Naruto Fan Fiction / Naruto Shippuden Fan Fiction ❯ The Never Played Symphonies ❯ To Lose Your Soul ( Chapter 32 )

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

The Never Played Symphonies

Chapter 32: To Lose Your Soul

Sasuke smiled stupidly, biting his lip as he crawled up on the bed. “It's a stupid thing...to be this happy.” He said it, because Itachi had been home for over a week. He said it because they had spent the whole night in bed, just talking...amongst other things.

Itachi watched him, hands reaching to grab his hips and pull him onto his lap. “Sex makes you happy?” He asked him, and Sasuke moaned as Itachi's lips trailed down his neck.

“You make me happy.” Sasuke whispered breathlessly. “Sometimes…” He turned to meet his mouth, black nails trailing up Itachi's chest. “It's not just the sex...not all the time.” He was probably talking too much. In fact, he was definitely talking too much. “It's the way you look at me...It's the way you watch me.”

His brother raised an eyebrow, and Sasuke felt him stiffen underneath him. “I think it's time we got out of bed.” He assured him, going to push Sasuke off, but the other shoved him back.

“It's alright to feel something Aniki.” He assured him, using his hands to drag Itachi's hands up his body. “Do you feel something?” He asked seductively, leaning in to kiss him as he dragged Itachi's hands down to his ass.

He looked up from the kiss, meeting Itachi's sharingan eyes with both of his own. They did this, when they wanted to look into each other. “I feel something.” Itachi whispered, causing Sasuke to smile even more. “Sometimes too much...for you.”

Sasuke shook his head, kissing Itachi more. “Never too much...I know it's stupid Itachi, but this...just this...it's enough for me.” Even though it would never be enough for his brother.

“You're right.” Itachi murmured, gripping him and pulling him closer. “It is stupid.”

,,,,,,,,,,

Deidara coughed, blood spraying onto the dirt as he came back into consciousness. He groaned out in pain, arms wrapping around his stomach as he curled into himself. “Shittttttttt” He mumbled, forcing himself to roll up onto his knees. He looked around, trying to figure out what had happened. That last thing he had seen before he had been slashed was Tobi, and why the hell was that idiot there? “Sasuke?” He remembered, looking up towards the tree. Wherever he was, he was long gone now. “Shitttttt….” He said again, doubling over in pain as whatever had been on that sword was now deep into his bloodstream. Where was Sasuke? He couldn't have lost him. Not when he had promised to protect him. Itachi was going to kill him if whatever this was didn't first. He had to get back there. Sasori would know what it was. He always did.

He didn't know how he did it. Honestly there were times he was crawling, but he managed to make it back to the house they were squatting in. His eyesight was starting to go as his hand pressed to the door, stumbling forward and collapsing.

“Deidara?” He heard, blood gushing out of his mouth. Sasori sounded worried...he hadn't meant to worry him. “Deidara!” The words then were muffled, Itachi and Sasori exclaiming their surprise as he was grabbed. He groaned in pain as he was laid over the table, squirming as he held his stomach. He coughed, black blood spewing from his mouth as he did. “He's poisoned…” Sasori gathered. “Who did this? Deidara...who did this?” He heard his lover ask, grabbing his face to turn it towards him. Deidara tried to smile up at him, lips black. “Hey baby…” He murmured, meeting those gorgeous eyes. “I fucked up.”

He felt medical ninjutsu, Sasori using his chakra to try to heal him. “Who did this to you?” Sasori asked, and Deidara tried everything he could to focus on that face. How'd he ever get so lucky that Sasori of the red sands cared enough about him to ask?

“Tobi…” He managed, feeling a little better with the healing. “I saw him...he took Sparky.” He coughed, twisting as he held his stomach. “I think there was someone else, but I don't...I didn't see their face.” He was fighting to remain conscious, blinking his eyes as he saw a chair crash through a window. He heard screaming then, the two of them fighting as he blearily watched Itachi pacing around the room, grabbing his head before he flipped something over. “I'm sorry…” He managed, and he was once more drawn back towards Sasori's gorgeous face. “Hey baby…” He repeated, hallucinating by this point as the poison attacked his neurons. “I fucked up.” He said the same thing, coughing up more blood as he lost consciousness.

When he came to he was a little more lucid. He was still on the table, Sasori over him as he worked tirelessly. “Did you find the antidote?” He asked him, and Sasori started as he looked up.

“Deidara.” He breathed, and Deidara smiled a little as the wooden lips pressed against him, still managing to feel human to him. “You're awake.”

“Obviously.” The blond managed. “Couldn't leave you alone with Itachi. That's just cruel.” He said weakly.

“I discovered the poison.” Sasori informed him. “It's out of your system, but the wound you sustained was serious. It'll take awhile for you to heal.”

“We don't have a while.” Deidara assured him. “We have to find Sparky. I promised I'd protect him.” Deidara watched Sasori's eyes turn dark at the mention of Sasuke. “What? Tell me.” He requested, ignoring the pain as he pushed himself up onto his elbows. “Tell me.”

“Itachi went after him hours ago.” Sasori murmured. “He hasn't returned. I thought the information was true. I wouldn't have sent you two if I didn't.”

“This isn't your fault.” Deidara shrugged. “Well...it's a little your fault. How pissed is Itachi?” If he had to guess he would say very.

“Livid.” Sasori assured him. “Crazy. He kept saying he couldn't feel him...whatever that means. He said he was unconscious.”

Deidara rose an eyebrow. “I don't even want to know how he would know that.” He sighed, pain lancing through his body. “We have to go after them.”

