"My brother is alive," Sasuke says numbly. It's been one day since he found out and it still hasn't sunk in yet. Jugo was hesitant to tell him more, but he did promise that the two brothers would be reunited soon. Then Itachi could fill in the rest of the blanks himself.

Naruto smiles at him. "Aren't you happy?"

"I don't really believe it's true," the brunet admits. "I don't think I'll believe it even after I see him... but I want to. I want to see him."

"Are you scared?" the blond pries.

"I don't know," Sasuke whispers. "I just... I don't understand. I don't understand why, if he was alive all this time, why would he let me rot?"

"Maybe he had no other choice?" Naruto offers. "Maybe he only found out recently that you were alive. Even if that's not the case, high end brothels always come with high security. It's hard to get in and out unless you're a paying customer and even if you are, you're watched. Right?"

"Yes..." Sasuke says. "There were cameras everywhere. Even in the rooms."

"Did you have any privacy?" Naruto asks with a scoff.

"No," the brunet admits. "We weren't given that right... and it was hard, but I preferred staying alive. I'll go through some humiliation for that."

"You probably hated it," Naruto murmurs. "I can't imagine being on display like that." Sasuke's jaw tightens and Naruto sees right through his facetious act. "I think I would have gladly died than sacrifice my dignity."

"Shut up," Sasuke whispers. "You don't know what you'd do until you're put into a situation like that. You'll do anything to keep living because what comes after death could be so much worse."

"Who knows," Naruto murmurs, "but they say that's part of why we purify the rooms. Spirits linger if you don't."

Sasuke frowns, recalling the rules Koharu would put in place until the rooms were purified. Why was he the only one not allowed out? Is it because of his gift? Was she afraid he would find out who he is? And, if so, why? These are questions that might haunt him forever. There are still pieces of the puzzle that aren't quite clear.

What is his purpose?

"What's wrong?" Naruto asks.

Sasuke shakes his head. "I'm just thinking."

"About...?"

"I wonder if it's true what they say about spirits," he says airily. "Do they really exist? Where's the proof? And if they do exist, are they really all bad?"

For now, Sasuke will keep his gift a secret because he's not really so sure that's what it is. Perhaps it's more of a curse.

Naruto snorts back a laugh. "Who knows? Maybe it's just a superstition."

||XxXx||

In his office, Naruto reads over case file 005 with immense curiosity. There is no photograph and there is no name – just the simple numbers. He feels like he just discovered a secret. He begins to read about the experiment. It's elaborate and the test subject is stated to have been a child of seven at the time of experimentation. Naruto can't help but find that incredibly cruel.

Subject has strong immune system and has met all requirements for testing. The removal of memory lasts only for mere weeks before wearing away (monthly doses administered).

Strength: Above average. No rages.

Hearing: Above average. No bleeding.

Healing rate: Above average. No bleeding.

Agility: Above average. No strain on heart.

Speed: Above average. No strain on heart.

"Shit," Naruto deadpans after reading the first page. "Daddy's success story. Seems like we've got a superhuman running around. I need to find this kid... Well, I suppose now they're an adult now... if they're still alive."

Unfortunately, he doesn't know where to start.

||XxXx||

In the city, Naruto runs errands. He sees the wanted posters in the marketplace and on brick buildings. Some names aren't familiar, but many are. Some are old and some are new.

WANTED

DEAD OR ALIVEDeidara

For conspiracy and cult activity
Member of Akatsuki
Considered armed and dangerous
Reward: 30 000 ryo

WANTED

DEAD OR ALIVEHidan

For conspiracy and cult activity
Member of Akatsuki
Considered armed and dangerous
Reward: 30 000 ryo

WANTED

DEAD OR ALIVEIno Yamanaka

For abandonment
Reward: 25 000 ryo

WANTED

DEAD OR ALIVEJugo

For theft and conspiracy
Considered dangerous
Reward: 100 000 ryo

WANTED

DEAD OR ALIVEKakuzu

For conspiracy
Member of Akatsuki
Considered armed and dangerous
Reward: 30 000 ryo

WANTED

DEAD OR ALIVEKisame

For abandonment and conspiracy
Member of Akatsuki
Considered armed and dangerous
Reward: 100 000 ryo

WANTED

DEAD OR ALIVESasori

For conspiracy
Member of Akatsuki
Considered armed and dangerous
Reward: 30 000 ryo

WANTED

ALIVESasuke Uchiha

For abandonment
Reward: 750 000 ryo

WANTED

DEAD OR ALIVESuigetsu

For conspiracy
Reward: 30 000 ryo

He stares piteously at each face. There are so many, some he knows and some he doesn't. Still, he is relieved that Karin's face is nowhere in sight, neither is her name. Naruto takes immense comfort in knowing that she never slowed down long enough to be photographed properly.

Sasuke is the only one with his surname written apart from a girl called Ino, but hers isn't underlined. Naruto can't help but wonder she comes from status, unlike the rest.

"Theft," he mutters to himself, wondering how saving a person could be considered theft.

"Funny, huh?" a voice behind him asks. Naruto turns around and sees Shikamaru and Temari. He forces a smile and holds up a hand.

"Long time, no see," Shikamaru adds. "Since you left the political world, you seem to have become a bit of a recluse. You haven't hosted any parties lately."

"I thought it was just since my father died," Naruto muses aloud, mostly to himself.

"It started long before then," Temari points out. "Don't kid yourself."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Naruto apologizes. "I'm just taking care of what my father left for me."

She wrinkles her nose. "Sounds like dull business."

"Politics were a lot duller," Naruto says with a slight smile.

