Updates haven't been very good so far, once a year is pretty bad I would imagine, but hey! At least it's not discontinued. So, we got that going for us. But, you might want to read up on what happened if you're a past subscriber... errgh... sorry: Happy reading!
Once I wake up the room startles me as it is a lot different than the one I am used to. This one holds more furniture and for starters it has a window. The bed is softer and I actually have a clock on the wall. I can now tell what time it is. Not that it really matters but it's the thought that counts I guess. My body feels hot but when I move the cover I become cold. It feels like I'm running a fever and my throat is sore. I feel sick, but it's a different kind of sickness I've felt these last days.
Sweat cling hair to my forehead, it's annoying but I'm too tired to do anything about it. I notice a glass of water on the bedside table and reach for it. Other than being sore, my throat feels incredibly dry. The liquid goes down and the glass empties quickly. I'm left feeling thirstier than before when I put it back.
A loud knock come from the door, earning my attention, and with no hesitation, Kitsune enter the room. I'm lost in thought to why he even knocked. Figuring he must be angry about my failed escape, I put on my best face of indifference and look straight ahead at a spot on the wall. As of late this seems to become a habit of mine but I don't dare look at him. I was never gifted a game face.
"You're awake." He states and enters the room further until he's by the side of my bed. I do my best ignoring him. It's not like anything I say will help my cause. I tried to escape when I had the chance. Who wouldn't? "I'm not pleased with you Sasuke. You behaved like such a good boy at first. I guess I got tricked into a false sense of security."
I snort. "You got that right."
The man chuckles. "Feisty." He says and from the corner of my eyes I see him reach out. Next thing I feel is a white pain in my ankle. "I hate being made a fool of Sasuke."
"Maybe you should switch jobs then. Doesn't seem like gullible suits a mafia boss." I bite back, knowing my face must have lost some of its cool. The blond had an unbelievable strong grip.
"Watch it." He warns and the pain intensifies. I have to bite my lip not to cry out. "I know where you're from but you would do better to just stay obedient. Haven't I told you this already?" This time I meet the blond's gaze. It's tense, his eyes a sapphire blue. Strange. Why aren't they red? They have always been red. The eyes of a killer.
I don't want to answer. His hold loosens. "How are you?" He asks his mood taking a total U turn.
I frown.
"You seem like you're still running a fever."
"Why do you care?" I ask sincerely. Even during that time, he showed no mercy so why would he start caring now? I don't need his pity.
"I don't." His answer is simple and not at least surprising. "As a matter of fact the only person I care about is not in this room but he's someone you might know, you tricked him when you planned your little escape the other day." I can tell I have struck a nerve. His eyes have narrowed down to slits and there's a tension in his jaw that wasn't there before.
There's nothing I can say in my defense since it was true so I stay quiet. Insulting him now would only be a bad idea. I'm not scared he would kill me, but there are worse things he could do than just putting an end to me.
He snorts and pulls up a chair where he sits down. "I'm going to be honest with you Sasuke. I underestimated you."
I look up, startled of what he could say.
"I took you for an average crack head but it seems like you're anything but average. There's still some fight in you." He says and looks me up and down through the cover. I feel naked and exposed to his eyes. Subconsciously I crawl deeper under the covers. "I don't like it." His tone changes again and I'm starting to wonder if he's bipolar. "If you use my son like that again, I don't care if I have to sacrifice you. Hurt my kid and you will regret it for the rest of your life."
I nod, not trusting my voice. Who knew what would set him off at this point.
Once again his mood shifts back and he stands back up. "I'll get someone to help you with that fever." He says and puts the chair back in its original place. "I want you healthy as soon as possible. You hear me?" The smile he sends my way is something I can't place. It's not malicious but it's not out of concern. It seems forced and I can't begin to understand why he would even have to force it around me. In his eyes I was worth nothing.
