Disclaimer:I own nothing, the characters and concepts of Naruto belong to their original owner…Not me!

Warnings:Major angst, and Yaoi. Don't like? Don't read!

Chapter 24: Kissing This Thing Goodbye

Naruto was curled into Sasuke's side on the couch, and wondering what was going to happen the next day. His stomach was a knot of nerves, and he chewed his thumbnail anxiously. Sasuke was reading something with his arm wrapped around Naruto, and just his warmth and presence was enough to keep him calm. But it didn't banish his nerves, or his fear. He wasn't sure if he could deal with facing his father's death. He'd spent so long running from the truth of it that he wasn't sure if he could stand and face it without breaking down completely.

Something inside him finally wanted to though. His instincts were telling him that it was time, and he felt that maybe it was time to put him father to rest and move on with his life. The more cowardly side of him, however, still wanted to shrink away from the hurt and try to escape whatever pain this would bring.

"Stop it," Sasuke said roughly.

"Huh?" Naruto asked, surprised.

"Stop thinking so much." Sasuke replied, reaching over with his hand and rescuing Naruto's nails from his teeth. "Worrying about it will only make it harder. Try and think about something else."

"But…."

Sasuke sighed, and tossed his papers onto the table before them. They were on the couch still, and Naruto wouldn't have moved for the world.

"I can see there's no point in trying to explain it to you," Sasuke sighed again, before grinning wickedly. "Guess I'll have to take matters into my own hands."

"What d'you…."

He didn't have time to finish, as Sasuke wrapped his other arm around Naruto and lay back so they were stretched along the length of the couch with him pressed tightly against Sasuke's side. He squirmed uncomfortably for a few minutes, shy and embarrassed at just how much pleasure he got out of the simple contact, until Sasuke's arms tightened around him minutely.

"Cut it out and relax," he murmured into Naruto's hair. "It's easier to talk like this."

With a small sigh of his own, Naruto began to relax. The quiet was a dramatic contrast to the thoughts raging in his head, and the only thing he could really hear was Sasuke's heartbeat beneath his ear and the steady drumming of the rain outside. Occasionally, a flash of lightning would light up the sky followed by a loud boom of thunder that made Naruto press a little closer to Sasuke.

He had always loved rain, but hated thunder and lightning. It made him jumpy and unable to concentrate, each flash surprising him in a way that unnerved him. But lying where he was, he found it possible to forget about his fears. Especially when Sasuke was running his hands up and down his back slowly as he got lost within his own thoughts.

Between the soothing motions of his hands and the steady, strong thudding of Sasuke's heart, Naruto found all his worries banished, and he was able to forget about the letter and key that were lying on the table.

"The rain's not going to let up tonight," Naruto said eventually. "I'll have to make a run for it later."

"Or you could stay here and get down there early tomorrow morning," Sasuke suggested. "There's more than enough room. I can sleep on the couch if you like."

The idea was appealing to him, but he couldn't help the bite of nerves in his stomach. Stay here with Sasuke? He wasn't sure if that was a good idea at all. For one thing, he wasn't sure how good his self-control was around him, and number two, well. Being with Sasuke could lead to….things he wasn't sure he was ready for. Besides, he would feel bad about kicking Sasuke from his own bed…

A hand came up and ran through his hair.

"There you go again, thinking too hard," Sasuke chided gently. "You know that we don't have to do anything you don't want, Naruto. I'm not going to force you."

"I know," Naruto replied truthfully. "I'm just not sure I'm…."

"Stop doubting yourself, Naruto. We'll just sleep."

Naruto sighed and nodded.

"Aren't you afraid what people will think if they find out you're…involved with the hired help?" Naruto asked quietly. "I know that I haven't really got much to offer you, but I don't want you getting into trouble because of me."

"Honestly? I couldn't care less what people thought. And if it comes to that then it won't be a problem. I'll deal with it. I'm more worried about my father finding out and firing you because of it. This is your home too, and I don't want to be the reason you lose that."

Naruto raised his head from Sasuke's chest and looked at him, spreading his fingers over the soft fabric of Sasuke's singlet. That thought had occurred to him before, but when he weighed it against the concept of not having Sasuke around, it didn't even compare.

