Title: Sublime

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, et al. I do not own any concepts of the anime, manga, or franchise.

Genre: Humor/Drama/Hurt-Comfort

Summary: Naruto is given the option to save his long time tormentor's life, or walk away and leave it up to Fate. For him the choice is easy. But the repercussions of his decision are something he could never have predicted. SLASH

Rated: T (For now)

Warning: SLASH! Violence, child abuse, rape (mentions of), strong language

~oOo~

Chapter 1

Uchiha Mikoto knew this boy. When her son was in high school he never had a good thing to say about him. She would catch sight of him sometimes, limping home alone, bloodied and bruised, while her son stood by and smirked, laughing with his friends at the boy's state. It was obvious the boy's torment was the work of her son, even without him all but admitting it. The student's gleefully shouting about Sasuke's latest awesome prank on that Uzumaki loser made it perfectly clear that her son was the culprit.

During those times she'd felt guilty for the boy, angry at her son for treating someone so cruelly. She never said anything about it, nothing that would truly make a difference to her son's behavior anyway. She hadn't wanted to be one of those controlling mothers. Be too hard on a child and they would be contrary out of spite; that's what her mother always said. The last thing she wanted was her son to waste away in jail or join a gang or become a – a crack addicted bum just because she was too nosey! Besides, Fugaku - the big softy - would only undermine her the second she was out of earshot. Pointless to try, so why bother?

Now she wished she had scolded him, punished him, ANYTHING that would somehow give her son some redeeming quality in the eyes of this boy, Uzumaki Naruto.

The one who could save her baby's life.

Mikoto squeezed her husband's hand, the other clutching the side of her seat so hard the stuffing was coming out. Across from her, Doctor Senju was explaining the rare kidney disease Sasuke had contracted and how Naruto was the only one in the area compatible for a transplant.

When he first walked in Mikoto recognized had him immediately. There weren't many Japanese with natural blue eyes and blond hair after all (Sasuke might have mentioned – derisively of course – he was part German, but she wasn't sure), and the thin black scars going across his cheeks (three on each side) were rather distinctive markings. Any hope that the boy didn't remember her son was summarily dashed halfway through the introductions..."Sasuke!? Duck butt Uchiha Sasuke? He's sick?"

His reaction had done nothing to assure her that he could be convinced to go through with the surgery. But she wasn't going to give up. No, not when her child's life was on the line. She was ready to offer this boy anything the Uchiha wealth could possibly buy, beg on her hands and knees – hell, force her son to beg! Anything this boy desired would be his if only he would save her son.

"...this hospital has the latest in medical technology and some –"

"I'll do it."

" – of the best surgeons in the country –" Senju Tsunade cut herself off, golden eyes blinking several times in surprise. "Ah…" she coughed. "Could you say that again please…?"

The boy (short and thin; it was hard for her to think of him as anything other than a boy, even though he was 20 years old) shrugged a shoulder. "I said I'll do it."

Mikoto nearly fell off her chair. She didn't bother to mask the choked sob of relief that escaped her, something that – as an Uchiha wife – she would have done everything in her power to hide in any other situation. Not now though. She hunched over, arms wrapped around her torso, gasping softly as a few tears trailed down her cheeks. For this one moment, out of sight from her children, she'd let go of her calm and comforting demeanor and allow the pain and fear and sorrow she'd felt these past few months to show.

Her husband's strong hand on her shoulder brought her back to reality. Right. This wasn't the end of it. There was still the matter of compensation. She took a silent deep breath, wiping away her tears, sitting up with her back straight. The relieved and anxious mother was gone, and in her place was Uchiha Mikoto; elegant and graceful business mogul, wife of multi billionaire Uchiha Fugaku, unflappable even in the face of her youngest son's near fatal illness.

With dread and determination curdling in her stomach, Mikoto waited for the small blond's demands.

"I'm gonna need to make some arrangements with my Café and bills and stuff er…" he ruffled the back of his head, making already messy blond locks stick up further. "when does this thing need to happen exactly? He's not gonna like…die in a few days, is he?"

The boy's lack of tact was so startling Mikoto wasn't even sure if she was offended. Apparently Tsunade-san felt the same way, as the venerable doctor eyed the boy in a way that clearly said Is this guy for real? "Well…we would like to get the operation done as soon as possible but no, a few days to settle your business should be fine."

"Cool, cool." The blond nodded to himself. Mikoto still waited for him to ask what he wanted in return for this priceless gift he was granting them. "Soooo, is there anything else I need to know?"

Dr. Senju flipped through the pages on her clipboard. "No, I believe we've gone over everything we need to for now. We'd like to give you a quick physical checkup, just to be safe before we go through with the procedure. Will you be available sometime tomorrow?"

"Sure. Is three o' clock ok?"

"Yes, that's perfect. I'm going to tentatively schedule the surgery for Friday; depending on the results of your checkup we may move the date later or earlier. Is that alright?"

Sapphire blue eyes looked to the ceiling. The boy muttered something to himself that sounded like "if I can call in on Monday and schedule a transfer Tuesday…" before it became unintelligible to Mikoto's ear. "Yup! That all sounds good to me." he chirped.

"Good, that's…great." The placid doctor smile Tsunade-san had been wearing shifted into something more genuine. She took the boy's hand in hers and shook it before they exchanged polite bows. "Thank you Uzumaki-san. I don't think I have to speak for the Uchiha's to say that we're all very grateful for you going through with this…"

"Yes," Fugaku finally spoke, rising to his impressive height of 6'3''. Her sons were rather on the tall side as well, but not as stocky in build as her husband. Granted, compared to the tiny Uzumaki boy they may as well have been giants, even her and Tsunade-san! "We are eternally in your debt Uzumaki-san, if there's anything we can –"

"Ohhhh no-no-no-no," Uzamiki said brusquely, shaking his hands in front of him for emphasis. Fugaku looked nonplussed, and as well he should be. It wasn't every day that someone, least of all a boy of such a low social status, interrupted one of the most powerful men in Konoha. "I don't want to hear about money or anything like that. I said I'll do it so I'mma do it, no strings attached."

