Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Brother's Can't Be Trusted ❯ Keep Your Head Up ( Chapter 40 )

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

"Stop crying," growled a fierce voice. "It's over." He hissed viciously. But the boy only kept whimpering. He tried so hard to muffle his sobs but he couldn't pull himself together. He clung more tightly to his knees, pushing his head header into his legs. "Shut up!" His father roared angrily, still scrubbing harshly at the couch with bleach. "Do you want to wake Sasuke?" His father snarled at the convulsing boy in the corner.

Itachi shook his head quickly, sniffling as he finally calmed his tears. He got a scary burning feeling inside him when he saw his father smile. "Come now Itachi, it always hurts the first time." He said more gently. His father lifted off the couch and carefully kneeled before his shivering son. "You know daddy would never really hurt his little boy." He whispered, tenderly brushing the stray strands of hair from Itachi's face. "You know daddy loves you. So no more crying. Big boys don't cry, right?" He asked with a smirk. Itachi nodded weakly. "Good, now we better get you cleaned up before your mother gets home. You know how she hates filthy boys." His father replied soothingly.

Itachi flinched when his father pulled him into a warm embrace. But he made no struggle when he was picked up and carried off to the bathroom. His father's voice constantly echoed in his ears, relentlessly telling him one thing. 'This is how you love someone Itachi. This is the only way to show it...'

It took all of Itachi's strength to finally open his eyes when he felt the warm glow of the morning's rays on his flesh. Despite how comfortable and heated the lights were, he couldn't depart from the cold and empty feeling he had gotten through his long sleep. Timid, sad red eyes peeked behind slightly opened lids as he viewed into the world of the living, a world he had wished he had parted from a long time ago. To his surprise he came face to face with spiky dark blue hair and a peaceful face.

His crimson eyes widened at such a close proximity of them both and he felt a small burning in his cheeks. Itachi lowered his gaze so he would be staring so intensely at Kisame but it didn't help him cool down any less when he found Kisame's arms wrapped securely around him. It just felt to uncomfortable to the Uchiha. To be this close to somebody and yet not be doing anything intimate. It felt so unnatural, at elast to him. In fact, he hated this feeling. As if he was expecting something to happen to him with his guard down.

"Itachi..." The raven haired male shuddered suddenly to hearing his name being whispered in such a sweet voice. No one should ever speak off him this way...as if he were some sort of angel or saint. Itachi was a little disappointed to seeing Kisame was still asleep. He rather have Kisame tease him for yesterday than be speaking of him in such an affectionate manner. He sighed meekly and wiggled out from under Kisame's grasp. He couldn't recall ever falling asleep on his own, so what happened.

Itachi stepped off the side of the bed and quickly started to search for some clothes for today. Though he was not up for a day of merriment, he would fake the impression of happiness for Naruto at least. "Itachi." The Uchiha frozen in his movements as his younger brother suddenly stepped in unannounced. Sasuke didn't seem bother by having caught Itachi while he was still naked. "We are all going to the beach now, so you two need to change into your bathing suits." Sasuke ordered. He quirked up a suspicious eyebrow. Was it him or did Itachi seem extra weird today? Sasuke looked over to Kisame, who had finally come out of his peaceful slumber when he first barged in. "Did something happen between you two? Naruto said he heard yelling over hear last night." Sasuke asked curiously.

Sasuke only became more skeptical of the situation when he saw how quickly Kisame averted his gaze from them both. Not to mention Itachi's eyes seemed to turn a shade darker, probably with anger or irritation. "Just the usual." Kisame answered lowly. Sasuke nodded in agreement and quickly left the room. He was relieved to finally go because it felt like you could cut the tension in there with a butter knife. "Itachi..." Kisame attempted to talk with the melancholy Uchiha, but he was rather scared of how this would turn out. He wished he could just take the easy way out and play the whole thing off as a joke, but he knew Itachi would never fall for it.

Itachi simply ignored the other's reply. He searched through his luggage and found his swim trunks and with haste, he slipped into them. "I'll meet you outside." Itachi replied softly as he left through the door without another word. Kisame nearly choked on his own breath. Itachi was really avoiding him about this?! Come on now! Not even Itachi was that childish! Itachi always took his problems by the balls. Kisame felt like pulling out his hair that very second, but he had a party to attend to.

