PS I did post on AO3 at one point, but no longer do so. I may revisit if I get more requests however.
Chapter 1
It was the dead of the night that seemed to invite trouble.
Sasuke stretched his arms over his head and glanced at the clock hanging behind him. It was just shy of two in the morning. Aside from the lit convenience store and the dim street lamp outside, everything else was pitch dark. He would label the store a beacon if he didn't know in the back of his mind that everything that happened inside could be seen from outside, but not vise versa.
He hated taking the night shift, but he was doing a favor for Shikamaru. Idly, the 20-year-old flipped through his notes from class. A midterm was coming up, and if he didn't at least brush up on the literature, he may actually have a hard time on it.
A few minutes wasted by before the jingle that echoed throughout the store notified him of a customer. Sasuke quickly stuffed his notebook away and pushed away from the counter, standing up tall.
Very briefly, he made eye contact with a very tall and large man who strolled in. He must have been at least six-foot-three. Ginormous compared to Sasuke's five-foot-ten frame. That man had a wide set of shoulders on him tailored to an equally wide back. The expanse of his body was covered from head to toe in a customized suit, which was further layered with an expensive-looking large, black coat and a scarf jostling lightly around his neck. His hands were covered in leather gloves, and his shoes made not a peep as he walked as if he was a ghost.
"Oh, hello. Nice to see you again," he managed to find his voice and say.
Sasuke suppressed an uncomfortable shudder and forced himself not to fidget as the man merely held his gaze for a second before he turned to head further back into the store. The college student sighed and his shoulders sagged. Geez.
This was the second time Sasuke had set his eyes on the man. He wasn't someone who was easily forgotten because he looked like he belonged anywhere, but in a convenience store. Not to mention he was extremely good looking, but in a scary, don't-fuck-with-me kind of way. Did that make any sense?
Another jingle echoed through, and Sasuke glanced to his right to see a lanky figure with light blue-grey hair smirking at him. Aww, fuck. He could literally smell the trouble emitting off the stranger. Just his luck.
"I'm a customer. Aren't you going to fucking welcome me?" the man sneered.
"Welcome, sir," Sasuke said, ignoring the haughty tone. He just wanted to curl into bed on a Thursday night and get some sleep. Wasn't that a reasonable request?
The loud-mouth stalked the front and rummaged around before tossing a cheap plastic lighter and two packs of peanuts on the counter. Wordlessly, Sasuke scanned the items and placed them in a bag before delivering the amount: five dollars and twenty-one cents.
The man tossed a hundred dollar bill on the counter. Sasuke took one glimpse at it, and internally sighed. Here we go, he thought.
"I'm sorry, sir, but unfortunately, we don't have change for large bills."
The man's face twisted up immediately. "Bullshit," he spat. "What fucking convenience store doesn't accept a hundred dollar bill! That's a fucking cash register, isn't it? All you gotta do is open it up and hand me my fucking change."
"If you look at the sign on our door and the counter, it is store policy that we cannot accept anything over a fifty dollar bill," Sasuke responded.
"The fuck?" the belligerent customer reached over the counter and snagged Sasuke up by the front of his shirt, literally dragging his torso over the counter in a fit of rage. "First, you rip me off, and now you're saying I can't fucking read? Are you trying to start a fight?"
Sasuke gritted his teeth. "Sir," he grounded out, "we don't have change for a large bill. Punching me in the face will not change the store policy or change the prices that are pre-set by the manager."
The grip around his collar tightened, digging the back of Sasuke's collar into the back of his neck. It was starting to hurt. The ravenette's fingers twitched as he braced one hand against the edge of the counter and his other reached toward his back pocket.
As soon as those words left his mouth, Sasuke noted the change in the man's expression and saw a fist flying toward his face. He shut his eyes tightly and waited for impact, while his unoccupied hand remained gripping at his back pocket.
But the impact didn't come. In its stead, there was a loud thump followed by a hysterical cry that definitely did not belong to him. When his eyes shot open, not only did he not end up with a broken nose, but Sasuke noticed that the blue-grey haired man was no longer standing in front of him. In fact, his cheek was smashed into the counter and held in place by a black, gloved hand from behind.
Sasuke's heart thudded painfully in his chest as he followed that gloved hand up the owner's arm all the way to the blank features of the long-haired male who walked in previously. The man had twisted one of the belligerent man's arms back while his other hand remained firmly planted on the back of the screaming man's head. The well-dressed male didn't spare a glance at Sasuke, however. In fact, he was staring stoically at the man, but for some reason, Sasuke could decipher that that look translated into the word 'scum'.
"Aargh! What the fuck! Get off of me!" the man wailed, attempting to lash out with his other arm.
Sasuke watched, wide-eyed. He could have sworn he heard the distinct sound of bone crackling as he watched the long-haired man further dig the screaming man's face into the counter. He couldn't begin to imagine how much strength it took to hold a man down in such a way that made it look easy.
"Say it again."
Sasuke gulped. It took a minute for him to register who was speaking and what it meant. He had never heard him speak before, so all his brain registered was a low, deep voice that, for some reason, was simultaneously as smooth as it was calm. He glanced between the two men, before the meaning registered.
