Ahahaha...sorry for the long period of time before my update...I was busy with piano stuff...gomen, please don't kill me...
On a happier note, I've gotten 156 pages of stuff done on my story so far and it still isn't complete. This chapter will be the 99th page, so you readers have a long way to go before I finish. I think this might make it into the twenties chapter-wise...oh yea, I'm extremely grateful for all you reviewers...19something reviews...I'm aiming for 200+ or even 300 if I get lucky...probably not so, but...one poor author can hope, can she not?
Chapter...oh...15 I believe: The Retrieval
Sasuke was rudely awakened from his blissful dreams (rather nasty, somewhat indecent dreams involving a scantily clad, extremely schmexy Naruto and a bed) by what seemed like a gallon of water that was unceremoniously dumped on his head. Spluttering wildly, the Uchiha coughed and spat out a good deal of water, shaking his head back and forth to clear the drops. Naruto giggled madly from behind a hand, the giggles evolving to full-belly laughter as he witnessed the chagrined look on Sasuke's elegant features. Sasuke scowled; rare had he been caught in such embarrassing situations, and this one topped the rest by far. Crawling over to Naruto, he slammed the boy on the floor and crushed his lips with his, not letting up until the blonde's complexion had taken on a faint blue tint. Naruto gasped and hacked, doubled over with heaves.
"Sheesh, lighten up."
Sasuke smirked and pulled the blond to him, settling for a gentler kiss. Naruto murmured something incomprehensible against the Uchiha's mouth, pulling Sasuke down on his. The raven-haired youth moaned and pressed his hand to the base of Naruto's head, tilting up his lips for better access. The blond broke away after a few long minutes, smiling blissfully up at the Uchiha.
"It should be about three in the morning; Sakura should be still asleep. If we're lucky, we can prepare Neji's food ourselves and deliver it to him before she does. Neji should be up; he wakes at two." Sasuke nodded.
"Very well. But who will cook for him?" Naruto winked.
"Just lie back and relax; I'll cook both our breakfasts and Neji's as well in five minutes." That being done, Naruto disappeared with a warning to Sasuke about staying hidden. The Uchiha smiled and melted into the shrubbery, blending in perfectly with the shadows.
Approximately four minutes and fifty-nine seconds later, Uzumaki Naruto appeared before Sasuke with a huge, toothy grin on his face, meticulously balancing a tray filled with various tantalizing foods. Setting it down in front of the shocked Uchiha, Naruto smirked sassily at the shell-shocked stare on Sasuke's face, taking a piece of eel sushi and deftly shoving it in Sasuke's unhinged jaw. Rehinging the Uchiha's mouth, Naruto nonchalantly ate his portion of the meal, watching as Sasuke dazedly ate his share, more out of instinct than will.
"How was it?" A full ten minutes passed before Sasuke replied.
"Naruto…" The blond leaned over expectantly.
"YOU DID THIS IN A FUCKING FOUR MIN—" Naruto immediately slapped a hand over his mouth, instantly muffling his rants, a scandalized look on his features.
"Do you wish to wake the whole of Sakura's mansion, you ingrate? Shut the hell up!" Though a bit ruffled at being yelled at by a servant, Sasuke promptly followed Naruto's request.
"I've cooked Neji's portion of the meal. Stay here and keep watch while I go in." Sasuke nodded and slid into the bushes once more, lurking in the leaves for any sign of intruders. Peering quickly around, Naruto slunk out of the foliage, a tray in his hands, and scurried straight for Neji's room, drawing his hood up around his face.
Can't move…
Neji strained to move his feet, placing them on the ground. Trying once more to stand, he managed to stay upright for five minutes before collapsing once more on the bed. Wincing as the room tilted dangerously, the Hyuuga sank back down on his pillows, a deep frown marring his elegant features. He was able to stand and walk a few steps; whatever toxin it was that was adulterating his blood would be washed out in a couple of days. His brows knotted together in a scowl. What was it…what was it that he felt he had to remember? It was something crucial….something extremely crucial, and it irked him to no end that he couldn't remember it. Sighing, he laid his head back among the pillows, grayish-silver eyes creased in thought.
