Hello, my friends! I'm so sorry that I've taken so long to update... college life...yaaaaay... I hate being an adult. People tried to tell me when I was little that I wouldn't like it and of course I didn't believe them. -_- stupid me I guess. Anyways, enjoy!

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The Secrets We Hold

Chapter 2

As soon as Naruto had returned home he realized that he couldn't stay. There were villagers waiting outside his apartment, ready to yell insults at the very least. He took a deep breath, his blue eyes shutting tightly in pain and anger.

Instead of dealing with trying to get through the mob, or putting up with the landlord later over the destruction of property that would occur if anything became physical, the blonde turned and bolted towards the Hokage rock.

He'd learned very early in life that there were all kinds of secret passages and hidden rooms within the great stone faces. They were used for emergency situations only, like when the village was under attack, but he figured that his situation counted. In any case, if the Hokage did know that he stowed away there during times like this, he never said anything.

When he finally arrived, he released one of the seals and pulled open the old door with a loud creak, his lips pouting slightly at how dank and dusty the passage was. Holding onto his stomach again, he slowly entered the dark corridor and walked the familiar path to his hideout.

"Looks like I'll be here for two days this time… I guess I should get comfortable" he said to himself, his face glummer than usual.

Sasuke glared at the ground as he walked to the woods. He'd find Sakura since his attempts to find Kakashi had failed… maybe she would know where the sensei was.

He'd always been a brilliant child and had learned that the nine tails was sealed away by the fourth Hokage along with everyone else at the academy. It wasn't hard to put it together that Naruto was the baby used in the ritual once he looked at it objectively.

Naruto was the right age, was hated by literally everyone, and there was absolutely no way he defeated Haku without some form of assistance. He'd actually been bluffing some when he'd called the blonde out earlier, but his suspicions had been confirmed immediately.

Still, he couldn't understand why everyone treated him like a monster. If anyone, he himself had more of an evil disposition than the blonde idiot. Naruto couldn't hurt anyone unless he was protecting someone precious to him, and even then, it took a lot for him to be mad enough for his talent as a ninja to be effective.

"Where are you going Sasuke? You and Naruto didn't finish that assignment I gave you already, did you?"

The young Uchiha turned his head with sharp irritation. "No. We didn't." He spat back, recognizing the voice as that of his seemingly apathetic sensei. "Naruto was attacked and had to leave. I know you know what he is Kakashi, so why would you send him into town with me when he could have done Sakura's job!?"

The elder's eyes hardened, and he jumped over to where his favorite pupil was seething. Keeping his voice low, he replied equally as fiercely, "if Naruto wants to earn the villagers respect he can't hide in the woods. I expected you to protect him if anything went wrong."

Sasuke took a step backward in defense, feeling guilt and shame pooling in his stomach. He'd somewhat helped Naruto… pulling him out of the way of the second bottle and checking his wounds to see what he could do to fix them. But, he knew the truth. He'd hurt Naruto just as much as any villager with all his insults and then he even started to pick a fight by bringing up his hypothesis about the Fox.

"He… I… Naruto doesn't need me to baby him! Besides, he ran away from me! What was I supposed to do?"

Kakashi looked down at his feet and shook his head in disappointment. "Where did he go? Not back to his apartment I hope."

Sasuke's eyes darted back up, wide with panic. "What? Why?"

"There seems to be a mob starting outside the building. They didn't get their fill in earlier today it seems and went to his home to finish the job. And you let him go off on his own, even when you knew that people were growing increasingly violent so early in the day."

Again, the Uchiha's eyes fell to the ground, his teacher's words starting to make their way through him. "Anything could happen to him, and that dobe would probably let it after how he acted earlier." He thought to himself.

Without waiting for Kakashi to continue his lecture, the raven took off, his Sharingan flaring, searching for any sign of the blonde.

It had been hours since Sasuke had started looking for his rival, and the sun was starting to set. Still, for all his searching, there was no sign of the blonde. His hands began twitching in irritation and impatience. He needed release immediately, or he'd lose it.

