Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto or its characters. I make no profit from this story.
To MisatosPenPen: It makes me happy to see you happy with every update. That must mean I haven’t bored you yet. Thank you.
Just what is Itachi up to? Is it related to the court case or the threat to his life? Hmm, you’ll find out in the next chapter. Sorry to make you wait.
I wanted to make sure I voiced Naruto too, to show what he was feeling outside what Sasuke thought he should be feeling. Tobi/Madara…I made notes at the end of the chapter about that. Maybe that will clear my preferences up or maybe not.
At least Naruto didn’t run far and he had enough sense to include Sasuke. I can’t tell you if Itachi is part of Akatsuki or not, that would be spoiling, but don’t think you’ve seen the last of the Akatsuki members. That’s all I can say. Thank you for the review.
Chapter Fifteen
June 20th
Words couldn’t describe my feelings standing here viewing Naruto’s childhood home. It looked like your average, cookie-cutter home with the white picket fence and perfectly manicured front yard. It was even white, lending to the stereotypical picture. It was picture perfect from the outside, but I knew the horrors began when you stepped inside.
“This was your home, dobe?”
“I haven’t stepped foot in there since that night, but I knew sooner or later I would have to return. I just hoped it would have been later, and not sooner.”
Naruto fixated on the house, staring and barely blinking. He never once turned to look at me when he spoke and it was beginning to unnerve me. That wasn’t normal behavior. Maybe it was normal for someone else, but not for Naruto.
Were these glimpses of his former behavior, the after effects of his parent’s murder and physical assault? I was starting to understand why Tsunade and Iruka acted the way they did where Naruto’s concerned.
“You found something then?” Obviously, or we wouldn’t be here. But I couldn’t stop myself from asking.
“Yeah,” Naruto acquiesced, continuing to stare at the house in sadness. “I have the guy’s name, teme.”
“H-how?” How did he get a name when Kiba wasn’t able to?
“Neji’s uncle…had business dealings with the man. He would bring Neji along on those particular days.”
We had the answer all along in Neji and never knew it! I wanted to hit myself for being so stupid. I knew his Uncle had salvaged his company and that he used funding from a Council member…but I’d forgotten in light of everything.
“What’s his name?” I asked curiously, my pulse quickening with anticipation.
“Madara; his name is Madara and he owns the Akatsuki Organization, a catch-all type of business. Do you really think he could be…?”
I released a deep sigh, exhaling the breath I didn’t I was holding. “Anything is possible dobe and it’s certainly something to go on. Something we didn’t have before.” I watched Naruto continue to center on the house. I reached out and grabbed his hand, his blue eyes snapping to me faster than the lash of a whip.
“Can you do this?” I asked quietly, cupping his cheek with my other hand.
“I don’t know.” It wasn’t more than a whisper and if I hadn’t been expecting an answer I wouldn’t have heard it.
It was unsettling to see Naruto so subdued, it seemed worse this time than before. But what should I expect? He was confronting his darkest nightmare. He wasn’t me who could live in the same house my parents died in, though I never witnessed what happened to them. I only came home to the police cars and a shaken Itachi. He was the one who found them and he made sure that I never saw them where they died.
Instead, I saw them through pictures years later when I went searching through their files; the same pictures that hung on the white board in the police station. I was glad Itachi stopped me from entering our house, stopped me from witnessing images I was too young to see. He spared me the nightmares that plagued him during the night.
“It’s ok Naruto. If you can’t go through with it, it’s ok.”
“No, I have to.” Naruto shook his head vehemently. “I have to know if this is the guy or not and the answer is in there, teme.”
“What could possibly be in there, in that house, that would make you think you had found him?”
“I don’t know exactly, but I know it’s there. I can remember seeing it...”
“You remembered something else?” I asked, shocked.
“It’s just broken bits and fragments. I started to get flashes after I did a little searching for Madara’s name and the Akatsuki Corporation popped up. It was at the bottom of the page, a logo or symbol of sorts, but it struck something in my memory. I can remember my Mom and Dad arguing heatedly with a guy, but I can’t make out his face and what they were arguing about is lost to me. Then I was alone and picking something up off the ground after he left. I don’t know what it is, but I know I still have it and where it is. Will you look at it and see if you recognize it; you or Itachi?
“Dobe.” I sighed and grabbed his hand tighter.
“Please, just hold my hand and don’t let go; please?” Naruto begged. “I can’t go in there without you. If I’m right then we’ll know who to focus our attention on.”
I offered him a stiff nod and gripped his hand tighter still. I wouldn’t let him go in there alone.
Naruto started slowly towards the house, stopping at the gate to push it open on creaky hinges, before walking up the two steps and facing the door. He took a deep breath slid the key in the lock and pushed the door open, stirring up dust.
~revenge~
A man stood in the shadow of a doorway, watching the two young men step across the street and up the front steps of a small white house. As soon as they were safely inside the house his face morphed into a malicious grin. He pulled a phone from his pocket, dialing.
“They’re both here.” Was his simple reply; and not waiting for a response, snapped his phone shut. Pulling back further into the shadows, he settled down to watch and wait. If they made a move he would be there to follow their every move.
~REVENGE~
The first thing I noticed upon entering was the wide front entry way. The kitchen was on the right of us with the stairs immediately in front and the living room directly to our left. Just outside the living room and after the staircase was a hallway the led to the back of the house. Everything within sight draped in white sheets like they were just getting ready to paint. It may have been because I knew what happened in this house, but it was a chilling sight that caused a tingle in my spine and set my hair on end.
Naruto led me slowly up the stairs and towards a group of doors at the end of the hall. He stopped and stared at the door on the right, ignoring the door directly in front of us. I could feel him shaking in my grasp as he fixated on that door. I turned to look at him as the early morning light hit his face from the window at the opposite end of the landing.
“Naruto…?”
He shook his head and placed his palm on the handle. I heard it rattle in time with his shaking, his breathing heavy in the gloomy quiet. I don’t know how long we stood there as Naruto tried to summon the courage to enter that room. More than once I had the urge to pull him back, to call off the whole thing, but something stalled my hand at the last second.
Naruto gulped in breath as he turned the knob and finally pushed the door open. I turned away from the room to look at Naruto instead, so I could gauge his reaction. I watched the tears cascade like tiny waterfalls over his whiskered cheeks as his eyes shut involuntarily. A reminder of the damage this man had caused to so many people. I couldn’t stop Naruto from doing this, he needed to do it. But I would be kidding myself if I said I wanted Naruto to go in there. If I had it my way he wouldn’t be here at all!
