Summer is now over where I live, thus I have time to write again. Because we have less that 90 days of sweet summer heat here, between work and home life, I try and make the most of summer days every year. Therefore, often, my writing becomes limited. But here I am! I was always thinking of these stories I have, and did manage to poke at the chapters now and then but it was never enough to be posted. Tonight, while at work, my muse decided to make an appearance and give me a bit of push. Tah dah!
As for my 'other wip', that chapter is still being poked at too, no worries, I have not abandoned. Just back from my break.
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
Tsunade looked over the wolf they managed to put into the nearby cabin on a bed. Judging by the shambled mess the small cabin was in, Tsunade could smell Naruto, Sasuke and this strange wolf were in this cabin fighting against the vampires.
Her eyes took in the claw marks, ash and blood in various places, analysing the situation.
"Shizune, bring my bag and I'll get to work on some of these injuries. His legs are broken, those will need to be set immediately, you get to work on that. Hopefully we can get him patched up before he wakes." Tsunade thought about the pain that the wolf could be in if he woke before they could get him patched up. The wolf's healing abilities were already hard at work, and the bones especially needed to be set. Tsunade wasn't too keen on the idea of rebreaking bones to reset them. "Make sure you grab me some antivenom. I don't know if what I have will work, should this wolf be infected with vampire venom, I hope it will work if that's the case." Shizune just hummed her agreement, getting to work on what she was ordered to do.
Several moments went by with no words spoken between the two women as they worked swiftly on Utakata's unconscious wolf form. Shizune often moved her arm to catch the sweat dripping on her brow, Tsunade grunted and hummed.
Cracking noises began to rise from the wolf form and both women jumped back, shocked as the wolf form began to shrink and transform.
"What the hell…" Tsunade grumbled. No wolf has ever transformed while injured and unconscious before, not in her years. She pulled Shizune behind her and kept held her breath when the wolf jerked about on the bed, shrinking and shaping quickly into a human form.
"Tsunade-sama, what–" was all Shizune could say before the human's eyes opened wide and mouth opened with hiss.
"Shizune! Stand back!" Tsunade jumped, pushed her back and stood before her, her claws extended and body hunched ready for the attack.
Utakata's fangs were extended the full length, his eyes golden and black in colour and looked at the two women before leaping onto his legs upon the bed. He hissed threateningly towards the two women, his claws fully extended and poised for strike. His body was crouched, as if ready to pounce and his eyes flickered about the room, still hissing out.
"Who are you?" Tsunade barked out in a growl.
Utakata just hissed in response, his lips cracking from how wide his mouth was open.
Tsunade could see the fangs, and it was obvious, this human was a vampire. But how? He was just a wolf not a few moments ago. She had never been faced with such a hybrid, though had heard rumours eons ago, but had never seen the evidence that they could possibly exist. Where had Naruto found this man? Wolf? Vampire? Tsunade didn't know what to call this creature. And what the hell was Naruto doing allowing such a creature within the pack?
"What should we do?" Shizune whispered, her voice breaking through Tsunade's thoughts.
The vampire's limbs certainly didn't look broken now, as he was when he was a wolf. His skin sizzled and smoked where the tears in its skin were healing fast. The vampire moved its head about, as if looking for something, but its stance made it plainly obvious it was aware of the two women in the room.
"It hasn't attacked, nor spoken. I don't know if it can," Tsunade whispered again. The vampire just hissed in response to their voices but continued to look about.
"Who are you!?" Tsunade barked out again and took a threatening step towards the creature. The vampire hissed in warning and stood tall, holding its hands up before swiping one out in retaliation. It then growled and leaped backwards onto the floor, balancing itself carefully and looked quickly behind it.
"Tell me where Naruto is!" Tsunade again barked out an order and inched her way around the bed, staring down the vampire.
The vampire lashed out, swiping the air with its claws, causing Tsunade to step back before it quickly turned and jumped out the window, disappearing into the dark blanketed night.
Tsunade quickly went to the now broken window, carefully looking at the open hole. Shizune stepped up beside her, looking out through the darkness, but there was nothing moving, no sounds of anything rushing outside, it was as if the vampire just vanished.
"Tsunade-sama, what do you think?" Shizune whispered out.
"I'm thinking Naruto has a lot of explaining to do that little brat," she grumbled before turning around and heading out the door. "Let's get to the others. Most likely we will be needed."
==elsewhere==
Heavy paws clawed through the frozen ground, snarls escaped the muzzle and dirty blond coloured wolf zeroed in on its prey. The vampire still snickered throughout the night, Naruto could hear it moving quickly, 'but not fast enough' Naruto thought, his alpha within raging with fury. The vampire still held Naruto's unconscious mate within its grasp, and Naruto heard the wail of Iawi as well, which only spurred on Naruto's speed. 'Almost there…almost there you fucker!' Naruto's alpha growled in agreement and his mouth frothed at the thought of ripping that vampire's head off with his teeth.
The vampire's giggle continued to echo throughout the trees and it bounded about, as if taunting the wolf that was in chase. With a quick look over its shoulder, the vampire grinned widely seeing the blond wolf coming up quickly. It took a large two footed leap, grabbed a rock wall before it with one hand and scrambled up the rock face easily. Reaching the top of the rock wall, the vampire looked down to see the blond coloured wolf slide to a stop and place its large paws on the base of the rock.
"What's the matter little mutt? Can't make the climb?" the vampire mocked down from the top of the cliff.
Naruto snarled and dug his claws into the cliff wall. The vampire was several metres up a straight wall, his mate lying unconscious in the vampire's one arm and Iawi tucked somewhere on the vampire, Naruto could hear the small cub. In desperation he leaped high up against the cliff, but the rock wall was too straight, he couldn't get a grip tight enough to scale it.
