Psychic King: *energetic wave* Hi all you readers!!!! Welcome to chapter
two of my lovely story!!! I know I promised you angst last chapter and I
delivered you fluff... *hanging head* I am SO ashamed... *brightening*
But I can always deliver this chapter, right?
Naruto: *Looking out into the empty darkness* what are you doing, old hag?
Psychic King: Talking to my readers, of course!
Naruto: *straining eyes* what readers? I can't see anyone.
Sakura: Obviously, no one wants to read your story, Psychic King Paula- sama. Now, if you were to change the focus to Sasuke's undying live for ME, maybe you'd get a slightly better audience.
Sasuke: *muttering* I think I'd rather take my chances with Naruto, thank you very much.
Psychic King: I HEARD that! *raises a fist jovially in the air* that was the encouragement I needed to write the next chapter! Yes! Thanks Sasuke!!!!
Naruto: *looking enquiringly at Sasuke* what did you say?
Sasuke: *speaking a little too quickly* Nothing! She must be hearing things... *glances quickly away from Naruto, blushing*
Kakashi: *elbowing Psychic King* See, I told you he'd come around to the idea.
Naruto: *innocently* who'd come around to what?
Sasuke: *grabs Naruto's arm and quickly drags him off screen, shooting vicious glares at Kakashi and Psychic King*
Psychic King: Do you think he's 'explaining' it to Naruto right now? *raising eyebrows suggestively*
Iruka: *going into Big Brother mode* He'd better not lay a finger on my little Naruto! *yelling and shaking a fist in the direction that Sasuke and Naruto just went* you hear that, Uuchia?? Keep your dirty little hands off!
Kakashi: *playing absently with Iruka's vest* Now, koi, you and I both know that his 'hands' are the least of Naruto's worries. Why, with Sasuke's repressed hormones I give it about ten more minutes before-
Iruka: *runs off in the direction Sasuke took Naruto, throwing stars in hand* Naruto!! Iruka's coming, hold on!!!!
Kakashi: *looking mildly at Psychic King* Do you think he'll realize I was kidding before or after he kills Sasuke?
Psychic King: *waving it off* Ah well. Whichever.
Kakashi: *placing hands in pockets and heading after Iruka* I'd better go do some 'damage control.' *waves without turning his head*
Psychic King: *blushing* Kakashi-sensei... You are SO COOL!!!! *waves overly enthusiastically at Kakashi's retreating figure well after it's disappeared*
Sakura: What was that all about? *looks around, realizing that she's been left alone with Psychic King* I better... Go find Sasuke and make sure that nothing's wrong with-
Psychic King: *grabbing Sakura's shoulders* Now it's just us girls... *grinning wickedly*
Sakura: *gulping* But I REALLY should be stalking Sasuke right now...
Psychic King: Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit! *ties rope around Sakura* Ah, before I loose track of myself, I should mention that the Psychic King doesn't own in any way shape of form Naruto, but she DOES own one fencing foil, one breaking computer, and one pair of black shoes with holes all over them-
Sakura: *struggling desperately to escape her ropes* She's lying, mina- san! She doesn't even own the fencing foil, it's her father's and she stole it! Someone call the police! She's evil! EVIL!!!!
Psychic King: *chuckling* what do you know? It IS my father's foil... Anyway, for now, please enjoy the second installment of 'Embrace of Solitude!' *turning seriously to the readers* really everyone, I'm very sorry. I actually had this chapter written and then my computer crashed. Before I could get it fixed I had to go out of town for the holidays. But it's fixed now and I decided to do some quick changes and now the story is posted! THANK YOU TO ALL MY REVIEWERS!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!! If there is anyone out there that is still interested in reading my story, I would like to thank you for your patience! I promise that I will get chapter 3 up in a much more timely fashion (well before I start school again on the 20th).
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Embrace of Solitude Chapter 2
Naruto awoke with a start. The room he was in was wrong, and what was that warmth next to him? Was the sun already up? It was way too bright where ever he was for it to be morning. Large blue eyes opened wide and fell upon jet black hair. "Sasuke?" A brief memory of being in the hospital flashed through Naruto's mind.
The dark haired boy slowly opened a sleepy eye, then the other. "Finally awake, huh?" Sasuke took a moment to stretch and shake the sleep from his mind. "You've been sleeping for the last 14 hours."
A wave of shock over took Naruto as he realized that for the first time since the mission he had slept for more than three hours at a time. Even more shocking was the realization that Sasuke must have stayed with him the whole time. "Why didn't you just go home?"
Sasuke shrugged. "You had a death grip on me most of the night, I couldn't have left without waking you up, and you obviously needed the rest. But now that your awake, they're probably gonna want you out of here fast." He watched Naruto closely, knowing his words were likely to sting the other boy. As he expected, Naruto's head fell slightly, and a bit of the exhaustion that had disappeared from the young face crept back.
