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Reflections (Abandoned WIP)	By : Tsukineko9 Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1226 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- 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
- 2
- 3
- 4
Title: Reflections

Author: Cecilia Tsukineko and Kirei Kitsue

Rating: NC-17

Genre and Pairing: yaoi, NaruSasu

Notes: This is our pet project you could say, so the style's a little unique and the effort is huge. ^__^
Chapter Title Translation: "My Way of the Ninja!" or "My Ninja Path!"
Author Note: campurr/chris' review made me feel a little like preening. and i'm in a really good mood of late so, despite the fact that I was going to wait or another 15 reviews to update the first part of chapter three... i decided that now was a good time to post it. *preens* Kirei likes compliments and so does Cecilia, though I haven't really talked to her lately. She kinda... hasn't really been online when I am. everybody seems to like this one so far. i love it. it's my brainchild and i adore writing it. cecilia... she's stuck to SN ('Spartan Ninjas') like a burr, but that's ok because i love that one too. all of your reviews are like wonderful jewels... corny but the truth. we love to hear from you all.

Chapter Three - Ore no Nindo da!

Part 1

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*A Week Later, Evening*
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They were making good progress, moving along right on schedule... but Junichiro didn't care about that at the moment. He was busy trying to come up with a way for Sasuke to be with him. He was still furious from the argument he'd had with Naruto, and waking up to Sasuke's screams only to see Naruto holding him so close certainly hadn't helped. Ever since that night the two young male ninja had almost been attached at the hip. Glaring at his folded hands in his lap, Junichiro worked out the details of his latest idea... and decided he finally had one that was sure to be foolproof. He sent one of his attendants after Sasuke. He didn't care if the ninja were probably just sitting down to dinner, he wanted to talk to Sasuke now.
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I enter Junichiro's tent feeling a little more than pissed. I was just about to eat, damn it, and not only that but I haven't been getting along well with this newly acquired groupie to begin with. I come right up to him, standing before him with about three feet between us. "Junichiro-san..." I mutter, though it doesn't come out like the inquiry or with the politeness that it should.
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Junichiro's eyebrow twitched at being addressed as "san" instead of "sama" but decided to let it pass for now. "I am tired of beating around the bush, Sasuke-san," he said calmly. "Therefore I shall give you a choice. Spend one night in my bed or I shall have the demon's hitai-ate taken away from him and have him banished from Konohagakure." One night was all it would take to have Sasuke wrapped around his little finger.
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I stand there and stare at him stupidly for a moment. Take Naruto's hitai-ate... Like hell! "Who the hell do you think you are, kono yaro?" I growl. "If you got rid of him.... you'd be getting rid of me with him."
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"If you leave Konohagakure, my father will pull much of the village's funds. There is a significant amount that he is investing in the interest of resurrecting your clan, but if you choose to not cooperate and leave..." the lordling threatened, trailing off.
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I stiffen and glare for all I'm worth. This little bastard... I grit my teeth. "I'll tell your father about this..." The little bastard is engaged and he's still trying his damnedest to bed me! What the hell?!
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"As long as the lover is not of the opposite gender, the matter is always overlooked. A same-gender lover does not produce bastards."
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I pause. I'm stumped. This is too weird, and I have no idea what else to tell him. I could tell him go to hell and turn around right now... in fact a while ago that's exactly what I would have done... or beaten the shit out of him. But now... he's threatening Naruto. Before that festival that wouldn't have mattered much to me... I mean he was my friend at that point, but I have a mission in my life. Now... I'm unsure as to what exactly I'm doing.
Glowering, I give him my coldest look possible, and start to say, "Fine... damn it." What else can I do? Even if I threaten to take him down socially, he'll take Naruto down with him. I could threaten his person and have him whine to Kakashi and the old woman Hokage and he could still take Naruto down... and I can't have that. Naruto and I have been through too much together.
Damn it, I don't like being cornered... and I especially don't like rich little bastards that use other people as leverage to get into someone else's pants. I just hope that, now that he's won, he won't say �Let's go do it now...� and I hope that he doesn't pull this crap whenever he wants a lay. I think I'm going to be sick, but I manage not to look it.
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But before Sasuke could say anything, Naruto burst into the tent forehead bare and looking ready to kill. He threw his hitai-ate at Junichiro, hitting him smack on the face with it. The lordling grabbed his injured nose, staring wide-eyed at the furious blond. Naruto had heard everything.
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That bastard!!! How dare he use me to force Sasuke into bedding him?!?! How DARE he?!?! "You want me to leave?! Fine, I'll leave!! Who would want to serve a little shit like you anyway?!" I snarl. "But don't you dare use me to get some just because that's the only way you can get anyone within three feet of you!!" I yell every insult I can think of at him, satisfied by the way he's cowering in fright. You wanted demon, I'll give you demon! No one messes with my friends and gets away with it!! I use a punch to throw the fox's red chakra at the bastard, shattering the thick wooden screen behind him and just missing his face. The smell of urine fills my nose. (Having fun in there?) Breathing harshly from my anger I let the chakra fade and my arm drop. I give him one last poisonous glare before spinning on my heel and stalking out, heading for the forest where I can take out the rest of my frustration out on a tree. My work is done.
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I stare darkly at Junichiro for several seconds before removing my own hitai-ate - to make our point - and drop it on the floor at my own feet before turning and walking off after Naruto. I find him in the woods a little later, beating a poor tree into helpless woodchips and I lean against another trunk only feet away. "What was that all about?" I ask calmly. I hadn't expected a show quite like that. That is to say I hadn't expected anyone at all... and certainly nothing that... profound. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that he threw his hitai-ate away just like that!
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I pause in mid-kick and just stand there, trying to calm myself down. I don't want to yell at him when he did nothing wrong. "What would you have done if I hadn't done that?" I ask stiffly, doing my best not to snap.
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I think for several long minutes. Then say simply, "I'd have done it...." My voice is quiet and even. It's the truth. Naruto's worked harder than anyone for that hitai-ate and I won't let it be taken away because of me.
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The tree creaks ominously as my leg slams against it. I know I've broken skin when I feel my pant leg get sticky and wet. "Idiot," I mutter. Spinning around I walk over to him and pull him in a crushing embrace, doing my best not to tremble. "You are such an idiot..." He was willing to let someone use his body so that I could keep my hitai-ate... I don't deserve a friend that would do something like that for me. I'm a demon, a monster... and I just proved that not fifteen minutes ago... (Be quiet, fox. ... Just, please... be quiet...) "Why didn't you just say no...?"
