Playing with the Toys

I'm happy today! Because my love, Master of the Rebels, have gotten my costume in the mail! Lil' Swedish me is going all on her own to the big bad city of Chicago in May! AND LIL' ME IS GOINGTO MEET HER!! X3 I'm gonna meet my Brainz!! X3 Do you sense my happiness?

Oh, the costume? Oh that's just my Kazekage Gaara costume for when we're going to Anime Central! My first con evur! 8D I'm such a geek! X3 So if you're going there be on the lookout for our sexy selves! Not really ourselves since we're cosplaying, but still! Our pennames will be on our badges! And I'd love if you came up and talked to us for a minute if you see us. Just don't tag along all day. It's harder to steal moments with my little genin Neji with people around! X3 LOVE, I'M COMING! (Interpret however you like.)


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It was dark outside when Naruto woke up. That was the first thing that he noticed. He turned his head, looking over the room, and soon realized that he was in a hospital. Oh, right. He remembered that… The pain came over him in a wave as he remembered what had happened. It was like he could feel every cell in his entire body. He pushed himself up a little, whimpering because of the pain it caused him.

”Naruto.” Sasuke was by his side in a second. ”Stop it. Lie down.” He said, pushing gently on Naruto’s shoulder.

”Sa-” Naruto winced and swallowed the name. His cheeks hurt as he tried to speak. The skin would stretch and it would pull at the closing wounds and the stitches.

”It’s okay, Dobe.” Sasuke smiled a little and ran his fingers through Naruto’s hair. Naruto let out a relieved sigh. Sasuke was there with him. He wasn’t with those people anymore. Sasuke was there…

”Do you feel okay?” Naruto shook his head negatively and carefully, as an answer. He didn’t want to even try speaking again. ”Do you want me to go get the doctor?” He shook his head again.

Naruto closed his eyes. He didn’t like the way Sasuke looked at him. It didn’t fit with the affectionate hand in his hair. He didn’t know what it meant. He didn’t understand it. His face was so plain.

”Tell me who did it, Naruto.” Sasuke commanded, still running his fingers through the blond tresses. Naruto didn’t move. He didn’t even twitch. He didn’t answer. ”Naruto.” Sasuke sat down on the bed, next to him. ”I’m leaving tomorrow. Early in the morning. This will be the last time we will see each other in a long time because it’s very obvious that you can’t come with me.”

Naruto opened his eyes, looking into Sasuke’s, hoping that he would understand. He knew. He knew he couldn’t go along. He hoped that he didn’t look as hurt as he felt.

”I’m concerned, Naruto. I don’t want them to be able to hurt you again.” Naruto clenched his eyelids shut, furrowing his eyebrows. Was it possible to hurt him more? He was going to be sent away. It didn’t matter.

”It’s not like I can let this slide.” Sasuke said . ”They’ve hurt you really bad, Naruto.”
Naruto fisted the cover in his hands, opening his mouth carefully to speak.

”It’s because of your pride.” He mumbled, not daring to open his mouth more. He turned away from the hardening face before him.

”Is that what you think of me?” Sasuke asked, his voice cold. Naruto snorted. Of course that was what he thought of him.

”I admit that it’s partly because of my pride. But it’s just as much because it’s you, Naruto. They hurt you. I want to get back at them for the pain they’ve caused you.” Sasuke bent down, resting his forehead carefully on Naruto’s shoulder. He knew he wasn’t hurt there. It wouldn’t harm him. ”Tell me who they were. Tell me their names. I swear to you that they won’t be able to hurt you again.”

Naruto looked at the shadows of the tree outside the window. The lights from the hospital shining upon its leaves. What should he do? They had threatened him to keep him silent. They would hurt him if he told Sasuke. But there was a big possibility that Sasuke would hurt him as well if he didn’t. He didn’t have value to the young Uchiha anymore. He was scarred. He was unwanted. But Sasuke swore on their incapability to hurt him again. How? Would he have them killed? Or what would happen to them? He didn’t want them to be killed. But at the same time, he hated them. He wanted them gone. He didn’t want people like them to ever be alive. But that’s not how the world worked. Bad people were born and lived. Good people were born and killed. Because they were too nice to get back at the ones who did wrong. But Naruto didn’t want to be the one holding lives in his hands.

