Wow! Two updates in the same month! I'm excited! I hope you enjoy the direction the story is going in. Please let me know what you think by commenting!
Thank you to all of the followers and reviewers of this story. It really makes my day when I receive an email announcing "someone is now following Ughh." Thank you for the support. :D
Warning: Language, people who stare at other people too much
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. :(
Happy Thanksgiving!
Chapter 3: Staring
"He's staring at you… again," Shikamaru whispers behind his fist.
Naruto grimaces slightly. "I know," he whispers back, while trying not to acknowledge the pale green eyes boring into his skull. The blonde man tries to once again concentrate on the monotone voice of an awkward and somewhat creepy forensic analyst, who is currently going over hair samples and DNA on slides… or something like that. Naruto isn't really sure what the man is talking about; the blonde had been seriously struggling to pay attention all morning. In fact, he can't even remember the creepy guy's name because, unfortunately, he'd been more focused on ignoring the repeated glowers that kept being shot his way from Konohagakure's newest star prosecutor. "Just ignore him," he discreetly mutters. Unable to resist the urge, Naruto's eyes dart over to connect with Sabaku's. He quickly looks away, embarrassed to be caught returning the stare.
It has been six weeks since Sabaku Gaara had first joined the Misdemeanor Unit as a Senior Prosecutor. Within three weeks, the imposing man had captivated enough of the higher-ups with his prosecutorial success that he was quickly reassigned to the Homicide Unit, shocking the majority of the office due to his young age and assumed lack of experience. Soon after, rumors ran wild about the indomitable young man, including his work in Sunagakure, a sprawling metropolis in the desert east of Konohagakure, and his lineage. Rumors had it that the man is the youngest son of the Prosecuting Attorney of Sunagakure, which seemingly explains his natural talent for the profession and his ambitious nature. Due to the beneficial gossip, Sabaku was more readily accepted by the Homicide Unit, and he was soon assigned as the lead prosecutor to one of the department's high-profile murder cases. The case was due to trial in a few weeks, so the prosecution team was currently meeting to make sure all necessary preparations were complete.
The fact that Naruto was allowed in the room was shocking by no stretch of the imagination. Due to the enormity of the case, a few Junior Prosecutors from other departments were allowed to assist the team. This helped the Junior Prosecutors gain valuable experience working on more weighty cases and gave the Senior Prosecutors a chance to scope out future talent and potential promotions. Naruto was stunned and then ecstatic when he received word that he was one of the chosen few. He was less surprised to hear Shikamaru was also chosen, along with Ino Yamanaka, the blonde cutie from the Identity Theft Unit. Naruto was excited and thrilled at the possibility of working such an exciting case with his long-time friend and the possibility of finally getting to know Yamanaka in a less-than-professional manner. However, all hopes were shattered when he discovered the lead prosecutor was none other than Sabaku Gaara.
Naruto can safely say he was unequivocally relieved when the terrifying man was transferred out of their department. In the three weeks that Sabaku was a part of their misdemeanor team, Naruto had never felt more anxious or more cross; Sabaku seemed to know how to push all of Naruto's buttons. From treating him like a secretary to subtly insulting his abilities, the blonde felt under fire every second the man was around. Even weeks later, the treatment still boggled his mind. Naruto had no idea why the man seemed to despise him so much. So understandably, when he learned of Sabaku's involvement in the case, he felt his worst nightmare had begun.
Successfully assisting on a case of this magnitude could make his career; alternately, performing poorly could lead him to prosecuting misdemeanor cases for the entirety of his career. The dreadful thought alone was enough to have any young prosecutor contemplating a pleasant jump off the highest tower in the city. Naruto had aspirations of becoming the Prosecuting Attorney of Konoha one day, and that would not happen unless he began trying higher-profile cases, and thus, making a name for himself. Based on past experience, Sabaku sabotaging him every step of the way and solidifying a lengthy stay for the blonde in the Misdemeanor Unit seemed to be a real possibility.
