Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters and I make no profit from their use.
Chapter Eleven
**Day Seventeen**
“Did you just say that was
from Jiraiya and not
for, dobe?” Sasuke asked, incredulous.
“Yeah. That’s weird, the return address is for here*.” Naruto frowned, turning the manila envelope over in his hands before turning back to the page he was reading.
“What does it say?” Sasuke asked, coming to stand behind him. Over his shoulder he read the letter in time with Naruto his eyes widening at the content. He saw Narutos hand shake and barely had time to grab a hold of him before his knees gave out.
“He knew! He knew this...and he didn’t tell me?!” Naruto gasped.
“There must be a reason, Naruto.” But the blonde only shook his head, his body shaking in anger. “You need to look at everything else here.” Sasuke whispered, tapping the envelope that fell to the floor. He couldn’t let Naruto be distracted now; he had to push him to continue.
“But...”
“No buts dobe. You have to calm down and find out why he felt his life was in danger, why he expected an attack on his life.”
“But...”
“Only Jiraiya can answer your questions and he has obliged. If you can’t do it then I can do it for you...”
“No,” Naruto whispered shakily, reaching out and grabbing the fallen envelope. “I’ll do it.” He nodded.
Sasuke rubbed at Naruto’s shoulder as he pulled the papers out noting the newspaper clippings and what looked like two investigative files. He opened that first file and gasped at what he saw.
~CALM~
Sakura sighed and rubbed at her tired eyes. She could barely focus on the file in front of her as she read the details of the autopsies performed on Gato and Mizuki. She could see out of the corner of her eye, Genma and Raido leaning against the wall staring at the dry erase board. They were becoming abnormally obsessed with it, focusing their attention there. She couldn’t blame them; even she was convinced that there was something there that they were missing. It seemed all connected and yet completely separate at the same time.
“Maybe we are asking ourselves the wrong question.” She mumbled.
“And what question is that?” Genma asked rubbing a hand over his face. He was unbearably tired, but he had to push on. He had to find Naruto’s shooter, he had to find Jiraiya’s murderer, he even had to find Mizuki and Gato’s murderer; much to his displeasure.
“We’ve been asking ourselves what all this has to do with Naruto. What if it isn’t about Naruto and he just happened to be caught up in this because of his relationship to Jiraiya?”
“So you think Naruto was never a target?” Ino asked.
“Exactly. Maybe they got spooked when Naruto went to the crime scene, fearing that they would be discovered.”
“But that doesn’t explain why the murderer would even go back.” Neji replied.
“Maybe there is something there that we don’t know. Something that was concealed or hidden from us; from the CSIs.”
“They went over the room with a fine tooth comb, what could possibly be hidden there, in a rundown building with exposed electrical, deteriorating walls and crumbling foundation; a building that was used by squatters and drug purchasers, Sakura?”
“I don’t know Kakashi. There are so many loose ends like this survey for Gato. It makes no sense why he would want to salvage the building instead of tearing it down, knowing it would cost more to restructure everything. So what could be in there that someone would kill to keep secret?”
“Let’s check the owner again...” Kakashi stalled as a tinny sound rang out in the room. He turned to spy Shikamaru who was staring at the phone with a fearful look on his face.
“It’s from Naruto.” He gulped, fearing the verbal backlash that hadn’t been dished out yet. Genma grabbed up the phone from him and hit the speaker button, readying to speak. He paused when he heard the ring of a doorbell and shuffling from the other end, before a voice that caused his skin to crawl spoke up.
~CALM~
“It’s a file for your parent’s murder.” Naruto murmured turning in Sasuke’s grasp to look him in the eye. Sasuke reached out and grabbed the file taking note of the Uchiha name and case number on the tab. “What do you think this means?”
“I don’t know dobe. Why would your grandfather be looking into my parents murders?”
Naruto shook his head and reached out for the other file. His eyes widened when he read the name and case number: Namikaze. “What the hell does this mean?”
“I think he was looking into more than just my parents, Naruto.” Sasuke reached out and picked up the news clippings: the headlines for both their families’ tragedies.
“Maybe he wasn’t researching for his books all those times he left.” Naruto whispered. The thought seemed unfathomable to him. Jiraiya had given up, everyone knew that. He grabbed at the discarded letter and began to read again, skipping over the part about Jiraiya believing his life to be endangered. “I can’t believe this Sasuke. It details everything...your Dad discovered...?”
Naruto knit his brow in confusion, Sasuke reading over his shoulder. “Hmm, why was my father looking into your parents’ disappearance?” He murmured. He skimmed ahead on the paper in Naruto’s grasp reading the last paragraph with avid attention. “You ran right into my mothers arms dobe?”
“What?” Naruto asked, turning his head to look at Sasuke again and then back at the letter, Sasuke pointing the sentence out.
