BLINDFOLD

"I have been to hell and back. I have seen the edge. I have seen the dark side of life."

Chapter 11: Apologies all in vain

"Sasuke would you accept the tainted me? Hey Sasuke tell me? Would you accept the me I'm right now?" The question was spoken softly in murmur. But how could Sasuke speak.. The man was asleep.

"Why are you quiet Sasuke? Please tell me please." Naruto pleaded again.. His eyes leaking water and sobbing yet his eyes looked lifeless.. Almost like he was still in his sleep. Sasuke shuffled and slowly turned away, unknowingly this snapped the delicate control Naruto had of him self.

"So You turned away.. Is that your answer...?" Naruto's voice trembled and his body shook... "You shouldn't have done it! You shouldn't have turned away." Naruto mumbled the words hollowly with his face twisting in agony. He slowly slipped out of his robe, picking up the sash he closed to the bed. All the while softly mumbling,

"Unforgivable, Unforgivable,Unforgivable..."

He slowly scrambled on the bed and the bed dipped under his weight. Naruto' beautiful liquid blue eyes looked like gems, shinning in the dim light, captivating yet completely static and pitiless but then again it was an odd permutation with his tear stained face. His still and cold unblinking gaze was hard yet the liquid warm tears kept on escaping his eyes and staining the handsome face.

Once he was on the bed and hovering over Sasuke's still sleeping, passed out form. His cold eyes mapped the face of defenselessly sleeping man and he leaned closer to Sasuke's body. His trembling hands moved in a slow motion, reaching toward Sasuke's limp wrists and then quickly securing them with the sash.

Sasuke body stayed motionless and he didn't move a bit, not even shuffled but it was clear that even if the man was awake it wouldn't have been different. Even in his frenzied state Naruto's every motion was strangely nimble and supple. It wasn't a conscious movement by any chance because at this point his mind had already lost it. His rational self-had been already pushed back in his mind by this mindless individual he was right now. This was the person who was called a feline in the underworld. A lion…. A lion who have already tasted blood…. Not just a wild animal but a blood thirsty beast….

Naruto licked his dry lips, his eyes half hooded and the pupil of his eyes dilated. His head was tilted on a side and his long blond locks, tussled and messy were falling on the side of his face. His tears were dry now and his exposed tan skin had light goose bumps on it, slight tremors were going through his body. His eyes had a distant look in them almost like he didn't even recognize who was laying in front of him. His face looked like it was craved on stone, devoid of any emotions or compassion, nothing but just emptiness… A blankness which could make your blood turn cold and the look in his steely eyes was enough to tell that it would be better to run away or escape while you can… Because if he laid his eyes on you then you won't be laying your eyes on anything ever…

He untied Sasuke's sash, loosening it completely and exposing Sasuke's naked torso to him and still nothing flashed in his eyes. His movements were precise and nothing flashed in those cold hard steels of his eyes. He wasn't there for games…. He was there for the punishment…

He yanked the sash out roughly making the sleeping man grunt softly yet Sasuke still didn't wake up. If it was any other time Naruto might have noticed Sasuke a bit too unnaturally deep slumber but right now he wasn't in the right state of his mind. In fact right now his mind and his emotions had been just locked away.

All he could hear was that sickening crackling in his mind…. That soft hissing and those acidulous murmurs… A silent voice pouring nasty and bitter words in his numb mind… Just like salt on wounds… It made Naruto lose control of his beast even more… His knuckles were white, his teeth clenching tightly and veins popping on his temple…. He looked murderous and all of his vicious intents were focused on the passed out man in front of him.

Naruto slowly loosened one of his hands and then brought the icy cold fingers closer to Sasuke's face. The moment his frozen tips touched Sasuke's flushed warm skin he frowned in his sleep and squirmed a bit. Naruto ground his teeth even more harshly and he almost hissed with anguish.

"You are not my Sasuke."

