Chapter 5: The Grim Reaper rides

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, the characters or the plot.

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The day was starting to end as Itachi removed his armor. He was covered in blood and dirt as the rest of his men filed in for the night. His general rallied them to their beds and took no casualties. Everything was finally over, and Itachi was free from this political hell. He sighed and sat on his bed running his hand through his hair. He needed a bath. He wanted to shed himself of the day's labor. His gut churned at the thought of returning home and finding something he didn't want to see. He heard nothing from this spy, no letters, no carrier birds, nothing. In a way it could be a good thing, he didn't think Deidara would be discovered; the boy was practically a shadow. Hunkering down on his bed Itachi folded his arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling. He could only hope that no news was good news. This time away from Sasuke really got him thinking. He even found himself thinking in the middle of the battle. He realized how badly he had been treating Sasuke. He found himself regretting a lot of the things he thought were smooth in the advancements of courtship. He suddenly felt like an ass. He briefly wondered what the boy had been doing while he was gone and prayed he hadn't been around the other intended suitor. It made his blood boil to think Sasuke was there all alone without him but this man, but he needed to give Sasuke the space he required. He wanted to win the boy over naturally and not by interference of another party. Sadly, he would have to let Sasuke decide whom we wanted.

He smiled when he imagined the brooding boy sitting on his couch. Sasuke like to spend a large amount of time in his room staring out his scenic window. The boy rarely left the palace, whether by safety or the annoyance of the outside world. Often, there were days Itachi just wants to grab his brother and travel, take the boy somewhere he could see the world for how beautiful it was. He never wanted Sasuke to see the carnage of battle, he had to make sure that the boy remained protected for most of his life from it. He closed his eyes rolled onto his side, fully prepared to fall asleep.

A sudden tapping on his tent door alerted him from his daydreams.

Sasuke walked the halls like a zombie. His feet felt heavy with every step he made back to his room.

"That's why I need you to do something for me Sasuke, as my true son, I need you to sleep with Orochimaru."

The words echoed in his skull and for the first time in years he felt himself fighting down tears. His breath came in raspy and threatened to stop all together. He managed to compose himself until he reached his room and slammed the door behind him, locking it. His breath came out shaky as he used a hand to clutch at the skin over his heart. He couldn't do this. He couldn't. Why would she ask such a thing of him, why would she do this? She claimed to love him, call him her true son. What was so important about Orochimaru, what could he possibly offer enough that Sasuke had to sleep with him for either duty or blackmail? The thought of going near that man again made Sasuke sick. Sasuke had no problem sleeping with people, but they were often people he chose to sleep with. He nearly crawled toward his room and when he did, he buried himself on his bed. He burrowed into his pillows and just wanted to stay there. Through what his mother thought was kindness, she didn't require that Sasuke go to dinner that night with them all. She asked him to stay in his room and mentally collect himself before preparing the deed. No doubt Orochimaru was in on it, the bastard faked innocents but Sasuke knew. Every moment, they spent together was a lewd display of lust. What Sasuke had thought was love now turned sour for the pale man. He honestly thought Orochimaru would've been a possible suitor. He was such a fool; he felt like an idiot and suddenly all he could think about was just wanting Itachi here so we can hide behind his brother. It sounded pathetic, but that's what he wanted to do. His brother at least would always take his side no matter how ludicrous. That's the thing Sasuke counted on in the past. Raising his head from his pillows he took in a shaky breath as he felt tears roll down his face. He was a prince, after all and this was a duty. It was his duty as a prince to serve the family both politically and loyally. But what would his mother do if he refused? Would she execute him? Disown him? Banish him to another country? He knew his mother wouldn't be outright to kill him, but she would make him pay for his decisions. He briefly wondered if he had done something wrong, upset her. Shaking his head, he gave a small sob before burring his face back into his pillows. The persona he had built up for years suddenly dropped, he was back to being that scared sixteen-year-old who was afraid of his own emotions. He rolled onto his back and stared the canopy of his bed. He was to be at Orochimaru's door at midnight. He briefly wondered how to go through it. Did he just walk in, do the deed and leave? Did Orochimaru want to taunt him first, offer words of love, offer words of disgust at what his mother ordered him to do? Sasuke didn't know what to think, all he could feel was the tightening of his chest. It would just be one thing, but it was something his mother had at no time asked of him. He was expecting her to protect him, never make him do the things he didn't want to. He felt confused as to why she was offering him on a silver platter to the snake man. Perhaps she was a different person all along. Maybe the woman he thought was his mother was actually something else in disguise. He certainly saw her true colors today, and wondered if some day he himself would become her.

