Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Faerie Tale ❯ Chapter 8
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: theablackthorn 
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 06.09.2012 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 249 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 06.09.2012 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 249 | Status: Work In Progress
Title: Fairy Tale Part 8
Author: Theablackthorn
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Sasuke/Naruto
Warnings: BL
Note: Part of my 100 themes Challenge no: 61.
Sasuke reappeared in a trickle of smoke that snaked out into the surrounding shadows. The great oak he stood under was situated at the edge of the woods that formed an imposing ring around Naruto’s den, though it didn’t seem to impede the sunlight filtering in and giving the hollow a warm spring feeling. If he had looked back he knew he’d see little more than a low rise in the earth lit with golden sunlight, no sign that the den was hidden beneath the ground.
He looked around into the woods instead, eyeing the dappled light and shadow shifting across the forest floor searching for a flash of white, blond or rusty brown that would stand out against the dark. He had played this game with Naruto once or twice, trying to teach the Dobe how to hide. At the time it had been because Naruto was young, he had a newness about him and an innocence that Sasuke wasn’t sure he’d wanted to strip away or preserve. But now, looking back at himself darting after Naruto in a game of shadows and stalkers, he knew he was trying to show the fox how to hide, how to protect himself - because the idiot male meant more to him than he’d allowed himself to realise.
He trapped the sigh that wanted to escape behind pursed lips, sharp eyes scouring the quiet forest around him, listening intently before stretching out the most delicate vines of his magic to search for that hot, fiery, spicy lick of magic that warmed his insides and sent arousal unfurling in his gut like a newly opened flower to the sun.
A rustle to his left had his head whipping around, hair flicking against his cheeks like a lash but it was just a pole cat wending its way through the thick undergrowth hunting for rodents and small birds. Sasuke arched a brow, silently chiding himself for the over reaction - it was unlikely it would be Naruto; it was far too small for a start. Naruto’s other form was still taller than the standard fox, but Sasuke had a feeling his Dobe wouldn’t be in that form - this was a different kind of game they were playing.
If he caught Naruto, he was honour bound and more than willing to claim him as his own. Sasuke knew that the claim went both ways, one would never be more than the other - they would be partners. What Naruto had demanded and Sasuke had voiced all those weeks ago, was a bonding - a life bonding that meant more to him than anything else and one of the few ways fae could be joined for a lifetime considering just how long they could live. He was irritated by Naruto’s methods, but he supposed had led him to it in a way. If he’d actually intended it to go down this route then he’d be as good a manipulator as Itachi.
He didn’t cover the soft snort or the wry smile.
Warmth, spice, adrenaline and want.
“Naruto.” That flavour was distinct, his name on Sasuke’s lips was unintended but welcome - it felt like warm butter melting on his tongue. The Dobe was quite a distance away already, so it was a possibility that he wouldn't hear him but it was not a risk Sasuke would take considering just how many traits the animal half of a changeling’s genetic make-up one received. He’d known Naruto to pick up the sound of animal prey from a good distance and had noted that he heard a slightly different range of sound than he did too.
Sasuke pivoted around on the ball of his foot to face the direction of Naruto’s magic, going quiet as he stalked his prey into the shadows of the trees.
Sasuke stopped running.
Instead he concealed himself in the lea of a great oak tree, the low hanging branches hiding him completely unless you drew close enough or crouched down to see beneath the heavy bows. His finger’s itched slightly as he reached for the well of magic inside him; the temporarily barren cup was now brimming and ready for use. Sasuke dipped inside and pulled a few strands of brilliant copper from the pot and started to weave glamour about him. As the glamour started to take form he took a soft, steadying breath. His heart had kicked up a beat for a few moments as the weight of the glamour settled over him like a second skin.
He had learnt this particular bit of magic at the hands of his brother when he’d been a small boy. The glamour was fairly simple; it blanketed all the sense - even hiding a person’s scent which so few glamour’s could actually cover. It formed a cloak around a person; there was no pretending to be anything else just nothing.
Sasuke didn’t know how Itachi had known that he would need this when he had been younger, didn’t know if their Father had taught him it or if, as so often, it was something he had learnt on his own. But Sasuke was almost grateful - it had saved his life more than once. But this time he was using it to trap his elusive prey. The Dobe had proved he was wily, that he had absorbed the lessons Sasuke had given him like a sponge - though it had taken a while to drum it into his head - but there was always more to learn.
Sasuke hadn’t covered the use of magic in combat, something he sorely regretted when Naruto was taken from him. The fox could have used some of his magic to get away, though he was no expert in changeling magic Sasuke knew some of the tricks, and foxes were the trickiest changelings around. But technically what he was doing could be construed as cheating, but as the saying goes, ‘All’s fair in love and war’. The war was over and that meant it was time for something much more appealing. Sasuke’s lip curled at the corner as he looked out from his glamour, waiting for Naruto to realise he’d stopped trailing him.
