Well, I'm back again, as you can see. Huzzah. My self-imposed isolation is finally over!!!! Anyway, once again I do not own Naruto. If I did, then I wouldn't need to write all this fanfictin, now would I? Enjoy this new chapter.
Trapped
A Not So Quiet Morning
xx
Kit, it's time to wake up.
Naruto opened his eyes at Kyuubi's insistant voice, finding himself staring into Itachi's red eyes. He nodded in greeting; his throat still wasn't feeling too good.
"It's time for breakfast, and Leader-sama made it clear yesterday that he wanted to see you today. The bathroom is over there; you have half an hour to wash up, use the bathroom, and brush your teeth." Itachi tied his hair back in his customary low pony-tail, watching out of the corner of his eyes as Naruto went into the bathroom. But since he didn't close the door Itachi frowned and followed him. He found the boy standing there, looking confused. "Is something wrong? Oh, wait, you haven't had to brush your teeth or shower in years. Do you still remember how to go to the bathroom?" The boy nodded and Itachi could have sighed in relief. "Good. Over here is your toothbrush and toothpaste. Put a little toothpaste on the brush and use it to clean your teeth. Try not to choke yourself and don't swallow the foam. Spit it out when you're done." He decided to supervise to make sure the boy did it right.
Naruto managed to get through the brushing with Kyuubi's help. What a youkai would need to know about brushing teeth for he didn't know but it helped him, so that was okay. When he was done he washed his mouth with the mouthwash laid out and turned back to Itachi, waiting.
I can't believe I'm going to be doing this. Just imagine it's Sasuke; that'll work. Itachi thought to himself as he went to stand in front of Naruto. "Now for your bath. This will be the only time I'm doing this, so pay attention and try to remember what to do later. Now, raise your arms." Within no time Naruto was unclothed and relaxing in the large bath, surrounded by hot water and the smell of smoke. "This is the shampoo. You use it to wash your hair. Since you don't have a lot you only need a little bit." Itachi showed Naruto his hand where he squirted the shampoo. Surprisingly gentle for him he lathered the shampoo into those golden locks, making them as soft as his own hair.
Naruto fought back a blush as those hands worked magic on his head, then his shoulders and the rest of his body. On one point his mind was memorizing everything so he could use the information later but on another point he was totally focused on the feel of those fingers brushed over his body. He hadn't felt a real touch in so long that this was like heaven for him. Even Kyuubi was purring in his mind.
"There; all done. Now you pull the plug to let the water drain and turn on the shower to get off the extra soap, and anything else still sticking to you. Make sure you get off everything before you put on this towel. When you're done you dry yourself off completely and step into these clothes. You don't need help with that, do you?"
Naruto silently shook his head and Itachi left the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Not ten minutes later Naruto was out as well, clothed in loose-fitting redish pants and a black muscle shirt. He looked nervous, standing there with a slight blush on his cheeks. Itachi motioned him over and finger-combed his hair, flicking off more water.
"Let's go. If we don't get there early enough then Hidan will eat all the food and there'll be nothing left for us. And Kakuzu refuses to buy us more food because it would be a waste of expenses." Itachi waited for Naruto to stumble out of the room before following, making sure to close the door behind him. No use leaving it open for whoever to walk in. "Now, don't you feel better after a bath?"
Naruto nodded slowly; he still didn't trust his voice yet. He wondered if that plant guy would have that potion or whatever that was supposed to help him speak better.
"Oh, Naru-chan! You're awake, un! Itachi wouldn't let me visit you last night; feeling better, hmm?" Deidara seemed to pop up out of nowhere, rushing over to Naruto and Itachi as Sasori followed at a slow pace.
Itachi felt like sighing; just once couldn't he be spared the torment of having to deal with Deidara, so early in the morning? Thankfully though Sasori was there to curb his enthusiasm.
"This is what the boy looks like after he's woken? A bit of a shrimp, isn't he, brat?" Sasori looked Naruto over, deciding that after a bath and maybe once he got some food in him the kid definitely wouldn't be that bad looking. Itachi was sure to have a fight on his hands for that boy.
"Danna! Naru-chan can eat with us, can't he, hmm? He doesn't have to sit alone, right?" Deidara added just the hint of a whine into his voice, looking pleadingly at Sasori with his one visible eye.
