They Are Just the Cleaners

Warnings: Um... erm, lets just say I didn't title this chapter 'Animals' for nothing.


A special thank you for your support: Lison Faye, Tepee712, spoon, Nikki, lexjamandme (you poor unfortunate soul, LOL), and Sabriel. I was having a tough time and it’s nice to know people have my back. *squishes*


And just in case some people don’t realize:


~oOo~ means flashbacks (one at the beginning and one at the end)


------- are scene changes.


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Chapter 5: Animals
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"Dude, we should give ourselves a team name!" exclaimed the excited blond.


The brunet stopped abruptly, placed a finger on his chin, and looked up pensively. He gasped and quickly turned to his face his new partner. Slapping his hands together loudly, with a wide grin on his face he began, "I know! How about 'Animals'?! There's me, you, and Akamaru. It's perfect!"


"I like it!" Naruto yelled, large grin plastered on his impossibly cheery face.


Their loud voices rang and echoed down the long dark hallway they were currently traveling down. The shadows hid the amusement on Kakashi's face as he silently followed the two loud young agents.


"Idiots", the red head mumbled while squeezing his way past the two overgrown children, emerging from the shadows.


"Hey I heard that!" Naruto yelled turning to point at the passing Gaara but he was no where to be seen. He shook his head and turned around then back again. Where did he go?


Kakashi casually caught up to the two young men and noticed the confusion on the blond's face. "It seems as if he has already started his mission." He stated in a relaxed tone.


Naruto jumped slightly at the older man who seemed to appear out of nowhere. It was as if it were common for him to be lurking about.


"Don't do that" he admonished as he clutched his hand to his chest, feeling the rapid beating of his heart.


Kakashi's deep chuckle vibrated through the walls as he squeezed past Naruto and Kiba to take the lead.


Soon the hall began to change. First it was a slight change in the temperature, becoming slightly cooler. One could swear they could feel a gentle flowing breeze. Soon soft carpets and grey painted walls gave way to cold grainy beige concrete. As the hallway continued further it began to widen until it opened up into an underground parking garage.


Kiba and Naruto walked side by side gaping at all the different vehicles in the lot, both wondering which cars held which James Bond like gadgets. Movement to their left prompted them to turn their heads. Looking to the left they both noticed several people surrounding a yellow Mustang and a blue Jetta, covering them up with large off white car covers. Both had the same, single thought: My car!


Kakashi, sensing their distress, turned to the two gawking boys. The shadow from one of the pillars covered the lower half of his face, hiding his smirk. "Those cars are your old life; you will get them back when this case is over. These," he said shoving large white envelopes in each boy's hand, "Contain your new life. You have thirty minutes to memorize all information and destroy the documents." He turned around and continued forward, signaling for the young men to follow. They rounded the corner and saw two things that made their eyes bulge from their very sockets. One was a red BMW M6 convertible and the other was an orange Porsche 911 GT3. Kakashi turned to face the two men, whose eyes still remained as big as saucers. "These are now your cars." His smirk widened as he pulled two sets of keys out his pocket and tossed them to the two men in front of him.


Though their eyes were glued to their shiny new expensive toys, they were able to catch the keys without averting their gaze. It was silent for a few moments while the Naruto and Kiba stood slack-jawed, practically drooling.


Kiba was the first to break the silence.


"Holy fuck! Do you realize that those are hundred thousand dollar cars?!" he screeched, pointing in disbelief.


Kakashi shrugged, "Goes with your cover…" he started as he looked at his watch, "You have a lot of work to do, packing, moving, and buying books. I will see you in class on Monday." And with that last statement he disappeared into the shadows of the once again quiet parking lot.


The two agents looked from one another to their cars and back again, excited grins seemed to be permanently plastered across their faces. Just then the words Kakashi spoke to them worked back into their minds.


Thirty minutes? Memorized? Class? Monday?


As both seemed to be jolted from their temporary stupor they ripped open the envelopes. Eyes scanned the papers rapidly as they absorbed the contents.


Naruto blinked his widened eyes as another grin spread impossibly large across his face. This is going to be sweet! He looked at his new partner, who mirrored his expression.


"I call the orange one!" Naruto shouted as he ran toward their cars, Kiba following closely on his heels.


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The bright sunlight gave the lively five year old an ethereal glow as he floated through the air, the wind gently ruffling his soft chestnut locks.


"Higher, daddy!" he squealed as he landed gracefully back into the large man's sturdy arms. His legs swung lightly as he dangled high in the air in his father's strong hands. His joyous giggles rippled through his body making him shake and waver slightly.


"How high do you want to go, Kohaku?" his father asked him, a broad smile spread across his face, and his dark slanted eyes twinkled adoringly at his rambunctious child.


The small child pointed a short chubby finger up into the clear blue sky smiling into the warmth of the sun. He then turned wide unseeing cloudy eyes toward his father's voice.


"High into the sky! Way high!"


