Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or its characters and I make no profit from this story.
To MisatosPenPen: Thank you again for reviewing. I enjoy reading and receiving them. I hope I can keep you in suspense until the end! :D
*I've made a correction to the end of this chapter and fixed a POV mistake. What I have removed will be included in the beginning of the next chapter, thanks.
Chapter Nine
June 6th
Fingers drummed across a highly polished desk, amber eyes staring avidly at the clock on the wall. Tsunade’s anxiety was on high alert, her fingers itching to pick up the phone and dial, to hear the other voices on the line, to know they were ok.
The deadline was upon them and the investigation had stalled yet again leaving her in a constant state of unease. She couldn’t help calling Hayate every half hour to make sure they were ok. In five minutes she would call again and then her anxiety would be relieved until she hung up the phone and then it would flare to life again.
Tsunades eyes counted down the seconds until it finally reached the half hour mark. She picked up the phone and dialed the number seared into her memory, her stomach in knots. It rang once, twice, three, four, five times and no one answered. Her stomach dropped as the phone rang for an eighth time. She hung up and ordered all available patrol cars to the location on Mist Avenue in the Niagara District. They were to proceed with extreme caution; that the suspect may still be there and armed. She rushed out into the station and towards her car.
“It’s too late.” She muttered as she rushed by her lieutenant.
“Was it confirmed?” Kakashi asked as he swung from his chair to follow.
Tsunade shook her head mournfully.
“Hayate didn’t answer. I knew I should have called more often. This is my fault, I should have moved them last night, but I was confident they were safe there. I was stupid!” She growled and bit at her finger nail.
“You weren’t stupid, Tsunade. Like you said last night, we had no reason to believe they weren’t safe, that their location was compromised. You know there was only so much that we could do; that we could offer. Moving them wouldn’t have been an option.”
“I know!” The Chief reluctantly agreed with a nod of her head and made her way to Kakashi’s car.
She didn’t think her maniacal driving skills would be appreciated at times like this and she didn’t trust herself behind the wheel at the moment. Kakashi followed without question, driving them the short distance to the crime scene.
When they pulled up the flashing lights from the available police presence flashed ominously over the rows of houses. Residents filed in behind the yellow tape; watching, waiting, pointing. The ambulance was already there, the EMT’s in the process of wheeling a person out on a stretcher. Tsunade frowned in bewilderment, thinking to herself, ‘What is going on?’
“You there!” She called out to an officer standing nearby.
“Yes, Chief?” The officer asked as he jogged over.
“Tell me what’s going on?”
“Well, we were called out to the location and proceeded with caution; just as you ordered. When we arrived we found two victims in the living room and no sign of the perpetrator. One victim was stabbed through the heart; he didn’t make it, but the other was found barely alive. His pulse was weak and he was having a difficult time with breathing. It appears from the bodies’ position that the point of entry was through the back.”
“Who didn’t make it?” Tsunade asked, fearing the answer.
“It was Officer Gekko, Chief.” He replied mournfully.
Tsunade nodded as the officer was called away. She took a shuddering breath as she fought back the tears she couldn’t show. Everything was in a state of surreal as she watched the flashing lights of the patrol cars, the people from the neighborhood trying to peek around the barricading police officers, and the CSI’s bustling in and out of the house with bagged evidence in their grasp. It was like a silent movie to her; no sound reaching her ears but the sound of her rapidly beating heart. ‘This is my fault!’ She berated herself.
“We need to go to the hospital, Kakashi. There’s nothing we can do here, now.” Tsunade replied, coming to her senses.
Kakashi nodded as he re-entered his vehicle, Tsunade slipping in to the passenger’s side.
“It isn’t a forgone conclusion, Tsunade. He could still pull through.”
“It doesn’t change the fact that I’m to blame for this.”
“You didn’t kill Hayate and you didn’t attack Haku. You did the best that you could; you didn’t abandon them like others would have. The only one to blame would be the murderer himself. He chose to do this.”
“I wish I could see it like that Kakashi. I should have moved them when I had the chance.” Tsunade berated herself.
“You would have only delayed the inevitable.” Kakashi replied.
Tsunade shot him a glare, but didn’t refute the fact. The remainder of the ride was silent, both lost in their own thoughts of what they could have done differently; if there was more that they could have done; would that have even changed the outcome? It was an impossible question to answer because they would never know what could have been.
Tsunade rallied herself as she eyed the hospital sliding in to view. Sitting up straighter in her chair, she wished from the bottom of her heart that Haku pulled through.
Before the car was even parked Tsunade was out and striding into the hospital towards the receptionist, flashing her badge as she went. A nurse allowed the Chief through immediately, rambling on beside her about the victim’s condition.
Kakashi held back, pausing to make a quick phone call. Things needed to change, and it needed to change fast.
~REVENGE~
Itachi rubbed at his eyes trying to get through the final document of his upcoming trial. The defendants were trying to catch him off guard by exercising their right to a speedy trial. That was fine by him; the sooner justice could be served the better. He owed it to the original victim to show that someone really cared about what happened to them, that they were not forgotten, that justice didn’t abandon them. Itachi wouldn’t fail him; not this time.
