Tainted Embrace

Yo! All the reviews and stuff is much appreciated, 2 more for the next chapter please. I apologise for any spelling or grammar mistakes.

A.N. Just as another warning, this chapter contains yaoi, violence and it's a little sad. Oh, and italics means that's someone's thoughts or emphasis.

Enjoy!

Chapter 8 - Conquered

Sasuke collapsed to his knees as they finally arrived back at Konoha. His legs would hold him no longer. Riding on the back of a giant frog with nothing but chakra to keep you from flying off was quiet tiring. He sat for a minute or two, regaining his breath and composure while Jiraiya released the summon and the frog disappeared with a poof. Turning to the Uchiha he smiled, amusement in his eyes. Sasuke glared back at him and pushed himself to his feet, shaking slightly. He shook his limbs and cranked his neck. He definitely preferred travelling on the ground, and promised never to ride a frog again. Jiraiya laughed happily before slapping the younger shinobi on the shoulder and leading the way into Konoha.

Sasuke walked at his side, glad they were back. He needed to get to Naruto, to see how he was doing. It had only been three days, but in that short period of time he felt he couldn't get his mind off the blonde. It pained him to be away from his lover. It was the first time it had been this serious. As the two men made their way through the village, Sasuke stopped and turned to Jiraiya.

"You go get Tsunade and Sakura and meet me at the facility, I'm going to see Naruto," the dark haired man said, and after the other nodded, started off in another direction. Jiraiya smiled after him; the two young shinobi had become so close since he had been gone.

Sasuke increased his pace as he drew closer to the facility in the outskirts of the village. Finding the entrance he slipped inside and made his way down the long stair case. He came into a room with multiple doors and froze. One of them had been blasted open, the door lying on the ground and the frame pitch black as if burned. Sasuke gulped. Nothing good could come from this. He entered the room cautiously and winced when he saw the two shinobi guards on the ground, a couple of cuts covering their bodies. He went over to them and checked their pulse. He was surprised to find they were alive. He glance into the cells, already knowing no one was in there.

One of the guards slowly came around at Sasuke's cursing. The shinobi tried so sit up and staggered, but with the Uchiha's help sat back against the wall.

"What happened?" Sasuke asked.

The man blinked a few times, his face pale and his eyes holding a trace of fear. "There was a disturbance in the cell... and we were attacked..." The man coughed and swallowed. "It said 'it is done' and disappeared."

Sasuke felt his body go rigid. His mind was racing, going into overdrive. 'It was done'? Does that mean the Kyubi didn't kill these men like the others because he had enough chakra and had broken the seal? Why else would he have left the shinobi alive? Sasuke's heart wrenched. Was Naruto gone?

The Uchiha shook his eyes and willed away the tears that threatened to run down his face. He couldn't belive that; he wouldn't belive that. Naruto had to be okay, he couldn't handle it if the blonde was taken from him. Suddenly his anger started to boil, slowly and dreadfully rising. He stood from the guard, telling him help was on the way before turning and walking from the room, the atmosphere around him becoming full of hate. Even as he moved he picked up the Kyubi's chakra trail with ease, and followed it at a brisk pace. Jumping onto the roof, he realised the Fox was heading out of the village. He heard his name being called behind him and took a moment to look at who the voice belonged to. It was Sakura, looking up at him with concern in her eyes.

"Where are you going? I thought we were going to-"

"He's leaving the village. Wait for Tsunade and Jiraiya then head for the south-east of the forest," Sasuke interrupted her. She was about to ask another question but the Uchiha was gone.

Sasuke jumped from roof to roof, increasing his speed. Before he knew it he was surrounded by bright, green trees. The bark underneath his feet snapped at his touch, his full power coming to blossom. Sensing the Kyubi just ahead, Sasuke threw three shurikan in his direction and sprang down from the other direction. He saw the red chakra shield go up before the Kyubi turned to him as he attacked. His katana practically bounced off the Fox's own weapon, and went spinning off into a tree. He was pushed back and skidded to a halt. In an instant his sharingan was activated, the comma-like symbols swirling dangerously.

"So you're back from your useless quest? It's too bad though... you're too late," the Kyubi smile wickedly, sending an involuntary shiver down Sasuke's spine.

