November 20th, 7:51 PM

Naruto could barely feel his entire body, almost unaware that he was running. His mind was still back there, next to the dead body of Kiba Inuzuka, where his lover stood high above, most likely smirking down at the dead man with the devil's grin. This is why he did not realize he was running. Where to? He didn't know, and he didn't care. It did not matter, as long as it was anywhere away from the man he had come to adore, come to love.....come to thoughts running through his head made his heart wrench for contact, especially from a certain man. But he didn't dare turn back to go run into that man's would not crumble, would not be weak, despite his heavy turn of events had certainly left him aching and had been hurt again...not just by a friend, but by yet another lover...how ironic. How could he trust anyone if he couldn't trust the people he shared his heart with? Was there no one he could turn to? Perhaps ravens had bad causality for his love life...

He realized his feet were aching as he moved throughout the opera house, mindlessly letting his body drag him to a safe haven. He had forgotten to take off his heels for the role that had been assigned merely minutes ago, although those mere minutes seemed like ages in the past to his hazy was no time, no excuse,and certainly no energy to stop and take the shoes off pain could be dealt with, he thought dimly, moving faster and ignoring his screaming appendages.

After all, it was nothing like his internal pain.

As the blond walked, people passed him on the way, so many people that could have glanced over and noticed the tears in his eyes or the distressed breathing. But they were too focused on the fresh talk about the murder to notice his distress. But that was for the better, he supposed. He did not want people to ask if he was alright, or take up any of his time asking useless questions, or give him pity and concern.

All he wanted was to be alone.

His travelings finally brought him to a flight of stairs, ones that he did not hesitate to walk up. His damn heels and blurred vision nearly caused him to trip over himself, but thankfully he held up, able to clear the last steps and stand in front of a heavy metal door, one that didn't seem familiar to it open with an extra hardy shove, it creaked open at the weight of his arm, and he found himself peering out to the balcony of the building, a light snow blanketing state of attire held no match for the arctic blister of the season, he realized with a heavy shiver. But the young man stepped outside nevertheless, letting the weather wash over him in a rush and causing him to exhale out in to the crisp shockingly cold that stung his nose helped keep him grounded, so that he wouldn't pass out from being too lightheaded from fatigue and sorrow.

From the ruckus just below, one could tell that people on the streets were in an uproar. Men were shouting, women screaming or crying. For how hectic it was inside, there was even more disturbance out here as well. That was to be expected after all, with such a gruesome scene that just happened. Thank god there were no children at the performance; that would have been traumatizing to so many, including the opera house. Angry parents would most likely boycott, and that would be poor business.

In any case, this situation would be the talk of the town for days to come, that was for certain.

In the distance, sirens could be heard from police cars. Most likely they were coming to investigate, to enter the main gala and stare down the rows of seats to the stage. Would they be disgusted too, when they would witness a crumpled, lifeless body that still lay in cold blood?Would they even find anything to pin the crime on? Did Sasuke leave no trail behind and they would have to give up their search? Or would they discover a piece of evidence, and eventually track him down...throw him in jail?Yes, take him far away, for a long time, let him pay for his crimes. Maybe they would keep him there forever, as punishment to think over what he had done. If only he could wish that to happen. Though it was suitable punishment, the blond found himself scared of the thought, scared of seeing the man in jail...and he hated himself for now he could not wish such a fate on his lover, could not sentence a murderer to justice. Even though he was a cold hearted murderer, what they had...what had started between them, was still so fresh in his mind.

How pitiful of himself, he thought bitterly. The phantom had been right. He was weak. Weak for Sasuke, weak for-

"What are you doing out here in this cold?"

Speak of the man himself, he thought with mild surprise, not expecting anyone to come up it really shouldn't have been a surprise; someone was always looking for him, after all. Doing a feeble half-turn in the thin layer of snow, he found himself facing the raven with lack of real interest. Although thank god it was the accountant, and not his 'angel of music', who had opened the balcony door quietly below the roar of the a blank look, he let his shoulders shrug, his stomach instantly relaxing, despite the fact that he wasn't on terms with either of them, he would take Sai at this moment without any second thoughts. Wait, wasn't he asked a question...? Oh.

"I guess I just...need to get away from all of that." He muttered loudly enough to pick up after snapping away from his inner battles.

