Reckoning

Previously—

Naruto felt his stomach drop to the floor. Of all the thing he had said this one was the most disturbing because those words right there? Those were incredibly true.” 

Now—

*******************

Gaara’s home, west side Konoha City

“We are sitting at the edge of the event horizon. The edge between order and chaos.” Gaara said simply.

“Your composure gives a strong sense of the surreal.”

“So much of this feels like a dream.” 

“Dreams prepare us for waking life.”

“Dreaming and understanding the nature of one's dream are different things entirely.” Naruto replied from where he sat on Gaara's couch. The fire place roaring for light. 

“These are extraordinary circumstances and unusual opportunities.” Gaara said.

“For whom?”

“For both of us.” 

“Neji is an opportunity?”

“Neji is a problem.” Gaara correctly softly. “Problem solving is akin to hunting. A savage pleasure we as alphas are born too.” The redhead paused. “A pleasure we can share.” 

“Your fostering codependency.” Naruto stated, glancing over at him. 

“Is that what I’m doing?”

“Isn’t that what you did to Matsuri?” Naruto argued. “Get her to take a life so she would owe you hers.” The redhead fell silent. ‘Codependency isn’t a relationship. He needs to understand— relationships are equal. Things that cause us to want to improve ourselves. They don’t simply make us better. People can’t change other people. You have to want it yourself.’ Naruto thought. ‘How much does he want it?’ The blonde leaned forward din his chair, making it a point to meet the redheads eyes. “I formed a connection with Matsuri and you took it away. I form a connection with barely the idea of a child, and you take that away.” The blonde let out a slow sigh. “You saw that I alienated Sakura, that I alienated Kakashi. You don’t want anything in my life that’s not you.” 

“I only want what’s best for you.” 

“Please.” Naruto tried to scoff. 

“You have been applying yourself to my perspective. I have been applying myself to yours.” Gaara said carefully. 

“Your right.” Naruto said suddenly. “You and I are just alike. You are as alone as I am— we are both alone without each other.” 

****************

Gaara’s home, west side Konoha City

Gaara was careful and methodical, but even he can admit uncertainty. Naruto showed moments of rage and serenity quickly— violent and mercy. It was entirely unpredictable and captivating. It also, as he had told Naruto once, gave the blonde the ability to deceive him. The redhead decided to invite Kakashi over for dinner. He need to gauge him through the eyes of others as well. 

“What is this?” Kakashi asked, as Gaara placed down the dessert.”

“A Ukraine dish who’s outcome can never be predicted.” Gaara answered, thinking about Naruto's mind. Unfathomable and unpredictable. 

“It's a kind of Jello?” Kakashi question not really expecting an answer.

“The Latin word for Gelatus translates to frozen.” Gaara answered. “In this dish, it provides a method of staging a scene.”

“I see, in this case the eternal chase.” Kakashi answered. 

“It’s an intriguing concept, in that at a certain point it becomes unclear who is chasing whom.” 

“Well a single moment can’t reveal motive, intent or aftermath.” Kakashi answered easily. 

“Things are built in moments, as all lives are derived from moments.”

“What moment are we in then?” Kakashi questioned. 

“You still have doubts about Naruto?” Gaara pauses listening.

“Sakura isn’t harboring any doubts.” Kakashi answered by avoiding the question the redhead noted. “she is convinced that he murdered Karin.” 

“And you?”

“I’m convinced of my distrust in other people.” Kakashi answers. Gaara blinked. 

“Many people who lack trust in others show an increased need for religion. Can’t rely on others you must rely on god.” Gaara carefully pokes, curious what he would say to that. 

“I am relying on myself.” Kakashi answered as stubbornly as any alpha. ‘It appears he believes that he can handle any situation concerning Naruto.’ The redhead thought. “Though I will admit, I don’t know who’s pursuing who in this moment.”

“Regardless of  whoever is pursuing who— I intend to eat them.” Gaara answers. 

*****************

Gaara’s office, downtown Konoha City

The redhead sat quietly at his desk, focusing intently on his drawing. He had dreamt of Naruto last night standing proud and tall on a battlefield in a cloak of gold and bathed in glory. It was an image he had hope to capture on paper before the image slipped away from him. He was currently sketching out the very thin very faint scars lining his cheeks. A sight that often made him curious. Naruto never spoke about his parents preferring instead, the few times asked, to discuss Jiraya, his godfather and the man who raised him. Even at times calling him father, thinking of him as his father. One day, Gaara hoped Naruto would tell him the story behind those scars. The door to the office clicked just then and looked up to see two men enter.

“Hello.”

“Hello.” Gaara replied.

“Mr.Hyuuga requests your company. You need to come with us.”

“I’d prefer not to.” The alpha responded, covertly reaching for his scalpel. The creak of a shoe behind him alerted him that someone had also entered through the back door, the patients exit. 

“You have no choice in the matter.”

