burningfirerose

Chapter 16


“This isn’t good,” Tsunade stated once the two chuunin finished. She rolled her eyes at the twin looks of ‘No kidding’ both boys cast towards her and huffed. “You said you can sense Naruto,” she affirmed. “More than likely, you’ll be able to find him better than any of us. You two, put a team together and get searching. If anything, the Akatsuki has him, and if that’s true, you need to find him fast.”

“Hai!” both boys said in unison.

“Jiraiya, Kakashi, go with them. Report back to me once you have him back.”

Both men looked grim as they nodded once and began to follow the younger shinobi out of the office.

“Wait,” Tsunade called. “I need to speak to you two, first.”

Jiraiya and Kakashi nodded. “Well meet you outside,” Kakashi said as he closed the door on the two chuunin.

Tsunade sighed and rubbed her hands over her face, massaging temples. “This isn’t good,” she repeated. “There’s no way to tell what state of mind Naruto will be in once you find him. He could be driven mad with lust by then, especially if the Akatsuki have him.”

Kakashi frowned. “I have watched Naruto closely, Hokage-sama. and I believe its safe to say that Naruto only responds to Gaara and Sasuke in such a manner.”

“But if it’s Itachi who has him, his scent would be very similar to the younger Uchiha, Naruto might not be able to differentiate between the two,” Jiraiya put in.

“Either way, I think you should prepare for him to...attack Sasuke or Gaara, or even yourselves, once you find him. If he does...well, just make sure they’re not interrupted until Naruto has calmed.

“Gaara may even prove to be a problem, so watch out for him. He views Naruto as his mate, he’ll not let anyone stand in his way once his instincts start kicking in,” Tsunade warned.

“If it’s Itachi that has him, that’ll prove to be an even bigger problem,” Kakashi said.

Tsunade groaned. “I’m afraid there isn’t much to be done about it if there is. If he gets away, make sure Sasuke doesn’t follow after. Naruto is our concern here, he can worry about his brother after.”

“Hai,” both men answered.

Tsunade sighed and gave the two men a pleading look. “Bring him home,” she beseeched.

“We will,” Jiraiya answered, his tone full of promise.

~~~~

“Who should we go to first?” Sasuke asked the moment the two of them stepped outside, mentally going through the list of ninja’s that were still in Konoha.

“I’m getting Kankurou and Temari,” Gaara stated, his arms crossed over his chest as he glared at the Uchiha, daring him to object. “You should know your town’s shinobi better than I, who else would you recommend?”

“Hyuuga Neji, Inuzuka Kiba and Nara Shikamaru. They’re all still in the village and have skills they can contribute to the search,” Sasuke answered, a frown marring his face. “Hopefully that’ll be enough.”

“Then its decided,” Gaara nodded sharply.

Sasuke scowled as silence descended upon them and Gaara glared at the ground. Neither wanted to mention the reason for their discomfort.

“Decided on the team yet?” Kakashi asked as he and Jiraiya joined the two tense chuunin.

“Hai,” Sasuke nodded, relieved to see the two.

Gaara looked around the small town, his eyes narrowing. They’ve wasted enough time waiting for the older men. “Lets split up. We’ll meet back here once we’ve got everyone.”

“Right,” Sasuke agreed. “I’ll get Neji, Kakashi-sensei, Jiraiya, you get Kiba and Shikamaru,” Sasuke ordered. If the situation wasn’t so critical, he would of found it amusing to be giving his superiors orders.

“Uchiha.”

Sasuke turned to face the red head and raised a brow. “What?”

Gaara paused, unsure of what he wanted to say. Finally he settled for, “Lets hurry.”

Sasuke nodded. “Hai,” he agreed.

The two stared at each other for a moment, silently coming to an understanding. They may be rivals for Naruto’s affections, but right now, they needed to work together.

Gaara nodded his head and spun around, breaking the awkwardness.

Sasuke stood still for a moment, watching the red head fad into the crowd. A hand descended on his should, and he jumped. He turned to find Kakashi staring off into the crowd, his eye filled with concern.

“We’ll find him,” Kakashi assured, squeezing his shoulder.

“Damn right, we will,” Jiraiya confirmed from behind them. “I need the three of you to help me with my research.”

Sasuke smirked at that and turned to look at the two men. He nodded his head, silently giving his thanks to the two before taking off as well, in search for Neji.

Kakashi and Jiraiya stared at each other for a moment, making their way towards the other direction.

“Think they’ll do it?”

“If they’re smart, they will,” Jiraiya answered. “The boy deserves it.”

~~~~

“Wow, look who shows,” Temari smirked as Gaara entered the apartment, the door slamming behind him. “Didn’t think we’d be seeing you for awhile.”

“Where’s Kankurou?” Gaara barked, ignoring Temari’s comments.

“In the other room. Why?”

“Get him in here,” Gaara ordered. Temari raised a brow as Gaara paced in front of the door. Something really got her brother worked up and that didn’t bode well at all.

“Alright,” she nodded, and turned and left the room.

Gaara continued to pace, letting his sand spill from the gourd to swirl and dance about him. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d been this worried over anyone. The feeling was new and irritating and proved that he felt deeply for his mate. He had to get him back, had to make sure his mate was happy, safe.

He took a breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He needed to stay in control, to keep his mind clear.

“So what’s the deal? What’s got you worked up?” Temari asked the moment she returned with her brother in tow.

Gaara turned to face his two siblings, fighting harder then he’d ever had to, to keep his face void and his voice smooth. “Uzumaki’s missing,” he answered.

~~~~

It was dark. There was no pain, no Itachi.

Naruto sighed in relief. He was safe. For the moment at least.

“Decided to come and visit for a change, have you?” a deep voice rumbled from behind him.

Naruto turned, squinting his eyes against the dark. The room he was in gradually lightened until he could see the bars and the beast contained on the other side.

“Kyuubi,” he breathed. It’d been a while since he’d seen the demon in his true form. “What happened to the clearing?”

The beast huffed at him. “Did you really forget what I told you? You’ve come to me this time, not the other way around.”

“Oh,” Naruto frowned. “Can I change it? The surroundings I mean?”

Kyuubi grinned, showing a mouth full of vicious fangs. “You can let me out. I certainly wouldn’t be adverse to that.”

Naruto kicked at the bars and slumped to the ground with a sigh. “I cant, then. I’m not stupid, you’ll have free reign of my body if I let you go.”

“You never seemed to mind that before.”

Naruto glared at the creature, his expression clearly stating he wasn’t amused.

Kyuubi rolled his scarlet eyes, and snorted, laying down to rest his head on his paws. “Is there a reason you’ve come to me then? Or, have you grown bored and decided that you want to know what it feels like to be taken with me in my real form?”

Naruto wrinkled his nose in disgust. “You’re sick, you know that?”

Kyuubi bared his fangs again in a grin. “Demon,” was his only answer to the blond.

Naruto sighed again. He could almost feel hands ghosting over his skin, and it sent a shiver of fear down his spine, reminding him that he needed to do something soon. He may have broken the jutsu, but that did nothing from preventing Itachi from really defiling his body.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad letting Kyuubi take control of his body. At least he wouldn’t have to deal with the situation himself. He supposed Kyuubi could pay his rent like he usually demanded, but that was usually when he was in a life or death situation. Right now, his life wasn’t in danger, just his virtue.

“Are you just going to sit there and sulk?” asked Kyuubi.

Naruto glared at the creature. “No,” he answered, ignoring the fact that he sounded like a petulant child. He drew his knees up and wrapped his arms around them, burying his head within the folds. “I’m not sure what to do,” he mumbled.

Kyuubi cocked his head, but otherwise remained silent.

“If I give up control to you for a moment, you promise to give it back?” Naruto asked, looking sideways at the demon.

Kyuubi made a sound, as if truly thinking over the question. Naruto could see the large head sway to and fro, the scarlet eyes looking up every once in awhile as if trying to decide something. After about a minute of quite contemplation, Kyuubi finally looked at Naruto and nodded his head. “Nope,” he grinned. “Cant say that I will.”

Naruto stared in exasperation at the beast. “It took you a minute to answer that?”

The demon’s grin widened. “What can I say? If I taste freedom again, I’m likely not to give it back up without a fight.”

“You’re impossible,” Naruto sighed, laying his head back on his knees and hiding his face. If he couldn’t trust Kyuubi to give back control of his body, then he’d have to be the one to face the Missing Nin again.

Naruto shuddered. He really didn’t want to do that, but it looked like he had no choice. He sighed and climbed to his feet. Squaring his shoulders, he turned to the beast. “Time to pay your rent, then,” he said, closing his eyes.


TBC

Chapter 4 To Hear
 

Someone was humming. It’d been a while since he last heard that kind of sound. Aunt Petunia always hummed to herself while she cleaned and Harry used to love listening to her - it always seemed to make her warmer. When she hummed, it was easy to pretend that she could be kind to him.

Harry sighed and cracked open an eye. He blinked at the blinding light and struggled to sit up, wanting to know where the sound was coming from. 

The humming stopped.

“Good morning,” Madam Pomfrey greeted brightly as she swept over to his side.

Morning?

Poppy smiled at Harry’s small frown. “You slept the night away. I dear say your body needed it.”

Harry’s eyes widen before blinking up at her, bringing a hand to his ear. Her voice was so clear. Not once did he have to strain to hear her.

“An easy fix like I suspected,” Madam Pomfrey smiled at him. “Your hearing should be as good as new, now. Though I do recommend staying put for awhile - your equilibrium’s going to be off for a bit and I wont have you tumbling down the stairs.”

Harry stared at her, his eyes tearing up once again. She fixed his hearing?

Poppy stopped her fusing about and laid a gentle hand on the boy’s shoulder. “What’s the matter, child?” she asked in concern as she brushed a tear from his cheek. Harry sniffed and in the next instant, Poppy had her arms full of boy as Harry quietly sobbed in gratitude on her shoulder.

“Shh,” she cooed. “Its alright. Everything's alright.”

She rocked him in her arms, offering him the comfort he needed until his sobs subsided. Gently, she disentangled the boy from her and propped him up on the bed, tucking the blankets snuggly around him to keep him warm.

“There now, isn’t that better?” she smiled, brushing the hair from the boy’s face.

Harry nodded, sniffling slightly still. He could feel his chest tightening, swelling almost painfully around his heart. First Hermione...and now this kind woman, both with no reason to help him, and yet they did. He sniffed again, trying to prevent a new wave of tears. He was going to have to thank them both somehow. They deserved it.

Madam Pomfrey conjured a plate of food and settled the tray across the boy’s lap, sternly telling him to eat every bite with a warm smile.


Harry smiled back and began picking at the food as the witch fluttered about the wing, casting spells and jotting down notes. Harry suspected she was doing so to keep an eye on him, but he didn’t mind. It was the first time someone was making sure he actually ate. It took awhile, his stomach wanted to protest, but he managed it all.

“Now Harry, this is what’s going to happen,” the Medi-witch began after she banished the empty plate. “I want you to come back in for a check up next Friday after classes, and then we’ll get started on healing your bones correctly.” She paused for a moment, as if trying to find the right way to phrase something.

“Harry, has your relatives ever taken you in for a check-up before?”

Harry shook his head and gestured for something to write on.

“Of course,” Poppy smiled, withdrawing a self-ink quill and parchment from her apron.

“Thank you,” he wrote out first, smiling as he indicated his ears.

“You’re very welcome, Mr. Potter,” she smiled back.

Harry frowned then turned his attention to the next set of words he wanted to write. “Im not being sent home?”

“No. You’ll not have to worry about that ever again. I can promise you that.” The relief in the boys eyes was so strong, Poppy couldn’t help but pull him into another hug. “You’re safe here, Harry. No one can ever touch you within these walls,” she murmured, rubbing soothing circles on his back.

She could feel the boy’s breath hitching again and let him cry his tears against her. Merlin knows the boy needed the comfort.

Finally Harry pulled away and swiped his fists across his eyes, trying to dry his tears. He smiled weakly up at the Medi-witch as she handed him a handkerchief and blew his nose.

“Keep it,” Poppy grinned when he tried to hand it back. She cast a quick cleaning spell over it for him. “You never know when you’ll need a good cry.”

Taking a deep breath, Harry sat the cloth to the side and picked up the forgotten quill and parchment once more.

“How are you going to fix my bones?”

Harry held his breath as he let the Medi-witch read what he wrote. He hoped he spelled ‘bones’ right.

The Medi-witch sighed. “Its not going to be pleasant, I can tell you that.” At Harry’s worried look she continued. “You’ll sleep through the worse of it, and I’ll give you some potions to help with the pain. It wont mask it completely, I’m afraid, but it needs to be done. If we leave you as you are now, it can cause complications later on. Do you think you can handle that?”

Harry looked very worried but nodded anyway. He trusted her.

“Harry,” Poppy began again. Hesitantly. “I need to know what your living conditions were when you were staying with the Dursley’s. Did they ever touch you? Or do anything else bad?”

Harry bit his lip, his eyes filling with tears once more. He shook his head, pushing the quill and parchment away from him, not wanting to answer.

“It’s alright, Harry. You don’t have to tell me this instant. But you do need to tell someone soon. It’ll help to tell someone, to know that someone else knows, even if they might not understand - it can be quite the stress reliever.” Madam Pomfrey patted the boy’s legs and stood.

“Get some rest, Mr. Potter. We’ll talk some more when you wake.”

Harry nodded and snuggled back down beneath the blankets. He rubbed at his eyes and sniffed. He couldn’t tell anyone about the Dursley’s. Even if they did suspect some things. How could he tell on them when he knew they spoke the truth?

He sighed, pushing the thoughts away. He was promised he wouldn’t have to see them again, that would be enough. They didn’t need to know the details.

~~~~

“How is he doing, my dear?” Albus asked as he leaned back in his seat.

“Well enough. The poor boy was so thankful to hear correctly, he broke down in tears and about clobbered me over,” Poppy said with a sad smile.

“Did he tell you anything?”

“That would be a bit hard, wouldn’t you think?” Snape sneered from his position by the fire.

“Severus, come now, no need for sarcasm,” Albus chided.

Pomfrey sighed, settling her tea back on the old wizard’s desk. “He didn’t say anything. Just thanked me for his hearing and asked about his check-up.” She paused for a second, taking a sip of the tea. “He did ask if he was being sent home, though. He looked relieved when I told him he would never have to go back.”

“You did what?” Snape asked, turning back round to glare at the witch.

“Severus, I’m sure Madam Pomfrey was only trying to help,” Albus said, leaning forward in his chair.

Poppy looked between the two wizards, her eyes narrowing. “What?” she asked. “What am I not getting?”

Albus signed, running his hand through his long white beard. “Until Mr. Potter tells us exactly what’s been going on and how he got into such a state, I’m afraid there’s little we can do.”

