I am SO apologetic for not updating my story for quite a little while. I got so busy with Christmas vacation, and then my laptop (which is where all of my text documents are) was acting dumb and not connecting to the internet correctly. But here's some good news - I have more chapters already waiting to post, so you'll get lots more soon ^^; I was hoping nobody thought I had lost interest in this story or anything! I am positively ECSTATIC about all of the reviews I've gotten for this one, it's really great. I'm glad everyone likes it and I have a lot more to do~
Haku groaned a little, sinking down onto his soft mattress, finally, after what had seemed like forever in the police station. Answering question after question and retelling the scenario several times, he figured the police had the story. He had been worried at first, thinking the police didn't believe them, that Zabuza had simply shot a man for no reason. But after all of that, the two men had assured him all of the questions and interviews were standard procedure and he had nothing to worry about, nor did Zabuza.
Apparently, the two men had several serious crimes under their belt, had spent time in prison before, and even had a few current warrants out for their arrest. Haku supposed he would have to testify or something like that, against the man. . . The one still alive. He dreaded doing so, but knew it couldn't be helped. But still, he couldn't shake the re-occuring thought of how Zabuza's eyes had looked, as he had held the gun at arm's length, trigger finger tensed towards the cowering man. It also occured to Haku that either one of them could be dead right now, if the situation had gone just a little differently. He certainly might have been dead or at the very least kidnapped if Zabuza wasn't his constant escort.
Sighing, he buried his face in his pillow, and wondered if Kisame had been told yet what had happened. He knew Deidara had been at a party today, but he also knew the blonde was more than likely home. Had Zabuza or his parents told his two brothers what had happened, or would he have to tell them?
Like a sign from the fates, he heard a knock at his door. It somehow even sounded hyperactive and impatient, though Haku wasn't quite sure how a knock could sound so. The person rapped on it again, speedily, and after another second of Haku's silence, pushed open the door.
"Haku, what's the matter?!" Deidara said angrily, standing at the door, his arms crossed angrily over his chest. "Why don't you answer me when I knock for you?"
"I'm just tired." He answered softly, immediately feeling a little guilty. Deidara had always had that ability. Haku was forcefully reminded of a time when they were young children, when Deidara and Haku had both wanted a lollipop, but there had only been one left in the jar their mother kept them in. Deidara had quite easily convinced the younger brunette that he himself needed the candy, when he was sure Haku only wanted it, and knew the younger would never have taken something that someone else needed.
"Well, I know, but. . . I wanted to talk, un!" He said, sitting on his brother's mattress with enough force to bounce both of the boys up.
"What about?" Haku asked, trying to disguise the weariness in his voice.
"What the Hell do you think?" Deidara asked, scoffing. He grabbed one of the pillows from near the headboard, lying on his stomach, and resting his chin on it, his eyes intently focused on his sibling.
". . . I probably don't even really know any more than you do." Haku admitted, leaning back against the frame at the head of his bed. "I haven't even gotten a chance to talk to Zabuza about it. The police seperated us before we had a chance. I guess they wanted to make sure we couldn't make up a story together or something."
"Wow. Well, he's here, you know, un. I just saw him as I was coming up the stairs."
"I know. Of course he is." Haku said quickly. "I heard Father talking to him. . ."
"What about?" Deidara asked, his eyes widening hugely.
". . . Thanking him, I guess." The brunette answered. "He was telling him he did a good job."
"Zabuza is a good bodyguard." Deidara agreed, then eyed his brother. "But then again, that might have something to do with. . . You know."
"Know what?"
"He cares about you a lot more than he would normally care for a client, I'm sure." He said pointedly, rolling his eyes. Then his sky blue eyes lit up, a mischevious grin flitting across his mouth. "Especially after today."
"Today?" Haku asked mock dumbly, but felt his cheeks get hot. Maybe Deidara was talking about something else entirely.
"Oh here, un, let me refresh your memory." The blonde snorted. "You and Zabuza naked and sweaty and-"
"No!" Haku cried, blushing furiously. "No, it wasn't. . . We didn't have sex." He whispered.
"You're lying through your teeth." Deidara said confidently. Plus, the crimson blush covering the younger boy's cheeks was a pretty good indication.
"I am not!" Haku growled. "We didn't have sex. He just. . . " He trailed off, embarrassed. He waited for Deidara to say something, but when the man just stared at him, one eyebrow raised, the brunette sighed. "He gave me head."
