Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters... or maybe I do seeing as they're a little OOC! xD... Nope.. I don't
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Sasuke woke but couldn't move. His body felt as though there was a heavy weight crushing his body, trapping his breath and breaking his bones. His eye lids were heavy and he struggled to open them. Fighting against the tiredness that swept through him and threatened to make him pass out, he finally opened them and took in his bleak surroundings. He was lying on the ground, a fire crackling softly beside himself. He looked around and came to the conclusion that he was in a cave. He tried to stand up but found his hands were tied behind his back. Knowing he couldn't get up or get his hands free, Sasuke searched the darkness of the cave and saw something moving within the dancing shadows.
"So you're finally awake. It's about time." The voice came from the shadows and Sasuke turned towards it, straining his eyes and trying to identify the voce.
"Who are you? And where the hell am I?!"
"Now now Sasuke there's no need to be hasty. We are in a cave north of Konaha and as for my identity... you know me Sasuke... think."
Sasuke groaned as he once again tried to get up. "Your voice... I know it... Who are you?"
The stranger laughed as he stepped out of the shadows, the fire illuminating his face. Sasuke's breath he was struggling to get, caught in his throat and he struggled to regain it. "Neji!" Sasuke choked out the word, his mind racing and as he tried to understand what was happening.
"Yes Sasuke. I thought you would have recognised me sooner."
"What the hell? Neji what did you do to me?! And why the hell are we in a cave?!" Sasuke's head was spinning now as he tried desperately to stand up, but his body was fighting harder against him.
"Don't worry Sasuke I only drugged you. You'll be fine again in about half an hour. As for why we're here...Well I don't know really. I needed to talk to you and I couldn't have anyone like your brother interrupting us. Stop trying to get up Sasuke, it's pointless. Not only have you a sleeping drug, but you also have your hands tied behind your back. And maybe another drug or two."
"I'll tell you what Neji. You let me go now, and I won't kill you!"
"Don't make me laugh Sasuke; you can't do anything to me in your condition." Neji walked over to Sasuke and bent down, putting his hand on his cheek. "It's not as if I'm going to do anything to you."
The look in Neji's eyes told Sasuke he was in trouble if he didn't get out, he had no wish to stay and find out what Neji wanted to do to him. Neji knelt down beside the Uchiha who had grown both still and silent. He brought his lips to Sasuke's, his hands going to the Uchihas hair. Sasuke's eyes widened as he tried to pull away, but Neji's firm hold kept him where he was. As Neji deepened the kiss, his tongue slipping in and out of the other's mouth, he pushed Sasuke back so he was lying flat on his back and straddled his hips. He sat back, revelling in the sight before him. He smirked down at Sasuke, watching as he tried to break free of his binds and throw Neji off himself. "Neji... Stop before something happens that can never unhappen!"
"Oh but why would I stop now Sasuke? You so clearly want this and I'm having so much fun!"
"Because you said you wanted to talk to me?! Not... this!"
"Sorry Sasuke, I lied." Neji bent forwards once again, his hands on either side of Sasuke's head. Sasuke turned his head so he was looking away from Neji, knowing he couldn't last much longer.
"Do you still wonder why I went for Hinata and not you? Do you wonder why I still want her more than I want you? Do you wonder why I'm not enjoying this?" Sasuke faced Neji once again, his face so close to the other that when they moved even slightly, they brushed noses.
"I'm not going to say it didn't cross my mind because it did. But that doesn't matter now, just look at us. I don't imagine Hinata would do this with you. I don't imagine you would do it with her, yet here you are under me. So tell me Sasuke, what does that tell you?"
"It tells me you're too used to getting what you want and not caring how you get it. You say me and Hinata would never be like this, because we wouldn't. We wouldn't be in a cave hiding. We would both want it, not just one. And we wouldn't be tied up... But I guess that's just part of your twisted fantasy. Tie up the kid of the clan your father murdered." Sasuke spat out each word, each causing Neji to flinch back. He sat up once again, looking down at Sasuke's face, emotion flooding in his eyes. His fist went straight for Sasuke's jaw, but quickly diverted at the last second, slamming into the ground. He bent his head to Sasuke's once more, his hair tumbling over his shoulder to Sasuke's face and to the floor as it came undone. "Take that back Sasuke..." Neji's voice cracked as he spoke, clearly hurt by what Sasuke said, a tear falling over onto his cheek.