“What!” Poppy stood, dropping her tea to the floor unnoticed. She stared down at the Headmaster, her anger and confusion radiating off her in waves. “But that’s...that’s ridicules. The boy’s malnourished, his bones are in a sad state, and not to mention the bruises and scars that’s littering his skin. Albus, how can you not do anything? The proof’s all there!” 

“I know, my dear, I know,” Albus answered, the twinkle in his blue eyes long gone. “But I’m afraid it’s not up to me. It would appear that the Minister needs more than just supposition. The boy could of gotten those injuries from other sources. It’s our job to get the boy to admit what’s been done to him, only then will he be allowed to be taken from the Dursley’s.”

“He’s not going to talk, Albus, at least not anytime soon. He doesn’t feel safe enough for that yet,” Poppy sighed as she sank back into her seat.

“We have all year, my dear,” Albus reminded. He turned to Serverus and studied the man for a moment. Snape narrowed his eyes, not liking the look that was passing over the Headmasters face, a look that said he just came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea.

“No,” Snape said gently before the old fool could open his mouth. The damn twinkling was back and growing brighter with each shake of the Potion Masters head.

“My dear boy, you don’t even know what I’m going to say,” Albus all but laughed.

“I don’t care. Whatever you’re thinking, no. I refuse to be part of you wily concoctions.”

“Come now, Severus, my concoctions are not wily, as you so put it.”

Snape snorted. “Whatever it is, my answers no,” he said, standing his ground. He was not going to give in this time. No matter what the old man said, he was not going to break down and follow along.

“Severus, he trusts you,” Albus said with seriousness.

“Not after that display yesterday,” Snape reminded, smirking to himself. He knew it was the right decision to turn the boy away from him. Severus Snape was not a nice man after all. 

Poppy stared between the two men, her eyes widening as she realized what the Headmaster was trying to get at.

“Severus, if I may be so bold...”

“You may not,” Snape cut in, turning his glare to the woman.

Poppy continued, ignoring the man’s heated glare. “The boy looks up to you. Or, he did. He turned to you when he was searching for help yesterday, if you were to give him reason to trust you, I’m sure he would do just that. It could prove helpful in the long run.”

“I’m not doing it,” Snape insisted.

“Severus, you know what Harry’s going through, to a certain extent at least,” she said. “How could you let the poor boy go back to those...people?”

Snape glared at the two, feeling his resolve starting to slip. Damn, but he was going to regret this, he just knew it. He sighed, rubbing at the bridge of his nose - he could feel a headache coming on.

“Please, Severus,” Albus pushed gentle, glancing quickly to the Medi-witch.

“Fine,” Snape huffed, dropping his hand and crossing his arms. “But I do not see how any of this is going to work. Even if the boy can trust me again, I doubt he’ll be willing to share his experience.”

“I’m sure you can think of something, my boy,” Albus smiled. “Perhaps teaching the boy wordless spells will give you a start? From what I understand from the other professors, Harry’s spell work is quite poor, though he has managed to cast a few spells.”

“Really?” Poppy cut in. “That’s quite fascinating. He could be quite the powerful wizard to learn wordless spells at such a young age.”

“Indeed,” Snape said dryly, fighting his desire to roll his eye’s at the two.

Albus beamed, clapping his hands together in delight. “Come now, Severus, have some tea,” he offered, pouring the man a cup of the steaming liquid.

Snape sighed in defeat and settled himself in the chair next to Poppy’s, trying hard to ignore the two smiling faces. This was going to come back and bite him in the arse, he just knew it.

~~~

“Shh! He’s asleep, be quiet,” a girls voice spoke softly.

“I am being quiet,” another voice answered back. Harry could hear the scrapping of a chair sliding across the floor followed by the rustling of cloth as his curtains were drawn back.

“No you’re not! Stop making so much racket,” the girl snapped.

“Lay off, Hermione, you’re being just as noisy.”

Harry smiled to himself as he turned onto his back and stretched, thankful that the two had come to visit.

“Now look what you did! You woke him up,” Hermione scolded as Harry opened his eyes and yawned widely. He bit his lip, trying to hide his smile as Ron rolled his eyes at the girl.

Hermione huffed at the red head before turning her attention back to the boy on the bed. “How are you doing? You never showed up for the rest of classes yesterday and when you didn’t return to the dorms last night, well, we got a bit worried,” she said, looking in concern at Harry as she helped him to sit up.

Harry closed his eyes again as a wave of dizziness washed over him at the sudden movement. He guessed the dizziness was what the Medi-witch had meant about his equilibrium being off. He opened his eyes once the spell had passed to find Hermione frowning at him. He smiled and shrugged, the only thing he could do to show he was fine.

“That greasy bat didn’t do anything to you, did he? Is that why you’re here?” Ron asked, pulling his chair even closer to the bed. 

Harry shook his head and smiled weakly. No, his professor didn’t do anything, just opened his eyes to the fact that he wasn’t who he thought he was.

“So, why are you here then, Harry?” Ron asked.   

Harry just stared at him before shrugging and looking down at his lap. It’s not like he was able to tell him, and even if he could, Harry wasn’t sure if he’d want to. He found himself extremely grateful that the Medi-witch had retrieved her quill and parchment while he slept.

“Ow! Why’d you kick me?” Ron spluttered as he gave Hermione a bewildered look, rubbing at his injured leg.

“Really Ronald, is it so hard to think before you speak?” Hermione chided as she glared at him.

The red head just looked at her in confusion, mumbling under his breath about psychotic woman as he tucked his legs beneath himself, away from the girls reach.

Hermione glared at him, trying not to kick the red head again. “Here, Harry,” she said instead, digging through her satchel and retrieving a chunk of parchment. “I took notes for you. I figured you didn’t want to fall behind so soon in the term. If you need any help, just ask, I’ll help you with them.”

“How come you didn’t offer to help me?” Ron asked with a pout.

“Because you attended the class and should of paid attention,” Hermione countered.

“Oh,” was all Ron could figure to say.

Harry scanned through the parchments and smiled at Hermione.

“You're welcome,” Hermione smiled back. “Oh, I owled my mum last night,” she stated. “I asked her if she could send any books on sign language. I figured that it’d be easier for us all if we learned how to understand you.”

“Huh?” Ron asked. “What’s that?”

“Sign language. Its where people who are either mute or deaf speak with their hands,” she answered. She smiled at Harry. “I bet you’d be able to help teach us pretty quick.”

Harry looked blankly at the girl and shook his head from side to side. He didn’t know much sign language at all, aside from the necessary thank you and sorry a couple teachers managed to teach him.

Vernon didn’t see any use in him learning the language, said it was a waste of time for a freak to learn something when no one could give a damn about it.

Harry shook himself from his thoughts to find Hermione frowning at him again. He gave her a questioning look and tilted his head to the side.

“Harry...you do know sign language, don’t you?” she asked, that concerned look she had when he first woke up graced her face again.

Harry tried to smile, but knew he failed miserably. He shook his head again, looking back down at his lap.

Hermione was quiet for a moment before she smiled gently and touched him on his arm to get his attention. “Then I guess we’ll all just have to learn together,” she smiled.

A small smile bloomed on Harry’s lips as he looked back up at the girl, not seeing any condemnation in her at all. He nodded. He would love to learn how to communicate with his new friends without the use of written words.

“Alright, that’ll be enough for now, you three, Harry needs to get some more rest if he’s to return back to the dorms tonight,” Madam Poppy said as she entered the wing.

She made her way over to Harry’s bed side, fluffing his pillow and tucking the blankets snuggly around him. She smiled down at him before turning and facing the two Gryffindor’s, her hands on her hips.

“And just how did you know he was here anyway?” she asked them with a stern look.

Harry could hear Ron gulp as he tried to fall deeper into his chair.

“We guessed, ma’am,” Hermione answered. “Harry never returned to the dorms last night and we figured that it was because he was here. We were worried about him.”

Poppy smiled at the two, dropping her stern stance. “Mr. Potter will be perfectly fine to return back to his dorm by dinner,” she said. “No need to worry any more.”

“Why was he here anyway?” Ron asked again, earning a smack from Hermione. He glared at her again, rubbing his arm. 

“That is for Mr. Potter to tell you if he so wishes,” Poppy answered. turning to fuss over Harry once more, conjuring a tray of food for him. “Now, I suggest you let Harry eat in peace.”

“Alright,” Hermione agreed. “We’ll see you at dinner, Harry.”

“Yeah, mate. See you there.”

Harry nodded and waved his two friends goodbye, stifling a small yawn. He smiled as he felt the Medi-witch brush his hair off his face before patting him on the arm.

“Get some food down first, Harry, then you can go back to resting, alright?” she ordered gently, placing the stack of parchments on the bedside table.

Harry sighed, content to do just that.


TBC

Chapter 15

“Its eight O’clock, where’s Naruto? Wasn’t he with you?” Jiraiya asked as he approached the sand nin. He could almost see the storm cloud hanging over the red head as he leaned against the fence separating the hot spring form the publics eyes.

“I suppose he’s with Uchiha,” Gaara answered darkly, though his face remained void of emotion.

The old man nodded and sat himself down on the bench the red head stood next to. “You’re in a right foul mood, aren’t ya? What happened? The two of you get in a fight?”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your concern, old man,” Gaara glared. 

“Maybe not,” Jiraiya agreed. “But if your personal life is interfering with your duties, then it does become my concern,” Jiraiya grinned over at the red head. “Besides, I told you to wait before making your decision. Now look where its got you, you’re pissed and frustrated, and not just emotionally.”

“That is none of your concern,” Gaara ground out, his eyes glaring down at the laughing sennin. How dare the fool mock him?

Jiraiya grinned. “We’ll see,” he said as he made himself comfortable on the bench, his arms pillowing his head from the fence. “Now, why don’t you run along and get Naruto. I’ll just wait here,” his said through a wide yawn he made no move to cover.

Gaara kicked off the fence, ignoring the snores that emanated from the old man, irritation radiating throughout him at everything.

Steadily, he let his feet carry him to Naruto’s apartment, his chest tightening at the thought of confronting his mate so soon after their conversation. He had yet to make up his mind. His instincts screamed at him to take his mate away and mark him thoroughly as his, but another part of him wanted his mate happy, to give him what he wanted.

He sighed, trying to pull himself together as he reached the apartment. He was here on business, not to fraternize. Until he made his decision, he would not bring up the subject again.

Taking one last deep breath, Gaara pulled his mask of stoicism down tightly around him and knocked on his mates door. 

~~~~

Sasuke punched at his post in frustration, his thought whirling around his dobe. He didn’t know what to do. He’d went by his apartment after yesterday’s training, but the boy was nowhere to be found. Gaara had also proven to be difficult to find and he figured the two were probably together for the evening.

He knew instinct was driving the two together, but it still hurt. He couldn’t get his mind off the idea that perhaps his dobe felt more than just lust for the sand nin. And if that was the case, what were they going to do about it. What was he going to do about it? Naruto had made if very clear that he didn’t want to loose him, but he also didn’t want to loose Gaara either.

Could he live like that, Sasuke wondered, knowing that the one he loved was divided in his affections?

Sasuke blew a breath and plopped himself on the grass beneath his feet, breathing heavily as he tried to catch his breath from his workout.

A shadow came over him and Sasuke sighed, glaring up into the sky. “Can I help you?” he asked, unable to hid the bitterness from his voice.

“Uchiha,” Gaara answered neutrally. “Uzumaki never showed up for training this morning. Where is he?”

Sasuke sat up, frowning at the red head. “How should I know, he was with you last night,” he accused.

Gaara narrowed his eyes, studying the Uchiha at his feet. A smirk crossed his features at that thought and grew when the Uchiha’s own eyes narrowed as well. He kind of liked the idea of the Uchiha kneeling before him.

His body hardened and his nostrils flared, pulling in the scent of the Uchiha. Sweat poured from the Uchiha, the smell not at all unpleasant. The nin was very powerful as well - a worthy trait for any mate. Perhaps Naruto wasn’t so foolish as to want this boy for himself?

Gaara shook himself, banishing the thoughts before they could build even more. He straightened, pulling himself to full height. “Uzumaki and I were not together last night,” Gaara answered. “He seems quite taken with you - I figured you would know his whereabouts.”

Sasuke stood and brushed the dirt from his shorts, glaring at the sand nin. “What makes you think I’d tell you if I did?” he asked. He tilted his head, studying the sand nin in front of him fully. The red head didn’t look to happy at the moment. In fact, he look about ready to kill in his agitation. He smirked, crossing his arms. “Did you two have a fight?”

Gaara narrowed his eye’s at the Uchiha. “That is none of your concern.”

“Sure it isn’t,” Sasuke sneered. “You just happened to lose Naruto and you’re coming to me about it.”

“Do you know where he is or not, Uchiha? I don’t have the time to waste on you,” Gaara said impatiently, his temper rising. His sand shifted inside his gourd, itching to spill from its confines and attack.

Gaara stepped back from the Uchiha, trying to reign in his temper before he did something his mate wouldn’t approve of. 

Sasuke watched him curiously. Usually the red head had no qualms about attacking him, especially where Naruto was concerned.

“I don’t,” Sasuke answered once Gaara seemed to have settled down. “He’s probably around here somewhere.” He paused, his fists clenching as a horrid thought entered his mind. “Or with someone.”

Gaara closed his eyes, trying once again to sense his mate. But no matter how many times he did it that morning, he always got the same answer. “Uzumaki isn’t in Konoha,” he finally said. He opened his eye’s, finding the Uchiha frowning hard at him.

“You can sense Naruto?” Sasuke asked.

“I can,” Gaara confirmed.

“Then why didn’t you just do that before? Why come to me?”

“Because I don’t know where he is!” Gaara repeated in frustration, starting to pace back and forth in front of the Uchiha. “Is there someplace that he would go? Any place that would be out of my range of sensing him?”

“How far can you sense him?

Gaara stopped and sighed, turning back to face the Uchiha.

“I could sense him a few miles before I even got here. His scent is strong and it called to me,” he said, inhaling strongly. His body shivered, hardening once again to his mates scent. And that of his mate’s mate. Gaara swallowed, trying to pull his body back into order. “His scent lingers, but he isn’t here.”

Sasuke stared at the Sand nin, not like the frustration radiating from him. It made him uneasy, and a little worried that something had happed to his dobe.

“What time was he supposed to meet up with you?” he asked, staring up into the noon sky, letting his anger at the sand nin go for the moment. If his dobe was in danger, his rivalry with the red head could wait. 

“Eight. That old fool was going to ‘train’ us. Uzumaki was thrilled at the idea,” Gaara answered dryly.

Sasuke’s lips twitched at that as he tried to suppress a smile. Naruto always loved the thought of training, especially from that old man.

“When did you last see him?”

 “Yesterday. I left him around one or so.”

“So you weren’t with him at all last night?

“No,” Gaara said impatiently. “I already told you that.”

