Naruto stirred in his sleep, completely comfortable and well rested. He wanted to indulge in the warmth that surrounded him, and snuggle deeper into it..So he tried.
"Naruto...If you continue to do that, I'll have to take matters into my own hands." Itachi's voice sounded, stopping Naruto immediately. He opened his tired eyes, his vision still a little blurry, so in an attempt to clear it he rubbed his eyes, making the Uchiha smile beside him.
"Itachi?" Naruto called out the Tengu's name in confusion. "What are you doing in my bed?...Oh my God! I didn't get drunk did I!" The teen sat up with a fright. He thought he was in one of those embarrassing situations where he'd drank all night and doesn't remember who he slept with, not that he's done that but you never know. He looked at Itachi, seeing the older Tengu trying to hide his smile. Itachi looked Naruto over, loving the way the blond looked every time he woke up. His hair in the morning was always an adventure to see. instead of being it's normal slightly long mess of spikes, it was out of control and seemed to always almost be even fluffier. But he was distracted by the worried and shocked expression he was sporting.
"No Naruto, That's not what happened." Itachi reassured the blonde. Although he must admit that he wouldn't have minded if that was the case. "You brought back That wounded Fire God, and then passed out, probably because you used too much of your powers." Itachi said, looking at Naruto and knew that he was right. Naruto had exhausted himself by first of all fighting off that small human army. Then he had a vision, one while he was still awake, which drained even more power, and then he tried to do a high level spell with the remaining power he had. It was a miracle he wasn't in the medical wing himself. But even Naruto had his mysteries and he always was a fast recover-er.
"I remember now...How is he?" Naruto asked, fiddling with the bed sheets he was still half under.
"He's stable, you got him here just in time..." Itachi said, smiling slightly at the blond, seeing the relief wash over him. "But Naruto...Do you know who you saved?" Itachi asked, wondering if he knew of the importance.
Naruto looked at him for a moment. He nodded after a moment, knowing only a little bit about who the redhead was. " I don't know a whole lot about him..." He admitted. All he knew was that he was the son of some dead Fire god, but he didn't know his importance.
Itachi raised an eyebrow, surprised and then yet not so surprised that Naruto didn't know who he saved. "Well...Lets just say that he's of extreme importance...and that a lot of lives will change with his survival." He said, ruffling Naruto's hair in an affectionate way, taking pleasure in the contact. Besides it wasn't like he could mess up Naruto's bed hair any further.
"If that's the case then who'll make sure that he stays alive...I'm pretty sure that whoever attacked him in the forest is wanting to finish the job..." Naruto said, turning slightly more serious than normal when it came to these matters. He watched Itachi's expression, knowing a lot about the Uchiha's emotions even though he didn't ever express them quite clearly. After all he did spend almost Ten years with the Tengu...You'd think he'd know him pretty well.
"You're right, But I'm pretty sure that father has some sort of plan figured out...Speaking of which, he has sent for you when you waken...Shall we?" He asked, getting up from the bed while keeping his hand extended to Naruto. He took it, letting Itachi help him up from the bed. He looked down at himself, noticing that he was in different clothing. Seeing the questioning look on his face Itachi smirked. "I had some of the Tengu servants change you into different clothes...the ones you were wearing were drenched in the wounded man's blood." Itachi explained.
Naruto nodded, glad that he was changed. But he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed to know that it wasn't Itachi who had changed them. Blushing slightly he looked away as he headed for his brush, wanting to at least tame his wild hair before talking to Fugaku.
Fugaku watched as Naruto and Itachi walked in. He could immediately tell that Naruto was fully rested and ready for anything because his enormous power levels where back to normal. He couldn't help but smile slightly or inwardly when Naruto smiled at him while he walked to sit in front of him.
"Fugaku." He bowed before sitting.
"Naruto...I understand that you had a vision about the wounded demon." He started asking questions all ready, eager to know everything that happened strait from Naruto.
