Scared Stiff

Warning: Character Death

Part Four

“I want to see him!” Naruto yelled, his voice booming through the empty hallways. Hinata, on the chair across from Sasuke, winced a little. They had been sitting there for hours, waiting for Kabuto to tell them something about Kiba and Akamaru, and what is wrong with them. So far, they had received absolutely no information. Ether Kabuto didn’t know, or he had been ordered not to say anything.

But Naruto would not stop screaming, demanding and pleading to be let in to see his best friend.

“You can’t.” Kabuto said, his face blank. “For the last time, he is isolated for examination. When we know something, we will tell you.”

“You… moronic, four eyed - shithead! I just want to see him for a second and make sure he’s okay.” Naruto growled, his eyes red again. They had been switching back and forth ever since they had first told him he was forbidden to see Kiba.

“Isolated for examination means that we are just making sure you don’t catch it if he has some kind of virus…”

“If he has some virus, I have it to. We've been together for years.”

“We are going in circles, Naruto. The answer is still no.”

“You’re right, we are going in circles.” Naruto said and smiled for the first time since Lee had carried an unconscious Kiba to the back part of this building. “I’ll just have to stop asking, then.” He walked around Kabuto.

Sasuke was on his feet, Hinata not far behind. If Naruto did something stupid, the administrators here would lock him up.

“Go and call my brother again.” Sasuke demanded, talking to Kabuto and causing Naruto to halt. “He's never out of reach for this long. He’s always made it a point to be available.”

“I left him a message fifteen minutes ago. Besides, as I told you before, it will make no deference if you talk to him. He'll just tell you the same thing I have been telling you all night. Neither one of you can go in there.”

A little polite smile on Kabuto's face kept turning into a smirk from time to time. It was almost calculated to provoke them into a serious fight. He had stayed with them ever since they had moved chairs to sit in front of the door that separated the dorms from the labs. He refused to let them talk to anybody else.

Sakura had been with them until short time ago. For some reason, Naruto had been calmer until she left.

Kiba had been talking to Hinata when he collapsed. He seemed fine, she said. He was explaining about Akamaru, talking about how they had lived in the woods with Naruto. Some funny stories. The dog had been with her; she had been stroking him while listening.

Akamaru collapsed first. Kiba followed before anyone could say a single word. If Sasuke got this right, those two had some kind of mind link that was making Kiba very canine, sharpening his senses and, in turn, Akamaru was much brighter then regular dogs.

How solid was that link? Were they lives connected, too? If Akamaru got sick, would that make Kiba sick too? Naruto hadn't know about that when Sasuke had asked. Apparently neither Naruto nor Kiba had been sick since they had met.

It seemed a little odd that Kabuto hadn't asked Naruto about that himself, but then again Kiba was probably conscious now and capable of answering questions.

The little time Sasuke had to try to simply convince Kabuto to let them inside or call Itachi was up. Naruto was unable to restrain himself any longer. He walked to the huge steel door, placed both hands on the handle, and pressed.

The door looked unaffected, but somewhere in the building, an alarm started.

This day had been the longest day in Sasuke’s entire life. It seemed as though a month had passed since he woken up with Naruto-fox on him; he felt so tired.

The big double doors were starting to give in. Kabuto was looking back with impassive face, as if it was every day that an average teenage boy was capable of violently pushing open a door an elephant most surely couldn’t. Ah, well, that was not so far off; they all had seen much more unusual things before. The problem was, he had already threatened to lock Naruto up if he didn't calm down. At the moment Kabuto looked like he really wanted to do it so he could go and get some sleep.

It was then that Sasuke made a decision.

He concentrated and tried to reach Naruto’s mind.

There was nothing for a while; telepathy was very hard without eye contact. Then he caught some images - memories of Kiba and Akamaru sleeping, Itachi talking to them and Naruto standing in something that was probably a hotel lobby. Naruto crying and Kiba was shaking his head. The only feeling that was oozing from Naruto’s mind was overwhelming guilt.

He tried to make a mental link:

‘Naruto, can you hear me?’

