Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or its characters and I make no profit from this story.
AN: To
Kiki22 I give you more; just like you asked. Thank you for the review!
Chapter Seven
May 27th
It was always the same, nothing ever changed, the hallways crowded and thick with harassed people bustling along in their daily grind. It made him sick just thinking about it. They were pathetic. What was their purpose?
He flexed his fingers, itching to strike and shake up their rigid, mundane routine. With a deep inhale of breath he controlled the impulse and advanced silently through the marbled interior of the courthouse. He spared a smirk, chuckling to himself how easy it had been to get through security. Finding his quarry would be no problem now.
He took to the stairs and descended one level to the courtrooms. There was a slight pause right outside the double oak doors as the officer standing guard shot him a suspicious look. With a nod of his head he pushed the door open and sat down in the last pew on the prosecutor’s side. Once again he controlled his impulses and settled in to study the long-haired raven addressing the judge.
Uchiha was vehemently fighting for a case that had passed its Statute of Limitations. At first it appeared a losing battle until Uchiha revealed two new victims well within the Statute. He was only looking for the first victims’ testimony to lend credence to the newer testimonies.
After a deliberating pause the judge allowed the motion to pass and set a court date in the near future. The defendant sat in furious silence as his serpentine lawyer looked on in disbelief.
Standing up, he slipped through the double oak doors as the occupants were busy packing up. No one but the guard at the door would know he was ever there.
When he was far enough away, a deep rumble from the pit of his stomach slipped from his mouth. The Councilman believed that he had the judge neatly in his pocket…
Uchiha was good at his job. He searched out all the judges on the Councils payroll and offered them a way out. Side with the Council and they would be torn down; or side with justice, either way, and maintain their positions. No judge went against the Uchiha.
More thought would be needed to successfully get to the young ADA. Out of the four he was the only one that gave him a cause for concern; the only one that had the best protection. He would find a way around that.
Stepping out into the glaring sunshine he strolled along the bustling street and up to the resting cherry-red Mercedes-Benz. He slid in effortlessly and turned the ignition. A thrill shot through him as he felt the raw power of the car beneath him and he gripped the steering wheel hard. He relished the feeling of being in control as he eased away from the curb and into the flow of traffic, allowing the interstate to deliver him to his next destination.
Pulling to a stop just a block away from his target he reached over to his glove compartment and removed a black tie. Using the rearview mirror he tied it expertly and reached for the black book resting peacefully in his passengers’ seat. He resisted the impulse to tear the book to shreds and exited his car. With confidence he strode into a cul-de-sac and knocked on the first door he saw. A woman answered the door and he greeted her enthusiastically.
He continued down the line of houses always keeping his destination within his sight. It only took an hour until he was standing on the porch of a two-story house ringing the doorbell. Really, was this the best that Tsunade had to offer?
Viewing the house sent a thrill of excitement rushing in his veins as he licked his lips in anticipation. He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes imagining the feel of the blade as it slipped into the flesh of the young man who looked too much like a girl…
His fingers flexed against the book in his grasp, trying to curb the impulse to finish this today. It wasn’t time yet; there was still seven days to plan every detail.
His eyes snapped open and his face cracked into a smile as he greeted the man who answered the door. An aura of suspicion surrounded the occupant as he stood there staring. He opened his mouth to speak first, but a fit of coughing seized him in that moment.
“Can I help you?” The man wheezed.
With a smile he delved right in. “Yes, I’m with the Temple *Shion. Would you spare a minute to discuss the good book with me? Do you attend services regularly?”
Another fit of coughing wracked his feeble frame as he waved the man off. “I’m not interested at this time and I’m much too busy to attend services. I thank you for the offer though.”
“Of course, life does not leave much time for the good book nowadays. Though, it would be wise to remember that we owe much to the good books teachings.”
“That may be, but I’m not overly religious.” The man coughed again. “Your time might be better suited searching out persons who share your beliefs and leave this depraved man to his sins.”
“Well, if you insist. It was a pleasure sharing your time today; and good afternoon.”
“Sure.” The man released another bout of coughing as he shut the door behind him and made his way in to the kitchen where his charge was sitting at the small table.
