A/N: ATTENTION! The rating for this story has now changed to M mainly thanks to this chapter. You have been warned.

"Itachi…"

If Naruto had been standing a little further away he would have missed the tender whisper. As it was, he heard the suppressed emotion in Sasuke's voice. It made him step away thinking that maybe he shouldn't be privy to a message that clearly meant for Sasuke's eyes.

When Sasuke ran from the stables in a flurry, Naruto was in two minds about following him. On the one hand this was obviously some very private business between Sasuke and his brother. But on the other, he was Sasuke's bonded now and he wanted to be there if Sasuke needed him.

Besides, Naruto admitted to himself that he was incredibly curious.

Naruto left the stables just as Sasuke reached the entrance to the great hall. He followed the trail of Sasuke's coat as it flicked around the corner. Naruto thundered after his partner across the hall, down the stairs and along the dungeon corridor to the sea. When they reached the end Sasuke surprised him by turning left into the cliff face tunnel entrance.

The light became more limited as they hurried down the slippery tunnel and both Hunters relied heavily on their magickally enhanced sight. There were brackets that had clearly once held witchfire but they had long ago burnt out. Naruto knew Sasuke was aware of him, how could he not be? But he took encouragement from the way Sasuke ignored him, accepting his presence without protest. Gradually the light which had been deteriorating grew in strength again until they could once more see by starlight as the tunnel ended in a cavern that opened onto the ocean.

At either side of the opening sat two large rounded rocks like sentinels that Naruto suspected were beacons ready for lighting during bonding ceremonies. There was also another dark tunnel leading away into the cliff in the opposite direction they had come from and if he strained his hearing Naruto thought he could hear trickle of running water from the dark entrance. The cave was windswept and chilly but peaceful with the breathtaking view of the ocean and the crash of waves far below them.

Sasuke ran immediately to the back of the cave and Naruto saw him step into a hollow in the floor and stoop to pick something up. But as soon as his hand clasped the lone pebble he gave a shout of surprise. Naruto ran to his side as Sasuke fell to his knees on the cold stone curling uncontrollably in on himself. Naruto put a hand on his shoulder as he writhed on the floor, face screwed up in pain.

"Sasuke!" Naruto called as he tried to pry the pebble from his partner's death grip. "Let go!"

But Sasuke didn't hear him. He couldn't hear anything over the rushing of blood in his ears except perhaps a voice in the back of his mind, one that he hadn't heard in years. Low and oppressive, unfamiliar words washed over him and he knew that they were magick; the Olde Language spoken in his imagination.

When he came back to himself the first thing Sasuke felt was the cold seeping through his clothes. He tried to sit up but only managed to roll feebly onto his side; his limbs trembled with paralysing exhaustion. Then there were strong hands helping him up and he was panting with the effort of positioning his legs underneath him. He leant heavily into the warm body and opened aching eyes.

The first thing Sasuke looked upon was Naruto's worried features and then he glanced over his partners shoulder and nearly collapsed all over again. Silhouetted against the night sky stood his brother. Itachi didn't look anything like he had on that dreadful night, he was calm, if slightly sorrowful. But Sasuke was just glad to see that his eyes weren't glowing red, instead he appeared as Sasuke always thought of him; about 16 years old, wearing dark clothes and a small smile, the one he had always kept for Sasuke.

"Hello otouto."

Sasuke stood a little straighter, strengthened by the sight. "Y-you're here..." he managed past the lump in his throat.

"Not all of me," said Itachi, motioning at his body, through which Sasuke could now see the stars. "I'm sorry I had to steal so much of your power to appear like this, my soul has grown weaker over the years. But my, Sasuke, you have grown. And who is this handsome young man?"

He gestured at Naruto as he approached and Sasuke realised his partner was staring at him.

"This is Uzumaki Naruto. Naruto meet my brother, Itachi."

"What are you talking about, Sasuke?" Naruto looked genuinely frightened now. He lifted a hand to Sasuke's face as though to centre him.

"He can't see me," said Itachi peering curiously at the boy. "Have him touch the stone, that might work."

