Chapter title this time around comes from a line in the song "We Are One". I don't know who sings it, but there is a YouTube video for the Uchiha brothers and it is one of my all-time favorites.
Chapter Nine
One Family Under the Sun
Another thrust and explosion of fiery pleasure that made him break out into a sweat, the heat stronger than that of the roaring fires and the lights that had been on him and the group, and his shorter hair sticking to his scalp. He felt unrestrained, making his own music that didn't come from the flute, nor was this solo - this was with a partner, a man who genuinely cared about him.
Who'd have thought last night would turn us both into this?
He rode his partner in his bed at the inn like there was no tomorrow. If anyone was watching from the shadows, they would see only his silhouette instead of the man beneath him, taking in the sculpted, lean muscles of his back and the flexing of his pale, toned buttocks which was grasped by the one who helped him guide his movements. He grunted and thrusted again, his flesh and muscles quivering under those hands. His heart hammered wildly against the inside of his breastbone. His inner muscles swallowed up the thick, pulsing length of flesh within his hot cavern, illuminating the outside of his pelvis.
Hotaka's eyes were closed as he moaned and threw his head back. His chest, well-built and hairless like his own, heaved and shone with perspiration and every breath he took at his lover's desperate pounds. "I-Itachi..." One of his hands left one of the Uchiha's cheeks and caressed a hip as well as the sensitive corner of the inside before tracing the outline and smooth surface of his pubic region. Itachi's jaw slackened as a moan of his own escaped his throat. His nipples became harder than little pebbles in no time at the outside of that beautiful place being grasped.
His pace increased to the point where he might shatter.
"Oh, gods...!" He was on top of the universe with this man connected to him below their bodies, nothing else mattering but the two of them. He wouldn't be surprised if the poor pack outside could hear everything that escaped their lips. But it wasn't like the mates themselves were not familiar with these rituals.
Speaking of which, what would happen now that he and Hotaka were...together? It had only been a night and day, and they didn't even begin to talk about the future, or if it would affect their group. True, there was a father and son, and two brothers - but a couple?
Relationships of the kind are often warned to never get into line of duty. But we are mature and reasonable...can we try to make it work?
Itachi's sweet-spot was struck then and there, making him throw his head and sweat-soaked hair back, forgetting for the moment it was no longer the length it used to be: long enough to reach the end of his back. Hotaka knew where to strike him with expertise, and he was just learning where to find it himself. Itachi was a fast-learner.
He whimpered when his quivering insides clenched as he felt his peak near. He couldn't climax like Hotaka or any other man, but last night when he gave his virginity to the older man, his core erupted with a throb and a sizzle that lingered post-coital. Fate had a cruel, sneaky hand to take this part of my masculinity away - but she blessed me with pleasure beyond my imagination. His chest muscles clenched painfully as he tightened around his partner, his abdominals doing the same when the hand caressing his pubic bone moved upwards to worship him there.
When he reached his end, his inner muscles were washed with seed. When this was over, he would fall asleep and wake up with the sticky feeling down his thighs like last night, only this time would be no blood involved.
And how wonderful was it to feel the seed of your lover filling you and then remnants leaking down your legs as visible proof of what transpired?
Itachi relaxed and removed himself from Hotaka, laying down on the man's chest and wrapping his arms around the upper body, his own being embraced, as well. He laughed with his lover over how tonight had gotten much better than last night, and not much time had passed at all. Nothing was planned; it all came naturally with the other's consent. Itachi closed his eyes and relished his lover's heartbeat as he slowly succumbed to slumber.
~o~
His otouto was standing under a tree outside the village, not many yards away. Sasuke's eyes were closed, at peace, as if meditating. He opened them upon sensing his brother's presence.
"I'm glad you could come."
"How could I not?" the elder replied with a smile. He had donned his bandage for guise once more, now carrying his staff. The day was drawing to an end in more than an hour. The delicate sky colors blanketed them with heavenly shades. "The brothers of the Uchiha deserve more time to talk today." And to get to the bottom of one such matter...
Sasuke shifted his position, switching one crossed leg over the other. He was standing against the tree, leaning back and tilting his head upwards, inhaling the air. "You really wish to know what is going on, starting tomorrow, nii-san."
Itachi remained where he was standing when he answered. "I know for a fact it is not because a great victory was won after my death," he stated. "It cannot be merely a coincidence that the first day happens to be my birthday...is it not, Sasuke?" He reached up to raise the bandage so the other Uchiha could see his eyes.
Sasuke's expression remained unchanged. "Your name has been cleared, brother."
