Oooooohhhh we're getting more creepy! And a little bit sad...BUT I think you'll all forgive me in the long run! ...I hope! So this is ONE of the ways that I wanted the story to go. I'm not sure if I'll post an alternate chapter of how the other way could have gone since you guys won't have known the difference but I'll see how you guys like this chapter. It all comes around full circle by the middle of the next chapter so I don't think it's necessary to do it right now. I WILL ask however that you don't ask for/demand to know the alternate storyline in your reviews until you know where this is going NEXT chapter. Since I have the longer update schedule now (thank you to those who actually voted) I would have to post TWO chapters on the 31st instead of the one. And both of them would be long...and you guys sort of wanted longer chapter with longer but regular updates so I'm not posting two long chapters on the same day unless I miss a scheduled update day. I'm usually pretty good about that stuff though so it shouldn't be a problem, but I just ask that you keep THIS chapter's storyline in mind and not wonder how the alternate one would be. Plus I like this one better! It make you feel things...like I hope you guys feel things when I write. I feel bad doing this sort of thing to Naruto but for the sake of the feels, it needs to be done! So onward my readers! Feel for Naruto and Sasuke! FEEL!

Naruto curled himself up in the tightest ball he could contort his body into and Sasuke was helpless to do anything but continue to hold him. Naruto was shaking badly, trying to rock himself back and forth and he was muttering something almost incoherent. Kushina came over to them and Sasuke glanced up at her to see exactly what she would do. She sat down next to him and placed a hand on Naruto's back as a form of comfort. Naruto looked up slowly at her and reached out for her. She had tears in her eyes as she opened her arms for him to crawl into.

"We'll help you, baby. Mama is here now," she soothed.

Naruto launched himself into her arms and buried his face in her chest as she ran her fingers through his hair. He started to cry and continued shaking, still saying something that the rest of the people in the room couldn't quite hear. Sasuke looked at his love and his mother and vowed that if he ever came in contact with the man who dared to make Naruto feel this way, that man would be no more. Sasuke would rather face life in prison for murder of the worst degree than to ever see Naruto cry like this again. The raven was startled when he felt Minato place a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to face the man.

"Let's leave them be for a little while, Sasuke. We have to call your parents about this too."

"Were the police informed?"

"The two officers already called it in. The two detectives should be here in the next half an hour. Meanwhile, I want you to do something for me."

"What would that be?"

"Find Naruto's suitcase and pack some things for him. I won't let my son stay here."

"If he's not staying here then he can stay with my family and me. Itachi has some connections with people that can protect him, and you know we have plenty of space."

"That'll be fine but for now we have to let some cards fall before we do anything. I can't decide to send him with you if the police want to move him to an undisclosed location."

"I understand. I'll find Naruto's suitcase and start packing. I'll also call my father."

"Don't worry about your father – I'll talk to him. You just focus on what I asked you to do."

"I will and thank you."

Sasuke got up from the bed and walked to Naruto's closet to try and find his suitcase. It wasn't really that difficult and once he had it he started picking some clothes he knew Naruto didn't wear too often to pack. He was sure that if the stalker was watching Naruto's every move that he knew what the blonde wore all the time. This called for a shopping spree and some…feminine help. As much as it pained him, Sakura was the only one he could call and trust to not blow it up into more than what it was. He recalled her saying that Naruto needed a wardrobe change when the three of them were together when he was 'with' Suigetsu, so she wouldn't find college shopping suspicious. The only issue Sasuke would have to explain would be him speaking to Naruto again after two months. This was going to be a pain and Sasuke knew it, but if it was for Naruto he was willing to put himself through hell. Sasuke continued to grab shirts, pants, underwear, socks and other garments Naruto would need before he closed the closet and walked out of the room. With one more look at Naruto and Kushina on the bed, and briefly wondering why the blonde wasn't calming down, he ventured down the hall until he found Minato. The man had his cell phone pressed to his ear and his other hand was rubbing his temples tiredly as he stopped every now and then to listen and answer whichever family member of his was on the other line.

