Yay! Chapter 9 is finally here. I never even thought that I would get this far, but my wonderful reviewers kept me going. Thanks to everyone for reading, I hope you enjoy this next installment. Please don't kill me for the ending (again), this isn't the last chapter, so keep looking out for the next one!

Chapter 9

"IRUKA SENSEI!"

No sooner than he looked over his shoulder, Iruka was barreled into by a bright orange blur. When he finally got his wits about him again, Naruto was hugging him tightly and speaking too fast for him to understand.

"Naruto! Whoa, whoa, slow down. I can't understand a word you're saying!"

"I've missed you so much, Iruka sensei! How have you been? How's everything been going? How's Kakashi sensei?" Naruto asked all in one breath.

Iruka looked down upon Naruto's smiling face, his sapphire eyes shining with happiness. He had no idea of the trouble that was going on with his best friend.

Naruto had gotten back later than he wanted, due to the many sandstorms he was caught in on his way back. He had lost a week's worth of time, but he was feeling confident about the situation between him and Sasuke. He was going to get him back no matter what it took.

Iruka looked at his former student with something akin to pity, placing both hands on Naruto's shoulders.

"I'm fine, Naruto. I've missed you too. Things are-. Kakashi is-," Iruka stopped at the thought of his love and the way things were going.

"How have you been Naruto?" Iruka put his arm around his shoulders, and began leading him down the street towards the Hokage's office.

Naruto proceeded to tell his former sensei everything that he had been doing on his trip to Sonagakure. He was so lost in his conversation with Iruka he wasn't paying attention to where Iruka was taking him.

When they were standing in front of the Hokage's office, Naruto began to look confused.

"Iruka sensei, what's going on? Why did you take me here? I know I have to check in, but I at least wanted to get a few things done first," Naruto spat out.

"Naruto-"

"What's wrong, Iruka sensei?"

"You've come back for Sasuke, haven't you," Iruka declared rather than questioned.

Naruto's head dropped as he stared at the floor in thought of his most precious person. Then it hit him. If Iruka sensei was asking him about Sasuke, something must be wrong.

"What's going on, Iruka sensei?" Naruto asked, a pained look on his face. If anything had happened to Sasuke . . .

"I think it would be best if you talked to Hokage-sama, Naruto. Much has happened, but I don't think I'm the right person to tell you-"

"Tell me what Iruka sensei? Is it Sasuke? What's wrong!"

Iruka meerly pushed Naruto between the two anbu standing guard outside the door. He gave Naruto an encouraging smile and a wave as he set back off down the corridor.

Once outside he set off towards the hospital. It was time to check on Kakashi . . .

Naruto was thoroughly nervous by this time, so much so that he was afraid to go in. However, if Sasuke was in trouble he had to find out how, what had happened, if he was okay.

Taking in a deep breath, he slowly lifted his hand to knock on the door.

A loud gutteral cry resounded throughout the building, making the anbu guards tremble. Naruto could feel the killing intent in the sound, could feel the pain. Immediately he knew who it had come from.

Not even bothering to knock on the door, Naruto barreled into the room, eyes wide in panic.

"Where is he! What happened!" Naruto questioned, running up to Tsunade's desk.

Tsunade calmly placed her work to the side and looked up at Naruto. This was hard for her. How was she to tell him what had happened to Sasuke? That he cried out for Naruto to be brought to him? Cried out for a fox's blood . . .

"Sit down, Naruto. We need to have a little chat."

"No. Where is he? Take me to him!"

"Sit Down!"

Reluctantly Naruto sat down. He had to find Sasuke, ease the pain he felt in his cry. Naruto's chest tightened in remembrance of the sound.

"Tsunade, please-"

"Sasuke has become a threat to the village, Naruto," Tsunade stated.

Naruto had never felt more horrible in his life. He knew everything that had happened to Sasuke was all his fault. All because of his stupidity. Sasuke had fallen deep into the darkness this time and whatever trouble he had caused was his fault as well.

"How so?" Naruto asked, voice small.

