Zero Hour!

A/N- I usually do 20 pages a chapter and this one is 13...deal with it people…I’m on a tight schedule because the artwork for my book was put on hold do to my hired artist being very ill at the moment! Enjoy anyways! I’m going to regret this but…Hi Jesus!

Disclaimer: I don’t own these Naruto guys cause I would lose them.
Warning: NOT A SIDE STORY! I didn’t feel the need to write one.


Chapter XV
Unexpected Places


“Have you been buried in there all this time? It’s been four days.” Gaara said. “We can’t find Zabuza or Orochimaru either.”

‘I guess I have. I can’t remember anything.’ Haku gently pulled on his shirt and pointed out the window. He nodded in answering Gaara’s question. At least he thought he’d been in there for all this time. He couldn’t be sure since he was pretty much sleeping the whole time.

He was laying down now, bundled in a blanket in the backseat of the car and Gaara was sitting with him. Sasuke and Naruto were outside the car sitting on the trunk, talking. Sasuke’s mood hadn’t changed since they had found Haku and he himself became aware that his brother had done all this. He hadn’t been saying much and they had been there an hour now. They’d searched the warehouse over and over but found no traces of either of the other two boys.

Haku had ‘insisted’ they keep checking. He knew he’d heard someone making noise in there with him but he couldn’t say anything to make Gaara understand or believe him. All he could do was make little sounds and push Gaara back towards the huge domain. He knew someone was in there and he hoped to God it was Zabuza, he wouldn’t be able to take it if Itachi had actually killed him.

Gaara helped Haku sit up and they looked out the window together. “Are you sure they’re in there too?” Gaara asked for like the tenth time. He was tired and no matter how many times he’d been in there, he hadn’t seen anything different. Haku pushed him towards the door again, urging him to look just once more.

Gaara opened the door as he got out and grabbed a hold of Haku’s hand, trying pulling him out as well.

“Since you think you know something you’re going to have to come back inside and show me. I can’t keep trying to guess what you’re thinking.” Gaara tried to pull him but Haku shook his head. Hell if he was going to go back in there again. He’d been locked in there and he just wanted to rest. That place held way too many bad memories for him.

‘I won’t go back in there. You’re crazy. He locked in there nearly a week. …I can’t go back again.‘ He pulled back but Gaara continued to pull against him and he managed to get the boy out of the car. Haku was barefoot and his pants were still slightly wet. His shirt of course was still soaked and so the cover he had was his only warmth.

“You’re not going to check again are you?” Naruto asked. His own little energetic rise about everything had fallen with Sasuke’s mood change. “We’ve already looked everywhere. We need to get back into town and get you home…or somewhere you can recover.” Naruto offered as he looked at Haku. The boy’s reaction was simple. He just sighed and turned away. He would have to find them on his own now.

“They’re probably both dead.” Sasuke said without thinking twice about. Haku turned around and growled at him. He walked over to Sasuke and pushed him off the car.

‘You’re probably just like him!’ Haku was screaming at everyone in his mind. Sasuke caught his balance before he fell on the ground but Haku pushed him again. It was bothering him just to look at Sasuke. All he could think of was the way Itachi had looked that night. He was a different person but as he made ready to pull the trigger, he looked content. That’s what Haku hated the most. He hated how easy it was for Itachi to just throw him away. Just like everyone else.

Naruto kept Sasuke from lunging at Haku. “Calm down Sasuke. He’s got a reason to be upset too.”

Sasuke forced Naruto away from him. “He’s my brother. You wouldn’t understand anything about it.” Sasuke knew exactly what he’d just said. Naruto grew up alone, no family, no friends. He was alone until he’d met Iruka when he was twelve. Sasuke stared at him. He hadn’t meant that but in his defense he was going through a lot.

“I guess you’re right.” Naruto said slowly. “I wouldn’t know anything about caring for someone who’s messed up a few times, would I?” He sighed. “Don’t take this out on me.” Naruto warned him. Gaara and Haku walked towards the warehouse and Naruto followed, leaving Sasuke alone to throw a fit.

