(Monday)
the next day...
In Tsunade's office...
Lady Tsunade had just finished informing Sakura of her two teammates close relationship. Sakura just sat their crying angrily.
Tsunade, seeing the anger on the girl's face spoke up, " listen Sakura , please don't be angry with Naruto. I know you're hurt and upset, but try to remember that he has suffered the most through all this. Try to remember how you felt when Sasuke left and how Naruto must be feeling everyday on top of the usual scorn from the villagers." she informed her, " if nothing else, think of how he had to watch you over the years go on and on about your love for Sasuke, while he had to hide his and stand on the sidelines looking in, so as not to hurt you. He has suffered in silence and in spite of the fact that Sasuke abandoned him, he still fights to protect this village. If nothing else, think of the promise he made you."
While she was speaking Sakura had lost her anger and had stopped crying. She sat there thinking of what Naruto had been through and was still going through.
She stood up and looked at Tsunade-sama, "I've finally realized something, I've been a really selfish girl. It was all there right before my eyes but I chose to ignore it. All this time I've been thinking about how I felt and relying on Naruto to comfort me. I never once thought of the fact that he was Sasuke's friend as well and that he too had been left behind." She smiled sadly with self-disgust.
"Thank you for explaining everything to me Tsunade -sama. Now if its okay with you, I'm gonna go take care of my best friend. Its time I took care of him the way he has always done for me." she said.
Tsunade-sama smiled at her and nodded. Sakura Haruno had finally grown up.
In Naruto's hospital room...
With Iruka and Kakashi...
Iruka heard a slight stirring coming from the bed and woke up instantly, he turned to the bed and looked at Naruto. He had fallen asleep on Kakashi's lap, after crying for hours and had slept there the whole night.
Naruto eyes were open. Iruka scrambled off Kakashi's lap, waking the sleeping copy ninja as he did so, and hurried over to Naruto.
"Naruto how are you feeling?" Iruka asked him. Naruto didnt respond he just continued to stare vacantly.
"Naruto?" Iruka asked again. Still the boy didnt respond.
Iruka started to sob hysterically at seeing the usually hyper blond in such a state.
Kakashi walked over and pulling his distraught lover into his comforting arms, reached over and pressed the Nurse's call button.
A nurse hurried in immediately. She greeted him, before walking over to her patient to run a check-up on him.
"He's the same as he was yesterday as far as I can see," said the nurse, "I'm going to call Tsunade-sama."
"I'm already here," came a voice from the door. Tsunade-sama was standing at the door with Shizune and her pig. She walked into the room and over to Naruto, where she ran another check up on him.
"Physically he is all healed up, but we still have to wait for him to awaken from this state to check on his mental state. His brain-waves are normal though." she said sadly
Kakashi looked at her over the head of his distraught lover, " what the worst case scenario?" he asked.
Tsunade looked at him, " the worst case is that he will sleep into a coma before eventually passing away." she said tearfully. "The way he is now, its as if he's lost the will to live."
Iruka began to cry even harder and this time even Kakashi began to sob.
She looked over at Iruka, "take Iruka home Kakashi. He needs to rest." said Tsunade-sama.
Iruka looked at her pleadingly, " I don't want to leave him alone," he cried.
"He wont be alone, there will always be someone with him who cares about him. You can even come back later after you've had some rest." said Tsunade sama.
" If you don't rest, you will make yourself sick and not be much help to anyone, especially Naruto. He'll need you when he regains awareness. Now go before I have to sedate you as well." she ordered sternly, even though she was crying as well.
After nodding his head at her, Kakashi gently pulled his lover even closer and teleported them into there apartment. Once there, he gave his lover a bath, fed him and then went to bed together to get some sleep. Iruka finally fell asleep from exhaustion after crying for another half an hour. Kakashi fell asleep an hour later , with tears in his eyes as well.
Naruto stayed that way for the rest of the week. On the second day, they had began to feed him intravenously. All his friends came to visit him everyday, bringing him flowers and gifts.
Since they all wanted to stay with him, they began using the system they had set up, allowing everyone a turn. Except for Iruka and Kakashi, who stayed with him almost all the time, only leaving to go home to get some sleep or eat, since Tsunade-sama had given them time off.
Sakura chose to be the nurse on duty most of the time, saying if anyone had a right to take care of her best friend , it was her.
Meanwhile with Naruto...
outside the gates of the fox demon...
