Chapter 5: Regrets and A Most Interesting Guest

"Look at me. Don't look away." Sasuke's voice was soft, surprisingly gentle. Naruto didn't want to look away; not for the life of him. He noticed all the little things. The way Sasuke's breath hitched slightly when he entered him, the way his dark eyes glazed and glittered. The feel of Sasuke's raven hair on the back of his neck when Sasuke moved behind him. Sasuke's hands glided over his back smoothly, still surprisingly gentle, his touch cool. He was holding him now, holding him tightly. They moved in a steady rhythm. Back, forward, back, forward. Don't ever leave me again. Naruto had thought. In that moment, it felt like he never would.

"Naruto!"

Naruto groaned, shoving his head under his pillow to try and muffle the sharp raps at his door. His head throbbed dully. He wasn't in the mood for this. He'd been sleeping peacefully, he might have even had a pleasant dream…

He bolted upright, shaking his head. No, no, it wasn't pleasant. He flushed uncomfortably and rose out of bed, trudging to the door. The banging continued with annoying calls of "Naruto!" and "Get your ass up!" and finally, "Why am I always your damn alarm clock?!"

Muttering darkly under his breath, Naruto threw open his apartment door. Only to be tackled by an overly cheerful Akamaru. The great white dog dragged his leathery pink tongue along his face while Naruto fought and screeched, though inwardly he was laughing. Kiba roared with delight, holding his stomach. Shikamaru shook his head and grinned.

"That's a way, Akamaru! It's time for Naruto to get out of this funk!" Kiba cheered.

Naruto gently pushed Kiba's loyal companion away from him. The dog went off to investigate a plate of pork ramen that had been left, untouched, on the table. Kiba helped Naruto to his feet while Naruto swiped at his cheeks.

"So, how about some ramen today? Eh? My treat?" Kiba was strangely generous as of late. Not that Naruto was going to do anything about it. Especially if it meant free ramen.

Naruto narrowed his eyes, suspicious. "As much as I want?"

Kiba deflated a little, crossing his arms over his chest."Only the first round," he huffed.

Naruto grinned. "I'll be sure to make it a memorable first round." He rubbed his stomach. Kiba groaned, but he laughed all the same.

"Naruto," Shikamaru spoke up. Naruto stilled.

"It's been two weeks, Naruto." Shikamaru said softly. The blond lost his easy smile, his blue eyes gleaming a little dangerously. One look at Shikamaru's expression and Naruto knew what was next.

He'd done his duty to the village. He had protected it. And, in his own way, he had protected Sasuke. What more did they want from him?

Naruto steeled himself for it.

Shikamaru hated to be the bearer of bad news. It only made his day more troublesome. In this case, convincing a hotheaded Naruto to go to the Hokage Tower for debriefing and questioning was sure to put a dent on a beautifully sunny day.

The day after the battle, Naruto had informed Tsunade of troubling information. Sasuke Uchiha, for some reason, believed he could slip under the village's defenses. Naruto was clear he didn't want to discuss it further. I would check the defenses, he'd said on record, Sasuke seems to think there's a way around it.

Lo and behold, a weak spot had been discovered on the western border of the village. It had been repaired, but now Tsunade demanded Naruto tell her everything. Why did Sasuke believe this? How had he come to that conclusion? Did it seem like maybe spies were planted in the village? Did Sasuke tell Naruto this outright?

Naruto always said something similar to I don't know. He just seemed to think so. I don't know.

Shikamaru wasn't entirely sure. However Sasuke may have said it, Naruto had still protected the village by informing Tsunade immediately. But there had to be more. There always was.

"I've been doing my duty," Naruto said stiffly in response to Shikamaru's announcement. Shikamaru sighed. Naruto had been doing the tasks he was assigned throughout the village quite well and without complaint. He was very chivalrous to those who had lost their homes in the fight, making sure no family under his watchful eye was left in the streets. A temporary shelter had been put up for the sake of the homeless families.

Naruto had been forbidden to leave the village under any circumstance, and was restricted to C and D class missions (When hearing this, Naruto had put up quite a fight. Shikamaru still winced at the memory). So he was left to help the genin with the resurrection of the village and tending of its people.

It became Naruto's routine. During the day Naruto worked, was all easy smiles and goodnatured jokes, but once his shift ended, Shikamaru noticed he became subdued and even bleary eyed. It was definitely a concern, and easy to see that his good mood was a facade. He hid under his own forced warmth that made Shikamaru remember days at the Academy as children.

Naruto would leave to his apartment and wouldn't resurface until called forth for duty. It had taken many days to get him to cooperate with Shikamaru and Kiba. Kiba being the most lively. Sakura had refused to help for some reason Shikamaru couldn't quite fathom (some sensitive girl issue, perhaps), and was currently on a mission gathering intel on the enemy with Sai and Kakashi. Even the silver-haired Jounin had attempted to liven up Naruto, and had failed much to his dismay.

