Misery Loves Company

Author: Ladelle

Rating: M, for language? Oooh oooh, and a semi steamy scene. Eh. That is all.

Comments: I AM SO INCREDIBLY SORRY

These last few weeks have been absolutely psychotic for me. My friends all leave town this week so we were partying, there were all these last-minute festivals here in Colorado that I didn't want to miss, midterms at school, the National Democratic Convention downtown...I mean, it's been crazy. It's no excuse, but really it has been. Oh! And then I've been trying to finish this one shot that is 32 pages long and maybe MAYBE three-quarters done. :sobs:

I am really really really really sorry. Really.

In hopes I have forgiveness, I give you a long awaited update.

Chapter 14:

If anyone asked him, he wouldn't have been able to say how or why it happened. But an uncomfortable silence had followed both he and Neji to his apartment door, and as soon as he had reached for the handle Neji's hand was on his, and in even less time, lips were claiming lips and hands were desperately searching for something to grip.

It was a frenzied rush of movements and Naruto let out a terse breath as the brunet shoved him backwards, searching for the door handle behind him impatiently. The hallway was hot and muggy and Naruto's mind felt just as clouded, and as Neji finally wrenched the handle upwards, he gasped as they tumbled backwards into his apartment.

"N-neji—" It wasn't a comment made from lust, it was a surge of realization that had managed to piece itself together in the form of words. Naruto struggled backwards until his palms found the leather arm of his sofa, and Neji's lips latched onto the junction of skin between his neck and jaw. Gasping involuntarily, Naruto's head fell backwards, as he attempted to muster a stronger voice.

"Neji, stop."

Two hands unexpectedly gripped his thighs and forced him up, a careful balance made between him and the couch. Neji slid between Naruto's legs and yanked his hips forward insistently, crushing their groins together in a triturating flurry of hot lust. Tan hands unconsciously found Neji's shoulders and the brunet captured Naruto's lips again, smothering a half-formed complaint.

Groaning out of a fevered frustration, Naruto felt butterflies take flight in his stomach, but they weren't the comforting kind. They ate at his insides and images of Sasuke fed his rationality, and with a surge of realization he shoved Neji backwards, tearing himself free. The heat was lost between them and Naruto felt his nerves fire, his conscience berating him for not stopping the situation sooner.

Neji staggered backwards and Naruto slid forward off the sofa, his balance lost. He coughed and ran a hand across his mouth, flushing with more shame than embarrassment, and Neji ran a hand through his hair, pulling it to the top of his head to free his face where it had been. His eyes were darker than usual, Naruto noted, and they were searching him—trying to read him.

They were both breathing hard, and Naruto was struggling to collect himself.

"Don't think about him," Neji said suddenly, a suggestion that surprised Naruto. After all, how could he not think about Sasuke? He hadn't been able to stop thinking about him for over two years and now…

"I don't want this." Naruto didn't bother to try and button his shirt as he fell back against the couch, feeling flushed and nervous. The day had been too long, and this was the last thing he had expected to come from it.

"You don't know what you want," the brunet stated hotly and in a tone that Naruto had never heard. For the first time Naruto could remember, Neji sounded angry. Not the kind of angry that drove people to violence, but the type that was possessive and protective, all in the same.

"You…knew that I came back for Sasuke…I mean, you know that, right?" Blue eyes softened along with his voice. He hadn't made it a secret that his goal had been the head of Uchiha Industries. And he had never expected that Neji didn't know—but Neji did know, and that was the difference.

"I don't understand you," Neji's head fell to the side, his hair falling to cover his face as his hands fell to his sides, balled. "You're incredibly smart, but you can't even see what he's doing to you." He turned back to Naruto, his eyes honest and concentrated and an amazing shade of blue, as clear as frosted glass.

"I don't want you to keep waiting for him, Naruto."

The comment hung in the air for a long minute, the weight behind it making Naruto think twice about the words he wanted to say. He didn't want his friendship with Neji to end, although he could feel that it could never be the same. He frowned and studied the hardwood floors, tracing ribbons of wood to Neji's glossy black boots.

"…Neji…" He was never good at explaining things, unless they were scientific.

"I won't let you keep waiting," Neji's tone wavered, "Sasuke is too dangerous. He's too far in and I can't let you be a pawn in it—"

"What?" Naruto couldn't stop the words from coming out of his mouth, surprised at the unexpected admission. "Too far into what?"

