You're getting a very long chapter this time, and I'd like to dedicate it to allieva-panda for being such a sweet little sweetie today. Thank you for drawing me (!) and for continuously encouraging me with your comments. Happy belated birthday, this chapter is all yours *hearts*
...don't let the title discourage you though...
I promised myself I'd update on Monday but it is now ten past midnight on Tuesday and I wonder how I'll manage to wake up in the morning for work. Oh well.
We're closing in on the two-year anniversary for this story... incredible. Let's hope I can update lots before then, yeah? Enjoy!
Chapter 32: The worst idea
xxx
Naruto couldn't say that lunch had been pleasant, but it hadn't been bad either. Charasuke had sulked his way through most of it, and Sasuke had only replied properly when it was Mikoto asking questions. He had to admit it was a little amusing to see them both so annoyed at each other, since it was obvious that they were friends now. Even if he wasn't sure of what to think of Charasuke he supposed he was mostly harmless, at least without Menma's company. Though honestly someone should inform him what a great honor it was to practice with Sasuke, because he never wanted to teach stuff without getting anything in return (usually Naruto had to clean or go grocery shopping for him, so he had decided after a couple of times to just learn from watching even if it took him longer). Sasuke didn't even like sharing his techniques.
It wasn't that Naruto was jealous or anything, but they had barely managed to train together in the past weeks and he was used to doing it at least once a day. A guy has needs, right?
"Alright boys," Mikoto said after leading them back to her house. "It's time for everyone to get some proper rest."
"It's like three in the afternoon," Charasuke muttered, but settled for pouting when Mikoto sent him a look.
"I suggest we all relax for an hour or so, and then I'd like us to meet outside in the backyard. Naruto and Sasuke, you can take Itachi's room since he's out."
She didn't seem to think that any further explanations were needed, promptly sending them off up the stairs. Charasuke gave them an eye roll as he headed for his own room, slamming the door just a tad bit too loud. Apparently that was enough to warrant a small noise of disapproval from Sasuke, but Naruto had already forgotten about the guy the moment he closed the door.
Instead his eyes traced Sasuke's features, the faint tension of his jaw and shoulders, the slight frown on his face. He could tell simply by the way he avoided eye contact that Sasuke had either done some training before Naruto showed up, or expected some backlash for his supposed confession.
Maybe a bit of both. Either way Naruto was going to find out exactly what they'd been doing and then make an attempt to have Sasuke agree that a more heartfelt confession was in order.
Just the thought of hearing Sasuke tell him in words had his heart speeding up fast, and he licked his suddenly dry lips as they entered Itachi's room and closed the door behind them.
"Well, this is a mess," Sasuke deadpanned, and for a second Naruto thought he was talking about something other than the stacks of scrolls and heaps of clothes on the floor.
"At least the bed looks fine," he answered, sitting down on it and bouncing a couple of times.
"I'm guessing these are Shisui's things," Sasuke continued with an irritated flick of hair, though he did join Naruto by the edge of the bed.
They sat there in silence for a minute or so, Naruto trying to come up with something to say. He knew that if he asked about training it would only start an argument, and he didn't feel like arguing. He wanted to cuddle, maybe kiss a bit. In a dream scenario, Sasuke would push him down on the bed and whisper into his ear how he'd missed him, though in reality something like that would probably freak him out a little.
Sasuke wasn't an affectionate person, not in a romantic or even friendly sense of the word. But there were things that showed he cared, and Naruto wondered how far he could push the limit of these things. Maybe if he pushed long enough, one day Sasuke wouldn't hesitate to talk about and show his feelings.
Shaking his head he broke out of his thoughts. Just because Sasuke had kissed him some and allowed him to cuddle in bed last night it didn't mean he could be greedy and expect everything all at once.
Well you always were thirsty for his affection.
His attention, Naruto corrected the fox, crossing his arms and ignoring Sasuke's sidelong glance.
Brat, I haven't lived inside your head your entire life for nothing. If I say it's affection then damn right it is.
Gritting his teeth, Naruto tuned out the voice in his head. Kurama had been way too meddlesome lately. Just because he was right most of the time didn't mean Naruto wanted to hear it! The jerk probably sat in his nasty cave laughing at him all the time, so rude!
"Do I even want to know," Sasuke said drily, succeeding in bringing him back to his surroundings.
"Kurama likes talking bullshit," he muttered, then fell down backwards on the bed with a loud groan. "At least the others didn't leave enough chakra to talk. Imagine having nine annoying chakra beasts inside your head! One is bad enough, thank you very much."
"At least it comes with a lot of fighting power," Sasuke observed, leaning on one hand to stare down at him. "I'd say some annoying comments are a small price to pay."
"Bleh," was all Naruto said, sticking his tongue out.
"Idiot," Sasuke muttered.
Another round of silence. Naruto plucked at the sheets, staring at Sasuke's profile while Sasuke stared at a wall.
"…cuddle with me?"
"No."
Naruto tapped fingers against the mattress, pretending to think seriously about something.
"That mission of yours… you'll be looking for a missing nin, right?"
"You little shit," Sasuke hissed, turning towards him.
Grinning in success – Sasuke always picked the lesser of two evils, and talking was always the bigger of the two – Naruto scooted up the bed and held his arms out demandingly.
"Come here," he added when Sasuke was still reluctant to move. "You're supposed to relax, you know."
"I can relax on my own," Sasuke insisted with a scowl, but he did move close enough for Naruto to grab him and pull him down by his side.
"Hmm, let's just- move down a little." Naruto readjusted his position, maneuvering a very grumpy Sasuke until he was properly on his side with one arm and one leg over Naruto's body, cheek resting on his shoulder. "Comfortable?"
Sasuke grunted but only shifted slightly before appearing to give in to his fate. Bristling with happiness, Naruto stuck his nose into Sasuke's hair and inhaled, tightening his grip around him.
