Zero Hour!

A/N) Don’t be sad about Haku…I have the flu…there could be worse things. Good news? This is 27 pages!

Disclaimer: I still don’t own the babies. Copyright Kishi-sama
Warning: I re-read this a total of like 5 times and there are still mistakes. Sorry. Eyes hurt…coughItachicough

Chapter XIV
Searching


“Say goodbye.” Itachi was standing over a very confused Zabuza. He didn’t even plead for Itachi to spare his life. He just growled and tried to figure out how he’d gotten into this mess in the first place. He was calmly doing crunches in his basement with the music blaring when he felt a bar of some sort crack him in the chest. He woke up with an Uchiha pointing a gun in his face.

“What’s this about?” Zabuza asked, not afraid to die but just wanting some answers. Itachi tilted his head and thought about whether he should get this over with so he could be back in the bed with Neji or just tell the boy as his dying wish. He’d explained to Haku, he’d beaten it into Orochimaru. Zabuza deserved an answer too, right?

“I know you’ve been helping Gaara try to find me. I don’t really appreciate that. I also know that you and the late Orochimaru have been trying to ‘get rid’ of Neji any way you can. Why?” Itachi narrowed his eyes. Zabuza bared his teeth and tried to keep his cool.

“All of this for the Hyuuga? Heh, he’s not even worth it. He doesn’t even want you. You were a fool to leave Orochimaru. He was only trying to help you see that Neji isn’t right for you. He knew you wanted that Hyuuga bastard.” Zabuza turned his head and spit on the floor. “The Hyuuga’s playing you just like he did Gaara and just like he did Haku. He doesn’t want any of you. He’s a selfish pretentious prick.” Zabuza took this moment in Itachi’s rising anger to kick the Uchiha in his stomach. “You must think I’m some pushover. Shoot me if you want but I’m not going to let you walk away unharmed.” Zabuza stepped forward and Itachi dusted off his shirt.

“Stop making this so hard on yourself. If you hurry up and die then you can see that boy you love so much.” Itachi held the gun by the barrel and pointed it to the floor. Zabuza stopped walking and lowered his eyes.

“You wouldn’t dare touch him. Haku means far too much to Neji for you to do that. Kill one of his best friends? You’re mad.” He took another step forward. “I’ll kill you if you’ve even looked at him the wrong way.” He growled.

“I won’t repeat myself.” Itachi’s eyes were still calm. “He’s gone. Soon you all will be gone and then it will just be me and Neji. You all should die.” He raised an eyebrow when Zabuza didn’t hesitate to take a step forward. He grabbed Itachi by the throat and squeezed.

“Where is he? That body they found on the news, it wasn’t his. I’ve seen it myself. Now where is Haku?” He gripped tighter but Itachi didn’t move. He just flipped the gun around on his index finger and aimed it at Zabuza’s ribs.

“You’ll see shortly.” He pulled the trigger. Zabuza’s grip loosened but he didn’t let go just yet. Itachi stared at him and grinned. He could feel Zabuza getting weaker but why wasn’t he losing his grip?

“Ever seen a dead man strangling something in his dead hands? I’m not going to let you go and you’ll die here too.” He began to cackle as his legs got weak and his body began to fall to the floor. “I won’t die…without telling him… that I-“ Zabuza fell on the floor and let go of Itachi’s neck. The boy breathed easily as he stared down at his work. This was beginning to become a hassle.

He looked at his watch, noon. ‘Dammit.’ This took longer than he thought it would. He would have to take care of the redhead and his blond friend later. Neji probably wouldn’t sleep in and Itachi wasn’t going to be able to explain why he had been gone for a second time. He put his gun on safety and tucked it in the back of his pants. He started to drag Zabuza’s body across the room before the blood started to spill on the floor.

-----

When Itachi walked back in his house Sasuke was silently sitting at the table. He looked up from his half eaten bowl of cereal and held back a confused look. He pushed his chair back and got up from the table. Suddenly he couldn’t eat anymore. He took his bowl to the kitchen and poured out the remaining contents in the sink. Itachi dropped his keys off on the counter and walked over to the sink. Sasuke shut the water off and then Itachi turned it back on to wash his hands.

“You’re supposed to be a Naruto’s house this weekend. What are you doing home?” Itachi turned off the faucet and dried his hands on a towel hanging on the cabinet below the sink. Sasuke continued to wash his bowl as he answered.

“We got in a fight.” He accidentally dropped the spoon down inside the garbage disposal. “What do you care anyway?” He stuck his hand in the dangerous hole passed the protective rubber and grabbed the piece of silverware. “Neji’s the only one here right? I’m sure you’re not doing anything too inappropriate.” He didn’t look over at his older brother. He refused to see that face Itachi was always making.

“Stay then.” Itachi began to walk out. “You’re not so much of a bother.” He gently pulled the tie out of his hair and it fell free over his back. “I’m going to sleep. I have to work later.” He disappeared down the hall and Sasuke finally looked up. He couldn’t remember exactly what the man on the answering machine had said about Itachi two days ago but he was sure he said something along the lines of, ‘I think it would be better if you just didn’t come in. The staff and I are worried about your condition. We have no choice but to let you go. Good luck.’

Sasuke put his dish in the drain and shook his hands dry. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and stepped in his room. He closed the door and sat in his chair where his computer should have been.

“Sasuke! Where the hell did you run off? I woke up and you were just gone. I was terrified and your phone’s been off. I thought that guy had killed you too. You can’t just go running off like that and expect me to be okay. Do you hear me? Are you-“

Sasuke heard Naruto yelp and then he heard Gaara’s voice in the background. He took the phone away from his ear as Naruto started yelling about being more important to Sasuke and needing to talk to him. Sasuke waited until he heard Gaara again.

“Did you see anything happening in his room after I left?” Sasuke whispered. He turned his chair around to the door and leaned back. He couldn’t take any chances of Itachi walking in on him quietly. Not that Itachi ever really came in his room anymore.

“He must have found the cameras, or someone did. They’re gone, all of them. Neji’s, Haku’s and Itachi’s. Just like that. I turned my back for five minutes and they were all disconnected.” Gaara couldn’t believe all three of them had been out smarted. And to make matters worse he couldn’t get a hold of Orochimaru or Zabuza now either.

“There’s no way anyone could get back and forth between those three places in five minutes.” Sasuke stared at the space underneath his door and saw a shadow walk passed. He wasn’t sure if it was Itachi or Neji but he really needed to be cautious. “Listen, Itachi thinks I’ve had a fallout with Naruto so I can’t come over right away. He’s going to work in a few hours so I’ll be back. Just try not to get into any trouble until I get there. Especially you Naruto.” Sasuke hung up the phone and slammed it on his desk. He didn’t tell Gaara but he was going to follow Itachi when he left. Hopefully his brother wouldn’t notice.

Sasuke left his chair and pulled his door open slightly. He saw Neji walking around in the living room talking on his phone. He wondered just who he was talking to. He appeared to be arguing with someone and he looked pretty angry. He slammed his cell phone shut and started walking down the hall. Sasuke didn’t close his door. He just watched as Neji walked towards Itachi’s room but stopped once he got to him.

“I woke you.” Neji’s said shoving his hands in his pockets. He looked to Itachi’s door and then back at Sasuke. The younger Uchiha shook his hand and then opened the door a little wider.

“No.” He said and leaned on the doorframe. “I just got here.” He looked down the hall as well and then back at Neji. “You love Gaara again, don’t you?” Sasuke asked, not really caring if he embarrassed the Hyuuga. Neji kept his cool and nodded once. He had no idea how that type of information got to Sasuke but it wasn’t important. Someone had probably found out at school. That was nothing too special. Neji’s business was always all over the place. He turned his body towards Sasuke and frowned.

“You and Gaara, you would have never worked out.” He said with a smirk on his face. He truly believed that he and Gaara were an inseparable pair now. He would get the love of his life back no matter what.