The three older adults stared at Uzumaki in blatant shock. To refuse such an open ended offer (which was a very rare kind of offer from the shrewd Fugaku) was completely unheard of. It was madness to even think of it!

"That's…admirable of you Uzumaki-san, but I must insist –"

"Ex-cuuuuuuuuuuse me, Uchiha-sama-san-sama-pants," The boy hopped to his feet, wagging a finger in Fugaku's face as if he were an errant child. Mikoto had to cover her mouth to hide her smile at the indignant expression her husband wore. This was the most dumbfounded she had seen him outside of his interactions with his oldest brother Madara. "but my kidney is not some back alley slut that needs to get paid for her doings. She's got class sir," he patted the side of his torso with pride, "a top of the line model, and I'd appreciate it if you showed her some respect."

Really, what does one say to something like that? Clearly her husband and family doctor had no clue, as they all simply gaped at the little blond, trying to decide if he was joking or simply insane. For one hysterical nanosecond, Mikoto debated if giving the kidney of such a mentally unstable youth to her son was such a good idea.

Uzumaki grinned a wide grin that lit up the entire room. This still did not alleviate Mikoto's fears about his sanity. "Anywhoozle, I've gotta go force some brats into thinking that learning is fun and awesome. See you tomorrow Doctor-san! Later Uchihas!" And with a cheerful wave and practically embodying the term 'little bundle of sunshine', Uzumaki bounced out of the office.

The doctor and two parents were left in the room in silence. The cautious hope Mikoto had been feeling since Dr. Senju had found a match for her son was starting to blossom into full blown joy. Her son would live. Her precious, intelligent, beautiful son would live!

"Well," Dr. Senju exhaled, the happiness in her smile reflecting Mikoto's, "I think we should let Sasuke-kun in on the good news, yes?"

The two Uchiha's nodded, and followed their family doctor to the room Sasuke had been staying in since his illness had accelerated.

"What if the boy decides not to go through with the surgery?" Fugaku said.

"Then that will be his choice."

Mikoto felt her heart drop into her stomach. "B-but – he can't just back out! Aren't there laws –?"

"I'm sorry Mikoto," Tsunade turned to her fully. "Whether they want to go through with a surgery or not is completely up to the Donor. If Uzumaki changed his mind at the very last moment there would be nothing you or I could do about it," she said, voice gentle yet firm.

"So you're saying my son is still in danger? That he could…"

"This is why we haven't called off the search yet. There's still a chance that a match may be in this area, and if not here then somewhere as close as possible.

"But," she continued before Mikoto could descend into a true panic attack, "we all heard him in there. I've done a lot of transplants before, and I've never heard a Donor sound as committed as Uzumaki."

"Hn." Her husband still looked pensive. So much of this situation was out of his control, and with their son's life at stake Mikoto knew that this fact was tearing him up inside. Certainly, they could make Uzumaki's life a living hell if he rescinded his choice, but their son would still be dead. Then what would be the point? What would be the point of anything anymore?

"And there's still the matter of his payment," Fugaku muttered.

"He said he didn't want anything," said Mikoto.

Her husband snorted. "Everyone has a price."

She glanced sidelong at her husband but said nothing. She wasn't naive enough to believe the boy either. Perhaps he wasn't aware of just how much the Uchiha family had to offer; perhaps he had more sinister motives and was biding his time. Mikoto didn't care. She would give him whatever he asked and give it to him with a smile, and she would make her husband and sons smile as well. There were no lengths Mikoto wouldn't go through to keep her children healthy and happy.

When they entered Sasuke's room he was sitting up in bed, more aware than he had been in weeks. As Tsunade delivered the news, his eyes widened and his jaw went slack with shock.

"The dobe actually agreed to this?"

"Enough Sasuke!" Mikoto barked furiously. "You will not say another unkind word about Uzumaki-san! Do you understand me?"

All three occupants stared at her in surprise. Mikoto was rarely stern with her son, but that lackadaisical effort on his discipline had almost killed him. It still might, if Uzumaki-san had actually played them, plotting his vengeance as they spoke.

No. She wouldn't think of that. She had to concentrate on what she could do now, lest she completely break.

They discussed the preparations that would be going on for the next few days. Sasuke was sullen and curt with her for a while, but he warmed back up soon enough. Mikoto smiled, brushing her baby's bangs behind his ear as he leaned into her side. He skin was a sickly pale color and there were deep smudges under his dark eyes. His midnight black hair was limp and starting to get greasy. He was probably very irritated by this, that and the fact that he hadn't been able to have a proper shower in a while. Sasuke had always been very particular when it came to hygiene, she thought with a soft, loving smile.

She pressed a kiss against his head, to which he simply sighed contently to instead of scowling like usual. Mikoto swallowed back her sob. Her baby would get better. He simply had to.

To Be Continued…

~oOo~

End Notes:

The Plot Bunny has spoken and as of now it says: Naruto fanfic.

I love the Naruto fandom, but I stopped watching the Anime right up to Orochimaru fighting Sarutobi and I haven't touched a single manga soooooo…Alternate Universe for the win?

Now that I've finished giving all my Naruto canon!fail excuses – what do you think? Good, great, or greatest? Don't be shy, I won't be upset as long as you're honest – and by honest I mean worship me. O.O

Till the next chapter!