“Do you want me to go in first?” I asked, my voice echoing loudly through the hallway. Naruto shook his head and opened his eyes, staring at me closely. “I’m willing to go in there Naruto. Just tell me where it is and I will do this for you.”
“No, I need to do this for myself. I have to face what this person has done some time.”
“That sometime doesn’t have to be now, though.”
“No, I have to do this. I’ve been avoiding it for so long, but the time is finally here.”
“Then you don’t have to do it alone, I’m here with you.” I offered and Naruto smiled. “Are you ready?”
Naruto shook his head and turned to look inside the room. I turned too and felt my blood run cold. The room was exactly how it was left; how it looked in the pictures. But those pictures didn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the true image.
The blood was never cleaned up; the floor still littered with the useless remnants from the paramedics. And unlike the first floor, this room wasn’t blanketed like the others. The door was just pulled shut to hide the horror and left in the same state it was found. I knew instantly Naruto shouldn’t go in there no matter how much he said he needed too, but he resisted my attempts to pull him back and instead stepped fully inside the room.
“Naruto…?” I called, but he shook his head again and walked slowly to the middle of the room where there was a large pool of what had once been red, flowing blood. It was now browned with age. My heart broke to see him standing there crying and I was surprised when he fell to the ground, pounding on the carpet in anguish as tears flooded the floor. I was by his side immediately scooping him up in my arms.
“I don’t think you should be here, dobe. It’s not worth it. Please, just leave this place?” I whispered in his ear, holding him close to my chest.
“I…can’t…I n-need t-to do this...I…I’ll be o-ok…I j-just got an-angry for a mom-moment.” Naruto choked out, furiously rubbing away at his tears. He looked me straight in the eye and I found I couldn’t deny him.
“Make it quick.” I begged. “Find what you need and let’s get you out of here.”
Naruto gave a curt nod and pulled from my embrace. He made his way swiftly over to his long ago abandoned bed and lifted the mattress, pulling out the item that had brought us here. I grabbed his hand and rushed him from that room, closing the door behind me with a slam.
Naruto took a shaky step towards the door opposite the one we just left and opened it up. It looked like the master bedroom and covered with white linens in mimic of the living room. I had been right, someone had been here to protect the furniture, but had neglected that room. I had a feeling it was Tsunade.
Naruto pulled the cover away from the bed and sat down with a shaky breath, rubbing at the tracks of tears cascading down his face. It amazed me how calm he was compared to just moments ago. I was beginning to wonder if he ever grieved properly or if he was just suppressing the pain.
“They didn’t know I had it, that’s why I hid it from them. Deep down I knew I shouldn’t have had it in the first place.” I sat down next to him and stared at his outstretched hand. A ring nestled safely in his palm, glinting from the light now pouring through the sheer curtains. I took it and froze. A red cloud on a black field; I recognized this symbol.
~REVENGE~
Gaara woke warm against Neji just as the sun broke over the sky in dazzling streaks of red, orange, and pink hues. He grumbled and turned to stare at the alarm clock in accusation. He had finally gotten a good night’s sleep in over a year and the blasted alarm clock had to ruin that. It was only 7:30a.m.!
Taking care not to disturb Neji, who could sleep through a hurricane, Gaara shifted out from under the covers and towards the bathroom to relieve himself. Washing his hands, he paused long enough to get a good look at himself in the mirror. He looked less like a raccoon, as Neji so kindly put it, than he normally did. A small smile worked over his face slashed in an instant by the sudden realization that he only managed to get a good night’s sleep when Naruto was around.
Padding his way from the bathroom, he paused in the doorway, watching Neji sleep in regal glory. How he could manage to stay poised in his sleep, Gaara didn’t know. Deciding he lingered enough, he turned down the hall, determined to wake Naruto and persuade him to make breakfast for them. Otherwise, they would be enjoying the crunch of cold cereal or the oft-recurring take out.
Gaara slowly opened Naruto’s door and stalled, frowning when he noticed the room empty. He shut the door quietly and advanced down the hall, taking the steps two at a time, convinced Naruto would be in the kitchen making breakfast. He knew his friend had been less than thrilled with food kept warm under a heated lamp.
When he reached the kitchen, there was nothing but empty quiet. With a deeper frown, Gaara explored the entire downstairs, opening doors left and right; peeking in. He was now holding on to the belief that Naruto was lost in the massive house, that he was just around the corner or behind a door waiting to be found. But with each passing minute and empty room his heart sunk lower. He wasn’t finding Naruto as quickly as he thought and in the 20 minutes it took to search the entire house and the surrounding area, panic set in. He rushed to Neji and shoved him roughly awake in his desperation.
“Wha…, Gaara?” Neji slurred, drunk with sleep.
“Naruto’s gone.” He gasped, chest heaving. “I can’t find him.”
Neji let the words sink in before jerking straight up, now wide awake. “What do you mean Naruto’s gone?”
“He’s gone. I’ve searched everywhere and there’s no sign of him anywhere.”
“Damn! Are you sure he’s not lost down some corridor?”
“Yes, I’m sure!” Gaara snapped, pulling the sheet away from Neji’s body. “He’s not here! If he was he would let us know; he can’t keep quiet for long.”
Neji quickly climbed out of bed, for once not his normal cool, calm, and collected. “What do I do?! What do I do?! Sasuke’s going to kill me!” He fretted.
“Sasuke is the least of your worries. When Tsunade finds out there will be nothing left for Sasuke! No; if Iruka gets ahold of you there will be nothing left for Tsunade.”
“Me? Why just me, you were here too!”
“You’re so chivalrous, Neji.” Gaara replied dangerously, eyes narrowing sharply. “We need to contact Tsunade first.”
“Did you try calling Naruto’s cell?”
“It’s off and so is Sasuke’s; nothing but voicemail.”
“We’re dead aren’t we?” Neji asked, hastily pulling on some clothes. Gaara gave a sad nod of his head and dialed Tsunade’s number.
~REVENGE~
Tsunade sat in the packed room, silence assailing her ears. The day was on them again. All they worry she felt flooding back in waves, but you wouldn’t know it to look at her. She’d just been in touch with Itachi who was preparing for court, Yamato arriving to escort him to the courthouse. She knew he was safe while he stayed within those marbled halls. He would also be the first strike. If she could keep him safe then by extension, Sasuke was safe and subsequently Naruto. If only she didn’t feel like she was fooling herself.
