Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Faerie Tale ❯ Chapter 2

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

Title: Fairy Tale Part 2

Author: Theablackthorn

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: Sasuke/Naruto

Warnings: BL

Note: Part of my 100 themes Challenge no:61.

Sasuke ran.

His heart banged a relentless rhythm in his chest, pumping blood to his burning muscles. He dodged and weaved around thick tree trunks, across uneven ground, paying no heed to the noise he made. His breath's coming out in quick gasps, feet pounding the earth like the beating of a drum.

But he didn't know why, only that there was something chasing him. He could feel hot fetid breath on the nape of his neck, making the skin prickle with awareness and his hair stand on end.

He shot forward once more, pushing his muscles to move harder, faster, pace quickening as much as his exhausted body would allow.

His clothes were sodden, moisture from the dew beading on the foliage he sprinted through and from the sweat dampening his skin, soaking through the pale cotton of his shirt and breeches underneath thick armoured plates.

His mind was whirring faster than his body; question's ricocheting around his skull like bullets.

Why? Why was he running? Where was he? When had he started this game of cat and mouse?

Sasuke couldn't remember.

The questions chased through his mind even as he dodged to the left, the sound of snapping teeth far too close to the pointed tip of his ear for comfort. He didn't know what his pursuer was, only that it moved silently across the leaf litter, the sense of otherness and the occasional snap of teeth the only sign that he wasn't running from shadows.

He wanted to whirl around and fight, but his magic was a guttering candle in his chest. Even as continued his frenetic pace he felt his chest tighten with something more than lack of oxygen - an image filling his mind. It was a man with a long dark tail of hair resting between his shoulder blades, sword drawn and at the ready, two figures lay still behind him and a dark haired child huddled at his feet.

He couldn't figure out whose eyes he was seeing this from, but knew they weren't his own. In his memories he had been looking up at the man towering over him, fair a staccato beat of his heart, as tiny hand's grasped soft fabrics.

A warm voice filled his mind, “We fight to the death Otouto, for what we believe. Never run from your fears, face them head on. That is the way of a warrior and a king.”

Sasuke's head came up, eyes focusing, the last dreg's of his magic colouring his gaze a bloody crimson, black tomoe whirling ever faster. His legs put on one final burst of speed, the muscles straining hard and stabbing pain's lanced up from over exerted muscles but he paid it no heed. That extra burst of energy pushing him ahead of whatever chased him through the darkness of the woods.

He pivoted around to face the oncoming enemy, hand going for the hilt of his sword, his brother at the forefront of his mind. He stood braced and ready, chest heaving with exertion, glower fixed in place and then everything blurred.

Sasuke stood by a lake, in simple white cotton breeches and shirt, dark armour gone, sword absent. But what was most interesting was the beast that stood before him, lit in stark clarity by bright moons glow - a fox, bigger than he stood tall.

“That is what I am, little Uchiha.”

Sasuke blinked at the great fox that sat at ease before him, comfortably settled back on its haunches, tail curled around its feet, breathing calmly no sign of the chase they'd had having any outward effect.

It gave Sasuke a feral smile - all teeth, canines sharp and long, eyes piercing yellow gold and a gaze that knew too much for any natural beast.

“You were chasing me.” Sasuke gave the beast a knowing look and it returned it in kind.

“You needed the lesson.”

Sasuke glared at the fox, wondering why he needed its lesson and what he had to do with it in the first place.

“Because you need to be strong for what is to come, little Uchiha.”

The fact that the beast could read his thoughts didn't stir Sasuke into response, though the last part irritated him. “I am not little, Kitsune-san.”

Though Sasuke was slowly getting irritated by the fox he would show it respect for the simple reason that he knew nothing about it or what it could do to him. And if they were still in the faerie realm there was much that could and would do harm if not treated with a modicum of respect. It was quite clear that wherever they were, it was in control.

“You are to me. Little and still young. But I believe you will do.”

Sasuke strode forward, irritation clear as his hands fisted at his sides, eyes levelling with the beasts in challenge. “I am over two centuries old, I am not young anymore. And what, pray tell, will I do for exactly?”

Sasuke watched the fox, the beast seemingly undeterred by his proximity or the hostility that seeped through every inch of his body.

“Two centuries is still only a blink of an eye and in answer to your other question - my kit.”

