[Naruto] my eternity 9
Title: my eternity
Chapter: 9
Pairing: SasuNaru
Rating: T
Chapter nine: Voices of Damnation and Defense
Sasuke sat in a dark room, bound to a chair and surrounded by ANBU. He and Naruto had both been brought to Konohagakure directly from Tazuna’s house in the Land of Waves. Once they reached the gates of the city, however, they had been separated.
It had been just after dawn when the group had arrived, so Sasuke’s transport to the ANBU headquarters had been swift through the empty streets.
Naruto had been taken in nearly the opposite direction, probably to the Konoha Hospital. He still hadn’t woken up yet.
Sasuke looked up at the ANBU from under his long bangs, hiding his scrutiny. There were half a dozen that he could see, and all were facing him. He suspected a few were behind him, too. None of them had spoken to him. The silence was intimidating to say the least. Sasuke returned their silence, opting to keep to his thoughts instead of attempting to communicate. It’s not like they would listen to anything he said. He was the enemy here. He had been found with one of their comrades, who had been missing for weeks and discovered unconscious. The situation definitely wasn’t in his favor. Nothing he could say would convince them of his innocence in the situation. Well, he couldn’t be called innocent, really. More like ‘less implicated.’
He had been sitting in silence for what felt like hours. No doubt somewhere in the village someone was in an uproar about what should be done with him.
He wondered what was happening to Naruto, if he had woken up yet. They would probably be able to heal him quickly. Sasuke just hoped it was in time to vouch for the story he would have to tell the ANBU. ‘They’ll probably want to question me. It’ll be best if I just tell the straight truth, not leaving anything out…except perhaps my exact reason for taking Naruto. They don’t need to know how I feel about him. I don’t think they’d even believe me if I told them, anyways…’ His thoughts wandered vaguely for some time.
‘What happens now?’ he wondered. ‘Shouldn’t they interrogate me? They’ll probably want to charge me for my crimes.’ He didn’t have to wait long to find out, as just then the door to his right opened and another ANBU, this one presumably a captain, entered the room and addressed him.
“Uchiha Sasuke…”
Everything was white. Naruto reached out his hand to see if he could touch it, but his fingers met with nothing but air. He blinked and rubbed his eyes; everything came into focus.
Naruto found himself lying on a worn-out old couch in a bright room with white walls, staring up at the ceiling. He quickly recognized it-the Hokage’s office in Konohagakure.
Naruto sat up, and the blanket that had covered him fell and gathered at his waist. He swung his legs onto the floor and stood up-a little too quickly. “Ah!” he gasped quietly as, arms outstretched, he tried to gain his balance when he wobbled.
The door opened, and Tsunade walked into the room. She seemed distracted and quite a bit flustered. When she noticed Naruto standing slightly precariously, her face changed and she rushed over. “Naruto, you’re awake!” she exclaimed as she steadied him. When she was certain he wasn’t going to fall over, she embraced him.
Naruto cringed a bit at the hug-he felt weak and sore.
“Naruto, you shouldn’t be up so quickly. You’re still a bit sick. How are you feeling? Do you need something?”
As Tsunade fussed over him, something prickled at the back of his mind. Sasuke. Sasuke hadn’t wanted to go to Konohagakure. Why was he here now? How did he get here? Where was Sasuke? Naruto looked into Tsunade’s face. “Sasuke…?” he broke off, not knowing how to phrase his question.
Tsunade’s face darkened. “Him,” she said in a cold tone. “Don’t worry, Naruto, we’re dealing with him.”
That statement disturbed Naruto. What was it that Sasuke had said-had it only been a few weeks ago? Sasuke had been against returning to Konohagakure, said he would be charged as a missing nin, jailed even. “What…what exactly do you mean?” he asked, afraid of the answer.
Tsunade looked at him, a smile on her face that was meant to be comforting as she said, “He is to be punished for his crimes. His execution is scheduled for tomorrow morning. He’ll be kept in a secure holding cell until then.”
