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Chapter Nineteen

June 21st

The wind ripped at my wet clothing, chilling my body and making my teeth chatter. Rain continued to fall in buckets and rumbles of thunder were heard in the distance. I ignored all that and the fact that my feet were now numb with pain in favor of putting as much distance between me and my kidnappers. How far I ran was beyond me, it seemed like hours to my rapidly beating heart. I ran hard and fast, too afraid to turn around and see if they followed or not.

Fast approaching footsteps had me gaining speed as fear overwhelmed my senses. They were going to catch me again! I let the fear fester and blind me as I ran. All I could think about was getting away!

I wasn't paying attention to where I was putting foot to pavement; I didn't see the uneven slab jutting from the ground and stumbled. I hit the wet ground hard, scraping my palm and twisting my ankle in the process. I hissed at the jarring pain throbbing in my broken wrist.

I breathed in deeply and turned around quickly to stare behind me, convinced that one of them was following me. Relief was immediate when a jogger pounded passed, not even bothering to stop and lend a helping hand. I quickly stood up and limped my way into the nearest shop; a coffee shop I recognized.

I limped my way to the counter, scanning the area for any sign that they caught up to me. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary I greeted the barista will a shaky smile, shivering as the air conditioning cooled my damp clothing further. My teeth chattered compounding my ability to speak. How I was able to talk was a miracle.

"Is there a phone I can use; it's very important?" I asked.

She raked her eyes over my appearance, landing on my feet and lack of shoes. I bit my lip trying to hold back tears. "Please?" I begged.

Without a word she tugged her cell from her pocket and handed it to me, jerking her head towards the hallway to the bathrooms. "Thank you." I nodded and turned the corner, relieved that I wasn't exposed to my kidnappers if they should pass by. I was safe for the moment.

I dialed Granny Tsunade's number and bit my lip. My heart sank when it went to voicemail immediately. I tried Kakashi's number next but received the same answer. I took a deep breath and ran my hand through my hair, my fingers blocked by tangled strands. I resisted the urge to tug them out and dialed Gaara's number. If I couldn't talk to the other two then I would get my ass back to Neji and Gaara, Sasuke's safe place for me. They should still be together; I just needed him to answer his phone!

'Who is this?' Gaara muttered, finally picking up. Damn, I forgot how suspicious he could be; it's a wonder he even answered at all?

"Gaara?" I gasped. "Where are you?"

I received total silence in response, before his voice replied without a hint of shock that I was calling him out of the blue. 'Where am I? Where are you?'

"Never mind where I am, I won't be here for long. Just tell me where you are?"

More silence from the other line and then…'Konoha Medical.'

I sagged with relief, thanking God that the hospital was close to the coffee shop. It was only two blocks up and one block east, but would I be safe there? Would they expect me to go to a hospital?

"Meet me there. I'll be there in five minutes." I muttered and hung up before he could ask me any questions. I didn't have time to answer them.

I took another surreptitious look around and limped back to the barista, handing her back the cell phone. "Thank you again."

"No problem." She smiled. "You should get that looked at, though."

"I'm on my way to now, thanks." I smiled and exited the coffee shop.

I looked up and down the street for anything suspicious, but didn't find anything. I rushed across the street ignoring the frozen daggers striking my equally frozen feet. Was it possible to get frostbite in June?

I shook my head of the thought and turned the corner, the 14 story building looming on the corner. I hobbled as fast as my sprained ankle would allow and entered the safety of the hospital. Gaara stood nearby, waiting impatiently for me. I gave him a weak smile before a nurse descended on me. I must have looked like shit if I was getting immediate treatment.

The nurse led me through the emergency room, placing me on a bed and looking at my feet first. I jerked them from her grasp and hissed. It felt like I was stabbed with thousands of tiny needles! She offered me a sympathetic smile and grabbed an extra blanket from the closet. She set it over my feet gently and proceeded to take my vitals.

"The doctor will be with you shortly." She crooned. "I just need you to fill these out while you're waiting."

I grabbed the medical forms with a nod and filled them in quickly. I watched her retreat from the room before sweeping the hallway around her.

"How did you get away?" Gaara demanded, moving to take a seat next to me. I didn't answer him as the nurse walked in with a medical bracelet that she promptly fastened to my wrist. She sat down to clean and dress my scraped palm and wrapped my sprained ankle in an elastic bandage. Her touch didn't cause daggers of pain in my feet anymore and they now looked a healthier shade of pink instead of the purplish color they were when I arrived.

My left arm was placed under the portable x-ray another nurse rolled in and filmed. There was no need to tell me it was broke though; I knew that already. I could still remember the pain, wincing at the memory.

"Sorry." She muttered as she turned my arm into a supine position.

I smiled weakly. "It wasn't you." She gave me a small smile and finished taking the picture. She excused herself to examine the film and left me alone with Gaara again.

"I ran." I answered, watching the curtain flutter closed. I felt more at ease, hidden behind a curtain.

"Yes, obviously you ran, but how?"

"With my own two feet." I joked, but Gaara wasn't laughing. So much for trying to break the tension here! I sighed in defeat. "I saw an opportunity and I took it. He wasn't there to stop me so I was able to get away easily, though I had a bit of help with that." I frowned and bit at my lip. Why did Konan help me get away though?

"I'm glad you're safe." Gaara muttered.

"Am I safe enough here?" I whispered, shocked when I actually said it aloud instead of to myself.

"You are safe with me." Gaara assured.

I gave a weak nod, though I was far from feeling and believing it. I looked up when the doctor entered the room without looking at me. "You have a radial fracture Mr. Uzumaki, but it seems someone knew what they were doing when they set it. It's going to require a cast that needs to be on for six weeks, maybe longer. I'm going to prescribe some pain killers and an anti-inflammatory. Take them as needed. You're very lucky Mr. Uzumaki, this could've required surgery."

