Thanks for the huge amounts of reviews. This should take me a while but I'm gonna reply to y'all from last chapter, too. Hope I don't disappoint.
ScarletOfTheBlue - Hehe I'm glad you're okay with the ItaNaru stuff. Unfortunately everything I've written is true to the story, but the baby figuring out thing is still debating when within my mind. I originally wrote this when Sasuke was p155ing me off, so I won't be favourable to him much. Gomen.
PirateCaptainBo - Ski: There will be quite a bit of an uncertainty with Itachi and the Akatsuki situation, but I'll be milking it for all it's worth. Hope the longish-ness makes up for the no updating. Bo: When I started this I had a bit of a problem with the names. It's a shame we didn't speak sooner. And isn't it more like four and a half months? I've put the due date down anywho.
Anonymous Sister of the Author - I like Itachi better too. And Sasuke can p155 me off so much! I can't believe the soap opera thing though. I though they were all the same and quite shallow. Hmmm, I'll have to watch one sometime…
Stalker-san - Hehe, yeah…I did warn of the move though cause I hate it when people move them without saying anything. You are the at the centre of my ego, you know. Everything I do seems to please you and it feels great. Personally, I would have picked Ino over Sakura if I were Sasuke, but by this time she's seeing sense, so what can you do? I'm gonna try putting some of Sasuke's view in later, but from an outsider kinda way.
DeityOfDeath - We should make an ItaNaru banner. It's like our coffee huh. And thanks.
TheDeviant - Yeah, I love the idea too. Be screwed for a strip tease, but loving it if I was horny. Mmmm, Itachi…
kiktty - Hehe, there will definitely be more 'Sasuke bashing'. I mean, Itachi hasn't had his say yet.
Let Me Be - I've got tricks up my sleeve for everything, but we've got to toy with Sasuke more, ne.
where'smycookie - Your words are music to my Emo heart. I drew a pretty sketchy picture of Naruto dying on DeviantArt. It's not much, just pencil, but he has wings and a hole where his heart should be. Got an 'A' in art so it doesn't suck. If ya wana see it, just take out the spaces. I'll put the link at the bottom so you can read this first. ;-p
Ore no Naruto - Heh I would love to see that bastard's reaction. Grr I can hate him so much I have to restrain myself from killing the computer he's on. And on a brighter note, there are many more ItaNaru moments to come.
Sugar Crazed Duckie - Heh thanks. There will be both in here. It's just which takes priority at the time I suppose. Though most want ItaNaru…I wonder why. ;-p
Night-Rose14 - I know, which was funny. But if you remember, Itachi is a master illusionist and child genius. Not even Kurenai could see through his gengutsu that well. The title is basically what Naruto says. It's like the part that believes being happy is possible has gone. SasuNaru is on the bench now…it could be forever.
RickaZcurser - It was kinda romantic with Itachi and Naruto, huh. I love the way you analyse my chapters and I always look forward to your reviews. I did want to show Naruto as being more mature, yet also bring in some child-ness now and again to show it will always be Naruto. Other people have said I made Itachi a little out of character so I really appreciate you saying otherwise and I'm glad that the relationship progression between him and Naruto is good enough to sway you.
Slightly Wicked - That's kinda funny. You know, if Naruto died and Itachi raise his kids, but seriously, you think I got Sasuke right? I thought I made him a little more of a prick…though that is hard to do. ;-p I think SasuNaru has shot up even higher recently now schools out in places.
ZabuzaAngel - Hmmm, I'll right that down and check it out with a review, kay? I should have more time for stuff like this now…well until I get a job anyway. JIC you didn't get it before, Usuratonkachi means moron of morons or clumsy idiot.
SoSickOfNyQuil - Ha. Sasuke got called dumb. Me likey. ;-D I would never betray someone as innocent as Naruto, the damn bastard. Wow, I'm kinda contradicting for you huh? I think I've read a few stories like that too. Thanks for the compliment.
xLonely Moonx - I think you might need to protect your keyboard 'cause there's more ItaNaru on the way. ItaNaru can be so hot. And even I am OOC when I'm in pain. Apparently I whine like a dog or laugh like a hyena. All I know is it fucking hurts! So why can't they just leave me the hell alone? Sorry for the outburst.
