Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Brother's Can't Be Trusted ❯ Time To Set The Stage ( Chapter 12 )

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

"No way! You can' be serious Itachi! There's no way a kid could warm up to you so easily, even if you were the only blanket for miles in the dead of winter." Kisame cackled in disbelief. Despite the fact he knew Itachi wasn't one for lying when it came to gloating about things, it was still hard for him to believe Itachi was getting somewhere in his plan.

Itachi sneered irritably at his friend for the analogy. This is why he refrained from getting too many friends and telling anyone anything about his life. "Well as all those Americans say: where there's a will there's a way." Itachi smirked, recalling the enchanting moment he was at the peek of his plan with Naruto. "And Sasuke's will to protect Naruto provided me a way to get him."

"Man, Itachi, are you really okay with this? I meant once you bed the poor idiot, he's going to be clinging to you nonstop, and Sasuke is probably going to try and kill you in your sleep." Kisame replied, his expression no as amused as before. Like any friend, he did care for Itachi's well being, though he did nothing to help with it. It was always wise to stay out of the Uchiha's way, so he wouldn't be an exception.

"Kisame, you are losing your touch." Itachi chuckled, leaning farther back in his seat so that his legs stretched over his desk. "Children are the easiest to get rid off, once they think you don't care any more they’ll leave you alone, unlike adults who always need a reason and think they can change someone else's mind. And I sure Sasuke wouldn't mind mending Naruto once he is broken." Itachi grimaced lightly. Of course he had planned to break Naruto's heart, but a part of him was worried that it wouldn't be able to be fixed again afterwards. And knowing Naruto, the kid might try something as stupid and desperate as suicide.

Kisame sighed. He held up his head on in his hands as he leaned on his desk beside Itachi. "You should really be careful about this stuff. Karma has a way nipping you right in the ass when you least expect it to. And with all this mayhem you've been causing, I wouldn't be surprised if you got bit big time."

"Don't be a fool Kisame. Only low self-esteemed people believe that fate, destiny and karma rule the laws of their life to assure themselves they haven't screwed their own lives." Itachi smirked once more, drawing his hands behind his head as he glance up at the ceiling.

A certain groan emitted from him the moment he felt the vibration of his cell phone. "Crap." He mumbled, settling back onto the floor and answering the phone. "Moshi-moshi." Itachi replied, suddenly going silent as the other voice began to speak.

Kisame watched in confusion as his friend finally hung up with an aggravated pout. "What's wrong Itachi? Someone get hurt?" Kisame would have been inwardly rejoicing if karma proved to kick in so quickly.

"No, it's just Sasuke's school. The idiot got into a fight and now they want me to pick him up and take him home." Itachi grumbled. "That ass can't do anything right. I'll see you later Kisame. And maybe if I'm lucky I'll be back with good news." He winked, grabbing his bags and excused himself from class. At least he had an excuse not to be at school today, so he might just think about thanking Sasuke.

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"Wh y me?" Itachi sighed. He strolled the long, empty hallways of the high school he himself had once attended. But he much rather preferred never having to return here again. He peeked through the class windows, catching a glimpse of the classes still going on and wished Sasuke wasn't such an idiot to fight before school actually began. And here Itachi thought he wouldn't have to see him for most of the day, instead he was taking him back home.

Tiredly, Itachi let his head drape between his shoulders as he kept his eyes closed while walking. The sound of distressed tears and mindless tampering became louder as Itachi approached. Curiosity forced him to finally look ahead, filling him with the immediate surprise and satisfaction he wasn't expecting before. Just a few feet ahead of him, he could outline the unforgettable mop of blond hair and clothes with an unusual amount of orange in them.

When he got closer was able to tell the boy was hopelessly gathering the millions of pieces of a fallen egg. His desperate tears gathered in a puddle at his feet, only assuring Itachi more that he knew who the egg had been. But he never thought Aka-chan had meant that much to the blond, after all it was an egg, didn't he eat eggs regularly?

