Warnings: A.U; Yaoi; Incest; ItaSasu; Shota; Non-Con
If you don't like it, don't read.
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
oOo
Sasuke's lower lip trembled, and he tried to pull his ankle from Itachi's hands. "Stop."
"I didn't even touch the wound yet," said the teen, crouched on the grass in front of him.
"It hurts."
"If you don't let me apply the antiseptic it may get infected. Do you want that?"
The little boy shook his head.
Fugaku had hit him, and the belt buckle had scraped Sasuke's calf. It had torn the skin leaving a single mark similar to a cat's scratch.
Itachi gently cleaned the area with a cotton ball soaked in antiseptic, and the tears in the boy's eyes welled up.
"Don't move, Sasuke."
"But it hurts."
"I heard you. Just don't move, and it will end quickly."
Sasuke's whole body was in pain. His little hands gripped the edge of the wooden deck, where he was currently sitting, and his eyes fixed in the painting on the backyard wall, ruined by rain and time, cracked and dirtied, and day by day, disappearing behind a curtain of leaves.
The back wall had a huge painting with gods of the Japanese mythology that Mikoto herself had made. She was fascinated by art and used it as a stress reliever. After she passed away, Fugaku slowly got rid of everything that reminded her. The painting was just another detail that indicated that once she had been there, but for some reason, it remained untouched, even two years after her death. He didn't want to get rid of it, but also didn't want to see it. The gardener, that came once in a while for the maintenance, was the one who suggested the use of plants to cover the walls so it had the illusion of a hedge if Fugaku wished to refresh the landscape.
In the afternoon light, the once colourful painting, now with its frame of leaves, acquired an almost surreal touch.
When Itachi finished tending to the wound in the calf, he attempted to apply ointment in the wounds on the boy's face, but Sasuke had his head lowered, hiding behind the hair, and every time Itachi's hand tried to lift his face, Sasuke pushed him away.
"Why are you doing this?" his voice came out trembling.
"Doing what?"
"This! If you don't care about me, why are you pretending?" Teardrops fell over his lap, causing tiny circles of darker khaki shade on his shorts.
Itachi sat beside the boy and embraced him. Sasuke pushed against his brother, but yielded to the tight hug, burying his face on the chest in front of him and crying harder.
"I'm not pretending. Your big brother will always be here to take care of you."
"How can you say that when father has just hit me?"
"You didn't do as I said. If you did, you'd stop getting hurt."
"He hit me because of you."
"That's because you ran away."
"And I ran away because of you."
Itachi laid kisses on his head. Then, he asked with his voice no much louder than a whisper, "Do you hate me?"
Sasuke hesitated, then nodded.
Itachi's cheek came to rest over the boy's head. His gaze fell on the wall, where Izanami, the last piece of painting still uncovered, was slowly devoured by the creepers.
"Despise me, hate me, and live in an unsightly way... But I am sure, Sasuke, one day you'll have the same eyes as I do."
oOo
The sleek, black vehicle entered the underground parking lot. Itachi stopped in the area reserved for him and stayed inside the car, observing a particular empty spot not far from where he was parked. He waited for another five minutes until the other car arrived. He left and walked in fast strides to the elevator. In his contrived rush, he doubted he could reach the doors before they closed.
Just as expected. He pressed the button and waited for the next one. With apparent unawareness, he used the time to check his emails, all the while hearing the other man approach.
"Good morning, Kakashi-san," said Itachi turning slightly toward him.
"Good morning. Did your alarm break? You usually arrive earlier."
"I was stuck in a traffic jam."
"Same." Kakashi checked his watch then noticed something, "I see Mei hasn't insisted on painting your nails again."
"Once is enough."
Mei Terumi, the owner of a cosmetic brand, had insisted Itachi would use her products. Fugaku, on the other hand, wasn't enthusiastic of the idea of his son using women's products even with the arguments that the new line had men as the target.
