Chapter VIII

xXx

My fingernails run down Itachi's stomach, and rest on his hips. Four red marks are left behind, along with an ashy trail. He's not bleeding, and the red marks soon fade away. Itachi's blind eyes hide away behind a veil of long eyelashes.

My other hand comes up to gently capture his face. My thumb touches one cheek while the rest of my fingers linger on the other side. I then press down on his jawbone. If I were to move my hand just a couple of inches south, I would be choking him. I lean down and let my breath slither over his lips.

"Isn't this what you want Itachi?" I question him in a low voice. My fingernails cut into his skin. He doesn't respond to my question, which only angers me more. I'm tired of his disrespect, I'm sick of his silence. I drag him over so that his head is no longer on the pillow, and he lays on the Futon at an angel. I then slam his head down onto the wood floor. Just hard enough to cause a headache, no need to crack his skull.

"Answer me," I say softly, my soothing voice contradicting my actions. "Don't you like it when I touch you? When I hurt you?" My hand loosen its hold on his face, and my index finger trails down his cheek. Itachi dares to reveal his empty red eyes to me. He looks up at me, though I know he doesn't see me. Still no words pass his lips.

"Or did you lie about that too?" I raise my voice at him. I only get his blank stare. "I've told you before I don't need you. Go ahead and stay up there on your pedestal, thinking you're worth something just because of the knowledge you hold. You're worth nothing," I literally spit at him. Itachi doesn't as much as wince, and he still looks at me. His eyes look large and almost innocent, but I'm not fooled.

The hand that I left lingering on his hip trails to a more private area. Itachi closes his eyes again and tilts his head to the side. He's hiding away from me, and I smirk as I touch his arousal. "So you didn't lie about your sick obsession. You're a whore. You like this," I taunt him. I run my thumb over the head of his erection. My fingers caress him gently like a lover would. Then I squeeze tightly. Itachi lets out a hopeless sigh, at the same time a hand reaches up and touches my chest. I am still completely clothed, while Itachi is exposed. His hand pushes on me, a weak attempted of self-defense. I crush his hand in my grip and pin it down.

"Don't pretend," I tell him, and lean down to lick his neck. I want him to moan, to reveal his lust for me vocally. I want to give him pleasure and then take it away with a painful reminder that he's trash. My teeth sink into his neck, and I can feel his throat fight back a cry. With a finally linger lick, I sit up to look at my victim. I smirk at him, as I see the dazed look in his eyes. His eyes open a little wider and his eyebrows frown, my words finally strike him.

"What do you expect to gain from this, little brother?" he asks softly. Hearing him speak makes me shutter. The words 'little brother' only seem to reinforce my Dominica, as I continue staring down at Itachi.

"You're humiliation," I coo out. "You're pain," I go on. "I want you to suffer."

"Is that it? Is that all Sasuke?" He questions me. My blood burns. Again with these word games? My hand darts out to crush his throat, wanting to silence him. Yet at the same time, my heart cries. I ignore the fluttering within my chest and just add more pressure.

"Yes that's all. That's all it every will be," I whisper out. I find that my body is tense, that I myself am aroused. The expression that Itachi's face holds is breath taking. His cheeks are colored pink, his eyes are watery from lack of air. His lips are slightly parted in a failed attempt at breathing. As I continue to indulge in the sight, something within me grows stronger. A fire turns my logic into ashes, and causes me pain. Pain, hatred, punishment and want, are the only things on my mind.

I flip Itachi over and slam him onto the floor. His back arches, a sign of pain. Itachi tries to get up, and hold his head high. He doesn't let it touch the floor, even if the rest of him is. His hands push him up, and his knees help him get on all fours. My hand rests on his head and my fingers tangle themselves in the silky black mass. I push his upper body back down to the floor. I lean forward to check and see if Itachi's face has finally connected to the floor. I smirk when I see his cheek pressed to the wood. I brush some of his hair out of his face, so that I can look at him properly. I can hear him breathing heavily.

"Are you excited?" I ask my brother and my tongue teases his ear. Itachi doesn't answer and this time his lack of response doesn't bother me. It almost makes me laugh. I know that I'm getting to him, I know that this is torture. I can almost hear his heart-pounding question, 'is this real?' It is but at the same time it's fake.

"I hate you, you sorry excuse for a brother," I say, making sure to crush any hope or fantasy my brother may have. Itachi attempts to push himself up again, but I capture one of his arms and pull it behind his back. I keep it there at a painful angel.

