Gray sighed and looked out the window; only to feel that same chilling breeze that Sasuke had felt, but for a different reason - he had seen his old mentor's face in the sky formed by multiple colors of stars; making him feel guilty for what had happened to her years back when he was still learning to perform ice magic.
Sasuke saw the guilt in Gray's eyes and lifted his head; making Gray's attention turn to him:
"What's wrong?"
"I'm just thinkin' 'bout my mentor."
"What about your mentor?"
"How and why she died."
"How did she die?"
"She died saving me and Lyon from a huge creature named Deliora."
"Who was Deliora?"
"Deliora was an evil creature that destroyed my town; killing everyone, but me."
"How did your mentor die besides saving you and Lyon?"
"She used a spell that turns the user's whole body into a shield of ice around a target. The move is called Ice Shell. She used it to defeat if and imprison it in a huge glassier of ice; which in turn killed her to create the ice."
"That's a powerful move."
"Yeah, but the thing was I didn't want her to die because I wasn't ready to be left alone ever again, but Lyon blamed the whole incident on ME, and he said that it was my fault that she died, and that if I didn't go to try to defeat Deliora myself the whole thing would have never happened. He said that I killed Ur sensei." Gray said as a couple tears escaped his eyes and rolled down the sides of his face.
Sasuke saw the tears and took the edge of the blanket and wiped them away and pulled Gray into the blanket and hugged him in attempt to make him forget that they ever talked about it.
More tears rolled down Gray's face and he felt Sasuke's arms around him; they were a lot smaller than his, but only because he's only fifteen. He also felt how Sasuke's abs slightly pressed into his side so that he could keep him under the blanket, and in the embrace. He soon accepted the embrace and hugged Sasuke back; still under the blanket.
Sasuke glanced over at his clock:
"It's 12:34. How long have we been sitting here?"
Gray never wanted to let Sasuke out of his grasp, and he wanted to stay the way they were and never move. He felt Sasuke move his head to the underside of his head; he was slightly shivering again:
"Why is he still cold? He has the blanket, AND he has ME...even though I'm not help with my STUPID tears!" He thought as he held Sasuke closer to his chest; closing his eyes and feeling like he was just about ready to pass out.
Sasuke felt like he was going to pass out just as much as Gray did, and knew that they should go to sleep or they were just going to pass out instead. He yawned:
"We should get some rest. It's kinda late or in this case early."
Gray looked over at the clock:
"Yeah. It's 12:38 in the morning." He replied after a big yawn.
They let go of each other and changed into something to wear to bed (Sasuke put on his sweats that Kakashi had let him borrow when he was training with him, and Gray just went to sleep in his boxers).
When they lied down (seen as how Gray didn't have an actual place to sleep yet) Gray pulled Sasuke closer to his chest in attempt to keep him warm:
"Why you're so cold I'll never know."
Sasuke smiled against Gray's chest:
"I'll never know either ya know."
"I thought you'd say that."
"Why?"
"You just seem like that guy who'd say somethin' like that."
"Of coarse I am."
Gray chuckled a little and sighed:
"Just shut your eyes and go to sleep."
"Ditto." Sasuke said smiling.
The two fell asleep; Sasuke lying on Gray's chest; Gray was holding Sasuke close (still) in attempt to keep him warm through the night (even though they were covered up under two heavy-ish blankets.
Sasuke woke at 3:23 in the morning somewhat sweaty, and waking Gray up.
Gray put his other arm on the gennin's back to hold him close and whispered into his ear:
"What's wrong?"
"I had a nightmare about what my brother had done to my entire clan."
"What did he do...if ya don't mind me askin'?"
"He slaughtered everyone in my clan on this night a couple years ago."
"What did he say to you? Or did he not say anythin' and just leave?"
"When I asked him why he hadn't killed me, but he had killed everyone else he said that I wasn't even worth killin'. After that he left the village and never returned."
"That still haunts ya?"
Sasuke nodded; not trusting his voice in fear of it cracking seen as how talking about this subject usually made him want to just break down in tears.
Gray saw that Sasuke looked like he was about to cry even though he didn't want to and instinctively hugged him tight.
Tears started to roll down Sasuke's face after Gray hugged him, and just let what was building up inside of him because of the explanation of what his brother did.
"It's okay Sasuke. Your brother's not here. Nothin's gonna happen to ya while I'm around. I promise." Gray said trying to sooth Sasuke, and possibly try to calm him down. He remembered how this happened with him and Lucy, but it was a different situation; with him and Lucy it was a funeral, and with him and Sasuke it was a terrorizing flashback that makes him wake up in the middle of the night on the same night every year.
After about seven minutes Sasuke had calmed down and was pretty much ready to go back to sleep when the two heard a horrifying shriek from outside. Both of their head perked up, and they got out of bed to look out the window.
Gray's face looked like the meaning of worry:
"What happened? Where did that come from? Who was it?"
Sasuke was worried as well; frantically looking around the area to find where the shriek came from:
"That was Sakura, but where is she? She's not at her house! Wait?! That came from over near the Forest of Quiet Movement! Why is she there though?" Sasuke thought before getting Gray's attention:
"Hey!"
Gray turned his head:
"What?"
"It came from that direction. We should go see what it was."
"Okay then c'mon." He said lightly slapping Sasuke's chest.
