Chapter 26: Light of his life.
"Are you sure-"
"I know Sasuke. I trained him after all. He will go to him." Everything was in place. "And where Sasuke goes, so Naruto follows."
A harsh tug pulled them through space, fast and spinning, before they were in Naruto's apartment. Shadows enveloped the place, making it difficult to see.
Already, Sasuke felt Konoha weigh down on him. The air around him felt different, getting stuck in his throat, oppressive with every inhale. Naruto, being all nervous energy next to him, wasn't making things better.
"Let's go. I'm sure Kakashi-sensei is in his office." The blonde flipped the lights on.
"Wait-" Sasuke called out, watching Naruto dump his bag on the ground, all hurried movements that spoke of restlessness. Catching the blonde's hand, he repeated himself.
"What? What is it?" Naruto asked, lacing their fingers together, trying to hide his impatience.
"It's-" Maybe he shouldn't tell Naruto. Maybe he didn't have to. That line of thinking ended, the longer crystal eyes looked at him with complete openness. He knew from the moment Naruto revealed his old mentor had escaped, that he needed to tell his boyfriend. "-I should tell you something."
Sasuke picked up the slight worry that seeped into Naruto. With the bond between them stronger than ever, he didn't need to look at the blonde's expressions or hear his voice to know what emotions plagued him. If he didn't want to tell Naruto before, he most definitely didn't now. But he had to. Orochimaru was free, and that could never mean anything good.
"Tell me what?" Expression serious, but tone soft.
"I visited Orochimaru."
Naruto's hand tightened around Sasuke's, and his eyes shifted from confusion to unmistakable anger.
"What?"
"I needed to-" He was on the defensive at the inflection of Naruto's tone. "-to find out more about the elders and their connection to the experiments on my parents." Naruto had to understand why he needed to go. It was his parents. His family.
"When?" Said through gritted teeth. Sasuke knew which Naruto stood before him by the iciness in that one word.
"After we started dating."
Betrayal. He tasted it on his tongue. And it was not his own feelings.
"Tell me you're joking."
"Why the hell would I joke about this?" He could not help but bite, feeling his concern melt to anger.
"I don't know!" Naruto's hands flew up, allowing Sasuke to pull away and put a few feet between them. The blonde gestured wildly with his hands, emphasizing his frustration. "But it's the better fucking option than you lying to me."
"Lying? I never lied-"
"Yes, you did!" Naruto yelled; whatever veil of calmness he had tried to keep up disappeared. His anger thickened in the room. Instead of cowering, Sasuke felt his own anger multiply, furious at the accusation.
"Not telling someone something isn't the same thing as lying!"
"Someone? I'm not someone! I'm your boyfriend!"
"And what?" He hissed. "That means I should fucking report to you or something?"
The switch was palpable. A flood of anger contaminated the air around him. It was like pouring oil over fire and watching it reach heights never seen before. Fury that had been hidden behind a metal gate, which Sasuke wrenched open, knowing it would burn.
Naruto's anger was never to be taken lightly.
"It means you tell me when you decide to visit the guy who fucking kidnapped you!" He yelled, taking a step towards Sasuke.
"He didn't kidnap me! I went there willingly!"
That was the wrong thing to say. Red swallowed blue instantaneously.
"Don't even start with that! You-" Another step. He got too near, forcing Sasuke to take a step back. "-don't visit a high-level criminal in prison! And don't fucking tell me!"
His back hit the counter.
"That's what this is then." The words twisted in his mind, becoming ugly. "-You don't trust me." And that thought hurt much more than Sasuke expected. Had he not proven that Naruto came first? Going on their trip together, focusing on their relationship while his parents' murderers still reigned free with too much power over Konoha. But still, Sasuke decided that this time, Naruto came first, yet it wasn't enough.
Naruto recoiled as if Sasuke had slapped him in the face.
"No-" Desperation to prove Sasuke wrong before it twisted into anger again. "-You know what? You don't get to pull that card!" He swung his right arm to the side, voice booming. "-don't turn this around on me! I trusted you from the moment you came back to me! Without fucking question! It's you who didn't trust me enough to tell me about this!"
"Can you blame me?!" He shouted back, gripping the counter to ground himself, so poisonous words do not slip from his tongue again. "-look at how you're reacting!" Hand gesturing to Naruto, who was three feet before him, eyes crazed.
"Because you're keeping secrets!"
"It wasn't a-"
"It was!"
"Why are you so mad?!"
Naruto's next sentence silenced both of them. It was filled with agony more than anger. A despair that had festered for years, like mold in places nobody saw.
"This is the same guy who was the reason I almost fucking lost you!" It echoed long after the words had left Naruto's mouth. Every second that passed without sound was excruciating. The mistakes of a past he wasn't sure he'd undo were evident once again.
Would he go back in time and burn his hands that had once tried to kill Naruto? Yes.
Would he go back in time and not choose Orochimaru? He didn't know.
Because the alternative was staying in Konoha and becoming nothing but another pawn.
Naruto was pressing the back of his fingers to his eyes, taking deep breaths as if to calm himself. But Sasuke still felt it all. Knew how much Naruto's heart was aching right now. He couldn't find the words to respond. His tongue felt too heavy while his mind raced with ways to make things right because he hurt Naruto.
Again. And again, and a fucking again.
The silence grew. Spread like a disease. His boyfriend stood there, hands back to his side, while he looked at something behind Sasuke, expression much colder than Sasuke was used to. Words piled behind his teeth with no respite. This quiet was sharp. Like a knife that made a violent bruise, so much worse. He had a headache throbbing behind his eyes.
He needed to say something. He needed to make Naruto see him.
"I only went to confirm the elders' involvement so I could find the rest of the evidence to bring justice to my family and Itachi." Every single second he spoke felt wrong with his heartbeat hammering so fast, despite how still he stood.
His boyfriend's gaze drifted to him, eyes still red.
"You could have told me this." It was like getting the iciest of waters dumped on him.
"I-"
"I would have supported you. Haven't I-" A flicker of something more vulnerable before the blonde squashed it down. "-proven that I'll always be there for you?"
"It wasn't about that." He rushed—a sharp, insistent pain, knocking.
"Except, it was."
"Naruto-"
"I need air." His boyfriend moved away from Sasuke now. And he was helpless to stop it. All he did was watch the front door open and slam shut, leaving him alone in the kitchen. Frozen in the face of truly upsetting Naruto this time. It wasn't like before. He could feel it.
He swallowed around the lump in his throat and focused on breathing. His headache felt worse, and the sharp pain in his chest made breathing difficult.
Naruto left. Naruto never leaves.
He didn't mean to not tell the blonde. Everything had just felt so good between them. And he didn't want to taint that. Wanted to live in the fantasy a little longer. In a world where no politics and corruption were pulling them down. Was that so wrong? To not want to remember how they were at the center of Konoha's problems? How he was still a living reminder of everything the elders tried to bury? The responsibility of it all felt stifling at times.
Sasuke found himself lying on Naruto's bed. His covers were the same obnoxious orange. His Sasuke plant was still alive, probably thanks to Ino or Sai. Staring at the ceiling, sleep did not come. Part of him thought he should find Naruto. He could feel his chakra thrumming in the village. But what would he say? How did he get Naruto to understand it wasn't about not trusting him? That maybe Sasuke wanted to hide away from everything wrong for just a little bit longer.
Wasn't that just incredibly selfish of him?
His parents were dead. And he wanted to hide away from the responsibility of avenging them.
It was an awful, awful thought that riddled him with so much guilt.
