I have no idea where this story's going but hopefully you all will like the change of plot. Please comment and tell me what you think!

*Thanks for reading!*

Sasuke dreamt of oranges - the smell having seeped through his nose to intrude his dreams. They were on a tropical island surrounded by of course, orange trees. With not a cloud in the sky, the weather was austere with the sun's rays to a full shine over them, though as they lay in the sand and near the water's edge, the temperature was much cooler and quite warm. They held hands there and in his sleep Sasuke smiled, content against Naruto's strong chest.

The tranquil dream shattered the moment the sound of a door slamming open pierced Sasuke's own dream and Naruto's restful slumber.

"Would you look at that?" a gruff voice said. "Your little brother's being a little cozy with that blonde there." Sasuke knew that voice. He abruptly sat up, to be placed between Naruto's legs as Naruto himself stirred awake from his nap.

It was his Itachi's partner, Kisame, a man whose skin and hair were blue and whose teeth were pointed due to an unknown disease. To his side was someone who looked much like Sasuke, the same night-black hair but eyes as cold and hard as coal. Those same eyes looked at him with such intensity and detestation. He flinched as if stricken with an invisible blow, his brother had never looked at him like that - that gaze filled with so much… hate. Sasuke immediately scooted away from Naruto to the far other side of the couch as more people entered the house, their steps light and almost silent. People he knew as the other members of Itachi's gang, the Akatsuki: Hidan; Kakuzu; Tobi; Deidara; Sasori; a man who looked like a plant, again a disease; and finally the leader, Pein; and his girlfriend and only female member, Konan. Each sported a tattoo of a red cloud on their arm. He felt humiliated being found in the position he was in with Naruto in front of everyone – and frightened for what Itachi would do or even say next. But what were they doing here? They shouldn't have been back for another week.

"Who are these people, Sasuke?" Naruto asked sleepily, yawning into his hand.

"Oh? On a first name's basis already, huh?" Kisame asked inquiringly, looking at Sasuke, those sharp pointed teeth set into an evil grin. "Well? Aren't you going to tell him?"

Sasuke's jaw clenched as he turned to look at Naruto, trying to plead with his eyes to tell Naruto to stay quiet. "They're a gang called Akatsuki." Was all he said.

"That's all? We're the meanest bunch in the whole Leaf Country, hell, I think the whole world. But we like to keep a low profile, you see? And we're not one of those bank-robbing sissy gangs either. We have 'connections' with some pretty powerful people, some wealthy people."

"Enough, Kisame," the leader finally said. He had shocking orange hair and a multitude of piercings. Sasuke, though his nervousness, briefly wondered when and where he got them all. "Wouldn't want to tell them everything."

Kisame's grin slipped. "No, suppose not."

At that instant, a high voice whined, "Pein, can we go now? I'm bored." It was Konan, she was pulling at Pein's arm impatiently.

"We just got here," he said, but he saw that desperate look in his girlfriend's face and said, "Fine," pulling her to his side to wrap his hand around her slim waist, "You're in charge, Itachi." And he left.

As soon as they walked out the door, Sasuke felt as if his only protection walked out also, with those final words spoken. He couldn't help his gaze to flit over to where Itachi was leaning against the wall, arm crossed over his chest, that same look in his eyes. He had to leave. They had to leave.

He hastily lifted himself off the couch, forgetting about his ankle, his leg gave out. He landed on one knee, one hand on the coffee table.

"What happened to your leg?" Was the first thing Itachi said. His voice was emotionless, empty, he had gone beyond furious, and Sasuke shivered, feeling as if he were before the Devil now, standing trial for his sins. And like to the Devil, he knew he could not lie and he will receive no mercy.

"I tripped playing basketball at school." His voice cracked unfortunately, and it was spoken whispered, as if it were a sin he was attempting to lessen the shame by speaking softly.

Then he remembered something. It was the conversation, or more like argument, between him and Naruto about Itachi. He had said he hated Itachi, but this was more like fear. He was suppose to be the one standing superciliously, arrogantly, with that look toward Itachi. He was not that little kid anymore that needed someone to care for him when their parents died. He does not stand for people like that at school, and as sure as hell won't stand it with his own brother. He knew he hated Itachi with his whole being, even if they were blood-related, and if he was scared before, he wouldn't be now – hate would consume his fear, and hate would be his weapon.

"And you didn't call?"

Sasuke stood up, mindful of his ankle now, to gaze directly into those unfeeling, dark eyes. Neither looked away.

"You never cared. Why care now?" He answered icily.

"I see. You're right." His eyes broke away to glance towards Naruto's direction. "Disgusting creature."

