To Lightdragon1987: Yes, Sasuke still has his curse seal because it didn't
go away after Orochimaru's death. If it comes up in the next couple of
chapters then fine, but I haven't forgotten about it. The seal actually has
its own plot coming up, so that people can have closure with that storyline
as well.
Chapter Title: 46. Bringing up the Past
There had been a flood of relief that came out of nowhere when Neji rushed up to the group and announced that Shikamaru and he had found their missing boy, but none felt it more than Sasuke. Like everyone else, he'd looked up at the young man's entrance, but fear struck him deeply when he saw the paleness of Neji's cheeks, contrasting with the lost look in his white eyes.
"Where is he?" Kakashi asked, trying to calm down the clamour made by Kiba and Akamaru.
"Right where we'd been directed to look."
"Is he still alive?" Hinata voiced the question everyone else wanted to ask but were afraid to. A few murmurs went up through the group, some surprised by the girl's boldness, and others afraid of the answer. Neji waited until everyone was quiet again. He looked like he couldn't find the words to answer her.
"Shiranai." He whispered. Sasuke ran out of the meeting area before Neji could continue, not even stopping to wonder about Neji's spooked expression. He was followed closely by their sensei. Neji decided to return to the scene, regardless of the horrors he'd seen there.
They rushed into the shop, Kakashi only pausing for a moment to see the dead bodies of the mother and daughter, before deciding they could wait. He followed Neji into the room slowly, since no one knew where Shikamaru was or if they had company.
"Shikamaru?" he called out softly.
"Over here, please hurry." They heard the lazy reply, loud and clear to let them know they were alone. They followed the sound of the boy's voice slowly until they came to a halt at the sight of the dark-haired boy cradling Naruto's blood soaked body. A collective gasp caught the pony- tailed boy's attention and he turned his head in their direction. Frowning, he tried to shift the limp body in his arms, but was punished with the hiss of Naruto's pained breathing. He was surprised to see Sasuke being restrained slightly by Kakashi's white-knuckled hand on his shoulder.
"He's alive, right?" Sasuke asked, not trusting his ears. Shikamaru nodded slowly. He lifted a hand to brush some of Naruto's hair out of his face and winced when he left behind a sticky wet red trail, his fingers touching the unavoidable gashes on his friend's face.
"He'll be fine, I think." Shikamaru answered, slightly unsure of himself. "His chakra is helping him heal a little faster, and most of the gashes aren't as deep as they were when I found him." He motioned to the rough bandages on the boy's arms and legs. "He needs to go to a doctor to get things wrapped properly." Kakashi nodded and leaned closer to the pair.
"Was he conscious when you found him?" He asked.
"No, but when I brought him down from the ropes he woke up." He nodded to the severed ropes above where he was sitting and the bundle of bloody ropes he'd pulled off of Naruto. "He told me it was a couple of Jounin posing as Anbu. They killed the old vendor."
"And his family." Neji added. Kakashi looked back and sighed solemnly. Shikamaru was stunned by that.
"They're all gone?"
"Aa." Sasuke finally stepped forward. "May I take him?" He asked, his eyes never leaving Naruto's body.
"He'll be in pain if you move him."
"So you'll just leave him here until he is completely healed? You're treating him like he's never felt pain before. He's still a shinobi." He crouched down in front of Shikamaru and held his hands out.
"Naruto, Sasuke's here." Shikamaru whispered to the blond before handing the young man over, against his better judgement. Sasuke saw the slight hesitation.
"I'm his closest friend. He needs me." He cradled Naruto's body to his chest and was surprised to feel the boy shifting, despite his injuries.
"And Sasuke needs me." He muttered, his voice muffled by Sasuke's shirt. He snuggled deeper into the warmth Sasuke offered.
"Can you still feel me?" Sasuke asked, tentatively. Naruto rolled his eyes and shifted again so he could look up at his rival. The blood red eyes were still there, but they held more compassion in them than he was used to seeing in the Sharingan. He smiled briefly before remembering the stupid question.
"Of course I can feel you, teme." He replied. "I'm not dead yet."
"You could have been."
"What's with the depressing act? I'll be fine eventually."
"Sure."
"Of course, now help me up!" Naruto tried to sit up in Sasuke's grasp, ignoring the brief pain that rocketed through his head. Sasuke stood up, ignoring his friend's request and they started heading back to the hospital. "Hey! Put me down! I can walk you know!" he protested, making it difficult for Sasuke to hold onto him.
"Fine, dobe." He lowered Naruto's feet to the ground and tried to hide the self-satisfied smirk that threatened to show when the blond wobbled a bit on his feet before collapsing back into his arms. Naruto wrinkled his nose in distaste and sighed. "So you can walk, ne Dobe? Now where did I hear that before?" They both froze, in remembrance of the last time Naruto had tried to walk when he clearly couldn't. Shikamaru and the other's continued walking, unaware of the brief flash of horror that crossed both shinobis' faces, but turned around when they heard the sound of one of them heaving.
"Baka, why did you have to bring that up?" Naruto spat out, while on his hands and knees, trying to also spit out the foul taste in his mouth. He tried, valiantly, to push his rival's helping hands away, but gave up when he realised they wouldn't give up and allowed himself to be pulled into Sasuke's arms.