"It 'might' work?" Sasuke gave his brother a disbelieving look; Itachi never guessed.

"This is new magick even to me, or should I say Olde magick. I didn't get a chance to research it too well before meeting my untimely end."

Sasuke took Naruto's hand and placed it over the life stone that he was still holding. Naruto hissed in pain as his hand met the heated surface. He looked up, opening his mouth to ask what the hell was going on and Sasuke saw the exact moment that he spotted Itachi. Naruto's mouth formed a perfect 'O' as he stared at the older Uchiha.

"It's good to meet my little brother's bonded. I hope you've been taking good care of him for me?"

"How did you know...?" asked Naruto in surprise.

"I'm his brother, I should be able to tell. After you've been bonded for a while the connection will be almost tangible I assure you."

"So... care to explain why your soul has taken up residence in my life stone?"

"It hasn't exactly 'taken up residence' I just used the stone to anchor myself here; it had to be something that you wouldn't lose or throw away. Anyway I suppose my main purpose was to answer your questions."

Sasuke was silent for a moment. Then, "What happened to you?"

Itachi nodded as though this was the question he had been waiting for and then lifted his shirt. On the toned flesh of his abdomen was a dark pattern of Olde lettering. The lines spiralled together, interweaving to create a black mess in the centre.

"When I met the demon Madara in battle he knocked me out and I woke up with this. As far as I was able to make out it boosts demonic energies. I fought it for as long as I was able but I could feel it strengthening as the wheel of the year turned towards the solstice. I begged father to send me away, lock me up, anything. But he wanted to show me off he did every year, even more so since I had fought Madara and walked away. Besides I was taking the Green Dragon tonic so it should have been fine. I don't suppose you were ever old enough to try it but you probably remember the bright green ceremony tea that was drank during the winter celebrations to relax people?" Sasuke nodded. "Well its primary function is to relieve any lingering demonic urges during that time, Uchiha's are powerful but we are not usually strong. The Green Dragon is much stronger drink; it completely strips the user of his powers. So we thought I was safe," Itachi began to pace, clearly reliving his final night among the living. When he stopped he stood staring out at the endless ocean.

"Anyway, turns out it doesn't work on demons. A fatal error that I didn't live to regret. The Demon's Hour arrived and I was gone, I don't remember very much, it's a blur of blood and wild magick. But I remember you Sasuke." Itachi spun to face them. "You stood before me and drew your own blade and I had never been prouder of you."

There was a long stretch of silence that Naruto dare not break. In the end Sasuke saved him the trouble.

"How long does the Green Dragon tonic last?"

Itachi frowned, "Depends on the dosage. Why do you ask?"

In answer Sasuke pulled the incriminating hip-flask from his coat pocket and shook it gently. The contents sloshed around in the silver container.

"Sasuke!" Itachi reprimanded sternly. "Didn't I teach you never to touch unidentified substances? What did you go and drink that for?"

Sasuke shrugged as he returned the flask to his pocket. "It was alcoholic," he said sullenly.

Naruto tried to hide his grin; it was interesting watching Sasuke, usually so confident and sure of himself, being transported back to his childhood by a simple scolding. Itachi gave Naruto a knowing look.

"Is there any more you can tell us about Madara?" he asked. "What does he look like?"

Sasuke perked up at his questions and Itachi nodded approvingly.

"Yes, of course not much is known about Uchiha Madara." Both Naruto and Sasuke opened their mouths in shock. "I believe he destroyed most of the records pertaining to him and his brothers' identities. I only know his surname because he boasted so arrogantly of his achievement here. You see, he and his brother bought this place as a safe place to train new hunters, far from the prying eyes of the city." Itachi waved a hand to encompass the castle that stood above them. "Madara himself wrote the enchantments that protect Kikyo Castle and now keep him from its grounds. He is a master of the Olde Language."

"He was here," input Sasuke, glancing at Naruto, who nodded along. "He appeared in front of us when we were... in the dungeon."

"Yes, he can do that. As I'm sure you are aware, it was an illusion; his own image stolen from his body and transplanted inside the castle walls." Sasuke nodded along. "I assume you intend to pursue him?"