Sasuke instantly took one step forward and was about to take another, but the blonde reached out his hand to stop him. "No, Uchiha."

Uchiha? "But Naruto-"

"It's Uzumaki, right?" Naruto grinned an uneasy grin.

"Naruto Uzumaki, huh?" Itachi turned to look at the members still standing by the entrance. "Hidan, Kakuzu, hold Uzumaki down."

No, not Naruto. They could do anything to him, but not Naruto.

"Naruto, run!"

Too late, they made a jump for Naruto as he made it halfway across the living room, slamming his face into the ground. As Sasuke tried approaching, someone grabbed him from behind.

"Your brother's gone for a couple of weeks and you make yourself a friend – a boyfriend." Kisame said into his ear.

"Itachi!" Sasuke yelled furiously, desperately. "Stop!"

"Too bad, little brother. I know you hate me - and that's good, you'll need it to be strong. But you're still too weak. You don't have enough hatred… yet."

He growled, attempting to free himself from Kisame's hard grasp on his arms, sharp nails piercing his skin. He glanced at Naruto, seeing blood drip down from his nose, broken, as they held him kneeling in front of Itachi. Itachi leisurely approached, seeming to have all the time in the world, as if time had slowed down and to make up for it Sasuke's heart sped up. He tried to scream but his voice seemed constricted, lost.

"Don't worry, Sasuke," the blonde grinned.

Itachi kicked Naruto, hard to enough to hear ribs crack, he gasped out in pain, obviously trying to stifle it, biting his lip hard enough for beads of red to join the stream from his nose.

"Stop!" the raven yelled, suddenly finding his voice.

"Shut him up."

A foul smelling rag was stuffed in his mouth, he gagged, and his next words were muffled as Itachi continued to abuse Naruto. More ribs were heard cracking, his face becoming disfigured by those punches. The skin turning a disgusting purple, perversely highlighting those beautiful eyes, those white teeth stained with red paint because through it all, he still managed to grin.

Sasuke's eyes watered. He couldn't stand this. It was like looking at his parents dying all over again. He wanted to run away, look away, but he could do neither, and through every grunt of pain from his partner, he could only stand there and cry – just like long ago. He stopped struggling, knowing it was futile. Kisame loosened his grip. Then he remembered how Naruto never gave up. How he was always persevered, that stubbornness, he had always admired that in him. Why couldn't he be like that? Especially now? Especially for Naruto? No, he wouldn't stand and let it all happen again. He won't be that lost little boy. Gathering up all strength still left in him, he whipped his head back to smash solidly against, most likely, Kisame's nose and with an angry snarl he stumbled backward dragging Sasuke with him, but Sasuke elbowed him, and was finally free. He dashed toward Naruto, forgetting all about that ankle, crouching in front of him, just as Itachi was aiming another punt, his shoe hitting the small of his back and sending a sharp pain through his spine. He winced, only caring that he could at least save Naruto from this one blow.

"Sasuke! You idiot!"

Itachi had always kept his voice composed, he never yelled, he never had a need to, but he did now and Sasuke flinched slightly, but looking at the blonde's bruised and tattered face, one eye swollen shut, that same hate came back and he didn't care. In one swift motion, strong hands came from behind and he was now crouched in front of Itachi, those long fingers dug into his shoulders, holding him down. He looked into those eyes. What did he see? He wasn't sure. They were empty, but he thought for a brief moment he saw sadness, but that couldn't be right. He was sure he imagined it, so sure he could stake his life on it – as he might be doing now.

"Go ahead and hate me, little brother. Hate me so you can be strong enough to kill me. You're so weak now, you're pathetic. Useless." He spoke slowly, coolly now.

"Bastard! Go to hell!" And he spat into Itachi's face.

He didn't move to wipe it. Instead he continued.

"Do you know how our parents really died?"

Sasuke's heart seemed to skip a beat, he couldn't breath, he was stunned. He was filled with the realization of what truly happened.

"You killed them!"

"Right," was all he said, his face frozen with no emotion.

"You're a monster! You're crazy!" He listed his hands to grab Itachi's wrists and throw them back at him. "Don't touch me!"

Itachi backed away, with one last look at Sasuke he turned and headed for the door.

"Let's go. We're leaving."

"Wait!" Sasuke burst out without thinking. "Why?"

"Why did I kill them? Because they were in the way, they were fools. I wanted to see if I could do it, if I could kill them."

The absurdity of that answer, yet he didn't want to question further. He didn't want to know any more.

"You're psychotic," he finally said.

The corners of Itachi's mouth lifted into a smile. "Yes, I suppose I am."

And they left.

They left leaving Sasuke still under shock by this new piece of information, and Naruto bleeding on the carpet, half alive.