~REVENGE~
It was a silent walk back to his car, but internally he was thrumming with glee. His eyes followed the two men as they exited the house and walked the neighborhood. Naturally they would have to make sure that every other house had a visitor that day, it was only proper that Officer Gekko did his job.
That’s why he did his job thoroughly and covered all his bases. There was no conceivable way to know that a man showcasing the good book was the very person he was sent to guard against; but that didn’t prevent suspicion. Officer Gekko was a suspicious man, but he could easily be dealt with.
The engine roared to life and once again he relished in the feel of the power beneath him. He reached for his glove compartment and extracted a small pile of photos before loosening his tie and shoving it inside. He stared at the pictures with earnest.
Haku Yuki was sitting on a couch, in the same house he’d just visited, next to Hayate Gekko and laughing. Itachi Uchiha was standing outside the courthouse with the DA Yamato Tenzo, raven locks blowing free from his hair tie as they bent over a file. Sasuke Uchiha was entering the old colonial brick building that was Konoha Elementary with his female partner, but it was the last picture…
He studied it with ravenous intent, the one that held his interest. It was the oldest of the group; bent at two corners and a rip down the right side. Yes, this was the one he was salivating to get too; nothing else ranked as high as this boy. He would be the final act to his deadly sonata.
~REVENGE~
May 29th
My eyes followed Naruto as he walked slowly to the dresser and pulled out a pair of boxers and orange pajama bottoms. It had been two days since the scene at the station and two days since he refused to talk to me. It made me angry that he closed himself off. I still had questions that I wanted answered.
Naruto was slowly coming around to his usual self again and I should feel happy about that, but I couldn’t help the lingering resentment and shock that he didn’t trust me enough to talk to me. He flat-out refused to tell me how Orochimaru knew him! Yet, what shocked me more was his silence when we reached the hotel and his apathetic attitude the following day. I didn’t like the side of the dobe.
I stared at him through the mirror completely taken in by his raw beauty and sex appeal, marveling at the pull he had over me. He was definitely tanned all over and, much to my delight, it was all natural. He was lean, to the point of being almost girly; petite would be the word, and couldn’t weigh much more than Sakura. But I would never tell her that. He also had amazingly toned muscles; not like those body builders who had massive hunks of muscle. They were admirably defined and complimented him in every way.
He caught me staring in the mirror and smirked mischievously. He suddenly dropped his towel and walked slowly over to our bed before climbing in and straddling me. Naked from head to toe Naruto was the most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes upon. I leaned up and captured his lips with a sudden fiery need.
We wrestled for dominance and granted victory when he opened his mouth wide for my exploring tongue. I swiftly reversed our positions pinning a panting dobe beneath me. I stared at the bottomless pools of azure before me; wide and innocent. I wanted him so much I physically ached for him. It frustrated me to no end that I was unable to pleasure him the way that he deserved, but it frustrated me more to know that he had trusted someone and they betrayed him the first chance they got.
I recaptured his lips again and delved further into his waiting mouth, claiming it Uchiha territory. I mapped out every inch of him and committed it to memory; running my wandering hands over his flushed body, teasing a nipple, kneading his hips, rubbing his inner thigh gently. He released a breathy moan and opened blue eyes filled with want. Those eyes were for me alone; only I had the privilege to see them that way.
I groaned as I felt the bulge growing between my legs rub against the fabric of my jeans. Screwing up my eyes as my body protested my mind; I gasped in precious oxygen and moved away just as Naruto ground up. It didn’t go exactly as he’d planned and instead of hitting me hit thin air.
With a soft chuckle I pulled the dobe up into my lap as he flushed in embarrassment and refused to look me in the eyes. I kissed his forehead and roughly forced his rigid cock against my clothed one. The friction felt damn amazing and had me groaning his name in pleasure. Naruto released a ragged moan as I ground into him again with more fervor this time. It started out slowly, tentatively, but we soon found it too tortuous and I increased the speed.
I reached up and tweaked a nipple as I attacked his bronzed neck, earning a ragged gasp. I kissed a trail down his body, nipping a collar-bone as I went, and down his chest before attacking a pert nipple. I licked over the erect bud as I took it into my mouth and sucked, fondling and pinching his other bud with my fingers. I felt him shudder as I grazed my teeth and bit down gently; immediately attacking the other nipple as I ground into him again with need.
