Thanks for the Reviews!

Sumoko - Umm, there may be, but that's a long time ahead yet. I'm not one for completely destroying a characters happiness…unless it's to torture a bastard. No, Naru-chan deserves some happiness, neh?

scream4cheeze - Thanks for the confidence boost. I'm not a guy, so research had to be done. Lol. Seriously, my gay friend was the one who gave me the idea of Sasuke blowing Naruto while he was fucking him. I didn't know it could be done until he said his ex did it to him. But still, I have no idea how it feels to ejaculate. Lol.

marina-potter - Yes I will. He deserves so much better than what is to happen. Poor Blond Uke. I want to hit Sasuke so much for what he's done in the anime and manga and I think that's where this had stemmed from. The jack-bastard. Sometimes I hate people liking him so much when he's such a prick.

FISHTaNK the Evil Fangirl - Heh, yeah, can you believe I actually intended this fic to be one of those - 'Sasuke spies on Naruto and feels like a guilty bastard 'cause of how screwed up his life is. Fox - suits Naruto and makes sense, since Naru didn't like the series' resident cat and Sasu saw Naru transform into Kyuubi with Gamabunta.

NARUTO

The next day at training, the two boys showed up later than Sakura. Sai, as they learned wasn't his real name, had gone back to Root. She cast a curious glance as they arrived together, yet neither boy said anything. Naruto, depending on his mood, was not one to jump around and act the fool anymore. Instead he usually answered when spoken to, except for the popular conversation starters like 'How are you?'

Naruto was free from any discomfort he may have gained from their activities, as per usual, when dealing with the Kyuubi container. Sasuke was a bit pissed that no marks were left, branding him, if you will, but expected it nonetheless. They had decided not to tell anyone yet - to see how it was progressing first. In Sasuke's words:

"We don't need meddling fools interfering while things are still new." Said with an obvious scowl. Quite frankly, he couldn't be doing with the questions that would come himself, right now. To be honest, they hadn't even established a solid friendship again yet; but in one night they amounted to lovers. It was a little overwhelming.

"Sasuke-kun! Naruto! Are you two friends again, now?"

"Hn." "Yeah, kinda."

"Yay! We should celebrate. How about a party? My parents are away next weekend, and…" Sakura continued excitedly until Kakashi showed up and saved them.

If Naruto had to pinpoint when things started screwing up for them, it'd be at that party. At training or on missions, they would be the friends and rivals they once were, though toned down a huge degree in verbal assaulting. After all, they weren't the twelve year old children they once were. They were now sixteen year old Chuunins of Konohagakure.

However, at night they were more. Naruto was a simple person. He didn't have anything to compare it to, but he saw how people would hold and kiss each other when they were together; whether it be parental or as lovers. The sex was rough, conversation between them sparse, but when Sasuke would hold and nuzzle him, he imagined that to be love. He lived for that feeling beyond lust and passion, when he could honestly say - "Here's someone who cares if I die tomorrow" - And feel it within his very being to be true.

So once at the party, when Naruto slung his arm over Sasuke and asked: "What's happening over here then guys?" and Sasuke answered harshly: "Go - away - Naruto!" he began doubting. It was just a little thread, but still, it weeded it's way in. He wasn't even sure on the absolute reason. Maybe it was because he only used his name when he was being serious. Maybe it was because he realised Sasuke never said his name after sex. Or perhaps, it was because the tone he used was the same one as before the 'Chidori' ripped through his chest.

When they got to Naruto's apartment, Sasuke apologised.

"I'm sorry, Naruto. I'd been drinking and couldn't trust myself not to jump you when you were that close."

"Don't worry. I'm used to it." He said smiling.

"What?" Sasuke near growled probably thinking possessive thoughts again.

"You know people not wanting me around." He grinned.

"Don't." Sasuke did growl this time, making the smile drop. "Don't you ever make yourself feel below others, Naruto." Sasuke rubbed through the blond hair, pulling the boy to him. "You're so much better than they are; don't you ever think otherwise. You hear me?"

"H-Hai." Naruto snuggled closer to his lover. "A-Arigato, Sasuke."

"God. I love you, Naruto. I love you so fucking much."

"I-I love you, too."

That night, they merely slept in each other's arms and it was one of the most intimate moments they had ever had.

Two weeks after, Naruto had a mission. Kiba and Hinata needed a third person, since Shino had clan business. With Sakura's Jounin exam up two days before the return date and Sasuke seven months from being allowed to leave the village without escort of a Jounin, Naruto was best choice.

A one week trip and they had arrived back a day early. Gossip among the streets was that Sakura had passed her exam and Sasuke had taken her out to celebrate. Just the two of them at a fancy restaurant.; not to mention the fact that he stayed over. People were giggling and smiling about the prospect of future Uchiha. And the string of doubt gained a brother.

Another two actually. One for the romance between his team mates. But, the biggest was his clan. A reason he, himself, drilled for Sasuke to come back and one of his life goals. If he used his brain instead of his heart, he would have known than to guard the weakened organ from the inevitable. But he was Uzumaki Naruto; and Uzumaki Naruto never gave up. Everyone deserves chances, after all.

