The light of rockets exploding in the sky and the sound of countless panicked voices greeted Sasuke as he and Naruto emerged on deck, immediately jostled about by a swarm of terrified passengers. In the distance he could see the line of people waiting to be lowered down into the lifeboats, no longer separated by class. Sobbing women were torn away from their husbands, and confused children kissed their fathers good-bye to the tune of the string band, who kept on playing despite the pandemonium around them.

"Music to drown by," Kiba muttered to his right. "Now I know I'm in first class."

Tearing his eyes away from the surreal scene, Sasuke tugged on Naruto's arm, shaking his head. "They're running out of boats," he said urgently. "We...we're too late..."

Shaking his head, Naruto grabbed for Sasuke's hand, leaning in to kiss the other slowly on the mouth. "We're going to be okay..." he promised softly, glancing around.

"Sir! Sir are there any boats left!?" Naruto called loudly. The other responded in a voice that was hurried as they lowered another boat onto the water. "We have to go around the other side," he urged Sasuke.

Heart pounding, Sasuke nodded, grabbing hold of Naruto's hand and keeping close as he was pushed to and fro by the crowd. In the back of his mind, he wondered if Itachi had boarded a boat of his own yet. No doubt the crafty man would have found some way to secure safe passage off the ship.

Handing a few hundred dollar bills to the man, Itachi's face tightened a little. "We've got a deal, then?" he asked curtly.

The surprised looking man nodded slowly, his hand shaking a little. "Y-yes sir," he said slowly, "It's as you said."

Nodding in satisfaction, Itachi moved to stand in line for the boat, pleased that he was going to be rather safe. Standing not far off from him was Kisame, who had located him in the crowd. He leaned close, speaking in a low voice.

"We've found him, sir. He's just over on the port side. With the boy."

Frowning, Itachi listened as the man who he'd just handed the cash to glanced around calling for anyone else, his eyes focused on Itachi a moment.

Swallowing hard, Itachi stared at the boat longingly before shaking his head. "Fuck," he grumbled, turning his back on his only hope for safety. As much of a pain in the ass as his brother had been... Itachi 

was still in love with the boy. And that was his Sasuke out there. His. Not some piece of third class shit. He was responsible for the boy. He would save Sasuke himself.

"Take me to my brother."

--

"Women and children, please! Any more women and children?!"

Sasuke watched as more and more people filed into the boats, the sorrowful eyes of many women looking back, the light from the rockets reflected in their tears. He was barely aware of the fact that he was slowly being shunted forward, urged along to get in line with the women. He had nearly forgotten he was still dressed as a female.

"W-wait..."

Shaking his head, Naruto swallowed hard watching Sasuke carefully, their fingers still entwined. "You need to get on the boat," he whispered. "This is your chance..." He was scared. He really was. He could feel the death in the air, and saw the truth in the eyes of the men as they said goodbye to the children and their wives. He really was going to die... but that didn't mean Sasuke was.

Dark brows drawn together, Sasuke stared at Naruto in confusion, shaking his head. "N-no," he said incredulously, before reality set in and he shook his head firmly. "I'm not going without you."

Naruto shook his head, holding Sasuke's hand a little tighter. "Get on the damn boat, Sasuke. Get on the boat!"

Moving up behind the pair, Itachi gave Naruto a withering glare, looking rather disgusted with him. "He's right, Otouto. Get on the boat. You need to get on the boat now."

Sasuke gasped upon seeing Itachi, and he drew back, almost flinching away from the other as he moved closer to Naruto.

Frowning darkly, Itachi shook his head, shrugging off his jacket and moving closer to drape it over his brother's shoulders. "Christ, look at you..." he said softly. "Wear this, all right?"

"Come on ladies!" called the man loading the boat, glancing around and gesturing towards Sasuke.

Swallowing hard, Naruto pushed Itachi out of the way, his free hand holding onto Sasuke's shoulder. "Get on the boat," he pleaded. "I swear... I'll get on the next one."

