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 3: A Blonde's Pride

"If it's done right, a kiss changes everything."

-Tessa Dare

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Sasuke rose to his feet, sharingan spinning, as he peered into the dense woods. Several people were headed towards them, and while it was likely that they were the shinobi they were traveling with, he couldn't risk it. Not when Naruto was like this.

"Chidori!" he yelled, calling a rush of chakra into his palm. Electricity flared in his eyes as he watched the tree line, but he relaxed when he sensed familiar chakra in the group. He sent a burst of lightning energy to the other side of the forest and let his sharingan melt away, settling back into inky black pools.

Kakashi rushed forward, followed closely by the other shinobi. "Naruto? Are you ok?"

The blonde pushed himself up and nodded solemnly. "Yeah. I'm alright.."

Kakashi studied him, not believing a word. "We heard the screams and assumed the worst." He looked at Sasuke. "What happened?"

The Uchiha ground his teeth. "I.. didn't get here in time". He admitted, reluctantly. "The curse had already started to work-" he looked over at Naruto, "Took some effort, but we got it to stop."

Both looked away as discomfort buzzed in the air between them.

"Ah." Kakashi replied, "so kissing Sasuke is a necessity. Not gonna lie, for a minute there I thought you guys made it up-"

"Are you insane?!"

"I mean, it is a genius way to get to make-out all of the time without any questions getting in the way." Kakashi went on. "I should tell Jiraiya about this.."

Naruto threw a shuriken at him, which he easily dodged. "Just shut up, Kakashi-sensei!"

"Don't be so upset, Naruto. You could do a lot worse you know." He ruffled blonde hair endearingly, "Until we find a way to break the curse, I say just enjoy it."

Sasuke blanched, and Naruto's eyes burned with rage. He slapped Kakashi's hand away and pushed himself to his feet. He took a shaky step back, but his legs were weak. Before he could steady himself, they gave out and he fell to his knees, the jarring impact slamming his teeth together. He groaned in pain.

Sasuke reached out to help him up, but the blonde put his hand out to stop him. "I don't need your help!" He tried to get to his feet again, but almost immediately fell forward onto his hands and knees. Thick blonde hair hung over his face, hiding the frustration and pain in his eyes.

"Dammit.." he breathed, curling his fingers into the dirt beneath his palms.

Sasuke abruptly grabbed him by the arm, and hefted an irate Naruto to his feet. He glared at him and tried to wrench his arm free, but Sasuke kept a firm hold on him.

"I told you I didn't need your freaking help!" he spat out.

"Yeah- you've been saying a lot of stupid shit lately."

Kakashi looked between the two pissy teens, then decided to step in. "Ok, you two. That's enough." They looked up at him. "Seems like Naruto's still weakened by the curse. We should take a break here for a while then. We'll wait until he's regained his strength." The other shinobi nodded and started to remove their packs, but paused when Naruto snapped back at him.

"I said I'm fine. Let's just go."

"Sasuke- let him go for a moment."

The Uchiha followed his sensei's orders. Kakashi reached out and pushed against Naruto's shoulder and they watched as the blonde tumbled to the ground. "Nnnn!" he cried out as he fell back, slamming his elbows when he tried to catch himself. "What the hell!?"

"I think I've made my point." Before he could argue, Kakashi spoke up again. "Eat, rest, and let Kyuubi get a head start on the healing, Naruto. We will leave after that."

That seemed to placate the blonde. For now at least.

Once Naruto seemed strong enough to move, they left. After a lot of persuasion, and a few threats, Sasuke convinced Naruto to let him shoulder his pack, but it wasn't easy.

He can be so fucking stubborn.

Sasuke couldn't understand it. The guy was ridiculously strong, and outside of being a foolhardy baka from time to time, he was a great shinobi, so why did he still act like he had to constantly prove himself? They weren't kids anymore. Sasuke knew what Naruto was capable of. In fact, they both often admitted admiration for each other's skills. So why can't he just drop the whole pride thing and accept my help?

He looked over at Naruto as they leapt through the trees. He was doing better, but he was far from healed. Sasuke could see the winces that he tried and failed to hide, the way he bit his lip to hold back a pained gasp. Lips still bruised from Sasuke's embrace.. he quickly looked away.

What the hell was that?

Why are you thinking about that now?!

He knew why. Or at least he had an idea. It felt.. good. He thought back to the night before. Straddling Naruto, pinning his arms above his head as he lowered his lips. Kissing him.. and wanting more.

Wanting a lot more.

He glanced over at the blonde again. This.. might be a problem.

"Sasuke, Naruto-" they looked over at Kakashi, "when we get back to the village we are to report to Lady Tsunade right away." They nodded, but otherwise remained silent.

Oh, I can't wait for more people to know about this..

Tsunade blinked. Then blinked again. Then a third time for luck. "Ummm.. what?"

"I have to kiss Naruto every 12 hours to break the curse before it breaks his mind and body." Sasuke repeated for the hundredth time. "Which part do you still not fucking understand!"