There was no response of any kind. Naruto was still pushing the door. Kabuto was dialing someone on the cell phone. But Hinata had obviously caught the telepathic message; she was staring right back at Sasuke when he turned to look at her.

‘Can you reach him?’

He asked her and felt the first signs of an approaching headache. He had overextended himself today. If he tried using any more of the talents he had copied, he would end up unconscious for a week.

‘I think so.’ Hinata’s voice was echoing in his head. It made him feel worse. ‘What should I tell him?’

‘Tell him I can get him in later, but Kabuto can’t know that. Under any circumstances. It’s very important.’

If someone, anyone, knew Sasuke had his brother’s keys they would take them away and all of his plans would be destroyed. Kabuto would probably use the fact that Itachi wasn't here and punish him somehow. Severely.

In the meantime, Naruto stopped. Hinata was watching him so he was probably listening to her.

“Naruto” the girl said aloud. “It’s getting late; Kiba should be sleeping now anyway. Maybe we all should come back in the morning.”

Naruto turned around and leaned on the half smashed door. Hinata persisted, encouraged. “I’m sure doctors are taking good care of him.. They have no use for us if we are not in perfect health.”

It was odd hearing shy, quiet Hinata talking like this in front of Kabuto. Sasuke was thinking about the way she had been blushing earlier while talking to Kiba. Maybe she really liked that boy. Or Naruto.

That was not the most pleasant of thoughts.

“Will you call me if he needs me?” Naruto asked.

“I’ll call you as soon as we know what is wrong.” Kabuto adjusted his glasses.

That had not been what Naruto was asking, and by the angry flash in his red eyes, he had realized it as well. But a moment later, he stepped toward Sasuke and nodded to Kabuto, as if he was satisfied with that answer.

Kabuto just stood there and waited for them to move. He was not threatening now. He wasn't even complaining about the door. Sasuke caught a little light reflection on his glasses, and then someone was screaming in his head, horrified. The pain was sharp in his chest, growing and conquering. He saw a desk in front of him clearly through fingers that had come up to tightly grasp his face. His hands were stained in blood, stink was filling his nose and there was a shadow on his right, wavering and getting closer…. This feeling was so beyond the fear, it was the absolute knowledge that he would die, and very soon. Sasuke felt himself sinking.

“Sasuke?” Naruto said, his voice panicked. He was very close. Sasuke forced his eyes open and grabbed the arm that was around him, keeping him from hitting the ground. What was it with him today? This was the third time he had almost fainted.

“I’ve strained myself.” He said, and felt the truth of that statement deep in his core. Talking made him want to vomit. Damn Neji and the day he ever met him! His gift was the only one that couldn’t be controlled. “I need to lay down for a bit.”

Naruto helped him up.

“We’ll be in our room.” He said, probably to Kabuto. Sasuke couldn’t keep his head up and he rested it on Naruto’s shoulder. Was it a prediction? Or was it was something from the past? The images were very well-defined and rich, and the light in them had a certain reddish quality that was typical for manifestation of Neji’s gifts.

By the time they reached their room, Sasuke felt a bit better. Not much, but enough to walk on his own.

Not that he intended to let Naruto know that.

Hinata walked them all the way to the door, and said goodbye once when they were inside. She refused Naruto’s invitation to come in, so she was probably just making sure they are both all right. Nice girl, Hinata was. As long as she kept her hands away from his… Naruto.

“What happened to you?”

“I’m just tired.”

“Obviously. You look like carp.” Naruto helped him on the bed. “And you were just fine moments before you almost fell right on your nose. What happened?”

“I’m not sure.” Sasuke said, adjusting the pillow behind him. “It was a vision, but I’m not sure if it was something that had already happened or something that is about to happen. I’m cold.”

“Oh. Do you want me to get you another blanket?”

“I want you to get under this one with me.”

Naruto gave him a real smile, open and wide.

“No, you don’t. Not until I get a shower and a change of cloths.”

Sasuke needed a shower and a change of cloths, too. He was not able to move now, though, so that had to wait. He yawned.
“You’re very lucky I like loose things to wear. Try not to wake me when you get back. We’ll go and see your friends around midnight.”