"Sumimasen." Sasuke whispered, hugging his best friend tightly. Naruto smiled briefly, forgiving Sasuke instantly and leaned his head on the young man's shoulder. The dark-haired ninja kept one arm around Naruto's back and curled the other under the boy's legs, picking him up easily.
As they continued out of the meat shop, Naruto surveyed the damage over Sasuke's shoulder. He frowned, realising that there was even more blood in the front than he remembered.
"Shikamaru-kun, did you have to fight the jounin when you got here?"
"No." Came the reply before the question had time to sink in fully.
"Then why is there so much blood?" They all looked around as the damage set in. Naruto didn't wait for an answer to his first question as another popped into his head. "The vendor had a wife and daughter, did you make sure they were okay before you came for me?" Neji shook his head.
"Naruto you should be resting, not worrying about them."
"You did check on them right?"
"Yes." Neji replied slowly, deliberately not expanding his answer. Unfortunately Naruto saw right through it.
"Neji-kun, they're alright, ne?" At the long-haired young man's silence he grew pale and studied the blood patterns on the wall.
"Oh." He whispered. "Forgive me, Jii-san, for not being strong enough." Sasuke closed his eyes, knowing he was the only one to hear Naruto's choked apology. It hurt him to know that Naruto had started blaming himself for casualties that weren't his fault, and he voiced his concern.
"You couldn't have prevented this, Naruto." He said, his lips close to his friend's ear.
"I could have tried."
(Star)(Star)(Star)
Within hours of entering the hospital, Naruto was released, more or less in one piece, with nothing but the really deep wounds still healing. Sasuke had offered to help Naruto back into his apartment, but Naruto remembered that his windows from that morning were still covered in paint, and he didn't want anyone to become worried over him.
Sitting down on his bed, he glanced at his bandaged hand and remembered his vow from years earlier. He'd said he wouldn't let himself freeze up again, but the promise was much more than that. He didn't want to be the one everyone had to help. Had to save.
He flopped back and growled at himself. He couldn't even save the old man and his family. What good would it be trying to tell himself he was strong when he couldn't prove it? He was nothing but a boy living in the shadow of a monster, if the paint was any indication.
Sitting up on his bed, Naruto focused his eyes in the darkness, looking for the familiar glint of hard, cold metal. He spotted a kunai embedded in the wall from one of his earlier training sessions and walked over to it. Pulling the weapon out of the wall, he pondered over his actions. A part of him wanted to throw the kunai out the window and never look at the thing again, disgusted with even the thought of what he wanted to do. But another part, a much darker part reminded him that he wanted it. He deserved it for not helping the vendor and his family.
In the middle of his debate, he yawned and realised it was late and he was tired and if he was so easily swayed by sleep, he didn't really want to injure himself any further. Lazily tossing the kunai back onto the wall, he went back to his bed, taking off his jacket and chuunin vest. He'd been lucky that night. Tsunade had overseen his treatment to avoid anyone but the two of them to know about his advancement. There were too many questions to be asked, and he didn't want the past dredged up three times in one night. He was thankful that his secret had so far stayed that way. He didn't know how he would survive if the same people who'd painted his windows learned of the truths about what happened between him and Orochimaru.
He let his body collapse, face first into the mattress, sighing into his pillow. He laughed at himself. There he was, not wanting anyone else to bring up events from his past and yet spending his whole life reliving the moments over and over. What a hypocrite he made. With one last sigh, he curled up into himself and pulled the covers over his body. It was coming up on June, but there was still a cool breeze, and Naruto was never one to follow logic and keep his windows closed.
(Star)(Star)(Star)
He groaned when he opened his eyes, the scratches not doing anything to lessen the headache he was getting. The blood red silk sheets swimming in and out of his vision before he raised a hand to rub the sleep from his eyes. He looked at the sheets again and nearly purred at the soft touch on his bare legs, saving questions for the moment. He pushed back the covers, hesitantly, and slipped out of the large bed. He frowned, realising, not only that the bed wasn't his, but neither was the room. There were candles everywhere and they cast eerie shadows over the crimson fabric.
"But I just fell asleep!" He whispered to himself, looking out the window to a stunning view of the village he remembered from somewhere else, but the exact place eluded his mind. He sighed, figuring it wasn't important if wasn't worth remembering.
"I see you woke up, Naruto-chan." A voice whispered at his ear, not only chilling him to the bone with its silky smoothness, but also scaring the life out of him with its closeness and the jolt of reality it brought. That voice made him remember things he wished never happened.
"Orochimaru." He mumbled, closing his eyes as if in pain. "You know that he'll save me, and together we'll beat the shit out of you." The snake laughed in his ear, running a slender finger up Naruto's thigh and over the curve of his hips.
"Well, then I suppose I'll just have to make sure you pay for that in advance." He wrapped his arm around the boy's stomach slowly, slipping one finger at a time underneath the elastic band of his boxers. They hesitated for a moment. "Unless you want to tell me where Sasuke's hiding? I'll be more than happy to let you go if you'll just tell me where he is." Naruto tensed and sent his elbow into the sennin's stomach, stepping out of his embrace.