“I see.” Gaara remarked almost casually, before turning and plunging the knife deep into the intruder creeping up behind it. It lodged itself deep into his thigh and the redhead jumped at the next closest man. Informally he was unaware that one of them had brought a taser. Blurry eyes he looked over to see the man he had stabbed pull the scalpel from his leg. “He should not have done that.” Gaara said from where he lay on the ground before one of the men struck him with something rendering him unconscious. 

********************

Hyuuga Winter Estate, 27 miles northeast of Konoha City

Gaara awoke with a headache and foul temper. This was not what he had planned for today. The loud noise of metal gears grated on his ears and he observed as The man who had barged into his offices quickly and efficiently strip him of his shoes and socks. 

“Hello.” Gaara said calmly.

“Hello.” The man answered, eyeing him with no small amount of dislike. Gaara inhales and his nose twitches in disgust. The man, a beta, smelled atrocious. Coated in layer after layer of thick cloying fake alpha scents. Distantly, Gaara thought he could detect Naruto's scent though it was faint and obscure. 

“A professional avenger?” Gaara asked curious about the low rank individual in front of him. If he was part of the organization at all. 

“With you— it is personal.” The beta responded. 

“I take it, the individual I stabbed didn’t make it. Did he foul himself as he died? I imagine he must smell worse than you by now.” The red headed alpha mocked, enjoying the look of anger on the betas face. 

“Matteo! Kill him and you get no money!” Came the loud ugly sound that was Nejis voice. As he swung slowly and turned, it was to see Naruto standing there watching it all happen. ‘This explains why I thought I could smell him.’ The alpha thought. “Ya know you are an odd psychiatrist.” Neji said unhappily. “We could have had such good funny times together. It’s a damn shame!” He announced, before pulling a knife from his pocket and handing it to Naruto. “I muzzled the dog, now it’s time for you to put him down.” Gaara watched in silence as the blonde stepped closer to him and pressed the knife against his throat. The redhead could feel the cool press of steel against his throat and was curious what devious thing Naruto was thinking now. ‘Had things turned out as he hoped?’ Gaara wondered. A wicked glint appeared in the blondes eyes. ‘What a cunning boy you are.’ Gaara thought with wonder, just before Naruto spun as quickly as he could and tore through the binding that held him with the knife he was supposed to kill him with. 

As he broke free, he saw that Matteo had knocked Naruto out. The blonde alpha lay unconscious on the floor and Gaara narrowed his eyes as the beta dared to approach him with a syringe of what he suspected was a tranquilizer. Already Neji was moving backwards making his way to the door. This would not do. Pulling on his experience and well practiced skills Gaara easily overpowered Matteo. It helped the he was an alpha while Matteo was only a beta. He physically wasn’t a match. The tranquilizer found a new home, resting in Neji's leg, knocking him promptly out. Observing the chaos before him he reached for Neji’s phone to send Hinata a text. It would be fitting that she sees the beginning of her brother's long upcoming struggle and assist with it.

“Doctor.” She said unsteadily, not expecting to see him or the others unconscious on the floor. 

“Hinata.”

“What are you doing here.” 

“Neji invited me. It was short planning on his part and somewhat unexpected on mine and Narutos.” He answered. 

“Are you going to kill him?”

“No.”

“You want me to kill him.”

“No. That would be no resolution now would it?” The red murmured thoughtfully, attempting to imagine things as he suspected Naruto would. 

“So what are you doing?”

“I’m going to cage him.” Gaara answers as it comes to him. “Trap him within his own flesh and turn him into a living breathing prisoner. He will need you to care for him.” He answered and Hinata’s breath caught in her throat. 

“What do you need from me?”

“A car, and a set of hands would be appreciated.” She nodded her agreement quickly, helping him push Matteos body into the pig pen for them to eat and lugging her brother's body to the back of a discreet silver car she had driven in to get here from the main section of the house.

“And Naruto?” She asked, looking over at the blonde.

“He is strong and we have little time before Neji wakes.” Gaara stated softly, disliking the idea of leaving him there but knowing it would cause no harm. “When he wakes, ensure he has a ride back to him home.”

“Okay.” She said, before stepping away and letting him leave. Gaara nodded, time to go to Naruto’s home. However first, a stop along the way to pick some things up.

*******************

The drive to Naruto's house was fraught with anticipation and tension. His plans for Neji would be entertaining and he looked forward to seeing how they panned out in full. Part of him desired to stay, to care for and protect the blonde until he had awoken. This part he knew was his instincts intent on winning over the blonde the only way the knew— as they would an omega. ‘It is a shame one of us is not an omega.’ Gaara thought as he hauled Neji out of the car and into the blonde's house, making sure to greet Kurama as he entered. ‘Alphas do not like to be cuddled or treated softly. It makes courting them a very delicate thing. Too much of one thing and you threaten rather than comfort them. Too much of another and you are dismissed entirely.’ The redhead thought as he drugged Neji and settled in to wait for it to take effect. 

The poor excuse for an alpha looked around confused, his pupil blown as he began to wake. Abruptly he began to laugh, his voice shaking as he began to say, “piggy piggy piggy” over and over again. 

