Empathy

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. Sorry that this one is so late. I got caught up with my other stories. Anyway, I hope that you all enjoy this chapter.

Chapter Notation: This takes place one month after the last one.

Chapter 11

Beautiful. Itachi honestly didn't know what was more beautiful. The Waterfall Village, Utakata's amber eyes, or that rather tempting looking bowl of cabbage soup!

"How are you feeling?" Utakata sets the soup on the table, before climbing onto the bed with Itachi.

Luckily, the table was right by the bed. So it didn't take long for the Six Tails to pull Itachi into his lap and get him his soup! Which was a damn good thing! He was ravenous!

Itachi smiles as he begins eating. "Hungry and better." It was true.

He felt his strength returning him just a bit more every day. Itachi may not be back at full strength yet, but he imagined that he was at least halfway, if not three quarters there. And that felt damn good really.

"I've never seen a man who likes cabbage as much as you before." Utakata laughs softly. "Then again, it seems that Sasuke is fond of tomatoes. So I suppose it must run in the family."

Itachi rolls his eyes. He honestly didn't see why people constantly were downing cabbage. It was a perfectly respectable food. Though that last part made him smirk.

"Is that what you told Naruto?" Itachi's eyes dance with mirth. "To try to seduce my brother with tomatoes?"

Utakata laughs and kisses his forehead. "Don't be ridiculous." He smiles smugly. "I was more through than that. I suggested tomato soup, tomato salad, regular tomatoes, pasta, and so forth. Variety is the spice of life."

The way that Utakata was suddenly looking at him suggestively spoke volumes though. The other ninja wasn't merely talking about variety in eating habits. It was a not so subtle innuendo.

"Well I do appreciate a thorough man." Itachi kisses him, after he finishes his soup. "I know that this hasn't been the easiest path for you and that there are certain things that I haven't been able to give you yet, but you've never abandoned me."

It wasn't that Itachi didn't want to be intimate with the handsome Nomadic Ninja. He did. Unfortunately, his body had just refused to cooperate up and till this point and it would likely still be a bad idea to fully indulge in the carnal arts just yet.

Utakata smiles as he caresses Itachi's cheek and returns the kiss. His eyes were both on him and on their room. They now had a charming house that they called their own.

The two of them were rather fortunate that the Water Village had let them move here. Well maybe, fortunate was the wrong word. Naruto could be very persuasive when he wanted to be and well, he had wanted them all to have a safe home and a chance to start over.

"What do you mean? The part where you tried to kidnap me so you could kill me by extracting my Tailed Beast?" Utakata chuckles. "Perhaps the part where you fancied yourself quite the martyr while I was falling in love with you." He pauses. "Or there was that whole incident with your brother trying to kill you and the execution of the Council Members. Honestly, I have no idea what you mean." He smirks. "Doesn't that sound like an easy path to you?"

Itachi couldn't help, but laugh. Utakata had been through so much for him and yet, the eldest Uchiha Brother could scarcely give him anything back. Thus far just words and some passionate kisses, but that was all.

"Well when you put it that way, I don't know what I was going on about either." He smiles mischievously. "Besides, God knows that we've had an easier time of it than my foolish little brother and his adorable little fox."

Those two were firmly in denial. Still, Itachi couldn't argue with the results. Naruto had saved their necks more than once and he had talked Shibuki into letting them stay.

Itachi knew that practicality and a sense of gratitude for help Team Seven had given the Waterfall Village so many years ago, had won out in the end. Despite that, he had been impressed at the blonde's resolve. Truly, it was something to be admired.

Utakata kisses his cheek. "Indeed. Those two are going to be dancing around each other for at least another week, I would say." A week was being extremely generous in Itachi's opinion though.

"I would say that they're being ridiculous, but I also denied my feelings for you for far too long." Itachi turns around and kisses him heatedly. "So I can't judge. I just hope for the love of God, you're right. My foolish little brother does need to get laid."

Utakata laughs. "I love you." He smiles and kisses Itachi. "You never fail to surprise me."

Meanwhile Sasuke was helping out in the fields. The Waterfall Village was very much self-sufficient. Even most the Hidden Villages, they were in a league of their own.

It had been a long time since he had actually worked in fields. His Clan used to have them in their District. So Sasuke wasn't completely unfamiliar with how to tend to them.

"Geez!" That wasn't the case for Naruto though. "How do you guys do this? This is worse than Taijutsu Training with Bushy Brows and Bushy Brows Sensei!" Obviously.

