Disclaimer – We do not own Naruto or any of its characters nor are we making any money off these writings.
Warnings – Well boys loving other boys, language of the naughty variety, some violence and a little angst.
This is a collab between Trulywicked and Acherona.
AN – Here's the third chapter of our steampunk pirate story. The drama continues and secrets are revealed in this chapter, wonder where it will lead our boys…together or will it drive them apart? Please enjoy and if you have the time we would absolutely love to hear what you think.
Safe Harbor.
Third Part.
Itachi looked over at the door at the soft knock from where he was lying on his bunk, brooding and glaring up at the bunk above him. His tasks for the day were completed, all too early for his peace of mind, and now he was reduced to sitting alone with his thoughts until this evening or tomorrow and to be honest his thoughts were pissing him off. So the interruption was welcome. "Yes?"
Konan poked her head in, an excited gleam in her eyes. "We're about to make port in Ame, about twenty minutes left. Do you want to come on deck and feast your eyes on solid land?" She thought it would be a good idea to get him on deck with Pein. She had heard all about their closenessfrom Tobi and she had seen how they had avoided each other except for googely eyes ever since.
A dark brow rose in gentle suspicion but her excitement was infectious. "Hn." He rolled out of his bunk and followed her topside at first blinking then chuckling softly when he saw Kisame on his knees sending praises towards land. He walked up behind the huge man on silent feet.
"Oh great goddess of fertility, how overjoyed I am to see you and taste your delights once more." Kisame continued spewing compliments at the shore and Itachi leaned down to speak in his ear.
"You know some people might find such behavior indicative of insanity."
"Gah!" Kisame scrambled to his feet, his cheeks even darker than normal and a sheepish grin on his face. "Aye well, so long at sea can make someone a bit crazy. Besides it's been far too long since I've had the chance to step into a tavern and enjoy the sights."
Itachi's lips twitched. "Now is that the view from the tavern's windows or the wenches?"
Kisame leaned in to whisper conspiratorially, "I'll never tell."
"He'll fuck them against the window and have both." Sasori walked past them with his flesh arm wrapped tightly around Deidara's waist. His voice was as dry as usual but the excitement of making port was clearly visible even on Sasori's features.
Pein watched his crew in amusement but his eyes were drawn to Itachi as soon as the brunet walked up on deck. He really wanted to talk to Itachi but he honestly didn't know what to say. Just feeling the urge to be close to the other he walked over to him and Kisame. "Anything special you want to do while on land?" He asked softly, figuring that was a safe question.
Had he not had years of training to hide his reactions, Itachi would have jumped at the appearance of the captain that had stolen his heart. He almost wanted to run like the rabbit Pein called him but instead he swallowed his nervousness and turned to the redhead. "I'd like to get a message off to my brother, just to tell him I'm safe and not to worry."
"Of course you should do that." Pein nodded in understanding. He knew that Itachi had a loving family to return to but he hoped against hope that his rabbit would want to stay on board the Akatsuki with him. "There are plenty of courier stations willing to take your message."
Itachi just nodded and hoped like hell Pein or one of the crew wouldn't follow him into the courier station. There wasn't a single courier who delivered to the Uchiha Empire who wouldn't recognize him and despite his now exiled status they'd start bowing and scraping and the last thing he needed was for Pein to learn about his past that way. "Other than that a new shirt and bigger boots are on the agenda." He looked at the missing sleeve of his shirt then over to Konan who was holding the infant and telling him about the nice family they'd find him in Ame and how they'd take good care of him and love him so much it could replace the oceans.
"We'll get you both, maybe even a pair of your own pants." Pein tried for humor but his eyes were serious as they were locked on Konan. "This is going to be really hard on her. Having to say goodbye to the baby, it will be like losing her own child all over again." Pein wished he could take that pain away from her, to spare her from it. The best thing for Konan would probably be to make herself a life on land and have lots of kids. He didn't know what he would do without her if she ever left though.
The port grew closer and the sounds of it reached the deck of Akatsuki. The steamer slowed down to a slow crawl as they puzzled their way to their designated spot in the busy port. It still amazed Pein that every single port they docked in had to smell so incredibly bad. Didn't people get that all the crap they tossed in the ocean to get rid of it came back with the tide?