The words rolled out of his tongue and his body sagged a bit…. Yet his expressions became even more twisted in pure agony and his eyes flashed with betrayal and liquid fiery hatred.

"You are not him. You have no right to use my Sasuke's face to lure me. You have no right to stir my heart. You are a liar. And I hate liars."

Naruto's voice became lower and lower and colder and colder. His eyes lost even last of the light when a sinister laugh rung in his head…

"Let's just mess him up a bit?"

The whisper was pacifying, giggling even a bit like a child while saying this. It always was… Because it stayed with Naruto... It stayed with him when he was alone when his demons would try to devour him whole and then that soothing yet bitter sounding voice would help him…It held his hand and would just coo him even when he would be bathed in blood. That beautiful venomous voice.

"Break him Naruto. Make him pay."

The voice edged him and Naruto obeyed. Pushing back his rationality he held on to the soft whisper and moved, swiftly tying the sash over Sasuke's eyes. He didn't even bother to tie it tightly. He didn't even care if Sasuke saw him tonight. In fact that would be even more perfect… He wanted to see this perfect face twist into utter anguish and hurt… He wanted to see those black pools liquefy and tear stain that pale perfect face…. A sadistic cold smile graced Naruto's lips.

Naruto traced Sasuke's jaw with his freezing, cold tips. Letting his fingers slide down to the pale throat and then he stretched his callous hand over the pale column and then his fingers slowly curled around Sasuke's throat. He slowly started to squeeze his throat and Sasuke squirmed a bit under his hold. Naruto's cold eyes narrowed a bit and the he pulled his hand back before quickly pulling apart Sasuke's legs and exposing his partially hardened member and his ass hole to him but that wasn't enough. So Naruto pulled his legs a bit and then bent them, bending Sasuke's body beyond his limit. He looked at the puckered entrance with indifferent and then brought one of his hands to his own cock.

The voice kept on murmuring and in just few strokes he was already hard. He tried to thrust himself straight inside Sasuke but Sasuke's body withered a bit and well it was too tight to enter directly. Annoyance flashed in Naruto's eyes and then in next moment without an ounce of hesitance he shoved three of his fingers directly inside Sasuke's wrinkled hole. Sasuke's body trembled on incursion and he tried to writer away but Naruto's iron hold didn't let him.

Naruto rammed his fingers inside Sasuke again and again, stretching him painfully and crudely. Sasuke whimpered almost pathetically, his tied arms flailing a bit in a slow motion but Naruto didn't stopped. He glanced up at the even more of flushed face and the scrunched up nose and his temper flared suddenly. He leaned closer to Sasuke and then in next moment he threw Sasuke's legs over his shoulders, taking out his fingers roughly, making Sasuke flinch with pain and then thrusting his cock inside Sasuke's outstretched hole in one thrust.

Sasuke's body arched of the bed a bit, pitiful whimpers escaping his parted lips and he thrashed. Naruto looked at this with a sadistic glee and then without stopping he started to ram inside Sasuke. Sasuke was crying out with utter agony, his face twisting with utter pain, sweat breaking over the heated skin, his lungs were gasping for air.

Naruto spread apart Sasuke ass cheeks painfully, making the man beneath him squirm with agony and then rammed once again inside Sasuke.

"St..St-op…Pl…Ple-ase…" Broken whimpers left Sasuke's lips and he thrashed even more against Naruto's deadly grip on his hips. Naruto's eyes flared with loathing and he bent down biting hard on the junction of Sasuke's neck and shoulder and drew blood.

"Beg… Fucking beg as much you want…"

Sasuke cried out again, breaking into sobs when Naruto started to thrust even more roughly.

"Hurts… Hu-rts…Go..d…" Sasuke's breath was hitching and with all of the thrashing and withering the lightly tied knots of sash on his eyes started to loosen and slid down from his eyes.

"It should fucking hurt!" Naruto said bitingly and once again rammed his hips against Sasuke's quivering ones.