The raven scooted closer to the other male, eyes carefully tracing over the figure before him, analyzing the subtle shivers racking the others body. He immediately was then shrugging off his own coat, and with no hesitation moved to drape it over the barely dressed tan shoulder's of his ex, despite mild protests of how he needed the the coat stayed on, pinned with a firm gaze from the taller man, and the little blond ceased all argument.

Now only in his undershirt, Sai frowned, turning a bit to stare out into the view, having the look of a deep thinker. How he could do so with all the disorder echoing onto the rooftop, was a mystery. But it was quiet between the two, as the setting from the evening drizzled over them both and kept them at a somber level. Neither of them really felt comfortable talking about it, but...it was one of those things that had to be dealt with.

Finally Sai made the first move, with a quiet tone. "What a turn of events...such a tragedy that Kiba had an accident."

"....Accident?" The other muttered flatly. It probably wasn't going to make any use to say anything about what really happened. Especially to someone like Sai, who was definitely a realist. But the words seemed to slip from his mouth without consent. "It wasn't an accident. The phantom murdered him."

And there it was, laid out on the table. He could only hope at this point that he could get the other to support him or, at the very least, believe the expected reaction was played out. Instead of words understanding, there was a sigh and shake of the head, causing his chest to tighten up.Of course, he thought bitterly, only half interested in the rant he was currently getting.

"Naruto, you know as well as I do there isn't really an opera ghost. Some con-artist is just trying to play a trick on us to get some money out of this. What happened with Kiba was no one's fault."

And that was when Naruto realized it. Sasuke did not need lack of evidence to be safe from punishment. The fact that no one would believe a phantom murder had taken place was a jail free ticket in itself.

"But it's true! You may think I'm crazy, but...he is also my angel of music. I've seen him before, and he comes to me many times. He is not a con-man. He may not be a real ghost, but he is definitely an opera phantom. He always comes to me...he is always...there..." Naruto closed his eyes, the image of the dark haired man's face automatically taking over his mind. That beautiful alabaster face with red eyes....the one that he loved and hated more than anything.

"In dreams?"

Those two words caused the younger man to freeze up, dancing mirages of his lover immediately fluttering away at the realization. He lowered his head and spoke the short question silently to himself, although he already knew the suggestion beneath two words had said many things, whether those meanings were supposed to be discovered or not.

With his mouth set in a flat line, he turned to look at the raven, knowing he would find nothing but disapproval. He should have known better. There were no real friends of his in this place. There was only Hinata who believed him, the only one who would always believe though Sai had been one of the closest to his heart in life,even now....after the supposed commitments and everything, he was ridiculing him.

"You're saying I'm hallucinating all of this." It was not even put into a question. It was a statement, and the look from the dark man's eyes told him exactly his suspicions were true.

Sai sighed again, to Naruto's mild irritation. That sigh...not one of relief or sadness...but of pity. A hand was gently placed on the tan, stiff shoulder, a voice drifting in the air quietly but firmly. "All I am saying is that no one else has seen this man but you. Perhaps you are simply indulging in this thing too much. It's unhealthy for you to be mistaking make believe from reality."

Naruto was suddenly glad they had not gone to dinner that night, for now he felt very insulted. What was he, merely a clueless child in those dark eyes? How he hated those eyes...the cruel thought of tearing them out crossed his mind for a fleeting moment. He was not violent by nature, but at the moment, his mind did not care.

"I am...not...indulging!" The blond was finally able to snap, pulling the coat closer to himself as the wind suddenly tempted to yank it from his mustered up a truly heated glare as the suit clad man shook his head and approached him even now, as his patience was slipping. Backing away slightly, he hoped that was hint enough to realize the other should back down and leave him alone. His chance to offer solace to the blond had died, and now there was nothing he could say...

"Naruto...don't be so ridiculous. Is this because of me?"

Well, that didn't make him feel better...but it effectively made him calm down, but mostly because confusion won over the battle in his emotions. "I-...pardon?" Whatever rant he was going to throw cut off short, dying in his throat from the strange assumption. Was this guy being serious? How the hell could he assume this mess was his fault..?

