Holy Jesus. In such a little amount of time I got so much love…okay story you deserve the credit. Thank you to the fans of my story and of me as an author. I have been writing other stories involving Naruto for quite some time. Some of these have developed quite far. I will be willing to start putting another up if you think I should. I have a complicated SasuNaru (could turn ItaNaru), NaruIno (It just happened, I swear), SasuFemNaru (Not as you'd probably think), SasuNaru Harry Potter crossover (I read one and dreamt my own storyline), SasuNaru school (could turn GaaNaru or NejiNaru) and SasuNaru school involving me and discovering how that love thing works (My friend set the challenge). At least, that's how I think the pairings will go. As with the NaruIno, my pairings can develop…differently. Which do you think? They all have plot twists.
Mad Mardigan - I added that brat thing on with the proof-reading. I suppose I should check them as well, huh? As for the recessive gene, it is too bad. Basically, the kid has to have dark hair…but I'm thinking, I could at least give it purple, right. It's not a bad colour, but I'm still sure Sasuke wouldn't be too pleased, the bastard. After all, he didn't seem particularly fond that he was having a girl, did he? I like you idea with the wedding, but I've kinda got something brewing that my best friend is in love with, so I can't change it. I don't think that this will be disappointing for you though.
ScarletOfTheBlue - Yeah, I read this comic on DeviantArt in which Itachi laughed so hard that he died…poor Itachi…The several chibi boys with pink hair were funny though…poor Itachi thought it was Sasuke's fan girls at first. I kinda feel sorry for the grandkids who would be innocent in everything…but still have pink hair.
XxBookScarxX - Well Itachi wouldn't be Itachi if he wasn't getting under someone's skin. I wonder how serious he was in his proposal…
Piggy Kun - It helps using double meanings everyday in my life. It's how I get out of trouble; because the fact to everyone that knows me is. I. Don't. Lie. Yeah I love molesting sessions, which is the exact reason that I make Itachi tease so much. It's like it gives him an excuse to touch Naru-chan.
DOKIDOKIpanic - Actually, you're right. Hmmm…Well the sooner they marry the sooner they can consummate. ;-p
Watercolor Ink - Thanks. I didn't think people would take well to the behavioural deviance of Itachi, but I'm glad they have.
TangoOFDOOM - Well Itachi is a genius and knows all of these things. At least it explains why there will be no cute, blond haired babies. I contemplated it, but I had to put my two years studying forensic science to use somehow. Thank you for your honesty and such and I will send this onward if I find the author you stated, though I will feel generally weird. As for Iruka; if he didn't care then he wouldn't have done anything, so he cares. Yay. Hmm, I wonder how he'd feel if he knew he had a civil conversation with a criminal and also watched him suck his 'son's' face off…?
DarkRavie - Hmm, you have a creative and analytical mind. I reckon that you're already finding answers and you want confirmation. I will be using a genjutsu during the wedding, but probably at stages different to what you think.
Akirakun17 - To answer the ItaNaru/SasuNaru part; there are chapters I thought of that require doubt and interaction between the ex-team mates. The final pairing is looking more and more like ItaNaru, though. The whole purpose that it is stirred in this direction was because of my own growing dislike for Sasuke. Betrayal is one of the few traits I despise in humanity. I cannot understand why one could do that to another. Betrayal also indicated the breaking of a promise, which, in my view, Itachi didn't particularly do to Sasuke. The closest he came to betrayal was the actual leaving him part, which is probably why I am not seething with murderous intent at him. Of course, hating Sasuke gives it a sort of justification, also. ;-p And to be truthful, I am looking forward to writing the Teme's reaction. Glad you liked the chapter though.
RuByMoOn17 - No, don't die!…Hey I wonder if I could get charged with your death if you did die now…hmmm…Hehe, sorry. Morbid much?
black suede - I like ItaNaru flags. They're so sexy…Hmmm, maybe I should design and post one on my DeviantArt account…Shit, I'm getting blood on my keyboard! Anyway, the 'we' thing was spontaneous. It just popped into my head as I was writing the chapter before it. Weird, huh? And you should try writing Itachi like that. It's actually pretty amusing.
