Nel here, hope everyone is enjoying the story. Shout out to those of you who have written reviews, thanks for the input and the encouragement. I love to write and it makes me happy knowing others are enjoying. Hope you are ready for this next chapter!

xxx

Naruto slowly opened his eyes, he groaned, he hurt all over. He looked around the room trying to figure out where he was. He suddenly remembered everything that had transpired earlier. Oh yeah…that's right, Sasuke was carrying me on his back and I passed out, we must be back at that hide out he was talking about. Pain shot through his shoulder as he tried to sit up. He realized that he was shirtless and his shoulder had been bandaged. His face heated at the thought of Sasuke undressing him. His eyes drifted to Sasuke who was sitting in a chair in the far corner of the small room, his head resting against the wall. His eyes closed. Naruto was contentedly staring at him when he suddenly remembered something.

"Oh no, Sai!" He jumped out of the bed. Sasuke opened his eyes and looked at Naruto. He didn't move from his spot. "Sasuke, what time is it?" Naruto frantically looked around for his shirt in the little room.

"There is about 10 minutes of sunlight left, it is almost completely down." Sasuke replied with moving. "Your shirt is by the entrance of the cave, I washed all the blood out in the rain it's drying. I also stitched the hole as best I could."

"Oh, thanks Sasuke. I told Sai we would meet up at sunset. If I don't meet him he will get worried."

Sasuke looked Naruto over. He seemed like a whole new person to him now. When he used to look at Naruto all he saw was a bumbling idiot, a rival that he had to destroy. Now, he noticed the deep blue color of his eyes, his tan skin. He noticed how he was all muscle, and how his pants sat low on his hips showing the two dimples on the small of his back. His sunshine colored hair was a constant mess. Sasuke bit his lower lip as he continued to take in Naruto's lean muscular form. Did he return Naruto's feelings? Was he in love with him, or was he just caught off guard by Naruto's sudden profession of love. There was that kiss…well…those kisses earlier. Sasuke was torn from his thoughts when Naruto spoke.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Sasuke's cheeks turned red and he quickly looked away.

"I was just staring off into space and you happened to stand in front of me. You better go meet Sai before he starts to wonder." Naruto put one hand on his hip, and relaxed against the wall. He let out a small chuckle and smiled at Sasuke. Sasuke couldn't help but notice how his eyes sparkled when he smiled.

"Whatever you say Sasuke. I'm gunna get going. You coming?"

"No, I don't think I am ready to see anyone else yet. For that matter, I don't know if they are ready to see me. I'll wait here."

"Alright, I'll be back a little later. Don't miss me too much." Naruto winked at him. It made Sasuke's heart do a little flip in his chest.

"Tch. Whatever." He gave Naruto his best smirk.

Naruto grabbed his shirt on the way out. Impressed by Sasuke's quick repair job. Despite the physical pain he was in he couldn't be happier. Now that Sasuke knew his feelings, and if he had to guess, based on the way Sasuke had kissed him earlier he felt the same, even if he hadn't admitted it yet. Naruto walked out the entrance of the cave, it was barely more than a fissure in the solid wall of rock. Once outside he stopped suddenly.

'Whhaaaaatt!? This was here the entire time!?" He pouted angrily. "How did I miss something so obvious?" He let out an exasperated sigh. "Oh well." He started toward where they had camped the night before. There was little more than a light drizzling falling from the still gray sky. He walked into the clearing they had slept in the night before just as the sun disappeared on the horizon. Sai was sitting on his bed roll. Elbow resting on his knee, chin resting on his fist. He smiled at Naruto.

"You're late."

"Heh, yeah, sorry about that, I got a little lost." He gave his most convincing smile. "You have any luck?"

"No, I was hoping you had by how late you were. The storm really made things difficult." Sai sat back his hands. "Well?"

"Nothing, total bust." Naruto felt bad lying to Sai, but he couldn't let him know he had found Sasuke, not yet any way. "Wish I had better news. Maybe Kakashi and Sakura had better luck?"

"I hope so. Naruto, where is your pack?"

