Disclaimer: The characters and the concept of Naruto do not belong to me! I'm merely using them for a little while.

Warnings: Slight swearing, angst, shounen ai.

Part Eight: Cocoons and Connections

Lay me in the soft green grass

Down where the river runs

Under the mountain caps

Gold with the setting sun

Walk me along the bay

Beyond the verdant trees

Carry me with your grace

Forever comfort me.

Raidou was just finishing putting away some tack when Naruto found him. He wasn't quite sure where to start, so he just stood there awkwardly for a few moments before Raidou spotted him.

"Hey. What's up, Naru-chan?" he asked kindly with a smile.

Feeling slightly reassured, Naruto smiled back tentatively.

"Um…I don't think I'll be able to come tonight. I know it's your birthday, and I'm really sorry, but…"

"That's fine Naruto," Raidou cut him off calmly. "Not one for crowds really are you?"

"No. Not really. I just don't feel too well right now, so…"

"It's okay Naruto. You don't need to make excuses. Don't let it bother you anymore, I really don't mind."

"Thanks Raidou," Naruto sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair with a sheepish smile.

"Are you going to be okay here by yourself?"

"I'll be fine." Naruto said, before hugging him suddenly. Raidou chuckled and returned the hug, scuffing his hair affectionately.

"Happy birthday, Raidou," he murmured into the man's shirt.

"Thanks, Naruto. Now take it easy tonight, okay?" Raidou told him as they stepped back. "Genma's been worried about you. Talk to him about whatever this thing is okay? Promise me."

"I promise I will, Raidou."

"Good. Now go shower before Kiba uses up all the hot water"

Naruto smiled once more at the man and went to do as he said.

Dressed warmly in a pair of old track pants and a warm knitted sweater, Naruto waved the group off from the shelter of the stables and watched them walk, talking and laughing towards the brightly beckoning lights of the house. They were all huddled under umbrellas to keep off the cold rain, which was still pouring down.

Naruto turned his gaze over the rain soaked fields and tress for a minute, just admiring the beauty and the pure green. The rain was casting a mist over the fields, making it a serene and subdued landscape.

The only thing he could hear was the sound of the rain on the rooves and the muffled noises the horses made as they settled down for the night.

Naruto turned and began to meander through the aisles of the stables, checking that each horse was comfortable and warm, for the night would be a cold one. He rubbed inquisitive noses and spoke quietly to the ones who came to greet him, and left the ones who didn't alone, not wanting to disturb their rest.

He paused for a moment outside Taira's stall, just admiring the huge dark horse. Taira was a wonderful example of equine beauty, and he wondered what it would be like to ride such a spirited and wildly fierce horse. For a moment, he envisioned himself on Taira's back, galloping as fast as lightning, flying over the ground and soaring over jumps. It would be a dream for Naruto. It had been awhile since he had ridden such a magnificent horse.

Shaking his head, Naruto moved on wistfully, wandering slowly as his thoughts drifted.

Outside, it began to rain more heavily, and thunder rumbled in the distance.

As he passed an empty stall, he stopped and frowned, biting his lip worriedly.

Dark was approaching quickly and Sasuke had not yet returned. He'd be soaked and freezing. Common sense would have told him to have returned sooner. Unless something had happened to him, and he'd had some sort of accident. Naruto turned to go to the store room to use the phone when the drumming of hoof beats reached his ears.

Naruto made his was to the stable yard at a run. A wild eyed and soaked chestnut slid to a halt on the slippery stones of the courtyard. She was splattered with mud, and the reins were trailing, broken on the ground. It was a miracle she hadn't stepped on them and fallen.

But even worse was the fact that she was riderless.

Naruto forced himself to calm down as he slowly began to approach the panicked mare. She backed away from him with her eyes rolling. He murmured quietly, soothing her until she stood still enough for him to snatch the reins. The rain was frigid, making him shiver as it began to soak through his clothes.

