Hello everyone!

Ahah, first of all, I really want to apologize for how long it took to write it. I know I totally told you "I publish it quickly before the end of the year, I swear, I already half wrote it" and everything. And it happens that your dear writer who is talking to you right now is pure trash who lacked motivations, had holidays and exams, and computer problems. Because why not have everything wrong with your life at the exact same time? \o/

More seriously, I did say the chapter was "half written" and I actually meant it. But it happened the actions I described in this chapter put everything I already wrote in chapter 8. So actually chapter 8 is half written. But I'm not going to promise anything this time, who knows what my horrible tomorrow me will do.

So finally, I finished this chapter. It was about time! I'm not really proud of it, for diverse reasons, but I hope I'll at least manage to seattle down for the next chapter. Also I absolutly need to read all Naruto again in order to get all the characters' personalities right.

ANYWAY: Thank you to all of those who sent me reviews! : Shia Naru, Letsusura, My personal Kiba, Killua17, Saku-ann, Misaki, Jeamour, Anyan, Beltrx, and especially the one under the name of "Guest" who sent me quite a lot of reviews which were all super interesting and helpful!

I am... actually quite sure some of you might get disappointed with this chapter (I raised the expectations too high with previous chapter) but I still hope you'll enjoy this chapter and everything it will lead to.

Thank you all for the support and I wish you the best!

Warning: I still didn't turn english. I swear I'm trying tho Y.Y

Warning 2: ... Actually there is no "Warning 2." Enjoy yourself pleaaase? o/

Love you all


7 - Figure It Out


It was rather early in the morning of that Sunday, and Sasuke was in his house, in the kitchen, drinking his third coffee already. He was looking by the window, waiting. He woke up ways too early, anxious about his plan. The more he thought about it, the more he realized the whole plan was relaying on luck, timing, and absolute trust. He barely managed to sleep that night, trying to think about absolutely every detail, how he could actually work it out. He actually believed that it was going to be easy to pull it out, but he needed to know that whatever happens, Orochimaru will neither react nor suspect anything. And that was the hard part. That was where luck played the biggest part. And Sasuke was starting to realize what was going on and in which mess he put himself into. But there was nothing else better to do. And as he heard Juugo's car parking in the alley, he knew that he couldn't go back now.

Sasuke finished his coffee quickly and walked toward the door. He wasn't even yet in the Living Room that Juugo went inside. Sasuke didn't even bother greeting him.

"So? You got it?"

Juugo nodded as an answer and he pulled a tiny thin white object out of his pocket that Sasuke took without a word.

"How long do we have?" Sasuke asked Juugo, watching the little object, not even the size of his thumb nail.

"A few hours." Juugo replied. "Four at least."

"So we need to act as soon as possible." Sasuke nodded and he put the object carefully in his pocket. He absolutely needed to keep it with him. He had no right to do a mistake now. "We're going."

Juugo nodded and turned to the door he left open to go out, but as Sasuke was about to pass it, Itachi's voice stopped him.

"Sasuke? Where are you going?"

Sasuke stopped in the middle of one of his step, cursing his brother in his head. He didn't have the time for this. He turned to see his brother who just arrived from the corridor to the living room. He was frowning seeing Juugo and Sasuke at the doorstep.

"Orochimaru's." Sasuke replied. "Watching on you-know-what."

He thought it was enough and started to move toward the door when his brother's voice called again. "Sasuke."

"What?" Sasuke sighed in annoyance, turning back at his brother. That wasn't the moment.

"Could you come here please?" Itachi asked, looking at Juugo, clearly wanting to talk with his brother alone.

Juugo looked at Sasuke in order to know what to do. Sasuke just grumbled his order. "Prepare the car, we're leaving immediately after I finish this conversation."

Juugo nodded and without another word, he came out the house. Sasuke on the other hand, walked toward his brother.

"What is it?" He asked him.

"You're going to Orochimaru's?" Itachi asked, suspicious.

"You asked me to watch over what he was doing." Sasuke simply replied. "Can I go now?"

"That early in the morning?" Itachi questioned again, still not convinced.

"It's 8am." Sasuke sighed.

"That early in the morning?" Itachi repeated after a little silence, insisting on the keywords of his sentence, which made Sasuke growl. Couldn't he just accept his excuse and let him go?

"Why are you acting surprised that I want to do my job?" Sasuke replied.

"Because it is Orochimaru and that you're never looking forward to work with him?" Itachi stated and Sasuke wanted to roll his eyes. Seriously they were having this discussion now?

"In case you didn't notice, Orochimaru is doing plans against the senator." Sasuke replied, annoyed, before adding with all the sarcasm he could: "It doesn't seem like that, but it is important."

Itachi didn't seem convinced. Sasuke didn't like this. "We didn't have the time to talk about it yesterday," Itachi started and Sasuke growled again. "What does he intend to do?"

Oh please Itachi stop, Sasuke thought. He continued as short as he could. "He's going to contact the Senator today. I'm going to have all the information for this as soon as I'll be gone."

Itachi was frowning, looking at his younger brother like he tried to read inside him. Sasuke didn't like this look. Usually, Itachi managed to read in his mind. He kept his most stoic face, hearing Juugo's car roaring outside. They only had a few hours. Sasuke had to go now. And he couldn't tell Itachi, of course. And Sasuke hated lying to him. What a mess.

"Madara is worried about Orochimaru's actions." Itachi continued and Sasuke had to put a huge effort on himself to not sigh. "He thinks Orochimaru is going to stop relying on us."

Sasuke knew exactly what Itachi was doing. He knew Sasuke was hiding something related to Orochimaru so he was trying to force him to talk about him. Implying Madara in the conversation was also a way for Sasuke to get pissed and spit everything out. It would work if, at first, Itachi didn't use it so much, and second, if Sasuke wasn't thinking about something as important as he did right now. He would have loved to complain about Madara's administration or Orochimaru's viciousness, but he had no time. He needed to leave now.