Everyone jumped as Tsunade’s phone rang shrilly so early in the morning. Fears ran rampant, but no one had the courage to voice it. Tsunade had to admit that her own heart thundered in her chest as she fished for her phone. Her face fell at the unknown number.
“Who is this?” She demanded angrily.
Everyone sat quietly, concern growing in their breasts as their chief’s anger ebbed away to confusion and then to concern. Sakura’s stomach dropped when Tsunade paled and she fought back the urge to call her partner; to see if he was safe.
“What do you mean he’s gone?! How do you lose someone you’re supposed to be watching?! I want your asses at my station now and for your sake he better be found without a scratch on him!” Tsunade growled as she ended the call abruptly and dialed another number, her foot tapping with impatience.
“Kakashi!” She yelled, the gathered detectives wincing at the decibel. “Where is Sasuke…?
“Wake him up then, this is important!” Tsunade drummed her fingers waiting for Sasuke to answer the phone.
Sakura’s heart dropped as it seemed to take a long time for him to answer, but she held back her tears. She needed to put faith in Sasuke that he would be just fine, that he would live.
Everyone cowered as Tsunade’s fury erupted.
“What do you mean?! You were supposed to be watching him! Incompetence! Get your ass here now; you have some explaining to do!”
Tsunade dialed another number hurriedly and growled as she received no answer. She dialed again and again and again. No one spoke, fearing the volatile chief and valuing their lives. She didn’t let up, on the verge of breaking her phone, until Kakashi arrived, leading a small group of unknown men inside. Tsunade took a steadying breath trying to channel her fury into something more productive.
She kept telling herself not to wring her lieutenant’s neck that he could still be of use. But if anything happened to Naruto, all bets were off.
“Explain to me how you misplace someone in your protection?!” Tsunade demanded through gritted teeth, amber eyes ablaze. It was understandable that the two newcomers paled, but no one had ever seen Kakashi pale at the raw fury of his Chief. The older brunette stared at her worriedly, seemingly unfazed by her furious whims, which sparked curiosity all around and left them wondering, just who was this guy?
“I-I…we watched Sasuke to his room. I don’t see how he could have left without my hearing it. He’d have to get by me to get to the front door and we weren’t exactly on the ground floor; so he couldn’t get out by a window.”
“I didn’t hear him leave either Tsunade; and I was in the room next to his. Kakashi stayed in the room closest to the door.” Iruka mumbled.
Tsunade nodded curtly and rounded on the other two. “You two, explain to me how Naruto could slip by you; especially you, Gaara?”
“We-well…” Neji stammered, terrified for his life.
“We watched Naruto to his room.” Gaara drawled.
“And you would have heard him sneak out, right?” Neji asked wearily.
Gaara shook his head. “I heard nothing. I was in a dead sleep all night.”
Neji paled considerably. He knew Gaara was an insomniac and was banking on that fact for Naruto’s safety… not that he ever thought that he would sneak out.
“Did you take any precautions to prevent him from leaving?!”
“It would be hard for him to leave. He would be more likely to get lost than to find his way out. My house is unnecessarily large.” Neji replied meekly.
Gaara wasn’t thrilled with his boyfriend’s attitude at the moment; knew for a fact Neji could be intimidating himself, though he had to admit the daggers Iruka was shooting them was disconcerting.
“The front door is at the bottom of the stairs.” Gaara amended with a roll of his eyes. “Any idiot could find it and Naruto is not an idiot; too trusting, yes, but not an idiot.”
“So there was no net of protection for him? You didn’t have a plan in place to watch his every move? How could Sasuke believe that Naruto would be safe with you? Who are you anyway?!” She demanded.
“Neji Hyuga.”
“Who?” Tsunade asked in annoyance.
“I doubt anyone would believe that Naruto would be staying with Neji, chief. It would be a crazy concept; but a brilliant concept all the same.” Sakura murmured.
“And why is that?” Tsunade leered.
“I dated Sasuke when we were in high school.” Neji barely whispered out.
“Really? You lost my grandson! Do you think I really care that you dated that punk! If anything happens to Naruto you better run for your life!” With that threat Neji paled and took a step towards Gaara who could only roll his eyes; again.
“What do you want us to do now?” Iruka asked calmly, attempting to break the tension. Tsunade turned to look at him and her eyes softened considerably, sparking further curiosity.
“I need to check on Itachi first, confirm that he is safe, and then we can search for Sasuke and Naruto.” She stated before glaring at the other three. “You better pray that they are fine and together, because if they’re not you’ll all be sorry.”
~REVENGE~
We sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the ring. I grabbed it up and examined it closely, but there was no mistaking it. It wasn’t a trick of the light and I hadn’t been imagining it; no matter how much I wish I had. I recognized it.
“Teme…”
“I can’t believe it, dobe. I recognize this, I remember the man standing in my living room and arguing with my parents, as well. I barely have any recollection of that day, but I recall this clearly. He displayed it proudly on his ring finger and made sure to point it out like a trophy. It seemed to enrage my father, but then that could have just been his presence in our home.”
“Are we sure it’s him?” Naruto questioned, his lip sucked between his teeth with anxiety. He looked calmer though and less rattled. I couldn’t see the tracks his tears had made anymore.
“It’s looking more like him by the minute.”
“If we’re certain he could be the guy where do we start looking for him now?”
“Good question. I’m not sure. He could be anywhere and we don’t really have a way to track him.” I admitted.
“He would have to be in the city though, right?”
“True, but he could be anywhere, in any of the five districts. There wouldn’t be enough time to search them all;
we don’t have that kind of time.”
“So what should we do?” He muttered.
“I don’t know anymore.” I replied, listening to the early morning noises flooding the street. The birds were in full harmony, filling the air with their chirping songs. Car doors were heard pulling closed with dull thuds and engines revved ready to start their morning commute.
It seemed strange to me how life just flowed forward, unaware when it was about to cut short. Only I knew my time was up, it weighed in my bones making me feel lethargic. But that didn’t have to be the case with Naruto.
“Teme…?” He whispered, interrupting my musings.
“Yeah, dobe?”
“I’m kinda hungry?” He replied sheepishly as his stomach gurgled in the silence.
I sighed with a small smile gracing my lips. “Do you know a place around here that we can get a bite to eat?”
“Yes.”
“Then lead the way.” I laughed.
~REVENGE~
The courtroom was quiet, no one was moving, and no one was speaking. Everything was said that needed saying and left in the hands of the Jury, who left moments before in deliberation. The day was remarkably short, just the closing arguments adjourned Friday evening.
