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, & delicious yaoi lemon.


Like Night and Day

Chapter 24

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Sasuke was pissed.

First, I'm pinned down by Naruto's feral fucking clones, and then the moron takes off- hightailing it through a village that is determined to destroy him.

It wasn't safe for him out here on his own, he knew that. But I guess it wasn't all that safe for him at my house either..

The Uchiha clenched his jaw, anger flooding his veins. What the fuck is wrong with me? What was I thinking attacking him like that?

He continued to chide his callousness and forcefulness as he moved through the village, eyes peeled for a mess of blonde hair. He wasn't faring well, and he could feel his blood boil with every failed minute that went by.

Seriously, where the fuck could he have gone?

Sasuke started by going to the blonde's apartment, but the place was empty, and it didn't look like he had been back. He was irritated that he hadn't found him yet, but happy to see that the dobe wasn't stupid enough to come back to his place after everything that happened.

After some consideration, Sasuke decided his next best bet would be to find the only woman in town who tolerated the dobe, and at times even seemed to enjoy his antics. A woman Sasuke couldn't help but despise. There weren't a lot of people Naruto could go to for help, but Tsunade was one of them. Despite her temper and her clear disdain for him, Sasuke had to admit that she would be a helpful ally in his search for Naruto.

At least, he hoped she was.

As he drew closer to the Hokage's office, he noticed a group of dazed villagers stumbling out of a building. The sight was odd but didn't deter him from his destination- that is until he caught a bit of their conversation as he passed by.

"Fucking demon.. we should've just killed him and been done with it."

Sasuke skidded to a halt and raced back to the group. The villagers smiled as the Uchiha approached, but the smile fell and shattered when he grabbed one of them by the collar and slammed him back against the wall. "What the hell did you just say?"

The man's eyes widened. "What do you think you're doing, kid?"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "I asked you a question."

The man glared back. "Oh yeah.. I heard that you got yourself mixed up with that jinchuriki. You know, if you were smart you would distance yourself from that monster. We wouldn't want to see you get hurt."

Sasuke leaned in, his lips curling into a vicious sneer. "Is that a threat?"

"It's a warning. You'd do well to heed it."

Sasuke pulled the villager towards him then slammed him back against the wall. "Enough of your bullshit" he growled, "what did you assholes do to Naruto?"

The villager clenched his jaw tight. "And why would I tell you?"

Sasuke closed his eyes for a moment, then slammed them opened, revealing two blood-red sharingans filled with rage. "You'll tell me- one way or another."

The villager eyed him, gauging how serious his threat was. He must have seen something dangerous in that crimson stare, because he backed down and gave in to the Uchiha's demands. "We just gave him a little scare" he muttered, "but that guy, well- let's say he interrupted our fun."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Well.. some of us wanted a little taste before forcing him out of the village."

Sasuke pulled back his arm and punched the man across the face. He watched him drop to the ground, then grabbed him and yanked him back to his feet. "You piece of shit-"

"Calm down, kid. We missed our chance."

"Who stopped you?" Sasuke asked.

"I don't know" the man replied. "Some pale guy with dark hair. He was pretty scrawny, but damn- he was fast as hell. One second I'm enjoying the show" Sasuke gritted his teeth, "the next I'm waking up on the floor."

Dark hair. Pale skin.

His eyes widened.

Goddammit, I bet it's that fucking Sai guy.

"Where did they go?" he grated out.

"How the hell should I know? Weren't you listening- the guy knocked us out."

"He's not the only one" Sasuke growled. He pulled back and punched the villager in the head as hard as he could. He watched with cold eyes and a deep pulsing hate as the man's eyes rolled back in his head and he dropped to the floor.

Sasuke spun around and eyed the onlookers around him. "Consider that a warning" he growled.

Then he took off, desperate to find his blonde. Especially now that he knew that he was with Sai. The thought sent a sharp stab of jealousy through his chest. Sasuke had a horrible suspicion that the guy would love to replace him- to claim his blonde for himself.

And he wouldn't allow that to happen.