Sasuke drew back, confusion filling his gaze as he looked at the fox's face, he could swear that the beast was smirking at him, “Your…what?”

“My kit. He goes by the name Naruto in your realm.”

Sasuke stared for a few moments, mind whirring and slotting information together swiftly.

He took a long steadying breath, hands relaxing at his sides before coming up to cross over his chest, a dark look aimed at the beast.

“I take it we are no longer in my world then.”

Sasuke thought that it would explain the sudden shift in scenery and his lack of armaments. It grated at him that he had been taken from his own home, but he couldn't do anything about it at the moment. He needed to garner more information and hopefully that would be enough to get him home.

“Yes and no. We are in the dreaming. And your lack of weaponry is beneficial to our conversation.”

Sasuke didn't like that the fox sounded so smug and matter-of-fact but his words made Sasuke's mind process faster. They were in a dream. So he should be able to wake up wherever he'd fallen asleep. That was reassuring at least but the lack of his sword resting at his hip made him feel vulnerable and open. He'd been carrying the blade since his brother had gifted it to him. It's weight a familiar and grounding presence.

“Hn. So, you are Naruto's parent then?” Sasuke queried the fox.

“No.”

Sasuke frowned, vaguely irritated by the blunt answer and no explanation. So he demanded one, “Explain.”

“I am the kit's guardian. His Mother gave him to me to protect before she passed.”

Sasuke soaked in each bit of information like a sponge, processing constantly.

Sasuke wondered if the blond haired fox changeling knew any of this. At the thought of Naruto he felt warmth fill his chest. Where was the fox changeling right now? In fact, where was he right now? Sasuke couldn't remember what had happened before, and at that thought he felt a pain in his chest, just to the left of his heart. His hand came up to press against the ache there.

“Don't push it, little Uchiha. Your memories will be returned when they are necessary. Right now you will listen to me.”

Sasuke turned an angry, pain filled glare on the fox. “Why should I?”

Before Sasuke's eyes the beast grew, claws extending on massive paws, teeth lengthening menacingly. He could see something waving in his peripheral vision and he chanced a look.

He could see a tail swishing behind the great beast, no two tails, wait three?

The small distraction left him unprepared for the massive weight to push him back, sprawling him across the ground hard and fast, making the air rush from his chest like a deflating balloon. He felt a deep searing pain in his chest as that same weight pinned him to the ground.

“You will listen whelp, because he needs you.”That voice was growing deeper, louder and ever more guttural and for once Sasuke listened. The pain ebbed as Sasuke remained still and those words filtered into his pain hazed mind.

He looked up at the beast; gaze sharp, lip's pinched before he said a single name, “Naruto?”

“Who else?”

Sasuke looked up at the towering beast hovering over him, great clawed paw pressing him into the dirt, as it's hot, fetid breath ghosted across his face almost drawing a moue of distaste to twist his features. Sasuke lay still, taking it all in he realised something, “You are the Kyuubi-no-kitsune. One of the great legendary beasts that was supposed to be no more than a myth.”

Sasuke felt a deep vibration shake the ground, thinking it was the beast growling he was shocked upon hearing a deep gravelly chuckle escape that great maw hovering over him.

“You pick things up quickly, little Uchiha. That is good I think. Yes, I am and no we are not. Are you not a legend to the humans of the world, little one, youngest son of the last great fey's Unseelie King?”

“Yes, we are. But how did you hide from us for all this time?”

Sasuke watched the beast from his prone position, noticing the obvious care the fox was taking in not crushing him beneath its immense weight. His curiosity was piqued by the ability and strength of such a creature. What it had seen with its ancient eyes. The things he might learn from it to grow stronger, to take back - everything.

“It matters not to you right now. What you need from me here is protection and knowledge.”

Sasuke scowled at the beast, unable to move until the paw was lifted from him, he snarled in defiance, “I don't need your protection!”

“Is that so? You think that your body is alright were it is hidden hmmm…”

Sasuke frowned trying to remember where he was and knowing that he wouldn't be able to find the answer. The memory was hidden behind a haze of mist that he couldn't penetrate in his mind.

