Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Fanning the Flames

Naruto twisted his body to face the door once more; he had been doing it since Sasuke had been taken by the man that Naruto loathed, sitting in the chair in the kitchen back to the door trying to focus on the wall and his homework on the desk. Sadly, his body would just look to door expecting to hear Sasuke's usual hushed tones behind the door taking notes or scribbling on paper. Kyuubi tried to move a couple things to get Naruto to say what was wrong, like bringing Naruto a blanket, but Naruto stayed silent in his confusion.

Kyuubi, that reminded him that's why Kyuubi could never hold Naruto to warmth why no one would ever give a loving look to Naruto. That night on October 10 Naruto's birthday the dark haired man came and took him while Kyuubi was at work. Work Naruto now had to do his self with no help from anyone just like Kyuubi.

The parents of Kyuubi Uzumaki were far from what people consider loving; they fought constantly ignoring their child's need for attention and warmth. Kyuubi grew up warmer then expected even with his lack of support, but it hurt it might have been better if he hated his parents since that would be easier then having them fight and refill the fear of one of them leaving. That was the thing Kyuubi feared being alone without them even if only 30 of their attention was his it was enough that he still loved them, but one day he came home from the boarding school he was going to, to find no one was home. He searched the rooms finding most of the possessions gone except for his room. On his bed laid an unopened letter, which inside explained that he was to take care of his brother that was in the hospital, which had come from one of the parents having an affair, apparently his father. His mother said she would not, and could not love a child that was not her own and reject him completely. Saying that he would be living with his father from now on, but kyuubi soon realized he had rejected both boys, so on his own he did his best to be the brother, warmth, and the parent he had never had himself. That is until he became eighteen.

For unknown reasons the man that had stolen Naruto away that day and next thing he knew he was an orphan and Kyuubi was dead. Is to say Naruto wasn't happy about it, but what was he going to do about it he had no idea; he didn't even remember anything about that night. Now Sasuke was brought into the mystery, Naruto cringed he had thought of Sasuke as sort of in a weird kind of way maybe a friend. Why did Sasuke want to know about Kyuubi is he involved with those murders who killed them really. Thoughts like this kept Naruto up until eleven trying to sleep on his hunk of junk bed. Then a knock came to the door.

"Hello, I'm Master Uchiha Itachi's errand runner. I'm here for a Naruto Uzumaki that is you right?" The man who was dress all in black and red asked Naruto who stared up nervously.

"What about it?"

"Tomorrow young Master Uchiha Sasuke will be unwell and we would like to render your unique fighting services as a source to why the young master will be worn out," Naruto wasn't a simpleton when it came to such dangerous matters he felt his heart stop and then race. The dryness became apparent in his mouth and he swallowed and then cleared his throat.

"So, you're trying to buy me off just because Sasuke's brother needs anger management," Naruto glared at the man trying to ignore that his heart still beating in his ears so hard he could scarcely here the man's reply. "Look I'll take credit for any marks Sasuke has that were made by me, but anything other wise is no concern to me," Naruto pointed to the man who was looking shaken. "Go tell your boss that I said my name is Naruto Uzumaki soon to be famous celebrity, and I don't bend over for any one BELIEVE IT!" and with that Naruto slammed the door shut and immediately regret his actions his mouth just got him into a world of trouble and he knew it.

SCHOOL

Sasuke didn't have any marks on his face, so hiding it wasn't so much a problem as having to walk up right he could barley move last night now he was swollen and any numbness had melted away to become excruciating pain. In the car Itachi didn't say much but had made it a point not to snoop any longer which left Sasuke in a bind. He was going to turn sixteen next year that summer and when that happened…no he had to stop Itachi now. He arrived at school; he limped up to the school practically throwing his body forward trying to look like he was rushing. He leaned up against the door feeling worn out already when he felt someone press up against him gently.

"Hey, look just because you're an a Uchiha or whatever doesn't mean your not real even if other's thinks your god, you are defiantly not," Naruto leaned up to stare him in the eyes.

"It's none of your business," Sasuke said weakly looking away trying to disregard the closeness. Naruto couldn't understand that if he skipped it would not just look bad, but Itachi wouldn't stand for it and the illusion of perfection and inhumanity is what they were known for.

"You're brother made it my business, last night he thought it be easy to by off my services of pound in that pretty face of yours. Naturally I sent him packing with the message that I'll do that on my own time," Naruto grinned proudly failing to notice Sasuke's dark look of surprise.

"Idiot!" Naruto felt his face burn and the feel of thousands of paper cuts form on his cheek. Naruto looked down darkly trying to process what had taken place. "Now, your involved you don't know what this means argh! Stupid, Dobe!" Naruto looked up at Sasuke who had grabbed him by the shoulders and was sweating coldly with fear. "You have to leave now! He'll hunt you down and he'll kill you. Do you understand that?" Sasuke looked at Naruto he was now responsible for him, which was why he had chosen to stray away from people and social things, which would only lead to pain.

"What else is new, I'm not afraid of death you don't seem to get it do you? I'm living by what my brother told me what living was, protecting what is important to me. Growing up other then Kyuubi I had nothing important to me purposeless to live. Every one hated my brother and in return hated me I never got that chance to hold on to something. Then this asshole comes along and in some weird way gives me a chance to protect something even if we aren't close and might hate each other that's why I want to help." Sasuke listened to Naruto's motive and still found him stupid for playing with fire, but Sasuke had to keep him from being burned now since he was at fault for giving him the matches that would set him aflame.

"Listen to me you want to protect me, you want to be my friend, fine I'll give you that, but only when you listen to me and get going," Sasuke begged getting itchy now that more people were starting to arrive at school. He had to find away to keep Naruto away from Itachi and danger until he found a way out of this mess and before his birthday.

"Look let's skip today since you can't walk anyways and figure this out," Naruto attempting to pull Sasuke along while he staggered for balance.

"I can't if I do Itachi…" Sasuke quieted knowing that even talking to Naruto this long was bad for the both of them. He honestly wasn't scared of Itachi pain never made him back down, but he would not have some one else's life on his mind. Plus the thought of owing Naruto any more then he already did put him in a bad spot.

"No problem, I know a guy who can cover for us," Naruto pointed to a person who came waltzing up with a smile and hand in the air.

"Hey, I'm Sai and I will be taking over for you today," The boy held out his hand Sasuke looked at the clone in front of him and poked him to see if he was real. Sai twitched while Naruto just smiled and came to stand next to the boy and point at his face.

"This Sai I hired him from work last night to take your classes, now pay him and will be on our way," Naruto said reintroducing the- wait did he say pay! "Yeah you know since I'm going to all the trouble I think you financial aid would be handy," Naruto seeing Sasuke's glare with reason resulting in Sasuke giving in.

They ventured off to Naruto's house while Sai got his acting skills and wig ready, which Sasuke had to pay double since styling the wig into such a weird shape, had taken tons of hair spray. Even though this was happening much to fast for Sasuke's liking he was swept away by the blond in his confusion.

Tbc