Title: Admit Defeat

Author: Kisu

Rating: R…even though it's PG or something.

Pairings: SasuNaru, some GaaNaru

A/N: Yay! Another chappie! I must make it a habit to reread my chappies before posting them up. Because I found a lot of mistakes in my other chappies…they will be corrected and reposted! XD AND also…since this OroNaru pairing is hideous and has scarred everyone's "innocent" minds…no more of that! Strictly SasuNaru and maybe some more…if I feel like writing a twist into the story. ;D

Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me.

Chapter 12: Words of Wisdom

"You see Naruto…"

The boy with golden hair and bright blue eyes looked up at the sound of the voice. He was currently standing in front of a large desk with the wood polished so it shone a dark mahogany brown.

"Sasuke must be protected."

"Sasuke?" The boy repeated at the thought of his foster brother.

"Because, he was my wife's favorite." Kenji told him with a sigh. "That is why, nothing must happen to him."

"I see." The boy nodded, staring down at the floor.

"And if something happens to Itachi, god forbid…he would be the last Uchiha to assume position as the head of Ryuujin." Kenji said. "You understand, don't you Naruto?"

"Yes." Naruto bowed. His bright blue eyes met the calm gaze of the Ryuujin leader and he smiled. "I will work hard to repay you for your kindness in taking me in. I will make sure Ryuujin does not fall to the wrong hands." Kenji got up and walked around the desk. Stopping in front of Naruto, he placed a hand on his head.

"I chose you because you're special, Naruto." Kenji smiled. "I trust your loyalty."

---

"I have a mission to fulfill." Naruto whispered, staring down at his hands. "I have to protect Sasuke. I can't let the same thing that happened to Itachi…happen to him."

"Get over it."

Naruto's head shot up, the color drained from his face as he stared at the person at the foot of his bed. Jade green eyes stared at him in speculation and Naruto trembled. He hadn't even heard anyone come in. "Don't look at me." He hissed, narrowing his eyes as he sharply turned his head away.

Gaara's lips thinned out into a white line and he crossed his arms.

"Uchiha Kenji is dead. You don't owe him anything." He said, dryly.

"I owe him!" Naruto snapped, refusing to look up. "I have my orders!"

"Dead men don't give orders." Gaara replied, calmly.

"Don't talk about him like that!" Naruto yelled. He got up swiftly, wincing slightly. "H-He was a great man! He was just like a father to me!"

"If he was like a father, would he like to see his son, suffer?" Gaara asked. The man strode forward swiftly and grabbed his arm. Naruto flinched and flung his hand off.

"Don't touch me!" Naruto stammered.

"What's wrong?" Gaara glared at him. His cold gaze raked him from head to toe. "Why are you here in the first place?"

"I can't leave." Naruto whispered. "They won't let me."

"Why?" Gaara asked.

"Therapy." Naruto murmured.

"For what?"

"…Nothing."

Gaara grabbed his arms and shook him, hard. Naruto swore he heard his brain rattling in his skull. "Answer me, Uzumaki." He stated, dangerously. "You don't need therapy. What happened?"

"Don't touch me!" Naruto yelled, wrenching away. "Get out!"

Gaara narrowed his eyes and pushed him hard so Naruto fell into his bed. Gaara hovered over him with a dangerous glint in his eyes as he slammed his hand down at his side, so Naruto couldn't escape. "Naruto, tell me."

"I-I…" Naruto stuttered, his eyes darting around wildly for a way to escape.

The pressure was suddenly too much and he felt the walls of the room closing in. So he did the only thing he could do…

He screamed.

Startled, Gaara stood back quickly and Sasuke burst into the room. Apparently, Sasuke had gone to get some take out ramen for Naruto and had arrived conveniently to hear Naruto scream.

"What did you do to him?" He yelled, quickly depositing his bag on the table. Gaara just shook his head wordlessly as Sasuke rushed over to Naruto. Gathering him into his arms. "Naruto it's okay. I'm here."

"I'm a good boy." Naruto whimpered. "I am."

