Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing! Song lyrics used are from the song 'Angels Would Fall' by Melissa Etheridge.

Warnings: I'd say that you're all pretty familiar with the content of this story, but I'll say it again sighs Contains Angst, Shounen Ai, Swearing, and occasional mentions of self-mutilation. There, happy?

A/N: will be at the end! Nah, the next two chapters were originally one huge chapter, but I decided to split it in two, hence them being called Crystalline Images. Enjoy!

Part 10: Crystalline Images 1

The rope that's wrapped around me

Is cutting through my skin

And the doubts that have surrounded me

Are finding their way in

I keep it close to me

Like a holy man prays

In my desperate hour

It's better that way

The stables were alive with noise, and the sounds were like music to Naruto's ears. Genma and Kiba were laughing about some obscure joke they'd pulled on Tenten, who was shrieking indignantly. Shikamaru's grumbling was almost inaudible, but it made Naruto smile and smother a laugh as the lazy teen slouched off towards somewhere quieter.

Raidou winked at him as he led a petite bay mare towards her stall, and Naruto smiled back as he grabbed Taira's leather halter and lead rope.

"He's right down at the far end of the field," Raidou called over his shoulder. "You're in for a bit of a walk, I'm afraid."

"I've still got a bit of time."

"Yeah, but I bet he's a devil to catch," Kakashi said from behind him.

Naruto turned and grinned sheepishly.

"He is."

Kakashi held out a bucket of grain, which he accepted gratefully.

"Thanks."

"Are you coming up to dinner tonight?" Kakashi asked. "Iruka would like to see you."

"I think I will," he smiled, actually looking forward to the idea for once.

"It's movie night tonight, too." The older man reminded him as he left.

And it was too, he remembered ruefully. Every Friday night was movie night, and most of the household servants came down to join the stable hands and to watch a movie or two. It normally involved an unhealthy amount of junk food, alcohol and some rather unruly drinking games which he never participated in, but always watched, because they were guaranteed to be a laugh.

Sometimes he went to his room early, because he got rather edgy in crowds of people, and he couldn't always shake the lingering feelings of nervousness and apprehension and although everyone there were his friends, he felt too vulnerable and exposed. When he'd first started working at the stables, he'd avoided approaching anyone when they were in groups larger than three. With a lot of time, and patience from his co workers, he eventually shaken that fear, but occasionally when he was feeling more down and tired then usual, he could feel the old blind panic returning.

Today though, he was in a surprisingly upbeat mood for once, and he felt that it would be good to catch up with everyone.

"Right. I'll be back soon."

He swung the bucket slightly as he walked out to the field Taira was in.

Stopping at the gate, he paused to consider exactly how he was going to catch Taira, who was currently rolling on his back in the dustiest, driest corner of the field. Naruto sighed as he opened the gate. It would be pointless to walk all the way down there, because he knew that once he actually got down there, Taira would only run away.

After a moment of thinking, he grinned. There was only one way to do it.

He hung the halter over his shoulder, and then whistled shrilly through his teeth. The dark horse heaved himself to his feet, and raised his head to stare at Naruto, who held the bucket up and rattled its contents loudly. Taira considered him for a moment with his shapely ears pricked.

After a moment though, he sprung forward into an energetic canter, heading straight towards Naruto. It took him a good few minutes to cross the length of the field, and for a moment, Naruto was worried that he wouldn't stop. Thankfully he slowed to a trot then a walk as he neared him cautiously.

He held out the bucket and Taira ignored him and stuck his head greedily inside it. As he munched, Naruto held him in place using the lead rope and slipped the halter on with deft hands. Kakashi had only put a few handfuls of grain into the bucket, so Taira had finished by the time Naruto had buckled the halter in place.

Smiling triumphantly, Naruto led him towards the stables, laughing when Taira gave the bucket a longing look.

"No more for you yet, boy. We can't have you getting fat now, can we?"

Naruto rubbed the curry comb vigorously on a section of Taira's neck; dust had combined with sweat to form a damp, partially muddy patch, and he had to really work to remove all traces of Taira's rolling. His muscles were beginning to ache in protest, and Taira, for his part, seemed to be enjoying the grooming.

"Monster," he muttered as he paused to wipe his sweaty forehead with his arm.

It was four-twenty-five, and Taira was nowhere near being ready for Sasuke. Sighing, he got back to work and started to worry a little.

"Hey, Naruto. Not finished yet?" Tenten asked, leaning over the stable door.

He shook his head mutely and kept working, switching his curry comb for a soft body brush.

Tenten opened the door and picked up a brush as she walked around Taira and began to work on his other side.

"You don't have to…"

"It's fine. I've finished my work, and a little more grooming won't kill me. Besides," she added, "I don't like seeing you get worked up about things like this."

