Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Deception - COMPLETE	By : kizukatana Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male > Naruto/Sasuke Views: 11937 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and make no money on anything I write

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
-xXx-
Itachi walked in to Sasuke's penthouse well past midnight. Sasuke was seated on the leather sofa in his living room. The same sofa where Sasuke had treated Naruto's head wound. And fucked him countless times since then. A bottle of Jack Daniels and a shot glass was set out in front of him. By his disheveled state, Itachi guessed Sasuke had long since figured out that Naruto wasn't coming back.
Shisui had stepped silently out of his room at the chime of the elevator, but Itachi waved him away, wanting to talk with Sasuke alone. Shisui sighed but obeyed.
Crossing to the corner bar, Itachi selected a clean, crystal shot glass from the rack and walked back to where Sasuke was sitting and set his glass on the coffee table next to his little brother's with a clink.
Without looking over at him, Sasuke silently filled his older brother's glass.
"You knew. This morning at the courthouse. That's why you gave us time alone," Sasuke said, his voice inflectionless.
Itachi didn't bother to deny it, downing the shot in one go, then setting his glass back for Sasuke to refill. The younger Uchiha topped off both their glasses, the lifted his in a mock salute to his brother. Itachi touched his glass to Sasuke's, and sipped his drink this time while Sasuke finished his own off.
"So your plan is to sit here and wallow?" Itachi asked.
Sasuke laughed bitterly. "Well, there's not much I can do if Naruto has decided he doesn't want my help." Doesn't want me.
Itachi took another sip of his drink, watching his brother's expression. "Is that what he decided?"
Sasuke spun his empty glass on the table, watching it intently as though it contained some sort of information on the matter.
"If he had made any other decision, he'd have stayed and talked to me about things. He thinks I'm useless. I killed for him. I took my sword and sliced open Orochimaru's throat right in front of him, and he still thinks I'm useless." Sasuke's mouth twisted into a sneer at the word.
Itachi reached out and pushed back some hair that had fallen into Sasuke's eyes.
"Sasuke. Did it ever occur to you that Naruto doesn't want you to have to be useful in that way again? That he might feel like he's dragging you down? Not to mention putting you in danger from a psychopath that has been stalking him for over a decade. I don't think this has anything to do with Naruto thinking that you couldn't help him. I think that the problem is that he knows that you can. And you would."
Sasuke considered Itachi's words. His brother was not one to say things just to make Sasuke feel better. If anything, Itachi prided himself on not coddling his younger brother and being generally brutally honest.
"I think he left with that Gaara person. They're more than just friends, that's for fucking sure," Sasuke stared at his glass, daring it to refute his claim.
Itachi read the tone beneath Sasuke's words effortlessly. "They are. But I don't think they are lovers."
Sasuke snorted out a derisive laugh, pouring himself another shot. "Yeah, right. I saw how Gaara looked at Naruto. And Naruto looked back."
Itachi nodded, taking another sip. "Yes. They looked. But Gaara had no jealousy towards you, even after you staked your claim as Naruto's lover. Shikamaru says congratulations, by the way. That was a big step for you."
Sasuke hurled his glass against the wall, annoyed when the thick crystal didn't shatter but simply landed on the carpet with a soft thud. A big step that got me fucking nowhere. "Idiot." Sasuke wasn't sure if he were referring to Naruto or himself.
Itachi looked over at his brother in amusement. "Feel better?"
"Fuck off, Itach'," Sasuke said slurring slightly.
"Why don't you go to bed and sleep it off. In the morning, we can talk about what you want to do about it."
Sasuke looked at Itachi. "Do about it? There's nothing I can do about it."