He was so lost in thought the sound of his cell phone ringing into the silent night startled him. Examining the ID, he saw that it was Kakashi calling and flipped it open, “Kakashi, it is late.”
Leaning backwards in his chair, Itachi’s back gave an almighty crack that went unheard by the man on the opposite end of the line.
‘I know the time Itachi, but this couldn’t wait. There was a double stabbing tonight. Mr. Yuki is barely clinging to life as we speak. The officer guarding him succumbed to his own stab wound.’
Itachi sat up straighter in his chair and sighed. “So I will be the next victim and then Sasuke.”
‘Yes, and we need to talk about what to do now. It seems nowhere is safe from this monster.’
“I cannot as easily leave my job as Sasuke has, Kakashi. There are too many trials that need my immediate attention and I cannot trust them to just anyone.”
‘Things have changed Itachi and we’ll still have to talk about this later. Right now I have to make the call to Sasuke and let him know.’
“Yes, we will speak later, but it will not change my mind. Good day, Kakashi.”
‘You’re as stubborn as always, Itachi.’ Kakashi muttered before disconnecting.
Itachi snapped his phone shut and allowed his eyes to travel to the picture sitting on his desk; staring. He reached over and grabbed the picture in his grasp. Taken 17 years ago, shortly before their parents murder; it was their last family portrait. Itachi sighed as he pushed the photo face down on his desk gently. So much had changed since that photo was snapped.
~REVENGE~
Tension was thick in the air, lingering and being a downright nuisance. Naruto was trying to help, but nothing he did helped in calming my nerves. I was fast becoming restless with the silence and lack of information coming our way. It was disconcerting that Chief Tsunade had been quiet all day, let alone Kakashi. Something was wrong, I could practically feel it.
My foot danced in anticipation as I sat on the balcony watching the people below playing in the pool without a care in the world. This was my escape from the suffocating feeling inside the hotel room, the fresh air keeping my nerves from fraying. I’d never been on the receiving end like this before; now I knew what it was like to be the target.
Naruto silently joined me, bringing out two beers and taking a seat in the chair opposite of mine. This was the first time I had ever seen the dobe drink and I was a little put off by it. Maybe he wasn’t as calm as he portrayed himself to be. That thought was oddly comforting to me.
We sat quietly in the semi-darkness, sipping at our beers and listening to the laughs drifting up to us from the pool below. The sounds were at odds with how I was feeling. Tired, Naruto sighed and broke the silence.
“I have a bad feeling about this, teme. This silence is unnatural, especially coming from Granny Tsunade. Do you think something has happened?”
“Hn.”
“Hn.” Naruto repeated and took a drag at his beer.
“I have a bad feeling too, dobe.” I exhaled and leaned forward in my chair, my arms resting on my legs. I stole another sip of my beer before continuing. “I tried everyone, but they’re either incredibly busy or completely ignoring me.”
“Wow, Sasuke Uchiha being ignored! What is the world coming too?” Naruto joked, but I noticed his smile didn’t quite reach as far.
“Hn.”
“Why haven’t they…?” Naruto began, but the abrupt ringing of my phone interrupted him.
I didn’t bother to look who it was as I snatched it up and answered with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“Hello?”
‘Sasuke, Kakashi here. I wanted to let you know that Haku Yuki and Officer Gekko were attacked tonight. Tsunade and I are at Konoha Hospital and it’s not looking good. Haku is in critical condition with a stab wound to the back…Hayate died trying to protect him.’
“I understand.” I muttered.
I felt my stomach drop as I clenched the side of the plastic chair. This guy murdered a police officer just because he was in the way! It shouldn’t have surprised me, but the thought that he was willing to attack other people than just his targets unsettled me. No one was safe.
‘Just stay put for now. We’ll talk later about other arrangements.’
“I understand.” I repeated and hung up the phone. I stared at the dobe across from me as he shot me a look of concern. “That was Kakashi. Haku Yuki was stabbed in the back tonight. He’s critical at the moment and it’s not looking good.”
Naruto was quiet for a moment before the tears gathered at the corners of his blue eyes. I jumped from my seat and knelt before him before he could stop me. I cupped his face, rubbing my thumbs over his cheeks in a soothing manner.
“Naruto…?” I whispered worriedly.
“It’s too much, Sasuke. I don’t think I can cope with this. I don’t think I can be brave anymore. I don’t want to lose you!” He choked out in a whisper.
“It’s ok, Naruto…You won’t lose me. I promise that I’ll be there; I’ll protect you. Not matter what, I won’t allow him to hurt you.” I paused, stunned, as I felt something warm slide down my face.
Reaching up I wiped at the warmth, surprised to see the side of my hand wet. It took a moment to realize they were the remnants of my tears. I was crying…but Uchiha’s don’t cry!
“You can’t promise that, teme.” Naruto muttered as he wiped at my tears.
“I can and I have.”