"Of course." Sasuke soothed. "It's just Gaara, your panda-eyed friend. Gaara won't hurt you."

"What happened to him?" Gaara asked, voice void of emotion.

Sasuke tensed and tightened his arms around Naruto. "Rape."

The temperature of the room seemed to drop several degrees and Naruto trembled in Sasuke's arms.

"What?" Gaara asked, incredously. "What did you say?"

"You heard me." Sasuke snapped, angrily. Naruto trembled again and Sasuke rubbed his back soothingly. "Don't make me repeat it."

"Who was it?" Gaara asked. A killing intent so strong seemed to roll off the man in smothering waves. Sasuke lowered his gaze to the top of Naruto's head and contemplated on whether to tell him or not. Gaara moved over to him, soundlessly and grabbed the collar of his shirt. "Tell me."

"It's not important." Naruto broke in, shivering every few seconds. He tightened his arms around Sasuke's torso and buried his face into his shirt.

That seemed to be the last button for Gaara. The man with crimson red hair whipped around and pushed Sasuke away. The Ryuujin gang leader fell back and Gaara quickly grabbed onto Naruto, easily lifting him and slamming him against the wall.

Naruto winced as the air was knocked out of his lungs and he took a moment to recover.

"I don't understand you, Uzumaki." Gaara said, angrily. "Ever since I've known you, you've always placed everyone before yourself."

"Let go of him!" Sasuke yelled as he launched forward. But Gaara quickly grabbed a hold of his arm and twisted it so Sasuke buckled to his knees.

"Gaara! Don't hurt him!" Naruto gasped, frantically.

I've always lived for myself." Gaara continued, ignoring the pained Sasuke. "I learned to love myself and only myself. But you, Uzumaki! You refuse to love yourself!"

"I-I'm not worthy." Naruto whispered as Gaara slammed him against the wall again.

"Let. Him. Go. Gaara." Sasuke said, glaring up at him from beneath his bangs.

"I'm going to knock some sense into you." Gaara glared as he slammed him against the wall again. "Answer to my call, Kyuubi."

Naruto's eyes grew wide and he grunted as Gaara slammed his back into the wall once again.

"What the hell?"

Sasuke turned slightly to stare at the two people who had just come into the room. Shikamaru stood shock still at the scene before him with Neji coming in behind him. Shikamaru rushed forward to help them but Neji caught him by the arm and pulled him back. "Neji, what the hell are you doing?"

Neji just shook his head.

---

Puzzled, Sasuke turned his face back around and looked up. Eyes wide with surprise, he watched as Naruto's arms slowly lifted up and grabbed a hold of Gaara's shirt. His fingers were curled, white knuckles straining against the cotton fabric. Slowly, Gaara's hand released Sasuke's arm and his other hand reached up to grab a fistful of Naruto's hospital gown. He growled.

To their surprise, Naruto growled back.

"Do you think you're strong enough, Uzumaki?" Gaara whispered, leaning forward to brush his lips against Naruto's ear. "To what that son of a bitch did to you, you have to screw him five times over."

"Shukaku." Naruto rasped, eyes bright with bloodlust.

"Embrace your roots, Uzumaki." Gaara smirked, as he leaned forward to plant a kiss on Naruto's forehead. "Because it is what you are, what you've always been. You were born as the Kyuubi."

Sasuke shot to his feet, one hand on his sore arm and bristled. "Gaara…" He warned.

"And Naru-chan…" Gaara smirked, forehead resting against Naruto's. "Do you remember his words?"

The room became deathly silent. All could be heard was the labored breathing as Naruto's chest heaved up and down. His blue eyes widening as a faraway look cast over them.

There had been two people who had ever called him "Naru-chan".

One was Sasuke.

The other was…Naruto swallowed with difficulty.

"…Itachi."

---

"Aniki." Naruto said, solemnly as he stood behind the young man. Itachi turned around, a small smile gracing his face. Naruto knew why Itachi was waiting for him in the gardens. Itachi had always known that he covered up for Sasuke and to an extreme. Simply so Naruto lied so naturally for Sasuke that it was almost like breathing air.

