OMG! That is the most amount of reviews I've EVER had for one chapter. I feel so proud XD 21 is such a big number! Thanks a bunch. I think this is my most liked story.
kai-luver-666 - I hope he does, too. I still have much work to do, but I've put off updating for a while now, ne? I hope this is lives up to the last chapter.
lazeee an demented - big smile You make me feel so wanted, it's…a really nice feeling. He'd just started his second trimester, so around 13-14 weeks. I figured that for the first trimester, he'd hardly grow. I've known someone having triplets and not start showing until half way through their second trimester. But, don't worry, in this chapter he shows so much more. I just wanted him to seem a little fat to Sasuke, you know. It'll be bought back up later, when they see each other again. I'll tell you a secret and say that I've got most of it planned, I'm just stuck with some of the wording and flowing issues - It came to me in a dream, lol.
silversnow10 - Heh. He is a bastard and, well, Itachi told him what love is, ne? So it was more Itachi's words he was thinking of rather than the actual person. You know I think I don't like Sasu 'cause I'm quite similar in the head, but wouldn't think of betraying someone so pure…hmm…
Chishio Ame - Thanks. The title means a lot to me in a story, but it originated from a line in one of my angsty, 'Emo' poems. I hate betrayal. Trust me when I say there'll be plenty more ItaNaru in here. For some reason I like it a lot, though we need to obliterate Naru's feelings for Sasu for that to really happen. Damn. I agree there aren't enough either.
cloudydayz - Lol. I apparently always make someone relatively bad into public enemy number one in most of my fics. I even get death threats of my friends if I don't kill them off. I really, really, really want Sasuke to suffer - so much so that his mind cracks with pressure and he's left wailing like a newborn baby…Did I just sound like Sasuke to Itachi?! Fuck! Well I'm glad you're enjoying the story, anyway.
Sugar Crazed Duckie - Yaya, yay. Right in the nuts! Hehe, I like misleading, but the belly, I understand, could be an issue. Apart from the fact that for the third trimester, Tsunade wants to force Naruto to stay indoors at Iruka's, no one should guess that a BOY should be pregnant, though right? Unless, of course you have the sniffy dogs, all-seeing-eye or wondrous creepies - in which case he keeps from the public. But of course…If everything went to plan…nothing interesting would happen, would it?…
RickaZcurser - Whoops. I'm making people hate the bastard. There will be a lot more ItaNaru interaction from here, and I really wish Sasuke would destroy himself - it would be so fun to watch. ¦ -j I won't tell you who Sasuke was with exactly first. For now it's concentrating on Naruto. Basically, when I next write Sakura or Sasuke in…things happen/are revealed, etc. With Itachi, I'd intended it to be the words he was concentrating on, but you caught me linking it to Itachi. ;-p Thanks for the cookies and for analysing the chapter. I love it when people do that.
Argent-Kitsune - Okay. I just wondered 'cause in the end it meant something to him - you know, the goodbye. And he lay with him with no arguments afterwards. Besides, to Sasuke it may not have seemed like rape 'cause Naruto willingly gave himself after he said he'd always come back. shrugs And that's when he proceeded.
madd envy freak - Yay, voodoo's so great. More stabbing, more stabbing! Hehe All Itachi needs to do is show up for Sasuke to become miserable and angry. But if Itachi killed Sasuke, there's no chance of him staying in Konoha, and that's gonna happen for a while.
ScarletOfTheBlue - Don't worry, they survived. Well, Sasu told Naru he's all he wants…maybe it's true…as a companion…as a lover…? But the fact is, that he cares more about his dead family and what leads from that. I assume that you are definitely a Sakura Basher, but I haven't made up my mind on how her character will react to any information or news she may find of the situation. I hate fan girls…Well, selfish fan girls. Routing for another couple can be fun.
kma3000 - Heh, you should see how others are taking it. It's kinda scary, but kinda fun. He didn't mention it (the kids business), just like Naruto's apparent, slight and noticeable weight gain, because he was there for his own selfish reasons. He did turn up after Sakura said she's having a girl. Maybe he was venting? Wanted a boy?
Michiyo Inoue - Kool. I know people say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but I love it. I like making people smile, like I have purpose, you know. And I know bout gay guys. Mine got Naruto in a character test. That's like, twice as bad with the enthusiasm and optimism. Not to mention I have a Sakura as a best friend. I'm used to getting Itachi, Gaara or, damn it, Sasuke.