Itachi took two fingers poked Sasuke in the middle of his forehead. "Don't be foolish, Sasuke. There are many things that you can do. And once your brain is no longer swimming in alcohol, we can talk through what those things might be. Starting with finding out what Naruto's arresting officer, Kakashi, really knows about Naruto, and why the Commissioner of Police, Jiraya, appeared to know him but lied about it. Then, of course, we have Sakura who clearly knows Gaara and Naruto quite well. And warned Naruto about the dangers of travel rather pointedly. And I'm sure Deidara and Hidan know a few things as well. And, of course, I'm sure Naruto won't be without internet access, wherever he might be. I'm sure there are ways you can let him know you're... doing just fine without him, if that's what you decide."
Sasuke blinked, the details of those events coming back, though a bit foggily.
"Of course, you were too focused on Naruto and most of your blood was located elsewhere, but I'm sure your brain was at least partially present for most of those conversations."
Sasuke glared. Itachi snickered. "You look so cute when you try to glare while drunk. Just don't make this your new habit," Itachi said, gesturing to the half-empty bottle sitting on the coffee table. "Now, go to bed. We'll talk in the morning."
Sasuke raked a hand through his hair, feeling tired and a little dizzy from the alcohol he had consumed. He stood and walked toward his bedroom. "Naruto can go fuck himself. Or go fuck Gaara. He made his choice," Sasuke stumbled slightly. "Are you staying over?"
Itachi rose, walking with his little brother to his room. "Yes, I'll stay tonight in the other guest room."
Sasuke tumbled into bed, not bothering to change. Itachi pulled back the sheet then tossed it over Sasuke. Sasuke smiled slightly as he closed his eyes. "I'm not a kid needing to be tucked in any more, Itach'," Sasuke's voice was low and rough with sleep already.
Itachi's lips turned up just a bit. "Tonight you're acting like a child, so I'll tuck you in like one. Now go to sleep. I want you clear-headed in the morning."
"Hn," Sasuke said, already drifting off. Itachi sat at the edge of Sasuke's bed, watching his brother until Sasuke's breathing evened out in the slow, steady rhythm of sleep.
Adjusting the covers slightly around the sleeping form, Itachi stood and walked to the living room to find Shisui waiting for him.
. . . .
Itachi paused, then continued walking towards the older Uchiha. He had carefully avoided being alone with his distant cousin up to this point.
But there were things that needed to be said, and Itachi was no coward.
"Thank you for helping Sasuke, both at the hotel and tonight. The situation with Orochimaru would have been much more difficult to manage if you hadn't," Itachi said, somewhat formally. "I was against you being here, but in the end I was grateful you were."
Shisui gave a rueful, bitter smile. "Always the gentleman, aren't you, Itachi? You always have to have the moral high ground, no matter how distasteful you find it."
Itachi looked at him flatly. "I take it Sasuke wasn't the only one drinking this evening."
"I didn't drink. I'm working, remember? Now that Naruto has run off, I have to take over trying to figure out who is trying to kill him and why."
Itachi shrugged, not wanting to get drawn in to a longer conversation. "It would appear you're already used to working for Sasuke without any input from me. I'll assume you know what you're doing and leave you to it, then."
Itachi began walking toward the elevator. He'd explain to Sasuke in the morning why he didn't stay. But Shisui's anguished call stopped him.
"Itachi, please. Don't go."
Itachi stood still, his back to the older man. He had fought so hard to be strong in his decision to avoid Shisui. He knew he needed to walk out the door. But he found his legs somehow not responding. "You broke my trust, Shisui. It can't be undone."
Shisui swallowed convulsively, but walked over to stand behind his estranged lover, his eyes filled with hunger and longing. "I know. But I had to choose between betraying you to save you, or doing as you asked and letting you die."
"You don't know that. There could have been other choices. If you'd talked to me -"
"Don't you think I wanted to, Itachi? You were everything to me. I loved you. Your parents made their own bed. I couldn't have saved them, and neither could you, even if you'd known what was going to happen. It was too late. But I could save you. And Sasuke."
"You lied to me, Shisui," Itachi said, his voice low with pain. "You lied and you took away my choices. It was my choice to make, Shisui. Not yours."
