車輪の兄弟
Sharingan no Gokyoudai
-Brothers of the Sharingan-
Summery: In which, Itachi has been captured and is being held in Kumogakure. Sasuke must travel to see him, in the hopes of bringing him back to Konoha, or gaining information about Akatsuki. Having to visit the man in his holding cell, with the Raikage refusing to give over the Uchiha murderer, will Sasuke find he still holds a bond with his brother?
Disclaimer: This product is meant for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Use only as directed. Flammable.
A/N: Hey all!
With this chapter, the events focus a little more on the negotiations over Itachi - as I haven't really covered that up until now, and have been focusing on the relationship developing between Itachi and Sasuke - but do not worry, the fluff will continue to roll in, and the yaoi is fast approaching. I hope you all enjoy this chapter, as although it may not be the most exciting, it is quite eventful, and everything is essential to the story.
Enjoy!
Chapter 8: Support of the Cause
"Konoha has more than gone out of it's way to compensate Kumo with offerings-"
"-Never enough! We are talking about a major state criminal, who had been very recently at large, and a threat to the public until Kumogakure stepped in-"
"-A fluke! I already consider the capturing of an Akatsuki criminal, who was obscurely close to the Kumo state line, alone, incredibly questionable! If Uchiha Itachi had strayed anywhere near Konoha's gates-"
"No doubt you would have lost him again."
Tsunade scowled, about to bite out another scathing remark - before she thought better of it, and sighed irritably instead. The Raikage himself stood in front of the meeting room's fireplace, his back to Tsunade as he frowned fiercely into the fire.
The seemingly unending string of argument between the two heads of state had rose to new heights as they had now come into the second week of negotiations over Uchiha Itachi. They had discussed and feuded over the same points of argument almost continuously, and had both resorted to shouting at each other to make their stance clear.
Tsunade frowned deeply. Not only was it troublesome that the Raikage had so far refused to agree with Konoha's terms unless they involved leaving Itachi in Kumo, but the Hokage wasn't sure how much longer she could leave Konoha in the hands of the councilors. Ideally, she had planned on having compensated the Raikage and be heading back to Konoha by now, Itachi secured to receive punishment. Things weren't going to plan, to say the least.
Turning back to the stoic figure of the Raikage, Tsunade schooled her expression as she calmed herself, preparing to speak again with renewed patience.
"Takasugi," She addressed the man with a calm and respectful tone, "Uchiha Itachi is the most dangerous criminal Konoha has produced in all it's years of existence. It is politically important to the Fire Country that we are dealt the responsibility for him." She told him firmly, her voice imploring, "You must allow us to take him back to Konoha for judgement."
Takasugi turned to her, a frown still placed apon his face. "You understand as well, though, Tsunade," He spoke evenly, "That Kumogakure's power is dwindling under the forces of such neighbouring countries as Konoha, and how our catching this Akatsuki-nin will strengthen our reputation in the eyes-"
"-At the expense of Kumo's relations with Konoha!" Tsunade snapped indignantly, though at the sudden anger she saw in the Raikage's eyes, she stopped and settled herself. Taking a deep breath, the woman spoke quietly once again; "I understand that Kumo values the capture of an Akatsuki as indispensable, and that compensation of the like would be needed in exchange for the Uchiha," Her eyes flashed, "But Kumo cannot expect Konoha to catch an Akatsuki themselves to trade for one of our own citizens."
"We do not." Takasugi replied conceitedly, "Kumo simply expects an equal trade, and if Konohagakure can not produce anything of the such-"
"Oh, but you didn't let me finish." Tsunade chided then, as she allowed herself a slight smirk. "Konoha has a plan, to convince Kumo that it will be able to compensate a 'fair trade'."
Takasugi frowned slightly then, as he watched Tsunade fold her arms over her chest and lean against the desk in the centre of the room, confidence of her words emanating from her now. The Raikage was wary, and when he spoke his tone was skeptical.