"Tsunade was already chasing him but by appearing here he's made himself target number one for the coven."

"Good, you will need their combined strength to take him down, not least because he has a selection of very powerful demons who will stand by him to the end. I don't know much about them, having bypassed them last time I met Madara but I can tell you that Madara himself is not as infallible as he likes to believe. There are some hunters with the ability to see magick after all. You need to find a way to do that. There were rumours of a couple of young Hyuuga's emerging with powers like that years ago but they were attempting magickal merging so I doubt they're still around."

"Oh they're around alright," said Sasuke with a sudden predatory grin.

"Then they succeeded?"

"Yeah and Neji already said he could see Madara standing on the castle wall! He could find him in a fight," said Naruto enthusiastically.

"And then we'd just need to trap him..." added Sasuke, clearly already formulating a plan.

"Yes but unfortunately I don't have time to help you plan."

"I'd have found you sooner if your message hadn't been so cryptic."

Itachi smiled lightly, "I needed to make sure it was you who found it but at the same time I couldn't address it to you for fear of someone else picking up your life stone. The instructions didn't go into detail but as far as I could make out it had to be your magick lest something painful occur."

"Why me?"

"Because we were bonded; linked by Olde Language enchantments."

"I didn't know the Olde Language was involved in bonding," said Sasuke curiously.

"You should take a look inside those beacon braziers sometime they are laced with complicated incantations once you clean out the burnt herb remains."

"I'll take your word for it," said Sasuke, imagining the build up of soot in the stone braziers.

"Anyway, now I have a question for you, Naruto: why do I recognise you?"

"Erm is that supposed to be a riddle? We've never met before."

"Hmm let me look at you." He motioned for Naruto to turn properly and Sasuke turned with him clasping his hand securely around the pebble. Itachi looked him up. "Ah, Namikaze!" he exclaimed, pointing at the dagger affixed to Naruto's belt. "That belonged to Minato; I met him once when he came to see father. You look like him as well, is he a relation?"

"Yeah, he was my father."

"Ah, I'm sorry," said Itachi noting Naruto's use of the past tense. "He was a great man. He came to see Fugaku after hearing a certain prophesy. I was only a child at the time but I remember it word for word; they sat discussing it for hours:

"Born of ultimate conflict,

After one of tragic pain,

And either may tilt the balance,

Providing the other is slain.

The last of their blood,

Sealed by magick olde,

Join together or perish,

And walk a path foretold."

Sasuke frowned and glanced at Naruto, "Why did he come to father? The prophesy was surely made about the Namikaze family."

"That was Minato's conclusion as well since his relative made that prophesy merely hours after his son was born." Naruto stood stiff as a board at Sasuke's side but Itachi continued. "But when you were nearly five years old Minato uncovered another record of the same prophesy. This record showed that the verse was first spoken by Uchiha Namiko."

"Obaasan?"

"Yes, the first time she laid eyes on you she gave that exact same prophesy to Fugaku."

"What the hell does all this mean?" said Naruto scrubbing his free hand roughly over his face.

Itachi shrugged. "As usual when it comes to divination the outcome is up for interpretation. But Fugaku and Minato had a few theories all of which revolved around you two being the children foretold. Fugaku concentrated on the part where one of you kills the other but Minato kept reminding him that the you are also supposed to 'join together or perish'."

"This makes no sense!" Naruto moaned.

"This is why I hate divination," said Sasuke vehemently. "It's a load of contradictory drivel!"

"Maybe," said Itachi. "But both seers had a high record of accuracy. Either way it's probably not worth dwelling on; it's out of your control."

"Well thanks for telling us then," Sasuke drawled.

"Anyway I don't know how much longer I can feed on your magick. So any further questions?"

"What's it like being dead?" Naruto blurted out.

Itachi chuckled. "A bit sad I suppose. At least I didn't have any awareness until you fed me magick or it would have been bloody boring. I look forward to moving on; I'd like to see Shisui again, and mother and father of course."

Sasuke took a heavy breath and slouched closer to Naruto; he could feel his own energy reaching its limit. Itachi nodded knowingly.

