Author's Notes:

Thank you everyone for the waiting! I'm sorry for being a bit late, but here it is! :D The ninth chapter! Thanks for my amazing beta, XxDreaming of RealityxX, for her editing. Now, I leave you to it, enjoy~


"I don't believe you and I will never forgive you!"

"Sasuke, calm down."

Kakashi tried to hold the raven down, only to be pushed back as the angry Uchiha marched with loud steps towards the door.

"I don't trust you or your lies! Go and spurt your bull to someone who is idiotic enough to believe you and don't you dare come close to Naruto! I'll save him on my own!"

Slamming the door behind him, Sasuke left the room in a fit of anger. Kakashi sighed and lit another cigarette, looking at the obviously distressed long haired raven.

"I…I expected him to react this way, and I knew I would feel pain, just not this much."

"Well, what did you expect? His big brother dumped him when he needed him the most and now, out of the blue, you pounce back to life when everyone thought you were dead. I'd say it was the best self-control I saw Sasuke use in a while. Be glad you weren't sworn at."

Itachi released a small smile. "I suppose you are correct."

"So? What are you going to do now?"

"About what?"

"If I still know you as I used to, you wouldn't just sit back when your baby brother is having a problem. And I don't think that part in you has changed with the years."

Sasori was signalled to step out to give them some privacy. With a bow, the redhead walked out the room, leaving the two to their personal conversation.

"I wholeheartedly wish to release Sasuke from Danzo's clutches."

"You can't do that. The rules forbid it."

"Yes, I'm familiar with that. But I have a plan that enables me to do it."

"Don't tell me you really are planning a war?"

"Calling it a war is going a bit far. I'm merely retrieving my rightful place. Danzo underhandedly took what wasn't his; I'm simply taking it back, using the same manners."

Kakashi blew the smoke out of his lungs and directed his eyes to the grown up man before him. "You want to kill him?"

"Killing him will do little to show him the hell he put me and my father through. He needs something worse. Death will set him free, and that's the dream I'll make him wish for, beg for."

"And torturing him will not heal any of your wounds, either." Kakashi remarked. "Maybe it'll even deepen the old scars further."

"Perhaps, but it will get me a peace of mind when little by little, I let him taste what it feels like to watch your own lips cut, boiled and then given to you to eat since there would be nothing else for you to. I'll make him beg me to give him his roasted fingers for dinner."

The deep hatred shone inside Itachi's crimson eyes. Kakashi took a deep inhale, trying to get rid of the disturbing images.

"I see the years have turned you into the perfect avenger, Itachi."

"It's to be expected. Now, Kakashi, there are some things I want you to clarify for me."

"If it's something that won't get me killed, sure, ask away."

"What is Sasuke's relationship with Uzumaki Naruto?"

"What do you think it to be?"

"Answering me with my own question won't forbid me from seeking an answer from you."

"What type of answer are you seeking? The one in my sight or in Sasuke's?"

"I'd settle for your own right now. Sasuke's condition is unstable to have his thoughts poured out to me."

"He'd throw you down a cliff if he heard you say that."

"I'm well aware of his hostility. Your answer?"

"They are lovers-to-be. I can visibly see the attraction inside their eyes, but there is uncertainty and obligation mixed with guilt. Mostly on Sasuke's part. He fears for Naruto's life if he were to get sucked in his mess."

"Guilt? Why does he feel guilt?"

"Sasuke is going to be blind soon, I'm sure you haven't forgotten that fact. And I believe he feels as if he will be forcing Naruto to lead a crippled life alongside him."

Itachi leaned on his left hand causing his long ponytail to sway with his movement. "And how does the Uzumaki kid feels?"

"Naruto doesn't care, as long as he is with Sasuke, he doesn't mind anything."

"Just like his father." Red lips whispered softly.

"Excuse me?"

"I was saying what a wonderful child he is."

Kakashi raised a fine brow. "Are you sure you are the same Itachi who got that maid kicked out just because Sasuke was making friends with her?"

Itachi stood up and put down the cup of tea. "Life has taught me that sometimes, interferers aren't bad."

"You do realize that if they did figure out their feelings, they'd become lovers and you'd cease to be the star inside his eyes?"

"I'm afraid I've lost claim of that position long ago. And it would be close to impossible to get Sasuke to accept me as who I'm right now let alone be anything in his sight."

"Itachi, you really have changed."

"More like forced to view the world with a new set of eyes."

Itachi's pale hand fluttered momentarily over his red orbs and Kakashi had to wonder about the hidden meaning behind the once black orbs that had magically turned red by now, but before he could open his mouth to voice his questions, the door to the room they were in flickered wide open and a distressed looking Sasori walked in fixing his glasses.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, master. But we seem to have a problem."

"What's happened?"

"Sasuke-sama, he left the Villa."

"Wasn't his room guarded?" Itachi inquired with a calm nerve.

"Yes, but he was able to out-power all the guards and drive out, breaking the front gates."

"That's Sasuke for you; he can't be contained, like a wild cat."

Itachi sighed and looked with serious eyes at the silver haired doctor beside them. "Kakashi, I believe I'll be needing your assistance right about now since the situation is starting to get out of hand."

"If it's helping Naruto, I'll do it."

"Yes it will. Please help contact Jiraiya-sensei. The tables have started turning and time isn't on our favour. I'll need his support this once."

Kakashi had to only nod and pull out his cell to contact an old acquaintance.


Sasuke bit his lips and cursed; he took a turn and parked his car beside the huge silver gates. Getting out, he let the rain bask him as he made his way towards the only place where he could truly feel comfort and think with a clear mind. His mother's grave.

The marvel made headstone shone brightly in Sasuke's eyes and, stumbling through the wet grass, he made his way under the big oak tree his mother's grave lay under. With a delightful smile to his deceased mother, he sat beside the grave and looked at the scenery stretching before his bleak sight.

Even though numerous headstones glittered from each grave in front of him, the green around them also extended, providing the perfect picture for the souls underneath to rest in peace, Sasuke brushed a hand on the grave and conversed softly.

