Konnichi wa!

OMG! This is the last chapter! WOW! That took forever to write! XD

Me and my parents are going up north to Oregon and Washington n stuff over the summer. Where we are right now doesn't have any signal, so by the time I post this, it'll probably be a few days after.

Right now, we're in Prairie Creek State Park – 30 miles from the southern Oregon border! There's so much wildlife here, but the only reason I'm able to finish writing the chapter is because I'm mooching off the free electricity from the bathrooms! XD I'm right outside the door to the bathroom right now, and everyone who passes by is looking at me weird! XD What can I say? Gotta do what I gotta do.

But I wish all of you could see it! The trees here are so TALL! O.O It's absolutely amazing! The biggest Redwood Tree is… if I remember correctly, 376.8 feet tall! Or was it 367.8 feet…?

We spent last night in... I think… Patrick's Point State Park to the south. With a little trek downhill, we got our own private beach! XD I was sunbathing while Mom looked for Jade and Dad looked for cool looking driftwood. :D

While we've been here, we saw deer and jackrabbits and really cool looking birds! We've even seen a couple of foxes! XD The Kyuubi is chasing after us! OMG! O.o

Haha:D

Anyway, I wish all of you could see it! It's absolutely gorgeous beyond all comprehension – this is as good as nature gets! It's a little chilly here, but that's okay!

Here's the last link before the Epilogue!

Shackled in Chains

Link Three – Chains of Love

Naruto snuck into Sasuke's cell without hesitation or delay, and he merely stood there for a moment, drinking in every inch of the metal shackles that bound Sasuke – that tore the Uchiha away from him.

"I'm here, Sasuke," he breathed to the air. "I'm here."

A warm sensation grew in the front of his brain.

"I know," the Uchiha replied softly. "But something's different – what's wrong?"

Naruto didn't answer for a moment – he walked forward – to where he was nearly touching Sasuke's metal-covered knees.

"I want to save you," he murmured. "I want to be able to touch you again – to see your face – to hug you. I know we were never that intimate before, but…" Naruto felt himself flush. "I just… want to. I want to get you out, and I never want to let go."

Sasuke didn't laugh as Naruto thought he would.

"That's… understandable, I suppose. I'm touched Naruto, that you feel that way, but my isolation is for the best. Besides, I can't control my body anymore – what good will come out of releasing me?"

"Oh, plenty of good, Sasuke," Naruto murmured, mostly to himself. "Just wait."

"Are you sure about this, kittling?" The Kyuubi asked him. "You could be mentally crippled for life if this doesn't work."

"It will work," Naruto said out loud to the stone dungeon. "If Sasuke cares for me like I do him, then it will work."

He sensed Sasuke's questioning silence.

"Naruto… what are you talking about?"

The blonde had to grin.

"You'll see," he murmured. "Just wait."

The answering silence turned into one of realization.

"Naruto… you're not planning to…?"

"I told you before Sasuke," Naruto replied. "You'll find out in a few minutes."

"Well, more like seconds, actually," the Kyuubi corrected, making Naruto roll his eyes.

"Just please do it, Kyuubi," he breathed.

Sasuke's voice was urgent in his mind.

"Naruto – don't you dare! I sense it – you're about to do something dangerous! I forbid you to do it!"

"Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?" Naruto instantly demanded. "You're shackled in chains to the hells – you can't DO anything to stop me!"

There was stunned silence for a moment.

"Naruto…" Sasuke was in – Naruto realized – awe, not anger. "You've grown up."

There was another moment of silence, and when Sasuke spoke again, pride filled his mental voice.

"This is your life now – no regrets, yeah? Do what you want."

Naruto smiled, knowing Sasuke would sense it.

"I will," he replied. "But I'm going to need your help."

"I'll do what I can. What are you planning to do?"

Naruto closed his eyes, taking deep breaths.

"You'll see," he murmured. Then he shifted slightly. "Go, Kyuubi."

He willed the kitsune's power to surge through him, allowing his eyes to bleed red and his nails to sharpen.

I understand now. I know what this feeling is.

He felt his lips move – Kyuubi was chanting the words needed for the Jutsu.

I know now. I know that in order to save Sasuke – to see his face again…

He raised his hands.

