htotheizzo: (clears throat) Ahem, ahem. Listen up, everyone! I know I shouldn't be doing another story, let alone a serious one, but I have to! It's been accumulating in my head for so long! You'll love it, though.
Sasuke: Liar, you've been watching too much Sopranos. Don't bullshit us!
Naruto: (sighs) Sasukeee, be nice; she might change it so you marry Sakura!
Sasuke: NO SHE WON'T! She's a HXC SasuNaruSasu fangirl! ..I read her mind.
htotheizzo: Pft...(rolls eyes) Whatever.
.. Okay, so like. This story has:
Mobster violence.
Sex.
Drugs.
Possible rape.
Killing.
DEATH.
And all other cool stuff. ;D
Pairings: SasuNaruSasu, KisaIta, and KakaIru. That's as of now; kthxbai.
Disclaimer: No, I don't own it today.
The Family
Prologue: Once You're In, There's No Gettin' Out
Written by: htotheizzo
Late evening on a Saturday in mid-June, two figures stood huddled over by a wall on an intersection. The sky was littered with stars that shone down, casting shadows upon the the streets. There was complete peace, not a single noise could be heard for what seemed like miles; perfect silence.
"Which house is it?" the first voice whispered, his breathing erratc. His face was hidden in the dark, but the thing that shone out amidst the darkness was his vibrant blonde hair.
Another figure, completely immersed in the shadows, flicked his forehead to silence. "395 Venice Road. Tha' ignorant schmuck, disobeyin' 'Tachi like that. Dumbasses. God will punish them all.. " The figure sighed and stood up, waving his hand for the boy to follow.
They strolled up to the house and knocked on the large wooden door. Not even a minute later, a man opened it. He was about 5'7" with a bony, sickly face; his body was thin and pale, and he stood with a hand to his mouth. The man gave a loud cough and stared the two figures down. Upon noticing who they were, he swore and went to slam the door. The second figure put his foot in the door while the other pushed his way in. Finally succeeding to gain access, they rushed up the stairs and into the mans room.
"Stay the fuck away from me, you fuckers!" the man screamed, and with a start, dived toward the night stand.
The blonde jumped after him and tackled the man to the floor, effectively pinning him. The other man turned on the television and cranked up the volume. Both men turned to the one on the floor, faces cold as stone.
"W-what are you gonna do to me?"
The one pinning him down frowned deeply, "What the fuck, Hayate? Why the fuck did you have to rat us out like that!? WE FUCKIN' LOVED YOU! You were family! Yo---" He was cut off by the other man putting a hand on his left shoulder and squeezing it tightly. Said man was smiling sickly.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. It's a shame, you know. Ratting other's out is a sin, Hayate," by then the man pulled out his 44 Caliber and aimed it at the crying man's head. With a smile, he screamed out loud enough to be heard clearly over the television.
"BURN IN HELL, FUCKING RAT SUNUVABITCH!"
With a single shot through the head, it ended. Hayate's eyes went wide with fear, and blood spurted out of his mouth. He body started to convulse and jump, a sigle arm popping out and slapping the blonde across the face. The attacked scowled and was about to punch the dying man when the other, yet again, ceased his actions. Then, with one last jump, the man died; a pool of blood making it's way across the floor.
The blonde finally got off the man, and frowned when he looked down at his pants. "Hidannn, he pissed his pants!"
The man chuckled, "Ah, Naruto. That never gets old. You did great tonight, kid. When we get home, you can change; but for now, let's just get out of here."
Naruto rolled his eyes and trudged after Hidan, and as they left, the only sound in the neighborhood was the loud television spurting out scenes from Untouchables.
"...Somebody messes with me, I'm gonna mess with with him. Somebody steals from me, I'm gonna say you stole. Not talk to him for spitting on the sidewalk. Understand. Now, I have done nothing to harm these people but they are angered with me, so what do they do, doctor up some income tax, for which they have no case. To speak to me like me, no, to harass a peaceful man. I pray to god if I ever had a grievance I'd have a little more self respect. One more thing, you have an all out prize fight, you wait until the fight is over, one guy is left standing. And that's how you know who won."
