A/N: I've had some pretty crappy few weeks, but now it's time to start writing again, for the sake of my sanity. (smiles feebly)
BUT, first… Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all those fantastic messages! (GLOMPS) Your support really means the world to me, you know? So THANK YOU! Responses to anonymous reviews can be found from under the chapter.
Awkay, because I've already kept you waiting for so long let's go! I really hope this turns out worth the wait. (gulps)
The list of kids in Taku and timeline of flashbacks can, as usual, be found from underneath the chapter.
ONE MORE THING! I put lyrics to this fantastic song called 'Need you now' from Lady Untebellum under the chapter. Do read them – I think they fit this story perfectly and set the right mood!
/ As all those who'd been in touch with him knew, Orochimaru was a man of order. That's why he was once again in his office when it was already seven in the evening, finishing some paperwork.
A roar of thunder, along with autumn's shadows, almost disguised the approaching threat until there was a screech of a door. He arched an eyebrow when looking towards the door and taking off his reading glasses. "You." His tone was smooth and far from impressed. "I thought your family wanted you nowhere near me."
The narrowed black eyes were the last thing he ever saw of this world. "Do you really think eight years is enough for what you did, for the hell you brought?"
He stood up and took a slow step forward when metal shone in the light of a lightning. The gun was small but deadly, he knew. "Put that away – you don't know what you're doing with it."
"No." He'd never heard anyone sound so calm. "I know exactly what I'm doing."
Three gunshots almost got lost into the thunder. /
Verse 6 – The Need of You
Three Weeks Later
For Naruto the past weeks had been something close to torture. The wedding kept approaching with a dizzying speed he couldn't quite follow, and he had both work and school to keep up with. Taku was practically a disaster area; since Takao's death nothing had been the same. In such a closed, small community the death of one member was a huge blow, especially for the children. They were particularly worried about Yutaka, who was still angry most of the time. Plus he hadn't been able to catch a glimpse of Sasuke since their rather frustrating meeting at the park, which meant that they hadn't been able to sort things out at all.
The pretty much only positive thing was the parents' day in Taku. Although several of the children didn't have parents and there'd been a tragedy it was a day to be celebrated. It gave them all a much needed break, a breath of normality. The day was good despite the pouring rain that hammered Konoha.
Earlier that day Naruto had been grinning like a total idiot when watching Haru with his parents, Hayate and Yūgao. The boy hadn't said much, of course, but he'd said enough to bring tears of happiness to his mother's eyes. He'd signed 'mother', calling her that for the first time.
He couldn't help smiling again when watching Aimi talking excitedly with her parents, Kurenai and Asuma. Just one look told how much the members of the small family loved each other.
While Kurenai started to read a fairytale to her daughter – which was a luxory long since stolen from her – Asuma walked up to him with a somewhat serious expression.
He frowned. "Is something wrong?"
"Nah, nothing like that. Just…" Asuma took a deep breath, looking towards his wife and daughter. "This is so hard, on them both. Kurenai loves to come and see 'Mi, but she always spends a couple of days after that crying. And whenever they're together, they know that it's only temporary. It's unfair." The man looked at him, directly to his eyes. "When… can we take 'Mi home?"
He gave the man look a of sympathy. "You've gotta be patient for a bit longer. Aimi will come home, but it'll take a bit longer. She's taken huge steps forward lately, so that day is fast approaching."
Asuma sighed, focusing on his family once more. "I really hope so." The man's eyes softened. "She's demanding, but… Our home just doesn't feel the same without her."
He tried to offer the man a smile. "Just hang in there. Sooner or later Aimi will be home with you."
Asuma fought to give a hint of a smile as well.
Naruto was so deep in thought that he almost jumped when someone tugged the sleeve of his shirt. Glancing down he discovered Kira and frowned at her worried, almost panicked expression. 'Hey, what's wrong?' he signed.