‘You ran down the street, blood dripping from the wounds on your face, and right into the arms of a woman. She noticed your injuries before you ever reached her, kneeling down to stall you, to help you. Her name was Mikoto Uchiha.’ Naruto’s hand came up to cover his mouth, shock written through his body. He turned the letter over and continued to read Jiraiyas words, a summary of what was in both files condensed for the sake of time.
‘Fugaku Uchiha, the Chief of the Konoha police and the husband of Mikoto, wouldn’t let the disappearance of Minato and Kushina rest. It was two years later, on a raid of another man’s house suspected of receiving stolen property that your father’s missing necklace turned up. Fugaku questioned the man heavily, but he steadfastly refused to name the person that sold it to him. The suspect died a week later during a prison riot instigated by himself.’ “This is more than I could have ever imagined this being, dobe.” Sasuke murmured, rubbing his blonde’s shoulder as he continued to read.
‘I was able to persuade Fugaku to return the necklace to my care and I made it a point to wear it every day. A warning to any one that was involved in their disappearance that I wasn’t giving up, that I would find them one day and seek the justice that they deserved, that you deserve. It was another two years later that Fugaku finally had another break in the case in the form of a transaction made to an offshore account; the price paid for the necklace. The suspect that died in custody wired a considerable sum to that account 12 hours after the disappearance of your parents. ‘It took Fugaku years to track down whom that account belonged to, but he finally had a name. He called me that day to inform me that he had a suspect and that it was someone close to us, someone who we knew. He refused to tell me and later that day he and his wife were found murdered by their oldest son, Itachi. I couldn’t bear to tell you that kind woman who helped you had passed away, you spoke of her often even though your memory of her was slimming with each passing day.’ “I must have formed an attachment to your Mom, teme.”
“I think she would have been happy to know that. She was undeniably kind, just like you are dobe.”
“Thanks teme.” Naruto smiled as he continued to read.
‘I took on the case where Fugaku left off, even going so far as to take your parents file when they arrived in Konohagakure. It would have made its way into the cold case room and I couldn’t let that happen. I took the file and to my dismay it didn’t have Fugaku’s recent findings. I was angry to say the least. I don’t know if you recall that night, I had been unusually drunk and had proceeded to tear up the living room in my anger. I felt Minato slipping further away from me, my son was once again out of my reach. But then you were there standing in the doorway, looking at me like Minato used to do when he was your age. You held so much love for me, that I felt myself dying inside every time you smiled at me. I felt unworthy of you that you deserved to have another man be your grandfather. I wasn’t there when you needed me; I wasn’t there when Minato needed me. It was that look you gave me, so pure and innocent, that pushed me to continue looking. I wouldn’t fail you again.’ “He definitely loved you, Naruto.” Naruto could only nod as tears clung to his eyelashes.
‘I studied that file every day, to the point where I could recite every line verbatim, and continued to look for the owner of that offshore account. I put up a front of having given up on the investigation, of having moved on for your sake, but I never gave up. Even when you had that rebellious phase when you were 13 and blamed everything on me, I was still looking. That is why I backed down when you said you wanted to enter the Academy and become a Federal detective four years later. I knew you wanted to look for your Mom and Dad and I couldn’t deny you that chance...though I was already on the trail of a suspect.’ “He found a suspect! Teme, he found a suspect!” Naruto muttered. Sasuke nodded and continued to read.
‘Everything finally came into place. I had a name for the account, but it proved to be an alias. I had finally reached a dead-end. I had nowhere to look anymore and in a fit of somber dismay made my drunken way to Minato’s study. I never set foot in there, locking the door without ever looking, even though I told you differently. I lied to you in the hope that you wouldn’t view me as weak, but that was what I was. ‘I stood in the doorway just staring at the empty room. Minato had the attic converted to his office and had yet to fill it with documents. I never thought when I told you that it had something valuable in there that my statement would actually ring true. There was a box of pictures in the desk drawer and a single piece of paper sitting on the desk. That single piece of paper was a ransom note...’ “Ransom? Who...”
“Keep reading, dobe.” Sasuke urged, curious for himself.
‘A ransom note demanding money for your safe return. But there was something about that note. I recognized the writing; I had seen it so many times over the years. I couldn’t believe that it could be him, but then Fugaku had said it was someone close to the family. When I was in a sober state I read through the ransom note again, formulating a plan. I had to be sure it was him...so I sent him a letter asking to meet me at the ransom drop mentioned in the note. I planned my trip to Suna with no real intention of ever going there. I mailed these files to you in the event that I met an untimely end. If I was wrong and it wasn’t him, than there would be no harm done and I would once again be at an impasse. But if you are reading this, than I apologize for not being there for you. His name is’...............
Naruto’s hand shook as he stared at the paper. Shocked beyond belief, he almost couldn’t believe it. But then he remembered all the times he felt physically ill when the man would visit; his subconscious warning him of what he couldn’t physically remember.
