X-.-X-.-X-.-X-.-X-.-X

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads Diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost

X-.-X-.-X-.-X-.-X-.-X

Naruto scowled at them. I don't want it. Pick someone else. He also didn't care that the guilt and darkness that was eating him was being broadcast loud and clear to his lovers.

Dobe…

Drop it Sasuke, Gaara said quietly, standing. There is no point in arguing over it. We will simply have to pick someone else.

Sasuke huffed in agitation, even as he began to absently pet the soft fur under his hand. Who else would do it?

Surprisingly, the question was answered for them. All their heads whipped around when the surprisingly loud, firm voice of Itachi rang out over the water, directing the Kiri-nin to the island with their wounded. They watched as one of the men balked at being ordered around by Itachi, a missing-nin and also a previous Konoha shinobi, but Itachi silenced him with a glare and a pointed finger.

Well now, Sasuke muttered thoughtfully, an evil glint appearing in his eyes. Never thought Itachi had it in him…

He would make a good Mizukage, Naruto responded, rolling an eye upwards to look slyly at the two still on his head.

The only trick would be in getting him to agree, Gaara added, head cocking to the side.

Sasuke smirked. Leave that one to me.

And me, Naruto chimed in, tails beginning to weave back and forth slightly. I could always make it an order, since he did say he recognized me as a Kage.

All three of them smirked then, and anyone close enough edged away, unnerved.

They didn't even notice.

We can't do anything about Orochimaru now anyway, Gaara said practically. Even after all this time we have no clue where his current base is. It's best to concentrate on getting everything settled with Kiri and getting the defenses up. Naruto, we need you back in human form. And…we need to talk.

Naruto winced slightly at that, but anger flared on the heels of it. He knew exactly what Gaara was speaking of, but he also knew that Sasuke didn't. Gaara had been insane – he intimately understood the darkness that was digging its roots deep into his soul and mind.

Talk about what? He asked coldly as he shook his head furiously, sending them both flying. He channeled Kyuu's chakra back into the cage and beast, making no noise as his bones cracked and shifted him back into human form. With the mood that he was in, there was no way he was going to say that it hurt. It also didn't matter that they could feel what he was because the link was still open.

Sasuke waited until he was done before speaking. Naruto…

Stop it! He barked, slashing a now human hand through the air, switching his glare between them. I don't want to hear it. We need to do something about Orochimaru, but first Kiri needs to be settled, and Itachi talked to. He crossed his arms over his naked chest, completely uncaring that he was completely nude. If other people had a problem with it, they could kiss his ass.

Kiri will respect Itachi's ruthlessness, and backed by us, he'll have no problem holding it. Besides, we're going to have enough issues dealing with Kariudo, and our island. They both blinked in slight startlement, and Naruto smirked. What, did you really think the people who live on our island are going to automatically want to be Kiri citizens?

There was a moment of embarrassed silence, and Iruka abruptly popped in, whacking him upside his head.

Iruka didn't see the flash of murderous intent, but the boys did. They sucked in a breath as Iruka started talking.

"Namikaze Naruto! Why are you standing over here, when so much else needs to be done? You should be helping, not…Naruto?"

"Gomen, Iruka-sensei," Naruto said vaguely, feeling suddenly detached and calm from the world around him. If Iruka touched him one more time, with the mood he was in…he'd be leaving with a broken arm, sensei or not. "Now isn't the best of times."

Iruka had just opened his mouth when Itachi flashed in, looking between the boys with a knowing glance as he grabbed a shoulder. "Iruka, I would like your help with something. Please."

Iruka tensed slightly, more of a reflex to it being Itachi more than anything else. Then he calmed and nodded. "Hai Itachi." He then turned to Naruto with surprisingly dark, knowing eyes. "Don't let it shut everything down, Naruto." Then he turned, and both men were gone.

The blond slowly closed his eyes and turned towards the shore, leaning that way almost gracefully. He needed to escape…his actions, Orochimaru, Kiri…

Ten minutes. Just ten. Fucking. Minutes! He opened his eyes and shook his head mutely, ignoring the surprised looks.

Then he was gone, putting a big enough boost onto his speed that water rushed over them. He didn't even care. With a slightly clawed hand he grabbed a ledge, and propelled his body upwards. The moment his foot hit ground, he was off and gone through the woods.

He concentrated on the feeling of the wind blowing against his face as he leapt from branch, ignoring Sasuke and…he stopped in surprise, which allowed the Uchiha to catch up. Eyes narrowed, he touched the seal on his wrist, shutting down the connection completely.

"Where's Gaara?"

"He stayed to help Itachi and the others get Kiri settled," Sasuke said quietly, a shoulder lifting in a shrug.

"Ah." His eyes never left Sasuke's. "Why are you here?"

Sasuke only shrugged again. "I couldn't let you escape without me following, could I?"

Naruto let his eyes fall to mere slits, leaning against the tree. He was about to say something when Sasuke pulled out a pack from one of the storage seals on his forearm. He caught the black cloak as it was thrown his way and with a flourish, set it across his shoulders. He was still feeling some of the edges from the battle, and when Sasuke's eyes wandered down the large gap that did nothing to hide his nudity, he let his lips curl into a sultry smile.