For someone of her age Kira was incredibly quick to sign back. 'Uncle-Suke's here', she told him, using the nickname she'd chosen for Sasuke. 'I don't think he's okay.'
Although Naruto knew he shouldn't have felt so strongly his whole body seemed to react. He felt like he'd been punched, and only Kira's presence kept his appearance calm. He fought to collect his thoughts for signing. 'Thanks for telling me. Don't worry – I'll talk to him.'
Kira nodded, appearing even more serious than usual.
After taking a deep breath he focused his attention on a somewhat confused Asuma. He felt a hint of remorse upon realizing how he'd forgotten about the man. "There's something I need to take care of. I'll see you later, 'k?" Once more he tried to smile, just a little. "Trust me, everything's gonna work out, one way or another."
The man managed to nod, his eyes on his daughter.
Naruto had no idea what the power that led him towards the right direction was. He felt something deep within him shudder when seeing Sasuke stood by a door of what'd once been the Uchiha's room.
He took a breath and stood a respectful distance away. It felt like he'd stepped back in time. "Hey", he managed after a long moment.
It took a while before Sasuke acknowledged his presence, let alone spoke. "I still remember, what that room used to look like." The man lingered in his thoughts for a while. "Does anyone live there now?"
He shuddered as his eyes stung a bit. He didn't feel like saying out loud that it'd been Takao's room. "Nah." His voice was thick, heavy. He swallowed thickly. "Not now." He then frowned and wrinkled his nose. A growl crept through his throat before words. "Fucking damn it… You've been drinking, haven't you?" It wasn't until then he managed to take in the other's appearance. The Uchiha looked like he hadn't slept in weeks with how pale he was, and the rather tight shirt he wore screamed out that the man hadn't been eating properly, either. Who the hell wore such clothes when it was cold and raining, anyway? The man was drenched. There also seemed to be a nasty, still oozing gash on the Uchiha's arm. He hissed, his stomach and chest squirming. For some reason it was incredibly hard not to go over and hug Sasuke. "What the hell have you done to yourself?"
"I'm not drunk anymore, okay?" Sasuke grit teeth, giving him a glare. "I got into a spat at the bar – this guy didn't like me turning him down." The man's eyes hardened. "Stop looking at me like that, will you? I'm perfectly fine – I just have a huge headache."
He shook his head firmly. He was not in the mood for this right now. "Just shut up, okay?" He motioned the man to follow, his gesture announcing that there was no room for objections. "Let's go and get you cleaned up before you catch a cold or something."
Naruto soon discovered that instructing children was nothing compared to coaxing Sasuke into taking care of himself. First he tried to feed the starved-looking man with little success, then attempted talking. As expected that failed even more miserably. Talking to Sasuke Uchiha when he was hangoverish and pissed off at the whole world was like having a conversation with a pile of bricks. In the end, frustrated and on the verge of punching someone, Naruto herded the by then shivering Uchiha into a shower.
He felt heat rising to his cheeks and much lower parts of his body when entering the shower-room just as Sasuke stepped out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waistline.
It wasn't until Sasuke spoke he snapped out of his stupor. "Stop staring at me." The man was looking at him with deep, clearly visible irritation. "You know how much I hate it."
The heat on his cheeks intensified still, but he couldn't look away. For some reason his gaze locked to the tiny snake-tattoo on Sasuke's shoulder, then moved to the wound below it. He frowned while approaching the man. "That looks pretty bad – I think it needs stitches." And then he made the mistake of laying his hand to Sasuke's skin.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed and darkened dangerously, turned distant. It was like the man hadn't been seeing and feeling him at all. "Don't… touch me", the Uchiha growled out like a dog about to attack. "Got that?"
He blinked twice and pulled his hand away, not even thinking about disobeying. It took a ridiculously long moment before he found his voice. "Sorry." He felt incredibly stupid all of the sudden and looked away. It was still raining cats and dogs outside, he discovered. He opened his mouth but nothing came out.