"As if Madara was really worrying about anything." Sasuke replied with annoyance. "And Orochimaru might as well if you weren't trying to hold me up like that. I'm supposed to be with him at every step of his plan, so I can be sure he doesn't screw up, so if you don't mind, I'd like to leave now."

Itachi looked thoughtful, watching Sasuke like he was judging the value of his arguments. He then nodded. "Fine. Go. You just better tell me what happened."

"Tch. I will."

And without another word, Sasuke just left the house, preoccupied. He didn't mean to be that cold with his brother but he really had no time. But as he went in the alley, to the roaring car which was ready to leave, Sasuke couldn't help but notice that Itachi would never have let him go unless he had a clear idea on what Sasuke had in mind. And Sasuke was quite sure Itachi didn't buy his lies.


It was suicide.

Funny how the closer they got from the building, the more Sasuke was feeling his stomach getting stuck in his throat. The chances for it to work were so thin Sasuke started to wonder how it was even a good idea. It was more than likely the reasons he freaked out was because he was closer from the building, and so, of the future betrayal he will pull on Orochimaru's family. If he got caught, he wouldn't be just in trouble, he would be dead. Not even to mention the repercussion on his own family.

He had to pull Orochimaru's trust on his side, which was a really difficult thing to achieve. That's why, as soon as Juugo and him came up with the details of their plan the previous day, they came back as soon as they could, so they could stay with Orochimaru longer. As he told them when he was leaving that he was going to report to his brother, it was easy to pretend his brother asked him to stay as much as possible on Orochimaru's side, and anything that was said to come from Itachi was enough to not be questioned. And as much as he hated it, Sasuke was a good liar anyway. Some things he needed to learn to do the job.

It was early. If everything went as Sasuke planned, they wouldn't think Sasuke did anything between the late hour he left them and the early hour he found them again. He needed to stay with Orochimaru or someone close to him as much as he could. That was an important point of the plan.

But even here he couldn't assure Orochimaru wouldn't think he was involved. It was a good plan, yes. But pulled like that without the resource of the others members of the family was risky. If he trusted him, Sasuke would have asked Obito's help. But his cousin was too creepy and secret to be trusted, especially considering Sasuke didn't even trust his own brother at that moment. Actually the only person Sasuke was trusting right now was Juugo, and that was because Juugo proved more than once that he was trustworthy. That and the fact he knew about Naruto so it was better to have on his side someone who already knew about it.

Sasuke had another pawn in head, too. But he couldn't use it yet. Juugo and him were already involved and it was too much. He couldn't count on a third person right now.

Everything needed to go as Sasuke planned. Otherwise... Sasuke didn't want to think about "Otherwise". If he was caught he was dead, his family would be at shame, and god knows what will happen to Naruto. It needed to be a hit. Failure wasn't an option.

All he wished at that moment was that Naruto was alright.

Sasuke couldn't help but remember what he had told Naruto before he got captured. That if he was in trouble once again, and that Sasuke was able to do something, he won't do anything. Now that he thought about it, it was the dumbest thing he ever told him. If he knew Naruto was the senator's son and was going to get capture he... First he wouldn't have left him unprotected knowing someone as vicious as Orochimaru was after him. Second, he wouldn't have said something like that when Naruto's life was actually on the line. What a fucking idiot.

The more those thoughts came in Sasuke's mind, the more he realized how dumb they were. He was feeling guilty for stupid things. What was done was done. Now he needed to think about how to undone what have been done.

Naruto was his friend, after all, right? This word seemed so weird in Sasuke's mind. He didn't want to call Naruto like that. Those were the kind of fake words you put on someone so you can put them in a category, just like the brothers of his family. Naruto wasn't someone he was going to put in a category. It was Naruto. Whatever Sasuke thought about him, it was something special he never considered about anyone else than Naruto. He didn't even know what was the more accurate. An annoying scaredy sticky idiot, would have said his younger self. His older self could agree.

But damn, if anything happened to this annoying scaredy sticky idiot...

They parked the car far from the building, as Orochimaru asked, and came back to the building by feet. He walk was ways longer than expected, but according to Orochimaru, it was better to keep their cars far from a place that could be compromising for them. Which was at least understandable and a relief. Yet, Sasuke felt like he was being strangled by an invisible hand as they arrived. Juugo glanced at him, and they didn't need a single more word. There was no turn back from this point. Sasuke had to do the things exactly like planned.

After what seemed to be twenty minutes of walking, they finally arrived to the building. The snipers on the top of the building were still watching and Sasuke pitched is lips. They were going to be a problem, but he checked the previous day. They were three, two were visible. Indeed, they were protecting the building. Showing only two and hiding one was a way to scare people. If someone attacked the building, seeing the two snipers, they would be attacked by the third one and they would assume many others are hid. That was clever, indeed. But someone who knew the information could use it against Orochimaru. Sasuke took a deep breath. There was no reason for it to not work his ways.

As they made their way to the building, they were welcomed again by Kimimaro. Sasuke started to wonder if this young boy who was said to be Orochimaru's favorite wasn't really only his butler.

"Sir Uchiha." He was welcomed. "You came early."

"I warned Orochimaru I would stay focused on this case." Sasuke replied much more calmly than the storm inside him. "I wouldn't miss a thing."

Kimimaro nodded. "It is a pleasure to notice the rumored dedication for their job the Uchiha Family has is indeed true."

Kiss my ass, Sasuke thought bitterly. If it wasn't for Naruto, he wouldn't have given a fuck. Well, to be honest, he would probably have been worried for the hostage as he considered there was no point into dragging innocent people in this terrible mess that was the mafias. But he wouldn't have pulled out a plan which would require him to stay from dawn to night with the biggest asshole of the universe. Or at least good second after Madara.

He couldn't deny the dedication to their job was true. But that wasn't dedication that made Sasuke come to this damn place.