He got the mare under cover, and led her towards her stall. Her coat was steaming, the heat of her body mingling with the cold rein. If he didn't get her dry soon, she'd get sick and he'd never forgive himself for that.

Naruto quickly tied her up, stripped her of her wet tack and used dry towels to rub the water from her body. He threw several warm stable rugs over her and quickly buckled them up before he locked her in her stable.

He stood still for a moment, furiously thinking about his next course of action. He should call for help and begin to organize search parties to find Sasuke. But no one was available.

So he'd have to find Sasuke himself.

Ignoring his fear and knowing what he had to do, he quickly grabbed a set of dry tack and saddled a large bay horse by the name of Hoshi as quickly as he could. The gelding was quiet and patient and he did not spook easily, which was a great help in such a situation.

In five minutes he was wearing a waterproof jacket and he was mounted, urging a slightly reluctant Hoshi out into the rain. Riding in track pants and sneakers was never very comfortable, but he ignored his own discomfort and began to look for the direction the mare had come from.

Seeing flattened and disturbed soil, he urged Hoshi into a fast trot, flying down the road as he followed the mare's tracks. Luckily the grass was soaked and the mare's hooves had thrown up clumps of dirt, making it easier to see where they led.

He reached a small trail leading into the woods, and he turned Hoshi, still following the fading hoof prints in the mud trail. Naruto resigned himself to getting muddy- it wasn't really important anyway, not when someone's life was on the line. The tall, leafy trees were sheltering them from the worst of the rain, and Naruto was glad, because he was already freezing, and his pants and shoes were soaked through. He was shivering slightly, and his fingers were numb and cramped as he clutched the slippery leather reins.

They rode for a good half hour before arriving at a small clearing. Panic set in when he saw a still figure lying on the other side of the clearing. He nudged Hoshi into s loping canter and leapt of Hoshi as they reach Sasuke.

Naruto crouched next to the unconscious form of Sasuke. Dark pale hair was flattened to his deathly pale skin. There was a small lump on his forehead where he had obviously hit his head, but other than that, there were no other physical signs of injury.

Frantically, he searched for a pulse and found one, but was not comforted by how cold Sasuke's skin was.

"Sasuke," he called, shaking him ever so gently. "Sasuke-sama, you have to wake up."

He was answered by a groan, and fluttering eyelids. Naruto relaxed slightly, glad to have gotten some sort of response, no matter how small.

"C'mon Sasuke-sama. Can you hear me?"

"I can hear you." Sasuke's voice was hoarse and barely above a whisper. Dull eyes opened partway, and a groan escaped from him.

"Do you hurt anywhere? Does you back or neck hurt?"

"No."

"I'm going to sit you up then. Ready?"

Naruto slid his arms under Sasuke's back and neck, carefully, and slowly bought him into an upright position, cradling him against his chest.

"Is your back still okay?" he asked worriedly.

"It's not broken if that's what you mean." Sasuke managed. His eyes drifted closed, and Naruto called his name again to no avail; he was unconscious once more.

Cursing, Naruto managed to pull of his waterproof and manoeuvred it onto Sauske to keep him warm.

Next came the difficult part- getting Sasuke onto Hoshi. He looked up at the large horse standing over them patiently.

Sasuke was taller and heavier than he was, and although years of working outdoors with horses had left him strong and fit, he doubted he could lift an unconscious body up so high by himself.

He checked for broken bones and when he found none, he gingerly pulled Sasuke's arm over his shoulders and found his feet, staggering slightly as he half dragged, half carried Sasuke over to Hoshi. The horse eyed them with interest, but made no attempt to move away.

"God damn it," Naruto whispered, desperately.

Still holding Sasuke firmly, he draped Sasuke's arms over Hoshi's back and held him in place while he rested a moment.

Then he began to shift him, his muscles straining with the effort so he was lying over the saddled, limply. After much work, he managed to shift him so he had a leg over each side, and his torso was lying along Hoshi's neck.

