Peace to the Void

Sorry about the problems with chapter 3. Thank you to the readers, the raters, and reviewers. Here's chapter 4 I hope you enjoy.


Chapter Four

Itachi was happy to have the press conference out of the way. He was anxious about it airing but was glad he'd been able to have recorded it instead of a live broadcast. Having the power to edit out some of the more provocative questions made him feel secure about it's release. He'd decided not to talk to Sasuke about it hoping that he wouldn't even see the broadcast. He'd been too busy working to realize the time until Kisame opened his office door.

"Ita-chan, come on it's time to go."

He looked up, Kisame's form blocked by data from his viewer. He quickly shut it down. "I'm sorry, I lost track of time."

Kisame smirked from the doorway, "Really lost in the data stream? Maybe you're spending too much time around that Nara kid."

Itachi refrained from rolling his eyes as he stood, "What do you want for dinner?"

Kisame smirked walking inside and closing the door behind him. Itachi saw the light go from green to red.

He shook his head, "No, no, no not in my office."

"My office is too messy." Kisame replied casually closing in on the Uchiha before him.

Itachi made a move to walk around him, "We should get going. My aides have probably already prepared—"

He was cut off as his lover lifted him and placed him on his desk, "Kisame don't we can't—hhmmm…"

He could feel his knees growing weak, damn it. He'd known that Kisame had the advantage but he'd hoped he could at least last until they'd returned home. He gasped as sharp teeth grazed his neck.

"Oh," It was a small sound that made Kisame chuckle.

He was pushed down against his desk. Kisame stood between his thighs before he could protest a large hand covered his groin. He shuddered, arching up into the hand with a moan on his lips.

"And you were so against it a moment ago," Hoshigaki husked. "You've missed me I see. I thought you'd have held out until we got home."

Itachi would've responded but with that hand moving against him, he was just lucky to keep himself quiet and have his eyes open. The blue man smirked leaning down to capture his lovers plump lips when the com buzzed.

"Oi, I need to talk to you!" Uzumaki's brash voice yelled.

Kisame's face fell, well that certainly ruined his plans. He wouldn't be able to coax Itachi into anything with Uzumaki around. The com buzzed again.

"Itachi-chan, I need to talk to you yeah."

He groaned low in his throat, of course Deidara would show up just to make his chances worse. Both annoying blonds were sure to put Itachi in a sour mood. Itachi glared up at him, his arousal deflated.

"Well, come on," Itachi began, "I've got matters to address."

Kisame cursed lowly and moved off of his lover. He should've come earlier. "You're not even on duty anymore."

"I am the Secretary of Defense. I'm always on duty." Itachi responded getting up from the desk and smoothing out his uniform.

He scoffed, crossing his arms before his chest, "I've got some duty you should be on."

Itachi didn't even glare back at him as he opened the door. Both men rushed in, speaking at once.

"But you have to, have to, have to let me come over tonight! I haven't seen Sasuke all day! I had to do work and stuff! He didn't even contact me! You've got to let me please!"

"Don't send me to Sunagakure! Sasori-danna's cousin creeps me out! He always calls me a girl! They don't even allow nitrate there! My art will suffer yeah!"

Itachi took in a slow breath. He addressed Deidara first, "We must send an Akatsuki liaison to Suna and Iwa, you are available."

"But you can't send me yeah, send…send Hidan."

"Hidan is going to Iwa because the Tsuchikage asked that you not be sent there."

Deidara paused, "He asked?"

"Demanded."

"But, but I can't go to Sunagakure."

Itachi sighed feeling a headache beginning. "I'm sending Sasori-san with you."

Deidara's eyes brightened and he bounced around the room, "A mission all alone with my handsome Sasori-danna yeah!"

"Yes now leave."

"Yeah, yeah thank you Itachi-chan!" He happily left the room.

Itachi resisted the urge to groan heavily, "Yes Uzumaki?"

