Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or its affiliated characters. I make no profit from this story.
Chapter Five
**Day Six**
Shikamaru stared at the blank LCD screen of his cell in worry anger coursing through his veins as he willed the small machine in his hand to ring. Naruto hadn’t returned during the night and he silently cursed himself for falling asleep, for being so complacent. He dialed again, but like the ten other times he tried before, it went straight to voice mail. He cursed and dragged himself from the bed, punching in another number. The other line picked up and Shikamaru wasted no time in telling them of Naruto’s sudden absence.
Snapping his phone shut, he limped his way to the bathroom to get ready for the day. There was no helping it; he would just have to make his way, on crutches, to the precinct. From there he would have to wait and see if Naruto showed up; and he would have a lot of explaining to do when he did.
~CALM~
Naruto woke comfortable the next morning, sun shining through the open curtains of the small hotel room. He stretched out his sore body, marveling at the feeling of being so sore and yet so relaxed. He couldn’t remember a time when he felt this good, not even with his other sexual encounters. This was definitely a first for him in more ways than one. He smiled at the thought, reliving the highlights of the night before.
He cracked open his blue eyes and took a look around. His heart fluttered painfully at finding the room devoid of the other occupant, but what did he really expect? It was normal for him to do this kind of thing, to pick someone up and sleep with them, only to have them turn around and leave the next morning without a word.
So why did he feel so hurt this time? It was just Sasuke, the teme who he had been warned only thought of himself... and yet, he was amazingly attentive to him when they were in the throes of passion. He had never been lavished like he was someone important before, in fact he was the one that did the lavishing! Naruto couldn’t help but want more of that feeling though. He yearned for it. He also yearned to be filled again; a new experience for him. He couldn’t deny that he liked being in that position, yet he couldn’t understand why he let Sasuke take him. He always thought that Shikamaru would come around and finally do it; something Naruto knew he had wanted to do for a while now.
Naruto moved to stand up when the door clicked and pushed open, his attention snapping to the dark-haired man. Sasuke walked in looking ten times happier, which was saying something, because he never appeared happy in the slightest. He smiled at a shell-shocked Naruto, strolling up to him and kissing him tenderly on the lips.
“I ordered breakfast for us and it will be here in 15 minutes if you wanted to shower first. I stepped out for some pain killers, if you need them. I don’t think I was too gentle with your body last night, either time.” He stated and set the bottle on the table. Naruto could only stare in shock, unable to comprehend that Sasuke was there in front of him, that he hadn’t left him there alone. It was so unexpected that he didn’t know what to do with himself.
“Get out.” He whispered, his thoughts racing a mile a minute.
Sasuke showed no indication that he had heard, but he tilted his head in question. “What…?”
“Get out.” Naruto said a bit louder before shouting at the top of his lungs. “GET OUT!! I said get out! GO!”
Sasuke took a hesitant step back, suddenly weary; and made his way to the door. He gave one last look back as Naruto shouted ‘GET OUT, NOW!’ before wrenching the door open and leaving. Naruto watched him go, his pulse pounding erratically in his ears. He took a hesitant step forward, reaching out pathetically, before sinking to the floor in shock. He fisted his hair, cursing himself for being such an idiot.
~CALM~
Shikamaru huffed as he finally made his way into the parking lot of the small Konoha precinct. He stared at the sleek black Mercedes in envy as it pulled into the first available parking spot. Sasuke stepped out and raised an eyebrow at Shikamaru in question taking in his sweaty and exhausted appearance.
“Don’t ask.” Shikamaru drawled and made his way to the elevator. He leaned against the back sighing at the cool air swirling around him, cooling his heated skin.
“We’re re-interviewing the two addicts today. Kakashi says that they successfully detoxed and are in a better state of mind to answer some of our questions.” Sasuke stated, following Shikamaru in to the elevator. He took up position leaning next to Shikamaru against the back of the metal rectangle as it ascended upwards.
The stepped out to a smiling Kakashi who greeted them with a nod of his head and made his way to the coffee pot. “Would either of you like a cup?” He offered. Shikamaru nodded in agreement and sat down at the desk with a huff.
Bringing two cups over, he set one down in front of Shikamaru before blowing over his own steaming brew. Shikamaru grabbed the cup and had just raised it to his lips when a shout rang out!
“What the hell do you think you are doing, Shika?!” Naruto yelled and grabbed the cup out of his hands without spilling a drop. “You know you and coffee don’t mix.”
“I’m not concerned about it.” He drawled, reaching for the cup. Naruto danced out of his way expertly making his way towards the coffee pot.
“Well, you wouldn’t. I, however, would be; because I would be the one staying up all night with you. You’re too lazy for this shit!”
“You don’t have to do anything.”
“I know I don’t, but how the hell do you expect me to sleep when you’re up and causing a ruckus.”
“I never asked you to.” Naruto stared at him in surprise, clearly taken aback by Shikamaru’s aloof attitude.
“Well, excuse me for trying to be your friend!” He walked back over to the desk and slammed the cup of coffee down, spilling it everywhere. “Enjoy.” He muttered and walked away towards the bathroom.
Sasuke watched his retreating form with a twinge of concern. He had a fairly clear guess about why Shikamaru was upset. Naruto hadn’t returned last night and had in fact spent the entire night with him, but Shikamaru didn’t seem to know that; yet. Sasuke sent a silent prayer for that little miracle.
“Having troubles?” Neji asked, his tone slightly condescending.
“It’s nothing that you need to concern yourself with. If I didn’t make myself clear before, Naruto is off-limits.” Shikamaru growled.
“Why so touchy? Are you something more than just partners?” Neji laughed, eyeing the Uchiha from the corner of his eye. He almost frowned when the raven seemed lost in thought and not paying attention to him.
“I don’t see why you would want to know something like that.” Shikamaru drawled.
“Maybe that means you are? I thought there was a rule preventing partners from forming intimate relationships?” Neji teased.
“There is.” Naruto muttered darkly, emerging from the bathroom and wiping at his damp hands.
“Oh, so you’re acknowledging your breach of ethics now?”
