4
Sasuke was far beyond mere grief. As he knelt beside his brother's bed he felt emptiness inside him, a numbness that he had once felt eleven years ago when he witnessed his entire clan being killed. And now it was happening again. Itachi was going to die and he couldn't do anything.
During the night, Itachi had sunk into a delirium. He raved, crying against long-deceased enemies, reliving the cruelties of his violent life, raging against the fates that had robbed him of the family they once had; their parents and their clan. Then when dawn came, he had quieted, lapsed into sleep from which he was not expected to waken.
Wearily, Sasuke rose and made his way out of the room. No one had noticed except for Naruto, who wish he could say something, do something, to ease the girl's suffering.
As the door closed behind Sasuke, Naruto had moved to Iruka's side and reminded him that they must soon weigh anchor. With Itachi slipping toward his inevitable end, Hell's Peak Island would soon be in the hands of the man Naruto knew would never honor Itachi's promise of protection.
He was about to straightened up but Itachi's left hand clamped on his arm. His eyes no longer black, but the colour of the Sharingans.
"Please…take my sister with you…save her…" he rasped before falling back into unconsciousness. Iruka and several of Itachi's men went to Itachi's sides, checking for any signs of life. There was a steady rhythm of breathing. He was still alive. Barely.
Naruto stared at Itachi and he pondered over his words.
Letting himself out in the corridor, Sasuke did not at first notice Orochimaru on the opposite side of the wall. It was not until his hand shot out and clamped about his arm did he notice the snake man.
"Orochimaru!" he cried in that girly tone that thankfully came naturally to him.
"Is he dead yet?" Orochimaru demanded.
His callous tone pierced to the hazy grief surrounding Sasuke.
"Damn you!" he hissed. "I hope one day you swing…"
"Watch your tongue, you little man-whore!"
"They'll get you," he spat. "They'll get you and hang you so high…" the words trailed off as he realized what Orochimaru had said.
Orochimaru laughed cruelly as understanding dawned over Sasuke's pale face.
"Yes," he confirmed. "I know your secret. I know you're a boy." His eyes gleamed savagely. "I know that what you're hiding beneath that dress of yours."
"But when…how…?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "I saw you last night, at your bath. You're a little beauty, Sasuke-kun."
Raised in a lair of unprincipled and undisciplined pirates used to give free rein to their hates, their joy, their lusts, life held few secrets to Sasuke. He knew what Orochimaru was feeling for him right now. Not that feeling Orochimaru's hardened member on his thighs didn't escaped his attention either. He knew what it would mean for him once his brother was dead.
"Don't call my real name with that sickening tongue of yours!" he snarled but the glimmering of fear in his eyes gave the lie to the bravado of his words.
"Before the day is out," Orochimaru prophesied grimly, "you will be mine."
"Never! I'd rather be dead!"
"You might be – after I'm through with you." His deep eyes swept over him, and Sasuke felt violated. "But for now…"
Sasuke stiffened as the taller man slammed his head to the wall, his body crushing the boy's against the rough-hewn panels. He twisted his head aside to evade the lips that would have taken his. Nevertheless Orochimaru's lips ravished his neck.
"Hanase!"
A door opened behind them. Uzumaki Naruto appeared. His mouth gaped at the scene of the man accosting Itachi's sister in the shadows. For a moment he was to stun to react. Then like a great tawny cat, he leapt across the narrow hall and dragged Orochimaru away.
Taken by surprised, Orochimaru released Sasuke and turned on his attacker. His hand went to the kunai he wore at his belt. His eyes flashed with anger as he brandished the weapon in Naruto's face.
"Come on," he taunted. "Let's settle this now."
"Orochimaru. Let him go…onegai…" Sasuke entreated. "Let him take his ship and go."
"Stay out of this, girl." Naruto growled, his narrowed azure eyes never leaving the pirate's serpent-like eyes.
"Yes," Orochimaru agreed, his face contorted into an ugly sneer. "Stay out of this – girl."
For the third time, the door behind Naruto opened again. Iruka came out with one of Itachi's man; the red-haired boy who control the element sand. In an instant, Gaara's sand had pinioned Orochimaru's hands behind his back. Orochimaru let rip inventive curses in his entire vast and colourful store.
"Urusai!" Gaara whispered in a deadly tone. "Even if you have jutsus that can rival Itachi's, you can't do anything without your arms."
"Let go of me, you filthy son of a whore," Orochimaru hissed and writhed like a snake. "Just because you have a demon contained in you…"
"Contained?" Naruto stiffened.
"Yes," Gaara said wryly. "I have a demon sealed inside of me. Is there a problem?"
"I swear when I get my hands on you, I'll make you suffer!" Orochimaru vowed venomously.
"What will you do to me? Fuck me senseless?" Gaara sneered turning his attention back to Orochimaru. "Itachi gave his word."
"Itachi's dead!" Orochimaru spat.
"Not yet, he isn't," Gaara muttered coldly. "Until he is, we are still bound by his orders." Then he turned to Naruto. "Take you ship and get the hell out, now. Once Itachi is dead, we will take our orders elsewhere."
Naruto beckoned to Iruka. "Sensei, go to the ship and tell them to prepare to sail off. I'll be right behind you."
Iruka left, but Sasuke scampered after him. He caught Iruka's sleeve to put him to a stop.
"My brother?" he demanded.
Iruka shook his head. "I'm sorry. It'll take a miracle to save your brother."
Sasuke laughed hollowly, his hand on his face, trying hard to stop the tears that threatened to break loose.
"Aniki never believed in miracles," Sasuke murmured, his eyes distant and wistful, not seeing the pity in the doctor's face.