"Yes Fugaku they're both alright but Naruto is pretty badly shaken. No there was nothing else on the note, just what I told you. Sasuke is packing a bag for Naruto now so that we can get him out of here but I don't know where exactly he'll be staying. The police are on their way but I'm not sure if it will just be the detectives or if Mr. Sarutobi will be coming as well. I don't know how the guy got in, or how he got out for that matter but I'll tell you more about it when I see you later. Yes, tell Mikoto that we'll leave for your hotel as soon as the police get done with things here. I'll call you again if anything else happens. Okay, we'll see you soon then. Good-bye."

"Was father upset?"

Minato turned around and gave Sasuke a small smile.

"He was angry, yes, but not at you or Naruto. He's quite pissed with the stalker and the police officers that were stationed as security for the night."

"What about you? Was he mad at you?"

"He didn't say he was, but I think he's more upset at the situation. I didn't exactly tell him that Kushina and I were out in the living room."

"I think that was wise."

"Did you find everything okay? Is the suitcase ready?"

"For the most part. I'll need to take him shopping for new clothes though."

"That'd be smart. If we change his appearance a bit then it might help to hide him better once he gets to where he'll be staying."

"There is a problem though."

"And that would be?"

"I have to call Sakura."

"I see. What are you going to tell her?"

"That Naruto needs college clothes and that he wanted to spend some time with her. But then that opens up another problem."

"And what would that be?"

"She knows that Naruto had been avoiding me since graduation. She might find it suspicious that we're all of a sudden spending time together again."

"Is there anything I can do to help smooth it over?"

"I don't know."

"I'd wait to give her that call then. We'll ask Naruto what to tell her and go from there. For now all we can do is wait until the police get here."

Discontent with the older blonde's answer, Sasuke huffed and turned away from the man. He heard Minato sigh and then a shuffling of feet followed by the movement of fabric presumably from the couch. Sasuke chose to stand where he was and think over the events of the morning and those leading up to it. Last night had been fine aside from Naruto's nightmare but again he had no idea if Naruto had been having nightmares for the past few weeks. He never heard anybody come in or rustle around the room either and he was a very light sleeper. He did remember feeling warm and tingly when Naruto curled himself up in his arms but they were both quick to fall back to sleep. If Naruto had gotten up at any point last night, he was sure that he would have noticed the jostling of the blankets and sheets because he would have woken up. So far he wasn't doing a very good job at piecing anything together, but there was nearly nothing to work with! All he knew was that when he woke up, Naruto had still been sleeping on his chest and that his arm was around Naruto's waist. When Naruto opened his eyes and saw what position he was in, he blushed and turned away in a hurry to detach himself from the raven and then he froze. Sasuke had wondered what Naruto was doing so he sat up and followed Naruto's gaze to the bedside table. Naruto had then crawled towards the white piece of paper, opened it and screamed. Sasuke had been so surprised that he had nearly fallen out of bed had it not been for Naruto scrambling back into his arms.

Sasuke walked back down the hallway towards the bedroom to check up on Naruto but was stopped by something on the wall. There was another note, folded in an envelope shape, and suspended from the wall by a pair of hair needles that had been jammed into the plaster. Not wanting to mess with the evidence until the police arrived Sasuke went back to the living room to inform Minato of his discovery.

"Minato…there is something you want to see."

"What is it?"

"You'd better just look."

Minato stood up and followed the young raven to where the note was on the wall. The man's face drained of its color and he brought a hand to his mouth as his eyes fluttered a few times as though he were going to be sick. Suddenly Kushina ran past them and into the bathroom startling the two in her way. Just as quickly as she had come, she ran back into Naruto's bedroom but Sasuke saw what she had run to get – Naruto's inhaler. The blonde must have had an attack and that would mean a trip to the hospital. Minato was about to follow his wife to see their son but there was a knock on the door that stopped him.

"Go to Naruto, I'll see to whoever it is. He probably needs to see you as much as you need to see him."

"Thank you Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded to him and left to answer the door that was now being pounded on in an ungodly horrible, rapid succession. Flinging the door open after unlocking it Sasuke was smart enough to step aside before he was struck in the face by whoever was knocking, and detectives Ibiki and Anko along with the chief flowed into the apartment.

"Where is the kid?!"

"Anko, calm down – his father said he was still here and in his room, shaken but safe."

"Ibiki, go secure the security videos from the building manager. Anko, you interview Kushina and her husband. I'll go speak to Naruto and Sasuke."

