Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Machi Yoko Naruto ❯ The End of Blood Feud ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5: The End of Blood Feud

 

Kakashi sat across from his ex-wife, Mitarashi Anko. She was still quite possibly the most abrasive woman he had ever met, but then again that was part of her appeal. When he called her, requesting a meeting, she had laughed, saying that he couldn't stay away from her if he tried. She didn't even sound surprised that he'd found her. But Anko's confidence was, for the time being, misplaced. The air in the small booth fairly crackled with the tension between his ex-wife and Ino. Anko was ignoring her to the best of her ability, but that was rather difficult when the girl was petting Kakashi the way she was.

 

Ino had, of course, worn the least appropriate thing she could think of, just for effect. The red and black pleated schoolgirl skirt she had chopped off just a little too short went perfectly with her fishnet stockings, black halter top, studded leather belt, and the ever-present knee-high combat boots. She looked like she was trying to make every man within a six-mile radius want her. If that had been her plan, it had certainly worked. She got stares as they walked into the coffee shop, and the busboy dropped a tub full of dishes, not even noticing that every piece of dishware inside it had broken. She shrugged them all off. Kakashi thought back a day or so. They had gone on a date.

 

He had anticipated her answer to his question by about a day, and that had given him time to prepare accordingly. His favorite restaurant, Angelle's, was only open on weekends. It being Tuesday, he rang Angelle, and called in a favor, having the place ready to be open only for he and Ino on Wednesday night. The girl had been delighted with everything, and as a result, Kakashi had enjoyed the best night of sex he'd had in years. Well, one of the best. She was forever yanking him into closets, shoving Sakura out of the room, or simply groping him in public. Not that he really minded. There was a reason he liked aggressive women, and that was because Kakashi was lazy, and aggressive women liked to take the initiative. Which meant: less work for Kakashi.

 

At the moment, he was attempting to speak calmly and rationally with his ex-wife, while his current lover ran her hand up his thigh and between his legs. While it did feel quite…nice…he did have a job to do. “Ino, darling, could you please wait five minutes?” She pulled her hand away reluctantly, and pouted. “Don't look at me like that.” He leaned down to her, and whispered to her, “Wait until we get back. Then, you pick the time, place, and position, okay?” A grin spread over her face, and she kept her hands obediently to herself.

 

“Kakashi, if you don't mind, I have a café to run. Make it quick, bastard.” Anko's eye twitched. She didn't seem disposed to watching them together. So, she pushed up the sleeves on her black sweater and simply waited, an annoyed look in her eyes.

 

“Sasuke wants to talk to you.”

 

“Well. That was quick. I see you haven't lost your touch. No unnecessary talk, ever. Makes me miss you. But …I digress. What does he want?” She crossed her arms under her breasts, waiting for his answer.

 

“You remember your old friend from college? The one who Sasuke doesn't like very much?” Anko's eyes widened, but she nodded. “Well, Sasuke needs you to gather some information on him. No one would suspect you, because you have nothing to gain from this. That, and the fact that you hate my guts.” That made her smile. He knew very well that she did not hate him. It had been the Uchiha that broke up their marriage. He was far too loyal to them, and she didn't like the fact that he had to occasionally sleep with other women to get his job done. She was, to say the least, not happy with him for his choice of profession, but she did admire his loyalty.

 

“And what does he need me to find out?”

 

“His business connections. Get inside, and get as much information on his financial ties as you can. That way, we can hit them where it hurts before we get rid of them.” Kakashi leaned his chin on his palm, watching her.

 

“Should I screw with anything while I'm in?”

 

“No. Don't leave any evidence.” He leaned across the table. “We don't want you to be a hero, Anko. Just do what you do best. We just need you to do a little hacking for us. You in?”

 

Anko's characteristic evil grin slid across her features. “You called the Snake-Charmer, and she's ready. How much?” A faint smile crossed his face at the old handle, and she smirked back.

 

“How much do you want?”

 

“I think I could handle…100,000 in American currency.” Anko smiled at him, and he knew she was trying lowball him.