Naruto shook his head, picked up the papers from the floor, disentangled himself from Sasuke, and walked into the living room. He laid them on the table nearby, took a deep breath and about-faced. He rushed for the door, intent on getting as far away from the house as possible. He had made it out the front door and down the steps before Sasuke caught him, wheeling him around to look at him. Naruto struggled against him, intent on going after the man who killed his grandfather, but Sasuke was having none of that. He yelled repeatedly to be let go, but Sasuke only held tighter, leaving a bruise on his tan wrist from the amount of pressure he was exerting. Crying, Naruto crumpled into Sasuke’s chest, before pushing him away and emptying his stomach on the front lawn.
Sasuke knelt rubbing circles into his back enticing him back into the safety of the house with calm and soothing words. Naruto nodded gently and rubbed at his mouth, allowing himself to be led back inside even though every ounce of him wanted to seek revenge against the man who destroyed his life.
“Give Shikamaru a call, Naruto, and let him know what you found. Let them deal with it, ok.” Sasuke muttered. Naruto nodded numbly. He pulled out his cell and dialed Shikamaru’s number, but before he could utter a word the doorbell rang. With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach he hit the hold button on his phone and slid it into his pocket. He turned to the desk next to him and reached into the drawer, pulling out the small pistol inside. Sasuke nodded and turned the doorknob, opening the door wide.
~CALM~
The two men watched as the mail carrier delivered a late package to the Namikaze home, neither concerned by the routine even mundane act. What caught their attention came a half an hour later, when the young Senator rushed from the house, only to be stalled by his raven lover. They witnessed the struggle and the Senator’s brief illness before being coaxed back inside. Deciding he had learned everything he could he decided to take action. He exited the car concealing his gun as he went. There was still a possibility that it wouldn’t be needed, but he was self-assured with the security it boasted. He was quickly followed by his younger accomplice, a worried glance on his face.
He strolled up the pathway as he had numerous times before and rang the doorbell. His smile widened when the door was pulled open to reveal the raven-haired Uchiha, a pale Naruto standing in the doorway to the living room looking ready to be sick again.
“Can I help you?” Sasuke asked.
The man laughed as he took a step inside the house closely followed by the younger man. “I was just in the neighborhood and thought I would stop by and see how Naruto was holding up.”
“I’m holding up fine.” Naruto whispered.
“You don’t look well. Is everything ok?”
“I’m fine. I just think I caught a bug or something.” Naruto clutched at his stomach, feeling on the verge of being sick again. “What brings you by at this hour?”
“I have a proposition for you Naruto?”
“A proposition?”
He chuckled sinisterly. “Yes, a proposition that could benefit us all.”
“And what are these benefits, Orochimaru?”
~CALM~
Tsunade leaned back in her seat, savoring the taste of the excellent Sake as it slid down her throat with purpose. Mei had been correct when she said it was the best Sake in the country. “Hmm…” She hummed. “That is some excellent quality.”
“I told you.” Mei smiled as a laugh rang through the small private room. The men of the group had settled into discussing politics…none of which interested Mei…not when there was another woman around she could talk too. “So tell me, does Sasuke look anything like Itachi?”
Tsunades amber eyes turned from staring at her cup to staring at Mei. Gaara turned slightly away from the men, emerald eyes focusing on the two women in interest. “Let’s see, I just saw Itachi a week ago at the hospital. Hmm, besides the different hairstyles I would say they look similar. Itachi is more refined though, whereas, Sasuke is more hot-tempered. It shows in how he carries himself. I’ll be damned if he isn’t one of my best detectives though.”
“So it was Sasuke’s good looks that attracted Naruto.” Mei laughed.
“It was more a mutual attraction. Two enormous personalities clashing…it could only go one of two ways.”
“I’ll bet.”
“Hmm.” Tsunade laughed.
“Well, it’s about time Naruto found someone to settle down with.”
“Naruto still has time to search so why are you pushing it Mei?” Mei turned to stare a Gaara a small smile on her lips and amusement dancing in her eyes.
“He won’t find his way to you, Gaara. Even if he did it would be unacceptable. You represent Sunagakure and he represents Konohagakure and any relationships are strictly forbidden.”
“Not if one of us was to give up our seat.” Gaara whispered.
“And would you give up your seat for Naruto?” Tsunade questioned. “Because I am absolutely certain Naruto will not give his up.”
“You seem certain of that conviction, Chief Tsunade. What makes you think that Naruto wouldn’t if he loved me?”
“Because this is his dream and in the fairness to the people who look up to him, you would be a second thought.”
“And this Sasuke wouldn’t be?” Gaara murmured.
“Sasuke wouldn’t be interfering with his dream and Naruto wouldn’t be interfering with Sasukes’.” Tsunade stated. She brought the cup of Sake to her lips and sipped a small amount.
“And what would you know about Narutos dreams?”