He fell asleep before Naruto was done going through his drawers.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Naruto knew he was a restless sleeper, but this was first time he had ever woken up in the middle of the night half on top of someone. He made no sign that he was awake, and took a moment to enjoy himself. It was warm and cozy. Sasuke’s arm was wrapped around him, holding him close and in place. Their legs were tangled together under the blanket. Weirdest of all, they were holding hands.

Naruto was very grateful for having Sasuke with him. He was worried about Kiba and Akamaru, though. They had always been in perfect health until now. It was very odd and frustrating that he needed permission to visit them. Maybe Sasuke was right for wanting to get away from here.

And maybe Naruto was just looking for an excuse to take his invitation and go with him.

It was all his fault. Kiba had been fine until Naruto had made him come here. He was happy in a way Naruto couldn’t understand, and it was very selfish and terrible to get him to do something he didn’t want to do.

As close to his dog as Kiba was, he would never know what it was like to be all alone in the world. Naruto would talk with him tonight and let him go and do whatever he wanted, because he was not so alone anymore either. He hoped.

The room was dark, the shapes of the furniture only visible because of the faint moonlight that was coming from the window. Naruto crooked his head so he could watch Sasuke. His black hair was scattered all over his face so Naruto couldn’t see his expression at all, but Sasuke apparently felt his movement and tightened his grip around him.

“Awake?” Naruto whispered. He tried to warm Sasuke’s hand a bit; it was so cold he was sure it had turned blue. Soon, the fingers would start to fall off.

“No.”

“Should I wake you?”

“How?” Well, it sounded more like ‘Mao’ but Naruto was sure in his interpretation. He propped himself up on his knee and whispered into Sasuke’s ear.
“Well, I meant something like this.”

In one swift move, he reversed their positions. Sasuke was now on top of him, looking down with wide and stunned eyes. Naruto felt a grin spreading all over his face.

“Awake now?” He asked, after Sasuke recovered a bit. He lifted his hand to Naruto’s face and followed the line of his cheek bone with cold fingers, leaving an almost living trail. His face shoved no emotion, like always, as if he was a sculpture. There was some moonlight in his eyes and on his hair, and Naruto closed his eyes telling himself that it was just a vision, or his imagination. No one could be that breathtakingly beautiful.

Then Sasuke’s mouth was on his and Naruto opened up for him, eyes still closed and heart pulsing in his ears. In seconds, the kiss grew fast and intense and Naruto felt a little sob deep in his stomach long before it reached his throat, making him sound impatient and eager.

“It seems we both are.” Sasuke said, after he made space for himself between Naruto’s legs.

“You more so then me.” Naruto said, narrowing his eyes. He griped Sasuke’s hips and held him close, to demonstrate the point. Sasuke looked amused.

“Thank you.”

“That’s not what I… Where are you going?”

Sasuke, now kneeling and with his hands on Naruto’s fly, glanced up.

“Not very far.”

He pushed away the hand Naruto tried to stop him with, and then unzipped his pants.

“And not for very long.”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” Naruto said, stuck between laughing and glowering. Sasuke leaked bared skin on his upper thigh. His breath was the complete opposite of his hands, tender and hot.

“After afternoon’s demonstration? How can I not?”

“You’re turning this into some kind of perverse challenge. You’ll make me stubborn.”

“Ah,” Sasuke said, with the air of someone who’s playing his trump card. “But you’re in a hurry to see your sick friend.”

Naruto was not able to answer right away. First, Sasuke was dead-on and second, he was leaking and biting and using his hands in so many different ways, all at once it seemed, that Naruto would never fit the words in-between gasps and whimpers even if he was capable of thinking them.

Mostly, Sasuke was right.

But still, Naruto didn’t embarrassed himself this time. It would be impossible to resist for very long, even if he was trying. He quickly swallowed rising jealousy, biting his lip.

Sasuke got up from the bed.

“We better go. You can finish this when we get back.”

“I don’t like that.”