He cleared his throat and prayed his voice didn't shake as he spoke. "We… We don't have change for a large bill."
More pressure was applied to the man's head, and Sasuke was sure that, at any second now, it would pop like a balloon.
"Fuck! Fine, fine! I get it," the man screeched. "Let go already!"
The man in black wordlessly took a step back, releasing his hold, and the asshole snagged his bill and stormed out without a second glance back, spouting nonsense about unreasonable people.
Sasuke was stunned to silence, saucer-wide eyes staring at the remaining male as if he was an alien. He watched dumbfoundedly as the man took a step forward, set a bottle of water on the counter, and waited. It was like he was accustomed to this kind of thing and knew Sasuke needed a moment, so instead he reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette.
Finally, the short-haired ravenette snapped out of it and swallowed harshly. "Excuse me," he opened his mouth to say. "I'm really grateful you helped me out, but there's no smoking in here."
Sasuke mentally slapped himself. What the fuck was he thinking saying such bullshit? Did he not want to live anymore?
He watched nervously as the man paused in the middle of retrieving his lighter, and Sasuke swore he was ready to meet his maker. That unnerving blank expression did not change, but the man did cease his movements at his words. After what seemed like an eternity, the lighter disappeared back into the man's pocket much to Sasuke's debilitating and overwhelming surprise, and he released the breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Thank you," he said. "And here," he picked up the bottle of water and handed it back to the man, "this is on me as a thank you." The college student forced a smile, waiting for the man to accept the beverage and, just when he thought the gesture would not be welcomed, the bottle was retrieved from his grip.
"Knives require close contact."
Did Sasuke's brain glitch during the madness? This man was speaking to him again, right? It must have been him because Sasuke saw his lips move and there was no one else in the store, but he didn't follow what he meant until the man's gaze flickered to his back pocket where Sasuke had his pocket knife switched open.
Next thing he knew, there was another clunk on the counter as if something really heavy was set down. He looked down and choked on his own spit.
"Just shoot him next time."
Sasuke was left utterly dumbfounded, staring incredulously at the gun that was placed on the counter. The man had disappeared when he looked back up, leaving the weapon in place staring eerily back at him. His body finally sagged down to a crouch, hands weaving into his hair. ...Was this his to keep?
What. The. Fuck. His brain screamed, red alarm bells going off. What the fuckity fucking fuck?
Oh, fuck no. Fuuuuuuuuck no. He was definitely quitting after this. This job was definitely not worth his sanity.
When Sasuke got home that morning after five, the first thing he did was tuck the gun away underneath a bunch of clothes in the bottom drawer. What the fuck was he supposed to do with a gun?
The unfamiliarity of the weight in his hand was a clear indication he had never held one before. Unlike that stranger who pulled it out from underneath his layers of clothing as if it was as light as a feather. Was that even fucking normal to be walking around with a gun? And why did he give him a gun?
Where the hell did it even come from? Would a description of it pop up on the eight o'clock news? Well, if it did, he could bet that no fingerprints would be found on the one that was left behind. Obviously, he couldn't leave it on the counter at that store for some idiot to find, but he turned into the idiot for taking it and stuffing it in his bag.
Ugh, this was driving him mad. But this wasn't the time to obsess over this. He was exhausted, and he had just enough time for a shower and a nap before his university courses at nine.
A few hours later, Sauske found himself yawning into his palm as he snagged his usual aisle spot at the back of the lecture hall and dropped his bag in the seat next to his. His forehead hit the wide expanse of the elongated table and he allowed a strangled groan to escape his lips. Of course he ended up not sleeping a wink. Just his luck. But which normal human being would be able to after being handed a gun after an aggressive altercation?
The ghost sensation of fingers tickling his nape forced him to turn his head and peek to his side, wherein a tall cup of caffeine was placed before his vision.
Sasuke's eyes glowed as he noted the man who put it there for him. "My savior," he said in response to Kyuubi's wide, dazzling grin.
"Drink up, beautiful," the blonde replied as he hopped into the seat next to his, chuckling obnoxiously when the nickname was met with Sasuke's scrunched up face.
The ravenette never understood how morning people like Kyuubi existed. Sure, he was currently biased, but how does someone wake up, go to the gym, make themselves look like that, and have time to get coffee all before attending a class at 9AM?
He pushed himself into a sitting position and drank from the cup, blinking twice consecutively when it suited his taste buds.
"One cream and two sugars, right?" the blonde reaffirmed, cheek against palm as he stared at Sasuke's startled expression with an appeased half smile.
"How did you know?" Sasuke asked.
"Pfft, don't sound so surprised. We're best friends after all."
Sasuke ducked his head and took another sip. Yeah, he knew that. How could he not if that was constantly being repeated to him verbatim?
"Whatever," he muttered, missing the serious glint in Kyuubi's eyes as he turned his attention forward.
Class began soon after.
H.J.
"There's been a lot of movement recently on the east side, Boss. We think it might be related to the rumor that the Head is terminally ill," Naruto reported, placing an aerial photo on Itachi's desk. The specified locations were marked by red x-es. "It's mostly in the areas with concentrated populations and booming businesses. There has also been an increase in crime in those areas."
