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Avenger's Choice	By : Shakirah Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1039 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Avenger�s Choice

Pairing:� SasuNaruSasu with other side pairings mostly implied.�

Genre:� Drama and angst with romance all mixed into a big pot.�

Rating: Hard R/ NC-17 depending on
your take.�

Warnings and Spoilers: Mild
violence, language and graphic sexual situations.� But no spoilers if you�re at least past Sasuke�s defection,
however there are obscure references to events past that, but nothing
concrete.��

Status: 2/10

Disclaimer:� Naruto isn�t mine� I just play with the boys because it�s fun.

Summary:� Vengeance was always a deep part of Sasuke, something Naruto
had to accept when they became lovers.�
But now that Uchiha Itachi is dead, the blond shinobi discovers that the
real battle to become the most important part of Sasuke�s life has just
begun.�

Author�s Notes:�
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who read chapter 1.� This chapter deals with what happened the
night Sasuke left to go after Itachi and how Naruto ended up chasing after him,
along with some further developments surrounding Sasuke�s decision.� I�m afraid it is a depressing chapter�but it
won�t all be this way.��

Chapter 2:� Watching
Stars Without You

Nightmares.�
It was the nightmares that kept him from sleeping.� Lasting effects of Itachi�s Mangekyou
Sharingan.� That was Naruto�s story, and
that�s what he was sticking to.� He
didn�t need anyone to know that he had lain in his hospital bed all night,
terror-filled to the inner depths of his being that he�d really lose Sasuke
this time.

That was the gamble, that was the game�the price of
admission.� He wanted Sasuke, his
attention, his mind, what passed as affection, and to be Sasuke�s last thought
of the day�but there was always a chance, always that risk.� As a shinobi you entered into a contract
with someone�when you loved them�you were on borrowed time.� That was the way of life and of love in the
ninja world.� But this�

There was no comparison�no long mission that had
gone horribly wrong to equate this to.�
Then, alone, when the brief hints of worry and doubt that could never be
forced down and contained� bottled up� there, and then he would go up onto the
roof of the apartment he lived in with Sasuke for the last three years and
change� and he lay there on top of the cool shingles for hours�letting his
thoughts run wild.�
He�d look at the stars, watch them without
Sasuke.� But that had been different
then�not because he believed Sasuke would come home, but because Sasuke didn�t
have a choice in the matter whether he did or not.

Luck and skill and timing and maybe even fate all
went hand- in- hand, and if the right combination happened on the right mission
ninja came home and their loved ones didn�t leave mementos and flowers at grave
sites and the cenotaph.� But this thing
with Sasuke� this was a conscious choice.�

This was his life�it had always been like
this.�

When it rained with Sasuke and him� when it rained�
it poured.�

�Are you alright, Naruto?��

Naruto looked back at Umino Iruka, who had turned
to look at him from his spot over by Naruto�s window.� It was bright out, and clear, and the plants that the academy
sensei had brought with him could probably use the light.� Naruto enjoyed planting and gardening, he
had even given Kakashi the only plant he ever owned before hooking up with the
aforementioned ninja schoolteacher.�

�Yeah, I�m fine.�
Just thinking.�� Then just as
quickly as the words left Naruto�s mouth he smiled brightly.� Grinning as pleasantly as he usually did
whenever his mentor and father figure paid him attention.� The blond had learned a long time ago it was
always better to smile, even when the occasion didn�t really call for it.�

When he was younger people had always attributed it
to him being na�ve or foolish.� But to
him, the ones that brooded openly were the foolish ones.� Angst was a vulnerability, the same way fear
and trust and love were.� Sasuke had
proven that hadn�t he?�

Sasuke.�

�How long do they want you to stay in the hospital?�� Naruto looked back at the brunet.� He was still fussing with the plants.

�They didn�t say.�
Actually i don�t think I�m technically a patient.� Sakura came in this morning and yelled that
I didn�t look like I had gotten any sleep.�
And she said I could go down to the cafeteria and find something for
breakfast.� Don�t they usually bring
patients their meals?�

�Yes.� I
imagine so.�� Iruka nodded.� �So how long will you be here then?�

�It�s easier to just stay here, as long as Sasuke�s
here.� I don�t really like the idea of
leaving him here.� I know how much he
hates this place.� Every time he ends up
here he gets even crankier than usual.�
I�m not really too anxious to go home and try hobbling around with this
busted foot either.� And they did say
they wanted to do some more x-rays to see if I need the surgery or not.�

�I see.��
Iruka nodded.�

After all it wasn�t really all that uncommon in
their line of work for villagers to crash here while injured shinobi stayed in
the hospital, usually for a few days to be with their loved ones.� Though the last time Naruto had spent the
night here Sakura had ended up with a torn rotator cuff and some other injuries
because enemy ninja had discovered she was the medic nin on their team.�

But then he, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Rock Lee had
camped out in the waiting room, and not in a private room.� And then Lee had sent the rest of the
reunited Team Seven home the following morning when it was clear Sakura would
be just fine, and it was Lee who ended up sleeping in a room and taking a mini
leave until Sakura was given the okay to go home.�

Come to think of it, that had been the last time
the four of them had all been on a mission together.� Team Seven.� It hadn�t
gone great, but then somehow none of their missions had ever been event-free,
even the D-ranked ones when they were just genin under a porn-reading jounin
instructor.�

It had felt like nothing had changed.� That last mission.� And at least then, during that mission, it really, truly felt
like Sasuke had never left�like everything was the way it was supposed to be
between them.� But what happened if
Sasuke really didn�t go through with the procedure�if the idiot really intended
to�to die�if�

�My my, you�re spacing out a lot this morning,
Naruto.�� Naruto looked at the
brunet.� But Iruka was already glancing
at the wall clock.�

�Do you have to get going to your classes?�

�In just a bit.��
Iruka smiled then.� That was
Naruto�s favorite part.� Not just about
Iruka.� But in people in general.� Smiles.�
Especially when they were directed at him, or when he knew he was the
cause.� He still remembered the first
time Sakura had really smiled at him, when she had stopped hating him and
finding him anything but annoying.� The
first time Kakashi had complimented him on his improvements and smiled at him�
a real smile.� And of course Iruka, the
way he smiled at him, smiled because he had amused him with his boyhood antics
and logic and wit.�

Then there was Sasuke.� The way the blond jounin�s whole body tingled when Sasuke�when
Sasuke�

�Naruto?�

�Hmm?��
Naruto looked at Iruka sheepishly.�
�Sorry, I� I didn�t hear you.�

�Are you sure you�re alright, Naruto.�� The chuunin pressed his hand against
Naruto�s head, brushing feathery strands of blond hair out of the way.� �You look a little pale, maybe it�s better
you stay here for a few days.� At least
until Sasuke is over the critical point, hmm?�

�I�m okay.�
You don�t have to waste your time fussing over me.�� Naruto straightened.� �And you didn�t have to come here before
school either.� Or bring the plants.�

�These rooms could use a little color in them,
Naruto.�� Iruka ran his fingers through
Naruto�s hair, rubbing the scalp gently before he ruffled the blond locks.� Then he moved his hand.� �It�s never a waste of time to fuss over
you.�� Iruka was smiling at him.�

Naruto smiled back, a real smile.� He always does this when he�s a little
worried about me�when he�s thinking there�s something bothering me.� But then he waits for me to say it
first.� And by the time I do tell
him he�s already figured out what it is and has a solution for me.� I just wonder if Iruka-sensei could solve my
problems this time.