"Uh.." Naruto's heart tightened, he had completely forgotten his pack back at the lake. He had thrown it onto the bank when he fought Sasuke…if you could really call it that. It was more just him taking a beating. He had to think of something quickly or Sai would figure out something was wrong. "It caught on a tree while I was running and ripped, so I just left it. Without a pack there was no way I could carry all that stuff, ya know?" Did he buy it? Naruto nervously ran his hand through the hair at the back of his head. The silence felt like it would drag on forever when Sai finally spoke.

"Sounds like you had quite the eventful journey. You can sleep on my pad while I'm on watch and I think I have some extra rice balls." Naruto realized at the mention of food that he was starving.

"Thanks Sai, you're a real life saver." He gratefully took the rice ball Sai handed to him and scarfed it down.

"Alright, I guess I'll take first watch this time." Sai stood.

"Uh, no!" Naruto stammered. "I mean, I'll do it since I was late."

"Oh, if that's what you want." He sat back down.

'Well, I better go get set up." Naruto began to walk away. "And Sai…I'm glad you made it back safe." Sai smiled.

"You too Naruto."

Once he was a good ways away Naruto let out a big sigh. "Phew, that was a close one. I didn't think he was going to believe me." He made his way back to the cave and went inside.

Sasuke was sitting on the bed crisscross apple sauce staring at the Akatsuki robe that was still hung over the back of the chair. He looked up when Naruto entered the room.

"That was fast."

"Yeah, well, I figured the less questions I answered the better. We are good for the next few hours though." Naruto sat down next to Sasuke and crossed his legs to match. "So, what have you been doing?"

"Just thinking…my goals were so clear, but now I'm not sure what I am going to do."

"Come back with me." Naruto leaned a little closer to him. "Let's put the past to bed and just start over." Sasuke didn't answer and just kept staring at the robe in the corner.

"Hey." Naruto turned Sasuke's face toward him. "Don't doubt for a single second anything I told you earlier. I meant every word." He gave him a reassuring smile. "And I never go back on my word." A small smile wisped across Sasuke's lips.

"It's just…" Any trace of a smile disappeared and Sasuke got deadly serious. "I learned the truth about Itachi, I learned that the reason he killed our entire clan is because he had been ordered by the elders of the Leaf. The only reason I'm alive is because he loved me…he couldn't kill his little brother." Sasuke's eyes become wet, but no tears fell.

"Sasuke…" Naruto reached out and took Sasuke's hand.

"It made me so angry; I swore to destroy the elders of the leaf and the entire village with them if I had too. I swore to kill you to gain more power, but now everything has changed, I'm not sure what to do now. I can't, I won't give up in my pursuit to bring the elders down."

"Oh, Sasuke...It's hard for me to believe that, but I don't think you would lie about something so serious either." He gave his hand a squeeze. "Just know I am here for you. If they really did something this heinous, we will find evidence and bring them to justice." Sasuke looked down at Naruto's hand holding his.

"Thank you, Naruto." Sasuke got up and walked over to the Akatsuki robe and picked it up. He looked at it for a moment before he spoke.

"If you promise me that we will take down the elders of the Leaf village. I'll leave the Akatsuki." Sasuke stared intently at Naruto as he waited for his answer. Anger along with determination flared in Naruto's eyes.

"If they did this, they will answer for it. I promise you that." Sasuke nodded in response.

"Will you burn it with me?" He grabbed the remaining candle nub off the desk and walked back over to the bed. "Let's put the past behind us."

"I'm with you." Sasuke put the robe the middle of the room and lit the candle. Naruto wrapped his hand around Sasuke's and together they lit the corner of the robe and watched as it went up in flames. The heat of the small fire felt good and helped to speed up the drying process of their still damp clothes. After a few moments of silence Naruto spoke up.

"Sasuke…I know I already promised you, but if what you say is really true, the village has a big problem. There will be no excuse good enough for what they've done. We will bring the leaders of the Leaf to justice for what they did, and we will restore the Uchiha clan, together." Sasuke turned and locked eyes with Naruto.

"You really mean that, don't you Naruto?" Naruto's eyes were still on the flaming coat as he answered.

