Heads up, I kind of lamely summarized the actual events of the shippuden encounter as I remembered them, but oh well… I didn't really feel like watching it five hundred times to record the exact dialogue ^.^'. Anyway, I think I get the point across… If you do happen to be confused, though, just go check out the actual Naruto Shippuden anime or manga (neither of which I own) that you have in all likelihood seen/read already.
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FLASHBACK
He panted heavily, sprinting down the long corridor with all his strength. He was so close, so close at last. He could see his team standing motionless in the distance… After what seemed like an eternity he came to a halt. He realized they were all just standing staring at something. Something? Someone?! He was hoping he knew what…
Slowly, he turned his head, almost afraid to look. His mouth dropped open in a startled gasp as he saw Sasuke, his Sasuke. The friend he had been searching for ever since the fateful day when he had beaten him and left; the only true motivation he had ever had. But, no, he was much more than that to the frozen blonde ninja.
He surveyed Sasuke with wide eyes, hardly believing it was real. He had dreamt of seeing him again so many times, but never like this. In his dreams, Sasuke had been wounded; he had used all his strength to break away from Orochimaru, so he was hurt, and slightly delirious. He had sprinted across the countries without rest just to return to Naruto; just to ease Naruto's suffering. He had collapsed in his arms; completely weak and ridden with fatigue. The raven wouldn't resist when Naruto pulled him into the soft kiss and told him how much he loved him… How there and never been anyone else and how he had missed him terribly…
There was no trace of any of that now. Sasuke stood perfectly, hard and cold on the high ledge, staining the atmosphere with an unnatural cold that sent goose bumps up the blonde's spine.
"Sasuke…" Naruto breathed quietly. This is all wrong; he thought desperately, it was never supposed to happen like this… He knew it had to be a nightmare, or even a sick joke, but Sasuke's cold stare made it all too real. Naruto shuddered; the stare screamed of indifference with the smallest tint of hate.
Even in such a situation, Naruto couldn't help but appreciate the raven's incredible beauty. Though he had changed so much in the last two and a half years, the Kyuubi vessel looked on him with an innocent stare filled with awe. His skin was paler than before… It looked hard, like cold white alabaster; unscarred and pure. Sasuke's shirt was open just enough to reveal his more prominent muscles and broadened shoulders.
The blonde continued his survey of the raven, stopping at the purple rope tied about his waist. As soon as he saw that unwelcome addition, the fox's mouth closed and his face formed into a hard expression. The rope confirmed what he dreaded; Sasuke truly belonged to Orochimaru. The boy just wondered how far it had actually gone… Do I really want to know? He wondered; having a feeling he didn't.
Naruto was sure Sasuke would not wear such an item otherwise; it was meant simply to prove a point.
That simple violet rope symbolized possession of the most intimate kind. It taunted him, challenging him to do something, anything. But Naruto didn't want to fight; he didn't want to move. He just wanted to stare at his Sasuke forever and pretend nothing had changed.
And so he just stood there, staring dumbfounded at the beautiful raven; the raven that used to be his.
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Sasuke stood emotionless, just like his master had taught him. A dull voice in the back of his mind told him to greet Naruto; to hold him, to let the fox know that everything was okay; that he was still the Sasuke from team 7 in Konoha so long ago… That voice spoke almost every day screaming at him to return to all those he had left. Now Sasuke ignored it; just as he had done for the past two years.
The raven watched the blonde ninja as he struggled to turn his head. The expression on his face was so horrorstruck, yet lustful, that Sasuke could have laughed at such conflicting emotions… Yet he did not; he wasn't sure if he even could anymore.
The snake had taught him many things; most useful in one way or another. In return, Sasuke had done anything and everything for his new sensei. Orochimaru had taken full advantage of such generosity. After all, the snake had wanted the young Uchiha's body; there was just no specification of exactly what he wanted it for…
The result of all the sick abuse was becoming evident now, and Sasuke couldn't bring himself to express any amusement.
Still, he smirked internally as the boy before him struggled with all the emotions inside him as they mixed together to form blunt confusion. The raven may have felt bad, but most emotions involving sorrow were long dead.
The raven instead chuckled inwardly. Even though he didn't find it too humorous, an odd silky voice tainted with a hiss told him it was the thing to do. Sasuke knew he was meant to produce a high evil chuckle piercing the silence, but he found that he couldn't even if he wanted to. He had been indifferent far too long to start playing the insane villain now; he was a rogue ninja, not a fucking actor.
Sasuke's unfaltering gaze continued to pierce Naruto. The raven admitted to himself that the little fox had matured well, but he felt nothing as he looked at him. There was no lust, love, or even hate; if anything, there was plain annoyance. His only other feeling was disinterest, but he knew that would not go too far. The little fox would demand his undivided attention, just as he always had.
