What is... Love? Part Two

The Eyes

Chapter Five: The Eyes

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The following days had been tiring for the omega. While the morning sickness seemed to be giving him a break, now the fatigue was killing him tenfold. He felt his lessons probably weren't the best, since half the time was spent yawning or trying to fight his yawns. He hadn't told the students about being pregnant, not really finding a reason to. He preferred to keep it professional despite being friendly to them.

It also felt... safer to him and after the nightmares that had been plaguing his mind, the secrecy helped. Thankfully because he was so tired the students hadn't been asking so many questions during and after the classes. He had yet to really open up to Sasuke about the nightmares or the hazy memories that surrounded that time of his life. A part of him felt guilty but he kept telling himself that they would go away in time. There was no reason to worry the overprotective alpha more than needed.

The weather was getting chilly at night and despite the sun still being out, he pulled his jacket closer to himself, feeling a chill break through his body. He was so ready to get to Sasuke's parent's home and eat delicious food. Maybe after he could convince Sasuke to make him hot chocolate and give him a foot massage. He smiled to himself; it sounded perfect.

He passed by the coffee shop where he went to study with Lee, peeking to see if the man was there but shrugged when he wasn't. He continued down the street, running into a student that Naruto recognized from his class.

Naruto smiled at the student, "Hey! Are you getting some coffee?"

"I am but I actually wanted to ask you a question about the assignment. I didn't want to bother you in class," the student rubbed the back of his head, "I know you've been tired."

Another chill went down his spine and he pressed his sweater tighter around himself, "No no it's okay! What's going on?" Naruto stepped to the side, regretting not getting a hot chocolate from the shop, and let the student grab his book from his bag. He slipped into professor mode and got ready to answer all the questions.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Sasuke paced around his parent's living room, chewing on his thumb as glanced outside the windows. Naruto was supposed to meet them here for dinner. There was no way he had forgotten; he'd been enthusiastic to learn Mikoto's recipe. He kept looking at his watch and trying to call Naruto. His phone wouldn't connect, much less go to voicemail. He was already constantly worried about Naruto's safety and now with his mate carrying their baby; his nerves were frazzled. His mind kept supplying him with horrible scenarios and he fought to shut them down.

"Naruto is late. I haven't heard from him in a few hours and the call won't connect." His voice was laced with panic. Usually if his classes ran over or if he needed to make a stop, he would let Sasuke know. He knew that sometimes he tended to overreact to Naruto's safety, but Naruto was pregnant. He needed to make sure his mate and child were completely safe.

Mikoto tried to soothe Sasuke, telling him she was sure there was a logical explanation for it while Deidara and Itachi tried calling hospitals. They mainly did it to ease Sasuke's worries, knowing that Itachi would be doing the same if he was in his brother's position.

They kept the TV on, though muted, and Sasuke continued to occasionally glimpse at the news. There weren't any reports of accidents or road closures. They were all just news-related, and it only added to his aggravation. If there were no accidents or road closures, why was Naruto late?

"Sasuke – "

"No Itachi. Don't say shit because I know you would be exactly like me. Maybe even worse."

Deidara placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder, who nodded, "You're right."

A few minutes later, Shisui and Gaara came in from the front door. They'd been invited to the dinner as well, and while Gaara wasn't necessarily there to learn Mikoto's recipe, he'd been happy to join in. Shisui was about to burst into a greeting when Gaara dropped the red wine bottle he'd held in his hand. The sound startled the Uchihas, making them get up to help clean up, asking Gaara if he was okay.

Gaara stared at the TV with wide horror filled eyes for a few moments before he crouched down into a curled squat, scratching his eyes as he tried to make the images go away.

He let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Sasuke's hand shook as bile rose. He turned to TV, petrified of what he was about to see. Would it be Naruto's body? Was there an accident? A fire?

Breaking News: Rasa Sabaku has escaped prison.

Mikoto ran over, ready to take the redhead into her arms and comfort him when Shisui held her back tightly, "No! He's not – don't touch him! He's dissociating. He might accidentally attack you."

Fugaku took Mikoto into his arms instead as her shoulders shook and begged, "Please, someone tell me, what's going on!?"

Shisui answered for Gaara in a hoarse whisper, "He's free."

Fugaku asked, "Who is?"

Sasuke felt faint as his heart filled with dread, "No no no no no." He realized why Gaara looked like he was in a trance, shaking and rocking.

"Gaara and Naruto's kidnapper."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Author Note: As you can see - this is why it has taken me a while to write this chapter, as well as future ones. Things will get more angsty and darker, which means I have to be in a certain mindset/mood to write this.

There will be no rape, so please don't worry about that, as well as no losing the baby.

It might take me a while to update this story due to the angst coming, please be patient with me!