Black Lace
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
AN: Alright, here is my next try at a Naruto and Itachi story. I just had this idea of the Victorian gentlemen falling for a lower class men who works in a fabric mill who's had a rough life on the streets in the slum of London where the gangs rule and the those who help others often don't survive. I hope you all enjoy and please let me know what you think!
The year is 1857 and Queen Victoria was still ruling over England. This Victorian era is said to be the second renaissance of England. It is a time of thriving arts and literary works. Things are changing all over england, and social class happens to be one of them. Though even though things seemed to be improving on one side of London things remained much the same on the other side.
The cobble stone streets are dirty and covered in grime. The stench that rose in the air causes everyones nose to crinkle as it repulses the senses. Factories in the area blow black smoke into the air and work the young and the old to the bone for long hours in harsh conditions. There is no childhood for the children that grow up in this life. They start work by the time they can perform the duties required.
Naruto has been working in a fabric mill sense he was 4 years old. He lives on the streets where ever he can find a warm spot that wasn't crowded with others like him who were more likely to slit his throat and steel what little money he has then offer to share the blanket they dug out of someones trash. He, unlike many of the other young teens that lived on the streets, tried to live an honest life. One without pick pocketing and without brawls over the good spots to sleep. He didn't make enough at the fabric mill to rent a place to live, it just paid enough to keep food in his stomach and clothes on his back. The rest he gave to the small children in the orphanage home he grew up in. They kick the kids out after they turn nine because that's when they can get a job anywhere and provide for themselves. There are more orphans on this side of London then anyone in the upper class would like to admit so the homes fill up quickly, which is another reason why the kids get kicked out so soon. Naruto had a pure heart and was willing to do anything to help those in need, even if it meant giving up the luxury of a safe place to sleep so that others could eat.
The sun had fallen below the sky line and darkness flooded the streets. The families were already locked away safe in their homes to avoid the gangs that were crawling the streets. One of the most well known gangs was a gang that went by the name of Suna. It was run by a young red head who had a taste for blood. He was cruel and heartless who had no value for the life of others, not even his remaining family, consisting of an older brother and sister. All the siblings had no care for the lives of others and each had their own sadistic ways of dealing with those who got in their way. It was said that the youngest and leader of the gang never slept because when he did a demon took over and was even more frightening then Gaara usually was. Gaara was one person you would prey to never meet on the street. The only person to ever survive a fight with him was none other then Naruto. They knocked each other unconscious after a long drawn out fight while Naruto was protecting a small kid who had bumped into Gaara on accident. Lucky for the kid and Naruto, Gaara wasn't the first to wake up. The next time they ran into each other Gaara offered Naruto a place in his gang along with protection from the other gangs and the police, but Naruto's reply was no to being a member of the gang. He did say that if Gaara was ever interested in being his friend, then Naruto would be willing to talk. A simple nod was the only answer he was given before Gaara turned and walked away.
Sunday's were the only day's that the factories were closed, giving Naruto one day off a week. There was one sport that took place on Sunday where the common people would come together and bet their hard earned money on the fighters in hopes of increasing their pay check or losing every last penny. They would bet on who they thought was the toughest fighter in the ring. Boxing was a mans sport and a chance to legally beat the crap out of someone. Naruto started boxing when he turned twelve to earn some extra money. He lost quite a few matches before he finally started figuring out how to box. By the time he turned 14 he was winning every match, and now at 17 he was holding his own against the men heading for the pros. He even had a couple of gentlemen paying him for lessons, though he always thought that the gentlemen never had a real talent for the sport. They never had the same fire or natural talent for fighting that the commoners had. Boxing was their form of rebelling from their prim and proper life style and their studies.
It was the first Sunday of spring, the cold winter chill still clung to the air. I woke up with frost on my coat this morning. The sun helped melt away the frost, but the air was still cold. I was able to get a warm roll from a near by bakery for breakfast before I made my way to the abandoned factory where I gave this one gentlemen boxing lessons. We met every Sunday morning and this guy was a real jerk. He had everything handed to him all his life and he just thought that he could pick up boxing like there was no real skill to it. He would have potential if he would actually listen to the advice that I gave him but he's to busy being all high and mighty. He thinks that just because I can't read or write like an educated gentlemen that I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to boxing.
"You finally made it. I was beginning to wonder if you had died in an alley somewhere," the dark haired gentlemen stated. He was wearing simple trousers and a plain shirt with a wool over coat which he was now taking off and setting aside so that we could begin our spar. He had clean cut black hair that came down to his chin. His black eyes stared at me dully as he waited for me to remove my coat. He was my age, but our lives had been so different.
We circled each other as I waited for him to make his first move. I didn't have to wait long as he came at me with fists flying. Blocking the punches didn't take a lot of effort on my part because there wasn't a much strength behind his blows compared to some of the guys I've fought before. If anything these spars I had with this guy was a nice warm up for the real fights later tonight.