"Naru-chan." Itachi said, gently. "Who controls the wind?"

Naruto blinked, staring at him in shock. "W-what?"

"Who controls the wind?" Itachi repeated, still keeping a soft smile on his face.

"No one does." Naruto said, in confusion.

"And if there is to be a day with no wind, who's fault is it?" Itachi asked.

"No one's." Naruto replied, still puzzled over these random questions.

"But flowers need the wind to spread its seed, so it can bloom into more flowers." Itachi said. He bent down to pick up a bunch of violets. "So if the wind stops for a day…what will happen?"

Naruto paused to stare thoughtfully at his feet.

"The flowers will still continue growing until the wind comes back." Naruto said, carefully.

"Exactly. The flowers won't be able to continue on without the wind but it will continue to grow." Itachi smiled. He handed Naruto the clump of violets and Naruto accepted them wordlessly. "So if the wind happened to stop for day, the flowers will still be there until the wind decides to pick up again."

Naruto stared at the violets in his hand and raised his eyes to stare at Itachi. His older brother nodded to him and reached over to ruffle his golden hair.

"I-I don't understand." Naruto managed. What were they talking about?

"In time." Itachi smiled, as he turned back around. "In time you will, Naruto."

---

"Just like the wind." Naruto whispered. Gaara watched as Naruto's eyes refocused so they were directly staring into his own. Then, he pulled away.

"Do you understand now, Uzumaki?" Gaara asked with his eyes narrowed.

Naruto stood up shakily from leaning against the wall and took a deep breath. "Yes."

"Took you long enough." Gaara said, before turning to walk out of the room. He brushed his shoulders against Neji's as he walked past and Neji arched an eyebrow.

Naruto stared at Gaara's back and a soft wistful smile crossed his face.

There was only one person that Gaara would never admit he had looked after.

That person was Itachi, and Gaara had respected him greatly.

This is not like me. He thought as his blue eyes roamed over Sasuke to Shikamaru and Neji. He closed his eyes and ducked his head, hiding the gentle smile on his face. Itachi, you and Kenji were so much alike. You both held the same wisdom that made you into great men.

"Naruto?" Sasuke asked, worriedly as he walked over to him. Shikamaru and Neji walked in from the door and Naruto heard them approaching.

Perhaps I can become a great man someday. Because Sasuke has already became a great man.

Naruto lifted his head and his eyes shone with unshed tears.

"Are you okay?" Neji asked as Shikamaru stared quizzically at him.

So have Shika and Neji. They also have become great men.

"Yeah." Naruto said, breathing in shakily. He took a step toward them and wrapped his arms around Neji and Sasuke, pulling them together and sandwiching Shikamaru in the middle. "Thank you."

"For what?" Shikamaru mumbled, clearly uncomfortable in the embrace.

"For always being here for me." Naruto laughed, as tears of happiness threatened to spill from his eyes.

Because I've realized that you are all the flowers and I am the wind.

The flowers won't stop growing without the wind, but it can't continue on without it.

"Someone has to look after a brat like you." Neji grumbled as he stared up at the ceiling. Naruto sniffled and tightened his hold on them.

Thank you…Aniki.

And you too, Gaara.

---

Lips curled into a smirk, as the observer at the doorway turned to walk down the hall. Head with a shock of crimson red hair and green eyes betraying no emotion were the only giveaways for the identity of the person.

"I've done all I've can." He murmured as he pushed the elevator button for going down. "There's nothing else I can do."

---

Everyone was amazed that after that talk with Gaara, Naruto was happily recovering at a fast pace. But still, he wouldn't talk about what happened. Even though Sasuke was sure he knew it was Orochimaru.

But he was dead…wasn't he?

The door swung open and the housekeeper curtsied. "Master Sasuke and Master Naruto." She exclaimed, before smothering Naruto in kisses and hugs. Naruto laughed as he affectionately hugged her back.