"Yeah, I guess I've been a real pain in the ass." The blonde moved quickly towards his jacket and pants that lay at the end of his bed. Without looking around, he pulled his clothes on quickly and moved towards the door. "Well, Sasuke-bastard, it's been real fun, but-"
"You can stay at my place." Those quiet words stopped the hyper- active boy in his tracks. "It's not like I don't have the room, and I could use the company."
Naruto felt a little defeated. No one besides Iruka ever in his whole life invited him to their home, and here Sasuke was asking him to stay with him. "I-" He hung his head, he didn't want Sasuke's pity, didn't need it, and he certainly didn't want the other boy treating him like some sort of freak. "I don't think so."
Sasuke smirked. "I wasn't asking, dobe." Hands in pockets, he walked out of the hospital room, leaving Naruto to ponder his words.
"DON'T CALL ME DOBE, BASTARD!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Sasuke wasn't kidding when he said he had the room." Naruto mumbled as he turned down yet another corner in the Uuchia mansion. With a growl of frustration he yelled, "Where do rich people hide their bathrooms?"
It had been two days since Naruto moved into the enormous house Sasuke called home, and he was beginning to regret not asking Sasuke to draw him a map before he tried 'exploring' the second floor. An idea struck him as he opened the door of yet another empty room. "I'll just jump out the window to the first floor, where I KNOW there's a bathroom!"
He was in the middle of executing said plan when he heard Iruka's voice sounding from outside. "Thank you of having us over, Sasuke."
"I didn't say you could come in." Was Sasuke's blunt reply. Naruto rolled his eyes. Sasuke really was a bastard sometimes.
A mischievous grin covered Naruto's face as he spotted a way to climb from the window to a nearby tree, a chance to surprise Sasuke, who was standing outside talking to Iruka... If he could just move quietly enough to the next lower branch, he could- "Oi! Naruto, good to see you moving around!" Kakashi waved down to him from his spot higher up in the tree.
"Kuso!" He cursed as his grip on the tree slipped.
Sasuke looked up in horror as Naruto came flailing out of the sky to land directly on his head. The two boys lay on the ground in a tangled clump. Sasuke was about to snap at the blonde, when the faint muffled sound of laughter and clicking reached his ears.
"I'm sorry, Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun, but that was so funny!" Iruka doubled in laughter, trying momentarily to help the boys up, but quickly giving up as tears of laughter reached his eyes. Sasuke scanned the tree for Kakashi and more importantly the camera that Kakashi suddenly seemed to carry around with him everywhere, but the man had already vanished from sight only to reappear next to his lover a moment latter, camera already hidden from sight.
Sasuke spared a glare for the older men, but Naruto was impatient as always and pushed the dark haired boy away from him and jumped to his feet. "Iruka-sensei! Are you here to buy me Ramen? You wouldn't believe the crap this guy eats!"
"Humph." Sasuke replied, "If you're gonna complain, cook for yourself, dobe."
"Uh... Sasuke, I wouldn't ask him to do that if I were you." Iruka interjected, fearing for the health of his former students.
"Huh!" Naruto crossed his arms over his chest indignantly. "I'll have you know I make the best instant Ramen ever."
Sasuke looked like he had a sharp answer to that, but Kakashi quickly interjected, fearing a long battle would ensue if both boys were left to their own devices. "Ah, but, no, we didn't come here to buy anyone Ramen."
"But since we're here, we might as well treat the boys, right Kakashi?" Iruka added.
Naruto jumped for joy while Sasuke rolled his eyes. Kakashi sent a put-out look Iruka's way, but one glance at the brunettes imploring eyes and he was putty in his hands. "Alright. How's this, I'll go pick up some carry-out and Iruka can chat with you, OK?"
"Wait, I'll go with you." Sasuke opened the door to his house and directed Iruka to the kitchen sitting area while Naruto ran off to finally relieve himself. "Naruto likes Miso ramen, right?"
Iruka gave Sasuke a surprised nod and watched the boy as he headed out of the kitchen, passing Naruto as he walked in. "Get some tea ready for when we get back." Iruka was even more surprised when Naruto simply nodded.
Naruto looked at Iruka kind of apprehensively when they were finally left alone, fearing what the older teacher was bound to ask about, but Iruka was just smiling at him. "Naruto, why don't you show me where you keep the tea, and I'll get that started."
Naruto smiled as he showed Iruka around the kitchen. "So, you and Kakashi, eh?"
Iruka blushed. "You noticed?"
"Yeah, I saw you two outside the hospital after I woke up the first time." He blushed a bit. "Is... everything going well with that?"
Iruka nodded, face breaking out into a small blush of his own. "I'm very happy with him."
"I'm glad, even if he is a weird pervert."
