A/N: Characters of Naruto are not mine. And if they were living people, I'm sure they would be glad that is the case.

The Portrait from the Attic
Chapter 9

Sasuke felt as if all moisture left his mouth. His hands clenched the table at Itachi's words.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he hissed, feeling like a cornered animal.

Itachi raised an eyebrow.

"Let's backtrack a bit, Sasuke. Do you really believe the family disowned you because of your preferences?"

Sasuke glared at him. "What else was I suppose to think? I told them that Naruto and I were finally together and they flipped shit."

"Not because of you being gay, little brother. I mean, Uncle Orochimaru? As long as he did nothing to embarrass the family they didn't disown him. Even though they suspected his interests were a lot more unhealthy than normal. As for you, they suspected of that when they noticed how much you followed Naruto around and how often you spoke of him. They just hoped you would move on."

"Move on?"

"I hear you really don't like Naruto to mention his friends. Especially Sakura. Come to think of it, couldn't the relationship the two of them had be classified as that of boyfriend and girlfriend?"

Sasuke glared at his brother. "She was a stupid jealous whore who wanted to have me, and when she realized she was barking up the wrong tree, tried to punish me by taking Naruto away."

"But didn't those two know each other since before college?"

"She lead Naruto on the entire time. Why the fuck are you bringing her up?"

Itachi waved his hands. "Please forgive me. One of our investigators did spend a lot of time researching her and her relationship with Naruto."

Sasuke felt a chill go down his back.

He couldn't help but think back to when he first began hanging out with the crew, and how irritated he was with Sakura.

X

Although his expression showed no change, Sasuke felt his heart beat faster at the sight of the blond man with blue eyes coming his way. Who knew that he would luck out coming to this wretched school and finding the man of his desires. And luck was on his side when he found out that they were dorm mates. Those first few days were heaven, as Sasuke would cautiously catch a peek whenever Naruto was in the shower, or fast asleep with his covers off and his nightshirt riding up.

Then he introduced Sakura. The stupid pink haired bitch became a nightmare for Sasuke. She hounded him for quite some time despite Sasuke's rejections. Supposedly she was best friends with Naruto, and the man confessed to Sasuke in their dorm one night that he wanted more from her. Sasuke took that opportunity to tell Naruto that if that was the case, he would break up with her. Naruto had been stunned, and hurt. Sasuke spinned a rather believable yarn telling Naruto that he and Sakura had been going out for a few weeks, and that the only reason he hadn't told Naruto was because Sakura had begged to keep it secret for now. He knew Sakura and Naruto were best friends so he assumed that Sakura would want Naruto to hear it from her first, not him. Naruto tried to play it off that he wasn't hurt. Sakura never really returned his affections. If they wanted to continue dating, he would be supportive. Sasuke just smiled and said that Naruto's friendship was more important to him than Sakura. He would break up with her and she would not know the real reason was because of Naruto. And he asked that Naruto not ask her what was wrong if she acted weird around Sasuke. If she had kept their relationship a secret, she would keep the breakup a secret too. Naruto tried to talk him "out of it," but Sasuke convinced him that it was for the best. The following day, Sasuke approached Sakura and asked to speak in her in private.

The dumb bitch looked giddy, probably expecting to hear that Sasuke was going to her a chance and take her on a date. Instead he bluntly told her he liked cock and even if she considered a sex change, there was no way he'd date someone as selfish and ugly as her. He also told her that she was blinder then a mole for not noticing someone like Naruto and stupid not to appreciate him. But that all that was going to change. Naruto would belong to him and that he would open Naruto's eyes and make him see what a waste of time it was to pine away for someone like her.

Sadly, Sasuke realized later on that he could have left the last part out. Sure Sakura was hurt and mortified with his words and thoughts of her. But the moment he mentioned that he would make Naruto belong to him, she gained either a protective or possessive streak. He didn't know which to call it. Suddenly she was everywhere, asking Naruto to join her. The looks she gave Sasuke were alternating between glares and wariness.