Apart from the rain and thunder the room was silent as they stood there, breathing loudly and their thoughts spinning madly. It lasted so long that he thought he imagined hearing Sasuke's hissing voice. "I hate this."
He managed to look towards the Uchiha after a long blink. The man wasn't facing his way, but he spoke anyhow. "Hate what?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed again, and the man balled his fists. There was no audible response.
He gave something close to a groan. "We really need to work on communication department, you know? I like talking, but this monologue is making me feel pretty pathetic."
Sasuke folded his arms, shielding himself. "I didn't exactly ask you to invade my life, Uzumaki. I was perfectly happy before you came and messed up everything."
He snorted. "Yeah, you looked very happy the first time we met. Just cut the crap, Uchiha."
That, apparently, hit a nerve of some sort. Sasuke's eyes flashed and before he realized what was happening the man had pinned him against the wall, with such force that he gasped sharply. They breathed shallowly while staring at each other with smoldering eyes, a couple of raindrops still meandearing across Sasuke's face. Naruto realized with some surprise that they were equals in height. Odd. He'd always imagined himself shorter than Sasuke.
He wasn't sure which one moved first, or if it was some outside force pushing them. But in the end he realized they were only millimetres away, and his hand was placed to the other's chest. The Uchiha's heart hammered under his hand as their lips ghosted dangerously close by, his own tingling with something beyond need. Hard as he tried he couldn't fight the situation. And if he was honest with himself, he wasn't all that sure if he even wanted to.
Just then, before he could sort out his whirring head, the room's door opened. He felt a wave of embarrassment join the heat raging inside when finding Tsunade stood by the doorway. She had one of her eyebrows arched.
Naruto cleared his throat while Sasuke retreated from him as though he'd burned. "We… This… isn't what it looks like", he stammered, already then hearing how pathetic he sounded.
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "We'll talk about this later. But right now we have more important matters at hand." Her eyes darkened. "Yutaka's therapy session should've started fifteen minutes ago, and I can't find him. Do you have any idea where he might be?"
Naruto felt cold for a moment until he realized. "I think I've got an idea." He looked towards Sasuke, who was stood by the window staring out with his arms folded. Once again he opened his mouth but didn't have the strength for actual words.
Sasuke Uchiha could be incredibly exhausting.
And so he left the room, with a gnawing feeling that something important had been left unsaid and unfinished. His lips tingled for the upcoming two hours, almost like protesting.
Sasuke shuddered out of deep, forbidden thoughts when feeling a light touch on his hand. Looking down he blinked once when meeting Kira's serious, worried face. 'Are you okay now?' she signed with a bit too hasty fingers. A lightning – he counted it was the day's fifth – flashed.
He felt his expression soften just a little bit as he nodded. His eyebrows then furrowed as he took in how fidgety the child was. 'What's wrong?'
She looked away, appearing embarrassed. By then she was shivering like a leaf, and he could barely understand what she signed. 'I hate the thunder.'
He took a deep breath, then scooped her into his arms. In a matter of moments her shaking began to ease as she leaned heavily against him.
Nothing needed to be said as they stood there in silence, observing the approaching thunder in the safety of each other's company.
Slumping heavily to a chair in her office, Tsunade allowed the torn looks in Naruto and Sasuke's eyes flash by her head. Those two needed help, she decided. Before a lot of people would become miserable.
She groaned and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
She was in a dire need of some strong alcohol.
Hinata knew she should've been focused on thinking about her upcoming wedding, but her mind was stubbornly clinging to something else. She'd been able to not think about Kiba for eighteen hours, twenty minutes and thirty-two seconds when she stood behind the counter of her and Ino's flower shop, staring out the window with glazed eyes. Now he was all she could think about.
She'd hated it when he called her all the time, but now that he'd stopped… She discovered that she hated that even more. It felt horrible to think that he'd given up on her, on them. And, if she was honest with herself, it felt absolutely terrible to imagine he didn't want her to be a part of his life.
