Sasuke woke to darkness, remembering that he had made it home...but was unable to recall anything else. He tried to open his eyes, but with great difficulty. They resisted against the light, feeling like they were going to burn if they were to open fully. But he forced them open, hissing slightly when they finally did. He looked around the room he was in. The familiar surroundings confirming his suspicion that he had passed out. His father must have had the medical Tengu take him to his room for him to rest. He looked around his room, knowing that he was alone. So he must have not needed as much medical care if he was left alone like this.
"K-Kakashi..." He wheezed out. His lungs felt like they where on fire, along with a huge weight crushing down upon him. He tried to move, groaning and wincing as his body ached and protested every muscle movement. He got to a sitting up position before his head exploded in a sharp pain, the world spun as he tried to get his composure. He needed to get himself under control...after all he needed to know his his beloved was alright. He suffered through the pain in his head and body, able to crawl to a near by decorative stand to use it to lift himself up. His legs wobbled under his weight, unable to hold him up without assistance. He tumbled to the floor, bringing the little stand with him.
"Sasuke?" He heard his fathers voice coming from the hall, heading toward him. Curse his weakened state! "Sasuke? Are you allri-" His father cut off as he opened the door to see Sasuke on the floor, the stand knocked down with the decorative vase that was once on it. "Sasuke..." His father rushed to his side. "Are you alright son?" He asked, helping him sit up, looking him in the eyes.
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly at the worry he saw in his eyes. Usually his father was good about shoeing emotion and holding in his concern...The last time he saw his father like this was when he was almost killed by the Thunder God. "I'm alive father...But how is Kakashi?!" He asked, grabbing his fathers forearm, squeezing it lightly in panic. He needed to see him right away. He saw his fathers face fall into hurt and regret as well as him avoiding his eyes. The world went quiet, his body beginning to shake. He leaned forward, his stomach aching and the world spinning.
"NO!" Sasuke cried out, fearing and assuming the worst. His Kakashi was no longer part of this world, and he had just got the damn Inugami! Tears streamed down his face as his body still shook uncontrollably. He could feel the world crashing down on him, as his vision began to blur. He had never felt any pain like this before...Even when Kakashi had rejected him, that pain paled in comparison to what his fathers actions told him about Kakashi. The last thing he remembered and heard was his father calling out his name as darkness took his vision.
_Medical wing, Naruto's room_
Itachi looked down at his pale mates face, rage and betrayal surged through his body. "Naruto..." He called his mates name, hoping that by some miracle that, that would be enough to wake his mates soul from its sleep. But he continued to lay still, his chest rising and falling only slightly, and with great difficulty. The medical Tengu did what they could, and with the antidote that they had gotten from Orochimaru, Naruto was supposed to make a fast recovery. But the way that he was right now made it seem like it was a cruel trick and that there was no way for Naruto to be better.
He took Naruto's hand in his shaking one, feeling only a dim feeling of warmth coming from it. "How could this happen?" He asked aloud to no one, anger and hurt apparent in his voice. 'How could I let this happen to him?! I knew that I should have gone after him the moment I knew that he was gone!' He screamed in his head. He leaned over, Naruto's hand still clutched in his as he held it close to his forehead. He needed Naruto to wake up, he needed to hear his voice again...To see that smile that warmed his heart.
"Sir?" One of the medical Tengu called out to him. "We need to examine him for a moment..." The older Tengu pleaded. He didn't want to make his lord move, but they needed to see if his mate was indeed recovering.
"Oh." Itachi numbly sat back up, looking to the older Tengue with dead eyes. He looked back down to Naruto and started to stand, not even really remembering telling his body to move. He continued to walk out of the medical wing, passing by many Tengue, but not interacting with them. 'I-...I need to be strong for Naruto...' He thought to himself, trying to bring himself up from what ever dead emotional state he was in. He needed to believe that Naruto would be okay...But it certainly was going to be hard. There was a loud commotion coming from the medical room. Itachi's heart stopped for a moment, his body running cold. He ran towards the room, knowing there was something wrong. He couldn't feel his connection to Naruto anymore.
"What happened?" He called, entering the room. There were Tengu all around his mates bed, they were all in a panic.
"M-My lord...Master Naruto has stopped breathing..." One of them spoke up, color drained from his face as he looked at his master. "W-We don't know what we can do..."
