(Bouncing off walls with hyperness) Wooo!!! Coffee!! Hell yeah. Woo hoo!! (Coughs) Ahem...Anyways. I wholeheartedly thank all of those who reviewed and sent coffee with them. I am now officially hyper so therefore I have decided to type more. I'm running out of ideas; so any who want to volunteer their idea for the story please send a review with an idea in it!! Thank you so much for reviewing. It is very much appreciated and it stimulates the creative side of my brain. Well...Enough blabbering. To the story!!
Chapter 10. My Poison
"So...Sasuke. How does it feel to be a free man?"
Sasuke gave a half-hearted smile at his sensei's question. It was true. He was free now. And even though his thoughts were elsewhere, he was grateful to be out of the place that had been his home for nearly four months.
In celebration of his newfound freedom, Kakashi was taking him out to eat. He had a feeling that there was more behind the gesture than a simple appreciation of his company, but he went along with it. He supposed it had something to do with the guilt that his sensei wore on his shoulders and the grief that smoldered in his eyes.
"So, where would you like to go, Sasuke? I assure you, I intend to pay for you, so you can chose anywhere you'd like."
Regardless of his mental desires to push the subject of Naruto as far away from his mind as he could, his feet carried him absently to the ramen shop where the only thing missing in his mind was an orange-clad blonde-haired ninja slurping down oodles of noodles at a voracious rate.
'He-he...oodles of noodles.' he snickered, causing his sensei to look at him in blatant confusion. 'That's funny. I like that. Oodles of noodles...oodles of noodles.'
"Oodles of noodles." he said out loud for no particular reason.
A soft smile graced his features as the chilly wind blew through his hair. Kakashi glanced down at his student and felt a grin tug at his own lips. He let it stay there for a while as he ducked under the cloth curtains and into the restaurant. The ramen bar was pleasantly warm, but neither Sasuke nor Kakashi felt the desire to remove their jackets.
Sasuke had his own reasons, of course. He didn't want his sensei to see the pinkish white marks that covered his arms, the unfortunate result of scratching himself until he bled. As much as he found himself appreciating his sensei's concern, he didn't want to worry the man.
After all, Kakashi too was grieving from the loss of Konoha's sunshine.
'Naruto...I miss you, but until you return...I'll keep my memory of you strong.'
Naruto Uzumaki...The orange clad ninja who just happened to be the light in his world of never-ending darkness. Actually, he found it ironic that he considered everything in his life to be so shadowy since Naruto's decision to abandon him. He had some things that the other genin would never have. Popularity...and talent as a shinobi...well, maybe not as many as he originally thought.
Sasuke sat down on a stool behind his sensei.
"Why, hello Kakashi. And Sasuke too? What a surprise. What can I get you? We have a special on Miso ramen."
'That's Naruto's favorite ramen.' Sasuke thought belatedly.
"That actually sounds pretty good. I'll take the Miso ramen."
"I'll have the lime shrimp ramen," said Kakashi.
'That sounds so...disgusting.'
Regardless, he found himself grinning slightly as a bowl of Miso flavored noodles with rather extravagant garnishes was placed before him.
He gave old man Ichiraku a look that stated clearly, "What is all this for?"
"To celebrate your release from the hospital. Konoha isn't exactly large, you know. Word gets around pretty quickly."
Sasuke must have had a shocked expression on his face because old man Ichiraku quickly added, " I don't know why you were in there, though. Miss Hyuuga is the one who told me you were there in the first place."
'Hinata?' he thought. 'She's actually one of the girls I don't mind. She's not crazy or completely obsessed with me like Sakura.'
The Uchiha gave her credit for that. And had he searched deeper, he might have noticed that he actually felt more than gratitude for the shy, quiet Hyuuga.
He ate his ramen slowly, savoring the taste of the slightly salty Miso. Everything seemed to remind him of Naruto. The way the winter sun shone in the sky, which at this hour of the morning matched his eyes perfectly. How the slightly chilly breeze wrestled playfully with his hair. Everything was just so...so Naruto.
Kakashi ate his ramen quietly, surprised at how Sasuke didn't even notice that he had taken off his mask.
'Its time I stopped hiding from them. They're my students...my pupils...and I think that after Naruto leaving Konoha...we all have to mature a little bit.'
By the time they had finished, a light January snow had begun to fall. Delicate white flakes floated down from the sky and landed on the ground. Sasuke scrunched his toes inside his ninja sandals.
'I really need to purchase a pair of close-toed shoes. Maybe some boots or something.'
Sasuke was drawn from his thoughts as his sensei cleared his throat.
"Sasuke...I..." he started, then cleared his throat again. "I want you to come live with me."
"What?" he asked, thinking of course that either he had misheard Kakashi or that this was all some big joke.