They got their pants on (they had either changed or taken them off) and ran down the hallway to the front door. They put their shoes on and ran outside in the direction of the Forest of Quiet Movement (forgetting to put their shirts on; well Sasuke forgot). They saw that the forest was a lot darker than usual; making both of the boys put their guard up; Gray prepping an ice spell and Sasuke thinking of any type of jutsu to use.
"I can't see." Gray whispered.
"Gimmie a sec." Sasuke said before igniting chudori on his hand:
"Stay close."
"Got it."
They arrived at the opening to the Forest of Quiet Movement. Sasuke put his chudori away so that he wouldn't give their position away:
"Aright let's keep moving." Sasuke whispered.
Gray nodded:
"Right."
They quietly snuck behind a couple trees.
Sasuke glanced over his shoulder and passed the tree to see Sakura and Lyon against ten other sound ninja. He turned back to Gray:
"This is my fight right now, but if it looks like I need help after a little while then you can jump in and fight with me, but until then-" Sasuke whispered before Gray cut him off:
"Stay here I know the drill." Gray whispered back finishing Sasuke's sentence.
Sasuke nodded and ran out from behind the tree and stood in front of Lyon and Sakura:
"Get outa here! I'll hold 'em off!"
Sakura nodded and ran home; Lyon followed her.
Sasuke turned his attention to the sound ninja:
"Why are you guys here? What do you want?"
"We're here for the prince, and that's you!"
"What are you loons talkin' about? I'm not a prince! Ya got the wrong guy!"
"Isn't THIS you?" The leader of the group asked holding up Sasuke's pictured.
Gray was in shock.
"Y-yeah that me, but how come I didn't know about this?"
"Heh; of coarse you wouldn't know because it's always kept a secret until the rightful day by the leader of the village or people like us."
"If you're so intent on capturin' ME then you're gonna die tryin'!" Sasuke said before a blazing fire shot from his mouth; killing four of the ten ninja.
Gray saw the fire's glow and thought for a moment that it was Natsu, but when he looked it was Sasuke's Dragon Flame Jutsu - a very powerful jutsu that takes a lot of chakra to perform.
"Whoa! That was an amazing move! It must take a whole lot of energy to do somethin' like THAT!" Gray thought as he studied Sasuke movements and techniques.
Within minutes of the battle even beginning it was over; Sasuke stood in front of the defeated fleet of sound ninja; making sure that they were all dead.
Gray walked over to the defeated fleet and froze them just in case they weren't entirely dead.
"I thought for a second that you were a friend of mine when I saw the glow of the fire technique that you performed. What was it called anyway?"
"It's called the Dragon Flame Jutsu. It takes quite a bit of chakra to use it, and is very dangerous to the target or in some cases the user if the user doesn't know how to control the flames within. It's pretty affective when in battle and you're out numbered though."
"Cool."
"Yeah and pretty effective if you use it right."
Gray chuckled:
"What do ya mean?"
"I mean if it's used to just light something as simple as a small fire then it might just cause damage to everything else around it as well."
"In other words?"
"In other word; just use it for attacking large numbers or a strong opponent."
In no time Sasuke had forgotten why he had woken up in the first place:
"I'm sorry for waking up."
"Ah it's cool; no big deal. Try not to do it again though." Gray said with a warm smile.
"Right." Sasuke said sheepishly smiling and scratching the back of his head.
"Go back to sleep." Gray said as he wrapped his arms around Sasuke and pulled him down onto his chest; making Sasuke's face turn a little red, but Gray didn't seem to take notice.
Sasuke smiled; a real smile:
"Okay."
After Gray felt Sasuke's breathing was at a steady pace he felt it was safe to say he could go to sleep as well and slowly drifted off to sleep to Sasuke's steady breathing.
The next morning came with sun beaming through the window; just hitting the top of Gray's messy-haired head.
Sasuke's eyes fluttered open to see Gray still sleeping and decided not to wake him so he stayed until Gray woke up (not be rude ya know). He glanced at the clock:
"9:00 AM already? Wow."
Gray woke up (not even opening his eyes) and instinctively ran his hands through his messy hair (still lying down).
"Good morning sleepy head." Sasuke whispered.
Gray smiled and his eyes lazily opened to see a still-sleepy Sasuke lying on his chest; a warm and sleepy smile on his lips:
"Wow. For someone who just woke up; he looks pretty cute, but why do I have this weird feeling to kiss him? It feels too weird for my liking, and for some reason he looks like he feels the same right now."
"What is with this strange feeling? It feels so...so...weird, and it's something inside of me that is making me feel like this." Sasuke thought before being torn from them by someone knocking on the door.
"What the?" Gray said as his attention was dragged away from Sasuke and down the hall to the front door:
"Who could that be?"
Sasuke got off of Gray and walked down the hall with Gray following soon after he had put on his cargos. He opened the door just as Gray got to his side; only to see a strange old woman, and cleared his throat:
"Can I help you ma'am?"
The old woman's attention was all on the young gennin in the doorway:
"May I come in for a moment please?"
Sasuke looked to Gray for some sort of approval; seeing that Gray was nodding his head he gladly let the old woman in.
"What brings you here?" Sasuke asked politely.
"I come with a small gift for the prince." She said reaching into a small bag that she had carried with her.
Gray perched his head on Sasuke's shoulder from behind to see what this 'gift' was.
The old woman took out a box; a box big enough to fit in a bag that was normal sized like any average back for a traveler:
"This is for you."
Sasuke looked at the box and took it from the old woman's hands:
"Who is it from?"
