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 74: Slip

--

Naruto ran- from Kakashi, the barrier, his feelings. All of it. Rage pulsed through him as he realized that he had nowhere to go. That his only option was to go back into that fucking hideout where all of his memories waited for him.

Fuming with fear and frustration, Naruto darted into the house and across the living room. He kept his reddening eyes locked on the door at the far end of the hall, only his destination in mind. He had no intention of interacting with anyone else, least of all a fucking Uchiha, but those plans changed when he spotted someone out of the corner of his eye.

Naruto came skidding to a halt, his eyes wild as they shot over to the man watching him from the kitchen. Wrath pulsed to life and immediately took on a will of its own. And this time Naruto didn't bother to stop it.

"You."

Obito met his anger with a curious look of his own, but otherwise didn't respond. It didn't matter. After all, Naruto wasn't the one who was angry.

Sasuke looked his way and instantly knew. "Naruto, wait!"

He moved fast to cut him off, slamming into the dining room table and nearly knocking it over along the way. He came to an abrupt stop in front of Obito and caught Naruto's fist as it came swinging towards them.

Fiery eyes locked on to him, the rage inside palpable. "Let go."

"Kurama, I know you're upset-" he tried.

"You know nothing" he growled.

Sasuke watched as Naruto's canines elongated, slicing his bottom lip along its sharp edge. Red chakra bubbled up around him as the Kyuubi slowly fought its way to the surface, seething with fury and a desperate need to exact revenge on the Uchiha behind him.

Sasuke wasn't exactly a fan of Obito's, but he knew Naruto would come to regret this if he let him hurt him. He would see the pain in Kakashi's eyes and blame himself, and Sasuke couldn't have that. He was annoyed with his blonde's resurfacing memories, but that didn't mean he harbored any hate towards him. And if he could help prevent more of his suffering, he would. Even if it meant facing his resentment, his distrust- the very look Naruto was giving him now.

"Kurama, please" he said slowly, "you know Naruto will blame himself later if you do this. Do you really want him to suffer any more than he already has?"

He saw something flicker in those narrowed eyes. A hint of his Naru. He had heard him, and he knew he was right. Sasuke felt Kurama's hesitation in his grasp as he considered his words, but it didn't last long. He didn't want the kid to hurt, he truly didn't, but seeing the man who had torn them apart, who dared leash the Nine Tails and force him to act against his will- he couldn't let him get away with it. In fact, he refused.

Sasuke watched the fire return to his eyes, could feel the heat against his palm as Kurama's rage resparked.

"Fuck." He shoved Obito back as his Sharingan slammed into his eyes, spinning as it locked onto his feral blonde.

"So you choose him" he spat, Kurama's disgust with the raven transparent.

Sasuke met the accusation in his eyes and the razor-sharp snarl head-on. "I choose Naruto" he said smoothly. "You know that."

"Do I?"

Sasuke could sense Obito approaching and turned his head enough to shoot him a look. "Back off" he growled. "I will handle this."

Obito took another step closer. "You know I am more than capable of handling the Nine Tails on my own."

Sasuke's eyes flared. "Which is exactly why we're in this spot in the first place!" he shouted. "Now, back off!"

He didn't think he would and was surprised when the Uchiha stopped in his tracks. He turned back to face his feral boyfriend, but it was too late. A blur of red shot past him and lunged for the Uchiha. Obito dodged his attack, and luckily chose not to counter it. Naruto dropped heavily to all fours and a primal scream tore from his throat.

"I will KILL YOU!"

He rushed in, swiping honed claws at Obito's scarred face, but he easily phased his body and Naruto just dropped right through him.

"Kurama, stop!"

Sasuke intercepted the two again. He grabbed Naruto's forearms, forcing him to stop. He winced as fierce chakra tore into him, shredding the skin on his palms, but he wouldn't back down. "This won't help!" he shouted, still hoping to get him to see reason.

Naruto's savage stare shot through him.

"Traitor."

It cut deeper than he expected it to. Maybe because on some level he agreed with him. "I'm sorry" Sasuke said quietly. "But I can't let you do this."

"You can't stop me."

Naruto tore his arms free and before Sasuke could react a fist slammed into his face. He flew to the side and hit the wall hard. The wood screamed in protest as his skull drove a fissure through its boards, and his pained gasp joined in.

