Puppy Love
Story # 0162:
by Kaline Reine

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or anything related to the anime, manga, or series. It belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, the creator.

WARNINGS: ItaSasu fic, Uchihacest, incest, YAOI, etc. It will be graphic, and there will be some very disturbing things in this one. (Adult stuff!) I hope you like it anyway, but if you don't, you were warned. …You're welcome for the warning. Why do people always insist on ignoring these things?

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Chapter 11:

Itachi knew he shouldn't have left Sasuke there. Especially not alone with Madara. That was just a bad idea, and it had been poor judgment on his part. Now he would have to comfort his brother, after everything he's just been through.

Sasuke was cuddled up to him, with his fast buried in the older Uchiha's chest. He needed to be petter and consoled right now. He'd just been through something horrible and traumatic. It reminded him of Orochimaru, his old master. He wanted nothing to do with the creepy older man. And Itachi was being kind to him so far. While he didn't entirely trust him, Itachi was all he had right now. And so he clung onto him, not wanting to let go.

He had let go of Sasuke earlier, long enough to put all the things he'd bought from the store away. He had food that would ruin, after all. But one that was done, he'd gone right back to him.

For a long time the two of them stayed like that. Each of them didn't want to let go of the other… Itachi would cuddle Sasuke, running his hands all over his back, over his shoulders, and through his hair. He caressed him gently, feeling the boy shift every so often, to nuzzle Itachi's neck, or bury his face even further into his chest or neck.

He wanted to show him the things he'd gotten for him, but he knew that now was not the time. It also was probably not a good time to continue teaching him things. Sasuke had been through enough.

"I'm so sorry I left you with him, Otouto," Itachi spoke softly, after about half an hour of wordless, quiet cuddling. "I'll never leave you with anyone again. I'm sorry."

Sasuke whined pitifully. Teary eyes looked up at Itachi. He may not have understood everything, but he understood regret. He knew now that his master hadn't left him with that man on purpose. At first he had just wanted to push everyone away, but… He needed Itachi. He had to have someone to make him feel better; he needed to feel that comfort.

He stayed silent, and the two of them just stayed there, huddled together on the sofa, in close bodily contact.

After a while, he heard the boy's stomach growling, and Itachi knew he needed to prepare dinner. They needed to rest, and Sasuke would probably just want to sleep. There was no way he would be in a good mood after what he'd just been made to do. He heard the boy whine as he got up from his seat, having to pry Sasuke off of him tenderly. He held his hand, and led him into the other room with him.

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That night, the two of them just wanted to sleep. For one, Itachi didn't try to push Sasuke away from him. He knew he just needed to keep petting and comforting the boy. But for once, Sasuke didn't try to seduce him either. He'd had enough of that for one day.

The next morning was a new day, and Itachi was glad he didn't have to go to work yet. He would need this day to get Sasuke ready to stay here on his own. He knew he could probably manage taking him with him to work for a short time, but eventually that would have to stop. And Sasuke would need to remain at home on his own. He was hoping he could find something to keep him entertained, or at last busy, throughout the day.

Sasuke observed his master take something out of a plastic bag. He didn't know what it was, but it was colorful.

"This is a book that I got for you," Itachi sat down on the couch again and patted his lap for Sasuke to come over. "Come on, I'll show you."

He went to his brother, and sat just where Itachi had indicated. He blushed at their position, but he knew this was time for learning, and nothing sexual. At least, not right now… He squirmed around, trying to get comfortable.

Itachi settled down, and proceeded to open the book across Sasuke's lap. "This is the alphabet. You know, ABC's?"

He just got a blank look from Sasuke.

"Okay…" The man took a deep breath and prepared for an even more difficult task than he'd originally thought. "This is an 'A'." He pointed to the picture on the first page. "Can you say 'A'?"

Sasuke tried it. "A…?" He looked confused.

He needed to work on his pronunciation a little, but otherwise he was fine. Throughout his lesson, he got annoyed with Itachi several times. Even once, he threw the book across the room angrily. But Itachi made him go get it, and then just continued from where they left off.

