Thanks for the reviews. Feels like I'm doing something right. And also for all of the favourites and alerts on both my story and me as an author. It really gives me fuel to defy my father and continue writing.
noone cares enough - Unless I feel sadistic enough to make Naruto go into early pregnancy then he should just. It is after all, the cycle of nine months. Surprisingly, the more I write this story, the more I want to never let Sasuke have Naruto in any of my stories…strange…
TangoOFDOOM - I suppose you're right with the end of the chapter. I wanted it to be about the same length as the others 'cause I like consistency and sometimes it's pretty compulsive - like stacking coins or having objects point in the same direction. The last was more of in Naruto's point of view, though, so now the start of a scene with Iruka and Itachi can begin. But of course as his love obsession…I mean Naru-chan isn't there, Itachi will be more in character. Also, Shisui will be appearing a few chapters after the wedding. I really like that you enjoyed the part of the story you highlighted. I wrote that a while ago and as I was typing it up, I found it inadequate and completely redid the wording so that I could accurately describe the scene, you know. I like long words myself, which really helped.
Tsuzuki Misaki - Ah, fortunately, most of the time computers put up with me. It's mostly my own that PMSs, but I think that's 'cause I haven't told it I love it in a while or something. As for my name; I don't think I've ever been referred as anything like Michael, even in the most extreme of the twists of my name. Like Clarisse - why lengthen Claire? Anywho, there's much more ItaNaru to be written so whomever becomes mad will have to suck it up or be denied yaoi goodness.
the Crimson Eagle - Why thank you. I think the fact that a reason for his OOC-ness was to embarrass and torture Naruto helped, ne. Kits are a while off but I've written a few more chapters I want to get up when I can, so once the wedding gets here, that will be my next goal to reach. I dreamt more the other night, so I have to hurry and get it down.
Fox Loves Shinigami - Hehe. I've been trying to get a job so I'm pretty much banned from here. Behold my sneaking powers when my Father is working across the country. Too bad it's just for this one night.
ScarletOfTheBlue - Yeah I am so looking forward to write that teme's reaction. God I just want to kill him sometimes. And how great is it that Itachi just tried to talk to Naru-chan in the manga? Go ItaNaru!
Vixyfox - Shucks. I usually observe people a lot so I try to analyse and show what I see between their interaction. Because sometimes I have to ask why people do that and such, it really helps when writing them. I suppose the humour is my own touch, ne.
PirateCaptainBo - Ski & Bo: Thank you. I'll try to get the next chapter up quickly to make up for not being able to do this up until now at all.
ddd - I sort of did. My Father's away so I can go on this without incurring his wrath.
Cassandra Incognito - I never heard the song before; which is kinda odd because I like her songs. They have meaning, after all. I followed the lyrics to the song and you're right. Especially with a chapter I began writing in Sakura's point of view that I need to squeeze in somewhere. Look out for it and see what I mean.
Ore no Naruto - Lol. I actually find it strange that I can write sweet things when I don't particularly believe in them…weird. But Naru-chan bloody well deserves it.
Akirakun17 - Well, what do boyfriends do? Even if it's only for show…makes you wonder what would have happened if it were just the two of them, huh? The more I write this, the more I want it to be ItaNaru…Which is only furthered by my intense dislike for Sasuke. Itachi smiled at Naruto in the manga!!!! KYAAA!!!!…moment over.
RuByMoOn17 - Short and sweet. I do try to update when I can.
Dark Mican - Yeah…sighs What I wouldn't give to be Naruto there. Ultimate hotness and super cuteness. Definitely destined.
Piggy Kun - I totally know what you mean. Hell I wouldn't even mind if he killed me afterwards. Me and my best friend were talking about it though. We decided Itachi was a one-year-stand (too sexy for just one night ) and then Naru-chan has to have him. She then goes with Sesshomaru and I get Gaara. The bloodlust, confusion of emotions, red hair, black-rimmed eyes and death glare match apparently. And I was actually like that before I knew of Gaara. Weird, huh?