"You smell like you've trained," he mumbled, taking another sniff for confirmation.
"It was just some warm-up exercises," Sasuke argued, huffing at the accusation.
"Ha! You think warming up is sprinting at full speed for ten minutes."
"Tch. Like you disagree."
Naruto hummed, smiling despite the conversation. Sasuke was warm and firm against him, and slowly but surely he could feel the extra beat between them sync until it was in tune with their hearts. It was such a calming feeling, an undeniable safeness that nothing could shake. An hour is much too short, he thought, closing his eyes to enjoy how Sasuke's soft hair tickled his nose and mouth.
He didn't want to think about the mission, but he wondered how Sasuke felt about it. If he was worried, or if he even knew the details yet. Naruto wasn't concerned over him getting physically injured, but this was Sasuke's first Konoha mission in years, and with his alternate dimension dad leading it. It could be a piece of cake, or it could be a trap of some sort. They still didn't know the reason for being here, after all.
"Hey, Sasuke?" he mumbled, drawing circles into the bare skin on Sasuke's arm.
Sasuke didn't reply but tilted his head minutely to show he was listening, and Naruto couldn't help but press his lips to his hairline before continuing.
"You'll be careful on the mission, right?"
"Why wouldn't I be."
"Uh, because you never are? Remember at the chuunin exam when we had to pick a tunnel in the mountain and you just ran into one and almost got crushed by rocks?"
"The best way to find a trap is to spring it."
"Bastard, I mean it. We have no idea what might happen."
"I thought we were supposed to relax for an hour."
"Yeah?"
"So why aren't you shutting up and letting me rest, moron."
Biting his lip, Naruto weighed the pros and cons of trying to continue the conversation. Considering that conversation with Sasuke was always a high-risk mission however, he figured it wouldn't hurt.
"I guess I'm a bit worried," he admitted quietly, picking at the sleeve of Sasuke's t-shirt. It was dark blue, and soft, and he wondered if he'd borrowed it from Itachi. "Who knows what could happen?"
Sasuke was silent, long enough that Naruto heaved a sigh and tugged at his hair.
"Oi, why aren't you replying?"
"I just didn't see the point in this conversation."
"Such a bastard," Naruto muttered, taking his revenge by hugging Sasuke too tight against his side to be comfortable – and yet Sasuke didn't complain. "Would it really kill you to admit it if you're worried?"
"I don't see the point in talking about feelings when it's silly. Nothing will happen."
Pushing Sasuke to the side, Naruto turned to straddle his hips. His hands gripped Sasuke's biceps, and he didn't understand why the reply upset him so much.
"You and I have a history of bad luck," he said seriously, frowning when dark eyes averted his gaze. "And it's rare for you to be this optimistic."
Sasuke huffed a small breath, warm air washing over Naruto's right hand.
"What do you want me to say?" he asked, sounding irritated. "That I think I might die? That's been a possibility every day of my life, I don't see how this is any different than business as usual."
Naruto tightened his grip, throat closing up.
"It's different because-!"
When he didn't continue, Sasuke glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, pensive as he considered the odd pause.
"Because?"
"You know."
"Enlighten me."
Naruto gritted his teeth, knowing Sasuke was only baiting him because he most likely had something he wanted to say about it but didn't want to start. And of course he knew. He was a bastard but he wasn't dumb, nor was he oblivious even if he tried hard sometimes.
He decided to change strategies.
"It's different because you seem to like it here, and I don't want something to ruin that."
As Sasuke's eyes widened in shock, Naruto lifted a hand to gently brush a few strands of soft hair from his forehead.
"You're my most important person, more than anything else. I would have worried this much even if we hadn't kissed."
He could tell he'd hit the nail when Sasuke's eyebrow twitched, and he resolutely turned his face to the side again, Naruto's fingers catching in his hair.
"That's not what I meant."
"Of course not," Naruto mocked, rolling his eyes when Sasuke slapped his hand away from his face. "Look, this is weird and new for me, too. I kind of had to grab my brain and shake it around until all the stupid thoughts fell out-"
"As if you could get rid of all of them."
"-but I'm kind of really into you so I'm not gonna pretend I'm not. It just took me a while to figure out that you're sort of hot. For a bastard."
Sasuke had stiffened in discomfort, slowly turning his face back up to give Naruto a look of pure suffering. He wouldn't have been surprised if Sasuke dropped a line about how he'd have preferred to act as one of Orochimaru's test subjects rather than discuss feelings with Naruto.
"Are you done?" Sasuke asked, exasperated.
"No."
Throwing his head dramatically against the mattress – and what a shame no one would ever believe him that Sasuke had his dramatic moments – Sasuke groaned in frustration.
"Well, I'm done, so you either shut up or work on an explanation to my mother for being thrown headfirst out the window."
"It's like you're actively trying to fight showing emotions, dammit!" Naruto slammed his palms against Sasuke's collarbones, leaning down until their noses almost touched. "I'm right here, okay?! I'm listening! You can tell me what's going on inside that jerk-brain of yours!"
They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, Naruto breathing hard against Sasuke's lips, and Sasuke's expression unreadable. Then Sasuke closed his eyes for a long moment, sucking in a deep breath before he opened them to give Naruto a tired look.
"I don't like talking about my feelings, so I won't. And it's honestly none of your business unless I decide to share."
Naruto's breathing slowed, until it was barely there at all. His fingers flexed against Sasuke's shirt, his gaze lowering to somewhere mid-chest. Everything he'd thought to say had vanished, like a failed Rasengan. Poof, just like that.
"Then what should I do," he whispered, swallowing against the thick lump lodged deep inside his throat. "It hurts."
Pale hands rose to tangle in his hair, pulling him down again until he was forced to lean on his forearms.
