Warning: There will be spoilers in this, because despite this being an AU story, it will still /mostly/ follow the canon timeline. This story starts at the battle in the Valley of the End, between Naruto and Sasuke. Also, there will be YAOI! If you don't like, don't read.

Pairings: Naruto/Sasuke... and maybe some others as the story goes along.

Disclaimer: I don't own, so don't sue. (This will be the only time I will put warnings/disclaimers, except for a chapter that does contain actual sex.)

Summary: "You are my friend, Sasuke. If I can't convince you to come back to Konoha, then at least I can go with you to make sure you don't die. I won't let you die."

Theme: All Around Me - Flyleaf

Now edited by the awesome, wonderful Toki Mirage, and a.k.a. Kitten. *evil grin*kiss* Luv ya! And thank you!!

Sasuke fell onto his ass in the mud, coughing to get rid of the blood that was bubbling in his lungs, as he stared in disbelief at the blond that was – somehow – still alive.

This was the boy that he had fallen in love with. This bleeding, broken boy, that was no different from him.

Blood poured from the wound his Chidori had made in the slender chest, just to left of his heart, and he couldn't stop the sickening wretch in his soul, knowing that he was the one that had caused the wound. He wouldn't go back to Konoha, though, no matter what the blond told him, or did. There wasn't anyone in the Village who could teach him the things he needed to know to kill Itachi or give him the power he needed. The power of the Curse Mark that Orochimaru had given him was all he needed to prove that Konoha wasn't a place for him anymore. So he turned his back on them all, even the blond that he had come to love. Not that Naruto would ever know that.

It had started with small things. Talking to each other as they camped out, long after Kakashi and Sakura had passed out, or sparring with each other as they bullshitted back and forth. Quiet times in Ichiraku's when Naruto would put away his cheerful mask and speak to Sasuke about what it had been like growing up, and the Uchiha would respond in kind. It was all the stupid missions they did together that made him realize that Naruto was an actual friend and not just a teammate. The blond would willingly put his life on the line for Sasuke, and the Uchiha had found that over time, he was willing to do the same.

Not for Sakura and Kakashi though. No, Sakura could jump off a cliff for all he cared, and Kakashi…the Jounin could take care of himself. Only Naruto. It was only Naruto that had gotten past his shell. That was what made this so hard. He would be leaving the blond to pursue his revenge, and nothing Naruto said or did, short of killing him, was going to convince him otherwise.

"You're…going to go…no matter…what I say…or do," Naruto gasped quietly, on his hands and knees as the rain pounded down onto his healing body. The fact that he could feel the Kitsune's chakra actually working to heal him, told him that he would have died if he didn't have the Bijuu. As the world wavered around him, he knew he was on the verge of unconsciousness. But I can't yet, he scolded himself fiercely. I have to figure out some way for him to live! Even if he doesn't come back to Konoha, there has to be a way to keep him from going to that death trap! There has to be! If he goes to that snake…if he goes alone, I know Orochimaru will kill him!

Wait…alone…?

Naruto had loved Sasuke, though he would never tell the Uchiha that, ever since he had seen the lonely boy sitting on that dock by himself. The sad, dark eyes that Sasuke always seemed to have drew the blond in like a moth to a flame. The quiet Uchiha that was always able to temper his brashness, calming him with his quiet, reserved nature. The pain that was always lurking in the back of the ebony head, the knowledge that his own brother, who he had loved more than anyone, had been the one to destroy Sasuke's world. The need for revenge that Naruto sympathized with all too well, with the way he had been treated by the Village.

It was those things, and more, then had led to him to fall for the Uchiha. He knew Sasuke would never return his feelings, and he was too afraid to admit them now that Sasuke had seen part of the demon that lived inside him. Though…Sasuke wasn't looking at him as though he was afraid, or even disgusted about the horrible red chakra Naruto harbored. He idly wondered if Sasuke even truly knew what that red chakra meant.

But, Sasuke being calm…that had to count for something…right?

Naruto knew he couldn't let Sasuke walk off to his death. He owed Sasuke more than that; as a friend, as a teammate…as the person who loved him. He would do whatever it took to make sure that Sasuke stayed alive, and that thought echoed the one from earlier. Something broke inside Naruto's chest as the thought formed and then solidified as the only option he could see that would keep his best friend alive. He knew that by making this decision, he was going to be abandoning his dreams of Hokage, but strangely, the thought didn't bother him. He realized he was perfectly fine leaving Konoha for Sasuke. Sasuke was the first one to see him for him, and not the loud-mouthed prankster, or the Jinchuuriki. He would do what was necessary to protect the bond they had.

These thoughts passed through their heads in a matter of seconds as they both breathed harshly past the blood and pain in their bodies. As they stared at each other over the small, yet vast distance between them, Sasuke finally answered, even though it felt like the very word would rip out his heart.

"Yes," the dark haired boy whispered finally, wincing slightly as the simple word caused his broken ribs to dig into his lungs. He watched as panic and fierce determination raced across the whiskered face, and narrowed his eyes, wondering what it was about. He was on the verge of snarling something to the blond, just to end the silent staring contest, when the next words from Naruto's mouth froze him to the ground.

"Then I'm going with you."

Sasuke forgot how to breathe then, he was so surprised. His black eyes widened as he saw the sincerity in the clear blue looking steadily at him.

"But..." he whispered, then cried out sharply in pain as Naruto shot over to him, pinning his body down to the muddy earth. He didn't even have the strength to put up a fight, let alone be amazed that the blond could even move after their battle.