"Yes, It showed me where to find him and how long he had." Naruto explained. He watched as Fugaku wrote something down on a piece of parchment. "I'm guessing you're unaware of who you saved." He commented, looking at Naruto. When he didn't say anything that was all he needed, to know that it was true.
"Naruto, You know of what happened to the Fire God right?" He asked.
"Yes...He was killed off as far as I know."
"Right...And you're aware that he had three children." He stopped writing again to watch Naruto's expression.
"Yes...But they're all dead..."
"Not all of them...You Naruto have found the youngest Son of Ho-Musubi. Gaara." He said.
Naruto didn't really care that he was the last son of a Fire God, even though it was big news and that it truly was life changing. He just cared of who wants to kill him and if he was okay, not just physically, but mentally as well. When someone goes through that amount of Trauma, no one really came out quite okay.
"Gaara." He said the young demon's name, committing it to memory.
"When you found Gaara, did you notice any other presence." Fugaku asked, wanting to know more about the person that attacked him. Naruto tried to remember the specific moment when he found Gaara. He tried to think of everything that was going on around him, and if there was anything that felt out of the ordinary. He remembered when he first found him under all the roots, there was a moment when he felt a surge of power to the east of him, but at the time he didn't even consider that it had anything to do with Gaara. Not only that, but now that he thought about it, there was a small trace of the same power on Gaara, it had to be the assailant.
"When I found Gaara, I sensed something to the east...I'm certain that whoever attacked him is somewhere east of the forest...There were still traces of their power on him when I found him, but nothing big enough to tell who or where exactly they came from..." Naruto explained, confident in what he said was fact.
Fugaku nodded, agreeing with the young fox. "Now that we know which direction to choose, Naruto I want you to leave and find out who was responsible for this...I don't care what you do, just get information out of them and then report back here." Fugaku asked, watching Naruto.
Naruto nodded, "Who will be here to protect Gaara though?"
"I will." Madara said, stepping out from the shadows of the meeting room, startling Naruto and even Itachi a little.
"Madara-San?" Naruto questioned. Usually the older Uchiha didn't want anything to do with other demons, let alone his own kind, so having him speak up and take charge of protecting a demon prince was completely out of character.
"Yes, He will stay to be Gaara's body guard until the threat to his life is taken care of." Fugaku said, looking to Madara then to Itachi and Naruto. " But I don't want you to leave just yet, I want you to get a chance to talk to him before you depart...So I'll Give you two weeks till the mission." Fugaku started to roll up some papers on his desk, sealing them in a wax seal, and then passing them to one of his messengers.
"But if someone does get through to Gaara, there needs to be someone who can tell them apart by their power." Naruto said, bringing up a very important point.
"That's where I come in."
Everyone turned to see Kakashi coming into the meeting room, lead by a Tengu servant.
"I was there with you at the time, and I'm quite certain that I know what the power we are looking for feels like, so I will stay behind and also keep an eye on Gaara, but at a distance." He said, joining in on the nodded, agreeing that it was probably best if Kakashi did remain behind. After all he was very good at being stealthy and keeping an eye on someone.
"Its settled then." Fugaku spoke. Everyone got up, dismissing them selves. But as Naruto was about to leave, Fugaku pulled him to the side, wanting to talk to him just a little bit more.
"Please be careful Naruto...In the east there are many dangers and not every demon can be trusted there. It's infected with humans who would rather kill any demon they came across, so don't expect any help there either." He warned. He himself had seen the horrors of the east, no one trusted each other. It was a sad sight, and every time he'd try to help anyone they'd be terrified that he'd want something from them. It was hard to see both humans and demons act that way.
Naruto nodded, smiling before he turned to leave with Itachi.
Back in the medical wing of the estate, there was a little commotion with Gaara and the medical Tengu.
"W-Where am I?!" Gaara demanded, sitting up in his cot, completely awake now that his wounds were treated.
