Categories > Anime/Manga > Naruto > Innocence From Ashes
Chapter 15
0 reviewsNaruto and Sasuke return to Konoha to find the villagers brutally murdering Kyuubi.
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Innocence From Ashes
Chapter 15
It was a kiss sent down directly from heaven; heat and passion, and oh god, the scent of his lover, the warmth of his body, the appealing evidence that the other was just as sexually excited as he was. A gentle grind, a needy whimper, and the warmth of the sun on their backs.
They were alive! Alive and together.
Sasuke leaned back, running his tongue slowly over his own lips. He had a thoughtful look on his face. “You taste… different. What have you eaten?” And like a roll of left over thunder, the Uchiha’s gut rumbled anxiously, only now asserting its quite empty state to its human.
Feed me…
And like a switch, Naruto was off on a different topic, even as he stayed hard against his mate. “Oh! Oh! Sasuke! It was the most wonderful food in the world! Even better than Chichiue’s milk! Come and have some!” And Naruto rolled him onto his back, pressed against him teasingly for a moment, and then leapt up, dragging the other with him.
Such was the blonde’s haste that Sasuke was almost dragged off his feet, even though he was following willingly.
To be met by two standing youngsters, seemingly the same age as they were now, watching them with veiled eyes.
Naruto was dancing in place excitedly. “More? More? I want my mate to taste it. It’s unbelievable! Believe it!”
For a split second, Konohamaru wanted to cry to hear that last phrase from his leader’s lips.
Without waiting for an answer, Naruto hunkered down, and began to rummage in the take out box…
…Only to find it utterly empty save for a lingering saliva inducing aroma of ramen.
And Moegi’s mind was moving a mile a minute.
She knelt down beside the blonde, heard the warning growl from the Uchiha, and sidled a knee length away. “It’s all gone, Naruto, but we can get some more, if you like. All the ramen you could eat. For you and for your… mate.”
It would seem that luring Naruto to Konoha with a trail of food was not that farfetched after all.
“Really?” Naruto was even more excited than before. More of the divine substance? All he could eat? “Oh…” A deep trembling sigh of anticipation.
Sasuke was watching the pair; the thinly veiled hostility in the boy, the obvious duplicity of the girl. He wanted no part of them. Or of this accursed place that made the dormant memories within him stir so uneasily.
“Dobe, we can’t stay. We have to find Chichiue.” He gently tugged his mate to his feet.
Naruto wilted, ashamed of his blind greed. How could he have forgotten? He nodded slowly. “Yes, you’re right, koi.”
Oh, no. Moegi was not going to let this golden opportunity to slip away. She rose swiftly, smiling gently.
“But we can send out search parties if we go. Surely, we’ll find your dad then. And just think how much more quickly the search will go if there are more than just two looking…”
She was so anxious that even Naruto began to pick up on the strange vibes radiating off her. He stared quietly at her. “Thank you. It is very kind of you to offer to do this for us, and we accept. But we will start now. Thanks for the ramen, and surely we will meet again.”
“Naruto, wait!” Konohamaru cried desperately.
There was a crashing of someone running through the brush, closing in on them. Both Naruto and Sasuke leapt back instinctively, and another boy broke through, dashing up to them, calling out as he came.
“Konohamaru! Moegi! Come quick, come quick! We caught the fox! Now we just have to make it lead us to Nar…u…to….”
The boy stumbled to a halt to see exactly who was with his friends.
“You have the fox?” Sasuke ground out, feeling a tide of angry heat rising inside him.
“Chichiue?” Naruto cried out at the same time. “You found our Chichiue?”
When Naruto would have eagerly stepped forward, Sasuke pulled him more protectively into his arms. “No, Naruto. They caught Chichiue, not found him.” His voice was dropping to a thread of malice.
“Udon!” Moegi groaned in exasperation, slapping her forehead.
“Caught?” Naruto echoed in bewilderment. “Why would anyone want to catch our Chichiue?” He turned to look in confusion at the two that had seemed so nice before.
