Misery Loves Company

Author: Ladelle

Rating: Mish

Comments: Thank you for all of your reviews! I'll leave a super long author's note at the bottom to explain my tardiness. I love you all...!

Chapter 18:

"I never expected you to be so calm," Kisame commented. He sat back into the leather seating that cushioned him from behind, looking pleased with himself.

Naruto was beginning to control the care with ease, at least enough that he could think up a response while he drifted forward on a sloping skyway. "I decked Danzo, didn't I?"

Kisame laughed from beside him, a low and incumbent grumble that made the hairs on Naruto's arm stand tall. His fingers clenched the steering gauge tightly and he unconsciously pursed his lips.

"He'll be taken care of soon enough," Kisame said against his palm as he leaned against the inner siding of the car. His elbow rested on the bridge of the window, sleek and tinted against the burning sunlight outside. The comment drew Naruto's attention and he couldn't help but to glance over.

"What?"

Kisame's eyes met his with a small flame of eagerness, matching a cruel disposition that decorated his pale features. He looked excited and conniving and not as secretive as Naruto would have expected.

"He's been pushing his luck with us for a while now," Kisame breathed, his small eyes dilating at the thought. There was a coldness surrounding his words that made Naruto feel uncomfortable; as though having Kisame as an enemy was a death sentence.

He silently thanked any greater power that Kisame seemed to trust him unconditionally.

"So what…you're going to kill him?" Naruto couldn't resist the urge to ask; to get clarification. A small part of him felt almost as though Danzo deserved whatever came to him, but another side of him felt a little nauseated at the idea of the Akatsuki getting hold of the man.

Shifting once again, Kisame cleared his throat. "I hate long car rides," he said absently, before adding, "and yeah, we'll kill him. Danzo should know by now that he is replaceable."

Naruto dipped into the fall of the skyway, lowering the vehicle to a different ramp according to Kisame's visual instructions. He had pointed lightly as he was speaking, and his comment had sent such a riveting fear through Naruto that the astro-car bumbled down in a series of groans.

"Your gear is too high," the older man suggested, and Naruto pulled the gauge towards him in an effort to loosen it up. If he had to choose between his old beater and this new-age flying car, he would definitely want his baby back from the past.

"I'm sure you've realized it," Kisame said breezily. "Danzo's the type of man who likes power, and thinks he has some because of his connections…"

Naruto glanced over, taking in the other man's dissolute expression.

"It's about time, however," Kisame continued, picking at a hangnail on his thumb, "that he realized we are the ones that own this city, and above that…that we own him."

For the first time in over a year Naruto understood just how big a threat the Akatsuki was, and swallowing a bit of his fear and owning up to his pride, he wondered if leaving with Kisame had been the smartest decision.

"Take a left here," Kisame said, and the rolling plains of the non-industrial part of Colorado came into view.

Naruto saw the airport, and couldn't quite see his future.

"Hold on, Kotetsu," Haku said firmly and he straightened himself against the back of his seat as he pulled the clutch upward and hissed as the car's engine seemed to fizzle and groan. Kotetsu didn't respond, only heeded the driver's advice, clutching whatever he could find as his mouth curled dubiously into an upside-down 'U'.

The vehicle skidded through the air, dropping altitude as it grazed the corner of a skyscraper, trying to find clearance. Haku grimaced and shook his head before turning his head to catch a quick glance of Kotetsu.

"I'm going to lose them at Eisenhower," he breathed out, his voice sounding anything but reckless. Kotetsu's eyes opened wider than they should have been able to and he coughed out a reply.

"W-what? That old tunnel!?" His fingers were white from gripping the seat beneath him, and as the car ducked and weaved at Haku's command, his face began to match the pale color.

"Yeah, the old mountain one. Half of it is caved in…and if we take the skyway from there, we should reach Suigetsu's in less than ten minutes."

