Love is War
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Chapter Eleven
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DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto
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"You sure about this?"
I glanced at my right hand man who just had to question me. After the incident, I wasn't sure if any of them would stop worrying about me, but I was already sick of it.
"Yes, I am." I told him without a doubt.
It had been a while, but I decided to go home. I'd get away for a while, to rest and recover alone. I needed to get away from this place anyway. It was too hard watching everyone else run the business and not let me do anything, especially considering I was their boss.
Things were smooth right now, and my men were more than capable of taking care of everything without me. Honestly, I felt like it was a good idea to get away for a bit and just leave them to it. I didn't want them to be constantly worrying about me. Yet it seemed that even me trying to return to my home for a few weeks was worrying them as well.
"I'm not sure about it. Actually, no. Just no. She's not going." Gaara shook his head adamantly and I sighed.
"You think you can stop me?" I asked as I sent a scowl towards him. I might not have been in the best shape, but I was still a good shot.
Not that I'd ever actually shoot him. But I'd fire off if he kept pissing me off.
"Even if the Akatsuki is out of the game for good, we have other enemies. As far as we know, others could be aware of your condition. You could be targeted. Leaving you on your own is too great a risk."
I rolled my eyes now that they had Sai against me. Winning with these guys just seemed to get harder and harder. Eager to walk away from them and listen to nothing else for the moment, I got up from my chair in my study and started walking.
My body was sore all over, my skin feeling as if it were on fire from each cut. Even with strong medication, I was constantly in pain. Unless I had a few drinks, which only happened if I snuck them when I was all alone… and that didn't happen often.
As soon as I was out of my study I stopped on the stop just before running straight into Sasuke. Shit. He would definitely argue with me too. I'd been happy when he was late returning from a run and therefore was unable to hear out my decision which so obviously wasn't even my decision.
"Where are you off to?" He asked with a frown and narrowed brows.
"Need a drink." I grumbled quietly to myself as I tried to maneuver around him, but he stepped in my way.
"You're not supposed to be drinking and you know it." He chided me seriously and I groaned. It was like the whole world was against me. "And I'm late, but does that mean you're not going to tell me what's going on?"
"She wants to stay at her home for a while… alone." Gaara spat while he and the others filed out of my study behind us.
Sasuke's eyes darkened in annoyance and I rolled my eyes.
"I think we've concluded that you don't go anywhere alone." Sasuke stated, sounding completely calm but I knew better. The fire in his eyes was unmistakable. I didn't miss it.
I shrugged as I finally limped past him, my leg in too much pain at the moment. "I just want to rest at home for a while."
"So, go. But not alone." He said and I turned to look at him curiously.
This whole deal was supposed to be for me to be on my own, recovering peacefully while my men could work without worrying about me. Though I supposed it wouldn't matter where I was, they would still worry.
"Great idea, Sasuke." Naruto laughed. "If this is something you need to do, take one of us with you for protection."
"I can protect my damn self." I snapped, hating myself for being as weak as I was right now.
Truth be told, I didn't fear being targeted at my home. I didn't want security. I still had my gun, always. It was too annoying to have my men thinking so little of me, even if it was only because they had my best interest in mind.
And even if I would take one of them… how would I ever choose just one of them?
It took me far too many minutes to make it into the bar, the guys trailing slowly behind me, refusing to give me space until a final decision was made that everyone could agree upon. I growled through clenched teeth as I took a seat, wishing the pain to be numb for good.
"I need… a drink." I seethed, not wanting everyone to know just how much pain I was in, though I was sure they could tell.
Nothing was normal for me anymore. Just in the was I moved and carried myself, my pain was noticeable. Even with the way I breathed and spoke.
"What was that?" Hinata came over to me and asked with a kind smile. I relaxed at the sight of her. She'd been here since I was back, but I hadn't been aware until I was up and moving around a few days ago.
Naruto finally manned up and made her his. He finally brought her home, to us where she belonged. She was happy about it, and such a wonderful addition to our family. I loved having her around and I was so happy for Naruto, even if I hadn't actually told him yet.
"Please, Hinata… A drink. Bring the bottle."
She nodded, being the only one to understand me. I laid my head on the table before me as the guys took their own seats around me. They wouldn't be letting it go that was for sure.
"One drink, Sakura." Naruto ordered sharply and I sighed before lifting my head just as Hinata returned with my drink. The whole bottle just as I asked for, and a glass for me and me alone.
"One more time, asshole." I warned him, to my wits end with my situation, and their actions because of it.
"I know you're in pain… but the drinking won't help you heal." He continued as I poured a glass full with trembling hands.
He knew nothing of my pain, none of them did. It was a struggle just to remain mentally stable after what I'd gone through. But physically, I was broken. I'd never felt such pain… and it was definitely getting worse before it was getting better. If nothing else, I just wanted to dull the pain a little bit. Just to make it a little more tolerable.
After taking a long drink I sighed, feeling at a loss. "I need you guys to understand… I need some time. I need to clear my head, rest my body and reflect on what happened. I just need to get away. I can't focus on myself when you're all barking at me day in and day out."
"That's not our intention." Gaara promised.
"I know it's not." I grumbled and sipped my drink, savoring the burn it gave me on the way down. "I know you're all worried and have your reasons… and you have all the right in the world to feel like you do. But, I need this for me."
"So, go. But, you will take someone for your protection."
I finished my drink and sighed. "Every one of you should be here. Nobody is going to fuck with me. Nobody will even know I'm there."
"We won't suffer from losing one man for a while and you know it. You're just trying to find a problem but it doesn't matter what you say, you're not fucking going alone."
Naruto sure knew how to irk my nerves when he wanted. I opened my mouth to snap back at him, but Sasuke interrupted me.
"I'll go." He stated simply and I turned my open mouth to him in shock.
Who the hell was he to be making such decisions?
"What?" I managed, baffled.
"If you must go, I'll tag along for your protection."
He was so serious and I was so angry. I did not want to be protected, I did not want anyone worrying about me. I just wanted peace.
"Sounds good to me." Naruto grinned. "Sasuke's the perfect man for the job!"
"I agree." Sai nodded. "That will leave us to handle things here and we've got enough men to handle the drops and pickups without him."
"Well it can't be me…" Gaara sighed. "So, I guess I'm in favor as well."
"Then it's decided." Sasuke mused and a chill swept over me at the dark smirk that took place on his face.
To say I hadn't expected this turn of events would be the understatement of the year. I could only gape at the table for several seconds before finally grabbing my liquor bottle and pouring myself another drink. They'd left me with no choice in the matter. The decision had been made for me.
I was going home for a while… and Sasuke was coming with me.
A/N:
Been far too long! Missed this fic so much and glad to be back!
Hope you enjoy!
I'm pretty pumped for some sasusaku time to be happening. Hehehehe.