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Sooo we left off with Naruto spurting blood and Sasuke waking up with a start, sensing eeeevil in the house! (melodramatic soap opera music begins)

I waited ONE ENTIRE DAY!!! to update! lol...yah I really can't wait very long without updating, im just so eager to share!!! Maybe I should just stop delaying updates altogether...nah but that would just be too much fun for you people now wouldn't it...Arigatou for the reviews!! (especially the one that gave me a 'teddy bear and a condom "in case Sasuke comes around"' O.o)

uuuh its getting really hard to keep being so nice to Sakura...

Oh yah, I changed how some things work, such as the Kyuubi, for my own benefits.

Now then, what has happened to our beloved Naru-chan? Find out now...

-Kitsune

Chapter XI

Bind Me

Sasuke left his room slowly, peering up and down the hall.

"Before I get Naruto and start the day.. I should check the house and the others.." Sasuke headed first for the yard where Kakashi normally was with his breakfast fire.

"Ohayo, Sasuke. Feeling full strength today?" Kakashi asked when Sasuke peered out the back door.

"Yeah.." Sasuke murmured dryly, and continued suspiciously inspecting the house. Kakashi shrugged and continued cooking.

"That one has more mood swings than a teenage girl…"

Sasuke reached Sakura's room and took a deep breath before knocking. Sakura opened the door brushing her hair.

"Oh, Sasuke-kun! Good morning! What a surprise!" She gushed, obviously not knowing what to do with herself. Sasuke looked left and right inside her room without passing the doorframe.

"Are you alright?" he asked plainly. Sakura scratched her head.

"Um.. um yeah, I am, I'm perfect Sasuke-kun, don't worry about me!" She cooed.

"Okay Sakura think, think! Say something, reel him in!" Sakura blinked twice and opened her mouth to speak a little too late. Sasuke was walking away down the hall. "Sasuke-kun, where are you going? Um—do you wanna come in?" She called after him. Sasuke waved back at her without turning around, and kept walking.

"No thanks Sakura.." Sakura sighed heavily.

"Missed my chance…" she groaned.

Sasuke continued away down the hall to Naruto's room.

"Well.. everything else is fine.. and I hope I'm wrong, but that can only mean that.. something's wrong with Naruto…I never get these vibes wrong.." Sasuke deduced. He began to feel extremely uneasy. Turning around, Sasuke jogged back to Sakura's room, feeling worse by the second. He pounded on the door, and she answered, then gasped. "Sasuke! You changed your mind?" she asked, blushing. Sasuke shook his head, and Sakura noticed he looked a little pale.

"Sasuke-kun.. are you okay?" she asked, touching his hair. Sasuke shook her off but headed down the hall, pulling her with him by the arm.

"No…I'm not okay…come with me." He said. She followed.

"He needs me.. he wants me to help him! He does care.." Sakura sighed dreamily and watched Sasuke from behind.

"Wait.. where are we going Sasuke-kun? What's wrong?" she asked. Sasuke was heading to Naruto's room.

"Something's so wrong.. I feel it.. like.. an extra presence.." Sasuke murmured. Sakura tried, but she couldn't feel anything.

"Wow.. really?" Sasuke paused in front of Naruto's room and pounded on the door. "Naruto!" he called. No answer. Sasuke twisted the doorknob, and it was locked.

"No don't lock me out Naruto.." Sasuke murmured, twisting the knob again and again, ending with a frustrated slam on the door with his fist. Sakura came up behind Sasuke, who was very silent, his face to the door, and put her hands on his shoulders.

"Sasuke-kun.. please, calm down, I think Naruto's fine, you know he sleeps like a rock!" Sakura excused.

"Let's go eat breakfast with Sensei." She suggested. Sasuke backed up from the door.

"No…I have to get in here. This door's coming down." Sasuke said.

