Forgive me, I know I have been delayed on this story. So I thought I would post this rather shorter chapter, frankly, I was getting annoyed with it, and thought, just post the damn thing! LOL

I would have all you dedicated readers over for a BBQ because you are all so wonderful, I would love to treat you all. :)

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The next morning…

"I do not like the idea of you joining me," Itachi said firmly. He was sitting at a small round table in his room, his betrothed on the other side, finishing up his breakfast fruit. "I do not know what could happen while in the shadow of the beast," he added.

Haku slowly slipped his fingers holding the fruit under his veil to his hidden mouth. He couldn't find a reason to disagree with Itachi, and he felt himself frown. "Something stirs where that dragon lay my lord," he pleaded. "I only wish to get a closer feel to see if I can determine the answer."

"Do you have some sort of mystic ability?" Itachi asked in a low voice while sipping at his tea.

Haku's frame stiffened slightly. "Nothing powerful, just a sense. Sometimes I can feel things that could only be explained as emotional." He rested his hands on his lap and dropped his chin slightly. "I can feel where the pain is located in a person, which – that is why I wanted to help you, your legs, my lord." His voice was but a whisper now, sounding almost ashamed.

"Then I am blessed to have you as my queen," Itachi hummed with a small smile. "I will request you have at least two guards on either side of you. I will not risk any harm coming to you understand," he added.

Haku gave a few quick nods. "Thank you my lord, I will not be in your way."

Itachi put down his tea cup and reached over the table. Haku put his gloved hands in the Uchiha's larger ones. Haku gasped when Itachi tugged on his hands, forcing him to stand. The Uchiha smirked and led the smaller male to stand before him before another tug had Haku tumble onto his lap.

"My lord!" Haku squeaked. "I could hurt you!"

"Nonsense," Itachi hummed and snaked his arms around his bride's waist. "You are light as a feather, and I enjoy your warmth pressed against me." He rubbed his face into Haku's neck, taking a deep breath. "You smell divine," he purred. The shivers that he could feel going through Haku's body stirred something exciting deep within his loins. The feeling was intoxicating and addicting, ever since his betrothed came into his life. He was beginning to feel bolder, wanting to touch Haku more and more often and to his delight, Haku was responding positively to the attention Itachi was giving.

"M-my lord, y-you — I need —" Haku whispered out in a stutter, his body shivering with excitement. He wrung his hands together, not sure where to put them, closing his eyes, feeling the heat coming from Itachi's mouth that was pressed against his neck. He had never felt this way — it was exciting yet frightening.

"Fear not my love, for I only just want to enjoy your scent, your touch, your warmth," Itachi hummed and slowly dragged his fingers up and down Haku's covered arms while keeping his nose in Haku's veiled neck.

"O-Okay," Haku whispered, allowing himself to relax more in Itachi's embrace. He knew his duty as a betrothed, he will admit that the wedding night was still a thought that worried him, but right now, this — this attention, was simply put, wonderful. He could feel his sex heating up and tingling with excitement. Haku was no stranger to masturbation, but the thoughts of having Itachi touch him, as he was being touched now, a moan rose up his throat and escaped his lips.

Itachi growled after hearing the lewd sound coming from Haku's lips. The slow burn deep within him suddenly blazed hotter and Itachi clenched his teeth to hold himself back. "You blaze a fire within me, little one," Itachi hissed. His voice was deep and laced with lust. "I have never felt such a need before. I want to embrace its heat, with you in my arms."

Haku's breath hitched at the declaration in his ear. "M-my lord," he stuttered, unsure of how to respond.

Itachi began to plant soft kisses onto Haku's neck through the veil, and he felt a rush of excitement when Haku shivered from his kisses and touches. He felt his cock strain under the weight of his betrothed, but he dared not move, fearing that Haku may become frightened. "Do you want me to stop," he breathed out between kisses.

Haku's breath was ragged, his head fell back and eyes closed. He knew he should have them stop, it wasn't proper, he knew his position was intended for the king, but — but … "no, please no…" he found himself whispering. He reached up and cupped the back of Itachi's head, his gloved fingers running through the long locks of hair. He bit his bottom lip, keeping his eyes squeezed shut, allowing the warm shivering sensations to wash through his body where the king touched with his fingers and lips.

Itachi's hands slid down Haku's tiny frame and he squeezed his betrothed's thighs. His excitement only grew when he felt Haku's body tremble from his touch. He released a guttural groan when Haku's body shifted, pressing against his painfully hard cock confined in his pants. "S-shit," Itachi hissed from the pleasurable pressure that was thrust upon him. He couldn't stop himself from thrusting his groin up, seeking out that pleasurable sensation again.

