22 Chapter 22

"I said that if you keep going as you are now, you're going to become another Itachi. Do you think that he would've done what he did if he truly cared for anyone but you and your mother?" Naruto said.

Sasuke stared at him, enraged. "You'll…you'll regret saying that in front of me. Itachi did as he was ordered. He had no choice."

"There is always a choice, Sasuke," Naruto retorted despondently, "Your brother chose to do what he did. He may have done it to avoid civil war, but did he truly need to massacre an entire clan of people to achieve that result? To commit this level of genocide?"

"And that is why I will kill him, despite his reasons," Sasuke snarled.

"Oh Sasuke, When will you learn that repaying blood with blood does nothing but destroy the lives of everyone around you, as well as your own?" Naruto said.

Sasuke dashed towards him and struck, rage filling him to the point of madness.

He struck nothing but air.

Then a kick landed on his stomach…and it almost collapsed his lung.

Unlike earlier in the week, Naruto struck back.

And he did so, again and again moving too fast for Sasuke to see.

For 5 minutes straight, Sasuke received a bruise in every part of his body and he was helpless to defend himself.

The three girls watched on in silent horror.

"Sh–should we stop him?" Ino asked.

"He's–he's too fast. I don't know if we can do anything!" Sakura retorted, freaking out.

"I–I don't think he'll take it too far. Right?...right?" Hinata tried to confirm.

Then when Sasuke was on his last legs, lips bleeding and hopelessness in his eyes, he could only watch as a mesmerising ball of chakra formed in Naruto's hand, the very thing that would spell his death.

Naruto began towards him, his initial steps slow before gaining in speed.

Sasuke's eyes widened, thinking that this was going to be the end. His death by a random chuunin in the very village of his home. His mother…was going to be left alone…she was going to…

'No.'

Something burned in his very eyes, something that would help him survive. He couldn't go out like this!

Then he saw the world slowing down for him, the movement of Naruto slowed but…but he still couldn't move. He was petrified.

'Even after all that…this is the end…'

Sasuke closed his eyes feeling the dread and hopelessness of it all.

Then…

"Naruto-kun, stop!" three voices called out at the same time.

Sasuke's eyes snapped open, and to his surprise, all three of the girls that had tried to train with him earlier were in front of him. Ino, Sakura, and Hinata all acted as a barrier between the blond and the Uchiha heir. They all look just as terrified of their sensei as he was.

Then, to all of their shock, Naruto stopped in his tracks, the jutsu in his hand fizzling out into nothingness and a smile formed on his face that reached from ear to ear.

"Heh, you all pass!" Naruto said as if he wasn't just about to commit murder.

The four looked at him dumbfounded.

"Wh–what?" Ino was the first to break the stunned silence.

Naruto chuckled. "You couldn't get the bell. The test was about teamwork…but as you noticed there were only three bells to four participants. Unfortunately you guys didn't reach that far for me to have given you the ultimatum behind it. So I settled for this instead."

The group stared at him like he'd grown a second head.

"So…this was all a test?" Hinata asked hesitantly.

Naruto nodded. "Umu, amongst other things."

The three girls slumped to the ground.

"I thought we were gonna die to save the psychotic idiot," Sakura weeped.

"I know right? I'm too young and pretty to die. Though I can think of no better way to go than in the arms of my Naruto-kun," Ino added.

Hinata just took in a relieved breath. "You were quite rough on Sasuke-san, Naruto-kun."

Naruto smiled at the three. "I know Hinata, but you all came to save him regardless, even if you weren't sure of my intentions."

"Hey I knew you weren't gonna take it too far!" Ino interrupted. "I had faith in you, unlike these two."

"Hey! You're the one who freaked out first, Ino-pig!" Sakura snapped.

Hinata giggled.

Sasuke could only watch the three girls interact in front of him in silence. They…they saved him? After all he did to them, after how he treated them…why?

A finger flicked against his forehead. His eyes snapped back into focus to meet a blind-folded chuunin.

Sasuke knew now…that the man in front of him was terrifying. He didn't know how much stronger Naruto was than him, but he'd never even felt so hopeless against even his mother before.