“Neji I must ask you to be quiet. You’ll frighten the animal.” Gaara stayed calmly glancing at Kurama who was circling the living room eyeing the laughing alpha with wide uneasy eyes. 

“Shhhhh” Neji mocked. “OHPiggy piggy piggy” he repeated, before moving as though to grab the dog. The redhead calmly pushed him back into his chair, and examined his eyes. The classic Hyuuga purple eyes were nearly black. His pupils were wide from the drugs he had been given. “What have you given me?” He asked, and Gaara sat back to observe the scene before him. 

“A variety of psychedelic compounds.” He answered, turning to look at Kurama flashing the dog a rare smile. This plan would work wonderfully. “Psychedelic, names for the Greeks meaning, mind revealing.” The redhead continued curious how much Neji would recall after everything is said and done. 

“You...need to write me a prescription for this doctor.” Neji mumbled out his eyes still rolling about. The redhead stood up considering making a meal in the kitchen and leaving Neji to devolve into madness.

“Patients often praise and write about life changing insights they achieve.” He answered dismissively. 

“I’m enchanted and terrified.” Neji muttered, his eyes still racing about the inside of Naruto's house as though looking for something. Or at many things. Not for the first time, did Gaara wonder what strange things his patients saw while under the influence that drove them so… mad. Remarkable, Neji appeared far more… coherent than others had before him. 

“Reality presents itself as music made of sight, sound smells and recollections.” The redhead murmured, going to the kitchen to retrieve a small paring knife before returning. “Recall your childhood.” Neji looked at him, clearly unsure what’s to make of the words. “Thinking of those times in stockyards and slaughterhouses. Show me how you papa, would check the depth of a pigs fat.” Carefully the redhead handed him the knife before sinking into Naruto couch to watch what would happen. Neji looked confused for a moment before slowly he moved as though to stab Kurama. “No Neji.” Gaara said firmly, intervening before he had a chance to harm Narutos precious dog. “No.” He repeated, pushing him back into the chair before saying, “show me on you.” 

*********************

Hyuuga Winter Estate, 27 miles northeast of Konoha City

When Naruto woke, he found himself still laying on the floor in front of the maze of pigs Neji had built. Blood splattering the floor. A bolt of fear shot through him as he scrambled to his feet and went to the maze searching for clue. ‘Did Gaara get fed to the pigs? Was I able to actually help him?’ The blondes heart raced as he spotted a body half eaten and face hidden from view. It took him several minutes before he was able to safely get a look at the face and check. To his immense relief— it wasn’t Gaara. The alpha was no where to be seen. The relief was quickly washed away as he realized that Neji was nowhere to be seen either and he had no idea how long he had been out for. He stumbled out of the warehouse dried blood making him sticky and uncomfortable. 

“Your awake.” Hinata said as she walked slowly up to him from the woods. The warehouse is still hidden out of view from the main part of the house. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to have to call someone.” She explained. “Come inside. You need a shower before you leave.” 

“I— what happened?” Naruto did not really want to go anywhere with her until he had some answers. “Where’s Gaara? What happened to Neji?”

“Neji is with Gaara right now.” The omega murmured, her steps not faltering. “Being caged. He borrowed one of my cars. Which you are more than welcome to do after you have had a shower.” She added, leading through the thick darkness of the trees towards the opulent monstrosity that she called home. Her bedroom was the size of his living and kitchen put together. As she walked across the room her heels clicked on the floor giving her the nonchalant air of disaffected nobility. It made Naruto uncomfortable. “Feel free to use whatever is in there. I laid out a couple different sets of clothes that should fit you.” She said waving her hand towards her bathroom door. “You can keep them.”

“Thanks.” The blonde replied dryly before shutting the bathroom door behind him. Inside were more reminders of pretentious and ostentatious wealth. Marble and gold leafed flooring with light blue colors on the walls and a shower the size of a walk in closet. It was everything Naruto never had and a reminder of how deep he had gotten into it all that it hardly phased him now. The shower done, Naruto dressed in the clothes closest to the shower door and went in search of Hinata. If what she had said was true, then Gaara left him lying on the bloodied ground unprotected and exposed. Naruto hated it. ‘He didn’t even have the decency to take me with him? Watch me to make sure I was safe considering I was vulnerable?’ Naruto questioned before reminding himself that the redhead still thought of him as an alpha and was probably trying to be as respectful as he knew how. Still kinda pissed him off though, even while it was partly flattering. 

“Where will you go?” Hinata asked, as she handed him the keys to a sleek black car that the blonde didn’t care to remember what it was. 

“Home.” 

“Is that where Gaara is?” She asked hesitantly.

“Probably not.” The blonde answered. 

“I’ll send someone to pick up the car sometime tomorrow.” Hinata said finally, not sure what else to do. Naruto nodded and then left. Naruto was surprised to find that seats were heated— and even more so how much he enjoyed it.