Naruto and Itachi walked until Naruto stopped abruptly, sensing the same presence that was all over Gaara.
"Itachi..." He got his attention, swiveling his fox ears around, hearing people nearby.
"What?" Itachi could sense the distress and the intense spiritual pressure that Naruto was trying to suppress was enough to tell Itachi that he found who ever they were looking for.
Naruto bolted toward the source, dead set on finding out who did such a horrible thing to Gaara, with Itachi hot on his tail.
"Naruto what's going on?" Itachi yelled after him, only able to guess why the fox suddenly bolted further into the forest.
"This way!" Naruto whispered-yelled to Itachi, motioning for him to follow closely, weaving in and out of the trees surrounding them. Itachi did so without another word,making the judgment to just follow Naruto.
Itachi could now see why Naruto was so desperate to get where he was going fast. In the distance there was a group of people heading into what looked like a small fortress hidden in the dense bush. Judging by their energy, they where all humans, except for the one that they were escorting in. He was full demon, and more powerful than Itachi had expected.
Naruto and Itachi stopped, hidden up in a huge tree, watching what was going on. Now that they were closer they could see that the demon they were escorting in was wounded...Considerably. Naruto looked closer, noticing a pattern in the way his wounds where.
"Itachi...He was attacked by the same person who attacked Gaara..." Naruto whispered, watching all the men walk away.
"Then this must be where they're hiding." Itachi added, noticing the wounds too.
"But there's something wrong...That Demon...His power essence was all over Gaara, and the strange power that I had never felt before...It's coming from the pendent he's carrying..." Naruto noted, spotting the thing before the demon was taken in.
"That is troubling...If it's a pended, then I can only think of two things it could be...Either a power enhancing pendent, or he's the demon I've been hearing about that carries a Demon sealing pendent..." Itachi added hoping that, that wasn't the case.
Naruto stared at the door, contemplating what action he was going to take.
"We have to get in there Itachi..." He said, grabbing some leaves from the tree they where in.
"Naruto..." Itachi's voice was in warning, he knew what the troublesome fox was thinking and he didn't like it.
"What, you got any better Ideas besides storming the place?" Naruto said, jumping down from the tree they were in. Itachi hesitated for a moment, realizing that there was really no other option...But he still wasn't comfortable with just heading right into an enemy base.
"Let's make this quick then." He sighed
Naruto nodded, picturing the uniforms that the men were warring that went inside. Once the image was clear, he set the leaves on Itachi's forehead, transforming his clothing first, and then his own. Once the smoke cleared, they looked exactly like some of the men that were inside, aside from the fact that they still looked like themselves.
"We'll wait for the next group to head in." Naruto said while he started to walk around the place, pretending that he was some kind of base lookout. Itachi nodded, adjusting the half face mask that was on his face. Humans clearly had some interesting clothing, but what they were warring was impracticable.
It didn't take long for the next group to head in, and when they did Itachi and Naruto skillfully inserted themselves into the group without anyone noticing.
Inside the fortress it looked exactly like Naruto thought it would. Some random tapestries and faded at hung on the walls. Candles lit, giving off a menacing glow. the men were heading to one of the larger areas of the base, all laughing and talking about what they did that day. Mostly everyone was demon hunting, and or looking for something, but Naruto was interrupted before he could hear what the people were looking for.
"I don't think I've seen you before..." One of the larger men stated, scowling at Naruto.
Everyone was silent, looking at the man and Naruto.
"I'm new..." Naruto stated, looking the man straight in the eye. From experience, it was best to not back down from these type of men. And keeping a fierce eye contact was key to him getting to live.
"Your hair..." The man noted, looking more furious. He walked over to Naruto, ripping off the slight wrap he had on his head, revealing his golden locks underneath.
"Only Demon's have this hair color...That or the royal family from the west..." The man started getting more and more suspicious. The men started to whisper, moving in on Naruto. Naruto sighed to himself, realizing that the men around him didn't suspect Itachi.
"I was struck by lightning when I was little, A lightning Demon attacked my village..." Naruto stated, undoing some of the ties on his shirt to reveal what looked like a nasty burn scar across his chest. It was great to be a Kitsune sometimes.
"I was the only survivor when I woke up...My hair turned this color after wards." He added, hoping that the humans would believe his story.
"I heard of that incident...It happened to that village further up North right?" Itachi stated, playing along. When Naruto nodded, everyone wanted to see his scar, and bombarded him with questions. Clearly they bought the outrageous story.
What was it like? and Did you kill the demon? Where the most popular questions asked. And before Naruto could answer them, the Huge man from earlier demanded Naruto's attention.
"That's quite a feat...Getting attacked by a lightning demon and living...And you killed the beast right?" He asked. When he saw Naruto nod, saying that he did, the man smirked."Something of that magnitudes usually means you get to meet the main boss..." The man said making the room go quiet again."You should meet him." He said, with no room for arguing. The man then walked away, leaving the group of humans to swarm at Naruto once again.
"I've got duties to attend too...and you hear him, I need to go meet the boss." Naruto said, avoiding more questions. He headed into the nearest hall, hoping that Itachi would soon follow.
"Naruto.." Itachi's voice sounded moments afterwards. "Nice story." He said once he walked up to him.
"And nice add in your self...They almost didn't by it..." Naruto recalled the skeptical looks that most of the men gave rubbed the back of his neck, feeling all the tense muscles start to relax in his body slightly.
"You all right?" Itachi asked, noting Naruto's strange behavior.
"...I'll be alright once we get to that demon...There's something about this place..." He said, feeling something he thought he would never feel...Fear. Something in this fortress was making his instincts go on high alert, to the point of fearing what was he didn't need to let Itachi know that...If it was something truly life threatening then he'd be sure to let Itachi know, they just had to hurry and get out of the place.
"Any Idea's where to look first?" Itachi asked, already feeling a strange presence further on ahead.
"Yeah, Feel that? That's the guy we need to get." Naruto said, already walking towards the area.
"You." The same burly guy's voice from earlier sounded, making Itachi and Naruto stop.
"The master want to speak with you." He said, pointing in the other direction.