"Please, please, please, please, please let me come see Sasuke." Naruto replied falling to his knees and wrapping his arms about the Secretary's legs. "I miss him so much."

Itachi did his best to not simply beat the boy into a bloody puddle at his feet. "You saw him just yesterday."

"I know and I miss him already." Naruto whined looking up at him with the most pitiful expression he could fashion.

Sasuke's words echoed in his mind. Be nice, he had to be nice to this boy. He sighed, "Fine. Fine, find your own transportation Uzumaki."

Naruto bounced to his feet. "Yosh!"

Kisame smiled but pushed the blond out of his lover's office, "Then get going, we're leaving now anyway."

Naruto happily nodded sprinting off, "Thanks Itachi-chan!"

The Uchiha growled lowly in his throat. Kisame simply pulled him close, "Let's head home."

Itachi breathed him in and sighed, relaxing against him. He nodded slowly allowing himself this one weakness."Let's go home."


Sasuke was surprised to see Naruto rush towards him but was happy nonetheless.

"Your brother said I could come," Naruto explained hugging him close, "You didn't contact me. I missed you. You know tomorrow you should come to base and have lunch with me and Sakura-chan. We can invite Kakashi-sensei, it'll be just like old times. We can eat whatever you want and um we can-"

"Naruto?"

"Yeah?"

"You talk a lot."

Naruto nodded cheerfully. "Yup, but that's only cause I want to tell you so much. I didn't get to see you all day."

Sasuke smiled relaxing against him, "I missed you but I have to be strong without you here or I'll never get better, I'll just hide my sickness from you."

Naruto's smile fell as he held the smaller man closer. "That's good then."

His heart ached to hear that Sasuke was still sick. It ached to know that it was something Sasuke had to fight alone when he wanted to fight it for him.

"How have you been feeling?" He asked, "You've been eating solids today?"

He felt Sasuke nod against him. His smile returned, "That's good, that's good."

"Lord Uchiha-kun you should really keep your distance. Naruto-kun will only be disappointing if you fall in love with him." Sai commented.

Naruto glared, "Shut up Sai."

"He has a very small penis," Sai continued, "Barely any stamina, there's no way he could satisfy you when you're ready for sex."

Naruto pouted, "Shut up Sai. That's not true."

"It's practically non-existent." Sai smiled.

The blond prepared to respond was surprised to find Sasuke's hands fiddling with his pants. He panicked swatting the hands away, "Aaaah, what are you doing?"

Sasuke looked up at him sweetly, "I wanted to see if Sai-kun was right."

He held pale wrists in his hand to keep them from probing, "You can't do that!"

Sasuke's brows furrowed in confusion. He looked to the blond, "Is it really small? I won't mind. I just thought it would have grown from when we were younger."

"Of course it's grown!"

"What's grown?" Itachi asked walking into the lobby from the beam pad, Kisame beside him.

Naruto covered Sasuke's mouth as he began to answer but scowled as he saw Sai smirk.

"Naruto-kun was was trying to convince your brother that his small penis would adequately satisfy him when their relationship advanced." Sai explained.

Itachi's eyes narrowed and his gaze burned into the young pilot. "Is that so?"

Naruto was about to rebuke the remark, but Sasuke simply nodded. "Get out Uzumaki, your invitation is withdrawn."

Naruto gapped removing his hand from the younger Uchiha's mouth. "But I wasn't! I swear, Sai kept saying it was small and then Sasuke tried to take off my pants so he could see. But I wasn't saying that stuff I just said it wasn't small."

"It's okay if it hasn't grown." Sasuke added.

"It did grow."

Itachi glared harder. Kisame sighed, "Come on Naruto we need to talk."

"But I—"

Kisame threw an arm around the boy pulling him from Sasuke, "A nice long talk between two pilots before dinner."


Sasuke wasn't confused that Naruto was so quiet at dinner. He was certain that Hoshigaki-san had threatened his life. Naruto had made Tachi-nii very upset so he expected Hoshigaki-san to threaten Naruto. Hoshigaki Kisame seemed like a good man, and he seemed to care about his brother very much. From what Haku-kun had told him, Hoshigaki-san wouldn't hesitate to die for Tachi-nii.

