Be Careful With Me

I had to guys. I've been listening to Cardi B's album and I thought, what if roles were reversed? How would Sasuke feel if someone else wanted Naruto's attention?

Also, there was guest review by hanna who voiced her concerns of Sasuke being useless. Well, Hanna, Sasuke is be no means useless. Sasuke is strong. Stronger than anyone on that ship. Don't forget that he is the rightful ruler of the throne Danzo sits upon. Don't forget that everything comes naturally to Sasuke as it does with Naruto. That goes for emotions and skill.

And believe me, there are going to be so many times in here when Naruto appears like the weak and useless one. But it's an angst fiction. I made it like this for a reason.

Even so, please do not attack my depiction of Naruto in TEOE. No matter if he was raised by Kakashi or not, both he and Sasuke had their fair share of hardships. Yes, Sasuke lost his virginity at 15 and had to heal for days, but Naruto was raped at the age of seven. Yes, Naruto had to leave Kakashi so young, but Sasuke was sold and purchased by different people.

And Naruto does not have times when he decides to give love to Sasuke. There is no one on that ship Naruto loves more than Sasuke. Not even his own father. And Sasuke is afraid and Naruto is afraid and they showed their fear in different ways. Naruto with anger, Sasuke with truth. And Umeji saw that he was afraid. That doesn't make Sasuke a whore, it only makes him stronger. Yes, Umeji was the least suitable person to be manipulated by, but had been manipulated his entire life. He is, after all, a slave.

Japan,

Uchiha Dynasty

1462

Reign of Uchiha Fugaku

The prince growled, slamming his door. And he knew the entire castle had heard his screech of anger.

No one would really know why he was angry, but as the youngest son of Emperor Uchiha, they all assumed the wrong things.

What could the young bratty prince be bitter about this time? Did he lose a match against his brother? Would his father be sending him to fight with the imperial guard? What bothered him so?

What made him disturb the tranquility of the village? What made him wake the castle? What, oh what could it be?

Who could ever know, but Fugaku Uchiha's commander of the personal guard himself?

Sasuke was not bitter because of his life; he was bitter because the world had given it to him, believing he could handle it.

He did not lose against his brother, although he always did. He was not going to be joining the army, though his father occasionally spoke upon it.

For the problem lay within the man who stood by Fugaku's throne everyday, sword at the ready and face stony, blue eyes carrying the world like the sky would.

"Fuck him." Sasuke hissed to himself, storming over to his mirror and kicking it. The glass shattered and he watched himself shatter inside.

And the image and ironic event made him let out an even louder scream.

"But I love him." He weeped. His tears filled in his eyes and stayed there, ready to finally fall like God waiting to drop a raindrop.

Another growl and then he knocked over his own dresser. "But he has no right to cheat on you." He sneered.

That was right. Even if their undenying, stupid love was a secret…. "He has no right to take this facade to this extremity."

Sasuke halted as that realization came to pass. But, was it a facade? Did the guard cheat to conceal their own love from the world?

"No." Sasuke hissed at himself. How could he be so stupid?

He saw him. Naruto was away from the eyes of the council, who wondered if he would bear children to be future guards. Naruto was away from Fugaku, who once feared that if his own so were gay, he'd have to execute him.

Naruto was away from all of that, but in secrecy, Sasuke watched him with her.

He walked past the guard quarters and he saw Suki's pale breasts moving to the same rhythm of Naruto pushing in and out of her.

It was Naruto, he told himself. He knew it. He saw this toned backside, slick with sweat. He heard his moans and watched in horror, disbelief, and, he was ashamed to admit, arousal, as Naruto pulled away, letting his semen fly on parts of her breasts, stomach and vagina.

The lamp on his bedpost smashed against the wall and fractured, leaving a black mark from the fire inside that became broken ashes.

"I hate him!"

"Sasuke!" Came the frazzled voice of a maid he never bothered to learn the name of. "What is wrong? Yamete."

"Leave my door this instant!" He screeched, throwing a tray at it. The piece of metal clamped to the floor with an echo that made the servant flinch with volume and scamper off.

And there he was alone to his anger, his sunken eyes from sleep deprivation, his red puffy eyes that held the entire seas, and his ragged breathing.

In the wrecked room, he was free to indulge in his own desires. Scorned by infidelity, betrayal, and regret, the man spoke to anger, rage, and revenge in a calm manner.

And when the conversation ended, those three had went on to passing as well, leaving a tired Sasuke huddled in the corner, his knees the only things still willing to hug him.

He must have fell asleep in that corner because he was broken out of his slumber by the door creaking.

He looked up, finding his traitorous guard moving around the room, muttering in anger and disappointment. His still puffy eyes narrowed and they slanted over, finding the destroyed breakfast the servant made him.

And the knife he would have used to cut his chicken.

Silently, while the other man was turned away picking up shards of glass, he stood quietly grabbing the knife.

"What are you doing in my room, Naruto?" His voice was low; guttural; almost gone from hours of screaming, crying, and feeling sorry for himself.

Hating himself.

Wondering what his cousin Suki had that he didn't.

Feeling sorry for himself that he loved this man enough to hurt. This man before him, that worked his way up from a lowlife to a wealthy guard. He was nothing but a commoner in the eyes of other royals, but he could click his tongue just to have Sasuke below him.

And Sasuke hated himself for that. How could he give so much love to a highly desired man, who had desires himself?

The personal guard, or Naruto, dropped the glass and stood quickly, staring at Sasuke.

