Byakuya

Chapter 31

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Naruto felt his breath catch in his throat at Yuki's words. He was here to take him home? Why? He frowned to himself in confusion, before a thought struck him and he could feel his stomach drop.

"Drake." Naruto whispered, panic settling in. "What's wrong with Drake?" Naruto half-wailed, not caring about the panic and worry that settled over him like a big, suffocating, cloud. The Jinchuuriki had their own lives and Naruto had never been as closely knitted with the other Jinchuuriki as Drake and Yuki. His loyalty was first-place to Konoha, and it always seemed to be a rift between him and the rest of the Jinchuuriki.

It was his life-goal to be the Hokage. And the only reason he could figure out why Yuki would enter the hidden leaf village –endangering not only himself but the other Jinchuuriki as well if the connection between them was spotted- was if something was seriously wrong. And Naruto was more than aware that Drake's awakening had begun.

"This isn't the place to talk about this." Yuki said, pointedly throwing a look at the people on the street and Sasuke. Naruto saw the split second when Yuki's eyes showed an expression of pain, and knew now was not the time to protest. Something was really wrong.

Naruto nodded, before motioning for Yuki to enter the house. "We can talk at my place." Naruto said. Yuki nodded and disappeared into the house without a word after throwing Sasuke a slightly wondering and half-amused look. Naruto turned to face Sasuke.

"Sasuke-"Naruto began, but the brunette brushed him off.

"What is going on?" Sasuke asked, frowning.

"I can't tell, or at least not now," Naruto began, and stepped closer to the Uchiha.

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"Can't tell, or won't tell?" Sasuke asked seriously. He didn't know what was going on, but he was more than aware of the fact that there seemed to be a lot about Naruto he suddenly didn't know. The brunette could remember when they had been but twelve and had fought their way into forming the tight knit group that was cell seven.

He'd known all about Naruto, and suddenly it seemed like perhaps he hadn't known as much about Naruto as he thought. It was obvious that Naruto somehow had gotten closer to Gaara –how close, Sasuke didn't even want to think about- and he had made several other friends outside the hidden leaf village as well. There had been the tall redhead, Tala, whom Naruto had kissed in front of them, something that Sasuke found himself becoming annoyed and angry at, or perhaps some emotion between.

Then there was the dark blonde that had been a few inches taller than Yuki. Sasuke couldn't really remember the teen detailed, but he did remember that the boy apparently called 'Drake' somehow seemed to melt into the background. Sasuke found himself disturbed that he couldn't remember what Drake had been wearing, or even the colour of his eyes after his training with the copy-cat ninja for his Sharingan and his observation skills.

And then there was Yuki. A beauty in his own right, with gleaming pink hair a bit darker than Sakura's and dark, almost black purple eyes that seemed to be watching his every move while completely ignoring him.

Sasuke was reminded a lot about Kakashi, and how the ex ANBU always read that orange book of his while being completely aware of his surroundings. Yuki made Sasuke's back shiver with something he couldn't quite pinpoint. And then Yuki had appeared here, in Konoha, saying he was to take Naruto home.

Sasuke was happy he had resisted the insane urge to sarcastically report that Naruto was home, in Konoha. The Uchiha coolly noted how Naruto's blue eyes were a bit larger than normal, his breathing slightly hitched and his hands shaking in what Sasuke supposed was nervousness.

He's worried. And somehow that moved Sasuke more than anything the blonde could've replied to his earlier question.

"Fine. Whatever. But you owe me an explanation for this later." Sasuke huffed, slightly amused by the way Naruto's eyes widened even more when he wasn't demanded an answer. Naruto's eyes relaxed and he smiled softly.

"Thanks." The blonde whispered, before leaning close and kissing Sasuke on the lips casually. Sasuke froze and his eyes widened in shock. Naruto leered slightly. "See ya later!" Naruto laughed before turning and disappearing into his house. Sasuke stared after Naruto, dazed.

What was that?