The world stopped for Itachi, he couldn't hear anything. He shakily sat in the nearest chair, unable to stand for much longer. He knew that there where people trying to talk to him, but he couldn't hear what they were saying. His world was coming apart as he knew it. He just felt empty, unable to really process anything.
"ITACHI!" He was shaken from his numb state shortly, he looked into the panicked face of Naruto's father. "Itachi, you must act quickly or we'll really lose Naruto!" He said, urging him to stand.
"How?" Itachi began to rise, his faith in Minato was very little, but if he really did have a way to save Naruto then he would do anything.
"Don't worry I have a way."
Naruto walked around in darkness, desperately trying to find some sort of light. He had no Idea where he was or why he was there, but he needed to escape...But why?What for? He had let all of his family die and his mother was never going to forgive him. Especially since he had made no effort to get revenge for his clan. His pace slowed, the realization hitting him hard. There was no point in trying to find any way back..For all he knew he was already dead, serving his eternal hell for what he had done..He had lived while so many died..and what for? just to screw things up more for other people? No...Never again, he was never going to hurt anyone ever again...
The floor under Naruto's feet began to swallow him slowly, enveloping him in darkness. "I will accept my fate.." He said aloud, his eyes becoming lifeless as he slowly began to close them, letting the world he was in take him. As his eyes started to close, he saw an enormous creature appear, it's eyes huge and blazing red with hatred. 'this must be a being from hell come to take my soul.' he thought, staying still. The creature was still part of the darkness, it's eyes and a huge toothy grin where all you could see. He could hear it growling and hissing as it tried to get closer.
"-..." something...no someone was trying to say something. Naruto looked around halfheartedly, trying to see if there really was someone trying to say something. When he saw no one, he realized that it was probably a stupid wish to see someone before he descended into hell.
"Nar-" This time he heard it more clearly.
"Hello?" he called out, his voice hoarse.
"Naruto!" It was Itachi...His beloved. He tried to move from his spot, breaking free from the world he was being swallowed in, but with difficulty. He struggled and clawed at the black substance engulfing him, breaking it away piece by piece. The image of the being began to fade with Naruto's struggles.
There was a bright light, making Naruto cower back slightly by the sudden pain to his eyes. He watched as a figure appeared in the Light, someone he could never mistaken. "Itachi?" He called out to him.
"Naruto!" He came flying out of the light, crashing into Naruto in a huge embrace. Naruto couldn't breath he was squeezing him so tightly. The warmth of Itachi's chest and the familiar smell of him brought light tears to his eyes. 'how could I have forgotten him...' he asked himself as he berried his face further into Itachi's chest. "You're here.." He could hear the pain and sorrow in his mates voice. He leaned back so he could see his face. There were clear tears streaming down his handsome face, shocking Naruto greatly. In all of his years he hadn't ever really seen Itachi cry. "Itachi?" he called softly, wondering how it was possible for him to be here, that he wasn't some apparition that his consciousness thought up as he was about to die. He wasn't going to argue though. His body began to feel at peace and welcomed the warmth Itachi was giving.
"Itachi?" Naruto called his name again, inquiring what was wrong in his tone. Pain shown in Itachi's eyes. Betrayal and anger flew through him. How could Naruto have been so ready to just give up? To die right then and there and leave him all alone? He calmed himself as he saw the same pain and hurt in Naruto's eyes. Through their bond he could feel the intense pain that Naruto had been feeling. It was suffocating and it made sense to why he would have forgotten the outside world, and would have given up. But now was not the time to think about such things.
"Naruto, we need to leave." He said, looking back through the light that he had come through. "He won't be able to keep the link up much longer." He said, smiling down at him. Just looking at him was enough to bring a smile to his face. Naruto was just about to ask who Itachi was talking about when he saw his face. It was looking past Naruto, his eyes widening and his powers rising. There was something behind Naruto that caused his mate to be on alert. He quickly turned, there a few feet away was the creature that Naruto was ready to give his soul too. Only this time it's form was more revealed. It was a giant red fox, it's head and front legs were mostly formed now, the rest was starting to form from the darkness. It's eyes were huge with hate and rage, it's muzzle was pulled back in a visions snarling grin, making Naruto shiver with cold fear. This thing was ready to kill...And if Itachi and Naruto didn't hurry, Naruto was sure they wouldn't be able to fight the thing off. The Fox like demon's growl sounded more like it was laughing, as if it could hear Naruto's thoughts.