The dobes breath was harsh and ragged as I licked a trail down to a tanned belly button. Dipping my tongue inside, I felt Naruto arch his back in pleasure. He released a loud groan through labored panting and fisted the headboard with an iron grip. His hips complied with my vigorous kneading the skin red and sensitive under my touch. Blue eyes were hazy and lost in a fog of lust as he forced himself downward.
My hand snaked down and gripped his cock, tugging earnestly. Sweat rolled from his neck and down over his torso, making a trail down his body to splash on my pelvis. Damn, did that make me horny as hell! I flipped him over and unbuttoned my jeans, pulling them down around my knees. I slammed into him forcefully as my oncoming release seized me. My movements became frenzied as my body demanded absolution.
Naruto shuddered beneath me as his orgasm ripped through his body and spilled between us. I followed him seconds later as I continued to grind into him roughly. I groaned his name and collapsed beside him, panting for oxygen. Naruto nuzzled next to me gasping for his own breath.
I didn’t know how long we lay there, but the urge to use the bathroom had me shifting from my prone position. I grimaced at the feeling in my boxers; shocked to realize that I never did remove them. Naruto looked at me in embarrassment, uttering a quick apology.
“It’s fine, dobe. I needed a new pair anyway.” I stripped out of my pants, throwing them in the laundry for washing tomorrow, and walked naked to the bathroom. When I reached the door I called back to the dobe with mischievous intent. “Would you like to join me?’
It wasn’t long until Naruto was stepping into the shower behind me and snaking his arms around my torso, molding himself perfectly to me. I smirked at the feeling before pulling him from behind me and under the spraying jet. This time I was the one who washed him thoroughly.
~REVENGE~
May 30th
Tsunade stepped inside one of the older and unused offices of the Metropolitan Police Department and looked at her detectives. They were waiting, willing and capable to help in any way they could. Everything pertaining to the cases were relocated to this room and arranged for easy access and visibility. There was no fear of anyone being in another’s way.
Four days ago they learned about the ongoing investigation of a serial killer’s deadly rampage. Four days to acquaint themselves with the particulars of the cases and four days to observe the crime scenes of the recent murders.
They even stepped out and tracked down original witnesses; those that were still around after 16 years, and re-questioned them. There was nothing new to add. They couldn’t remember seeing anything out of the ordinary; it was such a shock to discover the bodies and a damn shame that great people died in such a way. They were too young to die with children no less.
Temari released a frustrated sigh and grabbed at her hair. “There has to be something somewhere. No crime is perfect!”
“Exactly,” Sakura growled. “No crime is perfect, but this is as close to perfection as you get. It’s clear that he knows what he’s doing. He’s meticulous and covers all his tracks. This is what we struggled with for weeks now; Kakashi longer than I, and chief Tsunade even longer than that. I honestly believe there is nothing to find.”
“Is there a possibility that there are more victims than what we have here and now? There are 16 years that he could have been active for and countless more victims whose families are potential targets.” Shikamaru asked.
“It’s a possibility, but I don’t find it likely. I’ve scoured the databases searching for anything resembling his MO. Suna to the southwest found nothing in their databases as well as Kumo in the northeast. I’ve heard nothing back from Mizu in the southeast, but they were going to search and get back to me. Iwa of the northwest refuse to return my calls. I’ve flagged the details so when something within the perimeter of our search goes through the database we’ll be alerted immediately. With that said, I believe he centralized in Konoha.” Kakashi stated.
“How likely is it that we’ll get a hit?” Temari asked.
“I wouldn’t place odds on it.” Kakashi replied pointedly to Kiba. He was known to take bets on anything and everything. It was best to discourage him now.
“Ok and what about this discrepancy in the pattern? All the victims left children behind because they were away during the murders; except one. Why was Naruto different; why was he home when the others weren’t and why was he attacked?”
Tsunade stopped short and looked at the blonde-haired woman. She’d thought of this before, but it had been sometime since thought went into it. If she was completely honest it completely slipped her mind over time.
“It never made much sense to me why…” Tsunade stated.