His mind went back and forth as he continued his frantic search. "I've got to find him! He might be in trouble… but I… I've got to calm myself down. I need to get rid of this build up I'm feeling right now. But what if he needs me? No… Naruto would have gone someplace where he could be safe from the villagers right? Or would he stay in the open and accept their treatment like earlier? He did try to get out of being in the village earlier, so obviously, he didn't want to be hurt but… the look he had in his eyes when he left my apartment…"

The internal dilemma only increased his pent-up emotions, making his leg itch. As usual, his personal strife outweighed his concern for Naruto. He convinced himself that the blonde was safe for now and that he'd be far more effective after a good 'personal' session.

The Uchiha jumped back to his apartment quickly and locked himself in his bathroom, somewhat paranoid that someone would watch him like Naruto apparently had. Making a few hand signs, he superheated a flat knife and pressed it against his leg.

The skin boiled from the heat and turned black, burning deep down, filling the room with the scent of charred flesh. He hissed loudly, the pain bringing tears to his clenched eyes. But on the heels of the searing ache came an intense relief. All the rage, hurt, sadness and worry seemed to leave him through the smoke rising from the fresh wound.

He relaxed back against the tile, his face partially twisted from the still intense sting. A cheer in the distance roused him from the blankness he was experiencing, reminding him that the festival was starting and he'd yet to find Naruto.

Slowly, he got to his feet and limped to the cupboard. The burn medicine was right in the front, allowing him to quickly apply it before bandaging the injury. He'd have a limp but his determination to find Naruto was renewed now that he'd fixed his itch.

Once again, he took off through his open window, jumping off into the darkness of the night above all the party lights.

~ Time Skip: Two Days~

Naruto walked to the bridge slowly. Normally, he'd have been ecstatic since he'd received notice that they would be having an out of town mission. But his last experience with his team had not been pleasant… well, specifically the one with Sasuke.

The conversation he'd had with the Raven rolled around in his sometimes-empty head. Not only had he called Sasuke out on his unhealthy habit, but the elder somehow knew about his status as a vessel. The Raven hadn't necessarily seemed hateful of what he was, but to be fair, he hadn't let him get very far before snapping at him and running away.

This would be their first encounter since that and Naruto was worried. What if Sasuke had told Sakura about it? Surely Kakashi already knew… he was old enough to have been present for the attack and maybe that's why he favored the other two over him. But the kunoichi already despised him enough.

Plus, she'd never be able to keep her mouth shut. Everyone their age would know in a heartbeat and then he'd really be alone. Only Iruka and maybe the Third would still treat him like a person that was worth the air being breathed.

He'd purposely come late though, attempting to be the last one to arrive. If Kakashi was there he'd put a stop to any terrible fighting that might take place. Sure enough, he was the last one to arrive.

"You're late Naruto!" Sakura screeched, smacking him on the head as usual.

The blonde hissed loudly, his head already throbbing. "Yeah, sorry Sakura! I didn't have my alarm clock, so I just didn't know the time. It won't happen again!"

His eyes searched his teammate's faces from under his golden hair, checking to see if Sasuke had indeed let his secret slip. To his relief, Sakura only seemed to be irritated about his tardiness and not anything else. Sasuke, on the other hand, was giving him a look he didn't quite understand.

His dark eyes were a mix of anger and happiness if that was even possible. It was like he couldn't decide whether he wanted to hit or hug him.

"Does he hate me because of the Fox spirit? Or is he upset about our argument? I don't know, this isn't like Sasuke. Usually, he just looks at something else, completely indifferent to me." He thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Sakura huffed but began explaining their assignment. They were to take a series of scrolls to the Land of Rice Patties Feudal Lord and then return with new ones that were there.

The four set off soon after, though Sakura quickly picked up on the tension. It was even more dense than usual. "What's the matter with you two? Usually, you have at least something to say Naruto. And Sasuke, even you are quieter today."