"Could he disown you though? I mean…"

"He won't. Mother won't let him, and besides, it's not like this kind of thing has never happened before."

"You're willing to take that risk for me?" Naruto asked doubtfully, chewing his lower lip.

Sasuke tucked an arm beneath his head and looked back at him calmly.

"Seems like it," he replied mildly. "I really wish you'd stop questioning this, Naruto. You think too much."

"I've been accused of it before," Naruto smiled ruefully, ducking his head shyly.

"Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing," Sasuke told him, raising his chin with gentle fingers. "You've just got to know when to draw the line. When to stop thinking and start…..feeling."

Having said his, he lifted his head and kissed Naruto. He immediately kissed back, marveling at the way this seemed to come so naturally to him, as easily as breathing and twice as sweet as anything he knew. Sasuke delved deep, mapping his out and teasing gently, stealing Naruto's heart with everything he did.

As he kissed back, Sasuke dragged him backwards once more so he was sprawled against his chest. Warm arms wrapped around him and maneuvered him expertly until he was completely on top, straddling Sasuke's hips and shivering at the sensation of that long, lean body stretched out beneath him.

He gasped, and Sasuke pulled back, trailing hot lips across his cheek to suck on the spot beneath his ear.

"See? This is not thinking," he murmured. "Are you still thinking?"

Naruto shook his head, his body flushing with heat. There was no way he could think when Sasuke was creating such a storm of sensation within him. And he didn't want to. When he was in Sasuke's arms, he didn't have to think, or worry about the future. He could just be himself, and know that if anything went wrong, Sasuke would be there to catch him when he fell.

But still, he couldn't help but feel a little shy and awkward when it came to physical contact. He wasn't used to feeling such strong lust towards another person, and he wasn't used to another's touch at all on his body. So every time Sasuke came in contact with bare skin, he jumped a mile as a shot of electric desire raced through him unhindered.

He jumped predictably as cool hands slid underneath his shirt and ran up his back before smoothing down to his waist once more.

"You've got to stop doing that," Sasuke whispered. "I don't bite."

"Much…" Naruto breathed, closing his eyes against the odd combination of his touch and the awkwardness of being on top. He shifted carefully, not wanting to hurt the body underneath his and released a shuddering breath when Sasuke's hands settled on his hips.

"I wouldn't ever hurt you…."

"I know that. It's just…."

"Just what?" Sasuke moved back but left his hands where they were.

"I don't…." he began uncomfortably, not sure how to continue without offending Sasuke. He should have known that there wasn't much he could do that would offend Sasuke. He shifted again slowly, and blinking at the slow smile that spread over Sasuke's face.

"You don't like being on top," he stated, not asking.

"It's not that, I'm just not used to it…." He started to say but was cut off by Sasuke rolling them over so he was on top, and looking down at Naruto as he rested his weight on his forearms.

"Is this better?"

Naruto couldn't think of a suitable answer because Sasuke was lying squarely against him, cradled by Naruto's thighs and pressing down on his growing arousal. He breathed in, closing his eyes and shuddered, hearing Sasuke's soft laughter but not caring as a slow rocking of his hips had sparks shooting behind his eyes.

"I thought so," Sasuke murmured as he leaned down, brushing his mouth over his neck and sucking gently as his fingers got to work on his shirt.

Within moments, Sasuke was pressing kisses over the contours of his chest. He'd discovered the sensitivity of Naruto's nipples, it seemed, because he spent several minutes torturing him with teeth and tongue until he was panting and pleading beneath his sure touch.

Sasuke was pressing kisses to his quivering stomach when Naruto started to wonder exactly how much more he could take before he exploded. Sasuke's tongue was teasing around his belly button, and his hands had slid beneath Naruto's lower back, lifting him up to meet those questing lips.

His hands had wound themselves into Sasuke's dark hair without him realizing it, and when teeth nipped sharply at the skin around his navel, Naruto cried out unexpectedly and tightened his grip on his hair.

And then Sasuke's mouth was gone and Naruto opened startled eyes to see him hovering over Naruto, his eyes impossibly dark and smoldering. He opened his mouth to ask a question, but snapped it shut when he felt fingers at the waistband of his jeans. They remained staring at each other for long moments, Sasuke waiting for his consent silently and Naruto granting it without saying a word.

