Naruto Fan Fiction / Naruto Shippuden Fan Fiction ❯ The Never Played Symphonies ❯ Manipulations ( Chapter 29 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The Never Played Symphonies

Chapter 29: Manipulations

“What are you doing Sasuke?” A familiar voice asked, the cheerful yet brash presence not what he was expecting in his mind. “Training with Itachi to destroy the Leaf? This is what you've come to? He killed everyone you've ever loved Sasuke, remember?”

“Shut up Naruto.” He told the blond, stuck in the world of red chakra. “You're not real. You're dead.”

“Sasuke…” Naruto said, voice almost sad. “They're your family. They're our family. It's his vendetta, not yours.” He told him, and Sasuke glanced up to find his friend sitting atop the beast. “He's playing you again. He always does.” He reminded him, voice stressed and pained. “He's using you Sasuke. Think about it. Think about what he did, and then ask yourself if any of that was by accident?”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. If Naruto was asking this, did this mean his inner mind was asking this? Was he really questioning what had happened between him and his brother? Another wave of chakra overtook him then, splashing him around in his mind as he gave the fox more control. Itachi had told him not to use his eyes. He wanted to see just how strong the Kyuubi was without it. He told him to give it control. It felt like his body was being ripped to pieces. That is until he had found himself here, in the heart of his mind with Naruto waiting for him.

“I'm seeing you out of guilt, or because there are still traces of you left in the Kyuubi's essence.” He murmured, trying to sort this out.

“You're seeing me because I'm trying to help you Sasuke.” Naruto stressed. “He's using you. You really think it would have taken him six months to find you Sasuke? Do you really think he would have right after I made my mistake?”

“You raped me.” Sasuke bit out, body trembling in pain as another wave passed through him. It felt like it was trying to rip him from this existence and force him back into that tumultuous body.

“I'll never forgive myself for that.” Naruto whispered, head hanging low. “But I'm not going to leave you with this monster.”

“I don't suppose you have a choice on either matter.” Sasuke murmured, voice cold. “You're dead and burned.” It was all his fault. Naruto was the only one he had wanted to save from the Leaf, and he had failed.

“Oh Sasuke.” Naruto said then, voice almost a plea. “Why would you trust him on that?”

“On what?” Sasuke asked then, seeing the hound dog expression on Naruto's face. “On what Naruto!?” He asked, before he was hit by a wave of red chakra, rushing full back into the fight.

Sasuke's consciousness rushed back into his body to find himself over Itachi, chakra flaring so much around them that the air was crackling with red electric current. Itachi was speaking but he couldn't hear the words. The power rushing through him was deafening. His teeth had latched onto Itachi's shoulder, ripping through the flesh there as Itachi continued to speak. No, he wasn't just speaking, he was chanting.

“No.” Sasuke hissed, recognizing the words. “Not yet...not yet!” His voice was animalistic, cruel as his teeth ripped in deeper, hand extending with claws about to rip out Itachi's heart. ...If it was actually there. As he was about to slam down the diadem slammed in around his head. He screamed as the massive load of chakra fought with the seal, trying to force in all of that power. “No!” He yelled, fighting it, clawing towards Itachi's face as the other kept chanting. He made the mistake of meeting his eyes then, the mangekyo drawing him in as everything went quiet. He froze in his savagery, locked within that gaze. Itachi made it very clear to him before they started that he wouldn't be in any danger. This must be what he meant.

Itachi finished chanting, the diadem draining him of his power as the tails retreating. “Good boy.” He mocked breathlessly, panting. His shoulder was bloody and he had to be hurting, but Sasuke couldn't do more than focus on those eyes. “That got a little messy. Two tails is no problem...three tails is a different story. I'll have to figure something else out before we go to four.” Itachi's hand cupped his face, keeping Sasuke locked in his eyes. “You started to lose your form completely. I couldn't have that. I think with the use of your sharingan you should be able to control it. Where did you go?”

Sasuke thought of Naruto, watching Itachi frown as he did. Oh yeah...that. Ever since he had begun wearing the ring all of the time it would seem he was even less able to keep things away from Itachi then he used to be. Itachi had told him it was for the best as they trained him. Sasuke didn't mind so much, it's not like they had any secrets anyways. “Let me go?” Sasuke asked him, watching the frown grow more and more on Itachi's face.

“Why should I?” His brother hissed. “He's in your head?” He asked him, staring up at Sasuke in disgust. “That corner of your mind that should only be mine?”

Sasuke shook his head in denial, seeing Itachi's ire. “No. Not that place...different.” He managed, Itachi's eyes the only thing keeping him conscious. “He's with the Kyuubi.” He whispered. `Tachi...let me go?”

He stared into sharingan eyes, pleading with his brother. Itachi finally sighed in disgust, releasing him as Sasuke collapsed onto his chest, the diadem fully in place and holding the Kyuubi back. “Itachi…” He managed, face buried in his chest. “How bad was it?”

“I almost lost control of you.” Itachi admitted. “We have to move. There's no way someone didn't sense it with that much chakra. You're more powerful than I ever suspected.” His voice was hollow, far away. He was angry.