Naruto sighed, looking back at Itachi, who nodded at him, understanding that if they wanted to keep appearances Itachi would have to go and see to the demon, while Naruto kept the humans busy.
"Lead the way." Naruto said, walking up to the man, who grunted and began walking in the direction he pointed at.
Itachi waited a moment before heading the way he felt the prescience, determined to hurry and get there. The longer Naruto spent talking with the human's boss, the more likely they were to be discovered. He picked up the pace, careful to avoid any human that he sensed coming. After what seemed like an hour, he ended up in the furthermost part of the fortress, in their imprisonment area. He carefully went to where he felt the strongest essence from the demon, confirming that he was in that very cell.
He heard the two guards in front of the cell talking about how their boss was going to kill the demon in the cell. Apparently the said demon had escaped with someone of importance to their boss.
Deciding that it would probably talk to the demon himself, Itachi summoned two of his feathers, swiftly sending them at the two men, striking them. They faltered for a moment, startled, but fell to the ground, unconscious. After a little moment, Itachi stepped from the shadows, Naruto's disguise slowly disintegrating. Naruto's concealment powers only worked when the user conceals his or her spiritual powers, once used the disguise can't hold together.
He walked up to the cell, bending to pick up the keys that were attached to one of the humans. He looked in the cell, seeing movement.
'Good, he's still alive...' he thought, stopping before he tried to open the door.
"Hey." He called to the demon, trying to get his attention. After a moment, said demon had enough strength to look at Itachi, smirking slightly.
"Why if it isn't Itachi Uchiha, young Lord of the Western Tengu mountains..." The voice that came from the demon was wounded, and slightly scratchy.
"How do you know me?" Itachi asked, his guard going up.
"I know a lot of things...It comes with being a Demon God..." He said, revealing his in the cell was Sasori, The fire God's brother. He looked far worse off then Gaara did when they found him though.
"Sasori...You're supposed to be dead?!" Itachi said, watching as Sasori chuckled.
"I've been hearing that a lot lately...Sorry to disappoint everyone though, I am very much alive...at least for now." He said, referencing to how the guards were talking about how their master was going to get rid of him in the morning.
Itachi took the hint, and unlocked the cell he was in, carefully trying to pick the demon up.
"How did you end up here...Like this?" Itachi asked, letting Sasori put most of his weight on his shoulder.
"...You must have heard the rumor about how I left behind my title and abandoned the Fire God's temple..." Sasori started, walking with Itachi carefully.." I wound up wandering around the world, trying to find what good there was left in it. I stumbled across a village, a human one, and found someone there that I couldn't leave alone...He was just to fascinating. He was a young artist, struggling to earn enough money for his older brother that was wounded in battle. I ended spending a lot of time with him and ended up falling for the boy.." Sasori told his story, watching Itachi's expression at points, to try and judge his emotions.
"It wasn't long thought for the villagers to notice my strange appearance and nature. They sent for a demon slayer to come and either make me leave or kill me...That's when Danzo arrived..." He said, coughing slightly. He felt Itachi stiffen at the name, his impassive face full of worry and anger.
"I take it you know the human?" Sasori asked
"I know someone who's family was murdered by them...He currently lives with us and I'm here with him on his mission." Itachi said, continuing forward down the halls.
"...Once He knew who and what I was he tried to capture me...with this." Sasori made Itachi stop, so that he could pull out a Deep Purple pendant. It was the source of the strange power that was emanating from Sasori. It made Itachi sick to look at it for some reason.
"It's a sealing stone, used for very powerful demons...He almost succeeded in capturing me with it...but at the last moment the young artist I was trying to protect ended up getting sucked in before I could do anything about it." He said, looking at the pendant with sorrow. He gently put it back around his neck, sighing when it laid on his chest. "When everyone realized what had happened, Danzo told me that the human that was sucked in wouldn't live long...And that he was the only one that knew of how to release him...He offered that if I did his bidding that he would release him..." Sasori said, looking more and more regretful and defeated.
"What made you change your mind?" Itachi asked, letting Sasori continue before they walked again.
"Just about three moon's ago I learned that for eight years Danzo had my nephew trapped here. They tortured him...Experimented on him...I decided then that I needed to get him out...so I did." He said, His energy grew greater with malice as he remembered what they did to his nephew.
"I wasn't there for him when My brother and Sister neglected him...berated and hated him...So when I found out that he was here I knew that I had to do whatever I could to save him..." He added, walking on his own now in the direction that Itachi was leading them.
"Gaara..." Itachi sighed out the name, making Sasori stop.
"You know of him?"
"Yes."
"...I tried to get him to your temple actually, but my plans were known and Danzo came after me...I ended up having to leave Gaara in the forest, to try and fight off Danzo and his men, but I couldn't win against Danzo, and was brought back here to be tortured and experimented on like Gaara was...He was so wounded...I believe that he didn't survive..." Sasori slumped against the wall, sorrow eminent on his face as he realized that his family was now all gone.
"Gaara isn't lost to you...He lives." Itachi told him
Sasori swung around to look Itachi in the face, if there was any doubt...and trace of a lie, he would kill him right then and there.
"How could you possibly know that? No one knew of whereabouts, and where I even hid Gaara..." He asked, anger growing in his voice.
"The young Demon I am here with on a mission has the power to see the future...He saw where Gaara was and the immediate danger that he was in. He rescued him, and brought him back to our estate to be healed...He did so just in time, Gaara.. he lives. He's there now recovering." Itachi said, letting Sasori take in all the new information.
"Thank the Gods..." He whispered, trying to collect himself. He leaned against the cold hard stone walls, happy to know that his precious nephew was still alive.
"Let me take you to him...Both Naruto and I will." Itachi said, walking up to Sasori.
"Naruto? Is that really his name?" Sasori asked, looking Itachi in the eye.
"Yes...Have you heard it before?" Itachi asked.
"Once, but it was a while back...It couldn't be the same person." Sasori waved his hand like he was dismissing the matter, continuing down the hall.
Suddenly there was a massive tremor, shaking everything. The two demons gabbed at the wall, trying to keep their balance. But in the distance they could feel intense spiritual energy and rage. Something was going on, and there was a demon involved. Itachi stopped a moment, realizing what was going on.