�It�ll be okay, Naruto.�� When he says that� when he says that I believe him.� �I left some extra plants in the box for
Sasuke�s room.� I would have put them
there myself, but he�s still not allowed to have any visitors, with the
exception of you, it seems.��

�I�ll put them there when I go see him,� Naruto
promised.�

�Alright then.��
Iruka smiled again.� �I�ll stop
in this evening after the mission desk with some dinner.�

�You don�t��

�Naruto,� Iruka admonished in his most stern
teacher voice.

�Miso ramen then?��
There was no fighting Iruka when he got that tone.� The only options were to give in or run, and
he couldn�t exactly run from him in this condition, nor could he pass up the opportunity
to have his favorite meal for dinner, especially when it was being brought to
him by his�

Naruto frowned.�
�I thought ramen would have made you happy, Naruto?�

�What are you, Iruka-sensei�to me I mean?� I�you haven�t been my teacher in a long
time�maybe I shouldn�t still call you that�not that you don�t still teach me
things�or remind me of things�or�I��

�I�m whatever you want and need me to be,
Naruto.� And that will never change, no
matter what you choose to call me.��
Naruto blushed.� Then he grinned.

�How do you always manage to say stuff like that?�

�What do you mean?�� Iruka looked a little puzzled.�

�Some people, like you, you and Kakashi, you always
say just the right things.� It�s like
some sort of ninjutsu or something.��
Iruka gave him a peculiar look.�
�I can�t describe it.� I thought
maybe I�d learn to say cool things like you and he do.� Like Jiriaya and you and Kakashi do.� But I never can.��

�We all have our own strengths�perhaps that�s
mine.� Or it could just be a sensei
thing.��

�Yeah, maybe.�

�Well then, I suppose I should be going.� I�ll see you this evening then.� Okay?�

�Yeah.��
Naruto nodded.� �Thanks for the
plants and stuff.�� Iruka gave a small
wave and opened the door.

�Try not to have such a serious look on your face
when I bring dinner, I�ll start missing the carefree Naruto.��

�Okay.� I
will.�� Naruto nodded and Iruka
left.�

Seeing Iruka this morning did make me feel better�and I�m
sure I�m just worrying over nothing.�
Sasuke was in a strange mood last night.� I�m sure once we talk he won�t be so angry like he was
before.� He doesn�t want to die�I know
that.�

Naruto frowned.�
Sasuke didn�t act like a mood or anger had much to do with his
decision.�

�If that�s the case I�m just gonna have to make Tsunade-baba
perform the procedure without his permission.�
Stupid Sasuke, he�s gonna pay for making me stay up all night worried
like that.�� Satisfied that this
approach would work Naruto leaned over and grabbed the bag Iruka had packed and
looked to see what he had gathered from his house for him.

Leave it to the organized academy sensei to buy
plants and pack toothbrushes and all sorts of stuff.� Naruto found something to wear; he refused to walk around the
hospital in a gown, even if he did still have his patient bracelet on from last
night when they had set his foot.� He
wasn�t sure exactly how he was going to shower with his foot but knew if he got
the cast wet he�d be itching like crazy the rest of the�

He packed plastic bags.�
He really does think of everything.�
It wouldn�t be foolproof.� But he really wanted a proper shower, so he
gathered up his stuff, tied the plastic around his right foot and used the
crutches to maneuver himself into the bathroom.�

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Three Days Ago
- - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - -

�
Something didn�t feel quite right when Naruto woke.� His shinobi instincts were now honed, so he
was either asleep or wide awake; that feeling of half awareness killed from
necessity, from needing to be able to awaken and spring to life if danger was
close at hand.� So because of that it
only took a split second to know what was wrong.

Sasuke was gone.

It wasn�t just because the bed weight was wrong.� But he had been sleeping in Sasuke�s bed for
quite a while now, and not only did he sleep in it, but on Sasuke.� Sasuke slept on his back and Naruto lay
right on top of him, his head tucked under Sasuke�s chin, at least that�s how
he got comfortable to go to sleep.�
During the night there was shifting.�
But most of the time if Sasuke wanted out of the bed and Naruto was
sleeping he didn�t do so without waking the blond up, unless Naruto had rolled
off of him or something.��

Naruto sat up in the dark room and was instantly relieved
when the breeze from the open window rustled his hair.� What�s he doing out there in the middle
of the night?� He never goes out there
this late.�

Annoyed, and curious Naruto switched on the light on the
nightstand then got out of bed and felt around for his slippers.� Once he found them he trudged into the
bathroom.� He drank some water from the
faucet and relieved himself and decided if Sasuke wasn�t back in bed by the
time he was finished he was going out there to ask what was going on.�

Sasuke, not surprising, was not back in the apartment.� Naruto concentrated his chakra at the bottom
of his feet and climbed out the window and up the short distance to the roof,
an advantage to living on the top floor of the building.� Sasuke was where he always was when he came
up here, so Naruto walked towards the middle of the rooftop.�

�So you woke up, huh?��
Sasuke didn�t look at him as he spoke, his arms behind his head, as he
lie across the slanted rooftop, staring up into space.�

�It�s the middle of the night, Sasuke.�� Naruto frowned before he sat down next to
him.� �Why are you out here?� And how did you get out of bed without
waking me?�

�I get out of bed without waking you all the time.� You�re a heavy sleeper.� And an idiot if you never realized I could
get out from under you without being detected.�

Naruto�s frown deepened.�
All this time he�s always been able to get up out of bed?� I always assumed� I just thought that when I
was sleeping on him I�d wake up and he�d be where I left him� he couldn�t leave
while I was sleeping one night�and��
�Of course I knew that.� I just
meant that you must have been walking around the room because you�re dressed
and you have your sandals on and everything.�

�Only an idiot would come up on the roof in a pair of boxers
and slippers.�� Sasuke looked at
him.� �Dobe-kun.�� Naruto made a face.� Most of the time, at least now, he liked the
nickname with the suffix attached to it.�
But ever so often Sasuke reminded him why he had started calling
him that in the first place by being condescending.� It had only become sort of affectionate after months and months
of it being a mocking joke that wasn�t funny.��

�Shut up, Sasuke.�

�You never knew I got out of bed?�� Sasuke smirked.� He seemed
amused by the whole thing.�

�I told you I did, Teme, so shut up.�

�I would never allow you to sleep on top of me like that
unless I could get you off of me when I wanted to.��

Naruto turned and looked at him.� �What about before, in the beginning.� I�d wake up on the floor because you kicked me out of bed.�

�That�s because you were all over me.� And I warned you to get off, but you�d whine
and say you were sleepy.� And fall
asleep.�

�Well how come you don�t do that anymore?� You must like me sleeping on you
then.�

�Hardly.�� Sasuke
looked back up at the stars.� �I allow
it, that�s a lot different from liking it.��
Sasuke shifted his eyes towards him, but didn�t move his head.� �You�re heavy, and a lot of the time you�re
sticky too.�

�If I�m sticky it�s just as much your fault as mine.�

�No,� Sasuke continued.�
�If it were up to me you wouldn�t lie on top of me after we screw and go
right to sleep.� We�d clean up first.�

Naruto�s eyebrows furrowed.�
�I don�t remember hearing any complaints when we�re doing the things
that cause the stickiness in the first place, Sasuke.��

�You�re usually asleep before I can lodge any.��

�HEY!�� Sasuke poked
Naruto in his exposed belly.

�You also don�t notice that when I get up before you do I go
get a washcloth and clean you up.��
Naruto looked down at his skin.�
Now that Sasuke mentioned it, he was clean.� �How�d you think that happened?�

�Ninjutsu or something� I don�t know!� I never thought about it before.��

Sasuke shifted his dark eyes back up.� �Does it really bother you that I get up
without waking you?�

�Do you do it all the time?�

�Depends.�

�On what?�

�Stuff.�

�You�re a jackass, Sasuke.��
Sasuke shrugged.

