Gomen Nasai! (Bows deeply) I truly did not mean for you all to wait this long. My roommate dragged me around the weekend I was supposed to write and the following weekend was the Fourth of July, and the week after that my computer was in the shop. I truly do beg your forgiveness. On the bright side I watched like 60 episodes of Yu Yu Hakusho in like 4 days. It's an anime classic and considering it was made in 1991. The art is great and the English voice acting is also awesome for its time. You'll recognize Chuck Huber and Justin Cook if you watch a lot of anime. I personally think this chapter is a bit lacking, but I couldn't figure out what it was. Maybe you guys can figure it out. At the end of the chapter I do have a question for you so I hope you take time to answer it. Read and Enjoy!

Naruto felt his eyebrow tick in annoyance as he shoved another pair of pants into his bag. Sasuke had gladly extended his invitation again when Naruto asked. Gladly being a relative term since to everyone else it would seem like it was a hassle to the raven, but Naruto could see the concern behind his friend's dark eyes after the two assassination attempts. That wasn't what annoyed him though. What annoyed him was Kyuubi's persistent attempts to get Naruto to talk to him. He had been ignoring Kyuubi since the incident with Sasuke a few months ago. The thing was, it was hard to ignore something when it kind of resided in your head, or gut in Naruto's case. It should have been simple. Kurama didn't talk to Naruto that often after all, but recently the blonde hadn't been able to get him to shut up.

Are you still ignoring me? It's going on to four months.

See, Naruto could have yelled at Kyuubi, but the blonde had found out over the years that Kyuubi hated being ignored more than anything. It was funny how similar they were in some aspects. So Naruto attempted to keep the Nine Tails from distracting him, pushing him to the back corners of his mind and ignoring the comments coming from the old fox.

What do you want me to say? So I encouraged you to act on your instincts. It was just a small influence.

Naruto shoved his mask into his bag with more force than necessary. You made me hurt my best friend! He growled back.

He could see Kyuubi looking somewhat amused as he laid down and used his tails to wrap around himself. I've lived for a very long time, and I've seen humans rape, kill, and torture one another. What that boy was saying and how his body was reacting were not giving the same message. He wouldn't have forgiven you so easily no matter your excuses if he didn't want it. And the second time, he was practically drowning in denial in order not to enjoy it.

Naruto had stopped listening half way through as he felt nausea take a hold of him.

Y-You were . . . watching us?

I see everything you see kit. That should have been obvious by now. Have to admit it was like watching mediocre porn. It's obvious you both don't engage in these activities often.

Naruto increasingly turned a brighter and brighter red as he left his apartment, forced to hear Kyuubi's tips on sex. He supposed it made sense that Kyuubi had been forced to see many couples at it over his many years of imprisonment in his human host, and he just knew Kurama was deriving some sort of sick pleasure over Naruto's embarrassment.

After another 10 minutes of listening to the fox give him an interesting list of creative ways to have sex, he had come to a conclusion. He was never having sex ever again.

His scarlet complexion cause a few concerned looks to turn his way. He was positive the news of the explosion had gotten around town, and he was pretty sure everyone knew he was in it. They probably thought he was still ill and had run away from the hospital again. How could anyone blame him? Tsunade was scary as hell, especially when it came to him. He swore she had some sadistic tendencies when it came to her bedside manor towards him. He never knew getting his bandages changed could be so painful.

You're ignoring me again.

I do not want to hear the detailed version of 101 Sex Positions in my head.

The fox flicked of its tail in amusement before settling down. Fine, here's my updated explanation since "So what? He was begging for it" didn't seem to appease you. I've been without a partner for a millennia and feeling your desire for your "friend" instigated my own desire crossing over to you since we are usually in sync with one another.

The blonde blanched. You got off on us . . . ew . . .

Kurama snorted. Kami no. Like I would find humans engaging in sex appealing. Our emotions have been in sync for some time now since you let me out of my prison. Usually we both have mental barriers to keep emotions our own, but as you know. My anger can transfer and influence you as your emotions, like arousal, can instigate my own. So I accidentally influenced you to act on those emotions.

So it wasn't really my fault I jumped him.

The foxed chuckled. Unlike you, I am better with my barriers. I cut off the connection when you started molesting him. Apparently you had a lot of repressed emotions. Once you had a crack in your resolve, it broke.

You know you suck at cheering people up.

Who said anything about cheering you up?

Deciding enough was enough, he decided to forgive the damn fox. He really couldn't take anymore of his ranting and talking. It seemed the old kitsune missed him, and he knew Kurama would never admit that aloud.