"Naru-chan?" Itachi whispered. His heart ached as he noticed the blond boy stiffen and quickly turn to him. His eyes were a saddening crimson and his cheeks were puffy, no doubt he had been crying for awhile now. But the more noticeable features, were the blood trickling from a busted lip and the bruises on his face and fist. Obviously he was involved in the fight Itachi was told about. Itachi cursed his immunity to this kid's charm and innocence. Children were never his field, he should have thought this out more thoroughly.

Kneeling down, Itachi placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder. The teen threw a frantic look back to the egg and them at him as if he were deciding over which was more important. "She's dead Itachi..." Naruto finally whimpered. Or rather murdered Naruto wanted to say. But in a way he knew Sasuke didn't mean to throw her.

"Come now, Naruto. You mustn't cry over this." Itachi insisted. He stood back up, pulling Naruto up by the hand. Unexpectedly, he lifted the boy up into his arms and carried him off to the bathroom. The least he could do was clean the teen up if nothing else. He was urge to asked what had happened, but he got the feeling it was about him anyway. So the topic would no doubt be difficult for Naruto to discuss.

Itachi set Naruto down on the sink of the bathroom and quickly grabbed a few paper towels. "You really no how to put up a fight don't you Naru-chan." Itachi chuckled weakly, trying to lighten the mood. He wet the towels and gentle applied the to the boy's bleeding lip. "I wonder what Sasuke looks like." Itachi had realized his mistake when Naruto clearly turned away from him, glowering at the titled bathroom floor.

"I don't care. I don't want to see him." Naruto mumbled. His brows furrowed with intense anger, making Itachi wish he wasn't the floor or Sasuke right now.

"What did he do? I'm sure it wasn't that bad." Itachi smiled, turning Naruto's head back toward him. Holding one swore cheek in one hand, he wiped away the blood with his other. His question though, had caused Naruto to bit his bottom lip with vengeance.

"I hate him for what he did," Naruto growled. His redden fingers tightly gripped the sink edge as he tried to erase the accounts of just a few minutes ago. Subconsciously he had clenched his eyes shut as well, making Itachi curious for an explanation. Thought it didn't take a genius now to figure out what the younger Uchiha had done.

"Well you can't stay mad at him forever." Itachi advised. Why the hell was he supporting his brother?! Had he gone mad?! Why did his brotherly instincts have to kick in now of all times? Naruto was his for the taking and here he was trying to put in a good name for Sasuke. He had fallen low with sympathy. Then again, it did make him out to be a better brother through Naruto's eyes. If it worked then maybe the blond would think he was the better Uchiha.

"I can." Naruto snapped back. "I hope Sasuke-teme just dies!" He yelled out, his head jerking out of Itachi's grasp.

"You don't mean that Naruto." Itachi said sternly. He put down the paper towels and forced the blond to look at him once more. "Sasuke is your friend, and friends would never want to see reach other die."

"But I do Itachi, I really do!" Thick tears fell from his large eyes again without his consent. In a quick reaction to hide them, Naruto buried his head into the older man's chest. His hand gripping at Itachi's shirt to hold him there near him. "He's just like everyone else..." He sobbed.

Itachi hated being in this situation for a second time. He was never meant to be the comforter, for crying out loud he was always the one doing all the hurting. with the tables turned, he had no other choice but to wrap his arms around Naruto in a kind embrace. He stepped closer to the boy, slipping his hips to lay between Naruto's spread legs as he sat on the sink. He soothingly shushed the teen into silence, yet he could still feel the tears soaking through his clothes once again.

Itachi brushed back the other's tangled golden locks and rubbed Naruto's back with his other hand. "I promise you he didn't mean it, Naruto. He was probably just mad at someone else." Me, Itachi wanted to say.

"You didn't see what I saw Itachi," came a timid whisper as the sobs slowly started to die down. "His eyes were so cold Itachi, and yet burning with anger. When said those words...it sounded so real. He wouldn't have never said them if he hadn't thought about it at least once before." Itachi was aching to know exactly what his little brother had said that had hurt Naruto so much.