DarkRavie - I love Itachi too! Itachi is like dream date and Naruto is like the little brother I'd always protect. It's great that you said 'with' instead of belongs to Itachi. So much respect to you.
All about Yaoi - Hehe. Thanks; I always feel that I open stories in a way people wouldn't like so I'm glad you enjoyed it. Dunno when I'll next get to update but it shouldn't be too long, ne.
sans-fire - Wow. You threw up a lot…and I have a feeling you hate Sasuke…I wonder where I got that from? As much as I want to kill Sasuke; I want to torture him with regret and a fucked up life even more. Damn rat bastard. And unless it's a filthy animal like Manda the snake, I'd feel sorry for anyone forced to eat him. They'd throw up as much as you!
kameotoluvsgaara - If you take the time to review, I'll take the time to reply. It's only fair - especially when you flatter me so. When my friend read that line you mentioned she hit me. She said something about getting her hopes up that he was going for Naru-chan. I said that you never know, which stopped the violence. I'm glad I wrote Iruka in as well; I think it wouldn't have been nearly as interesting had he not been there. I made Naruto's mental state kinda like mine so I can portray it better. So get in there Itachi!
NARUTO
As Naruto's form slumped with the loss of consciousness, Itachi picked up his light frame. Despite the number of foetuses and four months passed, his weight gain was much less than it should have been. Even Itachi could tell that from the small amount of time he had been with the blond. Sighing so it was heard and forcing a smile to reassure Iruka and keep his façade, he carried the boy close to his chest and back to his bed that he had not long come from.
Iruka, flabbergasted from the unashamed display of sexual motivation, dumbly moved from Itachi's path and watched as he gently deposited Naruto on the bed before bringing the carelessly discarded quilt over his form. The tenderness in the action spoke of the truth in the man's words, but the academy teacher still couldn't quell the suspicion he felt. Although Naruto had been reclusive since his move, he still discussed, at least, the basics of his life. Something so much of major life-altering prospect would have never been kept from him, he was sure.
"He is not eating enough." Itachi stated, bringing the silent contemplation and observation the two were sharing of the blond.
"Aa. His appetite's changed but it hasn't increased greatly."
"I see…That's going to have to change." Itachi stated, turning to the other occupant. "When Naruto-kun believes his children's lives to be of greater value than his own, the least we can do is make sure that they survive."
"I-I suppose. But…Naruto-kun, too-"
"I'm not saying he's any less important, Iruka-san; just that if Itachi gats to him, he'll be throwing his life away for no reason. A decision without purpose is worthless."
"You are…a strange one to place, Benito-san."
"Is that so?" He asked, moving from the room, not expecting or receiving an answer.
Iruka followed to see Itachi putting the kettle on the stove. Moving to stand next to him, he silently regarded the man, while taking his own cup from the cupboard and placing a teabag in it. The man's moves were graceful and elegant, while his voice was uncoordinated to his actions and strangely distant.
"If there's something you wish to ask, please do, Iruka-san."
"Why are you here?"
"Naruto-kun wants me here."
"He would have told me of you." Iruka's eyes narrowed.
"Obviously he didn't."
"What's your family name, Benito-san?"
"I don't appreciate being interrogated, Iruka-san." He stated indifferently back.
"Maybe I should inform the Hokage."
"I didn't let myself into this village, I'm sure you understand. But if you want to know my family name so reverently, you will be disappointed. Due to classified reasons it was changed to Kettou. (Meaning: Blood Lineage.)" He smirked.
"Kettou?" Iruka's eyebrows furrowed. "What village are you from?"
"If you're wondering why I have no head protector, then it's because I am not in the Shinobi ranks."
"And yet you used a gengustu on Naruto." His eyes narrowed, hands twitching in anticipation.
"A cursed bloodline from my original village. I hardly traverse there now and there is no family left to care for a visit anyway."