He had no doubt that the fox would know he was up to something; this was a tactic he’d taught the Dobe - thought not the version that used magic. People and, more importantly, fae were curious, far too curious for their own good often enough. Naruto was still young enough to allow that natural curiosity to lead him. Sasuke didn’t doubt that Naruto’s innate curiosity and his concern would make him return, likely following his own trail back to this spot.
Then the chase would be over.
Sasuke waited with far more patience than many other fae would show, there species renowned for their fickle and flighty nature. He watched as the sun passed its zenith, altering the angle of the shadows dappling the leaf litter as birds and animals continued their daily foraging, unaware of his presence. The bark at his back was coarse, snagging his shirt every now and then as he shifted so he tried to remain relatively still, eyes search, magic sensing. He hadn’t felt Naruto’s magic getting closer, but that could be more telling than not.
The lack of magic was as much a giveaway as its presence.
There. To the North, there was the faintest flavour on the wind that was tantalisingly familiar.
Sasuke’s lips curled into a smirk - it was time.
He waited as that faint taste grew stronger, though his eyes could not see his prey his magic could feel him. The trap was set, all that was left was to snatch his prey and devour him. Sasuke let the smallest amount of his magic flow, his eyes turning from darkest black to a fiery red, the pupil surrounded by three spinning tomoe. As his magic altered his vision he saw a shimmer then Naruto took form before him.
The Dobe was hunched over, starring almost fixedly at the ground. Sasuke could see his nose twitching, could see his ears turning at the slightest sound, twin tail’s twitching back and forth in agitation. But Sasuke didn’t move, patience was a hunters best friend, and his patience was about to be rewarded.
Naruto drew closer, ducking under the curtain of the oak trees great limbs. But when his face came into view again Sasuke could see confusion, anger and sadness turning his lips down, his eyes dark under a furrowed brow. Sasuke stared at the blond fox changeling, his own smirk gone as he watched the way Naruto’s body seemed smaller, shoulders hunched, hands clenching and unclenching like he wanted to squeeze something tight. Naruto’s ears swivelled back and forth before coming to rest back alongside his head when everything went quiet.
Sasuke sighed quietly, damn his idiot for thinking he’d abandon him, because that is the only reason that look would be gracing Naruto’s usually smiling face. He stepped forward the leaf litter not even stirring as he stepped around Naruto. He pressed flush to Naruto’s back and curled both arms around him. The reaction was instantaneous, Naruto went rigid with fear and Sasuke would swear that he could taste it on the air. Mere seconds later Naruto was scrambling, clawing at Sasuke even though he couldn’t see him. Sharp claws bit into cloth and skin but Sasuke didn’t let go, holding all the tighter as Naruto growled, spit and cursed, constantly shifting as his ears flicked back and forth trying to make sense of the nothing that had a hold of him.
Sasuke dropped the glamour. He tightened his arms around Naruto so that he wouldn’t hurt himself. He bowed his head lips pressing against the soft down of Naruto’s ear he let out a soft crooning hum. The sound was designed to sooth and nudge memory in the hope that Naruto would realise just who was holding him, where he was and that Sasuke would never harm him as Orochimaru had done.
Sasuke shoved the need to know, to finally find out what had happened to the normally easy going man he had in his arms aside. There was a burning, insistent need in his gut to sooth, to reassure and to protect what was his. So Sasuke continued emitting that gentle, reassuring hum from his throat, lulling his angry fox changeling as he nudged his nose against the side of Naruto’s face.
He let his hold loosen a little; the tight grip that had kept Naruto’s upper arms pinned but had left his hands loose to claw at him, eased. Sasuke’s hand strayed up to Naruto’s chest, palm flattening and rubbing steadily up and down across his sternum. He could feel Naruto relaxing, the tension in shoulders, the clawing hands and snapping teeth slowly stopping one by one and then halting altogether. He wouldn’t have cared if those teeth had been at his neck, getting Naruto to calm down and realise it was him was all he cared about, even if those sharp teeth had drawn blood as Naruto’s claws had.
Sasuke murmured tauntingly in Naruto’s ear, “Dobe, did I not tell you that it was rude to draw blood from someone unless fighting?” He was trying to both remind and to provoke Naruto, attempting to get the fox to relinquish his instinct’s need to act when there was no threat and tease out the man he’d come to want for his own.
There was silence for a few minutes and Sasuke waited, hearing Naruto’s panted breath’s slowly sync with his hands movements petting cotton covered muscle. Naruto’s body slumped slightly, pressing back into Sasuke, the tail’s that had lashed frantically against his leg’s curling around his right calf like a searching hand in need of reassurance through touch.