Alright, this is enough of helping Sasuke, Itachi was yelling in his head. It was time for him to up his own game. He could only stand to play a good brother for so long. "I know he didn't mean any of it Naruto, because he was mad at me." Itachi confessed. It was the simplest trick in the book. People will fall for someone they think they can trust, so one must tell them what they think is the truth.

"But why?" Naruto sniffled. He looked up form the warming pillow that was Itachi's chest. "He has no reason to be mad at you Itachi." Naruto thought it was weird how Sasuke kept acting when he told him about yesterday, but wouldn't a real friend be happy for you?

"Because..." Itachi avoided the other's hopeful blue eyes, giving the appearance that what he was about to say was too difficult to put into words. "I told him...I liked you." Itachi finally whispered, surprisingly enough pulling off an abnormal flush to his cheeks. Whether he found out he could make himself blush or if it was real, Itachi didn't know. "When I got home last night, I guess he got really upset that it was you I had fallen for."

Naruto was in an unforgettable stupor. Didn't his ears just deceive him or did Itachi really say he liked him? His heart was racing unlike any time before, well expect...that time with Sasuke. But Naruto never imagined anyone would ever be able to like him in that way, much less an older guy. He always believed everyone would hate him for what he was, rather than who. For being the son of his parents.

"You...like me?" Naruto repeated, his eyes wide with astonishment. Itachi shyly smiled and nodded, sending an immediate rush of blush to Naruto's cheeks. How was one suppose to act when hearing this?

"I don't only like you..." Itachi cupped the boy's chin tenderly, drawing him into a soft kiss. His lips lingered there for a chaste moment, but still long enough never to be forgotten. "Watashi...shitau...anata." Itachi whispered delicately with his lips barely skimming the surface of Naruto's.

Naruto was at a complete and total lost for words. What was he suppose to say when someone told you they adored you? But of course one thing did come to mind. "Does this...make me your Koibito?" Naruto blinked in bewilderment, pointing to himself in a childish manner.

Itachi chuckled, drawing back form the teen ever so slightly. "Only if you wish to be...Naru-koi." Itachi teased.

"But what about Sasuke? Won't he be mad?" Naruto asked back. He knew Sasuke would be furious if he knew he might be dating his brother, after all Sasuke seemed to hate his brother so much already. It would be better not to make it worse, right?

"Well, Sasuke doesn't have to know, unless we want him to." Itachi whispered, leaning forward again to slip in a final, tender kiss on the teen's lips.

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Sasuk e growled maliciously as he sat in one of the plastic seats along the wall just outside the office. He had been waiting here for nearly an hour, what was taking Itachi so long? Knowing him thought, he would purposely leave him behind as punishment for some unknown crime he committed against him. Sasuke crossed his arms, angrily clawing away at his own skin in paranoia. His shoes had long ago permanently scuffed up the floor while he kicked his feet back and forth. Uchihas were never very patient people.

It wasn't until the door opened once more, that Sasuke's head popped up. Every time someone walked into the room, he would anxiously look up to see if it was Itachi, but no luck so far. And this time wouldn't be any different, for Neji was the person to walk in the next moment. Apparently he came to do some work for the teacher as he dropped off a stack of papers and was just about to head back out toward the door when he noticed the raven haired teen fuming in the corner.

"Well, well Sasuke, I didn't expect you to still be here. Shouldn't you be expelled already." Neji mocked with a smirk. "Though I must say; what I witnessed earlier this morning was even harsh for you. Kind of sad that you took out all of your frustration out on Naruto, now both of your grades are on the line."

Sasuke hissed dangerously as his teeth seemed to be tripping with venom. "Shut up Hyuga, this is none of your business." He tried his best to avoid using inappropriate words for the fact the secretary was just across the room typing heavily on her computer. But by the way Neji was already talking to him, that would be too hard a feat. "Don't you have class to head off to already?" Sasuke questioned, a furious brow raising in suspicion. He wouldn't let it past Neji if he intention volunteered to help out the teacher just for he could come up here and taunt him about the fight.

