Spartan Ninjas (Abandoned WIP)

Disclaimer: We do not own or gain any profit from Naruto.
Reviews are welcome.

Author's Note: for further reference here is a key to help you follow the story:
::this:: is a character's own personal thoughts

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Spartan Ninjas
~ Chapter Ten ~
By: Cecilia Tsukineko and Kirei Kitsue

---------The Next Day, Wednesday--------
"Hey Sasuke, why didn't you and Naruto come to class the past couple days?" Kakashi asked curiously after letting his forensics class out. Class had ended early since all he had done was hand out an assignment and send everybody home to work on it, meaning Naruto wasn't going to pick be by to pick Sasuke up for another fifteen minutes or so.

"We were suffering from severe jet lag. We'd spent the weekend in Japan for a Gackt concert," he answered while slowly gathering and putting away his things into his one-shoulder duffle. He only had one hand after all.

"You went to Japan. For a weekend. For a... concert." Snorting in amusement Kakashi just shook his head. "Kids," he muttered. "Question. Do you have time after your classes today to come by my office? There's a couple things I want to talk to you about."

"Sure I can. What time?" he asked and shouldered his duffle.

"Whenever you have time free is fine. I'll be in my office at the station at two so any time after that. There's a case I want to talk to you about."

A suspicious look came over Sasuke's face, but he only nodded and said, "Three thirty sound okay?"

"Three thirty works. I'll see you then," Kakashi said just as Naruto appeared in the hallway, waiting outside the door to take Sasuke over to Case. "Your nursemaid's here."

Sasuke nodded and waved as he turned, heading to Naruto. "Hey..." he murmured, walking right up to him and reaching out to cup his chin Sasuke kissed him tenderly.

"Hey yourself. You got out early," Naruto greeted after returning the kiss, shooting Kakashi a mild glare as he walked by muttering something about getting a room. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah. You gonna be able to take me to the police station at three thirty? Kakashi wanted to see me for a meeting on some case," Sasuke asked as they started towards the car.

"I have to be at IM Central at three, but I could drop you off at the station right after I pick you up from your last class," Naruto said as they climbed into the car and he started it. "I dunno how long I'm gonna be with Coach and the no-brain. Knowing Anapolis, it's probably gonna take at least an hour."

"That's fine. Kakashi can give me a ride and if he can't I can walk. It won't kill me," Sasuke said. "If Anapolis tries anything with you... I will maim him."

"I'll keep that in mind," Naruto said with a smirk, very amused at just how protective Sasuke was being. He pulled up in front of Case and stopped the car, leaning over to give Sasuke a loving kiss. "See you after class, beautiful."

"Ha~..." he murmured and pulled Naruto into a deeper kiss. It lasted a long while, but Sasuke couldn't care less. Late wasn't even a thought in his mind.

When they finally broke the kiss Naruto nipped the end of Sasuke's nose teasingly. "Go to class, hornball," he smirked. He himself had to get over to Bessey in time for Jiraiya's class. "Don't worry if I'm a little late picking you up. The old man might keep me after to yell at me for not being there Monday."

"Fine... I'll see you when I see you. Love you," Sasuke whispered, kissed him one last time and then got out of the car waving once before disappearing into the building.

Naruto managed to make it his class exactly one minute before it started and flopped into his usual seat. He was about to ask the person next to him what he'd missed while in Japan when Jiraiya started today's discussion. ::Ah well... I can ask someone after class.::

Class let out early. And Jiraiya pounced. "Naruto... where the hell were you all weekend plus?"

::Knew it...:: "Japan with Sasuke," Naruto answered simply, putting his things back into his bag.

"You went to Japan – for a _weekend_ – with your boyfriend?" he deadpanned.

"Yep. We went there for a concert. It was great. See you later, old man," Naruto said all in one breath, moving towards the door and hoping for escape.

"Hey! Did you even work on that book at all?" Jiraiya asked quickly. "There's really no hurry, but I'd like to know."

Okay, that was something Naruto was more than willing to talk about. He stopped in the doorway and turned around. "Yeah I did. Sasuke's fluent in Japanese so he's helping me. He reads it out loud in English and I type. We're almost done with the first chapter."

"Great! How about you hand it in to me chapter by chapter?" Jiraiya smirked. Naruto was easy to read and Jiraiya loved that he loved history. It made the old man feel like he could rely on Naruto for this.

Naruto nodded. "Sure thing. I'll let you know as soon as we're done with the first chapter. I have two versions of the word file – one that's just the translation and another with my notes added in. Do you want both or just the translation?"

"Both. Anything you find, research, think on each chapter, send it my way," Jiraiya stated and then stretched. "I'll see you later then, brat. That's all I wanted to know. We'll have a meeting sometime after I look over what you send me to discuss your translations and thoughts."

"Alright. And I am not a brat." Making a face at Jiraiya, Naruto left to pick up Sasuke for lunch.

---

Sasuke ate quietly, his thigh pressed along Naruto's under the table, simply enjoying the quiet contact. It was nice to not be bothered by fangirls for a change now.

"How's your shoulder feeling?" Naruto asked softly, not wanting to disturb the sense of peace that surrounded them. He didn't even notice the random girls shooting him glares from all over the caf, not that it would have mattered if he had. Last night had erased any last lingering doubt about their relationship and Sasuke was a piece firmly glued into the puzzle of his being.