"Is there a color you would like to have?" The nurse asked cheerfully and sat down again.

"Orange?" I asked. I saw Gaara roll his eyes from the corner of my eye and smiled.

"We have orange." She laughed. "We'll need to remove this though."

I stared at the green twist tie she pointed at and rubbed my thumb over it. I could feel my heart breaking all over again. Sasuke was gone. My Sasuke was gone.

Gaara grabbed my hand in his and squeezed. I turned to stare as he held his hand out to hold it for me. "I'll keep it for now." I looked away and slid it from my finger, handing it to him without looking.

I sat quietly while the nurse wrapped my arm in orange fiberglass almost to my elbow. I couldn't stop thinking over everything that happened the last two days; trying to comprehend what I had been through. I had snuck out, endangered mine and Sasuke's life, watched Sasuke run off to his death, been kidnapped, drugged; sexually…

I felt dirty and I could feel the nausea rising in my stomach again. I had to get out of these clothes! "Can I get a change of clothes?" I asked suddenly, blinking back tears.

The nurse smiled, took in my drenched and roughed up appearance and nodded. She brought back a set of navy blue scrubs and gave me some privacy to change. I was pleasantly surprised to see a pair of socks lying with the scrubs and pulled them on, wriggling my toes against the soft cotton.

Gaara remained seated as I changed, his gaze obviously averted to stare at the curtain. He was offering me privacy and I felt myself relaxing to the idea that I was safe here. The curtains hadn't burst open, no gun pointed directly at me and demanding I return to his side. Maybe they didn't follow me?

I was finally discharged from the emergency room with prescription in hand. I was tired and my stomach was gurgling with hunger. Gaara took pity on me and marched us to the cafeteria where we ate in silence.

I couldn't stop myself from staring around at the people coming and going. Everything seemed so normal, like nothing had ever happened, that I began to tremble. It seemed surreal, like I wasn't just held captive for two days and almost raped. I even expected Sasuke to be alive and that thought brought me to the point of hyperventilation.

Gaara slid his chair next to mine, laying his hand on my shoulder comfortingly. "Everything is going to be fine, Naruto. Just breathe slowly; in and out, in and out." He replied softly. "That's right, keep going, in and out. You're safe here and I won't let anything happen to you."

I nodded frantically and took control of my breathing, though it wasn't without a fight. I felt my racing heart calm to a steadier beat and released a steadying breath.

"Thank you." I muttered in embarrassment, staring at my empty tray on the table. I couldn't stand to look at him and see pity, because I didn't want to be pitied. "I'm always making you look out for me."

"I understand what you've been through, Naruto. You don't force me to do anything, but maybe you just need to realize that you are worth my attention."

"You're wrong about that." I barely whispered, refusing to look at him.

"What was that? I didn't quite catch you?" Gaara asked.

"It was nothing important, just my ramblings." I smiled, willing him to believe my false words.

He frowned, but didn't comment on it. "Are you tired?" He asked instead.

I wiped at the tears gathered in the corner of my eyes. "Yeah." I couldn't break now, not yet.

"I know somewhere you can rest then, follow me." He whispered and helped me up. I wobbled behind him to the elevators and stepped inside, rising to the fifth floor. I was curious to why we were going up instead of down, but I kept it to myself.

I followed Gaara, limping passed a line of officers that were all staring at me with mixed expressions. I felt like they were judging me and that dirty feeling only intensified. It felt like they knew. I looked away, too ashamed at myself.

Gaara stopped in front of a room across from the nurse's station. I shot him a confused look, but he tilted his chin. I got the message. He wanted me to go inside.

I limped into the room and noticed Neji first, sitting in a chair and staring at something hidden behind the drawn curtain. He turned my way, eyes widening with shock. Another man looked my way and abruptly stood. I knew he was the Governor of Konoha, but what was he doing in a hospital room with Neji and Gaara?

"He is resting at the moment." Governor Sarutobi whispered his eyes shifting to Gaara behind me. "The nurses had to sedate him to keep his blood pressure under control; he was working himself up after you left abruptly. He wasn't thrilled by the thought of sedation and fought it while he could. He just fell asleep minutes ago."

I didn't understand. Who was resting and why was I here? What did I have to do with this person? And how would I be safe here?

"Go ahead, Naruto; go in and see." My ginger friend replied, pushing me forward slightly. I stepped inside and around the curtain hesitantly, freezing in my tracks. Tears flooded my eyes as I saw Sasuke lying peacefully on the bed. A sense of safety instantly washed over me while I stared at him, watching his chest rise with his steady breathing. Was he really there or was he some sort of sick hallucination that I conjured in my mind? Dear god, had I finally lost it? Had I broken so soon?

I hobbled to his side and sat down; running my fingers through his bangs, rubbing his cheek, grazing his bandages; feeling warm skin beneath my searching fingers. Relief was instant. He wasn't a hallucination, he was alive, and this wasn't a dream. Sasuke kept his promise; he never left me.

I shifted closer, climbing into bed next to him and curling into his side. I wanted to be near him one last time, before he knew the truth about what I did. I laid my head on his uninjured shoulder and fell asleep immediately.

~REVENGE~

Tsunade laid Konan gently on an empty hospital bed. She couldn't bring herself to leave her in the hallway, on the cold linoleum, even as Federal Police flooded the area and doctors piled in looking for injuries. The coroner was on scene handling dead bodies left and right and firefighters were called in to turn the sprinklers off. Nothing could be done for the lights.

Tsunade stared on in disbelief, not comprehending much that was circling her. She had ordered her officers to search the streets for Naruto as soon as they arrived on scene, but no one had touched base with her yet. She was slowly losing hope with every minute they searched and didn't find him.

She looked at Konan again and shook her head, wondering where it all went wrong. How the hell did all this happen? Kakashi walked over and pulled the curtain closed, concealing the body.