"Don't be too hard on him. There are dark feelings hidden under his easy nature," Kakashi had warned Shikamaru. Shikamaru was aware of this, but it was time. It was time that Naruto do his duty to his village. They had given him his solitude, and his time to wallow alone.

"Naruto, it's two in the afternoon," Shikamaru observed disapprovingly. Even for someone who enjoyed catnaps and sleeping in, two in the afternoon was pushing it.

"I haven't been called in yet." Naruto said with a stretch and a yawn.

"You've been in bed this whole time?" Shikamaru asked, brows furrowed. Surely this was cause for concern!

"What's it matter to you how long I sleep?" Naruto shot back.

Shikamaru frowned and shared a look with Kiba, who seemed to thinking the same thing. "This ends here," Shikamaru declared, grabbing Naruto by the arm. He was thoroughly annoyed. Naruto's eyes widened.

"Hey, what-?"

"Honestly, Naruto, this is getting a little old."

"It's hard being so nice to you all the freakin' time!" Kiba joked, nudging Naruto in the ribs. Naruto scowled.

"What is it you'll have me do?" He directed his question at Shikamaru, who rubbed his temples in aggravation.

"It's time you come in for questioning. We've given you long enough. It's time you relayed to us what happened that day, and any information you have concerning Sasuke." Shikamaru was blunt. Naruto narrowed his eyes.

"There's nothing to tell," he said. Shikamaru hid his growing frustration.

"Naruto," He began tersely, "Some of us are wondering exactly what transpired that night. We're confused as to why Sasuke escaped. You understand that releasing him while knowing the dangers he poses and the bounty on his head is considered treasonous? The Shinobi Alliance of course heard about it and the Raikage above all others is furious with the Leaf. Our alliance is rocky enough as it without this folly on our heads." He was treading on thin ice. Naruto flushed.

"So now I'm a traitor." Naruto grinned bitterly. Shikamaru cursed and massaged his temples harder.

"No, you're not, but it's definitely questionable. We are doing everything in our power to bring Madara down-"

"And Sasuke too?" Naruto finished for him, grim. He shook his head. "I don't care what the Shinobi Alliance has to say. Sasuke is mine to deal with."

Shikamaru frowned. "Naruto, the Raikage is head of the Shinobi Alliance. After hearing of Sasuke's escape, there are whispers that the Leaf conspired with the Akatsuki, that you did, since Sasuke is originally from our village. The Raikage is suspicious of you. He remembers how you pleaded with him for mercy for Sasuke. These times are too tumultuous to act rashly. It only causes more fear and confusion. Sasuke is the enemy. He made himself a world-wide wanted criminal when he attacked the Kage Summit. You must give us any information-"

"Don't have any." Naruto interrupted, already walking back to his bedroom. "I don't think I'm in the mood for ramen, either." He shot a dark look at Kiba and retreated. After a second, he opened the door a crack.

"I would appreciate it if you left now," he said wearily. Kiba sighed, pulling Akamaru away from the cold ramen he was gobbling down. Shikamaru left the apartment building with a headache. Kiba squinted up at the cloudless sky.

"Why is he being such an ass about this? It's really starting to annoy me."

Shikamaru shrugged, thinking hard. "If only he would tell us what happened between them. I know Naruto's loyalty to Sasuke is unwavering but he has to face reality. I just don't understand-" he broke off suddenly, brows furrowed.

Kiba looked at him."I hate it when you do that. No one can read your mind, Shika," he said, sounding slightly annoyed.

"Maybe the answer is lot simpler than we think." Shikamaru answered, looking back to the apartment building.

Naruto growled when there was another sharp rap the door. This time, it wasn't Shikamaru or Kiba. This time, Tsunade had sent the ANBU Black Ops officer with the bird mask who'd been keeping tabs on him since the battle. His teammates were usually dispersed somewhere close by, keeping an ever watchful eye on Naruto, annoyingly enough.

"Lady Tsunade requests your presence." The ANBU officer said briefly. Deciding there was officially no way out of it, Naruto grudgingly followed him out the door. Since their argument, Naruto had been careful to be polite to the Fifth, but it was difficult. She always tried engaging him in conversation or even started acting motherly towards him, which made it increasingly difficult to avoid her without feeling guilty.

Tsunade was scribbling away at something when he entered, and she waved at the guard to close the door. She looked up after a few moments.

"Naruto, you have avoided this long enough." At least she got right to the point instead of pestering him further.

"What do you want me to say? There's really nothing to tell," Naruto answered. He guessed it was true. Nothing, really...except Sasuke had managed to sneak into the village...unnoticed. Was that a big thing?