�I won�t deny that.��
Sasuke turned his head then.

He smiled.�

Naruto couldn�t help it and smiled too.� He could never do anything but smile
whenever the dark-haired jounin smiled at him like that.�

The blond decided he�d lay out with Sasuke for a bit and
watch the stars too.� He rested his bare
back on the shingles and rested his arms behind his head like Sasuke had
done.� They were quiet for a long time
before Naruto finally spoke.

�How long have you been out here?�

�I came out about twenty minutes after you fell asleep,
fused to me with body fluids.�

�I�ll say it again, Sasuke!�
I don�t recall hearing any complaints when you�� Naruto stilled as Sasuke ran a hand along
his arm, from shoulder to elbow.� The
Uchiha survivor had turned his body and was facing him now.� Naruto moved his head.

�You have goose bumps.�
If you were cold you could have said something.� We could have gone back inside before.�

�I wasn�t cold before.�
And besides it�s not like I didn�t want to go back in without you or
something.�� Naruto blushed.� Now I just confirmed his suspicions.� Damn it.�
�If you�re going inside because you�re the one who�s cold don�t try
blaming it on me.�

Sasuke kept his gaze steady on him with that intensity that
always pinned Naruto to his spot.�
�Let�s go in, Dobe-kun.�� Naruto
watched as Sasuke withdrew his hand and then stood up.� He straightened out his shorts as Naruto sat
up surprised.� �You�ll regret staying
out here much longer when you end up sick.�

�You don�t get sick from being outside in the cold.�� Naruto stood.� �Don�t tell me you�re worried about me, Sasuke.� That�s not like you.�

�Being outside in the cold when you should be resting isn�t
good for your body.� And if your immune
system is weakened it makes you more likely to get sick.� And as for worrying about you, I don�t want
to have to be responsible for you if you do get sick,� Sasuke answered.� He looked over his shoulder at him.� �Don�t flatter yourself.��

�Shut up!��

�Don�t fall going back inside.�� Before Naruto could object to the smart comment Sasuke turned and
faced him then jumped off the roof.� He
caught the edge with his hands then used the momentum to swing back into the
window.

Damn Sasuke, always trying to out do me.� Naruto turned backwards and
jumped.� He caught the ledge the way
Sasuke had but when he swung into the room he collided with Sasuke.� They both ended up on the bedroom floor.

�Off,� Sasuke ground out, pushing Naruto with all his
strength.� Naruto rolled off of him, a
little dazed.

�What the hell were you doing in the window like that?� It was like you wanted me to collide into
you or something.�� Naruto stood first
and tried offering Sasuke his hand.�
Sasuke didn�t take it.� �You knew
I was coming in right behind you, Sasuke, what kind of idiot stands in the
window waiting to get hit?��

�Shut up, Naruto.��
Sasuke switched off the light Naruto had left on and got into his bed.

�What are you so grumpy about all of a sudden?�� Naruto crawled up onto the bed.� �You�re the one who��

�Shut up.�� Sasuke
curled up onto his side, his back to him.�
He gets so moody.� He�s the
one that was standing in the window, waiting for me to jump down.� What the hell did he think would
happen?� Of course I was going to hit
him.� Unless I missed the ledge or
something and fell�

Sasuke.�

He thought I might miss the ledge and fall.. so he stood in
the window so he could catch me.� Usually
Naruto was the one who went inside first.�
A lot of the time Sasuke was up on the roof alone for hours by himself
until Naruto asked him what he was doing and he came back in.� And then Naruto would go in the safer way,
using chakra and climbing down the building.

No wonder he�s in a pissy mood.� He probably didn�t want to save me as much as he wanted to catch
my wrist so he could throw my clumsiness in my face.� He never misses an opportunity to beat me at something.�

Naruto frowned.� Of
course the asshole in question did think ahead when it came to his
safety, after all it wouldn�t have been the first time Naruto would have needed
rescuing because he got cocky.� Sasuke
had always caught him then, so it wasn�t so implausible that he�d need to catch
him this time too.� When Naruto thought
of it that way it did change things a bit.�
�

�Oi, Sasuke��

�You�re annoying.�
Shut up.��

Naruto made a face.�
�I was just gonna say that I�m really not sleepy right now.� So maybe we could get each other
sticky.� Huh?� Huh?��

Sasuke rolled onto his back.� Naruto waggled his eyebrows.�
Sasuke instantly knitted his.�
�That�s the worst line I�ve ever heard, Naruto.��

�And I�m sure a pretty boy like you has heard them all,
right?�� Naruto flicked Sasuke in the
forehead.� �Who can resist this sexy
face?�

Sasuke caught Naruto�s wrist and held it still.� �You�re just asking for it, Naruto.�

�Whatcha gonna do about it?�� Sasuke answered by grabbing his other wrist.� �Is that supposed to�Ummph..�� Sasuke was on top of Naruto and had him
pinned to the bedspread in seconds.�
�Damn it, Teme!�

�Hn.��

Naruto struggled.�
Yeah, so he wanted to have sex, that didn�t mean he wanted to be the
uke.� He was the uke earlier.� It was Sasuke�s turn.� �Get off.�

�I plan on it.��
Sasuke pressed himself into the blond suggestively to prove his
point.��

�You�re a damned pervert.��

�You�re the one that wanted to get sticky.�� Naruto tried pushing him but it didn�t do
much.� It made no sense to him.� He was slightly bigger than Sasuke.� Even though Sasuke was slightly taller.� Still bulk was better than height.� But he couldn�t get out of Sasuke�s
grasp.� �You�ll have to do better than
that.�

�I can punch you in that smug face, Sasuke, how about
that?�� Sasuke slid his knee in between
Naruto�s legs.� �Hey�you ass!�

�Is this really all you got?� Uzumaki Naruto?�� Sasuke
lowered his mouth and moved in to kiss him.�
Naruto gave in, but he did bite the other teen�s lip when he pulled
back.� �You�re really asking for it now,
Naruto.�

�You�re just lucky I�m holding back, otherwise I�d mess up
that face of yours.��

�What�s with you and my face tonight?��

�I want you to shut it, that�s what�s with it, Teme.�� Sasuke only smirked.� Then he leaned close again.�

�I hope you didn�t have any walking you wanted to do
tomorrow,� Sasuke promised, his voice low and slightly husky.� Naruto was tired of Sauske�s mouth, and
waiting, so he pressed his lips up to meet the other teen�s.�

- - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
��
Naruto was washing dishes when someone knocked on the door
the next morning.� Sasuke had announced
he was going for a walk after breakfast and left before Naruto could get him to
help clean up the table.� After shouting
a few expletives at the closed door Naruto decided the dishes needed to get
washed and since it was his turn to make dinner he was going to make a big mess
so Sasuke would have more to wash afterwards.

