The Distance Between Us

AN: I'm so sorry for how late this is! I seem to have lost all inspiration for this for a moment and it was so hard to write this chapter especially with my outline gone. I'm still not happy with it at all but if I didn't post it now, it probably would never be done. Now that I got mostly everything out of the way, I think I'll be able to write this more easily now. Wish me luck and enjoy! Reviews are so much appreciated! :D

Chapter 2 - Just to Tear it Down

It wasn't the first time Naruto had stopped in his tracks whenever he caught a glimpse of dark hair and pale skin on the streets. It had been happening almost every day since Sakura told him of the news and he was finding it increasingly harder to concentrate on his current case when the only thing he can seem to think about was him. He wasn't sure how he felt about this sudden development. Should he be relieved that Sasuke was back? Should he be angry at what he had done? He had no idea, the amount of emotions that hit him the moment Sakura mentioned his name were too fast to identify and his thoughts still hadn't ceased.

Finally regaining his senses, Naruto shoved his hands in his pockets and continued to make his way down the street. It wasn't him, it was never him. Sasuke was a thing of the past now, and he had other things he had to deal with. But that didn't stop him from glancing at any man that even resembled his old friend as he made his way to his destination. He glanced at the watch on his wrist; it was 11:14 am. He was already almost fifteen minutes late to the café.

Picking up his speed a little bit, Naruto turned the corner until he reached his destination. It was a small, cozy café' on the good part of the Suna District. Well, as good as the Suna District could get. And that only meant there was less graffiti and hoodlums hanging around. This part was for the small businesses that weren't involved in all the underground dealings of a majority of the place.

The café was called Shukaku. It was a modest establishment, but it was a nice looking place for this area. Naruto glanced at his watch again and cursed as he rushed through the doors, the bells jingling loudly overhead. There weren't many people in the place, only about five if you included the two men behind the counter. Naruto stood by the door as his eyes scanned over the café's occupants. He wasn't there. Naruto would have picked him out easily if he was. With a scowl, he reached into his pocket and fished out his old, scratched orange cell phone and dialed a number.

"H-Hello?" A small timid voice answered over the other line. Naruto's irritation immediately melted at the tone.

"Sorry to bother you, Hinata." Naruto said sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head and glance around the café again. Hinata Hyuuga went to the same high school him and Sakura attended. She was also the social worker of the man he was supposed to meet here today. Well, technically she wasn't his social worker anymore since his reached legal age, but they still kept in contact and she was the only way to contact him.

"Oh, Naruto! I'm sorry, is- is Gaara not there yet?" She asked shyly.

Naruto sighed, "Nope, have you talked to him today?"

"Well, I um… talked to him this morning… he- he said he would meet you there. He's probably just running a bit late. He should be there s-soon."

Naruto made his way to the back of the café to a small booth in the back away from the other patrons. He took a seat. "Alright," he said. "I'll wait."

"I-I'm sorry, you know how he is sometimes. So, how are you doing?" Hinata asked.

Naruto smiled at her concern. She was always so caring and sweet. He wasn't surprised she became a social worker, he couldn't think of a better job for her. Even in high school she was always so caring towards everyone, even if a bit shy. Naruto wondered why he never fell for her. "I'm doing alright I guess. Got a lot of things on my mind lately…" he began.

"Oh? Like what?" She asked curiously. Naruto hesitated, wondering if he should tell her about Sasuke. She knew about what happened between them when he left. Hinata used to visit him in the hospital constantly along with Sakura. She didn't take what happened to him so well and he wondered how she would react if she found out that Sasuke was probably back.

"Well, just this current case I guess. It's proving to be a big one." Naruto half lied.

"Oh, I see. Don't work yourself too hard." She warned, and Naruto smiled again.

"Don't worry about me, Hinata! Nothing can bring me down!" he heard her giggle over the line. "So what about you? How are you doing? Any new men in your life?" He asked teasingly.

"N-Naruto!" She stuttered, "T-that's not… it's… that's personal…"

Naruto laughed, "So there is someone! Come on, you can tell me! Do I know him?"

