Author: Candy makes me blush. Got so gosh-darn flustered I didn't know what to do. All my reviews are very sweet. Thanks from my heart for all who take the time.

BTW: Apparently I spent so much time describing Naruto's sickness that I actually got sick myself. Son-of-ah-balls. There is an alcohol-bath in my immediate future. *Becomes puddle of typing goo*

Chapter: Save Me From Nightmares

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Sasuke's breathing was steady. He did not turn to his former teacher right away. Instead his eyes lingered on Naruto's vulnerable frame a moment longer. "Kon'nichiwa, Kakashi-sensei," The raven stood from his perch which was a limb of an oak tree just above the window of the bathroom. He turned his head finally and caught the darkened outline of the older silver-haired man out the corner of his eye. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

"I should be asking you that, Sasuke." Kakashi's voice was strong and held a promise of retaliation should the dark haired boy try anything. "Here we have been searching for you for years when all we needed to do was wait for you to come to us."

"Don't you mean 'hunting'? From what I remember, your country typically does not welcome deserters back with open arms."

"Things are not 'typical' in this situation. If what we are hearing is true than you might be considered a hero to Leaf."

"Really?" Sasuke sneered. His lips curing up in a mocking grin. "What sort of things could you have heard that would make me so fortunate that I would receive such honor and praise?"

"Did you kill Orochimaru?"

For a while the young man didn't say anything. Instead, turning completely Sasuke faced his teacher head on. Kakashi was in a crouched and ready position with his right hand dangerously close to his kunai. His one dark eye was steady on Sasuke. "Kill Orochimaru?" He asked simply. "That would be something."

"Did you?" Kakashi pressed.

"Yes. I killed the snake."

An echo of screams had rang though the underground halls along with the crackling of lightning. Sasuke's sword had ran clean through the Senin's shoulder pinning him to the wall. A battle of power and will pursued with it all ending by Orochimaru being consumed in a jitsu he could not control. His death had been quick but not painless, while Sasuke himself didn't even receive a scratch.

"If you tell me that you only left Leaf to infiltrate the Sound's inner workings and eventually kill Orochimaru, than that is what I will report." Kakashi claimed. It was a plea, a compromise and they both knew the underlying meaning to his statement. 'Just tell them what they want to hear. I will stand by you. Team Seven will stand by you. Come home.'

Sasuke gave a dark scoff, "If you think that things will go back the way they were then you are a blind as Naruto."

"No, Sasuke," Kakashi sighed, unable to hide the tiredness in his tone. A kunai was in the masked man's hands almost instantaneously. A small shift in weight on his feet and suddenly the air was tense. Like a string pulled too tight and ready to break. An air of battle was forming around the two former team-members.

Before Kakashi could make his attack physically Sasuke said suddenly "I think it interesting that you would assume I would simply arrive here without a plan." Kakashi froze in his movements. "Did you really think I would not take my former teacher into account?"

There was a tense pause, "Or your much weaker team-mates?" The raven finished.

Like a hawk Kakashi watched Sasuke, trying to discern anything from the young man's eyes. There is a reason he has made himself known now, Kakashi thought to himself. For the briefest moment his dark eyes flickered to the bathroom window and saw the top of a bright mop of golden locks. "What are you planning to do to Naruto?"

"Planning? I simply want to talk to the Dobe alone."

Now it was the silver haired man's turn to scoff. "What could you possibly need to discuss with him?"

"Many things that do not concern you or anyone else. We have unfinished business."

"How did you get him sick?"

Sasuke smirked despite himself. "Ever perceptive Kakashi-sensei."

"It wasn't hard to figure out. One seemingly random encounter with you and suddenly he is sick for the first time in his life. How did you do it and what did you do to him? Answer me."

"I… slipped him something." A vivid flash of kissing Naruto flashed through Sasuke's mind. In their kiss was a small tasteless and odorless time-release pill made from the root Ō No Suimin or Sleeping King. Sasuke had pushed it in while his tongue dominated Naruto's mouth. Normally deadly to average men, Sasuke spent a small fortune for a trusted apothecary to dilute the deadly herb to a less severe potency. "It's a slow working poison that could claim his life in a matter of weeks." His smirk grew, "Unless I decide otherwise and give him the antidote."

"Sakura can cure a man of any poison. She is the best medic-nin in the entire village."

"Again you underestimate my determination, Kakashi-sensei." Sasuke's hand lazily grasped the hilt of his blade. "It is unfortunate to leave a teammate alone Sensei. Especially your beloved medic."

The silver ninja's eye widened in disbelief. "Sasuke…"

"You still have time to save her." Sasuke mentioned off-handedly. "They wait for my signal."

"What are you trying to acc-"

"I propose a deal."

Kakashi blinked but showed no other sign of interest. He remained poised for attack but made no move to. He could not risk calling Sasuke's bluff. If Sakura was indeed in mortal danger he could not afford to be hasty. "What makes you think I will agree to anything you propose?"

"I see this going as one of two ways. You can save one or both students." Saskue's eyes flickered for a moment from black to red. "Let me take Naruto with me for a week."

"You can't be seri-"

"If you follow my simple rules then I promise him alive, cured of his poison and no other permanent damage. First rule: No following. You will remain in this village and wait for Naruto's return. Second: Do not call for any assistance. This includes your summons. Three: Sakura will not to know of anything that is going on. I don't care what you tell her."

Kakashi took in the raven's word silently. Though there was no change in his outside appearance but a bubbling rage grew in his heart. To be betrayed by his prized pupil and left in the dark like a child. But what could he do? With Naruto incapacitated their trio was crippled. If Kakashi acted now he could lose everyone he had now come to care for, Saskue still included.

"Does it have to be a week?"

"It could be shorter. It depends on how the discussion goes with Naruto. But in seven days you will see Naruto again. No later."

Kakashi was defeated and they both knew it. "Promise me no harm will come to either of them."

"If you leave for Sakura now I can." The young ninja stated. There was a slight breeze and Kakashi was gone, seeming to disappear into the dark tree line. Sasuke's calm eyes turned back to the bathroom window just in time to see the blond securing a white rode around his waist. He needed to act quicker than he would have liked but with his teacher on the move he did not have the luxury of time.

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"Everybody hands up
Mata ashita no heros wa come back
Tsujou kazoe hibi wo countdown
Ike zi 3, 2, 1,
Make some noise!"

Naruto sang loudly as he toweled his hair. His eyes closed and his hands moving diligently to get rid of excess moisture in his blond tresses. Busy with his task he did not hear the window open the remaining way. He also didn't notice the lights going out because of his closed eyes. He did however notice the chill of the wind on his exposed feet.

Opening his eyes he could only see a shadowed darkness. The only light seemed to be streaming from outside, moonlight. "Oi! The hell happened to the lights?"

"Hn." Sasuke answered from behind the blond. Blue eyes widened as strong arms encompassed him. One moving around his waist as the other put a damp cloth over his mouth and nose. His eyes drooped as he had accidently breathed into the funny smelling cloth. His body sagged and his vision faded.

Darkness held him and took over him.

'S-sasuke…'

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Author: Is Sasuke a firkin Bond villain or what? Explaining the genius of his plan like that. I should have had him holding and petting a cat methodically. Ohhhh! I feel awful! *Death again*

I know it has been only ONE day… but you guys are so sweet I didn't want to leave you hanging. But I guess I did that again just now. My bad for real.