Misery Loves Company

Author: Ladelle

Rating: M

Comments: Wahoo! Friday, just like I promised. You should have seen me, typing this in between assignments for school. Until the 17th I'm going to be like a ghost, I tell you! Thank you so much for your reviews and comments and I'm sorry I wasn't able to respond to all of them. I tried!

Chapter 20:

No one moved.

A long moment passed, one where Naruto looked to Gaara with skeptical eyes in wonderment of what to do. Gaara, who was usually unreadable, narrowed his eyes in an expression short of anger and confusion—a look that startled Naruto. He couldn't remember ever seeing Gaara looking at a loss for what to do, indecision claiming his features. But now…

There was a desperate look about him. It was calculated, but desperate nonetheless. He obviously didn't have an I.D., or more likely, it was possible that Gaara, as well as Naruto, knew that they had been caught.

The smirk on the officer's face was enough to give that fact away, and Naruto felt a stab of worry make his heart drop lower in his chest, fearing more for Gaara than himself. It wasn't the first time that he felt the odd sensation that he had been saved by Gaara on more than one occasion, and in a move decided more by emotion than logic, he stood up and faced the policeman, deciding that his resources were enough to get them out of this situation alive, and if they were lucky, uncaught.

"You work under Danzo?"

He heard Gaara catch his breath from behind him, but the redhead didn't say a word. Naruto was an officer himself, and perhaps Gaara trusted that he had a plan. In all honesty the words were just coming to him, desperately seeking a way to avoid getting captured.

After all, Naruto already had Danzo as an enemy.

Gaara was somewhat innocent.

"Of course", the officer said, nodding proudly. His hand was hovering along the outskirts of his waistband, a move Naruto recognized as defensive. He had a weapon there, and judging by the number of medals decorating the collar of his uniform, it wasn't a big one.

He was a lower officer, probably rarely did field work. He only had two pins, and he looked too cocky. Did he know Gaara was an assassin?

…Did he know that Naruto was an officer as well?

The answer was a blaring 'no'. Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Don't take out your weapon," he stated, his eyes narrowing. After all, there was no reason for it. He and Gaara were unarmed. The officer smirked, and instead of complying, unholstered the gun at his side.

Gaara was suddenly standing behind him, and Naruto guessed that if he had been alone, Gaara would have already taken out the small man in front of them. It was sort of flattering, realizing that Gaara was holding himself back for his sake, but instead of relishing the moment Naruto kept his eyes transfixed on the gun.

"I asked for your identification," the officer repeated, still smirking.

"Danzo won't be happy if you shoot me," Naruto quipped. It was an honest statement. Danzo was depending on him somehow, like a link between him and the notorious Akatsuki. If he disappeared…

The cop laughed. The sound made Naruto frown.

"Who do you think you're talking to? I'm the one with a badge," the man said, and Naruto figured that at least the comment answered one of his questions. The guy definitely didn't know he worked for the law himself, a fact that wasn't really an advantage to Naruto at all. The man continued. "I think I can tell someone important versus some kid looking for trouble."

Naruto squinted. Kid?

It was ironic, considering the wiry man before him looked even younger than himself; a candidate for a Campbell's soup commercial even, on a good day.

"I'm not a kid," Naruto said petulantly. "And if I was looking for trouble, I wouldn't go to you." It hadn't been his intention to get offended, but something about misplaced arrogance made him a little more of a spitfire than normal. He felt Gaara's hand on the small of his back and his tension eased a little, realizing that losing his cool wasn't going to help things.

The gun raised and pointed at him, despite his resolution to calm down. Naruto felt his eyes widen and he stepped to the side, covering the part of Gaara he knew was visible out of some unknown habit. The cop smirked. His finger tightened on the metal of the gun, a trigger-happy grin making crinkles crease his cheeks.

"Don't—"

"Do you honestly not have anything better to do?" It was Suigetsu's voice, but his figure was a blur. He was a mess of motion as he smacked his hand against the base of the officer's neck, a resounding crack making Naruto wonder just how hard the punch had been. A graying gleam caught the sun's refraction and Naruto realized that Suigetsu had a gun clamped between his fingers. Eyes rolling to the back of his head, the policeman crashed to the ground, Suigetsu looking irritated, as usual.

