Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Naruto. Wish I did. Maybe as a birthday present? (which, btw, is in April) But I suppose not…

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Naruto stopped coughing and fell unconscious a while later, his head on Sasuke's lap and his blood all over his clothes. After a moment of stunning quiet, the Uchiha shoved the blonde away from him, scooting away almost frantically.

Had he…? Had he just felt worry for the Kyuubi's container just then? No…no he couldn't have. Not in a million years could he have worried about such a dangerous threat to his village. Though…the sun was just on the horizon now and light was spreading across the sky, a little bit coming through the window, and in the light of the window…Naruto didn't look like a dangerous threat. No, he looked sickly under that permanent tanned skin of his, and he was sprawled like an abandoned toy, a toy that was broken and had been casually thrown away without a second thought. The blood on his hands and dotted around his lips didn't help Sasuke's growing-by-the-minute guilt either. The raven-haired boy crawled back to the motionless blonde, accepting the truth. Yes, he had been worried. Yes, he was still worried.

But to justify his worry, it was for Naruto, the angel, the human, not for the Kyuubi's vessel. The guilt in his heart diminished as he cradled the blonde's head in his lap, smoothing away the stray locks of hair from Naruto's brow and wiping the blood off those pink lips with his shirt. He looked so vulnerable like this, but also so peaceful – his brow was smooth, not creased and tense as it had been a few minutes ago. Sasuke took one of the blonde's hands in both his own, wiping the blood off then tracing the lines on his palm with a gentle finger. He had such warm hands, such soft skin. His fingers were slim, his fingernails just a little bit sharp. His other hand was the same.

Now Sasuke's shirt was stained with blood just as much as the Naruto's own. Sasuke didn't mind, the feel of blood against skin didn't bring back bad memories anymore. Besides, he was 15 and a ninja, he had killed before and would kill again when necessary.

He looked at the face beneath him and wondered if the boy had killed before being made into the Kyuubi's vessel. Sasuke liked to think not. An angel should be pure and innocent and unhurt. But now the angel was entwined with the devil, and everything was unclear…

-----

Sasuke tucked Naruto into bed, having removed his socks (he wasn't wearing shoes) and shirt, and now was staring, absorbed by the sight of the blonde child before his sleeping peacefully. He suddenly bent down and gave the sleeping boy a soft kiss on his cheek, a goodnight kiss that he vaguely remembered getting every night back in his early childhood, from his mother, before…

Well, that wasn't the point. But a goodnight kiss seemed proper now, even if the sun was high in the sky and it wasn't night at all. It seemed appropriate.

And then Sasuke was at a loss for what to do. He opened the door to the room and peeked out, wondering if he could wander and get a lay of the land while the blonde was unconscious. Probably not. This hallway even by itself stretched down on both sides to more than Sasuke could see, and there were other hallways branching out from this one every few meters. He would more as likely get lost.

He was about to retreat back into the room, but then something caught his eye. There was a flash of pink outside of one of the windows in the hall, one on the same side as the door and four windows down. Sasuke didn't think it could be what he thought it was, but it couldn't hurt to check, right?

The raven-haired youth made his way back to the window and looked out. His eyes widened. Yes, it was Sakura, it had been a flash of Sakura's hair that he had glimpsed. She was standing on the bridge where they had met every morning as genin, and she was talking with Ino, who was beside her. Their faces were worried, fearful, sad, and for once they weren't fighting over him. Sasuke wished he could hear their conversation, but he contented himself with the sight of them.

The image faded after a little while, to be replaced by Kakashi and Iruka eating ramen at Ichikaru's. Sasuke knew they were both thinking seriously, as they contemplated their ramen bowls with far-off looks.

They faded to become the 5th Hokage, Tsunade-sama, bending over her ever-present paperwork in her office with new lines on her youthful-looking face.

And finally, the last of his special people, Hinata-chan, with Neji standing beside her. They were talking and Hinata was fiddling with something in her hands. Sasuke looked closer and saw a forehead protector bearing the symbol of Konoha. But it wasn't her own, which was wrapped around her forehead, as it should be. So then whose was it?

Hinata was arguing with her cousin now, pale eyes flashing, and Sasuke knew her voice would be raised considerably. Although naturally shy, Hinata could make her point known when she wanted to. Sasuke had insisted on her standing up for herself a year or so ago, when he had first met her. And now she was arguing with her cousin ferociously, as he gestured to the forehead protector and glared at her. She wasn't backing down. Sasuke saw his own name on both of their lips and realized they were fighting about him, that the forehead protector clutched in Hinata's hands was his own.