"You know what I say." Sasuke smirked.

"You never go back on your word." Naruto smiled.

"Believe it." Sasuke reached out and grabbed the collar of Naruto's shirt and pulled him into a kiss. Naruto gave in willingly. Mmm, he tastes so good. Sasuke kissed him more deeply. This feeling, is this love? This overwhelming desire I feel to be close to Naruto, to have more of him. Mmm, I can't handle it when he moans like that. Sasuke pulled away just enough to speak. Naruto looked deeply into his eyes, he gave Sasuke another look that he had never seen before. It was almost trance like; Naruto had his bottom lip tightly between his teeth, both hands clutching the sheet to either side of him. Unlike last time Sasuke didn't have any trouble figuring out this look. Naruto could barely contain himself, his eyes pleaded for Sasuke not to stop. Every muscle in his body was tense. Should I really do this? Before Sasuke had even answered his own question he was leaning toward Naruto's ear. He nibbled on Naruto's earlobe. Naruto inhaled sharply when he did, it made Sasuke want more. Every time Naruto reacted to Sasuke's touch it turned him on more. Sasuke whispered gently into Naruto's ear.

"How long did you say you had?" Naruto's eyes that had been closed shot open.

"About three hours now, but Sasuke are you…" Before he had finished his sentence, he was falling back onto the bed. Sasuke looked down at him.

"Positive." Naruto didn't need any further convincing. He pulled Sasuke into a tight embrace and kissed him passionately. He didn't hold back. He slid his tongue into Sasuke's mouth making him moan, Naruto returned it with his own. Sasuke began unzipping Naruto's shirt. As he took it off he was careful to not hurt Naruto when he slid it off his injured shoulder. Naruto tensed at the feel of Sasuke's touch against his bare skin. Naruto pulled Sasuke's shirt down over his shoulders, letting his fingers drag along his muscular arms until the shirt slipped free of his body completely. They separated, both breathing heavily, the desperate need for one another clear in their eyes. They were only apart long enough for them both to strip of their pants and then they came back together. When their naked bodies touched they both sighed with pleasure, it felt so natural, so good, like they had been meant to be together from the beginning of time. Sasuke licked up the entirety of Naruto's body, starting from his naval, following the clear line between his abs, and up his neck. Naruto grabbed him tightly as he went. They kissed fiercely. Naruto pulled away, and slid down so that his face was even with Sasuke's chest. He did one circle around one of Sasuke's nipples with his tongue before he pulled it into his mouth and sucked gently. Sasuke felt like all of his muscles had turned to jelly, it left him breathless. Beads of sweat had formed on both of their foreheads. Sasuke pulled Naruto back up so that he could kiss him. Sasuke put his pointer finger in his mouth and slowly pulled it back out as Naruto watched. Once it was out of his mouth he reconnected their lips. He trailed his dry fingers down the side of Naruto's neck, down the front of his chest until he reached his nipple; rubbing it with his wet finger.

Naruto cried out. It was muffled by Sasuke's mouth over his. He bit Sasuke's bottom lip as the rubbing continued. Naruto pulled away and took a deep breath, his facial expression reflecting his pleasure.

"Sasuke." He said breathlessly. "I want you." He let out a moan when Sasuke nibbled on his other nipple. "Take me." He pleaded, desperate for release. Sasuke didn't hesitate. He let his tongue trail against Naruto's body. Naruto grabbed tightly onto the sheets when he felt Sasuke's lips brush gently against his head, when he felt his mouth close around him and slide downward he whimpered his name. Sasuke took his time and made sure that Naruto was soaking wet before he climbed on top of him. He grabbed Naruto's hands, biting his lower lip as he slowly slid down onto Naruto. Naruto thought he was going to lose his mind as he was engulfed into Sasuke's tight heat. It took all of his will power not to pound into him and cause a serious injury.

