Before Death

Before Death


A/N: Thanks once again to all of my reviewers for 'In Death'! I hope that you enjoy this!


It is interesting how fickle humanity can be. One instant, they are devoted and loyal only to those around them, striving constantly to impress and to gain favor. However, in the next instant, they become angry and rebellious, turning their backs upon the world they had been born into and walking defiantly into a new destiny. I suppose that I am just as fickle if not more so. My family found that out fairly quickly. Heh. Forgive me and my sense of humor. Sure, I find what I did to be dishonorable and there are moments that I regret it. However, I quickly remember my purpose in this existence and I forget my regrets and my still lingering attachment to my bloodline. Hn, I bet that my dear brother would be shocked to know that I still have a few stubborn ties that refuse to leave me. But, I am not entirely perfect, contrary to popular belief.

The night is far quieter then is normal, even for a place as remote as this. It is as if nature knows what I am orchestrating. The wind is stale and even though I know that there is no bloodshed anywhere close enough, I can smell it. It has ingrained itself upon my senses so deeply that I will never purge myself of its taint. But, that is a small price I suppose. What a strange night indeed. I feel that something is coming upon this gentle and warm wind. I narrow my eyes slightly to see deeper into the ongoing darkness only to be met with the trees and vast sky filled with so many stars that they have become obnoxious.

It has been a good three and a half years or so since I had been given my mission and exactly one year, seven months, and nineteen days since the disappearance of my target. How he has managed to slip so easily our of reach I do not know. One instant I could feel him as easily as I could the rays of the sun on a cloudless day and the next he was gone entirely. How utterly annoying. He is not dead. I know this to be certain for a fact. If he were, I would not still bear the weight of my ring. It grows heavier each day and I know that my partner feels it as well. It is quite interesting that such an easy target could slip from my hands and I find myself pondering the mystery daily. Hourly. I refuse to ask the others for assistance as does my partner. I did not come this far to be labeled as incompetent.

“Oi, Itachi. Come and eat something, you’ve been working too hard and you need your strength.” Once again I find myself sighing at the well spoken man’s babying. He worries for me more then he should, but I suppose that I have that effect on people. I find it amusing that the only companion that I somewhat like is a cold-bloodied, sadistic, power hungry shark. But, I suppose that I have been friends with worse people. Silently, I step off of the branch that I had been standing upon and I allow gravity to pull me back to earth, relishing in the momentary loss of control that floods my body.

“You aren’t looking so well.” Kisame stated to me as I landed and re adjusted my robes.

“Says the blue skinned wonder…” I all but purr in response, a faint smirk lighting my usually emotionless features. I suppose that he should consider himself lucky that he can see me in such a way.

“No, I am serious, Itachi-kun. Your Sharigan is not the right shade and you look ill.” He confirms and a small flicker of what I believe is some form of mild concern flashes across his fearsome features. I shrugged slightly in response to his statement and step around him to walk up the tall set of stairs before up to the waiting temple. We have been living here for a good while. Actually, it has been our base of operations for several months because of its good location. The main building in located partway up a mountainside overlooking a large valley that is just on the outskirts of the Fire country.

“Perhaps.” I say to my companion as he falls into step at my side. It has been happening for a while now and I am surprised that Kisame has not mentioned it sooner. This is a slow illness really, one that will creep into my body starting in my head until reaching my lungs and main organs. Of course, I have my wonderful eyes to thank for this illness. A side effect you might say. At first I didn’t notice it and used my Mangekyo Sharigan without thought, or rather Amateratsu in specific. Apparently the goddess takes out a toll for using her fire. The illness will spread the more that I use the technique until it consumes me whole. But, I am not really concerned. You may think me mad because of this. Whatever. I will worry about this minor problem later. And then I felt it, a sudden chill that snaked up my spine and caused a soft, nearly inaudible noise from the back of my throat. A powerful chakra that was very faint and all too familiar was close.

“The Nine tails…” My partner murmured a few moments after I felt it. And it was just as sudden that said chakra appeared only a few feet in front of me, glowing that deliciously angry red that sent shivers traveling through my limbs. And much to my surprise, the figure within that swirling vortex of power was just as beautiful, if not more so.

