Slavery Is Not Always A Bad Thing

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto in any way shape or form. And if I did I would be rich but seeing as I only have about 2 pennies to my name.

How this is different then the anime: The only time that Naruto has ever seen Gaara was when he fought Rock Lee for the first time, but never seen him after that. The Sand attacked at the exams early thinking that Susake was a no show but they can in just in time to help drive the sand away. Wining that one battle but not the war. But the 4th stilled died and the 5th is now in office. (Sorry I know that is confusing but it will make sense later on)

Chapter one: knowing is not always a good thing.

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Deep in the heart of the forest sat Naruto, curled up in a little ball with his beautiful blue eyes brimming with tears. `Why does everyone hate me? I've done everything I could to help this village in any way possible and now they're just going to trade me away to slavery? This isn't fair! `

***Flashback***

Naruto was just finishing his usual routine. He woke to an empty house, hopped in the cold shower -- he couldn't pay this months hot water bill -- and, having successfully found clothes to wear that did not smell like week old sardines and/or have blood stains on them, he ate his beloved miso ramen. After slurping down the last bit of the luke-warm noodles he quickly finished gathering his gear and ran out of the decaying door and onto the street of the village he called his home.

After turning the corner, he braced himself for the onslaught of insults and glares of hate, but to his surprise he heard nothing: no children laughing happily in the streets or mothers nitpicking at the food stands, complaining about how their lives were just so unfair. There wasn't even the usual bums wasting away on the side of the road.

"Hello, is anyone here?" Still looking around for any signs of life, he noticed that everything was slightly different; the streets were stripped of the usual clutter of litter and the houses were standing proudly, showing off their true colors -- which were finally clean of the dust that otherwise marred them. Overall, the village just looked more polished. Finally, after searching the town for around thirty minutes, Naruto heard voices coming from one of the shadier pubs. Walking cautiously up to the shadowed entrance, Naruto slowly cracked the door open to better understand the jumbled words.

"Why is the Sand even allowed to be here anyway? After that stunt they pulled at the exams?"

"They claim they're here on official `peace` business. But I say that's bullshit; you know that they just want to squeeze more money out of us. But Hokage wants to give them a second chance."

"So, what do they want to trade? Ninjas? Land? Supplies?"

"Well, it turns out that their star ninja took a shining to one of our examinees, so they are willing to talk peace if they get him."

"Well, all I have to say is it better not be Uchiha; we need him here! His blood is much too valuable to leave this village!"

"Of course not! The Hokage aren't that stupid. They want that fox-demon, Naruto!"

"Good, now we finally have a good reason to get rid of that disgusting monstrosity. All he did was cause trouble anyway, painting the Hokage Mountain, pulling wigs off all the old men, and sneaking into the bathhouses. Let him rot away in the desert for all I care."

Not able to hear any more of this verbal torture, Naruto took off running as fast as his short legs could carry him… straight into Death Forest.

***End of Flashback***

'What am I going to do now? I can't run away because hunter-nins will capture me and send me right back here. Great, just great! I know that I can't run but that still doesn't mean I want to be a slave to some stupid person that I don't even know! What am I going to do? I have to think of a way out of this.' Naruto thought as he brought his knees up to his chest and tucked his head into them.

---Meanwhile, at the bridge were Team 7 meets---

"Naruto! Naruto…Where are you? Susake, he has never been this late before. I mean, I expected this from Kakashi, but not Naruto. Could you please go look for him? I'm…I'm worried about him" Sukura asked, curling her fingers together in front of her face, trying to hide her blush. Yes! Good going girl, going for the sentimental teammate trick. Now he is going to respect me, which will eventually lead to love, then we'll get married, have kids, and grow old together: forever in love! Take that, Ino-pig!

"Hmph, why should I? The dope was late by himself, let him get into trouble by himself. Besides I don't have time to go looking for him, I have to train." Susake said, not even bothering to spare her a glance as he leaned his back against one of the decorative beams with his arms and legs crossed casually. Sukura does have a point; Naruto is NEVER late. Man, I hope the dope is Ok even if he is annoying …Oh no, Sukura is up to something again. She has that look in her eyes. Damn it. I really don't want to deal with to today…well I never want to deal with this but still not today!

