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. A great deal of OOC-ness.

Gee, thank you all. And thank you for your patience! But I got some freaky write-impulse today and finished it like that - snaps fingers-

This is actually the last chapter before the epilogue. Well, that's what is being planned right now. As some actually said, and I agree, the story can feel dragged if I don't close the bag soon and maybe write some sort of sequel later (if it's requested that is?).

Now… on with the story and the next chapter of Go with the flow, chapter (this little toddler might fall of a chair) eleven

Hint

Something, yes it sure had been something.

Sasuke was sure. Not only due to the sudden, harsh and unbelievable thump in the deepest pit of his bottomless gut, but he was sure that Naruto's eyes suddenly had gleamed because of the smile, the tint of pink and the sudden change of topic. Sasuke was sure… it was something but he couldn't be sure of what exactly. Was it a mischievous gleam, a pink shade caused by incredulous laughing and maybe a change of topic because now the blonde boy had found something to blackmail Sasuke with? It all came back to something and at the same time nothing.

Naruto had mumbled a quick "I see…", before retreating and tackling Sitta-chan to the floor in a weird kind of squeal. Sasuke had just recently discovered the truth about his own escalating feelings and now a strange suspicion that Naruto also knew about it haunted him. He didn't feel up to the task of asking the boy straight out about what he might think about it though. Because he was beginning to feel… was it normal to feel… nervous? He'd never dealt with this kind of things, so he figured Sakura would be a source of information but thought otherwise when he remembered her infatuation with him. On the other hand, he felt that he needed help. It made his heartbeat quicken when he imagined Naruto touching him even in the slightest and maybe even utter a confession.

Sasuke would have gone beat red if it hadn't been for the extremely stubborn part of him. Rising to his feet and treading heavily over to the window he threw it open and inhaled deeply, shaking his head clear of all romantic thoughts occupying it temporarily. He was so lost in his mind, trying not to think, that he almost didn't hear the door gliding open and shut simultaneously. He turned around quickly and realized that Naruto had left them. Suddenly he felt abandoned, it was ridiculous but something inside of him wanted to go with him instead of being left behind.

"Naruto-kun will be back, come and sit Sasuke-kun", Sitta-chan said tenderly and patted the cushion beside him. Sasuke hesitated slightly before doing as told.

"Where did he go?"

"Don't worry; I'm sure he'll be back."

Sasuke gave him a glare. "I was just wondering where he went."

"Okay", he said simply and stretched out on the futon. Swinging one of his legs over the other propped up one, dangling his foot.

Sasuke fumed. "And? Are you deaf?"

Sitta-chan closed his eyes and crossed his arms beneath his head. "Of course not, otherwise I wouldn't be able to hear your baritone voice, which I highly enjoy by the way. Especially when you get frantic, desperately in search for your belo-"

"Idiot", he mumbled. "Just tell me where he went."

"Bathroom, are you going to chase after him anyway? He might find the place a bit too open, but who knows… maybe he's into the kinky stuff."

"What are you saying!" Sasuke screamed and flustered. "I was just asking! D… don't jump to conclusions like that!"

"Poor Sasuke-kun, all confused. Maybe you should go there and get it over with, release yourself in any way appropriate for the occasion", Sitta-chan said seriously and wiggled his toes. "But remember that it's a two way thing, if not the other is willing then-"

"Shut up!" Sasuke felt how his insides twisted, even his toes tensed as he screamed. "I'm not going to do that. Never!"

Sitta-chan opened his eyes and gave him a puzzled look. "Are you going to be a virgin for the rest of your life?"

"Yes!" he seethed.

"Too bad."

"Why do you care?" he muttered and looked the other way. Why had sex become the most popular topic recently?

"I'm not the one who does." Suddenly the door opened again. "Oh, Naruto-kun… what a quickie!"