Tseu Tsumi - Naru-chan is so kawaii! You know that I used the word 'cute' once in a blue moon before I met the wondrous world of Naruto? I just can't stop sometimes now! Fine, fine, you can have more.
noone cares enough - I'm glad you do and I plan to update more often now…if I can anyway.
Vixyfox - Yeah, when you say it like that, it really is like putting the ultimate girly attribute with a hardened male honour…great, now I'm thinking of Ibiki in a tutu!?!
taiyoukai-chan - Hehe, thanks I guess. My Dad says obsession is a bad thing, but what the hell does he know? ;-p Why were ya crying so much anyway? I'd assume laughter, but the sad part threw me. Hmmm, maybe I really am as stupid as my brother says I am…shrugs
the Crimson Eagle - The marriage proposal was a little spontaneous, ne? But I'm glad it worked out. As for the kits, I've actually drawn pictures of them for when they are 8 years old…for some reason. Ya think I should put 'em up on DeviantArt, just so that ya can see 'em? Even if I haven't wrote them in yet? I will if ya want me to. I've got great things coming up for the wedding, though. XD
Fox Loves Shinigami - Thanks. Hope this classes as soon.
dino6 - Yeah, Sasuke's a bastard, so I really gotta think 'duck butt' ne? Ya know, to be in character. ;-p Glad the marriage think took well.
All about Yaoi - Hehe, I do when I can.
PirateCaptainBo - Bo: Always a pleasure to hear that. I'll try to get the ones I've done up when I can. Ski: Yeah, he's gonna be like the loner that wants no one to see him…I wonder what Itachi has to say about that?
MydridFox09 - I most definitely will finish it. I'm just a lazy ass that people describe as bipolar (which I so am not), which is apparently the reason why I get writers block. Good thing I've wrote a few chapters ahead, ne?
Stalker-san - Hiya! I don't mind the lateness and such. Technology can be so fickle sometimes. I'm telling you, it's alive! XD Besides, if I do late chapters, I'd be a hypocrite! You really do flatter me with the reference to the manga. I mean Itachi smiled at Naruto! AND he didn't want to kill him. Benito actually means 'crimson' in Japanese, so it's like the male version of Kurenai. I'm glad you like him 'cause he's fun to write. Loving you for your love of Naru-chan, but beware; at the wedding Sasuke might be his bastardised self. Thank God for older brothers, ne? ;-p
DesperateLoveKoi - Well ya donnie 'av ta wait long, bonnie-lass. ..erm, I dunno where that came from. Ya put a smile on me face, so I hope this chapter's good for ye.
kameotoluvsgaara - Yeah, the delving into Itachi's psych is fun. That marry me thing went down real well, ne? Glad you enjoyed it and with the perfect thing, I really thank you. 'Perfect' is a nearly foreign word to me, you know. And yes, apparently laughing is good for your health. I don't know about fake laughing though, 'cause it's not doing me any good. ;-)
lazeee an demented - I sort of did, ne. I like consistency and the chapter would have been really long compared to the others, which would have my mind hating it. It has to have some sort of order; I can't help it. Well, that and I didn't have enough time to write the rest down 'cause I had to pack and get the rest of my family ready for the holiday the next day. Hmm, now that you mention it, they are kinda similar, huh? If Itachi gets his way, Naruto will hide nothing. Don't you love sadistic people? I've got something else planned for the wedding 'cause I don't know enough about pregnancy to deal with contractions this early into it. If I don't know something completely, I'm not comfortable expressing it.
NARUTO
The day had passed again in relative silence. Itachi had not been in the apartment when he returned from dressing and Naruto had surprised himself by feeling somewhat forlorn. He didn't expect anything from the older Uchiha, yet the disappointment had been there, taunting and confusing him. When Itachi had said he'd stay for the wedding, Naruto had believed him. The man's actions may be distrustful and despicable to most, but the blond had yet to experience a lie in his words.
