IM ALIVE! MWAHAHAHAHA! But seriously I've been in hiatus for far too long. I'm sorry this chapter is late. I had no problems writing it, I just hate typing and therefore postponed the release date until I felt like sitting down and typing this. Alas I digress and will let you get on with the story, although most of you probably skipped ahead, I just wanted to say I was sorry.
Cake; it was wonderful. Especially when it was Naruto's daughters third birthday and it was even more wonderful because Sasuke was actually around to watch him enjoy it. Also the baked good served as a great distraction from the mentioning of the events of the last four years the raven was missing, not that Naruto wasn't excited to listen to Sasuke's side of the story. No, far from that. His own side he was the teensiest bit hesitant to share with his reappeared love. He was thinking that maybe Sasuke didn't want his high reputation stained by a child born by a boy. It was possible that the raven didn't even want to have children; not this young anyway.
So cheers to cake! May its ultimate sugary goodness always have this good of great timing.
He praised the cake while he finished lighting the three purple candles on Hajime's about to be devoured out of love baked good. She clapped enthusiastically for its ultimate sugary goodness as well, but for a completely different reason. The blonde boy chuckled at his daughters antics as did everyone around the table. He poked her cute button nose with his index finger softly, watching her cross her eyes to see and laughed. Also the raven was watching them from the corner of his eye, and all the family was keeping tabs on him. Naruto was secretly overjoyed that all the while Sasuke had his blackened eyes on him as well. That had to be a plus for that blonde. It had to mean something; it just had to.
Singing transpired, and some howling—on Ramen's part—and the muffled sound of noise makers making noise. Hajime puffed out her cheeks, more than ready to spit out her candles and dig in, but was stopped by two of her mother's fingers which popped her balloon cheeks. A bewildered look crossed her features before staring—steadily growing more confused—up at her mother.
"Make a wish baby," he justified his action. Hajime smiled and nodded fiercely her raven curls bouncing right along with her head. Biting her lip she began to then to turn the cogs in her brain, thinking very hard over what she was going to wish for because, according to her mom it would, by default, come true. Then she lit up like one of her birthday candles sending a toothy grin to the man in the back, and blowing out her birthday candles like a pro.
At the disappeared flame and melted wax she started clapping, and giggled, "Cake!" Even normally unsentimental Sasuke couldn't block the small smile that submerged onto his lips from the place he struggled to hide his emotions. That girl was just too cute; she took after her mother. Even if she meant that Naruto had been with, or even belonged to another man. He was able to shove the smile from his lips and back under the bed and they reverted back to their customary scowl. However, he couldn't bring himself to so much ass dislike the little girl. She was Naruto's. She was precious.
Picking up the knife Naruto cut thick slices of cake. When he was finished he passed them out with a wide smile. The whole family was blinded by its sheer brilliancy. It was perfectly clear how much the young boy—still a child in most of their eyes—loved the raven; more then he said he did even. And now that raven was back in the same fashion that he had left (without warning). Thus their son/grandson/ brother/mother was complete and just bubbled with positive energy. He glowed. So much so that he put the sun to shame. Iruka's heart lightened probably the most, not because of the smile on his lips, but instead the one in his eyes.
The blonde boy gathered up the last three pieces; absolutely oblivious to the stares he was receiving from everyone around the table, and a pair of curious black eyes. He placed one of the three pieces before his darling daughter who wasted no time devouring the baked sugar rush. The second piece he set out for himself and the last he brought nervously to his love in the back looking rather out of place; he somewhat reminded Naruto of a sore thumb.
"Um, h-hey," Naruto spoke through his bitten lip. His face was redder then a ripe tomato. Sasuke couldn't help but smirk down at him. "You want some cake?" He lifted the cake. "It's chocolate."
"No thank you, Naruto." Sasuke spoke like the gentleman he was raised to be. He was also partway in awe that little things like being able to speak his loves name with him being in close enough range to hear him would make him feel so glorified. So lucky. He was so lucky to have this angel standing there in front of him; and it all felt right.
"Oh yeah, you don't like sweets…that's right…" Naruto's expression conveyed that he was mentally beating himself for not remembering that one detail about the boy—now man—no matter how small. Especially because it was about this man, the one he had claimed to love. That was a part of Sasuke; that he didn't like sweets. And here he could be found swaying from foot to foot before the god of punctuality looking and feeling like an idiot. If the shoe fits, right? He thought bitterly, resisting the urge to hit something.
In case he further embarrassed himself, he turned to leave. The blood from the rest of his body was being sucked up to his cheeks. Naruto almost hated himself for being so easy to read; but that really wasn't why he hated himself.
However, he was able to even take a single step because a strong arm made its way around his waist and held him in place. His big blue eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets and roll around on the floor. "What are you doing?" Came his screechy voice as he halve heartedly struggled to escape.
"Hey," Sasuke said with a still tone calming the blonde instantly as he had done in a previous life. "Don't you dare beat yourself up. It's been four years almost." The raven swept blonde bangs from blue eyes and pressed his lips to the exposed patch of skin; he tasted just as he thought he would, only a hell of a lot better. He pulled away mostly because he noticed how hard the blonde was shaking in his boots. Besides that there was the death glare that Iruka was sending his way. The brunette clenched his spork so tightly it broke in two under the pressure, like he hoped Sasuke would, and bounced under the table. Sasuke wasn't intimidated. He would back off of his property if and only if Hajime's father showed up and Naruto ran into his arms instead of his.
Sasuke took the quivering cake from quivering hands and placed it on the tiny book shelf behind him, thus enabling him to pull Naruto close and box him in the circle of his arms. "I missed you," he breathed on a tan neck softly. He was pleased when Naruto practically melted into him.