"Look, I know you always do your duty and even try to come to work sick. But right now you're depressing the customers – and me." Ino gave her a look of sympathy. "Go home and sort out whatever's bothering you before you drive us both insane."
She took a breath, looking at the pile of roses she was supposed to work on. They were beginning to look pathetic. "I wish it was that simple."
About fifteen minutes later – after irritating a one more customer, almost walking at a wall and having decided that she was in no condition to drive – Hinata made her way out of the flower shop. She managed to take two full steps before she had to lean against the wall.
The voice, although familiar, startled her so badly that she jumped. "Hinata?"
Looking to side with slightly widened eyes she found Kiba stood only a couple of steps away. She opened her mouth, but in the end no words came. Perhaps they weren't even needed.
They still had a lot of unsorted issues, and they were stood on a shaky ground. They hadn't even met properly in weeks. Heck, she'd most likely broken Kiba's heart. But he was her best friend, and that's what led him to his decision.
Without saying a word he walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. And suddenly her world didn't feel so chaotic anymore.
In a matter of minutes Naruto discovered that he'd been right as he inched the door of Takao's old room. He took a deep breath before peering inside – it still hurt knowing Takao wouldn't be there.
Sitting in the middle of the room's floor was Yutaka, cussing under his breath while working on something. The boy was shaking, and sounded like he'd been close to tears.
He waited for a second before entering fully, closing the door and talking. "You know it's not allowed to enter other kids' rooms."
Yutaka emitted a somewhat wet snort, not facing him. "What – you think Takao's gonna come and get mad at me?" Naruto didn't think he'd heard that much pain in anyone's voice. It took his all not to just go and embrace the child.
Taking a calming breath he walked up to the boy. "So, what are you doing?"
Finally Takao looked at him, eyes filled with such rage and inconsolable sorrow that it stunned him. The boy was quick to hide something. "None of your fucking business!"
He fought the urge to growl. Second conversation like this in a matter of less than an hour was too much, even for him. "You know language like that isn't allowed here. Besides I miss Takao, too. So if you're making something for him I'd like to know."
Yutaka looked at him for the longest time, as though not believing him, then looked away. "Takao liked dragons, snakes and stuff." The boy emitted a loud sound of irritation, one of the threatening tears almost spilling. "But I can't get this stupid thing right."
He nodded, wondering what to say for a moment. In the end he sat beside the child, as close as he saw fit. "Can I help you?"
The boy gave him a rather sceptical glance. "You're not gonna laugh at it, are you?"
He blinked once with surprise, then shook his head quickly. "Of course I won't." He rubbed his hands together, glancing towards what Yutaka had hidden. "Now, show me what we've got."
Quite tentatively, carefully monitoring his expression, Yutaka revealed something not every adult would've been able to appreciate. It was a paper-mass product that looked distinctly like a white and black dragon. It wasn't anything fancy, but Naruto could clearly see the thought and effort put to it. And that's why he smiled when looking towards the solemn child. "You know what? I think it's a great start, and we'll be able to make it perfect." He looked towards the artwork again, something knotting painfully in the pit of his stomach. "I think Takao would've loved it."
Yutaka didn't say anything, didn't even really react. But when taking a cautious sideways glance Naruto noticed something that'd been amiss since Takao's death.
There was a tiny, barely visible hope of a smile in the corner of Yutaka's lips.
And then, probably thinking he didn't hear, the boy whispered in a voice he almost missed. "I know."
They kept working in a peaceful silence.
Rather late that evening Naruto's head hurt as he woke up from the couch, his muscles stiff and sore. Cussing loudly he hauled himself up and began to head towards the kitchen to get some strong coffee.
He froze when passing by their guestroom. Inside Hinata was trying on her wedding dress. She looked amazing in it, but all he could focus on was the reflection of her face in the mirror. Her eyes looked empty.
