Chapter Twenty-two

Sasuke groaned at the touch of sunlight shining on his face through the open window. A warm breeze ghosted about the room, ruffling his hair into tickling his face. His eyes cracked open only long enough for him to regret the action before his head was buried into the soft comfort of the down pillow.

"Shit," he groaned and rolled to his side, away from the painful touch of the light.

Growing up around sailors had left little left to his education. Cursing and gambling was nothing new to him. He had drunk everything from ale to rum, though he disliked the taste of most spirits. Today though, he had to admit was the worst hangover he could recall ever having. He avoided most drink, but somehow, that man, Naruto, had got him to drinking.

And kept him drinking.

"Fuckin' Naruto," he groused.

He might have stayed in bed if the smell of his body and the feel of his tongue, thick and dry in his mouth, had not caused him to rise simply from personal disgust at his state. If Juugo could see him now, he would be shaking his head and Capt. Kakashi would be laughing his ass off.

The world swam around him as he stumbled from his bedroom and directly into a large, warm body. It startled him enough that he nearly fell back on his ass.

"Good morning, Sasuke. Sleep well?"

Sasuke winced at Kisame's booming voice and managed a low grunt. His head could barely stand the faint whispering of wind through the windows, much less a deep and powerful voice of such a large man. It made him want to return to bed and to hell with his smell or his dry mouth.

"You look like shit."

Sasuke glared through the fringe of his bangs and stumbled away before he had to listen to more. Walking was proving to be considerably more difficult than he recalled as he stumbled down the hall and out into that glaring sunlight. All he could think of was cleaning the stink from his body, even if he was forced to tolerate the sun jabbing knitting needles into his head through his eyes.

He made his way to the water pump while successfully ignoring Kisame and began pushing the pump handle with strong flexes until water began to spill out into the bucket arranged below. With the bucket full, he lifted it and poured it directly over his body. The shock of cold brought a muffled shout through his clenched teeth.

A chuckle rumbled behind him and he turned to see Kisame reclining against the door frame leading into the house. "What in the hell are you laughing at?"

Kisame tossed a yellow bar to Sasuke. "You could have heated that inside."

"Would take too long," grumbled Sasuke as he plucked the bar from the air and began scrubbing at his arms and chest.

Lifting the bar to his nose, he arched his brow at the herbal scent clinging to the soap. He barely noticed Kisame approach until the sound of the pump being activated jerked him from his thoughts. "Who makes the soap?"

Kisame passed Sasuke the bucket and shrugged. "Asuma's wife, Kurenai, makes it. Konan taught her before her death."

"Konan?"

"The captain's wife."

Sasuke nodded and tightened his jaw as he tipped the water over his chest to clean away the soap. He recalled her being mentioned and had seen the little girl with large lavender eyes. Rubbing the soap on his hair, he grimaced as Kisame filled the bucket again.

"I can handle it."

"I was simply being polite since we seemed to have gotten off on the wrong foot. We both care for Itachi so it would be best if we came to some sort of an accord."

Sasuke twisted and glared at the man. "What game are you playing at? Don't lie and say you didn't see me that night. I know you did."

"I'm not going to lie."

Sasuke snatched the bucket from Kisame and dumped it over his head, teeth grinding at the splash of cold over his skin. "Then what do you want?"

"I'm not sure yet." Kisame folded his arms across his chest and stared at Sasuke. "I'm not sure what Itachi or you want, either."

"I don't want anything."

Kisame grinned broadly and shrugged his massive shoulders before leaning close enough to whisper in Sasuke's ear. "We both know that isn't completely true, don't we?"

Sasuke jerked away. His bare feet squished in the mud as he stomped back toward the house. He wiped his feet on the mat before going inside and slamming the door to his room closed. His heart felt as if was going to beat out of his chest with the force of its pulses.

And his heart was not the only thing throbbing.

The wet material of his trousers clung desperately to the hard erection that had risen at the feel of Kisame's breath on his ear and his words in his head. Whatever the man's game, it was driving Sasuke insane. His body's desires were driving him insane. One minute he was lusting for his brother and the next, he wanted his brother's lover.