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"Oh, Sasuke look!" Naruto screamed, pointing to the large waves quickly crashing into the shore and rolling back out to sea. Naruto's eyes never looked so wide and innocent as he was captivated by the beauty of the sea. Sasuke had trouble just watching the fascinated blond and the ocean at the saem time, since they shared so much in come. With Naruto's vivid and gloriously shining blue eyes that resembled the carefree waves of the sea, Sasuke found himself entranced by the scene.

"Well what are you just standing here for, go swim." Sasuke teased with a chuckle. As much as he enjoyed Naruto's child like innocence, he was eager to see the sexy blond dripping form head to toe with ocean water and panting from all the fun he was sure to have. of course, Sasuke wasn't the only person who shared that fantasy. But Sasuke was certainly the only one that showed it.

But Sasuke was certainly the only one that showed it. Barely three minutes into the celebration and Sasuke was already ogling Naruto in his adorable blue with ramen bowls swim trunks. Sasuke on was in a bragging mood today and had been so bold as to wear a black Speedo. This was something you would be expecting from Itachi, but the older Uchiha was actually quite conservative today with black trunks with puffy red clouds on them. Zabuza and Kisame didn’t care much about how they looked, so they wore traditional bathing suits. Haku however, who still seemed to like making people guess his gender, wore a diver’s body suit.

Naruto was the first one out to the ocean’s edge. Since it was already the fall months, the water was still a little chilly but would warm up some once the sun was high. The exuberant blond anxiously started jumping the small waves as they neared him one by one. He giggled with excitement as his body shuddered to the coldness at his feet. “Naruto, you are supposed to get in the water!” Haku yelled out with a laugh. The teen quickly raced over to his friend, not bothering to slow down as he neared Naruto. And without any warning, Haku tackled Naruto into the chilly depths of the ocean.

“Haku!” Naruto squealed fearfully as he sputtered back to the surface. He was shivering intensely and his teeth chattered repeatedly. “T-This…i-is...fr-freez-zing…” Naruto stuttered, rubbing his hands together to return some of the lost warmth.

“Well, than we will just have to come up with a way to keep us warm.” Haku suggested with a giggle. “Let’s play chicken! Me and Zabuza against you and Sasuke.” Haku offered, grinning slyly. He knew there would be no chance of Naruto beating him at a game of chicken; he had immense strength and brains. Unlike Naruto, who only had sheer will and determination.

“Chicken? How do you play that?” Naruto asked, scratching the side of his head.

“It’s easy. I sit on Zabuza’s shoulders and you sit on Sasuke, then we wrestle to see who came push the other off. Whoever is left standing is the winner.” Haku explained proudly. He loved still being able to be a teacher to Naruto, someone he could look up to. But that was an easy position to fill, considering Naruto didn’t know much and could have anyone tell him something he didn’t know about.

“Alright. Sasuke!” Naruto called out, grinned gleefully. Sasuke sighed and marched over in the water. He didn’t appreciate being pulled into another game between Haku and Naruto, but he had no other choice but to help the blond out. “You have to hold me up.” Naruto explained. He quickly crawled up on Sasuke’s back without giving him any more explanations. But Sasuke didn’t object to having the eager blond on top of him. Naruto was pretty light anyway.

Seeing this, Zabuza walked over to join the small group of teens. This left Itachi and Kisame along the shores alone. Kisame stood nervously, prodding a pebble with his foot as he tried to think up something he could say. He finally had chance to clear things up with Itachi, so he couldn’t let it fly by. “Itachi about last night…I…uh…” Kisame tried to speak, but the words just wouldn’t come off his tongue. This was so frustrating.

“I’m going to see him.” Itachi said in a light whisper. Kisame stiffened and his head shot up to stare at the Uchiha with confusion. Sure he was mad that Itachi had ignored him once again so he could talk about something completely off subject, but Kisame didn’t dwell on it. “I’m going to see him again, my father.” Itachi replied again, his eyes shyly connected to the damp sand of the shore. For a moment it was all he noticed right now, the gentle grains of sand that could be so easily overlooked as individuals but were praised as a whole.