"What did you say the name of the leader who captured you was?..." Itachi asked, turning pale slightly.
"He goes by Danzo..Why?" Sasori asked, looking in the direction of the disturbance.
Itachi looked the same way, knowing what had just happened...
"Naruto..."
Naruto hoped that Itachi had gotten to where he needed to go without being caught. He had faith in the Tengue, but this place was confusing, in a sense that even Naruto was having a hard time sensing things in the area and his power seemed to be slightly suppressed.
"The master awaits..." The man stopped in front of a pair of huge wooden man opened one, letting Naruto step through before closing the door. Naruto looked around, looking for exits and ways he could get the advantage if things went south.
"Welcome..." He heard the man say at the other end of the room. Naruto looked in the direction, not expecting who he saw. There in a huge throne like chair was Danzo...the man he'd been training to kill.
"I understand that you're quite the talk of my base..." He said, putting down the cup he had been drinking from. Naruto turned pale, his hands turning into fists. His claws began to show, digging into his palms.
"You survived a Lightning demon, and killed it...That deserves some attention..." He continued, looking at Naruto. "I'll reward you with a promotion to my personal assassin squad...Only the best of the best get that promotion...you should be honored..." He said, laying back more with ease. The other men in the room looked to Naruto, judging him slightly.
Naruto tried to even his breathing, trying to calm himself down. He succeeded in looking away, only to look back at the man when he spoke again. His blood boiled, intense need to rip the man apart flowed through him, making it harder to remain in control of himself. But images of his mother and his family flashed through his mind, making him shake with rage.
"Any questions?" Danzo asked, looking slightly bored with Naruto not responding much.
"Why..." Naruto whispered the question, careful to not growl.
"Come again...Speak up." He demanded, looking a little annoyed with how quiet Naruto was being.
"I ASKED WHY?!" He roared finally, unable to contain his rage, his power seeping into the room, his disguise instantly dissipating when he spoke. "WHY DID YOU KILL MY MOTHER?!" He roared finally, his eyes turning red, his hair and fox fur bristling with anger. His claws extended, making him look more and more like a young pissed off Fox Demon.
Everyone in the room grabbed at their weapons, unsheathing them and ready to attack, but Danzo held up his hand, stopping their advances.
"I see...You're lady Kushina's young kit..." He spoke, making Naruto more angry by each second. "I figured that's why my sword didn't work...I wanted your mother's sight to see the future...That's why I attacked the Shrine...and the fact that you filthy foxes lived there untouched for generations pissed me off...I wanted to kill you and your disgusting family...and I did...I remember your mother's last breath before I cut off her head for all her fox followers to see...It was a sight to see...Their reaction is something I fall asleep to every night." He said, baiting Naruto on...He wanted the fox to lose control, knowing that he would be easier to kill when angered and stupid. But he had another thing coming...
Naruto let out an inhuman cry, shaking the building. His power exploded from him, making most of the humans in the room pass out. Danzo even had a hard time with the immense pressure. Naruto's body began to convulse and deform, changing into his huge fox form. He ended up making the ceiling explode outward as he continued to grow. His five tails exploded outward, forming with all of Naruto's spiritual energy. He let out a cry of rage as his power began to grow. He opened his mouth, gathering energy particles to release back at Danzo, creating a huge energy blast. He hissed and Snarled when there was enough to be released. Danzo dogged around, preparing to attack Naruto, dead sent on getting the young fox's powers.
"You can try!" He yelled, jumping up on one of the broken parts of the ceiling. Naruto released it while simultaneously releasing more pressure, making Danzo slightly more slow in his movements. But Naruto still missed, sending his beam across the empty space, destroying anything that it touched. Naruto roared, slashing and bashing at Donzo, sending any powerful blast and swipe his way. He only saw red as he tried to kill the man that killed his family...his poor beautiful mother.
At the memory of his mother he let out another inhumanly scream of pain and rage, his power level grew, making one more tail form. He shook slightly, feeling his power levels increase. He swiped at Donzo, connecting the hit and sending him flying. But with Danzo being experience, he corrected himself and countered Naruto's attack, inflicting little damage. Naruto thrashed his head around letting out another defining roar before charging after Danzo into the forest at the back of the base.
Once they were far enough away Danzo turned around, dishing out his own attacks against Naruto.
Naruto countered, swiping away the attacks made at him, realizing that Danzo was using some kind of tool to use other demons attacks against him. He focused his power on the earth, commanding it to do his will, trying to entrap Danzo inside a wall of wood and stone, but Danzo saw it coming and dodged. Naruto grew more irritated, losing some of his reasoning and understanding of the situation.
'Naruto...' He heard something in the back of his mind while he kept attacking Donzo.
'Naruto...stop..' He hear it again, recognizing the voice...It was his mother's voice... He stopped slightly, his senses returning and his rage subsiding for the moment. He looked at Danzo, realizing the he was wearing down. He could finish him off...but his mother was warning him to to continue...He stopped, his teeth still bared though, in case Danzo was to do something.
"Naruto!" He heard an new voice. He looked down to the base, seeing Itachi and a unknown demon around some ruble.
'Itachi, hurry and jump on, who's the other demon?' Naruto telepathically talked to Itachi, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible.
'He's Gaara's uncle, and he needs our help...we need to leave, I know you want revenge but you aren't ready yet...' Itachi calmly talked to him, also watching Danzo with a weary gaze.
'I Know...at least now I do...' Naruto said, realizing the depth of the situation.
'Hurry, and make sure you cover your ears and Gaara's uncles, I'm going to get us out of here and make sure that Danzo won't follow.' He said back, his tails swishing in every direction. Itachi did as Naruto wanted, helping Sasori onto Naruto's back. He made sure that he was secure so that he wouldn't fall down the long way down to the forest floor.
'Hang on.' Naruto said, releasing a high pitched sound, knocking out anything in his range, Including Danzo. He then dashed off towards the west, heading home with the two demons on his back.
After a while of running and walking in his huge beast form, Itachi finally decided that it would probably be best if they stopped for the night, that way Sasori could have some time to get his wounds treated and healed.
"So you're Gaara's Uncle?" Naruto asked once he turned back to his normal size and more human like.
