Disclaimers: Naruto is not mine, sadly. This is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.

Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, sexual assault, torture, sexual content (yaoi), & angst.

It's All In Your Head

Chapter 34: Control

--

Naruto eyed the decrepit building warily. "What is this place?"

"Somewhere safe."

Naruto glanced up at the Uchiha, attempting to read him and failing at it. He tried not to think about the arms wrapped around him, about the way Itachi held him close to his chest. He hated being held like this, especially by a man he didn't know, a man who had an ulterior motive for bringing him here. But he didn't really have a choice. He still couldn't walk on his feet, especially now that the wounds had reopened when he had tried to escape, and there was still no sign of his demonic sidekick.

He clenched his jaw tight, fighting to hold onto some semblance of dignity. "I have no intention of trusting you."

The raven raised an eyebrow as he gazed down at the blonde. "I imagine Sasuke has something to do with that."

Something pained flashed in those cerulean eyes, but he quickly blinked it away. "You don't know anything about him.. or me."

Itachi tightened his hold on him, forcing a gasp from the blonde. Those inky-black eyes flashed with something indiscernible, but he kept his focus on the door they were approaching.

"Maybe" he finally replied, "but it won't stay that way."

Naruto swallowed, understanding flooding through him. "I don't want you in my head" he said, his voice strained.

Obsidian eyes hardened as they met his own. "I'm not asking for permission."

Itachi pushed through the door and walked past a small living room, with a threadbare rug and a couch that had seen better days. They passed a bathroom that seemed outdated but clean, and then he stepped into a bedroom.

Naruto tensed, fear slamming into him, leaving him breathless. His eyes shot up to stare at the Uchiha, his terror palpable. "Wa- wait.."

The raven tossed him down on the bed and his captive scrambled to get away. His back hit the headboard, startling him.

Itachi eyed the terrified blonde, seeing his thoughts clear on his face. He dropped his hands on the bed and leaned forward, keeping his eyes locked on his paling complexion. "When will you realize that I am not my little brother."

Naruto furrowed his brows, trying to understand but still unable to let go of his fear.

The Uchiha sighed. "I am not going to take advantage of you."

"Then why am I here?" he choked.

"I already told you. Curiosity."

"Curiosity" he echoed. "You really expect me to believe that?"

"I don't care what you believe." Itachi said smoothly, straightening before him.

His eyes dropped down to his feet, noticing the red seeping through his bandages. Without a word he turned around and stepped out of the room. Naruto could hear him rummaging around for a bit before returning with a med kit. He sat down on the bed and scooted closer to the blonde, ignoring the fearful look he gave him. He reached out for his leg, but Naruto quickly jerked it back.

"I can do it myself!"

"Stop being stubborn and just let me help you" Itachi murmured.

Naruto's eyes filled with pain as his mind flashed back to Sasuke- those exact words slipping from his lips as he treated his hand when the stupid jutsu took a turn for the worst.

Itachi noticed and gave him a curious look. Naruto chose not to explain, but he did finally give in and let him take care of his bandages. He knew he wouldn't be able to convince him otherwise, and it just wasn't worth the fight. He changed the ones on his hands too before returning his supplies to the small container.

Itachi sat back when he was done, eyeing the wary blonde. "How many times must I remind you that I will not harm you?"

"How many times do I have to remind you that I don't trust you!" he snapped back.

Itachi's jaw clenched, but otherwise he chose not to respond. Instead, with one last look, the raven slipped off the bed and left the room.

Naruto could hear him in the kitchen, preparing something he had no interest in eating- he didn't have the stomach for it. He just couldn't soothe the anxiety rushing through him, and he highly doubted that that would change.

--

Itachi came back to the room shortly after and walked over to the side of the bed. Naruto tried to scoot to the opposite end, but a hand shot and grabbed his arm- stopping him.

"Let go" Naruto said, his voice stronger than he felt.

The grip on his arm tightened. "You need to eat."

"Not hungry."

Itachi's eyes sharpened. "I didn't ask if you were hungry. I said you need to eat."

"And I said I'm not fucking interested! Now let go!"

Itachi dragged him over, unaffected by the blonde's shouting and struggles. He brought him to the side of the bed and leaned down to lift him up when Naruto brought his knee up straight into his stomach.

The Uchiha groaned and grabbed his leg with his other hand. "Behave yourself" he growled "unless you want me to be forceful with you."

"What happened to this being a safe place?" Naruto spat.

"It is- as long as you don't try my patience."

The blonde glared up at him- frustrated with the fear he continued to feel, and the control Itachi had over him.