Itachi looked at the numbers above the doors, indicating that the elevator had reached the last level and was going down.
"I almost forgot again, Kakashi. I want to apologise for that small inconvenience last week."
Kakashi for a second had no clue what Itachi was talking about. "What do you mean?"
"You let Sasuke stay at your place on Thursday. I haven't met you in the past days and couldn't properly apologise and also thank you for the favour."
"No problem."
The elevator reached their level and opened the doors. They got in.
"I take you solved your problems then," Kakashi said.
"Yes. And he told me what happened."
"That's good."
"However, no matter how kind your intentions might have been, that's an issue that should've ended within family boundaries. As you can see, we're on good terms again."
"I understand. But it was a favour I couldn't deny. And also, he's growing up, Itachi. The more you try to protect him, the more he will rebel against you. He needs to gain some independence."
"I appreciate your advice. He's indeed growing up and has become a tad difficult to deal with. But Sasuke and I have a strong bond. We may fight, but it never lasts long. I know how to take care of my brother, Kakashi-san."
"I suppose that's true. Just don't smother the boy." Kakashi patted him on the back." Well, see you later then."
Itachi's polite smile dissolved as soon as the doors closed. He arrived on his floor, greeted a few coworkers and his secretary, and as soon as he found himself alone, he took off the suit jacket and hung in on the chair where he sat a second later. The computer monitor came to life when he hit the power button, and he inserted his password.
On the overly organized desk, the reports containing information on the Senju company that he had asked in the previous week were as huge as War and Peace. At least, this new secretary was more efficient than the last.
He turned the first pages and skimmed through the contents before setting it aside. He could have a better look at it later at home. Reading and analysing all the detailed information would take days, perhaps weeks. More important issues required his attention at the moment.
His father sure was planning a rather ambitious move.
Although he had a comprehensive understanding of their segment, he was aware there were a variety of details he still needed to catch up before having a solid view of their rival in specific.
Briefly, his eyes shifted to the cellphone laying beside the stack of papers. He took it and began to type a message. When he received a reply, his serious expression changed to remotely amused. Now he could start to work.
oOo
Sasuke had just entered in class when his cellphone vibrated with a new message. He had a look on part of it by the notification bar whilst crossing the room. This time his curiosity got the best of him, and when he was seated, he clicked to read the content fully.
Only Itachi could mess up his mood so fast.
He typed a 'You're a dick', sent, and put the device on the backpack.
On that Monday, he would definitely arrive later. He could always find a source of entertainment somewhere. His foot began to tap the ground, and Sasuke began to think on all the options he had when, suddenly, his brain came up with an idea.
"What were you talking to Lee during lunch?" Naruto asked, later that day, when they were back in class. He hated being left out. When he approached the two boys earlier, Lee said something about meeting Neji and TenTen and Sasuke began complaining about Sakura, so he had forgotten.
"I asked him if I could watch a karate practise in his father's dojo."
"Oh, man... that's cool." Naruto grinned. "You know what? I want to go too. I need to learn how to become a ninja."
"You're still going on about that?"
"Of course."
"Ever since you watched that film that's the only thing you talk about."
"Hey! I liked ninjas before it was cool."
"Sure."
"Naruto, Sasuke, what's so interesting that you can't wait? Would you mind sharing with the rest of the class?"
"Er... it was not important, Iruka-sensei. Please, go on." Naruto laughed.
Sasuke glanced at Ino and Sakura. Apparently, the girls hadn't heard anything. The last thing he wished was to witness those girls having another heated argument. As he returned his focus to the teacher, he caught a glimpse of the soft look Hinata had when staring at Naruto. How weird.
When school hours ended, they met Lee waiting for them outside. They headed together to his house.
Now that Sasuke thought about it, aside from what he learnt about him during that time in Ichiraku, he barely knew Lee. They were not in the same class, which reduced their interactions. Sometimes they hung out because Naruto insisted, but they weren't close. He couldn't even remember when they met each other. Maybe Naruto had introduced them. What he knew from the beginning was that Lee was a determined guy with a passion for sports and was kind of fun to be around.