Running hands through his wet hair, he pulled at the strands and bit back a shout of frustration. The pain in his head did not divert from the throbbing need in his pants. It was only when he took matters into his hand did he find some relief, even if his mind was filled with the images of both Kisame and Itachi as he came in hard pumps.

The effects of his release were still racing through his bloodstream as he slid down the door. His breath exhaled in a long sigh. What was he thinking?

"Fuck me," he groaned.

His hand reached for the shirt discarded from the previous night and wiped at his hand and groin. A shiver worked through him as he wiped down his sensitive penis and he closed his eyes in want. The touch of his own hand was not nearly as satisfying as he would have liked. It eased the physical need for release but did nothing for the longing that still worked through him.

How depraved was he? Not only was he venturing away from what was deemed acceptable by lusting for a man, but he was also becoming a deviant for wanting his brother. With Kisame, the complications only intensified. Kisame knew he wanted Itachi. His not so subtle hints were evidence enough.

Clenching his eyes closed, he took a deep breath. All he cared about for so long was Itachi. Now that he had him, he was not sure what to do about the less than pure feelings that spilled through him.

"Damn it all to hell," he shouted into the empty room.

Rising angrily to his feet, he dressed in clean trousers and tugged a clean shirt over his head. His arm throbbed and he winced as he changed the bandage. The sewn cut was red and angry, but there was no sign of infection. He would make a note of speaking to Dan later for some ointment for the wound later.

With a growl, he stormed from the house. A wash of relief worked through him upon not seeing Itachi or Kisame. He could not think with them around. Itachi's eyes watching him and Kisame's barely veiled words were too distracting.

His feet took him to the beach just south of the port. The cry of gulls and the rush of the waves against the shore calmed his frayed nerves. He found himself seated on the pristine white sand while looking out over the vast blue extending outward. His heart was both light and heavy. Worry over what Itachi might think of him for what he felt warred with the joy of being in Itachi's life again. He was different, yet the same. The softness of youth had faded from him, but his eyes were the same—expressive.

No matter what Itachi thought of him or what he felt for him, Sasuke knew he would love his brother forever. If they had not separated, he wondered if he would feel the way he did now. Was his long fixation on his brother the reason for his feelings or had he always felt this way, just been too young to understand it?

What he felt as a child and what he felt as a man warred with each other. It had always been about being with Itachi. Even as a child, he recalled following his brother constantly. Itachi had been his confidant when he seemed to be a disappointment to his father and the one to praise him in his triumphs. His brother had protected him and loved him, regardless of any flaws—imagined or otherwise—that he might have.

Lying back on the sand, he stared at the clouds moving casually along the blue sky. His mind wandered aimlessly. The cool breeze mixed with the warm sun to create a calming atmosphere around him. Before he realized it, his eyes were fluttering closed and he was pulled into sleep.

oOo

Itachi strode down the docks toward where sister ships idled, looking abandoned with their sails furled and only the occasional workman moving about. He looked over them with a trained eye, searching for any flaw that could possibly bring about their demise. Weakened wood or a wrongly tied line could bring about all their deaths at the hands of naval vessels or other pirates. The ships needed to be in prime condition before they sailed.

"Ahoy, Itachi."

Itachi gave a curt bow to the man who called out to him. "Sasori."

"Your brother put back quite the drink, though it seems it took Naruto a bit to get him to drink. They were barely capable of walking when I finally sent for Jiraiya. They must have known their tails would have been whipped because as soon as my boy left, they were heading out the door."

Itachi shook his head. "I never would have thought Naruto would be a bad influence."

Sasori shrugged and leaned heavily on the crutch he carried with him for balance. "They looked to be enjoying themselves as young men do—even had a few of the wenches hanging on their every word. I can't blame the girls. Both are good looking men, far better than the usual swag that frequents my place."

Itachi's lips quirked. "Sailors aren't the most clean of men."

"That they are not." Sasori rolled his shoulders and sighed. "But they are more than generous when in their cups."

"And are in their cups more often than not," said Itachi, a small smile curving his lips upward.

Sasori nodded in amusement. "That they are."

