Notes: Hello sweeties. I have worked out the few kinks that appeared during planning and even have daily schedules for everybody! Hope this chapter will be fun!
Chapter 3
Green eyes move over the courtyard, taking it in. It seems to have grass, benches, an actual tree, and something that looks like monkey bars. Must be to help relieve energy. He sighs and goes to a bench. After making sure no one is near him he sits down. Green eyes stare into space but when a shadow falls over him, he looks up with a frown.
The long-haired blond is standing there with hands on his hips. "I'm Deidara. That's Kisame and Sai over there. Just thought you should know, un. There's another named Hidan but he's always in isolation." He rolls his eyes at the intense glare and scowl. "No need to do bloodlust to me. Doesn't work, yeah. On anyone in here."
After a few seconds Gaara gives a slow nod. Another few seconds pass and it becomes clear Deidara won't go away until he says his name. "I'm Gaara…go away."
"Okay Gaara." He gives a shrug. "Enjoy the mock freedom." He walks back over to Kisame. Most likely to share his name.
Gaara is used to counting the minutes. So when two loud beeps are heard, he knows it's been 30 minutes. Guess that's their limit outside.
Kakashi blows a whistle before saying, "Line up." Gaara doesn't see the point of a whistle when the annoying beeps announced it. The migration back in is as uneventful as the one going out. Soon Gaara is again in the dreary thing called his room.
After a little over three hours of just staring into nothing he moves his eyes to the doorway. The nurse with pink hair stands there with that annoying smile. He guesses to collect for dinner. He doesn't move from his spot by the window. Green eyes lock onto her and he scowls. "I want to eat in here."
The nurse pauses but nods, her expression not changing. "That can be arranged. It will be supervised though." After getting a confirming grunt, she leaves.
Gaara really hates how they all have the same phony smile. He's had to deal with enough of those in his life. Sure enough, when his meal is brought he is instructed to eat on his bed as a different nurse watches. This one has blue hair. What is it with allowing the nurses to dye their hair? With his meal is a menu to fill out for the meals the next day. After his tray is collected, he decides to just stay in. He doesn't want to interact with anyone anyway.
At 8pm sharp, his first dose of medicine is brought. He frowns as he takes the cup and sees two white pills. "What is this?" He doesn't give a fuck about their rules. He isn't taking anything unless he knows the purpose of them.
The blond nurse smiles calmly. "One is for your anger and you will take it three times a day. The other is for anxiety."
Gaara frowns even more. "I don't have anxiety." He's just angry.
The nurse shrugs, still smiling. It is becoming more than just annoying. "Dr. Haku prescribed it, so you will take it."
Gaara pauses slightly at how that's worded. Then again, this is a prison for psychopaths. He doubts he'll get many choices in here. "Are these two the only I'll have?" He takes the pills dry.
The nurse takes the cup back. "For now. You may be put on more as time goes on. Sleep well." She then leaves.
Gaara grunts and goes back to his window. "I don't sleep." He hasn't slept for more than a few hours ever since he realized what his father was doing to him in the night. Because when you sleep you let your guard down. The lights soon go out, except for security lights of course.
The redhead blinks and realizes that he somehow dazed off slightly, "Must be those pills." He already hates the medicine. "Great." He sighs and goes to the door. He might as well see if they have something to keep him occupied. But as he is about to leave, that damn nurse is there.
The blond nurse continues giving the soft smile. "I'm sorry, but patients must stay in their rooms at night." How did she know immediately he was going to the door? There must be cameras in the room that are hidden or something.
Gaara frowns. "Well this is annoying. Why can't they just tell me all the rules at once?" That seems a bit shoddy on their part. "I'm bored and I don't sleep."
The nurse's chin dips a slow nod. "We can always put you on some medication to help-." She stops talking when she hears an actual growl. "Okay. No sleeping meds. But you still can't leave your room. Please turn and go back in or I'll notify Kakashi." That smile has slipped slightly and her eyes seemed to have hardened.
So, the head guard is always on duty. Interesting. And it seems they don't always smile. With an annoyed sigh he turns around and goes back to the window. It isn't worth starting problems this soon. The view sucks, if it can even be called a 'view'. "Boring." No way is he going to willingly take sleeping pills. And he'll kill anyone who tries to force him.
-o-
Gaara is very annoyed when the morning alarm wakes him up. He's still sitting by the window but apparently, he fell asleep at some point. He gets up and goes to sit on the bed after stretching his back out. A nurse soon comes in, the pink haired from before, and does his vitals. She hands him a cup with the same two white pills as before and he downs it before she can even give him the water cup. "So the anxiety is three times a day too?"
She puts the cups back on the tray. "The one for anxiety will be taken in the morning and at night. Your afternoon medication will be given with your lunch." She stands straight and gives that smile. "You can either go to the community room or wait in here until breakfast." And then she finally leaves.
