Chapter 22
(Yesterday evening)
Nana sat across her big brother, staring at the chess board in front of her. She grabbed a piece and moved it forward. She knew she had made a good move when her brother brought a hand to his chin, letting her know he was thinking hard, or at least pretending.
She was only seven years old, but Nana had started to pick up on her brother's antics.
Like how he would intentionally make wrong moves just to give her an edge over the game. Then take extra long pondering his next move, make it seem like she was really giving him a run for his money. She had picked up on this a long time ago. The day she had played her mama and lost six times in a row.
Mama taught her the true way to play, techniques to get around tricky positions. She was a master at the game by now, but her big brother did not know. Mama had told her not to let anyone know just how smart she really was. She said boys should think girls were not as smart as them. She said her brothers should think she was fragile, like the little princess they often referred her as. When she's older, Mama said she'll become a fearsome queen, stronger and smarter than the knights who would go to war to protect her.
"Checkmate." Nana smiled up at her brother, raised her hand to give him a high five. "Beat you again."
"You're getting pretty good at this, Nana," Takeshi said.
"I practice a lot with mama."
"You'd be the smartest girl at school if only mom would let you go." There was a sudden frown on his face.
"It's too dangerous."
"You're a kid." Takeshi reached froward, caressed his sister's face. "You should be with other kids your age."
"Like the boy from your laptop," Nana said softly. "He seems nice."
Takeshi leaned back, hands firm on the ground as he quietly observed the little girl in front of him. He watched the meticulous manner in which she placed down the chess pieces, her graceful mannerisms, the proper way she sat with one leg crossed over the other, her posture straight and head held up high when she's finished setting the board. She had become a perfect miniature version of their mother.
"Do you want to go to school, princess?" Takeshi saw the deliberation in Nana's eyes as she thought of the right thing to say. "Be honest with me."
"No," she replied. "Mama says she'll teach me everything I need to know." She gestured to the chessboard. "Would you like to go first?"
Before Takeshi could respond, a voice called out for him from the entrance of the living room. "Mom's calling for you."
"Let's postpone our game, Nana."
Takeshi met his mother in the dining room. He pulled out the seat beside her, sat at her right hand side where he has been told all his life he belonged. He greeted his mother with tender eyes, admired the youthful hand firmly holding the wine glass filled with red wine, the red, polished manicured nail gracing each finger.
"What's your taste today, red or white? Or would you prefer something a little stronger?"
Takeshi declined the offer of either. His fingers danced over the granite surface of the large dinner table as he continued to stare at his mother. Her flawless makeup, the black, long hair curtaining down her small neck, behind a necklace of cultured white pearls, a pair of diamond earrings. Takeshi has known all his life his mother was a woman who has always been well taken cared of, spoiled, and pampered.
"You drink when you're nervous," Takeshi said dryly, removing the glass from his mother's hand and placing it far down the table away from her reach. "Dad doesn't like you drinking and neither do I."
"Didn't know I needed permission from my own son to drink."
Takeshi allowed a small smile to play at his lips. "Why are you nervous?"
Emiko looked at her son's handsome face, features all too familiar of her husband's when he was around the same age. Thirty years and four beautiful children later, she was still madly in love with the man as the day she first met him. She stared into her son's eyes, eyes full of determination and confidence, eyes quite similar to her own.
"I have asked many things of you, son." She warmly caressed his face, a stern look in her eyes. "And each time, you have been able to provide them. I have no doubts tomorrow will be the same."
"You do have doubts," Takeshi said sharply. "Hence why you're drinking."
"I'm a mother. I will always have worries not doubts."
Takeshi clasped his hands firmly together on the table. Below, he tapped his foot rapidly against the floor, eyes downcast for a moment. "Mom, I want Nana to go to school."
"We've had this conversation already, Takeshi."
"She's a kid. She needs to be around kids her age," Takeshi insisted. "She has no part in any of this."
"There are more pressing issues at hand than your sister, don't you think?" Emiko reminded him. "Your brothers, for instance."
"I don't want them involved."
"Your father says otherwise," Emiko said. "You will be outnumbered. You need help. You need your brothers."
"It is my responsibility. I am the oldest."
"You all share the same risks, the same responsibilities."
"Not all of us," Takeshi argued, a deep frown on his face. "Shisui sits up on his high horse while we rush to the battlefield. And why's that? Because he's dad's favorite?"
Emiko hooked her finger under her son's chin, raised his head up to look into his eyes. "And you are mine. Always have been, always will be."
Takeshi saw the look again, the same yearning look his mother once had for his father, eyes yearning for something he could not give her. Yearning for the thing she's missed out on for so many years. Intimacy that became more and more apparent the older he got, the more he began to resemble his father. He gently moved her hand from his face, saw the shame fill her eyes when she became aware of herself.
They said nothing for a while. Takeshi brought the wine back to her. He watched her as she took a long sip, saw the shame slip away as she released a breath.
