Disclaimer: If I did own them I wouldn't have to waste my time writing this out. XD

Warning: Yaoi Boy/Boy. Leave if you suck and don't like it.

Oh! And this is un-beta'ed. Any comments on my grammar and spelling will be pouted at because I'm gonna have it beta'd later. Sargie's busy right so please just bare with it. I've done my best. Funny thing is..I'll probably re-read it and find things I should have found before. XD

Edit (3/14/07): Here you go peeps. I went back. Fixed some things, added some more. It's better now and longer too. :Is proud:

Plushie StickyNote: It's 1:19 in the morning and I am SO sorry. Please forgive me! Two months and Jesus fucking Christ I am sorry. Been so busy with SAT's and I have like...four one-shots I've been working on. I've just been a wreck. I tried to make it long to make up for the this extremely overdo update. 6000+ words. Sargie's right...I am an overachiver. ; Oopies. You're all lucky too. I had originally thought it was going to come out to only 4500 words, but eh...When inpiration hits I'm a sucker for late nights of writing. Which reminds me...I have fours hours until I have to get up for school. If you'll excuse me I'll just let you get onto the reading.

!Enjoy!

FUCK! I almost forgot!

This chapter is dedicated to Amy (Aka, Aaida-Harplake.) She drew me this beautiful fanart that you just HAVE to go see whenever you get the chance. (Check my profile for link.) She's been an absolute doll. Reviewing every chapter and just being a very good friend. Here you go babe! I know it's not exactly fluffy and cute, but I'm proud to say it's well written. And you just wait till I finish your one-shot! XD

Now! GO ENJOY!

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Apologies

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The district attorney office was well decorated with a mixture of elegance and a somewhat hidden beauty. Almost everything happened to be colored a rich shade of mahogany, a neutral place of business with nothing, no bright colors, that could distract someone from their work.. Nothing overly fancy either, but very professional in appearance. There was an urgency in every person's step as they walked the halls, because there was never a time that life wasn't hanging in the balance in the speed of knowledge. So- there was never really a time to admire such a beautiful place to begin with.

Through the double doors, down the first hall and the last door to the left would be where Jiryara Saninn's office was located, snug behind the outside area, used for secretaries and the offices of many other lawyers. The room was nice and comfortable, because when people visited him they were usually important and as such were treated with respect. A nice room would always convey that feeling. There was a desk that sat regally in front of a towering bookshelf, it's wooden planks lined with countless law books which gave an intellectual air. It was designed beautifully in powerful reds and golds as well. Tastefully so. Yes, it was an office befitting the man who owned it. He was the Chief District Attorney, so it was understandable that he received the such an exquisist office.

"What the hell are you talking about?! You can't do this to him!" A furious shouting could be heard through the walls of the district attorney's office though, that would strip away any desire to go near it, shaking with personification to what the people outside Mr. Sannin's office where feeling. No one on the outside dared get close in fear of being unwilling pulled into what was going on. What they didn't know couldn't hurt them, right?

There was a gathering in the office. Itachi, Kakashi, Iruka, Jiryara and Sai all together to discuss the future of someone they had come to know and, for everyone by Sai, love. Naruto's freedom hung delicately on this one conversation, dedicated completely on the next course of actions they would have to take.

"You cannot do this to him." Iruka repeated, in a softer tone which- if possible- was scarier then him yelling. "How can you be sitting there actually considering sending Naruto back to jail? What the hell are you thinking?!"

If left to continue, Iruka would have stayed there, leaning menacingly over Jiryara's desk, glaring scorch marks into everything and anything, screaming rhetorical questions until his lungs gave out. He was so lost and confused. He couldn't think properly anymore.

Jiryara, who was on the receiving end of most of Iruka's desperately frantic rant, looked up sadly into his friends eyes and muttered quietly. So pitifully so that everyone in the room winced. "What am I supposed to do Iruka? Just tell me how I fix this and I will." Rubbing aging hands up and down his face, Jiryara released a large sigh, looking much older now than his personality usually suggested.

"I don't know." Iruka's dejected answer floated in a hallow whisper around the room, gaining himself three pairs of sympathetic looks and one impassive one. Suddenly a swarm of exhaustion washed over the saddened detective and when his legs gave out, he fell into one of the plush guest chairs behind him. He hated that he was acting so weak, but he wasn't in control.