“I know all about them.” Tsunade sat her empty cup on the table and stood, excusing herself before making her way out in the waning sunlight. She took a deep breath and turned to look at Chief Sarutobi as he joined her.
“You must forgive Gaara. He has fallen hard for Naruto and still holds a flickering hope that they could work.”
“The other Senators would stop them from being together?” She asked quietly.
“No, they would make them choose what is more important and to whom. You were correct when you said that Naruto would not give up his dream to be with Gaara… … …but he would give it up for Sasuke.”
“Would they make Naruto choose between the two? That seems unreasonable when Mei was just praising his happiness.”
Sarutobi laughed and walked his way to the Lexus. “What reason would they have to keep them apart? Sasuke will soon be working for me and Naruto will be where he rightfully belongs. Their paths will not cross often, if ever. They will have no problem or they will deal with Itachi.”
“Itachi? What does he have to do…?” Tsunade paused as a small ditty was heard in the vicinity of her pocket. She frowned and answered her phone, her appearance taking on a deadly hue as she listened to Kakashi.
~CALM~
“What are these benefits, Orochimaru?” Naruto asked again.
Orochimaru chuckled into the quiet hallway, his voice echoing strangely and sending shivers over Narutos body. Pulling out his gun he pointed it straight at the blonde. Naruto took a shuddering breath as Sasuke moved to conceal Naruto behind him, stopping in his tracks only when the gun was cocked.
“How very brave of you, Sasuke, to want to protect him; but very foolish indeed.” Sasuke glared at him, trying to keep his anger at bay. “Let’s see here…yes, the benefits. I won’t kill you if you give me funding for my research.”
“Your research?!” Naruto snarled, anger coursing through his veins. “You are out of your mind!”
“Am I, Naruto? I would have to disagree with you on that. Now, let’s get down to business here.”
Naruto gulped, shaking where he stood. He could feel his shoulder throb painfully as if it was remembering for itself the feeling of excruciating pain as the skin was torn open from the force of a bullet.
Sasuke snarled at them, shifting his vision from one to the other looking for an opening. Finding one he shouted and lunged at the white-haired, bespectacled man, catching him off guard. Over his shoulder he shouted for Naruto to run.
His feet acting of its own accord Naruto turned and ran down the hallway and towards the kitchen, his pulse racing in time with his frenzied pace. He stumbled when he heard the gun go off and ducked behind a desk on the second floor. He didn’t stop to wonder how he made it there so quickly; his mind wandering towards Sasuke and the fear he was feeling. Was Sasuke dead?
~CALM~
Orochimaru stepped over the jumble of limbs as they struggled against each other. From the corner of his eye he saw Kabuto reach for his gun and fire, missing the Uchiha by inches. With a chuckle he ascended the steps in the foyer and turned the corner. If he remembered the layout of the house correctly the only place Naruto could go was up from the kitchen, the direction he had taken when he ran.
“You hurt my feelings, Naruto, by hiding from me. Jiraiya taught you better than that.”
Naruto grit his teeth trying to drown out his stinging words. He was the one that murdered Jiraiya! How dare
he talk to
him about his grandfather?! Tears stung his eyes as he crouched further into this hiding spot. Orochimaru laughed and raised his gun as the shadows shifted at the end of the hallway. A lip curled in satisfaction of having found his target so easily.
“Do you expect to hide forever, Naruto?” The man asked, his voice dripping with venom. “Come out and confront your fate. It is long overdue.”
“Why?!” Naruto snarled. “Why did you do it?!”
He laughed as he inched closer to Naruto’s hiding spot. “I guess I owe you that much. That old fool didn’t know when to let go. I had to do it, he was on to me; but you needn’t share his fate Naruto. Give me the money and I will walk out of here now and never bother you again.”
“You think that I would let you get away with murdering Jiraiya?! He was your friend! You were at his funeral and you murdered him, Orochimaru!”
“Why, I guess I did.” He laughed, his voice slithering with contempt. It sent chills up Naruto’s spine just to hear it. There was a lack of remorse that unsettled his stomach and chilled him to the bone. He didn’t care that he murdered his best friend and he wouldn’t care if he killed him now. This man was psychotic!
His cackling increased when he heard another gunshot from below and Naruto’s bellow: ‘Sasuke!’ Orochimaru aimed his gun at the young man standing at the end of the hall and pulled the trigger. Naruto felt the searing heat on his leg as he was pierced, blood oozing profusely from the wound on his upper thigh. He staggered at the pain, tripping into the nearby desk. He hobbled his way around the corner, making his way to the back staircase and towards the kitchen. Another shot rang out and he tripped, sliding down the stairs headfirst. He landed at the bottom with a thud, screaming out when he landed on his healing shoulder.
“My, my Naruto, you push yourself too hard.” Orochimaru laughed. “Just confront your fate like a man instead of running from it. I promise it will be quick, even painless. That is, unless you give me what I want. This can all end with a simple phone call.”