Tsunade pursed her lips. "We're going to send a small team out, Naruto. Names have already been pulled, the mission approved and assigned. They will track Uchiha and have received their orders. Elimination upon sight. If you could offer any information to help your comrades in the future, even save their lives-" Her words fell upon deaf ears. Naruto felt dizzy, he felt sick. No, no, not again! He wanted to scream. His heart was beating fast, incredibly fast. His throat was constricting. He remembered this feeling of rising panic from the last time he'd been informed. He tried to take deep, calming breaths. He veered away to go sit down, rubbing his face with his hands.

"Are you listening? Naruto! Are you alright?" Tsunade was before him, her hands tight on his shoulders.

"Look at me!" she ordered. Naruto ignored her for a minute, before finally finding her gaze.

"With me now," She urged, and breathed deeply. It took a couple tries, but he followed her, and soon he wasn't feeling as faint. His heart was still racing, but not as bad. Tsunade looked genuinely worried.

"What happened?" she asked, and Naruto knew she wasn't referring to his panic attack. He swallowed, squeezing his eyes shut, hands balling into fists. He'd only allowed himself to cry the first morning. The past two weeks had been…numb. He tried his best to forget. Tried not to notice how everyone stared, wondering why Naruto Uzumaki had failed to bring Sasuke Uchiha back to the Leaf. Was he not their great Defender? He knew some people talked, and it wasn't conversation he'd like to eavesdrop on. He'd put himself between a rock and a hard place.

He'd let his village down. He, Naruto, the Conqueror of Pain, as some called him. He, who had defeated the Akatsuki last time and saved the survivors of Konoha, had allowed the Akatsuki to hit hard and hit home again. He had allowed Sasuke Uchiha to escape, and he no one knew why. Better yet, no one even knew what had gone on between the two.

Slowly, he found the words. He told Tsunade about how they were cast in Itachi's genjutsu, about how he'd pulled Susano'o from Sasuke, and about their fight. About how, suddeny, Sasuke had pulled a vanishing act. Naruto stopped talking after that, keeping the rest closely guarded. Part of him felt guilty for it.

A real ninja, he supposed, might just come clean about the tryst. For the village. But he had imformed Tsunade immediately of the weak spot. It would have had to be done, anyway. For the village's security. Naruto wouldn't be the one to withhold that type of information when the lives of other people may have depended on it. Especially if Sasuke had up and left-

It did little to alleviate his stress. He opened his mouth, ready to spit it all out this time and face the backlash, when Tsunade spoke again.

"So Susano'o had influenced him." Tsunade sighed as she sank back into her chair, and Naruto decided to remain silent. "He still returned to Madara, so this changes nothing." She looked at him. Naruto scowled. He had known that.

"I still don't understand how he knew about our defenses, or why he even told you that."

Naruto sighed, running a tanned hand through his tousled blond hair. "I'm not sure either," he mumbled inaudibly. Tsunade's eyes narrowed. For a long while she didn't speak.

"Sometimes," she began falteringly, "The ones we love most are the ones who inflict the deepest wounds. Naruto, if Sasuke was true to his friendship or still felt anything for you, he would have returned with you after the extraction of Susnao'o. Instead, he betrayed you further. Do you understand? He has torn himself from the Leaf. If there is anything you know, don't try to protect him." Tsunade didn't feel any reason to soften it. It was true. Naruto was a very promising young man, full of potential, and she would not see him throw it away for a severed bond. He is so emotionally invested. If my team successfully kills Sasuke, I'm not sure I want to know how he'll react. It's been hard enough with him lately.

"No one touches him," he said, voice quiet and determined, "But me." he headed toward the door.

Tsunade cursed violently after Naruto slipped out. Tsunade got back to work. She yelled at Shizune for paper work, got an ANBU team leader on the phone, barked out more orders. Called in Shikamaru and Shikaku. Finally, two hours later, she collapsed on her chair. Her honey brown eyes found the masked bird-face of the ANBU guard still waiting by the door.

"Takumi," she said.

The guard stood to attention. "My lady?"

"Why does my job have to be so damned hard?"

Konohamaru was livid. His small, lithe body was shaking, and his face had paled before turning a ruddy pink. He jammed a finger at the boy in front of him, poking him hard in the chest.

"You take that back!" he yelled, furious. The boy before him bore a grin so wide he looked like a Cheshire cat.

"Face it, Konoharmaru, he's not a hero, he's a pussy!" the boy taunted.

"How can you say that? He saved us, he defeated Pain! You have somewhere to live because of him!"

"Yeah only after Pain destroyed the whole village." The boy, Hideo, snickered and turned to look to his friends, who did the same. Konohamaru balled his right hand into a fist, and Hideo squealed when it looked as if Konohamaru might hit him, but a small girl with a round, moon pale face and mousy brown pigtails held Konohamaru back.

"It's not worth it, Kono-kun." Moegi said quietly, sticking out her tongue at Hideo.