Sensing the warm feeling of forgiveness wash over him, Kyuubi quieted down much to Naruto's relief. He could feel warmth coil in his stomach where the seal resided. He missed that feeling. The feeling of the Nine Tail's presence telling him they were once again on good terms.

It wasn't a moment too soon. He had just reached Sasuke's old home. It was a lot more worn than he remembered, but no one had lived there since the massacre, so it made sense he supposed. He knocked against the large wooden door and waited for someone to let him through the main gate. Unconsciously, his eyes roamed, seeking the guards he knew were close by. As promised, half the guards were called off on the condition that he lived inside the house. A fairly good trade off. One could learn a lot living more within the walls of the target than watching the outside. He spotted the guards, and he frowned. He was going to have to chew them out if he found them without going into sage mode. If he could see them, then Itachi must feel like they were in his face. It was no wonder the man felt very uncomfortable. It would be quite insulting.

To his surprise, it was the elder Uchiha who answered. His complexion was considerably better, his breathing no longer labored, and his voice was much stronger. The elder gave him a soft smile before stepping aside. "Naruto-kun, I am glad you decided to take up our offer."

Naruto couldn't help but wonder if Itachi knew about the attacks. It wasn't like the man could get out much between his injuries and an army of ANBU watching him. "It's nothing. I kind of understand why you asked." Itachi closed the gate behind him as soon as the blonde entered. "I see you are doing better."

"Considerably." The man agreed. "Allow me show you to your room." The older man showed him inside. Before Naruto disappeared into the house, he made a subtle gesture with his hand, alerting he guards that he could see them, and he wasn't happy about it.

Maybe it's not them. Maybe it's you've gotten stronger again.

Not that it mattered to Naruto. Despite people calling him easy going and lazy, he took his job seriously and expected everyone to do their best and improve. It was partially the reason why his casualty rate was so low. He pushed the people he worked with to do their best at all times.

"Your room is next to Sasuke's. My room is across the hall."

"Yeah um . . . is there a different room I can use? The teme and I will be at each other's necks if we're in the same space for too long." Plus he rather not think about the teme sleeping in the next room at night."

"I'm afraid the other rooms are in need of repair. It seems since my parents' death, Sasuke had not been living here and the property has taken quite a bit of damage. I plan to rectify the problem as soon as I am stronger."

"Well I suppose I can give you a helping hand." The blonde grinned at the man. "We can start tomorrow. Just tell me what to do."

The blonde was graced with another small smile. "I suppose we can arrange something. Would you like some tea?"

Scratching the back of his head and wondering if Sasuke would kill him if he let his brother to continue moving around so much, Naruto accepted the hospitality extended to him.

He was brought into a sitting room with a TV, a coffee table, and a sofa. It kind of looked out of place since it looked new compared to the rest of the house. Catching the blonde's curious look, Itachi explained that his parents were more traditional and didn't allow TVs or couches. They always sat on the floor in the seiza position even at meals. Naruto winced as he recalled having to sit like that when he was in trouble at the academy. He couldn't sit still for more than a minute before his legs started to fall asleep then cramp soon after. He never understood how others were able to sit for hours and get up without a problem.

"I didn't know. Sasuke always had a couch in his apartment. He would invite me over sometimes to watch horror movies with him."

Itachi's looked at the blonde with something resembling amusement. "Is that so?"

"Yeah." Naruto shrugged nonchalantly. "I convinced him he should get a TV. I didn't have space in my apartment, but all he has is space in his."

"I find that interesting since Sasuke hates TV, and he used to be afraid of horror movies."

Naruto laughed. "He still is. He tries so hard to hide it too. He gets all stiff and snappy during the movie, and you should see his face when I get up to turn off the lights. He gets this longing in his eyes, like he wants to argue to keep them on. Not that he'll ever admit it. He can't turn away a challenge."

"No, he can't." Itachi left Naruto in the sitting room as he went to make some tea. The blonde didn't wait to make himself comfortable and flopped himself down onto the couch. It felt like he was sitting on a cloud. He sighed contently. As he thought, Itachi was cool to hang around. He gave off that big brother feel even if he was quiet. He had gotten that feeling when Itachi had been resurrected during the war. Then, the man had a weight on his shoulders. He had been tired and worn from his many lies and quiet suffering. It was nice to meet this side of him. He always wanted siblings. Kiba and Gaara were the closest thing to that and one was annoying after long periods of time and the other didn't talk much which got boring if they weren't doing anything, and Sakura was a bit too violent to be like his older sister even if she kept him in line and Sai . . . well that was a long story. Sai was a bit on the weird side, but he was getting better with Sakura's help. He shook his head. That was a weird couple. But Sai in the end was a good gu-

Naruto's eyes widened in horror as he spotted a pile of those comic books sitting innocently on the side table. Multiple issues of it too. Sai was going to be a dead man.