“There's no need.” He heard Itachi say, the other standing in the doorway. His eyes held the Sharingan, and all Deidara saw was death. “There's no trace of my Otouto. They disappeared.”

Shit. “Itachi.” Deidara tried. “Listen...we didn't know. Sasori's information was good. I don't know how they found us. I don't know why Tobi was there.”

“What did you hear?” Itachi asked, ignoring all of the apologies. His voice was death, sending a chill down Deidara's spine.

“Not much.” He tried, sitting up more and ignoring Sasori's look of disapproval. “It was so sudden. I was just mocking Sparky about you...and then they were on us.”

“Tobi took my brother.” Itachi said, and Deidara's hand clenched around Sasori's to try to keep the fear off his face. “You let it happen. You two who claim to care for him set him up. I let you get close to us.” Deidara's eye widened as Itachi's eyes swirled with the Mangekyo. “I let him care for you.”

Sasori stepped in front of him then, blocking him from Deidara's view. Deidara let out a sigh of relief. He didn't think he could handle Itachi's wrath in the state he was in. “We didn't betray you. We were all played. Sasuke is important to all of us. I would never betray him. Your eye tricks don't work on me Itachi. Put them away so we can come up with a plan.”

“What plan?” Itachi hissed. “He's gone without a trace, and he's too worthless to give us any sort of information!” Deidara had always thought Itachi was scary showing no emotion. ...He was very wrong. Itachi angry was enough to make him wish the sword had killed him. How did Sasuke deal with this all the time?

“How did you find him when he was with the Kyuubi?” Sasori asked, trying to appeal to Itachi's logical side, what was left of it at this point.

“He told me.” Itachi stated, glowering at the two of them, hackles still raised. Deidara didn't even want to know what that statement meant. The fact that Itachi had somehow discovered a way to communicate with Sasuke when they weren't even together was a level of fucked up he couldn't imagine.

“Then ask him.” Sasori hissed. “We'll be ready to go in two hours. I don't want Deidara's guts to fall out while we're running.”

Itachi watched the pair of them, and Deidara hid from those cursed eyes behind Sasori. ...He'd be ashamed of that fact later when he wasn't in so much pain. “If he's dead there's nothing that will stop me from killing Deidara...but first I'll feed him the heart that loves him so much.” Itachi hissed, turning to go towards the bedroom. Deidara gulped as he left, letting out a sigh as he was dimly aware of how close he had come to Itachi killing him.

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

Sasuke blearily opened his eyes, trying to assess the situation. He had woken up on his knees, with his chained hands stretched out on the floor in front of him. The shackles bit into his wrists, and his nose was killing him from the break. He was on a stone floor, the room lit by torches. It was cold, unnaturally cold. ...So he was underground then. Hidden. How had he been so stupid? How had he let this happen?

“Wondering about your current fate, Sasuke-kun?” A familiar voice asked, sending a chill down Sasuke's spine. He looked up with mismatched eyes, the snake sannin sitting on a throne on the other side of the room. “Ah. There you are. That fire is still in your eyes, no matter how different they seem.” He tssked. “A pity. I bought a defective pet.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.” He snidely replied, grunting as Orochimaru yanked on the chains on his hands, pulling him forward and off balance.

“Not a complete disappointment I suppose.” Orochimaru murmured boredly. “You're still just as pretty. You look more like Itachi every day. His mirror image.” That long tongue licked around his mouth. “It was hard to stay away for three years, but then I couldn't have the Akatsuki knowing I was alive. Not when I was weaker than them.”

“Aren't you still?” Sasuke asked, grunting as he was dragged forward more, trying to lock his feet to prevent it as he glared at the Sannin. “I could kill you in an instant.”

“Oh yes...I have no doubt you could.” Orochimaru remarked. “You see it was such a long time Sasuke-kun...I felt the need to examine my prize.” Sasuke sneered at that, sickened at the idea of what Orochimaru had done to him in his sleep. “When the Akatsuki gave me to you, I don't think they realized just what they were giving away. Tell me, how did Itachi do it?” Orochimaru asked. “How did he implant a Jinchuriki inside of you?”

“What else did you look at, you sick fuck?” Sasuke growled, grunting as he was dragged closer yet.

“Everything.” Orochimaru mused. “Nothing I haven't seen before, and yet enough to sustain me until you woke up.”

Revulsion filled him as he glowered at him. “I'll kill you if you touch me again.” He threatened, only half realizing that the chains and diadem made him all but worthless to carry out the threat.

“I have no doubt you'll try.” Orochimaru said. “But I always like the ones that put up a fight.” That tongue lapped out, licking up Sasuke's neck. “Mmmm...you taste sweet. Still so innocent despite what Itachi has no doubt done to your body.” Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. “I bet he has you well trained, doesn't he?” Sasuke turned his face as he was licked again, nauseous at just the thought of it. “I'll let you show me how well trained you are. Don't think I forgot about what Itachi did to me the last time I had you. I do want your body for my own Sasuke, but that doesn't mean we can't have some fun first.”

Sasuke raised his eyebrow at that, smirking at the sannin. “I dare you.” He threatened. “He might not kill you if you let me go now.” He mused. “If you touch me….I don't even want to think about what he'll do to you. You were always scared of my brother, right? That's why you ran with your tail between your legs when he wouldn't let you take his body?”

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, those snake eyes seeming amused. “Itachi has been talking to you...and I thought he only liked your mouth for one reason.” He mocked, and Sasuke gasped as that long tongue pushed past his lips, invading his mouth and down his throat as he choked. He coughed as it was pulled out, leaning onto his hands as he regained his breath. The first feeling of fear starting to invade him.

