Just a simple touch,
Just a little glance
Makes me feel like flyin'.
But where are you tonight?
Something isn't right,
Can you please stop hiding?
In your secret place,
Staring into space,
Leaves me feeling frozen.
I just need to feel, that what we have is real.
And I'm the one you've chosen.
I am trying not to think about
All the things you did before,
But sometimes it all just gets to me.
I can't fake it anymore,
I'll stay with you,
But remember and be careful what you do be
Cause I'm not bulletproof.
Kerli's "Bulletproof"
Anko didn't know what to feel. She hated Mizuki to a devastating extent. He was annoying, cruel, creepy, and an absolute stalker; yet now, that psychopath was gone, something was stirring deep inside her. She couldn't tell if it was remorse, or maybe relief. One less person to fuck her up. She almost smiled about it, but then Iruka's voice cracked and she held all her confused joy in.
"I was just w-with him!" he sobbed. "He was fine. He was just…"
Anko wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Shush now, I'm here. It's okay."
Iruka copied her actions, holding her closely, afraid that if he let her go, even for a second, she'd disappear like Mizuki had. After a few moments, his sorrow stilled and he pressed his hot face into her bosom and listened to her heartbeat.
Alive.
Anko soothed the back of his head lovingly. She felt more like a mother right now than a girlfriend, but that's what Iruka needed. She'd be whatever he wanted.
His head lifted, his eyes glassy with need. "Anko…please…"
She cupped his cheek and brought his mouth to hers, caressing his jaw as their lips moved in a gentle rhythm. The hands holding her shoulders slid south to wrap around her waist, pulling her tightly onto is lap. She groaned at the warmth the two of them shared, yet shivered at the coldness that came from his lips as his shaky hands slid under her shirt, peeling it off carefully. His hands caressed her sides rather roughly, hungrily. His lips traveled down to her chest, running his lips over her alert breasts. He swayed down to her stomach as he undid the clasp of her brassier.
Anko pressed his head harder against her. Why couldn't he be like this more often?
Because he isn't grieving all the time.
Iruka pushed her down gently, undoing the buttons of her jeans and sliding them off to reveal a pair of beautiful creamy thighs hidden by stylish boy briefs. He leant down and kissed the skin of the thighs, brushing her head over her clothed bundle of sex. He hooked his fingers on the sides of the cloth and yanked it down her slender legs, relishing her soft mound with the heated kisses. Anko's hips began to twitch, so he held them down and continued. He needed to control her; just once was all he wanted.
He sat up, pulling his tear-stained shirt he wore over his head. Anko's hands met his and helped him, taking the material from him and tossing it away. They silently disposed of his pants and boxers and Iruka planted several sharp kisses on her neck and lips before bolting into her willing walls. He began his pace almost instantly. There was no patience or courtesy tonight; just full, hard-on sex.
.,.,.,. .,.,.,.
"What is you thinking about, Uchiha?" the rather quiet Ryik Katzan squeaked as he and Itachi sat against the wall just outside Anko's apartment. Why leave? The only place either one of them had to go now was a funeral.
Itachi's dull crimson eyes flocked over to the eerie dark figure hovering over the apartment complex far in the distance, leering at him and the pain dripping from the window pains of Konoha. If Ryik weren't around, he'd run after him and slit his throat open! As soon as everyone was out of the way and Anko was out of sight, he was going to give it to her something fierce. She knew he was coming back, and now a shinobi was dead.
Then again, he was also to blame. He was an ANBU. His soul duty was to protect Konoha from threats like this. He might as well washed his hands of Mizuki's blood and dry them off with his shirt. He should have turned Anko in the second he saw that bastard sneak in to her apartment that legendary two months ago. Why didn't he? He barely knew her name back then, Hell, he didn't even halfway know Ryik back then. What held him back?
Oh, yeah. The want.
He had never known "normal". His entire life had been laid out for him; choices were extinct. He was never allowed to have any real friends, do childish things such as skip class or sneak into a hot springs for some peeping. It was always work, training, and hospital visits. Ryik was the only way out of it, and he had taken it.
And then somehow, a beautiful girl with long purple hair and piercing brown eyes fought off forty ANBU and earned his attention.
He didn't have to do some major spying to discover that bastard Orochimaru taking residence in her home. He just…guessed. Turning her in would have been the smartest thing in the world to do, but he couldn't, no matter how loud his conscious screamed. He didn't want the craziness she caused to end; he wanted it to last forever. He wanted her to last forever.
He wanted Orochimaru to disappear though. He was turning all of them into monsters.
He turned to Ryik who was still staring at him for an answer. He smiled, "I was just thinking of which one of us were going to be Anko's bridesmaids at the wedding."
A bright smile spread over the once impassive face of Ryik Katzan. "Oh, hell yeah!" he cheered. "Oh, Uchiha, I has fifty million dress ideas! It's going to be awesome! I hope she picks me as the Maid of Honor…"
Itachi zoned Ryik out, but still gave him his visual attention.
Through the darkness of this night, a bright day of happiness will rise.
.,.,.,.
Anko gasped as another burst of ecstasy weakened her. Usually Iruka was the one to break first, but tonight, she was at his mercy. He didn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. He wouldn't stop until he could close his eyes without seeing Mizuki's face. If that meant fucking Anko until she passed out, so be it.
As of now, she was only a body he could use to wither his pain.
The tense girl gripped his shoulder harshly in an attempt to remind him that she was still alive under him. He seemed to take note of that fact and slowed down but did not allow his release. Growling, Anko forced her walls to clench down on his thrusting length, which caused him speed to slow even more until he all together stopped and filled her to a near overflow.
He pulled out with a growl and hovered menacingly over the panting girl under him. "What the hell, Anko? Will it kill you to not act like a total bitch for once?"