"One, I will never betray Sasuke to you, ever. And two, you actually expect me to believe you'll just let me go if I give up Sasuke to you?" Orochimaru laughed.
"You are far smarter than I would have believed. Tell me something, do you love Sasuke?"
"No." Naruto exclaimed stubbornly. "Not that you have any right to know."
"Some how I don't believe you."
"You are one sick fuck, Orochimaru." Naruto spat, trying to hide his fear of the older man. His eyes frantically scanned the room, but there was nothing that he could find to help him.
"Is that an offer?" The lecherous gleam in the snake-summoner's eye caused Naruto to wrinkle his nose in disgust.
"You're worse than the ero-sennin!" He exclaimed.
"Ah, Jiraiya-kun. For someone who's supposed to be a lot like him, you're acting nothing like him."
"Jiraiya-san would never have stood for this!" Naruto yelled, gaining some confidence in himself at the thought of his mentor. Orochimaru merely laughed.
"No, you're right. Jiraiya wouldn't stand, he'd already be on the bed." And with a slight push, Naruto toppled backwards onto the bed he'd woke up in. "I thought you said you could handle anything Sasuke could." The blonde shivered at the idea of Sasuke in his place. It made him feel a little better to know he'd saved his rival this kind of shame. "Do you really think I would have spared Sasuke's body? You have to admit any man, straight or otherwise, would have a tough time saying no to that fine body. Come on, you can admit it."
"I'm not admitting anything, asshole." Naruto snarled, scooting a bit further back on the bed. Orochimaru let out another laugh as thought it was all nothing but a big game to him. It came as a shocking surprise when Naruto felt his face whip to the side from the force of the sennin's unforeseen fist. He hadn't even seen the man move.
"You would be wise to answer me the way I want in the little things, or else face the consequences. I've already resigned myself to the fact that you won't tell me where Sasuke is until you've been thoroughly broken, but don't make me waste my energy beating these answers out of you." He cracked his knuckles, preparing to deliver another blow when Naruto mumbled something.
"I'm sorry, I missed that. Speak louder, whore." Naruto flinched at the insult, but figured it could have been worse. He cleared his throat and tried again.
"Yes, I said. He's beautiful." Orochimaru's eyes lit up in delight.
"Who's beautiful?"
"Sasuke is."
"And I'm sure he just makes you want to screw him the way I'm going to screw you in a minute."
"I don't know why a bastard like you keeps thinking I want Sasuke-yarou. Even if I did want him, I would never rape him. Ever." Orochimaru climbed gracefully onto the bed, making Naruto shift even closer to the headboard.
"Oh, this isn't rape, Naruto. You're nothing but my fuck-toy. A prelude to the real thing. You're not worth raping. Sasuke on the other hand has everything you'll ever want." It was almost as though Orochimaru could read his thoughts, and the notion scared Naruto, and just like any cornered animal, Naruto did the only thing that came to mind, he attacked.
A flurry of teeth and nails stretched towards Orochimaru, but the man was far too quick and, without even having to think about it, he had Naruto pinned to the bed.
"Nice, Kyuubi-san." Orochimaru hissed out delightfully. "I was wondering when you'd come out to save this pathetic body. You are so many people's ultimate dream, and here I have you at my mercy." He laughed, letting go of Naruto's arms to rip a couple of pieces of silk. The boy tried to fight the snake off of him, but before he had landed a handful of punches, his fists were tied above his head. Orochimaru smirked at his stunned expression.
"Well, we can't have you trying to hurt me or escape." Naruto futilely tried to pull the bindings loose, but the knots were secure. "One last chance, where are you hiding Uchiha Sasuke?" Naruto glared up at the man straddling his waist and, with his final bit of courage, spat in his eye.
"Go fuck yourself!" He cried.
"Actually, I'm going to fuck you, usuratonkachi." Orochimaru wiped the spit from his face calmly, but even Naruto, freaked out as he was, could see that the humour had left his snake eyes. "You're going to wish you hadn't defied me. I'll have you crying the safe house location in the throes of passion. I'm going to make you beg me to continue."
"I would never lower myself to beg you for anything, much less that. Plus, if I didn't know any better, you're all talk and no action." His raw nerves couldn't handle the suspense and he just wanted it all over with.
"What if I looked like this?" Orochimaru asked, performing Henge no jutsu. "I'm sure he would have you begging for more in no time." Naruto squeezed his eye's shut, trying to block out the man above him.
"You can't do this to me." He whispered. Orochimaru sneered.
"Of course I can, and will!" He thrust a hand beneath Naruto's boxers, roughly, causing Naruto's eyes to shoot open. It was the worst mistake Naruto thought he'd ever made as a forbidden moan left his lips at the sight of the boy on top of him.
"Sasuke..."
(Star)(Star)(Star)
"Naruto?" Sasuke asked, looking at the shivering boy in front of him. The blonde was wearing nothing but his orange pants, still covered in the blood from earlier in the night, and was clutching a kunai to his bare chest as though it was his last hope. "What are you doing here?" Naruto looked up at the question, his eyes reflecting his own confusion. Sasuke ushered the boy inside after noticing another shiver run down his spine.
"I don't know." He whispered, allowing himself to be brought into the warmth.
"You have to have a reason for coming to my house at two in the morning." Naruto stood up straight and shook off Sasuke's comforting hand on his arm.
