Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Between A Rock And A Hard Place ❯ Priorities ( Chapter 30 )

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

"Naruto!"

As if as torrent of wild, merciless wind tore over the stiff body; the scream echoed violently in his mind. Naruto thrashed from his sleep immediately, pushing back the cushiony weight lying on top of him. His breaths came out in short, shaken pants as his heart continued to pound within his chest. Deep ocean eyes watered with strain as shivers racked his body. "Gaara?" Naruto mumbled disbelievingly. The voice had sounded so vividly in his mind, he could have sworn Gaara was right there beside him. But when Naruto turned to check, he saw a thick bush of black hair appearing out from under several blankets and sheets. He gave a dreary sigh and wiped the sweat from his brow with his arm. He probably was imagining it.

But now with calmness set in again, Naruto began to feel the results of his hasty reaction. He jumped from the bed with no hesitation, throwing himself into the bathroom and his head into the bowl. Kami! What had he eaten?! Naruto couldn't be sure he was healthy if he was choking up whatever the hell he had consumed that was so bad. But he never thought he would try something that he already knew he wouldn't like. Though he tried, Naruto could only remember vaguely of being lead to the bar by Kabuto.

Naruto cringed at the foul taste left in his mouth as he drew back from the toilet. With a ferocious swipe of his arm, he wiped the corners of his mouth. How he hated the lingering throbbing in his head, but that hadn't been the only pain he had been reminded of as he worked his way to stand up. A sharp hiss passed through his lips as he straightened his legs and fell clumsily against the sink for support. Such a ghastly stinging had made itself known along Naruto's back side whenever he dared to move. And like the disgusting smell of his own vomit, Naruto felt another bitter presence as a hint of images flashed before his eyes as result to the pain.

Labored breaths mingled together in a spur of the moment as flesh clasped together tightly. A chorus of moans and cries of ecstasy filled the air as though heaven itself had bestowed such a blessing...

The softest hint of red dusted over tan cheeks as Naruto stared blankly at himself in the mirror. Everything had returned to him in only seconds, every pant, every thrust and each gentle touch of the lips. For a moment, Naruto wasn't sure any of it had been his own memories, but the horrible sight in the mirror only confirmed it. Light a giant boil festering in the middle of someone's forehead, the proudly glowing, red love-ark was printed ever so visibly on the side of Naruto's necks as well as over a great deal of his body. At the time Naruto couldn't convince himself to piece together such clues.

Naruto hadn't noticed the sudden sounds emitting from the bed room as he gazed at his reflection. Nor had he heard the foot steps coming into the bathroom. He didn't realize that he hadn't been the only one awake until he suddenly felt a warm body pressed tightly against his back. "Dobe, I told you not to trust that lying scum.." Naruto heard Sasuke say, or more rather purr into his ear. He stiffened and felt the sickness cut off instantly as those ivory arms slipped around his torso. What the hell was Sasuke doing?!

"Teme! Get off!" Naruto shouted, quickly turning in the other boy's arms with hope of escaping. The initial shock of finding Sasuke naked had stopped that train of thought however. "W-what t-the hell teme?! Get some fucking clothes on!" Naruto stammered, feeling his cheeks suddenly burn. It was in that moment, Naruto identified just how warm Sasuke's body was, against his equally naked form. He gapped at that last thought. He was naked?! "Why are we naked?!"

Sasuke's smirk, he had held for finding Naruto in here first thing in the morning, had quickly vanished behind a stern frown. His eyes narrowed and his grip was distinguishably tight. "What is wrong with you dobe?" He asked almost coarsely. He was having his doubts, but he really hoped this wouldn't be the case. It just couldn't be. "I knew you were oblivious, but I didn't think you were this stupid." Sasuke mocked, only making Naruto tilt his head in confusion. "I don't think people generally have sex with all their clothes still on." Sasuke pointed out testily. His suspicions were confirmed when he got the immediate reaction he had dreaded.