Anko watched him in stunned, infuriated silence. If the circumstances were completely different, she would have beat the Hell out of him, and most likely castrated him. But she'd just have to bury her anger until her Iruka had his emotional balance back.
However, the man on top of her sprung off and began pulling on his trousers. "I've got to go." he announced in a cold, low voice. "Tsubaki's probably…" He stopped, knowing that there was no use telling Anko what she already knew.
Anko sat up, covering herself and smiling gently. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
Iruka stood, now fully dressed. He strolled to the door and stepped out of the bedroom without giving her a response.
She swallowed the burning lump in her throat as she listened to his retreating footsteps. She felt so…used. Something she never thought Iruka would make her feel. Of course, this hostility he felt was only temporary He was her best friend and her fiancé! Everything would be fine as soon as he coped with Mizuki's death.
With this realization on her mind, she curled under her filthy sheets and tried to sleep off her sexual exhaustion. Yet, Orochimaru's words were eating at her very heart.
He'll be done with you in a week.
.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
Itachi and Ryik awoke with snorts as the front door burst open and Iruka Umino dashed out of the house.
"Where ya goin'?" Ryik yawned. Neither he nor the Uchiha received a response.
"You think Anko's okay?" Itachi asked, being much quicker to wake than his companion.
Ryik stood and scratched his muffled, brown hair. "Considering how long they was in there, I think they're just fine."
Itachi rolled his eyes at Ryik's perverseness and made his way into Anko's quiet home. He took great care stepping into Anko's roof, not wanting to relieve the lake incident. However, it wasn't Anko's nakedness that made him want to jump out his skin.
It was the man standing just outside of her closed bedroom door.
The once great Snake Sannin slowly looked up to meet the Uchiha wit a hate-filled glare. "What in the hell are you staring at, boy?"
In the Uchiha Clan, fear was strictly forbidden, especially for the Uchiha heir. When he found a field full of corpses on battlefields at age four, he barely blinked. When his baby brother started chocking while his parents were out when he was seven, he calmly took him to his aunt's house and watched the gentle peach color return to his purple skin.
And now, at a manly age of ten years, he was ready to pass out just at the sight of the wicked man gripping a kunai so tightly that the veins throbbed to use it on the sleeping beauty just on the other side of the door.
"Get…" Itachi closed his eyes and used his expert years in training to suffocate the fear inside him. "Get away from there."
Orochimaru's interest sparked.
"So you're obsessed with her too, eh?" he chuckled, bringing the knife back to his pocket and striding to the shivering Uchiha. "Oh, this is just delicious!"
Itachi stepped into the hallway, walking backwards so that he wouldn't lose sight of Orochimaru.
"Well," Orochimaru inquired, licking his lips. "Aren't you going to run?"
Itachi made a quick glance behind him. The door was opened, revealing bright blue light from the full moon, but no Ryik.
Orochimaru was approaching him quickly. "Question my motives?"
Itachi looked up and choked on his gasp when Orochimaru's heat intertwined with his.
The Devil bent to Itachi's level. "Or, my utmost favorite mind you, scream?"
The Uchiha twisted away from his words, closer to the door. He took in a deep breath and set up his macho incognito. "Why don't you get the hell out of here?"
"Because, my foul-mouthed little bastard, that woman that you so rudely prevented me from slitting her throat needs to learn that she can't slut around without consequences."
Itachi's possessive streak instantly sparked. "You're really one to talk, you suck-dick, abusive, raping son of a bitch!" Before his mouth could close, Orochimaru had his long, icy fingers down the Uchiha's throat, curling upwards before lifting the boy to his face.
"I see your time with Anko has sharpened your filthy tongue." The terrifying man hissed, pulling Itachi to his face. "And now, I'm going to rip it out, you little-"
Itachi hit the ground, Orochimaru's sharp fingers slipping from his throat. He did his best to crawl away as he struggled for the precious air he had lost.
Orochimaru shot around to glare at the boy who had thrown a glass at his head. His rage died down some when he saw how Ryik's chocolate eyes shook with fear. "You're…alive?" He squeaked. Itachi's cough regained his attention. Keeping his eyes locked on Orochimaru, Ryik circled the evil man until he was by his comrade's side.
"Itachi!" Ryik whisper. "You all right, man?"
Itachi allowed Ryik to hoist him to his feet, but pushed him away to hide his weakness from Orochimaru. "Get out," he growled dangerously as the man before him stood.
"Or what?" he dared back.
Anko hissed and approached him with little to no concern for her safety. "I'll throw you out of here by you're air pipe you shit!"
The Snake Sannin hissed with annoyance and shot around to prepare for the boy's death, but this intention dropped when he saw the object Itachi took from his pocket. Poised in-between his fingers were a golden whisper just waiting to be blown.
"This," Itachi explained, "Is a special whistle enhanced with a special genjutsu created solely for the dogs trained by the ANBU. If you take one more step towards her, you'll have forty ANBU on you before you reach the bottom step."
Orochimaru searched his piercing black eyes for the lie but found none. The Uchiha's were an impassive bunch, and Uchiha was a prime example. He looked back at Anko who held a similar warning in her glare. He smirked, showing that despite his defeat that they were far from done with.
"Fine." he said, turning his back on the two.
Ryik and Itachi limped aside to allow the horrible man to leave. There was one last shared glare between them before Orochimaru skulked into the night, his evil lingering within the room. Ryik slammed the door shut and twisted and turned every lock in possessed. "Asshole."
Itachi sighed and slid down against the wall, clenching his pounding heart. "Damn that was close." his eyes raised to a recovering Ryik. "You all right?"
Ryik dropped to his side as he lulled his head to face his. "Don't make me answer that."
Itachi chuckled before sighing, the fear eating at him again. "We're so screwed."
"What's all this we nonsense?"
"You, me, and Anko."
Ryik gulped but remained strong. "We's got to kill that fucker again!"
"No." Itachi said. "I think I scared him off long enough for us to figure out what we're going to do."