Eating dinner with everyone was an experience. They all seemed to fuss over every bite he took and every bite he didn't take. Every sip of his tea sent them all to ask a dizzying amount of questions. So he gave up on his meal before he felt sick.

"Aren't you hungry?" Naruto asked, "You didn't eat much, are you just saving it for dessert?"

He smiled and nodded, "Yes, I wanted to try a bit."

"You like sweets now?" Itachi intoned, "You used to hate them before."

"Kimimaro-kun gave me sweets when he took me to his room." He answered with a small smile, "When I ate them it was like I was tasting his kindness." He looked to his brother, "Is Kimimaro-kun going to be…He's not hurt, is he?"

Itachi quickly shook his head, "No, I heard from Lady Hokage personally that he had started treatment today. He hasn't shown any negatives reactions and she's sure it will help him."

Sasuke looked down, "She's the one that helped me get better?"

His mother nodded, "Lady Tsunade-san is a very talented doctor."

"The best," Naruto added, "She saved two hundred people hurt in a crash all in the same day. Granny's the best doctor in the void."

"What will happen to him when he gets better?" Sasuke asked softly, "Will I be able to visit him?"

Itachi sighed setting his utensils down, "We will ask him questions first, based on these questions the kage and council will decide his future. I'll be sure that you can speak on his behalf and that your previous statements about him hold. Then, hopefully, he will not be sent to prison for being an Orochimaru loyalist and outlaw. If that happens, we will assess his skills and have him placed; if he is not sent to prison he will have to hold a contract with Village."

"Like Haku-kun?"

Itachi was surprised to hear this but shook it off, reminding him to speak with Haku after dinner, "Yes."

"Will he be a pilot?" Sasuke asked, "Kimi is a very good fighter. He said he was going to kill Orochimaru-sama when he got better so that I wouldn't be hurt anymore. If you make him a pilot he'll kill Orochimaru-sama for you I'm sure. He always keeps his promises to me."

The eldest brother gave a small smile. He was happy that during his time held captive there was at least some kindness given to him.

"Then I'm sure meeting him will be a pleasure." Itachi added, "I'll be sure establish visitation rights right away."

Naruto snorted from his seat, glaring at his now empty plate. "Yeah, yeah he's all that."

Sai smirked, "I'm sure he'd make a much better pilot than Naruto-kun."

"Shut up Sai." Naruto retorted, "I'm one of the best pilots ever."

Sasuke looked to him smiling, "When you're off probation you'll show me your mobile suit Naru-chan."

He immediately flushed a bright scarlet. He beamed, nodding quickly; he stumbled over his words, "Yeah, yeah of course. I mean why wouldn't I dattebayo?"

Sasuke was glad that the conversation had distracted them from him eating. There weren't any comments on how many bites of his cake he'd taken or how he'd eaten a bite of ice cream Naruto offered. He was sad when it was all over. Itachi had been pulled off by Hoshigaki-san while he said good byes to Naruto.

"I'll send you a message tomorrow promise." The blond began, "Let me know if you want to join Sakura and me for lunch. She really misses you too." He pulled the Uchiha into his arms, "I'm gonna miss you even though it's only going to be one day."

"I'll return contact," Sasuke replied.

Naruto smiled, kissing his forehead, "I should go I've got to get up early tomorrow. But since your brother's not around." He kissed the pale boy deeply, slowly releasing him. He pulled away nervously scratching his head, "Hey, um…we're like boyfriends now right?"

For a long moment his words didn't process in the Uchiha's mind. "Boyfriends?"

"You know," He continued looking at his feet, "We're more than just friends? I mean I know it's kind of stupid but I was talking to our friends earlier today and Kiba said you were my boyfriend. I told him we weren't 'cause I wasn't sure. I mean I want to be your boyfriend but I don't know if you want to be mine. Um…so do you?" He glance up to see the Uchiha's eyes light up with recognition.