It's not that he didn't want to bring them justice. He wanted to so fucking badly. But he also just wanted to live in the moment for once. To live with Naruto.
And yet…
He chucked humourlessly.
Yet he still ended up hurting the blonde.
Only when daylight started slowly bleeding in through the edges of the curtains did he feel Naruto's chakra come closer. The door opened, and Sasuke was already up, moving out of the room to meet Naruto. The blonde was in the kitchen, gulping down a glass of water. He looked like he hadn't slept either.
"You're-" back is what he wanted to say, but Naruto cut him off.
"You know…" His eyes were tired, his hair ruffled as if he had been running his hands through it. A nervous habit of his. "…I needed space. To just breathe, but I couldn't even do that-." Sasuke felt his face twist at the words. Because he had given Naruto space. He had- "- I was too worried about you. The entire time, even though I tried so fucking hard not to, I was hyperaware of your chakra, worried that the second I didn't pay attention, you'd just disappear."
Naruto bent over, arms crossed on the counter, and head pressing to them. The sigh that left him spoke of exhaustion.
"I wouldn't just disappear on you." Naruto's lack of faith stung. "After everything, I thought you'd-"
"After everything, I thought there were no secrets between us." His boyfriend snapped, standing to his full height now. What could Sasuke say to that? Hand going through his blonde hair again, Naruto let out another sigh, this one clearly an attempt to calm down. "-We need to go. Kakashi-sensei has probably been waiting for us since we arrived."
Sasuke wanted to argue. To resolve the tension between them. But it was clear that Naruto was not yet ready. The wound was still too fresh.
So, they left, taking to the rooftops to get there sooner. Sasuke ran faster, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible, so Orochimaru could be locked up again, and his boyfriend could stop looking at him like he was going to vanish into thin air.
When they arrived, Naruto walked ahead, Sasuke following close behind. Barging in without knocking, they were greeted by Shikamaru, Kakashi, and Tsunade.
"Glad to see you boys here, although I expected you a few hours ago." Kakashi drawled.
"I wish I were here under better circumstances." Naruto sighed, accepting the hug Tsunade gave him. The woman pulled back, brown eyes scanning his boyfriend. Kakashi and Shikamaru glanced between them. The tension between them was easy to pick up.
"Well, either way, it's good to have you back." Shikamaru intervened when the silence dragged on for too long.
"Niceties will have to wait-" Kakashi began. They all hovered around the table. "The chuunin exams are a week way and we lost a high security prisoner-"
"But how?" Naruto asked. He spoke with his body. Moving his hands. Pacing. All over the place. "-How on earth did he break out? It's impossible-"
"Unless someone helped him." Shikamaru said, "-He would have needed outside help."
Naruto didn't notice the slight flicker of his friend's gaze to Sasuke.
"-And it would need to be someone high up enough or someone extremely skilled," Tsunade added, as all of them were brainstorming.
"The only way to find out how he escaped is to find him." He finally spoke up, drawing everyone's attention to him. Naruto was across from him, eyes unreadable.
"We've sent out our top Anbu to find him. Pakkun is also searching as well." Kakashi answered. They had a map out, pointing at where they had already searched.
"Have you sent Anbu to the locations of the destroyed hideouts?" He had destroyed most of them and marked each location for Kakashi.
The man nodded, looking his age just by the tiredness on his face.
"My old teammate is a master of slithering away and hiding under any rock he can find," Tsunade said. Surprisingly, the statement wasn't said with as much malice as one would have thought. More distaste than anything else.
"Okay, I'll send clones out-"
"You have to be discreet. I'm sure none of you want this to get out." Sasuke stated.
"Yes, Sasuke. I know. I am a ninja." Naruto said, annoyance showing.
"You sure aren't acting like it." Sasuke retaliated, unable to help himself. Besides, he was right. They were working now, and Naruto wasn't acting professional.
"What does that-"
"Okay!" Tsunade announced, eyes darting between them. "Whatever lovers spat, this is?" She gestured between them with a pointed finger. "Leave it at home."
Naruto scowled while Sasuke just looked away.
"Okay, I think Naruto should cover the south while Sas-"
"Sasuke and I should work together." Naruto rejected the idea.
"With your abilities, it's better for the two of you to split up and cover more ground." Shikamaru frowned.
"We work best together-"
"This isn't about working together, it's about finding Orochimaru faster." He could not help but retaliate. When their eyes met, a heated, silent battle occurred between the two of them. They could communicate without talking and fight without talking as well.
"Our strengths combined- we'll find him even faster. Besides, I'll send a few clones out as well, so the same area will still be covered."
Sasuke felt ticked off.
"Okay, fine-" Kakashi finally spoke up. "But before that, there is a council meeting in fifteen minutes, and they are expecting you, Naruto."
He saw his boyfriend visibly tense, already not in the best of moods.
"I'll search in the meantime." He decided, not giving anyone a choice, as he turned on his heel and tried his best not to storm out. Naruto was hot on his heels, grabbing his elbow just as he was about to turn a corner. The blonde's obvious distrust had him raging internally. Hurt mixed with frustration viciously swirled inside him
"Why can't you just wait for me?" Naruto hissed, pulling Sasuke towards him.
"Why must I?" He asked, knowing the façade of a cool temperament would tick his boyfriend off more.
"Because it'd make me fucking feel better."
They were in a section where the hall was empty, arguing in whispered breaths.
"So, this is all it took to lose your trust, huh?" Sasuke asked, smirking cruelly.
"It's not about me trusting you! I trust you! You're the one who keeps shit from me!"
"I am not having this argument in the hallway." He pulled away, wanting to leave, but before he could, Naruto was backing him up against the wall, as if physically wanting to stop Sasuke from leaving. "If-" his words were low, anger evident as he met desperate blue eyes. "-you don't want to be thrown into the wall across, you'll back off."
"No." And people said he was stubborn.
"Naruto!" He almost yelled, trying not to lose his fucking cool, hands pressing against the blonde who refused to budge.
"Please wait for me." And suddenly, the attitude and prissy mood were gone. Now, he had to deal with eyes that were clearly begging. In them, he saw genuine fear. As if Sasuke would truly leave him if he encountered his old mentor alone.
"You have to trust me."
"I would have if you didn't-"
"Bullshit!" Sasuke yelled, forgetting himself for a moment. "From the moment you told me, I saw it!" He used chakra to push Naruto away now. "You were trying to act like it was fine, but the moment you found out, I felt how anxious you were."
Naruto looked cut open.
"No-"
"-And now you're using this one thing against me-"
"I am not using it against you! But you should have fucking told-"
"Naruto." They both turned at the blonde's name. There stood Shikamaru, eyeing them warily. "We have the meeting."
"I-" He licked his lips as his eyes stayed trained on Sasuke. He almost felt bad when he saw how upset his boyfriend looked. And maybe he should have told Naruto. But his boyfriend needed to stop thinking that one encounter with Orochimaru would result in his disappearance. Especially when he chose the blonde over everything else.
"Go to your meeting, Naruto. I'll see you when you're done." He stated, and using a speed only he and Naruto were capable of, he left for his search. He ignored the hand he saw reaching for him.
The air was stifling in the council room. Council members were on edge. Shikamaru, who always slouched in these meetings, sat straighter. Ino drummed her nails on the table, eyes shifting. Choza, usually always calm and friendly, had a grim look on his face. Shibi and Tsume were both exchanging secretive whispers. Hiashi's face was more severe, wrinkles hardened, while Katsu was on time for once.
