The Decision
Sunk in the depths of a black and bitter despair, Sasuke stood before the hearth, staring into the flames. He could not keep Naruto here any longer, could not put Naruto’s life at risk. It was enough that he stole the very essence of the blond’s life. He would not take Naruto’s heart and soul, as well.
And yet, how could he let Naruto go? He had walked often in the boy’s dreams, losing himself in his sweetness, his purity. In the power of Naruto’s dreams, he could walk in the sun again, and feel its warmth on his face. He could see the world bathed in light instead of darkness. Walking beside Naruto, he could pretend he was human again, a man again.
Naruto was dreaming now, and in his dreams he walked along the banks of a sparkling blue river, pausing to pick a bouquet of bright yellow daisies, to wade in the sun dappled water, and Sasuke walked beside him, feeling the sunlight like a benediction on his face.
He drew back his mind from the other. It was dangerous, letting his thoughts meld with Naruto’s. It was getting harder and harder to restrain himself, to keep his hunger under control, to keep his diabolical thirst separate from his desire. He could not, would not, defile the blond boy.
With a sigh, he turned away from the fire. Tonight would be the last time.
.
.
Sasuke was there, beside his bed, the same dark shape that had come so often in the past. A black velvet cloak lined with midnight blue silk billowed around him, like the wings of a raven. Naruto could not see his face, yet recognized his touch.
Naruto felt familiar lips move over his brow, his cheeks, his temple, felt the heat of the dark lord’s tongue, trailing fire, as it slid down his neck. Naruto turned his head to the side, his hands grasping Sasuke’s arms, his eyelids closing in ecstasy as Sasuke’s teeth grazed his tender flesh.
He heard Sasuke’s low growl, like that of a wolf, felt the painful, pleasurable bite of his teeth, followed by the touch of his tongue stroking along his neck. And then came the words, oddly familiar, soft spoken hypnotic words that carried him down, down, into the darkness of a dreamless sleep…
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Naruto woke with a cry, bolting upright in bed. His gaze darted around the room.
It was dawn, and he was alone.
And yet, the dream had seemed so real. He lifted a trembling hand to his neck, terrified of what he would find. His breath rushed from his lungs in a sigh of relief when his fingers encountered nothing but smooth skin.
Weak with relief, he fell back on the pillow. There were no teeth marks on his neck. It had only been a dream, after all.
He later woke to the sound of a knock on his door. His first thought was that it was Sasuke, and then he heard Iruka's voice requesting entrance.
"Yes," he called, "come in."
"Good morning, young master," Iruka said in his carefully modulated voice.
"Good morning. Is something wrong?"
"Wrong? No, young master. I've come to inform you that Lord Sasuke has made arrangements for you to go to Paris."
"Paris? But why?"
"You are to be tutored there. It seems Lord Sasuke feels I have taught you all I can. He wishes for you to be instructed in more than merely reading and writing. He wishes for you to be taught etiquette and acquire other arts."
Naruto could only stare at the man. To his knowledge, no one in their town had even received a formal education, though a few fortunate ones could read and write their names.
For a moment, he let himself be caught up in the possibilities, and then he shook his head. “I don't want to leave here."
"I’m sorry, young master. The arrangements have been made."
"How soon?"
"Sunday, a week. Lord Sasuke has instructed me to take you to town to purchase whatever you think you might need. An account has been opened in your name in the bank near the school."
"He is most generous," Naruto whispered, blinking back his tears.
"I have always found him so."
"Thank you, Iruka."
"Breakfast will be ready when you are."
Naruto shook his head. "I find I have no appetite this morning."
"I understand, young master," Iruka said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
He was going away to school. It was something he had never even dared dream of. Yet the thought of leaving this place, of leaving Sasuke, filled him with inexplicable sadness.
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The days passed all too quickly, and soon it was Naruto’s last night at the castle. After the evening they had spent at the opera, he had expected Sasuke to seek him out, but he never did.
That night, at supper, he asked Iruka if Sasuke was at home.
"I believe so, young master."
"Would you take me to him?" Naruto felt his heart jump with anticipation.