“Itachi doesn't know where you are Sasuke-kun.” He mused, voice mocking. “He can't save you...no one can.” Orochimaru laughed at that, the cackle reverberating off of the stone.

Sasuke reacted, running forward as he launched himself at Orochimaru. He landed in his lap, using the long chains to wrap around that sickening neck as he pulled, hearing the neck crack underneath him as he squeezed. “Sick fucking bastard!” He screamed, squeezing harder as Orochimaru choked. He still looked amused, and Sasuke pulled harder when hands grabbed around his waist, that vile tongue wrapping in a vice like grip around his neck. He choked, not able to breathe as he tried to keep squeezing, the tongue tightening all the more as he did.

“Oh Sasuke-kun….” Orochimaru croaked, air cut off from his throat. “I missed your spark.” He mocked, and Sasuke reacted then as that tongue that had almost choked him to unconsciousness tightened, reaching for Orochimaru's waist. His hand closed around metal and he slashed up, managing to slice through that vial tongue with a shuriken. He heard a scream, blood spraying all over his face as he gasped for air. He fell backwards, the chains around Orochimaru's neck dragging him on top of him. The other's angry and crazed face yelled, blood spraying all over Sasuke's as he squeezed. Knowing he had to hold on, knowing he couldn't let go or he would die...worst than that.

His head was grabbed from behind, and Sasuke glanced up just in time to see Kabuto's livid face, before his head was pulled up and slammed down hard to bust on the concrete. As he passed out...he thought he heard Orochimaru laughing.

Sasuke woke in the darkness of his mind, sighing in relief as it was over for awhile. He collapsed into the dark water, pressing his face against it to hide his tears. What had he done? He had lost whatever goodwill he had had to play with Orochimaru. He had given away whatever protection he might have had. ...He had lost that awhile ago. ...He never could have imagined it would hurt that much.

“You've been crying.” A voice spoke, and Sasuke looked up to see Itachi standing there, face knitted with worry. It wasn't a look Sasuke saw much, and it took him awhile to interpret it. He was here...finally. Sasuke had been trying to reach out through their connection. He had been trying, but he hadn't felt Itachi on the other end.

“Is it you?” Sasuke asked, pushing himself up shakily. “The real you? Not the one you think I want to see?”

Itachi knitted his eyebrows at Sasuke's observation. “Yes.” He said, looking him over. “Are you hurt?”

“I have no doubt I will be.” Sasuke said honestly, and watched Itachi's body stiffen in anger. “You shouldn't have come here...It's a trap...I know it's a trap.” He watched him. “He wants you. He wants you and I screwed up…”

Itachi narrowed his eyes as Sasuke rambled. “Who?” He asked, and Sasuke felt revulsion and fear then. He had never felt such things in this place...this had always been his peace.

“I'm sorry.” He looked up, tears leaking down his face. “But you shouldn't find me.” He knew it then. He knew this was all a set up. “I won't be here again...I won't let you find me after he…” He shuddered, holding his face. “God he's going to...He's going to…” He was hyperventilating when he felt hands on his face, Itachi dragging his face up.

“Who?” He asked, voice dangerous and desperate. “Who Otouto? Don't shut me out...I can't find you if you shut me out.”

Sasuke looked up at Itachi, tears streaming down his face. “It's a trap.” He repeated. “He can't use me with the Kyuubi already inside of me…” He murmured. “I'm bait.”

“Use you…” Itachi repeated, and then his eyes widened as he realized. “No.” Sasuke saw fear then, never seeing such a look on his Aniki's perfect features. “Where?” He asked, obviously trying to figure out what was best to ask.

“It doesn't matter.” Sasuke said. “You shouldn't come here Aniki…” He murmured. “I don't want you to see...not after.” He tilted his head. “I want you to look at me like you always did.”

Itachi kissed him then, and Sasuke sighed as he hardly felt it. Not here. ...The last time he would ever kiss the man he loved, and it was just a whisper. “I'll always look at you Sasuke.” Itachi whispered, kissing him again. “Don't let him touch you until I get there.”

“Oh Aniki…” Sasuke whispered, sadness feeling him as he memorized Itachi's face. “You're too late.”

,,,,,,,,,,,

Deidara jumped as Sasori was bandaging his abdomen, the door to Itachi's room slamming open. His stomach tightened in fear and worry at the panicked expression on the Uchiha's normally so put together face. “What?” He asked, not caring about his own safety by bringing Itachi's attention to him. “What is it? Did you find him?”

Itachi's eyes glanced to him, and he felt his testicles draw up in fear. “Orochimaru has him.” He said slowly, and Deidara's eye grew wide at the ludicrous statement.

“He's dead, yeah?” He asked, remembering the night Sasuke had been dragged into the circle. He remembered it because that was the same night Sasori had been brought back half dead.

“Obviously he's not.” Itachi hissed. “He has my brother.” Those red eyes bled death as he grabbed for Sasuke's discarded sword that Deidara had managed to drag back, sheathing it on his back. “Get your things. We need to find him now.”

“Well this is good, right?” Deidara asked. “He won't kill him. He wants to body jump into him, yeah?” He asked, and glancing around to the two men around him he realized he had said something stupid. “What aren't you telling me?” He asked them, and he grunted as Itachi backhanded him as hard as he could at just the question, his blood spraying across the wall.