 

“Why so little?” He asked, and he felt her foot slide up his pants leg for a moment before he could stop her. Kakashi had to control the old twitch of his eyebrow at that. “For old time's sake? Anko, we'll give you 200,000. You're an artist. Are our negotiations complete?” She nodded, and he took her hand, giving it a firm squeeze. “Until I see you again.”

 

“Goodbye, Kakashi. And you—“ she pointed at Ino, “—If I find out that you hurt my Kakashi, you'll find yourself in a world of hurt, understand?” Ino simply stuck her tongue out at Anko and walked out of the café.

 

“You still trying to take care of me, Anko?” He asked, his good eye squinting as he smiled.

 

“I'll never give up on you, baka. You know that.” She walked past him to the counter, and pulled out a laptop. Turning it on, she said, “Now get out of here. I have some work to do, and that minx looks like she's getting impatient.” Kakashi looked outside, and saw Ino. She was standing with her arms crossed under her breasts, tapping her foot in irritation, and completely ignoring everyone around her, staring up the street. He turned back to Anko, nearly biting his lip.

 

There was no question that he still loved her. It was just not possible for the two of them to be together. He itched to go outside and tell Ino to take the car back by herself. She was a distraction, something fun for him to take his mind off of what he really wanted. As Kakashi watched Anko put on her glasses to work on her hack, he sighed quietly. Well, Ino wasn't looking and even if she was, she could bite him. He walked directly over to where Anko leaned over her computer, and reached across the Formica counter top to grasp her chin. “I haven't given up on you either.” A small smile crossed her lips, and he brushed a similar smile over hers in a gentle kiss.

 

“Ohh. That's not a good thing for you to do, darling. What about the minx?” Anko's voice was a sarcastic whisper.

 

Kakashi shrugged. “She's cute, but you know she'll never replace you. No one can.” He pulled his body back over the counter. “Can I come to see you?” She always seemed to move once he found her. This had been going on for six years, now. He didn't want her to run away from him again. She had never approved of his yakuza connections, and he really couldn't blame her. But for her to divorce him and run? He had never understood, and would never understand. She eyed him suspiciously. “I promise, it will be personal. No business. And I'll leave the minx at home.”

 

“I love you, Kakashi, you know that. But I hate that you've become this…farce of a man. If there's no ulterior motive, then I have no problem. But if you even mention Uchiha Sasuke, Ino, Sakura, Ibiki, or that new kid to me, I swear, you'll be dead before you hit the floor. Got it?” She had placed both hands on the counter and was leaning dangerously toward him. He nodded and kissed her again, his lips lingering on hers in the most wonderful of ways. When he pulled away from her, she said, “Now, what are you doing? I am supposed to be working here. How do I do that if you make my brain all scrambled?” Laughingly, he smiled, gave her a small wave, and left the café. He tried to feel sorry for Ino, but couldn't gather the strength to do it.

 

--

 

The morning light spilled through the window, illuminating the room. Uchiha Itachi's eyes opened, and he looked around the bedroom he shared with his wife. Hinata lay next to him, her dark hair spread over her pillow, lying on her stomach. The sheets had worked their way down to her waist in the night, revealing the intricate tattoo that flowed over her entire back, and down her buttocks. All black lines with white and pink in-fill, the dragons, stars, flowers and waves that played over her skin seemed to glow in the early morning sun. She was perfect.

 

Her body was exquisite, and her innocence was not feigned, unlike most women of the yakuza. Together, they were irresistible to him. Hinata was the perfect woman for him, with her beauty, innocence, and wonderfully well-placed connections within the Hokkaido yakuza. She hated him, he knew. It didn't matter. One day, she would come around. One day, she would love him. And on that day, everything would be perfect. The Akatsuki would rule all of Japan, and he would have his Hinata, body, mind, and soul. His only concern was the fact that she seemed rather…disobedient. They would have to work on that. He had already forbidden her to communicate with Sasuke, but who knew what else she was doing, trying to hide it from him? For one thing, he knew she had been training, even though he had forbidden her to do so from the instant he had found that she was pregnant.