Itachi shook his head in amusement. "Do me a favor, Sasori. If Naruto brings my brother to your place, don't let them get quite so drunk. It's a wonder they made it to my place without falling in the water and drowning."

"I'll do that, boy. Jiraiya asked the same of me not long ago. I think he's afraid of turning over his ship to a drunkard."

"Naruto drinks considerably less than Jiraiya."

"Tell that to Jiraiya."

Itachi chuckled lightly gave a cordial bow to Sasori before he made his way up to the Crimson Cloud, climbing the plank and walking about the ship. A few workmen tipped their hats to him as he passed and he nodded in acknowledgement.

Running his hands along the smoothed wood of the side railing, he paused to stare out over the ocean. The ocean was one of the few things that had soothed his thoughts in the past and he looked to it now for relief. What he had done the previous night caused him to shudder with both longing and fear. He had toed some invisible line, just short of stepping over it.

Though he might ignore what had happened in his bed, there was no denying what it was. His brother had been there as Kisame fucked him, in spirit if not in body. More than once, he had felt his mind wandering to the image of not Kisame, but Sasuke behind him and over him and in him.

Work hardened hands gripped the railing until his knuckles bleached white. He could not even say that he felt he had betrayed Kisame, for in his fantasy, Kisame was there as well. Wanting two men was not something he could relate to. For as long as he could recall, there had only been Kisame and Sasuke in his heart, though in two very different parts. Now, that line that separated the sections of his heart was blurred until it was no longer visible.

He wanted Sasuke.

He wanted Kisame.

And, he was uncertain of what to do.

"If you keep gripping the railing like that, you're going to break it."

He stiffened for an instant before relaxing as he felt the soothing stroke of fingers down the line of his back to rest just above the curve of his buttocks. Even in his indecision, Kisame's touch was very much welcome. Kisame had been one of the few constants in his life after the upheaval of having to flee his homeland.

"What's bothering you, Itachi?"

Itachi gave a faint shake of his head and closed his eyes. He felt pulled thin from the emotional strain of finally having Sasuke back and then learning that he did not know his brother any longer, only to find he desired the man Sasuke had become.

Kisame's hand stroked up Itachi's back and settled at his nape just beneath the queue of dark hair. "Don't hide."

A sigh broke from Itachi's lips before he could stop it. Kisame's touch was like a balm on him. In a way, it had always been such. "It's complicated."

"Everything is complicated when you are involved."

Itachi cut his eyes toward Kisame with a glare. "Is that so?"

"You know it is. Now tell me why you're wandering around like a ghost. Your face can hide things, but not your eyes." Kisame turned Itachi's face toward him and their gazes met. "It's your brother."

"He's different," murmured Itachi.

"Did you think he wouldn't be? You haven't seen him in years. He was bound to change."

Itachi hummed under his breath. "I wish he had stayed the same."

"Why?"

"Because..." The words stalled in his throat. He felt as if he was standing on the edge of a cliff and one wrong step would send him plunging to his death.

"Itachi?"

"I want him." Itachi broke the connection of their eyes and returned his gaze to the sea. "I want to touch him, kiss him, and fuck him. I want it so bad that I can barely look at him without thinking of how smooth his skin is or how he carries the scent of the ocean with him."

"I see."

He barked a laugh and tugged away from Kisame. "I never wanted anyone but you. Even before I met you, there were always other things keeping my attention. Fucking never once took precedence in my mind before you."

"Are you asking for my blessing?"

Itachi twisted to face Kisame. "No!"

"Then why are you telling me?"

"I don't like keeping secrets from you. Anyone else, it doesn't matter, but you're different."

Kisame approached cautiously and stared down at him. "Is that a declaration of love?"

"Love?" Itachi snorted. "Love is for innocent girls."

The crystal blue of Kisame's eyes sparkled and he lifted a hand to fist in Itachi's hair, forcing his neck to arch sharply. "Then what is it?"

"I don't know."

Their faces were brought together, Itachi by his arched neck and Kisame lowering his upper body enough so that their noses just barely brushed. "I'll take it."

