I'm so sorry everyone! Its been SO long since I last updated. I feel so bad. I don't really have an excuse for this other than I was being lazy and I lost the drive to continue writing. However, I was thinking lately and figured out a perfect ending that satisfied me quite fully. Completely different from what I originally planned though. And because of that, I was able to find my muse again and finish this story that's been swimming in my head for so long. I believe my writing style has changed a bit though. Not too much, but a bit better I think. Anyways, hope you all enjoy!!!

–

Itachi awoke with a start. His head hurt terribly and his vision was still blurred. How long had he been out? Resting his heavy head on the soft pillow underneath him, he turned slightly to take in his surroundings as his vision cleared. He was in one of the guest rooms. Why not in his own? Then the memories of the fight crashed down on him like a tidal wave. He sprung upright and called out.

"Deidara!"

He wished he hadn't. His brain started to pound against his skull and his abdomen ached horribly. He heard a slight gasp and the slightly ungraceful yet still dainty shuffle of feet clothed in silk tabi rushing toward him. A figure knelt softly next to him and a hand was gingerly placed on his hunched over back.

"Itachi. I'm so glad you're finally awake," the figure spoke softly.

The raven's sudden outburst had caused his vision to slightly blur again due to the pain. His mind couldn't focus on the voice, but he knew it was familiar and loving. When he was able to somewhat compose himself again, he turned his head slightly to look at the speaker. Halfheartedly, he hoped it was his lover, though he knew it not to be him. His eyes focused. It was a woman with long dark hair, hurriedly tied into a loose, messy bun.

"O...Okaa-san?"

"Yes, baby. I'm here. I'm so glad you're alright."

At this, Mikoto gently pressed her other hand to his chest and laid him down onto the futon. He watched as she rose steadily and walked off to grab something and return, her steps barely audible. She knelt down again placing a bowl of water next to her. She dipped a cloth in the bowl, wrung it out, folded it and placed it over Itachi's forehead. The warmth of the cloth soothed him and seemed to dull the pain in his head. His stomach felt like it was on fire though.

"You shouldn't move. You have a cracked rib and a terribly painful looking bruise. Oh, Kami-sama, my poor baby. I've never seen you like this." She stroked his hair. "What did you do to have this happen to you? And who, might I ask, is Deidara?"

His brow furrowed.

"Otou-san didn't tell you?"

"I'm afraid not, dear. He doesn't tell me much of anything these days. It seems the only time he ever really talks to me is to complain about you and Sasuke and everything else he has on his mind. He didn't even bring you to me. One of the soldiers did. And he was horrible, manhandling you as he did." She huffed. "Anyway," her voice became soft again, "I'm just glad you're alright now. So are you going to fill me in? I'd appreciate it heard straight from the horse's mouth."

Itachi stayed silent lowering his gaze, pondering what he should say. After a minute, Mikoto picked up the bowl and stood. She walked over to the small table to set the bowl down, out of the way.

"Its alright. If you don't feel up to telling me anything right now, I understand. My baby's in pain."

Itachi would have rolled his eyes, but thought better of it. He never really cared for his mother referring to him as a baby, but she was his mother and he was her child. And she never said it in front of anyone, not even Sasuke (He assumed she referred to her other son in the same manner). She respected him enough to not embarrass him in any way. She truly loved and cared for him and he returned the feelings, so he allowed the mother-child pet name.

"Okaa-san?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Do you...believe in true love?"

"My, that's an intense question I couldn't have expected coming from you. Hmm...let me think...I believe so. Yes, I do."

"Do you truly love Otou-san?"

"Itachi..."

"Please answer. Truthfully. Its just us, no one else and I promise not to tell."

She sighed, "No. No I don't. I respect your father and have developed what could be considered love for him over the years I've spent as his wife. But, you know, I wouldn't have it any other way. Because of him, I was able to have two wonderful, handsome sons I love with all my heart."

"Are you happy?"

"Because of you and your brother, yes."

"Do you want me to be happy?"

"Of course I do. You and Sasuke. I wish and pray for the two of you to live your lives as happily as you can. And your happiness is my happiness."

"What if I told you I was truly in love?"

"Hn...I'd say I wouldn't put it past you. You're so beautiful, intelligent, and strong. You're every girl's dream. I knew you'd find someone eventually. But unfortunately, I can conclude since you've been riding off in the middle of the night, that you've been going to see her. And that means she's not of our status. That may be alright with me, but it won't go over well with your father and the honor of our family."