"So you are an orphan?"
"Aa. Something like that."
"What happened to them, if I may ask?"
"They were slaughtered. Many clans were destroyed because of their abilities or dark need for power. Mine was of no exception."
"Oh…I'm sorry."
"It's not your concern."
Silence washed over them as they drank the remainder of their tea against the counter. Iruka took the time to once again analyse his companion. Earlier, with Naruto, he put up an attitude similar to the blond, if not, more perverted and suggestive, but definitely friendly. Now, with himself, a different personality brewed. The man seemed so relaxed and natural with both that it was impossible to tell which was true, or if both were a part of him. His ability to switch moods and fool the people around was uncannily similar to Naruto's.
"How did you meet Naruto?"
"At a hotel he and Jiraiya-sama were staying at."
"Oh? How did that go down?"
"I was looking for someone and knocked upon our Kitsune's door. If he accepted my offer to accompany me then, he would not be in this situation."
Iruka's eyes widened excessively. "You were that close so quickly?"
"Not possible, Iruka-san." Itachi cheered. "But we do share many commonalities."
"Wasn't that a little forward, then?"
"I'm a spontaneous man. Opportunities arise infrequently, don't you think?"
"Naruto isn't an opportunity." Iruka snapped.
"I never said he was. I merely stated that I found a point in time in which I could ask for his company. With Naruto-kun, life is sure to never be uneventful."
"Maybe so, but there must be greater reasoning to your decision than amusement and chance."
"He is an attractive boy in heart, body and soul. I predict that even Itachi has some degree of infatuation with him." Itachi smirked. Though talking about oneself in the third person was slightly disturbing, even to him, the reactions he could obtain with such simple words were amusing and interesting to watch.
"N-Nani?! Itachi?!" Iruka's eyes widened as his voice's volume rose to a near yell.
Immediately, footsteps were heard hurrying along wooden floor in bare slapping sounds, as a disgruntled Naruto stumbled to a stop as he turned to face the occupants. The two men, for their part, turned to face the coming blond as a rushed or desperate version of 'Itachi' fell from his mouth.
"Naru-chan." Itachi whined. "Are you so eager to leave me?"
"…Oh…Benito, I, uh, I heard Itachi's name-"
"Ah, gomen, Naruto." Iruka smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"Uh, that's okay, Iruka-sensei. I should be up anyway, ne?" Naruto visibly relaxed.
"Naru-koi, as much as I enjoy the view, we have a guest. Maybe you should put some clothes on."
Looking down at his bare chest, a light flush tinted his cheeks before he pouted and mumbled, "Acting like you live here."
"Marry me and we'll see." Itachi smirked.
"Wha?" Naruto's mouth hung open.
"Benito-san, you can't just ask someone to marry you so casually!" Iruka gaped.
"W-What the hell are you saying, bastard!?" Naruto exploded.
"Mou, Naru-chan. Calling names to your fiancé like that." Itachi whined.
"H-Hey moron! I never said yes!" He yelled indignantly. "This isn't even funny anymore."
"Itachi said something about being happy, right? So marry me." The air of seriousness contradicted the blatant amusement shining in the recessive depths of Itachi's eyes. Had Naruto not been used to looking that deep from his experiences with Sasuke, he may have missed it.
"No." He flatly declined, making Iruka sigh in relief, while his head turned continuously between each speaker.
"But you haven't been married before. Don't you want to know what it's like? You can walk down the aisle in a pretty, little, white dress-"
"Hey, why do I have to wear the dress?" Naruto frowned.
"Is that a 'yes'?" Itachi smirked.
"I didn't say that." Naruto glared back.
