Okay, so sorry for taking so long. I've had Finals this whole week, and now they're finally over! Just two more days of school and I'll be able to update quicker. So here it is, Chapter 5. Thank you so much for all the reviews. They make me really happy. I know I said you would meet new characters, and you sort of did. It'll be explained in later chapters, promise. I think I might do the next chapter in Naru's P.O.V.; what do you think? –WTR xD
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, all the guys would be gay! Except for a couple.
-x-
Itachi sighed in exhaustion. He was staying up once again waiting for Naruto and Sasuke to come home so he could hear about their new teams. He was sitting on the edge of his bed holding his head in his hands. Light filtered in through his messily hung drapes and illuminated his face. Itachi groaned. How much longer Otouto, Kitsune. Knowing Naruto, they'd most likely stopped at Ichiraku's for some 'celebratory' ramen.
''Nii-san! We're home!''
Itachi couldn't suppress a grin. He stood from his perch on the bed and stretched his stiff muscles. He turned to exit his room, but before he could take a step a body collided with his.
''Itachi!'' Naruto yelped happily, inhaling the scent of his beloved Itachi-sama. He leaned his chin against Itachi's chest and looked up at him with shimmering blue eyes. Clutching the soft material of Itachi's shirt, he smiled in contentment.
''Naruto-kun, how was your day?'' Itachi asked politely. He looked down at the young boy who was violating him, and ran his hands through the blonds' bed head.
''It was awesome. I've got so much to tell you, 'Tachi! Can we go to Ichiraku's?''
''Didn't you just go?''
''...''
''Naru, you might get sick from-!''
''Don't say it. Don't, Itachi.'' Naruto said sternly. He gingerly reached for Itachi's hand and led the teenager to his favourite place in all of Konoha. Itachi gave up on trying to secure Naruto's health for the future. Naruto and Itachi arrived at Ichiraku's after a short walk, and sat down. Itachi ordered a bowl for himself and one for Naruto.
''Okay. So there were a lot of people at the orientation! And guess whose team I'm on! I'm on Sakura-chan's... and Sasuke's! And guess who my sensei is? It's Kakashi. He was so late! And I pulled a prank on him, and he fell RIGHT for it. Can you believe that? And then we shared some information on ourselves, and I talked about ramen, and Sakura acted all weird. She couldn't get all her sentences out, and she kept giggling and looking over at Sasuke. Weird, right? So tomorrow I have to get up early for a survival test. That's what Kakashi said. And we're not supposed to have breakfast for some reason. Anyways, Kiba, Hinata, and that guy Shino are all on a team. As well as Ino-pig, Shikamaru, and Chouji. I still haven't heard who their sensei's are. Also, you know how Sakura was all weird to Sasuke? Well Hinata is doing the same thing, but to me! She gets all red, and sometimes she faints! I really don't get it. So how was your day, 'Tachi?" Naruto belted out as he finished his third bowl of ramen.
Itachi started dazedly at the blond. He still wasn't used to his incessant ramblings. Itachi shook his head before giving a well thought out answer.
"You're on Otouto's team? That's great! Kakashi-sensei, huh. Don't underestimate him, Naru. He's tougher than he seems. Also, try not to be too hard on him for being late. He has his reasons. Sakura seems to have developed a crush on Sasuke, if I heard right. As for Hinata, I'm not too sure. My day was excruciatingly painful, thank you for asking."
Naruto's eyes were wide. "Painful? What happened?"
Itachi frowned and set his chopsticks down.
"Well, I went on a mission. I, uh, passed out, and was left open to attacks..."
"Itachi-sama! Are you alright?" Naruto exclaimed. He was so worried he abandoned his ramen and started to inspect Itachi.
"I'll be fine, yes."
"Are you not fine right now?"
"...no. Not exactly."
"Where are you hurt!''
''Just relax, Kitsune. I won't die.''
''I know that... wait... why did you pass out in the first place?''
''I was exhausted.''
''Are you not getting enough sleep, 'Tachi?''
''No, Naru. I'm not.''
''Why not?''
''I, uh, I'm busy during the night.''
''And during the day?''
''I have missions. As well as seeing you every day.''
''Itachi... You can't get hurt... not because of me.'' Naruto whispered, looking down at his cold ramen. Itachi furrowed his brows. Don't feel guilty. I'll just try to get more sleep...
''I'm done, Itachi.'' Naruto said. He smiled at the old man who was leaning over a bowl. He looked back at Itachi as he got up off the stool, never taking his eyes off of him. Itachi wrapped an arm around his shoulders and turned to pay. After some lengthy goodbyes, they were off to Naruto's apartment.
