And now the long awaited chapter I wanted to name "Where the Hell is Neji?" or even "Where's Neji?" (like "Where's Waldo?"), but I resisted. Finally in Gaara's P.O.V. 'dances' Should be fun to write, and Neji's not really awake right now to think anything except how knocked out he is.

Yaoilover S – It should all be revealed in this chapter. And Neji is probably not going to be too happy with Gaara drugging him like that.

aura-chan the neko-jin – "And so Sasuke and Naruto looked and looked and looked but Neji and Gaara had disappeared without a trace and where never heard from again! The end." AHHHH, I can't do that! It even makes me go crazy needing to know what happened, and I know what happened, lol.

Hurricane-rider – Yep, you'll find out now where Neji was taken. And I've been trying to make longer chapters, but they tend to end on their own where the P.O.V. runs out. This is going to be a long story anyway I suspect (it sort of already is…)

kawaii kitsune-kun – Aww, old habits die hard. And no worries, no one violated Neji while he was drugged, except the author (lol, just kidding). And he was just tranquillized, no aphrodisiac. And it was only injected after they were done making out (well, Gaara at least).

Bitenshi – Yay! I still can't believe people love my fic. Thanks, and I'll update as much as I can. Unfortunately I'll be away for work stuff perhaps until Monday so I wont get a chance to write then, but I hope I can get back home as early as Saturday.

Temari-hime – I'm so flattered! Yes, I'll write more as soon as any free time comes up.

Chapter 20: Mission Accomplished

The world really was like a game of chess. The pawns moved around in predictable paths, easily swayed by those in higher power. The player uses skill to deceive their opponent and tricks them into leaving their king vulnerable. Pull the right strings, and the pawns can easily be taken control over. People were no different, and the proof of this was the Hyuuga in Gaara's arms.

The sand-nin looked down at the boy. He would still be unconscious for another few hours; Gaara had given him another dosage just to be on the safe side. He didn't need any interference. He was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to take the Hyuuga, and how everything had worked so well in his favour. Even the storm was a blessing, lasting long enough for him to get out of the leaf village and completely washing away his tracks. Kanaroe still would be impatient. Gaara liked to do things in his own way and in his own time. Running in and simply snatching the Hyuuga was just too obvious.

Gaara looked at the forest around him. It was densely packed and rarely traversed on, so he had the liberty to carry Neji. Once he got into more populated areas, he'd have to put him in the sack again. It was warm and the only source of air while within was a tiny slit in the side. Not that Neji was awake to feel the discomfort.

The sand-nin set the brunette down onto some moss and watched him. He really was pretty. It was a pity that such beauty had to fall victim because of his blood. Gaara ran his hand over the Hyuuga's cheek, caressing the soft smooth skin. So trusting…

After a few minutes of rest, Gaara stood and picked the nin up again. He was an hour or so away from his destination, so there was no rush. Kanaroe could just sit and wait for a bit longer. The redhead took his time wandering around the forest before setting off on the main path.

Before stepping out of the cover of the trees, he put Neji inside the sack. He placed a small kiss on the Hyuuga's cheek before closing the top of the sack and bringing it over his shoulder. It was heavy, especially with the gourd also strapped to the nin's back, but Gaara had been through worse. The boy walked out onto the path to finish his assignment.

- - -

"You're late."

Gaara stood there quietly.

"Do you have him?"

A nod. The redhead walked over to the figure in the shadows and placed the sack upon the table. The other undid the top and lifted Neji out. There was a moment of silence.

"You fool, you got the wrong one!"

Gaara narrowed his eyes and folded his arms. "I did not."

"They why does his shirt have the Uchiha symbol on it?"

"Check his forehead. He has the mark. When he wakes up, you'll see the eyes. I assure you that is Hyuuga Neji. I'm not as incompetent as you like to think me."

There was a chuckle. "No, you are not. Where are Temari and Kankuro?"

"They are still back in the village. They will be able to distract the people there for a while and buy us some time."

"Good, good," the voice crooned. "Well, I'm finished with you for now so you may go get something to eat."

Gaara shrugged and walked towards the door. Kanaroe knew he didn't eat much, but the redhead didn't feel like sitting around in the same room with him. He would pop by later and see if there was anything else that was to be done.

The streets were deserted, but that was usually the case. The area used to be a thriving city before a war broke out in the town and destroyed a large portion of it. Now the abandoned buildings were home to thieves, assassins, and other shifty travelers. Even if he were hungry, Gaara wouldn't risk eating anything he got here.

Gaara wondered how long it would take everyone to notice that he and Neji were missing. The Hyuuga household would probably send out search parties, and when that didn't work, the whole village would probably group together to go looking.

Gaara didn't have any worries about his siblings. Temari was a first class actress, and he was sure she had some sort of sob story prepared about her dear younger brother missing as well. Kankuro was clever, and with some of his puppets he could mimic the forms of the two missing nin to send the search parties on a wild goose chase. By the time the confusion had peaked, they would be out of there and leave the town wondering how two student nin had managed to completely disappear into thin air in a night.