“No!” Naruto howled. His chest felt tight. ‘They can’t do this!’ he thought.
Tsunade was startle, but quickly recovered. “Naruto, I know he was your friend, but look at what he’s done since he left, to you in particular,” she soothed.
“No, Tsunade, you don’t understand!” Naruto practically shouted. He was so frantic he unconsciously used her real name. “Sasuke hasn’t done anything to me-well, nothing intentionally-at least, not recently-”
Tsunade glared at him furiously. “How can you say that? I’ve had first hand accounts of what that forest clearing looked like, the one where you had your last run-in with that Uchiha. Spattered with blood-your blood-ground torn up, place destroyed-and you’re telling me that he hasn’t done anything to you?”
She drew in a sharp breath. “Naruto, no doubt your mind is muddled because of your recent illness. You must be in shock, too, what with being hurt again by one who used to be a comrade. Now, Uchiha Sasuke is going to be executed tomorrow. He is spending the night in an ANBU holding cell, and, eventually, you will understand this.”
She exhaled her breath calmingly. “Brat, I understand how you must feel,” she said, slipping back into using her favorite nickname for Naruto, “But, you have to understand how we all felt while you were missing. For a while, we were sure you were dead.” She glanced back at him.
All through Tsunade’s rant, Naruto stood frozen in horror. Sasuke was going to be executed, and Tsunade wouldn’t let him explain. ‘Well, I’ll have to make her listen! There’s no way I’ll Sasuke die because of me!’ Naruto took a deep breath to calm himself. It wouldn’t help his case to appear irrational. “Look, Sasuke hurt me once, but he won’t now. He’s changed. He killed Orochimaru, escaped with me from Sound, and looked took care of me for months. He’s not who he was when he joined Orochimaru. He-”
“Naruto, I don’t want to hear whatever lies he’s fed you. Now, I order you-”
Naruto growled inwardly as he was interrupted. ‘So much for being rational.’ he thought. To hell with rationality. He never was a very rational person, anyways. He interrupted Tsunade with a yell, “I demand that you take me to see Sasuke!”
Tsunade was stunned. She hadn’t been expecting such an emotional outburst from Naruto, who had seemed so calm just a moment before. She stood frozen for a moment. “Naruto,” she started in a soft voice intended to soothe him. “You know I can’t do that. As I’ve said, he’s-”
“I don’t care about that! I have to see him before you have him murdered!” He full out glared at her, his fists clenched at his side. Gone was the sickly feeling of a few minutes ago, replaced by a burning intensity.
Tsunade looked at the fuming boy, the young man she considered a younger brother, a son almost. She couldn’t stand to have him hate her. “Alright. I will take you to see him. But, I want you to know I don’t approve.”
The ANBU captain addressed him somberly. “Uchiha Sasuke. It has been decided that you-”
“Don’t you dare!” a loud voice cut in.
Sasuke’s eyes widened. “Naruto?” he asked, bewildered.
Sure enough, the blond ninja came into the room, forcefully pushing the ANBU captain out of his way. Before the ANBU lining the walls could move to stop him, a woman’s voice called out.
“Let him be. I’m allowing him to be here, for now.” Tsunade walked in. Sasuke recognized her, though he had rarely seen the woman. She still looked as young as when he had seen her last.
Naruto practically tackled Sasuke, who would have fallen over if he hadn’t been tied to a chair. “Sasuke! She won’t listen to me! They want to kill you!”
Sasuke gasped. They weren’t even waiting for an investigation before deciding on his guilt? They wouldn’t listen to what he had to say? And worse, they weren’t listening to Naruto. This looked bad. His one hope was gone. If Naruto’s support was useless, then he was doomed. “Naruto,” he started, but then broke off. He didn’t know what to say. It’s not your fault? Don’t worry? That wouldn’t be much comfort to him.