"Tsunade…" Kakashi started, but Tsunade continued to shake her head.

"No one can know." She whispered eyeing her lieutenant squarely. She rounded on her detectives pinning them with a hard look. "Not a word about what she's done!"

Kakashis eyes widened before he nodded in understanding. "We won't speak a word of it."

"I mean it, Kakashi. No one can know what she's…" Tsunade stalled, choking back a sob.

"Who is she?" Shikamaru questioned. He held Temari closer, who was shivering in his grasp.

"She's family."

No one spoke a word, creating an awkward silence in the small room. Moments later it was broken by a shrill ring. Eyes turned to stare at Kiba as the source of the noise blared through his denim jeans. He flushed with embarrassment and pulled the phone from his pocket. He received disgusted looks from the girls and a shake of the head from Kakashi. Kiba got it; if that had gone off earlier it could have seriously compromised their ambush.

"Hello?" He replied sheepishly, realizing his mistake.

'About time someone answered their phone.' Gaara drawled. 'I've been trying each one of you for the last half hour.'

"Um, we were supposed to have them off."

'Let me talk to Kakashi.' Gaara demanded.

"Sheesh, you could be a bit nicer." Kiba grumbled and handed over his phone.

Kakashi grabbed it and listened intently. He jerked his head and gripped the door jamb, deflating on himself. He closed his eyes and shut the phone with a snap.

"What is it, Kakashi?" Tsunade questioned.

Kakashi opened his mismatched eyes and smiled. It didn't quite reach his eyes. "Naruto was found and is at the hospital." He replied. Noticing everyone's sudden panic he hastily continued, "He's ok and currently resting. He's with Sasuke who was sedated to keep his blood pressure down. He hasn't woken up yet to know that Naruto is safe."

Kakashi paused, his smile turning to a playful smirk. Again, it didn't quite reach his eyes. "If we hurry this could make some interesting entertainment. I bet Sasuke's reaction is priceless."

There was a unanimous agreement and a surge toward the exit leaving Tsunade and Kakashi alone. Kakashi followed their retreat and sighed, rubbing at his tired eyes. Tears were visible in the corners of his eyes, but he wouldn't shed them. There was no need to. "Naruto's ok, Tsunade, and that is all that matters."

"I know." Tsunade sniffled and breathed deeply. She shook her head. "I don't understand it, Kakashi. There was so much destruction and mayhem and for what?"

"Love," Kakashi responded. "It's a very volatile and dangerous thing to possess. It drives us all"

"What that monster reaped was not love! Love wouldn't drive you to murder in its name or influence the death of others!" Tsunade sneered.

"There is a fine line between love and madness, Tsunade. Look what Konan did for love."

"She lost her way. She wasn't a monster like him!"

"But she murdered those families…" Kakashi countered.

"And she spared the children." Tsunade shot back.

"Yes, she spared their lives, but they suffered the loss of their parents for no reason…"

"She tried to make it right."

"Does that justify what she did?" Kakashi questioned.

"I can't condone what she's done, but I understand the force behind it. She was grieving." Tsunade broke down and cried in the middle of the hospital room, cradling her head in her hands. It was sadness and anger, tiredness and relief all rolled into one mass ball of emotion. "If she'd just come to me instead, maybe things would've been different."

"Maybe. We will never know though." Kakashi replied. "Tsunade? Naruto is waiting for you. He's the one that needs you now. There's nothing more you can give Konan, so let her rest."

"Right." Tsunade replied. With a final look at the closed curtain, she stepped from the room and towards the crisp night air.

Emergency vehicles littered the parking lot, lights flashed off the white stoned hospital, and officers went about their work on the Governors orders. Tsunade's detectives were waiting, eager to be away from the nightmare. She talked quietly with the officer in charge before dipping into the waiting car and making her way to Naruto.

~REVENGE~

June 22nd

I shifted on the bed, arching against the warmth of the sun hitting my back. I sighed and tried to drift back to sleep, unwilling to face reality yet. It was the most wonderful dream I ever had. I escaped my kidnappers and discovered Sasuke was alive.

I heard someone clear their throat. I wasn't ready to wake up and face him, not after yesterday. If I could I would hide under my pillow for eternity. Someone cleared their throat again, louder this time. I sighed and blinked my eyes open.

Sasuke slept beside me, his head tilted toward mine, and resting on my crown. I didn't want to believe what I saw, that Sasuke was alive and it wasn't just a dream after all. I reached out and ran my fingers over his bandages, slowly convincing myself this was reality.

His chest rose steadily beneath my hand, body warm to the touch. His hair looked like shit, but I knew I looked the same, if not worse. A smile played at my lips. He was alive.

I sighed and closed my eyes, fighting the growing sinking feeling in my stomach. Would Sasuke still want me once he knew? I laid my head back on his chest, picking at the blanket covering him. His head slid back to rest on top of mine, moving my hair with his steady breathing. Inadequacy coursed through me. Sasuke wasn't tainted like I was. He deserved someone clean and pure. Everything I wasn't and never would be.

"Are you finally awake, Naruto?"

I jerked away from Sasuke and off the bed, twisting my sprained ankle in my panic. They had finally found me!

"Whoa, Naruto." Tsunade soothed. "It's ok."

I shook, my heart fluttering against my chest. I flinched when Tsunade took a step towards me. She stalled and bit her lip, her hand curling into a fist at her side. I took a hesitant step forward and wobbled into her embrace, hugging her tightly and shivering with unshed tears.

"Brat." She whispered against my ear and hugged me back for dear life.

"Granny Tsunade." I whispered. I didn't want to let go.

"We're glad you're ok." Sakura smiled and pulled me into a hug too. Iruka was right behind her, crying his eyes out. I felt ashamed that I worried him so much.

"How did you get away?" Kiba asked in amazement slapping my shoulder with a huge grin on his face.

"Pure luck." I whispered and rubbed at my stinging shoulder.