"Hurts… Hu-rts… "Sasuke's voice was breaking and just a mantra of incoherent mess on his trembling lips. Naruto leaned down again but this time he bit on Sasuke collarbone, making the pale man's body break into shivers of pain and a broken cry left his lips again. But Naruto didn't stop, his hips kept on snapping with inhuman strength, his teeth cutting through soft flesh and his finger nails digging into Sasuke's hips.

"Sto-p…Ple…eas…st…" Sasuke's hoarse pleas fell on Naruto's ears in vain. His body wasn't even writhing anymore, just trembling and shaking and this made Naruto frown.

"Who said you can stop crying?" With a fury Naruto let go of Sasuke hips and his hands reached out to Sasuke's chest. Sasuke was whimpering softly but then Naruto's fingers took hold of both of Sasuke's nipples and then he pinched them hard, squeezing them painfully and then pulling them so roughly that Sasuke's body arched of the bed with a guttural cry.

"Nggghhh…Ahh" Sasuke's pain filled moan somehow pricked Naruto's heart... Why was he still affected by that man why…? That's when he looked up and froze at the spot.

The sash had slid down to Sasuke's neck and Sasuke was eyeing him with glazed, hooded gaze. He was blinking owlishly and his eyes were wet with shed and unshed tears. Sasuke's lips were open and he was breathing heavily.

Sasuke frowned in confusion and then suck a deep breath before his pale flushed face scrunched with discomfort and stinging pain. He looked like some caged animal… Scared and confused and then his eyes locked with Naruto's steely blue eyes and he blinked a bit dazed.

"…..Nar'to." Sasuke's voice was hoarse and Naruto's name was slurred on his tongue. He brought his tied arms up and tried to reach out to Naruto's face and that's when Naruto's eyes narrowed. He slapped away Sasuke's hands and his expressions if possible hardened even more.

"Don't touch me!" Naruto's voice was nothing but a deep growl which just made Sasuke confuse even more. He tried to again reached out to Naruto, looking confuse as ever and Naruto had it enough. He wasn't going to melt just because Sasuke called out to him. Everyone begs when they see death and Sasuke was no different!

"Nar…"

"Don't call my name! I'm not Naruto! Naruto is no more!" Naruto snarled, his hands reaching out to Sasuke's pale sweaty neck and then gripped it. But this time he didn't just gripped it, He started to squeeze Sasuke's throat. Sasuke started to chock, his insides twitching and clenching and his building with water coming out of them. He gasped for air like a fish out of water, "I'm not Naruto! I'm not! I'm not…" He was growling, his voice hoarse and breathy, sweaty tickling on his forehead and Sasuke writhed and then moaned, whimpering with pain.

"Nar'to… Hurts…" Sasuke said gasping, still slurring on his words and Naruto let out a bitter chuckle.

"It should hurt! That's the purpose. It_" Before Naruto could say more Sasuke once again reached out to him. His tied wrists rising up and then with much difficulty he stroked Naruto's wet cheek with the back of his hand.

"Don't..cr-y" Sasuke said wheezing and Naruto's eyes widened, His grip on Sasuke's throat loosened and Sasuke started to cough badly. Naruto's body gave out and he fell on top of Sasuke's quivering body. His broken sobs and pain wretched cries filled the room and he heard the soft hoarse whisper.

"…N't m-ad… Don't c-ry… Idi-ot" The broken, slurred words made Naruto shake even badly. He took Sasuke into his arms and his face into the crook of Sasuke's sweaty neck and let his tears out.

" It's all my fault. Please forgive me. God Sasuke. I'm sorry. I'm so stupid. Sasuke..." Naruto's pained howls filled the room.

He kept on crying and apologizing to Sasuke like a child. His words gibberish and his body shaking. It took him a lot of time to notice that Sasuke's body was limp in his arms, his head rolled to a side and that's when Naruto noticed it… The wrenching smell of sake. Sasuke was hammered while he had did all of that!

