Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Broken ❯ 4 letter word ( Chapter 21 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: blackarora 
things sasuke can not say
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Psychological / Hentai / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 09.12.2005 | Updated On: 02.27.2006 | Pages: 5 | Words: 7.6K | Visits: 2.0K | Status: Completed
things sasuke can not say
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Psychological / Hentai / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 09.12.2005 | Updated On: 02.27.2006 | Pages: 5 | Words: 7.6K | Visits: 2.0K | Status: Completed
21
four letter word.
Neji escorted the two teens to the front gate where Lee and Kiba were waiting. The two chuunin just finishing the patrol to keep an eye out for any stragglers of the bandit group they had fought earlier. The trip to Konoha would take about 12 hours, if they ran at top speed and the letter from Tsunade stated that they were to leave as soon as possible.
Sasuke and Naruto had scrambled to grab every thing they needed before they set off. Gai had given them their weapons back, since there were still thieves and bandits in the areas they would be passing through. Sasuke had declined to go to the hospital and get some drugs to help with the cravings. The others were still uneasy about the subject and Naruto had to convince them that Sasuke would be ok with out help. After much crying and hugging on Gai’s part, the two Konoha bound teens were led out of the hotel by Neji who needed time away from the overly emotional jounin.
Naruto had Orochimarus sword, Kusanagi, slung across his back. he large blade sticking a good six inches past both his shoulder and hip and Sasuke carried a back pack filled with necessities, hands in his pockets, the perpetual scowl back to it’s normal size on his pale face. Neji and Sasuke walked silently down the dark road to the main gate as Naruto lagged slightly behind them.
The blond teen was wandering in circles in his own head and not really paying attention to his surroundings. Just following the steadily moving forms in front of him.
The trio made their way to the front gate in the moon light and Sasuke could not help but notice the worried look on Narutos face as he looked over his shoulder for the 5th time at the blond.
The raven haired teen sighed. Naruto knew that the villagers did not forgive that easily. Sasuke knew this all to well, having come back from Orochimaru to face the scorn of the entire village. The villagers did not take well to having their trust betrayed. Naruto had been just starting to prove that he was not a vicious demon and be accepted, when Orochimaru had to ruin the blonds chances of ever being truly acknowledged by the village.
Damn it, all the things that Naruto did that proved him self a worthy person were wiped away and now the blond would have to re-earn everyone’s trust.
It was not fair.
The closer to the gate they got the more nervous Naruto seamed to get. It was still dark out and the moon hung low in the sky, casting odd shadows around them. The wind making things move and lurch, distorting the already odd shadows. A metal trash can lid fell with a loud clatter and a cat shot across the street in front of the blond.
Naruto yelped and jumped back, bringing a kunai to the ready position in front of him. Both Sasuke and Neji stopped to look at the hard breathing, wide eyed Naruto.
“It’s just a cat.”
Naruto blushed at Neji’s statement and put the kunai back to it’s proper location in his leg holster.
Neji fell back before Sasuke could and started to walk beside Naruto, letting the miffed Uchiha lead the way.
The dark eyed teen growled softly at the Hyuuga’s actions but kept moving, plotting evil ways to get the pale eyed teen away from his Naruto.
The close presence of a friend helped to calm Naruto’s overacting nerves. The dark, empty streets were a little less intimidating with someone right by his side. The creepy shadows looked like they could hold a lurking shinobi just waiting to do horrible things to him and drag him back to the sound. He knew that it would not happen but he still was jumpy.
Neji was walking right next to him, so close that occasionally their arms would touch. Naruto was not sure about Neji closeness, it was comforting to not be alone and he was a distraction from the circles his mind kept going in, about whether or not he would be accepted back, but still the closeness was odd in itself. As they reached the gate and saw the shadowy outlines of Kiba and Lee, Neji called out for Sasuke to stop.
Sasuke turned angrily to the Hyuuga, watching as the pale jounin pulled something out of one of his pockets and turned to the blond teen that was way to close to the Hyuuga, according to Sasuke.
“Don’t move Naruto.”
The blond tried not to flinch as Neji wrapped arms around his head and tied something to his forehead. The familiar weight of a forehead protector pressed comfortably around his head as the Hyuuga finished tying the knot. He smiled and reached up to feel the engraved leaf symbol on the metal part.
The small weight on his forehead made him feel like he still belonged to the leaf. That he was just returning from a very long mission instead of captivity at the sound. That maybe Neji was right and that the people would not hate him for some thing he truly did not want to do.
Neji smiled back at the blond and dropped his hands to wrap around Naruto’s waist leaning in to brush his lips against the tan neck just under the ear of the smaller teen. Softly he whispered so only the shocked, blue eyed teen could hear him.
“You know, Sasuke loves you.”
Neji pulled away, taking in the startled look on the blonds face. Quickly he turned and threw something at the Uchiha that stood glowering at them. Murderous intent positively oozing from him.
Sasuke caught the item with ease and wrapped his hand around the forehead protector Neji had just given him.
He was beyond pissed and had Neji not picked that moment to jump away to take over the parole for Kiba and Lee, he would of killed him.
Ripped his guts out and stomped on them for kissing his dobe.
Naruto looked at the murderous expression Sasuke wore and shuttered. The raven haired teen forced the intense hatred he had for the Hyuuga at the moment, down a little and waited for HIS dobe to catch up to him. As the two walked side by side Sasuke, trying to not sound as jealous as he was, spoke.
“So what did he say.”
It was supposed to come out smooth, non-concerned like. But the fact his fists and jaw were clenched made it sound a little more forced.
Naruto was still looking at Sasuke and how his demeanor had changed dramatically after Neji’s brief kiss.
“He said that you love me.”
Naruto watched as Sasuke made face like he had just swallowed his tongue. Than all the anger seamed to leave the dark eyed teen and he smiled. A brief but genuine smile that progressed in to a chuckle.
“The shit was just messing with me.”
Naruto watched, confused and pained that Sasuke had not agreed with what Neji had said, as Sasuke put the Konoha forehead protector on.
“Do you?”
“Do I what?”
Kiba’s shout to hurry up, interrupted the tense silence that had engulfed the two and Sasuke turned away to go to where the two flea bags and Lee were waiting for them, Naruto silently followed him. His mind whirring around in slightly larger circles than before, doing nothing to help him feel better about returning to Konoha.
Sasuke leaped tree to tree, through the dense woods staying near to but not close to Naruto as they made their way toward home. Kiba had not shut up the whole trip and Naruto was unusually quiet. Lee was in front of him and kept looking back over his green shoulder at the blond with a odd expression. They knew something was wrong with Naruto for him to be this silent.
Silently he cursed him self, why couldn’t he say how he felt about Naruto? Instead he had to say something stupid about the fact Neji obviously knew he cared about the blond and elected to purposely make him jealous.
‘The asshole. Getting me worked up like that. He’s probably laughing his ass off right now.’
Sasuke looked over his shoulder at the blond for the tenth time. The way he was not smiling or frowning or anything. His face was devoid of all emotion and his eyes had resumed their hurt, lackluster appearance.
‘Damn it, why can’t I say it? Why can’t I tell him I love him?’
The way Naruto was acting was driving him nuts. He wanted to just grab the blond, kiss him silly and whisper in his ear how much he loved him. But he could not do that with Lee and Kiba around. It would be way to embarrassing. He could not just turn around and say ‘Hay dobe, I love you more than life itself.’ His mouth just would not form the words even if he did try to say them.
Though if Naruto stayed like this for much longer he might have to force his mouth in to cooperation.
Naruto looked over at Kiba and Akamaru. The two had sensed something was wrong and were keeping the blond teen company. Kiba had been talking ever since they left the town hours ago. About missions, chuunin exams, girls and an assortment of other topics. Not getting mad when he did not answer. Naruto appreciated it, he really did. It was Kiba’s way of making sure he was ok, showing him that some one cared.
Despite the good company, Naruto could not bring himself to smile.