“Oh yeah?” Sasuke said, crossing his arms. He knew they wouldn’t have worked better than anyone but he really needed to act like it was pissing him off. Otherwise Neji would probably see through their plan. “You’re really one to be talking when you cheated on him too. You’re no better than I am, are you?” This time it was Sasuke’s turn to grin. Neji quickly balled his fists but he didn’t make a move.

“So much for your theory huh? I was with Gaara for over a year before I did that to him. He’s forgiven me despite himself.” Neji stood proudly like he’d just smashed Sasuke in the face. The Uchiha just shrugged like he didn’t even care.

“That just makes you all the more worse. He didn’t get a chance to love me so it didn’t hurt him that bad. Granted I was his best friend and so was Naruto but he knew of our feelings for each other long before we got together. You on the other hand waited until he was completely in love with you to fuck things up. He’s forgiven you because he’s lonely. Don’t make the mistake of thinking he actually needs you again. He’s far better off alone than with you and your wandering eyes.” Sasuke calmly backed up into his room and closed the door softly.

Neji’s fists shook. He half wanted to break down that door and show Sasuke who was older but he didn’t feel like starting anything. He had a long day ahead of him and he needed to keep his strength. If he was going to approach Gaara again then he had to be at his best.

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Itachi was walking around his room trying to fit his shirt over his head. It was late in the evening and it was already starting to get dark out. As he walked around the room and just barely got his shirt collar over his head, he ran into something. He took a small step back and pulled his shirt down. He ignored the look on Neji’s face, turning around to find his shoes. He did however see that Neji was dressed and looking like he was about to go out as well.

“You look like you’re about to leave.” Itachi dragged his shoes to the bed and sat down. He suddenly had a bad feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t force it down as Neji stood in front of him. He felt like he should have worked faster to get rid of the pesky redhead.

“I convinced Gaara to come out with me. He might be giving me another chance.” Neji looked down at Itachi but the Uchiha did not look back at him. He just continued to tie his shoes. Neji knew he probably didn’t care much but for some strange reason he was starting to feel like Itachi was growing angry. He sat down on the edge of the bed next to his friend and fell back. He was going to straighten this out right now, before it got worse.

“You were acting pretty weird this morning. What was the kiss all about anyway?” He stared up as he waited for an answer. Itachi clenched his teeth as he corrected his posture. Even if he had the time to explain he probably wasn’t ever going to be ready to just admit how he really felt about his best friend. Surely Neji would push him away if he said something right now. He didn’t think he could handle that at the moment. He might snap and accidentally do something to Neji. Something he would definitely regret.

Neji sat up as Itachi finally just turned away. “You’re not…attracted to me, are you?” He gulped and thought about the possibilities. Nothing would make sense if that was the way he was feeling. Itachi was so closed up though that it would be impossible to interpret his feelings. Neji shook his head and tried to stop a headache from forming.

“Maybe…but that was a long time ago. You’re no more than a friend right now.” He stood up and headed for the door. “I’ll be back pretty late. I’ll leave my keys for you.” He walked out the door after he picked up his school backpack. Neji had wanted to say something but he was almost lost in shock. Itachi was good at leaving his little cryptic messages behind but now he was just being too generous.

‘…right now?’ Neji thought. ‘He’s definitely hiding something from me. A kiss and now all this talk about almost being attracted. He’s lost it. I wonder if Sasuke knows about that nasty fall he took a year ago. God knows we both don’t need to be in counseling.’ Neji waited for awhile and then he also left. Itachi acting weird wasn’t really important tonight.

-----

“I’m afraid to ask you what might be the matter Itachi.” The man was sitting down in his chair behind the desk and motioned for Itachi to sit down on the other side. “You sounded a bit upset. That’s not very much like you now is it?” He quickly pulled out a folder and started flipping through the papers. Itachi took his seat.

“It’s been a long year.” Itachi started. “I’m very tired, Sarutobi. I thought you could do something about my situation, help me with the loss of my father. I’ve decided that your counseling isn’t working. I’ve become much worse and I’ve lost control. I keep…trying to touch him. These flashbacks I keep having. I don’t like how they’re making me react. I’m not the same person I was two weeks ago. This has all been for nothing. I’ve come to tell you that I won’t be back next week.” Itachi could feel his eyes burning so he closed them and tried to force back the pain growing behind his eye-sockets.

“This was your idea to begin with, remember? You’re welcome to end this whenever you want to. But of course it’s my job to convince you to continue until we overcome the problem. You cannot possibly hope to grow stronger and look passed this if you keep running from it.” He laced his fingers together and rested them on the desk.

“I’m not running from anything. I merely want it to be over.” He didn’t bother to open his eyes. He could feel the man silently writing things down though. Itachi hated this. He hated feeling like he had no other choice but to talk.

A year ago when he first started having the flashbacks of his father it had frightened him. He couldn’t remember much of his childhood with his father but everything he saw when he blacked out couldn’t have been true. He wasn’t going to believe that his father molested him as a child.

“At least stay and we’ll have a talk before you leave. I would at the least like to know what’s happening with your friend Neji.” Sarutobi closed the folder and sat back. “If not that then how your condition is developing. You visited the specialist I told you about right? What did he tell you about your body?” The man rested back in his chair as Itachi finally opened his eyes. He waited for awhile. He didn’t want to tell the older man what the doctors had diagnosed him with so he handed Sarutobi the folder with his paperwork.

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Neji and Gaara were both sitting silently in the car. Gaara had been sitting quietly on the curb near some grocery mart waiting. The sky still had light and he wouldn’t be in any danger if he just stayed in public. He had a strange feeling that Mr. X, or the killer, or both were after him especially. They -or he- bothered to disconnect his computers, send him those notes and the pictures. It seemed like he -or they- were telling him he wasn’t going to get away.

Neji looked over at Gaara several times but the redhead hadn’t said anything. He hadn’t even said hi to Neji even after the Hyuuga gave his greetings first. Neji decided he wasn’t going to rush this. At least Gaara was willing to be in the same car space as him.

“Why did you agree to come with me if you won’t talk?” Neji decided to try his luck just a little more. He didn’t really wanna make this some half apology date type thing just to get him back on Gaara’s good side. He was trying to get much farther than just some ‘I’m sorry I fucked up, love me again.’ type thing. He was eventually going to have to sit Gaara down and tell him everything that was wrong and everything that should be right.

Gaara didn’t answer him. He was leaning against the window with his eyes closed. He was still not too sure why he’d come out when he knew he didn’t want to and didn’t have the time. While he was out trying to play friends with his ex lover, Naruto and Sasuke were still trying to find their two missing comrades and the supposedly dead femi boy.

“Fair enough.” Neji said. “I didn’t think you would talk anyway. That’s just like you, isn’t it?” He kind of smiled to himself when he remembered all the times it felt like he’d been having conversations by himself. Gaara hardly answered unless he was trying to make a point. Neji didn’t know why he even bothered sometimes.

“The park.” Gaara looked over at him. “Can we go to the park for awhile?” He didn’t wait for an answer as he turned back around and stared at his reflection in the window. Soon he was going to have to tell Neji that he wanted him back too. They were both worried the other didn’t really want them but it needed to be over. The worry was tearing them down and they needed rest.

Neji turned the car around and went back towards the park in the middle of the town. Thank God Gaara had said something because honestly Neji had no idea where he was going to take Gaara. Neji hated the movies and Gaara hated eating in restaurants. Weren’t they just a pair made in heaven?

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“Why is the park so important? What’s here that means so much to you?” Neji asked as they both sat down on a bench in front of the small empty playground. All the children had gone home since it was getting late. There were no people walking dogs and the birds had quieted down for the beginning of night. All was silent. It was just the two of them and the calm sounds of the pond behind them.

“This is where you brought me.” Gaara watched the wind blow passed the tress in front of them. “That day…after I finally left the hospital. I never forgave my father.” He frowned without knowing it. “I come here a lot at night just to sit by myself.” He closed his eyes as the cool wind blew passed them. “You told me you still loved me the other day…did you mean it?” Gaara turned around to him and slowly opened his eyes-lids. His jade eyes were glowing and Neji seemed stunned.