 

He could not afford anything happening to her. Mentally, emotionally, financially, and socially, Itachi simply had far too much invested in Hinata to allow her to do exactly as she pleased. If not for having her watched as closely as possible, and forbidden any man to come close to her, he would have been sure that she had a lover. Had she wanted to, he was certain that she could have had one. Especially, he thought, if she had an interest in her seemingly cold and unfeeling third cousin, Hyuuga Neji. The man was a block of ice. Of course, people said the same thing about him, but he was Itachi. Neji, on the other hand, had a way of looking at his wife that made Itachi want to cut the man's eyes out. A small smile came over his face at that. If there were one man whose blood would satisfy him, it would be Neji's. At the moment, he didn't even care if he got to finish the job he started with his family. He just wanted to kill that nuisance.

 

So he rose from bed, and went off to search for his spy after dressing himself. She was rather an interesting character. Kurenai. Such a fascinating woman. He had begun to wonder if she was his long lost sister. After all, she had his eyes. That, and she seemed not to care what anyone thought of her. It was obvious that she was there for one reason, and one reason only: pleasing him. It wasn't as if he cared. She had an infatuation, and he actually found it rather amusing. All he had to do was look at her the right way, and she would tell him anything he wanted to know.

 

Now, he knocked on the door to her small room. When she answered the door in nothing but a bed sheet, he nearly rolled his eyes. Now, that's desperate. “Kurenai, I'm going out. Please watch her for me. Don't let her train, and do not under any circumstances allow her into the sauna.” She nodded, and he thanked her on his way out. It had been some time since he'd seen his associate, who was on Okinawa.

 

--

 

“What the hell are you talking about, Shikaku? My bodyguard has no influence over my decisions.” Sasuke leaned dangerously across the table. Nara Shikaku had requested a private meeting to express his concerns. Sasuke glanced at the far corner of the room behind his guest, where Naruto was stationed. He was silent, and seemed unconcerned with the conversation, though if one knew him, they would be able to tell how he tensed at the insinuation that had just been made.

 

“With all respect, oyabun, I do not mean to infer that there is anything untoward going on. And far be it from me to think that the Uzumaki has been using you as a puppet. However, certain facts have come to my attention which are rather…disturbing.” Shikaku laced his fingers in his lap. “My son has told me of the last time he saw Naruto. They were best friends. Now, the boy has declared blood feud on us.” Sasuke's eyes again flicked to where Naruto stood. The blonde's blue eyes widened, and he gave a tiny shake of his head to refute this. Sasuke had been there, but he had not really paid much attention to the interaction between Shikamaru and Naruto. He had been too busy simply staring at the blonde.

 

“Naruto, come here.” He pointed to a spot on the floor on his left. Doing as he was instructed, Naruto sank to his knees, eyes on the floor. “Naruto, did you do as Nara-san has said?”

 

“No, Sasuke-sama. I only declared blood feud on Shikamaru. Not the entire Nara clan.”

 

Shikaku stood, and with an uncharacteristic outburst of anger, said, “I have never heard of such nonsense. Blood feud is not declared on one member of a clan.” Sasuke could only watch helplessly for an instant as the clan head drew his weapon. Naruto moved, almost faster than he could see. His sword flashed from its sheath as he stood and jumped over the table.

 

Naruto placed the blade of his katana at the Nara's neck. “No man draws steel in Sasuke's presence. Is that understood? Put it away, Nara.” Shikaku's eyes widened, and his hand shook for a moment before he was able to sheath his wakizashi. “Now, Nara-san. Sit, and I will explain things to you in a civilized manner.” Shikaku stiffened for a moment, but sat, and only when he had did Naruto put away his blade. Once he had, he sat and said, “You know me, Nara-san. I am not my father. I do not follow the yakuza code so strictly. It was not your clan that my quarrel is with. I will not forgive Shikamaru for selling me into the life I swore I would not lead. But here I am. For this, I have declared blood feud. Not on the entire Nara clan, only on him.”

