Killing Me Softly

III

Gaara settled on the couch beside Temari, emerald eyes falling on the glowing screen of the television. Two weeks ago, several members of the vampire community had been killed, setting everyone on edge. Killed during the daylight hours, humans were to blame for the vampire deaths, but Gaara wasn’t so sure. He and his siblings had often discussed such a situation, but never actually assumed it would happen. Of course, their numbers were small, perhaps only two thousand total, but a death was still felt by all as a personal threat. The news detailed the killings as an accident or suicide, but the bodies were cremated before any real findings could happen.

Which meant the killer was going back for the bodies at the morgue before the secret society of the dark could be released to the public.

“I don’t believe this,” Temari griped, tossed aside her book and sprawling out on the cushions, her head pillowed on her little brother’s thigh. “Why would someone target us?

“Fanatics.” Gaara mumbled in reply. “Maybe religious reasons. Maybe mob hits. Maybe they really were just accidents and suicides.”

Temari snored. “Bullshit.”

“You asked.”

“You really have to stop answering rhetorical questions.”

“Hn.”

Temari flicked her gaze to her brother’s face, studying that closed-off profile. Since Neji’s death, Gaara had almost reverted back to his old self. He rarely spoke, rarely showed any emotion beyond the bare minimum and was nearly intolerant of any kind of affection. He allowed Temari simply because she was his sister.

And she’d beat him senseless otherwise.

Emerald trembled slightly and then was still. Temari looked away before Gaara noticed her staring. Her poor kid brother had always been emotionally fragile, hiding everything behind a mask of indifference and apathy. He’d opened up only to Naruto and Neji, and when the latter chose to go to the final rest, he’d broken again. Why he didn’t follow Neji Temari wasn’t sure, but she felt it had a great deal to do with her and Kankurou. Gaara was a proud person, but he was always reluctant to let go of the people he loved.

“We should go on a vacation,” Temari said suddenly, surging up and nearly cracking Gaara’s nose with her forehead.

The redhead gave his sister a mild glare. “You know we can’t.”

“You’re no fun.”

Gaara simply looked at her. Temari waved her hand in dismissal and got to her feet. As she did, the doorbell gave its familiar chime. Gaara settled back onto the couch as Temari went to answer.

For a while he heard low voices talking. But then his spine crawled and he was on his feet before Temari began to scream. He was too slow and he skidded to a stop in the den foyer, seeing Temari struggling with another person hidden under a heavy jacket. Temari’s eyes found his and silently told him to run.

He didn’t move until she shouted his name, drawing the murderer’s attention to him. Gaara’s eyes went wide at the sight of insanity in those eyes and took a step forward. Temari threw her attacker away from her and rushed toward her brother, clotheslining him into her hold. All she could think about was protecting Gaara and she knew she could only save one of them. She shoved Gaara into the bolt hold she and Kankurou had made and kissed her brother’s forehead.

“I love you, Gaara.”

“Temari! Don’t!”

Gaara reached out, tried to stop the blonde vampiress. He was shut in and heard a lock click. Gaara sat in the dark, trembling. He heard a scream cut short, shuffling, then silence.

“Temari?” Gaara called after several long minutes of quiet. “TEMARI?!”


Sasuke accepted the offered cup of hot chocolate and stared at the blonde man that used to be an object of his obsession.

Naruto put the kettle back on the stove and picked up his own mug, canting his head while his gaze rested on the ceiling. Sasuke averted his eyes and tried not to think about what could have been.

Oh, Naruto still loved him, but it was the love of a brother. Naruto was full of that kind of love and he shared it freely. But the special kind of love, the love that Sasuke had only recently realized he wanted from the blonde, had already been given to another. And Kyuubi wasn’t about to step back and give what was his to another.

He would tolerate Sasuke’s presence for Naruto, but Sasuke would be wise not to overstep any invisible lines.

“I haven’t seen her in days.” Naruto replied to Sasuke’s earlier question. “Usually Sakura comes by for a quick breakfast, but she’s been, I don’t know, weird.”

“I did reject her.”

“I though she knew you were gay.”

“Don’t get smart.” Sasuke snapped mildly. Naruto only smiled. “You heard about the murderers?”

“Everyone has. Those that didn’t flee are dividing up the territories of those that did, but it’s only in our city. Shino and Kiba haven’t heard a peep.”

“Lucky them.” Sasuke sighed. “They’re going into hiding?”

“Hell, no. They’re staying right where they are. Dogs.”

“Oh, right.”

Naruto took a sip of the chocolate ad made a face at the heat. “Maybe the killer got her?”

“Maybe she is the killer?”

“Sakura?”

“She’s capable.”

Naruto snorted. “By default, so are we. But Sakura’s a healer. I doubt she’d kill willingly. And anyway, those killings took place during the day. Unless she’s got an immunity or very strong sun-block, she can’t be.”

“Licking her wounds?”

“Likely. She’s a strong person; rejection by you shouldn’t cause anything more than moping.”

Sasuke frowned, but said nothing more, sipping his hot chocolate as he let his gaze fall to the kitchen floor. If there was anything at fault with Naruto it was that he always looked for the best in people, no matter how evil they’d become. He’d fought tooth and nail to bring Sasuke home and Sasuke’s been too much of a dick to realize just how important he’d been to his friend.

“You really should be more suspicious.”

Electric blue met black and Sasuke was suddenly aware of how old Naruto’s exotic eyes were. He kept forgetting there were two different minds in the younger man’s skull, one thousands upon thousands of years old, and one that had been hurt far too many times and needed to prove there was still good in the world. Naruto’s left eye had the faint glimmering of blood-red tomoe, and Sasuke remembered that Itachi had made his own sacrifice to prove to himself good still existed.

The Tomoe spun once, then vanished.

Naruto shrugged.

“Even if I was, I’d try to investigate before I accuse.” Sasuke just sighed and finished off his drink.