"Oh!" Haku gasped out, feeling the hardness of Itachi's member beneath his bottom. A flash of excitement flowed through him, the heat of it pooling into his own sex, creating a painful yet pleasurable feeling and urge. Haku envisioned Itachi touching his sex, and the tingles began to spread from his sex and down his legs. He inhaled deeply, a soft moan coming from his lips and he rocked his body back onto Itachi's hardness.

Itachi started panting heavily, a rush of desire and need flooding through his mind and his hands managed to find their way under Haku's gown. He felt a rush of possessiveness when his skin felt the heated skin of his betrothed. His hands took in the smooth sensations and the excitement of what his fingers would find as he trailed his hands up closer to where he knew his betrothed's hidden sex would be. Haku whimpered and shivered from his sudden touches on his thighs, rocking his body against his hardened cock as if urging him to continue.

Itachi's breath hitched when his fingers brushed against the heated silky skin of Haku's cock. Haku jerked in surprise, a groan came from his lips and Itachi dragged his fingers up along the side of it. His lips were pressed against Haku's neck, his breath coming out in heavy pants, his eyes closed as he imagined the form of Haku's cock in his hand. Haku's body jerking against his painfully hardened cock only increased his excitement ten fold. "Oh fuck," Itachi breathed.

Haku's body suddenly arched, his hands reaching out to grasp at anything to hold himself. "Ah–ah! Ohh—" he cried and his body trembled.

Itachi gripped Haku's cock, his hand wrapping around it fully and Haku's hips wildly thrusted into his hand. Itachi's other hand gripped Haku's waist, pulling his trembling body back against his lap, and he groaned lewdly when his betrothed's body quivered and jerked against his confined cock.

Haku's body suddenly stiffened, the explosion of heat and pleasure spilling from his cock, and he couldn't stop his body jerking and shivering while his orgasm washed through his body. He panted heavily, trying to catch his breath, whimpering slightly when he felt the heated cum around his cock and Itachi squeezed his cock gently, milking it slowly up and down. Haku squeaked when Itachi suddenly squeezed his waist closer onto his lap. He heard Itachi growl a long winded sound into his neck, and rock his groin against his ass. Haku suddenly felt the heat rush to his cheeks when he realised that Itachi had just cum beneath him. He felt his heartbeat thumping against his chest, his orgasm slowly dissipating.

Itachi breathed heavily while his heart thumped heavily in his chest. He hummed a pleasurable sound as he planted soft kisses on Haku's still veiled neck. He could feel the heated milk between his fingers as he felt Haku's cock start to soften. He had a sudden urge to lick his fingers, a shiver going through his spine at the thought. Slowly moving his hand away from the softening member, he dragged his fingers down the shaft to fondle the soft scrotum. His eyes blinked suddenly when he felt something else beneath the silky skin of Haku's ball sack.

Haku gasped suddenly, squeezing his knees together in an attempt to stop Itachi's hand from going further between his legs, but not succeeding. Itachi's fingers had already found what he was trying to hide. He leaned forward in an attempt to get off Itachi's lap, fear striking through his body when he felt Itachi's fingers drop further beneath his cock and balls. "N-n-no," he whimpered when his body was held back against Itachi's larger body. "I–I–" he stuttered out in a whimper.

"Don't be afraid my sweet, but what is —" Itachi purred into Haku's ear. His fingers continued to trace around the area that was hidden beneath Haku's gown and Itachi was incredibly curious on what his betrothed had for him. The area was soft, folded and Itachi was no stranger to the anatomy of males and females, but he had never read, known, nor seen, someone that may have both. 'So fascinating,' he thought to himself. He felt himself getting excited at the thought of seeing the marvel between Haku's legs.

Haku was shaking like a leaf. Between the act that they just completed, which was against his training as a betrothed, but — but now that Itachi had found his secret… the king would have every right to send him back, deny him a marriage and his father … his father would be so angry. Tears began to escape and fall from his eyelashes as he felt Itachi's fingers explore the area between his legs.

Itachi suddenly felt Haku shaking in his arms. He stopped his fingers from exploring, pulling his hand from under Haku's gown and gently turning the smaller male in his lap to face him. He frowned when Haku's head was downcast, refusing to look at him, the tears staining his veil. His body was shivering uncontrollably, and Itachi cupped his clean hand on Haku's covered cheek. "Hey, hey, it's okay," he whispered. He leaned over quickly, grabbing a napkin and cleaning his other hand before rubbing Haku's back softly. The younger male didn't answer, Itachi rubbed his thumb across the veil, trying to calm the other. "I am sorry to have scared you. I should not have forced you—"

"No!" Haku suddenly yelled out, cutting off Itachi and snapping his head up. He brought his hands up to his mouth, covering it quickly. "Oh-oh, I am sorry my l-lord! I–I meant no dis–disrespect," he whimpered, shaking his head.