"What if I told you it wasn't a 'she' I was seeing?"

"Wakari-masen..."

Itachi took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "I'm in love with a peasant. Another man."

"A man?!"

"Okaa-san, please don't-"

"Itachi. If your father finds out, he'll-"

"He knows already. That's why I'm here. But I don't care about Otou-san. How do you feel about it?"

"Itachi," Mikoto's voice hardened. She stood up once again to go occupy herself with something else to take her mind off of the startling news just revealed to her.

"Okaa-san. Please don't be upset with me. I truly love Deidara. And I feel I'm happiest when I'm with him. And you said my happiness was yours. Please...I don't know what I'd do if I lost him..."

Mikoto just stood in her place as Itachi's words sunk in. She heard him sigh gravely and waited, standing there as a statue, until he finally seemed to give up. She listened as his breathing changed. He was tired and in pain. He'd fallen asleep again. She grabbed the bowl once again and knelt by his side. She removed the cloth and noticed a lone tear had fallen down his cheek. A lone tear that broke her heart into pieces. She soaked the cloth again and wrung it out. She bend forward and gingerly placed a kiss on his heated forehead.

"I'll see what I can do," she whispered before replacing the cloth.

–

Deidara awoke to the cold, damp stone floor and a small puddle of warmth under his head. He sat up and clutched his head in plain. Looking at his now scarlet stained hand where the warmth had been, he concluded his head was bleeding. Concussion no doubt from the blow Itachi's father had send his way.

He took the opportunity to look around to realize he was in the dungeon Itachi's father was talking about. His father must have been truly sadistic, not to mention a bit cheap not to put flooring in the cell areas. The stone was a bit slippery yet still hurt his tender skin. His kimono had been taken off, he'd noticed. Replaced with a horribly ragged gray one. He stood up as best he could and trudged over to grasp the bars of the cell for support.

"So I see the golden-haired whore is finally awake!" A voice, dripping with malice boomed. Not one he recognized.

"So it seems..." A calmer, yet no less venomous voice agreed. This one he knew. Itachi's father.

The two men stood in front of him now. Itachi's father had his nose upturned, hands clasped behind his back, and was gazing down at him with a sinister sneer. The other man was a bit taller than him and extremely burly, his muscles much bigger than any other man he'd seen. He was holding what looked like a long rod made of bamboo tied together and a coil of rope.

"Please, take our guest to the horse."

"Hai, Uchiha-sama."

The other man set down the rod and pulled out a key to unlock the cell door. He reached in and grabbed Deidara by the collar, yanking him out. Deidara couldn't fight. He was dragged all the way down the hall to a locked room. The man opened it and dragged the blonde inside. It had stone flooring as well, but this was dappled with what looked like dried blood. He'd concerned himself so much with the sight of blood he failed to notice first off the menacing piece that stood in the center of the room. A long, triangular shaped structure stood tall, held up by thick wooden legs. Two large stones sat on each side tied with ropes and a bar hang from the ceiling right above. Deidara was pushed over and his hands were tied with the ropes, too tight. He could feel his circulation being slightly cut off. He was dragged over to the wooden structure.

"On."

"What, un?!"

"Get on!"

"You've got to be crazy! I'm not getting on that, un!"

"I suggest you do it without making a fuss," Itachi's father spoke, calmly, "I'm afraid it will make your situation even worse off if we have to force you on there."

Deidara gave a huff and glanced over to the structure. Hesitantly, he made to lift one leg up, but was picked up and plopped down on the top edge of the triangular shape. It hurt. Horribly. The edge on his pelvic bone, not to mention his crotch at the sudden impact. The other man stood up on a stool to fasten Deidara's bound hands to the suspended bar. The man then yanked his hair up, tying it tight with another rope to the ceiling. He was forced to be straight, forced to keep his head up. The man climbed down to then tie the stones around his ankles. They weighed him down, pulled him to grind along the edge of the wood. He was being held upright so he couldn't adjust himself at all. And he couldn't purposely fall off of it due to the fear of scalping himself. He was in horrible pain, not to mention filled with utter embarrassment. So...this was torture.

"Oh, my dear, your face seems so pained," Itachi's father spoke, sadistically, "yet the torture has just started. I told you you would pay for my son's sins."