"I missed you too," he whimpered, re-biting his lip and let his brain wonder about what time he was going to wake up alone, like usual. When this real live Sasuke would be cast to the pile of other raven haired illusions he had pealed from his dreams and pasted into reality. He hoped that he would never have to wake up alone again, this was the dream that he wanted to stay in forever as long as this Sasuke stayed in here with him. Maybe he had fallen asleep during the party and everyone, far too concerned with his heath, had decided not to wake him and had just carried him to bed.
That was the only thing that made sense because the raven couldn't really be here making all of his dreams come true. Still, he wanted to keep on producing little z's for a couple more hours. Dream or no, it felt nice to be in Sasuke's arms again. Hell, it felt nice to feel his presence again and be by his side once more. Naruto knew that it was where he belonged.
"You know that I didn't want…"
"Mommy!" Hajime squealed; that was two times now that she had ruined on particularly fluffy moment between them, and this time Sasuke really did scowl at her when Naruto pulled out of his arms to give his daughter his full attention. Sasuke had always envisioned competing with another man for Naruto's attention not some no-name brat. "Momma, Granny said that we could go and watch Finding Nemo, come on!" She tugged at his hand.
He giggled with her. "I'll be there in a minute. Start it without me, 'kay?" Naruto gave her a look and she gave him one to match.
She eventually gave in and pouted, "'kay." She couldn't defeat the master at puppy dog pouts.
"That's my good girl," he swooped in to kiss her on the cheek and tickle his little girl for a minute. Then he patted her on the butt and commanded her to, "Scoot," lovingly. She laughed again and led the swarm of Naruto's relatives, who had minds to stomp over and verbally abuse Sasuke ten times over for so much as touching Naruto after the hell that he put him through. They moved right along though when Naruto shooed them away with his hands.
The blonde turned around and walked back to Sasuke, his hands in his pockets and a new found blush pinching his cheeks. He stood about two feet from his love thinking that this distance would be a safe one. Naruto opened his mouth to spew something utterly useless about coming to watch Finding Nemo with him and his daughter. Sasuke's stomach erupted first with a loud growl sparing Naruto from the embarrassment. Timing of random little things was on his side today.
The blonde smiled and said instead, "Are you hungry?"
"A little," the raven admitted, "but it's nothing to worry about."
"Nonsense. We have plenty. You can have anything that you want," At Sasuke's expression he tacked at the end, "to eat…" The by the next flicker of emotion across the paler face. "As in food."
"But I only want you…." Naruto stood stunned at Sasuke's words. He gaped like a fish out of water and failed to notice the advancing raven, who took the opportunity to re-wrap his arms around his love and crush the smaller to his chest. "Would you be my next meal?" He whispered in the little spot right underneath the blonde's ear knowing that it was ticklish. After speaking he pressed his lips there knowing how much Naruto had liked it last time.
"No!" Naruto failed and was across the room, panting as if he had just run a marathon. And bracing the wall like that was the last thing he had left in this life. Blushing again his brain caught up with his actions, how he had left a confused Sasuke on the other side of the dining room. He allowed his body to relax on the wall. Slumping down to sit on his dairy air firmly before bringing up his knees and squeezing them 'till his knuckles turned white. Taking one raggedy breath after another; he was confused himself.
The blonde boy thought that this was what he had wanted, for Sasuke, the love of his whole existence, to want him back. That was still a part of it he decided, but it was only a small part because what if Sasuke only wanted him sexually? What if the raven's dreams didn't match up with Naruto's about the life that they could share if both parties were willing?
When he eventually let the raven tangle with him in his bed linens once more, would that be all the older wanted of him? Not a relationship and definitely not a daughter or a son.
"Naruto?" Sasuke whispered carefully having just snuck up on the blonde boy; to whom his whole heart belonged. Having caught his loves attention he took Naruto's chin lightly into his hand, forcing the face that had been hidden from him for too many years to look up at his eyes. This way he could see exactly what he had missed.
"Please, don't hide from me. It's been so long since I've been here to marvel in your beauty…" The boy's breath that had left him caught in his throat mouth hanging agape slightly; Sasuke was having a hard time not ravishing those full lips. It was apparently too soon after his appearance on the blonde's doorstep for the older to kiss the younger. He knew that he shouldn't. So he didn't. Especially when he thought about back to the previous few seconds where Naruto pushed him away; it was helpful though, now he knew which lines he couldn't cross.
Naruto blinked and bit his lip; Sasuke resigned himself from biting it for him. "Did you mean that?" He was so unsure. Pathetic.
A small groan escaped the raven's lips in frustration. "I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it, dobe." He sat directly next to Naruto so that they were touching. The blonde child was forced to cross his head to see Sasuke properly, his bottom lip still caught underneath his top teeth cutely. Sasuke leaned forward so that his lips could brush the shell of Naruto's ear when he spoke.
"You're so beautiful," he tapped his angel's chest. "Inside," the he placed his hand on the tanned cheek, running the pad of his thumb over his whiskers. Naruto unconsciously or not leaned into his touch, "And out." His loves eye lids fluttered as he held back tears. Hating now how Sasuke could melt him into a shivering puddle of tears in less than a few sweet nothings; he was turning the already feminine looking blonde boy into a full blown girl.
The boy shifted so that his head rested comfortably on his knees and wrapped his arms tightly around them again as if to cut off all of the circulation. This effectively got him out of Sasuke's hold casually; a pale hand slipped from the cheek and fell back to the raven's side. Causing Sasuke to sigh silently, he propped up one of his knees, throwing an arm over it coolly. He stayed still to watch the emotions in Naruto's face go to war as he contemplated something.
Naruto threw another worried glance Sasuke's way and a dark red patch on the ravens sleeve caught his eye. "Is that blood?" The blonde sat up, his eyes wider then saucers.