Resigning himself, he rolled onto his side and stared at the wall. He didn't want to eat; he didn't want to just incase he lost his nerves and would make a fool of himself by throwing up on the man's floor. Closing his eyes, he prayed Orochimaru would turn him away.

Itachi stood frozen at the panting blonde stood in front of him. Deidara's hair was in a disarray; he was covered in sweat, and his clothes were dirty from the hard ride. Itachi stood now in front of him wearing his night clothes' eyes wide but unseeing.

"She said what?" He asked blonde before him. Deidara had arrived a few minutes ago, using the fastest horse in the stables that Itachi left behind just in case It seems it was appropriate. Deidara turned a one-day ride into a few hours. The blond licked his dry lips as he managed to catch his breath.

"Your mother wants Sasuke to sleep with Orochimaru, leader of the snake tribe. I can't tell you everything now that she said, but I can tell you he's not doing it because he is in love with the man. She's basically forcing him!" The blond rushed out. Itachi's breathing became deeper and erratic. He turned on the spot, lifting a hand to his chin and clenching his teeth. He betrayed nothing as he slowly turned his head back to the blond.

"And how. . . How did Sasuke . . . Seem . . . Emotionally?" Itachi dared to ask. The older Raven feared nothing, but what he feared more was that if Sasuke wholeheartedly agreed to do this. If that was the case, Itachi would not go. Deidara had a pain-filled look on his face as he regarded his friend.

"There are no words to describe the pain on the younger prince's face. Whether it was regarding his origins or the fact that he looked like a dead man going to the gallows," The blond said. Itachi's face held shock as he desperately looked around for his armor. As he rushed to put it on, he looked at Deidara and pointed out the door.

"Ready my horse, tell Pain to get the Army ready to head home. I'm leaving, tonight!" He announced. His looks held anxiousness and extreme desire to return home. Deidara watched him and nodded immediately.

"Yes my prince!"

The blonde ran out the door as Itachi's mind spun in place. He had a slim idea about what his mother told Sasuke. He didn't know the full details, but he knew Sasuke had been born of his mother and a very close family member. He could not care less about whom the boy's father was, all that mattered was that Sasuke was being forced to do something he didn't want. Itachi had never gone against his mother, but he flatly refused on many occasions in which he had been told to sleep with either enemies or powerful ally's children. He knew it angered her to no end, but he never imagined she would take it out on Sasuke. She'd always loved him, held a special place in her heart for him. It at no time in his life bothered Itachi because Sasuke was Sasuke. The boy not at any time asked for the attention, and the boy never wanted for anything. He gave Sasuke personal freedom; he didn't expect his mother to back him into a political corner. He threw his cape on as he angrily thought of Orochimaru. He had no idea the man was in his home; he had no idea his mother had invited the enemy right onto their doorstep. What was she thinking? Orochimaru was a powerful mage. The man could have anything he wanted by force alone. Why would their mother give Sasuke to him? Some kind of peace treaty? He dwelled no more on it as he grabbed his sword and helmet. Deidara was talking to Pain outside, standing close together. Deidara was Pain's lover; the orange haired male was very surprised at seeing the blond in the middle of the night let alone in a military camp. He stroked the other's face as Deidara rushed to him the details of his sudden appearance. Itachi's warhorse was saddled and ready, and that was all the prince needed. Without stalling he jumped onto the saddle and grabbed the reins. He looked briefly down at the two men as they stared up at him for orders.

"Return to me Deidara by morning. Pain, gather the men and get them home, the enemy is on our doorstep. I require a lot of cleaning up after what I'm about to do," He told them. Both nodded as Pain and Deidara got ready to move.

"We'll see you at home, my prince," Pain said. Itachi gave a curt nod as he slapped the reins. The large horse gave a roar as it trampled fires as it exited the camp. Feeling the wind on his face, Itachi felt a new line of adrenaline go through him. His horse kept the weight of him well, with his armor on. He reminded himself to award the animal after his goals have been met. He trampled the countryside, passing villages and homes and if anybody had looked out their windows, they could swear they saw the Grim Reaper himself riding after his next victim.