"Sir, You're at the Tengu estate. You were brought here because you were gravely wounded, you're currently recovering." One of the medical staff tried to reason with him, being cautious and not letting anyone approach him. Gaara watched everyone's every move, making sure that none of them where going to attack him. He examined himself, noticing all of the bandages on his body and the slight numbed pain he felt all over his body.
"I want to speak to your leader..." He finally said, staring at the medical Tengue that was talking to him. Said Tengue nodded, making everyone leave and gave strict instructions that no one was to talk to the young god or to touch him unless there was absolute need to. Once he was sure that everyone would follow the command, he headed off to inform Fugaku of the situation.
'I don't quite remember what happened...But I'm sure that the person who found me was a fox...' Gaara thought to himself, laying back onto his medical cot, careful not to reopen any of his wounds. He remembered golden locks of hair, and bright blue eyes full of wonder and worry. For some reason just remembering the person brought Gaara ease. He knew that this person was trustworthy, he didn't understand how or why but the feeling was there...Like they were connected in more ways than one.
Suddenly Gaara shivered, feeling a presence he hadn't felt since he was very young. He looked to the entrance to his room, eyes widened when he saw the man there.
"M-Madara..." He got out after a moment, speaking the man's name. He hadn't seen him since he was living in the fire palace, and even then he was only six or seven at the time. He watched as Madara entered the room, heading to sit on the side of his cot.
"It's been a while...Gaara." He smiled at it faded after a moment when he recalled some memories that he wanted to forget.
"Yes..." Gaara spoke softly, fiddling with his bandage on his arm, unconsciously undoing it slightly. Madara gently moved the young fire god's hand away from it, bringing his wrist closer to himself to bandage it again. Gaara felt the warmth of Madara's hand, blushing slightly at the contact. He always loved how gentle he would be with him, even though he was grown up now and not so fragile and sickly like he was when he was a child.
When he was younger he'd always get fevers and have trouble breathing slightly. His doctor told his father that it was because he had abnormal high demonic powers inside him, and his young body was having trouble coping with it. So it would do the only thing it new to do, and that's where the fevers and such came from. But when Madara would stay at the fire palace, he'd always visit him and talk with him in his room, making sure that he wasn't lonely and that he was well taken care of. So it came to a shock when Madara suddenly disappeared...That's also around the time when the humans banded together in the regent under some high official and declared that the Fire god line be exterminated. Gaara barely escaped with some servants...as for the rest of his family, They were all slaughtered and displayed for everyone to see. Remembering the details always reaffirmed his hatred for humans.
"You haven't changed, you're just as I remember." Gaara looked him over, noticing that he really didn't look like he aged at all. The only thing that really changed was his hair length...It was longer and pored over his shoulders freely. He certainly was handsome, but with all Uchiha males, you had to get past their stone face first to actually appreciate their real beauty. They didn't like to show much emotion, but when it concerned family or situations where several lives could be lost, they tend to give in to them and their stone faced wall begins to crack slightly. Gaara knew this well, because when he was young he'd always try to get Madara to either smile at him, or show some sort of emotion towards him. He's be the first person to do so.
Gaara was considered a taboo child, so his family didn't really interact with him or show him any sort of love or affection. Which was tragic for a child, not to know the warmth of a sibling or even to see his mother smile, not even once. He never tried anything with his father, after all he had never really seen the Fire god or even talked to him. It was tough growing up in the fire palace, but Gaara was used to everyone's behavior toward him. After all it was weird for any royal or God Demon to have a third child. In Demon society it was all right to have two offspring, but to have any more than that was considered taboo or an act of war...And since everyone didn't expect Gaara, he was considered a Taboo instead a means for war. So when he secretly heard the names that he was known as or the secret hateful things his mother and siblings would say...He didn't hate them for it..Or more like he couldn't hate them. In his mind what they said was true...So in turn he didn't hate his family..on the contrary he still cared for everyone and when he learned that there were no other survivors besides himself, he wept for his family who didn't love him...after all they let him live with them instead of killing him.
Kill...
