Disclaimers: Naruto is not mine, sadly. This is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.

Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, sexual assault, torture, sexual content (yaoi), & angst.

It's All In Your Head

Chapter 61: Listen

--

The combination of dawn's insistent glare and the chattering of countless insolent birds pulled Naruto from his sleep sooner than Sasuke would have liked. As the blonde rubbed his eyes, the raven flipped off the inconsiderate nature surrounding them. The morning continued despite his piss-poor reaction to it, and Naruto slowly sat up to join it.

Sasuke gently ran his fingers through his hair and leaned in to kiss the top of his head. Go back to sleep for a little longer, Naru.

He recalled a moment later that their minds were no longer connected, but by then his blonde was already fully awake.

Naruto blinked, clearing the last bit of darkness from his eyes, then looked up at the lightening sky. He seemed surprised, and Sasuke watched those wide blues dart down to his watch.

"Are you kidding me.." His eyes shot up to glare at the raven. "Did you fall asleep?"

Sasuke gave him a sharp look. "Are you really asking me that?"

Naruto sighed. Sorry. I know that you wouldn't just-

He realized his mistake.

Goddamnit, you can't hear me.

"No" he finally said so that he could actually hear him. "I know you wouldn't.. wait." He jerked his head over to the raven. "Then you knew how long I was asleep!"

Sasuke gave him a tired smile. "I did."

Naruto stared at him incredulously. "Dammit, Sasuke- I told you to wake me up!"

"And you did" he pointed out. "Eventually."

"I said an hour or two. An hour. Or. Two."

"I remember."

"And you fucking ignored me and let me sleep for over six!"

"I did."

Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to take control of his anger. "Whatever. Just go to sleep."

He tried to push him onto his back, but Sasuke had no intention of laying down. He grabbed Naruto's wrist, stilling his hand while keeping it pressed firmly against his chest. Naruto gave him a stern look. He could see the longing in his charcoal eyes- a small spark that he knew could very quickly burn deep.

"Sasuke.. we're still on a mission" he said quietly, his eyes looking over the group of bound men lying around them.

"I know that" he murmured. He leaned in anyways, his eyes locked on soft lips he felt eager to reclaim. Naruto pulled back, but not far. Sasuke grabbed the back of his head and pulled him closer.

Naruto's breath caught in his throat. He knew he should resist, but he was.. beautiful. And gentle.. and though he was a terrible listener, he was incredibly thoughtful. "Just.. just one" he breathed.

Sasuke smiled and pulled his blonde in. He meant to kiss him softly, just enough to feel connected, but the moment their lips touched desire flared through him and all good intentions disappeared. He tilted his head as he kissed him deeply, hungrily, aching to be even closer. Sasuke shoved his tongue in his mouth, taking his time exploring it, relishing in the taste of him.

"Mmhnn!"

He could feel Naruto start to resist it, but he didn't want to stop yet. The sensations rushing through him made his groin stir and he desperately craved more. Keeping one hand buried in his blonde's hair, Sasuke slipped another down his waist. A growl slipped from his lips as Naruto trembled against him, and he grabbed his hips hard as he pushed back the suddenly urge to shove him to the ground and ravage him.

Naruto knew things were getting out of hand, and he knew Sasuke was never going to stop first. How fucking bizarre that I would end up being the reasonable one..

Naruto slammed his hands against his chest and forced him back as he jerked his face away from the raven's feral mouth.

"Sasuke, stop" he gasped, trying to keep his voice down as he was all too aware of the others around them.

"One more." He leaned in and Naruto clapped a hand over his mouth. Sasuke gave him an irritated look, refusing to see reason.

Naruto sighed. "You used to be a lot more clear-headed."

Sasuke pulled his hand away and smiled as he drew closer. "I'd rather be like this."

He managed to kiss him for a few more seconds, but Naruto broke free and scooted away from him.

"Sasuke, you should sleep." Maybe then you'll actually start thinking clearly again.