Before Ryik could comment, Anko came sprinting into the room, dressed in only a loose t-shirt that slumped off of the shoulder she was rubbing slightly. "What the Hell is going on here!"
Itachi and Ryik stood at attention, the former fear of Orochimaru being quickly replaced with that for a grouchy Anko.
Of course, Ryik had to jump in to get his two cents in before Itachi could conduct a theorized plan.
"Anko-girl, you ain't gonna believe this! Crazy—"
Itachi jumped forward and wrapped his arms around Ryik's mouth. "Ryik needs a place to stay!" he blurted out. Two sets of eyes glared at him in question.
Anko leaned against the doorway, crossing her arms. "This is my problem, how?"
Itachi glanced at Ryik. It was his turn now to add to the lie.
"Because…you have a couch and Uchiha's parents hate my guts."
Surprise swept over Anko. She would have never thought the gentle woman who had bandaged her like a doll could feel hate towards anyone, especially her son's friend.
Itachi looked ready to choke Ryik for that stupid comment, but if it meant keeping their secret under the rug, he'd bash anyone. "What he said." he stated hoarsely.
Anko knew that there was less truth in their story than anything, but one night wouldn't kill her. Besides, she really didn't want to be in her apartment alone, not with the loneliness Iruka left in the air and Orochimaru walking around somewhere.
"Fine." she sighed, exiting the room only for a moment to grab a spar pillow and blanket to toss Ryik's way. "How long are we talking?"
Ryik exchanged a glance with Itachi who could only give him a shrug. "I'll get back to you on that."
Anko rolled her eyes and pointed towards her bedroom. "I'm gone. See you in the morning."
Itachi watched her leave as he silently swallowed the fire on the tip of his tongue.
"Nice break, Mr. Liar Pants." Ryik huffed as he threw the blanket over his head.
"You're welcome!" Itachi hissed. While Ryik better situated his self, he quietly snuck into the sanctuary of Anko's room. His nose crinkled slightly at the musty smell, but his other senses were directed towards the angel sleeping in a curled position on her throne. He noticed how troubled her expression was. She was so scared that she was loosing; that she would loose everything on account of her failures.
That hewould take everything away from her.
Itachi swore right then and there that Orochimaru would never interfere with her life again. Anko deserved the happiness Iruka was offering. She should have the shinobi career she had her heart set on.
She deserved to be free of that monster, but no matter how many times they drove a stake through his wretched heart, he would always haunt her. He will never set her free.
"No matter what happens, you will always have me…and Ryik."
.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
The days eased on by and despite the tranquility and lack of Orochimaru, Anko was more burdened than ever.
As she trudged into her that apartment that afternoon, carelessly disposed of her funeral garments, (ironically, the same dress she had worn for a brighter arrangement a month ago), her heart had reached its fill of with grief. She collapsed on her bed, clothed only in her undergarments, and allowed just the peak of her sorrow to escape.
Iruka, along with Asuma, Kakashi, and Guy, had been pallbearers. That hurt, but her heart almost broke when Iruka stepped back and stood beside the weeping Tsubaki. Iruka had pulled her close as the Hokage stood before the passive shinobi and spoke of Mizuki's life. Anko hadn't heard a word of it for she was too consumed on the closeness of Tsubaki and her man. She chastised herself for it later the selfish thoughts. Iruka was just being a good friend.
And for his sake, that's all he better be.
Her hand pondered over the shelf above her bed, fingering for the object she wanted to see. Her fingertips poked at it and she brought it to her line of site. She smiled at the goofy picture of she and Iruka. They were the kids back then, and too close for comfort. No one approved of their friendship, but neither one of them gave a solitary damn. They still didn't.
Her heart sank again when she recalled his coldness from earlier today and the days before. He barely spoke to her, let alone looked at her. He would have put an ocean between them if it meant setting up some distance. She was irritated and hurt by this, but reminded herself each time the urge to punch Iruka grew that he was in more pain than she could realize.
He had been so patient for her when (she thought) Orochimaru died. Now it was time to return the favor.
She placed the picture on the nightstand and sat up, stretching as she moved the curtain to the side to look out the window. It was beautiful outside. The sky was a deep blue without a cloud in site. It seemed more like a day for a picnic than a funeral.
The entire universe must be glad to get him underground.
A dark thought whispered in Anko's head. Anko chuckled at this and proceeded to find clothing appropriate enough for the semi-cold weather. As she did this, she rummaged through her drawls for the magazine of coupons Kurenai had given her on her forgotten birthday. It was wrinkled and torn, but that did not dismiss the value on the money savers inside.
After a brush here and there, she was out the door, smirking at the feel of the two presences that were slowly creeping up behind her.
"Hello, boys!" Anko called behind her. She heard a curse from Ryik before both of the youths jumped to her sides.
"Anko-girl!" Ryik greeted.
She smiled at him and noticed that they were both dressed in black. "Where you guys at Mizuki's funeral? I didn't see you."
"Oh, we were there." Itachi sighed.
"Hm, whatever. I'm going to go handle a few things."
"Want our help?"
Anko chuckled. "If you want to help me choose out a wedding dress, then by all means, tag along."
Itachi gave her an exquisite look. "You're wedding planning already? No offense, Anko, but you just came from your fiancée's best friends funeral. Don't you thing you need to wait until his heads in check before you start making decisions like this?"
"Relax, Mr. Party-pooper," Anko said as she rolled her eyes. "I just want to look at a dress. Besides, Iruka's not really detailed-oriented anyway, he won't care what I do."
Itachi glanced at Ryik. "Do you really want to go into a dress shop?"
"You bet! I gotta know what's going on up in here if I'm gonna be Anko's maid of honor!"
Anko chuckled as Ryik ran up ahead. "I think he still doesn't know what a maid of honor is."