"Take good care of this place won't you? I know it must be lonely here at the moment, but I'm sure you'll find something to brighten the place up. Also you might want to see to the greenhouse above the library; father kept the key in his desk drawer. There's a book in my room where I wrote down how to alter the castle's enchantment so that people without Uchiha blood may unlock the gates."

Sasuke looked at Itachi and was unsure whether it was the apparition that was blurred or simply his eyesight. He wanted to say something; ask if there was some way for his brother to stay but he knew it was useless. He could feel his strength waning and seeing Itachi here, so calm and peaceful he knew that it was supposed to be this way. Itachi was himself again and he was moving on.

"Good luck on your mission. Look after each other," Itachi watched the way Naruto held Sasuke as his brother's legs began to fail him and knew he didn't need to say it. "Let go of the stone, otouto."

Sasuke heard the words through his haze and nodded slowly; his head felt like it was made of lead.

"Goodbye niisan."

As Sasuke removed his hand from Naruto's his life stone fell to the floor with a clatter. He saw the apparition of his brother slip away from him like a wisp of smoke caught on the ocean breeze. Naruto caught him as he lost consciousness.

-0-

Naruto hurried back to the main hall with the prone form of Sasuke in his arms. He lay the hunter gently on one of the sofa's before flipping his new phone open. Sasuke had kindly copied the contact numbers of all the coven bound hunters to his phone before he gave it to him.

"Is it important? I'm in the middle of a meeting," Tsunade answered tersely.

"We have a name for the demon that attacked the Uchiha compound."

"Well?"

"Uchiha Madara; the castle's founder."

There was silence for a moment. "To think that our two primary targets were the same demon, and an Uchiha to boot. Good work, did you find out anything else?"

Naruto paused, unsure of how much he should share. "We know there are some demons loyal to him who will fight to the death, but not their identities or how many there are. Also, despite being well versed in the Olde Language, Madara was unable to pass through the enchantments here; the castle is secure and ready to be used as a base. Sasuke and I will start working on a plan to overcome Madara as soon as possible."

"Yes, very good. I will be sending the bulk of the Hunt your way with supplies. Please make the necessary preparations."

After she had hung up Naruto turned to find Sasuke pulling himself into a sitting position.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yes," Sasuke glanced up at him. "Thanks for not mentioning my brother. I'd rather have people believe we looked it up in the library."

Naruto nodded, "Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah, just a bit drained. I couldn't perform any magick right now even if I hadn't drank that Green Dragon stuff." He stood up gingerly stretching his back. Naruto tried not to stare as his movements revealed a thin strip of pale skin above his belt, but he thought Sasuke might have caught it anyway. "The war council can use the library if we move a few tables around. The houses should be in order but it might be a good idea to check anyway. I need to have a look at that book Itachi left behind; if I'm the only one who can unlock the castle Tsunade will never let me leave and don't intend to play gatekeeper."

"I can take care of the library and quarters."

-0-

While Naruto made preparations Sasuke located the book his brother had mentioned. Sure enough, tucked into the back cover of the old tomb, was a sheet of paper covered in Itachi's neat script.

'To whomever this may concern,

'I am writing to impart a little help should you ever need to alter the enchantments protecting Kikyo Castle. It has come to my attention that we Uchiha's are so concerned with keeping evil out that not even the Toumoku of the city coven can enter without Uchiha help. Last month Toumoku Minato was forced to wait outside for over an hour because the gatekeeper fell asleep on the job.

'I have therefore invested some time in developing the section of the incantation that calls for Uchiha blood. My version on the incantation will allow any hunter to enter and seek sanctuary provided that they have honest intentions. The scribe must use the blunt of a Kiyo marker to remove the section that reads like so:'

Sasuke paused to look at the complex pattern of symbols that followed before returning to the words above it. What the hell was a Kiyo marker? He had never heard of such a thing, so much of this Olde Language business was a mystery to him. He looked around wishing fervently that Itachi would pop up again to impart more of his knowledge. When that didn't happen Sasuke launched a full scale search of his brother's room. He looked under the bed, ran his hands over the bookshelves and pulled out the desk drawers until he finally fished a heavy wooden box out of the bottom of the wardrobe.

