Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, there would definitely be some yaoi in the works, and please do not sue me. I do not even have a job, so it wouldn't be my fault if you wasted all your money on lawyers, only to get zip outta me in the end.
Rated NC-17 - for later chapters

Chapter 5

Sasuke lay still for what seemed like forever in the rain. Seconds, minutes, hours, what did he care anymore, nothing mattered. He thought about going home, but he didn't consider it his home anymore. How was he supposed to go back to a place that would do nothing but haunt him with memories of his kitsune.

Kitsune . . .

Could he even call him that anymore?

Cold rain continued to pelt his face, but he didn't feel it. He was thoroughly soaked, something that would normally agitate him to no end. He hated being wet. Now, he could care less. Everything seemed so insignificant without him.

Without him there was no brightness or sunshine to chase away the demons that plagued his mind, his memories. Naruto had only been gone for a short time, but already he could feel the darkness taking over bit by bit. He was terrified. What would happen if it were to consume him like it had last time?

Sasuke couldn't let that happen. Unlike last time, Naruto wouldn't come to his rescue right before he was fully consumed, bringing his light in to chase away the darkness. If he let it take over him this time, there would be nothing left, and no one would be able to pull him back towards the light. Not even Naruto.

Sasuke picked himself up and began heading to the only place he had left to go . . .

Trees whirred by, branches stinging, and cutting skin, leaving welts that stung, but Naruto didn't care. The pain helped him forget. Forget that he had just lost his best friend; forget that he had just left the only place he had ever called home, and wasn't planning on returning anytime soon. Forget the feeling of emptiness and loss that now plagued his emotions. Also, to forget that he wanted Sasuke, too, but couldn't have him.

Upon hearing Sasuke's confession, Naruto prayed it wasn't true. He had been in love with Sasuke nearly as long as he had him, but new better than to act on his feelings. When he found out about their marriage, he had the only thing he could. When he received Sasuke's kisses, he wouldn't lash out, but would let Sasuke believe they weren't welcome in case Sasuke was doing it out of feeling, and not making fun of him. He couldn't let that happen. If Sasuke and him were to get together, what on earth would the village think? They would blame it all on Naruto. No more Uchiha's, no heir to continue on Sasuke's lineage or blood limit, and it would all be the demon's fault. No way would they accept him as Hokage then. No matter what Tsunade said. They'd wait until she died and elect a new Hokage, never giving him a second glance, and Naruto wouldn't blame them one bit.

Upon reaching the edge of the forest, Naruto stopped to take a breather. Finally allowing himself to feel everything he had been holding back.

Tears ran down his cheeks as he remembered the look of pain on Sasuke's face. The pain he had put there for his own good. They could never be together, but Sasuke wouldn't hear it. Naruto knew Sasuke wouldn't care what everyone else thought, and though Naruto acted as if he didn't, he really and truly did. He wouldn't put Sasuke through the glares, the whispers. Wouldn't let things be thrown at Sasuke all because of him. Naruto knew what it could do to a person and he wouldn't, couldn't ever let it happen to Sasuke. He had been through enough already.

Tears still rolling down his cheeks, he headed towards the only country he hoped he was still welcome in . . .

Sasuke began heading back towards the ruins of the Uchiha estate, hoping there was somewhere still left there for him to stay. After the burning he had never gone back. There hadn't been a reason to.

The rain still continually hit his face, making his mood more miserable, when suddenly it stopped. Upon looking up he saw an umbrella towering over his head. Kakashi stood next to him, reading his usual orange Icha Icha Paradise. Seeing the orange made Sasuke's heart give a lurch at the remembrance of who always wore the color. However, even though it hurt, the bright color held the darkness back.

"So, he ran, huh?" Kakashi's question snapped Sasuke out of his reverie.

"Yes. Just like I said he would."

"Don't worry. He's coming back." Kakashi said flipping a page, acting as if his attention was full on the book.

"How would you know?" Sasuke let his hopes go up a bit, but only a little. Kakashi had been wrong the last time they had a conversation about Naruto.

"He said he would," he stated simply.