"Oookay" he rumbled as a deep chuckle rippled through his words while he dropped the child low to the ground. His small sneaker clad toes barely scraped the grassy surface before he was abruptly tossed back up into the sky, gliding weightlessly. Flying.


He squealed in delight as he was caught in the secure grip of his father.


"Again! Higher!"


The father once again obliged in his son's carefree request, momentarily losing him in the vast, bright blue. Once a familiar weight dropped back into his arms and the request was made again and he threw his son high into the now dark lavender sky. He squinted his eyes curiously at the sudden change but Kohaku's pleading voice pulled him from his thoughts. He once again threw the child skyward, the sky now a deep burgundy. He held his hands up in the air expectantly, but the five year old failed to drop.


The sky was getting darker by the second and soon the color began to expand around him, bleeding and overwhelming the once cheerful bright green scenery until he found himself quickly engulfed in deep red darkness.


"Kohaku?" he began cautiously. There was no answer. There was no giggling. There was nothing. "Kohaku?!" he yelled more insistently as he narrowed his eyes, darting his head in various directions, searching desperately for his son. Still there was nothing. "Kohaku!!!" He was panicked now. Where was he? When had everything disappeared, disintegrated into nothingness, only stifling darkness? It was just the deep rich burgundy; shrouding him, shrouding everything. He couldn't see because it clouded his vision, he couldn't hear because it clogged his ears, and he couldn't breathe because it invaded his lungs. He fell to his knees and grasped at the ground. Maybe holding on to the rich green strands would ground him, but that too was nothing. He would grab at it but it would slip through his fingers like sand and flit through the air…


"KOHAKU!!!"


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Sasuke was leaning against the cool stone wall and stared dispassionately at the green metal door, the paint peeling of in thick curled chunks, and listened to the blood curdling scream that came from within. Closing his eyes he waited until the sound echoed throughout the room before it once again succumbed to silence.


The man's voice was loud and irritating and after two days of yelps and sobs, Sasuke had enough. Maybe he should have cut out the man's tongue instead. Maybe during their next 'session' he would put that thought into action. Realizing that the man was now awake; Sasuke picked up his katana from its resting place against the wall, unsheathed it and inspected. He frowned at the small bits of dry blood, flesh, and bone marring the once pristine metallic sheen of the blade. Reaching into his back pocket he pulled out a small cloth and headed over to the tiny rusty sink in the far corner of the room.


Turning the calcified knob he waited for the brownish water that bubbled forth to turn clear before he placed the soft blue cloth under the warm water. Turning the water off and squeezing out excess water, he returned to the sword, running the damp fabric up and down the blade, stopping occasionally to focus on a particular section that was heavily encrusted with dried matter.


While cleaning he allowed his mind to wonder to their current prisoner. As troublesome as this man had become, Sasuke did, however, have an unanticipated respect for the older male. He admired his pride and tenacity, some things that were rare qualities found in his chosen profession. It was too bad for him that his attributes were applied in vain. It would be in Takahara's best interest to give them what they wanted. Sasuke knew from personal experience, that the people who fought, fell the hardest.

He was jolted out of his quiet musings when he felt a rhythmic vibration on his right thigh. Tossing the cloth on to the rusted out metal lip of the sink, Sasuke pulled his phone out of his pocket and looked at the screen. Sighing when he saw the ID, he flipped open and answered his phone.


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"KOHAKU!"


His eyes shot open as he bolted upright and he immediately winced. Everything throbbed in sharp indescribable pain; it was hard to tell what hurt the most. He looked around trying to remember where he was. All he gathered was that he was not at home, not in his bed, and not with his family. He tried to focus on something in the frigid, dank and stony room, finding it difficult as his vision was blurry. His head was spinning and he fought to keep his right eye opened which insisted fervently on swelling completely shut. Sighing in defeat he gave in to its demands and shut his left eye as well, trying to think as well as trying to ignore the throbbing pain that shot up his left arm. He centered his mind, trying to remember where he was exactly.


Suddenly there were several images flashing through, too rapidly to focus on any single one. At the last one that passed, he latched on and concentrated.


~oOo~


He gave a curt nod to the strange new night guard, an extremely large man with wild orange-ish reddish hair, in his office building while heading toward the only working elevator for the night. They would shut down all but one so that all action could be easily monitored. Maneuvering through the small amount of late night workers and cleaning crew milling around in the lobby he reached the elevator doors. With a push of the call button he mentally bemoaned the reason for his late night visit. The computer network crashed earlier that day and now he had to make sure that he hadn't lost any important documents on his computer before the early meeting he would have the following morning.


With a soft ping the elevator doors slid open and he stepped on to the maroon and black circular patterned carpet of the top floor, where his office was located at the very end of the hall. Once he reached the glass doors he bowed his head while patting his pants in search of his office keys. Just when he felt the telltale metallic lump swathed in his black wool trousers, the door swung open. The sudden movement startled him and he quickly looked up to see who was on the other side of the glass.


"Good evening Takahara-sama", came the shy feminine voice.


"Oh, Kagome, how are you this evening?"


