Lovers among Ruins

Summary: Uchiha Itachi suddenly surrenders himself to Konoha and Sasuke's emotions are stirring. ItaSasu.

Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine.

A/N: Nothing much to say, I guess. Thanks for the reviews, I truly appreciate your effort of making one. Thank you.


Chapter 4

I tried to find some sleep today but it seemed that Sleep didn't want to invade my restless mind for a while. Maybe it was sympathizing with my condition right now, convincing me that another nightmare wouldn't do any good to me. I sadly agree with it that's why I found myself sitting idly on my bed contemplating about nothing. I sighed heavily and not knowing what to do, I decided to walk around Konoha for a while to keep me busy.

No missions for today since we just had a death defying one yesterday. Don't ask me what it was. Somehow I wished that someone—anyone would bug me right now. For the first time in my entire life I'm wishing for trouble and good bickering. God knows how much I wanted to have Naruto and Sakura with me right now. With the dobe's endless rants on how I keep on corrupting his super hero image and with Sakura who incessantly annoys me with her twisted flirtatious ways I couldn't ask for more.

But Fate is turning its back on me. I've already rounded Konoha for the second time and still no sign of the dobe or Sakura. My brows are threatening to meet halfway with aggravation so I continued to walk for another hour without any certain direction. I was so deep in examining my dull schedule for the day that I was quite startled when an ANBU blocked my direction.

"Excuse me, what are you doing in here? This is a prohibited area for civilians."

I stared at him like he was a zombie or something. I realized that I was staring at him for quite along time when he placed an oddly gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Are you Uchiha Sasuke?" he asked.

I nodded in reply as half my mind was still thinking about my 'exciting day' and the other half trying to find out where I was.

"Are you here to visit your brother?" the ANBU said.

That question snapped me out of my stupid musings. I looked behind the ANBU's shoulder and that's when I realized that I was nearing the prison headquarters. So that means I've crossed Konoha's outskirts without the slightest hint of regard. The surroundings I once thought were gory and freaky was changed into beauty and awe. Konoha still maintains the environment for prisoners quite lovely, I thought brusquely.

"I am if I can…see him." My treacherous mouth said. And what can I do? Deep inside me something is pushing me to see him—very badly.

"You can see him. Come on." The ANBU said as he walked away followed by me. When we got to the tower I surrendered my kunai holster as usual and was lead to the innards of the tower by another ANBU.

"So I can see Itachi even without the Hokage's permission?" I asked the ANBU walking in front of me.

"You can because you're his brother. Family relatives of the prisoner are free to visit anytime." He answered without looking back at me. Like before, we turned right and stopped at the last door. Another ANBU was guarding it which means that two ANBUs are guarding the gate while seven to ten ANBUs are on guard around the perimeter—that's why I was seen by one while I was lost in my thoughts. While two ANBUs are on watch in every corner of the interior. Even in broad daylight, lamps were still lighted inside because there were no windows around the corridors. So much for tight security.

"You already know what to do, I suppose." The ANBU—whom I recognized was the one who welcomed us that morning—stated.

I nodded. "I'll just knock."

The two ANBUs opened the thick metal door and once again, cold air seethed. Everything wasn't so dark inside after all. I stepped inside and waited for the door to close before I surveyed the room in daylight. The tiny windows high above the dark walls much to my delight were giving a good proportion of light to at least brighten the room. The bed was still there and glancing to my left I saw a door, which I suppose, would be the bathroom. Hell, prisoners are living on cloud nine here. Where was the scene I pictured where captives are supposed to be held tight in place by heavy chains plastered against the wall? Where were the sadists playing with torture? Where are those!

A quiet rustling across me made me look at the person sitting on the bed. I didn't know how but I suddenly had the guts to stare at my stray brother menacingly. As I observed, he seemed to be…smiling. A half sneer mixed with a little surprise. I felt my cheeks burn again and I wanted to pound my face for that matter.

"So you visited me, little brother." Itachi said.

"Hokage-sama ordered me to." I lied with contempt.

Itachi stood and with five quick strides reached me closely. I tried to back away but decided not to. I wanted to show him that I'm not afraid of him anymore. But never expect the simplest of things from Uchiha Itachi because as soon as I did that, I regretted it. He stood in front of me closely and slowly he reached towards me. Pale long fingers—just like mine—brushed some hair away from my face.

