Title: Acid Town

Pairing: Sasuke x Naruto

Summary: And in the end all they had was each other and the bitter taste of acid on their tongue.

Warnings: Yaoi (m/m), Drug use/dealers, gang activity, blood/gore (somewhat). Might be some other stuff too... not sure yet :P

Disclaimer: Haven does not own any of the characters from Naruto, or the later themes derived from Acid Town (manga).

This story was a request from a friend and is also my first fic, so please me generous :)

Prologue-A Memory

The metallic smell of blood was pungent in the thick air of the Uchiha mansion. The putrid smell of bowels filled the little Uchiha's nostrils, invading his senses, turning his stomach over and over. Something was wrong, so very wrong.

"Aniki," he pleaded in a small scared voice, broken from the constrictions of his throat. He could feel the acid of his stomach burning is esophagus and heaved, not yet realizing he was on all fours until his knees squished in an unknown warm fluid. His eyes watered as the contents of his school lunch emptied onto the marble floor of the kitchen, mixing with something red and warm.

Itachi leaned down next to his younger brother, his hands shaking from anger, from worry. He shed himself of the suit jacket using the garment to wipe Sasuke's mouth.

"Close your eyes, otouto," he whispered soothingly as he gently dragged his fingers across the young Uchiha's eyelids. He slowly brought his little brother into a standing position, crouching down in front of the boy. Itachi guided blind hands onto his shoulders, helping the young Uchiha climb onto his back and settle himself. He wrapped his small legs around his brother waist, his arms winding around the other's neck.

"Keep them closed," his brother said quietly, turning his head to the side, unmoving until he felt a small nod against the nape of his neck.

His emotions calm as he trekked his way through the maze of death splattering the floors of the mansion. One cannot mess with the Kumicho and his family and still expect to live. Shuffling noises brought him to the foyer, obsidian eyes roaming the large expanse, settling on the figures atop the staircase.

Fugaku was kneeling over their mother's limp form, his face that of an expressionless mask. Itachi would have been furious if not for the emotions swirling in the older man's equally dark orb's as their eyes met. Fugaku squared his jaw, not wanting to show weakness in front of his sons, no doubt. The two men shared a silent message, Get Sasuke away, it seemed to say.

"Otouto," he whispered over his shoulder, nudging the young Uchiha softly, "Let's go the park."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left through the grand doors of the mansion, not letting his brother down until they made the short distance to the small playground they frequented. It was a happy place for his little brother, where he got the swing and play tag with his little elementary school friends, though at this time it was deserted of children and their melodious laughter.

Sasuke's worried face came into view, his lips set in a frown, "What happened, Aniki?"

"...Nothing. Bad guys came and Fugaku dealt with it." His voice was harsher then he would have liked. Itachi knelt to one knee, making himself eye level with his little brother, his voice soothing as he assured Sasuke, "Everything is fine now."

Sasuke furrowed his brow, taking in the words, deciphering them with his small child mind. "Daddy made it better again?" he asked innocently, tilting his curious head.

Itachi working the muscles of his face, pulling his lis into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "Yes, he made it all better."

The little Uchiha's face lit up, his smile warming Itachi's heart. The innocence, a jewel so bright, so easily corrupted by the world they lived in. As he looked into the pure eyes of his precious brother, he worried what this world would do to such a child. Cringing he brought his younger brother into a tight uncharacteristic hug. He wouldn't let this happiness fade. Sasuke would never have to live in a world of darkness and lies, a world of death and shadows. Itachi wouldn't let anything, anyone, corrupt his brother with the horrors of the underground. He'd do anything.

Anything

-TBC-

So, what do you think? Let me know!