/Blah/ Naruto talking to Kyuubi through their mind link.
/Blah/ Kyuubi talking to Naruto through their mind link.
Japanese terms:
Jiichan- grandfather
Nani- what?
Dobe- dead last
Teme-bastard
"Can you at least pretend to be having a good time!" his mother leaned in to whisper aggressively at him. Rolling his eyes heavenwards and resisting the urge to hook his lip up in disgust. He caved, forcing a strained smile. At that moment the couple standing in front of them was obviously to Sasuke's annoyance.
"Is that better?" He said through gritted teeth, receiving a gentle nod. They had met with the Haruno clan in the marketplace. It was market night when the vendors sold their goods at discount prices. His parents as well as the Haruno tribe were talking about nuptials already. He stood there fighting the urge to just walk away. Sakura was not present this time, (thank the gawds.) She suddenly came down with a cold, perhaps from his sheer coldness alone.
Just as he turned with that strained smile, sadness overtook him. His sights landed on the blonde. It felt like an eternity but it was only a month since he saw him last. The blonde was blissfully unaware, he was being watched. Leaving his hair loose and down just like that night at the festival. He was glowing beaming from ear-to-ear walking beside the midwife and his two maids he pointed enthusiastically at some lanterns that had caught his eye. He was breathtaking. Sasuke couldn't take his eyes off him, there was this dull ache in his chest like someone digging a knife straight into his heart.
He stared at the blonde longing to be beside him yearning for Naruto's fingers to entwine with his. He wanted to be pulled around again. He wanted to be one of the reasons the blonde smiled. Intuitively those dark pools drifted to that pronounces tummy, there was no hiding it anymore, Naruto was pregnant with his children. It had been Shizune that filled him in on Naruto's due date.
She informed him that Kurama was correct Naruto was indeed having triplets, two daughters, and a son. He glanced away as if staring at the sun, but he found himself looking back. There was no love in those azure pools; the instant their eyes met; Naruto's smile dropped they remained locked as the blonde strolled by his eyes narrowing when he passed the group. Sasuke's gaze never wavered as he watched the blonde walk by him until all he saw was Naruto's back. He wished Naruto would just turn around; only then would his mother pull him back to reality with a hard pinch to his side.
"Pay attention," she hissed, luckily, she was able to keep her guest distracted from her son's obvious feelings.
He peered down at his mother as if realizing she was there for the first time, her words not registering. When he looked back Naruto and his company were gone.
Mikoto's arm had been looped through his own, and she knew if she let go, he would surely pursue. Ever since he threw the papers at her feet he'd been distracted, quiet, and distant, and this just wasn't right! Her son gave no indication of being a happy future husband. In fact, it looked like nothing was going well between them at all.
Sasuke stared at the path that Naruto had just walked down. Partly his fault, he should have told Naruto everything from the beginning instead of letting someone else's lies get in the way. And now that trust was gone it was hard for him to believe things would ever go back to normal again.
He just wanted his family back. If his family looked hard enough, he displayed outward signs of a broken heart for anyone to take notice.
And now his family expected him to marry another and be fine with it as if his heart was not ripped from his chest, and at any moment he was going to have a breakdown.
Once Naruto asked for the annulment paperwork his mother was onboard as well as the Haruno clan, and instead of fighting for his family or pleading his case to the elders, Tsunade, and lastly Rin. He just sat there facing them stoned face and unmoving. He saw the disappointment written all over Rin's face as the odds tipped in his mother's favor.
But in his defense, he did not sign. Even when he saw Naruto's familiar handwriting scribbled so violently it ripped the paper at the end.
Even now with no signature on his end. His mother made promises to the Haruno clan family she could not keep. He made no plans on signing the papers, ever!
That night at dinner Mikoto had invited Sakura and her parents, she cooked a plentiful feast of fish, seaweed soup, and much more for all of them. This time Sakura was present, her eyes flickered over at him as he listlessly picked at his bowl. His dejected mood not going unnoticed by both families. Her doleful emerald gaze turned down to her lap, the atmosphere quiet and taut as their parents waited expectedly for them to start a conversation.
"I don't feel well." She abruptly announced gaining the party's attention even Sasuke peered up from his bowl. She stood giving a polite bow ready to leave.