Tears filled Sasuke's eyes and he shook his head over and over, eyes fixed on Naruto, completely 

ignoring his brother. "No, no, no...not without you..."

Dark eyes narrowing at the two, Itachi's jaw set. Leaning in closer to Sasuke so that his lips were almost touching the boy's ear, he shook his head. "There's a boat on the other side that's letting men on..." he whispered. "We'll be safe there. Both of us."

Swallowing hard, Naruto nodded, glancing towards Itachi, his chest tight. "See babe? I'll be okay... so you have to get on the boat so that we can catch ours," he whispered.

Still looking rather furious with the situation, Itachi nodded. "Hurry, Otouto, it's almost full," he murmured.

Nodding, Naruto leaned in to kiss Sasuke softly on the mouth. He wanted to remember what Sasuke felt like, tasted like... he wanted it to be the last thing he'd ever remember.

Whimpering, Sasuke kissed back firmly, losing himself for a moment. He broke only when he felt a tug on his coat sleeve, the man who was directing passengers urging him forward. He stumbled back, reaching out, grabbing for Naruto's sleeve and touching any part of the other he could reach until they were separated, their fingers brushing together briefly. He kept his eyes locked on the other's face even as he stepped into the boat, the movement and noise around him softening to a dull blur. The only thing clear and resolved in his line of sight was Naruto's face, and how it grew smaller and smaller as the boat began to descend.

Shivering a little, Naruto swallowed past the tightness in his throat, doing his best to smile down at Sasuke. To be strong enough for Sasuke. They could do this...

Waving slowly to his brother, Itachi cleared his throat and spoke lowly. "You're a good liar."

Naruto twitched slightly. "Almost as good as you. There's no boat, is there?"

Shaking his head, Itachi let his gaze flicker over to Naruto. "There is a boat. You just won't be on it. It really is a pity I didn't keep that drawing. I have the feeling that it will be worth a lot more in the morning. I always win, Naruto. Always. One way or another. "

Naruto did his best to ignore the older man, his eyes and attention focused entirely on Sasuke. He didn't want to waste his last view of the other man.

I love you.

Everything slowed, and sound seemed to dull away. The creak of the ropes sliding through the pulleys, the voice of the man calling out, giving orders... It all seemed to melt together, some lifeless backdrop to the pounding of Sasuke's blood in his ears, and the outline of Naruto's face in his vision. It was strange... 

He was so far away, growing smaller and smaller with each passing moment, but Sasuke could still see every detail on his face--the boyish lips, the rough jawline, the golden hair surrounded by a halo of light as another rocket burst into colour behind him. The shower of sparks danced in Naruto's eyes, trembling in the tears that had gathered in the corners of them.

Something had reached through the thick mess of sound and colour and grabbed hold of Sasuke's heart, pulling at it, twisting at it, and he knew at that moment there could be no greater pain then this. The lifeboat gave another lurch, descending even more, and suddenly Sasuke was moving, shoving his way forward, lunging across the woman next to him and scrambling over the edge of the boat. He heard screams coming from all sides of him, shouts from the decks above, but he didn't care--he reached the gunwale, climbed it, staggering a bit before hurling himself forward. His body collided with the edge of the rail and he scrambled over the edge, climbing back onto the Titanic.

Blue eyes widened incredulously as Sasuke threw himself off of the lifeboat, and Naruto's whole chest tightened painfully. No... no... "Sasuke, no!!" he yelled, pushing away from the railing and running as quickly as his body could manage towards where he knew the other would be heading. No Sasuke... no. He couldn't protect Sasuke here...

Fury unlike anything that he'd ever felt before filled Itachi and he hurried after Naruto, smashing into walls and dors and people as he did. This was completely unacceptable. Sasuke, his Sasuke who he'd raised so perfectly... well this was ridiculous. This boy who was masquerading around as his brother... this wasn't Sasuke.

Sobbing, blinded by tears, Sasuke stumbled along, running through the A-Deck foyer, desperate to reach where Naruto was. There was nothing in his mind, nothing in his world but Naruto in that moment, and the fact that he would rather face the agony of death than take another breath without him.