“Hardly. I can attest that there is absolutely nothing sexual going on between me and Shikamaru.” He stated it with such conviction that no one doubted him, even Sasuke who sighed inwardly in relief. Everyone but Naruto missed Shikamaru’s stiff posture at that declaration.
Kakashi hid a smirk behind his turtleneck being thoroughly entertained. From the corner of his eye he witnessed the blinking light as the piece of paper lowered through the fax machine to print out below.
“Hmm.” He muttered and grabbed at the fax sitting neatly in its tray. He eyed it with slight surprise before muttering aloud. “The city has decided to tear the building down tomorrow thus releasing the crime scene.”
Naruto’s head shot up in shock. He wanted to reach out and rip the fax from Kakashi’s hands, but he refrained from doing so. It would raise awkward questions that he couldn’t answer at the moment. He felt his pulse quicken as his mind whirled into overdrive. He knit his brow trying to work out a way to see the place Jiraiya was last alive in before it was gone completely.
“And it appears that our witnesses are here, too. Hmm, I want to interview them separately; Sasuke?” Kakashi murmured eyeing the two witnesses.
Sasuke entered the interview room, just a little displeased about the fact that he wouldn’t get to be with Naruto, but considering what just happened this morning, he didn’t want to try his luck at the moment. He would have to confront him later to find out what happened exactly.
“Sasuke, this is Suigetsu Hôzuki. You haven’t had the pleasure in meeting him or his partner.
“She’s no partner of mine. A beast she is I tell you, a beast!”
“Hn.” Sasuke growled trying not to roll his eyes and failing miserably.
“Can you please go through the events of the other day again?” Kakashi asked.
“Yeah, yeah. Karin and I were going back to score some, you know, when we walked up on the body. It was lying there face down, not moving a muscle. There was blood and lots of it.”
“Did you see anyone enter or exit the building in that time?”
“We didn’t see anyone but each other.”
“What about your dealer?”
“What about him?” Suigetsu asked suspiciously.
“We don’t want to collar him; we just want to know where he was during all this?”
“Yeah, you say that now, but I know how you guys operate. You say what you need to get what you want and then you move in for the bust. Absolutely not.”
“We could care less about your damn dealer right now. At the moment the Senator’s murder is our top priority; and one would think if you were clean why you would want to maintain an association with your dealer? So answer the question.” Sasuke snarled, but he couldn’t stop his lips from twisting upwards in a hint of a smile. He was actually enjoying being an ass; it was letting him blow off steam from what happened this morning.
“He wasn’t there yet.”
“But he showed up?” Kakashi asked.
“Yeah, I saw him walking up the street. There were police cars everywhere so he turned around and left.”
“Thank you for your time.” Kakashi stated. “You’re free to…”
“I have a question.” Sasuke blurted out. He pulled a picture out of the file and slid it across the table stopping within eye sight of Suigetsu. “Do you recognize this necklace?”
Suigetsu grabbed the paper and whistled. “Damn that looks expensive? How much is that worth?”
“More than you could count by yourself.”
“Really? Well, I’m sorry to say that I haven’t seen it before.”
“Thanks. You may leave now.” Kakashi smiled, opening the door and letting him out. “Care to explain?” He asked turning to Sasuke.
“Senator Jiraiya is known for wearing it. It was so important that an insurance claim was taken out on it. It wasn’t logged with the Senator’s affects and was confirmed missing by Nara. We have the pawn shops on alert. Were you not paying attention yesterday when we mentioned this?”
“Hmm.” Kakashi sighed; completely forgetting the reason Sasuke and Shikamaru went to speak with the security guard. He was so intent on visiting Naruto and messing with his mind that it completely slipped his. “Whoever shot him could have taken it, but if they lured him out there for the sole purpose of killing him then they would know that we would know it was missing... eventually.”
“He may be holding on to it, but I don’t understand why you would rob the body if it was premeditated. If you wanted it to look like a robbery they would have stripped everything of value, which they didn’t.”
“No, so this necklace was important to the murderer, but was it the reason they killed or was it the ‘
spoils of victory’?”
“I wish I could answer that.” Sasuke drawled.
~CALM~
Naruto smiled at the red-haired woman as she sat with her legs bent beneath her and arms crossed looking cross. “Karin Hebi, this is my partner Naruto.” She nodded curtly in greeting, tipping her chair back to look down her nose at them. “We would like you to walk us through the events from the other day just as you remember them.” She sighed and leaned against the back of the stiff chair.
“Suigetsu and I were on our way to score at the usual place. We were hoping to get one last hit before the place was demolished; it was our favorite place to go. Lots of privacy and the people left you be. We walked right in as usual; into the room we usually meet him in. I saw the body first and ran to use the telephone in the apartment building across the street. That stupid security guard wouldn’t let us in, even after we told him about the dead body. He only moved his ass when I said there could be a reward for reporting it. Pfft, stupid moron, you only receive rewards when you help solve the case and that is only when it is offered.” She prattled on.
“You didn’t see anyone enter or leave the building in that time?”
“No one but the security guard, and he were the only one to enter after we left.”
“And where was your dealer during all of this?”
“I saw him walking towards us before he caught a glimpse of all the police and turned around the other way.”
“Thank you.” Shikamaru stated, mentally crossing the dealer off the list of potential suspects.
“Hmm, you sure are going through a lot of trouble for a Senator.”
“That Senator means a lot to a lot of people.”
“It just seems pointless. No one cares if you find the murderer or not.”
“That’s not true, I care. His family cares.” Naruto muttered sadly. “It’s not pointless and yes, it may be a lot of trouble, but he deserves justice don’t you agree.”
“You’re just saying that because he was Senator.”
“No, if that had been your body instead of Jiraiya’s I wouldn’t rest until I brought your murderer to justice. I don’t pick and choose victims by status. They could be a serial killer and I would still work to find their murderer, I may have less sympathy for them, but I would still find their murderer.”
Karin stared in bemusement before muttering. “You are an interesting person, stupid, but interesting.”
“Forgive me if I don’t agree with that.”
“Which part...?” Karin asked, her lips wavering towards a smile.
