Is Three a Crowd?

   All that could be heard was the sound of punches landing in the secluded close while Sai silently watched as Karui continued to hit Naruto's already swollen face. His chest ached at the sight of it. The sight of seeing Naruto take such a beating on that bastard's behalf made him sick. Sasuke didn't deserve this; any of what the blonde haired boy did for him.
   He gritted his teeth as the red Kunoichi backed up, breathing hard. She was yelling, but Sai couldn't bring himself to pay attention to her words, instead focusing on the bruises adorning Naruto's skin. She was really laying into him, and he wasn't even attempting to fight back.
    He couldn't have stopped himself even if he'd wanted to as he lunged forward to stop the dark fist aiming straight for one of the blue eyes.
    She furrowed her brow in anger. "Don't get in the way," she growled bitterly, "This is what that motherfucker wanted!" Her eyes were dark with honest hatred, as if she were trying to evaporate him simply with a look.
    He stared back at her with equal intensity, knowing that there was nothing she could say or do to make him stand down now.
   "She's right, Sai," Naruto's voice came out weak, resigned, and even he couldn't stand it. But he had to do this for Sasuke. He couldn't let these people anywhere near him. He knew Sai was just trying to be a good friend, but what he really wanted was for him to stay out of the way. He didn't owe Sasuke anything, and the last thing the Jinchuuriki wanted was a friend getting hurt on his behalf.
   "Don't interfere," he said through gritted teeth, looking up at Sai's back with the eye that could still open. Every thing hurt so much, but he would endure for Sasuke's sake. He had to.
    Sai ignored the stinging feeling he felt upon hearing those words. He was almost used to it by now, whatever it was. Whenever Naruto talked about Sasuke he felt this sting.  Was it because he had no bonds? Did having bonds really matter that much?
   Did Sasuke really matter that much?
    It was always about Sasuke. Everything Naruto did was for him. Sai had already seen those bright blue eyes shed far too many tears for the Uchiha, tears he was unworthy of.
    He had done everything he could to try to ease that pain. He did his best to be a loyal team member. He'd tried to bring Sasuke back himself, helped Naruto in every single plan he'd had to make the raven return. He tried to be a good friend to the blonde. He was there when it became overwhelming as a shoulder to cry on. What else could he do to make Naruto forget about him?
    "Why do you go so far for Sasuke, who only causes you pain?" He could hear the frustration bleeding into his voice involuntarily. The woman in front of him was staring holes straight through him, but he paid no mind, listening to the labored breathing of the ninja behind him instead. "If it were me..." he trailed off quietly. If it were him he'd have never left Naruto's side in the first place.
    The Kumo ninja before him interrupted his thoughts, pulling back her arm with purpose. "If you're gonna get in the way, I'll beat your ass too!"
    Sai readied himself for the blow he knew was coming, only to find it never did. Her own comrade had stopped her hand before it had the chance to connect.
    "That's enough, Karui," he demanded gently. "They're never going to give Sasuke up so beating these guys isn't gonna do us any good," he said as she yanked her arm from both he and Sai's grip and turned her back on them.
    "He did offer to help us find Killer Bee-sama," he pointed out, offering her some bit of comfort.
    She scoffed openly at him, disbelieving. "And you're not gonna question whether or not he's telling the truth like you do with everything?" She demanded, pointing a finger at him in annoyance.
    At that moment Naruto slipped down the wall, his legs unable to hold him up any longer.
    "Naruto," Sai exclaimed as he rushed to catch him, his fingers easily finding their way as he slid his hand behind his friend's back. Even in this situation he felt an electric current run through his veins as they made physical contact.
    Omoi looked down at the blue eyed man and back up to his team mate. "He may be the enemy but I like this guy," he said. "He's the type that would never sell out a comrade, real men don't go back on their word," he finished firmly.
    Before his partner had a chance to respond their leader landed from the sky in front of them to instruct them on what to do next.
    As the three left Sai gave Naruto a side ways look, his lips were swollen from being beaten but they some how still seemed so soft and pink. He had always thought so, even in the first moments he had met the blonde ninja. Whether he had ever known it or not, this inexplicable connection to Naruto had always been there.
   "Naruto..." he whispered softly.
   "Take me to where Captain Yamato is," he responded without looking up, staring off hazily into the distance.
    His words were followed by silence as the wind made the trees shudder and lose their leaves. Sai simply looked at him in amazement. How could he subject himself to this for that damn man?
    He didn't realize he was dropping down until he felt the gravelly dirt bite at his knees. He ignored it as he leaned in closer to Naruto's face and reached up to touch his swollen cheek in a feather light gesture.
   "If it were me I'd always be by your side," he whispered, finishing the claim he'd made earlier.
   Naruto's open eye shot up to catch his own black orbs, and he looked from one to the other and back again. "Sai?" He questioned, as if he didn't already know the implications behind those words.
    Sai leaned forward very slowly, leaning his head to the side so that their lips were only centimeters apart. He looked up for approval before closing in.
