Author's note: Fireworks I love you guys! If I had more time, I'd write a present fic for breaking 50,000 hits and 1,000 reviews, but I thought you'd appreciate it more if I just got you the next chapter instead. The story's drawing to a close, only about 2 chapters left after this. It's been a trip!
Enjoy.
If it were possible to spontaneously light electronic equipment on fire by being in a bad mood, Gaara would have done it ages ago.
His teeth ground together as he absently obeyed cues from the stage director, frustration and anger rolling off him in waves...and not a little hurt mixed in with them. Ignoring the thirty-second uneasy glance Kankuro gave him from his right, Gaara faded the next song in.
Damn you, Uchiha. Damn you! The redhead let out a low growl, heedless of the microphone in front of his lips. What makes you so fucking special? What have you ever done to deserve Naruto? What?
His fists clenched as he recalled the apologetic, pitying look in Uzumaki's eyes before he was dragged out of the building, a group of gossipers stealthily trailing behind. Gaara had hoped to never see that look in the taller boy's eyes, especially after the way the blonde had looked out for him in the past. All he'd ever wanted was to make the blonde proud of him, to be as important to him as he was to Gaara...but now, because of goddamn, fucking Uchiha, he'd fallen in Naruto's eyes. He'd become pitiful.
Gaara wanted to wring the Uchiha's neck.
A slight commotion behind him shook Gaara out of his dark thoughts, causing him to glance backwards. His eyebrows rose as a red-faced Naruto strode past, fists clenched and shoulders heaving as the blonde made his way to the changing room. Whispering loudly, the trail of gossipers paused in the small, open area behind Gaara's setup.
"That fight was amazing! I swear, I almost got tears in my eyes when that dark-haired guy said that to him," a first voice sighed.
"Me, I just can't believe Blondie hit him! I mean, look at the size difference. It's not like the shorter guy would really be able to fight back."
"Who cares about any of that?" a third voice jumped in, annoyance clear in her tone. "I'm more upset about the fact that they stopped smooching just to fight. Honestly, when that dark-haired guy jumped him, I nearly wet myself. It was so...steamy!"
Was the world shaking, or was it just Gaara?
The redhead swore he heard babies crying and volcanoes erupting as the voices of the gossipers faded away, his blood roaring in his ears. The Uchiha...DARED...to put his filthy mouth on Naruto? His breathing grew sharp and ragged, and a strange, teeth-baring smile crossed Gaara's face.
I'm going to kill him. A maniacal glint entered his eyes. And I have every right to do it.
Without being aware of what he was doing, Gaara started to rise from his seat. His fingers were twitching. I'm going to kill him. I'm going to—
Abruptly, a flash of pitying blue eyes crossed Gaara's vision.
...No. No! I don't want that! Wincing, the redhead lifted a hand to his aching temple. I can't...look bad in Naruto's eyes anymore. I can't disappoint him again!
Gaara slowly sank back into his chair, a pounding headache erupting behind his eyes. He took a slow, steadying breath. Easy...easy. You're not a killing machine like your father. Easy.
Hands trembling lightly, Gaara adjusted his earpiece and tried to focus on his work. It'll be fine. I won't rip Uchiha limb from limb, and Naruto won't hate me for the rest of eternity. It'll be fine. Gaining some control over himself, he sent his slightly panicked roommate a cool glare and prepared the net set of cues for the show.
When this is over, Uchiha, you and I are going to have a little chat.
Neji stood slumped against a wall, his eyes trying to focus on the swimming lights above him. The scent of alcohol swirled in his nose as a voice murmured huskily in his ear. Tilting his head to the side, Neji wondered if the disembodied voice knew where the hands on his torso had come from, especially since they seemed to be growing increasingly bold. He gasped, contact from those roving hands sending screaming signals to his nerves from his overly sensitive skin. Did contact normally feel this good?
Moaning into the touch, Neji stifled a snort of surprise as a leech attached itself to his neck, sucking furiously at his blood. Neji frowned.
"Who let leeches in here?" he heard a voice ask in a dazed tone. "Need my blood for me..."