He thought of the person who had attacked him, not quite sure who it was...after all at the time of the attack Gaara was facing away from the person, which gave them an opportunity to blindfold him while chaining him up. He remembered all the torture technique that the person performed, shivering slightly. Madara saw his shudder, figuring that Gaara might have caught a chill.
"I need to ask you a couple questions Gaara, that way we can further protect you...and So that I can know what happened fully." He asked, taking Gaara's hand, not breaking eye contact. Gaara looked into Madara's deep red eyes, loving the color that they were, especially when the sun was shining on them, or some sort of light. That way you got to see their real glory. But he shook his head slightly, refocusing on what he wanted.
He told Madara about what happened and how he didn't quite know his attacker, but he could've sworn that he knew the presence...but he couldn't quite place it. Once that was explained Madara wanted to know about where he was staying at till now, and how he escaped in the first place.
He started with how it all happened in the first place, recalling the night that everything started.
He was told to go to bed early, knowing that there was to be a party in celebration of his eldest sister becoming of age to be wedded off for peace. Everyone thought he'd get in the way of the celebration and quite frankly no one wanted him there. So when it came almost time for it, they locked him in his room with two guards at the door.
He remembered hearing all the laughter and the music, wondering what it could be like, but then he remembered his father's warning about staying in his room, and thought better of maybe sneaking out to take a peak. So instead he made his own little party, conjuring up little flame balls to float around his room, dancing slightly to the music he heard from outside. He controlled the flames in a beautiful way, falling or swirling in such an intricate way. He loved to use fire this way...letting it be beautiful instead of destructive and hateful. He knew that there was so much potential in fire. He understood how to use it better than anyone else he felt. After all it was the only living thing that didn't hate him...belittle him, or try to kill him occasionally. There was a bond between them that no one could ever understand...May be that was why everyone feared him and his remarkable powers.
Gaara told Madara about how he basically dance himself to exhaustion and fell asleep in the corner of the room instead of his bed. Then he go to the part of where he bolted upright, waking instantly with dread and a sense of self preservation. He listened for something in the distance, hearing screaming and some loud noises. Suddenly his room door was blasted open, startling him in the corner of his room. Some one entered, and by the smell alone, Gaara could tell that who ever it was was not to be trusted or encountered with. He watched as the figure went to his bed, looking at it. He heard the man grunt and turn around, striking whoever it was behind him. The person was female, she cried out when she was struck. Obviously the man was looking for Gaara and when he saw that the bed was empty he assumed that the child was missing and that the woman was fooling with him. He was greatly displeased and Gaara remembered that the man beat the woman until she fell unconscious, wanting to know where the child was or could have gone.
Gaara stayed silent and hidden in his room, knowing that if he revealed himself or cried out for the woman, that the man would find him and that he would be killed.
He watched as the woman fell to the floor, bloodied and beat almost to the point of being unrecognizable. The man walked over her body, exiting Gaara's room after telling whoever was outside to kill off the rest of the house.
Gaara had to stop with his story telling for a moment, trying to conjure up the will to tell the next part.
Madara gently rubbed the young god's arm, encouraging him to continue, knowing that it was hard. It was already hard to hear what he already told. Knowing that a young God child saw something that brutalizing wasn't right with the Demon way...It just wasn't done.
"When the man left...I tried to find my way to my brother and sister's rooms...hoping that they could tell me what was happening,and why there was a strange man in our home that smelled of blood and ash." Gaara continued.
"I went to Temari's room first, knowing that she would know." He said, gripping the bed sheets tightly.
"I opened her door...To find her beheaded and defiled on her bed." He finally got out, clutching his bed sheets so hard that his knuckles turned white. Madara's eyes widened in horror. He knew that Temari had died, but to be defiled and then beheaded in such a manor was unforgivable.
"I couldn't breath when I saw her like that, so I ran to Kankuro's room to try and warn him and to tell him what happened to Tamari...But I found him in the exact state as Tamari...I remembered almost passing out when I found his body though because mother and father's heads where with his..." He got out, turning more and more pale, his eyes becoming more dull and lifeless as he progressed with the story.
