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Chapter Text

The day was hot but there was a breeze in the air, bringing an incoming smell of rain. 

Naruto felt sweat trickle down the back of his neck and pushed back his hood. He spotted a small brown rabbit earlier while he was foraging for mushrooms. He knew exactly the chewy sort that Iruka likes. Those were always sprouting near the city’s border… where he was not allowed to go near. But it was a day of celebration, and Naruto just wanted to risk it. 

One small rabbit usually led to a colony of rabbits. 

Oh, Iruka is going to be happy about dinner tonight! He thought gleefully. 

He always wanted to make Iruka happy. Iruka saved him from the city when he was just six. He has never known who his real parents were but as years went by, his curiosity about them dissipated. For a while during his adolescence, he had moments of hatred towards his parents for abandoning him. But now, he was already nearing his 19th year, and with Iruka being the closest thing to a father, Naruto never sought for more answers.

They both lived a peaceful life away from the dangers of the city. 

There were almost close to no gates that would open near the little hut they lived in; and Iruka had always raised him to hunt and provide for each other. They would want for nothing. 

Though Naruto did notice that ever since he was a young boy, when he would asked Iruka about stories from the city, the older man would speak with a cloud of melancholy over his thoughts. Growing silent each time the topic was broached. 

Naruto knew not to pry any further. He was happy with they way things are. 

He turned 19 today. He knew Iruka would prepare his favorite dish for dinner. With a large loot from his hunt today, he hoped that his father would be happy. 

The sound of dried leaves crunching perked Naruto’s ear up. His senses told him the bunny family was close by. Crouching through the tall grass, he stilled his breath,  closed his eyes, and expanded his senses to the space around him. Air tickled his skin. 

A deep breath…

There! Naruto's eyes snapped open and launched towards the wild rabbits.

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“Iruka! I’m back!” Naruto shouted as he entered the hut. “Look at what I caught!”

Iruka was by the stove, stoking a small fire. His face beamed when he turned to see Naruto with a family of rabbits tied to his hunting gear. 

“Naruto!” Iruka reprimanded with no real anger, “Did you go close to the city again? You know it’s dangerous near the border.” 

“Quiet down, dad.” Naruto rolled his eyes and flopped onto the bench by the dining table. “Cut me some slack, it’s my birthday!” 

Iruka approached him to untie his hunting gains and patted Naruto on his head. Leaving him a peck on his head. “Alright, alright. Happy birthday, my little fox.” He continued “I know you’re grown now, but a promise is a promise. No fusing around the borders, ok?” 

“Yeah, yeah, old man.” Naruto brushed him off and turned to the kitchen to help Iruka with dinner. 

He unstrapped his hunting gear on his chest and rolled up his sleeves to get to work on their bunny stew. 

From all the years hunting and living off the grid, Naruto’s body grew into a lithe form of a stealthy hunter. He still stood slightly shorter than Iruka but his body was strong. Underneath his clothes, lean tan muscle hid power and agility. His hands and fingers, though could easily skin a deer alive, for some reason remained soft as if he was a noble from the city. 

He’s grown into a fine young man, handsome, charming and wild spirited. His golden locks painted him into a delicate picture, it framed his face beautifully. It was only a few years back that he stopped cutting them short; now long enough that he had to braid them when he hunted. 

Iruka smiled as he looked on to his little boy’s back. Golden braid grazing the small of his back. 

19 huh? Who knew we would have survived this long, Minato. He thought to himself 

Back in the city, when everything went wrong. Iruka made an oath to his precious leader that he would never let harm come to his son and to never let Naruto near the city guilds.

Iruka could only pray that these peaceful days would never end. 

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Meanwhile, within the borders of Konoha. The Uchiha guild HQ stood right in the center of the massive metropolis. 

Inside, Itachi gazed out into the bustling city from his office on the top floor. Above the horizon several small gates were open; energy seeped in and out from the gates’ entrances.

“Niisan, you called?” 

A tall, pale man in standard esper uniform entered Itachi’s office. Dark haired with sharp features and a porcelain-like face, broad shoulders stretching his black turtleneck, Sasuke stood almost like a flawless statue behind Itachi. 

Itachi turned to face his brother; now standing almost as tall as he is. His handsome face tainted with bloodstains and small gashes visible on his neck and arms. 

“Otouto, welcome back.” Itachi drawled “I heard the mission was a success.”

“Tsk. Did you call me here just to tell me that?” The younger uchiha snipped. “I’m busy and I need a drink after closing that gate.” 

It had been a tough mission, lasting three days inside the gate. Sasuke would have completed it sooner if he wasn’t already feeling the strains of his dark energy poisoning. 

“Sasuke,” Itachi sharply called to him, “I’ve been informed that you’ve not visited the guiding center this entire month. With the amount of gates you’re closing, you must be feeling the symptoms of energy poisoning. Even an S-class esper like you, need guiding.” 

Sasuke straightened his back and attempted a glare. It does nothing to the older Uchiha. They both had the same kind of eyes; dark, sharp and cold. To a normal person, Sasuke looked fine, perfect as always. But this was his overbearing brother, Itachi could easily see blood red rings forming around his brother's pupils, the tension on his brother's forehead and bulging veins over his brother's arms. All signs of excessive poisonous energy close to destruction. 

He’s close to his limit. 

“I’m fine.” Sasuke snapped Itachi back to his face. “And, I’m leaving. Next time a simple text would do.”

Sasuke prepared to open a portal back to his penthouse. He was in desperate need of sleep. 

“Sasuke, visit the guiding center before you head home.” Itachi chided “Don’t make me tell you twice.” 

“Tsk, annoying.”

Guiding has never been something Sasuke enjoyed. In this world they lived in, Espers and Guides are two parts of a whole. Espers, while gifted with godlike ability of combat, protection and intellect, were flawed with the limits of dark energy poisoning if they had overused their abilities. Excessive usage of their powers, would cause buildup within their bodies and eventually leading them into a deathly rampage. Guides were their only avenue of survival. Through contact, Guides could neutralize an esper’s energy build up. 

This was done through a process called guiding. For many, the guiding experience was pleasurable. While the guide’s body absorbed away the energy eating inside an esper’s body, the esper and guide were often consumed with pleasure beyond bounds. Often, sexual in nature. Hence, most Esper and Guide pairing with a high match rate would partner bond due to the reliance and intimacy of the connection. 

For Sasuke, unfortunately, he had never experienced a satisfying guiding touch. Sure, he has had to sleep with guides in the past but only due to the limits of his body breaching. Every guide’s touch felt uncomfortable to him. He hated the feeling of slivering energy seeping out of him. So, guiding was only a means to an end for him. Purely physical, and never twice with the same guide. 

When he was younger and still in his naivety, he did hope that one day he would meet his guide partner. But too many years had gone by, he was no longer stupid enough to believe in things such as partner guides. Him being one of the only S-class combat espers in Konoha also made it difficult for him to truly feel satisfied. Each guiding session for him usually took three to four guides to completely put him in a normal state. Not that it was a problem. Any guide in the city would be happy to be given the chance to guide the elusive man, in hopes to catch his attention and interest. 

But alas, Guiding or not, Sasuke no longer believed that anyone would ever be enough for him. 

Chapter Text

They finished dinner earlier than usual. The sun setting painted the cabin in golden hues. Naruto noticing the panels of orange ray peeking through the windows, quickly stood and brushed away the crumbs of bread from his hands. 