Gaara sits on the bed and just glares at the door. He's not leaving this room unless he has to. He wants nothing to do with Itachi until Naruto explains a few things. And no doubt going out there will cause him to bump into the Uchiha. When the nurse comes to get him he grits his teeth and takes a deep breath. He follows her to the line up area where he, of course, sees Itachi. Which is just as annoying as he thought it would be. But to avoid giving Itachi any sadistic pleasure from being in his mind, he simply decides to just ignore the Uchiha's presence. He can still sense Itachi's amusement and immediately hates it. Breakfast surprisingly goes rather well, quiet with no incidents. Although Gaara notices that Deidara doesn't seem to be there.
After breakfast, on his way back to his room, Gaara is informed that his visit is at eleven. He sighs and after a moment of thought he goes to the community room to at least get a random book. When he gets bored, 'they' start whispering to him. Luckily no one is in there so he can grab the book and go without interacting with anyone. He'll have to make sure not to tell the doctor about 'them'. They'll drug him up even further.
-11:00-
Itachi pauses in his walking, his eyes widening slightly. "Naruto?" He didn't expect to see the blond here. "Who is he visiting?" Kakashi's escorting him as he does to all visitors. Well not with Sasuke, because no one here is stupid enough to mess with HIS baby brother. His eyes glaze slightly as he thinks of the younger before he focuses on Naruto again.
Naruto blinks. "Tachi?" He blushes and rubs the back of head. "Forgot I'd probably see you here." He hasn't seen the elder Uchiha since he was locked up. When Sasuke left to stay with his uncle, he had transferred schools. Partly because of the distance and to keep any backlash from the trial to a minimum. Naruto hadn't kept up with Sasuke, though not for lack of trying. He still doesn't know why, but Sasuke had withdrawn from him and all their other friends. After months of trying to keep in contact he decided to step back. If Sasuke wants to get in touch with him, he knows how.
Itachi raises a brow, showing his confusion at seeing him here. And while Kakashi seems fully engrossed in his book, Itachi knows the truth. He is assessing the interaction and making mental notes. This might even be reported depending on Itachi's responses. He wouldn't put it past them.
Naruto gives a nervous laugh. "I'm visiting my friend Gaara. You know where he is?"
"Ah, that makes sense." Itachi nods. "I believe he is in his room. Follow me." He quietly turns and leads the way to the bedrooms. Itachi hasn't seen him since breakfast so he figures that's where Gaara is.
"So…uh…how's Sasuke?" Because there is no doubt in his mind that Itachi is still tight with his bro. Everyone knew of Itachi's…feelings towards Sasuke. They had seen the obsession long before the murder took place, but no one could get Sasuke to see it. Itachi could do no wrong in Sasuke's eyes. And, from what Naruto can tell from the last time they talked, Itachi is still perfect to Sasuke. It's just a tad worrying if he's honest.
Itachi gives him a polite smile. "He is doing very well. I just saw him yesterday." His eyes gleam a bit at the memory of what happened 'after'. "Thank you for asking."
Naruto isn't too sure about that look, unsettled by the creepy aura the other is giving off. "Cool." That seems like a good answer. They arrive at Gaara's room and Naruto turns to Itachi. "Thank…" But the elder male is already gone. He shrugs and turns back to the room, before jumping slightly at seeing Gaara. "Hey."
The redhead frowns. "You know him?"
Naruto slowly nods, a bit unsure of the tone used. "Yeah. That's Sasuke's brother. Remember?"
Gaara blinks. Huh. Now that he thinks about it…he does remember Itachi. Though he'd never met him before he would see the elder with Sasuke. "Oh." Not like he thinks about Sasuke. He was more Naruto's friend. "Since you know him, I need something."
"What?" Naruto again is a bit wary. Though he really is trying not to show it. He is a bit ashamed to realize that being here makes him uncomfortable. Luckily the guard will be staying near.
Gaara steps to the side and they move further into the room. "Itachi…" He pauses as the realization flows through that he can't just say Itachi's plan. Maybe with just Naruto it'd be okay, but Kakashi is also listening. Which makes asking Naruto what to do about it rather difficult. "Tell me about him." This will be a good start at least and won't bring up any suspicions.
Naruto sighs and rubs the back of his head. "Truth? Well, he's always been a bit creepy. Really possessive over Sasuke. Got upset at me a few times when we'd play too rough. He's extremely smart and a definite control freak. And from what I remember, he is really good at fighting without weapons." They both know that Gaara has done a few fist fights and such but never trained in it. Struggling to find something positive he says, "If I had to say something nice it's that he's really cultured. If that can be a compliment." He frowns suddenly suspicious. "…why?"
A scowl is given. "Does it matter?" His hands twitch as if wanting to clench.
Naruto lifts his hands in surrender. "Okay. Forget I asked." He can't hide the spike of fear this time. He really needs to remember why Gaara is in here. This isn't just hanging out after all.
With a sigh the redhead looks away. "…talk…I don't care about what. Just talk." He's missed Naruto's nonstop yammering. It's what kept the voices and dark thoughts away. Now that he has an idea who Itachi is, he wants his own version of therapy.