A chuckle. "So beautiful...I want to make you mine." Those hands grew bolder yet, sliding beneath the hem of his pants. "Wouldn't you like that, sweetheart?"
The leech reattached itself to his neck, writhing up and down the column of skin as it tried to find a prime location. Neji twisted his head to the side, swamp grass falling into his face as he did so. The jungle, then. That would explain the leeches.
A triumphant smile settling on his face for figuring out the puzzle, Neji paid little attention to the body pressed against him until something hard pressed against his groin. Confused, Neji shifted his hips against the hardness and earned himself a long, heartfelt groan in his ear. Weird. I wonder what that is.
"God, you're so fuckable." Those hands shifted, cupping Neji's bottom beneath his pants and squeezing hard. "I want you so bad..."
...Fuckable? Sex? Do leeches even have sex? Neji frowned, shifting. I don't think I want to have sex with a leech. Too slimy.
The parasite panted in his ear as that hard point rocked against him. "So good..."
"What the hell are you doing?"
That voice... Blinking, Neji found himself staring into the sun, its warm rays nearly scalding at this distance. Cracking with fire, the sun moved closer.
"Get your hands off him."
The leech snarled at the sun. "Go away, man. Go get your own."
When the sun stepped closer, its form melted into...Romeo? Dressed in his full period garb, Neji's dashing lover folded his arms and scowled at the parasite.
"What the hell...you bastard!" Reaching out, Romeo grabbed the back of the leech's shirt and tore the bloodsucker off Neji. He fisted his hands on the parasite's collar, growling at him.
"What the hell did you give him?"
Neji lowered his lashes, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to fix it. How embarrassing...caught in a state of disarray by his star-crossed love! Shyly, he glanced up to see the leech's sucker puffing. It couldn't be trying to latch onto his love, could it?
"I-I... I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Bullshit! You're one of the guys who were sitting behind us earlier. What the hell did you give him?" Romeo tightened his grip on the leech's throat, making its head bulge out like a balloon squeezed in the middle. Neji wondered if it was going to pop.
Frowning, he tried to move to help his lover, but he couldn't seem to push away from the wall. Looking back, he saw what appeared to be a giant sheet of flypaper behind him. Neji pouted. That'll ruin my hair if I lean my head back. Best keep away from it, or Romeo might not find me beautiful anymore!
"I told you, I didn't give him—"
A dull thud reached Neji's ears, and the leech doubled over.
"I am not in the mood for this. Either you spill, or I take my bad mood out on you. Your choice."
"O-ok!" the leech wheezed. "I just...slipped some E...into his drink. I figured...it would loosen him up!"
Another thud, and the leech dropped to his knees. "Bastard!"
Struggling to free himself from the flypaper wall, Neji took hesitating steps towards his enraged lover. "Romeo," he called out softly. "Leave the poor thing alone. It can't know any better."
His blonde stared at him for a long moment, then moved towards him and took his arms. Neji smiled as he was pulled free from the wall.
"Thank you, my love." Stumbling forward, he wrapped his arms tightly about his darling's waist and pressed his face into Romeo's broad chest. "I wasn't sure how I'd get that disgusting animal off me."
Romeo was stiff under his touch, muscles so tense that Neji feared that they would turn into steel. Rubbing his fingers soothingly over the hardened skin, he looked up at his love's face.
"Romeo? Darling, what's the matter?"
He didn't reply, simply hooking his arm about Neji's waist—which made the long-haired boy giggle—and steering him away.
"C'mon, Neji. Let's get you home." His blonde moved him through the crowd.
Pouting at being called "Neji," the Capulet watched as the swarming faces in the crowd melted into odd masks. Fear shot through him, making him cling to the blonde more tightly. He whimpered.
"Don't let them..." he trailed off as one particular face abruptly stood out in the crowd. It was a girl, business-like face and two buns atop her head...TenTen? Placing a name with the face, Neji smiled and waved heartily. The girl looked confused and started to move away...at which point she turned into a guy.
Huh. Guess it wasn't her after all. Shaking his head, Neji let Romeo lead him away. As they reached the entrance, the world started to spin.
"...Neji?"
He smiled in response, watching sparks explode in his range of vision as the rest of the world darkened.