"Itachi has come back, mother. Turned out he wasn't killed in that fire as we thought. You must be happy that he isn't dead. And…somewhere deep inside me, I think I'm happy, too. But I still can't forgive him. If he was alive all these years, why didn't he come back for me? If I'm the little brother he loved so much, why didn't he protect me like he promised he would?"

A flash of thunder up in the heavens answered his question; Sasuke rested his head on the headstone.

"Everything is so messed up, mother. Remember the annoying kid I told you about? The one I seem unable to shake off…Naruto. Well, he's been kidnapped, by the same man who killed you. I want to save him. But I have no idea where he is. He said he'd never betray me and will always be by my side. Just like what you'd said. And then they killed you. I didn't want him to meet your fate, mother, so, I tried to leave him and push him away, but…he was foolish enough to take my hand."

Sasuke pulled his wet hair out of his face and his eyes shone with deep sadness inside. He rubbed them and ignored the shiver that run down his spine due to the cold weather.

"I honoured my promise to you, not to seek revenge for your death. But mother, if anything bad happens to NarutoI'm sorry, but I won't be able to hold back at all. He is becoming everything to me, I've lost so much, and I'm not ready to lose him, too. So as long as those eyes are able to see, I want to be beside Naruto."

A leaf fell from the tree; gently gluing itself to his cold cheek, Sasuke removed it and softly brushed his hands over the words engraved singling his mother's beautiful name.

"If you were here, you'd know exactly what I should be doing; you'd give me a good advice on how I can find Naruto and on how I should address Itachi. My anger is taking over me and I don't want it to, Naruto needs me to keep a cool head and think rationally, but I can't. This is the time I need him the most and he is taken away from me. I miss him so much…so much it hurts, mother."

Suddenly his quiet conversation with his mother had to come to a stop when his cell started ringing. His eyes widened when the name read 'The Dobe' and so swiftly, he slide his finger across the screen answering with his heart reaching his throat.

"Sas…Sasuke? Are you there? Do you hear me? Sasuke!"

Sasuke had to force his shock mixed happiness to steady the cell not to slide out of his wet hands and answer.

"Y-Yes, Naruto! I'm here! Where are you?"

"Some kind of a grand hotel, I guess. All I can see around me are skyscrapers."

"There are a lot of hotels owned by my family. Can't you see any distinguishing marks!?"

The line on his ear went quiet for a sudden, when he was intending to call back his friend's name, the distressed voice rang back up to him.

"…..There's a dolphin sign beside the hote–AH!"

Sasuke's eyes widened when the sound of beatings, alongside Naruto's shouts, reached him.

"Hey! Naruto! Are you okay!? Dobe! Are you there!?"

A crashing sound echoed and when Sasuke felt his heart stop, a sinister voice replaced his beloved's.

"Aaaah. That little rascal, I never thought he'd be able to pickpocket his own cell out of my guard's hands. Oh well, he was taught his lesson."

Sasuke felt his anger flare at the voice. "I swear I'll kill you when I fucking find you, Deidara!"

"Hmm….I don't think you're in any place to be setting up any threats right now, since your lovely Naru-chan will be the one being delivered the hits to, Sa-su-ke-sa-ma~" Deidara chirped on the line.

Forcing his heart to quiet down so his brain could think, Sasuke retorted. "What do you want to release him? Is it money? Or do you want me to stay away from him. I will do whatever, just let him go!"

A hysterical laugh rang on the other end. "You're a bit too late on that notch. If you had agreed this morning, maybe I would have released him. But new orders have come."

"What new orders?"

"If you want your little fox to get back to you, bring The Black Snake with you. A simple exchange of bodies shouldn't matter much to you."

Sasuke knotted his brows at the words. "You want me to bring you an animal in exchange for Naruto?"

The line went silent for a moment, then Deidara's bewildered voice rang with inhumanly laughter. "Oh my God, Uchiha! Don't tell me you have no idea who The Black Snake is?"

"Stop your games and tell me clearly what you want!"

"Hmmm…I guess you weren't left in the dark just with your family's business but also about how they do stuff. Aren't you the ignorant bastard? Really, such a pity."

Controlling his anger was very hard with the words being thrown at him, and Sasuke released a fragment of it.

"Stop fucking around and tell me what you clearly want!"

"Hai, hai, you don't need to sound so angry, Sasuke-kun. Our demand is simple; bring Uchiha's Black Snake, which is a nickname for your dear Nii-san. Once he is within our custody, you are free to go live the life you want with the trash you chose."

"Itachi? What do you mean Uchiha's Black Snake?"

"We'll be in touch."

The line went dead not giving Sasuke any time to reinforce a reply. Biting his lips, he kissed his mother's grave goodbye, bid her to pray for him to find the answers he needed soon and drove towards the house he used so much power to break free from.


"Then? Where have you been all these years?"

Itachi pulled one leg over the other and smiled at the old man. "Italy. My father had a few belongings hidden over there and I could stand on my own two feet over there without anyone bothering me."

"How did you get out of here? You were a mere kid of eleven years old. I don't think the government would have just let you slip into another country without a passport or any identification to who you are."

"A friend helped me. Anyhow, Jiraiya-sensei, I haven't called you here for you to question me about what had happened, I want your information regarding the subject we spoke of."

"You mean the scrolls?"

"Have you found anything that will entitle me to take back my rights?"

Kakashi watched as their old teacher pulled some scrolls out of the bag he came carrying and placed his glasses on his clearly worn-out eyes.

"I've reviewed everything, every old dusty scroll ever made when our first ancestor started ruling the family."

"And?"

"And there is little about overthrowing a current leader. Still, I did come across a little rule that I think will be helpful for us." Jiraiya pulled a worn-out scroll that felt as if it will start tearing any second if handled wrongly, close to his eyes and read. "'If one wasn't found to be fit to rule, even though he or she had achieved all of the required leadership conditions, for he or she had underhandedly acted out any of the anointments, he or she is allowed to be overstepped by a fitter leader.'"

"But that doesn't help your case, Itachi. You still don't have a live proof that Danzo was really the one who had killed your mother and father." Kakashi spoke after Jiraiya finished his little scroll-reading.