It sounded well thought out, despite the fact Haku was struggling to evade the car behind them, accelerating fast enough to try and ram the back of their vehicle. Haku only looked to Kotetsu momentarily before he reluctantly nodded, trusting his teammate. He clenched his eyes closed though. He didn't want to watch.

Haku let out a slow breath and concentrated his efforts on luring his prey away from the city and to the older run-down tunnel in the clearing past the foothills. It had been centuries since the passage had been used, but remnants of a ground-level highway acted like a guide to lead him to it.

A bead of seat trickled down the side of his cheek as the sun beat down wearily from outside and Haku gasped when his car jerked a bit, the officers under Danzo successfully grinding against his back bumper. Dislodging a lower gear, Haku sped forward, dipping low to the ground in an effort to trail the old street-bed below.

Salt and cool air assaulted his nose as he swerved down to ride only thirty feet above the ground, a winding river gushing forward on the opposite side of the highway. The sound of wind screeching against his windows reminded him of how fast he was going, and Kotetsu was breathing unevenly.

Haku frowned, praying he would be successful. If not, this roller coaster escape from the city would have been worth nothing.

The whooshing sound of the car in pursuit made Haku yank his car to the side, veering a little off course. He rose a bit in altitude before descending again, reclaiming the lead in their little race. He wasn't sure if they knew where he was lading them, but at sight of the Eisenhower opening, all doubts left his mind.

He narrowed his eyes and focused.

"I trust you," Kotetsu said from beside him, and Haku smiled briefly.

"Good. Because we're not dying anytime soon."

Haku accelerated.

The tunnel was dark; there were no lights. Lights that had existed long ago has since been abandoned, not even a flicker left in them. Sub-lights li the car's interior, and Haku remembered being a child, racing his friends through to see who could make it out unscathed.

He remembered ever turn, every rise, every fall of the tunnel. He remembered where every pile of rubble was collected, or where pieces of the collapsing mountain above and crushed through the ceiling and hung like jagged arcs of mossy stone. He knew the mountain better than his opponent, and even though he saw their lights follow him in fearlessly, he knew they wouldn't make it to the other side.

The other car honked. Haku's face didn't change.

The sound echoed and Haku heard rocks crumbling a bit, despite the speed of sound against his window. The air was cold and stale and his mouth was dry. A turn was coming; one too sharp for the car behind them to make. Haku commanded the sub lights off so that the other car couldn't follow his curved path from behind, putting himself into faiths hands.

He turned the car, slow enough to follow the curve, and the pursuing car honked again. They were making fun of him and Kotetsu, probably joking about how they couldn't be defeated by a little darkness. Haku made the turn and whipped back on the lights, and from behind him, the grinding sound of a car riding the surface of rock filled his ears.

Kotetsu's eyes snapped open.

"What was that?"

The tunnel behind them lit up with sparks and Haku broke free of the tunnel, daylight making him flinch.

"They couldn't make the turn. We should call an ambulance to come and get them," he said. While colliding with the rocky cavern's innards wasn't enough to kill, it was definitely enough to make any person wonder why they even tried to race Morino's second lieutenant officer, Haku.

"Wait here," he was told, and so Naruto sat absently on the outer steps of the international airport while Kisame disappeared inside. He had told Danzo that he had a flight set up, which wasn't surprising. Naruto wondered how long it would take them to get to New York and what awaited him there.

He really didn't care as long as Itachi was there as well.

His jeans were dark and fading, loose around his waist, and he had successfully pilfered a loose black jacket from the back of the car Danzo had left for their escape. He wrapped it tightly around himself, took a deep breath, and wondered how the sun could be so hot and the wind so cold.

The view from the airport was amazingly beautiful; he hadn't noticed the first time he had been to the future. Most likely because at the time he had just been found by Sasuke and so his attention had been diverted. But now he was able to take it in--the rolling plains glowing gold against the green canopies of pines in the distance, speckled with yellow confetti made of aspen.