"Excuse me for interrupting, but you'll have to wait to talk to Naruto," Sasuke quipped as he came out from behind the door.

"Sasuke, thank goodness you're safe as well. Where is Naruto?"

"He's in his bedroom with his parents but he's had an asthma attack so I'm afraid you can't talk to him yet."

"Does he need taken to the hospital?"

"I don't know. Mr. Namikaze and I just saw his mom rush past and then run back into his room with his inhaler. He was shaking pretty bad when I left the room twenty minutes ago."

"You were with him?"

"I slept in his room, yes."

"Good, then we don't need to talk to Naruto if we don't have to. You two, go do what I ordered you to do and once you're finished go straight back to the station to deliver any evidence to Orochimaru."

Anko immediately left to fulfill her orders and she disappeared down the hall. Ibiki also nodded and went back downstairs to secure the, hopefully helpful, security videos. Warrants be damned, he would pry them out of the manager's fingers if he had to. Now that Sarutobi and Sasuke were alone, Sasuke took a breath and turned to the older man to ask his question.

"Who is Orochimaru?"

"He's our forensic analyst and I was he and Naruto's grandparents mentor when they were younger. He's brilliant and highly knowledgeable about many things in this world, but his passion is for forensics. He's the one who found the fingerprint and the residue on the photos yesterday."

"If he's able to get anything that will help us nail this son of a bitch to the wall then I don't care what he does."

"I'm in full agreement."

"There is something else, Mr. Sarutobi."

"Please, tell me."

"There is another letter…hanging from the wall in the hallway by a pair of hair sticks."

"Have you touched it yet?"

"No, I only found it right before Mrs. Namikaze got Naruto's inhaler."

"Has Naruto seen it yet?"

"He hasn't left his room yet sir. His dad saw it and he looked like he was going to be sick but I don't think his mom noticed it."

Sasuke was about to take him to the spot in the hall where the envelope was hanging but before they could make it Anko sped past them as she was barking into her hand-held. She was speaking loudly enough that Sasuke could clearly hear everything she was saying.

"This is detective Mitarashi, badge number 2584; I need a bus at 6th and East Rokudaime Avenue apartment unit 509. Victim is asthmatic and hyperventilating and his medication is having no effect, repeat medication has no effect. Notify EMT's that the victim is a high profile and that his identity is to remain confidential. Keep roadways clear of major traffic and direct the route to Konoha General Hospital. Inform the ER doctor Tsunade Sanin of the arriving victim."

A garbled response saying that an ambulance was on the way was heard and Sasuke felt his knees go weak and his blood run cold. Sarutobi put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed in reassurance. When Sasuke looked at the man though he found sympathetic but stony eyes; it was clear that he couldn't join his love.

"I'm sorry Sasuke, but I can't have you go with him until I've finished speaking with you. Minato and Kushina will be with him at the hospital and I promise to take you there personally once we're done, but for now I need you here."

Sasuke nodded his head and tried to collect himself as best as he could. Instead of going into the hall like they had planned, the two sat back down on the couch and waited to talk until Naruto had been taken to the hospital. Minato appeared two minutes later carrying Naruto who had clearly passed out and Kushina followed with tears streaming down her face. Sarutobi stood up to try and calm the poor woman down.

"Take deep breaths Kushina, an ambulance is on its way; they'll take good care of him."

"Sir, I don't know what to do! My baby has been suffering so much lately and he couldn't even tell me about it! And now some whack-job with a twisted sense of affection has made him so stressed it triggered his asthma! How much more can my baby boy take?" she cried miserably.

"He's strong, I can tell by looking at him. Look how long he's gone without help and think about what anyone else would do. Your son will make it through this."

"But he won't be the same," Kushina softly spoke, trying to regain a control over her emotions.

"Sasuke, would you call your family and tell them that we will be at the hospital with Naruto? Minato and I can't stay here."

"Sure…my phone is in his room though, with the rest of my stuff."

"He can go and get it, just don't touch anything until the investigators get here to process everything," Sarutobi informed.

"I have to join Minato. Sasuke, just come to the hospital whenever you can; make sure you tell Mr. Sarutobi everything and try to nail this son of a bitch to the ground so that my high heels can stomp him into his grave."

