Ultimate Secrets: The past revealed?

OV: What happened during those years apart…Who are you?

AN: Wow! Chapter 10, 2/3 through!! I think I like this writing, when I get through college and am teaching English Composition I'm going to assign my students to write a fanfic!! MUHAHAHA!!!

Eep, okay back to Naruto and Sasuke…

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Sasuke walked obediently behind the blonde. He wasn't really watching where they were going, instead he had been thinking. Sakura was the object of his deliberation. He was remembering how she had always been. Everyone had considered her the weakest member of Team 7. Personally Sasuke had always thought Naruto was the weakest, but that was because Sakura had great chakra control. He also didn't want to consider that Naruto might be strong, and could possibly be even as strong as him.

Sasuke knew Sakura didn't like it when people saw her as weak, and she'd worked hard to change people's perspective of her. Obviously she had succeeded, because she had been chosen for a very dangerous and critical task. Dealing with Juugo would be quite a challenge. It wasn't that he wanted to be difficult; it was, in all honesty, that he couldn't control his urges.

Sasuke almost collided with the tall masculine body that had stopped in front of him. He pulled up short just in time. Naruto turned and dramatically threw the door open for his guest. If he was surprised to be nose to nose with Sasuke he didn't show a hint of it.

"Here ya go, Sas-u-ke," he said, dragging out the last part of Sasuke's name in jest. "This is to be your home until I decide what to do with you." His face was lit with a jovial grin, and he was thoroughly enjoying razzing the tenebrous man.

Sasuke slipped past Naruto, their shoulders brushing together as he passed through the opened door. Sasuke took the moment to note that Naruto was as tall as he was, not necessarily taller, but as tall. Even now he just couldn't let the blonde be anything more than he was.

He took in the surroundings. They weren't lavish, but they were comfortable. The door opened into a sitting room of sorts, there were tatami mats laid out and a few low tables scattered around the walls situated between some low benches and a couch. It would be a nice place to host a gathering. Off this room were three doors, one on each wall, as well as the entrance he'd just stepped through. The first two doors were open, the one directly in front of him wasn't. Through the door to his left he could see a nice table, counters, and kitchen appliances. Through the other, off to his right, he could see a neatly made bed. Sitting on the foot of the bed Sasuke saw a night cap that brought a flood of memories with it. It looked like some animal and was made so that when it was worn it looked as if it was eating your head.

Sasuke chuckled at a memory of Naruto in said cap and light blue Pyjamas chasing after him down the long thin hallway in front of the old apartment, hair damp and sticking to his face. Sasuke was actually laughing as he was being chased. He'd only done as he had been instructed and had woken Naruto for their mission. It wasn't his fault Kakashi had neglected to inform him how to wake the dobe. He'd entered Naruto's small bedroom through the opened window, and when shouting had failed to rouse the sleeping blonde he'd resorted to pouring a cup of ice cold water in his face. Naruto had risen in a flash of rage and had chased him relentlessly.

Sasuke had been kind enough to eventually lead the boy back to his home to dress properly. He'd merely taken the long way back to Naruto's apartment, through a few stalls and vendors stands, and a vacant lot that was overgrown with weeds and brush.

Naruto had caught up to his dusky antagonist and had shoved him into the wall. Sasuke had laughed at Naruto's appearance and eventually Naruto had to relent and join him. He raced through a shower and followed obediently as they joined an enraged Sakura, and an annoyed Kakashi. Kakashi was annoyed because he'd been disturbed from his book rather than at his team finally getting to set off on their mission.

The memory curved the corner of Sasuke's mouth into a smirk. Naruto saw, but chose for once not to say anything. Instead he strode over to open the other door and motion for Sasuke to follow him.

Inside was a neat room. The bed looked comfortable, and there were a few garments hanging in the door less closet. A quick inquisitive glance at an unnoticing Naruto and he crossed to see what was there. He had to smile in spite of himself. If he'd had a chance to choose his wardrobe, these were the exact things he'd have picked. He pulled a pair of black pants down from the rack and a dark navy shirt. He looked down at himself; he was still splattered with blood and topless. He saw a door off to the right and casually walked over and pulled it open. He wasn't disappointed to find it was, in fact, the bathroom. He raised one eyebrow to note that although the door was set into his room, the bathroom had another door on the wall at a ninety degree angle to where he was standing. He pulled it open to find himself getting a more thorough look at Naruto's bedroom.

He shoved the door shut again, and then turned and closed the door to his room shutting himself off to the waiting blonde. Naruto smiled as he heard water running and a soft sound of cloth hitting the floor. He waited until he heard the shower running for a few minutes to open the door and grab the offending cloth. He opened the front door and ordered that the hakama be burned. The ANBU guard took the pants like garment and dashed off in a flash to carry out the order.