“Then how can we be sure the Namikaze’s were his victims? Maybe it’s just one large coincidence?” Shino asked. “Even the day of the attack is different…”
“No, the attack began Monday night and wasn’t discovered until Tuesday morning…and that fits with the recent pattern. Kakashi didn’t find Iwaga until a week after.” Sakura said.
“Ok Sakura,” Temari stated. “So why attack Naruto and not the others. You don’t find it just a little strange all the children were out of the house when the murders took place except for Naruto. Maybe someone wanted the Namikazes’ out of the way and used the rash of murders as a cover hoping it would be lumped together.”
“Except for the fact the Council refused to acknowledge that it was the work of one perpetrator.”
“But it could have been an opportunistic copy-cat.” Shino replied.
“We have no evidence to prove that.” Kakashi stated.
“There’s no evidence at all.” Kiba growled.
“That still doesn’t explain what went wrong with the Namikaze’s? Why was Naruto involved in the attack?” Temari questioned.
“Maybe the murderer removed them from his path…”
“Ok Kiba, let’s say he did find a way to get the children out-of-the-way. Still, it doesn’t explain Naruto.”
“It’s worth investigating.” Kakashi supplied.
“So the Namikaze’s remain on the list?” Tenten piped up.
She wilted immediately as all eyes turned to her. They had yet to forgive her outburst the other day. Swallowing, she soldiered on. “I-I mean, we-we know that all the victims up to now followed the pattern except for the Namikaze’s…
“I don’t know, it screams different to me and I’m not the only one bugged about it.”
“Then we need to determine one way or the other.” Tsunade replied coolly. “I want the locations for everyone for the days of each murder. Pay specific attention to the children’s whereabouts during the attacks. Kakashi and Shikamaru, you two have the Namikaze’s. Find out where they were that day and why Naruto was with them. I wish I could say that I knew, but I don’t and Naruto never spoke of it; ever. I don’t think he remembers anyway.”
“Do we have your permission to question him?” Kakashi asked.
“For all the little it would do, yes; if he’s willing, go ahead. When you get there have Uchiha call me. I have things that I need to discuss with him, some of them that I’ve been putting off.”
Kakashi nodded as he rose, tailed by the lazy genius. The room dispersed, everyone resigning themselves to a near-impossible search.
Left alone, Tsunade stared at the empty room marveling at how quiet it suddenly was. The station was eerily quiet, an oddity for her. She looked at the white board without seeing, replaying the day she found her nephew and his wife dead; their little boy soaked in blood from head to toe.
He had sat in the middle of the room looking at the lifeless bodies before him in a detached manner. He hadn’t uttered a word when she knelt and checked for signs of life from his parents; he didn’t even resist when she snatched him up and left the room behind to call the police. Only when officers had crammed themselves into every square inch of the small house did he finally make a sound. His words still brought chills to her spine and where the most confusing of all. ‘I was a good boy just like the man said.’
Naruto refused to tell her anymore about it when she tried to question him further. He’d started the mental shutdown that most likely spared his sanity and suppressed everything to the point he was unable to remember anything before that morning. Seven years gone; he no longer recalled his parents. It had taken him months before he could identify them in a picture.
It was that more than anything that broke her heart. The pain had been so much that he had completely forgotten them, forgotten the good times spent with them. Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose as she attempted to fight back the tears that fell from her eyes.
~REVENGE~
Naruto snuggled closer to me on the couch as I flipped through the channels looking for anything to watch. I snorted in disgust when I found nothing and felt Naruto chuckle beside me.
“You think this is funny?” I demanded.
He nodded happily before pulling himself up from his reclining position and whispering in my ear. “I want to go swimming instead.”
“I swear you live in water!” I growled.
It was a consistent frustration for me that Naruto had a constant need to be near, next to, and in water every second of the day! If I didn’t know firsthand that he was human, I would testify that he was part fish!
I leaned forward in to a standing position and stretched my cramped muscles, my back popping in places I didn’t know could pop. The dobe jumped happily and ran down the hall shedding clothes as he went. In less than a minute he was standing next to me ready to go.
Shaking my head in disbelief I walked down the hall, pulled my clothes off, and put them into a neat pile. In less than a minute I was standing next to a bouncing dobe ready for my watery torture. I grabbed the room key and shoved it into my pocket as I turned the doorknob and pulled the door open. I stopped suddenly as Kakashi stood in front of us hand raised to knock. Shikamaru leaned against the railing as he looked at the clouds moving above him lackadaisical.
