Naruto Fan Fiction / Naruto Shippuden Fan Fiction ❯ The Never Played Symphonies ❯ Brother's Keeper ( Chapter 8 )

 

The Never Played Symphonies

 

 

Chapter 8: Brother's Keeper

 

 

His mind stirred, though not because his body awoke from natural circumstances, but because of a continuous prodding his person was currently taking. However, Sasuke had had enough training to know a thing or two about not alerting any possible opponents to his body and mind's consciousness. He'd be lying, however, if he said the poking wasn't starting to get on his nerves.

 

“He's dead,” came an unfamiliar male voice. And then that damn poke came yet again. “He's dead. (poke) He's dead. (poke) He's dead (poke) He's dead. (poke) He's de-”

 

Oh, that was it. He couldn't take much more of this. “Would you stop doing that!” Sasuke's voice finally rang out, his eyes snapping open.

 

“-ed. (poke) See, Sasori-danna, I told you, he's not dead,” said the man in front of him in a rather bored tone. He stood up from his crouched position in front of the young Uchiha and turned around, walking towards another man, this one with red hair.

 

And then Sasuke took in their attire. Black cloaks with red clouds... The Akatsuki!

 

“Idiot,” came the red-haired man's monotone voice. The blond sighed heavily.

 

“I can't help it, un. We've been cooped up in this hellhole for over two weeks with absolutely no orders. I'm bored. Though if you want, I could always put my attentions elsewhere?” the light-haired man asked wickedly, more than likely arching an eyebrow behind his long lock of blond bangs that was currently obscuring his left eye.

 

“Not in front of the child,” came the redhead's dry response. Had Sasuke known what was going on... he probably still wouldn't want to know.

 

“Speaking of which... Where did Itachi go?” the blond mumbled, looking this way and that.

 

Sasuke's mind immediately became alert at the sound of his brother's name, and his eyes narrowed in suspicion as he jumped to his feet, looking around as well.

 

“Where is my brother?” he growled, reaching down to his pant leg to pull out a kunai only to find that his weapons bag had long since disappeared. Not only that, but as he quickly glanced down at his appearance he found that he was still missing his top from when he had taken it off and jumped in the river.

 

Great... just great. Here he was in unfamiliar territory in nothing but his shorts! Glancing around the room he saw that he was in a fairly confined space, and the only exit he could find was just ahead of him, conveniently blocked by the two Akatsuki bastards who had gotten a laugh out of poking him awake.

 

“Aww, Sasori-danna, you hear that? He wants his big brother,” the blond teased, smirking as he placed a hand on his hips. “Don't worry, kiddo… He's just out speaking with the boss, un.” A devil like smirk lit up his face. “He'll be along anytime to hug you and tell you everything is okay… After all, I've heard just how…” Here he glanced over to the redhead who seemed to be much more stoic and quiet than his partner. Thankfully. “What's the word, Sasori-danna?” he asked, obviously not really wanting a response as he went on ahead. “I don't want to say incestual, un…How about... AFFECTIONATE!” he shot out as Sasuke narrowed his eyes to slits. “That's the word I'm going for; Affectionate. I hear the both of you are very affectionate with one another.”

 

Deidara gave a laugh at his own antics as Sasori slowly shook his head back and forth as if he could sense the conflict that was about to arise…and arise it did.

 

“What the hell do you think you know about me and my brother?” Sasuke growled, chakra flaring to life as the Sharingan bled into his eyes. “Come to think of it…it doesn't matter.” His entire being pulsed as his energy was released in waves as the Chidori began to crackle at his fingertips. “I'll just kill you right now and rid myself the trouble of finding out!”

 

He cried out, running towards his newfound hatred as the sound of birds crackled through the air and reverberated off the tightly enclosed space. Deidara didn't move an inch, he just stood there with that same smirk on his face that made the Uchiha want to bash it in, but then again he really didn't have to, because Chidori was caught just before it could hit its marker right between the eyes.

 

Sasuke struggled to remove his wrist from the vice-like grip that was surrounding it, but the hand didn't even feel human. It was almost as if it were actually made out of an entirely different substance that seemed to be as strong as iron.

 

“Get your hands off of me!” he yelled as Deidara laughed at his predicament while staring at his assailant from over his shoulder.

 

“Nice, Sasori-danna…though for a second there I thought you were actually going to let Sparky here hit me,” Deidara gave a fake pout, all the while reaching out and slapping Sasuke lightly on the cheek. “And then how happy would you be when my beautiful face is all burnt and gross, un?”

 

“It would probably be an improvement to the one you have now,” Sasori snapped, tightening his hold on the Uchiha's wrist as he leaned forward so that Sasuke could feel icy hot breath against the nape of his neck. “As for you, do you really think this wise?” he stated emotionlessly, gesturing around the room with his one free hand. “Forget your brother for one moment and just sense where you are. You are in an unfamiliar environment, with even more unfamiliar people.” He leaned in closer as his voice dropped a few octaves. “If you start something now I can guarantee you will not make it out of here alive… So which will it be? Are you our friend for the time being, or are you our enemy?”

