Chapter 18

Naruto's first encounter with Kiba's mother had been something he found extremely unpleasant.

It had been a regular night in his sophomore year, an unexpected encounter at the grocery store between him and Kiba. Naruto wanted to keep his distance, but still found himself in the same checkout line as Kiba. It didn't take much for Kiba to figure out Naruto's intentions. He laughed as he paid Naruto's bottle of water, invited him over to his place. Naruto turned down the offer. All it took was a sweet smile from Kiba and he was getting inside the passenger seat of Kiba's Porsche.

Fifteen minutes on the road and they had arrived at Kiba's house. Little things like Kiba walking around to open the door, would have been a small gesture that would have made Naruto's heart melt. Instead, Kiba got out of the car and left Naruto inside as he walked to his porch. When Naruto remained in the car, he turned around with an almost irritable look on his face.

"You waiting for an invitation?"

Naruto exited the car, pushed the door closed behind him. "You could at least try to behave like a gentleman once in a while."

"I would, if you were a girl."

"Asshole," Naruto muttered.

"From you, that's a compliment."

Naruto noticed the single plastic bag of groceries in Kiba's hand. "What did you buy?"

"Ingredients for miso soup," Kiba replied, pushing the door open with his body. "Make it for me." He leaned against the door, allowing Naruto to walk in first.

Naruto stepped inside and pressed Kiba against the closed door. He smiled up at him. "I'm not your maid."

"I didn't say you were." Kiba leaned down, kissed Naruto's open mouth. "Get started. I'm hungry."

"What if I don't want to?" Naruto felt Kiba's strong arms wrap around his waist. A harsh tug on his hair has him gasping as he stared deeply into Kiba's green eyes. "Ow..."

Kiba laughed. He was being playful. Still, judging from how hard he was gripping the blonde strands, he knew he was in fact inflicting some kind of pain. He loosened his grip, kissed Naruto on the forehead before brushing past him.

"Come on. Get started."

"How about a please?" Naruto rolled his eyes. That was another thing he couldn't stand about Kiba, his deliberate disregard for basic manners.

"Don't start with me." Kiba's whole demeanor had changed, his voice less playful than it was just a few minutes ago.

"I'm not starting anything." Naruto could never just let things go.

Kiba swore he had a thing for arguments because fuck that's all they ever did and over such stupid little things.

"I'm not your maid."

"Shut up."

"Don't tell me to shut up. You shut up."

That's typically how all their arguments ended. Sometimes, things escalated into one of them on the floor crying and the other on his knees begging for forgiveness. This time around, Kiba can't even bring himself to concentrate on the argument or feel any kind of way regarding the situation. Standing at the foot of his living room, he stared into the brightly lit space. His father was currently away on another one of his long business trips.

Kiba had spent the whole day at Neji's place.

Before he left in the morning, he made sure to turn off all the lights. He even went back and checked to make sure all the lights were turned off. There was no second guessing that maybe he accidentally left one of the lights on.

"Dad?"

That was the first thing that crossed his mind. Maybe, his father had returned early. Still, he needed assurance. He needed a response before casually strolling in without grasping the full situation. If it was an intruder, he needed to be able to protect himself and Naruto.

"Dad?" Another call left unanswered.

"What's going on?" Naruto's looking around, confused. He moved closer to stand behind Kiba who held out his arm for him to stay back.

"Stay close to the door."

Kiba quietly moved to grab the ugly elephant sculpture his dad had brought him as a souvenir from one of his trips overseas. He hated that damn thing but decided to keep it. He put it on display to not offend his dad. Such a useless thing. But now, it had a purpose. Kiba was crafty as he stealthily approached the kitchen. He peeked inside and instantly felt his blood run cold.

"Mom?"

The petite woman smiled at him. She had full brown curls and dull green eyes. She ran over and threw herself on her son. She kissed him all over his face, pinched his cheeks as if he was a toddler. Every word she spoke was cooed, reminding Naruto of the way he spoke to his baby nephew.