"ARGH!" Naruto growled out loudly, his anger only raging more as he jumped again and again. The vampire's laugh only spurred his alpha's fury more. The wolf then ran to each side of the rock wall, looking for any signs of getting to the top, but it was futile. There was nothing nearby and Naruto wouldn't risk getting the vampire out of his sight to go further down the rock base. He barked viciously several times and once again tried leaping and latching onto the straight wall.
"Oh, it's so comical watching you mutt!" the vampire snickered loudly. "I would love to watch you try ever so hard," the vampire's voice mocked. "Come on boy, come on!" The vampire puckered its lips and whistled a tone at Naruto before breaking out into laughter as the wolf barked and snarled in response.
Naruto clawed helplessly at the rock wall, the anger and desperation bleeding throughout his veins. The laughter of the vampire pierced his ears like a knife as he dug his claws into the rock again and again. The sudden surprised cry of the vampire had him freeze his movements, panic washed through him when he saw a black blur of something tackling the vampire at the top of the cliff. The forceful impact caused the vampire, holding Iawi and his unconscious mate, to be forcefully shoved off the edge of the cliff, the surprising wail of the vampire going down with it.
'SASUKE! NO!' Naruto screamed out mentally, the alpha shocked frozen at what it was witnessing. The vampire was falling several metres to the ground, the dark mass attached to it and Naruto scrambled quickly hoping to catch his mate and the pup before they all fell to the frozen ground and possibly to their death.
The vampire shrieked and hissed out when something heavy, hard and fast slammed into its body from the side. The vampire had no warning, it didn't sense the being at all and the vampire could feel himself getting pissed off at the assault. The fall and attack would in no means kill the vampire, but its hostages, that was another story. He needed to bring these prizes back to the lair, the master will be most pleased. Snarling out and twisting about, the vampire managed to tuck the two prized possessions under its arm and latch his teeth onto the attacker at the same time.
Naruto's feet pushed his body fast through the snow, but he wasn't fast enough. 'NO NO NO NO!' he howled out in agony when the vampire plummeted into the ground, the snow rolling up in a giant silent wave and causing a momentary whirlwind of snow. He could hear the snarling, spitting and grunts of the vampire. Rushing quickly to the area, he skidded to a halt, trying to see where they had all fallen.
A black mound in the snow caught his eye and he quickly moved forward, ignoring the spitting and fighting sounds of the vampire and whatever was attacking it. He quickly dug his nose into the form, finding it was Sasuke, still unconscious and from what he could tell, still breathing. He whipped his head about to find a whimpering noise coming from a mound nearby, and he breathed out a sigh of relief to find Iawi still wrapped in his blankets like a cocoon, and only a bit of cold snow was on his nose and cheeks. Using his teeth gently, he picked up the small cub, fitting the small blanketed cocoon in his giant muzzle and moved towards Sasuke's still body in the snow. He needed to get Sasuke out of the elements quickly, being in his human form, his body could succumb to the freezing winter quickly. Sasuke's body was already unconsciously shivering and Naruto began to panic.
Shrieking and hissing continued to happen behind him, until the smell of ashes hit his nose and Naruto looked behind him.
The whirlwind of snow began to settle, ashes were mixing with the snow and a dark figure began to take shape. Naruto turned and stood over his mate, protecting him from the imminent threat that was taking shape before him. Iawi whimpered out from his blanket cocoon between Naruto's teeth when Naruto's alpha released a threatening growl.
A vampire form hissed out, baring its fangs towards the blond wolf, stretching out its claws. Golden eyes narrowed in on the wolf and the unknown vampire crouched down low, as if it was getting ready to attack.
Naruto's hackles rose and he dipped his head, also preparing for an attack, his lips curling up — "WAHHHhhhh!"
Naruto's head jerked up suddenly, realising that Iawi had cried out and he moved to place the small cocoon beside Sasuke, while his eyes watched the unknown vampire. He dropped the small cocoon beneath him, tucking it the best he could beside Sasuke's unconscious form. Lifting his head back up, he snarled at the vampire form once again. 'You're dead fucker!' Naruto growled to himself, staring down the vampire as Iawi's cries still echoed through the night.
The unknown vampire dropped to his knees in the snow, its golden eyes blinking and staring back at Naruto. All hissing, threatening gestures had stopped, its arms hung limply at its sides.
'What the f—?' Naruto blinked in surprise. He snorted out and stamped his foot at the vampire, who now was doing nothing. 'Is it frozen? Dead? What the hell?'
The unknown vampire continued to stare directly at the blond wolf, blinking slowly and tilting its head to the side, while Naruto started back dumbfounded and trying to determine what to do next.
" — ruto…" the vampire called out in a breath.
Naruto's wolf head perked up straight, ears forward at the familiar call to his name. He vaguely recognized the voice.
" — 'ave Sas and Iawi…" the vampire said before falling forward into the snow, unconscious.
Naruto's ears fell back, he now knew that voice. It was Utakata, he knew it, but the vampire form had him confused, and his trust wavering. Utakata was a wolf, wasn't he? But here he is a vampire, and Naruto shook his head quickly. He looked between Sasuke, Iawi and Utakata.
'How do I save them all?' Naruto thought quickly. He was surprised about Utakata as a vampire, who he knew was a werewolf, but how could he save an enemy? But Utakata wasn't an enemy, was he? He just proved his worth by saving Sasuke and Iawi. There was only one thing he could really do. He quickly transformed, grabbed Sasuke, carrying him close to his chest with Iawi resting on Sasuke's chest and began to walk. To hell with the snow and cold, in his naked form, he needed to get the two into a warm environment as quickly as possible. Utakata would just have to wait…
.