"Sasuke." He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing him. "What has gotten into you? Fugaku-sama and I have returned home only to hear that you have raised havoc?"

Be it fate, or the underlying guilt Sasuke smelled upon his 'lover,' blue eyes wandered from bitter eyes to the sharp metal in that tense hand.

Sasuke saw the bone in his throat move down slowly, tightly. "Why do you have a knife?"

And without thought, or hesitation, "Why did you sleep with Suki?"

The stillness of Earth could not compare to the quiet of the room as Naruto's eyes filled with the guilt he tried hiding and his secret was out.

He could not say he was trying to keep them safe and show Fugaku that he was not gay because there were no eyes but Sasuke to see.

"Sasuke, it was a mistake." He muttered.

Naruto didn't deserve Sasuke. He made the raven feel ugly, flawed, and similar to anything with a hole and looked fuckable to Naruto. He made the raven feel beautiful, perfect, and unlike any other being that walked the planet. But Naruto was Naruto. He didn't deserve Sasuke. But who could Sasuke blame? After letting it happen for years now, the fighting and making up, and risking his life for someone who couldn't care less…. Well, Sasuke didn't deserve himself either.

The prince stepped forward. "A mistake, huh? Naruto, you were fucking my cousin like you loved her."

"Please…. Understand that I was under the assumption of sake and blackmail."

Sasuke growled, not caring if he woke any up, and he sobbed out "yes, but with alcohol comes truth!"

Naruto flinched. "Sasuke keep quiet, you'll wake the entire castle."

He raised his brows. "Quiet?"

And the rage that he spoke to softly called in his ear 'kill him.' the raven had ran forward, and Naruto had moved back, but the deep red river that separated his cheek and lip vertically told Sasuke that he won.

"You should have told Suki that when you were fucking her!"

The raven let out a soft gasp at the ugly knash and at his own bravery.

Naruto touched the dripping blood. "Sasuke…" he muttered, shocked too by the bravery. He looked at his now red finger, trying to imagine how the stinging scar looked. Again, he muttered Sasuke's name. This time a low rumble.

He looked at the fearful Uchiha. "I'm going to fucking kill you!"

The Uchiha ran across the large room, like a ballroom hall, but Naruto was faster. The heavy blond tripped over him and they fell. Before he knew, he was gasping for air like a fish did for water as Naruto's calloused hands tightened around his throat.

The stars blinked rapidly in his vision. "N-Naruto…. I can't….breathe."

Letting go of his lovers hands, and they seemed tightened, the man reached over, searching cluelessly amongst the mess. What he finally found was a hardcover book. And with the corner, he slammed it heavily on Naruto's eye, making the man yelp and fall off him. Sasuke stood, tears in his eyes, and ran, trying to retrieve the knife he dropped in fear.

"Sasuke!"

Naruto grabbed his foot and then he was falling.

Impact.

He felt his jaw bone move in a way it should not have; jangled. Without looking, he knew there was blood seeping from skin that seconds ago was smooth.

But still, he managed to crawl away from the guard, kicking him in the rib with enough force to defeat Fugaku Uchiha.

When he made it to the bed, he could not understand why the emotions left so quickly. Maybe that Naruto was more hurt than he; was bloodier and bruised more than him.

He inhaled deeply as his lover got up from the ground, his face smeared in blood, his cheek sliced, his eye swollen, holding his rib in pain. And still, Sasuke grew tense.

"Don't touch me, Naruto." He warned. "I cut you because you fucked her. You are safe because I could have done so much more with that knife."

Naruto grumbled and began to move over to him, limping along.

Several years with him, Sasuke muttered to himself. Several years or fighting and pain. And despite his strong hold to Naruto and the visions, he believed this life was not meant for them.

"Naruto." He warned, reaching for a shard of glass. The blond got near and Sasuke tried hitting and scratching. "Naruto!" He grew louder as the man struggled with him. "Get off. Get off me!"

Finally pushing the man away, the raven crawled to the upper part, burying himself beneath the cover.

"It's our anniversary and you spent it fucking another person… a woman no less?"

"I did it to protect us."

"Bullshit-"

"I did, Sasuke!" And now Naruto was yelling, not caring who heard. "Suki found out about us, okay?! And she threatened to tell Fugaku if I did not treat her the way I treated you."

No. No, he growled to himself. He wouldn't believe it. No matter how jealous Suki was of him, not matter how he saw her watching Naruto, no matter when Sasuke did confide in her about his lover. He wouldn't believe it.

"Sasuke, what you saw was nothing but my love for you. You and I risk our lives for each other, baby. Never would I hurt just to hurt you."

Sasuke buried himself even deeper. "Whatever."

A moment of silence, followed by a moment of quick movement.

Sasuke turned and his eyes widened. Naruto was taking off his clothing.

Without words, he climbed onto the bed in his boxers and started undressing Sasuke, adjusting him as needed. He saw mad.

"Take. Your. Hands. Off. Me." The raven said through gritted teeth, fists clenched. He jumped off the bed and stood next to it, glaring at Naruto.

His life ignored the anger and pulled him closer, wrapping Sasuke in his arms. His hands wandered, putting pressure on sensitive spots all the way down the pale spine. Soon, Sasuke began to tingle all over, becoming jelly in his hands.

"I'm still mad at you..." he grumbled, trying to hold onto his anger in spite of the pleasure. It wasn't working. He bit and kissed his neck, squeezed his ass, and grabbed his black hair.

His grip gave him the control to push his head back and go for the throat.