Sasuke sat back on his heels and pulled it towards him. It had a pentacle lock on the front of it. He sighed softly; he really didn't want to call Naruto down there to open it, even after everything, that seem a little too personal. These were Itachi's things and when Sasuke thought of the amount of times Itachi had probably used his own magick to unlock this box he just couldn't make himself take it to Naruto.

He examined his own magick for a moment, and realised a small trace had returned to him since his earlier depletion. He was immediately thankful that he was such a strong hunter. Sasuke reached tentatively for his magick and felt it stir with a burst of relief; the tonic must be wearing off. He pressed his hand to the pentacle lock, feeling the strain as his exhaustion returned and black spots danced in his vision for a moment.

The reason the box had been heavy was soon obvious; there were several bottles of clear green alcohol. But inside there was also a diary and a small object Sasuke didn't recognise. He bypassed the diary and picked up the smooth piece of crystal. It was shaped rather like an thick pencil but the grooves running down the edges were slightly uneven and engraved with the now familiar Olde Language letters. One end was sharpened to a dangerous point but the other was blunt and marked with a band of silver further adding to the likeness of a pencil.

If this strange implement wasn't a 'Kiyo marker' Sasuke didn't know what was. So he collected Itachi's instructions and headed for the surface. He knew the main incantation ran around the border of the compound of the castle at its highest point for the best protection. It adorned the top of the castle wall and at the cliff side of the compound it was written on the garden wall. Sasuke decided to start at the easiest point and went to the North end of the garden.

This had been one of his favourite places to spend time (other than the stables). The garden was thankfully the sort that didn't need much maintenance, so although the grass had grown wild the rest of the garden looked fine. There were large granite slabs at odd intervals that would heat up in the summer sun and strong trees that had been permanently bent by the persistent winds. Heather grew in springy patches and gorse ran along the edges near the wall. Come summer it would flower and Sasuke would enjoy sitting out here and soaking up the coconut scent.

But right now the damn thorns were in the way. He picked his way to the outer wall swearing occasionally. At the wall he wasted no time revealing the incantations. He was careful not to exhaust himself completely and the symbols glowed faintly. He walked along the wall to the right locating the correct section of the enchantment and pulled out the marker.

As soon as Sasuke placed the blunt end of the instrument to the silver symbols the marker began to glow. He traced each letter, collecting more magick in the marker until he reached the end of the section that Itachi had transcribed. Then, feeling grateful that he wouldn't have to use his own magick to write the incantation, Sasuke began to trace new letters onto the wall. The marker moved with fluid ease as Sasuke copied Itachi's version of the incantation with careful precision.

-0-

By the time Sasuke began work on the last repetition of the incantation the sky had lightened to a pre-dawn grey and he knew the pattern off by heart. He was exhausted from revealing the silver enchantments numerous times but the thought that his work was nearly done kept him going.

"Sasuke?"

Sasuke didn't look away from his task as he inscribed the last symbol onto the castle wall at the North side of the compound. When he was finished he let out a great sigh of relief and sunk to the ground just as Naruto appeared at the top of the ladder, climbing onto the battlements.

"Tired?" he asked, sitting close next to him.

Sasuke nodded and leaned into his warmth, allowing Naruto to sling an arm over his chilled shoulders.

"Neji called, the Hunt is on its way."

Sasuke felt a smug smile force its way onto his face; he'd gotten his way. He was at home now and he was allowing Hunters to congregate on his land. It felt right somehow, to have the castle full of people again. He lay his head against Naruto's strong chest listening to his partner's heartbeat speed up a little. His head felt like lead but Sasuke still felt the need to raise it, just so that he could catch a glimpse of those luminous blue eyes, gazing steadily at him.

It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to press his lips gently to Naruto's, feeling their divine softness move against his. He sighed contentedly and felt the press of Naruto's tongue slipping into his mouth with that heat that seemed to belong solely to Naruto. Sasuke leaned closer, deepening the kiss and nearly finding himself in Naruto's lap. He was quickly becoming lost in the exchange of hot kisses and tentative touches and thought he should probably extricate himself from this compromising position.

