A/N: I figured after the first three year wait for one cliffhanger, and the almost year and a half wait after the second cliffhanger, I should be nice and not make you guys wait another year for this cliffhanger |D So here's another chapter for you guys to... do something with?

Disclaimer: I think I might actually be wearing K. Masashi down! He seems to be losing hope that he'll ever be rid of me!

The second his eyes found what awaited him, Naruto couldn't decide what he wanted to do more. Turn around and run for it, or race into the room and grab the needle. His hands were shaking with the want, the need. God, just one hit. Just one. He could get through whatever else Pein threw at him if he could just have this one shot.

He wanted it so badly it was unbearable. The beast he'd tried to tame last year was making itself known again, screaming painfully in his skull, clawing at his insides, roaring with need. The monster was making itself known again, clawing its way to the surface, shredding his insides. His stomach ached with the need for it, his brain screamed with the want for it.

And it was there. Right there. It would be so easy. Just to take it. To forget. Just for a little while. Forget about Kiba being dead. Forget about Sasuke being taken. Forget about having enjoyed being fucked by Sai. He just needed to forget, just for a little while. Was that too much to ask? He didn't want anything earthshattering, just a few hours of blissful ignorance and peace.

He hadn't realized he was still standing in the doorway until Sai gripped his shoulder almost painfully and walked into the room with him. Naruto shuffled forward, eyes unable to leave what he knew would be a blessing. Just one hit, he just needed the one, then he would be okay.

No, a voice in his brain ordered. It was so quiet, though. So faint. Almost like a whisper. He could barely hear it. Think of Sasuke! You can't do this, you'll forget! You'll get addicted! Don't do this! Find a way out!

Naruto barely felt himself being manoeuvred into the chair across the table from Suigetsu, the other having taken his own seat, his camera tilted slightly but the record light still off.

"Hello Naruto. Sai." Suigetsu smiled pleasantly.

Naruto just nodded his head in greeting, eyes unable to leave the needle. It was so close. It was right there. He could just reach out and take it. He didn't even have to wait for Suigetsu, he could just reach out one hand and take it right now.

He could feel his hand beginning to rise, beginning to move across the table, but before he could touch the needle, another hand fell atop his own and squeezed tightly. Naruto couldn't decide if he was grateful, or angry.

The beast inside him was still tearing apart his insides, his brain was still sobbing uncontrollably for the release, but another smaller part of him was relieved. Relieved his hand had been stopped before he'd done something stupid.

"Can I take it?"

For a second, Naruto wasn't sure what those words meant, or why he'd said them. It took longer than he'd have liked to realize that Sai was the one who'd spoken. For the first time since entering the room, he tore his gaze away from the needle, looking up at Sai, who was clenching his jaw tightly while glaring at Suigetsu.

"Can I take it for him? Pein doesn't need to know. This is more of a reprieve, anyway, doesn't he want the kid to suffer? How is this going to make him suffer, it'll just force away the pain he's feeling over losing Kiba."

No! Naruto's brain shrieked. No, I want it! I need it! Don't take it from me, I fucking need it! Don't you fucking dare take it!

He felt like Sai knew what he was thinking, because the hand on his tightened further, almost to a painful degree. The pain helped Naruto push the beast back just a little bit. He didn't want this. He didn't! He couldn't! If he took it, he'd forget. He might even get addicted again. Just the one hit and he might need more. He'd fall off the wagon and he wouldn't be able to stop, and he could not risk Sasuke like that. He couldn't forget.

Sai wasn't a junkie, and probably hadn't taken drugs before in his life, and yet he was doing this for him. Because he probably knew how terrified Naruto was. Not of the drug itself, but of his own need for it. Naruto couldn't take this hit, he couldn't.

He wanted to—fuck did he ever want to—but he couldn't.

"Sorry champ," Suigetsu said, Naruto's insides squirming horrendously, eyes back on the needle. "That's not the way it works. Don't know why Pein wants the kid to take it, and don't care. This is his. Besides, you're too pale, I'm pretty sure Pein would notice a difference."

Naruto saw Suigetsu pat his camera out of the corner of his eye, but he couldn't rip his gaze away from the needle.