He touched his uncovered forehead, a slight frown marring his features. How had he not noticed it before? His forehead protector was almost a living part of him, something tangible representing his devotion to his village. The image of Hinata and Neji faded slowly, and Sasuke tapped his chin thoughtfully, pondering.

The windows in this place were very interesting, he thought. In one he had been able to see his favorite place, in another his special people, and he wondered what else he could be able to see.

But speaking of his special people, they didn't seem to be doing so well back in Konoha…he needed to go back. He would ask Naruto when he woke up, the blonde would understand, right? He would just have to understand the devotion Sasuke held towards the only place he had ever called home. And Naruto would send him back once he knew how important it was. Of course. Of course.

Sasuke sighed and turned to go, but another image was showing up on the window. The blonde he had left just a few minutes ago was tossing and turning in his sleep, his hair tousled and his face wet with perspiration. Or were those tears? Sasuke couldn't tell. But he knew the blonde was having a nightmare; he himself had endured too many not to recognize the symptoms when he saw them.

He vaguely wondered what the boy could be dreaming about as he reached out to touch the glass. Something had stirred his heart as he watched the blonde twist and turn as he had done for many nights. When you have outgrown a fear and then see someone else fearing the same thing, do you ridicule the person? No, of course not. You want to help them overcome the fear too. Sasuke felt an affinity like that for the blonde.

His fingers moved to the window, expecting to press against it. Instead, his fingers slipped through, and so did his whole body, drifting in the air until his feet touched the ground beside the bed. His fingers brushed the blonde's forehead, and he leaned down and kissed his nose. The blonde stilled before stirring again, waking up.

Sleepy yet afraid blue eyes met calm black ones. "Sasuke?" The voice was sleepy too, and Sasuke started stroking the blonde's cheek gently with his hand. But then Naruto started sobbing brokenly, clutching Sasuke almost violently to his body. "I h-had a nightmare…I dreamed you were dead and I was heartbroken and, and…" Naruto trembled as Sasuke moved his mouth down to his ear, whispering sweet comforting nothings.

"But you're here, and alive, and I-I was a fool to think otherwise."

Why does he sound so relieved? Sasuke asked in his mind.

"I…Oh Sasuke, I was so scared for some reason." Sasuke rubbed the tip of his fingers lightly over Naruto's face, wiping away his tears. He was sitting on the bed now, so close to the blonde, but he didn't really notice.

"…Sasuke, you'll never go away, will you? I would never survive if you did-never, I would die. Because I love you Sasuke, I love you…" His voice was desperate with emotion, his arms tight around Sasuke's body.

Sasuke didn't speak, just lowered his lips to touch the blonde's own in a soft kiss. Did this go past the point of comforting? He couldn't think, couldn't answer. Maybe it was, maybe he shouldn't be doing this. But the boy did seem to be comforted, relaxing under Sasuke's touch, a light blush tinting his cheeks.

Everything had taken on a sort of drunken dream-like quality to Sasuke now, how had he gotten here within this room? Right, he had gone through the window. Was that possible? His brain said no. He convinced himself this was all a dream, that he could kiss the boy beneath him just because it felt right. Because it did, and both boys pulled away when they ran out of breath a moment later.

Sasuke looked at the blonde beneath him, and was surprised to find his hands woven into thick golden hair. When had they gotten there? Oh well, didn't matter. All that did was to get more contact, more warmth, more kisses, some feather-light, some intense and passionate. Sasuke lost track of how many times their lips connected. That was trivial when all he wanted was for this dream never to end. Was that so much to ask? He found himself being pulled under the covers, Naruto's arms still locked around him, and basked in the warmth of lying next to a human being. It was so nice, being held like this. His eyelids drooped, and he thought, 'Is this dream coming to an end now? Oh well, I knew it wouldn't last forever…' before falling asleep again, head resting upon the blonde's chest.

Naruto smiled, closing his eyes too and trying to go back to sleep. It was nice, holding Sasuke like this, knowing he would be here when he woke up…

Naruto twitched, why wasn't he going to sleep? He wasn't an insomniac, as far as he knew. So why? He opened his eyes, looking down at Sasuke, who was fast asleep. If the cold bastard could sleep, why couldn't he? Then he looked around.