At that moment he braced himself and finally asked something that should've probably been voiced a long time ago, before everything got this far. "Hinata… Do you really want this – the wedding, and all?" Saying that made him bold enough to spit out the rest. "Can you honestly imagine spending the rest of your life with me?"
Hinata's eyes widened as she stared at him through the mirror. For a long time loaded silence lingered thickly between them, filling the room. "What do you mean?" She was nearly whispering, but he still heard loud and clear.
For another long while everything was still and quiet as they stared at each other through the mirror, both breathing hard and feeling a bit dizzy.
And then his cell phone decided to come to life. He took a deep breath before managing to move his hand and take a look. He frowned when discovering who the caller was. "Sasuke?"
It took torturously long before Sasuke finally spoke. "Suigetsu and I… aren't talking today, and I don't feel like calling the others." The man's tone sounded off, drained, and he was almost sure he heard traces of already dried tears. "My motorcycle broke down. Can you come and pick me up?"
Naruto's heart leapt, and his pulse became so high that he could hear the rush of his blood. His whole body reacted, and he didn't have a clue how to feel about it. "Sure", he all but whispered huskily, not bothering to think. "Of course I'll come." He had to calm himself for a beat. "Where are you?"
Sasuke gave him an address, and he frowned upon discovering that it was one of Konoha's shadiest neighborhoods. As soon as he promised to come Sasuke hung up, the conversation they'd just had clearly the most the Uchiha could handle.
Then Naruto was once again alone with Hinata. And for the first time since they'd met he didn't have a clue what to say, how to talk to her.
This time it was Hinata who spoke first, which surprised them both. "Go – he needs you. We'll talk later." Although they both had a nagging feeling they wouldn't.
Naruto wished he would've been a stronger man, that he would've had the will to finish this before walking away, but the urge was much too strong. Unable to speak he nodded, turning towards the door and showing his back to Hinata.
Just before he walked away she spoke once more. "I'll… be at my parents' after work, at least for a while – I haven't seen them a lot lately. I may come home late."
He nodded once more, not quite sure what to feel. "'K." He tried to smile although she couldn't see it, fighting to prove to himself that everything was okay. He swallowed thickly, then began to move once more. "I'll see you later."
Silence lingered between them as he walked away and closed the door.
Although it was pouring rain Naruto found the address given to him easily – after all Konoha was a small town, and the neighborhood Sasuke had mentioned was quite infamous. He found it unnerving to imagine what Sasuke was doing there.
Feeling chills he climbed out of the car and locked the doors carefully, then headed towards a huge but nearly collapsed, long since abandoned house that'd probably been an office building. Fearing that the building might come down on him at any moment he opened the door and entered boldly. The door and floors screeched eerily as he progressed, clearly announcing that he was an unwanted intruder. Rain came through the building's roof like there'd been none, making him drenched in seconds.
He found Sasuke from one of the abandoned offices, knelt nearby a window before a huge dark stain of some sort. The Uchiha had most likely been there for a long time, because he looked soaked to the bone. He felt a flare of anger and disappointment when sensing alcohol in the air, and it took his all not to snap. Sasuke didn't need lectures at the moment.
Taking a deep breath he approached. "Are you okay?"
Sasuke emitted a gruff sound. "I only called you because you were my last option. So don't get any ideas, okay? I don't want to talk."
He nodded, despite those words feeling slightly elated. At least Sasuke was speaking. "Okay."
And so they remained in silence, soaked almost to the bone, while Sasuke visibly fought to pull himself together and he waited, his heart pounding. Everything felt loaded, somehow, like all hadn't been said.
He had no clue how long had passed when Sasuke brought a hand to his face, beginning to shudder. Naruto couldn't tell if the man was cold or crying. "I hate this", the man spat out in the end, his voice raspy like his throat had been hurting. He was about to bring a hand to the Uchiha's shoulder but the man stopped him with a sharp shake of head. "Don't… touch me. Not now."