I closed the distance between us and brushed my lips against his. It lacked previous passion, but I poured every ounce of feeling I could into it. I needed him to know that I cherished him and wouldn’t leave him for anything; I couldn’t even if I wanted too. He was my world, my reason for living now.
And just as suddenly as being struck by lightning I understood. I understood Naruto’s strange outburst outside the hotel and I understood the strange feelings I had in Shizune’s office when she hypnotized him. When had it happened, I don’t know, but I suddenly found myself in…love. Me, Sasuke Uchiha, was in love; and Naruto knew. Naruto knew before I did!
“Sasuke…?” He questioned.
“Naruto…”
I stood up and pulled him from his chair, luring him in to the confines of our bedroom. I latched on to him in a searing kiss, pulling him on top of me as I sat down on the bed. He followed readily and straddled my waist, running his hands up my chest and over my shoulders in gentle circles.
Naruto’s breathing deepened as I ran my fingers through his golden locks and nipped playfully at his neck; my favorite part of his body so far. I bit down on his collarbone eliciting a hiss from the dobe and a harsh tug at my hair in retaliation. I smirked in satisfaction, surveying my handy work.
My hands slid up and under his shirt, grasping at a pert nipple and squeezing. My reward was a heady groan and a soft kiss. Feeling confident I began to lift his shirt over his head attacking his chest with small nips. Pulling his shirt free, I tossed it into a corner and pulled an erect bud into my mouth, biting and sucking. I earned another delicious groan from Naruto, his hands digging into the nape of my neck.
Caught up in the furor, I allowed desire to completely over take my being. On the edge of over confidence I slipped my hands into Narutos pants, gripping his butt cheeks tightly and forcing his crotch against mine. His moan rang through the room, sending pulses to my cock.
Losing my head completely in a lust filled haze; I trailed my hand across his butt cheek and into the crack, running teasing circles over the smooth skin. Hands grasped at my wrists tightly trying to halt my movements. I frowned at the hindrance, but renewed my efforts, hooking my fingers around the belt loops of his jeans. I tugged at the jeans and forced them halfway down tanned hips before once again meeting with resistance.
I growled in frustration, pulling away from the body above me and focusing in on the sight of a nervous Naruto. He was apologizing over and over about something. I couldn’t understand what he was saying he was rambling so fast.
“What are you talking about Naruto?” I asked in confusion, trying to slow his speech enough to comprehend.
“I’m sorry. I want to be with you so much, but I can’t. I don’t know what is wrong with me!” In desperation he gripped at his sunshine locks with the most miserable look on his face. “I panicked.”
My eyes shot wide, realizing what I had just done…what I had just tried to do. And he was beating himself up instead of me! I couldn’t take it, not over something like this!
“Nothing is wrong with you, you’re absolutely perfect.” I muttered in his defense.
“But I want to be with you…” Naruto trailed off in a choking sob. “I just…”
“So you’re not ready yet.” I soothed. “I wasn’t going to be angry at you for putting on the brakes. You know that I don’t want to force you into anything you’re not ready for.”
“Really?” He asked softly, biting his lip.
“Really.” I nodded.
“Then why did you growl at me when I tried to stop?”
I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. “I was caught up in the moment, but that didn’t mean I was angry with you. I’m not angry with you. Really, dobe, this isn’t anything new. I told you before that I respect your boundaries. Come here.”
I motioned for him to rejoin me, but instead of straddling my waist, he sat down next to me. He focused intently on my face, unsure and maybe a bit uneasy. I wanted him to feel at ease so I forced us back on the bed with the dobes head coming to rest on my chest. I threaded my fingers through his hair and ran my fingers through his silky strands until he finally relaxed.
I loved just lying there with him. It made me feel comforted in a way I hadn’t felt in many years. Itachi had tried as best he could, but he just couldn’t give me what I needed. Naruto could and did every day.
Everything was quiet inside the room, the only sound coming from our combined breathing. It was soothing to hear and I soon found myself drifting slowly into a light sleep when Naruto asked quietly, “What were your parents like, teme?”
I roused from my light dozing and frowned in sudden thought as I tried to find the right words to describe my mother and father. I looked above my head and eyed the family portrait that Naruto had grabbed when we had visited my house; and had only just shown me recently. I couldn’t be mad at him for sneaking it along, not when I knew the importance family had on him.
The photo was currently propped against the lamp on the bedside table. Taken the day after my seventh birthday, the only one who looked happy was my mom. And she had reason to be happy as she had finally got us all there to take the portrait after a year of secretly trying. I had to give it to her.
“My mother and father…they were…well, they loved each other very much.” I replied, still trying to find the right words. “It was one of those true romances that you hear about and it was plain to everyone around them how much they loved each other. On the other hand; I can’t say that my father was a very loving man to Itachi or me; he was always at work and far too busy for the two of us, but he always made time for Mom.
“Mom, in contrast, was very caring and compassionate. Father’s complete opposite in every way; I could never understand how my gentle mom could marry a brick like him. Every time I asked her why she would just smile and tell me that I would understand when I was older, but I don’t; not really.”