The Third Kim - Um, okay! Not as soon as it should be, but I got loads of work to do before I finish. God, I hate college.
magikphoenix - Yay! Me no hated. And me favourited. Me likey. I'm glad I mislead, it's fun. I also like being unpredictable, conformists suck. Lol, thanks, ne. ;-p
xLonely Moonx - Wow, you're really enthusiastic. I'm glad I can write interesting sex scenes. I'm not a guy, but at least I know what happens and stuff. Helps to have a gay friend. Women can explain the taking but not the giving, ne? lol. I'm glad you likes the Uke thing, it just came to me at last minute and Sasuke is most definitely an evil bastard. You sound like an Itachi fan - and I agree, Itachi is 100 hot. There's more of him in this chapter…
SoSickOfNyQuil - I'll say thank you for the evilness and Sasuke does seem a little psychotic doesn't he? And yes, I do believe you are correct in your analysis. It always has and always will be Naruto he interacts and bonds with the most. Love or no love.
Akirakun17 - At this point Itachi wants him for Akatsuki, so that would seem a little pointless, though whether he continues to follow through with taking him is uncertain. Well, 'ANBU Root' members remain unknown and hidden from Konoha public and Shinobi alike until they are needed. It couldn't be that hard to hide one Shinobi - especially if there are only a handful of loyal people who know where he lives and trains, as well as keeping a certain raven-haired Shinobi purposefully in the dark and under surveillance (Kakashi). There are definitely more ItaNaru scenes ahead. Don't worry - it'll plan out.
Gothic Kacie - Aww, I'm such a meanie. Lol. At least it gave him the motivation to move and plan away from the Bastard.
Stalker-san - Lol. I like you're phrasing. And you're ides for that matter. Heh. That would be so funny to watch…and write.
PirateCaptainBo - Bo: I contemplated putting that in. The problem was my pen and hand didn't agree and wrote something totally different. I think you might be onto something here. Ski: He was in the early second trimester, about 13-14 weeks, last chapter. Yeah, that would be good, but if he was there and still let Sasu go through with it, he'd be just as bad, maybe even worse. I think there's a subconscious thing going on…;-j
Shiva-iceflame - Um, okay! I won't tell you what happens, 'cause that's like spoilers, but here's a chapter…
Wow…that took up a lot. A little time skip ahead…
NARUTO
Naruto was at just under four and a half months when he found him. Despite Tsunade's warnings and threats of castration when concerned with his wondering into the forests and trees around Konoha, he'd ended up there anyway. The guards weren't very experienced as he easily managed to climb the walls and sneak over. Initially, he was there because he found the knowledge of being unable to leave was confining. He blamed Kyuubi and animal instincts of cages; which was ironic when the Demon was in one.
Since he'd moved he'd been questioned, but the Hokage took the chance to hide him in an out of the way apartment and laced it with chakra concealers and barriers to deter, lets say, wanted missing nins from finding and or capturing said inhabitant of the apartment. It was small and cost a lot less to rent than his old one. Of course that may have something to do with the fact that it was not his name on the lease and the landlord lived elsewhere, never to see him. The number of people who knew his residence was three.
In his current location, Naruto couldn't have been more than a quarter of a mile from the west wall, seeing the bleeding and unconscious form among the foliage. Naruto approached with caution, but with a run, dropping down at his side. Whoever has caused such damage was strong and dangerous. They would have to be to take out someone with such scary strength - a true prodigy that could easily measure up to the Sannin.
Reaching up a hand, he gently shook a shoulder, rocking the still form. Immediately his wrist was grabbed in a strong pressure. Sharingan eyes flew open dangerously into blue orbs…and Naruto smiled. He should be disappointed that the threat to his existence was not dead, but he was, instead, relieved. He should be scared, should have taken the chance to kill the man that could be blamed for so much.
So, why did he take one arm across his shoulders and sneak him into the village - through deserted streets and back allies to his new apartment? And how come the atmosphere was dream-like and surreal? How did he stay so silent and calm inside when all ha wanted to do was bombard him with useless questions?
"Itachi-san!" He addressed, helping the weak figure to slide down the wall and rest against it as he sat on the floor. "What happened?" The response was silence, regardless of the opened eyes and warm skin with strongly pumping blood under the surface. "Oi, Uchiha!"
"Why am I here?" Was the monotone comeback.
Naruto flinched. "Well I couldn't take you to the Hokage, idiot."
Naruto moved to take off the Akatsuki robe, only to be stopped by the same hand as before. The firm grip was out of place with his injured body. "You're a fool Uzumaki."
Naruto yanked his arm away from the hold, watching into Sharingan eyes as they bore deeply into his. "No one will find you here. Only Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei and Tsunade-baba, and none will be here for another few days yet." He said, standing up and walking to another door.
"No, Naruto. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to bring home people who want to kill you?" His eyes never left the blonds retreating form.
Said blond turned around with a smile. "I don't have any parents, remember?" And disappeared.