When Sasuke stepped out of the shower he felt a strange euphoria slip over him. He toweled himself dry, noticing his curse seal in the mirror over the sink. He swore under his breath, and wished he could make it disappear, rather than have to live with seeing it for the rest of his life as a constant reminder of his own stupidity. He pulled the body forming top over his head and smoothed it over his skin. It felt good and fit him perfectly. The pants were soon pulled on over boxers and he glanced at his reflection in the mirror. The effect was dramatic, and unexpected. He looked like an almost completely different person. Strangely enough he felt different. He rubbed his hands through his ebony hair and it sprang into that gravity defying style he preferred.

A sigh passed over his lips as he pulled the door open and stepped out from the warm cocoon of steam he'd created with his scorching hot shower. It was as if he'd tried to burn the dirt and grime off his skin, that as the debris melted away so would the taint of his past flow down the drain with it. He knew there was no such luck, and paced through his room to begin his interrogation.

Naruto heard the door open, and waited for Sasuke to enter the room. He wasn't prepared for the sight of the man as he stepped through the door. His achromiatic hair was a stark contrast to the spectral effect of his pale skin. Eyes that shone as if from a deep void peered out from the long bangs that fell on either side of his handsome face. An involuntary gasp caused the Stygian prince to cast a quizzical look at his blonde companion.

Naruto's eyes devoured the man who stood in front of him; they lapped at the smooth lines of his shoulders gliding down his stomach and over his perfectly defined legs. He had the feral look of a predator who had found himself a tasty morsel.

Sasuke didn't like the hungry way Naruto was looking at him. It was a gaze both predatory and possessive at the same time. "So, now you are clean. Is there anything else you'd like before we begin?" Naruto flinched at the throaty way his voice sounded. If the mere sight of Sasuke fully clothed after a shower caused him this much reaction how was he going to survive living with him?

Damn you Gaara! He thought. Why'd you have to go and reveal to me the workings of my inner heart, and then leave me alone and vulnerable. I'm such a wreck I'm lusting after Sasuke now!! But Damn!! He's so Hot!!

Naruto tried to act nonchalant, and when Sasuke didn't answer his question he motioned for him to follow him into the kitchen and take a seat. He offered his guest a drink, and to his surprise Sasuke accepted. Naruto wasn't sure he should have offered the sake, but it had been the first thing he'd spotted.

For some reason being here, having Sasuke sitting in front of him, it was causing him to have a hard time thinking straight. He poured them both a small measure into two sake cups. He picked his up and raised it to Sasuke as if in a toast, "To the unknown." He said with a smirk to rival Sasuke's.

Sasuke being one to never back down from a challenge raised his own cup, "Sure, to enigma's." he said returning Naruto's expression.

They both downed their drinks and Naruto poured them another. He had a feeling this was going to be a long afternoon, and he was going to need this. After he'd swilled the last of his second drink, Naruto sat his cup down next to the sink, poured himself a glass of water and crossed to the chair opposite Sasuke.

Sasuke turned to face the blonde, downed his drink, and slapped the cup back down onto the table. "So." He started, not a question, not a benign statement either.

Naruto stared into those fathomless black eyes. He had already decided what he wanted to know when Sasuke had been in the shower. He'd had to concentrate on something to keep images of the pale skinned body glistening with prismatic drops of water off his mind. So he began, "Tell me what happened that day you left. After Kakashi stopped our fight and you ran off."

Sasuke looked at Naruto incredulous. He could not be serious. He really wanted him to go back to the beginning and tell everything. Guarded dark eyes searched sunlit blue, and he began to speak.

For the next four hours Sasuke spoke. Naruto would interrupt to clarify something or ask a question, and once or twice to prod Sasuke to continue when he'd drifted off into this own thoughts. Eventually Naruto had learned about Sasuke's training, Kabuto's medical ministrations, Orochimaru's vanity and defeat, and Sasuke's journey to collect his team and their subsequent manhunt for Itachi. Woven within the tale were glimpses into a mind that had been closed off to anything that didn't afford progress toward the ultimate goal.

Sasuke was impassive when he'd recounted the time Naruto and Sakura had broken into the Sound hideout and confronted him. The only emotion was when Sasuke recounted almost killing him, and goaded him about not knowing how to properly stop the sword he carried. Also when he recalled finding out about what was hidden within Naruto. He was anti-empathetic when he'd admitted he could have killed Naruto that day, and probably would have if things had turned out different. As it was it had caused a tiny crack to begin to form in the mortar that held Sasuke to Orochimaru. Thoughts and memories Sasuke had long since thought dead and buried eventually had resurfaced and had resulted in wearing away at that tiny chip and had eventually caused the erosion that led to Orochimaru's downfall.