Day upon day…night upon night…and still I cannot move…
The Hyuuga turned as he noticed the five slender fingers that curled themselves around the door. His primary thoughts were that the fingers belonged to Sakura; but no, those fingers were far thinner and finer than the girl's. Sakura's fingers were callused from the many years of fingering opium; these fingers were delicate and unmarked, truly fine digits. His thoughts immediately snapped to the image of Naruto; Naruto's fingers were unblemished and perfect, the skin a smooth, creamy complexion, the fingers long and slim. His broodings, however were dashed when the door slid open to reveal a guard dressed in a long hooded cloak, precariously balancing a tray on his arm. He spoke in a low, husky tone.
"Your breakfast is ready, Neji-san." Setting the tray on the Hyuuga's lap, the guard bowed and began to depart.
"Wait." The word slid almost involuntarily from Neji's mouth. The guard turned, his face still hidden by the shadows of his hood.
"You require of me?" Neji beckoned him to come closer; the guard obeyed. The Hyuuga tilted his head to the side, a look of curiosity and wonder in his snow-white orbs.
"Do I…know you?" He would've bet his life that the guard had a slight hesitation to his negative reply.
"No…no, I don't believe we've met before." Turning abruptly, the guard exited the room, Neji's confused gaze following him out the door.
Naruto slid the door shut and leaned heavily against the wall, one hand clutched tightly to his heart. Neji…the memory of the Hyuuga still hurt. The fact that he was wedded to Sakura hurt even more. And the fact that Sakura didn't have actual feelings for Neji hurt the worst. Naruto's thoughts turned bitter, then for the briefest moment, angry. He would've given the Hyuuga so much; he would've cherished him, loved him, gone to Hades and back to please him….but no, he'd chosen the girl who would bring him honor and children.
Naruto shook his head, harshly berating himself. Neji loved him; he didn't doubt that now, since Neji had so sincerely admitted he loved him during their rendezvous at Sasuke's estate. But it hurt to see that all memories of the love were temporarily cleansed by Sakura's deadly potion. So wrapped up in his thoughts was he that he failed to notice the girl herself walking up to Neji's room. He almost jumped out of his skin when Sakura addressed him.
"What are you doing out here so early?" Naruto spun to face the girl. Lowering his voice, he spoke.
"I have just finished bringing Neji-san his breakfast." He rasped. Sakura frowned.
"But you didn't put the liquid—"
"I remembered that, Sakura-san. His ability to walk will still be hindered." Sakura smiled in relief.
"Good. You may take leave now." Opening the door to Neji's room, she sauntered in, hips swaying seductively, and closed the door with a snap.
Naruto swiftly scurried back to the bushes in which the Uchiha lurked. Yanking Sasuke from his hideout, Naruto spun him around to face him.
"We're taking Neji tomorrow; the poison should wear off by then." Sasuke nodded.
"You gave him his food?" Naruto replied positively and spat to the side.
"Sakura's probably in there trying to get into his pants as of the moment." He scoffed. Sasuke smirked silkily.
"If it angers you so, why not run your knife through her pathetic little body and make off with Neji? She wouldn't be discovered until…" He trailed off at the look on Naruto's face.
"I do hate to kill, Uchiha. And that's a bit too impulsive of a plan." Sasuke sighed and got up.
"Very well. The poison should clear from his system by then. We make off with the Hyuuga tomorrow night."
