Love is War

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Chapter Eight

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DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN NARUTO

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It was more than a week later before things finally started to come together for us. We all worked tirelessly to change our schedule and begin to work up a plan to move against our enemies. Naruto was thankfully healing nicely and was even back on his feet, but the only things he took care of for the time being was nonsense paperwork.

Though he was helping me with my plan daily.

Sai was getting along nearly good as new, so I had him to help me a lot lately as well, which was good. Things were turning as close to normal as they'd been in what seemed like forever. The whole family was working hard to keep things calm and in order, including me and I felt I was doing well enough considering all that had happened.

If I'd lost Naruto though, I would have lost myself. Without a second thought, I would have run up on those bastards for war then and there, and the outcome would have more than likely been the opposite of what I would have wanted.

It was good to have time to get my head together, to be able to make the plans necessary to bring them down once and for all, and move on with our work without them constantly causing problems for us.

Today, it was dusk before I woke up. We had already turned our business hours around completely, laying everything out at night and so almost all of us were sleeping through the days. I'd ended up sleeping in my study, sitting in my chair with my head on my desk. I was hungover and aggravated upon waking, but I quickly went about starting my work for the night.

I'd get the information together today for all the jobs that would be done the next day, and it was better if I got it on out the way. After that was finished, I could go and have a bite to eat (hopefully) and then I could have a nice hot shower. Once I was settled after that, I would see Naruto and Sai again for further discussion, just as we'd been having every night.

Though I hated my mind took the turn, as I left my study after finishing up my papers, I thought about Sasuke. He'd be on his first job by now, along with Lee and Choji. Several other members would be out as well, but it wasn't them on my mind.

Surprisingly enough, it had been days since I'd seen or even thought of him at all. I'd been doing good, what with having my two hands around me most of the time now. But right now, I was all alone- and I couldn't help but think of him.

Sasuke was proving himself to be an admirable addition to the group, even since the beginning. But recently, he was taking more and more responsibility upon himself. He was making more runs, and even going out of his way to assist Gaara in the garage. It seemed to me that he wanted to do more, for whatever reason, I didn't know… but I didn't mind either.

When I walked into the dining hall and found it completely empty, I frowned. Being that our schedule had changed, this time of night was when the place now bustled with life. Sure several of the guys would be out working, but there should have been a few hanging around.

Also, there wasn't a single one of the girls in here, and no food in sight.

I wasn't happy about that, but I decided not to worry about it. It had been a while since I went out anywhere, and I could probably use a little time away from this place. Since I was going out though, I decided to have my shower first.

…

After I was ready, I made my way out to the garage. Gaara was there, just as I assumed he would be. But other than him, the place was bare.

"We must have had more jobs than I thought tonight." I stated in wonder, Gaara just watched me for a moment before nodding.

"A few are going on right now. But some of the guys went out too."

This had me raising a brow. "Oh? What for?"

Gaara's eyes turned to the bike he was currently working on before he answered. "Food and shit."

I glared down at my bike as I threw my leg over it. When he said it that way, I knew exactly what they were doing. It wasn't like I didn't know my men had needs and they chose to fuck around every so often, but right now we just didn't need it. Hell, if I wasn't about to dry up and blow away I wouldn't even be leaving for food.

"Whatever." I muttered to myself as I started my bike. Gaara was at my side that same instant. "What?"

"Where are you going?"

"Like I have to tell you."

He frowned at me then, easily picking up what sort of mood I was in. "So you think I'll just sit back and not know where you're going, and let you ride off alone?"

With a groan and a scowl, I relented. "I'm starving. I'm going for food… alone."

"Let me join you, it's not wise to ride alone at night."

"Fuck no." Was all I said before taking off into the night.

It was heaven. These days it seemed like I was enjoying a free ride less and less and more than anything, I fucking loved to ride. The night air was cool against my skin, my hair was whipping around from my speed and the feel of the bike itself was exhilarating.

I would forever be a rider.

Once I made it to the diner, I hopped off my bike and noticed none of the other guys had come here for 'food'. But, I knew what they were really doing so I honestly hadn't been expecting to see them. Upon entering the establishment, I was happy to see Hinata working. She noticed me instantly and gave me a warm smile as she came to meet me as soon as I took a seat.

"Strange seeing you alone." She teased and I nodded.

"I know, right?" I laughed lightly, feeling my spirits lift just at the thought of having some peace, and being able to be away from the club. "How've you been?"