Sasori sat on the docks, thinking everything over. It was cool out, a salty cool breezed drifted in from the ocean. His eyes were fixated on the horizon, completely lost on his unconscious. As he sat there in deep contemplation, he never noticed footsteps coming towards him until it was too late.
Yellow, snake-like eyes looked down upon him, smiling and teasing him. When the red head turned around, he glared evenly into the other's eyes.
"What the fuck? What the fuck are you doin' 'ere, Orochimaru? This isn't ya fuckin' neighbahhood. 'Tachi's gonna be pissed when he finds out."
The snake-like man cackled, "Oh, but Sasori; Itachi isn't going to be finding out anything any time soon." From behind him, a shorter man with large glasses emerged. He was wearing a smirk as he rolled up his sleeves.
In obvious annoyance, the red head went to his belt for his gun. But before he could get it out of the holster, Orochimaru grabbed his wrist.
"Nuh uh, uh. I don't think there's a need for that."
Orochimaru pulled out his magnum and struck the man in the back of the head. Having no time to dodge or react, the man fell unconscious; but not for long. The man with Orochimaru, Kabuto, poured some cold water on the man's head; waking him up. He was up with a start, and upon noticing he was pinned, started thrashing around.
"LET ME GO!"
"Eh, I don't think so. Kabuto, do the honors."
Kabuto smiled, and pulling out a scalpel, dived for the man's neck. Sasori's scream was cut short as the weapon slashed his treachea and jugular vein. For a few moments, the man lay there, gasping for air; but soon enough, with a gargle, his head hit the floor and he stopped moving completely. His now lifeless face was still staring at Kabuto, his once fearful eyes not blank and dead.
Orochimaru stood and wrapped an arm around the silver-haired man's waist. "Why don't wecall a cleanup crew, eh?"
Kabuto nodded numbly, his face devoid of all emotion. He dialed the necessary digits and quietly listening to the ring until he heard a voice on the other line.
"'Ello?" The voice was gruff and tired, the person was probably asleep.
"Go the the docks by the Southbay, there's a surprise for you."
"Uh wha--!"
The voice was cut off before he could ask any questions. With one last kick to the dead man's chest, Kabuto set off towards the car; where he set off back to the rendezvous point.
Sasuke was awaken by a violent shake. His dark eyes looked blearily at the offender, trying desperately to adjust to the dark. Said action was difficult, due to the fact that it was pitch black with the curtains pulled.
"Am I going to die?" His voice was sleepy as he slurred out the sentence; nope, not a morning person.
"Sasuke Uchiha, wake up." Sasuke instantly recognized the voice of his brother's, but new it was time to be serious; his voice was cold and icy.
The younger Uchiha slapped himself across the face, effectively waking himself up. He looked up to where he heard the voice last.
"'Sup, brother?"
"I just received a phone call, it seemed pretty shady. I'm going out now, make sure you stay safe." Sasuke felt goosebumps tickling their way up his body. Shady calls usually meant somebody had just gotten whacked; which meant bad news to the family.
Sasuke knew all about the whole 'family business'. Meaning, his family was part of this whole modern-day mafia that the media loved to fawn over. Hell, Sasuke knew his brother had to take over as the Boss; their father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Pretty ridiculous, seeing as he's only fourty-seven, but not impossible. Sasuke sighed.
"Want me to come with you?"
Amidst the situation at hand, heheard a tiny snort from his brother. Itachi didn't want Sasuke involved until he was at least 20-ish; that or Itachi died, then it was written in the man's will that the younger Uchiha inherits the 'family business'.
"No, just stay alert, okay?"