"On the contrary Uchiha, I think it is my business. I can't help but feel somewhat sorry on Naruto's behalf, and yours since you are here pathetically sulking over the fight. So I thought it would be in everyone's best interest if I help you out. After all, when I finally top you in this school, I rather have you self conscious enough to feel defeated." The Hyuga smirked. "Now my only suggestion to begin with is that you fix the problem already at hand."

"And how do you suppose I do that." Sasuke snarled back. Despite how untrustworthy Neji usually proved to be, Sasuke was desperate for his expertise in trickery. If he was to win this war against Itachi, he would need skills like Neji's. So for the time being he would put his faith in the Hyuga.

"I doubt Naruto will even think about forgiving you, until you fix that egg of yours." Sasuke sneered, surely Neji wasn't suggesting he... "So you better get started Uchiha. I think I was able to scramble up all of the pieces." Neji pulled out a plastic bag filled with the fragments of their school project. Sasuke's eyes widened instinctively. He was going have to fix the egg?! "I hear it works best when you mold another egg and glue the pieces to the molding, then again that’s just advice from those that have previously destroyed their eggs. "So hurry up, you still have the paper to right. And it's due first thing you walk into class tomorrow morning." Neji explained.

Sasuke sighed. It was going to be a long night. And a lot of apologizing if he was going to make it up to Naruto. Hopefully it would be worth it in the end, right?

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A frustrated groan echoed in the room as Naruto furiously combed his hair with his fingers. It was absolutely hopeless. He had been sitting in his room for nearly two hours trying to write the final paper himself since it was obvious Sasuke would not contribute any more. But his mind had been totally wiped clean of all memory of the good times of the project. He supposed he ought to thank Itachi and Sasuke both for that. For now, that was where his mind laid.

"What am I going to do?" He pouted, banging his head on the desk. He couldn't very well date Itachi behind Sasuke's back, but he couldn't deny that there was some sort of feelings there he had for the older Uchiha. Then again, there were feelings he had for Sasuke as well. He got himself into this the day he sat beside Sasuke on the bus, the scenario reeked of trouble, so why hadn't he avoided it?

"Oh, Jiraiya?" Came the annoying bell again. Naruto grunted as he suspected Jiraiya was going to have yet another unexpected guest this evening. He liked it better when ladies dragged his drunk ass home and left him. It was too irritating listening to him flirt with them when he asked them over for diner. Knowing that he would be punished for ignoring the door, Naruto roughly pushed out of his seat and headed for the door. It was best not to get on Jiraiya bad side when he already had to come pick him up from school earlier today.

Naruto violently threw open the door, his eyes quickly hardening as he recognized the guest. Sasuke immediately quaked under Naruto's hard glare. But he felt worse when he had to look at all the sores and bruises he had given Naruto, not that the blond didn't get in a few lucky shots himself. Shoot, Sasuke's jaw hurt like hell and a black eye was more than visible no that it had time to swell. Not to mention he walked all the way here with a limp left leg due to Naruto's kicking.

"What are you doing here, uragirimono?" Sasuke shivered to the malice in Naruto's tone, he was enraged still. "Haven't you caused enough trouble?" Naruto hissed. He was ready to slam the door right in Sasuke's face, but thought against it when he was still anxious to hear the other's reason.

"I came to apologize Naruto." Sasuke explained sincerely. "I'm very sorry about what I did. I shouldn't have never said those things and I certainly didn't mean to hurt Aka-chan." Sasuke confessed, his palms suddenly feeling incredibly sweaty.

"Well Aka-chan's the one you should be apologizing to, but I guess you can't since she's gone." Naruto lashed out. He stepped back and was just about to close the door when Sasuke quickly threw his arm in the way to catch it.