Naruto listened intently as Sasuke recounted defeating the snake. His eyes widened when Sasuke admitted that Oro was still trapped somewhere in his mind. Naruto thought about the Kyuubi. Most of the time he was dormant, but there were moments he'd appear and Naruto couldn't control him. Naruto made a mental note to convince Granny Tsunade to eradicate that poison from Sasuke's subconsciousness.

They paused when a knock sounded at the door. Naruto opened it with a glower, but instantly reversed his anger when he noticed what the guard had in his hand. He gratefully took the ramen and thanked him before heading back to the kitchen to serve their dinner. "Itadakimas!!" Naruto exclaimed and began to slurp his favorite food.

Sasuke offered a rare slight grin at the familiar scene. He felt as if he had been transported back in time and had never left Konoha. He slowly ate his noodles watching as Naruto devoured his. His tiny grin turned into an almost outright smile when said blonde's head was dislodged from his bowl to reveal a noodle resting on his nose. He comically tried to lick it off with his tongue then tried to grab it with his chopsticks. When he was still unsuccessful and about to concede defeat and pluck it off with his fingers, Sasuke gently reached his own chopsticks over slipped it off and offered it to the bewildered stramineous boy.

Naruto hesitantly sucked the traitorous ramen noodle off Sasuke's chopsticks, reveling in the amused look shining from the depths of those dark eyes. Sasuke went back to finishing his own ramen without a comment.

When they had slipped the bowls into the sink they returned to their conversation. Sasuke recounted more recent events, like their meeting in the forest when Naruto had first met Team Hebi. After another hour or so Sasuke had led up to the previous day. It took him only a few minutes to tell the succession of events that had led to his eventual defeat of his brother, and the resulting capture afterwards by Konoha ANBU. He'd already told most of it once that morning.

It was now dark, and both men were exhausted from their discussion. Someone had a sense of humor though, as just as they were getting ready to separate and head to their rooms a flash of lightening lit the sky followed immediately by a crash of thunder that shook the building. Naruto jumped causing Sasuke to cast a curious scowl in his direction. As their eyes met the lights went out. Naruto laughed; an uneasy sound in the vastness of the room.

Sasuke stepped closer feeling uncharacteristically protective of the other man. "Come on I'll guide you to your room," he said, sharingan activated to see in the pitch black. He took Naruto by the arm and gently guided him through the as yet unfamiliar territory of the rooms.

When he had safely delivered him to stand beside his bed he turned to leave but something prevented him from moving any further. He listened to the rain pounding the walls and roof of the building. They weren't on the top level, but they were high off the ground, making the sound amplified and seem closer than it actually was. Sasuke could see and hear Naruto trembling with his Sharingan eyes.

"Naruto?" Sasuke ask softly, his voice a caress in the darkness.

The blonde collected himself and laughed, "Yeah?" he asked with forced casualness.

Sasuke decided to let it drop, "Goodnight." He said indifferently. Then he did head to his own room, listening as he heard cloth against flesh, the sound of Naruto dressing for bed.

Sasuke pulled his own clothes off, but having not really investigated the room before, he wasn't sure where any sleeping clothes might be kept. Rather than use his Sharingan again, he crawled into his bed clad in only his boxers. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

Naruto slid in between his crisp sheets, a sad sigh slipped from between his lips. He had a momentary memory of himself and his night time visitor from the previous evening. He then thought about all the things Sasuke had told him. Tomorrow he wanted to continue their talk. Sasuke had told him many things, but Naruto wasn't satisfied with everything he'd said. He had a few more questions that he wanted answered. At least he was trying to rationalize it in his head that way. He finally drifted off to sleep trying to convince himself he desired answers more than just desiring the other man's company.

Naruto slept soundly that night, Sasuke on the other hand awoke several times and had to remind himself where he was and why. When the sun broke through the remaining clouds the next morning it was to fall upon a grumpy tired Sasuke and a well rested and refreshed Naruto who jumped out of bed ready to greet the day.

He bounded over to Sasuke's room and nearly leapt onto the bed in his enthusiasm. When he saw the bags under Sasuke's eyes and observed a huge yawn he surmised his companion hadn't passed a good night's sleep. "Sasuke, are you alright?" he asked concerned.