“Go to hell!” Naruto snarled and aimed a gun at Orochimaru. He stalled on his descent no longer laughing. His golden eyes narrowed and his lip curled into a sneer.
“So that is how it is, Naruto. You plan to shoot me?”
“You murdered Jiraiya, you murdered the Uchiha’s and you...did you kill my Mom and Dad too?! I want you dead as surely as I breath, just give me a reason to pull the trigger!” Naruto snarled, scrambling to stand up on his injured leg.
“How about I give you a reason to lower your weapon instead, Namikaze?” Naruto turned to look to his right, the other man standing with his gun pointed at Sasuke’s head. Naruto stalled, caught between the two. His heart rate increased as he licked his dry lips. What should he do?
“Hmm, it looks like Kabuto has your boy-toy, Naruto. What are you going to do? Shoot me? Your dear Sasuke would be dead before you could blink.” Orochimaru laughed. He stalked down the stairs causing Naruto to limp back against the wall in fear. He couldn’t see a way out of this, not with Sasukes’ life in the balance. Orochimaru tugged the gun away from Naruto, grabbing the stunned boy in his grasp and turning him to face Sasuke.
“Since you are unwilling to compromise, let’s play a little game instead, shall we? Who knows, it may even change your mind. I think you’ve both heard of Russian roulette?”
Narutos eyes went wide as a revolver was placed in his line of vision. He felt sweat roll down his brow as all but one bullet was emptied from the cylinder. The cylinder was snapped back in place before it was given a turn, the bullets location now unknown to all.
Orochimaru laughed as he held the gun to the blonde’s temple. “Should we let the Senator go first or would you prefer your boy-toy have the honors? Eh, Naruto?”
Naruto took in a gasping breath, staring wide-eyed at Sasuke. His heart was pounding in his chest and he could hear the rush of blood in his ears. What should he do? He didn’t really need to think about it, he knew the answer. “M...me. I’ll go first...” He stuttered out.
“Hmm, chivalry is dead Naruto.” He chuckled and pointed the gun at Sasuke, firing without concern.
“NO!” Naruto shouted, his heart almost stopping. “Sasuke?”
“I’m fine.” Sasuke gasped. He heart was beating like crazy and he was admittedly shaken, but still alive.
“Oh, too bad; now it’s your turn Naruto.” Orochimaru lifted the gun to his temple and cocked the hammer. He laughed as he pulled the trigger, delighting in the man jumping in his grasp.
Tears leaked from sapphire eyes as they opened to see onyx staring back at him, a look of raw pain in his dark eyes. He heard the hammer cocked again and Orochimaru take aim at Sasuke. His stomach flip-flopped and it threatened to spill its contents again. His captor laughed again and readied to fire. Without a doubt, Naruto knew it held the bullet and he wasn’t going to let Sasuke die in front of him.
“WAIT!” He shouted. “Please, I’ll do what you want?”
“Ha-ha, good boy Naruto. What I want is very simple; something even your father was unwilling to give me. I want money. I need it for my research and your father refused to give it to me.”
“Good for him!” Naruto snarled.
“Uh-uh. Don’t be as foolish as your father, Naruto, because it will cost Sasuke his life.”
“How much?” Sasuke asked, drawing golden eyes to him.
“Hmm, how much you ask.” Orochimaru breathed in, smelling oranges as it invaded his nostrils. He dug into his pocket, pulling out a sparkling green necklace, and held it up in front of Naruto. “I have no doubt you know the value of this little trinket. That is how much I want from you.”
“And if I refuse?” Naruto grit out, eyeing the jewel heavily. That was Jiraiya’s and his Dad’s; it was his!
“Then Sasuke will not live to see midnight.”
Naruto licked his dry lips, thinking quickly. It was starting to give him a headache and the pain slowly coursing through his leg didn’t help calm his aching head.
“That’s all it will take and you will leave…never to return?” Orochimaru cackled, delighted that the boy was willing to play.
“That’s all I want. Than you and your boy-toy are free to go on living your lives the way you see fit.”
“And what about Jiraiya’s murder?” Naruto growled.
“We can chalk that up to a misunderstanding. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time; maybe he even interrupted a drug deal. There are two individuals who have no solid alibi for his shooting…”
“Mizuki and Gato.”
“Hmm, smart boy Naruto. There is no reason that the murder can’t be pinned on them...”
“Except for the fact that they are dead.”
“That’s what makes it perfect. They all knew of course who shot Jiraiya…are they not just as guilty?”
“You were the one to pull the trigger, which makes you responsible!” Naruto snapped.
“But they will never catch me. Is it not better for you to have some form of ‘
justice’?” He hissed into Narutos ear. “Then you would have closure and I could continue my research.”