Sasuke half expected Naruto to shout and charge at him with the rasengan, but the blonde nin just stood there. Has he really learned self control? The raven wondered, surprised. Or is he just too shocked to move?
No, I can't be that "scary". He must have known I would change. It was a logical assumption, but he became all too aware that this was Naruto he was dealing with, and when had the dobe ever been logical?
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The Kyuubi vessel gave a shudder that only the power of the Sharingan could have detected. Lucky he isn't wearing it now… he thought humorlessly, knowing that somehow Sasuke had sensed it anyway. He couldn't help but feel an air of superiority emanating from the beautiful raven.
But then why shouldn't he feel superior? Naruto thought darkly; we're like a bunch of kids compared to him. It's incredible that we're even still alive… Maybe there is still something there?
He almost slapped himself for even daring to think such naively optimistic thoughts about the situation. Sasuke had clearly changed, and not at all for the better.
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The dull voice flared up in the back of his mind; it was shouting now. It told him to break the silence with a sigh of relief; to make up some lie in explanation for his cold expression moments before… Sasuke almost considered it.
There is too much left undone. He told himself for what seemed like the millionth time, and in all reality probably was. I don't want to involve them in any murderous act I may have to commit to get to Itachi…And I will find him. I've already come this far, and no one will persuade me otherwise…
'Not even your little fox?' the voice asked him, trying to instill doubt. Fuck off, he told the voice coolly, he means nothing now.
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The Kyuubi inside Naruto was starting to get impatient; he wanted something to happen. Even the demon could see that Sasuke was a more than worthy opponent; maybe even a challenge…
The boy didn't suspect anything as the anger began to build inside him, but Kyuubi was planning to spark quite a battle through the boy's temper… Along with the extraordinarily thick sexual tension, of course…
"Sakura, Naruto…" the raven finally acknowledged. But that's all it was; there was neither challenge nor emotion.
Another pause droned on as the two failed to respond to their names. The shock was plain as day on Sakura's face, while the anger slowly flared inside the blonde.
"If so… Then why… Why didn't you just kill me before Sasuke? Isn't that your way of breaking bonds?!" the fox shouted suddenly.
Naruto thought he saw a smirk flash across the Uchiha's face, but couldn't be sure; it was gone too quickly and the indifferent mask had inevitably returned.
"It isn't that I didn't break those bonds… I didn't want to satisfy him by gaining power his way." Sasuke paused, as if in thought, "I merely spared your life on a whim." The raven finally stated plainly, voice still devoid of emotion. In a split second, he was in front of Naruto, a pale hand placed on the fox's shoulder. "Isn't it your dream to become Hokage?" he asked.
"Can someone who can't even save his friends become Hokage? What do you think, Sasuke?" the boy asked solemnly. He would do anything to keep the low deadly tone of the raven's voice ringing in his ears; it was the sound of pure evolved perfection. The fox was sure he would attack him soon anyway, and he promptly decided that wanted nothing more than to die with something so lovely seeing him off to the next world. It really is a perfect way to go… he thought morbidly, I wonder if my blood would stain his perfect white skin…
Time seemed to move in slow motion as Sasuke drew his katana. Naruto watched light run along the sleek, unscarred blade.
What do people usually think of as they die? The fox wondered for the first time. I guess I should think of something at least… his mind wandered to possibly the happiest time of his life.
The light fell softly through the trees of Konoha forest, casting a dappled glow over the stream. A fox stood waist deep in the water shouting to his companion on the shore, a raven immersed in the shadows he loved so much, his skin glowing perfectly in contrast. "Come on teme! The water's great, and the sun is warm!" the blonde beckoned happily. Sasuke just stared, his face cringing slightly in disgust; he hated the sun. "Oh just come on, plllllleeeeeeaaaaassssssse?" Naruto said with a pout. The Uchiha finally conceded. Rolling his eyes slightly, he began to strip down. The Kyuubi vessel watched in awe as his lover waded slowly from his dark haven into the unforgiving sunlight. His skin sparkled beautifully as his raven locks shown a glossy midnight blue. In an instant, Sasuke was behind Naruto holding him close to his chest. The fox sighed contentedly, "I wish we could just stay here forever… Do think we can come back here a lot, Sasuke?" the blonde whispered closing his eyes and leaning into the raven's gentle touch. "Sure Naruto." He replied simply. The fox's breath slowed; he was exhausted. Realizing that they both needed sleep after the long mission they had just returned from, Sasuke swung his lover into his arms and easily carried him to the shore, laying him on the soft shaded grass. The raven lay down next to him and closed his eyes; he knew Naruto didn't deserve to be treated like this and then abandoned, but it simply had to be done. Of course, the fox had no idea that such thoughts had taken place. This was shown through his innocent words as he rolled over to snuggle into the pale flesh, "Love you teme." The blonde sighed, falling asleep again. The Uchiha froze; he hated lying so bluntly, "I love you too dobe…" he whispered, cursing Itachi yet again. It was because of him that the raven's heart was cold and dead.
