SasuNaru, Yaoi, M-preg, OOC and unbeta-read.
Standard disclaimer applies
Author's notes: Few more bumpy rides before smooth sailing. (huh?) I am preparing myself for flying pitchforks.
Chapter 21 : Nightmare
Coldness and darkness… those were the first thing that registered in Sasuke's mind as he returned home from his mission. The coldness wasn't because of the evening breeze and the darkness wasn't because the absence of all the lights that should be lit up when evening comes. No, it was something more than that; something familiar. Something that made his memories of blood-tainted ground; blood-splattered wall and corpse-littered walkway flashed through his mind. Something akin to deep malice hanging in the air and death.
Fear and worry rushed in his veins making him cold and warm simultaneously. There was only one thing that came to his mind at that moment – his family.
He heard a muffled grunt followed by the sound of a body falling to the ground from the same room where his parents were killed. He rushed to that room and stood in front. He knew what was waiting for him behind that door – the grotesque and bloody scene of his parents' bodies. But even then, he couldn't stop himself from opening the door with shaking hands.
In a familiar manner, he let his gaze wander to the place where his parents' corpse were, bathing in their own blood then Sasuke's blood turned cold, his whole system shutting completely down and his world and heart crumbled as he realized that it wasn't his dead parents' bodies lying on the floor but Naruto's and Akemi's. Naruto was holding Akemi protectively, a proof that he was fighting at the same time protecting their second child. But his struggle rewarded him nothing but death. Naruto's empty blue eyes were staring at him as if in helplessness.
Sasuke snapped his head to the direction where he knew the intruder, the cold-hearted thief was standing. He saw an emotionless Itachi with his eyes closed standing, bathed under the pale moonlight, looking like every bit of the god of death and to Sasuke he was.
"Itachi…" he growled, his whole body tensed. How could Itachi be alive when he had killed him back a long time ago? Naruto even bear witness to his pain, defeat and death.
"Welcome home, otousan" 'Itachi' greeted him as he opened his eyes, revealing calm blue eyes. His voice was full of sinister and disrespect.
Bile rose inside Sasuke as he realized that it wasn't Itachi but Yuuzuki who had snatched his treasures away. Once again, Sasuke found himself spiraling into darkness, sorrow and helplessness. He fell on fours as this whole thing became too overwhelming even for him to accept.
Why was it that even when he had guarded his possession so vigilantly, they were still taken away so simply and quickly? Were his efforts not enough? Was he meant to be alone? To suffer in darkness and bitterness? To live the life of an avenger?
"Why?" Sasuke heard himself murmur, asking his son. No, not his son. Yuuzuki had stop being one when he had attack Naruto and Akemi. The murderer answered wordlessly and Sasuke need not activate his sharingan to follow the movements of the lad's lips. He knew it too well because the answer had echoed within his mind and haunted him for a long time.
To test my ability…
Yuuzuki continued watching his otousan, silently laughing at his helplessness. He couldn't believe that an Uchiha could be that weak. He thought Akemi was the weakest, he had been wrong. His otousan was the most pathetic and weakest Uchiha in all history and he had lost interest in killing him.
"Look at you, otousan! You're not even worth killing. This is what uncle Itachi must felt on that fateful night," he sneered. His otousan was just like his chichiue -weak in the face of a family. He was sure the older Uchiha wouldn't attack him or he would but his attacks would be half-hearted just like his chichiue's. "You can kill me now or survive in an unsightly way, run and cling to life."
Foolish little brother, if you wish to kill me, hate me, detest me, and survive in an unsightly way, run, run, and cling to life.
Why was it that the role of an avenger was always thrust into him? Didn't he have any say to this kind of matters? Why were there always two choices left for him – to avenge or completely forget? He stared at his fists then back at Naruto's empty eyes.
I'm sorry, Naruto that I wasn't able to die by your side. But it's okay, I'll join you the moment I'll kill this enemy, he said mentally as he gathered his strength. He slowly stood and stared at Yuuzuki squarely. The boy smirked and he let his otousan watch his eyes bled to crimson red and let him count the tomoe in his eyes.
"I had now three just like yours, Otousan, isn't that great?" he continued maniacally.
He was worse than Itachi. Definitely worse. But it didn't matter. He'd defeat and kill this person in front of him. He could him despite the fact that the younger man could control flame and had hypnotic powers beyond human comprehension It wasn't arrogance that was telling him that or his confidence. It was a fact. He closed his eyes, feeling his veins around his eyes throb with the chakra. He could feel the sharingan activating. He opened his eyes and found himself looking…
At the ceiling.
At the ceiling of his and Naruto's bedroom.
He was drenched with cold sweet and shivering with anger, pain and fear. He jerked his head to Naruto's direction, just to check that it was really just a nightmare; that the blonde was still beside him, alive. Naruto was there alright and he was slowly opening his eyes.
Strangely, Naruto had been awakened from his deep slumber but he didn't mind as he saw Sasuke's disturbed look. "Sasuke?" he muttered as he watched his husband moved to hover above him. He reached out to wipe away the beads of sweat from his face at the same time brushed away the strands of hair sticking from his forehead.
"Was it Itachi?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke wanted to tell him about his nightmare but something was holding him back so he remained silent, never confirming nor denying anything. Instead he just closed his eyes and rested his forehead against his wife's as he tried to calm his raging heartbeat.
However, Naruto took his silence as yes. He was aware that Sasuke had nightmares of his clan's murder but he never looked as haunted as he was now and he wondered if there was something more in his dreams.
After awhile, Sasuke settled back on the bed. As he stared at the ceiling, something came to him, something that had been at the back of his mind the moment he laid his eyes on Akemi. It hit him full force and made his blood ran cold. Yuuzuki's and Akemi's age difference was similar to Itachi's and his. Worse, he could no longer deny it that Yuuzuki had the same potential as Itachi's. Was Itachi's curse still upon him even in his death? Could he never get rid of it?
Please let me go, aniki, Sasuke pleaded silently. At the back of his mind, he heard his brother's reply, making him shiver.
I can't, Sasuke because to me, you are my precious foolish little brother. You and I share an undying, unbreakable fraternal bond.
"Naruto, I…" before he could say his request, he found himself held by Naruto. He calmed down a bit and he started wondering when things such as this would come to an end.
TBC
There! So how was it? Did I scare you? Eep! Chainsaws flying towards my direction. By the way, tomoe – is the comma-like shape present in the Uchihas' sharingan-mode eyes.
Next chapter summary: Sasuke began to treat Yuuzuki differently and it gotten worse when his son made his only wish known.