Even with the forehead protector showing everyone that he was still part of the leaf, the cold fingers of dread had wrapped around his heart. How could the villagers forgive him for rampaging through Konoha when he did not even forgive himself. Why now after every thing that had happened did they suddenly realize that he was someone that they wanted around? Did Neji lie to him to just get him to go? Did the villagers know what had been done to him and feel sorry?
Naruto hated pity. It was worse than the angry glares and being ignored. The patronizing way an old lady would pat his head and say something like ‘He can’t help it, he’s a demon.’ He would rather be punched in the gut than have to put up with the condescending looks and sad, odd little smiles.
Now it was going to be worse. The villagers would either want him dead or look at him with those sad, weepy eyes that just reminded him that most people would of given up by now. Of course there was the added complication of Sasuke.
It hurt, the fact that Sasuke did not love him. He had not even considered it before Neji had said something. For those few moments when he thought that maybe Neji was right and that Sasuke loved him, he had felt on top of the world.
But Sasuke could not love him. Sasuke had a dream to complete. The death of his brother and the revival of his clan. Sasuke could not revive his clan if he loved him.
Naruto brought his hand up and roughly wiped his lips. Sasuke had kissed him, had held him, why? On the balcony if he had not being so fearful of contact, Sasuke might of slept with him. He had been so happy after their brief encounter because he thought the raven haired teen cared about him, truly cared about him.
Was he wrong?
Sasuke would go to great lengths to get power and for the last 7 months Orochimaru was the most powerful person alive. He could walk in to any city in any country and get what he wanted because of the demon he controlled.
Others at the sound had become jealous of the snakes power and on more than one occasion he had been attacked. The attacker trying to get to him so that they could use the demon he held for their own rise to power.
Is that what Sasuke wanted? To use Kyuubi through him?
No, Naruto shook his head to clear it of the ridiculous thought. If that was what Sasuke wanted than he would not be going back to Konoha. Then why, if he did not care for him, why would he do that?
Why would he kiss him so good? Why would he stop him from getting him off when he obviously needed to? Only to hug him and kiss him and only let him touch him if he was certain that he wanted to?
Sasuke acted like he cared, and Naruto wanted to believe that he cared, but if he did, why couldn’t he say so?
It was all so confusing and with every passing tree they were getting closer to Konoha.
He cared about Sasuke, he would do anything to get the raven haired bastard to stay with him. To stay and kiss him some more. Naruto would be lying to himself if he said that he had not liked the kiss’s, the way that Sasuke gently nibbled on his ear and how the Uchiha had moaned in to his neck. The strong arms that had wrapped around him and held on as the pale teen thrust in to his able hand. Naruto liked Sasuke, he never wanted to be without the onyx eyed fool.
The bastard acted like he cared when nobody was around. Holding him for longer than was necessary to calm him and kissing him in the twilight. Maybe that’s what was wrong with Sasuke, he could not show how he felt about anything to anybody. So he could not tell him he cared because it went against the basic core being that was Sasuke to do so.
A grin slowly spread across Narutos face as the thought of Sasuke being unable to say that he did care about him came to mind. It made sense and the bastard had not declined loving him when he told him what Neji had said. So the fool just could not admit the he loved him and oddly that was ok for Naruto.
A shrill scream pierced the woods and all four shinobi fell silent and still, ready for any thing. The grin that had briefly been on Narutos face disappeared as tension and anticipation set in. His palms starting to sweat as he gripped the kunai in his hand waiting for something to happen. Kiba was right next to him and Akamaru was on a lower tree branch to the left. The dogs hackles were up and Kiba had to shush the dog to quite his growling.
After 5 minuets of the tense silence Sasuke motioned for Lee to follow him and for Kiba to stay with Naruto.
“Who put the Uchiha, wonder boy in charge?”
Kiba was growling softly, like his dog was and suddenly both Kiba’s and Akamaru’s heads snapped right focusing on the path that they had been following from above. Curious as to what the dogs had smelt Naruto focused on the path as well.
As Sasuke’s and Lee’s disappearing forms went left to investigate the noise, a girl with torn clothes ran down the path and under the tree branch Naruto had stopped on.
The blond could sense the womans fear and her frantic run through the overgrown path tore her already shredded shirt more. Naruto heard Kiba’s chuckle as the woman’s abundant breasts bounced, clearly visible through the tattered shirt.
Akamaru made a soft bark to get their attention off the fleeing girl and the bouncing breasts. A heavy set man with brown soiled clothes was silently going after the woman. The way he moved confirmed that he had some shinobi training and it looked and smelled like he had been outside for a while.
Naruto watched as the man caught up with the woman and grabbed her by the arm, jerking her around to face him. The sound of the man slapping her across the face and the pained sound the woman made as she fell to the ground from the force of the hit, echoed through the eerily quiet woods.
Naruto was shaking as he gripped the tree to stay balanced as the man had undid his pants buckle and crawled on top of the girl.
“Somebody please help me. Please, somebody, help.”
The woman screamed as she slapped the dirty man across the face and had her hands grabbed and pinned above her head by the filthy man.
“Naruto stay here.”
Kiba harshly whispered, eager to kick this guys ass. He had seen the others shaking and could smell the sweat that had been dripping down Narutos neck. Akamaru was growling and they were about to go help the woman but as he turned to Naruto to reassure the abused teen, the place the orange clad shinobi had been sitting, was empty.
Something inside Naruto had snapped when he had heard the woman’s call for help.
How many times had he screamed for help that would not come? To many that’s for sure.
He knew what it was like to be helpless. To be at the mercy of a sadistic bastard and he would not just sit around and watch as someone else was subjected to the things that had been done to him.
All the pent up anger and resentment for the snake that he had pushed down inside of him, because he could do nothing about it, had resurfaced and it was boiling inside of him.
He was not helpless now. There was no seal to stop him, to control him, to make him fail. He could fight back and he would fight back.
Kiba looked back to the struggling woman just in time to see Naruto come out of nowhere to kick the man away. The dog boy breathed a sigh of relief, if he had let Naruto run off he was sure that Sasuke would of killed him and if the blond had closed up like he had at the doctor, he sure as hell did not want to face the Kyuubi.
Akamaru barked as the filthy man screamed in pain, refocusing on the fight he was about to join in on, Kiba stood up in shock, nearly dropping the kunai he held.
Naruto was using some taijustu moves that he remembered seeing Gai teaching Lee. He had just now started to teach them to his favorite student because he did not want Lee to hurt himself trying to do them until Gai thought he was ready. And here Naruto was doing them perfectly. Multiple punch combos paired with kicks that sent the man flying in to a tree. The blond was not only doing the complicated moves perfectly, he was making it look easy.
The dirty man threw several kunai that Naruto caught and returned lighting fast. The barrel chested man put up one of his remaining kunai to block. The man slashed with the kunai and instead of the metallic twang of metal on metal, came the pained groan as the illusion kunai around the needles stopped when the man’s kunai entered the illusion. The defending kunai had passed through the illusion but still missed the much thinner needles and they embedded in to the dirty man’s chest.
Kiba was impressed. The illusion around the needles was so well done that he could not even smell that Naruto had switched the man’s kunai for needles and he did it so fast. He did not remember Naruto even being able to detect genjutsu, let alone use it. When Shino had told him that the blond had used his own jutsu’s and techniques he did not think that Naruto would of improved this much. But damn, Naruto was kicking ass.
The blond felt the boiling rage right behind his ears and forced it out. All the times he was forced to kill people viciously, all the training Orochimaru had force him to receive, was coming out. Kyuubi was asleep and could not loan him chakra, but right now he knew that he did not need it, he could do this on his own. The snake had forced him to kill better trained people in larger groups than this before.
The filthy man charged the blond and Naruto responded with one of Mushizo’s hardest combos. The kicks slammed the man back through a tree and the angry blond was on him in a second. He kicked the thick left leg so hard he heard the crack and pop as it broke. His fist slammed in to the screaming mans nose and that too crunched. The thick, dirty man took a blind swipe and Naruto effortlessly jumped out of the way.