All the color had miraculously drained form Naruto's face and he was left in a dazed stupor at those words. "So...it's true..." Naruto mumbled, his eyes sinking into a dismal glare with the floor. His bottom lip clipped tightly between his teeth. He had to be lying! He wouldn't...not with Sasuke...not like this...not with Gaara still missing- "Gaara! Where is he Sasuke?!" Naruto suddenly asked anxiously, snapping out of his thoughts. If Naruto's reaction alone hadn't been enough to truly piss off the raven haired teen, it was the immediate question about the bastard had left Naruto with that snake's minion: Kabuto.

"What the hell Naruto?!" Sasuke snapped. "Why don't you just forget that asshole?! I know he dumped your ass, so stop pretending like you still care!" Sasuke blurted out. He couldn't take back the words, not that he would anyway. He was furious with how everything he did still seemed to be shrouded by every little thing Gaara did, whether it was good or bad. "I've done just about everything Naruto!" Sasuke yelled out angrily. "And yet, you still care about that punk. If he were to die and I was still here, then maybe, just maybe...you would start seeing me for how I truly feel." He gave a dry sigh and stepped back.

The blond had been too startled to speak and merely shied away form Sasuke completely, pressing his back heavily into the sink's edge. Not that he hated Sasuke, he just really didn't want to believe...he had betrayed Gaara like this just now. He was no doubt of it now, he had definitely slept with Sasuke. But if given the chance, he couldn't decipher if he would have made the same choice or not. Was he that bad of a person? Sleeping with one while seeing the next? A self-repulsed prickling at the back of his neck continued to pester him as he watched Sasuke walk for the door. And out of pure fear, Naruto had cowardly yelped out the next thing to that came to mind. "I'm sorry Sasuke!" His voice came rushed just before Sasuke could leave.

A moment of silence gave them both enough time to dawn on the words and yet, Sasuke seemed entirely unaffected as he continued walking after awhile. "Wash up. I'll bring back a change of clothes for you." Sasuke said blandly before excusing himself from the room. As soon as he was safely out of their hotel room, Sasuke gritted his teeth and menacingly clutched his fist. If the illness didn't kill Gaara, Sasuke swore he would. The bastard deserved all hell for putting Naruto through all this.

"I'm a screw up..." Naruto moaned, turning to face the mirror again. His deep blue eyes softened as he let the thoughts of last night float around freely in his head. Was it wrong of him to feel so guilty? Not only for thinking of Gaara after being Sasuke, but for...actually enjoying what Sasuke did to him? As reluctantly as he was to admit it...Sasuke was an amazing lover. He had been such a tender and comforting lover; a side Naruto never thought he would side of the Uchiha. But thanks to his selfish heart, it was probably the last time he would ever see it again.

With a small whimper, Naruto hunched himself over to the bath. Maybe if he got a nice shower he would be able to wash away all this damn pain and stupidity. Even so, Naruto couldn't forget Gaara's voice waking him up first thing this morning. There was no doubt he sounded as though he was in grave trouble. Yet, Naruto didn't know for which one to excuse it for, that or just his guilt. The mind as well as the heart had special ways of getting the point across.

"This just sucks." Sasuke huffed dramatically. He would never truly acknowledge the control Gaara had over Naruto, but it was simply too noticeable. Even after last night he was just as powerless compared to Gaara's charm, whatever that may be. Why couldn't Naruto like him half as much as he liked Gaara. Sasuke wasn't one to gloat, but he had to be the most good looking teen in their village and was at least dependable.

The Uchiha eventually gave up on trying to make sense of all this mess and moved more swiftly from room to room. It was seriously becoming a hassle asking each guest in the hotel if they would lend him some clothes. Why was it so freaking hard for Naruto to keep up with even one article of clothing on this trip? Sasuke was fortunate enough to stumble across another generous patron to give him garments; a shirt and pants no less!