"You never used to." He was starting to feel that the visit was a bad idea. "I should go, this was stupid. I'm sorry for waking you, I was just scared." Sasuke frowned and stepped in front of his rival, blocking his path to the front door.
"What were you afraid of?"
"Why should I tell you, asshole?" Naruto retorted, getting defensive.
"Dobe, stop being a senseless prick and tell me what's wrong." Sasuke sighed.
"It was nothing. Just a nightmare."
"What kind of nightmare?" He stepped closer to Naruto, showing his support. His friend hesitated before lowering his eyes to the ground.
"It was the night Orochimaru..." He trailed off, but Sasuke got the idea and wrapped Naruto in a tight hug.
"He's gone now."
"But I still remember!!!" Naruto yelled, trying to fight off his tears again. "You don't know what he did to me! I thought I'd proved myself, but I'm nothing but a whore." Sasuke winced at Naruto's words, but didn't make any move to let go.
"You're not a whore, Naruto." Naruto's laugh was hollow.
"I am. I was all set to fight until I couldn't move, but then he did Henge no jutsu and I couldn't think straight."
"He raped you!" Sasuke protested, trying to ignore what Naruto was telling him.
"How can you call it rape when I enjoyed it?! There!!! I said it!!! I wish to god I could take it all back, but when I saw that face above me something snapped." Everything went quiet for a moment as Sasuke let Naruto's words settle in.
"You said he used Henge no jutsu?" He felt Naruto's head nod in agreement. "Then whose face did you see?" Naruto remained quiet as visions of the consequences of answering ran through his mind. Sasuke waited patiently for a few minutes before deciding to guess. "Was it Sakura?" There was no reaction. "Hinata?" Still nothing. Sasuke thought for a moment. "Neji? Shikamaru? Kakashi?"
"No." Naruto exclaimed, holding in a smirk at the absurd suggestions. "Have you ever heard how much like the Three Legendary Nin team seven is?" Sasuke nodded, deciding to stay quiet, letting Naruto answer in his own time. "Of course you have, Jiraiya-san told us when we were under attack from Orochimaru's sound. Orochimaru saw himself in you, and Jiraiya in me." He hesitated again.
"Please don't shut me out." Sasuke said. Naruto looked up and nodded, pushing himself out of his rival's embrace.
"Tsunade told me one day that Jiraiya and Orochimaru had been lovers at one time." Sasuke frowned, not understanding where this was headed. "When Orochimaru betrayed the village Jiraiya was hurt the same as I was when you left."
"But I came back because of you, Orochimaru didn't." Sasuke exclaimed.
"But because of this, I think that he saw too much of Jiraiya in me... and because he saw himself in you..."
"He transformed into me?" Naruto nodded solemnly. "And you enjoyed it because of that?" Naruto looked up at Sasuke frantically.
"No! I mean, yes, but it's not what you think! I didn't mean to-" He was cut off by his best friend and rival pulling him back into a warm hug. "I didn't mean to enjoy it." He muttered into Sasuke's neck.
"I know."
"Don't leave me." Naruto whispered softly. "You can hate me all you like, but please don't leave me."
"Never, Kitsune."
(End of chapter)
Whoo hoo!!! It's my longest chapter yet! And there's a funny story behind it... it was actually just pulled out of my ass. I needed a transition scene or two to get from 45 to 46, and I intended to have Sasuke find Naruto, Naruto to have a quick little nightmare and move n to bigger and more important things... and then came the actual nightmare... and so on and so on... and these guys just didn't want to give Hinata her stage time, so yeah. The real content for chapter 46 will be pushed back until 47 .
Answers:
To Tsukineko9: I hadn't planned on editing my chapters yet, but yes the material does plan to get a higher rating than R so I figure I'm going to need a place to put my fic where NC-17 is okay. It's not yet, but It's coming in the next chapters.
To Mia: huggles to death YOU'RE SO SMART!!!!! WAHAHAH!!! Yes, Sasuke's eyes have everything to do with those earlier dreams.
To Jade Tatsu: I apologize for the time shifts. I agree with you, that they're too unorganised, but I can't stand filler. I hope this is better for you. Everyone is confused with the whole Kyuubi thing, so I guess I'm going to have to explain it in a later chapter.
NOTEOh, and about the Sharingan, just so everyone knows, I've made it so the redness doesn't use up chakra. It's the spinning of the wheel that requires the energy. It's also a symbol that Sasuke's chakra is powerful enough now that he can spin the wheel almost instantaneously. NOTE
Itachi wasn't killed off... he ran away with Kisame and that woman.
To Naruto118: The reason I didn't want to put in the fight scene is because there will be lots of action later on. You didn't need to see what they did, only the after-effects of it.
To CuteMooglez: Yes, the serious NaruSasu stuff will be starting really soon.
To Seph Lorraine: The war was started by Orochimaru who wanted to gain control of Konoha. It's being continued by his village in honour of him, and they're slowly getting allies. Sand is supposed to be an ally of Konoha, however due to a shift in leadership, they signed a treaty with Sound instead. This ending was better?
To Aka: There's nothing between Neji and Shikamaru. It was just friendly banter. Score so far: AkaNoShika is in the lead with 11kb.