That was the last conversation I had with her. The next day she was gone, stolen from everyone that loved her. It was too soon. I swallowed hard at the swirling memories before changing the subject.
“While Father was busy with work Mom used to spend most of her time with Itachi and me. We would help her around the house and she would play games with us or take us out on picnics while father was stuck at work. He was a stern man who didn’t care much for our childish antics and he made sure to ingrain that in Itachi and me every day. As Uchiha we had standards to live up to and he never failed to point out our shortcomings; Itachi less than I. But I believe deep down though he really did care and only wanted the best for us. He was just unable to convey it properly.”
“At least you had your mother to off-set your stiff father.”
“Hmm, I’m sorry you don’t remember more of your Mom and Dad.” I frowned.
“It’s ok teme,” Naruto smiled. “I’ll cherish what little I do have to remember now.”
“It’s not fair.” I whispered.
“It rarely ever is.” Naruto whispered back as a comfortable lull overtook us.
Once again the only sound in the room was our breathing as we laid in companionable silence until we both nodded off.
~REVENGE~
June 7th
It didn’t feel like I had been asleep more than an hour when a knock at the door startled me from my slumber. It was pitch dark in the room as I looked around sleepily trying to define the noise with the audacity to awaken me.
Another knock from the living room assaulted my ears and my eyes narrowed with suspicion. I reached above my head and pulled my pistol out of the desk drawer between the beds. I edged slowly away from the dozing blonde and padded out to the living room. I flicked the safety off as I made my way towards the door where there was another series of knocking. I hissed in annoyance; I didn’t want whoever it was to wake Naruto, not yet.
I crept to the door quietly and quickly looked out of the peephole. With a sigh of relief, I flicked the safety back on the pistol and tossed it on the sofa. Within seconds I unchained the chain lock on the door, turned the dead bolt and then the lock on the knob; flinging the door wide open.
I gave Kakashi and Chief Tsunade the darkest glare I could muster at three in the morning. Did they know what time it was? Obviously, they did as they entered the room swiftly and shut the door behind them with a resounding snap. Kakashi eyed the pistol and raised an eyebrow in question.
“I’m not taking any chances; the greater the obstacles the better, in my opinion.”
“Sorry for calling so early, Sasuke. We came directly from the hospital.” Kakashi yawned. “Haku Yuki is still alive, but listed in critical condition. He somehow survived the surgery and is currently in intensive care. We’ve posted a guard at his door and no one, but the doctor, the head nurse, Tsunade and I can get into his room. We’re taking no risks this time.”
“What are his chances; realistically?” I asked, rubbing the back of my neck.
“It’s touch-and-go at the moment and could go either way.” Tsunade voiced, her arms crossed over her ample breasts.
“It’s odd that he left before making sure the victim was dead.”
“It’s not the first time that’s happened, Sasuke. Remember the first victim, Yugito Nii; she was left alive as well as Naruto.”
“That’s been bugging me, too. Why is he being so sloppy now?” Kakashi whispered as a murmur came from the vicinity of the bedroom.
I froze, turning my head towards the bedroom and waiting for a sound that the dobe was awake, but when nothing was forthcoming I turned back to Kakashi.
“I don’t know why he’s being sloppy now.” I whispered. “What we need to know is what possible reason could there be for leaving the dobe alive? He was a victim that could potentially identify him.”
“What did you just call my grandson?!” Tsunade snarled.
I cringed at the loud voice, knowing that it would echo back the hallway to the bedroom. There wasn’t even a door to close to block out the sound!
“Tsunade, keep your voice down.” Kakashi chided, his eyes traveling the length of hallway and searching.
“Not until he answers me!” She snarled again, but lowered her voice all the same.
“This isn’t the first time you heard me call him that, Chief.” I replied, my eyes narrowing.
“Aw, how cute; the two of you have pet names for each other.” Kakashi laughed. “What does he call you, Sasuke?”
“We do not have pet names for each other, Kakashi and if we did it is none of your business anyway. Now if that’s all I’d like to get back to sleep sometime before morning.”
“Don’t be in such a rush, Sasuke.” Kakashi smiled behind his turtleneck.
“Kakashi…” I warned.
“Now, hear me out here. You asked what reasoning could there be for leaving Naruto alive 16 years ago. Do you have any theories yourself?”
“I have many theories and all of them least likely than the last.” I ground out.
“Ok,” Kakashi sighed. “So we believe he’s getting sloppy and careless…”
“But not where it matters.” I supplied, interrupting him. “He left victims alive, yes, but left no evidence to track him either. You told me earlier that Haku Yuki was stabbed in the back, so if by some miracle he lives to give a statement, he most likely didn’t see his attacker.”
“That’s the wrong outlook to possess, Sasuke.” Kakashi frowned.
“Oh, and what outlook should I have? You know as well as I do that my time is limited now. So how should my outlook be? I can’t be happy-go-lucky knowing what I do, that’s just wasting my energy.”
“Your time is not limited, I won’t let that happen.” Tsunade growled.