His teeth on his neck drove Sasuke wild. He was still angry, but more turned on. He was stripped naked with reluctant assistance and turned around.

He faced the wall, hands bracing in front of him, while Naruto's restless fingers explored.

The first finger inside his rear made him gasp. The second finger in him made him moan slowly. When Naruto started finger fucking him, Sasuke arched his back and turned his head as far as it would go so he could kiss him. Shock wave after wave of forbidden pleasure rolled over him. While their tongues battled inside his mouth, his fingers relentlessly moved inside Sasuke's tiny asshole.

"Mm." He moaned.

Then he felt the build-up of a volcano wanting to go off inside him. Naruto's hands just felt so good and he did not stop kissing at all. The guard just knew where all pleasure points were.

Finally, Sasuke could not hold it in. The millions of cells in his nervous system were telling him to let go, to explode. Who was he to argue? He let go. And the pleasure enveloped his whole being. Sasuke soared to the highest peak accompanied by the spasms of his body.

When he returned to earth, he could feel Naruto's hands roaming the gentle swells of his chest. Not long after, one nipple got subjected to the sweet torture of his tongue. Sasuke felt the desire stir within him again. But this time, he controlled his arousal and applied himself vigorously to the task of pleasuring the guard.

Pushing him down on the bed, he climbed on top of him, straddling his huge manhood and letting it rest between his soft, wet thighs. He looked him in the eyes and gave him a saucy smile. And could swear the vein in Naruto's neck throbbed faster.

How queer life seemed for Sasuke to be angry and then not. How queer to have sex bloody, bruised, and battered.

If there was anything about Sasuke Uchiha that separated him from his lover besides his evident power, it was the fact that Sasuke knew how to please people. Sasuke was excellent in that department and took no shame.

He too knew Naruto's erotic zones. He first leaned downed, tracing the line of the tan collarbone with his tongue. At the same time, Sasuke stroked his tight chest, hips, and thighs. He then lowered his kisses towards his chest and since he could not help it, he planted feathery kisses on his man's nipples.

"Ahh, Sasuke."

Seeing that he was doing well, Sasuke started nibbling down his abs until he came face to face with his fully erect manhood. There it was, strong and proud, seducing her to give it the worship it deserved. So he took Naruto's penis into his mouth, licking it, kissing it, loving it.

Naruto moaned in satisfaction and he felt his organ grow harder, fuller. He stroked his balls and kissed those too, further sending his lover to his peak just like he did with Sasuke.

When that was done, Sasuke climbed back up, resting beside Naruto on the pillow.

Their ecstasy lowered with their breathing and soon Naruto turned to Sasuke, and with the soft wind whispered "this life is harder than any we he have lived together and I know it will not end well."

Sasuke Uchiha was Sasuke Uchiha. He was not bitter, he was real. He was a hidden power. And he knew the truth before the lie was used to cover anything. Sasuke was power.

He leaned up and stared at Naruto. "In this life, I loved you more than you did me, and in our last remembered, you more than I did you. I know it will not end well, but while we are living this terrible lie, I warn you to be careful with me. I want us to live our life of course, but soon you will get what you're dying for."

Naruto stared intensely, not caring about his sore bruises.

"Sasuke, since I met you, my heart was so gone. But, I already have what I'm dying for. It's sitting right in front of me."

And he was telling the truth. And Naruto Uzumaki told that truth for ten more years. Ten more years until they were caught and the man confessed that he had seduced Sasuke and manipulated him.

Sasuke was thirty and four years old as he clutched the little Hanzo. His eyes filled with tears as the crowd got ready to hang Naruto.

Covering Hanzo's face, Sasuke fled the Uchiha castle and court. And for the rest of his life, the emperor was never found again.

The Uchiha grabbed a bucket of steaming water and quickly sunk in it.

He wished he could drown himself. He wished he could take this entire life away so that the pain would leave too.

Growling because it wasn't working, Sasuke jumped out of the water and grabbed a large cloth to cover him.

He dried in melancholy. He dressed with dread. Crying was how he understand himself best. When he cried, he knew who he really was. He cried when others hurt as well as himself.

He was hurt. But he knew Naruto was hurt more. He knew Inari was hurt in his afterlife. And he knew Konohamaru hurt even worse.

"Shh. It was just a bad dream." He murmured.

Cuddled into the front of the man was a young child, too big to be a baby but still very young. For the most part he kept his head buried in her woollen shirt, his black tufty hair sticking out behind like he'd just woken up from a long nap. His fingers curled into the fabric, not clasping it tightly, but just enough to reassure him they were staying together in this strange place.

Against his red shirt, his pale skin was flawless, beautiful. Sasuke wanted to scoop him up, to give Inari a hug of his own, but he knew that would never do. He wasn't Inari's dead mother and that was all he wanted.

But after countless nights of horrible dreams, those when Gato was paid by Danzo to kill his family, so long as he had Sasuke, everything was going to be alright.

"Thank you, Sasuke-sama." The boy muttered. "I did not wish to worry Konohamaru and I want Naruto to know I am strong."

Sasuke got carried away with the idea of this being his and Naruto's child. He leaned down and kissed the boy's forehead tenderly. "It's alright. You are just fine with me."

He hugged Inari for as many nights as the boy was scared for the rest of his life. And because Inari wanted to look strong before Naruto, the nightmares were never brought up.

He inhaled deeply, grabbing his filthy clothing and leaving the cleaning stables. The stares, the silence was horrible, but nothing was worse then Naruto's absence. Naruto had not spoken to him in one week since they'd been on that ship.