"Take what back?"
"Everything you just said! Tell me you didn't mean it!"
"I meant it Neji, every word."
"I... I had nothing to do with that night... But yet you hold it over my head..."
"I'm not holding anything over your head! I never said you had something to do with it! You were six years old Neji, you couldn't have known what was going on. I'm not blaming you and I'm not going to hold it against you. What I am going to hold against you for us tying me up, drugging me, taking me to some cave in the middle of the night and then kissing me while I can't even move."
"You think I want to have you tied and drugged? You think I want to have to imagine my cousin with the man I love like we are right now? No Sasuke I don't. I left with you because I wanted to have you. I drugged you so you wouldn't wake up or wake your brother. I would have rather done this at home, in the village, but you want Hinata more than me. You don't even look at me when she's around."
"And do you think kidnapping me in the middle of the night will help you? I'm sorry if that's how you feel but I'm not even sure if I want you or Hinata so there's no way you know. If I don't take notice of you when I'm with Hinata, then it's because she makes me different. She brought out a side to me I thought I lost a long time ago. Maybe I like her, but maybe I just want her as a friend. If you untie me, we'll talk more but I'm saying nothing more like this."
Neji removed himself from the warmth of Sasuke's hips and turned him over so he could untie his hands. When that was done he walked over to his backpack and pulled out a bottle of liquid. He sat Sasuke up against himself, deciding his warmth was better than the cold wall. He opened the bottle and put it to Sasuke's lips, telling him to drink it. When the bottle was gone, Sasuke could feel the energy returning to his body immediately as movement became easier and he felt himself fully wakening.
"That's better." He leant back against Neji's chest, enjoying the warmth as they sat in silence, watching the fire. "Don't you want to talk more Neji?"
"You were the one that wanted to talk Sasuke... But don't, let's just stay like this."
"I can't just leave it Neji. You kidnapped, drugged and bound me. I think that calls for talking about." Sasuke moved his head so he was looking up to Neji, while Neji wrapped his arms around the other.
"I know Sasuke... I know. So talk to me then, me or Hinata?"
"I already told you I don't know so don't push it. I should be running away from you, I should have killed you. But I didn't... I couldn't."
"So anytime you say you're going to kill me I can rest easy knowing you're not going to kill me then?"
"You wish. I can't do it now but don't be so sure I won't do it later."
"I won't give you reason to!"
"Is this not reason enough?!"
"After this." Sasuke laughed as his eyes met with Neji's, neither moving, neither speaking. Sasuke put his hands on the ground and pushed himself up, bringing his lips to Neji's. Their lips moulded together, as if they belonged together, both moving in perfect harmony. He pushed Neji to the floor and they both lay down together, losing themselves in the other, their temperatures quickly rising.
"Maybe my kidnapping you worked." Neji smirked, breaking from Sasuke to get a much needed breath.
"Shut up Neji, I don't want to talk."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Neji ran off with Sasuke? How the hell could you know Itachi? You can't be sure."
"Iruka are you serious?! Do you honestly think I would be here if I didn't think it was serious enough? That kid ran off with my brother and when I catch him, I am going to kill him."
"No Itachi, you won't! You are not going to harm that kid!"
"I will if he's done anything to my brother! Are you going to stop me Iruka?"
"If I have to I~"
"Both of you shut up! Iruka, leave him be a protective brother. Itachi, what the hell do you want me to do?"
"You're going to help me get ninja to look for my brother. Since Neji's a Hyuga he's not going to go too far because he thinks everyone is beneath him and wouldn't think to search for them outside the village and if they do they're going to search far outside the village walls."
"You're going to have to take this to Lady Hokage. I can't just take ninja from the village and disappear for a few hours. You have to run it by her first."
"Fine then let's go!"