“You never said that.” Sasuke could hear the accusation and the note of confusion in Naruto’s tone but he was glad that the hiss of anger and fear was gone
Sasuke nudged closer in response, feeling the warmth of Naruto’s body pressing from chest to thighs. He spoke softly but with purpose, reaffirming truth, “I believe I did.”
Naruto shook his head in denial, soft fur and the soft tips of natural blond spikes brushing across his face and filling his nose with Naruto’s scent - wood smoke and sunshine. “No, you said I could only bite and claw when it felt good.”
Sasuke arched a brow at Naruto’s word’s, frowning when he couldn’t glimpse Naruto’s face but could feel the slight tremble against his palm that could indicate withheld laughter. He nipped the edge of one flickering ear drawing a startled sound from Naruto that swiftly shifted into laughter. “Teme!”
“Che, idiot. You would remember something you weren’t even supposed to hear.” Sasuke chided, lips lifting into a smirk even if it was at his own expense. Naruto had never been meant to hear the last part and he had never meant to give away something so personal at the time. Now Sasuke looked forward to revelling in there need together, exploring wants and desires to the fullest - biting included.
“Not my fault, Teme.” Naruto sing songed, trying to pull forward and away from Sasuke but not making it very far. Even an inch of space was too much for Sasuke right now, having Naruto tucked against his body like this was pleasant, more than pleasant and it caused all sorts of thoughts and feelings to skitter through his mind.
He closed his eyes for a breath, letting go of the kaleidoscope of passion that wanted to enfold them both and paying attention instead to just what had happened to Naruto - to what was important. “Feeling better?”
“Y...yeah, stupid Teme.” The stutter into Naruto’s confirmation said it all, the fox changeling was trying to be - even had been briefly - but it wasn’t enough for Sasuke to let it go.
Sasuke chuckled darkly, almost chanting, “All’s fair...”
“...in love and war I know - you still cheated!” Naruto finished the pout in his tone clear as day.
Sasuke pressed his lips to Naruto’s throat, speaking against skin and letting warm breath ease over tanned flesh, “There is no cheating in a game like this, Dobe.”
Sasuke felt Naruto shiver, could imagine his eyes rolling back, body pressing closer, the image had his body heating immediately only to be disappointed when Naruto tried to pull away squirming and tugging at his hold as he shouted, “This isn’t a game!”
“I know that.” Sasuke snapped back, anger and lust swirling together in a heady potion. This had never been a game to him, a lesson, a task, a duty and now a joy - but never a game. He wanted Naruto to much, even when he’d denied himself.
“Oh, well...” Naruto sounded contrite, and it pushed back the anger, but the lust pressed in instead and Sasuke squeezed Naruto until he was flush against him once more.
Sasuke stood rubbing his palm over soft cotton, edging down to the gap between shirt, trousers and skin and dipped his hand underneath to feel heat and tempered muscle. He started the rhythmic stroking again; trying to ease and indulge at the same time because he knew his next question would put Naruto on edge. His hands tightened on belly and hip, pinning Naruto against him as he spoke, voice demanding, “Tell me what happened.”
“No.” Naruto struggled against him, denial in every straining tendon, and every beat of his heart which Sasuke could feel under his confining palm.
Sasuke denied him, would not relinquish his grip, voice growing heavy with intent, “Tell me Naruto, this goes no further until you tell me the truth.”
“No, you can’t change it and even if that piece of shit was still alive I wouldn’t let you take revenge on him - you’d end up dead and then where would we be?” The protest in Naruto’s voice petered out into the equally heartfelt question. Naruto stopped struggling for a few moments’ looking back over his shoulder at Sasuke and Sasuke felt his heart squeeze at the searching look the blond gave him, lower lip pinned by worrying teeth.
Sasuke shook his head in denial, a small smile that wasn’t his trademark smirk edging his lips, “You are not usually the rational one, Dobe. But points for effort, though your idea is flawed.”
Naruto frowned, head shaking slowly in denial as he questioned his words, “How’s that?”
Sasuke arched a brow in reproof as he spoke with an Uchiha’s arrogance and an edge of steel, “You assume that I would be beaten by that … reptile - Uchiha do not lose.”
“Che, idiot.” Sasuke didn’t miss the chiding words or the little half smile that went with them as he turned to face front once more.
“Perhaps - for you.” Sasuke said, arms tightening slightly as his voice dropped and he continued, “But that does not mean I do not want the truth of it from you.” He knew Naruto didn’t want to talk about, knew the fox changeling often refused to speak of things that had hurt him in the past./ The few times Sasuke had heard about Naruto’s parent’s had been when the idiot had been distracted enough to say something before clamming up tight.
“You're going to be pissed.” Sasuke hadn’t expected that, or the gusty sigh that followed and he wanted to turn Naruto around and look into those sky blue eyes with fierce determination and protective instinct.