All their plans for the night was tossed out the window. Naruto introduced himself to the woman and she hugged him tightly, kissed his face. She insisted Naruto stay for dinner. Kiba demanded Naruto leave. All it took was one look from his mother and Kiba could no longer speak, like a little kid afraid to say anything that would get him in trouble.

Naruto saw the look on Kiba's face. He looked terrified. This had Naruto on edge. He was ready to leave, ask Kiba to come with him. Kiba's mom again insisted he stayed and he too found himself scared to say no.

The dinner that followed was awkward, so silent that Naruto could hear himself chewing. He hated the sound. He absolutely hated eating in silence. Thankfully, he wasn't all that hungry. Out of respect for the woman's efforts, he took a few bites of the food before he placed his fork down for good. As he sat there quietly, he looked nervously between Kiba and his mother. Kiba hadn't touched his plate and his mother had eaten almost half of hers all while refusing to tear her eyes off her son. Their relationship was unsettling, zero resemblance to the one Naruto and his mother shared.

"So, um…" Naruto offered her a smile when she looked up at him. "Kiba's told me a lot about you."

"Shut up, Naruto."

Naruto met Kiba's gaze, saw the warning in his glare and decided to keep his mouth shut.

"Really?" She clapped her hands excitedly. "W-what does he say about his mama? My sweet boy misses his mama a lot, doesn't he?"

"Um.. well, he-"

Kiba slammed his fist against the table. "What did I just say?"

Naruto opened his mouth to try and defend himself despite his warning. He doesn't get the chance to say anything when he watched in horror as food, plates, cups, and utensils were thrown at Kiba. They struck him on his head, his face, his arms that were lifted up to cover his head.

"Kiba!"

Naruto watched the woman make a dash for her son, shouting and screaming. She said Kiba was just like his father. Naruto stood by helpless. He saw how gentle Kiba was as he tried to restrain the woman. He took the painful hits, the painful kicks when he would grab her arms, the vile spit to his face when he tried to speak to her.

It went on and on for a long while until the woman finally calmed down and collapsed in her son's arms. Kiba held her and rocked her until she was so calm Naruto thought she had fallen asleep. He watched Kiba lift her into his arms and lower her gently into the couch.

"Are you okay?" Naruto asked him softly.

Kiba ignored him, instead searched quietly for his phone. He made a quick call and asked the person on the opposite line to come over. Naruto wasn't sure what to say so instead of saying something stupid, he began to quietly clean the mess, giving Kiba the silence he needed to get himself together.

It was about fifteen minutes until a brunette man dressed in a suit arrived. Kiba stood aside and watched his stepfather lift his mom into his arms. Kiba listened as his stepfather apologized. Apparently, the doctors had assured him his wife was okay to come back home. She was on her medications and her moods seemed stable. He left her home alone, thinking she would be okay. He should have known better. He should have been more observant.

Kiba discussed the possibility of his mother being reinstated into the psychiatric hospital. He thought it was the best option and his stepfather agreed. When they left, Kiba closed the door, saw the mess in the dining room.

"You should leave now." Kiba doesn't even look up at Naruto.

This was the first time someone out of his family had witnessed and seen the part of himself he kept hidden away. Not even his best friends had access to this part of him. He didn't know how to feel.

"She's beautiful, isn't she? Everyone says I look just like her. She thinks I look just like my dad."

"You don't owe me an explanation," Naruto said softly, staring attentively at Kiba's clenched fists.

"She's sick. Maybe, I'm like her."

"I don't think so."

"Maybe, I'm like my father."

Kiba fell silent when he heard his voice crack. For fuck sakes, there was no way in hell he was about to cry in front of Naruto. Not after — the strong collision of his fist into the cabinet resounded through the room.

"Fuck!" His body trembled as he cried. "I'm the reason why she's like that. I made her that way. She's sick because of me and there's nothing I can do to help her."

