You like it when I speak softly against your neck. You like it when my breath brushes the shell of your ear. I got you addicted to the sound of my voice, can you hear it? I'm seducing you every step of the way and claiming you as mine. Here and forever, it's me who you belong to, not the world.

Let me hold you forever.

Junai No Bad Romance

XVI

When Sasuke woke up the next morning, it was to his older brother missing, and a hot breakfast waiting for him near the night stand along with a tomato and a note. It was actually what had woken him up, the delicious scent of French toast, scrambled eggs, and hot syrup with pancakes. Sasuke could feel himself smile from ear to ear from the sheer fact that his brother would be the only one to know his obsession with tomatoes, and that they were better than any rose or any other plant would ever be. The passion red of the fruit told him the meaning alone his brother was trying to convey. He loved him.

Itachi knew him so well.

Pealing the covers away from his body, Sasuke decided to have his breakfast. The other thing in his mind now that his belly was being filled was what was he going to wear to his date with his brother? For the fact that they were going separately and all, it felt like it like a real, real date, one that made him nervous. What did his brother have planned? God, he'd never know what more tricks his brother could pull, but usually Itachi was at least there to lead him to it. Now he was going to have to go on his own. He was going to have to meet Itachi there, and he couldn't believe that he was actually worrying about what he was going to wear, what time he was going to get there, but then it all came to perspective. They were brothers, so what, there was still a part of him that wanted to impress his brother.

His brother was also mysterious. Always doing things for him and being all…romantic. Sasuke sighed. Their relationship was seriously messed up. Or maybe it was just him that was messed up. I mean, what kind of normal boy would ever be in love with his brother, and then just when they were together, still feel insecure. He realized that Itachi is his brother, and that was never going to change, and he never wanted that to change. He loved the fact that he had such an awesome older brother. He had always admired Itachi and that was never going to stop. As to how he fell in love with Itachi, that was a mystery to even him, and Sasuke was always the kind that liked a reason and valid explanation for things. Now that he had his brother as his boyfriend, he was killing himself over and over again, wondering, why! Why was he in love with his older brother?

It shouldn't be right. Itachi should have denied him when he came out and told him how he felt. It wasn't anything special; at least it didn't seem like it when it happened. But it meant the world. He knew it, if Itachi had ever rejected him, it would have crushed him so deeply. Sasuke hated to admit it but he was a person that led with his emotions and often times he did things without thinking, but he always did what he felt. He was to highly emotional for his own good. Finishing his breakfast, he decided to go out for a while and think about what he was going to do for when his date with Itachi came.

He couldn't explain it, but he was nervous.

Kyuubi took a deep breath.

He was out in the open road with no destination in mind. He pulled off his helmet and steadied his motorcycle. He had left without really waiting to tell his brother goodbye on his own. The pain was killing him. He knew he was losing his brother for his own damn sinful desires, but he couldn't bring himself to tell Naruto such. His little brother deserved the best. And because he could not ask for forgiveness over what he felt, because he was not sorry he was in love with his brother, but at least he could say goodbye. It was easier, not to have to see any pain in his brother's face.

It was easier to pull away from his fears. He couldn't stand the painful truth that he was going to be downright rejected. For a moment, he closed his eyes, letting the wind sway through his orange hair and just then he started to think about the words his father had once told him. When two people love each other, love has to overcome everything. Fight for love. Heh, he doubted his father would ever support such a thing if he ever knew that the love he wanted to fight for belonged to his baby brother.

Gritting his teeth, Kyuubi ran his hands over his hair and decided to continue over the road. This was like a curse. His own personal curse God had decided to bless him with and he'll continue to run away, punished by it. Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his pocket and he decided to ignore it. He already knew who it was, but he was not going to answer it.

Because that's how he felt, punished.

Itachi had decided to have breakfast at a restaurant near the hotel he and Sasuke were staying at, although he was really reluctant to leave his brother alone for practically the entire day. If there was any real reason to call this a week long date, it was because there was nothing more that he wanted to do than just be around his brother. He thought maybe hanging out without a worry would be enough, but it would seem he still had to prove his love to his little brother. Not that the boy didn't know, but it seemed he had to work harder. After all, Sasuke wasn't only his brother, he was his boyfriend now. The thing was that Itachi had never had a boyfriend before really; he just wanted to make sure things were right between him and his brother. If he had to do something just to make his otouto feel secure, then he would do it without another thought.