To the La/=/er: short is good too!
Anything that I don't answer means it'll be explained later on in the story.
Chapter Title: 46. Bringing up the Past
There had been a flood of relief that came out of nowhere when Neji rushed up to the group and announced that Shikamaru and he had found their missing boy, but none felt it more than Sasuke. Like everyone else, he'd looked up at the young man's entrance, but fear struck him deeply when he saw the paleness of Neji's cheeks, contrasting with the lost look in his white eyes.
"Where is he?" Kakashi asked, trying to calm down the clamour made by Kiba and Akamaru.
"Right where we'd been directed to look."
"Is he still alive?" Hinata voiced the question everyone else wanted to ask but were afraid to. A few murmurs went up through the group, some surprised by the girl's boldness, and others afraid of the answer. Neji waited until everyone was quiet again. He looked like he couldn't find the words to answer her.
"Shiranai." He whispered. Sasuke ran out of the meeting area before Neji could continue, not even stopping to wonder about Neji's spooked expression. He was followed closely by their sensei. Neji decided to return to the scene, regardless of the horrors he'd seen there.
They rushed into the shop, Kakashi only pausing for a moment to see the dead bodies of the mother and daughter, before deciding they could wait. He followed Neji into the room slowly, since no one knew where Shikamaru was or if they had company.
"Shikamaru?" he called out softly.
"Over here, please hurry." They heard the lazy reply, loud and clear to let them know they were alone. They followed the sound of the boy's voice slowly until they came to a halt at the sight of the dark-haired boy cradling Naruto's blood soaked body. A collective gasp caught the pony- tailed boy's attention and he turned his head in their direction. Frowning, he tried to shift the limp body in his arms, but was punished with the hiss of Naruto's pained breathing. He was surprised to see Sasuke being restrained slightly by Kakashi's white-knuckled hand on his shoulder.
"He's alive, right?" Sasuke asked, not trusting his ears. Shikamaru nodded slowly. He lifted a hand to brush some of Naruto's hair out of his face and winced when he left behind a sticky wet red trail, his fingers touching the unavoidable gashes on his friend's face.
"He'll be fine, I think." Shikamaru answered, slightly unsure of himself. "His chakra is helping him heal a little faster, and most of the gashes aren't as deep as they were when I found him." He motioned to the rough bandages on the boy's arms and legs. "He needs to go to a doctor to get things wrapped properly." Kakashi nodded and leaned closer to the pair.
"Was he conscious when you found him?" He asked.
"No, but when I brought him down from the ropes he woke up." He nodded to the severed ropes above where he was sitting and the bundle of bloody ropes he'd pulled off of Naruto. "He told me it was a couple of Jounin posing as Anbu. They killed the old vendor."
"And his family." Neji added. Kakashi looked back and sighed solemnly. Shikamaru was stunned by that.
"They're all gone?"
"Aa." Sasuke finally stepped forward. "May I take him?" He asked, his eyes never leaving Naruto's body.
"He'll be in pain if you move him."
"So you'll just leave him here until he is completely healed? You're treating him like he's never felt pain before. He's still a shinobi." He crouched down in front of Shikamaru and held his hands out.
"Naruto, Sasuke's here." Shikamaru whispered to the blond before handing the young man over, against his better judgement. Sasuke saw the slight hesitation.
"I'm his closest friend. He needs me." He cradled Naruto's body to his chest and was surprised to feel the boy shifting, despite his injuries.
"And Sasuke needs me." He muttered, his voice muffled by Sasuke's shirt. He snuggled deeper into the warmth Sasuke offered.
"Can you still feel me?" Sasuke asked, tentatively. Naruto rolled his eyes and shifted again so he could look up at his rival. The blood red eyes were still there, but they held more compassion in them than he was used to seeing in the Sharingan. He smiled briefly before remembering the stupid question.
"Of course I can feel you, teme." He replied. "I'm not dead yet."
"You could have been."
"What's with the depressing act? I'll be fine eventually."
"Sure."
"Of course, now help me up!" Naruto tried to sit up in Sasuke's grasp, ignoring the brief pain that rocketed through his head. Sasuke stood up, ignoring his friend's request and they started heading back to the hospital. "Hey! Put me down! I can walk you know!" he protested, making it difficult for Sasuke to hold onto him.
"Fine, dobe." He lowered Naruto's feet to the ground and tried to hide the self-satisfied smirk that threatened to show when the blond wobbled a bit on his feet before collapsing back into his arms. Naruto wrinkled his nose in distaste and sighed. "So you can walk, ne Dobe? Now where did I hear that before?" They both froze, in remembrance of the last time Naruto had tried to walk when he clearly couldn't. Shikamaru and the other's continued walking, unaware of the brief flash of horror that crossed both shinobis' faces, but turned around when they heard the sound of one of them heaving.
"Baka, why did you have to bring that up?" Naruto spat out, while on his hands and knees, trying to also spit out the foul taste in his mouth. He tried, valiantly, to push his rival's helping hands away, but gave up when he realised they wouldn't give up and allowed himself to be pulled into Sasuke's arms.