…This wasn't a room in the academy. This wasn't Sasuke's room in the Uchiha Mansion. This wasn't a hospital room. Where…where was this?

Kit, I'm sorry I can't help you with this…

As Kyuubi's voice resounded within his mind, Naruto's heart let out a strangled yell. He was with the Kyuubi! His Sasuke was dead! And the whole scenario, the last time he had ever seen his Sasuke, came rushing back into his head. The century of denial and resistance had only made it worse.

"No! Sasuke! Don't go!" Naruto clung to the raven-haired's arm, crying freely, desperate to stop him. Sasuke just pried his fingers off one by one, cold and unemotional, seemingly unmoved by the blonde's pleas.

"I have to, Naruto, it's my responsibility…"

"To whom? Who is making you do this?"

Sasuke tried to wipe away Naruto's tears, but they were replaced just as quickly.

"To my village. To my parents. I have to kill the Kyuubi for their sakes."

"And you'll abandon me to do it? Is that fair?" Fair and unfairness were ideas Sasuke himself had imprinted into Naruto's mind, and he would be contradicting himself if he said this was indeed fair. Because it wasn't. At all.

"Naruto…" Now Sasuke's mask cracked a little, and his eyes were imploring him not to continue, or he would give in, and he would regret it. Naruto's tears came faster as he knew then that he would not, could not stop Sasuke.

Well, if he couldn't stop the stubborn teme from fighting, he would just have to go with him. Mind made up, Naruto stopped his tears; instead, he threw off his covers and put his feet on the floor, his hands still latched onto Sasuke's arms.

Naruto saw Sasuke's eyes grow wide as he stuttered out, "N-Naruto, what are you doing?"

The blonde answered resolutely, "I'm coming with you." He stood, knees shaking a little, but he convinced himself he was fine.

"No! You are absolutely not coming along!" The blonde was surprised at the amount of resistance, and by the fear in Sasuke's dark eyes. What was he so afraid of?

"Why not? If I can't stop you, I'm coming along with you!"

"No, you're not! I won't let the Kyuubi take away any more of my special people!"

Naruto's heart clenched, but it didn't show in his tone of voice. "I'm not that weak, Sasuke! You should know, since you were the one that taught me all my moves! I'm not going to get myself killed!"

"BAKA! You still need to recover from that attack! That's why you're in the hospital in the first place! You can barely stand, let alone fight!"

Naruto winced, it was true. But he was going with Sasuke and that was final. "Sasuke, I'll be FINE. I can take care of myself."

Sasuke abruptly moved his arms away, setting Naruto off-balance, and the blonde stumbled and fell. Sasuke gently set him back on the bed before saying, "You know you're not fine, Naruto. Don't fight me on this – just stay."

"No. I'm coming with you." The blonde repeated stubbornly. "You won't leave me here."

Sasuke closed his eyes wearily. "You're adamant about this?" He asked softly, and Naruto's hands fell to his sides. Maybe Sasuke was going to give up after all.

"Yes, I am."

Sasuke opened his eyes again, and they looked just so sad. "I'm sorry Naruto, I have to do this." He began a jutsu, one Naruto had never seen before. "I won't ever let you get hurt."

Naruto's hands lashed out, reaching for Sasuke, only to be stopped by an invisible wall, smooth and cold. His fingers scramble upon it, trying to break through, trying to find even the tiniest crack. There was none. This was the jutsu – an invisible cage. And Sasuke was using it to trap him. He filled his hands with chakra, tearing, punching, and scratching at the hard surface surrounding him. It was of no use, but he didn't give up. He wouldn't let Sasuke go.

Then he saw the face of his lover bend down to his level, and two hands were pressed against the invisible wall. Sasuke was mouthing something, and Naruto realized the space was soundproof at the same instant he also knew Sasuke was saying goodbye.

"NO!" he screamed, even while knowing the boy outside the wall couldn't hear him. "NO! YOU CAN'T GO!" Maybe if he screamed enough somehow it might get to him… if not through his ears, then through his heart. He pressed his hands up against Sasuke's, so they looked like reflections of each other. Naruto tried to keep his tears at bay. He didn't want his vision to be blurred, didn't want what could be his last glimpse of his love to be anything but vivid and perfect.

Sasuke stood up, ready to go, but then seemed to hesitate. He turned back to Naruto and made a final soundless request.