Sasuke mumbled something noncommittal and tried to hide under his pillow. Naruto being the ever persistent person he is couldn't let it go. Finally Sasuke gave up and slid out of bed. Naruto took in the exposed skin and allowed his eyes to rove freely over the nearly perfect body. He was glad Sasuke wasn't awake enough to notice him staring, or so he thought.

He rose form Sasuke's bed and crossed into the kitchen to find some breakfast. He smiled widely to see two plates of steaming food already sitting on the table. A shadow out of the corner of his eye informed him that one of his guards had just slipped out of the window. He wondered if he'd actually caught site of him accidentally or if it was the guard's way of letting him know who had prepared the food. Thinking about how well trained the ANBU was he figured it had to be the latter.

He called Sasuke in for breakfast and tucked into his eggs and ham omelet smothered in a mushroom and sautéed onion sauce. He was just enjoying his second bite when the somber aphotic man in a midnight blue robe flopped into his chair. Naruto watched Sasuke's expression as he took his first bite of omelet. He chuckled at the expression of surprise that quickly turned into a grin of satisfaction.

They ate in silence, rinsed their dishes and set them in the sink for washing, and receded into their respective rooms to get dressed. Naruto emerged first clad in his orange pants and a fishnet top under his flame emblazoned robe. Sasuke came out a few minutes later dressed in a form fitting black tank top, body hugging black jeans, and waist length black leather jacket. Naruto almost had a nose bleed he looked so damn good.

Sasuke surreptitiously studied the blonde from under his sheath of bangs. He noticed how masculine Naruto had become. He appreciated how the fishnet top showed off his physique without being too showy. He smirked at the ever present orange pants, inwardly he was glad Naruto hadn't changed.

They crossed to sit on a low couch and resumed their parrying of question and answer. Naruto allowed Sasuke to ask a few questions and answered honestly. He disclosed many of the missions he'd completed. He informed Sasuke, matter of factly, about his part in the deaths of the Akatsuki members ninja from Konoha had killed or incapacitated. Sasuke chuckled at Hidan's misfortune at Shikamaru's hands. He thought to himself how many times in the last two days he'd smiled, chuckled, and even once laughed.

Naruto had sure gotten under his skin.

Their morning was uneventful save for reminiscing about the past and revealing pieces of their lives they'd each missed as they'd been apart.

Eventually their comfortable rapport was broken by a knock at the door. Naruto sighed and rose to answer it. Sakura bowed her way in and began to explain the plan for Juugo. She didn't know Sasuke was there, and so was frightened when he came around the corner to listen in on the conversation. She punched him and sent him flying onto the couch a good twenty-five feet away. He landed with a loud "Oof!!" and glared at the inhumanely strong Kunoichi.

She glowered at him yet continued with her report. When she'd finished she bowed again and left. Naruto raised an eyebrow quizzically wondering why she'd left in such a hurry. Sasuke looked at Naruto and shook his head; the man could still be oblivious at times.

Sakura ran down the hall with a tear coursing down her cheek. She wasn't always in tune to everything, but that Sasuke was staying at Naruto's had reached her ears. She'd been only too happy to deliver the message from her Master in person. Now she was sorry she'd ever gone. Seeing him again standing like nothing had changed had brought a lot of repressed memories to the surface. What had done her in, though, was the strong vibes the men had been giving off. There was such a sexual tension in that room she had been able to physically feel it as the electricity had made the hair on her arms and back of her neck stand on end.

She smiled, she had Sai and she was happy. She hoped they would be happy together too, that is if they ever noticed the attraction. Naruto being his typical self would probably never notice, and Sasuke being so proud wouldn't want to admit it.

The day felt as if it had barely begun and yet it was already dinnertime. Sasuke wondered how Naruto was managing to shirk his duties and be allowed to sit comfortably at home parlaying with an old acquaintance. He surmised it must be Kakashi and Tsunade's doings.

He was taking the time they were spending getting a feel for the man who he barely knew anymore. He could feel a strong vibe of confidence coming off Naruto. He'd always been sure of himself, usually detrimentally so, but this was a more mature self assurance. Naruto spoke with an air of authority. Being Hokage was well suited to him, and he'd only held the post for two days! Sasuke marveled at the way fate worked.

Naruto stood and stretched, affording a nice view of his toned abdomen. He heard Sasuke make a noise and diverted his attention toward him. Seeing the hungry look on the sallow man's face, he sniggered and reported that it was time for dinner.

Instead of heading for the kitchen Naruto pulled his robe on and motioned for Sasuke to follow him out the door.

Sasuke blanched. He'd been so comfortable in Naruto's living quarters; he hadn't thought about what would happen when they were forced to abandon the solitude. He never thought Naruto would want to go out with him in tow. He rose with trepidation, and pulled his leather jacket over his shoulders.

