For being a horrible, mean, awful person, I apologize. I was going to make the chapter longer, but I'm having so much fun. I'm also six chapters into a new story I haven't posted yet. I want to make sure it'll work before I get it up, but I'll let you know when it is.
Thank you for your kind reviews. I found an error in my last chapter; it's corrected now. That's what I get for being my own beta.
On to the next chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 12: How to make a sacrifice
"I see you found what you were looking for."
Naruto sat up in bed, momentarily disorientated. Itachi was standing over him with that damn grin on his face. Naruto's eyes darted to the door; he was shocked to see that all of his barricades were still in place.
"How'd you…," he stopped, considered Itachi's sentence, then, "What are you…," he cut himself off again. He had better keep his comments generalized; he didn't want to give Itachi too much. "Huh?"
"You found my sniveling baby brother. How is he doing? I haven't seen him since I put him down there." Naruto swallowed. How did Itachi know that he had found Sasuke? Oh, he should have known- Itachi smelled Sasuke on him. He had forgotten that that was a possibility. He swallowed hard.
"How'd you get in here?" He didn't want to tell Itachi anything more than about Sasuke than he had too. Itachi grinned.
"This is my house. I can come and go as I please." That didn't answer the question, but Naruto wasn't entirely too sure that he wanted to know the answer. Itachi was still leaning over him and he felt vulnerable. Carefully, he slid sideways off the bed and moved closer to the window. Itachi's grin widened. "You have yet to answer my question. How is darling Sasuke?"
How was he to answer that? "You didn't hide him away from me very well." Itachi shrugged.
"I aim to please. You asked for him, and I gave him to you." Naruto didn't believe that for a moment. There had to be some alternative motive. It almost all seemed too easy.
"So, if I ask for you to set him free…" Itachi chuckled.
"I apologize, but it is quite out of my hands now. Besides, I'm not sure I would want to. You seem overly preoccupied with him. I might be jealous."
"You don't want me." Itachi grinned. "You want to hurt Sasuke." Itachi nodded.
"Of course." He said it so easily, as if discussing the weather. Naruto was shocked at the admission. "I despise Sasuke."
"Why didn't you just kill him then? Why keep him alive? Why turn him?" Itachi grinned and leaned against the wall. He kept his eyes focused on Naruto.
"I am sure that one day you will understand. There are many things worse than death. Death was much to gentle, to nice for Sasuke. Making him live was a more fitting punishment." Naruto scowled and struggled to remain calm.
"Why?" Itachi shrugged and pushed off the wall. He took a couple of steps towards Naruto until he was leaning down to stare directly into Naruto's face.
"Why what?"
"Why do you hate him so much? He never did anything to you. He was just a child." Itachi had the gall to laugh.
"Why should I not hate him? It is an amusing pass time." He laughed again and Naruto moved closer to the window.
"You're fucking insane." Itachi finally straitened his position. It allowed Naruto to breathe.
"Hm. Perhaps. Is there anything I can get for you?"
Naruto scoffed. "Yea, tell me how to free Sasuke." The amusement was clear in Itachi's face.
"Oh, I could do that, but where is the fun in that? Besides, have you asked Sasuke? He knows how to free himself." Naruto knew that, had figured out that Sasuke was hiding it from him yesterday. "It is odd that he has not told you. Perhaps he feels differently for you than you first imagined."
Naruto didn't know how to respond to that. It was something he had been afraid of for some time. "Then go away." The hurt in his voice wasn't masked very well, and Itachi picked up on it, and it seemed to please him.
"Very well. Good morning, Naruto. Say hello to Sasuke for me." Naruto blinked, and Itachi was gone as soon as he was there. It creeped Naruto the Hell out, especially since he couldn't tell how Itachi had left. The dresser and the chair were still pushing against the door; nothing was out of place.
Naruto waited until the sun was firmly in the sky before he dared to venture out of his room. He didn't bother to put the dresser and chair back into their correct places; he knew he'd be putting them back against the door again that night, regardless of how little good it had done.