Sai rolled his eyes at the dumbfounded look given to him, obviously needing to explain. There was a glance out into the evening sky with a tight frown on his face, obviously trying to find the right way to say all he was thinking. He took a few moments to gather words in his mind before speaking very quietly into the air, which picked up his words with puffs of breath."Listen. I...know I hurt you in the past. I know this, and I tried to make amends with it. But is all of this some sort of...side effect from the negative emotions you've been building up? Is this an outcome of my recklessness? Because if so...I did not intend for my actions to hurt you this badly."

Even with the explanation, it didn't help much. Naruto wasn't sure if this worry was true...or just out of self-consciousness. After all, there had been emotion before, but was it completely gone? Did Sai really care about him even now? Well, he didn't think so, and was feeling bitter enough to assume the latter of his two assumptions. "I am over your past actions, believe me..." He muttered out, shifting his weight a little. "There is no grief that would be causing me to act like this. None of this is because of you, so don't worry your pretty little head off. There, does that satisfy your concern, sir? If so, I really don't think we have anything to discuss."

And with those words, he was done. There was nothing else he wanted to say. He turned away, feeling hurt and angry, even more so than before when he had been alone. The murder left him emotionally damaged enough with one raven male, and then the other one had to come up and upset him more..with all of his distrust and lack of faith.

All of this mess made him so emotionally drained, and he felt the urge to leave down to bed and escape from this long night. Without another word, his feet started to drag him away. Maybe he could spend the night in Hinata's room...he dare not return to his own, the chance of the phantom still there too much to risk.

But Sai had alternate plans for him at the moment; it was clear he far from done with this conversation."Don't say such hurtful things..." he muttered, hand shooting out to grab the tan shoulder with a grip strong enough to clearly express that he did not have permission to leave just yet. The message was clearly noted, and he received an irritated sound...but the body beneath his arm halted movements. He turned the blond around to face him, so that the other could see the firm state of expression he now wore. The gentle words were not matching the look on his face though. "And do not push me away. I am only trying to help you."

The actor laughed quietly at the ridiculousness of it all, at how the other felt like he was actually helping. He was no longer pissed...but he did have the urge to break down and cry because of all this mess. "Helping..? How is this helping? You don't trust me and think I am lying. If I can't even get trust from my past lover, then there is no help for me."Shaky tan fingers ran themselves through golden locks. "Now, if you kindly leave instead of indulging me for my sake-"

A soft pair of lips suddenly cut him off, killing off his words and any thoughts. And for a second, his mind was back down in the deep dark catacombs of his lover's domain, resting on those silk sheets and making love, kissing just like this. It took his brain a few seconds to realize that these were not Sasuke's lips, not the lips he had tasted so recently. These were familiar, but an old familiar rising up in his . Not Sasuke...it was Sai that was kissing him now at this moment, not making new memories but rather refreshing old ones from long experience sparked something deep inside, something that only the other raven had been able to bring alive as taste of smokey bark, or the gentle way he swiped his bottom lip with a skilled tongue. He had not dealt with these for so long, yet the memory was vivid, as if they had never stopped being found himself sinking into the embrace, allowing the wet muscle to pull apart his lips and devour him from the inside. God, the heat...all of this was causing fire to coil in his belly like an angry snake, a fire that almost rivaled...

After a few seconds they pulled apart for much needed oxygen. They were both panting heavily, the air no longer seeming as frigid to the overheated blond tried to catch his breath, mind slowly recuperating and attempting to figure out what exactly just happened. The accountant spoke, breath still choppy.

"Naruto...If you want me to trust you, return the favor," the man pleaded gently, words finally overcoming the inhales of breath. "Let go of this fantasy you have. There are things right in front of you, existing in this moment, that need you...including me."

Sai...needed him? That was a deep surprise. From the way things split off so many years ago, Naruto had been convinced the man had no need of any inch of him. Apparently he was mistaken...

With the blond's eyes glowing in curiosity, a pale hand gently placed itself on his icy cheek, the thumb gently stroking the skin in an attempt to warm and comfort. "I am here, right here and now...isn't that enough for you to stop chasing things in the dark?" The taller of the two inched forward, bending closer. If they weren't already so flustered, they would have been close enough to notice each other's body heat "I know you have no reason to return my feelings, but...I cannot help but remember what we had. Is there no chance of that ever returning?"

