Zero Hour!

AN- Dear God! I’m 45 minutes late but I’m back, Ha! Told you so! This one is pretty long. I hope I still have a few readers. I want feed back! I’ve been gone since August!

Warning: There may be a few mistakes. I read through this pretty quickly. Have fun reading!
Disclaimer: I don’t own any Naruto!

Chapter XVI
The Opportunist Knocks


Neji stopped at a gas station just ten miles from his destination, he was lost. He parked the car and beat against his steering wheel. He couldn’t find his phone, which meant he couldn’t find Gaara. Taking a deep breath and staring out the window his saw the rain begin to pour. He cursed his timing and then quickly prayed Itachi had no idea where he was going.

He got out of his car and walked into the small convenient store. The clerk behind the desk was a small man, very stout with hardly any hair. Neji walked around the store trying to figure out what he was going to do. The small space in the car was driving him mad and he couldn’t stretch his legs in the rain. He settled for grabbing an energy drink and then headed for the counter to ask if the man had a phone. Neji put his drink on the counter and pulled out his wallet.

“If you buy two of those you get a free glow in the dark lighter.” The man said, ringing up Neji’s lonely item.

“I don’t need a lighter,” Neji said, softly. ‘…especially one that glows.’ He mentally rolled his eyes and waited for the man to tell him how much he owed.

“I’m sure you don’t need that look of distress either but none the less, you carry it with you now.” The man nodded towards the frig full of drinks. “Go on and get another one. Maybe it’s for someone special huh.” He pointed to the back of the store and then smiled. Neji raised his eyebrow at the man’s truth. He hadn’t known he was actually showing any frustration.

Sighing heavily Neji figured he couldn’t pass up something that was speaking to him so loudly. He retrieved another drink and was rewarded with a pale white lighter that would glow in the dark, just like the man had said.

“Thank you.” Neji bowed sluggishly and grabbed his bag to leave. The man chuckled as he closed up the cash register.

“It’ll come in handy for you soon enough. And try to smile a little, don’t let the rain get you down huh.” The man waved but Neji had his back to him by then. He walked slowly in the rain, letting his hair fall in his face and wash down the anger Itachi had brought on.

He was almost to his car when he forgot he had wanted to use the phone. He threw the bag inside the car and this time hurried back to the store doors. He wasn’t even close to the counter when he saw the man place an older looking telephone on the counter.

“I was sure you didn’t come inside for a drink in this weather.” He pushed the phone forward and Neji nodded in saying thanks. He quickly dialed Gaara’s phone and waited as it rang again and again.

‘Come on, pick up.’

-----

The air around them was still as they watched the newcomer standing in front of them, smiling like he had no idea where he was. Naruto stood with his jaw wide open while Sasuke just glared at the boy in front of him. Then there was Gaara, calm and collective Gaara who refused to be surprised at the turn of events. He held unmoving as Naruto stepped forward and Sasuke right next to him.

“Fuzzy-brows? What the hell are you doing here?” Naruto growled as he made a fist at his side. Sasuke was thinking the same thing. They probably all wanted a plausible answer for what the kind-hearted boy was doing in such a secretive place.

“Please do not move any closer Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun. My business is with Gaara-kun and no other. If you would please step back then I would appreciate it.” Lee didn’t move from where he had been standing. He just smiled and showed all his most perfect teeth. Naruto and Sasuke stopped moving, only half-afraid of what Lee might do. After all, if he knew where this place was then there was a very high chance that he could be Itachi’s accomplice.

Lee was wearing a hooded jacket and some lose jeans. He’d never looked so troubled in his life. He looked like he knew he was in the wrong place and part of the wrong situation. He held his hands in his jacket pocket as he stood solid.

“Lee?” Gaara said quietly. “Why are you here?” He looked curious and he hoped the older boy didn’t have anything to do with this. Gaara couldn’t think of any reason why Lee would want to help Itachi. He didn’t even know if the two of them had ever had a conversation.

“That is fairly simple.” Lee smiled weakly, like he was tired, absolutely exhausted. Something that wasn’t usually apart of his characteristic. “I have come for you and you alone, Gaara-kun.” He titled his head and closed his eyes to smile wider. Gaara stared hard and Naruto growled where he stood in front of him.

“Don’t play stupid! You know what he meant! Why the hell are you here of all places? How did you know how to get here?” Naruto shouted, his fists balling so tight his knuckles painted white. Sasuke touched Naruto’s shoulder and pulled him back a little. They both watched Lee shrug and open his eyes. He was grinning now, fidgeting with something in his front jacket pocket.

“You were always the loud one, were you not Naruto-kun?” Lee laughed lightly and Naruto tried to break away from Sasuke. He didn’t know why Lee was upsetting him so much but he was going to find out just as soon as Sasuke let him go.

“I mean no harm to any of you. I would just like to get Gaara-kun and go home. I have not been instructed to do anything more than that.” The wind blew harshly around them and the loud sounds of thunder approached. Gaara looked at Sasuke and Sasuke looked back at him. Naruto had stopped trying to free himself as he thought the same thing everyone else was thinking.

“Itachi?” Gaara asked, more relaxed than any of them were at the moment. Even Lee seemed to be on edge. “You’re working with Itachi now?” Gaara sounded a bit disappointed but he had known this every since Lee had stepped out of the car. All signs were pointing to yes and now all Itachi’s hard work seemed to make more sense.