"I don't, but Sasuke does."

"Sasuke? I doubt it, if he had anything that would incriminate Danzo; he would be the first to hand it over to the council."

Itachi nodded fixing his robes. "He does, just doesn't know about it, yet. It's inside mother's last kimono."

"What do you mean last kimono?"

"He means the one she was killed in." Jiraiya clarified.

"And how do you know that Sasuke has it?"

"I just do. Sasuke would never throw something of mother's away."

"Then what's inside it?" Kakashi inquired again.

Itachi took hold of one of the scrolls scattered around and replied. "A bug, I planted it there before father and I left to our summer house, I had a feeling the insignificant bastard was up to no good, so I took some measures."

Kakashi whistled. "You were the bright little genius, weren't you? Too bad you were an ass, as well."

"Hn."

The door to their room clicked open and Sasori walked inside with a relieved expression on his face. He made his way towards Itachi and whispered something inside his master's ear, causing the tired face to relax a bit, before excusing himself out of the room; leaving the three gentlemen to their business.

"Seems like Sasuke has returned." Itachi announced the good news to his two guests.

"That was fast, I wonder if something's happened."

"I bet I know." The red eyed leader put a hand under his chin. "Danzo's party should wind up with news about my return right about now, and they want Sasuke to make an exchange with me. Good, everything is going according to the plan."

Kakashi knotted his brows; not liking where those words were going. "You are planning on using Sasuke to infiltrate the main household, aren't you?"

"Not use, but have him help."

"Kakashi, you should stay out of this by now, if you get any more tangled into this mess and learn any new information, the life you fought so hard to keep separate from the family will be destroyed." Jiraiya warned.

"But, I can't stand and watch you mess up with his mind again! Do you know how hurt he was when you weren't here anymore?" Kakashi addressed the long haired raven.

Itachi's eyes turned icy cold. "I don't want to hear that from you. If you value him as much as you claim you do, why didn't you stay beside him and help him in his loneliness? You favoured yourself over him, and the first chance you had to escape from Danzo, you took it. Without turning back to the lonely child with no one to aid him."

"If I had stayed any longer into that house, I wouldn't be able to grow sane and would lose myself sooner or later. I had to make the decision to aid him from afar, over slipping in the darkness and ending up destroying him with them."

"And you think he isn't destroyed right now?" Itachi turned his back to the silver haired doctor. "Sasuke is the way he is because of us, we both chose our own selves and disregarded him, that's why I don't have the right to ask for his forgiveness. But I won't save any means to get him out. Even if it means sullying my hands with blood!"

Jiraiya walked and put a cold hand on the stiffened shoulder, he grinned at his long time drinking buddy and said.

"Kakashi, things aren't going to get nice. You have a good life, don't ruin it for this, and remember, you have a fine man waiting for you at home. You wouldn't want him to get back and find you controlled back into the family with no hopes of even being released, now would you?"

"I know what you want me to do, Jiraiya, but I cannot. Iruka's left Naruto in my custody and 'till I'm sure he is one hundred percent safe with no hair out of place, I won't leave. Which also goes for Sasuke, I wasn't able to protect him when he was a kid, but 'm not saving any efforts right now."

Itachi turned with dangerous eyes at him.

"You know what you're getting yourself into?"

"Yes."

"There won't be any chance to turn back. We are going into war."

Kakashi smirked. "I thought you said it was close to an upheaval."

"It would be war. You may die."

"Itachi, not just because you were called a freaking black snake, you think everyone around you is weak. I can take care of my own ass, worry about yours."

A smile broke down at the tired face and Itachi nodded at him. "I'm glad to have you abroad, cousin."

"Meeting in better circumstances would have been better, yet."

And the door was flickered open revealing a drenched wet Sasuke with a death glare on his swollen eyes.


"Listen to me carefully, Sasuke! You are to take Itachi there and don't even think about interfering with anything that happens! Take Naruto out and run before they could catch you!"

Sasuke yanked his hand free from the silver haired man, and stepped outside the black car; ignoring the tired sigh that Kakashi has released. Itachi took the umbrella out and sheltered his little brother under it with him, but heatedly, Sasuke walked before him taking his chances with the rain instead of walking alongside the other Uchiha.

"Just leave him be, Kakashi, we have already prepared everything, and he knows perfectly well what he needs to do. Sasuke isn't that dumb to risk the safety of the person he cares about just to release his anger…..hopefully." Jiraiya calmed the doctor and against his better judgment, Kakashi drove the car to a safe distance; praying for the safety of his two cousins.

The two brothers made their way inside, as soon as they were in the main house's lobby, a man in black walked up to them and directed them through the grand house to the room where the exchange was to take place.

Finally, they were led to a door with four guards standing beside it. The man walking with them had to leave as Itachi pushed the door opened. The smell of fresh blood wasn't foreign to each of their noses.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here, if isn't the infamous Snake." The sickly voice called and Sasuke felt his temper rise.

"You son of a bitch! Where is Naruto!?"

Danzo quirked a brow and snapped his fingers to have two men to bring a clearly beaten up blond to their respective eyes. But before Sasuke could make a dash and take what was his, Danzo snapped his fingers again and a punch was given to Naruto's stomach making the blond spit some blood, he smirked.

"I'd watch my language if I were you, boy."

Sasuke gritted his teeth feeling powerless with his feet itching to run retrieve Naruto, but Itachi pushed a hand stopping his little brother from saying any word or doing anything rash that will jeopardize their mission.

"Danzo, I'm here. Your conditions have been fulfilled, let the kid go. He has nothing to do with this. And you know there are absolute rules about involving outsiders into our mess."

"Yes, and I'm not breaking any rules."

Sasuke frowned at the words and his glare smothered with confusion. "What the fuck are you blabbering!?"

Another flicker and Naruto's right arm was twisted, a scream radiated from his lips and Danzo clarified. "I don't like to repeat myself, boy. So, keep your manners or the next thing that will break will be his fingers."

Biting his lips, Sasuke asked in a politer way. "What do you mean by your words?"