She stepped aside so that there was room in the doorway and blushed at the kind attention from the renowned CEO.


"I-I'm fine." She answered slightly flustered, but dared to continue a little further, "What brings you tonight?" her blush immediately deepened afterward at her sudden rash of boldness.


He smiled good-naturedly at her as he made his way through the heavy glass door. "Well I have to make sure everything here is in working order. A CEO's work is never done", he quipped, squeezing past his secretary's desk, allowing the cleaning woman to pull her large cart though the door as he made his way to his private office's wooden door. When he put his hand on the cold metal knob and inserted the small key, he looked over his shoulder and called to the shy woman almost fully out of the office.


"Goodnight, Kagome."


"Thank you, Takahara-sama, and you have one as well." And with that they both swung their respective doors.


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A few hours later found a tired and constantly stretching Yoshio locking up the glass entrance to his office. After rigorous inspections and several 'short' naps he found nothing wrong with the files on his computer.


He made his way over to the elevator, pressed the call button, and stretched his arms high above his head, releasing a long labored yawn. He could not wait to get home. Not only was he tired and missed the comfort of his soft bed and the warmth of his wife's arms, he hated being in the building after hours. It was so quiet and inactive. It was eerie and gave him the creeps. As if to reiterate his thoughts, he shuddered slightly as he stepped through the open elevator doors.


When he stepped back out, he once again nodded to the now only figure in the lobby. The guard stationed behind a large desk returned the nod with an odd smile as he watched the CEO leave through the front door.


There was something about that guard that felt off, he thought as he ambled toward his car, keys already jingling softly in his hand.


Just as he was about to put his key into his driver side door, he looked up at himself reflected in the window and sighed. He looked god awful, old and tired. The remaining hair on his head was turning grey and there were bags under his eyes and wrinkles in the corners. Bowing his head once more to watch the key slide into the lock as well as escape the image that looked frighteningly like his father, he thought back on his life. When did he get so old? How? Was this what he expected of his life? He cut off his own lamenting when he thought about what his life actually entailed. He was a powerful CEO, he had good friends, a beautiful wife and of course a son he thought he would never have. His son, his one and only child. He chuckled at the thought of his energetic five year old. With his son in his life he could be young a lot longer. Maybe he wasn't as old as he thought, and maybe he should reevaluate the man in the reflection.


He brought his head back up and his breath caught in his throat at the second pair of eyes staring back at him.


~oOo~


And then… then… there was nothing… blackness, blankness. He woke up and he was here in this place. Black glossy hair and large round frames flit across his mind. He was in this place with those people. They wanted something from him that he would not give, could not give. It was something that he wanted to give to his son… his one and only son…


How long had he been here? A day? Two? A week? How long would they keep him here before they finally killed him? He wasn't afraid to die because they would still lose, they'd lose to Kohaku…


His heart stopped and his eyes widened suddenly as the last statement from the white haired young man filtered through his mind.


"You might not be afraid to die Takahara-san, but could you say the same for your son?"


They couldn't, they wouldn't… would they? But he knew of these people and he knew what they were capable of. They did not make threats on which they did not intend on following through.


He broke out into a cold sweat as he realized the implication of what they intended to do made itself clear. God no… not Kohaku! The beads of sweat ran profusely down his fevered brow. He brought his numb left hand up to wipe away the moisture only to find his hand was already wet… and constricted… He brought the appendage before his eyes and sucked in a harsh breath as the memories of the past few days caught up with him.


The sword, cold and hot simultaneously as it sliced into his soft flesh. The cuts burned and cooled in rapid succession, the cuts were precise and calculated. But that was just the first day. He unconsciously brought his right hand up to his face and down his chest to trace the tender raised skin of the various scars from the yet to fully heal cuts.


The first day was bad but yesterday… yesterday was…


He held his bound left hand up to his face, taking in the dripping blood soaked white fabric wrapped tightly around his two remaining fingers… or rather his pinkie and thumb…


He braced his body as it was jolted violently by the ferocious shivers that racked his heavy body. He was getting nauseous as his world tilted on its side. He hadn't eaten in days. His chubby frame lurched forward as he dry heaved and hacked out a few harsh coughs, then immediately collapsed into a numb heap on the cold stone floor. They could do what they wanted to him, he didn't care but… but Kohaku. What would they do to his one and only son? Would they be as kind? His eyes stung as he saw his world close in on him. He wouldn't allow them to touch his son.


Steeling himself, he placed his right hand steady on the floor and pushed himself up… or at least he tried. His left hand was useless and his right arm alone was entirely too weak, and his legs... aside from the fact that his right was turned in an unnatural fashion they felt too weak as well. The sound of Kohaku's giggling flitted through the back of his mind and he bit his lip in determination. Putting his weight, gingerly, on his knees and his one in tact hand, he pulled himself up, digging fingers into the floor to keep him steady. Cradling his bandaged hand, wet and bloodied, to his bare and sliced up chest, he crawled to the door. He idly took solace in the fact that his son would never see into his father's eyes after what he would have to do…


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"Sasuke?"