"Like something you see, teme?" he purred, and Sasuke smirked.

"Of course dobe. It's also something I don't want everyone else to see." He paused, and shook his head ruefully. "Except Gaara, but he's a special case." Suddenly Sasuke's eyes became serious again. "What are you going to do Naruto?"

The blond sighed, turning his head to look deeper into the woods. "I don't know what you mean Sasuke."

"Yes you do." Naruto's head snapped back as he glared at his dark haired lover. "If you're going to run, you know I'll go with you. Never thought you to be someone who gave up this easily though."

Naruto hissed, revealing his sharper than normal teeth. "I'm not running teme. I'm just…overwhelmed at the moment." Naruto watched with suspicion as a dark light entered the onyx eyes, and Sasuke sauntered over to him. His breath hitched as Sasuke elegantly fell to his knees before him, their eyes locked even as soft kisses were pressed to his hipbone.

"Is this your way of helping me relax, Sasuke?" he breathed, shivering slightly as fingers began to ghost over his legs, over his ass, then curling around his hips.

"Maybe…you're the only one that can get me on my knees, dobe," Sasuke purred, and the sex that nearly oozed from the Uchiha caught him for the ride. Hissing softly as a talented tongue snaked out and licked the tip of his manhood, he carefully carded his fingers through the thick black hair, momentarily forgetting about everything. Which was the point, most likely.

He relaxed against the tree, panting, as slow, long licks went up and down. He was caught by the hooded black gaze staring up at him, watching down his body with an intense look.

He loved the way Sasuke looked while doing this. The utterly absorbed face he wore, as though he didn't want to be doing anything else in the world. It humbled him even as it aroused him further. He nearly whimpered as those lips parted completely, his length being engulfed by the slick, wet heat.

"Sasuke…" The word was a drawn out, quiet moan, and he knew his Uchiha was smirking when his eyes rolled up to look into sapphire. That ridiculously talented tongue pressed along the underside of his shaft as Sasuke's cheeks hallowed, a strangled cry coming from him at the sudden increase in suction. Sasuke released him with a soft pop, and there was a smirk on the slightly flushed cheeks.

"Yes, dobe?" Naruto shivered at the sex thick voice, sliding down the tree until he was sitting. He gently grabbed Sasuke's hips, moving his lover until his lap was straddled. The smirk just got bigger. "If we're going to do this, then this position is going to be very awkward for the removal of my pants."

Naruto returned the smirk, and gestured with his hand. "By all means, stand and take them off."

Sasuke cocked an eyebrow as he willingly stood. He wanted this just as much as Naruto. It had been so long since it was just the two of them… "You just want to see me strip."

His smirk turned devilish. "So?"

Sasuke laughed softly, and the striptease was a slow torture for Naruto, even as he watched hungrily as every pale inch of Sasuke was revealed. In no time, the clothing was piled behind him, and Naruto wrapped his arms around the slender waist and Sasuke fit perfectly back into his lap.

Their lips came together smoothly, and they kissed languidly as Sasuke rocked his hips slowly, which allowed Naruto's shaft to glide between his cheeks. Naruto shivered as the pianists fingers caressed his skin even as their tongues dueled, and finally his impatience got the better of him. He deepened the kiss as one of his hands wandered lower, a single finger circling the puckered entrance.

Sasuke then broke the kiss, reaching behind him to grab Naruto's wrist. Blinking, Naruto looked into his eyes and then groaned as Sasuke shifted, his head breaching the entrance slightly.

"No fingers," Sasuke panted, and grabbed both his hands, placing them on his shoulder. "Just don't move."

"Ok…" he whispered hoarsely, watching with wide eyes as Sasuke threw his head back, rocking slowly down, taking him in by increments. "Holy shit…"

They both uttered quiet groans as Sasuke sunk all the way down, and Naruto didn't miss the look of discomfort that Sasuke tried to hide. He slid his hands into the thick hair, bringing Sasuke down for a distracting kiss. As they did, he moved his hands down to the sexy curve of Sasuke's lower back, massaging the skin and muscle there as their tongues battled. He nearly came as Sasuke shuddered, the walls fluttering around him.

It wasn't until Sasuke pulled back and snickered that Naruto realized he had closed his eyes.

"Are you ok for me to move, dobe? You look like you're in pain."

Naruto snapped his eyes opened and smirked, thrusting into the man above him with a short, quick movement. Now he snickered as Sasuke's eyes rolled, the man gasping quietly.

"Ready when you are teme."

It wasn't until Sasuke started to move that he realized how painfully the bark was digging into his back, but by that time, he also didn't care. Everything seemed to melt away at the slow, graceful movements of Sasuke above him.

There were no longer any confusing emotions over him killing Terumi, or anger over Orochimaru stealing Madara. The Akatsuki and Kiri were far from his mind, the endless pools of glistening black above him drawing him in, comforting him, giving him a safe haven. The slick heat glided up and down, giving him something else to focus on – a way for him to forget, even for a moment.