Catching sight of Sasuke, Naruto pushed his aching, freezing muscles past their limit, enveloping Sasuke in his arms and holding the other tighter than he ever could have imagined, lips moving all over the other's face.

"Sasuke... Sasuke... you're so fucking stupid... such a damn idiot..." he whispered between kisses, his whole body aching for the other.

Tears pouring unchecked down his face, Sasuke shook his head over and over, throwing his entire weight against Naruto. "I couldn't, I couldn't do it, Naruto, I couldn't go! I couldn't!" he sobbed, quite hysterical.

Shaking his head, Naruto kissed Sasuke over and over and over, holding the other as tightly as he could, his chest feeling so warm and so tight, he was sure it was going to explode. "Why did you do that, babe? Why did you jump off that boat? You were safe... so safe... that was so fucking stupid..."

Kissing back fervently, Sasuke sobbed out all the tears he had against Naruto's face, unwilling to part from him for even a moment. Overwhelmed, he replied with the only answer he could think of.

"You jump, I jump, right?"

Naruto continued to shaking his head, holding Sasuke tightly in his arms. "F-fuck..." he managed to gasp in, his eyes squeezed tight. "I love you so fucking much, Sasuke..."

Dark eyes narrowed as Itachi watched the two on the ballroom floor below him, his chest tightening as furious anger moved through him, hot in his veins. That was his Sasuke. His precious brother. His, his, his!!

Growling with barely restrained fury, he turned towards Kisame, reaching into the other's jacket, and yanking out a pistol, aiming at the couple as he ran down the stairs. If he couldn't have his Sasuke, then nobody would!

Sasuke was still clutching Naruto tightly, his heart stopping when he saw his brother barreling toward them, pistol in hand. Screaming, he tore himself away from Naruto and yanked the other boy aside. "Watch out!"

Naruto's eyes widened and he stumbled, running after Sasuke.

Hands shaking in anger, Itachi fired off a shot, aiming for the two but smashing a small statuette instead. They weren't going to make a fool out of him!

"Come on!" Sasuke shrieked, tugging Naruto along with him as they scrambled down the stairs to the deck below. Another bullet whizzed past, blowing a divot from the oak panelling only inches from where Naruto's head had been.

Breath catching in his throat, Naruto was pretty sure that his heart was going to burst from his chest as they were forced into knee deep water and they had to wade through it, three more shots fired after them. "C'mon, Sasuke, faster... fuck, he's a crazy fucker!!"

Itachi fired off another three shots, adrenaline forcing its way through him as he aimed at the struggling couple. "You'll die before I let someone else have you, little brother," he yelled.

Terrified, Sasuke stumbled along, his lower legs now enveloped once more in frigid water. Dazed, he struggled to keep up with Naruto, crying out as he heard three more bullets splash into the water on either side of them. One of them landed close to where he was standing and he recoiled, tripping over his long skirt and falling face first into the freezing water. "Aagh--!"

Chest tightening, Naruto reached down for Sasuke, scopping the other into his arms and running as fast 

as he could. "I've got you... I've got you, I'm not going to let you go, no one is going to hurt you, babe..."

Breathing heavily now, Itachi fired off the remeaining bullets, continuing to pull the trigger even though nothing was happening. Letting out a frustrated cry he tossed the gun furiously into the water, and shook his head. "I hope you'll be happy together dead at the bottom of the ocean. You don't know what you're giving up, Sasuke!"

Kisame caught up with Itachi, regarding the breathless man with a slightly intimidated look. "Are you...all right, sir?" he asked rather tentatively.

Staring after them a moment, Itachi's eyes widened and he shook his head, laughing almost hysterically. Kisame watched him, eyebrow raised, more than a little perplexed.

"What could possibly be so funny, sir?"

Shaking his head again, Itachi turned towards Kisame. "I put the diamond in the coat," he said slowly. "Then I put the coat on him!" he finished, waving the pistol frantically.