.
.
.
Itachi, Fugaku, Kakazu, and Madara pounded their paws through the snow, with Kyuubi and Kiba beside them. Kyuubi led the way, leading them all to the direction he last saw Naruto at the Uzumaki guest cabins. They all slowed to see two wolves approaching them from the opposite direction.
'It's Tsunade!' Kyuubi barked out to Kiba and came to a stop.
'Tsunade and Shizune,' Fugaku barked out in response.
Madara's large black wolf form came to a halt, a few feet before Tsunade and Shizune and quickly transformed. "Where is that wolf? He probably knows where my nephew is!" he demanded, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at Tsunade.
Tsunade quickly transformed and glared right back at the older Uchiha. "Gone, but no doubt I'll get answers from Naruto. Did he make it back to the cabin?"
Kyuubi shook his large wolf head and growled, indicating a no. 'Sasuke was followed by vampires, he has Konan's pup with him!' he growled out through the bond, Tsunade could hear him perfectly.
Tsunade frowned in response and turned to Shizune. "Let's see if we can follow that vampire's trail. We may get answers that way," her tone short and commanding. Shizune's wolf only huffed and nodded in agreement.
"Now wait a damn minute woman," Madara growled out. "What did you find out about that wolf! How do we know that he isn't an enemy! Sasuke is missing, and we need to locate him, that wolf may know something!" Madara's arm waved out in annoyance.
"Oh can it old man," Tsunade turned around and spit at Madara. "Don't ever doubt my pack like that unless you want to take me on personally!"
"How do I know that this isn't some ploy to take over the Uchiha pack?! Huh? You old hag?!" Madara spit back in retort.
Tsunade stomped through the snow towards the elder Uchiha, her eyes looking as if they could be tossing daggers at the man. She poked one of her long manicured nails in his chest, "don't even try it, you big knotted fluff ball! I'll take you right now if we had the time. So either you come along and we do this together, or wait here for my return so I can royally kick your ass! Now, no doubt Naruto is on Sasuke's trail, he was last at the cabin we just came from, we shall start there." She turned, her two ponytails swinging roughly before she transformed back into a wolf.
Madara grumbled out words under his breath as the elder Uzumaki walked away from him. "Damn know it all grey haired hussy. You know I would…" Madara then transformed into his glorious wolf form once again, with growls and huffs coming out from between his jaws.
'We don't have time for this,' Itachi growled out at Madara through the bond. 'Sasuke could be in danger and I will not lose him again!' He barked several times in anger and frustration, pawing heavily in the snow and the other Uchiha wolves snarled and snapped their jaws in agreement. Satisfied with their response, the wolves continued heading in the direction Tsunade had just come from.
And Tsunade was right, it wasn't long before the Uchiha and Uzumaki packs came across Naruto's scent and tracks, following them until they caught Naruto's form in the darkness, walking slowly through the winter cold.
'NARUTO!' Kyuubi howled out and sped up, rushing to his alpha brother.
Naruto fell to his knees at Kyuubi's approach, still clutching Sasuke and Iawi close to his chest. "Oh t-t-t-thank f-f-f-uck," he breathed out between his chattering teeth. "I-I was t-t-trying to g-g-get as far as I-I-I could before st-st-stopping," he continued to try and talk through his chattering teeth.
Kyuubi growled at Naruto and wrapped his body around him while Itachi came to inspect Sasuke and the pup.
"S-S-Sasuke hasn't w-w-woken yet," Naruto's teeth chattered while Itachi sniffed at Sasuke's limp form. Itachi stood against Naruto, his back against Sasuke, a subtle hint to place Sasuke upon him. Naruto recognized Tsunade, who also came to stand before Naruto, poking her nose gently into the pup. "B-b-bacchan." Naruto sounded exhausted yet relieved in his quivering voice.
'What the fuck you thinking walking around like this!' Kyuubi growled out through the bond to Naruto. 'Your dick could get frostbite and fall off you idiot!'
"C-c-come on! G-g-give me a b-b-reak!" Naruto grumbled back as Tsunade gently took Iawi into her jaws, then Naruto adjusted his unconscious mate on Itachi's back. Another black wolf came to assist with Itachi. "W-w-who?" Naruto looked suspiciously at the other black wolf.
'Another Uchiha member, don't worry,' Kyuubi explained. 'Where's Utakata?'
Naruto just shook his head. "H-he helped me get to S-S-Sasuke," he stammered, standing back from the Uchiha wolves that now had Sasuke secured. "He c-c-collapsed, but I couldn't carry him."
'I'll go find him," Kyuubi barked out. 'Kiba, let's go.' Kyuubi turned and started to follow the tracks Naruto left, Kiba right behind him.
Naruto said nothing else as he transformed quickly back into a wolf. He didn't know what form Utakata would be in nor what his frame of mind would be. 'Be careful, there is something about him that he needs to be questioned about,' he called out through the bond. Kyuubi just hummed in response that he had heard the alpha leader and continued his trek.
Naruto quickly caught up to the pack of Uchiha member wolves, who were making their way back to the Uzumaki cabin.
.
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.
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Sakura, Hinata and Mikoto were busy looking after Nagato, Konan and Kimimaro's injuries while Obito, Izumi and Kisame were wrapping Hidan's body. The atmosphere was silent, heavy with exhaustion and sorrow. The house was in shambles, with large holes in the walls, doors broken off and windows smashed. It appeared that no furniture survived the attack either. Sakura and Hinata moved the omega's onto the second floor where it was at least the warmest from the winter cold and most of the rooms were still intact.