“There is one more thing. Can you look at this?” Shikamaru held out a paper to her. Karin untangled her arms and reached out for the paper, frowning at it. “Have you ever seen that?”
“Sorry, no. Trust me, if I had seen that...” She whistled.
“Thank you.” Shikamaru stated with a sigh, releasing her from the interview. Naruto followed her out and towards Sasuke and Kakashi, only to have his arm seized and pulled back into the interview room suddenly. Sasuke frowned as the door snapped shut, closing him off from the blonde.
“Uh oh, trouble in paradise.” Kiba mocked, staring in that direction with curiosity brimming in his eyes. He wasn’t the only curious one in the room.
~CALM ~
“Where the hell were you?” Shikamaru demanded, leaning against the table for support.
“I was out.” Naruto stated weakly, but he didn’t impress his genius partner. Shikamaru crossed his arms, staring at his friend in anger. He was determined to get it out of him, one way or another.
“Where did you go?”
“For a walk...I lost track of time...”
“Naruto?”
“What?!” He whined.
“You know what! Where were you?!”
“Out...”
“Damnit, Naruto!”
“What do you want to hear? That I screwed up? Fine I screwed up again.” Naruto whispered staring at the ground. Even though he felt happy about the events that transpired last night, he also felt ashamed. He knew that this was a problem for him, but damn it, all Shikamaru had to do was claim him and he wouldn’t have to go out looking for relationships!
Shikamaru released his crossed arms in sudden concern. “How?”
Naruto gave him a look that questioned his question and laughed mockingly. “Do you really need to ask?”
“Naruto…” Shikamaru sighed. He couldn’t believe that Naruto had gone off and had a one night stand again! He had hoped that it wasn’t the case this time that Naruto would have a convincing argument this time, but he was proven wrong…again. Why did he continue to do this?! Shikamaru felt his stomach clench in anger; it could have been him that Naruto was with. If only he hadn’t promised Jiraiya!
“Don’t Shikamaru; I don’t want to hear it. It’s different this time.”
“You always say that, Naru.” He muttered sadly, shaking his head. Every time Naruto would claim that it was different, but they always left him after they got what they wanted. Well, he wasn’t going to let Naruto pursue them, not this time! It would end with the one night stand!
“Honest, Shika!” Naruto defended, blue eyes widening in slight panic. He had to make Shikamaru believe him because it was different this time! Everything with Sasuke was different! He had stayed!
“What makes this any different from all the other times, Naruto?” He bit out angrily. Jealousy was flaring in his chest and yet he knew he had no right. Naruto wasn’t his no matter how much he wanted him.
“He didn’t just want his satisfaction; he wanted me to enjoy it, too.” Shikamaru shook his head, but allowed Naruto to continue. “We did it more than once...”
“This isn’t really convincing me that it’s different, Naruto.” Shikamaru started, hiding his genuine surprise at the news behind a mask of anger. Just who was this person to use him twice in one night?!
“He was gentle with me...”
“Naruto...” Shikamaru clenched his teeth gripping the table tightly. His knuckles turned pale with the pressure he was exerting.
“I bottomed.” Naruto whispered, staring at the ground in embarrassment. Shikamaru’s heart swelled with furious anger. How could he go off and let someone take him! How could he be so stupid! Didn’t he care about the promises he made himself, did that mean nothing to him!
“Naruto, what the hell have you done?! You go and lie with someone insignificant, letting them take something that you were saving for someone special. How could you be so stupid?! How could you do that to yourself? How could you break your promises? How could you do that with someone you don’t know? Even when you knew they would leave you like always?!” He ranted, causing Naruto to take a step back in shock.
“He didn’t leave me the next morning!” Naruto shouted, rubbing at his forehead and pacing the room. “He stayed; he actually stayed and it freaked me out. No one ever stayed before; not even you! I was so shocked that I kicked him out.”
Taken aback by the news Shikamaru had only one thought streaming through his head. It roared at him demanding an answer and who was he to deny. “Who was it?” He spat.
Naruto’s head shot up in his direction and he took another involuntary step back. He had never heard Shikamaru sound so vicious before and who the hell was he to be angry about this! “No.” Naruto whispered vehemently.
“What?” Shikamaru asked, put off by his partner’s sudden reluctance to tell him anything further.
“You don’t get to know that!” Naruto growled. “Who the hell do you think you are?! You don’t get to act all offended and territorial and jealous. You made it quite clear you didn’t want me; repeatedly in fact. I want to take this further and I won’t let you interfere!”
“You don’t know what you are saying, Naruto...?”
“Stop; just stop it! Do you think I’m an idiot or something? I waited for you every time someone new in my life ran away! I waited for you to slip into my bed every time and take me, hard and fast or soft and gentle! It didn’t matter as long as you took me, but you didn’t! You made me feel like I wasn’t good enough...”
“That’s not what I intended......You wanted me to take you?” Shikamaru asked in shock, but Naruto wasn’t listening; too caught up in his anger to hear anything.
“Well, he made me feel like I was good enough! Not you, him! I want to see where this goes, so back off!” Naruto growled. He wrenched the door open and stormed off, leaving Shikamaru to stand in the doorway abashed, unable to give chase. He had never been on the receiving end of one of Naruto’s rants before and from this position he never wanted to be here again. That was the worst thing he had ever been through and he had been on the receiving end of Jiraiya’s anger.
“I need your help with something.” Naruto snapped, storming up and dragging along an unresisting Sasuke as he passed by in a fury. Everyone moved out of his way as he passed, awed by the feral anger radiating from his pores and the sinister look that seemed to overwhelm his eyes. Sasuke wisely remained silent as he was pulled along, almost fearing for his life. Almost.
Naruto released the Uchiha only when they had made it outside and climbed up into his truck. He gave a questioning look to Sasuke who scrambled to enter after him. He started the ignition and pulled out of the parking lot and without waiting for Sasuke to speak, got right down to business.
“I don’t want to get into what happened last night and now is really not the time to talk about it; but if you want anything out of this I need to know. Take some time to think about it and we can talk more about it later. What I really want from you now is to see where Jiraiya died. The pictures are no help to me; I want to see it up close. Can you do that for me?” Naruto asked, taking his eyes off the road long enough to gauge Sasuke’s reaction.
