I do not own Naruto, or it's characters.
I leaned against Gaara, looking at the smoking remains of the once proud building. Salem, and Jagur, and Aubry were rifling through the ashes, looking for anything salvageable.
All three were covered in soot, and their faces, and hands were almost completely black.
I shivered in disgust, and felt Gaara's arms tighten around me. Yuki, and Suki had done this because Salem had been the one to find the deed. It was hard for me to grasp how childish they had acted.
And I had no doubt that they were the ones that had broken into the houses. Cheating to find the deed.
I felt Gaara stiffen, and looked to see what had caught his attention.
I saw Mona, and Misa walking towards us, Kankuro following behind them slowly. From the way he was shooting glares at Mona, I could tell that she had already insulted him in some way.
As they came to a stop beside us, I saw Misa's bloodshot eyes, and Mona's nose was red. A clear sign that both had been crying.
I smiled at them sadly. ''How are the two of you doing?''
Misa shook her head, her eyes filling with tears, and Mona shrugged. ''We're alive. And physically unhurt. But if I ever see those whore bunnies again, I'm going to smash them into the ground.''
I nodded in agreement.
''I agree with you. Salem does too, I'm sure.''
Mona snorted, and looked towards him, a disgusted look coming to her face, and voice.
''No, he doesn't. He wouldn't do anything to hurt Toru. She's got him so whipped, it's a wonder that he doesn't have to ask her permission to go to the bathroom.''
I frowned at her, and stiffened, trying to push away my anger before I spoke, but Misa beat me to it.'
''Mona! That is not nice. Salem is in love with Toru. He shouldn't WANT to do anything to hurt her. Especially not kill her sisters. How would you feel if Sai wanted to kill me?''
Mona frowned, and then shrugged after a moment.
''That's different. You're not a whore, or burning down buildings. And I was just stating a fact. There's no reason to be upset about it. ''
I sighed, and swallowed my irritation, realizing that Mona was just lashing out, because of her hurt. ''Where is Toru, anyways?''
Misa pointed towards the side of the wreckage, and I saw Toru standing next to Silva, Aubry's wife.
As I looked closer, I saw that Toru looked pale, and sick. Her arms were wrapped around herself tightly, as if she were afraid that she would shatter into pieces if she wasn't holding herself together.
I flinched suddenly, realizing how much worse this was for her. It was her own sisters that had burnt down Aubry's. Which her new boyfriend was a co-owner to. She was having to choose where her support would lie. Whether with her family, or with her love.
I was extremely glad, that I would never be placed in a position like her's. Seeing if I loved my family more then Gaara.
I shifted my eyes away from the broken girl, and glanced at Silva, who was watching Aubry, closely.
I knew that she had wanted Aubry home more, but she would have never wished this.
I looked back at the three guys, and started as I caught sight of Salem.
His face was drawn tight, and when his eyes locked with mine, I immediately stiffened in Gaara's arms.
Salem's eyes glittered dangerously in the sunlight, almost insanely. The last time I had seen his eyes like this, was before he had started taking his medicine, and still seeing the creatures.
I pushed myself out of Gaara's arms, and walked away from our small group, so I could talk to Salem in private. He saw me coming closer, and met me halfway, leaving his task of sifting through the ashes.
I could feel the intensity of eyes on my back, and knew that it wasn't just Gaara that was watching me curiously.
I locked eyes with Salem, and forced myself not to flinch. They were worse up close. They shifted, and shimmered. Resembling the shadows that moved in the moonlight.
I swallowed hard, and took a deep breath, forcing myself to look past Salem's unnerving eyes.
''You need to calm down.''
He narrowed his eyes defiantly, before speaking in the voice that I hated hearing from him. A patronizing, laughing tone, that I had come to associate with serial killers who are teasing their victims.
''I AM calm, Ria. At least as calm as to be expected. What makes you think that I'm not?'' He smirked unpleasantly. ''Maybe something dangerous in my eyes?''
I narrowed my own eyes, hiding my growing panic. If anyone said anything to him when he was like this, that is the tiniest bit irritating, Salem would snap, and hurt that person. He would regret it later.
I nodded slowly, making sure not to move hurriedly. ''You have the same look that you used to get while seeing the dark creatures. You need to get yourself under control, before you hurt someone. You can't lose control right now.''
He bared his teeth in an evil grin, taking a step closer to me.
''Oh, but I think that now is the PERFECT time to lose control. Those stupid girls don't even deserve to breath. They don't deserve to LIVE. Can't you see that? Don't you want to rid the world of their unworthy presence?''
I shook my head. ''I know you're angry Salem. We ALL are. Aubry's has been a part of our lives for so long, that it was like another home.'' I reached towards him, and turned him to look at Toru. ''But you can't kill Yuki, and Suki. Toru is their sister. She wouldn't understand if you lost control, and killed them. She's already so conflicted on what to feel, and she needs you.
She needs you to be strong, and help her through this. Not go insane, and go on a killing spree. If you did that, she would NEVER be able to see you again. And that would KILL her, because she loves you.''
I could see that he was slowly gaining control, and touched his arm gently.
''Salem. PLEASE understand what I'm trying to tell you. Toru is YOUNG. She has been sheltered, and this is her first time seeing the real world. She's never seen gruesome reality, and so doesn't know how to handle her emotions.
I know that you're upset. But Aubry's can be rebuilt. It is JUST a building. Though we grew up here, the building does not define who we ARE. You've come so far, and I don't want to see you back slide now, when you can finally be happy with someone. You are not the same little boy, that I found covered in his families blood. Sobbing with a Katana dropped next to him.