He was conflicted about what to do first. He wanted to go and see Sasuke, but if Sasuke had his way, Kakashi would be here soon. And he wanted to find Itachi's book before Kakashi got here. Though, it was a bright sunny day, so Kakashi might not be able to come to the house. Eventually he headed to the study; Kakashi was a genius, and Naruto wasn't going to bet on Kakashi not being able to find a way.
The book was exactly where Sasuke had left it on the bookshelf. Naruto flipped through the pages until he found the page that Sasuke had shown him. He traced the figures and worked hard to recall the images carved on Sasuke's chains. He was so sure that they were the same. He turned back to the bookshelf and started the task of flipping through the books surrounding Itachi's, looking for Sasuke's translations. He frustrated quickly, and moved to sort through Sasuke's desk. He thumbed through the few papers stacked on the corner, but there was nothing. He eventually collapsed in Sasuke's chair. He was one for two, but at least he had the original book.
He wondered if he should look someplace else, Sasuke's room perhaps, and started spinning the chair as he thought. It was on his third rotation that he had to stop and turn back to the window. Naruto's jaw dropped as he stood and moved closer to the window, and he could do very little to stop the laughter that bubbled out of his chest. There was a figure making its way across the lawn towards the house. It was completely dressed in black, head to toe, complete with a ski mask. Over that was a full length cloak, sunglasses, and full length gloves. All of that was overshadowed by a large umbrella. It was so well covered that Naruto couldn't be sure who it was. He was sure it wasn't Kakashi; it was much too short. Finally, it made it to the window and pointed up. Naruto stopped laughing long enough to shrug and mouth "What?" The figure smacked the window hard and pointed up again. Naruto followed the finger before he realized the figure was pointing upstairs to his room. He nodded and gave an OK sign with hand before turning and leaving the room.
The figure was already in his room and closing the heavy curtains covering his window. "You look ridiculous." The figure flicked him off.
"Fuck you. Get in the closet." The voice was muffled, which just made it that much less intimidating, but he knew it was Kiba.
"Oh, wait until Sasuke hears this." Kiba paused on the way to his closet.
"Sasuke's still here? We had hoped that he wasn't. Crap." Naruto frowned and followed Kiba into his closet.
"Why? What's happening on your end?" He closed the door behind him and Kiba started to remove layers.
"Aw Hell, man, I haven't got a clue besides that we are royally screwed. One moment we're sitting here, the next Kakashi is herding us out and saying that once we're all out he'll come back and knock some sense into Sasuke, and then when we tried to come back we saw that Itachi was back. All Hell broke loose after that. You could say that we all went to Hell in proverbial hand basket. We've been putting out fires. There are several covens that were our allies now concerned about what's going to happen to them now that Itachi's back. That's where Kakashi is now, in a meeting with Gaara."
"In the daytime?" Kiba shrugged.
"It's what time I'm here, isn't it?" Naruto shrugged back. "It's the only time that we think we're safe from Itachi and his cronies." They lapsed into silence before Kiba went on. "Well, what's happened to Sasuke then? Kakashi said he's still alive." Naruto sighed and slid down the back of the closet door.
"Yea, he's still alive. Itachi has him all chained up in the basement." Kiba looked at him sideways.
"Itachi let you get close to him?"
"Yup. He has everything but the bedrooms unlocked for me. I spent most the day with him yesterday." Kiba frowned and looked away.
"Why does Itachi have you here then? Did you come back on your own or did he bring you back?"
"Both. He sent someone to bring me back, but I came willingly." Kiba sighed and slid down the wall to sit next to Naruto.
"Well, that can't be good."
"Nope," Naruto responded. There was silence again before Kiba moved to stand.
"Then it's best that we get you out of here now." Naruto frowned and slapped the hand that reached down to help him to stand.
"I'm not going." Kiba growled.
"Naruto, I really don't feel like forcing you."
"Then don't. I'm not leaving Sasuke. He needs me." Naruto thought a second, then, "They're starving him, Kiba." Kiba analyzed for a long minute before huffing and flopping back down beside Naruto. Naruto grinned at him. "Besides, we need to find a way to free Sasuke, and you'll need someone on the inside to do that."