'Kiss me,' he mouthed, and pressed his lips against the cold glass-like surface, waiting. Naruto trembled as he leaned forward, doing as Sasuke had asked. He drew in a sharp breath as he felt, not the cold 'glass', but Sasuke's soft lips moving against his, tasting as they had for millions of kisses before.

It was over all too soon, Sasuke drew back, stood up, and left the hospital room. Naruto stared in shock after him, before he broke down crying and started pounding again at the glass wall, praying for it to somehow miraculously go away.

Naruto didn't know when he stopped crying, nor when he stopped pounding, but sometime later his rational mind took over and he set out trying to find the boundaries of this wall. His chakra-filled fingertips combed every inch, finding the wall climbed to the ceiling and went down to the floor. The sides formed a rectangle around his hospital bed, an unbreakable cage. There were no weak spots. Naruto sighed, but then, he never did expect any weak spots. This was Sasuke. He had no weaknesses.

Naruto started the Chidori (1), and, with chirping heard all around him, slammed it into the invisible barrier. It had no effect, the smooth surface unmarred. He tried again, and again, and again, to all side, to the ceiling and the floor.

Nothing worked. Maybe this was an illusion, all of it. It made sense, since Sasuke had been able to penetrate it with his lips. Naruto tried to dispel it. It wasn't an illusion. He tried to transport himself out of the enclosed space. Something stopped him.

By now his chakra was depleted. Naruto tried kicking and punching until his strength was gone, his knuckles bruised, and his feet leaden. Naruto didn't stop.

The bed had been reduced to splinters and the covers to scraps when Naruto finally slumped down by the wall, breathing heavily. This wasn't going to break, that was for sure. How much chakra had Sasuke put into this jutsu?

Naruto's eyes widened. If Sasuke was maintaining this barrier through his barrage, then he was draining Sasuke's chakra during the fight!

He put his head in his hands, not wanting to think of the damage he had done. If…If Sasuke lost…it would be his fault. No! Sasuke wouldn't lose! He couldn't!

And the barrier, just at that moment, cracked and disappeared. Naruto snapped his head up so fast that it hurt, and he lifted a shaking hand up, reaching forward timidly. There was no resistance. He cried out and sprang up onto his feet, sprinting out of the room. A nurse tried to stop him, some passersby on the street tried to stop him, but he had just ran on, desperately willing his feet to go faster. Where did he run to? To the smoke billowing about above the forest, where he knew the battle had taken place.

He had ran and ran and ran…and when he had gotten there…

There had been Sasuke, lying in the middle of a clearing, face up, looking as if he was only sleeping. But he had known better. One look at his face, and he had known…

Naruto came out of his memories, looking down at the Sasuke lying on top of him now, his face just as peaceful. Wait…he was alive, right? Naruto couldn't tell just by looking at him. It had been too long since he had memorized this face…

Naruto shifted a little, putting his hand over Sasuke's heart. Yes, he was alive. His heartbeat was there, strong, relentless. Just like every other heartbeat in the world. Like he was just like every other life in the world. Except he wasn't. He was Sasuke.

Naruto shifted again, so that he could take off Sasuke's shirt without too much trouble. He wanted to lay skin against skin again, and know that they still fit perfectly. He dropped the dark-blue shirt onto the floor and wrapped his arms around Sasuke's waist, then nestled his face in Sasuke's hair and breathed. Naruto loved Sasuke's scent. He loved it more than the taste of miso ramen, more than the sight of a cloudless blue sky, more than the sound of a swiftly flowing river, and even more than the feel of Kyuubi's nine tails.

Really, kit? His scent is that appetizing for you to even think about comparing it to my illustrious tails?

'Kyuubi, you make it sound as if I'm going to eat him.'

Oh, and you're not? Aren't you planning to make him love you? Isn't that worse than getting eaten? Being tied to someone all of your life is no small trifle, kit.

'And don't you think I know? I've been tied to him all of my life. I know how it feels.'

And you're willing to expose him to the same pain? How selfish of you.

'…Haven't I deserved it? Tell me I haven't, why don't you? Tell me that through all my heartbreak and all my patience that I haven't deserved this one selfishness, this one burst of happiness. Tell me that-'

Don't put words into my mouth, kit.

