Disclaimer: Naruto and company is property of Kishimoto-sama.
Mahami-sama, Sitta-chan, Koshika-san and of course 'braid-man' belongs to me.
Pairing: SasuNaru
Warning: Shounen-ai moments Probably some spelling errors, please don't pay attention to them 'cause I'm doing my best… ya know, English isn't even 'my' language! A great deal of OOC-ness.
Shit, fans her face, I'm getting really flattered! blushes You are so nice to me! A damn, giggle, your words means everything to me! Please keep reviewing!
I would like to thank every one of you, personally and mention your name, but I know that it takes a lot of time and effort. What if I forgot one? No, I want to be fair and I refuse to treat someone less than others so I will thank you all my own way and hope you can manage with that.
My hugs go to everyone who reviewed. And especially to those telling me that Sitta-chan is one of the few enjoyable 'own characters' out there. Damn, that made me sooo happy to hear. And that some say that what I write is bloody genius isn't so bad either. Your reactions to braid-man were really fun to read. Well, what I'm trying to say is: I love you!
I was sick while writing this chapter, but it needed to be typed and I'm so afraid that you will be disappointed. Well well…
Here is the seventh (o my god!) chapter of Go with the flow
Blood and ink
Was he falling? Were they all falling or was it just his imagination?
Sasuke shielded his eyes warily. His world was spinning and he had told himself for several minutes now that the reality beyond is eyelids were unhealthy for him and should therefore not open. He knew he probably was tucked in. He recognized the softness on his body to be a blanket and the comfortable padding he had his head on to be a pillow and not some headrest made by wood, or a floor which his head repeatedly smashed down on. He feared that the warmth should turn out to be nothing else than a naked body covered with sweat, absolutely exhausted from the nights deeds. Sasuke almost scolded himself. He remembered quite clearly that braid-man didn't finish what he started the previous evening. Yet, he still had a feeling in his heart that told him that the man still was there with him, just waiting to start all over again. To start his preposterous ministrations, rocking up and down… crushing onto him hard.
Sasuke squeezed his eyes and frowned. He didn't want to open them. He didn't want the illusion of safeness to disappear yet. He needed the warmth, the feeling of sun's beam on his body… he didn't need the illusion to be destroyed when he opened his eyes. Even if it appeared that it indeed was braid-man on top of him, keeping him warm with his own body, he rather kept his eyes shut and dreamt of something else.
It was when he began to hear voices that the horrible feeling in his chest disappeared. He knew instantly that he was safe, for it was Naruto's voice, and the blonde would never ever let braid-man do the same thing again… Sasuke knew that, he trusted him. He suddenly remembered Naruto's firm hold and him patting his head. Naruto had saved him… and Sasuke had felt so safe in his arms that he had fallen asleep.
But where am I?
He slowly let his eyes open. They were sore and blurred, but eventually they got used to the bright light. It was early morning and beautiful light shone in from the windows, pouring and warming him. If Sasuke had cared for it, he would have said that it was a happy morning with wonderful summer sounds. A nightingale chirped and the only think Sasuke could think about was how different the sounds were now from the previous evening. Then it had been moans and sucking sounds… it made him feel sick to his stomach once again. He looked over his chest and he could immediately distinguish Naruto standing in a doorway and waving goodbye to someone, wishing them good luck with a determined voice. A smile crept upon his lips and mouthed to say something but someone beat him to it.
"Is he sleeping?" Sasuke could hear Sitta-chan whispering from the other end of the room, by the terrace door. The cross-dresser had apparently gone the other way around.
Naruto shut the hallway-door and walked back into the room, smiling towards Sitta-chan. Sasuke pretended to sleep again, relishing in their kind voices. "Yeah… he slept like a baby all night, considering what he's been through."
"He'll be all ecstatic when he hears you've been watching over him, guarding him like a dog to its master", Sasuke identified Sitta-chan's teasing tone and heard how he sat down very close to him. Naruto sat down as well and Sasuke could almost see the pout, even though he had his eyes closed.
"I have not…", the blonde boy wheezed.
Sitta-chan laughed gently. "Sure you didn't. By the way…" Sasuke raised his eyebrow in confusion, why was Sitta-chan suddenly so serious? "Is Kakashi-san…?"