Should he tell Sasuke who they were? Sasuke would hurt them. Did that make Sasuke a bad person? An evil human being? Naruto hated people who took revenge. People who never knew when enough was enough. People who hurt others without caring. But he had often wanted his father’s murderers dead. The ones who put him in the world of being a toy for the ones with enough money. He hated them. And he hated his masters. Did that make Naruto himself a bad person? Then he could tell Sasuke who had hurt him and would he care what happened to them?
Was Sasuke a bad person? He who spoke of revenge, who would send him away, who he cared so much about?

”Kin…” He whispered. Sasuke lifted his head looking at him.

”Kin?” He asked, not recognizing the name. His eyes were cold. A low flame of anger and hate.

”From the party…” Sasuke’s eyes widened.

”The one you kicked out?” Naruto nodded carefully. ”Who else? She can’t possibly have done this to you on her own?”

”Two guys. Zaku and Dosu. Somebody told them to do it. A man…”

”Who?” Naruto didn’t answer. He looked with tired eyes at Sasuke, who nodded. ”I understand.” Naruto didn’t know. And he was tired. Naruto wanted to sleep more. "I’ll tell the doctor to come check up on you when I leave.” He said, tugging carefully on Naruto’s sleeve and smoothing it out. He licked his lips. The tension before was nothing to how it was now.

”I’m leaving tomorrow morning.” He didn’t meet the widening blue eyes. He couldn’t.

Leave. Sasuke was going to leave. None of them could do anything about it. None of them knew if they wanted to do something about it. Naruto cursed his own weakness. Had he been stronger… Had he been stronger they wouldn’t be in this situation. Then he would sit on that plane together with Sasuke tomorrow. He would be in the hotel when Sasuke got home after a hard day’s work. He would be the one who Sasuke could talk to. The one he could take his stress out on. The one he would have sex with. If he had been stronger, Sasuke wouldn’t go to another country alone. He wouldn’t find another to spend his time with. He wouldn’t find a replacement. A replacement for the toy he had back home in Japan. A broken, scarred toy.

”When do you get back?” He whispered carefully. Sasuke had to strain his ears to hear him.

”I don’t know. After the summer.”

”Will I be here then?” Sasuke stiffened at the question. He saw the tension in Naruto’s whole body as well. Should he lie? Should he tell him that he would still be in the room across Sasuke’s when he came back? Should he say that scars didn’t matter? Why should he lie to him? Why should he care if Naruto got hurt or not?

”I don’t know, Naruto…” He said. He met Naruto’s eyes. He had to be stronger than this. He was the master of the two for fuck's sake! He shouldn’t have trouble meeting Naruto’s eyes. So why was it so hard? Why did it hurt to see them? See him? Naruto smiled the weakest smile Sasuke had ever seen.

”Alright.” Naruto whispered, barely opening his lips. Sasuke got the urge to shake him. To yell at him. Saying that it wasn’t alright. It was not alright! It was fucking wrong! And that he never ever wanted to see that defeated face on him ever again! But Sasuke didn’t move. He only met the eyes, hindering himself from saying that yes, he would be there. Sasuke knew he wouldn’t. He would have Naruto sent away. Because Naruto was scarred. Six big scars on his face. Sasuke had sent toys away for less. He had sent away toys for things Naruto had done many times.

He didn’t move when he felt Naruto’s hand brush against his. He didn’t move as Naruto took it in his. He didn’t move when Naruto lifted his hand and pressed his lips against it.

It was a thank you. Thank you for what has been. Sasuke could see it in Naruto’s eyes as he let Sasuke’s hand fall to the mattress again. A thank you. Sasuke refused to admit his eyes were burning.

He bent down, closed his eyes and pressed his own lips against Naruto’s. He heard the other boy take a deep breath through his nose. Sasuke wanted to taste Naruto. He wanted to push his tongue into Naruto’s mouth. He wanted to suck on his lips. He wanted to show Naruto how much he… How much he…

But he couldn’t. He couldn’t put him through the pain of even opening his lips anymore. He knew the names of the people who had done it. And he would find out the name of the one who was behind it all. Nobody messed with the Uchiha brothers and got away with it. That was the way it had been for generations before his and he had no intention of stopping it.

He lifted his hand, but realizing what he was about to do, he placed it over Naruto’s neck instead of his cheek. He stroked his thumb over Naruto’s jaw, very careful to not touch the cuts. He had caused Naruto enough pain. He didn’t need to do it more.
He pulled away, just barely. Their lips brushed against each other as they breathed.