He affixed his 'go to hell' glare over his features, and followed beside and behind Naruto who was oblivious to his agony. At first their walk was uneventful. It was a quiet chance to observe how the village had changed over the years. He noticed many buildings he'd known had been rebuilt and that shops and vendors were more available. It was only when he heard a dreamy sigh and giggle that he began to feel the first finger of trepidation.

He knew all to well the quagmire that could result from a group of fan girls. He felt a rush of relief pass over him when he heard the twittering of "look it's the Hokage, isn't he dreamy!" He grinned inwardly, however his face never lost its glare. Naruto paced around with an air of peace. He was definitely in his element, and completely oblivious to the girls puppy eyed faces.

They stopped in front of a nice restaurant. It was a familiar one, as it had always been Choji's favorite barbeque place. Naruto gestured for Sasuke to lead them in. They were immediately settled into one of the best tables, and had some of the choicest cuts of Kobe beef placed before them. They chatted amicably between themselves, and it was with a look of annoyance that Naruto pulled his eyes off Sasuke's face and took note of who was standing in front of their table.

He put on a smile and greeted Shikamaru with a stilted, "Yes, is there something I can do for you?"

Shikamaru pulled his hand out of his pocket and placed it behind his neck, gently massaging the muscles that had tensed as he'd spent the day bent over paperwork. "Well, it's troublesome, but Tsunade wants Sasuke to meet her at the ANBU headquarters," he said to Sasuke without directly looking at him. He turned his brown eyes onto Naruto, "She wants you there too," he concluded.

Naruto sighed and turned to smile at his dinner companion. "Well I was finished anyway, are you ready?" he asked politely. Sasuke nodded, and they both rose to follow Shikamaru in the direction of the ANBU building. He stopped short at the Hokage building, and waving stepped inside. The two men, such a contrast to behold, were concentrated on their destination. Neither spoke, they just walked in companionable silence.

Tsunade was waiting just inside the doors and led them down to the lowest level where the prison was kept. Sasuke gave a small shudder when he thought that he would still be cooped in the small cell if Naruto hadn't intervened. He felt another pang of guilt that he'd not once ask to visit Juugo. He had been negligent of his teammate. It was just that when he was around Naruto nothing else seemed to matter.

They entered Juugo's chamber, and the large man was instantly at the bars of his cell. "Sasuke!" he called out happily. The big man had been given clean clothing, and had bathed. He must have just finished his dinner as he had a nearly empty plate sitting on a small table that had been brought in for his use.

He stood there grinning, and Tsunade opened the door to his cell. He rushed over and hugged the pale man in a tight embrace. Sasuke looked at his gigantic friend. Friend? Yes that is what he is to me. He isn't just my teammate, he's my friend.

"How have you been Juugo? Have you been treated well?" he asked politely.

Juugo grinned wider and answered, "Yes, I've been treated well. How are you?" he questioned with a hint of concern in his voice. "I haven't heard from you, and no one told me what was going on," he glanced at Tsunade and quickly added, "but I never asked."

Sasuke was ashamed, "I'm sorry Juugo, I should have checked on you. I've been sequestered in Naruto's quarters being questioned," he admitted.

Juugo gave him another bone crunching hug and told him it didn't matter. "I'm going in for my ceremony tomorrow!" he exclaimed excitedly.

"I know," Sasuke said; another rare expression spread over his face as he grinned. "You're going to come through it just fine."

"Tsunade-sama's been telling me what I have to do. They're going to put me in a deep sleep while they work. It should help control the cursed blood from taking over," he spoke matter of factly. Then his voice changed, "Will you be there?" he asked softly.

Tsunade saw the pained expression on Sasuke's face, and for some reason she found herself covering for him. "No, Juugo, he won't be able to be in the room where we are working. He can wait outside if he likes, and we will allow him to visit afterward. The procedure will take a long time, we can make sure he's alerted to everything and tell him when we're finished if he can't be there at that time. "

Sasuke looked at her gratefully, another emotion long buried within his soul being dragged to the surface.

They made small talk for a few more minutes. Eventually Naruto admitted he needed to check in at the office, and Sasuke was still required to stay within his sight. They politely bowed and left a jovial Juugo who sat down on the edge of the mattress he slept on.

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Well as its hit 10 pages, I think I shall stop there. The next chapter is boku tamani, and it shall be more eventful, I promise. I know these last couple of chapters has probably dragged for anyone else reading this. I had to tell the story, and wanted to build the friction between our guys.  Soon, very soon, Muahahaha!! Sas-uke will find out what he's missed…I think…I won't know until I write it. LOL

-Kneise