He couldn't.

Sai saved Naruto twice. Two fucking times that I failed to be there for him.

Sasuke swallowed.

I need to step up, or I really will lose him.

.. I just hope that I haven't already.

--

"Are you telling me that I have to go back to Orochimaru?" Naruto stared at the pale teen with wide horrified eyes. "Are you fucking insane? I'm not going anywhere near that psycho."

"I'm not saying you should let him capture you" Sai explained. "But we do need to infiltrate his hideout." He noticed the blonde stiffen and quickly added, "you won't be alone, Naruto. I'll be with you the whole way."

Naruto knew Sai intended for that to be reassuring, but the blonde couldn't help but be wary. Sai had saved him from a horrible fate, twice, and he had never attempted anything with him despite the pheromones, but he couldn't help but worry that that was only temporary.

I mean, yeah- maybe he has some kind of tolerance to it, but how long can that last? Clearly it doesn't affect people all of the time. It must come out in waves. But when it does-

He could feel the memories of all of the recent attacks he had faced flooding his mind, but quickly shut it down. That was the last thing he wanted to think about right now. Especially with another man by his side.

Naruto glanced over at the brunette. Is it only a matter of time before Sai comes after me too..?

He wanted to believe that he was the exception. That he would be safe with him as they searched for answers, but he really wasn't in a position to let his guard down.

Sai could see the concern in his eyes. He had tried to reassure the blonde many times already, but it didn't seem to be getting through to him. He was aware that Naruto didn't know him that well, and that it must be difficult to trust people in his current situation, but he hated seeing Naruto look at him with such distrust, such fear. He truly wanted to be his friend, but he felt like the more he interacted with him the further he got from it.

What do I have to do to gain your trust? Sai thought.

The best he could come up with was give him space. Maybe then he would see that Sai had no intention of hurting him, of forcing himself on him. Maybe then he'll realize that I'm not like the rest of them.

He was eager to convince him, but knew he had to be patient. Sai had never had a friend before, but he was well-read and extremely observant. He knew that true friendships took time to build. And in Naruto's state, it was likely to take longer.

That's ok, he thought. I can wait.

After all, I've already gone seventeen years without a friend. I can wait a little longer.

Sai still couldn't explain why he felt the need to befriend Naruto- especially after an utter lack of friendship up to this point. Maybe this was how his body reacted to the pheromones, or maybe he just felt drawn to him because he seemed lost.. like how he felt. He thought it better not to overthink it, though.

In the end, all that mattered was getting Naruto to feel the same way.

"Naruto, you really can trust me" he said softly. "I know that might be difficult to do right now, but I will continue to do what I can to prove that to you."

Naruto gave a small strained smile and scratched the back of his head. "Sai.. why are you doing all of this for me? What" he swallowed, "what exactly do you get out of all of this?"

Deep onyx eyes widened, and for a moment Sai stared at the blonde in silence- only the sound of crunching leaves and snapping twigs filling the silence between them. "I-"

Should I say it?

Is it a strange thing to say?

He wasn't sure. But he didn't know what else he could say in place of it, so he decided to go with the truth.

"I just want to be your friend."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Sai looked straight ahead, eyes scanning through the shadows and dense foliage surrounding them. "Because we're the same.."

"And how exactly are we the same?"

Sai glanced over, eyes filled with sincerity and a sorrow that surprised the blonde. "Because your smile never reaches your eyes."

A heaviness settled down in Naruto's chest. "What're you saying?"

"Naruto, I know what it feels like" Sai said slowly, trying to find the right words, "to smile and not mean it."

The blonde looked away as he considered his words. Finally, he settled on giving the pale teen a nudge and a somewhat genuine smile. "You're a weird guy, Sai- you know that?"

Sai grinned back. "I'd say that's something else we have in common, Naruto."


Author Note:

Ok, I'm sorry if you hate this story. I'm feeling.. insecure about it. But I do want you to know that I am trying to keep it interesting. I don't know- I'll do what I can. I appreciate you sticking around and giving it a chance.

~ Much Love