It had pissed Sasuke off. But that was okay. In the few days that he had known Naruto, Sasuke had him pegged. His kind heart would be the way Sasuke would ensnare him. Tough shit for all those who waited too long to snatch Naruto up for their own. Sasuke began to plot his moves.

X

"They never were boyfriend and girlfriend," Sasuke hissed.

"Most people thought they were. And most people noticed how you became shortly afterwards. I believe his friends Kiba and Shikamaru even warned him to be careful around you."

"They were jealous of how close we'd become. They were his friends first, after all," Sasuke waved his hand, dismissing the names. They were all assholes that tried to keep Sasuke and Naruto apart.

Sasuke clenched his hands into fists as he eavesdropped on the group.

"Seriously, Naru," dog breath was saying. "He's been acting really weird around you. And I don't think he's playing when he says all that weird stuff about you."

Naruto laughed. "Kiba, he's just messin' around. He's not really gay. I mean, he probably just took the cues from you."

Shika shook his head. "No, I don't think so. When Kiba messes around with you, he is definitely all talk. But with Sasuke, it feels different. Just be careful around him, okay? I don't think he's all right in the head. Even Sakura started acting weird around him."

Naruto looked uncomfortable. "Sakura is just going through some hard times right now. It has nothing to do with Sasuke."

Sasuke took that time to make his appearance, feigning a carefree smile.

"Hey, Sunshine," he said, wrapping an arm around his waist and planting a kiss on Naruto's cheek.

"Ew! Sasuke!" Naruto pushed at him and Sasuke laughed, letting him go. "So any plans for this weekend?" he asked. "We could always try something different. Maybe a gay strip club and learn some moves to drive ladies wild?"

Kiba chuckled nervously. Sasuke knew that the man had made a similar joke once before, but it was something the others expected of him. No matter. He would slowly pick up on the traits of all of Naruto's friends so that when the moment was right, he would make Naruto see that he didn't need them all.

"So tell me... when did you guys officially get together? Was it right after the big bash? I heard you left with Naruto under suspicious circumstances."

"He was tired."

"And drunk judging from the amount of alcohol you were giving him."

"He only had four cups. He usually drinks a lot more."

"I also heard you were seen in the company of Gato's gang shortly before hand. Tell me, what were you doing with him?"

Sasuke seethed in anger. Seemed like Itachi knew too much.

"I'm surprised someone like you would even need something like this. Or is it strictly for recreational purposes?" The fat man leered as he exchanged money with a small prescription style bottle.

Sasuke just glared at him.

"Wouldn't it be wise to just not to know any intentions?" Sasuke asked in reply.

Gato shrugged. "Well, if it's for recreational purposes, don't drink too much alcohol, otherwise you'll probably find yourself in unwanted situations. And one should be enough to last a while. Don't take anymore or you may suffer some serious consequences."

"Such concern."

"Hey, can't risk losing a potential new client and all."

Sasuke gripped his recently bought weapon and shoved it into his pocket. "If all goes well, I doubt I'll have to return. But I'll send you a thank you gift."

Gato laughed. "Sure you will."

Sasuke walked away, heart pounding at the hope that his plan would go well.

"He approached me," Sasuke told Itachi.

"That's not what Haku said."

Sasuke internally swore as he recalled their bratty neighbor was the same reason he was able to contact Gato. Why the hell did he betray the confidence placed in him?

"Why would you believe that druggie?"

"He was pretty sober when he confessed. And since you've been away for so long, you probably don't even know. Haku died two years ago from complications due to all the drug misuse. He felt guilty and needed to talk to someone."

"Guilty about what?"

"His involvement in chaining Naruto to you."

"Naruto is with me by choice! He's not chained to me!"

Sasuke struggled to retain control of his emotions. His brother was threatening to unravel everything. Just how much did the man know, and what did he plan to do about it?

"I highly doubt that, Sasuke. Tell me... how did a straight man suddenly become devoted to you, and apparently overnight?"

The party was in full swing and Sasuke gave Naruto a doctored drink, keeping a close eye on him. Afterwards, he kept giving him more alcohol, topping off his cup several times. Despite keeping a close eye, Sasuke had to bring Naruto a new cup three more times since the blond man occasionally downed his drink, determined to not nurse the same cup all night long. And when Naruto began to grind against random people, Sasuke took that as a cue to take Naruto back to the dorms, stating that Naruto was tired.