Kakashi came up behind his boyfriend and placed a not so comforting hand on his shoulder. Most people would later wonder if it was really to help Iruka or to give him something to balance himself on. You could tell he too was feeling the effects of this conversation.

Itachi stepped forward and asked. "Jiryara, is there any way to settle this without a trail?" It would be better if they could, but he was all too aware of how stupid the question was.

Sai would not let the hope of that statement get very far though. With a barely suppressed smirk he said. "Only if you're willing to visit Uzumaki-kun in jail for the rest of your lives. That is the minimum punishment the law gives to murderers."

There was a collective rise of anger in the room at the statement. Everyone knew it was true, but hated Sai for saying it out loud. He must have really lost his heart back then...He couldn't even give the mercy of false hope when people needed it! The bastard. Glares circled the young attorney, but he took it in stride, resting on the back wall and allowing the conversation to continue-

Until, of course, there was a time that more hope needed to be crushed.

"We're not willing to throw Naruto's life into a prison for a crime he didn't commit! So you can forget it." Iruka spat at the raven, continuing to glare spitefully at him. Sai only smiled semi-sympathetically back, infuriating the scarred detective even more. He'd punched the little shit in the face to get rid of that smile if it were not for his unwavering respect for Jiryara. But if things continued in this manner, Iruka was sure he would snap.

Leaning back against his chair Jiryara bit on his lip and stared hard into the surface of his desk. "He's right though..." The poor man was displeased that he had to agree with Sai's ruthlessly discouraging comment, but- he was right. Evidence, motive, and time death pointed incriminating daggers at Naruto and there were just too many to dodge. "This isn't something I can give Naruto community service for." And with a sigh the chief district attorney closed his eyes, letting his head fall back against his head-rest in a tired fashion.

That was not the answer Iruka had been looking for. "No! We can't have a trial and he can't go to jail! He did not kill that boy!" he shouted. The only thing keeping him from flying off the handle again was Kakashi's strong hand on his shoulder.

Kakashi was all too aware of the mounting tension and could feel that if it wasn't stopped soon, something bad would happen. Who could blame anyone else for losing their heads like this though? The investigation of the death of a valuable informant was now underway and there was no evidence against the actual people who'd done it. Of course more would be done to figure this out, but for now they needed to deal with what they were given. Kakashi lowered his head and cursed protocol, squeezing his boyfriend's shoulder tightly again. He needed to be strong for him as well because at this point there was no telling what Iruka would do.

In the end though, it would surprisingly be Jiryara who needed the restraining support the most. With alarming speed Jiryara stood from his seat and in an explosion of emotions, let out every frustration in a breathless flurry, taking everyone else back with it's intensity. He was so fed up with all the accusation at him. They were not the only ones who cared about Naruto! " I know that Iruka, but it doesn't matter how we feel." He heard himself yelling. "What matters is that the jury will look at Naruto and then at his records and see a criminal! I can't just make up fake records and throw it at them. He fought with the victim a year ago, he has connections in Konoha, his scars, his past. They all incriminate him. They'll send him to jail, because it was his knife, covered in his prints and smeared with someone else's blood!" A deep, heavy breath served to do nothing, but to gather air, a look of disdain plastered on Jiryara's face. "I am not adefense attorney! My job," He paused for another breath "...the only thing I can do in this situation is present everything we have to a judge and hope to dear god that those people doubt that Naruto is the murder." Jiryara finished and looked down into his friends eyes, the hurt pouring out of him in buckets. I'm so sorry, Iruka.

Shrinking as far into his seat as he possibly could Iruka bit back a broken whimper, his face lowered in an ashamed manner. "I'm so sorry." He whispered, the softly spoken words almost not reaching the older man's ears. "This is- difficult for all of us. Please forgive me." I'm so sorry, Jiryara.

Jiryara nodded and sat back down, his demeanor slightly less hostile than before. "It's alright, just don't forget that I will do everything I can to help in Naruto's defense. You know that." And turning to Itachi he added. "Everything we find out will be sent to you almost immediately."