Two hours before the sun had set, Itachi returned, mentioning nothing of his departure or what he had been doing. He had left and returned as if it were a normal occurrence, slipping his footwear off by the door and looking up nonchalantly to a slightly gaping Uzumaki.
"You should lock your door." Was his greeting.
"Maybe I left it open for you." He was quick to scowl, avoiding looking at the arrival and concentrating on once more peeling his oranges. Knowing that he usually hated them almost made him grimace, but his mouth watered in anticipation of taking one into his cavern and feeling the tangy juice slide languidly down his throat. The mere thought brought his concentration fully from the other person sharing his presence in the room.
"Hm. You believed I would return?" Itachi asked, locking the door and taking the ANBU-like cloak from his form. Naruto didn't even want to know how he had acquired the attire, but at the minute he was too distracted to even notice.
"No." He answered off-handed, almost absent in his own mind as he rose to open a cupboard, from the seat he'd made of the countertop.
Itachi watched with mild interest as he moved ramen packets and other less dominating items apart to look for something specific. Making his way over, he noticed the almost pulp-free segments; and by the forceful restrain he observed Naruto put himself through, from eating one earlier, he opted to believe the amount present was a full three oranges. With a mischievous air and a devious smirk, he took one up from the pile and rose it to his lips, waiting the few seconds for Naruto to turn, inevitably, with chocolate syrup.
"Yatta!" He exclaimed with a smile, pulling a eyebrow raise from Itachi. Abruptly the smile faded to a dark look at Itachi the moment he saw where the captured fruit was. "Don't you dare." Was punctuated harshly.
Itachi watched, now amused, as the blond's stance took one of an animal ready to pounce, the recovered bottle still in hand. A smirk wound it's way onto his face as he noticed the chocolate syrup. Stepping toward the blond, he confidently grasped the bottle the instant Naruto reached out for the orange segment, only for him to lose both objects. Growling, Naruto span to round on the older man, only to be sandwiched between the counter he was previously sitting upon and Itachi's body.
"What the-" Spilled from Naruto's mouth before two fingers thrust in with a pre-chocolate covered treat. Itachi's mouth descended on his almost immediately after, a desperate tone hiding beneath the forward surface, but not filled with passion. Fingers still pulling at his lip and bottom jaw, the intruding tongue licked the roof, whilst teeth grazed lips and skin. That was the moment in which the atmosphere seemed to change. Itachi was unsatisfied with the inability to release his hate, tension and confusion; his control shattering as he roughly exposed the blond's neck and yanked Naruto's yelping mouth with the still penetrating fingers.
Retaliating on instinct, Naruto grasped at Itachi's forceful hand and squirmed at the hot breath ghosting close to his pulse point. His left hand, he found, was pushed upon the counter surface by Itachi's fingers, linking over the top of his in a caring or intimate gesture that was too alien for the situation he was forced into. In an instant, Itachi's teeth dug into his flesh, making him scream and clamp down onto Itachi's fingers, who in turn, curled them tighter and bit harder. The moment a metallic taste brushed Itachi's tongue, he was thrown violently away by a panting blond.
What met Naruto's blurred sight of unwillingly forced-up moisture was completely unexpected, yet absolutely unmistakable. His heart beat one contraction painfully hard, which resonated frightfully in his very being. Marring the pale skin opposite him, were intricate black markings in a small area peaking from the neck of Itachi's shirt.
"Itachi! What-?"
"You're disrupting the balance!" He snapped in a voice Naruto knew hardly anyone would have heard and he personally didn't know the guy had.
"Me? What did I do?!" Naruto panicked.
"Hate! Hate me." He growled, clutching the back of his neck, just under his hairline. Against his lingering fear and better judgement, Naruto wrenched Itachi's hand away forcefully, obtaining only a small glance of the thorny design before his hand was grasped and pulled from it. The force of the action threw Naruto to the counter, jabbing in his lower back, forcing a low hiss to escape the confines of his throat.