“Did I not seem sincere enough?” Neji moved closer and put his arm around Gaara waist. He didn’t think Gaara would let him but here they were, close. “I know I’ve been a lot to deal with for the passed couple of weeks but you just have to know that I was confused. You left me with a lot to deal with and I handled it as best I could. People advised me to leave you alone and I did but I couldn’t stop myself from wanting you back.” He gently stroked the side of Gaara’s face. “The other day when I told you I was still in love with you, what were you thinking? I know you wanted to say something to me. Tell me now?” He asked seeming like he was begging for an answer.

Gaara stood up and left Neji on the bench alone. He took a few steps in front of him and entered the sandbox. He looked forward and sighed. How was he supposed to explain all this when he hadn’t figured it out for himself? He couldn’t put in words how he was feeling that day. He didn’t even know how to react.

Neji stood up as well and hovered behind him. He wrapped his arms around Gaara’s slender body and held him tight. Gaara closed his eyes and let his body feel the warmth of Neji’s. This is what he wanted; this was what he had been waiting for.

“It doesn’t feel like we were ever away from each other.” Gaara turned around in Neji arms and laid his head on the boy’s shoulder. “I wanted to stay with you so you could hold me, like this. After you left the hospital that night we broke up I waited for you to come back. I thought you just needed to cool down for awhile. I waited for hours and then days. Every time someone came through my room door I was only disappointed. You really did leave me and I blamed everyone but myself.” Gaara gripped on to his shirt and held tighter.

“After you told me you still loved me I already knew I was still in love with you. I was just afraid of what had been going on around us. I couldn’t just let you back in yet. I wanted to forgive you but I knew…I know you still love Haku.” Gaara looked up at him and frowned. “I loved you despite that and I still love you.” Gaara didn’t usually put his feelings so…out there but he didn’t have a choice this time. It was either talk or lose Neji forever and he couldn’t live with that.

“I never left you in that hospital, Gaara. I came back every day but I never made it to your room. I know you hated me for what I did to you but you’ll have to forgive me. I don’t know what I was thinking. I loved you so much that I messed everything up.” He lifted Gaara’s chin and stared down into his eyes. “Forgive me.” He tilted his own head down kissed Gaara’s lips like he should. He captured Gaara’s mouth softly and held still as he let the feeling of completion linger him.

Gaara pushed up against him and forced Neji to move back out of the sand. The Hyuuga kept his kiss simple. He just wanted his lips to glide over Gaara’s but he was directed somewhere else when his tongue slid passed his lips and into Gaara’s mouth. The redhead pushed back again as he welcomed Neji into him.

Neji was proud of himself now. He was getting exactly what he wanted and it hadn’t even been all that hard. All he had to do in the beginning was tell Gaara he was sorry and that he loved him. They could have been back together ages ago. His thoughts were less and less when Gaara’s tongue found its way passed his lips and into his mouth. He could feel Gaara continuing to push him back and he didn’t know where they were going. He didn’t care.

Neji found himself roughly pushed up against a tree near the bench they had been sitting on. Gaara held him there as they continued to lavish against each other. Gaara’s hands freely roamed over Neji’s chest as he stepped between Neji’s legs and leaned against him. The Hyuuga graciously opened himself up and let Gaara come into him farther. He wanted this to last so he was letting Gaara do what he wanted but it was irritating Neji to be forced around.

He gently pushed against Gaara’s chest and broke their kiss. Gaara reached up to kiss him again but Neji turned his head. Gaara probably should have gotten angry but he didn’t. He just gripped Neji shirt and made the Hyuuga look down at him.

“What’s wrong?” Gaara asked as he held back the need to throw Neji back and take what he wanted. He was tired of waiting. He just wanted to continue their kiss so he could be content about something in his life. Neji put his head down and rested his chin on Gaara’s shoulder as he wrapped his arms around the redhead’s waist.

“We can’t do this.” Neji said softly. He could feel Gaara’s body freeze. “Not this way.” He turned them around and forced Gaara back into the position he had previously been in. “Better?” Neji looked down at him and grinned. Gaara turned away and blushed a little. He had been thinking that Neji wanted to take things slow. He was relieved to know that they didn’t have to. Neji’s cheek rested against the side of Gaara’s head and he smelled his vibrant red hair deeply. Gaara shivered as Neji’s hips dug into his.

“Neji…” Gaara breathed deeply as Neji’s lips pressed against his exposed neck. He kissed Gaara’s jaw-line and then let his mouth find Gaara’s again. He pulled away ran his thumb over Gaara’s lips. He made the redhead look at him. Neji stared in his eyes and smiled, they were his again. Gaara stared at him like a lost dog. He brain was telling him to pounce on Neji but his heart was telling him to…well…his heart was telling him to do that same thing actually.

They were so close, so close that there was no space between their chests. Neji’s eyes searched all over Gaara. From his hair, to his eyes, and right down to his lips. He kissed the side of Gaara’s mouth and then hungrily slid his tongue over Gaara’s bottom lip. The redhead kept still as Neji’s hands traveled over his body. He could feel himself heating up quickly. He wanted to go farther but they were still outside for all the world to see.

Neji’s hardness pressed against his jeans and he moved into Gaara’s crotch a little more. He ran his hand along Gaara’s arm and to his hand, He slyly interlocked their fingers. Gaara looked down at his hand locked in Neji’s. The Hyuuga lifted Gaara’s chin again and very softly nipped at his lips.

“This is how it should be.” He rubbed his nose over the soft skin on Gaara’s cheek. “I missed you.” Neji said lightly. Gaara’s heart was a skitter of beats. He knew he missed Neji too but he just couldn’t say it. He was too surprised at how things were falling together. He couldn’t have wanted more. He was practically in the arms of the one he loved and he felt safe under the darkening sky.

“I know you missed me too.” Neji pressed up against him harder and stole Gaara’s lips for another kiss. He was about to finish their initial tongue separation with something between them vibrated. Gaara looked down at his pocket as he phone continued to go off.

“Don’t answer it.” Neji begged as he tried to preoccupy Gaara’s mind with another timeless kiss. Gaara ignored the phone like Neji wanted him to. He needed this attention, otherwise he was going to die from withdrawals. They could have stayed like that forever but Gaara’s phone started going off again. Gaara reached down and tried to fish it out of his pocket but Neji stopped him again.

“Gaara, just leave it be. They can wait.” His manhood throbbed in his pants as the phone vibrating between them gave him chills. Gaara wanted to listen but this time he felt like he had to answer it. It definitely had to be important if someone bothered to call twice. Gaara thought about Sasuke and Naruto. He would have a fit if something had happened to either one of them.

Gaara shook his head and reluctantly pushed Neji off him. Neji turned around and threw up his hands as he walked away and sat on the bench. Gaara pulled his phone out his pocket and looked at Sasuke’s name on his phone. He damned his friend and hoped it was important.

“Hello.” Gaara said softly as he turned the volume down on his phone. He could hear static over the other end. He barely heard Naruto’s voice and assumed the two were off doing some searching of their own.

“I found out where Itachi ran off to.” Sasuke whispered into the phone. Gaara’s ears perked up and he turned to look at Neji who was staring at him. The Hyuuga raised his eyebrow and pointed to the watch on his wrist. Gaara ignored him as he began to talk in somewhat of a code.

“I thought you were home Temari.” Gaara said like he was a bit irritated. Sasuke knew what was going on. He didn’t know where Gaara was but he apparently couldn’t talk out loud about Itachi right now so Sasuke played along.

“He’s in a building downtown called the…” He paused. “Naruto, what’s the place called again?” Sasuke spoke calmly and Naruto pointed to the top floor. “Konoha Health Agency.” Sasuke repeated after Naruto.

“What? The hospital? Why are you in a health facility? Did something happen to you?” Gaara tried to make it seem like he was frantic about how his ‘sister’ was holding up. Neji frowned at him when he saw the concern on Gaara’s face. Now he felt bad that he had asked Gaara not to answer the call. Neji knew just how important Temari was to Gaara.

“Hopefully he’s not in there for being some nut case.” Sasuke stared through the windshield of his car and pushed Naruto towards the door. “Go in a see what this place is.” Sasuke said to his not so better half.