I was stunned. Yet what I felt was…I liked his touch that I found myself leaning towards. But instinct got the better hold of me and I harshly brushed his hand away. I jumped back and assumed a fighting stance thinking how could I let my guard down.

"I thought you liked it." Itachi said with a sneer. I clenched my teeth and with all the hatred in world I could summon attacked him still knowing that it would do me no good. As expected Itachi gracefully parried my attack. With both of my hands held tight behind me, Itachi shoved me to the wall making me cringe with pain. For a moment, everything went blank. All I could feel was Itachi's tight grip against my arms and all I could hear was my ragged breathing.

"Let go of me." I managed to say in between my breaths.

"You don't hate me enough, little brother." Itachi said, his obsidian orbs boring against my red sharingan eyes. "Was killing the clan not enough for you?"

"Shut up you bastard!" I shouted at him. I didn't want to remember that horrible night. He jostled me against the wall more violently than before. I let out a small gasp of defeat, as I became light-headed and wizened against his arms. My red blazing eyes returning to its normal color. I wanted to pry away from his arms, which now loosened its hold. I was leaning against his chest, his soft breathing oddly comforting me.

"Bastard…" I said against his chest, my harsh breathing not the least ceasing.

"Hate me more, Sasuke." Itachi said softly as if he's thinking of something else.

As much as I didn't want to I gripped his arms as I looked up at his down angled face. I stared at him with abhorrence as I replied darkly. "I hate you enough."

I was instantly lost in his gaze. His cold hand touched my left cheek. I suddenly felt febrile against his cold yet gentle touch. I was in the brink of tears although I didn't know why. Unconsciously, I leaned towards him more as he lowered his head to mine. His long black strands of hair softly brushed against my face as our noses met. I could feel his hot breath against mine. I wanted beyond what was happening and inched my face towards him more. But he stopped his actions as if waiting for me and I slowly placed my lips against his. His soft lips against mine and I could feel electricity jolting inside me, my body craving for more.

But a knock on the door startled me separating us from our lip lock. He stared at me like he always did as I blushed harder realizing what I had just done.

"Uchiha Sasuke?" A voice behind the door spoke.

"Y-yeah?" I stuttered weakly realizing that speaking or even shouting from the inside would do no good. I wasn't even heard and the ANBU expected it. I avoided Itachi's gaze.

"Hokage-sama wants to see you in her office." The ANBU spoke as the heavy metal door slowly slid open.

"Visit me again." Itachi said as if nothing happened.

"I will." I said softly as I turned around to the door.

———-

"You went again to your brother?" Was Tsunade's first question for me as I stepped into her office. I stood there regaining my composure as quickly as possible.

"I did." I replied which I hoped didn't sound as a little shaky lest she might suspect anything. Thinking about that…kiss made me blush again, unable to hide it. Fortunately, Tsunade didn't recognize it.

"Why did you went there?" Tsunade asked without any suspicion lingering.

"I was walking around Konoha then and when I found myself in the prison's area and interrogated by an ANBU, it was too late." I said truthfully.

Tsunade dismissed my I-needed-to-see-my-brother alibi with a jeer. "Really?"

"Its true!" I almost shouted in defense, my cheeks slightly coloring in effect. She mockingly smiled softly and gestured for me to sit. I sat down sulking like a toddler.

"I want to know if Uchiha Itachi answered this morning." Tsunade said.

"He said that he's tired." I said honestly. Then realizing that I didn't even get an explanation for that answer which was my supposed purpose for my unexpected visit to the prison.

Tsunade sat there in deep thinking upon hearing my answer. After about five minutes of solitary contemplation she dismissed me saying that she'll have to call for me some time soon. I shrugged in reply.

"By the way, Uchiha Sasuke." Tsunade said. I turned around to face her before I left, acknowledging her call. "Bring some normal food for your brother. I think he doesn't like the food served to him in the prison."

I accidentally blushed furiously in front of the Hokage making her naughty grin wider. I'm going to get this woman someday, I thought.

"Ch." I snorted and exited her office dismissing what she said while hearing a hearty laugh from the inside.

TBC