Neji broke and glanced away, biting his lip, and Naruto felt his mind curl in thought. He had already guessed that Sasuke was involved in something, ever since the time when he had heard Sasuke in the convenience store. But the fact that Neji seemed to know something about it and hadn't told him made his mind race.

"What is Sasuke too far into?" he repeated, and Neji almost looked regretful that he had said anything. Obviously reluctant to speak, Neji did his best to answer the question.

"I don't think you realize how important you are, even now," Neji was serious. "When you left, Sasuke had so many loose ends to tie—your hypothesis, Sakura, his brother—do you really think he could handle it all without selling himself out?"

Naruto shook his head and blinked, frustrated. "What are you talking about?"

Neji frowned and stepped forward, coming closer to Naruto with downcast eyes. "I'm talking about Uchiha, and the fact that he put more money into your theories than he could support."

The comment caught Naruto off guard and he raised an eyebrow, confused. "You aren't making any sense," he said and Neji came closer once again, putting his arms on either side of Naruto, leaning forward on the arm of the couch for support.

"Uchiha Industries was putting everything into cryonics. When it got banned…" Neji's stopped abruptly and licked his lips, obviously contemplating how to say what he needed to say. Naruto frowned and stood straighter, getting impatient.

"What are you getting at? That his company had problems or somethi—"

"Naruto," Neji stood up too, letting his hands slide off the couch, releasing the cage he had formed around the blond. "If it weren't for Suigetsu, Sasuke wouldn't have his company anymore."

He looked ashamed to say it, and even angry. He was as serious as ever, and because of that, Naruto bristled.

"What?" He felt like so many things had happened during the year he had been away that he would never catch up, and that no one had ever quite managed to tell him the truth. "I don't understand what you're saying." His insides were calming out of nervous frustration, and the look in the brunet's eyes was making him feel like an ant under a microscope, small and insignificant.

"What's so hard to understand," Neji said flatly, and he stepped back, leaning against a lowered armoire as his eyes softened a bit as well. "If it wasn't for the fact he invested in Suigetsu's companies…Uchiha Industries would have gone bankrupt. If it wasn't for Suigetsu's financial support, ongoing financial support, Uchiha wouldn't have a lasting penny to his name."

The comment hit Naruto like a train, a piece of the puzzle falling into place. Why Sasuke was dating someone, why it was Suigetsu, and why someone like Orochimaru had offered to 'help out'. Was he the only one who hadn't known about Uchiha Industries and how bad things had turned?

Naruto could feel it—an emotional weight that couldn't be lifted. That company was the only thing Sasuke had left from his parents, and everything he wanted to protect from Itachi. If he lost it…Naruto knew there would be nothing left for him. And it all made sense now, even in a twisted and uncomfortable way. Sasuke depended on Suigetsu, whether Naruto was in the future or not. In the end—

"Sasuke won't leave Suigetsu for you." Neji's words were like a frostbitten breeze on a day born from early spring. "He can't. And I…won't let you sit around and bide your time, hoping that he changes his mind."

Neji sounded reluctant to speak, but no longer afraid to voice what he truly felt. His friendship had always been unconditional, and Naruto could see that somewhere along the line, probably long before he could remember, Neji had formed a love that was the same way.

It was a love he couldn't return though, a problem it seemed like everyone was turning out to have. Sasuke couldn't love him because of his relationship with Suigetsu, and Naruto couldn't love Neji because he had promised to give everything he was to Sasuke.

"Shit," Naruto buried his face with his hands, pulling lightly at his hair, everything he had hoped for crashing down and becoming more complicated then he would have liked.

It made sense that Sasuke would do whatever he could for his company, although the burning image of Orochimaru in his mind made him grit his teeth. It seemed like Suigetsu had been working pretty hard to keep Sasuke away from the older man, which gave him a couple good points in Naruto's book, but still…

"What else…haven't you told me?" Naruto's eyes rose to find those of his partner's, hoping that maybe there was some other information he could work with. His insides felt cold with the admission of Sasuke's debt, and an even bigger part of himself felt at fault. After all—he was the one who had ruined it for everyone, and then selfishly returned, thinking nothing would have changed.