"Very funny, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi gave him a stern look and Sasuke felt his light, airy mood slip down a notch.
"Are you...Are you serious?"
Kakashi sighed. "I don't think it's the wisest decision in the world to have you return back to your home. It's too large and isolating. I want...You're like..."
'Kami...this is harder to say then I thought it would be. Never mind that.'
"I care about your wellbeing and I want you to be safe. I know you're sixteen, but you were just released from the hospital a week ago. And considering your..." he was about to say "history", but decided against it. He didn't want to bring up anything that might be painful to Sasuke.
"It's okay, sensei...I understand."
The silver-haired jonin sighed in relief, even though Sasuke hadn't actually agreed to move in with him. At least he understood what he was trying to get at.
"Let me pack my things and I'll meet you at your house in a little while."
Sasuke jumped off the stool and straightened his navy blue jacket. Stomach full, ramen bowl empty, he was decidedly content at the moment. Though he still missed Naruto with all of his heart, it was a little easier to think about him now that he was out of the hospital. All he'd done while in the unit was brood about the genin, but his freedom gave him newfound feelings of appreciation for the outside world and everything in it.
"Face it," he'd told himself as he'd walked through the gates leading to the prison that had once earned the title of home. "Naruto is gone and nothing can change that. You just have to move on, Sasuke."
"Really?" asked Kakashi, disbelief lacing the word. "You will?"
"I don't lie, sensei." he replied. "I'll see you in a little bit."
"Oh...and Sasuke...There's one more thing you should know."
The raven returned to the booth and stared straight at Kakashi. The man fidgeted uncharacteristically with his mask. A strange grin appeared on his face as heat rushed to his cheeks.
"I'm...involved with someone, so he may occasionally stop by. Don't mind him at all, okay?"
'Wait...HE? I didn't know Kakashi was gay...well...he could be bisexual too, but that's not the point.'
"Who is it?" he asked calmly.
"...Iruka..." Kakashi replied, turning slightly redder.
"Oh." was all Sasuke could say.
He started to walk away when he suddenly felt the urge to comment on his sensei's new relationship.
"You two are good for each other," he said at last before taking off towards the Uchiha District.
"That is to be kept private, Sasuke." Kakashi said loudly after checking to make sure that there was no one around.
His voice echoed through the empty cobblestone streets. A white blanket coated the ground. Kakashi paid for their meal and left for his warm home and an even warmer somebody.
"Iru-chan?" he asked as he shut the door behind him.
"Kakashi?" a teasing voice floated down the hall to the jonin's ears.
Kakashi grinned.
"I'm coming." he replied back, slowly drawing out each syllable.
There was something about the thrill of the hunt that excited him. Already aware of his growing erection and eager to play, he set about slowly checking each of the rooms in his house. Finally, he came to his room, the very room he now sometimes shared with Iruka.
He swung the closet door open and found Iruka leaning against the back wall in his boxers and layers of shirts.
"Looks like you found me." Iruka said while plucking at his shirts as though it were too hot in them, which it probably was.
"Let me help you get out of those clothes."
He gently grabbed Iruka's hand and spun him around so that his back was facing against Kakashi. The chunin stood still as Kakashi worked at getting the first shirt unbuttoned. Then he wriggled out of the second one. The jonin was becoming more and more aroused as he grew closer and closer to his lover's perfect body.
"Three down, two to go." Iruka chimed in as Kakashi removed the third shirt.
Kakashi was becoming more and more aware of his growing need and his hands fumbled with the fourth shirt.
"Patience, love." Iruka said.
Kakashi took a deep breath and steadied himself. Iruka suddenly turned and pressed a hand against his lover's member and the man hissed, rocking into the movement.
"Frisky, are we?"
"Just a little." he whispered breathlessly.
His fingers shook as he removed the fourth shirt, leaving Iruka in a tight black mesh tee.
"I think I'll leave you in that one." Kakashi spoke softly.
Iruka's eyes were aglow with a fiery passion, but more than that, they were filled with love. Just then Kakashi's gaze caught on the dog leash and collar that the other man wore.
"Oh...where did you get that?"
"I bought it." he said "...for us."
Kakashi picked up the leash and led Iruka to the bed.
"Hold on. These have to go," he said, pointing at the boxer shorts.
"Alright, but first..." Kakashi crossed the room and dimmed the lights.
Eyes dancing with passion, he crept towards the bed with a smirk on his face and a glimmer in his eyes.
...With Itachi and Naruto...
"So..." said Naruto, not really knowing how to begin the conversation. He wanted to asked his lover something, but wasn't sure how.
The guilt of the question rose inside him like an ocean tide, threatening to bring the water over his head. He sighed.
'It's a good thing he's distracted tonight; otherwise I'd have him questioning me. I don't think I could handle it.'