“Going somewhere?” Kakashi asked in amusement.
His ever-present turtleneck was concealing his lower face, but I could tell he was smiling as he looked Naruto up and down, clad only in his orange trunks. I growled low in my throat in warning. Seriously, he was asking for it one of these days; and his timing was lousy!
“Yes, we were.” I snapped.
“Do you have a moment? We have some questions for Naruto and Tsunade would like you to call her.” Kakashi smiled.
“You have questions for me?” Naruto asked in bewilderment.
Kakashi nodded, way too happy for my liking. Maybe I should warn him again!
“O…ok.” Naruto stammered.
I took a step back and allowed the two detectives into the sanctity of my hotel room and crossed my arms waiting for the questions to begin. I would call the Chief later, right now Naruto was more important.
“Call Tsunade, Sasuke. Naruto will be fine.” Kakashi ordered.
I didn’t make a move and instead settled in to sticking this out with Naruto. I felt a tap to my shoulder. I turned to see Naruto smiling, nodding towards the door. Message received; Naruto wanted to do this alone.
I glared at Kakashi and snatched my phone up. When I reached the front door I wrenched it open roughly and stepped out on the walkway to call my former Chief. The door remained wide open so I could keep my eye on Naruto. He settled comfortably on the couch and locked eyes with me as I waited for Tsunade to answer.
~REVENGE~
Kakashi followed me to the couch and settled in comfortably, but he was refusing to look at me. I could only guess where this was going to go.
“Naruto,” Kakashi started, finally looking up at me. “How much do you remember from ‘that night’?”
I had a feeling this was what he wanted. It was only a matter of time before they tried again; but it made no difference. My answer was always the same.
“I remember nothing.” I murmured taking my eyes away from Sasuke and staring in to Kakashi’s mismatched ones.
He may have taken it better than others and hid it better, but I could see his disappointment in my answer. That was nothing new.
“You can’t recall what you did the day leading up to that night?”
I shook my head sadly trying to turn my brain over, but all I heard was screaming. “It’s not from lack of trying, but I can’t… I can’t make myself remember. All I recall is screaming and I don’t even know who it belongs too. Everything is black, but Granny Tsunade should have told you that already.”
I narrowed my eyes. Kakashi did know this, so why was he asking me again? Was this protocol or something more? “What is this about?”
Kakashi sighed and rubbed at his clothed chin. “We just need to re-establish that your parents were part of the pattern. We may have made a slip up…”
“It’s more like a major oversight, isn’t it?” Shikamaru threw in.
Kakashi frowned, but continued. “We may have made a slip up. I just need to confirm where you were, if anything happened differently that contributed to your subsequent attack when the other children had been removed.”
“I wish I could help you.” I muttered sadly.
My heart clenched painfully in my chest and I resisted the urge to cover my heart with my hand. Was Kakashi trying to say that my parents were not the victims of this madman? If that was true where did this leave me? Would I be torn from Sasuke if they proved that I wasn’t in danger after all? I didn’t want to leave the teme.
“Well, it was a long shot, but we had to stop by and ask. Can you try one more time? Anything could be helpful?” Kakashi pleaded.
I shook my head as I thought back to that day, but all I could recall was Granny Tsunade pulling me into her arms. “I’m sorry, there’s just nothing there.”
Kakashi shook his head in dejection. “It was worth another shot, though this does nothing to help us.”
“I’m sorry that I can’t tell you more and I’m sorry I can’t tell you if my parent’s murder was the result of this murderer or by another person’s hand…
“…I’m not saying that’s true.” Kakashi injected.
“…I just have no recollection.” I continued, ignoring his interruption.
“What are you talking about?” Sasuke demanded as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
~revenge~
The door snapped shut behind me, but I paid it no mind. Instead I leveled a glare at Kakashi waiting for an answer. Did I even hear that right? Did they find new evidence? No, Kiba hadn’t contacted me; so what would make them think Narutos parents were not part of this? And if it wasn’t the same murderer than who did it?
“I’m not saying…” Kakashi started.