Itachi's nose wrinkled. "Ah the sweet smell of land. However do you stay gone so long?" Sarcasm dripped off those words like a bitter honey.
Kisame grinned and moved to sling a companionable arm over the slim shoulders. "I don't know myself." He merely grunted and rubbed his side when Itachi's elbow jabbed into his ribs hard enough to bruise even the giant.
Blue grey eyes narrowed at the sight of Kisame touching Itachi like that, the large man had done it a lot and Pein wondered if he would have to have a talk with the giant. Jealousy was a new and not a very pleasant experience. Pein called the crew around him.
"Okay guys you all know the rules. Ship errands come first, after we got all provisions and spare parts then your time is your own. You pay for your fun out of your own pocket and no matter what I won't bail you out of jail. If you're not on board when it's time to leave you will be left behind. Other than that, have fun."
A loud cheer echoed around him then the crew scattered about to finish their tasks for docking. It didn't take long for everyone to finish and be off to complete the ship errands as fast as possible so they could have their fun. Itachi tagged along with Kisame and Sasori as they haggled and nearly threatened the poor engine parts salesman for a good price on the parts they needed to fix the engine. He found it incredibly amusing to listen to their bickering as he helped them carry the parts back to the dock. They passed the parts off to some crewmen who'd stayed aboard for a first watch shift and were headed back out when they ran into Kakuzu, who was returning from hocking all the profits.
The dark haired, turquoise-eyed, tightfisted man grunted and tossed each one of them a coin purse. "There are your shares. Don't blow it all cause you're not getting any more."
Itachi chuckled and tied the pouch to his weapons belt even as the others headed immediately for the tavern. He shook his head and checked to make sure there wasn't anything else he could help with before heading to a courier station. He paused outside the station, took a breath, and stepped in, almost wincing at the widened eyes and sudden scramble to assist him.
A slender brown haired male rushed forward and kneeled in front of Itachi. "Y-you're highness what are you doing here?" Of course they had recognized the crown prince even with the ripped clothes and worn shoes. "The entire empire is in uproar looking for you."
A silver haired man in the back sneered and pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose as the others groveled before the prince, it was disgusting really. Thankfully he knew where the true power of the Uchiha empire and this news would earn him a pretty penny...Maybe even a title.
Itachi grimaced then smoothed out his features and offered a hand to the man who'd knelt. "Please don't bow to me. I'm no longer a prince, just a man since my exile."
The courier rose hesitantly. "You will always be a prince to the people of the empire." He said soulfully. "Please tell us what we can do for you." He led Itachi to a horrid red velvet plush chair and bid him to sit down.
Itachi just sighed and let them do as they pleased. He never liked being fawned over but he understood why they did so. "I'd like to send a message to my brother please." He winced as they nearly tripped over themselves to get him the paper and utensils. It didn't take long to compose the message. 'Sasuke, I'm alive, uninjured, and safe. Stop worrying and look to your own affairs. I'll see you again eventually. Sincerely, Itachi.' He folded and sealed the message then handed it off to the brunet courier before standing and reaching into the coin pouch to pull out the price of postage and delivery.
"It will be done my lord, you can trust us. This message will reach the younger prince safely." The brown haired courier followed Itachi to the door and bowed again.
The man with the glasses watched as Itachi composed his message and then left. He hurried to write a message of his own to tell the nobles and the Duke of Mirage in particular just where they could find their runaway prey. He sealed his message with the special seal Mirage had given him, making sure that it wouldn't get interrupted on the way. He sent the message off with a pleased smirk on his face.
"Kabuto what did you just do?" The dark haired courier that had taken Itachi's message called out to him.
Kabuto only smiled and placed the heavy signet ring with Mirage's crest back on his finger.
Filled with dread the brunet left the station to try and warn the prince that his pursuers would be on to him.
Pein noticed Itachi across the street and started towards him, he held a pair of shiny, knee high black boots in his hands and he hoped that they would fit and that his rabbit would like them. He crossed the street and walked up to Itachi.
