Yoru No Koishii

Okay, it’s been a while, I know. Gomen. I’ve had a lot of things on my mind, among them a bad case of writers block. The good news, though, is that I’ve managed to do two chapters for the enjoyment of anyone who’s still paying attention.

Trouble: They probably all got tired of waiting and went away.

*Ignores her.* Enjoy.

******

This is getting bothersome. It’s been three days since everyone arrived, and we’ve just been sitting around doing nothing. Worst of all, Itachi’s been keeping Naruto close, either at his side or locked in his room. He’d better not be doing anything to him.

I force myself to calmness as I sense the subjects of my thoughts approaching.

“Otouto. Your pet cat is running loose again.” I turn to look at them. Like I care what the stupid girl is doing. She’s worse then Ino and Sakura ever were.

I glance at Naruto, then have to look away, forcing my anger down again. To see him, standing there so calmly. I’m not sure he’s even drugged. But if he weren’t, then why would he still be with Itachi?

“I’m sure she’ll track me down eventually. Takara’s good at that.” I know Naruto’s still mine. Most of his life has been devoted to me, in some way or another. I refuse to believe he could just turn on my in favour of my brother. I would worry about Gaara or Sakura more.

“She’d better be caught and back in her cell before the meeting.” He turns away, casually stroking my fox’s hair. I want to reach out and tear his hand away from my pet, but I restrain myself, barely. Not yet. Soon, but not yet.

“I wonder who’s going to get him.” It’s nearly impossible to stop from exploding, but somehow I manage it. But I can’t stay here and watch his blatant attempts to provoke me anymore. Whirling, I leave in a last-ditch attempt to preserve my temper.

Maybe I won’t kill him, after all. Maybe I’ll keep him alive, and torture him slowly. I’ll let Naruto help, if he wants, though I don’t think he will. Naruto’s not that type of person. It doesn’t matter, though. I can cause enough pain for the both of us.

“Sasuke-kun!” I twitch at the greeting, in no mood for the foolishness of women, and slap Takara away roughly, ignoring her shocked stare. But, as usual, she gets over it in the blink of an eye. Just about long enough for my hand to close over her throat.

“Sasuke-kun?” Her expression is puzzled now.

“You are supposed to be in your cell,” I growl.

“But it’s so boring. I want to follow you around like that cute blond follows Itachi-sama. Do you think they’re lovers?” I force myself to let go of Takara’s neck before I strangle her. This is definitely not shaping up to be a good day.

“No, they are not lovers. Naruto is mine.” I grab her hand and jerk her after me, back down to the cells, thrusting her into hers.

There are only six cells, so a couple of the demon carriers are forced to double up. I suppose I should be grateful that at least Naruto isn’t down here, being forced to share with someone. Takara is sharing with Gaara, since he seems to be one of the few who can actually put up with her.

“I’m sure you have so many other important things to do, but if it’s not too much bother, make sure she stays in here.” Maybe if I’m really lucky, she’ll finally annoy him too much and he’ll strangle her.

The redhead, sitting cross-legged against the back wall, looks up at me with his usual murderous expression, then slowly raises his hand and presents me with his middle finger.

“Sit and spin, Uchiha,” he snarls, and I smirk.

“You wouldn’t get that lucky, Sandy.” He hates that nickname, for some reason, and now is no exception. His eyes narrow to slits, and even the most oblivious person would be able to feel the rage pouring off of him.

“I will kill you, Uchiha. I’d threaten to take Naruto away too, but it seems someone’s already done that. Maybe he’s finally getting smarter.”

I just step back and shut the door, ignoring him. Maybe if I’m lucky, he’ll get stuck with Itachi, and the two of them will kill each other. Smirking slightly at that lovely thought, I decide to go do some training to work off my anger.

******

Three hours later, I’ve worked off most of my bad mood and, after a quick shower, make it to the hall just in time for the meeting. There’s a lot of talking, most of which I tune out, and finally the scrolls bearing the matches are handed out. I unroll mine with a snap of my wrist, my eyes immediately moving to the bottom, looking for my name. Then I stop and stare. Blinking, I reread the last two entries again, hoping maybe I made a mistake, but no, there’s no mistake. Written next to my name, in neat writing is the title Shuukaku.

Nor is it possible to miss the title posted right above Gaara’s, next to Itachi’s name; Kyuubi. My fists clench in rage. I don’t really care that I got Gaara, but that they gave Naruto to that bastard.

I suddenly notice the quiet grumbling around me, and glancing about, see that very few appear too pleased with the arrangements. Yes, it’s clear to see there’s definitely a conspiracy going on in Akatsuki.