Neji shifted, his temper and aggression defusing, now looking almost regretful that he had said all that he had. There was still a glint in his eye that hinted he was completely serious about everything he had said, and Naruto couldn't help but feel like his heart was still unconditionally attached to the one man he would probably never have.

"I don't know, it was never intentional," he explained, and Naruto could buy about half of that. No one knew he intended on returning so it didn't make sense for everyone to keep tabs on vital information for him. But a part of him was really upset with Neji, and almost betrayed.

"You knew from the beginning that I came back for Sasuke," Naruto took in a sharp breath, "but that didn't stop you from waiting this long to tell me about all of this." He tried to keep the frustration out of his voice, but Neji caught wind of it anyhow.

"Don't say that. I told you that first day that there was a big chance it wouldn't work out between you two," he bit back. "I told you he had a boyfriend. You can't blame me for not wanting to tell you that everything working against you was your fault."

Immediate lament overtook Neji's facial features and Naruto felt the cold sting of a truth unheard whiplash his conscience. Neji pushed himself upwards, shaking his head. "I didn't mean that."

"Yeah you did."

It was the truth. If Naruto hadn't caused so many problems, or waited so long to return…things wouldn't be the way they were. A silence hung in the room, uncomfortable and tangible. Naruto was angry and confused with what to do with himself, and Neji had run out of words to say.

Neji's icon let out a shrill ring that made them both jump and Morino's voice was hasty over the speaker.

"Neji, are you there?"

The device buzzed a bit, which was unusual. Neji lifted the piece to his mouth and glanced over to Naruto, his expression slightly bewildered, a call from their commander unexpected.

"Yes, I'm with Naruto. What did you need?"

The sound of sirens made Neji jerk the device away from his ear and Naruto's blood got pumping again, this time out of nervous anxiety. He stood up and came closer to Neji, both of them watching the device, waiting for an answer.

"I'm dispatching three units to Hebi—it looks like there's some trouble—"

Naruto couldn't tell if the icon cut off or if he had finished. He glanced over to Neji. "Like a bar fight?"

Neji shook his head unknowingly and the icon buzzed again, drawing their attention downward, concentrating, trying to pick up whatever they could from the chief's voice.

"…you both have five minutes to get down here…Orochimaru's involved—"

Naruto's head snapped up, as if that was all Morino needed to say. Neji looked surprised by the sudden movement, and Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Give me a minute to change," he said, and was ignorant to the fact that Neji looked completely baffled at his sudden motivation.

It was only a couple of minutes before he emerged from his room, an almost picture perfect replica of Neji in a black uniform with an armory belt snug around his waist. "I hate these hats," he said bitterly as he tugged one on, and he felt a urge of unresolved tension when he saw Neji waiting by his door, holding his key card in hand.

"Neji," he began, "About earlier—"

"We can talk about it later," Neji stated, and Naruto couldn't help but feel like 'later' would be something he wasn't necessarily looking forward to. He nodded anyhow and closed his door, racing alongside his partner to Neji's car which was still parked outside in the main sidewalk-caged parking area.

The sun had broke the horizon at least an hour previous, and Naruto dimly noted he was working on no sleep, but his inner gut feeling towards Orochimaru had him uncaring towards anything but what his job was asking.

Neji revved the vehicle and shot it upward, and Naruto grimaced as it zoomed forth, his head beginning to pound. He clenched his teeth and strapped himself in while Neji tried to get some more information from his icon. It seemed as though Morino wasn't able to answer, which left a sour feeling in the pit of Naruto's stomach.

"Why was he cutting out?" Naruto asked, and Neji shook his head, hastily yanking the vehicle left and pulling a switch that activated the car's sirens and flashing lights.

"I have no idea. But the important thing he said was 'be there in five minutes'. He wouldn't give us a time limit if it wasn't an emergency."

Naruto wondered what had happened in the few hours since he had left. Even though he wasn't sure what to imagine, he felt the hairs on his arms standing on end and his chest tight. He had a bad feeling, and the fact they couldn't get a hold of Morino didn't help.

Neji swerved around another corner and effectively upped a sleek flying sedan that failed to get out of the way in time, soaring overhead with a practiced stability. Naruto gripped the armrest next to him as Neji curved towards one of the main streets and jutted down, the scenery familiar to Naruto but completely different looking during the day. Signs were no longer flashing and the clubs looked normal and vacant, spare the Hebi, which looked oddly active.

