Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Between A Rock And A Hard Place ❯ The Betrayal of the Heart ( Chapter 23 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

"Where is Sasuke-teme?!" Naruto growled, his hands forming into fist. "That jerk is making me wait on purpose." Naruto had been waiting at their check point for thirty minutes past their agreed time now. Where could Sasuke be? Of course Naruto thought that he could have gotten into trouble, but this was Sasuke. Sasuke never ran into any trouble, and if he did it was only because of someone else. Regardless of that, Sasuke would never take this long to get out of trouble. So Naruto just knew that jerk was playing a trick on him, trying to make him worry for punishment. "If he isn't here in the next five minutes, I'm just going to head back to the Inn." Naruto grumbled to himself.

I should have known better, Naruto thought. Sasuke always found a way to get on his nerves whether he was here or not. Maybe he should leave that prick, then he'll know what it feels like. Despite what he had in mind, Naruto had stood as before, grumpily crossing his arms in a furious pout. Some would have thought he was ridiculous for waiting on Sasuke, but the other teen was still his friend no matter how he treated him. And so he would wait there until the bastard finally showed up.

After another ten minutes, against Naruto's previous claim, the blond was still standing there. It was becoming an annoyance the more people passed by him with their creepy looks of amusement or suspicion. With furious blue eyes, Naruto glared off in the distance. Though the image was fuzzy from the heat, Naruto could slightly make out the outline of a guy with a hunched back. It was mere seconds before Naruto could finally tell it was Sasuke, making his way slowly in a self-conscious depression.

"Teme?!" Naruto yelled out, running over. "Where have you been?! We promised to meet here about an hour ago!" Naruto hissed, sneering at the jerk responsible. Naruto suddenly stepped back after getting a good look at Sasuke's face. There was such a sad, emptiness in those cold coal eyes and a guilty frown on his lips. "What's wrong teme?" Naruto asked, his head titling with curiosity as he looked towards Sasuke's eyes for an answer. Like a frightened child, Naruto lightly tugged on Sasuke's sleeve.

Sasuke flinched when he felt the presence of another. His eyes instantly filled with recognition as if he were just waking up and he glanced down at Naruto with a baffled look. "Naruto?" He murmured to himself. Naruto's brows furrowed with mystery. Had Sasuke really forgotten the entire time he was walking over here. "Oh, I-I'm sorry, I got held up." Sasuke explained in his defense.

"Huh? Sasuke, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Naruto repeated. He could definitely tell something was up, but what could it be? Instead of answering the blond with the truth, Sasuke merely shook his head, giving a timid smile. "Teme! Why won't you tell me?! I can handle it! Did you find Kabuto?! What did he say? Did you even ask him about coming back with us or did you scare him away you jerk?!" Naruto babbled on in hurry, his voice silken with frustration.

For a brief moment, Sasuke's breath stopped completely. Was it that obvious that he had saw Kabuto? Then again, this was Naruto, so he could just be running off questions without probable cause. He gave a soft chuckle, only upsetting Naruto more. " Sorry, I didn't see him anywhere. Maybe we will have better luck somewhere else." Sasuke suggested. Kabuto was probably not going to keep up his word, so it would be safer for them to just move onto another village. But Sasuke could only hope that Naruto would give up eventually because as long as Kabuto was in this town, going somewhere else would be fruitless. Sasuke found himself actually regretting his lie a little, how could he keep up this mask?

Naruto moaned at hearing this. "You really think so? But I could have sworn Kabuto was going to be here. Now what do I do?" This was bad. Gaara and the others were sick and until he found help they would die off one by one. And now with no leads, it would take him twice as much longer, meaning all the more people would suffer.