The landlady that had not so discreetly been listening on their conversation while she watered the one grey, almost dead plant by the doorway was staring at Sasuke with disgust evidently displayed on her aged features.

Sasuke glared at the landlady before stalking away and letting the blush spread on his cheeks. The landlady stared after the brunette, her over lip twisted in disgust.

Associating with that monster. I don't like this. The landlady thought to herself before brushing off the dust on her pale yellow dress as she started to tread along the streets of Konoha. Perhaps it was time to check what the gossip was spreading. Mrs. Haruno, at least would be interested in this new information, the older pink-haired woman always been interested in all info on her daughters team-mates.

And who cares about the law the third set in place anyway? The third is dead and the new female hokage's head is already filled with feelings towards the Kyuubi.

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Naruto repressed a sigh as he closed his orange door behind him before turning to face Yuki. Yuki had jumped up onto the bar-disk that separated the kitchen and the living room, craning his neck to search for something to drink. Naruto frowned before pushing Yuki to the side and pouring them both a glass of tequila.

I really need to go shopping, Naruto noted to himself as he swallowed the sour drink, noticing Yuki to do the same. Yuki kept avoiding Naruto's eyes, but instead of yelling for Yuki to blurt it out, Naruto drew a dark red barstool from under the table and took a seat on it.

"Yuki." Naruto finally said, breaking the silence the blonde hadn't even realized had been there.

"Kisho has been doing research. It's done." Yuki simply said, and Naruto raised an eyebrow. He knew Kisho had been working for years on trying to create some sort of runes to protect the host while he or she went through his awakening, but if he had, indeed, succeeded in his research, why did Yuki sound so gloomy.

"And?"

"And it has a weakness. A big weakness." Yuki said and Naruto nodded.

"What is it?"

"It needs six people at least to form a protective bond. To form an anchor, or so to say, for the Jinchuuriki's mind. Once the bond is formed it could take seconds or days for the people to come out of it, depending on the circumstances. The link would hold the anchors unaware of the world around them. Meaning that once we submerge into the bond, we would have no way to defend ourselves."

"Well I admit that it is a weakness, but protection can be provided. There's more. What it is?"

"Of these six people, at least so far, two has to be Jinchuuriki and all of them have to be someone the Jinchuuriki trusts with his life." Yuki said, and reached for the tequila bottle that Naruto had left on the table again. Naruto let a hiss escape between his teeth, before starting to bonder the problem more closely.

"That's a problem. Drake doesn't really trust people… but…" Naruto mumbled, and Yuki looked at the blonde with excitement.

"But…?" Yuki prodded.

"But he'd trust the other Jinchuuriki, wouldn't he? Then there are six of us. I, you, Gaara, Yei, Kisho, and we could contact the Neko-jin's to ask Kylara. They should have nothing against it." Naruto suggested. Yuki dropped his eyes to the floor before taking a long sip from the tequila bottle and spluttering at the burning sensation.

"Won't work." Yuki sighed, and Naruto felt his stomach drop.

"Why?"

"The anchors have to be sane in order to hold the Jinchuuriki's mind in place. That rules Yei out."

Naruto nodded glumly. Before turning his thoughts onto Wave country, and the small town they –Neji, Lee, Ten-Ten, Sakura, Kakashi, Sasuke and himself- had stayed in, and onto the small club Tala had been working in. Had it really been less than two weeks? It seemed like so much had happened after it. He could still remember Drake's eyes, from that night in that little sordid club. His dirty blonde hair hanging in his eyes and his eyes glittering with never ending amusement as he teased Tala about Koichi.

Naruto turned to gaze at Yuki sideways, locking his gaze in the dark pink bangs. Yuki looked exhausted; his dark eyes a whirlwind of emotions and dark bags under his eyes that revealed he probably hadn't slept too much lately. Yuki hadn't bothered with makeup or even genjutsu to hide his sunken eyes and his pale skin, and somewhere in the back of his mind everything snapped into place.