Sasuke thought back to everything Naruto had said that night. The only words he could truly remember were 'I don't want anything to do with you, right now'.

Right now . . .

This time, Sasuke understood without Kakashi having to spell it out for him.

"So you were eavesdropping, huh? Too easy of a skill for such a high level ninja to bother with, don't you think?"

"I happened to overhear, yes, and sometimes the simplest skills or tasks will save your life someday. Remember that Sasuke." Kakashi continues walking on, leaving Sasuke in the rain once again.

Kakashi met up with Iruka around the corner. Seeing that face made him smile from ear to ear.

"So, you think he understood?" Iruka questioned, falling into step next to Kakashi.

Kakashi placed a hand in his in reassurance. He knew that with Iruka being a teacher, he wanted to help his students as much as possible and in any way he could. That was all well and great, Kakashi had once told him. But sometimes, people needed to figure things out for themselves. This was one such time.

"They'll be fine. Just give them some time," he said, looking over at Iruka.

Iruka but his lower lip in doubt. The sight caused a surge of heat to spread through Kakashi's loins.

"Please, don't do that," Kakashi pleaded.

Iruka looked up in confusion, until he saw the blush on Kakashi's visible cheek. This in turn caused Iruka to blush quite openly. He couldn't help it. Kakashi was always doing or saying things that lit the teacher on fire. Not to mention the fact that he blushed easily and Kakashi knew it, so he was always trying things to get that flush to appear.

"That's it. We have to get home. Now." Kakashi pulled Iruka up in his arms and began speeding over the rooftops at a brisk pace.
Iruka just smiled and blushed harder.

Sasuke saw Kakashi soar over his head with his former teacher in his arms and smirked, shaking his head. 'Well, at least they're happy,' he thought as he continued his walk to the estate.

Sasuke decided before reaching his old home that he was no longer going to let the demons of the past haunt him. He needed to be stronger than that for when Naruto came back. If he ever did. Either way, Sasuke was going to be ready for anything, and he knew exactly how he was going to do it.

Upon reaching the dilapidated ruins he began searching for a place to keep him dry. Seeing the moonlight glint upon something, he pushed aside some rubble to see a metal door that led underground around in the area where the kitchens would have been.

'The wine cellar,' he thought, amused at his find. It would do. He opened the hatch and began descending down the stairs. Dust filled his nostrils making him sneeze. It needed to be cleaned, and clearing out the rows upon rows of clan wine would take awhile, but once done, it would be bigger than Naruto's apartment.
Right now though, all he wanted was to sleep and forget the events of the evening. He swept off a spot on the floor, causing another sneeze. It was still dirty, but it was dry and quiet. He had slept on worse, and on more than one occasion. Lying down on his back, he put his arm over his eyes, hearing and understanding Naruto's words.

'I don't want to have anything to do with you right now'

Right now . . .

Tears slipped down the Uchiha's face, unseen in the darkness.

Right now . . .

Naruto began settling down for the night high off of the ground in a thick branch. He was halfway to his destination.

Sand country.

Since becoming the Kazekage, Naruto had not given Gaara a visit. He decided now would be a good time. It would be unexpected, but Gaara seemed to like the unexpected sometimes. There really wasn't much you could tell with Gaara besides the fact that he liked killing. Which Naruto hoped he had toned that down a bit once he was the Kazekage. He knew how many great responsibilities being the leader of your people gave you. Tsunade had drilled it into his head too many times to count.

But she wouldn't be able to anymore.

Not for awhile at least. Naruto just had to wait until Sasuke fell out of love with him. Surely with all the fan girls, and even the few fan boys, Sasuke could find someone better than him. Right?

Naruto's heart sank at the image of Sasuke happy with another. He shook his head to rid himself of the image. It was the way it had to be. They could never be together.

Ever.

Naruto squirmed around a bit, trying to find a comfortable position. It had been awhile since he had had to sleep in a tree since his Hokage lessons. Finally getting settled, he closed his eyes, and slowed his breathing. In his mind he could hear Sasuke's whispered confession.

'I love you, my little kitsune'

Kitsune . . .

A strong wind blew through the canopy, taking with it a few freshly fallen tears.