Sasuke pressed his forehead to the nape of Naruto’s neck, feeling the tickle of fine hair’s across the skin before speaking softly, “That may be so, but it wouldn’t be with you.”
“Can you let it go though? Because you can’t take revenge on the dead.” Naruto asked voice full of question and yet strangely hollow as though he was expecting something, knew it was coming but couldn’t bring himself to ignore the need to have the answer. Sasuke’s grip just tightened, pressing Naruto as close to him as possible without absorbing him into his body.
“That is not necessarily true - but given the complication of that, previous advice and circumstance, I would say I would relinquish the task as it has already been carried out.” Sasuke mused aloud, feeling Naruto’s breath stutter under his touch and then start on a deep inhale.
It was true - any sentence he would have wrought would not have compared to the battle and the humiliation meted out by the Kyuubi. The beast had far more right to revenge than him and, in a way; he had taken Sasuke and Itachi’s revenge for the death of their parent’s on himself. Defeating the creature that had dared to cross them and defending the man he loved.
“Huh, what do you mean by advice? Advice from whom?” Naruto tried to turn fully in Sasuke grasp, making Sasuke straighten up so their heads wouldn’t collide as the idiot wriggled in his grasp not able to turn because he still had a firm hold on him.
Sasuke sighed, scraping his nails along the warm skin of Naruto’s belly to grab his attention, “Stop dodging the issue.”
“Look who’s dodging now!” Naruto accused, voice a little breathy.
“Naruto.” Sasuke glared at the back of the idiots head, hand flat against his stomach once more. Sasuke wouldn’t graze his nails over Naruto’s belly next time; he’d aim higher, perhaps over Naruto’s nipples instead just to see if he could get another breathy moan from the man.
“Alright, I’ll... just give me a minute.” Naruto affirmed and Sasuke could hear the resignation in his voice.
Sasuke watched the blond for a few moments, seeing his face almost crumple in on itself with the intensity of the emotion and likely the memories that came with it. He tightened his arms instinctively and taking a swift glance back at the great tree behind him and the wide roots at its base he stepped back. Sasuke gently tugged Naruto with him, keeping him pressed close to his chest and it was testament to Naruto’s distraction that the blond didn’t protest in any way just followed along as though he were a dog on a lead.
Sasuke backed up until his back hit a wall of warm, living wood and then he carefully slid downwards, pulling Naruto down with him. He settled his legs in a tailor’s seat, turning Naruto sideways. Sasuke settled Naruto’s ass in the gap between his crossed shins and body, the fox’s legs resting over his left thigh and tails swishing softly over his right. Sasuke’s gaze never left Naruto’s face, watching emotions flow like an ever shifting river over Naruto’s features. There was pain, anger, sorrow, irritation and fear and it made Sasuke’s stomach feel like it had plummeted from a cliff and had yet to meet ground.
What had Orochimaru done to Naruto that would cause such emotional tumult? Naruto’s normal vibrancy and enthusiasm was wholly absent now and it made Sasuke regret, however briefly, bringing up foul tasting memories. But he needed to know, needed to make some kind of recompense for the trauma Naruto had suffered at that vile creature’s hand. He had to make it alright again because he didn’t want to see that toothy grin darkened by shadows.
Sasuke ran his palm up and down Naruto’s firm belly, pressing his chest forward against Naruto’s arm and hip, “Naruto?”
“Yeah.” The single word was choked out on a rasping breath.
And in response to the gut wrench it inspired Sasuke lifted his hand, cupped the far side of Naruto’s head and pulled, easily tucking the pliant blond’s head under his chin as he spoke softly, “He can’t have you - your mine now.”
“But, you don’t kn...”
“I don’t care.” Sasuke interrupted, knowing exactly what the idiot was going to say. And it was the truth - he didn’t care, it didn’t matter. He was no innocent either, he’d been alive longer than Naruto had and had experienced the fruits of that age difference.
“Sas...”
Naruto’s voice was quiet but insistent, so Sasuke just interrupted again, not wanting to hear his protests. “No, you listen to me. You’re mine, whatever has passed is over. You will tell me all of it and then we’ll move on.”
“I...”
Naruto’s half hearted protest didn’t clear his lips as Sasuke tipped his face up to his own, nose brushing Naruto’s as he stared into sky blue eyes. “I’m not leaving, ever. I would think no less of you, Dobe.”
“Teme.” Naruto growled, eyes going dark, warm breath ghosting across Sasuke’s lips as they curled at the familiar name.
“Better, now.” Sasuke moved the smallest increment and nipped Naruto’s full lower lip, before pulling back and waiting.
He didn’t have to wait long, Naruto’s eyes shifted away from his own, staring off into the distance as a frown pulled his eyebrows low, “He took me as you slept.”