He didn't what to feel anymore. Naruto hugged the limp yet warm and sweaty body of his ex-lover in his arms and then took deep shuddering breaths. He inhaled deeply to take in Sasuke's smells. The smell which was purely only of Sasuke... That deep captivating and soothing smell of woods and something citrus with an underlying masculine scent…. Naruto squeezed his eyes shut before he sighed and then lowered Sasuke's body on the mattress like it was something delicate.

His face was hard and his expressions icy yet his eyes were troubled and glazed. He undid the sash from Sasuke's arms and the quickly got up. He switched on the table lamp before going inside the bathroom and bringing back the first aid kit with towels with him. He cleaned both of the bites on Sasuke's junction and collarbone and put a band air there. Sasuke flinched a bit in his unconscious state and Naruto clenched his teeth, never looking up at Sasuke's face.

Once he was done with it he gently raised Sasuke's hips and then splayed over the towel there and as gently as before he lowered him. His body froze for a second when he saw blood on the sides of Sasuke's abused hole and bit his lips hard until he drew blood and then with strangely steady hands he cleaned up Sasuke and applied the balm. After that he fixed Sasuke's robe and after tucking him in sheets he left. His feet heavy and his eyes red rimmed with shadows lurking on his handsome face.

Kakashi took a deep breath when he heard the soft sounds from inside of Naruto's room and leaned back on the couch. His body was tensed and his eyes were narrow and coldly staring into the space.

He had been awake. It has been a long time since he could sleep. He smirked cruelly into the distance. It was a drawback of being cruel. When you take someone's happiness away, when you betray someone and when you take someone's life… No matter for whatever reasons you have to pay for it. Even if Karma is late.. You still pay… It could be simple.

Like his punishment. No matter what he couldn't sleep for more than an hour. The screams and those faces with those poignant eyes haunted him and more than everything… Kakashi racked his eyes over Naruto's room door.

He would never forget it till the day he died. He could never forget the day he has seen Naruto bathed in blood, sitting on the floor of his spacious room. That twisted smile and those empty eyes. He had looked like some broken haunted doll. He had smeared the passed out wounded man's blood all over him, laughing and giggling like a maniac.

Kakashi squeezed his eyes shut… That wasn't a good idea. He shouldn't have thought about it…. Those eyes, looking so innocent and lost… Kakashi had known at that moment that Naruto had been broken beyond their wildest imagination. The boy would never be same…. And it turned out that way.

It was ironical how instead of a doctor Danzo decided to send that broken boy to newly found Amatersu. Kakashi rubbed his tired eyes and sighed again.

He had noticed Naruto's distress… He knew that Naruto might have one of those nightmares and he had been listening. And the voices had ceased and Kakashi had thought that Naruto had gone to sleep but the shuffling again made him wonder.

He knew that Kurama and Karin were staying in the next door apartment but why? He didn't know. Kakashi took a deep breath and that's when he felt the light vibration in his chest pocket.

Kakashi took out the device out and his eyes hardened on the name Danzo-sama shining on the screen. He slid his finger on the surface and then spoke, pressing the phone to his ear.

"Danzo-sama" Kakashi drawled out, yet his tone was respectful.

"Hatake… I heard about the little dinner." The voice was cold and eerie as ever. Kakashi let his body relax so he wouldn't accidently say something to make the man snap.

"Yes the dinner was done with senator Orochimaru san. He wanted the alliance but just like you ordered Namakizae san said no to them" Kakashi said monotonously.

"Hmm. I see so he is still an obedient little dog." Danzo's laugh was amused and Kakashi clenched his teeth. "Stay close to him. Don't let him die not until I want him dead." The voice was sneering and Kakashi felt is stomach churning.

