This is the end, no more, it's all over... I'm sure you get the picture ;p I threw in a nice little scene for all the readers that put up with my ridiculous limitations. I'm sure you've all noticed these chapters are shorter than my other fics by now. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the last chapter to this fic. =) Onward! To the rescue of Naruto and the destruction of their enemy!

Naruto: I get away on my own, right? Because I'm that kickass? *jumps aroudn excitedly*

Vae: ... Uh... sure, let's go with that! =)

Naruto: Yes! I knew I could get away without Sasuke's help! *cheers*

Sasuke: You do know she's lying to you to make you feel better, right?

Naruto: ... You're evil. *pouts*

Sasuke: And yet I'm the one that saves your ass. How nice is that? Insulting your savior in such a manner.

Chapter 17

Zabuza slams a fist into Naruto's face, throwing the young kit back into Haku and towering over them both. Of all those around him he expected to defy him, the raven kittling wasn't one of them. He adopted Haku after the other's parents were murdered by a rival clan, raised him from a tiny kit with more care than he's ever shown another.

"I suppose this means you've outlived your usefulness," he snarls. "No matter… I'll take care of you myself, just as I have all these years before."

Naruto stands between them, blood trickling from his temple and fangs bared as his ears lay back. His claws itch to tear into this demon's flesh, his temper rising at the thought of Haku getting hurt, and he realizes… he's turning into his sister.

"Damn it all to hell," he whines. "I knew she was a bad influence on me!"

"I was going to kill you anyway," the shark snaps. "You're just making that choice easier on me!"

Before he can strike, the air goes cold. Naruto shivers at the freezing cold, scooting back to huddle near Haku. The two take on their animal forms, the thick fur keeping them warm in the face of this winter chill. The sun is completely blocked by thick clouds outside, the world around washed in pitch, and from the tree line they can see glowing red orbs. Sasuke stands at the ready, his new power quick to balance out for use in the face of a missing mate. His eyes are nothing but sockets of light it seems, blood trailing from them in thick rivers of tears, and his claws seem a bit longer than they should be.

"Zabuza!" he calls in a ghostly monotonous tone. "I've come for my mate… and your head."

"My fight is with your father."

"It was my mate you stole. Your quarrel was transferred upon that endeavor."

With an irritated growl, Zabuza sends a blast of chilly water toward the snow leopard cub. Sasuke frowns as simply stares at the wave, turning it to ice that shatters before it touches him. The shards hang within the air and drift slowly on an unseen wind. After only a moment, they turn so the sharp tips are pointed at Zabuza… and are darting through the air in his direction. Without thinking, the shark grabs Naruto and uses him as a shield. Sasuke takes a sharp intake of breath, those icy daggers stilling inches from harming the fox.

"Naruto," he breathes out.

"Sasuke!" the blonde shouts as he changes forms again.

His more human form struggles against the shark, eager to return to his mate, and the sight only draws more fury from the snow leopard. He darts forward, stopping behind Zabuza with a speed they can't follow, and throws a punch with a fist covered in ice. Naruto scrambles away, the ice covered fist connecting with the shark's jaw and loosening a few razor sharp teeth. As he staggers back and spits them out, Hikari and Gaara sneak in to pull Naruto away. He sends a distressed look Haku's way, finding the raven kit being guided by Neji. Without realizing he's lost his leverage, Zabuza draws his sword of ice with a flick of his wrist.

"Enough games," he snaps.

"You didn't strike me as one that plays around."

"Arrogant little brat! I'll put you in your place yet!"

He roars as he runs forward, sword arching down to strike the cub. Sasuke doesn't seem to move, but when the blade comes down he's not standing where he once was. Those glowing eyes of red are staring calmly back, the power of the Dark Prince once more taking over Sasuke's mind… but this time, he's in control. The ice on his hand lengthens with a myriad of cracks, growing into four long claws that he slams into Zabuza's gut. The tearing flesh and clothe is audible, the man's eyes widening in his shock as he falls to the ground. Those claws morph into a saber, the snow leopard cub swinging down and slicing cleaning through the shark's neck. Once he's positive the demon is dead, the light in his eyes recedes and he turns his dark gaze onto his mate.

"Naruto," he sighs in relief as he turns to the fox.

The blonde is huddled by his friends and sister, Zabuza's men just now coming out to learn what's keeping their leader. They scream in anger as they rush the group, Gaara slamming a foot down on the ground. It shakes violently, spires jutting from the soil to skewer those too close for his comfort. Neji places a hand on the redhead's shoulder to calm him, glaring at those that still stand before raising a hand so his palm faces them. His eyes glow slightly as do theirs, their memories erased with the help of his power over the mind. Sasuke hurries over and pulls the fox into his arms, breathing in the scent he thought he'd never partake in again.

"It's time to go home, my mate," he whispers.