Author: Theablackthorn
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Sasuke/Naruto
Warnings: BL
Note: Part of my 100 themes Challenge no: 61.
Sasuke reappeared in a trickle of smoke that snaked out into the surrounding shadows. The great oak he stood under was situated at the edge of the woods that formed an imposing ring around Naruto’s den, though it didn’t seem to impede the sunlight filtering in and giving the hollow a warm spring feeling. If he had looked back he knew he’d see little more than a low rise in the earth lit with golden sunlight, no sign that the den was hidden beneath the ground.
He looked around into the woods instead, eyeing the dappled light and shadow shifting across the forest floor searching for a flash of white, blond or rusty brown that would stand out against the dark. He had played this game with Naruto once or twice, trying to teach the Dobe how to hide. At the time it had been because Naruto was young, he had a newness about him and an innocence that Sasuke wasn’t sure he’d wanted to strip away or preserve. But now, looking back at himself darting after Naruto in a game of shadows and stalkers, he knew he was trying to show the fox how to hide, how to protect himself - because the idiot male meant more to him than he’d allowed himself to realise.
He trapped the sigh that wanted to escape behind pursed lips, sharp eyes scouring the quiet forest around him, listening intently before stretching out the most delicate vines of his magic to search for that hot, fiery, spicy lick of magic that warmed his insides and sent arousal unfurling in his gut like a newly opened flower to the sun.
A rustle to his left had his head whipping around, hair flicking against his cheeks like a lash but it was just a pole cat wending its way through the thick undergrowth hunting for rodents and small birds. Sasuke arched a brow, silently chiding himself for the over reaction - it was unlikely it would be Naruto; it was far too small for a start. Naruto’s other form was still taller than the standard fox, but Sasuke had a feeling his Dobe wouldn’t be in that form - this was a different kind of game they were playing.
If he caught Naruto, he was honour bound and more than willing to claim him as his own. Sasuke knew that the claim went both ways, one would never be more than the other - they would be partners. What Naruto had demanded and Sasuke had voiced all those weeks ago, was a bonding - a life bonding that meant more to him than anything else and one of the few ways fae could be joined for a lifetime considering just how long they could live. He was irritated by Naruto’s methods, but he supposed had led him to it in a way. If he’d actually intended it to go down this route then he’d be as good a manipulator as Itachi.
He didn’t cover the soft snort or the wry smile.
Warmth, spice, adrenaline and want.
“Naruto.” That flavour was distinct, his name on Sasuke’s lips was unintended but welcome - it felt like warm butter melting on his tongue. The Dobe was quite a distance away already, so it was a possibility that he wouldn't hear him but it was not a risk Sasuke would take considering just how many traits the animal half of a changeling’s genetic make-up one received. He’d known Naruto to pick up the sound of animal prey from a good distance and had noted that he heard a slightly different range of sound than he did too.
Sasuke pivoted around on the ball of his foot to face the direction of Naruto’s magic, going quiet as he stalked his prey into the shadows of the trees.
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Sasuke had been trailing Naruto for going on an hour and though he had enjoyed the chase, all the tricks Naruto had pulled to get himself just a little further ahead and the almost flirtations with success he was growing impatient. Which was something he wasn’t used to at all, making him feel rather justified in his next course of action.Sasuke stopped running.
Instead he concealed himself in the lea of a great oak tree, the low hanging branches hiding him completely unless you drew close enough or crouched down to see beneath the heavy bows. His finger’s itched slightly as he reached for the well of magic inside him; the temporarily barren cup was now brimming and ready for use. Sasuke dipped inside and pulled a few strands of brilliant copper from the pot and started to weave glamour about him. As the glamour started to take form he took a soft, steadying breath. His heart had kicked up a beat for a few moments as the weight of the glamour settled over him like a second skin.
He had learnt this particular bit of magic at the hands of his brother when he’d been a small boy. The glamour was fairly simple; it blanketed all the sense - even hiding a person’s scent which so few glamour’s could actually cover. It formed a cloak around a person; there was no pretending to be anything else just nothing.
Sasuke didn’t know how Itachi had known that he would need this when he had been younger, didn’t know if their Father had taught him it or if, as so often, it was something he had learnt on his own. But Sasuke was almost grateful - it had saved his life more than once. But this time he was using it to trap his elusive prey. The Dobe had proved he was wily, that he had absorbed the lessons Sasuke had given him like a sponge - though it had taken a while to drum it into his head - but there was always more to learn.
Sasuke hadn’t covered the use of magic in combat, something he sorely regretted when Naruto was taken from him. The fox could have used some of his magic to get away, though he was no expert in changeling magic Sasuke knew some of the tricks, and foxes were the trickiest changelings around. But technically what he was doing could be construed as cheating, but as the saying goes, ‘All’s fair in love and war’. The war was over and that meant it was time for something much more appealing. Sasuke’s lip curled at the corner as he looked out from his glamour, waiting for Naruto to realise he’d stopped trailing him.