Naruto’s hands move through the seals so fast, his hands looked blurred. He felt the charge of blue chakra in his knuckles of his right hand and punched. His fist connecting with the thick chest right above the heart. The man screamed one last time before slumping over dead from the electricity that was released from Narutos fist.
Naruto stood, fist’s clenched and shaking as the smoking form of the man slumped to the ground.
‘No one should be raped, no one. No one should go through that pain and humiliation.’
A burning hot tear leaked out of the corner of a blue eye and down the tan, whiskered cheek. All the pain and anger that had fueled his will to fight was being choked out with the knowledge that he was still dirty. It had still happened, the men still had forced him, Orochimaru still had forced him, it still made his skin crawl to be touched.
How could Sasuke love him like this? He was dirty and used and a demon. What would the people of Konoha think if they found out about what Orochimaru had done to him? He could not even tell Sasuke everything that the snake had done to him.
More hot tears fell down the whiskered face to fall to his feet.
The bushes moved and parted for several men in similar dirty clothes as the one he had just killed. They yelled something that Naruto did not listen to and pointed to their dead companion.
Naruto wiped the tears away and clenched his fists, glaring up at the men who had let their friend attempt to rape the woman. He might not be able to get clean from what was done to him, but that was no reason to let it be done to others. The burning rage that had been choked out by his self loathing returned. These men were no better then the two that had fucked him just to hurt him , to make him free Kyuubi.
Taking a deep breath he concentrated and sorted out the chakra signatures, there were 26 men, 10 in front, 5 going around to get behind him and the rest had taken positions up around him in the trees.
Before the men could attack he made four clones and each one drew the long, sharp blade slung across their backs.
Kiba and Akamaru had hid themselves as the men came barging out from where Lee and Sasuke had gone. The men were not talented but had the blond cornered with shear numbers. Cursing, Kiba gave the signal to Akamaru and the two disappeared in to the foliage to eliminate the men trying to get around to the back side of the blond on the ground.
Naruto felt the chakra signature of Kiba and Akamaru and felt three of the signatures of the men trying to get around him, abruptly seize to exist. Knowing that Kiba guarded his back, he started his attack.The blond and his four clones charged the closest man, one clone swiped low, one from behind and one from each side. The man managed to block one out of the four swords and was unprepared for the real Naruto to jump down from above and take his head.
“Uzu-ma-ki sword combo.”
Before the head even hit the ground the five Narutos split and each was fighting a different member of the opposition. Even with his concentration divided between himself and the four clones, the clones were wining. Three of the bandits lay on the forest floor and the clones just added 4 more. A dodge and a swipe and another was added to the growing number of dead bandits.
With out pausing Naruto jumped toward a filthy, reeking man, sword above his head ready for a deadly downward swipe. The dirty bandit put up his own worn blade in defense only to have it cut in two by the sharp sword the blond wielded. Narutos blade hit the bandit in the shoulder and went down, cleaving the man nearly in half, blood soaking the trees behind him and the blond who had killed him. Naruto spun in the crouch his last move had left him in and took out several knees. Blocking a sword with his own, he formed a rasingan with his free hand and slammed it in to an approaching smelly man who flew back, slamming in to several more men before he stopped moving.
Naruto was using his momentum and he flipped over and flung kunai in to the chests of the closest men. Using his sword as a pivot, he spun on it and kicked one man away.
A sudden storm of shruken destroyed 2 of his copies and the real Naruto had to jump quickly back to avoid the shower of blades that seamed to rain on him from several different locations in the trees. Using the superior blade to deflect the incoming blades he gathering chakra at his feet. Naruto jumped, flipping and spinning as he rose in to the air, sending a barrage of shruken and kunai seemingly haphazardly in to the surrounding woods. All the while still using the sword to block the blades that were sent toward him.
The men on the ground took the opportunity and swarmed the 2 remaining clones, killing them. As Naruto landed in a crouch the leaves knocked off the trees from his shruken, fell dancing around him in the confined space.
“You missed moron.”
The skinny man who had spoke backed away when Naruto looked up at him from his crouch with a feral grin. Suddenly 7 men, one right after each other fell from the trees, their bodies making hard thumps as they hit the ground.
The group of bandits shouted orders to regroup but a shadow danced between the ranks of the renegade men and left red blood spouting from several vital locations on numerous men. A double tornado of claws and fangs sprang out from the left and decimated the already hurting group. As several of the men turned to flee, a green beast with a flurry of punches and kicks hit the men back in to the range of the twin tornadoes and the deadly shadow.
The bandits rushed Naruto and the blond found himself hard pressed dodging and slashing only to have more bandits replace the one’s he killed. He had two smelly men in front of him and a third was coming up from the rear. He hit aside the knives one man was using and the old sword the other was wielding, turning he threw his sword and skewered the one approaching from behind. The man’s face contorted in pain than vanished as the mans form dissipated in smoke.
‘A clone!’
Naruto had to roll to avoid the blows from the two in front of him and as he rolled in to a crouch ready to fight he saw the shadows open up. Sasuke’s eyes red and hostile, effortlessly eliminated the two men. The raven haired Uchiha’s hands sped through seals and suddenly the forest was lit on fire. Highlighting the pale face in an orange hue.
Still the woods seamed to surge back, spewing forth more men. Naruto raced to Sasukes side and started his own set of seals. Sasuke saw what set he was doing and started his set that was similar, but sightly different them the one the blond was doing.
“Chikyuu suiryuudan no jutsu!”
The dirt of the forest rose up and formed a dragon made of mud. The creature lunged forward, destroying a large portion of the once dense forest and the unfortunate men that still were stupid enough to be attacking them. Kiba and Lee had to scramble to get out of the way of the mud dragon as the creature fell to the forest floor slithering and rolling before fading back in to the dirt that it was made out of. Several of the bandits were struggling to free themselves from the waist high mud wave from the collapsing dragon, that had pinned them down.
“Katon Suiryuudan no jutsu!”
Sasuke let the last seal go as the fire dragon baked the mud, hardening it so that the trapped bandits had no hope of freeing themselves. The flame beast set several trees on fire before rising in to the sky like a miniature sun, bathing the forest in its orange glow as it disappeared.
Naruto stood looking out at the remains of the bandit group and his friends that were tying up the few that were not dead or baked in to the mud, unable to free themselves or even reach their weapons. Sasuke was covered in blood and many of the dead men had slashes across their throats to explain why. Lee had bloody knuckles and his green jumpsuit had several tares in it. Akamaru and Kiba were on the lookout in case they missed any of the bandits. Still in the clone beast form so that it took a moment to find out which one was the real Kiba.
There was a rustle in the bushes behind the blond and Naruto spun, kunai out and ready to kill off any bandits that had not been trapped yet.
The girl had her arms across her chest and stepped back from the wild looking blond. Not sure if she should scream yet.
“I just, I just wanted to thank you.”
Her eyes were wide with fear as she had put her hands up to defend herself. Looking like she was about ready to run screaming from him.
Naruto blinked several times shaking his head and put the kunai back in to his holster and turned away from the woman. Kiba (the real one.)walked over, offering the girl his jacket to cover herself with. Her shirt had been torn beyond repair and she accepted the jacket gladly. Slowly Naruto walked away as Kiba began to flirt with the bruised girl. Calming her down and reassuring her that the blond was not going to eat her.
He was numb, he could not feel his fingers or hands. He had just about attacked the woman he had started out trying to protect. It was an automatic response to attack. His body had responded on its own. It was not even the stupid fox but his own reflexes that had almost killed that girl.
Slowly he wrapped his arms around himself holding on to the sleeves of the orange jacket he wore. The 7 men from the trees still laid on the ground where they had fallen and the man he had decapitated was literally in pieces on the forest floor. He had killed them with out thinking, with out mercy. Just like Orochimaru had trained him to do.
