blood and scars criss-crossed his face and hands; thicker scars were covered by his now easy fitting clothing. It feels good being back.The Kyuubi thought. The body he was in now was the shape that he had lived in for centuries before he lost everything. He had always used this form, a boy of 16 he didn't really remember how he had gotten the scars on his body, but he could vaguely remember that he left them there to remind him of the cost of war and what battles could cost. What wars he could not remember.
The Kyuubi stretched, then as he got ready to jump he smiled, how he had missed running through the trees. And then the black haired youth seemed to vanish, running across the tops of the trees causing not even a leaf to shift as he ran. No one heard his passage, he was running faster than sound. The sun crested noon as Aniki came into sight of the house that Naruto had left last night. Slowly he landed in front of it hiding in the dense foliage listening. From in the house he heard someone shout and then Naruto's sensei came out, "Sasuke you have a mission tomorrow I expect you to be there, even if I don't find Naruto." The silver haired man called back as he jumped into the nearest tree. The Kyuubi watched him go, he had seen that man's covered eye, and it made the Kyuubi's mind itch, there was something about those eyes, something he thought that he should remember.
Aniki waited for a while to make sure that Kakashi was truly gone and then headed for the house. It was strange but this house seemed familiar to him too, like he had been here ages ago. Knocking on the door the teenager went in, he didn't like being rude but Naruto needed this Sasuke and he would be damned if he was going to wait on the petulant little brat.
"I told you to get out!" Sasuke shouted again as he looked up to the door, he was a little shocked to see a teenager standing in the door and not his teacher. "Who are you?!" he asked staring at the stranger that was now walking into his house as though he owned it. "Why are you here?"
"Sasuke are you Naruto's friend?" The stranger asked.
Sasuke didn't know who the boy was in front of his eyes but he knew that voice, it made his hands quiver, That had been the voice that had accused him of betraying Naruto. "Yes, I'm his friend, but I hurt him." Sasuke wouldn't normally admit this but with the embodiment of Naruto's Aniki standing there he wasn't about to think he could hold back any answers anyway. "I betrayed his trust, I am like my family."
"If you're his friend then help him, he needs you." Aniki said moving towards Sasuke and pulled him to his feet. The blanket that Kakashi had thrown over the boy fell to the floor. "Get dressed, he needs you, he is hurt and alone and I can do nothing for him, it is you he wants and you he is going to get. Now hurry!"
Sasuke came alert for the first time in a little while, his eyes focused on the teenagers eyes, cat like and red they seemed to burn as he waited. "You're the Kyuubi; aren't you!?" But right then Sasuke didn't care he needed to get to Naruto, this teenager said he was hurt. "Where is he?"
"Get dressed and I will take you to him." Aniki let Sasuke go so that he could get dressed and was not disappointed when the short dark haired boy came back in an instant. "Good, get on my back."
Sasuke obeyed and climbed onto the strange boy's back, he was still stiff from running last night and so wasn't about to complain about getting a ride. Although why does he want to carry me. Naruto couldn't have gone too far, could he?Sasuke didn't get a chance to ask the teenager because at that moment the youth jumped into the trees, but not like Sasuke might, or even Kakashi. This boy ran on the canopy of the trees not the branches. And he is running faster than I could ever dream of!Sasuke was amazed at the speed they were traveling, it was over faster than he had thought it would be but when they stopped he saw Naruto stretched out on the ground.
"He looks pale," Sasuke reached down to touch Naruto's cheek and flinched, "He feels cold too!" Sasuke looked around to the strange teenager "What happened to him? What should I do?"
"I have been away too long, he needs you, let him know you are here." With that the boy vanished in a cloud of smoke and was gone.
Naruto's eyes opened groggily shortly after and Sasuke eased into a sitting position beside Naruto gently putting the blonde boys head in his lap.
Naruto I'm here now, and so is your friend. The voice echoed in the boy's mind.
Aniki, It was so lonely without you here. It felt weird not having you in my dreams.Naruto sighed as he felt new energy at the thought that his brother was home. Wait you said my friend was here? What friend?
Look up and see. Aniki's voice suggested, Oh and let him talk!
Naruto focused his eyes it seemed like a difficult task at first but slowly a boy leaning over him came into focus. Not just any boy; Sasuke! "Sasuke I thought..."
Naruto was cut off as the dark haired boy kissed him, deep and long. Naruto could feel his groin swelling as the kiss lengthened and if he wasn't mistaken he thought he could feel a hardness pushing at the back of his head, which happened to be in Sasuke's lap. As The two broke apart both breathing a little hard, Sasuke looked down into Naruto's eyes and spoke quietly. "Shut up for a second okay?" Sasuke smiled a little and Naruto nodded, feeling speechless. I bet that doesn't happen often!Sasuke thought.
"You ran away before I could explain anything. I don't hate you Naruto, that you have the Kyuubi in you doesn't matter. It isn't your fault that you were chosen to play host." Tears glistened on Naruto's cheeks and the blonde could see pools forming in Sasuke's eyes. "I'm sorry I betrayed your trust. I was selfish and there is no excuse."
Naruto sat up and turned to face Sasuke, crossing his arms over his chest. Sasuke is really sorry!Naruto wanted to jump for joy that he and Sasuke could be friends again but instead he decided to have a little fun at Sasuke's expense. Naruto tried to look stern as he sat with his arms crossed.
"Naruto please," Sasuke thought it would be harder to say he was wrong; that he was sorry but now he found that it wasn't difficult at all.
Naruto held his grim face as he spoke, it was very hard considering he just wanted to laugh out loud. "Sasuke you have kissed me twice now!"
Sasuke opened his mouth to explain why he had been looking at the seal when Naruto had woken up when he realized that that hadn't been what Naruto had asked. "Oh, well I mean... Ah" Shit, what the hell was I thinking? Naruto likes girls and here I am kissing him when ever I get an excuse to."I'm sorry it's just that I.. well I..." Sasuke braced himself, he was just going to say it, he had too, Naruto might hate him but he wasn't going to lie anymore, he liked Naruto and he was going to say it! "Naruto I yahga"
Sasuke landed on his back, hard. But his curse was muffled with Naruto's lips pressed tightly to his own. It was a minute or two before Sasuke had the presence of mind to push Naruto off him and breath again. "I like you too, Sasuke, and I wanted to tell you that, but I wasn't sure if you would ever shut up!" Naruto grinned at the now blushing boy beside him.
Sasuke glared at Naruto. How dare he just, just kiss me like that and, and he likes me!Sasuke couldn't help but grin back at his friend.
"So you want to go for a dip?" Naruto asked, indicating the hot spring to their left. "You didn't get a chance to last time we were here and it's not like we have anywhere to be right?"
Sasuke looked to where the pool steamed in the fading light of the day and nodded, "yeah, can your Aniki come too?"
Naruto blinked, how does Sasuke know you can come out?
I told you I had brought him, I had to tell him who I was or he wouldn't have come.
Naruto nodded oh, but you shouldn't have gone to town, what if someone had seen you?
You needed him and he needs you. Danger had nothing to do with it. Aniki's voice had a finality in it that Naruto knew meant the argument was over. Now let me out so I can go for a soak with you two.