Sasuke had remained silent throughout Naruto’s monologue; his stomach flip-flopping at the thought of a relationship with him. He really wanted to try, but Naruto wasn’t interested in his answer yet, so he’d have to wait. “Do you think it will help the investigation if you see the crime scene for yourself?” He asked.
“It certainly wouldn’t hurt anything.” Naruto replied, rubbing his scalp vigorously.
“I’ll help you, then.” Sasuke agreed. He gained a smile from Naruto causing his heart to flutter in his chest. He knew now that he always wanted to keep a smile on that face. As Uchiha there would be no one better to do just that!
“Good.”
~CALM~
Narrowed eyes watched from above as what could only be described as an orange monstrosity pulled up outside the building again, but instead of turning to enter the apartment building the two detectives made their way to the crime scene instead. Eyes zeroed in on the blonde with a hint of trepidation. This couldn’t be good. The man pulled out his phone and dialed waiting for the answer.
‘What is it; you know I dislike being disturbed during...’ “There could be a problem.” He muttered, cutting off the other man.
‘What problem would this be?’ “Our young Senator has made his way to the crime scene.”
‘
Do what you must, but try not to kill him. He could still prove to be valuable yet.’ “I understand.”
‘Good.” He laughed.
“Oh, and I’ll only give you this warning once. Never interrupt me again!’ The man stared at his phone and sighed. Sometimes his boss could be volatile. He snapped the phone shut and made his way inside to keep an eye on the detectives.
~CALM~
Naruto and Sasuke pulled up outside the building and just like Shikamaru had been yesterday it held Naruto’s complete attention. It looked, if anything, worse than it had yesterday. But then it could just have been the darker clouds and lack of proper sunlight today.
“This is it?” Naruto asked sadly.
“Unfortunately, it is.” Sasuke muttered, staring at the building in distaste. He crossed the street and strolled up to the door, Naruto following closely behind him. He pulled out a pocket knife and slit the red crime scene seal* and entered inside. The blonde followed close behind. The first thing Naruto noticed was the crumbling interior that the pictures just couldn’t do justice to; the second thing was the heavy amount of mold on the walls that were still standing, the smell burning his nostrils. He brought up his sleeve covered hand and covered his mouth, forcing back the bile that threatened to escape. Sasuke felt sympathy for his dobe as the smell choked him and made his eyes water slightly. He led the way quickly to the room that Jiraiya had been discovered in. Naruto followed him with slight trepidation.
He stared around in consternation, looking at the red pool of congealed blood that hadn’t been worth the time to clean up. Really, didn’t this city have crime scene clean-up? He walked over slowly, noted an unevenness to the concrete floor and knelt. His stomach clenched and his spine tingled as he looked at the browning blood pool. There seemed to be something off about what he was seeing, but he chalked it up to his emotional state, dismissing what he normally wouldn’t otherwise. He took in his surroundings, recalling what was in the report and noting the exact position of everything collected and documented. This certainly helped him, he just didn’t know how yet.
“Thank you, teme.” Naruto muttered, standing up to his full height.
“Did it help?” Sasuke asked, taking a step towards him.
“I think it did, I just don’t know how yet.” Naruto whispered. Sasuke nodded and walked back outside and into fresh air, Naruto right behind him. He took in gulps of air trying to rid him of the smell of mold that lingered around his nose.
“It’s about time!” A woman shouted, advancing on them in a rush. Sasuke and Naruto turned to stare at her in slight stupefaction. “Konoha’s finest; can’t even get here in a decent amount of time.”
“Excuse me?” Sasuke snarled. Naruto laid his hand on his upper arm, warning him to stay calm.
“I heard someone in there. It’s those vagrants again! Their moving back in now that the building isn’t being torn down!”
“Calm down, it was us in there just now.” Sasuke growled.
“No, this was before you arrived! Ah, this city is going to shit! What the hell are we paying you for if you can’t even respond properly to a citizen’s complaint?!
“We’ll check it out.” Naruto assured, smiling to calm the woman down. He seemed to have the magical touch as she quieted down instantly. Naruto crossed the street and paused by the door, his stomach clenching painfully again. He grimaced at the feeling, but he couldn’t ignore it when it was this strong. “I have a bad feeling about this.” He whispered as Sasuke stopped behind him.
The Uchiha nodded and pulled out his gun, pushing the door open. Naruto followed behind him as they entered and surveyed the surrounding area; this time with a critical eye. Naruto pointed to the stairs and headed in that direction, leaving Sasuke the first floor to search.
Heading up the stairs, he pulled out his gun and looked out over the area. He took a step forward and towards one of the back rooms where there was a door ajar. He crept to the side and pushed it open, waiting to see if anyone came out. When no one did he advanced in to the room. He wrinkled his nose at the disarray and upon closer inspection he saw nothing of significance. Sighing he turned around and made his way back out into the other room.
Naruto froze as a loud sound was heard on the lower level. It sounded like something heavy hitting against the concrete. The first thought that ran through his mind was that the building was going to fall on top of them, the second thought was of Sasuke and that was enough to have his blood running cold.
He rushed to the steps intent on making his way down to the first level and to Sasuke when he was confronted by a man on the landing. He let his gun fall by his side, believing it to be the teme, but something tingled at the back of his neck, warning him that something wasn’t right here. The man advanced on him slowly, his face hidden in shadow. He laughed at the blonde standing before him and Naruto instinctively raised his gun.
“Uh-uh.” The man laughed and pointed a gun straight at him. Naruto stalled staring at who he had believed to be Sasuke, but was now a suspect. He glared fiercely at the man, putting on his best menacing mask.
“What do you want here? This is a crime scene!” Naruto growled, but the man was consumed with hysterical laughter. Naruto was about to take his chances and fire his gun when he heard another cock behind him. He turned his head to the side just enough to see a man creeping up on him; his hands raising instinctively in supplication and his eyes squinting as the dim light from the window reflected off something shiny… … … … … … … …
BANG!