Danzo smiled filthily. "That's more like it, and I meant he isn't an outsider. His father is Namikaze Minato. He was one of our own, related in a third degree from his late aunt's side. It took me a while to figure out that this kid was his son because Minato was smart enough to have his wife give the child her last name. But, I found out in the end. So, everything I'm doing to him is just, since he holds a fragment of the family's blood in him."

Sasuke's eyes glittered with shock. "N-Naruto is related to us?"

Danzo put a piece of apple inside his mouth, enjoying his treat. "Not to you precisely, but he is a part of the family. Even if by a little bit."

Itachi glared hard at the fat man opposite of him. "Even if that's true, treating him like this just to lure me out. I won't allow you!"

The fire inside Itachi's eyes had Danzo smirk. "I seem to have hit a nerve. Is it because he is the son of your beloved Minato-san?"

"Someone like you isn't fit to call his name."

"Eeeh? Do you realize the position you are in, Snake? You are surrounded by enemies. I could kill you both without anyone blinking an eye."

"No you couldn't, Sasuke is the heir, you won't be able to touch a strand of his hair."

Danzo's face squeezed with disgust, he threw the knife in his hand towards Sasuke's head; the raven easily dodged.

"The next one would go right through his skull, so mind your words with me!"

"Unhand him!" Itachi ordered. "Bring him over or you'll be flaring war on yourself!"

"You think you are able to threaten me? Go ahead. I was planning on giving him to you once I have you in my hands, but now, the only way I'm giving him back is over my dead body!"

Itachi's eyes filled with rage and he stopped suppressing his power. "That can be arranged."

Naruto had no idea what was going on around him, his ears were blocked and his eyes were blindfolded, but God that punch to his stomach, and the twist to his right arm that almost broke it, he'd felt them magnified! He eeped as suddenly, the harsh arms holding him were gone and a new pair of warm wet hands held him. His eyes widened in their darkness, this was Sasuke's grip, this was Sasuke's smell, was he finally inside Sasuke's arms? Or was he dreaming like the last few nights?

He felt his body being led away, forced to run into many directions, down many halls that he was sure would lose his way through even if he wasn't blindfolded. Finally, they walked out into a chilly atmosphere with the smell or rain in it. A gust of cool air and drops of water were gashing down at him assuring Naruto that it was indeed raining. The blindfold on his eyes was taken off alongside his ears-blockers and Naruto had never felt so happy to see those black orbs as he was now. His arms automatically circled around Sasuke's neck as he drew the latter closer to his body in a bone crushing hug.

"Sasuke! Oh God Sasuke!"

Strong arms held him in place, but soon they left his waist to cup his face. "Sorry, Naruto, I'm so sorry to drag you into all of this. You had nothing to do with this, and yet I..."

Rain fell between them as passing by people whispered to themselves about the two teens hugging under the rainy weather.

"No, no! It's not your fault. It was I who walked right into his trap; you don't have to blame yourself over it."

Sasuke gave him a smile and kissed the tanned, wet hands. "You should be leaving now. Everything is prepared to have you safe. Just trust Kakashi and Jiraiya, they'll make sure nothing happens to you."

"Wait, where are you going?"

His only answer was a deep kiss that made his head dizzy and by the time he came to, Sasuke was nowhere to be seen and he was being hugged by a very worried silver haired doctor.


Naruto pulled the blanket over his shoulders a bit closer as his eyes glued to the wide windows and the spacious green that lay beyond them. He felt his heart relax a little at the view and his mouth released a comfortable sigh. Green trees being washed by the falling rain with him curled up in the huge bed that was made for him especially with the dim lights in his room. Yes, this was really a calm place.

He was startled out of his trance when a warm cup was placed gently on his right cheek, looking over his back, the serene face of Neji came into view, Naruto fixed his seating so he could face the raven right and gave him a faint nod.

"Here, warm chocolate; it's the best thing to have in a weather like this. I put extra sugar in there for you."

Naruto smiled and took the cup from his senpai. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it. So, how are you feeling?"

"Just aching in some places, my bruises aren't that serious, but they still hurt."

"Yes, Kakashi-san said that it would take a while to heal of the pain."

"I…Sasuke had warned me about his family and how dangerous it is. But I followed him anyway; I wanted so much to learn about Sasuke that I blinded myself to his warnings. In the end, the only thing I brought him was pain and obvious distress. He must hate me by now."

"Sasuke will never hate you, and I think the stress came because he is worried about you."

Naruto nodded, trying to believe the relaxing words spoken to him, and sipped at the hot chocolate; calming a bit at the sweet taste.

"I know. But I can't help feeling that this all happened because I wasn't careful enough."

"Naruto, let me tell you something about the Uchiha family. They are all scumbags with nothing on their minds except money, they are ready to kill, betray, bribe and do everything they can to insure getting it."

"That…That can't be, Sasuke isn't like that!"

"I said the Uchiha family, not Sasuke. He was ashamed of his family, that's why he didn't want you to know them. But in truth, I don't know why, almost every big corporation around the world deals in their ways, my family is no exception."

"Senpai…are you sure you should be telling me this?"

"It's not like you can go and tell anyone. And even if you did, we have ways to silence you." Dangerous lilac eyes faced him and Naruto gulped. "Anyhow, the Uchiha family differs from ours by one thing. They have rules they never walk against. And the orders of their leader are absolute! If he told a person to die, that person should go and die."

"That's horrible!"

"Yes, but they live their lives that way. It's their code. Sasuke, he is the heir to that leadership chair, so, he was given a special education since he was a kid and was taught everything nasty about life. When we were kids, I pitied him a lot, and so I decided to befriend him, but Sasuke, he was a complete jackass and soon my pity vanished away. I guess he doesn't like people feeling sorry for him."

"Yeah, he doesn't."

"What I want to say is that your little incident did nothing more than put fire on the stilled events and move the wheel controlling the Uchiha family's fate."

"But," Naruto looked down at the mug in his hands. "There was blood on Sasuke's clothes. And he didn't look hurt."

"To tell you the truth, it's best if you stopped thinking about it. Right at the moment, a war has been lit inside their household and most likely, Sasuke won't be able to come 'till morning. Take this time and try to get some shut eye. That's the only thing you can do for him right now."