“Itachi!” Sasori growled, stepping in front of him yet again. “We'll find him. Sasuke is strong. He can handle himself.”

Itachi unsheathed the sword then, lashing it to stab through Sasori's heart. The only thing stopping him was the chakra puppet strings Sasori had gotten up in time to still his hand. Deidara reacted then, sending clay spiders to cover the panicking Uchiha, scrambling forward to grab at the sword trying to push passed the strings.

“What good does killing us do, yeah?” Deidara asked. “We're the only ones willing to help you find him.” He tried, and he watched Itachi's breathing growing ragged...almost like he was hyperventilating. “We'll find Sparky.”

“His name is Sasuke!” Itachi snapped, yanking the sword back to sheath it, brushing the clay arachnids off of him. “Let's go. Sasori, do you still have your spy?” Deidara glanced over to his partner at that, watching him slowly nod. “Find out where they're keeping him. He cut me off. I can't feel him anymore.”

Deidara watched worriedly as he said that. “Is he...Is he dead?” He asked, not knowing what kind of connection Itachi had with his brother.

“No.” Itachi hissed. “But I'm sure he wishes he were.” He said, heading out the door.

Deidara looked over to Sasori, the other having the same stricken look on his face as Itachi did. “What's going on, yeah? What do you both know that I don't?”

Sasori watched him then, and Deidara saw his normally emotionless filled with worry. “We have to find him. I do have a spy that I've kept close to Kabuto in case anything ever reemerged. Excuse me…” He said, walking outside as well and leaving Deidara in the house, not knowing what it was that put the fear of god into both Sasori and Itachi.

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

“Did you make it yourself?” Sasuke asked, examining the ring on his finger. He watched the stone shine in the fire light.

“Obviously Otouto.” Itachi said, sounding amused as he pulled Sasuke back against his chest in the water. “You can stop looking at it you know...it isn't going anywhere.”

Sasuke scoffed. “Yeah right...I know you.” He murmured a little bitterly. “Have to savor these moments while I have them.” He turned to watch Itachi. “You know...you've changed Aniki.” He pointed out. “You're not quite as big of a dick as you used to be.” He teased him, smiling as Itachi kissed him. He laid his head back on that chest, itching at the diadem on his head. “Can I ask you something stupid?” He asked him, sighing as he tilt his neck for Itachi to kiss along it, shifting in the water. “Do you ever think about what would have happened if you had taken me with you? ...When you killed them that is.”

Itachi stiffened behind him, lips resting on Sasuke's shoulder. “A 13 year old taking care of an 8 year old while on the run?” He asked. “That would have ended well.”

“You've always been the one to take care of me Aniki.” Sasuke remind him, head tilted to watch him. “That's not why you didn't take me with you.”

“No.” Itachi agreed. “You know why I didn't take you. You were supposed to grow up to hate me.”

“Guess I failed.” Sasuke mused, kissing just underneath Itachi's chin. “I don't think there's a single scenario where we wouldn't end up here.” He stated.

“On the run from the Akatsuki and every other village?” Itachi asked. “Such standards you have Otouto.” He mocked, trailing off as Sasuke bit just under his neck.

“I meant together.” Sasuke whispered, tongue lapping at the wet flesh as he turned in the bath. “I don't care if it was in Konoha, on the run, hell even if I had ended up running to Orochimaru...we would have always been together.” Sasuke pulled back to watch Itachi in the bath, cupping his face with his ringed hand. “You may have just given me a piece of your soul Aniki...but you had my whole one a long time ago. I can't be angry with you anymore...I don't have the strength to say no to you anymore. I'll always be yours.”

,,,,,,,,,,

Deidara's eyes glanced towards the compound. It had taken them a week to find it...another three days to get to where it was. 10 days….Sasuke had been missing for 10 days. In that time he wasn't sure Itachi slept for a second. He certainly hadn't eaten. Deidara was half convinced he was a robot. Not to say he was faring any better. They had all been running on fumes while searching. Deidara could see Itachi's frustration every time he tried to contact Sasuke in whatever way they had. He had always come up empty. Sasuke was either dead or refusing to communicate, neither of which really gave him a warm fuzzy feeling deep down in his bones.

They had betrayed the Akatsuki, and for what? Chances are they were going to find Sasuke's corpse, and then what? Everything they had strived to do was blotted out before they could blink an eye. He had lost it on a whim to believe that Sasuke could be the thing he was looking for. Was it weird to think him and Sasori could actually have a home? Sasori had been quiet. It wasn't surprising. To a man that had never had any family, losing a brother had not gone over well. Sasuke was like a little brother that they never had had before. If they ever saw him again...he might tell him so. ...Maybe. He might just beat the shit out of him for scaring him like this.

He glanced over to Sasori, the other in his puppet suit as they weren't taking any chances. “So how do we do this?” Deidara asked, loaded up with clay. “Bust through the front door?”

“That won't be necessary.” A voice said, and Deidara watched as Kabuto jumped down from the roof. “I'll be handling things out here.”

“Kabuto.” Sasori growled, the scratchy voice laced with anger. “You betrayed me.”

“Yes, well…” Kabuto mused. “Lord Orochimaru has that effect on people...as I've said.” He looked over, eyes landing on Itachi. Deidara knew this kid must have some balls when he stared into those sharingan eyes without blinking. “You were dumb to come here Itachi...a wasted effort.”

“Where's my brother?” Itachi asked, and Deidara heard his voice calmer than it had been in days.

