Warning: Do you really need one? All the dark themes you should now expect. The end.
Author's note: Howdy, y'all! Yeah, I know. It sure takes me fucking forever to get these chapters out, don't it? I am sorry, Dear Reader but please believe me when I say I really really try to fight against the writing gods and their hatred of me and yank out a chapter that's good enough to post for you. That being said, this chapter is unBeta'd because my Kizubae wasn't available and I wanted to get this out to you all as soon as I finished typing the last line. Which of course didn't happen because I'm a neurotic mess and had to go over it again before posting. So, I'm sure there will be typos here and there and most assuredly grammatical errors and poor sentence structure. But hey, I did what I could and seeing how there's no paycheck waiting at the end of all this, I'm sure you'll agree, it's better than waiting another week! LOL Side note: YOI finale was awesome! Though I have my issues with JJ coming in 3rd and no wedding bells for Viktor and Yuri, I still teared up during Yuri's final skate and cheered in jubilation at him conquering his doubts. I do love YOI. Side note #2: Meryl Streep is badass and forever has my love and respect. And that's all I'm gonna say about that. So! I hope this chapter satisfies you til the next. Things are heating up in Brooklyn… in all sorts of ways! And the end is near. Love to you, Dear Reader and I truly hope you enjoy this chapter coming at you at over 13k and 32 pages long. Phew!
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and make zilch from this story.
**Big thanks to my KizuBae! You are always here for me, encouraging me when I start doubting myself and cheering me on when I feel like the world's shittiest writer. I love you oh so much, Bae.
Chapter 20: The bedfellows we keep
The sudden stillness in the bedroom was broken only by the occasional pop and crack of the dying fire nearby. At Itachi's words, Naruto's mind had seized, and with the ability to form words momentarily snached from him, he blankly turned and looked at the glowing red and orange embers of the fire, and briefly wondered if he should throw on another log.
"Naruto?" Itachi said, but Sasuke put up a hand to quiet him. It was clear Naruto needed a moment. His parents were alive and they were searching for him. Not acquainted with how to communicate sentiment, Sasuke's mind fumbled over what he should say. He looked at Naruto and though turned away and staring into the fire, Sasuke noticed the subtle tension in man's body.
What could he say? Sasuke's mind careened through conversations and facts until it halted at the memory of his earlier exchange with his brother. Without an adversary to punish for Naruto's current distress, Sasuke turned his eyes to Itachi and shot him a hard glare.
"You and your goddamn games." There was no mistaking the sharp edge in Sasuke's voice. He was sick and tired of his brothers manipulations.
Itachi didn't respond but let awareness flood his eyes as he looked back at his younger brother, letting him know that yes, he knew full well that Naruto's parents were in Japan when he had asked if Sasuke would be willing to leave the blond behind. But behind the look flashed a hint of a warning. Be mindful of the bonds you make, otouto… and the ones you choose to so easily break.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed at his brother. "How the fuck did you even make the connection? Or are you going to continue to dangle pieces of information out like bait for your amusement?"
Itachi showed no obvious reaction to Sasuke's accusation but that didn't mean the remark had no effect. Sasuke caught the slightest shift in Itachi's eyes and felt immediately satisfied that his words had touched a nerve in his bastardly brother.
Itachi turned, sat back down in his chair, crossed his legs and took in a breath. "When I met Minato, I was struck by his uncanny resemblance to Naruto," he said and nodded his head in the young man's direction. "I didn't realize it at first, but once he told me his story, I recalled the blond haired, blue eyed Japanese kid that used to hang around outside The Palace."
"Once I docked in San Francisco, the telegram that was waiting for me, read there had been a shooting at the club and that an unknown bodyguard had rescued my brother. When I arrived in New York, my informant relayed every piece of gossip about what happened that night. Including, that it was a blond-haired, blue-eyed Japanese bodyguard that had managed to thwart the hit on my brother's life."
"I in turn, told him the information I was given about Naruto, and he had the file pulled from the J.A.A. It's a six-inch thick file, Naruto," Itachi said, looking again to where his brother's bodyguard sat, still staring into the fire. "Your mother and father have been diligently writing letters for fifteen years and several local orphanages were even contacted back when the case was still new."
"When I asked my informant if it was possible the man who stopped the hitmen at the club could be the child Minato had told me about, he said the years seemed to match up. That's how I knew your age."
Naruto stood up from the couch but stayed facing the fire and away from Itachi's gaze. In a low voice, he finally spoke. "And then you show up at Pierrepont, and here I am, in your brother's bedroom."
"Yes," Itachi replied.
Naruto looked down at his long forgotten cigarette and stared at it. "How can you be sure it's me. That I'm the Naruto you're… they're looking for?"
"You mean aside from the fact there aren't many blue-eyed, blond haired Japanese men in Brooklyn? Well, there's your name and your birthday," Itachi answered
It was only a moment before Naruto turned back to look into the fire, but Sasuke hadn't missed it. The strained look, the pained blue eyes. Doing his best to keep his temper in check, he got up and went to retrieve the ashtray.
Once back at the couch, Naruto looked down at the ashtray in Sasuke's hand and absentmindedly crushed out his already dead smoke. His head was spinning and the room suddenly felt too small. Itachi had to be mistaken.
Itachi rose from his chair to crush out his own cigarette and Sasuke responded by moving the ashtray out of his brother's reach and setting it farther down on couch next him. The familiar sight of his little brother in full tantrum mode, brought a small gleam to Itachi's eyes. If it hadn't been for the matter at hand, he might have pushed Sasuke a bit more, just for old time's sake.
Not holding Sasuke's stare for long, the elder then crushed out his cigarette and returned to the large armchair.
Avoiding the petulant glare of his brother, he continued. "It didn't take us - my contact and I - long to figure out that someone at the orphanage you were sent to, had either been shown or had been given a copy of your file." Itachi's posture straightened. "But for some reason they never reported your existence to the local authorities."
"Jesus fucking christ." Sasuke clenched his fists and again looked to Naruto.
Itachi went on. "Though your name and birth date match the file at the J.A.A., according to my guy, there is no record of a Namikaze Naruto or an Uzumaki Naruto having been registered at any orphanage in the state of New York."
"I don't fucking believe this," Sasuke pushed his fists into the couch cushions. "They can't get away with this. That's kidnapping!"
"I agree and I'm equally disgusted," Itachi replied. "However, it's unlikely any charges will be filed. With prejudices the way they are and the current level of corruption in local law enforcement, I wouldn't place much hope in city officials caring about one Japanese immigrant that fell through the cracks."
The muscles in Sasuke's jaw began to ache. "Where was it?" Sasuke demanded. "The name of the orphanage; where was he sent?"
His older brother slid his eyes to where Naruto was still gazing into the fire and noted the slight shift in his posture.
Sasuke caught the glance and became incensed. "I'm the one asking you." Sasuke's eyes burning at his brother's silent refusal.
Itachi lifted his chin and pulled in a sharp breath. "The file didn't say."
"Goddammit, Itachi!"
"Sasuke, there is no record of Naruto in any orphanage in New York. If you want to know where he was sent -"
"Does he know?" Naruto finally said, still staring blankly into the fire.
Itachi and Sasuke turned their attention back to him.
"Min - Minato." The strangeness of the name stuck in Naruto's throat. "Did you tell him you knew who I was?" Naruto swallowed hard. "Have you contacted him since you've been back?"
"I've only spoken to my informant and the two of you since my return. As for mentioning to Minato my suspicion of you being his son while I was in Japan? No." Itachi easily read the distant look on Naruto's face and though it gave him pause, he knew the blond wouldn't appreciate any pulled punches. "At the time I wasn't a hundred percent sure it was you and I also had no idea if you were still -"
"-alive." Naruto finished and Itachi nodded.
"I didn't want the man to go through losing his child twice."
Naruto finally lowered his eyes from the fire, nodding slightly. "That means, other than you… and Sasuke, no one else knows about this, about me."
"My informant knows."
"But he's too busy trying to take down the clans in Brooklyn to care about one Japanese orphan, right?"
"What are you saying, Naruto?" Sasuke stood up from the couch just as Naruto finally brought his gaze up to Itachi.
"Don't tell him. Them. Don't tell this Minato person, you found me. Just let it go." Naruto took a small step toward Itachi. "Please."
"If that's what you want, I will of course respect your wishes," Itachi said, staring at his brother's lover with interest.
"Shut up, Itachi." Sasuke snapped. "Naruto," he said and stepped closer to him. "Why don't you want to see them?"