From the living room, the twins were loud as they played with their little sister. They ran around as Nana chased them, her excited giggles when she would reach out her hand and almost catch them. Takeshi listened to his siblings, siblings he had helped raise since the day he watched his father dragged out of their home in handcuffs. He remembered the day they were all born. He had held onto his mother's hand, listened to her screams as the nurses encouraged her to push.
The twins were born five minutes apart twenty years ago. Hikaru was born first with flailing arms and a piercing cry loud enough to reach outside the hospital walls. Haruto was born second, so still and silent, the nurses and doctor initially thought he might have been a still born. They entered the world differently and from since then on, have remained as different as night and day. But when it came to their little sister, they put their differences aside, was the best version of themselves for the little princess.
The princess was born seven years ago, all three of them present to witness the birth of the unexpected conception. Nana was the missing treasure in their family they didn't know they needed until she was born. She brought the family together, reaffirmed the goals they inherited from their father.
"Mom," Takeshi said. "At the end of it all, whether we win or lose, Nana goes to school." His voice held the same firmness carried in his father's own, the authority that seemed to command his mother's obedience.
And like always, Emiko nodded, not arguing as she did before, the technique still effective as it was the day he reached puberty and inherited his father's deep, imposing voice.
"Do you think we will win?" Emiko asked him calmly. "Gain back the life that was stolen from us."
Takeshi drummed his fingers faster against the table. "He saw me, did I tell you? In the elevator."
"You wanted him to see you." Emiko listened to her son's laugh. "Did he remember you?"
"He's scared of me. A part of him doesn't want to remember, but there's something there that has him frightened."
"And that's what you want?"
"It'll help. He'd be more complacent, make it easier to get some control." He leaned forward. "Itachi's splitting them up. Something tells me on purpose. He's willing to sacrifice one of them and he wants us to take the bait."
"Which one?"
Takeshi shook his head. "Still haven't figured it out yet. He's a lot like me, we think similarly and I have a feeling he's figured that out. It's now only a matter of who outsmarts who."
"And the other brother?"
Takeshi leaned back, his hands down on his lap. "No doubt he'll take a back seat. Back his brother up where it's needed."
"What about that girlfriend of yours?"
Takeshi hid his embarrassment behind his hands as he covered his face. "Girlfriend?"
"With how devoted she is to you, am I wrong?" Emiko has known of the woman's affection towards her son for years, and despite any confirmation, knew her son cared just as much, if not more. "Can you trust her?"
Takeshi uncovered his face. "Yes," he answered affirmatively. "She's been more than helpful."
Emiko stared her son straight in the eyes. "Is she prepared to die for you?"
"I won't ask her or anyone to die for me," Takeshi said. "I, alone, will restore this family."
Restore.
Takeshi would argue that the family was as great as it ever could be. With his intelligence, his mastery of psychology and technology, the amount of influence he has obtained over the years, he could easily establish a company greater than the one his father was trying so desperately to reclaim.
But he was now the man of the house. The one to right the wrongs that was done to the family. He was no longer his own person. He was now a tool, sharpened and shaven by his mother to defend his father's honor. He proudly carried that burden, so it would not be forced down on the shoulders of his younger siblings.
Emiko never questioned Takeshi on any of his decisions. He was the smartest person she knew. He was a two way mirror, mastered the ability to transform into any person. He was a mystery, you never truly knew his real character. As his mother, even Emiko did not know who her son truly was. But she trusted him. If she did not, she would be afraid of her own creation.
"Be mindful of Shisui," Emiko said, a certain look in her eyes conveying what didn't need to be said aloud. "You know how he gets."
"I can handle him."
Emiko stood up, held Takeshi's face in her hands. She kissed his cheek, his forehead, then a soft kiss to his lips.
"I love you, my son."
Takeshi wiped the taste of the wine off his lips as soon as his mother disappeared. He pushed the seat under the table, a habit enforced on him since a child.
Emiko prided herself in good manners, elegance, all taught down to her youngest. They lived modestly, but she made sure her children knew their worth, of the higher status that was taken from them. She desired for them to behave with the same integrity as their higher class cousins. Cousins who knew nothing of their existence. Cousins they were taught to hate and one day, will take their place.
After his shower, Takeshi rested on the couch, a glass of scotch in his hand. It was now past midnight, Emiko and Nana were already fast asleep. He heard the soft buzzing of the television in the twins room, drowned out the sound as he thought about the events that would take place in the hours to come.
He looked up as he heard the whispered footsteps.
"Can I sit with you?" Haruto asked softly.
Takeshi moved aside and gestured to the warm, empty space beside him. "Have a seat."
Haruto sat down, sheepish as he looked up at his older brother. "What are you thinking about?"
Takeshi downed the last of his drink, set the empty glass down on the table. "You and your brother. Mom and dad. Nana."
Haruto chuckled. "What's new."
Takeshi ruffled Haruto's already messy hair. He was suddenly serious, for a moment lost in his head before he shook away the thoughts. "Why are you up so late? Hikaru disturbing you?"
