Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Masashi Kishimoto. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Pairing: SasuNaru

Warnings: Slash: Male homosexual relationships, adult language, and sexual situations.

Beta: Kamerreon


The Cheshire Cat

Chapter Twelve


"Hey, Sasuke..."

Sasuke sighed as he looked down at Naruto. His lover was sprawled across his stomach, leaning his elbows on their bed as he read a magazine. He looked up at Sasuke, his eyes bright and curious.

"What is it, dobe?"

They were still in bed. It was Saturday, and after a long night of constant sex, Sasuke had declared that they were not getting up for a while. Still naked, Sasuke was simply enjoying the feel of his lover's body against his own.

"Don't call me that! Um, what's up with you and your brother?"

Sasuke froze, staring down at his lover. Naruto held his gaze, his eyes unwavering. He wanted to know what was going on.

"Dobe..." Sasuke sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Itachi and I... he... it's a long story."

Naruto abandoned his magazine, twisting and crawling up until he was leaning against Sasuke's body. Sasuke held him close, his arms curling around his adorable human.

"Itachi was the reason I became a love cat," Sasuke began as he stroked Naruto's hair. "I respected him more than anyone in the world. He meant everything to me. He was an inspiration to all aspiring Love Cats, he was perfect. His technique was flawless. He was my hero."

Sasuke sighed, clutching Naruto slightly tighter. Naruto pressed a soft kiss to Sasuke's chest, silently encouraging him to continue.

"And then one day, out of the blue, Itachi quit. He just quit. He claimed that being a Love Cat was beneath him, and that he wouldn't be trained to be a whore, and get sold off to the highest bidder," Sasuke said, his voice flat. "Itachi's name became taboo. He was a disgrace. I was looked down upon, as I was almost as good as he was at my age, and simply because I was his brother. I was watched, constantly and suspiciously, to see if I would follow in my brother's footsteps. And I began to hate him for it.

"He was great. And he gave it up. He gave it up and disgraced the Uchiha breed. I was under scrutiny, watched because of how good I am, but at the same time I was never as good as Itachi. I heard their whispers, their secret conversations. I was advancing at an incredible rate, yet it still wasn't as fast as Itachi had been. I wasn't as good as him. It became my goal in life, to beat him, to best him, to do anything to make myself better than him."

"But Sasuke," Naruto whispered. "You already have..."

"What do you mean?"

"You've got me," Naruto looked up at Sasuke, his eyes crinkling in a smile. "You've got a family. Does Itachi?"

"..." Sasuke stared at Naruto for a moment, his hands stilling in Naruto's hair. "No... he doesn't."

"And aren't I all that matters?" Naruto asked with a slight pout. "So long as you've got me, it shouldn't matter what Itachi does and doesn't have, right? Besides, it doesn't matter who's better, because at the end of the day you're still brothers, still family. Shouldn't family come first?"

Sasuke remained quiet for a moment, simply staring up at the ceiling. He pondered Naruto's words for a moment before he smiled slightly.

"You're right, dobe," he whispered. He looked over at his phone, resting on the bedside table. "I should ring Itachi..."

"Do it," Naruto urged. "Give him a call!"

"Later," Sasuke said as he smoothly rolled over on top of his love. "Right now, I have something else on my mind..."

This time, Sasuke made sure the baby monitor was switched off.

--

Itachi stared across the table at his little brother, silently wondering why Sasuke had rung him up and asked him to meet him at a small cafe. They had been there for ten minutes, and neither had bothered to break the silence.

"Itachi," Sasuke said abruptly, "you hurt me when you left."

"I know, Sasuke," Itachi said as he sipped his coffee. "We've had this conversation many times before. Did you really drag me away from the delicious human sleeping in my bed for another argument?"

"No, Itachi, you misunderstood me," Sasuke said as he looked his brother straight in the eye. "Yes, it hurt my reputation as a Love Cat, but I don't care about that anymore. Naruto made me see that it doesn't matter what my Love Cat reputation is, because I've been bought. I belong to him now, and he belongs to me. That's not how you hurt me. You hurt me, big brother, because you left me all alone. You were my idol, my hero. You were everything to me, and you left."

Itachi stared at his little brother, his shock concealed very well. He'd never suspected Sasuke would ever confront him with these feelings, or that these feelings ran so deep.

"To me, Itachi," Sasuke continued, "you were all that mattered. You were my big brother. I didn't care how good you were, or that you were better than me, I only cared that you were my big brother, my aniki. And you left, only telling me to become the best Love Cat I could be."