"Uzumaki," a quiet voice effectively cuts through Naruto's daydreaming and interrupts the forensic expert. "Do you have something to share?"
Naruto jumps and looks up at the man he has been trying to ignore all morning, which has proven to be an exceptionally difficult task. The blonde subtly glances around the conference table. All eyes are glued to his face; most are eager to see his reaction. It seems rumors of his relentless treatment by Sabaku have also spread throughout the office.
I've sunk to the level of a train wreck.
Naruto really can't blame them; if someone else was the new office punching bag, he might be morbidly fascinated, too. He looks to the senior prosecutor; Sabaku sits at the head of the table with that all-too-familiar predatory gleam shining in his eyes. Naruto swallows thickly; his mouth suddenly feels dry. "No, Sir."
"Then, you are expected to pay attention," he orders. "Or is that too hard for you to manage?" His face is void of expression, except for his deadly gaze.
Naruto's face colors slightly at being called out in front of so many influential people. "No, Sir."
The red-heads eyes narrow to slits; his teal irises barely visible. "I hope I do not need to remind you that as a Junior Prosecutor on a case of this magnitude, your job is to learn as much as you can as quickly as you can. I understand that may be difficult for you… learning quickly. However, I can guarantee you will learn much more if you are attentive to the discussion and not whispering secrets to your friend."
Naruto bites the inside of his cheek to keep himself from responding with 'I'm sure you'd learn more if you weren't staring at me all the time!' Instead, he responds curtly with a "Yes, Sir."
The analyst clears his throat, clearly uncomfortable, and draws Sabaku's attention back to the front of the conference room. "After further analysis…" The man, after a pause, begins droning on and on about facts and figures and science-y stuff. It's torture.
The only interesting thing about the expert was his fashion sense… or lack thereof. The bushy-haired man was wearing a lab coat with the collar pulled up high enough to cover his chin and, oddly enough, goggles. Really… where did they find this guy?
A movement from the other side of the table catches his eye. Yamanaka is shifting in her seat and pulling her silky, long, blonde hair over her shoulder. Naruto can help imagining what that hair might look like fanned around her. His eyes wander over to the top of her button-up blouse, where the top two buttons seem to have come undone. How convenient. She shifts again and her breasts push closer together, exposing a bit of cleavage through the opening of her shirt. Naruto feels himself bite the edge of his bottom lip.
"Uzumaki."
Naruto starts and feels a deep blush creep up his neck. He was just caught checking out his co-worker.
Damn it! This really isn't my day…
Sabaku, interrupting the presenter for a second time, narrows his eyes and looks a little more insane than usual. "I'm thirsty. Bring me a coffee."
"Coffee?"
"Yes. It's a drink. I'm assuming you've heard of it."
"Ah, Sabaku-san…" a nameless co-worker interjects, his face troubled. "We can send one of the secretaries to get you something to drink. Aiko, if you don't mind?" He hesitantly looks at the young brunette seated in the corner of the room.
"No," Sabaku states firmly, his eyes never leaving the blonde. "I would like Uzumaki to retrieve it. If he is unable to pay attention, he should at least make himself useful." The infuriating smirk widens.
Naruto struggles to keep his face blank; he doesn't want the fucker to know how much this is affecting him. He holds eye contact not wanting to look away.
The soft screech of his fingernails on his leather armrests is the only sound in the room.
It takes a moment before Naruto is able to speak without muttering a sting of invective. "Yes, Sir!" Naruto manages to slap a fake smile on his face, as he stands. "Right away, Sir," he says through the gritted teeth of an absurd smile. He turns and stiffly leaves the room, aware of the faces following his every movement. It takes all of his willpower to not to make a satisfyingly rude hand gesture as he leaves the room.
Naruto makes his way to the small kitchenette located at the end of the hall. Snatching a clean cup, with a shaky hand, he grasps the carafe handle, only to find it empty. "Damn it!" Slamming down the cup, he grips the counter with both hands. He takes a steadying breath.