“Why do you want Naruto so badly?” Sasuke growled threateningly. “It’s all we’ve heard since we met you people. He’s mine. Mine.”
When Konohamaru made to open his mouth in furious denial, Moegi slapped the back of his head. Normally, she would never do such a thing, but she had to shut her hotheaded boyfriend up before he ruined everything.
“We see that, Uchiha-san,” She said levelly. “And I’m sure this is all just a misunderstanding. We would never do anything to hurt Naruto. We love him.”
Even more confused than before, Naruto clung to that which he knew, his mate. “But why? I don’t even know you!”
“But we know you, Naruto. And once upon a time, you knew us. We were friends,” Moegi went on soothingly. “It was a long time ago, but we haven’t forgotten. Come with us. Let us find your Chichiue and I’m sure everything can be cleared up.”
Sasuke was tense. He knew this was very bad. He suspected a trap. But if they really had Kyuubi, they would have to go with them. Go with them and free their Chichiue. Then they could shake the dust of this accursed place from their heels forever.
He would just stay very close to Naruto, keep him safe, get their father, and get out unharmed. He was the guardian. He would do it. Or he would die trying.
“Come on, Naruto, let’s go get Chichiue.” He said softly, running slightly trembling fingers through the luxurious gold hair. Dear god, please be with us now!
Naruto nodded quickly, confusion turning to anxious unease.
**************
The quick walk through the forests, past Udon’s farmhouse, and through the winding streets of the city were made in tension, broken only by Moegi’s weak attempts to ease them with convictions that once everyone saw Naruto and heard what he had to say, everything would be fine.
The closer they got to the center, the more it was apparent that something unusual was going on. People were shouting in excitement, and running in the same direction they were going. Crying out things like at last, and vengeance, and retribution.
Sasuke grew cold, more and more of his memories forced to the surface of his mind.
They were talking about Kyuubi. Alarmed, he began to run, taking Naruto right along side him. His blonde caught his concern, and was running in step with him, the unease growing every greater in his beautiful face. Sasuke cursed this terrible place.
The reached some sort of wide plaza, and though they were still far from the center of Konoha, it was obviously this area’s market place. But the fabulous stores and amazing buildings still left the two unmoved from their fear and worry.
And as soon as they left the cobbled street into the brick lined avenue, a terrible sight met their eyes.
The great fox lay on the stones, blood beginning to slowly seep into a pool below his matted body. He was crisscrossed from snout to tails with chakra glowing ropes, his red and black eyes rolling wildly. Crowds surged about him, kicking him, hitting him, spitting on him, taking out kunai and stabbing him!
“Kill the fox!” They screamed. “Kill the Yondaime’s bane!”
There were two, however, that were running about, screaming for the madness to stop, trying to halt the enraged mob.
Sakura and Iruka.
The boys froze, staring at the horrific scene before them.
And the last of Sasuke’s memories boiled out, and became one with his consciousness.
It came to him like a slap that others were aiding the fox; Shino was summoning insects, already he could hear a rising hum from the forests, but it would be too late to save the fox. Shikamaru was desperately moving with the sun, using his shadow to halt the insanity, but he was but one man. Ino was jumping from soul to soul, but the rising rage was too great, she kept getting forced back out. Kakashi had summoned his nindogs, which barked and snarled and bit, but they were his people, he couldn’t command them to kill. Beside him was Gai, no smile on his face, only a thunderous frown as he slapped people left and right, hard enough to stun. Chouji had enlarged his hands, sweeping the rioters away, but they were scrambling right back over the huge fleshy limbs. Lee was a whirling spinning dervish about his strong wife, keeping her safe even as he tried to reason with the townsfolk. Ten Ten had out her blunt weapons, but like the nindogs, she could not use deadly force against her own. Neji was moving like the wind, and people were falling, stunned with their chakra blocked, but he too was one man against hundreds. Gaara’s sand was spinning in a graceful dance around his wife, who was using her gentle fists as well, but Gaara was not quite so restrained as the Konohan ninjas. He wasn’t striking to kill, but there would be more than a few broken bones. Kiba and Akamaru were snarling and working with the nindogs to subdue, but all they got were fists and kicks. And the Hokage, realizing that her words were being ignored, whistled shrilly for her ANBU. He couldn’t see Kurenai, Asuma, or the other Sand nin, but he knew they were there too, working to aid the Nine Tailed Demon.
