"Why exactly did I have to go grocery shopping with you?" Naruto complained as he walked back from putting up the shopping cart.

"Because I needed someone to help me carry all this shit inside."

"Wow, you are the best friend I could ask for." Sasuke rolled his eyes at the blond's comment. "Shouldn't you carrying this all at once prove your family's honor or something?"

Sasuke looked at Naruto straight in the face. "Were you not paying attention when this was all bagged and paid for? This is food for like three months, okay?"

"Why does your brother expect us to carry up enough food to last six people a year through Armageddon, alone? Oh but when he bought that new couch last month that was a team effort." Sasuke snorted. "Am I crazy? Is he? This is stupid."

Sasuke quickly reorganized the bags in the trunk, making sure to grab the eggs from the roof and shoved them into the blond's hand.

"Oh yeah, I'm just going to warn you now." Sasuke said as he slammed the trunk shut. "Itachi got drunk last night."

"Alright, already don't like where this is going."

"And he made like a hundred molasses cookies." Naruto paused, hand on the passenger side door. "It's unlocked, Dobe."

"Who gets drunk and makes cookies?"

"That's what I asked myself at one in the morning when the kitchen timer kept going off." Sasuke replied as he put the keys into the ignition. "And he also slapped my hand when I grabbed one."

"And he's not sharing? But his molasses cookies are so good."

"I guess."

Naruto put his foot up on the dashboard, smiling as he lounged. "Just because you don't like sweets doesn't mean I don't appreciate a perfectly baked cookie."

Sasuke snorted. "I don't know about perfectly baked. Itachi was drunk."

"I'm pretty sure your brother could be obliterated and still beat a chess master at his own game."

"I hear nothing but facts."

"So, Brain, what are we going to do tonight?"

Sasuke looked over, smirking. "You know, by acknowledging me as Brain, you've unwittingly outed yourself as an idiot."

"So Netflix and sarcasm? Sounds good."

Sasuke snorted. "Unless you have some other grandiose plan?"

Naruto shrugged. "I like sitting and watching shitty movies and judging them for their lackluster quality." Then Naruto turned, smiling. "Although, we do have a set of wheels so we could always run the streets and do something in our age range of stupidity."

"Ooo, yes. I haven't been to the hospital yet since I turned sixteen so you're right, let's do something fun like that." Sasuke looked into his mirrors and put the car into reverse, pulling out of the parking spot slowly. "Oh shit." Naruto and Sasuke both jerked forward as the back end slammed into the car behind them. Sasuke hugged the steering wheel. "Itachi is going to murder me."

"Why weren't you watching?!"

"I WAS! That guy came out of nowhere!" Sasuke slammed back into his seat, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands. "Goddammit. I haven't even had this car a month. Itachi is never going to let me go anywhere again. Fuck." Sasuke took a deep breath and got out of the car and the man was inspecting the damage, not even looking at Sasuke. Naruto had stepped out of the car too and he was seemingly stuck in place, staring at the man. Sasuke thought it was strange that Naruto was acting like this. And he was very quiet. Sasuke cleared his throat and the man still seemed like he was ignoring him; Sasuke got annoyed. He had a phone to his ear and Sasuke figured he was already calling the police or the insurance company. The raven frowned as the man finally acknowledged him.

"Hey, sorry about this. I was in a hurry and didn't see you pulling out." The man smiled at Sasuke. A chill spread through Sasuke's back but he said nothing in response, reaching for the copy of his insurance information from his wallet. "Oh no, that's not necessary."

"What?" Sasuke was befuddled, raising an eyebrow and openly expressing his skepticism. The man reached into his own pocket and retrieved his wallet. He slapped a substantial amount of money in Sasuke's hand and the Uchiha just gapped for a moment. There was far more than was necessary to repair the damage. Again, Sasuke showed his skepticism.

"To be completely honest with you, I don't have a lot of time to sort this out with the police and insurance companies. That will cover the damages and your time." The man got back on his phone, slipping into his car at the same time. Sasuke just watched as he drove away, a huge stack of money in his hands. Looking at Naruto for some kind of mutual confusion, Sasuke found none. Naruto calmly pressed the stop button on his phone and got back into the car.

"Maybe Itachi won't find out and I won't be murdered."

"I don't know." Naruto said in a soft, very serious tone.

