Love is War

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Chapter Two

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DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN NARUTO

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When we made it to the only diner in town open for late hours, I parked my bike and got off, watching as all my men parked around me. Half the parking lot was full with our bikes, and it was a sight I'd seen many times before. Only this time, there was a new face, one that was hard to avoid, especially with him constantly watching me.

I ignored him as best I could as I made my way into the restaurant. The sooner I had a bite or two to eat, the sooner I could get back to the club and get these bastards off my back. I was eager to do so.

The usual waitress was working. Her name was Hinata. She was well known amongst the group, mostly for serving us at this very place for so many years, but also for her attraction to Naruto. She was a sweet girl, and she would be good for him but he was adamant about not wanting to bring her into the life we lived. She was too caring, too fragile. We all knew she wouldn't last long. She may not have been one of us, but the guys still respected her and if it came down to it, I knew they'd protect her if the need ever arose, because even I would.

She was bashful, but used to us and she knew exactly what we'd order without having to ask, all except for the newbie. He was sitting across from me at our usual table, which was secluded in its own private area in the diner. He only ordered a drink, no food but I figured not everyone was skipping meals like me.

"So Sasuke, you're as good as in don't you think?" Naruto elbowed him from his side, he wasn't trying to let everyone hear their conversation but I was able to pick it up.

Those obsidian eyes were still on me, watching me as I watched him. I cursed myself for being unable to look away. His gaze was smoldering, and I liked it. Though my liking it did piss me off. He only shrugged indifferently in answer.

"You've ran drops before, so you'll do fine… And as long as you do fine, Sakura won't kill you." Naruto laughed, but neither Sasuke nor I reacted to the joke.

I broke my gaze away to smile at Hinata as she delivered my usual mixed drink and some appetizers. "Thank you," I told her before she walked away to keep serving drinks. We paid her well and so she always took her job of serving us seriously. A part of me wouldn't mind having her in the kitchen with Ino and the girls. But, I had to respect Naruto on his decision to keep his distance from her.

"Yo," Neji took a seat beside me and then Gaara sat on my other side. I didn't bother acknowledging them because I'd only get pissed off.

"Still fucking drinking and not eating…" Gaara rolled his eyes and shoved a basket of sweet biscuits in front of me. I turned to glare at him them.

"Bitch if I eat the bread I won't be able to eat my dinner!" I couldn't contain my anger. I was tired of being hounded about my eating habits, and I really loathed them bringing up my drinking habits.

"Fuck, you don't have to yell." He held his ear that was closets to me and groaned.

Neji laughed.

My teeth clenched together as I glared down at my drink before finishing it off. One of these days they were really going to push me and I'd end up fucking them all up. Just as my food was served to me, I caught the Uchiha staring at me still. I met his gaze head-on, easily finding myself mesmerized by every little thing about him.

I forced myself to turn my attention to my food. The sooner I ate, the sooner I could get the hell out of here. I could go back to the club and escape from those dark eyes, if only for the night. The more I felt drawn to him, the more I thought his addition to the group would be a disaster. I didn't need distractions, I didn't feel attractions and I damn sure wasn't going to take someone like him to bed. My men would never forgive me. They knew well enough that I didn't want a man, and if I did I would have been with one of them long ago.

Even if I was attracted to the guy, I couldn't follow that attraction up. I hoped Naruto was right and he would never try anything with me. Hopefully if he didn't, I'd be able to keep myself in check like I always did. I stabbed at my food, taking out my anger on it more than I ate it but I did force myself so eat, even if it wasn't much. When I could eat no more I pushed my plate away and finished my next drink.

"You barely touched your plate." Neji scoffed, glaring at Naruto who was pulling my partially eaten plate over to himself. Naruto understood that I wouldn't eat if I didn't want to and he finished off my food most of the time.