They both fell silent. Then, Naruto slowly got out of bed, setting Sasuke down gently under the covers. The blonde didn't bother putting on any more clothes, who else was going to see him besides Sasuke? He expertly navigated the halls until he came to the door where his soul was located, and opened the door. He walked into the center of the room, through the fog until he came to the mass of strings and the light inside.

There were only a few strings left now, but they were thick and strong. They represented the bonds that would take more than a resolution to break, they needed action. But Naruto stretched them out, enlarging the sphere and letting the light inside shine out. He stretched them until he could step through a gap, which he did. He walked into the light and found the Kyuubi there, waiting for him.

Naruto smiled thinly. "It's like we're just going round in circles, aren't we? Just round and round and round. I get happiness, or some measure of it, and you make me think about my happiness, so much that it diminishes." He shook his head wearily, blonde locks falling into his eyes. "Don't you care that you're going to be set free, completely free, for the first time in a century?"

Of course I care kit. A wild animal never ceases to want its freedom. But still, I've been with you for over a hundred years, and I at least want to send you off with some lasting happiness.

"Oh, lasting, is it? You know I'll die the minute I separate from you. So what does it matter if my happiness is lasting or not?"

…because then I might not feel so guilty.

Naruto chuckled in surprise. "And isn't that selfish too? What a hypocrite you are!"

The Kyuubi looked down to the floor. Is Sasuke going to make you happy?

"Yes, blissfully happy. I'm sure of it."

And you're going to seduce him?

"If that's what it takes, then yes."

…I've tainted you. You didn't use to be like this…

"Is it so bad that I've grown stronger? I know what I want now and I'm going to get it."

But it's not you! You were kind, and gentle, and for you love was a wonderful thing! You were truly happy then, when you weren't heartbroken! Will you be happy now, knowing Sasuke's love will be forced?

"Kyuubi, how many times do I have to tell you? YES, he will make me happy! How could he not? He's Sasuke…"

And you won't regret this, ever?

"I won't have time to regret. I just want to go out knowing someone loves me and will love me forever and ever. I want to know I haven't done this, given my soul over to you, for nothing at all. I WANT TO BE HAPPY."

After a short silence the Kyuubi's piercing eyes bored into Naruto's, and he said, Kit, you are the most stupid and unreasonable being I have ever met. I shall never understand why you do not move on. But I shall help you, if it'll make you happy, as you insist it will. The fox looked away to the side, tails lashing, and then suddenly his tone turned contemplative. This cage is getting weaker every minute you spend with Sasuke.

"Yes, it is, isn't it?" Naruto looked around at the strings, strong but scattered, with spacious gaps within them. "Although, if you really do try to get out, I still can and will chain you quite effectively." This was said with an innocent smile, and the combination made the Kyuubi smirk.

I suppose I can live with the new you after all. It's…intriguing, how my personality has leaked into yours. Your threat actually makes an impression on me now.

Naruto's eyes strayed from the Kyuubi towards the open door to the hallway. "That's an improvement. Though…I should go now. Sasuke should be waking up anytime."

Hmph. Kyuubi refrained from commenting on how obsessed Naruto was with Sasuke, knowing all that would earn him would be a hard smack. Just one thing, Naru-chan, before you run off to proclaim your love.

The blonde was already standing up, and moving through the light to the strings which were no trouble to him, but a source of great bother to the Kyuubi. "Yes?" He asked, distracted.

This is not a fairy tale, and you have no guarantee of a happy ending, no matter how many factors are on your side. He has broken your heart once, defending his village, and he won't hesitate to do it again. Don't let Sasuke get to your head- stay on your guard. The Kyuubi watched with semi-malicious delight (come on, even though he had grown a tiny attachment to the blonde, he still loved to watch the blonde squirm) as Naruto stopped moving, his eyes dropping to the floor.

"Oh…right…" He moved on a second later, a little more sluggish and hesitant now. Kyuubi's words had obviously gotten to him. And before he could completely go, Kyuubi called out another warning, And don't think making Sasuke fall in love with you, again or not, will be completely easy, baka. It'll take work. Be patient, and don't push him. You'll get through eventually.

Naruto gave him a small smile before walking out, the strings closing around the Kyuubi after he was gone. The demon fox sighed, dissipating into his usual form of fog. The fox body was just an apparition, and couldn't be seen by anyone but Naruto. The only time he was really TANGIBLE was when Naruto let him take over. Yes, let him. Something had happened over the years. Either Naruto had tightened his control over the demon fox, or he had let himself slip and become submissive, but now he couldn't take over whenever he wanted to. Oh, ok, he still could sometimes, but he never found the inclination to, when Naruto would just willingly let him, without a fight.