The city wasn't too far in the distance, looking prolifically tall and magnificent, tiny dots that Naruto identified as cars looking like bugs scattered in the sky around it. The sky was crystal clear, a color you could drink with your eyes, and a puffy white cloud far off in the distance seemed to be running away, trying to disappear over what was left of the mountains.

Naruto frowned a little.

It was always as though the world was never willing to wait for you.

Here he was, about to make one of the most compromising decisions of his life, and all the earth could do was breath against him, a light breeze ruffling his already disheveled hair. Birds chirped to the coming of fall and the sound of airplanes ascending to take-off made the ground rumble beneath him; reminding him of normal airports back in the two-thousands.

"New York isn't this pretty," a voice said from behind him and Naruto nodded, remembering having traveled there as a child. Suddenly realizing that he wasn't alone, he whipped around.

"Y-you--"

"It's been a while, Naruto Uzumaki."

Saddling the fact they had made the trip to Suigetsu's home in less than ten minutes since leaving the lower range of the mountains, it was getting in that seemed to be the problem. Haku had allowed Kotetsu to disable the gates that protected the outer portion of Suigetsu's land and had even gone as far as to let him knock on Suigetsu's door.

They were both so out of breath and pumping with adrenaline that they probably looked on the verge of a physical breakdown, and as the door opened and annoyed blue eyes met theirs, all hope seemed to shatter.

"Breaking and entering seems a little beneath a police officer, doesn't it?" Suigetsu looked decently irritated and completely non-negotiable. Kotetsu was winded.

"Let us in, please. We have something important to discuss with you--about Naruto--"

"I don't want you in my house." Suigetsu held the door open only the slightest bit, allowing his body to clock any hope of entrance. Haku gripped Kotetsu's arm as he jolted forth, fuming.

"We are officers of the law and you're becoming an obstruction!" He growled, and Haku struggled to hold him back, looking a little frustrated himself. Suigetsu watched with a muted interest and let out an irritated sigh.

"Says the trespasser on my property," he commented, and Haku finally spoke, calm enough to make Kotetsu finally settle a bit.

"I'm not asking this as an officer," he said, and he stepped in front of Kotetsu, allowing the other man to back up a little and lose a bit of his impatience. "But as a friend of Naruto's. I'm not sure what exactly is going on, but I don't trust Danzo with—"

"Danzo?" Suigetsu's expression changed as a sudden interest overwhelmed his features. He looked keen and aware, and for the first time since they had arrived as his house, he was giving them his complete attention. "What does this have to do with Danzo?"

Haku and Kotetsu exchanged glances wearily before the sound of an incoming car drew their attention away. Suigetsu cursed and Haku realized why—the person who had just arrived was Sasuke. A glimmer of hope ignited in his chest and Suigetsu swung out past him, forgetting about Kisame long enough to decide Sasuke was the worse of two evils.

The corporate leader exited his sleek automobile as soon as he landed, looking as stunning as he was annoyed at the strange display. He quirked an eyebrow at both Kotetsu and Haku, recognizing them both from the police department.

"Is something wrong?" he queried, and Suigetsu snorted.

"Nothing they can't handle themselves," he replied, and he stood in front of Sasuke somewhat defensively, fueling Haku to take drastic measures.

"If the Akatsuki ends up with Naruto, you will be responsible," he said and the club owner paled as Sasuke stepped to the side of him, his expression somewhat unreadable. He seemed to be drinking in the situation, trying to decipher it. Haku saw the interest flare, and he fed on it himself, staring Sasuke in the eye—knowing that he was the one who would help.

"Morino and Neji have both been arrested—that doesn't even worry you?" He asked, and Kotetsu added something that made Sasuke look almost immobile.

"The two people who actually could protect him are completely out of the picture." His voice was low and serious, and Sasuke stepped past Suigetsu, looking worried.

"What's happened to Naruto?" he asked, and Suigetsu groaned.

"Let the police do their job, Sasuke," he advised, and there was a cold sort-of atmosphere as Sasuke threw a glance at the other man.