"So I am going to bring you to Orochimaru I suppose." Kimimaro continued, moving toward the stairs.

"I would like to check on the hostage first." Sasuke declared.

He had been calm and casual, and he stayed the same when Kimimaro stopped in his move to look at him.

"Why?" the young man asked, suspicious.

"You might be aware of the fact the treatment of the hostage is our priority." Sasuke recited. He knew he was going to be asked it, and he spent the night telling those sentences in his mind. "You are dealing with the Senator's family, if you expect us to protect you, you might as well expect us to keep an eye on the trigger which might blow you up."

Kimimaro frowned at first, considering his words. He looked right into Sasuke's eyes and Sasuke hold his glare without blinking. Kimimaro seemed to consider his arguments, and then he nodded. "Then I'm bringing you to him."

As he turned back, Sasuke threw a look at Juugo. His handman stayed quiet, rolling with Sasuke's plan just like he expected. Glad to see Juugo's stoicism didn't fail him, Sasuke started to follow Kimimaro who, oddly enough, was heading toward the stairs. It surprised Sasuke who glanced again at Juugo before asking.

"Did you move him?"

"Yes, we had to." Kimimaro started. "We figured it was better to move him multiple times a day so he wouldn't stay at the same place." He turned then to Sasuke. "In case anyone would betray us. You know, we're never too careful."

Sasuke nodded, ignoring the anxiousness which was rising in his guts. If they were expecting anyone to betray them, Sasuke had to be even more careful than he thought he had to. But yet again, a voice was whispering that he had no reason to worry. Everything was going to go just as he planned.

"Moreover," Kimimaro added, quite to Sasuke's surprise who was sure the argument ended here, "We figured it was better to not let him in the basement and letting him near some air."

"That's quite an odd preoccupation." Sasuke couldn't help but notice.

"We would rather him to not have another panic attack." Kimimaro answered casually.

Sasuke felt every inch of color on his face leaving him. A... what?

"What happened?" Sasuke asked, trying to find back countenance on himself.

"Little spoiled brat has fragile nerves." Kimimaro just shrugged. "Who cares?"

Sasuke felt his guts tightening. He knew Naruto. Naruto was the guy who hit the guy who was pulling a gun on his head without even considering the risks. He was the guy who saved Sasuke's life that day. He could freak out, but not to that point.

That couldn't be the reason.

Something happened and Sasuke had no clue what it was.


In his head, Naruto was making a list of all the situations he'd rather be at that very moment.

Being locked up, starving, with Ino when she was doing a diet and with her favorite cake in front of them.

Doing a philosophy essay with Shikamaru's unhelpful help.

Trying to teach Sai how to behave in a romantic date with women Naruto flirted with on internet by faking being Sai.

Listening to Kiba describing all the strange sexual habits he developed with time.

When he came to the conclusion he would actually thanks Sakura for breaking his ribs if it was to get away from this hell that he realized how desperate he was from leaving this place.

If it wasn't for the sun, Naruto would have lost track of time. He was moved from room to room all the time, either after 30 minutes or after three hours. It was so irregular Naruto was always expecting someone to come in and bring him somewhere else, always with those two guys with him, who were complaining about things all the time.

Naruto stopped trying to keep track of everything. His mind was dizzy and all his body was hurting since he had this panic attack.

Thinking about it, Naruto wanted to curse himself. He couldn't believe he lost control of himself like that in front of people who wanted to hurt him. He felt like crap for not managing to control that. When he fell from the chair, bringing it down with him, he apparently hit himself on the head, to the point he came back to consciousness with the worst headache he'd ever had. Moreover, he forced on the ropes so much by bringing the chair with him that he was basically sure that the state of his wrist went worse. Before the incident, as long as nothing was touching his wrist, Naruto felt like he wasn't in pain. Now, there wasn't a second that was passing without the reminder of how painful was this fucking wrist.

But Naruto would have been grateful if it was only that. Instead, he happened to have a crisis in front of the most unhelpful people ever. Okay, he didn't expect much from asshole Mafioso who were hitting him for kinks, but considering Naruto could remember feeling himself falling, the fact he woke up sat on a chair in another room meant two things: First, they moved him when his body needed to stay still, second, they kept him sat on a chair when he needed to be laid down to get his strength back.

Which was freaking great, because even if it happened the previous day, Naruto felt like he had no energy left whatsoever. His body was still in middle of an aftershock which would have only stayed a full evening if it was taken care of when it needed to.

And if all of this wasn't good enough for Naruto to think the universe decided to put a metallic stick in his ass, Naruto's watchers, Zaku and Dozu (or Zcumbag and Douchezu like Naruto's bored mind decided after a while) were the fucking worst, mocking this panic attack at any opportunity. It's been one day, and Naruto hated them already. The fact they kidnapped him was, of course, a good reason already to hate them, but they happened to be the biggest douche-scumbag duo that Naruto had met so far. Apparently, Naruto broke Zcumbag's nose when they kidnapped him, which Zcumbag decided to make him pay by hitting him whenever he got the occasion, especially each time he was bored, which happened a lot during the eventless day he spent under their watch. Each time it happened, Naruto noticed Douchezu was always avoiding to look at what was happening, faking having no idea how Naruto hurt himself, and was only lecturing Zcumbag when his boss Kabuto was here.

Kabuto never stayed long enough for Naruto to know how much of a scumbag he was, but he looked creepy, and his behavior was convincing Naruto he was probably a big jerk. A Kabujerk. New nickname unlocked.

Naruto felt like his mind was numb. Over the course of his kidnapping, Naruto decided already to stop fighting back, because anyway, that was useless. He then decided to make lists in his mind to stop being bored, thinking a lot about his friends who had absolutely no idea Naruto could be so much in trouble. And when he had no idea for a list, he was thinking about all the nicknames he could give his aggressors. It was a way to dramatize it. And to not think about his growling stomach.