"Sasuke..." Itachi set his coffee cup down, looking up at his brother. "I have done wrong by you. I grew bored with being a Love Cat, grew bored with being the best at it. I wanted something new, a challenge. I didn't want to wait around to be bought like a cheap toy. I felt like a prostitute, even though I had a right to refuse my owner, it still felt like a disgusting combination of prostitution and slavery. I made mistakes in my youth, I can admit that, but the worst mistake I made was leaving you with those people. If I had been a good brother I would have taken you with me, but I didn't. I left you behind, to suffer the fate I had already been through, and that was wrong of me. I know I do not deserve it, otouto, but I would like your forgiveness."

They sat in silence for a moment, both contemplating the words spoken by the elder. After a moment Sasuke looked up, his eyes filled with an emotion Itachi hadn't seen directed at him in a long time: amusement.

"Itachi, if you had not left me there I would never have met Naruto," he said, a wistful smile on his face as he thought of his love. "So I have long forgiven you for that. I will not forget for a long time, but I think of you as family again, aniki. You are welcome at my home anytime."

Sasuke rose, ready to leave, but pressure on his tail made him pause. He looked down to see Itachi had entwined their tails, like he used to do when they were young. Sasuke couldn't help but smile at the sight before Itachi's tail slithered away. Sasuke gave him a nod before he exited the cafe.

Itachi watched him go with a smirk before rising himself.

Neji was waiting, after all. The human should be awake and ready for round two.

--

When Itachi showed up on their doorstep the next day, an irritable Neji in tow, Naruto didn't question it. He simply stepped aside and let his brother-in-law into the house. Itachi nodded to him as he pulled Neij inside via their entwined fingers. Neji scowled at Naruto as if daring him to comment, but Naruto simply wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulders.

"Don't worry, Neji," Naruto said with a dramatic sigh. "I know what it's like for a Love Cat to have their claws sunk into you!"

"You won't in a minute if you don't get your arm off of him."

Standing in the door, Toshi cradled in his arms, Sasuke glared down Naruto, who quickly released Neji. Itachi also let go of the pale-eyed man, sweeping towards his brother and niece. He calmly took her from Sasuke's arms, cooing softly to her. Neji scowled again as Itachi glanced over at him, his eyes contemplative.

"Hell no," he said flatly. "I'm not having kids with you."

"Mm, I don't particularly fancy getting pregnant," Itachi said with a sigh as he nuzzled Toshi's hair. "And that is the only way it would work, after all. Now, if there were a way for you to bear my children..." Itachi trailed off with a leer, causing Neji to blush.

Naruto hurried over to take his daughter, smiling as she cooed at the sight of him. He snuggled her close, settling on the couch. Sasuke was beside him in an instant, his tail waving in front of Toshi's face. The baby made an attempt to raise her own tail, getting a small but hardly satisfying result. She frowned, trying harder to lift her tail, before settling on crying instead. Naruto sighed, shooting Sasuke a slight glare, before carrying her from the room.

Itachi slid down into a seat of his own, pulling Neji into his lap absentmindedly. He ignored the man's squawk as he wrapped arms and tail around him tightly.

"So, Sasuke, shall I expect any more children from you in the future?" he asked as one of his hands slid subtly up Neji's shirt to stroke his soft skin. "Any more nieces or nephews?"

"I think not," Sasuke said with a shrug. "After all, I only got pregnant this time by accident."

"Weren't expecting to be so fertile, were you, little brother?" Itachi asked with a smirk on his face. Sasuke glared at his older brother as his tail began to bristle slightly, his ears flattening against his head.

"You best make sure your little human doesn't get the same demands mine did," Sasuke growled. "Or you may find yourself with your own little bundles of joy."

"My Neji is perfectly obedient," Itachi said with a superior look on his face. "He is quite happy with me being in control of our relationship. He is not at all —"

Itachi cut off abruptly with a loud purr. Sasuke stared in shock as Neji scratched behind his big brother's left ear, reducing him into a mass of quivering Love Cat. Neji smirked over at Sasuke as he continued to scratch Itachi's ear.

"You were saying, Itachi?" he whispered. Itachi tilted his head further into the hand.

"Don't stop..." he moaned. "Feels good..."

"Who has the control in this relationship?" Neji asked in a loud whisper. Itachi moaned louder.

"You," he mumbled. "Right there! Right there!"

Chuckling, Neji withdrew his hand, trailing it down Itachi's face as he did so. Itachi lazily opened his eyes, blinking as though he was disorientated. Neji leaned down and placed a peck on his cheek before raising an eyebrow at Sasuke.

Sasuke snickered at the sight, before a voice behind him spoke, startling him.

"Nah, Sasuke's spot isn't his ear. He loves it when I rub his stomach though."

Sasuke felt his face becoming darker and darker as his brother and Neji stared at him in shock. He glared up at Naruto who was smiling as he looked at their two visitors, obviously oblivious to the embarrassment he'd just unleashed upon his lover.