A horrific silence arose between the siblings - before the elder broke out like the storm. He dropped his cane and stalked forward to stand before the calm younger.
"Sasuke, how could you do this?! How could you expose our tainted family name like this - and Naruto promised he would never reveal the Uchiha this way! By doing this, I have broken my vow to Shisui and everything I sacrificed for you and our village!"
"Itachi -" Sasuke gritted his teeth. "- our clan has lived in the shadows for too long. Naruto made the right choice in letting the truth out after so many years..."
~o~
Opening his eyes to dawn, Itachi allowed a small smile to show when he roused from the memory of his meeting with his brother, in the arms of his lover. The wolves remained sleeping outside. But despite the joy of knowing that in two more days, their group would perform once again, Itachi dwelled once more on what transpired between him and Sasuke...
...and the fact that the festival was brought to life in HIS honor.
He was proclaimed a true hero of Konoha - the hero who slaughtered his traitorous people, spared one he loved, to prevent civil war and chaos - yet he took the fall for the sake of protecting the late Lord Third, the treacherous Danzo and the counselors. Both Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were quietly asked to retire as soon as Shikamaru Nara discovered and brought this to the Hokage's - then Kakashi Hatake - attention.
A hidden sealed scroll, detailing the account of the Elders, once owned by Danzo himself...
Naruto promised he would never let the Uchiha clan's name be stained by its corrupt nature.
Shisui...I failed you. I betrayed my best friend and all we wanted.
For this, Itachi could not stop the tear and the agonizing sobs that made his body sore and numb. His trembling awoke his lover beneath him. His weeping became uncontrollable to the point Hotaka's arms tightened around his body and pulled him closer to his own.
"Itachi-kun, what is it?" Hotaka asked tenderly, placing a kiss on the side of his face, then frowned when he felt and tasted the tear that slid down his cheek from the corner of his eye. "Oh, don't weep. Does this have to do with what your brother told you?" He had to ask despite the fact he already knew. Itachi closed his eyes and turned his face further into the pillow beneath his head.
"I betrayed Shisui," he said in despair. "I broke my solemn vow to him; this never should have happened..."
He felt his partner's body shift so he hovered further over the younger man. His tone instantly became harsh despite what transpired last night. "A life of living a lie for the sake of others who never truly appreciated you, compared to a few who actually do?" he spat. "To lose everything you should have had during wartime, and afterwards having to be used as a pawn in others' plans? What the hell kind of life is that - and do not say it's the duty of a Shinobi!" He quickly lowered his voice, not wishing to ruin the mood. He sighed heavily. "I'm sorry. I don't want us to go through this again, Itachi."
"Nor do I," the Uchiha agreed, removing his face from the pillow with the need to breathe.
"Now, what happened? One of the Hokage's best found it within old ANBU records that belonged to one of those who exploited your love for your village. And did Naruto go back on his word that he made for you? No, but when this was revealed and the proof was discovered, it was done justly. But do you hear a vile word about the Uchiha being spoken?" He chuckled. "I did not hear one nasty thing about your brother and his family, and if there was something foul about the old clan, then they must have common sense to not say a word."
For a man with no experience I have, but all the wisdom of being alive for a long time...
"I still have broken my promise to Shisui."
A hand grasped his shoulder, gently forcing him to lay on his back and look up at him. Hotaka's face was firm as his voice. "You did keep that promise. If I believe in an afterlife and the fact he must have watched over you all this time, then he knew you better than I do. He won't hold you to a fault. In fact, he knows you have done your part. How many before me have told you that you've done enough, hmm?" With that, he leaned down and pressed his lips against Itachi's.
Warm pleasantry washed over Itachi, with a few lingering doubts remaining. He wanted so much to accept this, to go to Naruto and tell him that he no longer felt the need to owe him, that he thanked him for the trust he placed regarding Sasuke - and now...
"Please, Itachi, think about this: no more burdens to carry. This goes beyond the extension I had to carry in half my life, and my brother with his baggage now."
Itachi threw his arms around his lover and pulled him down for another kiss, followed by another round filled with the emotion that intensified the atmosphere. Another round of lovemaking before they joined the others for breakfast and then practice - and then he would quietly sneak away to see his brother again. He had so much to say to Sasuke, so much of his heart to spill and free more of himself from the invisible chains of the past...and then he would meet the rest of his family before he would lose his chance.
~o~
The last time he saw and spoke to his brother was only two days ago, and Hotaka took him that afternoon to see the Hokage merely to ask for Sasuke's whereabouts. Naruto politely told him that he would be at home with his wife, and then told him where the Uchiha family lived.