The nine tailed fox looked over at the boy crying , who had been lying outside his gates now for days now, "hey dumbass, what the hell are you still doing here huh? Didnt I already heal you?" it asked the boy.
The boy didnt even bother turning around to look at him, "I don't wanna go back, I have nothing to go back to." he said.
The fox snorted, " che! This is why I hate brats. Course you got a reason to go back brat. Unlike me all those people are waiting for you." It said sadly.
The boy turned around and looked at it, " but aren't you lonely in here all by yourself? " he asked.
The fox sighed , "yeah, but how is that different from every other day? At least when your out there you provide me with some entertainment." it said, "I'm bored when your in here. Besides your crowding my space."
The boy thought about it for a minute, then , " what if we merged and became one?" he asked, " since we're already sharing the same body it could work. We're both lonely and there is a lot of people out there trying to kill us. We both know that if I die, you'll die as well. You'll still be sealed but at least this way we can survive together and you wont be bored or lonely anymore either. We would be partners."
The fox thought about it for a minute, then said, " yeah, it could work. I have nothing better to do anyway, so it might be fun. With our combined strength we would be extremely powerful." it agreed.
The boy stood up and smile, " lets do it then, this way we both wont be alone anymore. But I dry the line at furs, a tail and fox ears," he said.
This time the fox spoke in a feminine voice, "it's a deal," she said.
The boy looked up in surprise, "you're a girl? How come you always sounded like a boy?" he asked.
There was a tinkling bell-like laughter before she said, "because making you think I was a boy was one of my only sources of amusement," she said, then, "my name is Chiyuki, now shall we get on with it partner?"
Naruto nodded and they began to merge.
Thursday night...
In Naruto's hospital room...
Sakura was giving Naruto another check-up when she noticed something different. She quickly called Tsunade- sama
Tsunade-sama teleported in immediately. She began to scan Naruto's vital sin. Her eyes widened when she saw what was going on.
By now Iruka and Kakashi and a few others were standing at the door worriedly.
"What's going on?" asked Iruka fearfully.
Tsunade turned and looked at them all, " Naruto and the fox are merging," she said bluntly and they gasped.
"What does that mean?" asked Ibiki, voicing everyone's question.
"It means that he will become even more powerful than ever before. The fox is still sealed within him and wont be a threat but Naruto will become even stronger. There might be some outer aspects from there merge as well, like a tail or fox ears, but we wont know which until it appears. I think that he is finally going to regain awareness soon." she said happily.
The others sighed in relief when they heard the fox was still sealed in. The were also glad about him being an even stronger ninja as well.
"How soon do you think he will awaken?" asked Anko.
"I think as soon as even tomorrow," said Tsunade-sama with a big smile.
Everyone began to chatter happily. Even Iruka had stopped chewing nervously on his nail to smile at her.
Clearing her throat, Tsunade decided to inform them of the other problem, " there is another thing to worry about ," she said and everyone quieted.
" while he will once again be aware, I don't know what his mental state will be as yet. His brain waves are normal but the trauma of the rape has changed him. He might not be the happy boy you all used to know." she said sadly.
They all stood there quietly as this began to sink in.
"Well I think he will be fine eventually," said Sakura firmly, " he's the strongest person I know and he will make it through this, I'll make sure of it," she said fiercely.
Tsunade came up behind her and placed an arm over her shoulders, "we all will," she said and the others nodded.
Then after much yelling and fussing, Tsunade made everyone except for Sakura, Iruka and Kakashi return home, but not before promising to inform them the minute he woke up.
Friday midday...
Naruto's room...
Naruto woke up and looked over at Iruka and Kakashi who were sprawled in a chair asleep.
"Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei," he called out hoarsely. His new extended canines getting in the way.
Iruka and Kakashi woke up immediately and hurried over to him. Iruka pulled him in a bear hug.
"Hey you're finally awake," he said smiling.
"You gave us quite a scare," said Kakashi, "I'll be back I have to call the Sakura and Tsunade-sama." he said, leaving Iruka to talk with him privately.
Iruka finally released the boy from his deathgrip. "I thought I was going to lose you." he said to the boy. He noticed the new teeth and the fox's red eyes but decided to ignore it.
Naruto gave Iruka a smile that didnt really reach his eyes, " no way Iruka- sensei, you cant kill me that easily. Who would you worry about if I'm gone." he said mock cheerfully.
"Oh god I was so worried. When I heard what happened ...," he broke off and teared up.