He snarled in an automatic reaction to the hard backhand across his face, glaring up at Sasuke, who coincidentally was glaring down at him. He opened his mouth but Sasuke grabbed his face harshly.

"Stop thinking dobe. You know that everything will turn out fine in the end, so stop-" he punctuated it with a hard downward movement, making them both gasp "-fucking thinking."

"Yes master," he hissed. Before the superior look could gain more ground in the black eyes, Naruto smirked and grabbed the slender hips, wrenching them down until flesh met flesh. It threw Sasuke's head back, and moans began to spill out as Naruto took complete control.

The loud smacks of skin on skin echoed through the small area, as did his panting and Sasuke's groans of pleasure. The heady combination of lust and love fired his nerve endings as his fingers created bruises on Sasuke's hips. He stared up at the flushed face that was the ultimate center of his world, and couldn't help but wonder how different his life would have turned out if he had just let Sasuke go that day.

The heat and release began to pool in his abdomen, and acting on his emotion, he reached up and buried a hand in Sasuke's hair. He brought their lips together, and whispered words against them that he had yet to say. "I love you Sasuke…"

Shock widened onyx eyes connected with his for a moment before Sasuke's head went back, and the already tight passage clenched around him. With a hiss he came into his dark haired lover, but was unprepared for his head to be grabbed tightly, and a panting Sasuke to crush their lips together.

It took them a moment, but after a tangle of tongues they parted, and Sasuke glared at him. "Took you fucking long enough dobe."

Naruto's eyes widened, but then he smirked, bringing their lips together for a gentler, more passionate kiss.

Drawing back again, he smiled slightly, tracing the sharp cheekbones. "Sorry. Didn't know you wanted me to say it."

Sasuke blushed and scowled, resting his forehead against the crook of Naruto's neck. "Hn."

Naruto chuckled softly, and gently lifted Sasuke off him, whispering a soft 'sorry' when Sasuke hissed quietly in discomfort. "I wish there was a non salt water thing around here so we could clean up…" he mused.

Sasuke snorted, then slowly, chuckles began to build until he was shaking in Naruto's arms. A little peeved and worried, Naruto pulled far enough away to see Sasuke's face.

"Teme, what the hell is so funny?"

"You…thing…water thing…" he managed between laughs, then doubled over again, tears streaming from his eyes.

Naruto blinked as his mouth made an O, thinking back on what he said. Then he snorted, and shook his head. "Wow teme. Never thought you would find something like that funny."

Sasuke slapped his shoulder, still snorting in laughter. "Shut up."

Snorting again, Naruto leaned against the tree and held Sasuke close to him, watching as sunset started to creep through the woods. The laughter died away, and was replaced by the calm sounds of winds and animals.

"Neh, dobe." Sasuke's sleepy voice was quiet, and Naruto "Hmmed?" in response. "You're not going to run from this, are you?"

Naruto sighed, and shook his head, feeling some of that good, calm emotion leaving him. "No teme, I'm not."

"Hn. Good. Because I'm tired, and I want to go home."

Naruto blinked, and snickered even as he stood up, surprised as hell that Sasuke didn't punch him or anything when he started back, carrying him. He couldn't resist one last barb though. "You're such a prima donna."

Sasuke smirked up at him, completely unrepentant. "It's your fault."

As they leapt through the trees, disappearing swiftly into the growing darkness, neither of them noticed the dual colored man who rose from a branch.

"Madara has been taken," the white half said.

"Orochimaru will gain his eyes and power," the black half said.

"We must inform the Leader."

They both sank away, and disappeared.

A/N: Well, this is the end of this piece of their story. A brief look into what is planned next for the three of them:

After this, there will be a series of one shots from various pov's, as a chronicle for the time elapse. These one shots are going to span about 5 years, and at the moment, I have the first two already in the works. I decided to do it this way, because a lot of characters were screaming at me with plotpuppies, but I couldn't find a way to work them into this story. So, they are going to get their own. The first should be up in about a month, after I get everything with school and my new job settled down. *evil smile* Here's a little preview:

** Madara glanced up as light flooded his cell, involuntarily tensing against the thick chakra suppressing chains that wrapped around him. A familiar silhouette entered, and he sighed in mock boredom. He would never let Orochimaru know that his heart tripped over itself in an effort to flee his body and the torture he had been enduring. Was still going to. Orochimaru would never know how close he had come to breaking his mind. Not until it actually broke.

"Maa maa Orochimaru," he sneered, looking lazily up into the amused, piercing golden eyes. "I would have thought you'd grow bored with me after a few months. I must be an interesting plaything for you to keep coming back for a year." **

So yes, that is the first one. The second will be from Itachi's pov, and there will also be one with Sayomi and Leola, the two girls. They have been yelling at me since before I even put them into the main story. *shrugs* If there's any requests, feel free to let me know. After these one shots will be the next story, which will be the last one.

And I think that's about it. So thanks for reading, and all the reviews. *bows deeply* It was a pleasure.