“That is right Gaara-kun. In order for me to get exactly what I wanted, I had to team with him. You see, without his help I could never have you. With you out of the way he can have Neji. That is how it works between us.” Lee pulled his hood on at the first sign of rain.

“What the hell is wrong with you?! You can’t just force Gaara to be with you! You’re sick! Just as sick as Itachi! I should beat you into the ground! You’re supposed to be a decent person!” Naruto got away from Sasuke and started heading for Lee, fast. The rain started falling hard, tapping the ground loudly. Naruto was close and would have grabbed Lee by the neck and threw him fifty feet but the older boy had been cautious.

“Stop Naruto-kun.” He said in a low voice as he pulled his hands from his pockets and revealed his gun. Naruto slid to a stop and backed up. He fell and scooted back and Sasuke slowly walked up to him. He helped Naruto off the ground and they both stared horrified.

“This is none of your concern.” Lee cocked the gun. “I will shoot you if I have to. I do not want that to happen. Just step back and let me accomplish what I set out to do.” He turned away from them and looked at Gaara. “Please come with me.” He smiled sweeter than he had been before. Gaara looked from him to Sasuke and started walking slowly.

“Gaara what are you doing? He’ll kill you!” Naruto screamed, moving back towards him. Sasuke grabbed his wrist and yanked him back, hearing Lee clear his throat and tap his foot.

“No, he won’t,” Gaara said. He had no real reason to leave with Lee but he needed to know exactly what was going on. He assured himself that it would be best this way. Neji would be there soon and Haku would be taken care of. If he left with Lee and found out everything he needed to know then the others would be much safer. He had everyone’s best interest at heart, for once.

Gaara walked up to Lee and pushed his gun down. “Don’t threaten them,” he said, firmly. Lee didn’t nod or make a move. Gaara nodded slightly, indicating that he would leave with Lee. This was all for the better he thought. He and Neji were to be separated for just awhile longer and then they would be able to take care of Itachi and clear this whole mess up. Gaara took a deep breath and started walking passed Lee towards the car. He pulled the door open and got in, closing the door gently. He looked out the window at Sasuke and Naruto who were in shock that he was actually giving himself up.

Lee hopped in the car and started the engine. He looked over at Gaara but the redhead didn’t look back at him. Lee softly touched his shoulder and asked him to turn around. Gaara looked over at slowly with no expression to show that he cared about what was happening.

“I am sorry,” Lee said, trying to relive some of the thick tension spreading through the car. He smiled but it didn’t seem to be working as he watched Gaara closely.

“So am I,” Gaara replied, no hesitation in his voice at all. He couldn’t believe that Lee was actually an accomplice to a murder. He’d known Lee for quite awhile but apparently he didn’t really know the boy at all. He was pretty sure Lee wasn’t going to do anything to him but he had been wrong before.

As they drove off Naruto started cursing and pulling at his hair. Swearing across the parking lot that Gaara was going to get killed and it would all be Itachi’s fault. Sasuke stood behind him not saying anything.

“How far are you going to let him go, Sasuke? Call your demented brother and stop all this. Tell him he can have the damn Hyuuga for all we care!” Naruto put his hands on Sasuke’s shoulders and gave him a little shake. “He could very well kill Gaara.”

“Gaara’s safe,” Sasuke said softly.

“How would you know that? Who says Itachi won’t turn on Lee and try and take out Gaara anyway?” Naruto looked him dead in his eyes but Sasuke turned away. He knew Naruto was right but he feared confronting Itachi on everything. He feared sending his one living relative to prison. He mostly feared being alone.

Meanwhile, in Lee’s car Gaara sat very still and very quiet. Lee looked over at him every chance he could get. All he wanted was to touch Gaara’s hair and caress his face like he would so often do in his dreams. His right hand twitched on the steering wheel and he slowly began to reach for Gaara’s shoulder. His fingers trembled as he felt the heat rising from Gaara’s body. He was so close to feeling the boy. He was almost there, just three more inches and-

Gaara’s phone vibrated loudly as a small tune played in the soundless car. Lee’s hand snapped back to the wheel and he looked at the road ahead of him. Gaara looked over at Lee as he reached into his pocket and tried to silence the ringing. He quickly took a peek at the caller and shoved the phone back in his pocket. He hadn’t recognized the number at all and he was afraid too see who it was so he ignored it.

“Who is calling you?” Lee asked, bravely. In the back of his mind he knew it was Neji but he didn't want to anger Gaara by telling him not to answer the call. The redhead looked over at him and shrugged a little.

“You do not know or you do not want to say?” Lee sighed and they started to drive away. Gaara held his anger close to him. He could understand why Lee was doing this, he just didn’t want to believe it. Gaara breathed in the car’s sweet scent. He was underestimating everyone, just as they had underestimated him.

-----

Lee drove for a long time without having said anything. This was shocking to both of them. Lee didn’t know why he of all people had so much trouble speaking around Gaara and Gaara didn’t really seem to care. He sat quietly because he was thinking. Thinking about whether or not Neji was in trouble. Gaara hoped he was okay and had made it out of Itachi’s safely.