He stood in front of Deidara with a smirk that meant more pain than any torture device. He crossed his arms over his chest proudly and gave a curt nod to the burly man. The man grabbed up the bamboo rod and slithered out of the blonde's sight. His breath hitched as he expected a blow.

THWACK!

The rod struck him across the middle of his back. He'd never felt something so horrible. All of the small sticks were cut sharp and felt like dozens of blades cutting through his skin.

CRACK!

Again. He could feel warm blood trickling down his back.

CRACK!

Again. He wouldn't scream. No matter how much it hurt. He would not give these devils that bit of satisfaction.

THWACK!

He could hear the whistle as the rod sliced through the air before striking him.

CRACK!

Tears welled in his eyes.

THWACK!

"Do you see your crime? You, a peasant, and an odd one at that, have dishonored my entire family. You have seduced my son, my heir, to stoop to your level. You drove him to forsake his family. You yellow haired devil who tried to lure my son away so that you may devour his soul."

"You're insane, un! I'm a person! The same as Itachi! The same as you, un!"

"No. You are too different from us. You are a child of the witches of Yomi, straight from Izanami and her shikome. I have dedicated myself to raising Itachi to be the perfect heir. And you come to tear him away from his family."

"But he's not happy here, un!"

"I don't care for his happiness. I care for the burden he will carry of leading this clan to be the greatest in the world. And if not in his lifetime, then in the lifetime of his children, his heirs. The ones you will prevent him from having."

"But...but," Deidara's tears finally started to fall, "I love him! And he loves me!"

"You little piece of shit!" Itachi's father growled, "Hit him again!"

THWACK!!!

He just couldn't hold in his screams anymore. He was broken. Tears rolled down his cheeks, screams ravaged his throat, bamboo marred his flesh. Strike after strike after strike. He'll never forget the sound of the whistle before that searing strike.

–

Itachi awoke to a light knock on the sliding door. The figure outside waited for a minute and, without hearing a reply from the raven, opened it and stepped inside. Sasuke. Itachi could tell. His eyes were closed, but he could tell. The younger closed and locked the door and proceeded to step lightly through the room to sit by Itachi's side. He said nothing, just sat, watching his older brother lying in bed. Without opening his eyes, he didn't really want to look at Sasuke right now, he spoke the thought that had been swimming through his mind since the incident.

"Why did you tell, Otouto?"

"I didn't."

"Then how did they find out? You're the only one I told."

"Don't you trust me? You're my everything Itachi. I wouldn't betray you."

"You didn't want me to go."

The younger sighed. "You're right, I didn't. But I knew you weren't happy here. Your blonde made you happy. I could convince myself to live without you if I knew you were."

"Then how did they find out?"

"I'm not sure, but I have a feeling it was another person closer to you who couldn't bear the thought of you gone from here."

"Who is that?"

"Heh, you really pay so little attention to her that you were oblivious to her obsession with you?"

"...Kazumi?"

"That's my guess."

He sighed, "That ignorant child couldn't possibly understand the extremities of the situation her selfishness has put me in.... Gomen-nasai, Otouto, I didn't mean to doubt you." Itachi finally took the liberty to open his eyes and glance over at his brother. His corners of his mouth twitched up into the smallest of smiles. Sasuke grinned back, knowing his brother was sincere.

"Forget about me, Aniki. My concern is your blonde. I haven't seen him. I think Otou-san has him locked up."

"Deidara," Itachi breathed dejectedly.

"I want to help you Aniki. You're in no condition to do anything too taxing on your body right now. Otou-san doesn't know I'm on your side. I can't save your blonde, but I can try to help him."

"That would mean the world to me Otouto."

Sasuke smiled warmly down at his older brother. He would do whatever he could to help the one who Itachi loved. He bent over and placed a chaste kiss upon his brother's cheek. Standing, he moved to walk out. Before stepping outside, he took one last glance in at his brother. He was asleep again, this time looking much more peaceful.

–

It was the middle of the night. Sasuke had managed to save some food from dinner that night. He crept lightly through the walkways looking for where the dungeons were located. He'd never actually been to the dungeons. When he came to think of it, he didn't believe Itachi had either. That was his father's place. And he didn't even let them in the area around it. After about an hour of sneaking and searching, he could hardly believe his home was so large, he'd finally found it. He crept inside, closing the door after him. It was dank and dreary looking. All closed in so that no fresh air could make its way inside. He searched through the chambers until he found the one he was looking for in a heap of gold and crimson upon the stone floor.