“No offense, but there is nothing you can do to stop it from happening; not now.”
“You’re acting as if you’re already dead! Do you have such little faith in us?” Tsunade hissed.
“I have as much faith in you as I can muster because it would be foolish of me to believe that you could magically make all of this disappear. I’m not acting as if I’m dead already; I’m just being realistic here.”
“Sasuke, you have to trust that we…”
“Don’t make promises that you can’t keep.” I growled quietly.
“The same could be said for you, teme.” Naruto muttered from behind me.
I whipped around to stare at him in shock. He walked up to Tsunade and gave her a hug before stepping back and stopping next to me. He gave Kakashi a nod in greeting.
“What promises have you been making?” Kakashi asked slyly, his eyes focused on our close proximity.
Tsunade whipped her head to stare at Kakashi before turning a cold glare to me.
“Am I missing something?” She asked in a deadly calm voice.
I shook my head in annoyance which, in hind sight, was the wrong thing to do.
“Tell me you little punk!” Tsunade snarled, taking a menacing step forward and cracking her knuckles.
She tried to lunge at me, but was held back at the last second by Kakashi. I was never so happy for his quick reflexes than I was at this very moment.
“Let me go. I’ll kill him, I’ll kill you! I told you to stay away from my grandson?!”
“What?!” Naruto blurted out in bewilderment and turned to stare at me. “What is she talking about, teme?”
I crossed my arms and glared at no one in particular…even though I really wanted to glare at the Chief. But that would be disrespectful to Naruto, so I refrained.
“I didn’t want to bother you with this, because I had no intention of backing down in my relationship with you.” I replied crossly. “Plus, it’s kind of hard to stay away from you when we’re staying in the same hotel room.”
“Oh, I see.” He mumbled in shock and then turned to Tsunade; demanding an explanation as well, “Why would you tell him to stay away from me?”
Kakashi gripped Tsunade’s arm tighter, weary of the volatile woman as she turned towards her angry grandson. I eyed her critically, wondering if she would harm Naruto…her own flesh and blood. I shot that thought down immediately, knowing she would do nothing to hurt Naruto physically.
“You don’t need this punk in your life; not after
everything you’ve been through.” She hissed.
“I am more than capable of taking care of myself, of making my own choices. I want Sasuke and you won’t interfere with this.” Naruto ground out, drawing a line in the sand.
“I don’t approve.” She replied stiffly, crossing her arms as best she could with Kakashi still gripping her upper arm.
“I wasn’t aware that I needed your approval in my love life.” Naruto drawled
“
Love life; what love life!” Tsunade hissed again.
Freeing herself from Kakashi’s grasp she rushed towards Naruto; examining him from head to toe with intense scrutiny, searching for who knows what. She sighed heavily when she apparently found nothing and released him. Turning to glare at me, she used the deadliest tone I’d ever heard from her.
“You’re lucky you didn’t touch him.”
“GRANNY...!”
“I would never touch the dobe like that without his consent.” I replied coolly.
“You better not! I won’t have you forcing yourself on him like some rutting school boy!”
“I’m not a rapist that would force myself on a person. I have too much respect and dignity to sink so low!” I bristled in anger.
“As if I would ever let that happen!” She snapped.
“Granny Tsunade stop it!” Naruto demanded.
Red in the face and shaking all over, Naruto tried to swallow his anger. I was angry too, damn it! To claim that I would rape Naruto…there was no excuse for the Chiefs comments. What did she take me for?
“I do not approve of him!” She stated firmly again, staring me dead in the eye as she said it.
“I don’t care if you approve or not!” Naruto stated in exasperation.
“Did you have sex!?” Tsunade yelled as she whipped around to confront her grandson; and completely changing the subject in the process.
Naruto took an involuntary step back, his anger abating suddenly as an air of calm wafted around him.
“I refuse to answer that.” He shot back.
I had admiration of this rare talent Naruto had perfected. No one was able to go up against Tsunade and come out in one piece. I even admired the blondes’ courage as he stood his ground with his arms on his hips, but the Chief was a force to be reckoned with and I didn’t envy his position at the moment. Uchiha’s knew how to pick their battles wisely and it seemed Naruto knew how to pick his.
“Tell me now, brat!”
“No, it’s none of your business.” He stated.
“Anything that concerns you or your safety is my business!”
“My safety wasn’t compromised and I wasn’t hurt in any way. That is all I’m telling you; that is all you need to know.”
“Damn it Naruto! Are you even thinking about what you’re doing? You’ve known him what, all of a month?”
Naruto swelled with anger, his calm shattering into thousands of shards as he sounded off on his grandmother.
“I know how long I’ve known him for! I’ve spent every day with him since!”
“Then why are you doing this; why are you sneaking around and refusing to answer me?!”
“Why does it matter?”
“Because!”
“Because why?!”
“Because he’s not worthy and…and…you…you-You’re moving too fast!” She spat out in want of a decent answer.
“I am not moving too fast! I think everything through so slowly to the point of over thinking it!” He cried out in frustration.
Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves he started again, his voice more controlled.