"Really?" She spoke as she slowly stalked to him with sight sway in her hips. He wants to be with me! Ok, I know that he said that he wanted to train…but that was just, just a cover up. Yeah, that was what it was a cover up. Now on with my most brilliant plan ever. Ok, girl be brave; he'll fall for you for sure this time! " Susake…are you sure that is the only reason that you want to stay is to train?" she cued softly as she sat down right next to him; practically is his lap. "Come on you can tell me" she whispered into his ear, her hands reaching up in to his hair twirling the thick coal locks between her fingers; not noticing Susake's body tensing up like a tiger read to pounce. When Sukura starting to rub her palms up and down his chest, Susake had finally had enough, he shot up from his formally comfortable spot on the ground, calmly walking off of a bridge and into the lush grass.

"Hey! Where do you think your going?!" Sukura yelled angrily jumping to her feet.

Not even bothering to give a reply Susake continue to march in the direction of the forest. Sukura oblivious to anything other then her anger ran right up to him grabbed his arm and proceeded to yell at him.

"Susake, what is wrong with you? Why are you leaving?" she asked with her hand clutching on to his sleeve. Susake turn and looked directly into her eyes. Man, I really hate to do this to her, but she just wont get the hint. She really is a nice girl and all, but I wish she would just give up and move on to some other poor sap like Lee or someone.

"Listen Sukura, you're a nice person and all, but I just don't like you like that. And I never will and there is nothing you can do about it." Susake spoke simply as if he was just saying the sky was blue and not breaking some girl's heart. Looking deeply into her eyes one last time he turned away.

"Wait Susake! Wait, I could change. Please, just give me a chance! I could change." She called after him falling to the ground with crystal like tears of anguish and despair streaming down her face, with no hope of ever stopping. But Susake, ignoring her, proceeded on his way, which was ironically right into Death Forest.

Walking deeper into the forest Susake was finally starting to calm down. Now that I'm finally alone I can get some real training done. Okay what should I work on first, hand to hand combat or ki training? Hmm… since I have no one to spar with and I don't want to do shadow boxing I guess I do ki strengthening. And I have been slacking off on my ki distance rang and now would be a perfect time to train it, especially with all the animals in the forest. After finding a small clearing, Susake quickly went to work, knowing that he needed to find to right animal to trace. Glancing around the miniscule clearing he finally spotted a baby squirrel sitting on the ground below a gigantic oak tree, chewing on an acorn twice the size of its' own head. Perfect. Siting down on the ground beside the creature Susake crossed his legs comfortably and closed his eyes. Concentration deeply on the ki of the squirrel as it ran deeper into the forest. As it ran deeper in to the forest, Susake began to pick up a familiar ki. What the heck is Naruto doing way over there? Better yet, why does h is ki feel so sad and depressing?

Forgetting all about his pervious train schedule, Susake scrambled to his feet and started to run in the direction that he had last felt Naruto's ki. Wait…Why am I running to see if the dope is ok? He isn't in danger or anything. Susake thought as he slowed down his pace to a stop. So what if the baka is depressed, that is not my problem or any of my business…Demo, the dope has never been this sad before, he is always his annoying happy-go-lucky self. So what made his change like this all of a sudden? He was fine yesterday. Man, from the feelings his ki is giving off it most have been pretty bad. I guess I should go check on him just in case. Deciding that it was best if he got there quickly, Susake started to run again but even faster then before.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Susake saw Naruto curled up with his face buried away in his knees beside a towering tree crying his eyes out. He quickly hid behind a tree near by to make sure that Naruto was alone. Seeing no one else there, Susake knelt down to watch Naruto closely; too afraid to get any closer to the crying tenchi. Tenchi? Why did I just call Naruto an angel? Well I guess he dose look like one with his sparkling blue eyes and sunny blonde hair…I didn't just think that. Susake quickly snapped back to reality when Naruto began to move.

I guess that this is the only way, I don't want to disgrace the village by running away and killing my self is not really high on my list of this to do. So, when they trade me away to slavery I'll lye low for a couple of days or maybe mouths to throw off any suspicion then I'll run like the devil himself is at my heels. But I can't do anything if I just sit here wallowing in self-pity. Naruto thought as he used the cuff of his sleeve to wipe off his face, hoping to wipe away any evidence of his tears, turning his face slightly pink with the ruff cloth. There has to be a law for someone to look that cute, Susake thought blushing brightly. Standing up with shaky leg Naruto started to wipe away any foliage that had stuck to his butt, still not aware he had company. Oh my God how I wish I was that leaf, since when has Naruto had such a cute butt? Susake pondered with his eye glued on the two round globes.

