Violent Reunions Ch. 2 - The Unexpected Face
Sasunaru!
WARNING: Angst, extreme graphic violence, and yaoi.
I awoke on my back, in the same position I had been in when I fell into Itachi's tsukiyomi. My right hand was throbbing, the cut on my cheek still bleeding. None of the wounds inflicted in his illusionary world were on my body, but I could feel them in my mind. I could still feel being slashed, covered and falling in my own blood.
A wave of nausea came over me as I slowly sat up. As miserable as it felt, I was grateful to be conscious. It was surprising that I was even alive. Why hadn't Itachi killed me? Something had stopped him from attacking, interrupted his attack as well as the genjutsu.
I looked around for my attacker. He was crumpled on the ground against a wall not too far from where I sat. The stone was cracked and indented, as if he has been thrown against it. My eyes widened in shock. I couldn't have done that to him. I had barely moved my head to look around, when a hand fell on my shoulder. I hadn't even sensed him.
I rose to my knees as fast as I could, pivoting to ward off any assault. What met me were wide, sparkling blue eyes, looking down at me. Naruto's eyes.
I was speechless. I hadn't seen Naruto after I left Konoha, not since we fought so desperately at the Valley of the End. I simply stared at him, my mouth hanging open in shock. He dropped to his knees to front of me.
“Sasuke...” he began. His eyes were swimming with all the emotion I seemed to feel but couldn't express. He set his hand on my shoulder again. When I didn't make any move to stop him, he squeezed slowly.
“I-I've...” he took a deep breath. “I've searched for you, Sasuke.”
Naruto dragged his knees against the road, bringing his body closer to mine. I lowered my head and took in gulps of air. My chest shook with the effort. I tried to suppress the butterflies fluttering in my stomach, the mixed emotions that swirled through me.
“I searched for so long,” Naruto said in broken whispers. I felt his other hand stroke the side of my hair. “but I was always too far behind.” He lowered his head to mine so our foreheads touched. We stayed on our knees like that for a few moments, his fingers combing through my hair.
“Naruto,” I mumbled. The weight of the past years, of our last meeting, made my chest heavy and stifled my words. He stopped stroking my hair, his trembling hand coming to rest on my cheek. I raised my eyes to his. His brows were drawn tightly together, tears streaming down his cheeks. Seeing him that way tugged on my heart, stirred a fire long dead. One that I had extinguished so I could exact my revenge.
I brought my uninjured hand to his face, wiping away his tears. The gesture only made them fall faster. I traced the whiskers on his cheek as I spoke.
“There's nothing I have to say,” I said. “Nothing that I can say-”
“Shut up,” Naruto choked. He threw his arms around me, crushing us together. Though pain shot through my right arm, I gave myself over to him and returned the embrace tightly. I could feel his fingers kneading my spine and grasping my shirt, the heat of his sobbing breath on my neck.
I had tried to forget about Konoha and Naruto. I locked away those happy memories and cloaked myself in hatred. Killing Itachi was my all consuming thought, what I dedicated nearly my entire life to. Thinking of Naruto always sent a stab of pain and regret through me. If only I had been able to find another way to achieve my goal, I could have stayed with him. If I could have done that, I wouldn't have to see the anguish in his eyes. I wouldn't have to face my own emotion and pain, or the misery I had caused us both.
“Sasuke,” Naruto whispered. I could feel his lips moving on my skin, his breath tickling my neck. I closed my eyes and swallowed. He moved his face slowly, his mouth marking a trembling path across my jaw, my cheek, until our lips were nearly touching. I opened my eyes to stare into his and lifted my hand to his face. I traced his eyebrow with shaking fingers, wiped the tears on his cheek. I bit my own lip, and gently stroked my fingertips against his. Naruto shut his eyes tightly, leaning into my touch.
Any aggression between us, all the rivalry of the past, was gone in a wave of affection. Relief that he was alive and still cared for me pushed away all my bitter thoughts. I had no desire to fight with him the way I used to. Even Itachi, the anger he stirred, and his tortures were in a distant place. At this moment, all I wanted to do was hold this boy - no, this man now - for as long as I could. This moment wouldn't last. I would have to leave Konoha and Naruto again. It was inevitable, but for now, I would bask in this feeling, in his hands, his eyes, and his lips.
I moved my fingers from his lips and combed through his hair. It was longer than it used to be. He moved his face to my forehead and kissed it softly. I let out a sigh. His mouth moved to my eyebrows, gently kissing each one, then to my nose, kissing the tip. Naruto stared straight into my eyes, his hand cupping either side of my face. He licked his lips and I swallowed hard. He tilted my head slightly to his.