Itachi's eyes went wide seconds before hard, punishing lips devoured his. The air was sucked from his lungs and a fire lit in his blood. They almost never showed any sort of affection in the open beyond a casual touch or the comfort of standing near each other. The people of the island and the crew of the ships knew about their relationship, but it was never something that was spoken of or even acknowledged often. Jokes were passed while out to sea, but there was never any public displays. Now, it seemed that Kisame was claiming him before all who cared to glance their way.

The warmth of a wet tongue skirted through his lips and past his teeth to dance along the roof of his mouth and over his tongue. Hot and wet pleasure rushed him and his hands lifted to latch onto the loose shirt draped over the hard muscles of Kisame's shoulders.

"You're always mine. You were mine from the day you were found stowed away in the hold, covered in rat bites and your own filth."

Itachi drew in a shaky breath. "Was I? What if I don't want to belong to anyone?"

"You want to belong to me." Kisame lowered his head again, brutally claiming Itachi's lips once more before pulling back. "I'll always see you're satisfied—that we are both satisfied."

Itachi stared at Kisame in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Trust me." Kisame stroked a hand down Itachi's face, tracing the delicate veins barely visible beneath the warmly tanned skin. "There is more than one way to satisfy what we want."

"Kisame..."

"Do you really want your brother to be your lover?"

Itachi swallowed and clenched his jaw reflexively before answering. "I do."

"Then, invite him to our bed."

Only his strong control over his features kept his eyes from doing anything more than twitching. "You can't be serious."

"It's what you want, isn't it?"

Itachi shook his head and took a step back. "I can't."

"I find him attractive as well."

"I can't risk it."

Kisame stared with such an intense look, that Itachi fought the urge to fidget. He could see the wheels turning in his lover's head. Kisame was a smart man, though most thought him nothing but brute muscles. There had to be an ulterior motive for him to be willing to welcome a virtual stranger to their bed. Sasuke was Itachi's brother, but he was no less a stranger after ten years.

"Why?" asked Itachi.

"To kill two birds with one stone, as the saying goes."

Understanding dawned on Itachi's face and he fought back the instinctual surge of jealousy as the words sank in. "You want him."

"I told you that I found him attractive."

"That's not the same as wanting." Itachi fought back anger. He was no less guilty, for he had admitted the same to Kisame not minutes ago.

"If he comes to our bed, then we will both get what we want. It's only an offer. I am satisfied with you. I belong to you first."

The words eased Itachi. He moved back to the railing and stared out over the ocean. Kisame had spoken nothing but the truth, yet it did little to sooth him. "I could never ask Sasuke to do that. I would rather spend a lifetime of wanting him than to risk not having him in my life because of my desires."

"Then, I'll ask him." Kisame wrapped his arms around Itachi. "I've thought about it for several days. It's your choice, but I think he would fit well with us. And I know he wants to join us."

Itachi started and glanced up at Kisame. "How do you know?"

"Call it intuition."

"And if you're wrong?"

Kisame shrugged. "I will take complete fault. He will never know you desired it."

"Is this a game?"

"You were the one who likes games, Itachi."

Itachi felt the touch of Kisame's lips on his neck and shivered. "I don't know..."

"Let me ask him. If he comes to our bed, it will be his choice. If he doesn't, then it was not meant to be. They say the ocean is a goddess who grants boons to those she favors. Perhaps your brother is a boon given to us. All that is left is to claim him."

"You don't truly believe in that, do you?"

Kisame shrugged and chuckled in Itachi's ear. "I never throw away any possibility. Tell me, do you want your brother in our bed?"

Itachi shuddered as Kisame's hand settled on his abdomen. "Yes."

"Then, tell me what you want me to do."

The shuddering intensified as Kisame's hand rubbed slow circles over his navel. It was his choice and there really was only one option for him. He had felt as if something was missing from him since Sasuke's abduction and now it was returned to him, but no longer seemed to fit as it should. It was a risk, but he had always been one who was willing to risk big to win big.

"Itachi?"

"I want you to bring him to our bed."

oOo

Sasuke was not sure how long he slept but a hard shove on his shoulder jerked him into full wakefulness. His hand reached for a weapon, only to find himself unarmed.