The ravenette rested his head against the bedframe, "Brother, I know this all already; just go, I'm pretty tired and if you havent noticed-- it's three a.m. I have to wake up in about two-and-a-half hours to get ready for school, thank you."
The elder flicked the younger's forehead, to which the other frowned.
"Whatever, lil' brother. Well then, I'll be off."
Sasuke felt the bed shake and a door open, emitting light throughout the room. He had to squint his eyes and look away, his body sluggish adjusting to the light.
"Damn, waking me up to tell me he's leaving is no problem; but shutting a door is too damn troublesome," he hissed and he stalked over and slammed the door.
With a sigh, he sunk down to the floor; arms wrapped around his knees as he curled into a ball. Sasuke didn't like to admit it, but those calls creeped him out more than any other thing. Every single one of Itachi's friends are like family to him; no wait, are family.
He just hoped to God that it wasn't a captain, or worse.
Itachi frowned as he bit his lip, biting back any kind of sob that wanted to escape as he stared down at his dead friend's body. Kisame stared down solemnly, his eyes disobeying his brain as he fought to look away.
"Fuck, man. Why Sasori?" Itachi's whisper went unanswered as he looked up at the sky, his crimson eyes swimming with anger.
Kisame placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. "He was a good man, but who's going to tell his family?"
Itachi sighed, finally calming down. Now that he thought about it, that was going to be tougher than expected. Deidara was also in the family, and the man would be devestated. Hell, he could turn completely nuts and rat them out!
"We'll tell him about it at today's meeting; then we'll have to recruit someone else into the family. Fuck."
Kisame looked at the yound Uchiha; the poor man was twenty-six and already had more burden brought upon him than most people get in their life. There was physical proof, also; two deep wrinkles starting from his tear ducts and going down the length of until about the end of his nose. He also sported many gray's. The shark-like man sigh and smirked.
"You need a vacation, ya know."
Itachi gave an empty laugh, "Damn straight."
With that, they called for a medical crew to come and pronounce; then they left toward the Uchiha residence. The car ride was extremely silent, a feeling of dread floating in the air. When they finally arrived, they noticed a certain younger boy flying through the door in a school uniform and toast hanging from his mouth.
The teenager ran up to him, his face laced with worry, "Well, who was it?"
Itachi jumped and braced himself for the soon-to-be crying boy. With a tone of grief, he announced, "Sasori."
The younger Uchiha's eye's went comically wide, and the two men would have laughed at the emotion the boy had if not the situation. The younger one squeezed the bridge of his nose and gulped; his throat starting to burn and constrict.
"At least I didn't know him as well as the other's," his voice was shaky, "How'd Deidara take it?"
Both men looked away, and Sasuke stared at them incredulously, "You haven't told him yet!.?"
"We will at dinner."
Sasuke scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Whatever; I'm out." And with that, the youngest Uchiha hopped into his Volkswagon Rabbit and drove to school.
When the sound of the boy's car was no longer audible, Kisame turned to the shorter man.
"I know who we should choose."
Naruto hummed a tune to himself as he poured some Cocoa Puffs. After they had whacked the 'evil, devil-like rat sunuvabitch', he had earned a large pay along with a Bible from that Hidan-freak. The man had handed to him, scolding that since he was seventeen he needed to repent many times. Naruto knew that he was too young to be doing this, but he had begged and whined until they finally caved and let him work with them. But since he was an Outsider (1), he didn't get to do much. So, getting to do an amazing job like this made his heart jump for joy; he loved money.
The shrill ring of a phone caused the bow to jump in the air, all the while coughing vehemently to get the cereal bits to dislodge themselves from his air hole. After finally succeeding to do so, he crawled over to his phone; picking it up and answering hoarsely.
"Hello, Naruto Uzumaki. Tonight, I hope for you to join me at dinner, around six. Non-formal attire," there was a pause, " Oh, and good job last night. Hidan told me all about it." The line went dead.
