Breaking Apart

Breaking Apart

Warnings: DARK, TWISTED FIC. RAPE. Yaoi. I am writing this a stress reliever. It is twisted and MORBID with DISTURBING IMAGES.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto. I am writing this for fun.

Beta: Sancta (I love this woman! Believe me, any remaining mistakes are all my fault!)

‘Sasuke’s thoughts’
“talking”

Chapter 12: On Saviors

'I fucking hate Gaara.' I fume to myself for the tenth time today. Of all the terrible missions I've had to suffer through in the Sand village, this one really sucks.

"Solution?" Gaara repeats softly looking at me with a blank expression that I've come to recognize as quiet contempt.

Ever since Neji and I arrived this morning, Gaara has been trying to goad me into losing my temper. You'd think, after four years of trying to goad me into a fight, he'd stop and just make a move.

'I'll take any reason to kill this stoic bastard. Kazekage or not,' I think as I stare at him impassively, which I am sure he recognizes as my version of outright hatred.

The malicious glee in Tsuande's eyes when she gave Neji and I this mission should have told me that this trip was going to be a headache… But this, this is not a mere headache. It is more like having 'a pissed off elephant dancing in my skull' kind of migraine. 'There is no way to get out of this delicately, not even if I pretended to be nice.' I think snorting in my mind, 'Not that I'd know anything about being delicate or nice.’

Tsunade should have sent Iruka. ‘Iruka could have handled this so much better.' I knew she was up to something. Others could have been chosen for this mission. Others with more diplomatic experience. 'I'll deal with her later though, after this ridiculous mission is completed.'

Neji and I came to Sand because there were rumors of a Hidden Leaf missing-Nin in the area making 'problems' for the Leaf Village. In what seems to be a short amount of time, this nin has set up a pretty lucrative underground jutsu racket. At least, that's what our sources say.

'All it takes is one genius ninja to start a jutsu racket. Unfortunately, such a service is highly illegal.'

A jutsu racket is a service that caters to ninjas and assassins alike. A genius ninja creates jutsus for the needs of local ninjas. It is a profitable service. The demand for the service comes from the fact that not all ninja's are genius killers, but all ninjas need to be in order to survive past 21 years old. ‘It's all just good business really,’ I think with an inward sigh. An underground jutsu superstore provides ninja technique and jutsus, while the ninja provide the capital. ‘It’s lucrative work if you can get it…that is until you're stupid enough to get caught.’

Simple fact is the success of a jutsu store is both its strength and its weakness. Most nin find it hard to resist taking advantage of such services. After all, underground jutsu services can be the difference between a 21-year lifespan and a 40-year lifespan. A law saying that such services are illegal is not enough to dissuade enterprising ninja from taking advantage of a local jutsu racket. Nineteen years is too much time to be denied.

However, as a result of a store's popularity its reputation grows, and eventually it is hard to keep the illegal service center secret. And yet, because of the reputation of a good jutsu store, it is notoriously difficult to take one down. Local ninjas don't really want to help investigations. In fact, they flat out refuse to help unless they are forced to assist by their kage. Most local nin, and many non-local nin, have already benefited from the illegal jutsu service, receiving techniques that have undoubtedly saved their lives, and which they hope will continue to save their lives.

All of the benefactors to a illegal justu store have reasons to hide it. First, it is keeping them alive, second, they want to stay alive, and, third, the village wants their nins to stay alive. No one volunteers help to bring down a jutsu store that saves the lives of their people. No one.

The only draw back to an otherwise perfectly legal business is the fact the proprietor is usually a missing-nin from some village. That means the jutsus being sold are based in secret techniques common to the village the missing-nin is from. In this case, this missing-nin is giving out Leaf secrets. It puts Konoha's ninjas in danger. It serves to render the element of surprise, which is every ninja's greatest weapon, obsolete. Leaf ninja are dying. Tsunade cannot allow this racket to continue much longer.

But Customer and community loyalty to a jutsu store is a bitch, I think with irritation, If Gaara doesn't help us, we'll never be able to bring it down. To make matters worse, there is some suspicion that the "genius-nin" behind this racket is Kankuro's lover.

There is no way Kankuro is going to give up his lover, missing Leaf Nin or not. This is a delicate situation indeed...So why the hell am I here?'

A jutsu store is not only illegal, but one can bet that the genius Nin behind the operation is dangerous to the village from which they hail. There is no such thing as a jutsu store operated by a ninja of the village the store is located in. Ninja's in one's own village owe it to their comrades to help them without charging a fee. Only missing nins from other villages run jutsu shops. And if they are 'alive' missing nin, then they are deviant and extraordinary ninja. They are deviant because, in reality, there is no way any respectable ninja from a hidden village, would sell his or, in this case, her talents, to the highest bidders unless they're in dire need or desiring of revenge. Normally such businesses are created by genius ninjas with an axe to grind against their home villages. Which makes matters so much worse, since this creates strain between two villages; The village benefiting from the illegal activity and the village suffering from the illegal activity. A jutsu store creates a strain that usually results in war if the problem isn't resolved in a swift manner. Very delicate.

