A/N: Ah, Gomen, gomen. I only made you wait two days, though. Could've been much longer. Be thankful! Thankful, dammit! lol, I kid. Hope y'all enjoy.
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, the kiss at the beginning of the series would not have been "accidental"... but K. Masashi is mean like that.
IMPORTANT: No, not another hiatus, I'm not that mean, lol. It's actually about the reviews. I've recently discovered that there is a certain smiley that erases everything written after it if it is used in a review. I realized this when I reviewed someone else's work, and left a long review, only to have it cut down to about eight words because of the stupid smiley! It's the one I would've used right at the end of the previous sentence; the annoyed looking one. It's hard to describe, but I'll try my best. It's when you use the two arrows that point in opposite directions with a period in the middle. You know, you get the arrows by hitting shift and the comma or period keys. Those arrows. So if you don't want to have cut off reviews for ANYONE, avoid that face and write :annoyed: or something instead. I know it sucks, but it's better than writing an essay of a review and having it cut off, as often happens with most people. Just thought I'd let y'all know, and enjoy the chapter.
Kiba ran to Medic Eight at full speed, skidding to a halt beside it and almost losing his balance. He hauled himself up onto the side of the small ambulance to get to the door, since it was still lying on its side. He wrenched open the door and looked inside. Aoba let out a groan. Good, at least he was still alive.
"Aoba, hang in there, buddy." Kiba ran one hand over his eyes to rid them of the blood flowing down his face. He had a cut somewhere on his head, and it was actually more annoying than painful. It wouldn't stop bleeding into his eyes.
"Yer bleedin'." Aoba mumbled as he struggled to unfasten his seatbelt.
"Well, at least I know you're still you. Only an idiot would point out something so blatantly obvious." Kiba grunted as he grabbed Aoba's arm and pulled him out of his seat. "You're not hurt, are you?"
"Would I've let ya move me'f I was?" Aoba asked with an annoyed look.
"Fair enough." Kiba pulled the other man out of the ambulance so the two of them were sitting on the side of it. "You okay to jump down?"
"Jesus, what happened?" Aoba breathed as he looked around.
"Aoba!" Tenten screamed from Kakashi's side. "I need help!"
"Alright!" he called back before turning to Kiba. "Get 'Yate."
Kiba grabbed his arm before Aoba could jump off, his eyes locked painfully on the ground. "I don't think he'll be able to help you, man."
"Oh." Aoba whispered.
"Scarface, we're trapped!" Kiba's head whipped up as Sasuke's voice blasted across his radio.
"What?.!" Kiba hollered back as he jumped off the over-turned ambulance and bolted towards the front of the building.
"What do you mean by trapped?" Raidou asked.
"Trapped, like, a wall of fire on every fucking side!" Naruto hollered.
Kiba paused in his step and looked around. He then narrowed his eyes and bolted for Engine Two. He jumped into their Crewcab (1) and rummaged around for some equipment.
"Here." Kiba turned as he heard the voice and almost dropped the Scott Pack thrown at him. "We don't have much time."
Gaara walked away from Kiba, already snapping his mask into place. Kiba hastily pulled his own on before jumping off the rig and running after Gaara. The redhead walked up to two other firefighters who were still hosing off the side building.
"We need that." he said in a dangerous voice, turning the hose off and grabbing it from their hands.
"Wha—hey!" Gaara and Kiba ignored them, the brunette grabbing the hose right behind Gaara as the two of them rushed towards the burning building.
"Death, Kyuubi, hang on. We're coming in." Gaara said over his radio.
"What?.! Sandman, are you nuts?.! Forget it, we're goners anyway!"
"Do you have any idea how badly Hyuuga will hurt me if I let you die?" Gaara snapped back to Naruto. "Shut up, stay put, and don't die."
There was a slight pause. "Kay." Naruto whispered. "Please hurry."
"We're almost there!" Kiba reassured as he and Gaara began to crawl through the gloom.
They moved faster than they'd ever known was possible, following Naruto and Sasuke's hose until they reached a wall of fire that was probably the cause of Naruto and Sasuke's entrapment.