"Dei-Deidara?"

The man twitched at hearing his name. He looked up after a minute and squinted trying to make out Sasuke's figure.

"I-Itachi, un?"

He shook his head, "No. I'm Sasuke, Itachi's younger brother."

"What do you want, un?"

"I want to help you...here."

The raven stepped up to the bars and reached through to pass the satchel of food to the blonde. The man managed to push himself up and crawl over to the bars. He looked horrible. Slashes across his back, bruises scattered over his body and face which were somewhat swelled, his long, yellow hair was disheveled and knotted and matted with blood. Sasuke couldn't help but feel his heart sink at this man's pitiful state. He shakily grabbed the bag from the younger's hand and peered inside. A distorted look of surprise appeared on his face and he proceeded to devour the contents of the bag.

"That's all I could get right now. I hope it'll be enough to tie you over."

The blonde looked up and swallowed his mouthful, "Arigato-gozaimasu, un! You're gracious and compassionate...just like your brother."

That made the raven smile. He idolized Itachi. It warmed him to be told he was like him an a sense other than strength or cleverness.

Sasuke watched as the other ate. Before, he wondered how Itachi could have so easily fallen for a peasant man he'd met by chance when he'd turned down every woman presented to him, even if he'd known them for years. Looking at the blonde now, he could understand his brother's feelings. This man, though he was looking considerably less than his best, was beautiful. Blonde hair, blue eyes. He'd never seen anything like it before. He reminded him of daylight. And he seemed like such a kind person as well. No wonder Itachi loved him. After beholding this man before him, he could now very easily give up Itachi to him. He scanned over the blonde's body. Whatever he'd gone through seemed incredibly painful. His brother would not stand for this.

"May I ask what happened to you?"

Deidara stopped and dropped his gaze to the food in his hands. Silence.

"Sumi-masen. Forgive me if I brought back unwanted memories. I just wanted to know what my father did to-"

The blonde pointed down the hallway. Sasuke glanced over to see a solid door with a large lock. He stood and walked over to examine it. Luckily for him, it was left open so that he may satiate his curiosity. He opened it and stepped inside. He gasped and froze as he took in his surroundings. A menacing looking wooden horse, blood dripping down its sides, dried by now, stood in the center with stones on either side and rope scattered along the blood splattered stone floor. He looked over and found a rod of bloody bamboo sticks tied together. He picked it up to examine it. The sticks were carved sharp and uneven so they would slice and dig and rip into the wounds. Sasuke's eyes welled up with tears. How could his father be so cruel? He set the piece back down as it had been and left. He could not bear to think of what went on in that room. He ran over to Deidara, who'd by now finished eating, and took the bag from him, tears starting to run down his face.

"Gomen-nasai, I'm so sorry," he said a bit frantically, "I have to leave for now. Itachi can't be here, but I'll get you out. I'm not sure how, but I'll set you free. I promise!"

He made to leave, but Deidara stopped him.

"Please. Let Itachi know I'm alright, un."

"But you're not!"

"I'm fine for now, un. Please, give him this..."

The blonde pulled Sasuke down and held his face to the bars. He leaned up and pressed his lips to the raven. It was a long, full kiss. Sasuke could feel the love being poured into it. It was his first kiss, but Sasuke knew it was not meant for him. He inhaled lightly as they parted. Nodding to the blonde, Sasuke hurried out of the dungeon. He ran as fast as he could down the open hallways, trying not to disturb those who were asleep. He bypassed his room and ran straight for the one Itachi occupied. He opened the door and stepped inside without asking his brother's permission. He stepped over and gently shook the older to wake him. His eyes opened and glanced over to Sasuke. He squinted trying to make out who it was in the lack of light.

"Otouto?"

"Aniki, I went to go see Deidara tonight. Otou-san has him locked up in the dungeons. He tortured him, Aniki. I saw the device. It looked horrible, and he was bloody and in a lot of pain. He devoured the food I gave him. And-"

"Otouto. Please, you must be quiet," Itachi moved to sit up, though it pained him to do so, "Torture?"