His embarrassment doubled when Deidara grinned toothily, leaning forward so their faces were close. "Details?"
"Absolutely not." Haku snapped, turning his head away. The older brother rolled his eyes and layed back down.
"Prude." He teased. "Well, if you won't tell me, at least tell me this. How good was it?"
Haku sighed, just wanting the particular conversation topic pertaining to his member in Zabuza's hot skilled mouth to end. "It was amazing." He said, hoping he didn't sound clichè.
Deidara paused, tilting his head a little. "You're really in love, huh, un?"
"He loves me, too." Haku said softly.
"I know." Deidara said, and felt a twinge of envy, but not jealousy. "It's sweet." He said quietly, but Haku was pretty adept at seeing the way the blonde's mood lowered a bit, even if it was just for a second.
". . . Did you see Sasori at your party?" Haku asked, and knew he had brought up the right thing when the sapphire eyes lit up, his smile returning.
"Yeah, he. . . He took care of me." He answered, and knew Haku would assume he meant in a sexual way. "I got sick. He held my hair." He clarified, and when his younger brother's eyes softened and he made a soft noise in his throat, he knew the brunette thought it as sweet and romantic as he had. "Then he gave me a cool washcloth and some water. And we talked."
"Wow. . ." Haku said thoughtfully. "I thought you said you thought he didn't even know you exist?"
"I guess I was wrong." He said simply. "I really like him, Haku." Deidara sighed.
"I can tell you do." The boy answered honestly. "What is he like, anyway?" Haku was genuinely curious as to what kind of guy could make someone like his brother go completely crazy, and act as though he had stars in his eyes.
"Sasori is. . ." Deidara paused a moment, thinking. "He's quiet, and serious." He glanced over at his younger brother. "I suppose he's a bit like Zabuza in that way, but sometimes Sasori seems kind of. . . Cold."
Haku didn't mention that he often thought of his bodyguard's personality in that way. Cold and uncaring. But as he got closer and closer to the brown-haired man, he could tell some of that was an act to protect himself.
"Some people even think he's mean and kind of. . . Sadistic, I suppose." The blonde shrugged. "I think most people don't really understand him. He's so smart, you know. . ."
"No, I don't know." Haku reminded him. "We haven't met. But he can't be so cruel and sadistic if he helped you when you were sick." He pointed out.
"That's true, but I guess you'd have to talk to him to understand, un. Even while he was taking care of me, I almost felt like he was trying to insult me or something."
"Really?" Haku frowned. "He doesn't sound very great, Deidara. . ."
"I know it seems that way, but I'm just not describing him right." The blonde sighed, frustrated. "And he's very. . . Confident. I feel like he's never even had a moment of indecision or worry. He doesn't care what people think of him, you know?"
"I suppose." The brunette said slowly, still unconvinced.
"Anyway, I know you're tired. We can talk about this tomorrow." Deidara said, hopping up off the bed. He gave the boy a sly grin before walking out the door, wiggling his fingers in a wave, closing it rather loudly behind him.
Haku stared at the door, frowning. He hated when Deidara acted so quickly that nobody had a chance to say or do anything to him. He layed back on the pillows, shaking his head. Well, at least he could go to sleep now. Flicking off the lamp beside his bed quickly, and yanking his comforter up to his neck, he exhaled slowly, trying to relax.
He wished he could talk to Zabuza, but he knew the man was probably busy right now. He wanted to hear that everything was going to be okay, in that deep, low voice that he loved so dearly. He wanted to hear the man tell him that he loved him. He wanted to feel Zabuza kiss him and hold him. Knowing it was doubtful he would feel neither of them tonight, he sighed, resigned to falling asleep alone.
He jumped a little as the knock on the door jerked him a little out of his thoughts. He had began to drift off to sleep, and the interruption made him annoyed. Especially since he could tell it wasn't Zabuza knocking.
"Young Master, the phone is for you." Parkins' voice informed him from the other side of the door. Haku frowned.
"Please come in, Parkins." He said, and watched his door open, the older gentleman strolling to him with the cordless phone.
"I apologize for disturbing your rest, Haku." The man said, after a quick glance at him. "But the caller informed me it is quite urgent."
"Thank you, it's alright." The brunette assured him, and the man bowed slightly, exiting the room quickly. When the door was latched closed, Haku gripped it to his ear. "Hello?"
"Haku!" The voice was so distinguishable, it could be nobody else.