He sat up quickly and jerked his gaze toward the mountain that blocked out the sun from his view. He knew instantly that it was not Juugo and that left only one other person. The rapid pounding of his heart at the sudden waking eased, but only enough for the shock to leave his blood.

"Kisame?"

"You and I need to have a talk."

Sasuke rolled easily to his feet and set about dusting the sand from his clothing. He made a play at delaying his attention because in truth, he did not want to talk to the man. His emotions were too raw in the wake of his over indulgence the previous night. The earlier talk between them had been enough for one day even if only veiled hints and speculation were all that was really said.

"We don't have anything to talk about. I'm going to see about Juugo and I finding a house. I don't have much in terms of coin, but we'll figure something out, at least until we ship out. Then, I'll be out of your hair."

Kisame arched a brow and latched a hand onto Sasuke's shoulder as he turned to march down the beach. "You're not getting away."

"What the fuck do you want me to say? That I'm sorry that I get hard thinking about my brother? I think that it happens is enough of a punishment when combined with your snarky hints." Sasuke shrugged the gripping hand away. "Leave me be."

"We're going to talk. I'm not going to lie and say I want you. You're fair on the eyes, but I could go without fucking you and not think anything of it."

Sasuke went ramrod stiff, his almond-shaped eyes going wide in shock. "What?"

"In some sick twist of fate, Itachi wants you but I'm not going to allow that to happen without me. He won't do anything, but it is eating away at him. Maybe it's a misinterpretation of brotherly love or perhaps it is just curiosity, I don't care. I want him to be able to live without wondering what could have been."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm going to let you join us in our bed."

Sasuke shook his head, not believing what he was hearing. "You're crazy. We're brothers."

"And yet you both want each other." Kisame inclined his head, his eyes staring directly into Sasuke. "You can't deny it and Itachi has said as much to me."

A thrill worked through Sasuke at the knowledge that Itachi desired him. It was quickly tamped down, but a small spark still clung desperately to life inside him. Itachi wanted him.

Kisame latched out a hand, gripping Sasuke's chin between his fingers. "There are rules to this little game. When you're together, I'm with you."

Sasuke had no doubts of the type of together Kisame meant. The meaning was as clear as crystal. When he and Itachi fucked, Kisame had to be there.

He was not sure if he was offended or excited at the rule. He had not spoken aloud that his desires were not only for Itachi. He wanted his brother, there was no denying it, but he found Kisame amazingly attractive and his stomach tightened at the thought of those large hands stroking over his body. He could already feel heat pooling in his loins at the phantom touches ghosting over his body, leaving chill bumps in their wake.

"I can't believe we're actually talking about this." Sasuke ran a hand through mussed hair and turned away from Kisame before he realized the direction Sasuke's thoughts were drifting. "It's wrong. It's one thing to think about it, but another to actually do it; besides, Itachi would never go for it."

"You don't know your brother as well as you think. He's changed a lot in ten years."

"So have I, but I don't want to ruin what I got just because I need a good lay."

Kisame took a step closer, and wrapping his hand in the material of Sasuke's shirt. "If this was only about a good lay, I could take care of that for Itachi. But it's not just that. He wants you. I can't explain why you both feel this way. You both fixated on each other for so long that the love you felt was warped into something different."

"I can't believe I'm considering this. You're insane."

"This is your only chance to get what you want."

Sasuke thought Kisame was insane for suggesting this, but he was more so for actually considering it. Even if he said yes, Itachi would never go for it.

"Itachi will be home soon. Come with me."

Sasuke opened his mouth as Kisame marched down the beach. He was truly serious about it.

"I won't ask again."

It was almost pitiful how easily Sasuke was made to follow him. He knew that even presenting this to Itachi could ruin their chances of being true brothers again. After such an extended time spent longing for his brother, he was fearful of this offer ruining what they had only just begun to build.

"What about you?"

Kisame turned and faced Sasuke. "What about me?"

"Why are you doing this? Do you even want to do this with me?"

"I do this because Itachi needs it and I am not opposed to it. Regardless of what happens, you will always own a part of his heart." Kisame approached again, his eyes catching the light and appearing almost like gems. "Itachi's desires are my desires."