Silently everyone, excluding Sai, felt another wave of hope wash back over them. Kakashi smiled tenderly and knelt down in front of his boyfriend, hands at his shoulders while their eyes were locked together in a steady gaze. He spoke softly and with an air of the most importance and with a gentleness that warmed hearts. "There's no reason to worry Ruka, just like Jiryara said. While the lawyers are doing their job, we'll be doing ours and we will catch the people who did this."

"I know, I know." Iruka heaved a long sigh and nodded. " I know, this is just so- wrong." He couldn't keep eye contact so instead he looked off to the side, biting his lip.

The room got quiet after that and with a collection of frowns Iruka, Itachi, Kakashi and Jiraya contemplated the upcoming days. There would have to be trial, if not the most they could do for Naruto was a life sentence in jail and that certainly was out of the question. They would not ask for a speedy trial and there would have be motion hearings left and right to give them enough time to investigate.

Sai was the only one who kept his reserve and so with the patience of a snake, waiting for the mouse to get closer, he watched them, looking for the perfect time to strike. It wasn't long before the lack of conversation started to take a strain on their mentalities, being left to their own devices was disheartening, and noticing that the body language around him was getting tense Sai let a small smile creep onto his face. Oh he was going to enjoy this.

Just before anyone else could open their mouths to say something, Sai sucked in a deep breath, and said with the utmost smugness. "So now that we're agreed on the circumstances, should I send someone to arrest Uzumaki-kun?" There was a short pause- "It would be unlawful to keep him on the streets any longer."

And as expected the tension doubled; anger, fear and sadness gripping the deeply wounded men and almost knocked them down. The one who was able to keep himself somewhat controlled was Itachi, but that didn't stop the other three from losing their heads a little. Kakashi and Jiryara had opened their mouths to yell at the raven, but Iruka moved first, beating them too it.

Iruka was up and towering over the young attorney milliseconds later, his eyes ablaze with a fury drunk with sadness. He couldn't take anymore. He'd ripped away from Kakashi so quickly that he wobbled slightly, but had been able to keep balance in the end anyway. He had the front of the raven's cleanly pressed suit clenched tightly in his hand and a scowl on his face so fierce that it would scare the fur off a tiger. There is was again, the desperation! It flickered across Iruka's eyes like a flame built off survival based rage. With a vicious push Iruka had Sai pinned against the wall and suddenly there was a shift.

What the hell was Iruka doing?!

"Don't be so eager to send Naruto away you little bastard." Iruka's voice was low and threatening, a lot like his episode with Kabuto, and as he spoke he made sure to punctuate every word by digging the man's back farther into the wall.

Sai was unaffected though, flinching only once, but quick to cover it up. He leaned against the wall as if it was his own decision to be there, uncaring of the fist in his shirt and smiled a sweet, sad smile that would serve to look appeasing, if it wasn't already laced with poison. "Umino-sama, you know I meant no disrespect, but we've been in this office close to two hours and we've concluded that we have no evidence to clear Uzumaki-kun. So really, it's your job to be aiding in the arrest of a suspected murderer. Please don't be so upset, I'm sure that once you start investigating that you'll find someth-" And that was about all Sai was able to weasel out before a hard fist caught him in the stomach, courtesy of Iruka himself.

There was a choked cough, Sai's eyes widening to an unnatural size and three shocked gasps around the room. Iruka paid none of it any mind, his anger boiling over at this point.

He fucking had it with this punk and so ignoring Jiryara's outraged cry for him to stop Iruka let the smaller raven drop to a pained heap on the ground, crouching down along side him to growl menacingly "You'll learn to watch what you say about my godson Sai or I'll make you sorry you ever came to New York." He watched with satisfaction when Sai could only muster up a simple glare. One thing could always be said about the younger man, at least he stuck to his personality, no matter what the situation. Filthy snake.

Iruka, after some time, of just glaring and watching the raven slump against the floor with an arm across his mid-section, became faintly aware of a hand on his shoulder. Breaking his attention away from Sai, he turned and acknowledge Itachi with an apologetic expression. The man was looking down at him with a mixture of disappointment and hidden approval. Itachi shook his head at him. Sai deserved what he got, but Iruka was such a kind soul that it hurt to see the brunette so unbalanced that it had lead him to such a harsh explosion of temper. Violence wouldn't solve their problems right now anyway.