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I don't hesitate to hold him back, which at one point I would have considered unusual of myself, but at this point... after all that's gone on between us after dark... even the stuff he doesn't know I know about.... I don't even think about beyond that. I tighten my embrace and mutter, "Because no one is going to take your dream away from you... Not while I'm still breathing. I won't lose any more of my precious people. I won't lose you... and if you left the village........ I'd follow you and drag you back.... Like you've done for me. Because that's what friends do..." I say it so quietly it's actually almost a whisper and I know that my pale skin is colored brightly across my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose. I tilt my head and rest it against his.
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"No one would thank you for bringing me back... They all hate me..." I murmur, tightening my grip and burying my nose in his hair so he doesn't notice my tears. It hurts to admit it, but that's the truth. Every year they hate me more... the ambush he rescued me from was far from the first. That was just the first time they'd used a girl to lure me into the trap. And my dream is dying... There's nothing he can do about that. Not unless he can get the majority of the village to see me as the human I am instead of the demon inside me.
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"I don't hate you... Iruka, Kakashi, Tsunade-Hokage-sama... they don't hate you... Sandaime never hated you. Jiraiya doesn't hate you," I murmur and hold him a little tighter still, one hand sliding up and then down his back slowly, comforting him, much like my mother used to comfort me. It's funny how... love brings back certain memories... thoughts I've buried for a long time. I nuzzle the side of his head a little and lean back against the trunk I'd been leaning on to begin with.
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"That's only six out of thousands," I argue, my fingers clutching the material of his shirt until my knuckles turn white. I can't stop my shaking now. "Everybody else wants me dead..." I murmur, the hurt I feel leaking into my voice. "Every day of my life they've tried to kill me. Some days it's so hard to keep on going... and..." I have to pause and swallow the lump in my throat before whispering, "I'm afraid... I'm afraid that I'm turning into the monster they think I am..."
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I straighten from leaning my shoulders against the tree, putting him a little away from me and catch his chin in the fingers of my right hand. I look him right in the eyes, our faces only centimeters apart and I tell him firmly, my voice stern, "You aren't. Don't even think that way." And then I pause. His eyes are a little teary and he just looks so forlorn... I can't help it. I lean forward slowly as though there's magnetism vibrating between us. I pause millimeters from his lips giving him the opportunity to flee but when he doesn't... My bangs tickle our cheeks as I gently brush my lips over his mouth tilting my head slightly so that our noses only graze the sides of each other lightly, like a caress. I have no idea what�s possessing me to do this... just that... he needs comfort and reassurance... and I'm here for just that. I'm not sure how he'll react... but if he's feeling anything like I'm feeling... I hope it won't be negative.
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A small kernel of warmth appears in my stomach and spreads through me, driving away the bitter cold that had been threatening to take me over. Our eyes still locked together I pull away slowly, my eyes questioning and puzzled. Why... did he do that? (Keep your comments to yourself, ero-Kitsune.) There's no one around... meaning we don't have to pretend to keep everyone away. And my lord bastard is gonna leave us alone for a long time after what I did... (What do you mean, "what if he's not pretending"?) "...Why...?" I feel so confused... I want him to kiss me again but I know he shouldn't. I want more than just a kiss, but I know I shouldn't ask for it. Not when there are others out there that can make him so much happier than I ever could. All I can expect from him is friendship... The only thing I can expect him to give me is friendship... Anything more I don't deserve, from him or anyone else.
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"Because.... I want to...." I answer and gently pull him into another small kiss. "Because..... I need to.... Because....." I kiss him again the same as before. What's gotten into me... not that it matters... because I wouldn't stop now unless he forced me to. There is something about the moment, the attraction and the tingling in my stomach and the warmth that's spreading along every nerve... that I just don't want to let go of.
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("Because I need to" does NOT translate to "Screw me now"!! Pervert...) This is wrong... as good as it feels, it's wrong. But I can't seem to stop it... My arms hold him tighter instead of pushing him away like I want them to, and my feet won't step back like I'm ordering them to. His delicious scent is flooding my nose and making it hard to think straight. "Because...?" I whisper, almost afraid of the answer. (Are you in rut or something?! Shut UP!!)
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I whisper the words so softly I'm not sure he can hear them, because I know that I can't. �Because I love you...� Probably not the best thing in the world to say to someone who has been in love with one girl his entire life. Lately I've seen it as just an act, and I don't think I'm wrong, but still... I brush my lips over his again finding the sensation too tempting to resist.
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No... Oh, God please, no... He can't... No... His life will be ruined... I hope I read his lips wrong, but the fox's sharp ears caught the whisper and it's not letting me believe otherwise. I suddenly feel cold again. Letting him go is so hard but I manage, putting my hands on his shoulders and pushing him away. "Gomen... but I can't..." I murmur, fighting back the tears. I tear my eyes away from his and take a few steps back. "I can't... Sasuke... Don't love me... Please..." The only thing I have to offer him is pain, and he deserves so much more... so much better than anything I could ever hope of giving him. My heart aches, but I have to do this... for his own good.
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I stare at him for several long moments my mind as blank as my expression must be and then I grab his shoulders and shake them a little. "Why not?!" I hiss, not sure why I'm getting so... hot over it. "I'm allowed to love whoever I want! But whether I really want to or not, I love you.... Love isn't something that can be controlled like sadness, Naruto. It's more like being hungry. You're hungry no matter what until you eat." I force myself to let him go... take a slow breath and then slowly turn around and start to walk away. If I say anything more... we'll just argue. And I don't want that.
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It hurts... it hurts so much to watch him go, but I know it's for the best. Allowing myself one indulgence, I embrace him from behind and softly kiss his cheek. "I'm so sorry..." I whisper, my voice cracking. The tears break free and one travels from my cheek to his. I give him one last squeeze before I disappear. I will continue the mission, but I will do it from afar. Once our job is done I will leave and never show my face in Konoha again. I will no longer be the cause of anyone's pain. (Not now, fox...)
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I stand stock still for a period of time that seems at once an eternity and a moment. Then I turn and lay into the nearest trees with everything I have, the screech of Chidori loud in the quiet of the woods. When my limit is reached I press for one more... it half forms in my hand before dissipating and with it goes my anger. I'm not finished yet. Whatever Naruto is thinking... is wrong and I'm going to prove that to him. Maybe not soon, but sometime after our diplomatic business is complete. I pick myself up from where I had laid out on the ground and head for the campsite and our tent. If he doesn't show up there within the hour, I'm going out and dragging him back. No questions asked.
