Disclaimers: Naruto is someone else's, this is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.

Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, angst, hopefully some decent jokes, and (of course) beautiful SasuNaru love.


Chapter 27: Cold Eyes, Warm Spiral

"T'was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."

-Judy Garland

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Itachi was not pleased.

"I did not authorize this" he said, his voice low and venomous.

His eyes traveled from the half-conscious blonde bleeding through his bandages, to his enraged little brother sitting next to him, hands crimson as he attempted to stave off the bleeding.

Itachi's eyes narrowed, and he jerked his attention back to Deidara.

Deidara grinned. "Yeah, well I did. Besides who the hell made you leader! Just because Obito is gone doesn't mean you can suddenly-"

Itachi moved fast. He grabbed Deidara and shoved him against the cell wall, a kunai pressed flush against his throat.

"Do you wish to challenge me for it, Deidara?"

He pressed the kunai harder, piercing through tender flesh. He watched with utter apathy as blood slid down the blonde's neck.

Deidara put a hand- his only hand- up in surrender. "Chill, Uchiha. I just sent some guys down to.. persuade your brother to unbind the rope. We're after the jinchuriki- we don't need him getting in the way."

Sasuke growled, and jerked his head over to glare at him. "We can't be separated you fucking idiot! It will kill him!!"

Itachi glanced over at his little brother, and raised an eyebrow. "I thought the curse only activated every twelve hours."

"We tried to break it, but it was fragmented" Sasuke replied, his voice still laced with anger, "it will kill him if we are more than twenty feet apart."

"Pshh," Deidara looked over at the two shinobi with amusement, "nice try, but it's obvious that you're lying so you can stay close to him."

Sasuke's eyes hardened. "It's not a fucking lie!!" He shifted his gaze over to his brother. "Itachi, please. Just let Naruto out so the nine tails can heal him."

Itachi eyed the blonde, noting his clouded eyes and the steady stream of blood falling from his wounds and spilling from his lips. It was clear that he was fading.

Sasuke was right. The Akatsuki needed Naruto alive.

Itachi pulled his kunai back and bashed the hilt against Deidara's temple, knocking him unconscious. He tossed him towards Kisame, who simply let his body crash to the ground.

"Kisame- keep an eye on him. If he tries any other stupid stunts, feel free to relieve him of his other arm."

Kisame's grin stretched wide, revealing razor sharp teeth. "With pleasure."

Itachi turned to look at their prisoners once more.

Luckily, Zetsu wasn't there to question his choices.. or his motives. Itachi had purposefully left the plant-like nuisance behind to manage the new recruits in order to avoid any further suspicions from him. He was already on thin-ice, he knew his explanations were no longer enough at this point.

He looked up at his partner. I'm lucky to have Kisame on my side, otherwise I would have been made out a long time ago.

Still, he couldn't afford to have his captives run free again. No one would ever believe that that was necessary twice.

Especially with the nine tails host being such a prized commodity.

He glanced over at the silent Akatsuki members lined up along the wall of the cell, patiently awaiting orders. Nameless faces, mainly there to add to the Akatsuki's numbers. Too many of them had been killed as of recent- the new recruits were meant to fill the gaps as they seek out true talent.

"You three- when I move the jinchuriki you will need to restrain Sasuke. He stays in this cell." Itachi's expression darkened. "By any means necessary."

Itachi narrowed his cold eyes on the blonde. "Naruto."

He looked up.

"Do you understand?"

Naruto nodded weakly.

Itachi walked over to them and took a knee besides the blonde. His hand suddenly shot out- grabbing Naruto's chin and forcing his head up.

"Stop!" Sasuke threw a hand out to stop him, but Itachi easily grabbed it and held it back.

"Stay out of this, Sasuke. It does not concern you."

"The hell it doesn't!"

Itachi's gaze switched over to lock onto wide cerulean eyes, filled with pain and determination. He's fighting to stay in control, to hide his suffering.

He glanced at his brother. Likely for Sasuke's benefit.

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "I do not need to be this generous, Naruto."

"Will you comply, or-" he motioned towards the hand still pressed firmly against Naruto's thigh, "- will you continue to be a burden to others?"

Naruto's eyes burned with rage. He tried to pull his face away, but Itachi forced him still. He opened his mouth to speak, but his breath lodged in his throat. He jerked forward and coughed out blood, the motions racking his entire body.

"Shit! Are you ok? Naru-"

"Enough" Itachi barked.

He nodded at the three and they grabbed Sasuke, pulling his hands away from the blonde, while Itachi grabbed Naruto and roughly dragged him out of the cell, keeping the rope pulled taut between them.

Naruto groaned as each movement jostled his injuries, sending his nerve endings on fire.

He couldn't think past the pain. All he could see was darkness, all he could taste was blood. The ringing in his ears was deafening. He knew he was about to pass out, but just before he did Itachi threw him down on the ground- snapping him back into reality.

Naruto slowly pushed himself up off the ground, blinking away the dark splotches in his vision, and trying to focus on Sasuke's voice. He took a breath and then felt something very familiar. A warmth rushed through his body, soaring through his chest, spiraling deep in his gut.

My chakras back.


Author Note:

Sorry everyone!! I know my update took a little longer than usual and I know this chapter isn't super long. I promise to keep going to give you a solid rest of it!

And I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying this story too solitare1 - I appreciate you commenting & sticking around for more :)