"Oh shut up", the blonde muttered exasperatedly and sat down. "Couldn't find the bathroom…"

"Dobe", Sasuke let the snicker escape his mouth and successfully evaded the angered punch Naruto send him.

"Will you manage, Naruto?" Sitta-chan asked. "I recall it was very urgent."

Sasuke saw the rolling of Naruto's eyes in the direction of the cross-dresser and sighed. He was childish, that blonde over there, he mused… but found the behaviour unusually relaxing. However, knowing what plans Sitta-chan had in store for them, or even the simple suggestions he so pompously voiced, had his skin crawling. I'm so not ready for… that…

"Yo! Sasuke… stop spacing out!" Naruto's voice cut through and he nodded silently.

A feral growl, a chase around the room and a snicker later, coming from the only still person in the room, Sasuke once again sat down and tried relaxing. The blonde had gone all out on him as he suddenly decided to chase him, for some unknown reason of course, and was now exhausted. Naruto was sprawled on the floor, legs wide apart and chest heaving with every intake. Sasuke had been forced to bite down hard on his bottom lip while running, dodging and trying not to trip over a whistling Sitta-chan. His pelvis and ribcage still ached you see, and not to mention his fingers.

He pushed his own thoughts away. Neither braid-man nor Naruto were people he wanted to think about right know, so he let his eyes travel to the window. It had turned pitch black outside, apparently. No wonder he felt tired. He glanced at Naruto in the corner of his eyes… the idiot had fallen asleep and a yawn told him that Sitta-chan was about to slumber as well. Sasuke sighed and looked outside again, trying to decipher anything containing even some slight significance but found nothing but his own degrading thoughts again. He realized how easy it was for him to brood when it was quiet, nothing to hinder him, and he almost missed the indecent conversation earlier. It had kept him occupied at least. He hated to admit it, him being Sasuke and all, that he was feeling a bit… a teeny bit of fear still in the deepest pit of his gut, hidden behind layers and layers of dust. He had no idea where his sensei was at the moment, if he had succeeded in catching the man… or maybe braid-man had something up his sleeve, turning out to be more dangerous than suspected… and that Kakashi would turn up dead in the morning.

Sasuke scratched his knee while sitting more hunched over. His vision blurred and he closed his eyes. He had vowed to kill both braid-man and his sensei… okay, maybe the death threat against his teacher was a spur of the moment thing, while falling down a cliff… but he hadn't succeeded in killing braid-man either. Now he might not get the chance to settle the score. Shaking hands clasped around his ankles as he leaned forward, head hung down. He wanted to go home, like never before, but before he knew what hit him sleep took over his senses and he slid down on his stomach. While turning on his side he pulled his legs against his chest and wrapped his arms around them, falling in a dreamless sleep.

Something was shaking, his world was trembling.

Warm fingers was clutching onto his arms. He knew, because he felt them. But due to the fear of who the owner might be, he tried feigning sleep for so long that the hands would out of boredom release him and give up. But they didn't. Instead they became more and more determined to awake him. He just hoped…

"Sasuke-kun!"

… that the hands didn't belong to Him and…

"Wake up! Sasuke-kun."

… the voice to belong to someone else.

"Sasuke-bastard! Get your sorry ass up, we can't wait forever!"

Sasuke stirred on the floor. "Naruto…?" he mumbled and pried the sore eyes open. He felt so tired, and the sight of extreme pink overwhelmed him completely. "Sakura."

The girl was the one clutching onto his arms, the voice pulling him back and he felt relieved. She helped him sit up and he realized that sleeping had somehow helped his body, since it didn't ache as much. Tiredly he scanned the room, with its sunlit floor and demeanour. He realized that the futons which hadn't been used that night were folded neatly in one corner and a tray was still placed next to it, probably containing leftovers from his food. Sitta-chan was gone and before he could question his whereabouts an orange blob caught his fleeting look. Once again he muttered the name, as if tasting it on his lips.