"Okay, we've found you!" Kiba hollered into his radio as he and Gaara got positioned. "Hang tight and stay low, cause we're going to be making a hell of a lot of steam!"
"Got it." Sasuke voiced back. "Hurry up, we're running out of air."
"Shut up, you ungrateful bastard!" Kiba hollered just as Gaara opened the nozzle and slammed back into Kiba. The brunette let out a small groan, shaking his head, effectively sending droplets of blood onto the front of his mask. Terrific, he thought with a sigh. We need to get out of here before blood fills up my mask and I drown in it.
The two of them proceeded to water down the entire area in front of them, occasionally seeing Naruto and Sasuke through the flames. It would take a while, but Gaara was confident the other two would make it back out alive. If they didn't, then neither would he.
Itachi watched the scene happening below him from the roof of a nearby building, a cigarette trapped between his lips. He had to admit, he hadn't watched his brother tackling fires in a while, and he'd forgotten how good he could be.
Of course, he was also very angry. What was he doing here? When had he transferred into Station Seven? Having him here defeated the purpose of trying to kill his brother, because he risked killing him, too! Dammit, why couldn't he just be a smart little boy and stay where he was fucking assigned?.!
"Tch." he let out, annoyed. He pulled out another cigarette and lit it with the end of his dying one before throwing it off the roof of the building and inhaling on his new one.
Then again, it didn't seem like he had to worry. Not right now, anyway. Even though Sasuke and Naruto weren't exiting the building, two other firefighters he'd never caught the names of had run in to help them. They would be out any minute now, and Itachi could rest assured that his little blond wasn't injured.
Then again, this still posed a problem. Not only would he have to be more careful when it came to hurting Sasuke, but he and Naruto seemed close. Itachi narrowed his eyes. Really close. Dear little brother, what have you gotten yourself into?
Itachi inhaled deeply, keeping the smoke trapped in his lungs for a few seconds before slowly breathing out. He didn't really know what to do right now. And the relationship between Sasuke and Naruto was worrying.
And it wasn't fair.
Why should Sasuke get what Itachi had claimed years ago? The elder Uchiha had been fighting tooth and nail for Naruto, and he hadn't won yet, so why did his younger brother manage to get close to Naruto when Itachi never had? Itachi glared down at his younger brother as he was pulled out of the burning house, his mask wrenched off his face as he coughed violently while being led away. Naruto followed seconds later, looking none the worse for wear.
"Good." Itachi mused aloud before bringing the cigarette back to his lips.
He wouldn't let Sasuke have him. Not after everything he'd been through to get Naruto. Of course, it had started out as just a job. He'd needed Naruto in order to test the reaction and spreading of fires in small spaces. (2) After Arashi had continued to decline his request, Itachi had lost his patience and decided to test how good Arashi Uzumaki really was as a firefighter. He'd been surprised that the old man had managed to get Naruto out of the house, and, to be honest, a little annoyed at having not been able to kill the whole family.
But, time had passed and Itachi had ignored the blond child. That was, until he'd seen Naruto's picture in the newspaper, announcing his graduation from the fire academy. He'd never really been one for romantic interests, but he recognized beauty when he saw it. And he'd decided then and there that he was happy Naruto hadn't died that night.
He'd tried to convince himself he wanted Naruto only so he could torture him and make his deceased father roll in his grave at the things he was doing to his son, but deep down, he knew why he really wanted Naruto Uzumaki. The man was gorgeous, and if he couldn't have him, then he would just take him.
Naruto and Sasuke sat in silence as they drove home. They'd taken Naruto's car to work, because Sasuke hadn't wanted to bring his motorcycle. Now, the blond was driving them both back to his place so Sasuke could get his motorcycle and go home.
They'd just returned from the hospital, both suffering from minor burns on their hands and faces, but nothing extreme. They were fine, really. Kiba had suffered a concussion, though no one would've been able to tell with how he'd been acting after having gotten up from being blasted across the lot. His head had been stitched up and he'd been kept at the hospital for a few hours for surveillance.
Kakashi had gotten a piece of Engine Seven lodged in his side, as well as a few scrapes on his face. He hadn't regained consciousness yet, but the doctors said he should be fine.