“Gosh, Iruka. That was delicious,” stretched his torso all the way up, faking a yawn. “I think I might head to the creek for a bit before the sun sets.”

Iruka with his back to Naruto, already started on the dishes. “Oh, sounds like a plan. Why don’t you wait for me to finish up and I’ll come with. I could use a walk after that food.”

Foiled plans, Naruto couldn’t reject Iruka’s eagerness to spend time together. “Sure.” He said a little dejectedly. 

Later in the evening, Iruka clearly tired from running around with Naruto, retired himself to bed earlier than usual. 
Though it was partly Naruto’s fault in ensuring that the older man would be worn out from their walk. 

The cabin was silent, only low cricket chirps were heard. He creaked his door open, slowly and stealthily made his way out. Out away from the city, moonlight shone brighter illuminating his path towards the city border. 

Naruto was a good son for most of the time, he would never want to worry Iruka. But he felt something was missing from his life. A sense of excitement, the thrills of youthful play lacked while living outside the city. He found that feeling when he sneaked into Konoha as an act of rebellion during his teen years. Exploring the city at night he found multitude of sights he missed from the living outskirts. A favourite he discovered was a small stall that opened late in the night. Ichiraku Ramen. Delicious warm pork broth, with perfectly cooked chewy noodles, became his secret vice. Now and then, he would scurry into the night for a self indulgent supper and hurried back before Iruka found him gone. 

I mean, you only turn 19 once right, Dad? A small treat for myself. he grinned. 

Under the tunnels leading into the city, was his secret passageway allowing him to enter and exit undetected. 
Slosh, slosh, slosh; water from the tunnel leading out played in his ears. 

As good as he was as a hunter, Naruto was certain he would never get caught. 

Coming out from a dark alley, he pulled his hood up, hiding most of his hair and face, took a slow stroll to the illuminating ramen stall. The bustling city lights brought him alive in a way different from hunting out in the forest. 

“Naruto!” Teuchi called out as he entered the establishment, “It’s been a while! The usual?”

Naruto beamed as the enticing aroma filled his senses. “Nope! It’s a special day today! Bring me double of everything!” 

“You got it, my boy!” 

For such a lean body, Naruto sure could eat. As if he had been starving all these years, he slurped down bowls and bowls of ramen without a care in the world. 

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Sasuke took the long way to the guiding Center, secretly hoping that he would just drop dead in order to avoid getting guided this time. But even he knew that it was close to his limit and he should get neutralised before entering his next gate. 

The night was lively, and he considered stopping for a stiff drink before his guiding session. Along the busy food district, he contemplated stepping into one of his frequently visited bars. Patrons bustled in and out of shops, clusters of friend groups stood outside by the road, talking, laughing and smoking. 
  
Drunkards stumbled on the street, singing cheerful off-pitched songs. But upon noticing the S-class esper, they careful spread apart to avoid stepping into his space. 

Idiots. Sasuke smirked to himself, enjoying a little solitude. He dropped his head back and turned to the sky. Eyes closed he took in the moonlight bathing him. A little relief from the tension of his migraine. 

“Umph!” peace disrupted by a hard knock into his right torso. “Sorry, didn’t see you there.” 

Husky voice, almost gravelly reached his ears. 

Sasuke looked down, ready to give this drunkard a piece of his energy poisoned mind. Only to have his words fleeted from his mind when his gaze met with bright, baby blues. A tan face, with odd looking scars marred both cheeks, still holding on to some youthful cherub, looked up to him. Foxlike. Delicate golden lashes entranced him further. A man, probably not much younger than him, gripped onto Sasuke’s uniform, tried to steady himself from the stumble. Bright blonde hair peeked from the man’s hood, framing the stranger’s face into an angelic picture. 
He’s gorgeous.
Sasuke found himself gaping for words to be voiced, to be said and to be heard. 

Startled, Sasuke’s hands grazed the stranger’s fingers to straighten him up. 

A light brush of skin on skin. The once noisy street, drown out, Sasuke felt light, his migraine filtering away. The voices of people’s laughter droned off into muteness. He could hear his heart thumping loudly, as if someone had placed an enhancer to his chest. A warmth he had never felt before filled him, whooshes of energy attacked his internal system, sucking the poison from his body, and leaving a feeling of brightness. He could almost float from lightheadedness. 
  
What the —  

His grip tightened onto soft hands, and bursts of light energy flowed through their touch. It wasn’t a feeling he disliked. Unfamiliar with the feeling, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to hold on or let go, the stranger stepped back and their connection was cut short. 

No, wait.

Sasuke, lightheaded and missing the warmth from the man, reached his arm out, wanting to push back the man’s hood. 

A guide?

But Sasuke knew every guide registered at the Center, and he had never came across a blonde haired guide before, let alone a guide that could make him feel pleasure. 

Breaking his train of thought, the stranger cleared his throat. “Uh, um. Sorry about that. But you should really keep your eyes open if you want to walking around.” The blonde man clasped his hands together behind his back. 

A nervous chuckle from the blonde man. A sound he didn’t dislike. 

Sasuke stunned speechless at the melodious laugh coming from this beautiful man. 

The stranger snapped him back to reality “So, um, I’ve got to go.” Ducked to the side to leave Sasuke. 

Sasuke panicked and hastily reach a strong arm to grab the back of his hoodie before he scurried away. 

Hood dropping, exposed the man’s slender neck and long braided hair tucked under the garment. Jerking to turn around, Sasuke’s gaze to draped over the stranger’s body. He wasn’t particularly small framed now that he was in full view. From the stumble early, Sasuke did feel a weight of reserved strength from the stranger. He was only slightly shorter than Sasuke, toned shoulders tapered into a narrow waist and into a high curve of his backside. 

Sasuke found himself curious to discover what lied under this man’s clothes. His fingers itched to embrace this guide like a prey ready to devour. If this man was a guide, and if his guiding was anything like the simple touch they had, Sasuke wanted more. No, he needed more. 

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Naruto felt warm breeze enveloping his neck and realised his hood had fallen off. Quickly, he tried to flip it back forward, to shield gazes from his face. 

Shit. This is dangerous. 

He might get caught and this hot bastard was causing passerby to stop and stare. Naruto knew he had to retreat back to the safety with Iruka. 

He wriggled to escape the taller man, but a tight grip grabbed at his forearm, pulling him back into the black haired man’s chest. 

“Wait, uh- wait, just a moment.” His captor’s voice, deep but panicky, rumbled into his ear.  “Who are you?” 

“Let. Me. Go.” Naruto groaned as he jerked to free his arm but the man was strong. While Naruto was quick, he knew he clearly lost in strength to an esper. 

“I’ll let you go, if you just tell me your name.” Pleaded his captor. 

“Na-Naruto.” he whispered back turning his head slightly, their nose almost touching. He felt the man’s breath quickened from their proximity. Using that to his advantage, Naruto managed to jerk out from his grip and scurried into the crowd’s anonymity. The esper called-out behind him. Wait, Naruto! It sounded like a desperate plea, tugging at his chest. 

He struggled as his legs exerted to carry him away from the man. No, he mustn’t get caught.. What would happen to Iruka if he was gone? Despite the pull he felt towards the stranger, he had to get away and promised he wouldn’t sneak across the borders at least for a while… 

Traversing through the tunnels, he hoped that he was able to shake his pursuer off. Dashing through the tall trees, his home came into view, a sigh of relief. Naruto entered his room just after taking a peek into Iruka’s to make sure he was still asleep.  Curled under his sheets, his heart beat rapidly as he forced himself to sleep. 