Lee turned off the road and drove down a pathway deep into the forest. For it to have been day it was really dark in the woods.

“Lee, where are we going?” Gaara questioned, now getting to the point where he feared for his own life. He thought that he should dial Neji and tell him but Lee wasn’t giving him any space to sneak around and do much of anything.

“If I can save you, then maybe you can forgive me for having wronged you, Gaara-kun.” Lee never looked at him. Gaara silently gulped. He wondered if Lee knew that he had instilled some sort of scare inside him.

“What do you mean, save me?”

The car stopped in an open area in front of a small cabin. Gaara could see Itachi’s car parked outside. He was sitting on the trunk, calmly waiting with his arms crossed. Gaara looked over at Lee and glared. He couldn’t believe the little bastard had tricked him. Didn’t he know he was sending Gaara to his death? Did he even care?

“You’re not who I thought you were.” Gaara opened the door and stepped out of the car. He left the car door opened and began walking towards Itachi’s car. He was terrified but hell if he was gonna let the Uchiha see that. The closer he got the wider Itachi’s devious smile became. He slid off the car and stood with his hands at his side once Gaara was close enough to talk.

“You seem unshaken.”

“You seem yourself.” Gaara said back, not really thinking that he better play it safe. He was sick of this entire game and he wanted it to end but he wasn’t thinking that he should at least be cautious.

“Beautiful words, for them to be among your last.” Itachi looked over his shoulder to see Lee sitting on the hood of his car, biting his nails. If anyone, he looked shaken and disoriented about this all.

“Why’d you drag him into this?” Gaara asked, slightly annoyed. “You must have promised him something he can’t have.” Standing with his arms folded in front of him, Gaara saw the older boy rub his eyes for a second before he began walking. He stood right in front of Gaara and grabbed him by the throat. He leaned down and smelled Gaara’s skin, touching his nose the redhead’s cheek.

“I don’t know what he sees in you.” Itachi thought about Neji and pushed Gaara back. He stumbled a little bit. They stared at each other for a moment but Itachi just shrugged. He turned his back and headed for the cabin.

“You won’t matter in awhile. He won’t have to know you even existed.” Itachi smiled to himself as he walked up the wooden stairs and opened the door to the dark house. Lee got up and stood behind Gaara. The redhead simply ignored him. He’d been tricked, thinking Lee was actually going to try and save him.

“Just pretend you do not hate me and that will make this a whole lot easier on me, Gaara-kun.” Lee gave him a hefty push towards the cabin. Gaara took a deep breath. He didn’t know what was going on anymore at all. He couldn’t trust Lee and there was definitely no way he could get a hold of anyone in the area he was in. He was starting to wish he’d stayed with Sasuke and Naruto.

-----

After Gaara didn’t answer the phone Neji called back and then stopped trying. He was just going to drive and hope he would find the place. He got some bad directions from the gas station clerk and then set off. He drove through the rain and stared carefully out the windshield. Half an hour and 5 wrong turns later he spotted Sasuke’s car in a parking lot full of storage buildings.

Getting out of his car quickly he ran over to the storage that was open. He stepped inside and looked around at all the boxes.

“Haku, “ he called. The room was eerie and smelled awful. Neji shivered as he turned to the door on his side. He blinked as he saw Haku standing there with a sad smile on his face. Behind him Sasuke and Naruto were trying to drag Zabuza out the door. Neji looked at Sasuke in disgust but he knew this wasn’t any of his fault.

Haku walked slowly over to him and fell into his arms. Neji held him close and stroked his hair. It wasn’t soft like it usually was. It was course and greasy since it hadn’t been combed or washed in days. Haku buried himself in Neji’s chest and squeezed him tight. He cried lightly and Neji’s blood boiled. He pulled away from Haku and looked at him. The femi had bruises on his bare chest and arms. He had a small cut above his eyes and his skin was pale, almost blue from the cold.

Neji took his jacket off and wrapped it around Haku. It was just about then that he realized he hadn’t seen Gaara yet. He searched around with his eyes but if Gaara had been there he would have wasted no time making sure Neji knew- no matter how much they were supposed to stay away from each other.

“Where’s Gaara?” Neji hesitated. Haku dropped is head. Neji hadn’t even asked if he was okay, even though seeing him was proof that he wasn’t. Sasuke and Naruto ignored him as he hauled Zabuza’s body to the car finally. They hadn’t been able to move him earlier because he’d been in a lot of pain.

Neji turned to Haku but the boy didn’t respond. He just turned around and started following Sasuke and Naruto out of the room. He was tired of being in there. Neji trailed him silently.

When they were out near the cars Neji spoke up again. “Is anyone going to tell me where he is?” He was a little agitated now. Naruto pushed Zabuza’s legs in the car and closed the back door. He turned around and put his hands on his hips.

“I suppose you don’t know that Lee kidnapped him then? Huh? I thought you were the smart one, Neji.” Naruto turned to Haku. “I hope you’ll be okay with him. Give me a call when you’re all settled.” He scratched the back of his head and got in the car, a bit upset that nobody but him was actually worried the Lee would do something stupid.

‘Lee?’ Neji frowned. He should have known Lee had something to do with this but Itachi despised Lee and his loud behavior. How was he even putting up with the boy?