He didn't wait for the raven to answer before he crawled over the little space between them and rolled up the sleeve in question. Long pale fingers clasped around his small wrist physically stopping him from seeing what the raven had no intention of letting him see. "It's not a big deal dobe. They'll heal in due time, nothing to worry your pretty little head about." He said, but it was too late. Naruto was determined to roll up Sasuke's sleeve and be as worried as he pleased to be.
"Shut-up, teme," he shook off Sasuke's hand and continues where he had left off. The raven did not dispute him about how this whole thing was completely unnecessary. The older boy had no need to be taken care of, not like if he were some big blubbering girl. On the other hand, Naruto was the one who needed Sasuke's care, not that he was much of a girl either. He had made fun of Naruto when they were younger for having bi-gender features (mostly girls; his eyebrows and ears were about the only masculine parts about him.)
Naruto's gasp brought Sasuke back from his thoughts/memories. Blue eyes stared openly at the long, one inch deep cuts and burn marks on his arms alone. "What the fuck?" He said softly before beginning to examine them, checking for infection. His eyes then traveled upwards to Sasuke's chest. "Take off your shirt," He said keeping up a poker face, not a hint of humor in his voice.
"I'll take off mine if you take off yours." The older smirked.
The blonde's shirt was off in a matter of seconds, then he was tugging on Sasuke's in a mind set of making sure the love of his life was okay. He didn't realize the sexual connotations in his actions. The raven lifted up his arms so that Naruto could pry the unwanted material off of him. Sasuke had to resist the strong, almost crippling, urge to burst out laughing; for heaven's sake it was shocking how after one hour Naruto had cracked his shell and made emotions bubble up into his stony heart. His love and willingness to simply tolerate the blonde was phenomenal.
His eyes took the opportunity presented to scan Naruto's perfect body while he was so focused on checking every insignificant scratch on him.
…But…wait? What were those long jagged things on his stomach? Those weren't there last time he had seen Naruto without a shirt on; or any cloths at all for that matter. Curious Sasuke pushed Naruto at arm's length, ignoring the disgruntled noise he made. Sasuke traced one of the scars fondly and cast his love a look about them.
"They're stretch marks."
"Stretch marks?" The older questioned. "How did you get them?" He wondered aloud, his fingers till tracing the strange pattern on the tan stomach of his love, amazed at how they transfused so well with his Kyubbi mark which, at the time, wasn't present.
Naruto batted the pale hands away from his tummy, grabbed his discarded tee and put it back on. "I got them when I was carrying Hajime." Was the mumbled reply he gave Sasuke, ashamed that he had forgotten all about those damn marks on his stomach? And it showed, what with the way he fidgeted with the hem of his shirt and wouldn't meet those black eyes.
"Carrying? So you really are her mother?" Naruto nodded, half way relived that that was the question he asked. "And her father?" It was the hurt look in Sasuke's eyes flashing by for less than a second that struck worry back into Naruto and flushed all his relief down the toilet. However the blonde couldn't tell him the he was the father, not yet.
"How about I cut you a deal?"
"Should I be afraid?" Sasuke teased.
Naruto laughed, and it felt wonderful to have that be real and to actually be happy, completely happy, and not just the mildly pleased he showed he family. "No, silly. How about you tell me what you've been up to these last four years, tonight. And I'll tell you everything about my last four years tomorrow." He wagered, still feeling that twinge of guilt for not just coming out and telling him he was a dad now. Take it or leave it. But he was too afraid, and couldn't. "Sound good?"
"Not really," Sasuke muttered way under his breath. He desired to know about Naruto's past without him before he had to explain to the younger and his family why. Not that he didn't want to tell the blonde everything; he just didn't want to have to wait another day for the other half of the story.
"What's her name again?" He asked, the hormones in his body making him miss the sight of tan flesh that was sitting there so delightfully in front of him for his eyes feasting pleasure. However it was his body that had to be exposed because Naruto had resumed his inspection.
"Hajime," Naruto whispered, beaming with pride.
"Hm, that's a beautiful name. Suits her; she's a beautiful girl. From what I've seen you're a good mother." The smile that he gave him had to be the most joyous one that Sasuke had ever seen on Naruto's face. God, soon he was going to have to physically restrain himself from kissing the buh-jesus out of the boy.
"Thanks," he blushed madly, then quickly changed the subject. "I have some antibiotic in the bathroom. Come on." Naruto stood, dusting off the invisible dust then held out a hand to Sasuke. The raven took it, but he didn't use the blonde leverage to pull himself up. It was to just be in contact with his love, therefore he decided against dropping the warm hand, allowing himself to be dragged into the living room where his family was waiting for them, quite impatiently by now.
Naruto stopped directly in front of the T.V. right when Dora was about to tell Marlin to 'just keep swimming.' Hajime wide widened as the cuts and bruises on her father's body. As did everyone else's.
"Sakura, could you help me with him," he raised their hands and shook them for effect, "please?"
"Sure baby," The pink haired girl got up and took the tan hand Naruto had outstretched for her. Sasuke couldn't stop himself from becoming a green monster for a moment or two because he was partly jealous that Naruto gave her his hand at all. Even though he knew that the blonde had done the same for him. Still, he alone wanted the select privileged of showing signs of affection towards Naruto; he knew it was unreasonable. He knew.
They both dragged him to the bathroom and ordered him to sit on the toilet and to un-strap his sandals while they collected the antibiotics and gobs of cotton balls. He stiffened when Sakura touched him with peroxide filled balls of cotton, none the less he remained still though he longed to tell her to cut it out.
"Shit these are deep," she flipped short pink bangs out of her face to look at him, "What did you piss of enough to do this kind of damage?" The raven locked his jaw certainly never intending to tell her anything, although he was going to tell Naruto and the rest of the family later. He relaxed his mouth when the blonde let a hand linger on his shoulder curiously.