”I’ll avenge you, Naruto. I swear to you, I will.” He kissed him again. A quick lips against lips. He pulled back and without another look at him, Sasuke left the room.
Naruto swallowed. He felt the burning in his eyes. He didn’t want to cry. He knew how much salty tears hurt in the cuts. He heard a loud bang out in the corridor, but didn’t think of it. He closed his eyes and licked his lips carefully. He didn’t think it, but he wanted Sasuke’s taste in his mouth. He sighed. His funeral was over. Now all he wanted was to sleep.

---

Sasuke looked at the trashcan he had kicked and the trash littered over the floor. His jaw was clenched shut and he was probably going to get marks in his hands with the way he pressed nails into his palms. A young nurse came up to him and was about to put her hand on his shoulder, with a concerned expression.

”Don’t touch me," he hissed. He glared at his feet. Why wasn’t he walking? Why had they decided to stop there and refuse to move? And why were his eyes burning?
The nurse advanced carefully again and this time actually placed the hand on his shoulder.

”I said don’t touch me!” He yelled, grabbed her wrist and pushed her away. She fell backwards on the floor with a shriek. The thick glasses fell off her nose down on the floor and landed by Sasuke’s feet.

”I’m so-sorry!” She said, her face red with embarrassment. Or maybe she got upset? Sad? Sasuke looked at the glasses by his feet as the nurse got to her knees, searching for them with her hands. She obviously didn't see much without them.
Sasuke wanted to put his foot over them. He wanted to press down on them until he heard them snap and the glass break. He wanted to hurt her. He sighed and bent down, picking them up. The nurse hadn’t done anything. And he wasn’t cruel. He went over to her.

”Here.” He said, crouching down to her level. She raised her head to where she heard his voice. Sasuke put them back on her and she could see again. She was mesmerized by the dark eyes she saw and her face became even redder.
No, the nurse was not the one he should hurt. If she had anything to do with Naruto it was only to get him well again. But he knew people he could hurt. People he would hurt. It was only regrettable that he couldn’t do it with his own hands.

”Thank you.” The nurse whispered. Sasuke didn’t acknowledge her more. He stood up and left the hospital, refusing to look over his shoulder at the building that held his most important possession.

He got into the limo waiting for him. The driver hadn’t been allowed to leave when he had dropped Sasuke off earlier. The man looked into the mirror at his young master. The boy looked older than he was, with that frown and down-turned lips.

”Where to, sir?” He asked carefully.

”Home.” Sasuke answered, rubbing his eye, tiredly. The driver started the car and drove off.

Home… Since when did he call the mansion his home?

He kept staring out the window without noting really what was outside. He had other things to think about. What should he do to the ones that had hurt him? Hurt Naruto? He growled a little at the thought of not being the one who would do it himself. But in reality that was stupid. He couldn’t do it himself. He couldn’t get his hands dirty like that. He had enough to carry anyway. And this had to be taken care of soon. Nobody treated an Uchiha this way. He still envied the ones that would be hired for the job.
Itachi had to know people. He had to know what people Sasuke could trust. And he had to be wiling to share with his little brother. Sasuke would pay the price for it if he was going to be an ass about it.

The ride was over sooner than Sasuke expected. He had gotten lost in his thoughts. The door was opened for him and he stepped outside, not even glancing at the man holding it open. He walked up the stairs and took the final steps towards the big wooden doors. They were opened by somebody on the inside. He didn’t bother to look at them either. He had a place in mind. It was late, but he knew Itachi would still be up. And he knew where to find him. In his study. He knew. He opened the door and walked up to the big desk. Itachi looked up from whatever paper he was reading. Sasuke sat down in the armchair placed in front of the desk, crossing his legs and gripping the handles tightly. He waited for his brother to put the paper down before speaking.

”I need your help.” He said and cringed on the inside for uttering the words in the first place. But he knew he needed Itachi’s help. He couldn’t do this on his own. What had happened to Naruto was an insult towards himself and their family’s name. He couldn’t bring his own friends into this. They had nothing to do with it. They had done enough.

”Don’t worry, Otouto. I’ve got it covered.” Itachi said. Sasuke frowned.

”What?”

”There’s a man who’s a part of a network all over Europe. He will bring you the best quality of whatever you ask for. People I trust have sworn he’s reliable. But you do know what I think about heavy stuff like-”

”This is not about fucking drugs!” Sasuke yelled, gripping the chair tighter. Itachi raised an eyebrow, and leaned forward.