"I can remember the sick laugh as the man that killed my family found me in the hall to Kankuro's room...He was an older man, but human...But I could have sworn he gave off some sort of aura that wasn't demon nor human..." Gaara shivered, remembering the man's presence and how it felt...So cold and lifeless..
"He tried to capture me, but I ran and burned anything I could to try and stop the man from following me...I can still remember his voice calling out to me...trying to get me to come to him." He said as he shivered, holding his arms close to his body.
"I ran until I couldn't anymore...I ended up in gardens in the back of the estate...I watched it as it burned with my flames, knowing that there would be nothing left after the flames died down. But...when I thought I was safe, the man came walking out of the flames, smiling...He knew where I was and I knew that I would be killed." He admitted, trembling slightly.
"...He caught me...Tortured me...and did things to me that I don't ever want to experience again...And that's where I've been...Living each day wondering if it would be my last...if The man would have no more use for me and decide to end me..." Gaara could feel tears coming to his eyes. He never cried when he was captured for fear of what would happen to him, so when he started to in front of Madara, it frightened him slightly.
Madara took Gaara into his arms, comforting him as he cried, releasing any negative energy that he had left. He wanted to make the boy feel safe and secure, It was already so hard to hear what had happened to him and what he had to go through...He didn't want Gaara to experience any more pain and suffering.
"I was about to give up when someone set me free, telling me to run into the forest and not to look back." Gaara told him, watching Madara closely
"I don't know where he came from or how...but it was because of him that I was set free and able to flee into the forest where the fox found me." He said, sighing, returning his head to Madara's chest, still in the man's embrace. He took comfort in the rise and fall of the Tengu's chest, knowing that he was safe as long as Madara was there.
"You didn't happen to see this person?" He asked, already suspecting the answer. When Gaara shook his head "no" he sighed slightly, holding Gaara more firmly to his chest. He wanted to erase everything bad that had happened to him...Why did Gaara need to experience such hardships...He did nothing wrong... Madara thought to himself, recalling all the hate that was thrown at the boy when he was young. But Gaara came out okay...He held no grudge towards those who hated him and he wasn't revengeful and bloodthirsty...Most demons who experience what he did either ended their own lives or went completely insane. So the fact that Gaara was still the good, strong demon god that he knew was a miracle.
"I'm must glad that you are alive...and now that you're here..I promise nothing more will happen to you. You will never see that man again." He promised Gaara, feeling the young demon god relax further in his embrace, to the point that he had fallen asleep once again. He was emotionally and physically exhausted and knowing that Madara was now watching him, brought him peace and a feeling that he hadn't experienced since he was very young.
"Sleep Gaara..." Madara whispered, petting the young Demon God's scarlet hair, admiring the color. He made a silent vow to never leave Gaara alone again, hoping that he could now start to live a normal life in the demon world, and not have to worry about the "Man" ever finding him again.
Naruto was preparing for his journey when he heard a knock on his bedroom door, startling him enough that he dropped the items that he was currently holding.
"Naruto?" Itachi's voice sounded behind his door, he obviously heard the little commotion.
"You can come in Itachi,sorry you just startled me a little...I didn't hear you approaching the door.." Naruto now just realized that he didn't smell him either...Maybe he was coming down with something.
"Unusual.." Itachi stated, walking into the room, noticing that Naruto had begun to pack for his mission. He smiled, clearly feeling the frustration emanating from the blond.
"Are you having trouble?" He asked meaning it and also poking fun at him.
"I'm sure I have everything packed...but I feel like I'm missing something crucial to my mission..." He started, going through his pack again, his eyebrows furrowing even more in confusion.
"I see." Itachi calmly watched his young fox brother, smiling often when he heard frustrated whispers from him and grunts. "Naruto, I'm pretty sure you have everything you need in those bags...but you are forgetting a certain "someone" you need to take on your trip." Itachi stated, putting his hands on Naruto's, which were fidgeting with some sort of equipment.