"Yes because I am yours," Sasuke retorted, "And you are mine, so I don't want you around Neji-kun's cousin."

Naruto laughed, "Don't worry about it Sasuke-chan." The glare he received only made him laugh. He kissed the boy again before standing on the pad. "See you soon." He waved as Haku beamed him back to base.

Once Naruto was gone Sasuke turned to Neji, "I need a sleep drug." He continued before Neji could object, "'Tachi-nii deserves a night with Hoshigaki-san. I'll have nightmares if I don't have one and 'Tachi-nii will worry instead of trying to be happy that Hoshigaki-san has returned to him."

The Hyuuga sighed but nodded, "A small dose, if you wake up you're welcome to crawl into Haku-kun's bed."

Haku only smiled, "Of course but Neji-kun's bed is closer."

He fell into a dark, deep sleep and didn't wake until morning.


Haku honestly hadn't expected the secretary to be awake so early. He'd hoped to set the menu for the chef and get his morning meal before the secretary had even gotten out of bed.

"Good morning sir," he greeted, "Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"How does Sasuke know about your past?" Itachi asked.

He sighed, "Always so direct." He turned to face the Uchiha, "He told me he thought I was dangerous, and he asked me why I was dangerous. I wanted to lie to him." He smiled sadly, "There's something about ouji-sama's eyes. You can't lie to those eyes; it would be like lying to the universe. They can just see right through you, to your soul. So I told him the truth."

"I see," Itachi's tense shoulders relaxed, "It's not a problem, but he doesn't have unauthorized access to a note I'd thought maybe he'd seen your record."

Haku shook his head, "No."

"Is there anything else that happened between you? You're different."

Haku beamed up at him before moving to prepare a cup of coffee, "He said that he needs me. He needs me. How perfect and simple is that? I understand why there are billions of people praying for him every day. He's an angel, I'd die for him."

Sai frowned as he heard this. He didn't need this to happen. He'd hoped that change in Haku had simply been a fluke. The last thing he wanted to report is that someone as dangerous and clever as Haku worshipped the boy, like there weren't enough of those people. Also Haku being happier would make his life easier. There wouldn't nearly as much teasing out of him, and he wouldn't volunteered him to do the most mundane tasks as he normally would. In a sense Uchiha Sasuke had helped him.

He was certain that his master wouldn't be pleased that Uchiha Sasuke was quickly winning over those assigned to him. It was bad enough that his small family was still so powerful, and that billions worshipped him, that he had royalty status on several major planets and colonies. Not including the Jinchuriki Kyuubi pilot being so close to him and Hoshigaki Kisame being so close to his brother. His opportunity to fix this was dwindling but still he hadn't received orders. He expected to receive some word tonight. He knew he wouldn't like them. If only he could find some fault in the subject's actions. Haku had seemed wary of him before yesterday. If only there hadn't been this change, at least Neji had not been completely won over.

He walked into the kitchen casually, "Good morning sir I was certain Hoshigaki-san would still have you in bed Mr. Secretary, would you like some coffee?"

He smiled, going to fix his meal, as the secretary glared at him. "I'm beginning to think that Uzumaki was right about you."

"Because I assumed that Hoshigaki-san would be more than adequate at satisfying your desires?"

"Because you are too frank about your opinions," Neji commenting joining them, "Good morning sir. Do you have any sense of diplomacy Sai-kun?"

"I haven't gotten to that chapter yet," He confessed smiling.

Haku only chuckled, "Let me know when you do."

Itachi smiled and thanked Haku for the coffee when there was a buzz on the kitchen com. "If you don't get back up here I'm going to embarrass you."

Itachi flushed, but scowled as he heard a chuckle escape Haku. Neji was doing his best to pretend as though he'd heard nothing and Sai remained as he had before.

"I think Hoshigaki-san has already embarrassed you. Do you think he meant he would embarrass you further?" Sai questioned, a frown of confusion marring his features.