"I told you I can't .You miserable bastard." He growled low. "Stay here; go berserk with Orochimaru's curse seal. But if you fucking threaten the lives of these kits again, you're dead." In his blue eyes, Itachi was sure he saw menacing slits, just as hostile as the voice used. As hostile, he, himself, was being taken over with.
"Why?" Came back the voice, just as deadly.
"Because you can't betray me!" Naruto yelled. "You can't betray me…" He repeated, softer, forsaken and chocked with hidden uncertainty. "Because, with you…I know the ending."
With those words, Naruto hurriedly manoeuvred himself around his adversary and escaped into his bedroom, slamming the door with vigour; completely missing the receding marks on pale skin. A counter act and an instigator. Could one person be both? Narrowing his eyes at the floor before him, Itachi rose them to find the remains of his host's long awaited and now spoiled fruit.
………………………………...
The next day, Naruto woke to the smell of oranges. Stirring, he stretched out and brushed against something cool, soft and damp. As his eyes fluttered open, orange met his sight, but quickly vanished as something was bundled on his head. Shooting up, the material dropped to his lap and a few orange segments toppled onto the blonds pillow.
"Eat. Dress. We are going out." Itachi stated monotonous, turning his back and retreating casually from the bedroom.
"Eh?!" Naruto near yelled. "What the hell do you mean 'we're going out'?"
"You have no formal clothes, lest in your current size." He absently stated, back still to the blond.
"So what does that matter?"
"You will come, Uzumaki." He confronted Naruto with narrowed eyes. "You have no decent clothes for your growing situation and no date of mine will arrive in an orange jump suit."
"Shows how much you know, bastard. I wasn't going to wear orange."
"The colour is unimportant. The item is. You do not own a single Kimono." He smirked. "But perhaps a maternity Irotomesode (kimono for married women) would be better suited."
Naruto spluttered at the suggestion. "God damn it, bastard. For the last time, I'm not a friggin girl. And what would people say? People can't know I'm pregnant; don't you understand?"
"Hmm? And why is that?" An eyebrow rose, the owner at peace with the usual banter.
"Are you sane. Wait - don't answer that." Naruto hurried to spill, despite the disapproving look he was shot for his effort. "Number one, I'm a guy. As in m-a-l-e. Blokes just don't get pregnant. Second, do you want Sasuke to put the figures together. I'm not a proud mother. Or a mother in general." He pressed to the suggestive smirk, which he quickly turned from. "I don't want that bastard knowing anything, and you know it. Third, I'm Demon spawn. As in the kits won't survive. Understand? If they go through what I went through; If someone so much as looks at them funny; I don't care where you dragged my soul to, I'll kill them in their dreams if I have to."
Itachi observed fingers digging roughly into the sheets and their owner's palms, while the face of his prey took on a scowl with his words. Naruto's whole face seemed to darken, willing the density of his chakra to do the same. Had Itachi been a weak man, he may have felt intimidated by the darkening aura. As it was, however, he strode patiently to the bedside and carelessly flipped the blond onto his front, quickly sitting himself on the junction of his lower back and waist.
"W-What the hell? Itachi?!" He panicked. "Get off. This isn't good for the babies, you moron!" Hands snaked to the front of Naruto's shirt, making him blush, as weight shifted to allow no pressure, but a binding effect. Slowly, the blond felt buttons being undone one by one. "Seriously! What the h-hell are you doing?!" Shuddering, he felt the material be tugged from his arms, his view consisting of toppling orange segments. Absently, his mind registered and commanded him to struggle.
Hot breath rapidly met his ear. "Do you need help, Naru-chan?" If he had time to analyse the situation and did not know the subject, he could have sworn there was a deeper tone in the familiar voice.
Hands ran down the oblivious boy's bare back, leaving only to return to the waistband of the pyjama pants. Immediately, a squeak resounded and the earlier idea of fidgeting seemed suiting. "Get off, you sadistic pervert!" He bucked more wildly, moaning frustrated. "Stop molesting me so early in the morning."
