You can see me drinking Cherry Cola
Sweet serial killer
Left a love note
Said you know i love the thrill of the rush
You know I love the thrill of the rush...
~Lana
"Karin Uzumaki. You are hereby under arrest for the murders of Kin Tsuchi, Zaku Abumi, and Suigetsu Hozuki. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning."
'"Listen man I'm really sorry 'bout this shit you're going through. You don't have to come up if you don't want, it's okay if Sakura or Sasuke comes up instead."
"No really it's okay, we'll all go up." was Naruto's reply.
Brown messy hair, and red triangular tattoos marked the police officer who greeted them at the federal bureau headquarters. Kiba Inuzuka, an old friend was the officer in charge for the given case.
Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura followed the officer into the looming building climbing to the third floor, which housed the offices.
Kiba led them to a closed office at the end of the hall. The mark of a higher official in the police enforcement - the rest had an open office area. Two large wooden tables lined opposite walls, one meticulously arranged, and the other a haphazard mess. Kiba led them to the messier desk and brought out four files from beneath the jumble of files and stray papers. Handing the files to the three, he began.
"My partner's not here at the moment so I'll just give you the details myself. The accused is a Ms Karin Uzumaki- she a relative of yours or is that a coincidence?"
"A distant relative." he said nonchalantly, before jumping in surprise as he registered what he said.
"Karin Uzumaki? That's not possible. She-" Sakura started.
Sasuke cut her off.
"Let him finish." he said in a stoic baritone.
Kiba looked between the three, confused, before going on to say, "A weapon was found in her apartment. It has traces of blood of the three victims. The blade has several of her biometric prints on it - and nobody else's. It is quite definitely the murder weapon. Further investigation shows that she was reported to have been the last to stay at the hotel room where Ms Tsuchi was found dead."
"What are you saying the motive for murder was?" Sasuke asked, his face impassive.
"Among pictures found there was some of Ms Tsuchi intimately involved with Mr Hozuki. We felt that she murdered them out of a jealous frenzy induced insanity." Kiba finished. A long pause ensued.
"Less than a day after the murder, Karin approached us at Sasuke's house. She was a wreck - completely devastated by Suigetsu's death. She blamed the deaths on Naruto and Kin, and eventually became hysterical before she left. It shook us up quite a bit." Sakura said breaking the silence and finishing with, "How do you think that could come from a murderer?"
"We've already considered that. Since we took her into custody this morning she's exhibited plenty of signs of mental instability. Think of it - she's perfectly capable of murdering someone. And this isn't the first time the police have cornered her for taking things too far. She murders them, then plays the role of the hysterical victim to throw off suspicion. And then she gets away a free woman. Not this time. "We're having a professional psychiatrist come in to have a look at her later on today." Kiba said.
The three of them looked at him, surprise and disbelief marring their features.
"So the person who killed Suigetsu ... was Karin?" Naruto asked, the truth of it sinking in as he shook his head in surprise.
Sakura put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay, Naruto...It doesn't exactly matter now, remember?"
Naruto nodded slowly saying, "But that still doesn't justify people dying. That's four people's lives ruined there!"
Leave it to Naruto to be the big hearted humanitarian he was.
"Maybe not four. If her lawyers play this right , Karin will go to a psychiatric ward and will go into rehabilitation."
"What do we need to do? How does her rehabilitation help us?" Sasuke asked, growing impatient.
"You might have to be present at the court hearing. As for the rest - it's upto the courts now. We police have done all we can. So have you although there's not much you can do seeing as you're not leading the prosecution. Your contact details have been given to the lawyers so they'll contact you if they need you any further." Kiba said.
"In that case, we'll get going now?"Sakura asked.
Kiba nodded mouthing a "Bye" as Sasuke led them out the way they had came.
As Naruto left he felt a hand fall on his shoulder and turned to see the Inuzuka who said, "Don't worry man this should all work out fine, okay?"
Naruto nodded, flashing him a smile before following Sasuke and Sakura.
Hinata wasn't usually cruel.
No, she took absolutely no pleasure in destroying an innocent woman's life.
But then again, Karin was in no way innocent.
Killing Karin would be far too complicated at this point in time. But at least she could lock her up, lock her up far away. Far, far away, where she could never lay as much as a finger on Naruto.
Karin Uzumaki. She had no right to even bare the same surname as him, let alone to try to harm him. It was a cruel trick of fate that she shared even a sliver of the same blood. But it wouldn't matter any more.
Hinata had her framed. It was simple really- a perfect way to divert suspicion.
Kill two birds with one stone.
"I'm thinking the theme for this fashion show in two days should be..., wait for it,... Eternity. Eternal time, eternal youth, eternal death, eternal beauty, eternal love. What d'you think Hinata?"
The ravenette stayed quiet, nodding slightly.
The other woman playfully tapped her arm, chidingly saying, "Don't be like that Hinata, you should know how I'm nothing like your managers or those other directors. I'm not going to force you into anything you don't want! But gosh what a theme...I'm so great at this stuff aren't I? If we pull this off within the next two days, I'll be the talk of the town."
