Disclaimer: Henceforth, from now until the end of this fic; I, Lady Valtaya, do solemnly swear that I do NOT own any of these characters. I just love borrowing them to tell naughty stories.

Author's note: Furthermore, this is most definitely going to be a SasukexNaruto love story. But, like most of what I write, certain parts of it will be VERY dark in both tone and content. So, for your own sanity, please heed EVERY warning issued in my beginning author's notes of each chapter from here on out, because flames will be sauted with butter, added to my eggs and eaten for breakfast, because I'm evil like that...

Chapter 1

The decrepit, musty lair of their long dead clan was silent and still, shrouded in darkness. He'd lived for years for the single minded purpose of revenge- and now that it was all over, he didn't know what to do anymore. He sighed, smoothing down his garments; he sat down on the dais of the throne near Itachi's headless body. He noticed his brother's head sitting beside him and snorted in disdain as he nudged his grisly trophy off the stone steps with his heel. It rolled leaving a small trail of sticky blood and came to rest on its side. The scratched forehead protector gleamed eerily in the darkness, but not as brightly as the blood red eyes that stared accusingly at him in obvious surprise.

"As I expected, you are my child. You did well. From now on, you may shamelessly wear the family crest on your back. You must improve, and now you can soar to great heights. Also... I will say one thing..." He froze remembering that day on the dock, those encouragement from his father had meant the world to him. "Do not follow after your brother." Those few words had been the only thing his father had ever asked of him, but right now they cut him deeply...

Sasuke forced himself to look away- because the expression on Itachi's face was the same pained look of disbelief that he had seen in the eyes of their parents, and for a moment he thought he might throw up...

He was truly alone now; his whole reason for existing was gone. Since Orochimaru was dead too, revenge was his, completely now, but Kakashi had been right. He felt nothing now that it was all over. All that was left of his heart was a hollow place he didn't recognize.

Thinking about Kakashi made him feel guilty because along with him came memories of Sakura and Naruto as well. He'd betrayed them all, so he had no right to miss them, but he couldn't help it. He'd always laughed at Naruto's naivety, but he was the one who'd been wrong about everything that had happened between them. All along, Naruto had been right; he still missed them. That meant deep down, he still hoped their friendship was unbroken- he knew that now.

He'd never trusted very many people, even before Itachi's betrayal but he knew that his friends had been more than fair with him. Naruto was rightfully angry but probably still determined to save him, after all, the shadow clone he'd run through had made no attempt to harm him or even defend itself.

He shifted uncomfortably, his joints were becoming stiff and swollen, so Itachi had been using that poison, he shrugged. It didn't matter. It was already over, he'd always claimed he wanted to rebuild his clan, but that dream had never been as important as his revenge. Something stirred in the shadows across what little remained of the ancient ruin.

Sasuke smiled slightly. "Somehow I knew you'd be the first one here, Naruto."

"I always knew you'd find a way to beat him," Naruto said quietly, he stepped into the light, his blue eyes and blond hair gleamed in the moonlight. "That's why I never understood why you left."

"I needed to fight him before I became too much like him. I don't need to you understand what that means."

"You've never been like him, you're-"

"Have you forgotten that I left the village? I turned my back on everything we were raised to believe. I knocked out a teammate and then I almost killed you. You should be arresting me- unless you thought I would come back on my own."

"Do you remember a long time ago, when we were standing at Zabuza and Haku's graves and someone asked Kakashi-sensei if what those two told us about ninjas was really true?"

The unexpected question took Sasuke off guard, but he did remember. Naruto had been trying to eat the funeral offerings and Sakura had stopped him, then she'd asked Kakashi a surprising question.

"Were these two correct about Ninjas?"

"A shinobi isn't supposed to have his own goals. Becoming the country's tool is the most important; it's the same for the Leaf Village," Kakashi had answered Sakura's question in his usual quiet way.

He remembered Naruto's response too. "Is that really what it means to become a true ninja? You know what, I don't like it."

"You believe that too?" Sasuke heard his younger self ask quietly.

"Well," Kakashi had said after a moment. "Each and every ninja has had to live while dealing with that issue, just like Zabuza and that boy."

Naruto's expression had been amusingly sour when he'd proclaimed his final thoughts on that matter. "Okay, I just decided. I'm going to be a ninja in my own way."