WIthout Naruto, he felt broken. Like half of a whole. He didn't want to be on that ship if the one person he cared for didn't want to be around him.

Looking around, he caught the eyes of Hinata, who looked away quickly. He listened to the words that seemed to grow quieter as he walked back to the quarters.

If he stopped to dwell for even a fraction of a second, his face would be wet with tears. They rolled silently into his cracked lips, salty and cold. He can never fathom why Kami would give him someone so good only to snatch them away again. It was a cruelty that the sun continued to rise, to welcome in each new day devoid of Naruto's laughter or even his grumpy complaints and sarcastic commentary. He wanted to hear Naruto snort at something stupid he did or fart and blame it on the Kurama.

"I don't know why that whore is still here." The whisper was harsher than most because it hit Sasuke like a heavy wave, drowning in his lungs. The man froze and tensed. It was Deidara, one of Naruto's trusted riggers.

And the voice after was Zabuza, another rigger. "Well, Naruto says we should still respect him. Can you believe he still loves him after all this?"

"They have a connection, idiot." Deidara stated lightly.

Zabuza laughed. "He's still a whore. A filthy whore who likes laying with other men for his own desire."

Something snapped in Sasuke's chest and he turned with a heavy glare. "Do. Not. Call. Me. That!"

Zabuza and Deidara turned to him, no fear in their eyes. Sasuke was Quartermaster for fuck's sake. Sasuke was more powerful than anyone on that ship after Naruto and they looked to him like a fucking cabin boy.

"What?" Zabuza asked, amused.

"I am no whore. I was manipulated and yes, I could have been stronger, but there is no one on this ship that loves Naruto more than me." They gathered an audience, but what did it matter? Everyone needed to hear this.

"Since I was a child, I have tried to end my life eight times over the course of several years. I did not belong anywhere as I watched my family get murdered by a man I trust as much as Naruto. I have lost my own purity at only sixteen and it ripped me apart. I have spent seven years having sex with men who beat me just for me to submit. I have the weight of all the lives Naruto and I have lived. I love him and I regret everyday what mistakes I've made. But please understand that no matter what lives I live;" He inhaled, his tears splashing the deck.

And continued. "Once I was a prince, an emperor, a slave, once I was even death. But please understand that I am only human. And on this ship, I am quartermaster, and you will respect me."

Zabuza took those words in and ignored them as he stepped forward. Deidara grabbed hold of his arm, but he shook it off. "You are a whore, and while Naruto's not around, you have no power over me…"

The slap the marked Sasuke's face was harsher than he imagined, but he stood his ground. Unsheathing his sword, the raven ran forward as Zabuza did as well. Just as the vicious man, struck his fist out, he flew across the ship. When he arose, Sasuke cracked his knuckles. "Do not underestimate my authority or power. And for your actions, I will have you killed."

Kakashi and Hinata pulled out their own weapons, pointing them at the man on the ground. Zabuza sneered. "You will take his side?"

Hinata glared. "He is quartermaster of this ship and rightful ruler of Konoha."

"What is going on out here?" Sasuke turned toward the man who had come along after most of everything was settled. Naruto looked to him first and saw the small trickle of blood on his face. A swelling preparing itself for a bruise.

"Who did that?" The question was calm, but there was an underlying anger in him that fueled Sasuke's need. And he knew it was, for lack of a better word, bratty, but Naruto's rage wasn't like anyone else's. Naruto's rage when Sasuke was involved had urged the world to create a myth some people called a demon. Naruto's rage when Sasuke was involved had killed a man. And Sasuke was full of so much of that power, he hoped to Kami, it would happen again.

With ease, he pointed to Zabuza. "He called me a whore."

"What?!"

Hinata sighed, knowing what Sasuke was doing, but agreeing with him no less. "It is true. He edged Sasuke on and slapped him."

Naruto stormed over and crouched down before the man. "Look at me." He muttered.

And the rigger obliged, his face angry and bloody. Naruto smirked. "Who did this?" An incoherent mumble in reply. "What?"

"Sasuke."

Naruto chuckled. "I bet you thought he was weak. Well, he's not. Don't forget that when Danzo is defeated, the emperor status is rightfully Sasuke's. Did you know what you were doing?"

Sasuke smirked maliciously. There was an odd sensation that trembled through him as he watched Naruto defend him.

"Yes." Zabuza said with bravery. "I know because he is a whor-"

Naruto's head went forehead and Zabuza held his forehead after impact. "I tried to go easy on you." he growled. Grabbing Zabuza's wrists, he slashed each palm with a small knife. Zabuza didn't scream, but he was in agony. With ease, Naruto lifted the man, carrying him to the side of the ship.

"I will not kill you, Zabuza…" Naruto looked down at the sea creature that was already circling around in the water, smelling the blood quickly. "But the shark will.'"

He threw the man over deck and turned to the now silent crew. And he watched Deidara flinche from the large growl and the screams that followed.

Zabuza was being eaten alive.

"Sasuke is quartermaster and important to me. You do not have to fear him like you may do me, but you sure as hell will respect him."

He stormed off, yelling for the Uchiha to follow.

Sasuke watched the blond as his cheek was cleaned. Finally mustering up his own courage, he whispered. "I am so sorry, Naruto."

The blond tensed and looked to him. And with a small smile, he leaned forward, kissing Sasuke sofly. "I know. I am sorry too."

Sasuke giggled as Naruto goofily kissed his forehead, nose, cheek, ear, eyebrow, and other parts of the face people didn't usually kiss. "Stop, that tickles."