"No," Haruto replied. "No, he can't sleep either. We're all nervous about tomorrow. Well, I am. Karu's… excited."
"It's good to be nervous. That means there's something you value that you're not willing to lose just yet." Takeshi held his brother's hand. "If it was up to me, you two wouldn't be involved at all."
"Mom says we're ready," Haruto said, deepening his voice to sound like the man his mother wanted him to be. "We are, don't you agree?"
"You should be worrying about handing your papers in on time," Takeshi said softly. "Asking a girl to prom."
Haruto frowned. "It's not just your fight. You need us just as much as we need you."
Takeshi brought him down, again ruffled his hair as he hugged him close.
Haruto playfully shoved his brother away. All of a sudden there's a serious look in his eyes. "I'm worried about Hikaru. After what Shisui made him do, he's been riled up ever since."
"You're right to worry. You're smart. You're patient. You think before you act. Out there, it's not just about guns and weapons, they have all of that too. It's about instincts, knowing when to step back and think. That's something Hikaru doesn't have. But you have it, and you need to use it. Not only to protect yourself, but your brother as well."
"But, what about what Shisui? He's our brother too."
"Half brother," Takeshi replied, the distaste trailing on his tongue. "Don't ever forget that."
Finally, after a while, Haruto decided to get some shut eye. The soft buzzing of the tv was no longer heard and he knew Hikaru had fallen asleep. Haruto stood up, felt his cheeks burn when Takeshi hugged him. He felt like a little kid all over again.
By the living room entrance, Haruto glanced back at his older brother. "So, what should I call you tomorrow? I've gotten lost in all your characters."
Takeshi grinned. "Call me, Kae."
—
(Present time, morning)
Asumi looked down at her phone, frowned at the small red dot moving across the terrain shown on the map. She bit down on her bottom lip, anxious as she saw the dot move farther away from the intended destination. She expected this, was tasked to handle the situation. Still, she began to doubt her abilities, was worried if she would be enough to outsmart the cowards moving in the shadows. One now believed to be her own sister.
When Itachi had brought his suspicion against Asuna to her attention, Asumi had urged him strongly to reconsider. It was simply impossible. A double agent? It didn't make sense. Their father worked too hard to get them where they were now. He was the first one to teach them combat, taught them the importance of principles, and how much integrity and honesty was applaud and necessary in their line of work.
Why would her sister, who applied their father's teachings in all she did, more so than Asumi cared to admit she did, suddenly betray them?
Asuna had no grudge against the Uchiha family. The family treated them well, rewarded them extensively for their services. Through their father's connection, they were able to secure a job. A job that promised them many benefits in exchange for their skills, protection. The Uchiha family were generous and kind. Asuna cared for them. She would never betray them.
For the first time, maybe Itachi's intuition was wrong.
The black car pulled sharply to a stop behind her. Through the side mirror, Asumi saw the woman she was tasked to rendezvous with, a woman she hasn't seen in months.
Reira stepped out of the car, a slender body clothed clothed in all black. Her black hair fell down her back, caramel eyes hidden behind dark shades.
Asumi bowed respectfully to her, arms close to her sides and feet firmly planted on the ground.
"Glad you arrived safely, ma'am."
"Any trouble getting here?" Reira had the kind of voice that commanded an army, full of confidence that warranted respect.
"No, ma'am," Asumi replied. "Everything went smoothly."
"Good." Reira removed her glasses. "Where is he?"
Asumi gently shook Jaron awake. She removed the seatbelt from his small body, smiled when Jay gently rubbed at his eyes. He fell asleep not long after they hit the road, and had slept throughout the entire ride, his snack box left untouched. Asumi helped him out of the car, gathered the rest of his things and pushed them into his small, cartoon themed backpack.
Reira looked at him, a wide smile making its way on her face when she saw the strong resemblance to Itachi, a man she practically raised.
"So this is the infamous, Jaron Uzumaki." She pinched his cheek, laughed when Jay frowned at her. "Geez, it's like going back in time." She kneeled down, face to face with the child. "I'm going to take good care of you, don't you worry."
"He is the sweetest boy." Asumi held out the backpack to Reira and she took it from her, swung it over her shoulder. "He will give you no trouble."
"Have you heard from Kyuubi?" Reira held onto Jay's hand, held it securely. "How far is he from you?"
Asumi quickly pulled out her phone and again tracked the moving red dot. "About an hour away. I can get there in thirty."
"Asuna?" Reira asked.
"Pursuing." Asumi replied, again glancing down at her phone. "Ten minutes behind."
Reira situated Jaron inside her car, made sure he was comfortable. She slid back on her shades as sat inside, quickly glanced up at Asumi.
"He's cruel for making you do this. But, he's counting on you. Don't let him down."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Get there on time," Reira said strictly. "Take care of yourself."
Asumi bowed her head. "I will."
"One more thing," Reira said. "I also hope he's wrong."
Reira swiftly drove off.
