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

Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, angst, hopefully some decent jokes, and (of course) beautiful SasuNaru love.

Chapter 25: No Other Choice

"One kiss could bind two souls in a second."

-Siva Ranjani

--

As the sky darkened the two decided to stop to camp for the night. Sasuke got a fire going, and Naruto gave up on setting up their tent.

Doing two different things was pretty goddamn difficult with their wrists tied together, despite the length between them. And it was pissing him off. That, mixed with some.. pent up frustrations, and he could feel rage building.

After another failed attempt, Naruto grabbed the half-finished tent and whipped it across the clearing. "Ughh!! Dammit, Sasuke!! Will you just take this shit off of me already?!"

"No."

Naruto marched up to him, grabbed his shoulders, and spun him around. "Why do you have to be like this!?"

"I already told you, dobe. You screwed up too many times- I need to make sure you don't do it again."

"This is stupid- I'm not going anywhere!"

Sasuke shoved him back. "And that's because of the fucking rope!"

Naruto slammed his hands against his chest, pushing him back, growling. "I'm serious, Sasuke. You can't just decide to tie my up like this! It's not your freaking call!"

Sasuke's eyes hardened. "Why are you picking a fight with me?"

"Because I don't like being treated like a fucking ANIMAL!!"

Cerulean eyes flickered red, back to blue, and back to red as he struggled to keep his anger in control and Kyuubi at bay. A rush of chakra surrounded him, canines elongated, and thick slits sliced across his pupils.

"Take. It. Off." he growled, his voice low and not completely his own.

Sasuke closed his eyes then slammed them open, sharingan spinning. "You want to fight me, Naruto? Go ahead. But I'm not taking off the rope."

With a shriek of feral rage, Naruto rushed him. Sasuke dodged his attack, and leapt back, pulling the blonde with him. Naruto growled in frustration and pulled against him, stretching the rope taut.

Sasuke moved fast, wrapping the rope around his wrist as he went. When Naruto swung out his fist he dropped low and kicked his feet out from under him. Naruto tried to steady himself, but Sasuke yanked the fistful of rope he gathered, knocking him off balance.

Naruto fell on his back, hard, and Sasuke dropped down on top off him, pinning him in place.

Naruto screamed, scraping his claws across Sasuke's chest. He winced, grabbed Naruto's wrists and forced them to the ground.

"Will you snap out of it!! This is pointless!"

Naruto pulled one of his hands free and threw out a fist, snarling up at the raven. Sasuke caught it and forced it back down. "Dammit, Naruto! I'm doing this for your own good!"

The blonde threw his head back and howled. He tried to buck Sasuke off, but the Uchiha held tight.

"Naruto!!"

Blue eyes flickered through his crimson glare as Naruto slipped back in. His eyes hardened as he looked up at Sasuke's pale face, onyx gaze, and the raven strands falling towards him.

"You can't control everything, Sasuke" he growled.

"Sometimes it's necessary, Naruto" he snapped back.

The blonde turned his face away. "Sasuke, I-"

"Well, well, well- what do we have here..?"

They both froze, eyes wide with horror. Fuck. They jerked their heads over to the side and watched as several people stepped forward- all wrapped in black and crimson cloaks, eyes gleaming with interest.

The Akatsuki.

Sasuke and Naruto jumped up and immediately stood back to back, turning to survey the clearing.

They were surrounded.

"And what luck- the jinchuriki is tied up again." Deidara grinned, "what are the odds it's chakra-binding rope again?"

Sasuke was displeased to find that the artistic monster was still alive. Apparently Kisame chose to show him mercy. How disappointing.

Deidara looked over at the older Uchiha as he moved into the clearing. "You going to let them escape again, Itachi? Maybe we should let them make-out for a while first though, hmm?"

The blonde artist grinned. "Remember when they- oww! What the hell, Kisame!"

"Shut up already, or I'll finish what I started" he growled out, eyeing the stump where Deidara's arm used to be.

"Asshole.."

Itachi glanced over at the mouthy blonde, unamused. "We need the jinchuriki alive. It should be obvious why I did what I did."

Zetsu's leafy exterior stretched open, revealing the monochromatic villain inside. He tilted his head as he studied the two shinobi before them. "We'll bring both of them with us." He glanced over at the older Uchiha. "We wouldn't want to make the same mistake that we made last time. Right, Itachi?"