 

“But Naruto,” Sasuke said in a concerned voice, “you must realize. If you say you will kill a clan's heir, then they will certainly try to kill you first. And I cannot have that. You will serve out your father's debt. I am overruling you in this, Naruto. The blood feud is now dissolved. Is that understood?” Naruto's face turned a vague shade of pink. He was trembling ever so slightly, holding himself back. When he did not answer, Sasuke said, “Naruto?”

 

“Hai, Sasuke-sama. I understand.” His eyes were on the floor again, and his face had returned to its normal color. He was not happy, and Sasuke knew he would hear about it later. Shikaku seemed satisfied with this.

 

“My thanks, Sasuke-sama. You can count on the full support of my clan.” With that, the man rose and bowed out of the room. Sasuke soon found himself pinned to the floor.

 

“Why?” There were tears in Naruto's eyes. He had never seen the other man like this. It was not like him to simply cry when he had Sasuke in a position to pound him. Instead of lashing out, Naruto simply shook with impotent rage. His hands were clutching at Sasuke's shirt, pulling him slightly off of the floor, so that their eyes could meet. “Why?” Why had he dissolved the feud? There were numerous reasons. One was that he needed Shikaku's support and Shikamaru's tactical skill. Another was that he didn't want to deal with the drama associated with this sort of thing. But his main reason was what he voiced to Naruto.

 

“Because. I didn't want you becoming a murderer because of me.” Narutos' eyes widened in alarm. Sasuke reached up with both hands, touching Naruto's face. He dried the tears his fingers found, smiling slightly as Naruto leaned instinctively into his touch. “I don't want you ruining yourself because I wanted you.” He was dropped unceremoniously onto the floor, and Naruto turned away from him. Sitting up, he put a hand on the other man's arm. “I understand if you hate me. I do.”

 

“I don't hate you, Sasuke. I could never hate you. That's the problem.” Sasuke was just about to ask him what that meant before he looked over his shoulder at him, from the corner of his eye. “My life is in your hands, just like yours is in mine. I guard your life. It's my job. If you really wanted to, you could kill me with a look, with a gesture. We're even in that. The problem is that I can't hate you for turning me into your guard-dog. That's all I am, really, just a—“

 

“Shut your mouth, dobe.”

 

“What?”

 

“I said, shut your fucking mouth. Don't you ever say that again.” At these words, those big blue eyes seemed a bit frightened, and not a little confused. “You are much more to me than a bodyguard.”

 

Naruto sneered at him, and his words became ugly. “I know. I'm a great piece of ass, aren't I?” Sasuke could not believe what he had just heard. Anger began welling up inside him, so much that he shook where he sat. Because of that rage, he did something he had never really done before. He hit Naruto. One hit, on the right side of his jaw, sending him crashing to the floor, and Sasuke was on him in an instant.

 

“Naruto. Do you have any idea at all how I feel about you?” The still slightly dazed man blinked up at him, but then began to squirm, though he was unable to break Sasuke's grip. “I studied you, thinking you would make a good bodyguard. I knew you would. I found I could trust you, almost instantly. I can count on one hand the people I trust, Naruto. I allowed you into the most private areas and moments of my life. You are there for every waking moment of my existence. Why? Because you're the only person I can imagine sharing that with, you asshole!” Naruto's breathing had stopped, but Sasuke could not care one bit at the moment. He shook him like a rag doll. “How dare you even think those things?”

 

“Because you're a cold bastard, Sasuke.” Having it put so bluntly and succinctly to him, Sasuke was at a loss for words. The words slapped him in the face, and he flinched from them.

 

“Naruto…” He did not know what to say. There was no refuting the statement. He was cold most of the time. But it served a purpose. It kept people at arm's length. He tried very hard not to be that way with Naruto, but it was at times difficult to keep the public and private areas of his life separate.