"I won't." He waited for a moment, wondering if speaking would turn out to be a huge mistake when Sasuke was like this. "Then what do you want me to do?"
Sasuke closed his eyes, appearing utterly exhausted. "I just… I need you to give me some fucking time, okay? I need time to think, to figure out what the hell these… things inside me are. I need you to stop pushing me."
He nodded again, taking a deep breath. Sometimes, it seemed, he forgot how careful he had to be when working with someone like Sasuke. "I'm… sorry, for pushing you." He gave a dry, slightly bitter chuckle, looking up. "I'm not sure if I know what all I've done wrong, but I'm sorry."
Sasuke's eyes turned dangerously hard. "Hn."
They remained in silence for a while, both busy with sorting out what'd just been said. It wasn't that much of a surprise that he broke the silence. "Look… It's cold and rainy, and I'm pretty sure this building isn't even safe. Let's go home."
Sasuke shook his head, eyes darkening. "Not yet."
He was about to ask until he noticed what Sasuke was doing. The man knelt, then took something from the covers of his clothes – a candle. For some reason his eyes stung a bit as he watched the Uchiha whisper something he couldn't quite make out. It took quite long before the man finally straightened his form, then just stood there staring at the candle's flame.
He frowned, confused by the variety of emotions on the other's face. "Sasuke?"
Sasuke grit teeth, balling his fists. He wondered if he really saw the man's eyes shimmer, just a little bit. "Now we can go." The Uchiha then looked towards him. "Could you take me home? I need a shower." The tightness of Sasuke's tone revealed how hard it was for the man to ask for a favor.
He frowned. "Are you sure you want to be alone?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed at him. "I'm old enough to look after myself, Uzumaki. So stop mothering me and just give me that ride, will you?"
Once more he nodded, not knowing what else he could've done. At least Sasuke hadn't lost his flame. "Okay."
They walked to his car in silence, both shaking from cold and something else. Naruto felt a disturbing need to hold Sasuke when taking a glance towards the Uchiha. Only the fact that he knew it was insane and he didn't want to get punched kept him from acting on his desires.
They drove in silence for about ten minutes before he decided that it was the right time to speak. "So… What were you doing in that building? It's been abandoned for years already."
Sasuke's face seemed to darken a little. The man looked out the window, eyes unreadable. "I… brought there a candle, for Itachi. I just felt like it was something I had to do – it's his birthday, anyway."
He spoke a bit more quietly than usual, feeling cold. "What happened to him?"
Everything about Sasuke went absolutely stiff. "He died." The Uchiha felt so much that it turned his voice cold and hollow. The man's eyes narrowed, obviously at memories. To his utter stun Sasuke went on. "After our parents died, Itachi had to take care of me. He'd just turned eighteen, so it was legally possible. And he did it, although it meant that he had to push aside his plans on going to univesity and get a job instead. He did all that, for a messed up brat." The Uchiha's eyes narrowed. These memories were obviously painful. "He waited until I was eighteen, and Orochimaru got out of the prison. He shot Orochimaru twice before putting a bullet into his own skull."
His eyes widened as he took in what'd just been told, and he had huge difficulties with parking outside Sasuke's house. It took a long while before he could make a sound. "I'm… sorry, Sasuke."
Sasuke didn't react in any way whatsoever, only looked out the car's window with rather hostile eyes.
He waited for a long moment before dearing to speak. "He loved you, you know? A lot. I still remember how you spent time together when your mom brought him to Taku. He wanted to protect you."
Sasuke's eyes flashed, but this time not dangerously. Maybe the Uchiha was too tired for strong emotions. "Hmph." Taking this as his chance to flee, Sasuke opened the door and climbed out. "Thanks for the ride. I'll be sober for tomorrow's visit." With that as the final versidict the car's door was slammed closed. The man's steps were sharp and stiff as he walked to the building's door and entered, never looking back.