"I'm good."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "You will go to sleep. Or I will put you to sleep."

"You mean with your nagging?"

"I mean with my demon."

Sasuke rolled his eyes at the threat, which Naruto chose to ignore. He wordlessly rose to his feet and walked over to their supplies. He grabbed his canteen and drank deeply from it, then resealed the bottle. He could feel Sasuke's eyes on him and glanced over his shoulder to find him sitting innocently, too innocently, his hand stretched out.

Probably shouldn't trust it, he thought, but it's not like I can just deny him water. Plus it'd be a dick move to ignore his request after he made sure I got some decent sleep.

Naruto sighed and made his way over to the Uchiha. He stopped further back and held out the water for him. "Here."

"Thanks." Sasuke sprang forward, grabbed his blonde, and yanked him down onto his lap.

"Dammit, Sasuke." Naruto tried to break free of his grasp, but Sasuke restrained his hands behind his back and kept him firmly planted on top of him. When he tried to get up, their groins rubbed together and Sasuke's desire flared back to life. Naruto quickly stopped. "You're pissing me off."

"I know."

"I'm going to sick Kyuubi on you and I'm not going to do shit while he tears you apart."

Sasuke gave a cocky grin. "Kyuubi loves me now. He would never."

"He doesn't, and he would."

Sasuke arched a brow. "Pretty sure he does. Last time I fucked you, I saw him start to come out. Pretty sure he enjoyed it just as much as you did."

Naruto's eyes widened with shock and utter embarrassment. "What the hell, Sasuke! There are a shit ton of people here!!"

"I don't care what these assholes think."

"Ok, but still!"

Sasuke tilted his head, eyeing his reddening blonde. "You don't believe me? Or are you just embarrassed?"

"Stop talking."

Sasuke grabbed the back of his head and yanked him close. "Don't be jealous, darling. You know you're the one I want."

"Sasuke-"

"You two make me sick."

Sasuke's blood-red sharingan slammed into his eyes as he jerked his head to the side, locking onto the asshole who dared to speak. Apparently, he had managed to free his mouth from the gag and was eager to get his ass kicked.

"Do you have a death wish?" Sasuke snarled. He rose to his feet and made his way over to one of their many bound prisoners.

The man was either clueless or just a fucking moron, because he didn't seem the least bit concerned as the Uchiha drew nearer. "Do you?" he snapped back.

Naruto moved over to his boyfriend's side, ready to defend him. "What is that supposed to mean?"

The man glared up at him. "It means that Uchiha is not our intended target, but he will go down with you if he insists on staying by your side. Is that really what you want, demon? Are you seriously willing to let our last Uchiha get killed just so you can keep getting fucked by him?!"

Naruto paled, his wide blue eyes filled with horror and shame.

Sasuke's sharingan spun dangerously. "You piece of shit." He grabbed him by the collar of his shirt with one hand and forced him to his feet. "Those will be your last words."

The man glanced down, a trace of fear in his eyes as they locked onto the raven's other hand. It was filled with crackling chakra, it's harsh purple light flashing in his sharingan. A shrieking sound, like thousands of tormented sparrows, filled the clearing and the man trembled before it.

"Even- even if you kill me" he breathed, "you should heed my warning." He glanced over at the jinchurki, his hate apparent.

"They're coming for you, monster."

Naruto stared back at him, confused. "They..?"

The man knew he wouldn't survive this. If the Uchiha didn't kill him with his chakra, he would torment him with that sharingan of his, and by the end of it he would probably be begging for death. And if that didn't do him in, the interrogation in Konohagakure would. Or that demon will attack me and finish the job himself.

If I'm going to die, I'd rather go on my own terms.

Steeling his resolve, the man used his tongue to work a capsule free from his hollowed-out back tooth and bit down on it hard. The cyanide capsule split and the poison rushed through his throat and blood stream instantly. He could feel his eyes roll back and he dropped heavily to the ground. Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a surprised look, but their eyes quickly shot back to their prisoner as his body began to convulse.