Sasuke nodded, scrutinizing the red head once more. The nin looked really worried and ready to attack anything if it meant getting his answers. Why he hadn’t resorted to violence on him had Sasuke really curious.  The red head had been civil throughout their whole conversation, a feat Sasuke didn’t think they could ever manage.

He nodded once again, as if coming to a decision. “Naruto wouldn’t of left Konoha on his own. He was ordered by the Hokage not to leave. If he’s gone, it wasn’t of his own accord,” Sasuke said. “We need to bring this to the Hokage.”

~~~~

Naruto opened his eyes and blinked against the harsh rays of the sun, wincing at the pounding in his head. Carefully, he looked around himself, taking in the unfamiliar surrounding. This was not his dream, so where the hell was he?

He frowned, trying to remember what had happened the night before. He and Gaara had...words, and Gaara had left, leaving him in quite the aroused state. He remembered taking a shower after words, hoping to calm his body. He had just gotten out of the shower when... When what?

If the pounding in his head was anything to go by, he had been hit over the head. Hard.

“Finally awake I see,” a deep voice purred from behind him. “I was wondering if you’d ever regain consciousness.”

Naruto shivered at the voice in revulsion, hating the way it grated against his ears. He groaned. This was just what he needed. To wake up to find himself at Itachi’s mercy. He prayed the man would keep his distance. He didn’t want to risk falling into another lust induced state because of his season, and with Itachi being Sasuke's brother, their scents were very much the same.

Itachi chuckled, seeing the boy’s body tense and start to sweat. “You shouldn’t fight it, you know. Its only natural.”

“Go to hell,” Naruto shot back as he struggled to sit up. His hands were bound behind his back and his feet were tied together, it’d be impossible for him to get free.

Itachi just shook his head at the blond and knelt down so the boy could see his face. “No, I think it is you that’ll be going to hell, my dear Naruto-chan.” He gripped the boy’s chin hard, forcing him to look into his eye’s. “What do you think, Kisame?” he asked over his shoulder, a malicious grin pulling at his lips.

Someone chuckled behind him, Kisame, Naruto guessed.

“After all we’ve had to do, I’d say its only fair you sample the vessel yourself.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Itachi grinned.

Naruto stared in horror into those swirling black pools, feeling himself fall under the man’s jutsu. He gasped as he felt his body flame to life, and shivered as cool air hit his skin. He looked down, realizing his clothes had disappeared and he was bound spread eagle. 

The sky darkened to a bloody shad of red as he fought against his binds, trying desperately to free himself. Laughter echoed all around him, sending shivers of fear down his spine.

Naruto turned his head, trying to locate the older Uchiha. Hands smoothed their way down his chest and Naruto sucked in a breath.

“Its a shame,” Itachi began, gently rubbing small circles around the boy’s nipples. “I would keep you if the Akatsuki didn’t have use for you.” He sighed and pinched the right nipple hard, delighting in the boy’s yelp. “I guess I’ll just have to content myself with the time we have right now. You should be grateful, you’ll be able to say you had both Uchiha’s before you die.”

Naruto whimpered as those torturous hands moved lower and teased his cock, bringing it to full arousal against his will.

“I wonder if you’re as good in person as you were to watch,” Itachi mused, squeezing the member in his hands before moving even lower, searching out the boy’s opening.

“Please don’t,” Naruto moaned. His head fell back and he panted as a finger worked its way into his canal, burning painfully. Oh god, it hurt. He could feel his insides ripping, the delicate skin tearing away and blood dripping out and down his thighs.

Tears sprang to his eyes as he tried to breath through the worse of the pain. Naruto was used to being taken roughly, he quite enjoyed it actually, but this, this was pure torture. Itachi’s finger might as well have been a Shuriken for all the damage it was doing.

“Why should I stop?” Itachi teased as he inserted another finger, smirking at the boy’s groan of pain. “You’re making such pretty noises.”

Naruto closed his eyes, trying to fight against the man’s jutsu. This couldn’t be real. He was only feeling and seeing what Itachi wanted him to experience. He could fight this. He had to...

TBC

Just Let Me Die
by vampchic


Slowly, the blade slid across his wrist, and Harry watched with mild fascination as the skin split and his blood spilled forth. He barely felt the pain, which was fine with him. He didn’t want to die in pain, not really, but this was the most simple and quick way he knew of at the moment. He just wanted it all to end.

He didn’t worry about the Dursley’s - they would be glad of his death, though Vernon would be rightly mad at the loss of his slave, and of the mess they would be sure to find in the morning.

No one would truly miss him. Why would they? They never knew Harry. And the few that came close, either turned form him or died because of him. No, this way was better. Everyone would be free of pain after he was gone.

And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...

Sure the wizarding world would be upset that their ‘Savior’ was gone; who else could defeat Voldemort?, but he didn’t care. He was tired. Tired of being controlled, of being used.

Of hurting.

This way, he was finally getting some well deserved peace. No more worries, no more pain...

Harry gripped the knife in his bleeding hand, and just as slowly as the first, slid it over his other wrist. The pain was worse this time, but he ignored it.

It was almost over. Soon, he wouldn’t have to feel any kind of pain ever again.

A tear slid down his check unnoticed.

His body ached, but not from loss of blood. Vernon had been rough with him earlier that evening, but he had grown used to his uncles treatments of him. Of tying him up and beating him. And then using him.

Another tear.

His friends, the ones who got so close to finding him, the real him - after the incident at the Ministry, they had all but turned their back on him. He didn’t blame them. He would only put them in danger again, even if he tried not to. It was best they turned from him now while they still had their lives.

Sirius. The one who was so close to freeing him from his hell. The one who truly wanted to take care of him, was now dead. Because of him.

Harry came so close to knowing what love was. Even if it was love of a parent for a child. It was something, a start. But it was lost to him now. No one would ever want to love Harry James Potter again.

He brushed the tears from his eyes as the knife he stole from the kitchen fell to the floor with a thud. He was so tired, but he refused to close his eyes. Not yet. He wanted to watch as death stole over him.

He leaned against his ragged pillow as his green eyes wandered around his tiny room. His trunk sat at the foot of his bed, snuck up from the cupboard the night before while the Dursley’s slept. He wanted to get his affairs into order, his homework done, if anything, just to prove that he did it. He wrote a goodbye to his friends, letting them know he didn’t blame them for turning on him, for ignoring his many pleas for help. He wrote a farewell to all; he guessed it might even show up in the Daily Prophet. He didn’t know and didn’t care.

His eyes landed on Hedwig’s cage. He wouldn’t have to worry about the Dursley’s mistreating her anymore either. He’d sent her away, told her to stay at the Burrow after he tied his notes to her leg.

She had hooted at him and nipped his fingers, tilted her head and looked at him with sorrowful eyes, almost as if she knew she’d never see him again. A faint smile touched his lips. At least now, she’d be able to truly live free.

His eyes swept over the rest of his room, over Dudley’s broken toys, his closet full of ratty hand-me-downs, and the empty and dusty plates by the cat-flap of his door. No, he wouldn’t miss the place at all. He was finally going to have his peace.

Gradually, his eyes drooped, feeling heavy with exhaustion. He supposed it’d be a matter of seconds now. He could feel the cold settling into his bones. He pulled the dirty sheets up to his chest, a vain attempt to stay warm. Finally, his eyes slid closed, a satisfied but sad smile crossing his face.

Chapter 3 Broken

“Potter.” The name was said in a low, silky voice the moment the classroom door swung shut on the last students to leave. The Weasley boy and Granger had foolishly stayed behind, rooted to their seats in support of the quiet boy, making quite the show of defending their fellow Gryffindor. Snape had delighted in taking another twenty points and assigning two nights detention with Filtch the Caretaker before the two could be convinced to attend their next class. Foolish Gryffindors.

Snape leaned slightly back in his chair, studying the boy’s bowed head and slumped shoulders. The boy looked almost defeated.

Perhaps he had been a little too cruel, but it had to be done. The boy was developing an attachment to him that was so easily read behind those large emerald eyes. He could read just about everything from the boy, including the fact the boy was hiding his disability.

Though why the boy was developing such feelings for him was beyond him. He’d done nothing to encourage such behavior, and he was going to snip it in the bud before it grew to something worse.

“Potter,” Snape growled, pushing from his seat to stand.

Still, Harry didn’t look up.

“Potter! You will look at me when I talk to you!” he barked, his patience with the boy gone.

Harry’s head shot up, obviously started. Snape frowned at that. Perhaps the boy was still expecting some misconstrued affection from him? Snape sighed. There was time enough to put the boy in his proper place. “Gather your things and follow me,” he said, striding towards the door.

Harry scrambled to pull his things together, his insides twisting as he followed the man. Neither said a word as Snape lead Harry through the halls and up flights of stairs, and Harry wondered just what the Professor had planed for him. This new Snape was scary and cruel, and he had no idea what the man might do.

He struggled to keep up with the mans large strides, and he was panting by the time Snape finally turned towards a set of double doors.

Snape banged the doors open, noting the slight flinch the act provoked from the boy as he allowed his eyes to scan the white room.

“Sit,” he said simply, pointing to one of the many beds lining the walls.

Harry blinked at him for a moment before following his finger and climbing up on a bed, dropping his bag at the foot of it.

Snape nodded his approval and strode over to another door, knocking once before entering.

Harry looked around the room, realizing that he must be in the schools infirmary. That got Harry worrying. Just why, exactly, had Snape brought him here?

He had expected, at the very least, being sent to the Headmasters office and was fully prepared to be seeing the Dursley’s soon. He hadn’t expected being sent to the infirmary.

What were they going to do to him?

He had never been to a hospital before, but he had heard the Dursley’s talk about them before. Doctors made you wear funny gowns that didn't close in the back and checked to make sure you were all right. Would they make him wear something like that? If they did, they’d see his scars and battered back. The Dursley’s had always told him never to let anyone see them, that people would only think him a worse freak because of them. Harry didn’t want that. But then, Snape already hated him. That much was clear.

Harry thought back yet again to his day in Diagon Alley with the Professor. Was he like that then? Had he just never realized it? He suppose he was. Snape had sneered just about the whole time, but was it because of him or the crowds of people? He didn’t know. He was still too hurt by the fact that the Professor wasn’t who he thought he was.

Finally, Snape emerged from behind the door, bringing with him two other people, the Headmaster and a plump, graying woman who smiled kindly at him.

Harry stared in alarm at the Headmaster and felt his stomach plummet to his feet. What was going on?

The woman bustled over to him, drawing her wand from the apron around her waist. “Hello Mr. Potter, I’m Madam Pomfrey, the schools medi-witch,” she said, her voice clear and radiating warmth. “I’m just going to cast a few spells to see what’s going on, alright? There’s nothing to worry about, you wont feel a thing.’

Harry worried his bottom lip between his teeth, feeling his heat pounding beneath his chest and glanced pleadingly at Snape who sneered in response. He looked to the Headmaster, hoping for some sort of help, but the old man just smiled encouragingly at him. Harry swallowed thickly and braced himself, unsure of what to expect as Madam Pomfrey started mumbling to herself.

Light left her wand and Harry tensed even more as he was enveloped in its glow. Different hues settled over his body, glimmering faintly before vanishing in no particular pattern.

Madam Pomfrey frowned and more spells were aimed at him, each one taking longer than the first. The Headmaster and Professor stayed back while the midi-witch cast her spells and Harry sighed in relief when she finally pocketed her wand fifteen minutes later.

She reached over to the bedside cabinet and plucked a quill and parchment that had apparently recorded everything for her.

“Well,” she finally said as she reached the last page. Her eyes were glistening when she looked up and she pulled a long breath before continuing. “The hearing should be an easy fix, but I can find nothing wrong with Mr. Potter’s vocal cords or his brain pathways. There is evidence of several concussions, but they are not the reason for his muteness.”

“His hearing, Madam Pomfrey?” Albus asked as he finally came forward to stand by the bed Harry sat on. He put a reassuring hand on the boy’s shoulder and squeezed slightly, giving the boy a quick smile before turning his attention back to the medi-witch.

Snape stayed by the doors, his arms folded in front of him as he listened stoically to the conversation.

The medi-witch nodded. “It would seem Mr. Potter has a slight hearing problem. A recent development if I’m correct,” she said the last to Harry, raising her voice just a tad for him to understand her better.

Harry nodded. He noticed his hearing going out on him when he was almost nine. Each beating or cuff to the head made it that much worse, but he never thought much on it though - it helped block out the hurtful things the Dursley’s always said to him.

“Albus, the hearing isn’t the worse of it,” Poppy said a little more quietly.

“Oh?”

For a moment it looked as though the witch was about to cry, but she reigned herself in. “Mr. Potter’s got several broken bones that have never healed correctly. His legs, arms, ribs... a lot of them are recent, some, several years old.” She turned back to the boy and smiled softly. “Mr. Potter, would you please remove your shirt?”

Harry’s eyes widen and he looked at the three adults in panic. They couldn’t see his body, they couldn’t. It was bad enough Snape hated him already, but for the man to think him even worse? He didn’t want that. He shook his head wildly and struggled to get off the bed, startling the Headmaster and mediwitch by his violent reaction to the request.

He made it passed the bewildered witch, ducking away from their reach as they tried to placate him. Immediately Snape was by his side and for a moment, Harry thought he was going to help him.

“Mr. Potter, stop this foolishness at once!” he snapped.

Harry looked at him with pained eyes and shook his head again, continuing to struggle away from the three adults.

Snape growled and hauled the boy back onto the bed, gripping the boy’s shoulder tightly to prevent him from trying to take off again. “You will do as you're told, or I shall do it for you!” he threatened, smirking as the boy’s eyes widened impossibly.

“Now Severus, there’s no need to be harsh with the boy,” Dumbledore reprimanded, taking up his spot by the boy’s bed once again.

Harry was shaking like a leaf, the tears threatening to spill again.

“Really! If you’re going to behave like that, you might as well leave. I’ll not have you scaring my patients!” Poppy glared.

Snape looked between the two and back to the boy whom he still gripped by the shoulders. He could feel the trembling beneath his fingers and he immediately let the boy go. He straightened and smoothed his robes, stepping away from the boy so Poppy could deal with him.

“Thank you.” Poppy said tersely before turning warmer eyes back to the boy. “Harry dear, I promise nothing bad will happen to you, but I need you to remove your shirt, alright.”

Harry just shook his head again, a few tears trailing down his face.

Pomfrey lifted her wand again and summoned a vial to her. “Here,” she said gently as she removed the cork, “this should help. It’ll calm you down.”

Harry took the bottle hesitantly, looking warily at the contents. It didn’t smell much good.

“Go on,” she encouraged when he looked back up at her and glanced at the other two men. Taking a deep breath, Harry brought the vial to his lips and drank down the contents. The medi-witched laughed softly when he made a face at the taste and Harry gave a very weak smile in return.

The potion was already giving its desired affects, his body suddenly feeling relaxed and his frazzled emotions calmed. Harry gave a big yawn as his lids grew heavy. He was suddenly very tired.

“Oh dear. The poor boy must’ve been exhausted for this to affect him this much,” the medi-witch said softly. “Harry, dear, I need you to remove your shirt. Then you can lay back and take a nap, what say you to that? Hmm?” she smiled.

Harry blinked at her and rubbed his eyes with his fists, much like a sleepy toddler.

“Come on, arms up,” Poppy instructed.

Harry complied, much too tired to argue anymore.

Poppy pulled his shirt up and off and helped him scoot back so he could lay with his head on the pillow. He sighed into the pillow, feeling more relaxed than he ever felt and fell right off to sleep.

“Poor boy,” Poppy murmured as she stroked the wild locks from the boy’s forehead. Gently, she coaxed the sleeping boy to his side and ran her fingers down his back before gesturing for the other two to join her by her side.

“Merlin,” Snape breathed before he could stop himself. The boy’s back was littered with scars and fading bruises and his shoulders held finger marks where he had gripped him in his attempt to hold the boy still. He hadn’t realized he had hurt him. The boy was also skin and bones. He could easily see each notch of the boys spinal cord.

“Albus, the boy has clearly been abused. It isn’t a wonder the boy’s mute. He may never speak, and if he ever does, it’ll only be when he finally feels safe and secure.”

Albus sighed and sat heavily on the bed behind him. “I’m afraid I’ve made a terrible decision placing Harry with the Dursley’s,” he said gravely. “I pray the boy will forgive me that.”

He looked up at the medi-witch. “How long will it take for you to heal him?”

Poppy pursed her lips and scanned the parchment. “I’ll need to re-break his bones to heal them properly. It’ll be a painful process and he’ll be cooped up in the infirmary for a week each time. I’m afraid there’s not much to be done about his broken ribs except bandage him up tight and hope they’ll heal right; they’ve been broken so many times.

“He’ll need to go on a nutrition diet, foods with plenty of calcium, proteins and vitamins.

“His hearing should be an easy fix, as I said before, but his equilibrium will be off for a while,” Poppy sighed. “It’ll take me most of the school year to do all this Albus. He’ll need time to recoup before each faze. It’ll put him in too much pain to do all this at once, and that’s something he really doesn’t need.”

“I understand, Madam Pomfrey. I’m sure Harry’s housemates wont mind bringing his school work and taking notes for him while he’s here.” He stood and patted the sleeping boy on the shoulder. “I’ll call a meeting tonight and inform the others of what’s going on. We’ll also need to find a new guardian to watch over Harry during the summer hols, but we’ll not worry about that just yet. Just make him better, Poppy.” Smiling sadly at the sleeping boy, Albus patted his shoulder once more before leaving Poppy to her work.

“How bad is Mr. Potter’s hearing?” Snape asked after a moment of silence, moving over to the head of the bed.

Poppy turned to Snape and studied him for a moment before answering. “Pretty bad. He can hear anything above normal levels, but if there’s a lot of noise going on, I’d imagine it’d be quite difficult for him to understand anything at all.”

Snape nodded and before he realized what he was doing, he ran his fingers though the boy’s hair, brushing a stay strand from his face. He snatched his hand back when the boy gave a soft sigh of content, curling up around the pillow. He stared for a moment, assimilating the information with what he already knew.

No wonder the boy had attached himself to him, he was the only one to get him away from his “family”.

He drew himself up straight, mentally reinforcing his mask.

“I expect Potter to keep a passing grade in my class,” he said tersely. “Though I fear he’ll be as abysmal as the rest.”

“I don’t think that should be a problem, Severus, as long as he has his work to do while he’s here,” Pomfrey answered.

“We shall see,” Snape sneered, turning in a billow of robes and striding out of the infirmary.

Poppy smiled and shook her head as the double doors swung closed behind the Potions Master and set about healing Harry.

TBC

Chapter 2 Not So Secret

“That him?”

“I cant believe he’s here.”

“I wonder how he did it?”

“...most powerful wizard of our time.”

Harry’s hearing might be worse for wear, but even he could hear the whisperings around him as he walked with the Gryffindor’s towards their common room.

The pointing and staring was starting to wear on him and he vaguely felt like he was the main attraction at the zoo. Was being a freak in this world praised upon? Could they tell, just by looking at him, that he was abnormal?

Harry shivered at the thought and clutched his stomach. He didn’t feel well at all. And he wasn’t so sure it was from the food. He had eaten more than usual, yes, but not so much to make him feel like this.

“All right their, mate?” Ron asked as he came to stand by the boy. The whole of Gryffindor was gathered around a large painting of a fat lady, Harry wasn’t entirely sure why.

He nodded his head, giving his friend a small smile.

“This is the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Rooms. Do not give the password out to the other houses, or bring them in. This is Gryffindor territories and shall remain that way, understood?” Percy Weasley said, giving all the younger years a stern glare.

“Come on,”

“Just open up already!” Two identical red heads shouted from the crowd.

“Yeah, we’re all tired!”

“That’s Fred and George.” Ron said as he leaned over to Harry, speaking directly into his ear.

Percy glared at the grinning twins, but turned to the painting. “Caput Draconis” The painting flung forward and the students climbed in through the hole into the spacious common room.

“Wow. Homey.” Ron whistled as he looked around the room.

Harry had to agree with the red heads assessment. The room was warm and inviting. Bookshelves and paintings lined the wall. A fireplace kept the room warm and couches, chairs and tables lettered the room.

“Listen up.” Percy shouted from the stairs. “The boys dorms are up the stairs to the right, the girls the same to the left. Boys may not go into the girls dorms and vice versa.

“If any of you have questions, feel free to come to myself, or one of the other Prefects. You’ll find that your things have already been brought up to your rooms. Now off to bed with you lot.”

“He’s going to be a pain in our arse, I just know it.” Ron moaned as he and Harry made there way up the stairs to the boys first year dormitory.

Harry chuckled silently as he followed Ron up to the room. His eyes widen as he saw the beds, one each for all the first years. He had his own bed! He couldn’t keep the grin off his face as he climbed atop and bounced lightly, delighting in the warmth of the covers. The cot in the cupboard was nowhere as soft and nice as these beds.

“Oi, you going to bounce all night or are you going to get ready for bed? We’re about ready for lights out.” Ron said as he turned to face Harry, pulling his nightshirt over his head.

Harry frowned.

There was no way he was going to change in front of the others. Not while he was still battered up. Plus, he really needed to tend to his wounds. He still ached from all those people clapping him on the back.

Biting his lip, Harry gathered his pajamas and looked around the room. The others where still in the room so the bathroom was clear for the moment. He just hoped no one decided to go in until he was done.

Giving Ron a nod, he headed to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. He really did look worn out. His hair was a mess, sticking out in every which way and his eyes were nothing but bags of shadows.

Taking a deep breath, Harry raised trembling fingers and began unbuttoning his robes, folding it and sitting it to the side. Carefully he pealed off his shirt, wincing at the site of the blood soaking the back.

“Whoa... you poor thing. You should really see the school nurse about those injures. She’ll heal you up in no time.”

Harry whirled around, his eyes wide as he tried to find the source of the voice.

There was no one.

Swallowing thickly, Harry dropped his trousers and headed for the shower, quickly washing away the blood and grime. Carefully he dried himself off and shimmied into his pajama bottoms.

“Harry, you ready yet?” Harry froze as Ron’s voice called from the door. Ron couldn’t see him like this. No one could. As fast as he could, Harry threw the pajama shirt on over his head, silently screaming as he ripped open even more wounds. Yes, he was definitely going to need some bandages.

“Hun, I really think you should have the nurse look at those.”

Harry spun around, certain he heard someone behind him. Was he finally going mad? There was no one there!

“Look at what?” Ron asked as he came over, a toothbrush in hand. He looked at Harry’s wide eyed and panicked expression and frowned. “You sure you’re alright?”

Harry nodded dumbly as he looked around the room. There was only Ron and him in the bathroom. No one else.

Ron’s frown deepened at that, but he pushed it aside for now in favor of stepping up to the sink to brush out his mouth.

“Well, aren’t you a cutie.” the voice said, and Harry stilled, his eyes going wild.

“Cool! A talking mirror.” Ron exclaimed. He looked over his shoulder, grinning at Harry’s bewildered expression. “We don’t have any at home, Dad thought a muggle mirror was better. These can either be very helpful, or just plain annoying. My brother Charley had one for awhile that spouted nothing but insults.”

Harry nodded as he let out a breath. So he wasn’t going crazy. At least not yet.

“Come on, I’m tired.” Ron said as he rinsed out his mouth and headed back to the dorm room, chuckling under his breath at Harry’s reaction to the mirror.

Harry followed, glancing over his shoulder to glare at the offensive mirror. He was going to have to stay clear of it until he healed up.