Once, Naruto might've accepted defeat and left. But now… Now, something entirely different swelled inside him.
His eyes flashing he all but jumped out of the car and also headed towards the door Sasuke had just walked through.
To Hinata the process of packing up and walking out of the apartment was nothing but the blur. The next thing she realized was that stood nehind a certain door, shivering like a leaf and feeling close to throwing up. Her eyes stung hellishly, bringing her close to being unable to see.
It seemed to take forever before the door was finally opened. There was a look of near shock on Kiba's face when he saw her. It took several moments before he managed to speak. "Hinata? What's wrong?"
She swallowed thickly, feeling this nearly unbearable urge to… She didn't even know. "Can I… come in? Please?"
Without saying a word Kiba nodded and moved so that she could enter.
If he'd dared to, Naruto would've definitely chuckled at the expression on Sasuke's face when the man discovered him once opening the door.
He quirked an eyebrow, his heart pounding a million miles per hour for some reason. "What – did you think I'd give up that easily?"
Sasuke stared at him for a long moment, then emitted a gruff snort. "You really are a moron."
He found himself chuckling. "Yeah, I know." Suddenly running out of coherent thoughts he scratched his hair, his head spinning so that it made thinking difficult. "So, I… I just thought that maybe I could keep you company. I mean… Today's gotta be a pretty shitty day, and all." By the time the words were out and he really heard them he felt like kicking himself.
Sasuke didn't seem an inch more impressed. "Didn't I already tell you to stop mothering me?"
A new voice made his intended comeback get stuck in his throat and caused him to jump. "Do we have company?"
Looking to side, he found Suigetsu stood nearby, toweling his hair. Their expressions were almost identical as recognition dawned. "You again", they all but growled together.
He cleared his throat and swallowed thickly, feeling a huge and painful lump forming in his throat. What the hell's going on with me – why would I be jealous of…? He chose to banish that dangerous thought. "I… thought you two weren't talking."
Suigetsu shrugged and grinned. "Mah, maybe not but we make good roommates with perks. Though we're 'not talking' or hate each other fifteen times a day." Naruto's insides burned when the man wrapped his arms possessively around Sasuke, and the Uchiha didn't seem to protest. "It's an omelette for supper, right?"
Sasuke frowned. "I'm not hungry."
Suigetsu replied with rolling eyes and heading towards the kitchen. "Let's agree I didn't hear that." The man disappeared, and after a moment there was a sound of the refrigerator opening. "So… Ham or mushrooms?"
There was a look he couldn't name on Sasuke's face right before the man replied. "Mushrooms, I guess." The tone was gruff and close to irritated.
Naruto swallowed thickly, feeling worse than he remembered feeling since Sasuke had been dragged out of Taku. "I… guess I should go, ne?"
Sasuke's eyes looked a little too dark. "You shouldn't have come in the first place if your only purpose was to make sure I don't get even drunker, slice my wrists or do anything even more stupid."
If he'd had a little bit more gutts he might've said that the problem was that he did want something he couldn't even name, so much that it scared him. He even went as far as grabbing the Uchiha's wrist, which made the man shudder a bit. He licked his lips. "Look, Sasuke…"
He wasn't sure what caused it, but at that moment the little self control Sasuke had been able to maintain disappeared. The man's eyes were flaming and torn when meeting his. "The last time I let you in here you fucked me, took me like I'd be some possession. You have no fucking clue what it meant to me, and now you can't even remember it. So get the hell out of here before you make another mistake. Get the hell out of my sight."
For several moments he simply stared at Sasuke, unable to take in and believe the words. But as they sunk in it felt like his whole world had come to a sudden stop – he'd never felt anything as overwhelming. And once again he chose the coward's way out.
He dashed out of the apartment and into the hallway. It was the closest to experiencing freefall he'd ever come. He almost threw up when making his way out of the building.