"Naruto?" He asked oddly, wondering what on Earth could be the matter.
"You're alive!" The fox said happily through the receiver. Haku pulled the phone an inch away from his ear, as the boy's voice was loud enough to sting.
". . . Yes, I am." The brunette said softly. "What are you talking about?"
"Whaddya mean, what am I talking about?" The blonde scoffed. "Me and Sasuke know all about what happened to you today!"
". . . Do you?"
"Duh! We got connections, you know. Anyway, I heard Zabuza really gave it to him good, yeah? Like, he shot his freakin' head off and shit, right?" Haku's mind blanked a moment at the offending mental image, and heard the cool voice of the raven, stiff with annoyance, in the background of Naruto's end of the line. He then heard the blonde whine and some clattering and banging.
"Haku?" It was Sasuke's voice this time, teeming with concern.
"Yes, Sasuke?"
"Sorry. He's an idiot." The boy said quickly. "Listen, I'm sure you're trying to rest, but I was worried when I heard what had happened. You are alright, aren't you?"
"I think so." He said honestly.
"Can we meet tomorrow? You can talk to me about it."
"Sure." Haku said, and made a mental note of the time and place Sasuke rattled off. ". . . Thanks, Sasuke."
"No problem. I'll let you go now. See you tomorrow."
"Right." He quickly added, "Don't be too hard on Naruto, okay?" He smiled when he heard the black-haired man scoff, and the phone click as he hung up. He set the phone beside his bed, hoping it wouldn't ring again tonight and wake him up. He was way too tired to take it out. Laying his head back down, he fell asleep almost instantly.
"What the Hell is wrong with you?" Sasuke snapped at his blonde boyfriend, after throwing the phone onto their couch, who gave him a weird look.
"What are you talking about?" Naruto asked in a slight whine. "I didn't do anything!"
"Are you serious?" Sasuke growled, eyes flashing. "You don't think 'Gee, Haku! Zabuza really fucked that guy up, didn't he? His blood and guts were sprayed all over the floor and walls!' is doing anything?"
". . . He did." The kyuubi said defensively. "You said. You said he shot him right in the face."
"Yes." Sasuke said slowly, gritting his teeth, trying desperately to reign in his temper. The blonde could be such a clueless idiot sometimes. "But don't you think Haku is a little bothered by the fact that he saw someone get killed today? He could be traumatized, Naruto. You have no idea what it's like to see someone murdered."
Naruto paused, feeling instantly guilty. He would never have done anything to hurt the soft-spoken teenager. He decided to apologize to Haku as soon as he saw him tomorrow. ". . . I'm sorry." He said quietly. "I didn't think. . ."
"No, you didn't think, did you?" The raven scowled. "You just don't understand, Naruto. Everything is rainbows and sunshine in your little world, huh?"
"I said I was sorry!" He said, frowning. "You're right, okay? I don't understand. I haven't been through what you have, baby. . ." He said softly, and could visibly see the black-haired man's anger drip away. "Don't be mad at me." He said quietly, blue eyes bright with hurt.
"I'm not." Sasuke sighed. He felt Naruto's arms wrap around him, and allowed himself to be pulled into the blonde's lap. "It's just hard, okay? You never forget."
Naruto nodded, nuzzling his lover's hair. "I know, Sasuke. I know how hard it is for you. You must think about it all the time. . ."
"You help me forget." He whispered back. "I just miss them a lot, you know?"
"I know. I wish I could have known them." Naruto said. "I bet your mother would have loved me." He said confidently. Sasuke smiled a little, laughing softly in his throat.
"Probably." He agreed. "It's my dad you would have had to try hard to impress."
"Maybe." Naruto said, and lifted Sasuke's gorgeous face up to receive a sweet kiss. "I like to think that they know I'm taking good care of you."
"I hope that doesn't mean they know what a pervert you are." Sasuke said, not really liking the idea of his parents 'watching over him' constantly. "You mean what a pervert I've turned you into?"
"Only in your dreams." The raven retorted, and nearly hated himself for feeling his heart melt when Naruto gave him a cheeky grin.
"You don't even wanna know what goes on in my dreams! "
"Probably not." Sasuke replied. "You probably dream of nailing every pretty boy you meet."
Naruto gave him a strange look, one eyebrow cocked. "Are you serious?" He asked, and his eyes widened when his lover didn't answer. "I don't dream of anyone but you." He said. "Why would I want some other guy when nobody is as sexy as you?"