Ok, off to the old hag's office! Putting on his normal happy-go-lucky fox smile, thou this time if you looked close enough you could see the fear and worried gleam in his now dulling blue eyes, Naruto started to make his way out of the forest. But there was one problem…how did I get here again? Oh crap, I can't remember! Now I'm lost on top of everything else, can this day get any worse? Naruto thought shaking his head roughly, causing him to fall down right where he started off: on the ground. Susake not being able to hold it in anymore started to sinker at Nartuo's little hiss- fit thou he quickly caught himself, it was too late, Naruto had heard him.

"Who's there? I know someone is out there, now come out!" He yelled jumping up from his spot on the ground. Susake knowing that he was caught came out of his hiding spot by the tree. Damn, I wish I 'd been able to watch him longer, he is acts pretty cute when he thinks no one is watching…Naruto what are you doing to me? I never used to think like this before I meet you.

"Susake! What are you doing out here?" Naruto asked taking a step forward as if challenging him.

"I should ask you the same thing, Dead-last. Well, what are you doing out here in the middle of a restricted forest by your self, when you should be at the bridge?" Susake ask putting on his I-Know-everything smirk and taking a step closer to Naruto, accepting his challenge.

"Quit calling me that you jerk! And it isn't any of your business what I'm doing out here, but if you must know I was thinking. Anyway, shouldn't you be at the bridge to, like the perfect golden boy you are?" Naruto spoke with anger penetrating through his voice, once again stepping forward to Susake.

"I wouldn't have to call you Dead-last if you didn't act like one, Baka. Plus, I was at the bridge but knowing that if Kakashi showed up and found out that you weren't there he would have ether: cancel training or make up some stupid mission where we would have had to find you. So, I decided to go leave and get some of my own personal training done, but low and behold I find you sitting in the middle of the forest 'thinking" Susake said sarcastically crossing his arms as if saying ' I'm not going to play your stupid game'. But never the less he took a step forward; now not even two feet away from Naruto.

"How did you find me anyway, like you said I'm in the middle of the forest?" Naruto asked his endless curiosity rising up to the moment. He to crossed his arms as if mocking Susake, then he too took a step closer not even noticing the shorting amount of distance closing between the two.

"I was doing ki distance training when I felt your ki it was…" Susake stopped not knowing if he should continue. He didn't take a step this time.

"It was what, Susake?" Naruto asked softly unsure if he really wanted to hear the answer, thou he still took his step closer but this time it meant something different. It was not meant to be challenging, it was meant to be helpful as if to pursue Susake into telling him. The two where not even five inches apart now.

"It was… so sad and depressing. So, I came over to make sure you were ok Dope. Because knowing you for as long as I have you start to realize that were ever you are trouble normally follows," I wish that I could kiss him, he is just so close, and I can even feel his body heat. "Why were you so sad? I know that it is any of my business but your ki was just so depressing that is even made me worry." Susake asked reaching up to put a hand on Naruto shoulder with uncharacter like gentleness to make sure that Naruto didn't run away and so he could try to calm down the building heat inside of his own body.

Needless to say Naruto was in a state of shock. What the heck is wrong with Susake? Why is he being so nice to me all of a sudden? He's 'worried' about me, but I thought that he hated me… His hand is so warm; I wonder why I never noticed it before? Is the rest of his body is this warm to? I hope so…Oh my God please don't tell me that I am getting a crush on the ' ice boy' of the village! No, this can't be happening boys aren't supposed to love each other. Besides Susake likes girls and I like Sukura. I'm just getting worked up over nothing. "I wasn't sad over anything Susake, you must have felt wrong." Naruto said as he pushed Susake's hand off his shoulder, shuddering, instantly missing his warmth.

"That is bullshit Naruto and you know it! Tell me what's wrong!" Susake yelled making Naruto running away, with Susake in hot pursuit. I can't deal with this right now! Naruto thought as he tried to make his way though the trees but ended up failing miserably by stumbling on roots. Susake, being agile as ever, quickly caught up to Naruto and tackled him to the ground hard. Oh god he feels so good, his skin is so soft! I wonder if it tastes as sweet as it smells? Susake thought as he nuzzled his face into Naruto's neck fighting the urge to kiss it.

"What the hell is your problem, Susake?!" Naruto yelled out from under from under him with his voice slightly muffled by Susake's hair. Oh please never let this end, it feels so right to have him on me like this. Naruto thought blushing, thou trying unsuccessfully to hide it by burying his face even farther into Susake's silky hair.