The Kyuubi really wished he knew when things had changed. It was so strange, trying to figure something like this out. When had he started to care?

The Kyuubi would've frowned if he had donned a form. Maybe he should just merge together with Naruto, he thought. They were similar enough, but they weren't the same person yet. Maybe it would do them both good…that way, Naruto wouldn't have to die, since there would be no way to give up the Kyuubi, and the demon fox himself wouldn't have to commit to Itachi…

Sometimes it hurt him to know Itachi didn't care for him at all, didn't care for being a loving mate and having kits, even though both were possible. The elder Uchiha only wanted his immense power, no matter what he had to do to grasp it. But then, that was just a mirror image of himself, wasn't it? Yes, of course it was. That was why he loved Itachi so, the power-hungry reflection of himself. But then he looked at Naruto's and Sasuke's relationship, and found himself craving some of the tenderness, some of the actual love.

Yes, perhaps merging with Naruto would be the best thing after all. He could get both then, couldn't he? Itachi's desire and Sasuke's love.

Kyuubi was eternally selfish, that he knew. When he knew what he wanted, he would do anything to get it. That simple fact would never cease to be true. He shaped himself into his cuddly fox shape again, waving his tails around and sitting within his cage, staring at the source of light. It was his own soul and Naruto's, entangled and yet not the same. They had each put their souls into an inanimate object, a container, and Kyuubi had chosen one of his claws, one of those sharp knife-like ones he had in his full-blown form. It had regrown immediately of course, so that was no problem. And Naruto had chosen…his Sasuke's forehead protector, he had taken it off his beloved almost reverently, silent tears pouring down his face.

Kyuubi shook his head, he didn't want memories of that day to crop up now. Besides, this would turn out to be good for Naruto too. He would be able to stay with Sasuke, if not for forever, than at least for a few decades more than expected. Kyuubi focused on this thought and infused his chakra into the blue and silver forehead protector wrapped around his claw, making it blaze with light. The two objects started losing their shape, turning to a liquid substance, and melding together. Kyuubi growled and the process sped along faster, until what had once been two was now one. It had morphed into the shape of a teardrop, a dark red, almost blood red teardrop, and Kyuubi was satisfied-he would make the final changes when Naruto came to check on him. With that in mind, he let his shape slip away and once again turned into fog.

-----

Kyuubi knew Naruto felt their new connection, knew how easily the fox invaded his mind, but to his surprise the blonde didn't try to confront him. It seemed that Naruto was just focusing solely on Sasuke right now…

And it was paying off. Kyuubi, looking at the world through Naruto's eyes and hearing his thoughts, knew the two teenagers were getting closer. Sasuke hadn't gotten over the Kyuubi-is-Naruto revelation yet and was trying to ignore and push Naruto away, but Kyuubi was confident his Naruto would worm his way into the Uchiha's affections. For one, the blonde was extremely stubborn. For two, he was extremely cute, err, beautiful. And for three? Well, even though Kyuubi wasn't mushy in the least, he had to admit that just maybe these two were destined for each other. After all, it had happened before.

The fox demon still remembered that day, that day he had attacked Konoha and several unexpected things had happened.

He had been wounded a day earlier, while fighting a pair of very skilled ninjas gifted with the Sharingan, a man and a woman, but it wasn't that bad and he had overpowered and killed them. But this day another ninja had come along, also gifted with the Sharingan but much younger than the couple before. And much much more powerful. Of course, he was fueled up with rage and something else, so that might have been why he had wounded the Kyuubi so much. But the fox had won in the end. The boy had flinched and hesitated in the middle of forming a jutsu, there had been a fleeting moment of weakness, and the Kyuubi had taken advantage of it.

The raven-haired boy was dead now, lifeless in the clearing in which they had fought, and the Kyuubi turned to go. He had lost interest in Konoha for the moment, though he knew he would come back and conquer it later, but right now he just wanted to rest and heal his vast amount of wounds. He was tired…

But he hadn't limped very far before he heard a rustling coming from behind him, a bit too loud to be any sort of ninja, who were stealthy to the death, but being wary, he had turned around. There was another mortal in the clearing, he saw, a blonde boy who was bent over the raven-haired boy and sobbing his heart out. The fox demon had been intrigued by this display of emotion and unwittingly took a step back towards the clearing, making some noise in the underbrush and alerting the blonde of his presence. The boy's head had snapped up, his eyes locking onto the Kyuubi's. Those eyes were a startling blue, Kyuubi saw, a blue reminiscent of peaceful times, long before any demon had come to call. It was a blue, an innocence really, his nature could never attain.