He carefully evaded Sakura and Naruto's friends.

He controlled himself well as Naruto leaned on him and acted rather wantonly.

"Sasuke, you smell good," Naruto drawled out and chuckled. "I want to smell that good. Maybe Sakura would like me more. And... and you have more muscle! My arms are skinny compared to you. See? Your muscles feel hard!"

Sasuke entered the dorm and led Naruto onto his bed.

"Sasuke... I feel hot."

Sasuke felt lust tear through him as he watched a flustered Naruto writhing on the bed, trying to take his shirt off. Sasuke straddled the blond man and began to help him get undressed. Naruto's eyes looked up at him, dazed.

"Sasuke?"

"Just helping, dobe," Sasuke murmured, as he leaned forward to kiss the skin he was exposing.

Naruto wriggled underneath him. "What are you doing? I'm not a girl!" Naruto's words were somewhat slurred, but his tone seemed amused. He soon began to moan as Sasuke massaged him, testing for sensitivity. He slowly made his way down until he exposed everything that was Naruto. He could see that the blond man was semi hard from the stimulation, and Sasuke's mouth watered.

He took Naruto into his mouth, relishing in the sharp gasp that Naruto let out.

"Sasuke?"

Sasuke ignored the confused call of his name, focusing on making Naruto feel pleasure. He fingered Naruto's ass, doing his best not to go too fast nor too hard.

"Sasuke, that... that hurts! Oh!"

Sasuke still ignored him, knowing that the drug would probably take full effect shortly. Despite Naruto's muscles clamping down on his finger, Sasuke began to use two fingers. He knew he was set when Naruto began to thrust up into him and he began to loosen.

"Sasuke, make it stop," Naruto whispered.

Sasuke stole a glance at the blond and saw how flushed and dazed he look.

And when Sasuke felt that Naruto was loose enough, he moved upward and captured Naruto's lips with his own before carefully pushing himself into the blond. The feeling was fantastic, even as Naruto cried out. Sasuke moved slowly, his hands continuously in motion, jerking Naruto.

And when Naruto began to gasp and move with him, Sasuke steadied his pace, trying to make the first time as gentle as possible. He watched with satisfaction as Naruto came, but didn't soften.

"Sasuke, it still burns," Naruto gasped.

And so Sasuke took him again, this time with more force, determined to leave Naruto sore and without a doubt of what transpired between them. The drug lasted almost three hours, and by the time Naruto passed out, Sasuke had managed to cum in him three times, leaving him slathered in semen. Despite the uncomfortable feeling, Sasuke left him like that and laid down on top of him, spooning him.

He too fell asleep, already planning out what he would say and how he would act depending on Naruto's reactions.

"He wasn't completely straight. And it's just me he felt attraction for," Sasuke stated, crossing his arms, closing his eyes, and turning his face away from his brother. He was probably looking for some type of confession since the evidence was long gone. There was no way he was going to say anything about it. He wasn't stupid. His brother was probably recording this conversation.

"Really, Sasuke? You know, I use to remember the tantrums you threw when you wouldn't get your way. Or the guilt trips you started laying on mom and dad during your teen years. I can't help but wonder if you pulled a convincing act on Naruto as well."

Sasuke kept his breathing even as he felt Naruto wake up with a start. He feigned sleep as Naruto tried to wriggled out from under him, beginning to hyperventilate.

"Oh my god, oh my god, what have ... what did... why am I?" Sasuke could hear the utter confusion and terror in Naruto's voice, and he almost cracked a smirk when Naruto's loud thought process was interrupted by a hiss of pain.

Sasuke felt Naruto pull the covers back. "Oh my god."

Sasuke took the moment to moan and snuggle against Naruto's side.

"Sasuke?" Naruto called out, cautious and scared.

Sasuke opened his eyes and looked up at Naruto. He gave him a gentle smile and set up, kissing him softly. "You were great," Sasuke said with a throat purr. "I still can't believe you wanted me as badly as I wanted you."