Smiling he opened his mouth to speak when a frazzled looking brunet came running. "Your highness...Your highness prince Itachi, I need to speak to you."
Pein stopped dead in his tracks and the boots made a soft thump as he dropped them on the street.
Itachi froze, cold dread seeping into him and taking any and all pleasure of the day away. He wanted to ignore the courier, to pretend that he'd mistaken him for the prince but he also knew that it had to have been important for the courier to have followed and sought him out. So, heart heavy and cold, he turned and spoke softly. "Yes?"
"One of the couriers, he...he sent a message. I don't know what was in it but it had the seal of the Duke of Mirage on it...I implore you to be cautious." The courier bowed deeply.
Pein's eyes were a solid steel gray as he looked Itachi over. The man had lied to him from the start, pretended to be someone he wasn't and wormed his way onto his ship and into his heart. He had been such a fool to trust a stranger. The nobles had tried many times before to get a spy on to his ship before but they had never succeeded. The prince was one hell of an actor Pein had to give him that.
Itachi nodded at the courier. "Thank you for warning me...I'm afraid I didn't get your name."
"Hagane, Kotesu Hagane your highness." The courier bowed once again. "I'm only pleased I could be of service."
"I appreciate it Kotetsu." Itachi held himself still as the courier dashed off. He didn't say anything, nor did he turn to look at Pein. If he was going to die here at the man's hands he'd rather not look into the face he'd grown to love as he was either shot or stabbed by him.
"Did you have fun your highness?" Pein's voice was colder than ice as he tried to pull the shards of his broken heart together so that they wouldn't be noticed by all.
Itachi's jaw clenched and he felt an actual pain in his heart, as if it was cracking. "I'm not the prince anymore. I can't help what others call me."
"How convenient." It hurt looking at Itachi, knowing that everything he felt for the other man had been nothing but a game for Itachi. "A piece of shit is a piece of shit no matter what you call it." Pein clenched his jaw shut until his teeth ached. "We are done with each other; you are no longer welcome on board my ship."
One of Itachi's hands curled into a fist as he fought not to cry, protest that he wasn't what the redhead thought, and beg Pein not to leave him behind. Not only did he know that it would be useless but he refused to injure his pride to that extent. "Very well. I don't see why I should remain on the ship of a man who can't see past his prejudice to the truth." Before Pein could even reply, Itachi strode away in quick, clipping steps. He'd had enough of this confrontation and if he heard anything more from the redhead, his pride be damned he'd likely break down and sob.
"We're in agreement then." Pein shouted after him, his bitterness and grief threatening to tear a hole through his stomach. "Can you honestly tell me the nobility is innocent? I hope you sleep well at night."
Pein turned on his heel and walked the other way, not able to watch Itachi go any longer. His stupid treacherous body still wanted to reach out and stop him from going, to hold him close forever. He stopped only long enough to grab a bottle of the local moonshine and made his way back to his ship, the only constant in his life.
Itachi wanted to turn and tell him no but that not all the nobility was guilty either. Instead he continued walking, he'd get something to eat and then find a ship with passage to Konoha. At least he was alive and free to continue with his original plan. The few blessed weeks on a pirate ship where he'd fallen in love would be consigned to a brief interlude and in time he'd forget about a red haired pirate captain with changeable sea-sky eyes. He didn't even notice the single tear that escaped him and trailed down his cheek.
Once fed and watered he headed for the docks, hoping the Akatsuki had already set sail so he wouldn't have to see it once more. Halfway there he was stopped by a tall, corpse pale man with long greasy black hair, yellow malicious eyes rimmed in expensive purple make-up, and a slimey smile surrounded by a small force of fighting men wearing gray uniforms emblazoned with musical note patches. "Ah Prince Itachi, we've been looking for you for quite some time. How ungrateful of you to leave the ship I so graciously arranged passage on."