“He's dead Itachi…” Sasuke managed, forcing himself to remain conscious enough to tell him this. “You can't be jealous of a dead man.”

Itachi sighed then, and Sasuke felt his arms tighten around him. “Go to sleep Otouto. This doesn't need to be discussed any further. We'll keep you out of your head from now on. It'll be better practice anyways.” Sasuke wanted to argue, but he couldn't fight it anymore. He couldn't stay….

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

“This is a disaster!” Kakashi's eyes snapped open at the yell, hearing arguing coming out from beyond the door. After the disaster that was Naruto's rescue mission, he had become imprisoned in this place. Being the Akatsuki's bitch had never been his intention, but if he did finally manage his escape he would have more than enough to inform the Leaf Village on how to fight them. The Uchiha brothers had somehow managed to decimate the organization. He didn't know if it was planned, but from the slew of angry voices he would assume not. Over the months of being there he had managed to identify quite a few. He of course knew the two he had been fighting, Deidara and Sasori. They were amongst the angriest over the course of actions leading to this. There were a few others that he hadn't seen the faces of, but had started to refer to in code names. `The gambler' `The schizophrenic' ...then there was a different voice. It had been on the battlefield the day Shikamaru and Sakura had died. The masked man. He almost seemed like two people sometimes.

At first he had thought it were two different people, because the severity of differences was hard to place. He could be almost child like at times, and then, like out in the battle, he had taken control. Itachi Uchiha had even listened to him. Was he their Leader? Was it all just a clever rouse? No. If it was, then why play act while around other members? Surely they were aware of who he was? There's no way everyone could be in the dark.

“How have you not found him yet?” Sasori barked. “Your clay drones can span distances Dei!” Kakashi listened, the voice livid on the other side.

“They can!” The blond snapped at his partner. “Don't be a stick in my ass Sasori-danna, or I won't let your stick in my ass anymore! I know you're worried about him alone with Itachi. I get it! But he made his choices!” They were fighting. These two never fought. Of all the groups of partners they were the strongest pairing. “He left `us', remember? ...and we let Itachi fool us about just whose idea this all was.”

What? Itachi's plan? Itachi had been one of the very first to join the organization, so why? “Sasuke is loyal to a fault. He doesn't know that Itachi was the one to lead the Leaf nin to our stronghold.” Sasori grumbled, and Kakashi's eyes widened in surprise. No. But why would he?

“What did Itachi want with the kyuubi anyways?” Deidara grumbled. “He knew the plan with the Jinchuriki. What good does one of them do him?” He heard Sasori scoff in reply. “Yeah yeah...who ever knows why that bastard does the things he does, yeah?” He remarked. “You have to wonder what he's told Sasuke about any of this?”

“Knowing Itachi…” Sasori mused. “Nothing but lies. If my protege actually knew his own brother, he would have never abandoned us for him.”

“It's a pity.” Deidara grumbled, voice wistful. “I miss my sparky.” He almost pouted. “I miss the place this used to be. We lost Kisame, Sasuke, and now Itachi. We couldn't take another Jinchuriki if we wanted to right now.”

Kakashi's mind was rushing with the possibilities of what that might mean. The Akatsuki was weak right now. If Konoha could only be informed, they could crush them. They would be rid of them forever.

“Who knows?” Sasori asked. “I suspect we won't have to wait long for the Uchiha's plan to be revealed. Itachi may know what he's doing, but he's never been able to completely control Sasuke. Let's hope Sasuke is protecting our asset.”

“And if he's not?” Deidara asked. “Are we going to kill him?” He sounded almost worried about that. Just who were these two to Sasuke?

“If he doesn't give us another choice we may have to.” Were the last words Kakashi heard before they moved down the hall. Just what was Itachi planning? What did it have to do with Naruto?

,,,,,,,,,,

Sasuke woke up to the sound of waves, shifting to find himself in an actual bed. His eyes blinked open to find a ceiling fan above him. Hadn't they been in a cave? He sat up, sleep tousled spikes falling into his face as he wiped them away. “Where are we?” He asked, sensing his brother's presence in the room.

“The Land of Waves. It's one of Kisame's hideouts...don't suppose he'll be needing it anymore.” Itachi murmured, sitting over by the window.

“Isn't that a little dangerous?” Sasuke asked, rubbing at his eyes as he glanced around the cabin. “They could look here.”

“But they won't.” Itachi assured him. “What do you remember about the fight?”

“You told me not to use my eyes...and then it gets fuzzy.” Sasuke got out of the bed, finding himself in a dark yukata as he padded his way towards Itachi. “Did I kick your ass?” He asked the other, pushing his way onto his lap, trying to ignore how stiff and far away Itachi seemed to be.

“I controlled the situation.” Itachi murmured, not looking at him yet. Though that didn't stop his hands from traveling up. One rested on Sasuke's hips while the other gripped his ass. “It drains you. You were out for a week.”

“A week?” Sasuke asked, surprised. “All from the fourth tail?” He mused. “We can't do that again. We have to be more careful.”

“Worried about me Otouto?” Itachi murmured, still staring at the water. Something was going on with him, but he couldn't remember what. “I can take care of myself.”