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Sasuke stood in panic as he ran into a dead end, following after the enticing blonde. Drain water dripped, echoing in the alley, as if in mockery of his failed chase. Fuck! How does one run that fast? 

His body thrummed with excitement and thrill of chasing after the blonde man. It has been a while since he felt such strong desire towards another being. 

Naruto…. He is a guide, right? 

Sasuke was certain of it with how his body felt lighter after their contact. He was guided when they had touched earlier; but it felt different than all his past guiding experience. It was unlike anything he felt before. Desire welled up and the pull to touch the man more shook him. He wondered what it would feel like to press their bodies together without clothes in the way, and have the man writhing under him as he pumped his light energy into his body. Sucking away all the poisoned built up within him. How would it feel to run his hands over the tan man’s waist, gripping his hips and pulling him closer until he was his. 

Fist clenched tightly as his imagination ran wild. He knew, he had to meet the blond again. And the next time they met, he would make him his. 

Mine. My guide. 

He has found him. A guide he wanted to touch. Sasuke gritted his teeth. He was going to find him again. 

Slowly he turned and made his way back to his penthouse. With the short guiding he received earlier, there was no need to stop by the guiding Center anymore. 

He smiled to himself at the thought of being guided again by Naruto. 

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The clattering of Iruka in the kitchen, disturbed Naruto’s deep sleep, jolting him up from his bed. It took him longer than usual for sleep to take him last night. His mind kept straying back to the interaction with the black haired esper.. He felt drained for some reason. Sure, he was handsome and an esper at that. The strength of his body behind Naruto’s back thrummed, making his body burn hot at the memory. 

He shook his head to rid any building desire for the man. 
Though he couldn’t deny the sensation of their fingers touching. It was electric. 
Naruto reached out his arms above him, all his tight muscle relieving from the stretch. He looked up to his fingers where the esper held him yesterday. Thump. Thump. Heart skipping. 

Oh my god. Why am I so flustered from a slight touch? 

Clenching his fingers into a fist, He hopped off the bed, hoping to stop his mind from straying back to last night’s encounter. 

We will never meet again. Naruto would make certain of it. 

“Well, what’s the plan for today, little fox?” Iruka asked as Naruto entered the living room. 

“Dad, I’m not little anymore, geez.” Rolling his eyes, Naruto stifled a yawn. 

“Hai, hai,” Iruka kissed him on his head, crinkled his nose as he pulled away. “You are a grown man, all stinky just from sleeping.” 

Naruto sniffed his clothes, and true enough he did smell of sweat. Yesterday, he fell asleep after running from the esper without washing up. Gross. 

“I think I’m going to the falls to wash up later, dad.” 

“Yeah, before you go, could you help me with the farm for a bit?” Iruka usually sold their produce at the nearby small fishing village away from the city. It was a way for them to barter off some of their food for clothes and necessities without needing to enter the city. 

Nodding his head, Naruto decided to get to work first. 

His skin prickled at the sun hitting his back. After a long days work at the fields, Naruto took a slow walk to a hidden falls where sometimes he and Iruka would picnic at. Through thick trees, a small enclave, fresh water falls into the river that snaked by their hut. 

Peeling off his clothes, he waded into the water, enjoying the feeling the cold water relieving him of the heat. 

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Back in the city, Sasuke woke up feeling better than he’d ever felt. His body was light and refueled. Cords of muscle free from the usual built up tension. He felt charged. 

Waking up and dressed quickly as Itachi paged him to report at a new gate that just opened. 

The esper portalled to the site, a large looming opening hangs above the sky. The gate was massive. His communicator pinged an A-class gate as he took a scan. Glancing around before stepping into the black entrance and Sasuke was surprised to find that the gate opened much further out from the city’s border. It was rare for gates to open in the forest. Sasuke did find it strange as he stepped into the gate, electricity crackling from his fist, he felt strong today. This was going to be easy. 

Within thirty minutes, Sasuke cleared the gate’s final monster. Exiting out into the forest opening, he didn’t even break a sweat after that mission. Checking his communicator, he saw a message from Itachi. Another gate has opened.  Sighing he portalled to the next site. 

An entire day of battling gates should have left Sasuke burning with energy poisoning. But today, he felt better than ever. Before returning home, he decided to run through the forest to release some of his pent up adrenaline. Swishing through tall thick trees, his nose caught the scent of water. Hmm, perhaps a quick dip would be nice. 

The sound of water crashing into rocks led him into a small enclave with a hidden waterfall. His breath caught as he spotted the man from yesterday under the crashing water. Long blonde hair now free from its braid clung to wet skin, like tendrils calling out to him. Endless tan skin for all his eyes to travel over greedily. 

Mesmerised by the view, Sasuke stepped forward carefully, afraid to startle the enticing blonde. He hid behind a large rock as he allowed himself to watch Naruto wash himself. 

Chapter Text

Sasuke watched as water ran through blonde hair, fingers that haunted him last night, massaging over tight wet body. Why does he look so sexy? Sasuke unfortunately felt himself getting excited by the sight. Voyeurism was never a habit of his, but damn the man was attractive. 

Sasuke knew he shouldn’t be peeping on the man, but he just couldn’t bring himself to walk away. 

The lower parts of the tan man’s body previously hidden underwater came into view as he waded towards his clothes. All of Sasuke’s blood decided to head straight to his groin. Fuck, the guide’s ass. Not a single tan line visible, the man was completely smooth. Lean abs and a narrow waist. He is perfect. Sasuke bit his lip to stop himself from dragging the blonde man out of the water and have his way with him. 

Naruto then stepped out onto the river bank and walked to his garments folded on a large rock. Pebbles of water dripping from his skin, rays from the setting sun hitting each droplet making his body glow softly. Sasuke watched on as skin disappeared from view and when the blonde man finally got dressed, he stood by the river, wringing out his hair. 

Battling with his baser urges, the esper let out a deep breath and started to turn back. Stepping back in hopes to be undetected, his foot landed onto dried fallen leaves. 

Crunch. Sasuke winched. Shit 
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Noticing the rustled movements, triggered his hunter instincts. Naruto stilled himself and perked his ear to locate the source of sound….  

…and pounced he did, onto a hard muscular body clad in black esper uniform, a red S patch visible on the man’s right chest. 
His forearm pressing the voyeur’s chest down. Pale thick neck, leading into sharp strong jaw, he instantly recognised the face of the esper from last night. His heart skipped a beat. 

“Y-you!” Naruto flustered, “are you stalking me?!” 

The intruder raised both arms to his sides, displaying his large palms in act of surrender. The movement surprised Naruto into pressing harder onto the chest. 

 “Ow… loosen up a bit, Naruto,” the esper winced, “I can explain.” 

“Why did you follow me?” Naruto demanded, blonde strands fell forward, enveloping the two into an unintended intimacy. 

From the tumble, Naruto found himself straddling the intruder with both legs pinning the man down by his sides. He sat up abruptly after realising how close their faces were but the new position made him aware of the larger man’s hard bulge pressed onto the back of his buttocks. Blushing at the feel of a hefty package of the esper’s manhood, Naruto flustered, “Oh my god… y-you’re a pervert! I heard all sorts of people live in the city! You’re one of them!”