"Who?" Naruto questioned, unaware that he needed to bring anyone with him...For all he was concerned he was going alone because he was more than capable to do this mission than anyone else. It was easier that way.
"Me,Naruto.."
"You want to come?" Naruto was confused...He was pretty sure that Itachi wouldn't want anything to do with this mission because he hated humans even more so than Naruto or his little brother.
"I want to make sure that nothing happens to you...I have also been to the East...It changes you..." He said, remembering his trip there with his father.
They were trying to go to a peace meeting at the time, but negotiations didn't go well, as was expected. But the experience was still unpleasant and unfriendly. It was expected behavior thought, but they weren't expecting the huge organized assassination attempt by the very people that they wanted to sign the peace treaty with. But that is a whole other story.
"So I've heard." Naruto said, looking away from Itachi, thinking. "Well whatever it is I'm sure that I can live without it while on this journey." Naruto gave up his search for the mysterious item that was eluding him. He looked back at Itachi, sniffing something.
"What?..Do I smell?" Itachi asked, noticing that Naruto was sniffing him.
"Yeah, but it's not bad...but It's not how you usually smell..." He said, trying to pinpoint what exactly was different with his sent.
"Well as long as I don't stink." Itachi said under his breath as he turned toward the door. It was one of his little quirks he had, with his family and all. They loved to be clean and proper, anything less with them made them into very interesting was one of the things that they pride themselves on...among other things.
"Don't worry, I would tell you if you were starting to stink, so don't get your feathers ruffled, you smell fine. I'm sure that the servants probably changed the way they wash our clothes is all." Naruto tried to put the older Tengu's worries at ease, but he earned an annoyed scowl instead, making the fox demon laugh as he walked down the main hall, heading for the main entrance.
Once actually outside, Naruto and Itachi Thought they'd save time if Itachi flew while Naruto jumped through the treetops of their forest, which did make a significant dent in their travel time. But not even brave, strong demons wandered around in the dead of night, just the stupid ones. So when it gotten too dark for Naruto and Itachi to be comfortable, they decided to make camp for the night, alternating who stayed up for night watch.
"You sleep first Itachi, I spent the whole afternoon sleeping...I couldn't sleep right now even if I really wanted to." Naruto sat down near the newly lit fire, fox ears already flickering and twitching with alertness.
Itachi smiled, not wanting to argue with him, he laid down on the other side of the fire, watching Naruto as he did so.
"Wake me in a couple of hours...I don't need much sleep either." He said, waiting for Naruto's nod of understanding. When given it wasn't long before the older Tengu was asleep.
Naruto watched Itachi sleep for a little bit, noticing the way he breathed, and how peaceful he seemed to be when in a relaxed state. It brought Naruto joy that Itachi was trusting in Naruto enough that he could sleep out in the open like this, even with all the hidden danger. Naruto watched Itachi some more before he remembered how strange it was that the way he smelt changed. Normally if there was a smell change it took a while and gradually everyone got use to it quickly...
Naruto sniffed the air again, trying to pick up Itachi's smell once more. when he caught it, it hit him hard and it had changed slightly again. He clutched his stomach, trying to muffle the gasp he almost let out. The smell was so tantalizing and inviting...but not in the way that Naruto was expecting. He knew this smell...It was the smell that female demons gave off when they want to let another demon that they want to have sex...But it wasn't coming from Itachi...
Naruto sniffed himself, confirming that the smell was coming from him, and strongly.
'How the hell?!' He screamed in his head, panic and terror rushed through him. Since he wasn't a female, he didn't know how to stop the pheromone, and he was even more scared that it was happening in the first place. No one ever taut him about his Fox heritage really, since it was a sore spot for him. So when it came to mating periods and the signs he knew nothing.