"Yes.. you can call me Sasori...Sasori-San if you must." He hissed as Itachi bandaged his ribs, careful to not injure him further.
"That was quite the show back there...I had never seen anyone give Danzo a run for his money..." Sasori commented on his abilities, knowing that the Fox child had potential to kill Danzo.
"Why are you carrying a cursed Item?" Naruto asked, sensing the pendant, knowing that it was the source of the strange power residue on Gaara when he found him.
Sasori remained quiet for a while, wondering his he should tell Naruto...But If Itachi trusted him, then he might have well let him help him more. "Someone I care about was captured and put inside it..." He said, letting Itachi finish up on his injury care.
"I'm Sorry..." Naruto apologized, seeing the pain in the older demon's eyes.
"We should rest for the night...I don't think Danzo would send a party out for us...at least not yet..." Itachi added, now finished with the fist aid.
Naruto and Sasori both nodded, watching Itachi and not saying a word.
They let themselves rest and recover from the exhausting day, hoping to return home in no time. After all they had a lot to talk about with Gaara and Naruto needed to report back to Fugaku, telling him where Danzo could be located and what he had been up to. But more importantly Naruto was just happy that Sasori-San and Gaara would be reunited after what they had both been through.
"Sleep Naruto, I'll wake you if anything happens." Itachi told Naruto, knowing that he was exhausted from transforming fully and keeping up the disguise for that nodded, watching Sasori-San before falling asleep. He couldn't help but feel like he made a mistake letting Danzo live though...but he knew that that wasn't the reason why he was there...and he had previously promised Itachi that he wouldn't do anything too rash and idiotic before they could accomplish their mission.
He would get his revenge...and now that he knew where Danzo could be found, he wouldn't stop till he killed Danzo himself...But that would have to wait...Gaara and Sasori-San where his priority now...so with that he fell asleep with a dreamless sleep. Itachi watched as he fell asleep, content that the young fox didn't get injured from meeting Danzo for the first time...He recalled the grad form of his true fox nature. How his power could be felt from miles away. Naruto had certainly grown over the years, far more than Itachi realized in the first place.
Itachi Heard Sasori chuckle. He looked in the demon's direction, noticing that he was watching him.
"And what has caught your fancy for you to chuckle like that?" He asked, knowing that somehow the demon was making fun of him or insulting him...
"The way that you look at this young fox...It's the same way that I looked at that human boy...You love him don't you?" he stated, his eyes warming at the memory of the human boy. He held the pendant gently, looking at it from time to time.
Itachi looked at him, shocked. He didn't realize that how he felt towards Naruto was so readable..."Yes...I do." He finally said, tuning his gaze to the blond, smiling down at him when he saw that he was snoring softly. "What his name...The human's that caught your eye?" Itachi asked, not wanting to be the only one to be embarrassed about his love life.
Sasori looked at him, wondering if he should say anything...but he sighed and let the pendant rest on his chest. "His name is Sai..." He spoke softly, letting the name roll off his tongue. He remembered what the teen looked like before he was trapped, Beautiful onyx hair, just slightly passing over his ears, his concentrated look he had when he viewed the world. And his slight singsong voice whenever he talked with him...He missed him so much and hoped that he was still alive in the pendant...But deep down he knew he should expect him to be dead...after all the pendant was meant to hold demons...not humans.
Itachi saw the pain in his eyes and decided to not push the matter further...he sat silently happy to just watch over Naruto.
Naruto woke, noticing that Sasori was still sleeping, or at least looked like he was sleeping. He looked to Itachi, happy to see that he was still awake, and watching around carefully.
"Has anything happened?" Naruto whispered, his voice sounding slightly gravelly even though he was whispering.
Itachi looked down at him, smiling. "Good morning..." He greeted him, "Nothing out of the ordinary so far..." He added after, standing once he saw Naruto getting up.
"Let's hurry and get home,Sasori should get his wounds looked at..." Naruto commented. He tried to give Sasori some medical treatment last night before he fell asleep, but a couple minutes in he claimed that he was healing just fine and that Naruto shouldn't bother.
He heard Sasori grunt. The red head rolled over from his sleeping position, glaring at the two above him.
"I take it you're not a morning person..." Naruto said, realizing that him and Itachi had probably woken the Demon God. He was answered back with a groan and him getting up slowly. Sasori grumbled to himself while doing so, making Itachi and Naruto smirk at him. It was refreshing to see a Demon God act so normal...Or at least more like how Naruto acted. The blond also had troubles sometimes getting up in the morning. Especially after his long nights of training and wandering around the mountain area. For some reason he had trouble sleeping when he could be out under the moonlight.
"I want to see Gaara...so the faster we get to the Tengu estate the better..." Sasori finally said, glaring at the two, knowing that they were smirking at two nodded while they continued to smirk. Sasori let Itachi carry him this that he didn't appreciate Naruto for carrying him last time, he just wanted to have a smoother ride this time, that way he'd have enough energy to see Gaara before passing out in the medical bay.
After Itachi knew that Sasori was secure, he began flying over the forest top, watching Naruto follow in the tree tops. Naruto pouted a little at the thought that he wasn't very genital or fast when he carried Sasori last night, but the Fire God was right, the sooner they returned home the better. He could still feel the slight presence of Danzo,and it was starting to really bother him...That Human...no, Monster, was responsible for his clan's slaughter...He recalled the way Danzo smirked when he recalled what he did to his clan and mother.
'I will never forgive him...and he will never get the Kitsune foresight...' He thought, bounding further into the treetops, almost reaching top speeds.
Itachi watched as Naruto was starting to pull ahead slightly. He knew that the young fox demon was getting distracted, and angry. He could only guess that it was due to Danzo. Naruto wouldn't normally react this way in normal situations. He watched as the expression on his face turned colder and more distant.
"He's thinking about that human isn't he?..." Sasori asked, eyeing Naruto as well. Sasori suddenly talking startled Itachi for a brief second, but he nodded in answer to the Demon God.
"I'll talk to him when we return...there must be something that's still bothering him..." Itachi said, picking up his speed to match Naruto.