And also not out of the ordinary, his annoyance was directed at Naruto.

"You're something else," he said a bit coldly, and Naruto jumped up, his attention focused on the detective at Suigetsu's feet. He scuffled forward and dropped to his knees, hoping the man was only unconscious. It was all he needed to have the life of one of Danzo's men on his hands, especially considering the current situation had gone awry.

"What's wrong with you?" Naruto shot at Suigetsu, while pulling back the blue fabric of a work jacket in an attempt to find a pulse. Relieved to feel one, he sat back on the balls of his feet, glaring with anger up at the club owner. Gaara grabbed his arm.

"We don't have time for this," he said, and Naruto, despite his urge to badmouth Suigetsu a bit more, reluctantly remained silent. There was the sound of feet approaching, boots on pavement, and it made Naruto's heart stand still, his reflexes immediately sending his hand after the officer's fallen gun. To his complete surprise, it was Sasuke who rounded the corner of the building, looking like a man with a plan.

A swallow caught in Naruto's throat as he watched the other man come nearer, wondering how on earth he was involved. After all, Naruto had done his best to keep Sasuke away from harm's way, and now, here he was, throwing mixed signals around like it was a game.

Why would he come for Naruto…why, if he didn't care?

"We'll have to go up and around," he said, his attention falling directly to Naruto. They held each other's gazes for a little less than a minute before Sasuke stepped a little closer to Suigetsu, his expression weary. "I think they're on the level beneath us."

"You were followed?" Gaara said, eyeing Sasuke. When Sasuke merely glared at him, the redhead added, "By who?"

Naruto stood up quickly, his pulse racing. If they had been followed…That meant they had a time limit. It was urgent they get away. And for the sake of trusting Gaara's words, Naruto decided to assume that Itachi wanted him to escape.

Nudging the body on the pavement beneath with his foot, Suigetsu snorted. "Naruto's friends are after us, of course." The comment was met with an irritated glare from Naruto who rolled his eyes. "Right."

The police departments were divided, if anyone would take the time to notice. And if the man on the ground had been his friend, he wouldn't have had a gun pointed at his head. A look of calculated irritation must have crossed his face, because Gaara's voice, as calm as ever, spoke to him.

"We don't have the time," Gaara almost whispered, a guttural growl. He pulled Naruto forward and next to Sasuke, where he did an obvious job of shutting Suigetsu out of their future conversation. Naruto realized that Gaara didn't like him; he could read the redhead that well, at least. And in Naruto's mind he felt a little satisfied. It was about time he met someone who was like him, and didn't want to put up with Suigetsu's sass.

"I'm assuming you have a vehicle?"

Sasuke seemed completely surprised that Gaara had spoken to him at all, and for a brief moment, raised an eyebrow. All at once Naruto realized that the two had never met, but that Gaara definitely knew who Sasuke was…and unfortunately, not the other way around.

"Who says that you're coming—"

"He is," Naruto said swiftly, backing up the assassin for lack of better options. After all, they were both targets…both wanted by the Akatsuki, and in some weird way, friends.

Raising an eyebrow, Sasuke looked displeased. It was obvious that he was trying to decipher just what their relationship was, and before he could think too hard, Suigetsu put a caring hand on his shoulder—while looking Naruto straight in the eye—and nudged him.

"Whatever. There's room," he clarified. "Let's get out of here."

Sasuke looked at Naruto with a look that was tinged with both jealously and curiosity, and finally his face settled to compromise. "Alright, let's go."

In seconds, they were moving.

Weaving in and out of storage areas, carefully climbing metal stairs, ducking behind vending stations to avoid the onlooking eyes of officers, they slowly made there way to the main lobby. Even more unfortunately they found themselves stuck under a stairwell, faced with an entire atrium to cross and one complete with four officers loitering around. Squinting, Naruto could see a row of parked cars outside the glass windows across from them, and he judged from Suigetsu's expression that one of them was their ticket out.