Itachi, holding Sasuke's limp form, walked into what was left of the house, looked about and frowned. Naruto came in behind him and moved to take Sasuke from Itachi, who growled a warning.
"My mate needs me, Itachi," Naruto growled in response.
"He is my otouto therefore will stay with the family," Itachi quickly stepped back, pulling Sasuke closer into his chest.
The two alphas glared and growled at each other, teeth flashing and their bodies tensed.
"This behaviour isn't helping." It was Fugaku who was next to come into the broken home, Kakazu following closely behind him. He stepped in between the two alphas and looked between them. "We should move us all to the Uchiha manor, to rest and then debrief later to determine what we know." Itachi nodded in agreement and Naruto snarled at Fugaku in retaliation.
"I have to agree," Tsunade was the next to walk into the room with Iawi clutched close to her chest. "At least there are full walls at the Uchiha's," she snorted a chuckle.
"You saying I can't keep my pack safe bachan!?" Naruto barked out, his tone laced with irritation.
Tsunade slapped Naruto on the arm. "Zip it brat! Take a break and look around you. Think about what is the best decision for the pack!" she snarled out her warning, and Naruto backed down but still glared at her. "I'll take this little one to his mother and inform the others of the plan." She left no room for argument and headed up the stairs.
Naruto flexed his fists and breathed heavily through his nose. He had to admit it, the elder alpha was right. Taking a deep breath, he turned towards the Uchiha alpha who still held Sasuke tightly. "Let's take him upstairs for now until Kyuubi returns with Kiba and Utakata. We will make the necessary arrangements." Itachi glanced about the room watching the other Uchiha's that had just made their way into the room before nodding in agreement and headed up the stairs, Naruto close on his heels.
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
Naruto laid beside Sasuke, the night breaking away as the sun started to brighten the land. He went to Sasuke's side as soon as the packs arrived at the Uchiha manor. The party had long since been over, the servants having cleaned up and though he was pissed that he and his pack left his residence, part of him was thankful for the help of the Uchiha clan.
Once Kyuubi and Kiba returned with a still unconscious Utakata, both packs quickly got things organised with moving everyone to the safety of the Uchiha manor. Naruto drove his jeep, with Sasuke and the omega's tucked away safely inside, Kiba driving with Tsunade, Shizune, Utakata and Hidan's body in his. The rest of the wolves headed to the Uchiha manor on foot.
Kyuubi hadn't left Kimimaro's side, who was slowly recovering from his injuries and Tsunade assured him Kimimaro would be fine, physically. Nagato and Konan were crying happily to have Iawi return to their side. Tsunade and Shizune were now tending to an unconscious Utakata and Naruto let them know that calling Kakashi may assist in getting some answers, since Utakata may not trust them, because he didn't know them. Naruto gave Tsunade the information he knew about Utakata but again informed that Kakashi may know more.
Tsunade wrapped Sasuke's ribs and head, tending to his cuts, bruises and scrapes all over his body, ensuring no serious injuries were on his head and disinfecting the large deep cuts on his leg that the vampire had left. No injuries appeared to be around Sasuke's abdomen and the pup nestled within his womb appeared to be stable and safe. While Tsunade tended to Sasuke's injuries, Tsunade talked to Naruto privately about the possible mental trauma that Sasuke had suffered during his ordeal with the vampires.
'From what you told me when you found him, he may have been put into a position where he felt that suicide was the only way out and his omega may have been agreeable to it. Considering that, understand that the omega may feel weak now, and not worthy of you. Tread carefully, he needs you to focus on him, by getting better and consoling him about how he is your mate. Try not to take anything negative he may say personally and don't let him engage in any unnecessary stress!'
Tsunade had been quite adamant that Naruto be cautious when Sasuke wakes and to call her if anything concerning comes up. Tsunade was going to update the Uchiha's on Sasuke's condition to let Naruto be with his mate.
Naruto ran his fingers gently through the thick locks, taking in the calm expression of Sasuke while he slept. His alpha reached out mentally, but was irritated when the omega presence shied away from it. Sasuke was wrapped up in bandages in various places all over his body from the damage he ensued that left Naruto near tears with feelings of failure riddling through his veins. His alpha was howling out with disappointment, feeling that it had failed to protect its mate and the omega shying away was not helping. Naruto kissed Sasuke's forehead gently as the sun breached its way through the dark curtains.
~~intermission~~
Kakashi sat at the table after explaining to Tsunade and Shizune what he knew of Utakata. The werewolf was still resting in one of the rooms near the other Uzumaki pack members, knowing that he would most likely be comfortable being close to them when he wakes.
"You don't know why you sensed Utakata was a vampire after the first initial meeting seems suspicious," Tsunade hummed. "I would think that Utakata was aware of being a vampire and did his best to conceal it from you."
"But what if he doesn't even know?" Kakashi countered.
"That can be taken into consideration as well," Tsunade added. "You weren't able to get any biological information after he came to the Uzumake home at all?"
Kakashi shook his head no.
"Doesn't surprise me you lazy oaf," Tsunade smirked at the man. "Shizune and I got a handful of blood samples from him while he slept. We shall analyse them, but this information stays between us, got it?" Tsunade pointed her manicured nail at Kakashi and gave him a threatening growl.
Kakashi held up his hands and smiled behind his mask, "of course Tsunade-sama, my lips are sealed.
"I'll keep you updated on our findings, until then stick close to him," Tsunade added. "Last thing we need is him going into a panic and lord knows what could happen." She gathered up a few things, "I'll be around for a bit, need to check in on the others. Shizune, call me as soon as you know."