The blonde hastily opens the cabinet doors above the counter and sifts through the Styrofoam cups, stirring sticks, and napkins in search of the coffee grounds. Finding none, he slams the doors shut, before kneeling to search in the second set of cabinets below the counter. He discovers cardboard cereal boxes, bowls, and bags of plastic spoons. He hastily knocks them aside feeling to the back of the cabinet. Again, no coffee.
A low growl rumbles in his throat. He smashes the doors closed with a smack. Standing, he drums his fingers against the counter. "Where the fuck so they keep the coffee?!" he mutters, frustration mounting. His eyes shift to the fridge. Pursing his lips, he yanks the door open. "Ah!" Perched in the mist of old take-out cartons and bottles of ketchup, a red bag sits innocently waiting to be discovered. Rolling his eyes, he grabs the bag and goes through the motions of making coffee. Once he fills the automatic maker with coffee and water, he jams the green 'On' button.
Turning his back towards the counter, he languidly slides to the floor, resting his forearms atop his bent knees. Letting out a long-suffering sigh, Naruto allows his head to slam against the cabinet door behind him, as he stares unseeingly at the ceiling. It has been a long six weeks. Actually, a long two months, considering half the shit clouding his mind happened before the red-haired Psycho infested his life. Naruto rests his forehead on one of his forearms and squeezes his eyes shut. Now is not the time to think about that! He tries, somewhat unsuccessfully, to concentrate on the sound of water dripping through the coffee filter, filling the carafe below, in an attempt to calm his thoughts. "Hrmmm…" he grunts, frustrated.
His lifts his head and rests his chin on his arm; his lips press tightly together. His other hand reaches up to forcibly grip his hair in an unsuccessful attempt to distract himself. It had been two months, but the words still echo clear in his mind: "I'm not proud of this, kid… but… I… I knew about you, Naruto…. but… but I was… scared… I'm… I'm not really the kid type…" That nauseating feeling fills his gut, twisting and rolling. The blonde takes a few deep breathes in an attempt to calm his stomach.
"We don't pay you to daydream, Uzumaki."
An all-too-familiar icy voice sends a jot down his spine. Naruto starts and scrambles to his feet. Turning, he finds himself eye to eye with the green-eyed Psycho. Naruto tries to resist the urge to swallow and stares unblinkingly into those hate-filled eyes.
"Exactly how long does it take to bring me coffee?"
"The coffee is brewing."
The unnerving green eyes shift away from Naruto's to look towards the coffee maker. "It seems to have finished a while ago."
Naruto quickly glances to the coffee pot, and sure enough, the coffee is done. Sabaku brushes pass Naruto and grabs an empty cup and fills it with the steaming liquid.
"While you were fantasizing about your meaningless existence, the meeting has broken for lunch." The crimson-haired man turns a pins the blonde with a pointed glare. He slowly lifts the cup to take a sip, seemingly unaffected by the scalding temperature. "I expect you to be less of an embarrassment when we reconvene."
Although the blonde knows he should keep his mouth shut, he can't hold himself back any longer. "What the hell is your problem?" Naruto asks, through gritted teeth.
The pale eyes bore into his own. "You."
"Obviously. But what the hell did I do?"
The pale man scoffs, and turns his head to the side.
"Tell me!" the blonde insists. Luckily, he resists the urge to stomp his foot.
Teas eyes snap back to his own. "Just stay the hell out of my way."
"Stay out of your way?! How am I even in your way?"
Sabaku purses his lips, as his eyes shift away again. "You're a distraction."
"Distraction?"
Sabaku turns back to meet his gaze. "Yes, a distraction. You loud, obnoxious, and…" he seems to search for the right word. "Bright-colored.
Naruto is taken aback and almost laughs. "Bright-colored?!"
"Yes, bright-colored." The crimson-haired man glares, challengingly.
"Is that supposed to be an insult? What does that even mean?" Naruto's lifts his hands, palms up, in exasperation.