“You’ll survive. I have faith in you.” Sasuke opened one of the drawers in the dresser and Naruto winced a little. He left a real mess there. No wonder, that; he never saw so many things in his whole life. How do you even find what you need in that bunch? “We’ll drop by to the bathroom on our way.”

It was kind of hot, the way Sasuke was ordering him around. Kiba tried more then once, but to get what he wanted, he would yell loudly and that was annoying, not authoritative. Sasuke sounded like he had no doubt what so ever that what ever he asked would be done. His voice was flat and sure and… Uh, stimulating.

He had probably learned it from his brother. Thankfully, Naruto had never had this kind of reaction through Itachi. That would be… disturbing.

It would be fun, later on, to show Sasuke that Naruto was never the one to follow the orders. Well, maybe not never. Occasionally, it could be fun to be the obedient one. For a while.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Half an hour later, they were in front of the door Naruto had almost forced open earlier. Sasuke said, quietly:
“Usually, at this time, there isn't anyone in the surveillance room. Even if someone is in there, it’s more likely they are monitoring dorms and hallways on this side. Still, we have to be quick.”

Naruto nodded and Sasuke continued.
“Follow me.”

That was just fine with Naruto. Sasuke was the one who knew where they were going.

They had some trouble with the lock, because it was twisted and a bit out of trestle, but not too much. Once inside, Sasuke hurried down the unlighted hallway keeping to the right side and close to the wall. Very stealthy. Naruto was right behind, trying to think more about Kiba and less about Sasuke’s ass. It wasn’t working very well.

A number of doors later, Sasuke tried one. It was unlocked.

“This is the room they put us in when we get sick. The nurses are right across from here, and they can get in quickly if something goes wrong.”

The door was ajar, but Sasuke made no move to walk in.

“...Kiba isn't here.”

Naruto was sure of what he said. Wherever Kiba was, it was not in that room, not even close. When Sasuke raised his eyebrows in silent question, Naruto added:
“I can’t smell him here. He’s nowhere in this floor.”

“Can you track him down then?”

Naruto nodded once and turned to the far end of the hall.

“What’s there?”

Sasuke looked in the same direction.

“The red door? Stairwell.”

Sasuke fortunately had a key for that door as well in his set. It must be so good, having a brother in charge and access to everything… He turned to climb the stairs when Naruto stopped him.

“Not up there. Down here.”

Sasuke visibly froze. Naruto, afraid that he was feeling bad again, moved closer to look at his face. It was an expressionless mask, as usual, but when Sasuke turned to look at him, his eyes were alarmed and wary.

“Are you sure?” He asked. By this time Naruto was very worried and confused. He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes.

“Yes. Down there.” He frowned, something tugging on the edge of his mind. “He smells odd, though. Wrong. But it’s him. Do you have keys for that floor?”

“I… I think so.” Sasuke answered. His voice was carefully leveled. “But Naruto, the only thing down there is the morgue.”

They were standing in the platform looking at each other, Naruto trying to process what that means, and Sasuke waiting for some reaction.

Slowly, Naruto got his voice back:

“Do you think Kiba is dead?”

“I don’t know.” Sasuke said. “Maybe… Maybe it’s just his dog, and he’s mourning down there.”

First time in many years, Naruto felt the need to be the fox, to stop thinking so much and forget about everything. Akamaru being dead would be almost as bad as Kiba being dead. And Naruto had always believed that the two of them would die together, the same way they lived.

When all of them were very old, sick and tired of life.

“I need to know.” Was all he said.

Sasuke started descending without another word. Naruto followed.

The morgue was, as expected, creepy and cold. It was a bit ironic, really, that Naruto was shaking out of anxiety instead of the chill. Sasuke touched his upper arm for a minute. It helped, if only a little.

“I’ll check. Wait here.”

Naruto tried to imagine what it would be like if Kiba was dead. He imagined himself in the woods, on the familiar path to the town. The air was alive in his hair, smell of soil and drops of rain heavy in his visionary mind. The sky was open and oozing above him, soaking his cloths.

It was empty. The forest was completely empty, aside from him. He was all alone and more afraid than he had ever been in his life.