He was warring inside himself. He wanted it so bad, but he didn't. But he had to take it, didn't he? He didn't have a choice. And would it really be so terrible? Of course not, it would help. He would forget. But he didn't want to forget. And what if he got addicted again? He wouldn't though, because he just needed the one hit. Just the one.

Just one hit.

"Naruto."

He could feel his heart beating wildly against his chest, and even though Sai was speaking to him, he didn't look at the other. He couldn't. His eyes couldn't leave the needle a second time, he was scared if they did, it would disappear.

"Naruto," Sai said again, this time closer. The blond could feel the other's breath again his ear, the action almost sensual. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I can't imagine what's going through your head right now, but please trust me. I will not let you get addicted again, do you understand me? You do this for Sasuke, but after that, I will never let you touch this again."

Naruto couldn't nod. He didn't want to understand that. He didn't want to be promised he could never have this release again. He needed it so badly. It wasn't even a desire anymore, he literally needed it. His insides ached. They hurt. He needed it to make the pain go away, to make him forget, to...

He clenched his fists tightly, struggling to regain control of himself. "I understand," he forced out.

"I won't let this happen to you again. You know that right?"

"Yes." It was hard forcing the word out, but he managed it, eyes still on his prize.

It was incredible. Something so small, and yet so destructive.

Naruto heard a beep, and figured the camera had started recording. He ignored that fact, eyes still on the needle.

"Chop chop, I haven't got all night." Suigetsu sounded almost bored. Naruto envied him. He wished he could be bored right now. Wished more than anything that he didn't want the drug as badly as he did.

He quickly shucked his hoodie, practically tearing it off himself and tossing it over his shoulder at Sai. Suigetsu dropped rubber tubing on the table and Naruto's hand snatched it up immediately, beginning to tie it around his upper arm.

Sai moved to try and help him, but Naruto was so practised at it that by the time he even tried to aid him, the tubing was in place. Naruto could feel his heart increase its pace. He was excited for this, and ashamed for being excited. But he couldn't help it, he just needed it so fucking much right now!

Reaching out with his free hand, clenching the fist of his other to help his veins pop out, his fingers shook with desire when he finally touched the needle, and almost let out a shout of agony when it was pulled away.

His eyes shot up to Suigetsu, who was watching him intently before removing the cap, hitting the plunger so some of the liquid escaped the tip.

"Sorry kid, I'm the one who has to administer it."

"Why?" Sai asked harshly. Probably more harshly than was wise, considering the camera.

"Because he might cheat," Suigetsu said with a shrug. "And to prove a point."

"Cheat? How could he possibly cheat?" Sai bit out angrily.

"He could miss the vein on purpose. Sure, he's a junkie and all," the other grinned at this, "but that doesn't mean he's not trying to resist. While missing the vein will just dull the effects of the drug, Pein would still prefer he get the whole shebang."

Naruto extended his arm instantly, his fist still clenched. "Do it."

"Oh, eager, are we?" Suigetsu smirked, shifting forward and holding Naruto's arm with his free hand. He positioned the needle, then slowly slid it into Naruto's arm.

The blond waited, his breathing quickening, and his stomach continuing to claw at him. Soon, he would have it. So soon. Fuck, he could almost taste it! He could almost feel it!

And he waited for it. And waited. And waited.

His eyes shot up from the needle to lock with the murderer's.

"What are you waiting for?" Naruto snapped. "Fucking do it!"

The smirk on the other's face was positively gleeful.

"Beg for it."

The blond's heart stuttered to a halt in his chest.

"What?"

"You want it, right?" Suigetsu's thumb tapped gently on the end of the needle, but didn't push the plunger down. "You need it? How badly do you need it?"

Naruto could feel his self-control beginning to shatter. "I need it."

"That wasn't very convincing. How badly do you need it?"

"I just—" He cut himself off, breathing hard, his eyes lowering to the needle again. Fuck, why wasn't he just doing it?!

Naruto heard the door open behind him, but he paid no attention to that. He couldn't. Not with his release so very close, and at the same time indescribably far. Why was he doing this to him?! Couldn't he see how badly he wanted? Needed it? Didn't he know how much Naruto had longed for this moment? How many times he'd dreamt of it?

"Tell me," Suigetsu said. "Tell me how much you want it."