"Really, dobe?" Sasuke hissed. "Because if I remember correctly you love it when I stroke your —"

"Kids in the room!"

The declaration came from the door where Kakashi stood, Akihito and Sachio cradled in his arms. Itachi's eyes lit up instantly, and Neji sighed. Kakashi handed Sachio over to his uncle, before looking down at Akihito. To everyone's surprise, Neji held his hands out for the child. Kakashi handed him over, smiling as he saw Itachi's eyes light up again. He was obviously delighted at being next to his two nephews.

Sasuke wrapped his tail around his stomach, still slightly annoyed at Naruto, but his human didn't seem to notice. He simply dropped down into Sasuke's lap, cuddling up to the grumpy cat.

"So, Itachi," Kakashi said smiling at the elder cat as he sat down on a free chair, "what brings you here?"

"I am here to see my family," Itachi said, his eyes darkening as he looked up at Kakashi. "And last I checked that did not include you."

"Maa, Itachi, one would think you don't like me," Kakashi said, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't," Itachi said simply. "The only memories I have of you are bad ones."

A brief flash of pain raced through Kakashi's eyes, unnoticed by anyone but Neji. The pale-eyed man slipped carefully from Itachi's lap, carrying the baby in his arms over to Naruto. Naruto smiled knowingly at him as he accepted his golden son.

Neji returned to Itachi, taking Sachio as well. Itachi glared up at him but allowed it. As soon as Sachio was settled in Sasuke's arms, he returned to Itachi, straddling his lap. He looked straight into Itachi's eyes, burying his hands in soft, dark hair.

"Itachi," he whispered, "let it go."

Itachi stared emotionlessly back into Neji's eyes, his hands resting lightly on Neji's hips. Neji held the contact, his hands running through dark hair. Itachi's eyes softened after a moment and he rubbed Neji's hips.

"Kakashi," he murmured, looking over at the man. "Sasuke obviously considers you a part of his family; you are raising my niece and nephews, and you are clearly going to be a part of my life. I believe that I can put aside any past animosity I've had towards you."

Neji smiled down at his lover, leaning in to rest his head on Itachi's shoulder. Kakashi smiled over at Itachi, his eye crinkling.

"Maa, Itachi," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "Of course. Now, is anyone hungry?"

--

Naruto smiled as Akihito reached for a rattle. He shook the toy happily, a small smile curling onto his face. Naruto chuckled before tickling the baby's tummy, making the smile grow.

An indignant coo from the side made him turn. He chuckled as he saw Neji trying to please both Sachio and Toshi. The little monsters were both demanding his full attention, but Neji was hopeless at giving even one of them his full attention.

"Here, Neji, watch Akihito," he said, crawling over to the two dark haired children. Neji smiled gratefully at him before hurrying over to the sweet golden child.

Naruto tickled the tummies of 'The Twins' and smiled at the squeals. He began to make faces at them, which Sasuke expressly forbid him from doing, causing Sachio to stare at him in a way that Naruto could only call 'sceptical'.

"Well, fine," Naruto said and poked his tongue out. "Be like your father!"

"Why, dobe, when you say it that way it sounds like you don't mean it."

Naruto's head shot towards the door, and he smiled at Sasuke who stared back at him. Sachio waved his arms in the air, delighted at the sound of his father's voice. Sasuke crossed to the child, holding out a finger for the baby to grasp. Toshi began to wave her arms around in indignation until Sasuke gave her a finger too. She promptly stuck it in her mouth.

Grimacing, Sasuke allowed it. He leaned over and pecked Naruto's cheek before smiling down at his children. Naruto leaned against him, smiling absently as he noticed Itachi slipping into the room to sit with Neji.

"They're beautiful, Sasuke," Itachi said softly as he sat beside his lover. Sasuke looked up at Naruto, his lips curling into a smile.

"Yes, they are."

--

Sasuke's dark eyes narrowed the moment he walked into the living room to find Naruto waiting for him, Akihito bouncing in his arms. Sasuke's eyes darted to the side, seeing Kakashi lounging on a chair with Toshi while Itachi and Neji were on the couch, Neji holding Sachio. The pale-eyed man was becoming quite taken with the children.

"What is this?" Sasuke asked as everyone watched him expectantly. "A convention?"

"No, Sasuke," Naruto said with a wide grin. "Kakashi was telling me that since I bought you, your last name officially changes to Uzumaki with the paperwork, and since you're partly human you are officially counted as my spouse."

Sasuke stared at Naruto, completely speechless. He was married? Married to Naruto?

"But, I'm not really happy with that," Naruto said. Sasuke's heart began to beat unnaturally fast. Naruto didn't want to be married to him? Sasuke thought they were happy. They had a family; they were in love, right? "So we're gonna have a ceremony!"