"As you wish Danzo-sama." Kakashi's voice was low and flat and then the next moment call was cut. Kakashi gripped the phone tightly in his hand and took deep breaths. Soon… Soon he would have his chance too but until then he have to make sure of everything. He has to make sure that Naruto was strong enough so they can take down Danzo… Just until then he had to endure it... Just a bit longer…

Sasuke slowly opened his puffy, aching eyes and tried to shuffle a bit. He groaned with pain which shoot through his whole body like hot burning ache and he stuck in a deep breath. His headache was killing him but that wasn't all. He felt as if his whole body was breaking into shivers and every inch of his body ached and he felt chilled down to even his bones.

His throat felt soar and it stung so badly that he was having trouble even swallowing the spit and not to mention he felt as if he has been hit by a truck. All in all he felt like crap and he was confused as to why?

What the hell had happened to make him feel like this? Sasuke tried to rack through his memories of past day and he remembered that after he had that little incident with that brute he had stayed inside until the dinner time, thinking about the fastest methods on to how he could kill that fucking criminal. And then that red haired psycho girl game to fetch him for dinner.

Sasuke shuffled just a bit and bit back a cry. He felt so damn awful that he just wanted to snuggle even more in the warm sheets and sleep away this pain but he just couldn't help feeling kind of weird. A feeling like he was missing something so he closed his eyes and tried remembering.

He remembered eating that tasteless Irish dinner and the only thing which made him swallow the crap the girl made was the sake. Sasuke had never tasted something so damn delicious his entire life. It was just enough sweet and just enough sour and then the aroma which was alone enough to make you drunk.

But while eating something struck him and that was the moment when he felt light. He knew exactly what he was going to do. Of course it was going to be difficult but he was going to make that man pay even if he had to die. And after that he let himself loose and chugged that delicious sake as much as he could. He remembered that he had gotten completely hammered and Kurama was the one who helped him get in the bed and then..?

Sasuke groaned and then tried to sit up and that's when the worst pain shot through his body. He clenched his teeth and his body trembled with what he felt. His lips parted with horror and with shaking hands he quickly undid his sash and then his arms dropped on his sides on what he saw. He could feel the two bandages and his nipples looked painfully swollen and then he eyes racked over the dark bruises on his hips. Sasuke took a deep shaky breath and tried to climb out of the bed.

He had to see what had happened. He dragged his wobbly legs and shaky body to the bathroom. Once there he stood in front of wall long mirror and saw himself with horror. His legs gave out and he slid down on the floor and he bit back a cry of pain. He took deep breaths and then looked at his haunted reflection.

His pale skin looked white a sheet yet his cheeks were flushed with temperature, his hairs sticking to his forehead, his eyes red and swollen… He looked down and his shaky hands traced his abused, bruised neck, purple blemishes were covering it and then the bandages. With a fury he took off both bandages and he winced what he saw. The skin was bruised and looked tender with swelling and the discoloration of skin also looked bad… Sasuke wouldn't be surprised if it left a scar. He looked as if a wild animal had bit him. Sasuke bit his lips but then shakily he spread his legs apart and saw horrified at his battered red swollen hole. He quickly looked away and felt his eyes stinging.

Strangely he could remember a dream from last night…. He remembered seeing his Naruto, looking just as beautiful and handsome but crying with pain…It's been so long since he last saw Naruto in his dreams and mostly it was the image of Naruto's bright sunny smile but on some days he would dream of Naruto's pained face from their last time but the dream last night… Sasuke's fists clenched and he gnawed his lower lip between his teeth. Naruto looked ...Broken, shattered and lost. The image was enough to break down Sasuke. He didn't cry but he didn't have to. His body shook and his head was hung down.

After a while when his body started to shiver too much and he couldn't take the aching and throbbing, he slowly got up and hopped in shower. He let the warm water sooth him and then after the shower he got out and bandaged himself. He bit his lips while applying the ointment on his hole and then took a deep shuddering breath.

Once he was under the sheets he let his body relax. His body ached all over but it was nothing compared to his heart. He closed his eyes, his fists clenching.. He was going to take that man down no matter what.