Naruto turned and faced Sasuke. "I know what you're thinking."
"What am I thinking?" Sasuke was getting irritated by Naruto's ambivalence.
"Come October, I'm leaving for California. This changes nothing."
"California, California… what's so fucking special about California? Goddammit Naruto, there's crime and poverty everywhere! Are you somehow foolish enough to believe that you can escape all the ugliness and greed of this world by running off to California?" All of Sasuke's pent up frustration finally spilling through.
"You know I don't," Naruto said calmly. "And you know I'm not." Naruto held Sasuke's black glare and then walked past him. He moved across the room not really sure if he should bolt for the door or stay and face his questions. He knew the damn Uchiha would never be satisfied with any vague answer and if he walked away now, it would only create more problems later. Taking a deep breath, Naruto turned and locked eyes with Sasuke.
"I think it's time I got some sleep," Itachi said, rising from his chair. He grabbed his cloak, folded it over one arm and approached the young blue-eyed man. "I will respect your decision, Naruto. You have my word."
"Thank you, Itachi."
"Actually, I should thank you."
Already preparing himself for a face off with Sasuke, Naruto was momentarily confused. "I don't under -"
"If it hadn't been for you, my foolish brother might have not survived the hit on his life." Itachi softened his eyes. "Thank you, Naruto."
"I uh," Naruto stuttered and shot a hand straight to the back of his neck, rubbing at it anxiously. "I mean… uh… it was nothing." Naruto could feel the heat rising in his cheeks but knew there was no way to stop it.
A faint smile came and was then gone from Itachi's face. "We'll meet in the morning." he said and turned to his brother. "We can discuss how to keep the Feds out of things and go over all the details. You can bring in the rest of the crew after." Sasuke gave a terse head nod in agreement; still cross at his brother's blatant manipulations. Ignoring Sasuke, Itachi turned back to Naruto, and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. Blue eyes lifted and met his gaze.
Then deciding some things were better left unsaid, he let his hand drop and walked toward the bedroom door. "One last thing before I head down to the guest rooms," Itachi said and half-turned to his brother. "I didn't return from Japan alone."
"What do you mean? Who?" Sasuke creased his brows at the possibility of yet another surprise.
"An Uchiha ally who is willing to assist us in our endeavors against Madara."
Confusion washed through Naruto. Hadn't Itachi only just agreed to stay in New York and help them take down Madara? So when did he…? Eyes widening, he looked to Sasuke and immediately recognized the storm brewing across the young mobster's face.
"Sonofabitch." Sasuke gritted out. He had had enough of his brother's goddamn games. "Why the fuck the charade if you had every intention of staying!"
With fists clenched, Sasuke stepped toward his brother but Itachi held up a hand to halt him. "Consider it a test of your fortitude, little brother." Itachi's eyes lit with pleasure. "And for the record, I wasn't entirely convinced I should stay, but more on that when we meet tomorrow. I need sleep." He again headed for the bedroom door. "My travelling companion should arrive sometime after seven. Please show him to my room when he does," Itachi called out over his shoulder, and then promptly walked out.
The hollow sound of the heavy wooden door closing shut, filled the room.
Sasuke pulled his irritated glare from where his brother had just been and looked over to find Naruto's sharp blue eyes already staring back at him.
"Sas -"
"- ruto."
They both said at the same time and the corner of Naruto's mouth lifted.
"Your brother really enjoys his games," Naruto said, doing his best to keep his tone light.
Sasuke nodded and reached up to his tie, tugging it loose as he walked over to him. "You have no idea."
Naruto opened his mouth. "I know what you're going to say but I don't have an answer for you right now."
"What am I going to say, Naruto?" Sasuke slid off his tie and tossed it to the floor. "Is it wrong for me to wonder why you're throwing away a chance at finding your family? Am I overstepping the boundaries of our relationship by asking? Tell me, Naruto because I don't understand."
Naruto's heart jumped. Our relationship.
"What?" Sasuke asked at the look on Naruto's face, unaware he had let the word slip.
Naruto blinked the thought away and then worked to focus on the man in front of him. He didn't want to lie to Sasuke and not just because he didn't think he could get away with it. It was that there was still too much doubt and confusion crowding out his rational thoughts and as far as he could tell, there was no hard proof that this, Namikaze Minato was his father and Naruto wasn't entirely sure he wanted to find out. And how could he explain that to Sasuke? Someone who took pride in his family line. Who held in reverence the name, Uchiha. Naruto dropped his gaze and stared at the floor.
"Naruto?"
"No, you're not out of line for asking." Naruto stuffed his hands into his pockets. "But I don't have an answer for you right now," he repeated and let out a long breath.
Sasuke set his jaw in frustration. He knew Naruto wasn't trying to be difficult but there was more to his avoidance than he was letting on. It was unsettling to Sasuke that Naruto wasn't yet ready to share. The urge to push and draw him out, gnawed at him. If he did push, it would likely lead to an argument and the thought immediately held Sasuke back. They had so little time left as it was. The last thing he wanted was to waste it by bickering over a bruised ego.
Naruto sat down on the edge of the bed and scrubbed his hands over his face. Dropping his hands into his lap, he looked up at Sasuke. "I need a bit more time. I'm not… I need some time."
"Alright." Sasuke let out a hard breath and decided to let it go for now. He ran a hand through his hair and looked around the bedroom. "I have business I can see to down at the club. You can rest here if you want. Itachi won't walk in unexpected again and I had that damn pathway bolted shut. I'll grab my coat and -" Sasuke felt a soft touch against his hand and looked back.
"Stay with me?" Naruto took hold of Sasuke's hand and interlocked their fingers. With eyes turned up and shining bright, Sasuke thought he caught a hint of fear deep within them. Something must have shown on his face because immediately a questioning look flooded Naruto's eyes. Sasuke squeezed his hand, not wanting Naruto to think his hesitation was refusal and leaned down to meet his lover's lips, but suddenly paused.
Naruto pulled back. "What's wrong?"
Sasuke raised himself back up. "Nothing, I was thinking -"
"About what?" A small scowl formed along Naruto's brow. "Is this about my age? Are we back to that?
"Naruto." Sasuke tried to pull his lover's hand closer but Naruto yanked free of his grip and stood up.
"I hate that you see me that way," he muttered low and stepped away but Sasuke grabbed his arm and roughly pulled him against him.
With his hot breath against Naruto's cheek, Sasuke spoke. "What I see is a man who won't shut up long enough for me to get a word in." He pulled his head back and looked directly into Naruto's eyes. "I don't give a fuck about your age, dobe. I was thinking it's been a rough couple of days… for us both." Sasuke loosened his grip on Naruto's arm, and then slid his arms around around waist.
The suspicious look Naruto originally flashed him was already fading when Sasuke pulled him snug. And by the time Naruto threaded his fingers through the dark strands of Sasuke's hair, the earlier tension seemed no more than a fuzzy memory.
"All the more reason to want a distraction," Naruto said and kissed Sasuke, opening his mouth wide and pushing his tongue into the warm wetness within. Immediately Sasuke's hands gripped Naruto's hips, digging his fingers in deep.
Yes. Sasuke drank in the sweet taste of Naruto that filled his mouth and dripped against his tongue as they kissed. He had no objection to what Naruto was proposing. Shut out the world. Lose themselves for one more night. Yes.
Naruto let out a rich, low moan and Sasuke's heart picked up pace at the sound. Both already panting, they eagerly ground against one another enjoying the hardened promise of distraction throbbing between them.
Naruto's whole being tuned to the frequency of Sasuke. Every shudder. Every flex of his body as he pulled and writhed against him, had Naruto's whole being resonating in ecstasy. He tilted his head and greedily fed on the dark taste of Sasuke, breaking every so often for manic gasps of breath.
One week. Days, were all they had left. Naruto moved his hands to the sides of Sasuke's face, thumbing his jaw wider, swallowing every beautiful groan the Uchiha let loose as he tried to fight against the panic rising inside of him.
Desperation permeated off of Naruto, making Sasuke momentarily dizzy. He was used to Naruto wrenching the frenzied lust from within him, but this new emotion the blond was using to kiss and bite at his neck with, was a new kind of hunger and it had Sasuke's head spinning. The man is in love with you. Itachi's words rang in his ears just as Naruto gripped his hair and arched back his neck, attacking and then marking the base of his neck with brutal force. Sasuke's thoughts scattered. With his dick now straining, the young mobster's possessive streak flared. The tattoo wasn't enough. Having Naruto until October wasn't enough, he thought just as the telephone began to ring.