Slowly, without breaking eye contact, Sasuke undid the button and lowered the zipper of his jeans and Naruto bit his lip once more, unable to tear his eyes away from Sasuke but needing to express the anticipation and desire flooding through his entire body.

Fingers played with the waistband of his underwear for a moment, and Naruto gasped. Once again, Sasuke seemed to be waiting for his permission and he managed to nod tightly. There was no way he could refuse Sasuke, not when he needed so badly, and it felt so amazingly good and right. He wanted Sasuke to touch him, and he had no doubts about it. Only when he had time to worry did it become a problem.

It definitely wasn't a problem at that moment.

Sasuke returned his nod and finally slid his hand inside, pressing against Naruto tightly within the constriction of his jeans. He was achingly hard, and needed some sort of relief. Sasuke was sucking on his neck again, and Naruto arched his back, pressing as close to that hand and that mouth as he could. He was vaguely aware that he was moaning and panting for breath as that hand moved against him, wrapping around his length and squeezing gently.

"S-sasuke…." He gasped. "Oh god…"

He rocked helplessly into that hand, unable to keep still and needing to move, to do something to relieve the tension curling hot and tight within his belly.

It felt so much better than he had imaged, and so much more intense than the first time Sasuke had made him come.

He wasn't going to last much longer, and he suddenly needed Sasuke closer, needing to make him feel the same.

Burying his hands in his long hair once more he dragged him back up and kissed him hard and desperate, loving the way Sasuke groaned and stroked him harder in response, kissing back fervently.

But it still wasn't enough. Detangling his hands, Naruto didn't hesitate at all as he tried to push Sasuke's sweat pants down and was helped moments later by Sasuke's free hand. Naruto dragged him down by the hips until Sasuke wrapped his hand around both of their lengths and started to stroke, strong and fast.

He was gasping into Sasuke's kiss and it didn't take long before he was arching his back and crying out as he peaked. Sasuke wasn't far behind him and he bit into Naruto's neck, groaning and swearing softly as he shook against him.

Naruto was struggling to get his breath back, and his body was loose limbed, relaxed and tingling with the aftermath of pleasure. Sasuke had collapsed on top of him and was breathing hard. Naruto couldn't resist sliding his arms around Sasuke and holding him. Just the act of being able to do so was still enough to amaze him.

Sasuke stirred after a few minutes of their labored breathing, and reached out to snag a nearby towel. Naruto watched lazily as he cleaned his hand and then the rest of them before carelessly tossing the towel aside and looking down at him.

"You okay?"

Naruto smiled at him.

"Yeah."

"Good. I'm too tired to distract you from thinking again," Sasuke told him, smiling as he settled back down on Naruto and pressed a kiss to the skin of his neck.

"I think I have to agree with you," Naruto murmured as he wrapped his arms around Sasuke once more and smiled at the yawn he received in reply.

He had just slipped into a doze when he was startled awake by Sasuke slowly untangling their limbs and getting up.

"Come on. We're not sleeping on the couch tonight," Sasuke nudged him.

"Okay," Naruto agreed sleepily as Sasuke pulled him to his feet and led him towards the bed room.

Sasuke gently pushed him down onto the tangle of blankets that covered the massive double bed and disappeared in the direction of the bathroom. Naruto was barely awake when he felt a warm wash cloth gently brush over his stomach, and he stirred only to pull Sasuke closer when his warm body curled around his own.

After that, he was lost within the first peaceful and dreamless sleep he could remember having in a long time.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Waking up to Sasuke curled around him still asleep was the highest form of bliss Naruto could imagine. He was feeling too lazy to even begin thinking about being shy about situation they were in. Sasuke was spooned against him from behind, his arm heavy around Naruto's stomach and his breath fanning the back of his neck pleasantly.

It seemed he was a fairly heavy sleeper, for he didn't even stir when Naruto shifted around experimentally.

While he would have loved to stay in bed with Sasuke forever, it was time for him to get up. The sun hadn't risen yet, and he doubted any of the other stable hands were up and about yet, but he needed to get down there and start work so as not to raise suspicions about where he was coming from.