The dojo wasn't as spacious as the one Sasuke used to train before, but it had enough space for a group of about thirty students. The style was modern rather than traditional. When they got there they supposed a training had just ended, since they saw a couple of young men leaving. They passed by a glass window and saw a man walking toward a woman sitting in a bench on the tatami side. The woman saw them, and the man followed her gaze.
Lee waved at them.
They were passing in front of the door when it opened, and as soon the man stepped outside with the woman beside him, he lit a cigarette.
"Asuma-san, you're not being a good example for your pupils. Hello, Kurenai-san."
"They are not here." Asuma inhaled the smoke, then blew into the air. "Made new friends?"
"Oh. This is Naruto and Sasuke. Well, they are not new..."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Asuma Sarutobi, " he said tapping the cigarette. The ashes fell in the pavement near his feet. "This is my wife, Kurenai."
Sasuke and Naruto bowed slightly, although the raven-haired boy already knew her. She smiled.
Kurenai turned to her husband, "Asuma, we need to get going."
"Yeah."
"See you tomorrow," Lee said.
Sasuke saw Kurenai's attention linger on him. Her face was a mix of wonder, curiosity, and disdain.
It had been years since he had last seen her. She looked the same from what he could recall. Her words still rung on his ears saying Fugaku had killed Mikoto. Only later, he would understand the situation under which that accusation had been made and the sort of relationship his father had with her at the time. Sasuke used to blame Kurenai for his parents' divorce and his mother's suicide. But later, he also understood the extent of his father's guilt. What he detested the most was the hypocrisy that followed her death: years of silent mourning contrasting with habits that suffered no changes.
The Uchiha watched them leaving and followed Lee and Naruto to a staircase, situated near the door, that led to a small-sized house over the dojo.
The place was cosy and well-kept, considering that two men lived there by themselves. Pictures and medals could be found here and there, tell-tale signs of years of hard work.
As far as he knew, Lee lived with his father and neither of them had ever mentioned his mother. Sasuke made no questions about it, but Naruto on the other hand...
Lee had his eyes downcast. The three boys were sitting on the bedroom floor, each had a plate containing now only the bread crumbs from a sandwich and cups which minutes before were filled with grape juice.
"She left us."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"No, no." Lee interrupted before he had the wrong idea. "She's alive. She just left with some other guy. I think she has a new family now."
Still, not a good topic to discuss. At least Naruto, awkwardly, changed the subject, "So... About the... training days."
Lee came back to reality after being caught on some reverie. "We're open every day, but the hour changes on weekends. On Saturday and Sunday, we're open only during the morning."
"What about that guy we saw earlier?"
"Asuma-san? He teaches in the afternoons during weekdays and on Saturday morning, while my father teaches during the night and on Sunday." Lee then scratched his cheek with one finger. "Asuma-san used to be a politician but gave up his career to become a karate teacher."
The word 'politics' made Sasuke ask, "Is he related to the mayor, by any chance?"
Lee smiled. "He's the nephew."
Sasuke nodded. He associated the last name to the mayor, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and adding up with what he had heard from Itachi, that Hiruzen's nephew had given up on his plans on being a politician, he wanted to check if that was the same person.
"What days do you train?" Naruto asked.
"I want to be as strong as my father, so I train every day too. Actually..." He pulled up the hem of his trousers to show the weights fastened around his ankles.
"Why are you using that?"
"My father told me if I get used to lifting these weights, then when I'm free of them my movements will become extremely fast."
"Makes sense... I guess..." Sasuke said.
"Kakashi-san once said that's an archaic method, but I think it works."
"How much does it weight?" Sasuke asked as Naruto stood up and distracted himself with the martial arts posters on the beige walls.
"Five kilograms each."
"Wow."