"What do you mean?" he questioned, but already figured what the Fox would say.

"Your mate is gone... the seal is broken. This body is mine now." Nether the less, Sasuke felt himself tremble as the thought was said out loud. But he didn't let it sink in. Naruto had to be in there somewhere. If the seal had truly broken, why wasn't the Kyubi in his real form?

"I don't think so," he glared at the Fox, who simply laughed at him. Now all Sasuke needed to do was buy some time so Jiraiya could get here. Then the hermit could strengthen what's left of the seal. He had to keep the Kyubi around until then.

The demon smirked. "You can feel it, can't you? My chakra is absolute in this body, there is nothing else." As much as Sasuke didn't want to admit it, the Fox was right. Usually there was a trace of the blonde's chakra, but no matter how hard the Uchiha concentrated, he just couldn't sense it.

"For all I know you could be masking it with your own, so don't take offense if I don't believe you."

Sasuke threw the kunai at the Kyubi but the shield rose again. Sasuke ran through some hand signs and took a deep breath. Holding one hand before his mouth to aim, he let his breath out explosively, and sent multiple large balls of fire at the Kyubi, masking shurikan within the flames. He had no intention of really hurting the Fox, especially in Naruto's body, but he had to appear at least a little serious. The fireballs arched towards the still smiling Kyubi, exploding against his shield, shortly followed by the swirling stars. Using the distraction, Sasuke drew another kunai and charged in as the smoke started to clear. His weapon rang out against the Fox's as he attacked over and over again. He used his best taijutsu, but the Kyubi never had to take more than one step back or to the side. He let his anger fuel him as he fought, remembering all the times Naruto suffered because of this demon. His attacks became more serious and his speed increased. He used more of his strongest fire attacks, and even though they still weren't reaching his target, the smile had been wiped off the Fox's face. Sasuke smirked.

The two fought for what seemed like eternity, and explosions from the forest could be heard in the village. Sasuke had minor cuts to his arms and a split lip, but he pushed on. The air rang with his curses and the Kyubi's taunts, but he ignored them. Sasuke held his hand before him, letting his chakra build up in his palm. Electricity pranced over his arms, concentrating into a deadly force of lightning. He wasn't going to aim directly for the Kyubi, just enough to break down his shield. The Uchiha sprinted towards the figure, running his hand along the ground as he gained speed. He pushed off the floor with a cry and slammed Chidori into the chakra shield. He watched as the red energy seemed to resist, but split and began to weaken. He was no more than a meter away from the Kyubi. Now was his chance.

Sasuke closed his eyes momentarily and when his blood red eyes shot open, he suddenly found himself in Naruto's mind. He was in the strange room where the Fox resided. He looked up into the intimidating gates, and was relieved when he saw the seal still holding them shut. That meant Naruto was alive. The bars were damaged and bent in some places, showing the Kyubi's efforts to escape. He felt the Fox growl in annoyance and red chakra started to surround him. Waving his hand at the wave that approached him, it scattered and dissipated.

That may have worked once before, but not again...

Sasuke heard the Kyubi say, and suddenly pain erupted in his side. He retreated back to his own mind unwillingly and his body stumbled back, but didn't move. A kunai had gashed deeply into his side, and blood soaked his shirt and armour. The Kyubi had a hand wrapped around his throat, holding him a foot off the ground. Sasuke struggled but the grip on him was too tight. He couldn't move, and his breath was in short gasps. He tried to pull the clawed hand from his neck but he was too drained.

The Kyubi laughed. "Weakling..."

"Sasuke!" a voice called and the two turned to look at the new arrivals. Tsunade, Jiraiya and Sakura stood in fighting poses, their bodies tense and alert. The pink haired shinobi threw a well aimed shurikan at the Fox but was stopped dead in the air. The Kyubi smirked again and returned his attention back to Sasuke.

"Now I shall take your life, and end the last of the retched clan known as the Uchiha's," he said coldly, the smirk never leaving his face.