Naruto haven't been able to sleep a wink last night after he came back. His eyes were misted and red rimmed from all the crying from last night. His throat was aching and not to mention his heart felt like it was being pressed down by heavy stones. Even though he felt like shit he just shrugged off all of the thoughts from his mind and got up. He rolled his shoulders and then took a deep breath.

He really wanted to go and check on Sasuke but he knew that it would be wrong. He felt strangely hollow yet enraged. How could he let his control slip just like this? He had worked so hard, so damn hard to make himself invincible. He had promised himself that he wouldn't listen to that voice. Then why? Naruto squeezed his eyes shut, his body trembled with suppressed emotions and he clenched his hands, his nails digging into his palms but he didn't even flinch a bit.

He unclenched his hands and then looked down on his trembling hands. He hurt Sasuke with his hands. How could he do that? How could he take out his anger on Sasuke? How could he act so selfishly? God he had to go back and check on Sasuke. Fuck everything! He racked his fingers through his hairs frustrated and with an aching heart. He was just going to go and take everything Sasuke had for him and then he would just hold Sasuke and wouldn't let him go. Yes… He wouldn't leave Sasuke… He wouldn't let go of him. He wouldn't… His hands on the door knob stopped.

His expressions hardened and he sneered. It looked like he was still out of his mind. What the hell was he even thinking? Having Sasuke for himself? These tainted hands and this dirtied body was no longer worth Sasuke. And after what he did Naruto swallowed thickly and shut his eyes. His hand slipped from the knob and he stood there motionless like a statue.

He heard the alarm ring and then slowly opened his eyes. His posture was tensed and his clouded eyes clear with the usual iciness. The moment of weakness had passed and he was once again in his full control. His expressions were closed off and he marched toward his nightstand to shut off the alarm. He checked his mobile and checked the messages from his party members and Tenten. He had to attend a meeting today with Aburma's and then a meeting with his party in the afternoon and much other usual stuff. He had four hours free after eleven 'o'clock and he nodded before sending a quick text to Utakata to tell him about when he will be coming.

Naruto had a quick shower and then got ready for the day. After dressing up he got out and saw that Hana was preparing the breakfast while Kakashi was sitting on a stool on the isle with a coffee mug in his hands.

"Good morning Namikaze sama." Hana said with a small bow and even Kakashi hopped off the stool and gave a small bow to Naruto.

"Rough night I assume Naruto-Sama." Kakashi said sipping the coffee and said in a lazy manner while Hana went back to make herbal tea for Naruto.

"Not more than you Hatake-san" There was no bitterness or mock to his words, just a simple detachment.

Kakashi didn't speak again though, just a small nod. Though Naruto could feel Kakashi's scrunching gaze on him, searching for something which Naruto knew exactly was what.

Hana placed the ginger herbal tea for Naruto and Naruto took it. The choice of tea had made it clear that Hana had noticed his slightly unhealthy and tired complexion. But she didn't ask a thing nor Kakashi.

Once Hana was done with breakfast she placed the dishes in front of them and then sat beside Naruto quietly. They ate in a perfect silent with no sound other than the light sound of chopsticks. Once they were done with this Naruto got up. It was an unspoken agreement and Naruto knew that Kakashi was going to follow him so after he kissed his sleeping angels goodbye and left the apartment Kakashi followed him closely. Downstairs his ride was waiting for him with Samui and the rest of SF. They bowed to him and then just like yesterday Samui sat with Shira in front and Kakashi in the back with Naruto. Darui and Karui were riding Darui's sports car today.

It was annoying that Kakashi was following him but Naruto tried not to show it. He had given SF direct orders to just kill Kakashi if he did anything suspicious. Tenten and even his office workers looked a bit surprised seeing Kakashi with him. Naruto just told them that Kakashi was his PA. Tenten seemed to get what was going on and didn't say a word.