Naruto had always known Drake loved Yuki. He couldn't remember when he had first realized it; it wasn't a surprise, it had felt as if something that had been hanging in the air had just been unveiled to him. Drake and Yuki had known each other for a long time, and Naruto had many times heard how they had first tried to kill each other.

And Drake had been hopelessly in love with Yuki ever since, and his feelings weren't answered, Naruto thought gloomy to himself. Drake deserved better than being half-ignored as he was by Yuki, but Naruto couldn't bring himself to hate Yuki for that. Yuki was scared of the seriousness of Drake's feelings, and hadn't exactly ever been open about gay people.

Naruto suspected Yuki had been homophobic before Naruto had crashed into the Coven.

"You…" Naruto began, keeping his eyes locked on the sullen eyes gazing on his dark wooden floor –that really wasn't that interesting- his blue eyes tracking Yuki's movements. The edge of Naruto's mouth twisted, in amusement, frown and a sad pout, he wasn't quite sure. "…you love him, don't you?" Naruto continued, and was rewarded by the horrified widening of Yuki's eyes.

"Wha-?" Yuki started to stumble for words but when he saw the look in Naruto's eyes, he opted to drink from the bottle instead. Naruto frowned before snagging the bottle from the missing-nin.

"It's barely noon, ease with the alcohol, will you?" Naruto said to the tense silence before taking a swig himself and returning the bottle to the shelf it had been on. He could feel the alcohol burning in his stomach, tingling slightly and giving him a slightly numb feeling, but he knew it would take a bit more of the golden drink before he became actually drunk.

Which he wanted to avoid because with his luck he and Yuki would end up walking down the streets of Konoha utterly stoned, singing badly and scaring little children.

Well, it has happened before.

"Why?" Yuki suddenly asked. Naruto frowned, and Yuki hurried to elaborate. "I mean why do you say I love Drake?" Naruto started to rummage through his cupboards fro something to eat while he pondered the question.

"Well… I know Drake loves you. And I mean the real kind of love and adoration towards your mate. And that doesn't mean you love him, but… I've seen you fuck." Naruto finally said, before realizing how it sounded.

"I mean...You've fucked practically beside me and Tala, and there's one thing that screams out to me, something that even the oblivious me couldn't miss." Naruto said, before turning his attention to the expiration of the can of chicken soup, not feeling quite for ramen.

"What?" Yuki asked his voice raspy, and with a start Naruto realized that Yuki had begun crying. Naruto put the can down on the kitchen sink before walking to Yuki and wrapping his arms around the slightly taller form of his friend. Yuki wiped the few tears that had fallen down his cheeks with anger.

Naruto watched Yuki for a moment, before settling even closer to his friend, so that Yuki's thighs were holding onto his hips, a position that would've looked awfully suggestive, had Naruto felt that way towards Yuki. Naruto reached to lift Yuki's chin up with his fingertips.

"Yuki… You and Drake…" Naruto began, weighting his words, and tried to twist them around so that it didn't come out wrong. Yuki had the habit to deny everything once he was backed into a corner.

With his lower lip slightly shaking, Yuki let out a wondering whimper. Kyuubi, for the first time since it had fallen into the fearsome silence, reacted to the pain of what the Kitsune recognized as another demon. Naruto squeezed Yuki slightly, not even thinking about when his eyes changed colour and his fingers turned to claws.

There was a slight growl to Naruto's voice as he spoke, before he started to purr comfortably, and Yuki started to cry his eyes out.

"Because Yuki, you and Drake… You don't fuck…

You make love."

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Naruto waited patiently until Yuki's sobs subsided, before he pulled back slightly so he could gaze into the tear filled face.

"Drake will be fine." Naruto tried to convince Yuki, but found his voice failing. It wasn't his place to make a promise like that. Naruto clenched his fists with frustration. He hated this. Feeling helpless. At least in battle situations he could run and attack and defend and throw his life away if he felt like it. But here, now, against the force of the seal that both protected and hurt Drake, as it would all the Jinchuuriki, he could do nothing.