Itachi raised a brow at the sudden outburst, but seeing his betrothed riddled with fear struck his heart. He didn't want this of the younger one. "Hey, hey, calm down, it's alright," he spoke gently. "What's wrong?" he asked while stroking Haku's head and back.

Haku hiccuped through sobs. "Y-you did not force me to do that," he started. "I–I liked it." He turned his head to the side, embarrassed to look at Itachi in the face.

Itachi gave a small warm smile. "I liked it too," he whispered.

Haku turned to look at the Uchina king, his heart fluttering. He gnawed on his lip, thinking about his next words.

"Tell me," Itachi encouraged. "What's wrong?" he asked gently.

"I — you kn-know —felt m-my deformity," he whispered, turning his head again, not wanting to look at the dark haired king.

Itachi cupped Haku's face again, gently turning his betrothed's face to look directly at him once more. "I do not want you to think that way of yourself ever again," he said gently but firmly. "Currently in my eyes, you are nothing but perfection," he purred. "An angel that I have been blessed with to look after me."

Haku just hiccuped softly from the words. 'How could someone as powerful and beautiful as the Uchiha king want him? See him as someone special?' His insecurities riddled his brain.

"Please stop crying. It saddens me to see you shed tears over fear, when there should be none." Itachi pulled Haku against his body, hugging him closely. "You are my special bride, and I cannot wait to learn more about you and bring you pleasure." His voice dropped some octaves, giving off a husky sound.

Haku shivered from the sound and he felt the heat travel down to his sex, again. He relaxed in Itachi's embrace, feeling a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, this king would be his saviour.

.

.

.

Itachi and Haku met again later, escorted to the encampment of the Sound king by the Uchiha knights as well as a handful of Orochimaru's men. Itachi's eyes glanced around, taking in the scene, the various men bowing when he passed them and Itachi's own knights giving stern glances to the Sound kingdom's men. Haku trailed not too far behind, his own knights surrounding him protectively while he walked. Haku only looked about by moving his eyes, thankful at that moment for his veil, he did not want to seem too curious about the beast that had the kingdoms in such an uproar.

Sasuke was with them, looking straight ahead with a stern look on his face. He was curious as to why Kushina didn't join him and his aniki for breakfast, and the castle help didn't have any answers when he questioned. When he enquired, the staff would just shake their head and bow, and quickly leave the breakfast room. And with no Kushina, Konan wasn't present either. His suspicions were getting the best of him and his guard was up.

Last night he had managed to get the message to Kakashi, who in turn agreed to get the scroll to Yamato. Sasuke and his aniki had informed Yamato to have the Uchiha knights prepare for any arranged attack that may happen today.

At breakfast, a small group of Orochimaru's knights came to escort Itachi and Sasuke to the site, stating that Orochimaru was preparing for their arrival. This information had Itachi and Sasuke eye each other with suspicion.

"Lord Uchiha, welcome," Orochimaru's voice boomed out as he walked towards the group. "So sorry I couldn't meet with you this morning. I wanted to make sure everything was ready for your arrival." He stopped before Itachi, giving a fake grin. "Let me show you what we have discovered thus far." He turned with a wave of his hand, leading the way towards the large area that was hidden behind walls of tents.

"Thank you for your consideration, Lord Sanin. I am thankful you were willing to allow us to see what you have accomplished," Itachi responded plainly. He glanced to see that Haku was still surrounded safely by knights a few steps behind him and nodded at his otouto.

Orochimaru led Itachi to the back end of the bound dragon. Itachi couldn't help but narrow his eyes at seeing the damaged beast, bound by chains, rods that were planted through areas of the body into the ground.

"As you can see, the beast is secured," Orochimaru pointed to various areas around the tail. We have been able to get a good close examination of areas on the tail, the scales it has and so forth." He stopped at the base of the tail.

Sasuke clenched his teeth. The sickening sight of the dragon's defensive spikes that were once on the end of the tail had all been hacked off. Crusted blood, signs of puss, were coming from the sores where the tail spikes once were.

Haku could not suppress a gasp behind his veil when he came into view of the tail.

Itachi kept a stoic face while his eyes looked over the massive tail, but inside his stomach churned at the gruesome sight. "I'm assuming Lord Sanin, that what was on the beast's tail has been removed and being researched?" The elder Uchiha watched Orochimaru's face for his response.

Orochimaru chuckled. "The beast had enormous spikes, made of thick bone like material that we are looking into to determine the exact make of them. At first glance, we had considered that the tail spikes were similar to the talons on the beast's toes. But, now that we were able to study them closer, we had discovered that the talons from the beast's claws are made of a different substance than that of the tail spikes." Orochimaru pointed to the dragon's large clawed feet that had thick rods punctured through them, securing them to the ground. "Naturally we are keeping up to date records of our findings as well."