Neji stood up and started heading towards the door, before he could entirely walk outside, Naruto called.

"Neji?"

Holding the door to a crack, the beautiful shounen replied. "What?"

"Would it be alright if I opened the windows?"

Neji smiled. "Do anything you want, and consider yourself at home. Though I won't advice you to start taking walks around the house, it's kinda huge and you'd get lost in it. If you need anything, just press that switch beside the bed and one of my maids will tend to you."

"Mnmm…thanks."

"I told you, no need, I'm getting paid nicely for letting you hide in here."

With a cheeky smirk, Naruto was left to his own thoughts.


Naruto groaned at the hand creeping up his stomach, he switched to his other side and the hand turned to his back. So, annoyed out of his mind, he flapped his legs to hit whatever was making him uncomfortable, but wetness had him search in his drowsy-awakening for the reason his legs were swimming in water. Opening his eyes; wide awake, Naruto hurriedly closed the window beside his bed and gasped at the drenched crib.

Just when he was about to stumble out of it and have someone come change the sheets, a pale hand was thrown over his midsection bringing him back under the covers.

"Just stay put, Dobe. I'm too tired to move right now."

Naruto felt his eyes widen at the pale teen splayed beside him. Without thinking hard, he pounced on top of Sasuke, hugging the life out of him and forcing him back onto the bed hard. Trying to breathe straight, Sasuke hugged the blond back in a human way.

"I…I…I was so worried, Sasuke!"

Sasuke brought his hands to massage Naruto's scalp as wetness drenched his own shirt. "Yeah, I know you were."

"Don't do that again, leaving me behind and going off to where I don't even know! I was scared shitless!"

"I'm sorry, Naruto. But I had to stand up with my brother. He was setting off a war because of me. I had to be there for him."

Naruto drew back a little and wiped the tears running down his cheeks. "You…you're alright now, right? Nothing bad had happened to you, right? No wounds, missing limbs or anything."

"Yeah, a few scratches here and there but I know how to fight."

At his words, Naruto's eyes filled with water and he threw himself on those welcoming arms again.

"Sasuke, I was so scared! I wanted to tell you everything, but I knew you'd want to stay away from me then, and I couldn't do it. I can't leave your side. I never want to leave your side!"

Sasuke smiled and kissed the head in his arms. "Yeah, me too. With or without eyes, I want to always keep looking at you."

Naruto had to lift himself again to be able to see Sasuke's face right. "All the time I was cooped up in that room, my thoughts were always on you. When I slept or when I was eating. I was always missing you. I thought I'd choke from not being able to breathe the same air as you, it killed me inside."

Sasuke brought a hand to trace Naruto's lips with his fingers; he was a bit surprised when Naruto's tongue came out sucking on the fingers gently with a sweet blush to go with those lovely cerulean big orbs.

"Dobe, stop turning me on. I'm too tired to do anything with you right now."

Naruto took the fingers away from his mouth and parted Sasuke's lips with his tongue. "Are you too tired to kiss me?"

"If we start, it won't just be a kiss. Besides," Sasuke pointed to their entwined legs and the water they were bathing in. "We'd better get someone to change these before it seeps into the bed and ruin it."

Naruto pouted but got up from his the pale Uchiha after giving a kiss that his whole body wanted him to give. He stretched his hand and pushed the button Neji had told him about to call for help if he needed anything.

A minute later, a maid was bowing to them. Dragging a grungy Sasuke out of the wet bed, the two were directed to another room 'till the maids fix this one. Sasuke put all his weight on the new clean bed they were given and shouted for his blond to lock the door.

Naruto knotted his brow. "But they'll call us when our room is cleaned."

"They don't have to; this room is as good as the one we were in. Just lock it, Naruto."

Against his feel of curtsey, Naruto obeyed. Sasuke started stripping from his jeans and shirt, allowing Naruto excess to his white skin.

"You, too. Get out of these clothes; they'll be in the way."

Naruto blushed and looked at his pyjamas. "But you said we won't be doing anything."

"Nothing overly sexual. You wanted to kiss, right?"

"It sounds wrong when you say it."

A shy Naruto removed his shirt and the eyes poring holes into his bruised skin weren't giving him any rest. Sasuke smirked when Naruto so hurriedly got inside the covers; faintly shying away.

"The fact that you still feel embarrassment after all the things we have been doing together, makes my desire to tease you burst!"

Sasuke went under the covers and started licking on the tan skin, laughter rang filling the big room like a nice melody; the raven moved his right hand to the area under Naruto's ribcage and suddenly, the laughter released a shriek of pain. Startled by the sudden jolt, Sasuke pulled the covers putting light on Naruto's bruises. A big purple circle was forming underneath. Sasuke brushed over it lightly.

"Aw!"

"Sorry."

Naruto shook his head at the raven that regarded all sexual intentions to the back of his head and sat crossing his legs with eyes focused on the bruises spread all over Naruto's body. Naruto tucked a black lock back to Sasuke's hair and raised those beautiful eyes to meet his own.

"Stop it, Sasuke. It's not your fault. And they will go away in a day or two."

"When? When did you get this one?" Sasuke asked pointing to the one covering half of Naruto's right side.

"Hmm…I think two days ago. The blond dude that was keeping me was upset about something, and I teased him a bit, he wasn't all that happy to be teased it seems."

"It's me. I did it."

"Sasuke, I told you, it's not your fau-"

"But it is! Every time I do or say anything wrong, the punishment falls on your body! They know they can't touch me, that's why they went after you!"

"But I'm fine now. Not even a bone broke, just bruised."

Sasuke sighed and circled that tan body in his arms. "And thank God for that. If they did anything bad to you, I'd have killed them!"

"Sasuke,"

"Yes?"

Naruto gave the brightest smile he could ever master and pulled that face close to his. Placing his forehead on Sasuke's, he whispered softly only for them to hear.

"Kiss me; kiss me 'till I pass out."

Smirking at the request, the Uchiha teen didn't take long into obliging.