"Are you okay? Did you hit your head?"

"I'm fine, I just got hella creeped out by that dude. I took a video too, just in case."

"Why?"

"Teme, are you stupid? That shit was hella sketch. He ignores you, gives you like a huge stack of money, like bigger than most people should carry around, and just leaves. He could have been like an incognito drug-lord or something. I have to keep my wits about me okay? I'm not being murdered today."
-

"Okay, for real though, I know we're friends and everything, but next time you go grocery shopping do not invite me."

"Oh come on, Dobe, this isn't even that bad."

"I'M SWEATING!" Naruto announced looking very annoyed, face openly exasperated.

"I hate to break this to you but you're always sweaty, Naruto."

Naruto paused on the stairs in front of Sasuke. "I hope that the bag your tomatoes are in breaks and they just all fall down the stairs."

"That's a really mean thing to say."

"Uzumaki curse, bitch. Live with it now."

"Sasuke." Both Naruto and Sasuke froze at the entryway as Itachi stood with his back to them in the kitchen. "Come in here; now." Sharing a look, the duo head into the kitchen and begin setting down their groceries. Itachi still hadn't turned around yet. Sasuke eyed the phone in Itachi's hand, being held with a vice-grip. He turned slowly, composing himself as he did so. "Sasuke, I just got a call from our insurance company. That you got into an accident."

Naruto and Sasuke both were silent. "THAT MOTHERFUCKER!" Naruto yelled, "I TOLD YOU!"

Sasuke was stunned and silent. "He told me he didn't want to get the insurance companies involved…"

Itachi held up a hand to silence the two of them as they entered what seemed to be a tirade of their own branding. "I'm not mad, Sasuke. Really, I'm not. But I am disappointed you decided you didn't need to call me and let me know what was going on. I don't want to find these things out from our insurance company because we're being sued."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE'RE BEING SUED?"

"He's suing us to get a bigger payout, Sasuke. That's what people do, they're assholes. And it their case is pretty compelling because you left before the cops came."

"No one called the cops! He slipped me some money and moved his car out of my way! He didn't even take my insurance card."

"Then how did he get in contact with the insurance company, Sasuke?"

Sasuke was floored, mouth opening and closing as he tried to find a point to invalidate what Itachi was saying. Itachi ran a hand through his hair. "Just, go to your room for a second while I get all of this figured out."

The younger Uchiha huffed indignantly. "Whatever Itachi! I have no reason to lie to you! Mom and Dad would have believed me." Itachi's eyes widened as an emotion akin to hurt spread across his face. Naruto looked between the two of them as Sasuke spun on his heels and stomped up the stairs to his room.

The blond pulled out his phone as Itachi ran a hand through his hair. "Stupid." He muttered under his breath.

"I may have something you want to see, Itachi." Naruto said, pulling his phone out from his pocket.
0-0-0

Sasuke's mouth tasted like ash and blood. He tried to lick his lips to wet them and soothe the chapped quality they'd taken on, but his tongue was too dry. He moaned, rolling onto his back. Whatever was beneath his head shifted. He could hear something muffled coming from above him, but it was too quiet to make out and led into a large pause of silence.

Sasuke felt his eyes flutter but could not find the strength to keep them open; his mouth opened and no sound emerged. There was such a pressure stabbing behind his temples and eyes. He could hear buzzing coming from around him, it whirred into a ringing sound. He rolled only to have his head caught by a strong pair of hands.

"What?"

"He rolled off my lap."

"Has he awoken?"

"Afraid not; seems like we may need to carry on without his conscious state."

After a few seconds of shuffling, the ringing in Sasuke's ears ceased completely. He could hear the chirping of birds and cicadas in the distance, the rubbing of cloth next to his head, the sighs of his companions and their words, but he could not shake sleep from himself enough to join this in consciousness.

"Will you be able to move in that state?"

"Of which state are you referring? I am quite fine since last night's incident; I am an Uzumaki after all. We are endowed with healing powers."

"Hn."

"Do not take offense to this observation." Naruto paused waiting for a grunt of acknowledgement from Itachi gave it. "But it seems we should be more worried about your present state than mine. There is something…Different about you in comparison to our last meeting. You seem, forgive the word, weak."

"Ha, I see." Naruto huffed at the comment.