”I’d appreciate if you kept your voice down, Sasuke. We both know that there are very few people in this house that are loyal to us, you and me, and not our father.” Sasuke growled at his words, but didn’t say anything more. Itachi put his elbows on the desk and leaned his chin on his folded hands. ”So what is it you need my help for?”

”It’s about Naruto.”

”Naruto?”

”Don’t pretend you don’t know!”

”Know what?” Itachi asked innocently. Sasuke glared at him, cursing the fact that his brother wasn’t affected at all.

”Naruto is in the hospital. Some people forced him into the music room. He is scarred! He is fucking ruined! And if I know you right, and I know I do, you’ve got a copy of his medical chart in there!” He gave the desk a hard kick. Itachi merely opened a drawer and pulled out a file, placing it on the desk.

”Please refrain from taking your anger out on my furniture. I happen to like this desk. I don’t want to get a new one because you broke it.” He opened the folder and skimmed through the text. ”I just got it. I haven’t had time to read it yet.” He explained.

”Take your sweet time.” Sasuke said through gritted teeth.

”Do you know who did it?” He asked, flipping through the pages.

”Naruto told me.”

”So you’ve talked to him?”

”Right before I came here. Their names are Kin, Zaku and Dosu. I don’t know their last names.”

”Do you know why?”

”I was about to have sex with Kin at a party, last weekend. Naruto got jealous and kicked her out.” Itachi raised a curious eyebrow, but Sasuke didn’t have any intentions about getting deeper into that subject. ”So she may have some personal grudges but I don’t know about the two others. Naruto thinks they work for somebody.” Itachi nodded and leaned back in the chair, seemingly thinking about something. He focused on Sasuke again.

”So what is it that you need my help for exactly?”

”It’s not like I can walk up to them and beat the shit out of them. I’m leaving in the morning. I have no possibility to find the one who’s behind this on my own. And I can’t supervise this while I’m over there. I will have enough to do. I have to handle our affairs in Europe carefully. I can’t be distracted.”

”So you want me to get revenge for you.”

”I want you to tell me who I can trust. Who I can give this job to.”

”What kind of job is this, Sasuke?”

”What do you think it sounds like?”

”I have people who’re good at getting information. I have people that can beat others up. I have people that can torture. And I have people that can kill. What kind of job is this, Sasuke? What do you want? What do you want me to do?” Itachi asked. Sasuke looked him in the eyes, thinking it through. What did he want? What did he want Itachi to do? He wanted to hurt them. He wanted to hurt them badly. Because they had taken away the one thing that had made him feel good in a long while. He wanted them gone.

”I want them gone.” He voiced his thought. ”I don’t want to see them. I don’t want them to exist. I want to find out who did this and I want to…” Sasuke quieted down.

”Want to what?”

”I want to put a bullet hole through his head. He broke Naruto. He destroyed something that was mine. And not his to touch. Directly or through others.” He couldn’t read Itachi’s face. He didn’t know if Itachi was terrified or impressed by his words. Maybe a little bit of both. His older brother was a mess after all. A fucked up person. He didn’t know where he had himself.

”We can fix that. You and me. I have people. People who would more than happily put a hole through his head.” Itachi said. He opened his drawer and pulled out several files. ”I have skilled people to take out him and the three who did the dirty work.” Sasuke frowned and glanced down on the files Itachi had up. They were divines. It was the papers of Itachi’s divines and toys.

”The boys have longed for something to play with on their own. They have been bored.” Itachi smirked and ran a finger over a photo of a dark man. Sasuke knew who it was. It was Itachi’s current favorite. Sasuke looked up at his brother’s face. He was still smirking, still looking at the picture. ”It will be fun to finally take him out…” Itachi murmured.

”You sound like you know who he is.” Sasuke said, cold. Itachi’s eyes snapped up on him and closed the folder.

”And if I tell you I do?”
”Then I demand that you tell me who he is.” Sasuke hissed. How could he know? Who was the fucker who had hurt his precious Naruto?

”You know him, Otouto.”

”Tell me who it is!” Sasuke yelled, standing up and slamming his palms down on the desk.

”Don’t raise your voice, Sasuke. Sit down.”

”Tell me! Stop fucking playing around!”