Then there were the elders, who were seated on the podium but a level lower, eyes giving nothing away, decades of practice clear in their body language.
The doors opened, and her eyes flickered to Kakashi and Naruto. The grey-haired man had wanted a moment alone with Naruto, who was quite obviously not in the best of moods.
All eyes turned to them as everyone stood up- to Naruto. She marveled at how the little boy she knew now carried himself as a man, each step held utmost confidence, uncaring of the intense staring.
Kakashi took his seat on the podium while Naruto's seat was directly opposite, right on the other side. Tsunade was on the right-hand side of the blonde. Only when Kakashi sat did everyone sit once again. Formalities were exchanged stiffly, the severity of the situation eating up any ease.
This was, after all, their second meeting in a span of a few hours.
"Okay, let's get straight to it. I need an update immediately-" He turned to Tsume, who was already ready to report.
"The borders have been strengthened. I have ten tracking teams in Konoha, with five outside of Konoha in search of him. The sooner we find him, the better." Her voice was stern and loud, reaching every corner of the room. "-So far, we haven't found anything."
Naruto was antsy next to her, leg bouncing and eyes darting to the door every few seconds. He seemed to be listening half-heartedly.
Shibi added, glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, "Hiashi and I have concluded that the explosion was a diversion-"
"So, he escaped earlier?" Kakashi asked, wanting clarification.
The blonde shifted in his seat.
"From what I've gathered, the guard's memories have been tampered with." Ino handled herself more easily now in the council room, compared to how she was at the beginning.
"How long do you think their mind has been tampered with?" Homura asked, voice like gravel.
"For a long time, this seems planned."
"Which means he had to have someone from the inside help him." The little brat finally decided to speak up.
Homura sneered, "So, good of you to grace us with your presence."
To the kid's credit, he didn't let the comment get to him: "Clearly this was an inside job. Someone on the outside had to help him."
"I agree with Naruto." Hiashi stated, apparently willing to let their personal issues stay in the past in the face of this new threat. "-our security is impenetrable unless you-"
"-Unless you had immeasurable power." Koharu's voice was like ice. There was an insinuation in her tone. Tsunade was on alert immediately.
"Or you were very high up the ladder." Naruto bit, understanding what the old woman was getting at.
"High up?" Koharu said the words slowly, eyes like daggers.
"What other way could our most dangerous criminal escape the highest security prison in all of Konoha? No, in all of the Fire Country?" The blonde sat straighter as he said this, and anyone with eyes could see that he was not to be tested today.
Which was probably why the elders decided to do just that.
"Perhaps, our other most dangerous criminal helped him escape?" Homura intervened.
Naruto scoffed loudly at that, "You're kidding, right? Sasuke was with me the entire time! He wasn't even here!"
"I have to agree with Naruto here, esteemed elders," Choza spoke calmly, clearly trying to placate the rising tension.
"According to our sources, Uchiha gave Orochimaru a little visit."
Naruto didn't seem surprised, ready to defend Sasuke.
"According to what sources?"
"Does it matter? It's true."
"How do you know if it's true?" Tsunade interrupted, not willing to let them feast on Naruto.
"It is true," Naruto confirmed, voice veering between eerie calmness and cold anger.
There were collective gasps. Surprise, concern, outrage.
Homura and Koharu were like sharks who had smelled blood.
"So you knew!"
"Yes, I did-" A crack in the mirror, frustration bleeding through. "-because Sasuke told me. Because he wanted to-"
"-to see if he could needle any more information out of Orochimaru concerning his hideouts." Kakashi finished smoothly, not showing a hint of stress.
"-and since when have you known, Lord Sixth?"
"Sasuke informed me after-"
"See!" Koharu's chair screeched as she shot up, clearly feeling vindictive. "-The Uchiha clearly has the means to slip in and out of the prison without any of us knowing!"
"Which brings us to the question, what sources are you talking about!" Naruto shot up now as well, heated.
"-clearly, he didn't cover his tracks as well as he thought! All it took was speaking to a few guards to figure out-"
Both their voices were raised. The other council members watched the exchange between the two with increasing worry.
"-Either way! Sasuke was with me-"
"This escape was planned; he could have easily set it up-"
"I know he didn't! He has no reason to! You're just looking to blame him!" Naruto yelled louder now; his anger could be felt in the room with them. He needed to calm down.
"We all need to calm-" Kakashi began, but Homura cut him off now.
"You know what? You're right. We shouldn't be blaming him, but you."
"What?"
"Maybe if you had not been prancing around with the Uchiha, you would have been here to prevent this catastrophe."
"With all due respect, we cannot pin this on Naruto, as his leave was confirmed by the Lord Sixth." Shikamaru intervened as Tsunade was too focused on keeping an eye on Naruto, who looked more livid by the second.
"Leave? He wants to be the future Hokage, and yet he wants a break from the village?"
"Since when are ninjas not allowed leave?" Ino interjected now.
"-When you become the hero of the world. With the power he holds comes great, great responsibility!" Homura clearly tried to intimidate the girl with his booming voice.
"Hero? My title only matters when you want to use it against me, huh?" Naruto spat venomously.
"Everyone is derailing from the point of this meeting." Kakashi's voice hardened, trying to get the room back under his control.
"Do not cover for one of your students again, Kakashi-" A blatant form of disrespect at his first name used so casually by Koharu. "-at the end of the day he-" She gestured at Naruto. "-is our best ninja and should have been stationed in the village, especially with the chuunin exams coming up!"
"The point is-" Homura began directly after, not giving anyone a chance to defend themselves. "-had he been here, attending to his duties, the murderer of the Third Hokage would not be free right now! But, instead, he is so distracted by Uchiha and their unnatural relationship, all because the criminal spreads his legs for him."
It was truly something of a miracle that the words registered to her before they did to Naruto. It was only that that saved Homura's life. Naruto's irises turned red so quickly, and a burst of chakra could be felt as he lunged over the table. Fury rippled from him, surging into the air rapidly, like black smoke from a fire too large to contain. She saw fear cross the man's eyes.
A loud smack, the table dragging across the floor, making their ears ache. Her hand was pressed firmly against the blonde's chest, which rose up and down. She pushed more strength into her palm, and the blonde jerked a bit. Ino and Shikamaru were out of their seats at his side.
Hiashi and Tsume stood before the podium.
"Hey, calm down, you idiot," Shikamaru whispered, only loud enough for the four of them to hear. Naruto's eyes, which had been glaring viciously at Homura, slid to his friend.
"Look at that. Clearly, he cannot think when it comes to the traitor."
Naruto bristled again, but both Ino and Shikimaru held his arms now, grounding him. Tsunade stood before them to shield the boy from their slitted eyes.
"Sasuke is no longer branded a traitor." This time, when the Sixth Hokage spoke, his voice was dangerously low, showing clear anger. "He has served his time, endured torture and tests to prove his innocence. And he has done exactly that."
"-Focus instead on your unruly-"
"I think anyone would react that way when someone speaks vulgarly of their partner." Katsu defended, eyes trailing to Hiashi. "Tell me, if your wife were alive, would you tolerate such talk of her?" And then to Shibi, "What about you?"
"It was most distasteful to bring such matters into our council room." The addressed man stated, voice discontented. The elders had nothing to say to that. They knew they had crossed a line. Something they never would have done before. To lack professionalism like that… They were losing their edge. They were desperate.
And desperate people were capable of many things.