"You say you would not be offended!

"I said no such thing, I have given no validation to your words. I may feel how I wish and no one can tell me otherwise. And I am not offended, so please do not get ahead of yourself, child. You are right, I am in a weakened state."

"Considering the company you kept, I can assume something demonic is afoot."

"Not exactly." Itachi lets out a sigh. "I suppose it does no good to keep what happened a secret…Madara broke my chastity."

"Vile wretch, how dare he exert his power over someone in such a way!"

"Do not be so quick with that sharpened tongue of yours, I let him have it."

Naruto and Itachi were both silent; Naruto obviously trying to figure out a context in which something like this could happen. The shifting of bodies slipped Sasuke's head slightly lower into Itachi's lap, such that his cheek was pressing down into Itachi's knee.

"Are you in need of purification? I do not doubt you're harboring…Parasites of your 'consummation', as it were."

"Would you be willing to lend me that chakra?"

"By all means; I do suppose it would be against my oaths if I did not aid you."

Sasuke stirred, slowly opening his eyes. He stared up from Itachi's lap and saw him and Naruto lip-locked, shimmering in golden light. "BRUH, WHAT THE FUCK." Sasuke, out of shock, clocked Naruto's in the chin with his fist. The blond pulled away from Itachi, holding the bottom part of his face and staring into the Uchiha's wide eyes.

"Good morning," Itachi said casually. "I'm glad to see you've finally woken."

"Sasuke! What is the meaning of your violence?"

Sasuke had gotten up on his knees in front of Itachi. He pointed an accusing finger in Naruto's face, "You were kissing my brother!"

"We were sharing chakra!"

"And we by no means related by direct blood."

Sasuke stuttered for a second, getting up to his feet. "Whatever." Itachi and Naruto shared a look, both also getting to their feet and following after Sasuke. He turned towards the two of them, "Why are you following me?" Again, a look was shared.

"Are you feeling well, Sasuke?"

"I'm fine, Naruto. Just give me some room to breathe."

"Your face is quit-"

"I SAID I WAS FINE, JUST LEAV-" Itachi grabbed Sasuke's forearm, snatching him out of any rant he was about to begin.

"As fine and well as this all is, we must consider our current situation before losing our tempers and doing things we regret. I believe we had enough of that last night; we do not have much time. Now that you've awoke, we will quit this place for a safer haven." Itachi let go of Sasuke's arm and said nothing further, walking past him and deeper into the underbrush of the forest.
-

Madara's hand twitched, once, and then again, as the burning ebbed out of his skin. He took a deep breath, concentrating all the golden chakra into his lungs to be expelled with the exhale. He coughed, spewing blood and ichor from his mouth as the golden chakra singed his lips and nostrils. He reached the sword sticking out of him, gripping it firmly. It slid out slowly, spilling ichor and petrified blood, steaming once it hit the earth in an acidic syrup. Madara grunted out his pain, feeling the power of the runes breaking.

"My Lord, you've finally begun to stir."

Madara tilted his head slightly towards Tobi; he was at Madara's knees, unmoving except for the occasional twitch. Madara was glowering. "I do indeed praise your amble ability to come to my aid." He said through gritting teeth, eyes looking peeled, red and bright with demonic magic.

"Not much I could do, I'm afraid. Our precious little pet was poisonous; it's taken me more time than I care to admit to cleanse myself."

Madara got to his feet, moving towards towards Tobi, body swaying as he did so. The golden chakra runes were slowly starting to dissipate from his skin and into the ground, exploding in the dirt. Madara's hand landed on Tobi's shoulder, a pulse of dark magic coming from his palm. Tobi's entire body started to twitch and he bent in half as black sludge spilled from his mouth. He fell to his knees, trembling. He grabbed the mask on his face, moving it slightly such that he could brush the ooze off his chin.

"I suppose I should thank you." Madara wasn't even looking at his companion, already lost in his own storm of thought. Tobi got back to his feet, his breathing slowed and his movements increasing in fluidity. "What is the plan, now, my Lord?"

Madara seemed to ignore Tobi. "Did you see it?" Tobi watched as Madara turned his eyes towards the setting sun. "He was wearing Hashirama's necklace, as if to spite me!"

"Was that how he was able to resist you?"