 

No matter how much he wanted to deny it, he knew that the guy behind him was right. He would not live long here if he continued to pick fights. Yet he knew that the first chance he got he would skewer that pretty blond bastard with a kunai for ever saying such things about him and his brother…no matter how true they were. Now though, now he only had one option available to him. Giving a sigh of defeat, he let the lightening fade from his fingertips as his wrist went limp in his captor's hand.

 

“You chose right, Sparky…but just in case…” He didn't even get to react to Deidara's sudden attack as he seemed to put what looked to be a clay eel from his bag, allowing it to expand in his hands and sending it out so that it wrapped securely around Sasuke's neck.

 

Giving a cry, Sasuke ripped his hand free from Sasori's grasp, using it instead to try to tear the constricting sea animal from around his jugular. He would have used both his hands to continue to rip it away, but a stern warning stopped any movement he might have had.

 

“I wouldn't do that if I were you…After all if you move my art too much it might just get angry with you and explode that pretty little head of yours, yeah?” Sasuke's heart raced as his hands dropped from the clay collar, already knowing just what kind of mechanism it was.

“So let me get this straight…” he bit out. “If I act up, I die, right?” He couldn't believe he had managed to let himself be put in to such a situation. The last thing he needed while in such a vulnerable position was to have one of those bastards have the power of life and death hanging over him.

 

“Give the kid a prize…” Deidara teased. “He may just be Itachi's brother after all… I was starting to wonder there for a while. After all you're sorta lacking in the skills department you would think someone with his blood would possess, un.”

 

Sasuke growled, toeing his foot in the ground for a strike when the blond held up a finger, wagging it back and forth in a scolding manner as if he were being reprimanded for doing something bad. “Uh, uh, uh, Sparky…You attack me, and I make a work of art with your brain splatter.”

 

"But not before I tear your throat out," came a dark voice from behind Deidara's cocky stature. All eyes in the room, save for the blonde's, turned and acknowledged the new presence.

 

"Itachi," Sasuke wheezed, struggling more and more as the eel around his throat seemed to be tightening rather than relenting. Though he had to say the sight of his brother he began to notice it less and less.

 

Deidara turned around, giving the Uchiha a smile that was by no means returned…unless of course you considered the death glare he was receiving a smile. “Ah, Itachi…I was just giving your adorable little brother a warm welcome, un.” That smile curved so that it was now more of a devious smirk. “I have no doubt that we'll be getting along swimmingly from here on out… That is if he can convince the boss to let him stay.”

 

Itachi scoffed, tossing some clothes through the air that Sasuke barely had enough time to catch before they spread all across the ground. “Get dressed,” was his simple command, and Sasuke would have to say that he was relieved that his brother had had at least enough sense to grace him with some kind of suitable clothing.

 

He hastily examined the clothes to see that there was a high collared black t-shirt, black Capri pants, and sandals for him to work with. “Where am I going?” he asked, not exactly all there since he had been knocked out while in the forest and woken up in what had to be the Akatsuki's camp. It wasn't too much of a stretch to be asking a few questions if he did say so himself, but then again Itachi always did seem to find his questions nothing but an irritation.

 

“That is none of your concern. Get dressed if you wish to come along, otherwise I'll kill you right now and save myself the effort.” Sasuke's eyes narrowed to slits. Now normally his brother was a bastard, but it seemed that around his so-called `teammates' he had to put up even more of an effort.

 

“Aww…” Deidara cooed, pinching Sasuke's cheek as he glanced over his shoulder to the elder Uchiha. “Are we having a lover's spat?”

 

Sasuke's cheeks darkened to an unbearable level, and not being able to take the look his brother was no doubt shooting his way, he did the only thing he could in such a situation, he hid his face while punching Deidara soundly in the cheek.

 

A resounding crack traveled through the room from where his knuckle had struck bone, and he was actually surprised that the blond had remained standing after being hit by a force that would send any normal person flying into the wall behind him. …Then again, he doubted any member of the Akatsuki was normal.

 

Deidara's head slowly came back to face his assailant, and through the hair blocking his features, Sasuke could see how his visible eye had seemed to darken to an almost dangerous level. A hand came up to his chin, slowly wiping a dribble of blood away as he stared him down in a menacing manner that you wouldn't expect to come from the sarcastic trouble maker he had seen earlier.

 

“Temper, temper, little Uchiha…but I'd reign it in if I were you, because every good dog has to learn to obey its master while on a leash, yeah?!” he bit out, reaching out a hand and tightening it into a fist, all the while making the eel around him constrict to almost unbearable levels and cutting off the oxygen to his brain.

 

“If that piece of shit you call art is supposed to restrain him, then shouldn't you loosen it before he passes out from lack of oxygen and can't make it to where he was summoned?” Sasori asked in an annoyed tone of voice, as if the whole matter was a waste of effort on his part. Though his small remark seemed to have its desired effect because Deidara almost immediately let the hold he had over his creature go and opted to instead release his anger on the redhead who had the audacity to insult his masterful work.