"Zabuza is here," Naruto leaned towards the window and peered downwards, seeing Haku crouched outside of the doors as well. Neji didn't answer as he sent the vehicle below the skyway, aiming to park on the ground level street below. It looked as though it had been blocked off, and Naruto barely waited for the heels of the car to touch the ground before he jumped out and raced over to his dorm-mates.

"Haku!" He shouted, and the shorter boy turned to him and motioned him down. Naruto came to his side before he obeyed. "What's going on?"

Neji was only a few feet behind, and if it weren't for the unspoken urgency in the situation, Naruto was sure he would have said something about waiting for the vehicle to land. Instead he settled behind them and waited for Haku to explain, listening as intently as Naruto.

"Morino's inside with Orochimaru. There were gunshots fired earlier from inside—Zabuza and I were the closest unit, but as soon as Morino got here, he took the lead and told us to hold the perimeter."

Neji nodded and Naruto frowned, hardly feeling like that was enough information. "Why did he go inside alone?"

A gruff voice sounded from behind them, and Naruto whipped around to see that Zabuza had come to where they were. "It could be a hostage situation…or it could be that Orochimaru wanted to speak with Morino and only Morino."

Naruto felt another wave of insecurity flood through him. His bad feeling hadn't faded and his fingers had found their way to his holster, circling the latch that held his gun in place, unconsciously debating whether or not to take it in his hand.

"Why would he need to speak with Morino?"

"Suigetsu is inside, too, and also Sasuke, right?" Neji cut over Naruto and glanced up at Zabuza who looked contemplative. "I believe so…I can't be sure. Our information has been minimal."

That wasn't the only thing Naruto found odd. In every cop movie he had ever seen, if there was a hostage situation, there were way more than four police officers huddled around the building. Something definitely wasn't right.

"I don't think we should just be sitting around." Naruto said and he stood up, his eyes narrowed. "I'm really not in the mood for this guy's games." Ever impatient, Naruto jogged forward and Haku yelled his name.

"What the hell is he doing?!" Zabuza stepped forward before glaring down at Neji who shook his head in irritation. "Shit."

The brunet jumped up and trailed Naruto, meeting him by the main entrance and grabbing his shoulder roughly. "Naruto—stop. If this is a hostage situation, we can't just barge in—"

"Then stay here," Naruto stated. I'll turn my icon on so you can hear everything going on inside," he pulled his wrist up and did just that. "I'm not waiting out here though, when innocent people are in there—even if it's Morino."

Neji seemed surprised to hear him say what he had, and Naruto could understand why. He wasn't really a police officer, although he was trying to make headway into the profession, and even though he wouldn't admit it, he was reluctant to use his gun. He had a simplistic nature that wasn't fit for barging into dangerous situations, although he was known for having reckless behavior.

"I'm not afraid of Orochimaru," Naruto confessed, and it was a stone-cold truth. The man made him angry and irritated, and it made him nervous that Sasuke could be inside with him. Neji searched his eyes for a minute before releasing him and turning to the side. It was obvious that he was reluctant to let Naruto act on his own, but some part of him realized that if it involved Sasuke, trying to stop him was a lost cause.

"Don't do anything stupid," Neji warned, and Naruto nodded.

"Of course not."

"Right." Neji didn't look at him and Naruto didn't hesitate before he swung open the doors and stepped inside, surprised to see that all of the bright lights were still dancing about the room even though it was empty of guests. Tables still had drinks sitting on them and the bar was sloppy and unclean—as if most of the people had abandoned the club with an urgency.

Naruto wasn't stupid, and he assumed the people there weren't either. If he had heard a gunshot in a club he would have taken off too. Although….it had to have been some type of gunshot to be heard over the pounding bass he had heard earlier.

He paused in front of the split hallway, wondering where to go. He resolved that the employee lounge was the most hidden and quieted area, and probably the only room without cameras. If a crazy old man were trying to cut some sort of deal, that's where he would go.

Naruto was quiet as he tiptoed down the hall, carefully evading a few broken glasses that were scattered in pieces on the floor. He imagined what sort of chaos had happened, thinking the club reminded him of an old haunted ghost town one of his foster parents had taken him to see as a kid. The bass speakers overhead buzzed and he could feel the electricity from loose power, and he assumed that somewhere a wire had been cut.