"Yes, Nii-san, there was blood everywhere," tears continued to cascade down the younger's face, "I don't know how, but we need to get him out of there. I don't care what happens. I'll help you in any way I can. I'll help you two escape. We just need to get him out of there."

"Shh," Itachi hushed soothingly and pulled him close, holding him tight. He was crying as well, unable to hold back his tears for his beloved blonde, "don't worry. We'll get him out. We'll save him. Thank you for everything, Otouto. Suki-dayo."

"Itachi..."

"Yes, Otou-"

Before he could finish, Sasuke pressed his lips to his. The younger raven remembered Deidara's kiss completely and passed it on, to the greatest extent of his skill, to the older. Itachi absorbed the kiss fully. They parted and Sasuke took in a breath. He looked up into his brother's eyes and gave a sincere smile.

"Deidara wanted me to give that to you. He wanted me to tell you he was alright."

"Arigato Otouto."

–

Mikoto sat on the futon as she watched her husband. Fugaku seemed so much different lately, since he had taken Itachi back and took his forbidden lover hostage. He was a bit more hostile and had quite a few mood swings. At times, he would seem calm and collected, but at the drop of a hat, he would lash out at whomever was nearest him at the time.

"Fugaku..." Mikoto spoke softly.

"What is it?"

She dropped her gaze, attempting to formulate what she should say, "As I was caring for Itachi...he...he mentioned someone. I suppose it was this nightly lover you've been suspicious of. Who is it?"

Fugaku sighed, but his face remained hard, "He is unlike anything you could imagine. Completely different from us. Yellow hair...and blue eyes."

"A man? It sounds hard to believe, but he sounds lovely."

"They are the traits of a demon! What has Itachi told you?!" His temper rose drastically, his face reddened, "He's deceived you! Don't dare listen to his lies!"

"But dear-"

At the sound of her protest, the man reached back and swung with all his might, striking his wife across the face. Mikoto was knocked over and fell to the floor. She clutched her reddened, swelling cheek and stared, shocked and wide-eyed, up at her husband. Tears formed in her eyes.

Seeing this, Fugaku calmed and sighed. He reached down and took her hand, pulling her up to stand, he took her in his arms.

"Gomen. You angered me. Do not speak or do anything against me and nothing will happen to you. Don't believe what Itachi says. He has also been deceived. Don't worry. I have everything under control."

Mikoto nodded, tears falling, and buried her face into her husband's chest. She hoped Itachi would forgive her. She could not fight against her husband. She has always been and always will be a loyal and obedient wife.

"Dress me for bed."

Mikoto nodded to Fugaku's request and moved away silently to fetch his sleeping yukata, all the while keeping her gaze lowered.

–

A few days passed. Sasuke tended to Deidara the best he could and informed Itachi in on everything from the condition of his blonde to what Kazumi and his father were doing and saying. His rib had healed enough and the raven could push himself to get up and walk around. He walked over to the door and gently slid it open. He was about to step out when he looked up and came face to face with Fugaku.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going to go find Deidara." His tone was defiant and unafraid.

At this Fugaku pushed Itachi inside against the wall, gripping him by the throat.

"I don't think so. I forbid you to ever see that man again," he sneered through gritted teeth.

"I don't care what you say. I will find him and I will take him away from here. No matter what you say or do, you cannot stop me from loving him."

"Then I'll make you both suffer."

Fugaku slammed Itachi's head against the wall and made off for the door. Before the raven could compose himself and react, his father had locked him inside. He banged on the door and tried to break it down. Unfortunately, his father prided himself in making sure his home was built with only the highest quality materials that would not easily break. And in Itachi's state, he was not able to accomplish a feat so physically taxing. The raven slumped down in a heap and gathered himself up hoping everything would turn out alright.

–

Deidara lay slumped in the back corner of the cell. He'd taken to sitting in the back due to the burly man trying to swat at him if he was too close. Plus, the wall was a bit warmer from the heat outside, which soothed him from the cold of the stone. He hadn't been sleeping very well. Sasuke managed to sneak him food when he could, so he wasn't starving. It was just the dull aches and pains of Uchiha brutality and the stress and worry over Itachi.

It was late and Deidara was expecting Sasuke to come again. Sure enough, the younger raven poked his head through to peer into the cell. However, he did not greet him with a smile as usual. He seemed a bit stressed. Deidara crawled over to the bars.