"What do you want, Sasuke? I ain't carrying you, if that's what you expected."

The severe look on the blonde's face began a stirring in Sasuke's stomach. He couldn't believe that the same Naruto, who had the day prior boasted on about his sexuality, was the same strict looking bouncer next to the door. He felt like to question him about where the other Naruto had gone, but thought otherwise… especially when Sakura persisted on pulling him onto his feet. He ignored her pink cheeks as he accidentally bumped into her, not used to the swaying yet.

"Where are we going?" he asked and masked a yawn with his palm.

Naruto suddenly shot him an excited look. "Home."

Sasuke's eyes widened with extreme shock and he took a step forward. "What are you talking about?"

Naruto wiped a finger below his nose and in a proud posture he leaned against the wall. "We are going home soon."

"What about-" Sasuke began and twitched when Sakura's hand touched his shoulder.

"Kakashi-sensei is waiting for us", she said and turned to Naruto when Sasuke's bothered glower sent her chills. "Naruto lets go, so get out of the way."

Sasuke watched as Naruto's smile died and he moved away, even though he wasn't really in the way. When Sakura tried pulling Sasuke forwards, he stopped dead in his tracks. Pink hair whipped back and she stared curiously at him. When she, after trying to read his features, opted to ask what the matter was, Sasuke prevent her. "I want to speak to Naruto, alone."

She nodded meekly and left, without questions. When the door closed behind her, Sasuke turned to Naruto. "Is he there?"

Naruto pushed away from the wall and took a step further into the room, hands in his pockets. "Kakashi? Yeah… she just said so, didn't she?"

"No, I mean braid-man", Sasuke answered and looked down at his feet. "I don't want to see him."

Naruto's sigh echoed and the boy took another step closer. "He isn't supposed to be there, and that's all I know. Kakashi-sensei just said to fetch you… it looked kind of urgent, and then he disappeared into the room. Never got the chance to see what it was in there though." Naruto smiled apologetically and scratched his head. "Come on, let's go."

Sasuke eyed him again, and thrust his hands inside his pockets. "Show the way."

A second later they both were out of the door, Naruto leading the way through the hallway. Sasuke had lost the interest to keep track of the countless of corridors and hallways a long time ago and kept his eyes locked on the shoulders of his blonde friend in front if him. An ill chill ran down his spine and he shook his head clear of all anxiety.

"Sasuke", Naruto said over his shoulder, without looking back. "I don't think he'd be in there. Kakashi-sensei wouldn't let him… so, why don't you think happy thoughts, instead of stalking me with your sighing."

"I'm not stalking you, usuratonkachi, you're showing me the way", he growled half humoured.

"Happy thoughts, Sasuke, happy thoughts."

"Hn…", he said and rolled his eyes, catching a brief glance at Naruto's strong hand when it once again scratched his nape.

"Ramen, think about ramen… that's a happy thing!"

"Just show the way."

"Or, what do you like… maybe something more salty, how about-"

"Idiot", he mumbled under his breath. He was certain that Naruto would have spun around to kick his teeth out if it hadn't been for the sudden exclamation of arrival. Sasuke walked up to him and watched feverishly when the other boy began to pull the door aside, not before knocking of course. He was greeted by a mellow looking Kakashi, sitting on a pillow just like Sakura was. The girl spun around, shutting all conversation she had with her sensei, to smile happily at Sasuke. He merely frowned and followed Naruto inside, he wasn't so fond of Sakura's advances and was really beginning to detest them. Instead, when he sat down opposite Kakashi, he eyed the man almost impatiently.

Kakashi looked the same as always, despite the tired look in his eyes, some dirt that could be seen on his pants, as if he had been thrown to the ground in a fight, and on his shoulder was a tint of red. Sasuke knew it was blood the very same minute Kakashi met his eyes.

"What happened?" he blurted out and Kakashi watched him intently. "Did you get him? Is he dead? I told you I wanted him alive! What have you done?"