"Let's worry about that later, it's getting late. We better rest back in the room, then we'll be up for traveling tomorrow." Sasuke insisted. Something about staring at Naruto just now made Sasuke feel a dull ache in his heart. He was really going through with this? His selfish could hurt not only Naruto but the ill people as well. Stupid Kabuto and his theories, it's all his fault. Sasuke really wanted to believe it was all Kabuto's doing because he had be determined to help Naruto completely just a few hours ago, but he knew it had been his own decision to betray Naruto and the village of Suna. He could only hope this wouldn't turn around and bite him in the ass.

"Where should I start?" Gaara asked himself. With shops and homes one either side of him and people emerging from them, it was hard to focus on whether or not Naruto was among them. This was one of the very few times he had ever been outside of his own village, so searching here had proven to be difficult, just like he suspected. But Naruto was worth it. He would just die if he let any perverts get their hands on him.

If luck was on his favor than that woman would have been lying, which Gaara secretly hoped. Yet he couldn't help but think he was stupid for turning down any opportunity of getting rid of Shukaku. She had promised him that her methods worked, but somehow he got a bad feeling whenever he was near her. What if he were to die by working with her, then he would be useless to Naruto and his village? There was always the chance it would work, but what would become of the rest of Shukaku's spirit that remained in the rest of the villagers? Would it still be present in them our would it fade like the rest? Regardless, the risk were just no worth it.

With night falling, he would have no choice but to search inside buildings if he hadn't found Naruto by then. "I swear I'll ripe Sasuke to shreds if he let anything bad happen to Naruto while he was under his supervision." As much as he hated Sasuke, he was useful when keeping Naruto out of trouble, since Gaara could not obviously do it alone. After asking around the town, Sasuke found out Naruto had been running around all over the place looking for some silver haired guy. "I wonder who he is looking for." Gaara mentioned to himself. Either way, he was at least assured Naruto was captured by the rumored kidnappers

The walk back to the Inn was a silent one. Sasuke nor Naruto found the words to speak that could clearly define their thoughts. Sasuke of course was simply trying to avoid squealing out everything he had hid from Naruto, which was only successful when he bit his lip roughly. Naruto on the other hands was desperately trying to recreate a better plan to fix all this mess. Neither boys were aware that the very object of their mission was mindlessly laughing away as he watched from afar at their struggle. Kabuto was enjoying this oh so much. Sasuke was just the perfect like lab rat while Naruto was just a brainless robot, bending to their will without any thought of his actions or consequences of them.

But Kabuto did not wish to prolong this any longer. With a bemusing smirk, Kabuto walked straight across from the two. The only one conscious enough to notice his back was Naruto, who fell into an immediate stupor. "Kabuto?" Naruto mumbled in disbelief as he saw the form walk off into the distance. That couldn't have been him! But if it were... "Kabuto!" Naruto shot off after the man, leaving Sasuke far behind. "Kabuto-san! Wait! Don't go!" He screamed, running as quickly as he could to catch up.

"Naruto?" Sasuke broke out of his dismal trance to see his friend already several feet ahead of him and moving out further. "Naruto! Where are you going?!" Sasuke picked up his pace, going after Naruto. If he had paid better attention he would have had an idea of what was going on.

"It's Kabuto!" was Naruto's only exclaimed as he raced head. "I saw him!" Sasuke's jaw dropped at hearing this explanation. Kabuto had promised not to show up again! He promised! But this was Kabuto and he was known for his trickery, Sasuke should have remembered that well. Sasuke had to only hope Naruto lose Kabuto in the crowd or something for if Naruto discovered why he had lied, Naruto would never trust him again. "Kabuto, wait! I have to ask you something!" Naruto gasped when he distinctively saw the other's eyes peer over his shoulder just before Kabuto took off on a full room as if he had just been caught. "Sasuke! Stop him!" Naruto begged.