 

“What, Sasuke? What do you want to say? That you're sorry? I don't think that sorry will make it all better. No, I think that you're going to have to try a lot harder—“

 

That was all the talking he could take, and he settled his entire weight onto Naruto, letting go of his arms and gripping his face in his hands. His tight hold contrasted almost painfully with the hesitancy and gentleness with which he pressed his lips against those of his lover and protector. His heartbeat was quickening with each passing moment, and as he took in the feeling of the man below him, the softness of his skin, the scent of him, the firmness of the muscles beneath layers of silk, he felt something inside himself break. He did not want to lose this. If he did, he did not think the result would be very nice.

 

Finally pulling away from a kiss Naruto had refused to respond to out of sheer spite, Sasuke looked into eyes that burned with uncertain and intense emotion. “Don't leave me, Naruto. Please. I need you.” As the other began to speak, he stopped him. “No. Not as a weapon, and not someone to have sex with.”

 

“Then what the fuck do you need me for?”

 

Again, Sasuke hit him. He used his position as leverage, and punched Naruto as hard as he could, causing his head to snap to the left. He couldn't be sure, since his anger had driven him to distraction, but Sasuke thought he heard Naruto's cheekbone break. “Damn it, Naruto! Do you think you're the only one who has emotions? For God's sake! Do you think that for some reason I'm incapable of loving you? If that's the case, you can stop thinking that this instant.” All of the anger seemed to melt out of him then, and he pushed himself off of the floor, walking over to the window. He stared out into the garden, where the little waterfall spilled over moss-covered rocks. Looking at his garden, things seemed so simple. There were paths that led to predictable places, and everything was maintained to perfection. It was utterly unlike life.

 

He leaned his forehead against the glass and shut his eyes tightly, balling his hands into fists. Why did Naruto have to be like this? Why couldn't he just see that Sasuke was trying to protect him? He couldn't see that he loved him more than anything in his entire world. If Naruto wanted him to, he would walk away from everything. He would forget his revenge, his clan, his life, everything.

 

Shuffling footsteps approached him, and Sasuke felt a hand on his arm, pulling, turning him around. Before he could even open his eyes, he could feel Naruto's lips on his. At first, it was a soft kiss of apology, but then Sasuke felt his mouth being coaxed open by Naruto's tongue, and once it was allowed entry, it stroked his own soothingly, telling him that everything was all right. He began to respond to this treatment, kissing Naruto back with greater intensity. Soon, bodies became involved in the dance their mouths had begun, and he was pressed against the wall, moaning at the feeling of Naruto's hands on him. He was being undressed slowly, teasingly, as words were whispered in his ear, and joy spread through his entire body.

 

The tone of Naruto's voice was low, almost throaty, and choked with sudden emotion. “I thought that you didn't care…I thought you didn't love me…that you would never love me…Sasuke…” There was a slight stinging in the corners of Sasuke's eyes, and wetness on his cheeks as he felt Naruto pause in his disrobing efforts. “Ashiteru yo, Sasuke.”

 

“Ashiteru, Naruto.” His body ignited with a passion he had never before experienced, and he tore at the other man's clothes, not knowing what he was doing. It took him three tries to yank Naruto's haori off. Finally, when all of their clothes were in piles on the floor, Sasuke allowed Naruto to lay him down.

 

Submissiveness was not generally part of Sasuke's character. But as he watched Naruto lean over him, he sighed at the look on his face, and spread his legs in complete surrender to this man he had come to love. Hands slid up his thighs, stroking sensitive skin that only became more so with each touch. Sasuke could not take his eyes from Naruto's face. There was an expression of pure elation in his eyes, which also seemed to radiate from his body, and into Sasuke. It was a feeling of expectancy, as if he were anxiously awaiting something utterly wonderful to happen. And, Sasuke supposed, in a way he was.