"Sasuke-kun, take it easy", Sakura whispered and he swatted her hand away harshly.

Sasuke had so many questions that he lost all kind restrain. He had kept his worry bottled up inside of him. "Kakashi-sensei…"

"Sasuke", their sensei began and kept his eyes locked with the black haired. "This was a mission, well it commenced as such."

"What do you mean?" Naruto suddenly barked and joined the conversation. Sasuke shot him a look, don't they know either?

A sigh from their cloth-clad sensei escaped. "The mission you had was very easy, you thought so too, and it was meant to look that way. For the real mission was supposed to be unknown. You were supposed to be tested in stealth and adapting. This village is not off the map, I know the way back and how to get here. We were never 'lost'."

"But all that happened-" Sasuke yelled before being interrupted.

"Let me explain", he said sternly. "Hokage-sama sent you out for this mission. She prepared housing with Mahami-sama and a suitable work for you to 'adapt to'. Tsunade insisted on something you would never come across on a daily basis and something she knew, especially, the boys would never dream of having to submit to. As I said earlier, it's a job… and you had to cope with it. A shinobi must sometimes go undercover and Tsunade thought it would be-"

"Sasuke was almost ra-" Naruo screeched.

"-wise to examine your ability to cope with unfamiliar environment, as well as skill to take your work seriously." He sighed loudly and watched his three students. "Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto… something went wrong. And neither me nor Hokage-sama can be more sorry than we already are."

"Kakashi-sensei", Naruto said angrily. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying… that I could have pulled you out whenever I wanted, because this was just training. Not real life, no obligations."

Sasuke's head was spinning. He had feared something like this was the cause of it all. "Why didn't you?" he said exhaustedly and looked the other way. "You knew what we were forced to do."

He didn't answer at first; just staring at Sasuke's averting face as if searching for forgiveness. Then he sighed again and stretched his legs a bit. "You were put to the test. Your unknown test was to adapt, as I said."

"But Kakashi-sensei", Sakura cried loudly. "We were supposed to entertain them!"

"A part of your 'undercover assignment'. A shinobi must be able to do whatever a client wishes. And as a shinobi…", Kakashi scratched his chin", … you are forced to grow up too fast. But, it was never planned to go farther than dancing, tea and music. What happened was because of Mahami-sama's weakness for money."

Two of his three student gaped at him, while the other seemed to gaze into nothingness. Sasuke began to mumble, and Kakashi had to listen intently to catch the small words. "I don't blame you…" I never did. "You were fooled, just as I was…"

Minutes actually passed before anyone spoke again. Kakashi was relieved to hear those small, encouraging words, Sakura stared into the wall while uncomfortable rubbing out the wrinkles in her clothes and Naruto was turmoil of feelings. He was mad and at the same time happy, especially to be able to go home and forget. He was going to have a little chat with the Hokage! Sasuke felt extremely tired, as if he had run for hours.

"She never told me", Kakashi's voice cut through the quiet room. "Mahami-sama didn't, of course, tell me that she had sold you off, Sasuke. I would have had her arrested if I did. And before I knew it, that man had already taken advantage of you. I actually thought you would be safe here, in Mahami-sama's house since I never thought for second that she had anything to do with it. But I found myself in the same situation all over again as he came back for you, while I was out searching… as well as trying to contact Hokage-sama and inform her of the events."

Sasuke nodded and glanced at Naruto, who was by the way sitting so close to him that he could feel the heat being emitted. He felt reassured almost immediately and straightened his back. "How come he succeeded in escaping all the time? Is he a shinobi?"

Kakashi gaped at Sasuke at first, surprised that the black haired regained his toughness in his voice. It made him less cautious and smiled. "No, Sasuke… he wasn't. He was a thief."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "He covered up his tracks so well, even you couldn't find him!"

