Z/N: Sorry I took so long to update. I've been busy with end-of-the-school-year things & I'm going to be way slower with updating than I have been in the past. I apologize if the chapter sucks. Much thanks to my beta Miss Cat for being so awesome!
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Last Page…
"Sasuke listen to me. It's a joke, that notebook…is nothing but a fake…you're dreaming…"
An eyebrow raised in response, "Really Na-ru-to?"
A blue eye twitched; Naruto hated the way Sasuke was making him feel, hated the way Sasuke was taking control of the situation, mocking him, and shining through like always. Naruto felt ill.
"Let's test this joke then, shall we Naruto? If I am dreaming, you won't die when I write your name in this Death Note."
"Sasuke wait, you wouldn't—!"
Sasuke smirked.
Is this what true power feels like? I like it. I want it. I need it. Always needed it…
The pen the Uchiha held in his hands began to dance along the surface of a blank page as Sasuke started to write out Naruto's full name.
XXX
Genre: Dark/Horror/Drama/Romance/Angst/Psychological
Rating: M for MATURE
Warnings: AU, OOC-ness (Pedo!Iruka) dark themes, yaoi implications, slight shota, psychological thriller…all of that good stuff.
Pairings: Mainly NaruSasuNaru and others.
XXX
Power gradually extirpates for the mind every humane and gentle virtue.
-Edmund Burke, A Vindication of Natural Society
XXX
The
future that the fruit told me of
The city that has forgotten
reasoning
The present time is distorted black
Dreams, turn into
ideals
Everyone wished for an end…
-The World by Nightmare (Death Note Opening 1)
XXX
Umino Iruka laughed cordially as he continued talking on the phone.
"Yes, I'll make sure to tell Naruto that you wish him well. He'll be back at school in no time Mizuki-san. Alright. Goodbye."
Once Iruka placed the phone down he removed his apron from his body and placed it upon the couch. He wiped his sweaty hands on the side of his pants and proceeded to head upstairs to his room. He paused, looking around the area suspiciously, before opening his bedroom door and closing it shut behind him. A voice whispered out to him from the darkness.
"I'm…I'm bleeding and hungry…it hurts…I don't…du-don't…like thu-this ga—"
Before Naruto could finish his sentence, he broke out into quiet sobs.
Iruka smiled as he descended onto his bed and pulled the sheets off of a young Naruto. The blond was curled up into a tight, naked ball. He shook violently.
Iruka ran his fingers along the visible bumps of Naruto's spine before stopping at the small of Naruto's back.
"Tsk, tsk. You've made a mess Naruto. I don't think you've learned your lesson yet. It looks like I need to teach you...again."
And then Iruka went in for the kill.
Final Judgment
Page Two: Changing Dreams into Reality
XXX
Yamanaka Ino hummed quietly to herself as she rearranged the spreads of flowers placed on the window sills of Sakura's room. Honestly, some people knew nothing about how to synchronize plants with room color. Sakura watched her best friend in mild amusement.
"You've been at my house since school's ended. You don't have to stay so long, just because you feel sorry for me," Sakura said, placing her pencil within her book and taking a break from her math homework.
"I don't feel sorry for you Sakura, I'm doing this because I'm your friend and I'm worried about you. I'd hope you do the same thing for me."
Sakura bit her bottom lip, "Of course I would…it's just that…I'm so grateful to Sasuke. I would have been dead right now if he hadn't risked his life to save mine. I called and left him a message on his cell phone. It's strange how he and Naruto haven't bothered to visit me yet, but I suppose they're just…giving me time."
Sakura's gaze shifted to her left hand. It was wrapped neatly in white bandages. Apparently she had sliced her hand on one of the wooden legs of the pier whilst drowning.
Ino studied her new arrangements of flowers and asked, "And you're sure you don't remember anything else from that night? Because according to Sasuke…you tried to commit suicide."
Green eyes widened, "I don't…I think…I don't…know what to say to that. The doctors told me that my memory would return to me soon enough. I guess…my Sasuke-kun's death..."
"Haruno Sakura," Ino interrupted brusquely. She placed her hands on her hips and continued, "You are not going to kill yourself over a guy. Especially a guy who is dead. You're allowed to mourn for him a bit, but nothing more. After that, you have to move on. You're eighteen and getting ready to go to university for goodness sakes! You'll make it. I know you're strong like that, Forehead Girl."