"Please, Naruto tell me what's wrong." Susake asked, as he moved off Naruto, grabbing both of his wrists in one hand and pinning them over his head just incase he decided to bolt again.

"Susake, please let me go" Naruto asked almost braking down again from all the stress and the alien feeling of someone trying to comfort him, was almost putting him over the edge. Susake, noticing this, pushed once more.

"Come on Naruto you can tell me" Susake pleaded with his fingers stroking the fragile skin of Naruto's wrists. Naruto opened his mouth speck when a sound alerted the two boys that someone was standing right over them

"Actually, Susake he can't," Kakashi said, appearing out of no where, clapping him on the back, " Now, could you please get off of him? Someone is here to see him." Susake and Naruto were both blushing brightly as Susake quickly climbed off of him. I hate is when he does that! Wait, didn't he say some one was here to see me?

"Someone is here to see me?" Naruto asked with the feeling dread pooling around in his stomach as his realized that is might be his new 'master' here to claim him. Susake, to remembering what he had said, perked up as well.

"Well, he isn't 'here', he is at the Hokage building. So, say your good-byes to Susake; oh and Naruto make sure you make them good, it might be a while till you see him again." Kakashi spoke sadly leaning his head down. Damn it! Naruto doesn't deserve this! He never did anything wrong or hurt anybody! God I hate this and I know that the Hokage hates this to, but this is the only chance to have peace again. And losing one is better then losing thousands.

"Naruto what is he talking about? You'll see me again tomorrow, right? Right Naruto?" Susake asked tilting Naruto's head up so he could see his eyes but instead of seeing sparking blue eyes all he saw was tears streaming down Naruto cute face.

"No, Susake you wont see me again tomorrow…you wont see me for a while" Naruto voice started to creak just as he finished. I never thought saying goodbye to Susake would be so hard…I'm really going to miss him, even if he is the biggest asshole that I have ever meet. "Susake, please never forget me," Naruto asked as he looked deeply in to Susake's eyes, " could you tell everyone else goodbye for me?"

"What is going on, Naruto? Goodbye, what do you mean goodbye?" Susake asked urgently, grabbing Naruto by the shoulder shaking him gently. What is Naruto talking about? Leaving? He can't be leaving, I haven't figured out my feelings yet!

"Susake, I have been trad-" "Naruto that is enough, he is not allowed to know, I still don't know how you even know. Susake, just say goodbye! You are making this harder then it has to be. You'll see him again someday," Kakashi said cutting off Naruto. Walking closer up to the boys he realized just how sad and confused they both were. Susake, I am so sorry I'm doing this, but you can't find out about what is happening to Naruto…at least not yet. If I tell you now you'll go after him and that is just not possible right now, there is too much at stake.

"Susake, this is your last chance, say goodbye or you aren't going to be able too." Kakashi said once again turning his head away in shame for what he was going to do. Susake, who was still not believing what was going on once again, refused to say goodbye.

" Why do I have to say goodbye? Naruto what does he mean I 'might' see you again someday?" Susake asked pulling Naruto closer to him and looked in to his eyes. Kakashi shook his head sadly at hearing this.

"I'm sorry Susake but you had your chance," he said in a crushed voice, not even giving Naruto time to answer before disappearing in a puff of smoke and quickly reappearing before Naruto and Susake knew what happened, hitting them on the back of their neck's rendering them both unconscious. Picking up Naruto, Kakashi leapt into a tree and began the journey to the Hokage's office and to Naruto's new master from The Sand. Naruto this is going to be the last you see of this forest, your friends, and village for a long time, I hoped that you enjoyed your last moments of freedom because you will soon come to rely on these memories. I wish you luck and I give you my prayers.

Ok peoples, that is the end of chapter 1 of hopefully many more to come! I hoped that you liked it, I tried really hard on this one. Please review! (Begs shamelessly) Sorry if I made everyone really OOC, I am still work'n on that but some of them had to be OOC!!! Susake had to be confused about his love with Naruto! Oh, I have to give a shout out to my betas: Sadistic Shadow and Strawberry Poptart! Thank you guys so much! Strawberry Poptart thank you for putting up with my excessive questions! Sorry if you guys found this chapter long, just that on my other story people where telling me they were to short so I tried to see if this length worked out. Well, thank you reading! I will try to update soon. I promise! P. S I will try to have more…um 'juicy' stuff with Naruto and the Master in the next chappie!! (Wink)