“Why me?” Naruto whined in the background of the phone.

“I look like my brother. Are you trying to get us caught? Stop being so difficult and go. Gaara doesn’t have all day.” Sasuke said firmly. Naruto got out of the car and pouted all the way up the steps to the entrance.

“Listen Temari, you’ll be just fine. Just call me back when you find out anything else important. I’m really kind of busy so if there’s nothing else I need to go.” Gaara turned away from Neji. “I’ll put my phone on silent. Just text me and I’ll call back when I can.” Gaara quickly hung up the phone as Neji walked up behind him.

“How is she? Sounded important.” Neji touched his shoulder. Gaara hated when Neji did that. It made him feel like he was the younger brother or something less attractive. Gaara pushed Neji’s hand away.

“She’s sick and in the hospital. I don’t know the details.” At first Gaara hadn’t been irritated but now he was. For some reason it actually felt like there was something wrong with his sister, or maybe he really just wasn’t feeling well from all the sudden attention.

“Look, I know this is supposed to be important but I need to get home.” Gaara stepped away. “I’ll just walk if you don’t mind.” He turned away but Neji grabbed his hand and held it tight.

“This is the first time I’ve been able to touch you in months. Do you really think I’m just going to let you leave?” He pulled Gaara back and forced a strong kiss on his lips. “You’re coming with me.” Neji abruptly stared dragging Gaara back to the car. The redhead didn’t say anything and didn’t object. If he wasn’t so turned on then maybe he could have but it was pretty much damn near over for him. He wanted Neji now. He had no idea where they were going but he wanted Neji.

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((Itachi’s Report from the physician))

Pano-recolect, It affects the eyes and the mind all at once. Effective immediately after the devastation to a small child in a physical or mental aspect. A virus that eats the cell membrane of your memory gland. It locks away everything that happens to children and tries to get rid of it. But in doing so, it disrupts the eyesight, thus beginning the first stages of blindness. -

“I shouldn’t have remembered anything that happened to me but when I took that fall and hit my head, it messed something up and my brain bounced against my skull. The illness spread and blew forward memories that I should have never seen again.” Itachi never wanted to tell anyone but at times it just felt like his body was dying from the inside out. Sometimes he would forget about things that were important to him. Other times it became so hard to see that he had to find a neutral spot and sleep for awhile.

“The Agency can help you through this. You need to remain strong, you have a younger brother to worry about.” Sarutobi said. “And what of your friend Neji. What will you tell him when the sickness takes full effect?” The man was brining up some important points.

“Sasuke is almost a grown man. He’ll be able to take care of himself if in the event that I cannot use these eyes anymore.” Itachi waited as he thought about Neji. It crossed his mind every single day about what it would be like if he couldn’t have him. “If I can get Neji to love me now…then after I lose my eyesight he won’t be able to leave me. I’m not concerned about the way Neji will feel after the process but I can’t risk losing everything with an operation.” Itachi stood up. “If the treatment succeeds and he chooses not to love me, then what do I need my eyes for anyway? I’ll never be able to look at him again and that in its own is worse than death. Good day Sarutobi.” He took his folder and began to walk out.

The man didn’t even say anything to Itachi after that. His passed experiences with Itachi let him know that the boy always went with what he felt. There would be no changing his mind. Especially since Neji was involved now. Sarutobi just hoped Itachi would come back on his own…but he wouldn’t keep his hopes too high.

-----

Neji and Gaara snuck passed every room in the Hyuuga house and up to the floor of Neji’s bedroom. He opened the door and found three of his smaller cousin playing in his closet. Wearing all his shirts on their heads and running around in his shoes. Neji paused as he looked at them. They didn’t seem to care that he was home and they were caught. They just kept running around making truck noises and laughing.

“Out.” Neji said sternly. He wasn’t doing it to be the mean older cousin, he just had some things to do and his room was off limits. He would probably let them back in later.

“Aww, Neji we just got here. Let us stay pleeeeease.” The boy hanging from his leg was no more than three. Then the other two started grabbing on Neji’s clothes and begging with their crocodile tears and puppy dog eyes. Neji closed his eyes and lightly flicked the first boy on the forehead.

“Out, you can come back later when I’m gone.” He pushed the boy towards the door and the other two followed. They stopped and stared at Gaara who was silently waiting by the door. He was trying to avoid all contact with the children but they apparently didn’t take the hint. They ran over to him and clung to his clothes.

“But Neji, Gaara wants us to stay, right Gaara?” One of the little girls had attached herself to Gaara’s waist. He didn’t start screaming at them or tremble at their touch. He just sort of stood there and prayed they would let go before he had a heart attack. Too bad he had been so nice to them the last time they had visited.

“Gaara doesn’t want you in here either. You’ll only get sick from watching, now go. I won’t say it again.” Neji pulled the small girl by the back of her collar and plucked her off Gaara. He opened the door and helped her out. The other two followed and Neji closed the door behind them. He looked at Gaara and said boy had his eyes closed trying to breathe. Neji knew he didn’t like that type of contact. He touched the side of Gaara’s face and almost laughed. Gaara stepped closer, ready to taste the Hyuuga’s lips again-

“Neji!” The kids ran back in and clamped to him. Neji held back his anger as he walked towards the door with two kids on his legs on one on his arm. He put them back outside and locked the door this time. He leaned up against it and sighed. He just couldn’t get time alone with Gaara. If it wasn’t phones then it was kids. The next thing would be a fucking earthquake.

Gaara leaned up against him on the door. “They must love you.” He said with a smirk on his face. Neji’s didn’t think it was funny. All he wanted was some nice quiet time to do whatever he wanted with Gaara but noooooo people just kept interrupting.

“Ne-ji Ne-ji Ne-ji!” The kids resorted to banging on the door. “Ne-ji Ne-ji Ne-ji!” They just kept getting louder and louder, spacing out his name and irritating the hell out of him. “Ne-ji Ne-ji Ne-ji!”

Gaara couldn’t help but growl himself. They were definitely doing this on purpose now but he wanted to laugh at the look on Neji’s face. His eyes were oversized and he was trying to rip out his hair. He turned around and opened the door. He stepped out and closed it behind him. Gaara frowned when the kids stopped chanting. He could hear Neji whispering but he didn’t know what he was saying. Gaara took a step back when he heard the kids run down the hall screaming.

Neji came back in the room and softly closed his door. “No more waiting.” He said clenching his teeth. Gaara gave him a confused look but he didn’t have time to think about anything. Neji pushed him back and they both fell on the bed. He grabbed Gaara’s waist and pulled his entire body onto the bed. Gaara could practically hear Neji’s heart beating…or was that his?

Neji ran his hand up Gaara’s thigh and under his shirt. He quickly pulled it off and leaned down to smell Gaara’s skin. He took his tongue across Gaara’s stomach as his hand reached down and unzipped Gaara’s pants. He tried to move his hand inside but he stopped himself. Gaara was shaking and he wasn’t participating. Neji crawled up to him and looked into his eyes.

“You don’t want this?” Neji asked. He was starting to feel unwanted and it was upsetting him. He was sure that Gaara had wanted him a little while ago. He didn’t know what was the matter now. Maybe he was just moving far too quickly.

“I do.” Gaara replied without really looking straight at him. He wasn’t sure what was wrong with him but there were a bunch of signs in his head pointing to ‘No.’ Maybe he just needed to grasp the fact that this was actually about to happen.

“You don’t seem like yourself.” Neji put his hands on either side of Gaara’s body and stayed above him.

“You don’t know me anymore.” Gaara said quickly. And it was true. Gaara wasn’t the same person that Neji had left back in that hospital. Or maybe Gaara was the same but Neji had just changed too much.

“Gaara, I’m sorry.” Neji tried. He didn’t know what was wrong but that last comment really hurt. He knew Gaara wasn’t doing it intentionally but still, he felt like he was taking personal shots from Gaara. –Not that anyone else was around to take them.

“You already apologized once.” His eyes were trying to look everywhere but actually at Neji. Now the Hyuuga knew something was wrong but he continued to play the game. Gaara was going to have to start admitting things sooner or later. Neji was tired of guessing.