The teen returned five minutes later, objects in hand to his third problem. It was funny, in a degrading way, that all his problems were rooted to the Uchihas. A betraying Uchiha lover, with his mass-murdering Uchiha brother and his rendered bastard Uchiha children. Those red eyes followed him as he walked to a cupboard and set the items down, before pulling the doors open.
Taking out a bedroll, he walked over to the couch any laid it beside it about a foot from the table opposite, effectively settling between the two pieces of furniture. Whether the man chose the couch or bedroll would be up to him. But the couch was slightly too small for him, so he knew it wouldn't suit an injured tall person at all. Two folded blankets came out next. He placed one at the head of the bedroll to serve as a pillow and one upon the couch. Once more retrieving material from the cupboard, he made his way to his guest, earlier ignored objects in hand, also.
"They're uh, from when Iruka-sensei comes over." He shyly stated, blushing, at Itachi's silent question, deduced from an amused eyebrow raise. Obviously he was embarrassed about the fact that he felt babied and could seem incapable, but fuck, he hated pregnancy. Damn emotion enhancing creation.
"Not my little brother, then?"
"We don't talk about him in this place. I moved because he wouldn't leave me the hell alone." He scowled.
"Isn't that what you wanted?" The eyebrow rose again, this time lacking amusement, however.
"Not when he's getting married in four days, no." He frowned in agitation and anger, moving fingers over the fasteners of the elder's Akatsuki clock.
"Ah, so little brother's dishonouring the very clan he's trying to rebuild."
"I didn't think you liked your clan?" Naruto asked as Itachi slid from the cloak.
"I don't but noble clans still have some moral boundaries. Adultery was one example of such." Eyes met and Naruto shrugged.
Going to the task of carefully peeling netting shirt from the blooded would in his chest, he mumbled. "Doesn't matter. I'm used to it."
His hand was once again grasped. "You shouldn't be. If that foolish little brother of mine was right about one thing, it was that you shouldn't put yourself below others. You have the power; you should kill them before their chance to hurt you again has even risen."
Naruto's eyes watered briefly and his voice became smaller and more resigned. "You're making me care for you Itachi. Stop it."
A silence passed over them as Naruto avoided Itachi's eyes, finishing the extraction of material from blood. He grasped a kunai and cut the remainder of the netting off. "I'll get you a new one before you leave." He mumbled.
"Akatsuki."
"Huh?" Naruto's eyes flew up.
"You asked what happened, correct?" He replied in an uncaring tone.
"H-Hai." Naruto picked up a washcloth from the water-filled bowl and dabbed at the wound while he talked. "So, was it a mission or something?"
"It seems I've become expendable."
"Why?" Naruto's anger showed through. "Your own comrades. Why would they do that?"
"It may have had something to do with leaving you here, when the two you and your comrades had killed were already replaced."
"Then why did you?"
"I believe you know the answer to that."
"It's a stupid reason. They're all stupid reasons." He grit his teeth. "I won't believe - I can't believe that everyone strong enough to make a difference will become so blinded and hateful. There is no way - no way - that something so simple and insignificant can make them kill."
"Naruto." Itachi firmly stated.
"No. If they're so powerful, how can they be so weak-minded? Seriously, how can they drop everything and everyone? Why do you need the power if you're only going to kill everyone?"
"When people are powerful they become tools. They are hated, feared and isolated. Such people become arrogant. Powerful people can only co-exist with other people just as strong."
"Then stop being isolated."
"Your meaning?"
"Stay here. See your bastard brother get married. Meet you nieces and nephews. Fall in love again and be fucking happy."
"It's not that simple."
"Heh. Like I don't know that. I've seen Neji and Hinata suffer in their clan. I'm not stupid. You hated them, I get it. But after you killed them you were free and you chose to continue hating."
"Hinata and Neji?"
"Hyuuga. Complicated. And stop changing the subject, moron."
Itachi smirked. He was not one for petty arguments. Let people think what they want. He'll just kill them if they piss him off. Just like Zetsuu who'd followed him to Konoha and confronted him with accusations and venom. He didn't know plants could be so hard to burn to ashes.
A light flush crept up Naruto's cheeks. "And stop smirking, too, damn it."
Silence lapsed as Naruto disinfected and wrapped Itachi's wounds with salve and bandages. Such were the perks of working on the same team as Hinata. He hadn't been to training for a while now though; not since his clothes were becoming tight and his paranoia of Sasuke nearby escalated. He briefly wondered how she would feel if she knew who it was being use on. He slowly shoved the material he collected earlier at his guest.
"Here the pants are Iruka's if you want to change. I would have given you Kakashi's but he doesn't stay here."
"How would your sensei feel if he knew that his enemy was wearing his clothes?"
Naruto shrugged. "They're only clothes. Besides, the tops mine. That is if the almighty prodigy Uchiha can get it over that iddy biddy flesh wound."