No one had taken his thoughts very seriously at the time, but Sasuke realized that Naruto had been true to his word; he was different from the others that he'd known in the village. He always had been- because the strength of Naruto's one desire to find acceptance from others burned with the same intensity as Sasuke's desire for revenge. Naruto had understood the power of Sasuke's motivation all along…

"Why don't you hate me after everything I've done?" Sasuke asked suddenly.

"That day, on the river between those statues… No matter what you say, you're not a monster; you're not like him, Sasuke. Whatever you've done, you're not like him or you would have killed me. You're my best friend and I wish we could have been brothers, because I always wanted to help you fight him."

Sasuke was startled, but he shrugged coldly. "Illusions have always been a trouble spot for you; you would be dead if you'd tried to interfere in this battle."

"It would have been worth it to be able to help you."

"How can you say that?"

"You, Sakura, Kakashi and Iruka are the only family I've ever known. I can't just walk away from that, if someone attacks you, then they are going to have to deal with me too, that's just the way it is."

"You're persistent, but I've never asked for your help." Sasuke snorted, and stood up, he'd rested enough and the other Leaf ninjas had to be getting closer. The poison was spreading faster than he'd thought though; there was no way he'd make it to Karin now. Pain ripped though his stomach and cramped his muscles while his eyes blurred in and out of focus, finally he fell over, struggling just to breathe.

"Sasuke!" Naruto caught him, but it was hard to talk and he felt cold.

"You should… leave me here."

"No!" Naruto snarled, but he held him just as carefully as he had that day on the bridge when he'd collapsed after fighting Haku.

Sasuke looked up at Naruto; he could see his blue eyes, they stood out brilliantly among the shadows. They were the same eyes he'd seen every night when he was with Orochimaru for so long. They were so beautiful, so full of kindness that it hurt just to look into them.

It hurts because I don't deserve to be looked at like that- especially by you. "I lived just to kill my brother, I'm glad i-it's finally over; I don't care what happens to me now."

"It matters to me!" Naruto's eyes had tears forming in them. "So, don't say that, Sakura will be here soon, she can heal you. Granny Tsunade's been teaching her and she's really amazing..."

"I'm a traitor, remember? I have no interest in being publicly executed, Dobe."

"I doubt anyone would try to do that. I can't believe you killed both Orochimaru and Itachi single-handedly but you'd let a little poison beat you? Yeah, you've made mistakes but you're not all bad. So what about restoring your clan- or was that dream just bullshit because you were afraid that you'd never take your revenge at all?"

"My clan would be ashamed of everything I've done for revenge- especially my father."

"I don't believe that. We're free to choose our own fate, that's why you have to fight until the others get here. I don't want to loose you again- we're the same. You're my best friend, my brother- everything…"

"No, I just killed my brother, Dobe…"

"I can see that, you stupid Teme! But I don't believe doing it was easy for you… I don't believe this… All I've ever wanted was to be close to you- but the only time you let me is when I'm about to loose you again."

The poison was making it too hard to think, but his feelings were only getting stronger. I'll never be able to say it, but… he deserves to know that his memory was what allowed me to survive my time with Orochimaru… Sasuke shivered, tearing his thoughts away from the dark Sannin, unwilling to admit the number of times he'd been forced to take comfort in his memories of his friends when he was with his cruel Sempai.

He leaned forward and pressed his lips gently to Naruto's. He felt the other's body tense and freeze, but he didn't give up. Softly, he brushed his tongue against the blonde's lips; Naruto surprised him when he didn't pull away, but then again, it was a much different situation than their accidental kiss when they were twelve. Sasuke deepened the kiss slowly. The blond moaned softly as he parted his lips, allowing Sasuke to taste him. Instinctively, Naruto drew him closer and kissed him back just as gently.

It was hard to tell if it was just the poison or if it was the sensual kiss, but Sasuke was getting dizzy. Holding onto consciousness was getting harder, but he didn't want the sweet moment to end.

"W-Why?" The tears fell from Naruto's eyes when the kiss finally broke and they splashed Sasuke's cheek. "Why now- that isn't fair if you're just going to die…"

"That day… In the Valley of the End- I couldn't kill you- not even to awaken the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan..."