"Neji, are you..."
Slumping against his tall, strong lover, the Hyuuga lost consciousness.
Something cool was pressing against his forehead. Groaning, Neji peeled an eye open, but one look at the spinning world was enough for him to firmly screw his lids shut. God, his head hurt...
Sucking in a slow breath, Neji lifted his hand and probed around his face. Locating the cool, damp towel with his questing fingers, the Hyuuga frowned. Why the hell is there a towel on my head? And why am I lying down? He took a moment to prepare himself before again opening his eyes. Morning light burned his eyes as it filtered through his window.
Blinking slowly, Neji tried to get his bearings. He was lying in his bed, the covers neatly tucked underneath him in a way that suggested he had been put to bed, rather than arriving there himself. His clothes from last night were folded on the ground next to his dresser, leaving him in his boxer-briefs. Neji frowned. Obviously, someone had brought him home, taken his clothes off and put him to bed, but who? And why was it even necessary?
God, what the hell happened last night?
As Neji's foggy vision cleared, a slight movement beside him drew his eyes. The Hyuuga inhaled sharply.
...Naruto?
The blonde boy sat in a chair pulled up next to the head of Neji's bed, arms folded over his chest. Naruto's head nodded lightly as he slept.
Did he bring me home? Not moving for fear of waking the other boy, Neji stared at him. Naruto was still dressed in his original clothes from last night, the blue shirt and black pants rumpled. What could have been so bad that he felt he had to spend the night watching over me?
Abruptly, foggy memories washed over him. He remembered everything up to Gaara's little "show," and he remembered thinking that his drink tasted strange...oh, god. He'd been drugged, hadn't he? Groaning, he rubbed a hand over his eyes. That explains why I don't remember anything. I just hope that I didn't do anything too moronic...
Neji had a sinking feeling that he'd be the talk of the town for days.
His movement apparently woke the blonde beside him. Yawning lightly, Naruto lifted his head and blinked at Neji.
"You're awake! Good," he exclaimed, lifting a hand to stifle a second yawn. Naruto shook his head as if clearing it, then rubbed his eyes with a tired fist. "I was worried about you. How do you feel?"
Neji swallowed, his heart pounding. "A little worse for the wear," he admitted. "What happened last night?"
"One of the bastards sitting behind us slipped some Ecstasy into your drink. It took you for a loop." Obviously more alert, Naruto leaned forward with a worried frown on his face. "Are you sure you feel okay? I can take you to the hospital if you want...I probably should've done that anyway, dammit—"
"I'm fine, Naruto," he interrupted. The Hyuuga was becoming uneasy with the way Naruto was looking at him. The other boy was not wearing a happy face. "Did something...else happen?"
"Not to you, no. I think I managed to get you out of there before they could do anything... And by the way, you owe me one, big time." Naruto gave him a weary smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. Wincing at the pain in his back and legs, Neji gingerly sat up. The towel fell to his lap.
"Naruto...what's wrong?" he asked hesitantly. The other boy's smile wavered, then faded completely.
"Neji, do you remember the deal we made?" the blonde questioned softly, averting his eyes.
Neji felt his heart sink. "Yes..." He swallowed. "I didn't kiss you, did I? If I did, I apologize, but—"
"No, Neji, you didn't kiss me." Naruto's voice had grown harder, but the other boy didn't lift his blue-eyed gaze.
Turning away, the Hyuuga took a deep breath. "I see."
Silence reigned for a pregnant moment.
"Neji...look. I care about you, just like I care about all of my friends, but...this has to stop." Sighing, Naruto leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. "I just don't have any romantic feelings for you. I'm sorry, but I don't."
The Hyuuga waited a minute before responding, fists clenching over the covers. "So...you're telling me to give up on you."
"...Yes, I am."
Closing his eyes tightly at the finality in the blonde's voice, Neji gave a short nod. After a moment, he heard Naruto sigh and a warm hand settled upon his shoulder. He glanced up, but the sincere, sad look on Naruto's face was the final blow to his breaking heart. Reeling from the pain, he closed his eyes again.
"I'm really sorry, Neji." The blonde sighed again. "I shouldn't have led you on, letting you think that you had a chance with me..."