"Your wish is my command, master."


Sasuke pulled a cigarette out of his pants and lit it swiftly opening the window as not to wake the blond hugging his midsection with the smell of it. The door to the room they chose to sleep in was knocked. He ignored it and took another sip, for even if he did want to open it, Naruto was forbidding his every movement, clutching so adorably onto him. Sasuke placed a gentle hand to ruffle the blond hair on his lap; at this moment, it would require the heavens fall down to have him leave those warm arms.

Suddenly, the door to the room switched open, if Sasuke wasn't careful, the cigarette in his hand would have burnt the beautiful being on his lap. He looked with bewildered eyes at his long haired friend.

"How…?" He whispered.

Neji rolled his eyes and closed the door behind him. "You honestly didn't think I'd only have one copy of my own house's keys?"

"I thought you'd respect our privacy! But I see that was a miscalculation on my part, as well."

"I couldn't just let you have sex on my own territory without busting you in the act."

"Perv. And I'm glad to say this now, but we didn't have sex."

Neji frowned with puzzled eyes. "But you did have sex before, right?"

"Nope. He got too scared when I inserted a finger in him, I don't think he was all that prepared."

A whistle that Sasuke hushed with a pillow rang from the lilac eyed bishounen.

"Having the other to be prepared isn't really important in sex. When I had my first time with Gaara, he was scared shitless and wasn't in the least prepared."

Sasuke blew the smoke to the outside, watching briefly the beautiful scenery play with the rain.

"But you were the one being penetrated. You had prepared yourself. But Naruto didn't, we were just going with the flow, and that wasn't enough. Besides, If he didn't prepare himself right, he would only sense pain." A pale hand stroked Naruto's locks having him turn closer to Sasuke's body heat in his sleep. "I don't want him to feel pain."

"Pain is good sometimes, Sasuke. I enjoy it."

"Alien to what you believe, the rest of the world isn't as masochistic as you."

"You don't need to be a masochist to enjoy pain. Look at Gaara, he is a living proof. He hates pain, terrified of needles, but when we have sex, he doesn't mind a little pain."

"That's 'cause you've trained him!" Sasuke retorted with a suck to his smoke.

"Try not to dig too much into details. And sure, he'd hate sex, you and his body the first few days, but when the third time comes, sex would be heaven to him!" Neji chirped happily.

"Honestly, your messed up sexual advice is the last thing I need right now."

"But you should. I have been having anal-sex for as long as I can remember. And nothing tops it!"

Sasuke wrinkled his nose in obvious disgust and threw the finished stick out the window.

"Neji, you didn't come here to just catch me and Naruto going at it like rabbits. What did you want?"

The long haired raven grinned at him. "Always the sharp one, eh Sasuke?"

"State you reason or get out. I don't want you to disturb him."

"Cranky, too. Well, your big bro is here. And for some strange reason, he ain't here to see your smartass. He wants our little sleeping angel over there."

Sasuke frowned not liking this one bit. "Wants Naruto? Why?"

Neji shrugged walking towards the door. "Beats me, I'm just a little letter bee. Make sure you two are down in half an hour. I don't like to keep my guests waiting."

"Tell him to piss the fuck off. I don't want to see him, and neither does Naruto!"

"Aha. No can do, Sasu-chan. He is a future business. I never turn down future businesses. So, stop acting like a sulking little child and wake him up!"

Neji made sure to shut the door with an echo, jolting the sleeping blond on Sasuke's lap wide-awake. Cursing his long-time friend, Sasuke had to kiss Naruto to wake him up properly from the confused trance Neji's unearthly way had placed him in.


Naruto's eyes widened as he came down the stairs, staring at the man that he was told to be Sasuke's older brother who had disappeared for a long time. His uncertain steps broke down into a run as he came flying happily into the arms of the other Uchiha, hugging the hell out of him, sending not only Sasuke but the rest of the people present into a total state shock.

"Itachi-onii-chan!"

Itachi brought his hands and hugged the teen back, putting a gentle smile to address him. "I'm glad to see you all grown up and well now, Naruto."

"Yep! I'm happy to see you, too. It has been such a long time! How have you been?"

Before Itachi could reply to the earnest question, Naruto was yanked out of his hold and into a strong protective arms, Naruto stood dumbfounded for a minute with a goofy grin on his face.

"How do you know each other?" Kakashi was the first to voice the thoughts going inside everyone's head.

Naruto's grin widened. "Itachi-onii-chan was always coming to visit us at home. He was friends with my dad."

Sasuke hissed at the blond in his arms, when he tried to reach out for the hand of his older brother. "Don't even think about it, Dobe."

Still dumbfounded as to why Sasuke was acting like a mother cat with its child being ripped away from her, Naruto obeyed the orders.

"Itachi, you knew Minato?"

Before Itachi could answer to Kakashi's question, Naruto interrupted with one of his own.

"You know my dad, Kakashi?"

The silver haired nodded, scratching the back of his head. "We met through Iruka. Back when your father was alive, he always came to a Ramen shop where Iruka and I worked together, he would always chat with Iruka, so I got intrigued and was introduced to him."

"Wait! Iruka knew my father?"

Kakashi raised a brow. "Just how much don't you know? They were automatically becoming best buds. And if your father wasn't married and with a child of his own, I would have been worried to leave Iruka alone with him."

"So," A nice smile replaced the goofy grin on Naruto's face. "Iruka knew my father."

"I just said that."

"He is trying to have the information sink in, old man!" Sasuke was soon pouncing to protect his future love. "It's not his fault that his mind needs to repeat stuff to have them sink in!"

And his feet were stamped on as a result. Naruto walked away hmphing and took a seat beside the new addition to his contacts.

"So, Itachi-onii-chan, where have you been all these years?"

A warm hand came to pet his head and Naruto felt himself blush in embarrassment. Oblivious to the black dragon spurting fire and hot lava behind him.

"Here and there, Naruto, here and there."

"Hey! You still haven't answered my question," Kakashi called the two out of their alone conversation. "How do you know Minato?"

