A/N: Don't own anything.

I'm very sorry for taking such a long time to update this story. I just got a new laptop after my old one crashed beyond repair. I had to save up the money to buy a new computer as well as work my writing around my hectic work schedule. :3 I hope you enjoy the new update!

Chapter 3:Sleepless Night

That night Itachi didn't sleep until the early hours of the morning. His every sense refused to allow him to lower his guard, especially with Akuma gone and a mystery Anbu stationed outside. He hadn't been aware of how warm Akuma's chakra made him feel until the brunette was beyond his senses. It had felt as though ice was reforming along his insides, coating his spine and licking at his heart. Itachi hadn't realized that the sincerity Akuma seemed to radiate had allowed him to feel welcome here in Konoha again, despite the blood on his hands. The realization only made him more intrigued with the dog lover than he already was.

Folding his hands behind his head, Itachi stretched out over his borrowed bed, his black eyes staring up at the dark ceiling. Jigoku, left to stay with him for the night, sighed heavily beside Itachi, his thick black fur brushing Itachi's side with the motion. The air was still and calm in the large room. It would have been peaceful had Itachi not been so tense.

Itachi focused his sense on the Anbu outside, finding them sitting along the crest of the roof. This person, whoever they were, fairly radiated irritation and suspicion. Itachi had become very good at reading emotions through chakra and he could decipher this Anbu's feeling perfectly. Most likely the Anbu was irritated about night duty and suspicious about Itachi's true intentions. These had been the same emotions the Anbu had been feeling all night. Which kept Itachi from relaxing and fully appreciating his thoughts on the Inuzuka who would be his guard for the next year.

He really hadn't realized the effect the younger man had had on him until he'd passed out of Itachi's chakra range. It had almost made him feel normal, almost average, a feeling that he craved after all that he'd experienced. It had made him feel simply like a man first and a shinobi second, a dangerous thing but one he found he liked.

Akuma was the only one who treated him like a normal person for as long as Itachi could remember. When he'd been younger, Itachi had been the clan heir, to be treated with respect and dignity. As he grew he'd become the clan prodigy, then the Anbu Captain, to be feared and kept at a distance. Then the clan murderer, the family killer and village traitor, to be hated and killed if given the chance. Now he was…..Itachi didn't even know anymore.

Akuma treated him like a friend, a potential lover, something Itachi had never been before. And he found himself savoring the experience. Although he'd never had an emotional relationship, Itachi found he liked the thought of starting one with someone who was as open as Akuma seemed. He needed someone who he knew would have his back no matter what and his gut told him that once he had Akuma he would never have to worry about the brunette's loyalties.

That was something he'd never had either. Itachi had never had anyone's loyalty before, not wholly and without doubt. He knew that it would take him awhile to trust Akuma and it would be difficult after so many years of having to be suspicious of everyone, but he realized that his instincts told him he could and that he desperately wanted to. Even though he barely knew anything about the brunette Itachi wanted to trust him more than he wanted anything else. Which had never happened to Itachi before.

Sighing, Itachi thoughts went to his brother. It almost hurt to look at his little brother after all he'd done to him. After all the pain he'd put his little brother through. The one good thing that had come from all of this was Sasuke's friendship to Naruto which Itachi knew their father would have forbidden. Sasuke seemed happy with Naruto, genuinely happy. He knew that Sasuke would want to talk about the family more but Itachi wasn't sure if he was ready yet for that. What would he tell Sasuke? Where he had found each family member as he had killed them? No, he wasn't ready to talk to Sasuke about the family yet.

Itachi's thought drifted between his brother and Akuma as he finally slipped into a light sleep. The last thing he remembered as he went under was thinking of how soft Akuma's hair must be.

00000-00000

Kiba sighed dismally as he paused just outside the Inuzuka compounds gate. He didn't feel like fighting with his mother at the moment, which was exactly what he knew was going to happen. A damn headache was already pounding at the back of his skull, the last thing he needed was his mother. But by law he had to tell her he was going on a mission, had to tell her for how long and where. Clan law, hypocritical bullshit as far as he was concerned but something he had to follow until the Inuzuka council got their heads out of their asses and realized he wasn't going to become clan head.

Running a rough hand through his hair, Kiba pushed the heavy gate open and stepped into the chaos of the Inuzuka compounds front court. The nin-ken's that guarded the gate rushed to greet him, wagging tails and getting drool all over his pants. None of the dogs were near as big as Akamaru so he leaned down and greeted each with rough rubs to the side and neck. It took him several more minutes of laughingly wading his way through a dozen nin-ken before he made it to the massive oak front door.