Madara folded his arms across his chest. "I can only surmise that is the answer. There should be no other way that he can deny me outright." The Uchiha looked up to the sky again, eyes narrowing. "Why must you always interfere with my work? You fool…" Madara shook his head. "No matter, we must set out again. Konoha's destruction will attract more unwanted attention. For now, let us retreat, lick our wounds, and set out on the prowl. One failed attempt will not stop me, not after being so close."

The hand Madara was holding to his chest came away dripping with nearly black blood. "My Lord, we must find you something for your wound." Tobi came up behind Madara but the older Uchiha shook off the hand, turning towards the entrance.

"All I need is time." Madara said, looking up into the setting sun, "He'll be mine soon."

-0-0-

Naruto and Itachi simultaneously turned; Sasuke stopped walking when he realized they had stopped. "Um? You guys okay?"

"We need to pick up the pace." Itachi said in a calm but serious tone. Naruto nodded his head in agreement.

"I actually believed we'd have less time than this, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised he started moving again."

Sasuke sighed, "What exactly is Madara's deal anyway?"

Itachi raised an eyebrow, "His deal is with you; his soul for yours. I thought I had already explained this to you." Sasuke looked at Itachi like he was an idiot for a few seconds. "Is that not the meaning you'd have prescribed to the situation?"

"I believe you are indeed right, Itachi." Naruto confirmed.

Sasuke's confusion continued for another few seconds. "OH, I misspoke. What I meant was: what exactly is his motivation? Aside from me and the soul stealing, I don't understand his set of goals."

Itachi nodded his head. "Ah, I see." He looked thoughtfully for a moment, "Madara story is one of tragedy. His time was one filled with endless war, bloodshed, and bitter men. Madara was born into a position of power, being the son to assume control of the Uchiha clan when he came of age. But one day, he met Senju Hashirama; he was the son of Senju's leader. They became fast friends, and just as quickly, their families sought to destroy any peaceful union they had created. The Uchiha and Senju families continued to fight until one day, our family, the Uchiha, had nothing left to fight for. Vast numbers of our clan surrendered and switched sides, seeking to end the war. But Madara would not follow them and tried to destroy Hashirama with his strength, vowing that even death wouldn't stop him. Our clan swore revenge for Madara; but in his absence they realized life was calm. He had really been the disease of the clan. We never gave a second thought to reviving him." Itachi paused. "The Uchiha helped to build Konoha but we left after many disputes with the lords; we become a nomadic clan again and everything remained peaceful…"

"Until now."

"Yes." Itachi looked up to the small birds flying overhead. They were headed away from Konoha; an ill omen. "By now, my family has to know Madara has been revived."

"What does that mean for us? Are they going to be able to help us?" Sasuke asked.

Itachi paused for a moment, frowning slightly. "I don't know. I have not been home in many moons. Father may not do anything because he does not know the source of Madara's resurrection, so he may just be having the clan pick up and leave before Madara can storm their camp."

Naruto gritted his teeth and clenched his hands into fists, "If the Uchiha knew about Madara's presence, why did they not come to aid us? How could they sit idly by as people die?"

Itachi's eyes narrowed, shaking his head. "Foolish child, what would you have us do? Die with you? There's nothing the Uchiha could have done to help. Konoha's population greatly outnumbers ours, not to mention the number of priests you had on your side. And even if we knew he was awake and roaming, how could we have tracked him? They can't even find me." Naruto stuttered on his words, obviously trying to put together a quick counter argument but nothing came out of his mouth. He closed his lips and looked away in resignation; Sasuke frowned. "You are trying to justify your failures to protect the village; I assure you that no amount of time would have prepared Konoha for Madara." Naruto's expression turned sullen; Sasuke reached out to comfort the blond, feeling more than his share of guilt about his role of this situation. "Besides, you did not fail Konoha, Naruto. You saved Sasuke."

Naruto looked up then, smiling widely. "I do suppose I did well in that regard."

Sasuke wanted to smile but he couldn't bring himself to do so. All he could remember is Naruto covered in that blood red mist and all the skin that was missing from his body. Just the glimpse of it in his mind made Sasuke shudder. He wanted to ask Naruto if he was alright, but the blond seemed just as bouncy and energetic as always…That meant he was okay, right? Sasuke looked away for a moment as Itachi stopped in front of them, reaching into a satchel of sorts. He removed a map, unfolding it. "Do the two of you have a suggestion as to where we should head?"

