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The Hunting Ground	By : Ljiljana Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1010 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
Title: The
Hunting Ground
Rating: Not sure
yet, but most likely very high, like R(18+)

Genre: Action, adventure and some
drama.

Word count: This chapter, 5000
words

Beta: Flawless_beauti

Warnings: Post
series, so it will contain spoilers at least to this point of manga; violence, disturbing murder investigation things,
and other things I will tell you about when the time comes.

Part one

Chapter One

There was something restful in the ritual of cleaning the
weapons recently used. It didn�t really matter if the blades were soaked in
blood or not; if they were used, then they were tainted and thus less sharp, so
cleaning was necessary even on a day as hot as this one was.

Sasuke was sitting on the wooden steps just inside of his
family house, the same place Itachi was once, a long, long time ago accused of
killing his best friend. The ancient history was less painful now, when Sasuke
knew the truth, but he was none the less aware of it. With every piece of steel
that became shiny and clean under his experienced hands the voices were more
and more quite and as far as he was concerned, that was the only real
difference about Konoha since he got back once and for all.

Everything else was just something to adjust to and live
through.

The ANBU that came to see him was the one with the cat like
slits for eyes. Sasuke knew that as soon as the man settled his weight on the
rooftop across form his house, on the other side of the fence. It was not his chakra signature, because he was doing a
good job of concealing it; but when he landed, he
shared the pressure unequally, leaning on the left foot heavier. As he was here
before, to give Sasuke one message or the other, there was no place left for a
doubt; it was the cat masked ANBU with a slight damage of the right ankle.

Sasuke left his weapon on the cloth at the top stair and
walked out.

ANBU landed in front of him.

�Hokage-sama
requires your attendance in his office in fifteen minutes.�

He was gone before Sasuke had the opportunity to say
anything, which was just as well. It was not as if could say he would not go,
even if he had an actual reason for it. He hurried up in the house to change
the clothes that was dirty and ripped after this morning�s training. A regular
lower ranked shinobi ensemble should be enough, but Sasuke needed his gloves to
cover his hands that were burned to the point of blistering that morning.

This was the first time Naruto summoned him up to the Hokage
tower.

Sasuke couldn�t know for sure if that was a good thing or a
bad thing, but he knew it had to be something important enough to turn this
little of the life he managed to grasp upside down. Naruto made a point of not
letting Sasuke anywhere near him. It was not that he wanted to be near him all
that much, even if Naruto changed along with the rest of them and probably for
the better.

Every mission he got a nameless ANBU brought to his door.
The only times he could actually see Naruto was when Konoha had something
official going on, because Naruto, as the current Hokage, always had to be
present.

Sakura was around occasionally, though. Luckily, she grew
up, so spending some time with her was not too much of a trouble - it wouldn�t
be even if she wasn�t always full of news, stories about Naruto and his plans
for Konoha�s future. Sasuke couldn�t agree with a lot of it, Naruto was
changing too much of the way things worked, successfully,
for generations, not that Sasuke could do anything to stop him, even if he
wanted.

There were no guards in front of the Hokage�s office, which
was odd. It probably meant that the meeting was important enough to make sure
no one who wasn�t supposed to hear it. Sasuke wanted to knock and announce his
arrival, but the door opened from inside just as he raised his hand. Sakura
gave him a smile, still holding the knob � an odd smile that told him the
occurrence was both good and bad.

It became obvious after the first glance at the room that
she was not the only one there. Nara,
Naruto�s adviser or what ever the technical term was - a dark haired guy Sasuke
remembered from the academy - was bending over the desk, reading something.
Hyuugas � Neji and his cousin, Hinata were standing on the side; that Sai
person also, Shizune and the Aburame clan heir. The elite of
the new Konoha, plus the Hokage.

Naruto was sitting at the table, in tan pants that were in
origin obviously from Sand and black shirt, with the scroll pouch across his
chest in Cloud style. Either diplomatic travels managed to teach Naruto how to
dress or Sasuke had a much better day then he though, if the clothes on Naruto
was just an accident. At any case, judging by the dark circles under Naruto�s
eyes and the unusual paleness, he must have had a long, sleepless night.