Kushina left after giving Sasuke a brief hug and a nod towards Ibiki who had just returned from the manager's office. Sasuke took the opportunity to head towards the bedroom again to retrieve his cell phone. Hesitating to step into the room at the open door, he could hear Naruto's phone going off since the default device ringtone was blaring. Shaking his head to get rid of the anxiety, he crossed the room to reach his overnight bag and rummaged through it to find his cell. Why he had put it in his bag last night when they left the police station he had no idea, but that detail wasn't really important right now. Finding the device and checking it, he noticed that he had three missed text messages and two missed calls. Upon inspection, he found that the calls he missed were from Itachi and that two of the texts were from Suigetsu. The third was from Shikamaru of all people and he couldn't help but wonder just what the lazy genius wanted. Reading Shikamaru's message first, his eyes widened a bit in surprise and suspicion.

Look at the cameras in his apartment. It wasn't all hypothetical.

Sasuke looked around the room, suddenly remembering Naruto telling him about the cameras and security system, to try and find any camera and after some hard 'investigating' he saw three of them pointing towards the bed, window and door. Sasuke replied back to him quickly and got up to inform the police of what he had found. Ibiki and Sarutobi were standing in the living room with a few more officers that had forensics kits and crime scene markers surrounding them and the chief was barking orders at them left and right. The Uchiha cleared his throat and everyone turned to look at him. Not at all fazed by the attention, he cleared his throat again and started to tell everyone what happened.

"I got a text message a couple hours ago from one of Naruto's friends saying to check the cameras that are all around the apartment. I looked for the ones in the bedroom and there are three; one at the door, another at the bed, and the last at the window. They weren't really easy to find if you catch my drift either. If the stalker didn't know about them, he's probably on the footage."

"Good work Sasuke. Two of you go into the room and get the cameras, but remember to take photos and measurements. You know the drill by now," Ibiki barked at two younger officers. It seemed like they were new to the force and Sasuke almost prayed that his Naruto was in good hands.

"Where is the other officer?"

"Anko is with Naruto and his family heading towards the hospital."

"Have we heard anything?"

"It's been ten minutes kid – I doubt they're even there yet. We'll tell you as soon as we know anything."

"Ibiki, be more understanding. He's had a very rough morning and we all don't get paid enough for this. Sasuke come sit with me and we can go over your side of the story."

"I thought I already did."

"Not quite in detail; we still have to go over some things if you don't mind."

"Alright, but can I call my parents first?"

"Of course."

Sasuke walked into the kitchen, which seemed to be the only place that wasn't swarming with men in blue and dialed Itachi's number instead of his parents. His brother wouldn't be too happy since he didn't answer his calls before but at least they were being returned now. Itachi picked up after three rings.

"It's about time you answered, little brother; I was about to call you again in five minutes. We're almost ready to come to Naruto's apartment since nobody called us again. I know you were supposed to come here but mother is quite worried."

"Itachi…."

"Sasuke, I know that this is a very stressful situation for you but we won't be deterred from coming to see you two. I don't care if the police are already there; father didn't give us a lot of details, just that you were all coming over here."

"Itachi, something happened."

"….what?"

"The stalker…he was here…last night some time. He left another letter and a note beside Naruto's bed."

"Who is with you?"

"The chief of police and detective Ibiki. A bunch of other officers are here too."

"Where is Naruto? What about Minato and Kushina? Are you alright?"

"Naruto had…he had an asthma attack…his medicine didn't help him, so he's on his way to the hospital."

"Are his parents with him? What about YOU?!"

"I couldn't go with them because someone had to stay and talk to the police. Mrs. Namikaze told me to call mother and father and tell them that she's at the hospital."

"That's all well and good Sasuke, but what about you?"

"I'm…I…I'm afraid for him Itachi. I'd never seen him so shaken up."

"It's understandable, Sasuke. He has a lot on his plate right now, panicking is a natural response."

"You weren't here, Itachi, you didn't see him! He looked like he was trying to run from a ghost. He was white and he was screaming and scrambling to get away from the note so hard that he may have hurt himself…."

"Sasuke…tell me what I should do."

"I don't know what you mean."