Here another thing Naruto was angry about. He was starving. He didn't eat since the last night before getting kidnapped. The only thing he tasted since then was the tissue they never put away from his mouth, which had the worst taste ever. After each hour, Naruto was apologizing to the state of the tissue of the hour before to have said he had the worst taste ever, because the tissue of the hour after was the worst. And if it didn't make sense, Naruto didn't care. It was basically the only way for him to not go crazy.

Since he couldn't free himself, Naruto was trying to see what he could observe to get information. He thought to himself that if his father had trouble with people who would want to attack him so hard that they looked for his hidden son, this was pretty serious trouble. Naruto wished he knew how his father put himself into trouble so far in the mafias. Dad always did his best so Naruto would never get involved in anything, that since the incident. It came to the point there existed only a handful of people who knew that they were related, and sometimes, Naruto didn't even know how his father was doing if it wasn't for spot on the TV. Thinking he might have got in trouble wasn't surprising Naruto, considering that he witnessed while working a lot of laws that had been put in place against the mafias.

But still, whatever his father did, that must have been either pretty big, or then the mafiosos he pissed were drama queens. Naruto didn't see any other possibility.

From that point of his thoughts on how much his life was screwed, he tried his best to not think about the cherry on the cake, the most douchiest thing the universe ever pulled on him: Sasuke.

Naruto didn't even know what to think anymore. Why was he here, with them, was a question that Naruto asked himself multiple times and each time, he felt helpless and conflicted. The answer he was always getting was the same: he was on their side, and he was part of the dirty job.

And fuck, he was thinking about him again. He cursed himself with all the insults he could think of. He wished he wouldn't have to think about it. He tried to bring his mind on something else. Think again about Ino's cake, he thought. Think about how she would kill you.

But nothing does. He was thinking about Sasuke again.

Naruto had no idea how much Sasuke did on this case, at which point was he involved. He doubted, actually, that Sasuke had anything to do with his kidnapping. Well, that would have been a really nice thought to have before having a panic attack because he thought Sasuke pulled it on him, he thought bitterly.

But truth is, Naruto was torn apart by what he was supposed to think. Logically speaking, he was sure Sasuke would make his family his priority. He knew for a fact that Sasuke had a really big dedication for his job. And even if Naruto didn't want to think about it, the facts were here, In a Mafia, the family always comes first. If Sasuke's family goal was to attack his dad, then it made sense Sasuke would make this his priority over his friendship with Naruto, and they would indeed end up in this kind of situation. Moreover, Sasuke did tell Naruto that he wouldn't help him if he was in trouble. That's the last thing they shared. It was, yes, as they were having an argument, but Sasuke could just as much have told him seriously or not, even if Naruto didn't think so. And it was still bothering Naruto just as much as it was bothering him that he couldn't think about anything else than Sasuke at that moment.

The problem was that actually. If logically speaking that was the most likely, Naruto didn't manage to believe it. It wasn't that he didn't want to, he didn't manage to. He couldn't explain why, but in his guts, he felt Sasuke wasn't that much of an asshole. Sasuke did allow him to run away when they were on the port. Sasuke did let him alive when he was supposed to kill him. Sasuke did protect him when they had this case together.

But it wasn't the same, a voice was still saying in his mind. It was circumstances were protecting you wouldn't put him in trouble, unlike right now.

And Naruto had nothing to answer that. And it was making him angry. Because if deep down, he wanted to believe in Sasuke, he had no reason to. Sasuke could kill for his family. Naruto had been lucky all those time he wasn't Sasuke's target. But right now, there were nothing that could assure him Sasuke wasn't going to harm him.

In fact it wasn't angering him. It was making him feel helpless. Scared. Not that he was kidnapped by awful people, dear, he couldn't give a damn about it at that very moment. But if Sasuke happened to be involved, if Sasuke was going to let him down like that... Each time he thought about it, his throat was tightening and he felt his eyes burning. He gave no fuck about being locked here. He gave a fuck about the fact his friend was probably not as trustworthy as Naruto thought. And thinking about it, Naruto was cursing himself for still trusting him at the same time, and to give Sasuke much more importance than his own safety at that moment.

Naruto still trusted him. And he couldn't let this trust go. Not because it was giving him hope, not because it could save him. He couldn't let this trust go because it would be giving up on Sasuke.

But his logical and emotional mindset weren't working well together at that moment. This was a battle in his mind that was tiring him. He didn't want to think about Sasuke, he didn't want to hear those two voices arguing in his mind about whenever Naruto could trust him or not, and Naruto hated siding with the voice whose only argument was "But I can't not believe in him."

And to Naruto's distress, it was either hearing those two voices or hearing those of Zcumbag and Douchezu complaining. He didn't know what was actually worse. That's why he hated thinking about Sasuke, because it actually made him think there were something worse than being kidnapped because his dad put himself into trouble with criminals. That was so fucking stupid. Naruto didn't have to think about Sasuke right now. He needed to think about his own survival for fuck's sake. Think about something else, damnit.

How long had Naruto been thinking, he didn't really know. But it must have been long enough because Zcumbag - yes, this nickname was really fitting him - finally stood up after a while and yawned.

"This is getting boring." he grumbled.

"You know the orders." Douchezu replied. "We stay here..."

"Until we start moving yeah yeah I know." He then looked at Naruto. "But watching this spoiled brat is boring."

Spoiled brat? Naruto couldn't help but roll his eyes. Why were they even assuming that? Naruto was starting to think he should have asked a pony at his father when he was 7 so at least this insult would have been justified.

"Are you mocking me, you brat?!" Zcumbag growled and Naruto would have sighed if his mouth was freed from this assholish tissue - oh I didn't forget to hate you too tissue don't worry, Naruto added in his mind. He forgot that he was really susceptible. As if he wasn't hateful enough.

The Scumbag stepped toward him and the douche sighed, looking away. Naruto knew that Zcumbag was intending to be threatening, but seriously, it happened so much since they met that Naruto was just jaded.