“I want to make it clear to you.” Which was only the truth. Whoever complained about someone apologizing too much? This was Neji saying sorry they were talking about. The guy who barely ever apologized to anyone.

“I heard you Neji.” Gaara finally pushed him away and Neji fell on his side. He got back up and made Gaara look at him.

“Don’t argue with me now Gaara.” He was starting to get angry but he knew he needed to calm down. He had a feeling that Gaara was doing this all on purpose. He knew Neji was sorry but he just wanted to make sure that he was being sincere. He wasn’t going to have to go through another break up because Neji was a liar. He wouldn’t be able to take it.

“I’m not making this hard on you.” Gaara said. His voice was finally very weak and he sounded like he was trying to pull himself together. Neji calmed down and started to gather himself.

“I never said you were.” Neji frowned. “Whether I know you no or not there’s still something wrong with the way you’re acting.” He kissed Gaara’s forehead and rested his own forehead against Gaara’s. His lips just barely touched Gaara’s nose as he smiled. Gaara just laid there. Neji didn’t say anything to force him to talk. He wanted to wait for Gaara to just come out and say what was bothering him.

“You’ve been pushing me away for the last two weeks. Why’d you come back?” Gaara tried to sit up but Neji pushed him back down.

“You don’t think I really love you, do you?” Neji sat back on his knees and pulled Gaara up to him. He hugged him tight. “That’s not what you’re thinking right? You know I love you. I wouldn’t be going through all this trouble if I didn’t.” Neji was trying not to shake him to death.

“That’s not what I’m worried about.” Gaara pushed away from him. He felt like Neji was going crazy. Almost strangling him and what not.

“That’s the truth though. Among other things you’re worried I’ll turn around and do the same thing as before. I can’t blame you but then again I can only tell you so many times. I’m not out to hurt you.” Neji’s nerves were shot by now. He couldn’t even calm himself. He was just trying to make a point and all Gaara was doing was letting it all go over his head.

“I don’t think you are.” Gaara laid back down and put his hands behind his head like this wasn’t that much of an important matter. He’d practiced this conversation so many times in his head and it wasn’t going the way he planned. So he just started saying things that were on his mind.

“Then what’s the problem?” Neji laid next to him and put his hand on Gaara’s stomach. The redhead inhaled deeply. It was all or nothing now.

“I don’t know why I still love you.” Gaara whispered.

“What?” Neji hovered over him again.

“You cheated on me, humiliated me. Not to mention your excessive need to let everyone know that I was an unstable psychotic. I can’t figure out why I’m still in love with you. I don’t know why it feels so good when you kiss me.” He ran a hand through Neji’s hair and pulled it loose so that it fell over the boy’s shoulders. “I should hate you…but I can’t.” He touched Neji’s lips with his and laid back down. The Hyuuga just blinked. He felt like he could think of a single word to say.

“I never meant to hurt you.” Gaara said. “You were just so happy without me, there was no way you would have missed me.” He turned his head and closed his eyes as the memories flooded back in. Neji thought back to that day in the hospital when he had left Gaara behind. He wished he could take back everything he’d done to start this. He couldn’t blame Gaara anymore, this was all his fault.

“Stop.” Neji laid his head next to Gaara’s on the pillow and made the younger boy look at him. “None of this is because of you. We’re not together because I was scared and because I was selfish. When you…” He paused and took a deep breath. “When you tried to commit suicide I was hurt. Not by your actions but because of my own. You must have loved me more than I imagined. I drove you to do such a thing after I swore I’d never leave you.” He played in Gaara’s hair. “I don’t know why you still love me either.” He half smiled. “I’ll make it up to you.” Neji pulled off his own shirt. He laid against Gaara and took the boy’s hand again. He locked their fingers and looked down at the boy he loved.

“Let me do this to you. I want you to love me again.” Neji whispered. Gaara turned his head and squeezed Neji’s arm. Of all the times for him to get embarrassed it had to be now. Neji kissed him beside his ear. Gaara slowly nodded. He didn’t know if Neji was asking could he have him but he answered anyway.

------
Warning: This is why the story is rated M. Lemon scene. You can skip if you’d like to but I wouldn’t advise it. Also…I hate really gross words but they’re in here. –Is going to hell-
------

Neji selfishly took Gaara’s lips for his own. He merely laid them down and demanded Gaara kiss him back. He grabbed Gaara’s shoulders and squeezed them. His hands slid down to Gaara’s chest and his thumbs lightly ran over the boy’s nipples. Gaara shuddered and felt himself blushing. Neji wasn’t trying to hide the fact that he wanted Gaara. His impatient hips rocked over the younger boy with greed.

Gaara swallowed away his fears as Neji slowly moved down his body. He kissed every inch of the boy and his long hair left chills. Gaara sat up as Neji began to lightly take his tongue over Gaara’s Jeans just above his crotch. He firmly grabbed his belt loops and started to pull the jeans down. Gaara stopped him before he got them off his waist. He pushed Neji away and took them off himself. He pulled off his boxers and got on his knees in front of Neji.

Gaara sat in Neji’s lap while he unzipped Neji’s pants and fumbled inside them. It was just Gaara’s luck that the Hyuuga had gone commando today. Gaara didn’t take another second to pull out Neji erecting penis. He sat up more and pushed their hips together. Gaara’s length clashed with Neji’s and he threw his head back. Neji grabbed his hips and dug his nails into Gaara’s skin.

The redhead didn’t care what happened now. He’d just wanted to touch Neji and that’s what he got to do. Neji pushed him down and slid out of his jeans. Gaara laid back as Neji’s hands played on the inside of his thighs. He raised his knees and his legs fell wide open. Neji crawled between his thighs and let his paining member touch Gaara in the worst way. He laid down on Gaara’s chest and kissed his chin before he disappeared back down the boy’s body.

Neji moved and his body rubbed against Gaara’s hardness. The younger boy bit on his tongue and watched Neji move away. He stared at Gaara with his dark eyes. He let his tongue fall out of his mouth as he neck glided passed the boy’s heat. Neji was quick when he took Gaara into his mouth. Gaara panicked as he held onto the covers. He hadn’t done this in months and he was just itching for it now. He could feel himself almost cum from the first wet heat of Neji’s mouth.

He tried to keep his body still as Neji teased him by taking the tip of his tongue down Gaara’s shaft and over his hardness. The redhead made inaudible sounds as Neji came back up and carefully took the tip of his cock and roughly licked over it. The Hyuuga could taste how much Gaara was trying to hold back. Some of his precum slid out passed Neji’s lips and down his chin. Neji wiped his face clean and grabbed the base of Gaara’s aching member.

Neji lightly began to pump the boy as his tongue flicked over the head of Gaara’s throbbing rod. Gaara sat up and subconsciously forced Neji’s head lower. Neji gagged as Gaara’s piece hit the back of his throat. Gaara threw his head back at the sound. He forced Neji’s head lower again just to hear him choke. Neji grabbed Gaara’s wrists and raised himself. His head met Gaara’s stomach but he never took his mouth away from its job. Neji began to suck harder. Gaara hissed at the intense feeling. He rocked back and forth while Neji let go of his wrists to grab him again. Gaara laid back down when he couldn’t take the pressure anymore. He lifted his legs and put them over Neji’s shoulders.

Gaara moaned softly as he tried to close his legs around Neji’s neck. He was almost done and his legs were moving on their own but Neji forced them back open. Gaara arched his back to help Neji swallow him farther. The Hyuugas lips burned as he met Gaara’s pelvis. He kept himself from choking this time as Gaara began to thrust lightly. Neji clawed at his hips. Every time Gaara thrusted, more precum left his mouth. Gaara leaned forward again as he groaned and grabbed Neji’s hair tight in his fingers. His body jerked forward and he spilled his creamy seed down Neji’s throat.