"Don't tell me what to do," he said harshly. It was a quick flare of a temper before he snapped his attention back to Haku and Kotetsu, both of whom looked a little surprised by his sudden show of emotion. "Where is Naruto?"

Haku frowned, taking advantage of the fact Sasuke was willing to hear him out. Suigetsu looked livid in the background, leaning back against Sasuke's car with irritation before folding his arms across his chest.

"Morino and Neji were arrested…and we think that Naruto is with a member of the Akatsuki," Haku stated calmly and Kotetsu nodded from behind him. Sasuke was either good at saving face or had simply gone into a miniature state of shock at the news, and Suigetsu just shook his head, looking irate.

"Why were Neji and Morino arrested?" Sasuke asked, and his voice had an edge to it. Kotetsu opened his mouth to answer but Sasuke cut him off. "Why is Naruto with the Akatsuki?"

Kotetsu let out a terse breath. "We don't know. Neji just told us that we needed to get Naruto away from Kisame—that's really all that we know—"

"Kisame?" Suigetsu came up from his rebellious position against the car with somewhat wide eyes. "Kisame escaped?"

There was a moment where the world seemed to hold still, and Sasuke's expression was dangerous. "Why're you here and not out there trying to get him back?" His words sounded clipped; Sasuke Uchiha was angry.

"We don't have the resources to find them…and with Danzo taking over the station…" his voice faded a bit, though his eyes were still solely attached to both Sasuke and Suigetsu, almost pleadingly.

"Don't give me that ridiculous look," Suigetsu said, and even Sasuke turned to him with a look of surprise. Suigetsu continued. "Forcing him to be a double agent was bound to lead to something like this."

Kotetsu frowned and stepped forward, looking almost as confused as he was impatiently angry. "What the hell are you talking about? Naruto wasn't a double agent—he was Neji's partner."

Even Haku raised an eyebrow feeling a little anxious in the atmosphere that had settled over them. Sasuke was still staring at Suigetsu.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, repeating Kotetsu's question.

Suigetsu settled back against the hood of Sasuke's car again, shaking his head. "He doesn't want you going after him." His eyes lifted to meet Sasuke's and the corporate mogul looked like he was not only surprised, but uncharacteristically hurt.

He looked as though he was about to say something, but Kotetsu beat him to it. "I want to know what this 'double-agent' thing is."

For the first time in a while, a dark and ominous cloud settled over the group, and Suigetsu raised an eyebrow, turning his attention from Sasuke to the two officers. "You don't know? He said his department forced him into it. You all should really get on the same page sometime."

Caught between confusion and misplaced anger, Haku and Kotetsu merely glanced at each other before Haku stepped forward, looking anxious.

"Please explain what you're referring to," he said lightly, but with every sense of seriousness he could muster. Sasuke simply stared between them, completely baffled himself. After a minute of Suigetsu's silence, the corporate owner gave him a terse glare.

"Suigetsu, please," he said, hinting that he wanted to know as well. His boyfriend looked irritated.

"Don't act like you don't know he's been playing two sides--the Akatsuki and then your sorry little department. Danzo probably ordered him to go with the Akatsuki and so he's just doing his job. And he didn't want you," Suigetsu glanced over to Sasuke, "finding out because he knows he's no good for you. He told me himself."

"And when did Naruto tell you that?" Sasuke quipped, his voice low. his mood had soured greatly at the cause of insult and also heartbreak. Suigetsu was amazingly calm, a piece of himself finally snapping at the situation.

"After he was done lip-locking with Hyuuga at the hospital," Suigetsu bit back. Haku stepped back a tiny bit in surprise and Kotetsu looked angry.

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" Kotetsu almost shouted. "They're partners. They work together. And if Naruto was working as a double agent--we would have known!"

"Unless Danzo was blackmailing him or something," Haku said softly, his face turned downward in thought. Suigetsu paled a bit, knowing very well that was the truth. Sasuke noticed and stared at him, and he finally gave in.