"You are fully aware of what strings I can pull, little brother. Tell me what you want me to do with them."

"Itachi, doing that could get you in a lot of trouble."

"Don't you think Naruto is worth the risk? I've done much darker things, Sasuke. I can do this with no problem. Now, tell me what you want me to do."

"…Tell mom and dad to go to the hospital. Konoha General and ask for Tsunade. Have them drop you off here. I want you…to pull your strings."

"We'll be there in twenty minutes. I have a few calls to make on the way. Cooperate with the police as best you can, and wait for me. Don't answer your phone for anyone else – not even Minato or Kushina. If they try to reach you, tell the police to tell them to go through me. Any text messages you get, forward them to me and I'll take it all from there."

"I know. Just get here quick."

"Mother will drive."

"Good enough. Itachi…I don't like this."

"None of us do, but Naruto will be safe in the long run. Trust me Sasuke."

Itachi hung up and Sasuke sighed. Gathering his composure he went back into the living room to sit with the chief and go over everything he wanted to know.

"Did you get ahold of your parents?"

"I spoke to my brother. He'll be coming here while my parents go to the hospital. Now what do you want to know?"

"First Sasuke, I think we should read the latest letter."

"Okay…."

Sarutobi put on the latex gloves and grabbed the letter from the officer who was standing beside him that Sasuke hadn't noticed before. Unfolding the letter gently and scanning it quickly to see if it was different from the others, Sarutobi read it out loud.

Dear my love,

I know what you've done. I am aware of who is with you now. Did you want to keep him safe? Did you want to protect him on your own? Why couldn't you trust my word, my love? You know I would have kept it. I'm just like you; I never go back on my word. I saw what those officers did, how they dragged you out to their station and forced you to reveal our secret. They all have to pay now. And don't think that I forgot your mother. Who is she to speak to you like that?! She may have created you, but you are the one that had to mold yourself into the person you are today! If you are not her son, then you shouldn't want her as your mother. Sasuke…he's lied to you for the last time as well. He's got you wrapped around his grubby little fingers; trying to taint you and make you impure! He told you he loved you…he said it wasn't his intention to hurt you…but he lied to you. It's all a power trip to him. He so desperately wants to be like his brother but he's nothing compared to even Itachi's shadow! Why can't you see the truth my love? It's me who knows you, me who wants nothing more than to love you! Choose me darling, before I don't give you an option anymore. I can assure you…you won't like the alternative. Now the choices are different; it's me or Sasuke. Kill Sasuke, or kill yourself. That's the only way you'll be free from him and the torture he gives you. Choose me and he'll die, choose him and I'll kill you both. I do this to free you…my precious person.

And regarding the officer who dared to call you 'his' he will be dealt with. You've no need to worry about such a mindless person any longer. And to think…they thought he was me. You'll find out soon enough…you just need a trigger.

Your haven.

Sasuke bit his lower lip in an attempt to suppress his anger towards the unknown man. He was arrogant, dominant, and slowly spiraling out of control. From what Sasuke understood he knew that the person was driven by his obsession with Naruto, but unless Naruto rejected him outright he didn't want to hurt him. In that aspect his blonde dobe was safe, but he knew also that the asthma/panic attack earlier would be a stressor for the stalker. If he learned that he hurt Naruto, in a way that the creep thought was indirectly, he might grow bolder and try to abduct Naruto. It would be a risky and idiotic move on his part though, seeing as the hospital would be giving Naruto care and keeping him healthy.

The man was warped and twisted, as many stalkers were, but he had a unique trait that set him apart from the normal frame a stalker takes on. From what Sasuke knew, and what his friends told him, stalkers tended to have social problems or trouble forming any sort of connection with people aside from their target. This guy seemed to have either connections with other people or he had friends in high places. There was no way that the guy could have known what the police officer had said about Naruto in the station the night before unless he was there himself, which was highly unlikely. If the stalker had been there he would have either confronted Naruto or they would have seen someone who was reserved, quiet, and observant of the blonde. Not only that, but in order to get into the apartment building he had to have certain methods of getting in. Before the Namikaze-Uzumaki family, and Sasuke himself, came up to the apartment last night, the owner of the building had informed Naruto that the locks had been changed on his door and he had given Naruto a new access card and room key. For the stalker to have been here last night would mean that he either worked in the building as well and copied Naruto's key, or somebody let him in.

