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***Slight alter to the story line in this chapter
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
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When One Betrays
Chapter 7: Life and Mortality
***Time-Skip: After Gaara is Resurrected***
His behavior had become increasingly reckless. During the rescue mission for Gaara, he had chased down Deidra knowing full well that it would turn into another trap, but he didn't care. In addition to the rage of finding out that his friend was dead, he had hoped that Itachi would end up being somewhere nearby.
But that wasn't what happened; Kakashi had followed him and tried to calm him down. He almost let it slip that killing the man wasn't his only objective, but that would have just caused more of an explanation than anyone in the Hidden Leaf or Sand was ready to hear. So, he had let his sensei handle the situation.
Now he was sitting in his room, hoping that if the night was still and everything was dark, the familiar figure would saunter into his room like he had so many times before. But he didn't come; just like he hadn't since Naruto had surrendered his body completely. The blonde's mind traveled to Sasuke next.
He wondered what his old crush was doing these days since he had yet again tried to kill him. Maybe that was why Itachi didn't come, the younger Uchiha had finally made good on his revenge. Though he hoped that wasn't true, and believed his rival would have already come to tell him if it was.
Naruto could keep a secret for anyone else his whole life without issue, but his own was starting to degrade his identity. He had willingly betrayed everyone in the village, and all the allies he had ever obtained to have one night of forbidden passion. He wanted to talk to someone; to let them know how conflicted he was.
"Is this feeling normal?" he wondered as he reclined on his worn bed. It had crossed his mind that it could simply be Stockholm Syndrome like he believed in the very beginning. But he was powerful now and had proved that many times. If push came to shove he truly believed he could take on Itachi now. But that knowledge came with its own price.
If it wasn't his mind warping perception to make him fall for Itachi, that would mean his desire to be near him was real and extremely compelling. Though the blonde had no intention of going so far as to leave his home and become rogue, he couldn't shake the older man from his thoughts; he needed help.
He knocked on the door of Tsunade's office, willing himself to go through with his request.
"Come in!" came the annoyed answer. As soon as he stepped through the door her eyes narrowed. He never knocked; in fact, if she didn't hear him coming from all the way down the hall she just assumed that it was someone else. "What's wrong, brat?" she asked, though her voice was soft; she could see he was nervous.
"I was wondering Baa-chan… could I go visit the Kazekage?
Tsunade sat back in her seat, still concerned by his lack of abrasiveness. She didn't answer, waiting for more of an explanation. He took a deep breath and sat down in front of her newest desk. Whoever was employed for the Hokage's office was making a fortune off this woman.
"Well, it's just, being the around a demon isn't always pleasant, but it gets lonely when you don't think they are there anymore ya' know?" he started, trying to use his words carefully. "I didn't get to see Gaara very much when we went after him because of the fighting and then he's really loved by his people so… I was just hoping I could go and see him now that everything has settled down."
The Hokage closed her eyes in thought. It was an interesting choice of phrases for the kid to use, almost like they held a different meaning. Jiraiya had come to speak with her about Itachi's late night visits to the blonde, that being one of the main reasons she allowed him to go off on a training mission for so long. She couldn't help but question what demon Naruto was talking about.
"The Kazekage is very busy as I'm sure you are aware Naruto" she finally responded, waving her hand to the stacks of papers on her desk. "Why not just send him a letter if you want to know how he is holding up without Shukaku."
He stared down at his lap when he spoke "it's not easy talking about stuff like this with anyone, but Gaara and I are special. He knows what it's like to feel isolated just like I do. I just don't want something we write to ruin the progress we've both made with our villages."
It was now common knowledge in Konoha, even to children, that Naruto was the jinchuriki for the nine-tails. Aside from declaring that he was going to unleash Kyuubi on the village, there was nothing he could say that would greatly affect his standing, and they both knew that. She almost asked him if it was about one of the Uchiha's, but refrained from doing so. If Gaara could help her 'little brother' sort through whatever was tearing around under those blonde locks then she would let him.
"Alright brat, that sounds fine on my end. Let me send a letter before you go so that you can get approval from them first."
Naruto smiled widely and hopped up, thanking her. He bounced down the hallway, his loud footsteps echoing as he left. Tsunade sighed in relief; that was the boy she was used to seeing. All the things she had heard about the red head screamed instability and blood lust, but Naruto had helped him heal. She hoped that for once, someone could do the same for the bubbly idiot.
***Time-Skip: At Suna***
They stood in silence at first; watching the sunset over the vast desert from the Kazekage's office. Naruto remembered Gaara had never been one for talking, and he was probably still tired from his death.
