Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Faerie Tale ❯ Chapter 3

Title: Fairy Tale Part 3

Author: Theablackthorn

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: Sasuke/Naruto

Warnings: BL

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

Sasuke shot upright in bed and just missed clanging his head on the low ceiling, ducking instinctively even as his chest tightened and a sharp pain lanced through him. His hand came up to apply pressure to counteract the pain, brows furrowing and teeth clenched. His palm came to rest over a thickly bandaged lump and he looked down, wincing at the sight of his chest wrapped tightly in layer upon layer of thick cotton. He looked like a goddamned mummy!

Sasuke could lay bets on just who had bandaged him up - stupid Dobe.

He ran his hand across the lumped up material and carefully, moving slowly and assessing his injuries trying not to cause any further pain, he unwound the bandages. When the last wind of bandage drifted down into his lap a palm sized cotton ball fell away. The thing landed on his blanket covered legs and he eyed it suspiciously.

He knew what is was - a poultice of herbs - but the Dobe had never shown an aptitude for medicine and there were few healer's that he trusted not to poison him. He could only wonder who it was Naruto had brought to his aid.

The top of the closed ball was still white, tied with a thin thread, the bottom was stained a dark blackish red. He turned his gaze to his now completely bared chest; noting the thick ribbon of scarring stretching from just under his heart to the areola of his nipple. His free hand came up to run across the mark, calloused fingertips assessing the bunched flesh.

He could still feel the pain, but the wound was closed on the outside. It suggested that the poultice had been enough to seal and likely start the healing on the inside, though he'd need more time to rest for it to do its job properly.

But he didn't have time for that right now.

He flipped the thick grey woollen blankets off his legs and pivoted on the bedding, feeling something ticklish against skin that that when he looked he identified as soft dark fur tuft's splaying up between his fingers. He found the floor with his bare feet and noted absently that he was wearing some baggy tan breeches that he was certain he hadn't been wearing before; he normally favoured dark colours after all.

He sat on the edge of what passed for a bed for a few moments getting his bearings. He looked at his cotton clad legs for a few minutes with a frown before heat stole into his cheeks and his eyes widened slightly as realisation dawned - Naruto had seen him naked! He blinked rapidly, not sure what to make of the surprise or the frisson of pleasure that made his skin heat further.

Sasuke desperately shoved the thought aside, focusing on other things as he tried to will the heat in his cheeks away. He slowly and carefully eased to his feet cool hard packed earth more comfortable than he'd thought it would be. He stretched out one hand pressing it more firmly into the thick, soft fur blankets underneath him and the other settled gently against his chest.

He came to his feet slowly and a little stiffly, standing for a few minutes before letting his gaze lift to wander around the room. He took in the large round space. The area he'd been sleeping in had a low ceiling but the rest had a high arched roof made of compacted earth.

He absorbed the sight of rough hewn wooden furniture, that raw untainted colour bright in the otherwise dark earthen room; it looked tidier than the colourful mess he half remembered. He could see a small cooking area with a few battered copper pots and pans hung around a hearth that appeared to have a chimney. There were two doorways leading in different directions that stood just to the right of the hearth fire that crackled and smoked - that was where he was headed.

Sasuke moved slowly, working out the kinks as he swung his left arm carefully in small circles bracing his shoulder with the other hand, assessing his range of movement. He reached one door and let his senses roam, the fresh tantalising air, crisp with the scent of a frosty morning indicated that this was the door to the outside, so he made his way to the other, hoping that it was the bathroom.

His assessment was correct and he went about relieving himself before returning to the room to find his armour piled at the foot of the bed on top of an old battered chest - well, mound of furs. It looked as though the bed that Naruto slept in; that he'd been sleeping in was a warm pile of different furs, in various colours and shades.

Sasuke sighed softly, remembering the warmth that had pressed around him when he'd been unconscious and knowing it was Naruto that had cared for him. He felt his heart constrict and knew he needed to get going or the fox wouldn't be around for much longer. He had a fairly good idea who had him and he felt anger seep hot and slick through his veins. Sasuke went to his armour and started sliding on each piece with long practiced ease.

It was time to get back his Dobe.

Sasuke didn't even flinch at the possessive thought and he felt, for a moment, as if something dark hovered in his mind and he smiled a curl of lip more like a snarl.

Sasuke stepped out of the den with no resistance indicating that the Dobe had attuned the glamour to his essence; otherwise he wouldn't have been able to leave. He'd been bleeding enough for the Dobe to do it but he had to admit that he was mildly impressed by the strength of the barrier the fox had created. It looked like the idiot had managed to develop his powers quite considerably over the short time he'd been gone.

Sasuke's head came up quickly at the rustle he heard coming from three different directions.