He watched them a moment, stunned to see them fighting for something they’d always hated and feared, and knew they did it simply for love of Naruto; because their blonde was so attached to this new, kinder and gentler Kyuubi. They flickered in and out of the crowd, desperate but determined. But it seemed as if virtually the entire village had gathered, and they had become a mob mentality; filled with blood lust. Kyuubi would be slain. Chichiue… would die. And not only would Naruto’s heart break, but so would his.
“STOP!” Sasuke screamed, darting forward to rescue the only real father he’d ever known, as even Fugaku had been so cold and remote as to never really seem like a father.
Iruka stopped, as did Sakura, their jaws dropping in horror to see the Uchiha bearing down on them, eyes blazing red and pinwheeling. The tomoes were spinning, enlarging, and beginning to merge. Sasuke was calling on the powers newly instilled inside him to stop this heinous crime.
Sasuke ran right past them, and plowed into the crowd, flinging startled townsfolk left and right in an effort to get to his Chichiue.
“It’s the Uchihan Traitor!” They began to chant, mingling with the ongoing demands for Kyuubi’s death. “Sharingan! Kill them both! Devil’s spawn!”
“Sasuke!” Naruto shouted, sensing the deadly intent focusing upon his mate. “Sasuke!” And he broke from his horrified trance to run after him.
“Naruto!” Iruka cried, bursting into tears. How did this come to pass? It was madness, left and right, and Naruto would only end up hurt anew. He caught the boy as he went to run by, and held him close.
But before Sasuke had fully powered up his Sharingan, he was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers. A big rawboned merchant appeared suddenly, and clubbed the wolf on the back of his head with a shovel.
It was a blow so hard, they heard the boy’s skull crack. He folded up, landing hard on the blood stained bricks, and did not move.
And Naruto began to scream.
Chapter 15
It was a kiss sent down directly from heaven; heat and passion, and oh god, the scent of his lover, the warmth of his body, the appealing evidence that the other was just as sexually excited as he was. A gentle grind, a needy whimper, and the warmth of the sun on their backs.
They were alive! Alive and together.
Sasuke leaned back, running his tongue slowly over his own lips. He had a thoughtful look on his face. “You taste… different. What have you eaten?” And like a roll of left over thunder, the Uchiha’s gut rumbled anxiously, only now asserting its quite empty state to its human.
Feed me…
And like a switch, Naruto was off on a different topic, even as he stayed hard against his mate. “Oh! Oh! Sasuke! It was the most wonderful food in the world! Even better than Chichiue’s milk! Come and have some!” And Naruto rolled him onto his back, pressed against him teasingly for a moment, and then leapt up, dragging the other with him.
Such was the blonde’s haste that Sasuke was almost dragged off his feet, even though he was following willingly.
To be met by two standing youngsters, seemingly the same age as they were now, watching them with veiled eyes.
Naruto was dancing in place excitedly. “More? More? I want my mate to taste it. It’s unbelievable! Believe it!”
For a split second, Konohamaru wanted to cry to hear that last phrase from his leader’s lips.
Without waiting for an answer, Naruto hunkered down, and began to rummage in the take out box…
…Only to find it utterly empty save for a lingering saliva inducing aroma of ramen.
And Moegi’s mind was moving a mile a minute.
She knelt down beside the blonde, heard the warning growl from the Uchiha, and sidled a knee length away. “It’s all gone, Naruto, but we can get some more, if you like. All the ramen you could eat. For you and for your… mate.”
It would seem that luring Naruto to Konoha with a trail of food was not that farfetched after all.
“Really?” Naruto was even more excited than before. More of the divine substance? All he could eat? “Oh…” A deep trembling sigh of anticipation.