Kitsune . . .

Sasuke awoke, his back screaming at him. Opening his eyes he almost didn't recognize his surroundings until the memories of last night swamped his mind. He pushed them aside. Much needed to be done today, and if he thought about Naruto, nothing would get accomplished. Much as he wanted to think of his kitsune, he couldn't. At least not right now.

Standing up and brushing himself off, he felt his way to the stairs. Pushing the door open, the sunlight hit directly in his eyes, causing him to be blinded temporarily. Looking up again he saw a vision of Naruto, smiling brightly and leaning over with an outstretched hand to help him up, but when he blinked it was gone. Just like Naruto was in real life.

Sasuke couldn't keep doing this to himself. He didn't know how long he was going to have to wait for him, but if Naruto was all he was going to see or think about he would be crazy by the end of the week.

Shaking his head and closing the hatch, he began a slow pace towards the village square. He would buy everything he needed before starting on cleaning and clearing out the cellar, if only because he was dreading doing it. Cleaning was not one of his favorite past times, but he understood it needed to be done and accepted it as a part of life. Sure he could hire someone to do it for him, but then everyone in the village would know that the great Uchiha Sasuke, with all his power, fame, and fortune was choosing to live in a wine cellar. That just wouldn't do.

Passing Ichiraku's, he stopped when he saw another vision of Naruto sitting at his usual stool, bowl upon empty bowl stacked up in front of him, rubbing his stomach in contentment and giving his wide grin at him. A thumbs up sign indicated he was full. Naruto always did that after he asked him if he was done.

Sasuke picked up the pace, heading to the supermarket. He needed cleaning supplies and light bulbs, having found out the ones in the cellar were busted.
After grabbing his cleaning products he headed over to the isle in which the light bulbs were, passing the magazine rack where he saw Naruto holding up the newest edition of his favorite manga, a pout on his lower lip, begging Sasuke to buy it for him. Sasuke could never refuse that face, and Naruto seemed to know it. Seeing this made Sasuke walk over and grab the newest manga. He would have them all waiting for Naruto when he came back.

Grabbing the light bulbs he headed towards the checkout, frowning upon seeing the girl squealing, waiting for Sasuke to come closer so she could wait on him.

'Great, another fan girl,' he thought with dismay.

"Good morning, Sasuke!" the girl greeted him cheerfully. Sasuke grunted in return.

"You know, I heard the strangest news this morning, it'll be $8.35, and I was just wondering if you wanted to go eat somewhere and - talk -about- it-" the girl stopped watching Sasuke leave. He left his cash on the counter, and walked out of the store, not even bothering to listen to the rest of the girls babbling.

Bag in hand, Sasuke headed over to the hardware store. He was going to need paint, and lots of it. Heading towards the paint mixer, he spotted the attendant tapping his fingers on the counter and looking very bored.

Approaching the man, he told him the color he needed and then prepared to wait. His thoughts of were to go next were interrupted by the sound of the machine shaking the can and the mans voice yelling to be heard over it.

"You know, this color reminds me of the demon kid." Sasuke could feel himself beginning to get angry.

"I heard he just up and left, abandoning all his duties as the next Hokage. Good riddance, if you ask me. Never wanted that filthy animal to be Hokage anyway."

Sasuke saw red. Jumping over the counter, he grabbed the man by the collar, and began lowering his head towards the violently shaking can of paint.

"Get this and get it now! He's coming back! And when he does he's going to be the best Hokage you've ever seen! Got that! Good. I want you, since you have such a wonderful way with words, to tell everyone that if I hear anyone, and I mean anyone saying anything but good about Naruto, that's right, the demon has a name, that I will personally hunt them down myself! And whenever they are found it won't be a pretty sight! Understand!"

The man shook his head, terror written all over his now sweating face.

"Good." Sasuke stood the man back up. "Now make my paint and keep your mouth shut until I leave."

Sasuke walked out of the hardware store with five gallons of free paint and an included dolly to roll it out with. He was more than satisfied. The dolly would come in handy later, when he bought his new mattress. He couldn't go back to get the old one. That would be too much for him to handle. Though he would pay for Naruto's rent, so that when he decided to come back he would still have his home.