His stance shifted subtly, body lowering, back foot digging in to the earth for balance. He felt his power seep into the ground behind him, closing the door with his own power and sensing it mingling easily with the rest of the earthy tasting gift that blanketed the small mound behind him.

The familiar wellspring of his energy was a welcome feeling after being so empty in the dream and before in the woods. He hadn't felt like that since childhood when he'd been learning the limits of his gifts and overextending just to keep up with his dear brother.

His hand rested on the hilt of his sword glad of the familiar weight at his hip as he gently squeezed the familiar leather. His eyes darted back and forth even as they bled red, black tomoe spinning lazily as he looked around. He could sense three presences in the forest with him - each had a flavour in his mind and on his tongue - brine, earth and ash.

Sasuke didn't even twitch when he caught sight of a broad chested man stepping out from behind the thick trunk of an old oak, his eyes turning again to note a shimmer as a red headed woman appeared from behind a veil of glamour.

But the one that spoke first appeared behind him, crouching over the opening of the door he'd just come through, “Good ta see you, Boss.”

Sasuke pivoted around and knocked the pale haired man from his perch behind him with the hilt of his sword, sprawling him out across the grass and watching the shark toothed grin he had been familiar with since childhood split thin lips as the thick smell of sea salt filled his nostrils.

“Suigetsu.” He turned to look at the other two over his shoulder, “Karin, Juugo - what are you doing here?”

Juugo's deep baritone was almost comforting in its familiarity, always softly spoken with careful lilts and dips; the man was the very essence of the earth itself - calm until truly vexed. Sasuke could understand perfectly why the animals came to his call.

“We have been waiting for you, Sasuke-sama.”

He turned to look back at the last of their party; Karin had stood silently off to the side.

“Karin?”

“We have been waiting for you, Sasuke-kun.”

Sasuke assessed the quiet girl, not well known for her solemnity but rather her fiery temperament and fierce nature. He quirked an eyebrow at the redhead, eyes quickly assessing each of his lieutenants silently before he spoke in cool crisp tones, nobody was supposed to know he was here. “How did you know I was here?”

He watched as Karin's brow furrowed momentarily and she brought one hand up to wrap around her waist the other going to push her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Sasuke read her like a book, the arm curling protectively around her spoke volumes - she was deeply unhappy about something and he needed to know what.

“That idiot told us you were here. Then they took him.” Sasuke could hear the distaste in her tone and noted how she avoided his name though Sasuke knew of whom she spoke - Naruto.

He growled low in his throat, noting the girl twitch before settling herself calmly. “And why didn't you stop them?”

It was Juugo who replied, though Karin had opened her mouth to do so.

“We were too late, Sasuke-sama.”

Sasuke watched as Karin's mouth snapped shut and her face turned to stare at the floor, cheeks reddening and he knew that Juugo told the truth - though the man never lied the way most fae did with half truth's and misdirection. True fae could not lie outright but they were masters of these other gift's.

“Enough of that bullshit. Come on there's a fight to be had and I'm itching to use my sword to dice me some snake!” Suigetsu eager voice echoed around the clearing and Sasuke turned his gaze back to the pale haired man and glared.

He eyed Suigetsu as he shrugged in an almost placating gesture, grin firmly turning his lip's revealing sharp pointed teeth before he stood settling his massive sword on his back and stroking the hilt almost lovingly. Sasuke shook his head in mock exasperation, eyes shifting and darkening as his thoughts turned elsewhere. He had trusted these three with his life; he wasn't going to start doubting them now, though Karin's behaviour concerned him.

Sasuke arched a brow at Suigetsu and nodded subtly in her direction and for once the other man's grin faded and he shook his head. Sasuke was surprised at his sudden seriousness - the man was renowned in their world for his thirst for a good fight and a need for life he thought could rival even Naruto.

Something had happened whilst he'd been gone and he couldn't help but be concerned about what it was and how it would affect his team - his family. They were all he had without... he shook the thought of his brother away.

Time to focus.

Sasuke nodded his assent and started walking; he didn't want to waste any of his magic crossing between, even if it would get him to his destination faster. He was shocked by the large calloused palm that halted his steps, that Juugo had snuck up behind him even when the man towered a good foot and a half taller than him was a surprise. He didn't immediately turn to skewer the man that had dared to touch him waiting, finger's flexing on the hilt of his sword.

“Juugo….”

His voice was a soft rumble, a warning.

“Let me take us there, Sasuke-sama. I have a feeling time is of the essence.”

Sasuke looked up at the taller man, seeing the concern clear in his brown gaze and the way that gaze left his own to stare at Karin. The idea clicked into place almost immediately.

Karin was a seer.

It was not an easily controlled gift and often hit at the worst moments, but it was clear from the concerned gazes being exchanged that she had seen something that had disturbed her greatly.