"My brother," his voice was like daggers that pierced Naruto's very soul. The raven went far away to a place where there was only Naruto. Sakura wasn't there. Sakura didn't even exist. However he was kind of being unfair, at least she had shed that silly obsession with him. "Seven days ago I fought him," he grinned somewhat evilly, "I won."
"How did you get here so fast, on foot? Without these wounds it's a ten day trip, yet you made it here in seven?"
"Four," he corrected.
"Why would you do that to your body?" Naruto fretted, kneeling at his loves side. "No wonder you were so hungry. To get here you would have to travel non-stop. Why would you even attempt something like that, especially when you're hurt?"
Black eyes Sakura's face and he decided letting Naruto know that he didn't want to just be the bastard who took his virginity, left him for dead and ruined his life was more important than showing her that he wasn't made of stone. "I wanted to get back to you as soon as possible. I never intended to be away for so long. All of my personal business was taken care of. I had no idea how long you were going to wait for me." He answered taking the beautiful face into his hands kissing his forehead lovingly, allowing his lips to wait there a bit longer than necessary; seeing as that was the most action he would be getting for awhile.
"I-I'll get you something to eat," Naruto stuttered quietly and sprinted out.
"Thank you," Sakura said swabbing away at his chest with those cotton balls. Her green eyes flickered from her work to his slightly tilted head. "I said thank you; for hurrying back to him. This is the happiest any of us have seen him in years. His smile wasn't even this bright when his children were born."
"Children?"
She put a finger to her lips as if shushing herself, a mischievous look in her eyes. "That's a secret. I'm sure Naruto will let you meet his son tomorrow when he tall you everything."
"You were listening to our conversation." He accused lightly, his mind reeling at the prospect of Naruto having a son.
She shrugged. "You guys were right in the living room , with your shirts off, talking loud enough to wake the dead. So it's not like I was eves dropping or anything. Merely overhearing. Besides he's my brother. I love him, and if you hurt him again so help me god," a low growl escaped from her.
"If I hurt him again, I'll go to you myself and beg for the worst punishment possible." He had a serious face, and the words themselves were so heartfelt that Sakura was moved. She had to stop cleaning his wounds to check if his mask truly did represent his statement. And it did.
She blinked at what emotion she found in those black eyes whispering, "You really love him, don't you?"
"Yes I do," he answered unblinking, "With all that I have to give him."
At that moment they both turned to a flustered Naruto who panted at the doorway with a tray of spaghetti and a tall glass of water; to Sasuke Naruto looked the most appetizing. "Sorry I took so long, the spaghetti was cold and I got lots of it 'cause I figured, after four days you know, you would be really, really hungry. And, so, yeah. Sorry." He babbled on continuously gulping for air, his heart was pounding so loud in his eyes at the sight of the slightly amused raven.
Sasuke reached for the tray politely taking it into his lap he said just as politely, "I do feel comfortable eating this while you guys are watching my mounds with peroxide."
Naruto's palm slapped his own forehead. "Duh! I'm sorry!" Sasuke caught the hand off of his ricocheting blonde's forehead and brought it to his lips. The blonde's cheeks lit up like a pine tree set on fire. Sakura was mildly entertained now that she knew that Sasuke was indeed going to try his damn hardest to care for her brother; at least, he had better.
All in all she was happy with his appearance. Although like the rest of the family she was eagerly awaiting Sasuke's side of the story, albeit it might have some nasty side effects, like reducing the hardened pink haired teen to tears as he had done to Naruto earlier this very day; the boy who hadn't been able to even so much as to produce tears for nearly two years now.
She shook her head at the love struck teens and worked away at Sasuke's cuts and things while his blackened eyes stared openly of the blondes beauty; studying every new and improved aspect of it. The cherry blossom was partly amazed with herself because how could she have missed this? How blind was she to close her eyes to the connection that looped around them as a pair? Two halves of a whole and all that. It was a great feat that she had deluded herself into thinking that she was the one meant to be on Sasuke's arm; that they had this sort of connection. How could she have just been that way?
Back then Sakura was clinging to a broken thread that tied only to the hope of being with Sasuke Uchiha one day. But this! Whoa! It was a tangible thing all around her like she could reach out and touch it. She imagined that their love would be like a frightened animal or caged bird, but it wasn't broken. No it was strong. So strong that it coerced through her veins so clear and pulsating and she wasn't even a part of them besides the adoptive family member status. Other than that she was a lowly outsider with her nose pressed up against the glass.
She allowed herself to for a moment to visualize what it would be like to fill Naruto's shoes; to receive that love from Sasuke. And, for a second, she was crestfallen, but that was okay they were meant to be.
Shaking it off she coughed lightly while throwing the used cotton balls in the trash. Despite her brokenness towards the boy she claimed to have extreme feelings for she felt awful for being the one to ruin a moment of theirs. Because, after all, they were so cute. So cute in fact that she wanted to awe at them.
When she had part of their attention she said, "Since they're all clean and not infected I can heal them real quick and we can back to Finding Nemo, mmkay?"
As if in a daze Naruto took a step backwards, ashamed that he had just gawked at Sasuke for so long and not noticing what he was doing. "You guys don't need me for this part, do you?" Sakura shook her head, seeing that he was eager to leave and regain his brain. "Good I'm going to go and watch Finding Nemo with the birthday girl. You guys have fun."
Sakura laughed. "Oh, you know we will."
Naruto winked back. "Just don't do anything I wouldn't." She laughed again as he shut the door behind him.
The cherry blossom gave no warning before putting her palms face down on Sasuke's shoulders; who was slightly startled at the action. But only in secret, then green eyes closed and she muttered a spell lowly as if she wasn't even making any noise at all because of which the raven's cuts slithered away. They melted into his skin like they never existed. Sakura opened her eyes and put her hands back at her sides where they belonged. He was Naruto's property after all; it was almost pitiful how her heart panged at the thought.
