Hello, Ladies and gentlemen. Hello, hello, hello.

How are you guys? Good? Good. That's good. :3

So, yeah. Life. And Life. And Gaia. And Life again. And double-life. And… yeah, SO not about to explain everything, lol.

But yeah, sorry you always have to wait so long. Thank you so much for keeping tabs on my stories, even though you know that I probably won't update for a very, VERY long time.

But I do try. I'm sorry.

I hope life for all of you is impeccable. :)

And the Dead Shall Always Hang High

Secret Eleven – Invade His Mind

Sasuke simply breathed, resting on the bed as the wounds in his neck burned like fire, his entire body breaking out into a cold sweat as he lay limply against the blankets.

That little brat… he thought tiredly. This has never happened before…

Another stepped into the room.

"Sasuke."

A warm towel was padded against his forehead, warming the chilled face.

"It was Inuzuka, wasn't it?"

Sasuke swallowed.

"I… will not have my people die…" he breathed painfully. "It is… not my nature… never…"

Arashi chuckled.

"I am aware, my pet," he murmured. "I am aware. Fear not. I feel no anger." He sighed. "Of course now, you know what must happen… your blood is in another's system. We must make sure he took nothing…" he trailed off in thought. "…essential."

Sasuke nodded tiredly. He had been expecting this.

"Yes, I know."

I'm ready.

Silently, Arashi climbed over him, setting himself decisively on Sasuke's hips, the raven's arms limp and docile at his sides.

"My poor, poor pet…" Arashi cooed lovingly, running his fingers through the other's hair as Sasuke closed his eyes. "What a cruel world we live in, hm? Dreadful, absolutely…"

Sasuke's breathing was light, panting.

"Arashi…" he whined, breathed, begged. Just a little more pain. Just a little more pain and all of it could vanish entirely. Why was Arashi biding his time like this?

Is this his way of punishing me?

Have I not been punished enough?

Apparently not, as Arashi spent several more moments looking down at the boy, watching him fight from writhing and twisting and curling up in agony beneath him.

Or does he have the energy to do even that? I doubt it.

Sasuke limply turned his head back and forth, sweat stinging his eyes and his entire body aching as Arashi refused to ease his pain. Blearily, exhausted, Sasuke wondered why. Hadn't he been a good servant? Hadn't he obeyed the divine laws?

Laws that were drilled into every fiber of his being?

"Arashi…" he whimpered again, feeling tears rise up in his throat and sting his eyes. He felt abandoned – why was Arashi just sitting on him and staring.

He was still silent.

"Arashi…" Sasuke begged, the man's shocking blonde hair fading in and out of his view. His fingers trembling, he tried to reach for Arashi – failed. "Arashi, please…"

Suddenly Arashi leaned forward, planting a soft kiss on the pouting, quivering lips.

"Good boy…"

Ah, that was it. Arashi had wanted him not just to beg in tone. But in words.

Sasuke whined – a little out of pain and a little out of relief as Arashi wiped his eyes, shifting to settle on his chest instead of his hips.

The pain lessened, but it was still agonizing. Sasuke tried to raise his arms to touch Arashi, to beg him to continue, but he couldn't. It was difficult even keeping consciousness.

"Please…" he murmured breathlessly – all pride and dignity had vanished as soon as Arashi had stepped over to the bed. "Please, please make it stop…"

A hand curled around the back of Sasuke's head, lifted it.

Arashi planted a soft, comforting kiss on the sweaty, cool forehead.

"Hush…" he cooed. "I know, I know. Don't worry, don't worry…"

Sasuke curled up into him, feeling the other's body radiate waves of comfort that only the leader of the organization possessed.

Only the leader was able to save him when he was like this.

Please, God, make it stop-

Then, Arashi took Sasuke's head in both hands, and lifted it up to him just as Sasuke's eyes began to flutter closed from the pain.

"Here you are, my pet…" Arashi breathed, closing his own eyes as well. "Salvation."

He pressed their foreheads together.

A blinding shock of brilliant white pain shot through Sasuke's body, striking him like a lightning bolt and making him jerk as the minds of he and Arashi became one.

In that split moment, they shared the pain – though Arashi got a much less powerful dosage – and they both saw a massive volcano of fire gushing at the point of the wounds on Sasuke's neck, gushing out, searing the younger's insides.

Together, they called an artic wind, chilling snow, freezing rain, shivering water, to come together and crash against the volcano, smashing it to pieces and throwing the remains into the sea.

With each crack that appeared inside the volcano's walls, Sasuke could feel the pain growing less and less – the flames pressing against his heart receded and vanished as the very last of the fiery mountain disappeared into the sea.

Sucking in a breath, Sasuke opened his eyes again, and looked over at Arashi, who had shifted to lay on his side next to the younger.

"Arashi…" he breathed tiredly. "My lord…"

The man chuckled.

"It's all right, pet," he replied. "It's all right. You are safe. That's all that matters." Smiling, he moved Sasuke's hair from his neck and kissed the flawless skin.

Yes, flawless. The puncture wounds from Kiba's teeth had smoothed shut.

Smiling slightly, Sasuke leaned back against the sheets, much more comfortable now. Though still exhausted, he wasn't in pain anymore. That was definitely a plus in his book.

"Yes…" he murmured sleepily, gratefully, in agreement. "Thank you."

He drifted off to sleep.

Arashi merely gazed at him for a moment, gazed at the creaseless face.

Then he smiled.

"Goodnight, Sasuke."

End Secret Eleven- Invade His Mind

NOTES

Isn't Sasuke absolutely adorable when he's helpless? I think so.

And Arashi shows a slightly more sadistic side… hm… why DID he pause, I wonder… O.o

But, really, thank you all for being patient. I hope these few updates make you happy. At least for a little while.

My love to you all!

Ja ne!

DDB