Everyone else had suffered minor scratches and a few bumps and bruises, but nothing serious. The most serious case was Hayate—but he wasn't at the hospital.
Sasuke winced as he imagined Kakashi's reaction to that. First Zabuza, now Hayate? Their men were dropping like flies, and it was all Itachi's fault! Sasuke hated him, he hated him!
"We almost died today." Naruto whispered, breaking the silence in the car. Sasuke turned to look at him, noting the blond was clenching the wheel much tighter than was necessary.
"Yeah." he whispered back.
"I've never—come so close before." Naruto continued. "I mean, even that one time where I jumped in to save you wasn't as close as this. At least I made it out of the house that time, but this..." he trailed off, not sure what to say. "I was scared."
"I was, too." Sasuke admitted. "But I'm glad I was with you."
"Yeah." Naruto whispered.
They continued in silence until they reached Naruto's house. The blond parked the car and climbed out, Sasuke following suit. They headed for the front door and Naruto let them both in. As Sasuke reached to open the hall closet for his helmet, Naruto grabbed his wrist. The Uchiha looked at him, but Naruto was avoiding his gaze.
"Would it be too much to ask for you to stay again?" he asked in a small voice. "I-I don't want to be alone right now."
Sasuke smiled slightly. "Okay."
"Thanks."
Naruto released his wrist and led the way to the kitchen. Sasuke followed him, curious as to what exactly Naruto was going to do. "Are you hungry?"
Naruto turned to him. "Why, are you?" The raven shrugged and Naruto forced a smirk. "Oh, you're so hungry. I'll make something. What do you want?"
"Whatever, I don't care." Sasuke sat down at the kitchen table, Naruto walking to his cupboard and opening it.
"I know it's morning, but we've been up all night, so it kinda feels like nighttime, you know? I don't feel like breakfasty stuff. Ramen okay with you?"
"Yeah, sure." Sasuke shrugged, not particularly caring.
"What kind do you want, I have—"
"Miso." Sasuke replied before thinking about it. Naruto paused and slowly turned to Sasuke.
"What?"
"I asked for miso."
The blond's eyes narrowed as he stalked across the kitchen, slamming his hands down on the table right in front of Sasuke and glaring into his eyes. The raven was utterly confused at this reaction, wondering what it was he'd said.
"How did you know I like miso ramen, Mr. Uchiha?"
Sasuke paled as he realized his mistake. Uh oh, he thought, panicked. I think he's just realized I was the one who bought him all that food.
"It was you, wasn't it?" Naruto grit his teeth. "You bought me all that food! And—oh my God!" Naruto reeled backwards. "I can't believe I never noticed when I went to your house! You're fucking rich! You not only bought me this food, you're the one who redid my house!"
Sasuke got to his feet slowly, holding his hands out in front of him. "Naruto, calm down. Really, it's not that big of a deal."
"Not that big of a deal?.!" Naruto exploded. "Sasuke, you spent money on me! Why?.!"
"I spend money on everyone!" Sasuke insisted. "I bought Kiba a new table, and he beat me over the head for it! I bought Kakashi his car, and Iruka a new set of golf clubs. Izumo and Kotetsu have a hot tub, Genma and Raidou have an indoor pool and sauna—I do this kind of stuff! Not often, but I do!"
"Why?.!" Naruto demanded.
"I'm not using my money, so why keep it?" Sasuke insisted. "You needed new locks, you needed new carpets, and you needed food! Dammit, why can't people help you?.!"
Naruto snapped his mouth shut at that and scowled. "I've been helped my whole life. When I grew up, I decided I didn't want to be helped anymore."
"Asking for help doesn't make you weak, if that's what you're thinking." Sasuke admitted to Naruto. "I used to think that, too, but Kakashi kind of beat it into my head that it wasn't the case. It's the strong who know when they can't handle something on their own."
"Why do you want to help me?" Naruto whispered, turning back to the cupboard.
"Because you helped me." Sasuke shrugged. "What's wrong with helping someone out?"
"I guess." Naruto replied as he pulled out two miso ramen cups.