The blond reached out, grabbing at Suigetsu's hand, trying to force him to push the plunger, but his arm was suddenly restrained, stopping him from moving.

"I need it," Naruto said desperately, feeling his self-control finally reach its breaking point and snap. "Please, I fucking need it! Give it to me, I need it! I can't stand it, just do it! Do it! Fucking hell, just fucking do it, please! I can't take it, just give it to me! I need it now! Now! Give it to me now!"

And finally, finally, he felt the drug slowly creep its way up his arm, the sensation washing over him almost instantly. He relaxed immediately and closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair and letting his head fall back, relishing in the sweet blissful nothingness.

Sai wanted to rip her head off. He wanted to grab the stupid bitch's stupid head, rip it right off her neck, and drop-kick it across the continent. The second the door had opened, and Konan had walked in, he wanted to murder her. Because he knew she was there to watch Naruto suffer. He knew it. He might not have spent much time with her and Pein, but he knew enough to make it clear Naruto's suffering was bringing her great joy.

When she'd grabbed his arm, restraining him, forcing him to admit how desperately he wanted the drug, he had been seconds away from ripping her throat out with his teeth. He still wasn't entirely sure how he'd managed to resist, because God help him, he wanted the bitch to fucking die.

There was a beep and he looked up in time to see Suigetsu hold out the camera to Konan. She took it, seeming pleased, and turned to regard Sai with disgust, as if he'd somehow offended her with his mere presence.

"I'll take this to Pein," she informed Suigetsu, still looking at Sai. "He'll want Uchiha to see this." Then, she turned and left the room.

Sai grit his teeth and, ignoring Suigetsu, he bent down in front of Naruto and cradled his face with both hands. Fuck, he looked so at peace! He looked so damn happy! But he knew that once the blond woke up, he wouldn't be. He would be fucking devastated this had happened. Sai couldn't protect him from something like this. He wasn't even sure what he could possibly do once the other finally snapped out of it.

"If he gets addicted again," Sai said, his voice low and dangerous, "I'm coming after you."

His gaze shifted to Suigetsu. He knew his words were dangerous. He knew he was letting too much of himself show, but he couldn't help it.

The murderer actually looked about as unhappy as Sai felt. He was scowling at Naruto with his lips pressed together in a thin line, almost like the outcome hadn't been anything like he'd expected. Probably because Naruto was still being tortured mentally, and he preferred the physical pain.

"You should take him home."

Glaring hatefully at Suigetsu, Sai stood and gently pulled Naruto to his feet. The blond complied, leaning heavily again the agent, and let out a content sigh. The sound made Sai's chest hurt. Naruto was going to hate himself later for having wanted this so badly. He would hate himself for allowing even a few seconds of forgetting about Kiba and Sasuke.

"Come on, Naruto," he said, gently turning him and easing him towards the door.

It was harder than it looked. Being high wasn't the same as being drunk. Some drugs, yes, did have similar affects to alcohol, but heroin was not one of them, and considering Naruto's usual state of mind when he was high, Sai found it very hard to convince himself to stop Naruto's hands from wandering.

It was like it was ingrained in his brain. Every time he'd gotten a hit in the past, Orochimaru was right there, having his sick, perverted way with him. It was like a part of Naruto was associating this feeling with sex, because the whole way to the car, he kept trying to undo Sai's pants.

He was thankful the gate had magically been opened while they'd been inside, because there was no way he'd have gotten the blond over it.

"Stop it!" The agent snapped angrily when they'd reached the car, giving Naruto a sharp, angry shake when the blond's hand had attempted another venture into his pants. "God dammit, Naruto, this is hard enough for me, stop it!"

He unlocked the car and threw open the back door, shoving the blond roughly inside and buckling him in before slamming the door. He hurried around the car and got behind the wheel, starting it and screeching quickly from the lot. He had to get Naruto away from him as quickly as possible. He didn't trust himself with him right now, especially not after what they'd done. He would not betray Naruto's trust like that.

Of course, it was hard, because the idiot kept leaning forward and breathing hotly against his ear while trying to unbutton his shirt. Sai had to elbow him in the face to force him to sit back down properly, and he knew he'd get pulled over if a cop was nearby considering his speed, but he didn't care. He had to get out of this car!