"Yes, he's out hunting… scouting for him right this minute", Naruto answered.
"I can't understand how he managed to escape… I mean, I hit him pretty hard and… and that wall broke in two on his head!"
Suddenly Naruto laughed cheerfully. "Although you're not one, you probably hit like one", he snickered. That earned Naruto a big lump on his head, but the boy kept on laughing. "You do hit like a girl! Even Sakura-chan hits harder!"
"You unpleasant child! Firstly, she's a shinobi and secondly, I usually hit harder, but I just don't want to hurt small boys…", Sitta-chan teased.
"I'm not little! You're just afraid that just because you're a guy now that I'm soooo going kick your ass!" Naruto laughed loudly and Sitta-chan couldn't help but to join him after a while, neither of them even considering that Sasuke was sleeping, well not literally but tried to make it look like it anyway. Sasuke opened his eyes again, pulled away the blanket and sat up for the first time that morning. It hurt everywhere in his body and it screamed at him for moving.
"You're too loud", he growled and was going to say something more depressing when he was jumped and pushed down again by a soft body. A swift remembrance flashed inside of his mind and he almost screamed when he thought it was braid-man who'd attacked him. But the person wasn't hurting him; it was rather nice when he thought about it. It was soft and cuddly… it even smelled good. He looked up to find a blonde boy clutching onto him, head on Sasuke's chest, his arms wrapped around his neck and legs spread on each side of his body. "Naruto?"
He heard a muffled 'yes' and sighed contently. Sitta-chan squealed happily as Sasuke eyed him. "You told him, haven't you?" he questioned.
Sitta-chan nodded. "Why yes, I thought it was the right thing to do and he was as open minded as you were", he answered and blinked.
"What are we supposed to call you anyway?" Naruto asked from Sasuke's chest, not moving an inch. Sasuke felt how a pleasurable chill ran down his spine when Naruto's lips moved against his chest.
"I've been Sitta-chan for everyone in forever… so let's not complicate things. Naruto, you should let Sasuke go, even though you both like the pose… he needs to rest."
Both of then winced and then Naruto let him go reluctantly and mumbled a quick 'sorry' as he sat. Sasuke did the exact same thing, blushing and sitting up, but he frowned at Sitta-chan as he giggled at the two of them.
It was quiet for a long time while Sasuke ate his breakfast and nibbled on his bread. He wasn't very hungry since the other day was playing itself over and over again in his mind. He had to bite down hard on his lips to not whimper when he accidentally hit his hip. His body was still aching, and who was to say that it wasn't expected? Even though the day was beginning to look perfectly fine and enjoyable, compared to his little meeting with braid-man that is, it still felt uncomfortable. It was as if the man would come running through the door and abuse him again. Utter the pretty words that, from the beginning more or less, flattered him and that reason alone made him sicker to his stomach. And it felt as if braid-man just waited to claim him… whenever, wherever. He imagined that the man was standing outside, ready to take him as soon as he was left alone. Therefore he tensed every time either Sitta-chan or Naruto rose, even though they said that they just needed to move their legs or otherwise they would fall asleep.
Sasuke didn't know what to think. In some way he felt so ridiculously insecure and horrendously in danger. Every movement sent him flying up the walls. But on the other hand… both Sitta-chan's and Naruto's company eased him. They made it durable. For he knew, by certainty that they would never ever let that man touch him again. He saw it in their eyes when he told them. He could see the worry, the feeling of nauseous and the anger which boiled inside of them. And it comforted him; it made him braver and he could tell his story even more detailed. He even told them about braid-man's obsession of hair. Naruto and Sitta-chan allow him speak for hours, letting him get it all out of his chest so that he could move on. Naruto was stricken with grief, and Sasuke saw it in his big blue eyes, when he was told that Sasuke was sure he was going to be raped, even though he wasn't a girl and how horrible it felt when braid-man rubbed himself against him. Sasuke surprised himself that he was being so open about it… he felt he needed to tell it or otherwise nobody would understand!
Sasuke sat on his futon in the room which Mahami-sama owned. The simple thought of Mahami-sama made him so livid that he thought he was going to kill someone. He was so disappointed in her. He felt so let down. Suddenly he turned his head to Sitta-chan who was stealing some leftovers, chewing happily.