"W-What? Then why did you almost kill me at that creepy snake pit?"

"I wanted you to hate me… I wanted you to give up- go home and forget me… I had nothing but enemies on all sides. There was just too much to do and I couldn't accept how I felt… But… even after I killed Orochimaru- I still… missed you more than anything."

"Then why didn't you come back?"

"I knew… I'd die fighting him, so what would be the point?"

"And you're really okay with that?" Naruto was furious but Sasuke only smirked. "But what about your other dream? What about restoring your clan?"

Sasuke shook his head slowly. "It's better this way..."

"Naruto?" Sakura's voice came into the secret room from the darkness at the entrance. "Where are you? Have you found… S-Sasuke? Sasuke-kun!"

"Sakura-chan, hurry!" Naruto waved her over, but she was already running toward them. Kakashi arrived next, though he hung back, he looked as heartbroken as Sakura; he stared back and forth at the three of them.

"S-Sasuke…" Sakura said softly, there were tears in her beautiful green eyes even though her hands were still giving her chakra to him. "This isn't a normal poison…"

"I know."

"Sasuke! Tell me what you know about it. I've never seen anything like this. You can't let it end like this- please, you know we love you, Sasuke-kun."

"I never wanted you to find me at all… at least… " not alive, Sasuke only added that in his head, but he saw the pain that flashed through Naruto's eyes and he cursed under his breath.

"All you've ever done is fight, Sasuke! How can you give up now?" Naruto demanded.

"Dying is easy- everyone has to go through it sometime. Eventually everything- animals, people, countries- even planets all die; it's living that takes courage but not everyone is as brave as you are, Naruto," Kakashi said coolly.

That bastard… I don't really have a choice here- but he's right; I am letting Naruto beat me and taking the coward's way out if I don't at least let them try to help. Sasuke snorted, resentfully at his former sensei. "Sakura, focus your chakra on the cursed seal."

She gasped, "It isn't just taking your expendable chakra- it's attacking your whole life force- your Ki is disappearing. Why is the seal doing this? Usually you can use it to get stronger…"

"The cursed seal was created by a form of venom, remember; he bit me. That venom is still there and right now it's reacting to the poison Itachi was using. This poison is a counter for the cursed seal's power and it's been around for years; but the antidote is one of a kind, because only the Akatsuki know about the poison much less have access to it. It was Sasori- Orochimaru's ex partner who made it. After all, Orochimaru created the cursed seal to make his armies strong enough to help him fight his former allies... But I might have something better…"

"What is it? Orochimaru didn't make anti-venom for his own seal, did he?"

"No, the original genetic source of the cursed seal is one of my followers. His name is Juugo. Orochimaru promised him a cure for his bloodlust and instead he locked him up and used Juugo's blood to create cheap copies of his power."

"Oh my God- then, if we can find this guy, maybe Tsunade-sama can find a way to reverse the cursed seal forever!" Sakura smiled through her tears and performed a couple of hand seals. Then she started digging in her medical pack. "Here, Sasuke, take this. It's a soldier pill, I'd rather not have to use it, in your condition, but hopefully we'll have you healed before the um, crash…"

"I should find him. I promised that I wouldn't let him kill anyone. Juugo will rage and attack everything he sees if he sees anyone get angry or start fighting and Suigetsu was just about to fight Kisame when I came in here. When we find Juugo, my Sharingan can calm him but right now I can't move."

"I'll carry you, come on!" Naruto said, and jumped to his feet with a smile. Sakura helped Sasuke hang onto the blonde's back, but as they headed for the exit of the cavernous room with the others, Kakashi moved toward the body of Itachi. "Kaka-sensei?"

"I'll catch up to you guys later. Someone has to take this to Lady Tsunade; Captain Yamato is in charge now."

"Okay!" Naruto accepted that explanation and began to run immediately but Sasuke saw the glare that Kakashi sent him and understood the meaning behind it. He didn't want to admit it, but it hurt- especially to get that look from Kakashi. Sasuke knew that it was his own fault that he'd lost that much of their Sensei's trust. He decided then that he didn't want to look around at the faces of the others with them; if even Kakashi hated him, then it would be much worse with those whom he'd seen even less of as allies...