"Don't worry about it Iruka-sensei I'm alright, I've been through worst ," said Naruto calmly.
He took in Iruka's disheveled appearance as well as the bags under his eyes, " I'm fine but your obviously not. As soon as Kakashi comes back, I want you to go hope and sleep for the rest oft the day. It's quiet obvious you haven't been sleeping. You need to take better care of yourself, it would be really lame if you wound up in here with me." he said with that fake cheery smile.
Iruka laughed and just then the door to the room opened. Sakura and Tsunade burst in.
Sakura immediately glomped him, "baka you had me worried again," she said with a smile.
She pulled away and Tsunade grabbed him in a deathgrip, with tears running down her face.
"I thought I had lost you as well," she said sadly before pulling away.
"Don't be silly baachan, if I died , who would look after you and the village?" he asked mock cheerfully.
Tsunade laughed before she pulled back and began to give him a check up.
" Everything is okay but I want you to spend the night here okay?" she said.
He smiled and nodded calmly.
"Well brat is there anything you want?" she asked.
He smiled up at her and said, " can I have three bowls of ramen with vegetables on the side?" he asked.
She looked at him in surprise, he had never spoken so politely before. Nor was he one to eat vegetables without a fuss. "Of course son." she said.
Sakura left to get it and Iruka and Kakashi left the room to go home and get some sleep.
"How are you really Naruto? Tsunade asked seriously, as soon as they were alone. "I know that you've merged the fox inside you."
He reached up and traced a finger over his canine teeth.
Tsunade, seeing him do this said, "your eyes are now like the fox's as well." she informed him.
"Are you angry?" he asked her. She smiled and nodded at him.
"No of course not, I know that you've done this to protect the village. What I'm more concerned is how your doing emotionally," she said.
"Don't worry about me baachan I'm used to pain, I'll survive. I finally have the courage I needed to become stronger in order to protect this village. I'm hurt and upset as well as angry but you don't need to worry , I'll deal with it and move on." he said calmly.
She nodded at him sadly. The incident had changed him in more ways than she thought, his eyes looked as if they had lost that inner spark and he was more serious than ever. It was obvious that his smiles were fake and for their benefit.
Sighing , she opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the others making their entrance. She turned to see the girls practically steeping on the men in order to get to Naruto first.
"How are you feeling Naruto," said Ino.
He smiled at her, "I'm perfectly fine, a bit tired but other than that I'm okay."
They instantly saw his fangs and squealed, "oh that so cute Naruto," they said. "Can you ask for some ears and a tail too?" Tenten asked.
Naruto nodded, " yes but I don't think that would be a good thing. The villagers are already afraid of me and if I begin to turn into a fox even more than I have , they will panic and cause baachan unnecessary stress." he said seriously.
Everyone looked at him in surprise. They had never seen him act so serious before.
It was obvious that he had changed in a major way.
Naruto faked a yawn and everyone began to file out saying they would give him a chance to sleep.
Sakura returned with his food and placed it on the bed tray for him.
"Here you go Naruto, your favorite miso flavor and vegetables. The owner said it was on the house." she said cheerfully.
He looked at her but did not reach for the food, "thank you, please thank them for me." he said clearly. He motioned for her to sit on the chair next to his bed.
Clearing his throat he began, "Sakura, I know that by now you have become of my relationship with Sasuke." he said calmly. She nodded but didnt say anything.
"I'm sorry, it was never my intention to hurt you, I just didnt want it to affect the team. I'm sure you must hate me."
She nodded sadly, "no actually im not. If anything it has freed me from my one sided infatuation. I'm only sorry that I caused you pain through my actions and that I was too selfish to notice your pain. Thank you for always taking care of me. Now that your hurt I want to take care of you, we are a team after all," she said with a smile.
Naruto searched her face for a minute, as if to reassure himself that she was serious, "thank you Sakura. You really are a good friend. Now go home and get some sleep, you look tired."
She smiled and after giving him a hug, left to return home.
Naruto watched her go before beginning to eat. As soon as he finished eating he got up and went to sit in a chair by the window. Looking out he began to remember the first time he and Sasuke made love.
flashback
They were learning how to climb trees using chakra focused on their feet and Naruto was lying out in the forest exhausted. He had just finished helping the "girl" who he later found out was actually Haku , when he saw Sasuke coming.
Sasuke walked by Haku, glaring at him as he passed. Naruto and Sasuke had started dating a few days after their accidental kiss in class.