Panting now, Naruto leant against Hoshi's warm side before he mounted behind Sasuke, taking care not to dislodge him from his position.

Tentatively, he lifted Sasuke's body into an upright position and rested his back against Naruto's chest.

He shivered at the contact and tried not to think about the fact that it was Sasuke, a Uchiha who was resting against him. A beautiful and mysterious Uchiha that he was holding against himself. He released a shaky breath and wrapped an arm around Sasuke's waist to hold him steady before he gathered the reins.

Slowly, he turned Hoshi around and began the slow and difficult journey back the way he had come. It was difficult steering around Sasuke's larger body, but he managed it.

Naruto tucked the comforted tighter around Sasuke, and placed a hand on his forehead. Relieved that he was finally starting to warm up, he left quietly and shut the door to the lounge quietly behind himself.

He needed another shower. The rain had soaked him through, and the wet clothing had chaffed the softened skin on his inner thighs where they had been in contact with the saddle.

Once the bathroom door was locked behind him, Naruto stripped off his sodden clothes and left them in a heap. The water was scalding when he stepped into the shower, almost unbearable, but he endured it as his body began to warm up once more.

Sasuke was the only thing on his mind as he washed himself slowly. When they'd finally reached the stables, he had dragged the still unconscious Sasuke into the lounge room and sat him on a kitchen chair. He'd been unsure what to do, but after a short debate, it was obvious what he had to do. So he'd quickly stripped the wet clothes off him until he was in nothing but his underwear; he was blushing hotly all the while. After that, he'd dried him off, and settled him on the couch, checking him for any injuries before he covered him with warm blankets. The worst he had suffered was some nasty looking bruises and a bump on the head, but apart from that there was nothing else. He had left then to look after Hoshi.

Naruto tilted his head back and let the water run down over his face and neck. He remembered exactly what it had felt like to see Sasuke practically naked, his defined and muscled chest gleaning with moisture, his broad shoulders and long legs, his wet, inky black hair shining with rain. There was a faint trail of blank hair starting at his belly button which disappeared under the waist band of his black briefs. Naruto hadn't been able to look at that particular area, for he was already blushing enough by then.

Naruto swallowed thickly as he remembered letting out Sasuke's hair to dry it, and watching as the thick wet locks fell free around that beautiful face- those perfectly shaped eyebrows, those long, long black lashed as they rested gently on perfect alabaster cheek bones.

He'd had to resist breathing in Sasuke's unique scent as he'd worked to dry him off, and from touching that perfect, flawless skin.

Now he was breathing harshly, and desire flooded through Naruto's veins as he thought about him. His member was painfully hard and begging for release of any sort. So he hesitantly wrapped his hand around himself and began to stroke slowly, as he imagined how it would feel to have those graceful and strong hands on his body, and those lush lips roaming over his neck and shoulders.

And those hands would slip lower, gripping his hips as Sasuke's tongue toyed with his nipples, licking and biting and sucking, making him cry out breathlessly…

His movements became faster, and he bit his lip to keep from moaning. Pre-cum had dribbled over his knuckles and he knew he was close….so close…the tension was building to almost unbearable levels within him as his body screamed for release.

And then those hands would touch him there, stroking and worshipping, bringing him to the bring over and over until he finally exploded with a scream…..

He couldn't stop the hoarse cry that burst from his lips as he came. White cum sprayed from him as he shuddered with his release. His breathing was ragged and he leaned against the wall with trembling limbs as he spiralled down from his orgasm.

Naruto was aching for Sasuke, desperate for his touch and desperate to hear any words that emerged from those perfect lips. And finally, it all fell into place. This feeling was more than a stupid crush. In fact, the depth and the intensity of the feeling scared him so much that he couldn't bring himself to put a name to it.