The Uchiha's own lips curled up in a feral smile. "Mirage, just the man I was hoping to see." His hand went up to the handle of his ninjato. "I have a message to deliver from a ship full of children, another of those 'passages' you arranged." Blades rang as they were freed and he charged the first of the Duke of Mirage's personal guard, his only intent to get to the evil noble and remove his head.
oOo
Kisame laughed at Deidara's clinging to Sasori as they made their way back up the ship's gangplank. One of the tavern wenches had shown intense interest in the blacksmith raising Deidara's ire and jealousy. "Oh come on Deidara it's not like he'd have taken her up on her offer."
The blond snuggled closer. "Don't care. My danna."
"Only yours lark, you know I don't like any song but yours." Sasori tried to move forward up the gangplank with the blond clinging to him like a leech. "So what do you think about this missing prince? Alive or dead? I think he's six feet under by now, the nobles always find a way to bury those who try to put an end to their corruption."
Pein sat with his back against one of the many steel plates on deck. The bottle of moonshine swung lazily between his fingers but he hadn't really drunk much. His heart ached too much to want to get drunk, if he did he might just do something stupid as run out in search of Itachi and bring him back to his side where he belonged. He was just about to go to his cabin to avoid the returning crew when he heard Sasori's question. Stop corruption...Pein's heart clenched. He stood up in a fluid movement and rushed towards the returning trio. "What are you talking about?"
Kisame frowned at his captain's sudden appearance and almost frantic expression. "Tavern gossip. See it seems that the crown prince of Uchiha was exiled. The official reason is that he's supposed to have murdered a magistrate's son..."
Deidara nodded and rubbed his cheek on Sasori's shoulder. "But the whispers around are that he discovered what his country's nobles were up to and tried to expose and put an end to it. Nobody knows for sure though cause on his way to the port where he was supposed to board a ship for Konoha he just disappeared. Danna and I think..."
"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! I've just made a terrible mistake." Pein recalled what the courier had said about the nobles being after Itachi, then he hadn't paid it any mind but now he realized that they wanted him dead, and he had just left Itachi on his own. "I need to go get my rabbit." He looked at his crewmembers and agony was clear all over his features. Pein drew his sword and made his way down the gangplank with hurried movements, jumping the last way to gain time.
Sasori looked after their captain. "Should we help him?"
Kisame actually paled as he connected the dots. "Oh shit. I think our captain's rabbit is Uchiha's missing prince." He leaped to follow his captain, knowing that if Pein had left Itachi alone then there was a very good chance the brunet was in danger and possibly in the middle of a fight for his life.
Sasori pulled Deidara in for a deep kiss before releasing him. "Let's go help our love sick captain get his prince." They followed the others off the ship and into the busy mess that was Ame.
Pein ran down the narrow streets, not caring who he bumped into on the way. His eyes and ears were all trying to hear or see any sign of his beautiful Itachi. Turning a corner he heard the sound of fighting and when he got closer he could see Itachi fighting at least eight guards dressed in Mirage gray uniforms. He raised his sword ready to join the fight when a loud bang was heard. Pein's heart stopped as he looked into Itachi's eyes. Red, horrible, horrible red blossomed across Itachi's chest as his rabbit went down on his knees.
Tearing his eyes away from Itachi, Pein looked for the shooter and saw a silver haired man standing to the side holding a gun. With a roar of pure hurt and hatred he rushed the man, swinging his sword and sending the man's head flying in an arch before it hit the stones of the street with a wet thump, the glasses still in place. After that Pein turned towards the Duke. They would all die by his hand.
Suddenly another shot rang out and the Duke of Mirage's head exploded as a bullet tore through his skull. A masked, silver haired man cursed and lowered the revolver as he leaped over the dead bodies to Itachi's side. "Shit! Tenzo go tell Tsunade to get ready for a severe gunshot wound to the chest and then pray we can get Itachi to her in time because if he dies Naruto's going to have our heads!"
A dark haired man nodded sharply and disappeared to tell the royal healer of Konoha to get ready. If they had arrived just a few minutes earlier they could have kept this from happening.
Pein lowered his arm, his clothes splattered with blood and other fluids. The guards were all dead and he turned to rush to Itachi only to discover that his rabbit was gone.