It had been hours after dinner in which Sasuke decided to skip. He walked down the halls of the la

rge palace; night fell and stars shown through the windows. All the servants were asleep, as were the guards. Orochimaru's room was put on the west end of the palace, facing the gardens. He walked the two floors and now stood in front of the man's door. The fireplace must've been huge; a large amount of light cascaded from underneath the door into the hall. Sasuke could feel the heat of it on his feet even through his boots. He wore a simple pair of riding pants, his shirt loose and not constricted. He took a deep breath and made his mind go blank. If he was going to do this, he was going to give Orochimaru the Sasuke he made itself out to be. Putting a furious look on his face, he tried to make himself look as unappealing as possible. Sometimes people didn't want to sleep with a gloomy bed partner; he hoped he could pull it off and just tell his mother that Orochimaru wasn't interested. He knew was a slim chance, but it was all he had to go on. He briefly wondered if his mother planned this with Orochimaru, he didn't expect the other to be up this late.

Stealing himself, Sasuke resigned himself to his fate and knocked on the door. He heard an utterance of acknowledgment and opened the door with a small creek. Sasuke felt his breath become deeper from the way he saw Orochimaru arranged. The man wore nothing but a scarlet red robe, tied in the middle. His hair was loose about his shoulders and framed his long face perfectly. He held a glass of wine in his hand as he took in Sasuke. His feet were bare on the carpet and crossed as their shadows played against the floor. Even if he was being forced to sleep with this man, Sasuke couldn't help but find him terribly alluring.

Orochimaru gave a small smile as if he were taunting Sasuke and the raven suddenly saw that the mocking attitude had just ruined his entire air. He was back to being angry, and he scowled at the other man.

"Sasuke, what a surprise! What brings you to my door at such a late hour?" He mocked. Sasuke sneered this time and crossed his arms.

"Skip the pleasantries, I would have preferred you just made a move on the first night instead of dancing like a puppet. However, I suppose you're the kind of person believing in mock torture. Fine. I won't bore you with details. We both know why I am here so no games. Just take what you want from me, so I can go back to my room and sleep and revel in self-loathing and disgust," The boy said sharply.

Sasuke suddenly dropped his arms and waved a hand in the air.

"You must be proud of yourself, bedding a sixteen-year-old, what are you? Fifty or something?" He mocked back. He hoped this display of arrogance would turn the man off to the idea. Instead, Orochimaru only smiled and sat down his glass.

"There you go again, pretending you understand what's going on, hiding behind a veil that you have no hope of pushing back. I don't blame you for being scared Sasuke; it must be hard taking orders from your own mother," He slithered out. Sasuke narrowed his eyes as his plan horribly failed. Instead, he took a more logical approach.

"Why this then? What do you hope to gain from this by sleeping with me?" Sasuke asked him plainly. Orochimaru stood and approached him. His eyes were a light like the fire behind him. He didn't stop until he came with only a few inches of the boy. Sasuke held his body taunt as Orochimaru lifted a hand and gently curled around the boy's chin. He could feel the nails slightly biting, but they didn't puncture the skin. The fingers were cold against his hot skin. His smirk widened at the look in Sasuke's eyes.

"Who knows, perhaps I take a sick pleasure of forcing people into my bed? Maybe your mother has some hidden agenda that she too has hidden from me. Whatever she is planning; she has obviously kept both of us from the loop," He drawled. Sasuke almost winced as that hand stroked his chin before going down his neck and into his shirt. Orochimaru shamelessly felt up his chest, stroking the muscles and circling a nipple with his index finger. He went lower and Sasuke gasped as his shirt was torn open with Orochimaru's other hand. The older man's eyes were intent, as if he was examining something of great value for pricing. His golden orbs were heated, and Sasuke swallowed at the raw intensity of it. The pale man before him took a deep breath as if he was trying to control himself from the fresh young flesh presented to him. Orochimaru wasted no time as he grasped the boy's hips and moved in. Leaning his head forward all the way, Sasuke could feel the man's breath on his neck and unintentionally tilt his head backwards in reaction. He gave a whimper as teeth and tongue latched onto the side of his neck and sucked. Sasuke trembled in not excitement, but fear as Orochimaru went down his chest and licked whatever skin he could reach. It was a creepy feeling, and the boy didn't like it. He raised his hands against Orochimaru, and they landed on the man's pale chest, the skin there also being very cold. Before the boy could react further, Orochimaru spoke.