"What?! Sas—" before she could finish complaining, Sasuke had charged against the door with his shoulder, and the door broke open. Sasuke stood there staring for about 5 seconds afterward, and Sakura followed and peered over his shoulder, then gasped, covering her mouth as she stared.

"Naruto…" she breathed quietly, shaking her head. Sasuke finally moved, and ran to the corner of the room where Naruto lay slumped on the floor, a small puddle of blood by his mouth, which was still smeared with blood. Sakura followed slowly, a bit in shock while Sasuke dropped to his knees beside Naruto and sat him up off of the floor. "Naruto…Naruto!? Talk! Say something!" Sasuke shouted, shaking Naruto a bit harshly. Sakura jumped when suddenly Sasuke turned abruptly to glare at her.

"Dammit, what's wrong with you Sakura!?! Stop standing there and get Kakashi!!" He snapped at her. She turned silently and went, just as tears began to form in her eyes.

"This is really getting to Sasuke…his voice broke…Was he…crying?" Sakura thought as she ran through the house. Sasuke felt his throat tighten as he stared at the blood coming from Naruto's mouth.

"Naruto…Naru-koi.." he whispered. Naruto stirred slightly afterward, and Sasuke held him closer, stroking his hair.

"You have to be alright Naruto.." he said quietly, the trauma reading in his eyes. Kakashi and Sakura came running back in, and Kakashi knelt beside Sasuke, staring.

"You just found him like this…" Kakashi asked calmly, reaching out and smoothing Naruto's hair along with Sasuke. Sasuke wouldn't take his eyes off Naruto, he only nodded numbly.

"Sasuke.." Naruto murmured suddenly, opening his eyes halfway and attempting to sit up.

"Naruto what happened?" Sasuke asked immediately, making him be still. Naruto shook his head, obviously in some type of pain.

"I had this.. dream.. but then.. it was actually happening.. I don't know what the hell is going on.." Naruto panted. Sakura stared at Sasuke's obviously concerned stance. Kakashi put his hand on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Pick him up, take him outside with me. What's today's date?" Kakashi said all at once. Sasuke stood up with Naruto in his arms.

"It's…August 10th…2 months to the day before Naruto's birthday." Sasuke said quietly, gazing intently down at Naruto's face.

"What does that mean? Is that important?" Sakura asked.

"Oh it's important. Today is the anniversary of the day the Nine-Tail demon fox's chakra was sensed. Naruto hadn't yet been born, and the fox kept coming back before finally being cornered just as Naruto was born." Kakashi said. Sakura stared at Naruto, and it occurred to her that she'd almost forgotten that fact about her teammate. Sasuke was carrying Naruto outside, and Kakashi was grabbing things like rope and cleaning cloths. Sakura followed them, wondering about the entire thing; what was happening to Naruto, Kakashi's seriousness, Sasuke's blatant concern.

-----------

Outside, Naruto was laid on the ground, and Sasuke was leaning over him while Kakashi did something, neither of them knew what, with the rope. Sakura watched Kakashi making some kind of little markings in black all over the rope.

"Is he still awake?" Kakashi asked Sasuke while Sakura sat down on a log nearby and watched.

"Sasuke, what's happening to me it hurts.." Naruto was saying. Sasuke had one hand on Naruto's chest, the other on his forehead stroking near his hairline.

"Sh, Naruto.. don't talk. It's been 15 years since the demon fox was trapped inside you…what's happening is suppose to happen." Sasuke said very quietly.

"What? Sasuke what are you saying, what're you trying to do to me??" Naruto exclaimed, sitting up quickly. Sasuke looked shocked and slightly hurt, and Kakashi paused to observe them.

"What.. Naruto why are you blaming me?? I didn't ask for this to happen." Sasuke said, staring at Naruto strangely. Naruto sat and stared, taking deep breaths, recalling the dream, but not quite sure what to believe. He had a strong compulsion to disregard his inner feelings because he couldn't always trust what he felt inside—He had a demon locked inside of him. Sasuke met his gaze and didn't waver.