Sasuke was about to get in the car but he stopped himself. He tapped on the window and Naruto looked over at him, apparently very annoyed. He was struggling to fasten his seatbelt but he stopped momentarily.

‘I’ll be right back.’ Sasuke put his hand on the window and then disappeared behind the car. He walked over to Neji’s car where he and Haku were standing silently. Sasuke rubbed his arm as he stared at the Hyuuga. He seemed worried but he was still wearing his calm demeanor.

“If we knew where he was do you think ‘we’ of all people would be sitting here wasting our time trying to get these two back to town?” He raised his voice a little before he calmed down. “If we’re lucky Lee will just take him back home or something.” Sasuke knew that wasn’t true but he was trying to convince himself that Gaara would be fine. He had no idea what Lee was capable of anymore. No one did. Sasuke started to head back to the car.

“Do you know where Itachi could be then?” Neji knew he was fishing for stupid questions but if Itachi wasn’t home then that could mean anything.

“Yeah, since he’s ‘my’ best friend I know where he is all the time.” Sasuke wasn’t usually very sarcastic but he wasn’t really in the type of mood for people asking simpleton questions. How the hell did he know where Itachi was? He couldn’t even explain what was going on in his brother’s head anymore.

“So you’re not going to help me find him…” Neji shrugged. He turned to his side and helped Haku get in the car. He still hadn’t realized that his very talkative friend hadn’t said anything.

“I’m just as concerned as you but he needs a doctor,” Sasuke pointed to Haku, ”and so does he.” He was referring to Zabuza, incapacitated in the back of his car. “You know Gaara better than I do. He can hold his own for awhile. If anything serious happens he still has a phone to reach us.” Sasuke ducked in his car and turned on the engine. Neji watched them drive away. It was like nobody even cared what was going on.

-----

The rope around Gaara’s wrist was unlike anything he’d felt before. He thought maybe there was wire inside of it since it was tearing away his skin as he moved. Itachi had walked him inside the cabin and down a set of stairs into a secluded basement. It was dark and the air was chill. As Gaara’s eyes adjusted he could see that the room probably belonged to a hunter, if all the guns and knives on the wall upstairs weren’t enough evidence.

Now he was standing up, bound to a pole in nearly the same position they had found Zabuza in. Gaara kept his eyes closed without any effort. Inside he was probably trying to keep from being afraid but on the outside he appeared calm, much to Itachi’s distaste. He made his way over to Gaara and stood in front of him, not even inches away.

“He always spoke of how soft your skin was.” Itachi put his hand on Gaara’s cheek and the redhead remained still. He could feel his blood boiling. He was frustrated that he had left Sasuke and Naruto now. He didn’t doubt Itachi was going to kill him anymore. He was probably just keeping Gaara alive to trap Neji.

“Don’t touch me.” Gaara growled, remembering how much he’d lost and how much he was still losing. If Itachi got a hold of Neji and Neji declined his love offer then they would probably both be killed. Not that Gaara was complaining about being with His Neji in the after life.

Itachi sort of smiled and stepped back. His demeanor changed quickly and he smacked Gaara across the face. His face turned bright red from the force but he didn’t even wince.

“Don’t talk down to me. I don’t care how much you think you’ve accomplished in the last couple of weeks. I’ve been chasing him a lot loner than you have. He doesn’t deserve to be stuck with someone like you. You’re a death threat to his existence.”

“Then what are you to him?” Gaara barred his teeth. “If Neji isn’t safe with anyone its you.” Then Gaara calmed himself. “You probably won’t even be able to look at him pretty soon.” Gaara smirked when Itachi frowned. He grabbed Gaara by his shirt and slammed him against the pole.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” His face was aligned with Gaara’s and he was glaring. Gaara couldn’t recall a time when he’d seen Itachi so upset out in the open. It was amusing.

“Don’t I? You should be a little more conspicuous about your doctor visits. I sure can’t recall what it is but in short, you’re going blind aren’t you? Everything hurts your eyes, even the light. So you do everything at night, just like a coward would.” Gaara tried his best to muster up a laugh even though he knew he’d be dead soon.

Itachi snarled and slammed the back of Gaara’s head into the pole over and over. He backed up when Gaara had stopped moving. He fell painfully to his knees, bending forward in an awkward position. Itachi cleared his throat and fixed his trouble hair. Then he cracked his neck and turned to leave. If Gaara died down there he wouldn’t have an ounce of regret. So he left and locked the doors as he did, grinning.

-----

On the road and making their way back to Konoha Neji looked over at Haku every few minutes. The boy looked depressed and Neji missed his cheery smiles. At one point he put his hand on Haku’s thigh to get his attention but the boy pushed his hand away and ignored him.

“It’ll be hard if you’re not talking to me since we’ll be sharing a room for awhile.” Neji could see Haku finally look over at him, but still he said nothing, even if he could speak he probably wouldn’t have.

“You’ll have to stay with me for awhile. I know you might want to just be home alone right now but unfortunately you don’t have a home to go to. Your apartment was destroyed. Ita- he took all your things. It’s empty.” Neji sighed. “I’m afraid to leave you alone anyway.” He looked over at his friend. Haku cried often, it was just his thing but right now Neji would rather not see him crying.