Sasuke wanted this so badly he could taste it. His one true desire was being presented before him on a not quite silver platter. All he had to do was follow Kisame and take it. But he couldn't. "I can't do this."

"Why?"

"You don't want this. Everything is about Itachi, but I refuse to be the ruiner. I'm suppose I'm selfish to want everything."

"And what is everything?"

Sasuke bowed his head to hide his eyes. People who knew him could read his emotions far too well in his eyes. "I won't do this."

"Now you're being stubborn, just like your brother."

Sasuke jolted when Kisame moved close enough for him to smell the faint scent of sweat clinging to his body. It was deep and musky, like Kisame and he longed to run his tongue of the cut of flesh visible at the neck of the black shirt hiding the broad chest from his view.

Kisame's arm moved and before he could argue, Sasuke's chin was lifted so that their eyes were forced to meet. The rough thumb stroked gently over the smooth skin of Sasuke's jaw in a ghosting of a touch.

Before he could withdraw from the touch, warm lips enveloped his and he groaned at the surprisingly silky fill of them. His breath gasped out and a warm tongue stroked just inside the barrier of his lips, flicking at the moist flesh before withdrawing and leaving him longing for much more. His breath resumed and he was left staring dumbly at Kisame while his mind attempted to resume function.

"I won't lie and say I feel the same for you that I do for Itachi, but I cannot deny that I want you very badly. I'll let it be your decision whether to join us, but if you choose not to, do not take it out on Itachi. He is very fragile when it comes to you. I could almost be jealous of what he feels for you."

"What do you hope to gain by offering this?" whispered Sasuke, hope and despair swirled equally in his mind. He could not help but wonder if he was still lying in the sand, dreaming.

"Completion. I don't know you, not really, but I do know that I have been with Itachi for ten years and there has always been some small part missing from us. I'm willing to take this chance at filling that missing piece. Don't expect love."

"What should I expect then?" Sasuke felt as if he was slugged in the stomach at the intense look in Kisame's eyes. Breathing became difficult and he fought the urge to look away.

"Relief. Companionship." Kisame gestured in a random direction. "Unless you'd rather take your pleasure with your friend?"

Juugo? Sasuke frowned and shook his head. Juugo was never an option for sexual involvement. He was as close to him as any other person, but their bond was nothing more than companionship. That Kisame thought there more meant that Itachi thought the same.

"It's not like that with Juugo."

"Then make your choice, Sasuke. Would you like to join us in our bed?"

"Is that all this is? Sexual release?"

Kisame shrugged. "I can't say where it will lead, but all roads start somewhere."

Sasuke's gaze measured the man before him. There was no deception in his gaze.

"Would you like to join us?"

Sasuke took a shaky breath. "I think...I want to talk to Itachi."

Kisame stared at him for the length of several breaths before nodding. "Then, let's go speak with him."

To be continued.

AN: Here you go. Another chapter. God...this is totally not what I had planned out, but the boys really fought me on this. I completely had to redo my plot outline because they took on a life of their own. Kisame is the hardest because he's very possessive of Itachi, but is willing to take Sasuke into their bed because he knows that something has been missing from their lives, or more importantly, Itachi. I thought about going into detail about his internal musings, but decided against it because Sasuke and Itachi needed the limelight. Sasuke, he's more worried about Kisame than Itachi because on many levels, he wants Kisame's affection and Kisame, he's not so good at wording things on emotional levels but would rather use the physical. He doesn't love Sasuke, but he's open to what could happen in the future. I hope you enjoy. 3some goodness in the next chapter. The next one will possibly be the last for Kisa/Ita/Sasu depending on how things flow but there is still one more with the conclusion of the Neji/Shika. Also, I'm planning a short story(3/4 chapters with Juugo and Pein). Also, in case you missed it, here are some links to pics drawn for this fic, just take out the spaces. All are by Gaia77. Go praise her art on her DA. I'll post links to more when Ygal is back up from its maintenance.

daydreamer79. deviantart art / Seaswept-Neji-and-SHikamaru-313505692

daydreamer79. deviantart art / Seaswept-Itachi-and-Kisame-313505541

daydreamer79 . deviantart art / Seaswept-Pein-and-Sasuke-311051462