"Yes."


"Are you alright?"


"Yes… Sakura, I'm fine" he hissed out in a low tone.


There was a slight pause before she continued, "Why haven't you called me? It's been two days, you know I get worried."


He sighed in resignation. He did know that she worried; however he did not expect this job to turn out the way it had. He didn't want to talk to his wife while still in the place he was dealing with their prisoner. Despite their lack of intimacy he knew his wife in and out and he knew her limits. Getting away with not calling her for the first day of any trip he went on was fine, but he needed to check in before two days turned into three. Contrary to what many believed, he did car—


"Sasuke?"


"Yes."


"We really need to have a talk," she stopped to swallow down a lump rising in her throat, "about our marriage."


"Saku—"


"Hey!" came the gruff voice from behind the green metal door, "Is anyone out there?! I want to talk to some one!"


Sasuke grit his teeth in annoyance. This was the exact reason why he had not called. Cupping his hand over his mouth he spoke softly yet sternly into the receiver.


"Sakura, this is not the time to talk. Can't you wait until I come back?"


She had finally built up the courage to address their issues; she could do it right now. If she waited until he was home, she knew she would lose her conviction. Swallowing hard she answered him in a shaky voice, "Yes—I mean, no… and yes. We can talk about this when you get home but I want to say a few things now. I feel you don't listen to me and my concerns—"


"Anyone! Anyone out there?! I'm ready…" he choked back a sob, and losing some of his confidence he continued, "I'm ready to make a deal."


"Just… Are you with someone right now?" she ventured, her voice trembling. She hadn't expected that to come up but she'd be damned if she'd take it back now. "Who is she, Sasuke, huh?"


"Anyone out there? I'll talk! Gods, I'll do anything!"


"Just talk to me, that's our main problem, I know it. You don't have to go to another woman when I am right here for you."


"Someone?! Don't hurt him! I'm ready!"


Sasuke balled his fist and clenched his jaw in frustration.


Shit!


"Sasuke are you—"


"—listening to me? I said I am ready to make a deal, I just want a promise—"


"—to me, a promise to each other and I feel that you are not valuing—"


"—what I'm giving to you here! Just please don't hurt my son! Please—"


"—listen to me. Please, Sasuke, just—"


"—listen—"


"—to—"


"—me!"


"Sakura!" he growled out venomously. He heard her voice catch and a soft sniffling on the other line, "We will talk about this later, I have to go!" and with that he snapped his phone shut. Opening it again, he dialed speedily, "Get the fuck in here, he finally cracked."


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The glossy black hair spread across the pillow case, engulfing the pure white, snuffing out the vibrant color like black death eating away at once effervescent life. There was a small shift in the bed as the owner of said death hair stirred into waking. Golden-hazel eyes fluttered open, blinking the black lashes until his vision was fully focused. Orochimaru stared at the patterned ripples of the white stucco ceiling for a few moments trying to focus his mind. He smacked his lips in distaste, frowning at the sticky staleness that was the inside of his mouth. Coming down was never fun.


Last night was almost a hazy blur; some parts were wild and vivid while other parts were mere fuzzy afterthoughts. Focusing on the ceiling he recalled the past couple of days.


Business in Oahu had been disappointingly efficient, just as Kabuto scheduled. He knew he was being watched and thus, they shortened his leash considerably. Once Zaku picked him up, they made their way to the warehouse and quickly loaded up the van with their merchandise. He was sent to make sure that everything went along smoothly and that no one would try to take any of the goods for themselves in order to make a small profit on the side. Once everything was loaded, he went on to meet some of his contacts in the area to see if they had any new information on any important people. After all was said and done he stayed in one of his hotels and left, on time, in the morning back to the mainland. He had yet to receive a call from Kabuto or Sasuke, not like they would check in with him anyway…


Glowering in contempt, he looked over at the body next to him, their face buried in the soft comforting embrace of the fluffy pillow. He looked back up to the ceiling and remembered the night before, a dangerous smile crept up on thin lips as he recalled how he now had a way to secure himself back into the good graces of their leader.


~oOo~


Yesterday, when he returned home he went to his first, and favorite, hotel to unwind. After handing his keys to the valet and nodding his head at the stout doorman, who greeted him with a reserved yet respectful "Orochimaru-sama", he stepped inside one of the revolving doors that lead into the warm building.


Once he was inside he glanced around the dimly lit lobby. Well it was more than just a lobby, as one traveling book described it, ‘it was a small escape to another world’. Once one stepped through the door there was a long walnut-teak cedar reception desk along the side wall. The ceiling consisted of large wooden beams that crisscrossed to form small squares. Inside each square were large cylindrical red paper lamps, giving the place an otherworldly warm glow. Stepping further into the reception area, the ceiling opened up into a large garden atrium, reaching the sixth floor, which contained a large koi pond crossed by several hand crafted arched garden bridges and several bunches of bamboo stalks. The bridges crossed over the pond, connecting the innermost area of the atrium—nicknamed the Island, which had several lounge chairs and a small stone waterfall—to the rest of the lobby, which held the reception desk, elevators and the entrance to the in-house restaurant. The entire atmosphere gave off the feeling of calm and tranquility and many of the guests would often find themselves sitting contently in the lobby enjoying the quiet. Several would sit on the Island, reading while enjoying the complimentary green tea served by the staff.