Naruto smiles and starts telling him about the stuff that their friends have been doing. Then when he runs out of stories for that he starts talking about good memories with Gaara. His smile softens when he sees the redhead relax just a tiny bit. Perhaps reminding him of the good can keep him from falling off the edge…again.
-11:15-
"Sasuke is on the line." Sakura has a professional smile and calm tone. The best things to use when mentioning the youngest Uchiha.
Itachi quickly puts the book to the side and gets up. He follows her to the call station and takes the receiver. "Otouto."
Sasuke's voice comes through like a ray of sunshine to the elder. "Hey Itachi." The sound of something falling over comes through the phone and a soft cuss.
Itachi frowns, not liking those noises. "Otouto?"
Sasuke quickly responds. "I knocked over a lamp. Don't worry, nothing broke or anything. Just annoying."
Immediately Itachi feels a weight off his chest. The thought of his baby brother in danger or pain is one of his triggers. Luckily it didn't go too far this time so the call isn't cut off. "Try to be more careful. I bet your room is messy too. Hence why you knocked something over."
Sasuke laughs. "Jeez. Still trying to get me to clean." A moment of soft fumbling is heard, which is probably him putting the lamp back up. "So have you made up with Gaara yet?"
Itachi chuckles. "He is talking to his friend for advice. His friend is actually Naruto. He appears to have forgotten I'm here."
Sasuke is quiet for a bit. "Naruto came to visit him?" Then he gives a gasp. "Wait! Does Gaara have red hair and look really pissed off constantly?"
Itachi frowns. "Well, I guess you can say that. Why?"
"I think I met him before when…when we still lived near Naruto. He was always the dobe's friend more than mine but he was cool in his own way." Happiness is heard in that voice that Itachi loves. "If he's a friend of Naruto then he has to be good. Well, despite whatever he did to get in there. I'm happy for you aniki."
Itachi smiles again. "Thank you otouto. Speaking of which. Naruto asked about you."
"Really?" There is slight hope with that word.
And Itachi isn't sure if he likes that. "You still don't talk to him?" Best to be cautious about this. No need to get worked up or triggered. "Haku will be pleased about this." He'll have to mention this thought process in the next session. If he remembers.
Sasuke sighs. "I dunno. Just…it's different now. Since then." More sounds of Sasuke moving around. "I don't think the same way as him. He thinks what you did is bad…I don't."
Itachi feels extremely pleased at that. "I'm happy to hear that." He readjusts himself in the small uncomfortable chair. "So do you believe I can befriend Gaara?"
He can almost hear Sasuke's smile. "Definitely. Might take a bit to calm him down but I know you can do it." To many who listen it sounds innocent. To the brothers, they know the meaning behind the words. "Oh. Small heads up. I can't call tomorrow. But it's not for a bad reason, I promise." Good to hear that. "I have a study session with Suigetsu and Karin. Unfortunately, they can only meet at eleven. Is this okay?"
Itachi knows that if he asks then Sasuke will cancel it. But… "It's fine otouto. Studies are important." He'll definitely tell Haku about this. Perhaps he'll gain a few good marks to make up for the stunt he did before at breakfast.
11:30 finds Itachi walking to the community room from the call station. He sees Naruto coming down the halls and smiles. "Wonderful to see you again Naruto. Until next time."
Naruto gives a small hesitant smile and nods. "Yeah. Same." He feels a bit worried about why Itachi is interested in Gaara, because that has to be why Gaara suddenly is asking these things. He doesn't know what's going on but it can't be good. And he can't do jack shit about it.
-11:45-
Gaara scowls and decides to just go to the community room and tell Itachi his answer. He figures there will be other people in there but he needs to get this over with. If Naruto is telling the truth, then it's best not to make the Uchiha wait. And it's already been fifteen minutes since Naruto left. When he goes in, he sees the two named Kisame and Sai as well as Itachi. Kisame is talking to Itachi and Sai appears to be drawing, but all look up when Gaara comes in.
Kisame grins to show his sharp teeth. He makes a move as if to get up and then freezes when Itachi stands first. The large man frowns before relaxing back into the chair. Gaara isn't too sure about the wave of wary emotions that passed over Kisame's face without Itachi even looking at him. Is Gaara already claimed in the eyes of the other patients? He hates that. And it looks like Itachi has more control than is probably safe, especially in here.
The two move off to the side. Gaara's voice is blank even though anger can easily be seen in green eyes. "I don't believe you actually want to care for me. And I don't trust you. But you're going to do it no matter what I say." Of that, he is positive.
Itachi raises brow. "Is that an affirmation?" His voice is just as blank but his eyes shine with the energy one gets from winning. He probably wins a lot. Asshole.
Gaara scowls, his flat voice laced with a hint of annoyance this time. "As close to one as you will get."
Itachi then gives a smile that causes pinpricks on the back of Gaara's neck. It is possessive and controlling. And beyond intense. "Wonderful. Thank you Gaara."
Note: Watcha think? Give me some chatter and love. Already starting on the next chapter along with the others. Working hard for all of you lovelies! Until next update :P