Neji raised his head as some of the white substance dripped from his mouth into his hand. Gaara watched him closely as he began to crawl. He straddled Gaara, his mouth was still open and the warm cum dropped all over Gaara’s chest. Neji pulled Gaara up smothering him with a kiss. Gaara welcomed the bitter taste of Neji’s mouth and laid down with the Hyuuga in his arms. He could feel Neji moving between them. His lubricated hand was gently stroking himself. Gaara squeezed the back of Neji’s neck as he anticipated the pleasure he was about to experience.

Neji broke their kiss and breathed heavily as he slowly positioned himself to take access to Gaara’s body. The redhead could feel the pressure against him as Neji broke passed his awaiting hole. Neji looked down at him. His eyes were screwed shut and he was panting easily. Neji knew it was going to take some time for him to get himself all the way inside Gaara. He moved forward and the head of his hard dick found its way in. Gaara pulled at Neji’s hair as he tried to shift away.

Neji couldn’t move inside him. The younger boy was still tight and Neji was forced to pull out and drive back in. He forced himself farther in than he expected and Gaara clenched against him. Neji lurched forward at the tightness around him. He racked his nails over Gaara’s shoulders and cursed under his breath.

“Relax.” Neji whispered. He pulled out and Gaara’s looked up at him. “It feels so good…let me finish.” He caught Gaara’s lips with his and then proceeded to enter him again. He pulled Gaara’s legs open and buried his manhood back in Gaara’s tightness. He couldn’t wait to fit himself all the way in anymore. He began to rock his hips impatiently. Gaara stared up at Neji. He licked his lips as he watched Neji close his eyes and breathe through his nose. Neji’s jaw clenched and he couldn’t help but jerk forward.

Gaara’s eyes stayed open as he stroked Neji’s face. The Hyuuga stared back at him now. He could barely count how many times he actually saw Gaara smile the way he was smiling now. Neji closed his eyes and buried his head between Gaara’s neck and shoulder.

When Neji had thrusted enough to fit his entire length inside Gaara’s body he paused in his stride. “…” He started to say something but he stopped. He raised himself and planted his hands on the bed. He dropped his head and stared at Gaara’s stomach. The redhead lifted Neji’s head and combed his hair back. Neji wanted to move, he could feel his body aching but he held still. Neji didn’t know what was going on but he really didn’t like the look in Gaara’s eyes. Gaara put his hands on Neji hips and they rolled over. Gaara’s laid above him and Neji looked confused. Neji narrowed his eyes rolled back over.

“No.” He shook his head and slammed into Gaara unexpectedly. The redhead clenched his fists and closed his eyes. He gasped as his hole was being stretched. Neji moaned as Gaara wrapped his legs around his waist pushed against him. Gaara’s groans were becoming more apparent with every one of Neji’s thrusts. He picked up a pace and fucked the boy harder. He wanted Gaara to scream out his name. He leaned down and licked Gaara’s lips.

“Come on, say it for me.” He kissed Gaara. The redhead bit Neji’s lip and he cursed as he rammed him again and again. He panted loudly as Gaara rocked with him.

“Say it.” He lingered on ‘it’ as he felt Gaara’s walls caving around him. He wasn’t going to stop until he heard Gaara say his name. Gaara was doing everything but calling his name out too. He moaned and whimpered and grunted but he never said his name.

“I’m cumming.” Gaara said gently as he wrapped his hand around his own cock and lightly pumped on it. Neji growled, he knew Gaara was doing this on purpose. Neji was only lasting because he wanted to hear his name. He wanted to know that Gaara really love him again. He pulled out and turned Gaara over. He forced Gaara onto his hands and knees then he took advantage of his ass again. Neji moved even faster now. He leaned over Gaara’s back and roughly kept smashing their hips together.

“Ne…” Gaara hushed himself and bit his lip. Neji pulled his hair and yanked his head back. He licked the rim of Gaara’s ear and then sucked on it. He reached under Gaara and put his hand over Gaara’s as he stroked himself. Neji helped him move faster as he continued to penetrate his body forcefully.

“If you don’t say my name then how can I cum inside you?” Neji moved around inside him until Gaara finally screamed. His stomach turned in knots and he could feel Neji beating against something inside him. He dropped his head and held his mouth open as he took deep breaths. Neji smirked as he sat up and held Gaara’s hips. He thrusted faster, hitting the certain spot with full force.

The tightness of Gaara was beginning to get to him. Neji could feel himself finishing as his own precum began appearing every time he pulled out of the younger boy. Neji said a few choice words as he bent over and slammed into Gaara’s sweet spot again.

“Neji…” Gaara whispered. Neji’s ears heard it but it needed to be louder. He was holding on to his climax until he could hear his name pass those lips he loved to kiss.

“Gaara.” Neji panted. “I’m almost done. Say it for me now.” Neji’s moans were becoming much louder. Gaara’s hole tightened even more as he came close to spilling again. Neji gripped his dick tighter and pumped him harder. Neji didn’t know what was going on now. He got dizzy and he couldn’t last. Gaara couldn’t hold back anymore either. He squeezed himself and threw his head back as his walls clenched.

“Neji!” He shouted just enough for the Hyuuga to clearly hear him. It was more than Neji needed. Gaara’s scream caused him to pour his sticky seed into ‘his’ Gaara.

“Fuck!” Neji shouted as he continued to lurch forward and convulse against the redhead. Gaara collapsed on the bed and Neji fell on top of his back. They panted together and Gaara closed his eyes to enjoy the warm white substance sliding down the crack of his body. He gripped the bed beneath him and Neji’s chest rose and fell above him. The Hyuuga rolled off him and stared at the ceiling as he caught his breath.

Gaara turned over to look at him. Neji laid on his side so he could look at him as well. The Hyuuga wanted to smile at him but something seemed wrong. He moved closer and put his arms around his lover’s waist. Gaara stroked the side of Neji’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Neji asked. He was still short of breath but he leaned down and kissed Gaara’s forehead. The redhead moved into him and buried his head in Neji’s chest. He rested up against Neji and inhaled sharply.

“I won’t be able to handle it if you leave me again.” He caught Neji by surprise. Leave it to Gaara to ruin a good moment after sex. Neji smiled to himself as he put his chin on top of Gaara’s head and held him tight. He stayed silent. Gaara would just have to wait and see that he was here for good this time.

“Don’t ignore me Neji. Just tell me.” Gaara shook in his arms. Neji pulled the covers over them and kissed Gaara’s lips again. He paused and thought. There were a lot of things he could say right now, but what exactly did Gaara want to hear? He didn’t have to think too hard. Gaara was worried about Neji acting the same way he had last time. He just wanted was-

“I won’t leave you, I promise.”

-----

Neji woke up a few hours later. He was laying on his stomach with his head tucked under the pillow. The first thing he thought when he woke was he had been dreaming. His body felt warm and excited but he couldn’t place why. He lifted the pillow off his head and noticed that no one was laying next to him. He sighed, he had been dreaming.

But…who was sitting at the foot of his bed then?

Neji sat up and turned around. Gaara was staring at him in the darkness. His eyes were low and Neji couldn’t quite tell but he looked…sad. He got from under his covers and crawled over to Gaara. The boy was dressed and he looked like he was waiting for Neji to wake up.

“Did you sleep?” Neji asked. Dumb question on his part because he knew Gaara hadn’t. Neji sat his now unsatisfied body next to Gaara and wrapped his arm around the boy’s waist. He leaned over and kissed Gaara’s neck as he pulled the boy closer.

“You’re in danger.” Gaara turned to look at him. Neji held his breath for what was coming next. He hadn’t even gotten a chance to actually explain everything he wanted to. They just skipped everything like sex was the number one answer to all their problems. Now Gaara was striking up a weird conversation. This was going to end in a fight, he just knew it.

“I don’t understand how you could know that. You said the same thing to me yesterday but I’m fine. No major threats and if you’re referring to the shooter then I really don’t think he’s after me.” Neji moved closer back Gaara put his hand on the Hyuuga’s chest.

“You’re still not listening to me.” He said softly. “You’re safe because he’s not after you. He’s after us…the rest of us” Gaara tried to remain calm. He didn’t want to believe what he was about to say. “Everything you’ve seen for the passed two weeks hasn’t been true.” He took a deep breath. “I never really dated Sasuke, I never moved in with Orochimaru nor was I attracted to him. I hired him and Zabuza to help me find out who the cameraman was.” He paused to look at the reaction on Neji’s face.