"And I've suffered for that, Itachi. For more than twelve years, I've had to live without you. Haven't I suffered enough? Haven't we both? I don't see a ring on your finger, Itachi. And Sasuke has never mentioned a lover of yours."
Shisui's hand slid up over Itachi's bicep, then to the nape of the younger man's neck. Itachi closed his eyes at the remembered touch. Shisui had been his first. Itachi had taken lovers discreetly over the intervening years, but there had never been anyone he had allowed to truly get close to him after Shisui.
Itachi opened his eyes, locking his gaze onto black orbs as penetrating as his own. Unable to stop himself, he slowly brought his lips down against his former lover's, fleetingly thinking of his younger brother sleeping soundly in the next room and knowing he wouldn't wake soon.
When they had last been together, Itachi had been nineteen. But the feel of Shisui's lips was exactly the same. Itachi deepened the kiss, suddenly hungry to taste everything he remembered all those years ago. Back when he had thought they would be together forever.
Shisui groaned and arched back. "Pleases... Itachi. Stay with me tonight. It doesn't have to be anything more than that. I'm not asking for absolution. And I don't want your gratitude for helping Sasuke. Just don't go tonight."
Wondering if the alcohol was affecting him more than expected, Itachi answered by pressing Shisui hard up against the wall and kissing him ruthlessly, crushing their bodies together and feeling the insurmountable pull of need that had not faded in more than a decade drag them both in. There would be no fighting this tonight. Itachi stepped back, breathless, then turned and walked into the spare bedroom, pulling the band free that held his hair in a low ponytail, allowing it to spill down his back. He didn't look back as Shisui pressed the back of his trembling hand to his mouth, his eyes closed, then followed unsteadily after his lover into the dark bedroom.
-xXx-
The following morning Sasuke woke to find Itachi and Shisui seated at his kitchen table drinking coffee. He raised his brow in question, but neither man responded.
"Feeling better this morning, little brother?" Itachi asked, his eyes showing amusement at Sasuke's slightly hung-over state.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, noticing the relaxed and satisfied look in Itachi's overall appearance. "Clearly you are."
Itachi took a leisurely sip of his coffee, not bothering to respond. He knew that Sasuke had long been curious about his relationship with Shisui. But this wasn't the time for that discussion.
"So, have you decided if you're going to do anything about Naruto?" Itachi asked casually.
Sasuke shrugged. "Why should I? He left without saying anything. I understand what you said about his possible reasons for doing so, but in the end, it was his choice. He clearly either didn't need or didn't want my help. I'm not going to chase after him."
Shisui thought about the comment that the red-haired man had made to him when they had spoken briefly in the coffee shop outside of the courthouse. He wondered if he should bring it up now, or wait and see where Sasuke was coming out on his own feelings about Naruto. There was no doubt that any relationship with the blond put Sasuke in danger right now. After the threat had been dealt with... things could change. He shifted his gaze from Sasuke and caught Itachi eyeing him speculatively. Fortunately, Itachi didn't decide to press him at the moment on his thoughts.
"It's up to you. Your life will definitely be easier with him out of it," Itachi said, noting the way Sasuke's jaw clenched at his words, and hiding his smirk at how transparent his little brother was when it came to his blond.
Sasuke shrugged. "True. He was definitely not a logical choice for a partner. Luckily he seemed to realize that on his own."
Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Yes, and we all know how these kinds of choices are always based on logic."
Sasuke didn't miss the glance exchanged between Itachi and Shisui. He wondered if he would find that the second guest room had been used or not. Somehow he doubted it. But for now, Sasuke wanted to change the subject away from his personal life. Everything had just felt too raw this morning when he had woken up in his bed alone. Naruto wasn't there to massage his headache away in the shower. And he wouldn't be there to make him forget the annoyances of the day when he went to bed at night. The void was palpable. And painful.
But a slow simmer of anger had set in, and Sasuke was not going to wallow in it. Naruto had made his choice. And if the blond thought he could just go off without a word and come back after a year or so and find Sasuke waiting for him, he was delusional.