" 'M gonna break you!" he eructed, and Naruto was already expecting the blow in his stomach - apparently, they were trying to not touch his face much in order to let him being recognizable during the negotiations with his dad. They probably forgot the memo a few times, but they usually avoided the face.

Naruto was preparing himself to the blow that, oddly, never came. Instead, the door opened, which made Naruto frown. Was he going to be moved again?

But to Naruto's surprise, the white haired boy named Kimimaro entered the room, followed by Sasuke. Naruto felt his eyes went wide and his throat being tighten up. Why was he here now?

The two little voices in his head started to argue again and Naruto didn't even manage to understand them. It sounded like his body was reacting to Sasuke's presence by acting like it just ran a mile. Why was he even here, he didn't need more of it. He was done thinking about him for fuck's sake, why was he always making it worse.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Sasuke asked, looking at Zaku.

He had been cold. Actually, watching Sasuke's face, Naruto realized he was even colder than the previous day. He was probably imagining it, but he felt like Sasuke was about to kill someone. For the first time since they worked together, Naruto could feel this actual anxiousness, just like the air became ticker, just like Sasuke would be able to murder someone in cold blood.

Zcumbag probably felt that too, because every color that was once on his face left it. "I.. I was..."

"We told you a billion times to stop hitting him." Kimimaro sighed, turning to Sasuke as a third man Naruto never think he had seen before entered the room as well. "So, here you are."

Sasuke sent a dark glare to Kimimaro and stepped toward Naruto. It stopped Naruto to question himself on whoever was the third man, as he held his breath for some reasons. What was Sasuke doing?

"You want to break the Senator." Sasuke hissed to Zcumbag with the most threatening voice Naruto ever heard as he pushed him out of the way. "Don't break the hostage."

Was Sasuke taking his defense? Naruto was lost. He didn't yet realized the information that he ended up with Sasuke right in front of him, kneeling to be at his level. Naruto couldn't understand why his heart was beating so fast. He had no idea what was Sasuke about to do. And his face wasn't easy to read. Naruto could hear his blood beating too fast in his ears. He needed it to stop.

Finally, the only clear thing in Naruto's mind was how he didn't want to lose control. Suddenly the bitter memory of his panic attack being triggered by seeing Sasuke came back into his mind, and it was clear he wasn't going to let the panic take over once again. So he took the other way around, and looked at Sasuke with the most determined angry look he could feel coming from his guts. But Sasuke's face didn't change for a bit.

Without any warning, Sasuke took Naruto's jaw. If the move was violent, the touch was actually soft, yet strong, which surprised Naruto. He frowned, trying to read on Sasuke's face. He looked like he was examining Naruto's bruises.

"You are aware he has to be recognizable?" Sasuke hissed at Naruto's kidnappers after looking at most of the injury Naruto had on his face. Naruto tried to not think about how pissed Sasuke looked, yet he couldn't help but feel his guts tightening up at this thought.

"It's not a black eye that would make him unrecognizable." Zcumbag mumbled. "His nose isn't broken or..."

He stopped midsentence when Sasuke sent him one of his most threatening look. Naruto was almost surprised that this look didn't kill him yet. He tried not to let the joy of having Sasuke bringing down his aggressor taking over him. He still didn't know what the hell Sasuke was doing, and he couldn't bring himself to think about his actions right now. Even if he wanted to trust him.

Without a single warning beforehand, Sasuke continued his investigation by removing the tape that was keeping this disgusting tissue in Naruto's mouth, and then, took this tissue off. For a few seconds, Naruto thought about thanking the Gods about it, and cursing him for the sticky feelings around his lips, but he was cut midthought when Sasuke started to... Checking on his teeth? It was what it seemed. Sasuke put his thumbs in Naruto's mouth, as if he was trying to see if Naruto didn't lose any of his teeth - which was an odd concern, but he supposed that it made sense considering how he had been hit on the face. Yet, Naruto just wanted to bite Sasuke's fingers. Trusting him or not, Sasuke was still part of this stupid situation and he was putting his fingers in Naruto's mouth, which was enough reason for Naruto to feel like he should bite them to show him how pissed he was. And he would have probably done that if he didn't feel something slip between his lip and his teeth.

It caught Naruto out of guard. He felt his eyes blink a few times more than necessary and he guessed he was sending a questioning look to Sasuke to fully his surprise. On the other hand, Sasuke looked at him right in the eyes for the first time since they got here. And every single concern Naruto had vanished. Naruto didn't know what it was, in Sasuke's eyes, which calmed him right away. All the hatred his... friend gave the others people in the room so far seemed to have been taken away, like a veil which had been removed from his black eyes. He looked at Naruto in a way he wouldn't be able to describe for sure. It was softer than anything Naruto ever saw on Sasuke's face, and more determined than he would actually think his look could be in that situation.

It was strange but... Naruto thought he actually understood the meaning of it. It was surprising Naruto, not quite sure he understood well, but when Sasuke slightly nodded, there was no doubt remaining. Sasuke had a plan. No matter how odd it was, Naruto knew it. He knew Sasuke wasn't here to harm him. No matter the dark look Sasuke pulled again on his face when their eye contact broke. He was on Naruto's side. He knew it. He knew it! Naruto felt very part of his body which had been in alert since Sasuke came in the room slowly calm down. He also felt his lips twitching into a smile that he was sure no one was supposed to see. So he bit Sasuke's thumbs. Distraction purposes, of course. Or at least it will be what Naruto would say if Sasuke asked him why he did that, once they got out of this mess.

"Fucking fuck!", Sasuke swore and pulled his hands out from Naruto's mouth.

"Boss?" Naruto just remembered the existence of the third man, as this one walked to Sasuke.

"That's fine Juugo." Sasuke answered coldly. "This asshole just bit me."