"Ugh. Fine. He can sit with us." Sasori grunted, walking into the cafeteria.
"Sasori-sama! Deidara-sama! Ooh, and Itachi-sama and Naruto-chan!" Tobi waved excitedly, nearly toppling off the bench he was sitting on. Zetsu had to catch him and keep him steady.
"Sit down, brat." "Or else I'll have a new breakfast menu." His two heads commanded as he carefully stirred something green in a bowl.
"Sorry, Zetsu-sama! Tobi was just so excited to see everyone! He'll be a good boy from now on!" The masked kid didn't look like he had any breakfast with him. Of course, it had to be hard to eat with that mask on.
"Oh, so this piece of shit is the new kid? Looks like quite the little fucker."
Naruto turned around at the harsh words, although they held no hint of malice in them. Behind him stood a youngish man with slicked back silver hair and pretty red eyes. His face had a harsh look to it and he didn't appear to be wearing any shirt to go with his simple jeans. Naruto could see that his chest was a mass of scars and cuts, recent and old. Standing beside him was another man, this one wearing a white mask and hood that didn't cover his ancient green eyes. He was wearing a long-sleeved, loose shirt and jeans as well, with socks. The kitsune couldn't help but wonder what he looked like under that hood.
"Don't mind him, boy. He can't help but swear. Hidan, this time try to control your hunger. I don't feel like spending more money than needed on food." His voice was deep but not hauntingly so.
"Kuzu you fucker! I'm not the one who eats all the food! It's that shitty bottomless pit Konan who packs it all fucking away!" Hidan growled then froze, as if just realizing what he said. "N-no, wait a fucking second, Konan! I didn't fucking mean it! I swear to Jashin!"
A woman with blue hair and a paper flower in said hair came out of nowhere, her face a mask of rage as she rounded on Hidan. "Hidan, you asshole! You damn well better apologize! I'M NOT FAT!"
Naruto edged away, realizing that the hooded man was doing the same, leaving his partner to save himself. "I'm Kakuzu, by the way. I take it you're Naruto? Leader-sama told us about you. I hope you don't eat too much." Naruto frowned; that didn't sound too nice.
"Don't let him get to you. Kakuzu's a bounty hunter; he only cares about money, un." Deidara patted the seat beside him, the one not taken over by Sasori's puppet frame. "I went ahead and made a plate for you, Naru-chan. Hope you like it, un!" He seemed to be making a point to ignore the rather loud commotion going on near the entrance.
Naruto looked down at the plate, seeing unfamiliar objects presented to him. What was this? Food? He couldn't remember what food was. What was he supposed to do with it? Or rather, why were the others putting this "food" into their mouths? Naruto looked questioningly at Itachi, seeing him as the only real anchor in this confusion.
Itachi grunted; what was he, a parent now? "You eat it, Naruto. It helps to get your strength back. If you feel a...tightening in your stomach, and start feeling dizzy, it means you're hungry, and need to eat. Here, try the sausage. Kakuzu made breakfast today, so I'm sure it's safe to eat. Leader-sama, don't you think you should rein in your girlfriend before she kills Kakuzu's only lasting partner?"
The orange-haired man full of piercings with the weird eyes that was sitting across from them turned to look at Itachi, smirking a little bit. "Have you forgotten, Itachi? Hidan can't die." Then he turned those odd eyes to Naruto, who was cautiously sniffing the sausage speared on the fork Itachi was impatiently holding out to him. "Glad to see you awake, Naruto-kun. Hm, Deidara didn't exaggerate, did he? You are a cutie."
Naruto, for some odd reason, felt his cheeks heat at the statement as he sent another questioning glance at Itachi. The meat smelled nice but he wasn't sure he wanted to try it yet. He still didn't know what it might do.
Itachi set the fork back on Naruto's plate. He wanted his own breakfast, dammit! Naruto watched with curious eyes as the Sharingan wielder spread butter on a role before raising it to his lips. His curiosity became even more piqued when he saw those pale cherry lips part to show white teeth that bit off a bit of bread, chewing thoroughly before swallowing. Naruto saw that pale neck move and had the fleeting urge to bite down hard, right where that small bulge at the center was.