“I know I’ve only known him for a short time, but he makes me happy. And you’re really one to talk. You wasted no time after meeting your fiancé. How long did you know him before you decided to get married? A week! How dare you question me?”
“Dan is not in question here. It’s you and this punk…”
“I happen to love this punk and if you can’t be happy for me…” Naruto cast his eyes to the floor as he let his threat hanging in the air.
Tsunades eyes widened with Naruto’s admission as I stood completely still, unsure if I had heard him properly.
“Wha-What?” I asked in shock.
It was very un-Uchiha like, but I didn’t care about that at the moment. All I wanted to know was if Naruto just said what I thought he said. Did he love me too?
“Um…” Naruto stuttered, realizing what he just said aloud.
He worried his bottom lip again as he turned and stared me in the eye. He threw me a weak smile as he replied sheepishly, “That wasn’t how I wanted to tell you.”
“What…!” Tsunade demanded, but Kakashi silenced her with a hand to her shoulder. It was a wonder that he wasn’t knocked out for the brazen act.
“You love me?” I asked with uncertainty completely ignoring the other two occupants in the room.
“Yeah, I love you.” He stated with conviction.
He had this look on his face that just screamed ‘you know this already so why are you asking me?’ But I didn’t know, I hadn’t known.
I smiled widely as I pulled him to me. I saw Tsunade tug against Kakashi from the corner of my eye, but he wouldn’t let her interfere.
“Really?” I asked and earned a nod. “Well, then you should know that I feel the same way about you. I love you.”
“I know…” He sighed.
I nipped at his lips and earned a growl from Tsunade, but Naruto was grinning from ear to ear. That was all that mattered.
“I don’t approve!” Tsunade snapped, aware that she still had a voice even if she was allowing Kakashi to hold her back at the moment.
“I don’t really care.” Naruto muttered breathlessly as he kissed me soundly.
“Naruto?!”
“What!” He whined out and pulled away from me to stare at the apoplectic woman.
“Think about this!” She hissed.
“I have thought about it, and it won’t change my mind.” He stated calmly and grabbed my hand in his. “Sasuke is what I want and as my Granny you should be happy for me.”
“You can do better.”
“I don’t want better, just happiness.” Naruto smiled at me.
She glared honey brown daggers at me as I wrapped my arms around Naruto possessively. He jabbed me in the side with his elbow eliciting a grunt from me and a smile from Tsunade.
Naruto leveled a glare at the Chief, his brow rising in question. She exhaled and rolled her eyes.
“Fine I’ll
try to be supportive, but you get one shot, Uchiha. One shot! If you screw this up I will make sure you never get another chance, do you hear me!” She snarled.
“Granny Tsunade!” Naruto cried out in exasperation.
“I
won’t screw this up.” I asserted.
She nodded stiffly. “Don’t you dare touch him until he is absolutely ready or I will kill you; and that’s a promise. You’d also do well to remember this Sasuke; I’m the Chief of Police. I know how to hide a body and bury the evidence. No one will ever find you.”
“Granny Tsunade!” Naruto cried as he clung to my hand across his chest with a tight grip. “If you must know we didn’t do anything; and certainly there was no need to threaten Sasuke like that.”
“I’m just giving him fair warning so that he remembers where I stand.”
“I love him, Granny Tsunade.” Naruto whispered.
He sounded like he was about to cry again and I couldn’t have that. I ran my hands up and down his arms softly, lending support while still being respectful to the volatile Chief.
“I can see that Naruto, but I can’t easily trust like you do. To me you will always be that little boy…”
“I’ve grown up.” He stated forcefully.
“That doesn’t matter. I only want what is best for you and if you believe that is Sasuke I won’t interfere.” She ground out in defeat. ‘Much.’ She added to herself.
Naruto pulled away from me and hugged her tightly, muttering a “thank you”.
“Ok, enough.” She growled as Naruto stepped away from her grinning from ear to ear.
I stepped towards him, laid my hand on his shoulder and breathed in his ear. “Why don’t you go back to bed and I’ll be by shortly. I have a few more things to discuss with Kakashi and the Chief.”
“Ok.” Naruto nodded and pecked me on the lips. “Goodnight.”
“Sasuke…?” Kakashi questioned as Naruto disappeared down the hallway.
I waited until Naruto was out of sight before turning back to the Lieutenant and Chief, speaking barely above a whisper.
“Will you trust me if something goes wrong?”
“What are you talking about?”
“When it comes time will you let me do what is best for Naruto?” I asked and looked Tsunade straight in the eye.
“What do you mean, Uchiha?” Tsunade demanded in a whisper.
“There’s no point in beating around the bush here. We all know that my time is limited and what the most logical outcome will be. I don’t want to hurt him, but I can’t do that now. If I had known that we would still be standing here trying to find that murderer I wouldn’t have formed a relationship with Naruto. It’s cruel, I know, but I would have spared him this heartache. I was foolishly optimistic and confident that he would be caught before it ever reached this far.”
“So, you’re going to break his heart now!” She hissed.