~~~~

Harry woke the next day feeling more refreshed than he’d ever felt. He had snuck back into the bathroom once everyone else had fallen asleep and bandaged up his back with a ragged shirt that had seen better days, making sure not to step into view of the mirror. It was a little difficult, but he managed.

Gingerly, he sat up and stretched his arms over his head, mindful of his back. Another day or so and he wouldn’t have to worry about them ripping open again.

Dressing quickly, Harry made his way down to the Great Hall, stopping to stare in wonder at the moving pictures along the way now that he had the time to do so. He hadn’t the chance to look properly when they were being lead to the common room.

A picture of a girl curtseyed and blew a kiss, giggling as Harry blushed fiercely and hurried on his way to breakfast.

Harry stopped short and grinned as he saw the tables laden with food and promptly sat himself down, eager to try the different breakfast appetizers. The Dursley’s never allowed him to eat much, and all the food they ever ate, he made. He never did understand that logic, but didn’t dare question it, even if he could.

“Do you always get up so early?” Ron asked as he sat himself down next to Harry, shoveling food onto his plate. “It barely after seven. You could of slept in you know. Class doesn’t start until nine.”

Harry shrugged and fished out a piece of parchment from his bag. “I all ways get up erly.” he wrote.

Ron snorted around a mouthful of eggs and ham. “We seriously need to teach you how to spell, mate. You’re never going to pass any of your classes with that kind of writing.”

Harry blushed hotly and stuffed the parchment back into his bag. It wasn’t his fault that the Dursley’s always kept him from school. He only attended enough not to get the teachers suspicious and he never had enough time to do his homework.

“You know, we’re going to need to come up with a way for you to talk to me. I’m sure you’ll get tired of writing everything down all the time. I wonder if there’s a spell we could use.” Ron mused as he refilled his plate with food.

Harry shrugged. He personally didn’t think it would be a problem once everyone found out about him. What would be the use of spelling properly when he was just going to be sent right back home?

The Hall was soon filled with hungry students - Neville sat next to Harry, nervously picking at his food while Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas sat across from them, discussing everything from Quidditch to how they thought the school year might go. Harry paid them no mind, not able to understand a word spoken anyway.

His eyes were focused solely on Professor Snape and he watched as he stood with the other Head of House’s, passing out the different schedules. The man moved so fluidly, and with such presence, he was entirely fascinated by him.

He jumped as a hand lightly gripped his shoulder and stared up at Professor McGonagall.

“Here you go, Mister Potter. If you have any trouble with your schedule, please come to me and let me know. We’ll see what we can do.” Professor McGonagall said as she handed over Harry’s schedule.

Harry smiled at her and nodded, though he hadn’t really heard all of what she said. It was just too noisy in the Hall.

“I look forward to having you in class.” she said before continuing on to Ron and the other first year Gryffindors.

Harry glanced down at the schedule in his hand, disappointed to learn that he wouldn’t have a class with Professor Snape until Friday, but the fact that it was Double Potions cheered him a little. He just hoped he would be able to make the man proud.

“What are you grinning about?” Ron asked as they grabbed their bags and readied themselves for their very first class, Transfiguration.

Harry shrugged and buried his schedule in his bag. Looking over his shoulder one last time, Harry’s grin widen as Professor Snape scowled in his direction. Looked like the man was in a foul mood this morning. Giggling silently, Harry hurried up his steps to catch up with Ron.

The first week of classes proved to be tiring for Harry as teachers exclaimed their delight to have him in their class. Professor Flitwick even fell off his stack of books when he called his name for roll call and Professor Quirrell nearly had a heart attack.

But not once did any of them ever ask him a direct question that required him to speak up. His dorm mates tried on occasion to draw him into conversation, but never thought much of it when he simply shook his head and moved over to Ron. No one ever seemed none the wiser that Harry never spoke up for himself. Idly he wondered if he’d be able to manage the whole year without the teachers finding out his “little secret”.

The spells were proving to be difficult, though they’ve mostly worked on theory. He tried hard to form the words on his silent lips, but more often then not, his spells always failed. The only comfort he had was that Ron seemed to be having just as hard of a time at it.

When Friday finally came, Harry couldn’t keep the smile off his face. He’d finally get to have class with Professor Snape.

“There you go grinning away again.” Ron commented good naturedly as he stuffed his face with pancakes and hash browns. “What’s got you in such a cheery mood?”

Harry pulled out his schedule, pointing to the Friday slot that held Double Potions.

“Yeah, I know, finally Friday. I can stand to use a brake from all this book learning stuff.” Ron agreed, not catching what Harry meant.

Harry just shook his head and tucked into his own food, glancing up at the head table every once in awhile to look at the Professor. He heard the rumors about Snape favoring the Slytherins and being an all around “Git”, but he didn’t care. He just knew Snape would never treat him unfairly, Gryffindor or not.

He was sorely wrong.

Snape barged into class, his robes billowing behind him magnificently as he strode to the front of the class. “There will no foolish wand waving or silly incantations.” He leveled the class with a glare, his voice coming out too soft for Harry to hear.

He bit his lips, squinting his eyes as he tried to follow the mans lips.

“Many of you may not even believe this is magic, nor do I expect you to appreciate the beauty of Potions making. But for the few who show the aptitude for the art - I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death - if you aren’t as big a bunch of dunderheads I usually have to teach.”

Harry looked around himself, hoping to get an idea of just what Professor Snape had said. Ron looked worried and Hermione, who was on his other side, was sitting up as straight as possible with an anxious and determined expression on her face, ready to prove herself capable. The rest of the Gryffindors with glancing about nervously while the Slytherins didn’t seem to have a care in the world.

“Potter!" Snape barked suddenly, making Harry jump in his seat as he turned his attention back to the Professor. The Slytherins snickers were loud enough for him to hear and he could see Draco smirking at him out of the corner of his eye.

Harry gulped.

“What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?”

Hermione’s hand shot up, nearly knocking Harry’s glasses off his face in the process.

He bit his lip, not sure what to do.

“You don’t know?” Snape finally sneered when Harry didn’t say anything.

Harry nodded, hoping that the man would move on to another student.

“Lets try again, shall we? Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?”

Again Hermione’s hand shot out, this time straining as far as she could reach, trying to get the Professors attention.