Everyone had their own problems. That night Naruto came to understand that. He called for an ambulance and had Kiba taken away to get his hand checked out. He really messed it up. It had to stay in a cast for three weeks. Naruto slowly started to accept the blows that at times came with his and Kiba's arguments. He saw them as something reflexive. It's not Kiba's fault he was the way he was. That was the mentality Naruto used to justify Kiba's actions. Each time he turned a blind eye to the issue, it furthered Kiba's notion that he could do whatever he wanted and receive no repercussions. Kiba knew it was wrong. He wanted to be a better person. He wanted to change.

Why was it so hard?

—

Yugito cleared her throat and finally decided to speak after a long while.

"There's only so much I can do. If I put a protective detail on him, that implies Sasuke as a threat. With that alone, I don't think we will be able to hold him. He's a very powerful young man, Naruto. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that."

She's right. Naruto didn't need her to tell him that. If he was ignorant of the fact, he wouldn't be sitting here in the first place.

"What do you suggest we do?"

When Yugito first received the call from Naruto, she thought this was Naruto finally acquiring the courage to get justice for himself. Last year, when the same student currently in her custody had beaten Naruto so badly, the case was promptly dropped after Naruto confessed he had been the one to instigate the altercation. Yugito could still feel her disappointment from that day, the same disappointment currently weighing her down.

"Naruto," Yugito leaned forward, stared straight into Naruto's eye. "Why are you desperately protecting this boy after everything he has done to you? Don't get me wrong. You made a great judgment call by getting me involved. Yes, you saved his life. But, Naruto look at you." Her stern gaze softened. "Last year, you lied to protect him and you're doing the same thing again. I want to know why you're doing this."

"Because, I love him."

The revelation stunned Yugito. Though, she can't say she's entirely surprised, more so heartbroken. It wasn't uncanny to make implications that the two were involved in some kind of a relationship. The first time this happened, students had made concise accounts of Naruto casually walking up to Kiba and kissing him on the lips. This had led Yugito to suspect a secret romance between the two boys. But there was never an affirmation, except now, and frankly Yugito wasn't sure how to interpret it.

"You love him?" Hearing the sentiment out of her own mouth made it that much more distasteful. "A person who does this to you. I get puppy love Naruto, believe me I do. But, there comes a point where a line needs to be drawn."

Naruto shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He did not come all this way for a damn lecture. That was the last thing he needed to hear.

"Just find a way to keep him safe. That's all I'm asking." He groaned in exhaustion. "Yugi, I wouldn't be here if this wasn't important."

"His wellbeing is important, but not yours?"

Naruto breathed in sharply, slowly exhaling. "I get it. I know it's wrong. I understand that."

"So, then, why are you pretending it's not? Why aren't you pressing charges?"

"Because, fuck, it's much more complicated than that." He grimaced at his own words. "It's fucked up. We were fucked up. There was never anything normal about us. But, for the moment it worked. Whatever we had, it just worked. Not anymore." He stood up, eyes pleading as he looked at Yugito. "I just need you to do this one thing for me. Please."

Yugito saw Naruto's injuries were bad. He was barely able to stand up straight without his crutches. Still, he showed resilience, one foot out of the door whether she chose to assist him or not. But she was taking a risk, not only in her job, but with Kyuubi. Protocol called for her to inform Kyuubi what had happened. The last time she had followed protocol, it ended with the brothers in a screaming match with nothing getting resolved. Yugito determined Naruto did not need that added stress, especially since this wasn't a formal interrogation.

"You have always been stubborn, kiddo. You never let anyone tell you otherwise when you have your mind made up." She stood up tall in her police uniform. "I can give him one day of police protection. I can have a car outside his house for the night but that's all I can do."

Naruto was grateful. The small gesture was more than enough and granted him the time he needed to try calm Sasuke. A bold assumption he wasn't sure he would be able to do. But, to keep Kiba safe and unharmed, he would travel to the ends of the world.

"Thank you Yugi, for everything."

Yugito smiled and pulled Naruto inside her arms. "I'll always do what I can to protect you and your brother, Naruto." She pulled back, her arms holding Naruto by his shoulders. "It's not your job to fix everyone. So, while I am choosing to assist you this time, the next time, and there better not be a next time. If I find out that boy has so much as pinched you, I won't hesitate to put him in a cell. If you even try to defend him, I'll arrest you too. Do you understand me?"