“They’re not sure the same man attacked my Mom and Dad, teme.
Naruto interrupted. “But it makes sense when you think about it. I was the only child attacked…”
“That’s because you were the only one home then.” I growled.
“Why was I the only one home then? Maybe it was someone else that murdered my Mom and Dad and wanted it to look like it was this guy…”
“Do you really believe that, dobe?”
“I don’t know what to believe anymore!” He exclaimed in desperation.
“Chief Tsunade seemed certain, so what changed?” I demanded, staring at the two intruding detectives.
“It’s just like Naruto said. Why was he the only one?” Shikamaru replied.
“That doesn’t…. that… Why is this being thought of now?”
“We don’t have much else to investigate.”
“So you just want to disregard their murder because it doesn’t fit your profile, Kakashi?”
I flexed my fingers holding back the urge to punch something or someone. That would make Naruto unhappy.
“I’m not disregarding anything.”
“You have a lousy way of showing it!”
“Sasuke, why must you blow this out of proportion?”
I glared harshly at the silver-haired man wishing I had never opened that door. I was not blowing this out of proportion; it was ridiculous for them to come here and imply that Naruto’s family was…that another person was responsible…
It was the same man!
“Why are you even here?”
“We had questions…”
“How can you ask questions of a person who can’t remember the answers?” I snapped, beyond furious now. I wanted them gone as soon as possible, even if I had to throw them out myself!
“Teme…” He spoke softly.
I shifted my heated gaze to Naruto who flinched slightly. I growled at the intruders ready to throw them out when I felt arms wrap around my chest. Their eyes widened considerably at such a personal display, but my attention was instantly and fully on the shorter man behind me. Everything else could shove it where Naruto was concerned. How’s that for being an Uchiha?
“They’re only trying to help Sasuke. Don’t blame them. They’re doing the best they can with what they have.”
“Dobe…”
“Sasuke, they mean me no harm.” He stated gently.
“Dobe…I don’t believe that your family is not connected to the others. They’re too high-profile not to be.”
“I think you’re trying to put the puzzle together with a piece that doesn’t fit.”
“Maybe that piece just needs to be turned.” I growled.
“What does that even mean, teme?” He asked in exasperation.
“Just because some of the details don’t fit exactly doesn’t mean it isn’t right!”
“The pattern says the murders were committed every two weeks on a Monday, teme. My Mom and Dad died on a Tuesday.”
“But the assault began on a Monday!”
“I was the only child home.”
“Maybe you had a fever that day!”
“I was attacked!”
“I know you were, it’s right here on your face!”
I reached out and cupped his face, my thumbs rubbing over the long-healed scars. Naruto shook his head in denial, infuriating me.
“It’s still within the timeline, Naruto. Don’t forget the attack on Yugito Nii happened one day and he died the next. Han Iwaga wasn’t found until a week later.”
“What makes you so sure?” He asked me.
Uncertainty swam in his eyes and I cursed Kakashi and Shikamaru for causing it. Just minutes ago he was happy, excited to go swimming, and now he was miserable.
“What makes you so sure, now, that it isn’t?” I asked softly.
“I don’t know.” He replied just as gently.
“That’s just it, we don’t know and we won’t know until it comes down to it…”
“Don’t say that!” I stood in shock as tears fell from his eyes. What just happened? “The only way to know for sure is if it comes down to me…”
“Yeah…?” I asked tentatively.
“You would have to die first.” Naruto whispered.
I stood cemented to the spot. I didn’t really think about that. Trying to correct my error I reached out only for Naruto to jerk away.
“I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant to say…”
“But that’s how it came out!” Naruto hissed.
“What is wrong?” I asked with uncertainty.
“Nothing, nothing is wrong!”
“Clearly there is or you wouldn’t be acting like this?”
“And how am I acting?!” He spat at me.
I’ve never seen the dobe in this state before and I felt helpless; unsure of why he was behaving like this.
“You’re acting like a lunatic!” I snapped out before my brain could censor my tongue. I almost hit my head from sheer stupidity, but I was an Uchiha and Uchiha’s do not hit themselves.
“I hate you!” He hissed. His eyes sparked with something feral and I had to suppress the chill that ran down my spine.
“How can you say that, dobe?” I demanded. “With everything…and you…how can you say that?!”