“No!!” His captive shouted defensively. “Look, let me explain.” 

“Well go ahead. I’m listening, pervert.” 

The esper glanced to the side, eyebrows drawn together, “I will. But first, could you get off me. It hard to talk like this.” 

Naruto blushing at the man’s obvious predicament, jumped up off his captive’s body. 

Red in the face, both boys avoided eye contact as the esper adjusted his lower half to look more presentable; though the black pants of the esper’s uniform struggled to contain his arousal. 

The esper then cleared his throat. “Ok so like I said, I’m not a pervert. I’m Sasuke. An Uchiha.” 

Naruto tilted his head to the side, clearly those words mean nothing to him. He has not lived in the city and has no knowledge of Sasuke nor of the Uchiha guild. 

“What’s a Sasuke Uchiha? Is that what city people call creeps?” Blue eyes narrowing with suspicion. 

“No, you idiot. That’s my name.” The esper annoyed yet confused that Naruto has never heard of him before, wondered if anyone alive is unaware of his family name. Though he had to admit, it was refreshing that the guide was not fawning over him like people generally do. 

Naruto firmly said “Ok Sasuke Uchiha, explain yourself. Why were you watching me bathe?”

“Just Sasuke is fine. I wasn’t watching you bathe. I stumbled into this enclave after my training and I can assure you that I wasn’t following you. You just happened to be… um.. here as well.” 

“How much did you see then?” 

“Not much! I swear. I literally just got here as you were getting dressed,” Sasuke hoped his face didn’t give away his lie. 

Naruto remained silent, clearly not trusting the intruder who was evidently aroused as Naruto had witness earlier. 

“Naruto, you are guide, right?”   

“….” 

“You know, maybe it's not a coincidence that we are meeting again. I’ve been looking for a compatible guide and your guiding yesterday showed outstanding results. I am confident our match rate is high. Why don’t you join my Guild and be my guide. I can promise that you will be paid handsomely of course. ” 

Sasuke stopped to look at the blonde, who was rather quiet. 

Taking his silence as consideration, Sasuke continued “Honestly, it’s a no brainer. You’ll get first class treatment if you guide me. And Itachi has been pestering me for-“  

“No, I think you are mistaken.” His blue eyes certain, “I am not what you think I am. I am an unawakened being, and I cannot follow you back to the city.” 

Back to the city? Does he not live in Konoha? Sasuke thought. That would explain his discernment towards him and his unfamiliarity with his family’s name. 

“Surely you must have felt our connection last night…” Sasuke raised a hand to touch the blonde man. 

Naruto stepped back in rejection, but his mind spinning because he was unable to deny that he did feel a strange sensation when they had touched last night. He blushed remembering how his body grew hot from the esper’s grip. 

“No, I uh-,” Naruto’s voice small, “Dad said that I tested as an unawakened when we lived in the city and that I come from a family of normal beings. SO, there is no way, I am a guide.” 

There was a pause before Sasuke spoke again, the cogs in his brain working overtime to attempt to convince the blonde. “Okay…” He reached out a hand towards Naruto, “If you are so sure, why don’t we just test it out now. Just to make sure I was wrong.” The offered hand stayed hanging before Naruto, urging him to take it. “I promise… to leave you alone if nothing happens when we touch.” 

Naruto knew he shouldn’t be entertaining such a silly request of which he had already knew the answer to. However, he couldn’t ignore the small nagging feeling that drew him to this man, and he wanted to be sure that what had happened before was a simple fluke.
Hesitantly, Naruto lifted a hand to meet the esper’s open palm.

The tips of their fingers tapped onto one another. A small blip jerked from his body. Probably just nerves, he thought as he bit onto his lower lip. 

Sasuke seized his opportunity when he saw the blonde falter. It looked like he was about to pull back so the esper reached forward to grab onto the tan fingers and drew the man close. 
Whoosh. Bright strong currents flooded through the connection, solidifying the Espers theory. Sasuke’s chest pressed onto Naruto’s while his free hand wrapped around narrow waist, fingers digging into his side, he pushed the hindering shirt higher. Palming near the sliver of skin between Naruto’s shirt and pants. The esper’s hand felt urgent and desperate when fingers found the exposed skin by Naruto’s hip. Sasuke leaned down and let his lips graze the tan neck before him, drawing a surprised groan from the guide. Naruto could feel energy sparking from all points where their skin met and his body trembled. 

Whooshes of energy flowed through them as Sasuke continued nipping at his neck, leaving a trail of tight hot kisses, making Naruto’s body go limb. The taller man groaned near his ear almost grow-like making him buckle into the broad chest. Naruto lifted his free hand up to cradle Sasuke’s head, pushing the esper’s face into his exposed neck. 

“Hnngh…” 

Oh, that feels good.
Naruto felt all the strength in his body escaping him, and in its place surged burning hot want. Hands now free from Sasuke’s hold, clung to the espers back to press their bodies closer together.

It was nothing he had experienced before. Sasuke was unforgiving in assault, licked up his jaw, and inched closer to his parted lips. Naruto felt hot breath tickling his mouth before the intruder pressed wet lips onto his. 
  
“Hmmph!” surprised at the sudden contact, Naruto tried to pull back. Whimpering, “Sto- hnnmph,” the hungry esper snaked his tongue into the open warm orifice. Thrusting the hot muscle into his mouth. Inexperience showed as Naruto wasn’t sure what to do with his tongue, allowed Sasuke to take control of the kiss. A fleeting thought told him to push the man away but sure as hell he couldn’t stop even if he wanted to. Sasuke explored the cavern of his mouth, eating him deeply. The reaction of guiding evident from growing want between his legs. Sasuke noticing this, wedged a strong thigh between Naruto’s legs and used his hands to press Naruto’s groin harder onto his thigh. Onslaught of wet tongue persisted in exploring his mouth, taking in every corner he could reach. 

Why does it feel so good? Overwhelming pleasure washed over Naruto’s body, making him want more.

Sasuke bit at his bottom lip as he pulled away. A string of saliva glistened between them before snapping apart.   
Heavy hot breath puffed between the two as Sasuke rested his forehead onto his. He could see a smirk forming. 

“I knew it.” The black haired man spoke, breaking the silence. “You are a guide, Naruto.” 

Blue met black and he saw Sasuke’s handsome face smiling down at him. 

Now having gained some of his cognitive functions, dread washed over Naruto while he  processed what had happened. He was certain he wasn’t a guide but with what happened, it was impossible to deny, apart from a tangle of tongues, energy was transferred between their bodies. Naruto pushed the esper’s body away from him, shaking his head gently and hands covering his mouth. He struggled to breathe as his body still thrummed with excitement.

“I - uh, I’ve got to go.”

“Naruto, hey, it’s okay.” The esper reached for him again, but missed. 

“Sorry. This was a mistake,” he sprinted before the esper could respond. He needed to return back to Iruka and clear his head. There were just too many thoughts running through his mind, and he needed to get a hold of himself before he made the mistake of turning around to pull the esper into another kiss. 

Angry, confused and frustrated, Naruto beelined home. Slamming the door open, “Iruka.” Spoken softly, “we need to talk.” 

The older man surprised at the sound of the door bang and heaving blonde by the door, stood up to approach his son.

“Something is wrong, Iruka.” Blue eyes brimmed with tears as he shook demanding from the older man he trusted, “Tell me the truth please.”