Kisame saw his captain hit his knees, the sword in his hand clattering to the pavement, arms hanging limply by his sides, an expression of despair on his face. People were beginning to crowd around and he could hear shouts for Ame's naval officers to come. The large black man went over to the redhead and put a hand on his shoulder. "Pein, we have to go. Pein!" He shook the man's shoulder when the redhead didn't respond. "We have to go now, before the Navy's officers get here and arrest us."
Deidara watched his captain slowly respond to Kisame's prodding and rise shakily to his feet, the look of grief and agony on Pein's face making his own heart clench. He stepped close to Sasori and gripped the blacksmith's flesh hand. "Danna."
"I know lark." Sasori felt it too, the loss, guilt and pain practically radiating from their captain, it was clear than Pein didn't really care what happened to him next. "Let's help Kisame get him out of here before all our asses end up in the brig." He pulled Deidara with him and went to their captain, helping Kisame to urge him on and pull him along until they were safely back on Akatsuki.
The minute they were back on deck Pein headed straight for the bottle of booze he had left behind before. He grabbed it and headed for his cabin not giving a shit about the concerned looks or questions about what they should do next. There was a hole where his heart had been, slowly eating away at his insides until all he was, was hollow. He had been cruel, left Itachi alone and now his love was most likely dead for what Pein had done to him. What could possibly matter now?
oOo
Sasuke paced the cabin of the exceptionally hugeroyal steamer that belonged to his lover. The name escaped him at the moment since the only thing in his head really was worry for his brother. Three weeks, three bloody fucking weeks, since his big brother had been shot by Kabuto, the now dead and former Duke of Mirage's lackey, and Itachi had yet to wake up. It was maddening.
At first Sasuke'd had plenty with which to occupy himself. He'd arranged for a quiet reveal of the Sannin family's predilections and they'd been deposed from the title anyway and his cousin Obito had been installed as the new Duke of Mirage. He'd finally tracked down the real culprit in the murder of that magistrate's son, living it up on noble money, and had arranged for him to be remanded to Ibiki's custody for his protection. Ibiki had orders not to harm the man but just a day with the scarred torture master just being in the room and the murderer would squeal like a pig. He'd also managed to gain control over several of the ports where slaver ships were known to sail from, under a pseudonym, and the Navy had orders to inspect each and every vessel before it sailed and, should slaves be found, to arrest any crew found participating in slavery and send photographic evidence to the Emperor and Empress.
So yes he'd had plenty to occupy himself with when he'd first heard of Itachi having been shot but now, here on the ship, those things were so far away from his mind they could have been another planet. He was so fucking worried about his brother. A soft anxious growl came from the wolfhound sitting in the corner being pet by a golden haired man, watching his master prowl.
"Come on Sas, pacing around like this won't make him wake up any faster." Naruto rose from his seat after giving the dog one last scratch between his ears. He walked across the carpet covered floor of the cabin and wrapped his arms around his pale lover. Sasuke had purple/blue shadows under his eyes after watching over Itachi and Naruto was getting worried about the younger Uchiha prince too. "Tsunade said all vitals are fine and that the wound is healing well, I think he'll wake up at any moment now." He placed a soft kiss on Sasuke's neck. "You won't help him by collapsing too, you've gotten so much done these short weeks. He will be proud of you...I know I am."
The brunet leaned back into the other man's arms, his own hands coming up to rest on the corded forearms, his eyes closing as he soaked up Naruto's comfort. "I can't help it. My brother, Naru, that bastard nearly killed my big brother." His hands clenched on Naruto's arms. "It was only eight Mirage guards, Orochimaru, and Orochimaru's little pet courier. Itachi could rip through that in half the time it takes to pull a revolver but he didn't and I don't know why. What happened to my brother to make him want to draw that fight out?" He turned in the blonds' embrace so he could twine his arms around Naruto's own waist and nuzzle his brow against the stubborn tanned jaw. "And I'm just doing what my brother had planned out before he was framed; I'm just being sneakier about it."