Naruto knew she was joking but at the same time deadly serious. "Yeah, I hear ya."

"Good, let's get you out of here."

Out in the halls, the attending officers were in distress as they tried to subdue the woman causing a commotion. She was screaming on the top of her lungs for the officers to release her son. She refused compliance as two officers tried to get her under control.

"My boy hasn't done anything wrong."

The woman's grabbed by one of the officers. Her piercing screech has the officer backing away with his arms held up in defense.

Yugito calmly approached the woman, her hand hovering over her taser. "Ma'am, I need you to calm down. This is a government office and you're causing a disturbance."

The woman quickly fled from the male officers to come and stand in front of Yugito. She explained that she had received a call from two boys alerting her that her son was in trouble. She was disoriented, her words not making much sense. Her appearance was concerning. Her long curls were disheveled, her clothing mismatched and her face full of panic. Yugito listened to what she had to say, all in the midst of attempting to keep her as calm as possible.

"Ma'am, I hear what you're saying. I can help you if you just let me-"

"I want my boy!" She became rampant, screaming and shouting for her baby.

Yugito's about to reach for her taser, stopping when she saw the strange lopsided grin that formed on the woman's face. Yugito stood aside as the woman ran past her into the arms of the student she had arrested. Yugito's perplexed as she watched Kiba calmly embrace the woman she now perceived to be his mother.

"Mind telling me what's going on?" Yugito turned to her partner walking towards her.

"We heard the commotion from down the hall," Daiki explained in a smooth voice. "The boy recognized his mother's voice and insisted I let him out to calm her down."

Kiba gently removed his mother's hands from his face. "Mom, what are you doing here?"

"These two young men let me out. They said they were friends of yours. They said bad people had you. They said that mama needed to come get you, baby."

"You shouldn't be here, mom." Kiba felt the sting of his mother's hand as it struck his face.

"Hey!" Yugito rushed over to Kiba while Daiki held the woman back. "You have a habit of hitting your son?"

"No, she's sick." Kiba pleaded with Yugito. "She should be at the hospital. I don't know how she got out. I'm alright. She didn't mean it."

"We need to send her back," Daiki said.

"In the meanwhile, let me just hold her," Kiba begged. "She'll calm down if she's with me."

Yugito was skeptical. She saw the desperate look on Kiba's face and allowed her partner to let go of the mother. She quietly studied the mother and son. She saw how the mother was now relaxed in her son's arms, listening to the soft words spoken to her.

"This is not normal behavior." Yugito looked to her partner for his input.

"The woman is not in her right mind." Daiki held up the yellow folder in his hand, casually toying with it. "Looks like I gotta make some calls and get some people in trouble."

"Get on it right now," Yugito replied. "Have the son help you out."

"Right away."

"Don't leave her alone with him, Yugi," Naruto said softly from the side.

"Head on home Naruto and get yourself some rest."

Naruto obediently followed the young officer assigned to escort him out. He took his time as he walked over to the parked car awaiting him. He's trying not to cry. He was worried about the curly haired boy still inside the building. How could he not? Like Kiba had often put it. For the past two years, it had just been them against the world.

Naruto met up with Tsukasa who was leaned against the black car.

"Finished?" Tsukasa asked.

"Yeah, it's handled," Naruto replied. He soundlessly slid inside the car, buckling his seatbelt and leaning his head against the window.

"What does 'handled' mean?" Tsukasa waited for a response and when a few minutes passed without one, he turned his eyes on the teen beside him. "I asked you a question, kid."

"It means no one has to fucking die," Naruto replied coldly. "Just leave me the fuck alone." The bitterness behind his words not only caught himself off guard but that of the man driving beside him. He wanted to apologize but his anger has him biting down the words.

"Because of you kid, I might not have a job after today. Let that sink in before choosing to talk to me in any kind of way."