 

“Whose art are you calling a piece of shit, puppet boy, un! You wouldn't know good art if it came up and bit you in that wood thing you call your ass!” Deidara shot back testily, and Sasuke couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the meaning behind the comment.

 

Though he really didn't get a chance to think much more on it, because as Sasori and Deidara continued to argue the noise seemed to fade into the background when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

 

Spinning around, Sasuke came face to face with his brother, and had to gulp down the nervousness he was feeling at the intense gaze he could feel burning into his face. “Strip,” was the only word he uttered, and the younger knew that his brother had finally lost it if he thought he was ever going to obey such a command.

 

“Fuck you!” he shot out. “Like hell I'm going to when the two freaks you call your teammates are still in the room! That blond one will probably try to rape me!”

 

He thought he heard a shot back remark of `as if' from somewhere behind him, but he chose to ignore it in lieu of the fact that Itachi had gotten even closer so that one hand was resting on the younger Uchiha's hip bone while the other settled on his lower back and pulled him all the more closer.

 

“I hate to break it to you, Otouto, but not everyone wants to get into your pants.” Black eyes narrowed as the hand on his waist moved around, the thumb just barely slinking below his waistband.

 

“No…” Sasuke sneered. “Just you.” By this time the bickering in the background had faded, and he had no doubt in his mind that all eyes were on him. That didn't matter to him though, because the feeling of betrayal over the true reason behind that necklace still burned deep within his chest, and he refused to act courteous in front of the person he despised the most.

 

Itachi tilted his head to the side, making the Sharingan stand out even more as the false light reflected off of his eyes. “Well then…you won't mind a little help.” Sasuke yelped as the hand resting on his waist quickly slipped into his shorts, while Itachi kept him steady with his other arm so that he would have no chance of getting away.

 

“Stop it!” the younger Uchiha cried, a blush staining his features at the thought of other people witnessing such atrocities. “Get your hands off me, you sick bastard!” He let out a whine when Itachi's slim fingers wrapped around his member, stroking at the sensitive flesh in such a way that always caused Sasuke to lose his mind. “Niisan…please stop…not here…not in front of them!”

 

He knew anger would do no good, so he opted to try to appeal to a part of his brother that may in fact still have a soul…Unfortunately, it didn't seem to work. Itachi fisted him from inside his pants, giving him one resounding stroke that brought him to hardness and caused a treacherous moan to escape his mouth as he fell forward into Itachi's arms, fisting his hands into the elder's sleeves and hiding his face in his chest as if to pretend that none of this was really happening.

 

“Why not here?” Itachi asked with coldness, and Sasuke dared a glance upwards only to see that Itachi wasn't looking at him but at the two onlookers who seemed to have grown speechless, as well as eyebrowless. “All this does is show them now just who you belong to.” The sheer dark possessive voice he used was enough to send a cold shiver down the younger Uchiha's spine, and he clung even more to Itachi's chest, hating and yet loving the fact that his brother wasn't ashamed to claim him as his own.

 

When Sasuke couldn't hold back a cry as Itachi's fingernail scratched up along the head, it seemed the Akatsuki finally seemed to lose his patience with the voyeurs. With a look as cold as ice he sent a glare towards the two onlookers, only needing two words to express just how much potential danger they could be facing. “Get out.” There was a threat in those words, and it seemed Sasori and Deidara took it to heart, because the next thing Sasuke heard was a door slamming and he knew right then and there that him and Itachi were now alone.

 

For the first time he actually wished that the obnoxious blond bastard was still in the room, because as soon as they were gone Itachi didn't even hesitate in crashing their lips together.

 

Sasuke whined into his mouth, not being able to believe that he had once again been put in this situation, but at the same time reveling in the feel of Itachi's lips against his own, and how his tongue slid into his mouth, tracing the contours as if he had already memorized every detail and was following his own, made-up path.

 

Not being able to stop himself from his bodies treacherous actions, as Itachi's hand once more found its way down his pants, he reached up, wrapping his arms around the elder's neck and pulling him closer as the air in his lungs began to burn him from the inside out.

 

He pulled away to gasp for breath, only to once more connect their mouths, loving how silky the Akatsuki's lips were as he drank him as if he was the very water he needed to live. “…I hate you,” he gasped out, deepening the kiss as Itachi's skillful fingers unbuttoned his shorts, letting them fall to the ground and leaving him standing bare.

 

Cold air nipped at his sensitive flesh, and for the first time he realized the exact situation they were in…though that never really seemed to matter to Itachi. It seemed that the elder Uchiha wanted him whenever he could have him, and even though it was impossibly messed up, the thought made a bubble of pride swell up inside of him.

 

“Aniki, we can't do this here… There're people outside… We shouldn't...” Itachi once again captured his lips, and Sasuke could feel him smirk against his lips as his hand went to work on his dripping erection.

 

“If you don't want it…” Itachi muttered against his mouth, breaking away to trail down his chin and lick along his jugular. “Then tell me to stop.”