“Forgive me for being a little scared that you couldn't handle the kyuubi all on your own.” He murmured sarcastically. “Niisan, what else happened?” He asked, drawing Itachi's face to his own. “What?” Itachi's grip on him tightened when they finally locked eyes, before he looked away. Sasuke wasn't surprised. He knew Itachi hated looking into his green eye. He sighed in frustration. “So you're in one of these moods? ...Great. Let me up...this is pointless.”

“What is?” Itachi asked, grip tightening even more. “Enlighten me with your vast knowledge Otouto.”

“Whatever is up your ass Itachi!” Sasuke snapped at him. “I did what you asked and you're pissed at me for it! I don't remember what I did Itachi so fuck off!” He pushed on his chest to try to wriggled off, Itachi's arms wrapping fully around him. “Let go!”

“Stop lying to me!” Itachi growled. “Just because you pretend to not remember why I'm angry, doesn't mean you don't.”

“Stay out of my head!” Sasuke snapped at him, grabbing for the ring to yank it off, only to freeze as Itachi's eyes flooded with the sharingan and red hot anger.

“Don't.” Was the command, making Sasuke freeze. “Don't you dare.” Sasuke's blood ran cold as he watched his brother, death in his eyes with that one command.

“What is this ring Itachi?” He asked then, voice still, making himself calm as he asked. “What did you do?” Itachi pushed him off his lap then, heading towards the kitchen. “Don't you just walk away from me!” Sasuke yelled, following him. “Tell me what it is. Now!” He demanded, hand wrapped around it in a threat.

“I dare you Otouto.” Itachi threatened while pouring two drinks. “Try it.” He turned around, holding the glass out to his brother. “Can we be civil now?”

“You're such an asshole.” Sasuke growled, hand dropping from his finger. He was far too scared to find out just what the consequences of his actions would be. He had learned all too well what came from pissing Itachi off. “Nothing you `ever' do is about me...it's all some hidden agenda.” He shook his head, grabbing for the glass as he downed it. “How can you expect me to help you if you don't trust me?”

“I trust you.” Itachi assured him. “That ring makes me trust you. So leave it.” He said dispassionately. “I'm training you to be the strongest shinobi that has ever existed. Either accept my tutelage, and everything that it entails, or take off that ring and figure out just who in your life I can kill next.” He threatened, using the bottle to pour Sasuke more.

Sasuke watched him pour, eyes locked with his brother's. “All of your gifts come with heavy prices, don't they Aniki?” He asked him, locked in place with the threat. He couldn't tear off the ring, no matter how much he might want to. “I'll keep the ring on.” He conceded. “And you'll keep your dick in your pants.” He hissed, up turning the glass and holding it out for another one. Itachi poured, one eyebrow raised as to where Sasuke was going with this. “I'm ready to see Deidara.” They had agreed that he would be easiest to infiltrate. Sasori always managed to see through him way too easy.

“No.” Itachi said. “I'll go as you. You can serve as back up.” Sasuke bristled at that, anger lighting up his eyes. “Don't throw a temper tantrum.” Itachi warned. “If he decides to attack you can't defend yourself.”

“I could if you took this damn thing off of my head!” Sasuke screamed. “It's not like I'm going to try and attack you! Why am I still being held prisoner?”

“You lost control. You're not ready yet.” Itachi snapped back.

“Deidara hates you.” Sasuke argued. “He'll know you're not me, and it will ruin everything.” He snapped. “This isn't about me being defenseless, this is your crazy jealousy shit! Why don't you want me to talk to him Itachi!?” His eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What did you do?”

“They'll lie to you.” Itachi said, sipping at his own drink.

“So?” Sasuke asked. “You lie to me all the time.” He poured another drink, feeling heat in his cheeks that came from more than just anger. “Like now for instance. Deidara is my friend.”

“Deidara is a puppet. He's not worthy to call himself your friend.” Itachi shot back with. “This is about us Sasuke, not them. They're our servants.”

“You're delusional. Like normal.” Sasuke grumbled as he finished his drink. “We had a plan Itachi, and until our fight you were okay with the plan.” He changed tactics, anger not getting him anywhere. “I'm sorry about Naruto. I don't know why he was in my head Aniki.” He whispered, getting closer. “I like just you in my head.”

Itachi watched him for a moment, eyes scanning him. “I thought you wanted my dick to stay in my pants Otouto? Do you really think I can be played so easily?” He asked. “You're not that good.”

Sasuke chucked his drink at Itachi's head, not surprised when it was dodged. “Lying heartless asshole!” He yelled, sick of these hot and cold episodes. “Don't say shit like that to me.”

“Why? Because you think you're the best I've ever had?” Itachi goaded him, unconcerned with the broken glass. “You've gotten better. I'll admit that to your misplaced ego, but for the first few years you were...well...untrained.” Itachi got closer, not seeming to be concerned by the fact that the diadem on his head was vibrating. “That first time in your apartment, you laid there like a dead fish. I'll say one thing about Sai, at least he knew what he was doing.”

