Drafted chapter 28: Two Targets
Pairing: Naru/Sasu
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: "Naruto', don't own it; not mine. I just borrow Masashi's characters and replace them in naughty positions, and I mean really naughty positions.
Summary: Sequel to "Summer Camp". "Let me assure you, your days will be long and your nights will be bitter, you will be fucked with, run ragged, razed and broken; I can also assure you that there are going to be time when you feel like it's too much but trust me, power through it and it will be the most rewarding thing you will ever achieve." That was the greeting Sasuke got. Trying to adjust to new friends and even newer enemies while adjusting to Naruto miles away, the only option is to survive.
A/N: F*K. This is so late because the bastard computer I put my flash drive in fucking ate the half finished, 7000 odd words chapter and I had to start another project. Gawd, I don't even fucking know if this will match up.
2: No one got the QAF reference huh, honestly it's my fault; nostalgic remembrances are a bitch.
3: I know a few of you want Kiba to show some growth, and honestly, I want that too but for now he's my entertainment factor…. He will step up though. I promise.
4: Shout out to ALL reviewers, old and faithful, new and unfamiliar, THANK YOU ALL. #chocolatechipcookies to everyone! And for all Ryu/Sasu fans there is a major announcement at the bottom. DO NOT RUSH THERE (like I believe that you wont x_x) It'll be there anyway.
5: UN-BETA'D AND SEX PEOPLE!
The Best Western Hotel; Room 31. 8:12 a.m.
"So troublesome," Shikamaru sighed.
If there was one thing that Shikamaru hated, despised and abhorred, (yes his mind insisted that the three adjectives were necessary even though the meant the same thing) was to be coherent before noon. But considering the insomniac he had been sleeping was a luxury, even though he knew that the damage insomnia and oversleeping did to the body were basically the same.
This morning eight o'clock exactly he received a texted message from Nagato with an order for him to go to a pharmacy and get a certain device and then get a soil sample from the Kenko clinic. Instantly the Nara understood why he was ordered to do so; if they weren't getting chemical evidence anything from the air, they had to get it from the soil.
Shikamaru had placed himself in the mindset of a drug dealing criminal and in that train of thought realized that he would have placed the lab was in a contained place that had an alternate way of disposing the toxic chemical evidence and, damn it, finding that place would be a bitch.
A slender hand reached up and tugged at the stud in his ear that had replaced his normal loop, and mentally groaned as he got up; he had to do this whether or not. He had made a pledge and of this was his part to play in destroying this monster he was going to do it.
Sitting up he ran his hand just over the band of his boxers and smiled slightly. Last night his mind had been filled with dreams of Temari, Gaara's older sister; how she had smiled to him, kissed him, caressed his bare chest.
How she had starting stripping while shooting him a sly 'I'm-going-to-rock-your-world' smile, how she had trailed her fingertips down his body, how she had sunk to her knees before him, her mouth open to close over his hard c-
"Time to move," Shikamaru said getting off the bed and indiscriminately cutting that memory off.
He opened his travelling bag and took out a pair of jeans and an army green hoodie then stepped into the bathroom and the shower.
Reaching for the shower jell, despite the perfect place to relive his memories he concentrated on which fantasy ailment he would use to get into the clinic. He couldn't plead something severe enough for them to take a blood or urine sample and conversely, he couldn't go with something as simple as a headache of toothache.
He toyed around with the thought of using a muscle stain but shut that down instantly.
Lathering himself up he thought that he could just go as an aimless drifter seeking a shady place to get away from the madness of the town. Watching the sudsy water swirled down the drain he hoped it would be enough.
Local Inn, Kohonagakure.
Kyuubi eyes were stuck on the clock above him as his fist clenched sporadically around the cell phone in his hand.
The second it struck eight thirty he dialled the number he had memorized from the moment Kaguya had give him the card. He waited patiently as the line connected.
"Ohayo Gozaimasu, this is the Private Sector Oversight Committee of Kohonagakrue, Yoshino Kaede speaking, how may I help you?"
"Hello, Yoshino-san," Kyuubi said with an inviting tone, "That's a beautiful name you have there Kaede, Jun Kensai here, I was hoping to be connected to Ōtsutsuki-san, can you connect me to her?"
"Oh, Kensai-san, I'm sorry, Ōtsutsuki-san, is currently busy, I can direct you to another assistant if you wish."
Fuck.
"No, I need to speak with her specifically," Kyuubi replied trying hard to keep the irritation out of his voice, "Could you tell me when she will be available?"
"In an hour time," Kaede replied, "If you call back then I will be here to connect you."
"Well an hour time it is." Kyuubi replied, "Thank you Yoshino-san, you will hear from me soon."
"You're welcome Kensai-san, I look forward to your call, have good day." The assistant replied in a chirpy tone.
Kyuubi's jaw clenched at the cheery tone and managed to give the woman a gracious goodbye and hanged up.
It took a huge effort for him to not smash the cellphone into the wall and forced himself to open his hand and drop the device unto the sheets. Needing to calm himself with some kind of diversion he turned on the TV and while scrolling through the channels got a glimpse of himself on a news channel and stopped.
Slowly a cocky smile crossed his face hearing the anchor give a description of him, how he was wanted by the Russian, Japanese and American governments and strong repeated warnings to the public to call the relevant authorities if he was spotted. After a moment his picture came up again and Kyuubi smiled and leaned back watching with a narcissistic eye over his profile.
"Well at least they used a good picture of me this time."
The Kenko Clinic; 8: 35 a.m.
Hazel eyes traced over the building that on the surface was a virtue to the community but in reality was the viper to it.
The Kenko clinic was the home base of Hydra, Orochimaru's sworn and faithful peons. The building itself looked harmless, with a cheerily painted exterior, carefully tended lawns and there was even a small water fountain in the yard.
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed on the thick hedge of flowers ringing the building and wondered if the soil was as poisoned as they thought it was how were these plants looking so healthy?
Hands shoved into his pockets he genially ambled over to the side of the building and plucked one of the leaves off a twig and rubbed it between his fingers. The dichotomous leaf was dark green and had enough moisture in it; there were no yellow spots or dry edged to the leaf so clearly it wasn't damaged.
Crouching down he examined the rest of the plant. Even if it was a Cosmo, a hardy seasonal plant, if it was planted this long there had to be some damage somewhere.
Dragging up the info knew about plants from two am reading on Wikipedia, he grimaced, the stem wasn't frail, the branches looked sturdy and the roots seemed strong and secure; this plant wasn't diseased.
Fuck. A fleeting grimace crossed his face at the thought that he might have to report to Nagato that their suspicions were probably wrong and the lab might be somewhere else.
Sighing he tugged at his earring and started to walk around the building, habitually glancing into the windows. On the second on, he unfortunately met the eyes of a security guard.
Double fuck.
If he was to find this thing he had to find it fast. He gave himself ten minutes top to get the sample and go.
Circling around the back he saw a gated six square foot patch of land just beside the back door or the clinic which was chocked full of flowers so cramped together it looked ridiculous and extremely suspicious.
Eyes narrowed Shikamaru popped the gate and forced his feet inside the thicket. The plants were so close they seemed to merge with one another. Carefully he shifted the plants and the air that surged up made his nose tingle. Bingo, there was something foul there, without a doubt.
Kneeling down Shikamaru hiked the collar of his shirt over his nose and mouth and taking the small capped and sterilized container he had gotten from a nearby pharmacy he scooped some of the dirt around the pipe into the cup.
Snapping the cap on Shikamaru stepped over to the door and slumped against it, flicked his hoodie up and bowed his head, the sample of soil clasped tightly in his hand in the double pockets.
"Hey!" An angry voice cut through the air, "What do you think you're doing punk?"
The genius didn't move until a hand harshly shook him. Glancing up with deliberately bleared eyes Shikamaru plastered a confused look on his face.
"Wha'?" Shikamaru asked eyed looking around, "What's happening?"
"You punk," The guard spat, "What the hell do you think you're doing? You're trespassing!"
Instantly Shikamaru's agile mind wanted to spit out a reel of facts a mile long that a person can't legally be 'trespassing' on public property, but he had to stifle his mind, shove the facts to the back of brain, bite his ready tongue and act like he was stoned.
"I'm sorry man," Shikamaru yawned, barely covering his mouth, "I didn't think it would be a problem… I'll go."
"And don't come back or I'd have to call the police on you," was called at his back.
Giving a lazy wave over his shoulder Shikamaru called, "I won't. Thanks man, I owe you."
The Local Inn, Kohonagakure. 9:30. a.m.
Kyuubi pressed the 'call' button and stared stonily at the gray wall as the line connected.
"Ohayo Gozaimasu, this is the Private Sector Oversight Committee of Kohonagakrue, Yoshino Kaede speaking, how may I help you?"
Perfect.
"Hello again Kaede," Kyuubi said, "Kensai here, is Ōtsutsuki-san still busy or is she available?"
"You're in luck Kensai-san, she is available and I can connect you to her now, please hold."
Still as stone Kyuubi waited for the line to get connected and when it was he heard;
"Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, executive assistant to Namikaze-san; may I ask who's calling?" the woman asked in a polite questioning tone.