He tried to reach for his magic and for once in his life knew the fear of being mortal. He was empty, the spark that only certain species could feel but was inherent in all beings, was gone and he could feel that his eyes were dark. The power faded without his consent nor realisation. He turned from that revelation, shoving down fear into the pit of his belly before it overwhelmed him.

He turned his thoughts to discovering what he could at this moment.

“Where am I?”

“You're in Naruto's den. He lives far from the hustle and bustle of the court fey. It is in a forest far to the east.”

Sasuke thought over the small amount of Intel he'd garnered, trying to picture the place and failing again. He found his ire increasing alongside his frustration. He had not been this helpless in many years. He grit his teeth as he spoke, not wanting to yell again, attempting to keep his temper in check.

“Then I'm safe from them... for now at least.”

“You are safe from them because my kit and I make it so. If the glamour over that place fell they would find you.”

“Why would it fall?” Something dawned on Sasuke then, “Where's Naruto?”

Sasuke's eyes widened as he looked up at the fox, something fisting around his heart. Where was he?

“You're catching on quickly. He hasn't returned since bringing the hag to see you.”

Sasuke felt his palms flatten against the ground, sharp nails raking at the soil and creating deep furrows. He knew the moment his eyes bled red, his anger manifesting itself even though his magic was spent.

“How long?”

“A day or so. Time travels oddly here.”

“I need to wake up now.”

Sasuke's hands came up, dirt thick under his nails as he curled his hands around what he could of the massive paw. He pushed as hard as he could, even though something pulled and ached in his chest at the force he tried valiantly to apply. He made a note that, though that paw didn't move, it was still resting very lightly on his chest.

“In due time little Uchiha, you are impatient.”

Sasuke growled at the beast, tomoe spinning wildly in his crimson gaze, “Naruto needs me now!”

Sasuke felt something hot and tight in his chest, a ferocity he had never let bleed into his heart taking over quickly.

“Wait and listen to me little Uchiha.”

Sasuke snarled and shoved hard, “Get off me!”

“Listen first, infuriating little brat! There are things you must except before you can do what needs to be done. For my kit, for me and for yourself. You want revenge for your family's death and your brother's exile? Yet you have never allowed anyone to get close to you - to help you. You must understand this at least - you are not alone.”

The foxes muzzle was closer now, whiskers tickling skin even as the scent of raw meat filled Sasuke's nose.

He watched the beast sigh, before lifting his head, as though he was trying to look at all of him once more. “My kit is always professing that no man is alone, that he is grounded by the bond's he makes. `No man is an island'”

Sasuke looked away from the fox's bright golden gaze. “I am no man.”

“Che, you walk on two legs and you think like a man - fey or not - you are far closer to man than beast. Be content with that.”

Sasuke sighed. “Hn.”

“He is right in this at least. Apparently youth counts for something. Sometimes he is wiser than his years... sometimes.”

Sasuke couldn't help but find the fox's chagrin amusing, responding to its words with a reminder of just who they were speaking of, “The rest of it he's an idiot.”

The beast gave a bark of laughter.

“That he is - but I don't think time will change that. Nor would he let it, you need him as he is right now. Your bond is strong already, though you fight it.”

Sasuke scowled then, hackles rising at the idea that there was some kind of destiny involved in his life. If he believed that then all of this, everything he'd suffered through was someone's grand design and he was an unwilling participant in someone else's chess game, nothing more than a pawn to moved across the board.

He denied that idea vehemently, “I don't believe in fate.”

“It isn't fate Sasuke - it is hitsuzen.”

He scowled at the fox fiercely, not understanding what the beast was saying.

“Hitsuzen?”

“You'll figure it out.”

Sasuke went to say more but the paw that had him pinned rose slowly off of his chest.

“Now get up and get gone. Time is of the essence.”

Sasuke rose swiftly, that ache in his chest never fading. He started to walk away but turned to look back at the giant beast, nine tails weaving and wavering in the moonlight.

“Will we speak again?”

“You will not be rid of me so easily, little Uchiha. Not yet at least.”

Sasuke felt a small barely discernable smile curl his lips. For all the beast was annoying, he was oddly grateful, though he didn't understand why. But he was fey; he knew not to question these things.

“Hn.”

Sasuke heard the fox call out quietly as he entered the edge of the dark woods surrounding the lake, “Let it go…”

A deep rumbling growl filling the night, “That bastard is mine.”