Sasuke flew at him then, Itachi ducking just before his face was struck, using his hand to strike the back of his neck and send him to the ground. “Bastard! Don't mention him! Not ever!” He got up onto his hands and knees as Itachi crouched down in front of him.

“Don't start that again.” Itachi mused, grabbing Sasuke's chin. “Your ego tends to get the best of you Otouto. Don't whore yourself out to me because you want something. I can see right through it. I taught you every sexual move that you know. I taught you how to suck cock. I taught you how ride me.” He murmured darkly, and Sasuke hated the way his dick twitched in his yukata. “I taught you that move you're so proud of that you do with your tongue. I taught you the way to relax and take all those filthy things inside of you.” He husked, making Sasuke blush. “I taught you how to seduce me. You've never had anyone else.” Itachi's hand clenched then as Sasuke's mind flashed to Naruto. “I wish I could rip it from you.” Itachi growled.

“My memories?” Sasuke whispered between them, not fighting when Itachi pulled on him until he crawled in his lap, parting and opening the yukata.

“What else?” Itachi asked. “He's in your head...no matter how much you claim he's not.” He drew the material down off Sasuke's shoulder, the other sitting calmly on his lap. Sasuke watched Itachi as he undressed him.

“He didn't give me any training, if that's what's worrying you.” He said, building up the walls around himself from Itachi's earlier comments. “It was really more of an in and out experience. It was never the way I pictured it with him.” He said quietly as Itachi threw the yukata across the room.

“How so?” Itachi asked, fury thinly veiled under the surface as his eyes roamed Sasuke's body.

“I've never had sex with anyone before. Topping I mean. When I came to Naruto...I thought I would.” He was angry with Itachi, and despite what his brother might think, he did know how to hurt him.

“Is that something you desire Sasuke?” Itachi asked, using his name with thin lipped anger. “To fuck me?”

Sasuke's cock pulsed at just the words, reaching down to palm Itachi's cock, finding it soft between his legs. He knitted his eyebrows, the fantasy fading a little. “No. I wanted to fuck him.” He moved to get up, but Itachi grabbed his hips in a vice like grip preventing him from moving.

“What's wrong dear Otouto?” He asked him, slamming Sasuke backwards onto the ground, splaying him open as he grabbed his thighs and stretched them out as far as they would go, leaving nothing to the imagination. “Do you really think that after three years of having you I would get turned on by just seeing you?” He asked cruelly. “The power that you have over me has very little to do with sex. I enjoy fucking you...dominating you...controlling you.” Itachi admitted. “But the novelty of it all has faded. I wanted you Sasuke, but having you so many times has become...redundant.” He told him, Sasuke beginning to fight underneath him as Itachi held him easily. Silent tears slipped down Sasuke's face as Itachi watched, effectively tearing out his heart even more. “What? Tears? I told you I'd keep you...that you were enough for me, but your tactics are far less effective than they once were.” He said calmly as he decimated the body underneath him. “Don't whore yourself out to me again.” Itachi hissed. “You think you can get Deidara, then do it.”

Sasuke curled in around himself as Itachi got up, trying to control the shaking of his body as the sobs wracked through him as the door shut. He hated him. He hated how Itachi knew the exact words to destroy him. He hated the fact that he let him time and time again. He felt dirty on the floor of the person Itachi had killed for him's hideout. He felt used up as Itachi had all but told him so. How could he keep Itachi when the other was bored? How could he keep him when he had all but told him that he only kept him around to control him? Control what? The Kyuubi? His sharingan? The last traces of himself? If that were true then why had he given him the ring with part of his soul? Why had he made him think any different? Itachi never care about what Sasuke really thought of him. He had always let him see the worst in him. So why? Why if he was just going to get tired of him? Don't whore himself out? Is that what he thought he was doing? He opened bleary eyes, staring at the ring on his finger. He had known he was whoring himself out, because he had read it right out of his mind. His thoughts were Itachi's now. All of them. The ring had come at a steep price, and yet he had taken it like a lovesick schoolgirl. He hadn't even hesitated.

Itachi had put him in a beyond vulnerable position, and then had slipped something on his finger that gave him ultimate control over him. His body was Itachi's...his soul was Itachi's...and now so was his mind. He knew his every thought. He knew if he was planning to betray him. He knew everything. The very level of control was sickening, and Sasuke felt bile rise up his esophagus as he made a rush to the bathroom, barely managing to empty his stomach contents. Of course this had come at a price. Everything Itachi gave him did. Even his love.

Sasuke showered, dressing quickly as he went to find Itachi. He had had two more panic attacks in the shower, but had somehow managed to find himself, knowing it was doing little good to freak out. He sheathed his sword behind his back, heading outside to find Itachi on the dock staring out into the ocean. He came up behind him then, hesitating before he grabbed his arm to turn him around. Itachi looked...sad.

“I don't like it Itachi.” He said, ignoring his brother's peculiar expression. “I don't want you always in my head. You can turn it off.”

“I can.” Itachi agreed. “I don't want to.” He admitted. “I hadn't wanted to hurt you.”