Itachi sipped at his coffee as he looked up at The Relanpago, and narrowed his eyes. He was going to have to find a way so he could get a personal area clear for him and his brother. He wanted to make sure that he made this perfect for his little brother. No one was going to stop him, nor deny him. Taking another sip, he decided to walk into the building to see if he could find anyone about making a few accommodations for tonight.

He couldn't wait for eight o'clock to roll around so he could be with his younger brother again. He missed him already.

Back in Konoha, Naruto was highly upset.

It was already high noon and all he wanted to know where his brother was. He was worried about him. If someone had hurt his brother, he didn't want him returning to that pain. Naruto sighed as he leaned against the couch, the house was empty, and in his hand was the house phone. He wasn't sure how many times he had called Kyuubi, but he had called him more times than he could count. It was starting to drive him mad. What was his brother's problem? Why wasn't he answering?

Hanging up the phone, he decided he needed to shower and dress. He needed to do something that would get him out of his moody attitude.

This sucked. What gave Kyuubi the right to return home, and then just leave, both times unannounced? His brother really did think he had freedom to do as he pleased! It wasn't fair. He wanted to do what he pleased as well. Yet, he stopped because he knew his brother was probably hurting. He just wished that he could do something to help him.

Thinking a little more, Naruto started to think about several things that had happened since his brother returned. The odd thing of Kyuubi asking out Sasuke's mother, the revelation that Sasuke was dating his own brother and on top of that clearly claimed to love him more than anything. Then there was the kiss Kyuubi had given him and the things he had said. He couldn't understand it. Why were these things happening around him?

For his sanity, he decided to invite Gaara over. Right now, he needed a shoulder to lean on.

Gaara was sitting in his study room when he heard commotion in the living room. He decided to get up and see what was going on. When he came down stairs, it was to be greeted by the sight of his older sister. It seemed that Temari had returned. He, on the other hand, was incredibly pissed off with her for leaving in the first place.

When she turned and smiled at him, his face remained blank and passive, "Hey Gaara, I'm sorry for what I did, and I want to talk to you…" she started, but he turned his back on her and started to walk back to his study room. But he could hear her following him, "Gaara, wait, where are you going? I want you to hear me out!"

"I don't want to hear it; I don't want to know about it." Gaara snapped.

"Well too bad!" Temari yelled. "I'm pregnant, and I'm going to leave forever! I'm not coming back. I decided this was goodbye!" she snapped. Gaara falter in his steps, only for a second, before he continued and he closed the door behind him.

Temari scoffed, and turned to look at Kankuro who smiled apologetically to her. "He's been sulking since you left. You being gone makes it harder on him to deal with the fact that our family is so broken."

"It's so broken because of our parents" Temari snapped, "I had nothing to do with it. Gaara will just have to grow up!" with that, she stormed out of the living room and Kankuro was left there, smiling to himself. He never got along with his siblings, and now to be left in the middle of a cold standoff really was not helping matter.

How was he going to fix this?

He knew Temari was hardheaded and she was no pushover, she'd go and follow her heart. She never revealed it though, and she kept it hidden from them, and not to say she was going to be gone forever. It was only a wonder that Gaara was incredibly mad at her. Not that they were closed to begin with, but enough was enough he guessed.

Things where never going to change if neither of them actually wanted to make an effort, Or at least both of them. Sighing to himself, Kankuro decided that this was a normal day and let things be as they will be.

Maybe one day they could actually sit down and pretend to be a family again.

After a few more hours of just pressing down on the gas of his bike, Kyuubi finally had to stop so he could refuel. The gas station he stopped by looked old, as well as if it had seen better days with more costumers. It almost looked deserted. Still, he managed to get his fuel, and the old man that ran the gas station was kind enough to give him directions to a bar, that also happened to be next to an inn motel for him to spend the night.

He decided to waste no time and head over there, he'd be getting there just at night fall and the he would be able to rest. Knowing he was miles away from the problem that had him in the run.

The run, yes he was running, but he didn't know what else to do, other than push forward and continue.

Night had approached so tediously slow, and Sasuke was now ready to greet Itachi for their date. He wondered for a moment if he was going to have to walk all the way to The Relanpago, but it soon became apparent that he wasn't going to have to. Before he knew it there was a limousine there, and a driver. Sasuke could nearly have scoffed at the fact that his brother was being rich with him. It didn't help that he had gone out and bought himself nice clothes for this occasion. He could have sworn that he was acting like such a girl.