"Karin is coming by today. The campaign season is back in full force and I've been asked to speak at a number of fundraising events. Shisui, I'll give you the list of dates and locations once we've finalized things," Sasuke said, indicating that the earlier topic of discussion was over.
"Do you know who attacked Naruto?" Shisui asked. "You mentioned it was someone from who had been following Naruto for some time. There is the possibility that you will be targeted just from your past association. What do we know about him?"
Sasuke ignored the tightness in his gut when Shisui had referred to his relationship with Naruto as a 'past association', but didn't refute it. "Naruto's parents were killed in Japan more than a decade ago by the serial killer who attacked him yesterday. He doesn't know the man's real name, but he is evidently wanted in several countries for a series of murders. Naruto is possibly the only surviving witness, so the man has fixated on him. He told me that his father had been fairly well-known at the time of his family's murder. Having access to the police records of his other murders would be helpful to let us know what we're dealing with. I have someone looking into deaths during that time period in Japan and sifting through the records to see if any had a child Naruto's age -"
"Minato Namikaze," Shisui said, startling everyone including himself with his sudden recollection.
"Who?" Sasuke asked, while Itachi's eyes widened fractionally.
"I knew I recognized him from somewhere when I first saw him," Shisui continued. "But it really wasn't him I was remembering. It was his father. Naruto looks just like him. That's why I couldn't place the memory, because it was too long ago to really have been Naruto."
Itachi blinked but readily agreed, surprised that he hadn't connected it earlier either. "Of course. Sasuke, you're probably too young to remember this. But when you were around ten years old, Minato Namikaze was a very popular mayor with promising political aspirations in Japan. He was a very charismatic public figure. But he and his family were brutally killed after leaving a restaurant one evening. It was all over the news. There was a nation-wide manhunt for the killer, but there were no witnesses. The investigation revealed that there was a string of similar, unsolved murders in various regions of the country with the exact same profile. But there were never any witnesses, no descriptions of the assailant. There was some speculation as to whether the killer had a partner or worked alone. The police were leaning towards there being two that worked together, but it wasn't known for certain. The press had nicknamed him Kyuubi. I can't remember if that was because the guy called himself that, or if they just made it up for the drama factor, but -"
"He chose it himself," Sasuke said lowly, remembering what Naruto had told him about how the man chose names of monsters from legends in the places where he killed, to further instill fear. Sasuke vaguely remembered the news coverage. It was two or three years before his own parents' deaths, and he remembered his mother not wanting him to see the pictures or hear the news commentators discussing it because she was afraid it would scare him.
And it had been Naruto - that boy that the reporters said had miraculously lived through the brutal attack that had claimed the lives of his parents only to disappear from the hospital never to be heard from again. Everyone had assumed that the killer had somehow managed to come back and finish the job so there would be no witnesses.
Sasuke remembered peaking into the living room as a child while his parents had watched the news, long after he was supposed to have been in bed. He remembered feeling sadness for the boy even younger than him who had died such a terrible death.
But that child had survived. And his name was Naruto Namikaze.
-xXx-
The previous day
Naruto walked out of the courthouse and crossed the street to the coffee shop where he knew that Gaara would be waiting. His friend was already tossing his empty cup in the trash and walking towards him.
The bright sun and swarm of people around him left him feeling exposed to be out in the open a mere block from where he was attacked. Sliding his hand over his pocket, Naruto realized he was unarmed and remembered that he hadn't brought his knife, knowing it would only cause issues with the metal detectors when he went to meet with Itachi. The blood on the back of his shirt had dried, leaving the fabric feeling slightly stiff and scratchy, and his wounds ached when he walked.
"Where are we supposed to meet Kakashi?" Naruto asked, trying to keep his escalating anxiety in check. It felt like everyone was watching him.