"Sasuke can walk you home."
"No... no that's not necessary."
"Nonsense," Mikoto waved off her nervousness.
"Why won't you people ever listen to me? I said no!" She snapped instantly clamping her hands over her mouth.
"F-forgive me." She ran off.
"Hormones," both mothers stated while unfazed by her outburst.
As soon as his dark gaze met his mother's. She gave him a look that said to go after her, rolling his eyes, he got up from the table and left. Outside he saw Sakura, she was breathing heavily fanning herself the sound of his footsteps caused her to jump.
"What is your plan? Is this what you want? Someone who could never love you?" He was holding nothing back, he wanted to know why!
"I thought you loved me. You can grow to love me. You and Naruto hated each other."
"So, you lied!?" He took ahold of her upper arm drawing her nearer, he wanted her to look him in the eye and tell him why she did it. The grip on her arm became painful, making her yelp in pain.
Instead of pushing back against him, she used her body weight and strength to push him back. She quickly fell on her side as a result. "You're right, I dreamt of this day so many times. Now the thought visibly makes me sick. I didn't mean to hurt anybody. Sasuke I'm so sorry."
"Sorry, you're sorry!?" His rage spilled over. "If you're sorry then fix it. Tell them the truth that's all I ask Sakura."
"I'm sorry, but it seems like your mother has already set a wedding date. Maybe I was wrong but it seemed like they really just wanted you to be happy. Just believe me when I tell you that I tried to explain the situation the truth, but they didn't seem convinced."
"How can they? I haven't signed anything-"
"-Your mom turned in the paperwork with your signature on it. She convinced my parents that you had a change of heart and were willing to give us a second chance. But, she said you were reluctant before because you wanted to spare Naruto's feelings.."
"And you believed the dribble?"
"She's your mother! Why would she need to lie? She has what he wants."
"No, what she wants is tradition. Naruto is a kitsune male and he has no family or status. She tolerated him because she thought he could bear children, but now she's convinced that you're better suited to be my wife, and this is her way of getting what she wants. Look around; there aren't many couples like us in the village. And as for her, she only sees our marriage as an opportunity: by marrying you, we'll gain the status and security that are traditionally associated with being married into a powerful clan."
She looked away. True, he fantasized about her wedding day. Her and Sasuke starting a family and having children... She wanted it so badly that she pushed away the one guy that loved her.
"I can make this right."
"You better." He helped her to her feet, before turning and walking away. His words cut through to her like a sharp blade, but it was clear that she would need more than just an apology if she wanted him to come back around. His actions were profound, and until then he wasn't letting up at all. Feeling for the first time there might be light at the end of this tunnel. His spirits lifted with each step. He paused he had to see him. He had to see Naruto.
No, he had to confront his mother- No she could wait. He was already heading in the direction of the blonde's home.
He was gonna fight for what he wanted.
He broke into a run.
Naruto was back in the comforts of his bed. The thoughts finally quieted in his head. Rolling on his side he focused on a spot in his room. He placed a hand on his growing bump. The babies were kicking and moving to cause him a lot of discomforts. "Stupid teme..." He muttered seeing that face. He let out a growl taking his pillow and tossing it at the wall. So, it's true he was moving on already.
Did he even care? Naruto didn't believe the rumors but at least he thought he would get some sort of explanation! Something! Anything! Even when he impulsively signed the papers, he expected the raven to come kicked down his door, and tell him to take it back. He wanted him to yell, scream, and shout to show some emotion instead of being a robot. To show that he cared besides all the physical there were no proclaims of love notta damn thing! He never once said it. As he closed his eyes letting his mind drift to a dream state.
He climbed to his feet the need becoming too great. He left his childhood home, leaving behind all the things that tied him to his humanity. He wanted to be free of that self-doubt and free of that self-hatred. No more will he feel small and incapable. He was a wild one and so he ran! He ran like his ancestors. When he ran, he felt powerful and inner strength he ran because he felt free.
He ran through the forest, his feet barely touching the ground as he pursued something that called to him. The moon was high in the sky, making it shine a nice pale warm light. He didn't know where he was going or why, but running felt right and it chased away all of his worries. Finally, after what seemed like hours but were only minutes, he arrived at a place he hadn't been before a clearing in the woods with a bubbling stream flowing through it. Running down to it, he stripped off all of his clothes and let himself go wild; lost in sensation and abandoning it. What happened next? He had no idea some kind of force took over and suddenly kicked him into gear again urging him on towards an unknown destination...