A slice of irritation cut through the ex-Russian operative, didn't the Kaede tell her who was calling and if so, had she forgotten him that quickly?
"Kensai, Ōtsutsuki-san," Kyuubi replied, "Remember, we met at the steakhouse and you told me you might have a job for me?"
"Oh yes," Kaguya said, "The jack-of-all-trades mason extraordinaire, yes, actually. You've called at the perfect time, a summit is about to be convened and we want the place to look like it's hosting the Emperor himself, so we will need your services."
Kyuubi felt a little spark of arousal at her direct all-business ball busting tone. This was a lady who knew what she wanted and how to get it.
"I'm all ears Ōtsutsuki-san," Kyuubi replied. "Tell me what you need me to do."
"We have five days to be prepared for the meeting, the grounds need to be trimmed the hedges also, even though we have semi annual upkeep there are patches of the building itself that need a retouch of paint and retooling if needed."
Kaguya cleared her throat, "Our rates are five thousand yen per day with overtime if done, we will provide the tools and you will be required to wear a uniform. Time is from five am to six in the evening with lunch time included. Do you accept these terms?"
"Yes," Kyuubi answered, "I do."
The fact was that even if they had offered to pay him one cent per day and wanted him to do all the work barehanded, he would have agreed.
"Excellent," Kaguya said and Kyuubi could literally feel her satisfied smile through the connection. "We'll see you tomorrow at five; a security guard will meet you at the premises and direct you to the most important areas. I trust you will use your discretion on how to proceed from there."
"Will do," Kyuubi said steeling himself to utter the next words that made him want to hurl. "Thank you for doing this for me, it's much appreciated."
"Don't thank me yet," Kaguya replied, "Do your job well and I'll have a generous bonus for you."
'Oh honey,' Kyuubi thought, 'If I get away with what I'm planning, I will have my own bonus."
"I'll aim for that then," Kyuubi said, "Goodbye for now."
A café near a few blocks from the Kenko Clinic
He stopped at the entrance of a café and with a shrug of indifference Shikamaru pushed the door and walked in. The heady scent of roasted coffee nuts and assorted spices filled his lungs and it was only he then realized how hungry he was.
Stepping to the menu board he scanned it quickly and at the cashier ordered, "A large hazelnut latte with six sugars, and an egg and cheese on an onion bagel sandwich to go, thank you."
Through the corner of his eye Shikamaru saw a flash of red and pivoted on his heel to see Gaara seating across from a guy whose knuckles were brushing the redhead's cheek. The Nara felt his blood run cold when a light red sheen highlighted Gaara's cheek as the hand retracted.
What. The. Heck?
Shikamaru blinked twice trying to displace the theory that he was hallucinating while his mind slowly came to grips with what he was actually seeing.
It seemed like what he was seeing what right. Gaara actually letting someone unknown touching him. Shikamaru knew that Sabaku was gay, but for this kind of guy? Seriously, this man, whoever he was, looked like he had just rolled out of a haystack with how messy his hair was and how wrinkled his clothes were.
"Sir?"
Shikamaru snapped out daze to turn back to the sever who was holding out his bagged sandwich and cup of coffee.
"Thank you."
Turning back his level gaze met Gaara's steady unnerving green and after a moment, that even though felt like an eon but was more like two seconds, Gaara turned away with no indication that he had even noticed the Nara. Apparently he was in some kind of debate with the dark haired man and he had turned to refute some point the guy made with a fiery rebuttal.
Shikamaru knew that Gaara wasn't one to suffer fools so whoever this guy was had to have some kind of intelligence about him… or he was a skilled hypnotist.
Butterscotch eyes blinked again and mentally shaking himself up Shikamaru took his food and shouldered his way out of the café.
Maybe it was good thing he reasoned, taking a sip of the sweet coffee; at least Gaara wasn't hung up on Sasuke anymore.
The NSA headquarters, Forte Meade Virginia.
Yuura wasn't only reading the information scrolling on the computer before him, he was devouring it.
Fuck, Arashi was such a smart man. The account had been buried under copious coding to hide the owners name but Yuura was nothing but tenacious and after an hour and forty-five minutes of strident digging he had unearthed the name of the owner.
Namikaze Arashi.
A passing thought of Arashi becoming the second Frank Abagnale had slithered through the NSA agent's mind. Frank was the genius forger who, at freaking nineteen years old, had led the FBI on a merry chase until he was captured. He was the inspiration for the riveting film "Catch Me If You Can."
That man was a devious genius but Yuura had a strong hunch that there was a great chance that Arashi could surpass him.
"Transferred from the Bank of Shanghai account number 1128893, holder Namikaze Arashi, the sum of twenty million united states dollars to a Kyuubi Avilov." Yuura read in glee, the findings of the MIDAS probe.
The MIDAS probe was another nugget of his twisted genius; admittedly it was an unconventional one because it was something he had cooked up after a suffering through a bender on X.
Who knew that delirious code writing at fuck knows what o'clock in the morning was something to actually be used? After a colleague of his had came across the half way legible scribbled code on a crumpled sheet of paper, Yuura had been ordered to finalize it and then use it to the agency's and the country's profit.
Printing the sheet he placed it in a folder and then went to Quaker's office. Even though this information had just made the case against Arashi a bit stronger, he still knew that they had to get a bigger keystone to extradite and imprison the mogul.
Knocking on the director's door he waited till he got permission to enter and stepped in to see the man's head down as he ticked off something in a file.
"How may I help you Agent Kimora?"
"I've gotten the results from the probe," Yuura said, "It's just one more nail in Namikaze's coffin."
At that Howard looked up, his pale blue eyes mildly curious and held out a hand for the file. Yuura stood there as the man scanned the info and looked back at him,
"It does add to Mr. Namikaze's culpability, but we need more proof." Yuura said somewhat sadly.
"Yes," Quaker agreed, "Even though we have a timeline, motive and means and opportunity but I agree, we do need something more solid, the last nail in his coffin so to speak so the jury won't have anything to doubt in the deliberation room."
"And where will we get that?" Yuura inquired with a mildly curious tone.
Closing the file Director Boyles seemed unaffected. "It is my experience Agent Kimora that these things will work themselves out, however long they will take."
Yuura chomped on his inner cheek but didn't dare contest the man's words, "I will take you word for it Sir."
"Very good," Quaker said shooting a look at him, nose wrinkling a bit. "Good work Agent for uncovering this, but now for the love of all things good, please utilize the decontamination shower. You smell like… I'd rather not say."
A crooked grin crossed Yuura's face, "Affirmative Sir."
After going to his locker and dragging out his go-bag he glanced over to another agent who had just entered the room. Agent Blaketon was a tall agent, fairly muscled and mature boy-band handsome, but had a gruff demeanour which Yuura knew he used as a smokescreen, for all his abrasive front, Blaketon was as gay as a pink unicorn.
Reaching down he grabbed the edges of his shirt and indiscriminately pulled it up and over his head. He grinned to himself when he heard the soft intake of breath from the other man. Grabbing his towel and shower gel Yuura met his eyes, allowed a smirk to cross his face and after a moment jerked his head to the showers.
Turning around he didn't even look to know that the man had followed him. He wanted a self-congratulatory fuck and he was damn sure going to get it.
The Hama Nomad Warehouse. 10:00 a.m.
Naruto's blue eyes were trained through the window in the room, not focused on anything. Normally, in this state of mind, his thoughts would be centred on Sasuke but they were not this time; this time they were focused on Konan.
He was damn sure the woman was trying to figure out who he was and if she was that interested and by the nature of her profession she had already tried to find out who he was by searching the government's archive.
Thanks to Kyuubi though he was nonexistent, and that must have thrown a huge stumbling block in her way. But why was she even trying to do it in the first place?
Why was he getting her, and by proxy, all of Hydra's, attention? He was an unknown so what was drawing them to him?
Raking a hand through his hair he got up from the cot and grabbed his keys. He needed to get out of here and breathe some fresh air to clear his head and possibly score some breakfast on the way. On the way out he peeked into Kiba's room to see the Inuzuka, shirtless and passed out on his bunk.
Laughing softly to himself Naruto made his way into the hallway and into the main room where he saw TenTen roughhousing with some guys. The acrobat flicked up from where she had wrestled the guy to the ground and shot Naruto a triumphant look.
With a smirk and a jerk of his head towards Kiba's room, and after ignoring her mischievous look, he shrugged his leather jacket on, took out his keys and left. Walking the bike to the entrance of the compound he nodded to the gatekeeper and outside on the road got on the sleek machine and sped off.
He coasted through the mostly empty streets as most of the people were still sleeping their hangovers off. He passed a park and fleetingly wondered if he should take a breather there but he kept going.
By the map firmly fixed in his head he knew he was getting dangerously close to the Kenko clinic. Naruto knew this was risky so he forced himself to stop at an open restaurant.
Pulling the helmet off he shook his head and idly noticed that his hair was getting longer, maybe it was time for a cut. Sighing he got off the bike, secured it and entered the mostly empty eatery.