"I asked you for a chance to change your mind. You gave it to me, and I failed." He took a calming breath, opening his eyes to gaze at the boy beside him. "I can't ask any more from you than that."
A wry smile tugged at the corners of Naruto's lips. "Well, it's not like you didn't give me a run for my money. You're a pretty persistent guy."
A faint glint of humor sparked within Neji's chest, despite the jagged pieces of his heart. "I learned from the best."
Chuckling, Naruto squeezed his shoulder. "I always knew you were far too good a student for your own good."
Taking a deep breath, the tall blonde rose to his feet. "I should get going, especially since I parked at a meter that's definitely expired by now." He hesitated. "Are you going to be okay?"
Neji gazed at him for a long moment, knowing full well that he was probably never going to get this close again. Pulling the covers aside, Neji stood shakily and looked the blonde in the eye.
"My immediate answer is no, I won't," he answered truthfully, his voice low. "But I'll respect your choice, Naruto."
In the quiet moment that followed, Neji felt another pang in his chest as the blonde almost imperceptibly leaned away from him. Smiling wryly, Neji picked up Naruto's hand, turned it over, and placed a kiss on the inside of his wrist.
You'll never know just how much you mean to me, Uzumaki Naruto.
He listened numbly as the blonde murmured some excuse and pulled away, his bottom sinking onto the bed as his door opened and shut quietly. Staring at the floor, Neji dredged up a sad smile.
I suppose fate was against me this time.
If that slimy, snake-like bastard pinched him on the ass ONE MORE TIME, Sasuke was going to shove a fork up his ass.
Scowling, Sasuke slapped at a dirty table with his washcloth, earning himself a disapproving glance from the customers at the next table over. A low voice let out a series of tsk's behind him.
"Now, now, Sasuke-kun, that's not the correct attitude for our little establishment." Orochimaru's very voice sounded defiling, as though one had wandered into a pool of poisonous slime. Sasuke suppressed an instinctual shudder as his employer moved unnaturally close behind him, the man's tainting presence stinging the air about him.
"I apologize, sir," Sasuke ground out, forcing himself to remain still. "I'm just...not in a very good mood today."
"You don't have to be, considering the type of people we cater to." Stepping aside, the long-haired man gestured at the mostly black-clad people milling about the café. "Scaring them off, however, is intolerable."
Mentally counting to ten, Sasuke paused before replying. "I'll work on that, sir."
Orochimaru made a low noise in his throat, watching as Sasuke continued to clean the table. "I wonder..."
A single finger ghosted down his spine. Sasuke bit the inside of his cheek. "You wonder what?"
Orochimaru smiled, running his fingers back up Sasuke's torso. The Uchiha stifled another shudder. "If there's any way I can improve your mood."
You can get your hands OFF ME. Sasuke forced his reply out from behind clenched teeth.
"I'll manage just fine without your...'help', sir."
"Of course you will," the older man agreed readily, removing his hand. Sasuke breathed a soft sigh of relief. "But I'll have my eye on you, Sasuke-kun. You need watching over, after all...since the death of your family."
Sasuke's shoulders became rigid.
"Especially since that awful episode of yours. We've all been watching you carefully since then, haven't we?"
Stop playing with my mind, you bastard! Sasuke squeezed his eyes shut, willing the other man's steel-lined words out of his mind. I have ENOUGH to deal with right now without having to deal with YOU.
"Just remember that I'm here for you, Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru moved closer, brushing Sasuke's hair aside as he hissed seductively in his ear. "After all...you're my prize possession."
"I don't belong to you, you perverted asshole," Sasuke spat, pulling away. Orochimaru lifted an eyebrow, then smiled.
"No, not yet, you don't. But we'll see about that, won't we?"
Sasuke withheld a growl as the man strode away, grabbing a tray of dirty dishes and storming off to the kitchen. Closing his eyes as he set the dishes down, he attempted to get his temper under control.
That fucking bastard. As if I need him to bother me right after my fight with... Sasuke opened his eyes, staring blindly down into the plates and silverware. ...Naruto...