I'll sacrifice my humanity.

Sasuke realized what he was trying to do.

"No – Naruto – DON'T –"

Naruto's fingers laced together, completing the circle and allowing the Jutsu to commence.

Because…

In his mind's eye, he saw a huge wall of flame – the Kyuubi's Chakra – surge forth, crashing into Sasuke's body and raging to meet the offending blue tidal waves – Sasuke's own, rebellious Chakra – head on, the resulting mental explosion making Naruto wince. Terror rang through Sasuke's mental voice.

"NARUTO!"

I love him that much.

"NARUTO – PLEASE GOD – STOP!"

"I'll save you, Sasuke," Naruto breathed. "But I need your help. Please…" his eyebrows furrowed as Sasuke's Chakra gathered itself up and threw itself against the Kyuubi's own flaming energy. "If you care about me – you'll help me! You can do it, Sasuke!"

Sasuke's reply was urgent and dismissive.

"Naruto! I can't! I can't control my Chakra at all – I can't BE saved!"

Naruto growled as he watched the battle of Chakra, eyes closed and his entire body gently shaking.

"Baka – yes you can!" He exclaimed. "If I have to sacrifice my humanity to save you – I'll do it!"

You mean THAT much to me!

"No – Naruto DON'T –"

"YOU JUST SAID THIS IS MY LIFE, SASUKE!" Naruto roared. "YOU JUST SAID I COULD DO WHAT I WANTED! THIS IS WHAT I WANT, SASUKE! I WANT TO SAVE YOU!"

Sasuke was stunned into silence, and Naruto felt his chest wrench in pain as the blue wave slammed against the fire of the Kyuubi's Chakra, driving it back and coming closer to Naruto's inner self – to his mind. With a powerful surge of will, Naruto sent the demon fox's Chakra back the way it came, crashing back against the Uchiha's Chakra. He felt his limbs weakening with the effort to keep the flow of Chakra controlled but powerful.

"I'm doing all I can, kittling!" The Kyuubi cried after a few minutes of intense fighting between the two Chakras. "The power of his Chakra… it's unbelievable!"

"Keep trying, Kyuubi!" Naruto replied. "We HAVE to save him!"

The Kyuubi drew from his will and channeled that power to her Chakra once more, sending it to battle against Sasuke's Chakra once more.

"Sasuke!" He cried out loud. "You're the only one who can do it! Save yourself or remain here to rot for eternity! I miss you so much Sasuke!" Naruto was close to crying now. The fight suddenly seemed hopeless as the blue wave rose up higher than the Kyuubi's Chakra and slammed down, nearly obliterating the demon fox's Chakra and coming oh so close to Naruto's inner self. "I want to see you again – I want to hold you like I never have! And in order to do that – in order to save you…" From the very bowels of his stomach, he yanked Chakra upwards and threw it at the blue wave, sending it back once more. Sweat coated his body, and his entire frame was shaking violently. "I'LL SACRIFICE MY MENTALITY AND MY HUMANITY!"

Sasuke finally spoke, voice confused but frantic.

"Naruto… if you lose your mind, you'll never have a chance to become Hokage! Why are you putting all of this on the line for me?" He demanded.

Naruto smirked grimly, wincing at the pain the Chakra depletion was causing.

"Because you mean that much to me," he breathed.

ALL FOR YOU –

"NARUTO –!"

Using the determination that rose with that sentence, Naruto sent a final wave of Chakra forward, crashing it into the blue tsunami with so much force that it broke the wave, sending it slamming down on top of itself as the Kyuubi's Chakra surged forth, nearly covering the blue flame entirely.

"KITTLING!" The Kyuubi cried as a small sphere of light burst from behind the falling blue wave. "THAT'S THE UCHIHA'S MAIN OPERATING SYSTEM FOR CHAKRA FLOW! TOUCH THAT AND YOU'LL MAKE HIM TAKE CONTROL AGAIN! HURRY!"

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Naruto made his inner self raise a hand, passing over the interlocked Chakra energies and racing towards the small sphere, stretching out a hand. He was so close – so close he could see the light streaming in between his fingers.

"THIS IS YOUR CHANCE SASUKE!" His inner self cried. "THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE! HURRY!"