“Don’t worry Sasuke, I won’t let them touch you.” Naruto’s face was right in front of Sasuke’s. His words were confident, but his voice shook and Sasuke could see his eyes tearing up. Sasuke wanted to hold him, to tell him once again that he loved him. As things stood, it didn’t seem likely that he’d get another chance. Sasuke could feel his eyes starting to water. It hurt. He’d finally confessed to Naruto, gotten a chance at a life with him, but it had been taken away.
“Naruto,” his voice was low, his words intended only for the blonde but no doubt overheard by the attentive ANBU, “There’s nothing you can do. They won’t listen. They’ve already decided my fate. We have to accept-”
“No! I won’t accept it, I can’t!” He raised his voice and turned around to address everyone else in the room, hovering protectively in front of Sasuke. “You can’t kill him! Sasuke is-Sasuke is-” Naruto shuddered, tears streaming down his face. He wiped them away angrily.
Tsunade moved forward, intending to comfort him. “Naruto, come here.” She opened her arms, meaning to pull him into a hug.
“No! Stay back! I won’t let you hurt Sasuke! I love him!”
Tsunade froze. The room fell into silence, save for Naruto’s continuing sobs.
Sasuke couldn’t speak. Naruto had just confessed in front of the Hokage and a good number of ANBU. ‘I love him…I love him so much. I don’t want to lose him! If he feels for me even half of what I feel for him, he’ll be devastated if I die. I can’t do that to him!’ His tears began to fall. “Naruto, I-” he couldn’t continue, too overwhelmed with emotion.
Naruto wordlessly turned and threw his arms securely around Sasuke’s neck, bringing their faces inches apart. He hesitated. Sasuke leaned forwards as much as he could, closing the space between them and covering Naruto’s lips with his own. The chaste kiss quickly became more passionate as Sasuke pushed his tongue into Naruto’s mouth. Naruto whimpered and hugged him tighter.
This kiss ended as quickly as it began. Naruto pulled back, cheeks wet with tears and lips moist with his and Sasuke’s saliva. He looked into Sasuke’s eyes. “Bastard. Don’t you dare give up. You can’t just let them kill you.” His voice was quiet, the words almost breathed onto Sasuke’s lips.
Sasuke shivered. ‘I can’t just do nothing. I have to live. For Naruto.’ He nodded slightly to Naruto to show he would try, then turned his face toward the ANBU captain, who stood by the door, apparently frozen in shock. “I know I’ve hurt Naruto before, but I didn’t mean to this time. I love Naruto. I could never hurt him again. I have not forgotten my past actions, I know that I am guilty of many things, but…I don’t think my actions merit the death sentence.” He looked firmly at the captain, who seemed to recover somewhat upon being addressed so directly.
No one said anything. It seemed they were still considering the new turn of events. ‘Well,’ thought Sasuke, ‘At least they’re considering changing their minds. That means there’s hope.’
The captain turned toward Tsunade. “Hokage-sama, if you would step outside, we could discuss this matter with you further.”
Tsunade nodded, still in a daze, and turned to leave with him.
“Wait, old hag!” Naruto called out. He was standing now, facing her determinedly. “I can’t live without Sasuke. You have to know that.”
She stared at him shocked for a moment before exiting the room.
Tsunade was stunned. What was that? Naruto loved Sasuke? As in love, not just brotherly love? When did that happen? She mused over Naruto’s final words to her. ‘Can’t live without Sasuke.’ She was shaken by the implications. ‘Does he mean he won’t live without Sasuke? Surely he can’t mean-Naruto would never-does he mean he would kill himself?’ She shuddered. ‘Is his love really that deep?’ She thought about her options. Sasuke couldn’t go unpunished for his crimes. Her choice was clear.
She reentered the holding cell without consulting with the ANBU. This was her choice in the end, after all. Naruto and Sasuke looked at her hopefully and nervously as she entered the room. “I have decided.”