Iruka fell silent unsure of what was going on. 
“What happened? Why don’t you sit down and tell me what’s wrong? I’m sure whatever it is, it's not as bad as you think, Naruto.” 

The older man perhaps knew deep down that a day like this would come despite his prayer that it wouldn’t. 

“No! Iruka! Stop placating me.” Naruto threw his hands in his hair.  “I think something is wrong with me?! I-I think, I think I just guided someone!” He paced back and forth in their small shared space, “Am I actually a guide?! Have you been lying to me this whole time!?” he shouted. 

Iruka came closer to the distraught boy. “Naru, please. I’ll tell you everything. Just please try to understand that everything I’ve done, I did it for you.” 

“What? Lying to me and making us live outside the city?! I don’t have a life here!” 

“It wasn’t a lie. It was for your safety and I promised..” 

Tilting his head to look at Iruka. “Promised who?” 

“Your parents.” 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The crackling fire from the fireplace was the only sound heard. Iruka sighed out lowly, sitting back down onto their couch, making space for Naruto to scoot beside him. 
His face darkened as old memories spilled out filling the quiet room. The younger man fiddled with the fraying ends of his shoelaces as Iruka spoke. Time passed, but Naruto couldn’t tell how long they’d been sitting on the couch for, his sweat dried and the lumpy futon where he sat grew uncomfortable. Shifting his weight from one side to the other, he turned to look at the other man. 

“So, what you’re saying is that… my mum and dad were guides back in Konoha?”   

“Yes, they were.” 

“What happened to them?” 

“They were killed for starting an underground guiding Center.”

“What?! Why?”

“Back then, when awakened beings started emerging, there was a huge disparity of power. Guides were treated as tools at an esper’s expense. While Espers need us to survive, we do not need them. It was an undeniable fact but without proper laws in place, the weak will succumb to the powerful.” Iruka continued, “Espers are physically stronger with their abilities, the cruel ones would use guides and monopolize our kind to bend to their will. Some even treated us like animals, locked in cages…. as if we had no right to an equal footing with them.” 

Disgusted, Naruto leaned over and wrapped his arms over the talking man. Resting his head onto Iruka’s shoulders, he spoke slowly, “Did that happen to you, Iruka?” 
  
Iruka stroked Naruto’s head, fingers combing through loose strands continued, “No, thankfully not, but I knew others that went through the whole ordeal. By the time I awakened, I had met your parents and they took me in.  I wanted to help them create a place that is safe for guides. For us to have rights to our own bodies. Obviously, this did not sit well with the some power hungry espers in the city. If guides could withhold our guiding abilities or could deny an esper, espers control over the city would diminish.”

“Control? What for?”

“The gates, we do not know exactly why or how they appeared. But one thing certain and discovered quickly was that while the gates are a threat to our lives, within them, there are treasures to be mined and people quickly understood the value that came with mining gates. Guilds wanted to recruit the strongest espers for this purpose because the higher the level of the gate, the more valuable the materials are. With strong espers, of course, they also needed strong guides. Hence, we were hunted down to be used.” 

“For a while, we were safe under your parents protection. But that didn’t last long, the White Snake guild amassed such a strong force and ambushed our hideout. Your parents along with many others didn’t survive the attack. You were just a child then, they entrusted me to take you far out away from the city so that we would never be discovered by those men.”

“I think the only reason we’ve not been discovered was because all evidence of you being their son and your potential to awaken was destroyed by your parents. Which is why, we can’t live in the city. It’s best to lay low.” 

“But Iruka, maybe times has changed. I see guides in their uniforms walking freely in the city and they didn’t look “used” or “tortured”. 

“Hey,” smacking the back of Naruto’s head, Iruka scolded, “when have you been into the city!” 

“Don’t change the subject, Iruka.” Naruto cheekily replied, pressing further, “like I said, maybe things have changed? And we don’t have to hide anymore…” 

“No, it’s still too risky.” Iruka turned away, bitting his lip, “We have a nice life here, why are you so eager to go back to all that?” 

As Naruto suspected, sure Iruka knew that more rules and laws have been in placed since that ambush. More ethical guilds were established in the city as people petitioned to have strict laws to protect a guide’s rights. Since then, even guides were put in positions of power within Konoha’s governing bodies. Naruto was not wrong that times have changed but Iruka knew that White Snake’s men are still around and at any time, the balance of power could tip. 
On top of all that, Iruka promised Minato and Kushina that they would never return and let harm come to Naruto. Naruto was his only family, he couldn’t bear the thought of losing the boy he raised to cruel espers. However, he also wanted what was best for the blonde. As a guide, it’s true that Naruto could have a different life if they were to live within Konoha borders. Iruka pondered in deep thought of the what’s ifs. 

“Iruka, would you just consider, please?” 

Reluctantly, the older man nodded and embraced the blonde tightly. The day felt so long after their talk and he closed his eyes for a little bit. 

“Um, but one more thing, did you know I’m a guide?” 

“…Yes.” 

“How?”

“Well, remember when you got extremely sick a few years ago?” 

“Yeah, I was bed ridden for days! You said I had some sort of forest plague!” Naruto bounced off the couch, his face incredulous. “I thought I was going to die!” 

“Naruto, there is no such thing as a forest plague.” Iruka chuckled, amazed at this boy’s gullibility. Though his trusting nature was also the reason Iruka adored him so much. “That was your awakening.” 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

**White Snake Guild Headquarter, Konoha**

“Speak.” 

“It seems that the S-class esper received guiding recently and our sources confirmed that he hasn’t visited the Center for it.” 

“Where?”

“We are still trying to find out, Orochimaru-sama” 

“I said, WHERE. You fucking imbeciles.” 

“Sir, our sources are unsure-“

“Did I fucking stutter?! I don’t care for your incompetence. I want answers.” 

“Sir, Sasuke has been shaking off our trail each time he uses his portalling skill. We cannot-“

WHAM
“Are you all FUCKING useless?! I don’t want to hear excuses.”

A heavy foot stepped onto the underling’s neck, pressing down hard. Gagging at the weight, the man spat out drool onto hard marble floor. 

“FIND. OUT. WHERE he’s getting guiding and WHO has been guiding him before my patience run thin.”

“Y-Yes, sir.” 

“Get the fuck out.” 

Chapter Text

Back in the city, Sasuke was feeling so impeccable to the point that he can’t deny the spring in his step from his body being expunged from all the negative energy build up. Over the years of his esper career, guiding could only alleviate a small percentage of his toxins. But Naruto's guiding was truly remarkable. In fact, his body felt so light than even his annoying brother seemed tolerable during their mission debrief.

“Otouto, you’ve received guiding.” It sounded like a statement, but Sasuke knew the comment was laced with curiosity.

“Hn,” Attempting to throw his brother off the scent, “Yes. Weren’t you the one that insisted I visit the Center.”

“That is correct.” Itachi rounded the table to stand the front of Sasuke, observing a much at eased esper compared to the day before; a sight he hasn't seen in way too long. “But what I am curious about is why I couldn’t find your name in the guiding center’s check-in report.” His brother’s perfect eyebrow cocked in amusement. Sasuke clocked telltale signs of Itachi's eyes scheming. He’d rather his brother not get so involved with his guiding needs and if he can try to avoid a full interrogation, he would.

“No clue, Niisan. Must have been a glitch in the system.” Sasuke lied with perfect poker face, giving no emotion to his brother's prodding.