Thoughts of the blonde had been haunting him all day, accompanied by the constant dull ache of his jaw. Reaching up, Sasuke placed a hand gingerly upon the magnificent bruise that had blossomed where the blonde had punched him. Sasuke winced.
All right, so I went a little overboard, but...dammit, what does he expect from me? He leads us all around like faithful puppies, but does he ever say flat-out what he wants us to do? No! After a moment, the Uchiha sighed. I admit that implying he was a whore wasn't the brightest of moves, but...
Frowning, he headed back out to bus the next table. It's not like I really think he's a whore. He should know that...right? His brow creased, and he lifted a weary hand to smooth it out. Dammit, I already lost a night of sleep over it. He'll get over it eventually.
When he found his thoughts heading in a relentless circle, Sasuke violently shook his head. Think about something else! My world doesn't revolve around Uzumaki fucking Naruto.
"You need watching, after all...since the death of your family."
Ok, no. That was far worse.
"Especially since that awful episode of yours..."
Hands tightening on a dirty plate, Sasuke fought to get his breathing under control. Dammit, I'm over this! It wasn't my fault! I'm not a—
Murderer.
The plate broke as it slipped from Sasuke's nerveless fingers. Snapping himself out of his daze, he bent over and picked up the pieces. He clenched his teeth despite the now-throbbing ache in his jaw, fighting to keep his memories at bay.
"Sasuke, how did this happen?"
"Tell the psychiatrist what you know, Sasuke. It's all right."
"We can help, Sasuke. Just tell us the truth."
He closed his eyes.
"What did you do, Sasuke? What did you do?"
Staggering to his feet, Sasuke stumbled towards the rear entrance of the café, pushing open the heavy door and leaning against the cool brick wall beside it. Gasping for air, he sank to the ground and placed a hand over his eyes. His memories pounded at his head.
Damn you, Orochimaru, for making me remember.
A burst of flame erupted in front of his small hands, sending a delighted grin across the young Uchiha's face. Leaping to his feet, Sasuke ran to find his brother.
"Aniki! Aniki!" Spotting his older brother as the young man stared solemnly out the kitchen window, Sasuke skidded to a stop beside him.
"Aniki, look! I made it work!"
Itachi slowly turned to look down at his brother as Sasuke held up the crude dragon puppet in his hands.
"Sasuke, I don't really have time for this right now," he replied coolly, returning his gaze to the window. Sasuke's smile dimmed.
"But...Aniki, I got the dragon to breathe fire! I know I'll win first prize in our science fair—"
"In what way is a mythical creature 'science'?"
Silence reigned in the kitchen as Sasuke's hands slowly lowered. "It...it's not. I was trying to show how you can create a stream of fire by—"
"That's what lighters are for." Itachi returned his cold gaze to his little brother, looking down at the contraption in his hands. "That thing is probably a fire hazard."
Sasuke tried to stem the crushing disappointment he felt, steeling his jaw. "It's not a fire hazard. Maybe it is just a lighter in another form, but how many people my age can even make a lighter?"
After a moment, a wry smile tweaked his brother's lips. "Only you, Sasuke."
Somehow, the younger boy knew it wasn't a compliment. Looking down at the red dragon in his hands, he stifled a sigh and set it on the counter next to the stove.
"I'm going to school," he stated dully, walking towards the door. He shouldered his backpack.
"Study hard."
Sasuke nodded briefly, then walked out the door. Maybe...maybe if I do well today, I can still do something to impress him. He brightened slightly. And I'll improve my dragon, and show it to Mom and Dad. Maybe I'll impress them all!
Determination coursing through him, he ran to school.
A frown tugged at Sasuke's lips as he trudged home from school, the sky darkening overhead and casting a premature twilight over the land. The day had passed without the young boy figuring any way to improve his project in a way that would make his family proud. Maybe he should toss the dumb thing in the trash and think of something else...
The sound of sirens floated into his ears as he approached his home, and a tremendous red fire truck raced past him. Confused, Sasuke watched it go by. I wonder if someone's house is on fire...
A strange feeling settled in his stomach, and Sasuke took off at a run.