"Sumimasen." Sasuke whispered, hugging his best friend tightly. Naruto smiled briefly, forgiving Sasuke instantly and leaned his head on the young man's shoulder. The dark-haired ninja kept one arm around Naruto's back and curled the other under the boy's legs, picking him up easily.
As they continued out of the meat shop, Naruto surveyed the damage over Sasuke's shoulder. He frowned, realising that there was even more blood in the front than he remembered.
"Shikamaru-kun, did you have to fight the jounin when you got here?"
"No." Came the reply before the question had time to sink in fully.
"Then why is there so much blood?" They all looked around as the damage set in. Naruto didn't wait for an answer to his first question as another popped into his head. "The vendor had a wife and daughter, did you make sure they were okay before you came for me?" Neji shook his head.
"Naruto you should be resting, not worrying about them."
"You did check on them right?"
"Yes." Neji replied slowly, deliberately not expanding his answer. Unfortunately Naruto saw right through it.
"Neji-kun, they're alright, ne?" At the long-haired young man's silence he grew pale and studied the blood patterns on the wall.
"Oh." He whispered. "Forgive me, Jii-san, for not being strong enough." Sasuke closed his eyes, knowing he was the only one to hear Naruto's choked apology. It hurt him to know that Naruto had started blaming himself for casualties that weren't his fault, and he voiced his concern.
"You couldn't have prevented this, Naruto." He said, his lips close to his friend's ear.
"I could have tried."
(Star)(Star)(Star)
Within hours of entering the hospital, Naruto was released, more or less in one piece, with nothing but the really deep wounds still healing. Sasuke had offered to help Naruto back into his apartment, but Naruto remembered that his windows from that morning were still covered in paint, and he didn't want anyone to become worried over him.
Sitting down on his bed, he glanced at his bandaged hand and remembered his vow from years earlier. He'd said he wouldn't let himself freeze up again, but the promise was much more than that. He didn't want to be the one everyone had to help. Had to save.
He flopped back and growled at himself. He couldn't even save the old man and his family. What good would it be trying to tell himself he was strong when he couldn't prove it? He was nothing but a boy living in the shadow of a monster, if the paint was any indication.
Sitting up on his bed, Naruto focused his eyes in the darkness, looking for the familiar glint of hard, cold metal. He spotted a kunai embedded in the wall from one of his earlier training sessions and walked over to it. Pulling the weapon out of the wall, he pondered over his actions. A part of him wanted to throw the kunai out the window and never look at the thing again, disgusted with even the thought of what he wanted to do. But another part, a much darker part reminded him that he wanted it. He deserved it for not helping the vendor and his family.
In the middle of his debate, he yawned and realised it was late and he was tired and if he was so easily swayed by sleep, he didn't really want to injure himself any further. Lazily tossing the kunai back onto the wall, he went back to his bed, taking off his jacket and chuunin vest. He'd been lucky that night. Tsunade had overseen his treatment to avoid anyone but the two of them to know about his advancement. There were too many questions to be asked, and he didn't want the past dredged up three times in one night. He was thankful that his secret had so far stayed that way. He didn't know how he would survive if the same people who'd painted his windows learned of the truths about what happened between him and Orochimaru.
He let his body collapse, face first into the mattress, sighing into his pillow. He laughed at himself. There he was, not wanting anyone else to bring up events from his past and yet spending his whole life reliving the moments over and over. What a hypocrite he made. With one last sigh, he curled up into himself and pulled the covers over his body. It was coming up on June, but there was still a cool breeze, and Naruto was never one to follow logic and keep his windows closed.
(Star)(Star)(Star)
He groaned when he opened his eyes, the scratches not doing anything to lessen the headache he was getting. The blood red silk sheets swimming in and out of his vision before he raised a hand to rub the sleep from his eyes. He looked at the sheets again and nearly purred at the soft touch on his bare legs, saving questions for the moment. He pushed back the covers, hesitantly, and slipped out of the large bed. He frowned, realising, not only that the bed wasn't his, but neither was the room. There were candles everywhere and they cast eerie shadows over the crimson fabric.
"But I just fell asleep!" He whispered to himself, looking out the window to a stunning view of the village he remembered from somewhere else, but the exact place eluded his mind. He sighed, figuring it wasn't important if wasn't worth remembering.
"I see you woke up, Naruto-chan." A voice whispered at his ear, not only chilling him to the bone with its silky smoothness, but also scaring the life out of him with its closeness and the jolt of reality it brought. That voice made him remember things he wished never happened.
"Orochimaru." He mumbled, closing his eyes as if in pain. "You know that he'll save me, and together we'll beat the shit out of you." The snake laughed in his ear, running a slender finger up Naruto's thigh and over the curve of his hips.
"Well, then I suppose I'll just have to make sure you pay for that in advance." He wrapped his arm around the boy's stomach slowly, slipping one finger at a time underneath the elastic band of his boxers. They hesitated for a moment. "Unless you want to tell me where Sasuke's hiding? I'll be more than happy to let you go if you'll just tell me where he is." Naruto tensed and sent his elbow into the sennin's stomach, stepping out of his embrace.
"One, I will never betray Sasuke to you, ever. And two, you actually expect me to believe you'll just let me go if I give up Sasuke to you?" Orochimaru laughed.
"You are far smarter than I would have believed. Tell me something, do you love Sasuke?"
