State of Shock

A question alone

"Where have you been?"

Naruto jumped in surprise, looking over his shoulder to see where the speaker was. He breathed out when he saw Sasuke by the kitchen table. Those dark eyes were trained on him, slightly narrow in suspicion. Naruto answered, signing, "Kiba."

Sasuke nodded slowly, taking a few steps to get closer to the blonde. Naruto noticed that bag on Sasuke's shoulder, nodding to it pointedly. The Uchiha put his big hands on Naruto's shoulders, not saying a word of reassurance. Naruto felt a fear pooling in the bottom of his stomach. A wave of panic washed over him, ice cold. Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no...

Was Sasuke leaving him?

"ANBU-training. I'll be gone for a few weeks."

Naruto blinked, relief washing over his lithe form. He understood that he would have to tighten the leash he had on Sasuke – he never again wanted to feel that icy feeling ever again. He offered a small smile to his lover, putting his hands on Sasuke's strong chest. Sasuke leaned down, and Naruto stood on his tiptoes. Their lips brushed, breath mingling.

"I'll be back before you know it." Sasuke's deep voice vibrated against Naruto. Naruto pushed himself closer unconsciously, resisting the urge to hold onto Sasuke for days and days and keep him from going away.

Without a goodbye, Sasuke pushed himself from the shorter blonde, turning around to jump through the window. Naruto watched, disappointed, how Sasuke disappeared from Konoha. So fast. Sasuke would always be so fast – from one place to another in mere seconds.

Naruto preferred the stairs. They didn't make him as dizzy as running did.

UAUAUA

Tsunade sat in her chair, impatiently fingering on her small cup of sake. Her mind was full of thoughts. Not mission reports; not anything work-related. She was thinking about her beloved Naruto, who was supposed to succeed her.

There would be nothing of it now. Not now.

Sasuke had been gone for two weeks. Naruto was worse than ever, and Tsunade was considering contacting Ibiki to send Sasuke home from his training. She knew that Ibiki would hate her for that, though, when they only had two weeks left.

Naruto didn't go outside his door. Whenever she visited, he would lie in his bed – sleeping – or sit by the kitchen table, staring into nothingness. She couldn't understand it. When Sasuke was there, Naruto had his good days. Without Sasuke, Naruto seemed to give up completely. She couldn't understand it at all.

She had known of their relationships for quite some time now, but she hadn't expected Naruto to rely so deeply on Sasuke. No, not at all. Yet, it seemed as if she had been wrong.

Tsunade hated being wrong.

Taking a sip of her sake, she threw a glance over her shoulder. It was getting dark outside, so she guessed that it was time to make her daily visit to Naruto before the blonde fell asleep. Of course, she almost counted on the blonde ex-ninja to be asleep, but she could always hope.

She downed the last of the alcohol, scrunching her nose slightly before jumping out through the window. She didn't want Shizune to know that she left to check up on Naruto again. She was supposed to be working for another hour, after all.

As she made her way through the village she noticed Hyuuga Hinata. She was apparently waiting for someone, but looked up upon the sight of her Hokage. After polite bows, Tsunade offered a polite question about her health.

"Perhaps Hokage-sama is on her way to Naruto-kun's apartment?" Hinata asked, ignoring Tsunade's question. "Sai-kun and Kakashi-sensei has been the-there today."

"Have you been there as well?" Tsunade asked, but the shy girl only shook her head. Last the blonde female heard, Hinata was forbidden to see Naruto. Why, she couldn't really grasp. Glancing in the direction of Naruto's apartment, she offered a small nod and turned. "Good evening, then."

With that, she left the young kunoichi and headed towards her dear Naruto.

When she arrived, none of the lamps had been turned on. Instead, Naruto was sitting in the dark. Curled up on his bed, he was staring into nothingness. His eyes were glazed over, and she knew that he was extremely tired. He hadn't eaten since three days ago, when she had managed to force feed him.

Tsunade sighed to herself, rubbing her temples. She was getting too old for this. Yet, despite her age, she knew that for Naruto, she would walk through fire and water. Only to see him smile again, to hear him talk, to see him down bowls and bowls of ramen. Oh, how she wished that he would pick up a pair of chopsticks and just eat. It was probably one of her greatest dreams at the moment.

She walked past the silent blonde, to the windows to part the curtains. Immediately, the room became a little brighter. It wasn't a great improvement, and so Tsunade decided to turn on the lights. Naruto didn't show any kind of acknowledgement as she sat down in front of him.

"Naruto," she called out, trying to catch his attention. She reached out a strong hand, cupping his chin and forcing him to look at her. Narrowing her eyes, she leaned forward slightly. "What's this?"