The feeling made goosebumps rise on his arms and he licked his lips, trying to keep his clumsy nature at bay. He couldn't afford it, something inside was telling him. He recognized the archway entry to the lounge and felt accomplished when he did hear noises—voices—and ones that were familiar. He unholstered his gun and cradled it between his fingers, drawing forth the confidence to grasp it correctly.

Shooting at a range and contemplating the idea of shooting an actual person were very different.

He settled against the wall and crept closer, still making massive efforts to keep quiet. The voices were becoming clearer the closer he got to the doorway, and he flattened himself as he saw a shadow move on the wall across from him. The lighting in the employee lounge was horrific, so it didn't surprise him that the shadow stretched so far to where he was. He took a deep breath and took another couple of steps, straining his ears to hear the conversation inside.

"I hoped you'd understand," Orochimaru was saying, and there was a laugh, one from a person whose voice Naruto didn't know. That voice spoke and Naruto had to suppress the urge to peer out from behind the wall he was rested against to put a face to it.

"Of course. With the lives of the infamous Suigetsu and Sasuke Uchiha on the line, he really has no choice but to entertain us."

Naruto's eyes narrowed and he typed a message to Neji on his icon, telling him that Orochimaru, Sasuke, and Suigetsu were there for sure, and also another unknown man. The message wouldn't send, and Naruto glanced around, wondering if he had bad reception.

The buzz of that loose electricity tickled his skin again and it made sense. The reason why Morino's call had been so choppy, and also why his text wouldn't send—the place was like an electric field. He cursed under his breath, although he had intended on acting alone to begin with.

"This is ridiculous. You don't honestly think our security is that inconsistent, do you?" It was Morino's voice, and he sounded agitated. Orochimaru laughed.

"Inconsistency has nothing to do with it. This is Kisame we are talking about—and as soon as he's got his freedom, you'll be welcome to take yours."

Naruto lowered his eyes and his brows furrowed. Orochimaru and Kisame were…working together? His mind couldn't even fathom why. He glanced forward and was surprised to hear Suigetsu's voice next.

"Do what you need to do and get the hell out of my club," he said briskly, and one of the speaker's behind Naruto groaned a bit, causing him to step forward onto a piece of glass. It cracked under his shoe and he inwardly cursed, especially when that unfamiliar voice sparked. "Who's there?"

Naruto took a deep breath and summoned his confidence. He had gotten out fo worse before, or at least he tried to convince himself. He held his hands up as he walked into the room, hoping to get a better idea of how everything was played out. If there was a chance that Neji could hear anything any clearer now that he was out of the hallway, he wanted to use any opportunity.

"Hm. This is interesting," Orochimaru's eyes traced his figure, and Naruto kept his expression as serene as possible. It was difficult, especially when the old man was wearing a gruesome ring around his eye, compliment of Naruto Uzumaki not half a day before.

"I've seen you before," it was that voice Naruto didn't recognize, and he glanced over to it's owner. He was a few years older than Naruto with smoke-colored hair tied into a ponytail, glasses riding the brim of his nose. Naruto had seen him somewhere before, too.

"Mm. Outside of Montebello, I remember," and Naruto remembered too. The man he had run into after escaping the convenience store where he had first seen Sasuke, right before he had found Neji. The man who knew where Itachi was. "He's Hyuuga's partner."

"I know him, too."

Naruto had seen Suigetsu and Sasuke from his peripheral vision, but hadn't made an effort to look directly at him. This new voice sounded from behind him, up against the wall he had been hiding behind. He twisted his head to view the person, and his eyes went wide as he recognized the long blond-haired man he had met while trying to confront Kisame. Was Deidara his name?

"Put your gun down Blondie," he waved his hand passively, and Naruto attempted to hide the confusion he felt. The motion practically meant that he trusted Naruto, and trusted him with a gun no less. What was going on?

"Kabuto, take his gun," Orochimaru said, and the grey-haired man reached forward, only to be blocked by Deidara's slender hand.

"There's no reason, really," he said, and he smiled at Naruto. "He's only pretending to be a cop anyhow."

And suddenly Naruto understood, though he was amazed that things had worked out as they did. When he had spoken to Kisame, he had said that his goal was to work in the police force long enough to join the Akatsuki—and now, it seemed as though this Deidara person had caught wind of that, and believed it was true. A part of him wondered if Kisame did as well. When he looked back on the night when Kisame had been captured…it had looked like an innocent mistake.

