Shadows within a Dream
By: Kisu
A/N: RAWR! Did I scare you? I'm not sure if my hamster has mites or eczema…-_- ffnet is screwing up my formatting again..so we'll just have to put up with…the italicized flashbacks…I'll prompt you..-_-
Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me!
2.5: Just A Tale
-_- flashback--
Jiraiya burst into the room, breathing heavily. "Naruto!" He yelled. A lone form huddled in the corner shifted and looked up with frightened eyes. Jiraiya advanced on him slowly, passing a bed with blood stained sheets. "Naruto? Are you all right?"
"He did it to me. Over and over." Naruto sobbed. "He wouldn't stop."
"Where is he?" Jiraiya demanded, angrily. "I'll kill that bastard."
"He's for Sasuke to kill." Naruto's icy voice stopped him in his tracks. The anguish on his face was replaced with a blank mask. "He'll get what is coming to him. Sasuke will get him."
"Let's get you cleaned up." Jiraiya said, helping him up. Naruto winced and Jiraiya gently lifted him up into his arms. The boy's head fell against his chest, exhausted. A peaceful expression flitted across his face with a sense of accomplishment.
"Sasuke'll protect me." Naruto murmured as he drifted off to sleep.
Jiraiya paused in midstride before resuming his steady pace.
-_- end flashback--
***
"Sasuke, huh?" Jiraiya was halfway to Tsunade's quarters before remembering Naruto's last words. Maybe there was a chance that everything would be right again. He'll stick around a little while longer with Naruto and see if they could get anywhere. Besides, the battle between the two siblings was coming up. Itachi would come back for Naruto. He never gave up easily. "But is Sasuke strong enough?" He wondered, softly.
***
Sasuke watched as Naruto's eyes opened and he looked around with an uncomprehending gaze. "Where am I?" He asked, dully.
"Iruka's apartment." Sasuke said. Naruto turned his head and blinked at him.
"Sasuke." He said, softly. His gaze softened when he stared at him.
"Tell me what happened. Jiraiya told us that we had to ask you." Sasuke said, quietly. "I want to know."
"Sensei, ne?" Naruto said slowly. "When…when I left, Sensei and I traveled a lot. One day, when I was waiting for sensei to come back. There was a knock on the door, when I opened it, your brother stood there. He wanted me to help him with his mission. A mission to make a better future for the Shinobi and I agreed."
***
-_-flashback---
"I-" Naruto began. "All right."
Itachi blinked in surprise and a smile slowly slid across his face. "Good! Then we'll meet secretly. The Sennin you hang out with is still suspicious of me. I'll find you next time." Itachi waved and walked out the door. "You won't regret it."
-_- end flashback---
***
"So we met in secret and he trailed us from village to village. Along the way, he killed an elderly couple after he had promised not to harm any innocent people. He had explained that it was necessary for a peaceful future. Death was essential." Naruto continued as Sasuke listened with his eyes on the ground. "The elderly couple had been very kind to me and the village was kind too. But after a disagreement, Itachi wiped out the whole village in anger."
***
flashback -_o
"How could you?" Naruto demanded. "We had an agreement! You promised!" He yelled in fury. Itachi narrowed his eyes.
"It's your fault." He replied. "You made me mad." The dancing flames flickered around them of what remained of the burning village. "You caused this village to go under! If you came with me-"
"I can't come with you!" Naruto snarled. "I belong to the Hidden Leaf. I don't want to become a Missing-nin!"
"Then titles are all you think about? Hokage, Hokage? That is always what comes out of your mouth. Titles." Itachi replied, his eyes glowing crimson red. "You're selfish." Naruto's eyes widened. "Selfish and greedy. You always think about yourself."
End flashback o_-
***
"Jiraiya-sensei was catching on. So on our trip to a fishing village, Jiraiya went to peep into women's baths while I walked around. Itachi found me and took me back to his place to talk. That was when our relationship was destroyed." Naruto clenched his fists. "Our friendship that we had carefully try to piece together broke apart and crumbled. He betrayed me and destroyed my trust."
***
o_o flashback---
Itachi turned him over and pressed him on his stomach. He slid into him and Naruto screamed. Itachi slid in and out, his speed increasing before reaching his climax and spilled his seed into him. Naruto clenched the bedsheets, tears falling down his cheeks as he cried silently. Itachi collapsed on top of him and lay there breathing heavily.