”I’m not playing around!” Itachi glared up at him. Sasuke had to fight hard to not cave in. ”Who do you think it is, huh? It’s your fault this happened, Sasuke! It’s yours! No one else’s! Because you let him believe that you were his! Orochimaru is more fucked up than I am! That should tell you something!” Sasuke’s eyes widened and his jaw fell open.

”Orochimaru…?”

”Yes. His jealousy is what lost you Naruto. He wants you back. And if he takes out the people that interest you more, he thinks that he can have you! This is your fault for getting involved with that man!” Itachi shot up from his seat and grabbed Sasuke’s shirt, getting into his face. ”And if you back down now, if you go back on your word now, that you want him gone, you’re a bigger coward than I thought you were.”

”You really hate him…” Sasuke whispered.

”And now that he has taken something important to you and soiled that, don’t you hate him too?” Itachi’s eyes were cold and hard. Sasuke could only be happy that he hadn’t been around when Itachi found out what Sasuke had been doing with Orochimaru. If this was what he was like when he was only thinking back on it…

”Yes…” Sasuke whispered.

”Good.” Itachi said, and pushed back Sasuke into his seat. ”Then sit the fuck down.”

Did Sasuke hate Orochimaru? He watched as Itachi went trough the papers of his toys, considering who would be best suited. Sasuke didn’t hate him before. He was quite indifferent to him. He didn’t care whether he was breathing or not. Even though it had been really fun to tease him. As the bastard himself had said; wave in front of his face what he couldn’t have anymore. But now? Now that he knew that Orochimaru had been the one to scar Naruto. To hurt him. He was the one who had taken Naruto from him. Did he hate him now? The bastard would come after him again. He would think that now he didn’t have Naruto he’d come back. Idiot. He had left him long before he even knew Naruto existed. Orochimaru should not have a part of Sasuke’s life anymore. Not in any matter. He didn’t want him around anymore. And he would only keep putting himself in Sasuke’s view. The son of a bitch… He hurt Naruto. Ordered his pain. Took Naruto away from him. Destroyed what Sasuke valued. Yes, it was better if Orochimaru wasn’t around anymore. He detested him now. The one who had broken Naruto. He would keep his promise to the blond. He would get revenge for him.

”How do you know they work for him anyway? You didn’t know about this before I told you.”

”I know everything about that man. They have been his bitches every since he got them into the school. They would do anything for him to keep living the good life. They were quite the trash before.” Itachi put away some folders and handed a selected few over to Sasuke. ”These are divines that I know will do a good job. Probably will enjoy it greatly as well.”

”Are these all yours?” Sasuke frowned and flipped through the files.

”My favorites. Feel special that I’m going to lend them to you for this.”

”Special…” Sasuke snorted and put them down on the desk. ”I won’t be here. I can’t supervise them. If something is going to happen before I get back you’re going to have to be the one in charge.”

”So how do you want this to go down?” Itachi leaned back in his chair.

”I want them to be picked off one by one. Some time in between. I want them to be full of fear. Start with the two boys that were in the music room. I don’t care which one goes first. However your precious little ones wants to do it. After that I want the girl gone.”

”And then at last the snake?” Itachi smirked.

”No.” Sasuke said simply and Itachi’s smirk faded and was replaced with a deep scowl.

”Then I want Kabuto gone. After that the snake shall be sweating until I can come back and place that bullet in his head myself.”

”You sure you can do that?” Itachi asked. Sasuke glared at him.

”Why wouldn’t I be able too?”

”You’ve never done anything like that before.”

”Sometime has to be the first.”

”No it doesn’t.”

”Stop trying to be protective of me. You should be glad that I want to get rid of him once and for all. And you shouldn’t try to take the pleasure of seeing him die away from me. Just because you have your own personal grudge against him.”

”I would have painted the wall with his brain a long time ago if only you had let me.”

”It’s not like I threatened you with house arrest.” Sasuke sneered. ”You could have done what you wanted to him, even though I would have highly disliked it. Not for his sake, but because of yours. And I have told you this so many fucking times, but you choose to forget it all the time. And I’m done with it. I told you how I want this to go down, as you put it. So are you going to help me or not?” Itachi sighed and stood up from his chair, walking over to the windows, looking down on their mother’s garden.

”I don’t like you killing him. Because I think he has stained your body enough. You don’t need his blood on your hands.”

”He took Naruto’s blood on his hands. I’ll take his on mine.”