Satisfied that his life wasn't in danger, Sasuke took his seat again and waited for Naruto to finish with their ramen. It was placed in front of him a few minutes later, the top covered so the noodles could soften.
"I'm sorry about Hayate." Naruto said in a low voice.
"Me, too." Sasuke replied as he stared down at his ramen cup.
"Things seem to be going wrong since I got here."
"They were like this before." Sasuke reassured him. He didn't want the blond to feel guilty. "Zabuza and Hayate weren't the first to die because of Itachi. Dosu was the last one I can remember before Zabuza."
"Were you close?" Sasuke looked up at Naruto and smiled slightly.
"Are you kidding? I've never been close to anyone. Well, not until I got harassed by you." he teased, trying to lighten the mood.
"The way I remember it, you're the one who started it." Naruto insisted with a smirk. "I was just defending myself from your evil ways."
"Oh, really?" Sasuke smirked back.
The two of them chuckled slightly before they fell silent once again, the brief moment of laughter gone. Naruto was biting on his lower lip as he stared down at his ramen cup, his eyebrows furrowed. He was still trying to decide what he'd been thinking about in the car. He'd started the conversation, but never actually finished it. He hadn't known how.
"Sasuke?"
"Hm?" the raven inquired.
Naruto bit his lip again before leaning across the table. He took a shuddery breath as he caressed the side of Sasuke's face, the raven staring at him wide-eyed. The blond didn't care, so he took another deep breath, his face inches away from Sasuke's. He could feel the other's hot breath on his face with each exhale. Slowly, Naruto leaned forward more and brushed his lips against Sasuke's.
The reaction was instantaneous. Sasuke's hand reached up to bury itself into Naruto's hair, bringing the other man closer when he went to pull away. He kissed Naruto back forcefully, his tongue darting out to lick at the seem of the other man's lips. Naruto hesitated only a second before opening his mouth, Sasuke's tongue darting in immediately.
The blond firefighter groaned and almost lost his balance, as he was supporting himself entirely with his hands on the table. He shifted to get more comfortable, but this only caused Sasuke to pull away.
"Wha—?" Naruto didn't get to finish as Sasuke was suddenly on his feet, wrenching Naruto out of his chair. He pushed Naruto back against the counter roughly and meshed his lips against Naruto's again, leaving no room for the blond to protest. Not that he wanted to.
The kiss was even more heated than the one Sasuke had dreamed about, and the one he'd shared with Naruto while the other had been drunk. The blond seemed almost—desperate. Or was that him? Maybe it was both of them, he couldn't tell. Both were fighting for dominance, but Sasuke wouldn't relinquish it. Teeth clacked together and Sasuke's lip even began to bleed when Naruto bit down on it too hard, but neither cared. The blood just made the kiss taste even better.
Sasuke's hands left Naruto's hair, grabbing the hem of his black shirt and wrenching it off of him. They pulled apart briefly so the material could be pulled off, before Naruto dived back in and clamped his mouth hard on Sasuke's neck. The raven let out a hiss, but then groaned.
Naruto wasn't as nice as Sasuke, so when he wanted to remove the raven's own black shirt, he fumbled around behind himself for his scissors, cutting the shirt in half while still sucking and biting on Sasuke's neck.
"Bastard." the raven panted. "I needed that."
Naruto just grunted as Sasuke's shirt fell to the floor. He let the scissors drop back on the counter just as Sasuke grabbed the back of his head and wrenched it away from his neck, smashing their mouths together again. Naruto reached down to undo Sasuke's belt, but the raven grabbed his hands and pinned them down on the counter on either side of him. He pulled away from Naruto, breathing hard.
"You first."
"If you say so." Naruto smirked.
Sasuke made quick work of his belt, throwing it across the room somewhere. He was about to undo Naruto's pants when the blond stopped him.
"Wait." Sasuke looked up into hazy cerulean eyes. "Not here." he panted.
"Bed." Sasuke agreed.
The two of them began to kiss again as they stumbled for the kitchen door, intent on getting up the stairs and into the blond's bedroom.