"We need to continue with the rest-"
"Who says Sasuke's the one spreading his legs?" They all turned to Naruto, whose eyes were once again blue, demeanor strangely calm. "What?" He cocked his head to the side, and although he was smiling, his anger was very much evident. "Does that not match whatever image you have of me? Your great hero, symbol of Konoha's strength, bending over for-"
"Enough." Tsunade scolded. To her relief, he listened, jaw shut as he gritted his teeth. He met her eyes, a storm swirling inside them. He wanted to leave. She could see it. Her boy was not only angry but hurt, too. She wished she could allow him that. But he has chosen a difficult path that does not allow you to hide away, even when you desperately need it.
And, this knucklehead never did run.
Even when he wanted to.
So, he sat back down, everyone taking a moment to calm themselves down. The gravity of the situation was probably the only reason Kakashi had not banned all three of them from future council meetings for at least a month.
"Choza, the civilians-"
"Are protected, every corner covered."
"I'm sending clones out as well. Orochimaru is barely a match for even one clone of mine." Naruto started with a false calm.
His leg continued to bounce under the table.
Sasuke had just finished examining the explosion and following the trail to a dead end when his boyfriend found him, looking even more pissed off. If that were possible.
"How did the meeting go?" He asked, hoping the blonde would not want to deal with the earlier issue.
Naruto let out a sound of irritation, "Have you found anything?" Evading his question. It was hard to ignore the strain between them.
"No, but this trail leads to a dead end. I don't think he escaped via the explosion."
"They mentioned that as well. They said it was-"
"A distraction." Sasuke finished for him.
"I've sent clones to look over all of Konoha." The blonde informed him, jaw tight. "-I think we should look at old Oto sights-"
"We should. I've already sent a sealed scroll to Karin, but before we go there, we need to visit someone." Sasuke stated, already walking away, knowing Naruto would follow. His anxiety was so bad that it was making Sasuke anxious.
This time, they had permission from Kakashi. These prisons were still as dreadful as he remembered. Trapping inside the darkness, and refusing any light in. No matter what time of year, it always felt cold as well. As if no amount of sunlight could make this dead place feel alive.
Their steps were in sync. Naruto's headband was off, his jacket open, while he walked with purpose. Sasuke had his cloak on, as always.
Beyond the cell gate sat Kabuto, clad in prison clothes with chakra seals all over his body. Skin still scaly and eyes mimicking the snake sanin. He was on the floor, one leg up as his back rested against the wall, and his head hung, a curtain of white hair hiding his face.
"Open up," Naruto ordered the guards. Kabuto did not flinch. He entered after the blonde, who was glaring down at the man. Who had yet to acknowledge their presence. "Leave us." His boyfriend ordered the guards away.
They shared a glance before Sasuke walked forward- swatting away Naruto's hand, which reached to stop him- and lightly kicked the man's shin.
No response.
"Kabuto," His boyfriend called.
Only heavy breathing.
"Oi." Sasuke tried now.
When there was still no reaction, Naruto crouched down, pushing the man back by his shoulder to check up on him.
"Shit-" Naruto gasped. "-he's burning up!" The man's head lolled to the side, eyes fluttering behind his eyelids. His body began spasming, and the man coughed violently. The blonde picked him up and put him on the metal bed.
"I'll stay here, you go get Sakura," Sasuke instructed, and his boyfriend hesitated for a second, eyes conflicted. So, Sasuke held his hand and squeezed it tightly. "Naruto."
"Yes, yes-" He teleported away.
Sasuke was left alone with the man, wondering at the strangeness of these events coinciding. Kabuto shivered, wrecked with fever, probably. His body appeared unnatural in his attempts to be like that old snake. He could almost feel sorry for him. Looking at him reminded him of his brother and how they both were used by the ninja world when they were children. And then discarded as if they were nothing.
Sakura and Naruto came down the hall, rushing.
It occurred to Sasuke that this was the first time he had seen the woman in months, and it was under such grim circumstances.
"Let me see-" She gestured for them to give her space. They said nothing as they watched the medic ninja work, efficient as always.
Only when Tsunade came did they decide to leave, reporting the situation to Kakashi, who looked increasingly concerned. There was no doubt that Orochimaru's escape and Kabuto's sickness were linked.
Troubled by how the events went, they went back to Naruto's apartment. They showered, wanting to wash it all away. When the blonde suggested they shower together, Sasuke did not protest despite their earlier fight. Water ran over the bodies while steam filled all around them. He felt his muscles relax as Naruto's hands washed his back, pushing into sore muscles.
Sasuke was towel-drying Naruto's hair when he decided to take the plunge and address their earlier issue. He was sitting on his bed while Sasuke worked. He watched Sasuke the entire time, seeming a little calmer.
"I'm sorry." He stopped his movements, looking down at Naruto, who appeared shocked. "I should have told you about the visit. It's not that I didn't trust you. I just-" He stopped, thinking he was done with making excuses. "-I was fucking dumb, okay?" The back of his knuckles dragged lightly across Naruto's whiskers. "-So, I'm sorry."
The blonde blinked before holding Sasuke's hand and kissing his knuckles, and with that, a weight seemed to lift off his shoulders. Strong arms wrapped around his middle as the blonde buried his face in Sasuke's abdomen, nuzzling it. The embrace was protective. He sank his hands back into sunshine hair.
Naruto moved his head, so his ear rested against Sasuke instead, hugging him tighter.
"I do trust you." Barely audible unless one was actively listening. "-more than anyone." Choked up. "I know you won't go to Orochimaru-" He now looked up at Sasuke, no longer looking distant. "-I know that. But it's like, even when you know something, your body still reacts differently."
"I understand, Naruto."
His boyfriend buried his face again, content to just stay like that, mumbling something about having a headache.
He meant it when he said he understood. This fear Naruto had was a result of his choices. When he thought about it, it must have been terrifying for the blonde to have his best friend leave to follow a man whom they knew was evil. Back then, his mind had been so clouded with the need to kill Itachi, that he never truly realized why the blonde had seemed so terrified back then when Sasuke had chosen to leave.
His stupidity had opened old wounds. It reminded him of Kakashi. Of living and making dumb decision after dumb decision.
…
"It's something like the common cold," Sakura stated. They were in her office. Which was extremely neat, but white and clearly sterilized.
"The cold?"
"Yes, from his symptoms, it's just a severe cold. And it only got so bad because he had no treatment."
"Damn, didn't know colds could get so bad," Naruto said. He wasn't entirely himself yet, the stress making his headache so severe that Sasuke had scratch his head whenever they were alone, but he was much better than yesterday.
"Untreated and with a weakened immune system like that? It can." Sakura hummed. "I want you to take these pills-" She gave them to Sasuke. "-to boost your immune system. The last thing we need is you getting sick."
"Why? Is it danger-"
"No, Naruto." Sakura scolded fondly. "-don't worry. This type of thing can usually be fought off by your immune cells and antibodies. This is just a precaution."
"Oh." The blonde stated. Sasuke took the supplements and watched his boyfriend make that face when he was about to mess around. "-Sakura-chan! What about meeeee-" He jostled the woman as he threw his arm around her. "-why don't you care about meeee-" He could see his boyfriend wince at his own loud tone.
"Naruto-" She chided, pushing him off roughly. "Stop being dumb! It's not like you need it!"
"Because he has his fox to cheat even sickness."
The blonde leaned into Sasuke now, making him spill some water.
"I bet even without Kurama, I wouldn't get sick!" He declared loudly. "My immune system would kick any disease's butt!" As if on cue, the blonde sneezed, his body shaking with it.