Sasuke wondered if Itachi would notice that the soft baby blue button up shirt and the dark blue jeans were new. A slight blush became apparent to Sasuke's face as he thought about it. He was missing his brother, and he was also extremely eager to go meet him already.

All day today he had tried to clear his head, he had gone shopping for his new clothes, and he had then taken hours trying to find his way back to the hotel. He really should have taken a map. After that he had rushed through a shower and dressed. He was glad that he was done on time, even though the nerves were eating up at him, twisting in his stomach of the thought of what his brother could have planned for him today.

It didn't take long for him to catch sight of his destination. The Relanpago was amazing. The lights that surrounded, and the lovely décor was amazing. The lights around it were bright, and seemed like they were like glowing gems. Sasuke was amazed by the sight. "We're here, Uchiha-san" The driver said as he stopped the car and Sasuke was about to reach the door, but it was opened for him.

The Relanpago was amazing, for sure, but what really took his breath away was the sight of his gorgeous older brother opening the door for him. Itachi was wearing a black button up shirt, and black jeans. Now, Itachi looked even more amazing then the glowing lights and the silver metal that made the building what it was. He had been scared he would not have been able to spot him, but right now, all he could think about was getting to his older brother, and hug into him.

"You look beautiful otouto," Itachi said as soon as Sasuke stepped out of the limousine. Sasuke blushed, causing Itachi to smirk at him. "Are these new?" Itachi ventured, his fingers tracing over the collar of Sasuke's shirt, and then pressing on one of Sasuke's buttons. Itachi was extremely pleased that he had already managed to fluster his younger brother. He leaned in close, so he could whisper into Sasuke's ear, so only he would hear. "I think I'll enjoy taking them off of you," Itachi nibbled over Sasuke's earlobe before pulling away.

Sasuke's body had reacted, and now was incredibly warm, compare to the cold night around them.

"Sir, would you like me to wait for you to return you to the hotel later on?" The driver asked, since Itachi was the one paying him.

Itachi nodded his head. "Of course, I'll call you when we are ready to leave." The driver nodded, and went back to get in the car, since he was blocking the way of the other cars. Itachi reached for his brother's hand, and decided to lead him inside. It had not been easy to convince management here to actually close off a section of The Relanpago. After all, this gorgeous place was the most visited at night and by most tourists when they came to Lightning.

Ten minutes later, found the brothers over a secluded area. There were squared sections of beautiful plants and trees, the ground was white cement, and there was a black fence railing around the entire area, almost like a balcony. Sasuke gasped as he looked out, he could practically see all the gleaming lights of the city. "I hope you are hungry otouto." Itachi whispered into his ear, as his back pressed To Sasuke's and he rested his head on Sasuke's shoulder. Sasuke shivered in pleasure, leaning close to his older brother. The feel of Itachi's warmth was enough for him. The scent of his older brother all around him was safety to him.

"What are you planning?" he decided to ask. That was the first thing he had managed to get his brain to produce, seeing as it was having a hard time thinking right now.

Itachi gave him a wicked smile. "Dinner, of course, unless you had something else in mind,"

Sasuke blushed at what that implied. "Dinner sounds good." He muttered, and Itachi chuckled.

"Follow me then," Sasuke was already enticed to do so. Before he knew it, he was lead to a place where there was a candle lit dinner prepared for them. It looked luxurious and beautiful. Sasuke had to wonder why his brother went through such troubles for him. Of course, Itachi was also a man of many surprises, so Sasuke had roll his eyes when Itachi announced what they would be having.

"Lightning's best Italian pizza and apple cider, since wine isn't something we'd normally drink" Itachi crossed his arms and looked at his younger brother. "How does that sound otouto."

It was luxurious, Sasuke decided. But it was something that only his brother could come up with. If there was one thing about them that they held in common was that the simplest things in the world were the best. The only thing that mattered about this moment was that Itachi was here with him, and that Itachi was his. This moment was theirs. "It sounds perfect niisan" he said, grinning from ear to ear and Itachi pulled him closer, and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"Let's eat then," he said, leading the way.