Gaara took a deep breath. None of them were really friends anymore and this was just making the situation harder. On one hand he had Sasuke with an attitude. He didn’t know if the Uchiha was more upset that Itachi was actually going to be considered a killer if they couldn’t find the other two or if he couldn’t believe his brother had gone so far.

On the other hand he had Haku who had just had his best friend shoot him in the chest. He didn’t want to pick any sides but he couldn’t just leave Haku by himself. He was nearly mute and he was very much alone now. He lost Neji and now Itachi. He was getting treated far worse than anyone was.

Gaara didn’t know what was going on with Itachi, or what had come over him. Itachi hardly let anything bother him. What did he care if Neji had been with Haku? That was no reason to leave in a box and let him rot away miles outside of town. He pitied Haku for all he was going through. Maybe that’s why he was trying so hard to help him.

They walked back in the warehouse again and Naruto flipped up a large switch. Several lights came on and shined brightly. The three of them stared in the vast space around them. They’d basically trashed the place trying to see if Zabuza or Orochimaru had been hidden just like Haku. They found nothing, not even a trace of blood that might help. Itachi had done his work and it was immaculate.

“So, here were are again. Nothing’s changed in here at all. How could you even know if someone other than you was in here? You were knocked out for four days, what makes you think the other two are up yet? It’s been a day at the least.” Naruto leaned up against the wall and folded his arms. He was tired and it was nearly 9am now. They had been there five hours since the drive had taken them two.

Haku looked back at him as he kept walking around. He was absolutely positive he’d heard someone. His heart skipped beats as he moved around slowly. He stepped passed dozens of boxes and shuddered when he heard the familiar dripping of water.

-----

Sasuke was pacing outside the storage behind his car. He didn’t want to go in because he knew he might throw a fit. He also knew he’d upset Naruto, which was completely by accident. He was about to take to apologizing when his cell phone rang. He froze immediately, wondering who would be calling him this early. He was with Naruto and Gaara, who else could-

Sasuke looked down at his phone and his eyes widened as his breath got stuck in his chest. Itachi’s name glowed strong into his eyes. He just stood there, holding the phone and deciding whether he should answer it or not. What was Itachi calling him for anyway? He never called Sasuke, never. The phone finally stopped ringing and Sasuke calmed a little. He had a feeling that he should go tell Gaara that Itachi was trying to get a hold of him.

Sasuke started hurrying to the door when his phone started ringing again. He stopped and answered, making sure he was calm. “What?” He said in a strong voice. Itachi didn’t answer but Sasuke knew he was still on the phone, waiting for something.

“What do you want?” Sasuke asked again, feeling a little uneasy about how his tone was. He didn’t know if he was going to set off his brother. Would Itachi go as far as trying to take him out too? He certainly hadn’t cared about getting rid of Haku, his ex lover or Zabuza. Was Sasuke in danger? Did that mean Gaara and Naruto were as well?

“You’ve been in my closet.” Itachi said easily. He was breathing calmly but over on the other side of the phone Sasuke was trying desperately find a reason for why he was even in Itachi’s room. He gulped and then looked over into the warehouse to see the other three still walking around. He could easily walk over to them and tell them who the caller was but he couldn’t move now.

Sasuke took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. Itachi had risked a lot to protect him while they grew up alone. He wouldn’t have the heart to just dispose of his own brother! Would he? Sasuke didn’t believe that.

“Yeah.” Sasuke answered like Itachi had asked him a question, which he hadn’t. “I was after a shirt but-“ He paused and cleared his throat. “-I found a couple boxes of bullets. No big deal.” He saw Naruto finally turn around and look at him. The blond frowned as he contemplated who Sasuke was talking to.

“You ‘found‘ them?” Itachi asked. “I find that hard to believe, Sasuke.” They were both silent for a moment. Sasuke was looking for another excuse and Itachi was thinking of his next move. It was quite obvious that Sasuke was on to him and what he was doing. He just simply needed a plan of escape. Convincing his brother shouldn’t be so hard right?

Wrong.