Sasuke had only ever seen her like this when something big was in the works. The last time had been when Sasuke's father and mother had been murdered and they had been too late - children facing something far beyond their ken.

He turned his dark gaze back to Juugo. “What did she see?”

Juugo shook his head solemnly and Sasuke felt something go tight in his chest that had nothing to do with the continuous ache were the arrow had pierced his flesh.

“Tell me, Juugo.”

Sasuke's urgent demand, though whispered must have gotten through to the big red head.

“We need to get there as fast as possible. It seems that we stand at a crossroads, on the cusp of a choice that will change many things.”

Sasuke nodded subtly, not wanting to distract the quietly brooding girl, though when he glanced back again he made a note of the way Suigetsu had slowly drifted to stand beside her. He felt curiosity sweep through him at the strange show of comfort from the clearly awkward man but that could be saved for another time, right now he needed to take care of getting back his Dobe.

He listened intently when Juugo whispered sadly, “She woke up screaming.”

Sasuke reached out then, a rare thing for him to do and squeezed the big man's forearm gently, the thick cotton of Juugo's shirt bunching under his grip. Juugo gave a small, tentative smile then turned, hand dropping away as Sasuke's did. He made a series of motions with his hands and then sliced downwards saying a single word in the old giants tongue.

“Open.”

A crack appeared much as it had when Naruto had done it however long ago it had been and Sasuke realised he had no idea how long that monster had had his blond fox, the Kyuubi had never told him. And he considered that it may have been a deliberate omission on the great beasts part.

Before Juugo could step through into the darkness that lay beyond Sasuke spoke, quietly, “How long?”

Juugo didn't turn but Sasuke could hear the giant just fine, “Two months.”

“Shit,” Sasuke cursed and quickly strode forward moving in behind the larger man and feeling his other two lieutenants bring up the rear.

It felt like an eternity and only a moment as they passed through the raw essence that was fey. The darkness closing in around them, tendril's of magic curling around ankles and arm's tugging and tripping you as you walked like a mist made solid. People described it in numerous ways; the essence of it constantly shifting as fey magic was want to do.

Juugo halted before him and he almost didn't stop, his mind lost in thought over where his Dobe was and who had him. If that snake had hurt Naruto he would pay, even more dearly than he already deserved.

Sasuke bristled and spun when he felt a delicate hand come to rest on his arm. He wasn't certain what was causing his companions to suddenly lose all sense of self-preservation but he couldn't say that he would kill Karin for touching him in that moment.

He looked at her, seeing the serious expression painted on her features, brows drawn down; her hand trembling slightly on his arm.

“Sasuke-kun.”

Sasuke looked from the pale hand resting on his gauntlet covered forearm and up into coral pink eyes. “Yes.”

Karin spoke quietly, but with force, “He is right you know. Naruto - he's good for you. You care about him.”

Sasuke shook his head slowly; he knew were this was going though it was interesting that she seemed to be aware of the creature that resided inside Naruto.

“Stop.”

“But….” Karin tried to protest and Sasuke was having none of it.

“No, just stop.”

Sasuke's hand came up and when she flinched away from his touch he felt guilt swell in his chest as his gloved hand settled over hers. He watched as surprise flittered across her features, slender brows rising, eyes widening.

“Sasuke-ku..”

Sasuke spoke only two words, not wanting to go for a dig inside his heart at that moment but knowing something irrevocable had shifted inside him.

“I know.”

He had finally understood as they'd walked silently through the place between just what the fox had been trying to make him see. He cared about Naruto, far more than he thought he would ever care for anyone again - too many people had been ripped from him and yet he cared still.

He had shoved it aside because if he cared about Naruto he became a liability. He'd managed to keep everyone at a distance since losing his family and Itachi all those years ago. But the Kyuubi was right, something needed to change and it seemed that that something was him.

“I - I'm glad.”

Sasuke looked at Karin then, really looked at her and he saw the sorrow buried underneath her smile and he understood. At one time and maybe a little still Karin had professed her deepest feelings to him and he had refused her. But he knew that they had remained companions - even friends - over the years and he was glad of that, though he never really showed it.

He sighed, about to speak when he was interrupted.

“Took you long enough, stupid Uchiha.”

Sasuke turned, hand releasing Karin's and coming up quick and fast, fisting tight and swinging low.

Suigetsu dodged easily, and he slipped in behind Karin and his arms laced around her waist.

Sasuke stood stock still taking in the odd stance, but grinned unrepentantly when Karin elbowed the pale haired man hard in the gut. He watched a blush flood her cheeks and Suigetsu winced and grabbed his stomach as he backed away from the violent elf. “Damn woman!”

“Shut it you.” He could hear the embarrassment in her tone as pale cheek's flushed a deeper crimson.

He turned and looked up at Juugo who only gave that small, almost indulgent smile before turning back to the doorway. “Time.”

“Indeed.”