Naruto gulped and went to get ready for tonight. He knew that voice; it was none other than the voice of the head of the family, Itachi Uchiha. 'Is he going to kill me? Eat me? Jesus, what did I do?' His inner voice innerly bitch-slapped him. 'Yeah, I didn't do anything! Probably just wants to thank me personally!'
He smiled to himself as he laid out his clothes on the bureau. Glancing over at the alarm clock next to the bed, he noted that he could get a small nap in before he had to leave.
"Yeah... Nap is good." His head hit the pillow and he was out in an instant, snoring lightly.
When he woke up from a dreamless slumber, a half-opened lid glanced tiredly at the clock. The red numbers danced, each blink indicated the time: 4:59. When his brain finally registered that he was going to be late if he spent any more time in bed, Naruto was up with a start.
"OH MY GOD!"
He ran into the bathroom and practically jumped out of his clothes and he dived into the shower. After barely washing himself, he leapt out and ran into his room. He threw on a pair of jeans and a button-up shirt, non-formal yet respective. He threw on his shoes and glanced at the clock, 5:15.
"Heh, new record." He smiled and calmed his pace, grabbing his keys and checking his hair before strolling out the door.
Rubbing his eyes to rid himself of any sleep, he turned on the ignition and peeled out of the driveway; laughing as his neighbor screeched and threw a bucket at his beat-up Honda Civic. As his laughter subsided, he gazed calmly at the road before him, pondering what to do if the man actually did want to kill, eat, maim, or rape him.
'Heh, kick him in the nuts and run!'
His more civil voice frowned and interjected, 'He's not going to kill anyone. He's not a raving homicibal maniac, you know!'
Agreeing with the latter, he tuned out any thoughts that wanted to plauge his mind, driving silently until he reached the Uchiha residence. With a final glance at the clock-- 5:50 -- he walked up through the gated and up to the front door.
Before he knocked, he took a glance at the mansion that lay before him; comparing it to his shaddy apartment. This house was gigantic! Naruto estimated at least seven rooms in this house. There was a vine growing up one corner of the place, making it seem even more elegent. The door was made from solid oak, with a golden knob and knocker. He whistled, it was pretty fashionable.
Itachi opened the door and smiled down at the boy before him. Naruto looked up and smiled nervously.
"Don't worry, Naruto, I'm not going to kill you or anything." The man chuckled as the saw the boy psychically relax and breathe a sigh of relief.
Naruto smiled more confidently at the man now, who moved out of the way and let him in. When he was in, he turned to traditionally greet the man, a hug and a kiss on both cheeks. Itachi led him to the kitchen, where a group of men were sitting. Naruto mentally reminded himselfeach and every name of the people he knew.
'Kisame, Deidara (he looks devastated, better stay away), Hidan, Tobi, my good friend Shika, Gaara, and Itachi's twin. Heh, wonder who he is...' Naruto quickly pushed that thought to the back of his head as the men stood and greeted him, and when it was all settled, he took a seat inbetween Shikamaru Nara and the boy whose name he did not know.
Itachi, seemingly reading his mind, introduced the two. "Naruto, that boy next to you is Sasuke, my baby brother." He gestured to the ravenette next to him, who glared at his brother, "And Sasuke, that is Naruto." Naruto smiled at the ravenette who nodded and grunted before turning his gaze at the table. Naruto rolled his eyes and looked away.
A woman, who Naruto suspected was Itachi's and Sasuke's mother, came prancing out of the kitchen, with a tray of fish in one hand and a salad in the other.
"Dinner is served!" She giggled as he placed the tray's down on the table, "Today, I thought we go with the traditional: Spaghetti and Meatballs! How does the sound?"
There were grunts of acceptance and the woman beamed, walking back into the kitchen. When she emerged again, she carried a large bowl of spaghetti and a separate bowl of meatballs. Whistling, she walked over to each plate, dumping a pile of food on each one and asking if they wanted some meatballs or extra sauce along with it.