The trio reached Anko's destination: a dress retail. This place was where Anko had brought her first funeral garb for the mass funeral of the Nine Tails attack years ago.
"Hello!" a young girl called out to them. She jumped out from behind the curtain and bowed. "What can I help you with?"
"We're looking for some wedding gowns." Anko said.
The lifted her head to look at the boys. "All of you?"
"I'm the maid of honor!"
The girl burst out laughing. "Sure you are, sweetie, and I'm the Hokage!"
"Who the he—"
Itachi clasped a hand over Ryik's vulgar mouth.
The girl led them to a large room full of boxes. "We just got a new shipment in, so just go through and get anything you want."
"Thanks," Anko said. She picked a large box and began to rummage through it, pulling out several multi-colored kimonos. Ryik and Itachi stepped in and helped her unpack each box, not knowing what to give her but just happy to help.
After an hour of frustration, Anko thought she finally found something that yelled out perfection. She slipped away fro a moment to try dress.
"What about this?"
The two wary boys looked up to see Anko's choice.
It was a lovely, but simple, white dress, with a corset showing off her sumptuous sides as a top and frills as the skirt. It was fun and yelled out sexiness, a perfect garment for Anko Mitarashi.
While Itachi took in her angel-like beauty, Ryik laughed.
"White? Anko-girl, that's bold!"
Anko's smile turned into scowl. "What the hell are you talking about, Ryik?"
"Whites what the virgins where! Sorry, Anko-girl, but you is not—" The opinionated Katzan flew back from the force of the shoe that had been thrown into his face.
"Shut the hell up before I take your virginity." Anko hissed as she began to forcefully undo the ties of the corset.
"Rape…" Ryik cried weakly as he sat up. Itachi was staring at him with smug satisfaction. Ryik stuck his tongue at him and looked up just in time to Anko drop the dress.
"Whoa!" Itachi screeched, shunning his and Ryik's eyes from her underwear.
"Damn, girl, just show it off!" Ryik exclaimed.
"Oh, please!" Anko yelled from the dressing room. "It's not like you two haven't seen my body before. At least I'm somewhat clothed this time."
The blushes on the boys' faces deepened as they recalled the drowsy memory of Anko's wet, curvy body the day she sprung up out of the lake during their faithful mission.
"Well, it ain't our damn fault you don't know what a bathing suit is! Anko, who the hell takes a bath in a filthy-ass lake during an S-ranked mission?"
"A filthy-ass chick with a lot on her mind." Anko muttered, willing away the memories of what occurred after the bath and beyond.
A knock signaled that the two boys were no longer alone to bear the torture of the woman's department. Their sighs of relief froze in their throats when they saw Iruka standing there with the vaguest expression on his caramel-colored face.
"Hey!" she greeted excitedly. The whole wedding process was making her giddy! She ran up to Iruka and suffocated him with a hug.
"Hi, Anko," the fiancé greeted weakly.
Itachi and Ryik exchanged burdened glances before gently placing down the rejected dresses Anko had thrown on top of them. "So," Ryik interrogated. "Where ya been? It ain't right for a man not to speak to his woman in three days, no matter what the hell's going on."
Anko's glare dared them to say another word. However, Iruka was a bit more understanding than his bride to be. "Yeah, I've been a bit preoccupied lately, so…"
Anko wrapped her arms around him. "Don't worry about it." When she leaned up to kiss his cheek, he shuddered at her touch.
He moved away from her uneasily. "Can we talk, alone?"
Anko nodded eagerly. She hastily said goodbye to Ryik and Itachi and trotted off with her lover.
"I'm really glad you said you wanted to talk; I've been wanting to talk to you, too!"
"Anko—"
"I know what you're going to say," Anko grinned at him, completely blind to the distress in his eyes.
"Anko, wait—"
"Things between us haven't been going too steady, but I really thing that if we work a little harder—"
Iruka tore out of her love grip. "It's over, Anko!" he burst. Shame washed over his face, as well as a bit of relief.
Anko stopped. Her universe was beginning to stop, as if her life force was being snatched from her because of those three small words. Yet, she was smiling when she turned to him, believing she had just heard him wrong. "Sorry, what?"
"Us, we're over." he sighed deeply. "I've…I'm with someone else."
It all came together. The reasons for his spicy temper the other night, his distance from her, it all pointed to one person, and it wasn't the demon or anyone else she would have suspected.
"Tsubaki…"
"Yes…" Iruka whispered.
"Yes…" Anko repeated absently.
He placed a hesitant hand on her shoulder, trying to get her to understand. "I've put a whole week into this, and, I know it hurts, but it's better for both of us, I know it is."
He'll be done with you in a week.
It had been six days, and eighteen hours since she had taken Iruka as her own.
Orochimaru was right.
He'd won.
"No!" Anko burst pathetically. "Don't do this! I'll try so much harder! I'll do whatever you want!"
"It won't help, Anko."
She gripped his arm. Maybe if she held on to him long enough, he'd change his mind. "I'll be less stubborn, I'll never disobey Lord Hokage again! Hell, I'll stay at home whenever you want! I'll—"
"You'll be miserable! And so will I!" Iruka exploded over her wails. "It's not who you are!"
Anko's body became weak and she turned away, holding herself and brushing away the tears exiting her heart. "Then who am I, Iruka?"
He grabbed her shoulders awkwardly, as if he were trying to comfort a complete stranger. "You're Anko Mitarashi. You're adventurous, thrill-seeking, strong, and the most tomboyish young woman I've ever met." his grip weakened, just like his heart. "And you're independent, so you don't need me, My Tsubaki does."
Anko eyes shot to him in shock. He was leaving her because she wasn't carrying that bastard Mizuki's child? No, he was leaving her because Mizuki's child needs something more than an ailing grandmother and a depressed mother.