Sasuke was watching the pair; the thinly veiled hostility in the boy, the obvious duplicity of the girl. He wanted no part of them. Or of this accursed place that made the dormant memories within him stir so uneasily.
“Dobe, we can’t stay. We have to find Chichiue.” He gently tugged his mate to his feet.
Naruto wilted, ashamed of his blind greed. How could he have forgotten? He nodded slowly. “Yes, you’re right, koi.”
Oh, no. Moegi was not going to let this golden opportunity to slip away. She rose swiftly, smiling gently.
“But we can send out search parties if we go. Surely, we’ll find your dad then. And just think how much more quickly the search will go if there are more than just two looking…”
She was so anxious that even Naruto began to pick up on the strange vibes radiating off her. He stared quietly at her. “Thank you. It is very kind of you to offer to do this for us, and we accept. But we will start now. Thanks for the ramen, and surely we will meet again.”
“Naruto, wait!” Konohamaru cried desperately.
There was a crashing of someone running through the brush, closing in on them. Both Naruto and Sasuke leapt back instinctively, and another boy broke through, dashing up to them, calling out as he came.
“Konohamaru! Moegi! Come quick, come quick! We caught the fox! Now we just have to make it lead us to Nar…u…to….”
The boy stumbled to a halt to see exactly who was with his friends.
“You have the fox?” Sasuke ground out, feeling a tide of angry heat rising inside him.
“Chichiue?” Naruto cried out at the same time. “You found our Chichiue?”
When Naruto would have eagerly stepped forward, Sasuke pulled him more protectively into his arms. “No, Naruto. They caught Chichiue, not found him.” His voice was dropping to a thread of malice.
“Udon!” Moegi groaned in exasperation, slapping her forehead.
“Caught?” Naruto echoed in bewilderment. “Why would anyone want to catch our Chichiue?” He turned to look in confusion at the two that had seemed so nice before.
“Why do you want Naruto so badly?” Sasuke growled threateningly. “It’s all we’ve heard since we met you people. He’s mine. Mine.”
When Konohamaru made to open his mouth in furious denial, Moegi slapped the back of his head. Normally, she would never do such a thing, but she had to shut her hotheaded boyfriend up before he ruined everything.
“We see that, Uchiha-san,” She said levelly. “And I’m sure this is all just a misunderstanding. We would never do anything to hurt Naruto. We love him.”
Even more confused than before, Naruto clung to that which he knew, his mate. “But why? I don’t even know you!”
“But we know you, Naruto. And once upon a time, you knew us. We were friends,” Moegi went on soothingly. “It was a long time ago, but we haven’t forgotten. Come with us. Let us find your Chichiue and I’m sure everything can be cleared up.”
Sasuke was tense. He knew this was very bad. He suspected a trap. But if they really had Kyuubi, they would have to go with them. Go with them and free their Chichiue. Then they could shake the dust of this accursed place from their heels forever.
He would just stay very close to Naruto, keep him safe, get their father, and get out unharmed. He was the guardian. He would do it. Or he would die trying.
“Come on, Naruto, let’s go get Chichiue.” He said softly, running slightly trembling fingers through the luxurious gold hair. Dear god, please be with us now!
Naruto nodded quickly, confusion turning to anxious unease.
**************
The quick walk through the forests, past Udon’s farmhouse, and through the winding streets of the city were made in tension, broken only by Moegi’s weak attempts to ease them with convictions that once everyone saw Naruto and heard what he had to say, everything would be fine.
The closer they got to the center, the more it was apparent that something unusual was going on. People were shouting in excitement, and running in the same direction they were going. Crying out things like at last, and vengeance, and retribution.
Sasuke grew cold, more and more of his memories forced to the surface of his mind.
They were talking about Kyuubi. Alarmed, he began to run, taking Naruto right along side him. His blonde caught his concern, and was running in step with him, the unease growing every greater in his beautiful face. Sasuke cursed this terrible place.
The reached some sort of wide plaza, and though they were still far from the center of Konoha, it was obviously this area’s market place. But the fabulous stores and amazing buildings still left the two unmoved from their fear and worry.