On the other side of the room Jiryara shook his head and with another large sigh, called out to his employee. "Sai? You alright?" He might have secretly wanted Iruka to have done more damage, but it wasn't right to physically hurt the boy just because he speaking the truth. Kakashi had stopped him from interfering and well- he sincerely didn't want to get in the middle to begin with. It was a little too much drama than he was willing to handle in this momentary crisis.

"I-I'm fine Jiryara-sama." Sai mumbled, slowly getting back to his feet, much to Iruka distaste, but who stood back nonetheless, staring with a cool glare as the man struggled. It was worth it. He thought. The sight of difficult breathing, the grimace of pain. Iruka knew it was wrong, but it had been worth it.

And then everything else became a distant memory, for now something bigger held center stage.

Itachi, who had barely spoken or done anything for the whole meeting, was suddenly very present in the room. His aura gave off a steady pulse of readiness that, demanding respect, called for his authority to be recognized. He stepped forward and all eyes had unwilling turned towards him. He looked determined, his own eyes reflecting a genius mind with a plan. "Jiryara-sama." He began, addressing his old friend with a steady voice. He seated himself gracefully on the arm of one of the chairs and gave a small pause so he could send the man a meaningful look. "This can be settled easily. If we can't have Uzumaki-kun out, free, while there's so much suspicion around him then we'll just have to arrest him. There is no reason to lose our tempers over it."

The silence was thick. Had they heard Itachi right? He had really said that they should arrest Naruto?

Iruka couldn't believe it! Shock controlling his limbs he stood and jumped over to Itachi with a desperate look. He spoke with uncertainty and such loss it was pliable. "You're not serious! You really think we should arrest him?! What the hell is wrong with you?" He even went so far as to grab the raven's arm, clutching at it tightly. "Itachi...?" He pleaded.

Itachi didn't look at his friend when he answered. "Iruka, you'll understand in due time." He smiled confidently and while he went to stand, pulled his cellphone. "I have to make a call. Jiryara-sama?" he called.

"Yes?" Jiryara asked, his voice wavering with surprise.

"Could I ask you to have a bail hearing set up alongside Naruto's arraignment?" Itachi hadn't lost his smile. It was such a simple statement too. There was nothing unusual about a bail hearing and arraignment going consecutively, but in the silence there was a whisper of something hopeful.

Wait...wait...

And then there it was. A collective understanding. It was so easy!! Why- why hadn't anyone thought of it before?! Iruka fell back into a chair with a relieved sigh. Kakashi's eyes curved happily and his grin was so wide you could see it from under his mask. Jiryara sat back with a smile and nod and Sai was in the background, a large scowl on his face.

Itachi didn't stay, to watch their reactions. Stepping out into the hallway he flipped his phone open and made his call, feeling all the world content that he'd save Naruto again. And again and again. As many times as it was needed, because for him, Naruto was important. Very, very important.

"Idiot."

"Baka."

"Bastard."

"Teme."

"Loser."

"Usuratonkachi."

"And what do you say when you want to tell someone that they're never going to beat you?"

"You would call them a 'dobe'. Which translates roughly to 'dead-last', but it's more in terms of telling them that's they're...well stupid.."

Eyes wide and grinning like the Chesiere Cat, Naruto wiggled happily, back in the comfort of Sasuke's car. "This is so cool. Iruka never taught me any of these words before. Now I can cuss people out in Japanese."

Sasuke gave a shake of his head and watched the road, conversing easily with the blond man next to him. "And who are you going to 'cuss' out'?"

They had finished lunch about half an hour ago and in that time had had dessert as well, which had consisted of a shared raspberry cake, and now they were just cruising around, Sasuke waiting for a call from his brother and Naruto not caring where the hell they were going to begin with. He was just happy to be out of the station

"You know! All my friends! I mean hell, the only people I know who can speak anything but English are your brother, my god father and two of my buddies from Konoha." Naruto waved his hands dramatically, signally that somehow this was important information. "And I guess now you fit into that category too." He added as a quick after thought.