"Oh, Sasuke…"

"Naruto…"

Once it was all the way in Naruto let go of Sasuke's hands, he brought one hand to his mouth at a time, licking each one until saliva dripped off, he grabbed onto Sasuke tightly, he was so hard, but his skin was so soft and began to rub. Sasuke arched his back and tossed his head back letting out a moan. He started to slide up and down on Naruto matching his speed. Beads of sweat dripped of both their faces, and ran down their bodies. Their motions got faster and faster. They both cried out in unison as they reached their peak. All of their muscles tensing as pleasure coursed through every cell of their bodies. They clung to each other urgently, everything else disappeared in that moment, nothing else existed but them, and they were one. Sasuke let Naruto slip out of him as he collapsed on top of him. Both of them panting, trying to regain their breath. Naruto wrapped his arms around Sasuke and kissed his forehead. Sasuke snuggled into the embrace, he placed an arm around Naruto's middle his head resting on his chest. They both lay their quietly, content to be in each other's arms, their breathing finally leveling out.

"Sasuke…"

"Hm?" He didn't open his eyes. "I love you." Sasuke hugged Naruto tightly and smiled, but didn't open his eyes. "It's nearly time for me to head back. Tomorrow we are going to meet back up with Kakashi and Sakura and head back to the village. Are you going to come?" It was silent for a moment.

"No. There are some things I need to take care of first. I may not be planning to destroy the village anymore, but it's not like we are on good terms."

"So, what are you going to do?" There was a pang of sadness in Naruto's voice. He had clearly been hoping Sasuke would just come back.

"Kill the Akatsuki."

"What? How are you going to do that? You can't kill them all, not by yourself." Sasuke finally opened his eyes and looked up at Naruto.

"I know that you idiot! But they think I am on their team right now, so I should be able to take a few of them out when they aren't expecting it. I can gather intel on the rest."

Naruto sighed. "I'm listening." Sasuke propped himself up on his elbow so that he could see Naruto's face. Naruto put his good arm behind his head. He stared at the ceiling, as Sasuke explained his plan.

"No one knows about this place, and as far as anyone is concerned when you and Sai report back you will have found nothing, so they will turn their attention to other places. Any time we need to meet we can do it here, and if one of us can't make it, we can leave any information hidden in here."

"How will we know when to meet?"

"A few miles outside of the village there is an old tree, it's almost completely hollow. Whenever I leave information I'll stick a kunai inside that tree. We probably won't be able to meet in person very often, but I'll wait around as long as I can before heading back out."

"What if they catch you?" The whole idea clearly didn't make Naruto happy.

"Let's hope they don't" They were both silent for a moment. Naruto let out a frustrated sigh.

"I don't like it, but it makes sense. You are the best chance we have of taking them down." He gently ran his hand down Sasuke's arm. "I just can't lose you."

"You won't." He leaned over and kissed Naruto gently. Reluctantly, they both got up and started getting dressed. Naruto's watch had been over for a while now.

"Sasuke, be honest, why are you doing this? Risking your life for a village that based on what you're telling me, ordered your own brother to kill your entire clan. Why bother with the Akatsuki at all?" Sasuke gingerly sat down on the bed once he had finished getting dressed.

"I joined the Akatsuki because they are powerful, they could help me reach my goals. I have no real attachment to them, and their dangerous. Since you're helping me, I can help you. I'm in the perfect position for this." Naruto sighed.

"So, where I am supposed to be getting this valuable intel from? I can't just tell them it's from you."

"I don't know, that's your problem. Think of something." Sasuke stared down at the ash pile that had previously been his Akatsuki robe. "I wish I had thought of this plan before I decided to burn that robe. Oh well, I always hated that thing anyway." They both laughed a little bit at the irony. "Ready to go?"

"Ready as I'll ever be I guess." They headed out of the cave. It was a dark night, it had stopped raining but the clouds were thick across the night sky. Naruto took Sasuke's hands and pulled him close. "Be careful Sasuke. Come back to me." Sasuke cupped Naruto's face in his hands, and put his forehead against his.

"You won't lose me Naruto, not after we've come this far." A single tear slid down Naruto's cheek. Sasuke wiped it away. They kissed one last time before parting ways.

"Sasuke, one last thing...It's kind of soggy, but here." Naruto handed Sasuke the photo of team seven. They gave each other one final nod, and then disappeared into the darkness.