Sasuke nodded and disappeared instantly, reappearing just before Kabuto as Naruto came up to his back. He couldn't help but regret this action. "Wow Sasuke, you seem so intend on catching me now." Kabuto replied in a fake surprised voice. Clearly not understanding what the other was talking about, Naruto stared at Kabuto in confusion. "What brought up the change? Were you not just so eager to get rid of me awhile ago? I believe we made a promise. I would disappear as long as you wanted me to, was that not the agreement?" Kabuto asked, pushing up his glasses with one finger.

"Huh? Sasuke what is he talking about?" Naruto asked in a slight pant. Why was Kabuto talking to him as if they had met before now? "I thought you didn't see him anywhere?" Sasuke's face suddenly drained of all color. Kabuto that little snake was setting him up!

Kabuto turned around, his jaw dropping as if he had noticed Naruto for the first time. "Oh, my dear. I had no idea you haven't told him yet. I'm sorry, I should really keep my big mouth shut." Kabuto replied in a disappointed voice.

"Tell me what? What is this about?" Naruto exclaimed. He dearly hated being left out of the mix. What had Kabuto meant by trying to get rid of him? Sasuke and him had been looking for him all day, why would he think they were trying to get away form him?

Kabuto opened his mouth to speak, but Sasuke quickly interrupted. "Nothing! Forget it, we've found him now let's just take him with us!" Sasuke persistently stated. He would kill Kabuto once this was over. That jerk was really trying to get him in trouble with Naruto. But what motive could he possibly have for that? Unless Kabuto really did get this enjoyment out of just making people miserable.

Sasuke stumped forward, grabbing Kabuto by the forearm and jerking him over toward Naruto. "We should just be glad we finally found him." Sasuke growled. Thought Sasuke was furious Kabuto had showed up on purpose, he couldn't help but feel relieved that he hadn't just ruined everything. He didn't want the people of Suna to suffer, however he did want Gaara to suffer. "Let's take him back to the room, then we can discuss the agreement there." Sasuke decided for them as he shoved Kabuto forward. Kabuto merely gave a nervous chuckle as Sasuke glared daggers into the back of his head.

"You know it is more polite to buy me a drink first if you insist on taking me back to your place." Kabuto joked, watching the younger teen's face light up with red. Despite all of Kabuto's effort to light up the mood, his audience was pretty stiff this evening. He glanced over his shoulder as he was being shuffled back to their Inn. "Wow, you've really grown well Naruto. I barely recognized you for minute." Kabuto complimented. "Have you managed to snag that girl Sakura's heart yet?" Naruto gapped at the mention. And as if answering the blonde's question, Kabuto continued, "I could really tell you liked her by the way you looked at her during the Chounin exams. You should have her wrapped around your finger by now right? I mean just look at how many handsome admirers you have now."

Like a timid girl, Naruto casually rolled his eyes over toward Sasuke with a deep red grazing across his cheeks. And just when Sasuke looked back, he turned his head quickly to the other side. "I don't have any idea what you are talking about." Naruto muttered in almost a whisper. "You wouldn't have noticed, but I have terrible luck when it comes to romance." Naruto confessed with a dismal sigh. Just look at his position now. His first true love was dying and his first kiss was shamelessly harassing him about the other. How did he go from one admirer to two very jealous ones? It seemed almost like a punishment.

"Come now Naruto, that isn't true. Sasuke here will stop at nothing to win your affection." Kabuto exclaimed proudly. Sasuke's lips parted widely and his eyes bulged out quickly just before he kicked Kabuto viciously in the leg. "Ow! What was that for, it is true isn't it?! And frankly I can't blame you. If you hadn't already had competition, I would definitely give Naruto a shot." Kabuto confessed with a gleaming smirk on his face.

"W-what?!" Naruto stuttered. What was with all these guys suddenly confessing their love for him now?

"He's just messing with you dobe." Sasuke corrected with a sneer. "Now wait here you asses, I've got to buy this fucking loser a room because I don't want his back stabbing ass in the same room as us." Sasuke grunted as he released Kabuto and walked ahead of the two into the Inn. He could trust Kabuto to stay there, since it was obviously apart of the freak's plan to humiliate him no matter what. In fact, Sasuke was actually hoping Kabuto would run off as soon as he left the scene. Then he would be back on schedule with the destruction of his one true rival.