"Fuck," Naruto bemoaned and peppered several kisses along the slope of Sasuke's neck before finally looking up.
"I swear I'm going to unplug that thing." Sasuke growled, pulling back and giving Naruto a frustrated almost angry look.
Naruto smiled. "It's fine. Go answer it, I'm not going anywhere."
Sasuke looked back at him and darted his tongue out over his bottom lip. Backing up toward the phone on the nightstand, he then reluctantly turned to pick it up after the fifth ring.
"What?" Sasuke said into the mouthpiece.
Naruto watched Sasuke at the phone and the Uchiha turned to face him while he listened on the line.
"She wants what?" Sasuke kept his eyes on Naruto who was now slowly removing his jacket. "Violins?" Sasuke asked, distracted by the sight unfolding in front of him.
Naruto let his coat fall to the floor and then starting at his collar, began working his shirt buttons while his bright blue eyes remained trained on where Sasuke stood, attentive and spellbound.
"Yeah, yes, tell her it's fine. Whatever she needs for the number," Sasuke said in a low voice. Naruto was now opening his dress shirt and letting it too, slip off his shoulders and drop to the floor. Sasuke licked his lips, his eyes darkening. "Whatever she wants." The roughness of Sasuke's voice dropping again. His dick, now tenting his slacks, was a lewd affirmation that Naruto's enticement was working. Riveted, he slowly hung up the phone.
Naruto smiled and went to him. "What was that about?" He asked, stepping in close. His eyes dropped to the the large bulge protruding from Sasuke's tailored slacks. Naruto flicked his gaze back up and half a crooked grin lifted his lips.
Sasuke took in the whole of his lover's face and wrapped his hands around the hot flesh of Naruto's waist. The storm blue eyes looking back at him were filled with hunger but again he noted a flicker of something else. Sasuke forced himself to let it pass, wanting to stay true to Naruto's request for a distraction from the drama that awaited them outside his bedroom door.
"I have no idea," he said and a soft laughter escaped the blond right before he crushed their mouths together, swallowing the beautiful sound.
Not wasting time, Naruto's hands sought out Sasuke's vest and undid the buttons one by one.
"I don't know what the fuck you keep getting all dolled up for," Naruto said into his mouth. "I always prefer how you look out of your overpriced suits."
"Overpri -" But Sasuke's words were cut off as Naruto kissed him hard while he continued to unfasten his vest.
Once open, he immediately started on the shirt and then broke their kiss to push Sasuke back so he could peel both off, and run his hands up Sasuke's lean sinewy arms. Sasuke took hold of his hips just as Naruto slid his arms around Sasuke's neck and gazed into his obsidian eyes.
"I'll never get over how fucking gorgeous you look when you watch me the way you were just now." Naruto smiled and Sasuke ground their hips together, pressing his hard length into Naruto's matching erection.
A dark lust seared through Sasuke's eyes as he stared back. "I enjoy watching you," he said in deep tenor that sent a shiver down Naruto's back.
Naruto raised a daring brow at him. "Do you?"
Sasuke caught the challenging look and a gleam lit the darkness of his eyes. A broad sinful smile erupted on Naruto's face in response, and he easily stepped out of Sasuke's arms and began to slowly walk backwards. Without breaking their gaze, his hand went to his belt and then this slacks, undoing the clasp and lowering the zipper. Once undone, he used his fingers to tease the waistband of his pants and then bit his bottom lip at the way Sasuke's eyes darted to the movement. Letting out a small breath of laughter, Naruto came to a stop once he reached the other side of the bed, and then slowly pulled down his pants until they hung obscenely low on his hips, showing off his tan flat stomach and the buoyant arch of his ass.
"Tease," Sasuke breathed out and again licked his lips, his pulse quickening with desire.
Naruto let a hand play along his stomach, before dropping it down and inside the front of his slacks. Hidden from Sasuke's eyes, he stroked himself off with one hand, while his other splayed across his stomach before moving up his chest, stopping to play with his nipple, rolling and pinching it between his fingers. Fighting the urge to close his eyes and roll back his head, Naruto kept his sights on Sasuke and let out a sharp hiss followed by a long needy groan.
"Shit, Naruto…" Sasuke, already greedily palming himself through his slacks, took a step toward the blond.
"Not yet," Naruto breathed out. He then removed his hands and dropped his pants, kicking them off to the side.
As Sasuke's eyes moved lower, he felt his desire grow hot at the sight of how hard Naruto was. The blond seemed to always be ready for him, lusting for him. Knowing Naruto was so thoroughly turned on by his impromptu performance, had Sasuke undoing his own slacks and thrusting a hand inside to wrap around his already slick and leaking shaft. His eyes traveled over Naruto's naked form. His muscular thighs, twitching with anticipation. His tan defined abs and his firm chest rising and falling from the building passion between them.
Sasuke drunk in every beautiful line of Naruto's body and once their gaze met, the blond flicked his brows and jerked his chin at the nightstand. The Uchiha picked up on signal and moved to end table. After finding what he was looking for, he faced Naruto, and a slight smirk settled on his lips as he held up the jar in his hand, turning it over in his fingers.
Naruto climbed onto the bed, his eyes dancing at the playfulness in his lover's stare.
"Come and get it," Sasuke said in the hard, flat tone he usually saved for meetings with the crew or ordering around his hotel staff.
A devilish grin spread across Naruto's face as he lowered himself onto all fours on the bed. This was exactly the distraction he needed. He didn't want to think about Japan or hypothetical parents or clan takeovers or anything other than what was happening this very instant. What he wanted was what he had found their first night together and every shared moment since. The sweet and total bliss of his whole world falling away; completely succumbing to the ecstasy of Uchiha Sasuke.
Like a merciful blessing, all of Naruto's doubts and fears flittered away as he crawled across the bed to where Sasuke was waiting, jar in hand. It wasn't just his own need that had him dripping with desire. It was the way Sasuke was looking at him. The way he always looked at him when they were alone. With eyes that wanted to devour, to swallow him down and claim him forever. Sasuke was insatiable for him and that knowledge had kept Naruto wound tight since the day they first met. He knew he was now beyond all hope when it came to his need to lose himself in the possessive eyes of ruthless mob boss. And without a doubt, Naruto knew his unholy addiction would remain with him for the rest of his life.
Sasuke looked down at Naruto, crouched, eyes raised and burning. Naruto didn't want to talk about his parents in Japan any more than Sasuke wanted to talk about the death of his own. Between the two of them, there seemed to be no end to the tragedy they shared. Now with the both of them eager to distance themselves from everything that had come to pass, even if only for a night, Sasuke couldn't help but recognize the invisible bond that had grown between them. One that seemed to pull whenever the other tugged. It was hard to ignore. Yet as he tossed the jar in his hand just over Naruto's head and relished the fuck you glare he got in return, all of Sasuke's silent musings vanished. All his attention focused only on the right now. On Naruto.
Naruto moved back to grab the jar and prop himself up against headboard. Now facing each other, Sasuke stood mesmerized by the blue fire in his lover's eyes. His hand was now picking up speed inside his slacks as he watched Naruto open the jar and coat his two of his fingers in the gel. Naruto's hand moved lower and slid between his legs. Lazily widening his knees, Naruto shifted, drifting down into the bed to give Sasuke the perfect view of his fingers moving over his entrance to leisurely circle and tease his hole.
The stoic Uchiha froze.
Through lust ridden eyes, Naruto watched as Sasuke's mask began to crack. God, how he loved being able to break the Uchiha's hard shell so thoroughly. Chewing on his bottom lip, Naruto pushed a finger inside himself and couldn't help but let out a long moan at the sensation.
"Oh fuck," Naruto panted and lolled his head back as he slid in a second. Vaguely he heard himself voice a needy whine but didn't care. He moved both fingers, trying to stretch the tightness and rolled back his eyes, knowing that Sasuke was watching him. Lusting for him. Not being able to hold back, Naruto started to flex his hips into his hand, pushing and grinding into the intrusion.
Still writhing, Naruto lifted his head. Eyes deeper than the bluest sea met Sasuke's and the heat of them slapped Sasuke into motion. He yanked his pants down and off, and with predatory ease, climbed onto the bed and approached him.
Naruto's tongue darted out over his bottom lip and he tucked the flesh into his mouth, biting down hard just as Sasuke crawled up and settled between his legs, looming over him.
"Sasuke," Naruto groaned and tilted his head up, waiting for his lover to claim him.