"Not even to see Sasuke's reaction?" Itachi asked, bored, seeing how the blond stopped his immediate reply to think this one over. After all, it would be rather comical. It would also show how utterly and completely incorrect it was to claim Naruto as his own, like property. Uzumaki Naruto was not a tool and he fought for what he believed in. Also, to Naruto, an extra would be how great of a hoax it would be. He had no doubt that he and Itachi wouldn't marry; just like he knew Itachi wasn't serious about the marriage. But if they knew who 'Benito' was, it would be absolutely hi-friggin'-larious.
He could imagine the invitations: Please join wanted, mass-murdering, SS-class criminal, Uchiha Itachi and his gushing man-bride, Demon fox, Uzumaki Naruto on their special day of Holy matrimony. Oh Kami-sama, he could literally see people dying on the spot. The after party would be held at Itachi's darling, betraying, baby-brother's home at the Uchiha compound. Warning: you may die in cross-jutsus. If you value your hair, stay clear of random fire balls. In which, hair made him think pink Sakura; which in turn lead to the baby; which left an imprint in his mind of…pink…haired…Uchihas…mini Sasukes, with pink hair.
The scowl at the original idea had quickly travelled through smirk and smile alike, but now he couldn't hold it in. With the last image, he found himself bursting into hysterical laughter. The mere thought of pink on an Uchiha bought him to tears and for the first time Naruto wandered what exactly Sasuke was thinking, choosing pink as a factor. The flittering idea that Sasuke may like pink floated to him and he laughed harder.
"Naruto, how can you even be thinking of marrying for such a reason?" Iruka scolded, overcoming his incredulity, words barely registering to Naruto. Iruka, however necessary he found the words be needing to be said, watched with happiness at Naruto's joy. To laugh so freely and with such honesty coupling it was a rare occurrence. This man, Benito, was most definitely good for the student he couldn't help but care the most for. Iruka couldn't help chuckling, despite the reason he figured it for. The boy was contagious in his laughter.
Itachi chuckled. Naruto was laughing and the pureness of it even lightened his dark heart somewhat. He wasn't foolish enough to deny it, but he also wasn't stupid enough to announce it. The boy just help a charm about him that had an effect to show hope and kindness was not lost and accessible to any who desired it. It contradicted with Itachi's beliefs, but alas, he couldn't suppress the chuckle or amusement towards the show.
"Naruto-kun." He addressed. "Sasuke's reaction couldn't be so highly amusing, could it?" Watching the blond shake his head in the negative, Itachi waited for the reply.
"N-No…" He gasped. "Pink…hehe…pink haired Uchihas!" He blurted, laughing once again.
Iruka looked at Itachi and Itachi returned the favour. There eyes widened a little before the same image of Sasuke with pink hair drew in their minds also. Iruka's eyes closed and a grin took his face as he sniggered behind his hand for a few minutes, letting a soft chuckle fall through sporadically. Surprisingly enough, the reaction on Itachi was similar. The picture of a scowling Sasuke with pink hair, death glare and in a really badly styled dress would not leave his mind. He let 'Benito' laugh, yet inside, there was a spark in which he felt like wanting to himself. His little brother could be suck a spoiled brat.
"S-Sorry." Naruto ceased to a light chuckle that randomly made an appearance.
"You know, Naruto-kun, genetics will not allow the child to have pink hair." Itachi informed.
"Eh, why not?"
"Uchihas have a long history of dark hair. Dark is dominant; pink is recessive. In other words, put equal amounts of pink, and for arguments sake, black, together and the black will overpower the pink."
"It's the same with you." Iruka smiled slightly.
"…So, that means all mine…"
"Will have raven, black, dark brown or dark grey hair? Yes."
"Mou, that isn't fair." Naruto pouted.
"They will still carry the blond gene, Naruto." Iruka supplied with a comforting grin.
Naruto stared a little blankly. But if they had black hair, what did it matter if they carried the gene or not?
Seeing Naruto's confusion, Itachi supplied. "They can either pass on either the blond or the black to their offspring."
Naruto's face lit up. "So we can have blond grandchildren!" He announced, smiling.
"Is that a 'yes'?" A lip curled on Itachi to the implication, spilling the same words. "To the marriage proposal?"