"Maybe I get a personal thrill out of fear. You're trembling but not in excitement. How does it feel? That your own mother handed you over like a virgin to sacrifice? However, you're no virgin; you're fully aware of what sex is, what it does to a young body. You know what it is like to lay with a man and let him treat you special. It's the fact that you've always got to choose, but now the decision is someone else's," Orochimaru whispered against the skin.

Sasuke grimaced as the man harshly grabbed his belt and torn it off. He clenched his teeth as Orochimaru pulled down his pants and eventually forced him to remove his boots. He was left standing there naked, slightly cold because of the large room. He fought down embarrassment and stomach bile as Orochimaru stepped back and observed him like an animal at the fair. Sasuke knew he was trembling, but he clenched his fists to hide it. The man smirked as firelight played off his pale skin, giving him an unearthly glow. The snake didn't hide how he licked his lips and raked his narrowed eyes up the young boy's frame.

"Maybe I get a personal enjoyment of letting Itachi know that I defiled you because his mother said I could?" He smirked. Sasuke backed up in surprise and gave him a look of horror.

"How– how do you know my brother?" He asked. Orochimaru said nothing as he merely approached the boy and backed him toward the bed.

"We know each other very well, but that is a story. . . For another time," Was all he said. Sasuke could do no more as he was pushed onto the man's bed. Orochimaru wasted no time as he crawled over the boy and parted his legs. Latching his fingers into the sheets, Sasuke prayed to just get through this with some of the pride still intact. He knew it would be impossible though, he never be able to look at anyone in the eye again.

Itachi practically jumped off his horse as he handed the steed to the stable master. Nearly sprinting, he made his way up to the steps as the black of the night followed behind him. It was close to midnight as he looked up at the palace, only a few lights were on, but Sasuke's room remained dark. He clenched his teeth and wished he wasn't wearing heavy armor. It was slowing him down. He itched to draw his sword, but he kept his hand on the handle. Effortlessly, he made it through the front doors, past the guards and headed straight for Sasuke's room. He abandoned his helmet on the first story as he busted open the boy's door. Looking around he panicked as he didn't see Sasuke in his bed. He growled deep in his throat, spinning around the room.

"Sasuke, Sasuke where are you?" He yelled into the room. He didn't care if he woke anybody up, he wanted his brother, and he wanted him now. The only other place Sasuke could be with this man was in the guest quarters. He nearly ran down the hallway, his hair flying behind him. His heart was beating a hundred miles an hour, wondering every scenario in his head about how he was walking in on them. Were they in the middle of it? Did Sasuke want it after all? Would he tell Itachi to leave as soon as he arrived? He decided in himself, no matter what Sasuke wanted, he was getting his little brother out of there. And he was going to kill Orochimaru. His armored boots clicked against the carpet as he searched doorway after doorway on the guest floor. He finally came to one doorway that had light coming from underneath it. He stopped, frozen the sounds he heard. It was the obvious creaking of the bed, something he had heard when walking past the servant's quarters late into the night. Feeling a spark of rage ignite within him, Itachi held back a roar. Though distinctly among the sounds of sex, Itachi heard whimpering and crying, not the sounds of pleasure that he thought he would come upon. Even so, that only fueled his anger, making him nearly break down the door. Using the hilt of his sword, Itachi raised his sword and broke the lock. Using the heel of his boot, he brought it up and knocked the door off its hinges. It broke nearly in half from his rage and shattered to pieces on the floor. His eyes went straight to the bed; he could feel his red eyes turn the color of molten lava.

The cries did not die down as Itachi took in the scene before him.

Both were naked on the bed, Orochimaru's long hair fanning out behind him. Itachi's eyes weren't for the man moving on top. His eyes were for the boy crying and whimpering under him. Sasuke's eyes were closed tightly as he anchored himself to the bed with a white knuckled grip. Moans filled the room as Orochimaru spread his thighs wider and pounded into him quicker. Itachi watched frozen as Sasuke's cries reached his ears. The boy arched his back as Orochimaru chuckled and leaned down to his ear, licking the shell. Sasuke's eyes burst open and Itachi watched as tears spilled down. The entire act in itself looked like torture more so than a pleasurable dance. The vulnerable boy Itachi had seen his full life was seen today. This was not something he would ever wish upon him.

Feeling the sword in his hand, Itachi strode forward with his eyes spinning in his skull.