Naruto fell to his knees and vomited, still holding on to his sleeves. Tears streaming down his face to drip off his nose and fall in to the puddle by his knees. He did not want to be a monster, killing for the sake of killing, but he did. He could not even remember if they had pleaded for their lives. How could he go back to Konoha like this? He was a killer, a murdering fiend.
He had killed countless people because Orochimaru had ordered him to. He did not use Kyuubi, he used his own hands and killed them in any way the snake had wanted him to.
He was a monster and why on earth would anybody want him back after what he had done.
Strong arms wrapped around his curled, crying form and lifted him up to lean against a well toned chest covered by a black and blood soaked shirt. He felt the chin that rested on the top of his head and the hand rubbing his back that remembered to not dip past the middle of his back. The soft mummers of reassurances that he could feel in the chest he was pressed against.
Sasuke still wanted to hold him. Still wanted to be here with him.
Naruto let go of his sleeves and grabbed on to Sasuke. Letting the raven haired bastard make it all better by running his hands through his hair and letting him cry himself out on the already ruined shirt. Never pushing him away or scolding him.
Just holding on. Just letting him hold on to him. Just being there when he needed him.
It did not last as long as Naruto wanted it to, after 5 minuets Sasuke pulled away and looked him in the eye. Seeing that his tears had stopped he helped the blond to his feet.
Naruto noticed the wobble as Sasuke stepped away from him and that Kiba , Akamaru and Lee had all come up to him as he clung to Sasuke.
Lee tossed him a wet cloth to wipe his face with and Kiba was chattering about how much he had improved. Akamaru was leaning against his leg, the dog had returned to his true form and was nuzzling his hand.
They did not care that he was a monster and had killed the bandits. They did not leave him or hurt him, they were here and worried about him. They were still his friends after everything and would still be with him if he returned to Konoha. Akamaru wined and Naruto started to scratch the pale dogs head. Feeling much better about everything, knowing that no matter what, he would not face it alone.
Turning and seeking out the dark form of Sasuke as the teen leaned against a nearby tree, Naruto saw the way Sasukes eyes had returned to their dark color and were watching him with a oddly soft and concerned look. And a smile, not a smirk or a sneer, a smile graced the Uchihas face as he watched the two others talk to him.
Lee excitedly asking about the moves he had did. Kiba still commenting on how Naruto had kicked ass.
The woman that had stood off to the side, still wearing Kiba’s jacket walked up to him, no longer afraid and kissed the blond haired shinobi that had saved her from a horrible fate.
“My towns not far from here, you all are welcome to stay the rest of the night.”
Naruto could only stare at the large brown eyes and the full pink lips that had just been against his. As all his body heat left and his skin paled.
Thankfully Lee answered for him because the girl still had her hands on him and he was afraid that if he spoke it would be to scream ‘get your hands off of me.’
“No, sorry. We have orders to return to Konoha at once. I will not disobey the orders of my beloved sensei.”
Lee had spun around and struck a pose just like Gai would of.
Kiba rolled his eyes and led the girl away from the blond. The dog boy went on to explain to the girl that the guy in green was insane and that although they did have orders to return to Konoha, if she would like, he could return and spend the night at a later time. She laughed and scrawled an address on a bit of paper from one of the jackets pockets and handed it to Kiba.
Sasuke had watched the exchange while leaning on a nearby tree favoring his right leg. Naruto standing numbly beside him. He had wanted to hold the blond for longer, to whisper how much he loved him and that it was alright now, he was here. The other two had come up and inquired about Naruto and he had to let the blond go with out saying anything. And to top it off the stitches in his leg had ripped, reopening the wound and was bleeding. He did not think it was that serious, it just hurt like hell.
Lee and Kiba were still fussing over the girl. He had to admit she was pretty but he did not like her kissing Naruto. It was better than Neji kissing Naruto though, but he still did not want any lips but his own to touch his dobe.
Seeing the two distracted, fighting over the girl, the raven haired shinobi took the opportunity and turned the blond standing next to him, around to face him. Smiling at the startled look Naruto gave him as he leaned down to press his lips against the blonds.
At first Naruto was hesitant but after the first few seconds the blond relaxed and let Sasuke slip his tongue in to his mouth. The raven haired teen could not help but smirk as Naruto ran his hands through the his longer hair. Wrapping his arms around the small blond, pulling the warmth of the teen closer to his own. Feeling the heat as Narutos chest pressed against his own and the hands running down his back.
“Naruto, Sasuke, where did you two go?”
Reluctantly Sasuke let go and Naruto backed away blushing as Lee came up to them.
“Choi-chan said she’ll go get the men from her village to take care of the bandits, so we need to get moving.”
“Right.”
Sasuke walked right passed Naruto to collect the sword the blond had thrown. Lee stood blinking, confused to see a blush on the stoic ice bastards face and Naruto pointedly not looking at him.
One of the bandits that was tied to a tree near to where Sasuke went to pick up Orochimaru’s sword, saw the gray vest and the forehead protector the aloof raven haired shinobi sported.
“You left after the snake died just like us, so cut a fellow some slack and let me go.”
A kunai slammed into the tree trunk next to the stupid bandit’s head, so close that his cheek was cut.
“Hay, just because your village took you back, don’t mean that you should forget where you learned all your good techniques, right. I was there to. Come on forgive a fellow one time sound nin. It’s not like you have a place to go back to after this anyway.”
In a flash Sasuke had pulled the kunai out from the tree trunk and had it pressed dangerously up against the mans throat.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Kiba stopped flirting shamelessly and Lee stopped looking at Naruto for an explanation, to look over to the squirming bandit.
“How about you let me go and I tell you.”
“How about you tell me and I won’t kill you.”
Sasuke pressed the blade in to the soft skin of the bandits neck, sending a few crimson beads trickling down the blade.
“Well, do you want to die?”
The man snorted and Sasuke pressed harder with the blade.
“ Yesterday the main forces of Koten were ordered to go to Konoha.”
“Koten?”
“He’s part of akatsuki and controls the underworld dealings of the organization. He has more people in his service that any of the shinobi villages. I worked for him before so I received the message as well.”
“What the hell would he want with Konoha?”
“Let me go.”
Sasuke looked over to the others and turned back to the man. He punched the man so hard that his head made a cracking sound as it hit the tree behind him. Naruto could see the red eyes glaring at the man and the kunai returned to the neck.
“Tell me or I will kill you... slowly.”
The man opened his eyes he had clenched shut after being hit and saw the blood red sharingon.
“Damn Uchiha...Akatsuki wants the demon that Orochimaru controlled. They got word that it was being delivered to the village soon and are lying in wait for the demon so they can take it. By the time you all get there, the village will be controlled by Akatsuki. Now let me go.”
The Uchiha hit the man in the head again, knocking him out and standing up to face the three others that had just heard the news.
Naruto sank to his knees and hung his head, eyes wide. What would they do now? It was his fault.
“We’ll go to Konoha and save it.”
Looking up at the green spandex clad teen who had fires burning in his eyes and his fist up and shaking.
“We will not let some fiends take over our home without a fight.”
Kiba and Akamaru were growling and nodding. Naruto looked over to the last member of their group.
Who in turn looked at him.
“What do you want to do dobe?”
Naruto froze at the question. He wanted to run away and hide for the rest of his life so he would not have to face the scorn of the village. But he could not think he could do that knowing that all his friends and people he cared for were being held captive. There was a rumble in his stomach as Kyuubi stirred. The blond put a hand to his stomach and sorted out the feelings of the demon.
Territorial, Kyuubi was territorial, if anybody was going to destroy Konoha, he would.
A hand on his shoulder made the blond look up as Sasuke knelt down in front of him.
“What do you want to do, Naruto.”
Sasuke would follow him wherever he went. He had followed the demon and stayed at the sound for him. He loved him. The bastard could not say it but he knew. He loved him back and all the scorn and hated was worth being with Sasuke. Lee and Kiba did not abandon him and he refused to abandon them.
“I want to go home, Sasuke.”
“Ok, than let’s go home.”