Itachi sat in silence, replaying everything he said, what he could have said, what he should have said, and arrived at the conclusion that he’d done everything in his power. That didn’t stop his heart from fluttering like mad, anxious for a verdict that could be hours, even days away. His only thought was that it was about time justice is served so he could finally forgive himself for his own crimes. It was the only way.
~REVENGE~
The small ramen bar was quaint and densely populated; a favorite among the locals. And it seemed a new favorite for Naruto too.
He sat across from me, sipping at a soda, empty bowls littering the table. He wasn’t kidding when he said he was hungry and proceeded to down four bowls in one sitting. A smaller meal than normal, I was assured. But at the moment I was fascinated by his plump pink lips and pink tongue as they fiddled with the straw sticking up from the Styrofoam cup. He was teasing me; I knew he was teasing me! And it was working.
“Dobe.” I almost groaned out, just barely holding on to my dignity in public.
“Yes, teme?” Naruto asked with a strange glint in his eyes. I didn’t know yet if I liked that look, but I would find out soon. I was sure of it.
“What are you doing?” I hissed.
“Not you.”
I nearly choked; nearly. Did he really say what I think he just said and with such a straight face too? “Dobe…” I warned.
“I think I’m ready, Sasuke.” Naruto replied, his gaze level with mine, refusing to let me go. “I want you -physically.”
Well, that answered my question. He really had said it, but instead of my heart soaring with that promise, my stomach felt heavy, like lead settling in the bottom. It didn’t feel right.
“Dobe, I want you too, but…”
“Sasuke…”
“You’re not ready.” I ground out, overriding him.
“Why do you say that?” He muttered now refusing to look me in the eye.
“You know why. You’re far from ready for that step…”
“Sas…”
“No, Naruto.”
“But...why?” He whispered out, his tone pleading. When I shook my head, he huffed like a child and crossed his arms, throwing a glare at the empty bowls in front of him.
“I know why you want to do this now and that is a mistake.”
“I just want to be with you.” I could feel the hurt of rejection pouring from his being, but I also felt a small fraction of relief wash through him. It told me, decisively, that he wasn’t ready for it.
“Do you really think I am going to die?”
“Don’t you?”
Touché. “Dobe, I won’t leave you that easily.”
It was stunning how easily the lie flowed from my lips. It wasn’t right lying to him, not something an Uchiha would do unless they felt their love was in danger. And if I had to sacrifice myself to make sure he lived, I would do that ten times over.
“Right, because you promised.” He spat with a wretched laugh. It wasn’t the type of sound I ever wanted to hear coming from someone like Naruto; it didn’t belong on his lips.
“That’s right, because I promised…”
“A promise doesn’t keep your heart beating, Sasuke. A promise doesn’t keep a pulse in your veins. A promise doesn’t keep your skin warm.”
“You’re right, but a promise gives me peace of mind. Even if I die, I won’t leave you.”
“You’re right; because I’ll be right behind you. It’ll just be two weeks later.”
“Naruto!” I growled out.
“Don’t tell me that you haven’t thought about it!” He hissed. His tone was venomous, acidic; and decidedly I didn’t like it. In fact I didn’t like his logic either. “Don’t tell me that you haven’t slept peacefully knowing that I’ll be right behind you; taken comfort in the thought, even?”
I felt my blood boil with his acidic words and I barely contained my anger as my hand shot out and gripped his wrist tightly. “You listen and you listen well, Naruto. I have never once taken solace in the fact that you might die, that you might share my fate. I have never once slept peacefully knowing that or even taken comfort in the thought. I have never once given that a thought because I have taken great pains to keep you safe in the face of our own mortality. I don’t want you to die; I don’t want to die, but the reality is…”
“Then why are you rejecting me?” He sounded so crestfallen, tears glistening in his eyes. I wasn’t rejecting him, just trying to stop him from making a mistake.
“You want this for all the wrong reasons.” I was happy to note my voice was gentler, abandoning its hard edge. My hand loosened around his, my thumb massaging his wrist where my grip left a blushing mark.
“What better reason for doing it now?” He pleaded.
“You’re not ready…”
“Prove it!” Naruto stated angrily. “If you think I’m not ready, then prove it!”
I stared at him; my onyx glint as cold as steel, reflecting a calm I was nowhere near feeling. The only way to prove him wrong was to start something. Could I even do it? Could I bring myself to take his virginity when I knew he wasn’t prepared for it? And if I started could I stop myself?
“Prove it!” Naruto challenged me again.
I stood abruptly, the wooden chair dragging against the hardwood floor with a shriek of protest, and pulled him with me. I paid our bill and marched the short distance back to his childhood home. I felt him stiffen at the thought. Really, where else would we go? I wasn’t going to take him in the streets like an animal. I was inwardly congratulating myself on halting his amorous intentions. But it was short-lived when Naruto seemed to steel himself instead.
I growled and pushed him down the hall into the small room at the back of the house. He stumbled forward and hit the cloth-covered desk. I was behind him in an instant. Pulling him roughly to me I bit and sucked at his neck viciously leaving angry red marks at his collarbone. He hissed and tried to pull away, but I was having none of that. This is what he wanted and this is what he was going to get!
~REVENGE~
Full panic mode set in as the day passed into the noon hour and no sign of Sasuke and Naruto were found. Tsunade felt like she was barely keeping it together as every search came up empty-handed. She tried both phones over a hundred times, but only heard their voicemail.
She’d been in touch with Kisame half a dozen times just to ensure Itachi was alive and been told repeatedly he was still in court and therefore safe; for the time being. That was the only comfort she had that they were all alive. As much as she hated to admit it, Itachi would be first and then Sasuke.
“Maybe they ran for it?” Tenten shrugged.
“I can’t see them running; giving up everything they have here? It doesn’t make sense.” Shino replied. “Sasuke wouldn’t run. To him, that would be a cowardly act unfitting of an Uchiha. And he prides himself on being an Uchiha.”
“But neither of them have jobs; they could easily reinvent themselves in another place? Sasuke is a police officer…”
“Was…” Shino interrupted.
“He would know how to conceal them.” Tenten frowned. If anything she hated being interrupted. Shino knew that and only did it to annoy her. But she found ways to get back at him.
“Naruto would never leave.” Iruka muttered. He’d been quiet the whole time, worried sick about the two of them. Everyone was sure the last time he’d used the restroom he’d been physically sick. His skin was paler on his return, giving him a pasty look. They were sick just looking at him and pointedly turned away.