"Surprisingly, not everything revolves around you," Sasuke told him, and despite his calm tone Naruto flinched. "Maybe I need to think about this on my own. Just because I supposedly feel my emotions clearer, it doesn't mean I'm okay with talking about them."
While Naruto could understand that Sasuke wasn't precisely a sharing type of person, it still bothered him. So maybe he was greedy, what was he supposed to do about it?! Sasuke was everything to him, and while he had dismissed the mission previously as something not to worry about, it now hit him full force that Sasuke would be gone for days, facing some unknown enemy, and there was nothing he could do about it.
He drew in a shaky breath, smoothing out Sasuke's t-shirt where it had bunched underneath his anxious fingers. They weren't twelve anymore, and Sasuke had come back to him. Sasuke liked him. So why was he riding such a shitty rollercoaster right now, happy one second and terribly sad the next? It didn't make sense.
"Tell me I'm yours," he forced out, mouth working desperately around the thickness of his throat. "Tell me you want me. Promise me you'll come back."
He'd ducked his head into the crook of Sasuke's neck, breathing in his scent as if he didn't already have it committed to memory. His whole body felt like it was trembling, expecting Sasuke to dismiss him but craving the validation, begging for it in the deepest, most secret parts of his mind.
It wasn't enough that he knew, that he suspected, that he could suppose.
It didn't matter that he could send a clone to trail after him.
Honestly, it maybe didn't even matter that Sasuke was going on a mission. It was more that he could go, that he would want to go and leave Naruto behind, that this world could offer something that he couldn't…
"Idiot," Sasuke exhaled against his ear, fingers combing gently through his hair. "What are you so worked up for?"
"I don't know," he admitted, shifting until he lay comfortably on top of Sasuke, feeling his chest lift with every breath. "So much is going on… I just have bad feeling."
"Since when."
"Well since now! I don't know!" His fingers dug into Sasuke's shoulders, tearing at fabric. "I'm just upset."
Though, even as he said it, Sasuke's fingers rubbed little circles into his scalp that effectively calmed him down. Sasuke might not say anything, but he had this. He had Sasuke's warmth, Sasuke's breaths against the side of his neck, Sasuke's heartbeat to pace his own with.
"I've told you before," Sasuke started, surprising Naruto a little. "I'm not going anywhere except back to Konoha with you."
"Really?"
He hated how small his voice sounded, how pathetic he felt, yet so perfectly safe in Sasuke's arms.
"Really," Sasuke confirmed with a sigh, fingertips sliding lower to brush up and down the back of his neck instead. "And you'll survive a couple days without me."
Naruto wasn't sure, but decided not to say anything else. At this rate he might start to cry, and embarrass himself completely. He settled for burrowing his nose deeper into Sasuke's neck, sneaking his hands up Sasuke's sleeves to warm them against his bare skin.
It was easy to pretend that everything was fine if he concentrated only on Sasuke, and ignored the heavy feeling in his stomach. He really would have preferred it if the enemy had showed up right away like last time, not left them hanging in uncertainty like this.
"I can tell you one thing," Sasuke murmured into his temple, fingers tapping at his jaw until Naruto lifted his head. "Close your eyes."
Stomach flipping over itself, Naruto licked his lips and closed his eyes where he hovered over Sasuke. He didn't know what to expect but didn't want to hope too much, eyelashes fluttering to sneak a peek at Sasuke when nothing had happened for two seconds.
"I said close them," Sasuke complained, thumbs gently pressing over his eyelids, and Naruto wondered how it was possible that something small like that could bring a smile to his lips, even if it was a little hesitant.
He waited, impatiently, about to tell Sasuke he should just tell him already – when the faintest of touches brushed across his lips.
"You might be an idiot," Sasuke whispered, thumbs caressing down his cheeks and settling on his jaw, sending rushes of warmth down Naruto's throat and chest. "And incredibly annoying sometimes, and-"
"Sasuke."
"-all kinds of tiring, but I would never leave you. I couldn't leave, so get that through your thick skull and stop worrying about it already."
Naruto opened his eyes, and Sasuke met them, steady and sure with a hint of a glare. There was something painful lodged in his throat, stopping him from letting out a flood of emotion that Sasuke wasn't ready to accept yet. The question was, if Naruto was ready to accept it yet?
It was easy to admit that Sasuke was his most important person, slightly less but not too difficult to admit he felt attracted to him, wanted to hold him and be close to him any way he could. Whenever they kissed he felt like he'd never be able to let go; even just the thought of it made him shiver with want.
But Sasuke had left once, not precisely of his own volition, and Naruto didn't know what he'd do if Sasuke grew tired of him.
"You're thinking too much," Sasuke sighed, pinching his cheeks. "I'm not sure I agree that this whole kissing business is a good idea, but you started it."
Sitting up, Naruto rubbed at the pain in his cheeks, staring at a pile of scrolls rather than Sasuke's face.
"I know I did," he muttered, wishing he could be calm about this when in reality he felt torn between delirious happiness and mind numbing fear.
Fear of Sasuke leaving, fear of what people would say, fear of going back home to face reality again.
He didn't want to think about it, desperately wishing things were as easy as a simple kiss.
"Is it… a bad idea?" he asked quietly, playing with the hem of Sasuke's t-shirt and trying to keep his breaths steady.
He could feel the weight of Sasuke's stare on him, peeling off layer after layer to dig underneath his skin, no doubt finding everything he didn't want to voice out loud and picking him apart.
"All your ideas are bad," Sasuke murmured, then hesitantly sat up, though not pushing Naruto off his lap. "Some are just more troublesome than others."
"And this one?"
Sasuke was close enough that their noses almost touched, Naruto closing his eyes again and forcing a breath out of his lungs.