"Oh that's pretty," Hideo taunted, making a rude gesture. "Hey I liked your hero article, Moegi. It really does Naruto justice!" he snickered. Konohamaru moved to punch him for real this time but Moegi had clamped onto his arm, shouting.

"Konohamaru, don't!"

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Konohamaru yelled at Hideo, unsucessfully trying to peel Moegi off of him.

"My papa's a jounin, and he says that when Naruto went to fight the Uchiha, he decided he loved him more than the village and he let him go. So now Uchiha will be back to kill us, and it's all your hero's fault!" Hideo ran away after that, laughing, while Konohamaru finally freed himself from Moegi and kicked violently at a can littering the street.

Konohamaru wouldn't believe it. Naruto would never, ever, betray them like that! He sniffed, wiping his nose on his arm, when he caught a glimpse of orange and black.

The boy bounded forward, intent on settling the rumors.

Naruto was walking through the streets, lost in his thoughts, when he noticed a band of children playing in front of a shop.

"Let's play good guys, bad guys!" one boy yelled, enthusiastic. He had a wide grin and spiky brown hair.

"Alright, but I don't want to be Sasuke this time," a little girl pouted. She had coal black hair and pale skin. Winning combo. The boy grinned.

"But you're the best Sasuke!" He pointed at her black pigtails. The girl flushed and silently agreed.

"I want to be a good guy! I get to be Naruto!" another little boy cried, and the others jeered at him.

"I wouldn't want to be Naruto. Do you know what my papa says about him? He says that he loves Sasuke more than the village, so now Uchiha will be back to kill us all, and it's all his fault!" The little boy hopped up and down as he said this, like he was doing a potty dance. An old woman passing by smacked him over the head with a newspaper.

"Watch your mouth! Ungrateful little urchin!" She pointed in Naruto's direction. The boy at least had the decency to look abashed. He blushed scarlet and ran away with his ragtag group down the street.

This scene took Naruto completely by surprise. He noticed, uncomfortably, that some people were staring. Some looked disappointed, others looked shook their heads. A few offered timid smiles that he liked to think were meant to be reassuring. Not too long ago, they had practically worshiped him. He was the hero of their village. Now, they seemed unsure of him. Bowing his head, he turned right down an alley, hoping to escape their stares.

He ran into Konohamaru, who looked about ready to either burst into tears or break something. The pre-teen looked up at his idol. Naruto smiled.

"Hey Konohamaru! Have you been practicing the rasengan? I'm always here to help you should you need it," Naruto added in that big brother way of his. Konohamaru turned red, looking down like he was embarrassed.

"Naruto?" he mumbled in a tiny voice. The smile faded from Naruto's face, and he felt his heart sink. Not you too, he thought.

"Is…is it true about Sasuke? Did you really let him go? I thought…I told everyone you'd never do that! That you'd never pick such an awful person over your village." His voice shook, and Naruto realized, with mounting anger and sadness, that Konohamaru wanted nothing more than to be reassured, because he too was beginning to doubt after hearing slander. Naruto knelt down before him.

"Konohamaru," he began, "There will come a time in every ninja's life when he's forced to make a horrible decision. Sometimes these choices involve people you really love or care about. Sometimes, the choices you make don't go the way you originally planned when you take action, and you have to live with how that mission turned out, and your decision. I'm not saying I chose Sasuke over the village, but I am saying that I am living with what happened. As a ninja, I can promise you I will never forsake my village, and I will always fight for my people. I will always protect you." He stood up, looking at Konohamaru, wondering what the youth might say to such a vague answer.

"I still don't understand what happened," he complained. "Did you let him go or not!" When Naruto frowned and didn't immediately answer, Konohamaru cursed and fled, squeezing his eyes shut to hide tears of anger and confusion. Moegi gave Naruto an analytical look before running after her teammate, as if she couldn't decide whether what he had said was admirable or cowardly.

Feeling worse than ever, Naruto trudged back to his apartment, hoping he wouldn't be called for duty today. He felt lower than shit. Konohamaru was upset with him. He'd let down his "little brother", and countless others. He didn't see their talk as injustice. He knew their whispers were justified.

He shouldn't have allowed Sasuke to worm his way into where he didn't belong. Naruto should have immediately engaged him. Instead, his emotions had gotten the better of him. Something that a ninja was never supposed to succumb to.

And so the villagers whispered.

Just where had he been when the battle went from bad to worse? Why hadn't he helped more in protecting the village? Where was Naruto when so and so's husband was killed in action? Where was the mighty Conqueror of Pain when this one's house burned to ash? How could he have let Sasuke escape to wreak more havoc and take more innocent lives? These were the questions Naruto had to face and own up to, these were the scornful looks he had to endure. He held his head up high.

He was still a ninja of the Leaf, and he'd die to protect those he loved, whether they liked to believe it or not.