*SLAM*
Itachi stopped flying for a moment, suspending himself in the air. Both Demons looked to one of the huge trees in the forest, not believing what they just heard let alone saw. Naruto had just ran himself straight into the tree, full force and everything.
Naruto continued to jump faster, almost matching his raged induced heart beat. He could feel eyes watching him, knowing that Itachi was probably watching him.
'He probably knows...' he thought, realizing that he was getting a little out of hand. He was about to slow down when he realized he was heading straight for a very large tree and a very high speed.
"Aw cr-" He almost got out before slamming full force into said tree. Leaves shook down from the force, even healthy and strong leaves were shaken free from the impact.
"You all right?!" He heard Itachi call to him. The flutter of feathered wings could be heard approaching, but Naruto didn't want to let Itachi and Sasori see him in his messed up state.
"Stop!" He called to Itachi who stopped immediately.
"...You go on ahead...I need some time...You should be able to make it back home without any troubles." He said, prying himself from the indent he made in the tree, careful to not get any splinters in the process.
"Naruto..." Itachi said his name in a warning tone. Just that alone carried a whole conversation that Naruto understood.
"I will be careful...I just need to get my thoughts straight...Please Itachi..." He said, looking up at the Tengue, pleading with his eyes that he would understand.
Itachi sighed, unable to beat that look. "All right...But once I make sure that Lord Sasori is safe, I'll look for you." Itachi said, waiting a moment before taking off at high speeds to the estate.
'Thank you...' Naruto silently thanked him, dropping down to the forest floor. He started to head to his favorite place on the Tengu mountain, other that the Tengu estate itself. There was a hidden lake with blooming Sakura trees as far as the eye could see. It was one of the purest points on the mountain, and It always helped to clear Naruto's mind whenever he went there.
He started to walk slower when he knew that he was approaching the spot. He came to the secret entrance, parting the long Ivy that had grown over the entrance, entering the breathtaking space. Light poured through the light pink petals of every flower on the Sakura trees, adding to the effect that they already had. The lake beneath them shown clear and still, except for the mass piles of separate Sakura petals that had fallen into it.
He sighed a content sigh when he saw the view, making his way to his favorite boulder overlooking the lake at a shallow point in the lake. The sun was also the warmest there, which made basking in its rays all that more enjoyable.
Once at his spot he laid down on the bolder, his body handing off slightly so he could look down into the lake and think. He saw in the reflection of the water the white clouds that were on their own journey across the world, bringing the promise of eventual rain and life. He sighed once again, letting the pure air fill his lungs and purify his body slightly. He let his fingers drop down to touch the water causing ripples in the water. It was cool to the touch, yet the water also seemed incredibly warm and filled with life as well.
'Mother...' He thought, looking at his reflection. He saw his mother's eyes when he looked at his reflection, which brought some comfort to him to know that he carried some traits from her. He thought about what could have happened differently and the possible outcomes if he did make those choices...But whatever he came he came up with had terrible consequences and the outcome wasn't what he would ever want.
He felt a slight breeze pick up, rustling the water slightly, distorting his reflection. The breeze smelt of the flowers of the surrounding area bringing peace to Naruto's troubled mind. He remembered something from his childhood. He was very little, probably when he was only just 4 years old...He was walking with his mother along a bank similar to the one he was at. He remembered that the flowers were in bloom along with the huge Sakura tree. It was the only one for miles around and it was in full healthy bloom at the time. His mom told him somethings about the tree...Like the fact that she met his father under it...and that she would pray to it and wish on it every day for the safety of his father. And when she found out that she was pregnant with him, she would pray to The Sakura tree about him instead.
Naruto got up from his bolder, heading to the largest Sakura tree. The wind began to pick up, blowing the loose Sakura petals around, surrounding the area in a light pink storm.
He placed his hand on the trunk of the tree, feeling the life in it. He smiled, knowing that the tree was very healthy, and would live for the next several hundred years. He took a minute to gather his thoughts and but them in a prayer. He remembered how his mother prayed that day when he was with her. She began singing in a strange language, long and beautiful. Later he asked her what the words meant and why they sounded funny. which she replied, that it was in the ancient language of the Fox gods, and that it was one of the sacred prayers that she knew, to protect the people the caster held dear. He would always remember the peaceful and content look his mother had at that moment, when she was both singing her prayer and after.
Naruto let the breeze soothe him a little more before he found the sacred words deep within himself for the prayer that he needed. He let his voice call out into the wind, letting it be carried through the sacred Sakura forest. He let his instincts talk for him in his ancient language. His mother had taught him to understand the words but not to control them...no one could. The prayers themselves were alive and were only able to be sung truthfully when the caster opened his or her heart to his surroundings...to allow the spiritual energy of the Kitsune's before them to give the prayer power.
His voice became strong and powerful when it needed to as well as soft and gentle. He let the wind encircle him, blowing through his slightly long blond hair. He opened his eyes to watch as the sacred Sakura petals around him danced to his prayer. He could feel it working, bringing peace and power back into his mind and body.
Itachi and Sasori arrived at the estate not to long after leaving Naruto to wander the Tengu forest alone. Itachi made sure to take Sasori straight to the medical section of his estate. And once he was comfortable with the care that he was receiving he headed to his father, knowing that he had a lot to tell him.
He walked through the main halls, almost to where his father was when he was stopped by Kakashi, who was standing in front of the the door.
"I see Naruto hasn't returned yet...is everything alright?" Kakashi asked, concerned shown on his face.
"Yes he is fine...I left him to wander the surrounding woods to think...There are many things that happened on our journey that he needed to think about...but he is well and will return in his own time..." Itachi said, wanting to get past to tell his father of everything that happened.
Kakashi let him pass, but he wasn't satisfied with half answered answers. He knew that there was more to what happened, and Itachi was refusing to talk about it. But he was in no position to pry or force the answer out of the Tengu Lord. The sound of the thick doors was almost defining in the quiet halls.
"Naruto..." Kakashi sighed his friends name, worried that there was something more wrong with him. But he would let it go for now...for the time being he needed to go see the person that Itachi brought into the estate...After all the strange power that was all over Gaara was all over the demon that he brought with him. So he would do his duty and look after the demon, making sure that it didn't do anything shady.