Sakura sighed, "I know…you're right Ino. Thanks for reminding me."
Ino walked over to where Sakura sat and poked Sakura's forehead with her index finger, "I'm glad that some common sense is starting to make it through that enormous cranium of yours."
Sakura swatted Ino's hand away irritably, "Don't make me kick you out of my house, Ino-pig."
XXX
"Wait, no, SASUKE!"
Naruto did only what he could do at the moment; he ran across the messy floor of his room and tackled Sasuke, knocking the pen and notebook out of Sasuke's capable hands. He and Sasuke rolled off of the bed and onto the floor. Sasuke cursed loudly as Naruto pinned his wrists to the floor and pressed a knee against his ribcage, thus effectively keeping Sasuke at a standstill.
Naruto shouted, flecks of spit staining the surface of Sasuke's face, "You stupid fuck! What are you trying to do? Why would you even...?"
"That's what I wonder about you pushing Sakura. About you killing Uchiwaga," Sasuke replied quietly, "You're a murderer and it's only proper that a murderer gets the death penalty. You have exactly thirty seconds left to live."
Kyuubi snickered, "I really, really like this Uchiha kid! Sucks to be you, brat, doesn't it?"
Naruto quickly scrambled off of Sasuke and crawled over to where the Death Note and pen laid. Naruto found that he could barely breathe, that his heart felt as if it would combust into flames and that his mouth was dry and his hands were pouring with sweat.
"I'm not going to let you kill me off like this Sasuke; you're going to come with me too, you crazy bastard!"
The blond frantically opened the book and raised his pen, ready to make his mark when he paused. Sasuke remained where he lay on the floor, chuckling to himself, "Three…two...one."
Naruto's eyes flickered, "My name…my name…isn't in here. You didn't write it in here...you…"
At that point, Iruka barged into Naruto's room, a spatula in hand, breathing heavily. "I heard screaming. Are you boys having another fight?" he asked, brandishing his spatula in a threatening manner.
Sasuke slowly sat up and flicked his long bangs away from his face, "We were arguing about the awful notes Naruto took for science. I'm sleeping over tonight. Is that alright?"
Iruka blinked and nodded, "You know you're always welcome here Sasuke, just make sure that somebody at home knows, alright? Dinner's going to ready in five minutes and no Naruto, you cannot have ramen instead."
Naruto did not bother to argue with his adopted father, "Okay. We'll be down soon."
Iruka nodded again and closed Naruto's bedroom door behind him. Sasuke stared at Naruto and Naruto stared back at Sasuke. Naruto finally spoke, "...Sasuke…"
"I don't want to hear your bullshit whining, usuratonkachi. I want to hear more about that notebook. I want to use it," Sasuke replied, not one to beat around the bush.
"I'm…a… murderer Sasuke," Naruto pointed out quietly. He walked over to where Sasuke sat and plopped himself down in front of his best friend.
Sasuke smirked and leaned forward, his glossy lips lightly pressed against Naruto's left ear.
"I've already established that. And I don't care. So you killed Uchiwaga because you wanted Sakura? And then you tried to get rid of Sakura because she was so very close to finding out your secret. You're not as innocent as you make yourself out to be, eh Naruto?"
Naruto became stiff and replied listlessly, "You use the word 'kill' so casually, Sasuke."
"You can't tell me you haven't fantasized about killing someone who deserved it. We all have and now we have the ability to do so. Like Uchiwaga, for example. He was a waste of flesh and so you disposed of him like garbage he was. But you can't go around writing people's names down so carelessly. You need balance. Stealth…intelligence…"
Naruto made a small noise in his throat. Sasuke's breath rolled against the surface of his skin and it made him feel suddenly self-conscious and aware of everything: his rapid breathing, Sasuke's hand on his knee, his radio crooning an oldies tune, the way Sasuke's hair tickled his face, how that same hair flaunted Hello Kitty clips.
"…Someone like me. When you really think about it, you have no other choice, loser."
Naruto held the Death Note closer to his body. "Tch. And how do I know I can trust you Sasuke? You could easily try to take my Death Note away from me and…and kill me."