Inside her own car, Asumi connected the tracker of Kyuubi's bracelet to the display on her dashboard that was connected to the GPS. She heard the smooth voice of the GPS begin to direct her as she started the car.
She sped through the streets, going slightly ahead of the speed limit. Her foot rested comfortably over the accelerator, her eyes concentrating on the long road ahead. Asumi saw the red dot stop moving. She zoomed in on the location, pressed her foot harder on the accelerator.
This was the moment everything got revealed. This was the the moment the truth came out. Her sister's true character would be shown, and she was sure it would be the compassionate, trustworthy sister she admired and loved.
—
The moment Yugito made the turn away from the correct path leading towards the airport, Kyuubi knew.
Kyuubi remembered the route. The highway they had taken when he had accompanied Yugito to pick up her husband returning from a trip. It was engraved in his mind. He remembered the anxiety he felt during the long ride. It was so bad that he had busied himself counting trees, hoping it'd help to ease his nerves. He remembered a particular big tree they had made a right turn at. The same tree they had just passed, but now had made a left.
From the corner of his eye, Kyuubi saw the blank stare in Yugito's eyes. He wanted to correct her, but something in him told him that she knew. He kept his eyes on the road, eyes as wide and frightened as an antelope's towards a leopard.
As the car sped farther down the silent road, Kyuubi saw through the side mirror the two patrol cars following behind them. His hands began to tremble over his lap. He wondered if they knew what he did not know. He wondered if they would come to his rescue should his suspicion be true.
But, how can it?
Yugito was like family. But like family and actually being of the same flesh and blood were two separate things. That was what Itachi had said to him, but Kyuubi had argued against it. Except now, when he has finally lost all hope, it started to make sense.
The car came to a stop by the side of an empty road. Kyuubi turned to look at Yugito. The look on her face, it was as if she knew the exact moment he had figured it out, the guilt painfully clear in her eyes.
"Do you remember my old partner?" Yugito asked softly. "Hiroshi. He was with me the day I arrested you."
Kyuubi nodded his head. "He was killed in line of duty. You never spoke of him ever since."
"He was killed because of my negligence. He told me to wait for back up. I was too eager, I should have listened. The shop owner said there was only one thief. I didn't stop to think that there could be others. I chased him down into an alley by the time Hiroshi arrived. I had him, I did. I didn't know he had an accomplice. I heard the gunshot before I saw the gun. It happened so fast. Just past my ear to Hiroshi who was behind me. He died in my arms that night. His children deprived of a father. His wife made a widow. All because of my stupidity. They got away with the money, short change not worth the life of a good man."
After Hiroshi's death, Yugito took some time off from patrolling. She decided her grievance and anger would be best served training the rookies, rather than outside on the job with hatred in her heart and a gun in her hand. Eventually, through healing aided by her love for the lost teenager she had rescued, she found the strength again to do the job she loved.
"You didn't pull that trigger," Kyuubi said softly. "You worked alongside the detectives to find the ones responsible. You helped to give his grieving family justice. I believe that's all Hiroshi could have asked of you."
"I couldn't save my friend." Yugito turned and looked at Kyuubi, the tears welling in her eyes. "And I'm afraid it's happening all over again."
Kyuubi shook his head. "No."
Daiki was her first partner after Hiroshi's death. He was a transfer from another precinct, an experienced officer with knowledge and skills far exceeding his age. Three months after working together and he was presented with the opportunity to be promoted to detective. Yugito remembered encouraging him to take the position. Receiving a new partner in his place would be of no heartache. Daiki was just a colleague, not a friend.
When he refused the promotion, she said nothing, did not ask him for a reason. She kept the boundary between them. She did not go out drinking with him after a long day patrolling the streets. She did not invite him to her home during the holidays, neither shared information regarding her personal life. The distance worked in her favor, helped to establish a professional relationship that required little emotional attachment.
The day Kyuubi returned home spooked out of his mind, she knew right away something was wrong. She could see it in his eyes. Whoever this Kae guy was, something wasn't right. It became increasingly eerie as Kyuubi described him, the description familiar to a man Yugito already knew.
At the front desk of the apartment complex, Yugito inquired about Kae, provided the description that Kyuubi had given her. The desk attendant showed her the list of names of the building's residents. The name Kae was nowhere to be found. She flipped through the list again, desperate for some clarity. Suddenly, she saw what she had already suspected. She read the name aloud, twice, impossible to interpret even though it was right in front of her eyes.
Daiki Nakamura.
How did she not know her partner lived just next door to her best friend? She answered her own question. She did not want to know. She thought on it through the drive home, racked her brain for a connection that was not clear, an explanation behind the mystery of the name Kae instead of Daiki.
She felt the ominous presence the moment she stepped inside her home, and through the darkness she saw the unnerving figure. The lights came on, and as she saw Daiki standing in the middle of her living room, her son asleep in her arms, Yugito was stricken with fear, her wide eyes fixed on the gun pointed at her head.