Kakashi sighed, resting his hand on Iruka’s slim shoulders comfortingly, but Iruka pulled away. He didn’t want comforted and told that everything would be ok when he knew things were not ok. He wanted to be angry, to go out and find Naruto for himself.
“How can you say for sure?” Temari asked softly.
“He doesn’t run away…”
“He did once before.” Kakashi muttered for Iruka’s ears only.
“He didn’t run; not then and not now!” Iruka exploded startling everyone in the room.
“Naruto ran before? From what?” Sakura asked confused.
“He didn’t run, Sakura.” Tsunade replied sadly. “He did what was best for himself at the time, given the circumstances. He didn’t run.”
“What circumstances?” Shikamaru asked. “Is it relevant to the case?”
“No.” Tsunade shook her head. “What happened occurred in High School and has no bearing on this case…”
“Two separate instances and justice failed both times.” Iruka stated heatedly, clenching his fists tightly.
“Maybe not.” Tsunade replied cryptically and sighed, looking out the window. “Maybe not.”
“Maybe it’s a good thing we can’t find them. If we can’t find them then maybe that psycho won’t.” Kiba muttered.
“That’s small consolation, Kiba. If we don’t know where they are then we can’t help them if that psycho does find them. It’s a double-edged sword.” Kakashi stated.
“Why, of all days to disappear, did they choose this day!? What could be so important?” Sakura lamented.
“I’ll be sure to ask them that very same question when I find them, Sakura.” Tsunade growled, glaring at the noonday sun beating against the pavement. Everyone knew she was worried to death about Naruto and even noticed a smidge of concern for Sasuke. She grabbed up her phone and dialed, but snarled when she met with voicemail again.
~REVENGE~
“Sasuke…Sasuke…Sasuke.” That was all I could hear while I attacked the bronze chest presented to me. I knew it wasn’t right what we were doing, that I was doing this for the wrong reasons. But my body wasn’t listening anymore, because deep down I truly wanted this. I wanted to feel Naruto in my arms as I gave him the pleasure he deserved; to entwine ourselves tightly against each other, sweaty and completely sated. It disgusted me.
“Naruto.” I groaned and ground against him.
I was quick to pull my shirt off without missing a beat and immediately attacked his nipples as he groaned my name in a most wanton voice. It was the most intoxicating feeling in the world and it left me wanting more. I reached down and flicked his jeans open as I flicked my tongue at his navel and groaned again. “Naruto.”
“Sasuke…”
Encouraged, I pulled my pants off quickly without unbuttoning them and reached for the dobe’s boxers. I pulled them off and lifted him; laying him, exposed, on the desk. I sucked on my fingers earnestly, watching cerulean orbs darken and flicker with lust and no sign of hesitation.
When I felt satisfied, I pushed his leg up and apart, revealing his blushing pink hole to me. Naruto took a sharp intake of breath, his body quivering as I pushed my finger against the tight ring of muscle, preparing to push in. Without warning, I was roughly pushed away, sighing inwardly with a mixture of regret and relief. We had reached his breaking point.
“What the hell is wrong with me?” Naruto yelled as tears again made tracks on his face and he gripped his hair in anguish.
“Nothing is wrong with you.” I muttered, coming to his side and sitting on the desk.
Naruto bit his lip, shaking his head in disgust “I thought I could do this, but…but… You were right.”
I pulled him into a hug, kissing the top of his head. “Naruto.” I whispered. “I love you; I love you more than you can know.”
“I just want to be with you.” He whimpered, clutching my arms tightly, drawing us even closer together. Oh, god was I ready to be with him. But I also respected him. And to me that was more important than being passionate with each another.
“I want to be with you too.” I confessed. “But this isn’t the right way.”
“But I love you.” Naruto whispered and kissed me gently.
I grabbed his right hand in mine and rubbed it gently, gaining his full attention. I pulled it up to my chest right where my heart was and promised him again. “I won’t leave you. I love you too.”
“Then I will believe you.” His voice was thick with tears and sounded tired; so very tired. He was willing himself to believe, even though he knew otherwise. It bolstered me.
“I’ll be ok, you know.” I lied.
“Then I’ll believe that you will.” Naruto murmured.
“Everything will be fine, you’ll see.”
Naruto nodded with a small smile. “I will believe in you.”
I smiled happily, until it slid into a frown. Naruto froze as the phone in my pocket continued to ring out. I wasn’t even aware that I had my phone on all this time. I reached for my jeans thrown halfway across the room and quickly pulled my phone out, answering without looking at the ID.
“Hello?” I answered.
~REVENGE~
The shadow moved to his window looking down on the busy street below, his fingers flexing against his leg. He was fighting back the urges, but not for long. He didn’t want to spoil the fun tonight by acting prematurely.
The woman shifted painfully on the bed, sitting up, clutching at her stomach with a grimace. “It’s today then?” She gasped out.
“Yes, is tonight soon enough?” He didn’t bother to turn and look at her, transfixed as he was on the small building below.
“Good, I finally get what I want.” Her words were winced, her body aching from the abuse it just endured. She hated when he was brutal with her, but learned long ago that was the type of man he was. Brash, unyielding, uncaring for anything that wasn’t important to him. She was unimportant to him, even though he was important to her for the sole purpose of obtaining what she wanted for years now.
He chuckled softly, not bothering to move to answer the phone, its shrill ring piercing the air. She reached out and answered it.
“I understand.” She muttered and hung up the phone, wincing as she switched positions, pulling on a dressing robe. “They’re on the move.”
“Hmm…”
“Is this a problem for you?” She asked heatedly. She didn’t wait this long for everything to fall apart at the last moment.
“That’s hardly a problem. Actually, everything is going to plan. I just have to bring him to me.”
“What about the older brother?”
“He will be dealt with shortly.” He chuckled again staring at the building below with a sense of victory. He won and Chief Tsunade lost.
He walked over to the bed and picked up the receiver; dialing. He waited for an answer and smiled sinisterly when he heard the voice on the other line.
‘Hello?’
“Sasuke Uchiha; do you know who I am?” He asked calmly.