Naruto relaxed a little as he crouched to run the brush down his legs briefly.

"Thanks Tenten. I appreciate it."

"It's nothing. It gives a chance to talk. We haven't been able to really talk for awhile, have we?"

"Not recently, no. I'm sorry."

"Me too. Ah well. How's things with you?" she asked conversationally, as she brushed Taira's hindquarters with quick, sure strokes.

"Not too bad at the moment," he answered truthfully, surprising himself. "I sorted things out with Genma."

"Oh good. I noticed you weren't talking. Anything interesting?"

"A misunderstanding, that's all. We just got our wires crossed," Naruto murmured, still feeling bad about how he'd handled the situation.

He'd been foolish and naïve and he'd taken his fears and his helpless anger out on Genma. The fact that he could do such a thing upset him. And scared him, if he was being honest. It hadn't been fair.

Naruto splayed his hand on Taira's dark neck, staring at it for a moment with an aching, tight throat.

It made him a bad person. The same person who was responsible for his father's death, and the same person he'd been striving to eradicate from his soul. Obviously it wasn't working as well as he'd hoped.

He released a shaky breath and tried to calm himself down.

There's no use going down that path now, he told himself. Not when things were finally starting to get better again.

"Well, at least it's sorted out now, hey?"

He looked up at Tenten and smiled as best as he could.

"Yeah. It is," he hesitated a moment. "What about you?"

Tenten blinked as she threw the saddle blankets over Taira's broad back. "Me?"

Naruto smiled genuinely then. "Yes you."

"Well, things are going well for me too. I spoke to my dad yesterday and my brother on Tuesday. Kouhei's doing well at his university. And dad said he'd going up to the coast to visit my uncle on the weekend."

Naruto nodded as he worked, content just to listen as she talked.

"Me and some of my old school friends are meeting up on my next day off," she glanced sideways at him. "You're welcome to come along. Sakura is and I'm sure they'd love you."

He shifted uneasily as he straightened the chest plate and tightened the girth. Meeting new people wasn't something he was particularly good at or comfortable doing, and he preferred to avoid situations where he was forced to do so. He could never think of anything to say to them, and he had no clue how to start up a conversation with a complete stranger. He felt stupid if he even attempted to do so, and he had no clue how other people could.

"I'm not sure if I can…"

"That's okay. Maybe another time then."

"Yeah maybe," he said doubtfully. They worked on in silence for a few moments. "Any of them potential love interests?" he found himself asking. He blushed as he did so, but he was enjoying the conversation too much to let it end on such a note.

Tenten let out a surprised laugh. "Wow! That was unexpected!" She paused thoughtfully. "Nah, not in that lot."

He met her eyes as they worked together to do up the bridle.

"Already got a love interest then?" he asked shrewdly before looking down at what he was doing.

She stared at him in surprise, her hands stilling for a moment as her mouth gaped. He ducked his head lower to hide his smiled as he checked the throat latch was loose enough (1).

"Shite!" she swore. "I didn't think anyone knew. I told Sakura, but I didn't think she'd tell anyone, the little snitch."

"She didn't. I guessed"

"Really? I guess it just proves that you have to watch out for the quiet types then, doesn't it?"

He smiled and didn't answer.

"Is it that obvious that I like him?"

"Not really. I guess I'm good at reading people."

He'd learnt how to do that the hard way in the group home, and he'd learned quickly how to avoid making himself a target, but it hadn't always worked. He was good at gauging emotions, yes, but it was more because he was trying to figure out of he was in danger. If someone was in an angry of violent mood, he'd gone out of his way to avoid them. Of course, if that person had been looking for him in particular, then woe and betide the next time they'd met.

Naruto suppressed his involuntary shudder at that thought, and he cursed himself for bringing up those particular memories (2).

"Do you think anyone else has guessed?" Tenten asked worriedly.

"I'm not sure. I shouldn't think so."

"You haven't said anything to him have you? (3)" she asked in a lowered voice.

"No, and I'm not going to. I can keep a secret Tenten, and I won't betray yours," he told her, as he prepared to lead Taira out. "You can trust me."

She smiled warmly at him. "I know I can, Naruto. Would you mind if we talked some more about this later tonight? It would be nice to talk to someone other than Sakura for a change."

"Of course not. I'll see you later."

"Sure. And thanks, Naruto."

He smiled and gave her a small wave. "Thanks for helping."

Sasuke was striding into the stable yard with his usual self-assured and confident walk, and Naruto felt his heart speed up uncomfortably as it always did whenever Sasuke was around. Today he wore the usual black jodhpurs, with his gleaming knee-high riding boots and a white long sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up to mid arm. The loose material swirled gently around Sasuke's lean hips with every movement he made, and it seemed to be a few sizes too big, which only accentuated the graceful and sensuous air he had about him. A single shark tooth hung on a thin piece of leather at the base of his throat.