Naruto bit down on his lower lip. He hadn't thought of that, and now when he did, he felt like utter shit. Tsukasa was right. Naruto had gotten hurt while in his protection. Sasuke would blame him for it whether the fault was his or not. If only Tsukasa had not stepped out to buy him lunch. A thoughtful gesture that's now repaid by the potential loss of his job.

"I'm sorry," Naruto said.

Tsukasa's eyes refused to turn from the road and look at him.

"I can maybe talk to him, let Sasuke understand this wasn't your fault."

Tsukasa scoffed. "Because if I'm not around, who will run your little errands behind Sasuke's back. Isn't that right?"

"Right."

The little banter did well to soften the mood. Today had been one hell of a day. Tsukasa didn't inquire anymore about what had taken place at the precinct. Naruto was thankful for it. He knew Sasuke wouldn't be so compliant. Naruto knew the worst was yet to come.

—

By the time Tsukasa and Naruto returned to the hotel, Sasuke and Charlie were still out. Tsukasa followed Jackson and Analeina inside the kitchen, informed them of the little he knew of what had occurred at the precinct. Afterwards, he asked they give Naruto the peace and quiet he needed to get some rest. In the meanwhile, he would go handle some business, hopefully arrive before Sasuke.

One thing Analeina and Naruto had in common was that they both had trouble following instructions. As soon as Tsukasa left, Analeina decided to prepare some tea. She poured the tea into two small floral teacups she found in the cabinets, set them on a matching tray. She carefully made her way into the living room.

"Naruto, will you share a cup of tea with me?"

Naruto wasn't asleep even though his eyes were closed. His eyelids peeled open to see the beautiful woman standing in front of him. He forced himself to sit up and Analeina sat down beside him. He carefully took the cup of tea handed to him.

"No one has any liquor lying around?" He hated tea. But for the woman's sake, he forced himself to take a generous sip. He felt like spitting it out right away.

"How is it?"

Disgusting. "Good."

Analeina took a sip from her own cup. "I prefer milk in my tea but I wasn't sure if you liked yours plain. I can add some milk in yours if you prefer it."

"No, it's alright." He wasn't planning to drink the whole thing anyway. He was already counting his sips before he put it down for good.

"Naruto, I wanted to apologize to you."

Naruto can never get over how soft her voice was, so gentle and pleasing to the ear, the kind of voice that sounded good reading a bed time story. "What for?"

Analeina placed her cup down on her lap. "Earlier, you asked me to help calm Sasuke. I stood by and did nothing. To be honest, I had wanted Sasuke to get the person who hurt you. But, I know now that wasn't my place." She bowed her head. "Please, I ask that you forgive me."

Naruto stared at her. Just how self-aware was this woman? The more time he spent with her, the more he came to understand why Sasuke was dating her.

"I can definitely see why he calls you angel." Naruto took another sip of the tea, this time it went down much smoother. "You didn't do anything wrong so don't apologize."

Analeina was shocked at first but then she was smiling. They talked and got to know each other. Naruto learned she was two years older than him. She worked in her mother's salon as a hairdresser. He listened to the story of how she and Sasuke met. Apparently, they had went to the same high school. Analeina had developed a crush on Sasuke and watched him from a far. When she explained that Sasuke had been an introvert, Naruto was profoundly amused. Sasuke had always been outgoing, a master in socializing. To hear now that he was an introvert was beyond strange.

Analeina admitted it took months of shameless stalking and obsessing until she finally mustered the courage to ask Sasuke on a date. She was rejected. Naruto had to contain his laugh. Good to know she had a sense of humor because she even laughed at herself. Still, she kept at it, rejection after rejection and one day, Sasuke finally said yes. From then on, it was cloud nine. Though they had their ups and downs and even once a breakup, Ana can't imagine her life without him.

At some point throughout the story, Naruto grew quiet and didn't say much. The way she spoke of Sasuke, she didn't have to say the three words for him to know how deeply in love she was with his best friend. There's a strange emotion inflicting his judgement, one that's refusing for him to smile. Jealousy would be far too easy to explain how he was feeling. It was far more complicated than that.