Harry blinked at her before looking at Ron pleadingly, trying to ask for help as best he could. Ron’s hands were balled up into fists, his knuckles white as he glared angrily at the Professor.

“Well? Speak up boy. And put your hand down you insufferable girl!” Snape snapped harshly.

The Slytherins snickered loudly as Hermione retracted her arm, a look of hurt flashing over her features.

Harry stared at the Professor in shock. He was starting to remind him of the Dursley’s and he didn’t like that one bit. Why was the Professor interrogating only him?

“He cant!” Ron finally blurted, his face red with anger as he glared at the Professor.

Snape whirled on Ron. “What?”

“He cant. Harry cant speak.”

Harry sank into his seat, his face heating up as the whole class gasped and began whispering at once.

Everyone knew now.

The headmaster was probably going to ship him off back to his relatives that night. He could just imagine the welcoming he would receive. They wouldn’t be happy with him at all.

“Is this true?” Snape asked in his cold, low voice. Harry only knew what he said because he couldn’t take his eyes off the man. The man who’s image was shattering and leaving behind a horrid, nightmarish version.

He nodded, praying desperately that the Professor would leave it at that and continue with the class. He didn’t know if he could handle anymore of this.

Snape gave the boy a calculating look and slowly stalked towards Harry, sending shivers of fear down the boy’s back. He would of ran if it wasn’t for the fact that he was glued to his seat with dread.

“Say something.” Snape said, a wicked gleam in his eyes as he bent over the boy’s desk.

Harry felt sick.

Tears burned his eyes, and he blinked, trying to keep them from falling. He knew this would happen eventually, he just never imagined that the man who rescued him would take such cruel pleasure from it.

“Sir...” Hermione started, looking very startled by Snape’s command.

“Quiet!” Snape barked at her, making both Harry and Hermione flinch.

Snape smirked. “Go on Mister Potter. Let us all hear for ourselves your speaking abilities.”

Harry could feel his heart starting to race as the burning in his eyes increased. Harry’s breath hitched as he stared into the dark voids of the Professors eyes. He could find no trace of the man who had saved him, of the man who had led him through a new world and tried to keep the crowds away from him.

Ron looked ready kill as Harry sat wide eyed in his seat. His breathing was coming out rapid, his green eyes wide with fright, humiliation and disappointment.

“That’s not fair! He can't say anything. He’s mute.” Ron shouted, knocking back his chair as he stood to glower at Snape.

Snape turned his head slowly, his eyes murderous as they landed on the red head. “Sit. Back. Down.” The controlled fury in his voice had Ron promptly righting his chair and sitting, a look of pure hatred on the red heads face.

Snape turned back to Harry and raised a brow. “Well?”

Harry’s lips trembled as he quickly glanced around the room, finding no one else willing to help him. Most of the Slytherins were leaning forward in their seats, eagerly watching the proceedings while the Gryffindors just stared on with a mixture of shock and comprehension.

He looked back at the man he was so wrong about and nodded, opening his mouth to say something, anything. All that came out was a strangled hiss of breath and the Slytherins erupted into laughter.

Snape straightened himself back up, a smirk on his lips. “Interesting” he said, looking Harry up and down.

A hot tear rolled down his cheek and Harry brushed it away angrily.

Snape was just like the rest. Just like the Dursleys. How could he have ever of been so naive as to think he would be different?

Harry turned his head down, refusing to meet anyone’s eyes as tears continued to silently fall.

“Interesting indeed.” Snape said much softly as he turned and made his way back to the front of the class. “Settle down.” he snapped at the class. “Potter. Stay after class. Mister Weasley and Miss Granger, ten point each from Gryffindor for talking out of turn.”

“But...” Ron started to protest, his body shaking with rage.

“Do you wish to make it more?” Snape asked, sounding for all the world as if he were genuinely curious.

“Greasy git.” Ron mumbled under his breath before turning his attention to Harry. “You alright?”

The sincerity of Ron’s concern touched Harry, but did nothing to make him feel better. He really didn’t feel well.

Harry forced a small smile and nodded. At least Ron was proving to be a real friend, he thought as he swiped at his tears again.

For the rest of the class, Harry kept his head down, trying his best to ignore the whispers and stares that he knew was going on around him. Never in all his life at the Dursley’s, had Harry ever felt this miserable.

TBC

Life On Mute

Chapter 1 Freedom and Friends

Harry sat alone, staring out the window at the passing scenery. There was so much green, so many trees and bushes. It was almost a shock to see there was more to the world other then Privet Drive.

Sighing, Harry leaned his head against the window. The cold glass was a relief to his heated skin. He was so tired. So sore. He wanted so bad to close his eyes and rest, to fall into a healing sleep, but he didn’t want to miss a second of the view outside the window. With every passing tree, he was that much closer to his freedom, and he didn’t want to waste the experience by closing his eyes.

The compartment door sliding open had Harry sitting up fast, a wary expression on his face as he watched a mop of red hair poke in.

“Mind if I sit down? All the others are full.” The boy was tall and gangly. Freckles adorned the boys face, giving off an almost friendly appearance.

Harry eyed the boy suspiciously - even the most friendly could turn out to be cruel, but he nodded anyway. It was usually best to agree rather than risk angering a person by saying no; he learned that lesson long ago.

The red head sat down and immediately stuck his hand out towards Harry. “Ron Weasley.” he said, gripping Harry’s hand tight as he shook it. “This is my pet rat, Scabbers. Bit sorry lookin’, isn’t he?” He held up his other hand, indicating the rat before placing him back on his lap. “He isn’t really my rat, he was my brother Percy’s first, but mum got him an owl for making Prefect, so I got the rat instead.”

Harry blinked as he tried to follow what the boy said. The words had been rushed, and with his head turned down to look at the rat, Harry couldn’t see his lips. He had no clue what had been said, and didn’t know how to ask the red head to repeat himself.

“My brothers, Fred and George, gave me a spell as to turn him yellow. Wanna see?” Ron asked, this time looking right at Harry.

His expression was full of eagerness.

Harry gave a small smile and nodded his head.

This was why he was here wasn’t it? To become a wizard and learn spells. Though if his relatives had anything to say about it, he wouldn’t be here. He very nearly wasn’t. His Uncle Vernon had made sure the night before that he would be far from enjoying his first week at Hogwarts, the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

But despite the pain he was in, Harry was determined to enjoy every moment away from his relatives.

Ron cleared his throat as he pulled out his wand, the noise loud enough to pull Harry from his thoughts. “Sunshine, daisy’s, butter...”

“Have any of you two seen a toad? A boy named Neville’s lost his.” Both boys looked up at the intrusion. A girl with bushy brown hair stood in the entrance of the compartment, looking at them expectantly. “Oh, you’re doing a spell? Lets see, then?” The girl sat herself across from the red head and next to Harry, not seeming to notice his small flinch. She smoothed out her black robes before looking back up at Ron, giving the red head a pointed look.

Ron’s ears tinged pink at the attention, and he cleared his throat once more before muttering the spell again. Other then a spark and a squeak from the rat, nothing happened.

“You sure that’s a real spell?” the girl asked, not impressed in the slightest. “Well, it’s not a very good one, is it? Of course, I’ve only tried to do simple spells myself, but they’ve all worked for me.” She lifted her wand and turned to Harry, pointing it at directly between his wide green eyes. “For example - Occulus Repairo.” In a flash Harry’s broken glasses were like new again. He stared in awe at them before sliding them off his nose to look at them better, a well of gratitude building up inside of him at this girl. No one has ever bothered to do anything like that for him before.

“Holly cricket, you’re Harry Potter!”

Ron’s head snapped up at the girls exclamation, and his blue eyes widened in shock as he stared at the boy in tattered clothing.

“I’m Hermione Granger. And you are?” the girl asked, turning to the red head.

“Um... Ron Weasley.” he finally managed, dragging his eyes away from the quite boy to glance at the girl.

“Pleasure.” Hermione said with a touch of sarcasm before standing up. “You best be getting into robes now, I expect we’ll be arriving shortly.”

Harry stared in confusion at the spot where the girl had stood, feeling a bit out of his depth suddenly. That wasn’t the first time someone knew who he was, and for the life of him, he couldn’t understand why? It was all disconcerting really.

His trip into Diagon Alley had scared him to the bones at all the attention he received. How did they know who he was? And why did they all fawn over him like he was some great being?

He wasn’t.

How could he be? He was nothing more then a freak.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’re Harry Potter?” Ron finally blurted out. He was looking at Harry like he was the prize from the bottom of a cereal box.

Harry shook his head. How was he supposed to answer that?

“Is it true, then? Do you really have...” His eyes darted around the small compartment, as if looking for eavesdroppers, “the scar?”

Harry stared at Ron’s lips, trying to discern the boy’s words, but the pointed look the red head was giving his forehead had Harry lifting his hand and brushing back the dark fringe. Apparently it was what Ron wanted since he broke out into a huge grin.

“Wicked.” Ron said in awe. “Do you remember that night at all? The night you defeated... You-Know-Who?” he asked in a low whisper. Harry frowned. He didn’t hear a word of that, and the boy had moved his head around too much to try to follow his lips.

“Didn’t think so.” Ron said in disappointment, mistaking Harry’s frown for a negative. “Do you know which house you’ll be sorted into?”

House?

Harry rubbed at his head, trying to ease the headache that was building from trying to understand Ron’s one-sided conversation. He was so tired. It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep his eyes open.

“Of course, no one can tell what house they’ll be sorted into, I just pray it isn’t Slytherin. There’s not a witch or wizard that didn’t go bad from that house.”

Ron’s sudden look of appraisal had Harry sitting up straighter and tugging on his ragged clothes, trying fruitlessly to straighten and smooth them out. He hated when people looked at him like that, like they were judging him. It was a look he got that was usually followed by pain on his part.

“You don’t speak much do you?”

Harry sighed and shook his head, abandoning his attempt to straighten himself out.

“How come?”

Harry frowned. He wished he knew the answer to that too sometimes.

Harry gave the red head a critical look, trying to determined if the boy meant trouble for him now, but all he saw was a look of total curiosity.

Sighing, he stood and pulled his trunk down from its resting place, searching around for a pen and paper. ‘I dont speek’ he wrote out in shaky writing, hesitating for a moment before passing the paper to Ron.

“Or spell.” Ron retorted humorously as he read the note, smiling at the small boy’s slight glare. “But how can you learn your spells if you cant speak?”

Harry shrugged. He wasn’t sure either.

Until just a few short weeks before, he never imagined that any of this existed. He had thought his first Hogwarts letter was a joke, sent by his cousin Dudley’s friends as a way to get him in trouble. Why would anyone want to write to someone so freakish like him? The beating he received afterwards had confirmed his belief, but with each passing day he kept receiving the same letter in greater bulk.

There was no way Dudley’s friends would spend so much for a stupid prank.

His relatives had never been so unhappy with him as they were then. They blamed him - made sure he knew it too. It was unnatural. The letters were pouring in from everywhere - the mail slot, the chimney, windows, under the door... but they still refused to let him read his letters.

It wasn’t until the appearance of a Hogwarts Professor that Harry was finally able to read the letters.

His uncle had thrown a fit, his face purpling as he swore and raged at the man, but the Professor had merely sneered and waved a stick, effectively shutting up his uncle.

Harry was in awe of the man.

No one had ever stood up to his uncle like that before. It was like the man was fearless.

Of course, he had paid dearly for that incident later that night, but Harry didn’t care - the Professor had taken him away for a day of freedom, showing him a wondrous world he never thought possible as they shopped for his school supplies.

If his silence bothered the Professor at all, the man made no mention of it, just simply explained anything of importance to him in a clear voice as they went along.

He wasn’t sure if the Professor realized he couldn’t speak - surely they wouldn’t allow him to attend if they knew? And if they did send him back to the Dursley’s, at least he was able to taste a bit of freedom for awhile.

Harry stifled a yawn. He really was exhausted.

“Don’t worry, mate. Just stick with me, I’ll help you out.” Ron’s hand clapped him on the back, and Harry hissed in pain. He could feel blood trickle down his back as a couple of his wounds opened up again. He just hoped that the blood soaking his back wasn’t too noticeable.

Forcing a smile around the pain, Harry gingerly sat back and nodded to his new friend.

That thought made him smile for real as the boy’s words finally sunk in. Ron didn’t care that he couldn’t speak. Didn’t care that he was different. Perhaps the wizarding world didn’t mind freaks like him as much as the, what did the Professor call it?... the muggle world did. He certainly hoped so. it would be nice having someone to help him out as he learned his way around this new world.

“Come on, lets get our robes on before we forget.” Ron said as he stood, rummaging through his bag.

When Ron turned back around, Harry was sound asleep in his seat, his school robe tucked tightly around him like a small blanket.