"Sasuke, are you still with me?" Sarutobi asked as Sasuke seemed to distance himself inside of his thoughts.

"Hm…yes I'm still here. I'm just thinking about things."

"I encourage that but right now I'm going to begin asking you questions about last night."

"Alright, go ahead."

"Around what time would you say you got here last night?"

"It would have been around nine or just shortly after. The afternoon guards you posted let us in but we stopped to talk with the owner of the place about the locks on Naruto's door and his access card being changed."

"Did you go anywhere after you arrived here?"

"No."

"What happened once you settled in for the night?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Namikaze stayed out here in the living room to keep watch over things and make sure nobody got in and Naruto and I went to bed."

"Did you sleep separately or together?"

"Together but just in the same bed. Not in…the other sense of the meaning."

"I didn't think you would. Now do you remember anything happening before you fell asleep?"

"Not really…I woke up once when Naruto was having a nightmare. He was shivering and curled up next to me trying to get comfortable. I held him to calm him down and he drifted off again pretty quickly."

"Do you know around what time that was?"

"No. I could see the clock on Naruto's bedside table but I don't remember what time it said it was."

"That's alright. Was there anything else you thought was unusual? Were there any lights on coming from the hallway or were the curtains in the bedroom pushed aside?"

"…I think…I remember a breeze last night. Naruto has a ceiling fan but it wasn't on. It wasn't cold but…I remember pulling the blankets up before I fell back asleep holding Naruto."

"It may be possible the stalker came in through the window. Did you hear anything last night?"

"No, and if he came into the room before I was holding Naruto I would have seen him. I'm a light sleeper and it doesn't take a lot to wake me up, so I definitely would have heard if somebody had climbed in through the window or tried to open it."

"Okay, Sasuke but we'll try to work the window angle until we get some camera footage back. Now, I want you to think back to when you first woke up this morning. How did everything start out?"

"Naruto was still in my arms. I woke up first but I was really groggy, which is unusual for me. It was around eight o'clock when I finally felt Naruto start to wake up. He saw that I was holding him, blushed and tried to get away from me. He stopped suddenly while looking at the table and then he crawled over to it. I asked him what was wrong but he wouldn't answer me. Naruto started shaking and then he screamed. I didn't even have time to blink before he was crawling backwards on the bed until he reached me. I held him again and tried to ask him what was wrong but he wouldn't answer me and just curled up in the fetal position. A couple minutes later his parents and two officers barged in and then I saw Mr. Namikaze look at the floor. That's when I saw the note."

"What did you do after that?"

"Naruto's mom took him after he went to her and his dad asked me to pack a bag for him so that he wouldn't stay here any longer. I packed the bag while he called my family and then we waited for you. I went to check on him but then stopped when I saw the letter pinned to the wall. I called his dad, he came and saw it too then Naruto's mom rushed out to the bathroom and came back with his inhaler. I told Mr. Namikaze to be with Naruto and that's when you all started banging on the door."

"Alright Sasuke, you did well. I can get a crime scene analyst to go over everything better when he gets these notes."

The two were interrupted by five rapid knocks on the door followed by a call of Sasuke's name. The young raven quickly stood up and strode over to open the door knowing that his big brother was on the other side of it. Sure enough Itachi stood sharp and intimidating in the doorway before he quickly pulled Sasuke into a hug.

"I'm happy you're safe little brother. How are you holding up?" Itachi asked, resuming his 'big bad, big brother' stance.

"I'm alright but still worried about Naruto. He was passed out when Minato carried him downstairs."

"Have you heard anything from Minato yet?"

"No, I've been talking with the police chief."

"Alright then, so what do we have?"

"I'm very sorry Mr. Uchiha but we don't have much to go on yet. We'll have more definitive answers for you when we get everything back to the lab for Orochimaru to analyze."

"I assume he's your forensic scientist?"

"Yes, and he's one of the best."

"I trust you, but right this second I cannot put my full faith in you or your department. Either they sorely lack the competent skills of keeping watch over a victim or the stalker is better than all of your men."

"Itachi, don't."