"Being with you while I support her…it'd just be too complicated. I have to stick to one person Anko, and that's her. I need to be her backbone, Anko. And to be that…I can't be your husband." the look in her red eyes was breaking him, but he had gone too far to take back anything now. "Please Anko, forgive me."
Anko moved away from the gentle hands that use to hold her when she was in pain and ran over every inch of her body when they made love. More tears left her eyes as her body jerked from the intense sorrow. "No, Iruka…I-I…can't…ever…forgive you….for…this!" With that, she ran off, leaving the man she held so much bitterness for in his own pool of tears.
.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
Itachi picked up the shattered picture of Anko and Iruka off of the floor. He glanced back at Ryik whom was on the side of Anko's bed, rubbing the curled girl's back affectionately.
"I feel like my insides are on fire." Anko spoke in the weakest, softest voice that had ever left her mouth.
"Don't worry, honey, all break-ups feel like that."
Itachi shot Ryik a death glare.
"I don't see you trying to help!" Ryik defended.
Anko's sorrowful groan stalled their quarreling.
"Maybe this is a good thing." Itachi suggested. "At least now you can focus on your shinobi duties."
Anko groaned again, but this time, it sounded more like a cry.
It was Ryik's turn to shoot daggers.
Itachi finally gave up and ushered towards the door. "Let's give her some alone time?"
Ryik shrugged and jumped off the bed, his eyes locked on Anko until Itachi closed the door.
Several hours had passed since Anko was given the mind-shattering news from her now ex-fiancé. The night was clear and bright, making the shadows of the creature slithering from Anko's roof to her front door dance with evil intentions.
The possessor of the shadows stepped into the quiet apartment with a teasing smirk on his face. This was only part one of his plan to get back at Anko for attempting to slay him. There was far more torture to come. He was even contemplating on killing her beloved Iruka, but that would end his fun far too early, considering Anko would probably jump off a balcony if that happened.
He chuckled as he knocked on the bedroom door and entered before he received an invite.
"Evening, lover." he greeted playfully. He swerved to turn on the lamp on her desk, smirking when he saw the destroyed picture on her desk. "Word on the block is that a particular kunoichi was sobbing through the streets like some runaway whore." He laughed and leaned against the desk. "Ironic, isn't…"
There was something off about the position she was sleeping in. He had watched her sleep hundreds of times and, even as a child, she had always slept on her side. But now however, she was on back, one arm covering her eyes while the other was slung around her stomach.
"Anko?"
He crept up to her carefully, just in case his theory was off and she was able to spring up and attack him.
"Anko, can you hear me?" When she didn't answer him, he shook her ever so slight. The arm over her eyes fell lifelessly to her side. He jumped back at the feel of her fiery skin. His golden eyes widened with distress. They lowered to the arm clutching her stomach. Taking in a shallow breath, he removed it and lifted up her shirt just enough to see the black-purple bruise on her taunt belly.
"No…"
.,.,.,.,. .,.,.,.
"It's getting late," Ryik spoke as he licked the dripping juices of his Popsicle off of his arm, "Don't you think you should get home before you dad sends the entire clan after ya?"
Itachi laughed humorously. "Doubt it. Ever since the fight with my mom, they really don't care what I do." he sighed and took a long lick at the icy treat. "Sometimes I wish I was you, Ryik,. Free to do what you want, no parents to hold you back, no responsibilities…"
Ryik pushed Itachi right off the bench they were sitting on, jumping off himself while Itachi screamed for an explanation.
"Don't ever say that, Uchiha." Ryik warned. "You better be damn glad you got parents, especially a mom who would jump through fire for you!"
Itachi cringed slightly. He knew exactly where Ryik's sudden outburst was directing from. Though he never spoke of it, Itachi knew he was sore for the mother he never had. Even though Mikoto outwardly insulted him, it wasn't enough for him to hate her. She was what he wanted: a real mother.
"I get it." Itachi spoke. "Let's drop it, okay, buddy?"
Ryik's eyes glistened, his hurt immediately vanishing. "Sure…" he jumped back on the bench and lifted the stump of ice to his mouth. "So, what we gonna do about Iruka-OH!"
Itachi watched as Ryik hit the ground, a soda can landing beside his head.
Ryik rubbed his head as he sat up, staring at his dirty popsicle in agony. "What the Hell…" he and Itachi simultaneously glanced back to see the figure standing in the moonlight; it's long hair flowing like birds wings.
"Orochimaru…" Ryik gasped. He shot up. "Hey, ass-fucker! Yeah, I'm talking to you! You trying to get yourself caught!"
While Ryik ranted, Itachi activated his Sharingan with a hiss. Ever since the mission, his Kekkei Genkai had been entirely out of whack. When it did work, it was only for a minute and was sickeningly painful. He focused hard on the man to verify that it was indeed the demon they thought it was. It Itachi's slight surprise, Orochimaru's chakra signal was weak, like a candle struggling to burn.
"Ryik," Itachi whispered, "Call me crazy, but I think something's wrong."
"Nah duh Uchiha! There's a psycho rapist standing above us!"
"I get that, fool, I mean that there's something off here. Why is he just standing there? Why isn't he attacking?"
"He's playing with us." Ryik growled.
Orochimaru's head flicked to the side and he was off.
"Hey," Ryik screamed after him, "where you going? You owe me another Popsicle, you SOB!" Itachi grabbed his collar and pulled him into the chase. They trailed him, only Itachi noticing that he was stopping every now and again to see that they were behind him.
What are you doing, snake?
It wasn't until he reached the rooftop of Anko's apartment that he vanished from site.
"Get away from there!" Ryik shouted as he sped up the stairs. Itachi was still at the bottom, clutching his burning eyes.
"Save it, Uchiha, let's go!"
Itachi wiped the bead of blood from the corner of his right eye and followed his friend.
While Ryik stayed behind to check the kitchen and living room, Itachi burst into the bedroom and looked around. The lamp on her desk was on, but Anko was still fast asleep on her bed.