Naruto and Kabuto waited uncomfortably outside the building. Naruto was plagued with a thousand questions he was just dying to ask. In fact he couldn't hold them back anymore. "Kabuto...what did you mean before? Wasn't Sasuke looking for you?"

Kabuto inwardly grinned at hearing Naruto's curious question. As usual, these fools let him run along with whatever he had in mind. "I suppose he was at a time. But when I found him, he didn't seem all that interested in bringing me back with him. In fact he insisted I stay out of his way. He mentioned something about getting rid of that good for nothing raccoon demon." Kabuto replied, his eyes rolling to the side in thought once heard the other's gasp. "He didn't bother to tell me why, just that he wanted some guy out of the picture. I guessed something was really up when I heard from all the villagers that two people were looking for my help. But I don't see how staying out of the way is suppose to help anyone." Kabuto lightly patted his chin with his finger. He suddenly glanced back down and noticed Naruto had his head lowered to his chest and his fist balled. "What's wrong Naruto?"

"...He couldn't...Sasuke wouldn't do something like that..." He murmured to himself as if trying to convinced himself more than he was trying to convince Kabuto. "Sasuke may hold a grudge against Gaara, but Sasuke would never murder someone in cold blood! He isn't like that!" Naruto screamed out, his head jerking up to reveal a small trail of tears.

"I don't know Naruto...he sounded pretty serious to me. He kept saying that guy would just get in the way. For a while I just thought Sasuke was possessed or something. But I just knew it had to be the truth because he said 'I'm doing this for Naruto's own good. I'm the only one who can protect him'." Kabuto continued innocently. "What's the matter Naruto?" He suddenly asked see the smaller boy shaking with what appeared to be fear and anger.

"Y-You're...l-lying....Sasuke couldn't...he wouldn't..." Quickly, Naruto rubbed at his tears with the edge of his sleeves. "I know Sasuke! He would never kill anyone for my sake, not like that! He won't let Gaara die...not for that reason..."

"Well if you don't believe me, you should ask him yourself." Kabuto said, shuddering his shoulders as if it were nothing. Just then Sasuke came walking out of the building holding up his room key.

"Here you go, and don't disappear in the middle of the night asshole." Sasuke barked as Kabuto quickly shuffled inside. "Come on Naruto, let's go in. Naruto?" His brows knitted together when he noticed Naruto was glaring at him with hurt, watery eyes. "What's wrong?" He approached the blond, placing his hand lightly on Naruto's shoulder, but Naruto instantly slapped his hand away and stepped back.

"I don't know Sasuke! Why don't you tell me?!" He screamed loudly. Sasuke frowned and grabbed Naruto's wrist against his struggling and lead the blond an ally way just beside the building so they wouldn't draw attention.

"What are talking about Naruto?" Sasuke questioned just before Naruto jerked his hand out of Sasuke's

"Tell me the truth Sasuke. Did you really not want to find Kabuto? Even though you know without his help the people of Suna will die?" Naruto asked seriously. He tried to be as collect as he could, but having heard what he just did was too upsetting. Kabuto had to be lying. He knew Sasuke better than anyone and Sasuke was never that selfish. Though he pretended to be in the past, Naruto had always known Sasuke was really a kind and considerate person.

"Are you really asking me this?" Sasuke asked in astonishment. He was desperately trying to play the role of a wrongly accused friend in disbelief, but it did not go off so well when Naruto refused to take back or change the question. Finally Sasuke sighed. "If you spoke with Kabuto, than you already know my answer..." Sasuke grumbled. His body tensed when he heard a small gasp emit from Naruto's lips. "I didn't want him to help, but I don't want to hurt the innocent people." Sasuke corrected.