"It's healing a lot faster than the doctor said it would," he answered and tipped his head to the side, turning his face so that he could kiss Naruto's cheek. "Thanks."

"Healing faster? Even with all the abuse we give it?" Naruto teased with a smirk, shifting a bit so that their thighs rubbed together. "Speaking of doctors, you have an appointment tomorrow at five. Don't forget."

"I think it needs to be abused more..." Sasuke started and pressed his leg closer to Naruto's, his foot moving to hook behind Naruto's ankle and settle alongside the inside of Naruto's foot, twining their legs under the table and loving the closeness he and Naruto shared.

Chuckling Naruto kissed the base of Sasuke's jaw. "Tonight," he murmured in promise. Diving back into his lunch Naruto asked, "Do you know what kinda case Kakashi wants to talk to you about?"

"Not a clue... Well, I have a suspicious feeling about it... but I'm not going to say anything unless that's what it really is," Sasuke answered and kissed Naruto's jaw in return before finishing off his own meal.

Once they were both done Naruto unwound their legs and stood up. "C'mon, you have one more class." He was thoughtful as they walked to the Chem building, Naruto carrying Sasuke's bag. "You don't really think it has anything to do with him, do you?" he asked quietly.

"I'm hoping not... but I... have that feeling. I only get it when he's involved," Sasuke said softly, his voice letting Naruto know exactly how he felt about it.

Naruto reached out and took Sasuke's right hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. "I'm sure it's about something else. Kakashi probably just wants to use that overdeveloped brain of yours 'cause he's too lazy to use his own," he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Sasuke returned the squeeze tightly taking comfort readily. Something he never would have done before Naruto. "I hope so..." was all he said and then – as they reached the Chem Building – he turned and kissed Naruto deeply, pulling him close. "I'll see you after class..."

"Yep. Anime club tonight!" Naruto grinned after kissing Sasuke back eagerly, not caring about the people that stopped to stare. Anime club and wrestling practice were the highlights of his week.

"Hey, hey, don't forget that you have to take me to the police station. And that you have a meeting with your coach," Sasuke reminded him gently, kissed him once more and then let him go completely. "I'll see you in a little bit."

Naruto gave him his bag and walked back home, picking up their mail on the way up to their room. "Junk... junk... major junk... as if I'd trust myself with a credit card... Hm?" Entering the room he dumped all the junk mail into the garbage, examining the front of a postcard from Montreal. Turning it over he saw it was for Sasuke. All it said was, "17 more." No greeting, no signature, just that short note. "'Seventeen more'? What the hell does that mean?" Naruto wondered aloud, setting the card on Sasuke's desk.

---

An hour later Naruto pulled up in front of the Chem building in Sasuke's car to pick him up and take him to the station.

"Yo," Sasuke greeted and climbed into the passenger's seat. "Have a nice break?"

"Yep. Got some homework done," Naruto said as he drove towards the station. "And I checked our mail. You got a weird postcard over the weekend."

"...Postcard..." Sasuke seemed to chill right down like a freezer. His tone, his aura, everything just... froze. "What did it say?"

"'Seventeen more.' That's all it said, and it was from Montreal." Naruto shot him a worried look out of the corner of his eye.

The loud 'THUMP!' of Sasuke's fist hitting the dashboard made the car shake a little. The second he'd straightened from hitting the dashboard though he slammed his right elbow on the window ledge and covered his mouth with his hand, staring fixedly out the window. He was so close to exploding... but he refrained, feeling Naruto probably didn't want to know that his lover could cuss like a drunken soldier.

Naruto jumped in his seat and just about pulled over, but he waited until they got to the parking lot of the police station. "It was from your brother... wasn't it?" he asked quietly after a moment, knowing that nothing else could have gotten such a violent reaction out of Sasuke.

"Yes..." Sasuke paused and then, "Damn it! I HATE him!!" Followed by Sasuke's fist hitting the dashboard again, only this time it stayed there and he lifted his bad arm to lay it across the dashboard, leaning forward to rest his head against it and ignoring the sling his arm rested in and the cast and the sore throb of his shoulder and everything else in his own body for a moment, feeling only the purest hatred and loathing right down to the very core of his being. It seemed rooted ever deeper every time he had these sorts of experiences, but... now it was so much more intense. As if whatever had happened last night... had awakened something partially inside him. Suppressed emotions from that day maybe?

Not knowing what else to do Naruto simply put his hand on Sasuke's knee and squeezed comfortingly in silent support. He had no idea what it was like to experience something so horrible as your entire family being killed by your own brother and he certainly didn't want an idea... but he could and would be there for Sasuke to vent on. He would be Sasuke's hold on sanity.

Sasuke fell back in the seat and laid his hand over Naruto's on his knee. "Sorry. I'm gonna go in there and get this done so I can go and relax, take a hot shower and everything... Don't worry about picking me up. I want to walk and cool my head."

"Okay," Naruto agreed softly, leaning over to kiss Sasuke tenderly. "I love you, Sasuke," he murmured when they broke the kiss, stroking Sasuke's face and gazing at him with concerned eyes.

"I'll be fine... I just need to regather myself. I'll see you when I get back to the dorm room. Ja," Sasuke murmured and twisted to get out of the car. He waved as he shut the door and then turned and walked right inside.

---

"Kakashi. There's somebody here to see you," a voice said over the intercom on his desk.

