Crown & Anchor
by Nilladriel

This fic is rapidly reaching novella-length without my permission. I'm depressed.

Chapter Eleven: Payout on Seven

Naruto forced himself to wait three, five, eight minutes, before he leaned forward and said pleasantly, "You can drop me off at the Red Prawn."

He kept his eyes on the driver, but he didn't miss the way Sasuke's shoulders jerked.

Suigetsu turned his entire body, like he was getting ready to throw Naruto down. "What makes you think--"

"I could just jump out of the car," Naruto said.

A speed-bump half-threw them into the air, because the driver didn't slow down. "Go ahead," she said. Her red hair fit her, Naruto thought uncharitably.

"Karin." It was Sasuke, still tense. "Go to the Red Prawn."

The driver--Karin, then--didn't reply. She just kept driving. Naruto put one hand on the back of her seat. "Oi, did you hear?"

The car jerked to a stop. Naruto slammed his palms against the front seats to stop his forward motion. Suigetsu snarled, "You bitch," and then his bag dropped to the floor and he was shoving Naruto aside, reaching for Karin with outstretched fingers.

A large hand enclosed his wrist. It was the big guy; the abrupt stop had woken him up. He asked, "What's happening?" with the serene expression of someone who has cruised through life with all the ease of a bulldozer.

Suigetsu stared at him, mouth agape. Naruto could see the words lining up in his head, getting ready to be yelled out.

Karin ignored them both. She was hunched in her seat, knuckles white as she gripped the wheel. "You can't," she said, "be serious. Orochimaru said to bring him straight there--"

"So?" Sasuke asked. "It's not as if I'm working for him." His tone was nonchalant, but his arm was pressed against Naruto; he'd thrown it out in time to stop Naruto from flying. He shook his head at the stare-down in front of him. "Juugo, let him go. Suigetsu, sit back down."

They obeyed with a fluidity that unnerved Naruto. I still don't trust you, he thought, and pushed Sasuke's arm away. "That bastard has Konohamaru, doesn't he?"

Sasuke glanced at him, and then at Karin. "... Yes. We shouldn't give Orochimaru too much leverage over Sarutobi. We don't actually want him to successfuly re-establish himself."

"The Red Prawn's that way, by the way," Naruto said, and pointed.

Karin hunched even more. She was going to turn into a turtle. "I don't--"

"Drive us to the Red Prawn, Karin," Sasuke said.

The car went through a jagged u-turn. Karin needed to find a safer way to express her anger. Naruto leaned back, frowned, and looked at Sasuke. "Oi," he said. "Move your arm."

Sasuke still looked irritated. He did move his arm, but not away, shifting it so it curled around Naruto's back and pulled him closer. Which hadn't been what Naruto meant, but whatever. He watched the city go by, easy-as-you-please, completely unaware of everything that had happened.

The big guy had gone straight back to sleep, which gave the entire situation a surreal edge of normalcy. Naruto felt like he was floating, like he was going to suddenly wake up and someone was going to say, It was all a dream.

Karin whispered something, a certain word with a sibilant s and a hard, damning t. Naruto ignored her.

He wished someone would turn on the radio, but Karin was too immersed in jerking the car left and right, and looking gleeful as she cut around slow drivers. He decided not to bother her.

"Where would you have taken me?" he asked Sasuke, figuring awkward conversation was better than awkward silence.

"To my house, first," Sasuke said. "To drop the team off. Then to Orochimaru."

"I didn't know you live here," Naruto said.

"I don't. It's a vacation home."

Naruto pulled himself up. Sasuke's arm stayed where it was. "You own a vacation home."

Sasuke grunted. "Suigetsu. Give Naruto the spare shoes."

"You even brought spare shoes?" Naruto asked, watching Suigetsu zip open his bag. Tools clanked, muffled by folds of cloth.

"Yeah." Suigetsu snorted. "Details man. That's me."

"I was the one who," Karin started, and then: "Urgh. Never mind."

The shoes were white, and too big, especially without socks. "Whose are these, anyway?" Naruto asked.

"Mine," Sasuke said.

"We're here," Karin announced loudly, and immediately.

Sasuke got out of the car first, and then Naruto. Except Sasuke didn't get back in and leave. He said, "I'm going in with you."

"What are you, my babysitter?" Naruto demanded, even as he walked past the dry fountain. "I don't need--oh, shit, what is she doing here?"

Sasuke moved with Naruto--towards the wall and out of sight, at least from the people inside. Naruto peeked surreptitiously, or at least as much as a person with a full head of blond hair could. Sasuke gestured; like magic, the car reversed. It disappeared around the corner.

