Damn Roses
Author's Note: Thank you for all your reviews. I know this chapter is "late" for me, but I got side tracked with my other stories. For my yaoi lovers, I did just update Animal Magnetism (A supernatural Sasuke x Naruto story.) Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. ^^. I am going to be trying to get this story wrapped up pretty shortly. Though you can probably expect at least one more chapter of this one. Maybe 2-3.
Chapter Seven
"I know that look," Gaara says with amusement.
"What look," Itachi asks "innocently."
"That's the look you get when you mess with Sasuke. You are entirely too pleased with yourself. What did you do," the red head asks.
"Oh he's going on a trip to Rome, with Naruto. I just advised him on the importance of safe sex. As a doctor and his brother, I have a duty to do such things," the dark haired man says.
"Sometimes I wonder how you made it passed twenty," Gaara muses.
"Oh Sasuke is more bark than bite, once you get to know him," Itachi states.
"Uh huh. I'm glad that Kankuro used to be too terrified of me to attempt such brotherly teasing. Now he's too mature," Itachi's husband says.
"Are you calling me immature," the smokey eyed man asks.
"Mhm. When it comes to your little brother, you are," Gaara replies.
"Alright. I'll concede that point," the doctor responds honestly.
Itachi was constantly bemused by Gaara's relationships with his siblings. Although he was the youngest, clearly he was the leader of the group. Temari was the social butterfly and quite feisty. Kankuro was the easiest going of the three. Gaara was by far the most intense. (That was fine with Itachi as the intensity applied to the bedroom as well.)
"I thought you might," Gaara says.
"Mmm what can I say, I'm a sucker for red heads," Itachi says and kisses his husband.
Meanwhile, Danzo paces. He couldn't allow this to continue. They were going to fucking Europe on a romantic get away. He was going to lose his best employee. Well drastic times called for drastic measures. The elderly man quickly orders a plane ticket.
Sasuke slept through most of the plane ride. He was used to flying. The slight rocking motion of the plane, had a way of lulling him to sleep.
Naruto smiles. The Uchiha always looked so peaceful when he was asleep. When awake, Sasuke was constantly on high alert. It was an amazing sight to see his face completely relax when he drifted off. Idly, he brushes the bangs out of Sasuke's eyes.
"Would you like anything to eat or drink," the flight attendant asks.
"Oh sure. Some champagne would be great," he smiles.
She smiles back and gives him two glasses. Naruto wasn't sure, but he figured Sasuke was probably a bit of an alcoholic snob. The man was pretty high maintenance. So the blonde decided, if he drank it was probably "the fancy stuff."
Sasuke wakes up and yawns. He smiles at Naruto. Naruto hands him the drink.
"Trying to get me drunk already," Sasuke asks.
"You bet! How else am I supposed to take advantage of you," the blonde replies.
"What makes you think you are the one who is doing the taking advantage," Sasuke murmurs.
"Well if you want to do the ravishing, instead of being ravished, I could be persuaded," Naruto responds.
"Good to know," Sasuke chuckles.
The rest of the plane ride was spent mostly watching the movie that happened to be playing. Sasuke was only half paying attention. He enjoyed looking out the window and admiring the view down below. Though he noted the sky and ocean's brilliant shades of blue, still had nothing on his blonde's eyes.
"Looks like we are here," Naruto says when the plane lands, offering Sasuke his hand to help him out of his seat.
Sasuke takes his hand and they had off the plane. Italy was beautiful. He was with Naruto, in Europe, and away from his crazy boss. Things were looking up. Now about that gladiator costume…
Naruto tilts his head. He was looking at something or someone. Sasuke follows his gaze. Whoever it was they darted off rather quickly.
"Come on, let's get to the hotel. You said you got us a room with a hot tub, right," the blonde asks, clearly deciding to shrug off this strange incident.
"Yeah. You just want an excuse to see me shirtless, but I did," Sasuke smirks and they head into the hotel.
"Maybe it was the other way around, since you are the one that requested it," Naruto says smugly.
"You are pretty full of yourself," Sasuke states as they check in and head to their room.
"Maybe a little. But I have good reason to be. I doubt you take that many of your dates to Europe," the blue eyed man says cheekily and opens the door to their room.
"You are the first," Sasuke concedes.
"Ah ha! I knew it. Think they have ramen here," he asks.