"Do you know that braid-man and Mahami-sama had made a deal?" he uttered and watched as Sitta-chan dropped his food by sheer disbelief.
"What are you saying?"
"Mahami… she…", Sasuke had to look away. He knew that Sitta-chan loved Mahami-sama like a mother. She had probably taken care of Sitta-chan since he was a little child, and the overwhelming feeling of guilt made him turn his head away. Sitta-chan looked so sad… so heartbroken. "She sold me to braid-man."
"You can't believe that man! She would never do such a thing. She promised you and your teacher that all you had to do was keeping them amused", Sitta-chan screamed sorrowfully.
"I'm not lying!" Sasuke snapped and saw Naruto's face scrunch up with worry when he inched closer. "He told me that he had gone through the procedure… he explained it to me Sitta-chan." Suddenly he felt a reassuring arm around his shoulders and knowing instinctively that it was the blonde he leaned into the touch, relishing the warmth he didn't care to read into. He knew that his and Naruto's way of looking at each other had changed but he had neither the courage nor the strength to even try figure it out. He just savoured the safeness Naruto bestowed him.
"I'm sorry Sasuke… it's just so… it's such a kick in the teeth", he answered and tried to smile. "I know you would never lie like that."
"I hate to be the one to breaks the news to you", Sasuke whispered.
"Rather hearing it from you than having to experience it myself. You are such a strong boy, Sasuke, to live through that and I promise you… I'll give everything I have to get that bastard!" Sitta-chan suddenly lunged forward, bringing them both into a big hug. Sasuke sighed contentedly when he felt Sitta-chan's warm cheek against his, and still Naruto's arm around his shoulder. He once again surprised himself. He liked the feeling they gave him, it was something new and… quite amazing to be frank. Sasuke hadn't felt as secure as he did now ever since his family died, and he would never have believed that one of his most precious moments would be in the embrace of two boys. "I can never forgive myself for letting this happen. Now, rest and I'll come back later. You, Naruto… don't you dare leave him alone for one second."
Naruto nodded on the other side of Sitta-chan and squeezed Sasuke's shoulder to emphasize his decision. Sasuke smiled into Sitta-chans shoulder. "He was exactly like Koshika-san said. Even though Koshika-san was drunk, he was still smarter than the rest of us. Braid-man was a treacherous serpent. But please, don't kill him… I want to-"
"Are you crazy?" Naruto screamed and everyone released each other. Naruto stared angrily at him and looked like he was about to punch him at anytime. "He did all those… things to you and you still want to meet him! Are you mad?"
"Oh, I see someone's overprotective", Sitta-chan giggled and rose to his feet. Naruto shot him a glare, which more or less looked embarrassed. Sasuke blushed when he thought of Naruto being overprotective of him and had to look the other way, mumbling.
"I want to show him who I am… that I'm not a girl. I want to see his reaction and if someone is going to hurt him it should be me."
Naruto glared and then turned around to pout. "Well, that sounds okay… but as long as I'm coming with you."
"Sure", Sasuke said turning back and unable not to poke Nauruto's cheek when he leaned closer. It earned him a hard bite when Naruto chewed down on his fingers, savouring them in his mouth unintentionally.
"You can suck each others fingers at anytime, just let me leave the room first", Sitta-chan chuckled mischievously before he winked them off and hurriedly left the room without letting them explain that, that wasn't the case at all. They didn't mean it like that! Sasuke pulled out his fingers quickly and wiped them off on the blanket, refusing to look Naruto in the eyes. He couldn't help think that it had been warm, sticky, but fantastically warm.
Naruto literally jumped away from Sasuke, blushing furiously red so that his orange pants didn't snatch all the attention anymore. Yes, the boy was back in his old clothes and Sasuke realized suddenly that he too was back in his. But that wasn't his biggest concern, Naruto blushing like that was.
"Uhm… uhm…", Naruto fumbled with his words. "Eh…heh, I'm going to open the door, kay? It's freaking warm in here!" Sasuke watched from the corner of his eyes how Naruto swiftly scampered to the door which led out to the terrace and how he stopped in the doorway. His arms supported him while he leaned between the two doorframes, with his back turned to a reddened Sasuke.
