Hello, everybody. Hello, hello. :3

Okay, I'm going to keep this simple. I was thinking about this story the other day, and I realized something.

This story is nearing its three-year anniversary, and I'm not even DONE with it.

That's just a little scary, ladies and gentlmen.

So, I've decided something.

Because you all adore this story so much, and I rarely ever update EVER, I am going to give you five reasons today to review this story five times.

These reasons are called 'chapters'.

See where I'm going with this?

I thought since because I have like, a BAJILLION chapters of this story typed up, and even more of them written out, I thought it would be at least good for you guys if I give you more than one chapter every update.

But because of that, I will no longer be doing dedications or anything like that.

Because that's just too much work.

Ladies and gentlemen, please, enjoy these next five chapters of TH goodness.

Treacherous Heart

Chapter Fifty – Doubt

Sasuke awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs, sizzling in a pan behind him.

Scrunching up his face as he fought back a yawn, the Uchiha slowly opened his eyes to see the bright sun flooding through the living room.

"Good. You're awake."

He shifted so that his eyes were above the top of the couch to see Kakashi in the kitchen, spatula in hand.

Sasuke shifted again, stretching out his arms.

"Mmm… Kakashi," he murmured as his 'good morning' before kicking off the blanket and bending down.

He was halfway through rummaging underneath the coffee table for a hairbrush when he realized what he was doing.

You idiot why do you think he'd keep the brush in the same place after all this time–?

In the middle of yanking out his arm from underneath the table, his hand hit something underneath it.

For a moment, Sasuke froze.

There's no way…

Slowly, he wrapped his fingers around the plastic rod and pulled.

A black hairbrush greeted him.

Shock seized Sasuke's entire body as he stared at the plastic thing with bristles, eyes wide.

The brush wasn't even dusty.

Oh my God…

His hand tightened around the brush as he gazed at it.

It's like…

Something strange grabbed hold of his heart and squeezed.

he knew I was coming back.

Biting his lip and forcing that trail of thought to stop, Sasuke raised the brush to his hair and began to sweep it through the long strands, straightening up to sit correctly on the couch.

The rhythmic stroking reached his ears, and he let his eyes fall halfway closed, the familiar motions lulling him into a relaxed state.

"Breakfast is ready, Sasuke.

Kakashi's voice cut through Sasuke's temporary calm as a lightning did the sky, snapping him back into reality and making him freeze, eyes wide.

He stated that way for a split second, well aware that Kakashi was watching, before shaking himself free of the spell and continuing to brush his hair as if nothing had happened.

"I'm not hungry," he answered coolly, angry at himself for letting his guard down. Someone could've killed him, Kakashi could've jumped him – he had been completely defenseless in the state he had been in.

Glaring at the hairbrush as if every crisis in the world was its fault, he threw it down, disgusted.

How did I manage to BE like that–?

"Sasuke."

A warm hand was on his head, fingers running through the strands and trailing down to his shoulder. Sasuke's eyes widened.

The smell.

He refused to believe it – Kakashi's smell couldn't have possibly lulled him like that – there was no way.

Before he knew it, his hand was lifting itself up to cover Kakashi's in an accepting gesture – like he always had all those years ago – but he stopped himself in time and moved his hand once more, slapping Kakashi's hand away instead.

Dammit I can't keep doing this–!

"Don't touch me!" He snapped, spinning on his heel and bolting to the bathroom, slamming the door and locking it.

It's only the first day and already I'm falling apart–!

Shuddering, he pressed his back into a tiled corner, shrinking down to the floor and wrapping his arms around his legs, burying his face in his knees. Furiously, he tried to rid his mind of Kakashi – of his voice, his smell, his caress.

NO!

He dug his nails deep into his legs, fighting against hopeless, frustrated tears as emotions swirled furiously in his gut.