Sasuke helped Naruto to his feet and after ensuring the woman made it back to her village, the four shinobi resumed heading to Konoha.
Knowing that it was a trap but none of the shinobi complained. They could not stand knowing that their loved ones were in danger.
four letter word.
Neji escorted the two teens to the front gate where Lee and Kiba were waiting. The two chuunin just finishing the patrol to keep an eye out for any stragglers of the bandit group they had fought earlier. The trip to Konoha would take about 12 hours, if they ran at top speed and the letter from Tsunade stated that they were to leave as soon as possible.
Sasuke and Naruto had scrambled to grab every thing they needed before they set off. Gai had given them their weapons back, since there were still thieves and bandits in the areas they would be passing through. Sasuke had declined to go to the hospital and get some drugs to help with the cravings. The others were still uneasy about the subject and Naruto had to convince them that Sasuke would be ok with out help. After much crying and hugging on Gai’s part, the two Konoha bound teens were led out of the hotel by Neji who needed time away from the overly emotional jounin.
Naruto had Orochimarus sword, Kusanagi, slung across his back. he large blade sticking a good six inches past both his shoulder and hip and Sasuke carried a back pack filled with necessities, hands in his pockets, the perpetual scowl back to it’s normal size on his pale face. Neji and Sasuke walked silently down the dark road to the main gate as Naruto lagged slightly behind them.
The blond teen was wandering in circles in his own head and not really paying attention to his surroundings. Just following the steadily moving forms in front of him.
The trio made their way to the front gate in the moon light and Sasuke could not help but notice the worried look on Narutos face as he looked over his shoulder for the 5th time at the blond.
The raven haired teen sighed. Naruto knew that the villagers did not forgive that easily. Sasuke knew this all to well, having come back from Orochimaru to face the scorn of the entire village. The villagers did not take well to having their trust betrayed. Naruto had been just starting to prove that he was not a vicious demon and be accepted, when Orochimaru had to ruin the blonds chances of ever being truly acknowledged by the village.
Damn it, all the things that Naruto did that proved him self a worthy person were wiped away and now the blond would have to re-earn everyone’s trust.
It was not fair.
The closer to the gate they got the more nervous Naruto seamed to get. It was still dark out and the moon hung low in the sky, casting odd shadows around them. The wind making things move and lurch, distorting the already odd shadows. A metal trash can lid fell with a loud clatter and a cat shot across the street in front of the blond.
Naruto yelped and jumped back, bringing a kunai to the ready position in front of him. Both Sasuke and Neji stopped to look at the hard breathing, wide eyed Naruto.
“It’s just a cat.”
Naruto blushed at Neji’s statement and put the kunai back to it’s proper location in his leg holster.
Neji fell back before Sasuke could and started to walk beside Naruto, letting the miffed Uchiha lead the way.
The dark eyed teen growled softly at the Hyuuga’s actions but kept moving, plotting evil ways to get the pale eyed teen away from his Naruto.
The close presence of a friend helped to calm Naruto’s overacting nerves. The dark, empty streets were a little less intimidating with someone right by his side. The creepy shadows looked like they could hold a lurking shinobi just waiting to do horrible things to him and drag him back to the sound. He knew that it would not happen but he still was jumpy.
Neji was walking right next to him, so close that occasionally their arms would touch. Naruto was not sure about Neji closeness, it was comforting to not be alone and he was a distraction from the circles his mind kept going in, about whether or not he would be accepted back, but still the closeness was odd in itself. As they reached the gate and saw the shadowy outlines of Kiba and Lee, Neji called out for Sasuke to stop.
Sasuke turned angrily to the Hyuuga, watching as the pale jounin pulled something out of one of his pockets and turned to the blond teen that was way to close to the Hyuuga, according to Sasuke.
“Don’t move Naruto.”
The blond tried not to flinch as Neji wrapped arms around his head and tied something to his forehead. The familiar weight of a forehead protector pressed comfortably around his head as the Hyuuga finished tying the knot. He smiled and reached up to feel the engraved leaf symbol on the metal part.
The small weight on his forehead made him feel like he still belonged to the leaf. That he was just returning from a very long mission instead of captivity at the sound. That maybe Neji was right and that the people would not hate him for some thing he truly did not want to do.
Neji smiled back at the blond and dropped his hands to wrap around Naruto’s waist leaning in to brush his lips against the tan neck just under the ear of the smaller teen. Softly he whispered so only the shocked, blue eyed teen could hear him.
“You know, Sasuke loves you.”
Neji pulled away, taking in the startled look on the blonds face. Quickly he turned and threw something at the Uchiha that stood glowering at them. Murderous intent positively oozing from him.
Sasuke caught the item with ease and wrapped his hand around the forehead protector Neji had just given him.
He was beyond pissed and had Neji not picked that moment to jump away to take over the parole for Kiba and Lee, he would of killed him.
Ripped his guts out and stomped on them for kissing his dobe.
Naruto looked at the murderous expression Sasuke wore and shuttered. The raven haired teen forced the intense hatred he had for the Hyuuga at the moment, down a little and waited for HIS dobe to catch up to him. As the two walked side by side Sasuke, trying to not sound as jealous as he was, spoke.
“So what did he say.”
It was supposed to come out smooth, non-concerned like. But the fact his fists and jaw were clenched made it sound a little more forced.
Naruto was still looking at Sasuke and how his demeanor had changed dramatically after Neji’s brief kiss.
“He said that you love me.”
Naruto watched as Sasuke made face like he had just swallowed his tongue. Than all the anger seamed to leave the dark eyed teen and he smiled. A brief but genuine smile that progressed in to a chuckle.
“The shit was just messing with me.”
Naruto watched, confused and pained that Sasuke had not agreed with what Neji had said, as Sasuke put the Konoha forehead protector on.
“Do you?”
“Do I what?”
Kiba’s shout to hurry up, interrupted the tense silence that had engulfed the two and Sasuke turned away to go to where the two flea bags and Lee were waiting for them, Naruto silently followed him. His mind whirring around in slightly larger circles than before, doing nothing to help him feel better about returning to Konoha.
Sasuke leaped tree to tree, through the dense woods staying near to but not close to Naruto as they made their way toward home. Kiba had not shut up the whole trip and Naruto was unusually quiet. Lee was in front of him and kept looking back over his green shoulder at the blond with a odd expression. They knew something was wrong with Naruto for him to be this silent.
Silently he cursed him self, why couldn’t he say how he felt about Naruto? Instead he had to say something stupid about the fact Neji obviously knew he cared about the blond and elected to purposely make him jealous.
‘The asshole. Getting me worked up like that. He’s probably laughing his ass off right now.’
Sasuke looked over his shoulder at the blond for the tenth time. The way he was not smiling or frowning or anything. His face was devoid of all emotion and his eyes had resumed their hurt, lackluster appearance.
‘Damn it, why can’t I say it? Why can’t I tell him I love him?’
The way Naruto was acting was driving him nuts. He wanted to just grab the blond, kiss him silly and whisper in his ear how much he loved him. But he could not do that with Lee and Kiba around. It would be way to embarrassing. He could not just turn around and say ‘Hay dobe, I love you more than life itself.’ His mouth just would not form the words even if he did try to say them.
Though if Naruto stayed like this for much longer he might have to force his mouth in to cooperation.
Naruto looked over at Kiba and Akamaru. The two had sensed something was wrong and were keeping the blond teen company. Kiba had been talking ever since they left the town hours ago. About missions, chuunin exams, girls and an assortment of other topics. Not getting mad when he did not answer. Naruto appreciated it, he really did. It was Kiba’s way of making sure he was ok, showing him that some one cared.
Despite the good company, Naruto could not bring himself to smile.
Even with the forehead protector showing everyone that he was still part of the leaf, the cold fingers of dread had wrapped around his heart. How could the villagers forgive him for rampaging through Konoha when he did not even forgive himself. Why now after every thing that had happened did they suddenly realize that he was someone that they wanted around? Did Neji lie to him to just get him to go? Did the villagers know what had been done to him and feel sorry?