"I-Itachi." Naruto panicked slightly, feeling like something was terribly wrong. The air bristled with intense heat, Naruto's senses were on overload, his body ached with suspicion and the need to flee. It was dangerous to stay...He needed to get Itachi out of here! His body screamed at him to move, but he just trembled. Itachi saw the reaction in Naruto, knowing that this creature, what ever it was, was not to be taken lightly. Suddenly there was a defining roar, the creature cried out in complete rage as something appeared. Above and all around the creature where light symbols and prayer inscription that where starting to appear. From the lights came forth chains, wrapping around the fox creature, tightening once they had a hold on it. It thrashed and roared again, fighting what ever was trying to seal it.
"Itachi! Naruto! You need to leave now!" There was a voice behind them. There stood Minato, his attention on the beast. He looked like he was struggling with something. "I can't keep the portal open, you need to leave now or we'll all be consumed." He pointed to the light. Itachi nodded, picking up Naruto. "W-Wha?" Naruto couldn't finish the rest as Itachi had them flying towards the light. He wanted to know who that was...and how did Itachi know him? But that would have to wait. They went through the light, but Naruto couldn't remember anything else after that.
Naruto's eyes strained open, but when he saw the familiar boards on the ceiling and the familiar smell, he knew he was home...Really home this time. He tried to sit up but searing pain exploded in his abdomen, making him cry out slightly. 'I guess that's what I get for having my soul out of my body for so long.' he thought to himself. His hands twitched, feeling was returning to his body. He looked over to Itachi who was slumped on his bed, out cold. His hand was grasped firmly in his. He smiled at the sight. No mater what, just looking at his mate would bring him such joy. 'He came for me...' he thought. He wanted to reach out to him, caress him and let him know how much he regretted leaving him and doing what he did. But his other hand was being held by someone else. He was about to look to see who it was when Itachi started to rise, his eyes slightly blurred with sleep.
"Naruto?" He called his name, squeezing the blonds hand. In response Naruto brought Itachi's hand to his lips and kissed gently, letting him know that he was there, alive and almost well. Itachi smiled down at him, moving so that he could embrace Naruto. "My love." He comforted Naruto, squeezing him tightly in his arms, quietly making sure that Naruto was actually here. Naruto's eyes began to feel with tears, he felt Itachi's love for him through the bond,and it was killing him inside with guilt. He had been so ready to just give up. To throw his life away and Itachi never once came to consideration. He never thought about what pain and suffering his death would have brought to Itachi.
"Itachi...I'm so sorry." He sobbed quietly into his mate's shoulder, unable to really move and embrace him properly. There was so much regret and hatred that he was feeling for himself right now. He was weak and kept hurting and letting down the ones he loved.
"Oh Naruto. I know how painful this was for you...I just wish that you would have relied on me more. Anything to do with your family brings you such sorrow and pain..I swore to myself that I would never let you feel that much pain again while I lived...It is I who have failed you." He soothed his mate. He knew that the pain that Naruto was feeling needed to be shared. It wasn't healthy for someone, even a demon to hold onto that much pain and regret.
"I know it will be hard for you, but I will help you to put your past into the past. I will do anything to help you find peace with it." He leaned back, looking down at his mates face. "Please just promise me that if there is anything to do with your father that you will listen first before judging him." He asked. The look on Naruto's face made Itachi chuckle out loud. "Don't give me that look. I know exactly what you feel for your father. And there is no hatred there. It's one of the many perks to being your mate." He winked, bringing a light blush to Naruto's paled cheeks.
"I will try..." He pouted, knowing what Itachi was talking about was true. What he felt for his father wasn't hatred, but curiosity. He wanted to know more than anything was why he was away? Did he think of Naruto and his mother while being away for so long? Did he even know what happened to his mother? There where so many questions that he needed answers to, but fist he needed to find the demon.
"-N-Naruto?" Itachi and Naruto jumped a little, reminded that there was another person with them this whole time. Naruto finally got his chance to see who else was holding his hand. He turned to see a man holding his hand, he groggily looked up, calling out his name. He had bright blonde hair just like he did...the same bright blue eyes...He was so familiar and yet so foreign at the same time.
