To my Anonymous Reviewer Macy: Thank you very much for your review! Yeah, the review count is low... but I will not stop writing this story because of it. Even if I get one, two, or three reviews a chapter I'll keep going. Sure, I'd like a little more but at least some people do take the time to drop a review :].

To everyone else!: Thank you to everyone else who has reviewed & added this to their favs and their alerts :D. I have a Naruto collection that I will be releasing soon (maybe this week) that will consist of freestanding one shots and one shots for the Akatsuki Cosplay Cafe Universe if you've read that. It shall be named The Cosplay Conspiracy! So if you have any requests for a one shot or a plot, I'll be happy to write it! I'll write for a pairing of your choice in the ACC universe. And if you want a freestanding one, I'll write for the following pairings: SasuNaru, ItaixHidan, SasorixDeidara, GaaRu, etc. Those are just examples :]. And they've got to be Yaoi! Sorry, I'm too addicted to yaoi... ;) So send in those requests!

Now on to the warning and disclaimer!

Warning: Quite short again, but next chapter shall be longer I hope! SasuNaru, somewhat NaruSasu, goodness of the fluffy variety! That's all I have to say o.e

Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, I would be the happiest girl in the world. And pigs will finally be able to fly! And cats and dogs will actually rain out of the sky! (Ha! I rhymed 8D).

Chapter Thirteen: Together

"I don't really understand what happened. But Sasuke's my best friend, and I'll always be there for him. Because I... I... Um... Like him?" - Naruto Uzumaki, 16.

Awkward silence; something that always seems to follow a very intimate, or passionate, rant, conversation, or confession. For Sasuke and Naruto, the awkward silence followed them right after Naruto's welcome back hug, and all the way to little sanctuary build outside of Sasuke's castle where the two decided to go for a change of scenery and fresh air. The sanctuary was originally built for the royal family to enjoy together, or separately as a little getaway of sorts. Trees towered high into the sky, shielding the area off from anyone who didn't know exactly what to look for. Nightwood they were called, and they formed an arc around the sanctuary, though to access it you needed to take a secret tunnel located behind the closet in the royal family's rooms.

There was a small waterfall that seemed to start from thin air that fell into a small lake adorned with water lilies where a few Koi swam around. A stone pathway leaded you into the middle of the sanctuary were a humongous fountain stood proudly. From the middle, four different pathways that lead off to four different areas diverged depending on what your mood was and where you wanted to go. If you wanted peace and quiet, you took the path leading north. If you wanted a good view of the Empire, you went west. If you wanted a break from the Empire, and instead wanted to see nature at it's best, you went east. And if you simply just wanted to get away, you went south.

Sasuke was the one to lead them to the sanctuary, breaking every rule his parents had instilled on him and generations before to never reveal the location of their sacred place. The sanctuary was said to be guarded by spirits loyal to the Uchiha Family, and would immediately attack and kill anyone outside the family. Sasuke didn't believe in such a thing, and at the moment he wasn't in the best mental state to worry over it, so he had lead Naruto to the sanctuary anyways.

Besides, he had always wanted to show Naruto this place. It was too beautiful to keep only for Uchiha eyes to see. The raven lead the blonde over to rocky platform that was smoothed out at the top so people could sit on top of it. First Sasuke climbed up, then he helped Naruto up. The two sat together. Hands clasped. Their knees brushed together and their hips were touching. Naruto was more or less nervous. The scene before him was rather breathtaking, and he was wondering why Sasuke had taken him here of all places. But then he vaguely remembered Sasuke telling him a few years ago that he had a secret place he went to whenever he felt like being by himself, so Naruto figured this was the place.

Silence fell between the two. Naruto's mind was too clouded with different emotions trying to break through. Firstly he was happy Sasuke decided to stop being a hermit crab long enough to talk to him. That, and the fact that they were still holding hands, which made Naruto extremely happy for some reason. Then, he felt pissed off – extremely pissed off. Because not only was he left in the dark, but he was ignored for years and Sasuke still wasn't explaining. Alright, so he really didn't have the right to push, nor did Sasuke have to tell him anything, but did the title best friends mean nothing? Was it just some sticker Naruto had flaunted around for most of his childhood that you could easily rip off and tear to shreds? He really hoped not but seriously... Naruto treasured their friendship. He told Sasuke pretty much everything, so couldn't the raven do the same?

'Sometimes I feel like he's hiding things from me...' Naruto frowned slightly, turning his gaze to the raven that had refused to look at him ever since they sat on top of the rock. Sasuke's gaze was to the floor, watching the wind whistle through the grass. Naruto frowned deepened. He didn't like this Sasuke one bit. Where the hell was the sassy remarks? The scathing insults that always had a depth of humor hidden underneath? Where was that cocky but adorable smile Sasuke wore around like his favorite shirt? There was nothing of the old Sasuke he knew. Just some empty shell that was always sulking. His Sasuke never sulked like this. He was always moderately happy. Not like Naruto, who bounced around the walls everyday, but he smiled, he was somewhat cheerful to be around. He was never like this.