Glancing around briefly, his eyes immediately found Makayla, one of his best 'independent contractors', waiting for him across the lobby, in the atrium, on one of the wooden bridges, with a huge smile on her face.


"Orochimaru-sama", she cooed softly as she finished her trek over the bridge into the lobby as he made his way past to the dark corner that contained the private elevator. He spared a glance at the petite woman as he walked past, her cropped shoulder length black, dyed to his liking, of course, hair swayed slightly with his passing and her dark green eyes were sparkling with mischief. She had dark olive skin and a toned slender frame, a testament to hours dedicated to yoga and pilates. She could entice even the most unwilling man and even some women in to her bed. She could dig up their deepest most guarded secrets only to covet them and bring them back to her master so that he would be able to use the information for his and the organization’s gain. There was no wonder why she was the best at what she did and why she was frequently used, thus earning her the title of his favorite 'pet'.


"I have something that will please you", she purred as she quickly followed on his heels. He stopped to press the call button for the elevator that went straight to the top floor holding only one room: the presidential suite.


Once he stepped inside, he turned around to regard the pleased young woman and noticed that she clutched a large grey folder in her hand. He raised a dark trim eyebrow in her direction.


When his eyes focused on the folder tightly held in her grasp and his eyebrow quirked, her grin fell into a knowing smirk. After working for him for so long, she knew that was her invitation to continue. She stepped in and took her place confidently by his side. She basked in the moment as they made their way up to the top floor.


"Makayla", his smooth expectant voice jostled her out of her daydreaming.


"R-right" she began, slightly flustered. She opened the folder just as the doors opened. She immediately shut it again as she followed quickly after her boss as he walked over to the only door on the floor.


He wanted to concentrate on what Makayla wanted to say but his mind was occupied. It kept flashing toward Sasuke and particularly the red envelope entrusted to Sasuke. He knew that his extra curricular activities were frowned upon and he knew that his efforts in keeping them secret were done in vain as he was certain that his boss was well aware of said activities. He could not help the gnawing feeling in his gut that they were letting him dangle and that his time with the organization was extremely limited. He knew there was no other feasible choice on their part because if he were to get in any trouble as a result of his own private fun, their organization would be at risk. It was no secret that if he went down, he would take someone with him, just to save his own hide. They knew he was an effective man, not a loyal man, if his betrayal and deception of his former association was any indication. Soon they would cut him loose… permanently.


He stood there for a moment staring blankly at his door. When she shifted slightly on her feet he broke out of his daze and glared venomously in her direction. He slid his hand smoothly into his coat pocket, pulled out his platinum key card, and slid it into the slot. Pushing the door forward, he stepped into the dark room.


She quirked an eyebrow at his behavior, he seemed so distracted lately. There was definitely something troubling him but she knew that once he had the information she gathered, he would be ecstatic. He would be happy with her, pleased with her. She needed to tell him right away.


Once he stepped in through the door he reached his hand out to his left side and the lights flickered on illuminating, the room before him. He stepped to the side and kicked of his Italian loafers and slipped into his purple velvet house shoes. She followed him inside quickly, kicking her heels off and leaving them at the door as well. She paused for a moment, watching his retreating back as he made his way down the two steps into his sunken in living room. Padding across the plush red carpet, past his forest green velvet furniture, he stopped at a tall black console table that held his answering machine. Noticing the flashing red light, he hesitantly pressed the playback button. He frowned when the only message he received was a telemarketer informing him that he had won a cruise trip from Miami through the entire Caribbean, but he had to call in the next forty eight hours or he would miss his opportunity. He didn’t know whether he should have been relieved or disappointed that it was his only message. What was he going to do—


"Orochimaru-sama," she began again softly, breaking him out of his haze once again. Though his eyes blinked away the thoughts he had yet to look in her direction. Rifling through her folder quickly, she pulled out several papers and photographs while tugging nervously at her bottom lip with her teeth. "Look who my most recent playmate was", she finished, thrusting her hand forward, her hands shaking slightly.


He didn't really know or care what she was talking about at the moment. Sometimes he wished she would stop yipping at his heels. She reminded him of an annoying Chihuahua. Couldn't she see that he had other things on his mind? More important things than her damn rambling? And the only things on his mind were the red envelope and Sasuke and Kabuto's return.


The soft wavering of the papers broke his train of thought. God, what was she shoving in his face now? He turned on his heel swiftly, fully intent on telling her to get the fuck out of his room. Before he was able to open his mouth, the papers were brusquely shoved in his face.