"We'll just have to try and go around," Suigetsu said hastily, shuffling across the floor and moving forward, still hidden in the shadows. Naruto watched the policemen carefully, worried that their sudden movement would be seen. His eyes widened and he paused.

"Wait," Naruto paused, scooting backwards a bit. The group of officers was scattered around the outer lobby, and surprisingly enough, a familiar face caught his eye.

Suigetsu, who was feet ahead, whipped around with agitation and impatience boiling from his person, and Sasuke, who had stopped almost as soon as the words left Naruto's mouth, was staring at him in confusion.

Gaara however, pushed him forward. "Move, Naruto," he urged, but the blond remained planted in place, staring at Sai as if willing him to look over.


You know I'm looking at you, Naruto thought, staring at the man. He was near a couple other officers who turned their attention suddenly to the side before walking a few feet over to a large flatscreen that seemed to have some sort of game show going. In one quick motion, Naruto burst forward out of the shadows, Sasuke trying to catch his jacket but missing by a hair. Gaara hissed his name and Naruto ignored it, jogging forward and planting himself behind an advertisement close enough to Sai to get his attention.

"Psst!"

Nothing.

"Don't pretend you can't hear me!" Naruto whispered hastily, and in a lazy motion Sai let his head tilt backwards, shifting so that his ear was at a better angle to hear Naruto's voice. It was obvious, all of the sudden, that Sai had known Naruto was there the entire time, and that he was willing to play it off like he had no clue at all.

"Are you trying to get caught, kitten?" He wasn't facing Naruto, in fact, if his lips weren't moving no one would have known he was doing anything but standing and staring, watching as his fellow officers laughed and joked from across the room. Naruto heaved a sigh of relief.

"On the contrary, I'm trying to escape," he said quietly. "Any way you can help out?"

Sai was quiet for a moment, and Naruto wondered if maybe an officer was retreating back to him. When his nerves began to jitter, Sai suddenly spoke again.

"What will I get out of it?"

Naruto opened his mouth, prepared to say 'thank you', but the words stopped short. "What?"

"You know, help doesn't come cheap these days," he heard, and he could have sworn there was a smile on Sai's face. Naruto remained silent, unsure of what to say.

Was he joking?

Sai stepped backwards so that he was closer to where Naruto was standing and actually turned to face him. "I'm just joking. Give me a few minutes."

Naruto nodded and Sai ducked away from him, walking lazily away and towards the other officers. Naruto peered out from behind the sign and watched him wander away, all before turning his attention back to the three people he was attempting to escape with. All of whom were staring at him with pools of anger and irritation burning in their eyes.

A loud noise caught Naruto by surprise, and he glanced over to Sai. He had successfully managed to divert the attention of what appeared to be his partners, enough so that Naruto could dodge back to his original hiding place under the stairwells.

"What in God's name were you thinking?" Suigetsu grabbed the collar of his shirt and Naruto grabbed his wrist, shoving him back a bit.

"He is a friend," Naruto bit out and from beside him, Sasuke watched Sai meander away from the lobby along with the other uniformed men.

"He's…Yamato's. Sai?"

Naruto caught Sasuke's eyes and held them for a moment, nodding. He was surprised that Sasuke remembered.

"Yeah," he whispered. "From when we were at the red light district." Memories flooded his mind and he wished he hadn't said the comment so nonchalantly, especially when Sasuke appeared to have remembered too. Suigetsu glanced between them, obviously not liking the sound of them having been together in such a sketchy and sexual area, and in a movement of pure ownership, wrapped his arm around Sasuke's shoulder.

"We've got to move," he said, looking tersely at Naruto. He touch seemed to lure Sasuke's eyes away, even if Naruto saw indecision. The two moved forward and Naruto turned to Gaara, but the redhead simply pushed him forward a bit after muttering something that sounded strangely like 'idiot.'

Naruto got a clear impression that Gaara wasn't referring to him.

