Summary: He was a murderer, a criminal; he didn't have feelings. He didn't care who came in his way; he'd kill them too. He wasn't afraid of death; he welcomed it. He was the best. So, why then, was this pest bothering him? And why couldn't he kill him? Oh, that's right, because he was Kurama's innocent little brother.
Pairings: SasuNaru (Maybe ItaKyuu/Kurama)
Setting: AU, set in semi-modern times, that means I haven't decided if it will be set in the 21st century or some weird warped mesh of past and present, most likely the former.
Warnings: YAOI! Boy X Boy! Slash! Same sex pairings! Don't like, don't read. You have been warned. Rated M for violence, gore, blood, torture, and maybe lemons later on.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, this wonderful series belongs to Masashi Kishimoto-san.
Emerald: New story! Yay! *Dodges knives and other sharp objects* hehe, um, I'll update my other fics soon? *Readers glare* Um, bye! *Runs away from angry readers*.
"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Please, just let me go, I-I won't tell anyone! I swear," the bald man whimpered as a figure stalked forward, the silver blade of a knife glinting in his hand. The man looked around, his eyes wildly searching for a way out, but he was trapped. The alley he had turned in to had been a dead end.
A smooth voice reached his ears, "Tell anyone what?"
"N-nothing! There's n-nothing t-to tell!"
"I killed your traitorous friend, isn't that worth talking about?" A cold smirk appeared on the pale face.
"Did you really think He didn't know?"
The man shook even more as a pale hand dragged the silver blade down the man's sweaty cheek, a thin line of blood appearing where the blade had previously been.
"I-I d-didn't! I would n-neve-" A scream erupted from his mouth as the blade was stabbed in his right shoulder, crimson blood oozing out of the wound as tears slid down the man's cheeks and soft cries were emitted from his mouth. The pale hand, which was still holding the knife, slowly pulled the knife, dragging it down towards the wrist, splitting the man's arm open, showing the bone underneath the ripped muscles and letting blood spill out on to the ground below.
The man's scream reverberated throughout the alley. Yet no one came to investigate the sound, demonstrating that such sounds were commonplace in this neighborhood.
The man sobbed as the pain overloaded his mind and he dropped unconscious.
"Hn," the man grunted in distaste, another pale hand reached in to the pocket of his trench coat and pulled out a syringe filled with a clear liquid.
The bloody hand grabbed the sweaty, unmaimed, arm roughly, pulling the arm so the underside of the wrist was facing him, and inserted the needle into the pulsing vein. A few seconds passed and the man awoke with a pain filled gasp, his eyes lifting up to see a cruel smirk form on his tormentor's face.
"Now, now, it wouldn't be torture if you weren't awake, now would it?"
A shiver ran down the man's spine as the cold, emotionless voice reached his ears, and a whimper escaped his mouth as onyx eyes shown a blood red in the moonlight.
A blond smiled brightly as he roughly pushed his way in to the overcrowded office, once he was in – with much shoving and hair pulling – he stood up on top of a desk and took a deep breath, "ATTENTION! MISS HARUNO WILL NOT BE MAKING AN APPEARANCE TODAY!"
Insults and shouts from the crowd were directed at the blond, but he simply smiled brightly, and lowering his voice, spoke, "I'm very sorry that your precious time was used, I know that you are all very busy people and many of you have other places to be, but Miss Haruno has fallen sick and sends her deepest apologies, I hope we can reschedule to another time. Thank you for your time, and again, our deepest apologies," he smiled once more, his sapphire eyes genuinely sorry as he looked at the gathered crowd.
A woman stuttered as she gazed at the beautiful teenager on top of the desk, "I-it's o-okay. I guess we could reschedule." The man who took her breath away, was 5'8, with sparkling sapphire eyes, lightly tanned skin, and lightly ruffled blond hair. He was wearing a light blue button-up shirt that brought out his eyes over a pair of black slacks. On each cheek were three whisker-like marks.
Murmurs of agreement were given as they each looked at the apologetically smiling blond; they filed out of the room one by one, each of them saying hasty good-byes to the man, in front of them.
Once the room was empty, a frown replaced his smile as he jumped off the desk and headed to a door with a nameplate reading "Sakura Haruno" on it. He knocked three times then said through the door, "Sakura, they're gone."
The door immediately opened, revealing a beautiful girl with long pink hair and emerald eyes. She wore a short black halter dress, with silver bracelets around her wrists and matching silver heels.
"Oh, thank you so much Naruto! You're a miracle worker!" Sakura said as she threw her arms around the blond's neck.
Naruto's frown deepened as he withdrew her arms from around his neck, "Sakura, why do you keep putting the press off? You're wasting those people's time, they have other stuff to do besides wait on you," Naruto reprimanded the heiress.