"Tell them I'm busy and to go away," Kakashi said without bothering to look up from his paperwork.

"It's one of your students."

Sighing Kakashi dropped his pen and looked up. "Alright, send them in."

Sasuke opened the office door and walked in. "I know I'm early... sorry."

"Hey Sasuke. Don't worry about it, I need a break anyway. Have a seat." Kakashi gestured to the chair in the corner of his office. "You want anything? Water? Coffee?"

"No, I'm fine thank you. What did you need to see me about? What case is it?" Sasuke asked as he took a seat.

"There has been an... interesting wave of murders in Montreal lately," Kakashi began slowly. "All of the victims had the last name of Uchiha. You wouldn't happen to know anything about it, would you?"

Sasuke's face hardened a little instantly. "A postcard came in the mail today... Naruto told me. Let me guess... seventeen dead?"

Kakashi nodded. "Is there anything you would like to tell me, Sasuke? Who the killer is, what the intent might be..." Kakashi had researched the name Uchiha and had come up with a disturbing number of murder cases, the first one being just over ten years ago... and he wanted to see if Sasuke was willing to tell him the truth. He knew that only Sasuke and his brother Itachi had survived the first wave of murders and, as much as he hated it, that put Sasuke in the position of possible suspect. Kakashi had his theories but he wanted to see what his student had to say.

"Would you believe me... or are you looking at me as a suspect... considering I was only eight years old at the time of the first murders... eleven years ago?" Sasuke's eyes were dangerously hard, like black diamonds.

"That depends on what you tell me," Kakashi said, purposely being vague. He hated to put Sasuke through this – he was an excellent student and very passionate about his dream to become a detective – but protocol demanded that Kakashi suspect him until he was absolutely sure he could rule him out.

"Damn it..." Sasuke muttered and caved. Maybe now that he was older at least one person would see weight in his words. "Itachi... killed our immediate family and then went worldwide. I get postcards from him when he finishes off an area or Uchiha population. He takes only those of Uchiha blood... and you'll find some of those cases – probably ones that you haven't connected to this case yet – to be mothers and their children murdered but the father left alone." He paused, having to rein in his temper severely.

"Do you know why he did it? Why he does it?" Kakashi had indeed found cases like that and had connected them to the big picture. "Do you still have the postcards?"

"Like I would throw them away. A few of them are crumpled... I'm not the happiest person in the world when I find them... but yes I have all of them. As to why he does it... to prove himself... at least that's what he told me." Sasuke shifted. ::Damn it! This day is the worst in a long time... I am so...:: He trailed off in his own mind, losing coherency to his temporary rage.

"To prove himself?" Sighing Kakashi leaned back in his chair and rubbed at his eye with the heel of his hand. He believed Sasuke, able to see the rage he was holding back and knowing this brand of anger to be different than that of someone who thought they were caught with their hand in the proverbial cookie jar. "Wonderful... a crazy. If you could please bring in those postcards the first chance you get it would be greatly appreciated, Sasuke. We need to know exactly where he's been and how many he's killed. I wouldn't be surprised if there are bodies unaccounted for."

"Oh there are... I can assure you – however unassuring that is – of that," Sasuke stated and looked out the window to the lawn outside. "Is that all you wanted from me?" ::I've had a shitty day, old man... Let me out of here before I blow fuse...::

"No... but I'll let you go. I think I'd like my office to stay in one piece," Kakashi said with a rueful smile. "Can you come back tomorrow after your classes? I hate to put you through this, Sasuke – I know it can't be easy for you – but I need as much information as you can give me."

"I'll give you all the information you need... but not tomorrow..." And he was firm about that. Sasuke needed to lose the rage and hatred he felt at the moment a little bit.

"Friday then. I'm sorry but I can't push it back any later than that." Kakashi was honestly apologetic. He had never liked dealing with witnesses and sources. It was often very stressful on both him and the other person – which was why he stuck to corpses for the most part. "I need that information as soon as possible."

"Fine. Friday... evening," Sasuke agreed and stood. "I'll see you tomorrow in class." And with that he left. Once out of the station and on the street on his way home he felt a little better. Not so pressured in any case. He took a deep breath and was about to release it slowly when a presence behind him caught his attention. Whirling he wasn't surprised to see a lone, tall figure walking towards him. The man paused and then looked right at him, though Sasuke couldn't see his face due to the high collar on his coat and his long black bangs. But Sasuke didn't need to see his face and followed him right into the alley that the man ducked into.

"It's been a long time, Sasuke," a low, smooth voice called out softly from a building's shadow. "How did you like my last card? I thought the picture was rather nice."

"I hated it. Just like I hate every one of them. You bastard..." Sasuke growled, stopping right inside the alley's mouth. He wasn't stupid. Itachi was unpredictable and he wasn't walking into the lion's den. "Why the hell are you here? What the hell do you want? And what the fuck is your problem, you murdering asshole?!"

"I can't visit my own brother?" Itachi said calmly, not moving from his spot. "I came to congratulate you on being accepted into Michigan State and on finding a companion."

"No! You can't! You fucking psycho! Leave me alone!" Sasuke wanted so badly to turn and walk away but he didn't trust Itachi not to kill him too... That day was coming after all... Wasn't it? "I don't want you damn congratulations and -..." he froze, the anger evaporating instantly as a chill overtook every fiber of his being. It was fear, he realized as his heartbeat did triple time. "What do you mean finding a companion?" His voice was surprisingly steady, though one couldn't miss the terror.