The raven didn't wait for him to back down. He roughly grabbed him and pulled him into his arms, holding on tight to keep him from lashing out again. He walked out of the room and brought him to a small kitchen, where he deposited him on wooden chair at the dining room table. He scooted a bowl of rice over to him and slammed down a set of chopsticks. "Eat."

Naruto's jaw tightened as he looked up, a snarl on his face. "Fuck you."

Anger flashed in Itachi's eyes, his usual calm demeanor crumbling. He grabbed a chair and slammed it down beside the blonde, never taking his eyes off his face. He dropped down on it, then lashed out and grabbed the back of his head, jerking him forward.

"Ahh!"

Itachi dipped his hand in the bowl and picked up a heavy pinch of rice, then brought it to the blonde's lips. Naruto refused to open his mouth, so the raven yanked his hair, hard. He gasped and Itachi shoved the rice inside, then slammed his hand over his mouth. Naruto glared at him through fresh tears, but after a while he had no choice but to swallow it. It dropped in his gut like a stone, sending a wave of nausea through him.

Itachi pulled his hand away and grabbed another pinch of rice.

"Stop" Naruto breathed. "I- I feel like I'm going to be sick."

Itachi ignored him and forced the rice inside once more. Naruto tried to push his hand away, but without the use of his own it was useless. He wasn't sure what he should do, what he could do, until his eyes fell to the table. An idea popped in his head, one he knew he'd have to do quickly if he wanted to keep Itachi from stopping him.

"Hmpph!" He tried to pull his head away, trying to escape the next dose of food while still making sure to keep his focus on his face. He mentally counted to three then swung his arm out across the table, sending the bowl of rice flying. It crashed against the wall and fell in a heap of broken porcelain and untouched rice on the floor.

Itachi's eyes flared with rage. He yanked the blonde closer, his gaze burning into him. He blinked and suddenly his eyes were blood-red. "Mangekyou."

It was too late for Naruto to fight it. In an instant he was suddenly thrown into an illusion. He was in a dark barren room, and he wasn't alone. "Let me out of h-"

Naruto gasped as his body suddenly shot forward, an invisible force dragging him over to Itachi. He came to an abrupt stop in front of him. He tried to pull away, but his body was frozen.

Itachi leaned close, his eyes locked on Naruto's. "Do you really think you can make demands in my domain?"

"Why do you care if I eat?!" he shouted. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I need you alive. And I won't tolerate that kind of behavior."

"You kidnap me and force me to stay in this place, and you expect me to just do what you want? I'm a fucking prisoner! There's nothing I can do about that, but that doesn't mean I have to go along with everything you say."

The Uchiha narrowed his eyes. "That's exactly what that means" he growled. "Next time I tell you to eat, I expect you to eat. Another episode like this, and I will tear through every horrible memory you have. Got it?"

Blue eyes widened, filling with horror. He couldn't face those things, not again. Especially with someone else watching it. "Why would you-" His voice cracked.

"Pull this again, and you leave me with no choice."

Naruto closed his eyes, unable to look at the raven, to face his cruelty, to stomach this place for another second. "How long do you plan on keeping me here?"

"In this illusion? Not long. In this hideout? As long as it takes."

Naruto looked up, eyes filled with confusion. "Until?"

"Until Sasuke does what he has to."

Naruto swallowed. "He's not coming here" he said, hating the truth behind those words. "He already made it clear that he won't give up his plans. He's not going to leave Orochimaru. Not now."

The Uchiha gave him an exasperated look. "Once again you underestimate his feelings for you."

He stepped forward and grabbed Naruto's jaw, leaning close as he studied his face and every emotion that played out across it. "I made it clear to him what he must do in order to get you back. I'm sure he will do what he's told. In fact, it's very likely Orochimaru is already dead."

"What do you want with Sasuke?" Naruto breathed, trying to fight the fear rising up his throat as Itachi leaned closer. "Why do you want him here?"

"All will be revealed when my little brother shows his face." He straightened, finally releasing his hold on the blonde. "Until then, do as you're told."

Naruto looked away, refusing to agree to his demands but lacking the energy to continue to fight with him. After a while Itachi let the illusion fade and the blonde return to the kitchen, with a shattered mess on the floor and an empty table before him. He barely had time to recenter himself when Itachi grabbed him and threw him over his shoulder.

"Nnnn!" Naruto groaned as his stomach collided with his warden. The raven didn't seem to care as he walked back to the bedroom. He threw him down on the bed then left, slamming the door on the way out.

Alone at last, Naruto curled up tight, wrapping his arms around his body, and finally let the tears fall- hating that they ever existed in the first place.

Author Note

That's right people. Shit is about to be realllll Itachi up in here.

Yeah. Prepare yourself, Uchiha-fans.

He just gets hotter.