After all, if he was to be playing the role of an officer, it would have seemed like his act was brilliant. And on the other side of things, if Deidara was working for Danzo, this was a good opportunity for officers to protect one another.

"Pretending?" Orochimaru stood up, his expression so much resembling his lost pride that Naruto's eyes narrowed, his free fist clenching as if he was about to get punched in retribution for earlier. But Deidara came in front of him, smirking and playful.

"Ah, ah, ah….this one is Kisame's. He wouldn't like it if you screwed with his merchandise."

For the first time Naruto let his vision wander to the other men in the room, and realized that Morino was seated on one of the couches, calm and calculating. They met eyes and all at once Morino understood, because Naruto had confronted him about his lies to Kisame in the beginning. Suigetsu and Sasuke didn't look amused at all; actually, they looked as though hell had frozen over and there was nothing left for them to stand and watch.

"I'm going to get you back one of these days, Uzumaki," Orochimaru said and Naruto glanced back over to him and smirked, once again feeling his adrenaline ush at the challenge.

"We'll see," he replied, and Kabuto frowned.

"If your working with the Akatsuki, why are your friends outside?" He pointed to a set of camera's that showed his three teammates in the front parking area, and he thought fast.

"We were sent here with Orochimaru as our target," he explained, and that was at least the truth. "But if this is for Kisame's sake," he glanced over to Morino, making sure they were still on the same page, "It seems like it was just luck of the draw that I was sent inside."

"The luck of what?" Kabuto raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"It's a saying," Naruto waved off, "and in this case it means you're lucky I'm here and not one of them." When the grey-haired man lifted an eyebrow Naruto continued. "If one of them were here instead of me, you'd be dead."

Deidara laughed and drifted towards Orochimaru, obviously trying to play peacekeeper. Naruto was only a foot away from Suigetsu, who was standing, looking too calm and content in the situation. I made Naruto narrow his eyes, wondering what he was thinking. Deidara opened his mouth to start some small talk though, and suddenly, Suigetsu moved.

Naruto realized he had barely been holding his gun as Suigetsu yanked it from his hand, lifted it towards Deidara and fired. It was an action that happened so fast that Naruto was stunned and in seconds, Morino was up from the couch, charging forward, and Suigetsu was glaring at Naruto with a look that sent a shiver up his spine.

"If you don't want to die next, get the fuck out," he growled, and after Morino reclaimed his own gun and was successfully pointing it towards Orochimaru—keeping him at bay—he came forward and wrapped his fingers around the pistol, lowering his from where it was placed against Naruto's chest.

"Don't threaten my officers," he bit out and he nearly shoved the club owner out of the way, waving his gun as if to make Suigetsu in charge of keeping the old man and his grey-haired counterpart seated. "Shit. Now we're going to need a medical unit. Who's here, Uzumaki?" he asked, and Suigetsu looked bewildered and pissed.

"Didn't you hear what he said?" He glared. "He's not even working for you!"

Morino gave Suigetsu a look that shut him up as if on cue, and Sasuke stepped forward, doing his best to look stoic as he took in the situation. He was quiet, but he looked as trusting as Morino.

"Who's here?" Morino repeated, and Naruto nodded.

"Haku, Zabuza, Neji and me," he said quickly and he shook his head. "Icons aren't any good—there's a power line out in here somewhere. If there's a spark, this place could catch fire."

Morino nodded. He glanced at Deidara, still crumpled on the floor and then back to Naruto. "Someone needs to get to the precinct and make sure Kisame doesn't break out," he said, and he eyed Naruto, willing himself to explain the situation. "That's what this was about. A distraction to lure the department here, and get that Akatsuki member out—"

"Right, I'm on it," Naruto said and he turned towards the door, ready to go get Neji and get back to the station. There was a muffled movement however and Suigetsu let out a coarse yell, and when Naruto glanced back Deidara was up and standing, clutching the side of him stomach where he ahd been shot. He was holding a gun of his own, and aiming straight for Naruto.

"I wouldn't move if I were you," he said, and he coughed, a dribble of blood trickling from between his lips. "Actually, I would. You're going to drive me to your precinct." It was obvious to Naruto that the jig was up. Deidara knew which side he was on. And in an awkward sort of realization, Naruto knew which side Deidara was on as well.