"Naruto..." the man said, fully conscious now, looking at his son with bright eyes. "Dad?" Naruto took a chance, trying to confirm if the man was indeed his father. The man in question smiled brightly, bringing a warm feeling to Naruto. Tears streamed down his pale cheeks, the hand holding Naruto's hand trembled. "Yes son..." he sobbed while he slumped forward, letting his head fall to hide his tears. Naruto waited, not really sure what he should do. Once Minato let out most of his pent up sorrow he had enough composure to lift his head and really look at his son. He took after him a lot, his golden hair, his bright blue eyes...But the way he carried himself and his presence was all his mother. There was so much Kushina in him and he loved that fact.
"My son..." He looked up again, regaining some of his composure, but tears still shown brightly in his eyes. "How could you ever forgive me?" He asked, looking Naruto straight in his beautiful eyes.
Anger and pain surged through the young fox demon. His father wanted to know how he could be forgive?! He was gone his entire life and even let his mother and clan die? Did he even really love him and his mother at all? He stared at his father, ready to unleash his full anger on him when he saw something so familiar. His fathers eyes where full of the same pain and suffering that he had been feeling this entire time, only more so it seemed. He could see how much the pain and loneliness had eaten away at him, what also really counted was what he saw right then. He was really trying. He wanted to know Naruto and he wanted to make things right. Naruto sighed, his anger disappearing He felt good, all the negative feelings he was currently feeling and had harbored with the mystery demon where fading.
"I will forgive you for the past...But there are questions that I want answers to." He said, smiling a content smile at his father. He held the man's hand tighter, feeling the warmth that it brought. He knew that he would never be able to hate this demon. All he really wanted was to meet him again and know that he wasn't abandoned. "Naruto." His father said his name again, the last of his tears falling. He showed a familiar blazing smile as he let Naruto's words of forgiveness wash over him. He leaned forward, wanting to embrace his son, but stopped, hesitating. "M-May I?" He asked for permission. He wanted to let Naruto know how much he loved him, but he didn't want to over whelm him.
Naruto shot forward, ignoring the pain his body cried out with and grabbed his father. He hugged him tightly, imprinting his smell and the warmth he had into his memory. Minato looked shocked for a second before instantly returning the embrace. He could feel Naruto trembling slightly, knowing that he was so over whelmed with emotion, that his body was doing the only thing it knew how to cope with it. He was crying into his father's chest, letting it all out. Minato let Naruto cry until he could no more. He sat there holding him and petting his head, giving what comfort he could. Minato looked over at Itachi, noticing how he looked at his son so lovingly. Itachi was proud and happy that Naruto had accepted his father and was willing to let him into his life.
Minato let go of Naruto, ruffling his hair slightly as he stood. "I will answer any questions you have, but first you must rest. I'll return when you a ready to talk." He said, letting Itachi take over in giving comfort to Naruto. He left shortly after, content to see Naruto smile up at Itachi. 'I wont mess this chance up.' Minato thought, determined to always be there for Naruto now that Naruto wanted to be near him. He couldn't handle what Kushina might do to him in the afterlife if he didn't stay with Naruto. The thought of his beautiful wife brought a smile to his face, oh how he missed her so.
Naruto watched his father leave, feeling slightly whole again. He knew his mother would want him and his father to be together. After all he had lost someone just as precious when his mother died.
"Naruto? Is everything okay?" Itachi questioned, seeing the content and wondering face Naruto was showing at the moment. He rubbed the hand that he was currently holding, his thumb rubbing over his knuckles gently.
"Hm?.." He looked into Itachi's eyes, smiling instantly. Itachi smiled, shaking his head. "Never mind love." He kissed his forehead while urging him to lay back down. "You need to rest now, your body needs to recover." He smirked when he saw the slight pout on his lover's face.
"Where is everyone else? Kakashi and Sasuke?" Naruto asked, an image of the two conjured in his mind. He must have worried the two of them...He needed to see them and apologize. He knew though that something was seriously wrong when he saw his mates happy face fall. He avoided eye contact and sighed heavily. "What happened?" Naruto questioned. The serious tone in his voice left no room for Itachi to tell him not to worry. They were way past that point now.