"Your roommate. I heard you two have become... much more than just friends. Are you happy with him?" There was a note of curiosity in Itachi's normally emotionally-dead voice.

::What do I do... Shit!:: "He's not a part of this, Itachi! Don't even try to bring him into this or I'll go to jail a happy man knowing you died at my hands!" Sasuke's voice was dead serious and dangerous.

A low chuckle resonated out of the shadow. "Don't worry, little brother. He is not an Uchiha, therefore he is not worth the effort of killing. I just wanted to know if he makes you happy."

"I'm not telling you a single damn thing," Sasuke snapped and then took a step backwards. He wanted to go home, to make sure that Naruto was okay. He hated how weak he felt with his arm casted and in a sling. He wanted to scream in a blind fury at the unfairness of his life, but more than anything he wanted to have Naruto in his arms, safe and sound. Some large part of him was trembling in fear at losing Naruto.

Itachi clucked his tongue. "Temper temper. You really must work on that anger of yours... or else you might die before I can kill you. And I will, Sasuke. Just as soon as I'm done with everyone else in our family." Slowly Itachi turned around and walked away, leaving Sasuke to stand there alone.

Sasuke was still for only a moment before he spun and took off towards home. He reached Holmes and his own door in what seemed like record time and unlocked and threw it open urgently. "Naruto!"

But Naruto still wasn't back yet from his own meeting...

There was a moment of panic in which Sasuke found himself even unable to breathe and then he mentally slapped himself. His eyes rested on the phone hanging on the wall by the bathroom door for a moment and then he ripped his own cellphone off its beltholder and headed out of the room again, locking the door behind him absently. He dialed on the way down the hall at top speed and waited for Kakashi to pick up the phone.

It'd only been about twenty minutes since his meeting with Itachi and that meant Itachi still have to be within parameters for arrest. Knowing his brother, Itachi didn't believe Sasuke would try to tell an officer that he was in town. No one had believed Sasuke when he was little... but then, Itachi probably didn't realize that Kakashi was on Sasuke's side, that anyone but Naruto was on Sasuke's side. With harried steps hurried by fear, Sasuke stormed towards the IM Center and Naruto's coach's office. The blond had better be there. "Pick up the damn phone, you lazy bastard..." Sasuke grumbled as he hit the sidewalk and stretched his legs as best he could.

"Hello?" Kakashi answered, sounding a little testy. He'd been bombarded with interruptions all day and it was starting to get to him.

"Kakashi, it's Sasuke. I was leaving the police station and ran into Itachi. It was about twenty to twenty-five minutes ago... He knows about Naruto. He can't have gotten out of the city yet... or at least he should still be within parameters for arrest. He's wearing a long dark trench coat with a very tall collar, long black hair, looks like an older more feminine version of me. I'm trying to find Naruto right now..." Sasuke rattled into the phone, his breathing a little harsh as he rushed across the street and into the IM Center. ::Be there Naruto... please...::

"Understood. Hold for a second while I get the chief to announce an emergency briefing." Kakashi put Sasuke on hold as he dialed another number. He took Sasuke off hold a couple minutes later. "Okay, I'm back. Did he tell you anything besides that he knows about you and Naruto?"

"Other than the threat of him eventually coming to kill me... no. I'm walking into the IM Center right now, so I might lose the connection. Naruto was supposed to be meeting with his wrestling coach and a one-sided rival – guy's a jerk beyond jock – for a meeting over me breaking the guy's nose... I'm hoping he's still stuck there."

"You broke a wrestler's nose?" Kakashi scoffed in amusement. "Alright. I'm going to go brief the guys so that we can hopefully find your brother. Any idea where he might be headed next?"

"Not a clue. There isn't any family for him to slaughter but me around here so I'm the reason he came. Said he wanted to congratulate me on making it to the University and on finding a companion..." Sasuke stopped outside the window to Naruto's coach's office and felt relief wash over him. He stared at Naruto for a moment – the back of his head anyway – and then turned around and leaned on the sill of the window. "I don't even know how the bastard is finding the relatives in other countries. I can tell you he hasn't gone to the orient yet, and I know we have family there – lots of it in fact – but I have no idea how to find them or get in touch with them."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of that. Okay, one last question and then I have to go. Has he killed anywhere besides the US and Canada?"

"Britain, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales... Distant relations but relations none the less."

"Wonderful... Alright. Don't go anywhere by yourself for the next couple days, you or Naruto. I'll call you tonight and let you know how things are going. Bye."

"Yeah. Bye." Sasuke hung up the cellphone and looked over his shoulder into the office again, wondering if he'd been noticed yet or not. Truthfully, he was more trying to reassure himself that, yes, Naruto was within reach, safe and whole.

The coach had noticed Sasuke but hadn't said anything about it since he was busy chewing Naruto and Anapolis out. More Anapolis than Naruto. "You not always gonna be the best so get over it! You two are on different teams anyway, so what is your problem, Anapolis?! Can't handle a little challenge?!"

Naruto was trying very hard not to smirk evilly. Revenge was so sweet.

"The little shit instigates it! Showing off and rubbing it in my face!"

"All I did was say hi to my boyfriend. Anapolis hadn't even left the building yet and just happened to come out when we were about to head home," Naruto said calmly when the coach looked at him.