Itachi released Naruto's head from his hand and glared at Kakashi. "He used to work in one of our companies, and had a marvellous gift of making toys and marketing them. I knew him from there, and most importantly, Hyuuga-san," Bloodshot orbs faced the teen.

"Yes?"

"I remember requesting an audience with Naruto alone, how come there are a lot of people in this room? If this is how The Hyuuga family does business, I'm afraid we Uchiha won't be addressing you any time soon."

Neji replied with a business like smile. "There is no need for the extreme, Uchiha-san. A room free of parasites was prepared for you specifically, if you'd walk with me."

Naruto happily pounced beside Itachi as Neji led them to the room they needed, ignoring the black haired teen that was being held down not to follow by Neji's guards. The door closed behind the three males leaving a very pissed off Uchiha and a complaining about being called a parasite Hatake.

They were led to a different cozy room and Neji left the two to their conversation gently closing the door after assuring them that no one would come to interrupt. As soon as they were alone, Naruto gave the older man another hug, this time, Itachi hugged back with the same force.

"I'm glad you are back! I missed you so much, Ita-nii!"

"As did I."

"So," Naruto pulled the pale hand and led them to a sit on a fine looking couch. "Tell me of what had happened to you. I was always wondering."

Itachi smiled at the beautiful face and reached his hand to stroke Naruto's right cheek. "You look so much like him."

Naruto's eyes softened to the warm hand and he offered a bright smile. "Yeah, he really did miss you, too."

"I'm sorry. I wanted to come back when I'd heard of the news, but I couldn't. I hate myself for it. Did…" Itachi forced his voice to calm down and steady. "Did he suffer?"

Remembering the burns on his dad's skin and the last words being said to him, Naruto felt it would be best not to tell the obviously affected man this.

"No. He didn't. It was a peaceful death for him."

"I see, I'm glad then. Naruto, I want a favour from you,"

"Anything."

"Could you go with me to his grave some time? Strangely, I can't bring myself to muster the courage to go there alone."

Naruto put his hand on top of Itachi's and nodded. "Of course! He'd be more than happy to see you. You know, Dad was always wondering about what had become of you. And he called the number you left numerous times, but it refused to connect."

"That's because I've left Japan and had to go to Italy for some time. When I got there and was able to support myself, I heard of the news, I wanted to come back then, but there was quite a load of unfinished business forbidding me to."

"You don't have to feel bad about it, when Dad died; of course I was sad for a while, but then Iruka adopted me and with his help, I returned to my cheerful self in no time. So, don't feel sad about it, okay?"

"He really raised you to be such a good boy."

Naruto smiled at him. "Yeah, I'm grateful to have him in my life. And you should meet him; I know you two would get along just fine."

"I would love that."

"Then I'd tell him as soon as he gets back from his business trip!"

Itachi stroked the soft golden locks with his eyes glued to Naruto's. As if lost within a nice dream, he lowered his lips to touch Naruto's and planted a soft kiss to them. The blond stood still for a while, then something inside his heart began to squeeze with sadness and he allowed Itachi that one kiss.

The red-eyed man moved away from Naruto with a smile on his face. "Thank you, for not pushing me away."

Naruto shook his head with a serene smile and looked at their joint hands.

"Ita-nii, there is something I've always noticed since I was a kid, and right now I'm kinda sure of it. Still, I would like your clarification,"

"What is it, Naruto?"

"Were you in love with my dad?"

Itachi grinned and tipped Naruto playfully on the nose. "That question is wrong. You should ask, are you still in love with my dad?"

Wide blue orbs faced him and slowly, Itachi nodded a yes to his own question.

"S-Since when?"

"I think it was after the fire in my house, did Sasuke tell you about it?"

"No, not yet."

"Then I'll leave that story for him to tell. But, I can tell you my part though, when I lost everything I had in that fire, I was wandering the streets in a state of shock and despair. Had your father not found me nearly passed out on a back allay, I would have been dead today."

"You mean since that time you came to stay with us for a while, you fell for my dad?"

"Yes. He offered me a different side of the world, and helped me through it. I came from resenting his happiness and cheerfulness into taking it as a part of my soul."

"Did you tell him? About how you feel, I mean?"

At the head shake, Naruto felt his eyes fill with grief.

"I could not. I knew his heart was filled with memories of your deceased mother and sadly, her presence was too overwhelming for me to compete with. I had to leave him before he found out about my feelings and every nice memory we shared get shattered."

Naruto grabbed tightly to the cold hand in his. "But….but, you know, Dad, he was very sad when you left. I think that losing you alongside losing my mother that's broke him. Dad may not have said it, but he really did love you."

Itachi smiled gently and brushed over the marked cheeks.

"Naruto, I was only a fourteen year old kid. Whatever love he had for me, it was that of a parent or a nurturing adult. His feelings weren't on the same level as mine."

"But I'm sure they would have been! My dad was a very dense human being and couldn't pick up on people's emotions fast. But, I'm sure, if he was still alive and you were by his side, he'd have fallen for you! You're a very charming person, Itachi-onii-chan, and I wouldn't have objected to you and my dad hooking up!"

He was given another set of smiles with a gentle pet. "Thank you, Naruto. It would have been nice if that had happened instead."

Suddenly the door to their quiet room was opened and an angry Sasuke ripped their shared hands apart taking Naruto into his arms again. He roared at Itachi.

"I don't care if you are my brother or the leader of our family right now, dare and touch Naruto without my permission and I'll shred you to pieces!"

With that, Naruto was dragged out of the closed room with a flaming set of arms holding him. He sent a tiny wave to the other Uchiha and with a smile given to his wave; Itachi's face disappeared from his viewfinder.


"Sasuke! That was inappropriate and plain rude! We weren't even done talking yet!"

"Well to me you were! How do you think I feel when you go around hugging guys and letting them hold your hand and pet your head!?"

Naruto huffed his cheeks and plopped on the bed. "Firstly, Itachi-onii-chan isn't just a normal guy. I've known him since I was a kid, and it doesn't mean anything when I let him hold me or take my hand or even petting me! He is like the older brother I have never had."

"Well he isn't! So, next time you decide to show your invisible brotherly love, do it where I can't see."