They came from different worlds, had completely different back grounds, and they lead two drastically different lifestyles. Sasuke was rich, handsome, intelligent and mysterious, and the world was his oyster. He was an orphan, who was constantly suffering from severe bouts of self-doubt and depression, who worked hard just to live and keep himself going, and he could see no future for himself beyond the next few days.

His feelings would amount to nothing. They would bring him nothing but misery, but he couldn't lock them away and pretend they didn't exist. It wasn't as if he had some sort of switch that could just make them disappear.

Feeling a whole new type of depression settle on him, he cleaned himself off quickly and turned off the taps, the euphoria of his fantasy fading away rapidly.

Once he'd dressed in a pair of warm house pants and another warm sweater, he steeled himself and went to check on Sasuke.

He closed the door quietly behind him and was surprised by sudden movement from the couch. He stilled for a moment when he met Sasuke's eyes but he forced himself to relax and move closer to see that Sasuke was frowning.

"Naruto? Where am I?" that deep voice was roughened and gravely, and it made him shiver slightly with renewed desire. He seated himself on the low coffee table facing Sasuke.

"You're in the living quarters of the stables. I found you in the clearing." Naruto told him quietly, watching as Sasuke frown up at the ceiling, clearly trying to remember.

"I remember riding back towards the stables, but then….nothing."

Naruto fiddled with his sleeve and looked down at his hands awkwardly. "It's natural after having a fall. I wasn't sure what to do so I bought you back here."

"You did the right thing." Sasuke said shortly after a moment.

There was an awkward silence, and Naruto shifted, earning an irritated glance from Sasuke.

"Do you need me to call you a doctor?"

Sasuke moved and sat up, propping himself on his elbows.

"No. Nothing is broken. I'm only bruised and sore."

Naruto flushed hotly as the blanket slipped off Sasuke's shoulders and revealed the smooth expanse of his creamy chest. He was all too aware that Sasuke was watching him as he looked away quickly. Instead, he looked at that faded rug beneath his feet.

"I put your clothes in the dryer. I'll get them and call someone to come and pick you up," Naruto said as he started to stand. A hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. Naruto froze and stiffened.

"No!" Sasuke said sharply. "No. That won't be necessary. If you don't mind, I'd rather stay here tonight and leave in the morning."

Naruto was shaking slightly as he sat back down, and he breathed deeply as he recovered from his shock. Confused now, he thought about the odd request for a moment but decided not to ask questions. It wasn't his place to, and besides he didn't really think Sasuke would answer them anyway.

"You can't stay out here, it's too cold. You can use my room. If you want to, that is," he offered tentatively.

His eyes widened when a small smile graced Sasuke's lips.

"That would be fine. I'd appreciate it if no one else knew I was here."

Naruto slid his hands under his legs to hide their shaking. He was somewhat in a state of shock at the moment. Although it had been small and brief, that smile had transformed his face momentarily into breathtaking perfection.

"T-they're all out tonight, and they won't be back until late," he explained, feeling slightly light headed.

"Good."

There was another awkward pause, during which Naruto looked at his sock covered feet.

"Do you have any clothes I could borrow?" Sasuke asked after awhile.

The hint of a smile was hovering on his lips, and Naruto fairly quivered at the look of amusement on Sasuke face; something about that look animated his whole face, and made his dark eyes dance. It transformed Sasuke into a completely different person.

His voice was lacking its usual coolness, and he sounded…softer, somehow.

"Ummm…would you like a shower?" Naruto asked, trying desperately not to blush as he remembered what he'd been doing in there a short while ago.

"Yeah. And maybe some food too?" Sasuke suggested, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly now.

Naruto hated the thought that Sasuke might have been laughing at him, but he was determined not to let it affect him. So he nodded, and stood up, heading towards the door and knowing that Sasuke was behind him.

He led the practically naked Sasuke out of the room and down the hall.

"This door is my room. And that's the bathroom there," he explained. "If you'll wait a minute, I'll get you some clothes. I don't know if I have anything that will fit you…."