"A... ceremony?" Sasuke asked with wide eyes. "What?"

"With a minister and all!" Naruto said, his eyes bright with excitement. "A proper wedding!"

Sasuke stared at Naruto for a moment as the man grew obviously more and more nervous. He quickly looked down at Akihito before bouncing him slightly. Akihito let out a gurgle before holding out his hand. His fingers uncurled to reveal a plain gold wedding band. He cooed softly before lifting the ring to suck on it.

Sasuke quickly crossed to his youngest son, taking the ring from his hands before it could reach his mouth. He slid the ring onto his own finger, noticing that Naruto was wearing a matching ring himself, before taking Akihito from Naruto. He kissed his son's head before handing him to Itachi, who was waiting to the side.

Then he turned to Naruto and pulled him into his arms.

Naruto mewled as Sasuke's mouth closed over his own. Sasuke pulled him close, devouring Naruto with such force that the human collapsed into his arms, his knees giving out. Sasuke continued to kiss him fiercely, backing him towards a wall.

"Sasuke," Naruto panted as he pulled his lips free. "So you're happy with this?"

Sasuke growled lowly, capturing Naruto's lips again. Naruto struggled free once more, darting away and hiding behind the couch. Sasuke's eyes burned as he advanced on his husband – his husband – who squeaked and ducked further down behind the couch. Itachi chuckled as Sasuke began to stalk his lover, who began to stammer.

"Uh, we're gonna, uh, me and Kakashi that is," Naruto darted around the couch, followed by Sasuke. "P-Plan the whole thing out... um, we were thinking about hav – stay over there! – having it here, just a small cerem – ahh! No, over there! – small ceremony!"

Itachi stood, realizing Sasuke wasn't going to stop. He nodded to Kakashi who smiled happily at him.

"Maa, the pram is already in the car, along with a diaper bag. The park, anyone?"

As they filed out, Neji glanced over his shoulder in time to see Sasuke tackle Naruto over the coffee table, his hands already tearing at his shirt.

He hurried after Itachi.

--

Two weeks later, Naruto and Sasuke were standing beneath the large tree in their yard, a minister joining them in holy matrimony. The man had spent quite a bit of time staring at Sasuke and Itachi's ears, until Naruto snapped at him.

Their friends were there, all quietly watching the ceremony with smiles on their faces. As soon as the ceremony finished, Naruto threw his arms around Sasuke, kissing him fiercely. After a couple of wolf-whistles and cat calls, their friends realized they weren't stopping. A number of loud coughs later they broke apart and the party began.

Hours later Naruto was dragging his drunk husband up the stairs to their bedroom – equally as intoxicated as the cat was – past their friends, who were all at their own levels of intoxication.

Their first idea had been to go for one of the downstairs bedrooms, but after opening a door on Itachi and Neji in a position Sasuke was dying to try, they headed upstairs.

"Sasuke..." Naruto groaned as the cat paused on the top landing, pushing Naruto against a wall. He quickly ravished Naruto's neck before dragging him off to the bedroom again. Naruto groaned as he stumbled after him, lust engulfing his body.

Sasuke pressed Naruto down onto the bed, his eyes filled with love as he began to undress his husband. Naruto was exceptionally responsive when drunk... or excited... or happy... he was responsive all the time.

Sasuke ran his hands along that slim body, enjoying the feeling of his husband beneath him. Naruto was moaning and sighing so prettily, his lips rosy red and plump from Sasuke's assaults on them.

Despite having guests downstairs, Sasuke played Naruto's body like an instrument, as loud as he could. He prepared him slowly, enjoying making him beg and moan, until his body was ready to accept him.

And when he slid in, it was perfect. It was always perfect, but it seemed better for some reason, simply because they were married. Sasuke let out a low, guttural moan before beginning to thrust, sliding deeper and deeper into his husband's body.

Naruto was crying out, arms tight around Sasuke's shoulders, as he rocked into Sasuke's thrusts. Sasuke purred loudly into Naruto's ear as his tail began to curl around Naruto's cock. Naruto began to sob at the added pleasure, his nails digging into Sasuke's back.

Three more thrusts and they were exploding together. Naruto's scream could have been heard downstairs, and most likely was, but Sasuke's cry of pleasure was for Naruto's ears alone.

And after, as they lay curled together, eyes locked as they waited for sleep to claim them, Naruto couldn't help but think that the future looked bright.


I am sooooo close to 1000 reviews!! Come on!! Please?! If I get 1000 I may be more inclined to write a side-story one-shot with that scene people keep asking me about... you know, the one where Naruto and Sasuke's tail get better aquainted... so please?

One more chapter after this!!