The old man twitched at the word "boyfriend" but didn't comment. He wasn't willing to lose one of his best wrestlers over sexual preference. "And then?"

Naruto opened his mouth to answer but Anapolis cut him off.

"They were kissing! And if 'boyfriend' is what their calling whores these days -..." Anapolis sneered, but got cut off as well.

"THAT!" Naruto said loudly to interrupt him, shooting him a glare. He clutched the arms of his chairs so he didn't jump up and punch him right then. "Is the attitude that caused Sasuke to punch him. I told Anapolis to go away but he decided to stick around and dig himself a deeper hole."

"No one wants to watch you and your slut make out! Get a freaking room next time and maybe this sort of stuff wouldn't happen!" Anapolis shot back. It was obvious he was incredibly disgusted by the whole thing.

"HE IS NOT A SLUT!!" Naruto roared, his eyes hard and dangerous as he glared daggers at Anapolis. He clutched the arms of his chair so tightly that the plastic creaked and his knuckles were white.

"I suggest you watch your language, Anapolis," the coach growled in warning, getting sick of this. "One more comment like that from you and I'm putting you on probation. Also, the so-called 'slut' is standing right outside the window, so if I were you I'd really be careful of what you say."

Anapolis glanced behind them and noted that indeed, Sasuke was leaning against the window. There was no doubt that Sasuke had heard him. He looked back to the coach. "Whatever," he grumbled and looked to Naruto. "Just don't pull shit like before in front of me and there won't be a problem."

Sasuke's mouth tightened. There was going to be words between he and Anapolis as soon as the meeting was over. He wasn't in a tolerant mood right then. Not at all.

"Then next time keep walking and don't stick around to watch," Naruto growled after shooting a glance at the window. ::What's he doing here? I thought he was gonna go straight home after talking to Kakashi...:: "It's your own fault for commenting and then not leaving when I asked you to."

"I think I've heard enough," the coach said, cutting Anapolis off. "Get out of here, Uzumaki. Go to the weight room or something and blow off that steam. And just where do you think you're going?" he growled at Anapolis as he got up at the same time as Naruto.

"Meeting's over..." he said bluntly.

"Not for you. Sit."

Naruto got the pleasure of hearing the coach completely tear into Anapolis for his behavior as he left the room. "Hey," he greeted Sasuke after shutting the door behind him. "You okay? How'd your meet-ugh!"

Sasuke had Naruto in a one-armed bear-hug almost instantly. Burying his nose in Naruto's neck below his ear, he simply held him not saying a word. Not for the moment anyway.

"Hi to you too," Naruto said, sounding just as bewildered as he looked. Automatically he wrapped his arms around Sasuke. ::What in the world?:: "Did something happen? What did Kakashi want?"

"Exactly what I thought he'd want. To talk about Itachi... but that's not it..." he murmured against Naruto's neck still holding him tightly. He was partially glad that he'd moved from the window's view as Naruto got out of his chair so that the coach and Anapolis couldn't see them now. "I ran into him on my way home from the Police Station... and he knows about you... about our relationship... Naruto, you can't go anywhere alone any more. Do you understand?"

"He... oh god... He didn't do anything to you, did he?!" Naruto pushed Sasuke away and began running worried hands all over him, searching for injuries. Itachi had come to MSU... neither of them were safe now...

Sasuke managed to catch both of Naruto's wrists with one hand and pulled him close, letting go as soon as Naruto was about to hit his chest. His right arm looped about Naruto's waist. "He didn't do anything... just asked me how I liked the postcard... and 'congratulated' me on getting into the University, and finding you... Look. Let's go home and we can talk about this there."

Nodding in agreement Naruto led him to the car. The ride home was silent, both of them thoughtful and worried. "Does anybody else know he was here?" Naruto asked as soon as their door was closed and locked. He pulled Sasuke over to the bed and sat down, wrapping his arms around Sasuke's waist.

"Kakashi... I let him know while I went looking for you..." Sasuke answered seriously as he looped one arm about Naruto's shoulders, holding him close.

"I put the postcard on your desk. ...So all he did was talk to you?" Naruto had worry etched all over his face. "He didn't threaten you, did he?"

"He always threatens me... I'm used to that. And I know that I'm safe until he runs out of out-family to kill. Hopefully we'll have put him behind bars before then," Sasuke answered softly. His hand gently caressed Naruto's lower back as he spoke, attempting to soothe him. There was no point in hiding things from Naruto since he'd eventually find out anyway.

"But how can you be so sure you're safe until then? What if he changes his mind?!" Naruto's arms tightened around his waist as the fear of losing Sasuke threatened to take him over.

"Because even if Itachi is crazy... he's methodical. He won't break his random pattern until the end... and the end is me," he murmured, nuzzling Naruto's hair.

"The Hell it is. He's the end. If he wants to kill you he's gonna have to go through me first," Naruto growled, voice hard with determination and eyes firm.

Sasuke grabbed Naruto's chin and forced him to look right into Sasuke's face. "Don't you even think about taking that psychopath on," he growled. "If you see him you get the hell out of wherever you are and find the nearest cop or police station. I don't care what else is going on around you." He was dead serious. That much was painfully obvious.

"As if I'm gonna leave you alone with him!" Naruto argued, just as serious. "If he shows up while we're together then I'm staying! But fine, if I'm by myself, then I'll run."

"If we're together we're both running. As much as I hate to admit it........ Itachi's got me completely beat... right now anyway," Sasuke murmured.