Gaara observed him for a few seconds, trying to assess how stable his friend was at the moment. "Teterboro airport in New Jersey. We have to get our bags."
Naruto didn't respond. Teterboro was mostly for private or chartered planes. The bags Gaara mentioned were the ones they had stored after abandoning their apartment and held their emergency cash, weapons, and passports. It meant they were leaving the country immediately, and not waiting the full two weeks as they had planned. Naruto would not be able to say goodbye to Sasuke. He wouldn't be able to explain. Sasuke would think Naruto just left without a backward glance. And he would hate him, given everything that had happened between them.
But then again, maybe that was for the best.
"When?" Naruto asked simply.
"As soon as we can get there. We have to get you out of the city. It's clear Tobi has been following you. Right now, he's probably gone to ground until he's sure you won't come after him immediately or have the police searching. Our guess is that he's watching Sasuke's place. Maybe Orochimaru's. You can't go back."
Naruto nodded, having reached the same conclusion seconds earlier, but felt his throat close up. Any contact with Sasuke right now would only underscore the importance of Sasuke in his life, making him more of a target than he already was. There was still a decent chance that Tobi thought Sasuke was just a job. Except for the one transgression in the society event they had attended when Sasuke had had too much to drink, and just now in the courthouse, they had been careful to keep their relationship out of view of the public. So far everyone had bought the 'employer/employee' version of their relationship. If Tobi did, then Naruto's leaving would make Sasuke safe.
And if Sasuke hated him for it, then Naruto would just have to live with that. It was better than Sasuke dying for him. Sasuke had already become a criminal because of him. Naruto couldn't allow it go further. If Sasuke disliked Naruto now, then it would mean he wouldn't try to get any further involved. He'd go back to his life, and move on. Sasuke would be safe.
Naruto allowed the numbness to settle further into his stomach to avoid the twisting regret that the thought of Sasuke moving on brought. But this was always the way it was going to play out. The timing had been bumped up a bit, but there was no other ending possible between them. Naruto knew he needed to stop daydreaming and start focusing.
He nodded stiffly. "Then let's go. Are we splitting up, or sticking together?"
Gaara narrowed his eyes, not liking the vacant, hollow expression on his only friend's face. "Like I'd leave you alone in the condition you're in. We stick together."
They headed off in silence, Naruto lost in thoughts of Sasuke, and the fact that he was leaving. He didn't notice the softening of Gaara's eyes as his friend watched Naruto struggle to hold himself together.
. . . . .
Naruto was basically on autopilot as he and Gaara took their emergency route to their safe drops, circling around, back-tracking down alleys, entering stores that they knew had hidden rear entrances, and in one case even entering one building that had easy roof access and jumping across to an adjacent building, exiting out the rear of that building. Paranoia came with the territory, and they were both good at it. In the end, they were absolutely sure they were not followed and - after picking up their last bag - they caught a cab to Teterboro Airport.
Gaara didn't speak or attempt to draw Naruto out during the cab ride, knowing they would have time to talk soon when they were away from unwanted ears. They paid in cash, waiting for the cab to depart before walking away from the small main entrance for passengers and around the back to the hangar where the private planes were stored. Kakashi met them there, handing them each a security badge that proclaimed them as part of the ground staff at the airport, along with some take-out for dinner.
It was late, and the hangar was deserted as Kakashi swiped his badge and entered the security code. They closed the door behind them, and the three men did a quick inspection to verify that they were alone and check for obvious surveillance devices.
When they were done, Naruto dropped his pack and sat heavily on an empty bench up against the wall. Kakashi looked first to Gaara, then back to the uncharacteristically subdued blond.
Seeming unconcerned, Kakashi pulled out a cigarette. Naruto automatically reached in his pack for the lighter, but with none of the usual banter that was associated with their small ritual.
Kakashi took a slow drag, then finally spoke. "You look like someone killed your puppy. But I happen to know for a fact that you don't have a dog, so would you care to tell me what's going on with you?"
