Disclaimer: not mine
Warnings: male/male pairing, unbeta-ed version
Sasuke: 7
Naruto: 17
Itachi: 13
Minato: 25
Chapter 8
Naruto finally allowed his eyes to close, to break free of the hypnotizing stare they had been caught in.
Knowing that they would continue to question and prod him, maybe even send him to the Interrogation Squad if he didn't cooperate, he decided to voice his thoughts freely: "Why do you torment me so? I. Don't. Know. If it makes you feel better, this isn't the Konoha I lived in. My village is currently ruled by the Godaime Hokage, the snake bastard has been dead for years now and there are no Uchiha left on earth."
Keeping his eyes closed, Naruto whispered the next part: "For all I know this is some kind of dream, everything here is surreal enough to fit the bill. Maybe I am still caught in a coma."
"Then why don't you try to wake up? Why are you so compliant? Why aren't you afraid?" the older Uchiha's voice, though still gentle and low, demanded an answer.
Deep azure eyes opened to look into pools of grey, full of pain and longing.
"Because even if this all is a mirage created by my mind it is better than a reality where Sasuke is dead and buried."
The honesty and hidden agony in the teen's words hit Minato hard. The emotion in those eyes and that voice were too sharp, had cut too deeply into the heart to be faked.
Just what had happened to make a young man prefer madness to reality?
Minato frowned in thought. Even if he personally believed Naruto's story, he couldn't allow him free access to the village. On the other hand he didn't think a prolonged stay in the hospital room or a holding cell would be the right way to repay the teen for helping to save the village.
His eyes wandered to the bed again, where young Sasuke had turned to better hug the young man whose lap he was sitting on, burying his face in the blond's neck, trying to soothe his saviour's hurt the only way he knew how to.
It was an adorable sight and the obvious affection between the two provided him with the perfect solution to his problem.
"Itachi-kun." he said to get the boy's attention who was still staring intensely at Naruto.
"Hai, Hokage-sama?"
"Let's step outside and give them a moment to calm down." He knew Itachi was quick enough to catch the underlying message.
Together they left the room, staying close to the door.
"I have a proposal for you, Itachi-kun. It is obvious young Sasuke is very attached to Naruto and I don't think he would react well to being separated, especially after you tell him about the clan's execution.
I also think it would be poor payment to lock Naruto up in a holding cell after playing an important part in foiling the traitors plan. Still, he needs to be watched and be it only so I can tell the council off when they come to me harping about security and proper interrogation methods." he explained his thoughts to the young ANBU captain.
"What is it that you ask of me?" there was no detectable emotion in the black haired boy's voice, just the same lifeless monotone he used when talking to everyone but his brother…and the blond, blue eyed mystery.
"I want you to take him to stay with you and Sasuke. Of course I'll have additional ANBU watch your house, which he wouldn't be allowed to leave. You don't have to agree to this, Itachi-kun. I'd just prefer him staying with you than locking him up here under constant observation."
He watched several emotions flit over Itachi's face, too fast to discern.
Silence descended on them, only broken by the faint sound of childish giggles that floated through the closed door.
Then Itachi nodded a thoughtful look in his impenetrable eyes. "That would be acceptable, Hokage-sama. I am sure Sasuke will be delighted by the news."
Sasuke had indeed been delighted, chattering excitedly about how great their home was that there was a free room next to his and if Naruto couldn't sleep he was always welcome to stay in Sasuke's room.
Itachi had always known his little brother to be talkative with him, but this was the first time the usually shy and timid seven years old was so open to a stranger.
He didn't now if he should be glad or concerned about it.
If the blond stayed with them Itachi could continue his observations. He didn't know exactly why he felt the need to learn more about the older boy, just that he did.
Perhaps he was simply intrigued by the likeness he had to Minato-sama, a topic they had avoided so far. Itachi hadn't touched the topic because he felt it was Minato-sama's prerogative to do so. And with the boy tucked safely away in the Uchiha district for the next couple of weeks there was no danger of anyone else voicing questions.
When he felt the blond's look on him, Itachi commented off-handedly: "As soon as the doctors deem you healthy enough to leave, which will probably be tomorrow at the pace you are healing at, I will take Sasuke and you home. The house will be ready for habitation then, too. Sasuke is to keep you company till then."
Three quick strides brought him to his brother's side, kissing Sasuke's forehead caringly he whispered: "I will take my leave for now, duty is calling."
For once his little brother wasn't protesting his leave, but smiling up at him, calling: "See you tomorrow, Onii-san. Don't work too hard!"
O
I
O
Back in the Hokage's office Minato had just finished his report to the council. He frowned unhappily. There were some suspicious currents in the council, lately, which he didn't much care for. He would have to keep a closer eye on their dealings from now on.
Massaging his temples, he sighed tiredly. They had been incredibly lucky that the other hidden villages had yet to learn about the Uchiha's treason and subsequent death, so far. Their deaths had put a serious dent in their manpower, though not serious enough to incapacitate them.
His mind went back to a certain frail looking blond haired, blue eyed young man in a hospital bed. Minato had noticed their likeness at once, but had been hesitate to ask about it. The boy seemed to dislike him, more so than the openly confronting Uchiha, which was surprising, since most people would rather walk through fire than face the ANBU captain, much less defy him.
The effect they had had on each other had been as intriguing as it was mystifying.
Minato still remembered the dead eyes and voice of Itachi when they met for the first time face to face. It had taken only one look at the young ANBU for Minato to decide to intervene and take him under his wing. Itachi had been dangerously close to losing himself, his only bond to humanity being little Sasuke and even that bond had been straining against the weight of their father's expectations and machinations.
Even now Sasuke was Itachi's strongest bond, the only person the young ANBU captain was himself with.
There was only one ANBU he wanted to keep an eye on Naruto. Sending a messenger to fetch Kakashi, he leaned back in his chair.
TBC