He then pulled back and looked into Naruto's horrified face. Sasuke furrowed his eyebrows. "Naruto?" he said softly, a small hitch to his voice.

"I... wanted you?" Naruto shook his head. "But I'm not... gay."

Sasuke pulled back, tears welling in his eyes, gasping for air. "You mean... you used me? Was I some experiment? Or is this some sick joke?" Tears began to cascade down Sasuke's face. "Prove to the world that Sasuke likes dick, is that it?"

"What? No! It's just that... I don't remember!"

"You don't... oh my god, then you mean I raped you? I thought you were tipsy but not wasted! Why didn't I realize... I took advantage of my best friend... You must hate me!" Sasuke covered his face with his hands as he turned his head downwards.

Naruto pulled the covered to cover himself. "N...no. If I was drunk and made you think... no. We can get past this... we'll just pretend it never h...happened, okay?" Sasuke grinned behind his hands and then composed himself, looking up at Naruto with saddened eyes.

"I can't," he whispered. "Naruto, I love you so much... I can't go on pretending we didn't share such a beautiful moment together. How can I? To have what I wanted for so long, only to pretend that it never happened... watching you and knowing that we'll never have it again... Knowing that it wasn't a moment of love... but a moment of drunken lust... I took advantage of you... I can't... I can't live with that knowledge." Sasuke's voice grew quiet and he slowly got out of bed, heading over to his desk.

"Sasuke?" Naruto tried to stand up but winced and sat back down, wincing a second time. "Sasuke?!"

Sasuke had picked up a sharp pair of scissors. He looked back at Naruto, tears still trailing down his cheeks, a sad smile on his face.

"Don't worry," he said. "If you don't clean yourself up, you can say that I raped you and then in guilt, I killed myself. The tests will prove that it is my DNA on, and in, you. No one will have to know that you came onto me while you were drunk. Everyone will believe that it was all my fault. I just hope this doesn't ruin things with Sakura. Because you really like her, right? You love her. And you'll never love me. So it's better this way."

"Sasuke, no!" Naruto managed to leap off the bed as Sasuke held the scissors and attempted to thrust it upwards into his neck. The point actually grazed him as Naruto knocked it out of his hands.

He mentally cheered, glad that he had guessed right that Naruto's personality would keep him from carrying out his suicide attempt. Worse case scenario, he still would have died a happy man, having been Naruto's first.

"Naruto, why are you stopping me? Don't be so cruel! I can't live without your love and I can't live knowing that you despise me. Or worse, to live on pretending this never happened? You might be able to, but not me! You are... were... my only friend."

"But didn't you date Sakura?"

"Only to forget you. She was the next best thing because she was your best friend. But I never did anything with her. So please, let me go," Sasuke whispered, caressing Naruto's terrified face.

Naruto swallowed hard. "I can't do that, Sasuke," he whispered back. "If I did... lead you on... there has to be a reason for it, right? Maybe I wanted you subconsciously? Right?"

Sasuke gave Naruto a hopeful look as he felt his heart sore in victory. Naruto was trying to convince himself that he had equal "fault" in this dilemma.

"There's only one way to find out," Sasuke whispered.

"How?"

"Let me make love to you, now, while we're both sober. If I can't make you cum, then it's because you both physically, and mentally, reject me. And you have to promise to let me go. After all, it would be downright evil to let me live on after having such false hope."

Naruto gulped and slowly nodded. And so Sasuke led him back to his bed, gentle hands gliding over the trembling body. Sasuke worshipped his body again, first by sucking on him gently as he fingered Naruto. And although Naruto initially cried out in pain at being penetrated once more, Sasuke expertly handled him, having memorized most of Naruto's sensitive spots. He moved slowly and steadily, getting Naruto use to the feeling, already hitting Naruto's prostrate dead on after the second thrust. Naruto came unexpectedly, his legs instinctively tightening around Sasuke's body.

"You really do love me," Sasuke whispered in awe, as he gently kissed Naruto around the face and neck, not bothering to look at Naruto's face. He knew the blond man was probably stunned and ashamed at having orgasmed, but at the same time glad that "his friend" had no reason to go kill himself. And since Naruto was so selfless...