Chapter: 9
Pairing: SasuNaru
Rating: T
Chapter nine: Voices of Damnation and Defense
Sasuke sat in a dark room, bound to a chair and surrounded by ANBU. He and Naruto had both been brought to Konohagakure directly from Tazuna’s house in the Land of Waves. Once they reached the gates of the city, however, they had been separated.
It had been just after dawn when the group had arrived, so Sasuke’s transport to the ANBU headquarters had been swift through the empty streets.
Naruto had been taken in nearly the opposite direction, probably to the Konoha Hospital. He still hadn’t woken up yet.
Sasuke looked up at the ANBU from under his long bangs, hiding his scrutiny. There were half a dozen that he could see, and all were facing him. He suspected a few were behind him, too. None of them had spoken to him. The silence was intimidating to say the least. Sasuke returned their silence, opting to keep to his thoughts instead of attempting to communicate. It’s not like they would listen to anything he said. He was the enemy here. He had been found with one of their comrades, who had been missing for weeks and discovered unconscious. The situation definitely wasn’t in his favor. Nothing he could say would convince them of his innocence in the situation. Well, he couldn’t be called innocent, really. More like ‘less implicated.’
He had been sitting in silence for what felt like hours. No doubt somewhere in the village someone was in an uproar about what should be done with him.
He wondered what was happening to Naruto, if he had woken up yet. They would probably be able to heal him quickly. Sasuke just hoped it was in time to vouch for the story he would have to tell the ANBU. ‘They’ll probably want to question me. It’ll be best if I just tell the straight truth, not leaving anything out…except perhaps my exact reason for taking Naruto. They don’t need to know how I feel about him. I don’t think they’d even believe me if I told them, anyways…’ His thoughts wandered vaguely for some time.
‘What happens now?’ he wondered. ‘Shouldn’t they interrogate me? They’ll probably want to charge me for my crimes.’ He didn’t have to wait long to find out, as just then the door to his right opened and another ANBU, this one presumably a captain, entered the room and addressed him.
“Uchiha Sasuke…”
Everything was white. Naruto reached out his hand to see if he could touch it, but his fingers met with nothing but air. He blinked and rubbed his eyes; everything came into focus.
Naruto found himself lying on a worn-out old couch in a bright room with white walls, staring up at the ceiling. He quickly recognized it-the Hokage’s office in Konohagakure.
Naruto sat up, and the blanket that had covered him fell and gathered at his waist. He swung his legs onto the floor and stood up-a little too quickly. “Ah!” he gasped quietly as, arms outstretched, he tried to gain his balance when he wobbled.
The door opened, and Tsunade walked into the room. She seemed distracted and quite a bit flustered. When she noticed Naruto standing slightly precariously, her face changed and she rushed over. “Naruto, you’re awake!” she exclaimed as she steadied him. When she was certain he wasn’t going to fall over, she embraced him.
Naruto cringed a bit at the hug-he felt weak and sore.
“Naruto, you shouldn’t be up so quickly. You’re still a bit sick. How are you feeling? Do you need something?”
As Tsunade fussed over him, something prickled at the back of his mind. Sasuke. Sasuke hadn’t wanted to go to Konohagakure. Why was he here now? How did he get here? Where was Sasuke? Naruto looked into Tsunade’s face. “Sasuke…?” he broke off, not knowing how to phrase his question.
Tsunade’s face darkened. “Him,” she said in a cold tone. “Don’t worry, Naruto, we’re dealing with him.”
That statement disturbed Naruto. What was it that Sasuke had said-had it only been a few weeks ago? Sasuke had been against returning to Konohagakure, said he would be charged as a missing nin, jailed even. “What…what exactly do you mean?” he asked, afraid of the answer.
Tsunade looked at him, a smile on her face that was meant to be comforting as she said, “He is to be punished for his crimes. His execution is scheduled for tomorrow morning. He’ll be kept in a secure holding cell until then.”