"You know", Naruto kept rambling. "Kakashi was so furious! I thought he was going to slaughter that Mahami-sama… che, I don't even know why I call her –sama, she doesn't deserve it. Anyway… you should have seen Kakashi's face when we came back with you. You looked pretty dead by the way… cold even and maybe Kakashi-sensei thought you were dead at first 'cause even though he has that friggin' mask on his face I could still se how he paled. You know… he care for you and he never meant for this to happen." Sasuke listened intently to his whispering voice.
"That's why he's out hunting that braid-bastard right now. He told me to say… he told me to explain that he was sorry. He had trusted Mahami-sama but she was just a liar, wasn't she? Kakashi still doesn't know that it was Mahami-sama's set up, he just think she's was irresponsible. She fooled us all, even Sitta-chan. Well… anyway…", he cleared his throat and Sasuke stared intensely on his black clad back. "He also told me that we wouldn't stay here any more… As soon as he finds that madman we will leave, even though he doesn't know the way back. He said we'll manage… he wanted to make it up to you somehow. We all want to do that… I-I mea… I mean, I'm sorry too…"
Sasuke saw how Naruto's shoulders drooped and how he put his arms around himself as if it was cold outside, trying to warm himself. "I'm so sorry Sasuke. We promised we would be there but… we weren't. We couldn't find you! I looked; I looked in every room… even in a little shed outside. I even had Sakura following me even though the men got all furious on us. Eventually Sitta-chan had to cancel the meeting because we couldn't find you… damn it Sasuke. I never thought that he would lead you away like that… and I'm so sorry for not finding you", he whimpered regretfully, pulling on his hair. Sasuke bit his lip hard when he suddenly heard the sobs. "He lead you away to an unrestricted area… we couldn't get in! We were stopped in the lobby, they told us that no one had gone in there… o damn", he sank down on his knees. "I'm so, so sorry… I'm so-"
Sasuke prevented him to speak any further as he dashed from his position on the floor and hugged him from behind. He stood on one knee and had his arms around that lithe and shaking body. He embraced him closely and put his cheek on his shoulder. The weak sobs coming from the blonde blast right through his heart and all he could think about was how dense he had been to worry Naruto so. If he hadn't gone with braid-man, then Naruto wouldn't be feeling like this. He shouldn't cry, shake and shout he's sorry. That is not him and neither Sasuke, but there they where, both crying… yes, a few drops were making their way down his cheeks, but he refused to acknowledge them.
"When I heard the noises, Sasuke… I was sure he was raping you and I went mad. I couldn't take it. You have saved me so many times, always been there although acting like a complete bastard most of the time and, Sasuke, it felt as if you were dying on me right there…"
"You did a pretty good job destroying the door", Sasuke whispered gently, trying to change the subject and hide his emotions but he knew he failed when Naruto's hand came up to close itself around Sasuke's forearm.
"When I saw you below him like that, I was sure you were dead. I thought he had killed you and kept going… it was terrible!"
"It was a fine hole you did to that door, a great investment really."
"So I kicked him off you and that disgusting… that scum kept moaning when he flew in the air! Sitta-chan came after me and took care of that bastard, giving him a few bruisers and cuts. But you…", Naruto gulped. "… You're supposed to withstand everything!"
"I'm no god, Naruto…"
"You just lay there, staring onto the stupid wall as if you expected it to fall down on him. You didn't hear when I screamed at you… and when I held you, you were so cold…"
Sasuke's heart was tightening and he couldn't help the tears form coming. That's the third time he'd cried in two days and he hated it. But he hated himself even more for making Naruto cry. "Naruto, calm down please. Don't bother blaming yourself…"
"Of course I'm going to blame myself! I let him do that to you!"
Sasuke screamed in frustration and pulled Naruto down with him, flipping them over so Naruto was lying on his back. He never let go of the blonde as he laid down on him, tilting his head comfortable on Naruto's chest, which rose and fell in a continuously pattern. He didn't dare looking Naruto in the eyes; he already knew that they were red from the crying and seeing them would make everything much harder.
"You were the one who saved me Naruto! You were the one who found me and you were the one who stopped him. You did everything in your power just to keep me safe!" Sasuke screamed and gripped his torso.
"I'm so happy, you stupid moron... I'm so happy that it was you who found me. So stop blaming yourself when I owe you my life… and virginity", he chuckled at last, into his t-shirt.