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Kakashi pulled his attention away from the fire as Sasuke walked by. He didn't bother to ask where he'd been. The sound of Chidori had reached the campsite, so the Jounin had a pretty good idea of Sasuke's mood. "Better get over here and eat your dinner before it overcooks. Where's Naruto? I hear you two caused quite a bit of trouble again."
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"The little bastard started it...." is all I say and take up my part of dinner. I eat it quickly, feeling Sakura's eyes on me whenever she thinks I'm not paying attention. I can almost hear her inner voices arguing over what to believe. Finishing up my dinner I head to the tent. Two hours pass and still no Naruto. Having had enough I stand from where I had sprawled on my bedroll and storm out into the woods. It's like my Naru-radar is on or something because I find him with minimal fuss. I'm on him before he knows it, locking my arm around his neck and starting to drag him back immediately. "Usurakontachi," I grumble, my tone scolding.
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Dammit! And I'd just found a great hiding spot too! Immediately I start squirming and trying to get free. "Sasuke no yaro!! Lemme go!!" I growl, digging my heels into the ground. Why won't he just leave me alone?! I'm doing this for his own good!
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Refusing, of course, I continue dragging him until we're all the way inside our tent and only then do I finally let him go. "Dobe..." I say to him as if he is being particularly dense. "Stop being an idiot and come to bed. There is no point in suffering when you don't have to... Haven't you had enough?"
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"I am NOT an idiot, I am NOT a moron, and I am NOT a dobe!!" I yell at him, now extremely annoyed. Those two hours in the woods gave me plenty of time to calm down and rebuild my masks. It's so easy - frighteningly so - to slip back into the persona I've created for myself. "And I don't remember ever giving you the right to make my decisions for me!!" Determined to win an argument for once I get back on my feet and stalk out of the tent.
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I catch him from behind, exactly like he did to me in the woods before, just inside the tent. He almost made it out. Well, if he thinks he can get away that easily he has another thing coming. I just hold him for a long moment before finally saying softly, "Naruto... I don't know what you're thinking.... but I want you with me like you have been for the last six years, no matter what. The village will hate you more... they'll ridicule you more than ever and try to scare you away from me... I know you're strong, and if you don't want that I understand. But you will stay with this team. Even if I have to drag you back over and over again... like you've done to me. This village...� I shake my head. �No, I need you."
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Damn him... Damn him... Why do we both have to be so stubborn?! And why can't I _ever_ win an argument with him?! "I will stay..." I grumble, not trying to push him off me. "But only until this mission is over. The village doesn't need me. If they did then they wouldn't have put so much effort into making my life a living hell. You remember the festival. I've been ambushed, stoned, insulted, shoved aside, and trampled my whole life." I sigh heavily. "I'm sick of it, Sasuke. I want to go somewhere where no one knows about me, or the demon fox. A place where I'm me, not the demon." Can he understand that? I know we've both been hurt horribly in our lives, but can he understand my kind of pain?
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I nuzzle his temple a little. "Then I'm going with you." I'll never rebuild my clan anyway. I can't stand women, so it's impossible and I'm not worried about it anyway. I know I sound as determined as I feel. He's the only one that really matters to me. Certainly Kakashi is like some form of father figure, but at the same time he isn't. Naruto's the only one I've really bonded to.
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I shake my head. "No, you're not," I argue, just as determined and firm as he is. "You need to stay in Konoha so you can get the training you need to kill your brother. And you're too important an asset in the war. Besides... with me you can't revive your clan." (Ew, no! There is no way in hell that I�m gonna do Oiroke no Jutsu just so he can have kids!! NO!!)
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"I don't care about reviving my clan. I hate women," I mutter and rest my chin on his shoulder still holding him to me. "And like you said before... I don't remember ever giving you the right to make my decisions for me. I'll follow you... and you know it." My arms tighten a little and I tilt my head to lean it against his, my chin still comfortable on his shoulder. "I'm not essential to this war, in fact I'm a detriment. If I'm with you, on our own, Orochimaru will have no clue where I am. You and I can train together and that will be enough to get the strength I need to kill my brother. You're stronger than I think even you realize."
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He doesn't care about reviving his clan?! And he's actually admitting I'm strong?! Strong enough to help him train for his life mission?! "Who are you and what have you done with Sasuke?" I ask him as I look at him over my shoulder, dead serious.
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"Usurakontachi..." I murmur and I'm wondering if I should even have graced him with that answer. "I'm being serious. Differences aside, baka."
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Turning around to face him I just stare at him for a minute and then put my hand on his forehead. "You don't have a fever... Maybe there was something weird in the stuff you had for dinner..."
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I hit him. Not hard but hard enough. Not enough to do damage of course, but enough to let him know I didn't think that was humorous. I'm trying to work this out. "Dobe..." I mutter. I suppose now that I've said all that I've really had to say that I'll back off him. I'll let him have some room to think. "Stay?" I add after a moment. I won't sleep if he isn't here. I know it from experience.
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Sighing, I nod. "Fine... but only because I know you'll come after me if I leave and I'd like to get at least some sleep instead of running around all night." I untangle myself from him and flop onto my bedroll. Maybe I can get out of here once he falls asleep... and if I get far enough then he's gonna have to stay here.
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I move to my own bedroll and stretch out. Then I turn on my side and reach out for him, dragging him to me like usual. I spoon to his back and rest my head on his. "Oyasumi, Naruto..." I haven't had someone that I wanted near me this much since Itachi... before I got suspicious of him. I'll follow Naruto to the ends of the earth just to keep him with me. I won't lose another loved one. I won't.
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"Oyasumi..." I mutter back automatically, folding my arm under my pillow. Dammit, why does he have to make things so difficult? There's no way I'm gonna be able to leave with him cuddled up to me like that. He'll wake up when I try to pull away, I just know it, and then we'll argue again... Why did he have to kiss me?! Why did he have to say he loves me?! Why do I want to do the same in return?! (Go back to sleep, fox. I don't want to deal with you right now!) I cause nothing but trouble and pain... he'll be miserable staying with me... Why can't he see that?! (I did not need to hear that...)
I don't fall asleep until just before predawn, my mind running in endless circles as I try to think of ways to make him fall out of love with me.
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Three Weeks Later
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We're here... and it's about time. I can't wait to get into a building. I hope they have air conditioning here because I'm cooking and starting to stick to my frog-mount's back. He doesn't look much better than the sweaty horses, poor things. None of them were made for the blistering heat of the Wind Country. As soon as we get to our destination I'm sending my buddy back to his pond for a good long rest. Even the fox isn't making the effort to bother me in this heat... Argh, we just had to enter the capital city of the Wind Country at high noon. I may be used to heat - they don't call it the Fire Country for nothing - but not like this. At least back home there is some water to provide coolness and plenty of shady trees. Here the only shade comes from the tall buildings all around us. I feel so sorry for the people that live on the top floors. Talk about hell. Groaning, I wipe my face with my shirt - which I took off a couple hours ago in a futile attempt to cool down - and flop backwards on my frog's back. I hope we get there soon... I'm too hot to even think... Ugh...