“Hnn, Naruto-kun… I am pleased to see that you are well.” I drawled out in a seductively lazy tone, my head tilting to the side ever so slightly as a slow grin touched my features. He looked positively feral. His body had obviously undergone some vivid changes over the course of their time away from each other. The once small, slightly frail, innocent looking little boy was now tall, standing nearly my own height and holding a good deal of muscle on his slim figure. His golden tresses had grown out to nearly mid back on the whisker faced male and they flowed about him wildly with that pulsating aura. He was covered in a simple outfit, a black haori that fell open over his chest and was cinched at his waist by an orange tie over a tight fitting orange mesh shirt and shin length black pants. His feet were clad in black sandals and proudly displayed around his neck was the Konoha forehead protector. Naruto was perched in a crouch before me, his once blue eyes glowing a bloodied crimson that made him all the more appealing in my opinion. The blonde was certainly a suitable carrier for the Kyubii no Kitsune, strongest of the tailed beasts.

“I have deal for you, Shark-face and Ass hat the wonder Weasel!” Came the deep rumbling response from the all but snarling boy. Ass hat the wonder Weasel? Now, I have been called some pretty insulting things in my life, but I have to say that this one takes the cake. I wonder if the reason that Kisame is suddenly backing away from me is because of my now twitching eyebrow and the murderous glint that is no doubt radiating my desire to kill the blonde. I don’t even know what an Ass hat is. Of all of the stupid-

“What sort of deal could a child like you have for us?” Kisame asked. That damn shark thought that this situation was amusing. A demonic grin split the blondes lips and he chuckled darkly. I am not one to succumb to fear or anything of that sort, but as I stared into the glowing eyes of that young man I felt my blood run cold. He slowly stood, folding his arms in the sleeves of his haori and shielding his eyes from view with his bangs.

“As you know, the Snake bastard has MY bastard and I want him back. Within two months, ten days, and three hours, Orochimaru will take Sasuke’s body for his own.” Naruto began, pausing for a long moment at his last statement. I could not prevent the devious little voice in my mind from singing in amusement at the attachment that the blonde had to my dear brother. How…amusing. It seems that my brother has found a faithful little dog after all, or make that a fox rather.

“I do not care about such a weak little toddler. “ I state in response to the dramatic pause. This of course, eared me a glare almost worthy of myself from the snarling fox. Oh my. Was the boy defending my brother’s honor?

“You assholes have been trying to get your nasty ass hands on me for years. My deal is this: Help me free Sasuke from his curse, kill Orochimaru, and destroy whatever remains of that Snake’s dumbass forces and I will give myself willingly to you.” Momentarily I think that I felt the mild urge to come myself. And by minor, I mean a quickly passing, brief flicker of a thought. And as my mind went on that wonderfully perverted tangent, a cruel and yet highly seductive smile graced my lips and I almost laughed at the slight falter in Naruto’s still innocent face.

“That’s all, Naruto-kun?” I purred, my eyes locked on his. He swallowed visibly and paled slightly behind the walls of red that separated us.

“You had also better leave Konoha alone! I’ll be your damn puppet, but I won’t let you harm my village!” He hissed at me angrily. This time I did laugh.

“Very well. I agree to your conditions. Besides, Orochimaru defected from us and is to be executed anyway.” I agreed and Kisame gave the boy a toothy grin that he was so notorious for. Even I find myself slightly creeped out by the man at times. In an instant I felt an intense heat surrounding my body, the blonde glaring straight up at me from only a few inches away. That red chakra tore at me slightly, testing, feeling, tasting me. It was only held at bay by the smaller or us as it swirled violently around us to the point of pushing my partner further away. I did not show any outward response to his closeness, nor the threat of the chakra that could at any moment descend upon me. Instead I regarded him coolly. I never knew that a person could have such soft and yet powerful hands. When they grasped one of my own, or rather, the only visible hand I possessed, I could not help the mild tingle that ran from that hand to my heart. He raised one of his own hands to his lips and in a movement that was unintentionally seductive, he made a long cut across his palm with one of his enlarged fangs before clasping my hand firmly. The grunt that forced itself from my lips was the only noise that I made as an intense pain shot through my extremities at the contact of Naruto’s now glowing blood that I could feel melding into my skin. It moved inside of me through my palm, marking me.

I was actually unwilling to release the boy when he pulled away, but that would be far too out of character for the legendary villain of the Uchiha clan. He fixed me with a preditorial glare that had odd effects on me.

“Good…I will return in one month. Your words and my blood bind and seal our contract, go against me and you will die, Itachi.” Naruto hissed lowly before vanishing in a burst of chakra. My hand was still before me where the other had been for several moments afterward. And then the rain came, pouring in soothingly depressing sheets upon me as I tilted my face upward. Kisame approached me from the side, concern etched with his white eyes.

“ Itachi-kun?” He asked cautiously. My shoulders shook lightly and a gloriously foreign sound came from my vocal chords causing even more concern to break out of the shark’s stunned mind. I was laughing.