"Shall we?" Sasuke asked standing and walking to the door without an answer.
He came into the living room still with a bare chest, and the air possibly got thicker when Naruto patted the seats next to him for both his sister and his best friend to come and sit by him. They both came and planted their dairy airs where he had indicated without hesitation.
Sasuke wasn't really one for animated movies, but little Hajime was to amusing to pass up. The button had as much sprit as her mother, that was for sure. She would just around and act out every scene in the movie, and sometimes she would barrel straight at Naruto who would scoop her up, spin her around, and send her sprinting in the opposite direction. They all laughed at her shenanigans and it made the whole Sasuke situation disappear; watching her be happy and silly like she normally was. She made all the stress in their bodies melt away and disperse to the farthest corners of their minds.
Though all to soon it was nearing nine o' clock, the credits rolling past on the screen, and she crawled into her mother's lap then she was fast asleep dreaming of lolly pops and pony's and whatever else it was three year olds dreamt about. Naruto stroked her hair lovingly, humming a familiar tune, Sasuke without thinking joined in. It was his mothers; he recognized it immediately, but why did Naruto sing it to his daughter?
The raven stood and lifted the tiny girl up out of Naruto's lap; she instantly wrapped her arms around his neck. He chuckled without making a sound, patting the girls back with care. "She's heavy," he whispered to the blonde who was standing now too.
Naruto nodded then smiled at how Hajime took to her father then he led Sasuke to her purple room. He made head way and pulled back the covers on her little big girl bed. He stood back and watched as Sasuke carefully laid her down, kissed her cheek, and brought the covers to her chin tucking her gently in. It was almost like he had done this before; tucked someone into bed. His raven haired love stood away and Naruto bent over his daughter placing his lips on her brow and prayed that she would be safe without anyone there.
When he was done, and his mommy wards surrounded her and held her in a tight embrace, they tip-toed out although the blonde knew that Hajime was a very heavy sleeper. They could have jumped up and down on her bed and she would've slept like the baby that she was.
Sasuke closed the door behind them softly. Naruto reached over and opened it so that there was a crack of light shining through, like her mother Hajime feared being in total darkness.
"She's a happy kid. You really did do well raising her so far," Sasuke noted as they walked back to face the dreaded family intervention that was surely about to take place. It was hard not to picture a swinging light bulb in a dismally grey room.
"It was a group effort," he sighed. "I wouldn't have gotten very far without my family backing me up every step of the way."
"Hm," in all honesty Sasuke really was looking forward to the interrogation to come. The raven was glad that finally he could live up to his promise all those years ago to properly express his love when he came home. He could tell his blonde beauty how he felt about the night that they shared before he had left him. More importantly that he was against the idea of going at all; he had wanted to wake up with Naruto in his arms and if at all possible have several second rounds later that day. Most importantly explain why he had to go, even though it didn't sit right with him and had been eating at him for years and years. Also explain why leaving the boy was all for his sake. Just let him know that all Sasuke had ever done or would ever do was for him.
The two boys who were now very much in love reached the room in question after a period of very small, very slow steps in that direction. The family had gone so far as to resituate the room so that the two love seats were facing one another; one a two seater, and the other a four. Thankfully, there were no swinging light bulbs and the room was well lit.
Sasuke unabashed at the thought of being slung guilty accusations went to sit on the smaller couch. Naruto tottered close behind him scared out of his mind at the kinds of questions that they would ask; especially Kakashi.
The raven haired boy sat casually stretching his arm over Naruto's shoulders, but in a way that his arm stayed on the couch. He then smirked feeling somewhat good about the whole situation about to go down. He had more cards up his sleeve, so to speak, than they did. He didn't plan on giving them any reason to tear him away from his love. "What do you want to know?"
Iruka shrugged just as indifferent as the boy, almost man, who had appeared back through the thin air he disappeared into. "Everything," he deadpanned, before his own lover started firing off erotic questions of his own. "Tell us everything." Because that was all that they wanted to know. And no, it wasn't asking too much because he had been the sole breaker of Naruto's heart.
Sasuke nodded, he had expected as much and wondered where to begin. It would be far too sappy if he started on that dock when they were five. "I first met and fought Orochimaru during the second stage of the chuning exams." His voice was like thin ice, crackling with hatred at every step. "It was there that he gave me the curse mark, binding me to him. It was also then that I first saw Naruto taken over by the Kyubbi," Naruto stiffened at the mention of his other name. Sasuke noticed this and slid his arm down a little so that it looped around the blondes shoulders. "But that's another story. Orochimaru planned to come and collect me after he had finished some of his personal affairs; effectively killing off the third Hokage. I was determined to resist at first, but he promised me the strength to kill my brother, and when that didn't work he vowed that he would come back and murder everyone in the village. That way the only thing I had left was the future that he promised me. He then told me that it was a big decision and would give me two weeks to clearly think this over. The bastard was toying with me and I knew it; didn't matter much though, he would be waiting."
The raven exhaled, shifting a bit. "I tried thinking it through logically; and I came to one conclusion. He couldn't kill everyone in the village. We had the bigger army. Naruto had already fetched Tsunade. So…it just wasn't plausible. But then he had destroyed the third Hokage and I didn't want to be the only one out of a village of people left alive again.
"You," he spoke directly to Naruto, tuning out his family, "came to mind first, you know? Before I thought about the village or myself for that matter because of the emotions that I felt for you at the time." Staring deeply into cobalt blue eyes that captivated him so, "I had to at least tell you how I felt about you, even though what I really wanted to say was good bye. I couldn't bring myself to. You were a stubborn ass dobe. Insisting that we could take him, that's what you'd do. You would rationalize just like my brain had, but it wouldn't do either of us any good. I was bound to him. If his life force had suddenly gone out my life would have been threatened. You hadn't seen what he could do. There were these manipulative jitsus he had created just to have the element of surprise and eminent death. Moat if not all of them were vile and also involved a great deal of pain." Tsunade was bobbing her head up and down at his words. She, more than anyone, knew exactly what he was talking about.