Itachi shut the door...He felt bad for not being honest with Kakashi, but his father needed to know what happened more so than Kakashi did about Naruto.
He walked further into the spacious room, noting that his father was at his usual work table, writing down something. He stopped when he sensed his son's approach, looking up.
"Itachi...I hope yours and Naruto's mission is a success..." He said, placing his calligraphy brush on the inking well, letting the excess ink drip off while he talked to his son.
"It was father...But We found yet another puzzling demon..." He said, sitting in front of his father, prepared to tell the whole story about how they stumble across the human estate, and how Naruto had sensed the strange power coming from a demon that was being taking inside. He continued all the way up to where they separated inside the fortress.
"Hold on...where Is Naruto?" His father asked, not able to sense the young fox anywhere on the estate.
"...That's what I need to talk to you about most of all father..." He said, probably not wording what he wanted to say right. The look his father gave him proved that point, fearing the worst.
"He is fine and well...he's currently roaming in our forests..." Itachi said, putting his father's fears at ease slightly.
"...When we were in the human fortress, Naruto was taken to see their boss...and their boss so happened to be Danzo..." He said. His father tensed at the mention of that accursed humans name.
"You're certain that it was really Danzo?" His father asked, the urgency in his voice clear as well as the growing rage.
"Yes...and when Naruto saw him I could only imagine what went on...all that I could tell was that Naruto had turned into a massive fox beast...destroying half of the human base just from the transformation...he was fighting Danzo by the looks of it when I got to him..." He started up with his explanation again.
"I wasn't able to call out to him to calm his rage...but suddenly he had stopped, coming back to his scenes. That's when Sasori-San and I jumped onto Naruto who got us all to safety..." He said, letting his father take it all in.
"He could have killed Danzo right then...but he didn't..." He finally said.
"Is that why he's off on his own...Thinking I take it?" Fugaku asked, knowing Naruto's habits from past experiences. Itachi nodded, knowing that it was best to let Naruto be by himself for a few hours..Sasuke could tell you personally. After bugging him when he had gotten that way he got what he deserved, and a few scars to go with it.
"I see...Thank you for keeping an eye on him..." Fugaku thanked his son. He could always trust Itachi when it came to Naruto, He could sense the strong bond that the two shared, and it was best not to separate those bonds. "You may go now...I need to talk with Sasori-San...I have many questions for him if he will answer them..." He said, getting up to head to the medical wing of the estate. Itachi stood, knowing where he was going to head to next. Once he was outside he started flying of into the surrounding forests, intent on finding Naruto and talking to him. He had a few Ideas of where he could have gone, but he was certain it was where he usually found him. In the Sakura forest.
He flew faster as he approached said forest. He could smell the distinct smell of the cherry blossoms. He followed Naruto here one day when Naruto was feeling particularly bad, and the sight took his breath away. It was no wonder he like to spend so much time in an area such as this. So when he came upon Naruto's favorite bolder, he was shocked to see the fox missing.
'where could he have gone then?' He thought, looking around the area. Not spotting the young fox.
The wind picked up, bringing a warm feeling with it. Itachi took the moment to let it blow through his wings, feeling the purification working. It smelt so nice, it kind of reminded him of how Naruto smelt sometimes...Naruto. Itachi opened his eyes, looking towards the east. He could hear something faint in the wind, and with no other leads to where Naruto could be he decided it would be best to go check it out.
He began walking in the direction that he heard it the loudest, enjoying the scenery on his way. He noticed that the sound he was listening to was someone singing. He couldn't understand the words, but the melody and the sound of the voice was delightful. It brought a sense of peace even more than that of the Sakura blossoms and the clean crisp air. He followed it, hoping that he could see whoever was singing.
He came to a clearing where there was a huge Sakura tree, its blossoms blowing with the breeze, almost like it was dancing to the song. He looked to the figure standing in front of it, his eyes widening when he saw that it was Naruto. He watched as Naruto sang his heart out, hitting the notes perfectly in the unknown melody that he was singing. He watched as light tears streamed down his face, a slight smile was there when he paused. Itachi could tell that it wasn't a sad song..but one of peace and happiness. He could feel it all around him like it was alive.
He started to approach Naruto when he stopped singing, cautiously at first but when Naruto turned to look at, he hurried to him.
"I-Itachi..." Naruto sniffled a little, trying to wipe away the tears that where there. "How did you know I would be here?" He asked once his tears where gone.
"I knew you liked the Sakura trees here so I came to see if you were first I tried to look around for you and then I heard something. I followed it and it turned out to be you, singing..." He explained, caressing Naruto's cheek, and rubbing under his slightly swollen eyes. "What was that you were singing? It was beautiful."
Naruto leaned into Itachi's touch, loving the way the slight gentle touch brought so much comfort. "My mother taught me that when Kitsune's feel the need to, they sing an ancient prayer that they feel from their surroundings. I just sang a song of healing and peace." He explained, looking up into Itachi's eyes, hoping that the Tengu wouldn't pull away his hand.
"Are you alright? You seemed pretty upset earlier...I can't blame you..." Itachi said, pulling Naruto into a hug, wanting to make sure that he was really okay. He knew that Naruto was good at hiding his feelings, especially when it would worry Itachi or anyone was stunned for a moment, but he snapped out of it, wanting to remember this moment...Wanting to remember Itachi's warmth and touch.
"I-I'm okay now...I will get my revenge on Danzo...but not until I get my seventh tail. I want the full force of Kitsune power to bring him down. that way it feels like everyone who was killed by him,helped bring him down..." Naruto explained, leaning more into Itachi's embrace, closing his eyes and breathing in Itachi's smell. He could feel the familiar heat rise up through him, the pleasure of Itachi's scent was overwhelming and the touch was slightly painful along with the pleasure. He whined slightly when Itachi held him closer. His eyes widened, hoping that Itachi didn't hear him. He could feel his pants begin to bulge.
"Naruto?"
'Shit, he heard!..He know's!'
"I-Itachi I can explain!...Please don't be mad." He panicked, trying to pry himself from Itachi.
"Naruto."