Itachi tensed at the situation before chuckling deeply into the blond's ear, causing another shudder. "Maybe later then." Suddenly, black covered Naruto's vision and the weight dissipated. "Now…Get dressed." Itachi's usual tone had returned.
A flustered Naruto sat up to a retreating back, once again, spluttering words resembling disappointment that he mentally kicked himself for. "You're not serious?" On the other hand, the older of the two mentally smirked and turned with a raised eyebrow, so Naruto changed the subject quickly. "You know if you don't look after them…I'll haunt you, too." He glared, pulling the black t-shirt over his head.
Seeing the blond scramble to find all the lost orange segments, he felt a strange need to smile a little. Analysing the situation, Itachi found there were many reasons to, had he not been used to forcing such emotions away years ago. Such occasions as this were rare, so taking up the suggestion of a fleeting thought, his lips quirked at one end and he speedily turned away to hide the weak softness; almost as if his action was a sin. And perhaps to himself, it was. In spite of the amusing childishness, the silent acceptance given from an equally silent apology or the attraction the young boy could not hide from his predator; it was the fact of a chance given that he should not have. Of a family that he'd never had.
"Itachi." His retreat to the door halted briefly. "Thanks." The other side twitched to join the first, leaving the only option of a nod with his back turned. His retreat quickened, eyes narrowed at his sudden improved mood. The rumours of the teen's talent were surprisingly accurate. The ability to invoke peace or improve disposition or relations by a mere presence and unrestrained communication. Pessimists like him had no trouble dismissing the obvious impossibility; however, now he may have to set about rewriting that theory. The door closed silently…he needed meditation.
………………………………...
Naruto shifted from his room, a childlike and blissful smile on his face. The soft humming accompanied him, as with the plate of oranges, though minus a few segments that had settled the twisting of his stomach. Carelessly approaching the fridge, he opened the top compartment and retrieved raspberry-ripple ice-cream from the freezer section, generously adding it to his stash of fresh fruit. Itachi gazed at the blond, a little amused at his change in appetite, though somewhat relieved that chocolate syrup was not a factor for a morning meal.
"Ice-cream?" He asked, surprising the blond with his opening of a conversation.
"Oh, uh, yeah…" Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "It's dairy like milk, so it's good, right? I mean, I can't promise I won't eat another five times today, but it's more filling now, too, ne?"
"Aa. I suppose." Itachi paused, seemingly finished with the conversation, relocating his eyes to another seal scroll. He defeated Naruto with the continuation of the conversation, also ending it, had it been one of many other people. "Hurry and eat."
"Your curse mark…" Naruto frowned. "It's not like Sasuke's." He stilled a little before spooning the start of his breakfast towards his mouth.
It was a long while before Itachi replied. "Aa. It isn't."
"When did you get it."
"A long time ago."
Naruto's frown deepened. "Why are you always so vague? Who am I going to tell?"
"Your questions are unnecessary."
"And if I'm concerned for you?"
"Then you're a fool."
"I must be. To believe that you could be less of an ass." He growled, raising and rinsing his plate free of residue clumsily, displaying his displeasure. "I just don't get you. You did this, this…selfless thing for me this morning, this nice thing, then you close off. Seriously, you idiot, stop saying one thing and doing another." He chastised, facing the Uchiha with his back to the counter.
"Not much different from yourself then, correct, Naruto-kun?"
"Iie, not like me. I say and do the same thing. My nindo, remember?" There was spite in Naruto's words as he challenged the older Uchiha to say differently, when he'd used such a trait against him without such care to the consequences put upon him.
"Hn, say and do, yes. Say and feel I have yet to see."
"Tch."
Maybe Itachi could end a conversation with Naruto after all.
NARUTO
Hehe, was that okay? I would appreciate your views on whether I should start putting another story up. And who seriously saw Itachi having a curse seal? I didn't dream it, but my hand forced it down upon the paper anyway. This is like three mini-chapters that all relate. Next: shopping and PDAs! Of course, there can't be that without embarrassment, either. ;-p
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, finds Itachi's curse seal, 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.