Itachi eyes flickered to the photo, taking a mental picture of it for future reference. "Who's looking good to take Danzo's seat?" he asked.
"Possibly Orochimaru."
Itachi's gaze hardened, yet his expression remained neutral. He leaned back against his office chair and stayed silent, causing Naruto to squirm in his spot. Finally, when he opened his mouth to speak, his words were directed at the brunette who had been leaning against the adjacent wall with a foot propped up against it.
"What do you think, Neji?"
When Itachi asks for your thoughts, the last thing that should come out of your mouth is "I don't know." Literally. Because an "I don't know" awarded you a first class ticket to hell. Neji smirked, removing the unlit cigarette that he'd been fiddling around with from between his lips.
"If Orochimaru comes to power, there will be incessant and unnecessary territorial disputes," he began, cackling lightly to himself at the term "dispute." That was definitely putting it lightly. "Currently, we've kept to our domains. North, south, east, and west know not to stir up trouble outside of their homes, and the respective Heads know how to fly under the radar. The last time there was such a ruckus was three years ago when you succeeded the previous Head, Itachi-sama. Everyone has been playing nice since. However, if Orochimaru is causing such a stink now when he hasn't succeeded in overthrowing Danzo, imagine the fires we'll eventually have to run around putting out if he manages to take over."
Neji's gaze flickered briefly to Itachi, and if he hesitated prior to his next statement, he didn't outwardly show it. "Besides, doesn't he have his eye on you, Itachi-sama?" The brunette didn't know whether to double over laughing or pat the man's back in sympathy when he noticed the eyebrow twitch. He'd rather not meet his maker yet. He quite liked where he was in life, so he stored that away for later. "Anyway, I'd take a wild guess and predict that he'd first try to overthrow Sabaku no Gaara of the Suna clan in the west and Hatake Kakashi of the White Fang clan in the south before knocking on our front doorstep. Tch. Greedy piece of shit, ain't he?"
"So should we aim for prevention at this point or continue to monitor-and-report?" Naruto asked.
"Monitor and report," Itachi responded. "If he steps foot on the North side, kill him and bring me his head."
Naruto froze, eyes widening slightly. Well, that escalated quickly. If the boss wanted his head, then it must have gone further than just a territorial feud. He began to wonder what had happened between Orochimaru and Itachi before he caught Neji's subtle head shake and immediately straightened like a rod.
"In the meantime, I'll add a few extra men around the border and populated areas. Kisame's been restless recently. Maybe he'll find something fun to do."
Itachi nodded, waving Naruto off. The blonde bowed and left, closing the door quietly behind him. "Neji, get me another gun from storage."
The dismissal of the blonde and simultaneous change in subject meant the meeting was over.
Neji arched a brow. "Hmm. Didn't you snag one the other night from the new shipment?"
Come to think of it, that night when they were having a talk with that middle aged geezer, the boss had disappeared for about a half hour before returning with a bottle of water and an empty holster.
Okay… hmm… now Neji was extra curious.
"Neji. Gun. Now."
Neji blew a sigh. The man was so accustomed to giving orders that he no longer knew how to speak like a normal human being. "Yessir," he chimed with a salute. "Will do now." He bowed and exited, making sure to shut the office door behind him.
Man, he didn't need a repeat of what happened the last time someone neglected to close the boss's door on their way out.
The brunette was dragged to the side as soon as he stepped foot in the hallway.
"Oh, you didn't leave?" Neji remarked, eyeing the blonde disinterestedly.
"Tell me about Orochimaru and Itachi," Naruto hissed.
Neji stuck the cigarette back between his lips, allowing it to dangle dangerously low. He pressed the elevator button and sighed, head tilting to the side in thought. "Have you ever seen Itachi-sama shirtless?" he asked.
"The hell are you talking about, Neji-san?" Naruto screeched. The elevator doors opened and he stepped in along with the brunette. "I'm asking about Orochimaru and Boss. What does Boss being shirtless have anything to do with it?!"
A petrifying gaze overtook Neji's eyes, which was then directed at Naruto, a silent warning for the way he was being spoken to. Naruto immediately pressed his lips tightly together. "I'm sorry. I'm a newbie to this, and all of this just makes me super anxious."
"Talk like that to me again, and I'll slit your throat," Neji responded, eyes steady and unwavering. A brief second later, when Naruto was kicking himself for stepping into the elevator with a fucking bipolar loon, Neji blinked and his pale eyes were replaced with mirth. He leaned against the railing in the elevator and removed the cigarette from his lips while sighing.
"I don't know the full story since I was an underling at the time. All I know is that, back when Itachi wasn't the head of Akatsuki, he got in a huge brawl with Orochimaru. That scar on his abdomen is the result of having a karambit gut him. Have you ever been gutted by a serrated karambit, Naruto?"
The blonde's eyes expanded three fold. "How the hell did he survive that?" he breathed out.
Neji shrugged. "Aren't you fortunate to serve under such a resilient Head?"
Naruto nodded wordlessly.