It started raining on his way back to the estate to drop the paint off so he could use the dolly for other things. He decided to take the quickest way there, which meant passing up the apartment. When he saw the window for Naruto's bedroom, Naruto was in front of it, in his pajamas, scowling at the rain.

He moved past it as fast as he could.

Later that day when he had everything he needed he began cleaning out the cellar, wondering what to do with all the wine, when a thought hit him about how much Tsunade would probably be willing to pay for vintage Uchiha wine. He smiled evilly. No sense in letting it go to waste.

A few hours later, Sasuke sat on the ground outside his now cleaned out cellar, forearms on his knees, breathing heavily. It wasn't sparring, but it still gave him a workout. He had all the wine boxed up and ready to be sent to Tsunade who had been more than willing to pay Sasuke's price. She wasn't too happy however, about Sasuke's explanation of what had happened to Naruto, but cheered up rather quickly when he told her he was coming back.

Getting back up, he grabbed his cleaning materials and headed back down the stairs for the hundredth time that day. He had been counting to keep his mind off of other things. Once done cleaning, he dragged the five gallons of orange paint downstairs, prepared for the worst part of his day.

Orange was never a color Sasuke would've picked out for himself, but after seeing Kakashi's book he knew he needed it to keep his darkness at bay. It would be hard having to look at it everyday, and try not to remember all the things he didn't want to forget, but would have to put aside for now if he was going to try and go on without him for awhile. It would help him never forget though, which Sasuke wouldn't ever do regardless. He couldn't.

Walls painted, mattress set up on an empty, flat wine rack recovered in new linens, and a dresser full of new clothes, Sasuke sat down on his new bed and stared at the other end of the cellar where he had made a makeshift kitchen. Half fridge, portable stove, an island with a stool made from bits of good wood found from the rubble above his head. In another corner was a small T.V. with newly purchased couch. All that was missing was a shower since he had bought a portable toilet as well, which he wasn't happy about having to use, but he couldn't put a bathroom down here without having everyone knowing where he was staying. Right now, he wanted his privacy, and he was sure he could pop over to Kakashi's to shower when needed. He just hoped he didn't pop in at the wrong time.

Finally deciding his work was finished he lay down for some well deserved rest, the fresh smell of paint invading his nostrils as he dreamed of Naruto.

Kakashi, finally deciding that Sasuke wasn't coming out again, leapt out of his hiding spot and sped back towards Iruka, still smiling over Sasuke's choice in paint color.

Naruto was settling down in his guest bedroom, having just gotten back from a tour of the village by the Kazekage himself. Many people steered clear of their path, and at first Naruto had thought it was him until Gaara assured him it wasn't.

"It's me. It seems they're still afraid of me even after all this time."

During their tour, Naruto had even found a ramen stand with great miso pork. Not as good as Ichiraku's. None would ever compare, but still good nonetheless.

Even more unexpected was seeing Lee. Apparently Lee and Gaara were the best of friends now that Gaara had taken the time to get to know the first person ever to land a hit on him, instead of trying to kill him. Somehow, Naruto suspected they were much more than they led him to believe, but if they were happy together, then he was happy for them. He was just glad he wouldn't wake up to any weird noises since their room they shared together was at the end of the hall.

Gaara had been surprised when Naruto told him how long he intended to stay, even let a little of the emotion show on his usually stoic face, but happily agreed telling him he was welcome for as long as he wanted. This pleased Naruto, he was in debt up to his eyeballs for Gaara allowing him to stay for free, so when he asked if there was anything he could do in return, all Gaara said was, "Just keep Lee company when I need him out of my hair during my duties. Also, just be a friend. A normal friend. None of this Kazekage sir, just call me Gaara and treat me as a normal person."

This caused surprise to show on Naruto's face. He'd never been asked to be someone's friend before. Not that it would be hard. He liked Gaara, he was a good guy once you got past the fact that he liked to kill (which he had toned down majorly). It was Lee that was going to be hard to keep entertained. He was always going a mile a minute. Sometimes even too much for Naruto to keep up with.