�Come in, door�s open.��
Naruto glanced to his left and looked around the refrigerator and
watched Sakura slip off her sandals.�
�Hey, Sakura-chan.��

�Morning, Naruto.�
Sasuke around?��

�He went for a walk.��
Naruto dried the last glass.�
�Why, what did you need him for?�

�Tsunade-sama wanted to see him.� I told her I�d come find him.�
But I guess I missed him.�

�She sent you?�
Doesn�t she have messengers?�

�I volunteered.��
Naruto put the glass in the drying rack and shook his hands to get the
excess water off.� �Why don�t you use
something to dry those, Naruto?�� Naruto
shrugged and wiped his hands on his shirt.�
Sakura shook her head and made a little face.�

�What did the old lady want to see him about anyway?�

�Just said she wanted to talk to him.�

�Do you think it�s another S-class mission?� We�re still off for another three days.� I swear she abuses us.�

�Not as much as she abuses some of the other jounin.� You two are pretty lucky.� I don�t think it�s a mission though.� I doubt either of you will be sent out of
the village until this Itachi thing gets resolved.�� Sakura frowned.� �What�s
with that face?�

�I�m sick of hearing that word.�� Naruto sat on the kitchen table, feet hanging over.� �I won�t be confined to the village because
that prick is on a walking tour of Fire Country!�

�Oi, Naruto, haven�t you ever heard of the phrase don�t kill
the messenger? �Besides, if she wants to
see Sasuke maybe this is about Itachi.��

If it�s about Itachi it can�t be anything good.� If someone killed him we would have heard
about it by now.� And I doubt there�s
anyone in the village right now besides Tsunade or Jiriaya who could do it in
the first place.� Did Kakashi tell her
he thought Sasuke would leave to find him?

And now that I know Sasuke can get in and out of bed without
me knowing�

�Naruto, what�s wrong?�
You look pale all of a sudden.�

�Must have been the breakfast Sasuke made.� There were tomatoes in it.� You know how he likes them.� Weirdo.��

�Where do you suppose he went, if he didn�t leave too long
ago I should be able to��

�Don�t worry about it, Sakura-chan.� When he comes back I�ll let him know Tsunade-baba�s
looking for him.� I�m sure you have
stuff to do today.�

�Yeah, I guess so.�
Just make sure you tell him.�
Tsuande-sama had that serious look on her face when she said it.� I just offered to go because I hadn�t seen
either of you since you got back from your last mission with Kiba and
Chouji.��

�Yeah.�� Naruto
smiled at her.� �I better go take a
shower, though.� Unless you want to stay
and join me, Sakura- Owwww!�� Naruto
rubbed the back of his head.� �I was
just kidding.�

�You were just being a pervert, is what you were doing.� Make sure you tell Sasuke.��

�Yeah, I will.��
Sakura slipped back on her shoes and left.�

This isn�t good.�
What the hell does Tsuande want?�
Kakashi had to have told her.� Or
maybe she just figured it out.� It�s obvious
Sasuke�s acting funny.� I thought for
sure he�d want to go train today, like we usually do when we�re both home.� But then he said he was going for a walk.� And then there was last night.� It seems weird that he was fully dressed the
way he was when I found him on the roof.

And even the way he was acting.� He seems like he�s paying me more attention than he usually
does.� Like he�s keeping an eye on
me.� Or that he�s concerned about me or
something.� What was with him saying
that stuff about going inside on the roof?�
He�s been nice to me� more so than he should.�� It�s not really like him.�
It�s almost like he�s preparing himself before he� before he leaves.

I won�t let you go, Sasuke.�
And if you insist on it I�m coming with you.�

� �- - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

�Was there anything else you cared to add
to our report concerning the incident?��
Sasuke glanced at the man in the cat mask standing with a notepad at the
foot of the bed.� There was nothing like
being debriefed by an ANBU squad.� You
couldn�t look them in the eyes, so it made it trickier to lie to them and omit
details.� Sasuke, in this case, didn�t
have much to manipulate though.

There was no denying he left the village
without permission.� And it was also no
secret that Itachi was after Naruto and the whole thing was a trap.� Of course Itachi hadn�t counted on Sasuke
developing the Mangekyou Sharingan.�
Hell, he hadn�t either.� He
wasn�t really sure what had caused it; he hadn�t killed Naruto, his best
friend.� Of course he�d probably never
know the answer to that since he would never use it again.

Which was part of the reason why he had no
reason to put a spin on the answers to their questions.� There didn�t seem to be any reason not to
tell it all, especially since he knew a lot of it would probably be classified
right after the Fifth looked it over.�
In any case, nothing adverse could come from telling it like it was, how
it really happened.

He�d be dead before the consequences of his
actions could be punished.

Dead.�

It felt surreal, really.� Like he was looking in on someone else.� Someone else was sitting in this hospital
room, weak and sick from bleeding to death.�
This kind of thing never happened to �you�.� Somehow you survived, somehow everyone else was a cast of
characters and you were the main show, the big deal� and everyone knew the star
never died. It hadn�t really hit him yet.�
Despite the pain, and fits of coughing tainted with his blood.� It wasn�t quite reality.� He could see his leg in a cast, no crutches
because he wasn�t going anywhere.� Arm,
shoulder�wrist�all signs that this had� this did�it was him�

But it almost�it couldn�t be.�

Every breath I take is one more closer until the end.� Hn.�
I�m in an especially morbid mood.�
A shame Naruto isn�t around to share it with.� We could go over the arrangements for the burial, and what to put
on the headstone.�

Sasuke smirked darkly.

�Was there something you wished to add?�
the cat -masked officer inquired.�

�Yes, I wanted to add that I enjoyed
watching the look on Itachi�s face when he realized he had let his guard down
and he was going to die.�

The ANBU officer cleared his throat.� �Emotions aren�t necessary details for our
report.�

�Why aren�t they?� Sasuke asked, giving
the man a look.� �It�s what
happened.� When Itachi was dying I
relished it.� His face�that was the best
part.� It�s a face I�ll remember for the
rest of my life.� And given my current
state that won�t be longer than a week or two.��

The ANBU officers all glanced at each
other.� I�ve made them quite
uncomfortable� haven�t I�oh dear�

�If you think of anything pertinent to our
report you can contact the ANBU headquarters.��
The man gave a small bow.� Then
they fled the room.�

I suppose it was something I said.�

It still wasn�t real though� maybe that�s
why he could talk about it and be so flippant about it�maybe he was acting this
way because if he didn�t he�d engage in conduct unbecoming of a ninja.� No, not crying, he wouldn�t shed tears, those
sorts of emotions had shut down in him a long time ago.� He quite doubted he could shed tears
anymore.�

But anger�anger and hatred� what drove him
to this deathbed�they were here� and ready and rearing to go� ready to tear the
hospital room down piece by piece� ready to do so many horrid things�and since
there was no way he could take the anger out physically he was quite sure this
strange, surreal state he was in would persist.�

Until I�m dead�so not too long.

If this was a nightmare he got it� he got
the point�he wouldn�t eat anymore of Naruto�s leftovers before bed.� He just wanted out now�

He�s dead�he�s dead,,, and you looked him right in the eyes
when you delivered the death blow�there was no doubt in his mind�he wanted to
use you as a measuring stick�and he was the one who didn�t cut it.

This really couldn�t be happening though.�
He really was the last survivor of the Uchiha clan now, and he was on
his deathbed.� Two things that didn�t go
together� not in his mind, not when he spent lonely nights, dark days, waiting�
training�pushing on� trudging forward, waiting for the day he knew Itachi was
dead.� Nowhere in that plan had he ever
imagined it would have ended up like this.�
Why, why hadn�t he died out there�why had Naruto woken�why did he seal
his wounds, carry him�why this�this was worse than anything Itachi could have
ever done to him.