Drake will be fine, Naruto said to himself, with more conviction this time. Because, whatever said about Naruto, he never gave up when he fought for what he believed in. And he believed Drake wasn't supposed to die. He had practically sacrificed his life in order to keep the Snake demon away. He had more than earned his place among the living.

Damn you Hachibi no Hachimata.

Damn all the Bijuu.

"Naruto, you're bleeding," Yuki's faint voice broke into his thoughts, and with a start Naruto realized that his clawed fingers had broken the skin of his palm.

When did I transform? Naruto asked from himself feeling a bit detached.

"Naruto?" Yuki asked, his voice still cackled with tears, but his voice now more worried.

Naruto stared at his clawed, bloody hand in fascination.

Everything is reeling out of control.

He could suddenly see the same hand clasping around Sakura's throat, and could almost feel the flesh between his fingers as he thrust his clawed hand through Sasuke's chest. And what would Lee's wide eyes look like, wide in horror? Fear?

Naruto shivered with disgust for himself and shook his head to himself.

"Naruto?" Yuki asked once again, looking at the blonde a bit worried, taking notice of the gleaming red eyes.

I should lock myself away. Lock myself into my apartment, after I've packed some food. Fill the doors and floors and ceilings with holy tags. It would keep him away, in the least.

Then the picture of Iruka, the man he looked up to as his father, entered his mind. He would surely come looking for him, and would bang on his door until he lost his patience. He would open the orange door careful, kunai raised as he would step into the dark living-room. His oh-so-soft voice would call, in that gentle tone Naruto loved, for him.

And then Naruto would jump from the shadows. Would jump from behind, attack the neck; so that the chuunin would have no time to make use of his kunai. He would attach his claws on the brunette's shoulders and then he would stretch his neck so he would be able to take one look at the horrified face before him as warm chocolate eyes would meet angry, red ones. He would reel in the feeling of fear seeping from the figure who would know he was going to die the same way his parents had, and he would—

The slap echoed in the kitchen, seemingly left hanging in the air. Naruto brought his hand to touch his red cheek, absently noticing that his fingers were back to normal.

"What is going on?" Yuki demanded all traces of tears gone from his angry eyes, even thought the droplets of sorrow on his cheeks still hadn't dried.

Naruto looked at Yuki dully, his eyes almost grey.

"I need to get out of here. From Konoha." Naruto said. Yuki pursed his lips.

"Why?"

"I…" can't tell him my awakening has begun as well. He wouldn't be able to take the extra worry. "…I'm feeling exhausted. Drawn out. Like…people are ripping me into different directions yet I am only flesh and bones and I can feel my mind beginning to crack under the torture…" Naruto trailed off.

Yuki raised an eyebrow, wiping the tears off his cheeks.

"What's up with the fancy words and exasperation?"

Naruto shrugged, turning to look at his apartment instead, in his mind planning what he would pack. He would have to leave, and soon.

And then I would avoid letting Sakura-chan know I'm a monster. I'd stay as the dead last in their eyes. To them I would've just disappeared. I think I like that. Being remembered as something other than a monster. Though… I'll miss Iruka-sensei.

"Well, you are. Getting out of here, I mean. I already talked with your Godaime Hokage." Yuki answered, and tried to avoid letting his distaste for the woman show. He just couldn't bring himself to approve of what they had allowed Naruto to learn. Naruto had learned seduction and sacrificing his body a bit too well, the pink haired boy thought.

He doesn't even respect his own body anymore, Yuki thought as he watched as the wounds on Naruto's hand healed rapidly.

"You did!" Naruto exclaimed, surprised, and Yuki allowed himself to smirk.

"Yep. Went there and insulted her, before pretty much ordering her to release you or she'd have more than me to deal with."

"But the council---"

"Will be taken care of, as per my order… I believe my words were something along 'You'll make it happen or we'll leave Konoha, with or without permission'"

"You didn't…" Naruto whispered a bit shocked, his voice filled with admiration. Yuki broadened his chest.