“You…what?”

“There’s more.” Gaara got off the bed and stood up. He took a couple steps forward. “I watched you. After you started seeing Haku I was…jealous. I wanted you back and it seemed that someone was trying to stop me. I couldn’t find out who and I was so upset with you for being with him that I wanted to get back at you.” He took another deep breath. “So I had Orochimaru and Zabuza help me. I put surveillance cameras in your room, in Haku’s room and in Itachi’s room.” He turned back around and Neji was looking at the bed below him, fists shaking.

“I broke into your house and I trashed it. I had planned on Zabuza distracting Haku while I had Orochimaru look attracted to me to piss off you and Itachi. I convinced Sasuke that it would be a good idea if we partially dated for awhile. But things got out of control and he wanted Naruto. I never really fought with Naruto either. I’m even still staying at his house.” He stood in front of Neji.

“I know you must be angry but after everything we just did I felt guilty about keeping all this from you. All of this brought me to where I am today. Only through the work of those cameras and tabs I kept on you did I find out something important.” He frowned when Neji’s irritation began to show. The Hyuuga looked up with something like fire in his eyes.

“I don’t want to hear anymore. You’re just as sick as you’ve always been. I actually can’t believe you would go through all the trouble of practically stalking me. What are you going to tell me next? That you’re Mr. X? ‘Cause I really wouldn’t have a problem believing that.” Neji stood up and pushed Gaara back just a little. “I’m sure you can walk home from here.”

“Just listen for a second.” Gaara hadn’t lost the calm in his voice just yet but Neji wasn’t so lucky.

“Listen? I just did! You’re admitting to everything humanly possible to pissing me off, again. I thought we had gotten passed all this. I was so ready to just forget about everything and start over. I missed you but you haven’t changed at all. I was selfish back then, I’ll give you that much but you’ve gone above and beyond anything I had ever done. I don’t understand who you’re becoming, or why? Do I really deserve this?” He turned away and put his head down. “I’m almost sorry I ever loved you. That’s how I feel about what you’ve said.” He shook his head and turned back around. “Why did you decide to tell me all this? Did you want to break my heart, Gaara?” His eyes that were always full of light were dull and beat. He looked sunken and pained.

“There was no way around breaking your heart. You kept telling me you loved me awhile ago. I couldn’t keep something like this from you. Either I was to tell you, or you would soon see me in a grave with the rest of the people you know. I only told you all that to tell let you know why you’re in danger.” Gaara couldn’t help but stare. He felt horrible but there was nothing he could do. Someone was eventually going to have to tell Neji about what was going on.

“Itachi’s been acting fairly strange lately, hasn’t he?” Gaara asked. Neji shook the tears away and narrowed his eyes. He had no idea what this was about but if he wasn’t the only one seeing a difference in the Uchiha then-

“Sasuke found a box of bullets for a magnum in his closet. The set was for 50 and there were only 44 bullets left. He also found a box of tranquilizers, two of which were missing and a small storage key.” Gaara’s voice was firm and he seemed like he was harboring a lot of anger right about now.

“What are you saying?” Neji could take a guess but he wanted to hear exactly what was going on before he started to make assumptions about his friend.

“Haku has disappeared, you know that. He was shot in the head, Neji. Not only that but Orochimaru and Zabuza are missing now as well. It's no secret to anyone that Itachi can’t stand Orochimaru. He would go after Zabuza because he helped me and as for Haku…” Gaara stopped and thought about what he should say now. How was he supposed to tell the one he loved that his best friend killed Haku because he was also in love with him?

“What? You’re not saying he killed Haku. I won’t believe that. They’re best friends. Itachi would never do that. He doesn’t have the guts. He’s got too many problems as it is. He doesn’t even have a reason! He doesn’t-“ Neji shut his mouth quickly and covered it. He frowned and his breathing hitched. He lungs banged against the insides of his chest and his eyes bulged. His body began to shake, he didn’t understand.

“Yesterday all the surveillance cameras went out. Orochimaru went missing and I’ve been to Zabuza’s house. It’s completely cleaned out, just like Haku’s. Don’t you see what’s going on? Who’s the only one with access to your balcony other than me? Who would spend time developing letters no one could understand? Who has the patients to send a picture throughout the entire school contact list? Who’s the closest person to you?” He walked up to Neji and looked in his eyes. “It took me a long time but I finally know why he hates everyone around. He’s in love with you.” Gaara said quietly, almost as if it were a lie.

Neji pushed him back. “I won’t believe that. There’s no way this could possibly be true. He’s not a killer. He can’t be in love with me. It’s just not possible. We’re friends, that’s all. He told me so…he said-

-“Maybe…but that was a long time ago. You’re no more than a friend right now.”-

Neji took a step back and Gaara pressed forward. “Don’t come near me.” I don’t know what you are. I don’t know anything anymore. I just…I have to go.” Neji turned around and pulled his shirt off the floor. He headed for the door and started making his way down the hall. He couldn’t quite keep his balance but Gaara didn’t follow. He didn’t know if he had just ruined his chances of ever being with Neji again but he needed to warn the one he loved. Hopefully Neji would figure out everything on his own and come back to him.

-----

It was dark in the house when Itachi got home. He walked quietly through the living room and dropped his keys off in the kitchen. He headed for the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water before he tipped through the hall. He saw the light coming from under Sasuke’s door but the hall near his room was pitch black. He opened his door inch by inch thinking Neji was asleep.

He stepped in the room and took a sip of his water. He turned his back to the bed and gently pushed the door closed. Before he could turn around he heard Neji’s soft pants. Itachi looked over in the darkness to see the outline of Neji’s body under his covers. He could feel his heart beating strong in his chest. He just stood and stared. He didn’t want to get in bed and disturb the boy but he longed to be beside him.

Itachi set his water on the dresser and walked around silently as he removed his clothes and put them away. He left his pants on and slipped under the covers without making a sound. Neji was facing away from him so Itachi laid so he could stare at him. He closed his eyes so he could smell Neji’s hair but the boy rolled over suddenly and put his arm around Itachi’s waist.

The Uchiha didn’t know what to do. He kept perfectly still as Neji’s bright eyes opened and stared at him. Itachi couldn’t tell what he was thinking or if he was just playing around. He didn’t want to move and be wrong that Neji was actually coming onto him so he just laid there.

“You said we were friends earlier right?” Neji moved closer so their chests were up against each other. He could feel Itachi’s heartbeat growing faster as they touched. Itachi would have answer, should have but he just closed his eyes.

“I don’t believe you.” Neji said softly. “Hey…” Neji put a hand on the side of Itachi’s face. “Look at me.” He slid his body up so that their faces were aligned. “What’s it going to be?” His warm lips kissed Itachi’s shivering ones. Neji knew what he was doing. He was using his evil seductive ways to find out if Gaara had been telling the truth. He was going to test the theory right here and right now.

Itachi –not matter how much he wanted to- did not kiss Neji back. He couldn’t feel the boy’s heart racing like his was. He didn’t have to wonder long if Gaara had maybe figured him out and told Neji. He half growled as he grabbed Neji by the neck and pushed him back. He wasn’t going to be fooled or played like this. His plans were almost done. If he could just wait a few more days then this would really be something they could share…but not right now.

“If I made you uncomfortable with my kiss then I apologize.” Itachi sat up and grabbed his pillow off the bed. “However, you misinterpret what our relationship is and how it should be.” He got off the bed and walked towards to the door. “I’ll sleep on the couch.” He opened the door and walked out. Neji was sitting up with his mouth wide open. Aside from having his pride crumbled up into a ball, he was shocked that Gaara…had been wrong. Itachi didn’t love him, nor did he want him. Neji laid down, he felt extremely stupid about the whole thing. He was going to give Gaara an earful when he saw him next. If he decided he still wanted to talk to him after the stunts he had pulled.

