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 20

~

Naruto's eyes shot over to the villagers. "Please!" he cried, a final desperate plea for them to see reason, for them to find their humanity.

"Please, don't do this. You.. you don't understand. He'll-"

"Oh, we know exactly what Orochimaru has in store for you." The villagers grinned. The men holding his arm back forced the shackle back on his wrist before stepping away, leaving him chained up once more for their visitor. "Maybe if he's feeling generous, he'll let us have a turn after him."

Naruto flinched.

No.. they can't mean that.

There has to be something else going on. Why would the villagers suddenly want to-

Orochimaru took a step inside the cell and held something up for the blonde to see.

A collar.

"No.." he breathed. "NO! Stay away from me!"

The snake smiled. "Oh, Naruto.. you know I can't do that."

He took a step closer and his grin suddenly tightened. "I missed my chance last time. I won't make the same mistake again."

Sasuke twisted his wrists over and over, chaffing sensitive skin against the ropes until he finally felt a slight give in them. Naruto had managed to loosen them just enough- this was his chance to break free. To save Naruto from Orochimaru the way he couldn't before.

I can't let him put that fucking collar on him.

The villagers all had their eyes on the man they had betrayed their precious village for and the boy they were itching to destroy. No one noticed Sasuke fighting his restraints, nor did they see him finally break free.

Sasuke moved his hands fast, mouthed chidori, and sliced through the rope around his legs before anyone realized what had happened. Orochimaru raced towards the blonde, eager to get his hands on him, but Sasuke was faster. He leapt into his path, blocking the snake's access to Naruto. Eyes locked on Orochimaru, Sasuke reached back and sliced his chidori across the chains stringing Naruto up. His arms fell, metal shackles clanging to the floor. Naruto jumped to his feet, shaking out the numbness.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

A shadow clone moved close and Naruto quickly got to work on his Rasengan.

"Shuriken Rasengan!" He threw the swirling mass of energy towards the villagers, shoving down the guilt that threatened to hold him back.

This is different, he told himself. This is about survival. I don't have a choice.

And I have to save Sasuke.

This isn't just about me.

Half-convinced that he had to fight his way out, even if it meant at the villagers' expense, Naruto wrapped the severed chains around his wrists and moved fast, circling the perimeter- forcing several men out of his way as he moved closer to Orochimaru.

Sasuke noticed Naruto trying to join the fight and slid closer to the snake, trying to keep his attention on him. And only him. He dodged his serpentine tongue and threw a handful of kunai. The snake pulled out his own, deflecting the weapons, then lunged at the raven. "You can't stop me, Sasuke."

"Maybe not.. but we can."

Several Naruto shadow clones moved in, cornering the snake. Orochimaru slipped through them, but he didn't see the two dropping down from the ceiling.

"Rasengan!"

A blast of chakra hit the snake, sending him flying into the wall. Rock crumbled, and thick chunks of earth collapsed all around him. While Orochimaru was momentarily immobilized, Sasuke grabbed Naruto's hand and ran out of the cell- pulling the blonde with him. Naruto's shadow clones stayed behind to restrain the villagers, hoping to ensure the shinobis' escape.

Sasuke had no idea where he was going, but he figured they at least stood a chance of getting out if they just kept moving. They barely got a heads start when a furious scream echoed through the halls. Orochimaru was back on his feet, and he was coming after them- closing in fast.

Naruto shot a look over at Sasuke, wide fearful eyes locking onto deep obsidian ones. "Just keep moving" Sasuke growled.

Naruto nodded, forcing back the terror climbing up the back of his throat. Don't think about it. Just keep moving. Don't think about it.

Don't think.

They rushed up a flight of stairs and down a long hallway. A door was just ahead, and they could see light shining in from the cracks beneath it.

A way out.

It has to be.

Sasuke suddenly shoved Naruto against the wall as a blast of chakra shot towards them. Naruto fell against it, hard, but managed to maintain his footing. He spun around, preparing to face his attacker, but Sasuke grabbed him once more and pulled him down the hall.

"Don't stop" he yelled over to him.

The two slammed through the door and closed it behind them. A gasp of relief slipped from Naruto's lips as his eyes adjusted to the light.

We made it.