Despite his recent obsession with ramen he did eat healthy food so at the cashier he ordered a double stacked peppered turkey and cheese sandwich with a side of steamed vegetables and, succumbing to a craving added a cup of piping hot chocolate. After a few minutes he took his loaded tray and settled on a table at the side of the room with his back to the door.
Unwrapping the sandwich he grinned to himself knowing that if Sasuke had been here he would have been gifted with a scathing glare and an earful of his stupidity of placing himself in the most defensible position and how he should have found a better secure place after having mapped out all the possible escape routes.
The last one though was something that Naruto had secured in less than five seconds after entering the establishment; he could deal with the rest and besides who would be stupid enough to jump someone in a restaurant?
Halfway through the spiced sandwich he heard footsteps behind him and barely tilted his head to see no other than Konan walking into the room. Out of the corner of his eye Naruto watched as the woman shot him a fleeting look but he looked like he didn't care, kept his cool and continued munching on his sandwich.
"Ms. Konan," The cashier smiled, "Good morning, I assume you'd like your usual today?"
So she was regular here, good to know.
Konan smiled pushing a lock of her hair behind an ear as she leaned on the table, "Yes, thank you and I'd like a few more packs of sugar, I think my blood sugar is a little low."
"No problem." The woman said punching something into the machine, "One vegetable loaded flatbread, green tea and you can pick how many sugar packets you want from the concession bar over there. That will be three hundred yen."
"Thank you," Konan said handing over the cash.
"So how's the clinic?" the cashier asked casually.
"Same old," Konan replied with a shrug, "Sprains, toothaches, pulled muscles, one or two broken limbs. We are preparing for cirrhosis cases though."
The woman shot a look over her shoulder, "Doesn't liver damage take years to happen?"
"We get regulars every year, all of whom drink copiously." Konan replied, "You will never know, better to be prepared."
Naruto looked up at the same time as she was staring into the long stretch of mirror behind the counter, her eyes meeting his. Naruto suddenly felt like she had been staring at him for a long while. Nevertheless their gaze held for a long moment before Naruto shot her a flirtatious look paired with a slow wink.
Konan instantly ducked her head, he train of through clearly broken, the sole aim of what he had just done.
"Okay," a server said placing a tray on the table between them, "Here you are Ms. Konan. Have a good day now."
Nodding to both the cahier and the server Konan took a seat and started to eat.
Konan had chosen a seat where her peripheral could easily spot him, but during those full five minutes, she hadn't even once looked at him. Grinning to himself he crunched the paper wrap into a tight ball, took up his tray and dumped the empty contents into a nearby garbage bin.
Walking out he grinned while strapping his helmet over his head and got on the bike. And idea tickled at the edge of his mind but he tried to dismiss it. Would it distress Sasuke to see Konan even if she wouldn't recognize him?
The Hokkaido Keys Military Academy, Ryu's Room
A knock came on Ryu's room door and slightly confused the young Namikaze got up and opened the door only to see Konohamaru standing behind it looking slightly troubled.
"Konohamaru?" Ryu asked eyebrows furrowed, "Do you want to come in? What are you doing here? As a matter of fact, when did you come back?"
"Ten minutes ago and no, I don't want to come in… and I came to tell you goodbye." The younger boy said plainly.
Ryu frowned, "Why? I'm not leaving for another five days."
"It's not you," The Sarutobi said his eyes down on the floor and his feet shuffling, "It's me, I'm the one's that leaving."
Now Ryu was solidly confused, "I don't get it."
"My grandfather," Konohamaru explained looking up finally, "He says this place isn't doing me any good and that I'd be better off at a college closer to where he is. That I'm better off studying business than trying to be some hero."
Ryu's jaw tightened, "Doesn't he care for what you want?"
"Apparently not," Konohamaru sighed. "It doesn't matter anyway, there's no point in trying to argue with him. Until I get a job or something he's the one I have to depend on. Listen… I've got go Ryu. I'll see you… somehow."
As Konohamaru turned around Ryu reached out and grabbed the younger teen. Guilt and shame was crawling into Ryu's gut. He knew that Konohamaru had always looked up to him like an older brother; hell, the boy had a calf-eyed love for him and even had him as an idol for fuck's sake.
There were some sporadic times when Ryu wondered if the boy was switching teams for him but knowing of Konohamaru's obsession with boobs he had dismissed the idea.
His guilt was mostly based on all of the above but worst of it all was that Konohamaru had looked out for him. The problem was that Ryu hadn't done the same for him. He had brushed the kid off, ignored him and used him even. Even though he had been all caught up in his own shit that was no excuse for what he had done; the boy deserved more.
"I'm sorry 'Maru." Ryu whispered chin on top a mahogany haired head. "I'm so sorry for… shit…all of it. I should have been there but I wasn't. I was so caught up in my own problems that I didn't even notice what you were going through. I failed you 'Maru, I didn't keep my promise to always be there for you. Please forgive me."
By the stiffness in Konohamaru's body Ryu knew he had shocked the younger teen and he was totally prepared for the boy to push off and leave without batting an eye.
It came as a shock that the young Sarutobi hugged him back. "I-It's okay Ryu…I understand… You've been busy trying to get Sasuke's attention right? It's okay, hell, I'd have tried to do the same."
Attention; right. Ryu was so glad that 'attention' was all that Konohamaru thought that he had wanted from the Uchiha.
"….Yeah attention," Ryu murmured pulling back to look at the younger boy, "I'm going to miss you."
A light had sprung into Konohamaru's eyes at the confession and Ryu, even though he still hated himself.
"Me too," Konohamaru replied, "And don't worry I forgive you. I'll call you… text you… email… something. We'll talk. Don't ever think you're rid of me."
Leaning on the doorjamb Ryu smiled, "I would never think that…. Otouto."
At that simple word the young Sarutobi's eyes sparkled and a wide grin crossed his face. Ryu knew that one word had shifted himself in Konohamaru's mind.
"We'll keep in touch." Ryu said smiling as the boy walked off.
Going back into his room Ryu sat on the edge of his bed and though this might be the best thing for the young boy, it wouldn't be good for him to be a first hand witness the avalanche of shit that was about to break out.
The Mall near the Keya Beach. Dave Buster's, 12:35. p.m.
"I hate you." Sasuke growled.
"And I love to make you hate me," Naruto said shoving the game controller into his hands. "If you're half the badass you claim to be, best me at Sniper."
Grabbing the silver gun Sasuke grunted and stepped on the platform beside the blond who was adding the tokens into the machine. By a cursory glance around he saw Kiba and TenTen there too playing air hockey.
Sasuke flicked his head in what anyone would say was petulant move but still shifted into his isosceles stance and levelled the gun to the blinking down numbers on the screen. The second the target came up he started to shoot.
Fifteen minutes later…
Again, him, Naruto and fucking crowds… it had to be some twisted kind of curse.
Sasuke tried to concentrate on loading the target with bullets and not get shot at in return. The scores were one hundred and fifty-five for him and one hundred and sixty for Naruto even though Sasuke seriously believed that Naruto was holding back.
Sasuke chomped down a grin when he scored a hit for twenty points putting him in the lead. The timed was ticking down and the past fifteen minutes had passed in daze despite his peripheral acknowledgment of the growing crowd.
Thirty seconds left and he was challenged with a double kill. His eyes narrowed as he aimed as he waited for them to be in line and pressed the trigger playing the screen with bullet holes. As the screen cleared he grimaced, one target was still standing. He lifted the gun once more but heard a huge ding.
Naruto had clocked one gigantic monster and, goddamnit, had won. Rolling his eyes Sasuke cocked the gun over his shoulder and turned to the smirking blond. As his eyes passed over the people watching them at the very edge stood a silver haired man, clad in a long sleeved shirt with round glasses intently watching them.
Kabuto Yakushi.
Forcing himself to face Naruto he shoved the gun at him, "You won."
A hand grabbed at his shirt and pulled him in, his intentions obvious but Sasuke pushed him hard with a glare, "Don't even."
Naruto chuckled and hopped off the platform which Sasuke instantly followed. At normal level Sasuke searched for a way to tell Naruto about Kabuto but was surprised when an arm wrapped around his shoulder and a mouth pressed at his ear,
"I saw him too."
Sasuke just grunted and pushed him off in apparent irritation. "Don't get your hopes up moron."
"Nathan!" a voice said from the side, Ichigo's face was sporting a wide grin, "That was awesome dude, I think you broken a record of something, that match was wicked."
"I still think he cheated." Sasuke snorted looking around. Kabuto had disappeared. "Where's Uryu?"
"Right behind you," The other boy said, crossing around the two to push a big red plastic cup into Ichigo's hands. "I see you two are… getting along."
"You're hallucinating." Sasuke drawled.
"Oh shut up," Naruto huffed with something scarily close to a pout, "I'm growing on you."
"Like a canker sore." Sasuke added dryly. "By the way, I haven't seen you two at any of the parties, what happened?"
Ichigo managed to grin lecherously even with the straw in his mouth while Uryu rolled his eyes.