Sasuke's lips twitched and he began to laugh. It was melodic and dark and it echoed throughout the small enclosure that was Naruto's room.
"If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn't even be breathing right now. If you don't trust me, you'll get caught; I'll make sure of it. But if you make the right choice…"
Naruto studied Sasuke. He did not like the way Sasuke's eyes shone or the way he was smirking, or the lack of distance between their bodies. Naruto knew Sasuke was right and it was inwardly pissing him off to no end. A part of Naruto had the urge to write Sasuke's name down and end this once and for all.
"Ah, tut, tut, not so fast," rebuked that same, soft, wise voice in the back of Naruto's mind, "Don't be so hasty darling; even you're not capable of doing everything all by your lonesome, ne? Remember the saying? Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Allow Sasuke-kun to join us, he can be useful to our cause. Train him as one would a pet; break him, damage him, and make him loyal to you. Make him fear you. You know all about breaking, don't you Naruto-kun…?"
Naruto cleared his throat and raised his arm, presenting his left hand to Sasuke. "Okay then. Let's…let's shake on it. Partners in changing the world. Getting rid of all the trash…and making it a better place for everyone…agreed?"
Sasuke's long, white fingers looked strange intertwining with Naruto's darker ones as he shook Naruto's hand. "Agreed, usuratonkachi."
Naruto briskly stood up and patted the dust off of his jeans in an effort to further himself from his best-friend-turned-partner-in-crime. Sasuke followed, repeating the same actions with more grace. Sasuke then regarded Naruto with hooded eyes.
"I'm sure you're aware of that saying Naruto. How does it go again? Ah, yes…keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. See you at the dinner table dobe."
Sasuke turned his back on Naruto and stepped out of his room. Naruto snarled as he dropped the Death Note and slammed his fist into the nearest pillow. "Damn him, that little arrogant bastard! I have to…I have to break him somehow…I refuse to let him take control of me."
Kyuubi snickered, "Refusing to be the little bitch, eh? Good for you! It wouldn't be right any other way. You're not the one wearing girl's clothing! Hyuk, hyuk, hyuk. You two are going to provide me with some excellent entertainment, that's for sure!"
Naruto stared at the shinigami with narrowed eyes. "Instead of making fun of me, why don't you tell me something useful, you giant furball."
"Tch, watch that snappy tongue of yours brat before I rip it out of your disgusting human mouth."
XXX
Just as Sakura was about to settle down in her room with a giant bowl of chocolate ice cream in one hand and a remote control in the other, her doorbell began to ring several times. She grinned to herself as she placed her snack and the electronic down. She knew only one person who was obnoxious enough to ring a doorbell repeatedly.
Once Sakura had opened her door, she was bombarded with a vibrant floral bouquet and a large stuffed bear, courtesy of Naruto, of course. Sasuke had just brought himself, cheeks doused in light blush, eyelashes curled, and nails painted. Sakura found herself feeling envious of the high heeled black boots and lacy, navy skirt that Sasuke donned.
"Sakura-chan! I brought you presents to help you feel better! And the bastard chipped in too, he just won't admit to it. Ino said you're doing much better now," Naruto said with a smile, slipping off his shoes and stepping inside the Haruno household.
"It took you guys long enough to visit me. Two days have gone by, were you two ignoring me by any chance?" Sakura asked as she wandered off to the kitchen. Sasuke found it hard to tell if she was serious or kidding. That was one thing Sasuke didn't like about his childhood friend: sometimes she was better at masking things than he was. Naruto followed his crush into the kitchen, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"No, no, it wasn't that at all! We just wanted to give you some time to get back into health! It's what Iruka told me to do! I'm just glad to see that you're all better!"
Sakura placed her flowers in a vase of cold water. "I could have died if it wasn't for Sasuke though. I'm lucky to have friends like you guys….hey; do you want to hear something funny? Well, it wasn't really funny, but anyway…you see, I had this nightmare…"
Naruto sat on top of Sakura's kitchen counter while Sasuke crossed his legs and settled himself on a chair. Sakura's fingers fumbled with the daisies as she tried to remember how Ino liked to arrange them.