Itachi approached, all the while searching for the night demon. "Anko, are you all right?" He paused and stared at the dark bruise on her stomach. Had she been hit by something? He cautiously ran his fingertips over her belly and gasped at how heated her skin was. She was on fire, and not in the sexy way!
"Ryik!" Itachi screamed out. "Ryik get in here stat!" He checked Anko's pulse, which was extremely weak. "Ryik! RYIK!"
"What! Where! Why!"
Itachi pulled him to Anko's side. "Stay with her, I'm calling ANBU."
"ANBU, what for?"
"Because we need someone to carry her to the hospital…" Itachi muttered as he left the room. He reached the front door and stopped, remembering the man who had led them here. "Orochimaru!" Itachi called out. "If you're here, get the hell out!"
He stepped onto the porch and blew in the code to assemble the ANBU. During the five minutes it took for them to reach Anko's apartment, Itachi had gone through a panic attack and a recovery.
Ryik glared at the masked men who entered the room and immediately began to examine the woman in her hands
"There's something wrong with her! She won't wake up, and she's running a temperature!" Itachi explained.
The masked men exchanged nods and the buff one with a boar mask slipped his broad arms under Anko's back and legs and hoisted her up with little gentleness.
"Where you goin'!" Ryik screamed after them; Itachi held him back.
"Hospital," the thinner one stated, "By the looks of this, it's appendicitis."
"Gesundheit now what's wrong with her."
Itachi pulled Ryik back to better explain the situation. "Her appendix burst, you dunce."
"Ew!" Ryik exclaimed. "Sounds painful."
"You have no idea… Let's go! "
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"It's so pretty here…" Anko whispered as the paramedics pushed her through the bright infirmary. Her heavy brown eyes, which had even darker bags under them, turned to one of the pale faces surrounding her. "Sensei…why do you look so scared?"
"She's delusional…"one of the voices said.
"The anesthesia is setting in, we have to get going now!"
Everything was a blur now, no life, no feeling, just haziness. And fear. Such strong fear.
Something clear landed on her face and the blurriness began to fade into darkness.
"Don't worry, dear, you'll be just fine…"
"My sensei use to call me that…you won't let him get…me…will…"
/.\
"I don't like the looks of that."
"There's an abscess formed around the rupture…we need suction!"
" She's…She's hemorrhaging!"
/.\
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"Whose hand is this?" Anko asked herself as the familiar pale hand she had seen over and over again appeared in front of her face.
"Is it…mine?" The hand turned, for she wanted to examine it. "No."
The hand was too masculine, too rough from touching so many things, to belong to hers.
"Then who is it?" She blinked slowly, just in case she missed an important detail. When they opened again, Mizuki was there to her utmost surprise.
"Go away, I don't want to see you."
Mizuki stepped closer, almost blending in with the white around the couple. "You seem sad. I want to make you feel better."
She scoffed. "I guess I'm getting what I deserve; I didn't kill Orochimaru, so you're haunting me as vengeance."
The deceased devil chuckled. Even in death he still sounded sinister. "Now, why on earth would I do that? Now that you're here with me, I can finally get what I wanted to begin with." he leaned in and wrapped on arm around Anko's back, the other soothing her face as he brushed those putrid lips of his against her neck. "Over and over again…"
Anko took in a sharp breath and jump back, stopping his further advances with her fists. "Not even in death, moron."
He glared at her defiance but his expression remained relaxed. "Fine. I'll get you eventually, especially since you're going to be here a while."
"What is here?"
Mizuki shrugged. "I guess…you could count this as meridian between life and death," he began to circle her, causing Anko to roll her eyes as he continued to check out the body he would never have, "Heaven and Hell," He stopped and placed his hands on her shoulders, "and you and me."
She shot a glare over her shoulder. "Don't screw with me right now Mizuki."
"Why not? There's not really anyone around to stop us."
"Don't you believe in loyalty?" she sneered. "Tsubaki-" Anko stopped right there. She didn't realize until right then how toxic the girl's name was on her tongue. She shuddered at the sick twist of a smirk on her neck.
"Oh, so she's gone and pissed you off?" he chuckled, and for a moment, Anko could have mistaken him for Orochimaru. He eased back some, allowing his fingers to do a bit of magic on her tense shoulders. "Let's see…the worse thing it could be is that she told the village about your little…engagements with that bastard Orochimaru."
Anko noticed the malice in Mizuki's voice when he mentioned his murderer's name; it was possibly the only thing either one of them could agree with.
"No," The psycho chuckled, "she's far to vague for that. Hmm, what can girls do to one another to piss each other off?" He leaned his head onto her shoulder and hummed as he thought. "Did she steal your favorite outfit and ruin it? No, you wouldn't get upset over something like that." after putting too much unneeded thought into it, the reason for the sour frown on Anko's jaw made sense. "She did steal something from you, well, more like someone-"
She snatched away from him with a growl. "Do not press me Mizuki!"
Mizuki cackled mockingly. "So she pulled the rug right under you and grabbed Iruka while you were trying to stand up!"
"I said to shut up!" she screamed again. Her rage was so strong, so willing to block out the reality that was being said to her, that she didn't notice the way the whiteness was shifting.
His arms wrapped around her hips quickly, pulling her resisting flesh to him. "It's so sad that you can't even keep a pathetic wretch in your bed!"
Just keep smiling.
"I couldn't keep one like you in it, either! You'd have a heart attack by the time I let you near me with that diseased thing between your legs."
"So you think you'll finally crack, huh?"
"Not at all. I was referring to the fact that you'll be a decrypted old man by the time I fuck you."
He pushed her away, a first on his part. A perfect comeback came into mind though and the smirk returned. "At least you'll be more skilled at it; having fucked an old man and all."
"…I don't have to listen to this." she began to walk away, not caring where she ended up as long as she was away from Mizuki.
Away from the truth.