He hardly acknowledged the comforting hand placed on his shoulder. Iruka then turned and made his way out toward the harbor and the Sakura.
Sasuki?"
Sasuke jumped, startled and stared up into Naruto's face. In that first unguarded glance, Naruto saw a glimmering of something usually hidden beneath an icy mask of indifference. For the moment, his face was soft, entreating, his eyes wide with confusion and grief. He was like the starry night. Beautiful; surreal and ethereal.
Naruto felt the stirring of attraction to the pale boy (whom he thought was a girl) that stood before him.
"Damn!" he swore softly, "A day on this hellish place and I'm turning to an innocent craved pervert."
"What?" Sasuke asked, mystified.
Naruto shook his head. "Nothing. We'll be leaving now. The doctor can't do anything more for your brother. I'll be honest with you. He's going to die. And when he does, Orochimaru is going to take over," he said with obvious disgust. "Your brother had asked me to take you with me."
"Take me away?" Sasuke repeated, dazed.
"Yes. Apparently, Orochimaru preys on young girls such as you. I'm not going to stand around and pretend nothing happened."
"Where are you heading?"
"The New Konoha Village."
"What will happen to me when we get there?"
Naruto's brow creased together. "We'll think of something on our way there. Gather your things. We'll be leaving in half an hour's time."
Sasuke's hazy mind reeled back to reality.
"I'm not going," he said. "I'm staying with my brother."
Naruto's face was a picture of surprise before forming into a scowl.
"Do you know what will happen to you after your brother die?" he demanded. "Being killed will be the least of your worries. Now you'll pack and come with me."
"Yada!" Sasuke's face showed his determination. "I'm not leaving my brother. He needs me."
"But your brother wanted you to go away far from here."
Sasuke's mind was torn between wanting to go with Naruto; away from the dangers from the likes of Orochimaru. He knew that the moment Itachi died, the island would be plunged in chaos. Orochimaru wasn't the only one who hated Itachi and longed for his mythical scroll. There was likely to be a long and bloody war, and Sasuke, whom everyone believed to held the secret to Itachi's legendary compilation of jutsus would be the centre of it all.
Then there was Itachi. He cannot think that he'll be able to leave his brother's side. His guilt won't let him.
In the end the latter thought had won over.
"I'm staying," his mouth set in a stubborn pout.
Naruto was about to argue some more but Gaara's voice cut him off. Great! He's probably here to side with the little hellion.
"Iie, you're going," the red-haired boy said.
Sasuke whirled around. "Gaara! You're supposed to be on my side."
"Iie. I'm on your brother's side which is currently on Uzumaki's side," Gaara nodded toward Naruto. "Your brother had specifically ordered me to make sure that you go with Uzumaki-san."
"When did he order you to do just that?" Sasuke asked suspiciously.
"Yesterday after his operation," he told the stubborn black-haired boy. "I've already took your things to the ship. It's your turn now."
"I can't and I won't. Don't you see that I have to stay here?" Sasuke entreated, tears started to well up in his eyes again. "My brother needs me."
"Don't be stupid!" Gaara reprimanded his friend. "Orochimaru will torture you after your brother dies."
"I-I'll hide in the forest before that happens," Sasuke argued desperately, tears glistening down his cheeks. Both Naruto and Gaara felt compelled to comfort and hug the frail body of the sad boy.
"The island is small. Sooner or later Orochimaru will find you and when he does…"Gaara's voice softened as he tried to make Sasuke see reason.
For the second time in his life, Gaara felt Sasuke clung onto him, sobbing.
"I can't go! Please don't make me. Aniki…aniki needs me." he cried, tears coming down like a river.
Gaara sighed. "Itachi had said that this would happen. I guess I have no choice then."
Sasuke gazed up in bewilderment.
"D-does that mean I can stay?" he sniffed.
"Iie."
With lightning speed, Gaara's fist sliced the air and hit Sasuke painfully on his stomach.
"G-Gaara?" Sasuke moaned weakly. Gaara's face was becoming fuzzy all of the sudden.
"Gomen. Sasuke-chan." Gaara whispered into Sasuke's ear.
Sasuke lapsed into unconsciousness. Gaara held him tightly before the beautiful figure of his friend could slide off onto the floor. Gaara bend over and pressed a kiss on Sasuke's lips making Naruto flinched.
"I'll come and visit you one day. Promise." He said softly.
"Do you have to hit her?" Naruto asked exasperatedly. "I mean she's just a girl after all."
"She'll only fight if I perform a sleeping jutsu. Besides, she's more than just a girl." He said.
Naruto frowned in confusion. Gaara saw this.
"She'll tell you about 'it' if she wishes it," Gaara handed Sasuke over to Naruto. "Keep her safe. If I found out she's hurt because of you I'll kill you with my own hands."
Then the red-haired boy turned to leave without waiting for Naruto's reply.
Naruto looked down on Sasuke's innocent face. He can see that he will have rough times ahead for the both of them.
Hmmm. I wonder what how it feels like to have that lips on mine.
Naruto felt himself leaning forward to those petal-soft lips. Naruto knew it was wrong to take advantage of the girl but he can't help but notice that his lips were almost touching the girl's. He gulped and the distance shortened.
Almost there. And then…
Then Sasuke suddenly gave a small whimper. It was a small sound but it managed to pull Naruto back to the present. He blinked.
What the hell is happening to me?
Then Naruto chuckled.
"I think Kyu will think it a marvelous treat to make the acquaintance of the sister of the notorious Fujiwara Itachi."
He strode off toward the Sakura. His mind still on the thought of nearly kissing the lips of the girl he had on his arms.