"He is a little different..." Iruka's face regained its serious composure. "Naruto, I'm worried about you. I don't think you should be living alone right now, granted, but do you really think that living here is the best alternative? You are always more than welcome to stay at my house-"
Naruto cut him off with a dismissal wave. "Naw, You're place would be pretty tight with three of us there all the time, and Sasuke's house is huge enough to fit both of us. Not that I don't still hate the arrogant bastard!" He added quickly.
"I should be saying that about you." A cool voice broke into the two's conversation.
"Sasuke! If you weren't carrying my food I'd beat the crap out of you right now!"
"And if you weren't an idiot I might believe you."
Naruto stood suddenly and might have made good on his earlier threat regardless of the food if it hadn't been for Kakashi's restraining hand. "Ma, ma, fight after we leave, OK? For now enjoy time with Iruka."
Naruto nodded and Iruka sighed in relief. "I don't know how you handle it, Sasuke. I'm surprised the two of you haven't torn each other's heads off."
Naruto and Sasuke looked at one another in surprise. "We don't really fight... when no one else is here." Naruto said simply.
"Ah... How interesting." Kakashi intoned, handing Iruka his Ramen. Iruka nodded, almost dropping the food, continuing to send shocked stares towards his former students.
Naruto settled himself onto a chair, grinning from ear to ear. "Ramen! Ramen!" Was the slight chant he sang, disturbed only when he placed the steaming hot noodles in his mouth. With the exception of Naruto's constant singing/humming and the occasional slurping sound (again, mostly from Naruto) the remainder of the meal was spent in nice, companionable silence.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Naruto." A soft, feminine voice called playfully. The blonde head turned towards the faint sound as it repeated. "Naruto! Come to me. Come to me, Naruto."
Naruto's head swiveled again, as the sound echoed from another direction. The only thing he could see was the endless darkness surrounding him. "Who are you? Where are you?"
"Naruto... NARUTO!" Naruto began to run wildly in every direction, ANY direction as the sound went from playful to desperate. "It hurts! Naruto, please! Why won't you help me?"
"WHERE ARE YOU? I can't see you!" A light flashed ahead of him and he took off towards it.
"Hurry, Naruto! It hurts so much! Help me!"
Head down, running faster than he ever had before, Naruto reached the source of light, a large field. His eyes darted around, but there was no one to be seen. "Shit!" He cursed as the screams became even more desperate. When her screams reached their peak the ground began to tremble beneath him and the earth opened before his feet. From the ground rose several tall spikes, Naruto jumped back in surprise. The screaming was unbearably loud now as other, recognizable voices joined in. The blonde sat in fixated terror as everyone he knew, everyone that recognized his existence, slowly raised, bodies impaled with the spikes. Dead, pale faces screamed in torment. "Iruka. Kakashi-sensei. Sakura-chan." he felt his feet involuntarily backing him away from the grizzly scene. "Sa-" his body lost the ability to move as he spotted a face that seemed paler than the others, or maybe it was just an illusion brought about by the complete darkness of the hair that framed his beautiful face. "Sasuke!"
Anger like none he had ever felt rose venomously in the pit of Naruto's stomach. An animalistic growl ripped from his lips, as he tried desperately to reach his friend's bodies, to free them from their torment, but his body was frozen, some unknown force holding him securely in place. The screams suddenly stopped, though the faces continued to twist in sightless agony. A slender hand reached from behind Naruto to stroke his face. He could hear the voice from before sobbing quietly.
"Who the hell are you, lady?" He could feel his control slipping, the demon inside responding to his anger, but still he could not move.
One by one Naruto watched his friends bodies disappear, until all that remained was Sasuke, spike still gleaming through his chest. The woman floated around Naruto, and went to stand next to the dark boy. Naruto felt a bit of his rage fade as he stared at the woman's tortured face. She had long, fiery red hair, eyes the color of the greenest grass and skin the color of pale moonlight. An anguished cry escaped her ruby lips as a spike rose slowly from the ground next to Sasuke's. The woman made no move to avoid it, rather, standing like one mesmerized, allowed the spike to slowly pierce through her chest. Naruto watched in terror as her body gently slid down the spike, leaving bright streaks of red blood as its trail. The sounds of her and Sasuke screaming once again filled the air.
"Stop it!" Naruto screamed, struggling once again to break free.
"Stop?" A low vicious growl was the reply. The voice was so twisted and angry that Naruto could not detect wither it was a man or a woman, but he could feel just in the growl the over whelming power that its owner possessed. "Stop?" Laughter mingled with the sounds of torment. "It's like music. Don't you agree? The screams of the one you loved most. Don't you remember Illia, your precious human lover? Have you forgotten everything?" The woman, Illia, faded slightly as the voice turned its focus on Sasuke. "No matter, that's why this one is so useful. Tsk, tsk. Not gone 20 years and already you found a replacement? I guess that Love bullshit isn't worth much these days. But it's enough, isn't it?"