After I finally got tired of his pathetic hits I delivered three of my own and knocked him flat on his ass. "Well I think that about does it for today," I told him as I wiped the sweat off my forehead.
"No, we are not done here yet. No until I beat you," he protested.
"We've been here for a couple of hours and I need to get some stuff done in the real world before I actually have to go to the matches tonight," I explained.
"I am coming too. I think it's time I actually put my skills to the test."
"I don't think that is such a good idea."
"What do you mean by that. I've been taking these stupid lessons with you for two months so how could I not be ready."
"Alright Sasuke if you say so. Good luck tonight," I said with a shake of my head and put my coat back on and left the building.
^With Sasuke^
After my boxing lesson with that illiterate idiot I headed back to the manor to bathe, the drying sweat was clinging to my skin. I would never admit it to that street urchin, but he knew how to fight. I don't know when I've ever landed a hit on him that he didn't let me.
It's so frustrating. If only it were as easy for me to pick up everything in life as it seems to be for my brother. He's already graduated from his schooling and is a lawyer, just like my parents wanted him to be. The only thing I've got an advantage in on my brother is women. I have several prospects for a bride and though there are many interested in my brother, he won't give them the time of day. He never dances with a woman more then once at social events and never says more to them then is polite. He'll have to marry someday, and that time is approaching. Our mother has started to get worried and has resorted to throwing extravagant parties at our manor in hopes that he'll find a nice young lady to settle down with. She is looking forward to grandchildren and from what I've seen I'll be the one to give them to her. My brother is terrible with kids, he makes them cry with only a look. It's actually quite sad.
I went in through the servants entrance, if my mother finds out about my boxing lessons then I'll be confined at the boarding school with no women around what's so ever, and that is the last thing I want.
After a nice long bath I headed for the drawing room where my mother usually is at this time of day, unfortunately the only occupant in the room was my elder brother Itachi. His raven hair was pulled back in a low pony tail. His dark piercing eyes were focused on the book held in his long bony fingers. Everything about him was just like his hands, long, elegant and strong. His aloof manner made him mysterious which was a trait that many women found intriguing.
Unlike my brother I was shorter and not as elegant. Many a young lady referred to me as harsh and cold. They along with my father found me to be the inferior of the two of us. I hate my brother for this. No matter what I do it's never good enough. I used to try so hard to impress my father and gain his respect, but nothing I did ever seemed to change his opinion; therefore, over time I simply decided to do things for myself and I must say I've been happier for it. This is probably why I took up boxing, it's something that I have all to myself, my brother is too proper to dare doing something like that.
"How was your lesson, oh wait I am not supposed to know about you boxing. I'm sorry, though if your not better at covering your tracks it won't be long before Father finds out," my brother said without even taking his eyes away from his book.
"What does it matter to you? Where is Mother?" I asked changing the subject as I made my way to the chair across from my brother as one of the servants brought in the tea tray and placed it on the side table.
"It matters not to me. As for Mother she has gone to Mrs. Haruno's town house to finalize the plans for the ball tomorrow night. We're both expected to go, so if you're planning to go to that boxing tournament you were talking to yourself about so loudly in the bath I would suggest only being a spectator to ensure you are presentable for the party. Mother would be disappointed if there was the slightest scratch on that pretty face of yours," he said with a sly smirk.
"Well if your so worried then why don't you accompany me to ensure that I don't do anything that would disappoint our dear Mother," I said smugly.
"Perhaps I will," he said snapping his book closed and laying it on the table next to him. He reached for his tea and took a sip looking me strait in the eyes while I just gapped at him. I did not think that he would take me seriously. "Do not give that look brother, I am not as unfamiliar with boxing as you may take me for. I may never have participated in the sport, but I have seen my fair share of matches. It may surprise you to know that I'm not the perfect son you take me for."
I simply shrugged. I didn't want to believe what he was saying, but my brother was not a liar. He kept secrets for sure, but he would never lie about anything. It is what I believed to be his one redeeming factor even if I didn't always like the things he said, especially when it was something about my person. "And pray tell where is Father at this time?"
"Knowing Father he's out trying to advance his position at court, trying to impress the king no doubt." Itachi set his tea down and picked up his book and went to return to his reading. "Let me know when you plan to leave. I wish to accompany you tonight. It's been far too long sense I last saw any good boxing. The gentlemen who box are far less interesting to watch then the common folk who actually have a talent for the sport as opposed to the frivolous men who simply have nothing better to do with their lives."
I stood to leave and nodded ignoring the veiled insult. Even if I didn't get to test my skills tonight at least I will be able to see how I would stack up against the common men based on how well my teacher does.