“Here…” Neji reached in his backseat and grabbed the bottle of juice he bought earlier. “You’re probably thirsty.” He handed the bottle to Haku but the boy turned it away. He just kept sobbing silently. He wanted to tell Neji how he felt; he wanted Neji to hold him for a lot longer than he had.

“Listen!” Neji didn’t realize he’d shouted until Haku jumped. “I know you’re scared and you have every right to be crying at this point but you sound terrible. Now drink it and hush. I’ve got enough problems, I can’t baby you around right now.” He shoved the drink into Haku’s chest and immediately regretted it.

Haku took it back; he didn’t want Neji to hold him anymore. He wanted to get out of the car and walk, he knew he couldn’t. Despite feeling a bit neglected and hurt, Haku opened the bottle and drank a little at a time. The taste burned his throat and he coughed painfully.

“Sorry…” Neji said quietly, looking over at him for a small second. “I’m stressed and as much as I’m worried about you I’m also worried about Gaara. I didn’t-“

“Its fine.” Haku interrupted with a whispered, voice still hoarse and barely audible. Neji didn’t know what to say after that so he stayed quiet for the rest of the car ride. As did Haku, trying to give Neji space to keep calm.

-----

The day was nearing an end and no one had heard from Gaara yet. Neji had been pacing his room most of the day while Haku rested in his bed, never saying so much as a word even though his throat was feeling better.

When the phone in Neji’s bedroom rang around eight in the evening he and Haku froze and looked at it. Neji let it ring three times before he realized he needed to answer it. He gulped as he picked up the phone and breathed deeply.

“Hello.” He prayed to anyone that he would hear Gaara’s voice and know he was still safe.

“I need to see you, we need to talk, Neji.” His words were short and he sounded out of breath.

“I’m busy Itachi, it’ll have to wait.” Neji looked over at Haku, he was shivering as he wrapped up in the blanket and hid himself. As if he would be safe from the Uchiha behind the thin threaded cloth.

“If you won’t come to me, then I’ll come to you. There are many things we need to discuss and I won’t be denied time to defend my actions. You know what I’ve done. You have the proof cowering in your bed…right…now.”

Neji slowly looked up to see Itachi standing on his balcony. He didn’t know how he’d missed that. The phone quickly fell from his hands and onto the floor. Everything moved in slow motion and he felt dizzy and afraid. Itachi tapped on the glass softly, a solemn look on his face.

“Please don’t let him in.” Haku’s heart was beating so fast he could barely breathe. Neji looked at Itachi and then walked over to Haku. He leaned down and kissed the boy’s forehead.

“You’ll be fine, I promise.” Neji covered him up and walked to the window. He unlocked it and opened it slowly. Itachi stepped in and stared at Neji, looking him up and down then over at the bed were Haku hid. He was peaking out of the covers, afraid for Neji.

“You’re alive, I’m glad to see it.” Itachi wasn’t the type to joke and he’d probably meant it but it rubbed Neji the wrong way.

“If you touch him I’ll have nothing to do with you.” Neji said softly. Itachi turned his eyes away from Haku and nodded carefully. Neji couldn’t believe he was acting so calm about all this. He wanted to slap Itachi across the face, maybe that would knock some sense into him.

“Come with me.” Itachi said, stepping closer to Neji. The Hyuuga backed up on cue, remembering how violent Itachi had been with him earlier that morning. He wasn’t going to forget how his head still ached from being slammed into the door.

“I told you, I’m busy. Haku needs me more than you do.” Neji looked back at the scared boy for a moment. It was true but it angered Itachi and he stepped forward again.

“No one needs you more than I do.” His voice was rough and stern. He moved again, grabbing Neji around the waist and pulling him close. He stroked the side of Neji’s face with his other hand and leaned in. Neji bent himself backward to get away. He turned his face and tried to push Itachi back but the other held him tight.

“I never meant to hurt you. You’re so delicate, Neji. You deserve someone like me.” Itachi pulled Neji back to him and tasted his lips lightly. Haku gasped. He’d known this already but seeing Itachi act like this made him sick. He almost couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Neji breathed rapidly as Itachi pushed against him harder, his lips crushing Neji’s reluctant ones. At the first sign of Itachi tongue Neji finally managed to pulled back enough to slap the Uchiha hard across his face. It was loud and Itachi clenched his jaw.

“That’s no way to treat me.” Itachi frowned. “After all I’ve done for you and for us.” He was getting a bit agitated with the way Neji was treating him all together. He didn’t understand why Neji just wouldn’t accept him like he had accepted everyone else.

“All you’ve done for me? You tired to kill my best friend! And God knows what you’ve done to Gaara.” Neji moved away so Itachi couldn’t snatch him up again.

“So, “ He rubbed his jaw. “This is about him.” Itachi could feel the hatred for Gaara spark up in his body. Had he known and he did, he would have just killed the bastard earlier. He should have, he thought.

“It’s always about him.” Neji said, feeling a bit uneasy when Itachi smirked and closed his eyes. He opened then and shrugged slowly.

“He’s dead by now. You won’t have to worry about him anymore.” Not that he was lying but the boy would probably bleed out before Itachi made it back to the cabin again. Neji stared at him either in shock or in disbelief but he didn’t put it passed Itachi to do somethin that stupid, no matter how much Neji would hate him for it later.