"But you want to hurt Gaara?" Naruto finished up for him. "And Gaara is not innocent to you? Is that it?" Naruto asked, his voice betraying him as it cracked under pressure. Sasuke merely glared at the ground with hateful eyes and didn't answer. "You want Gaara dead and you don't even care if he is innocent or not?!" Naruto exclaimed hysterically.

"Of course I do!" Sasuke snapped. "I want that bastard away from you. He's going to kill you if you continue you stupid game of pretend! It's his fault for everything! And if his death is what it is going to take, than I will gladly make that risk!"

"But that's not why you are doing it Sasuke." Naruto's words came short and in a whimper as he pressed his back firmly to the stone wall behind him. "You won't care if he was going to hurt me or not...you only care about your feelings and your needs Sasuke. But what about me?! Did you even think what I would want?!" It was too late for Naruto to draw back the tears that had already flooded his eyes. "Is what you really want for yourself really that more important?"

"Naruto, let's not talk about this!" Sasuke interrupted, grabbing both of Naruto's shoulders. He was not about to be turned into the bad guy. This was ridiculous. Gaara deserved everything he got coming to him. It wasn't fair that Naruto wanted him or his best friend.

"No Sasuke! I have to know. Why would you do try to do that when you know...I love him..." Naruto whispered.

"Because you don't love him! And he doesn't love you! I'm the only one who can love you! I loved you long before he did! I've always been there for you, yet he only has to try to kill you once and you fall for that tough guy routine!" Sasuke pulled Naruto roughly into his arms. "I don't want to lose you to him, I just can't Naruto." Why did it hurt so much? He felt this pain in his hurt as Naruto's tears wetted into him, yet he had been the cause of them and that was what hurt most. "If he lives...I know I will never see you the same again. You would move to Suna just to be with him. You would give your entire being for him and I just don't want you to sacrifice like that! You shouldn't have to do anything like that...not for me and especially not for him. Just let me be there and protect you. Let me the only one with the key to your heart, I promise to keep it under safe guard."

"Sasu-" Naruto didn't have the time to speak before Sasuke tore him from the embrace and brought him into a rough, yet passionate kiss. Sasuke's trembling hand cupped carefully on his cheek and the other threaded defaintly into the boy's golden locks. Try as Naruto might to shove Sasuke away by shoving at his shoulders, Naruto couldn't bring himself to push hard enough. At least he wanted to truly believe he was too weak to stop this, but deep down he was reluctant to pull away from Sasuke's protective embrace; an embrace he had always known to be the safest of haven's for him.

Naruto whimpered only softly before his eyes fell shamefully, tears fleeing from beneath them as his weak grip lightened even more until his hands merely held limply to Sasuke's shoulders, neither squeezing or pushing. Why had his body betrayed him so? His heart was fluttering in his chest and his entire mind had collapse with the incomprehensible knowledge that he might have wanted this in some shape or form: Sasuke's approval and...Sasuke's loves.

The blond was helpless to the omnipresent pleasure of being held so lovingly as he was pushed quickly against the wall, Sasuke's hand slipping to cup his back and hold him in place. Before Naruto was conscious enough to realize it, he had pressed his lips back against Sasuke's. And for the briefest of moments he couldn't help but think Sasuke's lips were as perfect and soft as he last remembered them that day at the training school. "S-sasuke..." Naruto moaned regrettably against the other's lips. He couldn't. He was with Gaara. Gaara was sick and he was...

To Be Continued...

A/N: Omg! Naruto is asking for some serious trouble, but it's not all his fault. Stupid Sasuke and his addictive kisses. We all must admit Sasuke is pretty hard to turn down, lol. Anyway, thanks so much for the reviews so far! I hope to read more! So what did you think? Should Naruto go for it or not? And what of Gaara, he is in town. This are bound to get worse now that all of them are in the same area as Orochimaru and Kabuto.