Chuckling, Ron settled back into his own seat, his rat back on his lap. “Wait ‘til Mum hears about this.” he grinned to the creature before closing his eyes as well, napping for the rest of the trip.

~~~~

“First years! Over here, first years!” bellowed a giant of a man with wild hair and wearing furs. Harry blinked owlishly up at the man as he and Ron made their way to him.

“Blimey, look at him!” Ron exclaimed in his ear, making it easy for Harry to hear him above all the noise. Ron’s expression was almost fearful, and Harry couldn’t blame him. The man’s fists were easily three times the size of his uncles. He certainly didn’t want to be the one at the end of those fists.

The boat ride over the lake was thrilling, at least for Harry. He’d never been on a boat before, and definitely not one that was propelled by magic. And the castle had been a fantastic sight to see as it rose higher and higher the closer they got. It had sent a jolt through him as he realized that this was actually happening. That he was in the wizarding world to become a wizard.

Hagrid, the giant man, had led them up a flight of stairs and into the warm entrance of the castle where a stern looking woman stood waiting for them. A look from her quickly told him that he wouldn’t want to cross her either. She didn’t look very pleasant, though her eyes where much kinder than his Aunt Petunia’s, who’s gaze was always cold and unforgiving towards him.

She led them to a small room and turned to face them all.

“My name is Professor McGonagall, Headmistress and head of Gryffindor house. In just a moment you will be sorted into your houses. They are Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin. Your house will be like your family while you're here." She gave the first years a stern look. "Your actions will reflect on your house. If you break the rules, you will loose points. If you do well, you will earn points - best if you remember that. Now if you would just wait here, please.”

The first years mutterings grew in volume as Professor McGonagall stepped through a side door, most speculating how they were to be sorted.

Harry squirmed. He was distinctly aware of eyes on him, and he stepped closer to Ron, seeking some sort of reassurance from the boy.

“Alright there, mate?” Ron asked as he felt the smaller boy clutch a hand to his robes.

Harry nodded but didn’t let go.

“So its true, then? The great Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts?” A voice sneered above the rest. Harry turned at the voice and came face to face with a blond haired boy with creamy white skin.

Harry just stared at the boy. Was his name written on his back or something? How did everyone know who he was?

“Names Malfoy. Draco Malfoy.” the blond said, thrusting his hand towards Harry. Ron’s laugh brought a silver flash of anger to the blonds gray eyes, and the hand dropped, welling into fists at the boys side. “Think my name’s funny, do you? Don’t need to ask who you are - red hair and hand-me-down robes; you’re a Weasley.”

The name was said with such hatred.

Harry tried to step back, not wanting to get caught in a middle of a fight, but the blond whirled on him.

“Best watch who you make friends with, Potter.” He glared at the red head. “You don’t want to be caught hanging out with the wrong sort.”

The hand was back in front of him, waiting for him to shake it, to accept the friendship.

Harry looked between the two glaring boys, biting his lip. He had no clue what to do and everyone was now watching them.

He tugged on Ron’s robes, pulling the boy closer to him slightly. The jester didn’t go unnoticed by the blond.

“What’s going on here?” McGonagall’s voice ranged out as she came up to the group that had gathered around the boys.

Draco dropped his hand, sneering slightly as he gave a small nod to Harry. “Nothing Professor.” he answered for everyone as he turned to face her.

McGonagall gave the boys a look that clearly said she didn’t believe them, but said nothing on it.

“Follow me please.” she said as she turned and open the side doors, giving the first years their first look at the Great Hall.

Gasps rang all around and Harry couldn’t keep his jaw from dropping as he stared up at the enchanted ceiling. He vaguely heard a girl claim that she read all about it as they were led down an aisle to stand in front of the teachers table.

To Harry’s utmost amusement, a stool with a old and ratted hat atop it was placed before the teachers table and the whole of the school was looking at it expectantly. After a moment of silence, Harry understood why. The hat began to sing, the rip in the seam acting very much like a mouth. It sang of the different houses, of there qualifications, and Harry wasn’t sure if he fitted any of them.

“When I call your name, please come up, sit on the stool and place the hat on your head.” Professor McGonagal said, eyeing each of the first years before focusing on the scroll in her hands.

One by one the students were sorted, and with each one, a knot in his stomach grew. What if the hat couldn’t find a house for him? What if they realized his freakishness and sent him home? He didn’t want to go home. He wanted to stay here, to learn to be a wizard.

By the time his name was called, Harry was almost in a full panic. His heart beating fiercely in his chest, he trudged up to the stool and placed the hat atop his head.

“Hmm,” The small voice in his head startled him and the hall laughed as he gave a small jump. “Difficult. Very difficult. There’s plenty of courage, I see, and not a bad mind. And there’s talent, oh yes - and a thirst to prove yourself. So where to place you?”

“You aren’t going to send me home?” Harry asked in confusion. It was a bit disconcerting listening to a voice in your head that wasn’t your own.

“And why would I do that?”

“Cause I can’t speak, sir.” Harry answered, his gaze dropping to his hands in nervousness. He could feel the weight of the stares from the students the longer he sat there, and he didn’t really like it at all.

“There’s a difference between not being able to and choosing not to.” the hat answered. “Now where to place you? Slytherin will take you far into greatness, and you can be great, you know. Its all here in your head.”

Harry frowned. What was it that Ron had said about Slytherin, that not a witch or wizard in that house turned evil? Harry didn’t want to be evil. Evil was like his uncle and cousin, and he didn’t want to be anything like that. No, he didn’t want Slytherin.

“Not Slytherin, eh? You sure? Very well, better be... GRYFFINDOR!” The last word was said aloud for all to hear and immediately cheering started up at the Gryffindor table.

Lifting the hat off his head, Harry headed for a free seat at the table, a blush heating his face as people congratulated him. A few nearby dared to clap him on the back and Harry had to bite his lip to keep from crying at the pain. He was really going to have to bandage his back before bed.

The other students were sorted and he did his best to clap and smile with the rest. Ron was sorted into Gryffindor Harry noted with relief. Sharing a house with Ron made him feel much more secure than if they had ended up in different houses.

As Dumbledore stood to make his yearly announcements, Harry let his eyes wander over the rest of the tables.

Draco Malfoy had been sorted into Slytherin. The blond had took his spot amongst the other Slytherins it seemed, if the pleased smirk gracing his pointy features was anything to go by.

Grey eyes looked right at him, and the smirk grew as Harry realized he was staring. He gave the blond a tentative smile before turning back to listen to Dumbledore, a blush covering is own face.

He wasn’t sure of the feelings the boy stirred in him. He made him quite nervous, and reminded him vaguely of his cousin, and he wasn’t sure he liked that thought at all.

As Dumbledore introduced the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Harry’s eyes landed on a dark, familiar figure. The same figure that had rescued him for a day from the Dursley’s. He couldn’t help the grin that broke out across his face as Professor Snape’s black eyes landed on him.

When he was to be sent back to the Dursley’s, Harry would forever remember the man for rescuing him and showing him a wondrous world. Even if it was only briefly.

Chapter 14


The hours waiting for Naruto to emerge form the Uchiha’s home was nearly unbearable for Gaara. Constantly he was tempted to go and snatch his mate away, to take him and hide him somewhere safe, somewhere where only he could have him. But, Naruto would never forgive him for such a thing.

So instead, he waited; waited for Naruto to wake and come out on his own. It was agony for him, especially after watching the Uchiha leave for the training grounds the moment the sun peaked into view. But he continued to sit there, high up in a tree, hidden behind its many leaves and branches.

Finally, as the sun moved higher across the sky, Naruto emerged, his arms stretched out over his head as he gave a big yawn. Gaara was immediately hard. The sight of his mate made his blood burn with fire, heating his skin and enhancing his senses. The littlest of brushes from the leaves sent tingling sensations down his spine, making him shiver and yearn even more for his mate.

Slowly, Naruto began to walk towards the gates, yawning widely as he headed for his apartment. Before Gaara could move to let his presence known, Naruto stopped, his head snapping to Gaara’s location. Naruto’s expression was one of pure hunger. His eyes dilated as they glazed over with want. “Gaara.” he breathed, taking in a deep lungful of air, taking in his mates scent.

Gaara groaned, the sound of his name on those luscious lips made his cock twitch with anticipation. “Uzumaki.” he responded huskily, commanding his sand to carry him down to his mate.

Naruto’s blood thrummed through his veins. The need to touch his mate was so strong, he could barely resist the temptation to reach out and stroke a hand over the red heads chest, to feel the toned muscles beneath his fingertips. “What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice hoarse with need.

“You didn’t come back last night,” Naruto cast his eyes to the ground, his cheeks tinting pink with guilt. “so I came looking for you.” Gaara answered. “I didn’t want to disturb you while you slept, so I waited.”

He stepped closer to the blond, only a mere three inches separating them. His hand shot out, grabbing hold of Naruto’s chin, forcing his mate to look him in the eyes. “Why did you not come back last night? You said that you wanted to talk. So why then, do I find you here? With the scent of the Uchiha covering you?”

Those blue eyes looked so pained as they gazed into his own cold green eyes. He could see the sweat starting to coat the tan skin as Naruto fought for control over his own body, trying to push back the desire that wanted so desperately to take control.

“Sorry Gaara. I didn’t mean to leave you stranded like that.” Naruto said sincerely. “I really had every intention of going back so I could speak to you.” Naruto hesitated, trying to decide whether he should continue or not.

“Uzumaki.” Gaara said softly, coaxing the boy to keep talking as he brushed a thumb over the soft and pink lips.

Naruto sighed, closing his eyes against the piercing green ones as he leaned into the touch.

“Sasuke - he, um, kind of side tracked me. Sorry.” he finally said lamely, feeling very ashamed of himself. He had broken a promise. Two promises. One to Gaara, and the other to himself. He swore he would never break a promise, that he would always keep his word. But he had failed. He didn’t go back to Gaara.

Fear gripped his heart, squeezing it painfully. Gaara must surely hate him for lying. What reason did Gaara have now to stay with him? He didn’t want Gaara to leave; didn’t want to be left unloved. “Oh god, Gaara, I’m so sorry! I promise I’ll never do it again. Please, please forgive me!”

“It’s alright.” said Gaara, slightly taken aback by the intensity of Naruto’s plea. “Just don’t do it again.” He removed his grip on the chin and brought it to the whiskered cheeks, stroking them softly before cupping them. “What was it you wanted to talk about?”

Naruto tilted his head into Gaara’s caress, his heart loosening in relief. Silently he scanned his surroundings, wanting desperately to be indoors somewhere. “Could we go back to the apartment first?” He felt too exposed, like the world was watching his every move and it was making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He didn’t like the feeling at all.

“Hai.” Gaara nodded, and stepped back. Naruto tried to ignore the twinge of loss he felt as Gaara let his hand drop back to his side, and turned to lead the red head to his apartment.

The pair walked in silence, Gaara thinking about his mate as Naruto tried to pull his thoughts into order. Too soon for Naruto, they were standing at his front door. Giving Gaara a faint smile, he unlocked the door and gestured to Gaara to proceed, telling him to sit and make himself comfortable.

Gaara sat watched as Naruto paced back and forth, wringing his hands almost painfully. “Uzumaki.” Gaara said after a good five minutes passed in silence. Naruto stopped and turned to Gaara, his attempt at a smile failing miserably. “Uzumaki.” he prompted again. Naruto sighed and nodded, it was time to tell Gaara.

~~~~

Naruto swallowed thickly as he wiped his clammy hands on the front of his pants. He bit his lip, trying to decide just where to start.

“I love Sasuke.” Naruto said softly, his blue eyes pleading for Gaara to understand. “But I also... I also want you.” The last was said in a whisper, an agonized and longing whisper.

Gaara sat there, staring at Naruto, unsure of what to do. His mate just admitted to wanting another, which he already knew, but the rage that came from the spoken words of confirmation took him by surprise. He clenched his fists, the only sign that he didn’t like what he heard.

“I don’t know what to do, Gaara. I’m torn. I cant leave Sasuke, but I also don’t want you to leave me.” Naruto looked down at his feet, ashamed. “I’m sorry.”

“What do you expect me to do, Uzumaki?” Gaara finally asked after a stretch of silence. “You gave yourself to me. You’re my mate. Mine.” His voice was full of possessiveness, his anger of the situation seeping into his words.

“I don’t know!” Naruto all but wailed, his arms wrapping around himself. “Can’t I have you both?” he asked softly, a tear running down his cheek. No matter what the Kyuubi said, he knew that would never happen. Sasuke and Gaara hated each other too much to try to get along.

“You want me to share?” Gaara asked in disbelief. He was having a hard enough time trying not to throttle his mate for going to another and he wanted him to condone it?

Naruto sighed as he wiped the tears from his eyes, and looked up at Gaara, his expression pained. “I promised myself to both of you. I want both of you. I have never been loved before, Gaara. I want to hold onto it. Sasuke means the world to me. But I think I’m also falling for you. If you and Sasuke could just get along...” He paused, tensing at the rage that flashed through Gaara’s green eyes. “Sorry.” he whispered again. “I know it's unfair to you. To both of you. I’m being selfish, but I don’t know what else to do.”

“I think its a brilliant idea!” a voice boomed from the door before Gaara could respond. Both Naruto and Gaara spun around at the intrusion.

“Don’t you know how to knock?” Naruto asked with a slight horrified expression, a blush heating his face. That was a conversation he never expected or wanted another to hear.

“Sure I do, but what’s the fun in that?” Jiraiya asked as he strolled towards the couch. He laughed at the grumbles coming from the blond as he made himself comfortable.

“Now,” he said, propping his feet up on the coffee table, crossing them at the ankles. “I have an offer for the two of you,” He looked at the two, ignoring the red heads glares for interrupting their conversation, one which Jiraiya figured the Sand nin needed time to think about before he could answer Naruto properly.

“And that offer would be...?” asked Naruto, giving Gaara an apologetic look before turning his attention to the sennin, setting himself on the edge of the table by Jiraiya’s feet . When Jiraiya offered something, it was usually worth his while. Usually. The old man’s offers could be questionable sometimes.

Jiraiya smirked. “Training, of course. Can’t let your skills go to waste now, can we?”

Naruto’s eyes widen with glee. Training with Jiraiya always meant new techniques and he was always up to learning more. He planned to be Hokage someday after all.

“When do we start?” he asked, leaning forward eagerly.

Jiraiya grinned. “Tomorrow if you like. Be by the bath house at eight sharp.”

“Hai!” Naruto agreed readily, practically salivating over the thought of all the different things the sennin could teach him.

Gaara had remained silent through the whole exchange, his eyes narrowed at the old man. Jiraiya returned his look coolly. “Of course the offer is extended to you as well.” he finally said.

“Hmm.”

“That’s great! You can learn so much from him Gaara!” Naruto exclaimed, jumping up from his spot to bounce around the apartment, his depression of moments before forgotten.

Gaara glared at his mate for his choice of words before turning back to the old man. “Do I have a choice in this?” he asked, raising a hairless brow. Jiraiya shook his head. “Very well.”

“Tomorrow, then. Remember, don’t be late!” Jiraiya said as he stood. Pausing by the door, the sennin turned a last time to look at the two boys. “Don’t let this one go, brat. Kami knows how much this boy deserves all the happiness he can get.” he said seriously before closing the door behind him, grinning evilly and chuckling as he made his way back to the Tower. He HAD to tell Tsunade this one!

Naruto was beet red with embarrassment as he turned back to Gaara, but before he could say anything he found himself slammed up against a wall, Gaara pressed up tight before him.

“Gaara!” Naruto squeaked at the impacted, his body quickly firing up. He moaned as lips claimed his in a possessive kiss, and found his arms winding around the red heads waist, trying to pull him closer to him.

“I told you before Uzumaki,” Gaara growled in his ear. “you’re mine. Don’t forget that!”

It took Naruto a moment to register that Gaara had left him, stalking out the door to gather his thoughts and clear his head. Naruto’s body was shaking with desire and he stared down at himself in frustration. God he was hard. Sighing, Naruto got up from where he slumped to on the ground and made his way to his room, thoughts of Gaara’s possessiveness and Sasuke’s gentleness dancing and mingling in his head.

Was it really so wrong to want both?

TBC

Chapter 13


Gaara sat on the rooftop of Naruto’s apartment, waiting patiently for the blond to return to him. Naruto had said that he wanted to talk. He had told him to wait for him. So where was he? Stupid question. He knew exactly where his mate was. And who he was with.

His sand shifted around him restlessly, wrapping around his skin protectively. A small smile graced Gaara’s lips for the briefest of seconds; his sand always fell from his body when Naruto was around. Every touch, every caress his mate gave him he felt to the maximum, unhindered by the sand that usually encased his body. Did Naruto even know he was free of his sand when they were together? His sand swirled around him in agitation, wanting to strike out at the one that kept his mate from him.

He should just go over there, take Naruto back from the one that dared to separate them. But Naruto would never be happy with that. He knew Naruto cared for the other one. But, damn it, Naruto was HIS mate! He promised himself to him. Did Naruto not remember his promise?