“What?!” Kisame asked out in astonishment. Surely Itachi wasn’t serious about seeing that bastard in jail. The only reason he should ever visit that man is if he was going to kill him. “Don’t joke around like that. He doesn’t deserve to see you again.” Kisame hissed.

“You always said I was obsessed with the man,” Itachi mumbled. “I just want to hear him. I just want to know if…he feels sorry for any of it. Maybe jail has actually changed him for the better.” Kisame clenched his teeth together at those words.

“Don’t fool yourself. That bastard was sick; he will never feel any regret for what he’s done to you. I think jail has changed him for the worse.” Kisame growled. Just thinking of that man had brought so much anger to him. He felt like punching someone’s face in. To bad Itachi was the only one around.

“It doesn’t matter anyway Kisame.” Itachi sighed. “He was released three days ago on the account of good behavior.” If ever there was a moment when you felt your whole body stop in everything, it was now for Kisame. He had stopped breathing all so he could try to comprehend the words he never wanted to hear. “I actually thought it was some sort of miracle when they first called. I want to believe I could finally burry that part of my life away now that he had been changed. But I guess I really am scared Kisame.” Itachi stepped forward, but Kisame couldn’t force himself to even move an inch.

“I’m scared…for me, for Sasuke. What if he hasn’t changed at all, than we really are in danger again? When Sasuke brought up this trip for Naruto, I was ecstatic for him. He could be out of town before he found out. Maybe I could convince him to just stay out here, where it is safe. I’m a coward, I came here as well. I didn’t go because Sasuke asked me… but because I didn’t want to face him. If I do face him…I can get over this, right? Then everything will go back to normal.”

“Itachi…” Kisame whispered dangerously. “You don’t have to do this, at least not alone. I won’t let him hurt you again, I swear.” He eagerly said.

“I hate it when you say this like that Kisame.” Itachi muttered in a cold voice. He didn’t wait for Kisame to try and convince him again. Itachi walked off, cutting across the shore and leaving Kisame there to sulk in his own thoughts.

“Damn it!” Kisame grunted to himself. He just ruined another chance to get through to Itachi. He just wished the idiot wasn’t so thick headed and stubborn. Sighing warily, Kisame started to walk toward the water. Just because Itachi wasn’t in a celebrating mood, didn’t mean he couldn’t be. He had to at least pretend he was having fun, for Naruto’s sake. That goofy oblivious blonde, he would have to thank him later. For at least showing Itachi what it was like to really love someone. If not for Itachi’s ambitious dream to woo the boy, he would probably be off getting himself killed by some masochist.

Kisame smiled timidly as he watched Naruto and Haku grapple with one another. Sasuke was desperately trying to balance the blond on his shoulders and not slip on the ocean’s wet floor. Zabuza however, didn’t look in the least bit strained in holding up his boyfriend, not to mention he was taller, which gave their team an unfair advantage. Kisame laughed lightly when Naruto’s hand slipped out of Haku’s and he went leaning back too far until he finally fell off. Haku’s arms shot into the air as he cheered loudly. These simple minded kids had nothing to worry about. Kisame envied them for Itachi. At least Sasuke could remain ignorant to the dangerous he would soon enough face. Let him keep his childhood, for just a little longer, Kisame wished.

The shark like man suddenly convulsed with shock when he felt a wave of sand sprinkle his back and neck. He angrily turned around, about to yell at the little brat who was throwing sand at him, but his mouth quickly glued tight when he saw it was Itachi behind him. “Get your head out of the clouds Kisame.” Itachi chuckled, twirling a small red shovel on his index finger as he held a tiny bucket in the other hand. “It’s too perfect a day to be filled with the gloomies.” Itachi teased; his smile so kind and heart felt. Kisame nearly gagged, he knew Itachi had probably got the art of recovery from Naruto.

“Well excuse me for being such a party pooper when you are the idiot that killed my whole mood for today.” Kisame grumbled, clapping his hands on his hips. He couldn’t maintain a stern glare when Itachi snickered like a high school girl. It was so cute on the sexy male, but he knew it was Itachi’s tricks to make him forget.