“No!” Naruto howled. His chest felt tight. ‘They can’t do this!’ he thought.
Tsunade was startle, but quickly recovered. “Naruto, I know he was your friend, but look at what he’s done since he left, to you in particular,” she soothed.
“No, Tsunade, you don’t understand!” Naruto practically shouted. He was so frantic he unconsciously used her real name. “Sasuke hasn’t done anything to me-well, nothing intentionally-at least, not recently-”
Tsunade glared at him furiously. “How can you say that? I’ve had first hand accounts of what that forest clearing looked like, the one where you had your last run-in with that Uchiha. Spattered with blood-your blood-ground torn up, place destroyed-and you’re telling me that he hasn’t done anything to you?”
She drew in a sharp breath. “Naruto, no doubt your mind is muddled because of your recent illness. You must be in shock, too, what with being hurt again by one who used to be a comrade. Now, Uchiha Sasuke is going to be executed tomorrow. He is spending the night in an ANBU holding cell, and, eventually, you will understand this.”
She exhaled her breath calmingly. “Brat, I understand how you must feel,” she said, slipping back into using her favorite nickname for Naruto, “But, you have to understand how we all felt while you were missing. For a while, we were sure you were dead.” She glanced back at him.
All through Tsunade’s rant, Naruto stood frozen in horror. Sasuke was going to be executed, and Tsunade wouldn’t let him explain. ‘Well, I’ll have to make her listen! There’s no way I’ll Sasuke die because of me!’ Naruto took a deep breath to calm himself. It wouldn’t help his case to appear irrational. “Look, Sasuke hurt me once, but he won’t now. He’s changed. He killed Orochimaru, escaped with me from Sound, and looked took care of me for months. He’s not who he was when he joined Orochimaru. He-”
“Naruto, I don’t want to hear whatever lies he’s fed you. Now, I order you-”
Naruto growled inwardly as he was interrupted. ‘So much for being rational.’ he thought. To hell with rationality. He never was a very rational person, anyways. He interrupted Tsunade with a yell, “I demand that you take me to see Sasuke!”
Tsunade was stunned. She hadn’t been expecting such an emotional outburst from Naruto, who had seemed so calm just a moment before. She stood frozen for a moment. “Naruto,” she started in a soft voice intended to soothe him. “You know I can’t do that. As I’ve said, he’s-”
“I don’t care about that! I have to see him before you have him murdered!” He full out glared at her, his fists clenched at his side. Gone was the sickly feeling of a few minutes ago, replaced by a burning intensity.
Tsunade looked at the fuming boy, the young man she considered a younger brother, a son almost. She couldn’t stand to have him hate her. “Alright. I will take you to see him. But, I want you to know I don’t approve.”
The ANBU captain addressed him somberly. “Uchiha Sasuke. It has been decided that you-”
“Don’t you dare!” a loud voice cut in.
Sasuke’s eyes widened. “Naruto?” he asked, bewildered.
Sure enough, the blond ninja came into the room, forcefully pushing the ANBU captain out of his way. Before the ANBU lining the walls could move to stop him, a woman’s voice called out.
“Let him be. I’m allowing him to be here, for now.” Tsunade walked in. Sasuke recognized her, though he had rarely seen the woman. She still looked as young as when he had seen her last.
Naruto practically tackled Sasuke, who would have fallen over if he hadn’t been tied to a chair. “Sasuke! She won’t listen to me! They want to kill you!”
Sasuke gasped. They weren’t even waiting for an investigation before deciding on his guilt? They wouldn’t listen to what he had to say? And worse, they weren’t listening to Naruto. This looked bad. His one hope was gone. If Naruto’s support was useless, then he was doomed. “Naruto,” he started, but then broke off. He didn’t know what to say. It’s not your fault? Don’t worry? That wouldn’t be much comfort to him.