~REVENGE~
I stood at the office window and looked out on the back yard, staring at it for almost two hours now while Naruto sat in a chair at the desk. Everything was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It was suffocating as I stared at what was once a swimming pool, but now resembled something closer to a swamp. There was no comparison from the front yard to the back. Someone obviously maintained the front, but neglected what couldn’t be seen around back, just like the room upstairs. I could see this house being happy once, but it was stuck in a time warp, refusing to move forward from the horrors it housed. Maybe once this was resolved we could do something about it; and to resolve everything I had to leave my Naruto.
“Dobe, I want you to stay here for now.”
Naruto’s head shot up in confusion, his eyes as wide as saucers. “Where are you going? You can’t possibly mean to…”
“I have to go after him. I won’t just sit by and wait for him to find me.”
“Don’t do this Sasuke, please? We should take what we know to Granny Tsunade.” He pleaded.
“And what can she do? This is out of her hands; you must realize that. Just stay here and wait for me to return.”
“Please, don’t do this Sasuke? Please?” Blue eyes swam with tears for the millionth time today. I allowed him to kiss me, to pull me to him as we fell against the desk. I knew it was going to be a repeat of what had happened just hours before and I had to stop it before I did something stupid.
“Naruto…” I whispered and gently pushed him away.
“I can’t even distract you properly.” He laughed in self-loathing.
“Don’t sell yourself short, dobe; you’re a damn fine distraction.” I laughed and Naruto smiled slightly.
“I don’t want you to go.”
“I know.” I whispered as I bumped my forehead to his. “But I want this to end before he can hurt you.”
“What about you? I don’t want you to be hurt either.” His fingers took to fiddling with the buttons on my shirt, popping them in and out of their holes.
I grabbed his hands in mine, bringing them to my lips in a soft kiss. “It’s a risk I have to take. I couldn’t live with myself if I knew you were hurt and I didn’t do enough to prevent it.”
“Promise me you won’t leave me; promise that you’ll come back to me?” His voice broke my heart, the desperation and the heartbreak drilling into me like thousands of tiny needle pricks; each one more painful than the last. That’s all he wanted, for me to come back, to be here when he opened his eyes; unlike his parents.
“I promise I’ll come back to you, for better or for worse.” And I truly believed this time that I would come back to him. I had lost faith, but in the last two hours it slowly restored itself. Was this what confronting fate did to you?
“Huh, is that a marriage proposal, teme?” Naruto smiled, freezing me on the spot.
Marriage? Did I really want that? I drew back, staring at him quizzically. But something about that word, marriage, had me transfixed.
True, I never thought anyone would want to be married to me, but then the thought of Naruto standing at an altar and smiling at me as he stated the words ‘I do’ made my heart do backflips. I smiled at the thought until Sakura’s voice echoed in my head from weeks ago:
“Marriage isn’t the worst thing in the world Sasuke. Why are you so against it?” “I think shackling myself to one person and declaring that in front of god is nothing but a joke. No one ever thinks before they get married anymore. I will never be so foolish as to commit myself in such a form. If I find someone I want to spend the rest of my life with, I can do that without the institute of marriage.” “You’re so cynical. Do you hate marriage in general or just the idea of declaring it in front of god?” “I’m not being cynical. Marriage isn’t for everyone and maybe it shouldn’t be for anyone.” I snorted at my own words and pulled the dobe’s face towards me. I found the person I’d be with for the rest of my life and I wanted everyone to know it. Sakura would lord it over me for years to come, but I couldn’t care less. Naruto; I wanted him to be mine in every shape and form. To be bound to me for eternity. To marry him to me.
“Dobe, will you marry me?” I asked with full confidence. I wanted this; me Sasuke Uchiha, really wanted to marry someone. And that someone was a too trusting, teacher dobe named Naruto Uzumaki.
I watched his eyes widened with shock before trying to pull away from me, but I wasn't having any of it. I wanted him now and forever.
“But we haven’t…”
“That has nothing to do with marriage, dobe. I can wait an eternity until you’re ready, but what I can’t wait for is to have you tied to me in every form I can get. I want you, all you; and I wouldn’t mind you take my last name either.”
“You’re such a possessive bastard! Who says I want to take your name?” Blue eyes flashed in anger.
“Does that mean you’ll marry me?” I smiled in victory. Oh yes, I knew I won.
Naruto pouted before crying out happily and kissing me deeply. “I guess it does. Yes, I say yes!”
“I don’t have a ring to give you.” I admitted, pulling away from him.
“I can take care of that! Stay right there.” Naruto slid off the desk and disappeared with a bounce in his gait returning two minutes later. He held up two twist ties, one for me and one for him. I smiled as I grabbed one, tying it around his left ring finger and kissing it for good measure. I grabbed the second tie and tied it around my left ring finger too. I capped it off by grabbing Naruto up into another passionate kiss.
I pulled back and smiled sadly at him. As much as I wanted to stay here I had to ruin this moment, but if everything worked out then we would have many happy moments to come. Yes, years and years of happy moments to live for.
“I have to go Naruto and it has to be now. If you can’t stay here go back to Neji’s, but I have to try to end this now. Then we can plan our wedding, would you like that?” Naruto nodded, tears gathering in his eyes. “Call Tsunade, God knows I barely have any cell reception here, and let her know we’re alive. They must be going out of their minds with worry.”
“Oh no, I completely forgot about them!”
“It’s ok; I don’t think you thought this would take all day.”
“Yeah.” He whispered, biting at his bottom lip. He looked sad, asking again, “You promise not to leave me?”
“I promise.”
I kissed him again and turned to leave quickly before my resolve abandoned me. I dared not look back when I heard Naruto call out my name. “SASUKE!” I turned the corner from the house and called for a taxi with a hardened heart.
“Konoha Garden Tower.” I told the driver and settled in the back seat. I accepted the challenge issued and I would be victorious. I was going to confront him and put an end to this once and for all, because I had a dobe that I needed to get back to.
~REVENGE~
Tsunade tapped her fingers over the top of her desk, everyone staring at the cell phone in apprehension. She had left a message on both phones to call her immediately and settled into waiting. But that was proving too much for her resolve as she snatched up the phone and punched in the numbers again. She stood straight up in her chair. It was ringing!
“Where the hell are you?” She demanded as the phone finally picked up. “Slow down; what are you talking about? You’re not making any sense... What do you mean he’s gone after him? Do you know who did this? Answer me...Don’t-don’t hang up! Stay where you are and I’ll send someone to pick you up! Tell me where you are?!” She stared at her silent phone in disbelief. “He hung up on me!”
“Who hung up on you?”