His other arm slowly raised, his clawed hand reaching for his face. Suddenly, the Fox stopped, and Sasuke watched in surprise as a frown came over the Kyubi's features, his hand shaking as if someone was holding it back. And Sasuke knew exactly who that someone was. He was happy Naruto was fighting, but he knew it was already a lost cause. He closed his eyes as his vision had already started to black out from the loss of blood and the lack of air. He was too weak to go on. At least Jiraiya was here; he would still be able to perform the seal. He opened his dark eyes and looked past the image that was the Kyubi, and instead saw Naruto. He smiled softly and his emotions swelled inside him, reflecting in his eyes. If he was going to die, he wanted Naruto to know something. Something that he had been meaning to say for a long time.

"I love you Naruto," he whispered, his smile never wavering.

The Kyubi's eyes widened and his body started to shake. Suddenly, he released his hold on Sasuke and the Uchiha fell to the floor, coughing and panting for breath. He looked up to see the Fox holding his head, his cruel eyes closed tight and pain etched onto his demonic features. Sasuke didn't know what was going on, but he fought off the unconsciousness that tried to claim him. He sat their on his hands and knees, transfixed with the display before him. The Kyubi let out a piercing scream that slightly resembled a growl, red chakra gathering about him in a bubble. He twisted and shook his head, groaning as his pain increased.

Slowly, his hair started to lighten. His features became less demonic and his eyes melted into a vivid blue. The claws and teeth retracted, and the whiskers thinned out. But not entirely. The tips of his hair remained the redish brown, and his eyes still held a slight slit-like shape pupil. His canines were larger than that of a human's but not as excessive as the Fox's. The bubble around him wavered from red to blue as they fought for dominance. Jiraiya stepped forward, his fingertips glowing a vibrant violet colour, and Sasuke realised he was going to use the seal.

"No!" Naruto suddenly shouted, still holding his head in pain. "If you do that, it'll destroy the seal, not strengthen it."

The frog hermit was dumbfounded, but he reluctantly released the jutsu and let his arm fall.

"What should we do?" Sakura asked worriedly as she watched her friend wither on the ground.

"There's nothing much we can do. It's up to Naruto now, but I'm not sure what he's doing..." Tsunade said quietly.

The group watched at Naruto continued to struggle, his moans of pain decreasing. The bubble of chakra slowly started to meld together. The red overlapped the blue and mixed together, and started to darken into a deep purple chakra instead. And Sasuke finally noticed what was happening.

"He's merging with the Fox," he said in almost disbelief. The others gasped.

"Can he do that? Is it even possible?" Sakura enquired.

Her question was answered when the purple chakra flared before retreating into Naruto. He leaned on the ground on all fours, his chest heaving, his body covered in sweat form his exertion. Sasuke silently concentrated his own power, and found neither the Kyubi's or Naruto's chakra. Instead, he discovered a mix of the both. The human chakra was dominant, but the raw power came from the demon.

"Apparently, but that means Naruto is no longer pure human. He's half demon," Jiraiya whispered the last sentence, shocked that Naruto would be able to do such a thing. It just goes to prove that Naruto was truly a great shinobi even without the Fox. The hermit didn't think anyone else would have been able to pull it of.

Sasuke didn't care. The blonde was alive, even though he wasn't completely blonde anymore. He crawled over to the other shinobi, one hand holding his injured side. He felt faint, but he had to make sure his lover was alright. Lifting Naruto's chin gently with a hand, Sasuke gazed into his deep azure eyes, a smile on his face. The blonde looked at him with worry; almost feeling he was about to be rejected for what he had become. But instead, the Uchiha grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug. The dark haired shinobi's arms circled around him, pulling him into the other's embrace. Naruto sighed a relief and let his pounding head rest on his lover's shoulder.

"Dobe, I thought I said not to scare me like that," Sasuke chided happily, a single tear running down his cheek. He felt Naruto wrap his own arms around his body.

"This definitely can't be right, you're getting scared too often to be my teme," Naruto replied. Turning his head towards the Uchiha's ear, he whispered, "I love you too." A smile graced Sasuke's face as he felt the body he held go slack and limp. He felt Naruto's warm breath on his neck, and a hand patted his shoulder lightly. He found Tsunade beside him, telling him something about getting healed. But Sasuke wasn't really listening. The blonde loved him, and he was safe. He had his dobe back, and he would never let him go.

Ah, almost finished, lol. Please review and stuff, thanks!

KCT