As if sensing him through the haze of either pain or pleasure, Sasuke tilted his head in the direction of the door. The boy's eyes widened, and all Itachi could see was fear. His eyes clouded over and nearly scrunched closed the closer Itachi got. However, through it all, the older brother saw the message there.

Help me, I'm sorry. . . Please help me. . .

Itachi saw nothing but the pleading eyes as he raised his sword. Sasuke's eyes went wide, and it seemed Orochimaru didn't even notice how still his bed partner was.

"About to cum Sasuke?" Orochimaru whispered to him. Itachi heard the words as he raised his sword above his head.

"I'm afraid you're never going to get that opportunity," He hissed to the snake man. Sasuke cried out in pain as Orochimaru stopped thrusting as his head whirled around toward Itachi. Before the man could open his mouth, whether to call for help or utter a spell, Itachi's sword came down. Swinging swiftly to the side with the blade, years of expertise striking made the cut smooth. Sasuke's eyes widened in horror as he watched the snake man's head rolled off his neck. A fountain of blood hit the sheets as Itachi quickly grabbed the corpse's shoulder, swiftly throwing it off the bed before any blood could hit Sasuke. The boy whimpered as his body was separated from the one who had been thrusting inside of him. He sat up quickly, grabbing the sheets and covering himself up. He stared at the inanimate body on the floor; pools of blood sprouted from the body's neck as Orochimaru's wide lifeless eyes stared back at him. Before Sasuke could scream, Itachi grabbed some bloody sheets and covered the body, head and all. The room was silent except for the boy's heavy breathing. He stared at the far wall, trying to comprehend what had just happened. Itachi moved closer to the boy, and Sasuke's head snapped up to look at him. Itachi was breathing deeply, some blood covering his face. He reached forward toward Sasuke's face, a calm look in his eyes.

"Sasuke," He called softly. Sasuke flinched as the fingers and touched his cheek, and he stared at his brother. Itachi didn't move a muscle as he allowed the boy to recover from his trauma.

"It's okay; I won't hurt you," Itachi said softly. Sasuke gave a shaky breath that threatened to turn into a sob. More tears sprung up as he stared at his older brother.

"I hoped. . . I prayed. . . I didn't think you would. I didn't think you came for me," He choked out. As if ashamed, Sasuke pulled the sheets tighter around himself to hide his nudity.

"I didn't want to, but if I didn't. . Mother. . . " He said and broken fragments. "I should have just walked away."

Itachi narrowed his eyes as Sasuke curled in on himself and started crying. He stared in hate at the bloodied body on the floor before he moved toward his younger brother. Sasuke made a noise of confusion as Itachi grabbed the sheets and cocooned him with them. Without a word, he picked Sasuke up bridal style and made his way out of the room. He carried his younger brother back to his own sanctuary, the place where he would feel the safest. He kicked the door closed behind him as soon as he entered the boy's room. He gently set Sasuke down on his bed, moving some hair from his eyes. Sasuke looked up at him, seeming lost, and it was the most vulnerable thing Itachi had ever seen. He leaned forward carefully and tucked the boy into his blankets. He was suddenly reminded of an era where he used to put the young Sasuke to bed when he was restless. Almost as if waking up from a daydream, Sasuke looked deeply into his older brother's eyes.

"Itachi," Was all he could say. The older set the blankets over him and pulled back.

"Sleep, I'll be back," He promised. Before he could turn on his heel, Sasuke grabbed the end of his cape, stalling him from his exit.

"Don't go," The boy pleaded hoarsely. Itachi stilled instantly and whirled back around. Sasuke sat up in bed, looking desperate and hair askew. He had clawed marks on his shoulders, and hickeys on his neck. As if realizing what he was staring at, Sasuke raised a hand and tried to cover his neck and shoulders. Itachi clenched his teeth but carefully leaned down and smoothed his thumb over Sasuke cheekbones.

"I promise; I'll be back as soon as I'm done. . . Dealing with the mess," He finished quietly. As if understanding him, Sasuke slowly nodded his head.

"Hurry," He begged quietly. It had been a long time since Itachi had seen this vulnerable child. He smiled softly for the first time in years as he smoothed back Sasuke's bangs. This was the real Sasuke. This was the boy hiding behind angry looks and snide remarks. Leaning forward Itachi briefly let his lips touch the feverish forehead before urging Sasuke to lie back in his bed.

"I will," He said.

TBC

R&R