Carefully slipping from Sasuke's embrace, he entered the en-suite bathroom and closed the door behind himself softly. Turning around, he gaped for a moment at the spacious and luxurious bathroom before him. A large, spa like bath tub complete with jets filled one entire corner of the room. It was large enough to fit at least five people in it, he thought to himself, shaking his head in amazement. The shower was a large glass enclosure that had several different jets and shower heads that he had no idea how to use. The bathroom vanity ran along one wall, had two sinks in it and a massive mirror, complete with its own down lights. The whole room was done in white tile and chrome, and looked extremely expensive.

Naruto only hoped that Sasuke wouldn't mind him using it. After relieving himself, Naruto reluctantly hopped into a hot shower, only using the standard shower head and not touching the other jets.

Five minutes later he was clean and flushed with warmth as he turned off the shower and stepped out onto a fluffy bath mat. He wrapped himself in a huge, soft towel and opened the bathroom door, releasing a cloud of steam as he did so.

Sasuke had turned onto his back and was staring up at the ceiling. As he came in, he turned towards him and looked him over.

"Should've known you're an early riser," he rumbled in a sleep roughened voice. "You realize how early it is, don't you?"

Naruto smiled as he approached and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I have to get to work. I didn't mean to wake you up."

"You didn't," Sasuke was frowning. "I thought we were going to go and sort out that storage unit today."

Naruto shifted uncomfortably and ran his hand through his damp hair.

"I was going to, but I don't think now is a good time. It can wait for awhile."

"I don't think so," Sasuke sat up and eyed him. "The longer you put this off the harder it'll be. I think you should get it over with today so you can move on."

"But I'd need to get a day off to do that and there's too much for me to do at the moment. There's more important things….."

"Just tell Hatake that you need the day off for personal business. I'm sure he'll understand." Sasuke shifted closer, the sheets pooling around his hips as he raised a hand to Naruto's cheek. "You need to do this today, Naruto. No excuses. Alright?"

Naruto sighed, and raised his hand to cover Sasuke's.

"Alright," he murmured. "We'll go today then. I need to get changed first though and grab a few things."

"Okay. You do that while I shower and then we'll go." Sasuke kissed him quickly and sat on the edge of the bed. "I hate mornings," he grumbled.

Naruto smiled. "I'm sure you'll….."

"Sasuke?" Someone called from the living room.

They both froze, Naruto with a little fear and Sasuke in surprise.

"Are you here, Sasuke?" Ino called, a little closer this time.

"Wait here," Sasuke whispered quickly, kissing him again. "I'll go get rid of her."

Naruto watched as a bare-chested Sasuke left the room, closing the door behind him and forced himself to start breathing again.

Ino's arrival had startled him, and he realized he had nothing to do but wait for Sasuke to return. He retreated to the bathroom and pulled yesterday's clothes on, listening to the rise and fall of Sasuke's voice, and the slightly higher replies from Ino.

Ten minutes later, Naruto was shoving his wallet into his pocket when Sasuke returned, looking irritated and awake.

"It's too early in the morning to be dealing with the likes of her," he muttered as he set about pulling out clean clothes.

"What did she want?"

"She was drunk. Wanted to know if I needed somebody to keep me company," Sasuke snorted. "I swear the sooner I get rid of her, the better I'll feel."

"That's not nice."

Sasuke shrugged. "She's just another girl who thinks she's in love with me. She doesn't really know…." He trailed off, and Naruto noted the darkening of his mood so he didn't push him to finish his answer.

Instead, he crossed over to where he was standing and stood up on his toes to press a kiss to his cheek.

"I've got some things to do. I'll see you at the front?"

Sasuke's eyes softened a little as he looked down at Naruto.

"Sure. I won't be long."

He kissed Naruto chastely, before stepping back and heading towards the bathroom.

"That's if I don't fall asleep in the damn shower," he grumbled.

Naruto smiled as he left.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The radio played quietly in the tense silence between them. Sasuke was aware that Naruto was uneasy about their little trip, but he knew that what he had said earlier was right. He couldn't put this off any longer.

In the time he had known the blue eyed blond, it had become blindingly obvious that something was seriously wrong with him. He had been withdrawn and too quiet at first, subdued and bleak, and that had been part of the reason Sasuke was so drawn to him at first.