"The worst," Sasuke said, and grabbed his head to mash their lips together, swallowing Naruto's surprised gasp. "Idiotic even by your standards," he added, glaring fiercely before kissing him again.
"Oh," Naruto let out between kisses, because Sasuke didn't stop, leaving him breathless and buzzing with warmth. "I kind of like it."
"Obviously," Sasuke muttered against his lips, his dark gaze captivating, pinning him down with its intensity and… was that want? "You've always had a thing for terrible ideas."
"I have a thing for you," he whispered, wrapping his arms around Sasuke's neck and grinning wide at the very faint pink across the bridge of his nose.
"Shut up," Sasuke hissed at him, narrowing his eyes but not objecting when Naruto leaned in again to melt into another breathtaking kiss.
An hour didn't feel nearly long enough.
xxx
Sasuke wasn't sure if he was happy that Charasuke had knocked on the door to let them know it was time to meet up, or if he absolutely loathed the fact that he now stood in the cool garden instead of lying curled around Naruto in bed.
What Naruto thought about it was written all over his face, like he didn't even bother to pretend that whatever Mikoto wanted was interesting. Sasuke, at least, had the decency to ignore the urge to teleport out of there, swatting Naruto's hand away when it tugged on the hem of his shirt.
Honestly, he felt slightly better after admitting to himself (and Naruto) that kissing wasn't terrible. He still didn't like how it made him feel, or how touching Naruto's skin lit his fingertips on fire. He'd even had to double-check that they weren't literally on fire, because when Naruto's mouth had discovered a new skill – attacking Sasuke's neck, that is – it hadn't just been his fingertips that burned.
The small shiver making its way down his spine wasn't entirely the fault of a chilly breeze, and as Mikoto stepped into view from around a corner he could only hope that his lips weren't as swollen as they felt.
"Did you have a nice nap?" Mikoto asked, stopping in front of them with a neutral look that turned knowing at the sight of Naruto's bright red face.
Sasuke coughed.
Charasuke heaved a long-suffering sigh.
"Yes!" Naruto squawked, taking a step closer to Sasuke as if seeking cover.
"I see," she smiled, laughter dancing in her eyes. "Well, let's get going."
She turned in the direction she came from, tilting her head to indicate that they should follow. Sasuke noticed a grimace forming on Charasuke's face, one hand absentmindedly rubbing at a spot on his left side through his hoodie. He would feel bad, but it was impossible to shake off the surprise that Charasuke's stamina and pain tolerance was so low.
Contemplating this, he almost walked into Naruto's back when he stopped just around the corner of the house.
"Where are we going?" Naruto asked as Mikoto held up a door that looked like it had been built into the ground, darkness waiting below a set of stone stairs.
"The secret underground training hall," Mikoto replied, smiling again. "Only the Uchiha family has access to it."
Naruto blinked at her, unsure of what she meant, but dutifully heading down the steps when she gently pushed him forwards with a hand on the small of his back.
"It's not a very well-kept secret," she added loftily as she followed him, Sasuke going next with Charasuke behind to complete the group. "Though it doesn't mean others can come and go as they please. But we usually lend it to others when they need to work on powerful techniques, or ones we'd rather not have any evidence for on the open training grounds."
She must have pressed a button somewhere, because the stone ceiling above them lit up with small lamps, providing enough light to see a tunnel stretching out in front of them. The ground sloped gently downwards, the air becoming damper and colder the further they walked.
After a few minutes of silent walking they reached a dead end, or rather what looked to be a thick wall of rocks blocking the path. Naruto stepped to the side but Mikoto didn't hesitate, tapping one of the rocks twice with a chakra-enclosed fist, and the wall shimmered before disappearing completely.
"It's protected by illusions," Mikoto explained, as if it wasn't obvious. "This was all built by Madara after the tailed beasts were captured, I think he intended to practice fighting them."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. Fight them for practice?
"He never did because they were sealed away, but this place is still designed to withhold their chakra. Though I'm sure this isn't surprising to you?"
"Huh, I've been to a place like this!" Naruto exclaimed. "But it was more like I had to fight Kurama inside me…"
Two pairs of curious eyes landed on Naruto, who seemed lost in thought as he trailed off at the end of his explanation.
"Kurama is the kyuubi's name," Sasuke offered, though Mikoto only smiled at this.
"I know," she said simply, turning to lead the way again. "And we do lend this place to jinchuuriki who need to practice control."
Sasuke frowned at this, but refrained from commenting. Instead he was distracted by Naruto bumping shoulders with him, sharing a look. At least it seemed that Naruto had finally figured out that he was expected to show some of his power.
What do I do? Naruto's look said, and Sasuke shrugged in reply. It wasn't like they could do much else than see what Mikoto had planned. A glance over his shoulder told him Charasuke was still sulking, slouching with hands deep in his pockets and hair still messy from his nap.
Sasuke hoped he never looked like that.
"This way," Mikoto told them, veering off to the right when the tunnel split in two.
"What's in the other direction?" Naruto asked, curious as always.
"The Hokage tower," Mikoto told him off-handedly, "and the interrogation rooms."
"Huh," Naruto said, craning his neck to look back as if he could see anything from this angle. "That's convenient."
They turned a corner and the ground underneath their feet changed from stone plates to hard-packed dirt, muffling the sound of their feet. The downwards slope became more pronounced, but surprisingly the air became drier and slightly warmer. A few minutes later, after a couple more illusionary walls, the tunnel opened up to a vast cave. The walls were a sleek black, most definitely manmade, and the air switched from a little damp and stale to heavy.
"There are chakra oppressors built into the walls," Mikoto said, clapping her hands together. "Alright, let's head to the equipment room first. A little birdie told me you left your katana at home, Sasuke."
Blinking away his surprise, Sasuke wriggled his fingers, eager to hold his favorite weapon again. Of course it would be a different one, but still better than nothing.