"In my nightmare, there were these hands…and these hands were the ones that pushed me into the water. Isn't that ridiculous? I woke sweating and freaking out because it felt so…so…real."
"People," Sasuke said, eyes connecting with Naruto's, "often mix dreams with reality. It's nothing you should concern yourself with."
Sakura gave a wry smile. "I think that's the most I've heard you say in awhile, Sasuke-kun. Ah…would any of you like tea?"
Naruto steered his gaze away from Sasuke's and cleared his throat. "I'd prefer instant ramen if you don't mind. So, uh, when did the doctor say you'd be able to come back to school?"
Sakura filled a silver kettle with water and placed it on her stove. "The beginning of next week. I'm not looking forward to it, however. All of the questions and gossip I'll get from this whole ordeal…oh! I have to grab some paper plates from the basement! I'll be right back."
As soon as she had left the kitchen, Naruto looked at Sasuke.
"If Sakura-chan…if she gets her memory back from that night…I'm…we're going to have to…"
Sasuke nodded. "Exactly. She'd have to die."
Naruto's blood suddenly ran cold.
XXX
Monday morning a sleek, smooth limousine with dark tinted windows drove past Naruto. Said teenager had his messenger bag slung over his shoulder while his hands and legs busied themselves with steering the bike he was using to get himself to school (hopefully on time).
The owner of the limo, however, was too wrapped in watching television to notice anything that was occurring outside of her window.
"…Police are stumped as to why the recent cases of people dying from heart attacks. It seems that the attacker and/or attackers only target criminals and appear to have methods of inducing death through heart attacks without leaving a single strand of evidence. Head of the Tokyo Police Department Uchiha Fugaku and Captain Uchiha Itachi have codenamed the murderer and/or murders 'Kira.' A press conference is to be held later on this morning..."
"Did you hear that Neji-san? There's…there's another one like me," Hyuuga Hinata said softly to the shinigami by her side. A black notebook with the words Death Note written on the cover sat open on her lap, the pages smooth and blank. The shinigami raised an elegant eyebrow. "It seems so," he replied curtly, lips pursed into a frown at the dreamy look Hinata held in her silvery-grey eyes.
"…It's obvious…what he's doing," Hinata continued with a lilt of admiration in her tone. "He's saving the world. Something…something I'm too afraid to do…he must be amazing…"
The limousine came to a complete stop in front of the heiress's school. Hinata picked up her Death Note and placed it deep inside of her book bag before stepping out of the car. As she walked into the building, a flurry of excited thoughts raced through her mind.
Kira-sama…I want to meet him…I have to find him...
…I wonder what he's like.
XX Tear Page Out XX
Review Replies:
Lil1diva: My fic would be complete unoriginal and boring if it followed the anime/manga Death Note's plot, so you can count on there being a plethora of twists and turns. Thanks for reviewing!
Calamus: Thanks for the piece of advice, I'll make sure to keep that in mind! Glad you're enjoying thus far!
Micheal the Archangel: Hahaha. Naruto and Sasuke are partners now, but who knows? Someone might stab someone in the back just for the hell of it.
YourInnerBijuQueen: Yum! A lollipop! Thanks! (licks) I'm glad you're enjoying so for and I hope you continue to review!
Night Fox Riku: Uchiwaga Sasuke was Sakura's boyfriend. It was meant to be confusing and Uchiwaga was meant to be mixed up with Uchiha Sasuke.
I'd just like to point out right here and now that there's a 99.9 chance that Sasuke might be…not straight. Heh.
Asian-Beauti: Uchiha Sasuke is the Sasuke we all know and love. Uchiwaga is Haruno Sakura's now-deceased boyfriend. They're completely different people. I made it confusing on purpose.
Character death? I can't say. Sorry. But there will be lots o' dying.
Yes, Iruka is a pedophile. It's hard for me to write him as a pedophile, but it's refreshing from Pedo-Pedo Orochimaru, right?
Z/N: You can expect next chapter more Sasuke, more Naruto, some Hinata, the police, and a detective with a penchant for Russian literature and the poetry of T.S. Eliot. If anyone can tell, I'm trying to avoid the flashback of explanation/doom I will eventually have to write. Keep on reading and reviewing. Until the next chapter…
Ja ne!