The idiot had absolutely no tact. Why that surprised him anymore, Sasuke didn't know. He supposed that Naruto was just Naruto at the end of the day.

"Yeah. This is crazy. I'm gonna go try to catch us some fish!" Suigetsu turns to head off, smiling at the farmers. "Don't worry, I'm sure that Sasuke, Naruto, and Jugo can handle it. We have to eat sometime, right?"

The farmers simply nod in agreement. Sasuke couldn't help, but wonder if they knew who was helping them with their fields. They certainly acted a bit wary of them, but they might just be wary of Taka and Naruto in general because it was obvious they weren't from around here.

He had never seen a village that was more insular than the Waterfall Village. Which was why it was the perfect place to start over. He had been surprised when Naruto suggested it.

"Where the Hell are we going to do now?" Suigetsu crossed his arms behind his head. "We obviously can't stay in the Leaf, but I don't really feel like going back to the Sound."

That was a good point. Unfortunately, Sasuke didn't have a real answer. He hadn't thought that far ahead.

In his defense, it was hard to conduct long-term planning when you were plotting an execution. A particularly vicious series of executions actually. He probably should have thought this out more, but it was too late to fret over such matters. Right now, they needed to plan.

"We can go to the Waterfall Village." Naruto grinned. "Team Seven helped them out a long time ago. They'd probably let us in."

Itachi paused as he considered that. "Well my foolish little brother, it seems your foolish little fox has a point." Sasuke twitched at that. "They are the most secretive of the Hidden Villages. We might be able to start over there."

That was true. Sasuke still hated being called foolish and little though! Honestly, he was a grown man now and he wasn't foolish!

"Sounds perfect!" Karin smiled.

Well it definitely did. Hell, even Suigetsu seemed happy about the choice and Jugo was Jugo. He was apparently going wherever Sasuke did and that was that.

"So it's agreed then?" Sasuke looked at all of the warily.

"Of course." Utakata and Itachi smiled in response as they nodded their heads in unison.

The whole, "We are one," couple thing was starting to make the younger Uchiha uneasy. It was a bit unsettling how they finished each other's sentences and their eyes rarely left each other.

"I'm in!" Karin ginned.

Suigetsu nodded. "Well I don't really have anywhere else to go." He smirked. "I just hope that they have some really cool swords!"

Sasuke did as well. That might keep the violet eyed ninja out of trouble. Then again, he knew that was unlikely. His teammates were if nothing else, very predictable. There were times when that was comforting and times when that was annoying. It just so happened this time, it was a mixture of both.

"I will go as well." Jugo smiled kindly. "As always, I will serve as your shield."

That was apparently the wrong thing to say in front of Naruto. The idiot looked like he was going to have a fit. Oh boy.

"And obviously, I'm going too!" He grinned at Jugo, but it almost looked like he was baring his teeth at the other man. "I don't think you need to worry about being Sasuke's shield too much! I've got that pretty well handled."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. He understood Jugo's fixation with being his shield to a degree, but the blonde should know better. He didn't need anyone to protect him.

"Whatever." He shook his head. "Lets just get going." And with that, everyone headed off towards the Waterfall Village.

"Naruto, stop whining." Sasuke rolled his eyes again. "You sound like such a baby."

Just like that, the blonde lunged at him and they were soon rolling on the ground together. Grappling for supremacy. Sasuke supposed some things would never change, no matter how old they got.

A short while later, Utakata smiles as he watches Itachi run his fingers through those silken locks of hair. It was his tell really. Some people fidgeted. Some stuttered. And well some people, played with their hair when they were nervous.

Itachi Uchiha was definitely nervous about something. He just wasn't sure what yet. Which was odd. It would seem that they had managed to solve all of the other man's problems. What did he have to be nervous about?

"Is something on your mind?" There had to be. Itachi wasn't one to fidget for no reason.

Itachi nods and leans over to caress his cheek. "There is a lot on my mind." Utakata couldn't help, but smile at the gentle touch.

It said so much. The words didn't even have to be spoken. The "I love you," just hung in the air. Like an unspoken promise.

"Well perhaps, I could help deal with whatever is troubling you." He always had before. (Whether Itachi liked it or not)!

Itachi smiles at him slyly and kisses him. "It's more like I could help you with what troubles you instead." Oh!

Warning Lime

Suddenly, Utakata liked where this was going very much! Well at least that was his last coherent though as he kisses Itachi back and the other man quickly tugs off his pants.