They headed over to one side of the cave, and Sasuke took notice of how the ceiling seemed to stretch above them much higher than he had expected it to, considering how the downwards slope hadn't felt as steep as looking up did. Though it made sense, if it had been built to contain tailed beasts. It didn't seem nearly as large as it would need to be, however, and he noticed Naruto scrunching up his nose at what might be spacious for them, but likely cramped for Kurama. Maybe it was to limit speed and movement.
"Why don't you pick whatever you like, Sasuke. The others will arrive in a bit but there's no hurry."
"Why are there more people coming?" Charasuke complained, leaning against the doorway to the small weapon's room they'd entered. "I thought you just wanted to see Naruto show off a bit."
"It's easier to show off with an audience," Mikoto shot back with a wink. "And I'm not the only one curious to see Naruto in action. I hope you don't mind, Naruto?"
Like he could say no now. He did send another look Sasuke's way before laughing embarrassedly, scratching his neck.
"Sure, I guess. Kurama could use some exercise."
"Perfect," she smiled, changing the subject to innocent topics, Sasuke tuning them out as he scanned the walls for a temporary replacement to his current katana. He sometimes wished that Kusanagi had survived the fight a year earlier, but at least the one he'd wielded the past half year or so was alright.
There was a variety of weapons in the relatively small room; on the walls one by one, or placed together in cases on the floor. He carefully scanned each item, quick to disregard anything of the wrong shape or length. Eventually he settled for three different blades, all three straight rather than the much more commonly curved ones. Straight ones were much better for channeling his lightning chakra, he'd noticed.
He took his time examining each one, stepping out into the cave for better lighting. Neither of them seemed to have been sharpened in a while, but there was one which felt better in his hand, and so he left the others on the ground to test it out properly.
Holding it out in front of him he checked the edges for nicks, finding none luckily. It was slightly shorter than he was used to, the dull lamplight reflecting in its polished surface. Not a bad sword, he concluded, easing into a practice pose and adjusting his footing to account for the slightly uneven ground. Taking a deep breath he cracked his neck to the side once, rolling the shoulder Naruto had previously occupied to ease the tension. It was a little irritating to feel the others' gazes on him, not to mention the fact that there were four more coming up by the entrance.
They better not interrupt, he thought, then sprung into action.
While the blade felt unfamiliar in his hand it didn't impact his movements, slicing smoothly through the air as he moved in well practiced steps. It would do, as long as it could handle his chakra. Between breaths he charged it with lightning, repeating the same moves one after one, finishing with a flip through the air and a follow-up broad swipe through an imaginary enemy's leg and arm.
Relaxing again he stood up straight, walking back to Naruto and the others, now joined by Shisui and Obito, but also Anko and Orochimaru.
"Not bad," Shisui whistled, grinning with both hands on his hips. "I can see why Itachi called you a difficult opponent."
Sasuke merely shrugged, picking up the left aside scabbard and returning the katana to it.
"Sasuke's the best," Naruto said, saying it with such easy conviction that it didn't sound like bragging at all.
Of course, it was true, but it's not like he needed to impress anyone here.
"I hope you weren't planning on doing any training with it," Orochimaru commented drily, speaking as if Sasuke was some troubling child who couldn't sit still when told.
Biting back a retort, he went to return the other two swords before thanking Mikoto.
"Oh, no need to thank me," she insisted, waving him off. "Have you met Anko, by the way?"
Sasuke eyed the woman he knew from the first chuunin exam he'd attended, remembering her to be rather loud and somewhat bloodthirsty. This version had her hair cut short, though still sticking out wildly. She also looked a lot more bookish, glasses perched on the tip of her nose and clad in standard uniform.
"Not here," he admitted, nodding at her.
"Nice to finally met you both," she said, holding her chin in thought with a slight tilt to her head. "If Orochimaru-sensei wasn't here, I'd have loved to put your skills to the test."
"Please don't give him ideas," Orochimaru sighed, looking like he was suffering simply from standing in the same room. "This place is bad enough for his recovery."
"I feel fine," Sasuke disagreed, the chakra suppressors only a vague discomfort between his shoulder blades.
Orochimaru gave him an irritated look, but seemed content to leave it at that. Instead Mikoto stepped forwards, pushing Naruto ahead to face the four additional members of their group.
"So," she said, smiling brightly. "Naruto has kindly offered to show us the kyuubi in action. Any volunteers for target practice?"
"Uh," Naruto said, and Sasuke almost snorted at the idea.
He sure hoped Mikoto meant it figuratively. There was no way these walls were strong enough to contain an attack from Naruto in complete tailed beast mode, not without blowing them all to pieces at least.
"Oh, can I?" Shisui asked, excitement shining in his eyes. "Please let me!"
Anko laughed out loud, slapping him soundly in the back.
"That eager to be crushed, huh?" she teased, Shisui crossing his arms with a huff.
"I can take him on."
"Um, that's kind of-" Naruto tried, but everyone ignored him.
"I doubt the four of us together would stand a chance," Obito offered, having been quiet up until now but sending an amused look in Mikoto's direction.
"Don't rope me into this," Orochimaru muttered, easing sideways until he stood over by Charasuke instead.
"Oh, come on," Shisui complained, frowning. "Sasuke here could send Menma flying with just a small chidori, I mean, it can't be that hard, can it?"
Sasuke couldn't help himself. Pressing a hand to his mouth he turned away, eyes wide as he tried in vain to stop the amused noises coming from his throat. He had to remind himself that whether or not Obito had told the others what Naruto had revealed, there was no way you could compare Menma to Naruto's level. It was like comparing a fly to an eagle.
"What's so funny?" Shisui asked, and Sasuke cleared his throat before turning back with a carefully schooled expression.
"Shisui," Obito sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "I told you that Naruto is able to fuse completely with the kyuubi, didn't I? The difference is most likely huge."