"A plan, you say?" He asked, thinking to himself for a moment, before he adopted his usual cheerful composure. "Very well, then!" He replied obligingly, though his tone held a definite challenge to Tsunade's words. "And in what form should Kumogakure expect Konoha to deliver this compensation?"
Tsunade smirked openly. "State assistance in a time of great need." She stated simply, and immediately she anticipated the Raikage's response to this.
Takasugi seemed slightly affronted, as he shook his head in displeasure. "I have already made it clear that Kumo will not accept a compensation so low as the loyalty of Konoha in an emergency." He argued.
"Ah," Tsunade replied, her smirk unwavering, "But I do not offer Konoha's assistance. I offer Kumo the opportunity to assist us." She replied.
Takasugi was instantly confused, and Tsunade relished in the displeasure shown on the usually optimistic face of the Raikage - hesitating for only a moment, before she informed him of her meaning;
"Konoha has recently undertaken the task investigating the Uchiha Clan massacre anew, as information that we did not have before has suddenly come to our attention." The Hokage announced, walking closer to the fireplace with her hands folded behind her back, as she spoke. "We believe, that this time - with the information we now have - we may come to understand finally what really happened on the night of the Uchiha tragedy."
The Raikage listened attentively to all this, understanding as he did that Tsunade even speaking of this was a great length to go for his co-operation. To speak of interstate shames such as the betrayal of a citizen who went on to become a major criminal, was simply not done.
Tsunade turned to look at the man then, and her eyes were fierce as she told him quietly; "Konoha would allow Kumo to assist in this investigation."
Takasugi thought on this for a moment, before he spoke once again, slightly confused. "And how would Kumo assisting Konoha, instead of the other way around, in any way create a fair trade?" He asked indignantly.
Tsunade squared her shoulders then, her posture straight, and her voice was proud, defensive, as she told the Raikage evenly, "If Kumo will assist in solving the infamous mystery of the Uchiha Clan massacre, on top of the matter that it was in fact the village to catch Uchiha Itachi, would that not increase it's reputation tenfold with the leading shinobi countries?" She asked rhetorically, and immediately saw the prospect of such an offer alight the Raikage's face, as she went on; "Coupled with the fact that Kumogakure then handed Uchiha Itachi so honorably over to his rightful country, would that not induce respect for the great village of Kumo?"
The possibilities of these offers seemed suddenly to swim in the Raikage's mind then, and Tsunade waited as she saw the man turned away from her slightly, obviously overcome as he was by the future for Kumogakure that Tsunade was promising him - that of recognition and respect from the more powerful shinobi countries, future alliances, trades between villages...
There was silence in the room for a long moment, before Takasugi's voice asked her hesitantly; "What... would Konoha do, to proceed with such an investigation?"
Tsunade stared into the fire place, watching as the insistent flames licked at the wooden kindling. "My visiting ninja will personally investigate the site of Uchiha Itachi's capture here in Kumo, and learn what they can. Using the combined forces of Kumo and Konoha, I am confident that from there, we will find the means to solve the mystery of the Uchiha clan massacre, and finally put it to rest."
Any humor or irritation that had before been present in Takasugi's face was replaced then with an expression of utter seriousness, and a level of expectance, as he demanded; "You must promise that if Kumogakure is to help in the investigation of the Uchiha clan, and subsequently hand over one Uchiha Itachi, that Konoha will issue a public recognition of it's thanks, and debt, to the state of Kumo."
Tsunade stood completely still for a moment, but she did not hesitate, as nodded her head slowly, her eyes trained on Takasugi's as she promised him; "Konoha gives it's word."
Takasugi seemed suddenly relieved then, and his voice was pleased as he told her with a nod; "Then, Kumo agrees to these terms."
And finally, after weeks of negotiations, of endless arguments and bitter disappointments on each side; Raikage and Hokage shook hands - and an agreement was made.