It was too late.
Kyuubi had anticipated it. He felt it the moment he met Kae. The goosebumps that had crawled over his skin, the sickness that had swirled in his stomach. There was something familiar about him, something familiar to Shisui. But, Kyuubi didn't want to believe it. Didn't want to accept that five years later, everything would be going wrong all over again, that he would lose everything all over again.
He tried to warn Itachi, tried to avoid this from happening.
Itachi didn't listen.
No one would fucking listen.
He didn't want a confrontation. He didn't want anyone else close to him getting hurt. Yugito didn't deserve this and now she was caught in the middle. The woman who had helped him out his darkest time, now dragged into the darkness with him.
"I didn't want this for you." Kyuubi closed his eyes. He did not want to cry, but the tears ran down his face nonetheless. "I knew this would happen. Itachi knew too, but he doesn't care. He doesn't care about me anymore. Only his son."
A car swerved in front of them, the tires screeching against the concrete. Kyuubi felt his stomach turn as he saw the door open, watched as the driver stepped out. He thought it would have been Shisui. But as the driver turned around, revealing himself to be Kae, he still felt the sickness surging in the lowest pit of his stomach slowly start to rise to his throat.
He was startled by the sudden hard knock against his window. The door's wrenched open just as he's pulling off his seatbelt.
Kyuubi winced from the strong grip on his arm, trembled as he's yanked out of the car and forced to walk ahead on the road. Across him, Kyuubi watched regretfully as another man ushered Yugito along by her arm. Kyuubi saw the faces of their captives, saw them to be the same officers that were following behind. Officers that were supposed to protect him. Officers that were supposed to be loyal to Yugito.
Kyuubi felt the tight hold on his arm slip away and instantly he took a step towards Yugito. He hissed, pulled back by a strong hold on his hair.
Yugito kept her eyes on Daiki, saw him open the back door of his car. She swiftly ran and embraced her son who came out. She fell to her knees, hugged the child close to her chest as she cried.
"I would never harm your kid, Yugito," Daiki said firmly. "For as long as you have known me, you know I could never do that to you."
Yugito stood up, lifted Kota into her arms. "Why are you doing this?" She looked from the man to Kyuubi, the pain on his face as he grasped the hand tugging at his hair. "What are you doing this for? Money?"
"Thank you for bringing him to me." Daiki took a step towards her. "Put your son down."
Yugito took a step back. "No."
"Put him down."
Yugito looked at Daiki, searched his eyes, remembered him as her longtime partner. She hesitantly settled Kota down, held him close by her legs. She heard the muffled scream from Kyuubi as he tried to warn her. But then she was falling asleep, felt the strength leaving her body as the oxygen in her lungs depleted. And as her eyes lowered and her vision blurred, she saw faintly the image of her son beside Daiki, a large hand covering his eyes, then the blue sky fading into darkness as she collapsed.
Haruto pulled the wet cloth from her nose, struggled to hold her up as Kae neared him. "You sure it's a good idea keeping her alive?"
Kae pulled the needle from his pocket and uncapped it, pierced it deep into Yugito's neck. "She is an officer of the law. Last thing we need is the police force on our backs. Follow through with the plan."
"We take her and the kid back home. Call in the paramedics as concerned neighbors."
"Exactly," Kae replied. "The benzodiazepine in her system should take effect by then. Helps us if she doesn't remember anything for a while."
"Hey." The brothers turned to Hikaru as he approached with Kyuubi thrashing in his arms. "What about him?"
Kae met Kyuubi's eyes. "Knock him out."
Hikaru caught the cloth tossed to him. He spun Kyuubi around, saw the fleeting horror in his eyes the same time his fist connected with his jaw. He watched him fall, the motion almost slow, then the harsh impact as his body slumped against the ground. Hikaru grinned, then frowned as he looked up and saw the anger in his brother's eyes.
"Was that necessary?" Kae lifted Kyuubi's limp body into his arms, adjusted him carefully.
Hikaru scoffed. "It did the trick, didn't it?"
"You're starting to act more and more like him every day."
"Maybe that's a good thing. You're not the only one in charge. He's our brother too."
"Half brother," Kae corrected. "Finish the mission. I'm counting on both of you."
Haruto simply nodded, silent as he walked away. He carried an unconscious Yugito in his arms, and behind him Hikaru trailed with a tearful Kota. Kae watched his brothers get in their cars, nodded to them both as they drove away.
In his car, he settled Kyuubi into the back seat before he quickly rounded to the front. He picked up his ringing phone and brought it to his ear.
He heard the concern behind Asuna's voice.
"How did it go?"
Kae smiled. "According to plan."
"I thought you'd have some trouble from Sasuke."
"Took care of that," Kae replied. "What about you? Have you heard from your sister?"
"She's on her way," Asuna replied. "I'll stall her as much as I can. But you need to get rid of that bracelet as soon as possible."
"Would help if you told me how."