 

He played dirty and he knew it, because as Itachi's talented hand swept up and down his cock, Sasuke knew there was no way he could ever tell his aniki no. Of course he couldn't, and he realized right then that Itachi knew that as well, for his brother didn't seem all that surprised when instead of telling him no, he replied with, “P-please…don't stop.”

 

His eyes shut as pleasure coursed down his spine, and he gave control of his entire body to his brother as he gave in to his one greatest sin. He felt Itachi lifting one of his legs, wrapping securely around his waist while he supported himself with the other one, giving the Uchiha better access to his naked body, letting that talented tongue slink all the way down his neck and to his collarbone as his body arched into a bend so that his head was hanging back with only a hand behind his shoulders supporting him.

 

Mewls of pleasure were constantly filtering from between his lips as Itachi slowly tortured him, making long languid strokes that brought Sasuke close to insanity every single time his hand came up and then slid back down.

 

Itachi's mouth closed around a pert nipple, biting down and actually causing a scream to ripple from the younger Uchiha's throat as he felt the familiar tightening in his stomach that told him he would not last much longer…especially by how Itachi's strokes seemed to increase in speed to the point where he almost thought he'd have to bite a hole in his bottom lip to stop himself from screaming for the entire vicinity to hear.

 

He didn't know what made him say it, but the closer and closer he got to completion the more he felt he needed something else. “Fuck me…” he gasped out, letting a drop of blood fall down his chin at his shameful request.

 

Though it seemed he had said something wrong, for in the moment that should have been his ecstasy, he was instead unceremoniously dropped so that he fell backwards onto the hard floor with an unanticipated `uummpph!'

 

Sasuke growled, sitting up on his elbows as he glared at his brother, but stopped when he saw the look Itachi was giving him as he stared down at him with a penetrating gaze. As a matter of fact, it was such a strange look that it made the younger squirm as he let his legs fall open, not at all liking the throb from in-between his legs that should have by this point been taken care of if the psychopath above him hadn't dropped him on the floor.

 

“What the hell gives, bastard!” Sasuke narrowed his eyes, rubbing his legs together as his cock ached from lack of attention…he realized with some nervous anticipation that Itachi seemed to notice the action. “I didn't ask you to molest me, but if you're going to then don't be such an asshole about it!”

 

Itachi completely ignored his outburst, sinking to his knees as he let one hand rest on Sasuke's knee, parting his thighs so that his aching member was in full view. “You really would like that, wouldn't you?”

 

“Like what?” he asked breathlessly, squirming as he tried to maneuver his body so that it ghosted against Itachi's hands.

 

“For me to fuck you…you really have become my good little whore.” Sasuke narrowed his eyes to slits, swinging out his hand to slap the bastard across the face for the very assumption, but Itachi caught his wrist, grabbing the other as well as he slammed them both above his head, his body now hovering over the smaller body underneath him.

 

He couldn't help it, the very sight of Itachi once more between his legs was enough to almost make him cum right there, despite the comment he had just made about him. “Beg me, Otouto, beg me to impale my cock in that tight little ass of yours.”

 

Sasuke fought against Itachi's grasp, not at all liking the smugness in that voice as he mocked him over his imminent surrender. Yet just because he was struggling, didn't mean that he didn't want it. Closing his eyes, he loathed himself for his weakness as he bit out “Do it,” knowing right then and there the look of triumph that would no doubt be slightly reflected in those cold, emotionless eyes.

 

The resounding noise of a zipper echoed off the walls, as if megaphone was placed in front of it. It was like such a sound was signaling his fate as he once more gave his brother everything he wanted. Though he thought such a thing, he really had to wonder if he didn't want it just as much. After all, wasn't it just him that had asked for this? Wasn't it just him that had once more played right into the manipulative bastard's hands?

 

Itachi leaned down, placing a soft kiss on his lips that made Sasuke's mind blur, and let himself convince his brain that this was the niisan he had loved when he was younger…the one who had pretended to have a soul. Though in some ways…a lot of ways, he was sure that's why Itachi did it. No matter how cruel he might be he still managed to pretend for him…he did it to make his otouto happy, or at least that's what he tried to convince himself of.

 

He couldn't keep himself in such a fantasy world very long, because just as Itachi managed to slide his pants down his hips a loud knock shattered their fantasy, making a dark gaze cover his brother's features.

 

“Itachi! Itachi I'm sorry to…err…interrupt you, but Leader is requesting the two of you now…and he expressed how he didn't want to wait.” Mumbled the hesitant voice of Itachi's partner, Kisame through the door…it seemed that he wasn't all that happy about being the one to tell the deadly Uchiha such a thing.

 

His brother gripped his hip in a bone-crushing grasp as he obviously took his frustration out on the body underneath him. Sasuke gulped at the narrowed gaze Itachi was giving him, as if the interruption were all his fault.

 

“Another time, Otouto.” He bit out between clenched teeth, crawling up off the body underneath him and zipping up his loose fitting pants.