"Do you really want me to stop?" Naruto murmured in his ear.

And honestly, Sasuke said "no."

He laid down on the bed and watched Naruto crawl over him. It isn't the first time for either of them, but they were so nervous, no one never know it. There was something about Naruto that lit Sasuke up from the inside. There was something about Sasuke that melted Naruto's confidence to nothing at all. Touching Naruto was like being handed the holy grail, like his heart was mended even though Sasuke never knew it was broken.

Sasuke moaned as Naruto lifted his shirt. But then his eyes widened as the blond grew tense above him. Sasuke looked away as if the outside sea held his attention, but after all this time Naruto read him like a book, eyes on the self inflicted scars of his wrists, Sasuke's breathing rate duly noted.

With a gentle finger, the blond reoriented his face so that he held the gaze Sasuke didn't want to give him, stealing the passion from those dark eyes in a way that only magnified the spark. There is no smile on his lips, only the hot intensity of his gaze that both know is the start of the inferno to come.

Naruto leaned down, kissing the scars and Sasuke gasped when he felt something wet upon them. Tears? Naruto was crying? "I'm so sorry." the man whispered.

He wanted to watch him in this moment for half of forever. He didn't want to leave the cabin and face the oncoming war they volunteered for. He's lost Naruto once by his own choices, but if he was now careful, maybe he could keep the man with him.

As if feeling a gaze on his scarred cheeks, the sleeping captain shifted a little, tightening his arm around Sasuke; safely, securely.

Sasuke snuggled even closer, imagining that this was what his lover wanted. "I won't be stupid." He murmured. "I won't lose you again." He whispered so the man wouldn't hear.

It was a promise to himself for Naruto, so why should Naruto know.

Naruto hummed and he stilled in the man's arms. And sleepily came "Sasuke."

"I am here." He murmured to the slumbered ear. Just to reassure him. "I am not leaving again."

"Don't leave me, Sasuke." The Uchiha sat up then. In his sleep, Naruto's face contorted. No longer peaceful, the man's forehead wrinkled with his brows and a heavy frown marked his dreams. "Sasuke." He called. "But I love you. He does not want you, Sasuke. He only wants sex. Sasuke, please."

"Naruto, wake up. It's only a horrible dream."

The man's eyes shot open and immediately he moved backward, looking around the room with agony. Sasuke sat up too, touching his shoulder cautiously, and when the blond sighed a little, he rested his entire frame on him.

"It was only a horrible dream."

Naruto inhaled, shaking slightly. "Sasuke?" He called out.

"Yes?"

"Sometimes, I have horrible dreams about you. Sometimes, you are taken advantage of by men who will then kill you. Sometimes, you are so hurt you kill yourself." The man made a grimace that Sasuke could not see. "I try to make you safe. I try to make sure you're alright, bu-"

"-I'm always alright." The raven smiled.

"-t I can't."

At this notion, Naruto turned his head sharply to the chin resting on his shoulder. Sasuke was spooning him with an innocent look and it made Naruto even more sad.

He reached up rubbing Sasuke's face, his eyes moistening. "Liar." He smiled.

Sasuke stared, asking, begging, pleading in his head for Naruto not to cry. Please do not cry.

"The worst dreams, I believe, are the ones where I kill you."

"Hn."

"And it is never with a weapon or my own hands. No, I hurt you so much with my own words. Whore, disgusting, bitch, I hate you. I break you down until you are nothing more than ashes on this ship." The man looked away, not bearing to stare his lover in the eyes.

"Words, Sasuke, are horrible. No rifle or sword; no army or emperor will ever be more powerful than a sentence. Swords may cut and kill, but words stab and stay. The words I say to you because of your affair bury themselves into your bones to become a corpse you carry everyday. And all the while, as you carry this body of yours, both living and not living, it digs at your skin and fails to rip the skeleton from your flesh."

Naruto let out a sound that was close to choking and he put his head down to cover his leaking eyes. "I hate that I hurt you. I abandoned when you needed me and I treated you like you were my own slave. And you wanted to die. I saw it; everyday after I killed Umeji, I saw it. The cuts and the weeping."

FInally he looked back at the pale face on his shoulder. "You were beautiful and sad. Just like your eyes. You were like a song that my tousan would sing when I was little, but forgot I knew it until I heard it again."

For a long moment, there was only the sound of sadness and regret, whirring in the air. And then Sasuke said softly, "Thank you."

He felt bad too. How could Naruto place this entire affair upon his shoulders and take the blame. DId he really believe that his own actions led Sasuke to sleep with Umeji. Because Sasuke did not. He believed that while he was strong and fierce and perfect, he had a weak moment. And it led to Umeji manipulating him. But Sasuke didn't want to admit that yet, he was too prideful.

"Naruto." He whispered, wrapping his arms around the man's shoulders. "When I sleep, I dream of you, and when I wake, I just want you to stay in my arms forever. If anything, out time apart has only made me more certain that I want to spend my nights by your side, and my days by your heart. You and I; Naruto and Sasuke; the royal guard and emperor; the traveling wizard and Death. We…" He trailed off, unlatching from the tan back only to move around and sit in Naruto's lap.

"We are meant to be in the same story."

Naruto smiled. "I think so too, even if the adventure is harder than it should be."

"Now, how about we finish wh-"

An obnoxious knock on the door halted Sasuke when he was vastly close to Naruto's lips. Both men let out a sigh, Sasuke's of annoyance and Naruto's of heavy arousal, temptation mixed with anxiousness.