The Following Night
The guard whistled tunelessly as he strolled down the corridors of the mansion. Guard duty was extremely mundane if one was given the shift excluding the patrol. Turning a corner, he walked headlong into a figure and was about to cry out when he noticed that the person was shrouded in a cloak and hood similar to his own. Relaxing slightly, he hailed the man. The figure nodded back in greeting and walked past the guard, fumbling with something in his hand. The guard simply passed it off as a gesture and turned around, continuing his rounds around the mansion. A shadow loomed ominously behind him, and he turned around too late to find that a knife had been embedded in his ribs. A mild look of surprise crossed his face as he fell silently to the floor.
Naruto grinned triumphantly and extracted his cloak, shoving the poor man into a rather uncomfortable niche behind a shelf. Smiling pleasantly, the blond turned and ran fluidly back to a waiting Sasuke. Together the two jogged quickly to Neji's bedroom, sliding open the door with a bang. The Hyuuga looked up, startled at the sudden commotion.
"Who…?" Naruto let down his hood. Silvery-gray eyes widened.
"Naruto…?" The blond executed an extravagant bow, hands making intricate curlicues in the air.
"Dare you suggest another?" Neji grinned, standing from the bed. He'd gotten no farther than a total of twelve steps when he collapsed on the floor, clutching his head in agony. Naruto swiftly caught the Hyuuga, steadying him up on his feet.
"I don't understand….why can't I walk?" Naruto smiled sadly.
"She's poisoned you, Neji. Sakura's slipped a drug that erases your memory and hinders your walking into your food." A dark frown creased Neji's brows.
"Why…how…" Naruto laid a finger over his lips, shaking his head.
"News now, explanations later. We need to get you out of here before Sakura discovers us." Turning to Sasuke, he nodded tartly and slid open the door.
The blond and the Uchiha dashed madly throughout the corridors, balancing the Hyuuga precariously between them. Scurrying through a series of intricate hallways, Naruto rounded a corner and slammed straight into Sakura herself. Before the girl got a chance to recognize the blond, Naruto had whirled and sprinted in the other direction, Sasuke hot on his heels and Neji between them. The two bodyguards at Sakura's side quickly drew their guns, quickly cocking them. Sakura lunged forward, her nails scrabbling at the revolvers, a desperate look on her face.
"No! Don't shoot…if you hit Neji…" The guards reluctantly lowered their guns, thought their fingers twitched sporadically.
Sakura clenched her jaw so hard that it hurt. Nails raking painfully into her palm, the girl turned and strode into her mansion, stalking up to her room. She threw herself on the bed and wept, body wracked with harsh, bitter sobs. It wasn't fair…why did Neji's friends always take away the one thing she desired most? Steadily, the Haruno's sadness materialized into bitterness, then anger. Sakura sat up, her hands balled into fists so tight, blood streamed down her arm. If they were after her, then she wouldn't make herself easy prey. They'd have to shed blood, sweat, and tears if they wanted her. She'd run. She'd run far away, and they'd have to go to hell and back if they wanted her alive. Turning, she uttered a sharp command at a nearby guard.
"Get my car ready. I'm leaving." She snapped. The guard bowed and ran from the room.
Now alone, Sakura picked up the revolver the guard had dropped, fingering it thoughtfully. She briefly entertained the thought of ending it right then and there; after all, now that her Neji was taken away, she had nothing else to live for. Even opium had lost its buzz; now she felt only emptiness. But no, that was too easy; they'd just shake their heads and resume their lives, soon forgetting that she'd even existed. She'd have to make them remember, she'd have to cram the memory of their chase for her into their minds, searing it into their brains like a brand so they'd never forget. Yes, that was what she'd do. And even if she did perish in the process, she'd make sure they were all mortally wounded, if not physically, then emotionally.
Back At the Uchiha Estate
Slender, willowy fingers raced at breakneck speeds across the keyboard of Kabuto's computer. The man himself was sitting at another laptop while Naruto occupied the desktop, both sets of fingers flying and dancing over the keys. Programming all the evidence into one single report that was legible and understandable was extremely difficult with all the information the three had gathered. Both the blond and the silver-haired man finished at the same time and hit the "print" button, sending sheetloads of information printing out on paper. Naruto gathered up his pile and joined it with Kabuto's, shuffling it into one sheaf of papers.