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I'm so tempted to just pull my shirt off. It's so hot and my shirt is such a dark shade of blue... Would anyone really notice? Naruto's topless. Carefully, I set the reins around the curled, high pommel of my saddle and eye the horse for a moment. He just keeps plodding, too hot and too tired to even think about doing anything obnoxious probably. Relieved, I grab the hem of my shirt and lift my arms pulling it off and straightening it out to lay it across my lap. It's soaked in sweat and isn't likely to fall from in front of me. I take my reins up again and sigh. It's a little cooler, but not much........
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Sakura's attention was completely and utterly on Sasuke, staring at him right through the carriage Junichiro road in. Of course she wasn't the only one staring at the now half naked Sasuke.
The young lordling openly stared at the pale, raven-haired ninja. He was a wonderful sight to behold, flushed and sweaty from the oppressive heat. Junichiro was only marginally cooler himself in the shade of his carriage. A loud voice called, "Are we there yet?!" from behind the carriage and Junichiro allowed himself to scowl lightly, reminded of the source of his frustration. Kakashi had talked him into putting up with Naruto until the end of the mission "for Sasuke's sake," and Junichiro had very grudgingly agreed, only because he knew now that if Naruto left so would Sasuke. Sasuke had made that clear on the night both young ninja had thrown their hitai-ate at him. Still refusing to give up, Junichiro had continued to try and win Sasuke over in less direct ways than ordering him into his bed, but Naruto was in his way at every turn. Whenever he came near Sasuke the ninja would immediately gravitate to Naruto, wrapping an arm around him and kissing him on the cheek or neck or mouth. Or Naruto would suddenly appear and jump on Sasuke, usually from behind. It was horribly irritating.
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Kakashi-sensei answers my question with a "no" and I sigh heavily, pulling my hitai-ate down over my eyes. I want so badly to take a nap but I can't, not in this city. The reason we're here is so that my lord bastard can talk the Wind Lord into stopping the Sand ninja from siding with Orochimaru and attacking Konoha. Just because our party technically has diplomatic immunity doesn't mean we won't get attacked. Keeping my senses alert I let myself look like I'm dozing.
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A sudden chill runs down my spine, but I stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the fact that I know those two are staring at me. I see the Wind Lord�s Estate loom up before us and I'm so relieved. I can't wait to take a nice cool bath and get rid of all of this sand and dust and sweat. I glance over my shoulder at Naruto to find him dozing, or at least pretending to be. I have a feeling that after we're shown to our rooms Kakashi will insist that we watch Junichiro while he cleans up and then we'll have our turn. Sakura will be lucky enough to clean up and rest while we continue to work. I hope Kakashi doesn't ask me to baby-sit the little prick alone.
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They got to the gate of the Wind Lord's estate, and Kakashi waited patiently for one of the guards to approach him. "My lord Junichiro, son of his Excellency the Fire Lord, here to meet with his Excellency the Wind Lord," he said. The guard nodded and barked an order. The large gate opened and they were let through. Kakashi was relieved to see the Wind Lord himself standing on the steps of the main house. That meant that he was taking this meeting seriously. Kakashi glanced behind him and was glad to see that the boys had pulled their shirts back on and that Naruto was sitting properly on his frog's back instead of lying down.
As soon as the carriage stopped a servant opened the door of the carriage and Junichiro stepped out, bowing immediately to the Wind Lord. "Your Excellency, you honor us with your presence," he greeted.
"It is an honor to be trusted with the life of a fellow's son. Please, come in. You must be tired and in need of baths," the Wind Lord greeted them though his attention was entirely on Junichiro.
The lordling deepened his bow before straightening. "That would be greatly appreciated and we thank you. If it is not too bold, we would like to request a day of rest before the proceedings begin."
�It is not too bold at all,� the Wind Lord proclaimed and watched as servants came and took their horses. He watched as the frog summon dispelled and only then did he turn and lead them into the Estate. By the time they were shown to their rooms, two bedrooms one on either side of the lordling�s chambers, their belongings and travel gear had already been brought to the rooms. It was explained by the Wind Lord that the bedrooms were for the ninja and that the chambers were for Junichiro-san, of course, and that it was no matter to him nor his servants as to who slept where.
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As soon as the Wind Lord and his ever present lackeys are gone the whole of team seven turns to Kakashi. I wait patiently for his instructions even though I have a feeling that I can simply predict exactly what he�s going to order. I just keep hoping that he doesn�t make the mistake of assigning me guard duty of Junichiro alone. Hell, at this point I would take Sakura over Junichiro for company. We all look miserable, filthy and tired, but we�re all standing erect and ready to serve. We�re here to set an example and prove a point. I�d rather be home working things out with Naruto.
Although we�ve been sticking close together Naruto and I still have some kinks to work out between us. I�m grateful beyond relief every time he appears out of no where to jump on my back, thus effectively stopping Junichiro from approaching me. Often times I simply �run� � though truthfully it�s not really running � to him especially whenever Junichiro approaches me and he�s busy or not paying attention. I�ve come to cherish the contact between us. It feels so absolutely wonderful to have a precious person, someone that I would willingly die to protect from anything. And my closeness with Naruto is bringing me closer to Kakashi and Sakura.
Silently I turn my head to glance at Naruto beside me. Sakura will be sharing a room with Kakashi probably, which means that Naruto and I will be sharing one. I�m assuming that, which then only leaves the decision of who gets first watch and who gets to clean up and take a nap so that they are rested for when it is there turn on third watch. I�m hoping there will only be three� that would mean Naruto will be with me to protect me from my Lord Bastard.
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Kakashi led his team, following Junichiro into the lordling's chambers, keeping his senses sharp for traps and ambushers, before turning to his students. "Sakura and I will go unpack and freshen up. Sasuke, Naruto, you two stay here and guard. We'll come to replace you when we're done so you two can get clean, and then you two can relax until the night shift. Understood?"