"He used a smokebomb!" Naruto filled in and crossed him arms over his chest, pouting and closing his eyes hard when he tried to figure out it for himself. "I don't get it."

"Did he steal the bombs?" Sakura asked.

"That man runs a big corporation, he earns a lot of money but apparently he never gets enough of it either. It's told that he hires shinobis to threaten, for example, oil-companies into selling their property to him. He uses illegal forces to obtain more power in society and he is, as of this moment, owner of a big paper manufacture in this village. Thanks to his knowledge of the village he's very acquainted with it's loopholes. As for the smokebombs; he's more then friendly with other shinobis. It's possible that he borrowed or stole them. I have no idea."

He turned to Sasuke. "Why did you think he was a shinobi?"

Sasuke tensed, not sure if he should tell them or not. "He was strong."

"Did you fight him?"

Sasuke frowned and looked the other way, to not show him his shamefaced look. "I went passive whenever he touched me, it was as if it was a genjutsu."

Kakashi gave him remorseful gaze. "He's a master in manipulations. That's his way of getting what he wants… but he knows no shinobi techniques."

"Are you sure Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto questioned after seeing Sasuke's dejected face. A nod told him that Kakashi hadn't joked.

Once again it felt like his whole world was spinning. He couldn't believe how stupid this made him look. Braid-man wasn't even, apparently, a match in combat and Sasuke couldn't take him on anyway. It was despicable! He would have rushed out of the room, to get some air, if not Naruto had inched closer and closed his hand around Sasuke's ankle. Sasuke tensed, searched for any indication that their sensei had noticed their touching but found that the man had closed his eyes. Probably thinking of what to say next. Sakura hadn't noticed either, since she was at the moment pacing around in the room. At last, Sasuke turned his head towards Naruto. The blonde wasn't looking straight at him, instead he ogled him from the corner of his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Now you can beat his royal ass how much you want", he whispered. "Or else, I'm going to kick yours, got it?"

Sasuke thanked him with a curt nod and relaxed his shoulders, accidentally bumping into Naruto. The brief touch, the proximity of their bodies and the hand holding his ankle tightly made him sweat. Now he needed to get fresh air for a whole other reason. He was sure this attraction to his friend wasn't only something physical, if that had been the case… why hadn't he felt this way before? No, nowadays he felt the strange connection… very clearly. He cursed himself for the sappy sound to it. But it had to be true. Who else than Naruto, with his own little quirks (such as driving Sasuke completely mad most of the time), had stuck with him through everything… not giving up? No one he'd know of, no one who had penetrated his shield as much and no one like him had treated Sasuke just "as usually" through right about everything.

Sasuke felt a throbbing need to slide his hand down his side and grasp Naruto's clutched fist around his ankle. Firstly; the grip was becoming rather hard, and cut off the circulation of his blood and secondly; he was feeling thankful. Nothing but a reassuring squeeze came to him as the proper way of showing the blonde that he was grateful for the support. However; he didn't want Naruto to get the wrong idea so he pushed the urge down and refrained from clasping Naruto's hand, that warm hand.

He could have explained his confused feeling to Naruto several times already, but found the conversation to be as much awkward as personal. The fact that he was getting interrupted each time was also one of the major holdbacks. He sure didn't want Sitta-chan in earshot. Sasuke wouldn't live down the shame of the extreme laughter and for sure, Sitta-chan would laugh his eyes out and probably prove that he's the number one perverted in the whole house... and probably, if Jiraiya-sama was in the neighbourhood, give him a rough competition of the title. Okay, so Sasuke could, and would, admit that he didn't know the ero-sennin personally and couldn't therefore make a very accurate comparison, but he knew of the rumours.

From experience though, he knew Sitta-chan and how he functioned. Naruto had of course been much more influenced than he first had dared to believe… was it the continuing sex-talks that swayed him over to the perverted side or had the blonde always been like that? Sasuke wondered on. All he knows is that it makes the whole situation harder to bring up.