"Sasuke, what's wrong, un?"

Sasuke knelt down to Deidara's height and sighed heavily, his eyes lowered. After a minute, he raised his gaze to look solemnly into azure ones, "A lot...Itachi's feeling better..."

"Well, that's good then, un!" A smile spread across the blonde's face.

"No. Because now that he can get around, my father's locked him up. He can't get out. And I have a horrible feeling my father's planning something."

The blonde's brow furrowed in apprehension, "...Like what,?"

"I can't really say. But he feels like you and Itachi both have greatly dishonored him. I'm not really sure how the lower classes do things, but with us, it takes a great deal to return his honor. Usually very painful and with a lot of witnesses. I've seen people commit suicide to return someone's honor."

"I'm not going to kill myself for him, un!"

Sasuke gave a deep sigh, "I know. But I don't think he wants you to give it to him. I think he wants to take it from you. Knowing him, he'll want you both to suffer."

"Sasuke, un...I'm scared..." His voice trembled. He reached out and took Sasuke's hand.

"Watashi-mo, Deidara."

–

The next day, Itachi was awoken to someone gently caressing his cheek. He opened his eyes to find young black eyes peering down at him, squinted slightly from a smile. raven sat up quickly and scooted away from her touch. The girl stared at him, a look of bewilderment on her face. It made Itachi scowl.

"Itachi-sama," she said and reached out for him. He swiftly swatted her hand away and she yelped at the sudden sting of pain. How he wished she could feel what true pain was like. She cupped her hand and pressed it to her bosom, a look of hurt now crossing her face.

"Itachi-sama, I-"

"I don't want to look at you, much less speak to you."

She dropped her gaze for a moment and looked back up, her eyes hardened, making eye contact with him. This was new and a bit surprising to Itachi. The girl was always so meek, she would never be so brazen as to look at him so, especially in the mood he was in. And the servants were not allowed to make eye contact with their superiors. He had to admit, he was a bit taken aback.

"Uchiha-sama wants to see you. He ordered me to make sure you were dressed nicely and went down to see him."

"And if I don't comply?"

"They," she nodded to the doorway. Itachi looked over to find two of his father's personal guards standing there, arms crossed, staring him down, "will make sure you go even if you are not willing."

Itachi huffed and stood up. Kazumi held up his clothes, ready to dress him herself. He snatched them away. She knows that he never wished for him to dress him, that he would much rather do it himself. He untied the obi to his sleeping yukata and slipped off the garment. He slid on the black silk haori and stepped into the black hakama, tucking the former into the latter and tying the knot. He wondered why he was given so much black to wear. He always wore a bit of some color to offset so much black. The girl handed him a pair of tabi. Black. He grimaced, taking the socks and stepping over to the doorway, pushing aside the guards, to sit down and pull them on and fit his feet into his zori. She walked over and handed him his brush and a hair tie. He took the brush and ran it through his raven locks a few times, but refused the other. He didn't feel like tying his hair up today.

Both men grabbed him by the upper arms and proceeded to drag him away from his room and out and around toward the courtyard. When said area came into view, the raven was surprised to find many people around: the Uchiha clan in its entirety. Then realization dawned on him. His face paled. Deidara.

He was escorted over to his father's side at the head of the crowd.

"Ah, Itachi. So good to see you finally up and about out of your room," he said wryly, turning to face his eldest son.

Itachi scowled at his father and spoke low, through gritted teeth, "This better not be what it appears, or so Kami-sama help me I will-"

"You will what, Itachi?"

"I will make you wish I was never born."

"Oh, believe me, my dear boy, I already wish that," he said darkly and with just as much venom to match Itachi's words. He turned to another guard and whispered something to him. The guard nodded and walked away. He appeared again with a struggling blonde tucked under his arm.

Itachi snapped. He struggled against his captors and managed to break free. He ran over to the cowering blonde who was set down in front of the group and squatted down to pull the other into a tight embrace. He could hear gasps and murmurs from his family, but he didn't care. He was just happy to have his lover in his arms once again.

He glanced over and stole a look at his father. He had stopped the guards from going after him and was eying him like a vulture. Had he allowed him last words with his love? Itachi didn't believe so, he figured his father wanted to show his family the extent of the situation rather than explain it. He didn't care though. He would take advantage of this moment to love his blonde as much as he possibly could.