But Naruto had other ideas. His hands were beneath Sasuke's coat now, running up his back and then down his sides and Sasuke thought he knew everything there was to know about electricity but this was new. So when Naruto's hands gripped insistently at his hips Sasuke crawled into his lap, folding his long limbs along the side of Naruto's legs.

When Naruto's mouth left his own Sasuke was ashamed that he almost whimpered at the loss. As it was, he thrust his fingers into Naruto's blond locks, meaning to get him back on track when he felt the burning touch of that wonderful mouth on his neck. The fire began just below his left ear with sweet kisses and a gentle tug at his earlobe and suddenly Sasuke was gripping his hair to pull Naruto closer, urging him on. When his insistence caused Naruto to moan directly in his ear he bucked his hips, acutely aware of the pressure building in his groin. Naruto ran a trail of fiery kisses down his neck, his tongue setting Sasuke alight and scattered nips making his cock twitch with need.

When Naruto reached the base of his neck Sasuke felt him nuzzle the sensitive skin there before setting his mouth to the juncture and sucking lightly. Sasuke thought he might have let loose a moan at that point. He opened his eyes as molten desire shot through him and saw the sun slip over the horizon, bathing the sky in all the colours that had been flitting behind his eyelids a moment earlier.

He sought Naruto's mouth again, kissing him forcefully as he tugged the other boy's coat away from his shoulders and threw it to the side. He shook his own coat off and felt Naruto's strong arms wrap around him pulling him closer for several long moments as their tongues twined together, locked in their heated embrace. When they broke apart it was only dispense with their respective shirts.

Sasuke relished in running his hands over Naruto's naked skin, he'd seen him naked before now but he'd never really stopped to admire the delicious caramel tone of his skin. He noticed Naruto performing his own quick analysis; taking in the strong, scarred torso of a practised hunter. Sasuke was momentarily thrown by the look in Naruto's eyes, surprised that there was not an ounce of distaste when faced with the result of a lifetime of fighting. Their next kiss was tender for a moment before Sasuke felt it necessary to remind his partner of their current situation. He pressed his hips forward and down, feeling Naruto's need straining against his and drawing a deep groan from him that Sasuke felt the need to echo. It was a sound he wanted to hear much more of in the future.

Next second Naruto's mouth had returned to his neck and Sasuke found himself clutching at muscular shoulders as deft fingers dispatched with his belt. Sasuke was thankful that Naruto was quick with the fastenings because he doubted he would be much help at this moment. Naruto's mouth on his neck was doing funny things to his coherency, something that only became more pronounced when he felt sure fingers wrap around his cock, giving it a long, slow pump.

Sasuke thought he might have made a sound at this point. His mouth was certainly open as he struggled to breath in any semblance of normal rhythm. Naruto ran his thumb over the slit of his cock and Sasuke felt sure there were sparks. But obviously there couldn't be; he felt as though he were completely devoid of magick for the first time in his life. It was a frightening prospect, but at the same time, oddly liberating. He clutched desperately at any part of Naruto he could reach, threading his fingers through wild hair one minute only to scrape them down his partner's back the next.

In some far off corner of his mind Sasuke was aware that this was unlike him. He tried briefly to remind himself that it was only a hand job before trying to reason that it had been a while since he'd gotten laid. But never had he felt so overwhelmed by the sexual presence of another human being. Perhaps it was his temporary lack of magick that had suddenly given him an excuse to relax the iron grip of control he usually held over his life. Whatever the reason for his newfound impulsiveness, Sasuke was content to go with it for now.

He pulled back from the heat of being pressed against the other hunter's chest and kissed Naruto, hard. It was sloppy but he thought Naruto might forgive him for that, considering it was his fault. He kissed him deeply until he felt the pressure build between them and then he released him. Sasuke looked into eyes like cut glass that reflected everything that Sasuke felt unable to put a name to. The thought that something similar might be seen in his own eyes was overpowering, so he looked away, burying his face in the hollow of Naruto's neck.