"Who is that?" Sasuke asked.

"Mitarashi Anko," Naruto said. "She's worked for Sarutobi for... ever since I could remember. She's probably looking for me."

"You're hiding from her," Sasuke said, suddenly king of the obvious. "So Sarutobi really did lock you up."

Naruto pulled back to stare at Sasuke. "What? Isn't that why you warned me?" he said.

"No." Sasuke was stepping away from the wall, probably looking for another way in. "I was more worried about Orochimaru."

"Oh, you mean the man you were very obviously defending yourself from on the phone," Naruto said.

"Listen to me--I never meant," Sasuke said, "to let Orochimaru lay even a finger on you."

Naruto listened. He had to, because Sasuke had pushed him into the wall. His shoulder ached, still complaining about the sorry attempt to force down the door. Sasuke's fingers spasmed, as if he'd just realized what he'd done.

"O-kay," Naruto said, carefully.

"I--" Sasuke shook his head. "Orochimaru is here. In Wave. And looking for you." Obviously remembering Anko, Sasuke stepped back and crouched behind wayward bushes. His hair blended in with the twisting branches.

Naruto just dropped down to his elbows beside him and let Sasuke do the watching. "Why? He has Konohamaru, doesn't he? What's he need me for?"

"I don't--ah," Sasuke said. "That woman's leaving."

"Good. I'm not in winter clothes. Don't take off your jacket," Naruto added snappishly, even as Sasuke's hand went to the zipper.

Sasuke's lips thinned, like he was trying to make them disappear. "Fine. Wait a bit," he said. Naruto ignored the dash of vindication in the other man's tone.

"She's heading towards the parking lot," Sasuke reported, and then: "Move, before her car swings around and she sees us."

They didn't run, but it wasn't really a walk. "We're only going to the lobby--"

"No. The bathroom," Sasuke said. "Otherwise she'll see us through the windows. Idiot."

"I'm not an--"

Sasuke pulled the door to the restroom open. Naruto ducked inside before Sasuke could shove him in.

"Hey!" Naruto said. "There's a toilet here. And you--just locked the door. Wow, this probably looks really suspicious."

"We'll wait ten minutes."

"Yeah. Really suspicious," Naruto said, and sat on the toilet. "So Orochimaru really has Konohamaru, huh. How the hell did that happen? Last I heard, his bodyguards were all over him."

Sasuke leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, looking cool and unaffected, except he was in a restroom. "What if he doesn't?"

"What?" But Naruto had been so sure, so ready to demand. "Who else would?"

"You said it yourself," Sasuke said. "If he has Konohamaru, why would he be so desperate to get you?"

"He is? And who the hell else would have him, anyway?" Naruto bit out.

"I think...."

"Huh?" Naruto looked up. Sasuke pushed off the wall and stood in front of him, placing his hand on Naruto's neck. His skin was warm. "Sasuke? What are you--"

Sasuke's fingers curled around black string and drew out a necklace--the birthday necklace. That day seemed an eternity ago. "Do you know who sent you this?" he asked.

"No fucking idea," Naruto said.

"Hm. I think I do." Sasuke didn't move, not noticing or caring how close they were. "Your father worked for a syndicate headed by the legendary three."

"Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru," Naruto said. "And your family worked to bring them down. And then shit went to hell, right here in this city, and they disappeared."

Sasuke looked surprised. "How did you...?"

"I asked," Naruto said.

Sasuke snorted. "Actually, my family initially worked with the three," he said, bitter. "It was profitable. But my brother disagreed. He started leaking information on them. He had to stop, though."

"Yeah?"

Sasuke still hadn't moved away; his fingers were idly rubbing against the necklace, so that Naruto saw glints of light at the edges of his vision. Sasuke's other hand had found its way to Naruto's shoulder.

Sasuke hesitated. "It's how I came to live with you and your father."

"You mean, he kidnapped you so your brother would behave." Naruto took in a deep, shuddering breath. The room smelled foul, with an overlaying coat of citrus. "Shit."

"Five years. My brother searched for five years," Sasuke said. "But he couldn't win against Namikaze, not when finding me would mean finding you. So he asked Sarutobi for a favor."

The world numbed. "The raid," Naruto breathed, and thought: Ah. That's why.

"Right," Sasuke said. "The point is, it isn't just Orochimaru who might hold a grudge against Sarutobi. It's all three of them. And either I'm dreaming, or this is the necklace that... you're not listening." He dropped the necklace.

"Tell me about the raid," Naruto said.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"Just tell me, you ass."