The blonde sat down on the bed where Itachi was reading a book and tried kissing him, but he barely responded.
"Not tonight, Naruto." he said, moving away slightly.
Naruto wasn't deterred in the slightest. He moved in to cup his cheek, but Itachi caught his hand and squeezed it lightly.
"I said no, Naruto. I...I'm not in the mood."
That caught Naruto's attention. As far as he was concerned, Uchiha Itachi was the horniest man ever. They'd had sex just about everywhere in the house, not including Kisame's room as the shark man was usually in there seeking refuge from the notorious noises they made.
"Itachi...what's going on?"
Itachi looked at him through a pair of slender, silver-rimmed glasses for a moment. Then he took them off and set them on the drawer beside a lamp before rubbing his eyes tiredly.
'I guess I should tell him. I know I shouldn't feel so guilty about it, but...I do. And it's the least I can do to make it up to him.'
"Naruto." he said, speaking the name with every bit of kindness he could muster. "You know I will always love you, don't you?"
Naruto's mouth went dry and his heartbeat simultaneously skipped a beat.
'Is he going to break up with me?' was all he could think.
Fear sent adrenaline racing through him. His hands began to shake. He stuck them to his jacket pocket and squeezed them into fists to hide the trembling. Itachi noticed the worried expression on his lover's face and couldn't help but nearly cry at the sight. Naruto looked so lost and forlorn...just like that day back under the bridge. He wouldn't hurt the genin ever, even if it cost him his life.
"This is really difficult to say, Naruto."
"Whatever it is, I'll understand." the blonde replied, leaning against Itachi's shoulders.
"I know you will...I know you will." Itachi said at last, sighing heavily.
"It's just...we've been together for...five months. And even though you are eighteen, I have loved you as though you were older than you are. I don't know if I was right in doing that."
"I love you, Itachi. Nothing in my life has ever felt this right." Naruto replied, hoping the desperation in his voice didn't show.
"That isn't what I wanted to talk to you about, Naruto. I..."
'Just say it already, Itachi. You're worrying him half to death.'
"We can't have children."
'Idiot. I didn't want to say it like that.'
"I know." Naruto replied, looking crestfallen.
Children...A subject he often thought of. It didn't matter that he was eighteen. He thought it would be nice to have a kid. He supposed he never considered the possibility of being gay. Now he would never be able to have a child of his own.
"Naruto."
"Yes, love."
Naruto gazed at Itachi with a deep trust in his eyes.
"I want to adopt."
'Adopt...I never thought about adopting.' Naruto thought blatantly.
"What?" he asked, needing to make sure he heard right.
"I want to adopt."
"That's what you wanted to tell me?" Naruto said as he smiled in relief.
"Hai." he replied.
"You had me worried, love."
"Gomen-nasai. I didn't mean to worry you."
"I want to have a child too. And I think adopting is a wonderful option."
Itachi gazed at him in surprise. "Really?" he asked.
"Really." Naruto replied, kissing him on the nose.
"I'm so...I..." Itachi floundered for words to say but found none.
Naruto shut him up by kissing him on the lips.
'What I have to ask can wait a while. Right now, I want to be with Itachi.'
In a swift movement Naruto found himself pinned to the bed by his lover.
"Naruto..." Itachi whispered huskily.
Flames of passion danced in Itachi's crimson orbs.
"Your Sharingan is activated..." Naruto started.
"...So I can memorize every part of you." Itachi finished.
From his pocket Itachi withdrew a length of slender rope. He undressed Naruto quickly, stopping to stare for a moment at his lithe body. The genin blushed as he was motioned to raise his arms up. Naruto obeyed and the rope was twined around his wrists and then tied to the metal headboard.
"Kinky, eh?" Itachi asked with a sly grin as he shrugged off his robe to reveal a pale, yet well-toned body.
"Slightly, but I never said I didn't like it this way." Naruto replied.
He gasped as his lover's tongue traveled down across his toned chest, stopping at each nipple to suck on them before trailing the appendage around and around the seal on his stomach.
Opening his blue eyes, he gazed hazily at Itachi. The man came back up to kiss Naruto on the lips before once more working his way down. He loved making the blonde beneath him moan.
"I love you, Naruto," he said, whispering the words into his ear. "You are my poison."
"And you are mine." Naruto replied. "And you are mine."
Itachi and Naruto will be adopting a child, so you know what that means? It means that you have the chance to submit a character for my story!! Create your own character, name and all, and submit him/her in either a review or an email. The one I like best will be chosen and "adopted" by Naruto and Itachi. Have at it, everyone!! And if you want to create a picture of him and send that too, I will more than happily accept it. I will assure you that full credit will be given to the creator of the character. Thank you and have a good night.