The blonde had stood up, gently carrying the other dark-haired boy in his arms, and now walked over with heavy steps.

"Are you the one that killed Sasuke?" He had asked the fox in a whisper, staring up at the beast before him unflinchingly.

Yes, I am.

He didn't seem startled by this form of communication either.

"Then will you kill me too?" The Kyuubi's eyes had widened at this request, said in such an innocent tone. Did this mortal know what he asked for? It seemed he did, for now he went on. "I want to die. I have no reason to live now, so why not die and perhaps find my Sasuke in the afterlife, where we will never be separated?" Transparent tears ran down his cheeks, each one disappearing in an instant just to be replaced – an endless river of sorrow.

What, was this kid really suicidal? From what he had learned about mortals, weren't they supposed to treasure their short lives? But the Kyuubi pondered the request. If this mortal was willing to give up his life, then couldn't he put it to good use? The demon fox knew he would heal much faster if he were allowed to rest in a container, since that container's chakra would be helping to heal him as well as his own. And then he could just get rid of the blonde afterwards, with no protests against him…

Kid. Kyuubi said gruffly. Do you really have a death wish?

The blonde nodded his head slowly.

Ok, then. You shall get your death soon enough. For now, I shall make use of you. The kid's eyes had flickered with a bit of alarm at the last sentence – doubtless he was wondering what he was getting himself in to – but it faded quickly back into deadened sorrow.

"What should I do?"

Hmm, you really have no regard for your life, do you? Well, choose something to contain your soul in.

The Kyuubi had already bitten off one of his claws and watched as another one grew in its place, just a little bit slower than usual from his lack of chakra. Now he watched as the kid laid his dead friend? comrade? lover? …precious person down on the ground, took off the dark-haired's hitai-ate (why wasn't he wearing one himself?), and held it up for Kyuubi's inspection.

"Is this ok?"

Yes. But we must hurry now, the Konoha reinforcements are coming.

"...Will you let me say goodbye to Sasuke?"

…Fine. But be quick about it.

The Kyuubi watched with interest as the blonde gently cupped one of Sasuke's marble white cheeks and kissed that pair of white lifeless lips. So they had been lovers then. He also heard the blonde's choked whisper, "Wait for me in heaven, ok teme? I'll…maybe I might go there after all for you."

He then took off Sasuke's hitai-ate, stood up and walked towards the Kyuubi, never looking back on the prone form behind him.

Kyuubi could hear the ninjas coming, and with the last of his chakra put himself into the blonde's body, the two objects they had chosen being engulfed in a burst of light. He could hear the blonde's screams as their chakras combined, but he didn't feel any pain himself. He just curled up within his container's body and slept, allowing his remaining power to heal himself. He wouldn't wake up, and neither would the blonde, until he had reached maximum strength again. And then, Konoha had better watch out…

He never had gotten the chance to rampage through Konoha, the Kyuubi mused with a reflective smile. Even then, Naruto had been…too attached to his 'friends' and to the villagers to have let him. Of course, if the binding would've gone right, he would've just taken over the blonde's body and Naruto would have been unable to take control, if not dead, but something had gone wrong at that moment.

And Kyuubi had always just put it down to his lack of control and lack of chakra at that particular place and time…

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(1) Yes, it is the Chidori, since Sasuke's been teaching Naruto his jutsus and so Naruto knows the Chidori.

OMG, thank you for all the reviews! Yes, I know I like to make the characters suffer, but they'll be happy…eventually…

Wow, I almost made people cry? That's…momentous! Thanks for telling me, Poetic Folly and Encumbrance! And thanks for all your encouragements about high school, all of you! I know I'm updating slowly, but usually I want my updates to exceed 4500 words. This one's over 6000. So, should I update all the time but with short updates or update once in a while with these longer ones? Your choice.

Oh, and Mantineus, an extra thank you for you! You read and reviewed all my stories! (or at least most) And I'm very happy.

So, Naru-plushies to you all! –hands out plushies- Thanks for reading!