Naruto closed his eyes tightly at the words, which had brought the heat up yet again. The man's cologne and presence threatened to overwhelm his senses and completely envelop him. It was a bit disorienting to think about, especially right after they had...well, made out. But he forced himself away from the lingering tingle on his lips to think deeply at what had been he honestly move on and attempt to restart all of this again? There was a spark, yes. He would be a fool to deny most of his heart was still held captive from the grip of the angel...although that hold was slipping away thanks to the horrible tragedy. Did he actually have the courage to defy the man's love, or will to break apart the fingers that hold over him for good and move on?Part of him still loved Sasuke, deeply...but what they had was broken, maybe beyond repair. Perhaps it was best to try and move on, to forget about everything that had hapened before this very moment. Perhaps...

Baby steps, he decided, opening his eyes and staring up at the hopeful looking man. "I'll...think about it," he finally murmured, offering a weak smile as encouragement to soften any blow. He knew how persistent Sai could be, and feared that an incomplete answer might upset the man.

But the man merely returned the smile, nodding his head. He did not seem disappointed at all, actually actually very relieved with the news. He lifted the tan hand and placed a gentle kiss on the back of the palm. "I can accept that...for now." He let go of the now blushing young man to pet the golden locks before him in a quick sense of a few second of staring each other down and taking in all that had happened, he moved away enough to give the boy any space he needed. All seemed peaceful, and they probably could have stood there all night. But soon at the howl of the chilled wind, their quickly cooling bodies now were desperate to get inside once more. The accountant then gently tugged at an arm, motioning them both to move against the roar of the creature.

"Come, let's return inside and be rid of this hellish night."

That was one thing they seemed to agree on all night. With a nod as answer, the two young men moved away from the dark and bitter cold towards the metal door despite the wind's protests. The pale hand gripped the chilled handle opened the doorway, a ray of indoor light immediately crawling onto the glanced one last time at the howl of the wind, for it sounded very anguished at the thought of their departure. But they exited the cold world without a second thought and returned the world of heat and light and peace.

The door slid shut with a quiet shudder behind them, sealing off the sounds from inside and leaving the rooftop desolate. On the streets below no longer came voices, for it was much too cold to stand down there. It left the chilled outside silent. Well, it would have been silent, if not for the wind that cried even louder than before, causing a ruckus. It was angry in nature, but there was no one there that would listen to its tantrum.

Well, almost no one. There had actually been three characters in play, and the third figure moved his way out of the shadows, casting away his hiding place. The dimly moonlit night barely showed off any of his features, besides his silhouette. The dark figure walked slowly, movements stiff in posture, until he stood exactly where Sai had been, and he faced exactly where Naruto had been. And when he was in that exact spot, he stood without anymore movement, tilting his head to stare at where the two had just disappeared.

The phantom had his feet planted in the thin layer of snow, not letting anything deter him from that spot. Not the wind nor the chill was the cause of his tremors either. No, those were because of the sight he had just witnessed. Not only had the only thing that had ever mattered in his life walk away and disown him, but with that....other man.

And the thought of their kiss only fueled his raging emotions.

He stood there, quietly, truly taking in all that had happened this past evening. In his trembling hands was a single rose, vivid red in color with a black tie around it. He had brought it here, knowing that his blond would be here. As a symbol of why he continued to exist, and as his offer of forgiveness, love, and his efforts were in vain, for when he had quietly opened up that door, he saw his lover in the arms of another...too caught up in the kiss to notice the phantom as he backed off into the shadows, witnessing everything.

With a low growl, Sasuke discarded the token of love into the thin snowbank without hesitation. There was no use for it anymore. Not when Naruto caused his heart to ache with anger and sadness. Turning away, he glared up at the night, voice still calm in the air despite his best efforts.

"You will curse the day you did not do....all that the Phantom asked of you."

---à suivre---

-----

Next Chapter: Bal Masque

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen."

The smooth voice that uttered the greeting immediately snapped the trance of entertainment that held over the hall, everyone turning their heads to stare at the source of the new voice. The raven haired man that stood on the top of the stairs, his outfit of deep, blood red pants and a black ruffled shirt matching his dark complexion. His usual mask of white was replaced with a red one, black trimming lacing and heightening the vivid interior color.

"Shocked to silence?" He asked them all, bemused at the crowd with their mouths agape. With a tilt with his head, Sasuke did not seem to mind lacing good humor around his words, "Did you honestly think that I had left you all for good? Tsk.."

R/R!