Sakura frowned, not liking the blond's tone, but before she could say anything, another voice spoke up from behind, causing the two to turn, "He's right you know, but why do you keep putting it off? You know it's going to happen one way or another. Ever since your break up with Neji, the press has been dying to get a statement from you."
Sakura sniffed, "Well, if they're willing to die to get a statement, then they can surely wait for a couple more days."
"But, if you want to make them wait, why are you scheduling for them to come here and then having me lie to them like this?" Naruto asked as they both walked in to the lavish room, "Why not just set a date later on, when you're ready?"
Sakura sighed at her clueless friends, "It's strategy, the more it's put off by uncontrollable circumstances, the more the press will hunger for it."
Naruto felt like face-palming as he dropped in to a chair beside his fellow blonde, who actually did face-palm. She was wearing a short purple empire-waist dress, with matching heels, silver earrings and a mix of silver and purple bracelets. The blonde model turned away from the Haruno heiress to Naruto.
"So how are you doing, Naruto? Kurama still giving you trouble?"
Naruto smiled at her, "I'm great Ino, it's not so much as Kurama-nii, as it is Deidara, speaking off, I've got to get going."
Ino giggled, "What, did he blow up another bar?"
Sakura gave a light laugh at that; Deidara was notorious for his bombs.
The look Naruto gave her was all Ino needed, she gasped, "Seriously? Don't tell me…"
"He's in jail," Naruto deadpanned, "Kurama-nii's too busy to go and bail out his toy, so I have to do it."
Ino gave him a sympathetic glance, "Want me to come with?"
Sakura turned from her dresser, "Hey! What about me? I'm supposed to be sick remember?"
"Well, you could wrap a scarf around your head and come along?" Ino suggested, but Naruto shook his head, "Nah, it's alright, I'll just go by myself, I'll probably wait awhile anyways, serves the bastard right."
Ino grinned and wrapped her arm around his, pulling him closer, "What about spending some time with me?"
Naruto laughed, "I would, but Shika would have my head!"
Ino giggled, she shook her head and let go as the blond got up to leave, the two girls waved good-bye and watched the door close.
"I swear, if I didn't have Shika, I'd so go for that man," Ino swore, eyeing the door.
Sakura laughed, "He's okay."
Ino looked at her best friend incredulously, "Okay? Okay? He's smoking hot with a great personality to boot!"
Sakura shrugged, "I've always thought he was more towards the cute side. I've always preferred Kurama's looks, to be honest."
Ino just shook her head, it was no secret that Sakura was after Kurama, the man probably would've had a restraining order placed on her, but because she was a friend of Naruto's, he tolerated her. Ino had to admit though, the Uzumaki brothers were absolutely sinful, Kurama knowingly, and Naruto unknowingly.
"Hello, Naruto-kun," Genma greeted as the blond walked in to the police station. Naruto grinned as he gave a small wave to the officer, "Hey, Genma, Deidara here?"
Genma chuckled as he handed over a couple of papers, "Fill out these papers and I'll go get him for you."
Naruto nodded and sat down; taking out a pen, he started on the release forms. He was halfway through when a noise caught his attention. He looked up just in time to see an onyx-eyed man walk out from a cell. The man looked towards the desk, and, just for a moment, their eyes locked on each other, onyx meeting sapphire.
He was tall, 6'0, and definitely handsome, he had fair skin and black hair that was styled so that his bangs framed his face, and the back of his hair was spiky. He wore a navy blue tank top, in which Naruto could see his muscles; he wasn't extremely ripped, but enough so that you could tell he wasn't someone to mess with, and black cargo pants, which were tucked in to black combat boots.
The moment passed when a blue-haired man with a shark-like appearance, called the other man away, one word floated over to him, "Sasuke."
Naruto snapped out of it as Genma came back with a grinning Deidara. He turned and quickly finished the papers, then handed them over.
"Hey! Naruto, thanks un," Deidara said as he slung his arm around the other blond's shoulder. Deidara was an inch taller than Naruto, putting him at 5'9. He had his hair in a half ponytail and the rest was left free, one long bang hung over his face, so that it blocked his left eye. He wore a grey t-shirt over black slacks with black sneakers.
Naruto shrugged it off and glared at him, "You're not welcome! This is the fourth time this month! Don't you have any self-control? I swear, if Kurama-nii didn't like you, I wouldn't even be here!"
Deidara just smiled, not in the least bit sorry, "Gomen ne Naruto-kun, won't you forgive me, un?"
Naruto rolled his eyes and walked out, shouting over his shoulder, "I got you out, but you can find your own way home!"