“Hmm, perhaps… but you seem different.” Mirroring dark eyes analysed the younger Uchiha like a hawk. If Sasuke doesn't end this conversation quickly, his brother may figure out that he was indeed hiding a secret.

“That is the purpose of guiding, isn’t it?” Sasuke rolled his eyes. “If I’m the same after getting guided, then what’s the point.”

The taller Uchiha nodded slowly, a hint of a smile almost creeping into his face.

“Are we done? I rather not be in the same room as you if you’re going to traumatize me with a smile.”

Ignoring Sasuke, Itachi eyes gleamed. “I’m glad you’ve come to understand my point of view on guiding. Now… if only you’ll let me know which guide has been helping out my dear brother. I would definitely want to extend my appreciation to this individual for taking such a good care of Uchiha’s top esper.”

“Nii-san, drop it. He’s nobody.” The last thing Sasuke wanted was for his brother to scare Naruto away, especially when the blond was still running away from him after each contact.

“Fine. For now. Just keep the guiding consistent. Eventually, I’ll have to meet this guide of yours.”

“Tsk.”

Deciding to let it go for once, Itachi turned to a more serious issue at hand. “Any encounters with Orochimaru’s men recently?”

Sasuke jaw tensed at his brother’s question. “Not recently, and even if I did, I can sort out my problems myself. The men he sends are practically a non threat.”

His brother’s pursed lips indicated play time’s over. “Itachi, don’t worry about it. I’m stronger than them.”

“I know. But we can’t be too careless around that slimy bastard. Now is not the time to let our guards down especially when things seem too calm on the front. He may be up to something. So just report back anything you’ve heard. “

It was rare for him to be agreeable with his brother but it was certainly worrisome that the White Snake Guild has been pretty quiet, which could mean potential danger in their horizon.

“I will.” The younger Uchiha portaled out from Itachi's office, leaving the taller man in quiet contemplation.

Frown etched on Itachi's cold face with concern; it was a strange discomfort for Orochimaru to be playing by the rules, and Itachi can’t do anything about it right now especially when they both ran prolific guilds in Konoha. If they wanted to properly indict Orochimaru for his past crimes and be rid of the man’s obsession with the Uchiha brothers, they needed concrete proof of his involvements. Teeth gritting, Itachi hoped that nothing bad would befall upon his family. Allowing himself to ponder on more intriguing events, he decided to ping Kakashi in hopes that his brother’s ex-mentor would have an inkling on who Sasuke’s new guide is.

“What? I’m busy.” The lazy drawl of the silver haired esper echoed out from Itachi's communicator.

“I thought you’d be curious to know that Sasuke was guided last night. “ or could it have been from today?

“If you rang me just to tell me that Sasuke has been getting some, I’m ending this call now.”

Itachi smirked; enjoying getting under Kakashi’s skin. “It’s not someone from the Center."

“….” silence came through the communicator, Itachi knew the news has hooked the older esper. Kakashi, though portrayed extreme nonchalance towards most important guild matters, has always been oddly invested in guide laws and has been researching deeply into the Yellow Flash's case for as long as Itachi knew him. News of a rogue guide definitely drew his attention. Though the silver haired esper kept his investigation a secret from Itachi but as part of the Uchiha guild, Itachi tended to be all knowing.

“Just thought that you might be curious that’s all.” And just as sudden as the call started, the Guild Leader ended the connection.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

“Motherfucker.” Kakashi said to himself as he sat up from his bed. Lazily he reached for his current favorite orange book, eyes dragging pass each letter but no words could register in his head.

“It’s not someone from the Center.” Itachi's words rang again and again in his mind.

“Maa, that guy really have a knack at being annoying.” It has been forever since he’s heard of rogue guides, the last time he met one was more than a decade ago… when the Yellow Flash’s underground guild got ambushed by Orochimaru’s men.

Shaking his head, and rubbing rough palms over his face. No, it can’t be. Stop thinking about him. Rogue guides were unheard of in this current time. Every awakened being is required by law to register with Konoha's Esper and Guide Association. Sure, weaker awakened beings may choose not to participate actively in guilds but those abilities were usually so insignificant that they could hardly be considered an ability user, rendering them F-classes. There was no way Sasuke, an S-class, could get proper guiding from an F-class guide. Kakashi decided that perhaps a visit to his former trainee could shed some light on this potential unregistered guide.

He shot a text to the younger Uchiha.

- Sasuke, meet me at the training arena.

- No.

Grinning at the reply, he responded back.

-See you in 5 minutes.

Jumping off his bed, he prepared to head out. It has been a while since he last sparred with the other esper, his muscles taut with the anticipation to get a good sweat out.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

After three hours of grueling battle, the two men broke apart drenched in sweat. They walked towards the arena’s heavy doors, behind them the once pristine training room left in complete destruction. Kakashi gleefully imagined Itachi's irritation upon finding the remains of the arena the next day.

Sasuke reached for a water container and tossed the silver haired man a receptacle, aiming for his head at that. Gulping down their liquids, the younger esper glanced at his ex-mentor who was still not saying anything.

“Itachi told you, didn’t he?”

The older esper wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as he finished hydrating. “Hmm? What ever do you mean?”

“Spill it, Kakashi. What do you want?”

“SOoo, who’s the guide?” Grey eyes curved up into half crescents and he plopped himself down beside Sasuke.

“None of your business. Like I already told Itachi, it's no one."

“Judging from your condition today, I’d say you’ve been guided by a pretty skillful guide. And recent too. I wouldn’t consider that ‘no one’.”

Caught in a lie, Kakashi pressed the younger esper on, “Though it doesn’t seem like things are going all fine and dandy. Finding a suitable guide should have reduce your usual prickliness. I see that you're still the same little shit. But whatever the trouble is, surely, your wise mentor can give some valuable insights to your predicament?”

The black haired esper raised an eyebrow; curious as to how Kakashi could solve his current dilemma.

“What do you know, Kakashi?”

“Now, now, what’s the rush? I’m famished. Let’s talk this over a good meal. On you, of course.” Kakashi rose up and walked towards the building's exit, confident that the younger esper would be trailing behind.

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Sasuke grumbled at the smug face of his ex-mentor while he retold how he was stunned frozen after Naruto ran away from him for the second time.

"I'm glad that at least one of us is enjoying this entire fiasco." Sasuke muttered; close to pouting. He's had a little too much to drink and his bad habit of whinging was revealing itself in front of Kakashi.

"Heh, it's not often that the Uchiha's perfect S-class esper gets rejected. It's about time for you to finally get humbled. Never had anyone so eager to get away from you before, huh? Must be doing wonders to that massive ego of yours. "

"Shut up." Burying his head in a cradle of his arms to hide his reddened face, "So are you going help me or nah.." the alcohol hitting him hard made Sasuke slur.

"Hmmm," Kakashi responded sing-songly, "cover a month of my gate shift and we might have a deal."

"Whatever. Fine." Sasuke still not lifting his head replied and waved a hand at the older man.

Heh, he's going to be so pissed once he sobers up.

The rarely drunk Uchiha fell quiet and Kakashi realized that the boy has fallen asleep on the bar counter. He started to dissect the enlightening information that was just shared.