Maybe he never really saw things turning
out this way because he always assumed he�d be the one to bring the clan back
to vitality.� But there was no reason to
lie to himself now, what the hell was the point.� Would his selfishness have done much to repopulate the clan in
the first place?� He didn�t like women�
not sexually, not socially.� And even if
he could stand it� or if Naruto donated eggs while in sexy no jutsu form to
some surrogate mother, it didn�t much matter.�
He had no interest in being a father.�

His hadn�t exactly done the best job, hadn�t
really set such a fine example, had he?�
When you faced facts no one gave out awards to fathers, but if your kid
ended up a serial killer, you fucked up.�
His father had played a critical role in Itachi�s madness.� Not that anyone could have foreseen what
happened, but the head of their family unit had partial responsibility for
everything that happened, that things had come to this, that Sasuke had been
left an orphan, and forever broken and driven by anger and vengeance.�

From the moment he discovered the gruesome
murder scene and that his beloved older brother had been the cause Sasuke�s
soul had splintered into a million pieces and it would never really go back
together quite right.� Itachi had spared
him a physical death, but had replaced it with something far crueler.� The death of his innocence, the death of his
hopes, dreams, future�s happiness.� The
death of any chance of living a normal existence from that moment forward.

Itachi had committed soul murder.

And now, with his life�s goal finally
realized he could be truthful with himself.�
He could be truthful and relive an even worse pain.� Sasuke had been so hell bent on vengeance
not just for his slain clan members, his parents, but for himself.� Not really surprising�but this�Itachi�s
death� that had been his last chance at being complete again.

And now even that� the last desire of a
fractured heart had flittered away.�

As a child, sitting alone on the dock he
had first mastered his fire technique on he made a promise to himself, a
deep-rooted promise.� The kind you made
with yourself so you could live�so you could get out of bed in the morning.� So you didn�t walk home from the academy one
day and jump off the dock and drown yourself�

He promised� he vowed� with Itachi�s
death� he�d be okay again.� �Okay�
didn�t seem like much.� But to a boy who
lost his whole world in an eye�s blink� �Okay�� Okay� was salvation�
solace.� But he wasn�t okay�and every
single endless moment he lay here in this bed he knew �okay� would never be for
him.� Itachi was dead and he was still
damaged goods, defective�

His parents were still dead.� His clan was still destroyed.� And now his last living relative had joined
them in death.� Somewhere in his mind he
heard Kakashi�s words of warning�somehow there was the logical part of his mind
that told him Itachi�s death wouldn�t change anything.

That wasn�t true.� It changed a lot.� Now he had nothing left.�
Now he had no reason left�if his whole being�if being the best as a
child, if leaving Konoha, betraying Naruto and his village�if working and
training and sacrificing had all led him here� and here led to nothing�nowhere�what
was the point�why continue?

Now he could mourn his parents and the man his brother could have been.� Now he could start hating everything and
everyone.�

His mother for being perfect, for knowing
what was wrong and fixing it�for caring, and loving�and being beautiful� for
singing him to sleep when he had nightmares�for holding him�for leaving him�
for leaving and never being able to smile again.� If she hadn�t been so wonderful� it wouldn�t ache� he wouldn�t go
numb thinking of her�

His father� he could hate him even more�
for letting his mother die such an ungodly death.� For not being stronger�for not seeing what Itachi had become�for
pushing Sasuke to be his best and never settle for anything less�for dying
without ever getting a chance to tell him all the words of praise he told his
mother.

And Itachi�who he had always hated�.who he
hated even when he loved him.� For being
better, and smarter and his father�s favorite�and hating that role.� For caring about him�for loving him�in some
twisted form of that messy emotion�for making him the avenger�casting him in
this role�dying�dying and leaving him here�

Leaving behind that broken little boy with
his death.��

Sasuke hadn�t even realized he was heaving
until he wretched�and not able to do anything about it he vomited all over
himself.�

Let death�let it take me�let it come�and take me�

Please.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Two Days Before
- - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - -

Sasuke slid his sandals off as he walked
into the apartment.� He had left as soon
as he finished eating the breakfast he had made for them this morning, his
intention all along.� �You�re finally
home?� the blond ninja asked.��

�Yeah.��
The brunet turned so he could see Naruto with his head in the refrigerator.� The blond was obviously rummaging in it,
given the sounds.�

�Where were you, Sasuke?�

Sasuke headed for the couch in their
living room.� �I said I was gong for a
walk.�

�Yeah, but that was four hours ago.�� Naruto pulled a few odds and ends out of
the fridge and placed them on the table.�
�Where�d you walk to?��

�Around the village, I don�t remember the
exact trail� but maybe I could draw you a map with my route for your files.�

�Oi, Teme, don�t be such a jerk, I was
just wondering.� Shesh.�� Naruto closed the door of the large
appliance.� �I just asked a simple
question.�

�Then maybe you shouldn�t ask.�� Annoyed, the older teen headed into their
bedroom.� I didn�t think figuring out the
best way out of the village would take so long.� I didn�t have a choice; I�m going after Itachi tonight.�

�Sasuke��
Naruto was standing in the doorway.�
Since you�re home, I thought we could go get some groceries.� There�s like nothing edible in there.�

�You mean to tell me the last time we went
to the market we purchased food that wasn�t edible?� How exactly did we manage that one?�� Sasuke untied his forehead protector and placed it on his
nightstand.�

�I meant there�s just random food, nothing
that can go with anything else.��
Naruto walked into the room and sat on Sasuke�s bed.� �What crawled up your ass and died, Sasuke?�

Sasuke turned.� �Was there something I could help you with or can I take a shower
in peace.�� Naruto frowned.� �I have no desire to go shopping with
you.� We went last week and if you�re
telling me you�re having trouble finding something to put together all that
means is that your skills as a cook are just as poor as they�ve always been.�

�What the fuck, Sasuke!� Why the hell are you picking a fight with
me!� You�re the one who slips out of
here with barely a goodbye this morning, and didn�t even clear your plate. I
thought we�d get in some training today.�
But it�s after two now, so the day�s a wash.�

�Why should I be responsible for your
ineptness at training alone, Naruto?�

�I waited for you!� Because I thought that was the nice thing to
do.� But next time I�ll go by myself,
Teme!��

�Good, then it�s settled.�� Sasuke tossed his shirt off and threw it
into the hamper.�

�FINE!��
Naruto crossed his arms over his chest.�
Sasuke turned away again and began undoing his pants.� �And by the way, Sakura-chan came by this
morning, while I was cleaning the dishes.�
Tsunade was looking for you.� And
it seemed like it was important.� You�re
probably in trouble.�

�You say that like I care.�� Sasuke tossed his shorts into the hamper and
walked past Naruto towards the bathroom.�

�Well, when are you gonna go see her?� She�s probably even angrier than she was
this morning at you.�

�Don�t concern yourself with my business,
Naruto,� Sasuke demanded, turning back to look at Naruto who was in the bedroom
doorway once more, facing him.� �If I
feel like seeing her I�ll see her.� And
if it bothers you so much then why don�t you run and find her and go tell on
me.�

�Shut up!�� Naruto walked over to him in a huff.� �I�ve had it up to here with your imperious bullshit!� Ever since this Itachi thing started you�ve
been acting this way, and I�ve had enough, and if it�s gonna take kicking your
ass I�ll do it.�� Naruto cracked his
knuckles to emphasize his point.