"That sounds all good and well, but do you have any bright ideas?" Naruto grinned at him and opened to his bookmarked page.
"These glyphs here are on the chains that are binding Sasuke. Sasuke knows what they mean, but for some reason he's not telling me." Kiba took the book from him and traced over the glyphs.
"I've never seen these before. And you said that Sasuke translated them?" Naruto nodded.
"Yea, but I couldn't find his translation notes."
"They wouldn't be here. They'd be at the second house. He keeps all of his most important documents and translations there, since he doesn't trust anyone in this house." Naruto grinned bitterly at Kiba.
"I would think not." Kiba looked up from the book at him confused for a moment before he realized what he had said and chuckled.
"Yea, except for you." Naruto grinned and turned his attention back to the book.
"I think that those are the key to getting Sasuke free." Kiba hummed and traced them again.
"No, they are more like the lock, and we have to find the key." He slammed the book closed and moved to stand again and Naruto followed. "But, first we have to know what these mean. I'll take them with me and show them to Kakashi. He'll either know what they mean or know where Sasuke kept the translations for these glyphs."
"Well, I think that's a good idea, but I'm concerned about how much leeway Itachi will actually give me. That's his book." Kiba frowned.
"Well, that's fine, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with writing it down on another piece of paper."
"Okay, well, do you think you can get it back to me before sundown?" Kiba considered the question.
"Yea, I'll head over fast and get Kakashi to look at it right away. Once we know what it is, I'll bring it back." Kiba started to dress himself in his layers again.
"With an answer?" Kiba winced before he pulled the ski mask over his face.
"If we can find one, yea."
"I need an answer, Kiba. I don't know what Itachi has in store for me, but I know that it isn't going to end well for me." Kiba froze with the sunglasses half on his face. He stared at Naruto over the rims with something that looked like fear in his eyes. Naruto grinned at him the best he could. "Hurry." Kiba pushed the sunglasses on and walked over to hug Naruto. Naruto relaxed in his hold, as if Kiba would make everything disappear. But then he was pushing Naruto away.
"I'll be back with an answer. Go stay with Sasuke until I come back. I'll be back an hour before sundown." Naruto nodded and Kiba was out the door and on the window ledge before Naruto could blink. He hesitated there before he turned back to Naruto. "If these are Itachi's glyphs, it can't be anything good. Especially if he wanted you here." Naruto nodded again.
"Yea, I know. I don't care." Kiba nodded once before he was over the window ledge. Naruto hurried over to the window and watched Kiba land, pop open his umbrella, and dash across the lawn. He turned then and finally allowed himself to give in to the temptation he had been fighting all morning.
"I am torn, beloved."
Naruto grinned at the voice he heard even before he flipped the light switch on. "Why?"
"Because I thought I had made it clear to Kakashi that he was to take you away from here, and yet here you are." Naruto turned the corner and saw Sasuke. He hurried over to the bowl and butcher knife he had left on the table. "I am fine, Naruto."
Naruto shot Sasuke a glare before pushing the tip of the butcher knife into the cut he had already made. No senese in making a new cut. "And yet I'm here. Why were you torn again?"
"Because as much as I wish you were not here, I am so happy to see you again." Naruto turned and beamed at him.
"I'm so happy to see you again, too!" His small bowl was mostly full and he was starting to feel lightheaded again, so he sucked the wound until it stopped and rewrapped it in his rag. He carefully picked the bowl up, but instead of pushing it across the floor, he walked all the way to Sasuke and held the bowl to his lips. "Here."
It felt better to Naruto to see Sasuke drinking this way than it had yesterday. It almost seemed as if Sasuke wasn't chained to the wall. He watched Sasuke drink, and when the bowl was emptied he replaced it with his lips. Sasuke kissed him hungrily before he turned his face away. "You smell like Kiba." Naruto hummed.