And as soon as they left the cobbled street into the brick lined avenue, a terrible sight met their eyes.
The great fox lay on the stones, blood beginning to slowly seep into a pool below his matted body. He was crisscrossed from snout to tails with chakra glowing ropes, his red and black eyes rolling wildly. Crowds surged about him, kicking him, hitting him, spitting on him, taking out kunai and stabbing him!
“Kill the fox!” They screamed. “Kill the Yondaime’s bane!”
There were two, however, that were running about, screaming for the madness to stop, trying to halt the enraged mob.
Sakura and Iruka.
The boys froze, staring at the horrific scene before them.
And the last of Sasuke’s memories boiled out, and became one with his consciousness.
It came to him like a slap that others were aiding the fox; Shino was summoning insects, already he could hear a rising hum from the forests, but it would be too late to save the fox. Shikamaru was desperately moving with the sun, using his shadow to halt the insanity, but he was but one man. Ino was jumping from soul to soul, but the rising rage was too great, she kept getting forced back out. Kakashi had summoned his nindogs, which barked and snarled and bit, but they were his people, he couldn’t command them to kill. Beside him was Gai, no smile on his face, only a thunderous frown as he slapped people left and right, hard enough to stun. Chouji had enlarged his hands, sweeping the rioters away, but they were scrambling right back over the huge fleshy limbs. Lee was a whirling spinning dervish about his strong wife, keeping her safe even as he tried to reason with the townsfolk. Ten Ten had out her blunt weapons, but like the nindogs, she could not use deadly force against her own. Neji was moving like the wind, and people were falling, stunned with their chakra blocked, but he too was one man against hundreds. Gaara’s sand was spinning in a graceful dance around his wife, who was using her gentle fists as well, but Gaara was not quite so restrained as the Konohan ninjas. He wasn’t striking to kill, but there would be more than a few broken bones. Kiba and Akamaru were snarling and working with the nindogs to subdue, but all they got were fists and kicks. And the Hokage, realizing that her words were being ignored, whistled shrilly for her ANBU. He couldn’t see Kurenai, Asuma, or the other Sand nin, but he knew they were there too, working to aid the Nine Tailed Demon.
He watched them a moment, stunned to see them fighting for something they’d always hated and feared, and knew they did it simply for love of Naruto; because their blonde was so attached to this new, kinder and gentler Kyuubi. They flickered in and out of the crowd, desperate but determined. But it seemed as if virtually the entire village had gathered, and they had become a mob mentality; filled with blood lust. Kyuubi would be slain. Chichiue… would die. And not only would Naruto’s heart break, but so would his.
“STOP!” Sasuke screamed, darting forward to rescue the only real father he’d ever known, as even Fugaku had been so cold and remote as to never really seem like a father.
Iruka stopped, as did Sakura, their jaws dropping in horror to see the Uchiha bearing down on them, eyes blazing red and pinwheeling. The tomoes were spinning, enlarging, and beginning to merge. Sasuke was calling on the powers newly instilled inside him to stop this heinous crime.
Sasuke ran right past them, and plowed into the crowd, flinging startled townsfolk left and right in an effort to get to his Chichiue.
“It’s the Uchihan Traitor!” They began to chant, mingling with the ongoing demands for Kyuubi’s death. “Sharingan! Kill them both! Devil’s spawn!”
“Sasuke!” Naruto shouted, sensing the deadly intent focusing upon his mate. “Sasuke!” And he broke from his horrified trance to run after him.
“Naruto!” Iruka cried, bursting into tears. How did this come to pass? It was madness, left and right, and Naruto would only end up hurt anew. He caught the boy as he went to run by, and held him close.
But before Sasuke had fully powered up his Sharingan, he was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers. A big rawboned merchant appeared suddenly, and clubbed the wolf on the back of his head with a shovel.
It was a blow so hard, they heard the boy’s skull crack. He folded up, landing hard on the blood stained bricks, and did not move.
And Naruto began to scream.
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