"Naruto, we are in Italy. You are not eating ramen here. Besides, it's not healthy to eat that much of one thing. Though Italy is famous for its pasta. Which I guess is sorta in the same ballpark," Sasuke replies as he sets down his suitcase.
Sasuke was determined to improve the blonde's diet. Some ramen now and then was okay. But the blonde practically lived off the stuff. The raven haired man had no idea how Naruto managed to maintain that six pack when he ate like a broke college student all the time.
"Pasta might be okay," Naruto responds and looks out the window.
"Damn nice view," he mutters.
"Yeah. So I was wondering if maybe, you'd be okay with, you know," Sasuke starts to say.
"Okay with what," Naruto tilts his head to the side.
"It's nothing. Forget it," Sasuke replies, heading to the hot tub and already taking off his shirt.
"While I'm definitely enjoying the whole strip tease thing, what were you going to say," the blonde asks.
"Nevermind. It's stupid," the dark haired man replies as he slides out of his pants, he still had his boxers on.
Well Naruto was enjoying the show. It was always a fun time whenever Sasuke decided to embrace his inner stripper. He noted the eternal question of boxers vs. briefs had been answered. But still he knew that Sasuke was keeping something from him. No matter how small it was, Naruto wasn't going to let that fly. It must have been something good to get the normally stoic Uchiha all flustered like that.
"You'll laugh," Sasuke states as he gets in the water.
"I won't laugh. I promise," Naruto says as he follows Sasuke's lead, by stripping down to his own boxers, and joins the paler man in the tub.
Naruto was curious. What could possibly have the Uchiha so bashful. Sasuke was definitely not a bashful person. So naturally the blonde was intrigued.
"Fine. Since we are in Rome, would you mind," Sasuke mutters the end of the sentence so quickly, that Naruto didn't catch it.
"Would I mind what," he asks.
"Well…dressing up as a gladiator," Sasuke answers.
"Ohhh. Damn didn't know you into that type of thing," Naruto says.
"Nevermind. It was stupid. I shouldn't have asked," Sasuke says.
"Well I kinda figured you were more of a straight to business type of person. Didn't think you'd have a creative kink like that," the blonde observes.
"…," Sasuke wasn't sure how to respond to that.
"But sure, I don't mind. I mean whatever gets you going is fine with me," Naruto says, smiling.
"Really? Great," Sasuke asks in a relieved tone.
"Yeah. I mean everyone has their kinks. So you like the whole role playing thing or is it just gladiators specifically," Naruto asks.
"It's more just specifically you and gladiator thing. You'd look hot in leather," Sasuke answers.
"Alright. I was willing to be flexible. But I would draw the line at the school girl or French Maid outfit," Naruto states.
"You are such an ass," Sasuke growls.
"Though you know you in a school boy uniform and shoved up against some lockers, that might be fun," Naruto observes.
"Never going to happen," Sasuke says, twitching.
"That's not being very fair. I mean I'm indulging you," Naruto reasons.
"…You have anything else other than high school thing," Sasuke asks cautiously.
"Well I kinda have a thing for light bondage," the blonde admits.
"When you say light bondage, what exactly are we talking about? I am not getting whipped or whipping you," Sasuke scoffs.
"Nothing like that. Maybe just blind folds, one of us being tied up, and things like that. It's hot to have someone at your mercy or be at someone else's mercy," Naruto states.
"Never would have thought of you as having a dark side like that. But I guess that might be negotiable," Sasuke says.
"Great! You are going to look so sexy all tied up," Naruto beams.
"Wait who says I'm the one being tied up," Sasuke demands.
"I do. If I let you tie me off, I'm not sure I trust you not to get me all worked up and walk away," the blue eyed man states.
"I'm not that vicious," the dark haired lawyer responds.
"You can be. But either way, this trip is going to be fun," Naruto states.
Meanwhile, Danzo arrives in Europe. It had been awhile since he'd gone to Italy. He had to admit that Sasuke did have good tastes when it came to romantic getaways. It was such a beautiful and historical country.
Now he wondered to himself, how was he to break the love birds up. He had thought shoving Naruto's ex at Sasuke would result in Sasuke snapping. The youngest Uchiha was after all a rather territorial person.
He half expected it to come to blows honestly. But it hadn't worked. Oh yes, Sasuke had been pissed. However, it hadn't been enough to drive them apart. That was disappointing.