"Yup, he said that Kakashi couldn't make it. Apparently he's dealing with the political side of Itachi's return."
"Ah, so that explains why you are still here. Kiba is much too easily persuaded by you. Interesting, that." Naruto laughed.
"Oh, Sasuke, don't be jealous." Sasuke stiffened and stuck his nose in the air. Naruto laughed again; even kneeling and chained to a wall he could still look like a snobby aristocrat. Only Sasuke could pull that off with any kind of convinceability.
"Jealousy is beneath me. Besdies," he nipped at Naruto's jaw line and pressed his mouth to Naruto check, "you are mine."
Naruto grinned and kissed the underside of Sasuke's jaw. "Yes, I'm yours." They relaxed into each other's hold and Naruto told Sasuke about everything he had done for the three days he had been away. He considered telling Sasuke about sending Itachi's book with Kiba, but Sasuke hadn't wanted Naruto to know how to free him, so he couldn't imagine that he'd be happy that he was so close.
"Tell me more about this prostitute you met. What color was her hair?"
"Red and very, very long."
"Hm. And her eyes?"
"Blue, like mine." Sasuke grinned.
"And you met up with her outside of the club?"
Naruto was definitely suspicious now. "Yes, Sasuke. Why?"
"Was her name Kushina?" Naruto pulled away from him slightly.
"You know her?" Sasuke grinned and stroked the side of Naruto's cheek.
"Of her. To think that you would meet up with her. Should I tell you?" He was musing out loud, Naruto knew, but he answered him anyway.
"Yes, you should tell me." Sasuke grinned.
"I believe that you met your mother." Naruto gasped and collapsed back against Sasuke.
"She was the one that threw me away?" Sasuke sighed and held Naruto close to him.
"In her defense, I believe that she thought you were dead. I thought you were dead at first. And she was a child herself, barely sixteen." Naruto digested that before he collected his thoughts enough to respond.
"Do you think she knew who I was?" Sasuke measured his words carefully before he responded.
"I was told once that a mother will always know her child. And if you told her your story, I am sure she was able to put it together."
There was silence while Naruto considered Sasuke's response and what he remembered if his interaction with his supposed mother. "She was really nice."
"I am glad. Perhaps, once this is all over, you can find her again." Naruto shook his head and Sasuke looked at him confused.
"I gave her the money you gave me and told her to leave and start a better life. I hope she does." Sasuke grinned at him.
"I am glad you have no grudge against her." Naruto laughed.
"Well, a wise man once told me that you couldn't regret your past if you liked your present. And if she hadn't thrown me away, then you wouldn't have found me." Sasuke looked shocked as Naruto threw his words back at him. "No regrets, right Sasuke? And I don't regret you." Sasuke's expression melted into a grin.
"Is that so? You do not regret me bringing you into this nightmare?"
Naruto fiddled with the chain. "No, because it's not a nightmare. You're here." Sasuke gently pulled the chain from Naruto's loose grip.
"My, you have become idealistic since coming here."
Naruto carefully checked his watch. "You've given me something to be idealistic about. Speaking of ideals, I have to go." He carefully stood and moved out of reaching distance from Sasuke. It physically hurt him to do so, but he knew that he would have to forfeit his current comfort to achieve his goal of Sasuke's freedom.
"Go where?" Sasuke seemed suspicious.
"To meet with Kiba again. I sent him back with Itachi's book so he could look up your translation. He'll be coming back now with my answer." The look of surprise crossed Sasuke's face, and a shiver went down Naruto's spine as he noticed a flicker of terror.
"Naruto…" But Naruto cut him off with a shake of his head.
"Nope, it's a done deal Sasuke. It would have been so much easier if you had told me how to free you in the first place."
"Did it occur to you that I do not wish to be freed?"
The thought hadn't occurred to him. It seemed a foreign concept. "No. But why wouldn't you?"
"I have made my decision, Naruto. I have chosen my torment. You cannot take my decision from me. It is not your choice to make." Naruto frowned at him.
"I'm not entirely sure it's completely up to you either. You're the only one who can stop Itachi now. He's killing people, Sasuke."