 

Snarling, Sasuke reached out, grasping Itachi's shirt and stopping him from getting up altogether. “No. You can't just leave me like this. You started it…and you're going to damn well finish it!” He stated, leaving no room for argument as he put his foot down on Itachi leaving him high and dry.

 

Itachi raised an eyebrow at the outburst, obviously amused at his brother's needy request. He held a hand out, beckoning him forward, and Sasuke didn't hesitate in fulfilling the request, shivering as a warm breath tickled the outside shell of his earlobe. “Finish yourself.”

 

He pushed at Sasuke's chest, breaking their connection as he got to his feet throwing the clothes he had brought over the boy's naked splayed form. Sasuke's fist clenched so hard they bled at the smug smirk Itachi was giving him as he stared down in amusement at just what he had reduced him to. “I rather enjoy helping you get dressed.” He said teasingly, ignoring the daggers shot at his back as Sasuke glared pure hatred.

 

“Stupid evil bastard.” Sasuke mumbled, gathering up his clothes and grasping at his now painful erection as he prepared to make it quick. Images of Itachi filled his mind, and even though he was using it to fuel his desire he also vowed to make him pay for doing this to him the next time he got him alone. He wasn't sure what he would do yet, but he would definitely make him pay!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

 

Sasuke emerged from the room dressed in the get up Itachi had brought for him, along with his konoha forehead protector, and a heavy lump protruding from his pocket that was in essence his whole reason for being there.

 

The trip they made to see the leader was one filled with silent voices, but not silent thoughts. The younger Uchiha was still enraged over the events that happened only moments ago. As much as he hated his brother, he still longed for his sinful touch again. And when he finally got what he desired that bastard had taken it way from him; making him finish himself when he wanted it to be Itachi to do it for him.

 

Sasuke's thoughts stopped abruptly when Itachi suddenly bowed his head slightly down, and even though it was such a subtle acknowledgment Sasuke couldn't help but wonder just what was going on with his brother. Itachi never bent down to anybody, not even with a slight tip of his head. Sasuke questioned this until he saw a shadowed figure step closer and, with a stern look shot out of the corner of his brother's eye, he also followed in bowing before this strange man.

 

The room was dimmed so that all the faces appeared in shadow, but from the numerous whispers Sasuke could hear around him, the Uchiha would have to say that besides Itachi, Deidara, Sasori, and himself he had to be surrounded by at least a half a dozen others…or so it seemed.

 

A deep voice caused Sasuke to lower his head and Itachi to raise in acknowledgement; “Itachi,” the voice was even more stoic and harsh that Itachi's “I see you brought what you said you would.” The voice turned more cynical, and even though Sasuke couldn't see his face through the darkness he could feel those eyes burrowing into his soul. “But did he bring what you said he would.”

 

Sasuke felt his fists clench when the leader talked about him like he was a piece of property, and nothing more. The only person who he let himself be thought of like that was by Itachi, though he dared say nothing. Speaking of his brother, he shot him a well-aimed glare due to the fact that he had obviously made a bargain for the stone previously. That was just like Itachi, banking that Sasuke would do just what he told him even before he himself knew. If it wasn't for his supposed top-secret mission he would have yelled at his brother right then and there for being the conniving bastard that he was. Every time he thought Itachi had done his worst, he did yet another thing to fuel the fire and the pool of hatred in his gut grew exponentially. …Though recently Itachi would find new and more clever ways to douse out the flames and leave him wanting…yet another scheme he had no doubt that Itachi was cooking in his mind.

 

“I have what you want.” Sasuke bit out, trying to force down his anger and not send a shuriken sailing through the darkness towards the sound of that obnoxiously cold voice.

 

More whispers were heard around the room, and as Sasuke searched through the darkness he could have sworn he saw a glimpse of blond hair that could only belong to Deidara towards the right of him. That meant that Sasori was probably to that side as well, which meant that there were probably the unidentified enemies to the left for him to mainly worry about.

 

“Is that right, Uchiha?” The shadow like figure asked, moving swiftly through the darkness so as to examine his prize. “And tell me, what exactly is it that I want?”

 

Sneering at the man, Sasuke reached into his pocket, pulling out the blood red stone that had caused him problems on more than one occasion in his life. It sparkled with the torchlight, and the Uchiha once more heard whispers all around them from where they no doubt discussed the recent good fortune.

 

Cold biting laughter echoed off the stonewalls, reverberating back towards him and making the man standing before him seem even more sinister in its wake. He had always hated standing in front of Orochimaru, but the cold dead feeling he got inside when having to deal with him was nothing compared to what he was feeling now.

 

“Well that is interesting, but how am I too know if it's genuine…” He stated condescendingly. “Forgive me for not fully trusting the beginnings of such a convenient relationship without some form of proof.” Sasuke saw some movement in the darkness, and he could almost bet that the man was putting a hand up to his chin in thought. “I want a testament of the stone's power. Show me what it can do, and perhaps I'll let you live.”