"I would if I knew. He has suspected me for a while. Has kept certain things hidden from me."
Kae chuckled. "Maybe you can get your sister to tell you."
There was a moment of silence on the phone. "Takeshi," Asuna whispered. "I can't fight my sister."
"I won't ask you to. You've done enough."
"Please be careful."
"I always am."
—
Tsukasa hadn't said a word to Naruto throughout the entire ride. Naruto knew he had pushed the man to his limits when Tsukasa got out of the car and walked ahead instead of opening the door for Naruto to exit like he normally did. Naruto had teased Tsukasa for being too old school. Now, he missed the thing he had taken it granted.
Tsukasa continued to give Naruto the cold shoulder, despite Naruto's efforts to get the man to talk to him. He started with an apology even though he didn't know exactly what he was apologizing for and maybe, that's why Tsukasa refused to accept it. Naruto tried his hand at a joke, failed more miserably than he thought. He eventually decided to leave Tsukasa alone. Sooner or later, Tsukasa would get over it.
Naruto didn't know what to expect when they reached the door of Sasuke's suite. He didn't even know what to say. He had the words formed at the back of his throat, but his lips refused to let them pass. Sasuke made it no secret that he hated Kiba. Naruto knew he was pushing it, crossing a boundary that he has never crossed with Sasuke.
Naruto heard the yelling before Tsukasa pushed the door open. At first, he couldn't make out the voices, the mix of yells too chaotic for him to pick out which voice belonged to who. Naruto remained by the door, trying to make himself unnoticeable as he quietly observed the scene. Tsukasa went ahead to console Analeina who was in tears, her shouts drowned out by Sasuke's more offensive tone.
Naruto wanted to listen in, pick apart the argument that did not concern him, try to get as much context as possible. They sounded just like he and Kiba, except slightly more controlled. There was a level of caution, careful of their words to not overstep, to not say something too harsh despite their anger. Something he wished he and Kiba loved each other enough to do.
But before he can fully unpack the issue, everyone was looking at him and before he can reach for the door, rethink his whole reason for coming here in the first place, Sasuke was nearing him with a deep frown on his face.
"You're going. End of discussion."
For a moment, Naruto thought Sasuke was talking to him, his brown eyes stern as he spoke. But then he felt Sasuke's hand delicately take hold of his wrist and gently pull him forward, lead him away past a crying Analeina who could not raise her head to greet him. Suddenly, Sasuke stopped and Naruto followed his eyes to Suigetsu, the man's face as stoic as the day Naruto met him.
"Do not leave her side."
"Sasuke, maybe this isn't the best way to leave things." Suigetsu lifted the suitcase by his feet, held it firm in his hands. "She has been through a lot."
Naruto didn't understand what that meant, but he could feel Sasuke's hand tighten around his wrist as he pulled him away. He kept his eyes on Suigetsu, saw the man watching them soundlessly, a look of almost pity as he continued to stare him down. He felt Sasuke's vice-like grip fall from his hand and Naruto gently massaged the tender area as Sasuke stepped away.
Naruto glanced down at his wrist, saw the bracelet that kept him leashed, that kept him from Kiba who he hoped was waiting for him.
"What was that about?"
Naruto saw the same calm look on Sasuke's face as if a minute ago he wasn't yelling. As if his girlfriend wasn't crying. As if just a few seconds ago, he wasn't damn near pulling his hand off.
Sasuke took a silent step forward. "Can I hug you?"
He didn't wait for a reply as he gently pulled Naruto into his arms, held him close as if for the last time. He held Naruto against his chest, placed his chin over his head, marveled in the perfect way Naruto just seemed to fit in his arms like when they were kids.
Back then, he used to hesitate. He remembered how his friends used to mock him and say it was odd how overly affectionate he was with Naruto. He used to restrain himself then, would force himself to hold back when his friends were around. But when he and Naruto would be alone, it was like magnetic. He never understood it, never truly questioned it, just knew he always wanted to be around him. Brush his fingers delicately through the soft hair that shun like gold. He'd miss the feel of the soft skin against his touch, the small hands that would grasp at his shirt when he would hold him closer, and the soft giggle when Naruto would suddenly feel embarrassed.
For five years, he had missed out on the feeling. Starved for so long that now, morning till evening, all he could think of was the boy in his arms.
Naruto kept his arms by his side, forced his body to fight the urge to wrap them around Sasuke. This wasn't fair to Analeina, and he understood that more than anyone. Analeina was staring at him. She had stopped crying, but the sadness could still be seen in her eyes. He didn't need to be a mind reader to know exactly what she was thinking. The doubts that were slowly creeping in, the insecurities that were gathering, similar to the one that had his chest aching when he'd see Kiba look at a pretty girl for a minute too long.
Naruto kept his arms bound to his side, ignored the guilt that he was probably hurting Sasuke because of it.
Sasuke silently pulled away. He went to Ana, held her face in both his hands. He apologized but Ana wouldn't submit so easily. Sasuke was adamant, gentle in his approach until his sorries began to sound like a mantra, until he felt Ana's arms wrap around him.