He felt how two arms encircled him and he couldn't help but sigh contently. "We're acting way too uncharacteristically. You offering me your virginity is pretty odd…" Naruto laughed while hugging Sasuke closer.
"Well, it was only theoretical…" Sasuke frowned.
"I know, I know… but Sitta-chan would never believe that."
"Well, he's weird", Sasuke snorted and tried not to smile, failing incredibly.
"True."
"Don't tell him."
"I won't."
Hours actually passed and they kept lying there, in the doorway, where the sun shone over them and enveloped them in warmth. Sasuke was still on top of Naruto, both having their arms around the other and legs intertwined. Naruto was hugging him tight and rubbing Sasuke's back affectionately, trying to ease his pain away. It didn't feel awkward or even weird. It just felt safe. Neither wanted to bring the subject of why up and neither wanted to break the comfortable moment.
Sasuke was actually gibbering angrily with his so called ethics. The scary feelings and foreboding prophecies about braid-man's grand return were starting to leave him. His body still ached from the man's repeatedly pounding to his pelvis and his skin still itched when he thought about that man licking him and touching him. He was still extremely uncomfortable about the whole remembrance of what took place the other evening all alone with an aroused, and rather handsome, man who didn't take no for an answer. Yes, Sasuke knew and had reluctantly agreed that the man was attractive. But just because he was attractive didn't mean that Sasuke had granted him permission to ever touch him. Instead it made him angrier when he thought about it.
He had in some parts of his body felt, beyond doubt, flattered by the sweet words of such a fine-looking person. The fact that the man even paid him attention flattered him. It wasn't until the man showed habits similar to the other sex-crazed men that he wanted to put as much distance between them as possible. Now he even hated himself for ever feeling complimented by him. And he was appalled by the fact that he considered braid-man to be attractive. He held back a furious growl, to not confuse Naruto. He was having such anguish over his own deceived judgment. He couldn't understand how he had been mislead so easily. It defied his whole character! Now he couldn't wait to face braid-man and to prove who he really was… he wasn't some weakling. I'm going to hurt him… so bad.
As his ethics vanished into the mystified part of his mind, another thought came up. Naruto had told him that Kakashi-sensei was sorry… but the man hadn't known so why was he sorry? Sasuke sighed and tried to make it sound pleased when it in fact was bothered. A feeling of guilt passed through him. Kakashi-sensei was probably going to hurt braid-man significantly if he found him. Sasuke knew how Kakashi were… a lazy bastard with a weird sense of humour, but not only that. He was a proud man with much more moral principles than any other Sasuke knew. Sasuke also knew that Kakashi-sensei cared for his students and now he probably felt as if he had let them down.
Sasuke was sure that Kakashi was feeling guilty. The man hadn't meant for anything of this to ever happen. When they had entered this village his only intention had been to teach his students how to earn money, just like a shinobi must do, even if the job doesn't fit their norms. It's really an admirably cause. But it came back to hit his teacher in the face when their manager had set one of his student up. Now Kakashi-sensei was on an enraged rampage, trying to soothe his own guilt and shame, and at the same time do the right thing.
Sasuke couldn't help feel sorry for Kakashi-sensei and he promised to talk to him the next time he would see him. He was going to tell him that it wasn't his fault; it was nobody's fault… other than braid-man's and maybe Mahami-sama's. And it sure wasn't Sitta-chan's. Why is everybody blaming themselves? Firstly Naruto, secondly Kakashi-sensei… now Sitta-chan. None of the people he wanted to blame. Naruto was his pillar of support, Kakashi was his educator who took care of him even if it meant by his own little quirks and Sitta-chan was the one who literally changed him. He hadn't noticed before how an extremely different person he had become ever since he had been in the company of that, really beautiful, cross-dresser. First of all, he had never considered people beautiful before, not to mention guys. And now he even found a bloody madman attractive!