Itachi doesn't wince, only lets his eyes shut peacefully. However his heavy breathing tells me everything I need to know. His heart rate is up, adrenaline pulses through his blood. My lips land upon his neck sweetly. I taste my brother's skin, and focus on the flavor. I focus on sending mixed messages. Pleasure then pain, all leading to an inevitable confusion. I want him to be confused, I want to play with his mind, as he plays with mine. I'm tired of being the underdog.

My tongue runs up his neck. I can feel goose bumps forming on his skin. I kiss, and then begin to suck on that pale flesh. He tastes like sour candy. Like a bittersweet ending. No, he tastes like a contradiction.

My teeth nip at that lying skin, just enough to make Itachi stiffen in anticipation. He tries not to show any sign of excitement, of fear, however I can feel the energy flowing from him. He's sick, he's enjoying this. However he stays emotionless for the most part.

I find myself invading my older brother none to kindly. Thoughts no longer register, as a more primitive part of my mind dominates. Yet, I can still think partially. I can still see the irony in this situation. A part of me still registers the disgust I should be feeling. However it is forced. I feel nothing put satisfaction, and as the smallest sound escapes Itachi's lips, I can't help but ride out the rush of power and dominance I feel. The need to over power and cause pain is too high. I need to do this, in order to find some sort of stability and balance within myself. Itachi has always been the subject of my balance, the one who I let my pain and hatred out on.

And I do hate him, and with every sensual thrust I hate him even more. My mind doesn't recall the specific reasons, but it feels the hate. I smirk when I hear another almost helpless whimper from Itachi. Am I just imagining this or have I finally broken him? The though drives me on further, harder. I could care less about Itachi's comfort. The fact that I'm still holding on tightly to his arm doesn't register completely. However the though of hearing a little crack and then an horrid scream escape from that wise throat of Itachi's, does. But, this is just a fantasy.

My brother hides that beautiful and pure face, now touching the floor. He has no other choice. In some stupid attempt to hold on to his remaining dignity he's only soiling himself more. I let his arm go, and weakly I can see his slim hand forming a fist. He is not going to hit me, no he's just overwhelmed by sensation.

I plunge in deeper, wanting to cause him so much pain…yet at the same time a mixture of pleasure. So he can feel dirty and used afterwards. I pull on his black mane, and I can hear his heavy breathing.

I want to ask him if he's enjoying himself. If my cock inside him, really excites him so much, that he'd act so out of character. Letting emotion be seen, no, rather letting it be heard.

"It's so unbecoming," I manage to pant out. The pressure, the struggle, most of all the small gulps for air, all are slowly becoming too much for me. I push in farther, and Itachi's tight muscles won't relax. They try to push me out, but I only force myself in harder. Occasionally Itachi relaxes, enjoying the sensations that must be drowning him. I can feel his body shuttering, he seems so fragile and weak.

Swirling thoughts of complete revenge and satisfaction add to my enjoyment as I reach my peak. I cum with one last violent push and everything falls silent.

xXx


"What do you mean you can't find anything wrong with him?" I question the doctor calmly. Our trip to the next village was a long and silent one. Itachi hardly spoke. However, it's not my brothers behavior that's bothering me, but something else. Something within me. I can't bring myself to look at Itachi…or at least not in the face.

"Well…I should say I didn't find anything to explain his coughing fits. I noticed bruising—"

"So you can't explain why it is he's coughing up blood?' I say in an annoyed voice. Why must Itachi be such a mystery?

The doctor shakes his head, but then a soft smile. It's a melancholy smile, promising some sort of answer. "I believe that his wounds are internal. Not physical, he's hurt, but it's a wound…a sickness that cannot be seen."

I glance over at Itachi. He's sitting peacefully on a chair. He seems oblivious to everything, and anything. My eyes trail up and I try to see if a blank expression is upon his face; like it usually is. However some sort of fear stops me, and I turn my gaze back to the doctor.

"I see…well thank you," I say politely. I get up and walk towards Itachi, who slowly gets to his feet. I let him trail behind me as I walk out of the small building. Itachi's footsteps are strong and steady. They walk with a strength and surety that a broken blind man shouldn't have. I know that he must be following me with his ears. Listening to my footsteps, and letting me guide him. He stands tall, but I don't' know if he's holding his head up high…since I can't find the courage to look.

I walk up to Juugo and Suigetsu who where waiting for us.

"Sooo?" Suigetsu drags out the word, though he doesn't seem all that interested. I myself am not interested in answering. Today has been so quiet and peaceful…however it's a torturing peace that I want to break. Haven't I broken enough?