"Oh I'm sorry prince, but this person said that they would like to remain anonymous to you."
"Oh okay." The gennin said waiting for her to say anything else.
"You may open it if you'd like; or you could wait till later. All the sender asked was that you opened the package the day that you received it."
Sasuke nodded; he didn't exactly trust his words at the moment.
Gray looked at the old woman; searching for anything that looked suspicious to the eyes, but found nothing; she was just a simple elderly woman.
"Hm. I don't know about this 'gift' thing, and what's with the whole anonymous thing? That's very strange, and very unlikely that someone would say they wanted to remain that way if they were sending a gift to someone of royal blood. Something doesn't feel right with this box." Gray thought as he observed the box in Sasuke's hands.
The old woman stood:
"I should be going; the sender wanted me to return to him and let him know that I delivered the package. Shall I send him your thanks prince?"
"Huh? Oh yes, of course."
"Very well. I will be taking my leave now. Good day prince."
"Wait!"
"Yes?"
"I didn't catch your name."
"Oh there's not need for that seen as how this may be the last time we speak. Good day."
"You too."
Gray watched the lady leave, and began to analyze what she had said:
"'This may be the last time we speak'...could that mean that whatever is in the box will kill Sasuke or that box is the last thing she had to deliver before she retired? This is all very suspicious to me, and pretty strange at that." Gray thought as Sasuke shut the door; snapping him back into reality.
"What were ya thinking about?"
"I don't know if you should open that box."
"What do ya mean Gray?"
"I mean isn't it weird that a strange old woman shows up with a box specifically addressed to YOU?"
"Yeah but..."
"And the fact that the sender wanted to remain anonymous; even if he was delivering a gift to someone of royal blood; the only person of royal blood in their entire FAMILY? What about THAT?"
"Yeah, but Gray-" Sasuke tried to say before Gray cut him off again.
"And lastly; what about the fact that she said that today would be the last day you two spoke; which by the way could mean two things; one, it could meant that whatever is in that box could KILL you; or two, that she was retiring today and that was the last package she had to deliver, but YOU DON'T KNOW?!"
"Gray!"
"What?"
"Calm down." Sasuke said calmly.
Gray took a deep breath and let it all out and sighed:
"You're right. I'm sorry."
"It's cool. I kinda wanna see what's inside the box though. I know and heard what you were goin' on about, but I'm a little curious as to why the person wanted to remain anonymous to something like this."
"Okay fine you can open it, but be careful please."
"I know Gray, I know."
Sasuke sat down at a small tea table and placed the box in front of him. He took out a kunai and placed it under one of the edges. He took a deep breath and let it out:
"Okay. Here goes nothin'." He said taking caution before opening the box.
Once the box was open an envelope fell out along with a couple of kunai knives and shuriken, and another smaller box.
Sasuke picked up the envelope and opened it carefully:
"Hey it's a letter!"
"Read what it says!"
Sasuke cleared his throat to speak:
"Dear Uchiha prince,
I am pleased to present you with these finely crafted-platinum-infused kunai knives and shuriken as a gift for further usage on you missions. We would also like to gift to you a crown jewel of the ancient Uchiha Royal Family. Please take responsible care of these fine items and be ever prosperous.
P.S. There will be a small price to pay for the jewel and might be very 'costly'.
Sincerely,
Anonymous"
Gray was staring at Sasuke onyx orbs the whole time and barely paid any attention to the letter; except for the last part; that's the part he could get out of his head:
"There will be a price to pay that might be very 'costly'?! What's THAT supposed to mean? This doesn't sound good for Sasuke. I'd better be on my guard when I'm around him or 'else'!" Gray thought as he looked into Sasuke's eyes.
Sasuke kept re-reading the last part of the letter trying to figure out what it meant when Gray had already figured it out at the first second he heard it. He decided to open the smaller box to see an Uchiha clan symbol necklace - a gold chain and everything; the white (or the bottom of the fan) was a diamond, and the red (or the top of the fan) was a ruby; both cut in the right shapes for the Uchiha clan symbol.
Gray looked at it and put a hand out:
"Le'me see it."
Sasuke handed the necklace to Gray:
"Here."
Gray opened the clasp and put it around Sasuke's neck:
"There. A perfect fit." He said as he adjusted it around the gennin's neck so everyone could see it.
Sasuke smiled and looked down at it; his eyes bright with pride and confidence; which Gray could plainly see:
"His eyes are so bright. It's as if I were to be standing in front of a sun that doesn't burn or a very bright moon; a very bright moon best fits seen as how his eyes look more bluish black; an onyx than a brighter color like the sun." Gray thought as he looked at Sasuke as he stood up and put the box in a recycling bin; along with the letter and the envelope it came in. He went into his room and pit the small box on his dresser; shut and out of the way. He came back out of his room and back into the main room where Gray was just staring blankly; still somewhat tired; making him giggle; catching Gray's attention:
"What was that? Was that a giggle?!"
Sasuke nodded.
"What for?"
"I just realized something."
"What?"
"The way you put the necklace around my neck made it look like it was from you and you were putting it on for me; when I could've done it myself; much like a boyfriend would for their girlfriend."
Gray's face turned a little red; which received another giggle from the gennin:
"I-I was being a nice person okay?! What are ya laughing at anyway?"
"Your face looks like a tomato; it's that red." He said snickering at the ice mage; making his face go to an even darker red.
"Why is your face getting so red anyway?"
"I-I don't know."