I'm not left alone for long, soon after a woman enters. Her hair is a strange pink and I can't help wonder if that's the color she really wanted when she dyed it. Her lips are bent in a soft smile. Just by the air around her I can tell she's a doctor. No other people wear such smiles of equality. Her voice is just as soft as her looks. "My name is Sakura," she presents herself and places a small bag on the bed next to my feet. "I've been taking care of you since you became sick. It seems you're still running a fever but I take you already know that." I nod.
"Don't worry. I have some pills for you to take." I light up at the thought but whatever my feelings are she must have noticed them because she quickly adds, "They're nothing serious, just your average fever antipyretic." I slump back down.
"Other than having a fever, do you feel any other symptoms?" she questions and starts digging around her bag.
"My throat..." I start saying. "It's sore."
"That's not strange for this kind of situation. You've done a lot vomiting lately haven't you." It's not a question but I nod anyways. She prods me in different places and blinds me with a small torch as she examines my eyes. "Here take these," She offers me a packet of cough drops of which I accept. "There's not much I can do at this moment but at least they should help a little. If you notice any change or if you get worse don't hesitate to ask for me I'll see so they come in with water. Your body is showing signs of severe dehydration. "
I nod again.
"Other than that I can only recommend a lot of bed rest. Don't strain yourself too much and you'll be out of this bed in an instant." She finishes and soon thereafter leaves as quickly as she came.
Once again I'm left to my own thoughts. They drift to Suigetsu like they tend to do ever since I got here. I wonder what he's up to or if he's lying in our apartment high from another fix. Then I think of my family back home. I wonder if they can even begin to imagine the mess I'm in. I was supposed to get my future set straight for me when I came to the States but since then I have done nothing but ruining it. They must know by now I've dropped out of school. I haven't been there for months. I can only imagine what my father must be saying. Or what my mother is feeling. She must be worried. Thank god they still have Itachi... My brother...
Why did that remind me of something? But as I finish the thought the memory from before hits me. Hadn't I overheard someone talk about him? Or had that been a dream? I cannot be sure that anything I heard at that time was true. I had probably been running a very high fever. And honestly, what was the possibility of them knowing about my brother. He lived in another country, in a small town where nothing ever happens, where the worst person was someone cheating on their significant other.
An hour goes by as I tell myself whatever I heard must have been wrong. In between, someone has brought me a jug of water of which I down without problem. I need a distraction, something to keep my thoughts from returning to my family. It was distressing to know I might never see them again.
I crawl under the sheets and pop out at the other end. From this angle I can watch the outside through the window. It faces towards a rather incredible greenery full of different kind of plants and flowers. A red bird catches my eyes and I follow it where it lands on a naked twig from a cherry blossom tree. Freedom. I imagine what it must be like being a bird, nothing to tie you down and no one there to curse you. If I was a bird, I'd never stop flying.
It flies away as fast as it came, its only proof of existence the sudden drop in my stomach.
Two days pass before anything happens. I'm left alone, again. The doctor, Sakura, comes by at least two times a day to check how I'm doing other than that it's only one of the maids but they don't talk much. I can hardly feel the effects of withdrawal anymore and for once in a very long time I can see things from a clear perspective. I still long for another fix and if someone offered me one, I would probably take it but things are easier when I'm not throwing up every other second.
4 months earlier
"Where are we?" I ask as we stand in front a large estate reminding me of the houses back home. The air is cold so I pull my jacket tighter around me and lean further into Suigetsu to get some of his body heat.
"It doesn't matter." Suigetsu's answer is short. "As long as you brought the money." It's not a question as much as it's an order. I nod, still confused, but know there is no further point in asking. Suigetsu only tells me whatever he wants to and by now I have learned it's better to stay quiet.
He takes my hand and gives it a soft squeeze. "Come on." We have to press a button by the gates then there's a dialing tone and a man asks about our business. Suigetsu says something cryptic and a buzz goes off before we are let in. The way up to the main building is eerie quiet. Something tells me we're in a bad place but I trust Suigetsu enough not to question him. He is my only friend and who am I to second guess his decisions? He takes care of me like no one else would.