"I hope I didn't keep you long Naruto-kun." Itachi came in with a tray with the tea and a few dango.

The blonde's head snapped up to look at Itachi, forcing a smile. "I didn't see you as someone who reads manga."

Itachi's gaze fell upon the stack. "I normally don't. An old friend and guard from outside gave them to me. Sasuke avoids talking about himself, and he must have realized it upset me a bit." The man shifted uncomfortably. Naruto had known Fugaku had not been very open and accepting of his sons showing weakness. The amount of alcohol it took for Sasuke to confide in Naruto about that was a scary night. "He gave me the books and said that they were the exaggerated truth of the past few years of my brother's life. I was skeptical at first, but I could see that the events were real even if they were not portrayed one hundred percent accurately. I find the tales amusing and clarifies a few things here and there about the state of the village."

Blue eyes lingered on the newest volume that had been released. "Have you read the newest volume?" He asked nervously.

Itachi was kind enough not to question his nervousness and calmly relied, "I have not. I am two volumes away from that one." Naruto relaxed some. He really didn't need a homicidal brother after him. He never wanted to fight Itachi again. Three times in his life time was good enough, and he never wanted to repeat the experience. He didn't dare try to take the book while Itachi was in the room. That was asking for him to get caught. No he'd wait until he went back into the kitchen.

Itachi and Naruto chatted for nearly an hour. The captain was nervous the elder Uchiha was going to ask touchy questions, but they never came. It seemed that Itachi had caught on to what he should and shouldn't ask. He felt bad. The man deserved to know the truth, but at the same time, he didn't want to dump that load onto his shoulders again.

Sasuke didn't return until the sun was setting. At which point Itachi was cooking dinner and Naruto was taking a nap on the couch. "What do you think you are doing dobe?"

When Naruto showed no signs of waking, Sasuke went over to wake him. He was a few steps away from swinging his fist to hit the dobe when he was stopped by the sound of his brother's voice. "Leave him alone Sasuke. He is still recovering from his injuries."

"He's slacking off again." The raven muttered, looking at the sleeping blonde with a scowl.

"He's a guest. Mother wouldn't approve of your manners."

"Don't bring her into this. He's a lazy dumbass, and you shouldn't be cooking. You should be resting."

Itachi gave him a patient look. "I rather feel useful than sitting in a bed all day. Naruto-kun informed me that you two watch horror movies together. I thought we could all watch one after dinner." Itachi had to admit he was quite amused by the color that drained from his little brother's face while he tried stay nonchalant about it at the same time.

"Whatever you want Nii-san."

Itachi went into the kitchen wondering what horror movie he wanted to watch when he heard a loud thump followed quickly by a yelp from the sitting room. His brother and Naruto's relationship was interesting indeed.

"Wow! I have to hand it to you Itachi, you are an amazing cook!" Naruto popped another piece omlet into his mouth and hummed in appreciation. "This tamagoyaki is the best! The egg is so fluffy, and the miso soup is so good and the rice is perfect! I never thought about making breakfast for dinner before!"

"That's because you don't think, usaronkontachi." Sasuke replied, smirking when Naruto glared at him in return.

"Can't I just compliment someone without you degrading me?" Naruto growled.

"Of course you can't, Captain. We wouldn't want you to think your opinion actually mattered."

"Why I oughta-" Nartuo was ready to jump over the table when Itachi broke the tension.

"Thank you for the compliment Naruto-kun. I helped my mother often with the chores, cooking being the one I most enjoyed."

"Maybe I should move in permanently. My mom did say I needed to eat better. If I ate like this every day, I could actually see that happening." The blonde was grinning ear to ear at Itachi and the raven couldn't help but be put in a sour mood because of it. Why was that idiot always smiling at everyone any way? There was nothing to smile about. It was just food. "I mean between you and Sasuke I'd have my own two professional chefs."

"I like how you excuse yourself from doing any chores." Naruto turned his blue eyes back to the younger raven.

"I never said I wouldn't do chores, just not the cooking. Besides, I already promised Itachi that I would help him fix up your house. If anything, you should be thanking me for the free labor. I could get this place cleaned up in a few days with my shadow clones helping you."

"That jutsu is the only thing that makes you useful."

"Say that to my face Teme!"

"I just did idiot."

Itachi stood up, causing both sets of eyes to look towards him and quiet their arguing. "Now that dinner is done, I propose we watch the movie I borrowed from Kakashi. He said it was a good movie."