"Why?" He asked, softly. "Why Itachi?"
"I don't know." He replied.
"What kind of answer is that?" He hissed. Itachi lifted his body up and rained kisses from his shoulder and down his back.
"I want to dominate you." Itachi smiled. He pulled out of him and turned him over. "If you won't help me willingly, then I'll kill you. After I take away your innocence, and your soul. After I possess you entirely so no one can take you away from me."
"You're a monster." Naruto snapped.
"Am I?" Itachi asked, trailing a finger down his chest. "Or are you?"
end flashback O_O---
***
"So there you have it." Naruto laughed, bitterly. "Your brother raped me." Sasuke was shaking in anger as he stared at the ground, his eyes were glowing red and he felt the need for blood. His brother's blood.
"How could he?" He whispered. His hands curling into tight fists. "I will kill him!"
"I know you will." Naruto said, cheerfully as his lips rose into a bright smile.
"Naruto." Sasuke stared as the sun shone into his hair and lighting his features so it made him glow. "Naruto, you're beautiful."
"Hm?" He blinked.
"Your smile. I haven't seen that smile in a long time." Sasuke murmured. He walked closer to him and wrapped his arms around his neck, bringing him closer to his chest. "I'm sorry."
"Hm? For what?" Naruto mumbled into his shirt.
"That you got hurt." He replied, running his fingers through his golden hair. "I'll make Itachi pay."
"I believe in you, Sasuke. That's why you're my shadow." Naruto laughed, softly.
"Your shadow?" Sasuke asked, as Naruto's blue eyes peer up at him.
"Yeah, remember that one night under the stars?" Naruto grinned. "You said you'll always protect me and I believed it. That's because I love you, Sasuke."
"Naruto." Sasuke buried his head in his shoulder and whispered. "I love you too." A red tinge spread over both of their cheeks, but neither one was aware of it. "I'll get my revenge and you'll get yours, Naruto. We'll defeat Itachi together."
"Heh. We'll see." Naruto replied.
"What? You don't think I'm strong enough?"
"I never said anything like that."
"Idiot."
"…Bastard."
***
Naruto stayed at Iruka's place for a few days to settle his frazzled nerves from his dreams. Ever since he had talked to Sasuke, the dreams have stopped. But he knew they would come back. They always came back. Itachi haunted him and he didn't like it at all.
"Hey Naruto! How are you feeling?" Iruka asked as he came into the apartment. He placed a bag onto the table and watched as the young man turned his head from the window.
"Good." He replied, softly. "Hm? Iruka-sensei, what did you buy?"
"Ramen." Iruka grinned. "I thought you would want some."
"Ramen!" Naruto repeated. "I haven't had that in awhile. Hinata always brings me healthy foods." A glazed look appeared over his eyes. "She's sweet and one of my favorite people."
"So after your ramen, you should go outside and get some fresh air." Iruka said as he set the water to boil. "You've been cooped up in here for awhile."
"Maybe I'll go visit Sasuke." Naruto commented.
"He hasn't dropped by in awhile." Iruka realized.
"Ah, he's training." Naruto responded.
"Training? For what?" Iruka took out a cup of miso ramen and peeled back the top.
"To kill his brother." Naruto smiled.
***
Naruto walked down the street after bidding Iruka good-bye and thanking him for his hospitality. Once again, the cold stares and harsh whispers were the reactions to his presence. The emotionless mask slid up again and a layer of ice wrapped around his heart. This was how it was. This was how he lived his life. But outside of Konoha, people didn't know that he had the Kyuubi sealed inside of him. They didn't fear or loathed him. They made him feel normal. A bitter chuckle rumbled within his throat and threatened to spill out. He was welcome anywhere but here. His home.
"So you came back, eh demon?" A man, clearly drunk by his bloodshot eyes and the stale alcohol on his breath, stumbled up to him. "We thought that we were finally rid of you." Naruto tried to walk around him but the man blocked his path. "What's wrong, brat? Fox got your tongue?" He laughed and tripped over his feet. Naruto watched him passively and stuffed his hands into his pockets. A bored look came over his features.
"If you have something to complain about, go to the Hokage. I'm sure she knows the rules around here." Naruto said, mildly. The man turned purple. The Third had made it a law that no one mentioned the Kyuubi in his presence and the Godaime had strictly enforced it too. The man narrowed his eyes and grabbed a fistful of Naruto's shirt.