"Naruto," Sasuke replied. His breath filled the space between them and felt the last of his restraint break as he watched Naruto's eyes close and give way to the pleasure of fingering himself. Sasuke swallowed at the sight. No one could break him the way Naruto could. The way Naruto was breaking him now.
Hooking his arms under Naruto's thighs, Sasuke dragged him down, then pulled Naruto's hand away, pinning both his wrists to the bed. Naruto arched up, trying to find some relief for his aching cock and Sasuke responded by moving his knees up, pushing against the backs of Naruto's thighs, forcing his legs out wide.
"My turn." Sasuke's voice was rough and breathless.
Naruto's chest was now heaving. "Mmmm… tell me what you want, Sasuke," Naruto moaned, a dark fire lighting his eyes.
Not shying away from the undercurrent of meaning in the question, Sasuke lowered his mouth to Naruto's. "You. Only you."
It was near eight in the evening when Yamato called up to Sasuke's room. The man waiting patiently in the foyer, stood quietly by but Yamato was careful not to turn his back on him.
"There's a gentleman who's just arrived saying he's here to meet his traveling companion." The old caretaker eyed the dark haired man suspiciously. "I see. Yes. Thank you, Sasuke." Yamato hung up the telephone and turned to the man with strange dark and distant eyes. "My apologies," Yamato said. "If you'll please follow me, I'll show you to your room. May I take your bag, Mr…?"
"Thank you, but I can manage," the lean figured man said softly. "And it's, Uchiha… Uchiha Shisui."
"Right this way, Shisui-san." Yamato turned and led the man to the staircase.
"Thank you," the visitor replied. "And it's just Shisui," he added with a soft smile as he followed him up the stairs.
Yamato looked back as they climbed. "Right this way... Shisui."
"Wow!" Tenten hopped off the bar and headed toward the stage. "Sakura, that was beautiful!"
Sakura stepped away from the mic stand, her eyes wide with excitement. "Do you think people will like it?"
"Like it? Hunny, the crowd's gonna go nuts when they hear it!" Tenten beamed back. "You write that?"
"Yeah. It was an older song I had been working on but the lyrics weren't quite right. So I redid it and well," she said and swung her hand out and behind her, "this is the finished product."
Sakura turned around and gave the band an energetic round of applause. "Thanks so much, fellas, you were amazing! All that's left is to play it for Sasuke and if he give it the thumbs up, we'll play it next week when we open."
The band behind her let out a ruckus of shouts of approval mixed with sore muscle groans and laughter. As they all began to get up and gather their things, the clatter of instruments filled the club and Sakura smiled wide at it all. She was finally going to take a chance and sing one of her own songs. Taking in a deep breath, she resolved to make it her best show ever.
"Gaara's gonna flip when he hears it!" Tenten said and Sakura turned to meet her.
"You think so?"
"I always catch him listening to all your songs on club nights," Tenten said with a smirk and a raised brow. "Never seen him frown during a single one."
Tenten gave Sakura wink. "Any news yet on the California front?"
Sakura sat down on the stool next to the mic stand and chewed her bottom lip. "None." She turned her green eyes up at Tenten. "I can't ask him to stay. I won't do that to him. Instead, I just keep hoping he'll ask me to go with him."
Tenten placed her hands on her hips and nodded. "Yeah… but you shouldn't be afraid to tell him how you feel either. Maybe he doesn't think you'd wanna leave New York and the club."
"True," Sakura answered. "I guess I'm kind of hoping this song will help me say the words, ya know?"
Tenten let out a laugh. "If the words to this song don't spell it out for him, then I don't know what will."
Sakura let out a laugh and then looked to the band as they were leaving the stage and exiting the club. "Bye, guys! Thanks again!"
"Goodnight, Sakura."
"Great song!"
The band shuffled out the stage door and some climbed the stairs and headed out the main entrance. As the club emptied, Sakura turned her attention back to Tenten. "Do you really think Sasuke's going to open the club next week?"
Tenten grabbed one of the of the nearby chairs and pulled it closer. "I don't know," she said and sat down. "He and Naruto have been locked up at Pierrepont going over plans but so far haven't filled us in. The last thing I was told, was to put up a sign in the box office window letting people know we'd reopen next week."
Sakura nodded. "I know I'm not clan but…" she paused biting her lip. "Is it true that Madara had Sasuke's parents killed?"
The brunette eyed the singer for a moment and then crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair. "Gaara doesn't share much with you does he?"
"Not about clan business. About that he stays pretty tight lipped," she answered. "I think he's afraid I'll worry too much." Sakura rubbed her hands across her lap, straightening out the creases on her white dress. She had worn it just in case Gaara showed up at the club during rehearsal.
"It's probably for the best," Tenten said. "As for Sasuke's parents," she said in a lowered voice, "It looks that way."
Sakura's heart sank. "Poor Sasuke. First Itachi and now his mother and father. No wonder Gaara never wants to tell me anything. Protecting an Uchiha isn't exactly safe job." She let out a sigh and creased her brows.
Tenten leaned forward a bit. "Don't let it worry you too much. Gaara's not the kind of man to act rash and I'm sure whatever plan they're all cooking up will have us rid of Madara soon."
Sakura nodded but knew better. Though hardly ever rash, Gaara still had a hard streak in him and Sakura's worry spiked.
Clearing her throat she instead let her mind drift to the young Uchiha. "I feel bad for Sasuke. I can't imagine what he must be going through, losing his whole family like that."
"Yeah. I never got to meet Itachi but I met their parents once. Seemed like good people," Tenten answered back. "It's a hard business we're in."
"It was Itachi who paid to get me out of the factory," Sakura said softly and then brought her head up to look around the club. "He brought me here and said I could work here as a waitress." Her eyes shined and a gentle smile touched her lips. "Everyone always thought he was so scary and unapproachable, but I remember the kindness in his eyes when he told me I didn't have to work at the club if I didn't want to but that there would always be a job for me here if I needed one."
Both ladies looked at each other and smiled.
"Well," Tenten got up and stretched. "It looks like everyone's gone home. Whaddya say, Pinkie? You ready to head back to Pierrepont?"
"Definitely." Sakura stood up from her stool. "I'll just grab my things from the dressing roo -" Suddenly the pink haired woman froze and locked her sights on the man coming down the entrance staircase.
Not missing the look, Tenten spun around. "Don't leave my side," she muttered low enough so only Sakura could hear, and then readied herself as she watched Uchiha Madara stride toward them both.
"I need to speak with Sakura, alone," Madara said not bothering to look at Tenten but choosing instead to keep his dark stare on the Pink Lady.
"Consider yourselves alone," Tenten quipped back without moving so much as an inch from Sakura's side.
Adjusting his solid black suit, Madara finally looked down at the brunette, his eyes hard. "I'll give you credit for your spunk, little stripling, but you are treading on a dangerous path." The edge in Madara's voice might have frozen anyone else in fear, but Tenten had already caught Juugo watching from the entrance balcony out of the corner of her eye, knowing full well he would have followed protocol and alerted Sai to make his way to the stage door. Though she knew to never underestimate the Uchiha patriarch, a sweet smile coated her ruby red lips as she stood there fully enjoying her current odds.
"My apologies, Uchiha-sama, but I have my orders. After the attempted robbery, I am to remain by Sakura's side during all rehearsals and then escort her home after." She gave a nod to the elder Uchiha and held her smile. "I'm sure you wouldn't want me to disobey Sasuke's orders."
"What I would like -"
"It's okay Tenten, I have nothing to say to Madara." Sakura boldly brought her eyes up and steeled them at the Uchiha. "If you wouldn't mind driving me home, I'm ready when you are, Ten," she said.
"Sure Sakura, let's -"
Madara was fast. He moved forward and grabbed Sakura's arm. Tenten had just enough time to signal Juugo and Sai before turning to face the mob boss. Knowing she couldn't make any outright moves against him, Tenten held back, hoping she'd be able to convince him to walk away before things got ugly.
Gripping one of her arms, Madara yanked the club singer, and shook her closer to him. "I've invested money in you," he growled. "So before you go thinking you're miss high and mighty, never forget what you are; nothing more than a whore for hire."
Sakura's face burned at his words, but knew it was too late to try and hide her past at this point. Ignoring the embarrassment of Tenten standing nearby, Sakura let her anger take control.