He kissed her so tenderly, like her lips were made of flower petals.
Naruto watched him and in his eyes he saw everything he wanted in Kiba reflected in his best friend.
When Analeina finally left, Tsukasa asked his boss for a few minutes of his time. He kept it brief, told Sasuke the specifics. Tsukasa observed the look in Sasuke's eyes as it went back and forth between him and Naruto.
Naruto debated his options. Stand up and defend himself, plead his case against the story Tsukasa was telling Sasuke, no doubt the version that overcomplicated things and made it sound worse than it needed to be. Or, he can make the decision to plead momentary insanity. That everything had happened too fast and he was stupid to go after Kiba, promise a lie to never see him again.
The second option was probably the best choice. But before Naruto can make a decision, Sasuke was approaching him. He opened his mouth to speak but the words still refused to pass his lips. Naruto found himself unable to look Sasuke in the eyes.
"You want the bracelet off?"
Naruto heard the judgment loud in Sasuke's voice and before he can register the shame that has his eyes still admiring his sneakers, he heard himself whisper a no. He sounded like Jay when he was in trouble.
"You know it's in place for your own safety."
"I know," Naruto whispered.
"If it makes you feel uncomfortable, I'll take it off."
Naruto wiped down his face, wincing when he rubbed a tender spot over his eyebrow. "No, it's fine. I was being stupid."
"Being stupid was choosing that boy over your own family."
"I stayed because of school," Naruto argued, and maybe he said it too quickly, too hostile for it to sound believable.
"What happened to 'fuck school'?"
"Look, don't judge me. You don't know my fucking life. One week after five years doesn't make you know everything. You don't know him. You don't know our relationship. And your fucking relationship isn't peaches and cream either so who the fuck are you to judge me."
"Wow, that really made you upset."
"Yes, it did. I'm sick and tired of people thinking they need to fucking rescue me." He turned away. "It's too late for that."
Naruto fought back the tears, ignored Sasuke's long, silent stare.
"Sit down." Sasuke sat down, gestured for Naruto to do the same. "I have already accepted that for reasons I can never possibly hope to understand, you care for this guy. Maybe as much as I care for you. I need to tell you something and I don't want you to fight me on this."
Naruto simply nodded his head.
"You're going to stay at Konoha for some time," Sasuke said, a calm base in his voice. "I know I said that you could stay here because I would be able to look after you. But there has been some changes and I need to leave. I need you back home with my mother. She's aware of the situation and she'll look after you."
Naruto furrowed his brows. "What changes?"
"One of our headquarters needs sorting out. It's quite daunting, I'd rather not bore you with the details. My father wants me there. I don't know how long I'll be gone. But in the mean time, I'd feel better knowing you're safe at the mansion."
"I thought that was the whole point of Tsukasa shadowing me everywhere I go," Naruto said, then said as he lifted up his wrist. "Isn't that the whole point for this thing?"
"Extra percussions doesn't hurt," Sasuke explained. "Like I said, I don't want you to fight me on this."
Sasuke saw the conflict on Naruto's face, knew right there and then he would do the exact opposite of what he asked, all in favor of trading one danger for another.
"I was also going to suggest your boyfriend tagged along."
"He's not-" Naruto stopped himself. "Why?"
"It'll make things easier," Sasuke said.
Naruto shook his head, did not want to accept Kiba potentially getting dragged into a dangerous situation that had nothing to do with him and suffering because of it.
"I don't want him involved in any of this."
"He's already involved."
"No. He's not," Naruto said firmly. "This has nothing to do with him. I'll go. Just me and Tsukasa. That's it. He's not coming."
"See it this way," Sasuke said, holding Naruto's defiant stare with gentle eyes. "He'll be safer with you. In all honesty, I couldn't care less what happens to him. But I care about you, and I know you care about him. I know how Shisui's mind work and I won't allow him to use your boyfriend as bate to get to you."
Sasuke sighed. "Regardless of whether I know the person you've become. From the little that I have seen of him, I still know he has too small of a brain and too big of a heart."
Naruto closed his eyes as he felt Sasuke's lips softly press against his forehead. When he opened his eyes, he saw the same loving brown eyes that always looked at him as if he was the rarest gem in the world. As if he was something to be treasured. He wanted Sasuke's touch to linger a little longer, hid his frown when Sasuke walked away from him.
When Tsukasa had finished speaking with Sasuke, he escorted Naruto to the door. Naruto stopped by the doorway, turned back to Sasuke.
"Have you heard from Kyuubi?"
"All went well. He's safe." Sasuke smiled. "Both him and Jay. They should be landing soon."
Naruto breathed out a sigh of relief. "I'll give him a call later after he's settled in. He was so worked up that something might go wrong. He's probably freaking out on the plane as we speak."
Sasuke's smile dropped the second Naruto was out of his sight. He closed his eyes as he whispered an apology.