"Dammit." Sasuke staggered but managed to his footing. His vision cleared and he lunged for his blonde again. He reached for him as the front door suddenly slammed open. A blur shot across the room, aiming to intercept the blonde first.

"Kakashi, wait!"

The ex-jonin leapt in front of his boyfriend and quickly drew out a thick piece of paper. He shoved it against Naruto's forehead, and the effect was almost instantaneous. Naruto froze midstep and a flicker of blue brightened his eyes before they rolled back. He pitched forward and Sasuke slid in to catch him before he hit the floor. He pulled his limp blonde close and looked up.

"What did you do to him?"

"He'll be fine, Sasuke" Kakashi reassured him. "I just temporarily suppressed the Nine Tails' chakra."

The raven nodded and scooped his boyfriend in his arms before rising to his feet.

"I'm.. surprised" Kakashi admitted. He looked back over his shoulder, catching his brunette's mismatched gaze, before turning back to his student. "And grateful."

Crimson slowly faded back to black as Sasuke eyed the two men, their captors. He turned his focus back to his listless blonde.

"I didn't do it for you."

--

Naruto narrowed his eyes on the spoon, willing it to surrender and settle back in the bowl. The metal bastard gave him a shimmery snide look and stubbornly carried on. Naruto's eyes narrowed as Kakashi shoveled another heap of cereal into his mouth with that damned spoon, his eyes closing with contentment over his simple breakfast.

It irked Naruto to no end.

He never realized how excruciating it could be to just sit and watch someone eat cereal. And now he wasn't sure he had ever dealt with anything even close to this irritating.

The silver-haired nuisance, seemingly unaware of the blonde's crossness, dipped his spoon back into the bowl. Naruto's eye twitched as the metal clinked against the china. The contents jostled, milk splashing, as he found another hearty spoonful and lifted it to his lips. He shoveled the grainy flakes inside and chewed into it for a little over an eternity. Then he swallowed it down with a deafening gulp, a finale that welcomed an encore.

Naruto narrowed his eyes on the insolent utensil, giving it another chance to stop this hellish torture. Another wink in the morning sunlight and Naruto shot to his feet, pointing dramatically at the accused. "That's enough out of you, bastard!"

Sasuke stared at him incredulously. You really have lost your mind..

Kakashi paused, the damned spoon hovering near his lips. "Something on your mind, Naruto?"

The blonde met his sensei's bewildered gaze, shot over to Obito's matching stare, ignored the sudden pulse of hate from Kurama at the sight of him, then looked back to the spoon that he fully blamed for all of it.

"I can't fucking do this."

He shoved away from the table, his chair scrapping the scarred floor and his already frayed nerves, and stormed out the door.

Sasuke didn't bother to make excuses for his blonde's bizarre behavior. He simply averted his gaze and chose not to say anything as he rose to his feet and went out to join him. He found Naruto standing in front of the domed barrier surrounding them, his hand outstretched an inch from the surge of energy keeping them trapped inside.

He could hear Naruro's frantic thoughts in his head, all of them centered around one that cycled through his mind over and over. I need to get the fuck out of here.

Sasuke stepped up beside him, his eyes locked on the wall of their enclosure. "I know" he murmured.

No, you don't Naruto shot back.

Dark eyes slid over to him, his own irritation growing. "I'm here, aren't I?"

That doesn't mean you understand. I was trying to get away from you too, don't you remember?

Sasuke flinched but said nothing. There was nothing he could say.

Naruto shook his head.

You didn't have to go through this before, he thought bitterly.

So what the fuck would you know.

--

Days passed, each a dull duplicate of the other.

Naruto was restless and angry and was struggling to find an outlet for it. Sasuke constantly failed to make it better, though he tried often which only added to the blonde's annoyance. Kakashi was determined to keep them there and remained stubborn in his resolve no matter how many times they tried to get him to reconsider. And Obito.. well, for the most part he just quietly watched from the sidelines. He had tried to connect with Sasuke a few times, but the raven wasn't interested. After Kurama accused him of siding with Obito, of betraying Naruto for the sake of another Uchiha, he had made sure to keep his distance from the scarred man. He couldn't let his Naruto think that he was siding with the enemy. Things were still tense between them- the last thing he wanted was to dig himself into an even bigger hole.