With the clothes finally collected, Sasuke started heading back for the room. Oddly enough, he kept getting this eerie feeling as he approached. He assured himself nothing would be wrong since Naruto was only taking a bath. What trouble could he possibly get into while doing that? Naruto wasn't stupid enough to drown that was for sure and he couldn't leave without any clothing to wear. As Sasuke neared the room he spotted a young maid leaving their room. Though Sasuke wasn't one for being paranoid, his curiosity got the best of him.

"Excuse me miss, but what were you just doing in my room?" Sasuke asked nonchalantly, though he was filled with turmoil inside. The woman blushed lightly for even she thought Sasuke's charm was potent.

"Uh, I was just dropping by the male's uniform some boy ordered. He said he was planning to work here." She explained timidly.

Sasuke's eyes enlarged instantly, "he wouldn't!" He hissed. In mere seconds he had thrown open the door. "Naruto!" Sasuke called out dashing into the bathroom. It couldn't be, he's not that stupid. Yet Sasuke stood before an empty room, the tub still filled with foggy water.

"The extraction is almost complete." Kabuto informed his master with a proud smirk. He enjoyed it so much, watching Gaara convulse in pain all through the night. Only several hours ago he had passed out from the pain, but that had only been the first stage. Even without the redhead presence mentally, the physically jittering and screaming remained. Despite evil intentions, Kabuto had been courteous enough to lay Gaara down properly for what would be his longest rest yet.

"But not nearly close enough..." Orochimaru hissed under breath. Kabuto's brows furrowed in confusion at that statement. And as if to clarify himself, Orochimaru continued. "It seems we will have a rather rude visitor any minute now." He revealed, turning to the entrance of the cave. It was quite easy for him to identify this chakra for he had suffered from it quite some time ago. With a sickly smirk, Orochimaru drew a kunai. "It seems our little mutt doesn't know when to quit Kabuto." Tossing the blade to his companion, "maybe you would like to return the favor and deliver your ever powerful beating."

A cunning smile came over the younger males lips as he knew exactly who Orochimaru was speaking up. "Sure thing, it will be my pleasure." With that, Kabuto hastily left the cave. It looks he would be stuck serving as a distraction for Orochimaru while he finished up the Kazekage. Kabuto marched outside and stood before the noon sun as the sand along the desert floor tumbled about. Just a few yards off in the distance, Kabuto could make out a dark form. It figured that boy would show up. It certainly seemed like he was inheriting some of Sasuke's traits, the pig-headedness. "Oi, Naruto, long time no see, right?" Kabuto teased as he waved to the boy.

In a disgusted snarl, Naruto approached the other. "If you don't want your ass kicked right now, I suggest you get out of my way." Naruto demanded impatiently. He would have no mercy on Kabuto after what he tried to do to him.

"Oh sure thing Naruto." Kabuto exclaimed anxiously. "But why are you so determined to help Gaara? Didn't he just dump you?" Kabuto asked. His smirk showed brilliant as he saw Naruto stiffen up. "Don't tell me you intend to save Gaara just so you can win back his faith in you? Isn't that a bit much for a boy that won't even accept his advances?" Kabuto mocked knowingly.

"Say out of our business you no good rat!" Naruto yelled back. "I'm saving Gaara because I care about him! Nothing will change that! So if you just want to be another clot of dirt I have to crush to accomplish that goal, then so be it!" Kabuto was mildly impressed the blonde's big talk. It seems this had really put him back into the mood of things. He had seen a spirit this intense since he fought Naruto when they pursed Lady Tsunade's help. Maybe he would be able to entertain himself a little more while he bought time for Orochimaru.

"Alright Naruto, let's just see about that..."

To Be Continued...

A/N: There is only two words I could possibly use to explain why it took me so long: distraction and writer's block. I'm terribly sorry for the wait, but test and exams are very time consuming, not to mention I was having trouble figuring out how I wanted to write this chapter and I still ended up coming up short.