Naruto hated pity. It was worse than the angry glares and being ignored. The patronizing way an old lady would pat his head and say something like ‘He can’t help it, he’s a demon.’ He would rather be punched in the gut than have to put up with the condescending looks and sad, odd little smiles.
Now it was going to be worse. The villagers would either want him dead or look at him with those sad, weepy eyes that just reminded him that most people would of given up by now. Of course there was the added complication of Sasuke.
It hurt, the fact that Sasuke did not love him. He had not even considered it before Neji had said something. For those few moments when he thought that maybe Neji was right and that Sasuke loved him, he had felt on top of the world.
But Sasuke could not love him. Sasuke had a dream to complete. The death of his brother and the revival of his clan. Sasuke could not revive his clan if he loved him.
Naruto brought his hand up and roughly wiped his lips. Sasuke had kissed him, had held him, why? On the balcony if he had not being so fearful of contact, Sasuke might of slept with him. He had been so happy after their brief encounter because he thought the raven haired teen cared about him, truly cared about him.
Was he wrong?
Sasuke would go to great lengths to get power and for the last 7 months Orochimaru was the most powerful person alive. He could walk in to any city in any country and get what he wanted because of the demon he controlled.
Others at the sound had become jealous of the snakes power and on more than one occasion he had been attacked. The attacker trying to get to him so that they could use the demon he held for their own rise to power.
Is that what Sasuke wanted? To use Kyuubi through him?
No, Naruto shook his head to clear it of the ridiculous thought. If that was what Sasuke wanted than he would not be going back to Konoha. Then why, if he did not care for him, why would he do that?
Why would he kiss him so good? Why would he stop him from getting him off when he obviously needed to? Only to hug him and kiss him and only let him touch him if he was certain that he wanted to?
Sasuke acted like he cared, and Naruto wanted to believe that he cared, but if he did, why couldn’t he say so?
It was all so confusing and with every passing tree they were getting closer to Konoha.
He cared about Sasuke, he would do anything to get the raven haired bastard to stay with him. To stay and kiss him some more. Naruto would be lying to himself if he said that he had not liked the kiss’s, the way that Sasuke gently nibbled on his ear and how the Uchiha had moaned in to his neck. The strong arms that had wrapped around him and held on as the pale teen thrust in to his able hand. Naruto liked Sasuke, he never wanted to be without the onyx eyed fool.
The bastard acted like he cared when nobody was around. Holding him for longer than was necessary to calm him and kissing him in the twilight. Maybe that’s what was wrong with Sasuke, he could not show how he felt about anything to anybody. So he could not tell him he cared because it went against the basic core being that was Sasuke to do so.
A grin slowly spread across Narutos face as the thought of Sasuke being unable to say that he did care about him came to mind. It made sense and the bastard had not declined loving him when he told him what Neji had said. So the fool just could not admit the he loved him and oddly that was ok for Naruto.
A shrill scream pierced the woods and all four shinobi fell silent and still, ready for any thing. The grin that had briefly been on Narutos face disappeared as tension and anticipation set in. His palms starting to sweat as he gripped the kunai in his hand waiting for something to happen. Kiba was right next to him and Akamaru was on a lower tree branch to the left. The dogs hackles were up and Kiba had to shush the dog to quite his growling.
After 5 minuets of the tense silence Sasuke motioned for Lee to follow him and for Kiba to stay with Naruto.
“Who put the Uchiha, wonder boy in charge?”
Kiba was growling softly, like his dog was and suddenly both Kiba’s and Akamaru’s heads snapped right focusing on the path that they had been following from above. Curious as to what the dogs had smelt Naruto focused on the path as well.
As Sasuke’s and Lee’s disappearing forms went left to investigate the noise, a girl with torn clothes ran down the path and under the tree branch Naruto had stopped on.
The blond could sense the womans fear and her frantic run through the overgrown path tore her already shredded shirt more. Naruto heard Kiba’s chuckle as the woman’s abundant breasts bounced, clearly visible through the tattered shirt.
Akamaru made a soft bark to get their attention off the fleeing girl and the bouncing breasts. A heavy set man with brown soiled clothes was silently going after the woman. The way he moved confirmed that he had some shinobi training and it looked and smelled like he had been outside for a while.
Naruto watched as the man caught up with the woman and grabbed her by the arm, jerking her around to face him. The sound of the man slapping her across the face and the pained sound the woman made as she fell to the ground from the force of the hit, echoed through the eerily quiet woods.
Naruto was shaking as he gripped the tree to stay balanced as the man had undid his pants buckle and crawled on top of the girl.
“Somebody please help me. Please, somebody, help.”
The woman screamed as she slapped the dirty man across the face and had her hands grabbed and pinned above her head by the filthy man.
“Naruto stay here.”
Kiba harshly whispered, eager to kick this guys ass. He had seen the others shaking and could smell the sweat that had been dripping down Narutos neck. Akamaru was growling and they were about to go help the woman but as he turned to Naruto to reassure the abused teen, the place the orange clad shinobi had been sitting, was empty.
Something inside Naruto had snapped when he had heard the woman’s call for help.
How many times had he screamed for help that would not come? To many that’s for sure.
He knew what it was like to be helpless. To be at the mercy of a sadistic bastard and he would not just sit around and watch as someone else was subjected to the things that had been done to him.
All the pent up anger and resentment for the snake that he had pushed down inside of him, because he could do nothing about it, had resurfaced and it was boiling inside of him.
He was not helpless now. There was no seal to stop him, to control him, to make him fail. He could fight back and he would fight back.
Kiba looked back to the struggling woman just in time to see Naruto come out of nowhere to kick the man away. The dog boy breathed a sigh of relief, if he had let Naruto run off he was sure that Sasuke would of killed him and if the blond had closed up like he had at the doctor, he sure as hell did not want to face the Kyuubi.
Akamaru barked as the filthy man screamed in pain, refocusing on the fight he was about to join in on, Kiba stood up in shock, nearly dropping the kunai he held.
Naruto was using some taijustu moves that he remembered seeing Gai teaching Lee. He had just now started to teach them to his favorite student because he did not want Lee to hurt himself trying to do them until Gai thought he was ready. And here Naruto was doing them perfectly. Multiple punch combos paired with kicks that sent the man flying in to a tree. The blond was not only doing the complicated moves perfectly, he was making it look easy.
The dirty man threw several kunai that Naruto caught and returned lighting fast. The barrel chested man put up one of his remaining kunai to block. The man slashed with the kunai and instead of the metallic twang of metal on metal, came the pained groan as the illusion kunai around the needles stopped when the man’s kunai entered the illusion. The defending kunai had passed through the illusion but still missed the much thinner needles and they embedded in to the dirty man’s chest.
Kiba was impressed. The illusion around the needles was so well done that he could not even smell that Naruto had switched the man’s kunai for needles and he did it so fast. He did not remember Naruto even being able to detect genjutsu, let alone use it. When Shino had told him that the blond had used his own jutsu’s and techniques he did not think that Naruto would of improved this much. But damn, Naruto was kicking ass.
The blond felt the boiling rage right behind his ears and forced it out. All the times he was forced to kill people viciously, all the training Orochimaru had force him to receive, was coming out. Kyuubi was asleep and could not loan him chakra, but right now he knew that he did not need it, he could do this on his own. The snake had forced him to kill better trained people in larger groups than this before.
The filthy man charged the blond and Naruto responded with one of Mushizo’s hardest combos. The kicks slammed the man back through a tree and the angry blond was on him in a second. He kicked the thick left leg so hard he heard the crack and pop as it broke. His fist slammed in to the screaming mans nose and that too crunched. The thick, dirty man took a blind swipe and Naruto effortlessly jumped out of the way.
Naruto’s hands move through the seals so fast, his hands looked blurred. He felt the charge of blue chakra in his knuckles of his right hand and punched. His fist connecting with the thick chest right above the heart. The man screamed one last time before slumping over dead from the electricity that was released from Narutos fist.