"You have to check the reports about the Han & Shima franchise. After that you have a meeting with board about the new chain of our company opening in Okinawa and after that you have many other files to view but you have three hours free eleven until two pm and then you have another lunch meeting with Inuzuka pharmaceutical about the new hospital project. You have some other meetings with staff and a possible one day business trip to Kyoto about the new restaurant construction there." Tenten spoke fluidly, telling him about his packed schedule and Naruto nodded.

"You may go. I'll call you when I need you." Naruto told Tenten and opened a file.

"Should I bring you a coffee?" Tenten asked and Naruto nodded. Tenten left and Kakashi slowly sat down on a couch lazily.

"She is still your assistant." Kakashi looked sleepy but Naruto ignored it and looked back at the files.

"I'm not going to fire someone Grandfather appointed by himself." Naruto stated matter of factly and Kakashi nodded his eyes sharp.

"You do know that she gives every detail to Danzo sama right?" On Kakashi's question Naruto looked up from the files but didn't looked at Kakashi and just opened another file.

"Why else would he appoint her?" Naruto almost sneered and Kakashi shuffled a bit, laying down even more.

"You don't feel uncomfortable being monitored like…" Tenten entered with Naruto's coffee and left after placing it.

"Like a pet? No. I've stopped caring for such foolish things. I'm well aware of my position." Naruto's tone was cold when he spoke.

"She warms his bed every weekend." Kakashi said again lazily and this time Naruto did looked up, a feral, malicious sneer on his face.

"And you don't? Hatake san you are same as her. So please don't waste your energy on idle chit chat. I have a very tight schedule. I don't have time for this." Naruto did notice the way Kakahsi's whole body tensed and his eyes narrowed.

Kakashi didn't say a word after that though and Naruto was quite content with this. He attended the meeting at ten, which took two hours and left him only with two free hours. He sent a text to Utakata telling him that he was arriving and then sent another text to Samui.

"I'll be back after two hours. Please explore the company and do whatever you want." Naruto told Kakashi who raised his eyebrows in question.

"I'm afraid Namikaze sama but I have to follow you closely." Kakashi drawled out and Naruto didn't say a word but before Kakashi could follow Darui and Karui entered Naruto's office.

"I'm also afraid Hatake san but you are going to stay right here until I return." Naruto said coldly and then turned to his men.

"Keep him right here." His voice was low but commanding and Karui and Darui gave bows. Once he was content with this Naruto left telling Tenten that he was going to have coffee at some decent shop and then left with Samui and Shira.

"I don't trust him." It was Shira who spoke. He was quite man and spoke rarely but right now his voice had an edge.

"I feel like he is hiding something. Should I start an investigation?" Samui asked in that calm tone and Naruto shrugged.

"Do whatever you want with your free time and that was all the confirmation they got from the man. Soon they were entering in a private resident, a huge farm of oranges and other trees. A huge mansion and this was a place Naruto had bought as their hideout. It was away but still in the city yet had many secret pathways and underground chamber and rooms for Amaterasu's activities. Naruto got out of the car a bit away from the place… It actually looked like just a forest with so many trees but Naruto knew exactly where the main hose was. They had to walk the remaining distance.

They walked through the maze of forest and soon the saw a Japanese styled mansion. When Naruto came closer with both Samui and Shira he saw a familiar grey haired man playing with stray cats.

"The orange one looks like Yahiko." The ash colored hairs man slowly looked up and a small smile played on his lips.

"Leon-sama we have been waiting for you." Yagura gave a bow and Naruto nodded.

"Samui and Shira you will stay here. Feed the cats with Yagura." They both bowed and Naruto slid the doors apart and entered inside. He knew this house like the back of his hand. Soon he found himself outside the tea room in the back of the house.

"You don't have much time right so don't waste it by standing there." Utakata spoke in a gentle calm tone and Naruto's whole body relaxed. He slowly made his way inside and smiled softly. Utakata san was wearing soft lime colored loose Kimono.