Deidara stood there gapping, "What! B-but that's at least 20 minutes away by car, un!"
Naruto gave a flippant hand wave before the doors closed behind him.
Genma laughed at the look on Deidara's face as he was blown off.
Deidara looked at the man, an idea suddenly coming to him, "Ano-"
"No," Genma said, immediately knowing what the blond was going to say.
"Let me at least use your phone, un!"
Genma sighed and pushed his desk phone towards the blond, "Here."
"Thanks, un!" Deidara grabbed the phone and dialed the number to his boyfriend's workplace, he knew he wasn't supposed to, but this was an emergency, he couldn't walk that far, un! The person on the other line picked up after three rings.
"Hello, this is Uzumaki, Kurama's office, my name is Tsuyomi, with whom am I speaking?"
"It's Deidara, un! I need to speak with Kurama," Deidara said.
"One moment, please," Tsuyomi said, her voice a bit colder than usual, she pressed a button on her own phone, putting Deidara on hold, "Uzumaki-san, Deidara-san is on hold."
A smooth voice rang from the speaker, "Put him through."
"Hai, one moment," she pressed another button, "you can receive his call on line two."
"Thank you," the voice said, before it cut off.
"Deidara, what have I told you about calling my workplace?" A dangerously soft voice spoke. The man didn't like to be disturbed at his work, and his toys knew that. The man was tall, reaching 6'3, he had long red hair tied back in to a low ponytail, his eyes were a unique orange-red color, a black blazer hung on the back of his chair, he wore a deep red button up shirt over black dress pants. The top two buttons were undone, showing a toned chest.
Deidara gulped, "But it's an emergency, un!"
"Oh, are you dying?"
"No, un!"
"Then it's not an emergency. I sent Naruto to bail you out, so what's the problem?" His eyes narrowed at the idiotic blond.
"He left me here, un! I have no way to get home!"
He suppressed a chuckle at his little brother's actions.
"I see, so you called me instead of a cab, why?"
"Hehe," Deidara nervously laughed as he realized what he could've done instead.
"Don't call my work again, or there will be consequences."
Deidara blinked as the line was abruptly cut off and pouted.
"Should've just called a cab, huh?" Genma asked, amusement clear on his face.
Deidara growled, "Shut it, un!"
"Hello, this is Uzumaki, Kurama's office, my name is Tsuyomi, with whom am I speaking?"
"Hey, Yomi-chan! It's Naruto; can you put me through? Kurama-nii isn't picking up his cell."
"Oh! Naruto-kun! I'm sorry, but Uzumaki-san is in a meeting, he said not to disturb him no matter what," Tsuyomi said apologetically, "Can I take a message?"
Naruto sighed, "Yeah, just tell him that I bailed his latest toy out of jail."
"Oh, he already knows," Tsuyomi said, "Deidara called a few minutes ago."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Deidara called Aniki at his workplace?"
"Mhm," Tsuyomi confirmed.
Naruto chuckled, "Oh, I guess we'll be getting rid of him soon then. Tell Aniki, I called."
"Will do. Bye Naruto-kun."
"Arigato, Yomi-chan!"
Kurama surveyed the man in front of him, "Did you find it?"
"Hai, there is a doctor in New York that is very good, they even have the latest technology to work with."
Kurama nodded and he handed over a file, "Deidara, bomb expert, he should be very useful for your business."
The black haired man smirked and took the file, handing over his own. The man was 6'1, he had long black hair tied in to a low ponytail, onyx eyes, and a stress line running down each cheek. He wore a black suit with a dark blue button up and a black tie.
"Everything seems to be in order," Kurama said as he looked over the file.
"I assume he was your latest toy?" The man inquired with a smirk.
Kurama smirked back, "Jealous?"
The black haired man rolled his eyes and stood up, "Pleasure doing business with you, Kurama."
Kurama smirked and stood as well, "Likewise, Itachi-kun."
Itachi nodded and left, just then Tsuyomi popped her head in, "Uzumaki-san, Naruto-kun called."
Kurama raised a brow at his secretary.
"He wanted me to let you know he called," Tsuyomi semi-explained.
Kurama nodded and dismissed her with a lazy wave of his hand. He picked up his cell and dialed his brother's number. Naruto picked up on the second ring.
"Hello?"
"How's my favorite brother?" Kurama asked.
"I'm your only brother and pissed! I just wanted to let you know that your latest toy has been bailed out, but since he already called, there's no need."
"Why did you leave him at the station?"
"You said bail him out," Naruto scowled, "Not give him a ride home."
Kurama chuckled, "Touché. Are you angry at me?"
"Yes! You know I don't like Deidara!"