"She's getting help from Sand-nin, Kazekage-sama," Neji says interrupting my musings, "We need you to conduct an investigation into your ranks," Neji explains calmly and quickly.

Neji's abrupt succinct tone communicates the fact his patience is running out. I can hear in his voice the edges of his patience fast approaching. There is only so many times that he can state the obvious before irritation is bound to set in. 'Gaara’s being difficult on purpose.' I feel some small feeling of relief that Neji can state the obvious several times over before his seemingly never-ending patience begins to wear thin. My patience wore out ten minutes after we got here.

'Must be the repercussion of living with Shikamaru,' I think still staring directly into Gaara's eyes.

It is with a small relief that I see Gaara eyes narrowing with something akin to impatience, after all, no one has responded to his ridiculous request for other solutions. 'There are no other solutions, jack-ass. Cooperate so that I can go back home. Naruto needs me.'

"I refuse your request," Gaara says with a hint of sarcasm as if he can hear my thoughts. Eyes never wavering from our staring contest, he continues, "Other solutions?"

'Fuck this.'

"We could leave the missing-nin here. She seems to be an obvious asset to this village," I say sarcastically. We all know that leaving the jutsu shop unresolved is not an option. The Leaf Village will not simply go away because Gaara refuses to cooperate.

But I couldn't resist the jab; even knowing it is unwise to provoke Gaara. But let's face it, if Sand ninjas are hiding her… No, if Kankuro is hiding her, then no amount of being delicate is going to solve anything. Even, if a Sand ninja wanted to violate consumer loyalty, and that is a big ‘IF’, no one would dare cross Kankuro and, by crossing Kankuro, cross Gaara.

'What are you planning asshole?'

Gaara remains expressionless as we continue to stare at each other. There are no outward signs that he has even heard me.

"Yes. Maybe you should leave. I asked for Naruto, not you, for this mission."

I easily suppress the hiss of anger that wells in my throat, but my possessiveness is harder to disguise as my eyes narrow to twin slits of obsidian fire.

"Naruto is not taking missions yet." I state calmly, despite my swelling urge to smash his face in.

I watch as the first flicker of real emotion crosses Gaara's face. With a slight smirk, Gaara explains, "I hear differently."

'You hear differently!' I inwardly bellow with a rage that shows with a further narrowing of my eyes.

"Fascinating," I quip with my own smirk, "I'm sure whatever you heard can be corrected soon enough."

I don't even try to keep the threat out of my voice. Gaara knows exactly how much control I have over Naruto.

‘Mine.’

I can feel Neji's eyes on me. His irritation beats at the side of my face. Neji and I have never seen eye to eye on mission conduct. So now that this already difficult mission is being made more difficult by Gaara's dislike for me, his tolerance of my methods are being stretched to the limit. Our usual cordial working relationship is fast fading and I can feel the blame beginning to gather behind his eyes.

'Whatever. Fuck Neji. His state of mind is of little concern.' I think still staring at Gaara's slightly smug expression.

"You're acting like children," Neji tries to state calmly, but by now the frustration snaps out of his voice like a slap that jolts both Gaara and me out of our staring contest. Turning to look at him with our trademark impassive expressions, in sync for once; me, with a slightly bored expression, and Gaara, with an absence of emotion, we wait for Neji's lecture to continue.

"Gaara," Neji starts turning to the Kazekage, losing all semblance of formality, "Please, be reasonable. Sasuke and I have no problems going back to the Leaf Village, if you really do not plan to help us with this investigation. But as you know, Tsunade's out of patience with this missing Nin problem. You appear to be harboring a traitor of the Leaf village and benefiting from 'Leaf expertise' in an illegal manner. I do not have to tell you how a Kage would interpret those kinds of actions in an enemy, much less in an ally. I would ask you, for the sake of your village and ours, please, reconsider this stance."

Gaara's expressionless façade never changes, but a slight nod is given in acknowledgement of Neji's words. This is, after all, a problem that is affecting both our villages.

Neji and my mission is only to issue this statement to Gaara and to get his response. 'Tsunade did not expect us to be able to extract Ino, weak-minded fool that she obviously is, and subdue Kankuro, who has proven to be quite a back-stabbing opportunist.' But we can no longer be pretend that Ino is only selling her own abilities. She is also selling important Hidden Leaf secrets and resources to Sand nins. Several of the joint Leaf/Sand missions have shown the use of certain techniques that are too advanced for the Sand's current ability. To be honest, Gaara's continued uncooperative attitude in this matter is as good as a declaration of war. His uncooperative behavior is also something that can no longer be denied. He is playing with the idea of war.