"Eh?" He leaked out before a blush lit up his face in recognition of his words. "Eh! I didn't mean that. I-I mean I. I, okay, no we."
"Mou, Naruto. It hurts me to be built up and shot down so quickly!" He pouted.
"Act normal, Benito. Your freakish moods are weird-ing me out." Naruto mumbled, hands flung casually behind his head as a shiver raced through him with Itachi's own face in a pout flashing though his mind. "Anyway Iruka-sensei." He rose his voice to attention. "Why are you here again, I kind of forgot."
"Hmm. Can't I just come and see you anymore?" He asked with a shrug.
"You're starting to sound like Kakashi-sensei." Naruto narrowed his eyes accusingly.
"Ah, gomen, gomen." He smiled, holding his hands, palms to Naruto defensively. "I can't stay long actually. Academy." He offered by way of explanation. "I just wanted to see how you were doing and if you were going to the wedding. I don't think you should, Naruto." He quickly added. "I don't think it would be good for you. I know you told Sakura you would, but-"
"I never go back on my word, sensei. Ever." Was his determined reply.
"Naruto-"
"He will not be alone, Iruka-san. I, myself, will be accompanying him."
"I still don't think-"
"Iruka. I can take care of myself, okay? I'm apparently now promised to this doofus, remember? Why would I be hung up on a guy who cares more about a perfect hair being misplaced than what the hell I feel?" He smiled in his shining way, covering the broken feeling of betrayal.
"I don't care if it's your nindo, Naruto. It's ruining you!"
"No, Iruka, you are. I'm fine and then you bring it up!"
"You can't ignore it and hope it will go away, Naruto!" Iruka scolded again.
"It's over Iruka. It is going to go away. Itachi is the one you should be stressing over, yet you won't leave the God-damned Sasuke issue alone. He's a bastard - deal with it!" Especially seeing as I'm living
Itachi frowned. "Shouldn't you be worried too, Naruto-kun?"
"Why? So I can be afraid for the rest of my life? Like Kyuubi, there's nothing I can do about it." He shrugged them both off.
"Why don't you hate him, Naruto? He's trying to kill you." Iruka frowned.
"But I know it. He isn't keeping it from me. From the start he's always told me what he intended to do."
"Look, my class starts in ten minutes. I have to go. Just think about it, okay?"
"I won't change my mind."
Iruka sighed, walking to the door. Itachi frowned at Naruto, following Iruka and seeing him out in Naruto's dismissed stead. Iruka shot the other a meaningful look, as if begging him to help change the blonds mind. Didn't he see it was futile? The only way to counter someone with such stubborn determination and reckless honour was to have the traits focused in your favour; a pre-emptive strike, if you will. He closed the door on the brunette after pleasantries and turned to the blond.
"You should hate me." Came the usual cold voice as smoke faded to his true form, demanding in his own roundabout way.
"I can't hate you, Itachi." He stated simply, staring directly into his pursuer's emotionless eyes with his own closed-off and indifferent ones. Abruptly he turned and tread lightly to the short distance to his room.
NARUTO
Hehe. I made Itachi bend the truth. That is a hint, which means that everything he says is true but can be twisted to suit different purposes. I do it all the time. A huge surprise regarding Itachi next chapter, along with more teasing, a sort of off-handed fluff moment and heated connection.
xXShadowedfateXx made a poem based on this fic and I want to thank her extremely and let you guys know so you can check it out if you want to. 'Love's Grasp' is the title. I owe it to her for the effort/honour and you readers who know the story to inform you. I meant to put this in the last chapter but in my rush I forgot. The address is (take out spaces):
http :// www . fanfiction . net / s / 3606719 / 1 / Loves(underscore)Grasp
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
August - (Early) Naru's due date.
September - (Early) Sakura's due date.
In order of occurrences, tell me if I've missed anything and I'll add more as it's revealed.