“Naruto,” I murmured. His lips moved closer and I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest. My fingers tightened in his hair. He paused once more, so close I could feel the heat from his mouth on mine. His eyes searched mine for a few painfully long moments.
“Naruto,” I breathed once more. That was all the invitation he needed. He pressed his lips to mine. They were soft, moist, and inviting. They moved against mine gently, but he was holding back, I could feel it in the stiffness of his body. I wanted nothing more than the wrap myself around him and give him what he desired.
I opened my mouth slightly, my tongue rubbing against his bottom lip, silently asking permission for more. He opened for me and our tongues stroked together. Naruto moved one hand to grasp at the hair at the back of my head, the other ran down my spine to rest at the small of my back. Our tongues danced together faster and more passionately, our breathing getting harder.
He pulled at my back, bringing our bodies flush together. I let out a groan and pushed myself into him, our hips rubbing against the other's. Nothing else existed at that moment, only Naruto. The friction of our bodies, his hands kneading my flesh so desperately. The feeling of his lips and his tongue, twisting with mine in a wet and erotic dance.
We separated reluctantly. Naruto's lips were kiss swollen and glistening. His eyes were heavy lidded as he gazed at me. The corner of his mouth turned up slowly in a tender and somewhat embarrassed smile. My cheeks flushed and burned in response. I never imagined our reunion would be like this. I cleared my throat softly.
“I-,” I began, but Naruto stopped my words with his fingers on my lips. He shook his head.
“No regrets, Sasuke,” he said. He pulled me to him in an embrace, my face against his neck. He caressed my hair as he spoke. “I didn't wait all this time for you to be mad.” I shook my head and smiled.
“You idiot,” I said and heard Naruto chuckle in response. “I never said I was mad.” I pressed my lips to the side of his neck. His hand stopped moving in my hair. I planted small kisses up to his ear and pulled the lobe into my mouth. I nibbled lightly and heard Naruto gasp in response.
“It was you,” I whispered. “You pulled me out of tsukiyomi. You stopped Itachi.” Naruto nodded and squeezed me tightly. I could feel him trembling again.
“I didn't want to lose you again,” he said. His voice was showing the strain of tears. “Now that I've found you, I didn't want to let you go.” I lifted my injured arm to hold him as best I could. He was so much more important than the pain it caused. I kissed his ear before moving along his cheek. It was hot and dewy with tears. I kissed them away lightly, licking the salty taste from my lips.
“Thank you,” I breathed. “but, Naruto, I-”
“That was interesting,” a voice interrupted from where Itachi had fallen. He was standing now, making a series of seals with his hands. I began to move and push Naruto out of the way, but I was too late. I had been careless, getting caught up in emotion and passion without giving Itachi much thought.
“Katon! Goukakyuu no jutsu!” A large sphere of fire flowed from Itachi toward Naruto and I. I rolled out of the way, but was singed by the edge of the attack.
“Naruto!” I yelled. I stood as quickly as I could, but found my body fatigued by fighting with Itachi. With my right hand useless, I couldn't do anything but run for my blade. He ignored me and advanced on a spot in the road still full of smoke.
I grasped the blade with my left hand and began to charge at Itachi. He was preparing to attack Naruto again. I wouldn't let him do it. He would not take this away from me, too. He would take him, suck away all his power, and leave a lifeless shell behind. I had to stop him.
“Katon! Goukakyuu no jutsu!” Another ball of fire engulfed Naruto as I reached them. I raised my sword at Itachi, but he quickly spun to meet me. I slashed at his arm, but he didn't seem to care, just jumped at me.
“I'm finished with you,” he said as we fell to the ground. He pushed into my stomach and my eyes widened. I gasped in pain and looked down. The grip of a kunai was jotting out of my skin, the blade pushed as far as it would go, blood beginning to well around the wound. I coughed and my own blood rained back onto me, dripping from the corners of my mouth.
Itachi appeared over me, a wicked grin splitting his face.
“Didn't we just do this, little brother?”
“Damn you!” I coughed and spit in his face. His expression twisted into something full of hate and rage. He grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me to him, until his face filled my vision.
“I don't think you understand yet, Sasuke,” Itachi growled. “You will sit here and bleed, helpless, drowning in your own blood, while I do as I please with the jinchuuriki.” He slammed me into the ground and stood. I rolled onto my side, coughing blood onto the dirt road. “You will die here, Sasuke, just as pathetic as you were before.”
He lifted his foot and kicked my chest, just above where the kunai was wedged. I couldn't hold in the whimper of pain that followed. I gasped for air, but my chest felt constricted. Every breath pulled at the knife, making the wound bleed faster. He wasn't wrong about what would happen. I was already choking on my own blood.