"You stutter a lot too. I'm guessing that is part of the red face thing?"
Gray just nodded and attempted to hide his face so that Sasuke could see it get any redder.
Sasuke giggled at Gray's shy side:
"I find how he's acting to be so cute. It's like he doesn't know that I know that he likes me. It's cute." Sasuke said before just hugging Gray in attempt to comfort his red-faced friend.
Gray's head shot up when he felt Sasuke's arms; his eyes snapping to two closed eye lids:
"W-why is he doin' this? Doesn't he know why I'm like this? Not even I know why I'm like this, and that's sayin' somethin'!" Gray's thought shouted throughout his head.
Sasuke's arms had wrapped around Gray, and Gray accepted the hug and turned into him and just let Sasuke hold him; red-faced and all.
Gray wanted to say something, but didn't trust his own voice at this point because of all of the mixed feelings going around in his thoughts.
As if Sasuke read Gray's thoughts he had loosened his grip; making Gray cling to his arms; which he thought was odd for someone like him; he leaned down towards Gray's head and kissed the top.
Gray loosened his grip on Sasuke's arms and looked up at him as soon as he felt a slight touch on the top of his head; what felt like a kiss:
"W-what was that?"
Sasuke thought for a moment trying to figure out what to say so that he wouldn't make things awkward for the two of them:
"It was a kiss on the top of the head. Why?"
"I was just askin' 'cause I felt somethin' touch the top of my head."
"Oh okay then.
"But uh Sasuke?"
"Hm?"
"C-could ya do that again?"
"Okay." He said before kissing the top of Gray's head again with a slight touch; exactly like before.
Gray smiled and snuggled into Sasuke's lower torso; red could be seen from where Sasuke was looking down at the ice mage.
A warm smile crept onto Sasuke's face as he saw Gray's smile become much warmer.
A thought went to Gray's attention:
"Wait! Why couldn't I just move now? He obviously likes me back or he wouldn't have done that kiss on the top of my head in the first place! I feel like I should do somethin' too."
Sasuke looked at Gray with a confused look:
"What're ya thinkin' about."
"I think I'm goin' crazy..."
"What are ya takin' about Gray?" Sasuke asked.
"I feel like I'm goin' crazy." Gary repeated.
"Why do ya feel like you're goin' crazy?"
"I have this odd thought, but I really don't think I should tell ya what it is."
"Tell me anyway." Sasuke said putting his head on top of Gray's.
"For some reason I feel like we have the same feelings for each other, but ya know I don't even know what I'm thinkin anymore."
"What kinda feelings?"
"I was thinkin' that we share the same feelin' of..." Gray stopped and gulped before continuing:
"Love."
Sasuke stayed silent.
"Or maybe I'm wrong..."
Sasuke was still silent.
"Will ya say somethin' so I know if I'm right please?" Gray pleaded.
Sasuke couldn't find anything to say and stayed silent still; making Gray nervous.
"Sasuke please will ya say-" Gray said before Sasuke cut him off by softly kissing Gray; making his face turn a beat red, and it was a very dark red.
Sasuke pulled away to look at Gray.
Gray was speechless.
Sasuke smiled and put his face in Gray's neck and just shut his eyes for a moment; waiting for Gray to say something.
Gray snapped out of his little 'shock' and looked down at Sasuke; seeing nothing but his raven locks and some of his face:
"W-where did that come from?"
Sasuke lifted his head:
"Where did what come from?"
"T-t-the kiss?!"
"It was something in your eyes."
"B-b-but."
Sasuke giggled again:
"I rendered you speechless."
"I-I..."
"Hehe. That's kinda what I thought would happen."
Gray was silent, and all he could think about now was the feeling of Sasuke's lips against his. He leaned toward Sasuke and kissed him back; shocking Sasuke.
"He's...he's...no way!" Sasuke thought; his face becoming just as red as Gray's.
Gray was beginning to not be able to control himself and accidentally licked Sasuke's lower lip, but pulled away before he got carried away:
"S-sorry. I couldn't control myself." He said as he lowered his head.
"Why did I have to pull away? I could've just kept goin', but I chose to stop and say that I was sorry instead! Why do I have to be so...so...humble...so honest?" Gray said scolding himself.
There was a knock at the door; both of the boys' attention turned to the front door down the hallway.
Sasuke stoop up and walked toward the door that lead to the hallway; only to be stopped by Gray as he was pinned to the door:
"W-w-what are you doing?"
"I really didn't wanna stop doin' what I was doin' before. I just wanted to make sure it was okay with you if I accidentally did that."
They heard the knocking again, but Gray didn't loosen his grip on Sasuke's lower arms.
"S-someone's at the door."
"So?"
"I should go see who it is."
"No. I think they can come back later if they need to talk to ya that badly." Gray said with a sly smirk. He slid on knee between Sasuke's legs to keep him from getting loose of his grip; making him gasp a little; the blush was still there and slowly getting darker.
"G-Gray."
"Nope. I think if it's that important that they need to talk to ya they can come back later when it's not so early."
"B-b-but-" Sasuke tried to protest before Gray pressed his lips on Sasuke's.
Gray pulled Sasuke's arms up and held both of them above his head and by his wrists; licking Sasuke's lower lip (like last time, but not stopping this time); making him gasp. He took this opportunity to plug his tongue in the gennin's mouth.
The knocking continued even though there was no sign of Sasuke or Gray ever answering the door until Gray was finished with what he started. He pulled away; a trail of saliva followed; leaving Sasuke breathless and still pinned to the door.