Though Madara missed the movement, Tenten hadn't. Maybe it was because the old Uchiha never would have imagined the pink haired woman finding enough nerve to behave so brazenly, that he didn't notice when Sakura's other hand dipped into the slit of her dress. In mere seconds, she pulled out a knife and swung it open with the flick of her wrist; hours and hours of practicing with the newly bought balisong Gaara had given her, finally paying off. With her green eyes fire-lit and staring back at Madara, she wedged the knife hard into his groin and twisted her hand so the sharp edge would send a painful threat to Madara; letting him know it would either be her arm or his balls.
The Uchiha froze, eyes blazing at Sakura. "You worthless piece of -"
"Aa-ah-ah, Marada," Sakura said and dug her blade in harder causing the man to flinch and shove her away.
Immediately Tenten moved, placing herself between the two. "I think it's time I escort the lady home." She turned her head slightly but didn't take her eyes off Madara. "Why don't you go and collect your things, Sakura and we'll be on our way."
Madara adjusted the front of his pants and threw both women a snide grin. "No matter what Sasuke has told you, I will see to it this club is shut down. It's only a matter of time before you come crawling back to me, begging for work."
"I will never work for you again." Sakura did her best to keep her voice hard and fight back her fear. Determined to bury that weak girl she once was, she lifted her chin and with all her strength took a step forward. "If you come near me again, I'll kill you."
A dark smile spread across Madara's face.
"I think it's time to leave." Tenten gently took hold of Sakura's arm and tugged her toward the stage door where Sai was already waiting. "If you'll excuse us, Uchiha-sama. Please have yourself a pleasant evening." Tenten shot a look up to Juugo and then to Sai as she pulled Sakura with her. Sai walked forward passing the two women as they left through the stage door and planted himself in between the stage and Madara, and Juugo took off his jacket and tossed it to the floor, revealing the two firearms he had strapped to his sides.
Keeping his smile firmly in place, Madara turned around and headed back up the entrance staircase. Even though he didn't acknowledge Juugo as he passed by him, the large ginger followed him out of the club and watched as the Uchiha made his way through the lobby and out the main hotel doors. Once Juugo saw a car pull up to the curb and Madara climb in, he walked straight to the front desk to get to the telephone.
As soon as Sakura entered the dressing room, she pushed past Tenten and ran to the sink near the back and threw up into the basin.
Tenten came up next to her holding out a towel and turned the faucet on. "Here."
Sakura looked up. "Thank you," she said and reached for the towel with a shaking hand.
"It's the adrenaline. Take a few deep breaths and cool your face with the water," Tenten said and gave the nightclub singer a gentle smile.
"Guess I'll never be crew material, huh?" Sakura tried to laugh but the sound came out strained and broken. She ran the towel under the water and then pressed the cloth against her face, letting the coldness refresh her.
"You kidding? That was one of the bravest things I ever saw," Tenten replied. "Incredibly stupid," she added. "But very brave."
Sakura rinsed out her mouth and wiped her face again. "I sure feel stupid. Look at me, I can't stop shaking." Sakura stood up and held out her hands, offering them up to Tenten as if somehow the dark haired woman would know how to stop the trembling.
Tenten ignored her hands and instead pulled the Pink Lady in for a hug. "The shaking will ease off soon," she said and gave her a tight squeeze before stepping back to try and catch Sakura's eyes with her own. "But if I were you, I wouldn't mention to Gaara what just happened. I know he gave you that blade so you could protect yourself, but I doubt he'd be thrilled to hear you tried to take on Uchiha Madara on your own."
Sakura nodded in agreement and took in a deep breath. "Thanks Ten" She managed a smile and let out a long breath. "I think it's time to head back."
"Sounds great. Grab your stuff and let's get you home."
Picking up her bag and putting on her long black felt coat, Sakura then walked to where Tenten was waiting at the dressing room door. The brunette then turned and led the way out. As the two women strolled back into the club to take the stairs to the lobby, Tenten spoke up.
"Hey Sakura?"
"Hm?"
"I was wondering. Where exactly were you hiding that knife?" Tenten slid a look at the club singer, eyeing her slim white dress, and raising her eyebrows in curiosity.
A broad smile filled Sakura's face and she finally felt her nerves begin to settle down. "The same place you hide yours, Ten," she answered and both girls broke into a fit of laughter as they walked through the hotel lobby and left The Tokyo Palace Hotel.
Sasuke placed the telephone down onto the nightstand and rolled back over to where Naruto was lying and waiting with questioning eyes.
"That was Juugo. Madara paid another visit to the club."
Naruto sat up. "Gaara said Sakura had gone to the club to rehearse, was she still there?"
"She was there but so were Tenten and Sai." Sasuke moved closer to Naruto and then laid back down against the pillows, pulling the blanket with him. "And from what Juugo said, it seems like your childhood friend has been picking up a thing or two from the redhead."
Still sitting up, Naruto looked down at Sasuke, confused. "What do you mean?"
"And I think Itachi was right about moving up the plans to next week. There's no way Madara will wait much longer now," Sasuke said thoughtfully. He laced his hands behind his head and stared up at the ceiling.
"Sasuke." Naruto's tone was sharp and the Uchiha turned his head.
"Sakura threatened Madara with a knife when he grabbed her."
Naruto's eyed went wide. "She -"
"Almost cut his dick off. Even made him wince the way I heard it." A flicker of amusement flashed in Sasuke's eyes. "I might have to reconsider that girl. Albeit an incredibly stupid move on her part, I'll give her points for showing some grit."
"Holy hell," Naruto breathed out. "Shit."
"What?" Sasuke asked.
"If Gaara finds out..." Naruto didn't finish as his mind reluctantly went to how Gaara reacted the last time he found out someone had tried to hurt Sakura. An uneasy look passed over Naruto's face.
"Then we won't tell him," Sasuke said, easily reading his worry-filled eyes.
"Yeah…" Naruto said.
For a moment, Sasuke eyed the man next to him and then turned on his side, facing him fully. "What about you?"
Pulled from his thoughts, Naruto blinked back at him.
"Everything's that's happened. I know you don't want to talk about your parents, and I'm trying to respect that." Sasuke gave Naruto a slighted look. "I'm not a patient man."
"Don't I know it," Naruto said back.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Are you... alright?" He did his best to keep the frustration he was feeling out of his tone. Pushing too hard would only make matters worse, he reminded himself, and again thought to how little time he and Naruto had left.
Naruto smiled at the familiar words. "I'm not sure how to explain it." He leaned back against the headboard and ran a hand through his blond hair.
Surprised by Naruto's sudden willingness to talk, Sasuke sat up, giving his lover his full attention. "Take your time," he said and Naruto gave him a weak smile back.
"I know you wanna know why I'm not interested in meeting him… them." Naruto took a deep breath and leaned his head back against the headboard. "Your parents were taken from you, and for while, your brother. You've made a life out of protecting and honoring your family." Naruto chewed his bottom lip but kept his eyes straight ahead and away from Sasuke's scrutinizing stare. "How am I supposed to explain to you, how I'm feeling?"
Of course Sasuke could understand the point Naruto was trying to make, even if he was being as vague as possible. When Naruto told Itachi not to inform Namikaze Minato that his son was alive and in New York, Sasuke had been dumbfounded. How could Naruto not want to know his family? His clan?
Noting the way Naruto was avoiding his gaze, a firm resolve settled within him. "I'm not going to pass judgement on you for your choice, Naruto. I'm only curious as to why." A slight twitch lifted at Sasuke's mouth and he wasn't sure why it felt like a half-truth.
Naruto raised a knee under the covers and rested his arm across it. "I've been on my own for a long time." Naruto paused, considering. "Whatever fantasies I had about finding my parents, came and went years ago. Now, I just do what I need to for myself and for Gaara. I haven't really cared about anything else."
"I didn't -" Naruto began and then stopped again. Best to just spit it out, he thought and turned his body to face Sasuke who was watching him intently. "When Itachi told me about Minato and that I had parents in Japan, I didn't feel anything." Naruto took in a sharp breath and stared back at Sasuke. Shaking his head in honest to god confusion, he went on. "I didn't feel a thing. Not excitement or curiosity or happiness… other than the initial surprise and shock, of course, I didn't feel a thing. I still don't."
"Any idea why?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto shrugged. "At the time I thought it was because I didn't care."
"And now?"
Even though his thoughts were still banging around in his head without much form, Naruto tried to find the right words. Words other than, I don't know.
"I think..." Naruto chewed the inside of his lip. "I think I've just reached a point where it doesn't matter anymore. Having parents. I've made all my own choices and I've done it without the help of a mother or a father."
