Notes: I think...this is the chapter before the end. One more chapter after this, and 'Welcome Home' will be complete. You see, I'm going back home for four months, and that means no internet access, so, I won't be able to update. I may as well finish this collection witha bang, huh? I'm glad you're all liking this random story that came from absolutely nowhere, and I hope you'll see it through to its end with me. Thank you for your many reviews--they mean so much to me.

Haruno Sakura could only watch in first surprise and then horror as Uchiha Sasuke lowered his lips to the writhing figure in his bleeding arms, and as if it had opened a pathway, the Kyuubi Kitsune's aura shot up to the ceiling in one giant pillar of red flames. She let go and flung herself backward all at once, striking the wall with her back and trying to press herself into it as she watched the eight flailing tails curl around that central power spot and spiral inward, joining and becoming nothing more that ravaging flames…that happened to be in the center of her living room. The dark auburn fur (that was the only thing she could think to call it, even though it wasn't that easy to distinguish) that had crept over every inch of Uzumaki Naruto's body halted at the corners of their joined mouths, paused as if some force were pushing back against it, and then, like water could wash away blood, the ugly aura began to recede. It pulled back, brilliant strands of his golden blond hair feathering back down over his forehead, brushing against his closed eyes, and it continued downward, revealing healthy tanned flesh and the traditional black and orange jacket and pants, but the flame pillar was still there around them, keeping her back against the wall.

"Sasuke?" she tried to call to them. "Naruto!"

He could faintly hear someone calling his name, but he couldn't make out who it was through the blackness surrounding him. Turning slowly in a circle, he tried to figure out where he was, but he already had a guess: I'm back in Naruto's mind. Suddenly, there was a sharp crack that drew his eyes down to the red fissure that had appeared between his feet. With a deep rumbling, the ground (what he assumed was the ground, anyway) pulled apart beneath him and Sasuke found himself looking down into a chamber filled with savage flames. They licked up the crevice walls and danced threateningly at his feet, and he felt himself being pulled down into the rift by something…something powerful. The fire bore down around him as he descended into their center, but with a gentle glimmer, a yellow chakra barrier fitted itself securely against his own flesh and shielded him from the searing heat. Blinking, Sasuke stopped struggling and let himself be lowered to the chamber floor, and when his feet connected with the stone, all of the flames snapped out of existence. He straightened and surveyed the area around him. This is…

"You…you're here!"

He turned to the voice. Naruto stood behind the black iron gates that rose high above them and arched outward, spider-webbing over most of the ceiling. He was gripping the bars with trembling hands, and his blue eyes were wide and scared. Sasuke ran over to him, his feet splashing in the ankle-deep water that covered the floor of the inner room. He wrapped his hands over Naruto's and pressed his face to the bars to look inside--there was nothing in there with him.

"Naruto, where's the fox?" he asked.

I am here, human.

Sasuke froze and Naruto shook his head, wrenching his hands free and backing into the darkness of his prison. "Run! You have to run! That monster--it's inside of me! I can't contain it!"

"That monster…has always been inside of you," the black-haired man managed to choke out, his wide eyes rising to Naruto's terrified face. "Since the day you were born, you harbored it inside of you, suffering the pain silently, alone, never knowing, and then never telling anyone when you did find out…"

"I didn't want you to know I was a freak!" he wailed, tears coming to his eyes. "I didn't want you to be scared of me, or turn away! You were the only…!" He realized what he was saying. "…why you? Why is it I remember everything when I think about you?"

"Because, Naruto…" Sasuke reached into the bars with a shaking, unsure hand. "You and I…even though we grew up in different ways, with different lives and different outlooks…we were always meant to be with one another." His own eyes threatened to tear and he smiled helplessly, meeting the other man's eyes. "That's what I realized…while I was gone. That's what made me come back home. To you."

"Sa…" the blond breathed, then grunted in frustration. "I can't remember it! I still can't remember your name!"

"That's okay," Sasuke smiled and his hand steadied. His fingers extended toward the other. "As long as you remember what we've been through. The good as well as the bad." Naruto reached back and curled their fingers together. "All of our memories, the ones we share, bind us together forever. And no matter where we go or whatever happens to either of us, that will keep us connected…"

"…even if I die, I'll always be with you," Naruto finished, gazing up through the bars in wonder. "You said that the first night you became an Anbu."

"I meant it," he nodded.

"And…that's why I joined the Anbu too," the blond continued, his eyes bright with recollection. "I wanted to be with you, even if it was dangerous, even if I wasn't always partnered with you. Just the thought that I could be made me happy." He suddenly chuckled, gulping thickly and his hand tightened, fingers clinging to him like if he let go, the memories would cease to come. "I remember how we fought when we were kids…how I hated you. Or I thought I did."