 

Sasuke's fist clenched at the mere idea of using power from a stone that he had no idea how to wield. For all he knew you needed a special jutsu to activate it, or maybe a flow of chakra. How the hell was he supposed to know how to work a stone that, up until he had found it at the bottom of a lake, was rumored not to even really exist?

 

Inside he seethed with frustration at the very idea, and yet he kept up his calm exterior, never once daring to show the leader any sort of reaction he might deem a weakness…his brother had taught him the much.

 

Speaking of his brother….he felt warm hands close around his as a body came up behind him, wrapping their fingers together so that they each were left holding the stone. He could have imagined it, but in a dim second he thought he felt Itachi's thumb gently rub the outside of his hand, as if assuring him that everything was going to be okay before he acted.

 

“I shall give you all the proof you need.” He said slowly, closing his eyes and letting a storm of chakra flow through his fingertips and into the stone. Sasuke couldn't believe what he was seeing, the gem started to glow an eerie red, and as it did the walls around them seemed to bleed.

 

He watched as blood oozed up from the floorboards, ran down the walls, and dribbled from the ceiling as the world seemed to take on an even darker appearance. He knew right then and there where he was. He was in Itachi's world…the one in which he was the only one that could control.

 

That wasn't possible! Itachi had to make eye contact to use the powers of the Mangekyo Sharingan…there was no way he could use it when he was holding Sasuke from behind. Just what unthinkable powers lay in the stone he had deemed a worthy gift for his aniki so long ago?

 

Even though he still felt arms around him, he stared in wonder as his brother seemed to also be able to walk towards the middle of the room, holding one hand up and snapping as the red lit room seemed to flicker, and all of its occupants glowed a bright white.

 

“You are all under the power of Tsukuyomi, and if I wished it I could trap you in the world of my mind forever.” Sasuke's eyes widened to saucers at the nonchalant way he said that, taking in the world around him and seeing all the angered faces staring back towards the Uchiha prodigy, well all except one face. No, the leader of this cursed party seemed rather amused with recent developments and chose to show it through a harsh laugh.

 

“Impressive. The power of the Uchiha clan forged into a single stone…its amplifying abilities will be most useful I think.” Itachi nodded, obviously knowing he had won, and then the blood began to retreat, and he was once more left standing there holding the stone with his brother.

 

The man stepped forward, and no matter how hard Sasuke strained he still could not make out any details of his face. He figured right then and there that it must be a jutsu, and even if he saw him up close in the light there was a good chance he would never be able to identify the man, which they called Leader.

 

“A most impressive gift you've brought to us Sasuke Uchiha, but tell me, what's to stop me from taking that gift and throwing your corpse out to the wolves?” Even though he couldn't see, Sasuke knew the bastard was smirking. “After all, there's really no reason for me to keep you alive, now is there?”

 

Sasuke immediately became enguard, letting the sharingan bleed into his eyes at those traitorous words, hitting himself for everything thinking getting into the Akatsuki would be as easy as bringing a stone.

 

“Treacherous sharks!” He hissed, leaning further into the arms that had yet to recede from around him, strangely enough only trust the murderer standing behind him at the moment. He was able to take comfort in the body heat radiating from the cold being behind him, and wonder to himself how such an oxymoron could exist.

 

Bouts of laughter echoed around the hall as the Akatsuki seemed to delight in his predicament, and out of the shadows he watched as Deidara stepped forward, flipping his hair and flashing a grin. “For us to be sharks we'd have to have a fin and gills, yeah? ” He gave a laugh to himself, pointing towards the darkness in the right as if he had just realized something. “Well I suppose Kisame takes care of that part.”

 

The blue skinned man in question stepped forward, letting his enormous sword rest easily on his shoulder as he poised to strike. “What's so wrong with sharks, little Uchiha?” He gave a grin, and Sasuke really began to wonder just how many sets of pointy teeth he had. “Perhaps I should shave off some of that skin of yours to teach you some manners.”

 

In his inner turmoil of what to do, he felt the stone being slipped from between his fingers as the body behind him retreated with its prize, but not before laying a well aimed jab to the back of his neck, temporarily paralyzing his legs and sending him sprawling out on his hands and knees, panting as blinding hot pain shot up his spine.

 

“Bastard!” He growled, turning eyes full of hatred towards his brother as he slowly approached. Was this his plan? Had he intended this all along? Would he lure him here with the stone and then kill him? He wouldn't put it past the murderer, and honestly it wasn't that surprising. The only thing he was surprised about was the fact that he had let himself fall for the act. Actually, if he really thought about it he wasn't all surprised by that either.

 

“I should have known! I should have!-“ But he never got to finish what he should have done, because a well aimed kick to the stomach silenced his anger tirade, and instead of spewing out the normal curses he reserved for his brother he was spewing blood instead.

 

His insides burned as he coughed up the blood, never once noticing his brother leaning down next to him and pulling down his shirt collar, revealing the cursed mark that Orochimaru had left on the back of his neck to the entire room.

 

“This is why he is worth keeping alive. He can get in easily with the traitor, kill him, and bring back what is ours.” The leader walked forward, and as he did Itachi stepped back to his former position, allowing the man to examine Sasuke instead.