He stopped, looking at Itachi, prepared to get a lecture that They were like brothers and that they were both males, and that it was wrong to have this reaction. He shook, not prepared for this kind of emotional pain of being rejected by someone you love. Itachi leaned in closer to Naruto's face, trying to get his attention.
"Naruto...Calm down...I'm not mad." He said smiling at the panicked look on Naruto's face. He smiled even more when the blond blushed more before stopping his squirming. He waited till Naruto could look him in the eye.
"I'm actually quite pleased that you feel some sort of an attraction to me...It means that I have a chance." He said, curling some loose hair behind Naruto's fox ears, stopping to scratch behind them slightly. Naruto leaned in to Itachi's chest more, loving the feel of his fingers and the sound of his deep voice...Wait.
"What do you mean by "A chance" ?" Naruto asked, still letting Itachi scratch behind his ears.
"It means Naruto...That for a long time I have had feelings for you. At first I thought it was just brotherly love, but soon it became greater and I needed to claim you. But I was afraid that your feelings would never be the same as mine. So I forced mine away, to preserve what we had..." He explained. The pain of having to hide himself for so long was very apparent in his eyes. He was watching his love from afar for so long, that this moment didn't seem real...That it was just a cruel dream and that this would all be over in a second. But when he looked down at Naruto most of his doubts when away.
"I Love you Naruto...And I want you to be mine." Itachi said after a moment. He tipped Naruto's chin up, making sure that the blond could only see him, and the act made sure that he couldn't get away either.
"I-Itachi." Naruto breathed out the Tengu's name, not believing what was happening. First his day was filled with so much pain and hatred, but just a few simple words from the person he cared for, turned his day completely around. He could feel the familiar sting of tears at his eyes. He tried his hardest to make them not fall, but they pooled at the corners of his eyes to eventually flood over, creating a clear stream.
"I Love you too." He said, letting the tears fall as he cuddled more into Itachi's embrace. He never wanted this moment to fade...These feelings and this memory would always be here, stuck forever in time. They stayed silent in each others embrace, not wanting to ruin the moment, for fear that even the slightest whisper would break what dream they were both dreaming, this couldn't really be happening.
Itachi sensed the hesitation in Naruto, and wanting to get rid of it he gently caressed the young fox's face, inching his closer. He gave Naruto time to pull away and to say no, but when both didn't come, he connected their lips in a gentle kiss, changing their lives forever. Naruto whimpered slightly, feeling electric heat fill his body when their lips touched. Itachi's lips were so soft...and so overpowering. He couldn't deny him anything so when he felt Itachi's tongue glide over his lips, he opened his mouth immediately, welcoming Itachi's tongue into his mouth.
Their kiss deepened, and hands wandered. Itachi pulled Naruto fully against his body, making the blond gasp as his groin rubbed against Itachi's thigh slightly. Itachi rubbed one hand down Naruto's back, loving how he could feel him push into his hand, craving the contact. His other hand tangled into Naruto's hair at the back of his head, his fingers skillfully untied the tresses, letting them fall. Naruto's hair now was past his shoulder slightly, making it a pleasure to run fingers through while they kissed.
"Naruto..." Itachi almost growled, kissing his way down the side of Naruto's jaw. He continued down the side of Naruto's neck, appreciating how Naruto gasped and leaned his head to the side, so Itachi would have better access to his neck. He bit at the tender spot where his shoulder curled into his neck, earning a surprised squeak out of the fox. He gently started to peal the yokatta off Naruto, loving how he could see the love mark he left on his skin. He kissed the bare skin that was now uncovered, feeling the warmth radiating from the soft flesh.
Naruto was really something to look at. Itachi didn't know a whole lot of Tengu that could match Naruto in his looks. His blond hair was the perfect length, especially in this moment. His eyes were an amazing blue that Itachi never got tired to look at. Just the fox in general was amazing, his selflessness for everyone and even humans was way beyond his understanding, and the fact that Naruto had so much strength to not kill Danzo even though he clearly wanted to was something else on its own.
"Naruto, I love you." Itachi never got tired of saying his name, or expressing how much the Kitsune meant to him.
"I Love you.." Naruto said back, his breath coming out a little faster than normal as Itachi continued to explore the fox. He pushed him down onto the grass, taking a moment to look at him. He caressed his cheek, moving his fingers down his body slowly, teasingly.
"I-Itachi..." Naruto almost whined, his eyebrows furrowing in anticipation and agitation when Itachi didn't touch him where he so obviously wanted to be touched. Seeing Naruto this way made Itachi chuckled deeply, earning another frustrated look from Naruto. Itachi was going to let up his teasing,but the sudden grab and twist sent him whirling onto his back. He looked up, confused and yet pleased at the same time. Naruto straddled his torso, clearly frustrated with all the teasing that went on.
"You're not playing very fair..." Naruto almost pouted as he leaned in closer to Itachi. Itachi smiled, and grabbed at Naruto to kiss him, but the fox sat back up too quickly, teasing back.
Naruto began to strip even further, teasing the pinned down Tengue to just watch and not touch. Naruto began to rub himself a little, making himself gasp and make the most erotic faces above Itachi, And whenever Itachi tried to touch him,Naruto would make himself just out of reach and only touch a little. And when Itachi behaved he would pick up the pace, and even moan slightly. He began to grind his hips slightly, clearly pleased when he heard the Tengu under him gasp, feeling the bulge behind him. He continued to grind until he felt Itachi start to rub at his clothed groin, making him stop and gasp out, arching his back at what pleasure the little act brought.
"Now who's not playing fair." Itachi panted a little, getting back at Naruto for teasing him so relentlessly with his grinding.
"Oh Itachi!" Naruto called out his name, wanting to be touched further. "Please..." He pleaded, looking down at the man who had captured his entire being. "Please, I want you.." He almost growled, grinding again, wanting Itachi to lose control on him.
Itachi growled himself, sitting up so fast that it knocked Naruto back onto his back. He was about to say something to him when Itachi's lips met his in another searing kiss. He was going to get light headed for sure with all the kissing they had done, but when he felt the cool crisp air around his now very erect member, he couldn't do anything. He let Itachi explore more of his body, touching him gently and kissing every part of him. And when Itachi's hand finally made contact with his member, he gasped out, thrashing his head to the side in complete bliss, moaning gratefully.