Both men looked at each other, and while Sasuke didn't see any lie in Naruto's eyes, he wasn't so sure his bedmate was revealing the true depth of his feelings. Still, no matter whether Naruto was holding anything back or not, he knew giving him time to sort it out on his own would be best. But would there be enough time? Sasuke pushed away the thought and nodded at Naruto's words. For the moment, he decided to accept his reasons.
"I'm going to see if Yamato will bring up a late dinner. Think you could eat something?" Sasuke turned and got up.
Naruto watched his lover's naked body leave the bed. The hard headed Uchiha was showing surprising restraint. He had expected Sasuke to try and convince him that having a family was more important than whatever life might be waiting for him in California. And if he were completely truthful, he half expected the gangster to try and persuade him to join -
"Naruto?" Sasuke was looking at him. "Everything okay?" Sasuke had pulled on a pair of drawstring pants and was watching him from the side of the bed.
"Yeah, I was just thinking I should probably call Kakashi sooner rather than later. If we're planning on finalizing the plans tomorrow, I think it would be a good idea to have him in on everything from the very beginning."
Sasuke doubted that was what the blond had on his mind a moment ago, but figured if it was related to Naruto's earlier difficulty over expressing his feelings, it was probably better not to push. Also, the blond had a point. Given Kakashi's access to police headquarters, the white-haired joker would no doubt prove useful to their plans and Sasuke was never one to ignore someone's usefulness.
"I agree," Sasuke answered and then paused, mulling over his thoughts.
"What?" Naruto asked.
"Something tells me my dear brother won't run the risk of me getting to Kakashi first."
"You think Itachi's going to tell him tonight?" Naruto got out of bed and begun putting on the pair of cotton pants he had left lying on the floor..
Sasuke's eyes cleared and he looked over at Naruto, again wearing his pajamas. His eyes dropped and lingered at the way they hung low on his hips, as if tempting him to walk over and pull them lower to bear the tan flesh beneath. Sasuke licked his lips, thinking of the salty smooth flavor of Naruto's skin that he'd grown to crave.
"Oiy, teme, my eyes are up here."
Immediately Sasuke lifted his gaze and met the dancing gleam in Naruto's eyes. He lifted a brow at the blond, completely unfazed at being caught staring at the delicious contours of his lover's body.
Naruto smiled. "Your brother?" he said, enjoying his ability to distract the stoic gangster. "You think he's gonna find a way to meet with Kakashi tonight?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if that one-eyed idiot was already here," Sasuke said, keeping his eyes on Naruto while slowly walking towards him. "My brother doesn't enjoy being outflanked. He'll find a way to speak to Kakashi before either of us gets the chance to do it first."
There was no mistaking the look is Sasuke's eyes as he approached, and like any addict, Naruto's heart began to race at the anticipation of getting his fix. Again, he pushed away thoughts of future goodbyes, whether or not he was making the right decision about his parents, and clan warmongering. Tonight, Sasuke was all he wanted to think about.
"Something tells me I'm not gonna get any dinner," Naruto said as Sasuke reached out and wrapped his arms around his waist, pulling him in with a soft grunt.
Sasuke dipped his hands under Naruto's waistband and slid his palms over and down the arch of his ass. Cupping each cheek, he gripped hard and pulled, grinding their growing erections against each other.
Naruto put one arm around Sasuke's neck while the other found its way to the side of his face, caressing the pale ivory skin before moving to tease the Uchiha's soft lips with his thumb.
"I can still call down to Yamato," Sasuke said, brushing his lips against Naruto's calloused digit and loving the rough feel of it. "We can eat, then fuck," he said and grinned.
The sight of Sasuke smiling, lept in Naruto's chest. There was nothing more beautiful. The crease between his brows, gone. The hardlined mask across his face, fading. With eyes lit like the night sky, highlighting every stunning facet of the Uchiha's rare smile, Naruto beamed back and then crushed his mouth to Sasuke's, feverishly kissing him.
"Fucking it is," Sasuke breathed into Naruto's mouth and dug his hands into Naruto's firm ass. Dragging him backwards, Sasuke moaned in satisfaction as they clung to each other and tumbled back into bed.
It was half past eleven when Kakashi, lounging on his bed, looked up from his book. Now, it wasn't because Kakashi had some sort of sixth sense or was harboring mysterious clairvoyant skills that made the man more alert than most. The simple truth of it was that Kakashi was just a man who paid attention to detail.
You see, the family in 9A would start shouting around seven in the evening for their little ones to hurry to bed, sending the sounds of frantic pattering up and down down the hall as their parents tried to corral them. At exactly 9:15, Mrs. Lobowska, banging on her stuck window pane until it budged right before slamming up the frame causing the walls to vibrate at least two apartments over, would bring her plants in from the fire escape for the evening. And Mr. Hemmel, well, he came home around ten forty-five, always carrying a paper sack and wearing a dirty brown long coat; climbing the stairs in a banging slide fashion. Shwoop-thunk. Shwoop-thunk. Up and up until he came to 15B. Every night, the sound of his door creaking open, slamming shut and the turn of the locks floating toward Kakashi's ears.
There was nothing Kakashi didn't notice. He tracked every neighbor, all their routines and each sound associated with their comings and goings. Once home from training, he'd lay in his bed and thumb through his books while simultaneously crossing the night's events off his list one by one. The rugrats in 9A. Hemmel. The old man two brownstones over who passed by his window, shuffling his feet along the concrete sidewalk during his nightly constitutional.
So when Kakashi heard a set of firm and heavy footsteps working their way up the stairs, it took him only seconds to react. Down the metal fire escape and back around the front of the building he went until he was through the apartment entrance; tactically climbing up the stairs only two floors behind the unknown interloper. Cla-clunk. Cla-clunk. Cla-clunk resounded in the dank, dimly lit stairwell as Kakashi crept up behind, closing the distance. Not making a sound, he unsheathed a six inch blade from the holster on his waist band and peeked around the corner of the third floor landing to see a dark-haired man close to his own age, raise his hand and knock on the police liaisons door.
There was no noise as Kakashi, with expert finesse, moved forward and came up behind the man at his door. In one instant, he slid his knife against the stranger's neck while his left hand moved to wrap around the man's shoulders to try and hold him in place. But the older man was having none of it. He swiftly blocked Kakashi's left hand, slapping his right hand firmly around Kakashi's wrist and with his left, took hold of Kakashi's left elbow, applying enough pressure to warn the one-eyed man that if he made a move with his knife, he would snap his arm inward at the elbow.
"Not bad," Kakashi said from behind. "You're definitely better than most I've come across."
"Then perhaps it's best you not try your luck," the man replied, making no move to let go.
Kakashi held still. "You first," he said flatly, keeping his knife just below the man's Adam's apple.
"I was sent to find you and bring you to Pierrepont. My name is Yamato."
Yamato. Kakashi knew the name. "Naruto and I already decided it wasn't -"
"Yes, but your presence is requested," Yamato said calmly and waited to see what Kakashi's next move would be.
As Kakashi withdrew his knife, Yamato released his hold on his arm and both men eased back from one another. With a flick of his wrist, Kakashi spun his blade and slid it back into its holster on his hip and pushed both his hands into his pockets.
Yamato tugged on his vest and then stepped past the one eyed man. "I have a car. Follow me."
Kakashi stared after him for a second. Yamato made no attempt to plea or bargain for trust. He had simply expected it as he walked off and headed back down the stairs. The silent ultimatum impressed Kakashi. Trust me or don't, his actions said and Kakashi couldn't help but like the man all the more for it.
"Has Sasuke made all the arrangements to move up the plan?" Kakashi asked as they drove through the borough toward Pierrepont.
"I was only asked to bring you to the manor," Yamato replied, not looking away from the road.
"Hm." Kakashi pulled his gaze away from the man behind the wheel and stared out the windshield. A strange feeling of trepidation stole its way into him. It was plain that Yamato wasn't interested in fighting him or lying to him; he could feel no emotion whatsoever coming from the man. But still, Kakashi couldn't shake the feeling that something big was going down. Something he suddenly felt ill prepared for.
"Is he planning on making a move tonight?" Kakashi pressed and this time Yamato turned to glance at him.
"I only know of a meeting they're planning but I don't know the timetable," he replied. "I know there are a few major points that need to be adjusted before everything is set into motion."
Kakashi nodded feeling a bit better at Yamato's willingness to try and ease his anxiety about what this midnight summons could be about. Again, he looked to the road ahead. Whatever the reason, this late night house call had his brain churning.