Sabaku's expression seems to darken further, if that's possible, and his lips form a thin-line. "It means you're annoying."
Naruto blankly stares for a moment, his mouth open wide, not sure how to respond. Is this really happening? My boss thinks I'm annoying because of my coloring? Naruto exhales and closes is gaping mouth. It is time to ask the question that's been plaguing his mind. "Why exactly do you hate me so much?" he asks in a serious tone.
Without a second of hesitation, Sabaku shoots back, "I hate everyone. You're nothing special." The way it rolls off the man's tongue, Naruto knows Sabaku has claimed this often. Very often. Almost like a mantra.
"You can't actually hate everyone," the blonde returns, disbelieving.
Naruto receives no response.
"How can you hate everyone? What about your family? You have to love them, right?"
"Don't measure me by your standards. A family doesn't equate love," Sabaku furiously snaps back.
Naruto stares for a moment, lightly sobered. He opens his mouth to reply, but nothing comes out. Naruto had always believed that a family was love. Unconditional love. So hearing someone with a family negating this convection, it all just seems wrong. Backwards. "I thought that's what a family was."
Sabaku looks like he wants to retort, but he pauses and looks down for a moment. When he looks back up at Naruto, he asks in a quiet voice, "Why do you care?" He pale eyes seem guarded.
The change in tone surprises Naruto. He sounds almost vulnerable. "Sabaku, I…" he hesitates in answering. Naruto reaches out to place a hand on the man's shoulder, but Sabaku moves away quickly before he can be touched. The man's guarded expression is once again replaced with a poisonous glare.
"Listen, Uzumaki, I understand you must have a lot of… feelings. I will ask you to go feel those feelings somewhere else with someone else. I'm not interested." He tone is clipped and forced.
"Hey, I didn't mean…"
"Save it. Again, I'm not interested. I'm going to speak very plainly. Hopefully, in a way that even you can understand. The only thing I'm interested in is winning cases, particularly this case. If you do anything to jeopardize that, I will destroy you. I will not hesitate. When I say you're a distraction, I mean that there is a high probability that you will get in the way of me winning this case. You're unpredictable and brash, and I don't need you around. I have already attempted to have you removed from the case, but Hiruzen would not listen."
It takes a full three seconds to sink in. "Wait! What?! Hiruzen? As in Sarutobi Hiruzen? Sarutobi? You went to Sarutobi?" Naruto feels he body wash with outrage. Sarutobi Hiruzen is the Prosecuting Attorney of Konoha, which means he runs the entire prosecution office and is Naruto's boss's boss's boss's boss. If a lead prosecutor, like Sabaku, complains about him to Sarutobi, it could be detrimental to his career. He could be shoved to the side and forgotten, to forever live in the Misdemeanor Unit. Or worse… he could be fired. "How could you do that? I've done nothing wrong and you know it!"
Sabaku glowers. "I hate repeating myself. As I've said, you're a distraction and I want you to stay away from me. I went to Hiruzen to try to make that happen, but he would not listen. If you jeopardize this case, I will take further action." Sabaku brushes pass Naruto, as he exits the room, leaving behind a very angry and confused blonde.
Naruto stares unseeingly at the wall above the counter. He seriously cannot understand how a person who knows him so little, could go so far as to attempt to get Naruto kicked off his first big case. To attempt to ruin Naruto's career. It just didn't make any sense. And the reasons the man had given were even more incomprehensible. He was obnoxious? He was a distraction? His was colored wrong? Now that just sounded racist… or maybe blonde-ist.
Naruto recalls all of their past encounters, and it just doesn't add up. The reasons don't add up. Sure, the blonde had accidentally insulted Sabaku on the man's first day, but Naruto had been hung-over and late. And he had apologized for that weeks ago. After that first meeting, Naruto has tried his hardest to be pleasing and to get on the man's good side, but all he has received for his efforts is venomous stares and mistreatment. It just doesn't make any sense. What exactly has he done? The man's excuses just don't add up to the amount of hatred he is receiving. And to even complain to Hiruzen?!