“Inside.” Kabuto said, voice sounding amused. “Lord Orochimaru got bored with him. There's only so many things you can do to a body, even one as remarkable as his.” He said, hands lighting up with chakra in warning as Itachi stepped forward. “That diadem is remarkable. No matter what we did we couldn't get it off his head. I commend your genius Itachi.” He mock bowed. “You made my job very interesting.”

Itachi moved to strike, but Sasori flew in front of him to block. “No. Let me handle him. He's a diversion anyways. Take Deidara and go find Sasuke.”

Kabuto's face twitched in amusement. “Oh? You want to fight me Sasori? To defend Sasuke Uchiha? ...I wouldn't put up the effort if I were you.” He sighed dramatically. “I think you'll be disappointed when you see Lord Orochimaru's work.”

Sasori's tail came out, thrashing around in his anger as Deidara chanced a glance over to Itachi's livid face. ...They had taken too long. He barely had enough time to react as Itachi started running, sprinting after him and into the compound.

As they were running he heard Kabuto's laughter. “You're too late you know. You won't like what you find.” Was the forboding sentence as he sprinted to keep up with Itachi. He was still healing, but he'd be damned if he would let his stomach slow him down. They sprinted through the halls, the place like a labrynith as they searched. He knew better than to open his mouth around Itachi, not with how the other was. Not with what Kabuto had just hinted at what they would find.

They rounded a corner, and Deidara had to drag his heels to stop from running into Itachi. He grabbed the wall to steady him as Itachi had stopped in front of a door. “Is he in there?” Deidara asked him, panting from exertion. He watched Itachi nod, and wondered how in the hell he knew that. “Itachi what if this is a trap?” He tried to reason. “Maybe you shouldn't…” But Itachi had already pushed open the door.

Deidara had known violence all of his life. He had killed hundreds without batting an eye. He thought the exploded bodies were his work of art. Blood...gore...these were his tapestries. Nevertheless, when he saw what lay beyond the door bile rose up in his throat, and he spewed up the little that was in his stomach all over the stone floor.

The smell was the first thing that registered in his mind. It was a mixture of sex, urine, sweat, and blood...so much blood. The opened door revealed a large circular room alight with torches, and in the middle chains hung down from the ceiling. Attached to the chains were Sasuke's wrists as he hung suspended from the floor.

Deidara's eyes scanned him then, his face hidden in a mop of black spikes as he was clearly unconscious. His eyes scanned down then, starting at the blood dripping off of Sasuke's toes to pool on the ground with the already copious amount. His eyes roamed up his bloody legs, trying to pretend he didn't see the smeared white dripping out of his shorts. They made it to his torso, thick pokers stabbed through multiple parts of his body, never hitting anything vital. His skin had been flayed in parts, the discarded pieces floating in the blood. His chin and neck were covered in blood and cum as he hung there. As Deidara entered the room slowly he was able to see Sasuke's back, whipped and flayed so he could see his spine. Every inch of him looked to be in pain or bleeding. ...Fuck...was he even alive?

“Sasuke…” He heard himself whisper, thinking he was going to be sick again as he got closer. He hadn't looked over at Itachi yet, not able to take his eyes off the kid...of the way the blood dripped off his toes. He had let this happen. ...This was his fault.

“He's gorgeous, is he not?” He heard a voice say, and Deidara glanced to the side to see Orochimaru standing there. He couldn't wait to see what Itachi did to him. “I can't stop admiring my work. Not to say you shouldn't be proud Itachi...you taught him so very well.” He mused darkly. “I could feel myself inside of you while I was inside of him.” Deidara watched Itachi's eyes swirl with he mangekyo. “Oh don't even try it. You know I'm not really here. I wouldn't be that stupid.”

“I just had to see the look on your face when you saw him.” He laughed wickedly, and Deidara blanched at the thought of just what else he had done to Sasuke. “It's a shame you put the Kyuubi in him. He would have made a perfect vessel...as it was he only had one use. He's so pretty when he cries, isn't he?” Orochimaru asked. “He's prettier when every one of his orifices is full though...I'll take that over tears.” He tilt his head. “You know what was funny? He never cried for you...not once. He's strong, your little brother. But he's still not you.”

Itachi walked forward then, leaping up as he slashed through the metal of the chains with his sword, catching Sasuke's body as he did so. Sasuke looked like a lifeless puppet in his arms as Itachi held him close, those chained hands settled around his neck for support. “When I find you...and I will find you...I'll make you regret this.”

“After how much fun it was?” Orochimaru asked. “I doubt it. It's not my fault you left him defenseless.” He pointed out. “Even as defenseless as he was he still managed to fight me...for awhile. ...After a few days I'd like to think he realized how much he liked it.” Orochimaru sighed, waving in front of him. “In any case...you're surrounded. If you give yourself up now and agree to be my vessel, I'll let that Akatsuki bastard take him out of here.” He leaned in. “If not, the 200 shinobi I've brought to kill you will finish the job I started. Which will it be Itachi-kun?”

Itachi glanced towards him then, and Deidara saw the absolute devastation in his eyes. He walked over, handing the bloody mess that used to be his partner over, being careful with the pokers still impaled through his body. “Take him. I'll handle things here.” His voice was low, emotionless.

“What?” Deidara asked him. “You can't turn yourself over to that thing! Sasuke wouldn't want…”

“I said take him!” Itachi hissed, and Deidara watched as his hair began to float with the amount of chakra he was calling to him. “I'll find you after…”

“If he wakes up without you…” Deidara tried.

“Look at him Deidara...do you really think it'll matter?” He asked, and before he could reply Itachi had launched himself, practically flying across the air as he slashed with the sword. He decapitated Orochimaru, the fake body hissing as it disappeared into a pile of snakes.