--

Naruto held Sasuke tight, even as they ventured into even colder water now. "A-ah... fuck, fuck, fuck... so fucking cold..."

Shivering, Sasuke wrapped his arms firmly around Naruto's neck, curling close. "D-did we lose them?" he stammered, speech cut by the cold and the fear still pulsing through his veins.

Nodding slowly, Naruto held Sasuke closer, trying to keep him warm. "Y-yeah... yeah, I think so. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, Sasuke..." he whispered, lifting his head so that he could kiss the boy in his arms. "Never again..."

Sasuke heard the ship give another devastating groan around them, and he kissed back hungrily, trying to share what little warmth he had with the other. "I'm so scared," he whispered, breaking away. "I'm so cold... Naruto...what if...what if we can never get out of here...?"

Shaking his head, Naruto shivered a little. The same thought had moved through his mind. He was terrified that he was going to die here without saving Sasuke. "We're going to get off. I promise, Sasuke... I won't let us die here."

Another horrible creaking noise sounded around them and Sasuke curled his body around Naruto, closing his eyes, trying to block everything out. Everything but Naruto... He was all that mattered, even if they were trapped here forever. Even if they died here...

"Naruto...I...I want...one last time..."

Breath catching in his throat, Naruto stared down at Sasuke, holding him tighter. "You want to... right here?" he whispered, shivering a little. "Right now?"

Sasuke pulled back slightly, tracing the outline of Naruto's jaw with his palm. It was so impractical, so utterly unprecedented, but... "Yes," he breathed. "In case we never make it out of here...I just...want to be with you one more time..."

Shivering a little, Naruto turned his head to kiss Sasuke's palm lightly. "O-okay..." he whispered softly. "Okay, I'll make love to you one last time, Sasuke. I love you so much... so fucking much."

A small groan escaped Sasuke's throat and he all but seized Naruto around the neck, burying the other's face in his neck. "God...need you so bad...don't care about anything else, just...need you..."

Nodding slightly, Naruto's lips moved over Sasuke's throat lightly, his hand coming under the other's dress and sliding up his thigh. "We'll have to be fast..." He had no idea how fast the ship was sinking, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't need this, too.

"A-all right," Sasuke said in a hushed voice, frigid skin warming with the touch of the other's hand. "Push me up against that wall...the water isn't so deep there..."

Naruto nodded again, pushing Sasuke forward until their bodies were pressed tightly together, his hand moving all of the way up the brush lightly over Sasuke's length. "You're so cold..." he whispered. "I'm going to make your body hot again..."

Groaning, Sasuke lifted his legs, wrapping them tightly about Naruto's waist. "O-oh...yes..." His body was almost entirely lifted out of the water, his back pushed up against the steel hull. He felt dizzy, the world around him fading, once again passing into that hazy world he'd entered before, where only Naruto existed.

Shuddering a little, Naruto tugged off Sasuke's sopping wet underwear, letting them rest around Sasuke's knees as he moved his fingers over the other's bottom lightly. "I love you so much... your body feels so good..."

Sasuke squirmed a bit as the cold water struck his bare flesh, and he clung more tightly to Naruto, wanting to drown in the other's warmth. "Nngh, quickly..." he breathed, fingers threading in the damp blonde hair.

Naruto nodded, pressing their lips together, kissing Sasuke hungrily as he pressed a finger inside of the other, his own body heating at the arousal that moved through his body, warm and comforting. "M-mm..."


"A-ahhh..." Sasuke breathed into Naruto's mouth, pushing his own forward and squeezing his legs about the other's waist, tightening himself around the penetration. He pushed his hips down impatiently, panting against Naruto's cheek. "H-hurry, please..."

Nodding, Naruto pressed a second finger inside of Sasuke, his free hand moving down to shove down his own pants and underwear, his body shaking lightly. "I know..." he murmured, "I just don't want to hurt you, babe. I want to make you feel good..."

A shiver ran through Sasuke that has nothing to do with the cold and he held on more tightly, pushing his hips relentlessly against Naruto's. The other boy had pushed another finger inside of him, stroking and stretching him, but it wasn't enough...it still wasn't enough. "I know, I know...I love you...please...just..."