The sounds of wood against marble filled the room like a melody, soft words, the birds chirping lightly outside; accompanied with the soothing smell of tea as steam rose into the air, and the feeling that swelled in the two brothers as they sat together, revelling in the enjoyment of each others company.
Itachi could hardly help the slight smile that upturned his lips as he sat across from his younger brother, sipping at his tea before returning the small green cup to the table beside them, and focusing his attention on the puzzle before him.
After a moment's thought, Itachi smirked lightly, as he moved one small wooden piece across the marble board, the soft clack it made easing his mind, as his eyes shifted up to Sasuke's once again, shining with amusement.
Sasuke himself had long given up trying to stop the smiles that alighted his face when Itachi would do the slightest thing - making him feel foolish and childish though it did, he could not help the magnitude of which he enjoyed his brother's presence.
Leaning forward and gazing down at the board himself, he studied his brother's move, and after a moment of consideration, shifted one of his own pieces along. Smiling to himself as he saw Itachi nod in approval of his move, the younger Uchiha shifted slightly where he sat on the soft red covers of his brothers bed, being ever careful not to knock the board placed between them on the mattress.
"How is it that you got a shoji board?" Sasuke asked then, his eyes meeting Itachi's once again, as he picked up his own tea cup and sipped from it at leisure. "You didn't tell me."
Itachi smiled lightly, his hand propped on the sheets beside him, as he folded one leg under the other. "I merely asked, of course." He replied, as he made his own move. "I need only ask, and I am given what I please, within the confines of the institution."
Sasuke nodded, thinking that that certainly did explain quite a number of the things that Itachi had been provided with so far. After a moment of quiet contemplation, the younger then smiled once again.
"What about purple?" Sasuke asked, picking up their previous conversation, which had been on and off since the younger Uchiha had arrived in the cell that morning - each adding to it when a new question would arise in them.
Itachi gave a laugh at that, as he remembered what Sasuke was referring to. "No, I think purple stopped being my favorite colour when I was fifteen." He informed the boy with a nostalgic smile.
They had both been comparing what they had known about each other all those years ago, their likes and dislikes, habits and preferences, for hours now - learning more about each other with every question, reminiscing on the past, as they came to relearn each other's personalities. It had startled Sasuke, in fact, to realise with each question just how much he still remembered about Itachi - and what Itachi, in turn, remembered about him.
Thinking back on when the boy had been young, Itachi watched as his brother shifted forward to slowly move another of his pieces on the shoji board.
One question, of course, did occur to the elder Uchiha - but he almost didn't dare to ask it, wondering instead if it should be left unanswered, for if the answer should be negative, then perhaps it would hurt him too much to know it. But curiosity when it came to his brother had always been the bane of Itachi's existence, and he couldn't quite help himself, as he recalled the single most memorable thing Sasuke had loved when the boy had been little - and with a little bit of a hopeful tone, Itachi asked casually;
"Tomatoes?"
Sasuke looked up at his brother in surprise then, and he laughed outright for the first time, bringing a wider smile to Itachi's face as he nodded with mirth. The younger boy's eyes shined with remembrance, and all that the question implied, as he answered jovially; "I still love them."
And for some reason, a great sense of relief filled Itachi at that. Knowing that Sasuke still loved to eat tomatoes - when he had been the one to always give one to Sasuke if the little boy had been upset or had done well at something - made Itachi feel as though, in some unconscious way, Sasuke had held on to some small part of his love.
"I am glad." The elder Uchiha told him sincerely in response, and Sasuke smiled back almost hesitantly, as their gazes locked for a moment.
The game temporarily forgotten by now, the younger Uchiha suppressed the feeling of the heat that threatened to rise to his cheeks - a familiar occurrence around his brother, it seemed - and averted his eyes from Itachi's intense gaze, as he felt another question rise within him. He was carefully inquisitive, as he titled his head slightly to the side, his eyes flickering back to his brother's shyly as he asked; "What about dango?"