"Promise me that I'll be your one and only..."

"I... I promise."

Sasuke glared at his brother. "I did no such thing. We had sex and we promised each other fidelity."

"Fidelity. Okay then... if you love Naruto so much, what about all the women you've been messing around with? Although to be honest that did surprise me since I thought you were strictly homosexual."

Sasuke let out a bitter chuckle. "I've never fucked around with a woman, or anyone else for that matter."

Itachi shook his head. "I've been watching. I doubt a woman stays under the table for no reason."

"Tch. Those were just blow jobs. It's not the same as having sex with the person you love. Just an added bonus."

Itachi stared at Sasuke. "Explain. I really want to understand your thought process on this, because to me, oral sex is still sex."

Sasuke looked at his brother as if he were stupid. "Sex means being completely intimate, knowing parts of a body that no one will see or touch. A mouth doesn't qualify because when a person yawns, you can see inside of it. Not very private at all. And all mouths are the same. Teeth, saliva, tongue, and gums. But believe me, I will never sleep with anyone who isn't Naruto. My dick will never see the inside of some cunt, or an ass for that matter. It belongs only to Naruto."

Itachi looked at his brother, saddened by the fact that Sasuke really believed what he said. He tried again, hoping against all hope that his brother wasn't as insane as everyone thought he was and that he would do the right thing and let Naruto go.

"You're going to drive him away. Naruto is like me... he'll see it as a sign of cheating. And then what? He was such a delightful person. You've strangled that light out of him! He may act the same way around you... but he use to have so many friends! Even mother and father liked having him around."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Liar. They talked shit about him. Threatened to disown me if I stayed with him."

"They were trying to scare you away from him because they knew you would be a poison to him! Please, Sasuke! Let him go and seek some help! If he did fall in love with you during your time together, surely he will wait for you to get better!"

Sasuke stood up.

"Fuck you," he said, his voice tight with rage. "I will not let him go. I'd rather we die then be separated."

"Sas...sasuke, wait!"

Itachi watched as his misguided brother stormed out of the bar. He sat down, weary. "Father, mother... forgive me," he whispered. "I don't think he can be saved."

X

By the time Sasuke got home, his anger had dropped to a level of irritation. Damn his family for trying to come back into his life. Damn his brother for reminding him just how he managed to get Naruto into his arms. But no matter. Even if it wasn't exactly fair, he had what he really wanted.

He rested against the door, remembering the first day with Naruto as his boyfriend, and the first month as well. If he recalled correctly, after waking up that morning and proving that Naruto's body wanted him, they had sex three more times, one of them being in the shower. Sasuke refused to go out, ordering in, caressing and holding Naruto most of the day, acting all grateful and weepy. He could remember how Naruto started holding him back with shaking hands, his uncertainty clear as well as his resolve to not let Sasuke have a reason to commit suicide. After that first day, Sasuke convinced Naruto to submit to nightly intercourse as proof that Naruto wasn't just saying what Sasuke wanted to hear. And by the end of that week, Sasuke had learned every little thing about Naruto's body that allowed him to play him like a finely tuned instrument. By the end of the month, gentle sex became integrated with animalistic fucking that still caused Naruto to orgasm, even if it was against his will.

And finally, three months after that, Naruto whispered "I love you," to Sasuke during a rare cuddle time. And so Sasuke began to force everyone away from Naruto so that he was dependent solely on him. The only snag was when he introduced Naruto to his family as a lover rather than a friend. They pulled him aside and threatened to disown him if he didn't give Naruto up. But Naruto was what Sasuke wanted more than anything, and so he rejected his own family.

He didn't miss any of them. As long as he had Naruto by his side he was fine.

Sasuke made his way upstairs and paused at the sight in front of him. The side table that housed the main phone base was on its side, and the phone was up against the wall. Huddled against the wall was Naruto, still half naked from when Sasuke had left him.

"Naruto?" Sasuke called out, his voice hitched in fear.

Naruto looked up at him, but his eyes looked like he was staring at something far away.