"I-We're not exactly dressed Itachi, and I'm not going near her like this!" Kakashi turned from where he had been standing and walked towards the bedroom, Iruka following after him. They closed the door and re-emerged only minutes later. They looked around the room, but Itachi was gone. "Shit! Iruka that crazy asshole is going to the Hokage on his own... and everyone still thinks of him as a rogue ninja!"
Itachi ran out the door and into the village, not wanting to waste anymore time. He channelled his chakra to his feet, increasing his speed with each stride. He headed straight for the tower, ignoring everyone he passed. When the tower walls came into view, Itachi increased his speed even more. He ran up the stairs, three at a time and flew towards the Hokage's office. When he finally came to the right door, he threw it open not bothering to knock. As he strode towards the occupied desk, a book was thrown towards his head, which he caught and threw back at the old woman.
"I need ninja to go out and search for my brother now!"
"Who the hell do you- Itachi?! Itachi Uchiha?!!"
"Yeah who else? Did you even hear what I said?!" As soon as Itachi had finished the sentence, four ANBU Black ops surrounded him.
"Take him away! Dam Itachi you sure are making my job easy. Why are you even here?"
"For Sasuke! Now you have to get these dam ANBU away from me before I kill them and then we have to look for Sasuke!"
"You don't tell me what to do kid! You went and murdered your whole clan so I'm arresting your ass! You're a rogue ninja and you should know better than to show your face here. Be glad I'm not killing you right now!"
"Lady Tsunade!" Iruka and Kakashi ran into the room, panting breaths and ready stances. "Help him. He didn't kill his clan, the Hyuga clan did! Sasuke is missing, as is Neji. We have to send search parties out to look for them!"
Tsunade looked from Iruka, to Kakashi, to Itachi and the ANBU. "You're on his side?"
"Yes."
"But why? And what do you mean the Hyuga clan? You think they killed the Uchiha clan without anyone knowing?"
"Because he's innocent! The Hyuga clan ordered the assassination of the Uchiha clan. We'll explain later but right now we need to go look for Sasuke and Neji."
Tsunade sat at her desk, her head resting on her hands which were folded on the desk as she considered what the three ninja said. "Fine. But only because I trust you Iruka. If anything goes wrong I'll get all three of you killed. Understand? I don't want everyone knowing I'm letting a rogue ninja run about the village. Watch him."
"Yes!" The three answered in unison and turned to leave. As they walked out the door, Iruka turned to the Hokage. "Who can we take?"
"Whoever the hell you want Iruka! Just don't let things get out of control. I have your word that he won't destroy the village but your word only lasts so long."
"Yes I know. And thank you, Lady Tsunade." Iruka bowed his head before turning and following after the other two males. When he finally caught up with them they were deep in conversation and search plans.
"Listen you two. We can take whoever we want but having a search party that's too bug won't work. We'll take the other genin and their senseis, as well as Anko, Genma and Raidou. We'll head out in teams of two or three and scope the surrounding area without going too far." Iruka spoke quickly and sternly, leaving no room for question. "We'll meet at the gate in fifteen minutes. Kakashi, you go get the senseis, Anko, Genma and Raidou. I'll get the genin. Itachi, you go to the gates now and don't kill anyone or do something stupid, got it?"
"Yes sensei!"
The three parted then, each going their separate ways. After fifteen minutes, everyone was gathered outside the gates, awaiting orders. Once again, Iruka took charge. "So we're on a rescue mission for Sasuke. We have reason to believe that he is not too far outside the walls and is with Neji. We're going to split into teams and search the landscape." The group divided into groups of two and just before they left, Itachi stepped out.
"If you find my brother, find me." When Itachi had spoken, everyone immediately recognised the voice and reached for their packs, ready to attack. "Before you attack you should know I mean no harm, I didn't kill my clan and I just want my brother back."
Everyone looked to each other, but then dismissed the thought they all shared and set off in search of Sasuke, they'd worry about the rogue ninja later. Kakashi summoned dogs, Shino used his bugs, Kiba used Akamaru and Hinata used Byakugan. Itachi went with Kakashi and they headed north of the village searching for caves or tunnels, searching in trees and bushes. Anywhere two kids could hide. They searched wordlessly for two hours, Paccun and the other hounds picking up traces of the boys every now and then but lost it soon after. When the hounds started to bark all of a sudden, both males assumed they found Sasuke's or Neji's scent, but it was just Iruka. He had set off with Anko and had met with Kurenai and Hinata. They all looked at Itachi, a similar grin on their faces and a glimmer in their eyes.