“I’m not leaving him willingly; he’s stuck with me now.”
“You really do love him?” Tsunade sounded so dumbstruck that I threw her a glare.
“Of course I do. I don’t tell just anyone that I love them. What do you take me for?”
“A bastard.” Tsunade growled.
“Besides that?” I scoffed.
Kakashi released a soft chuckle into the tension filled room. It lifted the dark aura that had slowly worked its way over our heads and I was thankful for that.
“Look, I’m just being realistic here. I don’t see myself surviving this and…I need you to trust me when it comes to Naruto. I have a plan that would differ with yours. Will you trust me to hide him?”
“You want to hide my grandson from me!?”
“Not from you, but from the psychotic serial killer chasing us. Trust me; I know a place that no one would ever think to look for him there.”
Tsunade bit her thumb, her eyes shifting from side to side as she thought about anything and everything concerning Naruto.
“If it gets that far, then I will think more on it.” Tsunade conceded.
I nodded in agreement and allowed the silence to reign down on us as we stood in the dark living room. No one wanted to move yet; caught up in their own thoughts and concerns. I finally broke the silence after a few minutes.
“What does the Council have to say about all this?”
“They are being amazingly quiet at the moment and I haven’t heard back from Shikaku yet. I didn’t hide the fact that I had Haku under police protection and I warned them that if I returned, his blood would be on their hands.” Tsunade muttered darkly. “Shikaku was quite disturbed by the attack when I called from the emergency room and he regretted deeply that his hands were so tied that he couldn’t help us. He’s the only one on the Council I don’t hold accountable for this.”
Kakashi and I nodded in agreement, understanding the full bitterness of her words. It was hard not to feel anger and disgust at the Council and their conniving ways.
“I don’t know what they plan to do right now, but they can’t deny it any longer. The public has the right to know, considering he just murdered a man because he got in the way of his target; and a police officer at that.”
“This would be their last chance to redeem themselves. If they refuse to take it…” Kakashi left the threat open.
“Right, so what do we do now?” I asked.
“We’ll talk more about this later, Sasuke. Come by the station at 11o’clock and we’ll take it from there. But for now, rest; and Kakashi, I think we should be getting back to the hospital. I don’t trust leaving Haku alone for long.”
“Have a goodnight, Sasuke...”
“Keep the brat safe…”
“And we’ll see you later.”
With a nod I walked them out and shut the door behind them. I made sure to lock all three locks before picking up my tossed pistol and slipping it behind my back as I walked down the hall to the bedroom. I didn’t want to freak the dobe out, if he was still awake, by having a loaded gun in my hand.
I quietly stepped over to the desk drawer and deposited the gun before slipping into bed and wrapping an arm over the dozing blonde where he was quick to nuzzle into my chest with a content sigh. I drifted off to sleep quickly with him in my arms.
~REVENGE~
I woke with a start and noticed the empty space next to me as sunlight streamed through the open curtains of the balcony window. I searched out the digital clock amazed that it was only nine in the morning.
Rubbing my eyes I walked slowly towards the kitchen where I spotted the dobe bustling around cooking breakfast. I spied sausages sizzling, temptingly, in the skillet as the dobe poured pancake batter into another. I noticed a laptop computer sitting on the counter and raised a silent question when he smiled a morning greeting to me. I didn’t know he had a computer with him. Naruto laughed.
“I don’t use it that often, but I thought it would be safe just this once. I sent an email to Jiraiya and asked how my class finished this year. I was just waiting for a reply.”
“When did school let out?” I frowned.
“Only today, but he’d already know. The grades have to be in so they can send the report cards home with the kids.”
“Hmm, what day did we check in here again?”
“I think it was May 3
rd, so 35 days ago.”
“Just over a month, it seemed longer to me…”
“Yeah, well, breakfast is ready.” Naruto laughed as he placed two heaping plates on the table and took a seat.
“We have to be at the station later, the Chief wants to discuss our options with us.” I muttered before taking a bite of the fluffy pancakes.
“We won’t be split up will we?” Naruto asked with worry in his eyes.
“I won’t let that happen. You’re stuck with me.”
“That isn’t the worst thing that could happen.” He mumbled under his breath, but I still caught it and smiled in happiness.
~REVENGE~
Tsunade strolled through the police station towards her office after having just come back from the hospital. Kakashi followed behind her ignoring the questions fired at them on Haku’s current condition.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” Kakashi asked quietly after snapping the door closed.
“It is the only way.” She muttered and sank into her seat, holding back a yawn. “I can’t risk him coming back and finishing the job.”
“But to lie to the public…”
“He’s still in danger, Kakashi.”
Tsunade looked up when there was a knock at the door and before she could utter a word it pushed open.
“Yamato.” Tsunade smiled in greeting. “Itachi.”
“I presume we’re here to discuss Itachi’s safety.” Konoha’s District Attorney, Yamato Tenzo noted.
“Yes.” Kakashi nodded.
“Let’s get right to the point, Itachi. I want you to go in to hiding.” Tsunade stated.
“No.”