Itachi moved slightly, startling Naruto, while also momentary making him forget about his predicament. He needed to calm down and focus on his mission and keep watch...This was no time to wonder what the hell his body was going through...He just hoped that Itachi doesn't notice and wake up...This was a situation he was too embarrassed to have any sort of help from him.
So he tried to calm himself by watching the flames dance and crackle, sending smoke to the darkening sky...But every so often he'd get a strong whiff of Itachi's sent, sending waves of electricity through him.
He breathed harder, clutching at his chest, feeling more heat rise through him. He needed to do something...other wise he wasn't sure he could last much longer without waking the oblivious Uchiha.
He carefully scooted around the tree he was leaning against. He was out of eyesight if Itachi did wake up, but he was still able to watch the camp. He slowly snaked his bottoms down a little, exposing his Fundoshi garment. The bulge under it was very apparent and aching with the need to be touched. Naruto hissed while he touched himself, pleasurable shocks filled his body as the slightest touches felt like tiny orgasms. But when he started to fully pump himself, he couldn't help the gasps and moans that escaped him as he writhed in complete pleasure. He pumped more furiously, feeling that he was close to his release.
"I-Itachi!" He gasped to himself silently. He wasn't even aware that he whispered the Tengu's name. He tried to feel that one last bolt of pleasure that would trigger his erupting orgasmic release. He could feel it coming, pumping faster for the last few strokes finally brought him to release.
"AH!" He moaned slightly. He muffled it the best he could, but wasn't able to contain it could feel the intense heat slowly reside, bringing his body relief and felt calmer and the strange smell coming from Itachi slowly faded. Once calmed down he looked to where Itachi laid, shocked to see that he was still a sleep by the looks of it. 'Either he's faking it or he's a really deep sleeper...' Naruto thought. But he was glad enough that Itachi wasn't talking about it if he was awake. 'Whatever the hell that was, I better get it in check...' He thought, knowing that if it happened again, that it would just get worse. He looked over at Itachi one last time before returning to his watching state.
Itachi could hear Naruto move and whisper in irritation. Something was bothering the blond. He was about to roll over and ask what was troubling the him when he heard something he thought he wouldn't ever hear. He heard a slight moan from the fox...Yes it was certainly a moan, and a gasp.
Itachi froze,unable to roll over. He listened as Naruto's breaths became more labored and faster..He could hear the faint sound of fast movement coming from him. He couldn't believe what he was hearing...He was more shocked than anything that Naruto was actually doing it out in the forest. He either hadn't released in a while or something was wrong...
He heard Naruto moan again but what followed after made his heart stop.
"I-Itachi!"
He stopped breathing as he heard Naruto release...the muffled moan filled his mind. If he hadn't heard it himself, he would have never believed that Naruto had just said his name at the peak of his climax. He heard the blond slow his breathing, coming down from his euphoric state. He heard him sigh to himself before shuffling around the tree to resume his normal night watch position.
'Naruto...' Itachi thought about the blond, laying completely still but wanted to move so badly...He wanted to know why Naruto had done it...If he had feelings for him...and if the two of them would ever be together...But he decided to let it go for now...Now wasn't the time for such matters.
Naruto's eyes began to get heavy, even though he had nearly slept half the day. He was still feeling exhausted at this moment.
'I might need to wake Itachi soon...' He thought, barley able to keep his eyes open.
"Naruto?" He heard Itachi call out to him. The Raven haired man was walking toward him with such grace. He never really knew how graceful the young Tengu Lord really was until now...He must still be having some side-effects from the episode he had earlier. It just added to his attractiveness, which Naruto was well aware of.
"Hm?" He hummed sleepily at him.
"It's my turn for the Night watch...You get some sleep." Itachi said, bending down to touch Naruto's shoulder gently. There was some concern in his eyes, but mostly Itachi's eyes shown with some strange affection that Naruto really hasn't figured out...But it made him feel warm inside, so it couldn't be that bad.
"If you insist...But really Itachi, I could have stayed up longer..." Naruto half joked, knowing full well that he couldn't.