“Naruto, he said they know who did it, but he kept fading in and out. Wherever he is the reception isn’t great. Anyway, he said Sasuke went after him, but didn’t tell me where he was. Why wouldn’t he tell me where he was?” She asked, fear consuming her. She turned to stare at her lieutenant, searching for the answer but unable to find one.
~REVENGE~
I pulled to my senses abruptly as Sasuke rushed out the front door and away from me. Suddenly struck by a crippling fear, I called out for him to come back, but he wasn’t listening. “Sasuke… SASUKE!” Panic was setting in and I didn’t know what to do; what could I do? Why did he have to do this by himself?
I reached into my pocket and turned my phone back on; determined to call Granny Tsunade and have her talk some sense into him. She could fix this; she could bring Sasuke back to me. I was startled; therefore, when the phone began to dance in my hands.
“Granny Tsunade?” I cried out, relief flooding me. She would find Sasuke and bring him back, she had too!
‘Where the hell are you?’
“That’snotimportant,I’msafeforthemoment.Wefoundoutwhotheguyis…”
‘Slow down… …talking about? You’re not… …sense!’ Her voice crackled over the phone dropping out at random intervals. I took a calming breath and repeated slowly, “We found out who the guy is and Sasuke’s gone after him?”
I paused, giving Granny Tsunade a chance to reply, but my cell was crackling and causing so much interference that I couldn’t make out what she was saying.
‘What do… mean he… after? Do you… did this? Answer me!’
“What do I do Granny Tsunade? You can’t let Sasuke do this alone!”
‘Don’t… up! Stay… someone… up! Tell… you are?!’
I frowned when my phone beeped, signaling a dropped call. I took a look at my bars, but it showed no connection available. I tried calling out but the screen flashed ‘emergency calls only’.
I sighed and rest my arms on my head, walking the length of the room and back again. What should I do now? I couldn’t physically go after Sasuke; I didn’t even know where he was going? That bastard refused to tell me where!
I took a look around the room deciding to settle in and wait for Sasuke as the sun drifted slowly below the skyline. I guess this would be the best way to help him; staying out-of-the-way.
Sleep was easy to arrive in a silent and darkened room, if only my dreams weren’t so troubled. Thankfully, I didn’t stay in the realm of sleep long as I jerked awake by a loud sound in the distance. I walked to the window and watched as fireworks lit up the sky.
Realization dawned on me as I continued to watch the multicolored lights explode high above. It was Konoha’s Founding Festival today.
~REVENGE~
Itachi walked silently through the courthouse after bidding Yamato goodnight. He just finished with the biggest personal trial of his life with nothing less than a satisfactory victory. The jury hadn’t deliberated long before handing down a guilty verdict. He wanted to go out and celebrate, but grumbled at his constant shadow. The guy would not leave him alone for a second. Damn Yamato and Tsunade and Kakashi for being such pests about this. Why couldn’t they trust that he could take care of himself?
“Where are you off to Itachi?” Kisame asked striding up behind him.
“Home; where else would I go?”
“Touchy today and here I thought you’d want to celebrate your victory; I could join you? We could even get down and dirty? I like dirty.” Kisame laughed.
“No thanks.” Itachi drawled his lip curled with disgust. He wouldn’t be caught dead in that man’s bed.
“I’m offended.” Kisame muttered, clutching his chest as if he’d been stabbed. Itachi rolled his eyes, working his way through less crowded courthouse. “Why don’t you trust me?”
“Hn, it is not in my nature to trust as easily.”
“Do you have to be so cross? I’m trying to be your friend.”
“You are not my friend and I do not need your protection.” Itachi snapped, taking the steps at a brisk pace. He would never admit that he was trying to distance himself from his shadow. That would be akin to running away and Uchiha’s did not run away.
“Why don’t we go out and enjoy the festival tonight; break loose and have some fun?”
“Would that not defeat the purpose of protecting me?”
“What do you mean?” Kisame questioned, his smile widening enough to produce finely sharpened teeth.
“If we go out, into a crowd no less, would that not hinder your protection? Remember, I have a psychotic mass murderer after me.”
“I know all that. I just thought you would want to watch the fireworks before you die.”
“You seem sure of my early demise. Do you know something that I do not?” Itachi asked, turning sharply on the Courthouse steps, his eyes narrowed.
“Of course I do.” Kisame muttered, grinning maliciously. “I know exactly when, where, and how you are going to die. I even know who will perform the act.”
“And how would you know that?” Itachi asked, his tone dripping with condescension.
Kisame laughed pulling a gun from inside his jacket and aiming at Itachi’s heart. “I am going to kill you tonight, with this gun, here on the courthouse steps.”
“And why would you want to do that?” Itachi asked, amused by the entire situation.
“I work for the man your brother, and the hag, are searching for. He asked me to get close to you and take you out while he went after your brother and Naruto.”
Itachi narrowed his eyes dangerously. “If either of you touch them I will personally see to it that you suffer most horribly.”
“Oh, going so noble for the young lovers, too bad it will be in vain. But answer me this before you die? Why did you do it?”
“Why did I do what, exactly?” Itachi sneered, the wind blowing gently around him. He knew what was asked of him, that didn’t mean he was willing to share.
“Don’t give me that Itachi. You know exactly what I mean.” Kisame replied in mock hurt.
Onyx eyes crackled with intensity staring the bodyguard down. With an upward curve of his lip, Itachi chuckled. “Ok, I will indulge you. I wanted justice to prevail.”
His own chuckle was met with one from Kisame. “That’s kind of funny considering the side you chose after Naruto’s assault.”
Itachi’s back stiffened, his hand clenching into a fist he wouldn’t throw. Not because he couldn’t but because he chose a passive life. Violence solved nothing, he knew that as fact. “Those reasons are my own and you have no right to know the answer.” He snarled.
“It’s a shame that Naruto will never know the answer either.” Kisame laughed, raising his gun and pulling the trigger just as fireworks lit up the sky.
Itachi collapsed to the ground as blood poured freely from the wound in his chest. Kisame laughed and stepped over the body, slipping into the night without a backward glance. His job was done now, though he did regret not getting the Uchiha into bed with him. He wanted the temperamental ADA trapped beneath him, squirming with need even as he fought for dominance. He would lose. Kisame always topped.
~REVENGE~
I pulled up outside the Konoha Garden Tower and paid the cab fare hurriedly. I felt my stomach drop viewing the police station across the street in all its glory. He had been right under our noses all this time! I channeled my anger and walked inside with purpose. I was greeted with a smile from the concierge.