"What about Haku? It's not his fault, that man used him!" Naruto protests. "He didn't want to do what he did, he was guilted into it."

"Calm down. We'll take him before my father," Sasuke assures. "He's a fair demon, if anything."

The fox nods and the group heads home, satisfied with the fact their enemies no longer have the memory of their uprising. With their leader gone, there'll be no urge to carry out his plans. Sasuke keeps Naruto close to him, unwilling to let the other out of his grasp now that he has him back.

Kakashi is pacing the palace entrance in wait of his cub, nervous about his newly acquired condition and scared he'll lose the cub he's raised. When Sasuke steps into their home with hardly a scratch on him, Kakashi has him in his arms in only seconds.

"My precious cub!" he cries out. "I thought I'd never see you again! Are you okay? Are you injured?"

"Dad! Calm down!" Sasuke shouts in a muffled voice.

Thanks to the fact Kakashi is practically suffocating him by pressing his face into his chest, Sasuke can barely talk. He's lucky Itachi knows him well enough to pull him away before he blacks out.

"What happened?" he demands.

"I killed Zabuza," Sasuke shrugs. "Neji erased the memories of those left behind. If you'll excuse me, I'd like take my mate to bed."

He grabs a blushing Naruto's wrist and drags him away, sending Neji a look that clearly states he's to take care of any loose ends. The raven nods in agreement, hoping Kakashi will give him one of the spare rooms tonight. Gaara is right at his side, Neji reaching over to grasp his hand and pull him against his side snuggly.

Sasuke gently pushes Naruto against the bedroom door, pressing their lips together in a chaste kiss. The fox moans in anticipation, reaching behind him in order to open the door. After it's open, he turns and scampers into the room. Sasuke grins widely, following his mate and locking door behind him.

"I missed you," he comments with a purr.

"Oh? Come show me how much," the Kitsune grins as he lies back on the bed.

The snow leopard cub crawls along the mattress until he's hovering over Naruto, leaning down to kiss him deeply as a hand traces along his chest and abdomen. Clothes are easily removed, Sasuke's tail wrapping around his thigh and tickling the inner skin. His fingers reach for a small bottle in the nightstand, his lips sucking on Naruto's collarbone as he searches. The fingers in his raven locks tug as his fox moans, one long leg hooking around his waist eagerly. He carefully squirts some cool lotion on his fingers, rubbing it between his fingers before slicking the fox's entrance.

"Sasuke," Naruto purrs. "Hurry."

He carefully stretches his mate, loving the sounds of ecstasy that pour from the Kitsune's lips. He brushes the other's prostate, the blonde screaming in pleasure as he tugs raven locks harder. Deciding the other is prepared enough, Sasuke coats him member with the lotion and presses into the body beneath him. He slams into the fox repeatedly, ignoring the claws biting into his shoulders as Naruto begs for more.

"Mm… so good… Ah!" the fox gasps. "S-Sasuke! More! H-Harder!"

"So beautiful," the snow leopard murmurs. "And mine."

He growls the last word, moving harder and faster to reclaim the mate that was taken from him. The fox, eyes half-lidded and dilated in his pleasure, gazes upon his mate as he's penetrated repeatedly. His body inches up the mattress as it rocks from the force of the demon's thrusts. Naruto pushes back, his hips working to add more to this little dance. Sasuke's free hand grips the arousal between them, stroking in time with his thrusts. Naruto can feel the warmth pool, panting eagerly as it finally bursts forth. His body shivers as his release coats their stomachs and Sasuke's hand, his insides clenching around the raven haired demons engorged member and forcing his own release. Sasuke's warm fluids fill Naruto, his fingers digging roughly into the fox's hips as he stills himself deep within his mate.

"Mm," Naruto hums to himself tiredly. "You… must've missed me… a whole bunch."

Sasuke chuckles at the comment, the two trying to catch their breath as he pulls out and lies beside his lover. He grabs his shirt and wipes them clean, pulling the fox into his arms to cuddle afterward. Naruto doesn't take long to fall asleep, yet Sasuke can't find that same escape. He's too wound up from so long without his mate, worried someone else will take him away. His nerves eventually wake Naruto.

"What's wrong?" he wonders.

"I… I can't lose you again," he murmurs.

"You won't, I promise," the blonde smiles warmly. "I'm never leaving your side again. If I have to visit home, I'll just have to take you with me. Hikari would never leave me in peace if I didn't… you're her new favorite punching bag."

Sasuke laughs at the admittance, relaxing now that he knows his mate won't be running off anytime soon. He holds him closer and closes his eyes, both falling asleep in one another's arms. Sasuke doesn't need anything more than his mate and he knows that… Naruto is his life and with him he'll always be happy.

THE END! Lol! ;p Hope it wasn't too irritating to sit through =) Since that's all for this one, I'm now down to about 7 fics! Go me! Now that that's all over, I'm off to do something constructive... or attempt to do something constructive ^^;