"Naruto. Trust me. Nothing else." Sasuke whispered, and Sakura overheard. She watched them carefully. Naruto nodded slightly, still staring at Sasuke.

"I.. want to.. but.. what if…"

"No. No Naruto. I don't know what you're getting in these dreams, but you can't buy into it. Naruto….in this instance.. you can't trust yourself. It was only a nightmare." Sasuke emphasized. Naruto took repeated anxious breaths and said nothing else. Kakashi came over momentarily with the rope and knelt next to Sasuke, leaning over Naruto as Sasuke held him up in a sitting position.

"Alright Naruto.. This is what we're going to have to do. Sakura, come over here, all of you have to listen to what's happening." Kakashi said. Sakura came and sat on the other side of Sasuke.

"Ok Naruto. About every 15 years or so this Nine-tailed demon increases in strength, power, and destruction momentarily for 48 hours. It just so happens that you're 15 years old of course. The issue here is.. it's going to happen inside you. If it leaves your body, like it's going to try to…you'll die." Kakashi said quietly. Sasuke tensed visibly.

"He can't…" he murmured. Kakashi calmly placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder and left it there.

"Easy Sasuke. He'll be fine. This rope has special markings on it. Remember when I sealed your curse? It kept it from taking permanent control of you. These markings are going to keep the Naruto's seal on the Kyuubi strong." Kakashi explained.

"But.. the rope?" Naruto asked as Sasuke took the cleaning cloths and wiped the blood from his mouth.

"And why did he bleed?" Sakura asked. Kakashi gathered the rope and organized it for easy carrying.

"Well…He bled because the spirit is reawakening into a far more active form than it normally is. It's putting stress on Naruto's system. And the rope…this power surge from the demon lasts 48 hours. We'll…we'll be tying Naruto to a tree in the forest, and I'll have to form a ritual circle around him. Naruto, you won't be yourself, so we'll have to leave you in solitude for those 48 hours."

"What?? Sensei!" Sasuke protested.

"Sh, Sasuke.. We have to do this." Kakashi answered. Naruto swallowed.

"Okay.. that's fine.. Do it, I have to.. Don't worry you guys! I'll be fine, you know me!" Naruto encouraged, forcing a bright smile.

"Hey what if I need to go to the bathroom?" Naruto laughed good-naturedly. Kakashi smiled.

"You won't. Your system is going to change Naruto. Besides, you won't be eating." Kakashi answered. Naruto nodded.

"I'll be fine." The blonde said. Sasuke stared at Naruto in slight awe of his attitude.

"You'll be fine.." he repeated.

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The walk deep into the forest was a solemn one, and it was even more strange while Kakashi held Naruto up against the tree.

"Sasuke. I'm gonna' need you to wrap the rope around Naruto and the tree." Kakashi said softly to Sasuke, who was standing with his back turned to Naruto and his arms crossed a little ways away. Sasuke didn't move for the longest time.

"Sasuke." Kakashi repeated quietly, sensitive to any feelings Sasuke might have been going through at the moment. Sakura watched Sasuke silently turn around, pick up the rope and start wrapping.

"Make sure you make it tight Sasuke.." Naruto whispered hoarsely. Sasuke paused and looked up, their eyes meeting. Naruto looked tired. As if some invisible presence were draining his strength every second; and Sasuke realized that that was probably the case. Sasuke and Naruto continued to stare at each other, until Kakashi rested both hands on Sasuke's shoulders from behind.

"Sasuke. Naruto's going to change in the next few minutes. We have to leave." Kakashi warned before beginning to walk back and pausing at the top of the hill to wait for them. Sasuke finished wrapping the rope, and soon Naruto was bound to the thick tree trunk firmly, the rope covering his body completely from his shoulders down to his hips. Sasuke tied the rope tightly, and looked up again.