But Gaara really couldn’t blame him. They were in heat and Naruto found the Uchiha highly attractive. It was only natural that he would seek pleasure form him, just as he himself had sought pleasure with the blond.

Gaara sighed, leaning back against the tiled roof, his sand supporting him up in a reclined position. He stared at the night sky, the stars twinkling brightly against a black velvety backdrop. The day had certainly been interesting. Twice he was summoned to the Hokage office, both having to do with the ‘condition’ he was in.

That old man, the one he believed Naruto dubbed ero-sennin, seemed to have found his situation amusing. His lips twitched, trying to pull into a smile at the memory of how bright red his mate had gotten at being found wrapped around each other earlier that day by that man. But his lips didn’t pull into that smile, instead, they turned down into a frown. Naruto had promised to speak with him when he returned, but he had yet to return.

He sighed again, knowing it was useless to wait for his mate to return tonight. He would have to wait to see him during the daylight hours, when the blond was sure to be awake. And since he was now restricted from shinobi work for the time being, he knew he would have his mate all to himself for the majority of the day.

He smirked. He would just have to show his mate that he belonged with him, that the boy belonged in his arms and not in that of the Uchiha’s. No, he would not lose him to the Uchiha at all.

~~~~

Naruto sighed and sat up, taking in the view of the surrounding forest. It seemed that no matter how many times he had this dream, he would never tire of seeing these surroundings. It had such a sense of freedom to it, made him forget about his life, made him feel calm, relaxed.

“Not too relaxed, I hope.” a gruff voice rumbled into his ear, sending waves of shivers down his back. Strong arms wrapped themselves around his middle, pressing him backwards against a broad hard chest.

“Why do you do this?” he asked, aware that for the first time he was thinking coherently in his dream, able to have some control over what was happening.

The voice chuckled, the sound so deep and hollow, but no where near malicious, only amused. “Who said you have any control here?” the voice said in answer to his thoughts, but not his question.

Naruto leaned his head back, resting it on the hard shoulders of the one who held him, liking the feel of strength that radiated from the body behind him. He knew without a doubt who he was now, and he intended to get his questions answered this time round, or he was going to have to pay the beast a visit in a less appealing environment.

“Why do you bring me here? Why this spot?” he asked, his hands idly running over the arms around his middle.

“Did you just not this second think that you liked it here? That this spot made you feel safe?” the voice answered back.

“I don’t think safe was the word that I had thought.” Naruto retorted. “But why bring me here at all?”

Teeth nipped at his ear, tugging and pulling on it gently, almost reassuringly. “I thought that that was quite obvious. Do you not enjoy your time spent here with me?”

“So then this is real? What we are doing? Its real?” he asked.

“As real as you wish it to be.” A clawed finger tapped against Naruto’s temple. “What we do, can only be done here, in your mind.”

“So is this really a dream then?”

“Sort of.”

“What do you mean by ‘sort of’? Is this a dream or not?” Naruto asked, starting to get frustrated with the beast behind him.

“Its kind of like how you would visit me, only in a better surrounding.” the beast said, his voice dropping to a deeper resonance, causing the blond to shudder at the sexy tone. “And I know you love these surroundings.”

“Mmm...” Naruto agreed, pressing himself backwards against the sturdy body behind him. He suddenly didn’t feel like talking much. The need to be filled, to be touched was quickly taking over his senses. The many questions that had been plaguing him didn’t seem all that important at the moment.

“I’ll answer your questions later, kit.” the beast assured him, dropping nibbling kisses along the boys neck, causing the boy to let out a breathless sigh. “But right now, you’re mine.”

“Nnn,” Naruto moaned, feeling the beasts teeth nip sharply at the junction between his shoulders and neck. His mind was hazy, spinning with lust and desire. So filled with need was his mind and body, he didn’t even think of saying no.

The strong arms wrapped around his middle moved, wandering up and down his torso, teasing the sensitive skin, playing with his nipples until they harden. The mouth on his neck continued to nip, suck and lick, as warm breath fanned across his skin. Naruto couldn’t help but moan, the pleasure from the simple touches sent fire straight through him.

He turned around in those arms, wanting to look at the face that sent him such pleasure. His cock brushed against the beasts, causing him to gasp at the wonderful friction. He ground his hips as much as he could against the others hips, forcing their cocks to rub deliciously against each other.

Red eyes looked down into blue, a smirk gracing his delicate but strong features. Features that greatly resembled the blonds. He bent down, ravaging the Naruto’s mouth with his own, his clawed fingers scraping down the boys chest leaving blood trails in their wake. Slowly, he pushed the boy down to the ground, breaking the kiss to lap up at the blood that spilled from the boys chest.

“Oh, god...” Naruto groaned, arching his chest up to feel more of that wicked tongue on his burning chest. His hands fisted into the beasts red hair, welling him to continue his trek downwards. The vibrations of an amused chuckle flitted over his skin, sending burning need straight to his groin.

“Please...” Naruto gasped as hot breath puffed against his aching need. His whole body trembled, begging for a release that only the beast could give him.

“Please what?” the beast asked, nipping and sucking everywhere except where the blond truly wanted to be touched.

“Kyu... need...” Naruto panted, squirming and writhing beneath the beasts’ touch. Never before had their time together been this... wonderfully torturous.

“Need what?” growled the beast, sinking his teeth into the boys thigh, lapping up the blood that spilled from the small wound. Naruto screamed, the pain mixing with the pleasure that the Kyuubi was creating within him.

“Ah god... need you... inside... Please!” Naruto begged, tugging desperately at the red hair within his grasp. He needed him, more then he ever needed the demon before. Needed to feel him, to touch him, to fill him up, to make him feel more then he ever thought possible.

The Kyuubi nipped one last time at the boys thighs and then quickly flipped him over, pulling his backside up into the air. The beast leaned forward, his hands tightly gripping the boys hips as he thrust in, not stopping until he was fully in.

Naruto’s head threw back as he let out another pained scream, his hands closing into fists, his knuckles white. He let his head drop, his forehead resting against his forearms, panting heavily as the beast started a violent and fast pace. Sweat and blood dripped from him, creating an intoxicating aroma that assaulted the Kyuubi’s senses, driving him wild with lust.

The beast was ruthless, pounding into him harder and harder with every thrust, claws digging into his skin, drawing more blood. Kyuubi shifted, angling himself so that he’d hit the boys prostate, and gave a feral grin when the boy yelled out in pleasure.

Naruto started pushing back, matching the beasts pace as much as he could. A hand snaked around his waist, gripping hold of his throbbing erection. Naruto gave a strangled moan as the hand started to pump him at an erratic pace. The sensations coursing through his body was quickly building, threatening to erupt from him at any moment.

“Ahh... Kyuu... Mmm...” Naruto whimpered, panting and sweating heavily. Kyuubi leaned forward, bringing his lips to the boys shoulder and nipping at it hard, drawing even more blood from the boy.

Naruto screamed, the mixture of pain and pleasure running rampant through his body finally exploding and bringing him to his climax. White light flashed before his eyes as he shuddered with his orgasm, his sperm coating the beast’s hand.

Kyuubi sunk his teeth in the blonds skin even deeper, drinking up the blood that poured from the wound. He continued his thrusting, pounding in harder and faster then he had before, holding up the blond who threatened to collapse beneath him. With a ferocious growl he came, pouring his essence into the boy, his own climax rocking his body in waves.

They both collapsed into a bundle of limbs, panting and gasping as they came down from their natural high. Naruto couldn’t remember ever feeling so much, ever experiencing such sensations while he was here. Has it always been this rough? This pleasurable?

A rumbling laugh washed over Naruto, sending a tingly sensation down his spine. “The more you are here, the more you feel and,” Kyuubi leaned his head forward, his lips ghosting over the boys ear, “the more you are able to participate in our activities.” Naruto shuddered, his body threatening to come alive once again as the hot breath coursed down his naked skin.

He shook his head, trying hard to clear his head of the lust filled fog that was rolling back in. He needed to think, needed to ask his questions. “How long?” he asked between pants. “How long will this last?”

Kyuubi grinned. “That’s kind of a vague question there, don’t you think?” he asked back. “But I understand what you’re trying to say. I’ll will be in heat for a few more weeks. Roughly for most of spring, as that Hokage woman already told you. Most demons have a long mating season to ensure that we will be able to find a mate capable of baring offspring. And since I am in heat, so then are you effected.”

“Gaara? What about him? Why do I feel so... drawn to him?” Naruto asked as he turned to face the beast.

“The Shukaku holder is the same as you. Its only natural you two would seek each other out.”

Naruto frowned. “Then what about Sasuke?”

Kyuubi snorted. “Your feelings for the boy is what makes you so drawn to him. He isn’t as great a mate as the Shukaku holder, but he makes an adequate substitute.”

Naruto’s frown deepened as he thought about what the beast said. He still wasn’t exactly sure what to do, but he knew that he wanted both. Even if it did seem selfish of him. But could he really be blamed for wanting to keep and hold onto any and all forms of love and affection? Things that he rarely ever got to experience?

“Then I suggest that you take them both.” Kyuubi cut into his thoughts, licking the cum off of his hand lazily.

“But they hate each other.” Naruto blushed, just realizing that Kyuubi could read his thoughts.

“So? Just because they act like territorial dominants doesn’t mean that they are.” The beast paused, looking thoughtful for a moment. “Well, maybe that Shukaku holder is.” he finally said with a smirk.

Naruto frowned. Gaara. He was supposed to talk with him and instead he stayed with Sasuke. Gaara was probably livid at the moment. But Sasuke was just too tempting to pass up. He sighed. Some how he was going to have to get those two together. Help them to at least becomes some sort of friends. That at least was a start.

The blond looked sideways at the beast by his side, trying to think of what else he wanted to ask. Usually he woke up right after the sex, but Kyuubi seemed to be keeping his word and was answering his questions. Naruto wanted to make sure that he asked them all.

“What do you mean by territorial dominants?” he asked, looking slightly confused about what that meant. Kyuubi rolled onto his back, staring up into the blue sky, his arms folded under his head.

“What I mean is that both your mates aren’t going to take too kindly to the idea of sharing you. They view you as their own.” he explained.

Naruto nodded. Yup, he knew it. It was going to be hard getting those two together. He sighed, leaning back onto the grass as well. “Do you have any ideas how I can get them together?” he asked hopefully, willing to take any advice, even if it did come from the Kyuubi demon.

Kyuubi grinned, rolling back onto his side so he could look down at his blond vessel. “Just get one of them close to where the other is and have him fuck you crazy. When the other shows up, offer him to join in on the fun.”

Naruto’s eyes bulged at the thought and he started to sputter. He could just imagine it, him and Gaara going at it and Sasuke walking in on them. He just knew that Sasuke would never go for that. Hell, even Gaara wouldn’t.

“With all the pheromones in the air, it shouldn‘t be too hard to convince them.” Kyuubi explained, still grinning like mad.

Again Naruto fell silent, thinking back to all the times he was with both Sasuke and Gaara. Once he got physical with them, his mind always went hazy. Even with Kyuubi. Was the same true for Gaara and Sasuke? Were they able to think clearly or were they as lust driving as him? Is that what Kyuubi meant by the pheromones being in the air?

“When you’re in heat, you produce a pheromone. You’ve been producing it this whole time, kit. The Shukaku holder can sense it but that Uchiha probably doesn’t even realize that its been emanating from you.” At Naruto’s questioning look he continued. “No it hasn’t influenced the Uchiha’s feelings for you. Just perhaps helped him to advance on you. And yes, the Shukaku holder produces it too. Have you not noticed it? Why do you think you two practically maul each other when you’re around each other?” he pointed out.

Silence hovered for a moment as Naruto absorbed everything. He was still slightly confused, but he thought that he understood everything so far. He just needed time to sort them out, to truly understand it. But there was still one thing left that was bothering him. Something that he just couldn’t figure out for the life of him. Shifting so that he could face the demon, Naruto took a deep breath and voiced his final question.

“Um... Kyuubi? What’s with the trees?”

~~~~

Tsunade glared at Jiraiya, folding her arms across her ample breasts as she leaned back in her chair.

“I mean it. They can not be left alone. They need some sort of supervision!” she barked, her glare intensifying, daring the white haired man to challenge her.

Jiraiya grinned, leaning back in his own chair in front of Tsunade’s desk. “I hardly doubt that those boy’s need any supervision.”

“I am not going to have them just roam about the village while they are in this state. Just keep an eye on them. Make sure they don’t get into any trouble.” she insisted.

“Well, if those two are going to be doing what they were doing earlier, I hardly think they’ll cause any kind of trouble.” He grinned. “But I’ll keep an eye on them. I’m sure those two could come in very handy for my research.” he laughed.

“I’m serious Jiraiya. If the villagers find out about Naruto’s condition, or even the Akatsuki, who knows what could happen? Naruto is weakened right now, even if he doesn’t believe it. He needs to be watched over.”

Jiraiya sighed. Leave it to Tsunade to spoil his fun. “Hai, hai. I’ll make sure he’s safe.” he answered, raising from his seat to stand by the window.

Tsunade visibly relaxed, happy that Naruto was going to be looked after at least some what. “You do realize that he’ll question why I’m going to be around so much all of the sudden, don’t you?” Jiraiya pointed out.

Tsunade sighed. Naruto was far from stupid. She knew that. He would figure out what Jiraiya was up to instantly. And more then likely he would protest having to be watched over. That is unless he could get something out of it. Tsunade grinned, leaning forward so that she could rest her arms on her desk.

“Just tell him that you’re going to train him some more. He cant join in with his team mates any more, so he’ll have the time. Teach him some new techniques. You know he wont back down from that.” she said with a smirk.

Jiraiya grinned back at her. “Very true. But what about that Sand nin? Do you really want me training him as well?”

“Gaara is to be treated like our own shinobi. I trust you to figure out what to do with him. Just make sure to keep them safe.” she answered.

“Hai, hai. Gee Tsunade, who would of ever guessed that you would be a worse mother hen then that Iruka guy?” Jiraiya joked as he made his way to the door.

Tsunade sprang to her feet, jabbing her finger towards the door, her eyebrow ticking away. “OUT!” she hollered.

Jiraiya’s answer was to laugh harder, giving her a salute before walking out the door. Why did she ever think that that man could ever remain or even be serious for more then a second? Tsunade huffed, settling back into her chair, a smile tugging at her lips. He would do as she requested. Naruto was going to be in good hands.

TBC

Chapter 12


The kiss was gentle, lasting no longer then the barest of seconds. But it was enough to send heat straight to his groin - enough to make his mind hazy with lust and need.

Eyes darker then the midnight sky stared intently into dazed blue ones, a small smirk forming on his lips for being able to produce such a reaction from the blond.

“Stay.” was the single word that fell from his lips in a husky and deep voice. His hands came up to rest on the boys hips, pressing them ever so slightly closer to each other. The fox boy barely managed to nod his head in answer as his gaze flickered back down to the lips that had produced such a wonderfully sensuous voice.