"Sasuke," Lee's voice lowered when he saw Naruto had left, probably to use the bathroom, and was out of hearing range. "About Sakura-chan... Do you have any interest in her?"
Sasuke frowned. "No. But I'm not the one you should be asking that." He nodded toward the door.
"Does he...?"
"Yes." The fact that Lee had no idea Naruto liked Sakura surprised him. It was so obvious.
Lee was thoughtful for a few seconds. "It doesn't matter. If you have no interest, it means I have a chance."
"Do whatever you want," he shrugged
"Hey," Naruto came back excited. "Kakashi used to compete against your father?"
"Yes."
Naruto had followed the pictures he had seen on the way from Lee's bedroom to the living room. He saw a portrait he hadn't noticed before: Kakashi with his standard bored face reading a book, a golden medal casually hanging from his neck, and Gai with his silver medal, on the verge of tears.
Sasuke was not surprised now.
Gai had told the story of his defeat during the dinner in Ichiraku. It seemed he still hadn't gotten over it. Whereas Kakashi had forgotten altogether.
"Did you know about that?" Naruto asked.
"Sure," Sasuke said, a smug smile played on his lips due to the small payback for Naruto not telling him about the second mask.
By the time Gai arrived with groceries at night, the three boys were immersed in a game and vaguely noticed he was there.
When the final match ended, Sasuke had his mouth hanging open, joystick in hands, still not believing what had occurred.
"How's that possible? My character had the Sharingan."
"He beat your sorry ass just using taijutsu, Sasuke." Naruto was laughing so hard that tears gathered in the corner of his eyes.
Only then, Lee realised it was about time the practice began. He changed into his kimono and led his guests back downstairs.
Naruto inclined forward as he watched from his spot on the bench Gai and the group of boys practising. Shouts echoed in the room, and each movement performed exhaled energy.
"Whoa, this is so cool!"
Time and again Naruto mimicked the hand movements while studying the group in the centre of the room to certify he was doing it right.
"You should learn beforehand that karate is about discipline and self-control rather than thoughtless fighting."
"You don't have to tell me that! Besides, I am disciplined."
"I have my doubts about that. You can't even stay in that position for a long time," Sasuke looked sideways at him. He could imagine the blond just standing up to join them right away.
"I can if I want. I just don't have a reason to."
By the end of the training, Gai went to talk to them after his students left.
"How was it? Was that your first time watching a karate lesson?"
"Yup," Naruto said.
"I trained when I was little. But it's been a long time."
"Oh, you should've told me before, I'd have invited you earlier," Gai said, then his face changed as a sudden realisation dawned on him. "If I'm not mistaken, your brother participated in a couple of tournaments a long time ago," he said to Sasuke. "He stopped, right?"
"Yes."
"It's a pity. That boy was so promising."
Sasuke felt a familiar sentiment returning, intertwined with something else. "I stopped around the same time. Recently I thought about returning."
The man smiled in approval. "It's good for boys your age start to dedicate yourselves to some sport. It keeps the mind and body healthy. And this world is becoming dangerous each day. Yesterday some terrorist exploded a building in Iwa! Martial arts at least can help you with self-defence, in case you need."
"Right. And my father is the best teacher you could have," Lee said giving a thumbs up.
Gai did the same pose. "Anytime you want to come over, just show up." And both smiled.
Those guys must have choreographed that at some point, Sasuke thought.
Watching Gai and his students made Sasuke excited, not the kind of excitement that let him bouncing like a ping pong ball, such as what had happened with Naruto, but the kind that inspired. Sasuke came back home feeling renewed.
Gai had mentioned Itachi. How his brother had been impressive back then. Indeed, Sasuke was well-acquainted with that story. At thirteen Itachi was already a black belt, and it was difficult no to be reminded of that all the time once the comparison was unavoidable. But that was just another item in the infinite list of aspects in which he needed to excel. Sometimes he had felt unmotivated when trying to keep up with the rhythm of his brother's achievements. Recognising he was six years younger did little to alleviate the pressure on Sasuke's shoulders because Sasuke himself harboured a competitive side that didn't allow him to take easy.