"Ichigo here thought we'd find another way to enjoy ourselves, despite the fact partying was his idea."
The 'another way' was blatantly obvious.
"My man," Naruto grinned high-fiving the other blond. "Nice."
"So," Ichigo asked eyeing the two sceptically, "Are you t-"
"Don't even go there." Sasuke cut him off arms crossed over his chest, "Not even if there's a zombie apocalypse."
"Yeah right," Naruto scoffed leaning on a wall, the move enhancing his ripped body. "I'd be way more appetizing than un-dead corpses."
"As a matter of fact," Sasuke returned smoothly, "I think you'd be the appetizer for the un-dead corpses."
A tan hand was pressed over an orange clad shirt, "You cut me babe; you cut me deep."
"You'll live." Sasuke snorted, "I lost so I'm buying. Jumbo cup of grapefruit flavoured diabetes for you right?"
He was met with a toothy grin, "With extra diabetes, thank you."
"Whatever," Sasuke replied making his way to the centre of the room with the bar and ordered a huge cup of Schweppes for Naruto and a fruit cooler for himself and a basket of curly fries to share.
What was Kabuto doing there? The surgeon had just popped up on the radar for the first time ever and out of all the possibilities had shown up when they were together. Was it some kind of coincidence Sasuke idly thought? But no, his intellect refuted, the man was a surgeon, what business did he have in a gaming parlour?
A server placed his items on a tray and with a grateful nod Sasuke went back to where the trio was standing.
Blue eyes lit up at his approach, "That was quick."
Sasuke shrugged, "The bar was empty."
At that moment his cell phone beeped and so did Naruto's. Shit. This had to be Nagato relaying his location to them. Sasuke internally grimaced as Uryu's assessing glance flicked to them and Sasuke handed the tray to Naruto while he dug out the device.
He scanned the message and nonchalantly placed it back into his pocket and took the tray from Naruto who hadn't even reached for his own cell.
"So since tonight's off," Ichigo asked, "What are you guys up to?"
"No plans yet," Naruto said biting the tip of his straw. "I know a friend of mine is going to try and score tonight and I just might help him out. He needs a wingman; his game is in the tombs."
"And you Seth?" Uryu asked, pinning the Uchiha with an unreadable look.
"I may have to run some course work over," Sasuke sighed, "You'd think professors would think 'vacation' actually means 'vacation'. Not a 'mirage of actual free time'."
"Sucks," Ichigo grunted, "If those don't happen, do you guys meet us at the skate park a few blocks from our hotel that I'm gonna drag Uryu to?"
"You can try," Uryu said drolly flicking his bang back, "Never said you'd succeed."
"Oh come on baby," Ichigo scowled, "You never do anything fun."
"I have sex with you," Uryu said blandly, "And put up with your fetishes. If you don't count that fun, I'd be happy to abstain."
"Oh shit. You don't want that." Naruto warned, "Roll back and damage control dude STAT… And I think we need to get out of your hair, you guys need some alone time."
"Agreed, just don't kill each other." Sasuke replied turning away, "We might just show up but if not, we'll see you guys at Rapids tomorrow then."
"So can we get back to our previous convo?" Naruto said pushing the door open for Sasuke while ignoring the two behind them, "So you were describing our next rendezvous?"
Sasuke shot him a curious look, "When did you learn the word rendezvous?"
"I absorbed it from your brain," Naruto answered, "And speaking of, we need to tell him about blue haired chic and four eyes."
"I know, but we have a few hours to kill." Sasuke said offering him the almost empty basket of fries. "What are we gonna do till then?"
A sly look was slanted to him and Sasuke refrained from smacking himself in the face. Damn it, he needed to stop giving these openings.
Unknown Location, Konohagakure,
Madara tied a robe over his silk lounge clothes and walked out into the adjoining room. The dark red décor, dark wooden furniture and the fire blazing in the marble fireplace and the dim ambiance was the fitting surrounding for the Triad leader.
Ignoring his usual pastime of delving into a interesting book he took up the remote and clicked the TV and to a news channel for a amusing diversion.
These people who called themselves journalists were absolutely ignorant, even though they did their endeavour best to dig up and convey the important current affairs to the even more ignorant public.
Another picture of the defector Russian fugitive surged up on the screen and Madara wondered knew that if the reporters would drag this issue out till the apocalypse. Carding his fingertips through his loose hair he smiled cruelly knowing that very soon the Russian and his Japanese conspirator would soon know the reality of prison.
A door opened and his cloaked servant entered with a bow, "Master, all attempts to reach the CIA agent that was at the Hokkaido Academy have proved futile. We don't know where he is."
Snorting softly Madara still combed his fingers through his hair, "Then the only option is to go over his head, find the bigger boss."
"W-what?" the man stuttered. "Come again?"
The old Uchiha's suggestion clearly had shocked the man and his voice showed it, "Master, are you sure about this? Isn't that a little dangerous?"
Madara laughed softly, "I for one am not worried. This world is a hyena pack. I'm very sure that the authorities wouldn't turn a blind eye to receiving a substantial gift to them and catching a big fish."
"But your Eminence, by all accounts you are the biggest one in the sea." The man remarked.
"That is debatable." Madara said half humouredly, nonchalantly brushing the compliment off. "But clearly this is a big issue for them so seek out the highest operative in that organization that we can negotiate with."
"Will do," The man said, "By the way Sir, I have gotten information that the authorities still don't know how Orochimaru died."
A dark head streaked with silver was thrown back and a loud laugh rang through the room as Madara let out a mirth filled laugh. The older Uchiha chortled hard till a tear beaded at the corner of his eye.
After he calmed down Madara pressed a finger to the corner of his eye and looked at the crystalline tear and smiled. "Well we'll let them keep not knowing, shan't we?"
"Yes Master," the man said, turning away, "I will redirect our search for another CIA agent."
Propping his head on a closed fist Madara just faced the TV feed and smiled.
Undisclosed Warehouse, near Keya Beach 7:04 p.m.
Unexpectedly it was Kin who showed up at the warehouse first, the ex-assassin met Nagato with a small smile.
"We're good," Kin said tugging off her jacket, "I wasn't followed,"
Nagato nodded, "Considering your skill set, you would know if you were being trailed. How is it going though?"
Kin shrugged slim shoulders, "Nothing I haven't seen before, craziness galore. I spotted Hidan once yesterday; he was going into the beach bar."
Nagato frowned, "That's strange, by profile they don't show up before the fourth day, so why was he there?"
"Nagato," Kin said seriously, "It's been my experiences that criminals like these don't work alone; maybe he has an accomplice there. My guess would be the bartender; think about it, he could easily spike some customers' drinks."
"She's right," Ryuu said emerging from their makeshift bathroom while moving over to his bunk. "All these years it would be easy to get someone closer to your targets that won't raise any alarms."
Nagato nodded, "I'll look into it."
Kin waited till the younger agent was out of earshot and faced Nagato, "… Are we still on?"
Nagato nodded, "I'm putting the steps in place, don't worry. It'll work out."
"What'll work out?" Shikamaru's lazy voice said from the doorway.
"Getting all the evidence we need to convict them," Nagato replied plainly, "Speaking of damning evidence, did you get what I asked you for?"
In wordless answer Shikamaru held up a tightly sealed bottle of dirt and shook it. "I think you meant ordered not asked. And do you know how weird I looked asking a pharmacist for a sealed urine cup?"
"Not more than usual I'd imagine," TenTen cut in while knocking her boots off at the door, "Besides, you look like a stoner so they might just think you're off your rocker."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Shikamaru said dryly flopping down on the nearest horizontal surface, eyelids slipping shut.
In soon succession Neji, Kiba and Gaara entered, the three choosing their own placed to sit and wait. When Nagato asked them if they had seen or done anything interesting, and with their corresponding 'no's' Shikamaru had blinked his hazel eyes open to look at Gaara.
The stoic redhead had met him with an empty look that transformed into a small warning glare. Shikamaru let out a small laugh which had gotten the attention of the rest.
"Care to share Nara?" Neji asked blandly.
"Nope," Shikamaru replied tugging at his ear, "Just something I remembered, I doubt it'd interest you."
"You're probably right." Neji answered, "If it's something about your beloved sweet-"
"N0!" a snap came from just outside the door; it was Sasuke's signature snarl, "You must be fucking high."
All eyes were trained on the door as an aggravated Sasuke pushed the metal door in, clearly irritated. Naruto followed him with wide begging puppy eyes.
"Please?"
"No," Sasuke snapped stomping inside while dragging off his jacket, "I'm banning you from seeing Ichigo too. I swear you two are worse than double trouble."
"Oh come on Sasuke," Naruto huffed, "Admit it, you had fun at skate park."
"So what?" Sasuke huffed, "That doesn't mean I want to go fucking skydiving with you and the other half of the suicide squad."
"Sasuke it's n- oh hey guys." Naruto openly blinked now fully realizing where he was.
Kin, TenTen and Ryuu looked amused, while Neji, Gaara and Shikamaru hadn't shifted their disinterested look. Kiba however groaned and banged his head on the wall.