Getting though the front door he paused to take a deep breath. He could smell his mother, his sister and her mate strongly enough that he knew they were here at the moment. Probably in the kitchen, conniving ways to get him married. Huffing out a breath Kiba stalked into the house, shucking off his jacket and putting it on the in table as he passed. Following their scent Kiba indeed found them in the kitchen, cleaning up after dinner.

"Kiba!" Hana exclaimed the look on her face as she turned and saw him in the doorway telling Kiba that she hadn't smelled him enter the house. His mother's face showed just as much surprise as she turned away from stacking dishes. "What a surprise!"

"Indeed, you almost never come by the compound anymore." Tsume said her tone a little acidic. Her eyes were sharp as she glanced over her only son.

"I came by to let you know about one of my missions." Kiba said evenly, reverting back to his formal speech as he crossed his arms stubbornly over his chest. He could already feel his skin prickle and knew this would end up a fight. His mother was obviously in a combative mood.

"You're going to be gone so soon?" Hana protested, frowning at her brother in concern. He caught he barely discernable glance at his scars, clearly visible through his mesh shirt, and gritted his teeth. "But you only just returned from Mist! Surely you can wait another week?"

"I returned from Mist two weeks ago and I took care of myself fine, just like I always have." He said, barely his teeth in a little scowl. To any other person it would have just been an expression but as an Inuzuka it was a clear signal to back off.

"Not always." His mother said bluntly, narrow eyes flicking over his scars blatantly. She folded her arms and leaned back against the counter, nonchalant but for the intense gleam in her eyes.

"That was years ago and I seem to recall rescuing myself then as well." Kiba growled gutturally, anger clouding his face. His mother knew it was a low blow to mention one of his only failed missions in his career, yet he had almost expected it from her. "I was a genin then and I'm a jounin now."

His sister looked between the two of them, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. She had always been less dominant than Kiba or Tsume which made it hard for her to intervene in any of their fights. "What are your mission parameters?" She said quickly, trying to steer the conversation to safer waters before it was to late. Hana knew the fastest way to get Kiba angry was to mention anything involving his scars and she was slightly disgusted her mother had gone that low.

"It's a bodyguard position in my Anbu capacity. One year, within the village, within sight at all times." He replied, glancing at his sister before locking eyes again with his mother. He knew their fighting made Hana uncomfortable but he couldn't help it. His mother had no idea what had been done to him while he'd been captured, she had no right to mention it like she did.

"Anbu capacity?" Hana echoed, dismayed. She knew anything to do with Anbu and Kiba pissed their mother off royally. Tsume had almost refused to allow Kiba to join Anbu in the first place, only a talk with the Hokage had convinced her.

"Who are you guarding?" Tsume asked, leaning back and tilted her chin up, a clear authority position. Her eyes were narrow and angry.

"That's confidential." Kiba said evenly, almost gleefully waiting for his mother's reaction. He knew she would be furious, she always was when he had Anbu missions.

"The hell it is!" She growled, tone thunderous. "Clan law dictates you tell me."

"Anbu law states I can with hold information from my clan should the knowledge affect the safety of those involved." Was his calm reply, his body language confident and dominant, reflecting his refusal to comply with her demand.

"You would follow Anbu law before Clan law?" Tsume asked dangerously, tone low and rumbling. Her aura darkened in anger.

"Yes, as an Anbu I have responsibilities to the village over my family." Kiba knew this would make her even angrier but he was being honest. He owed more to Tsunade than his mother or the village would ever understand and he planned on keeping his responsibilities to her above his duty to his clan. He owed Tsunade his undying loyalty for all she'd done for him.

"Then I will pull your Anbu rank!" Tsume growled, smashing one of her fists into the counter beside her. Hana gasped quietly, knowing Kiba wouldn't comply with such a decision. "The continuation of this clan is far more important than one mere Anbu!"

"Then I'll leave the clan." Kiba said just as calmly as Tsume was angry. He had known this was coming, had known his continued absence in the clan would come to this. Kiba knew if he explained to his mother why he felt he owed Tsunade than she would understand but he was unwilling to see the pity, the sorrow in her face when she realized what had happened to her son. But to have his expectations come to fruition now filled him with ice. Now he felt only a cold resolve. "Disown me, I don't care, but I'm not leaving Anbu just because you're worried."

"Fine!" Tsume ignored Hana's protests, to far gone in her anger to see anything but Kiba's defiance. "You are no longer my son! As Clan matriarch I cut you from this clan, never to be called Inuzuka again. Get out!" Hot fury made her voice shake as she screamed the words at him.