Later Tsunade called a meeting with Kakashi, Naruto and Kyuubi after seeing the rest of the Uzumaki pack, including Nagato, Konan, Iawi and Kimimaro. "I just wanted to inform you that the others are alright, healing well and I do not see any long term physical damage. Mentally, that is a different story, as for anyone. The trauma that everyone was subjected to, can always leave long term results, thus, take that into consideration for the others and yourselves."
"Regarding Utakata," she drifted her eyes to each of the wolves at the table. "I will be informing Kakashi of our findings, and the information will stay between Shizune, Kakashi and myself. I will update the rest of you on a need to know basis. Especially when it reflects on the safety of the pack. Any questions?"
Naruto gnawed at his bottom lip as he looked at Kyuubi. Kyuubi raised a brow at his pack brother, curious at the behaviour. Naruto recalled what he saw, but felt conflicted. Utakata was a werewolf, who saved him from the avalanche, who assisted in retrieving Kyuubi who was lost to his wolf, saved Kisame…and Sasuke…but still, what he saw Utakata turn into, doubts began to rise to the surface.
"Something is on your mind, I can tell," Kyuubi whispered to Naruto, his eyes narrowed in knowing.
Naruto pinched his lips tight, thinking hard before deciding it could wait. "It can wait," he whispered in return. He looked at Tsunade who also narrowed her eyes at him, as if waiting for Naruto to say something. Naruto shrugged.
"The Uchiha pack is willing to assist while we get the house back together. Be on your best behaviour now," she scolded the crew who all blinked their eyes at her in response.
"Aw Tsunade-sama, since when are we ever bad?" Kyuubi whined and teased that left Naruto snorting out a giggle.
"You two especially! I'll be making sure Kakashi watches you two closely!" Tsunade barked back, but it lacked bite. Inwardly she relaxed slightly, watching the two young alpha giggle and tease. The pair had been through a lot and even with just a small hint of their younger selves breaching the surface during this dark time, it made Tsunade's heart widen. "Now scat you brats," Tsunade barked again, waving her hands at the group. She sighed as the group left, knowing what sort of work that was piling on her plate that she needed to deal with.
~~later~~
Kyuubi sat beside Kimimaro, watching the sleeping omega closely. His wounds were healing quickly and evenly, but the young omega still was in deep slumber. Tsunade had already looked over the younger, gave the green light that he was okay, he needed time to allow his wounds to heal and would wake soon. But Kyuubi was just so impatient…
Konan and Nagato knocked quietly before entering, Kyuubi throwing them a sad smile as he watched them come to the bed, taking a seat on the nearby chairs. Iawi was snuggling close into Konan, sleeping peacefully.
"We wanted to thank you for everything Kyuubi-kun," Nagato whispered, breaking the silence.
"For what?" Kyuubi turned his head in response, confusion on his face.
"Just for saving us, Kimimaro and Iawi. Without you, and your pack, we don't know where–"
"No thanks are required. If anything, I should be thanking you all for taking care of Kimimaro, where I couldn't." Kyuubi just glanced at the smaller sleeping omega. "And now," he signed and ran a hand through his dark red hair, "I don't know what I can offer you, or any of you since all this–"
"There is nothing to repay Kyuubi-kun," Konan cut off the young alpha. "We are thankful for where we all are today. But, we had a—well, more of a thought…" Konan drifted off and glanced down at her sleeping cub in her arms. Kyuubi turned his ear closer to the others, indicating he was listening and encouraged her to continue.
Nagato placed his hand on Konan's shoulder, giving her a small smile when she looked up at him, her eyes pleading with him to continue. "What we were thinking, was if you had a plan, well," he chuckled, "for your own pack?"
Kyuubi's head jerked back in surprise, his eyes wide at the expression. "What are you saying?" He looked from Konan to Nagato, back and forth.
Nagato gave a half smile, "well, Konan and I, we have been on our own for quite a while—and now that we have Iawi here—" His voice got silent.
"You're asking me—" Kyuubi brought a finger to his chest, indicating himself, "to r–raise a pack? Like with, you and—" His finger pointed now to Konan and Nagato.
"We would be honoured if you chose us for your pack," Konan smiled warmly while nodding her head.
Kyuubi fell back in his chair, a hand immediately going through his hair and he stared at his lap, the bed, Konan and Nagato, and lastly Kimimaro. 'Woah. Can I? Could I? But what if I—' Thoughts began to spin in Kyuubi's head, his alpha nipping at his mental walls, but what it was trying to say he didn't know, because this–all of this was just so—new. "I—I," he stuttered.
Nagato chuckled and moved to stand beside Kyuubi, placing his hand on the young alpha's shoulder. "No need for an answer now, just, give it some thought." His hand squeezed, showing support. "And we would never leave Kimimaro, he's our family now too."
Kyuubi barely heard the words as the thoughts kept spinning in his head. He vaguely recalled Konan coming by to kiss him on the temple before the mated pair left. He continued to sit at Kimimaro's bedside, watching and thinking, not knowing how much time had passed.
"Penny for your thoughts pup," the voice broke through Kyuubi's thoughts and he flicked his head to the side, seeing the grey haired wolf giving him that same ridiculous smile behind a mask as usual.
"Kakashi, hey," Kyuubi retorted.
"Looks like you have a lot on your mind, wanna share?" Kakashi prodded.
Kyuubi snorted out a disbelief sound. He said nothing for several minutes, just staring at Kimimaro's sleeping form. Kakashi raised a brow and took a seat beside him quietly.