 

Sasuke almost retched as cold clammy hands touched at his mark, sending a burning sensation throughout his entire body that he had to bite back a hiss of pain just to cover. “So you allowed yourself to become a pawn, did you?...Interesting.” That hand left his curse mark to travel down his shoulder blade, finally coming up to cup his chin and tilt his head upwards so that he could stare into Sharingan eyes full of hatred. “I may just have a use for you yet.” Sasuke glared as he was lightly slapped on the cheek. “Thank your doteful sibling Uchiha, he just saved your life.”

 

The leader got to his feet, leaving Sasuke kneeling there in complete astonishment. He had said that so calmly, as if it didn't mean anything, when in all reality it meant the world. Itachi…had…saved…him. His brother, who didn't care about anything other than his own ambitions had gone out of his way to save his wretched good for nothing brother's life. The same brother who he had been playing with for the last couple weeks, torturing him to the point of madness to make him care for the one he was supposed to despise, or at least that's what Sasuke thought…but could it be? Could it be that in his own sick demented way Itachi truly cared?

 

No, that couldn't be it. There had to be another explanation. He would love to believe that every kiss and touch Itachi had bestowed upon him had meant something, but he couldn't lie to himself in such a way. He had to have an agenda. Itachi always had an agenda. The last time he had let himself believe that his brother cared for him he had ended up walking in on him slicing their parents to bits.

 

Feeling more than a little vulnerable from his position on the floor, Sasuke warily got to his feet, not failing to notice the masses seeming to crowd in around him. “What exactly is my use?” He asked with disdain. “I didn't exactly come here to be your errand boy.”

 

“No, you came here to join the Akatsuki, which is exactly what you'll do if you succeed.” Sasuke's heart skipped a beat as the words he had been hoping for were uttered. Could he really get into the Akatsuki? Could he really have a chance in fulfilling his mission? He knew from what was going on around him that Orochimaru was involved, and if what he had ascertained from his brother was correct it meant his death sentence.

 

“So you want me to kill him, is that it?” The younger Uchiha asked, trying to sound confident and enthusiastic about such a task even though he'd rather bite off his own tongue than ever go around that snake again.

 

The leader laughed, shaking his head back and forth in the dark. “You say that like it's that easy.” He muttered patronizingly. “Orochimaru's village is infested with thousands of ninjas, not to mention the fortitude surrounding it is impeccable and as loathe as I am to admit it Orochimaru has become a vexing opponent…far beyond the skill level of someone such as yourself.”

 

Sasuke bit back the tirade of curses that wanted to leave his mouth at being so openly ridiculed, and instead focused on insulting him back. “But aren't you the legendary Akatsuki…shouldn't getting into Orochimaru's fortress be a piece of cake?” He said snidely, noticing how the shadows in the dark continued to creep closer.

 

“Of course it would be, but such a battle would alert certain villages of our presence, and we can't allow that to happen…not yet at least.” Certain villagers? So did that mean he didn't want the ninja villages to know they were making their move? If that was the case using discretion with Orochimaru's assassination would do the exact trick in keeping things under wrap, and who better to use discretion than the one that disgusting snake has been trying to get to come to him for over a year?

 

“I'll do it.” Sasuke said simply, noticing how a certain presence was getting closer and closer to his flank. He stood there wearily, knowing that if one of them decided to attack he would have no means whatsoever of defending himself.

 

“Confident, are we? That seems to be a trait both you and your brother share, but I'm not so confident in your abilities…not yet anyways…but with some training.” The leader placed his finger on his chin, an action, Sasuke noticed, he seemed to do whenever he was strategizing. “Yes, with proper training I could have you ready in a few months time.” A few months? “Sasori!” Leader called into the darkness, and almost instantly the strange redhead seemed to appear in front of him.

 

The leader gave a nod of approval, and his head turned towards his brother, shooting him an evil smirk before once more turning towards the redhead. “I want you to train the boy. Do whatever you can to get him ready to face off against Orochimaru…and I don't want to tell you what should happen if he fails, understood?”

 

He watched Sasori nod, before once more disappearing into the darkness to probably reclaim his position by Deidara's side, and Sasuke couldn't help the wave of disappointment that washed over him at knowing that it wouldn't be Itachi that would train him, but some stranger. Albeit, the stranger probably had phenomenal skills, as did all members of the Akatsuki, but he still couldn't get over those same feelings he had as a child where he wanted nothing more than his aniki to take him out and help him improve his skills. In some ways he thought he would never quite get over it, even if the skills that Itachi taught him might be the same ones he used to murder him some day. He also couldn't help but be curious about the look Leader had shot towards his brother, it was almost as if he were intentionally trying to get under his skin with the decision of who was to train him.

 

“Zetsu!” He was brought out of his thoughts as yet another name was called, and this time a man…no it couldn't be a man, and monster seemed to appear from behind him. Sasuke stared with wide eyes at the green skinned thing that looked more like a plant than an actual human being, yet he knew for certain that plants rarely had faces as angry as the one he was left gaping at.