Naruto was swinging his legs like a kid, prompted back on
his arms and giving Shizune a mock glare, saying loudly, obviously still
unaware Sasuke was walking in: �I don�t think Sasuke would get horribly impressed
to see me sitting in a chair. It�s hardly deadly enough.�

Shizune glared right back at him, not very concerned she was
talking to the Hokage.

�It�s not proper.�

That wouldn�t even convince the previous Hokage,
and Naruto probably doesn�t even know what the word means, she is quite clearly
wasting her time.

Though Naruto�s retort was a bit better then he expected.
�Well, neither is keeping a pig in the office, but you don�t hear me complaining, do you?�

Sakura, still on Sasuke�s left, laughed softly under her
breath and whispered, �He�s not complaining because Ton-Ton eats all of his
paperwork and most of the clothes I manage to force on him.�

Sasuke almost opened his mouth to say something - like that
Naruto was probably hiding his paper work and accusing the pig so he doesn�t
have to work, but he stopped himself in time. Sakura�s warm, friendly tone
almost made him answer in the same manner, with some kind of a half-insult.
Naruto and he are not friends, and even if they could ever again be, this was
not the time for Sasuke to re-bond. He was here on a mission of one kind or
another, and that was all.

Sakura sighed and closed the door, letting it make as much
noise as it was necessary to snap Naruto�s attention to them. His back
straightened and he scanned Sasuke up and down, in a way that made him think he
was looking for either wounds or weapons. The blue eyes were bright, shining
happily, as if Naruto was quite happy he got to see Sasuke.

�Hokage-sama.� Sasuke said as a way of greeting, as clearly as he
could without adding too much sarcasm, in order to keep the distance. He was
supposed to bow his head and crouch in front of the Hokage as well, but he
would not do that unless Naruto demanded it. Which he might after the way
Sasuke addressed him.

It was a familiar fact Naruto didn�t like very much to be
called that. People in the village, in all those conversation Sasuke heard
around, wondered about that - it was odd, and wouldn�t someone always as
starved for attention as Naruto enjoy his title?

Naruto was not starved for that kind of attention, but you can hardly explain that to people
who always had warm diner waiting for them in the evening. He wanted to be
acknowledged, not to play royalty, so when people acted as if he was anything
but an equal, it was normal he wouldn�t like it.

So stressing out his title was bound to make that glint
disappear, and save Sasuke from disappointment early on.

Naruto narrowed his eyes. He didn�t say anything, and after
a moment of holding Sasuke�s gaze levelly, he went around the desk and set
down. Shizune nodded approvingly, because Naruto was serious and very
professional. He took a folder from a pile and threw it on the far side of the
table, closer to Sasuke, and indicated that Sasuke should take it.

�Your file. Skills, missions,
official evaluation and personal opinions of people you worked with in the last
year.� Naruto said.

Sasuke took it, but didn�t bother opening it. He knew what
missions he did, and if his assessments were not good enough for Naruto�s brave
new leadership then he would have to say it. It�s not as if Sasuke had done a
proper mission ever since Naruto got his throne; he barely even left the
village.

�It says you�re not completely
incompetent.� Naruto told him. That was an intentional insult. Sasuke wanted to
say to him that with the possible exception of Naruto himself, and even that
only when it comes to the sheer power, he was the very best Konoha had. But as Naruto knew that better then anyone, Sasuke kept quiet and
waited. Naruto continued, �So I�m going to give you an important job.
Show him.�

The last part was directed to Nara, who frowned at the words.

�I have to say one last time that I don�t think this is a
good idea.�

Naruto, still keeping his burning blue eyes on Sasuke,
answered in a clipped tone that suited him surprisingly well and made Sasuke
want selfishly they�re twelve again so he could call Naruto names, �Noted. Show
him.�

Nara
opened another folder and passed him a photograph. There was a dead body on it,
nothing else. It was a young girl, slightly blue and swollen, with dirty and
ripped cloths.

�Drowning?� Sasuke asked the quiet room. Naruto nodded,
once.