"Naruto..." Itachi purred, loving that he was the one making the blond react this way. He pushed Naruto's knees up, wanting to get to his entrance fast. He watched happily as Naruto's tail twitched every time he touched him in a new place. "Naruto..Are you sure? I don't know If I can be gentle are first time...I'm already about to lose control." Itachi warned Naruto, not wanting him to regret what they were about to do.
"I wouldn't have agreed to be with you if I knew I wouldn't want you. All I know is that I want you inside me, and if you don't hurry...I don't think you'll like what you might get." Naruto pouted and scowled cutely at the same time. He knew that Itachi wanted to be gentle, he really did. But that wasn't what Naruto needed right now. He needed to be dominated, to be shown that his mate was going to be stronger than he was, so that it would put his instincts as a Fox demon at bay.
"Naruto." Itachi growled one last time, pinning Naruto's knees to his chest,readying his member at Naruto's entrance. He rubbed his shaft with the precum that was leaking from him, wanting Naruto's first time to be at least a little less uncomfortable than what it was going to be. He eased his tip into him first, letting Naruto adjust before sliding himself all the way in, in one thrust.
"I-Itachi!" Naruto gasped out, arching his back, feeling the cool grass tickle his back as he did so. He looked up at Itachi after a few moments passed when he didn't move. His eyes widened slightly when he saw that there were slight tears in his eyes.
The act of lovemaking was very emotional, especially for Demons. They only truly mated with someone once. Sure they could have sex with other Demons, but what Naruto and Itachi where doing was something completely different. They were intertwining their souls and the years that they had left in their lives together, that way there was no way they could be with someone else...If they tried they would be tearing apart their very souls to do so. So when Itachi started to cry, it meant that he had some feelings that he had built up, and was finally able to release, letting himself completely go so that Naruto's soul could start to seek out his.
"Naruto." He said his name with so much love and devotion that it scared Naruto slightly...but in a good way. He was able to start to feel what Itachi was feeling, gasping as new, more intense and passionate feelings and emotions erupted from him.
"Oh Itachi!" He moaned out loud, not sure he could take much more of what was happening to his body. His body temperature began to rise with every thrust Itachi made that hit his prostate. He thrashed his head from side to side, being driven completely insane with Itachi's talented fingers as they slid up his torso to his nipples, playing with them slightly while he started to make love more gently now, the need to completely dominate gone.
"Naruto...I will forever and always be by your side." He whispered, pulling Naruto up so that he was now straddling him, driving his member even further into Naruto.
"AH!" Naruto cried out, arching his back into Itachi's chest and throwing his head back, mouth slightly opened in pleasure. After adjusting and resting for a moment, Naruto looked down at Itachi. He took his face in both of his hands, staring deep into his ruby red eyes. He leaned in slow, fluttering his eyes close as he did so. He kissed Itachi as he started to move his hips, feeling Itachi's hard member get even harder. He kissed him more fervently when he began to lift and lower himself on the organ, feeling himself come closer and closer to the peak of pure satisfaction.
"Itachi...I'm-I'm so close!" Naruto cried out, breaking their kiss to warn his mate. He moaned out before breathing quick, unable to concentrate on anything else.
"M-Me too, Oh Naruto!" Itachi cried out, grabbing onto his hips as he felt himself climaxing. Both Naruto and him cried out in bliss as they both climaxed, sealing the deal on their mating. Instinct started to take over on both of them in a way that they needed to mark their mate, claiming them. Itachi started first by looking for a spot to place his began to lay back down on the grass, letting Itachi's member slide out of him, followed by his seed. He looked up at his mate, feeling complete and satisfied. He felt whole...Like the void in his heart had been filled with Itachi...And Naruto was going to keep it that way.
Naruto's thoughts were interrupted when he felt Itachi's hands on his stomach, massaging slightly. "Here..." He said quietly, letting his instincts take over. He leaned in and kissed right above Naruto's belly button. After Itachi saying a few words, there was something forming on Naruto's stomach. It wasn't painful, but he could feel Itachi's power circling around the area. When Itachi was done, he sat up to admire his work. There on Naruto's stomach was a design that was similar to drawings of the sun.
"Naruto...you are my Sun, My life." Itachi said, his primal instincts fading, clearing up his head.
Naruto smiled at the design, knowing now that he had proof of being mated with Itachi. When he started to lightly touch his mark, his own instincts took over, making him sit up. He began to sniff Itachi, smelling himself all over the Tengu. He got up gracefully, walking around Itachi, lightly touching his shoulder and collarbone while he walked around him. He knelt down behind him, pressing himself up against his back. "Itachi..." He purred, letting his hands wander around his back. When he found his spot, he wasted no time in placing his mark. It started forming under his fingers, right in the middle of Itachi's shoulder blades. It was an intricate design of silver and different hues of orange. It was quite beautiful, and when Naruto became himself again, he couldn't help but touch the mark that he left.
"Naruto?" Itachi called out to his lover, looking over his moved back in front of Itachi, smiling very happily. He would never get tired of looking at Itachi, especially the way he was looking at this moment, with his long black hair down and his soft skin showing. He loved that this Tengu was now his, and that he belonged to him as well. Naruto's tail began to twitch, indicating that he was very pleased and amused at the same time.
"We should probably head back to the estate...It will be nightfall soon." Itachi said, smirking when he saw that Naruto was staring and that his tail was twitching. Naruto blinked a couple times before realizing what Itachi had said. He looked around, noticing the rays of the sunset where slowly turning to that dark blue hew.
"Yeah." Naruto agreed, trying to stand. He blushed when he realized that he was still very much naked, and Blushed even further when Itachi chuckled deeply.
"Why don't we both go back and take a relaxing herbal bath...With all that we did today I know that you will need it." He added on, grabbing his clothes and putting them on. Naruto followed suit, having a hard time bending over though.
"That sounds wonderful actually." Naruto agreed, already feeling the soreness of his hips and the unnatural stretching that happened to his entrance. When Both of them were done dressing and they fixed their hair to the best of their abilities, they headed home, hoping that they would have time to tell Fugaku of their mating before he found out on his own.