When she stopped at the blonde, she stared at him silently. She them beamed and bent over, "What's your name, cutie?"
Naruto blushed but smiled brightly to cover it up, "Naruto Uzumaki, ma'am."
She wrinkled her nose and ruffled his hair before placing spaghetti on his plate. He requested some meatballs, and she obliged before moving on.
Then dinner commenced; with short conversations about how people's day's went, or cheesy jokes that happened to turn out funny. When the meal ended, Itach suddenly turned to Naruto.
"Naruto, may we have a word downstairs?"
Naruto looked up from the table and nodded, silently slipping out of his chair and following the man down the stair into the basement.
Itachi threw and arm around Naruto's shoulder before speaking, "I have a question.."
"Ask away," the blonde smiled.
"Are you willing to risk your life for the sake of the Family?" Itachi's looked at the blonde, whose eyes went wide.
"Y-Yes sir!"
"Are you willing to put everything aside and put the Family first?"
"Yes." Naruto was thrilled, Itachi was going to let him join the Family!
"In the face of Feds, or a jury, are you willing to put the Family before your own personal needs?"
"Yes, sir!"
"If anything goes down, are you willing to confide in the Family and let them know what's going on?"
"Yes sir!"
"Are you completely sure? Because once you're in, there's no getting out."
Inner Naruto squealed, "One-hundred percent sure!"
Kisame walked in and motioned for the blonde to come towards him. Said boy darted up the stairwell and walked towards the man.
"Please, put you left hand on the Bible and stick your right hand in the air." Naruto silently obliged, and they led him down the stairs and into a dim-litted room.
Naruto's heart was racing; he couldn't believe this was happening to him!
"Now repeat after me," Itachi's voice was emotionless and professional. Naruto nodded.
"I, Naruto Uzumaki, solemnly swear..."
Naruto repeated the words, albeit faster and more emotional, "I, Naruto Uzumaki, solemnly swear..."
"...to serve and protect my family for as long as I shall live..."
"...to serve and protect my family for as long as I shall live..."
"...And, by abiding by this rule..."
"...Andbyabidingbythisrule...!"
"...I will put all my faith and trust into my family..."
"...I will put all my faith and trust intomyfamily..."
"...Thereso, I will never go against my family in any way, shape, or form..."
"...Thereso, I will never go against my family in any way, shape, or form..."
"...And if I do..."
Naruto swallowed, his body shaking with anticipation, "...And if I do..."
"...May I burn in the utmost depths of hell for betraying my family."
"...May I burn in the utmost depths of hell for betraying my family."
Itachi smiled and motioned to his hand, to which Naruto obliged. The man took out a knife and made a tiny incision on his wrist and the blonde's. Naruto jumped and looked fearful for a moment, but calmed down after Itachi pressed the bleeding wrists together.
"Now we are connected through blood. Welcome to the Family." He smiled and embraced the tiny blonde, ruffling the boy's hair.
Kisame did the same but maneuvered the boy in a headlock and proceeded to give the boy a noogie; ignoring the protests and shouts from the abused boy. They made their way up the stairs and were greeted by everyone else; who all hugged, kissed, and gave their blessings to the newest addition to the 'family'. Naruto instantly felt welcome.
If this was going to be his family from now on, then he was more than happy to be a part of it.
End Of Prologue
htoheizzo
htotheizzo: (passes out) THAT TOOK ME FOREVER! And the ending is shitty... But it's a prologue.
Sasuke: I hate it..
Naruto: (squeals in delight) I'M SO COOL!
htotheizzo: Haha Yes.. You are! (cheesy smile)
(1)- And Outsider is someone who works for a mob family but isn't in the 'family' itself, per se.
P.S.- (To all my Back Off Misfits fans: Nope, Haven't given up on the story; just having a bad case of writer's block... Le sigh!)
Now review my preciouses! ALL TYPES WELCOME!