The knocking had stopped and it was quiet for the most part except for the occasional yelling from sales people exclaiming what they were selling.
Gray let Sasuke go after leaving a kiss mark on the underside of his jaw:
"There. Now at least you know that you're mine." He said with a sly smirk.
Sasuke's face was very red, and was rendered absolutely speechless.
Gray put a hand to his forehead and put a non-dangerous ice spell on his hand to cool him down at least a little.
Sasuke was breathing a little heavy, but was still able to manage words:
"T-thanks, Gray."
"No problem and I'm sorry for doing that; I got too carried away and couldn't stop myself. I guess when I think twice things tend to get worse."
"I-it's okay. I won't hold it against you."
"Really?!"
"Yeah; with that kinda reason I figured that I'd give you some slack this time, but if it happens again I won't be a forgiving." He said wiping the corner of his lips
Gray smiled and walked over towards the window to look outside:
"It's so nice out. Is this what it's like all the time here?"
"On days like this yes, but it does rain like everywhere else." Sasuke said as he walked over next to Gray and looked out the window with him; neither of them noticing that their hands had been on top of one another the whole time..
"What's it like when it snows?"
"It's usually never hard snowfall, but its pack able to have a snowball fight."
"Nice. This sounds like my kinda place."
"It's not all fun and games here ya know."
"Yeah I guessed that, but at least it's a little better here than where I come from. You got it good here Sasuke."
Sasuke chuckled a little:
"Not exactly."
"What do ya mean?"
"I'm a ninja, and the life of a ninja is NEVER easy and calm."
"Not unless you make it easy and calm."
"Where are you going with this?"
"I could stay here with you and help out with stuff around the village."
"What?!"
"Yeah. I'm up for it. It'll be different, but I'm positive I'll get by with you around to help me; even though I'm supposed to be helping you, but I will help." Gray said; sounding more confident than ever before stopping for a moment to take in his surroundings once more:
"You just wait and see; I'll stay by your side no matter what and I'll always be there to help you."
Sasuke felt like he was the most important person in the world to Gray from that speech, and wrapped his arms around his shoulders:
"Thank you." He whispered into Gray's ear.
Gray smiled:
"No problem buddy." He said holding onto Sasuke's arms.
Sasuke could feel that neither of them wanted this moment to ever end, and for some reason; he let it stay for longer than it should have:
"I don't know what it is about Gray that I like, but I feel like there's something I need to tell him, and that 'something' is important." Sasuke thought before letting go of Gray.
Gray saw the difference in the mood that Sasuke had shown through his eyes; they had changed from at peace to more of a saddened look; which worried him:
"What's up?"
"I-I need to tell you something, and I really need you to listen."
"Okay what is it?"
"Well you know how I'm a ninja and all that, but there's something about me that you DON'T know about."
"What is it Sasuke. I can see that it's bothering you so just let it go and tell me." Gray said wrapping an arm around is friend.
"It has to do with having something like a monster inside of me."
"What do you mean 'a monster'?"
"I have a creature called the ten-tails white wolf inside of me."
"In other words you're trying to say?"
"I'm a jinchuuriki."
"Oh okay. I thought that there was something really bad, and that I was gonna have to teach someone a lesson or two, but if it's something like that then le'me tell you something."
"What?"
"No matter who or what you are; I'm never going to thing any different of you because you're my friend, and I'm always going to be your friend."
Sasuke smiled:
"I thought you'd be freaked out or something, but it's good to know that. Thanks Gray."
Gray smiled and hugged Sasuke; only to spoil by a knocking at the door again.
"Ugh who could it POSSIBLY be this time?" Sasuke and Gray said at the same time.
They walked out of Sasuke's room and to the front door. Sasuke opened the door to see Sakura, Naruto, and Lyon.
"Hey you two; sleep in late much?" Sakura said teasingly to the two boys.
Naruto giggled a little with a goofy smile:
"Yeah guys; why are you two up so late?"
Lyon rolled his eyes:
"Would to two knock it off?"
Sakura looked back at Lyon and then back at Gray and Sasuke:
"R-right sorry, Lyon."
"No, no it's fine Sakura." Gray said giving Lyon a glare:
"She was just playin' around, Lyon."
"Of course she was, Gray." Lyon said returning the glare.
Sasuke stepped in between the two:
"Alright, alright knock it off."
Gray and Lyon turned their heads away from each other:
"He started it." Gray said crossing his arms.
"I did not!" Lyon said pointing a finger at Gray.
"HEY!" Sasuke yelled; making the two stop in shock.
"What did I JUST say?"
Gray's face turned a little red before he spoke:
"S-sorry Sasuke."
"Yeah...s-sorry Sasuke." Lyon said as his face turned a little red as well.
"Now I don't wanna hear anymore fighting from either of you. Got it?"
Gray and Lyon nodded:
"Yeah we got it. It won't happen again, Sasuke." The two said at the same time.
Sasuke crossed his arms:
"Good. Now shake hands."
Gray held his hand out.
Lyon shook hands with Gray; a small smirk on his face.
"What's his deal? He's just staring at me with a smirk on his face. I don't wanna know and nor will I ever wanna know." Gray thought as the two let go.
Sakura turned to Sasuke:
"Wow Sasuke. I never knew you could do that."
"Do what? I barely did anything."
"You were very convincing." Naruto added.