Naruto swallowed and stared at Sasuke, almost pleading for his answer. If he went along with this he would not only be breaking the law, but would be letting a man who murdered more than once get away with it. And if that wasn’t bad, he would be pinning the crime on two men that, far from being innocent themselves, where innocent of Jiraiya’s murder. How could he in good conscience do that and still work for the people? He would be a fraud, no better than Gato…but if he didn’t go along with it Sasuke would die. How would he be able to look Itachi in the eyes knowing that he was the reason his little brother was dead.
Feeling the hesitation within his dobe’s soul, he tightened his fist and grit his teeth. How dare they ask the impossible?! Didn’t they know that they were destroying him, making him choose between black and white. Seeing Naruto’s shimmering eyes he knew that his dobe had come to a decision. Naruto had chosen to let him die and he couldn’t be more proud…until Kabuto opened his mouth.
“Do you really want to go down that route?” He asked.
“You’re giving me an impossible choice.”
“It’s not that impossible, Naruto.” Orochimaru hissed.
“It must be so easy for you.” Naruto whispered furiously.
“Ha-ha that may be true. Come on Naruto, make that phone call.” Orochimaru tightened his grip on Naruto’s forearm and directed him towards the front door.
Orochimaru stalled when he heard the sound of a car door closing, peeking out the window curiously. He snarled and gripped the blonde in his arms by the hair, tugging harshly.
“Oww.” Naruto ground out. His blue eyes shot daggers at the man as hair pulled from his scalp ripping out in some places.
“What is it?” Kabuto questioned. He gripped Sasukes’ arm tighter as he peered out the window. “Damn.”
“Change of plan!” Orochimaru sneered. He dragged Naruto into the living room shoving him down on the couch. He took another glance out the window, watching Tsunade and Chief Sarutobi staring at the house.
Kabuto directed Sasuke to sit next to Naruto, his gun aimed at the raven’s head. Naruto bit his lip, grimacing as he sat up. Blood dripped from his thigh heavily causing a wave of nausea to overtake him. He hadn’t realized that there was so much blood.
“Naruto?” Sasuke asked worriedly. He stared at the dobe’s leg, alarmed at the amount of blood flowing freely. He shrugged off his button-up shirt, glaring at Kabuto when he tried to stop him. He grabbed Naruto’s leg into his grasp and tied it around his thigh above the bullet wound. Naruto cried out at the pain fisting the couch cushion for support. “Shh.” Sasuke soothed, too low for anyone but Naruto to hear.
He nodded hurriedly, turning his eyes to stare at the man peering out the window. Orochimarus eyes narrowed when his phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and answered.
“Sarutobi Sensei?” He asked.
‘What have you done, Orochimaru?’ “What are you talking about?” He laughed, parting the curtains again.
‘I think we both know what you have done. Where are Naruto and Sasuke?’ “How should I know where they are? And who is this Sasuke you ask about?”
‘Do not play games Orochimaru. I know you are in the house, so tell me where Naruto and Sasuke are.’ “I guess you caught me.” Orochimaru laughed. “Naruto and Sasuke are just fine, for the time being.”
Chief Sarutobi sighed on the other end of the phone line.
‘What are you doing?’ He asked his former student.
“What I have to do for the sake of my research!” He raged.
‘There are other ways than what you are doing. You know this is wrong.’ “What would you know about it? I will do what it takes for my research; research that will save lives!”
‘But at what cost, Orochimaru? You have murdered at least five people; when is this going to stop?’ “I’m curious to know where you heard such a thing.” Golden eyes turned to survey blue, wondering just how his Sensei knew so much. There wasn’t time for Naruto to do anything but hide; unless this was a trap set up by the two detectives before he even advanced on the house. He refused to believe that they could be so cunning, especially when they had no warning of his coming.
‘My sources matter not Orochimaru. You need to give up before any more damage is done. It’s not too late.’ “I will never give up on my research.” He hissed into his phone.
‘Let me talk to one of them.’ Sarutobi asked. “I’m sorry, but they are not in a position to speak at the moment.” ‘You said they were alive, Orochimaru.’ “And they are, but they are under my control and therefore will not be speaking with you.” ‘If you lay a finger on either of them I will kill you Orochimaru!’ Tsunade vowed.
“My, Tsunade, you always were the violent type.”
‘I’m warning you!’ She snarled.
Orochimaru laughed into his phone, a genius idea coming to mind; a way to get him out of this and to continue his research. “How much are they worth to you?”
Naruto gasped, his eyes widening in horror. He couldn’t possibly mean that...ransom?
‘You son of a...’ ‘What are you implying Orochimaru?’ Sarutobi asked, curbing Tsunade’s furious rant.
“Don’t play games with me old man, you know what I mean? How much is their safety worth to you? How much are you willing to pay, Chief?” Orochimaru laughed, he turned to eye the two, smirking at the amount of money he would get for them.
‘Orochimaru?’ Sarutobi warned, his features turning dark.