He had the blood of a demon running through those veins. He would shed his mortal shell and become one with the forest forever. He ran until he could not smell the village, just the scent of pine fresh grass, and moss.
The woods called to him, beckoning him over to the hot spring that was located nearby. A large Sakura tree leaned over the bubbling water and its pedals dipped into the steaming liquid perched on one of its branches. He saw a raven sitting curiously near the spring, watching as he approached. Across from it was a family of foxes who appeared to be welcoming home. It made sense now; he hadn't seen this before but instinct must have drawn him here like an invisible force pulling his feet toward this spot. Whether knowingly or unknowingly this place took hold of his heart once again. He stepped into the water lay on his back and stared at the moon. He saw the raven fly overhead. It came back.
"Go away!" He shouted.
But it continued to circle above.
Sasuke was standing on the porch of Naruto's home. It wasn't like him to be this unsure. So with bated breath, he raised his fist and gave the door a loud knock. After a good minute, no one answered. He walked around the house, climbing up to Naruto's bedroom window. He slowly balanced himself on the window pane, knocking once before removing the screen to slide it open. He climbed inside and made sure not to step down. He wanted to avoid landing on the futon below. When he saw Naruto curled up asleep with a pillow, he leaped onto the floor beside him and poked his cheek gently. The blonde grumbled but did not wake up.
"Naru'," He poked him again before giving his cheek a squeeze.
"Wake up dope." He decided to use the nickname he used when they were kids to tease him. He still got nothing.
He got on his knees placing his ear to the blonde's mouth-okay he was breathing. "Naruto!"
Slowly those eyes opened but they were a different color bright like liquid amber. At first, he stared at him a small smile tugging at his lips, until he came to his senses he growled and shoved the raven away with enough force to knock him back.
"What the hell are you doing in my room!" He shrieked.
"I needed to see you. I missed you..." He lowered his head.
"Bullshit! How about you go creep into Sakura's room!" His peace of mind was broken.
The raven scoffed climbing to his feet. "No! I'm not leaving! You're going to have to make me!"
"Fine challenge accepted," He cracked his knuckles, but was struggling to stand Sasuke would admit he look cute. It was like they were back in his room again that first night he began to chuckle then started to laugh.
"W-what so funny!" His anger growing. He threw a punch but was blocked by the raven who was able to wrap his arm around the blonde pulling him in. He snaked another arm in the nook of his back that protruding stomach pressing against his stomach.
"What kind of half-ass throw was that?" He teased.
"Fuck you." He growled
"Still, you hold back... I think if you wanted you could take my head off." Their nose pressed. His body heat rose from the proximity.
"Shut up!" He began to squirm violently in Sasuke's arms, and somehow during the small struggle, Naruto ended up on his back with Sasuke sitting straddling his lower half and yanking his hands above the blonde's head."I'm not leaving."
"You bastard! You can't just waltz in here. You didn't even try. Shows how much you care!"
"I do care!"
"Bullshit you signed the papers! I saw it! I didn't think you would... but you did! You fucking asshole!"
"I didn't sign." He received a glare. "I didn't! My mother forged my signature."
"Oi, that makes no sense!? Why would she? She got what she wanted her precious grandbabies?" There was a ruckus from outside but it was white noise to the couple.
"Once Sakura accused me of being the father. My mother saw her as the better option. They see Sakura as smart, hardworking, and kind with a good family. I know my mother thinks she'll make a dutiful and respectable wife, while you, on the other hand, are loud, foul-mouthed, unpredictable, and orphaned."
His anger was dispelled as his arms went limp in Sasuke's grasp. "I don't want a boring and predictable life. I want someone who would challenge me. Someone who will call me out on my attitude! I want you! I love you! Not her!" A widening of his eyes accompanied his head snap, and just before they were about to reconnect, Naruto's room was opened.
Now from anybody else's point of view, they would see Sasuke as a player. Separating from Naruto and preparing to marry Sakura. He was spotted sneaking into Naruto's room and restraining him against his will.
"What is this!?"