Naruto gave him an apologetic smile. "I wouldn't have gone through with that last attack if the girls didn't interfere, you know? But aren't you glad that they did? Open your heart Sasuke whenever you can in this world Sasuke, else you'll find yourself dying alone, with no one to mourn you as you pass."

Sasuke gave a shaky breath, still somewhat intimidated.

"I also had to be this rough on you. Otherwise you wouldn't have awakened this." Naruto held out a small hand-held mirror and to Sasuke's shock, he stared at his own reflection…his own sharingan eyes.

He…unlocked them? How? What–

Then his eyes roamed back to the eerie blindfolds. "You–you did this?"

Naruto smiled at him. "It wasn't much. Just took me almost murdering you is all. That's revenge for earlier this week. See? Have some trust in me, dattebayo! I know what's good for ya'"

Sasuke…sasuke nodded…and despite being absolutely steamrolled by this person just a few minutes ago, he…he felt his face growing warmer.

The three girls watched the interaction, surprised at the revelation of Sasuke's eyes.

Then...Ino whispered to Sakura. "Is…is Sasuke blushing?"

Sakura, too, grew suspicious and whispered back. "Do you think that he was…gay this entire time?"

Hinata only rolled her eyes at the two.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

~3 months later. July 23rd. Sunday.

"Happy Birthday, Sasuke!" Naruto said, as he handed over his gift.

"Mou~Why am I the last one to receive a gift from Naruto," Ino said in a defeated tone, having already given her gift to the raven haired boy. "I can't believe this…"

Sakura only snickered as she once more fiddled with her hair ribbon, rubbing salt into the wound. It was still in mint condition despite it being on her practically all the time…seriously. She only took it off when she showered and it was still never left further than where she could see it. She cherished it, despite being a simple gift, and as Lady Uzumaki had secretly told her, Naruto had spent hours stitching fuinjutsu seals on it, making it virtually indestructible…and infinitely precious to her. Besides, she could style her hair in multiple different ways using just a single ribbon, as she'd come to discover.

"This is…" Sasuke muttered in surprise after opening his gift.

The gift hadn't been anything the girls expected. Unlike the ribbon that was Sakura's gift, or the stitched plushie of a blindfolded fox that was Hinata's gift. No this was…far less girly.

It was a ninjato.

"Did a big favour for old man Higurashi on one of my missions," Naruto explained, "He gave me this sword in return. Also added a few seals on it. You'll have to find out what they were yourself."

Sasuke…sasuke was beet red when he held the sword in front of him, just as he frequently was in front of their blond friend. "Th–thanks, Naruto."

The fact that Sasuke was 'maybe' gay had turned into 'definitely' gay in the minds of Ino and Sakura over the past months. That fact easing their former pains of rejection and his…attempts at friendliness had bridged the gap between the three. Hinata was the one that got along well with everyone from the start, being the patient, understanding friend that Sasuke really needed.

"I…I have something to say, everyone," Sasuke said, glancing towards his mother who gave him a confident nod and reassuring smile. "I'm…I'm…I'm a–"

"You're gay?" Ino interrupted, "yeah we figured that out a while ago."

"What?!" Sasuke said, gobsmacked.

"We don't judge, Sasuke," Sakura added, "it's totally fine."

"Wha–you–no!" Sasuke stuttered, embarrassed beyond all belief, "I'm not gay!"

Ino, Sakura and even Hinata looked at him disbelievingly.

Sasuke blushed hard and Mikoto was trying to hold in her laughter.

"I'm a girl you dolts!" Sasuke screeched.

…

…

Naruto chuckled at the stunned faces of the trio.

Ino turned her wide eyes at him at the sound. "You knew?!"

Naruto's laugh died in his throat. "Well…yeah. From–"

Sasuke glared at him.

"--from something I'm not inclined to share."

It took a few moments for the girls to regain their composure.

Sasuke bowed to them formally before reintroducing herself. "I've hidden my gender over the years for clan protection purposes and still have to so I'm putting my trust in you all to keep my secret. My real name is Uchiha Sarada…"

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

~After Sarada's revelation. Same day.