"If it isn't some sort of porno," Sasuke muttered. Naruto nodded in agreement for once. After what Kakashi had pulled the past few months, nothing would surprise the pair anymore. It was almost expected at this point.

The elder Uchiha just lifted an eyebrow at the comment but did not reply to it, excusing himself to put the dishes away.

Naruto moved to help with the clean up but Sasuke beat him to it. He decided to let it go however. Soon, Sasuke would be subjected to a horror movie which would wipe the smirk off his face one way or another.

Moving to the sitting room, Naruto flopped down onto the sofa awaiting the other Uchihas to join him. For a mission, this wasn't too bad. He got to eat good food, socialize, and be with his crush and got paid for it. He really couldn't ask for a better assignment. It was unfortunate how it came to be that way though. Throughout dinner, the blonde tried to think of anyone who would want Sasuke dead in and out of the village. Anyone who came to mind didn't have the resources or the skill to pull off those attacks. He knew they had to be close. They knew of the first failed attempt within a few hours and was able to set up the second quickly. Chances were, the house was being watched by the perp. Somewhere. Like the ANBU watching the house for instance. It would be easy for an ANBU member to be able to keep an eye on Sasuke and set up the traps. It wasn't unusual for Sasuke to be under random surveillance. If they had been caught, it was a good excuse. The old crones who call themselves elders would issue something like that. The idea that one of his colleges was the assassin didn't sit well with Naruto unfortunately. He trusted them with his life, and they all knew how protective he was of Sasuke. If one of them was responsible . . . he would take care of them himself. His stomach churned, but he ignored the uncomfortable feeling. Whether it was ANBU or not, he would protect Sasuke. He would keep that promise no matter what.

Itachi came into the room first, disrupting the blonde's thoughts. He put the movie into the DVD player and took a seat in the recliner, leaving the spot next to Naruto the only one open for Sasuke to take. A piece of the captain's mind worried that Sasuke might not take it. The worry was unneeded though as Sasuke didn't hesitate to sit beside his rival though he did leave a bit more space between them than usual.

Everyone was quiet as Itachi started the movie. Naruto felt the raven tense beside him as the eerie music and opening credits started on the screen. The blonde smiled in amusement and satisfaction. The movie had barely started and already his raven was nervous. Deciding to add to his discomfort, Naruto got up to turn off the lights. He felt cold eyes on him as his hand brushed the light switch. "I'm turning off the lights," the blonde shinobi happily announced as Sasuke's eyes bore into him. The dark onyx eyes projecting murder with a small undertone of pleading at the aspect of being in the dark. With a grin, the lights were turned off.

Naruto had to say, it really was a good movie. He had to hand it to Kakashi. Even he felt kind of nervous half way through the movie as the ghosts violently killed another victim. He was vaguely aware Sasuke had moved closer to him during the movie, their arms brushing against one another. The action drew the blue eyes away from the screen for a moment. Sasuke was staring intently at the screen. Perhaps too intently as he was trying hard not to look away. The younger Uchiha didn't even notice he was pressing against Naruto unconsciously when something else jumped out to claim another victim. Smiling to himself, Naruto looked back at the movie, before Sasuke tried to claim he was chickening out.

That was when Naruto saw them. Naruto was afraid of two things. The firsts were ghosts. This fear had dwindled quite a bit compared to several years ago, so it wasn't much of an issue when it came to movies but still weary when going near shrines and graveyards. The other was cockroaches. They were disgusting, vile insects, that you couldn't get rid of cause there were always multiples of them. And on the screen there were hundreds and hundreds of them, eating a person from the inside out. He didn't think about it. He grabbed the closest hand to him and squeezed tightly trying to steal himself until it was over. He had missed the Uchiha's eyes on him as he closed his own eyes unable to take the gruesome sight. Why did it have to be cockroaches? He could take ants, locast, grasshoppers, demons, rats, and any other thing but cockroaches.

The younger Uchiha debated making a comment. For the first time it was Naruto being afraid of the movie instead of him being . . . anxious. He would never admit even to himself that he was afraid of these movies. Looking at the blonde had been a perfect excuse to take his eyes off the screen without being accused of being too scared to watch the entire movie. He never got to say the smart remark to the frightened blonde though. He felt the man tremor slightly through the death grip the younger man had on his hand. Is he really that afraid? The raven wondered. Suddenly, making fun of him would have been a real jackass thing to do. So he stayed quiet and let Naruto take comfort from the contact.

When the scene passed, Naruto seemed to continue being edgy until the end of the movie, not quite letting go of Sasuke's hand much to Sasuke's own discomfort because Naruto got to feel every slight jump or tense moment Sasuke had during the movie as a result.