“I don’t believe you.” Neji said. He wanted to bet that Itachi was just bluffing to get him to fall apart. Even though Itachi might have loved Neji, he knew the Hyuuga was definitely in love with Gaara. Though he might have done it just because of that. No matter though, Neji wasn’t going to believe Gaara was dead, not this time.

Itachi ignore Neji’s statement all together and walked toward him. He grabbed Neji’s arm and quickly turned him around. Neji could feel Itachi’s chest heaving against his back and he frowned. Something terrible had come over his friend and it wasn’t love. Love made people do crazy things, but this wasn’t even human.

Itachi moved Neji’s long silky hair and smelled the back of his neck. Chills ran down his spine as he rested his lower body against Neji’s backside. “I could have you right now.” The Uchiha whispered. Neji didn’t doubt Itachi would do something like that either.

Neji tore away from Itachi and moved back, afraid he might be forced to kiss the boy again, or worse, be raped by him in front of Haku. Neji was frantic and stumbled, falling on the floor. Itachi was laying over him in a matter of seconds, breathing down his neck like a ravenous beast.

“Get off me.” Neji tried to fight him off but Itachi remained posted. He’d never heard Neji sound so weak and innocent in his life. It made him feel like he could own the Hyuuga in a way no one else had.

Itachi pinned Neji harder and kissed his neck roughly. His hands flew down between them and stroked against Neji’s crotch. Neji moaned but it wasn’t out of pleasure. He sounded scared and Itachi was going to reach inside his jeans when-

“Itachi!”

The boy looked up at his name being said so loudly. Neji looked over at Haku as he stood on the other side of the bed. Neji noticed the way Itachi glared at him, slightly moving as if he were going to make a run for Haku.

“No, Haku be quiet. Let him do what he wants.” Neji shook his head. Trying to get Haku to return to the bed. “Just don’t watch.” He said, closing his own eyes.

“Stop it Itachi, I’m begging you.” Haku pleaded, watching Neji shuddered underneath someone he thought had been his friend.

“You’re already dead to me.” He replied. “If you weren’t so promiscuous and overrun with undesirable diseases I’d have you for the fun of it.” Itachi however, did get up off Neji. He fixed his clothes and stared at Haku.

“Am I the only one suffering of something that can’t be cured?” Haku dropped his head and rubbed his arm. Itachi half growled and balled his fists.

“You shut up.” He said in a low voice. Haku looked up at him, still afraid but he would risk his life for Neji. Surely Itachi wouldn’t kill someone he loved, right?

“Tell him, or I will.”

Itachi wasn’t very fond of threats. He reached behind him and pulled out the small pistol he was carrying. Pointing it directly at Haku. “I said shut up.” He cocked the gun.
“I won’t hesitate this time, I swear it.”

“Itachi.” Neji’s voice had a worried tone. “What’s he talking about?”

-----

“Gaara-kun…” Lee crept through the empty cabin even after Itachi had told him to leave. When he got into the cold still basement he couldn’t see a thing. He switched on the light and found Gaara standing against the pole. Blood soaking the collar of his shirt and an even more pale color taking over his face. He looked faint and he tried to shy away from the light.

Lee walked over to him and lifted his chin but as tired as Gaara was he still managed snatched away.

“Don’t touch me.” He coughed. Lee didn’t feel too bad about that. He knew Gaara must be in a lot of pain. He had no idea what Itachi had done to him but the blood was evidence enough.

“I have got to get you home.” Lee said, walking around him to untie the rope. Gaara’s wrists were cut badly and they bled as well. Gaara took a deep breath wishing he hadn’t. The pain in his body alerted him to knowing he was rather ill.

“You brought me here in the first place.” Gaara had never been short with Lee before but he was feeling a bit angry at the moment. “I don’t need your help.” Gaara commented. Having been down in that room for so long must have worked his nerves. Either that or he was highly upset that Itachi had beaten him.

“You have no one else to help you. I need to right my mistakes and I can only do that if I help you out of here. Itachi will come back for you in three days time. You won’t be alive by then. I don’t think Neji would let me live if that happened to you.” Lee unbound the rope and Gaara slid to the floor.

“What do you care about Neji?” Gaara asked, actually accepting Lee’s help to get him to stand again. Lee looked at Gaara and frowned. He hadn’t been being very Youthful the passed couple of weeks. His beloved sensei would be unhappy to hear such a thing.

“You love him, do you not? I have ruined enough between the two of you. If we cannot be happy together than I would rather you be happy with him.” Lee threw his arm around Gaara and helped him steady himself.

They walked up the stairs and out of the room. Outside in the dark, just a few lights from the house on, Gaara looked up to see Sasuke and Naruto waiting outside. Naruto looked frantic and Sasuke looked annoyed, as usual. Naruto ran over to him and Lee let him go.

“You’re okay right?” Naruto asked, half glaring at Lee but more concerned with Gaara and his stained shirt. Gaara was dizzy and he swayed in Naruto’s arms. He hadn’t had water or food in a long time. Truth be told, he didn’t care what kind of condition he was in. He really just wanted to know if Neji was all right, if anyone had seen him.