�She was an academy graduate, found dead in the Forest of Death early this morning.� Nara informed him. �A
single gate was left opened. When a guard examined it, it turned out that it
was not unsealed, the chain was simply broken.�

Sasuke could feel his eyebrows rise. Unsealing those chains
would be much easier than breaking them, if you had any skill at all. Using
chakra, breaking the chain in size and quality of those on the gates of the Forest of Death is a waste. Anyone out of the
academy would know that. That meant who ever did it was either leaning on his
probably impressive strength a great deal or not a ninja at all � at any case,
it was not the girl herself the one who opened the gate.

�The autopsy showed,� Sakura picked off, casting a quick
look at the photo over his shoulder. �That she was in a genjutsu at the time she died.�

How they were able to make that kind of conclusion, Sasuke
had no idea. Maybe the pupils stay dilated, or maybe there was something on the
brain. He was actually curious about it, but this was not a good time to ask
Sakura.

The case was odd at the very least.

He tried to sum it up. �So, someone put a twelve your old
girl in a genjutsu, lured her into
the forest � breaking the chain to do it � and let her drown. Or he drowned her
himself?�

Sakura shook her head. �There is nothing on her body to
indicate she was held under the water. There are no signs of struggle at all on
her. All the water was in her lungs.�

She said the last part as if it was some kind of clue, so
Sasuke glanced at her. She explained.

�When someone drowns, they automatically cough the water
out, and then the vocal cords in the throat constrict and seal off the air
tube. Most of the water ends up in the stomach of the victim. But it is as if
her body didn�t react at all. She just calmly breathed the water in and died.�

Genjutsu was meant
to deceive the mind, not the body. To make someone�s body not react, to draw
him under so deeply to turn off automatic body functions, you needed to be very
skillful in the area and have a lot of chakra.

The only person Sasuke thought could have done this was himself,
actually. He returned his gaze at Naruto, who was looking back at him
expectantly and asked, �Why am I not arrested?�

Naruto grinned, his big, foxy grin wide enough count his
teeth. The look in his eyes had something savage in it when he asked, �Why? Was
she your best friend?�

Sasuke didn�t react on that. He had made his choices and
regretted them on his own; Naruto, as important as his role was, had nothing to
do with it. It was obvious for years now that despite the chasing and yelling,
despite the beatings and all the fear for him that Sasuke appreciated if
nothing else, Naruto would never forgive him. It was not that he cared very
much; it would just be nice not to pretend at all, instead dropping it like
this without a purpose.

No one else reacted, as well. Naruto�s grin faded, and so
did the wildness from his face.

�Sorry.� He said almost softly, as if he really was sorry.
�You�re not arrested because everyone demanding you should be failed to provide
a reasonable motive.�

�I think my suggestion is still valid,� Neji said, speaking
aloud for the first time since Sasuke came in. Sasuke recognized his voice, but
did not turn. Whatever a Hyuuga had to say about him is not good by default,
and not worth of his full attention.

Instead of Naruto, Sakura answered, a bit snappishly, �As
you are not a doctor of any kind, I don�t think your evaluation of someone�s
mental health is acceptable. We�ve finished that argument.�

�Naruto won.� Sai added.

�That,� Naruto
said, indicating with his hand on the room in general, for whatever reason but
he kept his eyes on Sasuke. �And also, you have an alibi.�

He had an alibi? That was not the truth. He was home alone
last night � just like every other night. There was no one to confirm that,
though. ANBU stopped making a horrible noise on his rooftop a long time ago,
for better or for worse. He looked at Naruto, waiting for an explanation, but
none came.