"About nine days ago Sasuke was discovered missing. When I sent a message for him, he was not there to receive it. Three days later, he still wasn't there," Tsunade stopped, taking a breath.

Naruto knew where Sasuke had run off to. He had followed him many times when he said he wanted to be alone. The crystal cave was the refuge he sought everytime.

"I sent out our best tracker-"

"Kakashi." Now Naruto knew why Iruka had stopped when he was beginning to tell him how things were.

"What did he do to him?"

"Kakashi won't be leaving the hospital anytime soon. He's currently under my care. Kakashi found him with the help of Pakkun, but sadly wasn't able to bring him out of the cave he was found in. I went and fetched him personally, not and easy task mind you. Even though he has injured one of his own, Sasuke is still a member of this village. Also, I know of your attraction towards each other," Tsunade stopped again, allowing Naruto time to soak up all the information.

Naruto looked at Tsunade like a deer caught in the headlights.

"How?"

"Who do you think allowed for your marriage to go through?"

Damn woman. She knew too much for her own good sometimes.

"Anyways, back to the subject at hand. I have Sasuke contained right now, but unless you think there's anything you can do to help him, I will have no choice but to-"

"Don't."

Tsunade was not used to taking orders.

"Naruto-"

"I can handle him. Let me see him."

"I don't think right now would be a wise time to-"

"No. Now. The sooner the better. You also might want to evacuate the building. I don't want anyone getting in my way or getting hurt."

"Naruto-"

"Please, Tsunade. I've done this before, I know what I'm doing. He's fallen again. I just need to pick him back up. It's my fault he's like this, and I want to fix it. I need to do this. I'm the only one to do it. I'm asking you to trust me Tsunade. If I'm going to be the Hokage of this village you need to trust me on this."

Tsunade took Naruto's words in in understanding. She would want to do the same for her precious person. Hopefully Jiraiya wouldn't ever cause as much trouble as Sasuke though.

Nodding her head in an okay to Naruto's request, she stood up and said, "Let's go."

Stepping outside she gave commands to the anbu standing guard, telling them to clear out the building. Leading Naruto down the hallway, she entered the side stairwell.

Tsunade stopped and looked deep in Naruto's eyes. He was the closest thing to a son that she was ever going to have, and she didn't want to lose him now. However, know was the time when he needed to prove something. Prove that he was capable of taking on future responsibilities. He needed to be let go, and she trusted him to get the job done.

"Keep taking these stairs all the way down. Here's the keys for the door. I just wanted to let you know, you'd better come back or you'll never get another round of free sake from me again."

"Gee, thanks, old hag," Naruto said cocking half a nervous smile.

"Be strong."

Naruto gave a wave and began descending the stairs two at a time when he heard Sasuke's cries once more. The pain in it gripped at Naruto's heart like a vice, and it just kept squeezing. His hands were trembling so bad, the keys jingled in them, causing the sharp sound to echo in the stairwell.

This wouldn't do. Naruto needed to be strong. He would never be able to help Sasuke this way. Steeling his nerves he continued down the stairs, headed towards his fate. He only hoped she would be kind.

Sasuke could feel him coming closer. Could feel that familiar chakra pulsing. It tasted delicious. He wanted more.

"Come closer, little fox. I've been waiting for you," Sasuke's darkness called out.

Inside the light was fading fast. Digging his fingers desperately into the darkness, he began trying to claw his way up. He could feel Naruto and knew he had to get out to see him.

"Naruto!" Sasuke cried out, praying he would hear him.

Naruto heard Sasuke's pleas as he placed the keys in the lock. Barreling through the door, he felt himself walk through Tsunade's containment barrier. The room was dark. Frantically he scanned the room, looking for Sasuke.

Sasuke was slowly making his way up, spurred on by the feeling of Naruto coming ever closer. He called out to him again.

"Naruto! Help me!"