"What are their lives to me if it costs me something dearer?" It was the first time he had ever heard Sasuke yell. It took him aback, and he felt the full weight of what was happening settle in the pit of his stomach.
"What will it cost you?" Sasuke didn't answer him, but turned to look at the floor. "That's not fair, Sasuke, to let people suffer because you're scared." Sasuke chuckled resentfully.
"I have been selfless my entire life. I think I am allowed a moment of selfishness." Naruto grinned at the sulky tone and walked back to Sasuke to kiss him. Sasuke leaned into the kiss and whispered against his mouth, "Stay with me, Naruto." His voice was pleading.
"I will always be with you, Sasuke." He kissed him one last time before he turned and moved back to the stairs. "But I will free you, Sasuke. I suppose that that is my one act of selfishness."
He struggled to block out Sasuke calling for him. It was, without a doubt, the hardest thing he ever had to do.
Naruto was crying by the time he made it back up to his room. Sasuke's pleas were still echoing in his ears and he was beginning to doubt himself. But he had already made his decision, and the least he could do would be to hear Kiba out.
Luckily, he didn't have to wait long. From his window, he could see two similarly cloaked figures making their way quickly to the house. He opened his window and stood to the side to allow them access to his room. Once they were inside, he pulled his curtains closed and moved to the closet, the shrouded figures on his heels. Once secure from any possibility of a stray light, they revealed themselves to be Kiba and Kakashi. Naruto wasn't surprised. He sat on the floor crossed legged and waited until they sat next to him. Kiba looked tense, and Kakashi uncharacteristically serious. "So, did you find it?"
Kakashi cleared his throat. "Yes, we did. These glyphs act like a lock." Naruto huffed.
"That isn't anything I didn't know. What I need to know is what the key is." Kakashi scowled at him.
"I am getting there. But first, I need to know how serious you are about freeing Sasuke."
"I would do anything."
"Anything?" Naruto nodded. "That is good. Naruto, I must impress upon you the importance that Sasuke is freed. He is the only one who can check Itachi. Without Sasuke, Itachi will live forever, killing thousands, millions. He will enslave the world and bend it to his will."
"I know, Kakashi. You don't have to convince me to free Sasuke. I would free him for his own sake, regardless of the world. Just tell me how." There was a long silence where Kakashi deliberated before he answered.
"The glyphs are unique in that they are already activated. The trick is getting them to deactivate. They allow for an outside power to be linked to them in order to supply the needed element to switch off, if you will, the power keeping Sasuke restrained."
"What element?" Kakashi had the nerve to chuckle.
"Blood, of course. What else? A large amount of blood, to be specific. From a single donor. The donor would not live." Naruto swallowed hard. He knew where this was going. If he were being honest with himself, he had seen this coming ever since Itachi had him brought back.
"How does the blood get to the glyphs? You mentioned an outside power." Kakashi looked at him remorsefully before he answered.
"Yes, though it could be anything that Itachi used. It would have to be the same object that was used to put the seals in place. And, the object would have to be reconnected to the glyphs by the original caster."
"Itachi," Naruto concluded. Kakashi nodded. "I'll have to go to him to get my answers."
"Yes. But Naruto, there's more." Kiba stood abruptly, but Kakashi pulled him back down. He continued before Kiba could protest. "These glyphs are particularly cruel. I am not surprised that Sasuke did not want to tell you. It requires a specific sacrifice." Kakashi pulled out another book and flipped to a certain page. "The sacrifice," Kakashi read, "would have to be the most beloved in order for the seal to be broken."
Naruto grinned. "'My most beloved,' he said." Kiba and Kakashi exchanged looks, and Naruto spoke more clearly so that they could understand his train of thought. "The story of true love's kiss breaks the wicked spell, right?" Kakashi grinned at him.
"Or something like that." Kakashi's grin fell and he leaned forward. "Naruto, you do know who the sacrifice must be, right?" Naruto nodded.
"Of course. I'm the sacrifice."