   Naruto softened under that gaze. It was so sincere, almost desperate. He loved it because if he was being honest with himself he did feel something for Sai. "Just once," he said with a flushed face.
   Sai closed the gap before Naruto had even finished his last word, pressing his lips to the ones before him gently. His kiss was slowly reciprocated and he continued to kiss Naruto in a soft and gentle kind of way that made the Jinchuuriki's heart skip a beat.
   Sai had no idea what he was doing, but the way the lips pushed back against his felt so effortless- so natural. He could feel Naruto's breath hot on his face between each kiss, intermingling with his own. Tentative hands were finding their way onto his arms, and his own hands held the tan face like it was his only anchor onto Earth.
   All too soon he found the other man pulling away, eyes cast downward as he caught his breath. He swallowed hard, still feeling a tingling sensation on his lips.
   After a few seconds Naruto spoke in an almost pained voice, "We can't do this. I can't do this... with you," he said, looking up at Sai with an expression of both confusion and want.
   It felt so good to be wanted. It felt so good to have someone there. Someone who would stay by his side. Someone he didn't have to chase after. Someone like Sai.
   Further explanation wasn't necessary as the black haired ninja was already painfully aware of what his comrade was referring to.
   "Because I'm not him," it wasn't a question, it was a statement. A fact.
   Naruto looked at the ground. He was honestly ashamed. All this pining over someone who wanted nothing to do with him was sad. It was pathetic.
    He felt something for Sai but, no matter how intense, it wasn't what he felt for Sasuke.
    It wasn't a deep seeded yearning. It wasn't a desperate need. An ache in his chest that just wouldn't dissipate. However, it was much warmer. It was a feeling that made him want to smile to himself, rather than mourn. It felt like happiness.
   "I love him," he whispered, almost inaudibly. "I hate it. I just want to let go of it but I can't. I'm sorry," he looked up again to find black eyes gazing at him softly.
    Sai nodded, reaching out to cover Naruto's blue eye with his hand. "Keep your eyes closed," he whispered, leaning in close, "And pretend it's him."
   Naruto opened his mouth, but Sai was pressing forward before he could speak, kissing him deeply. He used the hand that wasn't covering his eye to tilt his chin down, trying to convey just how dearly he felt in this one kiss.
   As they continued kissing it began to intensify. Red hot passion was searing onto Sai's lips with every kiss. His tongue slipped into the warm wet cave before him as the movements became more desperate.
   His hands naturally found their way into the bottom of Naruto's shirt, receiving a soft sigh in response. He allowed his fingers to travel up, the pads brushing softly against the pink nipples now and again.
    He didn't know how long he'd wanted this but it suddenly felt like being in a dream. Naruto's skin was so soft beneath him, and he ingrained every scar he came across into his mind. He never wanted to forget this.
   He was startled when he felt, rather than heard, Naruto moan quietly into his mouth. His stomach felt hot at the noise, his breath suddenly seemed to be too short and he was painfully aware of the slick feeling of the pink tongue sliding against his. He assumed this was what desire felt like.
   He trailed kisses down to the soft jawline, and down to his neck as one hand gripped softly between his legs.
   The blue-eyed boy couldn't stop the gasp that came from his mouth. Something about all this felt so right. There was something about having someone else's hands on him that made him feel euphoric. "Sasuke," he whispered unconsciously, as he pressed himself into Sai's hand.
    The former Root member felt an intense pang in his heart but he ignored it, instead focusing on getting Naruto's member from his pants and stroking him slowly. His eyes were still closed, and he used the opportunity to take in every moan, every hitched breath, every needy expression; noting what the other man seemed to like and repeating the motion. He just wanted to make Naruto feel good, in whatever way he could.
   Naruto panted heavily, feeling desire coil in his lower stomach. The more things escalated, the more Sasuke's face was fading from his mind. This hand on him was too gentle. This person too giving. He could feel every ounce of effort being put into it and he knew it was too kind to be Sasuke.
   He opened his eyes, pressing his forehead against the one before him, kissing him gently.
    They held each other's gaze as his orgasm approached, and he couldn't tear his eyes away. The way Sai was staring into him had him completely undone.
    "Sai," he whispered, watching as the eyes in front of him widened in surprise. "I'm gonna..." he trailed off, moaning quietly.
   The pale man watched him, his heart feeling full and heavy upon hearing his name. He stroked the member in his hand a little faster, eager to bring him satisfaction.
    "Sai," he moaned, his breathing escalating. "Ahhn, Sai," he let out a guttural moan, emotion flooding into his face at the intensity of his orgasm. He was determined to hold those eyes as warmth washed over him.
   It wasn't until he was coming down from his orgasm that he felt a tear spill over his bottom eyelid, reaching up to touch his eye in surprise.
   At that moment Sai released the member in his hand, forcing Naruto to look up as his fingers brushed against the swollen cheek once again.
   Before he knew it the blonde haired leaf was burying his face into Sai's shoulder, shaking as he sobbed silently.
   His arms encircled the body against him and he held it tight, knowing this was the first step toward a very new experience.