"Sasuke!" Naruto heard his cry for help and knew Sasuke wasn't completely lost in the darkness. There was still hope. Running towards the middle of the room he finally saw his body huddled in a corner, head hanging low in his hands. Naruto could hear the sobs escaping his lips as he rocked back and forth in despair. The darkness had nearly completed its task in taking over, but Naruto knew inside Sasuke was desperately trying to reach the light.

It was just like last time, only much worse. Sasuke had finally looked up at him. There was no light to be seen on Sasuke's face. The whites of his eyes had disappeared. Covering the whole was an inky black. Not even the Sharingan was present. This was bad.

"So, you've finally decided to show yourself, eh fox?" the darkness asked him.

Naruto was ready for it.

"I beat your ass once, and now I'm here to do it again!"

"Oh, no. You see, Sasuke's no longer here, fox! I've finally destroyed him, just like I'm about to do to you!"

Sasuke could hear himself talking to Naruto, but the words weren't his own. Naruto was so close, he had to let him know he was still here. Still fighting.

"Naruto! Don't believe it! I'm here!"

The darkness clutched at the sides of Sasuke's head, clawing , as if trying to rip Sasuke apart.

"Shut up! You're no longer the one in charge!"

Naruto saw the black of Sasuke's eyes flash back and forth between his normal cold ones and the darkness'.

"Oi! Are you ready to lose? Because you're about to find out who's truly in charge here, asshole!" Naruto charged head on at Sasuke's body, flinging kunai as a distraction. He didn't want to physically hurt Sasuke too badly, but injuries were going to be unavoidable during this battle.

Seeing his chance when Sasuke's eyes flashed once again he leapt in the air, aiming a roundhouse kick at Sasuke's temple.

The darkness came back right in time to reach up grab Naruto's ankle and swing him around to throw him across the room.

Naruto landed without injury, as he righted himself, feet sliding across the floor. His training with Lee had made his reflexes react much faster than they used to. The darkness noticed.

"I see you have improved since last time, fox!" the darkness said, the last word dripping off his tongue as if he found it distasteful.

"You're about to find out just how much," Naruto retorted, hands flying quickly through the necessary seals. The red chakra from his inner demon began swirling around his hands, gathering strength.

Gaara had helped him develop his own version of his Desert Sand Coffin. Naruto's was meant to bind, not to kill and he had had many months of practice. Concentrating the necessary amounts of chakra he focused upon the areas he wished to bind.

Sasuke was running up at him, not wanting to let him finish his jutsu. Throwing shuriken, the darkness aimed them at major arteries, but Sasuke was getting closer and closer to the light so he was able to throw them off at the last moment to less harmful areas.

Naruto took the shuriken wounds in favor of finishing his jutsu. Sasuke needed only to get a little closer for him to bind.

Sasuke ran up closer disappearing and then reapearing right in front of Naruto. A kunai in his hand found its way into Naruto's side. Naruto meerly grinned.

"Binding Red Ties no jutsu!" Naruto called out, thrusting both hands forward into Sasuke's chest, knocking him back until he stopped, bound by Naruto's jutsu. The red chakra flowed evenly over his body, every inch paralyzed.

The darkness let out a loud animalistic growl at being held against its will. On the inside, Sasuke felt the darkness release the pressure it was putting on him as he made his way to the top. He furiously scrambled, seizing the chance to move uninhibited towards Naruto and freedom.

"Naruto! I'm coming!" he called out.

Sasuke's eyes flashed before Naruto as he walked up to the darkness, ready to finish what he came here for. He was going to get Sasuke back even if it killed him. The wound in his side was beginning to pain him, but he ignored it. This needed to be finished.

"This is over," Naruto said once he was meerly inches away from the darkness, still bound by his chakra.

A dark maniacal laugh escaped Sasuke's lips as the darkness began taking over once again.

"You're a fool, fox! To think you could stop me!"

A look of confusion was the only thing Naruto was able to give out before the darkness popped, a log left in its place. From behind it came the real darkness, flying full force at him, kunai held at Naruto's throat.

Naruto landed hard, back against the wall. His head slammed against the wall, bouncing back and pressing his neck further upon the kunai. He winced at the pain.