"We found them!"
"Where?"
"In a cave, east of here."
"Lead the way Iruka."
The group of six headed east towards Neji and Sasuke, the hounds called back and each following in Iruka's steps. "Are we nearly there Iruka?!"
"It's just up here Itachi and you better not go in there with those red eyes of yours!"
They continued on for a few minutes before Iruka stopped suddenly, crouching on a low branch of a tree. "Okay so the cave is just there Itachi, what do you want to do?" Itachi didn't wait for Iruka to finish, he jumped past his head and headed towards the cave which was now in view. Iruka exchanged glances with Kakashi before the group headed after Itachi. Itachi entered the cave before anyone could reach him, and the site he was greeted by sent him into a rage he had never known before.
Moans and pants echoed throughout the cavern. Neji had Sasuke's hands above his head, pinned against the stone cave wall. Sasuke had one leg wrapped around Neji's pulling him closer. Both were topless as their bodies were pressed together, Neji ravaging Sasuke's neck as they moved with each other. Sasuke broke his hands free from Neji's grasp and brought them down to his hair, his fingers entwining in the chocolate locks.
Itachi ran across the cave floor, towards the boys and grabbed Neji's shoulder, throwing him across the room. Neither boys heard Itachi and were surprised by the sudden intrusion, each gasping at the quick separation.
"Itachi... What are you?" Sasuke couldn't even finish his sentence he was breathing too quick and hard. He felt as if his heart was going to explode out of his chest as all rational thought escaped him. "How did you..."
Sasuke stopped talking when Itachi turned around to face Neji, who was now staggering to his feet. "I came here so you wouldn't interrupt, but yet here you are!"
"You kidnapped my brother!" Itachi strode across the room and grabbed Neji by the throat, slamming him into the wall behind them. The grip on his throat tightened and Neji could only claw at the hands keeping him off the ground as he struggled to find a breath that wasn't forming in his chest.
"Itachi stop!" Itachi looked towards where Sasuke stood, the Sharingan activated in his eyes.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill him Sasuke?! He kidnapped you and he tried to rape you!!"
"We already know that and we got past it. We talked about it and I'm over it, so now it's your turn. And I wouldn't exactly call that rape, neither of us wanted to stop!"
A cough sounded at the mouth of the cave and both Uchihas looked to the sound and there stood Hinata in front of the other ninja. "Hinata?!"
"Itachi put down Neji before you kill him." Iruka walked over to the Uchiha and pulled Neji out of his grasp.
"Hinata I-"
"You what Sasuke? You don't need to say anything to me! Not anymore!"
Sasuke looked at the Hyuga girl whose eyes were filled with pain and tears. "Hinata~" Sasuke stopped talking as he realised something. Hinata stood there tall and proud, her stuttering gone. Was she that comfortable around him now? Or that upset?
"All right we found the kids. Now grab 'em and let's go." Anko turned from everyone and walked out, Kurenai following after her, pulling Hinata with her. Sasuke fell to his knees as he watched Kurenai-sensei lead Hinata out of the cave.
"Hinata...."
Itachi walked away from Iruka and Neji to kneel down beside his brother. He pulled Sasuke into his arms and sat there, saying nothing as the teen collapsed into his arms.
"Itachi, we're leaving. Take as long as you want, I'll make sure none of the kids and most of, well everyone, goes near him until he's ready. Got that Neji?"
"Yes Iruka sensei!"Neji got dressed and left the cave, joining the three outside, Hinata looking at him like he betrayed her. Once Iruka and Kakashi joined them, they all set off back to the village, leaving the two Uchiha brothers alone.
"Sasuke... are you alright?"
"Do I look alright?"
"No... Here, put this on." Itachi handed him his shirt and when it was on, he relit the fire and sat down, pulling Sasuke into his arms once more and wrapped his cloak around them for extra warmth. The two brothers sat in silence together as they watched the fire burn, Sasuke replaying his night's events.