He came to kneel beside Naruto, "who was that?" he asked jealousy.
Naruto smiled up at his possessive boyfriend, "just some girl picking herbs." he said.
"Is that why you did come back last night? Were you with her?" he asked territorially.
Naruto chuckled, " no baka I just met her just now, I was here all by myself. Now are you gonna kiss me or are you gonna keep asking silly questions?" he said.
Sasuke frowned down at him before pulling him up and kissing him deeply. "Sorry luv," he said, " I just worry about losing you. Your so naive."
This time Naruto laughed, "how can I reassure you?" he asked.
This time the corners of Sasuke mouth lifted in a slight smirk, " well I can think of a few things," he said and reached down to caress Naruto's butt. "We haven't consummated our relationship yet you know?" he informed the blond. Then he began to kiss Naruto's neck.
"No we haven't have we? " said Naruto, "I was beginning to think you didnt want to.." he said.
Sasuke stopped and looked up at him in surprise. "Really? I've wanted you since the day we kissed. I was just waiting for you, I didnt want to rush you into anything you didnt want to do," he said.
Naruto smiled up at him, "I'm ready now." he said ,rubbing his erection against Sasuke's.
Sasuke groaned at the contact and leaned down and began to kiss him passionately. Naruto moaned into his mouth and grinded his erection into Sasuke's.
Sasuke released his lips and began placing little kisses down his neck line. He unzipped Naruto's jumpsuit and pulled it off. He broke the and stepped back to remove Naruto's shirt. He leaned down and pulled Naruto's right nipple and began sucking as he reached down and unzipped Naruto's pants. He switched to the other nipple as he pushed Naruto's underwear down and fisted his cock.
Naruto moaned and threw his head back in pleasure, "oh Sasuke that feels good," he said.
Sasuke slid down to his knees and after wetting his fingers with saliva, pulled Naruto's erection into his mouth and began to suck on it, as he began to thrust two fingers into Naruto , stretching him in preparation to take his cock later.
"Oh sasuke that's feel so good, more please," begged Naruto.
Sasuke began deep throating him and Naruto's whole body shook. He reached down, and putting a guiding hand on the back of Sasuke's head began to thrust inside his warm, wet mouth.
It didnt take long to push the blond over the edge as he wasn't used to it.
"Oh fuck Sasuke!of fuck I'm cumming!" he screamed as he flooded his lover's mouth with his salty-sweet cum.
Sasuke swallowed up his lover's cum eagerly before getting up and unzipping his pants. Using his saliva to wet his fingers, he moistened his cock and pushed naruto up against a tree.
After directing naruto to hold onto the tree, lean forward and spread his legs, Sasuke slid into Naruto tight portal gently. They both moaned in pleasure.
Sasuke waited a bit before he began to move.
Naruto felt as if he was being impaled on a huge, hard ,silky rod. When Sasuke hit his prostate the first time, he jerked in surprise.
"Oh, do that again Sasuke," he begged. Sasuke smiled above him and aiming his thrust, hit it head on .
"aaaah fuck yes!" screamed Naruto, "do it again!" he begged.
Sasuke began pounding into him in a steady rhythm. He gripped Naruto's hips hard and continued to slide in and out of him. Naruto gripped the tree in front of him tightly, Sasuke hard thrusts made his entire body lean forward with its power.
"Ooh sasuke, harder," he begged, loving the feel of him moving inside him as he rubbed against his prostate.
Sasuke began ramming into him even harder and Naruto shattered again. Sasuke , feeling Naruto's inner walls fluctuating around him, lost control and climaxed, coating his inside with his essence.
Sasuke paused to catch his breath before gently pulling out and pulling his lover in for a kiss.
"Thanks luv, you felt wonderful," he said with a rare smile and naruto blushed.
end flashback
there were tears running down Naruto's face as he drifted down memory lane.
"I'm an avenger, I don't need love I need power. I'll never need love, I'll never need you," he remembered. The words playing over and over in his head.
"Oh god Sasuke, how could you say that to me ?how could you leave me again? how could you reject our love?" He thought, as tears began to run from his eyes.
For the first time since Sasuke left, he felt lost. He felt as if he had lost his reason to live.
"Pull yourself together brat. You've got me," a voice said in his mind.
"Chiyuki?" he asked mentally.
"Yes, who else would it be, now pay attention , we're about to have company," she said.