''You don't have to walk me home you know.'' Naruto stated, looking around at his dark surroundings. He lived in the poorest part of the village, although his apartment was decent thanks to old man Hokage.
''We've been over this at least a thousand times, Naruto. I will not let you get hurt.'' Itachi said sternly. His grip tightened around Naruto's shoulders as a gust of wind brushed past them. It's unusually quiet.
His hand slowly reached towards his weapons pouch. He did it with his utmost discretion so Naruto wouldn't realize and get worked up about it. A shadow moved in an alley to his left, and Kitsune stiffened, but kept walking after a moment's hesitation. Itachi squeezed his shoulder to let him know that he knew too. They kept walking in the moonlight, but kept their eyes trained on the shadow. Naruto suddenly placed his hands against Itachi's chest, and with all his strength managed to push him out of the way of a Kunai. Itachi's heart raced as he watched the Kunai implant itself in Naruto's right upper arm.
''Geez, Itachi. Get yourself together.'' Naruto winced. He turned to look at the dumbstruck teen beside him and gave him a grin.
''The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki, is it?'' A raspy voice called out from somewhere in the darkness. Naruto flicked the Kunai out of his arm and stood in a protective stance above Itachi.
''Uzumaki Naruto to you, Baka.'' Naruto growled. Itachi was still shocked at Naruto's reflexes. How had I not seen this coming?
''You've got an attitude, as I can see.'' The voice said again, much louder this time.
''Who are you? What do you want?'' Naruto yelled into the blackness of the street.
''Your power. The Nine-tails.'' Naruto froze. They always came for him. Ever since he was a kid, that was all anyone wanted from him.
''I wish you could take it. I don't want it.'' Naruto whispered, staring blankly at a piece of trash floating by. His grip on the Kunai loosened, and Itachi could see his hand trembling. Ugh, what's wrong with me? Why can't I get up? Why... I'm so... I'm so tired... I can't... No! Naruto... I'm sorry... I just... Nar...u...to...
Itachi vaguely remembered blacking out.
-x-
Where am I?
...
Where's Naruto?
...
Hello?
...
Where is this place?
...
Naruto!
-x-
''-ACHI NO!''
Itachi groggily opened his eyes, and found a sword at his throat. The air was filled with the metallic scent of blood. He stared his assaulter head on, carefully calculating how to get out of this death trap. He could still barely move. He must have slipped some knock-out powder in my food.
He heard a whimper beside him, and he barely turned his head, trying to be as discreet as possible. Naruto was curled up on the floor. His clothes were ripped to shreds, and a viscous red puddle was forming next to him. The same red liquid was dribbled over his lips, his nose, his arms, and his stomach. Tears trailed freely down his cheeks, and mixed with the red, creating a watery pink fluid. His hands were overlapping each other, and a Kunai was pinning them onto the cold dirt.
''I couldn't, Itachi. I couldn't. I was scared. I tried so hard.'' Naruto sobbed, biting his lip to control himself. Naruto. It's okay. I'll get us out of here. I promise.
''Don't cry, Naru. It's okay. It's going to be alright.'' Itachi whispered, looking back at the man standing over him. He could feel the cold metal of the sword pierce his neck. I will... Never. Ever. Let anyone touch you again.
Summoning up his strength, Itachi took the man by surprise. He rolled away from the sword wielder and struggled to stand up. He activated his Sharingan and paralyzed the man in a matter of 3 seconds. He slowly walked over to the man and stood above him, a crazy smile forming on his face. Taking the sword out of the man's hands, he raised it above his head.
''Close your eyes, Naru.''
-x-
Itachi shook himself awake. He had been sitting beside Naruto's hospital bed for a couple hours every day, and the fatigue was finally getting to him. He reached for his favourite blonds' hand and stroked the tanned skin. He now had long scars on both hands. This was day 5 of Itachi's hospital visits.
''Wake up, Naru... please, I need you.''
...
''I miss you. I want you here with me.''
...
''I want to hear you laugh, see you smile...''
...
''Itachi-sama?''
-x-
Kay so, reviewers...
Gone and forgotten.: Aww, thanks! =)
Lemrinth: Well, I was trying to take a cuter approach. Thanks!
Saya420: Thank you! You are like one of my most loyal reviewers!
mi5tan: Muahaha, Yay indeed.
chibiluffy-sama: Aww, thank you!
sousie: Yes ma'am.
Please review! The next chapter will be out soon! Love you guys! –WTR.