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

Warnings: This story includes strong language, graphic adult themes, violence, angst, a good friend, and eventually yaoi love.


Hard to Read:

Chapter 35

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The door splintered, the wood shrieking in protest, before finally giving up under the onslaught of attacks. Naruto and Sasuke suddenly came face to face with their enemy-

- and were surprised to find that they didn't recognize any of them.

Several men stormed in, all wearing black robes covered in crimson clouds, the Akatsuki's signature look, but they had never seen these men before. Both exchanged a look and were easily able to read the other, seeing the same question that immediately came to mind- Who they hell are these guys? Why are they here?

Naruto seemed on edge as soon as he spotted the familiar robes- an obvious reminder of the man who had brutalized him mere months ago, but he quickly pushed down the feeling as he launched his attack.

"Rasengan!!" he screamed, rushing forward as he threw the spinning ball of chakra at the first to push their way into the room.

Several men went flying backwards, but the rest didn't even hesitate as they forced their way in. Sasuke threw several kunai, hitting his targets with each one, but they just kept coming.

"What the hell is going on?!" Sasuke yelled.

They had to be Akatsuki sympathizers or new members, but it still seemed to be too many to be either one.

"Sasuke- cover me!" Naruto shouted.

The Uchiha immediately stepped in front of him, forcing back their attackers as Naruto gathered more chakra. "Rasengan!" he screamed as he blasted a hole in the wall, giving them access to get outside. He sent a multitude of shadow clones to attack as he rushed out of the manor, dragging Sasuke with him.

Whatever this was, he knew this group of newbies was only the beginning. Their best bet was to draw attention to the attack- to alert the rest of the village and bring in reinforcements. He wondered where the guards were that were assigned to the Uchiha estate, when he recognized a familiar face.

"Obito."

Sasuke turned and watched the man step forward, his orange spiraled mask in place, his sharingan studying the two as he approached. "Sasuke, Naruto. How convenient to find you in the same place. And at the Uchiha manor, no less. How fitting."

"What do you want?!" Sasuke growled. He noticed that the new Akatsuki members had backed off. No doubt to surround us.

What the hell is Obito planning?

Sasuke stepped in front of Naruto, blocking the Uchiha's access to him, much to the other man's amusement. "So protective of the jinchuriki all of a sudden" the man said, his one exposed eye shining, "how interesting. It wasn't all that long ago that you were ready to break all ties with him- isn't that right, Sasuke?"

He grinned behind his mask, his enjoyment palpable. "You know, I can still help you with that.. the breaking part I mean."

His eye drifted over to the blonde. "The nine tails is all I truly want. What happens to the vessel is no concern of mine."

"Stay the fuck away from him." Sasuke ground out, his eyes burning with rage.

"So protective.." Obito replied, taking a step closer, "how unfortunate, then, that you are powerless to stop me."

Obito shifted from view and almost instantly reappeared behind Naruto. He grabbed the blonde and yanked him back out of Sasuke's reach. Sasuke lunged towards them, but the two disappeared from view again, only to reappear at the opposite end of the walkway. Obito held a fistful of Naruto's hair and a long syringe at his neck.

"NO!" Sasuke screamed.

He ran towards them, but he knew he wouldn't get there in time, not with his chakra blocked. Sasuke watched in horror as Obito jerked Naruto's head back and slammed the needle deep into his neck, forcing the plunger down and whatever was inside of it into Naruto's veins.

Naruto's huge blue eyes widened, then rolled back in his head. His body went limp and Obito released him, letting him collapse to the ground.

"Naruto!!"

He threw several kunai at Obito, but he was gone, only to reappear directly in front of Sasuke. Before he could defend himself, Obito moved his mask to the side, revealing his Rinnegan eye. Sasuke's body froze under the power of the Six Path's of Pain, his struggles useless against its power.

"Before we leave the Uchiha estate, I find it only fitting to enjoy the rest of our family reunion here, wouldn't you say Sasuke?"

Sasuke stared at him, his body still locked in place. "What are you saying..?"

Before Obito could say more, a voice rang out from behind him. "Hello.. little brother."

Sasuke's blood ran cold. No.. that's impossible. I killed him. I slit his throat- I watched him die.

He can't be alive..

The footsteps got louder as he stepped closer, and Sasuke stared in horror as Itachi stepped in front of him, a smirk stretched across his pale face, his cold, lifeless eyes staring back at him.

"Itachi.." Sasuke choked out, "how..?"

But the Uchiha ignored him, and instead turned to look towards the opposite end of the estate.

Sasike could see his eyes gleam as they locked onto Naruto's limp form. He felt like he was going to be sick.

This can't be happening.. this can't be-

He felt the sharp stab of a needle, and his mind plunged into darkness, pulling him away from the one person who needed him the most, the one he swore to protect.

Naruto..


Author Note:

I'm sorry! I know that was a super short chapter! In my defense- the last one was longer, and I also wanted to torture you guys with a cliffhanger.

Aren't I just the worst? ;P