Disclaimers: Naruto isn't mine. This is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.
Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, sexual assault, angst, & later- delicious yaoi lemon.
Like Night and Day
~
Chapter 16
Sasuke channeled as much chakra as he could spare into his legs and raced like hell.
"Sasuke.. you can put me down."
The raven ignored the ridiculous offer and tightened his hold around the blonde's waist and legs instead.
"Sa-Sasuke!"
"I'm not letting you go."
Naruto looked up at him and gave a small nervous smile. "It's ok, Sasuke. You.. you've been holding me for long enough. I can take it from here."
"Naruto." He said sharply, "What part do you not get about this? I am NOT. Letting. You. Go."
He tightened his grip and pressed on, ignoring the irritation and uncertainty in those cerulean eyes.
I can't let you go. Not now. Not after everything.
Holding Naruto in his arms, close to his chest like this, Sasuke realized how close he had been to losing him. Naruto's strong- a shinobi, a sage, but.. he's also.. well..
With his chakra cut off and Nine Tails inaccessible.. with those collars binding his wrists and inclosed around his throat.. when he was standing there half-clothed and bloody and terrified, Sasuke could see him for what he actually was.
Human. Just a small, mistreated, incredibly innocent... human.
Naruto was formidable. Sasuke was well aware of that. And there were many times when Naruto had outmatched him in a fight, but he was also someone who could be easily.. broken. He had seen many try. And he had seen the impact it's had on him over the years, the weight of it pushing him down.
As Sasuke held his most important person in his arms, all he could think about was how close Naruto had been to being utterly and irrevocably broken.
I won't let the Naruto I know and love shatter.
He clenched his jaw tight.
I won't let that bastard destroy the one bit of light left in the world.
And so, Sasuke held his blonde close as he ran, hoping he would never have to let him go again.
~
After a while they finally made it the entrance of Orochimaru's lair. Their way out. Sasuke slowed to a stop in before it, preparing himself for an ambush. There's no way Orochimaru is going to just let us leave like this..
But no one was there.
Nothing barred their way,
no one stepped out from the shadows-
nothing.
He's planning something, the Uchiha thought as he continued to scan their surroundings. He has to be.
This just doesn't make any sense.
Naruto looked just as concerned. Obviously he was terrified to come face to face with his attacker again, but he seemed just as nervous with the alternative.
"Something's wrong.." Naruto whispered, finally breaking the eerie silence.
"We'll figure it out later. Let's just get you out of here first."
Naruto bit his already tortured lip, wincing at the sharp pain. Sasuke's eyes narrowed, but he kept his questions to himself.
For now.
~
On their way back to Konohagakure, Kakashi and Sakura managed to catch up with them. They were also bewildered by Orochimaru's sudden disappearance and their easy access to the exit.
"For how badly he wanted to keep Naruto there-"
Naruto flinched.
"- it doesn't make sense that Orochimaru would just let us leave like this."
Sasuke gave the blonde a sad look.
"There's no point speculating now" he said firmly. "We'll figure it out when we get back."
Sasuke glanced over at Kakashi, and the jonin nodded with understanding.
He doesn't want to make Naruto think about all of this now, Kakashi thought. Though, it's unlikely he's thinking about anything else..
Kakashi pulled a small blanket from his pack and tossed it over to Sasuke. Without a word he covered his blonde with it and gave the jonin a grateful look. Naruto didn't deserve the humiliation of coming into the village like.. that. And Sasuke was relieved that they had a sensei who understood that.
While Naruto appreciated the consideration, he was uncomfortable looking like this in front of Kakashi and Sakura. "Sasuke- how long do you plan on carrying me like this?"
The Uchiha gritted his teeth. "How long do you plan on fighting me on it?"
"I'm not a fucking child, Teme. Just put me down already!"
"Naruto, there's no shame in accepting help" Kakashi said softly. "We would all rather you just hang tight until we get back to the Hidden Leaf."
Naruto looked away. "But this is.. embarrassing", he mumbled.
"Would it be better if you ran in wearing.. what you're wearing?"
Naruto flinched.
No. That would be a lot worse.
"We're almost there, Naruto" Sakura said, her voice surprisingly kind and gentle. "Just hang on a little longer, ok?"
Naruto blinked. "Uhh.. yeah. Yeah, ok."
The blonde looked up at Sasuke, but he seemed just as surprised by the girl's sudden tenderness towards him as he was.
Naruto has never known Sakura to be like this- not with him anyways.
It felt.. nice.
Naruto settled back in the Uchiha's arms, wondering over this new Sakura.
A changed Sakura.
.. Like night and day.
~
Dark eyes, like mounds of rough jagged coal, hardened. The fire at the end of the man's cigarette flickered in his eyes, setting the cold darkness a flame. He watched closely as the Uchiha leapt through the trees and into Konohagakure, the Nine Tails vessel held tightly in his arms.
Thin lips curled in a vicious sneer as the raven pulled the jinchuriki closer to his chest, his eyes soft and warm as they gazed down at him.
"Well, now.."
The man threw his cigarette down to the ground, grinding it beneath his boot until it was no longer recognizable.
Until all that was left of it was ash and an empty carcass.
Until it was nothing.
"Isn't that interesting…"
Author Note:
Ohhhhhh.. you know what that smell is?
That's a fresh pan of angst comin' hot out of the oven ;)
Let's eat!!