“If there’s a demon carrier you want, and you think you can take it, then feel free to try.” I turn at the voice, noticing a member I haven’t met yet talking to the Leader.

“Pleased with who you got, Otouto?” I whirl to glare at Itachi venomously. He doesn’t appear to notice. “I am. I shall enjoy forcing Naruto-kun to my will. I’m sure he will make quite the bedmate as well, seeing as Orochimaru-san had all that time to train him.”

“Naruto is mine,” I snap back. I can’t stand even the thought of Itachi forcing Naruto. I know my blonde wouldn’t do it willingly, not with the nervousness he even shows around me. “And he’ll stay mine.”

“Are you challenging me, Sasuke?” I frown as I realise everyone has now fallen silent and is watching the confrontation. I can’t back down now, even if I wanted to. And I certainly don’t want to. Not when Naruto’s on the line like this.

“Hai,” I snarl. “Naruto is mine.”

“Out on the field in an hour, then.” And he turned and moved away, as if he had only made a date for tea. I glare after him, channelling all my anger and hatred into that one stare. It’s no surprise when my sharingan activates, the pupils whirling, although it is a bit of one when everyone moves out of my way as I stalk off in the opposite direction of my brother.

******

I spend the first half-hour pacing back and forth in my room, wondering if I haven’t made a mistake. I’ll do Naruto little good by getting myself killed. But all I have to do is imagine some of the things that sicko might be doing to my kitsune to fuel my determination again.

My little session is interrupted by a knock on the door, and I open it to find a nervous looking servant. He hands me a leash, bows quickly and vanishes down the hall. I follow the leash to find it attached to Gaara’s choker on the other end. His feet are cuffed together, his hands tied behind his back, and it’s not hard to see why the servant ran. Gaara’s glare could almost set water on fire.

“Let me loose,” he growls, and I smirk.

“Do I look stupid?”

“Yes. Now, let me loose.”

I jerk on the leash, pulling him in and closing the door again, then I move to stare out the window, trying to go back to figuring out how to beat Itachi.

“Uchiha!” I turn to glare at the redhead, wondering why, of all the ones they could have paired me with, it had to be him. I think I would have preferred Takara. Well, okay, maybe not.

“Fine. But stay out of my way.” I move over, two quick burst of chakra unlocking the cuffs on his hands and feet. He tugs the leash off the choker, tossing it to the side distastefully, and crosses his arm, adopting his usual bored stance. I ignore him, staring out the window again.
“You’re really going to fight him?” I turn back again, wondering how he had found out. “Everyone in the building knows you confronted your brother.”

“I’m not letting him keep Naruto,” I tell him coldly. I sigh, wondering exactly where the plan went so wrong, and have to admit it was probably my fault from the start. If I had known they were going to pair up the worst matches, I would have told Naruto to act like he hated me, though I doubt he could have pulled it off.

“Come on.” I move toward the door. “I suppose you might as well tag along.” Abruptly I stop and whirl to face him. His eyes show the slightest hint of surprise as he stops suddenly, before going cold again.

“Stay out of my way, and don’t try to pull any stunts, or you’ll be back down in that cell, shackled, until I decide I need you for something.” Which isn’t likely to happen soon.

I don’t bother waiting for an answer, turning and heading down the hall, calling back for him to make sure he locks the door. I don’t think he does, but I’m not really interested at the moment. It’s not like anyone’s really going to break into my room anyway.

Itachi’s waiting for me when I reach the field. The sun’s setting, casting long shadows across the grass.

“Oh, are we involving the pets in this, Otouto?” he asks mildly, not appearing too concerned about the fuming sand-nin standing behind me. “I’m afraid mine’s a little indisposed. He’s resting up. But you can use yours, if you think you can control him.”

I had no intention of using Gaara’s powers for this fight. For one thing, I knew he wouldn’t listen to a word I said if he thought he could get free. He’d probably go on a killing spree, and crush everyone in the building. Well, everyone except for Naruto. And me if I happened to be within Naruto’s sight, but I don’t want to have to rely on that dubious safety.

“I don’t feel like dealing with two rabid dogs at the moment,” I answer shortly, activating my sharingan, and reminding myself not to lose my temper this time. I can beat him, I’m sure, as long as I don’t lose my head. But then, Itachi’s always been too good at pushing the right buttons.

“A dog? Please, Otouto, if you’re going to insult me, try to come up with something a bit more original.”

“You’re not worth the effort.”

“Are we going to stand around and trade insults or fight? I’ve a new pet I should be training.”

An errant part of my mind wonders who would win if Itachi and Shikamaru had a contest to see who could look the most bored. I quickly push it aside, deciding I’ve been around Naruto too long.