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We nod to Kakashi-sensei and take up our places on opposite sides of the large room so that we cover the entire area as he and Sakura leave. (Yes, it is hot. Thank you for stating the obvious. ... Hate you too.) I don't mind sharing a shift with Sasuke or being around him when there are other people... but when we're alone... I get nervous. Actually, even when there are other people around I get nervous. He still uses me as an escape every time my lord bastard tries to make a move on him, which I don't mind since I hate the little prick just as much as he does if not more, but... I wish he wouldn't go so far as to actually kiss me. (I like it better when you're lazy. Shut up.) Even when the little prick wasn't around, sometimes he�d sit down next to me by the fire and kiss me. It made me want to squirm but I didn't because Kakashi and Sakura were always there watching, and if I squirmed they would know our act to be an act and not reality. And if it got to my lord bastard that it was just an act... Ugh. I don't even want to think about it.
Nothing I did or said these past weeks have convinced him to make him take back what he said about leaving the Village with me after this mission is over. I don't want him to come with me! I don't want to watch as he learns to hate me like everyone else! (Leave me alone, fox. ... I don't care how uncomfortable you are, I am too, so shut up.) It's a miracle he hasn't learned to hate me yet... Or, rather, that he started hating me then stopped hating me and hasn't gone back to hate. But I know he will eventually. Everyone does.
Ugh, this heat is so awful... Keeping my senses alert I lean against the wall and close my eyes. (Hey, fox, keep yours ears open. I'm gonna doze a bit. ... I don't care if you're too hot, just do it!)
I hear the shuffling of expensive cloth behind me and it moves to the other side of the room where Sasuke is standing. Stupid bastard, bothering him again... Why can't he learn that Sasuke isn't interested?! (No, I am not going to kill him. ... Of course I hate him. He's a pompous jackass. ... Because this mission is to protect him and I will follow my orders. ... Maybe. If and only if you behave. And only when this mission is over.)
"Sasuke-san, I would like you to stay here in my chambers as my personal bodyguard. The others may take shifts guarding the chambers." Why that little... (Never mind, you can eat him tonight. ... Stop the evil chuckle before I stuff your tails in your mouth.)
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I don�t even cast Junichiro a look, rather keeping my attention on watching the entire room over his head. Funny, I never realized I was that much taller than him before. I debate not answering him but then opt to simply be blunt. If I don�t answer, he�ll just pester me until I do.
�Impossible,� I mutter. �I have to rest as well and if I am in your room twenty-four hours a day I cannot do that because I would have to protect you.�
Partially true. Really, it�s more that I wouldn�t be able to sleep for fear of being jumped in my sleep. Or drugged. I wouldn�t put it past him to drug me with something. He�s tried just about everything else. I just don�t understand what it is about me that draws these people to me! I�m as much of a bastard as I can be to these people and yet they come in hordes. And the one person I want to acknowledge me won�t do so beyond that of friendship! These last few weeks have been trying not just because of Junichiro but also because Naruto seems so distant. He still plays along, but his acting lacks what I�m hungering for. I never realized how much I longed for the honest love of another human being until I was slapped in the face with my physical attraction for him. Realizing I wanted another person � to be near them, to touch them, to be touched by them in return � made me realize that I needed love in my life again, that I was withering away inside without it. I just happened to have the bad luck of falling for the wrong person� although it could also be considered good luck.
Anyway, he�s my friend and he�s hurting inside more than I am because he never knew the love he craves to begin with. I have. He might not even see it when it finally comes to him. I actually think he doesn�t. It suddenly occurs to me that Junichiro�s talking to me again, so I backtrack in my mind and quickly recap what he�s said already before listening to what he�s saying now. Sometimes I�m thankful I have the memory I do� but most of the time there are things I wish I could forget�
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Stupid bastard... Why does he keep trying?! Can he not see that Sauske IS NOT interested?! (Shut UP, fox!!) He's said it over and over and over again!! Just how thick is his skull?! Even I would have gotten a clue by now!!
"First of all, you bastard, he's not interested!" I yell, cutting the little prick off in mid-plead. He turns to face me, red with anger, but I've got him beat when it comes to anger right now. I've had enough!! I'm sick of him begging and begging and begging for something he's never gonna get!! Especially when Sasuke has told him flat out that he's not gonna get what he wants!! Before he can say anything I continue with, "Second, even if you did somehow manage to convince him to do what you want, it still would be non-consensual and then is considered rape. And I bet the father of your fianc�e would just love to hear that his daughter's getting married to a rapist. Especially when your father really needs this alliance to settle things with the clan she's from. Go right ahead and keep talking. All you'll manage to accomplish is bringing the Fire Country down in pieces." Hah, take THAT! I am not as dumb as I act! Stupid noble.
----------------------
Junichiro stared at him wide-eyed, looking very undignified with his mouth flapping as he tried to come up with a return argument. But just as he was about to speak Naruto snarled, his eyes turning a firey red, "Besides, he's mine, so lay off!!" The lordling went pale at the fierce anger on Naruto's face and, suddenly feeling very small, tucked his tail between his legs and crawled into a corner to hide. This was a lesson he wasn't going to forget any time soon.
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I watch as Junichiro slithers over to the corner where the desk sits and acting like he's doing something important begins to write. I shake my head and cast Naruto a thankful look only to find him staring at him with fixed red eyes. A chill that's almost more of a thrill runs down my spine. Kyuubi� coming out for me? I knew it. I just never really thought about it before. Naruto's in denial. He cares and he's just afraid to admit it. ::Bibiri-kun�:: I think and turn my attention from Naruto's pensive stare to surveying the room again. It wouldn't do to get caught unawares while guarding the little bastard. Failing this mission would only set me back, set the whole of Team Seven back. We're supposed to be elite ninja� even if we have to pretend.
It isn't long before Kakashi and Sakura show up and the old man tells us to go to our room and shower and change. He adds "Get some sleep while you're at it. I'll send Sakura up to get you when it's your shift again." Stupid old man doesn�t realize he needs more sleep than he's going to be getting. Not that I care but we all need to be at peak performance for this mission because it won't be over until we're through the gates of Konohagakure once more. Oh, well.
Together we walk to the room in silence and strip out of our grubby, sand embedded clothing and then head simultaneously for the bathroom. There's only a tub but it is big enough for three so I climb in without hesitation and start scrubbing. The dobe will join me eventually because I'm not getting out for a little while. I may not like sweets but I do like hot water. And the tub is deep, which is a bonus. It's partially sunk into the floor but also slightly raised, so that when I stand it comes up to my navel. There are two benches, one on either of the long sides of the elliptically shaped tub. I just continue to stand there and scrub enjoying the clean warm water and the chance to get really clean after a long journey, though I never drop my guard. That would be suicide.