Naruto sighed and nodded, burying his face in Sasuke's shoulder. "Alright... I hope they catch him tonight..."

"They won't. Unless they get damn lucky..." Sasuke answered. He cupped Naruto's chin again, only this time more gently, and brought Naruto's face up to lock gazes for a moment. "I love you... and if anything ever happened to you..." The words eluded him suddenly so he simply leaned in and kissed Naruto sweetly, again and again.

Sliding his arms up Naruto wrapped them around Sasuke's neck, holding him close as he kissed him back lovingly. "I know... I feel the same way..." he murmured, nuzzling his cheek.

With a small sigh Sasuke held him tighter and fell backwards, pulling Naruto up alongside him on the bed. The world could wait for a little while as they cuddled, strengthening the bond between them through soft touches and quiet, caressing kisses every so often in the silence.

Naruto eventually fell into a light doze, cuddled up close to Sasuke and holding him tight, but he was awoken a few hours later when someone knocked on the door. "Nngh... we just can't get a break..." he muttered.

Sighing again – only this time with vexation – Sasuke, being the one closest to the door, rolled out of bed and went to the door, peering into the peephole. Seeing Kakashi he answered the door. "Any luck?"

Kakashi just shook his head, looking very disappointed. "We've combed all of the main campus. The others are working on searching East Lansing and all the research facilities to the south. Sorry, Sasuke." He nodded in greeting as Naruto came over to stand behind Sasuke, looking worried.

"I figured it would be like this... If you haven't found him by now then you aren't going to. Call it off... put the man power where it's more needed at the moment," Sasuke muttered and sighed, looking over his shoulder at Naruto.

"Are you sure?" Kakashi asked at the same time as Naruto protested with, "No don't call them off! They might still have a chance!"

Sasuke twisted and looped an arm around Naruto's waist, pulling him close and murmuring, "Shhh," in Naruto's neck before looking to Kakashi again. "I know my brother, Kakashi... he's long gone by now. Whether he realized he was being sought or not..."

Sighing sadly Kakashi nodded, watching as Naruto escaped Sasuke's grip to fall onto the bed and bury his face in a pillow in frustration. "Is it possible for you to give me the postcards now?"

"Yeah... come on in," he muttered and turned, walking into the room and heading towards his desk. Pulling a small lockbox out from underneath his desk, Sasuke opened it with a combination and then pulled out a rubberbanded set of postcards. To this he added the newest after taking a moment to look it over. "Here," he said and handed the bundle to Kakashi. There were far many there than bodies accounted for and each card represented more than ten bodies each. Every card was from a different part of the countries Sasuke had already mentioned, proving that this was a matter of international urgency.

"Thanks. I'm going to have to talk to you some more about this case, but I think it can wait until tomorrow," Kakashi said, glancing at Naruto quickly. He understood that the boys needed this time for themselves and wouldn't take it from them. "Do you have any classes after mine tomorrow?"

"No," Sasuke answered as he walked his teacher to the door. "Thank you... for believing me," he added, feeling ridiculous but knowing he needed to say it or he'd feel worse than ridiculous.

Kakashi just gave him a lopsided smile. "No problem. I'll see you tomorrow, boys." With a wave he left, heading for the station and a sleepless night of work.

Sasuke shut and locked the door behind their professor and turned to look at Naruto. Silently he headed to the couch and sat down beside his lover, resting his right hand between Naruto's shoulderblades and rubbing. The couchbed sank with his weight slightly and tipped Naruto a little closer to him. "Did you still want to go to Anime Club?"

Naruto sighed deeply and nodded after a moment, his face still in the pillow. He wasn't really in the mood for anime but he definitely could use the pick-up. He sat up and buried his face in Sasuke's neck, hugging him tightly. "Dinner first?" he asked, his voice muffled.

"How about we snack first... and then I'll take you out to dinner after club... hm?" he suggested as his hand found and rubbed at the same knots he'd started on, holding Naruto close to him and resting his cheek on the top of Naruto's head, the nuzzle to his neck making him feel warm, like he was soaking in a hot bath. "Maybe this weekend we can rent a hotel room, just off campus for the pool and saunas and Jacuzzi... and I'll get a room with a hot tub for privacy... How does that sound?"

"I think I'd like that." Naruto nuzzled his way up to Sasuke's neck and jaw to kiss him lovingly, tightening his embrace. "I have a bunch of snacks in my drawer. We can eat them on the way since club already started."

"Sounds fine to me... Help me into my coat?" Sasuke had lost his stubborn 'I can do it myself' attitude after a short stint of it. Naruto just made it more 'fun' and so Sasuke had quit complaining. "Then we can grab snacks to munch on once we get to club. Ne?"

Nodding Naruto got up and grabbed Sasuke's coat. October had just started and it was starting to get chilly fast. Trying to be silly to lighten up the mood Naruto tucked both the sleeves into the jacket and wrapped it around Sasuke, then zipped it up to effectively trap him. "I think I like that look. Trussed Sasuke," he said thoughtfully.

Sasuke looked down, tilting his head this way and that to examine the state he was in and then looked up at Naruto for a second before a slow smirk lifted one corner of his mouth and he stated, "It'd be better if that name addressed a headboard and some silk ropes instead... Ready to go?" almost all in one breath.