A young blond guide who's not registered at the center. Deriving from Sasuke's story, it seemed like the boy was not living in Konoha. The unfamiliarity with Sasuke also meant that the boy left the city at least ten years ago. Sasuke had only awakened in his teen years, and since then not a single person in Konoha is unaware of the Uchiha prodigal esper. But to be living outside the city, as a teen, someone must have raised him all these years…

The fall out from the Yellow Flash ambush created a rippling effect for Konoha to re-look the city's regulation on Guide's right and protection. Forming from a collective of established Guilds, Konoha Guild Association was inaugurated with the purpose of laying proper laws and mandated standard of procedures that each guild is required to practice. Of course while functioning to keep each other in check, relationships between guilds were not exactly friendly. It wasn't easy for Itachi when he took over from his father, but that boy quickly transformed the outdated methods of their management, and was respected as a mediator and peacekeeper amongst his peer guild leaders.

Despite the Yellow Flash's ambush being impactful, the massacre itself was never properly investigated. Till now the rightful perpetrators have not been caught. Though Kakashi knew that Itachi had strong theories which directed them to Orochimaru. However, without any real proof they couldn't drop the hammer of justice on White Snake's guild.

flashback to the day of the attack

"Stop! Iruka! Please come with me. You can trust me, Iruka." He pleaded.

Iruka's back was turned to him. The pony tailed boy stood a few feet away from him and within the dark tunnel, he could see the boy carrying something heavy with two arms.

"If you're here to take me back, forget it." Iruka's voice echoed out.

"Iruka, please. Trust me. I will protect you from them."

He could see the boy's shadow trembling; it was very possible that he was crying.

"No… you can't. No one can. Not even Minato…"

"I promise. I will! Quick, we have no time! COME with me!" It was true, those men that attacked the Yellow Flash Guild were bound to catch up and find them.

"…There is nothing for me back there. Everyone is … they are.." Iruka sobbed so hard and it broke Kakashi's heart to witness his friend in distraught.

Kakashi stepped closer but it frightened the crying boy which caused him to shout back. "Don't come any closer! I- I have a detonator with me. I'm not afraid to release it!"

"Ok, ok. I won't but please… Iruka." Kakashi begged for the boy to come with him back to Konoha.

Glancing back to look at the silver haired boy, tears were falling like heavy rain from Iruka's eyes. He shook his head, pony tail swaying at the movement. The sloshing water in the tunnel echoed and made the space between them feel larger than it actually was. Still, it was a threshold Kakashi was afraid to cross and risk losing the guide. He knew the guide was clearly extremely volatile and overwhelmed by what had just happened.

Blond hair peeked from above Iruka's slumped shaking shoulder, "Hnn, What's happening?" A young boy's small voice groggily asked, disturbing the silence between the two friends.

"Shh, shh. It's ok. Go back to sleep." Gentle and soft, Kakashi heard Iruka respond.

Iruka was not alone. He was carrying a boy, much younger than him but Kakashi had no idea who it was.

"Kakashi, if you care about me at all, just let me go. I cannot go back there anymore." Iruka trod further into the tunnel and away from him. The space between them widened, the guide was so deep into the tunnel that Kakashi could hardly make out the shape of his body anymore. Fingers tight in fists, he shed tears for his departed friend.

end flash back

Jostled back to his current state, with Sasuke drunk and asleep next to him, Kakashi wondered if the blond boy Sasuke mentioned was the same boy from before. Oh, how he hoped it was. That could mean that the blond was the road to reuniting with Iruka again. Back when they were just teens, even way before Iruka awakened as a guide, the two boys met in unexpected circumstances. Kakashi being a young esper from Uchiha guild was still naive at that time and didn't understand why the boy never shared where he lived or who his family were. But what was certain was that right from the start, he was drawn to Iruka and even more so when Iruka told him that he had awakened as guide.

It didn't happen immediately though; their guiding. After awakening, Iruka didn't offer to guide him despite knowing Kakashi was an esper. And by sheer luck, Kakashi one day came to their secret hideout in the tunnels, he could feel energy build up crawling on his skin but refused to be late to meet his elusive friend.

"Hey! Took you long enough." Iruka happily called out. "Come! I found a waterfall just right outside the city."

The two boys usually sneaked out of city walls to explore the forest surrounding them. Iruka said he wasn't allowed to freely roam in Konoha for his safety and Kakashi didn't bother to question further. He perhaps also enjoyed keeping this friend to himself and away from the world. Hearing Iruka jogging towards him, Kakashi usually liked the way Iruka's excitement shown in his voice and face but somehow that evening, his migraine overshadowed any thoughts of joy.

Iruka came closer to him noticing Kakashi's pensive demeanor.

"Do.. you need guiding, Kakashi?" Iruka's melodic voice softly offered.

He didn't wished for their first time to be like this. Unfortunately, his body betrayed him. He desperately wanted to the guide to touch him.

"You don't have to, Ru." Kakashi went against his esper's needs. He rather detroriate than to freak out the guide from ever meeting him again.

"It's okay, Kakashi. If it's you, I think I can do it…" Iruka tried to reach forward to hug the slender esper.

Kakashi looked into doe-like brown eyes and finally gave in.

"Just contact guiding then," He removed his esper gloves and revealed his pale fingers. "Take my hand, Ru."

Iruka bit his lip and interlaced their fingers together. Slowly releasing his guiding power into Kakashi.

From that contact itself, Kakashi decided that when they grew up, he would want to ask the other boy to partner bond with him. However, all that juvenile hope was crushed when Iruka left the city since the Yellow Flash massacre.

In deep contemplation, Kakashi strategised a way to find the blond and in turn perhaps wishful that he would be reunited with his youthful crush once more.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Early morning, his communicator beeped and hammered directly at his hangover. Sasuke wrestled with the strong urge to smash his communicator to smithereens, but upon seeing the red light beeping, an indication that he has to report urgently to HQ, he dragged himself to his connecting washroom to wash away the grime of the day before.

Portalling himself to the Uchiha's HQ, he noticed the whole building scrambling at the red alert. He dialed to his brother but failed to connect through, he wondered what in the world was going on.

"Sasuke! Thank god you're here!" A guild administrator called out from behind him right before he entered the elevators to his brother's office.

"What's going on?" He asked, eye bags heavy from the previous night's mistake of overindulgence.

"Haven't you heard?!" The administrator evidently in a frenzy, "It's a code red. All the top brass are gathered in Konoha's Guild Association as we speak."

Ok, so Itachi is not here.

"Where's Kakashi?"

"Sir, the second commander has gone out for surveillance."

"Hn, fine," sighing as he directed his portal to KGA and now fully regretting his actions from the night before, today was not a great day for a code red.

In KGA, he wasn't allowed to enter the conference room. It seemed like a board meeting was going on and the people waiting outside were second or third in command from other guilds. They all had a look of anxious gloom on them. Sasuke who was too proud to start asking around, decided to wait for his brother to fill him in.

Right as he was about to head to the vending machines for a much needed coffee, the heavy oak doors of the conference room swung open. All of Konoha's strongest guild leaders spilled out, some discussing heatedly amongst themselves. While waiting for Itachi to saunter out, unfortunately, the White Snake's Guild Leader caught sight of the dark haired esper and made his way towards him.

"Sasuke, pleasure to see you as always. Although, in unfortunate circumstances."

"Orochimaru-sama." Sasuke nodded, hoping the interaction ended at that. To his disappointment, the snake continued, leaning in way too close for Sasuke's comfort. A blood curdling smile painted Orochimaru's white face.

"I look forward to working closely with you."

Sasuke keeping his demeanor unchanged, responded with a snarky, "Not if I can help it."

