To the guest reviewer who said that they would 'back out' based on how I've presented Naruto and Sasuke as godly opposites, I do wish you had waited before doing so. Sasuke and Sai have been deeply hurt by certain events in this story that have caused them to lean on Naruto tremendously, which is why they view him so highly. I don't necessarily feel like I need to defend my choices, but it is appalling that some people can be so rude. Do keep in mind that writers like me do not get paid for this, we publish our stories here because it's fun, but it also takes hours of work. I don't gain anything except the satisfaction I get from writing. Please think about that when you're reading stories online that you didn't have to pay for in any way. Besides, since I do not get paid, I don't lose anything from you deciding not to read this anymore, so by all means, feel free to stop if I've offended you so horribly, guest. It doesn't change anything for me. :)

To the other guest, all I can say is WOW! I really appreciate you taking the time to write out your thoughts on what's going on, and while I don't want to give anything away, I'll just tell you that your observations are pretty accurate c;

Now, onto the chapter!

No matter the conflict, it always seemed to fall onto Naruto to solve it. It didn't matter if his friend's heart had been broken, his boyfriend had gotten into another spat with his older brother, or if he had to take a punch for a stranger in trouble.

He had to…

Did he have to?

Naruto has been throwing himself in front of everyone's burdens for so long that, at some point, it just turned into an obligation.

It's not necessarily that he minds being everyone's buddy, their go-to guy, the shoulder to cry on. Naruto loves that people seek him out in times of need. Knowing how much others rely on him makes him feel loved. Their grief gives him purpose. Lending a helping hand never fails to lift his spirits, leaving Naruto with a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Despite all that, those around him tend to forget that he's not the world's personal therapist. He has his own worries, his own problems, his own fears. Growing up with the same small group of people, there came a time when everyone started acknowledging Naruto as guy who's never not laughing. You'll always see him shining a smile, an energetic bounce in his steps. People seem to follow behind him for this optimistic ideal he gives off, and knowing that, Naruto continues to portray that image for their sake, even when he feels like he's going to crumble when his shoe hits the ground next. He's not a saint, but with every person he assists, he gains another follower that refuses to see him as anything less. Naruto would be the first to say that he's not perfect, that he's only human and can't be happy all the time, but no one else thinks so anymore. Although he enjoys supporting others through their endeavors, the blonde can't recall when someone took a moment to really ask how he's doing, besides Sai, who hardly ever has any sort of troubles.

Of course not. Why would they when they think nothing could ever be bothering Naruto? He hates himself for the thought, but sometimes, Naruto feels like he's always covered in leeches, eager to suck him dry. Regardless, Naruto can't bring himself to make it stop. How could he, with so many leaning on him? He's really not one for drama, yet it seems to follow him wherever he goes.

All he can think now, with Sai appearing more shocked and enraged than he's ever seen, is that conflict has found him once more. Pulling back from Sasuke's embrace, Naruto takes in the heated glare the artist sends his recently returned boyfriend. Panic shoots up the blonde's spine, feeling unequipped to handle this odd situation. He's never dealt with an angry Sai, or even an emotional one. His brain suddenly goes into overdrive, analyzing every interaction he's had with someone who was seething with fury and the method he used to calm them. Too many people, too many images fly through his mind's eye. Naruto overloads, frozen in his place, only able to stare at Sai standing in his doorway. No one moves for an eternity.

Naruto's not exactly surprised that Sasuke is the first to break the heavy silence, his grip on the blonde's arms tightening ever so slightly. The touch frees Naruto from his broken brain, and he gazes up at Sasuke with tentative eyes, hoping against hope that he doesn't aggravate the situation. It's no secret that he despises Sai, and he's done little to hide it in the past.

"If you have something to say to me, then don't keep us in suspense. You clearly look like you want to," Sasuke spares the artist a glance, then shrugs his shoulders, "Actually, you seem like you want to do more than talk, huh? Well, I'm right here, so it's your move."

Naruto imagines that he could've said worse, so he's grateful for the tiny bit of restraint.

Not that what Sasuke said was helpful.

With those words, Sai begins to move forward. His large, hurried strides are clear in their aggressive intent. Naruto didn't need to see his friend clench his hands to know that he's ready to get physical. Quick to react under intense circumstances due to his plentiful experience, Naruto steps out of Sasuke's hold and approaches Sai, who stops in front of the blonde. From the promise of violence swirling in his irises, Naruto is certain that, if he were anyone else, Sai would've struck him for being in the artist's way. Still, Naruto thinks it best not to touch him.

"Sai, I know you care a lot about me and I appreciate the gesture, but Sasuke and I made up. He's here to stay. Everything's going to return to normal, all right? Just calm down."

In an instant, Sai's hands land firmly on Naruto's shoulders. He yanks Naruto forward, nearly lifting him above the floor. Their noses graze each other, and Naruto can only gawk at the hopelessness and frustration etched deep on Sai's features. Naruto shivers as the artist's erratic breaths strike his skin.

"You don't understand. IーHe hurt you! Why...How can you so easily accept him again? Things shouldn't go back to the way they were. Don't you see? Everything was great until he decided to crawl back here!"

At a loss for words, Naruto loses control of his senses as he stares into Sai's eyes, brimming with more emotion than he thought Sai was capable of. Before he can even process what was just told to him, Naruto falls backwards, finding his balance at the last second. He looks up to see Sasuke's fist shoved in Sai's exposed stomach. Oh, how he pitied Sai's obsession with crop tops.

"Who do you think you are? You have no right to meddle in our relationship. I care for him more than anyone, and would never hurt him on purpose! If you think that you can keep me from the love of my fucking life for another second, you have another thing coming."

Sasuke raises his other arm up, prepping a second strike. Fed up with the situation, Naruto slips his fingers into Sasuke's shirt and pulls him back. He then turns to Sai, who had been moving to block the oncoming punch. Naruto cringes at the bright red mark on Sai's pale skin as it already begins to bruise.

"Are you two serious right now? We're not freaking kids, you can't just punch your way through every goddamn conversation. If this has to come from me, then you guys are being ridiculously childish!"

Sai and Sasuke stare at him with wide eyes before each sharing a similar look of shame. Once again, Naruto is pushed into the role of mediator, and he flows into it with practiced ease. Releasing his boyfriend, Naruto paces back a bit to look them in the eye. Both of them struggle to maintain their gaze with him, appearing equally uncomfortable. Sai rubs at his elbows while Sasuke crosses his arms against his chest with a huff. If the situation weren't so tense, Naruto would've laughed at their identical embarrassment.

"You each mean the world to me, okay? I know you two don't exactly get along, but we're not in high school anymore, so you don't get to act like brats. If you guys can't at least tolerate each other, we're going to have problems. Are we clear?"

"Of course."

"Yes, mom."

Relaxing his shoulders, Naruto can't help but snort at their differing responses. What is he going to do with these two?