The spike through Sasuke suddenly jetted higher in the air and Naruto screamed in rage as he watched the boy's body slowly slide down the spike until the spike was too wide for him to fall any farther. The fresh blood glistened brightly as it trickled down the spike until a pool lay on the ground underneath him. The voice cackled. "I like that sound. Just like the one you made 12 years ago. Remember? When I attacked those poor Ninjas and you got trapped in that form? No? I suppose you wouldn't, part of that pretty seal of yours. So I suppose you also don't remember me? Maybe it's not fair, punishing you for something that you don't even know happened?" The voice took on a thoughtful tone before turning venomous again. "But then again, what you did to me wasn't fair either, and I'll NEVER forgive you for what you did that day. I'm gonna take my revenge one by one out of everyone you love, Naruto-kun. Thank you so much for letting me see their faces in your dreams."
"What are you talking about?" Naruto screamed. "Who the hell are you?" Even as he screamed the vision was fading, the voice and screams dimming.
The wheezing laughter was the last thing Naruto heard before his eyes snapped open. With a start his body rocketed to a sitting position, glazed eyes darting to and fro before reality sunk in. It had all been a dream. He sucked in a few calming breaths, trying desperately to figure out where he was.
"Oi, baka." A gruff voice sounded from somewhere in the room. "Would you mind? Some of us are trying to sleep."
For a moment all Naruto could see was Sasuke's face, paled by death; matted hair clinging to the clammy, pasty skin; dark, sightless eyes screaming in agonizing pain. And then the vision cleared as the irritable dark eyed boy moved closer. Naruto could feel himself shaking, could feel sticky sweat covering his body, soaking his pajamas.
Sasuke's face took on a concerned look as he moved from the doorway of Naruto's room to stand next to the trembling boy. "Hey." He grabbed Naruto's shoulders and shook the boy hard, "are you alright?" Glassy blue eyes gleamed up at the dark boy. 'Kuso!' Sasuke's mind screamed. 'Something's sent him into shock.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Psychic-King: Well, I hope any readers I still have are happy! Not only are they living together, but I've introduced a plot as well! An ORRIGNIAL plot! *dancing* I am so cool! I am so cool! *pats a tied up Sakura on the head, and momentarily removes the gag*
Sakura: For one thing, I was not in this chapter at ALL.
Psychic king: Yeah, and wasn't it so much better because of that? *smiling* just kidding! You know I love you! Or at least I will when you stop with the Sasuke thing. Maybe I should add a nice Sakura/Lee romance?
Sakura: *muttering under her breath* Maybe you should add a nice foot in your so-called writing mouth.
Psychic King: What?
Sakura: *innocently* Nothing, Psychic-King-sama! Anyway, for another thing, HOW can you say that Naruto and Sasuke are living together? Sure in the same house, but not even in the same bed room, do you really think that will make the fan-girls happy?
Psychic King: *Raising eyebrows* Good point, Sakura. Maybe I need to advance the relationship faster.
Sakura: *quickly* NO! *regaining composure* I mean, your speed is fine, maybe even too fast! You just can't make claims that haven't happened. Another thing is I wouldn't really call your plot 'original.'
Psychic King: *genuinely confused* Why not? I've never read a fanfic with a plot like this one.
Sakura: *in lecture mode* Well, for one thing, you haven't read all the Naruto fanfics, so there very well could be one like this out there. For another, you just aren't good enough to come up with a completely original plot. Admit it, you based the fox demon's dead girlfriend off some girl from Highlander, didn't you?
Psychic King: *looking away* did not. But, point taken. *sighing* anything else, oh great teacher?
Sakura: Um. Yeah. Would you mind untying me now? The guys are on their way back, and I don't want them to think I had ANYTHING to do with that piece of drivel up there.
Psychic King: *defeated* Fine! *unties Sakura and then crosses arms* Humph.
Naruto: *scared* Iruka-sensei. I didn't know you were that scary. It's a good thing Kakashi-sensei came and pulled you off Sasuke, or you might have killed him!
Iruka: *arms crossed, back turned to Kakashi* If SOMEONE hadn't planted dark thoughts in my head I would have had no reason to maim Sasuke.
Sasuke: *wrapped from head to toe in bandages, but still glaring daggers* Mumph! Mmumanm mumph!
Kakashi: Come on, Iruka, no harm done! It was just a joke! *gently caresses Iruka's face*
Iruka: *turning slightly towards Kakashi* I suppose you're right. *turns and embraces Kakashi* I can't stay mad at you anyway.
Sasuke: *moving like an indignant mummy* Mummh! Mummph umm! *trips on a stray bandage and falls on his face*
Naruto: *sitting on the prone Sasuke* isn't that sweet, Sasuke? They made up!
Sakura: Naruto! How DARE you sit on Sasuke!
Kakashi: Actually, one day Sasuke might WANT- *stops talking as Iruka hits his arm hard* Ow, never mind.
Psychic King: Anyway!! *turning to the readers* Well. Is it terrible? Should I stop writing? I tried to leave it off at a place where it would be dramatic, but perhaps it was just silly. Anyway, comments, criticism, blind adoration, heck, even just to tell me how your day went! Anything is appreciated!