Naruto moved to stand side by side with Itachi. He started to point to the map and speak, outlining the path with his finger. Sasuke hung back for a moment, a sudden sickness churning the bile in his stomach. He reached up to where his chest ached and the curse bubbled beneath his skin. He guessed he should be lucky that he was able to escape with Itachi and Naruto but the guilt was still there, lingering. Everything was happening because of him and even when he tried to give himself up to keep others safe, Naruto was almost killed. Sasuke's clenched his fists and turned his head towards the village. He wondered if Madara was going to come after him immediately.

What would he do then? He didn't know if he could handle Naruto…Changing like that a second time.

"That being said, I will not remain with you throughout your entire journey." Itachi said suddenly, causing Sasuke to snap his head towards the Uchiha.

"What? You can't just leave us."

Itachi smiled softly. He placed a hand on Sasuke's hair and ruffled it. "Forgive me, Sasuke, but I must go. Having extended relations with Madara has made me weak, and even with the potency of Naruto's chakra, I still have a long road to travel before everything will be normal." Naruto's face lost its gleeful expression and turned to one of worry. "Have a little confidence in yourselves. I highly doubt Orochimaru will give you as much trouble as Madara."

Sasuke and Naruto shared a look. The younger Uchiha shrugged, raven hair swaying a little as he did so. "I wouldn't know. I've never met the man."

"I have." Itachi said with a slight smirk on his face. "He is more talk than anything else. I do not believe Naruto's powers would be easily overtaken."

Itachi handed Naruto the map. "Because we left in such a rush, you two do not have adequate supplies for the week's journey. I suggest you stop in a small town on the outskirts of the forest and…Bless a few homes." Itachi winked at the blond and he smiled back, a slight laugh following it. "I hope to encounter the two of you again. And soon, as well. But we shall see what strings Kami is willing to weave for us."

"May the ground meet your feet and the sun always be at your back. Safe journey my friend." Itachi and Naruto nodded to each other.

Sasuke felt himself get a little choked up. "I'm holding you to your word, Itachi. We better see you soon."

The older Uchiha smiled. "I am nothing if not a man of my word."

Itachi turned down a different path than Naruto and Sasuke, his back quickly disappearing into the underbrush. Sasuke could help but feel a slight pang of longing for Itachi, but he knew and was constantly reminded, that this Itachi was not his at all. Even if they acted nearly identical. Naruto looked over at Sasuke's sullen face and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Did you really find it necessary to strike me earlier?"

The comfort Sasuke had felt left him and was immediately replaced by annoyance. "It was just a mistake, drop it."

"Just because you made a mistake does not mean you can resort to any kind of violence."

"Aren't you supposed to be some kind of like…Great warrior or something? So you probably should have been able to dodge it, right?"

Naruto puffed up indignantly, making Sasuke smirk, already having the blond losing his temper.
-

Sasuke sat down on a stump, wiping the sweat off his brow as Naruto threw himself down on the ground across from the Uchiha. Naruto had managed to start a fire; freshly caught fish cooking over the flames. He hadn't noticed how empty his stomach had felt until he smelled the meat cooking. He watched impatiently as Naruto stoked the fire, sighing to himself. "I still have your necklace."

Naruto looked up from the sticks in his hand. "Keep it."

Sasuke cocked his head to the side. "But it's yours."

"But it kept you safe, did it not?"

"Was it because of me that you changed?"

Naruto paused before he started to stab at the embers with a smoldering stick. "No, I made the decision to…Unleash the beast."

"So that was…"

Naruto nodded his head. "That was Kyuubi."

"I was scared that I was going to lose you."

Naruto chuckled a little. "Don't worry, that's not the first time Kyuubi has been released. It would have dissipated."

Sasuke shook his head. "That's not what I meant, idiot. I thought…"

"Do not be too attached to me, Sasuke. I'm not actually your friend." Sasuke stared, his mouth slightly open as Naruto turned his head away. "While you were sleeping, I had actually considered leaving you with Itachi. But something about Itachi had changed so I decided to stay."