Naruto stood, fist’s clenched and shaking as the smoking form of the man slumped to the ground.
‘No one should be raped, no one. No one should go through that pain and humiliation.’
A burning hot tear leaked out of the corner of a blue eye and down the tan, whiskered cheek. All the pain and anger that had fueled his will to fight was being choked out with the knowledge that he was still dirty. It had still happened, the men still had forced him, Orochimaru still had forced him, it still made his skin crawl to be touched.
How could Sasuke love him like this? He was dirty and used and a demon. What would the people of Konoha think if they found out about what Orochimaru had done to him? He could not even tell Sasuke everything that the snake had done to him.
More hot tears fell down the whiskered face to fall to his feet.
The bushes moved and parted for several men in similar dirty clothes as the one he had just killed. They yelled something that Naruto did not listen to and pointed to their dead companion.
Naruto wiped the tears away and clenched his fists, glaring up at the men who had let their friend attempt to rape the woman. He might not be able to get clean from what was done to him, but that was no reason to let it be done to others. The burning rage that had been choked out by his self loathing returned. These men were no better then the two that had fucked him just to hurt him , to make him free Kyuubi.
Taking a deep breath he concentrated and sorted out the chakra signatures, there were 26 men, 10 in front, 5 going around to get behind him and the rest had taken positions up around him in the trees.
Before the men could attack he made four clones and each one drew the long, sharp blade slung across their backs.
Kiba and Akamaru had hid themselves as the men came barging out from where Lee and Sasuke had gone. The men were not talented but had the blond cornered with shear numbers. Cursing, Kiba gave the signal to Akamaru and the two disappeared in to the foliage to eliminate the men trying to get around to the back side of the blond on the ground.
Naruto felt the chakra signature of Kiba and Akamaru and felt three of the signatures of the men trying to get around him, abruptly seize to exist. Knowing that Kiba guarded his back, he started his attack.The blond and his four clones charged the closest man, one clone swiped low, one from behind and one from each side. The man managed to block one out of the four swords and was unprepared for the real Naruto to jump down from above and take his head.
“Uzu-ma-ki sword combo.”
Before the head even hit the ground the five Narutos split and each was fighting a different member of the opposition. Even with his concentration divided between himself and the four clones, the clones were wining. Three of the bandits lay on the forest floor and the clones just added 4 more. A dodge and a swipe and another was added to the growing number of dead bandits.
With out pausing Naruto jumped toward a filthy, reeking man, sword above his head ready for a deadly downward swipe. The dirty bandit put up his own worn blade in defense only to have it cut in two by the sharp sword the blond wielded. Narutos blade hit the bandit in the shoulder and went down, cleaving the man nearly in half, blood soaking the trees behind him and the blond who had killed him. Naruto spun in the crouch his last move had left him in and took out several knees. Blocking a sword with his own, he formed a rasingan with his free hand and slammed it in to an approaching smelly man who flew back, slamming in to several more men before he stopped moving.
Naruto was using his momentum and he flipped over and flung kunai in to the chests of the closest men. Using his sword as a pivot, he spun on it and kicked one man away.
A sudden storm of shruken destroyed 2 of his copies and the real Naruto had to jump quickly back to avoid the shower of blades that seamed to rain on him from several different locations in the trees. Using the superior blade to deflect the incoming blades he gathering chakra at his feet. Naruto jumped, flipping and spinning as he rose in to the air, sending a barrage of shruken and kunai seemingly haphazardly in to the surrounding woods. All the while still using the sword to block the blades that were sent toward him.
The men on the ground took the opportunity and swarmed the 2 remaining clones, killing them. As Naruto landed in a crouch the leaves knocked off the trees from his shruken, fell dancing around him in the confined space.
“You missed moron.”
The skinny man who had spoke backed away when Naruto looked up at him from his crouch with a feral grin. Suddenly 7 men, one right after each other fell from the trees, their bodies making hard thumps as they hit the ground.
The group of bandits shouted orders to regroup but a shadow danced between the ranks of the renegade men and left red blood spouting from several vital locations on numerous men. A double tornado of claws and fangs sprang out from the left and decimated the already hurting group. As several of the men turned to flee, a green beast with a flurry of punches and kicks hit the men back in to the range of the twin tornadoes and the deadly shadow.
The bandits rushed Naruto and the blond found himself hard pressed dodging and slashing only to have more bandits replace the one’s he killed. He had two smelly men in front of him and a third was coming up from the rear. He hit aside the knives one man was using and the old sword the other was wielding, turning he threw his sword and skewered the one approaching from behind. The man’s face contorted in pain than vanished as the mans form dissipated in smoke.
‘A clone!’
Naruto had to roll to avoid the blows from the two in front of him and as he rolled in to a crouch ready to fight he saw the shadows open up. Sasuke’s eyes red and hostile, effortlessly eliminated the two men. The raven haired Uchiha’s hands sped through seals and suddenly the forest was lit on fire. Highlighting the pale face in an orange hue.
Still the woods seamed to surge back, spewing forth more men. Naruto raced to Sasukes side and started his own set of seals. Sasuke saw what set he was doing and started his set that was similar, but sightly different them the one the blond was doing.
“Chikyuu suiryuudan no jutsu!”
The dirt of the forest rose up and formed a dragon made of mud. The creature lunged forward, destroying a large portion of the once dense forest and the unfortunate men that still were stupid enough to be attacking them. Kiba and Lee had to scramble to get out of the way of the mud dragon as the creature fell to the forest floor slithering and rolling before fading back in to the dirt that it was made out of. Several of the bandits were struggling to free themselves from the waist high mud wave from the collapsing dragon, that had pinned them down.
“Katon Suiryuudan no jutsu!”
Sasuke let the last seal go as the fire dragon baked the mud, hardening it so that the trapped bandits had no hope of freeing themselves. The flame beast set several trees on fire before rising in to the sky like a miniature sun, bathing the forest in its orange glow as it disappeared.
Naruto stood looking out at the remains of the bandit group and his friends that were tying up the few that were not dead or baked in to the mud, unable to free themselves or even reach their weapons. Sasuke was covered in blood and many of the dead men had slashes across their throats to explain why. Lee had bloody knuckles and his green jumpsuit had several tares in it. Akamaru and Kiba were on the lookout in case they missed any of the bandits. Still in the clone beast form so that it took a moment to find out which one was the real Kiba.
There was a rustle in the bushes behind the blond and Naruto spun, kunai out and ready to kill off any bandits that had not been trapped yet.
The girl had her arms across her chest and stepped back from the wild looking blond. Not sure if she should scream yet.
“I just, I just wanted to thank you.”
Her eyes were wide with fear as she had put her hands up to defend herself. Looking like she was about ready to run screaming from him.
Naruto blinked several times shaking his head and put the kunai back in to his holster and turned away from the woman. Kiba (the real one.)walked over, offering the girl his jacket to cover herself with. Her shirt had been torn beyond repair and she accepted the jacket gladly. Slowly Naruto walked away as Kiba began to flirt with the bruised girl. Calming her down and reassuring her that the blond was not going to eat her.
He was numb, he could not feel his fingers or hands. He had just about attacked the woman he had started out trying to protect. It was an automatic response to attack. His body had responded on its own. It was not even the stupid fox but his own reflexes that had almost killed that girl.
Slowly he wrapped his arms around himself holding on to the sleeves of the orange jacket he wore. The 7 men from the trees still laid on the ground where they had fallen and the man he had decapitated was literally in pieces on the forest floor. He had killed them with out thinking, with out mercy. Just like Orochimaru had trained him to do.
Naruto fell to his knees and vomited, still holding on to his sleeves. Tears streaming down his face to drip off his nose and fall in to the puddle by his knees. He did not want to be a monster, killing for the sake of killing, but he did. He could not even remember if they had pleaded for their lives. How could he go back to Konoha like this? He was a killer, a murdering fiend.