I refuse to turn in to a laughingstock.

Nevertheless, as Sasuke's mind began to wander off into more private quarters, he couldn't help but remember Naruto's innocent-sounding words. He had told him that it's a shame to waste him…me. A hopeful glimmer in his heart didn't want to believe the explanation he had gotten earlier. Maybe he was just pushing his luck, probably, but what if there had been more meaning to the words from the blonde?

Sasuke sighed. Even if something like that was the case… what could possibly happen between them? What do I want to happen? I just know that things are a whole lot more complicated than before… and that I can make a royal piece of humiliated ass of myself if I'm not cautious. He let an out a low grumble before moving his eyes away from the floor to gaze at the window. Just don't ever let Sitta-chan know about this…he told himself eventually.

The silent room was, in the beginning, quite awkward but as the silence stretched it became more and more comfortable. Neither really wanted to discuss braid-man yet. Sasuke was afraid of the answers he would get and Kakashi didn't consider himself in any position to force the boy to realize the circumstances just yet. He would wait… even if Naruto was, at the moment, rigid with curiosity he wouldn't budge.

The said boy, much to Sasuke's knowledge, was irking to know. It surprised him that he hadn't screamed on top of his lungs by now. He was glad though and he was even more relieved that Sakura didn't say a word. Sure, she was intelligent and could really be helpful in certain situations, but now he really didn't need someone to look after him, asking him how he was feeling and what he would do to braid-man (if he's still alive that is). All he needed was time to think and all that time he was taking was driving Naruto nuts.

He chuckled, a very dignifying sound compared to some loud hullabaloo. He's cheering me up whiteout knowing.

The small sound from the black haired sent the rest of the troop in total shock. They covered it up quickly and perfectly to not single him out and embarrass him. The reason for that was probably an instinct, pity even. They felt sorry for him and Sasuke was better off not knowing that either.

After what felt like hours Sasuke finally came in terms with his inner turmoil and decided to face the demon head on. Even if the news were terrible; he was going to handle it with his usual manner. "Kakashi-sensei." The man whipped his head towards his student. "Where is he?" Sure, Sasuke had always been short on words. Well used to be anyway. "Is he around here? Can I see him? Is he even alive?"

At that Kakashi's eyes widened. "Why? Do you need to see him, Sasuke?"

"He's going to kick his ass!" Naruto butt in before Sasuke even had the chance to open his mouth. "And don't you dare roll your eyes at me, bastard!"

Sasuke ignored him and rolled his eyes anyway. "I do as I please, usuratonkachi, and let me speak for myself from now on."

An exasperated "che" sounded scantily in the room as Naruto settled down, staring his black haired comrade to the core. Sasuke ignored him and gave his sensei a bored look which screamed "well…?"

"You can't see him."

And hell broke loose.

Literally speaking.

The odd part was that it wasn't Naruto who lost his temper and his livid yell that hit the roof, in the relatively still room. Of course it wasn't Sakura, who by the way looked like she had seen a ghost, or at least a small hint of what Sasuke could be capable of. Maybe her dream of the perfect boy was shattered? Maybe Sasuke had succeeded in terminating his part in this godforsaken play… but maybe he just made a fool of himself.

He had banged his fists against the wooden-floor so hard it left cracks beneath his knuckles. He inspected the splinters with indifference as he kept his head low and tried swallow the big lump he had in his throat. He didn't want to see the man again. Why would he want to see that deceiving face, his humoured smirk and hear his gleeful tone? He had no wish to get reacquainted with him ever again. He would gladly retrace his steps and cuddle down into a blonde's warm embrace, forget this ever happen and just stop feeling so damn proud and miserable. He was being ludicrous, he knew it so well. As much as he didn't want to see him… he knew he needed it.

He wasn't 13 anymore, though he wasn't going to burst out that he was a grown-up, not at all. But he had overheard, during his lifespan, girls´ conversation regarding relationships. They had mention "getting closure" on several occasions and he found them always to be extremely silly. Now he knew that he needed one of those himself.