Naruto couldn't help but notice his two kidnappers slightly snickering at Sasuke. But they weren't Naruto's concern actually. He observed Sasuke's reaction, and he had to restrain a smile when he saw that Sasuke's killer look wasn't even trying to be threatening. It was exactly the kind of look Sasuke pulled on him when Naruto was doing a lame joke or something. Considering the real "I'm gonna kill you" look, Naruto started to consider calling this look the "threatening kitten" look.

"Are you done?" Kimimaro asked at Sasuke. He seemed a little annoyed.

Sasuke squinted at him before putting back the tissue in Naruto's mouth quite to Naruto's despair. Freedom didn't last long. As Sasuke was putting everything back to place, he stood up and looked at Naruto's watchers.

"Stop damaging him." he ordered. Then, without looking back, he left the room with the people he came with.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Zcumbag grumbled and sat back to his original place near Douchezu, who barely moved when Sasuke was here. Much to Naruto's relief actually, Zcumbag gave up the idea to hit him for now. Thanks to Sasuke, he supposed.

Back with this tape covering his mouth, Naruto couldn't help but smile. He could feel the thing Sasuke put in his mouth, and he had strictly no idea on what it was. Maybe it wasn't even something big, who knows. But for some reasons, Naruto didn't doubt Sasuke anymore. It was such a strange thing to explain. There was just no doubt left in his mind. He trusted him.

In his mind, the little voice pro Sasuke was celebrating.


There was one thing Sasuke knew for certain: the more he was spending time with Orochimaru, the more he hated him.

It had been hours now that his plan started. Hours. Everything was at place. Now Sasuke just needed to wait. And the waiting was the worst. That, and the fact he had to spend his time worrying about Naruto and his family with Orochimaru, the one who put them in this mess. And every single minutes spent with Orochimaru was an ultimately long torture Sasuke couldn't bear anymore.

They were at the opposite of the building, far from Naruto, which didn't help Sasuke to relax. He couldn't casually ask how the hostage was doing, so he could only speculate from what he had seen earlier. And the only things coming in his mind was that Naruto was surrounded by scumbags that would hurt him for kinks. He just wished everything would work on soon. So he wouldn't have to think about Naruto probably getting hurt. Nor about the fact he found himself to seriously think about killing Orochimaru's men a few hours ago. He tried really hard to not even think about it. He wanted it to be over.

Under his sight, Orochimaru was preparing himself to attack. The first connection with the Senator Namikaze was supposed to happen soon. And this situation wasn't helping Sasuke to think about something else than Naruto.

He tried to remember, but even if it was long ago, Sasuke was quite sure Naruto never mentioned his dad was doing politic. In fact, now that he thought about it, Sasuke didn't recall Naruto mentioning his dad at all. He did mention a tutor once in a while, but he didn't remember him talking about his dad. Sasuke couldn't believe he never thought about Naruto's family. His cousin wasn't the only thing he hid from him, and the more he thought about it, the more he was sure Sasuke never heard of Naruto's father nor his mother. It was hard to believe Twelve years old Naruto managed to keep it a secret, especially at the time he didn't know how to shut up.

"You look thoughtful, Sasuke." the slow voice of Orochimaru interrupted him in his thoughts.

"Do I?" Sasuke answered, raising an eyebrow.

The face of the snake torn in a smile, to which Sasuke didn't react to at all. He didn't want to make the impression that Orochimaru was scarring him or affecting him in anyway. First because he has his pride to keep, second because it wasn't true, and third because considering the events that were going to happen in a few, he didn't need Orochimaru to feel that way.

"Yes you do." Orochimaru confirmed. "What are you thinking about, Sasuke?"

Sasuke closed his eyes, quite annoyed. Of course he couldn't share his real concern, so he made it up. "I'm thinking about how lucky you are to find a child placed on high protection that easily." Yeah it looked like a good concern. "How about twenty years of hiding his son just had been useless now."

"Give the Senator some credits." Orochimaru smirked. "It had been useful for at least twenty years. Just not enough against me."

Tell me about it, Sasuke thought bitterly. He couldn't help but blame the senator for the situation Naruto was into right now. In fact, if it wasn't for the Senator, Naruto would still be living his brat life with less danger. Sasuke was totally right to blame him. Kabuto arrived right after this little conversation, catching Orochimaru's attention right away.

"We are going to call him in three minutes." he said. "The time for us to place the jammers to be put in place for the time of the call."

Orochimaru nodded. "That's excellent." He then turned to Sasuke. "What do you think about the matter, little boss?"

Sasuke felt his lip twitch again. He really hated this nickname and Orochimaru's attitude. No particular order on his hatred list. "I think you should have started using the jammers earlier." Sasuke started bitterly. "Using it now will only help you toward the call, not if any other things happen."

Orochimaru's smile went larger. "That's an accurate consideration." He agreed with his slow voice. "Sadly enough our own jammers are not strong enough to be carried on all day long."

Thankfully, Sasuke added in his mind. In an actual case of protection, he would actually have minded the absence of those jammers, in case someone was doing exactly the thing he planned to do. But considering...

"Shame you couldn't afford a powerful one for such a dangerous action." Sasuke just shrugged. "You better wish they don't have better way to find you and make this jammer useless."

Orochimaru pulled a smirk again. "The only way something might go wrong would be betrayal, Sasuke. Do you think we need to fear betrayal?"

Sasuke felt a shiver running on his spin, but he didn't react to it. For some reasons he felt like Orochimaru was able to read in his mind just by looking at him with those devious snake eyes. If Sasuke was feeling unease about it, he didn't show. Instead he replied. "Don't trust anyone. Anyone could betray you anytime, it would be stupid to not fear betrayal."

There was a silence for a few seconds until Orochimaru smirked. "You really do have the spirit of a boss, Sasuke." He started to move toward him, slowly. "You will be a good boss. Perhaps even better than your brother."

What the hell...? Why was he compared to Itachi now? Shouldn't they focus on the soon to be phone call..?