He had no doubt that the fox would know he was up to something; this was a tactic he’d taught the Dobe - thought not the version that used magic. People and, more importantly, fae were curious, far too curious for their own good often enough. Naruto was still young enough to allow that natural curiosity to lead him. Sasuke didn’t doubt that Naruto’s innate curiosity and his concern would make him return, likely following his own trail back to this spot.
Then the chase would be over.
Sasuke waited with far more patience than many other fae would show, there species renowned for their fickle and flighty nature. He watched as the sun passed its zenith, altering the angle of the shadows dappling the leaf litter as birds and animals continued their daily foraging, unaware of his presence. The bark at his back was coarse, snagging his shirt every now and then as he shifted so he tried to remain relatively still, eyes search, magic sensing. He hadn’t felt Naruto’s magic getting closer, but that could be more telling than not.
The lack of magic was as much a giveaway as its presence.
There. To the North, there was the faintest flavour on the wind that was tantalisingly familiar.
Sasuke’s lips curled into a smirk - it was time.
He waited as that faint taste grew stronger, though his eyes could not see his prey his magic could feel him. The trap was set, all that was left was to snatch his prey and devour him. Sasuke let the smallest amount of his magic flow, his eyes turning from darkest black to a fiery red, the pupil surrounded by three spinning tomoe. As his magic altered his vision he saw a shimmer then Naruto took form before him.
The Dobe was hunched over, starring almost fixedly at the ground. Sasuke could see his nose twitching, could see his ears turning at the slightest sound, twin tail’s twitching back and forth in agitation. But Sasuke didn’t move, patience was a hunters best friend, and his patience was about to be rewarded.
Naruto drew closer, ducking under the curtain of the oak trees great limbs. But when his face came into view again Sasuke could see confusion, anger and sadness turning his lips down, his eyes dark under a furrowed brow. Sasuke stared at the blond fox changeling, his own smirk gone as he watched the way Naruto’s body seemed smaller, shoulders hunched, hands clenching and unclenching like he wanted to squeeze something tight. Naruto’s ears swivelled back and forth before coming to rest back alongside his head when everything went quiet.
Sasuke sighed quietly, damn his idiot for thinking he’d abandon him, because that is the only reason that look would be gracing Naruto’s usually smiling face. He stepped forward the leaf litter not even stirring as he stepped around Naruto. He pressed flush to Naruto’s back and curled both arms around him. The reaction was instantaneous, Naruto went rigid with fear and Sasuke would swear that he could taste it on the air. Mere seconds later Naruto was scrambling, clawing at Sasuke even though he couldn’t see him. Sharp claws bit into cloth and skin but Sasuke didn’t let go, holding all the tighter as Naruto growled, spit and cursed, constantly shifting as his ears flicked back and forth trying to make sense of the nothing that had a hold of him.
Sasuke dropped the glamour. He tightened his arms around Naruto so that he wouldn’t hurt himself. He bowed his head lips pressing against the soft down of Naruto’s ear he let out a soft crooning hum. The sound was designed to sooth and nudge memory in the hope that Naruto would realise just who was holding him, where he was and that Sasuke would never harm him as Orochimaru had done.
Sasuke shoved the need to know, to finally find out what had happened to the normally easy going man he had in his arms aside. There was a burning, insistent need in his gut to sooth, to reassure and to protect what was his. So Sasuke continued emitting that gentle, reassuring hum from his throat, lulling his angry fox changeling as he nudged his nose against the side of Naruto’s face.
He let his hold loosen a little; the tight grip that had kept Naruto’s upper arms pinned but had left his hands loose to claw at him, eased. Sasuke’s hand strayed up to Naruto’s chest, palm flattening and rubbing steadily up and down across his sternum. He could feel Naruto relaxing, the tension in shoulders, the clawing hands and snapping teeth slowly stopping one by one and then halting altogether. He wouldn’t have cared if those teeth had been at his neck, getting Naruto to calm down and realise it was him was all he cared about, even if those sharp teeth had drawn blood as Naruto’s claws had.
Sasuke murmured tauntingly in Naruto’s ear, “Dobe, did I not tell you that it was rude to draw blood from someone unless fighting?” He was trying to both remind and to provoke Naruto, attempting to get the fox to relinquish his instinct’s need to act when there was no threat and tease out the man he’d come to want for his own.
There was silence for a few minutes and Sasuke waited, hearing Naruto’s panted breath’s slowly sync with his hands movements petting cotton covered muscle. Naruto’s body slumped slightly, pressing back into Sasuke, the tail’s that had lashed frantically against his leg’s curling around his right calf like a searching hand in need of reassurance through touch.