Sasuke complied and allowed his brother to laed him towards the table, where both of them were ready to eat. They had not eaten all day do to the nerves of this moment, but they were finally here. This didn't have to be perfect, so long as it was only the both of them, it could go any way that it wanted.

Ninety nine missed messages.

Kyuubi was at a bar, and he was drinking. He wanted to numb the pain that was in his chest. This was ridiculous. He needed to bury his feelings and everything he had fought to forget. He needed someone else to love. Kyuubi took a deep gulp of heady liquor and ended up swallowing roughtly as something come to a conclusion in his head.

His phone rang again.

His brother would always lead in his heart.

He threw the glass to the side, braking it and making people turn to look at him, "Okay buddy, I think you have had enough" the bar tender said, but he ignored him, as he flipped open his phone, and he pressed it to his ear.

He breathed, what was he doing? What was he going to say?

"Kyuubi? Thank God, I thought you were dead seeing as you weren't answering at all." Naruto's voice sounded relief on the other side. Kyuubi took a deep breath.

"Sorry, I needed some time alone."

"Yeah, well I don't think that's what you need" Naruto scolded, "You will keep going to therapy."

Kyuubi chuckled. "Sorry, Naruto." All I ever wished is to be the one that protects you. "Don't worry about me, I'm alright. I decided to head back."

"Head back where?" Naruto demanded, "You never tell me where you go, it isn't fair." The whine and complain in his voice made Kyuubi feel warm inside. He stood up, and crossed the bar, all the way until he was outside. How dare Naruto tell him that it wasn't fair? How dare Naruto demand to let him know where he was going? He would never say it.

"Don't be worrying about me when you don't even know who the victim in this confusion is."

Naruto was confused. "Huh."

"Just forget anything that I have ever said, anything I've ever had to say means nothing." He closed his eyes. Naruto puffed out his cheeks in a pout. Back in Konoha he was in his home, with Gaara sleeping in the couch as he had come to stay the night with him to keep him company. He was so glad he had him for the comfort, but this was getting ridiculous. He couldn't bring himself to sleep without hearing from his brother, and finally he got the bastard to answer, and he was making no sense at all. No sense at all.

"Kyuubi, please stop all this nonsense and come back home."

Home, Kyuubi found the word alone amusing. That was the one place he had felt like he had been missing for years now. Home was wherever his brother was now, no matter how much he tried to convice himself otherwise.

"I'm not returning Naruto. Stop calling, I don't think you have to worry. You'll never see me again."

Naruto felt his breath catch and his hands clench. "What do you mean you are not coming back?" Naruto snapped.

"I've hurt you."

"What…"

"I hurt you Naruto, beyond what can be forgiven."

Naruto was frozen, thinking briefly back on the kiss that his brother had given him. He then remember him asking for forgiveness. "What are you talking about?" He had forgiven him for that.

Itachi and Sasuke stood by the black railings, looking down in the city. They were finished eating and were full to the brim. Sasuke sighed, "I ate too much."

"You mean you ate to fast." Itachi pocked his brother's forehead. He adored this boy, and that could never be explained why. It just was. And he was never going to let him go. Sasuke pouted and glared at him. But after a while it dissipated, and he smiled at him. Itachi raised an eyebrow.

"Thanks niisan," he whispered. "For always trying to make me see you care, more than a brother"

Itachi leaned into Sasuke "Foolish Otouto" Itachi whispered and drew Sasuke close as he kissed him softly over his soft warm lips. The cold air around them ruffled their hair.

"You know very well what I mean," Kyuubi hissed. He needed to let his brother go. Naruto on the other side was stiff.

"Kyuubi…" he wasn't sure what his brother was talking about, but his heart clenched. Tears slid down his eyes and he wanted to yell. He wanted to know where his brother was so he could go and drag him back.

"Just forget it, let it go. It doesn't matter. I'm not going back.

Naruto lowly growled. "What do you mean, you'll be back as soon as mom hears about this!" Naruto snapped. Kyuubi sighed.

"Don't tell her,"

"Why not."

"Just don't."

"Kyuubi."

"You don't understand, every time I see you I am the one that hurts the most…you don't know who the victim is in this confusion" Kyuubi had lost his brother because he himself could not accept his own feelings. "…I'm sorry." But Kyuubi could not give in to his own urges to go see his otouto ever again.