–

Deidara had been laying in his cell, awake and staring at nothing. He couldn't sleep since last talking to Sasuke. His beaten and battered body still ached and his mind tormented him. Sasuke's words swam through his head. Was Itachi's father really going to do something evil to make the two lovers suffer?

Anxiety made him consider every possible thing the man could do, from killing swiftly and painlessly to slow and agonizingly to not killing him at all but torturing him again in front of everyone.

Just then, he heard the door open and watched as one of the guards entered, stalking up to his cell. He pressed close to the bars, glanced down at sky blue eyes and smirked.

"Its time, wretch."

He unlocked the cell and reached in. Deidara's body ached, even the distress he felt couldn't get him to move. He was grabbed up and tucked under the man's arm and was led outside.

It was bright. The blonde had not had the pleasure of seeing sunlight in such a long time, he'd not been concerned with counting the days that passed. His eyes hurt, and as he squinted to see, he noticed a crowd of people. His judgement day. Adrenaline took over and he tried to struggle out of the man's grasp. Unfortunately, he was much too weak and the other was much too strong. He carried him in front of the mass and tossed him down. He was trapped, surrounded. He was flooded with apprehension and embarrassment as his rush faded. He wrapped his arms around himself and couldn't help but cower in front of the seemingly endless pairs of staring eyes, squeezing his eyes shut.

His distress seemed to evaporate as a pair of arms squeezed him in a familiar embrace. He opened his eyes to look up into caring and fearful obsidian orbs. Itachi...Itachi. He turned slightly and gripped the other's clothing, burying his face into his chest and sobbed. Itachi gently stroked his head. And whispered lightly for him to hush.

–

He'd never witnessed his blonde weep so uncontrollably before. Not like this. He was a broken man. Itachi could feel the tension rising withing him as he thought what exactly his father could have done. He loosened his grip on the blonde to gently raise his chin.

"Don't cry Deidara. You can't show these bastards any weakness. Be strong, my love."

He lowered his head to place his lips over the blonde's in a soft, passionate kiss. The others stared in awe and gasped at the blatant public show of affection. Such acts were meant for the bedroom. He completely disregarded everyone and their thoughts and pulled the other man in closer. They were harshly ripped apart and Itachi was pulled into a grip he couldn't fight his way out of, being held down by four other men. He called out to his blonde as the other cried his name.

"As you can see, my dear clanspeople, an act of blasphemy has taken place here as well as in the recent past. This man," his father gripped Deidara's golden hair and yanked his face up to look at everyone. Itachi saw Deidara had taken his advice and instead of clenching his eyes closed in fear, stared out at everyone defiantly. He didn't necessarily look it, but Deidara was a truly strong individual. A small proud smile crossed Itachi's lips. His father continued, "has seduced my eldest son, my heir, to dishonor our proud clan." Itachi scowled. "Now, we will teach them both a lesson. Never dishonor the great Uchiha clan!"

The crowd roared with praise. Fugaku raised his arm, a wakizashi in hand.

The raven called out, eyes watering, "Deidara! Aishiteru!"

The blonde looked toward him, distress evident on his face.

"Shine!" His father exclaimed, swiftly bringing the blade down to the blonde's neck.

Deidara gave a small smile, "Aishite-"

Itachi's eyes widened in horror. His jaw went slack. He slumped in the men's grasp. He was dead. Deidara was dead. His life taken by the hands of his own father...

The crowd cheered.

"Aniki!"

Sasuke pushed the other men off of Itachi and managed to catch him before he fell to the ground, unable to do anything. Tears ran down the younger raven's face as he pulled his older brother to him and held him close.

"Go-gomen-nasai, Aniki. I-I tried to help, but they held me back too."

Sasuke pressed him tighter. His eyes glazed over. His father killed the one he loved. His mother didn't help. His family watched and enjoyed it. Sasuke...only Sasuke.

Tears spilled out of the older's eyes, unable to hold them back any longer. He wept into Sasuke's shoulder. Only Sasuke...

–

Sorry again for the long delay. Finally got back into the writing mood. I think this chapter being so sad also kinda discouraged me from writing it. Anyway, I'll post another chapter soon. Slight Uchihacest in this chapter. A bit more to come, but not really intense or anything. Sorry for this one being so terrible. It'll get better though. Reviews are loved! Ja!