"Yeah." Sasuke answered absentmindedly. Repeating the sentence Naruto had just said over and over again, he frowned. He had some questions he wanted to ask, but he wasn't sure if he could. Why-

"Um...Naruto? Could I ask you a question?" Sasuke asked, staring ahead, his eyes glued to the road. His jaw set and knuckles clenched painfully around the steering wheel, he waited.

"Well you didn't give me much of choice now did you?" Naruto barked out a gruff laugh, unaware of the drastic change in the raven's mood.

"Yeah. I guess. Okay. Can I ask you two questions then?" Sasuke asked again, keeping his voice low and solemn, his feelings matching both perfectly.

Naruto sobered instantly, noticing the other's tone and gave an affirmative nod, knowing the raven had seen it, but answering nonetheless. "Sure."

Sasuke bit the inside of his cheek. "I...Well you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but..." He paused and considered his words carefully. "I know this isn't something you would talk about freely, but...what are you doing in this gang? Konoha, I mean."

From the corner of his eye Sasuke saw the blond flinch and quickly answered the silent question. How did you know it was a gang? "It's in one of your files. Itachi gave it to me." He held his breathe, keeping a close eye on the blond's body language because his eyes were already turned away.

For a long time neither said a word, Naruto shifting uncomfortably, looking anywhere, but at Sasuke and Sasuke just driving on and on, waiting patiently, with no real destination in mind. They could feel uncertainty creep over them in small waves, invading their previously joyous mood and contaminating it.

Naruto's mind raced with the most unsettling thoughts that stirred something painful in his stomach. The view outside was one big blur, this brain clouding all other functions. What if Sasuke found out more about his gang and the things they did and didn't want anything else to do with him? He didn't he could deal with that. Sasuke had just become his friend and he really wanted to keep him. He's wasn't a bad person, he just made a few mistakes in life. Plus...The stuff that went on in Konoha might have no been necessarily legal, but- Aa, shit. Forget it. It's too soon. I can't let him know anything about it. It'll just get him in trouble. Naruto beat himself mentally. He couldn't let the raven know much.

He sighed and began, apologizing first and foremost.."I'm sorry Sasuke." He really hated having to keep this from someone who obviously cared and wanted to help. "It's not that...well it's that I've just gotten to know you and I'd hate to have anything I say make you see me differently." Naruto could tell that the young attorney was listening intently so he pressed on, trying to convey his reasoning for keeping him in the dark as logically as he could. "I guess I can't stop that from happening, but you should know that I'm not proud of some parts of my life. And before you make up some conclusions, Konoha isn't all bad. I'd like to show you one day, but- " Biting his lip Naruto took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "But right now I'd rather not talk about it." He concluded lamely, a whisper of unspoken finality brushing the back of his mind. It'd be to dangerous.

"I understand, but, Naruto?" Sasuke turned his head and for a second let his eyes do all the talking. He wanted for the other man to trust him. There was no way he could defend him to the best of his ability if he somehow felt that Naruto couldn't be honest with him and tell him when he needed help. From now on, he was his lawyer and his- friend, and as such he needed that bond to be there.

That did not mean however that he would force it upon the blond. Sasuke knew. He knew that he needed to earn the trust he wanted because really he was just some guy Naruto had met only a few hours ago, but for now he could at least let the the younger man know that he cared. Itachi believed in him...he believed in him. There was just something inheritably good that Naruto radiated and it had become impossible to ignore.

There was a leap in his gut and Sasuke knew it was his way of telling himself that Naruto was- important, even if he couldn't pinpoint why. He brought his eyes back to the road, confident he'd left an impression and gave a deep sigh. "Don't ever worry about me judging you." he said and left it at that. There was no need to elaborate and even if he had felt the need to, he wouldn't have. He was way to preoccupied now with his own swirl of uncertainties to quell any Naruto might have.

Silence loomed over them again. Naruto had nodded and said nothing else. All of a sudden he was too shaken to do anything else but stare ahead, almost like a soulless doll. It was finally catching up to him. The fatigue of the last few hours. Before he'd tried to avoid dealing with it. He'd emptied his mind, kept himself busy by walking around around the precinct, and except for those few moments he'd been forced into thinking about it, he had done almost anything to keep his mind distracted. Hell, he'd used the man next to him as a distraction too. A very effective distraction, but now there was nowhere to run to. He was locked in a car and, unable to face the challenge of learning to completely trust this new person in his life, had only one choice left. Dealing with his own shit.