"You know," Naruto chimed in, a little louder to catch their intention. "I don't mind sparring or something, but there's not enough space in here to do that while I'm in kyuubi mode. I thought I'd just show you some stuff I can do."
Narrowing his eyes, Shisui stepped up to him, searching his face.
"How about we spar first, and then when I've almost beat you you can slip into kyuubi mode and impress everyone."
This time, Sasuke did laugh.
"What's so funny," Shisui growled, all but stomping his foot. "It's not like he'll be using his sage powers!"
"Now now," Mikoto interrupted them with, ruffling Naruto's hair affectionately. "Just because he looks sweet it doesn't mean he isn't deadly."
"I'm not-" Naruto started, but caught himself, and Sasuke wondered which part he was about to object to. "There's just no point in trying to fight Kurama," he muttered.
Sasuke had to agree, though he doubted the fox did. It seemed he was always looking for a fight according to Naruto.
"Fiiiine," Shisui relented, but returned to grinning all the same. "Do your thing and we'll spar afterwards."
Naruto looked annoyed for a couple seconds, then promptly turned around and stalked into the middle of the training hall. Sasuke could hear him muttering, figuring it was Kurama he talked to rather than himself. Soon he felt the familiar surge of chakra and bright yellow flames licked up Naruto's body, cloaking it and making his jumpsuit flutter slightly.
"Whoa," he heard Anko gasp behind him, and a quick glance told him they all seemed more than impressed by the sight.
Feeling the corners of his mouth threaten to twitch into a smile, Sasuke watched in silence as Naruto produced a chakra arm from his back, immediately forming a giant Rasengan in its hand. Being the show-off he was, Naruto made sure the wind from its spiraling could reach them, whipping at their clothes and hair as he pulled the arm back to aim for the wall opposite of the doorway.
The resounding explosion would have reached them, too, if Naruto hadn't changed into the giant fox and thrown a big tail in front of them as shield. At least the wall held against the concentrated chakra, though Sasuke suspected that Naruto might have weakened it slightly right before impact.
"Holy shit," Charasuke swore, arms shielding his face but lowering in awe to stare up at the glowing fox, tails swishing and chakra crackling ominously.
"Yeah okay," Shisui admitted weakly, "that's different from Menma."
Kurama turned towards them, Naruto perched on his shoulder, claws digging into the earth and leaving deep scratch marks.
"Yo," he said with an upwards tilt of his head, and somehow Sasuke could tell that that was a lot worse to take in than the power emanating from him in waves of heat. "Not so tough now, huh?" he added, lowering his face to their level and leering at them.
"I think they got the point," Naruto told him, rolling his eyes and hopping up to sit perched above Kurama's forehead instead. "So, anything special you wanna see? This guy loves to gossip if you'd rather talk."
"I do not love gossip, brat!"
"Whenever the others visit it's the only thing you do!"
"You're confusing it with shit-talking you."
"Am not!"
"Oi!" Sasuke snapped at them, calling their attention back to the group, "I know you two like to behave like little kids, but you do have company."
"Tch." Kurama clicked his tongue, glaring at him. "You still piss me off, brat, so watch it."
"I like him," Shisui exclaimed, eyes bright with excitement. "What else can you do?"
"Hmm." Kurama narrowed his eyes, two tails flickering impatiently. "I can do a lot of things."
"Can you fight me?"
Kurama made a face like he was talking to an irritating but still cute child, and Naruto jumped down from his head to join them on the ground.
"How about you have a round of rock-paper-scissors?" Naruto suggested, looking far too happy in his billowing chakra cloak, thumb rubbing at the tip of his nose for a second. "He always loses at that."
"Lies!" Kurama growled, but Sasuke had met him often enough – never voluntarily, but now and then Naruto seemed to think they needed to get along – to guess he was humoring Naruto and playing nice.
Everyone else seemed stuck in their various stages of shock or surprise, but Shisui went up to Naruto to inspect him, circling him with a thoughtful expression.
"Clever," he hummed, "but it has to drain a lot of chakra, right?"
He poked at Naruto's arm, eyes widening at the pleasant warmth that Sasuke knew surrounded him. While Kurama's chakra could be sinister in its sheer power and volume, Naruto always somehow managed to mix it with his own to form that inexplicable comfort.
"Hey, Sasu-chan! Come check this out! Feels like sticking your hand in a warm blanket or something."
"Don't call me that," Charasuke spluttered, but still hesitantly made his way over to a wary Naruto.
"Just don't think this is your chance to get all pervy!" he warned, Shisui laughing loudly before grabbing Charasuke's hand to stick it right into Naruto's face. "What the-!"
"Shisui, you asshole!"
"I couldn't resist!"
Sasuke sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose as the silly banter continued around Naruto. He should have known that even with a giant monster fox by his side, Naruto would only get serious if his life depended on it.
"On the one hand," Obito said quietly by his side, "I can tell that he's got some fearsome powers hidden underneath the surface."
Giving him an expectant look, Sasuke waited for the 'but' he could tell was coming up.
"But," Obito continued predictably, combing a hand through his spiky hair, "there is the question of that attitude."
Biting his lip against another inexplicable urge to pull a smile, Sasuke settled for shaking his head in exasperation.
"He's only serious when it matters, and sometimes not even then."
Obito hummed in reply, and by that point the other three spectators had all braved Kurama's presence and surrounded Naruto, fascinated by his chakra and the way he could shape it at will. He watched as Naruto sprouted multiple hands, lifting first himself off the ground with them, then Charasuke much to his chagrin.
It wasn't until he took notice of Mikoto's delighted smile as she pushed at Anko's shoulder in response to a joke that he realized he was, in fact, smiling too.
Well, shit.