"Pure luck he says…" Kiba muttered and rolled his eyes. "I'm glad to see you're alive."

"Yeah, we're all happy you're ok, Naruto." Temari smiled.

"Naruto…" Itachi stated. I turned to look at him with a small smile. "When you have a moment by yourself, I need to talk to you about something important."

"Ok." I replied bemusedly. I never expected so many people to be happy I was alive. But I didn't feel like I deserved their concern, not with what I let happen.

"It's over Naruto. You don't have to worry anymore; he's dead." Kakashi stated and put his arm around Iruka.

I stared in disbelief, not sure I heard correctly. Was he really? I felt my knees give out and a strong arm wrap under my arms. I turned to see Granny Tsunade holding onto me. "Is he really…?" I gasped, trembling.

"Yes, he can't hurt you anymore, Naruto." She replied and helped me to my feet.

"How?" I gasped.

"Does it matter? Just trust me when I say that he can't hurt you anymore."

I nodded and rubbed at my hands nervously. He was really dead? I turned to look back at Sasuke. I really wanted to wake him up, but I was dreading that moment as well. Would he still want me after everything? He was shot because of me!

I wobbled back over to the bed and sat down, bending towards his ear and whispering sadly. "Time to wake up, teme." I was rewarded with a small jerk and an intake of breath, but his eyes remained closed. "Come on, teme. It's time to get up."

"Go to sleep dobe..." He breathed out tiredly and turned his head away from mine.

"Come on, I'm bored." I muttered.

"Go back to sleep, then you won't be bored…" He sighed out, snuggling into his pillow.

"I can't go back to sleep, I'm up now, and that means it's time for you to get up."

"Hn…"

"Don't you give me that monosyllabic bull, get up and keep me company." I growled.

"Dobe…"

"Teme!" I whined. "Get up already!"

I earned a grunt from the sleeping man and huffed out. A devious smirk lit my face and I leaned in really close to his ear so no one but Sasuke could hear.

"Try it and I'm a dead man." He growled and shifted a bit on the bed. So, I was making him uncomfortable, good. I could feel Tsunade's glare behind my back, but I wasn't going to let her interfere anymore. I more than deserved this small bit of happiness with the teme; before he abandoned me.

I grew tired of the word game and decided that I had to play dirty. I leaned forward and brushed my lips against his. The reaction was immediate as his right hand found my cheek, tangling in my hair, pulling me closer.

"Are you going to get up already?" I breathed against his lips. Black eyes opened sleepily, staring at me uncomprehendingly. I smiled at him and cupped the hand on my cheek.

"Dobe?" He asked, utterly confused. He leaned back further against his pillows trying to gain perspective on what he saw. I was here in the flesh.

"Teme." I laughed and kissed him again, short and sweet. I was thrilled he was alive.

"You're really here and not a dream?" He asked skeptically.

"No, I'm not a dream, teme. I'm really here."

"I thought I was dreaming." Sasuke admitted and smiled.

"Is that why you were ignoring me?"

"Hn…"

"Use words please, I'm too tired to decipher your Uchiha language." But I smiled anyway to take the sting out of my words.

"You're ok." Sasuke stated. I nodded in agreement, biting at my lower lip. "I was stupid to even think of leaving you alone. How did he find you there; I didn't tell him?"

"I don't know he just showed up there. But tell me how you were shot?"

"I could have sworn there wasn't a gun; I knew there wasn't a gun. It was the first thing I searched for when I cornered him; but I was distracted by the fireworks and when I looked back it was there. I didn't have a chance to react." Sasuke lamented. He was sad and it was my fault. "Dobe, I should have sent you back to Neji's, I should have listened to you when you told me to call Tsunade; I shouldn't have left you there alone."

"I shouldn't have stayed there either. I could've left; I could've gone back on my own; especially after I dropped Granny Tsunade's call. But I wasn't thinking right, I guess. I just wanted to be somewhere you could find me." I admitted. "I didn't leave because I didn't want you to worry that something had happened to me."

"It's clear we both made mistakes."

I nodded in agreement and grabbed his hand in mine. "Equally guilty."

~R~

I stared at Naruto feeling ten times better than I had last night. His appearance was the sole reason for levity. He was here, next to me, where he belonged, but even in my happiness I knew something was wrong. He was distracted by something and it was troubling him. He wouldn't look at me fully.

"Where did he take you?" Itachi asked.

"Hmm," Naruto started, clearly missing what Itachi just asked him. "Oh, I was taken to an apartment building across from the Konoha Garden Tower."

"You were never in the Garden Tower?" Tsunade asked suddenly, not appearing happy about that little fact.

"No, I could see the Garden from the window; I was even shown the police station on the corner. Oh, he loved revealing that to me." Naruto muttered darkly. I didn't like how his eyes dampened to something carnal and vicious; it didn't suit his nature at all. He was too sweet a person.

I squeezed his hand in mine. When he turned to look at me, a smile was on his face again. I was stalled by how it didn't reach his eyes. Something was really bothering him.

"I was told to meet him at the Garden; damn, he was right across the street when I arrived. He was right in front of the apartment building. Figures; I just assumed." I responded.

"Yeah." Naruto whispered. "I guess he was smarter than we."

"He didn't hurt you, did he?" I asked suddenly, looking Naruto up and down in sudden realization. I took in the bandage on his right hand, the orange cast on his left arm, and a decent sized bruise to his jaw. His eyes were dull and reflected something I couldn't comprehend anymore. What the hell had he done to my dobe!

"What exactly do you mean by hurt, teme?" Naruto asked. "If you mean breaking my heart when he told me you were dead, then yes that hurt. If you mean them pushing me around like a rag doll, then yes; though that was mostly Kisame and I didn't stand around and take it. If you mean tying my hands down and drugging me, then yes that wasn't a pleasant feeling. If you mean striking me because I got mouthy with him, yes. If you mean him breaking my wrist because I wished him dead, yes that was excruciating. But if you mean that, then NO!" I felt relief wash over me until I stared into dull blue eyes that were intent on avoiding me. He was remembering something horrible if the small shaking was anything to go by. He was hiding something from me.