“You did.” Sasuke bit out immediately. “You always do...anytime I'm happy you do this.” He watched his brother. “Is that why?” He asked. “You read in my head how much I was crazy for you, and decided you needed to bring me down a notch?” He shook his head, pain from before coming back a hundredfold. “I'm not forcing you to sleep with me.” He said, trying to keep his voice from trembling. “I'm not forcing you Itachi!” He yelled at him then, sickened at the thought. “Go sleep with other people then!” He screamed. “I don't care!” In that moment, he didn't. Not with how Itachi had ripped him down. “I will not be boring for you!”

Itachi watched him, listening to his rant. “Go get Deidara. We'll speak when you get back.” His voice was cruel, but the look didn't seem to meet his eyes. That same sad expression was still there. “If you can succeed, maybe my dick will even get hard enough to put inside you.”

Sasuke flinched as if slapped. “Why are you doing this!?” He yelled again. “Why?” Sasuke felt stripped down to the bone with the amount of emotional sabotage Itachi put him through.

“Because I'm sick of your whining.” He snapped. “Now get out of my sight.” Sasuke shook his head, feet not seeming to work when his head told him to go.

“Why? Is this because of Naruto?” He asked him. “He was in my head once and you do this to us?”

“What us?” Itachi asked, staring at Sasuke like he was the most pathetic creature alive. “I made a mistake by relying on you. When you're old enough to not throw wanting to fuck your rapist in my face anymore, maybe I'll begin to respect you again.”

“I was only saying that to…”

“I know why you were saying it.” Itachi snapped back at him. “I want you to know something Sasuke. What happened between you and Naruto...what he did to you...it's not something I want thrown in my face everytime we fight.” He said. “It isn't something I want our sex life compared to. I don't want to know that you wanted him, or that you came when he fucked you.” Itachi stepped forward, grabbing Sasuke's shoulders. “Getting myself to be able to touch you again was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, because I can't look at you without seeing him! You don't bore me Sasuke, how could you?” He asked. “You let me do anything I want to you. You have no boundaries. You're trained exactly the way I want you to be...but that was before someone touched you.” He squeezed Sasuke then, shaking him. “How could you still be thinking of him!? How!?”

“Because I loved him. He was my best friend.” Sasuke whispered. “He was there for me when you never were. He was a part of my life that you just stripped away. It isn't unreasonable for me to have thoughts about him.” He reached out, arms wrapping around Itachi's neck as he pulled him close, their eyes locked. “Itachi? Why did it take you six months to find me?”

Itachi blinked at that, focusing in on Sasuke's face. “Because you hid yourself.”

“I had the necklace. You could have taken it from my head at any time. You probably did.” He pointed out. “You waited...You waited until something happened between us.” Sickness struck him then, entire body stiffening as he realized it. “You waited until I slept with him so that you had a reason to…” His head swam at the realization. “You waited until I slept with him so that you had a reason to kill him that I wouldn't blame you for. You wanted to rip out the Kyuubi, and keep me.” His eyes were flickering rapidly as he studied Itachi's face. “You played me.”

“You're easy to play.” Itachi admitted quietly. “But no. I never intended for him to have sex with you.” He told him, keeping hold on him, but Sasuke wasn't planning on running. “Don't do anything stupid Sasuke. We have a plan. Don't mess it up for your sense of justice.” His lips pressed to Sasuke's chin. “My perfect avenger…”

Itachi didn't even seem surprised by the slap that came next. Sasuke watched him lick the blood from his lips, eyes sad and wanting. “You're such a bastard.” He pulled himself away then. “You lie so often I can't even begin to put together the truth. Today you've told me so many falsehoods, ripping through every layer of my defenses until this.” He motioned around them. “Whatever is going on with you, I don't care. I'm going to get Deidara and drag him into this shit storm you've created. Decide by then if you still want me, and maybe I'll do the same. Take the diadem off.”

“No.” Itachi denied, tossing Sasuke a vial. “Use this. It'll incapacitate even him. We don't want to show them what's inside of you Sasuke. Not yet.”

“You want me to go there defenseless? Where they want to kill me?” He asked, just to make sure he understood his brother.

“No. If you remember I wanted to go in your place.” He reminded him. “You think you're ready, then go Otouto.” He dismissed. “You never listen anyways.”

“I'm not your damn trained dog Itachi.” He hissed at him through clenched teeth. “I'll see you when I get back.” He murmured, taking off in a run, hurt by Itachi even through his stubbornness and anger.

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

Sasuke crept up to the cabin. He remembered it well. It was the place during his first few months at the Akatsuki that he had stumbled upon Deidara and Sasori. Back then...when it was all new. When he was young and didn't realize just how cruel Itachi could be. It was the night before he manipulated him into killing Orochimaru...and Sasori. Back when Itachi wanted him...or so he thought. Who actually knew with his brother? He peered inside the window, careful to mask his presence. It was easier, not that he would ever admit it to Itachi, but the diadem blocked his chakra. He was able to hide in plain sight.

They were there, just like he thought they would be. He had gotten used to the exact night Deidara disappeared every week, and he didn't think that would change with his absence. His eyes roamed over the bodies in the bed, heart clenching at seeing them again. Had they missed him? Had they even thought about him?