Naruto: *Looking out into the empty darkness* what are you doing, old hag?
Psychic King: Talking to my readers, of course!
Naruto: *straining eyes* what readers? I can't see anyone.
Sakura: Obviously, no one wants to read your story, Psychic King Paula- sama. Now, if you were to change the focus to Sasuke's undying live for ME, maybe you'd get a slightly better audience.
Sasuke: *muttering* I think I'd rather take my chances with Naruto, thank you very much.
Psychic King: I HEARD that! *raises a fist jovially in the air* that was the encouragement I needed to write the next chapter! Yes! Thanks Sasuke!!!!
Naruto: *looking enquiringly at Sasuke* what did you say?
Sasuke: *speaking a little too quickly* Nothing! She must be hearing things... *glances quickly away from Naruto, blushing*
Kakashi: *elbowing Psychic King* See, I told you he'd come around to the idea.
Naruto: *innocently* who'd come around to what?
Sasuke: *grabs Naruto's arm and quickly drags him off screen, shooting vicious glares at Kakashi and Psychic King*
Psychic King: Do you think he's 'explaining' it to Naruto right now? *raising eyebrows suggestively*
Iruka: *going into Big Brother mode* He'd better not lay a finger on my little Naruto! *yelling and shaking a fist in the direction that Sasuke and Naruto just went* you hear that, Uuchia?? Keep your dirty little hands off!
Kakashi: *playing absently with Iruka's vest* Now, koi, you and I both know that his 'hands' are the least of Naruto's worries. Why, with Sasuke's repressed hormones I give it about ten more minutes before-
Iruka: *runs off in the direction Sasuke took Naruto, throwing stars in hand* Naruto!! Iruka's coming, hold on!!!!
Kakashi: *looking mildly at Psychic King* Do you think he'll realize I was kidding before or after he kills Sasuke?
Psychic King: *waving it off* Ah well. Whichever.
Kakashi: *placing hands in pockets and heading after Iruka* I'd better go do some 'damage control.' *waves without turning his head*
Psychic King: *blushing* Kakashi-sensei... You are SO COOL!!!! *waves overly enthusiastically at Kakashi's retreating figure well after it's disappeared*
Sakura: What was that all about? *looks around, realizing that she's been left alone with Psychic King* I better... Go find Sasuke and make sure that nothing's wrong with-
Psychic King: *grabbing Sakura's shoulders* Now it's just us girls... *grinning wickedly*
Sakura: *gulping* But I REALLY should be stalking Sasuke right now...
Psychic King: Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit! *ties rope around Sakura* Ah, before I loose track of myself, I should mention that the Psychic King doesn't own in any way shape of form Naruto, but she DOES own one fencing foil, one breaking computer, and one pair of black shoes with holes all over them-
Sakura: *struggling desperately to escape her ropes* She's lying, mina- san! She doesn't even own the fencing foil, it's her father's and she stole it! Someone call the police! She's evil! EVIL!!!!
Psychic King: *chuckling* what do you know? It IS my father's foil... Anyway, for now, please enjoy the second installment of 'Embrace of Solitude!' *turning seriously to the readers* really everyone, I'm very sorry. I actually had this chapter written and then my computer crashed. Before I could get it fixed I had to go out of town for the holidays. But it's fixed now and I decided to do some quick changes and now the story is posted! THANK YOU TO ALL MY REVIEWERS!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!! If there is anyone out there that is still interested in reading my story, I would like to thank you for your patience! I promise that I will get chapter 3 up in a much more timely fashion (well before I start school again on the 20th).
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Embrace of Solitude Chapter 2
Naruto awoke with a start. The room he was in was wrong, and what was that warmth next to him? Was the sun already up? It was way too bright where ever he was for it to be morning. Large blue eyes opened wide and fell upon jet black hair. "Sasuke?" A brief memory of being in the hospital flashed through Naruto's mind.
The dark haired boy slowly opened a sleepy eye, then the other. "Finally awake, huh?" Sasuke took a moment to stretch and shake the sleep from his mind. "You've been sleeping for the last 14 hours."
A wave of shock over took Naruto as he realized that for the first time since the mission he had slept for more than three hours at a time. Even more shocking was the realization that Sasuke must have stayed with him the whole time. "Why didn't you just go home?"
Sasuke shrugged. "You had a death grip on me most of the night, I couldn't have left without waking you up, and you obviously needed the rest. But now that your awake, they're probably gonna want you out of here fast." He watched Naruto closely, knowing his words were likely to sting the other boy. As he expected, Naruto's head fell slightly, and a bit of the exhaustion that had disappeared from the young face crept back.