“Don’t worry Sasuke, I won’t let them touch you.” Naruto’s face was right in front of Sasuke’s. His words were confident, but his voice shook and Sasuke could see his eyes tearing up. Sasuke wanted to hold him, to tell him once again that he loved him. As things stood, it didn’t seem likely that he’d get another chance. Sasuke could feel his eyes starting to water. It hurt. He’d finally confessed to Naruto, gotten a chance at a life with him, but it had been taken away.
“Naruto,” his voice was low, his words intended only for the blonde but no doubt overheard by the attentive ANBU, “There’s nothing you can do. They won’t listen. They’ve already decided my fate. We have to accept-”
“No! I won’t accept it, I can’t!” He raised his voice and turned around to address everyone else in the room, hovering protectively in front of Sasuke. “You can’t kill him! Sasuke is-Sasuke is-” Naruto shuddered, tears streaming down his face. He wiped them away angrily.
Tsunade moved forward, intending to comfort him. “Naruto, come here.” She opened her arms, meaning to pull him into a hug.
“No! Stay back! I won’t let you hurt Sasuke! I love him!”
Tsunade froze. The room fell into silence, save for Naruto’s continuing sobs.
Sasuke couldn’t speak. Naruto had just confessed in front of the Hokage and a good number of ANBU. ‘I love him…I love him so much. I don’t want to lose him! If he feels for me even half of what I feel for him, he’ll be devastated if I die. I can’t do that to him!’ His tears began to fall. “Naruto, I-” he couldn’t continue, too overwhelmed with emotion.
Naruto wordlessly turned and threw his arms securely around Sasuke’s neck, bringing their faces inches apart. He hesitated. Sasuke leaned forwards as much as he could, closing the space between them and covering Naruto’s lips with his own. The chaste kiss quickly became more passionate as Sasuke pushed his tongue into Naruto’s mouth. Naruto whimpered and hugged him tighter.
This kiss ended as quickly as it began. Naruto pulled back, cheeks wet with tears and lips moist with his and Sasuke’s saliva. He looked into Sasuke’s eyes. “Bastard. Don’t you dare give up. You can’t just let them kill you.” His voice was quiet, the words almost breathed onto Sasuke’s lips.
Sasuke shivered. ‘I can’t just do nothing. I have to live. For Naruto.’ He nodded slightly to Naruto to show he would try, then turned his face toward the ANBU captain, who stood by the door, apparently frozen in shock. “I know I’ve hurt Naruto before, but I didn’t mean to this time. I love Naruto. I could never hurt him again. I have not forgotten my past actions, I know that I am guilty of many things, but…I don’t think my actions merit the death sentence.” He looked firmly at the captain, who seemed to recover somewhat upon being addressed so directly.
No one said anything. It seemed they were still considering the new turn of events. ‘Well,’ thought Sasuke, ‘At least they’re considering changing their minds. That means there’s hope.’
The captain turned toward Tsunade. “Hokage-sama, if you would step outside, we could discuss this matter with you further.”
Tsunade nodded, still in a daze, and turned to leave with him.
“Wait, old hag!” Naruto called out. He was standing now, facing her determinedly. “I can’t live without Sasuke. You have to know that.”
She stared at him shocked for a moment before exiting the room.
Tsunade was stunned. What was that? Naruto loved Sasuke? As in love, not just brotherly love? When did that happen? She mused over Naruto’s final words to her. ‘Can’t live without Sasuke.’ She was shaken by the implications. ‘Does he mean he won’t live without Sasuke? Surely he can’t mean-Naruto would never-does he mean he would kill himself?’ She shuddered. ‘Is his love really that deep?’ She thought about her options. Sasuke couldn’t go unpunished for his crimes. Her choice was clear.
She reentered the holding cell without consulting with the ANBU. This was her choice in the end, after all. Naruto and Sasuke looked at her hopefully and nervously as she entered the room. “I have decided.”