"Naruto…" Sakura started, but I couldn't keep quiet; I had to know!

"What are you hiding?" I demanded quietly. Blue eyes snapped up in shock and I knew instantly something more serious happened. My gut clenched painfully, shooting pain through my abdomen. What the hell did he do to my dobe to make him act like this? That bastard!

"I'm not hiding anything." He defended quickly, too quickly.

"Naruto," Tsunade asked gently. "You can tell us what happened."

"There is nothing to tell, because nothing happened." He stated, turning to stare at her.

"Naruto," Kakashi started. "You don't have to lie to us. If something happened…"

"I'm not lying; nothing happened!"

"We're only trying to help, but you need to stop lying. Please, tell us." Iruka pleaded.

"But I'm not lying!" Naruto stated. "It didn't happen!"

"Naruto, you know you have nothing to fear by telling us what took place." Itachi replied. "Madara and those associated with him are dead. There is no reason to keep anything hidden…"

"But the same could be said that I have no reason to tell, either. If you say they're all dead then what purpose would it serve; if something did happen?" Naruto questioned, shaking his head.

"Is that an admission?" I asked.

"Hardly," He snapped. "I will say it again. Nothing happened."

"Naruto…" Tsunade tried again, but he shook his head and turned pleading eyes on me.

"Make them stop." He whispered.

"Can I have a moment with Naruto alone?" I asked, turning to stare at Tsunade. I could see her about to protest when Itachi came to my defense.

"I am starving, is anyone else hungry? It is my treat, as you would say." He earned positive murmurs. Tsunade eyed us critically, before nodding and stepping outside too.

Once we were alone, I reached out for Naruto's hand, but he jerked it from my grasp and held it to his chest as if burned. He was refusing to look at me, focusing on the IV in my left hand instead. I didn't like him pulling away from me for whatever reason. There was a feeling blossoming in my chest, that if I let him go I would lose him forever.

"Dobe?" I asked softly.

"Nothing happened." He muttered weakly, but his lip was trembling.

"Dobe?"

"Nothing ha-happened." He stuttered.

"Dobe?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Naruto whispered. He couldn't look at me as he spoke, his face turned to the side.

"Dobe?" I pleaded.

"Please, don't make me talk about it?" He pleaded. Tears formed in his eyes and his lip trembled a mile a minute. He was taking shaky breaths trying to calm himself. I hated when he was like this. He deserved to be happy all the time, not lost in the horrors of the past.

"Naruto?" I asked calmly. "Please?"

"He didn't…" Tears flowed freely as he stared off in the direction of the door, stalling.

"Did he rape you?" I asked gently.

"NO!" Naruto stated and turned to stare at me. I saw the look in his eyes and knew he was speaking the truth. He wasn't raped by that monster, so what did he do to him?

"What did he do, Naruto? I know he did something."

"I can't." Naruto cried.

"Please, trust me Naruto."

"H-he kissed m-me." He admitted and touched his lips.

"What else?" I asked softly. He flinched as if I struck him and that pissed me off. Like I would ever lay a hand to him!

"He b-bit me." He gasped and slapped his hand to his neck, concealing the hickey I didn't notice before. "He g-grabbed me, and held me d-down, and t-touched me. I tried to fight him, but I couldn't. He was stronger than I. I-I…came in his hand." He cried, hiding his face in his hand.

When he looked up his hand was covering his mouth and shaking like a leaf. "He made me…" I stared in horror at the hand covering his mouth. That bastard shoved himself inside my dobe's mouth! If he wasn't already dead, I would have murdered the sick psycho!

"It was disgusting! I didn't want… …I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" He repeated.

"Shh, dobe; it's ok." I muttered, pulling him to my chest. He followed willingly, leaning against me as hot tears dripped on my naked torso.

"It felt good…" He admitted, clutching my arm for dear life; like I was going to disappear if he let go. "I didn't want to…to…"

That thought didn't make me happy, but I couldn't blame him. Not for that. We were human after all.

"Shh," I soothed. "It's ok. It's a natural response, Naruto. We're programmed to find pleasure in stimulating acts whether we want it or not. And that is the question: did you want it, Naruto?"

"No!" He defended, trying to pull away again. I forced him back against my chest, grunting when the act jarred my shoulder and abdomen.

"Then you don't have to worry that I will leave you, because you're stuck with me." I wheezed out.

"I feel so dirty and ashamed." He cried, burying his face in his hand again. "I'm not worthy of you." He whispered.

"You let me be the judge of that, ok." I earned a nod from him, but he still refused to look me in the eye. He looked defeated, a stark contrast from just minutes ago. "And besides, I'm not worthy of you."

His eyes widened with shock and his head shot up in anger. "Who told you that?"

"Does it matter?" I asked.

"Absolutely! I want to set them straight…"

"But I thought you just said?" I watched his eyes narrow and I grinned. "I told you I would be the judge and I've made my ruling."

"Why?" He asked so innocently. It nearly broke my heart to see him this way. To be so jaded to the harsh realities of life, but be so innocent in love.

"Dobe, we've been through so much. Are you really giving up on me?" I asked.

"You are asking the wrong question, teme. It should be: why are you not giving up on me?"

"Because I knew what I was getting into and as far as I can see, that hasn't changed." I snapped in anger, surprising him. "I will not let you be a quitter."

"But don't you want someone who can give you what you want?" He asked desperately. "I don't know if I will ever be able to…"

"You're right, but you fail to realize I have that someone who has given me everything I want already. It's you Naruto, I want you; I have you. And I'll be damned if I ever let you go again! I don't need sex, I just need you!"