 

Naruto's mouth joined his hands, and a small cry escaped Sasuke's lips as he reached down to run his fingers through messy blonde spikes. Incapable of truly coherent speech, and overwhelmed by the force of the emotions he felt, he breathed partial sentences only. “God, Naruto…amazing…love you…please…” He began to writhe with anticipation. Naruto was nipping and sucking at a spot on his hip that was very sensitive, which he always did, because he said he liked to watch Sasuke's face as he did this. As he traced Sasuke's hipbone with his tongue, Naruto ran his hand over Sasuke's straining manhood, cool fingers ghosting over hot flesh. Those fingers soon set to work tormenting Sasuke by stroking him in an agonizingly slow rhythm.

 

Sasuke began to whine, thrusting his hips into Naruto's hand, but he was held in place until the tormenting hand was replaced by an equally evil mouth. In addition to Naruto's tongue traversing the length of his erection, he could vaguely feel the man's own hardness pressing against his leg, rubbing, and trying to relieve some of the tension that was building inside him. After what seemed like forever, his torturer moved his mouth to trail kisses up his stomach to his chest, pausing only for a moment to pay brief homage to each of Sasuke's nipples in turn. Naruto then attacked Sasuke's lips with his own, and took his breath away.

 

When he recovered, he said in a shaky voice, “No more, Naruto. No more teasing. Take me.”

 

Naruto only smiled, and pulled him up from the floor into a seated position. He then straddled Sasuke's hips, and positioned himself at the correct angle before lowering himself slowly so that he whimpered as Sasuke entered him. The feeling of being inside Naruto like this was more than he could take. He buried his face in the blonde's shoulder, and wept as Naruto moved against him, causing beautiful sensations to wash over him, devastating him. Naruto gripped Sasuke to him tightly, thrusting against him harder and faster, moaning loudly, almost screaming. Sasuke could feel those sounds as well as hear them, and though he was utterly silent, he was so close to completion that he had to hold himself back as he reached between himself and Naruto.

 

Taking Naruto's erection in his hand, he stroked it lovingly, though out of sync with Naruto's movements. Soon, the thrusts of the other man slowed to match his own pace, and Sasuke found himself finally able to voice his pleasure as he released himself into Naruto just before he heard the man's breath catch at his own completion. He and Naruto sank to the floor, and Sasuke found Naruto's haori and hakama, and used them to cover them with. They did not go to sleep, but lay in each other's arms, every now and again exchanging a kiss, a touch, or whispered words.

 

--

 

Ino's eyes narrowed. “I know. You don't have to tell me, Kakashi. I wasn't looking to become your future ex-wife.” She grabbed his shirt, and yanked him forward. “I just wanted to know what it was like. Now that I know, I can say that if you ever feel the need, no date is necessary. All you have to do is ask.” Her hand drifted suggestively down his chest, and he shivered. She was taking this…rather well. He had just told her that he could not sleep with her anymore. As he felt her hands moving toward his belt, he grasped them tightly, and shook his head. “You know, Kakashi, sometimes, you're more fun than I can handle, and others, none at all.”

 

“That's what makes me so irresistible.” He said this with a smirk and a wink, and she laughed. “You really don't mind?” She shook her head. How someone so utterly abrasive could be so understanding of his situation, he had no idea. He supposed it came from dealing with Sasuke and himself for a long time. While she was no match for Sakura in intelligence, Ino was no idiot. She was a spy for her observation talents, and she had seen the way Kakashi looked at Anko in the café. “Okay. Now that we've taken care of that, I have an assignment for you.”

 

“Really? I hope it's more fun than when I was trailing Naruto. He's boring.”

 

“It should be. You're not supposed to be really spying, though. It's more of an ambassador-like job. You will need to change your appearance, though. You're going to Hokkaido.” He handed her a few photos, and she balked.

 

“Red hair, Kakashi? And do you have any idea how horrible I look when I wear nothing but black?” He chuckled, and took the pictures back from her.

 

“Just do it. Get Sakura to help you; you know how she loves to dye her hair. She's an expert. You leave for Hokkaido in the morning.” After putting the photographs back in his pocket, Kakashi leaned back on his cushion. She eyed him suspiciously.

 

“Who am I going to see?” Kakashi handed her a small folder, and answered her before she could really read the information inside.

 

“Sabaku no Gaara.”