Sasuke pulled the blankets over his head obviously sulking. Naruto sighed and climbed over the bed. He tried to take the blanket off his other half, but when getting to be stubborn, Sasuke was always topping him. He sighed again.

"Sasuke, we kissed."

And the second thing Naruto knew, he was being overthrown on the bed with a furious teen on top of him.

"YOU WHAT!?"

"Kissed, Sasuke. He kissed me."

"I'll fucking KILL him!"

Naruto had to hold the tiger over him down before he could run off really killing his big brother over a silly old kiss. "Sasuke, please calm down! It's nothing serious! It didn't mean anything!"

"Fuck it didn't!"

"If I said it didn't, that means it didn't! If you trust me, please calm down! You're the only one whose kisses mean anything to me!"

Sasuke stopped struggling Naruto's hold at this, and sat back pulling the blond's face up to his own. "Did you kiss him back?"

"No," Naruto replied truthfully. "But I didn't push him off either."

Sasuke scowled at his other half. "Naruto, are you trying to ignite me on purpose?"

"No. I just want you to know everything that had happened, and for you to calm down and let me understand why you hate him so much. What did he do to hurt you?"

"He kept quiet about the fact that he was alive, and while I was being tortured by fucking Danzo, he was off enjoying himself with some stupid chicks!"

Naruto looked the raven straight in the eyes. "You don't really believe that. And neither do I. Sasuke, do you know why I didn't push him away?"

"There is no reason in this whole world that would force you not to!"

"It's because his kiss was very sad. He wasn't doing it, but his soul was weeping, broken and desperate. I could sense it all, Itachi-onii-chan hadn't led an easy life, if there is something I'm sure of it would be this. I know he must have tried his hardest to come back here, but unfortunately, his hardest was simply not enough."

"Are you defending him just because you sensed sadness in his kiss?"

The hand pinning him released him for a second and Naruto used that second to sit upright, trying to lead a normal conversation before Sasuke would flip out again and rape him.

"It is a part of it, but not all. Did you know that he was and still is in love with my father?"

Sasuke's orbs knotted and he ran a hand through his hair. "That can't be, your father has been dead for a while now."

"Yes, ten years, give and take. And he is still madly in love with him."

"You sure about that, Naruto?"

The blond nodded with a sad smile. "Itachi-onii-chan didn't confess to dad, and he spent his life refusing himself that. But, to be able to go through the ache and sadness knowing the person you love isn't around in this world anymore and no matter how hard you want, you'll never be able to see them again, that required a courage I don't think I have." Naruto held tightly to Sasuke's shirt. "If you were gone, I'd go mad. I will not be able to breathe and I wouldn't know what to be without you around. So please, he had been through a hellish pain, and you don't know what may have forced him not to contact you. Please, don't push him away. He needs a bit of peace in his life right now."

Sasuke eased the blond in his arms trying to comfort the tears before they start to gather. "Even if you beg me, Naruto, I can't do it, the wounds in my heart are too deep for me to just forgive him and forget about everything. I am too angry to do that."

"Then, how about you start little? Day to day conversations. Try not to shout so much in his face and see how things would go."

"I…I'm not sure."

"Please, Sasuke! For my sake!"

Pleading orbs faced his sceptical ones and Sasuke sighed. He spared a kiss to the other's temple and assured.

"I'll try, although I can't promise you with anything right now, but I'll try to look past my anger and connect on some level with him."

"That's all I'm asking, Sasuke. Thank you."

Naruto allowed himself to fall and rest gently into the warm embrace as his eyes started closing thanking whatever God who was listening to let him hold onto Sasuke like this forever. The past few days, he'd experienced the taste of life without Sasuke, and how bitter it was. He'd felt sorry for his self at the beginning, to recognize how dependent he was becoming of Sasuke's presence and to take it as a part of his life, he was really pitiful. But…

He looked up to those onyx, midnight orbs and the little fox inside him began dancing in happiness.

"Sasuke, how about a basketball match?"

"It's raining."

"Neji said he has a private court inside."

"When did he say that?" Sasuke said with a frown.

"One day when we were practicing, so, what do you say, ready for a little match?"

Sasuke smirked and lowered the confused blond slowly on the bed. "The only type of match I'm ready for is the type that gets us tangled in the sheets with hot body fluids running between us."

Naruto shivered at the husky whisper into his ear and his hands reached unconsciously into Sasuke's locks. He blushed and darted his eyes to the big window. "We can't. We have to respect the place we are in."

"Neji won't mind, he offered all the means for us to have a perfectly enjoyable first time."

Naruto's face deepened in red. "Sasuke, you remember what had happened the last time we tried having sex? Your…umm…finger couldn't go in."

The raven sighed. "I'm afraid it's you who doesn't remember right. My finger did go in, but you got too scared to complete."

"That's 'cause Kakashi was right next door! And I wasn't prepared. My feelings for you aren't complete yet. I can't have sex before I know what I really want."

"Naruto, it's obvious what you want, you just have to have the courage to claim over it. And I won't force you if you don't want to, but for both of our sakes, come to truth with your feelings quickly, I can't hold my self-control forever."

Naruto felt a sting of sadness wash over him when Sasuke raised himself away from him and began walking towards the door. He reached his hand not wanting the other to go off in anger.

"Where are you going?"

At the frightened look, Sasuke smiled and gave Naruto a tender kiss on his lips.

"Just the bathroom, don't worry, I won't run away from you. I have long settled with my destiny to be with you and I won't let go just because of sex. You can relax. Just focus on figuring out your own feelings, okay? And tell me as soon as you can. I'll be waiting."

Naruto released the hold he had on Sasuke's shirt and nodded to the words, watching his other half walk out of the door; he slumped on the pillow, cursing his own feelings and indecisive self.


Okie, to all of you out there who hate seeing Itachi and Minato together, I'm sorry and please don't drop this fic because of that xD. It's just that I think it's perfect and cute for Itachi to hold feelings for Minato and never tell him. So, yeah…I would love to hear more about your thoughts and opinions, so review. And stay tuned for the next update! Thanks for reading so far! :D