Itachi knew Sasuke had cornered him. He wasn’t standing too far from where Sasuke was standing actually. That had been he real reason to call. What was Sasuke’s car doing in front of Itachi’s storage building? He was furious but he kept his cool and parked across the street so he wouldn’t be seen. He growled when he saw Haku walking around. He was sure the boy should have died by now. Truth be told, he couldn’t kill Haku, he’d regret it someday. So he just left him to the laws of starvation and dehydration.

“If this isn’t important then we can talk about this later.” Sasuke was trying to hurry and end the call since Naruto was heading his way again. Itachi waited for a moment. He was out of options now. Sasuke knew, Gaara knew, Naruto knew and if Haku was alive then the cops would soon find out. The older Uchiha could feel his blood get hot the more he thought about it. He was so close to everything he’d ever wanted. He wasn’t going to lose, not now.

Itachi didn’t say anything as he hung up the phone and got back in his car. He was starting to lose his temper with how Sasuke was treating him. He needed to get back home and clear up a few things, before Gaara decided to call Neji and started filling his head with everything he’d seen. The redhead might even go so far as to bring Haku to Neji so the femi could tell Neji it was all true.

Itachi was backed into a wall and if he didn’t tell Neji how he felt now then he probably wouldn’t get the chance. ‘You’ll be next Sasuke.’ Itachi smirked as he left. Sasuke felt a chill run down his spine, he closed his eyes.

“Who was that?” Naruto asked as Sasuke closed his phone and slid down to the ground. Naruto could see the worried look in his lover’s eyes. He knelt down next to Sasuke and touched his hand softly. He’d never seen the Uchiha so shaken up in his life. The boy’s face was pale, and Naruto couldn't think of a better word so his mind settled on terrified.

“He knows, Naruto. He’s already figured it all out. He’ll come for me next, just for helping. He’ll try and kill me…” Sasuke said slamming his forehead against his knees over and over. Naruto stopped Sasuke and leaned over to hug him tight.

“I won’t let me hurt you.” Naruto said bravely. Sasuke looked up at him, some of the color coming back to his skin. He touched the side of Naruto’s face and the blond smiled sweetly. He didn’t know if Sasuke believed him but he would make sure his lover was safe no matter what.

-----

Itachi made it back to his house in a short two hours. He walked through the apartment swiftly and made it to his room. He threw the door open and found no sign of Neji in his bed. The Hyuuga’s car was outside so Itachi knew he was there but the bathroom door was closed and no light was on so he couldn’t have been in there. Itachi took one step into the room quietly and froze when he heard something behind him move. He whirled around quickly to see Neji standing in some lose sweat pants with a glass of water.

“You’ve been leaving abruptly for the last day, and now leaving at 7am?” Neji walked passed him into the room. “I don’t think that’s very much like you.” He placed his glass of water on the dresser and then leaned against it. Itachi stood still near the door and waited. Did Neji know something he wasn’t saying straight out?

“You haven’t been acting yourself for quite awhile now.” Itachi countered. He was absolutely right, Neji thought to himself. He had been acting all kinds of odd over the last week. What business did he have questioning Itachi’s sudden change in behavior?

“Is this about earlier…when I kissed you?” Neji’s voice was a little uneasy. He didn’t know if he’d messed up his relationship with his best friend. What was he going to do if things ever really changed between them?

Itachi closed the room door, standing in front of it and locking it without Neji noticing. He started walking over to Neji slowly, as if he was going to head straight for the bathroom. He changed directions quickly and was in front of the Hyuuga in a small second. He slipped Neji up onto the dresser and stepped between his legs. Neji’s face paled except for the bright blush over his nose. He dropped his head took a deep breath as Itachi’s hands glided softly up his thighs.

The Uchiha put his hand under Neji’s chin and raised his head. “No.” He said slowly, answering the question Neji asked a few moments ago. This was about a lot more than just a little kiss. Itachi rubbed his nose against the soft skin of the Hyuuga’s neck. One hand got tangled in Neji’s hair while the other sweetly stroked his face.