"Hey, boss! You awake? You and Sasuke-san have been messing around all yesterday!"

Sasuke blushed deeply as Naruto froze in horror. The raven stood angry and opened the cabin door, pulling Konohamaru inside with haste.

"Konohamaru." He scolded to the boy. "It is very disapproving to yell personal business out. Especially business you should not know of at your age."

Konohamaru blushed and and rubbed his shoulder in an ashamed way, careful to not show Sasuke what he really was feeling. Sasuke had not scolded Konohamaru in the days he'd been gone and they days he'd come back. Sasuke did not turn to him at every chance he got just to say "raise your arms with that sword, boy." And it had killed him, really.

Konohamaru ran as fast as he could, almost tripping over the riggers and able bodied sailors.

Kakashi, who had lifted a leg to dodge the boy, lifted his hand with a growl as he lost his balance and fell. "Hey, kid, stop running!"

"Sorry gramps!" Konohamaru yelled back, truly sorry. But, he was on a mission to prove that he could really be someone and if he never got this important thing across the ship, who could he ever be.

He passed Inari and jumped, holding his precious item close, when the boy stuck his leg out. Inari laughed a sweet hearty laugh and Konohamaru imagined his wave and his eyes squinted closed. "Haha. I'll get you next time!"

"You wish!"

Lifting his head and staring at the front of the ship, the boy began to climb the poles, careful not to fall and break his neck. The mission was difficult and life threatening, but he put his all into making himself useful. Because really, the fate of the world depended on it.

Finally making it to the top, the boy jumped on the deck, landing with precision and heavy breaths. He stared at the man that stood on the edge, aiming his crossbow at the shore, wishing he could be that cool.

Lifting what was in his arms, the boy smiled. "I brought you food, Sasuke-Sama!"

Sasuke lowered his crossbow, looking behind him with scrutiny. "Do not yell, Konohamaru." He scolded. "And stop calling me Sama."

Sasuke knew he was damn near perfect, but sama was just too much when the people he cared for used it.

The boy smiled sheepishly, feeling so stupid. "Sorry." His toes twiddled on the deck for a harsh moment and then he realized why he was there. "Oh, here's some food for you. I made it myself." He handed the man the small tray, watching as Sasuke looked at the contents with….he wanted to gasp….approval?

"I made it myself. Naruto let me."

Sasuke looked over with a smirk as he bit into a biscuit. "Naruto gives you too much power." But it was a small tease and Konohamaru was glad he noticed.

He laughed quietly and Sasuke handed him another biscuit. "May as well taste your own work of art." The man murmured.

Konohamaru took the bread and stared at it, wondering if he should eat what he made for Sasuke. After a while, he gave it a large bite, smiling. "It weallly isth good!"

He looked up to Sasuke, to already find the man looking at him with a twinkle of pride in his eye.

But suddenly, he frowned and his forehead wrinkled. "Do not talk with your mouth full, Konohamaru!"

He felt stupid again and embarrassed, sad that all Sasuke did was scold him. But suddenly, he saw the worry in Sasuke's eyes and the fear in his words. And Konohamaru was glad he noticed.

Sasuke's scolding was like the love of a mother from those ancient books that were forbidden. And after almost two long weeks, he missed it.

"Sorry." He muttered.

A hand came upon his head, messing his hair up harshly. "And who taught you that? Hn. I'll kick their ass."

Konohamaru's eyes trailed to Naruto, who was already pleading him to look away silently, his hands clasped in a prayer.

But already, he flew backward and hit the bed's headboard, falling over. Konohamaru's looked back to Sasuke, who's fist was still pushed outward, whose eyes were glaring. "Naruto!" And the entire ship may have heard it. "He's only seven!"

"But, Sasuke…"

Outside, Neji looked over to where the loud crash came from. He heard Konohamaru's howl of laughter, Sasuke's scolding, and Naruto's groans of pain. And the navigator laughed softly, doing as he was. Everything was back to normal and for the first time in a while, he was okay with that.

Konohamaru had completed his portion of the small game he was playing, watching Sasuke think. Naruto and the others were planning a raid to free the small island of Yukigakure from Danzo's rule.

And with a plea in those sleepy blue eyes, Naruto had managed to get his lover to agree in 'entertaining' Konohamaru. Sasuke had no problem with babysitting, really. He loved Konohamaru. Not that he would ever tell the boy, but he did.

He crossed his arms. "I have a choice between opening the door or choosing to fight the elmendorf beast."

Konohamaru nodded, seemingly excited.

"Okay. I'll fight." Sasuke muttered. He moved his board game piece to the fighting path and rolled a die. With his tongue sticking out in it concentration, the man moved his piece five spaces forward.

And he had to hide his smile at Konohamaru's soft childlike squeal. "What will you do, Sasuke-san? Spare the beast or take his life?"

And Sasuke didn't really like that Konohamaru was so young and already knew about all this. The death and violence and sparing lives. It didn't sit well with him.

Crossing his arms again, which happened each time he made a heavy decision, Sasuke thought. "Hn. What will happen if I choose to let him live? What do I get?"

Konohamaru smiled softly and Sasuke felt so proud. "You get what anyone gets- you get a lifetime."

Sasuke smirked and leaned forward. "Then, I will spare him. And for my lifetime, I choose…." He pretended to think, and then "Konohamaru."

He flicked the boy's forehead with a wide smile.

Konohamaru held his head. "Itai!" But then he smiled with a chuckle too.

Before Konohamaru could say something really of that made Sasuke feel like a mother deep down inside, footsteps interrupted them, speaking louder than both.