"I'll send this to a friend of mine that will be able to decipher it." He smirked triumphantly, eyes glittering dangerously.
"Sakura will never know what hit her." Neji started forward.
"By the way…who is this friend of yours?" The blond cupped his chin in one hand, eyes at half mast.
"A slip of a redhead named Gaara. He has no surname; he's absolutely brilliant at what he does, which is why he's so respected." Naruto could practically feel the fear slide off of both the Uchiha and the Hyuuga in tiny black spheres, shattering on the floor of Kabuto's immaculate study.
"You know him?" The two before him nodded grimly.
"Oh yes. He's quite notorious; extremely feared and respected among both the criminals and the other, harmless people of society." Naruto smirked.
There was a faint knock at the study door, three short raps followed by a series of long ones. Kabuto opened the door and ushered in a tall young man with shocking red hair. He wore a long, grayish-beige overcoat with an extremely high collar that drew up over his face, masking his features in shadows. The tension in the room suddenly grew to such levels, Naruto could practically feel it wafting around in the air.
Neji and Sasuke were suddenly looking wary. What they could make out of this Gaara's eyes….his eyes were murderous. His eyes were deadly. And if looks could kill, Gaara would be in the world records for killing the most people with stares. His mint-hued eyes shot icicles of hate and malice so feral, they could've frozen the entire room, perhaps the entire earth. Much to the Hyuuga's and the Uchiha's surprise, Naruto stood up, a friendly smile on his face.
"Gaara. You've arrived." The slightest nod was his only reply. One white hand extended from the sleeve of the trenchcoat and reached out, impossibly long, almost spidery fingers stroking the length of Naruto's jaw. Gaara spoke.
"You have grown, both physically and mentally." The slender, pale fingers continued their path down to Naruto's neck, encircling it easily. Neji and Sasuke tensed and started forward, only to be held back by Kabuto with a warning look.
"And you haven't grown any warmer." Naruto countered, a mild smile on his lips. Gaara let out a low, humorless chuckle.
"You've called me on business?" The blond slid the sheaf of papers over to the redhead as a reply. Gaara took them carefully and flicked a disinterested gaze over the information.
"Very well. I will look into these as best I can." Whirling, he glided out of the study. The blond watched him go for a few minutes, a slightly amused grin on his countenance. He turned to the shell-shocked forms of Sasuke and Neji.
"He's what they call a seasoned spy. He's seen a lot of life, that he has, which makes him a bit cold against other people." Both the Hyuuga and the Uchiha twitched. Only a bit?
"He's more aloof towards me though. We've known each other ever since we were in grade school. He's only a few months older than I am, and already an international spy. He's the best in his field." The very prospect of Gaara attending school and not breaking out in a massacre rampage was a concept that took Neji and Sasuke a good five minutes to grasp.
"Anyhow, now that we have evidence that Sakura is now a major drug-runner, all we have to do is apprehend her." Sasuke started forward.
"She's more paranoid that you suspect, Naruto. She's probably already fled the country." The blonde's eyes darkened to a smoky indigo.
"We'll have to pursue her then. I'm guessing she's well informed of the geographical knowledge; after all, she smuggled drugs from a wide variety of sources all over the world." Naruto abruptly stood from his chair.
"We'll leave right away. She mustn't make it across the borders of Japan; if she does, then we're helpless." Dashing through the Uchiha estate with Kabuto in tow, Naruto made his way down to Sasuke's sedan and slammed quickly into the passenger's seat, shoving Kabuto and Neji in the back. Sasuke took the wheel.
"Hang on. This'll be a rough drive." Roaring out of the Uchiha mansion, the car spun around and drove off into the night.
Oh yes...my updates will become inconsistent from now on...summer, you know, and people go on vacation...but it's only for a week. I'll be back soon. But I'm not going yet...sometime in July...