"Nobody could put up with you." Sasuke corrected him, but couldn't help feeling his heart tumble at the blonde's words. Was he really that desirable to his lover?
"Even so." Naruto said, and reminded Sasuke that he was sitting in his lap by moving his hands around the raven's ribcage and toying with his bellybutton, under his shirt. "I wouldn't want anyone else."
"I know." Sasuke said quietly. The knowledge made him deliriously happy, even through the black mood that had darkened him since the day before. ". . . I saw him yesterday. At the grocery store."
"Itachi?" Naruto asked, recognizing the tone. His hands instantly ceased stroking his boyfriend's waist. "What did he say?"
"Nothing." Sasuke replied, eyes narrowed. "He didn't see me. I didn't want him to."
"Sasuke. . ." Naruto said carefully, knowing talking about Itachi was dangerous ground.
"What!?" The raven snapped, anger flashing in his eyes. "I'm not talking to him. Not ever."
"I know." The blue-eyed man said quickly. "I don't expect you to."
"He ruined my life." Sasuke said darkly. "He let that bastard in our house. It's his fault."
"I know." Naruto said, hugging his lover tightly. He had been given a year or more practice of soothing Sasuke's radical anger impulses, due to his older brother. His personal opinion on whether or not Itachi was responsible for the murder of the Uchiha parents differed from Sasuke's opinion, but he was desperately in love with the raven, and comforting him was way higher on Naruto's list than arguing with him over something that could never be changed.
He also knew that Sasuke believed with every fiber of his being that Itachi was responsible for the pair of them so suddenly and devastatingly becoming orphans. In addition, Naruto had a friend who was a certified psychiatrist that had once told him that victims of extreme grief often had to find something or someone to blame, to keep from blaming themselves. The blonde wondered if Sasuke subconciously blamed his older brother just to keep from feeling any kind of guilt from the murder. In actuality, neither of them were directly responsible for what had happened, but he would never have tried to convince the raven of that.
"I love you." Sasuke said quietly.
"I love you more." Naruto said in the sing-song tone that he knew annoyed Sasuke, but didn't care. He kissed the raven's cheek and glanced up over their headboard, where Sasuke had framed the picture Haku had taken with his camera with a modern-looking black frame. "Don't worry about Haku, okay? I'll apologize tomorrow, I promise."
"I know. I just hope he's alright."
"Zabuza will take care of him." Naruto pointed out. "Come on, Sasuke. You can't worry over everything all the time." He said, grinning when his boyfriend's eyes lit with anger.
"I don't wor- Naruto!" He snapped angrily, when the blonde fell backwards onto the mattress, pulling him back along with. Sasuke dragged himself up on his elbows, glaring into big blue eyes. "I hate when you do that." He pretended not to notice his boyfriend blatantly checking out his body, as he was only wearing a pair of plain black boxers, and no t-shirt. He usually remembered to wear a shirt to bed. Damn it.
"It shuts you up." The fox said gleefully, his hands rising to rest on the boy's lower back. "Anyway, if you're feeling unhappy, I know how to make you feel better." He said, grinning lecherously. Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Oh, are you going on a really long vacation?"
"Hey!" Naruto whined, and pinched the raven, making him hiss. "You'd miss me if I left!"
"Too much." Sasuke confessed, sighing, and letting his body fall back down on his boyfriend's. "You know that, idiot."
"I know." He said cockily, and let his palms glide down to squeeze the raven's ass. "You have such a great ass."
"Isn't that why you fell in love with me?" Sasuke asked flatly, refusing to arch into the blonde's hands. He willed himself to stay still and look bored as his often obnoxious lover stroked his skin sweetly.
"Not entirely." Naruto replied. "Cold?" He asked in mock sweetness, as the raven's nipples hardened. The blonde barely resisted the urge to latch his mouth onto one. He loved the way Sasuke tasted, like polished honey.
"It's a little chilly in here, yeah." The black-haired man growled, blushing at his body's all-too-obvious reaction to Naruto's ministrations. It had always been like that, hadn't it? No matter how much he could pretend the blonde didn't drive him wild, his body couldn't lie as easily. And both of them knew it.
"Oh?" Naruto asked, smiling. "Well, lemme warm you up."
Sasuke could only sigh as he was easily flipped onto the mattress, and his own mouth was covered by the kyuubi's heated lips.