Slightly offended and angered at her increasing boldness, he snatched the papers from her slightly shaking hands. Just when he was about to open his mouth, he caught a glimpse of the documents and with that, the scathing reprimand promptly died in his throat.


His left hand immediately joined the right, grasping at the papers tightly as to make sure they were not an illusion that would soon disintegrate into thin air. A slow treacherous smile slowly spread across sallow features as his eyes rapidly scanned and absorbed page after page.


He looked back up at the young woman sporting her own smug smile as if confirming that this was indeed not a dream. He looked back at the papers and reread every word, memorized every photo. He was saved, fuckin' safe! He knew his boss loved when they were able to secure some one from the authorities, especially government agents. And some one in the FBI? This would be priceless, especially after the whole Baiu fiasco. If he was in any trouble, this would get him out. He just had to tell the boss before Sasuke and Kabuto returned. He looked back up at his pet as she began rifling through her purse. She may be an annoying yipping Chihuahua, but she was a resourceful little bitch.


Finding what she was looking for, she pulled out a white gauze roll and placed it on the black hall table. She began to carefully unroll it unveiling some syringes, small baggies containing white powder, small folded foil envelopes, two large tablespoons, a lighter, and some rubber tubing.


"I thought that maybe we could celebrate and maybe go out to have some fun tonight." This was her chance, her moment. With the information she gave him there was no way he could ever deny her importance, no way he would not want her by his side. She would be his right hand, his go to girl, his woman.


Uncaring nor seeing his companion's hopeful watch, Orochimaru's eyes fixated on the items rolled out across the table with poorly restrained desire. It's been so long, too long… But he knew he had enough control, especially for just one night. Besides, tonight was a night that craved celebration, craved that all encompassing euphoria.


He stalked up next to her and placed light touches along the items on display before him. Treacherous smile returning, while one hand fingered all too familiar yet long forgotten paraphernalia, the other found it's way twisted into dark blue black locks and harshly tugged the excited woman forward, their lips crashing into a rough kiss.


"You're a good little bitch", he purred in her ear as he pulled away and reached for one of the syringes.


~oOo~


He frowned in distaste at the other person in the bed. At night, last night, he thought they were, they kinda looked like… He squinted at the mussed black hair. The hair wasn't the right shade. His eyes traveled further down to the ever so slightly sun kissed skin. The skin wasn't right either. And the body? Way too soft and curvy. He placed a pale hand on the person's side, skimming over the cool skin, and roughly pushed, turning them over so that they were now on their back. Her small round breasts jostled slightly with his rough handling, but she remained still. He looked into her glassy dark blue eyes and his frown deepened. Her eyes weren't right either. She looked so different at night, so much like him. But in the morning, even presented in the filtered daylight, it was glaringly obvious that she wasn't. She wasn't him at all.


His gaze traveled down her face, past her plump pale bluish lips, slightly parted in a silent scream, down to her neck. His frown gave way to a devilish smile as he focused on the dark purple finger sized bruises that littered either side of her throat. She really should have stopped screaming last night, not that it would have made much of a difference. But maybe he would have let her live long enough to enjoy the climax that shuddered violently through his body.


Suddenly a rumbling and a soft noise sounded from one of his drawers in the nightstand next to the bed. Reaching over and yanking the drawer out, he put the phone to his ear.


"What?" he answered a bit harshly, his voice was gravelly and rough from sleep and a night of drug induced debauchery.


"Orochimaru-sama?" came the soft yet slightly embittered voice.


He could hear the disappointment in Makayla's voice, fully aware that she wished to have been his previous night's bed mate. He waited a bit for her to continue but was met with a strained silence. His patience was oddly short this morning. Obviously it was him; this was his phone and his voice, why did she need to stall?


"Makayla, don't waste my time."


"Kabuto called. He and Sasuke were able to secure Takahara Ports, they will be returning this evening."


He still had time to tell his boss about the new addition to their team before the two young men would return to the mainland. "Good."


"Will you be needing anything else, Orochimaru-sama?" she spat with a small amount of venom.


He looked disdainfully over at his lifeless bedmate, a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips.


"Yes" began, hazel eyes taking on a sadistic gleam, "Clean my bed."


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He let out a deep sigh as they made their way up the smooth pavement of his driveway. He never in his life thought he would be this relieved to be back at home. The past three days were extremely trying and all he wanted to do was take a long hot shower and go to bed. When the limo finally stopped he swung open the door and smoothly stepped out on to the pebbled path that led to the house. He reached his arms high over his head as he stretched out his tired limbs, sore and slightly shaky from days of improper rest. Stifling a yawn he grabbed the handle of his bag that the driver handed to him and nodded toward the man in the uniform before he stalked slowly toward his front door.


Before he could take out his key, the door was swung open almost violently and he was met with angry hazel eyes. The brunet, long hair tied up into a high ponytail, glared at Sasuke, the action foreign on his normally gentle features. He silently regarded the Uchiha, looking him up and down as if sizing him up to see what was so damn special about him.