Itachi seethed but quickly turned to walk upstairs. "You're staying with Sasuke again today. I'll have Kisame attend to all of your duties."

Neji sighed; he had hoped that they would return to their normal stations, being stuck in the household made him feel out of his element. He could easily be writing algorithms for to increase their notes efficiency or giving doing interviews for staffing. Had he been allowed to do his job, he would've been able to interview reporters. He would've known about the recorded broadcast without having to put pieces together when Itachi-sama asked for an update on his contacts. He'd rather been working even with Lee-san and Gai-sensei than watch Haku's break down.

That had been difficult.

"I'll wake Ouji-sama and see that he has breakfast and a nice warm bath." Haku volunteered. "You can use your spare time, however you wish."

Sai nodded, "I'm going to visit Kiba-kun. His shift doesn't start for at least three hundred minutes."

Haku giggled, "Enjoy that. Don't come back too late."

"I'll return before lunch." Sai offered.

"You'd better." Neji replied, "And on your way back please pick up data from Nara, just tell him it's for me."

"Are you certain you don't want to retrieve it yourself?" Sai began, "Nara will be disappointed his missed a chance to stare at you longingly."

Neji flushed and looked away. "Would you please!" He snapped.

Sai only continued to smile but nodded. Haku hugged him close and kissed his cheek before sending him off. Neji continued to scowl in the kitchen.

Haku finished preparing his meal, "He's right you know. Nara is practically in love with you."

"You can't know that," He scoffed, "We scarcely know each other."

"You went to the academy together didn't you?" Haku remarked, "You both scored in the top percentile."

"So did other people."

"Only one other person; ouji-sama, even then you both tested before him, he got those scores when he was twelve you got yours when you were eight and Nara got them when he was six. The only person to do that would be Itachi-sama or Hatake-san." He gave Haku a cross look, "Don't be so sour because I read your dossier."

Neji glared at him, "So we're both clever. What does that have to do with anything?"

Haku smiled setting his tray, "He'd probably understand why you like to wear lenses best." He turned towards him, "Would you like me to prepare a meal for you or are you going to wait for the chef?"

The Hyuuga looked away feeling uncomfortable, "I've got some work to finish up. Thank you for giving us the morning off. I will meet you before lunch."

Haku kissed his cheek before walking past him with the tray. "Of course I will see you then."

Neji left with his coffee to start on some work, he spent several moments thinking if he should contact Nara just to make sure he'd give the documents to Sai. Then he showered quickly and dress and spent the next two hundred minutes making detailed schedules for the Secretary and a long list of all the duties Hoshigaki would be doing today. When he met up with Haku and Prince Sasuke, he was only more confused. He knew something important had happened between Haku and Prince Sasuke but he wasn't sure what that something was. He knew that it had made Haku happy, not the fake happiness he showered them with everyday but a genuine affection for day-to-day life Neji had rarely seen in Haku.

Even now as they lounged in the lavish gardens, Haku ran his fingers through Prince Sasuke's hair as he half slept in his lap as if they had known each other a lifetime. He'd wanted to ask. He really did but he simply couldn't find it in himself to do so. Haku had been so emotional when he'd walked in on them the other day and he knew somehow the prince had delved into Haku's past. But what had he done to make Haku so happy?

Sai came over with drinks for them all. "The Secretary is on a broadcast." He informed pulling up a large transparency for them all to see.

"Aniki is broadcasting?" Sasuke asked from his place on Haku's lap.

"Your story was leaked," Sai explained, "It's been traveling all across the void."

They watched as Itachi addressed the crowd. "There have been rumors that the elusive outlaw ship, S.S. Manda, was captured by Village. This is true. It is also true that from this ship we recovered Uchiha Sasuke. Village has also found a large amount of information and evidence on the ship that will help with future investigations. I will take a few questions before I must leave."

"Mr. Secretary, is it true that Prince Uchiha Sasuke is now blind?"