"Whatever it is, I have complete faith that you will make the choice best for yourself, your pack and those you care about," Kakashi spoke when Kyuubi wouldn't. "He should be waking soon." Kakashi nodded towards the omega in the bed. "I'm certain he will be happy to see you are here." With that comment, Kakashi felt it was best he go, he had said his piece and smiled behind his mask when he left.
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
Naruto refused to let any Uchiha's, other than Itachi and Deidara to see Sasuke while he was still sleeping and healing. The younger Uchiha still had to wake, and Naruto was getting more and more restless with each passing day. Naruto's anxiousness wasn't helping when his inner alpha continued to reach for the omega and the omega continued to shy away from the advances.
"Patience Naruto-kun," Deidara purred out while putting together the empty food dishes on a platter from earlier that he had brought to Naruto.
Naruto let out a long raspberry, sitting in a chair near the window, watching Deidara tidy up. He no longer knew what to say while he sat and waited. It had been over a week since they all returned to the Uchiha manor. The Uzumaki cottage was being fixed up as they waited here and Naruto wanted nothing more than to get back home with his pack and with his mate. The inner alpha certainly agreed with him everyday.
The sounds of shuffling and some grunting out moans had Naruto bolting up out of his chair and Deidara turning to the sound. Naruto slid to a halt right next to the bed where Sasuke lay, his hands grasping at the smaller omega's hands immediately, his blue eyes wide and staring at the now wrinkled up forehead of his mate.
"Sasuke, baby, I'm here," Naruto whispered, reaching out to cup Sasuke's cheek. The omega's eyes fluttered open, peeking through dark lashes and he coughed slightly. Naruto turned and found Deidara standing near him holding a cup of water, a straw in hand. Nodding his head in gratitude, he grasped the cup and placed the straw at Sasuke's dry lips. The omega sipped, his eyes watered as he looked up at Naruto and Naruto felt his heart break at the sorrow in Sasuke's eyes. "Shh, don't cry, I'm here, I'm not going anywhere, drink your water slowly."
Sasuke's eyes continued to build with water but he listened, sipped at the glass of water but his eyes did not leave the alpha's. Even when the straw left his lips, when Naruto asked Deidara to call for Tsunade, the omega remained quiet and watched Naruto every second. This did not deter Naruto, for he certainly remained fixated on Sasuke's every move, sitting with him, talking to him and ensuring Sasuke's needs were met until Tsunade arrived several minutes later.
Tsunade checked all Sasuke's vitals, making notes in her book, finally checking Sasuke and Naruto's unborn pup and throughout the entire examination, Sasuke said nothing. Even when Tsunade asked Sasuke simple yes or no questions, the omega only would nod his head in response. Tsunade pulled Naruto out of the room for a moment.
"As I suspected, I believe he is struggling mentally, so keep him close and always assure him of who you are, how safe he is, and so on." She waved her hand about slightly. Naruto frowned slightly. "I've left vitamins and antibiotics that I want Sasuke to take until just before you all return to the cottage, which I suspect will be in another few days. Understood?" She then placed her hands on her hips, giving Naruto a stare. Naruto shook his head yes, before she began walking away. "See you soon," she called out, not looking behind her.
Naruto slipped back into the room, noticing that Sasuke hadn't moved from his position on the bed, his eyes were still watching the door he and Tsunade left out of. "Hungry? Deidara is going to bring you something to eat soon," Naruto called out while moving close to the bed. Sasuke continued to stay silent, his fingers fiddling with the threads on his covers. Naruto slipped into the bed beside the omega, rubbing his cheek against the other and his alpha purred loudly, releasing a loving supporting scent. His alpha tried reaching out mentally to the omega before him, then he cringed at the lack of response. "I'm going to run us a bath, how's that sound?" Naruto asked, hoping to get an answer. Sasuke said nothing. Naruto let out a sigh before getting out of the bed. "I'll get it all ready for you, it may help you feel better." He placed a kiss on Sasuke's crown and headed toward the ensuite bathroom, the omega watching him silently.
The bath was just as silent as being in the bedroom. Naruto took care of Sasuke, washing his skin ever so gently, being careful not to get the bandages that still remained too wet. He massaged Sasuke's head while washing his hair, moving a soaped up loofa even between the omega's toes. A slight smile and a twitch of Sasuke's toes from the tickled feeling of the loofa had Naruto grinning.
Back in the room, Naruto fed Sasuke so lovingly and made small chatter, and silly noises to make Sasuke open his mouth. Naruto talked of the weather outside, the heating system in the other room, plans for the summer and nuzzled Sasuke's neck as much as the omega would allow.
"Naru," Sasuke faintly breathed out between his lips after they finished the meal.
Naruto was putting all the empty dishes on the tray away from the bed. He was just going to get some tea ready when he heard the small whisper from the bed. The alpha fluttered happily at hearing the omega's voice for once, Naruto wiped his hands and went to Sasuke's side. Sitting on the bed he grasped Sasuke's hand, giving it a squeeze and he caught the slight shimmer in Sasuke's eyes.
Sasuke forced himself to look at the alpha. His omega was wreaking havoc on his mind, reminding him over and over and over how weak he was, how he didn't deserve this alpha, the guilt was swallowing him whole. 'Weak, pathetic, useless — don't deserve a strong alpha…' Was all Sasuke could think about, when the nightmares continued to plague his dreams of what happened —
The vampire stopped laughing, a manic grin stretched across its red lips and his golden eyes looked down at the raven haired wolf. "We have a special place for filthy creatures like you. We shall fill your precious pup up with our venom as it grows within you, giving it the power it needs and it will be for us to control." The vampire's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Doesn't that make you proud? Knowing your pup will be an amazing creature, to join a most powerful clan and with the most powerful beings out there?"