"Watch your mouth, brat!" She looked over at the embarrassed blonde shuffling his feet next to him. "Have you experienced this part of the curse. Do we know for sure that this works?"

Naruto nodded.

"And it was like the man described?"

His eyes shot up. "Yes, ok!! What do you want me to say? It fucking hurt. A lot."

Tsunade's foreheads pulsed. She jumped to her feet and slammed her fists down on her desk. "Both of you need to learn some goddamn respect. You are talking to the Hokage!"

Naruto mumbled something under his breath, which based on the amusement on Sasuke's face, she probably didn't want to hear.

She sat back down and sighed as she rubbed her temple in an attempt to stave off a growing migraine. "You are both a pain in the ass- you know that?" She thought for a moment before making her final decision. "Ok. It would seem we only have one option. Until further notice, neither of you will be going on any missions. You will stay here in the Leaf. Naruto- you will be staying with Sasuke until we can find a way to break the curse. And Sasuke- you will.. continue to do what needs to be done to prevent anymore of these occurrences from happening."

Sasuke nodded, but Naruto was still working his way past the fog in his mind to process what she just said. Then, it clicked. "WHAT?!!"

"Christ, Dobe." Sasuke complained, rubbing the ear closest to the loudmouth. "Give a warning next time."

"Staying with him?! Like in his house?!"

Tsunade nodded, a small smile lifting her face at the blonde's typical antics.

"What needs to be done??" he shrieked. "You're supposed to know how to stop this! What kind of Hokage are you!?"

A group of shinobi walking in the hall flinched as a rough thud echoed from the other side of the Hokage's door. They looked at each other, trying to decide if they should intervene, when the door splintered and a bruised blonde went flying through it. Without a word they took a step back. Then another. Then a third.. for luck, before turning and sprinting back the way they came.

Sasuke pulled another piece of splintered wood out of Naruto's hair and tossed it to the side. "Granny Tsunade annoys the hell out of me sometimes", Naruto complained, jutting his lower lip out. Sasuke tried to fight the impulse to look at it, worried about any other impulses that might pop up because of it.

"Seems like you return the favor."

"Hey- you pissed her off too! She just doesn't want to ruin your make-up so she takes it out on me instead."

Sasuke ripped another chunk of wood away, pulling loose a few blonde hairs along with it. "Oww!! Hey!"

"If I didn't know any better, dobe, I'd say you were flirting with me."

"What did you just say?!"

"You're the one going on and on about how good I look."

"That's not-!"

"Sasuke! Naruto!" They looked up to find Sakura rushing towards them, bubblegum pink hair tied back, matching the blush on her face. Her smile widened as she came to a stop next to Sasuke. He was not amused.

"Hey- do you guys want to get together tonight. We could have dinner, catch up.." she fluttered her eyelashes at Sasuke. "You're probably busy, Naruto. We can just talk to you later." She didn't even bother looking at him, so she completely missed his pained expression, or the way his eyes dropped towards the ground.

"Yeah.. I should probably just-"

"We already have plans." Sasuke interrupted.

Naruto's head shot up and he stared at Sasuke. Don't even think about telling her, his eyes yelled at him.

Sakura tucked her hair behind her ear. "Well I guess I could-"

"See ya." Sasuke grabbed Naruto and started pulling him away. "Hey!! Sasuke! Dammit, let go. Ah- maybe another time, Sakura!" He called out.

Once they were far enough away, Sasuke released his grip. "Well that was rude" Naruto snapped.

"I was rude?! Are you kidding me? Did you even hear her?"

Naruto looked away. "I'm cursed, not deaf."

"And she's a bitch."

"Jesus, Sasuke! Where did that come from?"

Obsidian eyes narrowed. "She knows how you feel about her, and she treats you like shit. She didn't even bother to ask if you were ok. And Naruto- you don't look like you're ok."

".. I don't feel that way about her. I haven't since we were kids." He looked up at Sasuke. "I just wish she cared about me.. as a friend."

"I'm sure she cares," Sasuke started, though he wasn't as sure as he made it sound, "but she's also a selfish bitch. Don't let it bother you."

Naruto gave a small nod, then ran his fingers through his now door-less hair. "So I look like shit, huh?"

"Well, we are going to my house. Maybe I could set you up with a good concealer."

Naruto laughed, and the sound brought a smile to Sasuke's face as he led his new roommate to his new home.

Author Note:

I don't know if anyone caught on, so I'm going to tell you. The title of this chapter is a bit of a play on words. It's called A Blonde's Pride because of Naruto's pride (obviously), but also like a lion's pride- since our beautifully maned Naru just got a new home.. ok, but now that I type it out it doesn't actually sound all that clever..

Anyways.. I hope you like this story so far. I'm worried that my writing is kinda slipping with this one. I'd love to hear your thoughts about it. I'll keep trying to make it interesting though!

Thanks for reading! I'm off to write the next chapter! *Pulls on writing cape and runs down the hall, Phantom of the Opera- style. Neighbor opens their door, takes one look at my choices* "Nope." *slowly closes the door* In my best 1970s superhero voice- "To chapter 4!"

.. I should probably sleep more. Lol