Blood-red eyes narrowed, but he chose not to respond.

While the enemy discussed their next steps, Sasuke lowered his hand and did a quick signal at his side. Naruto caught it, and gave a small signal back, letting him know he was ready.

They both took a deep breath, then abruptly launched into action. Staying low they rushed forward, choosing to move towards Deidara, sticking to the side where he was missing an arm. Sasuke figured it was the best opening they would have.

The Akatsuki members leapt at them, but the duo was ready for it. Sasuke tensed his back and Naruto jumped up and launched off of it, flying past them. The rope reached its end, and with a sharp tug Sasuke was dragged forward. They landed next to each other on a high branch, then quickly moved out.

Naruto glanced back and saw that the Akatsuki were in high pursuit. His eyes shifted over to Sasuke. "What's the plan?"

Sasuke switched their course, bringing them back on the path to the abandoned hideout. "We still need to find out what we can about the curse" he said, sending more chakra to his feet to quicken the pace. "But first, we need to find somewhere out of sight so you can switch to sage mode. I'll cover you."

Naruto shook his head. "That'll take too long. I can't just leave you to fend them off on your own."

Sasuke clenched his jaw. "We don't have a choice."

Naruto hated it, but he was right. They needed all the power they could get if they were going to face off against this many Akatsuki at once.

"Let's try to slow them down first." Naruto brought his hands up. "Kage Bushin no Jutsu!"

The forest filled with Narutos, and he immediately sent them to rush the approaching enemy. One stayed by his side, keeping pace while he conjured up his next attack. Sasuke saw someone rushing to his left and he also started to move his hands.

"Chidori!!"

"Rasengan!!"

The two sent gathered chakra towards each opponent coming up on either side of them, and pushed forward, never slowing down. Then they each drew a kunai, deflecting a rush of shuriken that had been thrown, and sent back another round of attacks.

They exchanged a look. Despite their efforts, the Akatsuki were getting closer. Making it to the hideaway was looking less promising.

We're not going to get out of this one.

They both knew it. But they weren't going to go down without a fight.

Naruto sent another rush of shadow clones behind them and the two dropped down into dense shadows. Naruto quickly fell to his knees and focused on his nature chakra, connecting with the life sources surrounding them.

The Akatsuki, including a few lackeys Sasuke didn't recognize, leapt down and surrounded them once more. He did his best to fight them off, but he was outnumbered and his movements were restricted by the rope.

And he never was able to match Itachi's speed.

While Sasuke was pulled into a frontal attack, the older Uchiha appeared in front of Naruto and yanked him out of his focus. Before the blonde could react, Itachi roughly grabbed his face and jerked him forward.

"Mangekyo Sharingan."

Sasuke turned fast. "Stop!!"

Itachi spun the dazed blonde around and grabbed a fistful of blonde hair, jerking his head back. Sasuke conjured another handful of screaming electricity in his palm, preparing to attack. He stepped towards him, but froze when Itachi forced a kunai against Naruto's throat.

"Stand down, little brother."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, studying him, wondering how far his brother would take this. He knew Itachi wouldn't hurt him, knew that he wasn't his enemy, but could he really trust him not to hurt Naruto?

Sasuke pulled his chakra back, dropping his hands uselessly to his sides. He gritted his teeth together, eyes narrowing on the raven. "Don't hurt him."

Itachi's expression darkened. "Don't force me to."

As much as he hated it, Sasuke had no choice but to surrender. Naruto was completely immobile, lost in Itachi's illusions, vulnerable to any attack. He would fight to the death for him, but not at the risk of Naruto's life.

He could only hope that Itachi would prove to still be on his side.

Sasuke suddenly felt a sharp stab in the back of his neck and reached back to rip out a syringe. Whatever had been in it was already coursing through his veins. He could feel darkness seeping in, creeping across his vision and fogging his mind.

Before it completely enveloped him, he locked onto his blonde, staring into cloudy, unseeing eyes. He swallowed thickly, forcing down a rush of emotions. Sasuke wanted nothing more than to save him, but knew he couldn't.

Sasuke's sharingan slipped away, and he glanced up to meet Itachi's.

"Please, Itachi.." he pleaded, "don't.. hurt him.."

His voice drifted away from him, along with his consciousness. He could feel his eyes roll back and his body give in.

Then, darkness consumed him and he knew nothing else.