They rushed in then, surrounding them as Deidara glanced around. He held Sasuke tight, the other cold and unresponsive in his arms. He had lost so much blood. He reached into his pouch, hand eating at his clay as he watched Itachi scan the room. In the same moment that he heard Itachi use his eyes to blast a black fire hole in the ceiling, Deidara used his clay to create a falcon. He jumped onto it and flew out the top with Sasuke, just in time to see Itachi absolutely surrounded with dozens of Orochimaru's best shinobi. He flew through the wind, seeing that the compound was surrounded. It wasn't just a few hundred. No, the ground was covered in Orochimaru's men. This had been a set up to begin with. It had all been to capture Itachi.

His eyes scanned the field, and it wasn't hard to see Sasori fighting underneath them. He'd be pissed, but he wasn't about to leave him in this nightmare...just like he wasn't about to take Itachi from it. He soared down just as he saw Sasori strike through Kabuto's arms. He used the arm he wasn't holding Sasuke with to wrap around the puppet, yanking him up and onto the hawk as they sped away.

Sasori turned on him as they soared, glaring through his puppet's eyes. “What are you doing I had him!” He yelled. “I had….” He trailed off when he saw the body in Deidara's arms. “Sasuke…”

“More pressing matters.” Deidara explained, handing him over to Sasori and hoping that the kid could be saved. They had left Itachi surrounded by hundreds of men. Would he be captured? Would he be killed before Sasuke could ever see him again?

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

“Ouch!” Sasuke cried, sniffing as his eyes were filled with tears. His chubby little hands went to his eyes as he sobbed. “That hurts Aniki…” He cried as Itachi bandaged the small legs.

“Well then you shouldn't have tried to do that.” Itachi scolded, a boy of 10.

“You do it!” Sasuke pointed out, not knowing if he was angry or sad. “I just want to be like you!”

“You're not even 5 yet Otouto...no one expects you to be.” Itachi assured him with a smile, leaning up to kiss Sasuke's spikes.

“You could do it when you were my age...You're a chunin now.” Sasuke tried, the knowledge causing him to cry harder. “I should be like you. I don't get why I can't do the things you do.”

“Otouto...you are like me.” Itachi assured him, ruffling his hair. “You'll be just as good as me when you grow a bit. Just as strong.”

Sasuke shook his head in denial. “I won't be! Not like you! You always have to come save me...even now.” He pushed Itachi away, lip sticking out in a pout in his anger. “I could have made it home.”

“But I was worried about you…” Itachi tried, but Sasuke interrupted.

“I don't care! That's not how I get strong like you!” He snapped. “I won't call for you Aniki! Not ever! I'm not a maiden you have to rescue.” He said, kicking his brother and then crying some more as he had used his hurt leg. “I want to be strong like you Itachi...Why can't I be strong like you?” He sobbed, collapsing forward into Itachi's arms, revelling in how those arms wrapped around him in comfort.

“I don't you to be as strong as me Otouto.” Itachi murmured into his hair. “I like rescuing you.”

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

Deidara yanked the last of the pokers out, having Sasori there with his med-ninjutsu to stop the bleeding. They had made it to a cave nearby, and they had been trying to staunch the worst of Sasuke's injuries ever since. They had managed to regrow a layer of skin on his back, before working on the punctures from the pokers. This would be so much easier if Itachi had taken the diadem off. Sasuke could be healing in the meantime. The kyuubi wouldn't let him die. It had its own self preservation to think of.

He blanched as Sasuke coughed up a mixture of fluids, the frothy substance rolling down his chin as Deidara used his sleeve to wipe it away. ...The poor kid...he could never catch a break. All he wanted was Itachi to love him, and he went through hell for that want. “Sparky...I'm so sorry.” He whispered, wiping at some of the blood with a rag. He glanced towards Sasori as he was working on the flayed skin of his legs. “Do you have any idea how bad it might be...you know...there…” He tried, because he hadn't been able to broach the area in question.

“Bad.” Sasori said, the other unusually silent. Deidara didn't blame him.

“Can you heal him at all before Itachi sees?” If he sees..if he lives.

“No. He needs to see.” Sasori said quietly. “He got him into this mess. He brought this all on his little brother.” He grumbled, and Deidara looked over as they heard the gravel move. Shit.... Itachi stood at the mouth of the cave, drenched head to foot in blood, dripping it as he held Sasuke's sword to the side, staring in.

“Do you think I don't know that?” Itachi asked, and his voice was filled with emotion. “Do you think I don't realize this is my fault? I brought this on him...my little brother….my lover…” His voice was shaky as he came into the cave, every step seeming a hardship for him. “Sasuke…” He whispered, dropping the sword as the sound clambered across the cave. “Brightness…” He managed.

Deidara felt like he had to say something, so he got up from Sasuke's body, noticing Sasori do the same. “Itachi he isn't dead, yeah?” He tried. “If you take the diadem off he'll heal…” He jumped a little as Itachi's hand ripped towards him, the diadem flying off of Sasuke's head.