"Angel."

Naruto turned around and found Sasuke standing behind him. He watched Analeina stand up to greet him with a kiss. She smiled when Sasuke gently caressed her face. He saw Sasuke grab her bandaged wrist and kiss it gently.

"How are you feeling?" Sasuke asked her softly.

"Much better," she replied.

"Good." His eyes conveyed all the love he held for the woman in his arms. "Charlie and I picked up some treats from a bakery on our way back. Help yourself to whatever you like."

"Mmm… you spoil me." Ana slowly let go of his hands and walked away.

Sasuke's eyes fell on Naruto, silent on the couch. "Can we talk?"

"Yeah, of course." Naruto heard how meek his voice sounded and if it were possible he would have punched himself in the face for sounding so submissive.

"Come with me."

Naruto hesitated before grabbing Sasuke's hand. He was led into the master bedroom and asked to have a seat on the bed. Sasuke shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on the bed beside Naruto. He sighed, rolling his shoulders back and forth.

"How do you feel?"

Naruto didn't lift his eyes to look up at Sasuke. "Just fine," he answered.

"How was your visit at the hospital?" Sasuke asked. "Was anything broken?"

"No, just a couple of bruises." Naruto felt like Sasuke's eyes were burning straight through him. He's startled when Sasuke held his shirt and began unbuttoning the buttons. "What are you dong?"

Sasuke paused when Naruto grabbed his hands. "Put your hands down."

Naruto's hands involuntarily fell down, allowing Sasuke to silently unbutton his shirt. The fabric slipped open, exposing the white bandages wrapped around his torso.

"Do you have any idea how much self-control it is taking for me to be standing in front of you right now?"

Naruto quickly pulled his shirt closed. It was as if Sasuke was seeing right through him, right through the bullshit he was about to spew. "It looks worse than it feels." He watched Sasuke walk away to a table where he began removing the leather gloves he wore. "Sasuke, about Tsukasa..."

"What about him?"

Naruto quickly stood up. "It's not his fault. I don't know how you operate your staff but I'm asking you not to punish him."

"I gave him clear orders to be by your side at all times."

"And he was," Naruto explained. "He only stepped out to buy me food. He saw I wouldn't eat the cafeteria food so he went out to get me something I would eat. He didn't have to, but he had my best interest at heart."

"That sounds fair." Sasuke leaned against the dresser. "I'll have a talk with him, sort out a few things. Is that alright with you?"

Naruto nodded but something wasn't right. The way Sasuke spoke, the look in his eyes, his mannerisms altogether.

"Kiba,"

Naruto felt the goosebumps as the name fell out Sasuke's mouth like venom.

"If I recall that's his name, right?"

Naruto shuddered. "Yes," he whispered.

"I told you I would put a bullet in his head if he touched you again. I meant what I said. You may have saved him today but there's always tomorrow and the day after that. I will not stop until I have done what I said I would." Sasuke stepped forward, saw Naruto step back. "Why are you protecting him?"

"He is important to me."

"Naruto, you are the most important person to me in this world. I want to protect what's important to me as well."

"But not like this," Naruto pleaded. "Sasuke, you're not a murderer."

"No, I'm not."

"But you talk like one. You act like one. The gloves, the gun... I don't want you to be that kind of person."

Sasuke's features twisted into a deep scowl. "Don't you dare condemn me while you protect him. How do you think that makes me feel? What does that say about you?"

Naruto sucked in a deep breath as he felt the tears gather in his eyes. His body trembled as he began to cry.

"You have no idea what I have gone through, Sasuke. You have no idea what it's like to be judged simply for the way you look. Just last week, I was beaten by my classmates just because I look a certain way. I'm mocked, ridiculed as some freak just because of the way I was born. Do you have any idea what it's like to constantly be an outcast? He was the only one who saw differently. He looked at me, saw me as someone worth loving. He was there to hold my hand when no one else would. When you weren't around to do so. So you can't judge him just because he has issues, just because he's not perfect. How do you think I feel, day after day, having to face a world that's against me? At least, I had him in my corner. Where were you Sasuke?"