As they neared Pierrepont, Yamato pointed to the bag on the floor near the passenger seat. "If you don't mind."
Inside the bag was a fedora and a long black trench coat. Kakashi had left his place without either and thankfully, Yamato had the foresight to bring both along. Covering up as much of his shocking white hair as he could with the hat, he then pulled on the coat just as the car turned down the street, taking them into the quiet neighborhood along the New York harbor.
Yamato pulled up to the manor and set the car in park. He got out, opened the garage door and then drove them inside. Once inside he repeated his actions, this time closing the metal door and tightly securing it before joining Kakashi at the entrance leading into Pierrepont.
"Is everyone asleep?" Kakashi asked. Though he hadn't been to the manor more than once, he assumed that the late hour, would have called for at least one of Sasuke's crew to be on duty, waiting to meet them when they arrived.
But Yamato didn't reply.
The austere caretaker led Kakashi into the home and to the main staircase. Up he went with Kakashi following close behind. Not used to the nervousness that was settling within him, Kakashi took off his hat and ran a hand through his white hair. When Yamato continued down the third floor landing instead of wrapping around the railing to make his way to the fourth floor, Kakashi paused.
Yamato didn't look back, but instead kept his pace down the hallway and into the east wing of the manor.
Kakashi's mind scrambled. There were no meeting rooms this way. He had been through the rooms on the third floor with Naruto just a few days ago and other than guest bedrooms and studies, the only other room on this floor was the Uchiha's dojo. Had Naruto gone through all this trouble to set up a training session in the middle of the night? He stuffed his hands into his pockets but stayed alert as he resumed trailing after Yamato.
"The door is open. You can go on inside." Yamato motioned to the door on the far right and then immediately turned and walked past him, heading back the way they'd come.
There was no sound other than the soft padding of Yamato's footsteps as he headed back down the main staircase and out of sight. Kakashi watched him go while quietly dissecting every possible reason why he would have been summoned at such a late hour to a third floor guest bedroom at the far end of Pierrepont's east wing. Turning his head, he stared at the doorway he had been instructed to enter. Finally deciding it was always best to see things through to the end, Kakashi went to the door and held up a hand to knock, then hesitated. Reaching instead for the handle he turned it and walked inside.
In mere seconds, Kakashi, a man of details, took in the whole of the room.
Straight ahead a large, plain four-poster bed was pushed up against the farthest wall. Heavy black drapes were pulled over the broad windows on his left, blocking out any view beyond. Solid black rugs at his feet. Wooden floors throughout. Everything minimal, sparse. Against the wall to his right, chocolate colored leather bound chairs bookended a similarly upholstered sofa and two dark haired men were standing motionless in front of it quietly conversing. Both then stopped and turned to look his way when he entered the room. A soft click of the bedroom door closing behind him, the only sound against the silence.
For a moment Kakashi only stared, not really believing. The same oil rich eyes. The same long ebony hair pulled back so only a few loose strands brushed against the ivory sheen of his face. A simple black suit, fitted with perfect elegant lines. And the man himself, giving Kakashi a tired but eversharp look that pierced through him. Kakashi took a mental note of the unknown man standing nearby, but kept the force of his attention on the one now moving to fully face him.
"Kashi," the man said and Kakashi's heart thudded loud at the sound of the familiar deep voice.
No. Kakashi squeezed his eyes shut. "Uragirimono," he growled and threw the hat in his hand to the ground.
The man standing next to his former lover moved protectively in between the two and Kakashi opened his eyes at the sound of the movement.
"Shisui," Itachi said soft and placed a gentle hand on the man's arm. Shisui nodded, then turned and walked away.
A deep ache wracked through Kakashi at the sight and he lowered his gaze to the floor. "Is this why you called for me? To restore what you took, only to take pleasure in ripping it from me all over again?" Raising his angry eyes, he saw that the man Itachi called Shisui had moved away and was now sitting quietly on the farthest leather chair.
"What did I take from you, Kashi?" Itachi asked and moved closer to the white haired man.
"You know damn well what you took and don't call me that!"
"What would you like me to call you?" Itachi said and moved closer.
"Stop it," Kakashi bit out and again looked to where Shisui was sitting, expressionless and eyes watching. He then looked back at Itachi. "What a cruel game you play, Uchiha." He hardened his one eye at Itachi and then turned and headed for the door.
"This isn't a game. Shisui knows about you and I but refuses to leave my side."
Kakashi stopped and turned back. As angry as he was, he wasn't an impetuous man by any means. "Tell me," he demanded.
"I was forced by the Federal Government to lie. I returned just last night." Itachi took another step closer. "After the explosion, I left the states and returned to Japan where I met Shisui during an unfortunate misunderstanding of mistaken identity." Itachi nodded his head to the side, indicating to where his travel companion was sitting. "I then returned to New York with the hope of collecting my family before the U.S. Marshall made good on his promise to take down all the Japanese crime syndicates in Brooklyn. Shisui accompanied me to help me see it all done but, I was too late to save my mother and father."
Kakashi stared back, easily following Itachi's explanation and putting all the pieces together. Faked death and government plots. Knowing Itachi like he did, it didn't really surprise him to learn that the Uchiha was caught up in the middle of it. Some of his anger cooled, and he decided for the moment, to hold his ground rather than make for a hasty exit.
Kakashi prided himself on being above carrying on like some spurned lover. Ignoring Shisui's presence, he calmly spoke. "I'm deeply sorry for your loss," he said low. "We were all convinced the hit would be on Sasuke, that I failed to see -"
"There was nothing you could have done."
"But you asked me to -"
"I asked you to watch over my brother," Itachi cut in. "And he is still alive. You kept your word, Kashi, and I'm forever indebted to you."
"I think Naruto had more to do with that than I did," Kakashi said and pushed his hands into his pockets.
"Naruto," Itachi mused and then motioned for Kakashi to follow him. "I have to say, I was surprised to find him sharing a room with my brother."
Still apprehensive, Kakashi, followed him to the table near the large covered window. "You didn't," he said
"I was lucky to have missed the main event but I happened on them not long after I'm sure."
"You and your games." Kakashi's voice again went low and Itachi looked back at him.
"I did what I had to, to save my family."
"I don't doubt you," Kakashi answered flatly.
A quiet settled in the room. "Kashi," Itachi said. "Will you for -"
"I'm surprised Pierrepont is still standing. Your brother isn't exactly known for his easy going temperament," Kakashi said, cutting him off. The sound of Itachi trying to apologize had filled Kakashi with an uncomfortable chill of shame. When had Itachi ever been anything less than honorable? Principled. Even as his own bitterness at being left behind -and replaced, consumed him, Kakashi couldn't stomach listening to Itachi ask for forgiveness.
"He eventually calmed down after a bit of help from Naruto," Itachi answered, not missing the overt deflection.
"Naruto," Kakashi echoed.
Itachi reached for the box on the table and lifted the top off. Inside was fat bulbed ceramic pot that was sealed off at the narrowed end. Itachi lifted up and held it out to Kakashi. "I've never been much of a drinker, but I remembered how much you enjoy your evening sake."
Kakashi took the bottle and turned it over in his hands, appreciating the craftsmanship and the delicate Japanese writing that decorated it. Realizing the meaning behind the gift, he swallowed slow and looked up at his former lover.
"Thank you… Itachi."
The two men stood for a moment, staring and silently shuffling through their shared memories together. The gym. The veranda. The late nights in the club suite.
Kakashi gave him a slight nod and again looked down at the sake bottle. It was only natural that Itachi would have moved on after being away for so long, he thought. At least he had the decency not to hide it or play Kakashi for a fool by stringing him along. No, instead the Uchiha had laid it all out in the open for him to see, knowing the one eyed man always appreciated the hard truth over a placating lie. However brutal Itachi's tactics, Kakashi knew better than to doubt it was what the man had deemed necessary to make his point.
For Itachi, it wasn't hard to miss the look on Kakashi's face. He was never good at ignoring the obvious and wasn't about to do so now. Plans still needed to be formulated and there wasn't any time leftover for romantic angst. If he was going to make his case, it would be best if he did it now.
"Kashi," Itachi began and reached back into the box on the table. "I didn't have Yamato bring you here to give you a goodbye gift." From the box, he pulled out three small sake cups and placed them on the table in front of Kakashi. Itachi then looked back up at him and waited.
With his one good eye on the Uchiha, Kakashi held his stare for a moment and then reached for the knife on his hip. After cutting cutting through the seal on the sake bottle, he poured the sweet smelling alcohol into all three of the cups and then set the jug onto the table.