"Oh right. Uh...thanks, Sakura."
Sakura giggled and smiled at Sasuke:
"Sure thing."
"Maybe Sasuke forgot about the letter. I hope he doesn't totally forget about it or he'd be in huge trouble. Well whatever; I'm still gonna be right by his side the whole entire time." Gray thought as he looked at Sasuke's necklace.
"What is it Gray?" Lyon asked as he watched Gray's face fill with concern for Sasuke.
"It's nothing Lyon. Don't worry about me."
Sasuke looked at Gray with worry in his eyes:
"What is it Gray?"
Gray looked at Sasuke:
"Uh...Sasuke?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I talk to you alone?"
"Yeah sure."
Gray and Sasuke walked back inside for a moment to talk:
"Do you remember the letter that cam with that necklace?"
"Yeah. I just don't act paranoid; I act like nothing happened so I don't concern anyone."
"Oh okay. I'm just asking because I thought you'd forgotten."
"No, but thanks for worrying about me Gray." Sasuke said with a warm smile.
"I have to you're my boy, Sasuke."
"'You're boy'? What?"
"Yeah. My boy - the guy that I hang out with and talk to the most, and maybe some other stuff in between, but that's beside the point. You're my friend; I'll protect you and fight beside you no matter what the situation is."
"No one's ever treated me like this. Not even Naruto or Sakura, or even Kakashi sensei. I have this odd feeling about Gray; something that I've never felt for anyone but Sakura. This is very strange." Sasuke thought as he stared into Gray's blue eyes.
"He's been silent for a while. Maybe I should do something to get him to talk or something. Still...I kinda like looking into his dark onyx eyes. They interest me." Gray thought as he looked into Sasuke's onyx orbs; not noticing that he was leaning into Sasuke. He saw that Sasuke was starting to close his eyes, but only slightly:
"Wait! Is he closing his eyes and going back on his word?! No way! Then what am I doing?" He thought as his lips touched Sasuke's.
Sasuke wrapped his arms around Gray's neck, and Gray's arms wrapped around Sasuke's waist; their abs pressing together as Gray pulled Sasuke closer to him, and before either of them knew it they were up against the door.
"They're talking a long time don't you think Naruto? Lyon?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah." Naruto and Lyon said together.
"Do you think we should see what happened?" Sakura asked the two boys.
"We probably should." Lyon said.
Naruto and Sakura nodded.
Gray pulled away; trying not to let Sasuke breath so loudly; letting the gennin go to catch his breath.
Sasuke caught his breath and opened the door to see Sakura, Naruto, and Lyon just about to open the door; only to be startled by the door opening before they could do it themselves:
"What are you guys doing?"
Sasuke stood up straight; a blush creeping onto her face:
"We were making sue nothing bad happened because you guys were taking a while to have private conversation. Is it something we should know about?"
"If it's a private conversation then what do you think Sakura?"
"Right...of course. That was a stupid question; of course it's not something we should know about. Sorry Sasuke."
"It's not a problem. Just don't ask questions that are basically answered in said question."
Sakura nodded:
"R-right."
Gray noticed the Uchiha jewel shining in the light and became mesmerized by the beautiful reflections it cast of from the afternoon sun.
Sasuke stretched a little:
"I'm gonna take a walk. I'll be back later." He said before turning to Gray:
"Did you wanna come?"
Gray was snapped out of the 'trance' he was in by the sound of Sasuke's voice:
"Huh?"
"Did you wanna come?" Sasuke repeated.
"Where're we going?"
"Just for a walk."
"Oh okay. Yeah sure I'll tag along."
The two walked away; leaving Sakura, Naruto, and Lyon standing sort of in front of Sasuke's front door (they eventually left and did something else like showing Lyon around the village).
Gray and Sasuke got to the Forest of Quiet Movement; where Sasuke fought off the enemy ninja, but this was different; Sasuke was with Gray during the day, but it still had an eerie feeling to it for an unknown reason (for the moment).
Sasuke stopped; making Gray's attention turn to him almost instantly:
"What is it Sasuke?"
"Shhh."
Gray stayed silent.
Sasuke got into a fight-ready stance:
"Someone's following us; be on your guard."
"I never lowered it." Gray said getting behind Sasuke; making their backs press together so they could watch each other's blind spots.
There was a slight evil laughter from the trees around them; making Sasuke a little uneasy:
"Hello Prince Sasuke Uchiha. Did you like my little present that I sent to you? You know it took me a very long while to make that for the Uchiha Royal Family." The man said before appearing in the entrance to the opening of the Forest of Quiet Movement.
"Who are you? What do you want from me?"
"I'm not obliged to tell you my name, but as for what I want...well I leave you to find that out for yourself; you and your friend that I'm guessing figured out what my P.S. note actually meant."
"Oh I already knew what it meant the first time I read it, but yeah he did."
The mad disappeared and reappeared in front of Gray:
"And what is the fine gentleman's name hm?"
Gray gulped:
"I'm G-Gray F-Fullbuster."
"Ah the ice mage. How did you end up here with my little Uchiha prince?"
"A portal."
"A portal you say? Hm...I don't remember any portal around these parts. Care to explain Gray?"
"I don't know where it came from or how it even got there, but it was there and I felt through it and so did a friend of mine."
"And who is this 'friend' that came with you?"
"Lyon Bastia."
"Another ice mage! Amazing! Fairy Tail is out of ice mages, and that my boy is certainly a pity."