Naruto exhaled.

"You can't take him from me, Sasuke. Not unless you can take away every single person who hate people who look like me. Not unless you can make me normal. Not unless you can stop me from hating myself, wishing I was never born. Not unless—"

Naruto felt his knees weaken as heavy sobs racked his body. He felt himself collapsing and when strong arms came up to hold him, he allowed himself to cry shamelessly into the warm body that held him, the warm hand that gently stroked his hair, the gentle words that soothed him. They made him feel safe, sheltered. His best friend was still the only man he would allow himself to be completely vulnerable in front of and never feel ashamed.

"Don't take him away from me, Sasuke. Please, don't."

Sasuke didn't say anything. He thought about the sad reality that people like Naruto experienced on a daily basis. The obstacles that came with being different from the established norm. In his eyes, Naruto has always been beautiful, his uniqueness had always been something he found attractive and alluring. To find out now that some people saw ugly where he saw beautiful made Sasuke feel sick. Heartbroken.

"Where would I be if you were never born, Naruto? You have no idea how much you mean to me. How truly beautiful you are." Sasuke continued to softly stroke Naruto's hair. "If I must repeat these words to you until you hear nothing else, until you start to see them as nothing less than the truth, then I will. I will show you each waking moment how precious you are to me."

Naruto cuddled into Sasuke's chest, listened to his steady heartbeat. He heard Sasuke's touching words and accepted them. Coming from Sasuke it sounded more believable, worth more than anything else anyone could have said to him. Even, Kiba.

—

Tsukasa returned with a bag of food he had purchased for Naruto. He met Sasuke on the balcony where he's asked to share a few words. Tsukasa was nervous. The cool breeze from the evening swept away the beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. He stood still as the minutes silently passed by. Sasuke still had not said a word, had yet to glance his way. He could tell his young boss was in distress, was distracted, conflicted.

"I'm furious with you, Tsukasa," Sasuke said softly. "You let me down."

Tsukasa shuffled his hands inside his pockets as the evening air grew chill.

"You know more than anyone how much he means to me. You know I'm not a good person. You know what I can do. So, I'm asking you this. Why should I let that boy continue living after you allowed him to disrespect me so callously?"

Tsukasa understood. Sasuke wasn't just angry with him, he was also battling himself. Like Sasuke said, Tsukasa knew first hand the kind of person he was, the kind of man his father had raised him to be, the way he was trained to handle situations like these. Tsukasa understood Sasuke's outrage more than anyone.

"What do you want me to do?" asked Tsukasa. "Give the order and I'll take care of it."

"He wants him to live," Sasuke said calmly.

"Then, maybe, you should allow him to live, Sasuke, for his sake," Tsukasa replied.

Sasuke almost laughed. "When you say it like that it sounds so simple."

"Is that really a bad thing?" Tsukasa said, and Sasuke raised his head to look at him.

"Did you for a moment consider what would have happened had Shisui managed to get into the school during your absence?"

"No, that thought completely failed to cross my mind." Tsukasa bowed 90 degrees, showing his utmost respect. "I'm sorry, Sasuke. I'm ready to receive any punishment you deem fit."

"Look at me."

Tsukasa prompted himself up and did as he's told.

"This is the last you'll disobey my orders. I don't give a damn what the reason is. When I give you instructions, I expect them to be followed. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, Sasuke."

"As for your punishment, think of one yourself that you think is deserving and see it through. Use it as a reminder to never go against me."

If Tsukasa hadn't learned years ago to control his facial expressions, he would have sported the biggest grin in gratitude of Sasuke's mercifulness. "Thank you, Sasuke."

"Good night." Sasuke quietly left and returned to keep Analeina company.

Tsukasa remained on the balcony a while longer. When Naruto woke up, he would be sure to thank him. The kid has no idea what he has just saved him from. On this day, he counted his lucky stars.

—

I hope you are all enjoying the story so far!