XxBookScarxX - I love the pairing too. There aren't enough fics with them. Wish I could see the happy dance, it would go well with the ItaNaru banner I'm trying to coerce DeityOfDeath to help with. ;-p
kai-luver-666 - Hehe. Thanks I think. Pretty random though ;-p
kameotoluvsgaara - You think that's a pretty expression of love? Everyone I know says I'm morbid and incapable of such depths of human feeling. Glad Itachi wasn't OOC for you. I got you mad, in hysterics and murderous. You kinda sound like me. ;-p I wana kill Sasuke too. Maybe that should be the basis of a club. DeityOfDeath's banner, XxBookScarxX's happy dance, ItaNaru worship and plotting Sasuke's death…
highonpixistixs - Sorry for the crying thing; I didn't know I could honestly do that with my own writing, but if it makes you feel better, I'm a masochist too. And so is Itachi in this chapter. ;-p And really, do you mean ItaNaru?
Tsuzuki Misaki - Ha. Mini kunai, I can just imagine all the people getting stabbed. Akatsuki's a bad place in this fic - we need to keep Naruto away! Glad you like my story so much.
Fox Loves Shinigami - Arigato! Wish I could have updated sooner. At least the chapters seem good to you though, ne.
kat - Yeah. I've put Naruto through some bad shit, huh.
x-EliteAssassin-x - Ha. I think you're one of the only people to think of Sakura. It's nice to see. I don't plan on making Sakura blind to it all for ever. Lets just say that a certain someone will make Sasuke's life complicated. Which also means that someone will be around for a long time.
Demon-from-Hades - All kids are Sasuke's. He's got one with Sakura and seven unknown with Naruto.
TaiNteDxWiNgs - Thanks. I'm a slow updater huh? Sorry.
Toxic-Shadows - I did contact you, I'm sure, but as for Itachi, he's a master illusionist. He'll think of something to hide himself. Naruto kinda has self esteem issues right now. He's been screwed over by one of the only people he ever trusted. I'd probably lock myself away from the world.
Beautiful Kaos - If all goes well, we should be getting results from Naruto and Itachi's closeness soon.
PaperAce - Thankyou hun.
Miko - Your wish is my command. And if ItaNaru ends up happening, then the kids would be well looked after, I suppose.
black suede - Heh, thanks. I feel quite honoured that you'd like the fic even if SasuNaru was the victor. But you're right ItaNaru is quite tragic. There's so much to overcome.
lazeee an demented - Hehe I have a fan. ;-p Anywho, he seems that way to me too, but he also chases down Sasuke something rotten. I think it can sometimes be like an obsession with those two. Naruto has a skewed vision of love, huh?
hittocerebattosai - Sorry - I've finished my work now though so until I get a job I'm free to write. Hope this chapter's alright though.
dino6 - Heh, thanks. Sorry it's a bit late though…well a lot late…
sasunaru panda - Sounds like a plan. Gotta get the babies all safe first though. ;-p
Visual-Vertigo - Nice twist on the title; one I wouldn't mind following actually. And you're right about the two deserving it with Itachi and Naruto.
deathgod-121 - Heh, yeah. I still can't believe I can reach people on an emotional level when I'm so withdrawn myself.
keruki - Thanks and believe me, I'm swaying that way. ITANARU! ;-p
ScathingSarcasm - Thanks a bunch. Means it's good huh.
Vixyfox - Arigato. Hate him before my fic or just in this because of what I wrote? Whichever's fine 'cause the arrogance sucks.
xXShadowedfateXx - Yay another person who dislikes Sasuke and yet likes SasuNaru. I'm really glad you're enjoying the story and the romance stuff I'm trying to get going.
marina-uzumaki-potter - Yeah he is a little crazy, but I wouldn't say bipolar. Bipolar people act depressed for a while, then hyper. And I've never seen that bastard hyper. For now I'll call him a bastard of a pathological liar. ;-p I'm glad it's different though; I hate it when there's an unoriginal plot to a story. Some of them are okay cause the writer includes their own views, style and ideas in with it, but most follow the crowd.
Tseu Tsumi - Thankyou. And I'm not even a bloke ;-p I will read and review to tell you what I think.