But now he knew the reason why he was like that, and it had everything to do with his father. He didn't know the details, but he did know that whatever it was, it was eating Naruto alive.

Naruto had become a much happier and more open person lately, and it warmed Sasuke to his core to see him like that. And while Naruto was rapidly captivating his attention, and possibly even his heart, he was also Sasuke's friend. He had never let a friend suffer needlessly before, and he wasn't about to start.

He watched Naruto out of the corner of his eye as they got closer and closer to the storage facility, noting the lines of tension around his eyes and the way he was shifting ever so slightly in his seat. Those blue eyes of his were wide and he was too alert for Sasuke's liking.

Last night had been amazing. He had never had a lover who had taken him to such highs before, and he was astounded as Naruto's natural ability to do so. Naruto had been so willing beneath him, giving as good as he got and Sasuke had been blessed in being able to see him fully relaxed and open.

In fact, his body was stirring even as he thought about it, and he felt that hunger, more intense than any he had known start to grip him again. But it wasn't time for that. Naruto was tensing up again, closing off and withdrawing, and he couldn't have that.

The sooner they dealt with the mess that was Naruto's past, the better.

Sasuke was frowning as they pulled up to the reception building. Naruto made as if to get out, but Sasuke stopped him.

"Wait here. I'll handle this."

Naruto looked as if he might argue, but he held his tongue and settled back down.

Within minutes, Sasuke had found out the location of the storage room and had signed in. He shut the car door behind him and started up the engine.

"Well? Is everything okay?" Naruto asked immediately, turning to face him.

"It's all fine. Just take it easy, Naruto."

He nodded and looked out the window as they turned down one of the tiny streets. The layout of the place was fairly simple. The storage rooms were long lines of buildings, each with a garage type door that opened onto the street.

Naruto's one was right at the back of the property. The place was deserted, as it was still pretty early in the morning. Sasuke parked the car outside the room, and killed the engine.

"You ready for this?"

"I think so," Naruto let out a shaky laugh. "I don't know."

"Well, lets get this over with yeah? You got the key?" Sasuke asked as he opened his door and got out. Naruto followed more slowly, and Sasuke found that being patient with Naruto wasn't as hard as it was with other people. In fact, when it came to the small blond, patience came as easily as breathing. If it had been anyone else, he would have snapped by now, and he was still puzzling this mystery out.

He stood close by Naruto in the hopes that his presence would offer him some measure of comfort. Naruto's hands were shaking too much to fit the key into the lock, so he quickly took it off him and opened it for him.

Naruto rested his head against Sasuke's shoulder blade.

"Thanks."

Sasuke nodded silently, removing the padlock and pushing the roller door up to reveal darkness beyond. Naruto was still leaning against him and hadn't moved, so he pulled him forward and wrapped his arm around his shoulders as he flipped the light switch. He blinked in surprise. A huge black truck took up most of the room, all gleaming black paintwork and shiny silver metal.

A couple of boxes lined the walls, and a few more were stacked in the bed of the truck, but that was all. He felt Naruto shivering beside him, and noted the way he wrapped his arms around himself as if he was cold.

"My dad's truck," he whispered. "He loved that thing. I thought they sold it when he…."

"Come on," Sasuke prompted gently, leading him forward. "We should sort this stuff out and take back what you want to keep. I don't suppose you'll keep renting this place?"

Naruto shook his head mutely and moved away, wandering towards the boxes and brushing dust off of a couple.

He hung back and watched, hating the helpless feeling the was congealing in his gut. He hated that sadness in Naruto's eyes, hated the way it made his shoulders droop and made him look smaller, as if the weight of the world was trying its best to crush him.

It had done a bang up job so far, Sasuke thought to himself, containing the flash of anger easily.

"Sasuke…."

He looked across the room to where Naruto stood.

"Would you mind…" Naruto swallowed visibly. "Would you mind helping me unpack some of theses boxes? I have no idea what's in them…"

"Sure thing."

Most of them were old clothes, some of which had belonged to Naruto's mother. Others were filled with books, and Naruto's baby toys and teddy bears. One held a vast collection of awards, from dressage and show jumping, to endurance riding and western pleasure.

The man must have been some kind of genius, Sasuke thought to himself. And it looked like Naruto had all of his talent, if not more.