Nagato snorted, "So now that everyone's here, I have a few questions to ask. I know you haven't been dumped in the real fray but have you noticed anything?"
"We saw Konan," TenTen said immediately, "But it didn't seem suspicious, she was just in the town like anybody else."
"Maybe," Naruto said his tone gone from playfulness to serious soldier mode. "But that doesn't explain why she was looking at me all the time like she was trying to figure out who I was or something."
Nagato frowned, "How would that even be possible?"
"She used to live in Kohona, like my brother and I used to," Sasuke said, "Chances are she saw a picture of Namikaze senior years ago now and her mind is trying to match Naruto with his uncle through a vague memory."
"That's gonna be hard," Naruto added, "Thanks to Kyuubi, I am not in the system."
"That may give you a breathing space but it won't last forever." Ryuu replied, "She will eventually figure it out."
"Hopefully not before we crack down on them," TenTen offered.
"…Maybe she already knows." Gaara suggested, "And that might be the real reason she was staring at you. If she knows you're not in the system to them you're expendable. No one would know if you're gone."
That simple sentence sent a cold chill through the room.
"Aside from that, anything else?" Nagato asked while taking out what looked like field kit, with clear vials, empty test tubes and various chemicals and then placed the sample of dirt that Shikamaru had gotten beside on top of the kit's case.
"We saw Kabuto too," Sasuke confessed arms crossed over his chest while leaning on the wall, "We were at the local DB and he was there."
"That's strange," Neji spoke up, eyes narrowed, "You'd think a surgeon employed in a busy clinic would have something better to do that hand around a juvenile arcade."
"My suspicions exactly," Sasuke confirmed looking at the Hyuuga, "He didn't look like he was having a passing curiosity; he looked like he was looking to find or ascertain something."
"Find or ascertain what?" Kin asked, her hazel eyes shifting between them, "It's not like he knows you're here."
"Maybe he was trying to scope out some test subjects," Shikamaru offered, "You know; specific targets he wants to get to."
"That's a plausible explanation," Nagato agreed, "He might just be scouting."
"For chew toys," Kiba asked rolling his neck. As the rest of the group looked at him in mystification Kiba clarified, "I have a wolf crossbreed dog guys; I know what it looks like when an animal wants to destroy something."
"So they're fixating on me?" Naruto asked, "What the hell? I'm just another ditzy tourist in a bunch of other people."
Nagato looked contemplative, "Naruto, did you do something notable that might have drawn their attention?"
"Um," Naruto grimaced knowing that he should have kept a low profile, "I guess… me and Sasuke kinda went overboard on a volleyball match and then Kiba and I went waterskiing for a few hours… on the same day without a break between them."
"Were any of them there?" Nagato asked looking at the both of there.
"No." Naruto and Sasuke responded in unison.
"Then what could have possible attracted them to the two of you?"
"THE BAR!" TenTen cut in with a loud call, her eyes lit with revelation, "That has to be it!"
The majority of the others were looking even more mystified as Sasuke groaned. Even if none of Hydra were there how could they have been so stupid to throw themselves in the spotlight?
"Um, I need some context." Nagato said looking at the two of them.
For the next fifteen minutes Naruto gave the group a very accurate recount of what had happened between them starting at the Shinka club and the bet and then what happened at the bar.
Nagato listened to it all then turned to Kin, "… You might be right."
Heads swiveled to the both of them, curiosity clearly stamped on their faces.
"Kin said she saw Hidan go into the beach bar and suggested that Hydra might have a contact in there. Honestly, it's the perfect setup; in case they can't find test subjects it's very easy to get someone else to do it for them," Nagato explained. "He sends them info on targets and he gets a cut from their dealings."
"So you're going to get him, whoever he is too, right?" TenTen asked, "It's not like you can't let any of their people go, get one get all, right."
"Yes," Nagato replied, "From the top to the bottom, we'll get them all."
"So we need to be careful of…well… everyone." Naruto said solemnly,
Nagato sighed, "Yes; even though the real stuff starts tomorrow night you can't get distracted now. Be armed with all the recording devices, the sugar pills and the evidence bags. Ryuu and I will take care of what we can from here."
A stiff and apprehensive quiet settled on the entire group. Nagato looked at each of them, "You've all come so far now so don't get distracted or let your guard down, but don't get come off as suspicious either. Be on your A game. Drag out the hidden Jason Bourne inside of you and embody that."
"Ryuu bag a sample of the dirt Shikamaru gave us and send it to the National Forensics lab while use our own field kit to do our own analysis." Nagato continued, "Hopefully we can get enough chemical evidence on both fronts to make it cohesive. We can't let both countries suffer for one maniac's obsession. "
Speaking of dual fronts and obsessions Sasuke's mind flicked to Ryu and Madara, he wondered if the gamble the both of them had played had paid off. His eyes flicked to Naruto wondering if he was thinking of it too.
"Naruto, we don't know for sure if you're a target but if they do have an interest in you it might be something we can work off, Ryuu."
The other agent got off and took up a case of plastic containers and started to hand them out to each one. "We've restructured the iris contacts; each one now has a recording ability. The second you put them in it they start to record, each one with a different feed and stored differently."
"So, all our moves are recorded." Kiba groaned, "I'm scared to take a piss now."
"Why?" TenTen teased, "So we call all see that you're tinier that my index finger?"
Hazel eyes narrowed to lethal slits Kiba stood up and grabbed at his belt, "You want proof of m-"
"NO!" everyone screamed with horror painted on each face, some even slapped their hands over their eyes.
"Then shut the fuck up and let's focus on getting these assholes," Kiba huffed sitting back down, pants re-buckled to the relief of all gathered.
"I think that's enough for one night," Nagato said scanning over the group, "Go home, get some rest and be armed tomorrow night."
Neji, Gaara, Shikamaru, TenTen and Kin offered their various goodbyes and after donning coats or jackets left. Naruto and Sasuke were stayed behind.
Nagato turned to the two, "Is there anything else?"
"I don't suppose you've heard anything from your superiors about Namikaze senior?" Sasuke asked knowing there was a ninety-nine percent chance his query was going to be met with a negative reply.
"No," Nagato confirmed his suspicion, lips getting thin, "Each mission is compartmentalized for strict attention. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be granted access on any info on that operation until I'm relieved of this one."
Sasuke nodded in complete understanding, "Okay."
Nagato pinned Sasuke with a certain look, "…Is there something you want to tell me Uchiha?"
With his face as blank as a white sheet of paper Sasuke shook his head, "No. I was just wondering since it was you who had taken it upon yourself to find out the details of who Naruto was and the conspiracy if uncovered if you had followed up on it."
"That case is being handled with a colleague of mine who is more that competent to handle it until I can resume the commandership of it." Nagato said, "Trust me, Namikaze will be convicted one way or another. Now let's focus on getting Hydra."
Sasuke nodded, and looked at Naruto, "Coming?"
Naruto looked at him then back at Nagato and shrugged, "Yea, sure."
Intensively aware of the CIA's agent's eye on his back, Sasuke grabbed his jacket and after a quick curt nod to the older Uzumaki left the warehouse with Naruto in tow.
After a long minute Ryuu turned away to do what Nagato had ordered him to do. While separating a portion of the dirt Shikamaru had given them Ryuu's calm voice penetrated the air.
"….I wonder what the Uchiha is hiding from us."
"So you picked up on that too huh," Nagato said bringing up a programe on his laptop to find the bartender of the Keya Beach bar.
"You've got to give it to him," Ryuu said carefully measuring out a chemical, "He's progressing in all the right areas. I'm betting that when he's ready our boss is going to snatch him up before his head can spin."
Snorting at Ryuu's blasé tone Nagato redirected his attention to finding out who the bartender at the beach bar was.
The Kenko Clinic, Break Room, 4:45 p.m.
While removing a book from a shelf in his metal locker Hidan's eyes glanced over to the stand alone chest where Konan held her personal affects. He knew that even now, years after, she still had a laminated picture of herself, Itachi and a young Sasuke in there.
"Should we tell her about the Uchiha?" He asked the other individual in the room.
Kabuto snorted, "Hell no. Do you really want the bitch to get all nostalgic on us? We'll kill Sasuke on our own without her, but for now to fool her we need to keep our focus on the blond, who, to my aggravation, still haven't found out who he really is; just that he's Nathan Uno and is in a nomad warehouse."
"Why should we care who he is?" Hidan shrugged indifferently, "His anonymity just makes it easier to get rid of his body."
"Point," Kabuto agreed looking at the clock, "So are we breaking protocol tonight?"
"No us," Hidan replied nodding to the locker while closing his, "She is."
Kabuto snorted, "So have you called Fukai already?"
"Nope," Hidan said taking out his cell phone, "Was just about to do it."
Pressing a speed dial number Hidan waited till the line connected and the slow spaced out and clearly sky high voice of the head bartender came on.
"Yea?" Fukai said, his words slightly slurred.
"Fukai," Hidan said, "Listen closely and do what I say."
A shuffle was heard as apparently the other man sat up in attention. "What do you need now?"