"Yeah, I guess I've been a real pain in the ass." The blonde moved quickly towards his jacket and pants that lay at the end of his bed. Without looking around, he pulled his clothes on quickly and moved towards the door. "Well, Sasuke-bastard, it's been real fun, but-"
"You can stay at my place." Those quiet words stopped the hyper- active boy in his tracks. "It's not like I don't have the room, and I could use the company."
Naruto felt a little defeated. No one besides Iruka ever in his whole life invited him to their home, and here Sasuke was asking him to stay with him. "I-" He hung his head, he didn't want Sasuke's pity, didn't need it, and he certainly didn't want the other boy treating him like some sort of freak. "I don't think so."
Sasuke smirked. "I wasn't asking, dobe." Hands in pockets, he walked out of the hospital room, leaving Naruto to ponder his words.
"DON'T CALL ME DOBE, BASTARD!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Sasuke wasn't kidding when he said he had the room." Naruto mumbled as he turned down yet another corner in the Uuchia mansion. With a growl of frustration he yelled, "Where do rich people hide their bathrooms?"
It had been two days since Naruto moved into the enormous house Sasuke called home, and he was beginning to regret not asking Sasuke to draw him a map before he tried 'exploring' the second floor. An idea struck him as he opened the door of yet another empty room. "I'll just jump out the window to the first floor, where I KNOW there's a bathroom!"
He was in the middle of executing said plan when he heard Iruka's voice sounding from outside. "Thank you of having us over, Sasuke."
"I didn't say you could come in." Was Sasuke's blunt reply. Naruto rolled his eyes. Sasuke really was a bastard sometimes.
A mischievous grin covered Naruto's face as he spotted a way to climb from the window to a nearby tree, a chance to surprise Sasuke, who was standing outside talking to Iruka... If he could just move quietly enough to the next lower branch, he could- "Oi! Naruto, good to see you moving around!" Kakashi waved down to him from his spot higher up in the tree.
"Kuso!" He cursed as his grip on the tree slipped.
Sasuke looked up in horror as Naruto came flailing out of the sky to land directly on his head. The two boys lay on the ground in a tangled clump. Sasuke was about to snap at the blonde, when the faint muffled sound of laughter and clicking reached his ears.
"I'm sorry, Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun, but that was so funny!" Iruka doubled in laughter, trying momentarily to help the boys up, but quickly giving up as tears of laughter reached his eyes. Sasuke scanned the tree for Kakashi and more importantly the camera that Kakashi suddenly seemed to carry around with him everywhere, but the man had already vanished from sight only to reappear next to his lover a moment latter, camera already hidden from sight.
Sasuke spared a glare for the older men, but Naruto was impatient as always and pushed the dark haired boy away from him and jumped to his feet. "Iruka-sensei! Are you here to buy me Ramen? You wouldn't believe the crap this guy eats!"
"Humph." Sasuke replied, "If you're gonna complain, cook for yourself, dobe."
"Uh... Sasuke, I wouldn't ask him to do that if I were you." Iruka interjected, fearing for the health of his former students.
"Huh!" Naruto crossed his arms over his chest indignantly. "I'll have you know I make the best instant Ramen ever."
Sasuke looked like he had a sharp answer to that, but Kakashi quickly interjected, fearing a long battle would ensue if both boys were left to their own devices. "Ah, but, no, we didn't come here to buy anyone Ramen."
"But since we're here, we might as well treat the boys, right Kakashi?" Iruka added.
Naruto jumped for joy while Sasuke rolled his eyes. Kakashi sent a put-out look Iruka's way, but one glance at the brunettes imploring eyes and he was putty in his hands. "Alright. How's this, I'll go pick up some carry-out and Iruka can chat with you, OK?"
"Wait, I'll go with you." Sasuke opened the door to his house and directed Iruka to the kitchen sitting area while Naruto ran off to finally relieve himself. "Naruto likes Miso ramen, right?"
Iruka gave Sasuke a surprised nod and watched the boy as he headed out of the kitchen, passing Naruto as he walked in. "Get some tea ready for when we get back." Iruka was even more surprised when Naruto simply nodded.
Naruto looked at Iruka kind of apprehensively when they were finally left alone, fearing what the older teacher was bound to ask about, but Iruka was just smiling at him. "Naruto, why don't you show me where you keep the tea, and I'll get that started."
Naruto smiled as he showed Iruka around the kitchen. "So, you and Kakashi, eh?"
Iruka blushed. "You noticed?"
"Yeah, I saw you two outside the hospital after I woke up the first time." He blushed a bit. "Is... everything going well with that?"
Iruka nodded, face breaking out into a small blush of his own. "I'm very happy with him."
"I'm glad, even if he is a weird pervert."
"He is a little different..." Iruka's face regained its serious composure. "Naruto, I'm worried about you. I don't think you should be living alone right now, granted, but do you really think that living here is the best alternative? You are always more than welcome to stay at my house-"
Naruto cut him off with a dismissal wave. "Naw, You're place would be pretty tight with three of us there all the time, and Sasuke's house is huge enough to fit both of us. Not that I don't still hate the arrogant bastard!" He added quickly.