”It’s more for little Naruto-kun’s sake than our name, isn’t it?” Itachi looked over his shoulder, at his little brother. It was weird talking with him about killing people. About murdering them. About making them suffer. Even more so because of a simple toy. But was Naruto a simple toy? No, definitely not. If this hadn’t happened, if Naruto hadn’t been broken, Itachi would have had to take the matters into his own hands. If Orochimaru hadn’t made sure Sasuke was going to send Naruto away, Itachi would have had to find a way to get rid of the boy. He had been making Sasuke weak. And an Uchiha needed to be strong. Otherwise they wouldn’t survive. And Itachi needed Sasuke to survive.

”It’s not more about him and it’s not less. Somebody broke him. And even if I didn’t have a name like ours I would have avenged him.” Sasuke looked down into his lap. "He deserves that much.” Itachi kept his eyes on him. His cute little brother. He was growing up so fast. And he was on a thin line when it came to what sort of man he would be. Itachi had a hard time deciding which way to push him. He looked over Sasuke’s shoulder to the clock on the wall. It was late. Sasuke would have to get to bed now if he was going to get a few hours of sleep before he had to leave the country. Itachi nodded and walked around the desk.

”I’ll do as you want, Sasuke. I’ll have my boys take them out, one by one. First the two boys, then the girl, then Kabuto and I’ll keep Orochimaru alive until you come back. And when you do come back, I’ll make sure there are no complications for you to get to him.” Sasuke looked up at his brother standing next to him.

”Thank you.” He said, tiredly. ”I owe you.”

”You owe me nothing. This will only be a pleasure.” He put his hand behind Sasuke’s neck and rested his forehead on top of Sasuke’s head. ”Make me proud.” Sasuke knew Itachi meant the business he had to take care of in Europe and not the matter they had just discussed.

”I’ll do more than my best.” Sasuke said, closing his eyes.

”None of us expect less.” Itachi pulled back and with a smirk he flicked Sasuke’s forehead. Sasuke scowled and raised his hand to rub the spot, unconsciously. ”Go to sleep, Otouto. It’s late.” He grabbed the files on his desk and headed for the door. ”Expect a call from me tomorrow.” He said as he let the door close behind him. He headed straight for the stairs and walked up to the next floor. It was his own and Sasuke’s. He let out a sigh and let his head fall forward, rubbing his neck. It had been a long day. Getting his hands on Naruto’s chart hadn’t been easy. He had to call out on a favor. He didn’t like that. He liked to have people in debt. It made them do what he wanted without a fuss. He didn’t like people causing a fuss. No, Itachi did not like it.

He opened the door to his bedroom and smirked at the man sitting on his couch. He was sleeping. He put the files down on his table carefully to not wake him. He circled around the couch, walking, looking at the fine specimen. Why Sasuke was so obsessed with smooth skin, with people without scars, was beyond Itachi. Sure, toys like that strange one the youngest Sabaku owned weren’t Itachi’s taste either. But that was another matter. He had been shaped after Gaara’s hands. It was for his pleasure. But some scars by other men? Other people? It didn’t matter to Itachi. He liked the six scars his own toy had on his face.

He stopped behind the bigger man. He had to be really tired if he hadn’t woken up yet. He was usually very good at detecting Itachi. Even when his master used his martial arts skills. He wrapped his arms around his toy’s neck. Kisame woke with a start, looking around startled. Then he saw just who it was holding him and he calmed down, taking a deep breath. Then he tensed up again.

”What time is it?”

”Late.”

”You just got here?”

”Yes.”

”I’m sorry, Itachi-sama!” He bowed his head. ”I shouldn’t be here.”

”No, you shouldn’t.” Itachi smirked and flicked his tongue over the three scars under Kisame’s eye. ”I told you to take a shower hours ago. But you’re still here. Right where I left you.”

”I’m sorry. I fell asleep.”

”I noticed.” Itachi liked making his toys nervous. It was always fun to mess with their minds. They never knew what was coming when Itachi was involved. And he always was.

”Want me to go do it now?” Kisame asked, carefully. He had a hard time knowing whether Itachi was glad he was there or pissed off. He was always playing mind tricks and would often act the opposite of his real feelings, making a complete turn all of a sudden.

”No.” Itachi smirked and snuck his hands inside of Kisame’s shirt. ”You have something and someone better to do.” And Kisame relaxed with a smile playing on his lips.

---

Sasuke heard Itachi’s steps down the hall. He would wait until they had died away before even attempting to move. He stroked his palms over his thighs. Mentally preparing to stand up. He didn’t want to fall. That would be humiliating even though he was alone.