"So, where did you leave them, Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

"Akamaru and I are picking up the scent of blood- lots of it! Must be the same fight we passed on our way to find you, Sasuke. It definitely ranged all over the surrounding woods, but they seem to be to the northeast of us for now." Kiba called warily, dashing up to the front beside them. The huge hound gave a surprisingly small whine but it didn't stop running. "I know, Akamaru! I haven't felt a chakra quite like this one since Gaara- but it looks like the battle has slowed down a lot- I don't think it's over though."

"That will either be very good or very bad with those two…" Sasuke grumbled.

"What do you mean? What two?" Naruto was the only one who heard him.

"You'll see…"

Kiba and Akamaru lead them to a large clearing, and at the edge of it, lay Karin's body.

Kisame had killed her; the trademark pattern of "scales" that left her missing large portions of skin and muscle was unmistakable. Kisame's body lay not far from her though, he'd been double teamed, probably while he'd been distracted by torturing Karin. Much of his large frame was crushed- Juugo's massive strength obviously. Suigetsu's huge sword, Zanbato was broken nearby, but Suigetsu was with Juugo farther away. Juugo had been forced to use his full transformation at some point in this brutal fight and he screamed with rage.

The shark-like Suigetsu was dying- even from here Sasuke could tell the battle was already over- Juugo just didn't know it yet. The huge monster's was more than 12 feet tall, and covered in rocklike gray skin with a huge mouth of jagged teeth. His demonic appearance seemed to have stunned the Leaf warriors all around him. Juugo landed blow after blow from his massive boulder-like fists in the swordsman's head and chest giving him no chance to reform or dodge.

"Get me over there, I have to stop this."

Naruto nodded and gave a tight smile as he raced forward.

When they were twenty feet away, Sasuke spoke again. "I've never seen his full transformation before so put me down and back away; he needs to focus on me."

"You sure you're okay to stand?"

"The soldier pill Sakura gave me is working. I still can't fight, but I can walk."

"Juugo! Stop!" Sasuke called, moving toward the massive demon. It turned and scowled at him. Forgetting about its helpless prey, the winged monster rushed toward its new enemy, howling in mindless fury.

As the demon got closer, Sasuke activated the Sharingan, like he had many times before since acquiring Juugo. He used its power to amplify all the hate and pain Itachi had caused him and focused it at Juugo. The monster howled in rage, but kept coming and Sasuke focused harder, well aware that one punch from the monster in his current state would kill him.

The effort of focusing that much chakra after such a tough battle, while still poisoned was exhausting even for the white snake's regenerative abilities, but less than a foot in front of him, Juugo collapsed to his knees. He was back in his human form, the cursed seal's markings finally receding.

"S-Sorry, Sasuke… I'm sorry…" Juugo whimpered, crawling toward him.

"It's okay, we are going to Konoha now, come with me."

"T-To Konoha?"

"Yes. They might be able to get both of us cured. I have a lot to answer for though, and I want you to stay close to Naruto until they find you a cell you can hide in."

"C-Cured?" The huge man looked up at him pleadingly, which made Sasuke feel guilty for giving him what might end up being false hope, but the once more gentle giant only smiled as he stood up, towering over him.

The other Leaf ninjas were already busy checking the bodies and Captain Yamato looked at Kisame and shook his head warily. "I don't feel sorry for the enemy, but this must have been one hell of a bad week for the Akatsuki..."

"Sasuke!" Naruto called suddenly from somewhere behind him.

Sasuke tried to turn around but he hadn't even realized he was falling over until Juugo caught him.

"Nice catch, Juugo, I'm Naruto."

"Naruto… Sasuke wants me to follow you?"

"If that's what he told you, then it's okay with me," Naruto grinned and Juugo grinned right back at him. Sasuke snorted and rolled his eyes at them.

Sakura came over and pressed a hand to Sasuke's forehead which he tried to shrug off. "Alright, definitely no more chakra for you today, Sasuke-kun."

She performed the seals needed to keep him from using any more of his jutsu requiring chakra so he scowled. "What? As badly hurt as you are right now, I don't know how you just did whatever you did. Your temperature has gone back up though, and you're going to need another dose of my chakra just to keep you alive long enough to get you back to the village."

He would have liked to have said something snide, but the darkness closed in around him too quickly for that.

So, how am I doing so far? Please review and let me know what you think!! Thanks for reading!!