They turned, finding Naruto come into view with his arms crossed. He wasn't smiling, but there were no bitter lines upon his face that reminded both Sasuke and Konohamaru of Kakashi, who had raised the blond so well, Naruto took after him more than his blood family.

"Sasuke, we may need you to partner with Haku for this mission." So it was business, the Uchiha thought.

With a nod, the lithe man used his arms to stand and messed up Konohamaru's soft locks. "I will return later, my small friend."

And he laughed when the boy's face lit up in admiration.

Moving away, the man walked toward Naruto with a smug smile. "Couldn't get through this mission without me, eh?"

Naruto smiled softly, his serious demeanor fading only slightly. With a shrug, he looked toward the sky, and said "when father and I go down, Haku will need high ground support. You are more than well with a crossbow."

"Hn."

Sasuke turned away, ready for Haku to explain his part when Naruto grabbed his arm gently.

He looked into those blue eyes. "What is it?"

Naruto leaned forward and their lips touched. "Thank you for watching him." The man whispered on his lips. And Sasuke knew what he meant. Because after Inari, they were all cautious for the children. But no one showed their fear more than Naruto for Konohamaru.

"Always." He whispered, leaning into Naruto again.

"That is foul. I am still here."

Naruto rolled his eyes and looked to Inari in amusement. "Well close your eyes." He teased.

Sasuke let the two be as he went to the planning room, listening to their conversation as he went.

"Do you want to play boss?"

Shifting as Naruto sat. "Okay. Let me choose my piece…." A hum. "I like this one."

"That one's red." Konohamaru smiled. "It's like lava and roses and cherries in springtime. It's like passion."

And Sasuke closed his eyes when he felt Naruto smile.

Sasuke held his breath as he looked through his crossbow, watching the shores of Yukigakure with burning intensity.

Naruto was nearby with Kakashi as was Haku with his own rifle.

"There are several ANBU warriors in our range, but four of them are out of our range." He murmured, looking to Naruto.

The man nodded as he equipped the sword to his side. He looked up to the sky, squinting.

Kakashi looked watched his son in not pity, but sadness. "For the record, the weather is calm and sunny today, but the air is full of bullshit."

Naruto snorted and looked away from what he saw as a light grey. "Alright. We will start swimming to the surface immediately. Liberate the country and bring back anyone who wishes to move forward in this journey with us."

Sasuke nodded. "Be careful. It is much easier to plan than it is to act."

With those words, they carried off, Hinata helping them climb down the side of the ship.

Haku handed him the binoculars. "What do we do now?" The man inquired.

"We wait."

And wait they did. They waited for hours until night had fallen. They waited until the sun had yawned, and turned to the moon with hazy eyes, and asked really softly "would you mind?"

And the moon grinned and nodded, telling him that she would watch the world until the clock struck six.

They waited until Naruto and Kakashi hit the shore. The blond helped his father up, as Sasuke saw, and the two began to move.

Sasuke smirked and lifted his crossbow, ordering Haku to do the same to his own weapon. "They have reached land. I will take out the left. You, the right."

"Yes, Quartermaster."

The bodies fell upon Earth as snow would, gently disappearing with no sign of ever being. Sasuke's tongue ran over his chapped lips and he used his device to scan the area. "One more." He muttered, watching the ANBU warrior kick dully at a stone. "I will have him" The man raised his weapon again and inhaled to stop moving.

Just on shot and the arrow would pierce his head. Come on, Sasuke, is what he told himself. Something was stopping him….but what? Just kill him…

"Sasuke-san." The man tensed, ordering Haku to take the man down as he turned. The boy looked small to the world and the ship and the universe. He didn't belong there, but he just was.

"Konohamaru." And the hiss came out sharper than intended. "What are you doing up here?"

The boy rubbed an arm, a sign of embarrassment. Haku whispered "All clear."

"I cannot sleep."

It grew silent then, Haku now readily confused with Sasuke and Naruto's relationship with this young boy. Yes, he was indeed first mate, but there was something about the way Naruto and Sasuke treated him. As if he were heir to the throne and a….son?

Sasuke sighed. "You know what you do, boy. Naruto has told you countless times. When you are afraid, go to his cabins.

A small whimper and Haku watched in the corner of his eye Sasuke step forward almost hurriedly, as if the boy were to faint.

He didn't.

"But I had a nightmare."

A sigh. Sasuke turned to him. "Everything is clear for now. Just keep watch for the bells and their return until I come back."

Haku nodded. "Yes, quartermaster."

And he watched Sasuke usher off. He assumed that Konohamaru would follow closely behind, but gaped freely when Sasuke effortlessly lifted the seven year old off the deck and held him close. His gape grew when Konohamaru hugged tight and snuggled his nose into the pale man's shoulder.

And then he was caught. Konohamaru's hazy eyes lifted and the small child stared and then waved. Haku was still confused when he himself waved back. He watched them go as Sasuke shook the boy gently, whispering soothing words into his ears.

What a peculiar relationship.

Naruto's eyes narrowed as they moved further toward the cell of Yuki, where all the native soldiers were being held captive. He could barely see in the darkness, the light so dim his heart beat all the faster. The sun had set over the horizon. The soldiers will never figure out how we did it, how they had managed to free them.

"Spotted." His father whispered in the dark. And sure enough, Kakashi was correct. There beyond them was a crafted prison of wood and metal, holding all seventy of the prisoners. The rescue was the vital organ of liberating the country and most of the men were wounded.