~CALM~
Sasuke growled out in frustration as he witnessed nothing but a crumbling building. That stupid woman was just hearing things! He replaced his gun in his holster and made his way back to the front of the building, intent on finding the dobe and getting out of here. The place was starting to creep him out with all the creaking noises and such. What he hadn’t been intent on was tripping over a protruding box and stumbling into a nearby wall. To his dismay the wall gave way crashing to the ground and scattering bricks over the floor. Particles rose up in the air from the brick-dust choking the air out of Sasuke’s lungs.
He growled at the mess and cursed the building as he stormed to the front. He wanted out of this building right now before it fell on the two of them and buried them alive! He froze as he heard a gunshot from above his heart lurching in his chest. He instinctively pulled out his gun and rushed up the steps to see a man standing over a body, his gun poised to shoot again.
His heart pounded in his ears as he raced to reach Naruto in time, because he had no doubt that the body on the ground was his dobe. He couldn’t say why, but he knew it. Naruto was down! His heart dropped when it became clear that he wasn’t going to make it in time! He aimed his gun and shot.........
The man turned around and stared at him, his gun rising to aim at Sasuke instead. The raven’s heart sank, he had missed him! How could he miss him at that range? It was impossible!
Another shot rang out, before the man ran off and up to the third floor, disappearing out of sight moments later. Sasuke paused by the body on the ground, his heart thumping erratically. Naruto was lying there, unmoving and bleeding profusely from his upper chest. His hand shook as he pulled off his jacket and pushed it against the open wound, trying to stem the flow of blood. Naruto didn’t stir and panic flooded the Uchiha like he had never felt before. He reached for his radio and called out. “Officer down!”
~CALM~
The detectives of Konoha PD were gathered around the precinct, some on duty and some just leaving for the day. Shikamaru and Kakashi had gone over all the evidence and witness statements, trying to find another lead; or so they were pretending. They were actually waiting for Naruto and Sasuke to return from wherever they drove off too. Kiba was enjoying having the next two days off along with Ino; Tenten and Shino were just arriving and settling in; and Temari and Neji were halfway through their shift. They were all taking advantage of the silence that was only broken by a woman’s voice crackling over the scanner.
“Please repeat?”
‘Officer…’ The man’s voice crackled, but cut out. Everyone’s attention turned to the scanner as Tsunade made her way from her office in interest. It was impossible not to hear that scanner from any room in the square precinct. A frown marred her face as she settled against the doorway and crossed her arms over her ample chest, listening intently. It wasn’t often that the scanner was used, the last time being for Jiraiya.
“Transmission not received, please repeat?” The woman asked professionally.
‘...Officer... ...’ The voice huffed, fading out.
“Transmission not received…” She repeated.
‘OFFICER DOWN!’
Everyone started at that. Kakashi sought out Tsunade’s gaze, but she held up her hand stilling her detectives. Kakashi got the hint and settled into waiting. It wasn’t uncommon for them to pick up communications from the neighboring town of Iwa. That could account for the interference in the transmission.
“What is your location?” The woman asked calmly, maintaining her professionalism even though her heart had to be pounding at the thought of an officer shoot in the line of duty.
‘…0……3… Sa… Ave.’
“Transmission not received, please repeat.”
‘1023…Ave…… 10… …Sage…’
Kakashi’s heart dropped at the garbled address. He turned to stare at Tsunade again who feared the same thing. 1023 Sage Ave., the building Jiraiya had been murdered in.
‘Hurry......dead.’ The voice huffed.
Tsunade gasped immediately fearing the worst. She ran back into her office and grabbed up her keys, making her way to her Lexus. She didn’t wait for anyone; they followed anyway.
~CALM~
Everyone stormed into the hospital as Tsunade rushed towards the first nurse she saw demanding details. It was unclear who had been shot, but they knew that it was either Sasuke or Naruto; it couldn’t be anyone else...not at that address. Tsunade was directed to the operating room’s waiting room on the third floor, where everyone piled inside waiting anxiously for any news.
Tsunade took to pacing the hallway waiting and praying that they were going to be ok. Kakashi leaned against the white tiled wall, following Tsunade with his eyes. Tears started flowing from her eyes thinking the worst... that one of them really had died.
“What were they doing there?” She demanded, turning a glare on her lieutenant.
“I don’t know, but considering who Naruto is, is it really a stretch to think that he would want to see the place in person?”
“They shouldn’t have been there!” She growled her pacing picking up speed.
“I should have known that Naruto would want to go there eventually.” Shikamaru stated. He was leaning heavily on his crutches, his hands shaking like a leaf. “I should have foreseen it and sent someone after them...but who would expect danger at a closed crime scene?”
Tsunade shook her head continuing to wear a hole in the floor. She only paused when a nurse bustled up to her; her heart sinking with the look on her face.
~CALM~
Sasuke continued to apply pressure to the wound, trying to stop the excessive amount of bleeding as he waited for the ambulance to get there. Naruto’s pulse was weak and he was beginning to fear that he wouldn’t make it. He shook his head banishing the thought. Naruto wouldn’t leave him, he wouldn’t let him.
“Please don’t die; please don’t die?” Sasuke whispered out. “Please?” He gasped shaking from head to toe. He was shaking from chill and sweating, but all he cared about was making sure that Naruto lived.
“Don’t die. Don’t you die on me, damn it! I don’t lose partners, not this way, not ever! Where the hell are they?!” Sasuke growled as the tears gathered at his eyes. “Don’t you dare die on me, dobe? I will never forgive you if you do!!”
He was so absorbed in his mantra that he failed to realize that the paramedics had arrived and were trying to move him away from Naruto to begin treatment. Confused, Sasuke released the pressure to Naruto’s chest and sat back ignoring the paramedic trying to treat him and watching the others hook Naruto up to machines.
“The patient is uncommunicative!” The paramedic tending Sasuke yelled. “Sir, you’ve been shot. Sir?” But Sasuke wasn’t listening. He was having trouble catching his breath and his heart was about to beat out of his chest, but he wasn’t concerned for himself. Naruto had to live because he still had to give him his answer!