"Gladly." Kiba smiled snidely despite the hole eating at his insides, ignoring the heartache as he turned away from his family. As he exited the house he looked at nothing, trying not to recall all the happy memories he had in the compound.

Just as he was picking up his jacket, Mimishi, his brother-n-law stepped through a side entrance. Taking a deep breath Kiba smiled at him, even though the smile faltered miserably. "I hope you like authority." Kiba told him, because now that Kiba was no longer an Inuzuka Hana would become heir and with her Mimishi. With that said he left, closing the door behind him and stepping into the court.

As the nin-ken crowded close to him tears gathered in his eyes as he looked down into their expressive eyes. He would miss them, more than even his family, he would miss the unconditional acceptance from the dogs. They were just as much his family as his real family was. Kiba didn't even want to think of how lonely Akamaru would be now that he too would be banished from the compound.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Kiba repeated the words over and over as he crossed to the gate. The dogs followed after him not quite understanding. Before he left the compound for good he knelt at the gate, gathering as many of the nin-kens around him as he could. They pressed close, their warmth surrounding him. "I'm leaving." He choked on the words and the dog whined with him. "I'm not pack anymore, I can't come to the compound anymore." They understood him even if they didn't know why. One by one each dog told him goodbye, pressing close and letting him give them a last pat.

When Kiba finally stumbled out of the Inuzuka compound he felt absolutely drained and alone. He began to walk to his apartment in a daze, hands shoved in his pockets and his eyes glazed. The sun was going down, bathing everything gold and the air in the village was warm and Kiba felt completely at odds.

What would he do without his clan? Kiba knew he would be fine but now he really didn't have anyone. He'd pushed everyone away after his capture several years ago. Even Shino and Hinata knew little about his personal or professional life anymore. He'd pushed all his friends away because he couldn't stand for them to know just how filthy he was, he didn't want them to know how damaged beyond repair he was. Only Tsunade knew what had happened to him during his captivity and how truly he'd been affected by it.

Itachi's face flashed in his mind and Kiba shook his head. As much as he knew Itachi may lust after Akuma he would never accept damaged goods like Kiba. Who would? Kiba figured they'd probably fuck for awhile but Itachi was way out of his league, especially as broken as Kiba was. He might fall for the Uchiha, hell he probably already had, but there was no way someone as gorgeous, as perfect, as Itachi would fall for someone like Kiba.

With a gusty sigh Kiba shook his head again. These thoughts weren't doing him any good whatsoever. He needed to get to his apartment, pack, then go and see Tsunade. She would need to know his new clan less status. No doubt it would make it easier on her now that she wouldn't have to hide his deep Anbu involvement from his mother. Then he could head back to Itachi's and sleep the rest of the night. Or he could see Tsunade, pack then spend the rest of the night in his bed and make it to Itachi's by seven tomorrow. Sleeping at Itachi's sounded much better in his opinion.

"Oi, Kiba!" It took a second for the shout to register and he looked over his shoulder and sighed dismally. Just his luck, running into the idiot now of all times.

"What do ya want?" He asked rudely continuing to walk down the deserted side road. He had a few minutes until he was in the village, the Inuzuka compound being placed a mile outside the village.

"Hey, don't walk away, dog breath!" Naruto shouted, annoyed, reaching out to grab Kiba's shoulder to pull him to a stop.

Kiba sidestepped away from Naruto's hand and spun around to face the blonde. "What do ya want?" He asked again, eyes flicking over Sasuke, who stood a ways behind Naruto, watching them.

"How come you didn't tell us you were a jounin?" The blonde asked loudly, glaring at Kiba.

"Did ya ask?" Kiba raised a brow in question then grinned sharply when Naruto blushed. "No, ya assumed that cuz I was weak once that I would always be weak. That's yer fault not mine." He included Sasuke in this statement with a look, before turning to continue down the road.

"Hey, I'm not done with you, Inuzuka!" Naruto went to grab his shoulder again but this time Kiba grabbed his wrist and with a lightning quick move Naruto found himself face first in the dirt, arm twisted behind his back and a foot placed between his shoulders, unable to move.

"That's not my name anymore." Kiba growled, glaring at Sasuke when the Uchiha went to step forward. "I don't like bein' touched without permission, and I didn't give ya permission, idiot." With that Kiba let go of Naruto's hand and stepped back. "Now what do ya want for the last time?"

00000-00000

Sasuke frowned at the scowling Kiba, thinking over the brunette's words. Something was most definitely wrong with Kiba, he fairly radiated irritation and dislike. Although the boy had always been blunt and easily angered Sasuke didn't remember him ever being truly bad tempered. His black eyes widened when he realized exactly what Kiba had said. It couldn't be!