-----

“There’s no turning back now Gaara. Are you sure you’re ready to spend two hours in a car with me?!” Naruto smiled and hopped around in the backseat of Sasuke’s car as they started driving out of town. Gaara didn’t answer, it was going on 2am and he was tired from his night with Neji. He couldn’t believe how their night had ended. He should have known Neji was going to flip out.

“So the place was Itachi was in-” Naruto pulled out the pamphlet he got. “-specializes in mental health and the restoration of some big word with an ‘R.’ I mean seriously. They give you these things and want you to read them but you can’t understand the damn words on the cover, let alone what’s inside. I spent an hour trying to read this thing.” He threw it at the dashboard.

“Hey What’s up with you? You haven’t talked since you came home. Where were you anyway?” Naruto fit his torso in between Gaara’s seat and Sasuke seat. He couldn’t help but lean over and kiss Sasuke’s cheek. The Uchiha growled at him but Naruto just laughed and did it again. Sasuke was about to reach up and pull his hair when-

“I was with Neji.”

Both Naruto and Sasuke froze. Good thing there was no other cars on the street because Sasuke swerved and stopped the car mid intersection. They both turned and looked at him like he’d completely lost his mind. Sasuke gained back his composure first and they kept driving.

“You were where?” Sasuke asked. His voice was carrying a little agitation but his eyes were as calm as always. Naruto coughed into his hand to get rid of some of the silence but Gaara just turned and looked out the window. Naruto sighed extra loud so Gaara would say something but Sasuke just pushed him back into his seat.

“When you called earlier I was with him. I guess we were attempting to fix things but it didn’t work out.” Gaara thought about their argument. Now who was on the side where they were being stupid? Gaara was constantly regretting everything he’d done over the passed two weeks. He might not ever get Neji back now.

Naruto cleared his throat. “Yeah right! Come on Gaara it couldn’t have been-“

“I slept with him.”

“-that…bad.” Naruto gulped. “You what?! Just like that? He could have aids by now!” Naruto yelped when Sasuke smacked him on the head. “Well I mean that was a bit harsh but still. You just randomly let him come back in after he said all those things to you? He’s no more of a whore than Haku.” Naruto stuck his tongue out at Sasuke as he rubbed his head.

“We argued after he slept and then woke up. I wasn’t with him six hours and we were fighting again.” Gaara tried to calm himself. How were they going to make it if they kept hurting each other every time they met up? And he knew what he had done was probably far worse than anything Neji could have thought up.

“That doesn’t mean its over yet.” Sasuke kept his eyes on the road but he could feel Gaara’s problem. This wasn’t just Gaara and Neji getting back together. This was the start of a whole bunch of trouble. There were things Neji and Gaara did behind each other’s backs and now they had to confess.

“You told him, didn’t you?” Sasuke asked. He didn’t need Gaara to reply but he knew. He could tell something had been wrong when Gaara had got back to Naruto’s house. His mood was different and he was acting far more distant than usual.

“And you guys think I talk too much.” Naruto whispered. “What exactly did you tell him? He can’t possibly hate you unless you told him too much.” Naruto moved back in between the seats to get more into the conversation.

“I told him everything.” Gaara answered. He didn’t even think twice about what he had to tell Neji. If he was going to find out then now was the right time. While they were still trying to rebuild their relationship. Sure Gaara was afraid that it would hinder them being together again but that was too much for him to keep to himself. In his defense he was afraid for Neji’s life. Telling him was the right thing to do.

“Are you crazy? He’s probably somewhere plotting your death right about now. You could have at least left out some of the important details like stalking him.”

“Shut up Naruto. Gaara didn’t do anything wrong.” Sasuke looked at Gaara. “Better now than later. If he can’t forgive you after everything he put you through then you deserve better. End of story.” Sasuke said. Gaara silently thanked Sasuke as he turned away again. He just hoped Neji would think the same way.

-----

Water dripped from the ceiling onto the concrete floor. A draft from the sky-roof poured in cold air and just enough moonlight for someone to go insane. There were boxes everywhere. Couches, lamps, beds, and even tables. Everything you would find in a house. The walls were metal and the pillars were cement. The room was big and there was enough space to fit a house inside.

A cough was heard from somewhere across the room. Brown eyes opened into the darkness and searched around. A headache was forming and the need to breathe was absolute. Another cough caught sensitive ears. Now he heard a groan, someone very masculine and someone in definite pain.

“H-hello?” His voice was hoarse and he didn’t think he actually heard himself talk. He tried to stand but his hands were bound to his feet. He was laying in the fetal position in a puddle of water. He noticed now that he was soaked and he could barely breathe through his nose.

He heard someone groan again and then heard the cough. The noises were coming from two different directions. He gulped and prayed he was just dreaming up something crazy. Then he started to think clearly. Where was he and how-

Suddenly a loud sound blared his ears. He could hear a machine cranking as light from the huge door opened. He was praying it wasn’t who he thought it was. He couldn’t take anything else. His body hurt and his lungs burned. He felt like he had died and come back to life to die again.

He could hear footsteps as a flashlight started searching the room. He tried desperately to sit up but he couldn’t move. He tried again to talk but he was so flustered with being rescued that his voice had completely given up on him. He laid there and tried not to cry as he screamed and his voice gave nothing but squeaks. He closed his eyes. Boxes surrounded him and he felt like he was inside a crate but he couldn’t tell.

He sniffled as the tears started falling again. He could barely remember anything but it felt like he had been in here for days. He rolled his body over and tried to get out of the water. Now that he could tell, he was barricaded with boxes around him. That’s why he couldn’t see. They were trying to hide him, whoever put him here. He hit one of the boxes and they started falling to the other side. He thanked God he could still move. Someone was bound to find him now.

He heard footsteps coming towards him lightly. He continued to pray that it wasn’t the one who put him here. The boxes around him were beginning to move and he could finally see a lot more light. When the flashlight shined on him brightly he closed his eyes tight and dropped his head.

‘Gaara.’ He thought. His voice still wouldn’t push through and he was screaming inside his head for help. He relaxed as Gaara sat him up and untied him. Naruto and Sasuke were at his side in seconds. He watched them with a confused look but he didn’t care who it was. He could finally get out of that room.

“Haku, who did this to you?” Gaara asked he pulled the boy out into a clear area and away from the water. Haku tried again to talk but he couldn’t. He leaned his head back and touched his throat. Gaara looked up at Sasuke and shook his head. Haku sighed and coughed. He had blood falling from his mouth and he was panicking. Gaara stroked his hair and held him close. Haku looked up at Sasuke and pointed a shaking hand at him.

Sasuke pointed at himself and Naruto and Gaara looked at him. “My brother?” Sasuke asked. Haku nodded as he cried and tried not to remember that night. He lifted up his shirt and showed them where the tranquilizer had hit him. It was infected and his skin was bruised. Sasuke sighed and turned away. Naruto went after him and they left the room.

“He wants Neji doesn’t he?” Gaara pulled off Haku’s wet shirt so he wouldn’t get any worse. Haku nodded. He wished he could talk so he could explain a few things. Gaara looked down at him and anger built up fast. He couldn’t believe Itachi would actually do this. Wasn’t Haku like his closest friend? If he did this to him then Gaara could only imagine would Itachi would do to Neji if he turned him down…or worse -Gaara’s breath got caught in his chest- What if Neji decided he wanted to be with Itachi after everything Gaara had done?

He looked down at Haku as the boy tried hard not to drift off. Gaara laid him down and left to find Sasuke. They were going to have to get him to the car before he caught pneumonia. Then they would come back inside and search for the other two…if they were even alive.


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End Chapter
HAKU!!!!!!

-Pano-recolect is an amazing Nik-imaginary illness/virus/disease/condition. I made it up off the top of my head. Enjoy the affects. I’m sure I explained it enough, if not that’s what reviews are for right? I am open to suggestion for what to do for the side chapter. I hope you enjoyed my minor Shmex. I’m rewarding you who have been reading since chapter 1. O and O.
-Nik (plus) Mark (equal) Hoppus-love.
-Mathis (plus) knife (equal) Hoppus-murder.