The nightmares were relentless, and difficult for either of them to ignore, which did not help their situation. Sasuke tried to contain his jealousy, but Naruto felt it and the distance between them grew. He refused to let Sasuke comfort him, rejected his touch, and kept up his mental walls as much as he could.

Sasuke understood why he was doing it, but it didn't make it any easier. His chest ached the more Naruto pulled away from him, and he was desperate to fix it.

"Naruto, will you please talk to me."

His blonde was laying on the far side of the bed, past a barricade of pillows that he had put between them to ward off the raven as they slept. He had his back turned towards him, but Sasuke could tell that he was still awake.

Another rejection.

Another sharp pang through his chest.

Please, Naruto.

The blonde sighed heavily, then turned on his side to finally face him. "What do you want me to say?"

Naruto's frigid tone sent a chill down Sasuke's spine. It was rare for him to be so cold, so.. emotionless. I would rather you scream at me than for you to be like this, he thought.

Another sigh. Like what, Sasuke.

"You look at me the way you look at them" the raven murmured. Like you want nothing to do with me.

Naruto dropped his gaze, and Sasuke's stomach plummeted with it.

"I'm just.. upset" Naruto said quietly.

"I know." I just don't want you to shut me out.

Naruto dropped on his back and stared up at the cracks in the ceiling, becoming more aware of his own. "Yes, you do."

Sasuke scooted close to the barricade, forcing himself not to go further despite the sharp urge he felt to knock the pillows to the side and pull Naruto over to him. But he didn't want him to shut down even more than he already had, and this was the most he has been able to get him to talk to him in days. It wasn't worth the risk.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked, struggling to keep his voice even.

"You don't want to know what's in my head, Sasuke." You and I both know that, so why pretend otherwise?

Sasuke watched his dejected blonde stare unseeingly above him, felt him fortify the walls around his thoughts, and immediately knew what he was keeping him from.

Is it so wrong that I don't want you to think about him? Can you really blame me?

Fierce cerulean orbs shot his way before returning to the ceiling. I don't want to think about it either, he snarled.

Sasuke gripped the pillows between them. "Will you let me move these?"

"No."

"Naruto-"

I don't want this thrown in my face anymore, Sasuke, alright?! "But you keep fucking do it" he grated out. "So I need space."

"How long do you plan on keeping us apart?"

Naruto swallowed and turned his head towards him once more. How long do you plan on holding what happened with Itachi against me?

Sasuke didn't know what to say to that, and Naruto had his answer.

"I don't know how many times I have to tell you that it wasn't my fault" Naruto said, exasperated with this unending conversation, "that it wasn't what I wanted, that he-" forced..

He couldn't say it.

He didn't need to.

I'm tired of being blamed for it, Sasuke.

"Naruto, I.. I know that it wasn't your fault."

That's not really what you think, Naruto thought sadly.

Sasuke's eyes flared. Fuck this.

Naruto's eyes shot back up in time to see Sasuke shove his makeshift barricade to the side. "What the hell!"

He grabbed Naruto and pulled him into his arms in a fierce embrace. Sasuke knew that it wasn't what he wanted, and he just really didn't care. Because he couldn't let this go on- Naruto slipping further and further away, tormented by the thought that Sasuke was steadily becoming hateful towards him for what happened with Itachi. He felt like he was losing his blonde more every day- a thought that terrified him. He had lost Naruto so many times already- he couldn't let it happen again. Especially if he was the cause of it- if he had the means to fix it.

How could Naruto expect him to just let their flame flicker out?

"Obito was right about one thing" Sasuke murmured into unruly locks.

He felt Naruto stiffen against him, his complaints dry up on his tongue. Kurama's accusation flickered to mind for the briefest of moments before Naruto could hide the thought, and Sasuke felt it down to his marrows. A pain he knew he deserved, but hated to face all the same.

Obito was right.. Naruto repeated, clearly disgusted by the thought.

"About one thing, I said."

"Which is.."

Sasuke rested his cheek against the top of his head.

"That I don't deserve you."

--

Naruto hated his fucking body.

Hated it.