"Are you angry with me?" Sasuke asked, standing up. "Because I wouldn't run away when you told me to? What would I have done, Naruto? Madara would have just followed me." Naruto opened and shut his mouth, getting to his feet as well. His face was darkened by the shadows playing from the fire. But Sasuke could see the red tones it had taken on from Naruto's anger, the way his blue eyes narrowed.

"If you would have left-"

"I would have been captured anyway! And even if I did manage to escape, I don't know where I'm going! Which would have made me a sitting duck for any fucking creature in this forest to prey upon." Sasuke clenched his fists at his side. "I CAN'T DO ANY OF THIS WITHOUT YOU, NARUTO! I'M SORRY THAT I'M SUCH A BURDEN FOR YOU." Sasuke turned away from the blond. "As soon as we get to Orochimaru, just leave me. I'll handle everything else from there."

"I can't let you deal with that man by yours-"

"I'm freeing you from your obligation." Sasuke sat back down on his stump, face looking completely impassive and cold. He didn't even bother to make eye contact with Naruto when he said, "Fish is done."

Naruto nursed his lip, watching the coldness of Sasuke's face. He grabbed his food and sat back down, realizing he had said far too much. Naruto tried to take a bite of his food but realized the grumbling of his stomach had ceased and he felt sick. It felt like his stomach was tickling the back of his throat. Words tried to pry themselves out of his mouth but the more Naruto felt like he needed to say something to remedy the situation, the more he realized that the closer he got to Sasuke, the harder it would be to let him go when the time came.

Naruto took a bite of his fish.
-

Madara smirked as he looked into the blood pool before him. At his feet sat the limp body of a virginal woman he had picked up on the road back to his hideout. He had broken her and feasted upon the remaining flesh; the wound in his chest had closed as soon as he tasted her blood. He stroked the surface of the blood; it rippled underneath his fingertips. Madara watched with sick satisfaction Naruto and Sasuke fighting, "My, my, how cold he is."

He watched, and watched, and watched, until the embers of their fire had died down and they had started to sleep. He was enraptured by the softness of Sasuke's sleeping face and couldn't help but think of how he would scream when the soul came ripping out of his flesh. Madara shuddered and pushed back the thought. He grabbed a dagger from his side, slicing his finger open. With his own blood he began to mark around the pool, drawing unholy symbols and mixing his cursed blood with the sacrificial pool. He laughed to himself as he sliced open his palm, holding the now dripping appendage over the still, sleeping image of Sasuke's face.

Tobi watched Madara's apparent mirth, even though he could not see anything in that pool of blood besides the carnage. "What are you doing, my lord?"

Madara turned towards Tobi, a wicked smile on his lips. "Just sending my dearest Sasuke a gift; something to help him sleep."

Droplet's rippled across the image, making the wood underneath the pool creak and moan. Soon, the pool completely slipped through the cracks. Madara smirked looking out towards the moon. "Have sweet dreams, my love."

Sasuke woke to the feeling of a hand in his hair, fingertips gently moving across his scalp in the most soothing way. It reminded him of when he was sick and his mother would comfort him in this way, humming a soft tune at the side of his bed. But Sasuke knew better; the fingers were too cold, too calloused. He opened his eyes slowly, realizing there was no fire, no Naruto, no forest in front of him. He sat up instantly, heart hammering in his chest. He was on the outskirts of a grain field. Sasuke tried to get to his feet but as he got to his knees, he caught Madara's red eyes with his own. Sasuke felt like the world around him was freezing over; they'd lost.

Madara smiled in an eerily calm way, reaching out to caress Sasuke's face. The Uchiha got to his feet so fast, he nearly fell over, scrambling as fast as he could down the slight hill and into the grain field. The whisks smacked at his face as he ran, making sure to duck and weave all around the field to keep his location hidden. He found a clearing after running for a good few minutes and headed into it, hoping to find a thicket to throw himself into. He took a deep breath and kicked his body into high gear, sprinting towards the edge of the grain.

A hand caught his leg and the back of his shirt before he toppled down the hill. He looked down into the field of grain, which had been undisturbed. He nearly went limp in Madara's hand. "What a horrid end you would have come to, if you had fallen. With such a delicate, swan-like neck, you would have wrecked to pieces." Sasuke could feel the smirk Madara wore against his neck. There was gentleness to the Uchiha's voice as he reeled Sasuke back into his lap. "Oh, my love, how I have missed you."