"Anything will do," Sasuke said, almost kindly. He entered the bathroom, and

Naruto ducked into his room and went to his closet, rummaging around through the draws and the hangers.

Eventually he dug up a pair of old house pants several sizes too big for him. They had been his fathers, he realized, staring at them for a moment.

He grabbed a loose black shirt on his way out and found Sasuke again. "I think these are your size," he offered shyly as he handed them over.

Sasuke nodded his thanks and closed the door quietly.

While Sasuke was showering, Naruto hurriedly tidied his room and changed his bedding. When that was done, he looked around his room thoughtfully.

His room was his own private sanctuary, the place he retreated to when he needed to regain his strength and compose himself. No one came in here except himself, and he preferred it that way. Sometimes it felt like he was in his own private cocoon when he was alone in there. Outside, the world was chaotic, uncontrollable and disordered, but when he was in his room all by himself, he was safe and barricaded with his memories. He could watch the world spin from his cocoon and remain perfectly still amidst the activity.

It wasn't often that Naruto felt the urge to be a part of the world; he'd seen much more of it than he'd wanted to already, so he was usually just content to sit and watch. Occasionally though, he felt like there was something more for him, something he should have had, but didn't.

Naruto's heart was telling him that Sasuke could show him what he was missing- he could probably show Naruto many things which he'd never even knew existed. He could show Naruto the pieces he was missing and muc, much more.

Whenever he set eyes on Sasuke, he felt the stirrings of something which had been sleeping for a long time. Sasuke could show him those things, but taking that step was something which was very hard for Naruto, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to do that or not.

To trust his heart in the hands of another wasn't something that could easily be done.

Having Sasuke in his private sanctuary gave him mixed feelings. Nervousness certainly (who wouldn't be unnerved in the presence of a person who possessed such unearthly beauty?) and cautiousness, for having an Uchiha in the area that was the centre of his private life was a risky business. Fear that Sasuke would look down upon him, because his bedroom wasn't as sophisticated or even as masculine as some men's were. It was decorated with both warm and cool colours, which gave it mixed senses of calming serenity and earthy warmth. There were photo frames with pictures of his friends, and his parents, and there were books everywhere. Naruto had a fair idea of what Sasuke's room looked like, and it would probably be the exact opposite of what his was like.

But the most alien emotion was a strange sort of anticipation. This was Sasuke, the person he was currently working for, the person who gave him orders and expected them to be obeyed. The subject of his most recent sexual fantasies, and the one he had a deep longing for, stronger than anything he'd ever felt. It was Sasuke, the man with whom he was pretty sure he was in love with.

Feeling his desire rising once more, Naruto pushed aside the thoughts and turned his mind onto more practical problems.

Where was he going to sleep tonight? He couldn't sleep in the common room because that would only arouse curiosity and raise questions which he wasn't inclined to answer. And he definitely wasn't going to sleep in the same bed as Sasuke. For one thing, he definitely wouldn't get any sleep, and he wasn't sure that Sasuke would like such an arrangement; he was a stable hand after all.

So he'd sleep on the small couch he had under his window. He'd fallen asleep there before while reading, and although there wasn't much room, it was comfortable. It would do.

With his mind made up, he piled the cushions on the couch in a corner and grabbed a pillow from the bed before he searched through a trunk and pulled out an old but warm comforter.

As he was making up his bed for the night, the door opened. He turned to see Sasuke, the grey pants riding low on his hips and the black shirt making his skin seem translucent.

Naruto swallowed and gave him a slightly nervous smile.

"You can have the bed," he said softly, quickly turning back to his task. "Is there…what would you like to eat?"

"A sandwich will be fine. Anything you have," was the distracted reply.

Naruto turned his head to see Sasuke inspecting the books on his book shelf, his head tilted slightly to the left so he could read the book titles better.

Damp black locks hung free, and Naruto bit his lip, relaxing suddenly.