"Fuck off, Kakashi," Naruto said tiredly. "Tobi paid me a visit today, which I'm guessing you figured out from Sakura's call. He's taken a fancy to me and Gaara." Naruto handed Kakashi the note, taking some satisfaction in the slightly shocked expression on the older man's face at the content of the note.
"And that's what you're moping about? Doesn't really seem like you, Naruto," Kakashi asked, blowing smoke in Naruto's face. Annoyed, Naruto flicked the cigarette out of the cop's mouth making it land on his lap. Kakashi jerked his leg, knocking the cigarette to the floor before it could burn through his jeans.
Kakashi took out another cigarette, lighting it himself this time. He had watched Naruto moving around the hangar as they had searched the place, trying to get a read on the severities of the boy's injuries. He had learned the hard way not to approach Naruto when he was injured. And he had noticed the cuts and blood in the back of Naruto's T-shirt, but since the blond seemed able to move without too much difficulty, he had assumed the injuries were not serious. But something was definitely wrong with the boy, and Kakashi knew he wouldn't get an answer if he asked directly. The only person who could do that was Gaara. But it wouldn't keep Kakashi from trying. He had to know what was going on if he was going to be able to help them. "I would have thought you'd be excited about the potential advantage that this latest development offers you. You'll be in for the kill next time, while Tobi might try to talk first. Are you depressed that you're leaving the City when you know he's here?"
"No. We need to take care of things for Gaara first. Tobi will wait. Evidently he's decided I'm special," Naruto said sarcastically, tilting his head back against the wall and closing his eyes. There was also the chance that Tobi would follow him when he left. If so, it would complicate things in Paris, but draw him away from Sasuke.
His back ached where the cuts were. His mind felt completely drained and numb from the trauma and emotional stress of the day's events. All he wanted to do was sleep. It was one of the few nights he wished he could just drink or smoke something to wipe his mind clear for a few hours. But he'd never take that risk.
"Special is one way of putting it. But you're right. There are too many things happening at once. We need to eliminate some of the risks. Though you already took care of Orochimaru, who wasn't even on my radar as a threat to you."
Naruto froze, but with his eyes closed, Kakashi didn't notice the sudden tension. But Gaara's eyes narrowed.
"What aren't you saying about that, Naruto?" Gaara asked, his voice flat.
Naruto knew better than to open his eyes given the observation skills of the two men he was sitting with. He could feel their piercing gazes on him enough as it was. Whatever happened, he did not want Kakashi to know that Sasuke had been the one to kill Orochimaru. That would draw the policeman into conflicting loyalties beyond what he already was. "The cops came by Itachi's office today to say that they found evidence in Orochimaru's apartment that he was the stalker, and the bomber."
"But you don't believe them," Kakashi surmised.
"No way. That shit was planted. Sasuke's still at risk, but I told Shisui to look after him," Naruto couldn't hide the worry in his voice, which caused Kakashi's eyes widen.
"You're worried about him," Kakashi stated, then started to laugh as realization dawned on him. "You fell for him!"
Naruto opened one eye, glared, then closed it again. Kakashi continued to laugh, ignoring the death glare that Gaara sent him. "I never thought I'd see that day that one of you gave a damn about anyone except each other. And definitely not someone like Sasuke Uchiha. I knew you were screwing him, but... do you have any idea how impossible an actual relationship with -"
Kakashi never finished his sentence, because Gaara had thrown a knife that embedded into the wall less than three millimeters from Kakashi's head.
"Stop talking, Hatake," Gaara said, his voice deceptively calm.
Kakashi got himself under control. He felt a little bad for laughing, but seeing Naruto - arguably the most dangerous killer that Kakashi had ever met - looking like a drowned kitten over having to leave his wealthy, socialite boyfriend behind to go take out a warlord (which likely was going to involve the pair of them killing at minimum twenty people including said warlord) was just too much for him.