I push my thoughts away, and I want my mind to be blank. I have been thinking too much…I know if I think now, my thoughts will only wonder to Itachi. Somehow it seems painful to think of him, but I do not dwell on the feeling. I can't afford to give my enemy pity….my torturer. No matter how fragile and helpless Itachi seems, he's strong and manipulative. I cannot trust him. I will not trust him. After all every word he utters is a lie.

"…I love you…"

Yes even that was a lie. He only lusts after me. However I cannot bring myself to smirk as I think of the events of last night. It was a fitting punishment for his lies, and disgusting decrees. That is what he deserves for lying to me about his love…his sick, sick love…

"Where are we going now?" Juugo asks softly. I calm a little, even though I'm not sure what's got me so on edge. I turn around to look at the bipolar boy.

"Back to our hide out," I say in a kind tone. I see the question in Juugo's eyes but ignore it. That is until Suigetsu speaks up.

"So what now!? Did the doctor do anything?"

"There's nothing wrong with him," I glare in Itachi's direction, but still do not glance at his features.

"So this was pretty much a big waist of fucking time!?" Suigetsu throws his hands up in the air.

"Well if you ever start coughing up blood I'll save us the trip," I say calmly. This only gets me a frustrated sigh from the water boy. Then I start walking again, expecting everyone to follow, and they do.


"You're brother is slowing us down, why aren't you carrying him?" Suigetsu ask, still angry about the whole situation. He obviously wants to get back to the cave as fast as possible. I turn around and spot Itachi far behind. However as he walks an aura of dignity and…beauty engulfs him. I feel mad as I watch. It seems impossible to break him, no mater how physically weak he becomes, he still has an unwavering strength. If it's only an act, then he can fool anyone.

I finally look at Itachi's face, though I do it with great hesitation. However a few curses for only myself to hear, give me the will to keep looking. Itachi's face is blank, nothing has changed. A small part of me is irritated; what was the use of my punishment? Another larger part of me is relieved…even frightened. However this fear doesn't stem from Itachi, but rather something within me.

I slowly approach Itachi. "You're slowing use down," he doesn't speak. However, he does stop walking. We see eye to eye, we are exactly the same high, then why do I feel so tall? I ignore the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach, and pick Itachi up, bridal style.

"Now we can finally put a decant amount of miles behind us," Suigetsu says with an overly dramatic sigh of relief. However we do pick up our pace greatly. I find myself holding on tightly to Itachi, as though he is something precious I shouldn't drop.

We go on for miles in silence. The sun has set, and we are slowing down. I'm leading Suigetsu and Juugo to a safe place to spend the night. Sadly there aren't any villages around, since we are half a days trip away from the hide out. So the forest floor will have to do. When I find a small clearing every one huddles around the trees and makes their bed. Itachi seems very capable, though he's moving so slowly. I watch him lay down against a sturdy tree. His eyes do not close, however. I continue my staring, also not allowing my eyes to rest.

"What now little brother?" Itachi asks in a monotone voice. The sound almost shocks me, because he hasn't said a word all day. He's calm, as always but this time it doesn't anger me. It makes me shrink into myself.

I look at Itachi, and carefully think over his words. "I'll have to watch you, make sure your health doesn't deteriorate further," I say with a strong voice. Itachi's elegant hand reaches for his ponytail and lays it over his shoulder. Every movement he makes is a wave of confidence…or maybe a dance. Why is it that I always think of my brother in such amazing terms? Why should I still label him as perfect? He's not; he's not even human. The argument doesn't seem all that convincing, and I try to hate Itachi, but I just can't find the strength. Something's changed, and I don't know exactly what. Does it have something to do with last night? My eyes lower, and suddenly I find myself unable to look at my brother.

"You can express your emotions so well, Sasuke. Yet you hide the majority of them. You don't stop to think when something becomes too much. However…thinking something over isn't always the best approach. If you weigh to many things..you might lose a part of yourself, and end up doing something that hurts the only person you care about," Itachi looks at the trees, and some green leaves fall down. I know he can't see them. "But, if you're to emotional you can also hurt someone you care about. It is very hard to find a balance."

I stare at Itachi, and wonder about his comment. It's almost as though he is saying, "I forgive you," however I didn't ask for his forgiveness. My eyebrows tilt down in aggravation and I let out a sound of discontent. But, I want to ignore Itachi for now. I do not want to listen to his never-ending riddles and games. However…as I close my eyes, I fear that my mind might be playing games with me. Images and mixed feelings bubble up like dreams…or rather nightmares.

A/N: I was on vacation for two weeks, out of the country; so hints the late update. I hope this chapter is ok; you see I'm rather angry with Sasuke in the manga at the moment. So I'll enjoy letting him mentally suffer.