Itachi scoffed and began to walk away. He headed for the scorched and motionless heap that was Naruto. Naruto. I had to save him. I had worked so hard for this, acquired too much power to be made to feel so small when encountered with Itachi's.
I looked around the blood splattered ground. Itachi hadn't bothered to throw my blade away. Though my wounds groaned in protest, I reached for it. He wasn't paying any attention to what I was doing, confident that I would die the way he had described. I grasped the hilt and sat up, nausea sweeping over me. Blood continued to drip my wounds as I continued to stand.
I took shallow breaths, my knees shaking and bemoaning my insistence that they hold me. I gripped the blade tightly and raised it to my shoulder. Itachi was standing at Naruto's feet, staring down at him in triumph. I closed my eyes, slowed my labored breathing, and braced my feet against the ground.
I opened my eyes, pulled back my arm, and threw the sword.
Itachi didn't notice until it was too late, he had been too absorbed in his almost-victory. He began to turn, but the blade hit his back, sinking into his flesh with enough force to appear through the front of his torso. Itachi let out a cough, his eyes widening in surprise as he fell onto his side.
I held my injured arm to the knife in my middle and slowly moved towards Naruto. He hadn't so much as twitched. He had to be alright... he must.
“Naruto,” I coughed. Blood continued to drip from my mouth and stomach, but I kept moving toward him. The ground surrounding him had been branded by flames. Parts of his clothing had been burned away, revealing red and blistered flesh underneath.
I dropped to my knees beside him. A lump had formed in my throat, my eyes were hot and blurry with tears. This could not be true. I didn't come this far for this to happen. I reached out and combed Naruto's hair from his face. He didn't respond.
“Naruto,” I choked. “Naruto!” I entangled my hand in his shirt and pulled his face to mine. “You idiot, get up!” I gave him a few forceful shakes, but nothing happened. I gasped for air. It was hard to breathe. My mind was reeling, spinning round and round one thought; Naruto.
I let him slip to the ground. I bent over him until our foreheads touched. My chest was heaving with sobs, tears falling onto Naruto's singed cheeks. “No,” I croaked. “No!”
I held his head to mine and wept. I shed tears for the only person I connected with, for the only one I had loved in so long. I wept for Naruto, and knew that I was to blame for it all.
WARNING: Angst, extreme graphic violence, and yaoi.
I awoke on my back, in the same position I had been in when I fell into Itachi's tsukiyomi. My right hand was throbbing, the cut on my cheek still bleeding. None of the wounds inflicted in his illusionary world were on my body, but I could feel them in my mind. I could still feel being slashed, covered and falling in my own blood.
A wave of nausea came over me as I slowly sat up. As miserable as it felt, I was grateful to be conscious. It was surprising that I was even alive. Why hadn't Itachi killed me? Something had stopped him from attacking, interrupted his attack as well as the genjutsu.
I looked around for my attacker. He was crumpled on the ground against a wall not too far from where I sat. The stone was cracked and indented, as if he has been thrown against it. My eyes widened in shock. I couldn't have done that to him. I had barely moved my head to look around, when a hand fell on my shoulder. I hadn't even sensed him.
I rose to my knees as fast as I could, pivoting to ward off any assault. What met me were wide, sparkling blue eyes, looking down at me. Naruto's eyes.
I was speechless. I hadn't seen Naruto after I left Konoha, not since we fought so desperately at the Valley of the End. I simply stared at him, my mouth hanging open in shock. He dropped to his knees to front of me.
“Sasuke...” he began. His eyes were swimming with all the emotion I seemed to feel but couldn't express. He set his hand on my shoulder again. When I didn't make any move to stop him, he squeezed slowly.
“I-I've...” he took a deep breath. “I've searched for you, Sasuke.”
Naruto dragged his knees against the road, bringing his body closer to mine. I lowered my head and took in gulps of air. My chest shook with the effort. I tried to suppress the butterflies fluttering in my stomach, the mixed emotions that swirled through me.
“I searched for so long,” Naruto said in broken whispers. I felt his other hand stroke the side of my hair. “but I was always too far behind.” He lowered his head to mine so our foreheads touched. We stayed on our knees like that for a few moments, his fingers combing through my hair.
“Naruto,” I mumbled. The weight of the past years, of our last meeting, made my chest heavy and stifled my words. He stopped stroking my hair, his trembling hand coming to rest on my cheek. I raised my eyes to his. His brows were drawn tightly together, tears streaming down his cheeks. Seeing him that way tugged on my heart, stirred a fire long dead. One that I had extinguished so I could exact my revenge.