The confusion only serves to make him feel somewhat helpless, and this further fuels his anger and frustration. It has to stop. I've had enough! I have to make him stop.
The sound of his heavy breathing fills his ears, and his vision slightly blurred from the blood pounding behind his eyes. Between the pulses in his vision, he sees it. The absolute worst thing imaginable is hanging on the wall before him.
A fucking motivational poster.
Sad, pleading eyes beg for his help as a small, fluffy kitten holds on to a branch for dear life. "Hang in there, buddy," it says.
Naruto feels his hands clench at his sides. Right now, he doesn't want to 'Hang in there.' He'd much rather punch the pathetic cat in the face. Or even better, punch a crazy, red-haired, pale-eyed, tattooed, sadistic creep who hates him for no damn good reason in the face!
Naruto spends a few blissful moments imaging the satisfying snapping of bone beneath his powerful, tan fist, the crimson blood dripping down creamy skin, and the astonished, pain-stricken teal eyes pleading for his mercy.
Naruto mouth slowly curves into a devious smile. Teeth bared. Eyes alight.
It's about time to fight fire with fire.
"But, I would only need thirteen meters of sting, a tomato, four small oxygen tanks, a shark, and a pair of green running shorts! It would totally work, Shika! I've thought it all through," the blonde exclaims, pounding his fists on the table.
"Naruto," Shikamaru sighs, placing his head in his hands.
"C'mon, man, you hav'ta admit, it'd be fuckin' hilarious!" The brown-haired man across from him exclaims, through fits of laughter.
Naruto smiles at the show of support from his long-time friend, Kiba Inuzuka. The two had met the beginning of sophomore year of high school, while competing for coveted spots on the school's nationally competitive basketball team. After a year of name-calling and beating the shit out of each other every chance they got, a true friendship formed. Go figure. "See, Shikamaru. Even Kiba thinks it's a good idea."
"That's part of the problem," is Shikamaru's dry response.
Kiba stops laughing to shot a glare towards the pony-tailed man. "What's that s'posed ta mean?!"
"Naruto, I think you would lose your job, and most likely end up in jail." Shikamaru calmly pointed out, ignoring the Kiba's outburst.
"Then, give me a better idea! I need to put that psycho in his place!" Naruto had called an emergency Meeting of the Minds after work. Today's events and revelations had been the last straw. It's time to get even and put a stop to Sabaku's tyrannical reign. The only question was how.
The three friends had met at a dingy pub near Kiba's family-owned dog shelter, where he had been working since high school. The pub was dimly-lit, with old gadgets and neon beer signs lining the dark, wood-paneled walls. The smell of fish n' chips and cigars hung in the air. They were seated in a secluded booth in the back corner of the restaurant, empty beer mugs littering the table.
"Naruto, do you really think antagonizing your boss further is really a good idea?"
"It's better than being treated like the office loser! He's going to destroy any chance I have of a promotion. Or maybe even my entire career! He went to Hiruzen!"
"What'd you do ta get on his bad side anyway? Piss in his coffee?" Kiba smirks at his own joke.
"HAHA! I wish! In fact, that may be exactly what the creep needs!" The blonde laughs imaging the look on Sabaku's face after drinking piss-tainted coffee. Classic.
"Again. Not helpful to your career, Naruto." Shika reminds.
"Right," he grudgingly agrees. "Honestly, Kiba, I really have no idea why he has it in for me so bad. I showed up looking like shit once. Just once!" The blonde holds up one finger to further emphasize his point. "And I may have knocked him over… and then insulted him, but I didn't realize who he was at the time." Naruto cringes at the memory.
Kiba barks a laugh. "You're hilarious man!"
Naruto frowns and continues as if he wasn't interrupted. "But I already apologized for that the next day. Several times after that. I tried being helpful, which he seemed to hate. I tried becoming his friend and being nice, which he seemed to hate even more. And now I'm trying to grudgingly ignore him, which he seems to hate the most! I'm not sure what else to do. He almost seems to find some sick sadistic pleasure in torturing me," the blonde sighs.