He and Sakura looked at each other before bursting out laughing.
"Yes, Naruto. You're the greatest ever to exist." Sasuke drawled, trying to nudge away from the man who was attached to his side.
"I really missed you guys." She smiled.
And then regretted it a second later when Naruto dragged them all into a hug, shouting something about the power of friendship and the bonds of Team Seven. Sasuke struggled half-heartedly, too grateful that the blonde wasn't so on edge anymore. Sakura, however, seemed quite annoyed, ready to hit the blonde at his theatrics.
The mood was dampened when they were summoned to Kakashi's office, the hunt for Orochimaru far from forgotten.
…
The verdict was: Orochimaru needed to be brought back alive or dead.
It no longer mattered.
Kabuto had regained consciousness, but despite Ibiki's torture, Ino's mind-techniques, and Sasuke's mangekyou, the man had nothing of value to give. As if he knew nothing. And maybe he didn't. Orochimaru was known for using someone without ever telling them the full details.
Karin had sent word back that there was no sign of Orochimaru. That they had an eye on the place, and there was no suspicious activity.
Three days and no sign of the slimy bastard.
It was peculiar that they picked up no trail. They should have at least gotten a whiff of him, but it was like he had disappeared into thin air. He wasn't in the best of health either, so how could he have gotten away so easily?
Unless, he knew of a pathway nobody else knew about. A place-
"The tunnels!" Sasuke stopped in his tracks. They were at one of the destroyed hideouts.
"What?" The blonde questioned.
He spun around to face him.
"The tunnels, Naruto. The ones nobody is supposed to know about. The ones Kakashi leaked to Karin, Juugo, and Suigetsu when they planned my escape." That was the only way he could have escaped undetected. The tunnels were old and unused. But more importantly, it allows whoever was in it to remain undetected.
"It's not connected to the prison at all, though," Naruto stated. "Not to mention, its whereabouts are only known by the council and Team Taka. The only way to get there is for someone to show you." He trailed off, conflicted.
The implication was clear. And he hated that this would implicate them. He believed they had nothing to do with it, but the council may not be so inclined.
"Let's go."
Naruto grabbed his hand, and they were back in his apartment. Before they rushed off to Kakashi, needing to share their idea.
His former sensei was alone when they entered his office, explaining everything as quickly as possible. The man agreed with them, realizing they were onto something. Shikamaru was called, and a map was laid out, the tunnels running under the Hokage tower, to the hospital, beneath clan compounds, and beyond the village walls. There were ten entrances inside Konoha. One under the Hokage's building, another under the hospital, and the other eight belonged to each clan member. The tunnels were used for anbu networks, but some had collapsed when the nine-tails' attack happened.
Seventeen main tunnels that branched into other smaller ones.
But Orochimaru was not stupid. He'd get out of the tunnels as soon as possible.
"Okay, where would he go?"
Some led to areas where Sasuke had destroyed the hideouts. It would be stupid to loiter around places like that.
"So, he went through one of the tunnels that lead to a place where there is either no hideout or we haven't found it yet." Shikamaru crossed off all the places they didn't need to visit.
"That leaves only four tunnels we'll have to follow."
"We should go search immediately. Sasuke and I will take the one leading to Tani-Mura. We've been there before." And it was the furthest while they were the fastest.
"Okay-" Kakashi agreed, turning to Shikamaru. "You and Sai will take the tunnel that leads to the abandoned outpost south-west of Konoha-" He assigned teams of two to each area. Hinata and Kiba would take the tunnel leading near the capital. Ino and Choji would take the tunnel leading to the Naka River.
None of them had time to waste. They all met at the entrance below the Hokage's tower, Kakashi there to open it for them. It was dark, with only fire torches giving light.
All of them, besides Naruto, were ordered to turn away as he performed the signs to unseal the door. When they heard a loud, screeching sound, they still did not move. Not until Kakashi gave the go-ahead.
They worked fast. Not making conversation as they had to split up to find the tunnels that led outside. Sasuke's perfect memory allowed him and Naruto to navigate the tunnels easily. The tunnel walls were uneven and jagged, stone and dirt compressed together with veins of minerals sticking out. It was damp and cold. Certain places bear the marks of old tools.
It was built like a maze to confuse the intruder. Without the map, nobody would be able to navigate this place without great difficulty. Which means someone had informed Orochimaru of where to go.
Both of them were running at their full speed, Sasuke taking the lead; they arrived at their destination forty-five minutes later.
The exit was just outside the village, inside an abandoned shrine. It was quite dusty, tickling Sasuke's nose. Naruto stifled a cough, not unaffected by the blanket of dust.
Exiting the tunnel, they welcomed the fresh air, and that's when he felt it. A dense, familiar chakra that had once paralyzed him with fear. Naruto felt it too. Roughly fifty-five meters away from them. His precision was blurred a bit from his old mentor, clearly trying to conceal his chakra.
But Sasuke was leagues ahead of him now.
He rushed, taking to the trees with Naruto in step with him. The last thing they needed was Orochimaru sensing someone was coming. His boyfriend's emotions were already heightened, causing his chakra to leak ever so slightly.
Within seconds, they were at their destination. It was clear. Trees, grass, and plants everywhere they looked. Colourful and radiant, ready for summer.
And if Sasuke's memory was serving him correctly, one of the collapse tunnels was under here.
Naruto seemed to know what he was thinking, feeling it too. His right hand glowed brightly with the use of Kurama's chakra, resembling a massive claw, before he slammed it down, sending a shockwave of chakra through the ground. The surface crumbled, and they went with it, able to evade any debris.
That dense chakra spiked and was trying to get further. He felt Naruto's chakra become excessively hot before he was shooting past Sasuke, energy crazed.
It stunned him for only a moment. Then he followed, marveling at his old mentor's genius to turn this forgotten tunnel, which was marked as a dead-end, into one of his hideouts. This means that Orochimaru had been aware of the tunnels before. So, perhaps, nobody was responsible for this elaborate escape.
Volatile chakra took him away from his thoughts, and he rushed to where he felt Naruto.
Dark rage was rolling off him.
His hand was wrapped around Orochimaru's throat, claws digging into it.
"Looks like Sasuke-" The sanin tried to speak over the grip. "-has decided to join us." His eyes met Sasuke's.
Naruto growled. Like an animal. Releasing his grip slightly only to tighten it and slam the man's head into the wall.
"Don't even fucking look at him!"
Sasuke had seen this Naruto before. The torture. Arata.
Except this was much, much worse. Clearly, uninhibited killing intent filled up the already crammed space.
Orochimaru chuckled, which set his boyfriend off more.
"Naruto." He spoke softly, coming to stand near him.
"Who helped you!" His boyfriend roared, choking the man further.
"He can't answer you if you're choking him out." Sasuke placed a hand on his shoulder, and Naruto released the sanin, causing him to collapse, gasping for air as he held his throat. A powerful man, powerless in the face of their strength.
How the tables have turned.
"Answer me." The blonde hissed, curling and uncurling his hand, the urge to hurt so clear in his every movement. It had Sasuke feeling nauseous. Naruto wanted to kill the man. Not to protect anyone. Not because he didn't have any other choice.
But because he hated Orochimaru so much.
A type of hatred that he knew so well.
"Why would I-" A gasp. "-tell you."
He made sure to keep his hand on Naruto's arm as he intervened. Using his chokuto to lift the man's face so he can see his eyes, he used the mangekyou to force the truth out of the man. Long, greasy, black hair, unkempt, adding to his sickly appearance.
"Are you working with someone?"