"I think your brother might say otherwise." Sasuke stiffened as the older man's putrid hot breath prickled his ear.

Speak of the devil, Itachi appeared behind the White Snake leader. "Orochimaru-sama, I need to speak with my brother."

Orochimaru straightened up and without turning to address the older Uchiha simply said, "I was just sharing the good news with your little brother, Itachi." Attempting to meet Sasuke's cold eyes, Orochimaru left with an unsettling statement, "See you later, SSSSasuke."

Sasuke stepped away to move towards his brother, shuddered at the way the snake uttered his name.

"See you later?" He cocked his head with annoyance. "What's going on, Niisan?"

"Sas, it's a shit show. The whole city is in a frenzy, where the fuck were you this morning?!" His brother hissed lowly to avoid being overheard by the people nearby.

"I- uh," caught off guard at his brother's anger.

"Never mind, I need you to listen and pay attention." Itachi quickened his step and pulled Sasuke into an empty corridor. "A Mega Gate has appeared early dawn. Konoha is binding together to prepare for its full opening."

"Huh?" Still discombobulated from the whole morning shenanigan, left Sasuke answering stupidly.

"Pay attention, Sas! The Gate is fucking massive, I saw videos of it myself. It's going to be a nightmare inside."

Hearing his brother's rare cursing rapidly sobered Sasuke up.

"Ok, what do you need me to do, Commander?" He responded in full soldier-mode.

"The board just agreed that guilds should work together to close this gate. All S-class and A-class will be deployed as soon as the Mega Gate fully opens. You will be leading a team so get back to base and fucking shake off your ridiculous hangover."

"Leading a team? But you know I work solo!"

"Not this time Sasuke. You can't deal with this Gate yourself.. and.." Itachi looked uncertain.

Sasuke knew more bad news was coming his way. "You'll be working with Orochimaru's team."

"Fuck off. No."

"No excuses. It's been decided." His brother grabbed him tightly by his shoulders, eyes displaying deep concern. "Against my will, the slimy bastard snaked his way into your team. So just please be careful in there and keep interaction to a minimum. I'm sure he's planning something and this Mega Gate has just propelled his aspirations further. I can't be there to protect you because I'm needed at base to command the intelligence team." Unfortunately for the two brothers, Itachi's power would be rendered useless in an active battlefield. The older Uchiha's abilities lie in mind bending and predictive foresight, it was tactical for him to stay on base to support from the command center's viewpoint. Though it was not without Itachi's strong refusal, the board leaders deemed that the mental genius should remain outside the gate to command the army. "Don't worry, I will be watching over you the entire time."

"Ok, Niisan." Harsh reality sobered Sasuke instantly. They both portaled back to Uchiha base to prepare for the incoming battle.

From under Itachi's breath, he could here him mutter, "Now, where the fuck is Kakashi."

Sasuke did have a guess at where the older man was, but decided it was wiser for him to keep his mouth shut. The older Uchiha was clearly already in a pissy mode, no need to push the man off a cliff.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Kakashi looked up back to the city's skyline, he was crouching on top of a tree branch far out from city borders. A massive purple line splitting the sky in two hung over the city, from his calculation, it would take at least two more days for that gate to fully open. He would be able to get back before Itachi's fury turns into a full on outrage. He had switched off his communicator so that the Guild leader could not locate him or bother him with endless pinging.

Right now, he needed to find the blond guide and bring him back to Uchiha HQ before the incoming Mega Gate completely engulfs the city. Recalling on Sasuke's story, he met the boy at a waterfall enclave. Kakashi had to find this fall first as a starting point of his hunt. Lucky for him, it wasn't long until the experienced esper found the said fall. From that location, he drafted possible routes that Naruto could have taken. One path stood obvious to the esper, especially with branches broken down to make a tiny tunnel out of the enclave. Kakashi took off in that direction, heart pumping with adrenaline and anticipation. The thought that the path could potentially lead him back to Iruka was all consuming, he ran like a mad man through the forest.

It was without doubt that the skilled esper would find himself coming to an opening where a small cabin stood. Fat smoke puffed out from the chimney, indicated that someone was inside.

Calm down. He told himself as he approached the side of the cabin. Peeking into a dusty window, he looked into a cozy small living area. A worn out futon sofa in the middle of the room and a fire stoking at the fireplace. A clanging of plates drew his attention to a man with a high ponytail standing by the kitchen counter with his back to Kakashi. Although now taller, Kakashi could easily recognize that back, it brought him back to his teens years decades ago. He was certain that that man was who he had been longing for, his guide. Heart beating a mile a minute, he tried to think of his first words to say to Iruka. What should I say? Think Kakashi! While his mind was filtering through potential scenarios, a sharp knife tip touched the back of his neck.

"Who are you?" A husky voice demanded.

"Whoa there. Did nobody tell you its not respectable to sneak up on one in a fight?"

"Sorry to disappoint but I was not raised to treat creeps with kindness. And we are in a forest, there are no rules to a fight out here," the tip of the blade pressed further into his neck, drawing blood.

"Ok ok, you got me. Can I turn around and we can talk?"

"No, do not move," his attacker commanded, "Iruka! We have an intruder!" Kakashi froze when the boy shouted his guide's name. Iruka was going to come out and see him being pinned by a kid like an idiot. That was definitely not how he envisioned their reunion. Fuck.

"Hey hey, I know you. You're Naruto, right?" Kakashi tried to negotiate with his attacker but the blond wasn't buying it.

"Be quiet!"

The cabin door slammed open before Kakashi could save himself and Iruka stepped into his peripheral view.

"Naru? What's going on?" that melodic voice that haunted him all these year reached his ears. Noticing Naruto's attention distracted, Kakashi swiftly turned and knocked the blade out of the blond's hand. In result, it also pushed the blond back to land on his butt from the abrupt swivel.

Grey eyes met doe-like brown ones.

"Kakashi?" the esper shuddered at his name being called out.

"Hi." Oh my god. Of all things. All I could come up with was Hi?! His mind screamed at him to say something else. Mouth opening and closing like fish out of water, Kakashi scrambled to think of something else as he took on fully the view of his long lost guide.

"Dad! I saw this creep peeking into our cabin!" Naruto shouted as he stood up and dusted himself off.

Ok, being called a creep in front of his first love was definitely not the reunion he imagined. But wait, Iruka is his dad?! No way, they are too close in age.

Kakashi distracted by his own internal battle, failed to notice masked men crowding around the cabin from the darkness of the forest. Before he could say another word, a loud bang rang into his ears, temporarily deafening him and suffocating smoke engulfed the clearing. Masked men jumped towards them.

Coughing as he inhaled the smoke, Kakashi's vision blurred. Fuck, poisonous gas!

"Iruk- ," was the last thing he said as he crumbled to the ground.

The masked men approached the fallen trio. Kabuto, the leader of the squad commanded, "Take the guides."

Kakashi heard muffled sounds of struggling screams from Iruka and Naruto before darkness took him.

"What about Kakashi, sir?"

"Leave him. The Uchiha's will be a hassle to deal with if their second in command went missing. We'll be far gone by the time he awakens."

Dragging the unconscious guides bodies, they headed back to White Snake's guild.

Kabuto smiled at the thought of his Guild Leader praising him for finally securing the younger Uchiha's guide. The older guide could definitely be useful to their guild members. If not, they would just dispose the man. Who knew that trailing Kakashi this morning could lead to such valuable discoveries.