"I should be saying that about you." A cool voice broke into the two's conversation.
"Sasuke! If you weren't carrying my food I'd beat the crap out of you right now!"
"And if you weren't an idiot I might believe you."
Naruto stood suddenly and might have made good on his earlier threat regardless of the food if it hadn't been for Kakashi's restraining hand. "Ma, ma, fight after we leave, OK? For now enjoy time with Iruka."
Naruto nodded and Iruka sighed in relief. "I don't know how you handle it, Sasuke. I'm surprised the two of you haven't torn each other's heads off."
Naruto and Sasuke looked at one another in surprise. "We don't really fight... when no one else is here." Naruto said simply.
"Ah... How interesting." Kakashi intoned, handing Iruka his Ramen. Iruka nodded, almost dropping the food, continuing to send shocked stares towards his former students.
Naruto settled himself onto a chair, grinning from ear to ear. "Ramen! Ramen!" Was the slight chant he sang, disturbed only when he placed the steaming hot noodles in his mouth. With the exception of Naruto's constant singing/humming and the occasional slurping sound (again, mostly from Naruto) the remainder of the meal was spent in nice, companionable silence.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Naruto." A soft, feminine voice called playfully. The blonde head turned towards the faint sound as it repeated. "Naruto! Come to me. Come to me, Naruto."
Naruto's head swiveled again, as the sound echoed from another direction. The only thing he could see was the endless darkness surrounding him. "Who are you? Where are you?"
"Naruto... NARUTO!" Naruto began to run wildly in every direction, ANY direction as the sound went from playful to desperate. "It hurts! Naruto, please! Why won't you help me?"
"WHERE ARE YOU? I can't see you!" A light flashed ahead of him and he took off towards it.
"Hurry, Naruto! It hurts so much! Help me!"
Head down, running faster than he ever had before, Naruto reached the source of light, a large field. His eyes darted around, but there was no one to be seen. "Shit!" He cursed as the screams became even more desperate. When her screams reached their peak the ground began to tremble beneath him and the earth opened before his feet. From the ground rose several tall spikes, Naruto jumped back in surprise. The screaming was unbearably loud now as other, recognizable voices joined in. The blonde sat in fixated terror as everyone he knew, everyone that recognized his existence, slowly raised, bodies impaled with the spikes. Dead, pale faces screamed in torment. "Iruka. Kakashi-sensei. Sakura-chan." he felt his feet involuntarily backing him away from the grizzly scene. "Sa-" his body lost the ability to move as he spotted a face that seemed paler than the others, or maybe it was just an illusion brought about by the complete darkness of the hair that framed his beautiful face. "Sasuke!"
Anger like none he had ever felt rose venomously in the pit of Naruto's stomach. An animalistic growl ripped from his lips, as he tried desperately to reach his friend's bodies, to free them from their torment, but his body was frozen, some unknown force holding him securely in place. The screams suddenly stopped, though the faces continued to twist in sightless agony. A slender hand reached from behind Naruto to stroke his face. He could hear the voice from before sobbing quietly.
"Who the hell are you, lady?" He could feel his control slipping, the demon inside responding to his anger, but still he could not move.
One by one Naruto watched his friends bodies disappear, until all that remained was Sasuke, spike still gleaming through his chest. The woman floated around Naruto, and went to stand next to the dark boy. Naruto felt a bit of his rage fade as he stared at the woman's tortured face. She had long, fiery red hair, eyes the color of the greenest grass and skin the color of pale moonlight. An anguished cry escaped her ruby lips as a spike rose slowly from the ground next to Sasuke's. The woman made no move to avoid it, rather, standing like one mesmerized, allowed the spike to slowly pierce through her chest. Naruto watched in terror as her body gently slid down the spike, leaving bright streaks of red blood as its trail. The sounds of her and Sasuke screaming once again filled the air.
"Stop it!" Naruto screamed, struggling once again to break free.
"Stop?" A low vicious growl was the reply. The voice was so twisted and angry that Naruto could not detect wither it was a man or a woman, but he could feel just in the growl the over whelming power that its owner possessed. "Stop?" Laughter mingled with the sounds of torment. "It's like music. Don't you agree? The screams of the one you loved most. Don't you remember Illia, your precious human lover? Have you forgotten everything?" The woman, Illia, faded slightly as the voice turned its focus on Sasuke. "No matter, that's why this one is so useful. Tsk, tsk. Not gone 20 years and already you found a replacement? I guess that Love bullshit isn't worth much these days. But it's enough, isn't it?"