I saw the hesitancy flash through his eyes, the biting of his lips; the wringing of his hands. He didn't quite believe me yet. So I had to make him believe. I pulled him against me and kissed him soundly, ignoring the initial refusal. It hurt that he was trying to pull away again.

"Are you quitting me?" I asked when I pulled away.

"No." He admitted in defeat.

"Good. Because you did nothing wrong, Naruto."

"But I feel like I did!"

"You're not alone." And I pulled him into another searing kiss.

"Why do you still want me?"

I growled, before laughing. Why did I still want him? Oh, there were so many reasons. Naruto frowned, but I only smiled in return. "Because I love you and no matter what, I will always love you, dobe. There is nothing you could do to make me hate you. Nothing…" I whispered, kissing his forehead.

"What about cheating…"

"Not even cheating will I hate you. I would hate myself for not making you happy enough that you had to find someone else."

"That would never happen." He sighed, his eyes fluttering closed.

"I know." I kissed him again on the forehead, working my way down the bridge of his nose, kissing his eyes and each side of his cheeks, and on his jaw-careful of the purplish bruise there, before capturing his lips. It felt good to feel him against me again and that was where I was going to keep him. "I love you." I stated heatedly, boring my onyx gaze into his watery, sapphire eyes.

"I love you, too." He muttered back, giving up and giving in. He lay back on my chest and pulled my hand into his, entwining our fingers. He sighed and rubbed my palm, lost in thought. It was comfortable, to a point. The dobe was still nervous, I could tell; that I would leave him. But I didn't know how to make him understand that I would have to be crazy to leave. He was all the things my Mom told me I deserved in a partner and more. He was everything I admired all rolled into one. He was everything I dreamed of having one day.

But he still didn't believe me. He may have agreed and he may love me, but he didn't believe that I was sticking with him. I wasn't sure that I could give him what he needed now. He was hurting on a level I have never been on; I was no longer equipped to care for him properly. And in that moment I realized the despair that Chief Tsunade and Iruka went through years ago; watching him, but unable to help him. It was not a pleasant feeling watching the one you love suffering and not able to make it right! That damn bastard! If only I could resurrect him just to kill him with my own two hands!

"Naruto, don't take this the wrong way, ok…" I started; only to have him stare at me fearfully. His hand slackened in mine and went to pull away, but I held on tight. "I want the both of us to take some time and talk to Shizune. I think it would help and I won't let you go through it alone. I want you to realize that I am here for you, that you don't have to bear it alone anymore. Please?"

"Just talking?" He asked nervously, biting his lower lip.

"Yes, just talking and nothing more, dobe. It doesn't hurt to talk to someone who knows how to help."

"Ok." Well, that went easier than I thought it would.

"Thank you." I whispered and kissed him again. There was a series of knocks on the door before it opened and Kakashi popped his head inside.

"Is it ok to come back in?" He asked. I nodded and the room flooded with people once again. Kakashi, Tsunade, and a new face; a man I didn't recognize walked inside. He was tall, wearing a bandana and black trench coat, and heavily scarred on the face.

"Naruto, this is Ibiki Morino. He works with the Federal Police under the direct supervision of Governor Sarutobi. He would like to take your statement now." Tsunade replied. Naruto nodded and sat up on the bed, but I kept a firm grasp on his hand. I meant what I said that I wasn't going to let him go alone.

"Tell me everything that happened, starting with the abduction." Ibiki placed a small recorder on the bedside table and hit the record button.

Naruto turned and focused on a spot on the wall intently, gripping my hand tightly. I could tell he was thinking fast over everything that happened; his eyes moving back and forth as if reading. "I was watching the fireworks in my Dad's office waiting for Sasuke to return." He started. "I didn't want to leave in case Sasuke returned there. I didn't want to worry him, believing that something had happened to me. I never heard Madara enter, but I felt the gun against my cheek."

He raised his hand indicating where the metal touched bare skin. "I didn't realize it at the time that the gun was fired. I could smell the sulfur. Madara grabbed me and forced me to my room. I thought he was going to torture and kill me there, but that wasn't what he wanted." He stopped and swallowed before continuing.

"He told me the reason he killed my parents, that he was in lo-love with my dad. He told me he didn't mean to murder him, that it was an accident…"

I listened in horror as Naruto continued to recount everything that happened to him, from where he was taken, to the broken wrist, even detailing his assault. Tsunade had to be detained by Kakashi by that time, but Naruto seemed unfazed, lost in the memories.

"Konan rushed him; his mistake for putting himself in that position, and told me to run. I didn't stop to question her and made a run for it. I didn't know exactly which way I was going, but I only realized I wasn't being followed when I tripped. I made my way inside the nearest shop; it was the coffee bar down the road, and asked to make a phone call."

"Who did you call?" Ibiki asked.

"I tried Granny Tsunade first, then Kakashi. I called Gaara next. He told me he was at the hospital, so I made my way there and met him inside."

"Why would you call Gaara?" Tsunade demanded. "Why didn't you try one of us again?"

"I didn't know what the hell was going on and the only place I could think of as being safe was with Neji. I knew Gaara would know where he was."

"So you were led here to Sasuke's room afterward?" Ibiki asked.

"Yes."

"Where you proceeded to fall asleep as if nothing ever happened?" Tsunade asked. Naruto narrowed his eyes, glaring at his grandmother.

"Forgive me for being tired; I was held captive for almost a day, knocked out, wrist broke, and running for my life. I think I more than earned the rest."

"Yeah, you earned it." I agreed.

"And I didn't fall asleep as if it never happened. I was just too tired to think about it."

"You did remarkably well, Naruto. This should be more than enough for Yamato." Ibiki replied and silenced the recorder.

"The DA? But…"

"It's just a formality. There will be a federal investigation because of the Council's involvement and the shootout will be investigated as well." Kakashi stated.