I can't…

He couldn't erase Kakashi's face from his mind. The Jounin's lips were still on his – on his throat. Large hands continued to caress him, he still heard harsh, heavy breathing above him as a body – warm and slick – pushed down on top of him. He could still feel it.

Kakashi's heat.

Sasuke shuddered violently just remembering, and he tried to banish such thoughts from his mind, cursing himself for letting his thoughts stray so far.

Why… am I…?

He raised his head and stared at his hands, eyes wide.

His fingers were trembling. Furiously. He could still feel perfectly will the flower that was threatening to burst into bloom at Kakashi's words.

"Thank God you're alive."

"You're not a slut, Sasuke."

"Sasuke…"

Said ninja realized his entire body was shaking violently, and he winced, pulling his knees into his chest once more and finding refuge in his arms.

He wished his arms were someone else's.

Do I…?

"Don't go, Sasuke."

No.

"So that's what you think, is it?"

I can't.

"You're a spoiled, selfish little child!"

I can't possibly feel that way – not after what's happened.

Not what after I caused.

But you wouldn't refuse.

If he made a move – if he was serious about fucking you – you wouldn't do it.

You wouldn't say 'no'.

Sasuke's eyes widened, and for once he doubted himself.

He drew his arms protectively against his chest, his entire body shaking and his chest aching.

My heart… is being torn in half…

He willed himself away from the bathroom – away from Konoha and away from Kakashi – as he felt frustrated tears finally burn the corners of his eyes, angry at himself for showing such weakness and hating Kakashi for making him that way.

Tsk. There I go again, blaming him for my own faults. Fuck you Sasuke. Fuck you.

"I can't," he muttered bitterly, furiously wiping away the tears as more seeped out. "I can't be that person he wants me to be!"

I can't be that naïve little boy who accepts what his heart says with open arms!

Che – if only such a thing was so easy.

He could only think of one person who would understand – only one person that could help him.

Kabuto! Help me!

  

An indistinguishable but violent cry in his mind had Kabuto sitting straight up in his cot, his eyes wide and his shoulders shaking.

"What the…?" He breathed. He swallowed, breathless. "Sasuke?"

"Hey!" The guard called, peering into the medic's cell. "What's a matter in there?"

Shaking his head, Kabuto raised his chin and gave the guard a friendly smile.

"Nothing, good sir," he replied cheekily, even offering up a small wave. "Nothing at all."

Grunting in disbelief, the guard yanked the small door that served as the only window shut, throwing the cell in darkness again.

Kabuto sighed, leaning back to rest against his flimsy mattress again as he stared at the small crack in the wall at the far upper left hand corner of the cell, where Sasuke – in the shape of a bird – had escaped through.

But he was captured now.

Kabuto closed his eyes.

Sasuke, I promise I'll protect you!

I'll protect you against Tsunade, I'll protect you against Naruto, I'll protect you against everyone!

Then his eyebrows furrowed.

And God knows I will protect you against Kakashi.

He doesn't deserve you.

No one does.

  

Kakashi leaned against the wall next to the door leading to the bathroom, eyes narrowed and dark as he listened to the ragged sobs and harsh breathing inside. The protective part of him begged for him to break down the door and rush to the Uchiha, to wrap him in his arms, but the more logical part of him forced his limbs to remain still.

That would only make the situation worse…

"I can't…" he heard Sasuke murmur bitterly. "I can't be that person he wants me to be!"

Kakashi's eyes widened.

What… does he mean by that?

What kind of person to I want him to be? Is that what he's talking about?

What kind of person DO I want him to be?

He told himself that he was perfectly happy with the way Sasuke was now – that he wanted Sasuke as he was.

But one part of him didn't believe that anymore.

Am I really just… LUSTING after him?

No, I can't be.

Now Kakashi doubted his own heart – something he never expected to happen.

Can I?

End Chapter Fifty – Doubt

And so the loveliness begins. :3

Onto chapter fifty-one, and beyond.

Ja ne.

DDB