"Are you mocking me, Uzumaki?" An eyebrow rose.
Naruto appeared to be thinking, before blinking and replying sincerely: "Why yes Itachi, I do believe I am." He chuckled.
"Why are you helping me, Naruto-kun?"
"I…" There was many reasons he could say., but, why, truthfully? Sure he told him what others refused to. Sure he'd made a promise to go with him - he didn't break promises. And Sasuke…Sure it was Sasuke who wanted to kill him - and sure he still cared for Sasuke, even if he desperately didn't want to…But…"You're the only constant in my life, now, Itachi."
"That…is a stupid reason, Naruto-kun."
"Then we have something in common, eh?" He smiled softly, standing. "Do you need help to the bedroll."
"I think I can manage."
"Will you be here in the morning?"
"…"
"If it's people you're worried about, Iruka's on a camping trip with the academy and Kakashi's on a mission…Tsunade's too lazy too drag her ass over here and no one else knows I live here."
"I've just told you Akatsuki wants you sooner that rather than later and you're telling me I have the perfect opportunity to take you."
Naruto shrugged once again. "In that state? You're injured and my best time to fight is in the second trimester. My charka's adjusted and I'm not overly big yet. If you break our deal, so will I and while in Konoha's walls someone will hear. The disadvantage is to you but right now, you're not my enemy."
"You've been reading once again." He couldn't have learned such information from Tsunade, that he was certain. Naruto's attention span and her laziness were dissuaded such action.
"I don't go out much. After all, I'm bigger now."
"You don't want Sasuke to know, even though he wants to further the clan?"
"I don't want my kids to be a clan." Naruto near snarled. "I want them to be a family. Besides, Sakura's pregnant. Four months along. Heh, she even knew she was pregnant before I did. So, he gets his clan. Another similarity we have: We both hate your fucking clan."
Another smirk. "I didn't think you could hate."
"I've hated since before I can remember. I have an influencing demon inside me and a village full of people with those eyes, you can't really expect me to be all sunshine and roses inside. Just have to concentrate on the better things." He smiled wide. A usual smile. A false smile. "You can't dwell on the hate because it eats you up inside. Did you not know?"
"You…are a very unpredictable person." Itachi's eyes narrowed in thought, suspicion or another emotion, Naruto didn't care to know.
"Not really. Iruka's never surprised. Shocked, sometimes…but he always seems to accept it, like he knew it all along. Hmm…maybe he's psychic."
"How interesting…A grown ninja that still believes in the paranormal."
"Hey! I've seen ghosts. Just…oh just forget it. I'm going to bed."
"…"
"If you stay, that's fine. But if you eat my oranges, I'll kill you myself. Someone in here fucking loves that shit."
Itachi smirked and began pulling himself up stiffly. Not one to stand idly by, Naruto stepped forward to help him, only to find himself against the wall by his neck, yet not harshly. Itachi's lips descended on his, once again coaxing his tongue. This one, however, was more familiar and needy; almost passionate in nature. Naruto's hands twitched to hold him close, to keep him near, but he didn't.
It was longer than the last they shared and when they broke apart their breath was more shallow. Naruto's eyes snapped open to look at lips so close, before travelling to the open eyes of the Uchiha. Blue irises now captivated in the deep red and aristocratically beautiful eyes of Itachi, remained open for the second kiss they shared that night. It was soft and short, but a small smile and smirk morphed separately on the two males mouths as the touch of their lips ended.
Itachi's mouth travelled close to Naruto's ear. "Good night, Naruto-kun."
When he pulled away, Naruto found a ripped fishnet and white-finished dark purple leggings in his hands. The previous footwear and folded Akatsuki cloak was by his feet and near the cupboard. He looked to the retreating Uchiha and found Iruka's pants low on his hips, ending just about halfway down his shins, and the t-shirt being pulled gently over his head. There was only one thought running through his head:
When did that happen?
NARUTO
Um, so yeah…probably rushed, definitely not my best. College work plagues my mind.
October - (Late) SasuNaru begins.
November - (Early) Pregnant, (Around 10th) Party, (Late) Mission starts.
December - (Early) Mission ends, Sakura Pregnant, (Week later) SasuSaku marriage told, Naruto moves teams, (Late) Failed visits, Observe NejiHina, KakaNaru talk.
January - (Early) Kakashi makes a lie, NejiHina told to be false. (Mid) Sakura tries visiting. (Week later) last failed visit.
February - (Early) Questions of father stop, (Mid) Sakura's baby's sex, Sasu rapes Naru, Naru moves. (Late) Stops training.
March - (Mid) Finds Itachi.
In order of occurrences, tell me if I've missed anything and I'll add more as it's revealed.