—
At home, Naruto looked on his bed, the shirts he had clumsily thrown over the orange duvet. By the door, Tsukasa continued to watch him quietly, the man still refusing to speak a word to him. Naruto sighed staring at the shirts, the large black shirt a size too big for him.
"Tsukasa," Naruto called softly. "Can you please talk to me." His voice wavered as the silent tear slid down his face unexpected.
The man said nothing.
"He's not on that plane, is he?"
Tsukasa still said nothing.
Naruto swallowed down the lump in his throat. He grabbed a shirt from the bed, bawled it in his hands before hurling it at the silent man.
"You better fucking start talking to me."
Tsukasa could have ducked, swatted the shirt away like a fly. But, he allowed it to him, strike his chest before falling to the ground. He looked at Naruto, saw the tears beginning to fill his eyes, the angry snarl on his face.
Naruto wasn't stupid. He had a way of testing people, knowing when someone was lying to him. Tsukasa noticed the trap before Naruto had set it. They could hear the argument from the hall before they arrived at the suite. They heard the simple words that had informed Naruto all he needed to know.
Sasuke had spoke it not knowing Naruto was by the door, not knowing he had heard what he wasn't supposed to.
"They took him. Right under my brother's nose. They will do the same to you. I can't protect you here, Ana."
Him.
Him could have been anyone but under the circumstances, it was clear exactly who it was, and Naruto had figured it out.
"Fucking talk to me!"
Tsukasa opened his mouth, in a soft voice said. "You're brother didn't make it to the airport." Remorsefully, he said. "I'm sorry."
"What about Jay?" Naruto whispered, his voice breaking, his hands trembling at just the thought.
"Safe with his father."
Naruto fell to his knees, a breath of relief falling from his lips but still, his hands wouldn't stop trembling.
"So just my brother," Naruto concluded, a frown on his face. "He didn't want to go. He was afraid this would happen. He knew and still he went, believing Itachi would protect him. That he still loved him enough to protect him."
Naruto looked up at Tsukasa, looked him in his eyes. "Does he still love him?"
"You're asking me questions I don't have the answers to," Tsukasa said.
Naruto sat on the floor beside his bed, his arms over his knees as he buried his face in his hands. He suddenly looked up, stared ahead at nothing as he began to rock back and forth. He looked at his hands, at the black band around his wrist. He swiftly stood up.
"The tracker," he said. "Can't Asumi track him by the tracker?" There's a glint of hope in his eyes.
"She can."
"And?"
"I don't know."
"Sasuke didn't tell you?"
"No."
Naruto clenched his jaw. "And Sasuke? Where's he really going?"
"I don't know."
Naruto stepped towards Tsukasa. "Bullshit, you know everything."
"Not everything," Tsukasa said flatly, no emotions in his eyes or voice. "Hurry up and finish packing. We need to get going.'
Naruto looked down for a moment, debating something in his mind. He looked up, defiance in his eyes as he clenched his fists.
"I'm not a fucking puppet. Sasuke doesn't get to control me."
"Kid."
"I asked you before to work for me on the side and I'll pay you double the amount Sasuke pays you."
Naruto stared at Tsukasa, his eyes almost begging, a firmness in his voice that Tsukasa is not used to hearing from him. It beckoned the same level of respect he showed Sasuke.
"Please, Tsukasa, help me with this and I'll repay you more than you can ever imagine."
—
When Naruto arrived at Kiba's house, it was already one in the afternoon. As he got out of the cab, he saw Kiba standing on the porch waiting for him. Naruto ran across the street, not bothering to look both ways, and threw himself into Kiba's arms.
Kiba pulled away and Naruto kissed him, kissed him hard on the lips.
"Didn't think you'd come," Kiba said.
Naruto stepped back, a small smile on his face. "Said I would, didn't I?"
"What about your boyfriend?"
"He's not my boyfriend."
Kiba grinned, leaned down and kissed Naruto. He took Naruto's bag and threw it in the backseat before he rounded his Porsche and sat behind the wheel.
Naruto pulled the seatbelt across his body. "Where are we going?"
"Show me your hand." Naruto held out both his hands for Kiba's inspection. "How'd you get it off?"
Naruto felt Kiba fingers gently feel around his wrist that was now freed of it's cage. "Like I said, he's not my boyfriend. He can't control me."
"And your bodyguard?"
Naruto shrugged. "Out of the way."
Naruto smiled, attempting to assure the suspicion creasing Kiba's brows, the questioning look behind his hard stare. Naruto leaned over and softly kissed his cheek, looked at him with that alluring gaze that always worked to seduce Kiba.
"We're wasting time," he whispered.
Kiba said nothing as he pulled the car out of park and drove into the street. "Where should we go?"
Naruto smiled. "I think I know a place."
Behind them, Tsukasa trailed, hiding himself between cars as he kept a watchful gaze on the blue Porsche, carefully following Naruto's instructions.
—
Long chapter. I'll try and update soon. Leave reviews.