Naruto blinked at him, looking surprised at his comment, before doubling over in laughter. "You horny bastard," he chuckled affectionately, leaning down to kiss him. Still laughing he grabbed his jacket and some snacks. "C'mon you." Just as they were walking out the door a thought hit him. "Y'know... we could have our own private anime club... we both certainly have enough..."

Somehow Sasuke had managed to worm his way out of the coat and was trying to fix it so that it simply hung off the shoulder that was in need of covering, but he stopped and looked up when Naruto spoke. "Have you ever seen Ai no Kusabi? Or Gravitation or the FAKE OAV? Level C? ... Or Kizuna?" Rattling off names as he thought them, Sasuke found himself liking the idea of staying in tonight with Naruto rather than taking the small chance of running into Itachi in a dark alley somewhere. He might still be in the city, just lying low enough that the cops couldn't find him.

"I saw FAKE on our first day here, remember? When I stole the manga from you?" Naruto shoved him back into the room, closing and locking the door again. "I've seen all of Gravi. What is this Ai no Kusabi you speak of? And Level C? I read all of your Kizuna in the first week." He pulled his jacket off and dove into his food supply, looking for the popcorn.

"Level C... really it's just porn, but every yaoi lover should see it. Ai no Kusabi is set in either another universe or far far in the future... It's bondage and hard core... but it's got more plot than just that. A lot more..." Sasuke tossed his coat into the closet as he spoke and headed to his cubby to pull out the two movies in question. "And then of course we can watch whatever else you want... Or whatever else instead of these."

After sticking the popcorn in the microwave Naruto pulled his comforter off his bunk for them to snuggle under. "You go ahead and pick. I haven't seen either so..." He shrugged and smirked at him wickedly. "I really don't care what we watch." What he really wanted to do was cuddle. All the movie was for was background noise, really.

Looking down at the two DVDs fanned out in his hand Sasuke thought moment and then decided on Ai no Kusabi first. Putting it in one-handed was a small feat for him and the tossed the DVD case on the floor by the TV cart before moving over to the couch. Once there he looked over the scene before him: Naruto already under the blanket and waiting for him to hurry up. Eyeing the couch Sasuke finally decided to sit so that he could loop his right arm around Naruto's shoulders and settled next to him, waiting for Naruto to distribute some of the blanket.

Just then the popcorn was done and Naruto got up to fetch it. Settling back on the couch he drew the blanket around them into a cozy cocoon, the popcorn radiating a very welcome heat. As soon as it was cool enough to eat Naruto began to quietly munch, holding up handfuls for Sasuke since he couldn't use his left hand and his right was wrapped around Naruto's shoulders.

Ai no Kusabi was dark... angsty and drear. After about two mouthfuls of popcorn Sasuke refused to eat any more, deciding he would much rather wait for when they went out to dinner. The car was right downstairs in front of the building with a special permit so they could get to it easily, so Sasuke was still planning on dinner. Somewhere.

"Well that was a sucky ending... It would have been a lot better if they'd gotten to live on together," Naruto grumbled at the end, downing the rest of the popcorn. He still had plenty of room for dinner. "It was a great story through... Maybe I should get pet ring for you," he teased, kissing behind Sasuke's ear.

"Do that... and I'll maim you," Sasuke responded and nipped at Naruto's lower lip by turning his head quickly as Naruto was drawing back from the peck. "What next?" he asked though and got up, stretching a little.

"And why would you maim me? I could have you whipped for that comment, mongrel. Don't forget, I'm a Blondie," Naruto joked, lying down on the bed to stretch. He was definitely feeling better after the good long cuddle.

Chuckling Sasuke pulled the Ai no Kusabi DVD out of the player and looked to Naruto. "We have a few options. We could watch Level C, something else, or go out to dinner and decide what to do after that when we get back... What do you want to do right now?"

"Teriyaki?" Naruto was in the mood for the Akagi, their favorite Japanese restaurant in the area. What made it so good was it was actually owned and run by a Japanese family.

"Perfect..." Sasuke agreed and together they got ready and headed down to the car. Sasuke had given over the care of his keys to Naruto for the duration of his lameness so he just slid right into the passenger side as the auto locks popped and the alarm chirped its greeting to them. It wasn't long before they were entering the Akagi, greeting the cooks with polite bows of their heads and saying "Konban wa."

The popcorn somehow managing to make him hungrier Naruto devoured two whole teriyaki chicken dinners, looking distinctly stuffed when he was done. And yet he still had room for a bowl of green tea ice cream. "You done yet?" he asked Sasuke when he was finished, wanting to get back to their movie night.

Finishing off the last California Roll Sasuke nodded and stood, taking up the tab and paying it before they left. They were soon home again and ensconced in their room with the lights all off but for one well-shaded lamp. "What do you want to watch?" he asked again, though it seemed like the first time all over again since they'd been gone an hour for dinner.

Naruto just shrugged and snuggled deeper into Sasuke's side, beginning to get sleepy from his full stomach and cozy warmth under the blanket. Purring quietly in contentment he let his eyes close and buried his face in Sasuke's neck, inhaling his sweet scent.

There was a moment of complete silence and then Sasuke hugged Naruto briefly before standing. He pulled his arm out of the sling and tossed it on the bed post to hang until morning. "Let's get ready for bed, ne? That way, if we fall asleep we won't end up sleeping in our clothes."