“You never said that.” Sasuke could hear the accusation and the note of confusion in Naruto’s tone but he was glad that the hiss of anger and fear was gone
Sasuke nudged closer in response, feeling the warmth of Naruto’s body pressing from chest to thighs. He spoke softly but with purpose, reaffirming truth, “I believe I did.”
Naruto shook his head in denial, soft fur and the soft tips of natural blond spikes brushing across his face and filling his nose with Naruto’s scent - wood smoke and sunshine. “No, you said I could only bite and claw when it felt good.”
Sasuke arched a brow at Naruto’s word’s, frowning when he couldn’t glimpse Naruto’s face but could feel the slight tremble against his palm that could indicate withheld laughter. He nipped the edge of one flickering ear drawing a startled sound from Naruto that swiftly shifted into laughter. “Teme!”
“Che, idiot. You would remember something you weren’t even supposed to hear.” Sasuke chided, lips lifting into a smirk even if it was at his own expense. Naruto had never been meant to hear the last part and he had never meant to give away something so personal at the time. Now Sasuke looked forward to revelling in there need together, exploring wants and desires to the fullest - biting included.
“Not my fault, Teme.” Naruto sing songed, trying to pull forward and away from Sasuke but not making it very far. Even an inch of space was too much for Sasuke right now, having Naruto tucked against his body like this was pleasant, more than pleasant and it caused all sorts of thoughts and feelings to skitter through his mind.
He closed his eyes for a breath, letting go of the kaleidoscope of passion that wanted to enfold them both and paying attention instead to just what had happened to Naruto - to what was important. “Feeling better?”
“Y...yeah, stupid Teme.” The stutter into Naruto’s confirmation said it all, the fox changeling was trying to be - even had been briefly - but it wasn’t enough for Sasuke to let it go.
Sasuke chuckled darkly, almost chanting, “All’s fair...”
“...in love and war I know - you still cheated!” Naruto finished the pout in his tone clear as day.
Sasuke pressed his lips to Naruto’s throat, speaking against skin and letting warm breath ease over tanned flesh, “There is no cheating in a game like this, Dobe.”
Sasuke felt Naruto shiver, could imagine his eyes rolling back, body pressing closer, the image had his body heating immediately only to be disappointed when Naruto tried to pull away squirming and tugging at his hold as he shouted, “This isn’t a game!”
“I know that.” Sasuke snapped back, anger and lust swirling together in a heady potion. This had never been a game to him, a lesson, a task, a duty and now a joy - but never a game. He wanted Naruto to much, even when he’d denied himself.
“Oh, well...” Naruto sounded contrite, and it pushed back the anger, but the lust pressed in instead and Sasuke squeezed Naruto until he was flush against him once more.
Sasuke stood rubbing his palm over soft cotton, edging down to the gap between shirt, trousers and skin and dipped his hand underneath to feel heat and tempered muscle. He started the rhythmic stroking again; trying to ease and indulge at the same time because he knew his next question would put Naruto on edge. His hands tightened on belly and hip, pinning Naruto against him as he spoke, voice demanding, “Tell me what happened.”
“No.” Naruto struggled against him, denial in every straining tendon, and every beat of his heart which Sasuke could feel under his confining palm.
Sasuke denied him, would not relinquish his grip, voice growing heavy with intent, “Tell me Naruto, this goes no further until you tell me the truth.”
“No, you can’t change it and even if that piece of shit was still alive I wouldn’t let you take revenge on him - you’d end up dead and then where would we be?” The protest in Naruto’s voice petered out into the equally heartfelt question. Naruto stopped struggling for a few moments’ looking back over his shoulder at Sasuke and Sasuke felt his heart squeeze at the searching look the blond gave him, lower lip pinned by worrying teeth.
Sasuke shook his head in denial, a small smile that wasn’t his trademark smirk edging his lips, “You are not usually the rational one, Dobe. But points for effort, though your idea is flawed.”
Naruto frowned, head shaking slowly in denial as he questioned his words, “How’s that?”
Sasuke arched a brow in reproof as he spoke with an Uchiha’s arrogance and an edge of steel, “You assume that I would be beaten by that … reptile - Uchiha do not lose.”
“Che, idiot.” Sasuke didn’t miss the chiding words or the little half smile that went with them as he turned to face front once more.
“Perhaps - for you.” Sasuke said, arms tightening slightly as his voice dropped and he continued, “But that does not mean I do not want the truth of it from you.” He knew Naruto didn’t want to talk about, knew the fox changeling often refused to speak of things that had hurt him in the past./ The few times Sasuke had heard about Naruto’s parent’s had been when the idiot had been distracted enough to say something before clamming up tight.
“You're going to be pissed.” Sasuke hadn’t expected that, or the gusty sigh that followed and he wanted to turn Naruto around and look into those sky blue eyes with fierce determination and protective instinct.