"It's good to see you too, Marie." He smiled as they walked in. Naruto seemed a bit hesitant in his steps until Sasuke took his arm and pulled him in.

"It's your house too." Sasuke reminded him. Naruto laughed and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

"Right." He grinned as Sasuke shook his head in dismay.

Neji and Shikamaru had done a great job in cleaning up Naruto's apartment. They had taken all of Naruto's books and belongings and moved it into Naruto's room in a day.

Now, they climbed the stairs slowly and paused outside Naruto's bedroom door. Naruto turned his head and stared at Itachi's closed door, smiling sadly. Noticing his gaze, Sasuke smacked him gently and pointed at his door.

Naruto glared at Sasuke for a moment before opening the door. They stood in the doorway, staring into the vast bedchamber. Everything was where it used to be, except for the new additions of his medical books, desk and wardrobe.

From the billowing soft blue curtains to the soft blue bed sheets and the bare wood floor, Naruto never felt more at home.

With a couple of fast footsteps, he leaped and landed face first onto his bed, breathing in the soft smell of laundry detergent in the freshly washed sheets. He rolled over on his back and sighed in content. Sasuke chuckled as he walked over to him and sat down on the edge.

"You sure act like a kid for a 27 year old." Sasuke commented.

"Well, I'm not the one who is going to turn 30 soon." Naruto replied, sticking his tongue out at him. Sasuke twitched.

"I have two more years." He reminded him.

"Then what are those wrinkles?" Naruto asked, innocently. Sasuke gasped, before quickly reaching up to touch his face. Catching the grin on Naruto's face, he narrowed his eyes and lowered his hands. Instead, he tackled Naruto and the blonde laughed out loud as Sasuke whacked him with a pillow.

"War!" Naruto growled as he grabbed the other pillow. Sasuke couldn't remember having so much childish fun in years.

---

A couple pillows later, they were covered in feathers and Naruto sneezed. Sasuke laughed as he caught a lone feather that had flown up from Naruto's sneeze. Then, he dropped it and leaned in, kissing Naruto softly on the lips.

Naruto tensed and Sasuke frowned. Well, this was unexpected.

"Sorry." Sasuke muttered. "I forgot."

"Don't." Naruto whispered.

"I know, I won't." Sasuke frowned, looking away.

Surprisingly, warm arms wrapped around him and he turned his head around to see Naruto smiling softly at him. "Don't stop." Naruto said. Sasuke blinked and cautiously touched Naruto's face, tracing the faint whisker marks on his cheek.

"Are you sure?" Sasuke asked.

"Make me forget." Naruto smiled, as he tugged on his shirt and leaned back so he fell on the bed with Sasuke on top of him. "Make me love you more than I do."

"Tell me if you want me to stop." Sasuke warned, as he looked deeply into Naruto's blue eyes.

"I won't want you to." Naruto breathed as Sasuke slowly unbuttoned Naruto's shirt, never breaking eye contact from the blonde.

Several times, Naruto flinched at the contact on his skin and several times Sasuke paused for a moment. But he was very gentle in everything. He wanted to make sure Naruto knew how much he loved him.

He planted soft butterfly kisses down his chest, taking his time to touch his lips to the smooth golden skin.

"Sasuke…" Naruto moaned gripping onto Sasuke's shoulders. He felt hot but it fell good like liquid honey beneath his skin. "Sasuke…more."

Sasuke leaned up to capture Naruto's lips with his, slowly licking Naruto's lips until he opened for him. His tongue plunged in and their saliva mixed. As he did this, Sasuke slowly unhooked his pants and slid his hands in.

"Sasuke." Naruto whispered, drawing him close to him.

Sasuke stopped as his fingers touched the waistband of Naruto's boxers. The blonde was shaking. Feeling passion and lust slowly fade away, he slipped his hands out of Naruto's pants and danced them up his back, wrapping his arms around the younger man.

"One step at a time." Sasuke murmured as he softly kissed his earlobe.

Naruto lifted his head up and blinked. "What?"