"'Kay." Stripping down to his boxers Naruto dumped his clothes in a pile on the floor and lay down, cocooning himself in the comforter. He watched Sasuke move about the room with lazy, loving eyes.

Sasuke too stripped to only his boxers and then moved over to his stereo with surround-sound speakers. He pulled out and opened his CD cases one by one until he found the right three and put them in. Then he turned back to Naruto and the couch, pulling it out as the music started to wind slowly out of the speakers. It was soft, but thick and heady with romance and a spattering of seduction. Sasuke then slid over Naruto's body and cuddled up under the comforter from the side nearest the back of the couchbed.

"Hi Sasuke," Naruto murmured playfully after pushing Sasuke onto his back and laying on top of him, pulling the comforter snug around them. Sasuke made an excellent body pillow. Approving of his lover's choice in music Naruto nuzzled at the hollow between Sasuke's collarbones lazily.

"Hello yourself..." Sasuke murmured and made some content sound as his hand trailed down Naruto's spine to rest in the small of his back. His thumb moved lightly over the skin there while he stared at the ceiling through hooded eyes.

Soaking in the peace that surrounded them Naruto sighed happily and rested his ear on Sasuke's heart, listening to the steady beat through the warm flesh. "Love you..." he whispered. "Mm! Guess what?" he exclaimed softly.

"What, itooshii?" Sasuke murmured again, not willing to raise his voice above that.

"Itooshii?"

"Beloved."

"Mmm..." Naruto snuggled a bit deeper into Sasuke, very much liking being called beloved. "M'gonna be nineteen next week."

"Oh?" Sasuke murred.

"Yep." The blonde yawned and kissed the spot above Sasuke's heart, nuzzling at it a bit before lying his head back down. "M'gettin' old."

"You're catching up to me..." Sasuke murmured and slid his right hand up until he could cup Naruto's chin with elegantly stretched fingers by reaching behind his boyfriend's neck. Lifting Naruto's head that way he resituated the two of them just enough to let their lips brush. Naruto would now have to use his shoulder as more of a pillow, but Sasuke didn't think it would be much of a problem.

"When's your birthday?" Naruto murmured curiously, nuzzling lightly under Sasuke's chin. He loved it when they had quiet moments like this. Just talking and cuddling and bathing in each other's presence... it was blissfully soothing.

"July twenty-third," Sasuke answered softly as his hand glided back down to settle in the small of Naruto's back. "What would you like for your birthday? Name something material... and then something not..."

"Summer baby... Lesse, that makes you... cancer/leo cusp... No wonder you're so weird," Naruto teased quietly with a smile, kissing the underside of Sasuke's chin.

Sasuke lifted his hand and dropped it between Naruto's shoulderblades, running his fingertips down Naruto's spine, back up, and then down again only this time with the flat of his hand. "I'll try and think of that as a compliment," he muttered, though he truly wasn't in any way miffed or upset.

Naruto chuckled and tucked his head in the crook of Sasuke's neck, using his good shoulder as a pillow and drawing random patterns on Sasuke's chest with light fingers. In the room's dim light Sasuke glowed faintly, his pale skin bright in the twilight-like darkness.

Sasuke's hand started to stroke Naruto's back rhythmically as if petting a cat or canine. "I love you..." he murmured and rubbed his chin in Naruto's hair. It was so warm, cozy and the quiet drone of the relaxing, velvety music was a wonderful setting added to the soft golden glow of the low lighting.

Purring quietly Naruto murmured, "Love you too..." He was almost asleep when something wet started tickling his foot, making him squirm and giggle. Propping himself up on his elbows Naruto twisted his neck to look behind him and laughed. His foot had escaped from the blankets and Akamaru was licking his heel. "What are you doing in here, pup?" he asked quietly, reaching over to scoop up the small dog and lay him down on the mattress next to him and Sasuke. Akamaru was soon a puddle of puppy-mush as Naruto rubbed his ears. "Guess Kiba's still out... Bad Kiba, leaving you all alone."

Eyeing the dog Sasuke sighed and decided not to bother arguing anything about it. Instead he closed his eyes and settled in for sleep.

"Want me to rub your ear too?" Naruto asked in quiet playfulness, reaching up to do just that. Akamaru belly-walked around to the other side of Sasuke's head and started licking his other ear.

Jerking his head away from the wet tongue, Sasuke made a disgusted noise and grumbled, "Hey! Only Naruto's allowed to do that!" Naruto's hand on his ear had been wonderful, but the dog tongue had ruined it. "Lick my hand or something if you have to..." he added, flopping the dog's ears with one hand by placing it on Akamaru's crown and rubbing back and forth.

Naruto laughed just as the sound of a key turning came from the other room in the suite. Barking quietly Akamaru ran off the bed and almost ran into their trashcan before shooting through the bathroom to greet his owner. Naruto got out of bed just long enough to close and lock the bathroom, returning to sprawl on top of Sasuke again. "Hey Sasuke, can we get a dog?" he asked softly, not really serious but just wanting to see the look on Sasuke's face.

Sasuke was silent, his expression blank for a long time... but then he said simply, "I was going to go buy a snake... a python or a boa..."

Chuckling Naruto settled comfortably. "Just remember to hide it whenever Baa-chan comes by or she might kidnap it," he joked, yawning. "Night, beautiful..." he murmured, ready to go to sleep.

"Good night, Naruto..." Sasuke murmured back and threw his arms about the blond, settling in for serious sleep now.

TBC...