Naruto closed the distance between them and took the seat in front of Utakata and gave a small bow out of respect.

"Shisho."

"My child." The smile and soothing tone was enough to undone Naruto fully. "Tell me why you look so pained?" Utakata asked him while preparing the tea and Naruto took a deep breath.

"There is so much. I don't even know where I should start from." Naruto said taking the small cup from Utakata and stared at the steam rising from the cup. It was soothing with the sliding doors opened and the light filtering in. The farm spread over the land and then the artificially made spring made it quite soothing scenery. Utakata just looked at his troubled student and let Naruto sort his thoughts.

"Elections are coming closer and so is my death sentence. I have to know the truth and only one who could tell is my grandfather himself. My step mother is not back from her world tour yet but she is as much of a threat as Danzo. Only those two know the truth behind Uzumaki massacre and the deaths of my parents and then there is that snake…. I'm going to get rid of him once I get the power." Utakata nodded while Naruto sipped the tea.

"Neji Hyuga came to tell me that he wants to work for me. I want you to get details on him." Naruto said and Utakata sighed.

"Sasori would be good and?"

"Sasuke… Itachi is still missing and I have a feeling that someone closer to me is behind this. Someone close and powerful."

"I'll send my own subordinates with Killer A & B and as for Danzo Kisame, Hidan and Hidan's men are on it. Whatever move Danzo makes you'll know."

"Yes but please be careful. I don't want anything happen to any of you." Naruto furrowed his eyebrows and Utakata smiled.

"Don't be so coward my child. No promises can be made in our line but I'll take care of it. Trust us." Utakata's voice was gentle but his words were said sharply and Naruto sighed, relaxed.

Naruto quietly drank the tea in the presence of his father figure. He felt all of the stress leaving his body. It has been always like that. Utakata and rest of Amaterasu were his family. It was as simple as that. No matter what happened or what he did they would always be on his side. Yes it was as simple as that literally.

Once Naruto came outside Samui and Shira could practically feel that Naruto was much more relaxed. Of course they didn't say it out loud. Once they went to the company Naruto got busied in his work. He had to postpone the lunch with Inuzuka to the evening though because of some problems with the Han project.

"Yo." Kiba smiled looking fresh and Naruto gave a wide grin.

"What's up man? What are you doing here?" He asked sitting down and Kiba smirked.

"Just have to meet some jerk CEO and why are you here."

"Just have to meet some snotty spoiled heir." Naruto smirked and Kiba howled with laughter.

"So funny Naruto." His eyes twnkled with mirth and Naruto grinned too.

"I'm just charming." He said and Kiba rolled his eyes good naturedly.

"By the way how are the chibies doing?" Kiba asked and Naruto smiled.

"They are good. I had to bribe them with making breakfast for them but we are good now." Naruto smiled softly and Kiba nodded.

"Let's gown to the business now. Shall we? Mr. Charming idiot so we can actually enjoy this fucking good wine." Kiba winked and Naruto laughed out loud.

"I have no complaints." Naruto said and Kiba called out to his assistant while Naruto asked for Tenten's assistance. They discussed the project and after that they talked about the alliance and about Naruto's meeting with Liberal.

After bidding his farewell to his friend Naruto climbed in his car. He was leaving for the airport when his phone rang. Naruto took the phone and the words made his body tens in seconds.

"Take me to St. Luke hospital!" Naruto bit out the words and Shira nodded.

"But what about the flight boss?" Tenten asked confused and Naruto's eyes hardened even more.

"Cancel it." The words were cold and Tenten just gave a curt nod and all Naruto could hear was Temari's breathy and panicked voice.

"They shot Shika. I'm taking him to St. Luke."

He knew that Temari was strong but he couldn't help but clench his fists. The war was on! He won't forgive Orochimaru for this. May be he had to eliminate that pest even before the elections but right now all he wanted for Shikamaru to be OK.

"Don't die on me Shika. I'm coming."

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