"What shootout?" Naruto questioned.

"At the Gaea Hospital, yes." Ibiki responded.

"Everything was above-board, so there is nothing to fear." Tsunade stated.

"I'm sorry." Naruto muttered.

"For what?" Tsunade asked.

"That you did all this because of me. You could have been seriously injured or died and you didn't even know if I was alive or not."

"You don't have to apologize." Kakashi stated. "You didn't cause any of this."

"But you still came after me…"

"Of course we did." Tsunade confirmed. "I wasn't going to leave you at the mercy of that psycho."

"Still, I never meant to worry you."

There was another series of knocking at the door and Governor Sarutobi walked in, followed by Itachi. "I thought I would find you here, Ibiki. Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes."

"Then all that is left is the Council. Tsunade, Yamato and SSA Yamanaka have concluded that the incident at the Gaea Hospital was followed to the law. But can you explain the bomb that was found?"

"I have no clue, I just felt it going off and it wreaked havoc on the lighting and sprinkler system. I just assumed it was them; that they detonated it." I saw out of the corner of my eye, Itachi shift surreptitiously. He knew something about the bomb and wasn't telling. I knew it had to be Deidara.

"We haven't found any evidence that it was created by Madara or someone working for him; even the detonator is missing."

"I wish I could tell you, but I know nothing about it. I take bombings very seriously." Tsunade replied.

"Yes, Tsunade, I'm aware of your dislike for bombs." Sarutobi laughed. "Well, then; I think that we should be going now Ibiki. We have papers to file and Councilmen to round-up. I daresay I haven't had this much fun as Governor in years!"

I watched their retreating backs and chuckled before turning to my brother in accusation. "Don't tell me that you have no idea who that bomb belonged too."

"Of course I do, but I was not asked my opinion." Itachi sniffed.

"What the hell was he thinking?" I hissed.

"Clearly he wasn't and that seems to be a common trend around here." Kakashi smiled, eyeing us critically.

"Naruto?" Itachi asked, gaining my blonde's attention. He'd been silent for a while now and I wanted to give him some time to collect his thoughts uninterrupted. I didn't want to suffocate him, but I didn't want to leave him to his own devices either.

"Yeah?" He asked, a bit out of it. He looked at me, before looking to Itachi.

"About earlier, when I said I had something to tell you?"

"Yes?" He asked curiously.

"Kabuto Yakushi is in jail." Itachi stated matter-of-factly. Naruto froze and stared at him in shock. "I told you when we met again then that I was not going to drop this. He was convicted yesterday afternoon and sentenced to 15-20 years with no possibility of parole."

"Really?" Naruto questioned. "You didn't have too…"

"No, I did not have too, but it weighed heavily on my soul. I refused to help you when needed it and I wanted to atone. You were not the only one he has harmed over the years; it is really thanks to them coming forward that justice was possible."

Naruto sat quietly, digesting everything.

"Thank you." He finally whispered. "Thank you for not giving up like I did."

"You never gave up Naruto; you just moved on. There's a huge difference." Tsunade replied.

"And now you have nothing to fear anymore, Naruto." Kakashi replied.

Naruto turned and stared out the window. He seemed so broken and I didn't know what more I could do to help. He needed me and I was doing nothing. I grabbed his hand in mine and squeezed again. He turned to look at me and smiled brightly. I smiled back in full force, happy he was beginning to recover.

"I've missed that smile." I smirked and rubbed him chin.

"Then I will have to smile for you more often." He laughed.

"I would like that."

"Naruto, there is something that I have to tell you; about the woman who helped you." Tsunade sat down in the chair next to my bed.

"Konan…?"

"Yes, Konan is her name. Do you know what she has done, Naruto?" She asked quietly.

"What exactly do you mean by that?" He whispered sadly. He was avoiding looking her in the eye and that could only mean he was hiding something.

"You know what I'm talking about, Naruto."

"He said that her hands were just as dirty as his, that he had her murder those people so he could go after…but she was nice to me! She wasn't like them!" He replied forcefully.

"You're right, she wasn't like them. Naruto, I know you can't remember, but Konan was your aunt. She married Nagato, your mother's older brother. She doted on you after you were born because she couldn't have children of her own. But, then Nagato died and she disappeared without a word. I never knew where she went off too; but I assumed she was grieving heavily. I wasn't wrong about that."

Naruto blinked slowly looking almost lost to me; like he was looking for something that was eluding him. "I couldn't have been that old when she left; I don't remember her. I didn't even know I had an uncle."

"I made sure you didn't, believing it would only hurt you more than you already were… You were only three, though, when Nagato died and with your memory it's completely understandable…I just didn't want you to feel that you had lost even more family."

"He murdered him did he? Madara murdered my uncle?" Naruto interrupted.

"Yes…" Tsunade replied sadly.

"And Konan murdered those other families?"

"No." Tsunade replied sharply. "Madara murdered them."

"No, that isn't right. Madara said…" Naruto replied, shaking his head.

"And you believed him?" She asked suspiciously.

"I did," He frowned. "Then why was she…?"

"Because Konan knew he would come back for you one day; that he wasn't going to stop until he got what he wanted. Konan wasn't going to let that happen. She wasn't going to let him hurt you again. You said she was nice to you; that she even cared for you?" Naruto nodded slowly. "You need to put everything behind you and move on, now." She whispered, standing behind Naruto and running her fingers through his matted hair soothingly. His eyes sparkled with the hint of moisture, not that she could see from behind him, but I clearly saw them. I looked him in the eye and moved my hand slightly next to me. He took the hint and collapsed against my side. I took up where Tsunade left off and ran my fingers through his hair. Everyone was staring at him in sympathy.

~R~

"How are you feeling?" I asked Naruto an hour later. I was surprised he hadn't cried, but just lay against me and picked at my blanket.

"Better, much better." He sighed.

"Good." I laughed and kissed his forehead.