The girls and Sarada had gone off to a private girls meeting in the latter's room and Naruto was very much not invited. So here he was, sitting on the rather comfortable couch in the Uchiha family's living room. Most of the Uchiha compound was empty and this house was the closest one to the gate, different from the main house that Sarada had grown up in. For just the two of them, it was more than enough.

"Naruto-kun," Mikoto said as she came to sit next to him.

"Uchiha-sama," Naruto responded, "is there anything you need?"

Mikoto rolled her eyes but smiled. "Stop with the 'Uchiha-sama' thing already. I told you months ago to just call me Mikoto."

"That would be highly inappropriate for one of your status," Naruto automatically replied back.

At Mikoto's unimpressed stare, Naruto squirmed in his seat.

Then she giggled and the sound of it almost set all of his cells on fire. It was melodic and soothing to the ears.

'Good Kami, she just exudes sensuality.'

"If you don't start calling me Mikoto, then I'll have to resort to drastic measures," Mikoto commanded in a no-nonsense tone.

The way she just casually switched from her warm true personality to her commanding business face was something that Naruto secretly liked about her. The switching between playful and serious always kept him on his toes. He was really thanking his lucky stars that his lust seal was taking in all his libido every time he interacted with her.

"H–hai," Naruto relented at her terrifying gaze, "M–Mikoto-sama."

Her stare lasted for a while longer before she sighed. "That's all I can get for today, I suppose. That's what you'll be addressing me from now on, even in public. Understand?"

"Hai Mikoto-sama," Naruto responded immediately.

'Mothers are truly frightening.'

Mikoto's eyes lost her sharp edge and warmth tinged her icy features once more. She only showed this face to people she could trust and Naruto had only gained her trust so quickly after Kushina's assurances on his character as well as her constant observation of him. Bringing Sarada into the mix in his training group, unlocking her sharingan, as well as encouraging her to make friends with her trainees, had sealed the deal for Mikoto.

"I'm so grateful for you Naruto-kun," Mikoto said, her eyes showing a hint of motherly love that she was developing for him, "Thank you for all that you've done for Sarada. To have friends that she trusts this much, or even having friends at all seemed like a pipe dream to me. I…I wanted her to be happy but I also wanted her to be safe…and…and I…"

It was a rare sight for the calm and collected Uchiha Matriarch to be so overwhelmed by emotions that she struggled to find the words.

Naruto placed a reassuring hand on Mikoto's own, stopping her. "I understand Mikoto-sama. Raising Sarada to who she is now, despite all that's happened, you've done a wonderful job. Although Sarada has hit some rough spots, it all worked out in the end. Despite her friendship with the girls being new, I'm sure their bond will last a lifetime."

Mikoto's beaming smile could have stopped a war. She turned her hand over and laced her digits in his, giving him a squeeze. "You're incredible, Naruto-kun. I…I cannot express how grateful I am. If there ever comes a time where there's anything I have that you need, say the word and I'll do everything in my power to grant it to you."

Naruto blushed. "Th–that's no need for that Mikoto-sama. Just your friendship with Lady Kushina and I are more than enough to repay any perceived depts you may think you have. As two diminished clans, we must look after each other to the best of our abilities no matter the situation."

If Mikoto's smile could get any wider and her eyes any warmer, then it did as she heard his words. "Naruto-kun, do me a favour and look to the left for a minute, will you?"

"Hm? What for?" Naruto asked but did so anyway. Just as he did however, he felt like the softest lips in elemental nations had graced itself upon his cheek, lingering for a few seconds before retreating back to whence it came.

Naruto's brain was too busy rebooting to register what just happened.

Mikoto only laughed at his reaction.

An unrestrained, joyful laugh that he'd remember for the rest of his life.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

~ 2 months later. September 23rd. Saturday. Ino's birthday.

"So what do you say, Naruto-kun?" Ino asked, "are you going to grant the birthday girl her wish?"

It was at the end of the party in the Yamanaka clan house and many more people were invited as compared to the small birthday celebrations of everyone else in their friend group. There were the Akimichi's, the Nara's, Aburame's, Inuzuka's…

Now that they've left and only Ino's closest friends remained, it was up to Hinata, Sakura, and Sarado to stop the platinum blond minx from having her fill. Too bad for them, Ino had done a little…manoeuvring on her part to get some alone time with Naruto. A.k.a, secretly enlisted the help of her dad via begging.