Sasuke dipped into the pool by the waterfall, holding his breath as he went under. The water was cold and crisp; it cleared his head and rushed through his ears. It was disgruntling, waking up that is. Sasuke dreamed of him every night without fail. The cornflower blue eyes were always watching him, and Naruto's voice never failed to call out to him.

"Sasuke…"

He dreamed about the feel of Naruto's skin underneath his, about the sound of his voice and the sexy way he moaned and arched his back whenever Sasuke hit a sweet spot. He dreamed about their spars, about them laughing, arguing, and kissing.

It was driving him insane. Sasuke wasn't sure if he could take it anymore. The cold water helped alleviate him of another problem as well. He rarely had to deal with sexual tension, and the erections were pissing him off. Some men might have joked by saying waking up without a woody every morning was just plain unnatural. For Sasuke, it had been (mostly) normal, until now. Thankfully, he was an early riser and rarely saw anyone on his daily early morning walks to the pool. Suigetsu, on the other hand gave him utter hell when he walked by him by first light that morning.

"If only we still had Karin with us!" he had cackled. Too proud to be embarrassed, Sasuke only sneered and flipped Suigetsu off.

It was more than physical, though. It had only been two weeks, but Sasuke was jarred to the core. He found himself wondering, always wondering, what had happened to Naruto when he'd woken up alone. The thought made him wince. If he knew Naruto like he thought he did, the blond was sure to be spitting fire and drowning in his own tears. He'd always known Naruto to be a very emotional person. Sometimes, Sasuke wondered what would have happened if he had left with Naruto. It couldn't have been so, however. Sasuke had decided, the moment Naruto had accepted his touch, that Madara would have to die. Sasuke was the only one who could accomplish this. It wasn't arrogance, it was the truth.

Worse, the morning he'd returned empty handed, a new course of action had unfolded within the Akatsuki's ranks. A sinister plan that had been planted into Madara's power-hungry brain, and a new guest, who's every moment alive made Sasuke's bloodlust tremble.

The dawn chilled his skin, made him shiver and grit his teeth, but he liked the nip of the wind, forcing him to look ahead, to stay awake. To remember why he kept walking instead of pausing to turn around.

He hadn't allowed himself to look back, to wonder, once.

The camp was in sight, a little tangle of tents that looked orange in the early morning light, the rough side of cliff face that fed the white spray of a waterfall into a pool, and the gaping mouth of a cave that led into a labyrinth of mysteries and other horrors. It was an old, gutted out site once used by Orochimaru and long abandoned, before Madara had decided he liked the real estate.

Ahead, a fire coughed to life as Kisame, the shark man, tried to roast some fish for breakfast. Sasuke could now hear murmurs, whispers, quiet insults. He didn't pause to look at the team, not even to scowl.

Kisame laughed as he approached.

"Uchiha," he called, "where's that fox, eh?" The others around him watched with steely gazes, hungry for Sasuke's failure. Madara's golden boy, taken down a notch. What a sight!

Sasuke didn't answer, only clenched his jaw. Allowed a thought to wriggle into his mind. Naruto, asleep on that stupidly messy bed. Naruto, eyes cooling from red to blue, a gaze that said you better not leave after this, Uchiha. But he had.

"Maybe he was a little too tricky for our Sasuke!" Someone cackled, and Kisame laughed, disgusting as he ate his fish nearly raw, bits of flesh spraying on his lips.

"Slipped right through his capable hands. Maybe it's time someone really got the job done, eh, Sasuke? Play time's over."

Sasuke turned, smiling tightly. "A little early in the morning for you to be taking me on, isn't it, Kisame? Although, I guess you almost brought Madara the eight-tails. Should I give you a gold star for all your hard work?" He was egging the nin on, and he knew it, but he liked the look of rage that began to spasm across Kisame's flat blue face, the way his skin turned a blotchy purple. Sasuke's blood began to rush. This was exactly what he needed right now. Kisame hefted his sword onto his broad shoulder and stood like a brawler.

"Heh, you better watch that tongue brat, before Samehada rips it out to eat."

Sasuke grinned, reaching for Kusangi, but before he could savor the taste of a good fight, another sword met Samehada as the shark nin swung his blade.

Suigetsu's violet eyes were dancing, and he whistled. "I'd chill a bit. Bit too early to get all bloody."

Kisame eyed him dangerously. "Out of the way, runt. That toothpick ain't got shit."

"Is that right?" Suigetsu smirked, and Sasuke shook his head at his teammate's boldness, irritated at the interruption. Suigetsu heaved his strength against Kisame's twirling away expertly and landing another blow, which Kisame blocked. Sasuke hooked his hands behind his hand and watched with interest.

"I'd beg to differ. How's about it, Kisame? If I win, you cough over that sword." Suigetsu looked at Samehada hungrily.