^ With Naruto^
The first round of fights have already started. The drawing was done nearly an hour ago and I had yet to fight. I could hardly believe the number of men who had come to box tonight. There were several more new faces this time compared to previous nights. Usually it's more in the summer when the newbies start to fight. I recognized some of the kids who were fighting for the first time tonight. They were from the orphanage. I'm sure they don't live there anymore, they were probably here to earn some extra money much like myself. Some of them were holding their own pretty well, others, not so much, but if they stick to it they'll learn.
A young man was dragged out of the ring unconscious while his competitor strutted around the area pumping his fist in the air as the crowd patted him on the back for a great match won. After this next fight I would be my turn. I was up against this tall slim guy with graying hair. Despite his age he was one of the best. He was fast and strong and had a lot of power behind his hits. I'd lucky never fought him before, he was one of the champs. He was out of retirement and back with a vengeance. The last match I saw him in he nearly killed his opponent. The young man didn't wake up for a week and when he did he couldn't remember half the things about his life. I really hope I'm as good as I think I am or this could very well be my last fight. I mean I've fought pretty good boxers in the past, but this guy was a legend. He'd worked his way to the top in the gentleman's league but was expelled for disobeying the rules so now he's back here.
The match was over and the two came out of the ring and the announcer took his place in the center of the ring and introduced us. He started yelling out some facts about the two of us trying to give the gamblers some idea on who would be the best to bet on. The audience became a blur of faces and noise to me. Nothing else existed except the cold green eyes that belonged to the man I was about to fight. Everything around me speed up and slowed down at the same time as the match began. The rules were you had to either bring your opponent to his knees three times of knock him unconscious.
He made a swing for my head which I dodged by ducking under and delivered a swift punch to his gut from below before I backed away and waited for his next attack. My weight was on the balls of my feet ready to move as my body needed to avoid getting hit and to my an advance of my own. I wasn't disappointed. A quick secession of strikes came my way aimed for different areas of my body. I was able to block the hits but unable to return any of my own. He had me on the run.
His fist came swinging at me out of no where and connected to my ribs. I could feel my breath leaving my lungs. This guy hit like nothing I've ever felt before. A few hits from this guy and I would be done for. I used my short stature to my advantage and ducked his next strike and was able to land a couple to his kidneys. A growl was ripped from my opponents throat as he turned to face me. I saw my chance and aimed for his jaw.
I may be small, but I didn't grow up on the streets and not learn anything. It was a strong enough hit to drop him on his back. That was one down for me, now if I can just do that again two more times then I might just survive this match.
He was up and in no time at all he was back to pummeling me. I was able to protect myself from the worst of it, however I had no illusions about the fact that I more then likely had at least three cracked ribs by this point. I needed to focus. After a few more hits I noticed he wasn't extending his right arm to it's fullest extension. He must have injured it at some point, but this I could use to my advantage. Three hits later and he was down for the second time. It took him longer to get back up this time but now that I knew his weakness it wouldn't be long for me to win this match now. I was able to finish the match with a strong punch to the mans jaw and I could feel his bones cracking under my fist.
Three matches later and I was able to collect my winnings. I made my way over to the doctor that was there every night and had him take a look at my ribs. I was right that a few were cracked. He told me that as long as I took it easy and didn't get into any trouble for the rest of the week that I should be fine. He was a nice guy, hell I remember the first time he patched me up. I had broken my hand on some guys face and a broken nose and he simply laughed and patched me up, telling me all kinds of stories of different guys he'd helped in the past. I gave him a few coins as payment before making my way to a table to get a bite to eat.
"He's your food sir, and might I say good fight lad. You keep getting better and better," said the owner of the establishment. He was a bigger guy who had a thing for smoking, I don't think I've ever seen him with out a cigarette in his mouth. It was the one thing he and his wife always fought about. She hated how it made him smell, but I don't think she minded as much as she said. The two of them were so in love that he could have smoked five cigarettes at a time and she still would love him. They loved each other despite their faults. They knew everything about each other and still they loved each other. I could only dream of ever finding someone like that for myself.
"Not a bad fight dobe." I could hear the snear in the speakers voice.
"Thanks, though I recall you mentioning that you were going to test your skills tonight, though I don't remember seeing you in the ring. Could it be that you finally realized that I'm right and you need to listen to me?" I asked before taking a sip of my ale.
"On the contrary I have an engagement tomorrow night that I need to be presentable for and I can't very well have my hands stained with other mens blood now can I," Sasuke said taking a seat across from me.
"Don't be so prideful little brother, had you fought your face would be black and blue by tomorrow morning and you would be locked in your room till you returned to your original condition," said a deep voice from behind me. I turned to see a tall slim man with long raven hair that was tied back at the base of his strong elegant neck. His black eyes were like the midnight sky and the lights in the room reflected in them like the stars in the sky. The small barely visible smile on his lips nearly took my breath away. "You fight very well for someone so young. I can see why my brother chose you as his teacher, though I'm sure because of his pride he doesn't listen to you. Tell me if my foolish brother had fought tonight would he have even had a chance?"