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I wait until I'm sure he's not looking at me before I climb into the tub, making sure not to look at him either. The fox does not need more material to torture me with. (No, you don't. � Do that and I will kill you. � No, but I can kill myself. � That's what I thought.) With my back to him I scrub myself clean, making a face as the sand rubs my skin raw. I've been here less than a day and I already hate this place with a passion. I want to go back home, dammit. I don't know how anybody can live in this mess! I want trees again� I want the smell of flowers and fresh grass and leaves and... (FOX!! STOP IT!!) My nose wrinkles as I try to get his smell out of it. Damn fox!! I'd almost forgotten he's here!
Growling I duck under the water to wet my hair, shaking like a dog when I come up and trying to think of anything but Sasuke. Of course the fox and I get into a fight over just how sensitive my nose should be at the moment. (Will you STOP it?! Damn horny demon!!)
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"Did you mean it this time?" I ask suddenly, my voice even and low in the quiet of the bathroom. I don't turn. I don't even look over my shoulder at him. I just keep scrubbing and rinsing my skin of all the sand and dirt and sweat. I want to hear it, even though I already know the answer. But at least now I realize he's in denial. I can see right through him, just like I can see through almost everyone. I can read people. Easily. Whether it's a side effect of the Sharingan or some personal ability, I'm not sure, but it comes in handy. I only wish I'd developed it sooner and could have avoided all that trouble with Orochimaru� trouble that seems to linger about the edges of my very existence like a dark nightmare lingers in the conscious mind long moments after screaming awake.
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"You wish, bastard," I shoot back, grabbing the shampoo to try and get all the sand out of my hair. I feel like a hedgehog that just rolled in a sand dune. "The only reason I play along is because I know how much you hate your fan club." (No I do not!! ... Don't make me tie your tails in a knot!!) There's a long, thin window along the wall where it meets the ceiling and I can see that the sun is going down. I hope it cools off when night comes. I take a deep breath and his scent assaults my nose again. (STOP IT!!!) I start scrubbing harder, wanting out of here as soon as possible.
-----------****-----------
"Then why did your eyes... turn red?" Truthfully, my eyes are the ones that turn red. The color of fresh blood honestly. His eyes... they actually turn a russet, or brown-red. Very earthy. Regardless of what color it really is though, the demon is the cause.
-----------****-----------
I freeze completely. My heart feels like it stopped. I hope I hope I HOPE he didn't just say what I think he said. "What...?" I deadpan, my voice icy.
-----------****-----------
"Your eyes," I repeat. "They went fox when you snapped at Junichiro. Why did they do that if you aren't suppressing at least something?"
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No... Oh, gods, no... (I hate you I hate you I HATE YOU!!!!! DAMN DEMON!!!!!) I clutch at the edge of the tub, my knuckles white. "You're lying," I hiss, my voice stony and full of latent fury. I hate this!!!! I hate having this MONSTER inside of me!!! All it does is make my life hell!!!! I HATE IT!!!!!
-----------****-----------
"No..." I mutter as I climb out of the tub and head for my towel. "I'm not," I say it simply without looking at him and head out of the room to get dressed. Let him stew over the fact that I suspect him...
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He has to be lying... HE HAS TO! ...There's a mirror on the wall across from the tub. All I have to do is look and I'll know he's lying. ...I haven't looked in a mirror in over two years... not since I noticed that my eyes had turned permanently cat-pupiled... I don't want to look... I don't want to see what else has changed, if anything... but I have to know that he's lying, that my eyes didn't turn red! (Be QUIET!!) Slowly I get out of the tub and move towards the mirror, my eyes on the floor. When I see my feet reflected back at me in silvered glass I stop. Slowly I let my eyes move up, traveling over well-muscled legs and torso. My tongue moves nervously over my lips as I prepare myself to look at my own face... for the first time in two years... Blue eyes, still cat-pupiled ...Deep, thick whiskers, deeper than they used to be... ...Hair bushier than it should be... ...Fangs - not big ones but they're there... "No... GODDAMMIT!!!" I roar, slamming my fist into the reflection of my damned face. Glass rains down around my feet and blood pours from numerous cuts on my knuckles, but I don't care. I can feel them healing already. Damn demon fox!! Wait... Wait a second. I can take care of this problem right now. My resolve firm I grab a kunai from the pile of my clothes and throw myself out the window high above me, the jump nothing. I will go rid myself - no, EVERYONE - of this problem right now!
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I'm in the doorway in seconds expecting attackers only to find the mirror in pieces and the window open. I note almost immediately that there is blood on the shards of glass and Naruto's clothes are lying in a heap on the floor still. The biggest clue is the towel hanging caught on the window latch which is high enough up that it's meant to be reached by the long pole leaning in the corner. I'm grabbing a robe without really thinking about it and out the window myself hot on his trail as his words, his tone of voice, rings differently in my mind "You're lying." Oh, god... what did I do? How could I not have heard that tone in his voice immediately!? I don't know if he's running or what he's doing but I'm not letting him get away.
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The sun goes down quickly in the desert... and it takes all the heat with it. The large flat rock beneath me is still warm, but it's getting cold fast. Funny how I want the heat now when only a couple hours ago I wanted it to go away so much. I need the heat now... it's so cold I'm covered in goosebumps and my blood isn't flowing as fast as I want it to from the slashes on my wrists. It doesn't help that the cuts keep healing before I loose any significant amount of blood, no matter how many times I dig my kunai into the exact same place!! "Damn fox, just let me die!" I hiss furiously. Getting extremely frustrated, I lift the kunai and thrust it towards my heart. I really am an idiot, not thinking of that in the first place.
-----------****-----------
I found him in the nick of time. God, I cut it close! My hand is around his wrist - I don't think I've ever moved this fast in my entire life, not even against that Ice Mirror kid - before I've even entirely registered the scene. "No!" I snap at him forcing him to release the kunai and pull him into a tight almost smothering embrace, wrapping him in the robe as his wounds finish healing all in almost the same instant. The kunai clatters to the large rock beneath us, but I ignore it. I'm only worried about one thing right now. "No... what the hell were you thinking, you idiot!?" I snap again still clutching him tightly in my arms. "What the hell were you thinking!? Idiot!"
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God DAMN it!! I want to DIE!! I want to be rid of the damn demon that is now cowering in fear in the back of my mind, scared shitless at just how close it came to dying! "Let me go, Sasuke," I growl dangerously, not fighting his embrace. If he doesn't back off then I'll take him with me... I can still use my chakra, and if I have to I'll burn myself from the inside out.
-----------****-----------
"No. I'm not losing you, you stupid bastard." That's exactly how I feel about it. I've lost so many people important to me in my life... I can't lose him. Not after all the things that we've been through, all the new things I'm learning... like to love again.
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"I said let me GO!!" I yell, shoving him away. I dive for the kunai and whip back around to attack him. If I have to take him down before I can end it all, then so be it!