Itachi collapsed then, brought to his knees with exhaustion and injuries. Deidara's eyes were wide as he watched him crawl the rest of the way, managing to blanket Sasuke's body. The blood covering Sasuke's face was washed a little, dripping pink down his cheeks as Deidara watched Itachi cry, his heart actually hurting for the elder Uchiha when he heard the broken sob. The one that signified his heart was dying. “Sasuke…” Was the desperate tone out of Itachi's mouth, before he collapsed forward onto Sasuke's unresponsive chest. It was hard to see that he was even still breathing. “Sasuke...I'm sorry…” He managed, the broken voice cutting through the darkness, flaying every single one of Deidara's nerves as Itachi sobbed. “I'm sorry...Otouto...Come back...Come back…” He crawled up that cold body, and Deidara watched him place kiss after kiss on those defiled lips. “Forgive me Otouto...Forgive me Sasuke..” He begged against his lips. Deidara looked away then, the sobs only growing louder in the acoustic cave. He heard it then, shutting his eyes as tears poured down his face as Itachi whispered `I love you' into Sasuke's ear. To think, probably the strongest shinobi in existence was crippled to sobbing tears for his love, and Sasuke would never know it.

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

“Itachi…” Deidara tried after they lingered around for almost day. Once the other had managed to calm himself down he hadn't said a word. He had picked Sasuke up to wash him, dressed him in some of his own clothes, and had been staring at the wall ever since. “Itachi he isn't healing...do you know why?” He asked, because the eye should be working. Sasuke should be awake and almost completely back to normal by now.

“He's being stubborn.” Itachi finally said, and Deidara exchanged a look of surprise with Sasori that the Uchiha had even acknowledged the fact that he had spoken to him. “Sasuke likes to hide in his head. If he doesn't want to go back he won't.”

“Well, can't you go in there and get him, yeah?” Deidara asked. “I've seen you speak to him before.” He tried. He had spoken more to Itachi in the past week than he probably ever had their entire time together in the Organization.

“If he's being a brat, than he can stay there.” Itachi murmured. “I don't have time for his nonsense.”

“I wasn't aware that his suffering was nonsense.” Sasori bit out. His partner had been tinkering with something for the last day. He didn't know what it was...until he was done with his projects he had found it best not to ask.

Itachi's eyes flashed in warning, and Deidara watched his fist clench as he got up. “I'm going out to see if I can track Tobi or Orochimaru.” The last name was said with such reviled contempt that it sent a chill down Deidara's spine. “If he doesn't wake up within the next hour...stab him. The Kyuubi will handle the rest.” He said, no emotion in his voice over the mention of stabbing his own brother. He left the shack, and Deidara let out a sigh. So much for the Itachi he had seen the night before. The one that had slaughtered hundreds of people, and then wept for Sasuke's pain.

Deidara raised a brow as he looked towards Sasori. “Are we really going to stab him?” He asked, understanding the logic. Even if Sasuke refused to use his chakra, that didn't mean that Kyuubi inside wouldn't fight to defend itself once injured. Sasori shrugged at him in answer, sewing something. Probably more of his “art” Deidara made a noise in his throat. “You get to do it then...I don't really want a Jinchuriki on my ass.”

Sasori stopped what he was doing, getting up as he came to stand over Sasuke. “If we had any mercy we'd just kill him.” He murmured. “Itachi doesn't have the capacity to give Sasuke what he needs when he wakes up.”

Deidara looked up towards him at that, hand going to Sasuke's shoulder in protection. “He can get through it. The kid is strong, yeah?” He asked. “No one gives him enough credit. Besides, I really want to see what Sparky will do to Orochimaru when he wakes up and has his chakra again. I want to watch him rip him apart.” He said darkly.

Sasori nodded, chakra lines coming to his fingertips, and shooting out to attach to Sasuke, yanking him up to a sitting position. “I suppose we should give him the option.” He said, before shooting the chakra all the way through him, causing Sasuke to scream out in pain. When his eyes opened, Deidara wasn't surprised to see the slitted red eyes of the fox staring back.

“Shittttttt…” Deidara whistled, grabbing for his clay. “Listen Sparky...You're here with us. You're safe.”

“Sparky?” Sasuke asked, but it wasn't Sasuke. The voice was deep, powerful. It was the beast. “He's not in charge anymore. He let me out of my cage.” Deidara's eyes widened at that knowledge, fear lacing through him as Sasuke's claws started to grow, his teeth turning to flames as chakra exploded in the cage. “Are you the one that hurt him?”

“Me?” Deidara asked, backing up with Sasori as he eyed the mouth of the cave. “No. We're his friends.”

“Friends?” The kyuubi asked him, crawling on his hands and feet as he stalked towards them. “This boy doesn't have any friends. He's empty.”

Deidara ran as the Kyuubi's clawed hand swung out, shooting chakra out of it and hitting him in the chest. He went flying backwards, hitting tree after tree as pain coursed through his body. He righted himself, just in time to block as Sasuke came down swinging, managing to hold him as they dug a crater in the ground with his power.

He reached into his pouch, creating a shower of exploding butterflies, knocking the Jinchuriki off balance as he ran off, making himself another hawk as he soared up above it. He stared with wide eyes as more tails emerged, the chakra beginning to consume Sasuke's flesh as he transformed. “This is not good. Sasori!?” He called, swooping down as the Kyuubi rounded on him. “Are we going to kill him?”

Sasori sneered in the body of his puppet, jumping after him as he sent two puppets after Sasuke, the Kyuubi batting them away as if they were toys as his fourth tail emerged. “Sasuke? I know you can hear us, what do you think you're doing? Take control. You have the Sharingan.” He tried, sending another wave of attack towards him as he struck the Jinchuriki, the fox howling at him as it screamed, mouth detaching as there was no Sasuke left.

“This is bad, yeah?” Deidara asked him, trying to strategize as he flew above the monster's reach. “Where in the Hell is Itachi?” He yelled, sending another wave of bombs towards it. This was more than what they had faced before during sparring. None of Sasuke was holding this thing back.