His shoulders trembled.

"You are not allowed…", he heard the words, but chose not to register them.

He needed to restore himself in front of that man, settle the score. Prove that he isn't a weak willed person at all, not anymore and not ever. He had pride damn it! He didn't need Kakashi's words.

"… because he's in quarantine for the time being."

His knuckles cracked as he stretched his fingers, removing the splinters from his burst skin.

"I don't care", he murmured without looking up.

"I don't care either, and neither do Hokage-sama, about what you think in this matter. I'm sorry Sasuke, but you'll have to wait."

He couldn't believe it! Here he was a damn victim and he couldn't even get remedy. He didn't like thinking of himself as one of those but if they were going to see him as a victim, as they actually did…

Just look at them… those pitying looks…

… they should at least give him a chance to prove himself, and settle the score. He actually snarled, ignoring the tense body next to him, who hadn't moved an inch from him after his outburst. "Why can't I talk to him?"

He was sure that Kakashi was inspecting him. "He's in quarantine-"

"You already told me that!"

"Well, he is…"

Nobody dared interrupting the sensei and his student. It was too intense.

"That's not a reason; just get him out of there. I'm sure you're the one to put him there; you can get him out."

"No can do, Sasuke."

Sasuke's head whipped up and exposed his livid eyes. "And why not?"

Kakashi's face was equally as unwavering and fierce, not budging. "Strict orders from Hokage-sama. He's about to be put on trial, Sasuke. You can't meet with him."

"What!" Sasuke tried masking his surprise but didn't succeed as it clearly shone. "What trial? Who's prosecuting him?"

"I am." The masked man looked the other way and sighed. "Not only did he hurt you; he killed Mahami-sama and was a money swindler."

"You can't be serious…", Sasuke snarled and drooped his shoulders, eyes sinking to the floor again.

"It was the right thing to do."

"You don't understand…", his eyes soared up quickly, fixated themselves on those small pupils of his sensei's. "You don't understand at all!" He rose to his feet, his sensei followed his lead and advances quickly before the furious boy ran off.

"Listen to me, Sasuke", he spoke gently. "You can put him away for life, if you just wait."

With firm hands, burning on his shoulders, he glowered upwards. "I don't want him to keep his life at all. He's probably better off in a prison than on the streets without any money and nowhere to hide. You're just doing him a favour in not letting him out on the streets with his enemies. There and with them, he would get his fare justice." He squirmed. "Let me go!"

Sasuke pushed himself away from his sensei and bolted, literally bolted. Although he didn't look back, he heard the faint sound coming from the room as he ran. Naruto was arguing… for him, on his side? Before his ears became deaf, and he could hear no more of the heated conversation, he heard Naruto's scream… telling Sakura to back off, before a door slammed shut. Sasuke knew Naruto was the one who took chase after him. He knew those steps so well. The familiarity of those erratic breaths, as they drew nearer, eased his senses slightly.

He took a right turn and ended up in a garden. A small one with a bustling pond in the middle. The scenery was serene, but he wasn't… and as he was charging in like a murder on the loose, he couldn't really appreciate it. He was trying to find something to bash, smash his fist on and destroy. He was once again acting irrational, but he didn't give a damn about it this time.

"Sasuke!"

As he ignored him the last time, he did this time as well. He could let Naruto witness this fault too.

"Chottomatte! Wait up!"

In dashing speed he rounded a number of high greeneries and suddenly found himself face to face with a wall. Damn.

"Stop, you bastard!"

When Sasuke turned around he looked straight into blue orbs, a good five meters away. He cursed the small garden.

"What are you doing? What are you thinking? Running away like that!" Naruto took a step closer. "We've been searching you, and then finding you all messed up and tired… and NOW you try to run away from us! You need some serious beating, bastard!"