What the hell have I done?
And what the hell was he going to do?
It was already late at night when Sasuke stood in front of the bathroom mirror, looking at the picture of his exhausted face. Fairly soon the shadows deceived him, showing someone else's reflection.
/ "Would you forgive me, if I had to do something to protect you?" /
Anger, such that burned him, flared inside him.
/ "Forgive me, Sasuke." /
Barely managing to restrain a scream he threw the full glass of strong alcohol he'd been holding straight at the bathroom mirror. He watched with still bubbling rage and fascination how crimson liquid shone on the shards.
Voices from the past echoed in his ears.
/ "Maybe one day, you'll understand." /
/ "Don't you understand, Sasuke? The hurt you're feeling right now…" / He still remembered how the blade had felt. / "It's the only way to become strong, to become immortal. So let go – embrace it. That's a lesson you must learn." /
He closed his eyes and squeezed his hand tightly around the item he was holding.
For some odd reason he mused that he'd never been good at keeping promises.
/ "I won't abandon you – I'll come back real soon. I'll always be there when you need me." /
The night was eerily quiet.
TBC, no?
A/N: Oh dear… Naruto's really made a mess of things, eh? (winces)
GAH, I'm in a huge hurry so I've gotta tune out. But before that… PLEASE, do leave a review – hearing about you would definitely help me with creating the final chapters! (gives puppy's eyes)
IN THE NEXT ONE: With the wedding only days away, Naruto must make some drastic decisions – or will Sasuke and Hinata make them for him? After some shocking events his life is never going to be the same again.
Until next time, folks – I PROMISE it'll come faster this time!
Take care!
Iggy: First off, I'm absolutely thrilled to hear you've enjoyed the story thus far so much! (grins from ear to ear)
Let's hope Itachi's still alive. Sasuke would really need him right now!
HUGE thank yous for the review and condolence! (hugs)
Until next time, I hope.
jfkfjk: Thank you! (sniffs and hugs)
Yeah, it was pretty hard, since he was more of a dad than a granddad to me. But now, I think things are getting better little by little. (smiles feebly)
See you soon, yeah?
Lady Antebellum - Need You Now
Picture perfect memories,
Scattered all around the floor.
Reaching for the phone cause, I can't fight it any more.
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind.
For me it happens all the time.
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now.
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now.
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now.
Another shot of whiskey, can't stop looking at the door.
Wishing you'd come sweeping in the way you did before.
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind.
For me it happens all the time.
It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk,
And I need you now.
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now.
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now.
Yes I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all.
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now.
And I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now.
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now.
I just need you now.
Oh baby I need you now.
TIMELINE OF FLASHBACKS:
Itachi and Mikoto meet Sasuke at the hospital right after he's been returned from having been kidnapped. (chapter 5)
Tsunade decides to take Naruto and Sasuke into Taku. (chapter 3)
Naruto overhears Tsunade's fight with Fugaku Uchiha. (chapter 2)
Sasuke is taken away from Taku. Before leaving, he gives Naruto a pendant and a promise. (chapter 1)
Sasuke's home, suffering from nightmares. Itachi tries to offer him comfort. (chapter 4)
A mysterious meeting takes place at Orochimaru's office. (chapter 6)
THE CHILDREN IN TAKU:
Haru (6) – Autistic little boy whom his parents sent to Taku for good professional, loving care.
Sheo (6) – A very unclear case. A little boy who often gets violent panic attacks.
Kira (6) – A little abandoned girl who's scared of everything. She won't speak
Aimi (7) – A cute girl who has startlingly realistic illusions of ghosts.
Takao (8) – A boy who's been through a lot and suffers from severe depression. Is sometimes suicidal.
Yutaka (8) – A boy who's mad at the whole world and doesn't hesitate to show it – the most violent patient ever resited in Taku. His extremely rough past explains his behavior.