"I won't take you unless you're ready." Sasuke murmured. "Besides, we have to have you in healthy condition, don't we?" Naruto knew he was referring to his behind and he blushed. Sasuke laughed as he rolled over, bringing Naruto on top of him.

Naruto just stared down at him as Sasuke smiled sexily with his hair tousled. "Uhm…Sasuke…" He said, shyly.

"What? Don't you want to be on top?" Sasuke asked, lifting his hips suggestively against his. Naruto gasped and his blush darkened even more. "Just kidding, Naru-chan."

"Don't play, Sasuke." Naruto pouted as he attempted to get off from straddling the sexy man.

"Sorry. Sorry." Sasuke laughed, shortly as he pulled Naruto toward him and kissed him lovingly. "I love you."

"I love you too." Naruto replied, as he pulled away, breathless. "Sasuke…"

"Hm?" He replied, nuzzling Naruto's neck.

"…What am I going to do with Shinja Co.?"

Sasuke frowned and pulled away, flopping onto his side and staring up at Naruto who had sat up. With a sigh, he drew his arm over his eyes. "You're not going back there."

"But I have to." Naruto said, looking away. "I can't leave them, the press knows about this. And if Oro-." He broke off suddenly and clamped his mouth shut. Sasuke slowly withdrew his arm from his face and stared at him.

"You were about to say his name, weren't you?" Sasuke demanded. "You were going to say 'Orochimaru'." Naruto turned a shade of gray and that just confirmed all of Sasuke's suspicions. "You're not going back there."

"A plan. I have a plan." Naruto said, quickly. "I won't let him know that you all know about him…and me. I'll merge the company with you and take Shinja down."

"Are you crazy?" Sasuke snapped. "You're not going anywhere where he can be. I'm not letting my eyes off of you."

"No!" Naruto gasped, eyes wide in horror. "You can't do that! He'll…He'll kill you!"

"I don't die that easily, Naruto." Sasuke smirked. Naruto glared before getting off the bed, striding toward the door. But Sasuke beat him to it, and slammed the door shut before leaning with his back onto it. "I'll think of something, Naruto. Don't worry about it for now."

Naruto crossed his arms and stared at the floor angrily. "Trust me." Sasuke murmured as he drew him close to him. "I'll think of something by tomorrow. Now you get some rest, I'll be in my study."

Then with a final kiss to his lips, Sasuke left the room with a blink of an eye.

And Naruto lifted his fingers to his lips, smiling softly.

---

For the rest of the day, he didn't see Sasuke. But he knew he was in his study, thinking. Several times, Naruto found himself in front of the door but was unable to knock. The maids of the house watched him with curiosity as he napped, watched TV, ate, and basically did nothing all day.

Finally, getting deathly bored of the house; he walked upstairs to Sasuke's study and stood outside the door.

Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand to knock and the door swung open.

Sasuke stood in front of him, smiling in excitement. His dark eyes glittered strangely.

The doorbell rang.

"Ah…Sasuke-." Naruto began.

"Master Sasuke, you have guests." Marie called from downstairs.

"I got you bodyguards." Sasuke breathed. "They'll be my eyes and they can follow you everywhere without being suspicious."

"What?" Naruto blinked.

"They're perfect! I made a few calls and found them. No one will suspect they have connections with Ryuujin." Sasuke continued as he took his hand and drew him toward the railing at the top of the stairs that overlooked the front of the house.

Standing at the entrance were two people.

Naruto's eyes widened in recognition, he had gone to school with the two. But when he had gone into the medical field, they had separated into law.

"Naruto." The one who had spoken had soft dark hair tied back sophisticatedly. He wore a simple black suit with a white shirt underneath. His companion was a tall man with very broad shoulders and was wearing a dark gray suit with a black shirt underneath. They were both staring up at them.

"Haku?" Naruto gasped, eyes widening in surprise. "Zabuza!"

"Our paths cross yet again." Haku smiled, bowing slightly.

Zabuza grunted in agreement.

---

XD TBC! Haku and Zabuza! XD gets excited Don't worry…Kakashi lovers! He will come in…some day.