"Don't be misled." Sasuke replied. "Itachi is much more experienced than me. I'm not.."

"I'm not talking about experience Sasuke." Orochimaru chuckled, which gave another shiver on Sasuke's spin. "You are quick. You don't mind calling out others boss despite your young age."

"So is Itachi." Sasuke coldly replied. This conversation didn't make any sense for Sasuke. It was like Orochimaru was trying to get to him or something.

"Itachi is a good boss." Orochimaru slowly started and as his grin was getting bigger. "He follows Madara's steps quite easily. You remind me of your parents."

Sasuke's eyes went wide and he was pretty sure his heart stopped beating for a moment. Whatever reason Orochimaru had to talk about it now, he stroked right. Sasuke didn't know how his parents were in the middle of the mafias. He always knew what they were doing, but he never knew the details on their ways to handle things. He was following Itachi and Madara's orders, and he had no idea how he could even look like his parents. Even if they died when he was 14, their dedications for their works always made Sasuke feel like he barely knew them.

Somehow, being tell he acted like them was comforting. He just wished it didn't come from a creepy man he was about to betray.

"It must have been hard..." Orochimaru started again, slowly.

"What?" Sasuke answered oddly, seeing Orochimaru wasn't continuing his sentence. He was already tired with this conversation but he couldn't help to be curious. Stop. Sasuke needed to focu-

"Growing up being reminded of your parents without ever knowing them or what happened to them." this slow voice was freezing Sasuke from the inside. "Isn't it?"

"I knew my parents." Sasuke replied, fearing his voice might tremble because of the memories he tried to repress. But they were provoked as Orochimaru continued.

"You didn't know their work well, not in the same way we all did." This simple sentence was enough to feel like Sasuke was punched in the throat.ยป There's no shame in that. I'm actually... admiring on how hard they tried to protect you from all this."

The smile that torn the snake face made Sasuke realize his hands were trembling. Sasuke clenched his fists at this realization. He shouldn't get affected by that. He always repressed this impression he always had that he didn't know them enough, and he sure didn't need an enemy to remind him of that. He never had the time to know them as he wished he could, and no one was talking about them in the family; No need to reopen the old wounds. That's what Itachi always said when Sasuke wanted answers.

"What is your point?" Sasuke clenched his back.

Orochimaru's smile went bigger. "Oh I'm not trying to make any point. I'm just expressing... what a waste that you never found out what happened to them."

"We found the killers." Sasuke replied, but he started doubting at the very moment the last word came out of his mouth.

""We"? You mean, your family when you had absolutely no idea what was going on?"

Sasuke was too young when everything happened. He had been put aside.

"They found them." Sasuke felt the need to precise. "They killed them."

Itachi told him they killed them. Itachi had no reason to hide it from him. Or did he...?

"Did they?" Orochimaru smirked, and if Sasuke could keep his assurance on his face, the doubt was winning over. "I have different information about it."

"What information?" Sasuke's curiosity was at its pitch. If it was true, then his parents' killer was still in the run. It couldn't be true! Itachi wouldn't have let that being a possibility! Orochimaru was lying! It was a filthy lie in order to disturb Sasuke! And he was managing it, because Sasuke wanted to hear this full lie and make it out for himself.

So he waited. He waited until Orochimaru would open his mouth again for something else than this terrible smile. But it didn't come. Instead, Kabuto came, interrupting this conversation which hadn't evolved.

"Everything is ready for the communication with the Senator." Kabuto said. "Shall we get started, sir?"

There had been a slight silence where Sasuke realized he was staring too much at Orochimaru, who was just standing here, smiling. He then nodded and looked one last time at Sasuke.

"We will have this conversation another time, Sasuke."

As he moved toward the phone, Sasuke was reminded of reality when Juugo, right next to him, manifested himself.

"Boss, are you alright?"

This simple concern made Sasuke realize he had been holding his breath for a time now. Breathing out, he turned toward Juugo who looked at him with worry. He nodded. If Orochimaru just tried to manipulate him, Sasuke fell into the trap. If he didn't, then there was some truth Sasuke didn't know. And neither of those options were options Sasuke liked.

It actually got worse when he realized this whole conversation made him totally forget why he was here in the first place, and his insides tighten up. How could he have forgotten the weight that was on him right now?! How couldn't he refocus?

Something just as bitter as guilt took Sasuke to the throat, and his hatred for Orochimaru reached a level he never thought he would actually achieve. Sooner or later, everything Sasuke planned in order to save Naruto was coming to an end. No matter how Orochimaru tried to disturb him, Sasuke was going to win over him. Failure was never an option.

Sasuke stood up in order to go where Orochimaru was standing. The snake already dialed the numbers and put on the speaker. So they waited. One. Two. Three Bips. Then someone - a man? - answered the phone.

"Good afternoon, Senator's office, what can I do for you?"

"I want to reach the senator Namikaze." Orochimaru ordered. "It is an important matter."

"I'm sorry," the man apologized with a sweet concerned voice. "The Senator is busy with an important case as well and cannot be disturbed."

"Then I guess the safety of his son isn't important for him." Sasuke was sure than the devious smile of Orochimaru could be heard on the other side of the phone.

The man remained silent for a bit before answering. "Hold on a minute." Then there were another silence, which seemed to please Orochimaru quite a lot. Sasuke noticed, on the other hand, that Kabuto was checking some electronical devices. It made Sasuke frown. How long would the jammer hold on?

"The senator is going to take your call." The man said after a -click- which supposed he picked up the phone again. "Who did you say you were?"

"He'll know." Orochimaru simply answered.

Sasuke wouldn't be surprised that this answer didn't satisfy the man, but if so, he didn't show. Sasuke couldn't help but be surprised. Wasn't Naruto supposed to be a secret? The Senator must already know something was wrong.

Another -click- was heard, and right after that, the familiar voice of the Senator, heard on TV so many times, came out of the phone. "Who is this?" he immediately asked. "What do you want?"

