Disclaimers: Naruto is someone else's, this is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.

Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, angst, hopefully some decent jokes, and (of course) beautiful SasuNaru love.

Chapter 2: The Power of a Kiss

"Well, it's either kiss me or kill me, that's how I see it."

-Tom Waits

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Sasuke pressed his lips against Naruto's, his mouth soft but firm. Then something in him sparked and he found himself deepening the kiss, closing his eyes as he leaned into it.

"Hmph!" Naruto struggled beneath him, snapping Sasuke back to reality. He pulled back and looked down at wide azure eyes flaring with anger. "What are you doing?!"

"What you wouldn't."

Sasuke studied him for a moment longer, then let go of his wrists, got to his feet, and walked away. The rest of the camp quickly went back to their own tents as well, leaving Naruto laying on the ground, alone, deep in thought.

When they woke up the next morning, later than they had intended, they gathered supplies and prepared to finish the rest of the journey home. Sasuke didn't sleep much the night before, and just waited in a daze as the group finished getting ready. But his head shot up when he heard Kakashi say, "where's Naruto?"

He rushed over to him, panic blooming in his gut. "Has anyone seen him at all this morning?" he asked.

"I haven't- what about the rest of you?"

The group all shook their heads, some even looked guilty for not noticing earlier.

"I have to find him."

Kakashi nodded. "Scout ahead. But, if you come across any trouble, or notice anything unusual, you need to come back and give a report before engaging. Do you understand?"

Sasuke gave one curt nod- not exactly a believable agreement- then took off. He gathered as much chakra to his feet as he could and sped through the trees, keeping his eyes peeled for blonde hair, orange and black clothing, and the tan whiskered face of a complete moron.

He looked down at his watch, and his stomach flipped. Shit. It's after 10:00. I have 2 hours to find him before.. He thought back to what the man had said to Naruto.

"Every day and every night, before the clock strikes twelve, you will need Sasuke to perform a jutsu on you to keep you alive. If he misses just one of those times, you will experience pain like you never have before.."

"You will beg for death, Naruto."

He gritted his teeth and moved as fast as he could, telling himself he'd find him, despite the strong sinking feeling that he wouldn't make it in time.

He checked his watch as he searched, his fear strengthening as the time ticked away.

10:26. When did he leave? If he left at dawn he'll be completely out of reach before the clock strikes 12.

10:47. Goddamnit, he pisses me off. How freaking stupid can you be?! Does he have a fucking death wish??

11:13. I'll kill him. I will. I will just fucking kill me. I'm going to kiss the bastard first; then I'll kill him, bring him back to life, and then kill him again.

11:42. Please- please let me be close. If I don't find him in time.. he swallowed, "I have to find him. This can't happen.."

11:58.. Oh my god- this is going to happen.

12:00. A horrible piercing shriek cut through the forest, startling a murder of crows, their caws joining in on the cacophony of pain. Sasuke's blood ran cold, and he quickly changed course to head towards it.

Naruto screamed in agony, over and over, and Sasuke cursed himself for not being there in time to stop this. After what felt like an eternity, he found him. Naruto was on the ground, his mouth stretched wide with tormented screams, eyes squeezed tight as he struggled to bear through it. He arched his back against the waves of pain and threw his body from side to side as he fought to escape it. His fingers gripped his hair in tight fists, like the pain was in his mind too.

"Naruto!" Sasuke raced up to him and dropped to his knees. "Fuck.. fuck- ok." He leaned forward and planted his lips on his forehead to see if that would work, but nothing changed.

Lips.. it has to be his lips. But how do I..?

He grabbed Naruto's face, and struggled to force his mouth shut. Tears streamed down Naruto's face as Sasuke held his jaw tight. "I know- I know. Just hold on."

He finally got his mouth closed, though muffled screams still echoed behind it. He lowered his face, and pressed his lips against Naruto's.

Nothing.

What the hell is going on?!

Maybe because it had already started, it takes a little more.

He tilted Naruto's head and pushed deeper into the kiss, moving his lips against his. He shoved harder against him, pulled him close, and then he felt Naruto's convulsions slow, the screams fade, and hands pushing at his chest to get him to stop. Sasuke pulled back and released his grip on his face.

"Naruto.."

The blonde shoved away from him and looked down. "I guess.. the curse worked after all" his voice was thick with emotions, and shaky with the last of his tremors.

"What the hell we're you thinking?"

Naruto ran his fingers through his messy blonde hair, disheveling it even more. "I just-" he sighed, then seemed to change his mind about what he wanted to say. He shook his head. "Yeah.. I guess it was pretty dumb.."

"Naruto. I know this isn't what you want-." The blonde clenched his jaw tight, but said nothing. Hmm.. ".. but I need you to stay close to me. This can't happen again."

He nodded, but wouldn't meet his eyes.

Sasuke grabbed his chin and tilted his head up so he could look into deep, tired blues. "I mean it, Naruto."

He slapped his hand away. "I know Sasuke! I get it, ok. If we don't make-out it fucking hurts. Noted."

Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose. "You are impossible."

"And yet you can't keep your hands off of me."

The Uchiha glared, but didn't have time for anything else.

They had company.