She flipped her platinum blonde hair over one shoulder and smirked smugly.
"Isn't this supposed to be a fashion show to decide which designers you'll take on your troupe to Milan? Their designs on the catwalk not yours?" Hinata asked blankly, not in the least impressed by her director's narcissism. Ino was technically one of the lesser of multiple evils in the fashion world, but that didn't mean that Hinata trusted her any further than she could throw her; which wasn't very far in the first place.
"Yeah well the audience won't know that will they? They come to see my work, not a bunch of amateurs." she said.
'Actually,' she thought to herself, sighing, 'They come to see us models dressed in all of your work.'
"It's quite obvious that your sub theme is eternal beauty. What else for the supermodel Hinata Hyuga? We'll pull of the theme perfectly. The designers working for you are two newbies- but they show a lot of promise. And they're hot as hell too. Sasori Akasuna and Deidara. They do tend to fight each other quite a bit, so you'll have to bear with them. When "
Conversations with Ino were always like this- always Ino talking nonstop with her gossip or new designs, with Hinata nodding to show she was listening even though her thoughts had wandered to far off places.
"And I'm thinking of scrapping the entire cast for that serialisation I'm directing - I'm just not feeling it with them, you know? They're useless to me now. Thought I'd get rid of them and cast fresh people to their roles. I hope the Slice of Life fans don't mind too much..."
A waiter walked up to their table, notepad in hand, and spoke, "What can I get for you two lovely ladies today?"
Looking up at the waiter, Hinata flashed him a kind smile as she said, "I'll have a quinoa salad and salmon croquettes."
"And you?" he asked, turning to Ino.
The blonde looked up at the young man and winked flirtatiously. "I'll have what she said, with some lemonade as well."
"Any drinks for you ma'am?" he asked turning to the ravenette.
Her smile widened slightly with a small mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Cherry cola will do fine."
"Package for Mr Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto looked at the mailman in front of him.
"Who...?" Naruto asked, surprised.
He had been about to leave to meet Sasuke and grab lunch with him.
"They would prefer to remain anonymous."
Puzzling. "What's the package?" he asked.
The courier handed him a bouquet of pure white lilies and deep purple irises.
He gingerly took the bouquet wrapped in a silky purple covering, almost afraid to ruin it if he handled it too roughly. It looked so delicate. Intricate. Beautiful.
A small card was delicately placed among the petals.
Gently picking out the card, he read the slanting spidery script - very beautifully written message.
'You are more loved now that she is gone.'
"Naruto! Sasuke! You didn't tell me you'd be coming today!"
Hinata watched from the wings of the catwalk, casually leaning against the wall as she waited for the stage to be set up.
The frazzled looking blonde director's hands rushed to her hair, feeling for flyaway strands of hair that didn't exist as she walked up to the two men and greeted them.
Hinata felt her fingers curl into a fist as she saw Ino throw her arms around Naruto in a hug.
"I heard about what happened to Kin and everything... I'm so... so sorry about what happened Naruto..." the blonde said in a rush as Naruto drew away from the embrace.
"Umm...you don't really need to apologise Ino... There's nothing you could do about it." Naruto said, trying to laugh it off nonchalantly to edge away from the topic - and also from Ino's vice like grip.
"But think of it this way. She was a stupid bitch who cheated on you. You don't need people like that in your life, do you?" she said, putting a hand on her hip and looking at Naruto intently.
Hinata watched.
"No he doesn't. And he doesn't need every person he meets bringing it up again either, Ino." Sasuke interrupted.
Hinata kept watching.
"Oh! I'm sorry. Yes you're right... Sorry. Come on let me show you how this fashion show's going to run. Sasuke I know you've taken the day off but you need to come see what the show's gonna include." Ino chattered on, as she led the way.
Hinata watched their retreating figures. Her heart lurched with a relatively unfamiliar feeling as she watched the blonde amicably talk to the two. Not necessarily both of them. But definitely, she felt unfamiliarly vindictive as she watched the two blondes converse.
Jealous. She was jealous.
But more than that.
She was angry too.
Ino's words from earlier came back to her.
'They're useless to me now. I'll get rid of them and cast fresh people to their roles.'
The name of the show Naruto starred in.
'I hope the Slice of Life fans don't mind too much.'
Looking down at her hand, she unfurled it quickly before the nails could leave marks in her palm.
Her eyes strayed back to their retreating forms.
Some people would call it crazy. Psychotic. But she loved him too much to let people keep hurting him.
Didn't she?
"This theme is so stupid! Eternal beauty! I mean who wants art if it's like that forever! Art is fleeting! Don't you agree Hinata? I mean... Isn't that beautiful face all the more breathtaking if you can only see it for a moment?"
Hinata looked at the banana blonde haired man who had introduced himself to her as Deidara. One of the two artists assigned to her Ino's show.
"Nonsense. Hinata's beauty is eternal and should be captured in that timeless essence. How else can you call it art?" his partner, a dusty red haired man, Sasori countered.
"See this is why we never get along! Sasori danna always argues with my art! " Deidara complained.