-----------****-----------
I regain my balance as quickly as always, and he's in such a fit of rage that it's not hard to parry his thrust with the kunai and knock it out of his hand and off the rock into the sand. When it comes to finesse he just has a really hard time beating me. Still holding wrist I pull him close again. "STOP IT, GOD DAMN IT!" I shout at him. I'm losing my temper. I can feel it slipping away... and just when I need it the most, too...
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"NO!!! WHY WON'T YOU LET ME DIE?!?!?!" I roar back, not caring that our voices carry for miles across the sand. They can probably hear us back in the city.
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"Because you're the only precious person left in my life!" I growl, my voice lowered and even. I don't care what else is going on around us. I just care that he can't kill himself so long as I'm there.
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"Liar," I hiss, snarling at him, convincing myself that I'm right. There's no way he can truly care for me. I have a monster inside me... No, I am a monster... I don't deserve to be loved, can't be loved, will never be loved... All I can do is die before I cause more suffering then I already have..
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I draw back and slap him. It's the only thing I can think of to do. If I use my fist he'll hit back... but I don't think he's ever felt an open palm before. "Snap out of your own self-pity, Usurakontachi! I'd throw my life down for you and you know it!"
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I just stand there, my head having snapped to the side, and blink in surprise. He's... never slapped me before. Hit me, punched me, sure, but never slapped. His words sink in and I feel shaken right down to my core. Memories of Haku and that first fight with Gaara flash in front of my eyes, but I shove them back to the rear of my mind. I don't want to see them right now. "Then you're calling the wrong person a moron," I say softly, "because saving me would be a good waste of your life."
-----------****-----------
I seize his shoulders and shake him. Hard. "No," I say firmly. "It wouldn't. Because so long as it's worth it to me that's all that matters." I have to say something, anything that will make him realize that this is ridiculous. I can't even bring myself to feel out of character for this. It's not like me at all to be this vehement about anything unless it's doing in my wretched brother... but this is waking a similar... passion in me.
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"Fine. Then kill me," I say simply, looking him right in the eye. If he wants to save me, the best thing he can do is to save me from myself... from the demon held in me. Death is the only salvation and it is all I want right now.
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"Didn't I just get done telling you that you are my only precious person..." Didn't I?! Frustrated and with not much else to do in this situation I go for another shock, like the slap only this time... My lips meet his in a soft kiss. It's not the first, or even the second, but tasting him again is like the sharpening of a faded memory. My hands tighten on his shoulders and I pull him closer.
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Why does he have to be so damn stubborn?! Why can't he see that this is for the better?! I pull away from his lips and put my hands on his chest to push him away. "Forget about me and pick somebody else to be your precious person," I say firmly.
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"I don't want someone else," I say equally firm. "I can't stand anyone else." And it's true. I can't. Not intimately. Not like I've been with him: sleeping beside each other, seeing each other every day, the closeness, the contact, the deep pulsing pang in my heart when I see him like this... so lost and alone... and hurt. "Naruto... stop. You're precious to me... Don't take that away from me."
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Arg, this is getting ridiculous!! Why can't he see that it's already too late?! ...Who knows how much longer there is going to be a "me"... Who knows how much longer it will take before the demon takes over completely... "God damn it, Sasuke!! Shut up and LOOK at me!! Really LOOK!! It's already being taken away from you so give up already and move on!! Stop wasting your time on me!!" I almost beg, horrified to hear my voice crack. Frustrated and angry and... sad... I let my head fall and say softly, "Please... just let me die... while I'm still me..."
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I take his chin in my fingers gently and lift his eyes to meet mine knowing my irises are tinged faintly like blood. "I won't let him have you," I say fiercely. "Do you hear me Kyuubi no Kitsune!? Naruto is mine! And I'll find a way to keep him!" I press a soft, but meaningful kiss to Naruto's forehead then pull him close again at the same time wrapping him up in the robe better. It's getting cold out here now that it's night time. "I won't let him have you, Naruto," I repeat and hold him tightly.
-----------****-----------
The fierceness in his voice pierces the haze of depression around me, and I'm stunned for a moment, just letting him hug me. Slowly, my arms come up of their own accord to wrap around him loosely as his words sink in. Sasuke... really does care... Maybe... Oh, god, I hope there's a chance for me to completely regain the territory I've lost to the demon... Randomly I notice that Sasuke's head comes up only to just under my eyes and that he had to lean up to kiss my forehead. "Somehow I don't think it'll be intimidated by you, shrimp," I joke weakly, beginning to feel like myself again.
-----------****-----------
"Tch." I scoff. "When I attain the full Mangenkyou Sharingan that damn fox will quake every time I look at it." I swear to god I'll make it suffer for all the hell it's put Naruto and Konohagakure through. Damn beast. I continue to hold him until we're both shivering with the cold of the desert night and then I mutter, "We should get back. Our second shift will start soon..." and I pull away, wrapping the robe more tightly about his broad shoulders. He's gotten brawny where I've gotten lithe. Where he shows all muscle, I show more sinew. He's brute strength where I'm more skill. We've got equal determination, though he has more stamina. I touch his cheek gently. "Ready?"
-----------****-----------
I sigh and nod as I put my arms in the sleeves of the robe, tying it around my waist. I'm not really ready to go back yet, but we have a mission to complete and I'm not going to quit in the middle. I'll deal with my problem later. (Yes, that means you.) "Let's go before Kakashi-sensei comes looking for us and gives us a lecture." All the way back to the manor I think about what just happened... what Sasuke just did for me... We make it back just as Sakura is walking to the room we were given to fetch us for our shift. Dammit. I don't want to deal with her right now...
----------------------
"Naruto. Sasuke-kun! Kakashi-sensei says it's your shift." She yawned and stretched hugely lifting her arms above her head, eyeing Sasuke for a moment, naked to the waist as he was how could she not, before turning around to lead them back to their room and then to Junichiro's. She waited outside patiently while they dressed and then knocked on Junichiro's door politely, waiting for Kakashi to answer.
-----------****-----------
She hasn't said anything which could be either good or bad. I can't decide whether I'm thankful or wary. I think I'm leaning more towards wary. I glance to Naruto just as Kakashi opens the door to admit us to Junichiro's room.
----------------------
"Hey," the Jounin said, stepping aside to let the boys in. "Sakura and I are going to go sleep. We'll come replace you at dawn so that you can get more rest before the meeting tomorrow." He lowered his voice to add, "And please try not to kill him... I don't know what you did before, but he's been quiet and shaking ever since. Scare him to death and I will kill you." He looked right at Naruto, suspecting that he was the cause of the problem. "We can not afford for this meeting to go bad, understand?"