Sasuke just seemed to…fit, somehow. He looked completely at home in the foreign surroundings, as he examined his collection of books.

"I'll be right back," he said, slipping out the door.

Sasuke didn't seem to hear him, he was so absorbed in the books.

It didn't take Naruto long to make up a ham and salad sandwich for Sasuke. He'd already eaten dinner (Tenten had made sure he'd eaten something before they left, claiming that he'd probably forget if she didn't remind him) so he made nothing for himself.

He grabbed a can of coke as an after thought and headed back to his room.

Sasuke was now sitting on his bed, flipping through a book slowly.

A flash of heat surged through Naruto as he took in the sight, pausing in the doorway to do so. There was no denying it now. He wanted Sasuke, not just physically, but emotionally as well. Seeing him like this, so unguarded, with no barricades or defences, Naruto suddenly understood.

Sasuke had just as hard a time trusting people as he did; surely there was a reason he was always so defensive around others. Even with his friends, he wasn't completely relaxed.

Right now though, he was like a completely different person- thoughtful and quietly intelligent. He obviously had a sense of humour, and a thirst for knowledge (he had picked up one of Naruto's books on horse psychology and was reading it in earnest.)

He smiled a real smile now and crossed the room to set the plate and can on the small bedside table.

"Thanks." Sasuke murmured, totally absorbed in his reading.

"It's no problem."

Sasuke looked up at him then, studying him for a moment, then turning his attention to his room.

"I like this room. It's…different from anything I've seen before."

He blinked in surprise, and then smiled. "Thank you. I've always liked it," he replied, relieved to see that Sasuke seemed genuine in his opinion.

Naruto turned away and crouched down by his small heater to turn it on. He fiddled with the settings and listened to Sasuke shifting on the bed.

"Those are some good books you've got there. Even I haven't read some of them." Sasuke said idly.

Naruto hadn't been expecting Sasuke to start any sort of conversation, so it was a few moments before he replied.

"They were my dad's," Naruto told him. For once, the flash of grief he felt whenever he mentioned his father was dimmed, distant in the presence of such a diverse and different person.

Sasuke stayed quiet for a moment, as he chewed thoughtfully on his sandwich.

"How did he die?"

It wasn't a question he'd ever expected to hear from Sasuke, but he found he didn't mind answering. There was no cruelty behind the question, and he sensed that Sasuke wouldn't use the information to hurt him; no matter what happened,it just didn't seem like something this strange person would do.

"He was…killed in a riding accident," Naruto replied finally, getting up and collecting the book he was currently reading. "The horse threw his rider and bolted. My father was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

It wasn't a lie- more of a part truth- but it wasn't the whole story either. Even that was more than he was willing to talk about, especially today.

"I'm sorry."

Naruto glanced at his companion. "Thank you."

Sasuke finished his sandwich and settled back on the bed, immersing himself once more in his reading. He seemed content with the quiet that settled over the room.

Immensely grateful that they weren't talking about it any more, Naruto curled up on the couch, pulling the comforter over himself as he opened his book and began to read.

Outside, the rain still fell, running down the window in small rivulets. All was silent.

And so ends part eight…..

Well, I hope you all liked it, cause it took me AGES to write. I know, I know, the shower scene was a dud, but hopefully the next few steamy scenes between our boys will be better! Hope springs eternal, as they say…..or whatever. My point is, I'm working on it!

Thank you to all of those who reviewed last chapter (seriously, I lost count! They just poured in!) I greatly appreciate the enthusiasm and the appreciation you have for my efforts! It keeps me writing, so keep it up!

Shall I be nice and give you a hint of what happens next chapter, or shall I be nasty today?

Hmmmmm…..as a reward for you wonderful reviews, I think I will…

There will definitely be a few interesting scenes the next morning, and some more talking (they're getting to know each other! AWWWW!) And there might be another steamy scene too….or there might not.

I'll leave you hanging there shall i?

Lol!

Ja Ne!