Itachi pretended to ignore the heated look he was receiving from Naruto, but it was hard. Having been celibate now for the better part of his life he knew that he was just looking for something, something he didn't want to take from a mere child. And a mentally stumped child at that. So instead he pushed the glass of milk closer to Naruto, hoping he'd take the hint and drink. After another long moment full of sniffs and the tiniest hint of a whine he lifted the cup to his lips, taking cautious sips. Itachi couldn't know that he was using Kyuubi to help him through what he was supposed to be doing; living inside his mind he hadn't needed food or drinks.
Naruto was pleasantly surprised by the taste of the milk. It was cool and soothed his throat, and tasted amazing to him. Even Kyuubi loved the taste; his contented mewl filtered in Naruto's mind.
"Is it good, hmm? I've never liked milk myself." Deidara leaned over, lifting the still-speared sausage and taking a small bite. "Mmm! Meat tastes good too, un! You should try some! Just take a little bite, un!"
The milk had made him as content as the fox so Naruto complied without thought. He bit off a piece, his sharp canines making the job rediculously easy, and moved it around in his mouth, as he thought Itachi had done. It didn't seem so bad, a little overcooked for his tastes, so he swallowed. Almost immediately it got obstructed in his throat and he franticall swallowed some more, trying to do something, anything, to get out the offending object.
Itachi jerked when he heard Naruto gag and turned to the boy, seeing his face and around his lips rapidly turning blue. He was choking! Dammit! Doesn't he know to chew his food?! Itachi thought frantically, wondering if he should do something.
Thankfully though Zetsu stepped in, pounding Naruto on the back swiftly and efficiently until Naruto managed to cough up the meat. It landed in Pein's drink; the orange-haired man pushed it off to the side with a disgusted face. Naruto coughed loudly, shaking, as he glared at the rest of the sausage. He definitely wasn't going to be eating that again.
"Oh no, Naru-chan! Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Zetsu, make it better!" Deidara commanded, his chin resting on Naruto's golden head.
"Here; it's a potion to help your body recall the natural functions of the years before you became trapped in your body." Zetsu handed Naruto a cup of the grin liquid; it surprisingly didn't smell too bad. "We spent the last hour making that, and all night to think it up. Be greatful, brat."
Naruto took the cup with a hesitance anyone would have in his position. He went to sniff the cup, curious about its contents, but Itachi stopped him with a look.
"Just drink it, Naruto. It will help you, and I promise you you won't choke. Later on tonight you can ask Kyuubi what you can and can't eat. Alright?" It wasn't really a question.
Naruto nodded and quickly gulped down the contents; it certainly didn't taste as good as it smelled. His stomach recoiled for all of two seconds before it settled and he leaned back against Deidara, suddenly feeling tired even though he'd just woken up.
"Oh, right; I forgot to mention. Because this is bringing about functions from years ago he'll go to sleep again." "Have a nice nap, kitsune."
Deidara sighed when Naruto slumped against him, a happy little smile on his face. "Aw, doesn't he just look so sweet, danna, hmm?" He cooed, running his fingers through those sunshine locks, careful of the mouth on his palm. "So? Did you think about it, un?"
Sasori turned away. "It's only been one day, brat. Haven't you heard of patience before?" When Deidara once again turned those puppy dog eyes on him he couldn't resist. After all, who could really resist the eyes of a true and pure uke? "Fine; you can adopt him. But you're helping Tobi take care of him. And if I get one word of him destroying something, or messing around with my puppets, I'll kill you and the boy. Understand?"
Deidara only heard the first part before he squealed and hugged Naruto's unresisting form close. Yes! He had his Naru-chan now!
Meanwhile, everyone else finished their breakfast including Konan. That is, everyone besides Hidan. He was currently nursing numerous wounds from a blue menace, a dazed look in his eyes as he was placed back in his room. Sometimes the Jashinist just shouldn't speak.
Well? Well well well well well? What'd you think? Not bad for coming back after a few months, if I do say so myself. No, I'm kidding. I don't know what to think. Although I did have a giggle or two myself when I read what I wrote about Hidan and Konan. Ah, I love Hidan and Kakuzu. Anyway! I hope it's long enough and good enough! Don't forget to review for me and tell me what you think! Please review!
~Ayame~