"W-Well…" She began softly, "We're not really dating or anything but… he- he actually works with you…"

"WHAT!" Naruto shouted in disbelief and ignored the odd stares he received from the other patrons in the café. He already had an idea of who this guy was now. He was certainly acting strange when Naruto mentioned having to contact her. "You are NOT dating mutt-face Inuzuka!"

"I-I said we aren't d-dating! He's just… a really good friend…"

"Really good friend my ass!" Naruto exclaimed. "He's my buddy, but come on… I know him! You can't be serious about a guy like that can you?"

"Naruto Uzumaki! I'm a grown woman and will talk to whoever I want! And if you must know, Kiba's been nothing but a gentleman!" Hinata said firmly. Naruto instantly knew to shut his mouth when Hinata sounded like that. He'd just have to have a long talk with his partner later.

"Y-Yes, Maim." Naruto said nervously, and then smiled as she apologized to him for yelling.

"So what about you, Naruto? Are you seeing anyone?" She asked suddenly.

Naruto couldn't help but chuckle, albeit it a bit bitterly. "I barely have time to meet women, let alone court them, Hinata."

It had been a while since Naruto had actually been with a woman. His last relationship was probably over a year ago by now and with the constant demands of his job, it was almost impossible to hold a steady relationship. He did have handfuls of one night stands along the way to get him through some lonely nights, but even that had been something he hadn't indulged in in a while.

Maybe I should find a hookup again, Naruto thought to himself. Then maybe it could get my mind off some things.

"W-Well you're still young, Naruto. I'm sure y-you'll find someone." Hinata said, breaking Naruto from his thoughts.

He smiled, "Thanks, Hinata."

"Hey," a cool voice suddenly called out to him. Naruto looked up and there Gaara stood, arms crossed over his chest as he stared back down at Naruto blankly.

"Gotta go, Hinata. The prince of darkness finally decided to grace me with his presence." Naruto explained with an amused grin as he saw the young man frown slightly. Hinata said her goodbyes and Naruto placed his phone back into his pocket as he gestured for Gaara to take the seat in front of him. It was time for business now.

"So, Gaara, long time no see. How have you been?" Naruto asked conversationally at first. The two of them were actually pretty close considering they've only met a handful of times and Gaara was about as friendly as a brick wall.

Said man only shrugged and glanced around the café boredly. "I highly doubt you just came here to catch up, Uzumaki." The young man began. "What do you want to know?"

Naruto grinned widely and leaned back in his seat. Gaara hadn't changed much. He was still a no nonsense kind of guy with less patience than a business man waiting for a flight. But he had to admit, he was a far cry from who he was when Hinata first met him. He was an angry kid then, into all types of drugs and practically involved in everything going on in the Suna Districts underground. That's why he was the perfect person to talk to.

"Sasori Iwaiyama, you knew of him, right?"

Gaara scoffed, as if offended he'd even ask. "Of course I did. Even the lowest of scum in this goddamn area knew who he was. He practically owned the place."

"So you know he's dead." Naruto stated, rather than asked. "Shot point blank with a pistol to the head."

If Gaara was surprised, he didn't show it. He only continued to stare boredly out the window beside Naruto's head. "Word like that travels fast," he stated.

"So what have you heard? Any stories floating around that I should know about? Anything Akatsuki related, maybe?" Naruto pried.

Gaara remained silent for a moment as he continued to stare blankly out the window. Naruto wondered if he was really even looking at anything. This man was so hard to read sometimes and Naruto kind of hated that about him.

"Those are some dangerous questions, Uzumaki." Gaara began, "You should know better than anyone that the gangs around here don't take too lightly to the cops asking questions. I could get killed just by being seen with you."

This time Naruto scoffed, "As if someone would actually try to tangle with the infamous Sabaku no Gaara. Don't try to play that card with me. You're still feared even though you've been out of the game for a while." A slight smirk played at Gaara's lips, but he still didn't make eye contact with the blonde. "Now tell me what you know."

Gaara fell quiet once again, but his emerald eyes shifted to boredly glance around the cafe. "No one knows who did it, if that's what you're asking."