"I – I won't let you – have – either – of – us!" Sasuke seethed out between his teeth before taking a quick breath, lifting his arms up high and thrusting the blade swiftly down towards his abdomen.
In his nightmares his hand didn't stop. It had made its mark, and too many times Sasuke's screams in his mind woke him into a paralysis situation. His throat would be tight, he could scream and his eyes would see nothing but waves of blood pouring from his body. Visions of his unborn pup being ripped from his womb, the knife slicing through him, his pup… and Naruto. Naruto watched with such abhorrence in his eyes, staring directly at him — Sasuke wanted to die immediately, wishing he could disappear into nothing, to save his alpha from what his weak willed mind had subjected the alpha too.
Naruto was patient, waiting for the omega to speak again. He cupped Sasuke's cheek gently, rubbing his thumb softly across the soft marble smooth skin. He released a calming scent, purred quietly, in hopes that the omega would feel safe.
Sasuke drew in a breath, "I'm sorry." He leaned into the soft touch of the alpha, closing his eyes and feeling the comfort coming from the blond alpha.
"For what?" Naruto felt the flutters of hope when the omega responded to his advances.
"You don't deserve —"
"Stop," Naruto insisted, moving his thumb to Sasuke's lips. "You are my everything, you deserve nothing but the best that I can give you, hell, that the world can give you." Naruto leaned forward, placing his forehead against the other. He could feel the quivering breath of his mate.
Sasuke said nothing, he couldn't find words to say and found no comfort in the words his mate provided. His omega was still overwhelming him with the guilt from the attack, the knowledge that he put their pup in danger, was a difficult memory to deal with.
"We will get through this together, I'll be by your side the entire way. Just don't shut me out Sasuke," Naruto's lips breathed out the plea in a whisper. His lips brushed against the other's, their breath mingling together as one.
Sasuke snaked his hands around Naruto's torso, his fingertips pushing up the fabric and tracing along the alpha's skin. He could feel Naruto's skin twitch from his light touch, goosebumps began to form and Sasuke pushed his face into the other, locking their lips in a gentle kiss.
Naruto responded to Sasuke's kiss with gentleness, trying to express his love in the most expressive way he could through the kiss. Moving his hands to flow through Sasuke's hair, he shivered in happiness when Sasuke's hands began to pull him in tighter.
"Naru," Sasuke whispered through the kiss. "Make love to me," he pleaded quietly, placing his lips back on the alpha.
Naruto breathed in deep the scent coming from the omega and deepened his kiss, lacing his tongue over the omega's, beginning the silent dance. The alpha's hands traced Sasuke's skin down his neck, between his shoulders and around his back. Pushing against Sasuke gently, he laid the omega down upon the bed without breaking their gentle kiss. When the omega was settled upon his back, he pulled his lips back and both wolves panted out to catch their breaths. Looking down upon the omega, the flushed skin from their heated kiss, the hooded eyes with shimmering black orbs looking back at him, Naruto felt he would explode from the emotions that riddled through him — desire, love and devotion emotions reached desperately out from the alpha towards the omega. His alpha was purring loudly, his cock was stirring to life with his heated mate beneath him, but Naruto held his libido back and focused on his mate. He wanted his mate to feel everything Naruto felt for him — wanted Sasuke to know just how precious he was and how Naruto would worship every inch of him until his dying breath.
Naruto dropped his lips to Sasuke's neck, trailing his tongue around the slim muscles to his collarbone, tasting every inch. Sasuke's breath hitched from the gentle touches, and the alpha purred louder. Pushing up Sasuke's light shirt, he shifted his lips and tongue to Sasuke's soft nipples. Nibbling slightly and tonguing at them, low moans of pleasure escaped Sasuke's lips from Naruto suckling assault. Sasuke's back arched slightly, his skin twitched from the sensation and his fingers found Naruto's hair. The omega's hands pulled and nudged on Naruto's hair, a subtle request on where to go. Naruto inwardly grinned at the request and let Sasuke take the lead.
He stopped briefly to nuzzle his nose into Sasuke's stomach, he gave the tiny swelling several kisses and purrs of appreciation and love to their growing cub. Sasuke released an appreciative whine at the sensations, his toes curling at the show of devotion.
Tears began to leak from Sasuke's eyes as his mate continued to lavish him with attention. His omega continued to try and push out guilt, trying to convince him that he was not worthy of such a powerful alpha. Biting his bottom lip, Sasuke pushed back at the omega, trying to crush the continuous guilt, hurt, and regret away. 'Understand! Naruto would never–ever push us away!' He mentally screamed at his omega before shoving it deep into a corner and allowing his senses to focus on the alpha that was currently bringing pleasure to his body.
He arched his back and let out a gasp when Naruto's lips wrapped around the head of his swollen penis, his tongue flicking at the slit repeatedly. His knees shook uncontrollably at the sudden sensations and his hands unexpectedly pulled the blond sunshine hair. "NNnngghh, Naruuu…" Sasuke cried out when the alpha began to hum from his lips. The vibrations travelling through his body, his skin, were creating warm and pleasant sensations that Sasuke had missed oh so much.
Naruto hummed out with pleasure watching his mate succumb to his ministrations, that has his alpha's desires heighten dramatically. Seeing Sasuke's facial expressions of pleasure was always a success for Naruto. His nose picked up the scent of Sasuke's sweet slick that began to thicken at his entrance, and Naruto began to tease the opening with his fingers.