He looked up from the collection to where Naruto was sitting a few feet away with his head bent over an old battered photo album.

Sasuke set aside the trophy he was holding and moved closer.

"That's my father," Naruto said, pointing.

Naruto's father wasn't anything like what Sasuke had expected. Tall, broad shouldered and muscular enough to put a professional athlete to shame, he looked like an older version of Naruto. They had the same blond hair, and the same facial structure. Naruto's eyes were a couple of shades darker than his father's though, a deep sapphire blue instead of the color of the sky

The man's smile was brighter than the sun, and even from a photograph Sasuke could tell that he had been a charismatic man who could draw people in as easily as breathing.

"And that's my mother."
A small woman, with average brown hair, and the palest skin he'd ever seen was standing next to Naruto's father. She had kind eyes, he noticed. Everything about the woman was normal and plain, but something about her made her special. There was a glow about her that he couldn't put his finger on, and Sasuke found himself becoming enthralled with the thought of Naruto's family.

Naruto was staring at the picture of his father unseeingly and Sasuke felt his own heart bruise at the sight of such heartache and misery. It occurred to him that Naruto probably still missed his father more than anything, and that he had probably never really had the chance to grieve for what he had lost.

"Naruto, it's okay to miss him," Sasuke told him, moving closer still and entwining their fingers together. He raised Naruto's hand to his lips and pressed a kiss there.

"It's not that," Naruto whispered hoarsely.

"Then what?"

Naruto looked up at him, helpless desperation in his eyes and a grief so fierce that it scared him.

"You wouldn't understand. No one would. Hell, I don't even understand it most of the time…." Naruto laughed, a mocking, harsh sound full of self hatred and recrimination.

"Try me," Sasuke replied, softly.

He needed to walk carefully with this or he would frighten Naruto away. It was a very sensitive topic, and he suspected that Naruto hadn't told the majority of people about it.

Naruto was silent for a long time, and Sasuke watched as the tears welled in his eyes and trickled slowly down his cheeks. It made him want to reach out and pull him close, and whisper that everything would turn out alright.

But how could he do that knowing it was a lie? Here was a person who had lost everything, including his self-esteem, his family, his security, and everything that had once made him who he was. How could you console that kind of loss? There was no way he could rationalize the cruelty that fate had dealt Naruto, so he wasn't going to try and offer him false comfort. Instead, he would listen.

He doubted very much that Naruto had ever felt that he had someone who would listen to him without judging him in some way, or taking pity on him. Naruto didn't need pity to make him feel worse.

"It's my fault he's dead," Naruto said at last, his voice wavering slightly as he reached up and brushed away his tears. He stared at them for a moment before wiping his face again.

"I'm the reason he died. If I wasn't around, then maybe he would still be alive. Maybe mom would be too." Naruto finally looked at him, and it was like a punch in the gut to see the pain in those eyes. "I don't think you'd like me much if you knew what happened. I don't like myself much, to be honest."

"Naruto…." Sasuke was lost for words. He had to think really hard to come up with something that wouldn't drive him away. He cleared his throat and looked down at the man who had been Naruto's father, praying for strength.

"Nothing you tell me will change this between us. I won't judge you, and it won't change the way I see you. So….if you think you can tell me, I'd like to hear it."

Naruto was looking at him, tears banished for the time being, but the sadness lingering. He seemed calm, and that's what scared him most of all. His mind flickered briefly to the scars that scored the smooth skin on Naruto's wrists and began to get an idea where the conversation was headed.

The key to understanding Naruto, and healing his hurt was within his grasp and he wasn't about to let it slip away.

TBC

A/N/Ducks flying/ objects I know, I know, horrible cliff hanger, but I needed to finish it somewhere! And yes, in the next chapter, you find out what happened to Naruto in the past. YAY!!!!

I honestly don't know where this chapter came from. I mean, I started it hoping to be able to write at least a few paragraphs, and then BAM! I can't stop writing. It's got a life of it's own this story, I swear!

I'm tired now. I just spent four hours on this at work (when I was supposed to be working mind you) and I'm really quite happy with it. Hope you are too. Look forward to the next chappie ppls! I now have to go do some work. So it's back to the boring with me. What fun…..