"Remember that blond haired kid, Nathan? Look out for him tonight and if he's with the same black haired guy from when you gave us the shot glasses, try to get his name or where he's staying at."
"Why?"
"Don't ask me any questions peon." Hidan grated, "Just do it."
"You know Hidan," Fukai slurred, "I'm okay with being your snitch but I want compensation too. Five grand for his name and another five for where's he's staying at. If not, find some other stoolie to hustle."
"Fine," Hidan snapped, "Just get his fucking details and you'll get paid."
"Good to be in business with you." Fukai replied, "Later."
After Hidan closed the connection off Kabuto pushed his glasses up a notch and looked at him, "So he wants money?"
"Uh huh," Hidan smiled nastily, "I told him he'd get it but I didn't say when."
"Because he isn't going to live to get it, right?" Kabuto grinned, "… It's about time we got rid of him anyway."
Third night of the Keya Beach Party- Rapids 9:45 p.m.
The music could be heard from thirty feet away from the beach's entrance. It was a hard drum thumpa-thumpa beat that reverberated through the air and literally made Sasuke's eardrums throb.
Clad now in white shorts and a dark green t-shirt, Sasuke reached up to brush light fingertips over his face and felt the slight tingle of the mesh forming to his face. His new contacts were in and his ring was on. He then brushed light fingertips over the skin toned patched on his neck, the AltoVeto was there too, as secure as usual but the alterations to his voice still freaked him out.
A hand settled on his shoulder and his dark head twisted to see Naruto in knee length jeans shorts and a white t-shirt, a bright blue bandana was tied around his hair that matched his sparkling gem necklace and eyes.
"Ready," was whispered into his ear.
"Have to be," Sasuke replied eyes narrowing, "What the hell is that music anyway?"
A blond head tilted, "Um, Caribbean dancehall I think… Yeah, that's Soca."
Snorting Sasuke walked forward, as they neared the gate two people ran out covered with coloured powder and laughing hard.
"Oh what fresh hell is this?" Sasuke groaned.
"Powder party, nice!" Naruto grinned tugging him further inside after flashing their armbands, "Loosen up Seth and let your hair down for once. You know; if that duck-butt can lose its stiffness sometime this century."
"Ha, fucking ha," Sasuke drawled snidely, "Grow up sometime this century would you? I need a drink."
Stepping onto the beach's sand Sasuke immediately gravitated to the bar and Naruto followed him.
Forearms braced on the bar Sasuke covertly scanned the room and spotted Neji, Kiba and Kin. On the other half of the room he got a glimpse of Gaara leaning on a wall, eyes closed and nursing a tinned Coca-Cola while apparently listening to some dark haired guy whose lips were moving at an fast pace. Gaara was getting his ear chatted off.
Shikamaru was at the end of the long bar and slouched over it, fist of one hand propping his chin up while the long fingers of the other were swirling a cocktail. A flash of silver on his hand announced the presence of his recording ring.
So they were armed, good.
"And here are my favourite boys," The bartender said smirking, "What's your poison this evening guys?"
"I'll have a White Russian," Naruto said to the bartender, "And he will have a Rum Punch."
"I'll gladly punch you in the head, and again, I have a name. How hard is it for you to use it?" Sasuke said evenly.
"Oh I'm sorry, Seth, but stop trying to fool anyone," Naruto said, "I've gotten under your skin and you love me, admit it."
"Not in a million years moron." Sasuke replied, tracing the moves of the bartender to see if he was putting something into their drinks. All he could see was shaking bottles and swirling liquor; no sleigh of hands.
As the glasses were set beside them the guy gave a small smirk to Naruto, "You know, if you want him to give it up you might need to get him a stone cold drunk."
"Thanks, but I don't need to get him drunk. We're going back to his swanky guesthouse anyway." Naruto said taking his drink up, "Who're you by the way?"
"Name's Fukai," The man replied absently while serving another customer.
"Good to know," Naruto murmured into the rim of his drink, glancing up at the glass ahead of them and stilled at the reflection he was seeing.
This was not to happen now. Three parties, wasn't it, three parties before Hydra started to slowly sink their claws in. So why were they there now? More specifically why was Konan there?
A furtive look to Sasuke and he was met with a knowing look. Sasuke had spotted her too and his shoulders had gone stiff with tension before he forced himself to relax.
Konan sat on a seat just beside Sasuke and ordered a glass of straight rum cream. Sasuke forced himself to lift his glass of punch and take a sip.
Casually turning Konan smiled over her shoulder, "It's you."
Naruto gave a sly grin, "And it's you. Are you following me?"
"No," Konan said smiling, "But this is fortunate. I heard you've been making an impression on the beach activities staff and I wanted to meet you."
She glanced at the surroundings, "Didn't think it would be here though."
"Why?"
Her teal shoulders shrugged, "Your glowing reputation. You seem different from the rest."
"He is different," Sasuke cut in, feeling like all the blood in his body had gone ice cold at the sound of her more than familiar voice. "He's a total moron."
Shifting on his stool Sasuke looked Konan in the eye blankly. Back at the Academy Sasuke had wondered what he would do when he saw her again.
He had wondered if he would feel a resurgence of his affectionate feelings for the woman he had taken as an older sister, or conversely if he would get angry, feel betrayed, get irrational and feel even repulsed.
But now, he felt none of those. In reality he felt nothing and it showed in his face and voice. After all these years, after all the grief he and his brother had gone through for this woman, this traitor, all Sasuke could feel was cold.
Konan had gone still, her eyes plastered on Sasuke's face. By the motions of her eyes Sasuke knew she was trying to match this face with one she had known years ago.
"Oh come on you stubborn bastard," Naruto huffed, "will you ever stop saying that?"
"No," Sasuke turned away shoving the glass away, "Do you want to dance or not?"
Shooting a mixed look at the blue haired woman Naruto shrugged, "Sure Seth but I'm kinda wondering if you really want to dance or if you want to find some way quietly dispose of my body."
An erratic thought ran through Sasuke and before he knew it his black eyes pinned blue, "You're wrong. I want to fuck you and for that you need to be alive. Come on, I need to get horny."
A wicked grin crossed the Uzumaki's face placing his own glass down, "If that's the case, I'm more than happy,"
Peach lips pressed against a pale ear, Naruto tugged Sasuke into him, "So is this gonna be real or did you just say that to throw Konan off?"
Honestly, Sasuke was wondering the same thing.
"I…. don't know." Sasuke admitted eyes closed, "I just felt pissed off all of a sudden and I guess what I really wanted just came out. I do want you, don't doubt that."
"… But you don't want sex." Naruto observed, sliding a hand under Sasuke's shirt.
"No," Sasuke replied, "… Not this time."
"I understand." A soft scrape of teeth brushed Sasuke's jaw, and the Uchiha's back arched as his eyes closed momentarily. He then turned and grabbed Naruto's head and started to devour his mouth.
"See," a triumphant voice sounded to the left of the dancing duo. "I knew I was right!"
Oh God no!
"You owe me a hundred bucks Ichigo," Uryu smirked, pocking his boyfriend in his side, "I knew they'd get together so you need to pay up."
Ichigo just grunted, his normal scowl deepening on his face, "Fine, later though."
Sasuke pulled back and plastered a blank look on his face and turned to the two, "All right, you guessed it; guilty as charged. This moron somehow got under my skin but we have an amicable agreement. We'll have… fun during this but when it's done we'll part ways and shove it to the back of our minds, like a forgotten dream. It never happened."
Uryu smiled, "Still knew it though. You know Seth; we're more alike that I thought. Ichigo pestered me day after day too."
"I don't doubt it," Sasuke said evenly eyes levelled, "…They're both blonde."
"HEY!" Naruto and Ichigo yelled in tandem, irritation stamped on both faces.
Sasuke snorted, "My case in point."
Uyru flicked a bang back with two fingers, "Come on Ichigo, let's leave them to their fun, we have ours to do."
"Sure," Ichigo grumbled while reaching down to tap his ankle. Naruto's head fell back and a loud laugh rang out like a ringing bell.
After they were gone Sasuke faced the Uzumaki, "I think I'm missing something. What was that?"
"I figured you wouldn't get it," Naruto chortled, "That tap to his ankle means 'ball and chain'."
"He thinks he's married to Uryu?" Sasuke asked incredulously while looking at the two walk off. Ichigo was sullenly following the dark haired teen with hands shoved in his pockets.
"It's as close as they could be," Naruto said grabbing Sasuke's arm. "But whatever, let's get back to dancing."
In a quiet corner of the bar Fukai dialled Hidan's number and tapped his foot while he waited for the man to answer.
"Did you get what I need?" Hidan grated.
"Yes," Fukai grumbled, "Not all of it though."
"Just tell me what you've got." Hidan said, "I'll take it from there."
"His name is Seth, couldn't get the surname but I do know that he's staying at some guesthouse," Fukai offered up. "Don't know which one either but they did say their going back there to fuck."
"Fine," Hidan said, "We'll work with that."
"So I'm still gonna get paid?" the bartender asked eyeing the bar.
"Yes, you'll defiantly get paid," Hidan replied mysteriously. "Goodbye Fukai."