Deidara groaned under the sheets, his hand biting at a pillow as Sasori thrust inside. He knew he should feel guilty, but with all the times Deidara had seen him having sex he found it almost fitting. This voyeurism had once led to Itachi killing for him. His hand twitched on the window. Would he now? He didn't know which story hurt worst, Itachi being bored with him or disgusted. Either way he had made it very obvious he didn't want Sasuke around. Sasuke shook his head, dispelling the treacherous thoughts. He was all but defenseless right outside the stronghold of the Akatsuki, he couldn't get distracted now.

He held his breath, watching them finish before he moved to the door, being bold enough to push it open. If they were going to kill him they would, why wait for them to be decent? He prepared himself with a kunai as they jumped up at the interruption, keeping his mismatched eyes hard as he met theirs. At seeing them again he felt a prick of longing in his heart. He missed it...being here...being with them. “Sasori-sensi...Dei...sorry to interrupt.” He murmured, smirking and winking at the blond.

Deidara's eyes widened as he sat up in the bed, sheets pooling at his hips. Sasuke's body roamed over the various scars, at the blond trail leading below the sheet. “What's up Sparky? Checking to see if the carpets match the drapes?” He whistled. “Damn you got some balls, yeah?” He asked him. “What the hell are you doing here kid?”

Sasori's eyes roamed over him as well as he pulled a robe over his form. “You know, there are orders to kill you on site.” He murmured, getting out of the bed, fingers roaming once more through Deidara's long hair. “Yet you come here of all places, to us. Why? Did you think we would show you some sympathy?”

“Because you know I didn't kill Kisame.” He said. “My brother did.” They had planned this, Itachi making him say the words over and over again. “He's the traitor. He let them in. He let Naruto out of his cage. I had no choice but to go after the Kyuubi.”

“Yeah I'm sure you were real broken up over it.” Deidara murmured, glaring. “You betrayed us. You betrayed me.” Sasuke's eyes flickered over at that, hearing the actual hurt in his voice.

“And now you're here with your brother's voice on your lips.” Sasori murmured. “Saying the words he coached you to say without actually realizing they are true.” Sasuke's eyes flickered towards him. “Itachi did invite the Leaf Shinobi in. He wanted you to free your friend. Did you know that?”

“I just told you I did.” He said, keeping it together.

“Yes, but did you actually know it?” Sasori asked right back, causing Deidara to chuckle.

“Obviously not Sasori-danna, look at his face.” Deidara put his hair back up, revealing for a moment the eye he had stolen. “He has that hurt puppy dog face he always does when Itachi is mean to him.”

“Shut up Dei!” Sasuke hissed at him, anger flaring to the surface. “I didn't come here to talk about Itachi.”

“He's all you ever talk about though, so somehow I don't believe you, yeah?” Deidara asked him. “He played you like a fiddle kid, and you sucked his dick the entire time he did.” He pointed to him. “You're the epitome of pathetic, and what? Now you're running back to us? What do you have to offer?”

“Besides my pretty face?” He asked, trying to keep his voice calm, to build his walls. “Itachi sent me here to recruit the two of you.” He told them. “Actually, just Deidara. He didn't think Sasori-sensei would join without some...persuasion.” He watched Deidara's eye narrow, seeing his hand go beneath the sheet to where he no doubt kept his clay pouch. “Don't worry. I'm not going to. You see he sent me here to teach me a lesson, but I plan to teach him one.” He pointed to his forehead. “Do you recognize this?”

They both glanced at it, and Deidara began to laugh. “Sparky has got himself a collar. Such a good little bitch to your master, aren't you?” Sasuke rolled his eyes at that. “Oh what? You think you're anything different to him? He presented you as his pet when he asked for you to be let in. He told Leader that you would provide him entertainment, and if Orochimaru killed you..well then waste not want not, because you'd be out of his system.” Deidara said. “Didn't you ever wonder why the Akatsuki treated you like you were a pathetic whore? It's because that's all he ever acknowledged you as.” Deidara smirked. “Starting from when he volunteered to start sleeping with you as a way to get the Kyuubi.”

That drew Sasuke back, making his stomach clench. “What?” He remembered the forest, the way Itachi had played on his biggest fears. The way he had touched him without any hesitation. “You're lying.”

“I'm really not Sparky.” Deidara looked over to Sasori. “Back me up.”

Sasori shrugged. “He wasn't eager to volunteer, but we convinced him of the matter. He's manipulated you every step of the way Sasuke.” His eyes roamed down to the ring. “Even now it seems.”

“You all convinced my brother to go seduce me?” Sasuke asked, voice dull and lifeless. “It was an assignment?” He tried to push it down, to remember that they would lie. They had no reason not to.

“Yes. Not one of our prouder moments, but then again you know we've done worse. It was a surprise when he brought you here, but that was later explained with your eyes.” Sasori shrugged. “Taking one of them was the only way I could think of to help you in that regard. Deidara agreed to take one...making himself a target.” Sasori's young face looked up to Sasuke, and the Uchiha could hardly hear through the pounding of his heart. “I honestly was surprised when you believed that nonsense about the stone, as if I would ever care about Uchiha nonsense.” He murmured. “So he put you on a leash and neutered you, then he sent you here to get us to join him? Perhaps the blindness really is starting to affect his faculties, and here I thought that part was a lie.”