Now…now they were alone in a closet.

"I–Ino-chan, what I said about–" Naruto tried.

"I know. I'm not asking for a relationship. I'm not even asking for you to wait. I'm just…could you indulge this foolish girl, just this once?"

Naruto turned away from her, though she could still see his blush. "I can't play with your heart, Ino-chan. I care about you, and I'd hate to give you hope when there may be a chance that I'll never return your feelings…"

"I know…" Ino admitted solemnly, "but it doesn't change the fact that I want you so badly…"

The silence lingered after that, before Naruto coughed.

"Just…just this one time then, alright?" Naruto gave in. "This doesn't change anything between us."

Ino's heart skipped a beat as her throat dried. She gave a shaky nod, never in a million years did she expect her ploy to work…

…Now that it did, she remained frozen in the moment, almost getting cold feet.

Naruto's blindfolded eyes had become a staple of his, and she'd been around him so much that she could tell where exactly he was looking most of the time. Now…he was looking right at her.

Her heart hammered in her chest.

This was it. This was the moment she'd been dreaming of the last few months. She knew that it would be a quick chaste kiss that would indulge her selfish behaviour but she'd exercised her mind to remember the very sensations of that one instance to last for the rest of her life.

She was ready.

Ino closed her eyes and puckered her lips, ready for the contact. Everything was in place. Her mind was ready to capture this moment and place it—

Naruto kissed her.

It was chaste as Ino expected but she didn't mind.

A second later, his lips parted from hers and she was satisfied even with just that much. She remembered how he felt for the split second. She'll cherish–

He kissed her again.

Hard.

And not in a way that was rough and unforgiving. No it was hard in intensity, like firecrackers upon her lips as he worked and sucked with his. His tongue invaded her a moment later and Ino gasped as he playfully licked the roof of her mouth, sending chills down her spine.

Ino didn't expect this. Wasn't expecting it. Never even ima–

'Oh my god'

Her brain was malfunctioning.

Naruto brushed his hand through her hair, and his other on her hip, pulling her closer. Ino's mind caught up to her again, and she tried her best to reciprocate the actions of her partner. She was met with limited success–it was her first kiss after all.

But Naruto was patient with her, waiting for her to dance that tango of tongues, to feel the rhythm of their back and forth, and the heat that their proximity allowed.

Ino moaned as she pushed herself even harder into his face, never wanting this to ever end.

She felt her core getting hotter. Butterflies fluttering, skin tingling, hair-raising.

But for all her enthusiasm, Naruto proved far more formidable in the art, and he took the lead.

Ino was on her backfoot. She…she didn't mind. Not one bit.

Her mind was once again melting, losing itself to the feel of his lips, the scent he gave off. It was unique. Green tea and rose. Wonderful.

They locked tongues for fifteen minutes, Naruto always finding new tricks to keep her on her toes. By minute 5, he'd already figured out all her buttons, all the sensitive parts in her mouth to bite and explore. He worked her like a musician to a long familiar instrument. By minute 10, Ino was already fading from this world, overloaded to the gills. By minute fifteen, Naruto stopped and extracted himself from her.

She was dazed, confused at what just happened, and had probably even forgotten her own name at this point.

And beyond all, elated that she got to see heaven this early.

Naruto gave her one final kiss, sweet and caring. "Hope that was enough to satisfy you. Happy Birthday, Ino-chan."

With that, he was gone with the swirl of leaves.

Ino was still glued to her spot, still lost in the passion of a moment already passed.

A lone finger found itself on her lips.

She couldn't hold on for any longer.

She shuddered and came. She…flooded, soaking her panties and leg wrappings and she didn't regret it. Just like that. From no other stimulation than just a kiss.

Her sensei was terrifying. He wasn't only prodigious in strength but…in being a lover as well?

If this was what he could do from just a kiss then Ino wasn't sure she'd be able to handle him alone…

…alone…

…maybe she didn't have to…

Regardless, one thing was for sure.

This was her best birthday ever.

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