"But-I…"

"Shhh, love. You're just dreaming."

"Dreaming?"

Madara laughed gently. "Yes, my most beautiful boy, you are just dreaming. Oh but how do I long to touch your skin in reality. How I crave to taste your flesh, devour your blood and body," Madara slipped a hand up Sasuke's yukata. He tried to pull away but Madara held fast, hand slipping all the way up to grip Sasuke's face. He trapped the smaller Uchiha's chin. Madara forced Sasuke to turn his head towards the demon. "Let me enjoy this dream with you."

"This is a nightmare." Sasuke grit out. The older Uchiha laughed heartily, throwing his head back in a sick delight.

"No, love, no, if it were a nightmare, I wouldn't be here to save you from the world. From that callous boy who dares to hurt you."

Sasuke eyes widened. "How do you know about that?"

"Because I watch and I wait so we can be together, love. Obviously, you are all I see, and all I care for." Madara moved in closer, pressing his lips against Sasuke's. The younger Uchiha moaned, allowing Madara to slip his tongue inside. Sasuke tried to shake his head, to break the kiss but he found himself weakening.

-0-0-0-

Naruto stirred to the sound of muffled grunting. He sat up and saw Sasuke's face scrunching and relaxing, as if he was caught in the midst of a nightmare. Naruto rubbed his eyes and sighed, moving closer to the Uchiha. He knelt next to Sasuke, about to press a golden cloaked hand to Sasuke's forehead to alleviate the suffering when Naruto heard a soft moan escape Sasuke's lips. The blond felt heat flood his cheeks as he looked down at Sasuke's flushed face, his lips partly open, mumbling something that was broken up by more and more small groans and moans.

Naruto turned his head away as Sasuke twitched and arched, breathing becoming labored. "Why of all times must I be awake?" He cursed under his breath. Naruto was about to stand up again and figure out a way to drown out Sasuke's…Visions of nightly pleasures when he heard Sasuke begin to speak.

"Nar-" The blood pooled in Naruto's cheeks as Sasuke finished moaning out his name. He felt somewhat horrified at the utterance escaping Sasuke's mouth. But part of him, deep down felt a sick amount of delight. Until a more desperate quality came into Sasuke's voice. "…ake me…p."

"What?" Naruto got closer to Sasuke's mouth, the whispering difficult to hear.

"Ake me up…"

"Take me up?" Naruto muttered to himself. He wondered if he was mishearing Sasuke's words but he couldn't be certain.

Suddenly Sasuke body arched and a loud moan ripped past his lips, a hand went flying to Sasuke's chest and he thrashed in his sleep. "WAKE ME UP! NARUTO! WAKE ME UP!"

Adrenaline tinged Naruto's vision as he focused on Sasuke. He grabbed the Uchiha's shoulders and started shaking him. "Wake up, Sasuke! WAKE UP!" But whatever dream Sasuke was having seemed to be holding. Naruto stopped shaking the Uchiha and turned his head towards the edge of where the light reached the trees. Standing at the line of shadows and thicket was Madara, leaning against a tree and watching with dark, red eyes.

Naruto slammed his open palms to the ground, spreading golden chakra through the earth and making it grow into a protective barrier around them. More of the forest was illuminated now and Madara's whole body became clear in all the new light. Naruto shuddered at the thought of Madara being so close to them. He could have easily been dispatched while he had been at rest. He got to his feet and moved closer to the demon to show that he was unafraid; Naruto caught the shaking of his hands in his peripherals.

Slowly, Sasuke opened his eyes. With a gasp, Sasuke jumped to his feet, whipping around in every direction as if looking for something. He stopped when he saw Madara; he was panting, eyes transfixed on the demon. He shook with what a mixture of desire and fear when those red eyes fell on him.

"Sasuke, stand back!" Naruto nearly shoved Sasuke into the fire with how fast he was moving. "Stay away, beast. I shall end you here and now."

Madara laughed maniacally. "Oh, just like you ended me back in Konoha? Just like your village, your words are built on a monolith of lies. You have no power to stop me. I should have just ended you like a calf in a den of wolves; devoured in an instant. Your flesh would have snapped so firmly in my teeth!"