In what felt like hours, but was more like seven minutes, he was back at Fairview, having returned much faster than he'd left. He pulled over in front of the unit and climbed out, then dragged the blond from the back and hurried up the stairs with him to the front door. He fumbled the keys when Naruto's hand rubbed his crotch and cursed, bending down to grab at them and shoving them into the lock. He didn't bother closing the door behind him once he got them inside, he just raced up the small flight of stairs to the living room, bypassed it to the one room on that floor they didn't use, and shoved Naruto onto the bed inside. Reaching out to slam the front door when he passed it by, he raced up the stairs to his own room and turned on his light before proceeding to tear the place apart looking for his handcuffs.

Finally finding them, he hurried back downstairs, finding Naruto still where he'd left him, and grabbed the blond's wrist, cuffing it to the headboard. Then he backpedalled quickly and sank to the ground, burying his hands in his hair. That had been way too much of a test for him. He honestly hadn't been sure he'd be able to resist. The only reason he had was because he knew Naruto would never forgive him.

"Sai..." the blond moaned from the bed, making the agent stiffen. "Sai, why are you so far away?"

I can't do this, he realized, eyes widening. He had to get out.

Leaping to his feet, he rushed to the front door and practically pulled it off its hinges in his haste to leave the unit. He slammed it behind himself and locked the front door, then rushed down to his car, which still had the keys in the ignition and the engine running.

He jumped behind the wheel, and backed up quickly before speeding out of Fairview and back down the road towards University Boulevard.

He struggled hard to control his breathing, feeling like he'd never had to exert so much self-control in his life. And he hated everyone for making Naruto like this. He hated Deidara for getting him addicted in the first place. He hated Orochimaru for raping him and making him be like this when he was in that state of mind. He hated Pein for kidnapping Sasuke. He hated Suigetsu for forcing him to take it again. He hated Konan for being so fucking happy for having seen Naruto suffer.

And he fucking hated Kiba for having fucking died!

Sai slammed on the brakes in the middle of the street, punching hard at his steering wheel, trying to exert all of his anger. He wanted to kill someone. He wanted to make this go away for Naruto. He wanted this to just end! He wanted everything to be okay, wanted it to be the end, and have Kiba here and alive, and Sasuke back and alive, and Naruto happy.

Why couldn't Naruto be fucking happy?!

Sai screamed as loud and long as he could, continuing to punch at his wheel and dash angrily, no one around to see or hear him at this hour of the morning. He wished someone was. He wished he could just find someone to pay for all of this.

Letting out a few angry pants, he rubbed at his face angrily then hit the gas again, continuing to drive. He didn't know where he was going yet, he just knew he needed to blow off some steam, and he certainly couldn't go back to Naruto right now.

He was in the process of passing the area they'd been in when he realized he'd dropped Naruto's sweater when he'd been struggling not to kill Konan. It was still in that room at the construction site.

Perfect. A distraction. It was something to do. Good.

He turned sharply at the next light, and was almost there when he saw something that made him turn off his headlights and brake again.

There was still a car in the lot. And not just any car, Suigetsu's car. He was still here!

His eyes snapped towards the gate when he saw the other exiting the area, heading for his car. He was carrying Naruto's sweater, obviously not wanting anyone to find it in the building in case they got to wondering why a random sweater was lying on the ground. When the other got into his car and started driving away, Sai hesitated for only a second before following. He stayed just far enough back that he wouldn't be noticed, but close enough so that he could keep the other in his sights.

For a few blocks, he was certain Suigetsu had no idea he was there. But then, he turned sharply and sped up, and Sai knew. Sai knew the other had spotted him and now, if he didn't stop him, Sasuke would die.

So he sped up, too. His car was much faster, and he caught up in no time. They were starting to cross the Burrard Bridge by then, and Sai slammed the front of his car into the back of Suigetsu's, all of his rage and hatred for these people bubbling to the surface. With another cry of rage, he slammed into his trunk again, and again. The next time he did, the other's car jerked sideways, hit the cement blocks for the bike lane, and flipped. Suigetsu leapt out of his car instantly, the vehicle slamming into the cement railing of the bridge and crumpling.