"I want a spar, you and me, just taijutsu!" Naruto exclaimed, puffing up confidently, something Sasuke secretly found cute. At the moment he didn't even notice, eyes fixed on Kiba's face.

"I'm not in the mood, find me some other time." Kiba drawled nonchalantly, shoving his hands in his pockets and turning his back on the pair. He began to stroll away, shoulders rolled back and hips rolling in a nonchalant saunter. "Later." He called absently over his shoulder.

"Wa-" Naruto was interrupted as Sasuke smacked a hand over his mouth. He glared at the Uchiha for a moment but Sasuke only shook his head firmly. Now wasn't the time to battle Kiba.

When Kiba was finally out of sight Naruto turned to Sasuke and raised both brows in question. Sasuke scoffed. "Did you not listen to what he said, Naruto?"

"Um, that he didn't want to fight me?" Naruto said slowly after a long pause.

Sasuke sighed again in exasperation. "No, he just came from the Inuzuka compound and he said his name was no longer Inuzuka. Do you understand?" He looked steadily into Naruto's eyes, seeing the compassion that flooded the blue eyes when understanding came.

"But why would they disown Kiba?" Naruto asked faintly, a frown furrowing his brow.

"I don't know but whatever it was it had to be extreme." Sasuke replied, smoothing one finger over Naruto's down turned lips. He hated seeing Naruto frown, especially since he'd been the cause of more than one frown marring the blonde's face.

"What do you mean?" Naruto looked after Kiba intently, concern clouding his face. He gripped Sasuke's hand in his, not liking the thought of Kiba being without family like he had been before his team.

"I read a file in the clan library about Inuzuka's once." He said after a moment, squeezing Naruto's hand in reassurance. "It said that Inuzuka's are really clan oriented, like a dog pack, because of their bond to the nin-kens. Its really hard and extremely rare for an Inuzuka to be alone because they need the constant bond just like an animal would. So whatever Kiba did must have been bad or his mother wouldn't have disowned him."

"Well, either way, we're gonna be their for him, no matter what! If their gonna throw him out they don't deserve him anyway!" The blonde exclaimed in determination, thrusting a fist into the air. "lets go find him before he gets to far!" He dragged a exasperated Sasuke after him as he tried to catch up to the brunette.

In the end neither could see or even feel Kiba's presence. Neither had any idea where he lived and they would have to wait until morning in order to interrogate Hinata and Shino about his whereabouts.

00000-00000

Kiba rubbed his eyes wearily as he knocked on Tsunade's door, hoping she was still in even though it was pushing midnight. In the end he had tried sleeping in his own bed only to toss and turn for an hour before finally giving up. He'd figured if he wasn't going to sleep then the hell with it, he might as well see Tsunade now and make it back to Itachi's before daybreak. Shifting as the heavy pack on his shoulder aggravated his shoulder he waited for permission to enter.

"Come in." The call was slurred and slightly sleepy, making Kiba grin as he entered the office. Sure enough she'd fallen asleep at her desk again, a bottle of sake within easy reach. An ink stain marked her cheek where she'd been resting against one of the documents on her desk. She watched him with bleary eyes, chin propped up on her fist.

"I'm sorry ta bother you, Tsunade-chan, but I gotta talk to you about something important." He said, giving her one of his rare soft smiles as he sat in one of the chairs across from her desk. She was one of the most important people in his life ever since his capture four years ago, and one of the only people he was able to genuinely show affection for anymore.

"Are you okay, Kiba-kun?" She asked, straightening with a frown, her bleary eyes suddenly sharpening. "Are you starting to have nightmares again? I can give you more of the sleep-"

"No, no, no!" She was interrupted as Kiba waved his hands dismissively. "You know I rarely have the nightmares when I take the herbs."

"Then is it about Itachi?" Tsunade leaned back in her chair, looking at him steadily.

"No." He said bluntly, rubbing his hand threw his wild hair. "My mother just disowned me." He pressed two fingers to his temple as his head began to ache fiercely again.

"What? Why?" Tsunade exclaimed angrily, nearing sending a fist through her desk, only just stopping herself. She watched Kiba intently, knowing that despite his nonchalant appearance Kiba was pained by his mothers decision. She knew better than anyone that Kiba was very capable of hiding any pain he was in from everyone but the most keen observer. But she knew better, she knew exactly what he kept hidden under his mask and there was no hiding from her.

"I told her my responsibilities as a shinobi took precedence over my duties ta the clan. She has Hana as the heir she doesn't need me. She threatened ta yank my shinobi rank and I told her I wouldn't accept that." He said shortly, his voice falling into the emotionless tone he used when he was reporting after a mission.