"Naruto you can do this alright? Stay strong." Sasuke whispered so that Sakura couldn't hear what they were saying. Naruto sighed shallowly, gasping a little because he was too constricted to take a deep breath.

"I can.. I will.. it's no sweat.." Naruto gasped, shaking.

"Naruto I'm so sorry.." Sasuke said even more softly, starting to reach to stroke Naruto's cheek, but paused and glanced at Sakura just about 5 yards behind them and decided against it.

"Naruto, you can do it okay?" She encouraged. Sasuke turned back to Naruto, closing his eyes.

"Sakura can you leave for a minute.. I need to tell Naruto something. Head with Kakashi back to the house." Sakura left slowly, staring at them.

"Okay…" As soon as she was out of sight, Naruto looked up toward the distance. "They're both gone." He said. Sasuke leaned immediately and pressed his lips to Naruto's.

"Mm…it's kind of hot to kiss you while I'm all tied up.." Naruto laughed a little. Sasuke looked way more troubled than Naruto thought he would.

"Sasuke…" Naruto said. Sasuke shook his head and stroked Naruto's face and hair soothingly.

"Naruto this is serious, you could die if something goes wrong. You could die if you lose control of the Kyuubi. You could lose it… I could lose you. Take something seriously for once." Sasuke finished under his breath. Naruto began to cough, and Sasuke clenched his fists as he watched Naruto suffer.

"Just don't die okay.." he muttered, backing up from the tree. Naruto nodded weakly.

"I won't.. but I want you to work on yourself too Sasuke.. You don't like that you're having to share your feelings more…with me…" Naruto said quietly, his head hanging. He'd lost the strength to look up. Sasuke stood there staring at the base of the tree and said nothing. He slowly came closer and kissed Naruto deeply goodbye.

"Sasuke!" Kakashi called from a ways away, and Sasuke backed away quickly as Kakashi approached them. Sasuke avoided eye contact with Naruto, and Kakashi turned him around to direct him back to the house.

"We've got to leave, Sasuke. Naruto.." Kakashi looked at Naruto and gave him a smile. "You can do it. Hang on to every thought you have of who you really are. You are not the Nine-tail. Fight as long as you can, and it won't get as bad as it could be." Kakashi advised. Naruto looked up with some effort.

"I will Sensei.. don't worry about it…" Naruto groaned.

"We'll come back to you in 48 hours." Kakashi said, giving an assuring smile to Naruto before turning away. Kakashi kept his arm around Sasuke's shoulders while they left. Sasuke paused when they both heard Naruto's voice again.

"Sasuke.. don't leave me here.. I need your help.." Naruto was calling. Sasuke immediately paused and turned around, but Kakashi forced him to keep walking.

"No, Sasuke. I don't think he's himself right now. He just told you he could do it, and now he's saying he can't? That voice is the Kyuubi trying to get out. If we let him out of those ropes there'll be no stopping him. The three of us would have to kill him." Kakashi watched Sasuke cringe terribly.

"Naruto.." Sasuke murmured hoarsely. Kakashi calmly let Sasuke go when he quickly walked away. Up ahead, Sakura stood.

"Sasuke-kun! Sasuke-kun are you—" she paused as Sasuke brushed her, walking quickly past and not stopping.

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Sasuke sat by himself outside, his knees bent, leaning against them with his elbows and staring into the mid-day air.

"What was all that about him doubting me before…I had to tell him to trust me…why? Naruto does trust me…He.. he loves me.. and what was that afterward.. before I left…he said to work on myself…he can tell how uncomfortable I am with my own feelings.." Sasuke stared at the ground intently.

"I don't like this.. I don't like any of it.. How's he going to be okay tied to a tree for two days—hm? Sakura—" Sasuke looked up as he felt Sakura sit beside him and rub his back.

"Sasuke-kun? You.. you really were thrown off by what's going on.. are you okay? Naruto's going to be fine. He's gotten so much stronger over the years. And.. well, he is contained by Kakashi's barriers and the rope seal…Um Sasuke-kun? I have a question.. and don't get mad at me okay?" She began. Sasuke felt angry already, simply because of the request, but he knew he was only in a bad mood, and it wasn't her fault.