Itachi smiled outright and that, immensely pleased that Sasuke had remembered that facet of his personality. "Still my favorite." He replied with good humor, as he look languid sips from his tea cup. "I got it every chance I could, when on missions with the Akatsuki."
And then, just like that - something in the air was broken; some unknown tension between them was shattered, the elephant in the room was addressed, and it was named 'Akatsuki'. Itachi had spoken of the one subject that had so far lain dormant between them, that of his life in the criminal organisation - and Sasuke felt his heart stop still at the word; the smile wilting on his face, as the implications of it hit him. It was the first time any mention had been made of what was, potentially, supposed to be Sasuke reason for his visits - and the younger Uchiha felt a panic rise within him, as though suddenly the very idea of Itachi's life outside of the cell walls could threaten the peace of all that had happened between them in the past weeks. Sasuke wasn't sure he was ready to venture into this topic, but felt sure that it would have to be addressed now - and almost without his permission, his mind insistantly burned with a thousand questions relating to the dreaded organisation.
Itachi frowned, the humor in the room instantly dispersed, and the elder Uchiha felt some level of guilt for bringing the topic up in what had been a very enjoyable conversation. It was too soon. "I am sorry, Sasuke... we do not need to speak of-"
"Were you happy?" The boy's voice rose from him suddenly, his tone clear as it cut through the tension around them. Sasuke did not look up from where his gaze was fixed apon his lap, his whole body trembling, hands clenched tightly together to stop them from shaking.
A silence grew within the room, and for one long moment, neither of the brothers moved. Itachi's eyes gazed at Sasuke with wonder, the question of why he would ask that rising within him, but really - he knew. He knew Sasuke could not bear to ask if he had suffered - because the boy wanted to think, even if it wasn't true, that Itachi had been suffering as much as he had. Sasuke would not ask if he had been at peace all of these years, because the boy knew that Itachi was strong, and that he would be feared, even within the most dangerous criminal organisation of the shinobi world. In the end, all he would ask is if Itachi had been happy - because after everything that had happened, when it came down to all that the Akatsuki would always mean for them, all that mattered to Sasuke was that his brother, whom he had both loved and hated for most of his life, had had some semblance of happiness - because deep down inside he knew he was ashamed, that he had been happy, even without his older brother there to love him and take care of him.
After a moment of thought, Itachi moved then. Pushing the Shoji board towards the other side of the bed they sat apon, the elder Uchiha reached out to his brother. Hands lightly tugging at the boy's side and shoulder, Sasuke understood and complied, allowing Itachi to pull him into his lap, the elder's arms wrapping themselves around Sasuke's lithe form as the boy's head came to rest against his chest.
Itachi ran his fingers through the smaller Uchiha's dark locks soothingly, holding Sasuke close to him as he felt the younger rub his face lightly into his chest, smaller hands clutching to his shirt almost desperately, though not a sound came from the boy.
Leaning down slightly, until his mouth was level his little brother's ear, the elder Uchiha continued to embrace the boy, smoothing his soft hair as he whispered to him;
"I have known happiness." A deeply mournful expression entered his eyes at the words, though Sasuke could not see it, and Itachi placed his cheek against the other Uchiha's as he told him; "You must not concern yourself with my life, Otouto. I have been happy at times and not so at others. But know only that I have never been as happy as I am now, to be here with you, as I have long dreamed of being."
Sasuke felt a lump of tears accumulate in his throat, his heart swelling, as he suppressed the sob that rose within him. He refused to become emotional, when the day had started so light-heartedly, playing a game of shoji and thinking about old times with his brother. Sasuke sat still in his brother's arms for a long time, allowing the older man to hold him and run his hands through his hair, pressing their cheeks together while Sasuke inhaled Itachi's comforting scent.
Eventually, the sadness within Sasuke ebbed away, and when he hesitantly lifted his head to look up into Itachi's eyes again, he was touched by the tender gaze the elder Uchiha looked down to him with, as a soft hand held his cheek intimately. Looking into Itachi's eyes, the boy could not help the blush that rose to his face as the man's thumb rubbed against his heated cheek, though he ignored his own embarrassment in favor of the words he spoke then.
