Hachi

Chapter Two

Naruto kept his promise and didn't bring it up again. Sasuke was relieved- and at least now that they'd fought about it, some of that tension had melted away.

He knew that Naruto was still thinking about it all. Sasuke could see it in his eyes, a silent plea whenever Yuzu came over to play in their yard or demanded that Sasuke help with her homework. He could feel Naruto's longing in the air whenever Kakashi stopped by the tower and brought his bouncy baby boy with him.

But no, he didn't bring it up again, and there was peace between them once more. A calm, steady few weeks went by. Things were busy at work as usual, an endless series of meetings, plans, and proposals. Missions to approve and assign. Hours of paperwork, late nights in the darkened tower ensuring everything was done right. Naruto was slowly-but-surely adjusting to the role of Hokage, and Sasuke kept a firm hand on the wheel directing their teams of staff.

The New Year's Eve festival was right around the corner and Naruto was in his element making all the plans, rushing around town and throwing all his exuberant energy into making sure it would be better than ever before. Luckily Sasuke was right behind him, ensuring everything was in place so that those plans could come to life.

We're a good team, Sasuke thought to himself one night as they worked late in their home office. Who would have ever thought? Not him, that was for sure. And yet here they were.

Sasuke paused for a moment, gazing over at his boisterous blonde working so seriously on his reports, chewing on the tip of his pencil. Naruto frowned, deep in concentration, completely lost to the outside world as he worked methodically at his task.

...damn you, Naruto, Sasuke thought, a shiver running through him at the sight of Naruto across the desk from him. Sasuke had been caught hook, line and sinker by this guy, and he was perfectly content with it all.

"Naruto," Sasuke said, pushing his paperwork aside and standing up. "We'll finish this tomorrow. Let's go to bed."

"Eh?" Naruto said to that, looking up at him. "Oh but, we've got so much more work to do-"

"-never mind that," Sasuke interrupted, tugging Naruto up and over towards their bedroom. "I've got something much more important for you to do."

***

Sasuke woke in the night, his chest tight and his breathing coming in jagged, harsh gulps. He shot up and clutched his chest, shaking and panicky and scared, feeling like he couldn't breathe at all- oh, it hurt, he- He gasped as shooting pains ran down his arms and legs and his whole body shook uncontrollably.

There'd been blood, so much blood- his own blood, his mother's, his fathers. Itachi...yes, even Itachi was dead now, he was all alone, and there was Naruto too bleeding out on the ground in front of him- and someone was screaming, a high-pitched, desperate sound filling his eyes and spiking his body with fear. He was drowning, being pulled under, a raging red water all around him and forcing its way into his lungs-

"Sasuke, breath, that's it," came Naruto's voice through the water, a light in the darkness, catching his attention and holding it in place. "Just listen to me, okay? Take a breath in. Good. Now let it out. All the way out. Yes."

Sasuke whimpered and rocked back and forth, focusing his while mind and being on that voice, following its instructions as best he could.

"Good, Sasuke. It's almost over. Another breath. Yes, just like that." And then there were arms wrapped all around him, hands pressed into his back, rubbing up and down, soothing and warm and real.