"Fine.. what is it.." Sasuke murmured, controlling his irritation. Sakura took a deep breath.

"You.. and Naruto.. are getting really close.. is something.. out of the ordinary going on?" she questioned hesitantly. Sasuke tensed, and Sakura felt it through Sasuke's back with her hand resting there.

"What do you mean.." Sasuke grumbled in response, refusing to make eye contact with her. Sakura flushed.

"I don't know.. I mean.. Sasuke-kun.. I just.. some people.. they…do things that help them get along better.. or make deals.. compromises.." Sakura tried to explain. Sasuke growled a little but managed to stay seated rather than just jumping up and leaving. He was beginning to feel like he might not care if Kakashi and Sakura figured out the secret. He knew he wouldn't ever blatantly give it away, but he was tired of pretending to hate Naruto long ago, and now he was tired of excusing their "sudden friendship".

"Naruto and I understand each other. Use your head, Sakura. Don't you remember.. a while ago…the day we became a team, you went on and on about how Naruto was always out of line and doesn't have parents, and all that. Well we're both the same. I'm alone, he's alone. So together, we're not anymore. We understand each other now. I push him to be better. And in turn he keeps me stable…" Sasuke stopped, feeling that was enough before he spilled too much of his guts to Sakura. Sasuke stopped talking completely and stared straight ahead, then finally looked at her, waiting for a response. Sakura looked mildly shocked.

"Oh.. Sasuke-kun.. I'm sorry I mean.. I didn't mean to insult either one of you…just I.. was wondering. That's all.. now that we have that understanding, I hope you can forgive me Sasuke-kun.. Maybe we can talk about it, have dinner somewhere." She suggested, flushing. Sasuke sighed.

"Sakura.. I'm not exactly in a mood to eat out.." Sasuke sighed, turning to sit facing her. Sakura faced him also, smilingly twirling her hair.

"W-well that's okay! We can just sit. Whatever you want." Sakura gushed. Sasuke nodded.

"Okay…Hey, Sakura. Do you think I…don't like expression emotion?" He asked her. Sakura couldn't stop blushing.

"I.. uh.. Oh Sasuke-kun, it's been so long since we've just talked! Well.. you're a little subdued, but that's what makes you you! Sasuke-kun... that's what makes you attractive." Sakura said, leaning closer. Sasuke backed a little bit just slightly, so she wouldn't notice too much.

"Yeah. Well…I guess. It doesn't matter really." Sasuke sat cross legged, leaning his elbows on his knees and folding his hands, leaning his chin on his knuckles.

"When we go to get Naruto in a couple days…and after he gets back to normal health, I want you to ask him the same things. More or less." Sasuke said with his eyes closed. He took a deep sigh afterward. Sakura cocked her head.

"Like.. what, Sasuke-kun?" she questioned.

"Like…ask him why we're so close. Then do me a favor and come back to tell me what he says. Everything he says." Sasuke said, opening his eyes again and giving Sakura an emphasizing stare. Sakura nodded.

"Oh of course Sasa-kun, anything for you, you know I'll do it!" She sighed, reaching out and rubbing his knee.

"Don't call me Sasa, Sakura." Sasuke grunted and stood up.

"I'm going to find Kakashi. I need to talk to him alone." Sasuke said, walking away. Sakura stared after him dejectedly.

---------

"But.. Naruto can call him Sasa.. why can't I…"

"Sensei.." Sasuke called, coming up behind Kakashi in his study. Kakashi sat in a seat facing the window, reading.

"Yes Sasuke. What is it? Come on in." he said, turning his head and smiling, waving him in. Sasuke walked in and sat in a chair near Kakashi's.

"Is this about Naruto? What am I saying. Of course it is." Kakashi said, still reading his book. Sasuke stared a few seconds, then nodded.