Before becoming a doctor, he took part in the world of politics. He was on a council with both Shikamaru and Temari. It's how they met and they've been kind to him, but there are times when they're far from kind and they're just as classist as the rest of the world. Part of Naruto sometimes wonders if they secretly look down on him for being a kid from the slums.

Shikamaru eyes the wanted posters. "Look at that one kid," he nods. "Sasuke... Ha. Amazing. I knew there were rumors about there being an Uchiha left but I wasn't sure if I believed them. I thought they all died out. I guess here's proof of otherwise."

"You always hear that they were really beautiful people," Temari adds. "I guess it's true."

Shikamaru snorts back a laugh.

"He was probably an escort," Temari supplies, pointing to the photograph. "An expensive one, at that. High bounty. He's really stunning... So much that it's almost other worldly. You can tell a lot about someone by their wanted poster. See, his shoulders are bare. He probably wasn't wearing anything when he was photographed. That's something done in brothels. They keep full body images in registers at the front desk and let clients leaf through them to take their pick. They probably cropped the picture to fit on the poster."

"Ah," is all Naruto says.

"There are lots of conspirers running around lately," Temari shrugs. "He must've been nabbed by a vigilante."

"Troublesome," Shikamaru sighs.

"Well, these aren't really criminals anyway," Temari says. "At least, they're not on a homicidal rampage."

"Fight the power and all that," Shikamrau chortles. "It never works. We're lucky to be on this side of the fight – the winning side."

"Yeah," Naruto mutters, frowning.

Temari and Shikamaru make a game out of it. "Look," Temari points to a photo of Suigetsu. "Lab rat, clearly. Look at his eyes. Mutant."

"And this guy, too," Shikamaru points to the man called Kisame. "He looks like a fucking zombie."

They continue to point and analyse. They laugh the entire time and Naruto excuses himself while they continue their back and forth. He shakes his head before walking away. He continues with his errands but he can't help but think about the part he's playing in this. What would his reward fee be if he was found to be harboring a wanted criminal? He's getting nauseous just thinking about it.

He wonders if his mystery superhuman is part of Akatsuki. If so, who is it?

||XxXx||

When he returns home, he puts fresh fruit and vegetables in the fridge. Sasuke immediately grabs a pear. He eats quickly and daintily, like he's worried about making a mess. When he's finished, he disposes of the core and Naruto decides to break the silence.

"I saw your wanted poster today," he mentions, nodding for the brunet to follow him into the living room.

"Oh," Sasuke says. "How did I look?"

"Sad," Naruto admits, taking a seat on the sofa. "Empty... young..."

Sasuke laughs flatly, joining him. "Naturally. I've been photographed once in my life, when I was fifteen. My clothes were forced off and I just would not stop crying. I stopped long enough for them to photograph me and then I fell apart all over again. I never used to be a crier... I kind of stopped after that point in my life, but I'm a mess again. Now I can't ever seem to stop."

"I'm sorry," Naruto apologizes quietly. "I made you cry the other night and... I'm really sorry."

"You aren't allowed to drink anymore," Sasuke says. "At least, not while I'm here. If you do, I swear I'll leave."

"I don't doubt that," Naruto murmurs. "It's my job to keep you safe and... honestly, I'm doing a shitty job. I'll try to do better."

Sasuke frowns. "I like you a lot... and that's why it hurts."

"I know," the blond whispers, holding out his palm. Sasuke takes it and stares down at the contrasting pale on tan flesh.

"I still want something to happen," Sasuke admits, "but I want it to happen naturally. I don't want it to be forced."

"Yeah," Naruto says. "I'm sorry I tried to force it."

"I know," Sasuke murmurs. "I should've pushed you away. You're nice when you're sober."

"No," Naruto disagrees. "To drink is a sober decision. I know what will happen and I still choose to. There's a popular stereotype that says doctors self-medicate to cope with the stress of work. I guess it applies to me, but the stress doesn't just come from work. I think it comes from most aspects of my life."

"Oh," Sasuke says, letting go of his hand. "I never thought about it like that."

Naruto smiles bitterly. "It's not an excuse, though. I'll try to change."

"You must like me, too," Sasuke says. "At least a little bit. If you didn't, then I don't think you'd try to change. You wouldn't care."

"I did used to love you," Naruto reminds him. "Maybe it never went away."

"Love..." Sasuke murmurs. "What does it feel like?"

"It's hard to explain," Naruto admits, leaning back. "It's like... suddenly it's not all about you anymore. There's another person. You want to protect them and keep them safe and care for them. You want the best for them. It can be selfish. It can be selfless. It can be... anything, really. It's a powerful motivator. It's something that might make a person strive for the better. It's something that might make a person strive to be better. It feels warm but it can be cold. I think, with love, comes virtually every negative and positive emotion. It's circumstantial. You just need to know how to deal with them. That's when you know it's real. You have to do it right."

"Wow," Sasuke states. "That sounds complicated."

"It is, I suppose," Naruto agrees. "Feelings are always complicated. Human beings are complicated creatures. I guess everyone's definition of love is different... but I feel like it's all encompassing."

"I think I love you," Sasuke says pressing a hand to his chest. "I mean... I feel a lot of those things. It's something I always wanted to feel I just wasn't sure how it would feel. I thought it would always be nice... but it's not."

"Sadly," Naruto smiles, looking a bit miserable.

"Can we take things really slow?" Sasuke asks. "I... I know we might not have all the time in the world, but I still don't want to rush things. I want to do it right for as long as we can."

Naruto softens, nodding. "Yeah... Yeah, we can go slow."