Itachi frowned when he saw the dragon's clawed feet, each of the toes missing their talons and replaced by bloody stumps. He heard his betrothed behind him gasping and letting out surprised quiet sobs at the appalling sight.

Sasuke was barely containing himself at seeing the grotesque abuse in the daylight. He continued to clench his teeth and he shoved his hands in his pockets to hide his tightened fists.

As Sasuke continued to walk near his aniki, his eyes glanced at the massive body of the dragon as they slowly made their way alongside the body of the dragon. There was a rancid smell hanging in the air, and Sasuke found it was coming from the dragon. Where the scales had been practically ripped off, the open flesh was pussing and colours of dark green and black, a sure sign of infection and dead flesh. As the party continued to walk, Orochimaru was blabbering on like he had a trophy, pointing and waving his hands around, Haku had since brought his small gloved hand up to his face, most likely covering the sounds of his sobs and the smell.

By the time the group had made it to the covered head of the dragon, Sasuke was ready to impale the king with his sword and be done with the situation.

"My assistant, Kabuto, keeps the dragon impaired with his magic, to ensure that the dragon feels no pain and is completely under his control," Orochimaru hummed as he went on to explain. "We keep a burlap sack over its head to protect its eyes."

"I cannot help but worry about your kingdom's safety lord Sanin," Itachi hummed while moving his head to take in the vast size of the beast once more. "When other lands hear of your success with seizing such a creature, the knowledge you are gaining — many kingdoms may do anything, to gain what you have here." Itachi waved his arm up, indicating the large beast that quickly breathed as if it were sleeping.

Sasuke frowned, folding his arms and turned to look at the dragon's neck that was held down by various spikes, slices of its scales sliced off, the three small cheek spikes that were on either side of its head were now replaced with black bloodied stumps. His anger seethed deep down inside that he barely heard the conversation between Orochimaru and his aniki.

"I am honoured that you fear for my kingdom lord Uchiha," Orochimaru chuckled. "But I can assure you, being that I am in possession of the knowledge and wealth of such a powerful beast, together with my marriage to lady Uzumaki that will combine our lands – the power I will possess will stop anyone from even thinking of attacking me!" Orochimaru folded his arms with a sneer and chuckled deeply.

Itachi rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger, nodding his head slightly and humming. "I see your point lord Sanin," Itachi lifted a corner of his lips, as he shifted his eyes to stare at the older king. He then glanced to his left, seeing Haku surrounded by his trusting knights and safe, he then laced his fingers together before him. "But I must inform you that I have news that I must present to you that may put limitations on your current plan." Itachi wasn't too keen on informing Orochimaru of the information he had found at this particular time, but the distress of his betrothed and his otouto's barely contained anger irritated him to the point he felt he needed to slap the old king in the face with something!

Orochimaru tilted his head slightly, his eyes curious as when he heard Itachi's words. "I am curious as to what information you may have to suggest that my future may be tarnished, lord Uchiha," his voice was laced with suspicion.

"I happen to have information about the Uzumaki's true betrothed." He hesitated, noticing Orochimaru only lifted one brow, but said nothing. "It had come into my possession a document that was created and signed over many years ago, an agreement between Uzumaki and Uchiha kingdoms, together with viable witnesses. And I am willing to go over this with you—"

"Lies!" Orochimaru seethed between clenched teeth, his fists clenched at his sides. His face had suddenly taken on the features of a wild beast, eyes narrowed in a glare towards the elder Uchiha. A clatter of knights suddenly stood at attention, their swords drawn and ready to defend, or attack, at their king's word. "I extend my trust in you and this is how you repay me!?" Orochimaru spat out. "I should have known that you had conspired to betray me!"

The clamour of the Uchiha knights moving about in response turning and moving into a position to attack or defend, drawing their own swords at the ready.

Sasuke swung his body around swiftly after hearing the sudden outburst from Orochimaru, and he drew his own sword when Orochimaru's men moved into a position of attack.

Itachi spoke smoothly and calmly, "I assure you lord Sanin, that wasn't my —"

"You will speak no more to me of your deceit! Guards! Get lord Uchiha out of my sight!" The knights clattered to move forward but were met with a wall of Uchiha knights just as quickly.

Sasuke stood beside Itachi, ready to defend his brother with his life. He glanced to see Haku tucked safely still with a wall of knights. The situation was an old fashioned stand off, each man was poised to respond to whomever made the first move. Each king stood, a few metres apart, their knights hovering near them, ready to protect. The only sounds heard were the deep breaths of the dragon nearby and the crackles of the camp fires at various locations spotted around them.