"If you interfere with whatever Danzo's got planned for him, they'll put you in jail," he said, the conversation now resting solely between the two disgruntled lovers. Sasuke tilted his head tot eh side, looking completely confused and angry.

"For what? Is that what Naruto told you?"

"For being the driver that killed that blond bimbo of a man from the club," Suigetsu snapped. "Naruto isn't any good for you. He'll continuously get you into dangerous situations--I mean, the Akatsuki? Jesus, Sasuke! Let the idiot go!"

Haku and Kotetsu stared at each other for a moment as the comment settled in the air, slowly understanding the situation more and more. Haku frowned.

"Wait…what?"

Sasuke blushed, and whether it was from embarrassment or anger no one could be sure.

"You say that, but he told you to 'take care of me' or whatever because he was trying to protect me, right? And you were just going to let it go, without telling me!?"

Suigetsu's expression hardened. "Why the hell would I tell you?"

Sasuke stared and a silence took over the scene, one that was weary and uncomfortable. It lasted a long while, at least long enough before Haku spoke up nervously.

"I'm…not trying to interrupt but…if you're going to help us, we don't have much time," he brought himself to look up at Suigetsu and the club owner looked a little angry and regretful as Sasuke refused to look at him.

"Suigetsu's not going to--"

"They'd go to the airport," Suigetsu interrupted, and Sasuke glanced up, surprised. "That's the only way they can catch a flight, and if they have connections there…my guess is they're headed to old New York." Suigetsu waited for Haku to nod before turning his attention to Sasuke. "We're going too, aren't we?"

Kotetsu looked like he was about to complain about the idea, but a sharp look form Haku silenced him. Sasuke was staring at Suigetsu with a renewed sort of faith before he nodded.

"And don't look at me like that," Suigetsu said with irritation. "I'm not going to ask you to choose."

After no one said anything in return the conversation had unknowingly ended and Suigetsu pulled out the keys to his car.

"Haku should drive," Kotetsu blurted out, and for the first time, Suigetsu didn't argue.

a/n: Okay, short, I know. And I apologize. But please let me explain...! :cries a little:

This past month has been an absolute nightmare! I can't even tell you. Right after I posted chapter 17 I moved in with my aunt and...she's crazy. I didn't know that at the time, but after a break-up with her boyfriend sent her breaking every dish in her house and slamming herself into doors, I realized I had to bust out of there. But before I could escape, I got a kidney stone! I was in the ER twice! Without insurance! Oh, man. Rough times. So I finally moved again only to be faced with finals that following week. And for one class, compositing, I seriously spent over 30 hours working on that final. I'm not even joking...it was that tedious and difficult. I would leave work at 7pm and book it to school and stay there until midnight trying to do as much as I could...an I still had three other finals that week too. It was so painful.

And then last week was Christmas so I was out and about with friends that are back in town and writing bits and pieces of this chapter at the bank in between customers...and so I know it is short...but I will be able to write more now that things have settled. I really wanted to get something posted though, because I will never ever abandon my stories. I just get seriously sidetracked.

On another note, Naruto Manga chapter 430!!

SPOILERS

I am more in love with Naruto than ever before. Like, seriously. He took out a Pein with one punch, reminds everyone of the Fourth AND Jiraiya, arrives (actually, have any of you guys read Alliance of Fire and Wind? It so totally reminded me of when Naruto brought Sasuke to the village on the toad...) yeah, but he arrives on three huge toads to save the day, saves TSUNADE! And then, and then, and then...tells her to go and take it easy so he can finish them off. I rarely fangirl but...yeah. I couldn't help it this time around.

LIFE OF ME, LADELLE

On a personal note, I am going to visit Reyn in a week, which is exciting, and I intend on going to AX which should be fun. I'm hoping my manager will let me take all the time off that I want though. I'm also going to make a serious commitment to REALLY getting myself back into the habit of writing a chapter each week. I'm going to really make an effort this time around.

Other than that, it's great to post something and I'm going to work harder. Hopefully life will stay out of the way a bit and words will come a little more easily this time around.