"Me too," Sasuke nodded, grinning back, his own hand gripping back strongly. "And I was always jealous of the way you lived."

"You were annoyed," Naruto beamed and Sasuke felt his heart thump longingly. He reached into the bars with his other hand and they clasped palms, intertwining strong, sure fingers. "But I was jealous of you too. And I always worked to get better. You pushed me to become stronger…"

"And you pushed me to keep ahead of you."

"Then, you left. And for a long time, I thought it was my fault…" his voice lowered as he recalled the sorrow and pain he had felt for all those years. "It was like…half of me was missing. I was a ghost--I was incomplete. Nothing was the same…and I knew that if I wanted you back, I couldn't wait for you. I had to go and find you."

"I'm sorry I worried you," he whispered and their foreheads pressed together through a gap in the bars. "I had to…I didn't want to…"

"I don't care about any of that," Naruto said roughly. "It's in the past, and now you're here again, with me."

"We're together again," Sasuke nodded, squeezing his eyes tightly shut against the tears that were there and wanted so desperately to fall. "It's my turn to rescue you, Naruto."

"You've…always rescued me," the blond turned his face up and their eyes locked. "I'm just glad that I could finally return the favor."

"Dobe," Sasuke shook his head and pushed away from the iron gates, releasing Naruto's hands and looking up at the bars thoughtfully. "Stand back," he muttered and when Naruto retreated, looking slightly confused, he gave the iron gates a swift, strong kick. They rattled and bucked inward, but did not open. "Naruto, do you know how to open these gates?"

The blond shook his head, looking fearful. "It's only been opened once: when I was dying and the Kyuubi got loose."

"Nn…" Sasuke made a face and turned away from the gates, thinking for a moment. Then, quietly, he said: "Naruto."

"Y-Yeah?" Naruto blinked.

"Whatever happens, and whatever's said…don't interfere."

"W-What? What are you--"

"Hey!" Sasuke ignored him, walking toward the center of the antechamber. "I know you're listening, fox! Where are you?"

Hmph. Insolent human.

"What are you doing?" Naruto cried from his prison. "Stop that! You'll upset him!"

"I want to ask you some questions, and you're going to answer them for me. Understand?" Sasuke continued to ignore him.

I could just kill you and spare myself the annoyance.

"If you kill me now, I'll make sure Naruto dies too," he said back. "And if Naruto dies, you die. Isn't that right?"

You could do no such thing--

"I'll kill myself, you damn fox!" Naruto yelled, gripping the bars and jumping up and down angrily. "If you so much as touch him, I'll kill myself right here!"

Nonsense, I'll be freed.

"The Yondaime made certain that if your container dies, the seal's power would draw inward and destroy you," Sasuke spoke calmly. "I'm right, aren't I?"

The angry growl was unmistakable: What are your questions?

"Why are you blocking the chakra to Naruto's memory?"

As long as he doesn't remember everything, there will always be a weak point for me to slip through whenever I please.

"You bastard!" Naruto screeched indignantly. "Give me my memory!"

"The only reason Naruto is able to remember so much here is because he's here, in your chamber, right?" Sasuke pressed.

…you are much more intelligent then my current vessel.

"Fucking fox!" the blond kicked the cage in anger.
"So where's the final part of his memory?" Sasuke wanted so badly to turn his Sharingan on, but knew it would only work against him here.

I have it.

"Why is it that you took a memory that pertains to me?"

You already explained that yourself: the two of you are connected. Every single one of his memories links its way to you. Because he--

"I SWEAR TO GOD, YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP RIGHT NOW YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

"Naruto, I asked you not to interfere," Sasuke looked back at the red-faced blond, then returned his eyes to the empty chamber beyond. "I don't care about that. What I want to know is, what do you want in exchange?"

An offer?

"What will it take to return all of Naruto's memories?" he asked, his temper reflecting in the tone of his voice.

Freedom.

"You want to be let out?"

I want to be free of this forsaken prison.

"…if I agree to that, are you positive Naruto will get his memory back?"

In response, a blue wisp of chakra twirled into existence before him, circling into an orb the size of his clenched fist. Sasuke looked into it, and a fleeting voice, like from a far-off dream, passed through his head: 'I love you, Sasuke…'

"Let's make a compromise," Sasuke did not reach for the orb. "Give Naruto his final memory and release him--"

No. When I manifest, I must have a body to do so. My own has long-since been destroyed.

"Let me finish." Silence. "Give Naruto his memory back and release him completely, and…you can use my body as your host."

"What the hell are you insane?" Naruto finally spoke up again. "You can't do that!"

You? You'll let me overtake you, body and soul? Fool.

"How about it?" Sasuke called. "Naruto's memories and his release, for me."

"You can't do that!" the blond repeated. "No! STOP!"

Done.

"NO!"