On his neck, she could see something akin to scars. With a frown on her young face, she made him look up into the ceiling. That way, she could see much clearer. She didn't bother to ask if Naruto had accidently burnt his neck on something, knowing that there would be no reply. Kyuubi no Yoko was supposed to heal this kind of injury, so why was a scar marring her Naruto's throat?

She traced the scar with her finger, making Naruto flinch out of her grip. He blinked, but didn't show any curiosity as to why she was examining him. It was as if he wasn't even present. Her dearest Naruto, reduced into nothing but a shadow of his past. Not a day passed without her wondering what had happened. What had happened to make Naruto remain forever silent? What had happened to make Naruto unhappy? Too often she was thinking about it, too often would she make up theories and ideas.

Yet, not until now, seeing this scar, did she question if Naruto actually was unable to speak. She had always assumed that his silence came with the depression, and that he just plainly didn't want to speak anymore. Perhaps she had been wrong all this time. Perhaps he had been hurt, physically. By whom...?

"I'll summon Hatake to take care of you, brat. I'll be back tomorrow night." She stood up, knowing that she would see him even sooner if he didn't eat something. Trying not to think about his destructive eating patterns, she exited the apartment. She had to find out what had happened if she wanted to solve this. If she couldn't help her beloved Naruto, then who was she to occupy the title of Konoha's protector.

UAUAUA

Sasuke closed his eyes, ready for a night full of half-hearted sleep. The mild paranoia that always had been present within his body had grown into something ugly, and he found that his thoughts had turned awfully negative. He had only been in the forest with Ibiki for about two weeks or so, yet the change in him was greater than expected. While he wasn't surprised over his awareness of everything going on around him – this paranoia – It had also tainted his thoughts.

He couldn't allow himself to think of Naruto, always fearing the worst. He could barely find the will to stay with Ibiki if he started thinking about Naruto. Worrying, wondering, feeling. Knowing that Naruto could be gone when he returned. Knowing that Naruto could have given up for the first time; knowing that Naruto could have died. If that was the case, Sasuke would always live with the guilt of having killed his one and only. Then again, Sasuke was sure that the will to live on without his lover would disappear completely.

"Sleep, Uchiha. You never know what you'll face tomorrow."

Sasuke sent a dangerous glare towards his mentor, daring Ibiki to order him around like that. Officially, they weren't training during the nights, and so Ibiki held no authority when the dark arrived.

"I'm sure that your little boy toy will manage a few more nights without you. Naruto is a fighter," Ibiki muttered, his eyes closed.

Keeping any forms of comebacks to himself, Sasuke scowled. He disliked hearing his mentor speaking of Naruto like that. It wasn't the fact that people talked about Naruto as if he was Sasuke's bitch, no, that Sasuke was glad to hear. He enjoyed hearing that people believed that Naruto was submissive to him, and to him only. What he didn't like to hear was that Naruto could manage himself.

Naruto is a strong man, he can handle himself, he'll be fine - he's almost an adult now, Naruto's been a shinobi, I think he can live a few days without you.

Truth was that Sasuke doubted Naruto's ability to survive on his own. If these people, those who came with these stupid comments, just opened their eyes, they would doubt it too. In case they hadn't noted, Sasuke would just have to tell them that Naruto wasn't what he had once been. He needed Sasuke. He needed Sasuke to take care of him.

And a part of Sasuke loved that.

Yet, there was another, more dominant part that was aching to have his Naruto back. Loud, energetic, loveable Naruto.

Sasuke flinched, sitting up in his sleeping bag upon the feeling of someone's chakra. He glanced at Ibiki, who was already standing up. Getting up, his fingertips tickling the shaft of his katana, he activated his Sharingan. Immediately, his visual sense became stronger. He recognised the chakra signature, but couldn't place it. Despite recognising it, it was a big chance that it was enemy ninja. After all, not many Konoha shinobi had been informed of Morino and Uchiha leaving.

"Take it easy, Uchiha. It's just Shizune." Ibiki slumped down against a tree, putting down the kunai he had been gripping. Sasuke blinked, his eyes fading into black once again.

A slim female, brown hair and pale complexion, appeared from the tree tops. She was breathing heavily, as if having been chased by hellhounds all the way to them. "Uchiha-kun," she breathed. "You need to come with me. Hokage-sama has requested your presence."

Sasuke felt his heart skip a beat. In a matter of seconds, he had grabbed his bag and jounin vest. He ran ahead of Shizune, leaving everything else to Ibiki. He knew that Shizune wouldn't be able to keep up with him, as he was infamous for his speed. He jumped from tree branch to tree branch, his body only a blur to the animals he passed. He could feel that Shizune was following him, but she was far behind. She would probably be angry with him for having ditched her.

Then again, he couldn't care less. His intuition was telling him that it was about Naruto. What else could it be about?