Sasuke pressed his forehead to the nape of Naruto’s neck, feeling the tickle of fine hair’s across the skin before speaking softly, “That may be so, but it wouldn’t be with you.”
“Can you let it go though? Because you can’t take revenge on the dead.” Naruto asked voice full of question and yet strangely hollow as though he was expecting something, knew it was coming but couldn’t bring himself to ignore the need to have the answer. Sasuke’s grip just tightened, pressing Naruto as close to him as possible without absorbing him into his body.
“That is not necessarily true - but given the complication of that, previous advice and circumstance, I would say I would relinquish the task as it has already been carried out.” Sasuke mused aloud, feeling Naruto’s breath stutter under his touch and then start on a deep inhale.
It was true - any sentence he would have wrought would not have compared to the battle and the humiliation meted out by the Kyuubi. The beast had far more right to revenge than him and, in a way; he had taken Sasuke and Itachi’s revenge for the death of their parent’s on himself. Defeating the creature that had dared to cross them and defending the man he loved.
“Huh, what do you mean by advice? Advice from whom?” Naruto tried to turn fully in Sasuke grasp, making Sasuke straighten up so their heads wouldn’t collide as the idiot wriggled in his grasp not able to turn because he still had a firm hold on him.
Sasuke sighed, scraping his nails along the warm skin of Naruto’s belly to grab his attention, “Stop dodging the issue.”
“Look who’s dodging now!” Naruto accused, voice a little breathy.
“Naruto.” Sasuke glared at the back of the idiots head, hand flat against his stomach once more. Sasuke wouldn’t graze his nails over Naruto’s belly next time; he’d aim higher, perhaps over Naruto’s nipples instead just to see if he could get another breathy moan from the man.
“Alright, I’ll... just give me a minute.” Naruto affirmed and Sasuke could hear the resignation in his voice.
Sasuke watched the blond for a few moments, seeing his face almost crumple in on itself with the intensity of the emotion and likely the memories that came with it. He tightened his arms instinctively and taking a swift glance back at the great tree behind him and the wide roots at its base he stepped back. Sasuke gently tugged Naruto with him, keeping him pressed close to his chest and it was testament to Naruto’s distraction that the blond didn’t protest in any way just followed along as though he were a dog on a lead.
Sasuke backed up until his back hit a wall of warm, living wood and then he carefully slid downwards, pulling Naruto down with him. He settled his legs in a tailor’s seat, turning Naruto sideways. Sasuke settled Naruto’s ass in the gap between his crossed shins and body, the fox’s legs resting over his left thigh and tails swishing softly over his right. Sasuke’s gaze never left Naruto’s face, watching emotions flow like an ever shifting river over Naruto’s features. There was pain, anger, sorrow, irritation and fear and it made Sasuke’s stomach feel like it had plummeted from a cliff and had yet to meet ground.
What had Orochimaru done to Naruto that would cause such emotional tumult? Naruto’s normal vibrancy and enthusiasm was wholly absent now and it made Sasuke regret, however briefly, bringing up foul tasting memories. But he needed to know, needed to make some kind of recompense for the trauma Naruto had suffered at that vile creature’s hand. He had to make it alright again because he didn’t want to see that toothy grin darkened by shadows.
Sasuke ran his palm up and down Naruto’s firm belly, pressing his chest forward against Naruto’s arm and hip, “Naruto?”
“Yeah.” The single word was choked out on a rasping breath.
And in response to the gut wrench it inspired Sasuke lifted his hand, cupped the far side of Naruto’s head and pulled, easily tucking the pliant blond’s head under his chin as he spoke softly, “He can’t have you - your mine now.”
“But, you don’t kn...”
“I don’t care.” Sasuke interrupted, knowing exactly what the idiot was going to say. And it was the truth - he didn’t care, it didn’t matter. He was no innocent either, he’d been alive longer than Naruto had and had experienced the fruits of that age difference.
“Sas...”
Naruto’s voice was quiet but insistent, so Sasuke just interrupted again, not wanting to hear his protests. “No, you listen to me. You’re mine, whatever has passed is over. You will tell me all of it and then we’ll move on.”
“I...”
Naruto’s half hearted protest didn’t clear his lips as Sasuke tipped his face up to his own, nose brushing Naruto’s as he stared into sky blue eyes. “I’m not leaving, ever. I would think no less of you, Dobe.”
“Teme.” Naruto growled, eyes going dark, warm breath ghosting across Sasuke’s lips as they curled at the familiar name.
“Better, now.” Sasuke moved the smallest increment and nipped Naruto’s full lower lip, before pulling back and waiting.
He didn’t have to wait long, Naruto’s eyes shifted away from his own, staring off into the distance as a frown pulled his eyebrows low, “He took me as you slept.”