His boxers were no match for the fearsome ninja. They too were soon discarded in the corner. "Well I have to admit that I have been very troubled as of late." That was the truth.

He supposed that it was just unavoidable. He was a healthy man in his midt-twenties. It would have been more concerning, if he wasn't interested in intimacy!

"Yes, I know and you have largely endured that in silence." Itachi shakes his head in amusement as he grasps Utakata in his hand. "You've been rather patient and brave to endure so much suffering." He smiles slyly as he strokes him. "I should at least try to ease your tension."

Like he was going to say no to that! Finally! Finally, he was go further with Itachi than just kissing.

Oh he loved kissing Itachi. It was a beautiful experience. Like flying really, but he also knew that kissing was more of a stepping stone or a preview of things to come than anything else.

"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea." And he was very, very excited to explore other aspects of the carnal arts with Itachi.

Itachi smiles and kisses him again while he continues stroking him with his talented hands. They were slightly rough, but softer than most ninjas. They were also a decent size, wrapping around his cock like it was nothing and teasing him to the point of madness.

"Mmm." It was a beautiful madness though and Utakata bucks against that wonderful hand as he deepens the kiss.

Itachi was a master of seduction, really. Whether that was intention or just a natural part of his being, the Nomadic Ninja didn't know, but he wasn't going to argue.

All he needed to know was those beautiful crimson red eyes were looking at him with desire and a lightly sun kissed hand was playing with his cock like said hand owned it. And fuck, did that turn him on!

Itachi breaks the kiss, but not the other contact. "I love you and I want to be with you." His hands began to move faster and faster, Utakata's arousal could only throb in response. "But it would probably be wise to wait just a little while longer before we are fully with each other." His eyes sparkle with mischief. "Still, that doesn't mean that I can't relieve a bit of your stress."

"You're hands need to be reclassified as a World Wonder." Utakata pants as he bucks against those wickedly talented hands. "God that feels good."

Itachi smirks in response and grips him harder and faster. "Good. Just let yourself feel good. For once, I'd like to take care of you." And with those words, Utakata was a complete goner.

He came hard and fast. The Six Tails doubted that he had ever found his release that fast before. Nor had it ever been that intense. It felt as if he was actually flying as Itachi finally let go of him.

End of Lime

"You're amazing." Utakata kisses him heatedly and Itachi smiles as he returns the kiss.

He breaks it and his smile only grows. "And you, Utakata, are even more so." Yes, he was a goner. There was no going back now. He was definitely in love with Itachi Uchiha.

Back in the Leaf, Tsunade sighs as she reads a letter that she never wanted to read. The one that confirmed that it hadn't been a nightmare. Naruto had really left the Leaf and he wasn't coming back.

Dear Lady Tsunade,

I am writing to inform you that my village has recently accepted several transfers. This is usual for us, but we have several reasons why that is the case. A long time ago, Team Seven helped my village and I intend to return the favor.

Of course, that isn't the only reason. There are enormous financial and practical benefits. My village has never really had a bloodline before and now, it will have four. Karin's, the Uchihas', Suigetsu's, and Jugo's.

They are all exceptional ninja in their own right. I never expected to take Naruto, Sasuke, Itachi, Karin, Jugo, Suigetsu, and Utakata in, but I am sure that they will all make exceptional additions to our village.

I do hope that this will not cause tensions between the Waterfall Village and the Leaf, but I was told that all their ties to your village were severed. Still, I feel that it is something of a professional courtesy to inform you of this.

Warm Regards, Shibuki….Leader of the Village Hidden in the Waterfall.

It was really over then. Naruto had found another village. She had always feared that this day would come though.

Painfully obvious. That's what it was. It was painfully obvious that he was in love with Sasuke. Almost as obvious as the fact Sasuke wasn't the only Uchiha who had captured a Jinchuuriki's heart.

"The way that they looked at each other was like something out of one of Jiraiya's trashy novels." Tsunade sighs. "Itachi and Utakata."

She didn't know whether to be envious or somewhat disturbed by the fact Uchihas appeared to be magnets for Jinchuurikis. Madara had once controlled the Nine Tails. Gaara had targeted Sasuke at the Chunin Exams. Naruto was in love with Sasuke and now, the Six Tails was in love with Itachi. (A love that seemed very much to be returned, by the way).

"They should rename their Clan, Jinchuuriki Bait." She sighs as she pours herself a drink.

It was out of her hands now. Tsunade could only hope that they would find peace in the Waterfall Village. The type of peace that apparently, they were never going to find in the Leaf.