The house reminds me of a prison the closer we get to it. The walls are thick and painted gray. Steel bars cover most windows preventing all entry... Or escape I quickly add. I really want to leave but Suigetsu pulls me further up the walkway and before I know it we've entered the house. I look around wondering what kind of people we are visiting but the place is hollow and lacks the touch of anything living. It's dark and secluded, the air tense. I find myself questioning if anybody could live like this and look at Suigetsu for any clue to maybe answer my question. But whether he notices the things I do I can't tell. He appears strangely unconcerned and when he leads me through the house it is as if he has been here before.
"This Sasuke," Suigetsu finally break the silence between us when we reach a door where two bulky men stand guard. "Is where I get my magic from." That's when I know why we are here. By magic Suigetsu only mean one thing, drugs.
"Here?" I repeat surprised. I guess I had never imagined it would come from a place like this.
"Yeah, and Orochimaru has asked for you personally. You can't even begin to believe what an honor that is!" He replies with a hint of excitement.
"Who's Orochimaru?" I repeat peeved. Why did he speak the name as if I knew it? "And how does he even know who I am?"
"I told him about you dummy. Said he recognized the name and had to meet you so I told him I would bring you here."
"He knew my name... How?"
"I don't know." Suigetsu shushes me his voice tense. I've obviously struck a nerve. "All I know is he promised we'd get something for free if I did as he said. Can't you just be happy for our sake?"
"I'm sorry." I apologize even if I'm sure I have done nothing wrong. I reason he must be nearing his time again. We haven't had a fix in two days and being so close must be straining for him. "Get inside." He orders and I obey like I always do. But whatever he wants me to feel I'm not honored by it and I enter only because he shoves me passed the guards and through the door.
"Aah , Suigetsu, one of my best customers." A snake like man greets us from the other side of the room. "And who do we have here. Could it be Sasuke perhaps?" At the mention of my name his eyes light up. It's creepy. I never want to hear him speak my name again.
I can imagine Suigetsu's frustration when I don't answer.
"He's shy." Suigetsu quickly offers as explanation. "Aren't you Sasuke?" He jabs me in the ribs ordering me to talk and I make a sound akin to a yes.
"Sasuke... Uchiha," He repeats but this time it's my full name. "To think I'd be lucky enough to simply have you fall into my hands... You are just as beautiful as I imagined."
Disgusting. This is my only thought. His hand comes up and strokes my cheek. I want to slap it away but Suigetsu's look tells me not to. Next thing I know his face is next to mine. "I just know we are going to be great friends, right Sasuke."
Xx
I'm wide awake when I hear loud cries outside my door. Someone sounds angry and I faintly recognize the voice as Kitsune's. Another deep voice tells him to calm down but he's silenced by an animalistic growl. It's subdued but I hear him say he wants answers. I have just enough of time to wonder what they're talking about when my door flies open, a nasty cry coming from the hinges. "You," Kitsune looks distressed and stride over to my bed with inhuman speed. "I want you to tell me why one of my best men died today! I want you to tell me all you know about Uchiha Itachi and his business!"
I stare at him mute from shock. Trying my best to comprehend the things he had just said. But time is short and before I get the time to even open my mouth his one hand has closed in around my throat and I'm pulled up into a sitting position. Why was all this happening? And why was he talking about my brother?
"Tell me," He orders, his face up in mine. We are so close I feel his warm breath ghost over my cheeks. His eyes are blood red again. Had I imagined his eyes blue the other day? "Kiba, take him to the room. If he doesn't want to talk I will just make him." Kitsune lets go of his hold around me and leaves the room in a hurry. The man addressed as Kiba comes up to the bed and shoves me out of it not too gently. I fight to stand on my own two legs but end up being dragged out the room not too willingly.
The way to the room is short. I'm shoved onto a stiff longue and left alone for a minute or two. It is enough time to realize my special treatment was long overdue. The door opens and in comes Kitsune.
He stands in the doorway for a short moment of time before coming up to me. "I've lost my patience with you." He says. "I wanted you clean before I started anything but it seems someone leaked the information and now Itachi knows you are here." His lips are stretched into a thin line and eyes narrowed dangerously close. "Word is he's here in the States to take you back. I want you to tell me where he is."