You can, and WILL be strong. If not for your sake, then for Toru's.''
His eyes had dimmed, and he dropped his head, staring at the ground. His shoulders slumping.
''I'm not a very good big brother am I? I'm supposed to help YOU through these tough times. Not the other way around.''
I smiled, and rolled my eyes. ''Don't worry about it. You help me all the time. And when your sane, you normally give good advice. It makes up for the few times a year that you go crazy.''
He chuckled, and looked up at me. ''Thanks, Little Sister. I guess I should go try to be a better boyfriend, then I am a brother.''
I laughed, and nodded. ''Yeah, you better. Toru can't handle your mood swings as well as I can. So be good.''
He smirked suddenly. ''But not TOO good, right?'' He waggled his eyebrows, and I wrinkled my nose, swallowing my laughter.
''Ew, Salem. You're gross.''
He grinned for a moment, before a sudden seriousness took over his features.
''Hey, Ri? Would you go to Sasorie's and pick up some of that medicine for me? I've been out of the stuff for a few days. I haven't slept well in awhile.''
I gasped, and put my hands on my hips.
''Seriously, Salem? Why haven't you went to get more?''
He shrugged, a smile coming back to his face. ''I've been with Toru. I didn't want to lose any time with her. Especially not for some medicine that I didn't know if I still needed.''
I sighed. ''But you do. Still need it, I mean.''
He nodded, and turned to look at Toru. ''Yeah. I think that I should take Toru away from here. She looks almost sick.'' He turned back to me, and smiled sadly. ''I'll see you at home, Little Sister.''
I nodded. ''Alright, Salem. Be careful to keep your emotions in check. We don't need any accidents.''
He sighed, and nodded. ''Just keep Mona out of my hearing distance, and it'll be okay.''
I smiled. ''Okay. I'll go straight to Dolly's from here.''
He smiled, and tugged at a strand of my hair that had fallen from its holder.
''Alright. Have a good talk with him. I'll see you at home.''
I nodded, and watched for a moment, before I made my way back to Gaara.
When I was in reaching distance, I instantly wrapped my arms around his waist, and buried my face in his chest. Tired suddenly.
Mona snorted, and I moved my head to look at her as she spoke.
''What was THAT about? Did you have to go play MOMMY to the BABY?''
My head turned in Salem's direction so fast, that my neck popped. I saw him glaring at Mona, and he took a threatening step forward. I shook my head violently, and he stopped, grabbing Toru's hand, dragging her in the direction of our home.
I turned back to Mona, and shot her a glare.
''Do you have a death wish? Because if you don't, then you need to watch what you say to Salem right now.''
She rolled her eyes, and crossed her arms.
''He can't do anything to me.'' She suddenly raised her voice, yelling at Salem's retreating back. ''He's too caught up in his girlfriend!''
I breathed a sigh of relief as he didn't even hesitate in his stride, before turning back to Mona. My irritation rising.
''Look, Mona. Salem is TRYING to stay calm. That doesn't mean that he won't lose his sanity briefly. So, if you know what's good for you, don't PUSH him. He's having some issues right now, and though he's trying NOT to, it doesn't meant that he WON'T kill you. And with how much he dislikes you, he may NOT regret it.''
She snorted, and turned away from me.
''Whatever, Ria. You need to quit defending him, like he's a child.''
I sighed, and shook my head. She just didn't know what Salem was capable of. We had kept his past a secret from most of the others.
I ignored her, and looked up at Gaara, smiling slightly. He was still standing on alert, preparing to fight. He had seen the warning signs from Salem, but now relaxed slightly as he smiled down at me.
''I need to go to Dolly's for a little bit. Will you come with me?''
He nodded, and I turned to look at the others. Mona was still turned away from me, silently seething. Misa was beside Kankuro, holding onto his arm tightly, and glancing between Mona, and her boyfriend worriedly. Kankuro just looked pleased to have Misa clinging to him.
I shrugged, and smiled at the couple. ''I guess that we'll see you two later.''
Misa smiled sadly, and Kankuro nodded, waving slightly.
''Guess so. Have fun.''
I nodded, and pulled Gaara away from the group, and onto the small road leading to Dolly's house.
I felt Gaara shift beside me, after the others had fallen away from sight, and he spoke for the first time since we left my home.
''Why did I get the feeling that Salem, was about to go on a killing spree?''
I sighed, and tightened my hand that was holding his.
''Because he was.''
Gaara's shoulders tensed, and I hurried to reassure him.
''Don't worry. He's fine now. He was just upset about Aubry's.'' Gaara looked at me doubtfully, and I smiled, squeezing his hand.
''I'll explain it to you later. But for right now: thank you for coming with me. Both to see the destruction of Aubry's and to Dolly's.''
Gaara smiled slightly, and shook his head.
''I'll probably stay outside.''
I shook my head quickly. ''Oh no, you won't. You're coming in. If Rosa is the only one home, you are not allowed to leave me alone with her.''
He frowned in confusion, but nodded all the same.
''Alright, Love. If you don't want me to leave you alone, then I won't.''
I smiled, sighing in relief. ''Good.'' I laughed suddenly, and wrapped my arms around Gaara, twirling us around.
''You get to meet my Niko!''
He looked at me in surprise, though I could see he amusement in his eyes.
''Your who, Love?''
I shook my head, and smiled. ''You'll see.''
He shook his head, and shrugged. ''Whatever you say, Love.''
I nodded, and hurried him down the road, wanting to see Dolly, and Niko soon.