“Put this on, sir.” A mask was placed over Sasuke’s mouth, overriding his attempts to bat it away. He felt pressure on his upper arm, but he was completely focused on his partner. He was still unresponsive and his heart was beating slowly, too slow. And then the sound that Sasuke had been dreading. A prolonged whine reached his ears and the medics rushed to attach the defibrillator.
They shocked at Naruto’s heart trying to bring life back into him, but it failed. They shocked him again and again and again, but there was no beat. Sasuke took a shuddering breath, fearing that he had just witnessed someone dying before his eyes. It was a heart-wrenching feeling to be so completely powerless to save someone’s life. Someone you had held in your arms just hours ago, whispering lust filled words into blushing ears.
Tears started to form at the corners of his eyes again. He couldn’t lose him now, not when he hadn’t so little time with him. How could fate be so cruel? Hadn’t they taken enough from him?
Sasuke heard another shock reach his ears and the faint sound of a beat on the monitor. His heart swelled with hope as the medics wasted no time in boarding Naruto into the ambulance and racing for the hospital. He was taken straight to the operating room where doctors began the struggle to save his life.
~CALM~
Sasuke waited long enough for the doctors to bandage his arm before he tore out of the room and down the hallway. The nurses chased after him urging him to return to his bed, he was injured and needed his rest; but Sasuke refused to listen. He made his way through the stairwell and up to the third floor, knowing that was where Naruto was. He stormed down the hallway, focusing in on the four people standing there. He noticed Tsunade turn and stare at him.
“What the hell are you doing?!” She demanded, forcing him immediately into the chair right across from the waiting room door. Everyone inside stirred at the sight of him, but he was only interested in one thing, Naruto.
“You need to return to your room, Mr. Uchiha!” The nurse demanded as she finally caught up to him. Sasuke glared at the woman and snarled. He was not afraid of this woman!
“Leave me alone!”
“You are recovering from a serious injury, you must return to your room promptly!”
“Go away!” He snarled again.
“I must insist…”
“I don’t care; I am not leaving this chair for anything!” The nurse clucked indignantly and retreated. It wasn’t long before she was back and pulling an IV with her. She grabbed up the fuming Uchiha’s arm and wiped the skin down with alcohol before sticking him with a needle. Sasuke didn’t even flinch at the treatment. She reached into her pocket and pulled out another needle. She removed the cap and stuck it into the end of the IV, injecting the liquid into his system.
Sasuke felt the effects immediately as the pain subsided considerably in his arm. “I’ll be back to check on you in half an hour.” She muttered and stormed away.
“Hn.”
“We’ll let you know more in a bit.” The other nurse murmured, staring at the other nurses retreat in wonderment, before retreating through a set of swinging doors herself.
“Sasuke!” Ino shouted and rushed to hug him. She faltered when she saw a heated glare directed right at her. “Sasuke?”
“What the hell happened?!” Tsunade hissed, rounding on her detective.
“I don’t know.” He whispered, his fist clenching in anger.
“What do you mean you don’t know?!” She demanded.
“I don’t know!” He repeated, shocked that the details weren’t coming to him. He always thought that he would make a great witness, seeing as he was a detective and all, but for some reason the memories wouldn’t flow.
“We need to calm down, Tsunade. Sasuke needs time to get over the shock...We need to contact Iruka and get him over there, Tenten and Shino should be there securing the crime scene as we speak.”
“Do what needs to be done.” She ordered and resumed her pacing. Kakashi nodded as he made his way outside to make the call, turning on his cell as soon as the sliding doors closed behind him.
~CALM~
True to her word the nurse returned and took in Sasuke’s frazzled state. “You need to lie down and get some rest, Mr. Uchiha.” She soothed.
“I’m not moving.” He ground out.
“At least lie down?” She asked.
“No.”
“You need rest, Mr. Uchiha!”
“I’m fine; I will rest when my partner is out of surgery.”
“If it is as bad as you say than they will be in there for hours. You can sleep...”
“I don’t want to sleep!” Sasuke growled his onyx eyes rippling anger on the woman.
“Fine, then I’ll be back in another half hour to check on you!” She stormed off again to disappear around the corner.
“You won’t change my mind no matter how many times you come back.” He shot at her.
“You really should be resting...” Kakashi started.
“This is resting.” Sasuke snapped, brooking no further argument.
~CALM~
Every half hour the nurse would return, imploring the Uchiha to go back to bed, but he steadfastly refused. He was given a pillow and a blanket the sixth time she visited. It was about that time that Iruka showed up. There was still no word on Naruto as it reached the fourth hour mark, the day sliding into the afternoon hours without a care to the concerned people waiting inside. Eyes shifted to the swinging doors as they swung open to reveal another nurse. She smiled kindly at the gathering before handing Iruka a small bag.
“They were able to extract the bullet and the surgeon is repairing the wound as best he can. It looks like you have a long day ahead of you.”
“Thank you.” Tsunade nodded.
“I’ll be back after I process this.” Iruka promised turning to leave.
“Will you let us know the minute you know anything?” Kakashi asked.
“Certainly.” Iruka nodded, smiling at Kakashi in turn.
Everyone settled back down for a long day of waiting as Iruka departed. The hours passed by slowly, the group becoming restless with anxiety. It had just reached the six-hour mark when Kiba suddenly volunteered for a food run and made his way to the snack bar. As he turned the corner back towards the waiting room, his arms laden with food, he bumped into a man who was staring at the gathered group with sadness in his eyes.
“Excuse me.” Kiba laughed nervously trying to side step him.
“Is there any word yet on Naruto?” The old man asked gravely freezing Kiba in his tracks.
“You know Naruto?” Kiba asked in shock, swiveling back around to face him. The old man nodded sadly and made his way stiffly towards Tsunade.
“We haven’t heard anything yet.” Kiba replied, jogging to catch up to him. “How do you know Naruto? Are you his grandfather?”
The man stopped and looked at Kiba with profound sorrow in his dark eyes. “No, I am not his grandfather.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“You do not have to be.”