By the time they extended their search outside the village, the Hyuuga would already have served Kanaroe's purpose, and perhaps Gaara could finally achieve his own dream. Gaara hoped this was the last thing he would have to do. He had worked his ass off for Kanaroe for months, and took especially long on the most recent task so that he could have somewhat of a break.

He sat on a broken down porch and surveyed the scene around him. Rubble, buildings that looked like they were going to collapse at any moment, and random patches of scrubby, dirty grass. Gaara couldn't wait to get away from all that. Every now and then someone would walk by and look at the unarmed redhead in suspicious interest, usually deciding whether there was anything of value to steal.

Gaara was not concerned. Word got around pretty fast not to attempt such a thing with him. A few thieves had learned the hard way that Gaara did not die easily, and that he was not someone to mess around with. Kanaroe also spread the word around that no one was to bother either Gaara or his brother and sister. Kanaroe commanded a lot of power in these parts, and his word usually became the law in an otherwise lawless run-down town.

Personally, Gaara hated him with a very deeply rooted loathing, but beggars could not be choosers. Kanaroe was the closest thing that he had been able to find yet that could make his wish come true. The sand-nin could tolerate him, the feeling was mutual for Kanaroe, and that reluctant truce was enough.

Someone approached Gaara. He recognized it as one of the underlings of Kanaroe. Chances were Kanaroe needed Gaara's help with something.

The messenger confirmed the nin's assessment. "Kanaroe is asking for you."

Gaara rolled his eyes and stood up. "Ok, I'm coming." He walked back to Kanaroe's dwelling to find the man there, looking very smug, and Neji, who appeared very pissed. The Hyuuga was tied up against the wall in the way that only Kanaroe could tie someone. Gaara knew it was much too painful to get out of the bindings, and Neji was better off just sitting there and being cooperative.

"This is the right one," Kanaroe grinned as Gaara walked in. "Look at his eyes, look at that snotty disposition. This one is a Hyuuga."

"That's what I told you," said the sand-nin, rolling his eyes.

Neji looked surprised to see Gaara there.

"Gaara, what the hell is going on!" he shouted, struggling against his bindings. Little bits and snatches of memories were starting to come back to him, like pieces of a puzzle that didn't quite make a whole. He was kissing Gaara...Gaara was kissing him...then he felt a slight pain and the world seemed to melt all around him and fall into darkness, and now he was awake with some creepy looking guy, tied up in an unfamiliar place, and there was Gaara at the door looking like this was all perfectly natural.

"Don't do that, you'll hurt yourself." Gaara's voice was calm and collected, and he watched the brunette with his head tilted slightly to the side.

"Gaara, this isn't funny, now where am I!" Neji did not like this at all. What was happening? What was Gaara doing here? Why did he bring Neji to this place? It all suddenly hit home that he had been sold out by Gaara to some creepazoid, who only verified the situation.

"Yes, definitely a Hyuuga." Kanaroe tilted Neji's chin up, looking into his eyes. Neji curled his lip and sneered. "Always so proud." The man brushed some strands of hair away from Neji's face in order to see the pale eyes more clearly. "I finally have my specimen to study the secrets of the Byakugan. First I'll need to see if this Hyuuga can be…persuaded…to share some important information about his unique abilities, but if that fails, then I can just go right to the source."

Neji stiffened and flinched away as Kanaroe drew back his hand and suddenly drove his fingers towards the boy's eyes, as if they were about to stab through and scoop one out. He stopped a hair away and chuckled.

"But that is a delicate process indeed. Wouldn't want to accidentally destroy and waste precious resources. After all, it will be much harder to get another Hyuuga to examine. Isn't that right Gaara?"

Gaara said nothing and stood with his arms folded calmly, watching everything.

"Gaara! Fuck you! Dammit, I can't believe I trusted you!" Neji screamed, the rage building inside of him finally bursting forth at the sight of the sand-nin's lack of concern. He should've stayed with Sasuke. Why did he trust Gaara? He never really got to know him, and this proved it. The Gaara he thought he knew wasn't a traitorous bastard out for self-gain. Neji wondered how much the redhead got paid to offer the Hyuuga prodigy on a silver platter to this strange and rather scary man.

Still, Gaara did not respond and simply watched, as if he was bored but nothing else was on.

"Now now, mind your manners, Hyuuga." Kanaroe patted Neji's cheek, and the nin snapped at his hand. "I'm sure Gaara was very hospitable to you when he was luring you here."

Neji just narrowed his eyes and kept glaring at a stoic Gaara.