“Whatever!” He yelled as I stood silently watching.
My blood was boiling and pounding through my veins with an intensity I had never felt before and it was the result of his barbed words. I wanted to reach out and just snap the dobe in half and yet, I wanted to pull him close and fuck him into next morning. Damn it! When had it reached this point? When had I come to care for him so deeply?
I don’t know how long I remained there staring after he walked away from me and down the hall, but it was Kakashi clearing his throat that pulled my attention away from the bedroom.
“Sasuke let me make this perfectly clear. I don’t believe for one moment that Naruto’s case is not connected. I wasn’t implying that it was. It was a lead the needs to picked at thoroughly because of the consequences.” He spoke softly, calmly, but his voice sounded ten times louder than usual in that silence.
“Is this the result of not having anything?” I demanded in a heated whisper unable to look at him. “Why couldn’t you keep this to yourself?”
“He had the right to know.” Shikamaru drawled.
“Damn it, Shikamaru! Do you know what you just did? You don’t understand; you can’t possibly comprehend. I know it’s strange and doesn’t make much sense, but it was something. He had something to hold on to; that their murder wasn’t forgotten, that there was a chance for it to be solved and the guy caught. You took that away from him.”
“You’re right, that doesn’t make sense Sasuke.”
“I said that it didn’t, but it doesn’t make it false. Until you’re in this position you can’t understand.”
“You want us to believe that you can understand him?” Kakashi asked with just a hint of skepticism.
“Believe what you want too, but it’s the truth. I know because I feel the same way.”
“Sasuke, are you and Naruto…?” Shikamaru started to ask.
“I think you should go.” I demanded still refusing to look at them.
I was angry with them, but worse was that I was angry with myself. If they didn’t leave soon I wouldn’t be responsible for my actions; something Kakashi seemed to realize. With a nod he turned towards the door but stopped short of turning the knob, his hand resting there as he threw over his shoulder.
“How long have you two been together?”
“That’s none of your business.” I snapped.
“No, but it is Tsunade’s.”
“She already knows.” I snarled and watched Kakashi nod in understanding.
I waited only long enough for the door to snap shut behind them and for me to lock it from the inside before I was back the hall and on the bed next to Naruto. I sat silently next to the lump waiting for him to break the silence.
“Granny Tsunade knows?” Naruto asked from beneath the covers. Clearly he had heard the remainder of our conversation, which was good. I didn’t like repeating myself.
“It was one of the things she wanted to talk to me about. Naruto, look at me?” I felt the bed shift as the dobe pulled the covers down over his red and puffy face. I chuckled slightly at the adorable sight. “I’m sorry for how I acted.”
Naruto stared at me in shock, eyes widened considerably. The overall effect was something only Naruto could pull off. “I should be the one apologizing. I overreacted because I thought maybe they were going to pull us apart.”
“Was that the reason for that back there? I wouldn’t let them.” I mumbled as I wound my fingers in his hair and stroked.
“I’m sorry for snapping at you.”
“It’s understandable.”
“I’m sorry for acting like a weirdo.”
“I’ve seen worse.”
“I’m sorry for saying that I hated you.”
I pulled Naruto from his entanglement of blankets and into my lap. “We all say things in the heat of the moment that is not exactly what we mean. We instantly regret it and it does hurt, but I know now that it was out of fear that you said those words. So you don’t have to think any more about this, it’s in the past were it belongs.”
“Thank you.” He whispered.
I eyed those luscious pink lips with hunger before nipping at them lightly. The effect was immediate as Naruto brought us into contact again. I ran my hands up his bare chest, fondling a dusty nipple as I latched onto his neck. Tan fingers wound themselves into my hair and tugged gently. I looked up in to hungry eyes and smiled. I did this to him; my hands, my lips, my teeth, my tongue; I did this to him.
“It’s raining teme.” Naruto stated sedately.
I looked over his shoulder and noticed the patter of rain against the balcony window. “So it is.” I replied before returning to the neglected chest of my wanting dobe.
AN: I didn’t want to offend any ones religion, so I went with a fictitious place of worship and the same with the good book. It can be whatever you make it; even Kakashi’s orange book. I apologize if I offended anyone.