Naruto shook his head. "I'm just looking for anything I can find," he explained.

Gaara shrugged one more time before finally locking eyes with the blond in front of him. "Well I'm sure you've suspected his murder is connected to the other two murders in the Oto and Taki districts, correct?"

Naruto nodded and Gaara continued. "Well word's getting around that someone's offing Akatsuki members."

"I suspected that," Naruto began. "So Sasori was a member of the Akatsuki, huh? And those other two were as well?"

"That's correct," Gaara stated.

"So does anyone know why someone would be doing this? I mean, they'd have to be pretty ballsy to pull this shit off."

Gaara shrugged and looked back out the window. "I haven't heard of any possible motives. But I have heard there's been someone asking around about them."

Naruto instantly perked up. "Can you tell me about that?"

"I don't know much," Gaara began. "All I heard is that some people were asking around about those other two Akatsuki members before they were found dead. Whoever's doing this clearly has a vendetta against them."

Naruto sighed and slumped back into his seat. "I can see that. But what I want to know is why. And where the hell I would go about finding these people asking about them?"

Gaara didn't say anything for a moment before the two lapsed into silence. "You know, people have a theory of whose next." Gaara stated casually, as if it meant nothing.

Naruto perked up again. "Oh yeah? Who is it?"

"I can't tell you the names because I don't know who runs those districts. But people think this guys going in order. First he killed the one in Oto, and then went to Taki. Next was obviously Suna, and after Suna it's-"

"Iwa…" Naruto finished. Gaara nodded once. "So if this guy's going in order, maybe he's looking for something…?"

Gaara didn't reply as he noticed the blond said the last part more to himself. Both men lapsed into another silence as the quiet chatter of the café filled the coffee scented air. Naruto finally nodded resolutely to himself and grinned widely at the young man across from him.

"Well, thanks for the info, Gaara! I'll keep in touch in case I need you again."

Gaara scoffed and looked away from the smiling man. "Whatever, just don't get yourself killed. I don't think you know how dangerous the inner workings of the Akatsuki actually are. I'd be careful going around asking anymore questions if I were you," the red head warned.

Naruto laughed good naturedly. "I didn't know you cared, Gaara-chan! But you don't need to worry about me. I'm a big boy and can handle myself."

Gaara only frowned lightly at the name. "Just watch yourself, Uzumaki. You seem distracted lately."

Naruto's smile instantly fell. Was he really that obvious? Maybe he really did need to relieve some stress to take his mind off certain things. He really can't have something like that interfering with his work. He needed to have clear head to deal with this case or else he knew he'd get killed. And frankly, Naruto's grown quite found of living. I'm definitely going out on the town tonight.

"Like I said, don't worry about me. I'll be alright. It's nothing I can't handle."

A scowl slowly etched its way to Sasuke's face as he stepped into the thumping night club. His eardrums pounded with the base of the music that sent vibrations through the floor. He hated places like this. The loud music, the swaying bodies, the smell of sweat, sex, and desperation was enough to give Sasuke a pounding headache within minutes. He wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this, especially not one as low class as this unless he had official business.

He forcibly made his way through the swaying bodies of the club, his companions following closely behind as he approached the bar. Resting his cheek on his fist, he knocked the dirty wooden counter to get the bartenders attention. Within moments, a tall dark haired man approached Sasuke with a rag in hand.

"What can I get you?" The bartender quirked a brow at him.

"I'm looking for Deidara." Sasuke said simply.

The dark haired bartender's eyes widened and looked at Sasuke suspiciously for a moment before nodding slowly and heading back towards the backroom at the end of the club. Sasuke slowly turned away from the bar as he waited and watched as Suigetsu chatted up some busty blond that barely gave him a second glance. Catching his eye, Sasuke beckoned him over with a nod. Suigetsu sighed and approached the dark haired man with a scowl.

"What is it?"

Sasuke ignored his tone for the moment. "Keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. It seems this Deidara character is someone dangerous and probably doesn't take too lightly to people asking about him."

Suigetsu nodded slowly as Juugo approached the two. "You think they're on to us, Sasuke? They probably already know of Sasori's death. It's only going to get more difficult here on out."