"Your sneakiness is but one of the things I love about you." Naruto slowly pulled Sasuke backwards with him until he could sit down in a plush chair, pulling Sasuke down with him until his lover was straddling his lap. He wanted Sasuke to rest for a little bit and if he had to hold him in his lap for that to happen then so be it. "I don't know what made Itachi draw the fight out, there are plenty of things that don't really add up. Where was he after he disappeared and who was the men Kakashi reported about? The redhead ripping into Orochimaru's pet and the giant?" Naruto ran his hands up and down Sasuke's back over the pristine linnen shirt, willing tense muscles to relax. "I don't think we'll have any answers before your brother decides that he's done sleeping."
The brunet nestled his face against Naruto's neck. "His stubborn ass is probably drawing this out just to torment me. It's just like Itachi to mess with me like that." Instead of irritation there was an almost desperate affection in those words, like he was willing them to be true. "I'll walk in the infirmary one day and he'll just be sitting up and say 'Why little brother you look terrible. Are you getting enough sleep?' Asshole." A ruthlessly choked off sob broke on the last word as Sasuke recalled such an incident happening when Itachi had contracted a bad bout of yellow fever when they'd been children. "He'd better wake up Naruto because if he doesn't...if he doesn't then I'm going to throw sneaky out the fucking window and go after the slaving nobles and personally execute them one by one."
"Hell wake love, I'm sure of it." Naruto felt his heart ache for Sasuke and he hoped that Itachi would drag his ass out of dreamland and wake the fuck up. He loved Itachi, the older Uchiha was almost as much as a big brother to him as his own older brother Kyuubi was but if Itachi didn't wake up soon then Naruto would have to kick his ass when he finally did. He hated seeing Sasuke like this, the worry lines, the sleepless nights and the nightmares when he finally fell into fitful sleep. Sasuke was his absolute everything and he would walk straight to hell and back if Sasuke asked him too. "And if you do go after the nobles you know I'll be there, right beside you."
Sasuke swallowed hard at that, a wave of humbling love washing over him with the force of a canon blast. That Naruto, second born prince of Konoha and world famous proponent of peace and non-aggression, would be willing to do that for him, to set aside his mores and risk a war between Konoha and Uchiha, was a better gift than the wolfhound the blond had given him to keep him company when Naruto couldn't be there. He raised his head and threaded his fingers through silky golden hair as he looked into the gorgeous crystal blue eyes that were practically glowing with love that was all Sasuke's. "Have I told you lately that I love you Naruto?"
Naruto's smile was brilliant. "That's something I can never be told enough times. I love you too Sas, forever and always." Naruto moved his hands down to rest low on Sasuke's hips as he brushed a kiss over his lover's lips.
The brunet returned the kiss with all the love he held in his heart and soul for Naruto.
oOo
Down in the infirmary Itachi was laid out on the bed, his dreams filled with confusing images of Pein tossing him away then returning to him. He kept running through a dark fog, trying to escape the replay of the redheaded pirate leaving him. Wasn't once enough to break his heart? His mind had to keep showing him it over and over again? And taunt him with a possibility that was a complete lie? Around him he could hear unknown voices chattering incomprehensibly but every so often he swore he heard his brother's voice and would run towards it only to get lost again when it faded. 'Come on little brother come back and talk to me.'
He continued to run, to seek the exit from this strange world of darkness and emotional pain. Gradually the fog seemed to thin until he knew it would just take one more step in the right direction to get out and back into the land of the living.
Tsunade flipped through a newspaper that had been delivered that morning, grinning at the headline of a man confessing to the crime that the Uchiha crown prince had been wrongfully accused of. She'd just begun to read when a groan from her sole patient had her head snapping up. She tossed the paper aside and went over to Itachi, checking his vitals and speaking in a firm, no nonsense, boy-you-better-do-what-I-say tone. "Uchiha wake up. You're scaring your brother into illness now get your ass up."
She watched the eyelids flutter for a moment then the ridiculously long lashes parted, revealing the midnight color of the Uchiha's eyes. "Ah there you are. You planning on staying with us this time?"
He licked dry, chapped lips and croaked out, "Thirsty."
Tsunade shook her head and yelled for water and for someone to send a message to Sasuke that his stubborn brother was awake.