Kisame pulled away from Suigetsu and laughed haughtily. "I'd paint the grass red with you before you had a hope, runt. Better run along before I make it happen."

Suigetsu made a show of looking terrified. "Well now you did it! I'm fucking terrified." He looked to Sasuke, who shook his head again, but grinned. It was worth it to see Kisame about ready to blow a fuse.

"Tell you what, Kisame, anytime you feel like whippin' it out," Suigetsu nodded to Samehada, "you gimme a call." He winked roguishly, much to the delight of the onlookers, who shrieked with laughter. Kisame growled, pointing at Suigetsu with Samehada's handle.

"You let your friends fight your battles, Uchiha?"

Sasuke made to grab Kusangi once more, but Suigetsu grabbed him by the elbow. Sasuke shook him off, glowering.

"The hell are you-"

"His facelessness," Suigetsu began cheerfully, meaning Madara, and Sasuke rolled his eyes, "Would like to have a word with you. So, like I said earlier," he paused to look at Kisame, who grudgingly put his sword aside. "It's time to chill. Another time."

"One of these days," Sasuke muttered as they left toward the caves, "Madara is going to hear you call him faceless, and then you won't have a face."

Suigetsu snorted. "Aw come on," he whined. "It's funny." There was a beat of silence before Suigetsu added, "so what happened back there? Boss is furious with you, you know. Better hope you still have a face at the end of the day."

Sasuke grimaced, and images of Naruto burned his thoughts unbidden. He shook them away. "Nothing," he bit out. "It just...didn't go as planned." He felt that need again. The need to look over his shoulder, as if he could look back, for only a second, and have a moment to regret how he left. But he culled the thought. He had no regrets, couldn't have any. Not now. It was time to follow through with his actions.

Suigetsu didn't comment on that, and before long, the two had wound their way through the dark tunnels, which Sasuke hated because they smelled like mold and something damp. Their footsteps echoed through the labyrinth, ringing with with the wet drips of stalactites. Finally, they came to a chamber, where Suigetsu left him with an almost apologetic glance.

"Sasuke. How lovely of you to finally join us." Madara's voice seemed to fill the room the moment Sasuke stepped inside. There had been chatter, quiet and intense, that had ceased the moment he'd appeared. Madara was sitting, poised and almost regal, in the center of the room. Like a king.

Sasuke sneered.

"It appears," Madara continued, and Sasuke noticed the squirming delight of a little nin by Madara's side. An ass-kisser Sasuke couldn't remember the name of, but was sure was delighted to see Sasuke finally do something worth being punished over, instead of being fawned over by their leader.

"That you have returned to me empty handed." His voice was eerily calm. So steady. Like a parent trying to understand the wrongdoings of a small child.

Sasuke glared. "It wasn't the right time," he answered. Madara's red eye gleamed with curiosity.

"Not the right time?" Madara repeated, more curious than ever. "Then tell me, Sasuke. When is the right time? Tomorrow? Next week? Maybe I have misjudged you, and your ability to handle this situation." The little nin beside Madara fidgeted, grinning ear to ear.

Sasuke's nostrils flared as his temper bit at its reigns. He didn't need anyone else taking over the Kyuubi retrieval. He opened his mouth to argue, but was interrupted. Again. He made an exasperated noise in the back of his throat as one of Madara's newest little cronies announced the presence of a guest.

"My Lord," the rogue nin began, and Sasuke cocked an eyebrow at the honorific and hid a scoff. My Lord?

"A most interesting guest has arrived to see you. He claims to hold to the key to something very dear to you in exchange-"

"Yes, yes." Madara quipped. "Bring him in." He didn't ask Sasuke to leave, and Sasuke's curiosity overrode his anger. But that didn't last long. He looked over his shoulder.

A hooded figure strode into the room, escorted by a couple rogues. For a long moment, he didn't raise his head, but Sasuke already knew. Knew what face hid behind the blood red hood, and he already despised it.

"Kabuto," he greeted through clenched teeth, and the medic nin raised his face to Sasuke with a small grin.

"Sasuke," Kabuto returned, "you're looking...well." His grin broadened, and Sasuke once again found his fingers itching towards Kusangi's hilt. Madara chuckled softly.

"Let's play nice, Sasuke. How rude to welcome one of our most anticipated guests of the year in such a way." There was a light lilt to his voice, and Sasuke couldn't tell if fatal sarcasm, or worse, laced it.

Kabuto expressed his gratitude with a bow and a backwards glance at Sasuke, who seethed. "My Lord. My sincerest thanks for agreeing to see me on such short notice. But, I believe I may be of great use to you."

Madara hummed thoughtfully. "Leave us," he ordered those who had gathered, and they left promptly. Sasuke grudgingly turned to leave, but Madara stopped him.

"Not you," he insisted, and Sasuke stayed rooted, walking over to Madara's side when he beckoned him with a curled finger.