"Do you think she hates me now?"
"I doubt it. No one can hate an Uchiha!" Itachi smiled down at his brother, which faded when his smile was returned with a 'kicked puppy' look.
"If we weren't hated, why was our clan killed?"
"Okay... So no one can hate us except the Hyuga clan because they are a bunch of assholes who think they are better than everyone else! Ah, with the occasional exception because you're just kids."
"Did you see the look in her eyes? I put that there!"
"Listen, I know it's hard Sasuke and I know Iruka-sensei told me to wait for you to talk to me when you're ready, but you need to make a decision, and you need to make it now. You need to decide whether you want to chance your heart with Hinata, or with Neji."
"I don't know! That's why~"
"Yes you do know!"
"No I~"
"Shut up talking baby brother, and listen to me. I know you're only thirteen and this is hard for you, I get that. I know all about hard decision, remember? But you need to stop thinking with your head for a minute okay?"
"I don't know how... I don't know what to do anymore."
Itachi pulled Sasuke out of his lap and sat him in front of himself, throwing the cloak over the younger's shoulders to keep him warm. "Listen to me for a minute okay? Close your eyes and just let all thought leave you? Just let everything run through your head and everything will sort itself out. Listen to your heart Sasuke, and you will know what to do."
Sasuke did as he was told and closed his eyes as he relaxed, all his thoughts leaving him. When his mind was clear, he felt relaxed as he sat in the silence, forgetting everything except the peaceful crackle of the fire and the sound of his own deep breathing. As he sat in the relaxation, his thoughts re-gathered once again, but this time more collected. His thoughts of his family were better now, knowing they were not killed by one of their own and his brother was back for him. He thought on his first day with Hinata on the pier, his confession and their first kiss. His first kiss. When those thoughts left him, ones of Neji appeared. The first day Neji appeared, Neji fighting Itachi for him, Neji kidnapping him and his and Neji's time in the cave they were now in. As he sat in the warmth, reassessing his thoughts again and again, he came to a decision he didn't even remember making, yet he knew what to do. He stood up slowly, holding onto the cloak around him. "I know what I have to do. Thank you, Itachi." He started to walk out of the cave, but was stopped by a hand grabbing his arms. He looked up towards his brother who had stopped him, confusion written all over his face.
"You're not doing anything today. I know I told you yesterday you could, but you can't. You need to rest Sasuke, you've had an eventful day and I don't want to listen to Iruka-sensei giving out about you. We are going home. You will eat and then you'll sleep. Got it?"
"Fine..."
Itachi put out the fire and started to walk out but stopped when he noticed Sasuke wasn't following him. He turned to ask Sasuke was something wrong when he caught a look at his face. Through the pain and exhaustion, Itachi could see a shy smile spread across his face.
"Ni-san, I can't walk any more."
Itachi laughed at his younger brother, knowing exactly what he was doing. "I expect you want me to carry you then?"
Sasuke smiled as Itachi crouched down, his arms behind his back to offer Sasuke a place on his back. "Come on baby brother, let's go home." Sasuke walked over to his brother and climbed on his back. Itachi stood up and left the cave, heading home with his brother on his back, cloak wrapped firmly around him as it flowed in the breeze.
"I don't think mom will be home to take a picture of us this time Itachi!"
"I'm seeing a little problem with that being a possibility! But we'll make it. I know I haven't been there for you Sasuke, but I'm here now. Nothing will take me away from you this time, it's about time you had a family."
"I know big brother, I know. It wasn't your fault. I just miss them, you know?"
"Yeah, I do too. But we have each other right?"
"I suppose we do."
The two brothers went in silence, both enjoying the comfort of not needing to talk. Itachi got to the gates, but when he got to them, a crowd was waiting for his return.
"Itachi Uchiha! It's about time you returned to the village. You need to get your punishment!"
"Punishment for what?"
"Murdering your own clan and betraying this village!"
"I didn't murder my clan! Ask the Hokage if you must I don't care." Itachi took a step forward, walking around the crowd. One of the men in the crowd stepped forwards and stepped in Itachi's path, blocking the way.