�In my opinion, that is not enough to get you off the hook,
especially as that alibi is shaky at best.� Nara said, giving Naruto a short scorning
glance that erased Sasuke�s last doubt that Naruto simply made it all up. �But
it seems like where everyone else sees a suspect, our Hokage sees an expert.�

Naruto was rubbing his eyes, stifling a yawn, not concerned
with the noticeable sarcasm in the statement. He looked tired and his voice
sounded tired when he said, speaking to Sasuke and not Nara:

�So go and find the monster who did this, and bring him back
here, and I will go and pick up a few tips from the torturing squad in the
meantime, so I can meet the bastard properly.�
A short silence followed those words. Naruto
obviously knows what properly means, Sasuke was thinking when someone
cleared their throat. He wasn�t paying attention, so he had no idea who was it.
Naruto snapped his head up, though. �Oh, yeah, and you have to take Hinata with
you. Like a teammate, only there�d be just the two of you.�

Hinata? Sasuke didn�t expect to get
a complete freedom under the circumstances, but Naruto didn�t really believe
she would be enough to keep an eye on him? Or was it the other way around,
Naruto was forced into making him work with somebody, so he gave him this girl
as a sign of trust? Sasuke turned to look at her, and even though her checks
reddened, Hinata gave him a small, formal bow and held his gaze for several
seconds.

It was good enough. Also, she could use the byakugan. That might become useful at
some point, or at least the kunoichi
network could.

�Is that all?� Naruto asked the room. No one answered, so he
continued. �Give us a minute, then.�

No one looked particularly happy, but they all left without
complaining. There was something distantly eerie about them obeying Naruto like
that, even if he was doing his job better then expected.

When the door closed, Naruto sank down in his chair, much
like Sasuke thought he would if he was left completely alone.

�Proper.� He
mumbled, stroking with the tips of his fingers the smooth surface of the desk
in front of him. Sasuke could feel down his spine the small amount of chakra
leaking from them. Naruto didn�t seem to be using it for anything, but there
was no uncertainty that the action was intentional. �I like pork. Even when
it�s not in ramen.�

Sasuke waited, suppressing the urge to turn the sharingan on. There was nothing else for
him to do. He couldn�t call Naruto idiot, no matter how random and
inappropriate his behavior was. He
couldn�t ask what Naruto was doing, because that was not his concern.

Naruto said, clearer now, �If you call me that again, I
might throw something at you. In front of anyone who happens
to be present.�

He meant it, of course. Sasuke never heard Naruto saying
something he didn�t mean. It unsettled him, and not because Naruto threatened
to throw something at him; even with the power to break a mountain with one
hand, Naruto was Naruto, and his aim, just as always, would stray to the
left.

What troubled him was that Naruto was talking, acting as if
they were friends, and they weren�t.

Naruto snapped his head up to catch Sasuke�s gaze with his
own and, with the movement, the leaking of chakra
stopped. �Don�t fuck this up, Sasuke. I know it�s not what you want, but it�s
the only thing I can give you right now. Okay?�

Naruto voice slipped to almost pleading at the end. Sasuke
swallowed the tiny urge to reassure him. This really wasn�t what he wanted. It was not really a mission; it won�t bring
him many points, or respect of Konoha � probably not even money. Or his life
back.

Still, it was
okay. Maybe because someone bothered � and Sakura was defending him as well,
but it somehow seemed more important Naruto did. Even after all this time,
after everything that had happened, he couldn�t stop himself from reacting on
the effort.

�You look like shit.�

Naruto winced a little, looking hurt. �I don�t feel like
using henge for you, asshole. If you
don�t like how I look, watch the birds through the window or something.�

�Birds?� Sasuke asked before he
thought it through. How is it possible at all for someone to be this insecure?
Why would Sasuke comment on the way he looked, anyway? �What I meant was you
look tired.�

Naruto�s shoulders relaxed again.

�Oh.� He said. �I am tired. It�s all the paperwork.�

That was an obvious lie. Sasuke was willing to bet something
very important that the paperwork was something Sakura and Shizune were taking
care of. And Ton-Ton. He couldn�t as well say that to
Naruto, who was in his proper chair, so instead, he said:

�Hn.�

That was a good move � for whatever reason. Naruto lifted
his head and gave him a shiny and curious look. �I want to reopen the police
station,� he declared, as if that was an appropriate thing to say with that
kind of expression on his face. Sasuke�s mood, which was getting a little
better, burst out like a bubble.