Naruto agreed. Everything was settled as Naruto settled himself under the blue blankets. They reminded him of Sasuke's shirt that he always wore, and he couldn't help but think of him. He had tried so hard not to think of him all day, but he kept popping in his head when he wasn't welcomed, just like he had at the apartment. When Naruto had seen this particularly deadly looking weapon set in a window at a shop, he thought of Sasuke and how he knew it would please him. A little boy with coal black hair and eyes ran past Naruto, brushing his leg, and chasing after a little blond haired boy. He could have sworn it was Sasuke as a child.
He was everywhere, even at the ramen stand he would have bet money (he was picking up Tsunade's bad habits) he heard him ask if he was done, and as usual, he gave a big thumbs up sign, only to let his hand fall slowly in his lap when he looked over and saw a stranger instead of Sasuke.

Naruto just wanted to forget, and hoped Sasuke would forget him as he slowly fell asleep, unwillingly dreaming of the little child with coal black eyes and hair.

He awoke the next morning to a servant bringing in his breakfast. French toast and eggs. Naruto almost broke down right there. It was exactly the same breakfast he had made Sasuke that morning . . .

"Um, I appreciate the offer, but is there anything else I could possibly get to eat, please?" he asked looking down at the covers he was fiddling with between his fingers.

'Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry,' he told himself.

"Of course, dearie! Just tell me what it is you would like and I'll have it brought right up!" said the maidservant. She looked to be about in her late sixties, gray hair, wrinkles, grandma-like qualities.

"Anything but that will be fine. I'm sorry, it's just that brings up bad memories for me," he said finally getting a good look at the old woman.

"Of course, dear! You just get refreshed and changed and by the time you're done, I'll be back."

She was right. Naruto had showered, changed and combed his hair which usually never helped it and had just begun to put on his hitai-ate when the old woman came bustling back with a hot tray of ham, biscuits and gravy and a tall glass of milk. Naruto's stomach growled at the sight of it.

When he was done eating, he brushed his teeth and was ready to start his day. Stepping outside into the hallway, he looked around for Gaara or Lee. They weren't out there. He began wondering if it was considered proper to just up and knock on the Kazekage's door, when he remembered Gaara telling him to just treat him like a normal person.

He trudged down the carpeted hallway, looking out the windows. He could see a sandstorm coming towards the village from quite a ways away and scowled at it. Hopefully, it wouldn't reach the village at all. Naruto hated being cooped up inside. He needed his freedom.

When he reached Gaara and Lee's bedroom door he had just raised a fist to knock when he heard a conversation taking heat on the other side.

"But Gaara!" whined Lee, "I was hoping to get to spend the day with you"

Naruto took a step back. He shouldn't be eavesdropping but he had never heard Lee whine like that before, and it was rather humorous. He stepped back up to the door.

"That's too bad. I have too many meetings today, and besides, Naruto just got here, and he looks like he could use a friend right now. Spend some time with him."

"Oh, very well. If you say so my love."

'My love?' thought Naruto. He knew it. He tried to stifle a giggle, but wasn't doing a very great job at it.

"I will show him that youth is too fleeting to be wasted on anything but wonderful feelings."

"Good. Why don't you answer the door and tell him yourself, he's right on the other side."

Busted.

"Naruto!" Lee exclaimed. "Come. Let us head out and enjoy our youth before the storm hits!"

"But how did you-?" Naruto asked.

Lee jerked his thumb behind him, directing it at Gaara.

"He always knows."

That made sense.

Naruto and Lee had a few hours to kill before the storm would hit, but neither one could think of anything to do, so they mostly walked while talking of the past. It felt good to Naruto to catch up with old friends.

"So how's Sasuke?" questioned Lee.

"I'd rather not talk about him right now."

"But Naruto? You and he are best friends, are you not?"

Naruto was saved from answering the question when a drunk stumbled between them.

"Is that stuff really that good to make people purposely want to end up like that?" Lee asked pointing at the fallen drunk.

"You've never drank before?" Naruto was shocked when Lee shook his head no.

Oh, this was gonna be good . . .