 

“Itachi if I were you I'd tell your little brother it's rude to stare…otherwise I just might stop feeling so courteous and rip his eyeballs out.” Gulping, Sasuke did his best to wipe the stupid look that was no doubt on his face away. These Akatsuki weren't exactly friendly people. Since he had been here he had been almost strangled, threatened to be de-skinned, and now he was at risk of losing his eyes. He would hate to see what would happen to him if he actually did something to make them mad…he shuddered to think of the consequences.

 

His brother didn't say anything, only looking coldly over at Zetsu as the man scoffed at the distant assassin. “Did you hear me, Uchiha, I said-”

 

“I heard perfectly well what you said, but seeing as how I'm not his keeper if you want him to do something I suggest you ask him yourself.” Itachi calmly stated, and yet the eyes he shot towards Zetsu were enough to tell anyone that that statement was anything but calm. As a matter of fact it said quite clearly that if he didn't drop the matter he would very soon be dead. …Sasuke always hated when Itachi gave him those looks, even when they were younger it had been the one sure way he would get him to tremble….now he had new methods entirely.

 

“Now now boys, how many times have I told you to try to be civil?” Leader's voice asked, and Sasuke was for once glad for the distraction. “Zetsu take Sasuke to his room for the time being,” That devilish smirk fell in place yet again. “I have no doubt you'll find the accommodations to your liking.”

 

Sasuke wasn't allowed to ponder the odd mocking tone he said that with, because the next thing he knew two strong arms rapped around him, and he found himself being pulled forcibly towards a plant like chest.

 

Struggling against his restraints, the Uchiha managed to head butt Zetsu in the chin, making the man temporarily release him of his bondage so that he could make his mistake. What he hadn't counted on, however, were the two humongous leaf like blades that seemed to stick out of Zetsu's back to come down around, enveloping his body and closing him in a make-shift prison, complete with sticky residue so that he couldn't even come close to moving a single limb. It was as if…it was as if he had been eaten by a venus flytrap!

 

Enveloped in his dark cocoon, his senses were waning, but he could definitely tell he was being moved. He tried to twist his body, anything to get some movement, but the more he twisted the more the sticky substance spread around and he ended up even more stuck.

“Let me the fuck out of here!” He screamed, coming to the conclusion that if yelling didn't work screaming would. If he could just get his hands to move he could burn his way out of this, but alas, one hand was stuck above his head while the other was twisted in a painful angle off to the side.

 

He screamed for what seemed like five minutes straight, and just as he was about to except his fate of being plant fodder, his hand found his side pocket where his hidden kunai lay. His fingers had just closed around the hilt when the mouth opened, and he was unceremoniously spit out onto the floor.

 

Sasuke stumbled to get his footing, pulling the kunai out of his pocket as he did so, and in his stumbling nearly managed to plunge it straight into the heart of the body standing in front of him…Itachi's heart.

 

His breath quickened as his brother easily caught the blade, stopping the near fatal impact as if it were child's play. “You should be more careful Otouto, somebody could get hurt.”

 

That said Itachi ripped the kunai from his hand, all the while wrapping one hand around his waist and spinning them around so that their positions were reversed and now he was the one with the kunai at his heart.

 

The younger Uchiha let out a gasp as the blade dug in, piercing all the way through the shirt and down into the skin, letting a small trail of blood fall and ruin the cotton material. “Welcome to your new home...” His brother said, and then time seemed to stop as he brought the blade up again, slashing it across, and if Sasuke didn't know any better he was sure he had just seen his death, but it didn't come. He felt a pressure on his forehead as the blade was drawn across, and without even having to look he knew that he had slashed through the symbol of the hidden leaf. “Traitor of Konoha.” Itachi finished, and with that he gave a shove to the younger's chest, leaving him spiraling backwards so that he fell to the hard cement floors.

 

He looked up to yell at his brother for his constant bastardly treatment, but at that moment steal bars closed in front of his eyes, and he realized right then and there just where he was. “A cell?” He asked, not being able to keep the disgust out of his voice. “You can't keep me in here! I'm not a prisoner!”

 

Itachi stared him down, not at all fazed by his tantrum as Sasuke banged on the bars. “You are until you can defeat Orochimaru and recover the ring from his lifeless finger…only then can call yourself an Akatsuki.” Itachi turned then, disappearing with his teammate in the darkness as he left him alone…to rot away in the cell he would now have to call his home.

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A.N- I did an update! I did an update! (dances happily around) YAY! I'm really happy with how the story is progressing, and I'm so happy to write the Akatsuki into the story…because after Naruto Shippuden how could you not love Deidra and Sasori? I hope you like the smut…and look forward to the next chapter where Sasuke gets back at him for leaving him all hot and bothered…mwwhahhahaa!

 

Thank you so much to my beta myownlife and to Dembo who helped me with some of the plot details!!!! Luv yas!

 

AND thank you for the reviews I've received so far, and I hope to see more! My friend always tells me I'm a review whore, and I suppose I am…so give them to me! Lol!