He hurriedly morphed his face into a neutral look, hoping no one had seen. It was bad enough his recent lack of control made him act differently; he didn't need any witnesses to the whole mess.
"Alright," Kurama drawled, capturing everyone's attention again, pointing a thick claw in Shisui's direction. "Don't forget you promised us a fight."
"Really?" Shisui's face shone, mouth splitting in a toothy grin.
"If you defeat Naruto, that is. I'm stronger than the brat so it's only fair."
"How is that fair?" Shisui cried out, though he was already halfway out of his vest in preparation.
"I'll drop the chakra cloak," Naruto offered, to the disappointment of his spectators. "And you can use your Sharingan, if you like. Sasuke uses it all the time anyway."
They continued talking about rules and such, while Sasuke discreetly rubbed at his face. He always felt a little tingly whenever Naruto's chakra amplified, the aftereffects being the worst part. As much as he tried to ignore it whenever it happened, and as used as he'd become to it, now that they had kissed it somehow made it ten times worse. It really didn't make any sense, but ever since he'd been in that dreamlike state with Naruto pumping chakra into him he felt much more sensitive to it.
In a bad way. A very, very bad way. The worst, really.
"Ready?" Mikoto asked, her voice carrying over Sasuke's thoughts.
Naruto and Shisui were facing each other now, everyone having cleared a decently sized circle around them.
"Warm-up at first," she added, both of them nodding, Shisui flexing his fingers in anticipation.
Sasuke wondered how long it would take until Naruto grew bored.
"I've been dying to fight one of you ever since Itachi sparred with Sasuke," Shisui said to Naruto, flicking hair out of his eyes, grin widening into something a little less amused and a little more challenging.
"You should have picked Sasuke," Naruto told him with a laugh and lazy shoulder roll that for some extremely inexplicable reason had Sasuke's mouth run a little dry.
He was wearing his stupid jumpsuit, for fuck's sake!
"How so?"
They had started circling each other now, Kurama serving as background for the scene, head leaning in one paw and red eyes darting between the opponents. Just like Naruto he had dropped the chakra, his red fur blending in with the dark walls of the cave.
"He knows how to match his strength with his sparring partner."
Shisui raised an eyebrow, obviously taking Naruto's words for a taunt. Sasuke, on the other hand, could remember a few too many instances of searching out Sakura after training, since she was the only one who wouldn't tell on them after Naruto broke his bones by accident. He held his breath as Shisui attacked first, swift with his Sharingan activated and clearly ignoring any need for warming up.
Naruto dodged.
"You'll have to be faster if you want to touch me," he teased, and Sasuke raised his eyes to the heavens because this could take a while and he would rather go back so he could secretly practice with his new blade.
A series of attacks and dodges followed, Naruto easily dancing away, letting Shisui come close but never close enough. Judging by how his cousin's grin became a strained grimace, it had to be frustrating.
"You're no fun," he complained, huffing when Naruto laughed obnoxiously and danced away again, though not as graceful as an actual dancer of course. "Fine, I'll get serious."
This time Shisui managed to take Naruto by surprise, engaging him in precisely three blows and one kick before he was sent flying.
"That was better," Naruto nodded, jumping on his toes as he waited for Shisui to return.
Soon enough he did; a frown on his face as he dusted off his clothes.
"It was like watching a toddler attack his sensei," Anko commented, Shisui glaring at her as she threw her head back and laughed.
"Do it better yourself," he sent back, focusing on Naruto again as he prepared for another attack.
This time, Naruto allowed him a couple of blows before throwing him off again, grinning at Shisui's swearing. Again Shisui attacked and was sent flying, Sharingan flashing an angry red as he almost managed to dodge the throw. A few more rounds of this and Sasuke congratulated himself on a job well done.
Naruto had been relying way too much on his sage powers and Kurama, and Sasuke had spent a good amount of time beating it into him that if he couldn't win over Sasuke in speed and strength using taijutsu only, then none of his wins even counted.
Of course, since Sasuke had been using his Rinnegan eventually, Naruto had a very difficult time beating him.
"Too easy," he muttered as Shisui flickered out of sight and reappeared behind Naruto's back, the latter spinning around at the last second.
It resulted in Shisui being tossed away again, and Sasuke was starting to wonder if this was something Naruto secretly dreamed of doing to him. At least Shisui didn't seem tired yet, wiping dirt off his face and attacking anew.
When the same thing had repeated another ten times, Sasuke was starting to wonder if this had been a good idea after all. The only change was that Naruto seemed to throw Shisui further away each time, and once Kurama even caught him with one of his tails. While everyone else seemed to think that Naruto was doing it all without a care in the world, Sasuke could tell that he was concentrating hard. He was good, but he wasn't impossible to beat without all his extra power boosts.
"Yes!" Shisui exclaimed, having successfully pushed Naruto backwards with a kick to the side, ending the series of attacks by not being thrown for a change. "I feel like I'm starting to see your movements better."
"Careful, brat, he might beat ya."
"As if!" Naruto told them both confidently, flipping Kurama off when he snorted rudely. "It's boring to dodge all the time, that's all."
Unzipping his jacket and throwing it to the side, Naruto waved a hand tauntingly at Shisui, daring him to attack again.
He did.
And was thrown again.
"I wish I could say he wasn't fighting seriously," Obito commented, arms crossed and eyes narrowed as he watched the sparring match. "It's a bit painful to watch, really."
"I'm a lot faster, that's all," Sasuke replied, hoping Shisui would give up soon so they could leave.
Obito sent him a dubious look, wincing when Shisui braced himself against the opposite wall this time around.
"A lot, huh?"
He shrugged.
"He's still in kyuubi mode, more or less. Releasing the seal on the kyuubi always gives him a power boost."
"Releasing?" It was Mikoto asking, walking over to talk to them. "Are you trying to tell me that the kyuubi isn't sealed right now?"