Even I have to grudgingly admit that this is not the time to antagonize him over who has Naruto and who doesn't. 'And who never will.'

"Sasuke," Neji begins turning to look at me, "I will discuss your behavior with Tsunade later. I'm sure she will be very interested in your lack of grace in this matter, as I am sure you understand the gravity of this mission. At least pretend like you care," Neji hisses before continuing to address us both, "I suggest we all try to focus on the matter at hand. We have a missing-nin to find."

Neji's last statement lands in the air as the euphemism he intends it to be. He might as well have said, 'we have a war to avert,' because truly that is what is at stake in this mission.

War.

An unnecessary war...

Kankuro's war against Leaf to keep Ino…

Gaara's war against Leaf to get Naruto...

Leaf's war against the Sand for the return of Ino…

Leaf's refusal to hand over Naruto...

Tsunade would only let Naruto come to the Sand Village in extreme conditions; he is the closest thing she has to the family she misses so dearly. She will not completely relinquish Naruto to the Sand without resistance. Still, this is beginning to look extremely bad.

I watch as Neji turns back to Gaara maintaining his air of aristocracy even as he takes up the role of a diplomat. "Will you help us, Kazekage-sama?" Neji asks directly, bowing deeply with befitting formality as he issues a demand in the cloak of a request.

Gaara looks at him with a mixture of impassive regret.

"You know my terms. I will only deal with Naruto on this matter."

Suddenly the events that had become surreal became very real and crystal clear. My stomach starts quivering with rage and fear. 'He's trying to take the only thing in this world that is mine away from me. My only thing… Naruto's mine! He belongs to me!' I rage internally.

The panic that follows on the heels of my rage begins to choke off my breath. 'I will not let this bastard know how much he has gotten to me.' I think emphatically. Carefully, I hold my face as still as I can.

'Naruto can't leave me. He can't. He won't.'

I feel, more than see, Neji's hands on me as he drags me away from Gaara, who is simply staring with an understated glee, as if he detects my silent panic attack through my mask.

'I don't fucking care about Gaara'. All I can think of is Naruto. 'Naruto can't leave me. He can't. He wouldn't dare.'

The world falls away as my emotions whip around me threatening to flay anyone who steps too closely. My mind rages at the realization that if Gaara forces Tsunade's hand, she will have to sacrifice Naruto's well-being. If it means saving Konoha from another senseless war, Tsunade will have not choice.

He has won. I know it; and so does Gaara.

I can barely feel myself fighting for breath through a maelstrom of emotion as it sinks in that Gaara has won. Naruto will be sent to the Sand. He'll be sent here in order to prevent a wide scale war. But he is not ready. He could be killed.

'I'll kill him. I'll kill them all,' I begin to chant internally as Neji and I reach the quarters we've been assigned.

As Neji throws me into the direction of my bed and stalks away murmuring threats of subduing me by force, I try to push air back into my lungs, while my mind loops in on one single thought…

'He's trying to take Naruto from me. I'll kill him and then I'll kill them all. I will burn this village to the ground!'

Fighting against my basic urges, I force myself to not make a single move while Neji is in striking distance. Waiting for the moment when I can escape this room and kill Gaara.

"Fuck, Sasuke," Neji swears breathlessly as he glares at me from across the
room. "Get a hold on yourself!"

“You'll never find all of the pieces when I am done with him," I hiss as I head for the door.

"Imbecile," he rasps angrily as he crosses the room in an uncharacteristic rage grabbing onto my shoulder.

"Fucking think, Sasuke! You'll never see Naruto again if you go in there now. He might even kill you. In this mental state, a genin could finish you off with one move. So, damn it, pull it together!"

The only reason why I didn't shuck off Neji's hand is because it only took me two steps towards the door before I came to that same realization myself. But my intellect and my instincts are two totally different things. I start to struggle even more furiously with myself.

Somewhere deep inside I can hear an angry voice telling me that 'I may never see Naruto again, but if I kill that bastard first, then I'll know that Naruto would be safe from his clutches… I will not allow Gaara to have Naruto.'

Another voice, closer to the surface, tells me that 'Naruto needs me as much as I need him. To leave him by getting killed… is not the way to ensure Naruto is safe, that he is complete.'

So intent on my internal struggles, I do not see Neji pulling out a tranq and to stab me with it. I feel its prick too late as the fast-acting numbing agent begins to paralyze my limbs.