It was a different look from his usual sophisticated yet simple outfits, and yet it still suited him. The outfit was completed by the riding gloves and the riding crop he carried; in fact, he looked very professional and business like. But the thing that caught his attention the most was that Sasuke hadn't pulled back his hair into its usual ponytail.

His long locks of glossy black hair was lifted by the gentle breeze, making it seem like Sasuke was flowing as he moved, instead of walking like everyone else did. Adding to that was the fact that Sasuke's pale skin seemed even paler because of the starkness of his clothes; he seemed almost vampiric in the muted daylight. Like some sort of demi-god, Sasuke's beauty was unrivalled in Naruto's eyes.

And he looked extremely irritated, if the sharp angry flash of his eyes and the scowl on his face was anything to go by. Naruto knew immediately that keeping out of his way and remaining as unobtrusive as possible was the best course of action.

When Sasuke's eyes found Naruto however, his scowl lessened slightly, and he made an obvious effort to calm himself down.

"Hey Naruto. Any problems with him today?" Sasuke asked as he took the reins and rubbed Taira's head in greeting.

Naruto shook his head as he stepped back.

"None. He was out in the field today."

Sasuke nodded, seeming distracted.

"I think I'll work outside today. Could you set up the jump course for me please?"

"Of course, Sasuke-sama," Naruto replied unthinkingly.

"I thought I told you not to call me that," Sasuke said, rather sharply.

Naruto's eyes widened and he stepped back uncertainly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't…"

"Never mind," Sasuke said curtly as he turned Taira. "Get someone to help you set up that course."

Naruto swallowed thickly as he watched Sasuke lead Taira towards the outdoor arena. It served him right really; he should have been more careful, should have been paying attention to what he said, and it was only to be expected that Sasuke be displeased with him. So why did it hurt so much? Had he already sabotaged the fragile understanding that had formed between them?

Dejected, he turned and hurried off to find someone to help.

Raidou and Genma were busy shifting heavy bags of grain from the back of the Ute into a wheelbarrow, but they were the only ones around, so Naruto approached them.

"Hey kitten," Genma grinned as he hefted a sack up onto his shoulder. "What's up?"

Naruto frowned at the nickname, but pressed on and ignored it.

"I need some help setting up the jumping course."

"Ah. I'll come and help," Raidou said shooting Genma a reprimanding look for using the nickname.

"Thanks Raidou."

"No problem. C'mon."

They walked together over to the jumping field, past the outdoor arena where Sasuke was warming Taira up.

"Quite a picture, aren't they?" Raidou asked quietly when he saw what Naruto was looking at.

And they were. Sasuke and Taira moved together so smoothly that it seemed as if they were floating as Taira moved along in a fast working trot. His neck was arched proudly, his nose lowered, and his tail streamed out behind him, like a flag caught in a gust of wind.

Sasuke posted (4) in perfect timing, holding Taira in check and correcting Taira's mistakes immediately. They moved in a neat figure of eight around the arena, and Naruto marvelled at the skill that Sasuke handled Taira with.

Raidou smiled at him and slipped an arm around his shoulder.

"Better close that mouth before you catch something," he said teasingly.

Naruto flushed and tore his gaze away from the arena.

"No harm in watching a sight like that though," Raidou continued. "Just don't let him catch you staring. It'll inflate his ego even more."

Naruto wasn't sure if he liked Raidou talking about Sasuke in such a way, because from what he knew of Sasuke, he was nothing like that. His frown must have told Raidou so, because he ruffled Naruto's hair affectionately.

"Now don't take on so. I was only teasing. But seriously, be careful about what you say around him, Naruto. He's always been a little different from other Uchihas."

"Different how?"

"It's hard to explain really. He's just as difficult to figure out as the rest of his family, but something about him is just…different." Raidou mused, as they began to set the poles of the jumps into their braces.

"How do you know that?"

Raidou adjusted the height of the next jump so that it was even before they lifted the pole into place.

"He was around here a lot when he was younger. He was a strange child, always quiet and secretive, and he never smiled much. I don't think I've ever heard him laugh," Raidou told him. "It must've been hard growing up with a father like his."

Naruto thought back to the way that Sasuke acted whenever his family was mentioned, and silently agreed with Raidou. If his behaviour was anything to go by, then at least part of what his friend was saying had to be true.

"Why hasn't he been home in such a long time then?"

"He was in a boarding school before he got into the university he's at now, and he lives on campus, because it's halfway across the country from what I've heard. Apparently, he doesn't get along with his father,which is why he was in boarding school to begin with. But listen to me, gossiping like Sakura. How shameful."