Gold slitted eyes glossed over, mindless and bent to Sasuke's will.
He opened his mouth, tongue peeking out as his lips began moving, "I'm working with-" He stopped.
"I'm working with-with-"
A seal appeared on his tongue.
His body began spasming. Before Sasuke could react, a spark ignited. A grotesque picture formed in front of them as Orochimaru's eyes rolled back. A split second later, his tongue fucking exploded.
He was calm in the face of such a gory scene. Having witnessed one's entire clan massacred desensitized you to such displays. He was more in disbelief at what exactly he was witnessing.
His body sagged, eyes still open, blood down his neck, and then it dropped to the ground with a sickening sound.
Orochimaru, legendary sanin, was dead.
Body lifeless before them. Taken away by a simple seal.
Sasuke felt relieved. Not because he wanted the man dead. But because he was certain Naruto would have killed Orochimaru the minute they got the information they needed. And Sasuke… well, he couldn't be the reason his sunshine boyfriend gave in to such hatred.
"We should take his body back." Naruto's eyes were devoid of even sympathy.
"I want to search this place first."
Naruto looked around, only seeming to register now that this was another one of the man's hideouts.
"Okay." He nodded, eyes not moving from the dead body.
Maybe he just needed that reassurance. Sasuke left him, searching through the documents before he destroyed this place. Sick experiments were documented. Children were used for their abilities. An aptitude for chakra control? Taken. Unusual physiology? Taken. A rare kekkai genkai? Taken.
Sasuke knew all these children were either orphans or from broken homes.
Then there were the ordinary ninja kidnapped so he could experiment on them.
This place was drenched in evil.
Turning, he noticed an unsealed cabinet.
"He had just opened the seal when I got here," Naruto said when he saw where Sasuke went.
Not answering, he took out the files.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
His heart raced
Fingers shaking as he read through the files. Naruto must have sensed the spike in his emotions because he was at Sasuke's side, hand on the small of his back as he read through it.
Names of people in his clan.
People experimented on.
Their personal seals were stamped here to confirm the deals made with Orochimaru.
His aunts, uncles, cousins, friends-
It was all here. Their hand in this barbaric practice was the reason the Uchiha graveyard had mostly empty graves. And their compliance was all here.
Evidence.
"Sasuke, this, this-"
"It could put them away, for good." He said, throat feeling closed up. "-implicate them for the massacre."
With the records he had on Danzou, where the deal had been made before the Uchiha massacre, this was it.
His frame shook, and it was only the warmth of Naruto's hand that kept him from falling apart.
…
"This- this has to be enough evidence, Kakashi-sensei! We can finally hold them accountable for the heinous crimes they committed!" Naruto spoke passionately on Sasuke's behalf. As if it were his own parents he had to defend.
He didn't say much. This was something he had prepared himself to search for years for, and now it was here, right before them. A way to put the people who were complicit in his mother's murder away.
"I'll always be with you, sweetie." His mother whispered, kissing his head after a nightmare had awoken him. Normally, he went to his older brother but Itachi had been distant lately. So, he had sat in the lounge, opening the window for the cat his father hated. Until his mother had come to the kitchen for a glass of water and sensed Sasuke's presence.
And brought comfort that only his mother ever could. Her scent and weight made Sasuke feel safe. As if nobody could ever harm him as long as she was with him.
The memory faded, and the sound reached his ears once more-
"We'll have Shikamaru and Ino and one of our intelligence units scan it-"
"Sensei-"
"They are my elite unit. Only I have access to them."
"They're not fake." He found his voice, trying his best not to glare at the man.
"I believe they're not fake either. But we need to present these documents to the council with absolutely no holes in them. Give us until after the chuunin exams to properly check and analyse these documents, and then we'll finally be able to do your brother and clan justice, Sasuke." Kakashi's tone was understanding, knowing he was asking them to wait a month. Like he knew how delicate the situation was for Sasuke.
It somehow made him feel worse.
"Okay, can I-"
"No, you cannot be part of the team, Naruto."
"Why?!"
"Because you're much too close to this." His old sensei looked between the two of them. His boyfriend seemed ready to argue on his behalf, but Sasuke caught his hand, tugging him back.
"It's fine, Naruto. They'll prove it's authentic and it'll… work out." Naruto scanned his face as he spoke; his worry was clearer than water. A sound of a chair moving, and then Kakashi was before them, clasping both their shoulders. His eyes were the softest Sasuke had ever seen.
"I know, I haven't made decisions you have always agreed with." He looked between them both. "But I will do what's right here. You kids…" He ruffled their hair. "…can count on your sensei."
…
Orochimaru being declared dead brought everyone relief.
Considering the chuunin exams were three days away.
Naruto's friends were happy he was back, insisting they get together soon. Sasuke was not looking forward to it.
Now that the situation was dealt with, Sakura and Ino dropped off Hotaru, who had been meowing loudly the moment she heard his voice. Sasuke felt a twinge of guilt seeing how much their cat had missed them.
"Oh, my pretty pretty, princess." Naruto cooed, peppering the cat with kisses.
"I see you brought your bird back, too," Sakura commented. Naruto had visited Iruka earlier that day, fetching the bird who was still as crazy as Sasuke remembered.
"See, all your plants are taken care of," Sai stated, in that neutral tone of his that only Sakura, Naruto, and Ino seemed to understand.
"You guys were all really the best!"
"We're amazing friends, we know that." Ino teased. "More importantly, how was your trip?"
Naruto lit up, eyes sparkling, that terrifying side of him seemingly nonexistent.
"It was great! We met so many interesting people, saw breathtaking places- oh-" his eyes on their pink-haired friend. "-we visited the Land of Waves and saw old man Tazuna and Inari!"
"You did? Without me?" Sakura joked.
"We'll go again with you."
"You'd better. You two are always leaving me behind."
"Unless you'd want to partake in a threesome, I doubt they can include you in everything, Sakura," Sai said that with a completely straight face. Ino gasped out laughter, clutching her boyfriend's arm. Sakura turned red before joining her friend. While Naruto gawked at the statement.
And Sasuke.
Well- this guy was just so fucking unnerving.
"Do you think before you talk?" He snapped.
"Yes, I do." Sai smiled, the fakeness of it making his skin crawl.
"Hey- no attacking my boyfriend." Ino caught her breath, flushed with how much she was laughing.
"Sai, you can't make such jokes!" Sakura chastised, but was clearly used to the man's ways.
"Yeah, Sakura's boyfriend may get upset."
"Ino!" She squeaked.
"Boyfriend?"
Naruto yelled, shooting up. Poor Hotaru scurried to his lap, irritated by the sudden movement.
"You see-"
"You got a boyfriend, and you didn't tell us!"
"You weren't exactly here, Naruto."
Naruto looked very put off.
"Still! We're family." The blonde huffed. "Sasuke and I gotta meet this guy, see if he is right for you!" Puffing his chest out. His boyfriend seems to have taken on the role of Sakura's brother.
"You're kidding." The pink-haired woman scoffed.
"I am not!" He crossed his arms. "You've only ever had flings, so if this is serious, we need to make sure he isn't some scummy weirdo."
Sakura had flings? That was news to Sasuke. He always thought she was the romantic type.
"I agree with Naruto! We need to defend your honour!" Ino egged the blonde on, clearly enjoying tormenting her best friend.
"Ino-shut up."
"Fight for her chastity!"
"Sakura has not been a virgin for years now, so that would be impossible."