‘Gaara was right…’ Neji thought, as soon as he could get passed the feeling of Itachi’s chest being so close to his. He didn’t know what to do now. He couldn’t respond, he didn’t feel the same way so how could he? Itachi must have felt the tension growing between them because now he slowly slid his hand up to Neji’s throat and very gently squeezed it.

“You’re thinking about him.” Itachi said smoothly, letting that same hand trace down
Neji’s chest. The Hyuuga stopped him and pushed him away. Itachi stepped back and stared as Neji slid off the dresser and stood on his feet again. They stared at each other for awhile but Itachi knew what was running though Neji’s mind.

Fear.

Rejection.

…Gaara.

Itachi decided he wasn’t going to be defeated and forced Neji back into the hard wood of the dresser. Neji pushed him away again and then backed himself into a wall. Itachi moved slowly and Neji could have gotten away but he was being too foolish. He let Itachi walk right up to him and pin him to the wall.

‘We’re meant to be together.’ Itachi thought. No, that was too much for right now. He had to think quickly, he could feel Neji pushing against him away again.

“Neji.” Itachi said, sounding so desperate that he didn’t recognize his own voice. Neji must have picked up on it too because he froze. He slowly turned his head to look at Itachi in shock. The Uchiha was actually blushing in front of him. Neji had never in all his years of knowing Itachi, seen him blush so heavily. It made him try and hide his own embarrassment.

“Have me.” Itachi said, strengthening his voice so he sounded like he really meant what he was saying. He waited until Neji was looking directly in his eyes, speechless, before he laid a heavy kiss on his lips. Neji didn’t know what he himself was doing. He was shifting to fit his body into Itachi’s. He was kissing his best friend back. He was losing his ever-loving mind.

Neji moaned softly as Itachi pressed into his body. He had never felt so content with someone forcing him around. He found himself sliding his hands under Itachi’s shirt but just as quickly as he started, he stopped and pulled away from their simple kiss.

“No.” He breathed deeply. “This isn’t happening. I told you I still loved him. Move off me, Itachi.” Neji frowned and looked down. He didn’t have the guts to look up into those charcoal eyes and demand his way around like he did with everyone else. Itachi stepped back like Neji had said to. When Neji got off the wall he walked towards the bed with his back to the other.

Itachi grunted, he’d seen the hard on Neji had. He wanted to help him fix his excitement the right way. He took a step closer to Neji and tackled him onto the bed. Neji fell on his stomach with Itachi crushing him from behind. Neji struggled and tried to get up but Itachi kept him down.

“Listen closely.” Itachi said, and made Neji immediately stop moving. “I’m not going to force you. I want you to want me first. I’ll wait for you but I won’t let you go back to him. He doesn’t deserve you.” Itachi kissed the back of his neck. “Have me.” He said again. There was nothing else he could possibly say.

Neji laid there and thought about it. He was completely overrun by thoughts of being with Itachi. Gaara had hurt him again and he was tired of being alone, whether he was with someone or not. Neji knew he loved Gaara though. Thoughts of him and Itachi could never compare to the dreams he had about Gaara. Fate was telling them they belonged together.

Neji tried not to choke on the air in his lungs when he thought about what Gaara had said about Haku’s disappearance. He decided to try his luck once more. He was going to need some answers and some time to regain his composure.

“Have you-have you told Haku about how you feel about me?” Neji asked bravely, feeling Itachi’s hips slid up against his backside. Neji couldn’t ignore the throbbing growing between his legs. Itachi wondered how much Neji actually knew about what he’d done. He rubbed his hips against Neji absently, giving himself a little enjoyment out of their position.

“I did.” Itachi said and kept quiet about all the rest. If Neji didn’t know then why should he tell him now? He wouldn’t have to tell Neji the truth if he could just get rid of Gaara and Naruto. He would definitely have to sit down and think about what he would do with his dear little brother Sasuke though.

“Let me look at you.” Neji whispered. He didn’t know how he was going to get out of this but maybe he could just pretend his way out of it. It wasn’t like he could really just come out and say, ‘Itachi, this will never work.’ Lest he want to be killed with his other best friend. He felt Itachi lift off him and he turned over to look at the Uchiha. Itachi had his usual blank expression as he stared down at the boy he loved.