` As much as Danzo had been loathed to do it, he called Orochimaru. Orochimaru wanted them to break up as badly as he did. The two would have to join forces for the time being.
"We'll need to get them separated. I'm afraid the bond is too strong. I didn't want it to come to this, but he'll have to be eliminated," Danzo says referring to Naruto.
"Let's send them an invite to one of the parties being hosted at the hotel. That way we should be able to separate them easily enough," Orochimaru offers.
"That's not a bad idea," Danzo states and has it done.
Orochimaru was honestly surprised that Danzo would jump to murder so quickly. Damn it was going to be harder to steal Sasuke away from the old man than he thought. He was willing to kill for the young lawyer.
Sasuke was in the middle of discussing the pros and cons of various kinks with Naruto, when there was a knock on their door. He sighs, gets up, and wraps a bathrobe around himself. Then he goes and answers it. It was a maid, delivering a letter.
"Thanks," he murmurs, giving her a tip.
"What's that," Naruto asks.
"Looks like it's an invite to a party at the hotel later tonight," Sasuke answers.
"Party! Cool. We should go," Naruto answers.
"Well it's a costume party," the raven haired man states.
"Ah well I'm sure we can find something. Besides, I did promise you that I'd play dress up for you," Naruto replies.
"Alright. I'm sure I can find something in that case," Sasuke smirks, suddenly liking the idea of this party a whole lot more.
Sasuke eventually decides to wear an emperor costume. Yeah it was a bit cliché. But still he decided, when in Rome…
"Well now I know why Rome fell, everyone was too busy staring at you, to do anything else," Naruto says and leads Sasuke off to the party.
"You really are such a loser," Sasuke says fondly.
"Maybe. But I'm your loser," the blonde answers.
"Always and forever," the youngest Uchiha replies.
"Always and forever? Awe that's the most romantic thing you've ever said to me bastard," Naruto beams.
"Don't ruin the moment," Sasuke huffs.
"Alright. Well let's have a look around. Damn some people really went all out on their costumes. You think some of these people made them themselves," Naruto wonders.
"Looks like it. That peacock one looks like it would have taken weeks," Sasuke marvels at the massive feathers, the detailed body paint job, and the way the person walked like a peacock. (That was someone who was serious about the whole playing the part thing.)
"I'll be right back. I'm gonna get us some drinks," Naruto says.
"Alright. I'll just wait by the water fountain," Sasuke answers.
He watches as Naruto heads off. Oh yeah, he was definitely loving the costume on his blonde. The water fountain was beautiful. It was carved from solid marble and a dolphin and nymph had been carved out of it. The dolphin was spraying water out of its mouth, at the nymph playfully.
Naruto heads over to one of the refreshment tables. The blonde was pouring himself and Sasuke a glass, when an older man approached him. He knew him to be Sasuke's boss. What the fuck was he doing in Rome?!
"You've got to be kidding me. Tell me that you didn't actually travel halfway across the world just to stalk him," Naruto twitches.
"If you truly care about him, you'll break off this relationship. He can't possibly focus on what he needs to focus on to make partner and maintain a real relationship at this point," Danzo says.
"I think you really underestimate Sasuke's time management skills," Naruto says.
"No. I don't think so. You seem like the romantic type. I doubt you'd be happy with him pulling 60, 70, or even 80 hour weeks. Which is what he'll have to do if he wants to make partner. So for both your sakes, it'd be better to save you both the heartbreak, and end it now," Danzo replies.
"For your sake, you better back off. This is stalking. If he really wanted to, he could report you to the police for it," Naruto growls out.
"Sasuke wouldn't want the vicious legal battle to play out in the public eye," Danzo brushes off his threat.
"He wouldn't. But you know what, I wouldn't give a fuck. I'll report you myself, if this keeps up," the blonde threatens.
"Perhaps we should discuss this outside. It would be better. There is no need to cause a scene," the old man offers.
"Yeah," Naruto says, following Danzo outside.
Sasuke was wondering what was taking Naruto so long, when he saw Orochimaru. His eyes narrowed. What the Hell? You had to be kidding. He'd gone all the way to Italy and still couldn't escape his stalkers.
"What are you doing here," he demands.
"Oh I have some business interests here," Orochimaru says conversationally.
"Uh huh," Sasuke responds and raises an eyebrow.
"You sound so suspicious Sasuke. Really you need to work on that, especially if you are entering a serious relationship. Your paranoia will get the better of you and it won't end well," the snake like man states.