As he rounded the corner, a pillar of smoke drew his attention. He could hear the roar of the flames, the people shouting nearby. His heart started pounding sickly in his chest, but his mind couldn't comprehend what was happening. Stumbling, Sasuke threw his backpack to the ground and ran up his driveway.
His home was consumed by flames, windows bursting and raining glass down upon the front yard. Eyes wide with horror, Sasuke slowed to a stop beside the truck and stared at his home.
This...this isn't real. This can't be happening—
"Sir! We've just discovered that there are people in that house!"
His heart in his throat, Sasuke tore for his front door.
"Stop that kid! The house could come down any second!"
Hands tried to bar his way, but Sasuke tore through them and burst through his front door. Flames licked hungrily at him as he ran into the kitchen, searing his skin. Coughing heavily, he tried to look around.
"M-Mom! Dad! Aniki!"
Screams from upstairs answered him.
Trying to avoid the roaring fire, Sasuke stumbled up the stairs. His sleeve caught, making him scream and drop to the ground, rolling as best he could on the stairs to put out the flame. Coughing, he crawled his way up the rest of the stairs.
"Mom! Dad!" A picture frame nearly fell atop his head as it dropped from the nearly consumed wall. "Aniki, where are you?"
The screams continued, guiding him to the master bedroom. Sasuke grabbed the doorknob, only to rip his hand away when the hot metal burned his hand. Tears began running uncontrollably down his face.
"MOM!" He coughed spasmodically. "DAD!"
They continued to scream, then fell horribly silent. Terrified, Sasuke threw himself at the door. It swung inwards, flames shooting out from the bedroom. Sobbing and gasping, Sasuke stumbled into the room. He started to call out for his parents in the flame soaked room when he spotted them.
He started to scream.
Blood was...everywhere. EVERYWHERE. His parents' faces were contorted in pain as fire licked at their bodies, the scent of burning flesh somehow passing through the smoke-filled air. Still screaming, Sasuke flung himself towards his parents.
A pair of strong arms wrapped around him.
Struggling, Sasuke managed to spot the coal black eyes of his older brother before a large blanket was suddenly wrapped tightly around him. Unable to breathe, Sasuke tried to fling the blanket off as he was picked up and carried.
"Sayounara, Otouto," his brother's voice whispered in his ear.
"A-aniki..." Sasuke managed to sob.
Before he could say anything else, the small boy was thrown out of the second floor window.
Days later, the small boy sat huddled in a chair at the hospital, his face, arms and legs bound tightly in gauze. His vacant eyes stared at the floor as voices floated around him.
"...They say it was started by an explosion..."
"It looks like the stove was left on and something caught fire..."
"...Those poor people must have been burned alive."
He closed his eyes, willing the voices to go away.
"I think that little boy knows what started it."
A hand fell upon his shoulder, and Sasuke looked up. A police officer was staring down at him.
"Sasuke...what did you do?"
Nails digging into his palms, Sasuke rapped the back of his head against the brick wall. He forced his eyes open, staring defiantly at the sunny sky. I didn't do it. I know I didn't leave that damn dragon on top of the stove. It was next to it, but not fucking close enough to catch fire! I didn't do it!
Growling, he rose to his feet. I don't know what really started that fire...but I'm not responsible for the death of my parents or...or Aniki. He rubbed his eyes furiously. No one fucking understood. They didn't care that I was all alone, peppering me with questions until I didn't know what really happened. Nobody cared that I was alone!
"Oi, Sasuke! Don't sit there by yourself, you geek. Are you too good for us?"
The Uchiha froze, hearing that childlike voice from so long ago.
"C'mon. Let's go throw rocks in the river."
One person had cared that he was alone...
"Sasuke! You call that a picture of a bear? I can draw one way better than that!"
...And had pestered him relentlessly until he gave himself a reason to live. A purpose.
"I'm going to beat you one day! You just wait and see!"
After all, he couldn't let the class moron show him up. He was still an Uchiha after all.
Finally fed up, Sasuke glared at the grinning face of the fox-whiskered Naruto.
"Just try it, dobe. I'll be better than you no matter what you do!"
A rival. A reason to look forward to each empty day, because his annoying presence somehow made each day less meaningless.
I'm not alone.