Otherwise, things wouldn't end well. She just knew it. The formerly humble Waterfall Village had just added a few powerful ninjas to its ranks.

It almost made Tsunade shudder to think what would happen, if that village was attacked. The Waterfall Village now had two Tailed Beasts, two Uchihas with fully active Sharingans, two Uzumakis, a gentle giant who could lose control at the drop of a hat, and a Prodigy in the Art of Murder.

"It's impressive in a way." Impressive, but frightening. "I suppose, only time will tell what the future holds."

Meanwhile in the Waterfall Village, Itachi and Utakata were engaging in some well deserved snuggling. In Itachi's mind, everything was as it should be for the moment.

The horrors of the past seemed so distant. It was strange. He had carried the weight of some of the Leaf's worst secrets on his shoulders for years and now he didn't. Not only that, but Sasuke had forgiven him. And then there was Utakata.

"I love you." Utakata smiles and Itachi nods.

"I love you too." He rests his head on Utakata's shoulder, but frowns as he realizes the other man was reaching into the drawer of their dresser.

What was his almost lover up to? Obviously, he was reaching for something. What he wanted though, well that was a mystery to Itachi for the moment. He suspected that he would find out shortly though.

Utakata smiles and places something small in Itachi's hand. "There are no actual laws against it." Itachi looks down to see what it was and gasps. "Two men marrying, I mean."

It was a beautiful wedding ring. A golden band with spirals designed to look either like waves or tree rings. There were also three large diamonds along it. One in the center and two about an inch apart from the largest diamond.

"You're p-proposing?" It was a new experience for Itachi.

He doubted that he had ever actually stuttered before, but he was definitely doing it now. Utakata had managed to surprise him. The eldest Uchiha Brother wasn't sure how that was the case, but it was.

Utakata nods. "I know that we haven't been together that long, but we've overcome more obstacles since we got together than most couples will in a lifetime." That was true.

Still, he couldn't believe it. Utakata was actually ready to walk down an aisle with him and say, "I do." Itachi had always thought himself above such sentimentality, but now that his amber eyed significant other was proposing to him…he knew the true. Itachi Uchiha wasn't above it after all.

"Yes." He smiles and kisses Utakata passionately. "I will marry you."

Utakata smiles and returns the kiss. Of course, Itachi was only human. There were certain jokes during a situation like this, that no one could resist. And in this case, Itachi was no exception.

"Good. I'm glad." Utakata shoots him an utterly brilliant smile.

A smile that made the Uchiha feel almost guilty for what he was about to do. Well almost. It was still far too good of an opportunity to pass up. Situations like this only arouse so many times in one's lifetime. It was important to take advantage of them when they did.

"I must be rather exceptional with my hands though." Itachi smirks. "For you to propose immediately after that!"

Utakata rolls his eyes and laughs. "Well that wasn't the only reason, but I have to admit that didn't hurt." He smiles and kisses Itachi's forehead. "I really do love you. The fact that you really know how to handle a kunai, well that's just a bonus."

Itachi laughs and smiles. Well that was nice to know. He just hoped that his recovery was a swift one. He would love to be able to show Utakata more of what he was capable of, but unfortunately he was a bit limited at the moment.

"And I don't want you to think that I'm a selfish lover." Why on Earth would Itachi think that? "I fully intend to return the favor and more." Oh right. Good!

Though his concern about appearing selfish was rather unfounded. If anything, Itachi had been the selfish one. Utakata had risked a lot to be with him and Itachi well he hadn't really been able to give him back much in return.

The only thing that he had really given him besides one release was a promise. A promise that they would be together. And judging by the ring that was now on his hand, his sexy Tailed Beast had accepted that promise.

"I would never think that." He smiles brushes Utakata's bangs out of his eyes. "I suppose we'll just throw two bouquets." A garter belt felt a bit more feminine than he was comfortable with. "One at my foolish little brother and one at his foolish little fox."

Uatkata laughs and nods. "That sounds like a fine idea to me." Of course, it did because it was brilliant.

"We'll have to make it look like an accident, of course." Itachi nods with mock seriousness.

The amber eyed ninja nods his head agreeably and smiles. "Of course. Well I think that we should be able to manage that." He smirks at his fiancé.

Itachi nods sagely. "Yes, I quite agree. Now we should get cleaned up and tell them the good news." He smirks and with that, the two ninjas proceeded to do precisely that. (After all, Itachi was eager to see the look on Sasuke's face when he found out that he was engaged. He was sure that would prove to be most amusing)!