Zabuza groaned a little in his throat, as his mind and body forced him out of the sweet escape of sleep. He sat up, damning whatever God had invented thirst. His throat felt as dry as dust. He had been having excellent rest.
Relunctantly standing beside the bed, he glanced around and let his eyes rest on the digital clock. The time was 1:36. Way too late to be out of bed, he decided. He was getting a drink and heading directly back to sleeping.
As he exited his room, he glanced over at Haku's door, knowing the boy was sleeping behind it. The want to quietly sneak in and crawl into bed with his pretty brunette very nearly overpowered the need to quench his thirst.
Mentally scowling at himself, he deliberately turned away from the door, facing the stairs. He supposed he could have simply gotten some water from his bathroom, but Bindi had made some sort of tea earlier that day. It had been sweeter and tastier than anything Zabuza had ever gotten, and he feared he was addicted after only one glass. And there was a whole pitcher of it in the refrigerator.
As he took his first step onto the tall stairway, he nearly jumped out of his skin as the peaceful silence of the house was shattered, as one of the doors behind him burst open. Instantly turning skillfully, his eyes locked with Haku's big brown ones, which were wide with shock and. . . Anger?
"Haku, what the Hell is- Augh! Shit!" The man snapped, as the boy burst past him, nearly knocking him over into the wall, and flew down the stairs, his beautiful hair flowing like rich mink behind him. He cursed, and followed as fast as he could, very close to falling as his large feet slapped the stairs with an immeasurable speed. As they neared the bottom, the man reached out to grab the boy's shirt, and stop him from speeding toward whatever the fuck he seemed so desperate to get to. He had never seen such a wild look in the boy's eyes before.
Gritting his teeth, he watched as his fingertips barely brushed the cloth of Haku's shirt. Not fast enough, he decided, as the boy stopped dead at the front door, and yanked it open, panting. "What is going on- Oh! Kisame!" Haku's soft voice cried out, punctuated by harsh breaths. Only seconds later as Zabuza finally caught up, he stood in the doorway, his jaw dropped slightly.
Aggravated as his sleep was disturbed, Haku frowned at his window. He wasn't normally such a light sleeper, but he was certain he had heard some sort of car and heard voices near the house. Not inside it, but coming from the outside of his home. He sat up, rubbing his eyes to clear them, and stalked over to his window, pushing back his curtain a little bit.
He couldn't help the gasp that escaped from him, his hand flying up to his mouth. He could feel his cheeks heat up, and would have stepped back immediately, and closed the curtain, if he hadn't thought he recognized the other man that wasn't his brother. He wasn't some kind of voyeur. But seeing his unmistakable oldest sibling wrapped in what looked like a rather heated embrace with someone that looked a lot like his friend was too much to ignore. His eyes narrowed as he squinted, trying hard to see exactly what was going on, but their porch lights weren't incredibly bright, and he was on the second floor.
". . . Sasuke?" He whispered under his breath, his eyes widening impossibly. There was no way, it couldn't be! Sasuke would never cheat on Naruto. . . They loved each other! The picture he had taken of their two names in pretty paint flashed in his mind, making his blood simmer with rage. He was positive the blonde had no idea that his boyfriend was cheating on him.
Well, he could certainly find out now, Haku decided, snarling. That fucking slut. How dare he mess around the blonde man's emotions like that! What kind of heartless jerk was he, anyway? And to think his own brother was a part in this. . . Adultery!? Making up his mind quickly, he felt he had no other option. He was certain he would tell Naruto the truth about Sasuke, but only after he confronted the cheating whore himself right now!
Pushing away from the window, he yanked open his door and flew out of it. He was a little surprised to see Zabuza at the top of the stairs, but knew he couldn't wait and talk to the man. He couldn't let Sasuke get away! He used his full body weight to shove past the much larger and heavier man and race down the stairs. He was surprised it had worked, but knew it was probably only because he had the element of surprise on his side. He would apologize to the brown-haired man later.
He heard his bodyguard curse behind him, and the sound of him following him quickly down the stairway. No time for that, his mind screamed at him. He had to get to Kisame and Sasuke now. After what seemed like hours, he finally reached the front door and practically pulled it off the hinges in his haste, snarling.
Again, this chapter was running too long. I eventually had to just cut a few paragraphs off and start the next chapter with them, haha. Anyway, I guess this is kind of a cliffhanger :3 Good job, me.
Although I'm pretty sure most of you have already figured it out - I would be totally surprised if someone was totally surprised xD