"Shit!"

Sasuke dropped to his knees and turned him so he could see his face. He was pale, deathly so, and his mouth was foaming, pained groans gurgling through it. He had a feeling he knew exactly what this was.

Naruto dropped down next to him, stunned. "What do we do..?"

"Nothing we can do" Sasuke replied. "I think he used a cyanide pill."

"Fuck.." Naruto sighed. "He had information."

"Yeah."

Naruto glanced over at the others, still bound and breathing. "Hopefully one of them does too.."

--

A team of Anbu joined them the next day and took over transporting the rogue nin to Konoha. Sasuke and Naruto were happy to leave them in their hands and took off on their own, making their way back as well. They knew they would have to report to Tsunade soon, but they were too exhausted to even consider it.

Instead, the two went straight home. They didn't say anything as they rushed through the woods and past curious villagers, nor did they speak as they made it up the walkway and to the front door. By the time they shoved their way inside, they were dead on their feet. They stumbled down the hall and barely made it over to the bed before collapsing on it.

They had traded Sasuke's bed for a larger one about a year ago and have been sharing it ever since. Naruto's old room was now a guest room for Kakashi when he got drunk on one of his visits, or a place for Naruto to escape to when Sasuke managed to piss him off. He was hesitant to share a room with Sasuke at first, but in the end it didn't make sense not to. He was there every night anyways. And it didn't take long for the bed to feel too small for the two of them. When they got the new one they also got a second dresser and another end table, and Naruto was officially part of the room.

He felt shy taking over some of Sasuke's space, but the raven was ecstatic. He had no intention of letting his blonde slip away from him. The closer he got, the more reassured he was that that wouldn't happen. Besides, he liked seeing him in his bed- he didn't want that to change.

He reached out and grasped Naruto's hand. His blonde turned to look at him and Sasuke felt his chest swell with love. He lifted his hand and kissed it before dropping it back on the bed.

Naruto tangled their fingers together and gave him a tired smile. "Makes me feel weird.. sometimes.. when you're this.. nice to me.."

His voice slowly faded out as his eyes fluttered closed. Sasuke scooted closer, tucked an arm under his blonde's head, and pulled his face closer. He could see Naruto half open his eyes as he leaned in and kissed him. Sasuke pulled back and found them slowly closing once more. "I like being nice to you" he murmured.

One blue eye peaked out, briefly, just long enough to find his. "That's.. the weird.. part" he mumbled.

"Dobe."

Sasuke pulled his blonde close to his chest and listened to his breathing steady, a soothing sound that slowly lulled him to sleep. On the brink of succumbing to it, Sasuke kissed his blonde one more time. " I love you, Naruto" he murmured in his hair.

Then he closed his eyes finally let the darkness take hold of him.

--

Naruto left early the next morning without a word. Sasuke was confused when he woke up without him, and dejected by his sudden unexplained absence. He meandered into the kitchen, wondering after his missing blonde, when his eyes happened to land on the calendar nailed to the wall and it suddenly all made sense. They had been gone on their last mission for so long that he hadn't realized what day it was.

Shit..

But I should have.

He had a feeling he knew where his blonde had run off to.

Sasuke ran back into the bathroom, hurriedly got himself ready for the day, and raced out the door soon after. He channeled his chakra to his legs and leapt over rooftops, keeping his eyes peeled just in case he was mistaken. Or maybe he's already left.

He doubted it.

It didn't take long to get there. When he could make out the headstones, he dropped back down to the ground and slowed his pace enough to not draw attention. Naruto wouldn't want that- not here, not today.

He quietly stepped past decaying flowers and fallen framed photos. His eyes slid across tall slabs of stone, seeing faded names without really reading them. He didn't need to. The one he was looking for would be easy to spot.

It would have a sad blonde in front of it.