"You can run all you want, babe." he called out. "I'm not going anywhere."
She was suddenly on her side with something warm wrapped around her waist. Everything around her was still white, but warmer, and more familiar. She began to move the limb, but stopped when she heard a soft moan on the back of her neck.
"I-Iruka?" she whispered, flipping over quickly to reveal who the mystery person was. His brown hair was tussled around the tired smile he possessed.
She smiled as well, but was still confused. "What's going…? I thought you…"
He leaned forward and kissed her slow and soothingly. Despite her suspicious and every fiber in her body screaming at her to pull away, she kissed him back. His hands rubbed her bare body hungrily and she pressed against him to encourage him to continue. Everything was slipping away, yet just on the edge of her brain, she knew there was something wrong with this.
The lips spread to her neck, and Anko forced her thoughts to come together through the pleasurable kisses and sucking.
"I…Iruka, wait a—Ah!"
The pleasure slowly faded into pain and Iruka's loving caresses manifested into hard groping and scratching.
"Wait…Iruka, stop." she sucked in her breath when her lover bit down on her neck, applying pressure slowly and painfully. She fought for an escape and was granted one when she got one hand free to slap him on the back of the head. "I said stop it!"
The man above her shot up, and to Anko's absolute horror, it was Orochimaru who had raped her that dreadful night.
"You're not giving orders to me now, girl."
She stared at the man with the dripping canines. Was he going to kill her?
Wait, wasn't she already dead? What more could he do to her? His eyes held power and domination; hers held fear, which slowly melted to a power of her own. She leant up and kissed him roughly, keeping her eyes slammed shut. She fought off every painful memory, every turmoil he ever put her through, every single moment she wanted to die because of him.
She pulled back with a pant, staring at the glaring man above her with was sweating in-between her legs.
She gripped the back of his head and brought her omega to her lips. "You can't hurt me anymore, Orochimaru; there's nothing left of me. You, however, have so much more."
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Anko's eyes were so heavy with drug-induced sleep, but she wanted to open her eyes to see if that bastard of a man was really there. And like a reoccurring stench, he was sitting beside her bed, watching her like always.
"Hey you…" she greeted. Her senses were too demolished to remind how utterly dangerous the man above her was.
"Hello." He greeted tiredly. He had lost track with how long he had been sitting there, just watching her. Why had he even bother to help her? He wanted to torture her, to get back at her for attempting to kill him, and nearly succeeding.
Anko ran her IV hand through her matted hair. "I must look a mess."
He shrugged. "You've looked worse."
She chuckled, obviously not getting the insult. "You know, I had a strange dream, and I think you were in it."
"Is that so…"
"The strange thing is, I wasn't afraid. Ever since the mission, I've been terrified of you. But I saw your face, really saw it, and I felt nothing." she mustered a sly smirk. "I guess you're nothing to me."
He had the perfect combat arranged. "That's your opinion, dearie, but what of our dear Iruka? What does he mean to you now that he's found himself a new piece of play?" He expected tears or some kind of pained silence, but instead saw a piece of the stronger Anko. She laughed weakly, allowing the truth to seep in while she could barely feel it.
"Wow, I am such a slut." She muttered into the sticky darkness.
Orochimaru chuckled at her delirious comment. "True as that is, I still find you…attractive…in a literal sense of course."
"Ah," Anko sighed, "That's so sweet."
Orochimaru smiled playfully as he rubbed through the soft tresses speared out on the pillow. "I suppose I just have a soft spot for broken girls."
"I'm not broke." Anko laughed. "Just…a little…you know."
"I know." he laughed. His alert senses picked up a presence of someone just outside the door, more than likely a janitor or a nurse making their rounds. "I have to go."
"Aw…" Anko moaned, her face quenching in pain either from his threat of departure or the recent surgery she had endured.
He let her hair slip off his fingertips. "Relax, I'll be back to haunt her your dreams very soon."
"Promise?" she inquired in delusional hopeful.
"Yeah." he said and headed towards the window only to be stopped by Anko's IV-pierced hand. He looked at her questionably as she pressed her other hand to her mouth.
"Kiss?"
He considered her request for a moment. She probably wouldn't remember anything for the next few days, so what was the harm? He leant down and gave her a slow tender kiss on her soft, pale lips. It wasn't so much to her surprise that she slowly kissed him back, her hand caressing the back of his head. He ended it just as soon as it began, staring at the droopy-eyed, dopey smiling lips that were below him. Something twisted inside his cold chest, something warm but heated with hate.
"I'm still getting you back for trying to kill me." he stated coldly.
Anko only shrugged. "Same here."
He smiled. Anko was truly a world of questions and entertainment. He stepped away from her and opened the window for his escape, but only jumped after he gave her a gentlemanly bow, receiving a curt nod from her before her eyes closed.
He leapt to the hospital rooftop, taking his time to get across the tiles. He had nowhere to go, nothing to do. Anko was his focus until he got his anger and lust out of his system.
He froze when he felt a presence appear behind him. He hadn't sensed it before hand, who could do that? He turned around, ready to face the enemy. However, he was very surprised of who was standing opposed to him.
"Uchiha?"
Orochimaru never reached the ground.
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Iruka set the snow globe of the Hokage statue down, watching the glitter settle to the bottom.
"How about flowers?" Tsubaki inquired from one of the shelves in the hospital gift shop. She had come with Iruka as emotional support, even though her presence was causing more harm than good.
"Flowers are a bit personal, don't you thing?" he turned to the display of T-shirts, adding to his comment, "After today she'd probably want to throw them at me."
Tsubaki nodded and ran a hand over her stomach as she picked up a heart-shaped box. "How about chocolates?"
Iruka pushed slammed his fist down on the counter, spiting at her venomously, "Chocolates, Tsubaki! She just had major stomach surgery, I don't think she's going to want any damn chocolates!"