"I trust you might be a good judge of his character," Madara said quietly. Sasuke watched Kabuto carefully. For a beat or two, Kabuto seemed to gather his thoughts, as if he relieved, beyond relieved, to have finally made it to this point. Like he'd crossed a finish line and was just pausing to bask in it.

"Well, Kabuto Yakushi, you should carry on before I lose my patience. There is a victory waiting for me. And I cannot stand here and watch you while it is within my grasp."

Kabuto took the hint.

"My Lord, I am aware you have come across data from mine and Orochimaru's latest experiments performed before his death. I understand you have tried to recruit them, but found it...difficult."

Madara grunted at this, and Sasuke knew it irritated him, this small defeat. It was true. Madara had been curious, eager for more soldiers, and so Sasuke had disclosed Orochimaru's lab locations. The people inside, however, had not been what the nin were expecting, and found, much to their horror and disgust, that not much humanity had been left in those caged, pitiful creatures. Madara had slaughtered all who fought, while the rest he was hoping to condition into soldiers. So far, he had not been successful.

"However, I can assure you they can be harnessed, and made into exceptional soldiers. I have the data, the mind to do so. I can create for you an army that will never tire. An army who's loyalty will never waver. Give me amnesty behind your walls, and I will build this army for you. An unstoppable force. Something fearsome to behold. An army fit for a man such as yourself."

Madara seemed to mull this over, and Sasuke barely hid his disgust behind a curled lip. He suppressed a shiver. He could do without ever seeing the remnants of Orochimaru's work.

"An interesting proposition. And a dangerous one. Did Orochimaru teach you nothing, Kabuto? Hadn't he fucked you over enough to teach you not to tread lightly with powerful men?" He chuckled darkly. If Kabuto was offended, he did not show it.

"Oh, I understand completely, my Lord. You could just as easily welcome me into your walls, take what you need from me, and kill me easily. Then what would have been the point of me traveling so far for this chance? No. I want to live, and you can help me live, and I can help you win." He grinned again, that slimy sort of grin that Sasuke hated. Kabuto had secrets. Terrible secrets. Secrets rare as gold and just as expensive.

"It was due to Orochimaru that the Sanbi has died. If I am correct, you are struggling to overcome this unfortunate turn of events. This...weakness." He paused, and Sasuke noticed Madara tense beside him.

"Go on," the masked nin urged.

"Orochimaru had the boy and the demon killed after it had divulged its secrets." He went on to spin a tale so extravagant, so strange, that Sasuke couldn't help but listen. His eyes narrowed and he resisted the urge to scoff in Madara's presence. However, Madara was leaning forward in his seat, eye fixed solely on Kabuto. And it gleamed. It glowed with a malicious light Sasuke knew all too well. Unease coursed through him.

"How curious," Madara said at last. Kabuto pushed up his glasses. Sasuke sneered.

"You cannot be thinking of considering what he's said. He's proved himself to be a traitor more than once-" he began, but Kabuto raised his hands as if in surrender.

Madara nodded sagely. "Our young Sasuke has given an excellent point."

Kabuto frowned. "Well then, everything I've just said would just be ridiculous. The rantings of a mad scientist. Do you think I would truly risk my life to spin such an incredible lie if it could not be done? What would I gain? A few more weeks of life? You have no imagination, Sasuke. Think of it, my Lord, the Sanbi might be gone, but the chakra of a Tailed Beast, the power of it, what you need, can still be salvaged from the one that still lives. Capture Naruto first. Make the deal. You could split it, right in two, and you would have it all. Everything. I can make that happen. Perhaps even a new, powerful vessel. After all, Uzumaki blood is known for its strength."

"He's mental-" Sasuke hissed, nearly white with anger, but Madara shushed him.

"Shut your mouth, you insolent brat." His eye shone brightly, and Sasuke felt himself seize painfully, like an invisible coil had slipped over his body, squeezing tight to the the point of pain. An illusion. He gritted his teeth, forced back his retaliation. It wasn't worth it. But he broke free anyway, gasping, eyes spinning, much to Madara's amusement.

"Respect your Elders. Do not interrupt." He turned back to Kabuto. "There is truth in what he says. It's an old legend. Something dark that has been forgotten over the ages, but it amounted to nothing but a fable. And even then, I did not know the extent of it until now." He rose spryly, like a youth about to embark on a quest. Sasuke's unease began to bubble over his skin. He eyed Kabuto dangerously.

"Very well, Mr. Yakushi. You've made yourself a deal. Give me this army, give me this child, and I'll see you well taken care of."

"I can have some created and done by the next full moon. During it is the best time for an attack," he advised. Madara nodded.

"An excellent suggestion," he agreed, turning to Sasuke.