I brought my uninjured hand to his face, wiping away his tears. The gesture only made them fall faster. I traced the whiskers on his cheek as I spoke.
“There's nothing I have to say,” I said. “Nothing that I can say-”
“Shut up,” Naruto choked. He threw his arms around me, crushing us together. Though pain shot through my right arm, I gave myself over to him and returned the embrace tightly. I could feel his fingers kneading my spine and grasping my shirt, the heat of his sobbing breath on my neck.
I had tried to forget about Konoha and Naruto. I locked away those happy memories and cloaked myself in hatred. Killing Itachi was my all consuming thought, what I dedicated nearly my entire life to. Thinking of Naruto always sent a stab of pain and regret through me. If only I had been able to find another way to achieve my goal, I could have stayed with him. If I could have done that, I wouldn't have to see the anguish in his eyes. I wouldn't have to face my own emotion and pain, or the misery I had caused us both.
“Sasuke,” Naruto whispered. I could feel his lips moving on my skin, his breath tickling my neck. I closed my eyes and swallowed. He moved his face slowly, his mouth marking a trembling path across my jaw, my cheek, until our lips were nearly touching. I opened my eyes to stare into his and lifted my hand to his face. I traced his eyebrow with shaking fingers, wiped the tears on his cheek. I bit my own lip, and gently stroked my fingertips against his. Naruto shut his eyes tightly, leaning into my touch.
Any aggression between us, all the rivalry of the past, was gone in a wave of affection. Relief that he was alive and still cared for me pushed away all my bitter thoughts. I had no desire to fight with him the way I used to. Even Itachi, the anger he stirred, and his tortures were in a distant place. At this moment, all I wanted to do was hold this boy - no, this man now - for as long as I could. This moment wouldn't last. I would have to leave Konoha and Naruto again. It was inevitable, but for now, I would bask in this feeling, in his hands, his eyes, and his lips.
I moved my fingers from his lips and combed through his hair. It was longer than it used to be. He moved his face to my forehead and kissed it softly. I let out a sigh. His mouth moved to my eyebrows, gently kissing each one, then to my nose, kissing the tip. Naruto stared straight into my eyes, his hand cupping either side of my face. He licked his lips and I swallowed hard. He tilted my head slightly to his.
“Naruto,” I murmured. His lips moved closer and I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest. My fingers tightened in his hair. He paused once more, so close I could feel the heat from his mouth on mine. His eyes searched mine for a few painfully long moments.
“Naruto,” I breathed once more. That was all the invitation he needed. He pressed his lips to mine. They were soft, moist, and inviting. They moved against mine gently, but he was holding back, I could feel it in the stiffness of his body. I wanted nothing more than the wrap myself around him and give him what he desired.
I opened my mouth slightly, my tongue rubbing against his bottom lip, silently asking permission for more. He opened for me and our tongues stroked together. Naruto moved one hand to grasp at the hair at the back of my head, the other ran down my spine to rest at the small of my back. Our tongues danced together faster and more passionately, our breathing getting harder.
He pulled at my back, bringing our bodies flush together. I let out a groan and pushed myself into him, our hips rubbing against the other's. Nothing else existed at that moment, only Naruto. The friction of our bodies, his hands kneading my flesh so desperately. The feeling of his lips and his tongue, twisting with mine in a wet and erotic dance.
We separated reluctantly. Naruto's lips were kiss swollen and glistening. His eyes were heavy lidded as he gazed at me. The corner of his mouth turned up slowly in a tender and somewhat embarrassed smile. My cheeks flushed and burned in response. I never imagined our reunion would be like this. I cleared my throat softly.
“I-,” I began, but Naruto stopped my words with his fingers on my lips. He shook his head.
“No regrets, Sasuke,” he said. He pulled me to him in an embrace, my face against his neck. He caressed my hair as he spoke. “I didn't wait all this time for you to be mad.” I shook my head and smiled.
“You idiot,” I said and heard Naruto chuckle in response. “I never said I was mad.” I pressed my lips to the side of his neck. His hand stopped moving in my hair. I planted small kisses up to his ear and pulled the lobe into my mouth. I nibbled lightly and heard Naruto gasp in response.
“It was you,” I whispered. “You pulled me out of tsukiyomi. You stopped Itachi.” Naruto nodded and squeezed me tightly. I could feel him trembling again.
“I didn't want to lose you again,” he said. His voice was showing the strain of tears. “Now that I've found you, I didn't want to let you go.” I lifted my injured arm to hold him as best I could. He was so much more important than the pain it caused. I kissed his ear before moving along his cheek. It was hot and dewy with tears. I kissed them away lightly, licking the salty taste from my lips.