“Gaara…”

He must have forgotten to answer Naruto. The blond helped him to the car, a look of distress on his face.

“He’ll be fine Naruto.” Sasuke sounded a lot more worried than Naruto was. Of course, he had to cope with Gaara being injured and having to know that his own brother was responsible.

“I am sorry for the pain I have caused you all.” Lee looked at Gaara as they safely put him in the backseat of the car. “I am grateful that you are still alive.” Lee nodded and stepped away. Neither Naruto nor Sasuke said anything to him as he was leaving.

-----

“This is your fault! You let him go after I told you not to! You could be doing something about your nutcase brother!” Naruto shouted.

“What would you like me to do? Are you ready to lose me so quickly?” Sasuke was calm but his words were just as loud.

“Don’t turn this around. You’re letting this go too far! Who’s next Sasuke? Me? He’ll kill us all! I’ve been saying that from the start. You never listen to me! God!”

“Stop blaming me for his actions. We’re not the same, Naruto. You’re treating me as if I can physically beat my brother. I’ve not ties to him other than blood. We’re nothing alike, or have you forgotten?”

Gaara was lying on his stomach in Naruto’s bed with his cheek on the pillow. He didn’t know what time it was, all he knew was that it was dark and his head throbbed. He could hear Sasuke and Naruto yelling at each other in the hall. They were being stupid he thought, making such noise in the middle of the night about nothing.

Naruto was wrong to blame Sasuke and Sasuke was wrong for not consoling Naruto better. Gaara sighed and closed his eyes again. He still hadn’t heard from Neji, though they shouldn’t speak for awhile.

Figuring he had already experienced the blunt of the pain, Gaara got up and walked to the door, pulling it open. He had some questions and he also wanted some peace.

“You’re loud, Naruto.” Gaara said quietly. Naruto snapped around.

“Sorry.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “We didn’t mean to wake you. You should be resting.” He walked over and tried to nudge Gaara back into the room but the redhead wasn’t having it.

“Did you see him?” Gaara asked, forgetting he was probably the only one thinking about the Hyuuga at this point. Naruto looked at him puzzled.

“See who?” Naruto paused. “You mean the Hyuuga? Sure, he got there right after you left, took Haku with him.”

Gaara heart seemed to ease a little. At least Neji was all right for the moment. “And Haku?” Gaara couldn’t remember a time in the past when he would have even cared.

“He’s fine I guess. Not that fine would cover that fact that he was locked in a storage room forever. Zabuza’s in the hospital anonymously. Sasuke wouldn’t tell the damn nurse what really happened. We said we found him that way, which was the truth I guess.” Naruto heard Sasuke lean against the wall loudly.

“You shouldn‘t really be up walking around. You’re in pretty bad shape. That head wound was hell to clean. You’ll just get dizzy and pass out again without a full night’s rest. I’m sure Neji will be fine without you for another day or so.” Sasuke walked over and pushed Naruto, who pushed Gaara and they all went in the room.

“Naruto and I will sleep on the couch.” Sasuke heard Naruto whimper something worriedly. “Its not like I can really go home.”

“You’re gonna sleep with me?” Naruto chimed.

“As long as you understand the concept of sleep.” Sasuke waved a lazy hand and walked out. He figured Naruto could bore Gaara with some of his mindless talking while Sasuke caught up on some much-needed sleep. He’d been the one driving all day.

-----

It was nearly midnight by the time Gaara snuck out of Naruto’s house and to Neji’s door. He couldn’t help himself and he needed to see if his Hyuuga was okay. The lights were on so he took that as a good sign. Gaara decided to just go through the front door since it was unlocked. He snuck through the house and quietly up the stairs.

When he arrived at Neji’s room door he pushed it open slowly. He poked his head in and saw Haku sitting on the floor near the window. A cloth gagged him and he was tied to the back of a chair. He looked up immediately when he saw the redhead.

‘Gaara! Oh God he’s alive! Neji will be thrilled.’ When he saw Gaara stepping in the room he swiftly shook his head. Gaara didn’t care, he opened the door and saw Neji lying on the bed, naked and probably unconscious. Gaara put a finger to his lips and shushed Haku. He tipped over to the bed and crawled over to Neji.

“Neji…” He whispered, shaking him by the shoulders. Gaara would have thought he was dead if his skin hadn’t been so warm. He turned Neji’s head to look at him but he was limp and wasn’t responding at all.

“Neji wake up.” Gaara lifted Neji’s head to lean down and kiss his angelic lips. Still, he got no response. Then he heard Haku sort of shriek behind him.

“I must have exhausted him. He’s been out cold for quite awhile now.”

Gaara could see Itachi out of the corner of his eye. He laid Neji back down and looked up. Itachi was shirtless and his jeans were hanging off his hips. His hair was toss and he looked slick with sweat, although Gaara hoped it was just water.

“What’d you do to him?” Gaara stepped off the bed.

“What did I do? Well isn’t it obvious. Neji loves me now. He thinks you’re dead and in his grief he gave himself to me.” Itachi probably wasn’t lying about that. He was actually smiling for once. It annoyed Gaara but he wanted to believe the boy was just being his usual asshole self.

“What if I don’t believe you? Neji would never sleep with you. Even if you forced him, he’d rather die.” Gaara growled. He for one knew Neji hated being submissive, except for the proof that he had let Haku do it to him, Gaara didn’t believe Neji liked being forced around.