"I could bring some dango here for you, if you like." He offered softly, the question rising within him at a moment's thought.
Itachi's expression revealed his surprise then, as the boy's question confused him suddenly, before he remembered their previous conversation.
"Would you be able to?" The elder Uchiha asked in genuine wonderment, as he gazed down to his brother questioningly.
Sasuke merely nodded. "I have already been told by Yamada that I would be able to bring anything I like in here, as they trust I will not try to break you out of your cell." The younger Uchiha paused for a moment, before his gaze became shy, and he continued in a tone that was meek but attempted casualty, "I walk through the marketplace on my way here, anyway. It wouldn't be any trouble."
And though Itachi felt sure that it probably wasn't true, considering he had been to Kumo many times before on Akatsuki missions and knew that the guest apartments of the village were located on the opposite side of the village to the marketplace, the elder Uchiha felt all the more moved that his brother would go to such efforts for him.
"I would like that very much." Itachi answered quietly, a gentle smile alighting his face as the tension around them seemed to disappear, and a delicate affection was evident between them once again.
Sasuke smiled timidly in response to the tenderness in his brother's gaze, the fond touch of his hands as he held him - and after a moment's hesitating thought, the boy leaned against his brother once again, allowing himself to settle into Itachi's embrace once more, for as long as the elder would let him.
Itachi looked down in slight surprise, as he felt his brother settle against him once again, and his arms wrapped around Sasuke protectively. Love swelling in his heart, the elder Uchiha sighed lightly, as he felt the familiar urge in him rise to the surface. The urge to hold the boy closer, to run his hands over the younger's legs, the gentle curve of his hips, to touch him...
But Itachi steeled himself. He knew his boundaries, and even though he loved Sasuke differently than the boy loved him, what they had now was enough.
It had to be enough.
"When did it happen?"
The voice was stern and demanding, though quietly was it spoken. The room was tense with anticipation of the young man's words, as the group of village elders sat around the large circular table. One general stood to the opposite side of the conference room, as he gave his report, speaking confidently to his leader.
"Four weeks ago, my lord." The man answered, as he then held up a pile of papers in his hand. "I have here the reports from Konoha as to when the news reached them, and Kumo's account of the capture."
"Bring them here." The leader spoke authoritatively from where he sat, his intense gaze following the general as the man immediately made his way around the table to where he sat, and handed him the reports.
Darkly-rimmed eyes scanned the information before him, and the young man frowned. The capture of Uchiha Itachi had been quite unexpected, and it was about time news had reached him of it. Most disturbing of all, though, was the current situation Konoha found itself in, as the young leader could see clearly from the reports before him that negotiations between the two countries currently fighting for the rights to the eldest living Uchiha, were not going as smoothly as one would hope.
Settling the reports on the table before him slowly, the leader closed his eyes as he thought on what would come next, now that the news relating to Uchiha Itachi's capture was known to him.
"How will you proceed, Kazekage-sama?"
Gaara's eyes opened to the assessing faces of his advisors and generals, his light green eyes flickering to their faces with purpose, and after a long pause, the Suna-nin spoke - his voice thoughtful and monotone;
"I will go to Kumogakure." The redheaded young man announced, his gaze determined and tone sure, even in the surprised faces of his advisors. "To offer Suna's support to Konoha, in their fight to regain Uchiha Itachi."
A/N: Yay, Gaara's coming!
... Not like that.
But he will be fun to write. And things are happening soon. What 'recent information' has Konoha been given over the Uchiha Clan massacre? How will the investigation go? What will Gaara do when he arrives in Kumo?
Look forward to the next chapter, my dear readers, and we shall see how things play out.
Oh, but I must say, that small purple button below does seem quite lonely. Do give it a little click.
-Emerald-