He had just ordered people’s deaths. He had decided to kill a man on his own. With his own hands… He would not back down. He stood up. He didn’t fall. He didn’t have trouble keeping his balance. He took a deep breath and started walking. No, the horrible feeling he had wasn’t because he had done something like that. He had been raised for this really. It had never been a question of if he would say the order. It was a question of when. And now he had. And really… It felt good. He would get rid of Orochimaru. He would get rid of stupid calls to the office. He would get rid of his hands and words. He would get rid of that tongue. He would get rid of that god damn annoying secretary. He would get rid of Itachi’s accusations that Sasuke cared about the snake. Most of all, he would be relieved when it was all over for sure.
He closed the door behind him and headed down the hall, towards the stairs, just like his brother had done.

He could see himself with the gun in his hand and he could see the hole through his vice-principal’s skull. It would be a wonderful day, he was sure. He stopped with his hand on his door. He licked his lips and opened it. His baggage was packed and lined up against the wall. They hadn’t carried it downstairs if he wanted to check it over, make sure they had packed everything he wanted and needed. Or if he wanted to pack something else. Something from his personal things. He walked past them, not bothering about it. He stopped as he reached his bed. Clothes had been tossed all over the floor when he had left this morning. Both his and Naruto’s. Now they were all gone. Probably washed and put back in their closets. He pulled off the bedspread and scowled. They were not the same colors as this morning. They had changed his sheets. What was the point when he was leaving tomorrow? He would want fresh sheets when he got home!

He picked up a pillow and brought it up to his face. He laid his nose against the fabric and sniffed. It smelled like softener. It smelled weird. He didn’t like it. He threw the pillow back on the bed. The thought that it was the pillow Naruto had used crossed his mind but only for a second.

Changing his sheets… Completely unnecessary! He stripped out of his clothes and headed for his bathroom. He didn’t look at himself in the mirror. It had been a long day and he didn’t want too see the wreck in the reflection. He turned the knob in the shower and waited a minute before stepping in under the water. Well… Considering what he and Naruto had done in those sheets maybe it was for the better. He didn’t enjoy sleeping in soiled sheets. Falling asleep in them directly after soiling them was different.

He showered quickly. He had to get as much sleep as possible. He should have been in bed hours ago. But he hadn’t been able to leave the hospital. Not before Naruto woke up. He had to know who did it. The doctors had already told him how. Damn, his life was so fucked up!

Orochimaru… Itachi was right when he said that man was more fucked up than him. The man was smart but completely insane. That he was allowed the position he had was really beyond Sasuke. How could people let a man like him be in the school? He must have strong connections. Maybe even with his own father?

He stepped out of the shower and dried himself off quickly. He ran a comb through his hair but didn’t bother to blow-dry it this time. He was too tired and he didn’t want to listen to it. He pulled on a pair of pajama pants and crawled under the cover. He made himself comfortable and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

It was impossible. He couldn’t fall asleep. The tension in his shoulders wouldn’t relax. The pain in his chest wouldn’t go away. He couldn’t fall asleep. He sat up and looked around. What was wrong? Something was off with this bed. It didn’t feel right. He twisted and turned, trying to find a position that he could fall asleep in. Stupid bed. Nothing was working. Had the maids done something weird with it? It didn’t feel like it used to. Damn idiots…

Maybe he should go and drink a glass of water? He wasn’t thirsty. Warm milk? That was supposed to make you sleep, right? He didn’t want any. A sleeping pill? He wouldn’t wake up when he needed too, and would miss his flight. Not like they could carry him there.

He rolled to the side and threw his arm over to the other side of the bed. He blinked, realizing what was wrong. There was not another body there. Had he gotten so used to sleeping next to another person so fast? Only a few days? But Sasuke was sure. He needed somebody to sleep there. He needed a warm body. Fuck this. He needed Naruto to lie there. The annoying idiot! Son of a bitch! Sasuke hit the pillow he had sniffed before letting out an annoyed grunt. He would have to find a good replacement. A blond of course. It wouldn’t be as good as having Naruto there. But that was impossible now. Fucking Orochimaru. The son of a bitch was going to go through hell before that bullet, because he did this to Sasuke. He let out another groan and fell back down on his mattress. He turned to the side, his back against the part of the bed Naruto had used.

’Fuck this shit…’

Sasuke was still awake when a servant came to wake him in the morning.