UAUAUA

Sakura walked through the kitchen, carrying a tray of tea cups. It was getting a bit late, but that didn't matter. When she returned to the living room, Lee got up from the couch to take the tray from her. He put it on the table, his big eyes filled with sincere emotions. She could only smile back, thankful of his presence. They had eaten dinner out, as her little boy was sleeping over at her parents' house. They had thought that she needed a small break.

She was pretty sure that they meant that she needed a full night of sleep, and that they didn't expect her to go out on a date. The thought made her smile widen.

She was just about to pour them some tea when Lee gently grabbed her wrist. A blush was tinting his face, and she blinked in surprise. His hand was warm, his skin just as smooth as Sasuke's. Despite their skin both having the same pale colour and smoothness, she was glad that they didn't share any other trait.

Sakura's eyes met Lee's, and for a second, she couldn't help but think how lucky she was. Someone still wanted her.

Lee leaned forward, slowly, as if not to scare her away. She felt her cheeks flare up, but that didn't matter. As soon as Lee's lips were on hers, her eyes slid closed. She responded shyly, their lips moving in sync. No tongue was involved, until Sakura felt Lee's hands on her hips. She licked his lower lip, feeling bold, because she knew. She knew that he would still like her; he would still be there afterwards.

Despite the fact that he had taken the first step, she was the one to push him down in the sofa. She straddled him, running one of her hands over his chest, and the other through his silky hair. His hands moved over her back, loving caresses as they shared yet another kiss.

A deep kiss to show appreciation, affection and attraction.

She moaned, his hands finally daring to move elsewhere. Her hair fell out of the small bun on her neck, a pink curtain around them. Her breath hitched as one of Lee's hands caressed the back of her thigh, right under her butt.

She blushed hotly as they parted for air. Lee's face was just as red as hers was, but that didn't matter. For now, it was just them.

UAUAUA

Tsunade was getting impatient. She had been waiting for hours. She knew that she could have used this time for paperwork or the alike, but didn't have the heart to do so. Instead, she had watched the other workers leave their work and downed a few cups of sake.

She had sent Kakashi to Naruto, knowing that the silver-haired jounin would try to make the blonde eat. Hopefully, he would succeed.

UAUAUA

When Sasuke entered Tsunade's office, his skin was shimmer from a heavy layer of sweat. His throat tasted horrible, aching as he tried to inhale the dry air. He leaned against the closed door behind him; knowing that they were alone, save for some ANBU guards.

The blonde woman smiled sweetly, holding out a cup of alcohol towards him. He instantly walked over and accepted it. Upon seeing that sweet smile, he mentally breathed out in relief. Had Naruto been dead, there wouldn't have been any smiles. He downed the sake in an attempt to wet his tongue.

"You sure got here fast," she said, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of her desk. "Sit down."

He sat down, slumping slightly. Even though she probably expected him to question his presence, he was unsure if he was fit to speak. He had run a two-day journey in a few hours. He hoped that she would understand if he didn't speak up.

"We're going to get company in a while. I just sent out someone to get Sakura and Inuzuka."

They sat in silence, Tsunade fingering on her small cup impatiently. Sasuke was getting impatient as well. If Kiba and Sakura were coming, it just had to be about Naruto. It made him restless.

The door was opened by a jounin on guard duty, who bowed politely before stepping aside. Sakura, dressed in a short dress, and Kiba, only dressed in his pajamas, entered behind. Tsunade gestured for them to sit down next to Sasuke as the jounin exited the room.

Sasuke ignored the dirty looks he got from both shinobi.

"What are we doing here?" Kiba asked, yawning widely.

"Is there something wrong, Tsunade-sama?" Sakura leaned forward, worry glittering in emerald orbs. Sasuke kept a cruel comment about her ruffled bed-hair to himself.

"Something has happened. I need you to be very quiet while I speak. I have no patient left. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Sakura and Kiba echoed.

Sasuke felt unsure if he should promise anything, but nodded when all eyes were on him.

"Good." Tsunade picked up a thin folder, putting it in front of them. "This is Naruto's medical journal. As you can see, it's very thin. Any guesses why?"

No one dared to answer, having been asked to keep quiet.

"Because the bijuu inside of Naruto, Kyuubi no Kitsune, as always been there to heal him. He hasn't been getting the same medical check-ups as the rest of Konoha. He didn't need them, and therefore only was checked upon the few times he's been here."

Sakura opened her mouth to comment on this unfairness, but wisely shut it when Tsunade glanced at her.

"I have been visiting Naruto every night since Sasuke went away with Ibiki-san."

Kiba sent Sasuke a look, but the Uchiha was too relieved to notice. Someone had been checking up on his idiot while he was away.

"I noticed something akin to scar tissue on his neck. I think that someone or something might have ruined Naruto's vocal cords. He's coming here with Kakashi in an hour or so, so Sakura and I will look at it closer. Uchiha and you, Inuzuka, will stay during this check-up. You're the closest he has."