They were outside, surrounded by dense forest. Sasuke tightened his hold on Naruto's hand and leapt into the trees. He knew they weren't safe yet. A dozen kunai shot towards them, and the two leapt to the side, dodging Orochimaru's attack.

"Do you know where you're going?!" Naruto called out.

"No."

"We need a better plan, Sasuke!"

Sasuke's eyes hardened. "Don't you think I know that!"

"Well, what the hell do we do?!"

Something flew just over their heads and shot down towards the snake closing in behind them. The two looked back and saw something like a giant bird claw at Orochimaru's face.

Eyes wide, they glanced at each other. "What the hell was that?"

Sasuke shook his head. "No clue. But it bought us some time." He thought for a moment, then glanced over at the blonde again. "Naruto- use your summoning jutsu."

Naruto didn't even question it. He immediately dropped down to the ground and came to a stop. Sasuke stood close, watching as he bit down on the pad of his thumb hard, and moved his hands fast. He dropped to his knees and slammed his hand down.

Time to get a ride home.

~

"Let me get this straight" Tsunade dropped her arms down on her desk and intertwined her fingers as she eyed the two shinobi. "You're telling me that several villagers have suddenly become traitors, and that they are now in cahoots with Orochimaru. And that these men did all of this because they want to punish you two for being friends. Is that about right?"

Naruto nodded.

Sasuke glared. "Do you actually think we'd just make this shit up?" he snapped.

"Watch your tone, brat. It's my job to get all the facts."

Sasuke clenched his jaw tight. "And we just fucking told you all the facts."

Tsunade jumped to her feet and slammed her hands on her desk, jostling several objects and knocking a pile of scrolls to the floor. "What did I just say?!"

"We're telling the truth, Granny Tsunade" Naruto interjected. "They had us in a cell. We could show you the hideout- it's in the woods, Southeast of here."

Sasuke whipped his head to the side to glare at the blonde. "You are not going back out there" he growled.

"Sasuke-"

"Orochimaru is still out there, Naruto! Until he's taken care of, you're staying as far away from there as possible."

Naruto wanted to argue, simply because Sasuke was trying to tell him what to do, but he knew he was right. And, if he was being honest, he really didn't want to go back to that place. If there was even a chance that the villagers would be there waiting for him or worse- that Orochimaru would have another chance to put that collar on him.. he'd rather stay as far away as possible.

Tsunade dropped back down in her chair, rubbing her temple. "God, you two give me a headache." She looked back at the blonde. "Naruto, as much as I hate" she looked pointedly at the Uchiha, "to admit it- Sasuke is right. If Orochimaru and his followers really are after you, you should stay in the village."

"Right. Like you actually care what happens to him..." Sasuke muttered.

Tsunade's eyebrow pulsed. "What was that, Uchiha?"

"We both know you only care about keeping the Nine Tails' power out of enemy hands. This has nothing to do with keeping Naruto safe."

"Why you little-"

"At least one of us actually does fucking care." He looked over at a very surprised dobe. "I'll make sure he stays safe" he ground out.

And before the Hokage could make an example of the mouthy raven, Sasuke took Naruto's hand and pulled him out of her office.

"Sasuke, what the hell was that?"

"The truth."

"Yeah, but.."

The Uchiha stopped suddenly and spun around. "I'm not going to apologize, so you might as well drop whatever it is you were going to say."

Naruto stared incredulously at the raven. "You know, teme- I don't think I've ever seen you like this before."

"Yeah, well.. I guess you don't know me as well as you think you do." Hand still tightly wrapped around Naruto's, Sasuke walked down the hall, out the door, and through the streets of Konoha- ignoring the curious eyes and the harsh whispers surrounding them.

Naruto just continued to stare at him, shocked by this sudden display.

I guess I really don't know him..


Author Note:

naruhinakiralacus: Thank you so much for coming back to this story and for leaving comments. I love seeing your thoughts about this one, and I hope you continue to enjoy it :)

Bearlikespie: As always, I truly appreciate you. I absolutely love that you habitually read my stories, and I always look forward to your thoughts about each chapter. Thank you kindly Xoxox

And to all readers and future commenters: Thank you so so much. I appreciate all of you. I will do my best to keep this one interesting, so don't go too far!~