The Kyuubi's voice rang shrilly through his mind.

"KITTLING BEHIND YOU –!"

Naruto's inner self turned to see the blue wave had managed to yank itself out of the Kyuubi's hold, and before he knew it, the Chakra had slammed into him, sending out powerful electrical sparks all throughout his mind, making him scream out in agony.

Sasuke's cry rang through his mind.

"NARUTO!"

The blonde fought against it, but he was so weak – he had no Chakra left to fight with. He could feel not only his mentality being stripped from him – but also his life.

"TAKE CONTROL, SASUKE!" He bellowed. "TAKE CONTROL NOW!"

"NARUTO!" Sasuke cried out in return – the blonde was sure the other was crying. "NO! I WON'T LET THIS HAPPEN!" It didn't take much to imagine tears flowing down the pale face. "I WON'T LET YOU DIE!"

The blue wave had almost completely swallowed him – his body was numb with pain. Sasuke's cry was ragged with terror and determination all at once.

"NARUTO!"

Long blinded eyes flew open.

The last thing Naruto's inner self saw was the small sphere of light bursting, blinding him as he was swallowed whole.

Naruto opened his eyes in the real world to see a powerful light – the same light, in fact – flowing from Sasuke's form, and a sudden burst of energy was powerful enough to send him off his feet and crashing to the floor.

His ears dimly registered the sounds of metal chains falling to the floor in a heap, but his mind was blank – it was impossible to register anything.

The glow didn't fade, and Naruto didn't move as he heard soft footsteps padding towards him.

A powerful presence stopped at his side, but he didn't have the energy to look up.

"Naruto."

The word – his name – was still in his head, but it was spoken with such a powerful, holy elegance that it seemed to fill his entire being, making his head clear and his eyes deglaze.

A hand – warm and soft – pressed against his back, and he felt his strength returning.

The presence – whatever it was – straightened from where it had been kneeling beside him.

"Naruto…" his name again. "Please Naruto – stand up."

Wait – that voice was familiar.

No…

Slowly – as if unable to raise his head and see for his own eyes – he stood up and kept his gaze averted, hiding his eyes from the bright light.

It can't be…

"Naruto…"

That voice again.

Can it…?

He raised his head, and thought he saw a god.

Soft black eyes gazed at him comfortingly as long black hair cascaded down thin, frail shoulders. Clothes hung off a lithe frame, and blue sparks of electricity crackled down pale arms as the light seemed to burst from the other's very soul.

Naruto's eyes went wide.

"Sas…" he trailed off, unable to talk.

This has to be a dream.

The other smiled at him.

"Naruto…" the other's mouth didn't move. "Thank you. Because of you – your chains – I'm back to the way I used to be."

Naruto blinked.

"Chains?" He repeated. "No – I never wanted to chain you down – I wanted to free you!"

The other's mouth opened in silent laughter as he daintily shook his head.

"It was because of your chains that I was able to be released – silly Naruto."

"But where are they?" Naruto asked dumbly. "I can't see anything – what chains?"

The other smiled warmly at him.

It was the chains of your heart that freed me, Naruto. I'm shackled and bound and chained – but by nothing I despise or wish to be rid of."

Naruto didn't understand – couldn't understand.

"What… what are you saying?"

The other merely looked at him for a moment before raising a hand and reaching forward. Naruto half expected to have that hand be pushed back by glass, but he was severely surprised when that hand touched his cheek – cupped it, caressed it with soft fingertips.

"I'm saying that you saved me Naruto – you saved me with chains of love."

With that, he leaned forward, both his and Naruto's eyelids fluttering shut.

"I'm bound to you, Naruto – always and forever."

Lips touched the blonde's – solid and soft and pure. Naruto felt like weeping as his arms incased the smaller body – the body that was as real as it could ever get.

"I love you, Naruto."

Sasuke…

The battle of Chakras finally catching up to him, Naruto passed out, the other's smell – one of steel and cloud and rain – washing over him.

I love you too.

End Final Link – Chains of Love

WAAAAH! Mushiness beyond all mortal comprehension! –cries at the beauty of it all-

I absolutely loved this chapter – I really did! –cries some more- But it took so long to WRITE! You wouldn't believe how many days I would open up this file, read over what I had already wrote and just stare at the screen like someone who just had their BRAIN sucked out! XP UGH!