He had killed countless people because Orochimaru had ordered him to. He did not use Kyuubi, he used his own hands and killed them in any way the snake had wanted him to.
He was a monster and why on earth would anybody want him back after what he had done.
Strong arms wrapped around his curled, crying form and lifted him up to lean against a well toned chest covered by a black and blood soaked shirt. He felt the chin that rested on the top of his head and the hand rubbing his back that remembered to not dip past the middle of his back. The soft mummers of reassurances that he could feel in the chest he was pressed against.
Sasuke still wanted to hold him. Still wanted to be here with him.
Naruto let go of his sleeves and grabbed on to Sasuke. Letting the raven haired bastard make it all better by running his hands through his hair and letting him cry himself out on the already ruined shirt. Never pushing him away or scolding him.
Just holding on. Just letting him hold on to him. Just being there when he needed him.
It did not last as long as Naruto wanted it to, after 5 minuets Sasuke pulled away and looked him in the eye. Seeing that his tears had stopped he helped the blond to his feet.
Naruto noticed the wobble as Sasuke stepped away from him and that Kiba , Akamaru and Lee had all come up to him as he clung to Sasuke.
Lee tossed him a wet cloth to wipe his face with and Kiba was chattering about how much he had improved. Akamaru was leaning against his leg, the dog had returned to his true form and was nuzzling his hand.
They did not care that he was a monster and had killed the bandits. They did not leave him or hurt him, they were here and worried about him. They were still his friends after everything and would still be with him if he returned to Konoha. Akamaru wined and Naruto started to scratch the pale dogs head. Feeling much better about everything, knowing that no matter what, he would not face it alone.
Turning and seeking out the dark form of Sasuke as the teen leaned against a nearby tree, Naruto saw the way Sasukes eyes had returned to their dark color and were watching him with a oddly soft and concerned look. And a smile, not a smirk or a sneer, a smile graced the Uchihas face as he watched the two others talk to him.
Lee excitedly asking about the moves he had did. Kiba still commenting on how Naruto had kicked ass.
The woman that had stood off to the side, still wearing Kiba’s jacket walked up to him, no longer afraid and kissed the blond haired shinobi that had saved her from a horrible fate.
“My towns not far from here, you all are welcome to stay the rest of the night.”
Naruto could only stare at the large brown eyes and the full pink lips that had just been against his. As all his body heat left and his skin paled.
Thankfully Lee answered for him because the girl still had her hands on him and he was afraid that if he spoke it would be to scream ‘get your hands off of me.’
“No, sorry. We have orders to return to Konoha at once. I will not disobey the orders of my beloved sensei.”
Lee had spun around and struck a pose just like Gai would of.
Kiba rolled his eyes and led the girl away from the blond. The dog boy went on to explain to the girl that the guy in green was insane and that although they did have orders to return to Konoha, if she would like, he could return and spend the night at a later time. She laughed and scrawled an address on a bit of paper from one of the jackets pockets and handed it to Kiba.
Sasuke had watched the exchange while leaning on a nearby tree favoring his right leg. Naruto standing numbly beside him. He had wanted to hold the blond for longer, to whisper how much he loved him and that it was alright now, he was here. The other two had come up and inquired about Naruto and he had to let the blond go with out saying anything. And to top it off the stitches in his leg had ripped, reopening the wound and was bleeding. He did not think it was that serious, it just hurt like hell.
Lee and Kiba were still fussing over the girl. He had to admit she was pretty but he did not like her kissing Naruto. It was better than Neji kissing Naruto though, but he still did not want any lips but his own to touch his dobe.
Seeing the two distracted, fighting over the girl, the raven haired shinobi took the opportunity and turned the blond standing next to him, around to face him. Smiling at the startled look Naruto gave him as he leaned down to press his lips against the blonds.
At first Naruto was hesitant but after the first few seconds the blond relaxed and let Sasuke slip his tongue in to his mouth. The raven haired teen could not help but smirk as Naruto ran his hands through the his longer hair. Wrapping his arms around the small blond, pulling the warmth of the teen closer to his own. Feeling the heat as Narutos chest pressed against his own and the hands running down his back.
“Naruto, Sasuke, where did you two go?”
Reluctantly Sasuke let go and Naruto backed away blushing as Lee came up to them.
“Choi-chan said she’ll go get the men from her village to take care of the bandits, so we need to get moving.”
“Right.”
Sasuke walked right passed Naruto to collect the sword the blond had thrown. Lee stood blinking, confused to see a blush on the stoic ice bastards face and Naruto pointedly not looking at him.
One of the bandits that was tied to a tree near to where Sasuke went to pick up Orochimaru’s sword, saw the gray vest and the forehead protector the aloof raven haired shinobi sported.
“You left after the snake died just like us, so cut a fellow some slack and let me go.”
A kunai slammed into the tree trunk next to the stupid bandit’s head, so close that his cheek was cut.
“Hay, just because your village took you back, don’t mean that you should forget where you learned all your good techniques, right. I was there to. Come on forgive a fellow one time sound nin. It’s not like you have a place to go back to after this anyway.”
In a flash Sasuke had pulled the kunai out from the tree trunk and had it pressed dangerously up against the mans throat.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Kiba stopped flirting shamelessly and Lee stopped looking at Naruto for an explanation, to look over to the squirming bandit.
“How about you let me go and I tell you.”
“How about you tell me and I won’t kill you.”
Sasuke pressed the blade in to the soft skin of the bandits neck, sending a few crimson beads trickling down the blade.
“Well, do you want to die?”
The man snorted and Sasuke pressed harder with the blade.
“ Yesterday the main forces of Koten were ordered to go to Konoha.”
“Koten?”
“He’s part of akatsuki and controls the underworld dealings of the organization. He has more people in his service that any of the shinobi villages. I worked for him before so I received the message as well.”
“What the hell would he want with Konoha?”
“Let me go.”
Sasuke looked over to the others and turned back to the man. He punched the man so hard that his head made a cracking sound as it hit the tree behind him. Naruto could see the red eyes glaring at the man and the kunai returned to the neck.
“Tell me or I will kill you... slowly.”
The man opened his eyes he had clenched shut after being hit and saw the blood red sharingon.
“Damn Uchiha...Akatsuki wants the demon that Orochimaru controlled. They got word that it was being delivered to the village soon and are lying in wait for the demon so they can take it. By the time you all get there, the village will be controlled by Akatsuki. Now let me go.”
The Uchiha hit the man in the head again, knocking him out and standing up to face the three others that had just heard the news.
Naruto sank to his knees and hung his head, eyes wide. What would they do now? It was his fault.
“We’ll go to Konoha and save it.”
Looking up at the green spandex clad teen who had fires burning in his eyes and his fist up and shaking.
“We will not let some fiends take over our home without a fight.”
Kiba and Akamaru were growling and nodding. Naruto looked over to the last member of their group.
Who in turn looked at him.
“What do you want to do dobe?”
Naruto froze at the question. He wanted to run away and hide for the rest of his life so he would not have to face the scorn of the village. But he could not think he could do that knowing that all his friends and people he cared for were being held captive. There was a rumble in his stomach as Kyuubi stirred. The blond put a hand to his stomach and sorted out the feelings of the demon.
Territorial, Kyuubi was territorial, if anybody was going to destroy Konoha, he would.
A hand on his shoulder made the blond look up as Sasuke knelt down in front of him.
“What do you want to do, Naruto.”
Sasuke would follow him wherever he went. He had followed the demon and stayed at the sound for him. He loved him. The bastard could not say it but he knew. He loved him back and all the scorn and hated was worth being with Sasuke. Lee and Kiba did not abandon him and he refused to abandon them.
“I want to go home, Sasuke.”
“Ok, than let’s go home.”
Sasuke helped Naruto to his feet and after ensuring the woman made it back to her village, the four shinobi resumed heading to Konoha.
Knowing that it was a trap but none of the shinobi complained. They could not stand knowing that their loved ones were in danger.