"Cut the chatter! Tell me what you want me for and be on your way!" Sasuke demanded.
"My, my; aren't we rowdy today Sasuke." The man said walking around to look into Sasuke's enraged onyx orbs; only full of anger and impatience for this man banter.
"Just tell me what I need to pay you, and let us be on our way!" The gennin snarled.
The man sighed:
"You jinchuuriki are no fun are you; always business and nothing but. Am I correct Sasuke?"
Sasuke growled; a low and wolf-like growl that escaped through the gennin's clenched teeth; fangs slowly growing in. A blue aura started to cover Sasuke in cause of the boy's rage; making Gray stumble away in shock:
"Man. When Sasuke said it was like a monster was inside of him he wasn't lying was he?"
Claws grew on Sasuke finger nails as his rage escalated and the man intimidated him more and more. Along with the claws; five blue aura-ed tails extended from Sasuke; making the air around him extremely cold and crystal-like; his chakra was starting to become visible to anyone who looked at him; it was very in-plain-sight.
All Gray could do at this point was stand there and watch his friend turn into a raging wolf-like monster, but he wanted to do something to stop this from happening and maybe try to calm Sasuke down; only to have that thought disappear when he saw Sasuke totally murder the man standing in front of him and intimidating him.
Sasuke sighed; his breath making him look like it was cold outside:
"There's your payment. Just and FYI." He said as the blue aura started to disappear, and he started to turn back to normal; the necklace still firmly hanging from the chain around his neck, but it looked as though it had changed with him, and looked like it's colors were tuning back to normal; along with it's shape; during the time that Sasuke had that wolf-like monster aura around him; the fan had taken on a new form - a arctic howling wolf under a full moon; a blood moon; which concerned Gray to a point where he could stand to see Sasuke so enraged. He ran over and wrapped his arms around him:
"Try not do scare me like that okay?"
"I'm sorry you had to see me like that. I never would want you to EVER see me like that again, but sometimes my anger fuels the wolf inside me, and the wolf just slowly breaks free and takes over my actions." Sasuke said before looking down at what he had done:
"Like that. That never would've happened if I- well I guess I can't say that; he was still getting on my nerves so I guess he deserved what he got as payment for the necklace anyway." He looked at Gray:
"You're not freaked out by what I am; are you?"
"Of course I'm not, Sasuke, you have the most of my trust and friendship on your side. I could never be freaked out by you."
Sasuke heard more footsteps and an unfamiliar voice:
"Well, well, well if it isn't Sasuke Uchiha - Konoha's only jinchuuriki prince.
Sasuke's head snapped in the direction of the unfamiliar voice to see another man stepping out from the shadows of the trees. His eyes widened to see a creepy looking man dressed in all black with no headband on, but an orange mask in its place; even thought he was clearly a full-fledged ninja, and what looked to be a jounin if anything.
"What's the matter Uchiha? Are you frightened by my appearance? Did you ACTUALLY think that I wouldn't show up; along with that other ninja you so brutally murdered without mercy?"
Sasuke gulped and attempted to speak:
"W-well I thought...I thought that you'd..."
"You thought I'd what?"
"I-I thought that you died a long time ago..."
Gray could see that Sasuke was showing true fear and tension and decided to step in:
"Okay I don't know WHO you think you are, but you have NO right to talk to Sasuke that way!"
The man chuckled at looked at Gray:
"And who might you be? If you think you're something special just because you're 'friends' with a prince then your absolutely wrong."
"My name is Gray Fullbuster. I am an ice mage of a guild that goes by the name Fairy Tail, but I don't care if Sasuke's a prince; he's my friend and I'll protect him even if it costs me my life."
"My name is Madara Uchiha; a distant relative of Prince Sasuke Uchiha. I am one of the founders of the Hidden Leaf Village. Anything else you'd like to add, Gray? Snything at all before we test you're word?"
"No. I have nothing left to say."
"Well then; I'll strike a deal with you."
"What kinda deal?"
"If you win; Sasuke is left alone; other wise..."
"Otherwise?"
"Otherwise I will be taking him to the Akatsuki to have the ten-tails extracted from him."
"In other words?"
"In other words: he dies, and so will you."
"Deal!"
"Good. How 'bout we start right about...hm...I think NOW!" Madara said before running at Gray; only to be stopped by a Dragon Flame jutsu; followed by an Ice Gassier spell.
"It worked! I didn't think we could pull that attack off, but I guess I was wrong. Huh. Cool." Gray thought as he watched Sasuke perform hand signs for a very big blast from a fire-style jutsu. Gray prepared an ice spell and waited for the ice to melt away:
"The ice should be melted in three...two...one." He thought as the ice melted in front of him and Sasuke.
"Now Sasuke!"
Sasuke used his fire-style jutsu as the direct line for the ice to take affect.
Gray used his ice make spell as the back-up element of the attack as he watched the fire reach Madara; catching the man off guard - a direct hit to a vital spot on his shoulder.
"Whoa. He's got good aim. This is going better than I expected it to." Gray thought as he watched Sasuke's movement as he took the rest of the fight for him-self:
"Sorry Gray. This is now on a personal level."
"I completely understand." Gray said before the blue aura that Sasuke had before returned.
Sasuke charred Madara with a Dragon Flame jutsu, and a new power that he had just learned - the Crystal Squint; crystallizing Madara's blood stream right after being burned almost to the point of death.