“I’m sorry.” Itachi cooed, walking over to Kisame and throwing his arms around the male’s neck. Itachi amusingly smirked at the tinge of pink that graced Kisame’s cheeks right now. “How about I make it all better?” Itachi asked. Kisame couldn’t help but nodded anxiously. Of course the only thing that filled his mind was a delightful sexual favor, but that wasn’t what Itachi had in mind at all. “Good,” the Uchiha replied. Itachi viciously shoved Kisame down onto the sand before the blue male could even word his surprise. “Nothing’s more comforting than a nice, warm, sun bath in the sand.” Itachi teased while scooping up a pile of sand with his little shovel and dropping it on Kisame’s chest.

“How will getting covered in sand cheer me up?” Kisame asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice. As much as he loved the ocean, he hated being covered in sand. His brow twitched more when Itachi filled his pail with more sand and dumped it on him anxiously.

“I’m not sure, but it sure does cheer me up.” Itachi answered, patting down the freshly laid sand on Kisame’s stomach. He mused over Kisame’s frustration and continued to burry his friend.

“Itachi, what are you doing?” Naruto suddenly asked, walking up to the two as he rung out his wet hair. Kisame didn’t appreciate all the attention this had brought him. Walking up right after Naruto was Sasuke and Zabuza. They all stared at Kisame as if he had grown a second head.

“I’m just burying Kisame.” Itachi answered bluntly. “Care to help?” A sudden smile came to Naruto and he quickly got on his knees, scooping up a handful of sand and pounded it on Kisame. The blue man groaned in irritation. This was so wrong.

“Uh…I see you two are busy, so I think me and Zabuza will get the grill started.” Sasuke replied with a light chuckle. Sweat dropped from his head as he saw Kisame’s obvious reluctance to being the dog’s bone in this situation, poor guy. But he wasn’t about to ruin Naruto’s fun so Sasuke hurried off to begin the cook out.

“Can I help?” Haku asked with a smile. Naruto nodded without consulting Itachi or Kisame. Haku kneeled down as well and all three of the males worked on covering Kisame in the heated same. “I think we need more water to make it stick.” Haku mentioned as his clumps of sand kept falling apart. “Can you go get some water Itachi?”

Kisame was relieved to see the Uchiha run off to retrieve the water, at least he had some peace. “You like Itachi don’t you Kisame?” Naruto asked with a soft chuckle. Damn it, he thought too soon. Now this blond kid was going to pester him on his love life. “I think you two make a cute couple.”

“Uh, thanks…I guess…” Kisame answered hesitantly.

“I for one think Itachi deserves someone like you.” Haku added. “He’s a sex-obsessed pervert, and you are just plain boring. See you keep each other in check.” That wasn’t in the least bit comforting to Kisame. In fact it made him feel worse. Maybe if he was more of a jerk, Itachi would like him more. But it was too late to change his personality now. “Have you slept with him yet?” Haku asked; quirking up an eye brow.

“No!” Kisame coughed. This was certainly embarrassing. He must have sunk low if he was getting counseling on his relationship from these two idiots. “I’m not some whore that sleeps with a guy just because he wants it.”

Haku laughed loudly. “In other words you’re still a virgin.” Kisame’s face went deep red. This was pure evil; being mocked by a kid. “You and Naruto really need to step up your game. Both or your guys obviously want it you two are the only ones holding back.” Naruto huffed and stuck out his tongue.

“I told you why I haven’t done anything yet. It just doesn’t feel right at the moment.” Naruto’s voice went low in embarrassment. Talking about this type of stuff with Haku always made him bashful.

“How about I teach you two how to set the mood than?” Haku offered suddenly with an anxious smile. “I’m sure Zabuza won’t mind having an audience, especially if they are as hopeless as you two. Itachi will beg for you in no time Kisame.” Kisame growled under breath. He didn’t like any of this conversation. He didn’t any help in seducing Itachi; it was a peace of cake. Just get the teen drunk and he’ll be bending over like a cat in heat. But if he wanted Itachi conscious for it, than maybe he would need a little practice.

“Fine you punk.” Kisame hissed. “Now just let me out of here.” He was desperate to get out of this itchy mount.

“No can do Shark-boy. First rule about seducing, give your uke whatever he wants. And since Itachi wanted to burry you, we are going to burry you.” Haku explained, resulting in Kisame rolling his eyes. All this was crap.