"Mymy, is that really the way to answer the phone, Minato?"

'Minato'? Sasuke was quite sure it wasn't really the way to address the Senator. Did Orochimaru already have affairs with him?

"Orochimaru." The voice of the Senator seemed bitter and sharp, a kind of combination Sasuke never heard coming from the political figure he was, which kinda confirmed Sasuke's thoughts. "I should have guessed you were behind all that."

"So you already got the memo, huh?" Orochimaru snickered on the phone. "I guess I don't have to explain to you why you'd rather cooperate."

"How is my son?" the Senator asked, and Sasuke could see how Orochimaru was ways too happy with the situation. The only fact the senator was worrying was a good sign for Orochimaru.

"He's alive, for now." Orochimaru declared and Sasuke could feel his inside fall down in his body. He was probably only saying that in order to stress the senator out. Little did they know it was also stressing Sasuke out. How long did they still need to wait...? "As long as you cooperate with me, he shall stay fine."

"You know I don't negotiate with you." the voice of the senator was growing colder in colder.

"I don't think you really have a choice. For your son's sake. But if you insist on it, then I can get rid of him."

Silence. "What do you want?"

Orochimaru's grin grew larger and Sasuke bit his lip. Whatever Orochimaru had in mind, it couldn't be any good, especially if he could actually put a pressure on the senator.

"Your new actions against our work have become inconvenient." Orochimaru stated. "You raised the awareness about our actions by reinforcing your police against us."

Did he? Sasuke blinked. It might explain why Naruto was working on the field much more lately. The State was really trying to slow them down then.

"Do you really think I can go back on my word like that, Orochimaru?" the cold voice of the senator replied. "What is done is done."

"And I count on you to undo it." Orochimaru continued. "Reduce the number of people working on this particular side of our police. Bring them to others preoccupation. Restrain the investigating area." He then paused before adding. "And keep the Dismantler out of that."

Sasuke frowned. The what? He looked around him, trying to see if he was the only one who didn't know who he was talking about. Juugo seemed as clueless as he was, but at least, Kabuto seemed to know exactly who he was talking about. And so was the Senator.

"So that's what is scarring you." The Senator replied. "You see him as a threat."

"You must be desperate to require him to work again." Orochimaru declared. "We both know how bad this idea is, for you as for me."

"Don't think I would hold him back in such a situation. I will take responsibility of his actions if you keep threatening our society."

"So you're ready to stain your image as a loving Senator for the sake of bringing us down?" Orochimaru smirked. "That's not the best political move."

"For the greater good, I'll do what I have to."

"Even risking your son's life?"

The silence on the other side of the line was stressing. The Senator had to confront his duty to his personal life in a way Sasuke could only pity. Sasuke didn't understand everything yet, but if his actions were really going that much against the mafias, then he couldn't help but siding with Orochimaru. And he wanted Naruto's safety. He wished the senator would accept Orochimaru's offer. Yet again, knowing Orochimaru, he wouldn't free Naruto unless he would be sure he had a total control over the senator. And if Naruto was freed without Orochimaru's consent, or worse, if Naruto was killed, the senator would keep going with his plan which apparently, was inconvenient enough to make Orochimaru worry. It was getting a proportion Sasuke didn't expect. He should have guessed it would be more complicated than just "wanting some privileges". Was the death of that policewoman the reason everything went downhill? It looked like it was the thing that triggered everything.

As the senator wasn't answering just yet, probably thinking about it, Kabuto made a move toward Orochimaru before passing his hand in front of his throat. The jammers were probably about to stop working soon and they had to cut the conversation.

"Think about my proposition, Minato." Orochimaru continued after he nodded toward Kabuto. "Your son against our security. You have 24 hours to decide."

Before the senator could answer, Orochimaru turned off the phone.

"Do you think he's going to cooperate?" Sasuke asked after a silence.

"His son is his weakness." Orochimaru nodded. "As long as we threaten him, the Senator will avoid doing anything which would put him in danger."

Sasuke wanted to believe it, but he had trouble to see the Senator bending down. People trusted him for so long now, considering for how long he had been to his post. If he was really that easy to manipulate, someone would have managed to use him ways before. Sasuke had trouble believing it. He bit his lip.

"Who is he? The Dismantler?" Sasuke asked.

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "You don't know about him?" he then smirked. "You really are too young."

And here it went again, Sasuke wanted to punch him again. "That's not what I'm asking. Why is he scarring you?"

Orochimaru crossed his arms. "We are not scared. We are anxious. So would be your family if he's not stopped."

"What do you mean?"

Orochimaru just shrugged. "You'll learn it soon enough."

Okay, he wasn't going to punch him. He was going to kick him and then shoot him in the face. Sounded like a plan.

Sasuke wanted to ask many others questions, but he was interrupted by gunshots he heard outside. His blood froze in his veins and he saw every single others people freeze right away.

"... Kabuto you used the Jammer, right?" Orochimaru asked during the silence that followed the gunshots.

"O-Of course I did!" Kabuto sounded just as anxious.

"Even if he didn't..." Sasuke started carefully. "They couldn't be here that fast..."

Right after that, Kimimaro entered the room, running. He looked like he was running out of breathe. "Cops entered the building!" He declared between two breaths. "They reached the hostage's room before we could stop them, we have to go, or they're going to get to us!"

Everything after that happened so fast. Orochimaru roared in anger, repeating "how? HOW?", as Juugo was pulling Sasuke with him. Kabuto didn't wait for his boss's orders to open a secret door Sasuke had never seen before for them to escape without being noticed. The panic took over everything. Everything was a mess and he couldn't comprehend what was really happening, and he didn't have to fake the panic he felt all around him. The priority was to run before the cops even got to them, and it took over every inches of Sasuke's body. No one was wondering what happened of the hostage, nor how the police found them, as everyone was trying to get out of reach from them. The word to describe the whole situation was: Confusion.

Just as planned.