"Get out of the way!"
"Be quiet Sasuke..."
"Why should I? These assholes don't even deserve an explanation if they're willing to just ambush you like this!"
"It doesn't matter. I was declared a rogue ninja so their reasons are justified. All they have to do is talk to the Hokage and they'll eventually leave me alone." Itachi stepped around the man, still holding on to Sasuke.
"We can't just let a rogue ninja enter our village!"
"It's my village too and if it makes you feel any better he's going home so it's not like he's going to disturb you." Sasuke tried to pull away from Itachi, but his grip was keeping him held firmly in place.
"Stay out of this kid!"
"I won't because that's my brother you're talking to!"
"Well your brother is a traitor, and if you side with him you are too!"
"Hey, back off and leave the Uchihas alone! They have done no harm and Itachi is innocent!" Iruka pushed his way through the crowd towards Itachi, everyone's gaze following him.
"Iruka-sensei, are you saying you believe he's innocent? That he didn't kill his own clan?"
"That's what I'm saying. Now leave, all of you! Before it is you that is declared traitorous!"
"How can we be sure he's not just using you with his Sharingan?"
"Because everybody knows who I am! I am the only trustworthy ninja in the village so shut up and leave!"
"We can't just let a rogue ninja wonder through the village sensei." The murmurs in the crowd were increasing with each point made, a fight threatening to start.
"If you don't stop this you're going to start another war! Konaha does not need that right now!"
"And we can't trust him!"
"Then trust me! If you can't then go to the Hokage and she'll tell you! But leave them the hell alone!"
"Maybe we should take him to the Hokage!"
"Or maybe you should just leave us alone and worry about your own problems! I'm not going to hurt anyone in this village! Well, maybe Neji Hyuga but that's for a dam good reason! If anyone has a problem with me, fine. I'll take you on, but not now!"
"You still a coward Uchiha?"
"What did you say?"
"You heard me! Are you still a coward?"
"When was I a coward old man?!"
"The night your clan was murdered! You ran like a little girl!"
"I thought you thought I killed my clan!"
"It's a load of crap! Don't you recognise my voice yet?"
Itachi stared at the men and women that formed the angry crowd as they each formed a cloud of smoke, transforming back into their normal bodies. When all the smoke was cleared, standing in front of Itachi was the Hyuga clan, or at least part of it.
"So, your back to finish the job?"
"That's right! We would have left you alone, but you came back. And that kid there has hurt two of our clan!"
"Okay if anyone has done hurting, it's Neji! It's his entire fault!" Itachi put down Sasuke and was yelling at the man who was speaking to him the entire time, the anger inside of him growing once again.
"I don't care! You both are going to die here!"
The man ran at Itachi, closing the short distance between the two, the rest of the group following. Some went for Sasuke, while others went for Itachi, and only a crazy few attacked Iruka, who was trying to stop the battle. Itachi and Sasuke stood back to back as the Hyuga clan attacked them, hoping that the two of them would be able to keep fighting, despite how tired they were. After just twenty minutes, the two Uchihas were done. They were tired, bleeding and victorious.
Iruka picked up the two males and helped them towards the Uchiha mansion, leaving the injured Hyugas behind. Once they reached the mansion, Iruka gave them both basic medical care to heal their injuries. When Iruka left, the two brothers were left in the bedroom, the entire house silent.
"That's not the end of it, is it big brother?"
"I don't think it is. Those Hyugas have serious issues. How about we go to sleep? Tomorrow's going to be one hell of a day!"
"Yeah, I'm tired anyway. I still need to talk to Hinata and Neji... What are the chances I'm going to have to fight my way there?"
"Very likely... But you'll do it. I'll make sure of it!"
The two males lay back down on the bed, crawling beneath the covers as sleep called to them.
"I'm glad you're back Itachi, I think I needed you to be here."
"I am too Sasuke, and I'm not leaving anymore. I'll always be here for you, protecting you."
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AN: I hope you enjoyed this chapter =D
Hmmm... if you ignore my out of character characters... is this a good story?? lols
Reviews are muchly appreciated!!