Perhaps what he wished the most, more than to impress his father and everyone else, was to impress Itachi. Sasuke used to ask his brother to train him, but he never had the time. It left Sasuke feeling like a total failure, more than any comparison their father could have done. Almost like his brother was avoiding him. He loved hearing him explain the techniques and study him execute the movements flawlessly. He loved being around him back then. Now, Sasuke just felt frustrated.
The bedroom door opened. The typing sounds stopped. Itachi glanced at Sasuke before resuming the previous task. He seemed to be having a lot of work on his hands in the past days. Sasuke stayed for a moment silently watching his brother. Even in jogger pants and a plain black t-shirt he had an air of elegance. How annoying. The hair was still on the low ponytail. The boy wondered what was the point of having long hair if he would keep it forever tied.
"Itachi."
"What?" the elder asked half-paying attention to him.
"I'm thinking of enrolling in karate lessons."
He finished typing whatever he was writing before replying. "Okay. I'll search for a good place. The one where we used to train became a bakery."
He had thought Itachi would put some resistance. "I already know where I want to go."
"Right."
"Are you not afraid?" Sasuke asked to tease him but assumed Itachi hadn't heard. He was about to speak again when Itachi replied.
"Not at all."
Another minute filled with typing sounds passed when Sasuke was reminded of the message.
"Hey, what was that? Why are you having Iruka-sensei telling you when I don't show up? I'm not a kid." During the time he had called Iruka, Itachi had asked for the teacher to keep an eye on Sasuke. But Itachi chose to blatantly pretend that detail vanished from his mind and only told Sasuke through a fucking message that morning.
Itachi sighed.
"I've told you. I tried to give you space, but it seems you don't know how to appreciate my kindness. Perhaps if I use more severe measures you'll begin to listen to me." Itachi looked at him, "Shall I have someone drive you back from school?" A second later, his eyes were glued on the laptop screen. Somehow it irked Sasuke.
"You have no authority."
Itachi stretched on the chair. "You know I have."
"I want to be able to go wherever I want without you dictating anything."
"I won't allow you to skip school without a reason. And don't act as if you're so outgoing. You only visit Naruto and go out sporadically with him." He had stopped typing but was still looking at the laptop. "Maybe you haven't understood the situation yet. I just want you to be honest and tell me where you're going."
"Yeah. So you'll have less trouble to drag me back."
"When did that ever happened?"
"That time on that hotel for instance."
"And you had no suspicions of a seedy place, in the outskirts of Konoha, that allowed a minor to spend the night all by himself for a cheap price? And being who you are, you most likely would be kidnapped in your sleep." Itachi leaned back and closed his eyes. He drew in a deep breath.
"I'm not that careless."
"Of course not. Last time I found you with no one less than Orochimaru."
"You sure brought that back faster than I expected."
"Consider that just a reminder of your pitiable choices." Itachi opened his eyes and turned on the chair, now fully paying attention to Sasuke. He gestured for his brother to come closer. Sasuke gingerly neared him.
Two fingers poked his forehead.
"Ouch."
Itachi surprised him by pulling him down onto his lap.
Sasuke's face became bright red. The muscular arms around his waist were like a seatbelt preventing him from moving.
"It seems you're set on interrupting me today," Itachi remarked slightly irritated, which made Sasuke proud with himself despite his current position. "What is it? Missed your nii-san?"
Sasuke snorted. "As if."
He tried to break free from him, but then, looked at Itachi's hands with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" Itachi asked.
"You haven't painted your nails again. I thought you would adopt the visual key style." He couldn't miss the chance to make fun of him about it.
"It doesn't suit me," Itachi said matter-of-factly.
"Or did father finally scold you?"