“I’ll give you some time to figure out a fair sum, but remember this. Their lives are in my hand and I only need one alive.” With that he snapped his phone shut, grinning maniacally. He strode forward and gripped Naruto’s chin in his hand, jerking his face upwards and forcing him to look at him. “You are worth a considerable amount, far more than Sasuke’s worth. How much are you willing to pay to ensure that he lives to see another day?”
Sasuke jerked forward preparing to lunge at the twisted man, infuriated that he was touching
his Naruto and blackmailing him too! Kabuto gripped his arm, squeezing where his bullet wound was partially healed. Sasuke hissed, glaring death at the bespectacled man. Narutos eyes narrowed at the proposition.
“What sum are you imagining, Orochimaru?”
He laughed at the young Senator, a defiling smirk crossing over his pale face. “Oh, let’s start at a million; nothing less is just an insult.”
“A million?” Naruto questioned. Orochimaru nodded a sickening hungry look on his face. “It will take some time, but I can have it wired to any account you wish. When do you want to start?”
“Good boy, Naruto. Let me make all the necessary arrangements and by all means prepare your bank for the transfer in the meantime.”
Naruto nodded and grabbed up the phone that Sasuke had found the day before after much hunting. He couldn’t help thinking to himself the Sasuke had been right about the house phone. If they got out of this he would have to show Sasuke how much he appreciated his forethought.
Tan fingers dialed the bank president at home, waking her from a sound sleep. His hand shook as he greeted the woman, shifting to a different language and speaking too quickly for Sasuke to follow.
“Konnichiwa, Kurenai-san.” Naruto paused in his dialogue a short time later and stared at Orochimaru, hatred in his sparkling eyes. “Kurenai-san can perform the transfer, but it will have to be broken into four smaller amounts. The bank’s policy prohibits transfers exceeding $250,000.”
“Hmm, I can deal with that. Give her these four bank accounts then.” He grabbed a pen and paper from the nearest night stand and wrote the accounts down hurriedly, his hand shivering with excitement.
Naruto nodded and grabbed the piece of paper in his equally shaky grasp. He took a cursory glance at the paper before pulling the phone back to his ear. With a smile he greeted the woman over the phone again.
“Kurenai-san...” Fifteen minutes later Naruto hit the end button on his phone and turned frosty blue eyes on Orochimaru. “Kurenai-san has transferred the money; you may call and check for yourself. It’s all there.”
“Your gift is most generous.” Orochimaru laughed. He paused in his pleasure when his phone rang out in the room and answered swiftly. “What do you have to offer?” He asked. A smirk worked its way on his face, but soon dropped to a scowl before turning sinister.
“You obviously do not care for their safety, should I make my point clear right now?” He demanded. He marched over to the couch and aimed for Sasuke, determination in his golden eyes.
“NO!” Naruto shouted, placing himself between Sasuke and the gun. “You got what you wanted, so leave him alone!”
‘Orochimaru, this is Ibiki with the Konohagakure Federal Police.’ Ibiki shouted over a megaphone. Flashing lights could be seen dancing through the windows, creating red and blue patterns on the mahogany floors.
‘Surrender now! You have nowhere to go!’ “Well played Sarutobi sensei, but I do have somewhere to go.” He snarled and snapped the phone shut. He ignored the ringing immediately after cocking the gun pointed at Naruto. “Your scars have long since healed, who would have thought that it would make you even more distinguished.” He chuckled.
“You gave them to me?” Naruto asked with a deadly calm, his voice chilling Sasuke to the core. He had never seen his dobe like this before, had truly believed he had seen the depth of his anger when he went on the offensive against Nara; but this was beyond anger. This was festering hatred, seething for years under a bright sunny exterior. Anger the likes of no Uchiha could ever scratch the surface of. Naruto’s anger was feral and raw and served no purpose being inside him. Sasuke could feel the fear inside him, he feared this Naruto.
“I didn’t wield the knife, but it was my orders that gave them to you.” Orochimaru sneered. “Isn’t that right, Kabuto?”
Narutos eyes snapped to Kabuto, his eyes widening considerably in shock. He nodded slightly indicating that he was the one to have scarred Naruto all those years ago. Something flitted from the back of his memory, a memory of a teenage boy kneeling down in front of him as he laid on the floor, droplets of red raining down the sides of his cheeks; hot and sticky. Righteous anger welled up inside Naruto. It happened so quickly Sasuke wasn’t aware that Naruto had moved.
With rage in every fiber of his being, Naruto leapt from the couch and tackled Kabuto to the ground, choking the life out of him. Orochimaru was quick to react, hitting Naruto between the shoulder blades with the gun. Naruto yelped and jerked away, releasing Kabuto and breathing rapidly. There was a red tint to his eyes, 100 times more menacing than Sasuke could ever achieve; and he was Uchiha.