"We don't have time for this now!" Sasori said, handing Hinata a box, saying, " Ms Yamanaka asked us to meet her in the main hall. Put this on now and we'll come back to put on the finishing touches. Is that okay?"
She smiled politely at them and said, "Yes that's fine."
Once they left she gently lifted the lid of the box, letting the silky fabric slip over her fingers as she took the dress out.
It was a light, glossy, royal lilac hue. And so soft to touch that it would surely be weightless once she donned it.
A strapless dress with a beaded bodice and a tulle flair at the waist, beneath which stretched a silky body hugging skirt which billowed into a gown after reaching the knees.
Intricate delicate beaded pearls set in a washed out gold embroidered the sleeveless bodice. It would fit like a glove.
It was, she decided, a rich blend of sleek and extravagant- typical of the designers she had just had the pleasure of meeting.
Quickly discarding the dressing robe she wore, she slipped into the snug dress. It was certainly beautiful, and she found herself internally praising the artists more and more. They were sure to go to Milan with Ino if this was their skill.
'I wonder...what will he think if he sees me wearing this?'
The sound of the door opening caught her attention, just as she began to ponder how to deal with the zip.
'It must be Deidara or Sasori... ' she mused, her back still turned to the door.
"Zip me up, will you?" she asked politely as she pulled part of her hair around one shoulder.
No answer.
She heard the person's footsteps as they walked towards her, feeling the radiating warmth of their masculine frame, and the musky enveloping scent.
'It's not Sasori, or Deidara... But then who?'
Normally she would have turned around by then, but this time she didn't. Her thoughts wandered towards Naruto's blonde hair and blue eyes. His tan, masculine figure. But it would have been ridiculous to picture him behind her.
She felt long, warm, sturdy fingers graze lightly over the skin of her back, starting from the nape and trailing down to the zipper, taking hold of it. The contact sent shivers down her spine, spreading from the point of contact, tingling across her back as she waited in what must have been anticipation. But anticipation why?
Slowly, tantalisingly, the zipper was pulled upwards, over the plane of her back.
A hot breath tickled her ear. The person behind her must have lowered their head to her ear.
Her heart skipped a beat as she caught a glimpse of blonde hair out of the corner of her eyes.
Naruto? It must have been her imagination...
But the breath tickled her ear again, and in a low, husky whisper he said, "You look gorgeous, Hinata."
She froze.
She recognised the voice.
Of course she recognised the voice.
She'd recognise it anywhere.
Naruto.
Her heart quickened in its pace.
She felt her blood pounding through her veins in a thrilling, frenzied rush.
Her senses heightened, every breath, every sound, furthering her ultra sensitised state.
She felt the breath travel from her ear to the side of her neck, leaving a slow, hot trail in its wake.
Between breaths, he said, "Absolutely... Breathtaking..."
He stopped directly upon the junction of her neck and shoulder.
Her breathing had quickened to soft pants as her mind raced with elation. She waited in exhilaration, feeling almost like she were walking on air.
She felt those warm, soft lips - lips she had only dreamed of till now- gently press onto the joint of her neck and shoulder.
His kiss lingered for several fleeting moments - as quick as an explosion, yet eternal all the same.
His lips were like fire. So hot it was almost unbearable... Yet they felt so... So good.
She felt herself almost melting...slowly coming undone at the sensual touch, her heart beating wildly as she closed her eyes for a second.
And then, faster than she could have blinked, the hand from her zipper disappeared.
As had the breath on her neck.
As had the body behind her.
And she looked around the empty room.
Had she imagined it all? After everything, it had been a cruel trick of her mind? Most probably... But she couldn't help the way her heart sank in disappointment, her lips curling into a frown.
Her hand strayed to her back, to the top of her zip.
It was fixed in place, fully done.
Then it hadn't been her imagination?
Her lips curled upwards again, ever so slightly, as she felt a flutter of nervous hope in her chest.
He hadn't meant to do it.
Taking advantage of Hinata like that.
He had never meant to do it.
She had been nothing but nice and sweet to him since they met.
And still... He took advantage of her like that at the first opportunity he had.
She'd probably never want to see him again...
He mentally slapped himself as he moved to find Sasuke.
Then again... All he had done was kiss her shoulder. It wasn't really thaaat bad, was it?
Who was he kidding... If he hadn't come to his senses then who knows what else he would've done.
Seeing her in that dress... Just seeing her... He had acted instinctively.
How would he ever face her again?
He'd have to wait and see how she'd react after seeing him, before apologising.
Yes, if he apologised there would be no problem, would there?
He only hoped so...
And yet the only thing he could ascertain was that something in his head still wanted to go back to that room which he had accidentally stumbled upon...
He couldn't shake the inkling that perhaps... merely perhaps... He had just tipped the silver chalice of an irresistible, deliciously tantalising addiction.
And he just couldn't get enough of it..
Hope you liked it. I sure did. Thanks for all the suggestions- they really put my imagination on a rollercoaster!
New question for you guys- what kind of a role would you like to see Neji play in this story? Any other characters you're intereted in seeing? And any other suggestions you might have? I'm all ears!
Edit: just cleaned up a few typos
Thanks so much everyone. I can't thank you enough.
~Raven