"No buts!" The blond snarled at him, tears coursing unheeded from his eyes, the hot liquid mixing with the rain falling around them. "If you go to him, you'll die Sasuke! Maybe not right away, or even for a few years, but you will!" Naruto seemed to deflate, his face falling into a pained frown. "I know about your need for revenge, Sasuke. I know damnit! I know how much you want power to avenge your clan!"

As Naruto paused, Sasuke could do nothing but stare up at him in disbelief. He didn't feel the pain of his wounds as the blond head came to rest gently on his shoulder, closing his eyes against his own tears as the passionate words continued.

"You are my friend, Sasuke. If I can't convince you to come back to Konoha, then at least I can go with you to make sure you don't die. I won't let you die." He raised his head, and Sasuke opened his eyes, meeting the sincere ones that looked down at him. "I can't let you die, Sasuke. I just...I can't. I can't let you go. You…you're my important person. You're the only one that knows me…"

"Naruto-" he whispered hoarsely, but the next words were lost as the warm lips descended onto his own, stealing his breath and heart with the simple action. He felt the coldness that had settled around his heart crack a little, and knew he was a goner. He could do nothing but return the gentle kiss, raising aching arms to embrace the trembling figure above him, lost in a sea of sensation that he thought he would never feel.

Since when was... Naruto had always had his head stuck up Sakura's ass! Since when was Naruto gay? The thoughts flew through his head as their lips moved carefully against the others, and Sasuke was surprised that he could even think at all. Besides, he couldn't let Naruto throw everything away like that. The blond wanted to become Hokage, to be recognized by everyone in the village. He wouldn't let him destroy his dreams like this!

Ripping his mouth away, he groaned softly as the pain returned to his body in a flash, causing Naruto to gasp his name softly in concern. Breathing shallowly, he forced the pain away as best he could, turning his head back to look at the blond. "Naruto, if you come with me you'll be branded a traitor. I can't let you..." His words were cut off by another kiss, this one more brutal. He melted into the ground on a wave of confusing, intense pleasure until the blond drew back once again, glaring down at him with blazing, indignant eyes.

"Can't let me? You don't have a choice Sasuke! Especially now..." He whispered the last words, adjusting his weight so he could cradle the angular face below his with his left hand. "I was expecting you to kill me for that, you know." Sasuke blinked at the admission, finding that he was smirking in slight giddiness.

"Why would I kill you for something that I wanted?" he said dryly, delighting in the way Naruto's eyes widened with shock. Taking the opening, he tried to convince the blond to let him go alone. "Naruto, what about everyone in Konoha?"

Naruto cocked his head to the side slightly, frowning. "What about them?"

Sasuke's eyes opened wide in surprise at the statement, and Naruto took the opportunity to continue.

"Even if I have to follow you into hell, you're not going to get rid of me." He gave the other boy a lopsided smile that made them both laugh very softly, even though it hurt. "I don't want to leave everyone, but I know that they'll be safe. You're the one that won't be safe if you leave."

Sasuke sighed quietly, unable to argue the blonds' point of view, and gave into the stubbornness of Naruto as he gently pushed at the shoulders above him. He'd continue to try and persuade Naruto to go back to Konoha, but he couldn't deny the warmth that spread through him at the knowledge that he wouldn't be going into the jaws of that snake on his own.

"What are you..." Naruto muttered darkly at the push, eliciting a glare.

"If you're coming, then we need to go. Kakashi-sensei's on his way here."

"Oh. Right."

Naruto clambered to his feet, wincing at the abuse of his body. "Damn Sasuke," he muttered as he helped the raven-haired boy to his feet, putting his arm around the slender waist as an arm went across his shoulders. "Kakashi-sensei really shouldn't have taught you Chidori."

"Jiraiya-sama shouldn't have taught you Rasengan," he returned dryly, lightly running his hand across his broken ribs as Naruto laughed quietly.

"Yea, probably not." He agreed as they limped off into the rain soaked forest. Naruto stopped them a few feet past the edge of the woods and glanced over his shoulder with a pained expression as something hit him. He knew what he had to do, if this was going to be official.

"What are you..." Sasuke muttered, but Naruto only shook his head, removing the arm and setting Sasuke gently down against a tree.

"I'll be right back," he assured the now frowning boy as he hurried gingerly back to where Sasuke's hitai-ate lay in the mud. Silently he gave thanks to the demon inside him and its healing powers. Without hesitation he stripped off his own, and set them both on a nearby rock where their teacher would be sure to find them.

He stared at them for a moment longer than he should have, feeling the familiar burn of resentment in his veins as he stared at the symbol that had shaped his entire life. How many times had he thought about leaving Konoha, and never did? How many times did he want to do what Sasuke finally got up the courage to do, but never did because he didn't want to be alone?

He shook his head sharply, ridding himself of the thoughts. It didn't matter now. What mattered was that Sasuke at least had an idea of what was inside him, and it hadn't changed his view of the blond if the kiss was anything to go by. That was what really mattered, and he would be damned if he let Sasuke go now, even if they didn't take their friendship any farther. The damn Uchiha was the only one that mattered to him now. As long as he was with Sasuke, he wouldn't be alone, and that was truly the only thing he had ever wanted in his life. He felt sort of bad for leaving Iruka, and even Kakashi, but he also knew that they would understand. They might be pissed at first, but eventually they would understand.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he drew on the chakra of the Kyuubi to turn his nails into sharp claws. Carefully, he carved a message into the rock and let go of the power, limping back over to where Sasuke waited. Ignoring the curious look, he once again put his arm around the trim waist, and led them both into the forest.