"I-I Naru-to!" Sasuke gasped as his body shook with surprising force.

-0-

Naruto held his partner securely as he recovered from his high. He thought perhaps this was the most beautiful thing he had ever been privy to. He didn't want to move but he was painfully aware of his own predicament. After a moment he shifted slightly, trying in vain to alleviate some of the pressure.

Next second he found himself on his back as Sasuke apparently recovered the strength in his limbs enough to flip them around. Naruto was now lying on his own coat with a very sexy Uchiha hovering over him. Sasuke looked down at him with heavy lidded eyes and kissed him with a languid pace that he allowed Naruto to elevate. Just when Naruto thought he could do this forever, Sasuke moved away. He tried to follow but a pale hand pressed firmly on his chest, forcing him to lie back down.

Naruto looked down at Sasuke, reminded suddenly of his own need as Sasuke trailed kisses down his stomach. Naruto felt his muscles tense impossibly as long fingers gripped his thighs through constricting jeans. He whined impatiently and Sasuke lifted a teasing eyebrow at him that only served to aggravate him further; he'd always wanted to be able to do that!

But then Sasuke took mercy on him and Naruto felt the pressure ease slightly as his jeans were unbuttoned and tugged halfway down his thighs. Cold air chilled his most heated skin as his boxers were pushed aside. For a moment Sasuke didn't touch him and Naruto looked up wondering if the Uchiha meant to torture him first. What he saw made him groan loudly as Sasuke lowered those sinful lips over his cock. Naruto wanted to watch, he wanted to see, but as he was engulfed in wet heat his head fell back against the stone.

He moaned helplessly as Sasuke worked him over, soon turning him into a quivering mess. Sasuke's hands ran up from his thighs, one circling the base of his cock and the other running indulgently over Naruto's skin. Naruto quickly realised he wasn't above begging as Sasuke took him deeper and hollowed out his cheeks bringing that heat tight around his cock. Naruto's hand was buried in silky strands of midnight hair when he realised how fast he was hurtling towards completion.

"Sasuke, I-I'm gonna-" he managed, feeling Sasuke's fingers twine with his over his chest.

Sasuke squeezed his hand and hollowed his cheeks again causing Naruto to cry out as he came with a loud shout.

He sucked in great lungfuls of clean sea air as he felt Sasuke tuck them both away and zip up. Naruto reached out blindly and snagged the young man's arm, pulling him down to lie with him. He heard Sasuke sigh as he lay his head down on Naruto's chest.

"Now I'm definitely exhausted," he muttered.

Naruto chuckled and opened his eyes to survey the colours streaking the morning sky. He had just begun to wonder if Sasuke would object to taking a quick nap out here when the Uchiha's phone started ringing. He sat bolt upright and fished it out of a coat pocket.

"Kindly come and open the gates for us, would you?" said Neji's cool voice.

"I've altered the enchantments, you can open them yourself now," Sasuke replied tersely before hanging up.

The pair of them stood quickly and began gathering their clothes. Naruto was thankful they'd been in too much of a hurry to undress properly as he swung his coat on and followed Sasuke as he strode along the top of the castle wall.

When they reached the gates they were met with quite a magnificent sight. It was easily the largest crowd of hunters Naruto had ever seen. Some were still arriving in an assortment of cars but most of them had congregated in the courtyard. They ranged in age and gender but all were equally impressive as they stood proudly with little attempt to disguise body armour and with weapons on full display.

A/N: Sooooo my apologies for over-abundance of dialogue at the beginning of this chapter but I hope the ending makes up for it. Might be a little longer before I get the next chapter sorted but I'll try not to keep you too long (then again you know what I'm like).

Note: The idea for the Kiyo marker is pretty much straight out of Cassandra Clare's amazing Mortal Instruments Series. A reviewer ages back when I started this story accused me of basically copying City of Bones. I can assure you that was a complete coincidence but thanks to their review I figured those books were probably right up my street and was so right! Excellent read, definitely recommend them!

Also I have a word for my reviewers... Whatever did I do to deserve you guys? You're the best! 3

_yasu