Alrighty, so here's ch. 3 for u all! Enjoy!

I don't own Naruto or Sasuke unfortunately… if I did, they'd be gay! BWAHAHAA!

Ch3. The Bargain

Sasuke reined in the horse as they stopped in front of a huge, menacing castle.

"He went in there?" Sasuke wondered, looking up to the tallest tower, where a light was flickering. The horse whinnied nervously again.

Sasuke dismounted the horse and leaned against the gates, looking at the castle. Suddenly, he noticed something lying on the ground than made his blood drop several degrees: Itachi's hat, lying in the mud near the giant oak doors.

Sasuke pushed open the gates and ran for the hat, picking it up. "Itachi…" he muttered, eyebrows knitting together.

Sasuke stood and strode to the door, leaning on it gently. It swung open with a long creak.

"Hello? Itachi?" he asked nervously, tiptoeing.

He heard whispers.

"It's a guy though!" snarled Choji.

"Yes but a cute guy! And you remember the Master's preference, yes?" shot back Shikemaru, grinning at his clock-faced friend.

"If you go after her, don't come crying to me!" grumbled Choji as Shikemaru hopped of the table and scampered down the hall.

Sasuke saw the light flickering ahead of him. "Hello? Is someone there?"

Shikemaru lead him up winding passageways and vaulting stairs. He didn't notice the quite swoosh of a cloak behind him, or growling breath.

The monster looked out from behind a corner, watching the intruder.

But what greeted his eyes was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen. The boy had thick black hair spiked slylelishly up in the back while combed down in the front. He wore brown knickers with a white shirt underneath and a brown waistcoat to match. They were rumbled from the ran and travel but the boy looked smart and devilishly handsome. The beast felt his heart melt a little, and his tails twitched happily.

The beast snarled at his own actions… who could ever learn to love someone who looked like him?

Meanwhile, the Uchiha followed the light up a narrow staircase, the walls stony and clammy. But suddenly, the light had gone...

"Is anyone there?" he asked quietly, when he had neared the top of the stairs.

"Sasuke?" a faint reply greeted him.

"Itachi!" Sasuke ran forward, dropping to his knees in front of the cell where his big brother lay. "Who did this to you? I'm getting you out!"

"No Sasuke! You must leave here before he finds you!"

"Who Itachi? WHO?" Sasuke asked, confused by his brother's words.

There was suddenly a whoosh of cold air and all the lights went out.

"RUN SASUKE!" roared Itachi as something grabbed Sasuke and threw him to the ground.

"So… another tresspasor? You're not welcome here!" the voice that spoke was raspy and snarling, and the last words almost sounded like barking.

"Please… let him out! He's the only family I have left." Sasuke pleaded from where he lay, his heart hammering in his throat.

"His matter is none of your concern, intruder." Snarled the animal again.

"PLEASE!" Sasuke begged. He looked at the floor.

"No Sasuke!" pleaded Itachi, holding onto the bars of his cage. "I'm older than you! I've lived my life!"

"Take me instead." Whispered Sasuke, tears welling in his fathomless black eyes.

"You!?" the beast scoffed and then suddenly softened. "You would do that?" he asked, as if the statement was unbelievable.

Sasuke looked up into the shadowed face of his brother's captor. "Come into the light."

The beast froze. Come into the light? He blinked his vivid blue eyes and then slid a hind paw into the light.

Sasuke gasped at the sight of the beast.

The beast was tall and lithe and covered in thick, matted white blonde hair with darker, almost grayish points. His hands were humanoid with five digits and long, cruel claws. The beast's face was fox like, but with a heavier snout and large, intelligent eyes, the color of blue electricity or the sky on a clear day. Long black lines, three on each side, curved from the bridge of his muzzle to the bottom of his lower jaw in jagged lines.

Nine slender tails flicked agitatedly around the beast's long feet.

Sasuke gasped and cowered against Itachi's cell.

"No Sasuke! Don't do this!" Itachi pleaded, desperate for his brother's freedom.

Sasuke straigtened a bit and stood to face the beast, so close he could feel the heat radiating off of the golden chest. "You have my word."

"Done!" The beast swept past Sasuke and he heard the clink of the doors unlocking.

"Sasuke! You don't have to do this!" Sasuke felt his brother's cold hands on his shoulders. They were ripped away suddenly and Sasuke heard screaming as the beast dragged his brother away.

Several minutes later, the beast returned, holding a candle stick. "I will show you to your room." He growled, tails swishing.

"M-my room?" Sasuke stammered.

The beast's heart sank. The glorious boy had been crying.

"Do you wanna sleep in the tower?!" he snarled, growling again.

"No."

"Then follow me." The beast turned and padded down the stairs, Sasuke behind him.

"Master, you should be more curtious to the boy." Whispered Shikemaru from his place in the beast's hand.

The beast only growled.

"Say something."

"I hope you like it here." The beast murmered softly. He looked to the candlestick in his hand. "The castle is your home now so you can go wherever you want to… except the West Wing."

Sasuke looked up at the back of the creature. "What's in the West W-" Sasuke tried but was cut off by a snarl.

"It is forbidden!" the beast growled, rumbling in his throat.

"Be polite!" Scolded Shikemaru quietly.

They walked in silence for a long time till they came to a large green door on a simple hallway. "This is your room. My servants will attend to you."

"Invite her to dinner." Whispered Shikemaru.

The beast looked back at Sasuke who was staring at his room wide eyed. The room was huge with a graceful vaulted ceiling and a large canopy bed, dressed in greens and purples.

"You… you will join me for dinner." The beast growled, pushing Sasuke in a little. The beast stopped, then snarled. "THAT'S NOT A REQUEST!"

With that, he snapped the doors shut with a loud crash.

The beast pressed one equine ear against the door and heard Sasuke's muffled sobs.

Later on that evening, the beast stalked in front of the fire, snarling to himself.

"Where is he?" he asked Temari, growling and slinging the crest of stiff black tipped blonde fur over his neck and shoulders back and forth as he paced.

"Give her some time, master." Sighed Temari, looking nervously down the hallway.

"Um… master… have you thought about maybe that… well… he might be the one?" asked Shikemaru quietly.

"OF COURSE I HAVE!" snarled the beast, blowing hot air all over the candlestick. "But he's… gorgeous… and well…." The beast stopped and looked at the teacup and candlestick. "WELL LOOK AT ME!"

"I'm looking master. The first thing you're gonna have to do to impress the boy is strand up straight!" snapped the teacup. The beast straightened to attention on all fours.

"Smile… but don't frighten the boy…" The beast bared his cruel looking fangs, but then lessened to a gentle smile.

"Be gentle"

"But be brave and masculine!"

"But be courtesous."

"But also be to the point."

The beast was getting frustraited.

"And most importantly…" continued Temari.

"You MUST CONTROL YOUR TEMPER!" shouted both.

Just then the door creaked open and in siddled a very nervous looking Choji.

"Evening master."

"So… where is he?" growled the beast, patience wearing thin.

"Who? Oh! The boy… well… you see… he's in the process of… well really he's…" Choji floundered before sighing, moving out of the way, and saying quietly: "He's not coming."

"WHAT?!" the roar rattled the chandelier three stories about the beast.

Ok so there's chapter 3 4 u! Finally a little interaction! So tell me what you think already and I'll post more! R&R!!! lol