“Sasuke Uchiha?” She asked kindly. I stopped in my tracks and narrowed my eyes. How did she know my name?
“Mr. Madara of Akatsuki Corp. is expecting you, but he regrets that he had to change where you were meeting. He couldn’t reach you by phone so he left a message for you. He would like you to meet him at this address.” She smiled kindly again. I reached out and grabbed the envelope with thanks.
I walked outside and pulled it open; frowning at the message: ‘Took you long enough. Look up’. I did just that and was met by a tall man leaning against a phone booth across the street. He stood waving at me lazily. There was no mistaking him; this was the guy I was after. I could now see his face arguing with my father.
Without thinking I started after him. He slipped around the phone booth and in to the shadows of an alley, disappearing momentarily from my sight. I pursued him through the streets of Konoha earning weird stares from the people I passed. I wasn’t going to let him get away!
The lone sound that reached my ears was that of my frenzied feet smacking against the pavement. It ended tonight; it had to. After seven grueling weeks we finally had a suspect and I wasn’t going to let him get away. Not this time; not on my watch! There were too many lives at stake, innocent lives that this man deemed necessary to ruin. But he was gaining ground faster than I could make it up. Damn it! How long had I been in pursuit of him? Too long; the sun was no longer visible and made seeing the streets and the suspect near impossible. It was too dark. Something wasn’t right here, but that would have to wait for later. I didn’t have time for such trivial things.
The suspect rounded the corner half a block ahead of my current location. If I lost sight of him now…No! That wasn’t an option. There was too much at stake for that to happen. I sped forward with speed I wasn’t entirely sure I had anymore and rounded the corner as well; stopping dead and aiming my gun on reflex alone at the sight before me.
“Stop!” I shouted. It was completely unnecessary as the suspect had stopped and was facing me. I registered that he was unarmed before the criminal let out a soft chuckle that sent chills up my spine.
“Clearly I have.”
“You’re under arrest for murder.”
“Really? I must disagree with you, Sasuke.”
“Oh and why is that?” I asked indulgently. Clearly the deck was stacked in my favor, but I just couldn’t shake the feeling I was missing something vital.
“I’m not done yet, I still have one left.” I narrowed my eyes, focusing sharply on my target in the dim lighting. That wasn’t right; there were still three not one. “Confused? Well don’t dwell on it, you won’t have the time.” He chuckled again.
I cocked my gun ready to shoot and justice be damned, but at that moment a loud boom echoed from above, effectively drawing my attention away from the suspect and upwards. Just enough time to register what the sound was before I felt a searing pain in my shoulder and abdomen. My eyes widened in disbelief as I sank towards the asphalt. Where had the gun come from? He was unarmed, I was positive!
He slowly walked towards my kneeling form and bent down. “It appears two down, one to go. I’ll make sure he knows and feels your loss before I kill him. As to the others; they were never important, just a means to pass the time until I got to my true targets.” He chuckled softly.
I tried to scramble after him, but only earned a kick to my side for the effort, landing me face first into the pavement and unable to give chase. When I was able to look up he was gone. He’d left me there to die alone.
As time slowly passed I felt my breathing become restricted; my time was running out fast. I tried to pull in a breath, but my lungs refused to expand completely. I gasped as I struggled for oxygen. How could I have been so foolish? I was going to die. I couldn’t stop him. Now he was going after the blonde and I couldn’t help him. I couldn’t protect him after all.
I broke my promise.
~REVENGE~
Tsunade was frantic. She’d been unable to reach Naruto again no matter how many times she dialed, Sasuke’s phone, now ringing, continued to ring without answer, and Itachi’s phone was off. Tsunade hadn’t tried Kisame again after she was told Itachi was in court for the tenth time.
“What the hell is going on?” She snapped. “I need answers!”
“Try to calm down Tsunade. Panicking is clouding your judgment.” Kakashi sighed, though he knew it was in vain. His Chief was never as productive when she was emotional.
“How can I not panic? If it was Iruka instead of Naruto you would feel the same? I didn’t think so, so don’t tell me to calm down!” She fumed.
“I’m worried about Naruto and Sasuke too, Tsunade?” Iruka sighed. “Kakashi is only trying to help. You should have a clear head if, and when, they need your help.”
“That is difficult, Iruka. Can you try Kisame from your phone, I have a feeling he’s ignoring my calls now?”
Kakashi flipped open his phone and dialed, waiting patiently for an answer. Everything was contingent on Itachi staying alive…or so they hoped. He shot out of his seat seconds later, the operator’s automated tone informing him that the number he dialed was out of the calling area.
“We need to get to the courthouse. Something’s wrong.” Kakashi snapped, for once moving as if his life depended on it. “Kisame’s phone is out of the calling area.”
Tsunade was right behind him, pushing through the station in their haste. She slipped into Kakashi’s waiting car, leaving behind a worried Iruka who took to wringing his hands again. Konoha’s detectives were quick to follow, making their way in earnest to the courthouse. What awaited them there was an utter shock.
~REVENGE~
Fireworks continued to explode deafeningly in mid-air, illuminating the small room around me and casting long shadows over the furniture. They would be a constant throughout the night and it was oddly calming to me. I steadfastly avoided festivals ever since my seventh birthday, unable to bear the terrible reminder of what I’d lost. My Mom and Dad had taken me out to celebrate my birthday, a day I shared with the Kyuubi Festival. That night they were dead.
I groaned, anxiously waiting for Sasuke to return. The waiting was starting to get to me. I was eager to have him back in my arms. And he would come back to me, he promised.
I was so lost in thought that I never heard the front door open or the shadow advance down the hall and into the office I was standing in. I did, however, feel the cold steel of the gun against my cheek and neck and froze. The smell of sulfur invaded my senses as I was pulled tightly against the man behind me.
The smell of sulfur invaded my nostrils as the man behind me pulled me tightly against him.
“It’s been a long time Naruto.” Madara chuckled sinisterly.
And there you have it. I haven’t written anything after a chapter in quite a while. I know I copied and pasted the scene between Sasuke and Madara, but I felt that it was more than adequate and fit in nicely.
To
MisatosPenPen: Madara and Tobi would be the same, so I won’t argue with that. When I wrote this I was still iffy about Tobi being Madara in the manga, so I specifically made him just Madara without the Tobi alias or the childishness he can possess. Does that make sense? Sorry to put this at the end of the story, but I didn’t want to confirm before the last sentence that it really was Madara. And there was still a possibility that it wasn’t…or so I think. LOL.