"But that's why I'm here Naruto!" Sasuke gasped. He pushed the door back open. "I know I can't erase what I've done, but at least allow me to fix it." He carefully pulled out the egg he had been keeping behind his back during the apology. "I don't know if Aka-chan can forgive me, but I was hoping you could." He held up the egg. The cracks were still very visible, but all the pieces seemed to be glued in the right spot, and if not the white out certainly helped conceal in. The once adorable smile, was now crooked, but still visible.

Naruto's gaze soften as he stared at the repaired egg. Gently, he picked it up, inspecting the handy work as he turned her around. "She's lost allot of weight." Naruto tried to joke about how Sasuke couldn't put the yolk back in her. Sasuke gave a half smirk over Naruto's slow but sure recovery. "Why would you do this, if you know there's a chance I still won't forgive you?" Naruto questioned seriously.

Sasuke smiled warmly for once. "Actually I was just putting in the hands of luck." He chuckled. "Either way, I don't think it would be fair for Aka-chan to stay that way because of me. But I feel really sorry for all the king's men who had to put Humpy Dumpy together again. It takes allot of work." Sasuke rubbed the back of his head nervously as he laughed.

"You're a jerk." Naruto mumbled, staring intently at the egg. But finally his eyes lifted to meet Sasuke's. A small smile tugged at the edges of his lips. "But I guess if no one else will deal with you, I'll have to be the one. So I forgive, on one condition."

"Anything!" Sasuke quickly replied. Even if Naruto told him to walk around town in a diaper he would do it if it would get the blond to forgive him. But he dearly hoped that wasn't the case.

"You have to take me out for ramen. But no complaining for the price." Naruto gleamed. Sasuke chuckled and nodded.

"Fine, fine. I hope you realize I don't get allowance, so everything is my hard earned money." Sasuke pointed out.

Naruto grinned and stepped out, closing the door behind him. He walked ahead of him, carrying the eggg happily with him. "So you work?" He questioned, turning back to Sasuke.

"Yep, on weekends since Itachi's too lazy to get a job. He says he's too busy to get a job, but I believe otherwise." Well Itachi was busy if you considered going out on dates and sleeping around work that couldn't be ignored. "Maybe you can visit me at work some time." Sasuke grinned proudly.

"Oh, really? Where do you work?" Naruto asked back. He was actually glad Itachi was right about him not being able to stay mad at Sasuke. But he was still worried about not telling Sasuke what Itachi said. So maybe he was the real traitor in their friendship, which filled Naruto with guilt.

"Don't laugh, but I have to clean at the movie theaters between each movie." Sasuke sighed. It wasn't much of a good job, but at least it brought in the money. And if Naruto came to visit him, then maybe they could sneak into a movie and it be a secret date of some sorts. At least to Sasuke it would be a date.

"That doesn't sound so bad." Naruto smiled and suddenly grabbed Sasuke's hand. "Enough talk, you owe me all the ramen I can eat!" He cheered, quickly running and dragging Sasuke behind. "And don't forget we need to get Aka-chan filled up too!"

To Be Continued...

A/N: This chapter for the most part was fun to write. But I feel sorry for Sasuke, he's getting cheated on basically. Nothing to fear though, Naruto will much more guilt when Sasuke tries to work his own magic! So please review! And Thanks to those already reviewing! You guys are awesome!

Next Chapter: Sasuke's been forgiven, but will he be able to forgive Naruto if he ever finds out about him and Itachi. That is if he isn't too busy trying to win over Naruto's heart. But that may be a hard feat when a school trip is coming up and chaperones are needed. Who better to volunteer for the position than Itachi himself? Then again Jiraiya there too isn't the best of situations.

Dictionary:

Moshi-moshi- hello. Traditionally used when answering the phone.
Watashi shitau anata- I adore(yearn for) you
Koibito- sweetheart, lover, boyfriend, or girlfriend. In this case Naruto is asking about being his boyfriend.
Koi- love
Uragirimono- traitor