One could see by the way Fugaku glanced at Itachi's hands how pissed off he was that his son had painted his nails purple. Itachi found amusing that his father although angry, merely suggested it was not the ideal image for a man like him to pursue. It was a refreshing change, and Itachi even considered doing again. But small, cracked pieces could be found everywhere when the polish started to fall off from his nails, and he decided it was not worth the trouble. He had his hands manicured the same way as before on his way home. He looked at the shiny nails covered with transparent polish.
"This is also part of using appearance to help in the process to convey credibility. Interesting how a different colour such as purple was not a popular decision, and yet most of the men who frowned upon my eccentric choice paint their nails too. Purple only happened to fall on a not allowed category." He stretched the fingers in his left hand and showed his nails. "Funny how a single variable changes the whole equation." Itachi kissed his jawline.
"What's next? Lipstick? Long hair you already have."
"Be careful, little brother. You are exposing your fetishes."
"Gross."
Little by little, Itachi went to his neck, kissing the skin and inhaling the faint scent of soap.
"I haven't locked the door," Sasuke said.
The elder laughed and kissed the base of Sasuke's neck. "He's with Mei tonight."
"Who's Mei?"
"His new affair." Itachi licked his ear, caressing the boy's inner thigh.
He heard Sasuke humming. The elder wasn't sure if that was a reply or a concealed moan but found his answer when felt Sasuke clench his jaw. "Enjoying?" he whispered.
"No fucking way."
Itachi grazed his teeth on his lobe then gently bit. His palm slid to his brother's cock. "You're such a liar."
Sasuke caught his wrist to make his brother stop. Itachi massaged the growing erection through the fabric of the shorts, then pulled it out from inside the clothes.
Only when his body was heated and his cock leaking Sasuke became more open to his touches. It was like having him in a trance.
That face. That seductive face, which Sasuke tried to hide on his shoulder, was a sign that Itachi had him right where he wanted. Itachi turned his face and kissed his mouth, and it welcomed him with an eager tongue. He slowed down the rhythm of the strokes until the boy, in need of more friction, began to rock his hips over his lap. He just let one hand rest on Sasuke's waist while the other was around his brother's cock but making barely any movement, just letting him wave the hips, thrust inside the ring made of thumb and forefinger.
Itachi wasn't holding him any more, and it felt like reaching an orgasm knowing that at that moment Sasuke wouldn't fight back, too lost to even think on something else if not the pleasure Itachi was giving him. Better than fucking him tied to a bed was having him unable to walk away. What a skill. It took years to perfect. Perceiving all the right cues and right places to touch. Noticing what not even his little brother himself realised. Itachi would take advantage and let Sasuke melt over him and drown his senses on that boy. Those shaky breaths falling on his face, those hands holding his shoulders, leaving nail marks, that mouth open, letting those lovely sounds escape and enchant him like a siren song.
Itachi wondered who was the wicked one now, the one who set the game afoot the worst way possible in a reckless night or the one who insisted on fighting a meaningless battle that could no longer be won. It had no importance. The point of no return was long lost. And Itachi had no qualms if in the end he got what he wanted.
Itachi kissed him again but retreated. Sasuke sought for more and entered his mouth. Itachi watched everything with half-lidded eyes. The boy's fingers threaded through his hair, starting from the nape. He sighed in contentment. How dare that cheeky boy make him shiver. Itachi stroke him faster.
Sasuke rested his forehead on Itachi's shoulder again and released a breathy moan when he came. Itachi licked it all off like he was savouring the sweetest honey, hearing Sasuke's tired breaths. Itachi pulled him for one last kiss, lewdly making Sasuke taste himself. Then, stared up at the beauty over him. The swollen lips, glistening with saliva, and the flushed and sweaty face. He smirked.
"This is why I don't mind," Itachi said. The boy leaned back with a confused expression that in a flash turned into scared, then angry. Itachi let him stand up, at first in wobbly legs, and after he steadied himself, Sasuke left, slamming the door as he passed.