Tsunade turned to see Kiba approach and pushed off the wall in shock. “Sarutobi Sensei?” She asked.
“Tsunade.” He nodded.
“Whoa, you’re Naruto’s boss?!” Kiba exclaimed in shock losing the food to the ground. He laughed sheepishly and bent down to pick it up.
“I forgot to call you!” She gasped eyes widening in horror. “I’m so sorry!”
“It is fine, Tsunade, considering the circumstances. I am here now and that is all that matters.”
“How did you know...?” She asked.
“One of your detectives, Tenten, was kind enough to inform me after I arrived at your precinct. I immediately made my way here.”
“I see. It doesn’t look good.” Tsunade whispered.
“I heard that the bullet was extracted.”
“Yes, Iruka went to analyze it.” She muttered, slightly distracted by the swinging doors fluttering slightly on its hinges. “So what is your reason for visiting again?” She asked, biting at her thumb.
“I came to take Naruto back with me to Konohagakure.” Chief Sarutobi replied gravely.
“Wait, why?!” Kiba exclaimed. Sasuke stirred in his seat in surprise and confusion.
“For what reason?” Tsunade demanded her full attention transferred to her old Sensei.
“It has come to my attention that he had gotten himself into a little screw up and I thought it wise that he return home promptly.”
Tsunade turned and glared at Shikamaru who did nothing to defend himself. “You did this?” She seethed.
“You don’t know Naruto like I do. I can’t have him disappearing on me...”
“When did he disappear?” She growled. It was news to her that Naruto had been missing for any length of time.
“It was last night. He didn’t return to the hotel, so I called Chief Sarutobi.”
“So that was why you were angry with him this morning?” Temari demanded.
“Like I said, I know Naruto better than you do. He screwed up last night and he even admitted that he did.”
“Then that is taking responsibility. You should have waited to find out where he went.” Ino replied.
“I didn’t need to wait; I may not know where he had been, but I certainly knew what he was up too.”
“What is it that he has done? It can’t be that bad to have him sent home.” Neji murmured.
“It is nothing illegal, but I warned him...”
“That if he slept with anyone you would send him home?” Sasuke snarled. Shikamaru stared at him, his eyes widening in shock. “I find that conversation hard to believe.”
“It was you?!” Shikamaru muttered. Everyone turned to stare critically at Sasuke, not quite believing what they were hearing.
“Wait, you and Naruto...?” Temari asked in surprise. “But I thought that you guys...and with your argument?”
“It wasn’t exactly planned.”
“It never is with Naruto.” Shikamaru drawled.
“You make him sound like a whore.” Sasuke snapped.
“I have never called him that!” Shikamaru defended.
“You didn’t have too; your attitude about his sexuality proves it.”
“He has no filter; he will bed anyone when he is in that temperament!”
“I thought you called yourself his friend! It seems to me like you’re turning on him now that he isn’t here to defend himself!”
“I am doing no such thing. He needs help!”
“I find nothing wrong with him!”
“Obviously, you wouldn’t! You were the one to bed him!”
“Both of you enough.” Chief Sarutobi muttered calmly. “I am more than aware of Naruto’s proclivity and I knew it was a precarious decision to send him here; for other reasons notwithstanding, but it isn’t because of Shikamaru’s phone call that I am bringing him back to the city. There are other things that need his immediate attention; not even Jiraiya’s murder takes precedence over this.”
The room descended into an electrified silence after that statement, Sasuke silently seething. Slowly the gathered people slipped off into a fitful sleep until only a few were left awake. Shikamaru hobbled his way over to Sasuke and plopped down in the chair next to him with an almighty sigh.
“Can’t you understand how much I worry about him?” He whispered.
“You shouldn’t have done what you did, Nara.” Sasuke replied stiffly.
“Maybe not. It’s just that I worry about him, especially when he runs off and disappears.”
“Hn.”
“Are you able to tell us what happened now?” Tsunade pinned Sasuke with a hard look, interrupting their conversation before it got out of hand. She had started her pacing again, her thumb between her teeth when Sasuke nodded.
“Naruto wanted to go to the building; he said that the pictures were no help to him.”
“And what happened when you got there?!” She demanded.
“We went inside and I showed him the crime scene. We weren’t in there long and when we left a woman on the street accosted us. She was yelling about how worthless the Konoha Police were and that it was about time that we showed up. She said that she heard noises inside, so we went back in to investigate.”
“Why didn’t you call for back up?” Kakashi asked.
“Because I assumed that what she heard was us. We split up and I took the first floor while Naruto took the second floor. I found nothing so I went to find the dobe. That’s when I heard it; a gunshot. It came from above me and I raced my way to the steps.” Sasuke frowned, recalling the memories too vividly. “He...he was standing over the dobe and he was going to shoot him again. I...I shot at him, but I missed. He was so close and yet I missed?
“The shooter turned towards me and shot. I didn’t know...I didn’t know that...” He grabbed at his bandaged arm gingerly. “He ran off and I rushed to Naruto. He wasn’t moving and his pulse was weak... There was so much blood...I thought that he would die at any second.” He was shaking like a leaf as he held his head in his hands. Everyone took notice of the bloodstains around his fingernails that hadn’t been completely washed off.
“He flat lined. He had actually died before they shocked him...so many times. I thought that I had just witnessed...just witnessed…but then his heart was beating.” His eyes reflected the horror to which he had borne witness too, causing a shiver to wrack through many of them.
“I forgot.” Sasuke whispered out, turning to stare at Shikamaru. Brown eyes widened in understanding regret evident on his face.
“You forgot what, Sasuke?” Kakashi asked.
“He said he had a bad feeling when we went to go back in, but when I saw nothing...I forgot.”
“It’s ok, Sasuke.” Shikamaru replied. “You couldn’t have known that something like that was about to happen. No one knows, not even Naruto.”
“I don’t know how they got in there though.” Realization just hitting him, Sasuke could only stare in shock, his eyes following his memories in motion as they played out before him again.
“What do you mean?” Shikamaru asked.
“The crime scene seal, it wasn’t broken when we got there. I know because I cut it to enter and when we left the woman was right outside in front, no one could have snuck in behind us. I forgot...” Sasuke admitted, still shaking.