"No, Uchiha Sasuke is currently recovering from the damages he received while held captive."

"Is the Village forcing the prince to stay within their custody?"

"Of course not, now that he has recovered enough to be transported he is recovering at home. Village has provided the best in medical care for his recovery and outstanding security provisions to ensure his future safety."

"So it's true that the outlaw escaped and he will come for prince Uchiha again?"

"We are currently investigating if someone escaped the siege of the S.S. Manda. Village is providing protection as a security measure only, his life is not in danger. There is no danger of him being abducted again."

"Has his status as royalty been confirmed?"

"It is being thoroughly discussed. We'd like to wait until he completely recovers before getting too concerned with his royalty status."

"Is it true that he's a raging sphaX user and is addicted to sex?"

Itachi paused, "I will not answer such distasteful questions."

"Of course, I apologize, let me rephrase, is it true that during captivity the outlaw used the illegal substance sphaX on prince Uchiha?"

"The many abuses that Uchiha suffered have not yet been officially analyzed by our medical team. Know that Uchiha was indeed gravely injured during his captivity and is now recovering. For any other questions please contact the Village affairs bulletin, thank you."

Sai pulled the transparency. Sasuke slowly sat up from Haku's lap. "Why did that man ask that question about me?"

Neji moved to sit closer to him, "He wants to sell stories using your hardships, the more outrageous and scandalous he can make the story, the more money he can make for himself. He's a sleazy reporter that doesn't care about hurting your or anyone else's image."

Sasuke only nodded. "I'd like to try more walking now."

So they walked. He supported Sasuke from one side; Haku supported him on the other. He noticed a faint tremble and motioned to Sai to bring the med chair.

Sasuke sighed sitting down, "You've really got the Hyuuga eye, why do you wear lenses Neji-kun?"

He stiffened but recovered quickly, "I like this eye color more."

Sasuke shifted in his seat before reaching for him, "Let me touch your face."

He was stunned, "Prince Uchiha, that would be completely inappropriate."

Neji watched as he held his head down, Haku then gave him a steely glare. "I'm sure what Neji-kun means is that he would be honored but feels that he does not deserve your affection. Sai and I are going to start lunch for you Prince Sasuke-kun. What would you like?"

Sasuke smiled, "I will eat whatever you cook for me, Haku-kun."

Haku chuckled and patted the prince's head, "This one is so cute."

Neji became instantly nervous as the two left him with the Uchiha boy. He knew he'd ask again. That the prince had some type of insight that made Haku confess to something he had been hiding for years. He spent their silence in agony as he waited for it to break.

"Would you tell me the real reason you wear lenses?" Sasuke began, "Why you don't want to resemble the Hyuuga clan?"

Neji looked down unable to deny him. "When people see the eyes and the hair, they just assume Hyuuga paid to get me here. I worked hard to get here. I sacrificed being a child so that I could train and even when they said that I was brillant, a prodigy of the techinique I wanted to be happy. I thought people would recognize me as Neji instead they whispered accusations that the clan experimented on me before I was born. People think without the Hyuuga, I couldn't be strong or smart."

"But your family—"

He scoffed, interrupting him, "I mean nothing to them. I'm not their family I'm a branch member so I'll never be smart enough, never strong enough, never good enough."

"Aniki thought you were good enough." Sasuke offered, "Haku-kun and Sai-kun think you're good enough or else they wouldn't respect you."

"I know that they understand that. That is why I like this job." He stated hoping it would end the conversation.

There was a pregnant pause that gave Neji the slightest bit of hope.

"But you're afraid," Sasuke commented startling him.

He opened his mouth to deny it but staring into the younger boy's big, endless eyes he couldn't. He nodded.

It was silent, before he spoke again, "What are you afraid of?"

He shook his head.

"You are afraid that you're too good, that your true abilities will push them away even further." The other boy began speaking, "Because you think it shouldn't be so easy but for you it is. It's always been but it's not your fault."