"Little brother your life could have been ended last night, as well as Naruto's. It's only our luck that the stalker hasn't completely snapped and just decided to take Naruto otherwise this could have turned into a blood bath."

"Itachi, it's not their fault that all of this is happening."

"Mr. Uchiha I assure you I will personally interrogate the officers on duty last night about their actions but I ask that you give me time to do so. I do have an investigation on my hands."

"Mr. Sarutobi, with all due respect I have the skill and the authority to stop your investigation in its tracks and take it over. I'm an official member of the 'Red Cloud' crime prevention organization, otherwise known as 'Akatsuki'."

"'Akatsuki?' It's only a college."

"That is where you're mistaken. Yes it's a college for the intellectually gifted but others such as the other members of my team can be selected to join from the top recruitment officers in the country. I cannot disclose what we do in detail but I can assure you we get it done efficiently and effectively."

"Itachi, how do you have time for all of this?"

"Between running the company and accomplishing my assignments I manage to make time for everything. I am a genius, Sasuke don't forget."

"I knew you did some shady things but I had no clue that my school was involved in it."

"The top echelon already have their eyes on you too Sasuke."

"Gentlemen, let's get back on topic please? We have a case to solve here and Naruto isn't any better off with us arguing like this."

"I've already made some phone calls to some of my people who owe me favors. They're working with the information I've given them so far, but I need more in order to be of any help to them."

"I'll have the department give you full access to any forensics reports and evidence we find as long as the boy is safe."

"Thank you. Now is Sasuke free to go visit Naruto?"

"I'm finished speaking to him for now so I don't see the harm in him leaving. But please keep him available for future actions we have to take."

"If you wish to contact him, please do so through me first."

"If that's how you want things done, very well."

"Thank you very much. Sasuke, go get dressed, quickly. Unfortunately you can't shower here like you usually do in the mornings but I don't think you'll have a problem with it as long as you get to see Naruto."

Not wasting a second of the precious time they had, Sasuke went to retrieve his clothes from Naruto's room and excused himself to change in the bathroom so as not to disturb the crime scene. After he was finished and presentable, Sasuke and Itachi nodded at the elderly police chief before they left the apartment to head to the hospital. Coming out to the parking garage, Sasuke saw his parents still sitting there in the Enclave waiting. Eyes widening in surprise, the younger of the two turned to his brother and asked the silent question.

"I wasn't here in twenty minutes because I spent ten trying to convince our mother to leave me here with you and meet us later. She insisted that we go to the hospital as a family."

"I have…no problems with that."

Sasuke and Itachi made it to the vehicle, crawled into the back seat and waited for their mother to start driving. Fugaku turned to face them from the passenger seat and took in the sight of his youngest son. His hair was brushed but not neat, clothes thrown on hastily so he looked ruffled, and his eyes were red and he had slight bags under them.

"Compared to how I imagined you looking, I'd say you're holding up very well. I'm proud of you Sasuke."

"Thank you father."

"Don't thank me Sasuke, this isn't over yet. I can't begin to imagine how you're actually feeling right now."

"I can tell you how this stalker will be feeling once my stilettos find his balls if he has any."

"Mikoto, please behave yourself."

"I agree with mother, quite frankly. Except the stilettos part of course, I would rather use a club with nails in it."

"Itachi, you don't have to go medieval on the freak. I had hoped that the Akatsuki organization would have taught you better, more modern ways to torture a victim."

"They have father. It's just that the club would give him a good bashing and the nails were an added touch."

"Either way, this creep is going to pay. Poor Naruto is in the hospital and my snow angel looks like he's going to cry any minute."

"I'm not going to cry mother."

"You can try and hide it from everyone else, snow angel but you can't hide anything from your mother."