They all moved forward and paused, glancing across the lobby to ensure that the coast was clear. Suigetsu made a movement that urged them out and they went for it, though Naruto paused when a sharp whistle caught his attention.

"Where are you going?"

It was Sai, standing passively by the door, arms crossed. The other officers were nowhere to be found, and Gaara grabbed Naruto's wrist, pulling him forward.

"I don't know," Naruto said honestly as he was being pulled away. Sai's eyes lifted to meet his own and Naruto looked serious.

"Be careful Sai," he said. "Danzo's not playing anymore."

A sharp tug yanked him forward and Sai nodded, smiling a bit impassively. "Don't get caught while I'm not around," he said tempestuously, something unusual for him. Naruto couldn't help but grin, but a final comment was lost when he was pulled outside and led forward towards a sleek black car.

Recognizing the two people inside, he immediately shoved passed Sasuke and Suigetsu and climbed in. The others followed quickly, and as soon as the door was closed the automobile was moving, leaving the airport swiftly and unnoticed.

"Naruto, thank God," Haku said from the driver's seat, shaking his head. "The whole department was so worried…"

Naruto didn't put on his seatbelt, and tried to ignore the heady stares he was receiving from the three others squeezed next to him. Most especially Sasuke.

That's right, he thought. Sasuke hasn't seen me as an officer, except for the last time we were together…

He shrugged the thought away. There were more important things to worry about. Especially when Kotetsu was giving him a look that paralleled concern.

"I didn't mean to worry you," he said, although in all actuality, he hadn't really thought about it at all. Kotetsu looked surprised and twisted in his seat, and it was as though the world suddenly became all about Naruto, Haku, and Kotetsu.

"Naruto, Neji…" Kotetsu seemed at a loss of things to say before glancing to Haku whose lips turned downward.

Naruto's stomach dropped. "What? Did something happen?"

Even Sasuke shifted uncomfortably from the other end of the vehicle, and Naruto ignored the fact that Suigetsu had made an effort of planting himself between them. Gaara was his normal quiet self, listening like a fly on a wall, and Suigetsu looked like he could care less.

Haku explained. "I'm…not sure. Danzo's arrested him and Morino."

Naruto almost squished Gaara when he tried to place himself in between the two front seats, trying to gauge Haku's expression to see if it was truthful. Creases of worry and doubt decorated his delicate features.

"How so? What about everyone else?"

Kotetsu answered form beside him. "I'm pretty sure Haku and I have a warrant out…but I think everyone else is out of the loop. We just ended up at the right place at the right time."

"Or the wrong place," Suigetsu added smoothly. "And obviously you two have a warrant out. Which reminds me, let me out. I helped you find Naruto and now I'd like to return to a life of normalcy."

Haku's head whipped back. "I thought you were looking for Kisame?"

There was a silence that was filled with an angry glare provided by Suigetsu, who frowned. "And he wasn't there, was he?"

"He was there," Gaara said, a small interjection. Sasuke and Suigetsu looked at him before turning their attention to Naruto who nodded. Gaara stared at Sasuke. "So was Itachi."

If Naruto had ever had nerves fire in his head, this was the worst bout ever. Sasuke's face changed so quickly that not even a blink separated the movement, and he shot forward, eyes narrowed.

"What?"

He didn't bother looking to Gaara, he simply glared at Naruto. Anger and something that looked like betrayal stung his features; he was probably wondering why Naruto hadn't said anything.

"He helped us escape," Naruto said a bit wearily, knowing that explanation was a stretch.

"Like hell," was Sasuke's reply. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Naruto was taken aback. "Why would I? It's not like I know where he ended up!"

"So you just saw him and welcomed him with open arms?"

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Yes, Sasuke. That's exactly what I did." His sarcasm was evident and completely unappreciated by its target. Sasuke was leaning so far over Suigetsu that he looked like a seatbelt himself, and Gaara sat noncommittally between all of them, looking much like a parent stuck between children, drowning them out with his own thoughts.

"Perfect," Sasuke said almost too sharply for even his own disposition. "Not only did you do nothing, you're able to make jokes about it."