The blonde shuffled his feet nervously, wondering if this had been such a great plan. "The letter Tsunade sent me made it seemed urgent. What is bothering you, old friend?" Gaara finally asked, shocking the stressed teen. He smiled softly at the term, old friend.
"You and I know what it's like to be shunned for most of our lives, and how much we've always wanted to be needed by someone." Naruto started. "Even if the Bijuu we had caused us trouble, we still had them around, but now you've lost yours. Do you wish you hadn't lost Shukaku?"
The red head let his surprise cover his pale face. He had thought about it and knew the empty feeling Naruto was referring to. But the blonde still had Kyuubi, so he didn't understand how it was relevant.
"I felt hollow when I was revived, like a part of me was taken that I couldn't get back. I do admit that when I am left alone, I reach for my stomach as if by doing so I will hear his voice again." He admitted.
"So, what your saying is, even though Shukaku hurt you in many ways, being without him can be equally as painful?" the blonde clarified.
Gaara nodded. "But you still have Kyuubi, why do you ask?"
Naruto turned from the window and rested himself on the sill. He knew the conversation would eventually lead to this, but the shame he was experiencing made his knees weak. "Gaara, you referred to me as your old friend, and you know what it is liked to be judged. If I tell you the real reason I came, please don't hate me for it" he muttered, his head hanging low.
The red head was instantly just as nervous as the blonde. In all the times he had seen him, Naruto had never once displayed such defeat or disgrace. He pulled his chair over and sat down, doing his best to remain stoic.
"It all started before Sasuke ran off to Orochimaru…"
The two sat for nearly an hour as Naruto explained to him all that had happened between him and Itachi. The rape, Sasuke leaving, the dream world, even the night he had given in to his longing. All the while the Kazekage sat still, trying to keep his many emotions at bay. He wasn't angry at Naruto, but at the Uchiha who had caused him such suffering.
"But now that he hasn't come back even through his Sharingan, I feel the same emptiness that you described after losing your Sand Demon. I- I just don't know if I miss him because of how I grew up, a long-term genjutsu, or if it's something more serious and I actually fell for him ya' know?" Naruto finished, his eyes glassy.
If Gaara had been almost anyone else, he knew his jaw would have been hanging wide open from the confession; but his blank face remained the same. He had no words of wisdom for the blonde. The redhead knew of the ache that Naruto had described, but he'd never felt that for a specific person, much less a wanted criminal.
The blonde sighed and looked over his shoulder at the swirling sand, he could see his friend was trying to figure out what to say, but he knew there was nothing. What could you even respond after hearing a story like that?
Gaara cleared his dry throat as he stood, "come with me."
The two walked to the Kazekage's private room, heading straight for the bookshelf at the far end. After a few long minutes, the redhead raised his eyes and gave a stressed smile. "One of the requirements for Stockholm Syndrome is the captive must be kept away from outside influences for an extended period of time; that hasn't happened yet right?"
Naruto shook his head. He was relieved he wasn't losing his mind, but that meant either genjutsu or an even more petrifying possibility. They headed towards the hospital next to have Naruto discretely checked for any signs of tampering, but there were none.
The two ended up at a ramen bar in the middle of town, eating silently. "So that must mean I actually like the bastard huh" Naruto eventually voiced. "Can we keep this between us for the time being? Maybe it will fade if he and I stay away from each other for long enough."
The Kazekage nodded in agreement, this was not a subject that should be discussed with anyone. He could tell his friend was somewhat relieved from at least knowing what he was dealing with. Then a deep blush spread across his pale face, catching the blonde's attention as he filled his mouth with more noodles.
"Naruto, what is sex like?" he asked, turning to look him dead in the eye. The coughing fit that ensued could be heard all across the village.
The four shinobi decided to camp in the woods for the night, there was no rush to return to Konoha. Yamato, Kakashi, and Sai had accompanied Naruto on his trip to visit the Kazekage, but they were not filled in on the exact nature of their mission.
Still, they were all feeling more at ease. Whatever the two jinchuriki had talked about seemed to put the blonde in a better mood. He was far more confident and alive than he had been in months.
By the time they had divided up watches and started to unroll their sleeping bags, Naruto was already snoring lightly, his arms tossed out to the side in a carefree way.
***Sharingan World***
Naruto was pulled from his blissful sleep into the red world the Uchiha had often created for them. He felt butterflies in his stomach from the anticipation; it was the first time he would see the man in such a long time.
"You haven't come to see me in awhile, Itachi" Naruto drawled, still not able to sense where the man was.
"You told me to leave."
Naruto let a sad smile don his apprehensive face, "that never stopped you before…"
He still couldn't tell where the man was. It was like he was all around, and nowhere at the same time; chills would occasionally run down his spine when he thought the Uchiha was behind him.