"Well, well. Look at what I've caught. A little fox with an oversized ego. How dare you presume to tie me down! I'll kill you!"

Naruto could feel Sasuke's hot breath on his lips as he spoke. The kunai pressed harder on Naruto's neck, causing a small drop of blood to trickle down his neck.

"NO!" Sasuke shouted, eyes flashing back and forth between the darkness and his own. Sasuke was so close he could see Naruto.

"Go ahead! You want to kill me so bad, what's stopping you!"

"Aaargh!" the darkness screamed, pressing ever harder. Sasuke was desperately holding the darkness back, keeping it from killing Naruto.

"Naruto," Sasuke said eyes changing back to their original form. "Please don't give up on me. I can feel myself slipping," he was straining to hold the darkness at bay. His eyes began to water as they turned black again.

"Never."

"You will lose! I will kill you!"

"So be it," Naruto whispered, pressing his head forward, the kunai cutting deep in his throat, but not before he was able to capture Sasuke's lips with his own. Grabbing the sides of Sasuke's face, he whipsered hoarsely in his ears.

"I-did mean it,-Sasuke. With all-my heart. I love you."

Sasuke felt the warmest sunshine wash over the darkness, leaving not even so much as a shadow. He felt himself slowly returning to his own senses in his body as he finally reached the light. He could feel the warmth of blood on his hands, and the grip he held on the kunai. Could feel the tears as they finally escaped and made trails down his cheeks.

Taking a deep breath, the air filling his lungs, restoring some strength to his body. In front of him was Naruto, crystal sapphire eyes staring blankly into his own as his arms fell limp at his sides.

Quickly, Sasuke removed the kunai from Naruto's throat, causing the blood to drain out of his body and travel down the front of his chest as he fell in a heap on the floor.

Sasuke's eyes grew wide as he dropped the kunai, the clink as it hit the floor sounding through his head, making him realize what he had just done.

Dropping quickly to his knees, he picked Naruto up, craddling him in his arms, heedless of the blood that now covered his front. Pulling Naruto closer, he gripped him tight, rocking him back and forth. Sobs escaped his throat before a ripping sound tore out of him. The pain was unbearable as it seized hold over his heart, making him tremble.

Looking at his face, he stroked his cheeks, running his fingers over Naruto's whiskers, tears dripping down and leaving clear trails through the blood.

"Naruto," he choked out. "NARUTO!" he cried, hugging him close, once again.

"I'm-so glad you're-back," came the lightest of whispers.

Sasuke was shocked at the sound, he held his breath in, hoping it wasn't his imagination. He was afraid to hope, it would hurt to much if it were to be squashed.

"Naruto-" Sasuke shook his head in disbelief. Naruto eyes were lidded halfway, and his breathing was coming in small short gasps.

"You shouldn't have done this! Don't you know I have no reason to be here if you're not here with me? Please, don't leave me," he choked out, tears once again assaulted his cheeks.

Naruto gave a weak smile.

"I promised I wouldn't give up. It was worth it to see you as yourself once more." He reached up and placed his hand on Sasuke's cheek, wiping away his tears with his thumb. Sasuke placed a hand over Naruto's leaning into and then kissing his open palm, before he laced their fingers together.

"Don't talk anymore. I'm going to get you help." Sasuke looked at his wound and saw it closing slightly due to kyuubi's healing.

Naruto could no longer hear Sasuke.

"I did mean-it, Sasuke. I-did," Naruto repeated. He needed him to know before he left.

"Shh, I know. Stay with me, we're going to find Tsunade," he said picking him up and scanning out for Tsunade's chakra.

"I meant it," he said before passing out.

"Shit! Naruto!" Sasuke began to leave the building, heading faster than he had ever gone before towards Tsunade's chakra.

"Don't die on me, Naruto!"

Okay, I'm not very good at writing fight scenes which is why this one was as short as it is. So please don't be too harsh about it, I tried my best I really did! And the ending thing, don't worry, it's not over yet, there's more to come! Keep looking for more and keep up the wonderful reviews people!
R/R! TBC!