Shuddering a little, Naruto swallowed hard, and he shifted a little. "I-I know... I'm going to, babe, I want to feel you," he murmured, his lips brushing against Sasuke's a little sloppily as he pulled his fingers out of the other.

"Are you sure you're ready?"

The sound of rushing water reached Sasuke's ears and he made a desperate sound, clinging even tighter as his body shivered violently. "Y-yes, I'm ready...please, hurry..."

Nodding, his breath catching, Naruto moved between Sasuke's legs, positioning himself. "I..." he breathed. "We're not going to die, but if we were... this would be the absolutely most amazing moment of my life," he whispered, pushing inside of the other slowly, his body shaking hard.

Sasuke let out a strangled moan, curling his legs tightly about Naruto as he felt the other boy enter him, heat cutting through the cold and flaring up his spine. "A-ahh...yes...like this, just like this...forever, Naruto..."

Naruto nodded again, breathing hard as he shifted inside of Sasuke, heat burning at the base of his spine. "Nngh... yes, forever with you, Sasuke. I want to spend forever with you... marry me, Sasuke... I'll make it work. You'll be able to be a man and you'll never have to dress like this again," he panted, pushing all of the way inside until there wasn't a single millimetre deeper for him to move.

Whimpering, Sasuke pushed his lips firmly against Naruto's, kissing with all the unbridled passion burning inside of him. He could feel the water rising around them, nearly enveloping their legs, but the cold was almost a nonentity now, completely eclipsed by the frantic writhing of their bodies. Using the water as leverage, Sasuke lifted his body slightly, pushing himself down on Naruto's length until there was barely an inch between them. "Y-yes..." he moaned, kissing the other over and over. "Yes, yes..."

Panting hard, Naruto began to move, his length sliding almost all of the way out of Sasuke before shoving hard inside of him. He needed to do this, to make Sasuke feel good, warm, perfect... so loved. Especially if this was... if this one was... shuddering a little, Naruto continued to move inside of Sasuke. He couldn't believe that. He couldn't believe it for a moment that this was the last time he was going to know happiness this way.

"I love you... love you, love you, love you..."

Sasuke moaned, bracing himself against the wall as his back thumped against it with each thrust, hanging onto Naruto with his legs. His hands moved over the other's face and he kept his eyes open, staring deeply into Naruto's, losing his time and place in sky blue. "Never leave me..." he breathed, heart racing as a light flickered and died above them, plunging them halfway into darkness.

Naruto shook his head, moving hard inside of Sasuke as his arousal grew hotter and hotter inside of him, shaking lightly. "N-never..." he whispered, his orgasm building tightly, coiling almost painfully. It was so much more than this... so much more than a feeling or a sensation. He'd never felt anything like it before. "I could never leave you, baby... I'm going to... going to come inside of you again..."

Panting, Sasuke threw his head back, squeezing his eyes shut at last as sparks burst behind his eyelids. "O-ohh, god...Naruto..." he moaned, losing himself, the entirety of reality leaving him, dissolving. He was floating somewhere erased...long pulled back, folded and hidden, a place far away from rushing water and steel, where only flesh on flesh remained. It was a moment that transcended all else, and with a few more pointed thrusts he was pushed rapidly over the edge, in a rush of sensation so powerful he seemed to disappear completely. "G-god...!"

Crying out softly, Naruto moved harder inside of Sasuke as the other's body tightened around him. "I... I... o-oh, Sasuke!!" he cried loudly, his whole body shaking as he came, spilling hard and hot into the other boy, his eyes open, focussed on the sight of Sasuke before him.

If this was going to be his last moment before he died... he wanted it to be perfect. He wanted to feel this way forever.

Sasuke breathed heavily as the moment passed, and he reached forward desperately, finding Naruto's lips again and kissing him soundly. He pulled back only when he had no breath left, and cupped the other's face in his hands. "Let's go," he said, eyes alight with new determination, as if something had woken up within him.