Itachi was the first to move, apparently the only one unaffected by the movie. He turned off the TV with the remote, leaving the room in darkness. The room was deathly quiet and with the two ANBU's frazzled nerves became increasingly worse as the silence continued to stretch.

Just when neither shinobi could take any more of the silent darkness, something soft brushed the back of their necks. Sasuke instinctively reached for his kunai, rising from his spot, ready to lash out, while Naruto yelped and clung himself to Sasuke, catching the raven off guard and knocking the raven off balance.

The lights flickered on a second later revealing the two shinobi's interesting positions. Naruto was holding Sasuke's waist and burying his face into Sasuke's chest eyes squeezed shut and trembling, while Sasuke was underneath him with a kunai clutched in his hand, unable to do much about his position.

Itachi looked at them suppressed amusement. "Did something make you frightened?" He asked innocently. Sasuke gave his older brother a glare which the older Uchiha politely ignored. "I shall give you two some time to calm your nerves," he said in his usually soft, calm tone. Sasuke swore his brother was mocking them.

Sasuke bit his tongue before he could tell his brother to fuck off. His brother left without further comment.

Naruto made no moves to get off of Sasuke, his frame still trembling slightly. Sasuke was at a loss on what he should do. Awkwardly a pale hand moved to stroke the blonde's soft hair. "They're just bugs, dobe. Don't be such a wuss." Despite the harsh words, he said them as gently as he could. The words still ended up tight and kind of harsh, but they seemed to help as the blonde's tremors slowly dissipated.

The blonde's arms tightened around him. "I'm sorry," he said. Sasuke had to strain to hear the dobe. He had said it so softly. "Just . . . let me stay here a bit longer . . . I'll be okay after that."

So they stayed on the couch in that position, neither talking nor moving. The only sound was their soft breathing and the soft hum of the lights above them. After what felt like hours, the blonde moved, sitting up with his usual grin. "Sorry about that. You're right, their just bugs. Nothing to get worked up over." He pretended that it didn't really bother him, that he hadn't been close to tears over a small prank. Sasuke could have called bullshit on the whole thing easily if he wanted to. Again the raven said nothing, leaving his captain some dignity as the blonde murmured goodnight and hurried out of the room.

Sasuke stayed in the room staring at the ceiling. Questions ran through his mind, mostly about the blonde who had been attached to him for the past 15 minutes or so.

He had been terrified. He had never seen the blonde so scared before. He looked so vulnerable. That was something he never saw Naruto as. He might have thought of him as stupid, useless, and weak perhaps, but never vulnerable. It didn't sit well with him. The feeling to protect the man that had been wrapped around him had been strong. After all, they were friends. Friends protected one another.

Slowly, the raven sat up as well, looking at the spot Naruto had inhabited moment before. Between being raped and lied to, he shouldn't have these feelings. A part of him knew he should be angry still, should still be keeping his idiotic captain at arm's length. He shouldn't be satisfied that the blonde was nearby, so he could keep an eye on him and protect him from an unknown assassin. Why was he so forgiving lately? He had been all about getting revenge for most of his life. He should be doing something to hurt Naruto for what he had done!

Yet, he could still feel his warm body pressed up against him only moments before. Sasuke had a chance to attack him, but he hadn't. All he could think of was those scared bright blue eyes looking at him and seeking comfort from him. No one had sought comfort from him in years. Why would they want him to see them in a state of weakness? He was a traitor, and he never really been one to offer comfort in the past anyway. He was cold. He knew that. Trust the dobe to not care about that and forgetting to keep his distance.

A small sigh escaped the raven as he stood up. He forgot to ask how the usaronkontachi's date went. Not that he cared or anything, but he was a bit curious. Tomorrow was another day, and he could ask then.

Pushing all lingering thoughts aside, Sasuke got up, turned off the lights, and went to bed.

Okay so here is what's on my mind. I was thinking of pairing up Itachi with an OC because I actually don't like him with any Naruto character as none really compliments him. That and I don't see him as gay. I'm sorry all you ItaKisa, ItaNaru, ItaSaku lovers out there. Itachi is straight to me (and he doesn't even know Sakura so why that pairing). That and we wouldn't want the Uchiha line to end with Sasuke and Itachi do we? (No I don't do MPreg. Sorry to disappoint). If no OC, Itachi will just be single for the rest of the story. No big deal. And this OC will not make much of an appearance. Mostly mentioned in passing. I agree with most that OC's are a bit of a turn off for stories if they are in there for too long. Let me know what you think! PM or Review! You're decision will affect Itachi's fate in the story and I mean like life and death type fate so choose wisely for I won't tell you which is which. Remember, Reviews means faster updates!