"No." Naruto exclaimed stubbornly. "Not that you have any right to know."
"Some how I don't believe you."
"You are one sick fuck, Orochimaru." Naruto spat, trying to hide his fear of the older man. His eyes frantically scanned the room, but there was nothing that he could find to help him.
"Is that an offer?" The lecherous gleam in the snake-summoner's eye caused Naruto to wrinkle his nose in disgust.
"You're worse than the ero-sennin!" He exclaimed.
"Ah, Jiraiya-kun. For someone who's supposed to be a lot like him, you're acting nothing like him."
"Jiraiya-san would never have stood for this!" Naruto yelled, gaining some confidence in himself at the thought of his mentor. Orochimaru merely laughed.
"No, you're right. Jiraiya wouldn't stand, he'd already be on the bed." And with a slight push, Naruto toppled backwards onto the bed he'd woke up in. "I thought you said you could handle anything Sasuke could." The blonde shivered at the idea of Sasuke in his place. It made him feel a little better to know he'd saved his rival this kind of shame. "Do you really think I would have spared Sasuke's body? You have to admit any man, straight or otherwise, would have a tough time saying no to that fine body. Come on, you can admit it."
"I'm not admitting anything, asshole." Naruto snarled, scooting a bit further back on the bed. Orochimaru let out another laugh as thought it was all nothing but a big game to him. It came as a shocking surprise when Naruto felt his face whip to the side from the force of the sennin's unforeseen fist. He hadn't even seen the man move.
"You would be wise to answer me the way I want in the little things, or else face the consequences. I've already resigned myself to the fact that you won't tell me where Sasuke is until you've been thoroughly broken, but don't make me waste my energy beating these answers out of you." He cracked his knuckles, preparing to deliver another blow when Naruto mumbled something.
"I'm sorry, I missed that. Speak louder, whore." Naruto flinched at the insult, but figured it could have been worse. He cleared his throat and tried again.
"Yes, I said. He's beautiful." Orochimaru's eyes lit up in delight.
"Who's beautiful?"
"Sasuke is."
"And I'm sure he just makes you want to screw him the way I'm going to screw you in a minute."
"I don't know why a bastard like you keeps thinking I want Sasuke-yarou. Even if I did want him, I would never rape him. Ever." Orochimaru climbed gracefully onto the bed, making Naruto shift even closer to the headboard.
"Oh, this isn't rape, Naruto. You're nothing but my fuck-toy. A prelude to the real thing. You're not worth raping. Sasuke on the other hand has everything you'll ever want." It was almost as though Orochimaru could read his thoughts, and the notion scared Naruto, and just like any cornered animal, Naruto did the only thing that came to mind, he attacked.
A flurry of teeth and nails stretched towards Orochimaru, but the man was far too quick and, without even having to think about it, he had Naruto pinned to the bed.
"Nice, Kyuubi-san." Orochimaru hissed out delightfully. "I was wondering when you'd come out to save this pathetic body. You are so many people's ultimate dream, and here I have you at my mercy." He laughed, letting go of Naruto's arms to rip a couple of pieces of silk. The boy tried to fight the snake off of him, but before he had landed a handful of punches, his fists were tied above his head. Orochimaru smirked at his stunned expression.
"Well, we can't have you trying to hurt me or escape." Naruto futilely tried to pull the bindings loose, but the knots were secure. "One last chance, where are you hiding Uchiha Sasuke?" Naruto glared up at the man straddling his waist and, with his final bit of courage, spat in his eye.
"Go fuck yourself!" He cried.
"Actually, I'm going to fuck you, usuratonkachi." Orochimaru wiped the spit from his face calmly, but even Naruto, freaked out as he was, could see that the humour had left his snake eyes. "You're going to wish you hadn't defied me. I'll have you crying the safe house location in the throes of passion. I'm going to make you beg me to continue."
"I would never lower myself to beg you for anything, much less that. Plus, if I didn't know any better, you're all talk and no action." His raw nerves couldn't handle the suspense and he just wanted it all over with.
"What if I looked like this?" Orochimaru asked, performing Henge no jutsu. "I'm sure he would have you begging for more in no time." Naruto squeezed his eye's shut, trying to block out the man above him.
"You can't do this to me." He whispered. Orochimaru sneered.
"Of course I can, and will!" He thrust a hand beneath Naruto's boxers, roughly, causing Naruto's eyes to shoot open. It was the worst mistake Naruto thought he'd ever made as a forbidden moan left his lips at the sight of the boy on top of him.
"Sasuke..."
(Star)(Star)(Star)
"Naruto?" Sasuke asked, looking at the shivering boy in front of him. The blonde was wearing nothing but his orange pants, still covered in the blood from earlier in the night, and was clutching a kunai to his bare chest as though it was his last hope. "What are you doing here?" Naruto looked up at the question, his eyes reflecting his own confusion. Sasuke ushered the boy inside after noticing another shiver run down his spine.
"I don't know." He whispered, allowing himself to be brought into the warmth.
"You have to have a reason for coming to my house at two in the morning." Naruto stood up straight and shook off Sasuke's comforting hand on his arm.