"Anyway, as I was saying, I will need to eventually get to the heart of the matter and study the actual matter of the Byakugan. That is to say those rather enticing eyes." Kanaroe opened one of Neji's eyes wider with his fingers and the Hyuuga made another snap at his hand. "Yes, and perhaps the cranial nerves as well that help to control it. Your sister is good with those sorts of things, is she not?"

A nod from the redhead.

"Good. Then I'll leave that for when she returns. I don't want to needlessly destroy anything that could bring me closer to unlocking the secret." Kanaroe stood and turned to Gaara. "I leave you in charge of watching him when I'm not around. Make sure he doesn't try and make a run for it. If you can get him to squeal anything about his family secret, than it may work well in your favour. Keep that in mind. I'll see you later. I have a few things I need to check up on." Kanaroe nodded to Gaara and walked out the door, shutting and locking it behind him.

The room was silent as Neji glared hatefully at the sand-nin, who was standing in the middle of the room. Gaara did not seem to be terribly bothered and pulled up a chair. He sat in it and folded his arms, watching Neji quietly.

"You fucking prick."

No answer.

"I thought you were my friend!"

Still nothing. Gaara could have very well been asleep, except for the green eyes that stayed locked on Neji's. He was like a statue: cold, hard, and unresponsive.

"Damn you to hell! When I get out of here—" Neji started.

"You wont get out."

"Shut the fuck up Gaara. I can and I will. And then I'm going to hunt you down and beat you to an inch of your life for doing this to me!" Neji snarled and struggled against his tight bonds. He saw Gaara's lip corner turn up slightly in a smirk.

"I told you not to struggle. Those ropes will only get tighter, and the skin on your wrists seems especially sensitive to bruising."

Neji could not fully take in what a bastard Gaara was being. How could he be so calm! Again and again Neji cursed himself for trusting him. He had been used again without realizing it, and the consequences this time were far greater than a few hurt feelings. The brunette shivered at the remembrance of the man talking about dissecting the Hyuuga.

"I wont let that happen," he muttered to himself, and he saw Gaara smirk again. Now especially after seeing the nin's amusement, the brunette was doubly determined to get out of this alive and with all his body parts. And then he'd follow up on his threat to beat Gaara into the ground.

"Why did you do this to me?" Neji finally asked, looking up to meet Gaara's eyes.

Gaara shrugged. "I have my motivations."

"How much did he pay you?"

Neji was surprised to hear a small chuckle coming from Gaara. It was the closest thing to a laugh he had ever heard the nin utter.

"I have no use of money. If I want any, I can get it easily enough. Getting you and brining you here begs for a much higher reward."

"And that is?"

Gaara just shut his eyes and ignored Neji's question. "Don't take this situation personally. I still think you're too pretty to have to go through all this hardship, but I have to keep my priorities in order. Besides, it's survival of the fittest, and the pretty ones are usually the first to go."

"Your priorities?" Neji was appalled by Gaara's statement. He was talking about Neji as if he were just some expendable commodity. "Well I have some news for you, Gaara. I'm not going to be dissected, dismembered or what have you. I'll show you I'm more than a pretty face."

The sand-nin actually smiled. "I'd like to see that."

"You wont," Neji snarled, "because when I get out the first thing I'm doing is killing you."

"So I've heard," Gaara stated casually, unfazed by the threat. "Well don't worry your pretty little head about anything. Kanaroe wont be operating on you until my sister returns, so that buys you some time. I suggest talking more freely to him about what he wants to know and perhaps he'll be kind enough to use some anaesthetic during the operation."

"I'm not uttering a word," Neji said stubbornly, gritting his teeth.

Gaara shrugged again. "Suit yourself."

They sat for the rest of the time in silence and Neji found himself drifting off and thinking of home. He had gotten himself into this mess. The nin should have listened to Sasuke. The Uchiha probably saw right through Gaara, and Neji had been determined to show that there was nothing wrong with the odd exchange student. Now he was proved wrong, and his chances of survival were looking slim. But he would never stop fighting. If he couldn't get out alive, he would at least take someone down with him. And that someone would be Gaara.

This chapter was really rushed. As I said in response to one of my reviewers, I'm being dragged off for work stuff hopefully only until Saturday, but I may not actually get home until Monday…when another work-week starts. Blah. So I wanted to at least post one more chapter before I had to go. It's not as long as I wanted it to be, and it is done rather quickly, but I hope that it's okay. Oh, and Kanaroe is just an original character of mine. I planned to add descriptions of him in this chapter, but I ran out of time. I'll do that in later chapters. I thought of using an actual character, but it's….too troublesome. (loves to mention random Shikamaru or Shikamaru phrases) If anything's confusing it'll probably get explained later. I probably missed talking about a lot of important stuff in my rush to get this done on time. 'sweatdrop'

Edit: Ok, I lied. I just got a call from my boss and the trip is being moved forward about a week. So apparently I ran around writing this like crazy in a rush for no reason whatsoever. Oh well….I guess this just means I'll be updating this week with more chapters. :)