Sakura's eyes were now watery, her lower lip shaking from nervousity as she opened her mouth. Sasuke tried to keep himself from panicking, but didn't succeed all too well.

"There is nothing wrong with Naruto's vocal cords," he spat out.

They all winced as Sakura flew up from her chair, making it topple over. "Liar!" she screamed.

Sasuke stood up. Punishment be damned, he would not let Sakura ruin this. He would never let them take Naruto from him. "You know nothing," he growled. She didn't know enough of their relationship to ruin it – she would only make Naruto even more miserable.

"I know enough!" A tear ran down her cheek, and Sasuke couldn't help but frown at her weakness.

"Shut up and sit down, both of you!" Tsunade yelled.

Sakura slumped down in the chair, as her Hokage had ordered. Sasuke took a little longer before sitting down again. He could feel Kiba's anxious stare on him.

"Sakura... Is there something you would like to share?"

Sakura nodded furiously, not minding Sasuke's glare. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"

"Then please do so, before Kakashi and Naruto arrives."

Sasuke inhaled deeply, biting the inside of his cheek. Nothing good had come out of telling Sakura. He should have known that she would ruin everything. He should have known better than to act on whims. His mind filled with 'should have's as Sakura started telling what she knew. Even though he wasn't listening, he could make out a few words that her thick voice stuttered out.

"...kiss...force...cut off air...awful..."

It took everything within Sasuke to refrain from cutting the pink-haired female into several pieces with his katana. Oh, how he wanted to silence her. She was ruining everything.

He never considered the fact that nothing of this would have happened hadn't he decided to force himself upon Naruto.

UAUAUA

Kakashi was lying next to the blonde, breathing heavily. He was getting tired, but couldn't allow himself to fall asleep in Naruto's bed. Then again, he had also told himself that he wouldn't put his foot in the blonde's bedroom. This was where everything happened, where Naruto and Sasuke made love.

He glanced at the blonde ninja next to him. Naruto was already asleep, his body far from fit for any kind of activity. Even though he was hidden under blankets to keep warm, it was visible how Naruto's form had become thin and lithe.

"Stupid boy," Kakashi muttered under his breath. In just a few minutes, he would have to take his former student to the Hokage Tower. Tsunade had mentioned something about Sakura and medical check-up. He guessed that it didn't hurt to be on time for once, and sat up straight.

He corrected the mask on his face, scratching the back of his head as he wondered what would be the best for Naruto. To wake him or to just take him to Tsunade?

Deciding that it didn't matter – it was only fair, as this boy had aroused too many questions in Kakashi's mind – he picked the blonde male and disappeared into the night.

UAUAUA

"How is it that you always manage to be late?" Kiba's voice was low, dangerous. He was starting to get really angry. Of course, he had already been removed from Tsunade's office by the ANBU guards when he tried to bite Sasuke's head off.

"Maa..." Kakashi shifted a little, finding the situation a little uncomfortable – it wasn't everyday you stood in the corridors of the Hokage Tower with your sleeping ex-student in your arms. "...long story short, there were a few pirates–"

The doors to Tsunade's office were opened by Sakura, whose eyes were now red and puffy from tears. The Hokage hadn't been pleased to know that the medic nin had known for quite a while about this.

"Let's see if there's anything we can do. Uchiha, you'll have to go through what you did one more time," the Godaime ordered as Kakashi and Kiba entered the room. She gestured for Kakashi to put Naruto on the empty bed in the center of the room. "Wake him up, Hatake."

Kakashi shook the blonde awake. No one heard Sasuke's soft sigh in the background. "Oi, Naruto. Wake up." A few more touches, and blue eyes fluttered open.

Naruto looked very confused upon waking up in the Hokage's office, and he sat up slowly to look over the people there. His eyes first rested on Kakashi, who was standing in front of him, demanding an explanation.

"I took you here because Hokage-sama is going to do a check-up," Kakashi explained. "I'll be by the windows if you want anything."

Naruto nodded, his eyes still narrowed slightly as the silver-haired jounin walked to the big windows by Tsunade's desk. That was when he noticed the other shinobi. They could all see a soft tug in the corners of Naruto's mouth as blue eyes landed on Sasuke.

"Naruto," Sakura whispered. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell Tsunade-sama earlier!"

The blonde only frowned in confusion, but was too tired to really care what the young woman was saying. Sasuke was there. His beloved Sasuke was with him again. Sasuke was back, and Naruto felt that finally...

Finally, he could breathe again.

To Be Continued

A/N: I apologise for the long wait, but most confess that I have been working on other things (not a published story). Please review if you're still interested in this story. I think I might have another chapter coming up soon. I'd love to hear what you thought.