'Orochimaru must have fucked him up big time...' It was the only thing that made sense to the blonde. 'He goes with him for three years and he comes back like this...' he felt pure anger boil through his veins, so much that his normally bright blue eyes bled red for a few seconds until he forced himself to calm down. Orochimaru was the reason for their slight falling, Naruto was sure of it. Just as he was sure that Orochimaru was the sole cause for the way Sasuke was behaving. Like he was broken, or something.

Naruto gripped onto Sasuke's hand, causing the raven to look up at him. Blue and onyx clashed for a split second, before Sasuke returned his gaze to the ground, but this time Naruto stopped him. Cupping the raven's cheek, the blonde forced Sasuke to look at him. He could feel Sasuke trying to resist him, but Naruto was a persistent guy, and the raven finally gave in. When their eyes met again, Naruto found himself chewing on his cheek trying to hold back the pity that was flowing through him. Sasuke's eyes looked so... heartbreakingly dead.

"Sasuke..." the words flew out of his mouth like a whisper, and Naruto didn't miss how the raven flinched at how gently the words were spoken. Like he deserved to be yelled at rather than be treated so tenderly. "How long are you going to sulk like this?"

He noticed how Sasuke's breath hitched as his mouth opened, probably trying to form some sort of sentence or retort, but he snapped it shut and tried to turn his head again. Naruto frowned even deeper than before. 'Well, this is going to be harder than he thought.' but he wouldn't stop. That's for sure. He'd keep pushing and pushing, starting off gently until more force needed to be used. He wanted his Sasuke back. And watching this broken version of his best friend, of the boy he... had strange feelings for, was ripping at his heart strings.

Naruto laughed nervously, trying to lighten up the situation and Sasuke's mood. "What? No, 'Shut up, Dobe.' or 'You're such a dumbass?'?" he poked Sasuke's cheek, earning a lame grunt in return. Naruto pouted and poked him again. "Come on! Where's the insults? At least throw something to knock down my ego?"

Then, Sasuke looked up at him, and his expression was the last thing to crush Naruto's heart. Those onyx eyes held such misery and pain and confusion, as if wondering why Naruto would want such a thing. That was the last straw for Naruto, and he pulled Sasuke into a bone-crushing hug, holding the frail raven in his arms as tightly as he dared.

"Tell me everything." were the first words to escape his lips after the moments of silence passed.

Sasuke shook his head, wriggling to get out of the blonde's grip but boy, Naruto had one hell of a grip.

"C-Can't..." he whispered, desperately trying to run away.

Naruto pulled him back at arm's length, raising one hand so that it stroked the raven's cheeks. He inwardly sighed in relief when the raven leaned into his touch. He stroked his cheek some more, resting his head against the raven's and looking him dead in the eye. He forced as much emotion as he could into his eyes, hoping they would project the words he couldn't voice. Naruto felt Sasuke relax at his touch, at his soft words of encouragement, at how soft, reassuring, and overall comforting Naruto's eyes spoke to him.

They were torn apart once by Fate's cruel hand, but Naruto swore he wouldn't lose Sasuke again. Not like last time, never again. Not if he had any say in it, and he would – a whole mouthful. They would stay together this time, long enough for Sasuke to get better. Long enough for Naruto to understand the fluttering in his chest that happened every time Sasuke as much looked in his direction.

Finally, Sasuke opened his mouth and spoke the dreaded words he never wanted Naruto hear.

"I... I've killed..."

+Eclipse+

Naruto had listened intently to Sasuke's story as they sat across from each other so Sasuke wouldn't avert his gaze. Naruto wanted it that way, because he knew what Sasuke was going to say wasn't going to be some romantic fairytale and Naruto wanted Sasuke to be able to look him in the eye the whole time. No adverting his gaze, but full on eye contact. He knew it would be a lot to ask out of the raven in his state now but... he needed to push Sasuke if he was ever going to get anywhere.

The whole time Sasuke told his story, no matter how many cracks appeared in his words, no matter how many times Sasuke had to pause because the memories were too brutal to bare, and no matter how much Naruto could see that Sasuke wanted to stop, Naruto held onto his hands. He would squeeze them periodically, give them gentle strokes, and sometimes even kiss each and every knuckle till he felt the raven calm down. This worked from beginning to end, and when it was all over, Naruto was left to absorb everything and try very hard not to find Orochimaru and let Kyuubi go kamikaze on him.

'That bastard!' he spat inwardly. 'How could he do that to Sasuke? Sasuke? Of all people! That sick, twisted son of a bitch!' Naruto was so furious. He felt his claws sharpening and his canines growing, the Kyuubi trying to take over with the fuels of anger coursing through him. His grip on Sasuke's hands tightened, his claws digging deep into the raven's flesh until Sasuke yelped, bringing Naruto's focus back.