“You strayed away from telling me how you actually feel. I’m curious.” Neji had gotten his cool back and was going to take control. “You forced yourself on me. That’s desperate, even for your taste.” Neji arched his back just a little and fed himself to Itachi’s acing body. Itachi forced against the other boy and rubbed into him.

“I love you.” He flat out just said it like he hadn’t been practicing this moment for years. Neji was blown away by how easy that had come from him. It sounded like he didn’t even mean it. Just flat and dry and all too forced. He didn’t even feel like his heart had stopped. It was nothing compared to the first time Gaara had said, ’I love you.’ to him. He was about to protest the statement when Itachi’s body slowly pulled away from his.

“You…what?” Neji’s voice shook a little. He was in far more trouble than he had imagined. He could see Itachi’s eyes changing now. They grew wide with concern and that unexplained blush Itachi kept trying to hide was peaking again.

“I love you, Neji.” This time Itachi seemed worried. He had a feeling he wasn’t going to get the same reaction he was giving. He wanted for Neji to love him but he didn’t want to make Neji feel like he had to feel that way.

“I-I…” Neji was at a loss. “I can’t say that I feel the same way.” He felt one of Itachi’s hands grip his arm tight. “After all, you only just told me how you felt after so long.” He took a deep breath. “You just have to give me some time to understand this.” Neji didn’t know what to do when Itachi sort of growled at him. “ You owe me that much. How was I supposed to know you loved me all these years?” Neji asked, raising his voice a little.

Itachi let go of him and moved slightly. Neji knew more than he should. Itachi had never actually admitted that he’d loved Neji for a long time. He’d just simply said he did. The Hyuuga was playing games with him. He’d talked to Gaara about this, Itachi was sure about that now. He moved off Neji and stood next to the bed. Neji sat up on his elbows.

Why couldn’t Neji just accept Itachi right now? Why did they have to wait to be together? Why wouldn’t he give the poor heartbroken Uchiha a small chance? He could love him like no other could. It was his God given right to be with the Hyuuga! They were perfect! Perfect! PERFECT!

“I won’t stand to see you with him.” Itachi said, walking towards the door to open it. “I’ll do anything to keep you away from him and with me.” He could play his own games. “Anything.” If Neji knew what he’d done to Haku then he’d better stay very far away from Gaara if he wanted what was best for the boy. Itachi left and slammed the door. Neji jumped at his harsh exit and swallowed hard as he thought about Itachi’s not-so-unbelievable warning. He had to warn Gaara, and fast.

-----

Sasuke, Naruto and Haku were examining a trap door inside the wall that was padlocked shut when Gaara’s cell phone rang. They all paused and stared at him. It seemed that they all knew Neji was calling. Naruto, forgetting the relationship between Neji and Haku, had ‘accidentally’ opened his mouth about Neji and Gaara’s little sex scene and so now Haku knew they were somewhat back together. He couldn’t be mad with Gaara or Neji. He’d stepped in between them in the first place so they deserved another chance.

“Neji.” Gaara said. It seemed like everyone was saying his name like he was some kind of angel today. Neji ignored the exhaustion in Gaara’s voice and spoke like he had very little time to explain.

“You were right.” There was a hint of distress in Neji’s tone but he tried to talk through it. “You were right about everything and he’s after you next. Whether I chose to be with him or not…he’s going to try and kill you.” Neji seemed to be out of breath now, almost as if he was running or doing some extra moving around.

“Who knows what he did to Haku.” Neji said, settling down a little. Gaara turned to Haku who was standing there, tears finally gone with a bit of a smile on his face. Gaara walked over to him.

“Neji, I have Haku…” Gaara said slowly and then put the phone to Haku’s ear. Neji gasped as he heard Haku start to sob again. He couldn’t form a single word but Neji could hear him trying.

“Haku where are you? I’ll come and get you right now. Tell me where you are. Did he really do this to you?! God!” Neji was trying to rip his own hair out. He couldn’t believe what was going on here. Itachi, his beat friend, attempting to kill someone he loved and cared for, just to get to him? It’s was beyond him.