"And when I did tell you, I had no previous intentions of it going that far, not that I'm not happy that it did, but you were so young; fresh into your teens and I took something so precious from you. You weren't ready. And in the long run it hurt us both more because through that act you became more attached to me, and I to you. I loved you so much I thought my heart would burst at that one shred that knew I had to leave you." Naruto was in tears at this point, his chest swelled with happiness; the raven loved him. He buried his nose in the crook of Sasuke next, thus the older boy proceeded taking the small boy into his lap. He took extra time to breathe him in. Naruto settled against him, wrapping his arms around his neck.
The family also relaxed more at least words, now they were just eager to hear more because they were sure that Sasuke loved Naruto, that even though everything bad that could've happened, happened, he had always loved him.
"I couldn't leave you, not after letting my teenage hormones take the reins like that, but I didn't have the fucking balls to actually wake you and to tell you goodbye. Beyond the fact that you would have never let me leave, I didn't want to see the look you would give me; sadness did not fit a face I only ever wanted to see reflect joy. So I did the only thing that I could. I scribbled down the best words that would come to mind and left a silly note behind for you to find. I know that it was cowardly of me. I know." Sasuke wasn't big on emotional confessions, his voice, even now, resembled stone. All the same Naruto was worth the baring of his soul, he deserved to know everything.
Naruto sat up, looking at him with strange eyes, tears still drowning his whiskered cheeks. "You left me a note?" He crossed his head and stared deeply at the raven; who did, in fact after all of this time love him!
"Yes, I did."
The blonde boy bit his lip, "Where did you leave it?" He looked confused, reflecting the emotion Sasuke felt.
"In the bedroom," he answered thus confirming that Sai had been lying to him for the past two years almost. Constantly reminding him that Sasuke didn't love him, Sasuke wasn't ever going to come back, all in the futile attempt of wooing the boy. The black haired man thought to prove this every time by bringing up the heartbreaking fact that Sasuke didn't even so much as leave him a note. But he had. And Sai had known all along and never told him.
The family didn't understand just as much as Sasuke didn't, why was this news so upsetting to the blonde child, they all thought he would be happy. Sasuke didn't push his luck though by asking what was wrong, and cupped his dobe's neck laying his head back down on his shoulder and began to shush him back into a semi-responsive state. The rest of the family got up and came over, they put their hands on him, to let him know that they cared even if they had no idea what words would comfort him. So instead they sent silent prayers of comforting thoughts his way while running their fingers up and down his back in a soothing manor.
"Please stop! Please! I just-I just want to hear the rest of the story! Please!" They agreed to Naruto's request but they didn't return to their love seat. They squeezed onto the other side of the couch and on the floor so that they could be close to him when he was feeling so distressed. Sasuke being mighty observant picked his love up and fitted them close to one side of the four seat cushion couch.
The rest of them followed suit; some of them still having to sit on the floor, but not as many so that was okay. There was still more story to tell.
Sasuke just picked up where he had left off and spoke as if he were only speaking to his love. "It was cold without you, dreary and bleak. More than anything I wanted to turn back and run to you, but he was waiting, and he knew what were; what's inside of you. I was sure that it was part of his plan to use me, your friend, to lure you away. So that you too could be a part of his plan to pillage and over throw the world; typical bad guy bullshit. However, he didn't even mention you…. Then and there he offered me a trade, the necessary skills to kill my brother in exchange for my body as a new skin when his withered away. At that point I knew I had no choice and agreed; not that I honored the trade later on.
"To traveled to his lair, and there I trained day in with weapons and other hardened criminals, day out with books so that I would never be caught off guard. This went on for three years and only for the last couple months did I train with Orochimaru directly. Within those last two months I was plotting my revenge, acting not as strong as I was so that I could blind him into thinking that he was in no danger. The old fool thought that wisdom came by time and not by experience.
"I couldn't strike at night because the snake was overly paranoid and stayed up until ridicules hours in the morning, training and over looking his plans and such. Plans that I already knew; plans that the crack pot old fool had told me of his own free will, underestimating my powers of observation just because I was so much younger than him. I had been doing my research, so that when I took his life it was not a form of suicide. I studied up on the effects of still being bound to someone by that black magic when they happen to pass away.
"After several weeks of finding nothing that could help me, I stumbled across a way to rid myself completely of that curse that was keeping me from my vendetta and in turn getting home to you," he ran his hand through the boys blonde hair who smiled at the action. Naruto's heart fluttered like a bird caged in his chest cavity at the very touch of hands that had planted the very seeds that made him love and despise his life. "It was a jitsu where I would need some of Orochimaru's hair and blood. Acquiring both would be rather simple when I spared with him the next morning. The next step was to draw the exact seal and say the incantation, it was kind of cliché if you ask me. But if it works it works, and if it didn't I would just have to keep looking."
Tsunade interrupted, "I created that back when I was fresh out of the academy. I was simple and could remove and light to medium curse placed on a person," she smirked, bringing out her alcohol now that Naruto was distracted and Hajime asleep. "I called it reverse-a-curse. It was a silly name, but it worked well enough. I'm surprised the old snake didn't use anything stronger. What book did you find it in?"
"No book actually it had never been published. I found it stuck between the pages of an old curse resisting manual on normal note book paper. I didn't know it was of your make, thank you." He nodded almost unemotionally.
"You're welcome Uchiha brat," and she downed another bottle.
"Anyway, I preformed the jitsu right after I acquired the necessary ingredients. Then I put an end to his life, and I must admit that it was pleasing to do so, especially when it was him that kept me from you for so, so long…" Sasuke let a tiny halve-smile covet his lips and showed it to his love, only to relies that Naruto had fallen asleep. It didn't matter much, he could probably guess the rest of the story anyway.