"I don't know, maybe it has something to do with Naruto skipping out on our last mission to run away." The Raven answered, his teeth grit tightly together in anger.

"Yeah, well I figured you'd be able to handle it Sasuke. I mean, unless you have some reason why you aren't able to perform to your usual standard" the blonde responded pointedly, his blue eyes side glancing at the elder's leg.

Sparks practically flew between the two before they both turned away, each worried that a continued verbal fight would lead to their secrets being spilled.

"Uhhh…" Sakura started, her face full of confusion.

"I think that silence might be our best option for now hm? What do you think Sakura?" Kakashi cut in, his lazy eye switching between the three.

"So… you decided not to tell Sakura about the Fox huh?" Naruto started.

They both sat on logs next to the fire they had started earlier that night. Kakashi and Sakura had already gone to bed, but after trying to sleep for nearly an hour, the blonde had decided that he couldn't keep up this silent feud any longer. It just wasn't in his nature to avoid anything, even uncomfortable talks like this.

"It's not like I could. You know my secret as well." Sasuke answered blandly.

"I told you in your apartment. I'm not going to tell anyone about what I saw, even if you tell everyone about me. I never go back on my word, that's my nindo, my nin- "

"Yeah, yeah, your ninja way. I already know that dobe."

Another silence stretched between them. It was less uncomfortable than it had been before, but there were still things that needed to be resolved.

"So, why are you doing that to yourself Sasuke?"

The elder almost growled at Naruto. He both hated and appreciated how blunt the blonde could be. This was one of the times where it was a nuisance. "It's none of your damn business Naruto. Just drop it."

"What the hell teme! I'm trying to help. Why can't you ever let me do that huh? What are you so afraid of?"

Sasuke's dark eyes became daggers as he whipped his head over to the younger shinobi. "What I'm afraid of? You're the coward. I couldn't find you for a whole two days because you were too busy hiding from villagers that even you could easily have put in their place."

The blonde's golden locks covered his hurt blue eyes as his head fell. A dry laugh escaped his lips before he answered. "You know… everyone says you're a genius, and I suppose in a lot of things you are. But think about what you just told me to do. Everyone thinks that I am the demon fox Kyuubi. What would I gain by beating up the people that already fear a power that I was given at birth... one that I didn't ask for… one that I can't control."

That familiar guilt built up inside him again, this time pushing all the way into his chest. The Uchiha turned his eyes back to the flames, knowing that for once the blonde's perception was right.

"Hn."

"So, you looked for me?" Naruto asked hesitantly.

The Uchiha felt his cheeks heat up some, realizing that he'd accidentally let his worry slip out. "Of course I did baka! What else was I supposed to do? You disappeared after having your skull bashed in."

Naruto smiled slyly, the previous tension melting away as he realized he'd gotten the stoic Raven to show his soft side. "Oh really? So, you were worried about me hm?"

"Just shut up dobe! It's not like that. Anyway, if you weren't such a loser I wouldn't have needed to look for you in the first place." Sasuke answered, his face becoming redder.

Naruto laughed loudly at his friend's obvious discomfort, then looked up at the starry sky in contentment. After several minutes of an easy silence, he spoke again, his voice soft.

"Well anyway, Sasuke… I really think that someone as strong as you should stop that. It's only making you weaker in the long run. Even an idiot like me could see that your hand to hand combat is suffering, and eventually, Kakashi is going to start questioning you, probably Sakura too. I'm not going to tell you how to live your life, but I do know about suffering, and I can tell you that harming yourself only works for a short while. Even if we hate each other, I'm always here if you need me."

The last of Naruto's words burned deeply into Sasuke's chest, hurting him even more than the wounds he inflicted with his fire-style. But just as when he self-harmed, a relief came with the pain, this time even greater than before.

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Again, not a lot of action but it's a build up to some smexiness I hope! Lol

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