There was a murder hanging over his head, a thought that no amount of distraction had been able to erase completely. Throughout his recent lunch the thought had plagued him and no matter how normal he'd tried to act there had been seconds where he had to duck his head and let that sentence sink in before shoving it back again. It was constant battle to keep up his cheerful compose, but he betrayed nothing, something he was eternally grateful for. He'd genuinely had been happy to be around the young lawyer, but no matter how hard someone tried they can never keep thoughts like that at bay.

Some part of Naruto had also realized that no matter how much he liked the other man Sasuke would only view him as a murder suspect and maybe just a friend, something that left this stingy pain in his heart he couldn't begin to explain. It hurt, because he really enjoyed this man's company. It would be such a sorrowful thing if what they had so far was damaged. And all because I'm a loser with a dirty past. It'll be a miracle if he's even still my lawyer after he finds out how horrible I really am.

Naruto felt himself wince. What was wrong with him? He'd just met him! He shouldn't be caring so much! Fuck! What the hell was wrong with this week?! Nothing was going right for him. Those shitheads should have just killed him instead and saved everyone this torture. No one else deserved to deal with this because of him.

With a heavy heart Naruto whispered more to Sasuke than anyone else, even if they too were in his thoughts.. "I'm sorry."

Sasuke's ears perked at the apology. What? Why... He bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from yelling at the man for being so stupid as to actually apologize to him. He had nothing to be sorry about and to be honest...he rather disliked hearing, the once so happy tone of the other man's voice, sound so- broken.

Instead of replying in a way that allowed Naruto to see how unnerved he was, Sasuke took a calming breath and raised a hand, smacking it across the back of the younger man's head. "Don't apologize to me. You didn't do anything wrong." It felt natural to physically scold the blond and as such Sasuke didn't feel awkward for doing it.

Gasping, Naruto bent forward and gave a yelp of surprise, hands rushing up to clutch at his head. "Itta! What the hell...?" Blinking rapidly he turned pouting eyes to the raven, realizing what he'd just said.. "Oh yeah? You won't be saying that when this all gets worse." Looking dejected he turned his head in a huff. He wasn't mad about getting hit just that Sasuke was being so blind as to think he wasn't at fault for someones death.

"Hey. Unless you really did kill that kid, you have nothing to be sorry about, so shut up." Quickly Sasuke's frustration was getting the better of him. How stupid did you have to be to look at a murder and blame yourself for it? Naruto hadn't even been there. The cops had broke down his door at three in the morning to let him know about it. He couldn't start blaming yourself for things that are out of his control, because it could break a man. Break anyone. No. Naruto wasn't to blame no matter how many people those men killed.

"Dammit. You just don't understand? Do you? They killed him because of me! They wanted to get to me. Jeez. They obviously went through all that trouble of stealing my knife and getting my prints so they could get me in trouble. Hence why it's my fault!" Naruto ranted at his new lawyer, his temper taking rein. "Stop saying it's not my fault, because if it wasn't for me that kid would still be alive." What the hell. Why was Sasuke fighting with him about this? And why...why was he fighting back?

This felt so natural too. Despite their budding friendship, they both had conflicting personalities that at some points would have collide. Sasuke didn't want Naruto to feel bad and Naruto just wanted Sasuke to understand where he was coming from. Guilt and protectiveness battled.

"I'm sorry, but I'm full from lunch so stop feeding me your self-righteous crap! You didn't force that kid to get mixed up in that shit. Hell, I'd bet my car you didn't even want that kid to die did you? He beat the shit out of one of your friends, sent him to the hospital and you still didn't want him dead? Isn't that right, Uzumaki-kun?" Sasuke yelled back, looking at the road with steely eyes, everything he saw, a hazy red. He had never one for vulgarities or being unnecessarily rude, but there was just something- Fuck it. Sasuke stopped himself mid-thought, not willing to dwell on why Naruto's self-pitying mood had gotten to him, he just knew that it made his skin itch in an uncomfortable way. He didn't like this side of Naruto and right now he would do anything to make it go away, even scream at him.