"I'm not scared of you, you hear?" He hissed.
"Yeah and I smell it too." Naruto replied as he turned his head away. The man made a rage-filled choking sound and made a fist. Naruto stared into his eyes as the punch connected. He didn't even flinch when the man pulled away. "Does it make you feel better?"
"Hell yeah." The man smirked.
"Good." Naruto replied as he continued on his way. The man stared after him open-mouthed and an audience of bewildered villagers. Guilt tore at them as they stared after the young man. Have they been wrong all along? Was acting this way solving anything? Maybe…they were at fault. Just maybe.
***
Sasuke walked with Sakura through the village. They had ran into each other from opposite directions and decided to walk together. Or in Sakura's case, simply tagging along.
"…and Ino-pig turned red as a tomato!" Sakura laughed. "Eh? Sasuke are you listening?"
"Mm." He replied.
"What did I say?" Sakura frowned.
"Mm." He said, walking steadily.
"Ano…Sasuke-kun. How's Naruto?" Sakura asked with concern. Sasuke blinked and turned his head.
"He's doing better." He replied. "He's been staying at Iruka's house for awhile."
"Ano ne-" The two turned around to see a little girl staring up at them. Guessing on her appearance, she was probably eleven or twelve years old. She had dark green hair that was cut short and two long strands of hair fell on either side of her face. She wore a creamy white dress and dark green leggings underneath. Judging from her appearance, she seemed to be a prestigious lord's daughter.
"Kawaii." Sakura whispered, her face tinting at her adorable features.
"Ano ne—I'm looking for Uzumaki Naruto-kun." She said. "Do you know where I can find him? I heard his name mentioned."
"Why are you looking for him?" Sakura asked while Sasuke simply stared at her.
"Why wouldn't I look for him?" She replied, tilting her head to the side. Sakura blinked. The girl straightened suddenly when she spotted something and ran full speed ahead to the young man with bright hair walking toward them. "Naruto, Oniichan!" She squealed as she launched himself at him. Naruto paused and caught the girl around the waist when she wrapped her arms around his neck. He swung her around in a full circle before placing her down.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, kneeling to her height.
"I wanted to see Oniisan's home!" She beamed.
"Does your anybody know you're here?" Naruto asked.
"Don't worry!" She grinned. Naruto sighed, taking her answer as a no.
"Naruto?" Sakura and Sasuke had walked up to him and were observing their interaction.
"This is, Tanaka Cho." Naruto introduced. "Cho, this is Sasuke and Sakura."
"Nice to meet you." Cho curtsied. Sakura squealed and Sasuke scoffed quietly.
"How old are you? Eleven?" Sakura asked, circling around her.
"Iie." She replied.
"Twelve?" Sakura tried again.
"Iie." Cho said, sweetly.
"She's sixteen, Sakura." Naruto told her.
"Sixteen? But she's so cute and little!" Sakura gasped with surprise.
"What are you saying?" Cho asked, her brown eyes narrowing.
"Tanaka? As in the Tanaka clan?" Sasuke interjected, suddenly.
"You caught on, Sasuke." Naruto smiled. "Tanaka Cho, Hime-sama. Daughter of Tanaka Masakazu." He frowned at her. "Wouldn't the Raikage give you an escort?"
"I ran away." Cho said, simply. "He never liked me anyways."
"Cho-chan." Naruto said, warningly.
"I don't know why you didn't let me come with you! It's not like I have anything left to stay in that Village." Cho said, bitterly.
"It's not simple, Cho. Where I am, there is always danger." Naruto sighed.
"What about your parents, Cho?" Sakura asked.
"They're dead. My whole clan is dead." Cho told her. Naruto's blue eyes turned cold. "We lived outside the Lightning Village in a busy trading area, mainly a fishing village. A man came and wiped the village out. Everyone was killed." Sakura had a sympathetic look on her face.
"How did you escape?" Sakura asked, softly.
"I was saved by Oniisan." Cho told her. She turned and stared up at Naruto. "That's why I've decided that I'm going to marry you, Oniisan!" Naruto choked at the unsuspecting news and Sakura's eyes widened.
A look of fury crossed Sasuke's face and he clenched his fists.
"NANI?"
TBC! TooT TooT!