Of course, Kakashi would make sure that Sasuke was protected while Naruto was gone. And potentially make sure Sasuke didn't get any ideas about letting Naruto walk out of his life based on this turn of events. Kakashi had a secret fetish for playing matchmaker, but he never thought he'd get to use any of his skills on Naruto. He smothered his grin, aware that his glee was not going over well with the two mentally imbalanced killers in the locked, deserted room with him.
"Ok, ok. I'll drop it. You two go take care of Gaara's business. I'm going to dig more into Tobi and see if I can find a location on him, or any known contacts. I also want to find out if he is tied to whatever is happening with Jinchuuriki being taken out. Based on his note, he might have been the one to set that whole thing up, which means he could have been involved with the other deaths as well."
"I don't think so," Naruto said slowly, forcing his mind to focus on what Kakashi was saying. "I don't think he would have taken the risk of someone else getting to kill me. He likes to be the one to take the kill, especially if it's personal. I think he has just been watching me."
"Hmmmm," Kakashi said, clearly not convinced. "We'll find out. But that would mean that Sakura and Sasuke will be on his radar."
"And you," Naruto said, meeting Kakashi's gaze head on.
"I'm not a civilian," Kakashi said complacently. "I would know if someone were following me. But I will let Sasuke and Sakura know to be careful. I'll try to set up some sort of surveillance on them."
"Sasuke's cousin, Shisui, seems very capable," Gaara said. Naruto threw him a look that said they'd talk later about what that opinion was based on. "I doubt the cops could do anything he couldn't. Sakura is more exposed, though."
"I'll handle it," Kakashi said. "You two just focus on the task at hand. Hopefully I'll have everything set up when you get back for the next round."
Naruto shifted on the bench, trying to ease the ache in his lower back. "So what are we doing here? My contact won't have transport ready for us for another week."
"Jiraya found a faster ride, but it only takes you as far as Paris. The plane you'll be taking belongs to some big wig diplomat. Onoki Tsuchikage will be spending the week in New York, and Jiraya has convinced him to let us use his plane during that time, which is registered as a diplomatic vehicle. Nothing like a corrupt politician to smooth the way."
"What did Jiraya bribe him with?" Gaara asked.
Kakashi smirked. "The country that Onoki represents has very strict pornography laws. Jiraya simply supplies him with what he needs. And we get a free trip to Paris on a plane that is guaranteed not to be searched. You told me that Kimimaro has smuggling routes that cut through Spain. You can lay low in Paris while you finish planning, then meet Kimimaro's contact in Madrid for your route to Suna."
Naruto sighed and closed his eyes. "Sounds good," he said, his voice apathetic.
Annoyed, Kakashi lifted his leg and shoved Naruto off the bench. "The fuck Kakashi?"
"You need to have your head in the game, kid. You've got a serial killer hunting you here, and a psychotic warlord that you're trying to assassinate in Suna. And we don't know if there is yet another person targeting the Jinchurriki. You're dance card is pretty fucking full. If your focus is on something else, you're going to get yourself and Gaara killed."
Naruto got up off the floor slowly, wincing as he realized the landing had caused one of the suture tapes Sakura had applied to tear loose. "Jesus, Kakashi. Just give me a break. It's been a long fucking day. I'll have my head right by morning."
Kakashi drew a breath to speak, but Gaara cut him off.
"Lay off, Kakashi," Gaara said, his voice low, but the tone an unmistakable threat. "Give him a day."
Kakashi sighed, trying to hide his worry. The situation in Suna would be no joke. Even at the top of their game, it was probably only a 30% chance of success. "If he's not fit to go, then you should leave him behind. This is going to be one hell of a run for you once you reach Suna. If his injuries slow him down or hold him back, it will put him at even greater risk. Naruto - will you at least let me look at your injuries? If they're too severe, I could put you in protective custody until you're healed or Gaara comes back."
"Naruto will be fine. We're going together," Gaara said in a voice that left no room for negotiation.