Sasuke didn't answer, except for a scowl on his face that wrinkled his fair skin.

"Not that I care anymore", Naruto continued, "but you made Sakura all frenzied. She was about to run after you as well. Do you want that? Answer me!"

"Want her frenzied or running after me?" Sasuke scoffed.

Naruto's facial expressions eased out and turned into a gentle look. "Running after you", he said after a while.

"Well, no…", Sasuke answered. "It doesn't matter anyway, I wasn't running away."

"Just running off?"

"For a while."

Naruto stepped closer and almost immediately walked past him and leaned against the wall, watching Sasuke's back at arms´ reach. "Why did you burst like that?"

Sasuke turned around swiftly and glared as heatedly he could manage, when those blue eyes of Naruto had such an easing effect on him. "Did you even hear what Kakashi-sensei said?"

"Yeah." Naruto rolled his eyes. "Even though you might not be able to beat the crap out of him yet, you'll get the satisfaction of seeing him behind bars. He'll get lousy food, hard bunk beds and horny cellmates. I'm sure he'll get punishment enough."

"Hn", Sasuke muttered and crossed his arms. He hated how that had made sense.

"Killing him now is just an easy way out."

Sasuke sighed and brought one hand up to his forehead to rub it gently. He felt a slight throbbing in his head, a sign of an oncoming headache. He glanced through his eyelashes at Naruto… he couldn't believe how the urge to approach him now was greater than the extreme hate he had felt just minutes ago. He was loosing his mind. Love… in love… crush on… what's the difference exactly?

"As much as I, really, would like to pummel that freak to the ground… I would rather see him wither away in some cell with no one else as company than some equally sex-deprived criminal." Naruto smiled a goofy grin. "Wouldn't you?"

Sasuke smirked. "I wouldn't want to watch it in action, as you do… but, I'll await your rapport."

"Hey! That not what I meant!"

"You've turned into a Sitta-chan over night, I think. Perverted and-"

"Don't you say it!" Naruto screamed loudly to drown Sasuke's voice. "Don't you dare say-"

"Gay." Sasuke's smirk broadened.

"Mou… You're mean!" Naruto cried.

Sasuke sneered and put his hands in his pockets. "You know what; I think I was born that way."

"You know what I think; I think you were born a cute little baby like me, turned evil over night and began feeding of blood the next."

Sasuke couldn't help but laugh at that. Because, even though the theory was absolutely far-fetched, it sort of made sense and Naruto's easy way of stating it made him smile. "Maybe", he mumbled quietly, looking down Naruto's chest.

Suddenly he saw a hand reaching out for him, grasping onto his shirt and roughly pulled him in. His mind had stopped but his heart was beating so loud that he began to wonder if it was Naruto's in a duet with him. However, his attention was drawn quickly to the face of his captor. He was so close. Sasuke could see every line in the other's face, every small wound on his dry lips and those dark eyelashes and how they waved. He didn't dare to meet his eyes though, afraid suddenly that the moment would pass and it would turn out that Naruto had some incurable tick that made him grab for whatever was closest.

The hand on his chest clenched harder and pulled even closer. Eventually Sasuke felt the chest belonging to his affection and a thrill went down his spine, making the hair on his arms to stand on end. The other hand belonging to Naruto came around Sasuke's lower back and his breath hitched.

"Why can't you ever take a hint?" Naruto said exasperatedly and leaned in.

Whoppido… that's that. Angry, happy… bloody pissed at me? Tell me and I'll see what I can do to make (most of) you happy in the epilogue. Although, I have the ending sort of finished. Just give me your opinions, ne?

By the way; you hate braid-man because he is braid-man- a fucking rapist, or because I write him bad? Sometimes 'this little toddler by the name of Kitsune' gets confused. It's not her fault, she was born that way.

Weeeeell... see ya next time, on Go with the flow!

Yours Truly

/Tsuki no Kitsune