"Y-you cannot cross these wards, demon! Do not attempt to intimidate me when you cannot even cross through the light!" Madara raised a hand to the golden bubble surrounding them. It fired off energy that cracked like golden lightning. "I can hold this ward in place all night, demon. Do not underestimate the Uzumaki power."

"I do not need all night to obtain what is mine." Naruto backed up into Sasuke, continuing to push him back as he moved away from Madara. He kept getting closer, moving into the ward. Sasuke watched, eyes widening with a sense of horror as the bubble shocked and crackled all around them but didn't seem to be stopping Madara at all.

Naruto tried to hold his breath steady as his chakra wavered with the effort it took to keep the barrier around them from popping. He could feel the sweat on his brow slipping past his eyes and down his neck. His teeth were gritting; he closed his eyes, trying to find the spot in his mind where he could find complete focus. He found it more and more difficult as Sasuke's hands got curled into the back of his yukata, obviously afraid of what could happen to him-them.

Suddenly, all the pressure on the barrier was gone as it popped; Naruto completely losing his focus. Madara's body had expanded inhumanly, and as soon as the barrier dissipated, it exploded in a wave of blood. Both Naruto and Sasuke gasped in horror as they were washed over with a crimson wave. Naruto felt like his skin was on fire, collapsing back into Sasuke's arms. He screamed in pain and Sasuke realized he needed to get Naruto into water as quickly as he could.

Stumbling half blind, half panicked, Sasuke led a screaming Naruto to the small river next to their camp. He threw the blond into the deepest part before jumping in after him. He coughed as cold water shot up his nose and coppery water dripped into his mouth. He spat multiple times but the pungent taste of Madara still lingered.

Naruto splashed himself furiously, stripping himself nude and submerging himself completely in the ice cold water. Sasuke was shivering, arms over his chest as he teeth chattered. He could see the dark, red streaks of blood coming from the blood and water mixing and dripping from his hair. "What the fuck was that thing? That wasn't Madara, right?"

Naruto was still splashing water onto his face, shaking his head. "No, that was a manifestation of his form. What a vile trick to play!" Naruto stood up straight, hands still on his face. "Forgive me, Sasuke, we may need to rest the next day or two…"

Sasuke rushed through the waist deep water over to Naruto's side. "Why? Are you okay?" He tried to reach over Naruto and grab the blond by the shoulders but Naruto shrugged away from him.

"That…Familiar—or whatever conjuration it was –burned me." Naruto removed his hands slowly from his eyes, showing a red, puffy inflammation. Sasuke grimaced.

"Why didn't it affect me like that?"

"Because you're not a holy being, you're just a human." Naruto cursed. "Just give me some time and my chakra will sort out my injuries. I just need to make sure there's no more of that…cursed blood left on my body."

Sasuke watched as Naruto cleaned himself for almost a half and hour. He noticed, out of the corner of his eye, fish rising from the stream to the surface where the blood had spread throughout the water. He shivered, not just because of the wind, but because of how horrifying this could have been. What if they both had been affected by the blood? What if it killed Naruto?

Sasuke frowned at that thought remembering Naruto's callous words from earlier. He supposed, as acquaintances, it would be in his best interest to help Naruto through the next few days as to make sure he could return home without a hitch.

When Naruto stumbled to the end of the river, Sasuke grabbed his hand, helping him to the shore. He had extra, dry clothes in duffle bag. He grabbed Naruto's strewn about clothes and got them back to camp safely. Sasuke helped Naruto dress quickly and set him next to the dying fire. Sasuke built it back up, hanging the wet, dripping clothes by the fire to dry. He sighed and sat down next to the blond. He was still shivering. Naruto scooted closer to Sasuke, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "My apologies, but I'm so cold."

Sasuke nodded. "It's okay."

"Sasuke, I'm sorry about what I said earlier."

The Uchiha rolled his eyes. "Don't worry about it now."

"I mean it; I really am sorry. I care for you more than my words properly say." There was a delirious and exhausted quality to Naruto's words. He laid his head on Sasuke's shoulder, wet hair dripping on the Uchiha. Sasuke could feel a flush creeping up his cheeks. He laughed a little to himself.

"Whatever." Silence filled the air for a few moments before Sasuke heard Naruto's soft snores next to him and he sighed. He looked up at the moon, knowing he wasn't going to be sleeping for a while.