About halfway across the cemetery he finally spotted him. He was kneeling before a large shrine bearing two polished headstones. Fresh flowers rested before both of them- twin bouquets of white lilies. As he drew closer he could see a single orange flower sitting in the midst of white in each bouquet- a hint of Naruto. For some reason it made Sasuke incredibly sad to see it.

Naruto didn't look up as he approached. He didn't need to. After so much time together, he could sense Sasuke easily- even with their minds disconnected. Sasuke knelt down beside him and gently laid a single white rose beside each bouquet. Naruto's eyes widened and darted over to stare at the raven.

Sasuke didn't meet his gaze. His own eyes were still locked on the graves before them. "Namikaze-san, Uzumaki-san, it is nice to finally meet you."

Naruto's eyes welled with tears, but he couldn't look away. He just sat there, watching with a heavy heart as his boyfriend formally greeted his dead parents.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I am dating your son."

Naruto blushed, despite himself.

"I'm sorry that I did not introduce myself sooner." He dropped his gaze. "I should have.."

Naruto reached out and grasped his hand, finally drawing his attention. "It's ok, Sasuke. I didn't expect you to-"

"But you should" he interrupted, his eyes heavy and sincere. "You can expect more from me, Naruto."

Naruto didn't know what to say to that. Instead, he turned to look back at his parents' graves. "How did you know I was here?"

"It's your birthday" he said quietly. "You always come here on your birthday."

Cerulean eyes widened. "I never told you that."

"I followed you here last year."

Naruto jerked his head to stare at him once more. "You did?"

Sasuke nodded. "I wasn't sure if you'd want me to join you, so I stayed back. I shouldn't have though. It was selfish."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, perplexed by the thought. "What? How is that selfish?"

Sasuke dragged his fingers through his hair, as he slid his gaze over to his boyfriend's. "I thought it might be.. uncomfortable. I didn't know what you wanted, or what to say. But I shouldn't have left you on your own like that." He reached out and tenderly tucked a stray blonde lock behind his ear. "I'm sorry that I didn't come here with you sooner."

Naruto leaned into his touch and offered a small smile. "It's ok. I.. wasn't sure I wanted anyone else here."

Sasuke dropped his hands and turned back to face the shrine. "So, what were you talking about before I interrupted?" he asked.

Naruto scratched the back of his head and plastered on a fake smile. "Umm.. not- not much."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "You don't need to do that?"

"Do what?"

"Pretend to be ok."

His smile fell, and his eyes with it. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes, you do." He glanced down and saw Naruto's fingers trembling. It saddened him to see it, both because it hurt to know he was in pain and because it reminded him of another time many years ago- when a bruised and forlorn Naruto sat beside him in class, silent in his suffering.

Just as he did back then, Sasuke reached out and took hold of Naruto's hand, calming his tremors.

Five years ago Naruto had rejected him when he did this- loudly, publicly, incurring the wrath of their sensei. That was the first time Sasuke had stepped in front of Naruto like that- the first time he had so openly defended him. And he immediately wanted to keep doing it. He liked seeing those wide blue eyes stare at him with confusion and gratitude- liked knowing that Naruto was safe because of something he did. He would come to chase that same feeling for years..

.. and hopefully for the rest of his life.

"I wish I could still hear your thoughts" Sasuke said quietly. "There's so much you don't say out loud."

Naruto looked up at him, surprised to hear him say it. "You're not happy to be disconnected?"

His eyes hardened. "No. I'm not."

Naruto didn't know what to say to that. He also missed their telepathic connection. He missed the intimacy, the reassurance..

He missed having Sasuke instantly notice every little insignificant nuance- every insecurity, every worry. He missed the comfort that followed. But he wasn't sure he should say all of that. If he did, then there would be nothing stopping them from using the jutsu again and he wasn't convinced that they should.

It was.. terrifying, being so vulnerable, so exposed all the time.

At least, that's how it started.