“Itachi, please hear them out.” Yamato asked.
“No.” He repeated.
“Why?” The chief demanded, her honey brown eyes narrowing dangerously.
“It would be foolish to hide me now.”
“I…” Tsunade stated.
Kakashi held up a hand to stall her. “Itachi made a valid point the last time we spoke, Tsunade; he can’t as easily leave his job. There are too many case files pending that need his attention not to mention the people who are relying on him to see that justice is served. I think the best option is to give him a guard or two.”
“I refuse.” Itachi drawled immediately.
“I think it’s the best idea possible, Itachi, given the circumstances.” Kakashi defended.
“No.”
“Don’t be stubborn Uchiha!” Tsunade snapped.
“I am not being stubborn. I do not believe it is necessary with the protection that surrounds the courthouse daily.”
“You can’t possibly be in the courthouse every day all day. This guy has proven himself resourceful. He doesn’t need to take a weapon inside to get to you.” Yamato replied.
“I can manage my own protection. I would have you focus your attention on Sasuke and…”
“We have their situation under control; you’re our concern at the moment.” Tsunade stated darkly.
“You’ve misplaced your concern. I am more than capable of taking care of myself.”
“Maybe a compromise would work, then. Hear me out Itachi.” Yamato replied as he interrupted the Uchiha’s refusal. “You will have a guard that will follow you around the clock when you’re not in a courtroom.”
Itachi shook his head and attempted to refuse again.
“If you do not accept this offer then I will have no choice but to relieve you of your caseload and hand you over to Tsunade; willing or not. She will not be as generous as I have been.”
The Uchiha scowled at the District Attorney. Yamato knew how important those cases were to him and there was no way he would allow another to prosecute them. He hated the fact his back was against the wall, unable to refuse.
Itachi scowled again; Uchiha’s hated ultimatums.
“Fine.” He snapped.
“How soon can you have a bodyguard available?” Yamato asked.
“He should be here shortly.” Kakashi replied as he looked at his watch. “I thought you might request one so I took the liberty of hiring one already.”
“How prescient of you; Lieutenant.” Itachi replied caustically.
“We’re taking no more chances and now with that settled; Sasuke, thank you for joining us.” Tsunade responded.
Itachi turned slowly to eye his younger brother for the first time since Christmas; two years ago. He was standing next to a blonde haired boy that he knew was Naruto. He narrowed his eyes as he noticed their locked hands.
~revenge~
“Itachi.” I replied coldly when I noticed his narrowed eyes.
“Foolish brother.” Itachi drawled.
Anger swelled inside me. Why should I expect anything different when it was always like that with Itachi; always indifferent when it came to my relationships. Well, the dobe was special! I opened my mouth to reply when Naruto suddenly held me back clutching my shirt in his surprisingly firm grip. He was stronger than he looked.
“Stop, teme, he’s your brother.” He whispered while he smiled kindly at Itachi.
“It’s nice to see you, Itachi.”
Itachi nodded stiffly, completely disregarding the courtesy Naruto was showing him. The dobe didn’t have to be polite, that was just who he was; and that was why I wanted to punch Itachi for being so starchy with the man I loved. It was an all-consuming urge, one that I had to dig deep to muster control over.
“Can you wait outside; Itachi, while we discuss further arrangements with Sasuke and Naruto?” Kakashi asked.
Itachi agreed and stepped out into the station.
“We’ve arranged another place for you to stay, but I think that you should be separated.” Tsunade stated as soon as Itachi was out of ear shot.
“I would like to stay with the teme, unless he thinks otherwise.” Naruto beamed in defiance.
I held back the small chuckle that threatened to escape as Tsunade growled at her grandson.
“I don’t think that would be wise.” She started.
“I have no problem with staying together.” I muttered.
“Of course you wouldn’t.” Tsunade snapped.
“Granny Tsunade, I don’t have a problem with the arrangement either, certainly that shouldn’t be a problem?” He asked sweetly.
“No, why would there be a problem, Naruto?” She asked just as sweetly.
I noticed Narutos eyes narrow just a fraction as he stared into the deceptively innocent eyes of the Chief. Those eyes were dangerous.
“Then we’re in agreement?” Naruto muttered darkly.
“Yes, in complete agreement.”
“Where are we headed?” I asked.
“You’ll see when you get there.” Tsunade muttered as she pulled a piece of paper and pen to her. She wrote down an address quickly and handed it to Yamato. “Can you drop them off at this address?”
Yamato looked at the paper and jerked his head up. “Are you sure…?”
“Absolutely.” She replied with relish.
I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach from the sinister smirk on her face. Naruto’s brow knit in concentration, eyeing his grandmother, wondering what she was up to.
“Well, if you’re sure.” Yamato mumbled and shuffled us towards the door.
“What about our things?” Naruto turned back to ask.
“I’ll stop to get them and bring them to you later.” Kakashi stated as we took our leave to wherever we were heading. I had a sneaking suspicion it wasn’t going to be good for us. The pensive look on Naruto’s face practically guaranteed that I wouldn’t like it.