"They're still connected," he hurried to answer, though it's not like he'd paid much attention whenever Naruto started talking about the finer details of being a jinchuuriki. "I think."
"You think?"
"The chakra link is still intact. I doubt he could leave even if the seal's been opened."
"So you're trying to tell me that in your world, the tailed beasts are not only fully conscious, but also willing allies?"
"'Willing' is a strong word," Sasuke mumbled, letting himself be momentarily distracted by Shisui landing a second successful hit. "You'll have to ask Naruto for details."
"Oh, I will."
"I'm pretty sure they're only allied with Naruto, anyway," he added, earning himself a couple of incredulous looks.
He wondered absentmindedly if the other tailed beasts had noticed Naruto going missing yet, or if the link between them wasn't that strong. There were a lot of things that might have happened during their absence, and Sasuke was doing his best not to think about it.
"'They', was it?" Obito murmured to himself, but they were all interrupted by a resounding crack as Naruto slammed Shisui into the ground.
"I hope that was the ground and not his ribs," they could hear Orochimaru mutter as he walked past them, Shisui uttering a weak groan from his spot on the ground.
"Shit," Naruto said, kneeling next to him and repeating the word several times until Orochimaru swatted him away.
Seconds later they all stood in a half circle around Shisui, who was managing a grin even as Orochimaru poked at his chest with chakra-infused fingers.
"Maybe this wasn't my best idea," he admitted, Naruto hovering above his head while tugging anxiously at his hair.
"I really didn't try to throw you that hard, I'm sorry!" Naruto apologized, choking a little when Anko slapped his back with a hearty laugh.
"Serves him right!" she told him, backtracking when Mikoto sent her a glare. "I mean, he's a big boy. Apologizing will just make it more embarrassing for him."
"Oh thank you, Anko, really. I'm so glad you're looking out for me," Shisui said, a fake smile plastered on his face.
"Ha!" Kurama chimed in. "He didn't do too badly since he cornered the brat enough to earn it."
"I have a name, you shitty fox!" Naruto complained, then promptly shoved his fingertips against his stomach and twisted, Kurama leaving them with a small 'pop'. "But yeah, I did warn you, Shisui."
"S'alright," Shisui grinned, heaving himself up since Orochimaru seemed done with his treatment. "I'd have been disappointed if I didn't fail spectacularly. I'm starting to believe you really did battle a goddess."
"Madara was worse," Naruto snorted, freezing once he realized what they were talking about and glancing at Sasuke. "I mean, uh…"
"Maybe we should finish up here and head back," Mikoto interrupted them with, smiling at them as if Naruto hadn't just snapped a couple of Shisui's ribs by accident.
If Sasuke hadn't picked up on the flash of yellow chakra simply from the fact that he'd broken out in tingles again, he would have wondered how Naruto managed to throw him so hard.
"I'll get you next time," Shisui said cheerfully, standing up to throw an arm around Naruto's shoulders and walking him towards the exit. "Now tell me about the kyuubi, does he really suck at rock-paper-scissors?"
Hanging back a little as the others started moving towards the exit, Sasuke took deep breaths to shake off residual tingling. He was surprised to find that Charasuke had the same idea as him, standing quietly to his right and observing the others as they made their way across the cave.
"Tomorrow," Charasuke said to him once he seemed sure the rest couldn't hear. "Train me again tomorrow."
"Inspired all of a sudden?" he couldn't help but ask, starting to walk slowly.
"Not really." Charasuke had a contemplative look on his face, gnawing on a fingernail as he followed. "Just wish I could beat Menma."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow but didn't comment, figuring that any motivation was better than none. Not that he cared, of course. It just irked him that his alternate self was weak, that's all.
"But Naruto can't come. He distracts you too much."
Almost stumbling, Sasuke was appalled. He noticed. Or, maybe, he knew because they seemed to be in the same predicament, after all.
Either way Sasuke wasn't happy about it. If he wanted any chance at survival once they went back, he'd need to keep everything firmly under wraps. It was the one thing he'd told himself before promising Naruto that he couldn't leave.
And even though he knew he couldn't, if push came to shove, he might need to. The thought wasn't pleasant, but Sasuke was no stranger to a bleak outlook on life. Better to prepare for the worst than to blindly stare into a dream, in his opinion.
Still, he was already half a step inside the dream, here in this strange world with Naruto's kisses lingering like shadows across his skin. By accepting them he had already failed in a sense, Charasuke's observation possibly based on the wrong facts but true all the same.
Naruto distracted him, made him emotional and weak, made him see things in ways that were entirely too hopeful and positive.
It didn't help that his gut told him he'd made the decision already, unknowingly.
While he had come up with bad ideas in the past, the notion that he could give in and not expect a backlash was ridiculous. And yet Naruto made it seem so easy, a tickling brush of lips and he was ensnared, no escape in sight. How clever of him, he thought, to attack here when my defenses are down.
"Sasuke?"
He glanced at Charasuke, at the lack of battle scars, the innocent petulance in his eyes, the slouch in his gait. If Sasuke could regain half that innocence…
"Let's not fall behind," he said, eyes focused ahead on the family he had lost forever, and the one family he had left.
If he meant their current pace, their fighting skills, or something else entirely he wasn't sure, but he did know one thing.
Building his life around killing his older brother had been the worst idea he'd ever had.
Building his life around Naruto couldn't possibly be as bad.
Even if it was sort of terrifying to think about.
Honestly I'm kind of falling asleep while writing this so I won't say much, besides a big thank you for reading so far and for giving this story so much love. It really makes me very happy. Also the alternative title for this chapter is "Sasuke ogles Naruto a lot and figures he's kinda gay after all". Hope you liked it.
(on ao3 I could add a nice little peace sign emoji here. you'll just have to imagine it)