“Why don’t you ask Haku, he watched it all.” Itachi pointed. Gaara turned around to him and Haku dropped his head, trying to advert his eyes. Gaara took a deep breath. Now he was trapped and he had no way of waking Neji.

“What are you going to do now? Neji’s mine, just like I’ve wanted and this time I won’t let you live.” Itachi leaned over to the dresser next to the door he was standing in and picked up his gun. Gaara’s heart jumped in his chest.

“You’ve been in my way for quite awhile.” He cocked the gun and aimed it. Gaara just closed his eyes and breathed. Then everything fell in slow motion. He heard the gun but he felt no pain. When he opened his eyes he saw Itachi holding his bleeding forehead.

“I’m glad I followed you. You’re terrible at sneaking out.” Sasuke said to Gaara. He had pegged his brother right in the head with a rock. Naruto was behind them, untying Haku.

“Sasuke, you’re betraying your own brother!” Itachi shouted. He held the gun firmly and pointed it at him. “Why?”

Sasuke glared. ”I don’t owe you much of anything anymore. Something’s wrong with you. You’re losing your fucking mind. You need help, Itachi.”

“Shut up!” He shot the gun and it hit Sasuke in the arm. He shouted in pain and fell against the wall.

“Sasuke!” Naruto was up in a second but Itachi turned to him.

“If you move I’ll shot you too.” He looked at everyone in the room. “Now listen, I don’t need anyone of you. Just stay out of my way and I won’t kill you.” He walked over to the bed and wrapped Neji up in the sheet, throwing him over his shoulder.

Gaara knelt down next to Sasuke after he had slid to the floor. Itachi swiftly stepped towards the door and slid out carrying Neji carefully. Naruto was the first to move, hurrying over to Sasuke almost crying. Sasuke winced when the blond dove at him.

“Naruto please, I’m fine.” He looked up at Gaara. “We have to go after him. God knows where he’ll take Neji. We’ll never find him if he gets away.” Sasuke slowly began to stand up and Naruto helped him out the door. Gaara quickly turned to Haku, he was huddled in the corner.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him.” Haku said.

“Now is not the time. Come on.” Gaara reached out to him but Haku didn’t move. He just shook his head and looked out the window. Itachi was tossing Neji into the car by now. Gaara walked up behind him and pulled him.

“You can’t be scared of him forever.” Gaara stopped. “I know you still love him.” It hurt Gaara to even admit that. “It must have been hell for you to watch Itachi do all those things to him.” Gaara touched his shoulder. Haku turned around, tears in his eyes.

“All the more reason for you to get back at the bastard.” Gaara smirked. “Come on, I’ll punch him one good time for you.” He didn’t wait for Haku to respond. He pulled him out the door.

Itachi was out the drive way by now. He looked in the backseat of his car to see Neji sprawled out. He breathed deeply and turned to keep his eyes on the road. It was now or never. Either he would get away with Neji, or they would both go down together.

In the backseat Neji’s eyes fluttered. He couldn’t move at all and his head was aching something terrible. He tried to sit up but he just couldn’t. He realized then that he was moving, laying across the seat of a car.

The Hyuuga mansion was close to a beautiful lake with a bridge that secluded their area from the rest of the town. As Itachi drove over the bridge he could see Sasuke’s car come into view.

“Itachi!” Neji screamed, now understanding that he was basically being kidnapped. He startled Itachi who thought he was still passed out. The Uchiha, who had been speeding, lost control of the wheel and swerved on the bridge, smashing into the guardrail.

Sasuke’s car jerked to a stop a few yards away. Itachi’s car was hanging half way off the bridge, trying to plunge into the lake. Gaara got out first, his eye wide as he watched the car titter back and forth.

“Neji!” Gaara called, hoping he would get a response, but he didn’t get any. Sasuke hopped out of the passenger seat and started running over to the car.

“Itachi!”

“Sasuke stop!” Naruto grabbed him and pulled him back. “We can’t get near the car. It’ll fall off.

“Let go of me! He’s still my brother! “ Sasuke snatched away, forgetting all the pain in his arm. He ran, he didn’t care how dangerous it would be. He needed his brother to be okay, no matter how much he had already gone off the deep end.

Itachi emerged from the car, pulling Neji out. The car was tilting and if he didn’t move fast enough then they would both fall in the lake and no one would be able to reach them then.

The only place Itachi could stand was on the rail itself. He held Neji by the waist, he was awake now, staring directly in Itachi’s eyes. His body was cold but the sheet around him was still there.

“Itachi!” Gaara called, Sasuke was at his side.

“You can never have him!” Itachi called out. “I’ll take him to hell with me before I let you have him back.”

“You can’t have me.” Neji said, his voice hoarse. “ He chanced a move and pushed Itachi back. The Uchiha lost his footing and fell off the side of the bridge, dragging Neji off the side with him.

“Neji!”

“Itachi!”

-----

End Chapter!
Ha! OMG I love you guys for waiting.
That’s not the end, I swear!
Chapter 17: Left To Live! I already started it so don’t try and guess, you’ll be wrong, trust me. Review PLEASE! PLEASE!

-Nik