"After that," Sasuke shrugged, openly touching the blonde boys face and concealing a smile at his very light snoring. He was so beautiful, even more so then before, at least more so then he remembered. He already felt like there was so much that he didn't know because there was, there were almost fours that were blank in his mind, and their separate tales had to be condensed into a couple of hours. "After that I avenged my family, protected my love, and kept all my promises…" The end.
He then stood, Naruto in his arms—where he should've always remained. "Goodnight," he said to them, "Thank you."
Iruka was the first to stand and walk over to him sons past and soon-to-be-lover, he placed a hand on Sasuke's bicep lightly, and forced his lips to twitch into a tight smile. "Take care of him…promise that you'll take care of him. That's-Its all I want." Iruka was almost in tears, he mind running through the list of horrible things that could happen because of the ravens return. His hand dropped limply to his side only to be snatched up by his lover.
"I promise," he answered Iruka solemnly in such a way that he hoped showed he had always planned to do just that.
"Now that that's settled," Kakashi butted in, "How was the sex?" Iruka began swatting at his arm.
"That is none of your business," Kakashi pouted at this answer but moved along at the command of his lover so that the rest of the family could ask the raven relatively the same thing—exempting the 'How was the sex?' comment. They had all wanted to make sure that Sasuke wasn't just back for the sex, even though that was a silly thing to return to a person for after four years of battling his foes for him. Sasuke could get sex from anyone, considering his dashing good looks and substantial bank account. Sasuke could even get sex from himself if he felt like getting that familiar with his hand . There was only one Naruto, and even if the two never made love again here is where he would stay; by the blonde boy's side, until the day that he died.
And he attempted to convey that to them letting just a pinch of his sincerity seep through his voice, not like when he was telling his story and most of it had been monotone, except for the bits when he spoke directly to the blonde boy drooling on his shoulder.
Soon they were all gone, though, much to Sasuke relief.
"Hey," Tsunade said sucking on her last sake bottle as if it were her pacifier and she was two, "don't think your off the hook just yet, we still haven't discussed your," she smirked, "punishment."
"I'm going to put Naruto to bed first," there was not any room for discussion.
She waved her hand. "Do what'cha got to do," she lifted up her bottle, "I've got more than enough company." Sheesh that was true she had drunk enough to incapacitate an elephant; maybe a herd of elephants. Probably the amount she consumed within about halve a month, yeah it was that bad.
He nodded, not all that concerned, and took Naruto to bed after weaving through the entire house trying to find his room. He found an empty room that wasn't plastered in orange, so Sasuke figured that it much have been the guest room. That was probably where the family planned for his to sleep but that wasn't happening, unless Naruto banished him to that place. The room across the hall had the blonde bay written all over it, even if there weren't ramen cups littering the floor like they had been in his old apartment, and the silk comforter was a midnight blue.
Sasuke laid the boy on his bed. "There we go," he breathed when Naruto sunk into the mattress happily. He then traveled his fingers up and over Naruto's sleeping face. "I wish I could have been to watch you grow more beautiful with each passing day," he put his forehead to Naruto's and kissed his sleeping eyes. "I love you."
The raven stood away from him running a hand through his own hair; now, all that he had to figure out was how to undress his love without raping the poor boy. He went down to Naruto's feet thinking that this would be a safe place to start, and stripped off his socks and shoes; in actuality it wasn't all that productive, but it was a start. Sasuke took a step up to Naruto's belt, slightly undoing it. Then he released by his sudden rush f testosterone that maybe, for the time being discarding the shirt would be best. Grapping the end on the piece of cotton in one swift movement he looped it up and over Naruto's head, taking the extra care not to wake him.
Naruto fell back to the bed when the shirt was off, mumbling about nothing, and his blonde hair floated about his face like a halo; bonifide proof that he was an angel. The whisper his pants zipper was quieted by Sasuke's loud breathing. Damn his teenage hormones. Damn them to hell! He was angry with himself because by trying to make Naruto more comfortable while he slept the raven was getting awfully excited, more so then he really should have been. He could fucking help it though, what with Naruto looking all cute and innocent.
Thank fully, when he moved to slip down the skinny jeans the blonde made it easier and less sensual by kicking his lips and that the underwear didn't come too. The raven throw the outfit into the pile of cloths on the floor with the dirtiest appearance. Turning back to his love he simply watched as Naruto rolled onto his side then curled up into a small ball; he went back to his side and tucked him into the covers.
He felt and remembered the fabric in his hands. Naruto had kept this first and last memory of them, even if it was just one of lust. Sasuke brought it to his nose and breathed it in; God, it still faintly smelled of them. That night flooded his mind and senses and didn't help with his steadily growing problem.
Like old times he wrapped his love up in the blanket, then stopped and blinked when the blonde began to call his name like a mantra but as if he didn't know that the raven was there at all, more like he was trying to find him, like he was trying to reach him from some faraway place. He moved his index finger down the bridge of Naruto's nose, making the boy find what he was searching for and drift away into a deep peaceful sleep; one that his sleep-deprived body badly needed, and had tried to compensate for, for years.
Black eyes stared intently at the precious boy before him, "I'm here, sweetheart. I know I'm a bit late, but I'll always be here." His tone dropped to a whisper. "I'll never leave you again. Never. You hear me never Naruto Uzumaki." Never. Never. Never. Even is Naruto didn't want to belong to him, he would stick like epoxy to the younger boy. He seemed as equally in love with him as he was with the blonde child. Except he had a daughter; Sasuke was curious about her, especially about his possible competition, her father.