Itachi? Here? Take me back? I try to focus on Kitsune's words but the thought that Itachi was here, for me, is so surreal I have trouble even thinking. My thoughts are all jumbled up when Kitsune roughly shoves me off the sofa and onto a chair. "I want answers." He snarls but it's muffled. I feel something tighten around my wrists and it takes a moment until I realize I've been tied up. I pull at the bindings but they only dig further into my skin so I stop. "How do you know my brother?" I manage to ask but Kitsune only award me with a backhand against my cheek.
"I ask the questions." He snarls. "My best man is dead because of you. If you don't give a good enough reason I won't hesitate justifying his murder with yours." To prove his point he takes a gun from the shoulder holster and holds it to my temple. "A click away." He warns.
I choke. How am I sure he means my brother? What if he's talking about another Itachi. But then he said Uchiha Itachi. That is my brother isn't it? But how does he know of Kitsune let alone about me?! He is father's second in command. The worst thing he knows of is parking tickets for god's sake. How did any of this make sense? "I-I don't know." I whisper. A soft click goes off and I'm sure this is the end. My eyes are scrunched together, but nothing happens. I'm still here so I dare pry my eyes open. Kitsune's glaring at me.
"It was empty." He states without moving a single muscle. "Next time you won't be so lucky." Kitsune threatens.
Frustrated tears start to gather in my eyes. "But I don't know anything." I say this time a bit louder. My voice sounds weak. Helpless, terrified. The brother I know of has nothing to do with this. "Aniki is a good person. He works for father. I know nothing! I swear! Aniki knows nothing about me!" I tell him, but I don't know if it's meant for him or me.
Kitsune lowers the gun. I try to read his eyes but they're stone cold. "You mean to tell me you know nothing of Itachi's business, that he's considered a top exporter of armor?! Do you think I'm stupid!"
"That's wrong! My brother is father's right hand. He's a good man! He's nothing like the monster you are!" What he says can't be true. It must not be true. How could it?! The next thing I feel is a pain in my jaw. He clobbered me with the gun.
"Don't lie to me."
"I'm not!" This time I shout. How would I make him understand that I did not know anything about what he accused me for? Kitsune rises one of his hands to strike again but a knock on the door interrupts and he strides over to the door. "What?" He demands frustrated judging by his tone.
"There's a package. Someone dropped it by the gates. It's addressed for you." I can't see their faces from this position but I can tell by the silence it's something bad. Kitsune opens the box but drops it. A head rolls out on the floor. I stare at it, dead eyes glaring into mine. I start trashing against the binds. I never signed up for this. There was a head lying on the floor facing my way directly. All I want is to run away but the bindings keep me in place. Kitsune has fallen on his knees on the floor, he's mumbling something but I can't make it out.
The man who had brought the package scurries about and picks up the head and places it back in the box. "Boss." He says and touches Kitsune's shoulder. "We'll make them pay."
Kitsune stands back up and walks back to me, his face unreadable. "You say your brother is a good person?" He emits something between a sob and a chuckle. "Does this seem good to you?" He questions then I'm knocked out.
Xx
"Damn Naruto you knocked him around way too much. You're lucky you didn't cause any internal bleedings." I'm groggy when I wake the next time. Light is coming in through the windows so I assume I've been out the rest of the night. I try to force sleep but it doesn't come to me.
"I didn't do it on purpose." I crack my eyes open and see Kitsune sit on a chair next to the bed. "You know I can't control it when I get like that. And, and, it was Sai... They killed Sai, Sakura." I almost feel sad for the blond when I see him sit so defeated on the chair, his face buried in his hands but then I remember just who it is and I'm almost happy that Sai person is dead. Kitsune is a man who doesn't deserve any kind of happiness. If there was a feeling stronger than hate, then that's what I would feel for him.
"Ah, you're awake." Sakura seems to have noticed my awakened state and rushes up to my side. She turns my head in every angle and tells I have to say if anything hurts. Strange enough, other than a sore jaw, I'm pretty okay.