The air was a gentle breeze that whispered through his hair, in which he remembered Sasuke noting during their meeting under the tree, even allowed him to run his fingers through when they embraced.
"You cut your hair, aniki."
"To disguise myself, other than hiding my eyes."
And you carry my eyes now, Sasuke... He half-smiled to himself.
Hotaka stood beside him once more, and Shiranui on his other. "Are you absolutely sure you wish to do this?" his lover asked softly. "Suppose his wife fainted if she knew you were alive and saw your eyes..." Itachi only turned his head halfway and smiled the same way.
"I doubt she will," he replied sincerely, lowering his staff forward by an inch. "If Sasuke had to have married an irrational woman, then he's a fool that I used to call him." As soon as he finished talking, the door opened, and there stood his brother with a distant but happy smile because he'd arrived. He gave Hotaka a nod and then chuckled when he glanced down at the wolf, knowing he was his elder brother's friend. He knelt down then and there, the beast rumbling in his throat as he accepted a scratch behind the ears. While he did, Itachi took note of the halfway-removed stump of his brother's left arm, still mildly disturbed that he never bothered to have it healed properly. His wife was a med-nin, was she not? Surely she must look at it every now and then, thinking the same thing he must be...
And speaking of which, there she stood in her red dressing gown, looking at him and his partner with a curious eye before it broke out into a broad, sweet smile, and she walked over, stepping past her kneeling husband and extended her hand - and displayed an incredible ring of gold set with a round gemstone the color of the skies above. Her name was Sakura, which Itachi thought was befitting. He took her hand and placed a brief kiss out of respect, and Hotaka followed after praising her loveliness, making her blush and her husband look up with a joking roll of the eyes before standing to push his wife's hand back to her side.
"Mama? Papa? Who are they?"
Itachi felt his breath hitch at the sound of the voice behind them. There stood the child. Sarada was a comely little one with her father's hair and eyes, set within her mother's features, and she was in a cute little buttoned sweater over a proper schoolgirl's blouse and skirt. And she wore glasses, which made him frown and wonder if she'd awoken her Sharingan and had sudden trauma or something damaging to a child her age...
"Sarada, this is Hotaka. And this is your uncle...Itachi. My older brother."
She looked back and forth between the men with wide eyes, curious and suspicious in one - before her smile widely reached ear to ear. She walked up then and hugged Hotaka, making him laugh, despite the fact he was a stranger, and her mother heartily laughed and patted the back of her head. The girl then let him go and focused her attention on the other man - him, her uncle. She swallowed then, nervous as she never thought she'd meet another relative. "You're...Uncle Itachi?" she asked.
Something inside him cracked when he looked into those eyes, full of intelligence and promise. He wondered if she would be as strong as her parents one day as he wanted to believe. With a smile, Itachi knelt down on one knee. "Yes, Sara-chan, I'm your uncle. It's an honor to finally meet you." With that, he reached out and gently prodded her forehead with his index and middle finger. In response, she squealed and drew back, rubbing her forehead. Both her parents laughed and leaned on each other.
"Aw, Papa does that to me every now and then!" she protested with a cute pout on her face, like her father used to do when he was her age.
He adopted the forehead poke from me...my otouto.
Itachi closed his eyes behind his bandages and was tempted to shed more tears. He reached out with both arms, and she came running into them. Sasuke and Sakura soon joined them, crouching down and sharing the joy of a family reunion.
The sun shone down on them all as the newfound Uchiha family came together with Hotaka and the wolf watching them in comfortable silence.
I didn't think I'd have Itachi be pardoned even in his death, but I'd read "Courtship" by Murasaki Hana, and over halfway through what is already there (the story is far from finished) - and one such surprising detail was a secret written scroll that the Elders had the truth on the Uchiha massacre, which Sakura had found out without their knowledge - and a disguised Itachi insists she NEVER tell the village, for obvious reasons. Given in my fic "The Beast's Flower", he was cleared and eventually became Sixth Hokage when he was willingly imprisoned and was going to be interrogated by Ibiki and the team, but then Konohamaru Sarutobi found his grandfather's journal - which sealed Itachi's fate. I'd struggled to do something different this time around, so what better than a sealed away scroll account thanks to Murasaki Hana? :) My boyfriend was much in agreement.
I'm in tears at how this story is turning. :') And even more thanks to those with support and feeling what I am. You won't be disappointed with more coming up. Reviews ALWAYS welcomed.