At the angry accusation Naruto had snapped his mouth shut and set about glaring holes into his attorney's skull. No. He'd never wanted Zaku to die. He didn't deserve to die, but that still didn't quell his guilt. Zaku's mom...his sibilings- How could he not blame himself? He'd never forgive himself, no matter how many times he'd get into this argument with the ebony-eyed man.

"What the hell do you know?! Maybe I didn't want him to, but that still doesn't make it any less my fault. I won't forgive myself, just because I wasn't the one who bled him dry!" Naruto gritted out. Suddenly his head started to pound and with a curse, he began to rub his temples even thought it was far from soothing.

"You're being an idiot!" Sasuke sneered back "How could you have done anything to stop what happened? For God sakes, stop making this about you and start realizing that someone else did this!" He made a tight turn to his left and raced down the street, heading back towards the precinct. Might as well since it was apparent that this conversation was going nowhere.

Naruto turned to him and with a murderous glare started to yell again. "Fuck you. I'll fucking make this as much about me as I want! This is the worse week of my god damn life and I don't need some sheltered bastard telling me how to deal with my problems. So piss off." Naruto bit out harshly. " You've probably never had to deal with death you're entire life!"

And there a knife got stuck in the tension, it's ridges unable to cut through such a solid block. Sasuke was glaring at Naruto with such intensity that he had to wonder why he wasn't a pile of a mush yet.

Without warning Sasuke pulled off to the side of the road and screeched to a stop, addressing the man next to him with the coldest attitude he could muster. What Naruto had said hurt him and now he just wanted to get rid of the other man. "Get out." He growled.

"Huh? Sasuke- What?" Naruto paused and looked around, confused. He knew what he'd said was harsh, but he'd never expected Sasuke to take it this badly. He looked down and wondered exactly what it was he'd said to upset the raven so much, but in the end he knew it was his last statement that had caused this reaction. Repeating it in his mind over and over Naruto couldn't help from frowning. He didn't think he'd said anything too bad-

And once the statement finally registered completely in his mind, Naruto gasped loudly, opening his mouth up quickly to apologize. Fuck! He was such fucking jerk! Itachi had told him once about the death of his parents, but he'd forgotten until now. Crap- Naruto winced. He really needed to start thinking before he opening his big mouth.

Unfortunately Naruto wasn't able to choke his heartfelt apology out, seeing as Sasuke's cell phone interrupted, the lyrics to "Boom Boom Boom" by the VengaBoys blaring, before he could even utter a syllable. Boy men almost fell over at the absurdity of the song as the words "Boom boom boom, I want you in my room. Let's spend the night together- together in my room." were heard playing innocently around them.

Well that killed the mood. They thought in unison, both holding down their own respective blushes.

Sasuke, who had been waiting impatiently for the blond to say what he was going to say and get out, looked down at his pocket with a mixture of horror and embarrassment. Taking his phone out quickly Sasuke glared down at the number and growled. Perfect timing.

Pressing the talk button Sasuke answered with a angry, "Itachi!" And he shifted the phone to his other ear before continuing. "If you ever mess with my ring tone again I will castrate you! Jesus! Do you have any idea how embarrassing that just was?!"

There was response on the other end that Naruto couldn't make out so instead he sat back, letting Sasuke talk and kept himself busy by beating the mental stuffing out of himself. He hated himself so much right now that he just wanted to jump off a bridge. He had been so insensitive towards Sasuke. God, he an asshole.

Sasuke on the other hand was listening intently to his brother, who had brushed off his earlier threat easily, the conversation taking an interesting turn. He glanced at Naruto uncertainly and flinched. He didn't like what he brother was telling him but- Well...At least now they had a plan, and Naruto wouldn't be in jail more than two hours anyway. He sighed and began wrapping up the conversation.

"We'll head back now then. Yeah. Yes, he's fine. No, we'll be back in fifteen minutes. Sure. No, we were just talking. We're fine. Shut up! I sound perfectly normal...We...it's not a 'lover's tiff', idiot. NO! WE WERE NOT HAVING MAKE-UP SEX!" and too frustrated to care about being rude Sasuke hung up, pocketing his phone again. Supid Itachi. Sasuke sighed. There was just too much going on right now to continue being so pissed off, so taking two more deep breaths, he cleansed himself mentally of all his afflictions. A helpful trick he'd learned a while back from one of his doctors.