"Indeed I did. We should be leaving in two days at the latest." The missing-nin said, and both boys started to laugh. Naruto threw a disgusted look at the can of expired chicken soup on the kitchen sink and turned to smile at Yuki.

"You know… You look awful. How about you try to just enjoy and relax while you're here. You got more time to worry about Drake once we are at the Coven." Naruto smiled. Yuki flushed slightly.

"Shut it." Yuki said and Naruto just smirked, and searching in the pockets of his pack-bag that had been abandoned in the doorway days ago, he whipped out his faithful Gama-chan, who was looking a bit frazzled in all her green glory. Yuki flinched at the sign of the money-pouch.

"You still have that? I can't believe it… when you're going to realize that you look absolutely ridiculous carrying it?"

"Hey! Don't insult Gama-chan! I've had her since I was ten!"

"And I know you've named it, but could you please refrain from calling it 'Gama-chan' in public?" Yuki scoffed at the money purse. Naruto grinned devilishly.

"No can do. And as I'm all out of –edible- food and you look like you could do with something relaxing to do. We're going shopping." Naruto grinned, and the edge of Yuki's mouth twitched. Shopping was, after all, one of his biggest hobbies.

Naruto, seeing the hesitation, added:

"I'm paying."

"Deal." Yuki automatically smiled slightly devilishly, and Naruto sweat dropped at the fast mood swing, feeling now a bit afraid for his own wellbeing.

"I have five words for you. Extreme-shopping; Rule-number-three." Yuki smirked, and Naruto groaned.

"-Yuki, there's no need to-"

"You said we would cheer me up! Now let's take a look at the fridge." Yuki cut Naruto off, after which ignores the blonde completely. Yuki pulled open the fridge door and peered inside.

Yuki looked at the empty fridge with shock horror.

Naruto flinched when Yuki let out an indicant scream.

"Whoa! Dude, where are the essentials, the essentials! There's no whipped cream, no chocolate sauce, no--!" Yuki began to ramble. Naruto rolled his eyes. Typical for the first thing for Yuki to thing was anything sex-related.

"I just came back from my three year mission. When the heck did you think I had time to shop?" Naruto growled, before starting to drag Yuki towards the door. Yuki didn't resist, but did pose a question that made Naruto freeze and blush.

"Fine! Fine! But you sure you wanna go outside with that Hokage robe, only the Hokage robe and nothing under? I mean the effect when it pillows behind you is quite nice but—"

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A/N: To my unfortune, I can't blame the reason I'm updating so late on my trip to France; I only stayed in there for four days, after all. But I've taken some time to recover from the trip; after all, travelling in France and Paris is exhausting, what with the four hours (at least, if not stuck in traffic) sitting in a car. Plus I was left with the middle seat, which we all know (I think) is no good for ones ass.

Right, so about this chapter. Schools been a bit hectic right now, so this has it's part on this being late as well, but the main reason is that I noticed I've been cross-writing myself several times. And so, as to help my writing, I've been doing some background research on the world of Naruto, especially the geography.

I soon found myself confused by the different villages that have appeared on the Naruto movies and the filler, and so, hence, I've decided mostly to ignore it all.

But here the main mistakes I've noticed;

I've noticed that I've both written that the Coven is near the southern border and north of Konoha. I haven't had clear picture of where the coven has been, apparently.

When Naruto was sick in Hokage's office (before the S-A mission) Naruto explained his sickness as the event nearing in few weeks. This is totally wrong, as were talking about months in the least. I've written it a bit unclear, I notice now.

And there are some (they are not mistakes, but I haven't been too clear) things about their ages and the Jinchuuriki's statuses and which countries they've came from. I think (somewhere, dunno where) I've put Yuki as both waterfall nin and a water nin. Huh.

Oh, well, that's all, I'll work to update tomorrow…but, you know, you never know how it goes…

Enjoy and review!