"You never used to." He was starting to feel that the visit was a bad idea. "I should go, this was stupid. I'm sorry for waking you, I was just scared." Sasuke frowned and stepped in front of his rival, blocking his path to the front door.
"What were you afraid of?"
"Why should I tell you, asshole?" Naruto retorted, getting defensive.
"Dobe, stop being a senseless prick and tell me what's wrong." Sasuke sighed.
"It was nothing. Just a nightmare."
"What kind of nightmare?" He stepped closer to Naruto, showing his support. His friend hesitated before lowering his eyes to the ground.
"It was the night Orochimaru..." He trailed off, but Sasuke got the idea and wrapped Naruto in a tight hug.
"He's gone now."
"But I still remember!!!" Naruto yelled, trying to fight off his tears again. "You don't know what he did to me! I thought I'd proved myself, but I'm nothing but a whore." Sasuke winced at Naruto's words, but didn't make any move to let go.
"You're not a whore, Naruto." Naruto's laugh was hollow.
"I am. I was all set to fight until I couldn't move, but then he did Henge no jutsu and I couldn't think straight."
"He raped you!" Sasuke protested, trying to ignore what Naruto was telling him.
"How can you call it rape when I enjoyed it?! There!!! I said it!!! I wish to god I could take it all back, but when I saw that face above me something snapped." Everything went quiet for a moment as Sasuke let Naruto's words settle in.
"You said he used Henge no jutsu?" He felt Naruto's head nod in agreement. "Then whose face did you see?" Naruto remained quiet as visions of the consequences of answering ran through his mind. Sasuke waited patiently for a few minutes before deciding to guess. "Was it Sakura?" There was no reaction. "Hinata?" Still nothing. Sasuke thought for a moment. "Neji? Shikamaru? Kakashi?"
"No." Naruto exclaimed, holding in a smirk at the absurd suggestions. "Have you ever heard how much like the Three Legendary Nin team seven is?" Sasuke nodded, deciding to stay quiet, letting Naruto answer in his own time. "Of course you have, Jiraiya-san told us when we were under attack from Orochimaru's sound. Orochimaru saw himself in you, and Jiraiya in me." He hesitated again.
"Please don't shut me out." Sasuke said. Naruto looked up and nodded, pushing himself out of his rival's embrace.
"Tsunade told me one day that Jiraiya and Orochimaru had been lovers at one time." Sasuke frowned, not understanding where this was headed. "When Orochimaru betrayed the village Jiraiya was hurt the same as I was when you left."
"But I came back because of you, Orochimaru didn't." Sasuke exclaimed.
"But because of this, I think that he saw too much of Jiraiya in me... and because he saw himself in you..."
"He transformed into me?" Naruto nodded solemnly. "And you enjoyed it because of that?" Naruto looked up at Sasuke frantically.
"No! I mean, yes, but it's not what you think! I didn't mean to-" He was cut off by his best friend and rival pulling him back into a warm hug. "I didn't mean to enjoy it." He muttered into Sasuke's neck.
"I know."
"Don't leave me." Naruto whispered softly. "You can hate me all you like, but please don't leave me."
"Never, Kitsune."
(End of chapter)
Whoo hoo!!! It's my longest chapter yet! And there's a funny story behind it... it was actually just pulled out of my ass. I needed a transition scene or two to get from 45 to 46, and I intended to have Sasuke find Naruto, Naruto to have a quick little nightmare and move n to bigger and more important things... and then came the actual nightmare... and so on and so on... and these guys just didn't want to give Hinata her stage time, so yeah. The real content for chapter 46 will be pushed back until 47 .
Answers:
To Tsukineko9: I hadn't planned on editing my chapters yet, but yes the material does plan to get a higher rating than R so I figure I'm going to need a place to put my fic where NC-17 is okay. It's not yet, but It's coming in the next chapters.
To Mia: huggles to death YOU'RE SO SMART!!!!! WAHAHAH!!! Yes, Sasuke's eyes have everything to do with those earlier dreams.
To Jade Tatsu: I apologize for the time shifts. I agree with you, that they're too unorganised, but I can't stand filler. I hope this is better for you. Everyone is confused with the whole Kyuubi thing, so I guess I'm going to have to explain it in a later chapter.
NOTEOh, and about the Sharingan, just so everyone knows, I've made it so the redness doesn't use up chakra. It's the spinning of the wheel that requires the energy. It's also a symbol that Sasuke's chakra is powerful enough now that he can spin the wheel almost instantaneously. NOTE
Itachi wasn't killed off... he ran away with Kisame and that woman.
To Naruto118: The reason I didn't want to put in the fight scene is because there will be lots of action later on. You didn't need to see what they did, only the after-effects of it.
To CuteMooglez: Yes, the serious NaruSasu stuff will be starting really soon.
To Seph Lorraine: The war was started by Orochimaru who wanted to gain control of Konoha. It's being continued by his village in honour of him, and they're slowly getting allies. Sand is supposed to be an ally of Konoha, however due to a shift in leadership, they signed a treaty with Sound instead. This ending was better?
To Aka: There's nothing between Neji and Shikamaru. It was just friendly banter. Score so far: AkaNoShika is in the lead with 11kb.
To the La/=/er: short is good too!
Anything that I don't answer means it'll be explained later on in the story.