"Kakashi...He sustained a great wound while protecting you and Sasuke...He took a fatal blow for Sasuke from one of Orochimaru's poisoned Demon blades...Are healers have done all that they could but..." Itachi trailed off, Not wanting to say what came next. Naruto's face paled even more. A not formed in the pit of his stomach, suspecting the worst. He wasn't ready to hear that his best friend was dead when Itachi started to speak again.
"He's Lost a great percentage in most of his senses and some mobility in his left arm...He will never be able to fight like he used to and his Inugami powers have weakened greatly..." Itachi finally spoke.
"Naruto stared into Itachi's eyes, tears slightly pooling at the corners of his eyes.
"Naruto?!" Itachi's eyes widened in fear, reaching for him.
"Don't do that!" Naruto yelled, his tears falling. He looked at his lover with anger, mad that he made him believe that Kakashi had died. "You made it sound like he had died!" He scolded him.
Itachi scratched the back of his neck. The Uchihas always did make things sound worse than they were...Unintentionally of course. "My Apologies, but he is in the last wing." He pointed to the sliding doors across the room. "What of Sasuke?" Naruto asked. He knew that if Kakashi took the blow for Sasuke, then Sasuke must be worried sick. He certainly had missed a lot while he was lost in his own soul.
"He's resting in his room...This whole little adventure has taken its toll, not to mention what happened to Kakashi." he paused for a moment. "But enough talking, rest and I will be here when you wake." Itachi instructed his lover.
"Naruto was about to remind him that he didn't take orders but his heavy body and the pain in the back of his eyes reminded him that he probably should sleep. He fell back into the covers, not taking long at all to fall asleep.
_Sasuke's Room_
"Young lord...please you must eat something..." One of the waiting servant pleaded. There was no response...He couldn't find the energy to care anymore. The servants watched as Their young lord gets weaker with every passing day, unable to get him to do anything. And of course they didn't know why their lord was in such a state of sadness, it wasn't their business to know of his personal matters. And as for Kakashi they only know that he was take to the medical wing.
"You may leave..." was his only response. He just kept sitting on floor, near the opened sliding doors to the back half of his room. He watched the forest area, scanning the areas just hoping that by some miracle his love would come for him, either in life or to take him to hell. His body ached with disuse and hunger, but it was the pain that reminded him that he was alive and that Kakashi wasn't. It made him feel closer in some way to him and as the pain grew so did this feeling.
"Ka-Kakashi..." He whispered his name, tears falling now from his cold eyes. When had he been so pathetic and weak? He couldn't do anything right...Kakashi was always saving him in the end and now he payed the ultimate price...He hated him self. His vision kept blurring, from both the tears and the pure exhaustion. When the sun began to set he thought about moving back inside..but his body wouldn't move. His limbs felt so heavy and took so much energy.
"Sasuke." His father's voice could be heard from his room's door. Sasuke's fingers twitched down by his side. He raised his demonic presence, alerting his father that he was there and that he wasn't welcome. The door to his room forcefully slid open, revealing a very unhappy Uchiha Lord.
"You're acting like a pathetic fool...A child!" his father's rage surged. He knelt down by his son, taking his shoulder forcefully. "You must listen to me and not over react this time." He looked into his eyes sternly. Sasuke hated him being there...He had nothing to say to him. "Kakashi did sustain grave wounds...But that doesn't me that he has died you fool." He said, his face softening when he saw Sasuke react. "You didn't let me explain. He is alive my son, but he isn't going to be the same. His senses have been gravely damaged and His body doesn't have the same movement anymore." He warned Sasuke. But that didn't matter, How could he have been so foolish?! He watched his father get up form his crouched state, letting the news sink in.
"Pl-Please! I must see him!" He finally called out to his father, trying with what little strength he had to crawl to the middle of his room.
"You must rest and eat first." His father instructed in a slightly serious tone. "You are in no condition to see him...It would hurt him to see you in this state." He warned, knowing that his son would do anything to see the Inugami. But the realization hit Sasuke that Kakashi would want to see him well and taken care of...otherwise him saving his life would have been meaningless. Sasuke nodded, letting his father leave the room and summon servants to take care of him. 'I'll be there Soon Kakashi..' he thought looking to the door.