Neither paid any attention to the two cups of miso ramen sitting on the table, doomed to go cold and be thrown away the next time anyone entered the kitchen.
Genma leaned back in the large, comfy chair in the main room of the firehouse, a toothpick between his lips. He let out a long, deep sigh as he got more comfortable in the chair, dozing off slightly since he still had so much time before the shift change.
He was jolted out of his peaceful, relaxed state when the door to the main room slammed open. Kiba walked in with Akamaru, a bandage still wrapped around his head. Genma cracked open one eye to regard him.
"You look stupid."
"Shut up." Kiba grumbled, one hand touching the bandage on his head.
He knew Genma was just trying to lighten the mood. After all, it had only been yesterday night that Hayate had died and everyone had been injured. Kakashi was still in the hospital, and Raidou would be acting-Captain until he returned. It would be weird, but there was nothing anyone could do.
"Raidou here?" Kiba asked as he grabbed himself a cup of coffee. Genma didn't stop him. Kiba deserved a cup of coffee right now.
"He's in the shower."
"Oh." Kiba took a sip of his coffee. "Anyone else here?"
"Not yet." Genma rested both hands behind his head as he closed his eyes, still chewing on the toothpick. "Where's Sasuke?"
"I don't know. I went to his place and he wasn't there. Probably with Naruto or something."
"Yeah, he seems to have taken a liking to our favourite little blond." Genma pouted. "I hope he doesn't screw him. I want to be the first."
"Yeah, right." Kiba rolled his eyes as he plopped down on the couch.
"You sure it's okay for you to be back at work?" Genma asked, concerned. "Don't you still have a concussion?"
"I talked to Tsunade." Kiba took another sip of his drink as he pet Akamaru's head, the dog having come up beside the couch. "She told me to switch with Gaara until I got better. I'll be the driver, and he'll take over the RIT position for me."
"Yeah, I hear we're getting a temporary firefighter from Nineteen, because we've lost two of ours and one medic."
"Yeah." Kiba scratched the back of his head. "Any news on how long Kakashi will be out?"
"Not a clue." Genma replied.
The two of them sat in silence once more, neither having anything more to say.
"Stop it!" Both of them turned their heads in the direction of the Rig Bay door. "Not here, dammit!"
"You're such a loser."
"Shut up, bastard."
"Looks like things are back to normal." Genma commented as he closed his eyes again, Naruto and Sasuke entering the main room.
"You're such a bastard." Naruto snapped. "I'm going to shower."
"Fine." Sasuke grinned as the blond stalked off.
Sasuke walked towards the couch and sat down beside Kiba, still grinning. The brunette stared at him, a little uncomfortable, while Genma just ignored him, since he was half-asleep.
"What are you grinning about?" Kiba demanded. "Get laid or something?"
"Actually—I did." Sasuke's grin widened and Kiba's eyes almost fell out of his head. Genma sat up so fast he fell clear out of his chair. "Four times, actually."
"No way!" Genma shouted, still on the floor. "You fucked him?.!"
"I prefer to call it having sex, but yes, I did." Sasuke grinned.
"Are you dating?" Kiba inquired.
"What do you think?" Sasuke rolled his eyes. Genma jerked away and Kiba propelled himself off the couch. "What?"
"You-you-you..." Kiba couldn't finish, his hand shaking as he pointed at Sasuke.
"You rolled your eyes!" Genma hollered for him. "Oh my God, what is he doing to you?.!"
"Sasuke!" They all turned to the bunk-room door as Raidou emerged, towelling his hair dry. "Naruto says he needs your help with something."
"Really?" Sasuke smirked as he stood, turning to Kiba and Genma. "If you'll excuse me, I have something to take care of." He cracked his knuckles as he headed for the bunk-room. "Make sure no one comes in."
Raidou gave Sasuke a confused look as he closed the door before turning to Genma and Kiba. Both were staring at the bunk-room wide-eyed. Raidou shifted uncomfortably.
"Uh, did I miss something?"
(1) The place where the firefighters sit.
(2) I know I made Itachi sixteen while Naruto and Sasuke were six, but I needed an older Itachi, so just bear with me, here.