The call was cut off and the man stood there staring at the cell in his hand somewhat curious and concerned. Hidan had never said 'goodbye' to him before so what going on now?
Shrugging the ominous feeling off Fukai pocketed the phone and went back to his station.
Third night of the Keya Beach Party- Same Night, Rapids 10:05 p.m.
"Should I do it or do you want to?" Naruto asked quietly while nodding to Konan who was still lounging at the bar.
The two were on the other half of room eyeing the room with a watchful eye. Sasuke's gaze hadn't really moved from Konan and Naruto hadn't had the inclination to shift his attention from her.
The Uchiha had suffered through the crucifixion of his parents by a man who she had betrayed them for. Sasuke's face was absolutely blank while watching her, pale eyelids lowered halfway over dark orbs.
For the hour and a half they were there it was clear that Hydra wasn't moving in tonight. Konan was probably there just for kicks.
"Me it is," Naruto decided with a sigh at the Uchiha's unresponsive state and pulled out his cell.
Quickly he typed out a message to Nagato, telling him the bartender's name and just as he was pocketing the phone Sasuke grabbed at him.
"Seth?"
"Dance floor," Sasuke huskily breathed into his ear, "Now."
Seemingly abandoned shack near the Keya Beach, same time.
"His name is Seth and he's in a guesthouse somewhere near the beach." Hidan said to a man named Zetsu, an accomplice of theirs that was a blackhat hacker.
He was their accomplice when they needed anything cyber and that was why they had fitted out the shack with computers to rival NATO. The man had the equipment to hack into Fort Knox if he wanted to but he just didn't have the drive.
"So you want me to find this Seth?" Zetsu said, his amber-orange eyes flicking on the screen a mere foot away from him fingers flying over the keyboard at an almost invisible pace.
"It shouldn't be that hard," Zetsu said brushing his lank washed out brown hair back, "He's a tourist right so he has to have some arrival info from the airport or the ferry. Gimme two hours or so, I'll find him."
"Tell me the second you find where he is staying," Hidan ordered leaving the barely lit room. "Then I'll have another job for you."
11:25 p.m.
He was sweaty and horny but Sasuke's as they danced but he made sure to be in an angle to keep Konan in their line of sight.
Aside from bathroom breaks the woman hadn't left the bar for the hours they were there. Hydra wasn't moving in tonight and Sasuke was getting tired.
Pulling Naruto into him he placed his lips on his ear, "I want to leave, let's go."
Pulling back a half grin crossed the Uzumaki's face, "Yeah sure, let's just find Ichigo and Uryu and tell them we're out."
Seemingly abandoned shack near the Keya Beach, same time.
"Bingo!" Zetsu smiled at the computer that had just spat out a name, 'Seth Usegui'.
By all account he was an ordinary college kid, enrolled in a fancy university with a trust fund larger than King Midas. After a few taps he found out where the guy was staying at; The Bachelor's Guesthouse.
Grinning Zetsu picked up the phone and called Hidan. He was answered with an ill tempered grunt.
"I found him," Zetsu said ignoring the grunt, "His name is Seth Usegui and he's staying at the Bachelor's Guesthouse."
'Seth Usegui… code for Sasuke Uchiha… fucking black haired bastard, we've got you now.' Hidan thought sadistically.
"… Good," Hidan replied, "Remember that set of wireless mini cameras I gave you a few months ago… take one and go to this room, you know what to do from there."
"You're a freak, Hidan," Zetsu said, "But sure, whatever, I'll go."
Undisclosed Warehouse, near Keya Beach 11:50 p.m.
"Shit," Ryuu cursed looking at the laptop's screen, "Shit, shit, shit, this is not good!"
"What isn't good?" Nagato asked after returning from their makeshift kitchen with two bowls of food.
"Remember when we set a bug to warn us if anyone tried to hack into any of the team's info," Ryuu grimaced spinning the laptop, "well we just got one… someone hacked into Sasuke's fake persona."
Abandoning the food Nagato grabbed the laptop and fingers flying over the keyboard he tried to trace the origin of the hack to no avail. The hacker had left absolutely no footprints.
"He's a blackhat," Nagato said grimly after coming to the conclusion that he wasn't going to find the hacker.
"Yes," Ryuu said, "Before the footprint dissolved he got into where Sasuke is staying. We need to let him know."
Pulling up the message portal on his laptop Nagato quickly typed out a message to Sasuke and grimly pushed the laptop back hoping the Uchiha would read it quickly.
Third night of the Keya Beach Party- Rapids 12:11 a.m.
After a tap on Uryu's shoulder Sasuke leaned forward and said into the Ishida's ear, "We're leaving,"
Uryu's eyes glanced over to the blond who was probably parroting the same words to Ichigo.
"The two of you?" Uryu asked with a smirk.
Sasuke shrugged, "Yeah,"
With a knowing smile Uryu nodded, "Have fun."
Nodding Sasuke looked at Naruto and jerked his head; Naruto gave Ichigo a sly grin which was returned. Sasuke just rolled his eyes.
Outside in the cool darkness of the morning Sasuke pulled out his cell phone before he got on the bike behind Naruto. A message was there and just as they were about to move off he stopped Naruto with a hold on his arm.
"I'm on surveillance," Sasuke muttered, "Someone was looking into me."
Naruto stilled, "You you or the real you?"
"My alias," Sasuke replied, "There's no way they could get into my personal info."
The blond stilled, "I'm confused, if they want me, how are the digging into you?"
"We caught their attention," Sasuke replied, "They're interested in both of us."
Naruto was silent for a moment, "So… your hotel still?"
"Yes," Sasuke said, "But let's take the long way around."
"Sure thing," Naruto said igniting the bike. "Hold on."
Wrapping his arms around a trim waist Sasuke pressed his nose into the faded leather.
Undisclosed Warehouse, near Keya Beach 12:04 p.m.
"I'm tapping into the hotel's security feed." Nagato said tapping on the computer, "If they went that far what's going to stop them from setting an ambush."
"They probably still don't know who he is but it can't hurt to check," Ryuu said, "Better safe than sorry."
Nagato pressed a few more buttons and a feed of the hotel's lobby came up. The entrance room was mostly empty with the security guard sitting at the side. Everything looked normal until someone came down the stairs.
Zetsu; the blacksheep Hydra agent.
"Fuck," Nagato said looking at the man who was dressed in a plumber uniform; he was even holding a toolkit.
Nagato watched as the guard's mouth moved, most likely asking him if everything was okay. Zetsu nodded and replied with something in the lines of 'fine, everything's good.'
The guard nodded and let him out. Instantly Nagato texted Sasuke; 'Homestead compromise, be careful.'
"Homestead compromise, be careful…" Sasuke murmured. "Hn, someone got into my hotel room and probably bugged it with a camera or something."
"…Still want to go back?" Naruto asked slowly cruising down the empty road.
"Remember that pretend sex thing…" Sasuke trailed off.
"…Yeah?"
"….We might have to compromise."
The Bachelor's Guesthouse… 1:10 a.m.
Sasuke ignored the guard and fist in Naruto's jacket dragged him upstairs to his room. His back instantly met the slab of wood of his door as their mouths fused together.
With a twist of his body Naruto was the one that was slammed on the door. Dimly Sasuke heard a door open above his and immediately shut after a scandalous shriek was heard.
A low rumble of amusement sounded in Naruto's chest, "Calm down baby, we're scaring off the local wildlife."
"Screw them," Sasuke snapped, swiping his keycard and pushing the door open. "Remember we are getting watched…Come."
"Don't have to ask me twice," Naruto said smirking at the pun while kicking off his shoes. Sasuke did the same grabbed him and pressed him into the wall, their mouths crushed into a kiss that almost made Sasuke's knees buckle.
Pale fingers dug into dark golden hair and tightened as the kiss continued. As Sasuke gasped in a breath peach lips slipped to Sasuke's neck.
Hands reached under his shirt and Sasuke dropped the keycard and heard a chuckle against his skin, "Nervous?"
The hairs on the back of Sasuke's head rose. Even though there was no concrete poof he was pretty sure they were being observed. There was no way out of this now; they had to put on a show.
Somehow though Sasuke forced himself to forget about the camera and focused on the Naruto's warm and demanding lips.
His shirt was slid up and after a quick pull back the cloth was pulled over his head and thrown to the ground somewhere. Sasuke's tongue sneaked out and pressed against Naruto's in a demand for entrance and heard a soft moan rumbling in the chest against his.
The kiss was hard and overwhelming and Sasuke gasped when Naruto took control and his tongue duelling with his. When Naruto pulled back and nipped at his lip Sasuke couldn't stop himself from trying to recapture his lips.
Naruto growled in his throat and pressed his hips forward, grinding against his. Sasuke bit the inside of his cheek, he was beyond hard and his body was aching for something.
"More," Sasuke groaned, "I want more Nathan,"
"Wow…and here I though you didn't want anything from me, but now you'll have to tell me…beg me."
"I don't beg," Sasuke replied somewhat stonily.