Naruto had just managed to work his hands underneath Sasuke's shirt when there was a sharp knock on the door of his cabin. With a small sigh he placed Sasuke on the seat and went to open. A huge fox grin spread over his face when he heard what the servant had to say and he turned to Sasuke with glittering eyes. "Your stubborn brother is awake."
Never had Sasuke moved so fast in his entire life. One second Naruto was grinning at him, the next he was grinning at empty space as a breeze from the brunet's passage ruffled blond hair. Sasuke actually jumped over a crewman on his way to the infirmary. He burst into the room to see Itachi being helped into a sitting position then handed a cup by Tsunade. "Itachi."
The elder Uchiha turned his head and smiled tiredly at Sasuke. "Little brother. You look like hell."
Sasuke sagged against the door, relief flooding him. "You asshole, you scared the shit out of me."
"What kind of language is that for a prince to use?"
"The kind I learned from you." The younger Uchiha walked over to the bed, perched on the edge then poked his brother in the shoulder. "What were you doing getting your stupid ass shot?"
"Oh, I feel so loved. Tell me little brother, with that kind of charm how did Naruto possibly manage to resist you for so long?"
"It was difficult to resist, I tell you that." Naruto leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. "So many dirty words...mmmm." He looked at Itachi closely with sharp blue eyes. His surrogate brother was different, in a way he was more sure of himself than he had been before but the most noticeable difference was the world of pain showing in his eyes. Something had definitely happened to the elder Uchiha while he was away. "So what kind of story do you have to tell us?"
The already dark eyes went minutely darker as Itachi took another sip of water. "Oh not much. Kidnapped, stripped down, put on a slave ship head to I don't know where, rescued by pirates, became a pirate for a few weeks, raided one of Orochimaru's ships," now those eyes went diamond hard, "bastard ordered every slave to be killed if they were boarded, it was a ship of children, which reminds me, I swore he'd die for it. Tell me someone killed him."
Sasuke's eyes were wide with horror at the thought of a cargo hold of children being slaughtered. "He's dead. Naruto's guard captain shot him."
"Hn, good. Now where was I? Oh yes. Got into port in Ame, left the ship behind, "a lie but he wasn't about to let his baby brother know he'd been abandoned by Pein. Sasuke would go off and get himself killed to get even with the redhead for nearly causing Itachi's death, "I tried to send a letter off to you little brother, turns out Orochimaru had a little bastard in the courier office, got ambushed, and then, apparently, was shot."
Itachi's brother ran a hand over his face. "I don't suppose you're going to explain further."
Itachi tilted his head, despite the spinning of the room it induced. "Why no, I hadn't thought to."
"Sometimes, brother, you really are a pain in the ass." Sasuke put a hand on his brother's shoulder and squeezed gently. "I'm glad you're going to be okay."
Okay was a relative term. You can't really be okay with a broken heart but he didn't want to worry his little brother. "Hn. Go get some sleep you little idiot, you really do look like hell."
Sasuke chuckled a bit and got off the bed. "You know I think I will and serves you right if I don't get out of bed for weeks." He paused by Naruto, giving the blonds' hand a squeeze. "See if you can wangle anything more out of him hm? I think I want to hear about these pirates." He didn't notice the concealed flinch Itachi gave at that and left the infirmary.
Itachi eyed Naruto, well aware that the blond was much more perceptive than most gave him credit for.
Naruto had noticed the flinch Itachi gave and it made him want to learn more, Itachi Uchiha didn't flinch at much. He walked over to the cot and sat down on a heavy wooden chair next to it, stretching his legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankles. He gave Tsunade a look from the corner of his eye and nodded when she took her newspaper and walked out of the infirmary, leaving him alone with Itachi.
"It was Orochimaru's butt monkey who shot you by the way...Just in case you wanted to know. He's dead." Naruto looked relaxed and at ease but his eyes were very alert as they were locked on Itachi. "Now that we're alone here, why don't you cut the bullshit and tell me what really happened?"
A dark brow rose. "Pretty talk. You know I can't figure out if my brother corrupted you or if it was the other way around." Itachi smoothed out a wrinkle in the sheet. "And I already went over what happened. Do you need a repetition for your poor inadequate memory?" He tried to force the teasing twinkle to his eyes that would have been there naturally before he'd been left by Pein.