"Um, great… I actually just got back from a short vacation. Will you be having your usual?"

"Yeah, that will be good."

"Let me put your order in and bring over your drink and we'll chat then. The place is pretty dead tonight."

I watched her walked off before I found my phone and noticed a text from Naruto.

'Where the fuck you go? Riding solo Sakura… you know that ain't cool.'

With a roll of my eyes, I deleted the text instead of responding. Gaara and his big mouth. I was happy to know that Naruto was around the club though, and not off doing anything reckless.

Hinata returned with my drink and took the seat across from me with a happy sigh. "How's Naruto?"

She was so crazy about that idiot, and I almost wished he'd bring her in… just to see her happy. "Better. Much better. Have you heard from him?"

"Oh, well yes." A deep rose color tinted her cheeks. "He calls me sometimes. I heard about what happened… I'm so glad he's okay."

"Me too." I grumbled, not even wanting to think about all the shit that would have hit the fan if he would have croaked on me. "Can't keep him down for long though."

"Um… Sakura…"

"Yes?"

"Can I… ask you something?"

My grip tightened on my glass as I met her hesitant gaze. I was sure I already knew what she would ask, but I wouldn't deny her either way. "Yes…"

"Naruto… he's told me before, that well…. That he felt something for me, like I do him. But, he said we could never be. Why is that, is there someone else?"

I knew it. Sighing dramatically, I took several long pulls from my drink before answering. "It's complicated."

Her face fell then and I realized I hadn't answered the best way I could have.

"But no, there is nobody else."

"I see…"

Shit. I hadn't mean to dampen her mood so drastically. Figuring I couldn't do much harm in explaining, I added, "You know about us. Who we are. What we do. It's no secret around our town. Naruto is my right hand, he's a big part of the club and his life, as you can see, is endangered every day. Any women my men make as theirs, are sworn into the family. It's the same as being a club member. You live for us, you die for us.

I know as well as anyone, that Naruto has had his eye on you for a while now… but he's told me himself that he doesn't want to drag you into our lifestyle. He doesn't want to risk anything happening to you. That's why… he will probably never make a move."

"Does he find me so weak? To be honest, I'd rather be with him than anything else."

I finished my drink, this was a mess for me. I'd never been good at talks like these. "He only wants to protect you, trust me. But, if it were me… I'd bring you in. You know us all, you're a great person and you could probably even settle that bastard down. But, it's whatever Naruto thinks. Maybe you should talk to him."

Hinata nodded thoughtfully before a smile finally returned to her lips. "You're right. I think I will. Thanks Sakura."

She scurried off to make me another drink and get my food. It was so quiet and amazing to be so alone and away. My mood had lifted so much that I even finished my entire plate of food, along with three more drinks.

There were no thoughts of work, the club, or even Sasuke. For the first time in a long time, I felt free… even if only for a moment.

Hinata and I chatted for over an hour. When my phone rang, I ignored it. I didn't even bother opening the texts I was receiving. Naruto would probably worry, but I'd deal with him later.

"Okay this is the last one, unless you'll have me drive you back." Hinata said as she delivered my fifth drink.

I did have a nice buzz and was feeling pretty good, but I could drive. I drank a lot, and I knew how to control myself. It was only when I was running goods that I'd limit my drinks.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"Sure you don't need to answer you phone?" She asked then and I realized it was ringing. It had been going off so much I'd finally started to tune it out.

"I'd rather not." I muttered, but I did take a look at it to see who was calling. It was Sasuke. I hated the way his name sent my heart a flutter. "Pain in the ass." I glared at the phone just as the call went unanswered.

"They're probably really worried. You don't go off alone very often."

Damn. Even she knew. "You're right." I sighed as I started opening texts just to be sure nothing had happened.

Three from Naruto.

'Goddamn it Sakura, call me!'

'Where are you?!'

'Now I'm pissed.'

Two from Sai.

'Naruto's flipping his shit.'

'Call him so I can get some work done.'

Then just as I finished reading, one came through from Sasuke.

'Hey, you okay?'

I grit my teeth as I read that text, because for some ungodly reason, it made me happy. I did not want to be happy, not about a stupid text from that bastard. Still I supposed I should respond to one of them and let them know I was fine, but the bell chimed, signaling the door had been opened and curiously, I looked up to see who it was.

"Hello," Hinata greeted the man as his eyes met mine.