He leaned forward, capturing those lips with his own, drawing the pale boy into a more passionate kiss.

Their lips moved against each other, slipping and sliding as the kiss grew more and more heated. Almost simultaneously, their tongues moved to brush against the others lips, asking for entry, but meeting one another instead, causing both boys to moan in pleasure.

The orange jacket fell softly to the floor as tan hands moved to roam the boys’ hard chest, feeling the muscles concealed beneath the Uchiha’s trademark shirt. His hands slid back down, dipping under the hem of the shirt before wandering back up.

Sasuke shuddered as those hands teased him, loving the way the callused fingers felt against his skin. Those hands stilled for only a second as they found his nipples before launching into an attack on them, pinching and squeezing them until they harden almost painfully.

“Sasuke.” Naruto groaned, breaking the kiss, wanting to explore every part of the other boys’ body, to bring as much pleasure to him as he could. He wanted to hear him moan his name and cry out in ecstasy.

Sasuke moaned, his shorts growing increasingly tight as his dobe assaulted him. He could tell Naruto was becoming quite skilled with his hands and that thought both pleased and angered him. He wasn’t the one that had taught him.

His own hands stilled the wandering ones under his shirt, preventing them from continuing their pleasurable torture. Blond brows furrowed in a slight frown as blue eyes peered into black onyx ones, confused as to why he was being stopped from his exploration.

“Up stairs.” Sasuke directed, trying to get a hold of his breath. He smiled at the grin his dobe gave him and slipped away from the boy, leading him up the stairs by the hand.

Naruto followed happily, straying far enough behind so he could watch the sway of the Uchiha’s hips as they climbed the stairs. The temptation too much for him, his free hand shot out, pinching the firm backside of the boy. His grin widen; Sasuke’s ass was tight!

Sasuke jumped at the unexpected grope, but didn’t turn around. Instead he just swung his hips more, a pleased smirk gracing his features. He could practically feel the blonds blue eyes raping his body as they neared his door, and he loved it.

“Enjoy the view?” he smirked, pushing open his bedroom door. Arms wrapped around him from behind, the hands wandering up and down his chest again.

“More then you know.” Naruto breathed, pressing himself against the Uchiha’s back, his breath fanning across the pale boys’ neck. Sasuke’s smirk grew as he turned in the boys arms to face the blond, his hands settling themselves on the boys hips once again.

“I can show you more.” he drawled in a deep husky voice, pulling the blond towards the bed behind him.

Naruto moaned at the Uchiha’s words, all coherent thought fading away, his instincts quickly taking over. Growling, he pressed himself flush up against the boy in his arms, his mouth locking over the Uchiha’s, kissing the boy fiercely. The two boys stumbled backwards from the blonds assault, falling ungracefully onto the bed. Their tongues battled for dominance, neither one winning yet both weeping the treasures of victory.

Sasuke’s hands settled on the blonds rump, pressing down so that they could grind against each other roughly. A loud rumbling growl escaped Naruto’s throat as he pulled from the kiss, clawing away at the Uchiha’s shirt which seemed to refuse to cooperate. Giving a cry of triumph at finally stripping the boy of his shirt, Naruto immediately attacked the exposed nipples, sucking and biting at one before giving the other the same treatment.

Sasuke couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped from his lips. The dobe was acting like he hadn’t had a meal in over a month and he was the boys main course.

“What’s so funny?” Naruto inquired in a gruff voice thick with lust, raising his head to look into the Uchiha’s black eyes.

“Nothing.” Sasuke smirked, pulling the blonds face up so he could kiss the boys’ lips gently. “I’m not going anywhere dobe. There’s no need to rush.”

Blue eyes blinked at him for a moment, trying to understand what the Uchiha had meant through his lust hazy mind. Slowly a grin spread across his face as well as a light blush. “Gomen. I just cant help it. You’re so tempting.” he explained, planting a quick kiss on the boys lips.

Chuckling again, Sasuke slowly sat up, pushing the blond onto his lap. “No need to apologize.” he whispered, wrapping his arms loosely around the dobe’s waist. He pressed his nose into the crook of the blonds neck, inhaling the wonderful outdoors smell of him. The smell of forest and spring air.

Naruto leaned his head back, allowing better access for the Uchiha to nuzzle and nip at him. He moaned as he felt a wet tongue slide up his neck to his ear and shuddered as hot breath puffed into it, sending shivers down his spine.

“I’ll always be here for you.” Sasuke husked into the blonds sensitive ear before pulling the lobe between his lips to suck on.

“Ah, Sasuke...” Naruto panted, trembling slightly as he tried to control his sudden urge to ravage the boy again. Sasuke wanted to take his time, and he wanted to make Sasuke happy. But, oh god, did that feel good! He held onto the Uchiha, his arms wound around his shoulders, his hands rubbing up and down the bare back between the shoulder blades, his nails scrapping against the skin.

Sasuke’s hands moved up the expanse of Naruto’s torso, lifting the boys black shirt up to reveal his taunt stomach and chest. He rubbed the pads of his thumbs over the boys’ nipples, feeling them harden as he played with them, trying hard to ignore the fading marks that lined his skin.

Naruto arched his back, lifting his arms up so Sasuke could pull the shirt off the rest of the way, loving the feeling those talented hands were creating in him. The hands moved up from there play and traveled up his arms, ridding him of the sweat drenched top.

“You’re so beautiful.” Sasuke breathed as he studied the naked torso before him. Even with the marks of another on him, he was a sight to see. But Sasuke planned to erase those marks, to mark him as his own thoroughly once again. Naruto was his.

Another light blush graced the whiskered cheeks as he leaned in for another kiss. He groaned at the feel of their naked chests pressed together, the contact of their skin sending a pulsing heat of pleasure through him.

Vaguely he realized just how different being in Sasuke’s arms were to being in Gaara’s. With Gaara, they always went off on their instincts. But with Sasuke, it was just... different. He wasn’t sure how different, just that it was. He was losing himself in a wholly different way.

The arms tightening around his waist was the only warning he had before Sasuke leaned back and rolled, positioning him under the Uchiha. Sasuke laid on top of him, looking into his blue eyes intently.

Naruto stared back into those black eyes, eyes that were darker then the night itself. He could get lost in those eyes. Those emotionless eyes that suddenly seemed to be filled with lust and want and... love?

“Sasuke...” he breathed in awe. So much emotion, never before had he seen so much revealed in those depths. He could feel his heart pump furiously as he stared into the suddenly emotional eyes.

“Naruto?” The deep voice pulled the blond from his thoughts, causing blue eyes to blink at him for a moment. “What’s wrong?”

Naruto could see the concern in those beautiful black eyes of his love as well as hear it drip from his voice.

The Uchiha watched as a small smile graced the boys’ lips. A real smile. A smile of happiness. Those blue eyes twinkled at him, reflecting the same happiness of his smile. The blond was radiating with it.

“Nothings wrong.” he replied, his hands coming up to cup the pale cheek. Sasuke’s eyes closed as he leaned into the caress, clasping hold of it with his own hand, turning his face so he could plant kisses along the palm and knuckles. He couldn’t help but smile when he heard the boy beneath him purr.

Sasuke moaned when he looked back down at the blond. The boy looked so content in his arms. He knew then that he wanted to always make the boy happy, to grant him any wish that he could. He would do anything for his dobe.

He leaned down, pulling the boy into another kiss as he positioned himself down on the boy so that they could rock against each other, feeling the pleasure shoot through both their bodies.

Naruto gasped as he felt the boys’ throbbing erection through the layers of clothing, his hands settling on the Uchiha’s pale sides, his nails digging into the skin. His mind quickly clouded over with lust, his body pulsing with pleasure. The taste and smell of the other boy was driving his senses wild.

Naruto’s hands slid further down the boys’ sides and in between the two of them, griping hold of the Uchiha’s arousal, massaging the throbbing member through the constricting shorts. “Nnn...“ Sasuke shuddered, thrusting his hips into Naruto’s hands, wanting to feel move of the growing pleasure that raced through him.

Naruto was shaking with need, his body screaming to be touched. His clothing was becoming much too tight as his erection strained for release. And Sasuke’s moans of pleasure was only fueling the fire that burned in his lower regions. “Sasuke... Need you...” Naruto panted, moving his hands to fiddle with the clasped of the boys’ pants.

Sasuke smirked as he pulled away from the blond, climbing off the bed to drop his pants. He took in the sight of the moaning boy on his bed before riding him of his pants and boxers as well.

Naruto moaned at the feel of cool air against his heated skin, then moaned even more as Sasuke’s naked body settled over him again. God the boy was beautiful. Perfect. Sexy. The way that they seemed to just fit against each other... “Oh... God... Sasuke...” he cried in pleasure as hands trailed down the length of his torso, brushing over his member, sending a shiver through him before circling his opening.

“How do you want me, Naruto?” Sasuke asked in a silky voice, playing with the boys’ entrance, but not yet pushing in. He leaned down and liked at the nipple closet to him, feeling the blond shudder and squirm beneath him.

“I want... inside me...” Naruto panted out, trying to press himself down against the fingers, wanting them to fill him.

Sasuke groaned and smirked at the same time, causing Naruto to wonder through his lust filled mind how he managed to do that. The fingers removed themselves, tracing the same line they had taken to get there back up his body, continuing up to his lips where they hovered. Sasuke traced the bruised lips, feeling how soft they were against his fingertips.

“Suck.” he ordered, his dark eyes watching in delightful need as his digits were sucked into the hot wet cavern that was Naruto’s mouth.

Naruto wrapped his tongue around the digits, sucking and massaging them, loving their salty taste. He rocked his hips up, wanting to feel more pleasure, more sensations. He opened his eyes, realizing that he had closed them and gazed into black ones.

Sasuke’s breath hitched at the look of raw need that filled the blue eyes, feeling his heart speed up a tad, his arousal twitching with its own need. He pulled his fingers from the luscious mouth, a smacking wet ‘pop’ sounding when the blond sucked on them hard one last time.

Groaning, Sasuke latched his lips onto the blonds, ravishing his mouth as his fingers toyed with the boys entrance. The body beneath him squirmed, bucking his hips against the fingers before grinding them against the boy above him as well. Sasuke slid his moist fingers in, earning a satisfied moan from his lover.

The fingers stretched him, scissoring him until he loosened, searching out that one spot that would make him scream in pleasure. The body beneath him arched, that cry of pleasure passing forth from his parted lips. “Oh god, Sasuke... More...” Naruto managed out, his fingers pressing hard into the Uchiha’s shoulders. He wanted to feel him inside, needed to feel him filling him up, making him feel more then he ever thought possible.

The fingers pumped into him, hitting his prostate ever few thrusts, mostly focusing on preparing him. “Anything for you.” Sasuke answered, nibbling on the blonds lips for a moment before he pulled away from the boy again, eliciting a whimper from the blond.

He reached to his side table, pulling out a bottle of lotion. He sat up on his knees, straddling the blond. Clasping hold of one of the Naruto’s hands, he poured some of the lotion on him, watching with amusement as the boy blinked at him curiously.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” he answered, guiding the hand to his throbbing shaft, running their hands up and down, thoroughly lubricating his member. He groaned as the hand pumped him, squeezing tight every so often, sending shivers up and down his spin. He could feel himself coming closer to completion, pleasure and heat coiling in his stomach, wanting and waiting for release.

“Stop.” he groaned out, his hand stilling the boy. He panted, trying to catch his breath before he continued on. If he did anything at that moment, he knew he would come, and he didn’t want that just yet.

Naruto pulled his hand away from the boys’ arousal, his hand still thick with lotion. Why the Uchiha had lotion was beyond him, but he couldn’t care less at the moment, he just wanted to feel him. He placed his hand on the boys chest, working the excess lotion into the skin, looking on in pleasure as the pale chest glistened. He smiled, he could feel the boys’ heart racing beneath his fingertips.

“Sasuke...” he breathed, the palm of his hand pressed firmly against the boys heart. He felt the boy take a shuddering breath before he slid down on top of him, repositioning himself so he could enter, his arms holding himself up as he slid in, feeling the tightness of the boy encase him. Naruto groaned in pleasure, wrapping his legs around the pale boy to pull him in the rest of the way. Sasuke hissed in pleasure, not expecting Naruto to do that to him.

“Oh god, Naruto...” he moaned out. “So tight.”

“Move!” Naruto ordered, pushing himself against the boy to show he was serious. God it felt so right, being in his arms, having him fill him up. At this moment there was nowhere else he’d rather be, no one else but Sasuke.

Sasuke moaned again, pulling out just enough so he could slam back in, slowly setting a pace for the two of them. Sweat glistened on their bodies as they slid against each other, moans and groans of pleasure filling the room.

“Aahh, Sasuke...” Naruto cried out as Sasuke hit that spot within him, send waves a hot pleasurable sensations through him. He panted, matching the thrust with his own, keeping perfect rhythm with the Uchiha has the pace gradually sped up.

“Say that again.” Sasuke husked, loving the sound of his name falling from the blonds lips.

“Sasuke.” Naruto moaned again, his hands sliding along the boys’ back, digging his nails into the skin when the pleasure was almost too much. “More... harder...” he all but begged, his legs holding on tight to the boy.

Sasuke groaned, doing exactly what Naruto requested, pounding into him as hard and as deeply as he could. He was sweating and shuddering with pleasure, sensations running rampant throughout his body. Naruto writhed under him, those nails drawing blood as they dug into his skin, only adding to the pleasures he felt.

His hand found the boys forgotten member, quickly pumping it to match the speed of his now erratic thrusts.

“Oh god... Sssaassukeee...!” the blond cried out, panting hard. “So close...”

Sasuke pounded into the boy even harder, the boy repeating his name between gasps as he got closer and closer to the edge. His hand squeezed the boys arousal, spreading the pre-cum that dripped freely from the tip, pumping him roughly.

Naruto arched off the bed, screaming Sasuke’s name as blinding white heat passed through him, coming hard into the boys’ hand. Sasuke groaned at the sight of the boys’ pleasure, his own climax claiming him as he came deep within the boy, the two shuddering against each other.

Panting hard, Sasuke dropped onto his lover, to tired to move off him just yet, and not really wanting to anyway. He wanted to always feel his dobe beneath him, to always see him at the height of passion. He wanted to always have him, to always love him.

Naruto laid limp beneath the Uchiha, purring in contentment, his mind free of all worries. He loved the weight of the boy on top of him, still inside him. “Sasuke.” he breathed, lazily running a hand down the boys’ back to lay on his backside.

Sasuke lifted his head, only enough so he could stare into those beautiful blue eyes of his dobe. He leaned forward, pressing their lips together in a gentle kiss. God how he loved this boy. The kiss broke, the boys purring growing in volume. Yes, he would do anything his dobe ever wanted of him. Anything at all.


TBC