I got up from my seat because I didn't feel like hanging around. It was late, even for me and tomorrow would prove to be a long day. Most of the guys were still eating but Neji and Gaara got up to leave with me, and so did the Uchiha. I only glanced at him briefly on my way around the table. I went to Hinata where she was fixing drinks, one of which was for me.

"Oh, here you are." She smiled softly at me and handed over the drink. I wouldn't let it go to waste.

"Thanks," I smiled back as I handed her some money, one large bill which was more than enough to cover our bill and a tip for all of us, but I knew all the guys would leave her money as well. She took it without argument, though that wasn't how she used to be. Eventually she just got used to the way we tipped her and she did all she could to show her appreciation. I killed the drink before turning to leave, those three still right behind me, though they weren't saying much.

I got on my bike the second I was beside it and paid no attention to my followers. It wasn't that I expected to get away without any of them, as their leader they preferred to stick close to my side. They were my protection just as much as I was theirs, however it did shake me up a bit to have the newbie on my tail. Being around him too much couldn't be good for me. After tomorrow, I'd have to leave all his working to Naruto and my men. I shouldn't work with him directly, I just didn't feel like I could.

We all parked in the garage beside each other. I stretched as soon as I was off the bike. I was stiff and tired from lack of sleep over the last few weeks, that shit built up quickly and if I didn't rest up soon I'd be down for the count.

"You want me to help you to bed?" Gaara teased but certainly regretted his sick joke when I sent a jab right into his stomach.

He and Neji, though loyal and trustworthy, were annoying as hell. They'd wanted me for the longest and even after all these years, they still made passes at me regularly. Naruto was aware and that was probably the reason he spoke of his friend being different. I supposed if he hadn't said anything out of the way by now, it may just be true.

"Keep fucking around and I'll help you to bed. And it won't be pretty." I cracked my knuckles, glaring at him before cutting Neji a sharp look. "I don't want to see either of you for the rest of the fucking night."

Neji held up his hands defensively, though there was an amused smile on his lips. He slapped Gaara on the back, who was still recovering for the hit I'd given him. He cursed as they went on their way into the club. They'd probably both end up drinking for several more hours before going to sleep, I didn't want to imagine what else they may end up getting into.

"Come with me, Uchiha." I never looked back at him as I entered the club through the garage. I'd show him to a room before I went to bed. Surely he wouldn't want to be annoyed by those to fools any longer, at least for the night.

He followed me silently but I could feel his eyes on my ass with every step I took. It was something that usually infuriated me, so I was baffled by the fact that it amused me instead. I led the way down the hallway, passing door after door. Everyone had their own room but we had quite a few vacancies. If he passed tomorrow, it would be his room permanently and for some reason, I hoped he did. I opened the door to one of the free rooms and he followed me inside.

"This will be your room." I explained, my eyes on him.

He didn't so much as give the room a glance before his eyes were on me. "Okay."

"Are you armed?" I asked casually, regarded him with interest. I'd be disappointed if he wasn't.

"Damn right." He chuckled darkly as he pulled out a hidden pistol from the inside of his plain black-leather vest. I grinned as I looked over the weapon. It was beautiful, and powerful. A Beretta I noted as I admired it. "Might not look like much, but it's lethal. Hits over a thousand feet per second."

I could appreciate him being knowledgeable, but I found myself appreciating much more than just that.

"Good, always stay armed." I told him seriously. "Always."

He nodded, his eyes roaming my face. It unsettled me. "I always do."

"If you need anything ask one of the guys, everyone stays on this floor. See you in the morning." I turned to leave, stepping out of the door that I'd been holding open since I showed him in.

"See you."

I hated how that bastard made me feel and I cursed him in my mind with every step I took towards my room. I couldn't let him get under my skin, but that was exactly what was happening. I was so caught up thinking about the fucker, that even long after I was finally in bed, I still couldn't sleep. In the end, I decided to blame Naruto for bringing him around in the beginning and I was definitely going to give him shit about it.

A/N:

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