�I don�t want to work there.�

�I know that.� Naruto told him, but it was painful to think
about things he did or didn�t know. In the back of Sasuke�s head, a voice
sneered �dogs�, but he shut it away, hoping Naruto will start to make some
sense. �It wouldn�t be the same, more like actual police and not military
organization. But even the way it was, it had an important role. If we had the
police, now it would be them doing this, not you. I am also sick of having to
waste skillful people on domestic violence.� Naruto peered at him though the
fingers he was using to support his head, curiously. �I actually wanted to ask
Hinata to be in charge of it.�

�What do you want from me?� Sasuke asked finally. Naruto
laughed a little. When the bitter edge if it softened, he explained.

�She�s not really for missions far away from home, her
records show it. The further away she is the successfulness rate is lower. And
then there�s byakugan � that must be
good for the police business. But she is so shy, I�m just not sure if she could
handle it.�

Sasuke thought about how women from clans were cultured and
that Naruto is uneducated and soft, but he didn�t say that. It is not like
Naruto would care, and he might break the network, which was not a good idea.

�So you want me to tell you what I think, after this case is
over?� Naruto nodded. �That is why you chose her to work on this with me?�

Naruto nodded again, and asked, �Do you have the access to
the station?�

It was quite unbecoming for him to blink owlishly in
response to a question, but that was exactly what Sasuke did now. The access? Like what, keys? Wasn�t the building sealed?

�What?�

�Two ANBU are in the hospital because I sent them to search
the place, just in case. It was Sakura�s idea; I would�ve just sent the workers
to clean it.� The guilt was clear on Naruto�s face when he added. �They�d be
dead now.�

�What happened?� Sasuke asked, because Naruto was getting
sidetracked.

�Traps - mostly katon
based. The place is full of them, but they haven�t activated right away.�

�You should have sent me first, before anyone else.�

Sasuke didn�t want to go inside, first or at all. The police
of Konoha, the precinct, function of the entire establishment � it all linked
and reminded him of things he had no intention to let haunt him. He was the
logical choice, though but he was step-sided and some idiots went and triggered
the traps that were probably in plain site.

Naruto sighed. �Right, because we all expected the police
force set traps all over the place before going home to have warm diner and be
massacred.�

That should have stung; only it didn�t, because the words
made it click in his head. The traps were obviously something regular, in order
for Uchiha clan business to remain private, even in a public institution. It
was a selfish attempt to keep what information power they had for themselves.

So maybe they weren�t
in plain sight. No wonder ANBU got hurt.

�It was probably a standard procedure. There might be
something among my father�s things.�

He never touched much of what�s left from his parents. This
was obviously the time to start. Naruto nodded as if they agreed on something.

�That�s all. I think you should probably go now, before
someone convinces my guard you�re trying to kill me right now.� He said, official
and clipped again, but still with a bitter edge. Sasuke turned to the door, and
almost reached them when Naruto added. �And Sasukel? No more late night walks and pretty boys
for you until the case is closed. Clear?�

For the first time today, Sasuke felt as if he actually got
an order. That Naruto knew about his little habit was not as unsettling as the
fact he decided to make his knowledge official. Prostitution in Konoha was
neither customary nor illegal, and it was none of Naruto�s business what was he
doing in his free time. There might be some explanation for the request, like
reputation and how would people feel about his involvement or whatever.

However, Sasuke felt as if this was some kind of a personal revenge,
for who knows what. So he stepped over the threshold and said, just before
closing the door behind him: �Yes, Hokage-sama.�

He was not surprised when a kunai broke through the door
just next to his ear and then made a hole into the wall across the hall. He was
just satisfied he was right and Naruto�s aim was still off to the left a little
bit - though he moved out of the way almost too late, because he was closing
the door.

On the distant part of the hallway, Sakura was waiting for
him. She smiled at the hole in the wall, as if it was an inner joke, and maybe
it was.

�I�m sorry.� She said, which was unexpected and in odds with
her expression.

�What for?�

Sakura sighed.