But.. it helped. A lot, actually. Sasuke was right- Naruto kept so much to himself, and it was painful. The forced fake smiles, constantly avoiding anything that might reveal something real. He didn't miss that kind loneliness. Bearing the darkest parts of himself on his own like that- it wore him down. It was one of the reasons Sasuke's abandonment had been so painful. He had finally had that person he could share his true self with and then he was gone, and Naruto was once again left alone with it.

He didn't want to burden Sasuke.. but if he was being honest, he did want him in his head again.

Who would have thought I would ever actually want that..

"You're doing it again."

Naruto blinked. "Doing what?"

"Thinking without me."

The blonde gave a confused smile. "You don't want me to think?"

"Not when I can't hear it."

Naruto shook his head. "You're ridiculous."

"Don't say that here" Sasuke ruffled his unruly blonde locks, offering a smile of his own. "I'm trying to make a good impression."

"It's too late for that. I have already told them all about you."

"All good things, I hope."

"Hope away."

Sasuke gave an exasperated look to the headstones. "See what I'm dealing with over here?"

Naruto gave him a playful punch in the arm. "Shut up, teme."

The Uchiha grew serious once more, and gave a deep bow to the shine. "Don't worry about Naruto" he said quietly. "I will take good care of him."

Fresh tears welled up in the blonde's chest as Sasuke continued.

"We will come back sooner next time.." he hesitated, but found his nerve as he added, "mom.. dad.."

A tear slipped down his blonde's face. "Sasuke.."

He looked over and gently wiped the tear away. "They're my family now too."

Naruto threw him off guard as he suddenly grabbed him and pulled him into a tight embrace. "Na-"

He pressed their lips firmly together, a warm kiss that tasted like the remnants of a sad morning and the beginning of something important.

They slowly pulled back and found each other's eyes. They could see their love reflecting back and a shared desire to know what else lie behind it.

I wish we were still connected, they thought in unison.

But how do I..

.. tell him that..

I.. want it back..

Naruto turned away, not sure how to hide his feelings.

Sasuke swallowed, shoving back what he deemed were selfish wants, and rose to his feet. This isn't about me, he thought. Today should be about him.

He held out his hand and forced a smile. "Come on, Naruto. I'll treat you to some ramen for your birthday."

The blonde looked up, happily surprised by the offer. "Really?"

He nodded.

Naruto took his hand and let Sasuke hoist him up. "Can I have seconds?"

"Today the ramen is endless."

A real smile bloomed in those ocean eyes and pulled at his whiskered face. "Seriously?! Oh, hell yeah! You can't take it back, ok?"

"I would never."

Naruto cheered and jogged forward, eager to get to Ichiraku. Sasuke moved to join him then paused. He looked over at the shrine once more and gently patted Minato Namikaze's headstone. "Thank you" he said softly. "For protecting him. Life.. wouldn't be worth living without Naruto."

"Sasuke? Are you coming?"

The Uchiha wiped away a tear he would never admit to shedding and murmured a goodbye to his blonde's parents as he moved to go join him. Naruto grabbed his hand as soon as he was close enough and proceeded to drag him through the cemetery, feeling lighter than he ever had on this day in the past.

In fact, for the first time in his entire life, it actually felt like a real birthday.

He glanced over his shoulder and grinned back at his boyfriend. "Hey, Sasuke?"

"Hm?"

"Let's do this every year."

Every year.

He.. wants to be with me for years.

Sasuke quickened his pace so he was walking beside him. "Sure, Naru" he said, throwing an arm over his shoulder and pulling his closer. "We'll make every one of your birthdays better than the last."

--

"What do you think, Obito? Pretty fitting to do all of this on the anniversary of the Nine Tails' attack, right?"

The Uchiha gave a cruel smile from beneath his orange spiraled mask, his sharingan gleaming with excitement.

"You know, I couldn't agree more."

Author Note:

You didn't really think I was done with the angst, did you? ;)