�Give it a rest, Naruto.�� Sasuke turned and stepped into the
bathroom.� Usually when they got like
this one constructive afternoon sparring at the training grounds did the trick
to work out the extra stress and tension.�
Sometimes it was the testosterone, sometimes it was the pressure of day
to day life in an unforgiving ninja world.�
And most of the time one of them was driving the other completely
batshit.�

But Sasuke wasn�t training with Naruto or
sparring with him�he was reserving his chakra for Itachi, for tracking him down
and killing him.� He knew where to start
looking and was more confident that since this was a trap he wouldn�t be too
difficult to find.� He just needed to
get through the rest of this afternoon and this evening with Naruto and then he
could�

�TEME!�

Sasuke let out an agitated breath.� �I�m taking a shower, Naruto.� Then a nap.�
If you want money for groceries you know where my wallet is.��

�I had to wash all your tomato stains out
of the pot, then I had to mop because my feet were sticking to the floor, and
now I have to clean the fridge out and�you�re letting me take money out of your wallet?�

�I have no desire to go the market.� If the food isn�t edible you should go get
something that is.� We have to eat don�t
we?�

�Yeah, but�you�you never let me go in there, Sasuke.�� Naruto made a face,� �Is
this some sort of practical joke?�

�Just shut up, Naruto.�� Sasuke bonked him on the back of the bead
but not hard enough to hurt.� Naruto
began scowling at him as he rubbed the back of his head.� �You should get going, it�s your turn to
make dinner tonight.��

Naruto crossed his hands back over his
chest.� �I�m taking all your money,
Sasuke� they�re having a sale on ramen� triple coupons�and I�m going to stock
up on it.�

�Whatever.�� Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly.� �Just bring something else home besides the ramen, like something
for tonight�s dinner.�

�I don�t know what I�m gonna make.�

�We haven�t had rice balls in a while.�

Naruto tsked.� �You have some nerve, Sasuke.�
After the way you acted today to think I�d cook you your favorite
thing.� And I hate making bonito flake filling to go inside of them.� Just why should I?�

�You talk big,
Naruto.� But you�ll cook it
anyway.��

�That�s what you
think�I�m making something you hate, just to prove a point�� Something with soy beans�I know you hate soy
beans�� Naruto rubbed his hands
together, obviously scheming.�

�When does that ramen sale end?�

�Tomorrow, that�s why I
wanted to�hey!� You already said I could
take your money�you can�t blackmail me.�

�Some blackmail�all I�m
getting out of it is your undercooked rice balls.�

�Shut the shit up,
Sasuke!�� The blond moved to strike him
but Sasuke deflected effortlessly and pressed him up against the hallway wall. ��Damn it, Sasuke!�

Sasuke smirked.� �You better watch it, Naruto, before I
change my mind and we settle this out at the training grounds.�

�I�m ready, Sasuke.� I never miss a chance to wipe that smirk off
that stupid face of yours.�

�You thought it was
pretty last night.�� Naruto made a face,
but a faint blush painted his cheeks.�

�You really are an ass,
Sasuke.�� Naruto pushed him away.� But even then his fingers lingered on the
brunet�s bare chest longer than was really necessary.�

�Wake me when dinner�s
ready.�� It wasn�t a question.� Naruto made a face but he nodded.

��Fine.��
Sasuke brushed against him as he moved to go into the bathroom.� He was stopped when Naruto tugged his wrist.�

�What?�

Naruto leaned in and
kissed him.� Sasuke quirked an eyebrow
when Naruto pulled away.��

�You�re still a jerk,
Sasuke.��

�And I�m all
yours�Dobe-kun.�� Naruto wrinkled his
nose, but grinned.� It never took much
to get that smile back on Naruto�s face.�

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Naruto rolled over, and onto his back just
as the darker haired teen got out of bed.�
�Oi, Sasuke�where you going?��
Sasuke slipped on the pair of Naruto�s boxers he had been wearing before
they ended up in bed together.� He
rarely wore his own underwear anymore.�
And it all went back to him wearing Naruto�s under things the first time
they had fooled around.� But that was
another story all together.� �Sasuke?�

�I�m going to make some tea.� You want some?�� Naruto sat up.�

�Tea?�
Now? It�s really late now.� Don�t
tell me this is about last night and that fight we had about being sticky.�

�That wasn�t a fight, Naruto.� I�m making tea because I want it.� But since you won�t sleep unless you�re
splayed out on top of me do me the courtesy of washing yourself up.��

Sasuke left the bedroom and headed out
into the kitchen.� He pulled the
teakettle out and then two tea bags from the box.� He waited until he heard Naruto close the bathroom door and turn
on the faucet before he opened the top cabinet and sifted through it.

When he found what he was looking for he
palmed it and filled the kettle with water then set it on their stove to
boil.� He jumped up onto the counter and
waited.� Naruto came out of the bathroom
a moment later.� He hadn�t had the
decency to at least put on some boxers first, not that Sasuke hadn�t seen
everything Naruto had to offer countless times before.

There was just something about being naked
in the kitchen, around the food, that irked the dark-haired jounin.� That and he couldn�t have Naruto around when
he dropped some of the knock out drugs into his tea.� He had never used them on a mission before, but they were a
shinobi basic, odorless, tasteless, colorless, and three drops would have
Naruto unconscious until late morning.�

�What kind of tea you gonna make?�

�I�ll just drop a bag in your cup.� I know you don�t like green tea.�� Naruto shook his head no.� �It�ll be a few minutes, you don�t have to
wait for it.��

�There�s nothing to do in the bedroom,
Sasuke.� Besides you�when you�re in
it.�� Naruto grinned at his own
perversion, but the brunet made a face.�

�Don�t quit your day job.��

Naruto walked towards him.� �It was funny.��

�Only to idiots.��

�Shut up, Sasuke.�� Naruto got close enough to touch him.�

�I said I�d bring you your tea, you don�t
need to sit out here.�� Sasuke leaned
back on his arms, sliding the sleep agent behind his back, out of sight.� �I don�t need you annoying me.�

�Shut up.�� Naruto ran his hands along Sasuke�s upper legs.� Then he leaned in and nuzzled his head against
Sasuke�s neck, like he did before he fell asleep.� Naruto was always in an affectionate mood after sex, a fact that
had caused a lot of discord in the beginning, especially since Sasuke wasn�t
affectionate period.�

The brunet let out a small sigh as Naruto
sucked on his neck.� �What are we gonna
eat with the tea, Sasuke?� Naruto finally asked, drawing nonsensical circles on
the older teen�s chest.� �Huh, Sasuke,
I�m hungry.� Whatcha gonna make?��

�Nothing.�
You ate dinner, late night snacks aren�t good for you.�� And I want the drugs to act fast, more
food is going to delay the effects.�

�I want something to eat though,
Sasuke.�� It was bad enough Naruto liked
to be all over him when he got in one of his moods, like this, but then he
started whining like a child.� It had to
be because he had never had parents to indulge him.� And even Iruka didn�t snuggle up with him, so Sasuke got stuck
with this unwanted job.�

�You look tired, go lay down, I�ll bring
in the tea.�� Sasuke tried pushing
Naruto off of him gently.� The blond
looked up at him with clear Cancun blue eyes.�
Naruto stood still, his hands still on Sasuke�s legs, his eyes not
blinking, not looking away.� �It�ll be
ready in a minute, Dobe-kun.�

Naruto blinked once.� Then let out one of his biggest grins.� �Yeah, okay.� Any flavor except green.��
He turned and headed back into the bedroom.� Sasuke watched him retreat, noting that the blond did have quite the physique.�

When the tea was finally finished Sasuke
added three drops and then put the bottle away.� Then he carefully headed into the bedroom.� Naruto was sitting on Sasuke�s bed, thumbing
through one of the Icha Icha books that usually
rested on his nightstand.� He looked up
when he saw Sasuke enter and tossed the book onto his own bed that remained
unused most of the time.�

�Here.��
Naruto smiled and took the cup from him.� �Don�t spill any on my bed.�

�Yeah, I won�t.� Don�t treat me like a kid.��
Naruto took small sips, and then played with his tea bag.� Sasuke settled down on the corner of the bed
and started drinking his own.� He had
settled on a flavor that had a large amount of caffeine in it.� Once Naruto was out he was leaving.�

Naruto finished his tea in record
time.� He was already yawning and
complaining he was suddenly tired when Sasuke took the teacups and saucers back
into the kitchen.� When Sasuke cleaned
up the things Naruto was laying on his side, curled up under the blankets.