Gray was shocked to see that sort of power come from a gennin ninja, but then he soon realized that Sasuke wasn't just any ordinary gennin; he was a jinchuuriki, a prince, and the best in his class; the best in his class for the right reasons.
The Reasons for this:
He had been training under his father when he was a child and knew how to perform a fire-style jutsu because of that.
He had been training with his older brother before the Uchiha clan massacre.
Sasuke's sensei is Kakashi Hatake - a jounin how's experienced first-hand what it's like to lose people he cared about, and maybe even more.
Sasuke gets his reserve chakra from the ten-tails if he needs it; which also allows him to perform the Crystal Squint while in tailed-beast form.
Sasuke's known ninjutsu, teijutsu, and genjutsu from blood-line traits and teachings from the past and present mentors.
He developed his level one Sharingan while training with Kakashi, and uses it for last resorts. In other words; he knows when and when not to use his power.
The blue aura receipted after the smoke cleared from the fire-style jutsu Sasuke had performed; leaving a charred and crystallized corps the center of the field.
"Good riddance. That's one Akatsuki down, and still more to come." Sasuke thought as he starred down at Madara's dead body; lifelessly laying on the ground; the fight had gone into the night and it was pretty dark out by now.
Gray ran over as Sasuke fell to his knees to catch him:
"Sasuke! Are you alright?"
Sasuke nodded:
"I think I just used a bit too much chakra in that fight. Thanks for covering for me by the way, Gray."
"No problem."
Sasuke started to gasp for breath, and groan in pain; along with a wolf-like yelp after a couple minutes as the tailed-beast seal like a heart beat; which started to concern Gray:
"This is getting bad. I should take him home and help him with this, but how?" Gray thought as worry and fear filled his eyes; he was worried that Sasuke might not make it, and fearing that he might die before he could help him do anything.
"C'mon Sasuke don't let go. I'm gotta get you home and help you. You can sleep after that, okay?" Gray pleaded.
Sasuke's eyes slowly shut.
"NO! Sasuke no! Please...NO!" Gray continued to plead.
The gennin's eyes came to a close.
"No..." Gray quietly sobbed; a couple tears hitting Sasuke's cheek and sliding off; as if to just slink away from all sadness, and fall to the ground. He stopped and looked up when he saw the necklace glowing in a way; like it held the wolf that was inside Sasuke. It started to glow a bright blue; almost like a pure crystal in sunlight.
Sasuke's eyes just then; snapped open, but instead of onyx orbs there were two pure crystal blue orbs in their place; making Gray jump at the slightest, and he could barely say a word:
"S-Sasuke...y-y-your e-eyes; they're a crystal b-blue; they're no longer onyx black."
Sasuke blinked a couple times to clear his vision and saw Gray; smiling, red-eyed (from crying a little), and the sun beating down on the back of his head; making a shadow over their faces. He smiled.
"I thought I lost you."
"What do you mean?" The gennin asked; his voice almost nonexistent.
"I thought you died."
"Oh. Why didn't you just say so?"
"You need to rest your voice; it's almost gone."
"Hehe. As if THAT'S a first."
"I'm gonna take you home now okay?" Gray said standing with Sasuke in his arms.
Sasuke was all beaten up with scratches, bruises, and gashes all over his torso, chest, arm, and face areas; making it very hard for him to actually be comfortable in the ice mage's arms.
Gray passed by Sakura, Naruto, and Lyon; all starring at Sasuke with a shocked expression wondering how Sasuke ended up like he was.
Sakura ran up next to Gray; Naruto and Lyon following her:
"Gray! Is Sasuke alright?"
"He's gonna be just fine. All he needs is some cleaning up and rest, and he'll be back on his feet like nothing happened in no time at all; as long as he doesn't do any training or anything that has to do with using chakra; he needs a little break from that stuff." Gray said as he continued walking.
"Are you sure about that Gray?" Lyon pitched in.
"Yes. I'm positively sure about this. Just leave him to me."
"I'm not so sure we should." The other ice mage protested.
"Then who do you suppose I leave him with hm, Lyon?"
"Leave him with me."
"Ha, ha, ha. Don't make me laugh Lyon; not even in your dreams."
"And why not?"
"You don't even know the first thing about him, and I do. So you tell me: who do you think he's gonna trust more?"
"You..." Lyon admitted in defeat; lowering his head.
"That's right. Now if you'll excuse me; I have to get going." He said as he entered the Uchiha complex. He opened the door, went inside, and shut the door behind himself. He walked down the hallway to Sasuke's room, and lied him down on his bed to grab the first aid kit from the kitchen. He came back to see that Sasuke hadn't moved an inch since he lied him on his bed. He walked over and sat down on the edge of the gennin's bed and he sat up slowly; making sure that he wasn't going to be in pain for the time he had to stay sitting up so that Gray could clean and patch his wounds.
The gennin winced a couple times as Gray wrapped the gashes, cleaned and bandaged the other wounds from his fight with Madara.
Gray finished as he looked up from what he was doing to see that Sasuke still looked very tired. He picked Sasuke up and placed him on his lap; only somewhat allowing him to doze off because he was doing the same:
"He should be calm and well rested by morning. I just hope that whatever happened to turn his eyes crystal blue doesn't kill 'em while he's sleeping." Gray thought as he fully drifted to sleep with Sasuke still in his arms.
Sasuke leaned into Gray's chest in attempt to get comfortable, and once he did he started to fall asleep to the ice mage's steady heart beat.