"Are you sure Kiba?" The older woman asked softly, her eyes uncharacteristically gentle. "It will be hard on you both you and Akamaru being separated from your clan for good."

"Sweet God, Tsunade, what the hell am I supposed ta give my clan even if I did decide to let her yank my shinobi rank?" Kiba burst out suddenly, his expression grief stricken and unbearably tragic. "Ya know she wants me ta marry! How the hell am I ever supposed ta marry a woman when I can't even touch a female without wantin' ta vomit? I'm broken goods, Tsunade and there's nothing' that can fix that. The only thing I can do worth while now is bein' a ninja, how can I let her take that away?" By this point tears had begun to stream down his face, and Kiba turned his face away from her. Even though she was the only one to see him break down in years Kiba still found it no easier on his pride now than the first time.

In a flash the older woman was kneeling in front of him, cupping his face in her hands and wiping away his tears. She stared up into his pained brown eyes and tried to smile reassuringly up at the boy that had become closer than a son to her. "You're not useless, Kiba." She told him firmly, trying to tell him with her eyes how very serious she was. "You will heal, hell if you can't let a woman touch you, then you can shack up with a man, it doesn't matter Kiba." Tsunade didn't mention how long it had taken for Kiba to allow her to touch him without flinching or the other ways in which his capture had affected him. "I love you and I'm sure your mother loves you too, I only want you to be happy and I'm sure if you told her she would feel the same way."

"I don't want her to look at me like she knows her son's dirty." Kiba breathed out roughly. "I don't want her to treat me any differently than she always has."

"She's your mother, Kiba, she would love you no matter what." Tsunade said, but changed the subject because she could see the stubborn look coming into his eyes now. "You're not broken, Kiba, you just need something a little different. I know you've had a male lover before, which is progress." She told him, trying to give him something positive.

Kiba just sighed, pressing himself closer in her arms. She infolded the boy in her arms immediately, knowing he needed the comfort of touch at the moment and feeling glad that she was one of the few he still allowed to touch him outside of sparring. He dug his face into her neck and slid to the floor beside her, cradled in her arms gently. Their weren't many she would ever offer such comfort to but ever since she'd healed the boy after his capture she'd felt close to him. As close, if it were possible, as Jaraiya. She wasn't sure what it was that made her feel such a bond with the boy but it really didn't matter. She began to rock him gently, humming a tune that she knew soothed his feral instincts. She would be here whenever Kiba needed her, no matter what.

00000-00000

Kiba slipped into the Uchiha compound a little after three in the morning, feeling exhausted and brooding. He wasn't sure why he'd been so emotional, but Tsunade always seemed to bring out that side of him. As much as he hated that side of him he found that most of the time it did make him feel better, although he would never admit such to Tsunade.

Almost stumbling in his exhaustion Kiba made it to the little house Itachi currently inhabited, spotting the Anbu guard in a matter of seconds. At once he felt his irritation flare. The stupid jackass was in plain sight and not even attempting to hide his presence, a fact that could endanger Itachi should an assassin actually show. With a low growl he leapt to the roof, eyes narrowed behind his replaced Anbu mask. The guard jumped slightly at his appearance making Kiba even angrier.

"Akuma-san!" The rat themed mask turned to take him in, the voice high, female. "I didn't expect you until morning."

"I don't fucking care what you expected!" He cut in sharply, furious. "You should have seen me coming from at least the edges of the compound. Your incompetence could have gotten the target killed, you stupid twit!"

The girl spluttered for a moment in shock, clearly not expecting the verbal attack. "B-but it's just a traitor! Who cares?" She protested at last, venom coming into her tone. She moved into a crouch.

"But nothing! You let your own perceptions ruin your mission!" Kiba shook his head at her naivety. "The Hokage deemed it necessary to guard him and who are you to ignore her wishes? Who are you to doubt her word? I'll be making sure the Hokage hears of your insubordination." With that Kiba disappeared over the edge of the roof, landing lightly on the balcony of the bedroom.

He knew Itachi was awake as soon as he entered the room. Kiba ignored the prone Uchiha and instead pulled his spare sleeping mat from his pack. He didn't look once at the older man even though he could feel the man's black gaze following him as he got ready for bed. There was no way he could face Itachi now, not while he was still so very emotional. Not while he was vulnerable. So instead he shed his cloths down to his pants and lay down in his bed a few feet from the other without once looking at him.

Unlike earlier, Kiba fell asleep immediately, the feeling of Itachi's chakra cool and serene compared to his own raging emotions. It was like an icy balm to his heart and he accepted the wordless comfort from Itachi silently, glad the older man seemed to know he was in no mood to talk.