Watercolor Ink - So do I, so I really am sorry for the slow update - I'm impatient so I know the frustration.
innocentblackrose - Yeah I think I like Naruto as sad. Deep down he has to be suffering, you know. Unfortunately Itachi isn't. I'm telling the truth when I say they're Sasuke's kits. Itachi and Naruto haven't slept together…yet…But honestly, where did you get that idea from?
NARUTO
Itachi awoke hazily the next morning, stiffly forcing himself into a seating position. Leaning on his arms to take the stress from his abdomen, the blanket fell into his lap, making his skin be rushed with cold. He blinked a few times before noticing the blond hair to his right, peaking from the top of a blanket that covered the curled form of his target.
Or…he mused…his previous target. Right now it was debatable whether he was a part of the Akatsuki or not. He had both his and Zetsuu's rings, making him an official member…but Orochimaru had still his ring and was an enemy of Akatsuki. Either way, he couldn't confront the members remaining when his body felt so weak and drained. But, also he couldn't stay here in enemy territory. He could trust no one - not like he ever did anyway.
Briefly glancing at the disturbed look on the young Jinchuriki's face, he pushed himself up further. The bandage, he noticed was bloody. The pain, however was bearable, unlike that which was able to incapacitate him the night previously. Whatever Naruto had used had nullified the poison, but how something of such magnitude came into the possession of the boy was a mystery.
Itachi had managed to sit upright when he felt Naruto stir.
"Itachi?" Naruto grumbled, low and groggy in question.
"Naruto-kun." He simply addressed.
"Where are you going?" He blinked slowly, rubbing the tiredness from his eyes and moving the blanket from his body to sit up.
"I can't stay here Naruto-kun."
"Why?" He yawned before blowing a lock of hair from his eyes irritably.
"You know why."
"You're injured."
"I'll survive."
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "If you leave, I'll make a sweater out of your Akatsuki robe."
An eyebrow rose on Itachi's face as a lip twitched in amusement. "Where did that come from, may I ask?"
"Don't know. I just really think it would look like a good sweater." He yawned again. "Eat something before you go."
Sometime during eating, the two got to talking. Much to Itachi's displeasure, Naruto had helped him up and into a seat on the couch, since he didn't have a dining table. Naruto wasn't sure who started the conversation, but he had a feeling he did. At first it was about the babies. Just about a few names he'd been pondering with and how Iruka was stressing at him. Eventually he asked the question.
"Are you going to Sasuke's wedding?"
"I thought you didn't talk of him."
Naruto grinned wide suddenly. "For you I'll make an exception." Before he let it drop.
"Are you?"
"Yep." He smiled. "Sakura asked me so I can't refuse. I saw her last month, you know. She was upset with me and I promised that I'd go."
"Naruto." Itachi said without the 'kun' suffix he was usually so fond of. "Don't smile when it's obvious you don't want to."
The smile dropped mostly, leaving a wistful one behind. "Yeah, I probably shouldn't. Heh…" When silence fell over them for a moment, he continued, looking to the side to meet the Uchiha's still black eyes. "Go with me." He blurted. "Iruka and Kakashi are going, but Kakashi's best man and Iruka's at the front. I just - I don't want to be that close…" He looked down, resigned.
"I will go." Itachi stated with indifference, whilst Naruto's eyes shone with gratefulness. "If only to see just how foolish my beloved little brother has become. After all, it would be rude of me, as his only brother, to not make an appearance." He smirked.
"You can't go as you, you know."
"You hurt me Naruto. I'm not so disregarding and unintelligent to think I would survive by showing up as myself."
Naruto's mouth set into a dead line, his eyes bemused. "You act like you weren't planning on dying last night."
"There is a difference between masochism and accepting a seeming inevitability."
"Ma-sochism?"
"A masochist is someone who enjoys pain and torture to the degree of actually seeking it. Especially during sex."
Naruto blushed heavily and grumbled. "Show-off, sadistic bastard."
"Maybe I should buy you a more informative book."
"Why would you do that? Besides I've already got informative books. Actually I figures I'd learn some stuff about kids, you know. Sure I'm not going to be here for long, but I didn't know how long it'd be until you turned up; after the kits are born. Suppose I don't really have to worry now, ne?"
"It'll be harder upon you when you leave if you become attached."