"If you were so concerned about my injuries, then you shouldn't have shoved me off the fucking bench. Sakura patched me up and gave me some extra supplies. Gaara and I will be fine. You just go track down who is hunting Jinchuurikis. There are still four others here that you need to look out for."
. . . . . .
After the details of the arrangement for use of the plane and the fake diplomatic documents had been given to them, Kakashi grudgingly left. The plane would arrive in the morning, and they would leave as soon as it was serviced and refueled.
Gaara re-taped the wound that Kakashi had opened while they ate their dinner on the cement floor of the hangar. When they were finished, they dug out some extra blankets and pillows from one of the offices to sleep on. Naruto tried to keep his mind blank, not wanting to deal with his emotions right now. But Gaara was tired of waiting.
"Sasuke wasn't afraid to call you his lover in front of me. A man in his position wouldn't take an admission like that lightly. And he wasn't afraid of you when you lost control," Gaara said, still finding that last bit fairly unbelievable. Even Kakashi was afraid of Naruto when he snapped.
Naruto drew a shaky breath. "All your doing is telling me how much I'm losing."
"After we take out my father and Tobi, you could go back to him. Explain things."
Naruto laughed softly. "Gaara. I have way too much blood on my hands to ever be safe for someone in politics. Some reporter somewhere would dig up my past and it would ruin Sasuke. This is where it has to end. I just need to suck it up and get over it. We have more important things to focus on right now."
Gaara watched as Naruto closed his eyes and buried his face into his pillow, forcing himself to sleep. It was something Gaara had always been slightly envious about... Naruto's ability to just turn his mind off and make himself sleep. It was definitely a useful skill. Gaara had been haunted by nightmares of his childhood most of his life, and though they faded now, the inability to sleep well seemed to be permanent. He watched the steady rise and fall of Naruto's breathing, reflecting on what Shisui had told him earlier that day.
Naruto had never given up on anything in his life. Gaara didn't believe for a second he would give up on Sasuke no matter what he was saying now. The question was, would Sasuke give up on Naruto?
-xXx-
Kabuto sat in his office, staring at the wall. It was all for nothing, he thought numbly. So many years, he had put his career at risk to gain the favor and admiration of one man. He had pushed himself beyond his own personal limits to strive to be worthy, but never quite made it.
The funeral for Orochimaru would be in two days. It would be a major event, with hundreds expected to turn out to mourn the loss of the influential man. Many would be secretly glad to see their tormentor dead and gone. The pen that Kabuto held in his hand snapped, the sharp bits of plastic cutting into his flesh, blood blending with the black ink.
He looked at his hand numbly. Strange that he didn't feel any pain. Orochimaru was dead. Sliced down by a sword in a hotel room. And no one was going to jail? It was no one's fault?
No. That could not be right.
Kabuto picked up the phone in his office, dialing the number he had looked up earlier that day. "Hello? Yes, this is Kabuto Yakushi from the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Could I please speak with the detective in charge of the Orochimaru Sanin case? ... Yes, I'll hold... Hello. I'm calling from the Manhattan District Attorney's office. I understand that the case of the death of Orochimaru Sanin has been closed, and no charges will be filed on this matter?... Yes, I understand... We have an ongoing case on a related matter. Would it be possible to send over all files and evidence to my office?... Yes, I will coordinate with the police here for proper processing... It is rather urgent, so if you could start the process today, I'll send over the paperwork immediately... Yes, thank you."
Kabuto hung up the phone, his mind slowly calming now that he was able to focus on something concrete. Something wasn't right. And Kabuto was going to find out what it was.
-xXx-
to be continued
So for those of you who have read my other stories, you will notice that this is the closest I have ever come to showing Itachi having sex with someone. LOL This is a big step for me. But Itachi needed a little love in his life. Dei isn't necessarily out of the running, FYI. I still haven't decided if I am leaving him in jail or not. So we'll see about that, and about how the ItaShi develops.
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Deception - COMPLETE