He let Sasuke keep that book, once they were done, before moving on the next one. The second book would teach him to count to ten.

There were all books that had been clearly designed for small children. But he felt it was probably best to start from the ground up with Sasuke. He had a pretty undeveloped mind, although he clearly had the potential to learn. He caught on rather quickly. Itachi knew he would pick up even more just from going through the daily routine and listening to everything.

There wasn't much to do, other than let him study on his own some. But he did notice the way that Sasuke seemed unusually jumpy today. The boy definitely wasn't craving sex. That seemed to be a good sign, but it also had Itachi worried.

His behavior had changed. He wasn't sure why Sasuke was acting different now. But he was really frightened, and refused to leave Itachi's side. He knew the change in behavior and paranoia were related to the incident with Madara. It was too bad he couldn't have Madara arrested. But Sasuke couldn't testify against anyone in court anyway, and even if he could, he was overage anyway. Madara could probably get away with saying that it was all consensual. True or not.

He dismissed his negative thoughts, and focused on ways to help Sasuke feel better. He didn't want to touch the boy too much, he seemed scared whenever Itachi would move near him or make any kind of sudden movements…

"You stay here," He told Sasuke, getting up from the couch. "I'm going to go get some paper. It might help you."

He sighed when the boy got up and followed him anyway. Itachi was flattered that Sasuke wanted to be by his side every minute, but… He should have seen that coming.

This was so irritating. He really was touched that the boy needed to be with him every minute, but… He'd expected him to push him away after what had happened. He really thought Sasuke would blame him for what Madara did. He was the one who left him alone, after all. That didn't seem to be case, however. Sasuke was acting like he needed him more than ever, now.

Once he had gotten the paper and a pencil from the shelf in his room, Itachi went to the kitchen. He looked behind him to see the boy still tagging along behind him.

"Sasuke, sit here," He pulled out a chair and his brother sat in it. "Now, I'm going to show you how to make a few simple words and sounds. The first thing for you to learn is your real name…"

He drew everything on the page for Sasuke to study, and tried to get him to write it too. He wasn't so good at writing things yet, as it turned out. It was hard for him to hold a pencil correctly.

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The lessons has lasted all day. Itachi felt like Sasuke could do more on his own now. But the problem was actually getting him to do anything himself. The boy needed comfort, but Itachi needed space after all that had happened. This was becoming too much to pile on him at once.

It was time to give Sasuke a bath again. He would need to be clean if he was going to go to work with Itachi tomorrow.

It was true, Pein hadn't exactly given Itachi permission to bring his brother with him… But he didn't have anyone else to watch him while he was away. And Itachi now felt that he couldn't trust anyone to leave Sasuke with them. Besides, the boy would be terrified if he did that after the incident.

Sasuke was shaking, as Itachi got the water temperature adjusted for him. He hadn't wanted to do any of those things that Madara had made him do… But he had gotten all keyed up, with no way to relieve his tension. He was afraid of Itachi giving him a bath today. He's just had one, and he didn't want to deal with this again.

He tried to remember that word that his master had taught him earlier. "Nnn-n-no…" He looked up when Itachi turned to look at him. "No." He stated it more firmly this time.

"Hn. You don't want a bath?"

Sasuke shook his head no. "N-no… baah-ath." He stumbled over the word.

Itachi thought it was really adorable the way he was trying new words now. Sasuke certainly seemed more confident than the twitching, whining mass of fright he had been when Itachi first saw him. He couldn't managed to wipe the smile off his face.

"You have to be clean for tomorrow," He tried to explain, hoping Sasuke would at least get some of it. "You have to go to work with me. Back to that place."

'That place?' Sasuke wondered, tilting his head to the side in confusion. 'What does he mean?'

"The FBI building. That's where I work. And since I can't leave you with anyone, that means you have to come with me, Otouto."