"I'm already attached, Itachi." Naruto snapped. "When something grown inside you, it's hard not to. They're a part of me, Sasuke and even you too, bastard."
"Pity."
"It's not a fucking pity! And you can't tell me you're not attached or something either. You're letting them fucking live aren't you?"
"I've already told you, Naruto-kun." Itachi's voice was as calm as ever before. "Sasuke was my limit; what makes you think his children are any different?"
"But I'm not giving them to him. You knew from the start that I wasn't going to."
"They're still his blood, Naruto-kun. And, besides, it was a perfect opportunity to establish a certainty of capture."
"The whole of the God-damned Uchiha clan was his friggin' blood. You still killed them."
"They were not as innocent as you are to believe." Itachi's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Such is a story for another day…Naruto-kun."
"Tell me now, God-damn it!"
"I'm not going to argue with you. If you persist in this matter, I will be forced to shut you up myself."
"Try it bastard." He growled.
Immediately, Itachi was behind the blond, kunai knife in hand and pressed close to the younker's throat. The sharp blade pushed onto the skin but not hard enough to cut. Itachi's body was close to his, giving off heat into Naruto's back. The left arm, free of weapons, was supporting the crouched position; braced at the table they were once both sitting at. Itachi chuckled.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Naruto stated as casually as he could with the shivers desperately trying to run up his spine from the vibrations. "About the masochist thing." He took another bite of his sandwich from his kneeling position on the floor.
"I may agree with that, this once."
"Heh."
"I must be losing my touch. At one time you would be shaking in fear at the possibility of being so easily disposed of."
"Baka. You overdid it. I can smell the blood from here. Kyuubi's chakra and forbidden miracle medicine only go so far."
"Well I am close." He stated, leaning into the blond's ear. "Very close."
Naruto couldn't withhold the shivers from racing down his spine this time. Itachi chuckled as he withdrew the kunai from the tanned neck, smirking at the success of unnerving the boy. Naruto now sported a heavy blush, but closed his eyes and willed it away from becoming Itachi's next source of amusement.
"D-Don't do that." He stuttered, deciding to use his default of anger in these embarrassing and confusing situations. "Idiot. Now I have to bandage you up again. Moron."
Naruto turned around and pushed the older Uchiha from his less that stable crouch so he landed awkwardly on his rear, blinking frustrated at the scowling blond. At any other time, Naruto may have found the situation funny, but right now he was concentrating on remaining angry to refuse acknowledging his flustered face.
"And this helps the situation, how"
"Hmph." Naruto stood up, crossing his arms. "I could say the same to you, pervert. You don't seduce pregnant wo-people." Naruto growled.
Itachi smirked. "Naruto-kun, were you about to refer to yourself as a female?"
"S-Shut up. Bastard, o-of course not!" He blushed.
"If you insist." For some reason, the Uchiha could not remove the upturn his lips had taken. This boy really was entertaining.
"Grrr. Do you want me to change those bandages or not? Because you're heading for rough treatment and a crappy bedside manner if you keep this up."
"Feel free."
Itachi meanwhile, had started to remove his own bandages. He really didn't enjoy pain. When needed, he was not one to squirm away, but once he had prided himself from coming back from missions unscathed, when most others were wounded in some way. That was quick to disappear when it became his father's accomplishment and his own downfall. No longer was he Itachi, but THE UCHIHA Itachi, genius, prodigy, freak and monster. Of course, pain in others could be good.
"Oi, Itachi. What are you thinking so hard about?"
"The past."
"Oh…Yeah, the past sucks."
"And the present is pleasant?"
"Hey, I have company; what's not to like?" Naruto grinned, dropping the washcloth in yet another bowl of water. "You know, if you keep being an idiot, my hands are gonna get all wrinkly."
There was a small silence as Naruto washed and wrapped the uncovered wounds. Despite the earlier threats, he made no purposeful move to hurt the dark-haired male. Itachi found himself observing the teenager at work. Naruto's eyes concentrated on the task and regardless of everything hurtful in his life, his face remained relaxed. It was as if he could forget everything from just doing simple, menial tasks.
"When did you mention Iruka and Kakashi would return?" He found himself offhandedly asking, though his gaze on the blond was intense.
"Oh, erm, Iruka-sensei should be back later tonight. He said he'd come by in the morning tomorrow. Kakashi-sensei should be back sometime the day after in time for the wedding…He probably won't come before then, though."