“Haku…please talk to me.” Neji said, he felt like he was going to cry himself. The boy had been missing nearly a week. Neji was sure he was scared and needed someone around who would actually care for him. Neji knew how Gaara felt about Haku.

Gaara took the phone back from Haku. “Where are you?” Gaara asked in a not-so-calm voice.

“In his room.” Neji looked at the door as if he could see Itachi standing on the other side. He hoped that wasn’t true, because if it was then Itachi would find out Haku was still alive and he would know Neji was talking to Gaara, just like he told him not to.

“Leave, now.” Gaara said. “Go home. I need you to be okay when I get back.” Gaara finally sounded like he really had something to lose in this. “Neji-” Gaara stepped away from the other three. “-I need you to be okay so I can come back to you.” Gaara breathed. “I love you.”

Neji knew he was supposed to be feeling like the end was near but he smiled to himself. That’s how he wanted to feel when someone told him they loved him. He hadn’t felt a single bone in his body shiver when Itachi had said it.

“Gaara tell me where you are, I’m coming to get Haku.” He said firmly. As much as he wanted to tell Gaara he loved him too, he was going to pretend he was so-so about it for now. At least until he could make sure that Itachi couldn’t get his hands on the boy he loved so much.

“It will take you two hours to reach me. I’ll bring him to you, you just need to get home and away from Itachi.” Gaara turned around and looked at Sasuke. He was still a little shaken up from the call his brother had left him with.

“No.” Neji said. “You’ll need to not be around me for awhile. At least until I can be sure you’ll be safe. If we can stay away from each other for just a little while longer then we can fix this. Trust me Gaara, I want you more than anything but if we’re too hasty then we’ll lost each other forever. Just…tell me where you are.” Neji begged him. In all honesty he wanted to see Gaara right now. He was concerned about Haku as well but he needed to hold Gaara before he couldn’t anymore.

-----

An hour and a half later Sasuke managed to break the padlock off the door on the wall. The four of them stepped into the room and Naruto carried a flashlight, along with Haku. The room smelled horrible and the femi was the first to turn away and gag. They covered their noses and walked deeper. The room was long and empty, unlike the initial room.

Haku had stayed near the door since the smell was bothering him. He turned to his side and looked around him. There were poles attached to the ceiling in this room. Several columns of them ran back in rows of six. Haku walked slowly when his gut took him in the direction left of the door.

He was half way down the first row of poles when he heard a groan. He stopped walking and accidentally dropped his flashlight. He cursed to himself and stepped forward to follow it as it rolled across the cemented floor. When it finally stopped, in a very unlikely position, Haku looked up to see a figure in front of him. He half screamed and half shrieked which sounded like a wounded animal as he fell to his knees.

‘Zabuza…’

The boy was chained up to the last pole in the line. His was standing with his hands bound behind him and the chains binding his entire body, from his upper chest to his calves. Haku stepped up to him lightly and felt the boy’s skin. He had a fever and his eyes were open, rolled in the back of his head. Haku covered his mouth as he started to sniffle.

Gaara and the others were there in a slip second, looking at the boy who was probably more near death than Haku was when they had found him. Sasuke growled at the way he was chained to the pole. It had taken him nearly half an hour to break one padlock and Zabuza was locked together by three different ones.

‘Get him down! Get him down! Get him down!’ Haku shouted with no luck of a coming voice. He pulled on Gaara’s shirt and buried his head in the redhead’s chest. He couldn’t believe this. Zabuza was shirtless and his body was probably trying to prolong pneumonia. Haku took one more look at the boy who was suspending from his death trap and turned away.

He walked off to the side and hunched over as he began to dry heave. Nothing was in his stomach and so nothing was coming up. Naruto volunteered to look after Haku as Sasuke and Gaara started trying to pick the locks or find a way to slide the boy from the chains.

Zabuza wasn’t responding at all. His eyes never moved and the only sign that he was still living was the slight rise of his chest every once and a while. He was incapacitated and that was obvious. Sasuke worked faster than Gaara did. He felt like this was somehow his fault even though it couldn’t have. He was blaming himself for his brother’s actions and he just wanted it over.