Sasuke didn't know what that word meant that he kept calling him, but he'd figure it out. Right now he was confused. Was Itachi taking him back to Orochimaru?! He didn't want to go back there! But he seemed so calm about it… Sasuke doubted that was the case. Maybe he was going back to the place where he'd met Itachi? But why? He didn't want to be hurt anymore… He began to worry.

"No." He said simply.

Itachi sighed, and grabbed Sasuke's wrist. He pulled the slightly smaller body flush against his. "Sasuke-kun… Otouto… Little brother, please…"

He buried his face in Sasuke's hair, and embraced him, while they waited for the tub to fill with warm water. He inhaled his scent, and it seemed to calm the younger one a bit. When he thought his brother was ready, Itachi led him over to the bath. He felt Sasuke's muscles tense, and wished he could do something to help him relax. That was when he felt the boy clinging to him, and trying to… pull him closer?

He knew it was wrong, but it seemed that Sasuke needed it so badly. And it would calm his nerves. Itachi pressed his lips to Sasuke's in a quick, chaste kiss. But the little Uchiha would have none of that. He put his hand behind Itachi's head, and pulled him closer, forcing their lips together again.

"Mmmm…" Itachi moaned. The little tart was actually a pretty good kisser. "Sasuke…"

The boy whined, and pressed his lips against him even more. The elder one didn't stop kissing him. But he slowly starting taking off Sasuke's clothes. If it had been anyone else, the boy would have bolted. But he felt like he could trust Itachi. He hadn't done anything to deliberately hurt Sasuke yet. He was still a little bit jumpy, but after all this was his master, and he would have to obey anyway.

When Itachi was done, Sasuke stood before him, in all of his unclothed glory. Correction: In all of his hard, and aroused unclothed glory. Itachi groaned at the sight, trying not to give in to temptation.

'I just need to give him a bath,' He reminded himself. 'He has to be ready for tomorrow. It won't take long, and then we can both relax.'

He knew it was wrong for him to touch Sasuke in that way. Even the quick kiss had been wrong. The boy had taken I the wrong way, too. Itachi knew he had screwed up, and made a mental note not to let it happen again. But it had been a quick, easy, and effective way to get his clothes off to bathe him. And the kiss hadn't exactly been bad, either. Perhaps that was what had scared Itachi the most.

Gently, he coaxed Sasuke into the water. The boy whined. He didn't want to take a bath, but if it would please his master, then he would do it. The boy shyly settled down into the water. The pleasurable warmth of it did nothing but encourage his erection, as it pressed strong and hard against his lower stomach when he sat down. He really wanted to relieve himself, but he'd been taught never to do it himself. It made it easier for his captors to torture him that way.

He blinked the memories away, trying not to think about them. Luckily, they had caused Sasuke's dick to get just limp enough where it was now bearable. He was sure it would fade soon.

And than Itachi's hands were on him. He scrubbed and tried to get Sasuke as clean as he could, without touching anywhere private. He would make sure to get those spots next time. Right now, he just wanted to hurry through this. He needed to take the time to teach Sasuke how to properly bathe himself, but now just wasn't the right time.

He smiled, pleased than Sasuke's manhood had returned to normal, finally. The bath was over, and he helped him out of the tub and dried him off. It was rather half-assed, and he left the towel with Sasuke so he could finish drying himself off. He knew the boy could at least dress himself, and he led him to his bedroom so he could get dressed. Itachi silently left him, and got into the shower himself. He was so tired and it had been a long and stressful week for him.

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A/N: See? I told you I was still working on it. Sorry about the long wait. I am still working on this story! I've just had a lot to deal with lately, and not a lot of time to write. This chapter was kind of boring in my opinion, but at least the two of them bonded more, and it did move the story along, a little bit. Yay for fluff! There will be more adult stuff soon. At least they finally kissed, even if it was just a small one.

I just want to add that I'm sorry for the way the author's note from the last chapter sounded. I won't give up on this story, b/c my readers who like my work mean more to me than the ones who dislike it. Love is always greater than hate. I'm going to write this story the way that I want to, and I will keep updating it until it's finished. And I really appreciate all of your reviews. Thanks, everyone!

-Kaline Reine