"Hey teme?" Naruto asked.

"Yeah dobe?"

"When do you get out of here?"

"I don't know." I muttered. "The doctor said maybe a month or so."

"Where are you going to stay?"

I sighed before frowning. "I haven't thought about it, but the Uchiha mansion; I guess."

"Oh." He muttered sadly.

"What do you mean by 'oh'?" I laughed slightly.

"I just… can I stay with you?" He whispered. He bit his lip in nervousness and stared, pleading with me.

"Of course you can. You can stay as long as you wish."

"Thank you." Naruto sighed.

"HEY, HOW'S IT GOING?" Kiba screeched by the door. Naruto jumped in fright and shot up. He would have shot out of bed if I hadn't have had a tight grip on his hand. "Oops, I didn't mean to disturb your rest." He replied sheepishly, earning a hit to the back of the head from Sakura.

"Idiot, this is a hospital room not a dorm room!"

"Yeah, moron. There are seriously ill people around here. Keep it down!" Temari hissed.

"Troublesome."

"I must agree that your display of youthfulness was highly misplaced." Lee exclaimed.

"That's rich coming from the guy that sings youthfulness every day and at the worst possible moments." Kiba hissed.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Lee asked.

"Can it Lee!" Sakura growled, but he words lacked heat and she was blushing heavily. What the Hell? Sakura and Lee? When did that happen?

"Care to explain why you're blushing, Sakura?" I teased.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She replied stiffly.

"Oh, really? I don't quite believe you."

"I don't care that you don't believe me."

"When did we start keeping secrets from each other?" I asked; a little hurt. She was my first friend, my longest friend. We shared everything; that was how our partnership worked so well.

"I'm not keeping any secrets, there's just nothing to tell. But what about you; when is the wedding?" She asked in excitement.

"We-wedding?" Naruto stammered, flushing cutely.

"Are you backing out, dobe?" I challenged.

"No, but I wasn't really thinking about a wedding."

"Then what were you thinking? A Justice of the Peace thing?"

"No, I don't think so…but maybe…I don't know… I mean, I didn't really have time to think about it." Naruto stammered.

"Do you want a wedding?" I demanded, wincing as I sat forward.

"I don't know."

"Well, think about it!"

"What's the rush?!" He demanded, slightly panicked.

"Is there a reason to wait?" I countered.

"Is there a reason to rush? You're recovering!"

"That's just an excuse." I scoffed.

"A damn good one, I might add!"

"Do you still want to marry me?!" I growled, wondering if that was what he even wanted from me.

"YES!" He yelled. I was slightly taken aback by the force of it. The corners of my mouth curled up into a smile as I grabbed him and kissed him heatedly.

"I can't wait to marry you and for you to take my name." I smiled.

"You're such a possessive bastard! Who says I want to take your name?" He hissed angrily.

"But you will." I assured him.

"I think you're full of it. I will not change my name again."

"Are you willing to take that bet, dobe?"

"You're on and when I win I get to remodel your mansion anyway I see fit! Just think orange, teme."

"Like hell I will let you paint anything orange, but feel free to remodel till your heart's content. Either way you will take my last name." I stated, rubbing his hand in mine. I looked down when I noticed that the dobe's ring was missing.

He followed my line of sight and bit his lip adorably. He would have to stop doing that; he was just inviting me to ravish him in kisses. "I had to take it off because of the cast. Gaara has it for me, because I don't have pockets." I took in the scrubs that he was wearing and arched a brow. I hadn't realized what he was wearing until now. How did I miss that earlier? "They were wet…among other things." He whispered.

"I like you in scrubs."

"Shut up." Naruto blushed.

"Can you keep them?" I asked, thinking of all the ways I could put them to use.

"Shut up!" Naruto hissed, his blush deepening.

"Make me." A smile lifted his face and he bent in to kiss me chastely. He was really good at this, even with such an innocent touch. He smiled again and laughed, grabbing me in a hug. My shoulder throbbed at the action, and my abdomen burned, but I melted into him. He was slowly bouncing back.

"Let's get married soon." I muttered in his ear. He pulled back and looked at me intently. "We can wait, but soon; early next year at the latest. Is that enough time for you?"

His eyes dampened again and he seemed to sag in on himself. "I don't know what you're expecting…?"

"Just for you to marry me; that is all I want."

He contemplated for so long I was beginning to worry he was going to back out. "Ok." Naruto agreed.

His words made me the happiest person in that room. I couldn't be outshined by anyone, not even Iruka and Sakura. Tsunade was even happy for us as she gave her approval, which made Naruto outshine me…hn; guess I was wrong about that.

~REVENGE~

**Sometime in the near future**

*Please refer to my profile page*

I couldn't tell you how long I had waited for this night; to feel skin against skin in the most tantalizing display of sensual need known to man. He was so tempting to me that I had to have him, now! I couldn't wait anymore.

I pushed him against the bed as he landed with a soft thump, spread out and willing. He was already panting and I wasn't much better off. I reached down and brought his lips to mine again, teasing as I slipped my tongue in.

I smirked and tugged at the button of the offending blue jeans, attacking the zipper with my teeth. I tugged it down as I watched my blonde flush from head to toe at the erotic sight. He was avidly watching me as I ripped them off, threw them to the winds, and bent down to place a kiss along his inner thigh.

...

Narutos eyes shown only with warmth and love for me. I pulled out and laid down against him as I caught my breath, allowing my raging heart to slow to normal.

I felt Naruto thread his hand into the back of my hair and play, sighing in contentment; his other hand running along the scar on my shoulder. A reminder of everything we've been through and a reminder of what we can overcome together.

"I love you, Mr. Uchiha." Naruto replied as he kissed my wound.

I smiled, pulling him into a searing kiss. I finally had everything I ever wanted and was deliriously happy. "I love you too, Mr. Uchiha."

~FIN~