Naruto opened his eyes, chasing the mental picture away. It didn't really come as much of a surprise when Sasuke said, quietly:
“I’m sorry.”

Naruto swallowed in third try. Sasuke was looking at him, worried. Don’t bother, Naruto wanted to say. There is nothing you can say or do to make this better. It’s my responsibility, it’s my fault. I killed him. And this isn't even the first time something like this has happened.

“Do you want to see him?”

Naruto didn’t, not really. Seeing the corpse of his friend would be accepting his death. Kiba’s corpse…

The force completely detached from his brain – his legs brought him to Sasuke’s side before he had managed to say ‘No’. Swallowing again, with some trouble, he looked down.

His first thought was that Kiba was just asleep. He was pale, yes; but he looked so relaxed. It was the unnatural way in which Akamaru was laying next to him on the table that made the reality crash down on Naruto. He choked.
“I was right. They will always be together.”

Sasuke wrapped his arms around him.

“We need to go, Naruto.”

He sounded regretful, and sad. Naruto leaned back in the embrace, grateful and resentful at the same time. He didn’t want to be here. He didn’t want to stand here and expect his best friend to open his eyes any moment. He didn’t want to be weak and find comfort in the warm boy behind him, when he had done nothing to deserve it.

But he couldn’t move.

“I’m really sorry, Naruto.” Sasuke said again, almost kissing his hair. “But we need to go.”

He let himself be dragged out and up… His mind was not working well; he didn't notice when they arrived back in the room.

He did remembered saying to Sasuke, when they were both back in bed, “I killed him.”

Sasuke stiffened for a second, and then realized what is it that he was talking about.

“You’re an idiot.”

He almost felt like smiling. Sasuke was so bad at this. It was obvious he wanted to help, but he had no idea what to do or say.

“I made him come here.”

“I know.” Sasuke said. “I picked that up from your head earlier. That doesn’t mean you killed him.”

Naruto felt a bit more collected now and something occurred to him.

“Is this what you saw? In your vision?”

It would make sense for Sasuke not to say anything to Naruto until he was sure. Still, Sasuke shook his head.

“No. Whatever I saw was… very bloody. Kiba looked like he died in sleep.”

It was that sentence that finally summoned the tears on Naruto’s cheeks . He cried for a long time, short, voiceless sobs wiping wetness on Sasuke’s shirt and neck. That's how Naruto fell asleep that night, after draining himself both literally and emotionally.

Sasuke was quiet and respectful. He held Naruto all night long.

They woke up together this time; the knocking on the door was thunderous. The sun was not up yet and the room was gray, night not over and morning not quite there yet.

Kabuto walked in. Naruto tried to stand up, but Sasuke didn’t let go, still offering comfort and warning him not to say anything.

It was an unnecessary effort. Naruto was smart enough to realize that in order to help him last night, Sasuke had broken the rules. Kabuto had made it very clear that no one was allowed to see Kiba. No matter how sad he was, Naruto refused to make problems for Sasuke. It was all his own fault, anyway.

“Itachi wants to see you, Naruto. He has some news for you.” Kabuto informed him. Naruto barely managed to nod. Why couldn't he just… kill this guy?

“I’m coming, too.” Sasuke said.

“No. Itachi wants to see Naruto now. He will talk to you later.”

Sasuke was up and dressing already, alongside Naruto.

“He won’t mind.”

“I have instructions to get Naruto. When your brother,” Kabuto sneered and you could hear in his voice how little he cared for Itachi. And Sasuke. “Is finished with the boy, you can go and see him.”

“It’s okay.” Naruto interjected. He just wanted to get this over with. It would be much better if Sasuke were with him, but he had already been there for the most important part and they would be together again soon.

On his way out, Naruto looked back. Sasuke hadn’t say anything, and he wasn't smiling. He just stared back.

He looked good. Healthy. Not like yesterday.

Naruto remembered Sasuke’s expression last night when he had the vision. If that hadn’t been about Kiba…

Kabuto made an impatient sound and Naruto closed the door.

The bad feeling stayed with him.