"Very funny...I'll keep watch so hurry and get some have a long day tomorrow." Itachi was right, and his smirk showed it.
"Good night." Naruto grumbled,turning his back to the fire as he laid down. It wasn't long until Itachi could hear the steady,slowed breathing of sleep come from Naruto.
'Let's just hope we get this over with quickly...' Itachi thought, staring hard and intensely out into the dark night.
"Naruto..."
"Naruto..."
Naruto stirred in his sleep. Whoever was trying to wake him wasn't doing a good job...How are you supposed to wake someone by whisper-yelling at them?
"NARUTO!" Itachi harshly whispered his name, one last time. The blond stirred, rolling over to glare at Itachi.
Itachi put his finger in a shushing motion on his lips. That's when Naruto noticed the barrier around them. Itachi must have put up an invisibility barrier, sensing some sort of danger. No wonder he wanted Naruto to be quiet...Any loud noise inside of the barrier would dispel it, making their presence known.
Itachi quietly made his way over to Naruto, carefully and cautiously.
"Over to your left..." he whispered, looking the same direction.
Over to their left was a huge group of humans, probably a bandit group by the looks of it...and the smell. Itachi started to pick up Naruto's satchel, moving silently to the west of the group, making sure that Naruto followed closely behind. When he would look back, Naruto would give him a thumbs up, telling him that he was ready to move and right behind him.
They weren't really worried about fighting the humans...they knew that they could handle them...It was the commotion that they were worried about. Word of their presence in the east could be spread if someone recognized them. The less discovery and confrontation the better.
When they were far enough away, they talked normally, grateful that their prescience wasn't found.
"That was a pretty big group...I don't think I've seen one that large..." Naruto commented while walking with Itachi. His eyes saddened at the thought of what they could do.
"That's normal in the East...Father was serious when he said it wasn't a safe place...I know you try to see the good in everything...but you won't find it here." Itachi patted Naruto on the back, smiling before walking ahead.
Naruto walked behind Itachi, thinking about what he said and how anyone could live in such a place...But it became easier and easier to believe after thinking and remembering all the horrible things humans have done to him and his loved ones in the past...
"Hey Itachi?...Do you think Danzo is in the East?"
Itachi stopped walking, tense and shocked. Normally Naruto didn't want to talk about what happened to his mother...or the man responsible for his clan's death...
"It's possible...But don't get any Ideas about turning this into a revenge quest...He's very powerful Naruto..and there are still many things that we don't understand about him." Itachi warned, stopping Naruto from walking. He had his hands on his shoulders while he looked into his beautiful sky blue eyes.
"I don't want to see you get killed or seriously wounded fighting him...I couldn't bare it..." Itachi looked away for a moment, sadness filled his eyes.
"I know it's hard to not get revenge on someone you love...But it's also hard on your loved ones to think that they'll lose another special person in their life. And you are very special in my life Naruto...So please, for the time being don't do anything reckless." Itachi pleaded, bringing his hand up to caress Naruto's cheek gently. He felt the slight whisker like scars on his cheek.
Naruto blushed slightly, surprised by Itachi's slight confession and the fact that he was caressing his cheek...It was probably an accident...Right?
"I-I promise...I don't plan on getting revenge until I master my Seventh tail..." He said, slightly laughing off his nervousness. He wanted to exact his revenge with the full power of the Kitsune clan...Only then would everything be alright with him.
Itachi looked at Naruto, saddened that Naruto was dead set on getting his revenge. But he couldn't blame nor stop him. The pain that he had to endure, both physically and mentally was more than anyone should have to deal with. The pain of losing his entire Clan was part of it too.
"I understand." Itachi finally said, after a long pause. He let his hand drop from Naruto's cheek, to land by his side limply. He turned to walk, showing no emotion on his face. Naruto, worried for a second that he insulted the Tengu, stood still for a moment. But when Itachi turned around and smiled slightly at him, his fears were laid to rest as he began to walk after him.