“Will you four stop being babies for a while and come and get lunch!” Sasuke yelled out to the group from the patio of the beach house. A small cloud of smoke rose from the grill where he and Zabuza had been grilling some kabobs.

“Sure thing!” Naruto was the first to answer and the first to leave his spot by Kisame’s side. The enthusiastic blond raced over to the back pouch and climbed the few steps. “Can I open my presents first Sasuke?” He asked wildly.

“Uh, sure thing birthday boy.” Sasuke answered. He smiled hopelessly as he watched Naruto take his seat at the end of the table on the pouch as the rest of the group scrambled up there one by one. Kisame, of course, was the last one to make it there all because Itachi abandoned him in the sand.

The gathered round the table, grabbing their plates and already starting to dig in while Naruto was concentrating on opening his presents. “Open Jiraiya’s first since the jerk didn’t want to come with us. I bet he’s throwing some wild and crazy party at home right now.” Haku complained. He quickly handed Naruto a large nicely wrapped red box.

“To my inspiring little kitsune…” Naruto read the small tag on the gift. Sasuke was preparing himself for the worse already. Knowing Jiraiya, that box was filled with sex toys. Frankly, as mush as Sasuke would appreciate it later, he didn’t like the thought of everyone else seeing that kind of stuff, though they probably were all okay with it.

Naruto hastily unwrapped the package, his curiosity heightening as he removed the tape from the top of the present. Silence surrounded the group as Naruto carefully took out one of the items in the box. “A book?” Naruto replied dumbfounded. His fingers gently ran over the title of the graphic novel: Ich Ich Paradise, the Yaoi addition. Sasuke felt his face go flush as Naruto flipped through a couple of pages.

There was no doubt about it. Jiraiya wasn’t kidding when he said he needed material for his new season of books. But it seemed he liked the original character models so much, he didn’t want to change them into a heterosexual couple. Sasuke smiled lightly at the main character of the book. A small blond fox half-demon boy with ambitious dreams and a fiery personality had been easily seduced by a cunning and handsome black haired prince who captured rare creatures for his collection. The prince had tricked his new prize into doing all sorts of things for him, all being eechi and suggestive since it was a book made by Jiraiya.

“That’s no fair!” Haku pouted. “I want a manga on me and Zabuza!” Zabuza simply rolled his eyes at the suggestion. As if he needed to be in a book to be remembered by people.

“Too bad Haku.” Sasuke chuckled. He was definitely going to read those books over the trip. Thank you Jiraiya! “How about you open Itachi’s now?” Sasuke suggested. He hoped Itachi got Naruto something lame for his gift could easily put it to shame. Naruto nodded with a smile and grabbed a small bag from the collection.

“Oh wow! A free year coupon to Ichiraku’s ramen shop! You are so cool Itachi!” Naruto exclaimed, jumping out of his seat. Sasuke sighed. Oh course anything dealing with ramen will excite Naruto. He felt bad for the ramen shop. They were going to lose supplies and they best customer’s money.


Naturally, Kisame didn’t know what to get the young blond, but at least he tired to get him something he would like. Kisame gave him a free night pass to one of the hottest teen night clubs in Konoha. Zabuza, unlike the rest, didn’t even bother to buy Naruto a gift. His excuse was he didn’t have the time to buy one by the time he remembered Naruto’s birthday was even in this month. But everyone knew the true reason was because he was had been hostile toward the blond for making Haku come down here in the first place. You do not reward the person who was stealing the heart of your lover, simple as that.

“Alright, it’s time to open my present Naruto!” Haku yelled out excitedly.

To Be Continued…

A/N: Lol, I really had to get in one last chapter before I left. So I did my best to type it up between packing. So I hope you all really loved it as well as appreciated my efforts. I hope you are looking forward to Haku’s present for Naruto as well as the lessons he owes Kisame and Naruto. So thanks for the great reviews and please keep alert for when I get back. See you all later!

Next Chapter: Haku has the perfect gift for Naruto, though it might just be off use to Sasuke as well. Kisame may not be as gifted as he still has to convince Itachi he’s worth something in his life. Can he somehow manage to win Itachi’s affection or will he fail miserably so close to their time to leave? If he should fail, would Itachi’s father find a chance to squeeze back into the Uchiha’s heart.