He surveyed his surroundings as if the answers would come to him, but they didn't. Instead all he could see was how bright it was in the room, the dust which played in the sunbeam across the area and the firm, black t-shirt clad, torso his head rested upon. When he though about it, that was one of Sitta-chan's many traits… he had on some way opened Sasuke's eyes regarding his friends. Sure, it still must have been something in the water or the fall from the cliff and its companion edge. But Sitta-chan had kept on questioning him with these sly, devious and sneaky remarks now and then, teasing him and stating such obvious things that Sasuke was beginning to think they might be true. Now, don't you think that Sasuke was going to jump around declaring his love for everything he enjoyed or liked. That was not the case. It was more in the sense of accepting that he needed some persons in his life, or rather someone. He wasn't ready to acknowledge anything else right now, his mind was still upset and his body didn't really want to be touched. But why didn't Sitta-chan's or Naruto's contact bother him?
He squeezed his eyes shut and wriggled his body to get more comfortable, bringing his arms above his head and around Naruto's neck. The movement was in Sasuke's eyes quite innocent but he knew from knowledge that Sitta-chan would have disputed, quite heatedly actually… probably laughing, pointing and flashing rather seductive smiles at them both. Naruto didn't say anything at the contact though and instead welcomed it by moving an encouraging hand smoothly down to the curve of the lower part of Sasuke's back, warming him even more, and one hand slithering up behind his shoulder blades. And that was all that mattered to Sasuke, that secure contact. But while Sasuke continued to move he accidentally brushed his knee against an area on Naruto's body which most people consider to be highly private and it did not only send shivers down his spine but it also made Naruto rigid.
He mumbled a quick apology into his pillar of support's chest and blushed. The memory of their bath entered his mind and he couldn't help wonder if he still had the bite-marks. He had to think of something else… fast! If he started to think about their arrangement once again he was sure he was going mad. And then a thought popped up, forcing everything else away. He really didn't want to break the affectionate moment they were having, because he was feeling rather good. Naruto's hold was so much different from braid-man's. But Sasuke really had to; the question was eating him up.
"Where's Sakura?"
The randomness of the question made Naruto squirm from beneath Sasuke and eventually the black haired forced himself up, keeping Naruto locked with a stare and of course his legs which he had planted on either side of the blonde. "Something happen I should know about?"
Naruto crossed his arms under his head and looked away, muttering uncaringly. "No."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "You are such a bad liar. I've seen ever since we fell of that damned cliff that both of you've been acting weird."
"And you haven't?" Naruto puffed and sulked.
Sasuke ignored him and poked him in the chest with a determined finger. "What has she been saying to you? When we were in the cave she told you she wanted nothing to do with you. Haven't you given up on her yet?"
At that Naruto shot up and grabbed Sasuke's collar, and yes… Sasuke was still sitting in his lap and he was beginning to feel very odd in that, what Sitta-chan probably would have called, promising position.
"I have given up on her, but it's none of your business!"
"That didn't sound like the guy who a few hours ago cried in my arms, telling me that he was afraid of losing me…", he mocked and rolled his eyes as Naruto gritted his teeth, albeit letting go of his collar and placing his hands firmly against Sasuke's chest instead while looking down, shielding his eyes in the process.
"Just forget about it."
The strange behaviour put him off directly and something in his gut told him not to press on the subject. Instead he, uncharacteristically, wrapped his arms around Naruto's body and massaged his back. "Sure", he mumbled into the now absolute rigid blonde's hair. "But I still don't know where she is…"
He knew he shouldn't be hugging like this. He knew it was out of the ordinary and not at all similar to how they used to behave around each other. Kicking, hitting and verbal abuse were their routine. But the nervous feeling, tingling, in his body each time he held onto Naruto was too good to let pass. Do not read into it, do not! he screamed at himself as he shut his eyes.
The hands that had been placed on his chest worked themselves around Sasuke's waist and held him even closer. Sasuke had the hardest time not reading into their position and his mantra was beginning to loose its touch. As said, they usually didn't hug each other but now Sasuke found himself more and more often in the blonde's arms, but neither Naruto nor he ever complained. It had been a weird couple of days and why wouldn't it continue?
"She's probably out. She was mad at me and left. Although, she really cared for you Sasuke, like always… don't think she didn't because-"
"I don't care about what she thinks. As long as she wasn't on braid-man's side then I'm content."
"She would never do that to you."
"I know… let's just forget it shall we? She is out and everything is perfectly fine."
"Mhmm…", Naruto breathed. "The sun shines, the birds chirps-"
"It's warm, we're stuffed with food and-"
"And Sasuke is safe."
Sasuke smiled. "Yeah, thanks to you."