He hated that Sasuke could affect him like this. That he could hurt him, say such callous fucking things to him, tear a hole right through his chest and fail miserably at patching it back up again, and despite all of that his body still responds to him. He hated that the warmth radiating off of Sasuke sent shivers down his spine and made the deepest part of him bloom with desire. Naruto could feel nothing but animosity towards his idiot raven and still end up feeling a delicious tingling between his legs when he whispered his name. He could lash out, demand distance, and yet become utterly undone the moment his hand sank into his hair.

It was why he put the damn barricade between them in the first place. He couldn't resist Sasuke. And the damn bastard knew it.

Naruto blinked reality back into focus as a hand slid down his side before resting on his hip. Sasuke tried to make the gesture seem casual, but it felt like anything but. Naruto bit his lip hard as he shifted beneath his touch, trying to will his want to stay limp, his desire to fade, his pulsing thoughts to still. Those long skilled fingers tightened with intent, and Naruto could feel all of his resistance disintegrate.

Damn you..

Sasuke's mouth twitched. The hint of a smile he was hesitant to show lest he shatter the moment. He leaned in, slowly, testing the waters that seemed to be warming between them. He kept his eyes on Naruto's face, his dark gaze skating over the blush spreading across his cheeks and sinking into those beautiful blues. He could see the sudden longing in those azure pools, deepening with every inch that he closed between them.

I want to kiss you, the cautious raven thought. He dropped his gaze to full lips, aching to make good use of them.

Prove it, Naruto thought back.

Sasuke finally allowed himself to smile as he closed the wretched distance between them.

--

Naruto slipped out from under Sasuke's arm and quickly slid a pillow in his place. He watched his raven's brows furrow and held his breath, but they soon smoothed out and sleep pulled him away once more. Naruto let out his restrained breath, slipped on a pair of black sweats and a loose-fitted shirt that he had found in the dresser earlier, and padded across the room. He paused at the door to look back at Sasuke's sleeping form, then stepped into the hall and made his way out into the clearing.

He breathed in the familiar scent of mossy cedar, damp dirt, and blooming wildflowers, relishing in the small amount of freedom he was allotted. He was still just as desperate to escape, to stop the constant onslaught of memories and anxieties that plagued him, but he was thankful that he was able to step outside freely. That he didn't have to fear retaliation for stepping past the threshold of the far too familiar hideout and into the coming dawn.

One of the worst parts of being trapped with Itachi was being unable to walk. That the Uchiha was always picking him up and deciding where he would go, where he should stay. That he was so rarely allowed to go outside. And even when he did he always had a shadow close by, ready to yank him back inside.

Naruto was not happy with Kakashi, and refused to even acknowledge Obito, but he supposed he could be a lot worse. He still felt a strong distrust towards them for this, but at last they didn't treat him like Itachi had.

Naruto forced his mind to clear as he stepped up to the barrier. He reached out slowly and pressed his palm against it. He could feel the power of it vibrating against him, its pulse sinking into his fingertips and sliding up his arm, but he didn't pull away.

Kurama.

I'm here, kid.

Let's give it another try.

Love the enthusiasm, but what makes you think it'll work this time when it didn't the fifty other times we tried this?

Naruto mentally shrugged, a soft smile pulling at his whiskered cheeks. Dumb luck demands extra attempts.

Dumb is the word that comes to mind..

Naruto rolled his eyes. Arrogant fox..

I heard that, his demon growled.

You were meant to, Naruto shot back.

Another sharp snarl ripped through his thoughts. Did you want my help or not?

Naruto nodded and a sudden heat rushed through him, coiling in his gut and burning behind his eyes. He could feel every nerve-ending flare to life, and his skin grow taut as it fought to contain the beast within. Naruto focused the surge of chakra to his hand and shot it out of his palm. He could feel the vicious energy scorch his skin as it tore through him. He gritted his teeth together and threw his other hand against the barrier, leaning into it as a fresh wave of chakra slammed into him.

"Nnnn- come on!"

A feral scream ripped from his chest and cut through his throat, but he quickly forced his lips closed, keeping it from escaping. He didn't want to alert anyone to what he was doing- didn't want anyone to hinder his chances even more than they already have.

Nnhn! Kurama- more!

Alright, kid. You asked for it.

Naruto gasped as pain and power shot through him. It felt like he was being burned alive, and maybe he was, but he had to get out.

He had to.

He dropped his head, forcing back another scream as he recklessly put every last bit of chakra into his hands. He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up. He could feel his power dewindling fast, his energy fleeing rapidly, when he noticed something.