"Oh my god, Sai,love-" Ino cackled even more, getting in between Sakura, who had had enough of Sai, ready to teach him a lesson. Naruto was still trying to drill Sakura for details, stating everything he thought was a bad quality in a guy, and what she needed to look out for.
He watched them, loud and chaotic, his cat purring in his hands. The knowledge that the elders would be brought to justice made that usual oppressive feeling he got in Konoha lighten considerably. The reality of what he wanted so desperately, being on the verge of coming true, allowed him to really consider things he never had before. It made him appreciate the moment before him.
Sai, whom he thought hated him, but apparently that was just his personality.
Sakura, comfortable and showing him a side she would have never shown him years ago.
Ino, who was probably more his friend than she was Naruto's, called him to help fend Sakura off.
And his boyfriend, the light of his life- that was so fucking sappy. But it was true.
Maybe, just maybe, when the elders were locked up, he could once again call Konoha home.
…
His leg was between Naruto's, on his side, sunlight streaming in. They were both naked. The night before had been dedicated to finally transferring all the stress they had been under to something more fun.
Sasuke was pleasantly sore. His boyfriend's stamina was really something to behold. Naruto had fucked Sasuke throughout the night, as the blonde was dedicated to doing it on every surface he could in his apartment. Which said something, because he has been extra tired lately. It was probably everything getting to him. And yet, he still had the energy to get it up.
The pervert.
Head resting against the pillow, he watched Naruto sleep. Warm, summer light made him look like he was the incarnation of the season itself. Blonde lashes catching the light. He stroked his cheek, the direct sunlight making him warmer to the touch than usual.
"You're staring," Naruto mumbled before opening one eye. Closing it again. Then opening both.
"I caught you breaking into my house and coming to stare at me asleep, so no complaining."
"M'not complaining." The blonde snuggled closer, one hand under the covers and on Sasuke's waist, while the other was under his head. "Stare all you want." He leaned forward to kiss Sasuke. Eight months ago, if the blonde had tried to kiss him without brushing his teeth, he would have kicked him off the bed.
Now, he melted when he felt Naruto's smile against his lips.
Cheerful. Happy. Without worry.
This was how Naruto should always be.
As they pulled away, Sasuke brought up something that might dampen the mood, "Naruto."
"Hmm?"
He let his fingers trace the blonde's chest.
"You wanted to kill him, didn't you?"
The blonde's frame became taut, but that viciousness he had seen with Orochimaru was gone. He bit his lip, as if conflicted.
"You can tell me anything, loser."
"Yes." He admitted it as if it were something unforgivable. Rolling onto his back, Naruto stared up at the ceiling, eyes a little clouded. "I hate him so much, Sasuke. I know I shouldn't. I'm the hero. M'suppose to be good-"
"You are good." He turned the blonde's face to him. "You are good, kind, and loyal. That doesn't mean you're not allowed to feel anything negative." After all, just like he loved all of Sasuke, Sasuke loved all of him.
"I just-" Naruto sounded very young now. "-can't ever forgive him. When- when you were gone, that was the worst time of my entire fucking life." His boyfriend turned and leaned so his forehead was now against Sasuke's collarbone.
"You know…" Sasuke began, letting his voice drift. "…I don't think I ever did thank you."
His boyfriend's head snapped up, almost hitting Sasuke in the chin.
"For what?" His eyes were really so pretty. He had tried to run from those eyes for so long.
"For never giving up on me." He wanted to commit every moment with the blonde to memory. So he had perfect recollection of every version of himself. "For finding me."
Blue eyes welled up with unshed tears.
"Sasuke-"
"Thinking back now, everything that wasn't you was all dark and twisted and ugly." And it was true. His teenage years were a blur of anger and pain. "Truth is, no matter what I said, I wanted someone to save me. Wanted you to."
And his boyfriend was crying again. He loved him so, so very much. Smiling as he wiped the tears away, knowing that they could do it.
They could change the world together.
They could be happy.
It was within their reach.
…
The first test was the written exam, as always. The other Kages arrived, all set up in Konoha's finest inn. Naruto had gone to a diplomatic lunch with them.
Sasuke had been waiting for him all afternoon, reading another book on gardening to distract himself and pass the time, hoping the chuunin exam would fly by. Kakashi had updated them that everything was looking good so far with the documents.
"Look whose here!" Naruto smiled all dopey. "Killer Bee!"
"Yo, yo, yo, if it isn't my partner in crime!"
Sasuke evaded the man's hug, wondering when exactly he gave the impression that they were friends.
"I brought you back food! There's this tomato dish you're gonna fucking love-" Naruto spoke as he took off his jacket, setting the parcel on the table and kissing Sasuke on the cheek.
"Young love-"
Sasuke decided to ignore the man, going back to his book, while Naruto could entertain. His rhymes were very annoying, and he didn't have the patience for it. It was hard to concentrate, though, because every time Naruto gave a hearty laugh, he could not help but look.
He had finally gotten to the next page when a word interested him.
"-I'm so happy you got the Raikage to agree!"
"Agree on what?" He questioned, looking up from his book.
"So-"
"My fello Naruto here, couldn't bear to see killing allowed in the chuunin exams and has been advocating to ban it ever since. Every chuunin exam my guy has attended, he intervened whenever a genin was about to go for the kill."
This was something he didn't know. He appreciated the fact that the eighth tails jinchuruki spoke normally.
"Because we should only kill if it's necessary! Not kill innocent ninja who could become so much more!"
"You never told me this," Sasuke said, frowning.
"Well-" His boyfriend looked guilty. "-I couldn't get them to pass the ban on killing intentionally in the chuunin exams, so I tried not to think about it. Didn't wanna disappoint you."
Very slowly, he got up. Then placed his book down. Righted his clothes. Ignored the eyes on him. Took a breath and crossed the lounge into the kitchen to his idiot boyfriend. Who was really too good for this cut-throat world they lived in.
Uncaring of the extra eyes on them, he pulled him by his sweater, kissing him long and sweet. Killer Bee made an obnoxious comment in the back. Sasuke barely heard it.
"Why?" Naruto asked, eyes hyper-focused on Sasuke's lips now.
No wonder everyone thought Naruto was wrapped around his finger.
"No reason."
He noticed how much more fidgety Naruto was after, trying to become engrossed in his conversation with Killer Bee. Sasuke only managed to read five pages, too aware of every glance his boyfriend threw him.
…
It was a sunny day. Snippets of summer were coming in with June here.
"All the stress from these chuunin exams has my head killing me," Naruto complained, head in Sasuke's lap while the blonde's friends were around them. It was a bit awkward when Hinata came, but the woman seemed fine. Giving a small nod and occupying herself with the women. Kiba looked like he wanted to hit the blonde again, but then sighed, giving him a bear hug instead. Shikamaru was somewhere smoking, probably. And Ino had just gotten up from next to Sasuke, where they raided Choji's parents' restaurant again.
Most of everyone was here, and it was a bit overwhelming, though none of them treated him any differently. At least his boyfriend was near him. He had been swept up by his friends earlier, but his throbbing head had him snuggling up to Sasuke. He had forfeited his drinking competition with Rock-Lee. Who passed out soon after Naruto had given up.
"I think you should ask Sakura for something."
"Nah, it's just stress."
"Something to help with it."
"This helps. You help." Naruto gestured to all of Sasuke.
"You guys are too cute-" Tenten giggled, walking past them.
"You should spend more time with them, they're always all over each other!" Sakura yelled, somehow hearing Tenten over all the chatter.
He ignored them, smiling when he saw how sweetly his boyfriend was looking at him.