“Your astute observations never cease to amaze me.” Sasori mocked at him, jumping back as the Kyuubi lunged at him, massive teeth snapping and ripping Sasori's cloak.

“You think this is time for mocking, Sasori-danna!?” Deidara asked, swooping down to drop the bombs. “You're fucked up, yeah?” He asked, smirking in amusement even in his situation.

“I'm glad you're having fun at least.” Sasori grumbled, tightening his chakra strings to wrap around the monster. “Now!” He yelled, just as Deidara hit it with a giant blast. The explosion rang through the air, and Deidara grinned as it had to have put the thing out. He swooped down into the smoke, just barely able to swoop back up again as the Kyuubi snapped at him, tearing through one of the wings and sending him flying towards the ground.

He hit with a grunt, feeling his shoulder dislocate. He turned behind him, eyes wide as the Kyuubi sprang towards him. He shut his eye, knowing he couldn't block. When the pain didn't come he slowly opened it again, seeing Itachi standing in front of him. He had stopped the Kyuubi in its tracks with just his eyes.

,,,,,,,,,,,

Sasuke looked up, unsurprised to see Itachi there. The other never had to try all that hard to get in his head. His long legs dangled on either side of the Kyuubi's head, lounging on top of the monster he had just allowed his body. It's not like he was using it anymore, and the fox had promised him peace. All he wanted was the pain to stop...in here...his mind was quiet.

“So there you are.” Itachi murmured, staring up towards the growling beast without fear. “You're giving up? How like you. It gets hard and you run away.”

Sasuke leaned forward onto the beast's head, watching Itachi. “You should go back Aniki...it's not safe for you here. He'll be free soon.”

“I didn't give you that power so that you could do this.” Itachi reminded him. “Come down here.”

“No.” Sasuke whispered. “I don't have to listen to you anymore. I just want to be left alone.”

“You're a coward.” Itachi hissed. “Aren't you an avenger? Don't you want to make him pay for what he did?”

“What he did?” Sasuke asked, voice far away as vile memories washed to the surface. “There aren't words. That body...I don't want it. I want nothing more than to know it'll kill for me.”

“Kill for yourself.” Itachi hissed. “Don't hide behind that monster. You're stronger than this.”

“I'm really not.” Sasuke assured him. “I don't have it in me to go back and face more pain.”

“Life is pain Otouto.” He replied with. “You can't just run in your head. Stop being so weak.” Itachi walked forward then to the fox chakra. “You don't have an option on this.” He assured him, tearing through the chakra as it exploded in his head. He was forced out of it, forced back into his own mind...into the world of pain.

Sasuke fell to the ground. His nails dug into the earth as the pain hit him, lancing up his body. His skin was missing in chunks from the fox, slowly knitting itself back together with the use of his eye. It wasn't the physical pain that got to him though. In his head he was able to shove everything down. He was able to make it all go away. Here he felt it all, remembered it all. A choked sob escaped his mouth. He could feel them around him. He didn't want them to see him. He never wanted them to know what he had gone though.

He glanced up slowly, entire body stiff as it tried to mend itself. He glared pure hatred at his brother for doing this to him, for forcing him back into this existence. “Bastard.”

“You'll get over it.” Itachi said unsympathetically. “Get up.” He took a step closer, dragging Sasuke's face the rest of the way up with his sandal. “Get. Up.” He demanded, and then grabbed his hair, dragging him up to his knees.

“Itachi!” Deidara yelled, voice sounding horrified by what he was seeing. “What the fuck are you doing, yeah? Leave him alone.”

Sasuke watched Itachi's deadly eyes turn towards Deidara. “Stay out of this.” He hissed, and Sasuke cried out as he was yanked more. His mind flashed back to Orochimaru, feeling sick as he pawed at Itachi.

“Don't...don't…” He managed, dragging his feet across the ground as he fought him. “Please…” He begged him, trying to look away as Itachi forced him to stand, cupping his face. Sasuke tried to pull away, shoving at him.

Itachi dragged his face back. “Look at me…” He tried, and Sasuke clawed at his face. “Otouto I said look at me.” He demanded. “Sasuke.” He said, and at the tone he dragged his eyes to look into Itachi's, meeting the dark almost black eyes of his brother. “You're safe...you're with me. You're safe.” Itachi repeated. “You're strong. You'll be fine. We'll kill him.”

Sasuke's face broke down at that, pain and anguish lashing through it. His eyes filled with tears, and lunged forward, arms wrapping around Itachi's neck. He screamed into his chest then, not being able to stop, screaming over and over again as his hands fisted in his shirt. He didn't know why he was crying so hard.

Itachi's arms wrapped tight around him as he screamed, never once quieting him. Never once telling him he was being weak. Sasuke didn't want to feel anymore. He wanted to run away. He wanted to disappear. “I'm sorry…” He begged of his brother. “I'm so sorry...I tried to fight...I tried...I tried…” He kept repeating, getting weak in the knees as he collapsed. Itachi went with him, catching him as he fell in his lap. The front of his shirt was wet with Sasuke's tears as he continued.

“It's not your fault Otouto.” Itachi assured him, wrapping his arms around him. “You're strong. You'll get through this.” He kept repeating. Sasuke didn't think it was true though. As a matter of fact he didn't want to. He didn't know when he stopped crying. All he knew was that Itachi held him until he did. He held him and never once called Sasuke any of the horrible things he was thinking about himself in his mind.

,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,