"Hey, Naruto! You're back early! You should've seen the place Sasuke-kun took me to. The food was amazing. He even gave me a hug after I passed. He's so sweet and shy. He stayed over, but insisted on sleeping on the couch. Something about not wanting to disrespect my honour with sharing a room, despite all the times in tents on missions." And so, she had rambled on the next day at training.

Sasuke was later than usual. "Dobe." He seemed surprised. "When did you get back?"

"He got back last night, Sasuke-kun! Isn't it great?"

"Hn. Mission over-classed?" He smirked.

"Nope." He beamed. "We took a shorter path."

"Hn."

Naruto's face turned serious. "We spotted an old Akatsuki base."

"Itachi-"

"He wasn't there, but…it was closer than we thought. Kakashi-sensei and Gai-sensei were sent out…so there's no training today for you two."

"Hn, and there is for you, I suppose."

"Kyuubi." He stated by way of explanation.

"Are you training with Yamato-sensei again?" Sakura asked.

"Iie. He's just there to stop me from killing everyone." Naruto was so resigned that Sakura could feel moisture in her eyes. "Jeriya's in the village."

"Hn. You're both as stupid as each other. He made you into a monster and you let him. At least mine was intentional with a purpose. A Dobe like you can't even control yours. Pathetic." He walked off.

"D-Don't worry about him, Naruto. It's just his way of saying he's worried."

"Feh." He grinned, knowing Sasuke could hear him; wanting a reaction. Just because they hadn't told anyone about their relationship didn't mean it wasn't there. He would do something, right? Say something…if just…"Don't worry about it. I'm used to it." And he was.

"Naruto…"

"You coming, Sakura?" Sasuke's voice was clear in his everyday volume was heard. He'd heard Naruto but said nothing. Why?

"Hai, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura shouted, joy shining in her eyes to match her smile. "Stay safe Naruto." She smiled before running to catch up.

He never looked back once Sakura was there.

So many things Sasuke could have said but didn't. So many things he could have done but wouldn't. So many things that could hurt…and he chose them. Why, hello doubt, come on in. The strings were now a little family, with offspring of pain, jealousy, confusion and…fear? A fear of what? Being alone again? Being shunned? That it was all a joke? But he couldn't worry about that now.

While on the mission, Hinata had noticed abnormal Chakra patterns in Naruto's body, while using the Byakugan. He'd smiled briefly and said he knew. "Tsunade deemed it undangerous but curious" he stated, nodding happily. In truth, he had no idea what it was and rushed the mission.

Thus, the training. He'd had some bloods taken and was sent to Jeriya to try and contact Kyuubi or extract certain Chakra to note the effect. Dangerous - but he was a tool - a subject case. Kyuubi laughed and ridiculed, but answered nothing. Extracting was as screwed as usual. The morning promised more information. An actual Doctor of Hyuuga blood was assisting Tsunade in the procedure of 'peek and guess'. He chuckled.

Sasuke came than night angered. The sex was quite forceful and the end more distant. Naruto thought that, maybe, it was because he'd mentioned Akatsuki. He hadn't yet fulfilled his promise that Itachi would seek him.

"Why didn't you come and see me when you got back?" Was this his fault?

"I was tired." Exhausted more like it, and completely, extremely panicked.

"Too tired for me, you mean?" Naruto shook his head slightly, unsure if the raven saw him.

"I have a lot on my mind, Sasuke." Like whether or not I'm losing control.

"And I don't?"

"Why are you picking fights with me?"

"You haven't given me Itachi." He'd thought it, but somehow it hurt so much coming from his lover's mouth. To know he was still not enough. More doubt was woven in the gathering threads. He snapped.

"And for the time I've been back you ignore me; and my hugs." Always. Was anything really…always?

"Stop being an idiot." Sasuke rolled over, face away from the blond at his side.

"Are you and Sakura dating, Sasuke?" It ate at him, he had to know.

"Go to sleep Naruto." Deny it, confirm it. Just do one. Say one so I know what to feel.

"Isn't that one of your goals? To rebuild your clan?" Isn't it why you came back?

"I'm sixteen, not twenty-two. You're the one I love and I'm not leaving you. Happy, Usuratonkachi?"

With that, he turned and pulled Naruto close, spooning against him. That should settle him. He should be happy. So why did it sound so empty and fake? Why did he feel the 'Happy, Usuaratonkachi' meant 'Is that what you want to hear'?

NARUTO

Um, yeah…Naruto's made friends with doubt and Sasuke's being a jackass. Hope they weren't too OOC and stuff. Just in case you didn't get it, (FYI, don't know why,) the questions are in Naruto's POV sort of thing. I don't write in first person; it creeps me out, so when Naruto wants to think something I'll write I, but in narration I won't, even though you could change some 'he's to 'I's and it's first person. Yes, I'm weird. I think the way I've styled it is pretty self explanatory, however. Any problems though, tell me and I'll try to change or help or something.