"Were you telling the truth yesterday?" Kitsune asks. What strikes me is the pure humanity in his voice. He sounds beaten. Kitsune's eyes are intense as they watch me closely. I notice absently that his eyes are blue again and it startles the question I've had in my head for a long time, why do they keep changing?
"I don't know anything." I repeat, my voice hoarse. "The brother I know would never... He would never do something like that." I defend him but from what I saw yesterday I'm not sure what to think anymore. Kitsune had suggested my brother had sent him that head but could I really trust his words? He is a man of no honor and I hate him from the bottom of my heart. How could I ever trust a word he said?
"He's telling the truth Naruto." Sakura says next to me. Her voice is just as gentle as it always is. "How can you be so sure?" He acts defensively and sends me a doubtful glare.
"There's no point in lying to you is there?" She reasons. "You did this to him yet he still claims he doesn't know anything. He gains nothing from holding back information from you." And for the first time I'm thankful this woman is by my side. It seemed like Kitsune valued her opinion.
A tense silence settles as the two send each other meaningful stares but not shortly thereafter a young voice breaks it, "Daddy!" It was the boy, Haru, and after came a woman, her breath shallow as she's been running. "I'm so sorry Kitsune-sama! I tried to keep him away from here but he wouldn't listen."
Naruto stood from his seat, the chair screeching against the floor as it flies back a few inches. "Haru!" He barks but the boy runs passed him and instead jumps the bed I'm lying in. "Sasuke!" he says excited but as soon as he sees my face he adopts a sad frown. "What happened Sasuke?! Where did you go? I looked for you!"
Kitsune is quick to pull the boy off me and judging by his face he's not happy. "I told you to stay with Hinata did I not?!"
"But daddy Sasuke is hurt! He's my friend." Kitsune freezes when the boy says the word friend and as he looks at me, I almost wish Haru hadn't.
"He's your... friend?" Kitsune repeats and something stirs in blue eyes.
"Uhu," Haru answers. "Daddy why is Sasuke hurt?"
"He..." Kitsune stares at me strangely and eventually I have to look away. "fell."
"Ouchies. Sometimes I fall too but auntie make the pain go away. Does auntie help you too?"
I frown. I don't want to answer. I want for all of them to leave so instead I simply watch Kitsune as he holds the kid in his arms, just like my mom used to hold me. He almost looks normal. But I know he's not. No one with a heart would ever allow such a disgusting act to happen. Just like that time...
2 months earlier
"C'mon beautiful, just let me touch a little and I'll give you your reward." He was a man in his early fifties. He reeked of alcohol, his breath a foul stench which traveled down my face whenever he opened his mouth.
I was high as a tower from a fix Orochimaru got me earlier that night, before we left his place and somehow in between leaving and going home we ended up at some posh club in the fancy district. I wanted to go home but we were in need of money so Suigetsu convinced me to go to a club to meet some old men. That's how we usually get our money. We entertain old men. Hang around them and in return they will give us drugs and money. But sometime into the night I had excused myself to the bathroom.
Unknowingly one of the older men followed me there and once I had finished my business the man pounced on me. I fought the man's wandering hands and tried to move away but he locked me in place against the wall and started pulling at my pants. All I could think at that moment was how this is not happening but my body was weakened by the drugs and I found it hard to fight him off. Eventually I heard the zipper of the man's pants and that's when I knew just where this was going. I started trashing against him the best I could but he was strong for being old and he kept me in place.
When I thought all hope was gone the door to the toilets opened and a sense of relief washed over me. A tall muscular man entered the room but he merely looked at us and then went about his daily business. I tried to ask him to help me, to do something, anything, but my voice was muffled by the older man's hand and all that came out was groans of frustration.
When he was done he threw me a quick look and that's when I saw his blood red eyes, he frowned but remained unaffected by my distress and then left the room just as quietly as he had entered.
Once we were left alone, the man continued his advances and forced his way with me. That was the day I lost my last piece of innocence. I was raped in a bathroom by a man I would forever remember in my nightmares, and all I would see was those distant cold red eyes that did nothing.