"Ah... Uh... S-Sorry..." Naruto grinned sheepishly. Sasuke glared at the blonde, then down at his hand, then towards the blonde's retracting claws with an eyebrow raised.

"That's new."

Naruto shrugged and brought Sasuke's hands up his lips, carefully licking the blood away. He didn't even notice how strange it must have looked to do that, especially to Sasuke. But Naruto had learned recently that if he had a small enough cut he could just lick it and the wound would disappear. He figured it was one of Kyuubi's powers, so he thought the same might apply if he licked Sasuke's wound. Well, his theory proved to be correct because Sasuke's cuts closed up instantly.

"Y-You... My hands... they were so... and you..." Sasuke shook his head frantically, trying to piece together his jumbled thoughts. The raven had told Naruto about how dirtied he thought his hands were, stained by blood, but with Naruto he holding them he thought, 'They must be clean.' but to have the blonde lick them? Well... that was a whole other issue.

"Sasuke, calm down!" Naruto gripped the raven by the shoulders and shook him. That seemed to get the raven to calm down because he slapped Naruto's hands away almost instinctively – a very Sasuke-like thing to do in Naruto's mind. The blonde grinned lazily and gripped onto Sasuke's hands once more. "Hey... you're acting like a bastard again."

Sasuke scoffed, but there was a small hint of a smirk dancing on his lips. "I never stopped."

Naruto chuckled, slowly shaking his head but glad to see some of Sasuke's spunk back. He sighed in relief and rested his head on the raven's shoulder. To his surprise, Sasuke wrapped his arms around the small of his back and just... held him. The two stayed like that for awhile, happy to finally be together again. Naruto silently realized that he never gave any feedback on Sasuke's story. Yes, it was very gruesome. And sure, his anger spoke louder than any words of comfort to give. But he figured that... the fact that he stayed when he could have just got up and walked away was enough to ease Sasuke's wounded spirit. And right now, he was enjoying being in the arms of his favorite raven.

"This place is beautiful." the blonde whispered.

Sasuke nodded, taking the time to inhale Naruto's scent, something that made Naruto giggle softly. 'Good thing I always smell good.'

"I'm so screwed bringing you here but I really don't care. As long as you're here with me... I feel... human again. Like I can face anything that comes my way."

Naruto nodded softly and hugged Sasuke back. "I feel the same way."

And just when the blonde thought everything was perfect, that everything was going to get better, Fate had to come around and show them who was boss.

There were two pairs of eyes watching them. One belonging to a force of pure evil. And the other belonging to a force that couldn't allow such a union between two forces. Now, one force knew of the other's forces presence, but Naruto and Sasuke were completely unaware of the two, very powerful, beings in their wake.

"What is your business here?" the voice was animalistic, resounding loudly in the other being's head.

"I could be asking you the same question, Guardian." this voice was more like a snake, and his eyes were a glimmering gold that stood out from the shadows.

"The balance is tipping." was the Guardian's reply. There was a snarl at the end of his words when he saw that the figure took one step closer. "You shall not interfere."

"I do not think you are in any position to tell me what I can and can not do, beast."

"I will rip out your liver and feast on it if you step over the boundary."

"Is that a threat or a promise?" when all he got was a snarl and more gruesome threats, the golden eyes decided it was time to step away and let the Guardian take control. The golden eyes lingered on the frame of his raven a little longer before slinking back into the darkness. He was a little irked to see his raven's in the arm of that Jinchuuriki, but his plan was already starting to formulate before him, and soon the raven would be back where he belonged.

By his side.

The Guardian watched as the evil force slithered away, and the growl didn't disappear until the beast was certain the force had disappeared for good. Once he felt more at ease, he turned his eyes back to the embracing princes. The scale was starting to tip towards the side of evil, and his mission was to find the source of the imbalance and stop it. His first thoughts were that the Jinchuuriki Prince had something to do with it but now... with the appearance of that unexpected force... the Guardian was staring to think differently.

His eyes fell on the prince's one more time before he turned on his heel and walked away. He would continue to watch them silently for a few more days and see if any of their actions tipped the scale. If they did, he would not hesitate to kill the Jinchuuriki Prince and restore balance.

Still unaware of anything but their significant other, the two princes did nothing but hold each other.

Naruto snuggled deeper into Sasuke's chest, and inhaled deeply before letting out a deep sigh of contentment. "I'm so glad we're together again, Sasuke. I have so much to tell you. So much to say... No one's ever going to tear us apart again..."

Sasuke nodded, eyes closed as he focused on no one else's aura but Naruto's. "I'm glad too. No one's taking me away from you again. Absolutely no one."

If only that were true...

Figured out who our little intruders are? ;) Hmm, and I wonder what union the Guardian doesn't wish to allow. Sasuke and Naruto's or someone else's? 8D.

If you review, I'll give you love and plushies 8D Also if you have a oneshot request, leave it in a review or PM me! I'll take anything on so lay it on me! XDD. That sounded sort of pervy... coughs- o.o

Anywho, till next time :].