"Fine." There was no hesitation in Sasuke's voice, no uncertainty, but he was kneading the flesh of Naruto's shoulder with restless fingers. "Sarutobi and his men found the house we lived in. They staged a raid and retrieved me. In the ensuing chaos, your father died. And Itachi... my brother was free to cripple the legendary three. Rather than face arrest, they fled."

"Sarutobi," Naruto said. "He... what did Sarutobi gain from the raid?"

"Well, the legendary three were threatening his power base," Sasuke said doubtfully. "So it was probably fortuitous for him that your father died."

"Right. Fortuitous," Naruto said, and laughed. He leaned forward, pressing his face against Sasuke's torso. "Right. Oh, shit."

Sasuke's fingers stopped moving. "Naruto?"

"Oh, shit," Naruto repeated. "It wasn't a favor, you dipshit."

"What are you--"

"Ensuing chaos, my ass," Naruto said. "Sarutobi didn't go to that house just for you, Sasuke."

Naruto turned his head, pressed his cheek against the smooth material of Sasuke's jacket. It was impossible, but he imagined he could hear the bastard's heartbeat anyway, through layers of muscle and skin and cloth. He said, "It wasn't a favor. It was a deal. Sarutobi went to that house to blow my Dad's face off.

"Because that was it, right?

"That was the killing blow to the legendary three."

Naruto's voice died off. He'd been yelling. The echoes were still trapped in the enclosed space, hemmed in by faded tile and stained walls.

"I didn't," Sasuke started. At least he shut himself up. He said, "Your hands are shaking." Naruto felt Sasuke shift down, until he was kneeling in front of Naruto.

"No they're not," Naruto said. Sasuke just snorted, brushing his lips across the joints of Naruto's fingers.

"Did you see it happen?" Sasuke asked. He didn't let Naruto pull his hands away, fanning the fingers out and holding them gently, studying each centimeter and minute tremble.

"Yeah," Naruto said. "You know, I rushed him." He chuckled. "I mean. He'd just--he'd just shot my Dad, and I just jumped out and rushed him. Called him a fucking old bastard."

He looked down at their entwined digits. His breaths were shallow and light. "I haven't told anyone this," Naruto said.

"I heard the gunshot," Sasuke said. "From the car."

"I saw it," Naruto returned. "You know, he looked so surprised afterwards. That old man."

"He probably hadn't expected you," Sasuke said. Their hands dropped to Naruto's thighs; Sasuke leaned in, serious and frowning. "I told you, your father was amazing. No one knew you existed."

"Just so you know," Naruto said, "that doesn't make me feel better."

Sasuke tilted his head up. Naruto's grip tightened; Sasuke's breath was warm against his lips. And then it was just heat, and pressure, and a tongue moving against his own. Then Sasuke exhaled and leaned back, looking regretful.

"That didn't, either," Naruto said. He pressed their foreheads together. Sasuke's bangs got in the way.

"We should go," Sasuke said.

"Right," Naruto said hoarsely. Neither of them moved. The room was small. The passing time didn't at all lessen the impact of that horrible, tangy smell. They were in a motherfucking toilet, in a hotel, in a city that held both Orochimaru and Sarutobi.

Still. Naruto felt safe. He felt safer than he had in--too long.

He moved forward, and kissed Sasuke again.

They fell back. Sasuke landed on his ass; Naruto followed him, knees thudding painfully onto the floor. It was slippery. Naruto didn't want to know why. Sasuke stared past him, maybe at some stain on the ceiling, and said, "That fucking hurt--you are not pushing me down."

"Why not?" Naruto said, already zipping open Sasuke's jacket. "It's just water. Probably."

Sasuke was still staring up at the ceiling, even as Naruto slipped a hand underneath his shirt. Naruto had forgotten how different guys were from girls: soft and hard at the same time, sharp angles covered by smooth skin.

It was good, though. It was better than letting the memories swallow him up.

He could almost hear that gunshot.

"You're doing it again," Sasuke said suddenly. Naruto just settled himself on Sasuke's lap, shrugging. "Like on that day you were followed."

"This?" Naruto said, and bent down to lick Sasuke's neck.

He was stopped by a hand on his chest. Sasuke was staring at him, eyes cold, like the weather outside. "Not here," Sasuke said.

Naruto stared back. Sasuke's hand didn't give.

"Fine," he said.

"Good," Sasuke said, and pushed himself up, catching Naruto completely by surprise. It was open-mouthed, and wet, and messy, and for that moment--for just a moment--Naruto forgot where he was, and where he'd been.

"You!"

Naruto closed the door behind them, and looked up into an accusing finger. "Er?" he said.