"Ahhh…fuck, Naru…" Sasuke groaned out again, his voice deep and guttural, thick with erotic sounds while Naruto pressed against his opening. Sasuke's hips began to rock into the alpha's fingers, while Naruto's tongue and lips worked his cock. "Ngh, oh—ahh—" Sasuke panted out suddenly, grabbing Naruto's hair tightly, his eyes squeezed shut when his back arched, his body quivered uncontrollably and his hips thrust heavily into Naruto's tight lips.
Naruto suckled hard on Sasuke's cock, feeling the omega's body begin to tremble, and with a push of his tongue on the slit of Sasuke's cock, his mate convulsed suddenly and released into Naruto's awaiting mouth. Naruto preened at hearing Sasuke's erotic cries, his fingers pulling at his hair as Sasuke's essence released down his throat. He continued to circle his tongue around Sasuke's shaft, allowing Sasuke to grip his hair and thrust until the omega's body began to relax. When Sasuke finally released his hair, Naruto gently released the softening omega cock, giving the head a final soft kiss before pushing himself up to his knees and licking the slick from his fingers.
He looked down upon his dark haired gorgeous and radiant mate with a smile. Sasuke's body was practically glowing with warmth from his sudden orgasm. His face was flushed with a lovely red glow across his cheeks, up to the tip of his nose. His lips were parted, wet and Naruto could hear him catching his breath. Sasuke's thick black hair was a dishevelled mess but sexy at the same time. Naruto needed to taste his mate again, and dropped his nose to Sasuke's chest, giving kitten licks to the marble smooth skin and dragging his lips to dusty coloured erect nipples.
Sasuke shivered from the touches and licks, a moan escaping his lips without his consent when Naruto's lips gently teased his nipples. Sasuke lifted his arms to wrap around Naruto's neck and pulled the alpha's body up. He managed to lift his legs, wrapping his ankles around the alpha's thick body and hips, locking the blond into his grasp before finding soft wet lips.
Sasuke slipped his tongue into the apha's moist cavern, demanding attention and released a sudden gasp of surprise when Naruto's thick shaft slipped easily into his slicked drenched entrance.
"Mmm, Sas—" the alpha growled out in a heavy heated breath when he felt Sasuke tremble beneath him. "So ready for me, my beautiful, amazing, and perfect omega," he continued to purr as he thrust his hips slowly.
Sasuke's skin broke out in goosebumps from the ripples of pleasure that washed through him while Naruto's cock slowly dragged against his sensitive walls, back and forth, gently, slowly and lovingly. Naruto pressed kisses on his neck, his jaw, his cheeks, with each push, with each pull, Sasuke could feel the admiration and desire that the alpha was expressing. With each push, Sasuke's lips released an erotic moan, and he dragged his claws up the alpha's back.
Naruto's alpha growled loudly with want, the sharp pinch of the omega's claws on his back heightening the sexual desires. But Naruto pushed his alpha back, expressing dominance and control over his alpha, because right now, nothing mattered but Sasuke and his pleasure. The heat surrounding his thick cock was heaven, the sounds and scents Sasuke released was like an angel's melody, and he thrust his hips a little harder, adjusting slightly, so Sasuke could feel all the pleasure he could provide.
"Sas'ke, Sas'ke," Naruto chanted between each thrust, each kiss and lick. "So perfect, so beautiful, my mate." He kissed away the small tears that fell from Sasuke's eyes, continuing to whisper words of love and encouragement.
Sasuke's body began to tremble under Naruto's continuous admissions, his heart swelling, his emotions raging behind his eyes. He could feel the familiar pinch of tears flowing from his eyes, but he ignored it, content on feeling, smelling and hearing his alpha expressing a continuous love melody.
"Don't cry, don't cry, my precious mate," Naruto pleaded quietly with each gentle thrust and kiss. "I love you, I love you," he continued.
Sasuke shook as his body expelled a crash of emotions with the unexpected orgasm, his body and mind no longer able to take the overwhelming scents, sounds and continuous stimulation from his mate. He cried out in pleasure with a mixture of agony, while his arms shook and held onto Naruto tightly while his cock emptied between them.
Naruto hummed and praised the omega, holding the omega close while he continued to gently thrust deeply into the silk heated cavern through the orgasm. The sudden and continuous heated squeezing around his shaft had Naruto bite into his bottom lip to stave off his own orgasm, insistent that Sasuke feel all the pleasure first. When Sasuke's trembling and twitching began to lesson, only then did Naruto allow himself to release deeply into his mate. With a couple of long drawn out pulls and quick gentle thrusts, he buried his nose into Sasuke's neck, bit gently and felt the rush of endorphins flow through him. His alpha howled loudly in his ears with delight at the release of his seed deep within its mate, pushing the waves of orasmic shivers throughout his skin.
When both wolves were still and breaths were more even, only then did Naruto release Sasuke, placing kisses on his forehead, cheeks, nose then lips. The alpha purred loudly in the room, releasing a heady scent of pleasure and content. Grasping a small towel, Naruto quickly wiped them both down, before settling on the bed beside his raven haired mate. Sasuke watched the alpha closely, his eyes still wet from the tears he shed earlier, and Naruto just smiled down upon him and lifted his arm. Sasuke blinked, then slowly shuffled to move closer into Naruto's chest, breathing in the scent with deep breaths before closing his eyes.
Naruto leaned in and kissed the raven haired omega's crown before resting his cheek against Sasuke's head and closing his own eyes. He smiled to himself, having hope that this was a positive start towards their long road to healing.
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I will offer apologies to those who are actively following. I know it can be hard to get into a new chapter with such a long break, so I hope there wasn't to much forgotten. I would hate to think that readers would have to reread the story just to catch up. My bad!