Sasuke finished the story in his own mind. It had been a bittersweet time for him, but he knew Naruto's opinion of it. Damn that voice… he thought glumly; it kept telling him to stop his "act" of indifference and comfort the boy. I guess it's too bad that I really just don't care anymore… Well at least I'm not lying now…
Still, he hesitated. He no longer cared for the fox, of that he was certain… So why couldn't he just slip the katana through the boy's ribs and easily pierce his heart? It would be simple, quick. Just one fluid motion…
The millisecond of reconsideration cost him dearly. The newcomer interrupted the murder, forcing him to retreat gracefully.
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What?! Why did he hesitate? There must be something then, however small… Or not… he thought quickly as Sasuke lunged in for another perfectly executed attack. This time Yamato had to intervene to prevent a death blow.
As Sasuke retreated to the ledge once again, two figures appeared behind him. What the—Naruto's thoughts were interrupted as he recognized them as Kabuto and Orochimaru.
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The raven sighed imperceptibly he never lets me have fun anymore; damn snake… Lately Orochimaru had become more attached to his student that usual, but then he rarely let him do anything that would endanger him anyway. Then again, I guess he wouldn't have anyone to fuck if I suddenly got killed in battle… As if reading his mind, the snake sannin wrapped his arms tightly around the Uchiha and began stroking the ivory flesh of his stomach.
"Hmmm…" the snake sighed nipping his ear lightly, "Let's get out of here my Sasuke; these petty idiots aren't worth your time…" he said with a hiss just loud enough for the others to hear as he began to lightly lick the boy's neck and stroke a bit lower underneath the open shirt.
"Get off; I wish to finish them now." The raven replied quietly, "They will only cause trouble for us if I let them live."
Orochimaru hissed in anger and bit down, extending his fangs deep into the boy's muscle. "Don't you dare disobey, my pet."
Sasuke grimaced slightly as a large amount of paralyzing venom found its way into his bloodstream. By now he was almost immune to it, but it could still make him a bit drowsy… And though he could usually still fight, it was easier to pretend he experienced the effects in full force just in case he ever needed to escape. The Uchiha's eyelids fluttered slightly, "Fine."
"Good my Sasuke-kun; now we can go play…" the snake announced silkily with a wide grin as Naruto's face went from shock to anger, ultimately settling on a humorous look that was meant to be both. Sakura's mouth hung open in shock; she knew how Sasuke had become so cold…
Naruto continued to gaze up at Sasuke, using his eyes to silently beg him not to go. I don't care if he stays to kill me; I just don't want him to ever leave again. I could live with dying as long as he was the one who did it… And maybe in a fight I could even brush his skin with my fingertips one last time…
"Yes master, I must pay for my disobedience…" the raven replied stoically, effectively crushing all of Naruto's dreams at once as he leaned back into the snake's welcoming chest. "Good riddance, dobe." He spoke firmly as the three disappeared in a maelstrom of chakra.
I can't believe he really left… the fox immediately collapsed on the ground, trying desperately to hold back the tears of rejection. "Damnit Sasuke, I'll find you!!! I will save you in the end, and you'll be mine!!! I won't let you ever leave again…" he half whispered the last part as tears began to flow freely. I love you…
END FLASHBACK
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A/N
I know the chapter is kind of late... Sorry… Yeah there might be a few errors as well due to the fact that I didn't get a chance to proofread; I was feeling lazy. If you would kindly point out any that you find, it would be much appreciated (not that I'll necessarily go back and fix them).
So… Please review, as usual, and answer the poll on my profile if you have not already (your opinions will have a great impact on my future work; I shall check the results often, also). And, again, thank you so so SO much to those of you who keep on reading and reviewing!!! I don't know what I would do without such lovely feedback.
Any questions? Feel free to ask about any variety of subjects (not even necessarily pertaining to the story, either… XD lol).
And, finally, a pretty damn decently long chapter! How awesome, yeah? I thought so too *pats self on back*… But do let me know if you like it :)
In any case, there shan't be many (if any) more extended flashbacks like this (and I'm not really a fan of Naruto and Sasuke together… I just like to make them both suffer for any emotional or physical bond they may have had; it's much more entertaining than detailing their ridiculously happily horny and fluffy lives together after everything miraculously works out okay).
Much Love,
VioletIntoxication