He stared dumbfounded at the scene playing out before him, rooted to the spot, even as Naruto growled. A fierce expression on his face he was readying to attack again when Orochimaru pointed his gun at him. Sasuke felt his heart drop. He should have moved when he had the chance!
“I should take care of you now, but I won’t. No, in fact it will be Sasuke that pays for your actions.” He sneered and aimed the gun at Sasuke instead, pulling the trigger without a second thought.
Sasuke felt his stomach drop again, waiting for the pain to materialize, but it never happened. He started, blinking in confusion, wondering what just happened. Why wasn’t he in pain? Even worse, why wasn’t he dead and meeting his maker now?
He turned his head slightly to the left as the smell of sulfur hit his nose. He took notice of the hole in the fabric of the couch, but that wasn’t the only thing that he noticed. The couch was no longer in the same position it had rested in, having been pushed back hurriedly.
Orochimaru cackled at the blonde a sneer ever-present on his face. “You do know how to act fast. I would expect nothing less coming from a Senator, especially one of your breeding.”
It was slowly becoming evident to Sasuke what Naruto had just done. He saved his life by kicking the sofa, forcing it to move and the bullet to miss by mere inches; but in the process put Naruto’s own life further at risk. He was now wide open for attack with no chance to defend himself quickly. He was currently on his side, panting harshly as his whole body shook uncontrollably. He had not only kicked the sofa away, but used his injured leg to do it! Sasuke couldn’t believe how stupid and brave his dobe was.
“But you are fast becoming a thorn in my side, Naruto.” Orochimaru snarled.
Naruto glared at the man, sweat rolling down his temple and dripping from his chin. “Good.” He gasped, wiping his chin with his sleeve.
“Orochimaru?” Kabuto asked, standing up hurriedly. The phone in Orochimaru’s other hand was ringing since the gun shot, whining to be answered as if mimicking the callers panic. When he continued to ignore the shrill sound Ibikis voice was heard once again.
‘Answer the phone, Orochimaru. Talk to us.’ He demanded. When he continued to make no attempt to answer the phone Kabuto reached and grabbed it from his grasp. He hit the button letting the sound flood the room from the speaker phone.
‘Orochimaru?’ Sarutobi questioned.
“What are you offering?” Kabuto asked.
‘We can discuss that in due course, but first I need to know...’ “They are both alive.”
‘I’m going to need proof.’ “Speak!” Kabuto demanded.
Sasuke glared at the man opening his mouth to speak. “We’re both alive.” He muttered, turning his onyx eyes to Naruto. Concern flooded him as Naruto gasped, clenching the hem of his shirt in his grasp, the shirt around his leg saturated with crimson. He was losing blood fast and possibly going into shock. This needed to end fast!
‘Naruto?’ Tsunade questioned.
Naruto took in a gasping breath and tried to speak twice, but his tongue was dry and stuck to the roof of his mouth. “I’m...I’m...huh...” He was panting quickly trying to form a coherent sentence. He brought his hand up to cover his chest as he rolled to his back, his eyes glazing over.
‘Naruto?! Answer me?!’ Tsunade demanded. Panic flooded her chest as she gripped the door of her car, bending the metal in her grasp. She shared a panicked look with Chief Sarutobi, shaking her head at the men waiting to storm the house. The media had gathered across the street, streaming the standoff live. The line clicked signaling the end of the call and she cursed.
“He didn’t answer me! Naruto didn’t answer me! But Sasuke said…”
“Naruto is still alive, Tsunade.” Mei murmured, eyeing the chief with concern. She knew Naruto to be strong and she knew he would make it out of this alive.
“That gunshot...!”
“It doesn’t mean that he was shot, Tsunade.” Gaara replied eyeing his friend’s house as it was besieged by officers and media alike. It seemed unnatural for such a quiet and serene home to be the center of such dire attention.
“He didn’t answer me and there was something wrong with the way Sasuke said they were both alive.”
“I think you are reading too much into it, Tsunade.” A growled, his arms crossed as he leaned against her car.
“I know my detective better than you ever could! There was something wrong with the way he spoke to me! Even the fact that he was the one to speak to me and not Naruto is disconcerting!” Tsunade raged.
“Chief Tsunade...” Gaara started, but paused as gunshots were heard from within. Every detective’s heart sank at the implications. It was almost a given that the hostages were now dead. Convinced of the same outcome the media leaped into action, reporting frenziedly.
Tsunades eyes swam with tears also believing the worst. She clutched at her chest, pain spreading at the thought of Naruto and Sasuke being gone. She saw Chief Sarutobi order his detectives to storm the house and turned away from the scene. She couldn’t bear to see the outcome.
The K-SWAT** kicked open the door and invaded the house searching out the suspects. Everything was so deathly quiet you could hear a pin drop even the media had gone mute. The next minute everything erupted into a frenzy of activity causing Tsunade to turn around with wide eyes.
~CALM~