“What part?” Sasuke managed to get out, keeping everything inside. Even as they told him all of the worst things he could ever expect from his brother.

“His eyes are killing him, slowly. He's getting weaker. You can see it...and all those injuries he's received by your hands have brought his life expectancy down by years.” He explained.

“You're lying! You're lying about all of this. Of course you would.” He hissed at his old trainer.

“Why would I lie to you?” Sasori asked back. “Believe what you want, but I have no reason to lie. You're like a little brother to me.”

“But I'm not your brother.” Sasuke said, getting back in control. “I have only one brother, and he sent me here to recruit you. Won't you ask me why?” He said, voice dangerous as he suppressed his emotion.

“Why Sparky?” Deidara asked. “Might as well humor you. Tell us why you're helping your brother in his insane task?”

“Because I can.” Sasuke snapped. “Because I know what he is and what he's done.” He pointed to the diadem. “I know all that he's done to me, including this. Naruto is dead.” He said, watching their eyes widen in surprise. “Itachi killed him. He used the forbidden objects to extract the Kyuubi a different way. He put it inside me.” He told them, watching their faces change. “I can control it. I could kill the two of you anytime I wanted.” He pointed out.

“As soon as he removes your leash.” Deidara pointed out, taking it all in. “He made you a target.”

“He made me strong.” Sasuke corrected. “Strong enough to rule.” He watched them carefully. “There are other Jinchuuriki that we haven't extracted. He can do the same for you.” He tapped his headband. “This is for your safety alone, but I can assure you there is no power like it. We can rule the world someday.”

“And all we have to do is kiss Itachi's ring…” Deidara grumbled sarcastically. “Wake up Sparky and smell the manipulation. He put that thing inside of you...who actually knows why...but knowing him it was just another way to control you!”

Sasuke ran his hand through his spikes, the ring sparkling in the light. “No. That was something else entirely. He gave me the Kyuubi, he gave me mangekyo….all of this bullshit you're trying to feed me is all lies.” He glowered at them. “I know who Itachi is. Do you?” He asked, tilting his head as the roof broke open, Itachi appearing behind Sasori, a kunai pressed directly to the puppet's heart. “Whoops...did I forget to tell you he followed me here?” He said, letting another kunai fly directly at Deidara's hand as he reached for his bag, pinning it to the headboard. “Dei...don't. We don't want to hurt Sasori.”

“Traitorous Uchiha scum.” Deidara bit out in pain, glancing back and forth. “Get your hands off of him Itachi.”

“I have no intention to hurt Sasori.” Itachi assured him. “Though I should after all the lies you told my brother.” Itachi's eyes were locked on Sasuke's. “Didn't I tell you they'd lie to you?” He asked, and Sasuke huffed, still angry from their earlier fight.

“You told me.” Sasuke conceded. “He could kill you if he wanted to Sasori-sensei.” He assured him. “I could kill you if I wanted to.” He pointed out. “One word and Itachi can take the diadem off.”

“The kyuubi would be just as likely to kill him as me.” Sasori reminded him. “I don't buy that you taking that in that you have any control over it. Naruto did because he was a baby. No adult has ever lived through the process. Chances are your blood is being poisoned as we speak.”

“Ah...that.” Itachi said from behind Sasori. “You told my brother that you took his eye because I would take it, is that correct?” He asked him, digging the kunai around against the holdings of Sasori's heart. “You did this to turn him against me, but I think he should know the truth behind that particular manipulation.” Sasuke rose an eyebrow, green eye sparkling in the room. “Despite what it might seem like, Sasuke isn't that easy to manipulate. It took quite a few pieces for this one. Did I ever thank you Deidara?”

Deidara used his free hand, swiping his bangs away to reveal his sharingan eye. “For what Itachi?” He growled.

“You gave me a convenient out for our Leader.” He stated simply. “I knew you possessed the cursed eye, the one thing that might allow the kyuubi's poison chakra to remain inside of a body that it wasn't supposed to possess.” Sasuke's eyes widened, meeting Itachi's, knowing the confession was meant for him. “Your feelings towards my brother made it quite easy to make the switch happen, and then of course there was my darling Otouto's own martyr personality that led me to believe he would volunteer himself in my place. Of course I was out of commission at the time, but then it all worked out just the same. He got the eye, and as a result the Kyuubi isn't eating his insides. As a matter of fact because of that eye, he can go far longer with the power than Naruto Uzumaki ever could.”

Sasuke stared at Itachi, shock clear on his face. “Why didn't you tell me?” How could Itachi possibly know all those things would happen.

“Because you never cooperate right when I tell you things Sasuke.” Itachi said easily. “It's easier to allow you to think you've ever had control of your life.” Itachi actually had the gall to tell him that, and then roll his eyes at him. “So what will it be Sasori? Will you join us, or do I take the diadem off and let you watch my baby brother rip your lover to pieces?”