"Ah.. well it really depends on who he would have fought. I mean if he had fought some of the newbies he could have done very well, but there are a lot of experienced boxers here tonight, like that first guy I fought."
"Yes I believe I remember him, he was kicked out of any proper boxing tournaments due to foul play. I must say I've never seen him lose before. The fact that you were able to take him down speaks highly of your talent for this sport," The tall man said.
"Thank you very much. I don't believe I caught your name."
"Oh forgive me. My name is Itachi Uchiha, I'm Sasuke's older brother."
"Excuse me, but I'm still hear could the two of you quite talking as if I'm not hear," Sasuke cut in.
I ignored him in favor of introducing myself. "My name is Naruto it's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Uchiha."
"Itachi if you will. So Naruto do you have a last name?"
A nervous laugh left my lips as I scratched the back of my head. Sasuke had never bothered to ask much about me and that was one of the reasons why I taught him. Gentlemen didn't take an interest in people like me. I was usually out of their line of vision being no one of consequence and that was what I was comfortable with. How would someone like him react to the truth about me. I considered lying and making something up, but he look in his eyes kept me from considering the thought.
"No not really," I answered, "I'm an orphan. I never knew my parents. I've been on my own all my life."
"That must be tough, though you seem to have done pretty well for yourself," Itachi said taking the seat next to me. "So what do you do for a living exactly, I can't imagine that this brings in enough income to provide a solid life for you?"
"I work in the fabric mill not to far from here. It is hard work, but it is honest work and that is more then I could ever ask for," I said with a sigh and turned my attention back to my meal. It's the one good meal I get in a week and I'm not going to spoil it by letting it get cold while talking to a couple of gentlemen with a curiosity for a commoners life.
"You mean to say that unlike all the other's like yourself you choose not to steal from your betters even though it would be easier, or that you never joined a gang for some form of support in you life style?" Itachi asked looking at me with such intensity I felt as if I were under some kind of study.
"That is exactly what I'm saying. I was given an invitation to join a gang, hell it was one of the most feared gangs in this area, but I turned it down. I have to say though I have a feeling that he might still be looking out for me. Several other gangs have left me alone sense then and I have a feeling he might be the cause of it," I said more thinking out loud then actually answering the question. "As for stealing, there is no one I really wish to steal from because what I can get from the people around here is not worth a life time in jail. Besides no one really has anything I couldn't get for myself if I really wanted it. I could have a home, though not a nice one by your standards, if I wished, but there are those in more need of it then I am, which is why most of my extra savings is given to those who cannot get it for themselves."
"That is very interesting. I can honestly say that I've never met someone like you in my entire life. You are quite an extraordinary young man. I hope we will have a chance to talk more in the future, however the hour is late and my brother and I must be retuning home. We will leave you to your meal. It was a pleasure to meet you." Itachi reached out his hand which I took and I could feel sparks shooting through my skin at the contact. With a nod he stood and headed for the door, his shocked brother following closely behind shouting a quick farewell to me as he went.
I could only shake my head. Sasuke may be a self centered bastard, but his brother was something else. There was just something about him that simply couldn't be ignored.
^With Sasuke^
Throughout the entire conversation I couldn't help the shock from showing on my face. My brother the cold calculating lawyer had never, and I mean never, shown an interest in any living being before, but my idiot boxing teacher had managed to grab his utmost attention without doing anything. I was too shocked to feel anything else about the subject. All I could do was watch the two interact.
"Would you quit staring at me, it is very rude you know little brother," Itachi spoke as we made our way back to the manor.
"I must apologize, but may I ask what about my boxing instructor has done to have caught your attention so? You've never shown an interest in another person before, and I'm sure many of the ladies in our social circle would like to know so they might catch your attention as well."
Itachi actually stopped and looked at me. "I don't know what you are talking about. I simply was making conversation to learn about the person you've been taking lessons from. I must say you made a good choice, though I'm surprised that he even agreed to train you, he could be instructing someone with far more potential."
"Do not lie to me brother. What do you find so interesting about him. You do not fancy him do you brother? Could it be that my perfect older brother fancies Naruto?"
"You know very well that would be illegal," he said and started walking again. That was the last word he spoke to me at all that night. I couldn't help but wonder though, could I have been right? Does he fancy Naruto?
AN: Alright, please read and review. Let me know what you all think. Also a quick challenge far all artists out there, I would like to see some of your art work done based on my story or any of my other stories. Just post a link in your review so that everyone can check it out. Thanks for reading and please review!