"You're room 17! Right?" The receptionist's eyes flittled between them. "The one they keep asking about!"

Naruto's stomach sank, taking the rest of his insides with it. "What?"

"Yeah!" The man looked far too excited. "That woman just now was asking if I'd seen you. I said no, of course," he said loyally.

"But... you hadn't seen me," Naruto said.

"And last night! Wow. That second group looked pretty pissed, though. Oh, but I told 'em no, too, of course, I ain't never seen you, or even set eyes on you, I was good."

"But," Naruto said, "you really hadn't ever seen me. I've never met you before."

The receptionist seemed to prefer his own version of events. "So? What're you in trouble for? I bet it's money, right? It's always money."

Naruto pressed his palm against his eyes. "Look. Could you just... give me a copy of my room key? I just want to get my luggage and get out of here."

"Sure! Sure, you want to move quickly, right, because--"

"Yes, yes, I'm on the run, lucky me. Just give me the key," Naruto said. "And stop watching TV, or reading books, or whatever it is that's gotten you this strange."

"Oh! But you'll need to pay for the room," the man added, temporarily leaving the dramatic soap playing through his head. "Even if you have to save up the money, you know, to pay off those buff-looking guys. 'Cause otherwise I get in trouble, see."

At least he looked a bit regretful.

"I'll pay," Sasuke said. "You get your stuff." Naruto almost protested, before remembering the suite at at the Millenium, and the apparent vacation house. Then he just shrugged.

While Sasuke made his wallet useful, Naruto went upstairs to the room. He slid in the key and opened the heavy door. The bed was made; the curtains flapped, gently.

Something was wrong.

Nothing happened when he walked in, though. No one jumped him. The room was dreadfully cheerful, with the obnoxious welcome! slid under the glass top of the vanity.

Naruto packed. He checked each drawer in the room, went through the closet, the bathroom--made sure he left nothing behind, like an ordinary traveler checking out of a hotel. Everything was as he'd left it, except for whatever room service had cleaned up.

Naruto opened up his luggage. Everything was messy and out of place. Normal, then. He zipped everything up and headed out.

Sasuke wasn't waiting for him in the lobby; he was interrogating the poor receptionist instead. Naruto sighed.

"How many?" Sasuke was saying. "And when?"

At this, the receptionist hesitated. "Um," he said. "They told me not to say."

Naruto rolled his eyes and shoved Sasuke aside. "You're useless," he said.

"I just," Sasuke growled, "paid for your room."

"Right, thanks," Naruto said. "You"--he glanced at the guy's nametag--"Koji, you obviously suck at keeping secrets. So, how many people came looking for me, when, and what did they look like?"

"I do not suck at keeping secrets," Koji said, looking sulky. "Look, late at night this chick came in, asking to get into Room 17. Emi was totally freaked. Well, so was I, she was real threatening. And then, get this, this entire group came in and the chick just said, 'Nevermind,' and she left."

"The group," Sasuke said. "What did they look like?"

"Um, there was this fat-ass, some guy with purple nails...." Koji trailed off. Sasuke radiated fury.

"How many were there?" he hissed.

"Five? Six? Look, I don't know--"

Sasuke leaned forward.

"Six!" Koji yelped. "Six, okay?"

Well. At least he finally understood it wasn't all fun and games. "Leave him alone, Sasuke," Naruto said.

"Could I have some mo--"

"No," Naruto and Sasuke snapped at the same time.

"Sure," Koji said. "Sure, absolutely." He took one step back. Naruto just picked up his things.

They went back out into the biting cold. Sasuke pulled out a cell phone.

"Thanks for dropping me off," Naruto said lamely.

"Where are you going?" Sasuke asked.

"Um. I have no idea." Naruto said.

"You could--" Sasuke tried.

"Just because we made out in a hotel bathroom, and you broke me out of the house, you think I trust you enough to come with you?" Naruto said.

Sasuke turned his cellphone over in his hand. "Yes?"

"Fine, okay," Naruto said, and sighed. "Go ahead and call the car. I'll follow you. You'll have to wait for a bit, though," he added. "Anko took my keys, so I'm gonna have to hotwire my own car."

Sasuke, cellphone half-way to his ear, stopped. "You know how to hotwire a car."

"Yes?" Naruto said. It was useful, so of course he knew.

"If we hadn't come," Sasuke said, slowly, "do you think you would have broken out of Sarutobi's mansion on your own? Eventually?"

"What's with that 'eventually'?" Naruto huffed. He walked towards the parking lot. "I'll meet you up front, okay?"

Sasuke remembered to close his mouth. His jaw cracked. "Okay," he said.