"Well it is. I—I…" Sasuke paused, not knowing how to express his feelings. Kakashi spoke up again for him, but this time he knew that he didn't feel like masking anything. "Sasuke it's perfectly okay that you're way more worried about Naruto than you want anyone to realize." Kakashi said bluntly. Sasuke looked up with a gasp, and Kakashi was looking right at him, seemingly staring right into his inner soul.

"You care about Naruto. Say it." Kakashi said plainly. Sasuke swallowed.

"I.. I care about Naruto.." Sasuke said easily enough, but he couldn't look Kakashi in the eye when he did.

"No, no. Look at me Sasuke." Sasuke looked up and looked Kakashi in the eye.

"I.. care about Naruto.." Sasuke said, ignoring his own reserve. Kakashi nodded.

"Mm-hm. Good. Now try this one Sasuke. 'I care deeply for Naruto.'" Kakashi introduced. Sasuke watched Kakashi carefully.

"Does he…does he know something?" Sasuke thought. He took a deep breath.

"I.. I care deeply about Naruto.." Kakashi nodded.

"Good. Now. 'I'd do anything for Naruto because I'm attached to him.'" Kakashi said with a smirk. Sasuke gasped.

"Sensei.. why are you.."

"Nope. Say it." Kakashi insisted. Sasuke clenched and un-clenched his fists.

"I.. I.." he stammered.

"It's so hard.. I know I.. care for Naruto.. it's just so strange... I feel like I love him…I know I do… it's just so hard for me to express my feelings that way in words sometimes…" Sasuke closed his eyes, and the first image that came to his mind was how Naruto had made him feel so amazing with how he moved when they'd made love in the bushes. How Naruto's sunny laughter warmed him like the actual sun itself. How simply Naruto's presence in the room kept his mind from wondering into the past. Sasuke opened his eyes again.

"I'd do anything for Naruto…because I'm attached to him.." Sasuke said, smiling just slightly. "Anything…I really would. For Naruto…" he finished. Kakashi nodded repeatedly.

"Good, good. Sasuke? Are you hiding it because you don't want people seeing that side of you? Are you protecting yourself, Sasuke. That's your question from yourself, to yourself." Kakashi said finally. Sasuke rose an eyebrow.

"What's 'it', Sensei? Am I hiding what?" he asked suspiciously. Kakashi only chuckled lightly and went back to his book.

"Uchiha Sasuke. I'm a Jounin ninja. What, you think I don't notice certain things?" Kakashi said. Sasuke got up respectfully, then left silently.

"That means nothing.. I shouldn't say a word.. That doesn't mean he knows everything about the relationship between Naruto and I.. Our relationship is none of anyone's business…" Sasuke bitterly thought to himself. He walked down the hall and through the house slowly.

"I can't believe this whole thing.. it's all happening fast…last night…we…we actually slept together.. I care about him…I…" Sasuke sighed and leaned against the wall just outside the doorway to the backyard, facing the direction where Naruto was tied up in the forest.

"I can't stand not being around him…I'm in love. Me, Uchiha Sasuke.. I'm in love with that loud.. obnoxious…dobe…" Sasuke crossed his arms and stared continuously at the woods.

"He's my responsibility…mine. My Uzumaki Naruto..." Sasuke sighed, feeling violently unlike himself.

"This isn't me.. this shouldn't even be happening.." He sighed as he walked away to busy himself with something before he ended up sitting somewhere lonely and depressed.

Kitsune: (giggles)

Sasuke-kun: (sulks in corner) "...It wasn't funny..."

Kitsune: "Sorry but...you got all mushy!!! 'Oooo my Uzumaki Naruto...I'm in love with the obnoxious dobe oooo.." (giggle giggle)

Sasuke-kun: "Shut UP!"

Ah, but we do love a mushy Sasuke-kun, don't we readers? Stay tuned.