I rush at him suddenly, then dodge to the side at the last second, my hands flying in seals once they’re out of his line of sight. Three kage bunshins puff into view, and all of them turn to leap at Itachi, moving together in an attempt to confuse him.

Itachi’s not even caught off guard, easily dispatching the clones, then he looks around coolly for me.

“Tricks and hiding? I expected more,” he says, trying to draw out my anger more. But I refuse to play by his rules this time.

Everyone always called Naruto a complete idiot, but if one looked closely, they’d notice that while he might be simple-minded, and unbelievably naïve, he’s a genius when it comes to trickery. Maybe it’s because of the spirit he houses, of perhaps it’s his own skills, but he was always the expert prankster as a child. And if one bothers to take a few lessons, study him when he’s in prankster mode, they can pick up quite a few tricks of their own.

So when the fourth bunshin leaps at Itachi, he doesn’t think that it could be a trick. The other three were just meant to draw Itachi’s attention away long enough for me to conjure this modified one.

The bunshin attacks like the old me would have, a head-on attack that had no chance at striking. Itachi plays with ‘me’ a bit, and for a moment, I wonder if maybe he’s figured out my ploy, and is just waiting for me to tire. But finally, he catches the clone by the throat, saying something in that cool voice. The clone snarls an answer, and Itachi squeezes a little tighter, then the clone passes out from the grip on his throat. I keep feeding just enough to keep his form, while trying to keep my own chakra hidden. It’s not too hard, since the clone wore me out.

I’m sure I hear someone screaming my name as Itachi drops the clone and turns away. In that instant, the clone disappears and I jump up out of my hiding place. This is the hard part now. If I had more chakra…
But catching him off guard isn’t enough, apparently, because although my shuriken are barely knocked aside, my kunai barely parried, they are, and I’m knocked away against a tree. I didn’t have anything left to help my speed.

Before I can pull away, I’m being held against it, Itachi’s eyes boring into mine.

The red moon is as hateful-looking as ever, but I’m surprised when it’s not shining over our old home. Instead, there’s a small figure, looking broken a few steps away. He looks up, and I flinch back at the look of anger and pain on those pretty features.

“This is your fault,” Naruto snarls. “Orochimaru, Akatsuki, then Itachi. How many others are you going to sell me out to?”

He surges forward, time and again, a kunai shining in his hand as he stabs me to death, only to have the scene repeat itself. I’m not sure how many times the cycle loops before everything fades into darkness.

******

“You’re awake.” I stare up into impassive teal eyes, wondering where I am. After a moment, things begin to slip back into order, and I sit up, surprised when I don’t feel quite so bad as the last time I was trapped in the mangekyou.

“How long was I out?” I expect the answer to be a couple days at least, and am shocked when Gaara shrugs.

“Two hours, maybe three.” He turns his head as a boom sounds, loud enough to shake the building.

“Hmm, apparently they haven’t caught him yet,” Kabuto comments as he walks into the room. “Oh, Sasuke-kun. You’re awake.” He sounds as surprised as I feel. Only two or three hours? It’s impossible.

“Caught who?”

“Someone turned one of the other prisoners loose,” Gaara says with a smirk. Not that I can blame him. Who’d be stupid enough to do that?

I push the thin sheet off of myself, forcing unsteady legs to hold my weight as I stand. I never liked hospitals, and I like one that has Kabuto in it even less then most. The white-haired nin looks like he’s about to say something, but a pair of death glares in his direction, and he shrugs, turning away.

It’s torture trying to walk the way back to my room, but while Gaara doesn’t offer any help, he stays close. I wonder why he’s suddenly behaving so nicely, then decide it doesn’t really matter. He can plot all he wants, as long as he doesn’t get in my way.

My progress isn’t helped by the occasional explosions that rock the building. Despite the abuse, everything remains firmly upright, which I’m thankful for. I have no desire to see my life end under a couple tonnes of rock. But finally we reach my room. I turn the knob, truly surprised that Gaara apparently locked it after all. Though the confused look the redhead gives it does puzzle me a bit.

Gaara steps into the room before me, and stops suddenly in the doorway. Muttering an oath, I push him out of the way, stepping in and pushing the door closed behind me. A moment later a shaking body is pinning me against it and I’m staring in shock down at a head of sunshine hair, though there’s no sun in the sobs that rack his form.

“Sasuke,” he cries. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Hush, Pet.” For a moment all my worries wash away. Itachi and Akatsuki might as well all disappear, and I’d never notice, with Naruto in my arms again.

******

*Sniffles.* That’s so cute.

Trouble: *Gives her a disgusted look and goes to find someplace else to nap.*

Anyway, that’s the first one. Hope you like.