�You coming to bed, Sasuke?� Naruto
wondered, eyes closed.�

�Yeah, I guess.�� He�ll go to sleep faster if I�m lying with him.� The faster he�s out the sooner I can
leave.� Sasuke got
into his bed on his side after he shut off the light.� Naruto rested against him, eyes still closed.��

Four minutes later Naruto was in a deep
sleep and Sasuke was out of bed, dressing in the dark.� I�ll do one last weapon check before I
leave,� I should be out of here no later
than ten minutes.� �

��- - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - -

Naruto was happy to find out that Tsunade was in her
office at the hospital when he decided to go seek her out.� He knocked on the door and was let in, but
now he was sitting on a chair while she looked over some papers.� Naruto had tried being patient; after all he
was here because he wanted to save Sasuke.�
And the person that could do it was sitting in front of him, obviously
busy.� But after ten minutes of waiting
patiently he finally cracked.

�Oi, Tsuande-baba!�
Are you done yet!�� Her left
eyebrow twitched slightly.� �I don�t
have all day you know.�� Tsunade dropped
her pen and folded her hands then placed them under her chin.� Her pretty eyes narrowed slightly.� �I mean, err�well it�s just that I came here
because it�s important.� And I know you
were gonna go back to the tower before lunchtime and��

�I take it you spoke to Sasuke last night about his
condition.�� Naruto nodded.� �And he told you that he declined the
procedure as well, I�m assuming.��

�Yeah.�� Naruto
rolled his shoulders.� �So what are you
gonna do about it?��

Tsunade sighed softly.�
�I suppose I should have seen that question coming.��

Naruto pouted.� �I
should have known you�d act nonchalant about this.� We�re talking about Sasuke here!�
He told me you said he was dying.�

�Those weren�t my exact words.�

�So Sasuke was exaggerating.� I knew it, I knew he��

�He will die, Naruto.�
Left untreated.� The internal
bleeding won�t stop as long as his chakra channels remain in their current
state.�� Tsuande opened a folder sitting
on the desk.� �Here, this is a medical
diagram of the chakra system.�� She slid
the entire folder over to him.� Naruto
picked the first sheet up.� �The blue
lines show healthy, normal functioning chakra channels.�

�What about all these red lines?�

�Those are the ones that are destroyed or in critical
condition within Sasuke�s body.�� Naruto
dropped the diagram back on the desk, eyes wide.��

�There�s�.there�s more red, more red than blue.�

�Now you see the problem.�
If the channels aren�t repaired Sasuke will bleed to death.�

�How�how long will that take?�

�That really depends.�
But with this extensive damage his internal organs will be in serious
trouble very soon.� Meanwhile he�ll be
growing weaker and weaker at a steady pace.�
I�m sure you know how it feels when you lose a lot of blood.�

�Dizzy, sick�.��
Naruto looked at the Hokage solemnly.�
�So what about the procedure then?�

�I�ve read up on Hado, and without getting into all the
complicated details it can be used in alternative medicine techniques.� Hado, simply put, is the spiritual
vibrations produced at the atomic level in all matter.� Like cells.�
Using these vibrations Shizune and I may be able to promote rapid cell
growth.� Chakra channels aren�t like
regular organs or veins, so repairing them and treating them has to be
approached differently.�

�Will it work?�

�It may work and it may not.� The only applications I�ve read about where it was used for
chakra channel reconstruction was in Earth country.� But the patient didn�t have this kind of damage.� Sasuke forced the chidori to form, a jutsu
that takes up a lot of chakra�and that coupled with gaining the Mangekyou
Sharingan��

�He� he was able to� to use it?� The Mangekyou Sharingan?�
He didn�t tell me that.�� Sasuke�
why didn�t you say that last night�why didn�t you�

�It was in the ANBU report.�
In any case, the upper half of his body was under a lot of strain, and
this is the result.� Killing Itachi and
protecting you blinded his better judgment on the matter.�

�Protecting me.� He
said that in the report too?�

�Well, it was implied.�
You are lovers, aren�t you?��
Naruto blushed.� �He explained to
the ANBU officers that Itachi made a comment about taking your unconscious body
back to River Country before nightfall.�
In any case, I thought you were here about Sasuke�s condition.�

�Yeah.� That�s
right.� Why wouldn�t Sasuke want the
procedure?�

�I told him the truth.�
The procedure is just as potentially deadly as if he did nothing,
Naruto.� With how weak he is right now
there�s only a 40% chance it�ll work at all, let alone if it�ll be enough to
save his life.� He could die on the
operating table from blood loss.� Or the
Hado vibrations might cause more damage.�
It doesn�t help that no one in this village has ever performed this
before.� Or dealt with anyone with this
sort of chakra channel damage, Naruto.�
His being alive right now is something of an amazement to the medical
staff.�

�But he has a 0% chance if you do absolutely nothing,
right?�

�He has less than two weeks to live.� And that�s being generous.� You can�t live long once your body starts
shutting down.��

�Then perform the procedure, obviously Sasuke�s being
stupid.�

�It�s experimental.�

�It�s his only chance!�
This isn�t about a procedure.�
This is life and death.� Don�t
keep glossing over what happens if it�s not performed.� If you don�t do it soon, really soon you
won�t be able to.� His body will be too
weak, and the damage will be too bad.�
So why the hell are we sitting in this office when you could be
scrubbing up!�

Tsunade�s face took on a sterner look.� �It doesn�t work that way, Naruto.� That�s why.�
Sasuke is conscious.� He has to
approve any surgery or procedures performed on him when it�s experimental like
this.� And if he doesn�t approve than it
won�t be done.�

�But if it isn�t done he�ll die, so can�t you declare him
incompetent?� He�s obviously not
thinking straight!��

�Naruto, calm down��

�NO!� Why are you
making excuses!�� Naruto stood up,
leaning his hands against the desk.� �As
a person of the medical profession isn�t it unethical to let patients die this
way?�

�Naruto, it�s the same thing if Sasuke were in a
vegetative state.� If we remove his
feeding tube we�re not doing something unethical.� His next of kin could make the choice to end his life because he
has no hope for having any sort of life again.�

�Well, I�m his next of kin.� So knock him unconscious.�
Then I�ll sign off for the procedure!�
My name is on all those release forms they make us update every six
months.��

�It wouldn�t do any good, Naruto.�� Tsuande shook her head.� �Even if you did that.� Even if we declared him incompetent� or you
got power of attorney� or he was unconscious.�
The procedure relies on spiritual vibrations.� It�s the same with chakra.�
In order to mold chakra effectively your spirit can�t be in
disarray.� If the procedure is performed
against Sasuke�s will it�s doomed to failure. His mind and body have to be at
peace, or his spirit won�t be at peace.�
If anything, all that we would accomplish is shortening his life
more.� And do you really want him to die
angry with you, Naruto?�

�I�I don�t want him to die at all!�� Naruto slumped back down into his
chair.� �There has to be� some
way�� I won�t accept this� I can�t�
he can�t die� I won�t let him die� there has to be some way� something I can do�

�He has to change his mind about the procedure,
Naruto.� And soon.� If we don�t perform the procedure by the end
of the week it�ll definitely be too late.�
And even then there�s no telling he�ll be strong enough to handle
it.��

If that�s how it is�I�ll just have to do things my way
then.� You�re going to have the
procedure, Sasuke� I won�t let you die� you stubborn prick.� �So I only have four days
including today to knock some sense into him then�is that what you�re tell me?�

�Yes.��

Naruto stood back up.�
�Fine.� I�ll do what has to be
done.� You just make sure you�re ready
to perform the procedure once I do get him to stop being an idiot,
okay?�

Tsuande made a face.�
�Why do you suppose I�m here at the hospital with Sasuke�s medical
charts and stuff in front of me, Naruto?�

�Oh�I guess I should have realized that.�� Naruto rubbed the back of his head.� �I guess I�ll leave you alone to work out
the procedure then.� Huh?�

�Listen, Naruto.�
If he doesn�t change his mind about the procedure it doesn�t do you or
him any good to leave things between you on a bad note.� Whatever choice he makes you should be here
for him, and respect it.��

�Yeah.�� Just as
long as he doesn�t make the wrong choice.�
�
�

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Early Yesterday
Morning
- - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - -

Sasuke closed his hip pouch.� Then he gave Naruto one last look, and when he was satisfied that
Naruto was really out cold, given the way he was breathing and the position he
was currently in he left the bedroom.�
Closing the door behind him.� The
brunet jounin stopped in the bathroom to relieve himself before he headed out
into the kitchen.�

He pulled out the water container resting in the fridge
and decided he wouldn�t scribble a note.�
It was better for Naruto if he could claim plausible deniability.� Any message to him that he had gone after
Itachi could easily be used against him.�
The brunet wasn�t stupid� and neither was the blond.� They both saw this coming, and Sasuke was
pretty sure Naruto would figure it out for himself without spelling it all out
for him.�

He didn�t bother bringing a backpack either.� He knew he�d find Itachi some time today,
after all that had been Itachi�s goal all along.� He wanted Sasuke to find him, and he just as well assumed that if
Sasuke would come so would Naruto.� But
Sasuke wouldn�t play into his brother�s hands like that.� Naruto was in a heavy sleep and would still
be after Sasuke was several kilometers away.�

Checking to make sure there was nothing else that needed
to be taken care of Sasuke turned off the kitchen light and opened the
apartment door.� He decided not to lock
it because there was really no need.�
And if he didn�t Naruto would just assume he had gone for his morning
walk and wouldn�t think anything was wrong.�

He was just about to the round the corner when he heard
footsteps approaching.�

It�s almost 4:30, who the hell is�.

�I was hoping I was wrong�Sasuke�� The brunet flinched involuntarily.�

�Naruto.�� Naruto
nodded and stepped closer.� Sasuke
narrowed his eyes.� �You drank the tea,
I watched you.�

�You watched a clone drink that tea, Sasuke.�

Sasuke let out a sound of disgust.� Not at Naruto, but directed at himself.� �I was too nice, wasn�t I?�

�That gave it away.�
Actually if you hadn�t of been I wouldn�t have guessed you�d be leaving
tonight.� I just assumed if you were
going to knock me out you�d do it when it was your turn to make dinner.�

�So you used Kage Bunshin and then went out the window,
and up on the roof.��

�Then I came back inside the apartment, and waited when I
was sure you really were leaving.��

Sasuke nodded.�
�I�m almost impressed with you, Naruto.�� Naruto smirked.

�Only almost?�

�If you figured out I was going to knock you unconscious to
go hunt down Itachi you should have also guessed I�d do whatever was necessary
to leave without you.�� Sasuke took a
step forward.� �You should have drunk
that tea, Naruto.��

Naruto rolled his shoulders forward.� �You really want to do this, Sasuke?�

�You aren�t giving me much of a choice.� If I leave without disabling you not only
will you be playing right into Itachi�s hands by chasing after me but you�ll
also be guilty of the same crime I�m about to commit.�

Naruto crossed his arms over his chest.� �You really think after you left all those
years ago it�s gonna be that easy to bail out again, Sasuke?�� Naruto stepped closer.� �You�re the one with limited choices here.� Either we both go back into the apartment or
we both go hunt down Itachi.� You
choose.�

�My choice is I go and you stay.�

Naruto frowned.�
�Then I guess we�re at an impasse, Sasuke.�

�No.�� Sasuke moved
behind Naruto before his eyes could track him.�
�We�re not.�� Naruto grew tense,
but didn�t move, even though Sasuke had gotten completely behind him.� The brunet stabbed Naruto with the
handle-end of a kunai with some force.�
Naruto moved after contact, rubbing the side of his neck.�

�Sasuke��

�I see, so it�s not another clone.��

�You�re not going after him�if I have to break both of
your damn legs, Sasuke!�

�I�m sorry, Naruto.��
Sasuke put the kunai back in his holster.�

�What are you��
Naruto froze.� �I�what�s�.I�.I
can�t�.�

�I said I was sorry, Naruto.��

Naruto�s blue eyes flickered and he dropped to his
knees.� �What did you do?��

�I hit you with the kunai to hide the fact I was injecting
you with a syringe.�� Sasuke tossed it
towards Naruto and it landed on the floor with a silent thud.� �I knew you wouldn�t move when I got behind
you�you�ve always been too trusting for your own good.�

�Why�don�t, Sasuke��

�Only I can kill him, Naruto.� The time is now.�

�Sasuke�� Naruto
struggled to get up and keep himself from keeling over.�

�It has to be this way.�

�WHY!�

Sasuke narrowed his eyes.�
�I don�t know what you thought this was between us, Naruto.�� Naruto�s eyes widened.� �Itachi will always be the most important
thing until I see him dead.��

�And what if he kills you first�HUH?� What the hell then, Sasuke!�

�You�ll be unconscious in a few minutes, Naruto.� If you scream loud enough you�ll wake up our
neighbors and maybe they�ll send some hunter-nin after me.�

�Sasuke�don�t�goddamn it�you asshole�� Sasuke watched unblinking as Naruto fell
forward onto his stomach.�

�The drug should wear off in three hours or so.� �Sasuke turned and headed down the hall.�

�Sasuke�please�Sasuke�� Sasuke stiffened.� Don�t turn around�go�leave�.don�t let him
change your mind.� �Sasuke��

Sasuke glanced over his shoulder.� Naruto was trying to crawl towards him.� �I�I know how important killing him is to
you�I know�but you can�t go�Sasuke��

�Until your whole family is murdered in cold blood you won�t
know, Naruto.�

�And if you�re dead, Sasuke�I will.��

Sasuke could feel his chest tighten at Naruto�s plea.� If you look back and see him you�ll lose
your nerve.� You won�t be able to leave
him again.

Sasuke did the transport jutsu and ended up outside of the
apartment building.� �I really am sorry.� Dobe-kun.��

He headed for the escape route he had worked out for
himself without looking back.�

Endnote:� If you
recall last chapter, Naruto alluded to a clone waking him up so he could trail
Sasuke.� So it�s then implied that there
were two clones and not one.� The second
one was probably hiding in the hallway on the other end.� And I imagine that whatever Sasuke gave
Naruto, Naruto�s copy was able to administer some kind of antidote from their
apartment�after all Sasuke�s intention wasn�t to harm Naruto of course.� In any case there won�t be any more
flashbacks concerning Sasuke going after Itachi or his fight with him.� A lot of that part of the plot is left open
ended, meaning you can draw your own conclusions based on inferences made in
the chapters to come.

Also, a lot of other things in this fic are left implied,
and as the story continues small details that may seem insignificant at the
time could lead to more important developments.� (I have this annoying habit of mentioning things for a �reason�)
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter�and there�s a lime next time
around so hopefully it�ll make up for some of the depressing moments in
this.��
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Avenger's Choice

Avenger�s Choice