There was something strikingly familiar about him, but I wasn't sure what. He stood just inside the door as Hinata made her way over to him. He looked like a biker, but was dressed casually, with no vest. He sported dark jeans and a grey T-shirt. His left arm was covered in tattoos, and he walked with a confidence not many people would ignore. Not even me.

Hinata showed him to a table and proceeded to take his order, but I couldn't get over the way his eyes kept straying over to me. Why did he look so familiar? I was sure I'd never seen him before in my life. He must have been a traveler. Everyone's face in town was known to me. But then again… he kept looking at me as if somehow, he knew me too.

Deciding it best for me if I ignored the guy, I turned my attention back to my phone to send a text back to Sasuke. Why him instead of Naruto, I didn't know, but that's what I did.

'Yeah, I'm-'

The sound of glass shattering startled me into sending the text unfinished and I looked up to find it was actually the front door and windows. Bullets were flying through the glass and causing it to break immediately. My first thought was of Hinata, but one glance told me she was in the back, and that guy was nowhere to be seen.

I was safe being that I was in the corner, though probably not for long. My heart was hammering as I pulled my gun and flipped the table over to shield myself behind it. Just as quickly as I had, the sound of several loud footsteps became noticeable. The place was filling up rather quickly and I took a deep breath to calm myself.

It was the Akatsuki. Those fuckers. They'd found me alone and I knew there was no way in hell I could take more than a few of them on by myself.

I was fucked.

They knew where I was at, it being obvious since it was the only flipped table. It was only a matter of time before they got me. Either they'd kill me instantly, or capture and torture me until my men came for their asses. No matter what though, I'd already made it up in my mind that I wouldn't make it out of this alive.

But, I wouldn't go down without a fucking fight either.

I raised my gun to glance over it, kissing the tip for good luck. This gun had never let me down, and I was glad to have it with me in my last possible moments. There was no sense in holding off the inevitable, so without any further thought, I peeked around the table and fired three shots off the bat.

My aim was deadly enough to drop the three I went for. But with this as my only weapon on hand, my bullets were limited. I had one extra magazine, but I doubted I'd be able to change them before they got to me.

Shots were firing at the table, some of them flying straight through it which was bad as fuck for me. Luckily, I managed to remain out of the way of those before I crawled to the other end of the table and took a glance before firing two more shots.

One missed, and one hit a bastard dead between his eyes.

My hands were shaking. But it was the adrenaline making me shake, more-so than fear. In this moment, I didn't have time to be afraid. I was too worried about getting myself out of this mess, if there was any way possible. The chance was slim to none.

Their firing was relentless, the table had taken a pounding and would cave completely any second. I took only an instant to whisper an apology to all my men before I bolted from behind the table to face them. Managing to make it behind the counter, I was able to find only six men standing around the open room. Unfortunately, I only had four more bullets before I'd need that other clip.

This was a fucking disaster. Just what I get for trying to have a peaceful night to myself.

One of the bastards rounded the corner of the counter and in a panicked moment, I shot the fucker twice in his head. Shit. That was a stupid move, one that had probably just dug my grave.

Growling in my frustration, I got to my feet and slowly brought myself up to take a look over the counter. Just as I took one more of the assholes out, somebody caught me from behind. But, instead of it being a bullet that got me, it was a pair or strong arms.

Though I thrashed wildly against the man, his strength was far superior to my own. Even as he held me he was able to pry my gun from my hand and sling it to the floor. I was unable to control my breathing or anything else at that moment as I closed my eyes, knowing it was all over.

I was about to be dead as fuck.

"Bring the needle, Sasori." The man holding me captive spoke.

His words had me swallowing hard. Needle? What fucking needle?

The guy who appeared had red hair and a cold dead look about him. He was one of the Akatsuki originals, I'd came across him more than once over the years and I wasn't thrilled to see him now. Especially not with him carrying a shot in his hands.

Shit… lethal injection? I'd much rather go by a bullet.

"Don't worry." The man behind me chuckled as I fought against him desperately, though to no avail. "This will only calm you down a bit. We've decided to keep you, for our pleasure."

Sick fucks. I cringed away, back against the bastard holding me as Sasori came closer with the needle. He smiled sadistically at me as he showed off the small vial that would fuck me up and make me lose here.

Shit… I'd already lost anyway.

There was no way in hell though that I'd let these fuckers get away with this shit. They would pay for this. Of that, I had no doubt.

A/N:

Thanks for reading!