Sasuke shrugged indifferently, "It won't stop me from finding out what I need to know."

Suigetsu and Juugo nodded as Sasuke turned back to the bar. It's was true. He wouldn't let anything stop him from finding out the information he needed to know. He's been waiting for this for years and he could almost taste his goal. His brother was close, he could just feel it. Sasuke has spent years preparing for this, and now that he felt his brother was close, nothing would stop him from seeking his revenge. The only thing that made him on edge as being back here, to this city and the people he had long since put behind him.

"Sir?" Sasuke looked up at the waiter from before and arched an elegant brow. "Please follow me to the back."

With a slight nod, Sasuke pushed himself away from the bar as Juugo and Suigetsu gravitated back to his side and followed close behind. The group made their way through the crowed of dancing bodies and made their way to the back of the club. The bartender led them through a small hallway in the back behind the DJ's table. The music already sounding more muffled as they walked further down the hall. At the end of the hall was a narrow nondescript black door and the bartender knocked a few times before opening the door.

Sasuke gestured to Juugo to stay outside the door and Suigetsu followed closely behind as the bartender let them inside with a small bow before going back out to the club. As soon as the door shut behind them all sounds from the club were completely shut off, leaving the room almost deafeningly silent.

Sasuke's dark eyes scanned the room. It wasn't too big, but it was made up to look comfortable. The lights were dim and the furniture was wine colored giving it an appearance of an expensive place, but Sasuke could tell how cheap it really was. Five men were in the room, all standing and watching the newcomers with apprehensive eyes as one man sat leisurely on the sofa across the room.

"And what business do you have with Deidara, boy?" Said the gruffly man in the tacky white suit. Sasuke scowled lightly.

"That's between him and me. Where is he?" He demanded, none to gently.

The over size male smirked crookedly, pushing himself to his feet with some effort and slamming his drink down on the streaky glass table in front of him. Sasuke kept the man's gaze as he rose to his feet, standing only a foot over the dark haired male. The man then proceeded to take a step towards him, trying his best to intimidate the leaner male by his sheer size. Sasuke only watched on impassively.

"Deidara's not here at the moment. Perhaps you'd like to take your business up with me?"

Sasuke cocked his head to the side, eyes narrowing. "The only thing I need from you is to tell me where to find him."

The larger man huffed loudly as agitation clearly began to take over. Narrowing his eyes at the arrogant young man in front of him he took a few more threatening steps forward. Sasuke kept his ground but Suigetsu immediately began to step forward as the larger man approached until Sasuke placed a restraining hand against forearm. Suigetsu sighed and retreated back quietly.

"If you can't tell me what business you have with Deidara," The gruff man began threw gritted teeth. "Then I'm under no obligation to tell you where he is. Now, if that can't be obliged, then I'll have to ask you to leave."

Sasuke stared up at the larger man boredly and faintly noticing the other men in the room began to congregate threateningly behind him. He counted seven of them in total including the large man in front of him. Between Suigetsu and himself they could easily take them all down. That was of no concern, but these men were insignificant in the greater scale of things. Though they did prove to be an irritating road block in his plans. And since the beginning, he had never shown any mercy to the people who stood is his way. No matter who they were.

He briefly considered simply killing them all but thought better of it as it may attract unwanted attention. The only way to get through this was to get the information out of them by force. Sasuke stared back up at the large man in front of him after scanning the other's in the room. He sighed, resigned.

"I'll give you one last chance to tell me where to find him." Sasuke stated boredly as he placed his hands in his pockets. Silence fell through out the room as the large man in front of him visibly fumed and sputtered in outrage. If Sasuke was a lesser man, he may have found the man's face amusing. But as it were, he had other things to think about.

"Kill them," The man growled through gritted teeth and stepped back as the other men charged at the stoic young man. Sasuke merely stepped back, hands still shoved in his pockets as Suigetsu appeared in front of him and easily took down the first man to charge and swiftly taking out two more after, all the while Sasuke keeping eye contact with the burly man in the white suit across the room. The man looked away from Sasuke's piercing gaze as he watched his men being taken down one by one. Suigetsu may have been thin, but he was fast and the other men barely stood a chance.