The barrier's resistance- it was weakening.

Thick-slitted eyes widened at the sudden, inexplicable change beneath him. At first Naruto thought he had just imagined it, wishful thinking and the like. But when he glanced up, he could see that his hands were slowly beginning to slip inside.

How is this possible?

He raised his eyes from his sinking hands to the barrier before him and found his answer.

"Sai..?"

Dark hollow eyes gazed back, the hint of a smile floating inside.

"Hello, Naruto."

"How.. how is this possible? How did you know where to find us?"

His pale friend gave him a large grin. "It's a long story."

Naruto shook his head as he found himself returning the smile. "You're something else, Sai."

Sai tilted his head, his confusion clear. "Is that a good thing?"

Naruto's smile grew. "Definitely."

Encouraged, Sai refocused his attention on the barrier. "Alright, let's get you out of here."

Naruto watched with growing excitement as pale hands gradually drew closer, the power of their combined chakras slowly closing the space between them. He could feel Kurama weakening, and practically begged him to hang in there.

Just a little longer, he thought. Please, Kurama. We're almost out.

Normally he would find it odd that his fox demon was already at this state, but he assumed that had something to do with Obito. The man knew the Nine Tails better than most. Surely the barrier he created to contain him would drain him of his chakra if he attempted to escape it. Naruto wasn't sure how, but he was sure that had something to do with this.

Hang in there, Kurama.

I am aware of what needs to be done, insolent human.

Geez. Alright- I wasn't trying to offend you.

Then you should consider talking less.

Damn moody fox..

A hole had now formed in the barrier, just large enough for him to slip inside. It was a tight squeeze, but he managed to force his way in little by little.

"Sai" he gasped. Naruto was fighting to hold onto their combined chakra and his wavering consciousness. His vision kept darkening, a pinprick of light barely visible, before he managed to blink the shadows back. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep this up and felt a rush of urgency at the thought. "Are you ok?" he asked, his voice raspy with fatigue.

Sai nodded. "We're almost there, Naruto. Don't give up."

Naruto gave a weak smile. "I'm trying."

The opening widened and their fingertips met, giving the blonde a new surge of hope.

This is it. We can do this!

Their chakra seemed to intensify now that they were able to actually reach each other, and the barrier between them was quickly melting away.

"Naruto!" Sai reached in and grabbed his forearm, yanking him forward.

The blonde was happy to let him when he suddenly realized what was missing.

Fuck, I need to get Sasuke!

He forced back his exhaustion as he mentally reached out to his person. Sasuke! Sasuke! Wake up!!

Naru?

I broke through the barrier! Hurry!

He could see an image of Sasuke jolting up in bed, a rush of adrenaline quick to join him. You what??

Sai is out here, he quickly explained. Hurry! I'm not sure if it will stay like this!

A sharp yank on his arm tore him away from his thoughts. "Sai, wait! Sasuke is still-"

He suddenly lurched forward, out of the barrier and into his friend's arms. The surprise faded from his eyes, and he gave a small smile. "I'm ok. But Sasuke is still in there. We have to make sure he-"

Sai grabbed a fistful of his hair and roughly jerked his head back.

"Nnhnn! S-Sai, what are you-"

Something metallic clicked shut around his throat and what was left of his chakra instantly drained away.

Blue eyes widened.

"Sai..?"

The grin above him curdled and he watched in horror as the charcoal eyes grew sinister. The darkness in them slipped away as Sai's face morphed into something completely different. A face just as pale as his took its place, but this one was.. reptilian. Scaley beneath now golden eyes, eyes that gleamed with cruelty and excitement as understanding filled Naruto's.

"It's been a while, Naruto."

No.. it- it can't be..

He trembled beneath that venomous stare but couldn't look away. He could faintly hear Sasuke screaming for him, his panic shooting through his thoughts, but it sounded utterly out of reach. Naruto tried to take a step back, away from that horribly familiar face, but a cold hand grabbed his arm and yanked him back. The fist in his hair twisted, forcing a sharp gasp from his throat.

"You look surprised to see me."

"I.. I thought you were dead.." Naruto breathed.

Kabuto's grin stretched, pulling the sickly skin on his inhuman face impossibly taut.

"Heh. Not quite."

Author Note:

And the angst continues! ;)