Tsubaki's understanding smile turned into a scowl. "Maybe I should go."
Iruka's expression also changed into desperation. "Leave? Wait, Tsubaki, don't go!" he ran after her, trying to catch her arms to prevent her from leaving.
She did stop. "Maybe this was a bad idea; maybe, you need to deal with this alone."
"I'm sorry." he sobbed. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you but…Tsubaki you just can't go. I feel so…so…"
She cupped his face gently. "I know how you feel, but this is not your fault. It's a really ugly, unfortunate coincident."
"But I feel like it is…" Ever since he found Anko had been sent to the hospital, he had been riding a guilt roller coaster. He shouldn't have ended things with her like that, not with her still recovering from her mission. She needed him, and he just used her and left her for another girl. Common jerks stuff. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the card he had spent all night writing to her and tossed it in the trash. "Let's just go. I'm probably the last person she wants to see anyway."
Tsubaki smiled and wrapped an arm around his waist as she left the gift shop together. Moments later, though, she returned to purchase those chocolates for Anko plus a box to quench her own cravings.
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"Who the hell sends chocolates to someone who's just had stomach surgery?" Ryik grumbled as he took note of the items Anko had received for thank you cards that would be written when Anko was well.
The deadly pale woman watched the seething youth with an amused smirk as the Uchiha beside her began to read the stack of cards she had received from countless "fans". Most were from people she knew, like Itachi's family (for God knows what reason), Jiraiya, and the Third Hokage. Others however were from people who she never even heard of. Apparently they were citizens wanting to thank her for fulfilling her duty as a shinobi and slaying Orochimaru. After three letters, Itachi set them aside because I began to feel sick. She was troubled with the three days of recovery and the strange dreams that had be occurring over and over again. Strangely, Orochimaru was in all of them, but she felt so safe and familiar around him that she begged herself not to wake up.
With her depression, never waking up seemed freaking great!
"Kakashi Hatake says to get well soon and Guy adds… Whoa…"
Anko snatched the letter from the stunned boy and giggled at the dirty message Guy wrote. "How does this man not have a perverted girlfriend?"
"I can think of ten reasons!" Ryik called.
Anko laughed softly, which hurt like Hell. She watched Itachi stack the notes and cards on the bed stand as she recovered from the agony. "Is that it?" Anko asked meekly.
"Yes," Itachi sighed, "thank God!" he smiled at Anko but it faded when he saw the hurt, disappointed look on her beautiful face.
"He didn't forget Anko-girl," Ryik assured when he also saw her sadness. "His little love note's probably got caught up in the mail is all. You know how slow mixed-up Hospitals work!"
Anko smiled, but hurt heart was aching. What if Iruka had just up and forgot about her? Why wouldn't he? He had a new, beautiful, proper girlfriend, why the Hell would he want her.
"Thanks, guys, but I know the truth. Iruka's moved on, caught another fish, whatever." her hand hover over the stitches wrapped perfectly around her waist. "I can't give him all the blame though," Anko stated sadly, "I could have been a better girlfriend-"
"Hold it right there, Anko-girl!" Ryik barked. "Don't you even think about blamin' yourself for this! He was the one who kept comin' back when you kept turnin' him down. And then the little SOB turns around and ends things after gettin' with ya a few times? Hell no, this ain't even close to your fault. And it sure as hell ain't mine!"
Anko leaned into the soft pillow. Ryik's words meant nothing to her poisoned mind. "No, Ryik, you're wrong. I used him first. I could have stopped all of this from happening, but I didn't. I let myself believe that Iruka could actually want Orochimaru's leftovers."
Itachi cringed slightly.
"I screwed up. And now I've lost more than a fiancé." Anko didn't have the strength to hold back the cold tear that ran down her eye. "I've lost my best friend."
Ryik rubbed her shoulder as she cried softly. "There, there, Anko. You still got us!" He panicked when Anko's sobs grew, his wide eyes turning to Itachi for support.
"T-trashcan!" Anko cried, clashing her hand over her mouth as she lurched over.
Itachi picked up the trashcan next to the bed and shoved it to Anko who vomited inside it ruthlessly. It was odd that she was throwing up so much despite barely having a bite to eat in nearly three days.
The door opened and a nurse entered carrying a vase with a note attacked single white rose. Noticing Anko, she ran to Anko's side and assisted her, much to the boys relief.
When she lurched her strength out, Anko flopped back weakly on the pillows while the nurse wiped her mouth clean.
A disturbing thought came to Itachi and he pulled the nurse into the hallway to get a second opinion. "She's been throwing up all morning," Itachi explained, "There isn't a chance she could be…with child, could there?"
"Of course not, dear," the nurse laughed gently, "Her body's just exhausted, not to mention she hasn't eaten anything in three days. I'd suggest you and your friend there cut your visit a little short this evening.
"Yes, ma'am." Itachi bowed and reentered the room where Ryik was placing a cold rag over Anko's forehead.
Itachi looked at the flowers and other gifts sent to her. She was just being bitter; despite what she thought, there were people who cared about her, even if that jerk Iruka didn't.
And Orochimaru?
He shook his head and retrieved the flower the nurse had brought in moments before. He brought it to Anko and began to examine the card.
"Who's it from?" Anko asked with just the smallest hint of hope in her voice.
"It's blank." Itachi told her. Anko and Ryik leaned into his back as he opened the plain envelope. After reading the card several times, the group knew that they were in a dire crisis.
"Oh…snap… This is not good!"
How courteous of the once great Snake Sannin to visit you in you're time of need. But this wasn't his first visit to you, was it Miss Mitarashi? This could completely spoil your chances at Jonin-ship, but luckily for you, I'm a patient man. Come to the ANBU headquarters one week from today and we'll see what we can do to sort this little disaster astray. And come alone if you please. I'd be just awful to drag those boys into this.
Until then, sincerely, Lord Danzo.