"I'm afraid that's impossible."
"Why?" Naruto frowned.
"Because it is."
"But I'm leaving in the morning. I just want to tell him goodbye and... and thank him for his kindness.”
"I know, young master. I am sorry."
He meant it. Naruto could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice.
Leaving the table, he went outside. He would miss this place, he thought as he wandered through the gardens. He had been happy here.
Far happier than he had ever expected. He wondered how Chiyo was, if the other little ones ever thought of him. No doubt they missed his help in the house and fields, but did they ever really miss him?
Naruto had not missed them as much as he'd thought he would. In truth, he had hardly thought of Chiyo and the kids at all these past months. To think of them living in poverty while he dwelt in luxury was far too painful. The few times he had let himself think of home, he had been filled with an overpowering sense of guilt, though why that should be so, he didn't know. Naruto had not left the only home he ever knew by choice. And yet, being sold to Sasuke had turned out far better than he had ever hoped. He had long ago forgiven Chiyo for selling him. Sasuke had been kind, generous, and undemanding.
Hardly aware of what he was doing, he followed the path that led to the labyrinth. It didn't frighten him anymore. Drawing his cloak around his shoulders, he walked on until he reached the heart of the labyrinth.
Sasuke looked up, startled to find Naruto gazing down at him.
He slanted the blond a wry grin. "No mortal has ever crept up on me like that before," he remarked.
"No mortal?" Naruto asked, confused by Sasuke’s odd choice of words.
"Thank you for this," he said, ignoring Naruto’s question. He gestured at the roses and shrubs that grew in artless profusion around the statues so that the wolf and the raven seemed to rise up out of a crimson sea. "It's beautiful."
Naruto nodded. He had spent the past week here, wanting to leave something of himself behind, something for Sasuke to remember. He had planted dozens of blood red rose bushes interspersed with delicate lacy ferns. The result was striking and somehow masculine. Naruto thought it suited Sasuke perfectly.
"I'm leaving tomorrow," he said quietly.
"I know." Oh, yes, Sasuke thought, he knew. Even now the thought of Naruto going was tearing him apart inside.
"Why are you sending me away?" Naruto whispered.
"It's for the best."
"Best for who?"
"For you. For me."
"I don't want to go." Naruto shook his head.
Sasuke stood up, towering over the blond boy, his dark eyes glowing. He was tall and lean, his shoulders broad, his arms well muscled. Naruto noticed that the scar on his shoulder was shaped like a swirling circle with crooked lines. Funny, he had never noticed that before.
Following an inexplicable urge, Naruto traced the fine white scar lines with his fingertip, felt a catch in his heart as Sasuke’s hand covered his.
"Naruto."
"Please, Sasuke, please don't send me away," Naruto whispered, pleading.
"Ah, Naruto, I would keep you with me forever if I could."
"And I would stay. Only ask me to stay, and I will."
Sasuke shook his head. "No."
His hand tightened around Naruto’s as tears welled in blue eyes and trickled down tan cheeks. In the moonlight, the tears sparkled like flawless diamonds, but they were far more precious to Sasuke than jewels. They denoted caring and affection, willingly given, and for that he would always love the blond. And because he loved him, he would let Naruto go.
"Someday you will thank me for this, sweet Naruto."
"No," he said with a sob.
Naruto twisted away from his grasp, his blue eyes awash with tears. "I'll never forgive you. Never!" he cried, and then he was running away from him, taking the sunlight from his life, leaving him in the vast empty darkness of the night, alone, as he had always been alone.
He contemplated leaving the castle, certain he could not stay there now, could not walk the rooms Naruto had walked, breathe the air he had breathed, and know he would never see the blond again.
He would have to leave soon at any rate. He had overheard the men in Shushu-ya's Tavern talking about him, wondering why they never saw him during the day, why he never joined them for dinner, why his appearance never changed, why he didn't seem to age.
And yet, even knowing he should go, he knew he would not. The castle was filled with Naruto’s essence, and as painful as it would be to be reminded of him, it was better than forgetting.
He laughed softly, bitterly. As if he could ever forget.
END PART ONE