But, I got some inspiration last night, so I started writing on it. I couldn't finish it, however, because my computer ran out of batteries because we didn't have hook ups where we were staying last night. XP

Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! The epilogue –cries- is up next!

-hides behind Kakashi, crying-

-Kakashi clears his throat-

Kakashi – Uh… DDB…

DDB –sniffles- Huh? What?

Kakashi – Don't cry, okay? It doesn't suit you.

DDB – Sniff… Okay.

-Itachi sniffs distastefully-

Itachi – Tsk. Wimp.

-DDB rounds on Itachi-

DDB – SHUT UP SHMAN-CHAN! I AM NOT A WIMP!

-Itachi looks blankly at her-

Itachi – The tears on your face say differently, WIMP

-DDB merely looks at him for a moment, and then she bolts back over to Kakashi and buries her face in his chest, screaming about how she was going to tear out Itachi's heart, shove it down his throat and smile as she watches him choke on it.-

-Kakashi pats her back comfortingly.-

Kakashi – It's okay DDB – really. Don't cry, okay?

DDB –sniffles- Sniff… okay. Can I watch you and Sasuke make out? That'll make me feel a lot better.

Sasuke from Treacherous Heart – WHAT

-DDB wipes the tears from her face, grinning at the look on Sasuke-from-Treacherous-Heart's face.

DDB – Haha! You're funny Sasuke!

-Sasuke from Treacherous Heart grumbles and looks away, failing to see Kakashi, who is sneaking up behind him.-

-DDB turns to readers-

And before I forget – I have other Forum out! Something about Sasu-baby and Ice Princesses… and something like that. Look for it, okay? I only have one topic, but I WILL GET MORE!

I'm sure you can get to the forum from a link in my profile somewhere.

And I love even MORE now! WE GET USER PICS! XD

I LOVE IT!

Now please excuse me – I must go watch Sasuke-from-Treacherous-Heart get molested by Kakashi. –turns around to eagerly watch the molestation, camera in hand-

Sasuke from Treacherous Heart – KAKASHI IF YOU PUT YOUR HAND RIGHT THERE ONE MORE TIME BY GOD I SWEAR I'LL SCREAM –!

Grope.

Sasuke from Treacherous Heart – EYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

DDB – Sasuke, you scream like a little girl.

Kakashi –grins- No. –gropes Sasuke-from-Treacherous-Heart again- Like an UKE.

Sasuke from Treacherous Heart – BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP! GAH! KAKASHI YOU PERVERT STOP TOUCHING ME THERE

-Kakashi – obviously – doesn't.-

Kakashi – You know you like it, Sas-UKE.

Sasuke from Treacherous Heart – DAMN YOU KAKASH– GAH! KAKASHI YOU ASS! STOP GROPING ME!

-Kakashi then begins to sing 'Dirty Little Secret', by The All-American Rejects, and Sasuke moans in agony-

Sasuke from Treacherous Heart – OKAY OKAY! I'LL HAVE SEX WITH YOU! JUST STOP SINGING!

-DDB flips the recorder off, rewinds and then replays Sasuke-from-Treacherous-Heart's submission.-

Sasuke from Treacherous Heart – OKAY OKAY! I'LL HAVE SEX WITH YOU! JUST STOP SINGING!

-There is silence for a moment. Sasuke-from-Treacherous-Heart glares at DDB, who exchanges grins with Kakashi.-

Sasuke from Treacherous Heart – DDB, I HATE YOU, YOU DAMNED LITTLE BIT– EYAH!

-Kakashi launches himself on top of Sasuke, grinning.-

Kakashi – Remember Sasuke-baby? You sub-mit-ted! –singsong voice-

-Sasuke from Treacherous Heart looks up to the sky.-

Sasuke from Treacherous Heart – God, if you love me, kill me now!

Silence.

…

Sasuke from Treacherous Heart – I KNEW IT –!

-Kakashi then begins to molest/rape Sasuke-from-Treacherous-Heart, and DDB turns back to audience, grinning from ear to ear-

Review?

Ja ne!

DDB