"He's not that bad, in any case, he reminds me a little of you," Kurama said, a smirk on his face as he heard the sound of disgust his brother made.
"I'm nothing like that pyro-freak!" Naruto ranted at his brother.
Kurama suppressed a chuckle as he tuned out his brother's ranting.
"Are you even listening to me?"
"Yes?"
"Anyways," Naruto said, his tone one of annoyance, "Can you come home early today?"
Kurama cocked his head, "Early?"
"I-I mean, it's okay if you ha-" Naruto blushed, but was cut off as Kurama's voice came on again.
"Of course, what time would you like me to be there?"
"Really? Okay! Can you get here by 6?"
"Alright, I'll be home at 6."
"Great! I'll see you later, bye Aniki!"
"Bye, Otouto."
Naruto grinned as he cut off the call. He made a quick u-turn to get to the grocery store. His Aniki didn't come home early that often and he wanted to make a surprise for him, it was after all Kurama's birthday.
"Tadaima!" Kurama called as he entered the dimly lit living room.
He frowned as he looked around the empty house, "Naruto?"
He spotted a flickering light in the kitchen and headed towards the room. Just as he walked through the doorway, he heard a delighted yell, "SURPRISE!"
Kurama looked around the kitchen, there were candles all over a birthday cake that was set in the middle of the dining table; all around the cake were dishes of food laid out beautifully.
"Naruto, did you do this?"
Naruto grinned and hugged him, "Happy Birthday Aniki!"
Kurama smiled softly and hugged him back, before placing a kiss on the blond hair, "Arigato, Otouto."
The moment ended as Naruto started pushing him out of the kitchen, "Now, go upstairs and change!"
Kurama laughed, "Okay, okay, I'm going!"
When Kurama came back down, he had on a white tank top and black sweat pants. He sat at the table and immediately reached for the cake, but his hands were slapped away as Naruto picked up the cake and put it on the kitchen counter.
Kurama pouted, "Oh, come on! I'm the birthday boy! I should be able to eat the cake first!"
Naruto rolled his eyes, "I don't think you classify as a boy anymore, you're old!"
Kurama gasped in mock horror as he loaded his plate with the blond's cooking, "I'll have you know, that I'm only 27! It's not my fault you're only 16 years old!"
Naruto growled, "I'm 19! Baka!"
Kurama snorted, "Could've fooled me!"
Naruto stuck out his tongue, when he saw Kurama eat a bite, he bit his lip and asked, "How is it?"
"Well, it's a little burnt," Kurama began teasing a little, but when he saw his brother pout, he laughed, "I'm kidding! It's amazing! You know I love your cooking!"
Naruto grinned, happy with the compliment. Kurama looked at all the dishes, "You've really outdone yourself, Naruto."
Naruto blushed and rubbed his head sheepishly, "Well, it's been awhile since we just sat down and ate dinner together, you know? Plus, it's your birthday, I wanted it to be special."
Kurama smiled a little guiltily, he had been working more and more lately, by the time he'd come home, Naruto would already be asleep, even if he did try to stay up for him.
"I'm sorry, I've just been really busy," Kurama said.
Naruto shook his head and smiled, "It's no big deal, Aniki, I understand."
"Naruto, look at me," Kurama ordered, when Naruto didn't, he reached over and lifted his chin, "Naruto, you're my little brother and I love you, I know I'm not always around, but believe me, I'm doing everything I can."
Naruto nodded, he hastily wiped the building tears from his eyes, he grinned, "I know. I love you, too, Aniki."
Kurama nodded, satisfied that Naruto understood, "Now, let's get this dinner over with so we can get to the cake!"
Naruto laughed at his brother's antics.
After dinner, Naruto sang Happy Birthday while Kurama cut his cake. They laughed and watched a funny movie for the rest of the evening; after the movie, Kurama picked up a sleeping Naruto from the couch and carried him upstairs to his room, where he tucked the blond in to his bed, before retiring to his own. Just before he left, he spotted a smile on Naruto's face.
"Sweet dreams, otouto."
Emerald: And, that's a wrap! So, tell me how it was, good, bad, so-so, anything works. I got this idea off of a movie I recently watched, so all credit goes to that. The idea started with the movie, but I've effectively warped it so that only one component matches with the movie itself. So, yeah, I can't say which component, because that would give away some of the plot, but I'll name it later on.
I wanted it to end on a sweet note, so that's why I decided to stop here. Next chapter will be more on Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto. Also, I don't know when Kurama's birthday is, so until a convenient point comes up in my story, you'll just have to deal without knowing the date, just know it happened.
Reviews/Favs/Alerts! All are appreciated! Love all of you readers!