But Naruto and Kakashi would free every last one of them guaranteed. A woman with cropped hair stood. From the light grey, Naruto could tell her hair was lighter than most. Almost like his own. She wore a very low-cut outfit, displaying her sizeable cleavage, with mesh armour underneath, and a short skirt. Naruto thought it odd really. How could a soldier fight wearing such little clothing.

She bowed and Naruto wanted to run his entire palm down his face when Kakashi jumped back in shock and fear of her breasts. "Naruto-sama. Son of Amaterasu's descendant; slave of all men and none; forbidden boy; traveling wizard; leader of the resistance. We are at your debt."

Naruto wanted to graciously thank her for the long praise, but damnit his father was still frozen in fear, his hand drawn back in disgust, his eyes all white, and his leg up to protect himself.

So he just sighed. "Please, stand." The woman did and Kakashi sighed in relief. "Thank you. And I believe the only way your debts will be paid is if you can give me the location of the commanding ANBU that took over. He must be killed and the Danzo flag stripped of this island and burned so that you may be liberated."

The woman smiled. "Very well. I was the Yukigakure commander before Danzo overruled. And there is no one that knows this island like I do."

The Morning Afterward

"I was just scared. I saw him dying, Sasuke. But I wouldn't move. I couldn't move and I couldn't save him."

"Shh." Sasuke hugged the boy close. "I promise you that Naruto is safe. He will return and he will bring you back all kinds of things you like."

"You promise?"

Sasuke smiled as he rocked the boy and suppressed a chuckle when Konohamaru yawned loudly. "I know."

He continued to rock from one side to the other until Konohamaru grew limp in his arms. Soft cheering is what ebbed him to finally lay the boy down and go out on deck.

He smiled when Naruto caught his eyes, running over to hug him. The man laughed, spinning Sasuke so they would not fall as he was caught off guard.

"Sasuke. I've only been gone for four hours." The man laughed.

"Yes. But Konohamaru has the habit of fears and because he likes coming to us when he had nightmares, those fears hurt me too."

Naruto moved back, his head leaving the crook of Sasuke's neck, and his face showing great concern. "Is he alright?"

"He's sleep for now. But I can imagine we are the faces to see when he wakes up."

Naruto nodded, setting Sasuke on the ground gently. And then his eyes lit up and the word adorable passed Sasuke's mind. "Sasuke, we have a new crewmate and follower of the resistance. You will love her. Come."

He led them to a crowd of people, all them happy, spitting gleeful questions toward the center. Naruto cleared his throat, and ushered Sasuke forward, his hand at the arch of his back.

They quieted a little and smiled upon seeing Sasuke.

Naruto smiled proudly too. "Sasuke this is Samui. She was the soldier commander of the Yukigakure army. But now she is an abled bodied sailor on this ship."

Sasuke wanted to smile he really did. But there was something about her, something in her eyes that told Sasuke they would not get along too well.

"Samui. This is Sasuke Uchiha, quartermaster of our ship, rightful emperor of the known world. He a second master gunner and is the ship's sharpshooter. Anything in his sights will be taken down."

Samui tried smiling. She really did. Growing, she had heard all kinds of stories about the resistance. She had heard nothing about this man. She didn't like the way Naruto gave this man the praise he deserved.

Sasuke wondered what was going on in that head of hers.

Jealousy, she understood and thought natural. But envy was a strange new feeling for Samui. But she knows Sasuke is not the enemy and should not be worthy of her intense hatred. Still, the thing to fear was the thing that made Sasuke beautiful, and not her.

He was poised, and lithe, elegant. And there was a certain aura of smugness that told Sasuke he did indeed know how undeniably gorgeous he was. It told Samui that Sasuke knew his worth and how much better he knew he was. Sasuke had the arrogance about him that was so deserved, it looked like confidence.

And Kami, she growled inside, he saw the way I looked. He saw envy and he took it as a challenge. She watched him slowly remove his hand from Naruto's. "Hello." He muttered, shaking her hand. And she stopped a hiss, because damint, even his words were filled with power.

"Are you any good with a sword?" Sasuke wondered out loud, his eyes catching the rifle holsted upon her.

She smirked. "I haven't touched a sword in years."

"Hn." And Samui felt attacked as if Sasuke was laughing at her, but he wasn't. And that made her angry. Sasuke was just making it known that Naruto was...his. "Naruto will train you then. He is only the best in everything."

Naruto nodded. "I can see about it."

Sasuke smiled. "Good." Hinata sighed and face palmed at the obvious tension that everyone but Naruto felt. For a captain, he could sure be an idiot. Sasuke clasped a slender hand on his man's shoulders. "I'll be with Konohamaru."

He walked away, and Samui watched Naruto stare at the man until he was finally out of sight. He turned back to her then. "I told you he was going to be great."

Samui just nodded. "Yeah."

So yeah, we've got a new problem on our hands. It's obvious that Samui is a bit infatuated with Naruto, but Sasuke is so arrogant that he took it as a challenge. He knows this and has even offered Naruto up for training her. But who will get hurt in this game?

In the small piece with Haku watching in shock as Sasuke soothed Konohamaru, I was attempting to show how much most of the crew still do not understand emotion. Yes, they are in the resistance because they can get happy, but it was obvious that Haku did not understand the relationship a mother might have with her child. Hence him calling Sasuke and Naruto's relationship with the boy peculiar.

If anyone has noticed, I changed the summary of this fic to suit more with the era of it all. The last summary seemed a bit too modern, but their speech now his more so just understanding. If that makes sense.