"I'm not driving you anywhere," Naruto stated, and it sounded rebellious and heroic. The truth behind the comment was that he didn't know how to drive a flying car. Deidara's eyes narrowed and Morino growled.

"If you shoot him, you've got two more guns to worry about," he said, and he motioned towards his own weapon and then Suigetsu's. Deidara smiled knowingly.

"You'd risk that traveler's life?" It was a cold and honest observation. Naruto was valuable—he always would be. Morino frowned and it seemed answer enough. Deidara pointed his gun toward Sasuke and waved him out, motioning for him to follow Naruto towards the rear exit.

"You too, Uchiha," he said. "And if you play anymore tricks, Blondie, I'll make sure he regrets it," he went forward, still clutching his side, and Morino and Suigetsu were both caught in a stalemate as they left the room, headed for the rear parking garage.

"Shit," Suigetsu said, and Orochimaru was smiling and chuckling to himself.

"I wouldn't be so worried about Deidara, if I were you," he said, leaning casually into his chair. Morino raised an eyebrow and grimaced, and Suigetsu frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kabuta pushed his glasses back to the loft of his nose, and Orochimaru glanced tot eh door the three had departed through.

"It's one thing if he knows you're little traveler lied, assuming that's what happened," eh explained. "It's another when Kisame finds out."

The old man stood up and Morino shook his gun. "Don't move," he said, and Orochimaru merely pulled out a tin of slender cigarettes from his back pocket and placed one between his lips. Speaking around it, he laughed even harder.

"Especially when Kisame's partner is Itachi."

Morino's eyes widened and Suigetsu's did the same, and the room went from hot and stuffy to cold as ice.

"Care to wager who's going to win?" Orochimaru was laughing until Morino came forward and smacked him with the butt of his gun, effectively knocking him to the ground and out of consciousness. Kabuto didn't look like he planned on retaliating.

Morino stalked towards the door and Suigetsu barked, "Where the hell are you going?"

With his hand placed against the wall Morino turned only slightly, his expression unreadable.

"To protect that kid," he said darkly, and disappeared into the dimly lit hall.

"Fuck," Suigetsu ground out. After all, it was the second time on one day that he was letting Naruto play hero, and this time, the stakes were much higher.

a/n: Yay, an update! Woooooo. I'm thinking this story has about...ten more chapters. Ad another 'woooooooo'.

MANGA SPOILERS:

Okay it's been a while since I've written my little reviews, but here are the things that strike my memory that I don't think I've written about.

Numero uno. Mr. Singing Eight Tailed Demon. I laugh and then then wonder how on earth the anime is going to treat him. He's like...a rapper. LOL. Like...the spiritual Luda of the ninja world. Oh, oh. And then the thing that touched my heart and soul was when Sasuke looked to Hebi (who are doing pretty horrifically, if you ask me) and saw Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi in them. He's a good guy. We all know it. Maybe he'll figure it out soon too.

Especially because you know, even at like 10 years old Team 7 managed to defeat Zabuza and all these other guys and this new team is kind of struggling. LOL and biting Karin for chakra. Oh man. I'm sure she planned that one out, lol. This series cracks me up sometimes.

ANIME SPOILERS:

Okay, so I got really excited thinking that Sora was going to be another Jinchu, but no...he was an experiment. Has anyone noticed that a lot of the fillers are about poor experimented-on characters? This ninja world is crazy! With all it's little mad doctors running around. I'm glad we're finally out of the filler though, as humorous as it was. Getting to the Asuma arc has been a long journey and I know it's gonna be good. Emotionally draining, but good.

Oh yeah! And the previews for the new movie! They make me really excited! But then I realize that I probably won't see it until what...June of next year? HAHA, if that's the case it will be like my graduation present. But yeah. Naruto and Sasuke meeting-ish, Sasuke shirtless under a waterfall (fanservice, anyone?) flying fantastical contraptions and a Konoha in distress? Bring it!

And the new ending is cute, too. I don't know who is still trying to convince people that there aren't any yaoi moments in the anime. How can the ending song feature ONLY Sasuke and Naruto and say 'please kiss me please kiss me all night'...? LOL

Alright, I'm off to bed. Peace!