Sai slammed on his brakes, grabbed his gun from his glove box, and exited his car, holding it tightly in his hand. Suigetsu was coughing loudly and struggling to get to his feet. His left arm looked broken, and he had deep scrapes along one side of his face, probably from skidding across the road.

When his eyes found Sai's, he paled and scrambled back. Sai raised his gun, aiming it at Suigetsu, feeling all his hatred for Pein bubbling up.

"Sai, wait! You don't wanna do this! I'm—"

Sai fired. Suigetsu ducked and scrambled towards his car for cover.

"Sai, listen to me!"

He was done listening. He just fired relentlessly at the car, knowing he was wasting bullets, but it was making him feel better. Then, he did one of his favourite tricks. He released the magazine ever so slightly to make it sound like he was out of bullets, and waited.

Suigetsu shot from behind his car, jumping up onto the railing for the bridge, and Sai pushed the magazine back in, firing at his back. Suigetsu let out a shout while he half-jumped, half-fell off the bridge. Sai raced to the railing, aiming downwards, but Suigetsu was nowhere to be seen in the murky darkness below. There was blood on the cement railing, and at this height, while injured, it was unlikely he'd survived.

Breathing hard, Sai clenched his hand around his gun, then pulled out his cell phone, speed-dialling Yuygao.

"Sai, do you know what time it is?" her sleepy voice demanded.

"Yuugao, I... I fucked up." He looked over the railing. "I really fucked up. I need your help."

Yuugao slammed on her brakes just outside the police line and leapt out of her car, not bothering to shut the door. She flashed her badge irritably at the officer standing on point and ducked under the caution tape, racing towards the group of ambulances that were currently the only thing blocking Sai from view.

When she rounded the corner of the first ambulance, and saw him seated on the ground, his gun in one hand, and the other buried in his hair, she did the only thing she could think of.

She walked up to him and, when he looked up, she slapped him across the face. His gun hand flew out to stop him from falling over, and in retrospect, she should have been more cautious, but it didn't go off, so she didn't care.

"What were you thinking?!" she shouted angrily. "Do you have any idea what you just did?! You probably just killed Uchiha!"

"Don't you think I know that?!" Sai screamed back desperately. "Don't you think that's all I've been thinking about?! I don't know what happened, I was just so angry, and it just happened!" He covered his face with both hands, still clutching his gun in one of them. "I know I fucked up! I know this is bad! But I didn't know who else to call! Yuugao, I don't know what to do!"

She didn't know either. This was bad, so very bad, and she didn't know how to help Sai help himself. He'd royally screwed up, there was no way to save Sasuke now. Sai had killed one of Pein's men, they were fucked.

"Yuugao, what do I do?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "Sai, I don't know!" She buried her hands in her hair, trying to think. "You ran his guy off the road, we can't pretend he might not know that was you. And now CSIS is here and if he knows you're still on the scene..." She frowned, a thought coming to her.

"What?" Sai asked. "Yuugao, what?!" He sounded so desperate. It almost hurt to listen to him.

"What if you were trying to warn Suigetsu?" She looked at him. "You were trying to warn him that CSIS was onto him. Maybe we arrived on the scene at the same time you were on the bridge. Suigetsu died, and you were arrested."

"How does that get me back to Naruto?" Sai demanded, looking horrified. "He's handcuffed to a bed!"

Yuugao wasn't going to ask. She was sure there was an explanation, but she didn't wanna know.

"You can escape. You can pick your handcuffs, you've done it before. We can fight, toss me out of the car, drive it to Naruto, take him, and call Pein."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"We tried," she insisted. "He won't bring you to Uchiha, that's a guarantee, but if you can meet him somewhere, get him to come out of hiding, we can swoop in and grab him. Then we can find Uchiha."

Sai buried both hands in his hair again, Yuugao keeping an eye on the gun he still held, and then slowly, he nodded. "Fuck. Fuck, this wasn't how I pictured it going down, but I don't have any other choice. God dammit!" He kicked angrily at the ambulance he was seated beside, and then stood, holding out his gun to Yuugao. "Let's do it. I don't have any other choice. I just have to pray Uchiha stays alive long enough for this to work."

And Yuugao knew he was praying. Because if Naruto lost Sasuke, Sai was going to lose Naruto forever.