Tsunade happened to be waiting though, so they could discuss his punishment. H stood up to his full height walking backwards to the door; that way his eyes could linger on his love for as long as possible. The raven closed the door in the same fashion that Hajime had been closed, with a sliver of light peaking through.
Sasuke traced one of the wood grains in the door, reminding himself that he was right here. Right behind this door, and the blonde wasn't going anywhere; that was for sure. Keeping that in mind he turned on his heal and continued to the living room where his punishment awaited him; a thousand years of death or something was what he was probably looking at, but he hoped she'd show him mercy.
However, he was slightly disappointed. There was no medieval torture equipment, which meant that Tsunade more than likely had a much worst form of punishment for him like confining him to his old apartment so that he wasn't able to be with Naruto every single second of every day. Not that he would be a good boy and do as he was told or anything. Sasuke had priorities and they had been forced when he laid eyes on the blonde. Not even the Hokage could keep him from this house, and it wasn't all to reassuring that she was a million times drunker than usual.
The raven sunk into the couch like he owned the place (which oddly enough she did.)
"I had to go to the bathroom and found that," she pointed to the food that Naruto had fixed for him and that he had forgotten in the restroom. "It's a little cold but…I figured that it was for you." She sat up on one of her elbows, her old joints groaning and popping the whole way. He just ignored her completely and picked up the tray of food that his love had made for him beginning to, like a gentleman. Chow down, all the while staring intently at the woman about to decide his fate.
"I have come to the conclusion that you are to be placed under…Naruto arrest." Sasuke was suddenly very thankful that she was hammered beyond belief or she would have never proposed this. "He had complete and total say on what to do with you. However, there are two conditions. One there had to be an elected official that reports to me if you take any sort of advantage of my grandson; his name is Sai. He'll be coming by tomorrow probably. Second, is that you must prove you love Naruto like your previous claim and also to love little Hajime no matter whose baby she is." Sasuke nodded, astonished by the much too reasonable conditions.
"That's it?" he asked sternly, swallowing some of the cold noodles with stale water.
"That's it." Tsunade said matter-o-factly, getting up and gathering her sake bottles before making her way, quite clumsily, to the front door. She stopped abruptly in the doorframe as if she was forgetting something and turned back to face him. "I know…you've heard this millions of times already…but take care of him. If you don't I'll kick your ass, that's a promise." Sasuke looked sincere when nodding, thus satisfied she went home.
When she was gone and his fate decided, he finished his food as quickly as humanly possible, still not feeling full but it was good to have some gas out in the tank. After he was done he went next door to the kitchen and put his plate in the sink that was already piled high with leftover dishes from the party.
Vowing to do those dishes, Sasuke returned to his loves bedside. Kneeling at the edge on the mattress he crossed his arms under his head, and cast a loving gaze on his dobe's magnificently beautiful sleeping face. Watching him inhale and exhale peacefully, a soft warm place in his heart caught on fire at the angelic sight laid out before him, and him only. Maybe he was just exercising one of his daily daydreams; although this imaginary Naruto put all the ones before him to shame. It felt real, which meant that Naruto was right here for the taking. At least there didn't seem to be any special other in the blonde's life besides his family; Naruto hadn't mentioned there being anyone else.
Pushing himself up to his elbows he hovered over the blonde for whom his ice heart melted and bucked against his ribcage.
"What's wrong, Sas-Sasu…teme?" Sasuke gazing down at the droopy blue eyes staring back up at him. Then his worried/sleepy face was lost in a yawn as he reached up to rub the sleep from his eyes. The raven smiled at him remembering a similar conversation.
He lifted the hand that was closest and brushed some of the hair out of Naruto's eyes. "Are you going to make this a habit, talking in your sleep?" he teased kissing the hand he took, fully enjoying the very bright blush that spread across his dobe's cheeks, what made it even more amusing was that only Naruto's face recognized his embarrassment.
"I-I'm not sleeping! I'm a-wake!" He protested slurring his words. Eyes fluttering closed then snapping open he yelled, "See!"
Sasuke frowned as if he were thinking, "I'm not convinced." Naruto hit him weakly on the arm with his free hand; a drowsy episode of anger. The raven let loose an itty bitty chuckle, it wasn't loud enough or long enough to be considered a laugh. All the same the blonde's lips tugged at the corners to reveal a sluggish baring of his pearly whites.
The teme stood, gathering the covers and tucking them to the tan chin, the same thing he had done almost a shocking four years ago, he pressed his lips to his forehead like he had done some many times earlier today. "Get some sleep."
Eyelids drooped at the command, lips smiled up at him though. "You too. You-you get some sleep too. If…uh, if I wake up in teh mornin' and you're not in teh bed across the…over there…I'll chop off stuffs." Sasuke just stroked his hair affectionately.
"I'm sure."
"Seriously…Sasu I'm not gonna go to sleep until you leave teh room," he had that determined look on his face and in his blue eyes again, even though he was tumbling down the hill to beddy-bye land rapidly. He did need his rest, but so did the raven considering he hadn't so much as closed his eyes for any other reason than to blink in four to seven days.
Therefore Sasuke gave in; he kissed his whiskered cheek right on the corner of his mouth and said, "I love you." He walked briskly to the guest room across the hall. He stopped, turned back and stared as Naruto breathed peacefully in a deep sleep once more. He grabbed the handle, but he paused without twisting it. A Hajime shaped silhouette popped up in his mind, he wondered so fiercely about her that unconsciously his feet moved towards her bed room door, and soon he found himself there.
Pushing it open, he tip-toed into her small purple bed; the young girl was almost as obsessed with purple as her mother was with orange. He knelt at the edge of her bed now and watched her sleep much more neutrally then the blonde boy; she swam in a calm sea of dreams not a thrashing current of nightmares.
Sasuke soon realized his cheek was on the plumb comforter and then blackness swallowed him.
--
This feels so lame to me.
Review anyway! XP!