"Somehow, I think I'll pass on love advice from you," Sasuke scoffs.
"Always such a vicious little kitten," he replies.
"I'll show you kitten," Sasuke growls.
That's when Sasuke heard the gunshot go off. Everyone else had as well. The crowd goes nuts trying to figure out who the shooter was. Sasuke rushes outside. He'd always had exceptional hearing and the gunshot had definitely come from outside the building.
Naruto hadn't expected the sneaky old bastard to be packing heat. Dammit! The fucker had been aiming for his heart, but Naruto had managed to roll and it only grazed his leg. Still it hurt like Hell and he knew it'd slow his reflexes. He'd have to take Danzo out fast.
Danzo was retreating. He knew the sound of the gun would be heard. He had to get out of there fast. But he was going to get a kill shot in.
That's when Sasuke came hurtling out of the building. He saw the gun. He saw the blood on Naruto's leg, the way he was limping. It didn't take a genius to realize what had happened.
Shit! Danzo was really trying to kill Naruto. He had to stop him. The Uchiha slams Naruto out of the way, to the ground. If he hadn't, he was sure, that the shot would have gotten Naruto in the heart.
"Fortunately" for Sasuke, because of the angle that he had slammed Naruto down, the bullet had only sliced into Sasuke's side.
Danzo's eyes widen in horror. He'd shot Sasuke. But it didn't look like a fatal wound and he had to get out of there before the crowd showed up. He ran like a bat out of Hell.
Sasuke was vaguely aware of the yelling and screaming. There was a crowd gathering around them. But he lost consciousness from the shock of the bullet. When he awoke again, he was in a hospital. Dammit, he really hated hospitals.
"Easy there. You were shot. They got you on a morphine drip. Me too by the way," Naruto says, as he was laying in the bed next to him.
"Naruto, I'm so sorry about this. I didn't realize that he'd actually try to fucking kill you. I knew he was obsessive, but I didn't think he was psychotic," Sasuke murmurs.
"It's not your fault bastard. You do seem to attract the crazies. But it's alright. I just got grazed in the leg. You took a bullet for me, literally. Not a lot of people would do that for anyone," the blonde says.
"Like you said, you might be a loser, but you are my loser," he smiles and winces in pain. (Sasuke decides to take advantage of that morphine drip.)
"Did they catch him," Sasuke asks.
"No. They are still out looking for him. Guy is fucking nuts. All this because he thought you wouldn't be focusing on work as much," Naruto says.
"Yeah. Well anyone who can handle running Roots International has to be crazy. I think it's literally in the job description somewhere. Well if you read between the lines," he answers.
"Please tell me that you are quitting," Naruto says and looks at Sasuke.
"Yeah, I'd say getting shot by the boss is a pretty good reason to quit," the raven haired man answers.
"And you aren't going to work for Orochimaru," the blonde adds.
"Definitely not going to work for Orochimaru. Maybe I'll just join you in the Personal Trainer business. Less of a chance of getting shot. Of course dealing with flirtatious clients, could be a pain in the ass. But definitely less stressful. The money doesn't seem bad either, if you get wealthy clients," he muses.
"That's the spirit! I have a huge list of female clients that would love to have you as their trainer," Naruto states.
"Why female clients," he asks.
"Because I know you have no interest in women. You could turn any straight man gay, with those bedroom eyes of yours. Not taking the chance," he states cheerfully.
"The fact that I took a bullet for you doesn't show you that I wouldn't cheat," Sasuke asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh I know you wouldn't. I trust you. It's THEM I don't trust," Naruto responds.
"I can handle myself," Sasuke says, shaking his head in amusement.
"Oh I know. But still not going to take any chances. I'm sure you will make a great trainer," Naruto replies.
"Probably better than you," Sasuke states with a smirk.
"You asshole! Why do you always gotta make everything into a competition," Naruto demands.
"Mostly because you are hot when you get angry," Sasuke answers truthfully.
"Really? That's the reason," Naruto asks.
"Mhm," the dark eyed man replies.
"Well you know I'm hot when I'm not angry too," the blonde replies.
"Trust me, I know that. I saw you in the costume," Sasuke says.
"You are a kinky bastard, do you know that," Naruto demands.
"Only for you," Sasuke answers.
"Better be only for me or else Danzo won't be the only one shooting people," Naruto answers as they both drift off into sleep.