“Thank you,” I breathed. “but, Naruto, I-”
“That was interesting,” a voice interrupted from where Itachi had fallen. He was standing now, making a series of seals with his hands. I began to move and push Naruto out of the way, but I was too late. I had been careless, getting caught up in emotion and passion without giving Itachi much thought.
“Katon! Goukakyuu no jutsu!” A large sphere of fire flowed from Itachi toward Naruto and I. I rolled out of the way, but was singed by the edge of the attack.
“Naruto!” I yelled. I stood as quickly as I could, but found my body fatigued by fighting with Itachi. With my right hand useless, I couldn't do anything but run for my blade. He ignored me and advanced on a spot in the road still full of smoke.
I grasped the blade with my left hand and began to charge at Itachi. He was preparing to attack Naruto again. I wouldn't let him do it. He would not take this away from me, too. He would take him, suck away all his power, and leave a lifeless shell behind. I had to stop him.
“Katon! Goukakyuu no jutsu!” Another ball of fire engulfed Naruto as I reached them. I raised my sword at Itachi, but he quickly spun to meet me. I slashed at his arm, but he didn't seem to care, just jumped at me.
“I'm finished with you,” he said as we fell to the ground. He pushed into my stomach and my eyes widened. I gasped in pain and looked down. The grip of a kunai was jotting out of my skin, the blade pushed as far as it would go, blood beginning to well around the wound. I coughed and my own blood rained back onto me, dripping from the corners of my mouth.
Itachi appeared over me, a wicked grin splitting his face.
“Didn't we just do this, little brother?”
“Damn you!” I coughed and spit in his face. His expression twisted into something full of hate and rage. He grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me to him, until his face filled my vision.
“I don't think you understand yet, Sasuke,” Itachi growled. “You will sit here and bleed, helpless, drowning in your own blood, while I do as I please with the jinchuuriki.” He slammed me into the ground and stood. I rolled onto my side, coughing blood onto the dirt road. “You will die here, Sasuke, just as pathetic as you were before.”
He lifted his foot and kicked my chest, just above where the kunai was wedged. I couldn't hold in the whimper of pain that followed. I gasped for air, but my chest felt constricted. Every breath pulled at the knife, making the wound bleed faster. He wasn't wrong about what would happen. I was already choking on my own blood.
Itachi scoffed and began to walk away. He headed for the scorched and motionless heap that was Naruto. Naruto. I had to save him. I had worked so hard for this, acquired too much power to be made to feel so small when encountered with Itachi's.
I looked around the blood splattered ground. Itachi hadn't bothered to throw my blade away. Though my wounds groaned in protest, I reached for it. He wasn't paying any attention to what I was doing, confident that I would die the way he had described. I grasped the hilt and sat up, nausea sweeping over me. Blood continued to drip my wounds as I continued to stand.
I took shallow breaths, my knees shaking and bemoaning my insistence that they hold me. I gripped the blade tightly and raised it to my shoulder. Itachi was standing at Naruto's feet, staring down at him in triumph. I closed my eyes, slowed my labored breathing, and braced my feet against the ground.
I opened my eyes, pulled back my arm, and threw the sword.
Itachi didn't notice until it was too late, he had been too absorbed in his almost-victory. He began to turn, but the blade hit his back, sinking into his flesh with enough force to appear through the front of his torso. Itachi let out a cough, his eyes widening in surprise as he fell onto his side.
I held my injured arm to the knife in my middle and slowly moved towards Naruto. He hadn't so much as twitched. He had to be alright... he must.
“Naruto,” I coughed. Blood continued to drip from my mouth and stomach, but I kept moving toward him. The ground surrounding him had been branded by flames. Parts of his clothing had been burned away, revealing red and blistered flesh underneath.
I dropped to my knees beside him. A lump had formed in my throat, my eyes were hot and blurry with tears. This could not be true. I didn't come this far for this to happen. I reached out and combed Naruto's hair from his face. He didn't respond.
“Naruto,” I choked. “Naruto!” I entangled my hand in his shirt and pulled his face to mine. “You idiot, get up!” I gave him a few forceful shakes, but nothing happened. I gasped for air. It was hard to breathe. My mind was reeling, spinning round and round one thought; Naruto.
I let him slip to the ground. I bent over him until our foreheads touched. My chest was heaving with sobs, tears falling onto Naruto's singed cheeks. “No,” I croaked. “No!”
I held his head to mine and wept. I shed tears for the only person I connected with, for the only one I had loved in so long. I wept for Naruto, and knew that I was to blame for it all.