"Jupp, thanks to me!"
Sitta-chan would probably have squealed with delight if he had walked in on them right that minute. But the older boy was gone, as Kakashi-sensei and Sakura. Naruto and Sasuke were literally left alone with Mahami-sama, wherever she was… probably sleeping. Apparently, according to Sitta-chan, had Mahami-sama refused to talk to him when he had delivered the bad news about braid-man and Sasuke. She had said she was sick. Kakashi-sensei hadn't been informed about Mahami-sama's treachery as he had left before Sasuke had waked up. And since Mahami-sama claimed to be sick Sasuke didn't know if Sitta-chan had confirmed his accusations with her. He just hoped that Sitta-chan stayed out of it, or else he might get hurt. But a feeling in his heart told him that the older boy indeed had intervened and gotten himself in trouble. As he sat there, literally in Naruto's lap and enveloped in his muscular arms, his worry started to grow. He would have been disappointed if Naruto hadn't noticed.
"What's wrong, bastard?" he said, throwing in his old nickname for old times sake.
Sasuke clicked his tongue. "I think Sitta-chan's in trouble."
"Why'd you think that?"
Sasuke released Naruto and looked him in the eye. "Just a hunch."
Naruto frowned and seemed to deliberate hard. "Where did he go?"
"I don't know and that's what concerns me, what if-"
"What if he went to Mahami-sama to confront her?" Naruto interrupted and grabbed hold of Sasuke's shoulder manically.
Sasuke knew he had to be the calmer of the two or otherwise they wouldn't figure out anything. "That doesn't mean that anything happened", he said and felt how his stomach turned with nervousness.
"Sure it does. Mahami-sama is a witch… I don't think she loves Sitta-chan as a daughter, err, son or whatever. Sitta-chan's just one of her workers!"
"She doesn't hurt her employees… that we know of anyway…", Sasuke said and released himself from Naruto's hold, moved smoothly off his lap and stood up. Naruto gave Sasuke a questioning look as he removed himself. "But we should take a look."
"Where should we look for him then?" Naruto asked and jumped to his feet, nonetheless falling down on his bottom yet again when the realization of his sleeping legs made itself known. Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at the shocked face on his blonde partner. I've sat on him for too long.
Moments later they had thrown the door open and hurried through the hallways, passing rooms which looked identically to the one they recently left. Neither of them could remember where Mahami-sama's room was and they were of course blaming each other greatly for not paying attention before. They passed the bath several times before they realized that it was the same bath and not six different ones. They passed their own room quite a few times as well before they recognized the hallways. As everyone watching could see; they were growing mad.
Anxiety over their lost, new-found, friend put them in a sort of rampage state of mind, in which they would have jumped through walls just in case it would lead them directly to him or make the journey faster. Sasuke's body told him not to, though. For with every step he took, his body jerked and the realization to what he had been through flashed before him once again. It was starting to get on his nerves. Therefore, he kept running, kept his mouth shut and held back his worries, not telling Naruto that he was in pain. It would only lead to something stupid as: Naruto carrying him or Naruto refusing Sasuke to keep going and doing it all by himself. Sasuke refused to be carried and he hated the idea of not being there for Sitta-chan, as weird it may sound. Somehow though, just running alongside Naruto felt good. It refreshed his memory of how it used to be, before all of this and before his feelings started to act strange. He was almost lost completely in nostalgically memories when a scream brought them both to a halt. Sasuke growled loudly when a pink girl appeared in front of them, standing in their way, flushed as she apparently had been running as well.
"Sasuke-kun!" she screamed as she attached herself to his middle. Sasuke winched and pushed her off rather harshly, pain evidently in his eyes before they changed relatively fast into a fierce glare. He tried to ignore Naruto standing beside him, throwing angry looks, but it was hard. Why's he mad at me for?
"We're busy, Sakura. So get out of-"
"No, Sasuke-kun! You must listen-"
"Where's Mahami-sama's room?"
"But-"
"Where, Sakura? Where is it?" Sasuke repeated, seemingly furious by the fact that she stopped them.
She bit her lip, sighed and pointed down the hall. She was just about to open her mouth again when the boys tried walking past her. Throwing her arms up, halting them once again she hollered: "Sasuke-kun, wait! Kakashi is looking for you."