Itachi frowned slightly before letting his features recede to impassive. "Then, Naruto-kun, I shall stay here."
"But what about Iruka-sensei? I can't just not let him in. He'll get suspicious and stuff!"
"Just because I am injured does not make me unable to confuse a single Chuunin. I have been in the village for weeks previously without a single person becoming suspicious. One person is easy to fool. Should you not know this already, Naruto?"
The rest of the day was spent mostly in silence. As it turned out, all Uchiha didn't talk much, or so he presumed - Itachi did communicate more than his brother did, after all. Naruto had continued his book on baby care; to which Itachi had commented on the futility. A raised eyebrow was given to the book Sasuke had graced him with, when he decided to substitute for a while. His attention span was not the best in any case.
"That is quite the provocative book, is it not?"He'd asked.
"Ahh! I knew it was porn!"
Itachi had chuckled and when questioned how he'd known that in the first place, he merely smirked and went back to reading his scroll. Naruto was sort of unnerved that he'd given Itachi a scroll. He didn't exactly know what he'd wanted to do but it was pretty informative. It wasn't any jutsu, as he'd figured the guy would already know them anyway. It made him more nervous than the fact that he'd kept the book Sasuke gave him - which wasn't his fault that he was curious for the ending.
The fact was, Itachi could use the scroll for something evil, even though it's purpose was to find a counter-act for Sasuke's curse seal. Naruto hated the fact that he still wanted to help the bastard. He hated that he thought about him everyday. He hated how he still loved him. He Didn't trust himself around him. Because after everything Sasuke had done, there was still a part of him that wanted him. Still a part of him that would follow him if he wanted; no matter what the consequences.
And he hated that the most. The control the youngest Uchiha had on him was strong enough to make him doubt himself. Sasuke was his first everything. His first rival; first kiss; first friend; first brother; first wanted fuck; first bond; first love…The strongest connection he'd ever had was with that one person. He disbelieved he'd ever feel such a strong connection again, especially with his short life expectancy. He chuckled mentally.
He heard the shower turn off and turned the stove to boil some water. It was getting late and earlier Itachi had asked - more like stated, that he was going for a shower. As he stepped into the room, Naruto handed him a cup ramen. Surprisingly, he didn't make a single comment as any other person would have. Naruto absently pointed to the table by the couch where the tea lay.
"I'm having a shower and going to bed. don't try and kill me." He grinned, knowing the most he would do is kidnap him anyway…hopefully.
"I won't make any promises." Itachi said with a straight face.
"Yeah, yeah, good night Itachi."
"Good night, Naruto-kun." As soon as the bathroom door closed, Itachi chuckled. "You really are a fool, little brother."
NARUTO
Hmm, for once I don't think I have anything witty to say. But…Yay! Itachi's going to the wedding! This only spells T.R.O.U.B.L.E! Oh and if anyone's interested, I made a FANVID of ItaNaru! It's in two parts. No 1: Naru's sad existence and no 2: Opening up to Itachi. If ya wana see then remove the spaces of the address below. It's the first part but there's a link to the second on video responses. Ja!
http :// www . youtube . com / watch?v (equals sign) JzFMV0HbQ9U
Here's that link for my sketch of dying Naruto, though I've put a theory in to say he can't die…Don't forget to take out spaces ;-p:
http :// www . deviantart . com / deviation / 49469767 /
TIMELINE
October - (Late) SasuNaru begins.
November - (Early) Pregnant, (Around 10th) Party, (Late) Mission starts.
December - (Early) Mission ends, Sakura Pregnant, (Week later) SasuSaku marriage told, Naruto moves teams, (Late) Failed visits, Observe NejiHina, KakaNaru talk.
January - (Early) Kakashi makes a lie, NejiHina told to be false. (Mid) Sakura tries visiting. (Week later) last failed visit.
February - (Early) Questions of father stop, (Mid) Sakura's baby's sex, Sasu rapes Naru, Naru moves. (Late) Meets Sakura, Stops training.
March - (Mid) Finds Itachi, Saves Itachi, SasuSaku wedding planned
August - (Early) Naru's due date.
In order of occurrences, tell me if I've missed anything and I'll add more as it's revealed.