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As if he needs to point that out... I'm just as sick as he is of this damn war. I know Kakashi-sensei's waiting for me to snort and roll my eyes, but I don't. How can I when I know the reason my lord bastard is so afraid is that my parasite decided to come out without my permission? Instead, I just nod in understanding and walk into the room, Kakashi-sensei leaving with Sakura. The prick is still at his desk and scribbling. He looks up as Sasuke and I enter and he pales when his eyes fall on me. God damn it! That's the look I hate the most! It's one thing for people to look at me with hate or arrogance or annoyance or anger or cruel indifference, but I can't stand it when people look at me in fear. Fear of what is inside me. Crossing my arms I lean against the middle of a wall, expecting Sasuke to stand opposite me, and close my eyes. I can always hear and sense things better if my eyes aren't busy... That and I won't have to see that hated look of fear.
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I grab the arm of the loveseat couch and drag it to push it against the wall next to Naruto. Once I've got that settled, I look up and reach over tugging at his elbow before sitting in the corner of it. It's long enough for one of us to curl up and sleep while the other sits guard. We need more rest than we're going to get... and Naruto needs all the reassurance I can give him. Plus the damn fox needs to know that it's overstepped its bounds this time and that I'm not going to let it win. I wait for Naruto to comply. He has to see the need for sleep for this whole mission. It�s the typical soldier�s motto of �take it while we can get it in case we can't have it later.�
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Grateful for the seat I take the other corner of the loveseat and slouch, closing my eyes again. They open when I feel a hand on my shoulder, tugging lightly. I look at Sasuke and the non-expression on his face - it's scary just how good I've gotten at reading him over all these years - and then understand. Taking turns sleeping is a good idea since we didn't get any rest during our break like we should have. Nodding I lean over and rest my head on his thigh, just because we're in the same room as my lord bastard and he expects us to put on a little display. Otherwise I would have just curled up on my half of the couch. Taking a deep breath I let myself slip into a light doze.
-----------****-----------
Silently I monitor the room while running my fingers idly through his messy blond hair. My fingertips graze his scalp with every stroke and I smirk very faintly at the way he shifts and nuzzles my thigh just a little bit in his sleep when I manage to run my fingers down onto the back of his neck. I simply keep petting him and watching for any signs of assault or danger. Anything that might be perceived as a threat will be evaluated instantly with the Sharingan. Not much can get by me when that's active. I've gotten really, really superb at using it to its fullest capabilities. I glance down as my fingers graze the back of his neck again and smirk as he nuzzles a little. He's so... peaceful when he sleeps, resembling so much that twelve-year-old lunatic he used to be, so happy and carefree. I wonder if he ever dreams about the first few missions we ever did together... I don't often think about them but when I do, it's always with a certain... fondness. And now I know that that fondness is attributed to the fact that he has always been there. Sighing a little I look up and find Junichiro staring at us. My eyes narrow a little and I hold his gaze for as long as he'll hold mine.
----------------------
Junichiro paled a little more and quickly tore his eyes away, unnerved by the Sharingan and the malice in Sasuke's gaze. He had been contemplating speaking to the raven-haired ninja but that idea was quite firmly shot down. Besides, he didn't want to chance waking up Naruto and receiving another assault - verbal or not. Silently he stood up and went behind the rice-paper screen in the corner of the room to change into his sleeping robes, staying there as long as possible to avoid being looked at with those blood-red and black eyes.
----------------------
Several hours have passed since Junichiro went to bed. It's quiet, the only sound is the deep and even breathing of the one beside me. I hate to do this in a way, because Naruto needs sleep, but so do I. He'd have fits if I didn't wake him up to take his share of the mission. Smirking because I know Junichiro is watching us at this moment, I gently cup Naruto's jaw - the side he's laying - and turn Naruto's face up towards me gently. Bending down by curling my body, I brush my lips gently across his mouth and hope that he remembers where we are.
Naruto sighs quietly and leans up just a little bit to press his lips gently against mine. They move slowly and I can feel the very tip of a moist tongue dart out to brush against my lips. Sighing again, his head falls back down onto my thigh and he rolls onto his other side, the tiniest of smiles on his face. ...He's still dead asleep.
Well, he's facing me now... again, I gently tip his head so that I can brush our mouths together again. But I only do it for a second, unsatisfying but I have to stay focused. "Naruto..." I murmur softly against his lips and nip lightly at his bottom one. "It's your shift..."
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Groaning softly in complaint I open my eyes just a crack and look up at him. My nose bumps against his cheek, but I'm too muzzy-brained to really care how close he is to me. ...He's really pretty looking at him this close... ...Really pretty eyes... "But m'comfy..." I mumble. "Do I hafta get up?"
-----------****-----------
I smile faintly. "You'll be mad later if I don't say yes... so yes, you have to." I nuzzle the side of his nose with the tip of mine and smirk as my bangs shift against our cheeks. I really hate them sometimes but right now they're making the moment a lot more personal, so I can't complain.
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"Meh..." I hate it when he's right. Yawning, I nod and, as soon as he's pulled his face away from mine, I get up and head for the pitcher of water on the small table by the door. I drink a glass and rub some of the cold water over my face. Feeling less like a zombie I sit back down on the couch and wait for him to lay down for his nap. I glance at the clock - there's only about three more hours before dawn. "You shoulda woken me up sooner," I scold quietly, remembering how hard it is for him to wake up and how long it takes for him to regain some semblance of humanity. It can take him as long as two hours before the Curse Seal stops misbehaving and he's actually awake.
-----------****-----------
"Either way the job is getting done so what does it matter. You were comfortable... or at least you looked it. And I lost track of time a little bit," I answer as I curl up next to him on the couch and rest my head on his thigh facing the room. I settle comfortably and close my eyes willing my body to sleep and with him next to me, so close with his smell filling my nose, it isn't hard to feel the warmth of sleep start to envelope my body.
-----------****-----------
"You are impossible," I whisper, leaning down to brush my lips against his ear. The only reason I do that is because my lord bastard is still wide awake and watching us. I can tell he thinks I don't know that, but I can sense the difference between sleeping and awake, even from this distance. Any good ninja can, unless the other ninja is an equally good actor. Junichiro is neither. I guess he's too nervous to sleep with me in the room after what happened this afternoon - not that I blame him. Sighing, I close my eyes and let my other senses loose, keeping watch as one of my hands slowly plays with Sasuke's hair. Again, only because the prick is watching...

TBC...
- 2
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Reflections (Abandoned WIP)