�If you wanted to go into the station, you would have done
it by now.�

The consideration was nice, but unnecessary. Besides, there
are better things to talk about if Sakura had time and will. �Naruto said that
traps were mostly katon based. They
are hard to set in a way to last for more then a decade. How were they
triggered off?�

�When one of the ANBU entered the hallway that leads to the
basement; or at least, that is the best we could conclude. He said that as soon
as he put his leg on the first step, the fire started in front and behind him.
When we compared the statements, it turned out it was the exact time some minor
fire and gas appeared seemingly out of nowhere in some other parts of
building.�

Trap mines? In an enclosed space?
What were they keeping down there?

He knew what to look for now, at least. It was probable
there was something among his father�s things � Sasuke remembered vaguely a
conversation his parents had once over the diner table about katon trap mines, but nothing specific.
It was enough to give him a push into the right direction, though.

Sakura was looking him, an expectant look on her, so Sasuke
acknowledged he heard her. �Hn.�

�Shikamaru thought we should find some older shinobi � there must be someone in
Konoha who knows a little about how the station worked.� Sakura said and took
his right hand in hers. Sasuke wanted to snatch it back and ask what she thinks
she�s doing, but Sakura stopped initiating personal contact without a purpose
on him long time ago. So he let her do as she pleased, with some effort. After
a moment, he could feel her cooling chakra in the healing technique she used on
his burns. The relief was immediate; Sasuke didn�t even realized how painful it
was until it stopped. �But that would be just wasting time, and I told him
that. I understand his motives for advising Naruto to keep you on a distance,
but we don�t have the time for it now.�

Sasuke understood Nara�s
reasons for advising Naruto to keep him on distance, as well. The fact remains,
people will never trust Naruto completely, especially if they were old enough
to remember the Kyuubi attack. Being friendly with Sasuke would not help.

He sort of wished Naruto wouldn�t listen to that particular
advice anyway.

�They would not be of any help.� Sasuke said, as a way of
acknowledging her opinion. She was right; it would be a waste of time if he was
right about reasons behind of the traps.

After a moment of silence, Sakura wanted to know, �Are you
going there right now?�

�No. I have to go home first.�

�Can I help?� She asked, serious frown on her face, with
eagerness nothing less forceful now then when they were kids. Decent as her
skills became, Sakura was still slow; she would be in more danger than he was.

�No,� He told her, and thought about how to phrase the next
bit. �But a Hyuuga could save me some time. The sooner we deal with those
traps, the sooner I can focus on the murder.�

Sakura smiled � maybe this was also fitting the kind of help
she was offering.

�I will talk to Hinata, then.� And then she glanced around
in a obvious way that was more suitable for a school
girl then for a kunoichi and whispered,
leaning closer. �Did he tell you he wants her to lead the station? I think it�s
cute.�

It was not cute.
It was reasonable enough, but nothing else. The small part of him thought he
was supposed to be asked first, even if Naruto knew he didn�t want it. A bigger
part of him thought Hinata�s crush was becoming quite ridiculous and Naruto�s
ignorance annoying.

And talking about Naruto, what was with him anyway?

Sasuke didn�t want to ask. He didn�t want Sakura to think he
cared. But the curiosity got the better of him, so he carefully kept his voice
impassive when he said, �What is wrong with him? He looks like a drowned rat.�

The glance Sakura gave to the surroundings was very
professional this time. She looked nothing less of thoughtful, as if she turned
for no better reason then to clear her mind and find something to focus her
eyes on. No one out of hearing range would have any reason to suspect.

Of course, there was no one else close enough to matter. If
there were, Sasuke wouldn�t have asked her anything.

�I�m not allowed to talk about it.�

He couldn�t help but stare at Sakura for a second at the
words. She shook her head, to emphasize the meaning behind her words, and
Sasuke walked away, not answering and not asking any more questions. Sakura
called behind him.

�When should I tell Hinata to come to the station then?�

It was noon already. It might take some time for him to find
what he needed, and then some more to study it and double check it. As much as
he didn�t want to postpone the investigation, there was nothing to be done
about it.

�Tomorrow morning. 6 AM.�

If Sakura said anything else, Sasuke didn�t hear it. He made
his way back across the Konoha on foot. Walking helped him think clearer, but
he tried to stick to the shadows. The sun was at its peak and uncommonly hot
for June.
.
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The Hunting Ground