“We have a problem, Chief Sarutobi.” A man replied startling the group. He came to stand next to the chief looking almost bored. At the sight of the newcomer Sasuke’s eyes narrowed and he released a feral growl.
“Sasuke.” The newcomer replied.
“What are you doing here?” The raven demanded.
“I would be here visiting you if I had been informed that you had been shot, but seeing as I was not, I am here on official business. The bullet extracted from Naruto produced a hit, Chief. It has been linked to a cold-case; a seventeen year old double homicide.”
“Their names?” Sarutobi asked gravely.
“My parents.” Itachi uttered.
“That can’t be possible!” Sasuke shot up from his chair and growled.
“But it is little brother. Somehow our parent’s murder and the murder of Senator Jiraiya are linked. It cannot be mere coincidence that Naruto was shot with the same gun that killed our parent’s in the same building that the Senator was murdered in.”
“What the hell did we get ourselves entangled in?” Shikamaru flopped back against his chair, stunned.
“That is a good question, Shikamaru.” Tsunade stated pacing across the floor again. Her mind was working furiously at the new information.
Once again the nurse was back, this time with a fresh IV. She deftly switched them out and pulled the discarded blanket from the other chair. She ignored Sasuke’s glare and covered him, leaving without another word.
“Hmm, given recent developments I have to insist that Sasuke be removed from the case Tsunade.” Chief Sarutobi replied.
“It’s already done. I couldn’t have allowed him to continue anyway after having been shot.”
“I’m going to bring in two more of my detectives to help and I’ll be sticking around a little longer to help.”
“So you’re taking this away from me?” Tsunade demanded in outrage.
“On the contrary, Tsunade, you are free to investigate...” Sarutobi replied turning to look at Itachi whose phone was ringing shrilly.
He reached into his pocket and answered, listening intently to the other person on the line. “How did it get out?!” He demanded. “Stall it. Make sure that it does not make the morning news...I do not care how you do it. Do not let it leak out...! No, this could be damaging...Who? I have never heard of him...Call me back.”
Itachi ended the call and turned to stare at Chief Sarutobi. “We have a big problem. The news about Naruto has been leaked to KHK**; it will air in fifteen minutes if Sasori cannot get an injunction.”
“That is a big problem. Who is behind this?” Sarutobi demanded.
“A man named Danzo Shimura. He runs the local newspaper here, the Konoha Daily.”
“Why would letting the public know that Naruto was shot be a problem?” Temari asked confusedly.
“This could be disastrous.” Shikamaru paled considerably setting everyone on tenterhooks.
“Let us hope that it was stalled.” Itachi murmured. He walked inside the waiting room and turned the TV on, waiting. Every eye, but Sasuke’s turned to view the TV as commercials splashed across the screen, unsure of what they were waiting to see. Itachi cursed as the commercials went away to reveal breaking news. His phone rang out again and he answered with a snarl.
Every eye was glued to the screen as Naruto’s secrets were exposed for all to see, but no one was more shocked than one Uchiha. He couldn’t believe it! Naruto was a Namikaze, the next Senator to Konohagakure and Jiraiya’s grandson, but it didn’t stop there. They had to drudge up the twenty year disappearance of his parent’s, the young Governor and his Senator wife.
“Naruto is a Senator? Are you for real?” Kiba asked in awe. Sasuke turned away from the TV and noticed the nurse from the operating room standing off to the side. She was accompanied by the surgeon this time. Sasuke stood up hurriedly, fear flooding him. Naruto couldn’t have died could he?
“Next of kin?” The surgeon asked.
“He has none, but I’ll be responsible for his wellbeing.” Chief Sarutobi muttered, turning from the TV. “Please, feel free to speak to all of us.” The surgeon nodded and started to explain the complications during surgery.
~CALM~
The beeping was annoying him and he just wanted it to go away already. He felt tired and sore and unbelievably heart-broken. He couldn’t bear that feeling, it was too much for him, he just wanted to sleep and never feel again. Yet, there was something holding him back. It was indescribable, but it was there. It wouldn’t let him leave; it kept calling out to him, ever-present and demanding. He wanted it to shut up already so he could sleep in peace. And still that damnable beeping sound. Why wouldn’t it leave him alone!
BADUMP! “Dobe?” The voice whispered. Naruto’s heart broke at the sound, but he couldn’t understand why. Who was calling him and why did they sound so sad?
“Dobe?” The voice whispered again. Naruto let out a groan, why wouldn’t it let him sleep?!
BADUMP!!! “Dobe?” Pain was slowly inching its way into his consciousness and he wanted nothing more than for it to go away. It was too much pain for him, yet that voice kept calling him. Why were they fighting so hard?
“Naruto, don’t leave me.” It whispered.
BADUMP!! BADUMP!! Cracking an eye open he tried to focus on the blurred images of his surroundings. He was instantly aware of the excruciating pain that seemed like a dull ache to the fathomless heart-wrenching void in his soul. Where the hell was he and why was he in so much pain?
“Naruto...” Sasuke whispered, watching confused blue eyes focus on him. “Hey, you’re awake.” He replied happily. Naruto groaned as acute pain registered in his foggy brain. He blinked his eyes trying to clear up his blurry vision and instantly recognized the blurred blob as Sasuke.
BADUMP! BADUMP! BADUMP! “You didn’t leave...” Naruto whispered.
“Why would I leave you?” He asked sadly, sounding so heartbroken himself.
“Everyone does...” Naruto sighed.
“I’m not everyone.” Sasuke whispered.
Naruto sighed tiredly and slipped back into sleep, exhausted. Sasuke grabbed his hand in his and sat down in the chair of the ICU. Naruto had woken up and spoken to him. At that moment he couldn’t have been happier.
BADUMP... ... BADUM... ... ... ... BADU... ... ... ... ... ... Sadly his happiness was short-lived when Naruto’s heart flat-lined a minute later. Pain filled his heart resigning itself to the fact that Naruto wasn’t going to pull through this as the doctors ushered him from the room.