Sasuke resisted the urge to sigh at the man’s dramatic antics; he was too damn tired right now to deal with his wife’s best friend. So instead, he simply raised a dark eyebrow.


Letting out an exacerbated sigh of his own the long haired brunet spoke first, barely reigning in the urge to roll his eyes.


“Sasuke” he stated shortly.


“Haku” he countered blandly.


“I don’t know what she sees in you.” Haku concluded as he pushed past the newly returned man. He took a few steps and turned around to yell into the house as Sasuke made his way through the door.


“Sakura! Feel better, honey! If you need me, you know where to find me. There has to at least be one MAN to always be ther—”


-Slam-


“—e for you!!!” He finished louder as the door was slammed in his face. He pulled a disgusted face at the door. “Fuckin’ asshole.” He accessed before turning on his heel and heading toward his car.


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He stepped in through the door, the floor board barely squeaked before he heard a soft gasp followed by a muffled sob. It was getting harder and harder to resist the urge to roll his eyes.


“Sasuke?” Sakura’s voice was weak and strained as it filtered out form the receiving room.


Closing his eyes and pursing his lips tight, he let a harsh gust of air pass through his nose as he waited. He stood there debating whether he should go upstairs or go into the room with Sakura and get the long anticipated confrontation over with.


“Can we talk for a moment?” There was a slight pause. “Please?”


Blinking his eyes open, a frustrated sigh almost managed to escape through slightly parted lips as he dropped his bag by the foot of the stairs and headed toward the receiving room. When he walked into the dim room—though the sun was still up she had the drapes closed—he found his wife curled up on the couch. She sat stuffed in a corner, her knees drawn up to her chest, a knit patchwork throw draped across her legs, with a tissue box at her feet and several crumpled tissues on the coffee table and some on the floor. She wiped softly at her eyes before she looked back up into the doorway at her husband’s imposing silhouette, his frame casting an intimidating shadow across the room.


“Come sit” she commanded softly, though it came out more like a plea.


Sasuke walked forward, bypassing the couch and settled in the armchair next to the side Sakura was curled into. They sat in tense silence for a moment before she looked up into his impassive face with watery red puffed green eyes.


“What is going on with us?” she began, her eyes absorbing him, waiting for any kind of reaction. He turned his face to look at her fully but made no attempt to answer her.


She let out a shaky sigh as a tear rolled slowly down her cheek. “Is there another woman?” she questioned so softly it was barely a whisper.


He stared into her eyes as more tears began to escape their corners. She futilely tried to swipe them away with her fingers but more came.


“There has to be. Sasuke, just tell me who she is. I am willing to work things out with you, I love you.” After that her wavering strength left her and she broke down into a fit of sobs.


Sasuke’s eyes glanced upward for a moment and he grit his teeth.


“Sakura, there is no other woman.”


“But—”


“I swear to you. Look at me.” He waited for her to meet his gaze before he continued. “There is no other woman.”


“But…”


“Sakura…”


She really wanted to protest more; she had so many more questions, but the way he was looking at her… For some reason he could always make the rational part of her melt away, this time was no exception. He was so beautiful and he was her husband. Hers.


He ran a pale hand through disheveled pink hair and pulled her forward, placing his chin on top of her head. “There is no other woman.” He reiterated on more time. He stiffened when she threw her arms around him and tugged him close, allowing her sobs to finish slowly until they quieted down into a few hiccups.


Reluctantly she pulled away and stared up at the dark eyes that seemed to focus on the wall ahead of him. “Sasuke?” she ventured softly. He looked down, focusing his eyes on hers, “I’m sorry about… I just…” she trailed off when the look in his eyes told her to abandon the subject, at least for now. “So, how was your trip?”


He let his arms drop to the armrests of the chair and pushed himself up. “Tiring. I need to rest.”


“O-okay.” She sniffled slightly as she watched him reach the door. “Will you be eating supper tonight?”


He paused for a moment to shrug his shoulders. “Hn.” With that he continued toward the stairs.


She watched him go up the stairs for as long as she could see him, a small smile formed on her lips as she began patting down the area looking for the television remote. As much as she loved her husband, he was very unlovable, how could she possibly think that he would be with anyone else. Who could put up with him? Her eyes lit up as she felt the remote in between the cushions and turned on the television. She hoped there was some kind of Lifetime movie on.


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He threw open the door to his office with a frown on his face. That Sakura situation was a real annoyance and now he was more tired than ever. Pulling up his briefcase, he began pulling several files out and placed them in a pile on his desk. Just as he pulled his chair up to the desk, the red envelope slid out from between some files. Sasuke resisted the urge to groan. He almost forgot he had one more job to do.


Reaching over to the right corner of the desk, he pulled out a silver letter opener with a small engraved red and white symbol on the handle. He plunged it into the top of the envelope and slid it from one corner to the other. Pulling the letter opener back and blowing the envelope open, he turned it upside and watched as a single photo fluttered down listlessly to land on his desk face down. One picture, that’s all he ever got with red envelopes, that’s all he ever needed. He turned the picture over to get a better look.