Itachi handed a cup to Kakashi and took one for himself. "I've decided to stay and help my brother put an end to Madara's ambitions once and for all."
"The plan with the Akatsuki," Kakashi added.
"Yes. We'll go over all that tomorrow." Itachi looked down at his cup and then back up at the white-haired man. "Aside from the plan, I called you here tonight because I intend to leave New York and take Sasuke with me back to Japan." Itachi raised his cup to Kakashi and drank off the sake. "And I want you to join us," he added after a quick swallow.
Kakashi held his cup in midair. His eyes darted over to where Shisui sat silent and then back to Itachi. Without saying a word he shot back the sake and placed his cup on the table.
Not touching the third cup, Itachi reached for the sake and refilled the two now empty ones. "Over the past year, Shisui has accompanied me, to use his words, 'to try and repay an unpayable debt'." Itachi picked up two cups and walked to where the other man was sitting. "After a few months of acquainting ourselves with one another, he confessed that his feelings for me were not entirely honorable."
Itachi handed one of the sake cups to Shisui and gave him gentle look. Shisui bowed his head in thanks and Itachi turned back to Kakashi.
"I then told Shisui how I fully intended to return to America to claim what I left behind and bring everything I could, back with me to Japan." Itachi walked back to Kakashi. "And that I was already so inclined... with someone else."
A quick slide of Kakashi's eyes told him that Shisui had not yet touched his sake but was waiting for something. He brought his attention back to Itachi and though he was a man who always paid attention to even the smallest of details, his mind was frustratingly blank. Just what was Itachi getting at?
"I won't deny my affection for Shisui or my attraction," Itachi continued. "But being the man that I am, I'm reluctant to replace one companion with another. So I've held back. Deciding it would be better for him to witness first hand, my choice in the matter."
Awareness dawned on Kakashi. Itachi hadn't invited him to Pierrepont to say goodbye and reveal to him, his new lover. It was Shisui who was brutally being made aware of the situation. Made to sit nearby as a silent observer to Itachi's final choice and steadfast declaration.
"Yes," Itachi said. "I can see you now understand the situation." Itachi looked back at Shisui and nodded to him. "However, earlier, while in an unusually generous mood, I agreed to Shisui's request that he be allowed to make his case...," Itachi turned back to Kakashi. "...to the both of us, before I send him from my side."
At Itachi's words, Shisui rose from his chair and walked to where the men were waiting.
There was a brightness to Shisui's eyes and though he tried to selfishly search for fault, Kakashi could find no offense or flaw in the man's intention. In fact, the sheer openness of Shisui's manner as he approached, intrigued Kakashi as to just what sort argument was the man going to make? A plea for him to step aside? And how was Itachi so sure Kakashi would want to leave with him to Japan? Kakashi pulled his attention from Shisui and looked back to find Itachi already watching him.
"You don't want to return with me?"
"I don't know if..." he muttered, not knowing how to continue.
"Kakashi-san." Shisui was now standing next to him and Kakashi faced him, still open-mouthed from not knowing what to say to Itachi. "I think once given a moment to think the offer over, you will make the choice I already see brewing in your eye." Shisui looked directly into Kakashi's one good eye and smiled; sending him a silent knowing from his own.
Not able to resist, Kakashi closed his gaping mouth and let a small smirk lift at its corner.
"Itachi has told me much about you. Of course, I don't harbor any naivete in thinking that second hand information proves familiarity, but from what I've learned, I believe once you hear my proposal, a man such as yourself might be inclined to… see things from my perspective." Shisui raised his sake at Kakashi who snapped out of his daze and picked up his own, raising it back.
Both men drank off the liquor and Shisui held out his hand to the white-haired man. Kakashi handed over the empty cup and watched as Shisui moved to set down both cups and then refill them.
"As Itachi stated, I have refused to leave his side. He saved my life," Shisui said matter of factly and handed a cup back to Kakashi. "And in turn I have dedicated myself to him and his endeavors. It's also now, not a secret that I have found myself quite taken with him and though he has continued to turn me away time and time again, I have refused to take no for an answer."
Kakashi swung his gaze to Itachi whose eyes darkened in response. "No, Shisui and I are not lovers, Kashi." Itachi took a step closer and Kakashi stilled.
The all consuming presence of Itachi wafted over him. Kakashi had never been able to contend with the Uchiha's power to send him over the edge without even touching him and he did his best to appear unaffected.
The two men locked eyes as Shisui continued to speak. "It's true, Kakashi-san. And, if I may be completely honest, tonight was the first time Itachi has allowed me inside his sleeping quarters in all the time we've known each other, and it was only because he expected you to arrive soon."
Kakashi turned his head toward Shisui but kept his sights on Itachi. Slowly he pulled his gaze away and looked at the other man. "Are you suggesting...?"
"I'm merely asking you to consider the scenario. I'm told I can be quite convincing when I put my mind to it." Shisui's face lit up with a confident air and he smiled warmly. "Would you hear me out?" He raised his sake up and tilted his head.
All the details came falling into place and Kakashi, ever the attentive man turned and took in the deep heated look of his former lover's eyes. In response, Itachi raised the sake already in his hand and Kakashi did the same. All three men looked at one another and drank off the alcohol. Again, Shisui took their empty cups and set them down.
With slow moving grace, Itachi stepped in and brought himself only inches from Kakashi. Then reaching up to move the pad of his thumb across Kakashi's lips, he wiped away the moisture left by the sake. Immediately, Kakashi shot a hand up and gripped Itachi's wrist, stopping its motion. A flash of electricity exploded through them both at the agression. Kakashi lifted his chin and leveled his eyes at the Uchiha.
"And how do you plan to convince me?" Itachi cocked a brow at him. "Don't give me that look, Uchiha. You knew damn well there would be a price for ditching me the way you did." Kakashi let out a playful sigh. "Tell me Itachi, do you always believe your little games will go according to plan?"
A positively wicked grin curved the corners of Itachi's mouth. "Yes."
Kakashi took in a sharp breath but did his best to steel himself against the intensity of the Uchiha's smile. He could feel his heart rate skyrocketing but worked to keep his breath even, not wanting to appear rattled.
Making no move to pull his hand from Kakashi's hold, Itachi turned his head to the side but kept his eyes on Kakashi. "Shisui."
"Hai." Itachi's travelling companion stepped away and went to the bedroom door, locking it.
"If I recall correctly, I too can be quite convincing," Itachi said, letting his blatant innuendo drip from the tenor of his voice.
This time it was Kakashi who lifted his other hand, slowly reaching out to Itachi's jawline, letting the side of his thumb and then the inside of his wrist brush against the milky sleekness of Itachi's cheek. Moving his hand farther back, Kakashi took hold of tie holding back Itachi's hair and gently pulled it free.
The jet black tresses spilled around Itachi's shoulders. "Kashi..."
But the one-eyed man only increased his grip on Itachi's wrist. If Itachi wanted to play games then Kakashi would give him one. Flicking his eyes to Shisui, the two men locked eyes and considered one another. It wasn't like Kakashi was novice at reading a room or an individual, and within seconds took in all he needed to know from the man now completely focused on him.
"Shisui," Kakashi said, letting a weight of authority color his tone.
"Hai," Shisui answered and gave a nod and small smile in return.
Kakashi brought his gaze back to Itachi and stared directly into his dark eyes. Shisui moved behind the elder Uchiha and Kakashi released Itachi's wrist. With purposeful ease, Shisui reached around and took hold of the front of Itachi's jacket and began to peel it off, first over his shoulders and then down off his arms. Shisui lay it on the table next them and moved back behind Itachi, reached around him again and began working at the Uchiha's black vest, undoing the buttons one at a time.
"Now," Kakashi said, eyes still locked on Itachi as Shisui silently continued his task. He moved in close so his breath warmed Itachi's slightly smirking lips. "You were saying?"
To be continued...
A/N: I swear I didn't intend to end the chapter on yet another semi-cliffhanger! It just sort of happened because I wanted to get this out asap and so didn't continue onto the next scene. I also apologize in advance because there will be no account of what exactly happens between Itachi, Kakashi and Shisui in the bedroom. Why, you cry and scream at me? Because I'm planning on maybe adding it later in a side chapter. IF I do, it will only be posted on ao3. Sorry peeps! BUT, I do hope you liked the chapter and I'll get my ass in gear and crank out the next chapter soon. Love and blessings to you all!