As the last man hit the floor with a thud, the large man looked back up at the young man, eyes wide in shock. Sasuke removed a hand from his pocket and made his way across the room, stepping over the bodies of the uncurious men on the floor until he was a step away from the larger man. He looked frightened, and Sasuke smirked faintly.

"Do you still refuse to tell me where to find him?" Sasuke asked simply and watched the large man's eyes dart back and forth between him and his men on the floor. He scowled once their eyes met again.

"You bastard," he growled, sounding reminiscent of someone he used to know. "I won't tell you a damn thing!"

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched as his irritation at the situation only escalated. With a sigh, he reached to the holster hidden on the back of his pants. The man watched his movement's cautiously before he even saw the gun coming. He barely had time to move before the butt of the gun connected sharply to his temple as he blacked out momentarily.

Sasuke watched impassively as the gruff man groaned loudly and crumbled to the floor with a loud thud. He didn't allow the man to regain his senses before he knelt down over the man and shoved the barrel of the gun to his forehead. The man groaned as he blearily tried to open his eyes.

"This is your last chance. I don't have to tell you what would happen if you don't start talking." Sasuke said coolly, only faintly registering Suigetsu walking up behind him.

The man blinked a few more times, as if trying to focus his thoughts. "He's… He's not here…"

Sasuke shoved the gun harder in the man's face. "I can see that. Where is he?"

"Off… on business… in… in Oto." The man explained slowly. "I don't know when he'll be back."

Becoming bored with the situation, Sasuke sighed and retracted his gun. If Deidara wasn't in the city, there wasn't much else he could do at the moment. He placed the gun back in the holster and headed for the exit without another word, Suigetsu following obediently behind. Juugo stood aside as Sasuke and Suigetsu exited the room.

"Well, Sasuke, what's the plan now, huh?" Suigetsu asked.

Sasuke continued to walk as the music only got louder as they made their way to the front of the club again. "If he's not here, we'll have to wait until he get's back." He explained, not bothering to raise his voice over the music. "There's no need to make anymore suspicious moves while we're here. Call Karin and tell her the plan's off and head back."

Juugo nodded obediently and slipped his sleep red phone from his back pocket. Suigetsu jogged up behind Sasuke and tugged on his sleeve with a grin. The dark haired man glared in response but went ignored by Suigetsu.

"Hey, what's the rush, Sasuke? Why don't we stay a while longer and have a few drinks, eh?"

Sasuke only narrowed his eyes further. He was not going to stay in a place like this any longer than he needed. He could already feel a migraine coming on from the obnoxiously loud music and the smell of sweat masked with cheap cologne and perfumes. Suigetsu continued to stare at him almost pleadingly and he let out a silent sigh and closed his eyes briefly.

"You can stay as long as you want. Just be back before morning." Sasuke agreed dryly and discreetly tugged himself free from Suigetsu grip on his sleeve. The other man grinned broadly, teeth glinting and the flashing florescent lights and Sasuke looked over to Juugo who just hung up his cell phone.

"Are you coming?" he asked the larger man. Juugo nodded and followed behind Sasuke as he turned to leave without saying another word to the silver haired man. Making his way through the club once again, he pushed his way through the crowd determined to get out of this place as fast as possible and trying not to make eye contact with all the numerous desperate looking women. In his haste to get though the exit he pushed the door open forcefully, almost knocking out a surprised man on the other side. Sasuke didn't stop to apologized and continued on his way down the street.

"S-Sasuke…" his steps halted and he immediately went on guard. That wasn't Suigetsu or Juugo's voice and Karin was still away. This wasn't good. Anyone who recognized him in this area could cause a great deal of unnecessary trouble. Sasuke quickly debated ignoring the call and continue walking but that would seem even more suspicious. The voice called out to him again and Sasuke lowered his shoulders in a resigned sigh and turned to the voice.

There, he was met with a startled pair wide blue eyes and his breath caught in his throat.

Shit.

TBC...

Review... :D?