"Kyuubi-" Naruto snapped, but his brother had snapped the phone close. Naruto was crying, but he had no doubt about what he had heard.

I love you otouto…more than you'll ever know.

He turned his head when he heard the rustling of bed sheets, only to catch sight of his sleeping boyfriend. He wanted to wake him, but a bigger part of him didn't. He had just lost his brother. He was so confused.

The tears wouldn't stop pouring from his eyes, his heart. Why was this happening?

"I know you have been worrying about our relationship a lot more than you would let on," Itachi breathed in Sasuke's ear making the younger shudder with desire. He wanted his brother, but for right now, he also wanted to hear what he had to say. That was something he had not been expecting.

"How?"

"You told me,"

Sasuke pouted. Was he that easy to read? "I promised to not doubt us. I'm sorry"

"You know, our Grandfather Madara once told me something that really stuck with me Sasuke," Itachi solemnly said, and Sasuke glanced at his brother curiously. "He said, sometimes life isn't fair. More so when you end up losing the person you love, even though you once had them, but you broke up over something so petty it left you wondering what if. He said, the person he loved was gone before he could ever even turn back and be with them. Sure, he got married to grandmother, they had a child together, and then he just settled and married her. He wasn't happy. He lied to protect his own heart."

Naruto wasn't sure if he hated Kyuubi right now, or what to do.

He wanted to crawl in somewhere and die. He didn't understand what he was feeling, but something told him something odd had just transpired between him and his older brother. Something even he could not understand.

"Grandpa wasn't happy in his relationship?" Sasuke asked, bewilderment showing in his expression. He had always thought his Grandpa was just a grumpy old man but that he loved grandma. Not that he would ever know now that they were dead. There were moments of odd arguments, and odd moments, but his grandfather never seemed more than just a bitter old man. Bitter.

Itachi shook his head, a sad smile coming over his face, "No otouto, Grandfather confessed once though, when I told him I loved you, that he too had once loved his otouto, and he wished he had never let him go."

Kyuubi was crying.

His heart was crumbling at a rate that he rather not admit, but at least his younger brother had not rejected him, he could never live if he had. This was the end. He was done and he was never going to turn back. If he wanted to forget then he would, and he would find someone else to love. In this game, and in this state, neither of them could win. Not when there were three of them.

He, Naruto, and Gaara, and right now, his brother would need Gaara a lot more than he would ever need him. Swallowing hard, he walked over to his motorcycle, he was drunk, but he didn't care, he was going to leave, and he was going to find his own place.

Someday the pain would stop, he knew, it just had to. It had once, but it would stop again, until he was nothing but numb. But the thought of Naruto cuddled in Gaara's arms dominated his mind, and he came to the resolution that-He hated them both.

"Umn," Sasuke nodded, unsure of what their Grandfather's younger brother was to them. They just had called him Uncle Izuna all the time. At least that was what the man liked to be called. He was fun, but he had been the first to die. Their Grandfather had soon followed.

"I guess, a part of me understood that it had to do with love that went beyond being brotherly, but when I asked him why he gave him up, he said, foolishness. The needing to just keep our family blood going, the honor of it all," Itachi shrugged, "I thought it was pretty stupid, why give up the person you love, you know,"

Sasuke realized it then. "I wouldn't give you up for the lack of romance niisan; I just wish you'd do certain things,"

Itachi leaned into Sasuke and pressed a gentle kiss on his baby brother's lips. "I'll try my best to make you feel loved at all times, Sasuke, but we're brothers as much as we are lovers. We have that bond that can't even be overtaken. I love teasing you, I love being with you in any way I can, and I'll always be there if you need me. Just never be scared to ask me for anything,"

Sasuke lowered his eyes warmly at his brother. Itachi truly was the best and he was right. Just because the romance in their relationship wasn't flaring didn't mean it lessened the love they felt for each other.

It'd be stupid to end things just because of that.

"I love you so much niisan," Sasuke whispered and Itachi nuzzled Sasuke's cheek.

"I love you with all my heart, Otouto," Itachi whispered back, pulling Sasuke into his arms and hugging him tightly.

Things between them weren't normal-at least in the perspective of other people, but this was their normal. This was their love, their passion, and their desire. It was theirs and no one elses.

Romance wasn't good, but it didn't even come to count.

Goodbye

The End.

Yes I know, the ending is vague, and there could be more, but this is it folks.