Now ready to face everything with a much calmer view Sasuke turned to regard his client, eyes softening at the sullen look on his face. "Naruto?" He called out. It seemed as if the blond hadn't heard a thing of his conversation, something he would thank God later for, but had instead closed his eyes and was having a raging battle in his own mind, nose was scrunched up in an guilty pout.

"Huh?" Jolted from his own thoughts Naruto set his eyes on Sasuke and noticing that he was already off the phone, went to launched himself into a pleadeding rant for forgiveness.

"Sasuke! Please forgive me! I was such an asshole. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean a word of what I said before. Please-" But Naruto wasn't able to finish.

Sasuke held a hand up, interrupting him again. "There's nothing to forgive anymore. I know you didn't mean it. I'm the one who should be sorry. I let this get out of hand." Now a lot calmer Sasuke easily forgave the blond for his brash remark, knowing that Naruto was sorry, but most of all knowing he'd deserved it for pushing him so much. This was difficult for the other man and he didn't need Sasuke, someone he didn't even know that well, lecturing him and pushing his buttons like that.

"No! What I said was horrible and I'm really sorry. Please forgive me!" Naruto begged, his eyes wide and frightened.

"Dobe! It's okay, I forgave you already." Sasuke said, shaking his head. For a moment he felt sixteen again. Sixteen and as if he was trying to console his boyfriend about something trivial. It was slightly weird, but left a pleasant bubble in his chest as he watching Naruto's reaction.

Naruto sat, stunned for a few seconds before letting an easy grin split his face. "Really? Thank you, Sasuke! And I'm sorry again." He hugged the raven quickly and let go so as not to over-step his boundaries.

"Forget about it." he answered, a smile forcing the ends of his lips upwards. It had been a nice hug. "Anyway. That was Itachi and we need to get back."

Blinking cutely Naruto leaned back and nodded slowly, settling himself back comfortably in his seat. "Sure. Is everything alright?"

"You'll find out when we get back, for now just don't worry about it." Sasuke said, pulling back into the street and directing the car towards the DA's office.

"Okay." Naruto was just all too content to let the vague answer slide, his head now resting against the headrest as he watched the city once again become a blur outside a tinted window. He was about to release a relieved breathe when something suddenly hit him. "Hey! Don't call me 'dobe' you...you teme!" he pouted, turning playfully narrowed, ocean-blue eyes at the raven.

Sasuke laughed and uncaring of the repercussions answered. "No, it fits you."

"Are you calling me stupid?!" Naruto yelled, but in more of a put out way than anything else. " Because, I am not stupid!"

"Maybe not, but it still fits you. Live with it." Sasuke smirked. "Dobe-kun."

"Fine! You be that way. Sasuke-teme!" Naruto huffed and pushed his back against the seat, arms coming to a cross over his chest.

"Thank you, Naruto. I feel better now that I have your permission."

"Ugh! You suck you know that?"

And just like that they were fixed. Better than before and growing. Fights would come and go, just like this one, but for some unknown reason both felt safe knowing that they would all end the same. They relived happily in their friendship- rivalry, whatever anyone wanted to call it, Sasuke who was thinking to himself of how much more he would have enjoyed his childhood had this man been there and Naruto taking, for the first time in a long while, a time away from thinking about anything that had to do with his past.

And what about his future? You'll just have to wait to find out ne?! ;)

Plushie StickyNote: I hope you liked it. It's somewhat...different from my other chapters, because the humor isn't as huge and all over the place, but it's there. Obviously. XD I really just had one reviewer in mind while I wrote this. Omegar. You've been a great help in the the writing of these last two chapters. I was disappointed when my last chapter came out 'predictable', and I hope now you see what I was trying to do. Anyway! There you go everyone. It's late, but I look forward to waking up to a million reviews! If this chapter is any indication, I really take them to heart and would love to hear your thoughts. Remember. I may just being doing this for fun for me, but you guys are the ones who read it afterwards. Ja ne:hug:

Quote: We don't really have enemies. It's just some of our best friends are trying to kill us.

©2007 Ruby Plushie