Take Me

Author's Note: So I started this chapter with the intent of finishing it in one go, unfortunately, that didn't happen. I apologize for the long wait, and I can't guarantee that it won't happen again. My stress level once I start college is going to be through the roof, even with my yoga classes…

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor do I own Mercy Thompson. I'm simply borrowing them with the intent to give them back…even if they are a little worse for wear.

Warning: Meh, just look at the other warnings. I'm too lazy to do this…

xxx

Chapter Nine

When I woke, I was confused.

First off, I wasn't even sure when I had fallen asleep in the first place. Secondly, I wasn't tied to a chair anymore, though that didn't make any difference. My movements were sluggish, limbs heavy. It was safe to assume that I had been drugged. I would have cursed if I was capable of it, but I could only manage gibberish. I turned my head slowly. I had been moved from my windowless room to yet another windowless room, but the smell of it…I wasn't even sure what it was, but it smelled horrible. I wasn't even sure how I'd ended up here; I didn't remember anybody coming in and collecting me. It was slightly maddening. And very concerning…

With a groan, I rolled onto my stomach. At least I hadn't been tied down this time. My wrists were rubbed raw, the redness a stark contrast to my pale skin. I turned my attention away from my arms to the room itself. It was dark, windowless (as said before), with one lamp in the corner, and if I craned my head I could see another camera perched in the corner by the door. Other than that, it was empty. I had been downgraded. I didn't know whether to be freaked out or insulted.

I didn't have much time to dwell on that, as the door entered. Glasses flashed in the faint light, and I immediately recognized him as my attacker.

"It's good that you're finally awake," he said, pushing his glasses up his nose. I watched as he approached, weary, my eyes on his hands. Empty. No more drugs; I wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

He reached out and sat me up, escorting me out of the room. For the sake of seeing what was happening, I went along.

xxx

Naruto was sitting as low as possible in his chair, fists clenched against his knees. They had arrived in Vancouver a bit later than expected, their connecting flight having experienced a delay. Naruto had spent three hours pacing back and forth in front of a row of uncomfortable airport chairs, ignoring Sakura pleas to sit down.

The hotel they were staying in was huge, overlooking downtown. Naruto didn't care much for the view, too preoccupied with waiting for Kakashi's return. The older werewolf had left, cell phone glued to his ear as he sorted out information; where the base was, how they were getting there, and were they certain Orochimaru hadn't already started? Naruto didn't dwell on that last part for too long.

Behind him, Sakura sighed.

"Even I can feel the killer vibes, Naruto," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Naruto grunted in response.

"We're going to get him back," she continued in a whisper. Naruto titled his head back to meet her gaze, and he saw the doubt shining in her eyes. Naruto growled.

"I can't lose him," he mumbled, jumping to his feet and shaking out his limbs. "I need him; my wolf might have claimed him first, but over the past seven years…"

"I know, Naruto."

A thrill make Naruto jump, and he snatched up his phone from the desk, and after briefly glancing at the caller ID, barked, "What?"

"Un, and is that anyway to greet somebody?"

"Deidara?"

"Yeah, you wanna explain why Itachi left this morning, mumbling your name and looking like he was about to kill?"

Naruto frowned shrugged. "I have no idea."

Deidara let out a curse in German, something he had learned from his mother, Naruto supposed. "I'm not buying it, un."

"You don't have to," Naruto replied. "Why do you have Itachi's phone, anyway?"

"He forgot it in his rush," Deidara drawled. "Don't change the subject. He also mentioned Sasuke."

Naruto stiffened a bit, and he chewed on the inside of his lip. Deidara did not have the privilege to know about Naruto and his wolf side. Itachi insisted on keeping his partners in the dark. That was fine with Naruto.

But Itachi knew, and Itachi also knew that something was wrong. It was going to be hard explaining this one to the eldest Uchiha brother. A werewolf Naruto might be, but Itachi Uchiha could be scary when he wanted to be…

"I'll call him when I get back," Naruto said hastily and hung up on Deidara's protest. He shoved his phone deep into his pocket.

"We'll find him," Sakura said again.

Naruto nodded. He wasn't the only one who needed Sasuke.

xxx

Kakashi returned later that evening with a hard look in his eye. Naruto forced himself to stay seated, but he couldn't stop his leg from twitching.

"We found him."

"How?" Sakura breathed, sitting up from where she had been reclining on the bed. She had been attempting to make small talk with Naruto, but once she realized that the blonde Alpha wasn't paying attention, she had settled with humming one of her favorite songs. She was silent now, breath caught in her throat.

"We are not without contacts," Kakashi said shortly. He pinned Naruto with his one good eye. "We're ready to go now. Jiraiya is already on his way."

Jiraiya was their contact and go-to guy for information.

Naruto got to his feet slowly, forcing himself to be calm. "Let's go, then."

xxx

The world…was spinning. I wasn't sure if I was standing up for sitting down anymore, but my legs were trembling and my mouth was dry. I opened my eyes, not even sure when I had closed them, and pinned the man who had introduced himself as Kabuto with my worst glare. He didn't seem fazed. I needed to work on that.

"Get up, Sasuke," Kabuto said, pushing up his glasses. "Five more miles and then you can rest."

I didn't move. I wasn't even sure I could have if I wanted. How long had I been running? Why was I even going along with what this man said?

I had collapsed on the thread mill. I clutched at the plastic, staring – glaring as hard as I could at him. He smiled. "Orochimaru is just concerned with your health, Sasuke."

"How kind of him."

"Yes, isn't it?"

He paused for a moment then moved. His glasses flashed and I was able to see his eyes, and that one look had me clutching harder at the plastic beneath my fingers. That one look had held many things, but jealousy had shone in that gaze the brightest. When I didn't move, Kabuto sighed and came closer.

"Do I not get an explanation behind this?"

Kabuto took my pulse as he spoke, "I will be blunt with you." He dropped my arm and straightened. "You are Orochimaru's new vessel, and you will cooperate."

I didn't much like the sound of that, nor did I like being told what to do. "Will I?" I asked, eyes narrowing.

I felt a prick and decided that yes, I would be cooperating. I had no other choice.

I was out.

xxx

Author's Note: I'm going to crawl into a hole to die now. This took FOREVER to write, oh, my Jesus. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Almost 200 reviews – wow! If you spot any mistakes, kindly point them out to me. Thank you.