"You're so pretty, it kinda makes me wanna cry." His voice was sleepy. "Like a pretty angel."
"I think you're a little tipsy if you're comparing me to an angel," Sasuke jested. "You need a nap."
The blonde's eyes slipped shut, a little sigh escaping him.
It's unreal how one second could change everything.
Shikamaru had just come back, sitting on the opposite couch and commenting on Naruto needing to rest more. Sai was allowing Ino to put makeup on for him, at the mercy of his girlfriend. Choji, was watching while he and Kiba were eating the leftovers. Tenten was drunk- Ino had said something about her never really getting over Neji. Sakura was at Ino's side, insisting she would not poke Sai's eye with the mascara she had.
Sasuke looked over, amused.
Everything was fine.
Until it wasn't.
A sharp pain in his chest while his seal throbbed.
It felt like pressure dropping. As if something vast was pulling inward much too fast. Steep and rapid. His chest tightened and-
"Naruto!" He jerked the man's shoulder but got no response. Hysteria grabbed at him, crushing his inability to think.
His chakra, it was, it was, it was-
It happened much too fast.
He felt it first.
Sakura second.
Shikamaru.
Then the rest of their friends.
Sakura was there in a second, checking Naruto's pulse, which was-
"We need to get him to the hospital!" She yelled while Sasuke sat frozen. Someone was pulling him, trying to get him away from his boyfriend's limp body. He let them, not understanding, not comprehending-
Naruto was on the couch while Sakura pushed chakra into him, trying to keep his chakra from depleting rapidly.
What was happening right now? Was this real? This couldn't be real. Because, because-
"I challenge you to the high-jump!"
A six-year-old Naruto yelled, skinny and shorter than Sasuke, pointing his finger at him.
Large, blue eyes that looked too big for his head, met Sasuke's eyes as he passed him by that lake. His first emotion was annoyance. The second, comfort.
An eight-year old Naruto, who jutted his lip when Sasuke caught him staring.
"I'm going to be Hokage, believe it!"
Naruto had slammed his hand down on the desk, only eleven years old, and was creating havoc in the classroom.
"Because to me, this was my first bond-"
Thirteen, and across one another by the valley of the end, as they admitted to their friendship for the first time.
Naruto was still shorter.
"How can someone who can't save one friend become Hokage?"
They were fifteen, and he was drawing his blade against Naruto.
The blonde walked across the water, under the samurai bridge. The words he said lodged itself within Sasuke's heart despite how much he wanted to crush him.
"I'll bear the burden of your hatred and die with you."
And he smiled as he said this.
Sixteen. No anger directed at Sasuke despite how his hands were drenched in blood. Only unending kindness.
"Took your time, getting here, didn't you, Sasuke?"
Smirking, he knelt down as Sakura healed him. He felt much stronger. Sasuke spared a glance back.
On the cusp of turning seventeen, dirt on his face from the war, his clothes worn, and smiling brightly when he saw Sasuke.
"You asked me to explain it, but it's not like I really understand it either. It's just, when I see you take on stuff and get all messed up… It kinda well, hurts me…It hurts so much inside-" They were all beaten up. "-that I just can't leave you alone…"
Bleeding out, convinced they would meet their deaths together. Yet, for the first time, Sasuke laughed.
"You'll be free, Sasuke!" He yelled loudly, uncaring of those around him. "I promise I'll get you out!"
Yelling at him across a room filled with council members who had decided his fate.
"-Caring for you, feeling this strongly for you, is as natural as breathing, blinking, living."
In his fancy prison, yelling at Sasuke, taking up all the space.
"I'm really happy you're back, Sasuke. And I hope one day, I'll be able to make you as happy as you make me."
Naruto had hugged him so tightly.
Sasuke's eighteenth birthday. The first one he had celebrated in years.
"I'll be a dumbass all you want if it gets you to laugh like that."
A silly, playful fight, with Naruto leaning over him.
"What are you doing on the floor?"
Naruto had come to him on that lonely New Year's Eve, when all he could do was mope around on his floor listening to the dripping tap.
Lips touching his knuckles, soft as they knelt on the floor. Featherlight.
The blonde had found out about the torture and almost left Konoha for him.
"You're going to be happy, Sasuke."
Liar liar liar liarliarliar-
Dancing together, at the summer festival, drawn to each other despite the scandal it would cause. The bell rang, and still, Naruto stayed with him.
Stayed? No, he didn't-
"How could I ever love anyone but you?"
He had ventured out into a storm, although he hated them, and it all led to a breathtaking kiss under the rain.
"Will you be my boyfriend, loser?"
Naruto had smiled so big at such simple words.
Making love for the first time, feeling complete. Like nothing was missing.
Except now, now-
A picnic date, bracelets that symbolized their love, Naruto kissing him every opportunity he got-
He couldn't breathe, couldn't think-
"I never thought you loved me as much as I loved you."
Oh, but Sasuke did. He did, he did, he did-
"Well, if that's the case, then my religion would be love."
Love? Religion?
There could not be Gods. Because if there were, then they would not do this to him. They would never-
Hair made of dandelions. Eyes that reflected the ocean. Skin touched by the sun. Loud, boisterous laughter. Teasing smiles. Awful, flirting jokes. Warm, strong hugs-
The ringing stopped, and his hearing and vision came back. Ino's hand was on his arm. They were at- at the hospital-
He shot up.
"Sasuke-"
Pushing through to where he felt almost nothing.
Where he normally felt a wonderful, reassuring warmth that was unmistakably Naruto, he now felt-
Cold.
He felt so terribly cold.
He shoved his way into the hospital room where Sakura had her hundred-seals activated, along with Tsunade. Both of them were working overtime, trying their best not to let his chakra diminish.
"What's-" He croaked out, feeling winded. It hurt. It hurt so fucking much. "Sakura-"
Green, panicked eyes looked at him.
"Sasuke, you need to get out of here!" She said, not yelling but speaking sternly.
"What's going on!?" He shouted, feeling horror fill him. Naruto lay there, unmoving on the bed, paler than he's ever fucking seen him. Unmoving, as if, as if, as if he were-
He was going to throw up.
"Get him out of here!" Sakura was speaking to someone.
This can't be real. This couldn't be Naruto's life hanging on by a thread. Life couldn't be that cruel to him, right? His sins couldn't be that great to deserve this? Hadn't he lost enough?
Someone was tugging him back, out of the room, as the ringing returned.
Hadn't he lived with the stamp of death his entire fucking life?
"I'll always be here, sweetie."
His clan, his father, his mother, Itachi, Naruto-
His world was collapsing. His thoughts scattered. Trying to focus on one thing only for it to slip away. Vision tunneling, edges blurring. Every part of his body felt numb with a choking pressure in his throat. His knees felt weak, unbearable grief stealing all his strength away, making him brittle. Sounds distorted, voices stretched and blurred.
Hard, cold ground scraped against his knees as he tried to grapple with all the terror that was wreaking havoc in his body. Trying to come to terms with one frightening conclusion. Something that he could feel his body physically rejecting.
Naruto was dying.
He stared at his palm, moon seal throbbing uncontrollably- water hit his hand. Water? No, tears. Touching his face, his fingers came back wet. A breath that caused him to shudder. Hands on his back, trying to soothe, but they were the wrong hands.
His heart was being crushed. Everything felt too sharp inside his body, as if he was bleeding inside-
The first sound that reached his ears was a sob.
Someone- someone was sobbing.
A choking gasp.
Realization hit.
That someone was him.
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