"I've been wondering about his behavior as well." Shikamaru comments. "It seems odd."
"Maybe the guy has a crush on you." Kiba laughs.
Naruto's jaw drops. "Wait… W-what?! How can you even suggest that?" Naruto asks, incredulous.
"Because that would be hilarious!" Kiba laughs harder, clutching his side. "Like a kindergartener tugging on the pigtails of the girl he secretly loves."
He grabs Kiba's collar across the table and roughly shakes him. "Are you serious?" Naruto's blue eyes are interrogative, as his voice rises an octave in panic. "You really think he like me?"
"How the hell would I know?" He tears himself out of Naruto's grasp. "I've never met the guy!" Kiba exclaims. He pauses for a second, before his slightly irritated expression changes to playful. "Y'know, it is sorta suspicious how quick you are ta believe it. Do you want him ta like you? I mean, you sure do talk about him a lot. How he speaks, how he dresses, how he looks, and every conversation you two have." Kiba pauses and then waggles his eyebrows. "You think his cute, don't 'cha? All psycho and spiteful."
"KIBA, what-the-fuck?! Why would I want that psycho to like me? That's weird on so many levels! Don't even joke like that!" Naruto shrieks, attracting the attention of the majority of the pub. Sending apologetic looks to the tables nearby, Naruto turns back to his friends and whispers, "I don't like him!"
"It's suspicious how much you're denyin' it." Kiba teases with a smirk.
"Shika, back me up on this!" Naruto implores to his friend with a sad, indignant pout.
Shika's face is thoughtful as he studies Naruto's face. "Kiba may have a point."
Kiba laughs boisterously, pointing at the blonde. "You totally have a crush!"
Naruto starts to panic. "I swear I don't like the guy! I've never thought about him that way! I-I hate him even!"
"Hate's a pretty strong word, Naruto!" Kiba giggles at the murderous glare he receives.
"You know I like women, Kiba!"
"Doesn't mean you can't like men, too!"
Naruto's face colors slightly. "Kiba, I'm going to kill you, if you don't shut the hell up!" he mutters in a threatening tone.
"Why so defensive, Naruto?" Kiba's eyes narrow. A teasing smile on his lips. "Ya hidin' somethin'?"
Naruto's face turns a deep shade of red, as he tries to lunge across the table, intent on throttling the smirking man across form him. Shikamaru grabs Naruto by the shoulder and harshly shoves him back in his seat. "The last thing we need is another bar fight between you two," giving each of the men a stern look.
Naruto huffs and crosses his arms over his chest, giving Kiba an aggravated glare. Kiba smirks wider, looking triumphant.
"And what I meant, Naruto, is about the possibility of Sabaku being attracted to you, but not understanding how to properly show it or perhaps trying to deny it," Shika states in a serious tone, effectively interrupting Naruto's homicidal thoughts. Once he sees he has Naruto's full attention, he continues, "He pays you more interest than any other person. He's always watching you, calling on you, and making you do things for him. Even stopping meeting to interact with you."
"Shika," Naruto says seriously, licking his suddenly dry lips. "It's not as funny when you say that."
"I'm not trying to be funny, Naruto." Shikamaru gives him a deadpan expression. "I've actually had that opinion for several weeks now. It would explain his unexplainable hatred of you and why he considers you a distraction."
Naruto feels the bottom drop out of his stomach, as his faces heats up again. Naruto stares into his friend's eyes for a long moment. Unnerved, he looks at the table, suddenly interested in a splotch of dried ketchup. Biting his bottom lip, Naruto rests his head into his left-hand, leaning his elbow on the table. "That's too weird. I don't want to think about it," he mumbles, quietly.
Kiba coughs and clears his throat. "How 'bout another round?" he says, obviously trying to break the tension.
Naruto looks at his friend with a grateful smile, relieved to drop the subject. "Sure."
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