This time he did sigh.


An odd ringing from his desk drawer pulled him out of his thoughts. Pulling the drawer open he took out the phone he rarely uses, the phone that only ever had one caller.


“Yes?”


“Did you get my letter?”


“Yes.”


“Good. I want it done soon. You have forty eight hours.”


“Yes, sir.”


He sighed again once he heard the sound of the dial tone. He looked back at the picture of the next Oto employee that he now had to ‘fire’.


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He jolted awake abruptly, arms sweeping across his desk knocking papers to the floor. As he jerked his head up a pen belatedly fell from his forehead and rolled across the carpet.


What the…?


He whipped his head toward the office door when he heard it again. It was definitely some one screaming. Grabbing the nearest item, which happened to be the letter opener, he stalked to the door. He opened it slowly to peek through the small space and investigate.


“Sasuke! Oh my god!”


Tightly gripping the now weapon in his hand, he hastily made his way across the hall toward their bedroom where he distinctly heard his wife’s voice. Bursting the door open, Sasuke quickly scanned the room looking for an intruder. He found no one but Sakura, standing on her tip toes looking out the window, face pressed to the glass.


He slowly lowered his weapon and scanned the room one more time. “Sakura, was some one in here?”


“Huh?” she questioned, never turning her face from the glass. She finally replayed his question in her mind and turned toward her husband, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “No, why would anyone be in here?”


“You were screaming for me.”


“Oh” she grinned rather sheepishly, “Sorry, I was just really excited!” She turned back to the window and motioned him over with her left hand. She bounced excitedly on her toes when he finally reached the window and saw what she was looking at. “Oh my god, this is so exciting!” she squealed.


Outside they were looking at the empty house that neighbored them. It had been vacant since before they moved in a year ago. Well… not vacant any more. Outside the front of the house, parked in the curved driveway, were a large moving van and two expensive cars.


“Can you believe it? We finally have new neighbors!”


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Fear my Inuyasha love! (Inuyasha fans know what I’m talking about. But hey, I was desperate for names)

Next chapter: Neighbors

Oh, I am trying to get better with my updates but if anyone would liked to be informed please leave your email address.
Review Reponses :

Chria: Ooo ‘novel quality’? Blushes at praise. That was very sweet of you to say:D Yes, Suigetsu is pretty bitter there, but he did offer himself to be used in that fashion so, ultimately, that’s what he gets. As for the res envelope, you now know what’s inside, but who is it? Can’t tell you yet. *evil cackle* *cough* Thanks for the review

lexjamandme: Yes asshole Sasuke is fun. There mission is… well you’ll know before anyone else anyway :P

Lila: Thank you so much for saying that. It makes me smile like a big goofy dork. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well

Lynn: Gah! You’re so sweet. I am so happy that you like this story; I am constantly on the fence about it. I love it, but I am afraid it’s too much or something. Yeah, I like that Kabuto part too. I like putting them together because they hate each other so much. I hoped you liked this chapter as well.

Word_Slave: Thanks so much for your review! I am very happy you like it. Sasuke will definitely be one tough nut to crack.

Meep: Uh… said something long, pretty sure you saw, thanks for the review. I hope you can find something you like.

Aeryss: Hey, I like your name! I used to be the queen of lurkers too, but slowly and surely I started to review things. Then since, I started posting my own stories, I review even more because I now understand what the author goes through. It’s not about the number of reviews (well maybe it is for some) but it’s the fact that there is feedback, otherwise how do you know how you are doing. (Sorry about the soapbox ) As for the other thing *shrug* poop happens, not everyone likes everything.

nlb: I can feel you about the summary, I really suck at those. XD And thanks for telling me about the paragraphs, I reread it and was like “Good god, she’s right!” I tried to break them up more, hope you like :D

chineseartist: Teehee, I am happy you liked the picture thing, I don’t see it enough either, I thought it would be funny to put it in especially since it was his FBI academy photo. XD Thanks for reading.

bishie-chan: Hey, I’m included in the smut and PWP lovers, I’m just really bad at it, lol. Thanks for reviewing

Lison Faye: I am happy I am able to keep you on your toes somewhat, I think I will look forward to what you have to say that way I am kept on my toes as well (I don’t want to reveal anything too soon). I’m the type of person who likes to guess what’s going to happen next so I think I write stuff and then I say, “If I were to read this, could I guess what’s next?” YAY! Some one else who likes math. I do too (of course I had no choice, both my parents were math tutors and my dad is an engineer and my mom was a programmer. I was doing 9th grade algebra at age 7 lol)

Nettie: Squee! Thank you so much  I’m glad you likes, I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

Nikki: Thank you! Though this update was not nearly as soon as I had hoped.

Spoon: Thanx for waiting. I hope it was worth it.

***blue_genjutsu HOLY CRAP! I feel like such an asshole, how did I miss responding to you?! Thank you so much for your review, I really appreciate it!But I shall artfully dodge your question. ;)