The spike through Sasuke suddenly jetted higher in the air and Naruto screamed in rage as he watched the boy's body slowly slide down the spike until the spike was too wide for him to fall any farther. The fresh blood glistened brightly as it trickled down the spike until a pool lay on the ground underneath him. The voice cackled. "I like that sound. Just like the one you made 12 years ago. Remember? When I attacked those poor Ninjas and you got trapped in that form? No? I suppose you wouldn't, part of that pretty seal of yours. So I suppose you also don't remember me? Maybe it's not fair, punishing you for something that you don't even know happened?" The voice took on a thoughtful tone before turning venomous again. "But then again, what you did to me wasn't fair either, and I'll NEVER forgive you for what you did that day. I'm gonna take my revenge one by one out of everyone you love, Naruto-kun. Thank you so much for letting me see their faces in your dreams."
"What are you talking about?" Naruto screamed. "Who the hell are you?" Even as he screamed the vision was fading, the voice and screams dimming.
The wheezing laughter was the last thing Naruto heard before his eyes snapped open. With a start his body rocketed to a sitting position, glazed eyes darting to and fro before reality sunk in. It had all been a dream. He sucked in a few calming breaths, trying desperately to figure out where he was.
"Oi, baka." A gruff voice sounded from somewhere in the room. "Would you mind? Some of us are trying to sleep."
For a moment all Naruto could see was Sasuke's face, paled by death; matted hair clinging to the clammy, pasty skin; dark, sightless eyes screaming in agonizing pain. And then the vision cleared as the irritable dark eyed boy moved closer. Naruto could feel himself shaking, could feel sticky sweat covering his body, soaking his pajamas.
Sasuke's face took on a concerned look as he moved from the doorway of Naruto's room to stand next to the trembling boy. "Hey." He grabbed Naruto's shoulders and shook the boy hard, "are you alright?" Glassy blue eyes gleamed up at the dark boy. 'Kuso!' Sasuke's mind screamed. 'Something's sent him into shock.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Psychic-King: Well, I hope any readers I still have are happy! Not only are they living together, but I've introduced a plot as well! An ORRIGNIAL plot! *dancing* I am so cool! I am so cool! *pats a tied up Sakura on the head, and momentarily removes the gag*
Sakura: For one thing, I was not in this chapter at ALL.
Psychic king: Yeah, and wasn't it so much better because of that? *smiling* just kidding! You know I love you! Or at least I will when you stop with the Sasuke thing. Maybe I should add a nice Sakura/Lee romance?
Sakura: *muttering under her breath* Maybe you should add a nice foot in your so-called writing mouth.
Psychic King: What?
Sakura: *innocently* Nothing, Psychic-King-sama! Anyway, for another thing, HOW can you say that Naruto and Sasuke are living together? Sure in the same house, but not even in the same bed room, do you really think that will make the fan-girls happy?
Psychic King: *Raising eyebrows* Good point, Sakura. Maybe I need to advance the relationship faster.
Sakura: *quickly* NO! *regaining composure* I mean, your speed is fine, maybe even too fast! You just can't make claims that haven't happened. Another thing is I wouldn't really call your plot 'original.'
Psychic King: *genuinely confused* Why not? I've never read a fanfic with a plot like this one.
Sakura: *in lecture mode* Well, for one thing, you haven't read all the Naruto fanfics, so there very well could be one like this out there. For another, you just aren't good enough to come up with a completely original plot. Admit it, you based the fox demon's dead girlfriend off some girl from Highlander, didn't you?
Psychic King: *looking away* did not. But, point taken. *sighing* anything else, oh great teacher?
Sakura: Um. Yeah. Would you mind untying me now? The guys are on their way back, and I don't want them to think I had ANYTHING to do with that piece of drivel up there.
Psychic King: *defeated* Fine! *unties Sakura and then crosses arms* Humph.
Naruto: *scared* Iruka-sensei. I didn't know you were that scary. It's a good thing Kakashi-sensei came and pulled you off Sasuke, or you might have killed him!
Iruka: *arms crossed, back turned to Kakashi* If SOMEONE hadn't planted dark thoughts in my head I would have had no reason to maim Sasuke.
Sasuke: *wrapped from head to toe in bandages, but still glaring daggers* Mumph! Mmumanm mumph!
Kakashi: Come on, Iruka, no harm done! It was just a joke! *gently caresses Iruka's face*
Iruka: *turning slightly towards Kakashi* I suppose you're right. *turns and embraces Kakashi* I can't stay mad at you anyway.
Sasuke: *moving like an indignant mummy* Mummh! Mummph umm! *trips on a stray bandage and falls on his face*
Naruto: *sitting on the prone Sasuke* isn't that sweet, Sasuke? They made up!
Sakura: Naruto! How DARE you sit on Sasuke!
Kakashi: Actually, one day Sasuke might WANT- *stops talking as Iruka hits his arm hard* Ow, never mind.
Psychic King: Anyway!! *turning to the readers* Well. Is it terrible? Should I stop writing? I tried to leave it off at a place where it would be dramatic, but perhaps it was just silly. Anyway, comments, criticism, blind adoration, heck, even just to tell me how your day went! Anything is appreciated!