"You have four weeks, Sasuke. And I will not be disappointed again." With a wave of Madara's hand, Sasuke was dismissed. He walked away stiffly, knocking shoulders with Kabuto on his way out. A threat. A promise. All the while Madara watched curiously, and Sasuke played with his anger.

Ever since, Sasuke was careful to keep acting the part of the ruthless bloodthirsty avenger, for worry that Madara would notice something was off about him. He would notice sooner or later, but Sasuke was praying for later. He hadn't noticed yet because Sasuke hadn't needed to fight. Madara was saving him for the full moon, for the retrieval attempt. Sasuke still needed a plan.

Gathering intel on Madara proved to be more troublesome than he had anticipated. He really didn't know anything about the masked Uchiha. It would have been easy if there was an expert on space-time jutsus hovering around, but Sasuke didn't have the luxury. He was smart, he could figure it out.

Sasuke believed that Madara was in a constant state of space-time jutsu. It would explain why even direct hits, no matter the place or moment, went right through him. Sasuke remembered the moment when Madara had been victim to the black flames, Amaterasu. Of course, Madara had survived it.

Perhaps Izanagi? The jutsu where one could seemingly reverse time, as if all injuries or potentially deadly encounters had been nothing but a dream. No, that wasn't it. The amount of Sharingan power needed to sustain it for mere minutes was vast. He remembered that Danzo, the former sixth Hokage, had needed an entire arm covered in Sharingans to produce Izanagi for no more than five minutes…

The thought angered him.

But Madara was no ordinary man. Still…a space-time jutsu was the obvious choice, but which one would allow its user to be constantly hurtling and disappearing through time and seemingly not age? Somehow, Madara had avoided death itself because of this technique. It had to be something unique to the Sharingan, a jutsu no other ninja could hope to duplicate. Could it be possible Madara had cast an illusion on himself? Sasuke frowned.

So much to think about, to dwell on. He wasn't sure what would make him crack first, the thoughts of Naruto or the frustration of figuring out Madara.

"Good morning, Sasuke."

He whipped around, scowling. Kabuto stood by the pool, free of his blood red cloak and donning his normal, simple attire. The weak morning rays reflected off his round glasses and he smirked.

"You seem…occupied," Kabuto observed lightly. "Funny, from what I had heard about you recently, I was expecting a more savage version of you. You seem unchanged."

Sasuke frowned. The last thing he needed was Kabuto sensing something. In a heartbeat he was standing before Kabuto, sword to his throat. "I wouldn't make assumptions."

Kabuto seemed unfazed. He smirked again, that irritating half-smile. "So you failed to bring Madara the Kyuubi. It must have been quite the fight for you to have come back empty handed. Or maybe Naruto conveniently slipped through your fingers."

Seething, Sasuke flicked the point of his blade just enough so that a bubble of ruby red appeared on the surface of Kabuto's white skin. For a split second, doubt seemed to cloud the medic nin's features, but it quickly dissolved.

"I wouldn't make an enemy out of me, Sasuke. You might find me to be of good use one day. I won't forget that you laid my experiments bare to Madara," Kabuto warned.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the hidden threat. "All this trouble for those unlucky cursed ones?"

"They're more than cursed. Maybe one day you will understand. I need the protection of the Akatsuki to continue my work, and quite frankly I believe Madara will be pleased with the work I present to him. Not to mention the fact that I have given him a way to complete his plan." Kabuto paused, searching Sasuke's face.

"Won't it be a sight? Naruto chained and helpless to our advances while we tap into the secrets of the demon inside him. Seeing him unnaturally birth the unluckiest bastard to ever grace the Earth…I'm sure his pain and suffering will just make you ecstatic since you seem to hate him so much."

Sasuke kept his face impassive, but inwardly he was raging. "What do you want?"

Kabuto grinned slyly. "Give me the information I seek and maybe I'll see to it that Madara has you fuck Naruto."

That was too much, Sasuke felt something inside him snap. Without warning he lashed out, the blade in his hand electrified. Kabuto was ready, whirling and leaping out of the way. He flipped, landing nimbly on the still surface of the pool. The minute he did blood oozed from a gash on his cheek.

"You let anger control your sword. That has always been your mistake. Move with a little more calculated grace instead of pure rage and maybe you might have slashed my throat."

By now some members of the Akatsuki were waking. Suigetsu was watching curiously from afar, and Kisame was ambling forth, cursing. "We need him alive, brat!" The shark man barked. Sasuke scowled darkly at him.

"Then make sure he doesn't cross me." he snarled. Sasuke was trembling with rage, lightning still licking the deadly length of his blade. Kabuto glided past, escorted by Kisame.

Kabuto paused to whisper, "I won't tell Madara if you won't."

Sasuke was left standing by the pool, following Kabuto's retreating back with blood red eyes. A different war had just been waged. A new deadly game of cat and mouse. So the medic nin believed he had figured out Sasuke Uchiha.

Sasuke smriked. He'd see about that.