“You're better than this Sasuke.” Sasori said, watching his protege, as if expecting Sasuke to step in.

“He's really not...I assure you.” Itachi murmured. “Now, do we have a decision?” He asked the two of them. “Or do you really want to stay with the current leadership and go down with it in flames?”

“Pein will kill you.” Deidara pointed out. “You know he can do it.”

“The fact that you think that fool is the one that controls this Organization is adorable.” Itachi bit out. “As if he would ever be powerful enough. I had thought at least the two of you would be high enough to know the truth, but then it turns out you're just pawns.”

“What are you talking about, un?” Deidara asked him, his hand whimpering in pain as the kunai was stuck through it.

“Why would I ever tell you that?” Itachi asked. “I would get nothing in return. No, today was simply the invitation. Think on it. If you betray us and tell Pein, I'll sick Sasuke on you.”

“No. You're not his trained bitch at all.” Deidara mocked at Sasuke. “Nothing like a dog.”

“Shut up Dei.” Sasuke hissed at him, diadem vibrating with chakra as it threatened to spill over. “We came for something else today.” He held up the vial Itachi had given him. “To numb it.”

“Touch him and I'll kill you.” Sasori threatened. “I mean it Sasuke.” Sasuke sighed, drawing up the needle as he walked over to Deidara, the blond cowed by the threat on Sasori' life.

“I don't want to hurt you, but he needs that eye.” He pointed out, sticking the needle just below the eye socket and plunging it down. “It won't hurt...much.” He said the same words Deidara had spoken to him as the Akatsuki member lost consciousness. He turned just in time to see Itachi rip the heart case from Sasori's chest. Sasuke's eyes widened at that, the now lifeless puppet just a shell. “What are you doing!?”

Itachi glanced over at him. “He'd follow us. This assures he can't until Deidara wakes up.” He threw the heart across the room without any sort of compassion. “Don't look at me like that. He isn't dead. He'll be fine.”

“They hate us Itachi. They aren't any closer to following us than before.” He pointed out.

“Don't be an idiot Otouto, of course they are.” Itachi moved to Deidara. “They fear us now. They don't know quite how powerful you are yet, but I bet they have a guess.”

“Did you plan it, Itachi?” Sasuke asked him, scalpel hanging in his hand. “The whole time? Was this always the plan?”

“Yes.” Itachi answered, not looking at him.

“So killing Naruto...that was never about me?” Sasuke asked. “Killing Kisame and letting me go free...that was never an act of compassion?” He felt sick with the weight of it all. “Nothing that I've done since being here has ever been my choice, has it?”

“Some of it.” Itachi admitted, looking up at him as he spread the medical tools out on the bed. “I wasn't going to kill Naruto. Despite what your head might be thinking right now, I never wanted him to lay his hands on you.” He pulled out the first tool, dragging Deidara's head back, placing it underneath the eyelids to hold it open. “Get over it.” He said, using a scoop to plop the eye out of its socket, and then grabbing the scalpel from Sasuke to cut the nerves carefully. He placed the eye in the container they had brought. “I did what was best for us.”

Sasuke shook his head. “You did what was best for you. You made it very clear earlier that you don't give a shit about `us'” He bandaged Deidara's eye, leaving the instructions like they had planned in his pinned hand. “I'm sorry Dei...Truly I am.” He looked up at Itachi. “You got what you wanted?” He always did.

“You're angry at me.” Itachi mused. “Their lies?”

“I'm ashamed of you Itachi.” Sasuke corrected. “And don't treat me like an idiot. I know they weren't lies. Just like I know yesterday morning was. All that bullshit about being bored, about being disgusted….I saw your eyes. You were lying to push me away. To push me into this plan!” He yelled at him. “How many times have you done that Itachi!?” He yelled. “How many!?” He froze, his mind putting together something that couldn't be true. “Sai?” He asked quietly, watching Itachi stiffen. He remembered the convenient timing of it all. He remembered Itachi making sure he walked in to see them...the mission...he had been so angry at Itachi still when he released Naruto. “You sick bastard...you're evil! You really don't have a soul, do you?” He asked him, eyes wide with disgust. “I've only ever been a piece for you to move around on your chessboard!”

“Yes.” Itachi admitted. “Not my pawn though, not like them. My Queen.” He told him, watching him carefully.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better!?” Sasuke hissed. “The three years of my life have been one big game to you!” He yelled, knowing they had to get out of here. It wouldn't be too long before they were stumbled on. “You lied in every step. There was never anything real…” He said out loud, the realization suffocating.

“What I told you was real. The leaf village is responsible for our clan. I saved you. I gave you power.” Itachi stressed.

“And took everything away from me in the process.” Sasuke whispered, breath quickening in a panic attack as his diadem began to vibrate. “You even took my ability to leave you away. No one would take me now.” His chest heaved, the walls beginning to shake. “You soulless bas…”

He was never allowed to continue as the second needle was plunged into his neck, and he fell forward into Itachi's arms, hearing a faint. “Forgive me Otouto…” Before he saw nothing but black.

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