Neji steeled himself. He didn't want to break down the way Haku had. He refused to even if this boy was revealing secrets he hadn't wanted anyone to ever know.

"You don't have to be afraid around me Neji-kun."

He turned, wide-eyed, to face the Uchiha prince to see him smiling.

"You don't have to be more or less than what you really are, because I like Neji-kun the way he is. I recognize you Neji-kun. You're not just a Hyuuga to me."

He'd only felt the sting in his eyes. How had he been able to see so easily into his heart? How could he sincerely say what Neji had been waiting for his entire life?

Sasuke stood and slowly walked to the older boy before him to take him into his arms. "I see only you."

And he clung to him, crying and speaking. Saying everything he'd wanted to say to his father, the things he'd wanted to say to his uncle and family, to everyone who had told him being himself wasn't good enough. That he didn't have to hide his abilities because he was a branch member. He'd worked hard that he was good enough to be a part of the family. That he shouldn't have to be afraid of his own mind, of his own capabilities. How he wouldn't allow fate to be cruel to him anymore. Even as Haku and Sai returned he couldn't stop himself. Sasuke held him close until his tears ceased. He wiped the wetness from his cheeks.

He smiled and then kissed his cheek, "All better."

Neji could only laugh and hold him tight, "You are an angel."

His head cocked to the side but his smile didn't falter, "Haku-kun said that too."

Neji returned the smile, "Then it must be true."


Sai was reluctant. Somehow within a short 48 hours Uchiha Sasuke had gained the undying loyalty and affection of his cohorts. He knew as he reached deep inside the soil he would not like this message. So far the Uchiha Sasuke here now was nothing like his former self save his affection for his mother and brother. Sai had read his dossier, he'd been thoroughly prepped. Uchiha Sasuke had been a cold but brilliant boy. The comments from his school records said his distance was construed as arrogance but it was clear he only had difficulty relating to his peers. Despite that he was well liked but was only close with one Uzumaki Naruto.

The Uchiha Sasuke Sai had met was paranoid but honest. He wanted to trust the people around him and feel safe. He was prone to violent mood swings and could snap at anything. He was fragile, a delicate sickly boy. Generally Sai felt he could easily grow to like him, just as he had the secretary. Pulling the paper from the pot he quickly made sure no one was around and opened the paper.

Ease his sickness, under your bed do not fail.

When he crept back into his bed room he was hesitant to look. He kept telling himself it was for the best. Then he lifted his mattress and saw the glowing purple cartridge in a loaded spray. He knew he couldn't, he knew he'd failed his master.

He took a moment to think of an ideal scenario. His best chance would be to plant the drug and then have Uchiha caught with it before he could actually use it. That way he could simply tell his master that the plan hadn't worked that the Uchiha boy was simply always under surveillance. However, this would be difficult if it were only a half of a second off he'd inject himself with the drug and who knows what damage it could do.

He didn't want this. Uchiha Sasuke seemed like nothing more than a sweet boy now. Naruto-kun adored him. Itachi-sama also loved him very much. Itachi-sama had been kinder to him than anyone he'd worked for previously. He'd never beaten him, or yelled. He'd never made him warm his bed. He'd always been considerate of him, giving him breaks, and never allowing anyone to demean him. Working with Neji and Haku had been wonderful too. They'd always been understanding and kind. Uchiha Sasuke was responsible for him meeting such wonderful people. If he'd never gone missing he wouldn't have these companions; he wouldn't have met Kiba-kun.

He looked to the painting above his bedside table. Kiba-kun had been the best thing to happen to him. He couldn't imagine his life without him. He had to disobey. This life was better than the life his master had promised him. Sai looked down at the purple cartridge, wondering what to do with it. He heard a buzz from the door. He looked to the spray before holding it to his neck. He had to get rid of it and Uchiha Sasuke could not see it. He pulled the trigger and was conscious long enough to feel the fire rush through his veins, to feel the entire colony shaking, and to hear his name from Neji's lips.

TBC

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know what you think.