My mind quickly registers what this means. I know what kind of tranqs Neji uses. I will be paralyzed from the neck down soon. I won't lose consciousness, but I won't be able to move either. I know I usually have an anecdote on me, but I am certain if Neji is close enough to jab me with the tranq, then he's already relieved me of it.

'Fucker!'

Neji pushes my body towards my bed making sure I fall across it, but not even bothering to straighten up my limbs. As I lay paralyzed on the bed, my anger begins to fade as my plotting begins.

"Stupid," Neji calls over his shoulder as he moves to lie down on his own bed. "I never took you for a stupid man. But this display is stupid. You're little drama just told Gaara that he's won this battle. You don't think that this little fit went unnoticed by him. Now, Tsunade will have a difficult time convincing him that she's more willing to go to war, than to submit to his demands. Stupid."

I faintly register his words through the haze of murderous plotting running though my head. Inwardly, I snort at Neji's naiveté. He knows nothing of men like Gaara and me. Neji is far too …fair to understand men like us.

Gaara is not threatening war. Men like us do not make idle threats. The possibility of war between the Sand and Leaf is not a threat. It is a promise. There will be a war if Tsunade does not send Naruto to the Sand Village. Somewhere along the line Gaara decided that having Naruto is worth going to war over.

'It is because we're the same that I know he will do anything to bring Naruto here, keep him away from me. He will break the Leaf Village if he thinks that it will keep Naruto safe. We are too much alike, he and I.'

"Did you hear me?" Neji hisses with something akin to calm frustration as he stares open-eyed at the ceiling, "You've ruined everything."

I shift my eyes away from staring in the distance to Neji's face, surprised to see the very real worry etched across his brow. I am surprised to see any personal emotion on Neji's face at all, really. Though I have come to respect Neji, he is not my friend. And right now, he's treating me like a friend. 'Odd.' I would be bemused, if I had the time to consider such things.

"Inevitable," I say forcing myself to respond to Neji, not really knowing why I bother. 'Neji's right about one thing though. I acted stupidly.' I should have simply killed him when he issued his ultimatum. Instead, I let the shock and rage overtake me. 'Stupid to lose control like that; I may never get such a clean chance to kill him again.'

"It wasn't inevi-" Neji starts tonelessly.

"Inevitable," I interrupt with a note of finality, falling quiet again and letting him work out in silence what I might mean by my conclusion.

Neji doesn't know about our history. He doesn't know about Gaara's desire to keep Naruto close. Even I'm not completely sure what Gaara wants with Naruto; he doesn't desire him sexually. There is something else, something else between the two men that I cannot understand. And because I can't understand it, I cannot allow Naruto near Gaara.

'I can't let Naruto come here. I can't lose him…I won't lose him.'

Even through the impassive mask has fallen back over Neji's face; I still can see him struggling to understand my conviction. 'When did I learn to read him so well,' I ask myself idly- my mind still spinning around ways to burn the village of the Sand to the ground.

When Neji finally asks, "What does Gaara want with Naruto, Sasuke?" I know that Neji has guessed correctly and any other words are unnecessary.

I close my eyes determined to focus all of my attention on finding the best possible course for killing that bastard and erasing his village.

Still, out of respect, I respond to Neji's question, "Ask Gaara."

'Because I do not know what Gaara wants with Naruto, I continue in my head, 'What I do know is that I will not lose Naruto to Gaara.

Not to Gaara.

Not to anyone.'


TBC


Thank you to everyone who takes the time to review this fic. I get the will to continue this story from you guys. Thank you, thank you, thank you. There may be some breaks between updates. But I assure you, I will finish this fic. It is all planned out. All I am doing is writing according to the plan.

Note to Tina: I'm not insulted by your comments. I set out to write a story that is "lovely like a dead rose." I believe that many things are lovely in this way, but it is hard to make such a thing manifest- what's lovely about it is the manifestation, not the portrayal. A good horror story is supposed to be lovely like a dead rose.

Note to SasuNaru723: I think you were reading my mind! For the next few chapters I am turning to develop Sasuke's life. And Sasuke's life is much larger than Naruto's life (which I was developing in the last 11 chapters.) Sasuke deals with more people, so the world of this fic is going to get suddenly include more characters. But this is because the story has turned to focus on Sasuke and not Naruto. Hopefully you like this update and this Gaara! I love a strong Gaara, personally. Heck, I love them all. Even the kick ass Ino I have in the works...

Note to JDSakuraKLi: I'm glad you gave this fic a chance anyway. And I am so happy you like it!

Note to animehead: Do you know, there is one reviewer that insists that this fic has no angst in it? I don't know how to respond. Seems angsty to me. So I was so glad when I read your review. I'm glad that you like this angsty story. I'm really enjoying writing it.