On top of everything, he wondered what state Orochimaru was in or if he was even alive. Itachi loathed Orochimaru with the life in him. Not that the snake man didn’t deserve it. He treated Itachi like crap, who could even blame Itachi for wanting someone like Neji to love him?

------

Neji would have been long gone by now if he hadn’t considered the fact that he just might run into Itachi on the way out. He was walking down the hall and almost out the door when Itachi just suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Neji just turned and sat on the couch like that’s where he had planned to be all along.

Itachi seemed to know something was going on so he decided to sit on the couch across from Neji and watch him. The Hyuuga cursed himself for not just sneaking out the window like he wanted to in the first place.

“Something bothering you?” Itachi asked as he laid down on the couch and threw his hands behind his head. He stared up at the ceiling and half wondered if Neji would just tell him that he knew everything but that was too much for him to hope for.

‘Is something bothering me? You mean like the fact that you attempted to kill Haku? Or maybe how you just think you can force yourself on me. Maybe it’s that you took those disgusting pictures and slung my name around in the mud. I trusted you and I cared when no one else would. This is the thanks I get. Hmph, bastard.’ Neji slid down in his seat as he slouched.

“No, not really.” He breathed in and then looked towards the door for a slip second, thinking he could ease out if Itachi fell asleep. “You hungry?” Neji asked, standing and stretching. “I was thinking maybe we could go out, talk about this a little.” He knew Itachi was going to decline but he didn’t expect the answer he got.

“I’m tired.” Itachi replied. “I’d rather you stay here as well.” He closed his eyes and tried not to smirk at Neji’s reaction, which he had seen out of the corner of his eye. Neji had half a snarl on his face and was noticeably trying to stay calm.

“I’m just to pretend you haven’t lost your mind.” He said and started walking to the door anyway. What could Itachi possibly do to him? If he loved Neji like he said he did then he would fear hurting him. Neji just had to make a few things clear.

“It’s just a precaution.” Itachi said as he quickly sat up and stepped in front of Neji as he reached the door. “I’m only concerned about you. I have no other reason to keep you ‘locked’ up inside my house.” Itachi put his hand on Neji’s chest and stopped him from moving any farther.

“You can’t just keep me here.” Neji relaxed his angry tone so he wouldn’t start an argument. “I’m not yours…” Neji said lightly. He could feel Itachi fisting his shirt not a second after the words left his mouth. Itachi swung him around and jammed him against the door. He got close to Neji and smelled the Hyuuga along his neck.

“You could be.” Itachi softly blew against Neji’s sensitive neck and the boy shivered behind his panic. “Don’t you see it, Neji?” Itachi was running his hands up Neji’s shirt and touching his warm skin. Neji fought with him pushing him away but Itachi’s strength was something unknown the Hyuuga.

“Say it.” Itachi lightly licked the rim of his ear. Neji jumped quickly, forcing him away and glared at him. If he wanted Neji to say something then he would.

“I’m not yours, so stop acting like it.” Neji fixed his shirt but apparently Itachi wasn’t happy with his statement. He grabbed Neji by his throat and slammed him against the door so hard the back Neji’s head smashed into the wood.

“You ARE mine.” Itachi stared at him for a few moments. He felt a wave of regret rush over him as Neji winced in pain from the forceful gesture. Itachi quickly let him go and Neji slid down to the floor, grasping his head in pain. Itachi knelt down in front of him and lifted his head. He leaned forward and kissed Neji chastely. The Hyuuga wasted no time pushing him away.

“Do you think I could ever really love you when you treat me like he used to treat you?” Neji asked. He looked at Itachi with all seriousness in his tone. The Uchiha was broken inside as he stood up. Neji took a chance mentioning something Itachi would have rather just forgotten. But he could see Neji’s point. He reached down to help Neji to his feet and Neji accepted. He understood better than anyone that people did stupid things when they loved someone. Itachi was no different and he was just in a rush not to lose Neji. The Hyuuga couldn’t be upset with him for that.