Naruto smiled as they finished setting up the last jump.

"Better not let her hear you saying that."

Raidou snorted.

"As if I would. I don't have a death wish. Anyway, I'd better go help Genma finish up."

"Thanks," Naruto called after his retreating back.

He was headed back towards the living quarters when Sasuke called out to him.

"I'll be done in an hour."

Naruto nodded his acknowledgement.

"And Naruto? I'm sorry. About before, I mean. I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

For a moment Naruto was stunned speechless, but he somehow managed to regain his wits and he smiled tentatively at him.

"It's okay…Sasuke."

A corner of Sasuke's mouth twitched and he turned Taira, heading for the jumping field.

Feeling the familiar warmth spreading throughout his body, Naruto continued on towards the living quarters, unable to wipe the smile off his face.

He opened the door and stepped into the warmth of the sitting room.

"Shut the door, shut the door!" Sakura cried out.

Bewildered, Naruto did so quickly.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm half naked! Do you think I want those pervs Kakashi and Genma to see me like this?"

Sakura was dressed only in a singlet top and a pair of rainbow striped briefs as she searched through a washing basket full of clean clothes.

"If you don't want them seeing you then don't walk around dressed like that," Shikamaru drawled from his slumped position on the couch. His eyes were glued to the television, and the remote control was lying limply in his hand.

Tenten was in the kitchen making a cup of tea. She smiled at Naruto as she opened the fridge.

"Don't mind them; they've been like this for the last hour."

Naruto shrugged out of his jacket and toed off his boots as the warmth of the room heated his cool skin.

"And don't even think about leaving those there, Naruto. I've spent the afternoon cleaning this place, and if you leave a mess, so help you I'll…"

"Give the guy a break Sakura," Shikamaru groaned. "He's just had to deal with the resident Ice Prince, and he doesn't need to listen to your neurotic babbling."

"Don't talk about Sasuke-kun like that, you lazy, insensitive…"

Tenten sighed, rolled her eyes and headed in the direction of her room. Naruto picked up his boots and slipped out of the room, thankfully unnoticed, leaving the two to their arguing.

After collecting some of his better looking clothes, he headed towards the bathroom and pushed the door open, surprised when a cloud of steam rushed out to envelop him.

"Hey man. I'm almost done," Kiba said, peering into the mirror and fussing over his hair for a moment.

"Sorry," he murmured, embarrassed as he set his clothes down.

"Don' worry 'bout it. We're both guys here. I'll be out in a moment."

Naruto hesitated before he pulled off his long sleeved shirt, being careful to hide his scarred wrists from Kiba's sight.

"Are they still arguing out there?"

"Yep."

"It's not surprising really. I think it's that time of the month for Sakura," Kiba smirked. "I think that Shikamaru's bitten off more than he can chew."

"How would you know something like that?" Naruto asked, feeling surprised and uncomfortable, but wanting to know.

Kiba could be surprising like that. Around a group of people, he was usually loudmouthed, excitable, and sometimes thick headed and abrasive on the nerves, but when he was alone and not worked up over anything, he was surprisingly sharp witted, intelligent and considerate.

Naruto liked him either way, for he had a way of being able to make people laugh, despite his love of stirring up trouble and he could always make him smile.

Kiba grinned wickedly at him on his way out, and tapped his temple with a blunt forefinger.

"I've got it memorized mate," he laughed.

"You mean you read her diary," Naruto realized with a smile.

"That too!" Kiba laughed again as he closed the bathroom door. With a shake of his head, Naruto shed the rest of his clothes and stepped into the shower.

1. Would you believe that the throat latch goes under the cheek part of the jaw? And you have to be able to fit four fingers between the cheek and the strap, or it's too tight.

2. 'Those memories' he's thinking about are revealed later in this story (or possibly the sequel which I'm considering writing, which will deal mostly with Naruto's past. This story is concerned with the romance between Sasuke and Naruto)

3. The person Naruto and Tenten are talking about is Shikamaru. If you can remember back to the beginning of the story, I mentioned that Tenten and Shikamaru like each other.

4. Once again, Posting is rising to the trot. When a horse trots, the rhythm of his trot is 1 and 2 and 1 and 2 and 1 and 2 and so on. When posting, you are basically sitting and rising to that beat.

Well, another long overdue update! I'm sorry for the long wait people, and I thank you for your wonderful patience. I've had a lot to deal with lately, and I hope you'll forgive me!

And yes, I am thinking about the sequel to this story. I have it all mapped out in my head, see? I think you'll all enjoy it! (I hope!)

Anyway, thank you for reading!

The next part of the night is in the next chapter! Look forward to it!

Ja Ne!