Cold lips ghosted by his ear, "do you wish me for me to touch you Naruto?" they whispered, causing bumps to emerge.
"You've never cared about that either" the blonde replied, daring the Uchiha to make a move.
Itachi let his transparent hands slide down Naruto's clothed sides, pressing his chest against the younger's back. His cold breath hovered over his prey's neck as he nuzzled his nose into the silky blonde hair.
Naruto moaned softly when hands slide down and forward, one holding his toned stomach while the other wrapped around his hardening member. He felt himself being stroked gently, a talented thumb running over the tip caused him to shudder in pleasure.
"Why won't you show yourself," he asked, his breathing becoming more labored. The figure didn't answer, just began pumping him and biting into the nap of his tan neck gently.
Itachi wouldn't tell the blonde that he wanted him to experience what he was feeling; that his eyes were becoming blinder with each passing day. Even now, the red was beginning to fade and he would have to leave Naruto again.
He could feel his lover's body trembling with need, his climax approaching. He thrust his hips forward, rubbing his own clothed erection into Naruto's toned ass, sending him over the edge, "Nnngg Itachi!" he groaned loudly. The blonde turned around after catching his breath and leaned forward towards the blurry form, finding his lips through some unknown power.
Naruto felt the cold hands resting on his hips, placing his own on the others strong biceps. The kiss was soft and sweet, unlike any he had ever received. Before they could pull away, the world started to dematerialize. "Come back…" the blonde pleaded quietly.
Itachi opened his eyes, noting that his Sharingan had disappeared for the moment. His partner was asleep still, something that he was grateful for. Reaching over to his bag, he pulled out a small vile and sucked it dry, grimacing some at the bitter taste.
His life was rapidly approaching its end. Sasuke would need to be ready to fight soon if he wanted to kill the elder Uchiha before his own body did.
***Time-Skip: Before Naruto kills Hidan/Kakuzu***
Naruto's mood was better despite having not received another visit from the Uchiha. He couldn't explain it, but he knew that there was a reason the man hadn't come for several months that didn't include death or loss of interest.
Though the blonde was not a patient person, he would wait for Itachi as long as he needed to. He trained hard to keep his mind off how much he was missing his forbidden lover, especially after Asuma had nearly died at the hands of Hidan and Kakuzu.
Naruto had just barely made it in time, and the two had still gotten away. Tsunade had said the man's injuries were beyond her abilities, and that he would never be a ninja again, but that didn't matter. He would be a civilian and watch his future child grow and that was enough.
Shikamaru and his team were hot on the men's trail, and would soon find them. It was up to Naruto to finish his newest technique and catch up to help. He would take the two down and then work on eliminating the rest of the Akatsuki, though he didn't know what would happen if he was pitted against Itachi. He tried to keep the glum thought in his subconscious for now.
***Time-Skip: Sasuke and Team Hebi are Tracked by Konoha***
Naruto was once again chasing down his rival, still determined to bring him back to Konoha. But what drove him on, even more, was the knowledge that if he found Sasuke, he was sure to find Itachi as well. He knew he would probably have to fight the man, and pretend like he hated him, but he had decided he would hold back and try to separate them from the rest of the group so that he wouldn't have to kill him.
Itachi's visits had become less and less frequent over the past several months, and he was on edge. Something was wrong with his lover, but he couldn't figure out what. The man's skin was paler than it had been and he seemed distant. He'd come to ask Naruto about his little brother and what he would do if Sasuke betrayed the Leaf just days ago, smiling when the blonde gave his answer. It sounded like he was tying up loose ends.
His eyes widened slightly as one of the clones he had sent out popped and reported back. Itachi and Sasuke were currently fighting to the death. Without warning his comrades, he called upon the Fox's chakra and sped off in the direction of the battle, leaving them all behind and utterly confused.
Naruto could feel his heart pounding in his chest; either the man he loved would fall, or his best friend would. Both outcomes would bring him to the edge of his sanity, and he wasn't sure he could handle it.
By the time he arrived, Itachi was protecting himself with Susanoo. The extra senses Kyuubi's power had given him let him hear the irregular heartbeat of the elder man, its strength decreasing and slowing with each step. He could practically smell the sickness within the failing body, realizing that even without his injuries he would die anyway.
The elder Uchiha could feel Naruto staring at him as he walked, but didn't look over. This was what had to happen for the sake of Sasuke and Konoha. His only regret was not being able to spend more time with the two people he loved most in the world, and even more than that, not having the courage to tell Naruto just how deep his feelings had grown. He was just moments from death, and there was nothing the blonde or anyone else would be able to do to save him.
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Whew! I don't know about you all, but that was a whirlwind of emotions for me... Stay tuned for the next chapter and as always, thank you for reading!
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