Sasuke knew she was right. The stress from the past two months and all of yesterday combined with the events from this morning left Sasuke emotionally drained and physically exhausted. All he wanted at this point was to make sure Naruto was alright and out of harm's way so that they could be together. The drive to the hospital seemed to take hours but was only forty-five minutes in reality. Coming to the entrance to the visitor's center, Sasuke stood by his mother and held her hand as his father and brother went up to the reception desk. On the way, Sasuke had informed them that Naruto was considered a high profile case so his identity wasn't kept on official record. Fugaku asked for Tsunade Sanin's latest patient and they were directed up to the third floor recovery wing. They came to room 341 that the nurse told them Naruto was in and the Uchiha's saw Minato talking to Tsunade and Kushina stroking Naruto's hair while he slept. Naruto looked much better than when he had been in his apartment but he still had an oxygen line and an IV. Minato and Tsunade stopped their conversation when they noticed the Uchiha family enter the room. Mikoto quietly went to Kushina's side and hugged her as Fugaku went to put a hand on Minato's shoulder in comfort. Itachi and Sasuke stood on the other side of Naruto's bed and Sasuke too began to stroke the blonde's hair. Naruto stirred and leaned his head towards Sasuke, and Kushina smiled a bit.

"He always knows when you're nearby," she whispered.

"What happened to him?" Mikoto asked as she turned to address Tsunade.

"The brat suffered a severe asthma attack coupled with a panic attack, thus causing his inhaler to have no effect. We gave him oxygen and a steroid drip along with a low dose muscle relaxant to stop the symptoms but we're still observing him. The brat was unconscious when he arrived but came too about an hour ago. He remembered everything and immediately asked for Sasuke. The poor kid fell asleep again about half an hour ago."

"He knows I'm here now."

"I'm sure he does, brat. I called his grandfather earlier too so he'll be here in the next few minutes or so."

"Do you want some time alone with him Sasuke?" Minato asked knowing that the youngest raven wanted nothing more than to assure himself that Naruto was alright.

"I do, but it can wait until he's awake. For now I just want to stay here."

Itachi rubbed his back in soothing circles similar to the way their mother was doing to Kushina. Tsunade checked Naruto's vitals again before leaving to continue her work. Fugaku and Minato announced that they were going to go for a coffee run and asked if anyone wanted anything. Mikoto told them to bring a hot chocolate with mint flavoring and extra whipped cream for Kushina while everyone else declined the offer. The two men then left and a little while later, Naruto's eyes started to flutter open. Kushina perked up, as well as Sasuke, and they waited for Naruto to fully open his eyes and take in his surroundings. Stopping to look at his mother, he saw Mikoto smiling at him and quickly turned to the other side of his bed. Seeing Sasuke, Naruto sighed and smiled and brought his hand up to hold the other's. Kushina kissed his forehead and stroked his hair again before Itachi led the two women out of the room. Sasuke kissed Naruto's forehead as well and crossed the room to sit on the chair Kushina had previously occupied.

"How are you feeling?"

"Sore. Tired. But I'm okay for now."

"You had us all scared you dobe."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You're alright now, that's what's important."

"I shouldn't be here though."

"I know."

"If it wasn't…for that note…and that…."

"And that what?"

"The reason why I panicked."

"Naruto…tell me. What happened to make you act like that? I know the note was creepy but to make you shiver like that and cling to me? What else was there?"

"I had a nightmare."

"The one I woke up to?"

"No, I remember you holding on to me then. This was after that. In it, I was barely awake but I was still in your arms and a man had been standing over you. He was dressed in all black with a white mask covering the lower part of his face. He had longer hair and brown eyes but he just…stared at you. Then he looked at me and said, 'dear my love' and held up a knife. I tried to scream or get up to push him away from you but I couldn't move or talk. I felt tears start to fall down my face and he stopped just before the knife hit you. The man put the knife away and wiped the tears away before telling me that I'd see him again. I squeezed my eyes shut and forced myself to say 'go die' and then I woke up beside you. When I saw the note…I knew it was all real and that…he really was standing there last night. I knew he really did try to kill you."

Naruto sniffled and hot tears came out from his eyes again but Sasuke just lowered the bed railing so that he could collect the blonde in his arms and rock him back and forth, all the while being mindful of his IV and oxygen tube.

"It won't happen baby. We'll be fine now. Everything will be okay and our mothers will use the bastard's corpse as a dart board using their shoes as weapons."

"He was there, Sasuke. I know his eyes. I've seen them before."

"Are you sure?"

"I know I've seen them before. But it was a long time ago."

"Do you know them from school?"

"I…think so. But not from college…high school. Sophomore year."

"Do you mean that girl that was following you everywhere that you apparently never noticed?"

"Sasuke-teme…I don't think she was a she."