"Oh yeah," Naruto smirked as he dropped to his knees and sank his teeth into the small rise just under Sasuke's bellybutton. Pleasure shot up into Sasuke's head but stubbornly he clenched his jaw.
"Fuck."
"Beg and I'll do it."
"No."
The teeth bit harder in the sensitive skin and Sasuke's fingers clenched in brunt gold hair. A war was waging in Sasuke's mind, every fibre in his body wanted to submit and feel the pleasure his body was starved off but his pride was chafing.
"I'll have to make you then,"
"How?"
Suddenly moist lips were on his and the kiss that was expected to be hard and furious was so soft and caring that every resistance in the Uchiha's body broke down to rubble.
He wrapped his arms around Naruto's neck and submitted to it. Sasuke lost himself in their kiss. The taste of it was so different and so uniquely Naruto. He knew he'd never get tired of it. His hands fell and seemed to be working of their own accord, undoing Naruto's belt and unhooking his pants.
It took him a second to realize that Naruto's hands were doing the same to his. When he suddenly felt a hand slip inside, sliding down to cup him through his boxers, his hips jerked up.
"Ah! Nathan!" He threw his head back and arched, shamelessly rutted against the warm pressure pressing on his cock.
When Naruto pulled his hand out, Sasuke actually whimpered at the loss. To his mortification he heard Naruto's knowing chuckle. "Patience. I'm not done with you."
Through hazy eyes and a fuzzed mind he watched Naruto slide his own jeans down, kicking them off when they reached his feet. Then he was pulling Sasuke's as well until both of them were standing there in their shirts and boxers.
A husky chuckle drew him out of his thoughts and into the present moment. "Scoot up. Put your head up on the pillows."
Huh? When had they gotten on the bed? Was he that out of it?
Nevertheless Sasuke lifted himself up on his elbows and scooted up until his head was on the thick pillows. He watched as Naruto flashed him a grin as he reached behind him, grabbing the comforter and pulled it over them as he moved between Sasuke's legs in one swift move.
There he then tugged the whole sheet over his head. This covered Naruto completely, as well as the lower half of Sasuke's body. The Uchiha was a bit confused. What the hell was Naruto doing?
Something brushed his thigh and then that sane something, Naruto's hands, were pulling at his boxers, sliding them down his hips and his legs until they were off.
Then that hand even though callused was back with a light touch, sliding up his inner thighs until they were at the base of his cock, and all thoughts of confusion went out the window. He hissed lightly as Naruto wrapped his fingers around him, giving a few firm strokes.
Sasuke's back arched as his strength gave out with a gasp. Vaguely he heard another chuckle from Naruto, barely audible over the sound of his heart throbbing in his ears. His mouth was letting out his unconscious moan.
That low moan turned into a gutter edge gasp, "Nathan!"
Wet, tight and burning heat, that is as all Sasuke's scrambled mind could realize so jumbled is was the mess in his head. He couldn't think straight. He could barely breathe. Naruto kept moving, taking more and more of him in, putting his hands on Sasuke's hips to hold them down in place. The raven couldn't stop himself from pushing against those hands, wanting, needing, more. It felt so damn good.
When Naruto suddenly took him all the way in, Sasuke brought his hands up by his head, gripping at the pillow in a death grip. His eyes were clenched so tight red was behind his lids. "Fuuuucckkk Na…"
Soft vibrations echoed down his length from Naruto's soft laugh, making the air in Sasuke's throat go dry
The Uzuamki started to move, his tongue doing things Sasuke hadn't even imagined. Despite the fact that he hadn't gotten many blow jobs thus had to be the best one.
It was sinful heaven. It was both too much and yet not enough. The air in the room filled with his pants and moans. The heat built to a blazing inferno, slowly consuming him, taking him places he'd never gone to, never even knew existed.
When Naruto broke free, Sasuke took in a breath that sounded like a sob. When they were face to face, Naruto braced his hands near Sasuke's head and kissed him at the same time that he pushed their hips together.
"If they want a performance…" Naruto husked into Sasuke's ear
That was when Sasuke realized that Naruto had stripped his boxers and shirt at some point. Their erections pressed against one another with a delicious friction that had Sasuke rocking his hips and gasping into the kiss. That gave Naruto the freedom to thrust his tongue in Sasuke's mouth. He could taste himself on Naruto's tongue and found himself even more turned on than before. He hadn't thought that was even possible.
His hands left the pillow to take hold of Naruto's back, holding him in place as his mouth was ravaged and their bodies pushed into one another.
Sasuke broke the kiss to look at him, almost embarrassed at how hard he was panting, at how his body couldn't seem to stop moving.
The sight of the unraveled Uchiha under him was mind blowing. Sasuke's skin was flushed red across his cheeks. His open mouth was bitten red and his hair was all over the place. But the best thing were his eyes, they were blown open, his pupils almost at the rim of his irises.
Naruto licked the shell of Sasuke's ear. "Do you want me to take you now, Seth?"
"Please." Sasuke groaned arching softly under Naruto's body.
He cut off when Naruto's hand finally tugged his shirt off and moved over his chest, flicking at a nipple with his fingers. The fire in Sasuke grew even more.
"Wrap your legs around my waist." Naruto whispered into Sasuke's ear and immediately he obeyed. He lifted his legs, wrapping them around Naruto's waist, gasping at the increase in sensation. The older man continued to rock; to the outside it would look like what it was supposed to look like. Under the covers, their erections continued to rub against one another, precum working as lubrication.
Naruto shifted his head, his lips traveling down to take the place of his hand. He bit softly on Sasuke's nipple, making the younger man's back arch up and his head fall back once more. He didn't think there was any way this could get any better. He quickly realized he was wrong. Naruto's hand snaked under the blankets, wrapping around the both of them so that, with every roll of their hips, they were thrusting into his fist. Sasuke moaned loudly and dug his nails into Naruto's back, causing the darker tones man to growl against his skin and move his hips faster.
The fire grew more. Tension built stronger and stronger deep down inside of Sasuke. He'd never felt this way before; didn't know what to make of it. But it didn't matter.
He couldn't think on it. His brain was on the brink of an explosion because the pleasure that was growing was poised to take him under. He felt Naruto shift, saw him hovering over him, those dark blue eyes trained on his face. Sasuke couldn't bring himself to be ashamed of the way he was unraveling or the needy sounds that came from his lips.
"Fuck," Naruto told him. "You're so beautiful...are you close, baby?"
"Yes, yes, yes, " The repeated words reflected the mantra in his mind.
His hips rocked up one last time and it seemed like the world around him suddenly exploded. The pleasure filled him to the brink before it shattered him. His head dropped back and his hips shot up as he emptied himself all over Naruto's hand, screaming out his name as he came. He felt Naruto's body shudder over him and vaguely heard the older man give a hoarse shout.
Every muscle in Sasuke's body was loose and relaxed. It felt like he melted into the bed. Even Naruto lying down, half on him, half beside him, didn't bother him. That was what he had to wanted in the first place so he welcomed the warm weight of Naruto beside him.
The arm over his chest, cradling him close, was wonderful. With what little energy he had, Sasuke rolled into Naruto's embrace, cuddling in close despite the stickiness that now sat between them. He knew he could have simply laid there and fell asleep without a single care in the world.
The only sound in the room was the harsh breathing as both men slowly came down off their high. Sasuke nuzzled in to Naruto's neck, too relaxed to feel his normal inhibitions. He felt Naruto shift a little, wrapping him a little more securely.
"We should go clean up..take as shower maybe." He heard Naruto mumble.
"No, not yet," Sasuke mumbled while turning soft sleepy eyes on the man beside him "…Bravo though."
The Kenko Clinic, 4:34 p.m….
"No. Fucking. Way," Kabuto said hoping his eyes were deceiving him.
Since the blonde wasn't registered the chances were that there was someone he was related too so he they decided to run the blond's DNA through the CRC again with a few tweaks to find any close person who had similar DNA to the blonde.
What had popped up was both what they hadn't ever expected and even more than what they had dreamed. The DNA scan had spat a pretty close match with the golden mogul Namikzae Arashi. So, the unknown blond was a Namikaze, and didn't that just seem like an icing on the cake? Uchiha Sasuke and a Namikaze, two prime guinea pigs to play with... and destroy.
A/N: ANNOUNCEMENT: I've finally decided to do the Ryu/Sasuke one-shot for all those who want to see my other side of crazy, (like this isn't enough O_o, but meh) details below:
Title: A Passing Fantasy.
Pairing: Ryu/Sasuke, One Shot.
Rating: NC-17. SMUT.
Summary: He was beautiful, he was ethereal and he was perfect. Uchiha Sasuke was everything Ryu yearned for and yet, he was everything he couldn't have... because he was someone else's. That wasn't going to stop him from getting what he wanted though.
Dedicated to Lady Spain, Mira, Mitsuki118, and all who were half and half about Ryu and Sasuke like Lobstirrchwan and Fimuse. All others, read if you dare!
Doug-chan, my lovely, just ignore it.
Note: This is going to be published after Drafted, not during Drafted; AFTER
Well that's it for now, oh and REVIEW DAMNIT