Naruto leaned over Gaara, feeling as though he and Sasuke were having a fight over much more than Itachi. "I punched him. I punched him, and then he told me to trust him."

"And you did?" Sasuke looked beyond irate now, his eyes were burning a fury.

"I didn't have a choice! Danzo's men were everywhere, and I wanted to keep your ass out of jail!"

"Language," Suigetsu yawned in boredom, but Sasuke actually looked touched for a moment before his stubbornness returned.

"You're an idiot," he said, and he flipped back into his seat, crossing his arms.

"Whatever," Naruto replied, sitting back into his own seat.

The intercom that Haku had set on the dashboard spoke suddenly, and the car was so quiet that everyone could hear.

…a warrant listed for Sasuke Uchiha has been added; be on guard for any suspicious activity on the roads and or unmarked vehicles…

"Oh, that's nice," Suigetsu raised his hand in anger, waving it halfheartedly. Sasuke frowned and Naruto lowered his head.

"Shit," he said.

"Don't act so hurt," Sasuke said quietly against his fingers as he made an effort to only stare out of his window.

Naruto felt his heart hurt and let out a deep breath. "This was exactly what I was trying to prevent."

"We should go to Nivae," Gaara said, breaking the moment. Naruto looked at him, wondering how he knew about his past ties there. He was busy staring at Haku as a highway exit was approaching though.

"Do you know someone there?" Haku asked, and Gaara glanced to Naruto. Naruto nodded.

"Yeah…"

Sasuke shook his head. "We shouldn't go there," he said a bit quickly, but Gaara cut him off.

"It's the only place to go. Even if they're there."

Sasuke was quiet.

Naruto raise an eyebrow. "What?"

No one answered so he spoke again. "What's going on?"

Suigetsu sounded irritated. "We're going to Nivae."

From the front, Kotetsu sounded condescending, probably because he cared for Naruto more than Suigetsu. "I thought you wanted off?"

Naruto watched as Suigetsu's hand came to rest on Sasuke's thigh, squeezing lightly. "Not anymore."

Turning his attention to the window, Naruto, for the first time in a while, wished he had stayed in the past.

"It would be easier if you told me where it was," Danzo said harshly, and Morino growled from the other end of the interrogation hall.

"If we're telling you we don't know, then we don't know!"

Morino didn't seem to be listening as he stood closer to Neji, who already looked exhausted. It had been less than a day since they had been captured, but no food, water, or hospitality had been offered to either of them. Danzo's eyes were cool and patronizing as they met Neji's, trying to weigh him with his mind.

"I know you know. You have to," Danzo said, and when Neji didn't say anything, Danzo's patience seemed to break. He backhanded Neji so hard that he stumbled backwards, catching himself against the wall. Morino rushed forward at the older man, anger pouring from him, but at once the doors opened and officers rushed in to restrain him.

Neji held a bloody lip with his fingers, opening his jaw a bit to ease the pain, still quiet, and still glaring.

Danzo snorted. "Fine, take them away."

A few more policemen came in and sidestepped Neji, taking his arms.

"I have ways of making you tell me," he said as they were led out.

"If it kills you, I'm going to find out where he hid it."

As they disappeared further down the halls to their cells, Neji heard him speak again.

"I'm going to find his time machine."

a/n: So I know my chapters have been a little short, but really, in order for me to update every two weeks it's just going to have to be this way for a while. I've started being more faithful to my LJ account if anyone wants to go find me there; I'll be posting the undedited versions of one shots and things there, and also of the future chapters of this because, believe it or not, in about 3 or four chapters, there will be a reason for that rating. Hahahahaha.

Okay I haven't had a chance to read today's chapter (sacrilege! I know, but I have to finish schoolwork first) but I'll just work on updating faster so that I can leave a huge spoiler.

Love to you all! Thank you for all of your reviews and support; you guys inspire me more than you know, and I'm really happy and grateful that I can make so many people excited simply through words. Have a great weekend!

EDIT: Nivae is the eco village from Misery Business! Remember?? Gai, Lee...and Jeffrey!!