"Leave me alone, leave me alone," he was whispering, over and over again.

Sasuke approached him carefully, noticing with growing horror the number of scratches on Naruto's skin. He had been rough on Naruto, but he knew that he didn't rake his nails that harsh against the beautiful flesh of his lover. He never would. Bruises, yes, scratches no. Did Naruto do this to himself?

"Naruto?" Sasuke called out one more time, softly. He reached out and grasped Naruto's face, seeing the other man flinch before those beautiful, but terrified, blue eyes focused on him. Tears welled up and Naruto lunged at him, holding him tightly.

"Please, get me out of here. I can't be here, Sasuke, please!"

Sasuke froze. Naruto wanted to leave? His brother spoke the truth! Naruto would leave him if something didn't change. Thinking back, he had been taking advantage of Naruto. He needed to show him how loving he really could be.

"Come with me to the kitchen." Sasuke helped Naruto up off the floor and led him down the stairs, watching as the man kept glancing behind him. He sat Naruto at the kitchen table and went on preparing a hot tea. Since Naruto was so distracted, Sasuke put in a sedative and handed the prepared drink to Naruto.

Naruto looked at him as he sipped away at his tea. "We have to get out," his whispered.

"Why?" Sasuke asked.

"Shh! He'll hear you!"

Sasuke began to feel worried again as Naruto hissed at him. It seemed that Naruto wasn't pretending at all. He really believed something was in this house, and he was making Sasuke question his own sanity.

"Why do we need to get out?" Sasuke asked again, keeping his voice soft.

"He keeps hurting me. Not at first, but he hurt me real bad after you left."

Himself. Naruto was hurting himself and he wasn't completely aware of it. Split personality? Was he really responsible for doing this to Naruto? Sasuke became more determined to make Naruto sane again. He would get a private doctor, and he would make a special room for Naruto. But for the duration...

Sasuke watched as Naruto fell asleep sitting up. He made his way to his prized possession and picked up. He carried him up the stairs and gently placed him on their bed. With scissors in hand, Sasuke began to cut one of his bed sheets into strips, not wanting to use rope that would injure Naruto any further. He binded Naruto's wrists and ankles to the bed posts, leaving enough slack so that Naruto wouldn't be completely rigid against the bed, but be unable to sit up without help, nor reach the bindings. Sasuke resolved not to release Naruto unless it was to go to the bathroom or to change. He would wait until a private doctor could examine him. And he would do his best to keep Naruto sedated so that the man would sleep and be well rested.

X

Naruto wasn't sure what was going on. He wasn't even sure what day it was anymore. And every time he started to become aware of his surroundings, he would find himself getting sleepy again. And sometimes he could hear things, feel things, but be unable to respond. He dreamed that he heard Sasuke calling his work and telling them that he needed time off to take care of his wife. He dreamed that he was chained down. Sometimes he dreamed that he was just laying in a luxurious bed, unable to move.

Often he would feel a gentle touch on his face and body, and accompanying that touch was a familiar scent of Sasuke.

But sometimes, when he dreamed that he was chained, he would smell the sulfur, and felt his body being touched in unpleasant ways. He would want to cry out and scream, but nothing came out. He wanted to beg for Sasuke to wake him up and protect him, but nothing ever happened.

Sometimes he thought he dreamed of eating food, but since he was rarely hungry, Naruto couldn't help but wonder if maybe they weren't dreams. All he knew was that there was no longer any sense of time. He was alone.

X

Kakashi clutched the journal in his hand as the plane began to take off. He was heading back home and he desperately wanted to talk to Naruto. He was a bit concerned that he was unable to communicate with the pleasant man during the entire time back home, but he also needed to talk to someone about the sad secrets of the Utamaki household. As the place ascended, Kakashi began to flip through the journal yet again, focusing on Rey's final and tragic chapters of life.

TBC

(A/N: Hmmm, might lose internet connection again but I'll continue to work on the story so that when I do get it back I can post. At the same time I'll try to get the final chapter out before that happens as well. Yes folks, the next chapter should be the final one. I hope. It'll be a long one, compared to the previous chapters.)