"Sakura, we don't have time for this", Naruto surprised Sasuke by growling at the girl. "Please, step out of our way. We're trying to find Sitta-chan!"
"Shut up Naruto! I don't care about her! This is more important. Kakashi-sensei said-"
"No! You shut up!" Naruto screamed, grabbed a shocked Sasuke's hand and pulled him with him as he started running. Sasuke didn't know what to think. That was the first time he'd ever heard Naruto telling Sakura off.
They reached the room fairly quickly. Sasuke could hear Sakura's furious screaming behind them but chose to ignore her completely and to his second surprise in just a few minutes, Naruto paid no heed to her as well. He almost smiled at the though that Naruto really had given up on her. He bit his lip. Why do I care anyway? Shaking the thought out of his mind, neglecting Sakura's shrilling voice and giving Naruto a determined look he grabbed for the door.
The door slid away and the familiar room came into view. Sasuke hated this room, he hated its inhabitant and he hated how the smoke lingered even if the woman hadn't smoked that day. It looked just like every other room except that Mahami-sama wasn't afraid of showing off that she was the owner and the richest in the house. On the walls hung traditional art, on the floor stood her closet, probably filled with the kimonos she refused to be worn by others, and by the big window hung a lustrous mirror. Sasuke couldn't understand how such a repulsive, wicked and horrendously devious woman could ever residence and own such a wonderful room. It sure didn't portrait her personality.
Suddenly he halted; Naruto did the same and even time proved to be standing still. He almost cursed himself for not noticing that Mahami-sama in fact sat there, on a cushion with a low table in front of herself filled with papers and ink, staring straight into his soul while smiling mischievously. Sasuke gulped when he saw Sitta-chan sitting in front of her, with back turned towards them. He called the older boy's name. He yelled his name twice before waiting for an answer became too frustrating. He took a step inside the room but Naruto's hand on his shoulder stopped him. When he noticed Mahami-sama's gleam in her eyes he staggered back. Why was he so afraid of some old woman?
"Sitta-chan?" he called once again, anxiety unmistakably in his shaking voice, and the smile on Mahami-sama's face broadened even more. Naruto tensed by his side, they both knew something was wrong.
"I do not think he will be going with you for a long time", she said and lifted her hand, showing them her paintbrush. "We're going over our account and…" she looked in her papers nonchalantly as if the boys didn't pay any threat to her. "We found out that Sitta-chan has quite a large debt." Then she started snickering, waving her brush in front of her face in a mocking movement and turned her attention to the cross-dresser before her. "You have the odds against you, don't you dear?"
Suddenly Sitta-chan's head dropped, shoulders sagged deeply and his whole body slumped. The lithe body began swaying slightly to and fro before a discreet thud could be heard when Sitta-chan collapsed on the floor. Sasuke and Naruto stood shaken and motionless in the doorway, eyes wide with disbelief. While Mahami-sama continued to laugh, Sasuke swiftly noticed that a still wet paintbrush, dripping with ink, was pointing out of Sitta-chan's chest, blood unmistakably soaking his kimono.
"Sitta-chan!" Sasuke didn't even realize he was screaming before both he and Naruto had fallen down on their knees beside the lifeless Sitta-chan, shaking to see if he still was alive.
Everything was in a haze after that. Mahami-sama's insane laughter echoed in the room and merged with Naruto's screaming. Blood on his hands blended with what seemed to be ink and his eyes blurred with unshed tears as he just sat there, staring at Sitta-chan's still face. He almost didn't hear Sakura's scream in the background as she apparently was pushed aside and hit the wall. He refused to tune in on his surroundings while he with shaking fingers touched the cold fabric of Sitta-chan's. But as a deep voice suddenly shattered the nightmare he froze in his spot. Almost not daring he glanced up in the mirror and gasped loudly. His grip tightening around Sitta-chan's wrist and he almost cried as he met the green eyes filled with desire.
"Even beautiful in a boy's clothes…", braid-man said and slowly closed the door behind him.
That's the seventh for you. Please support me. It was a hard chapter to write but it had to be done, since… you know… I have a plan snickers.
Your encouragement is what keeps me typing; otherwise I will probably drop this… unfortunately. So don't stop reviewing please!
Yours truly
/Tsuki no Kitsune