"What can I say, your brother and I are perfect for each other." Naruto laced his fingers together behind his neck and rested his head on them. "And you brother dear are still full of crap." He narrowed his eyes at Itachi. "So can you tell me anything about this mysterious redhead and huge black man that were reported being involved in the fight. The redhead apparently went berserk according to Kakashi and cut Orochimaru's pet's head off with such force it bounced? Know anything about that?"
For a moment Itachi had hope that it had been Pein, that the pirate captain had somehow changed his mind about Itachi or had his mind changed but then he remembered there was more than one redhead on board. It had likely been Sasori with Kisame, leaving their tavern and seeing Itachi in trouble then going to help, which he doubted they'd have done if they'd run into Pein before they'd seen him. Sasori was rather savage when people he considered crewmates were in danger. He tucked a greasy strand of hair behind an ear. "I believe I mentioned joining up with pirates. Two of them likely spotted me in trouble and attempted to help."
"Uh huh." Naruto's tone was skeptic and his eyes sharpened even more. "So did these pirates know you had left the ship behind? That's what you told Sasuke right? How close did you grow to the pirates really, if they were willing to jump in and fight for you?"
Itachi lifted a shoulder then winced at it pulled at his injury. "They hate the nobles, no I think it's safer to say they loathe them," and he'd know, having been on the receiving end of that loathing, "so even if I hadn't become a friend they'd probably still have joined in. Anything to get rid of Orochimaru."
"So you were a friend?" Naruto leaned closer resting his elbows on his knees. Itachi was still much too tight lipped and it only sparked Naruto curiosity. "Loathing nobles...Did they have any idea who you were?"
Itachi's jaw clenched. "I thought it better to conceal my heritage while on board."
"Itachi, what happened?" Naruto dropped all pretences. "I won't tell Sasuke if you don't want me to but tell me. I can clearly see that something is eating you up inside, maybe it would help talking about it."
The Uchiha fisted a hand in the sheets. "You want to know what happened? I was stupid and got my fucking heart broken that's what happened." His voice was rough with controlled tears and pain and like a dam bursting the entire tale came forth from the first meeting to the grisly end. Never once did he let the tears fall or let himself sob with the agony his heart was in.
Naruto was quiet and let Itachi unload. "Sounds like a bigoted douche to me." He saw the way Itachi almost glared at him when he said that and almost smiled, it seemed Itachi had some fighting spirit left, good. "The question is what do you want know? Do you still want him? If you do then go get him. One thing I've learned from Sasuke is that nothing is impossible for an Uchiha when they put their mind to it."
Itachi ran his hands over his face. He was angry at himself for that automatic glare in Pein's defense, still hurting from his abandonment, and confused about what he wanted. "I don't know what I want to do about Pein, I'll think about it, but I do know that you shouldn't tell Sasuke. He'll go all out to rip him and the Akatsuki to shreds and they do too much good for the people who are on those ships to allow that. For now I'm going to recover and take advantage of what will be rumors of my 'death' to work the land side of stopping the slavers. Sasuke can work the legitimate channels, I'll handle the underbelly. Once the nobles are exposed and deposed then I'll consider what to do about him."
"Oh don't worry, I'm not planning on telling Sasuke, the last thing I want right now is chase his ass around the world when he's off on one of his crusades." Naruto leaned back again. "You should talk to Sasuke later though, he's been busy while you were away and sleeping. You are no longer exiled or accused of murder and he's come a long way in cleaning up corruption."
"Good but until the nobles who started it for profit are taken out of the equation, either by death or loss of their position and money, then the slavery ring will continue thriving. I can't let that happen. Too many people have lost too much." His mind went to Konan and her daughter, ripped apart before the infant could even nurse from her mother, and he looked at Naruto. The blond had one of the most extensive spy and information networks on the planet, he was how Itachi had learned of the slavery after all. "Naruto I need a favor."
"Anything I can do, you know that Itachi." Naruto said earnestly, meaning every word. "What do you need?"
The Uchiha met his gaze with a bit of his normal spark. "I need you to find someone."
Continues in part four.