“I’m leaving.” Neji said firmly. “It’s none of your business where I’m going.” He stepped away from the door and opened it. Itachi didn’t say anything as he watched Neji walk out of his apartment.

“You’re not acting in my best interest. I suggest impressing me a different way. One that doesn’t ensure I need a trip to the hospital.” Neji slammed the door as hard as he could and hurried out to his car. Itachi watched Neji drive off through the window and then he took his frustration out on the poor wall next to him. Breaking a hole through the plaster he looked down and noticed that Neji had forgotten his cell phone on the floor. It must have slipped from his pocket while he had been whining on the floor. He picked up the phone and of course he went through the recent calls first.

Itachi grinned to himself when he saw Gaara’s name. Now he knew where Neji was off to in such a hurry. The Hyuuga was playing hard ball and it wasn’t like Itachi to back down. So, he waited for a while and then grabbed his keys and went after the Hyuuga. He was going to have Neji and the boy was going to accept it as so. Itachi would take care of Gaara and make him see it.

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Two hours later Sasuke and Gaara had managed to get all of the locks open. They laid Zabuza down and stood next to him. Haku was at his side in a split second, cradling his head and brushing back his hair. He rocked from side to side as he watched the other boy. He couldn’t cry anymore and he wanted to be strong for Zabuza.

The others just relaxed. Sasuke fell on the floor exhausted and Naruto helped him drink a bottle of water they’d had in the car. Nothing was happening right now but Sasuke and Gaara talking about how to find Orochimaru and how to lift Zabuza to the car since he was pretty heavy. They were probably all wondering how Itachi had managed to lift him and cargo him all the way out here, let alone tie him up to a pole.

Everyone froze when they heard a car pull up from outside. Gaara was the first to actually look up and acknowledge that someone was there. Haku looked towards the door of the room they were in and his eyes weld up again as if he could spare a few more drops of tears.

‘Neji…’ He wanted to see his friend, his ex lover, more than anything but he swore to himself that he wouldn’t leave Zabuza’s side. Haku wrapped his arms around Zabuza as Gaara and Sasuke started walking out. Naruto looked at Haku and decided he would be okay for a second and followed his lover and best friend.

Haku looked down at Zabuza who was partially holding on now and touched his face. ‘I’ll be right back, I swear.’ He wrapped the blanket he was using around Zabuza and started walking out but the deathly groaned again. Haku turned around to look at him. He was trying to move on his own. Haku hurried back to him and tried to hold him still.

“Haku.” He groaned. The femi put a finger to his lips and shook his head. Zabuza was looking up at him now, pupils in view and chest heaving. He reached up and ran a hand through Haku’s hair.

“You’re all right.” He said quietly, his voice was hoarse too but at least he was forming sentences, even if they were short. Haku smiled at him as he stroked the boy’s face. He was so happy for Zabuza to be okay but his joy fell when he thought about why Itachi was doing all this again.

“Orochimaru.” Zabuza said, getting Haku’s attention. He pointed down the hall they had only half checked and Haku looked. “He’s dead.” Zabuza said bluntly. “The smell…” He indicated that that’s why it was so hard to breathe in the room. Haku looked back down at him and laid his head on Zabuza’s forehead. He couldn’t say he missed Orochimaru but he knew he would have died of heart failure if someone he cared for had been lost to that crazed Uchiha.

Gaara broke out the door first, walking slowly; something wasn’t right. It wasn’t like Neji to not announce his presence. He would have at least called Gaara’s name or called his phone. The three of them stepped out and stopped to face someone no one had ever expected to see. Someone who was important from the beginning and had been overlooked just like he always was.

“Gaara-kun.”

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End Chapter 15
Man this was short. Apologies but it’s been a while and I needed to get something out before I lost you little babies! Chapter 16 will be my normal 20 pages…I hope so at least. Evil cliffie but I’m sure you can all wait another couple weeks, now can’t you? Muwahahahahahahahaha
Reviews!
For those of you reading my newest Ita/Sas… chapter 2 will be up in a minute! Muah! Love ya!
-Nik