“That stupid boy doesn’t even realize what he has done!” It was beautiful, far more beautiful then I could have hoped for. I would have the Kitsune, Sasuke would be safely away from Orochimaru, and I would soon have the perfect form of torture for my younger brother. A new blonde plaything. I must thank the wind for its little gift. My eyes fell upon the strange seal on the palm of my hand that looked a great deal like a spiraling flaming fox in red. Yes, in a mere month’s time, Naruto would be mine and Sasuke would finally have enough hatred to kill me.


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I sensed his return mere seconds before his arrival and smirked faintly at the book I was reading in response. I think that the art style was improving on these newer editions to the series. Naruto landed almost silently a few feet from my hiding place, poised to spring off again.

“Naughty, naughty little Naruto…” I drawled out lazily. The priceless squeak that came from him was worth missing a pair of young men going at it in a nearby hot spring. He fixed me with a wide eyed stare, his blue eyes filled with horror before they quickly shifted to irritation.

Glee.

“ Maa, I wonder if Jiraiya knows that his little student has been out all night and day instead of resting in a hospital bed like he is supposed to be?” I asked casually, looking thoughtfully at the book in my hands. “ Hn, think of how proud he will be, knowing that our little Naruto is growing into quite the naughty little boy.”

Yeah, I know that I am too amused by my bad humor. But, watching a vein pop up from the side of the young man’s temple and his jaw falling slack is just too funny a sight to resist. He pointed an accusing finger at me and began stuttering incoherently to come up with a semi understandable retort, which is equally amusing.

Glee.

“Y-you sick FREAK!! Kakashi-sensei!!!” The blonde all but shrieked, his face turning nearly purple from what I can assume is embarrassment.

“Naaani? What did I do? You are the one sneaking off to do naughty things in the middle of the night…” I drawled. I have this whole clueless thing mastered I think. My only visible eye crinkled in amusement as the boy squirmed beneath the accusations.

“ I WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING PREVERTED, SICKO!!” He yelled, his face now a wonderful shade of maroon I believe. That is if I remember my colors properly. It could be more fuchsia in the right lighting I suppose.

“Oh? I don’t think I can believe you, Naruto-kun, after all, you are blushing quiet badly…Was it any good?” I snickered darkly while making suggestive motions with my hands that still held my beloved book. I think he almost passed out.

“ NOO! I- I mean! I didn’t! GAAAH!!” He screamed in frustration, pulling on his hair in frustration.

Glee.

“So he must not have been very good? Or was it a she? You know, if you wanted it that badly, you could have just come to me or ask Jiraiya for a good person to do the job. “ I added sympathetically, unable to resist adding to the torment by patting the boy on the shoulder out of pity. That did it.

“ NO! HELL FUCKING NO! I did NOT go fuck someone out in the damn woods, and I would NEVER EVER go to that Ero senin for THAT or and the thought of you doing T-THAT to me is enough to make me sick!!” The blonde screamed angrily, his blue eyes blazing dangerously. “ I was doing something that will save Sas- shit!! You bastard!!!”

Got him.

Again.

My eye narrowed dangerously and my lips drew into a tight line. I knew he had been up to something naughty. I slowly closed my book and slipped it into one of the many pockets inside of my vest and rose to my full height that still towered over the boy easily.

“You will clean up and meet me and the others in your hospital room in thirty minutes. If you are not there, I will send my furry friends after you and they will find you. There is no point in avoiding it Naruto for I WILL find out what you have done. “ For once, my tone was dead serious. I locked eyes with the now nervous ninja for a long moment before bounding off of my perch to seek out a certain Sanin and a few other choice souls. Oh, Naruto, Naruto, what doom have you set for us this time?


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FUCKING FUCKITY FUCK FUCK SHIT DAMN PISS HELL!!!

How in the name of all things sane do I ALWAYS fall for that damn pervert’s tricks!? GAAAAH! I watched his dark form vanish into the steadily growing morning with a mixture of fear, unease, and anger. Sure, I could most likely escape them pretty easily and avoid his damn dogs too, however, I would be out of a home, friends, sensei, and everything else that matters. Well, aside from Sasuke. Why was I so damn stupid!? If I had just agreed to doing the naughty with some random chick, Kakashi wouldn’t be pissed and off to assemble my executioners. If they find out what I have done, what I have planned…Someone please shoot me and get it over with.

With a sigh of resignation, I made my hesitant way back to my abandoned room. My clone waved cheerfully to me as I snuck inside the window and I chuckled softly in response before he vanished in a poof of smoke. With a sigh I went about re-dressing in my uncomfortable paper nightgown before sliding back into the surprisingly comfortable and welcoming covers of my clean hospital bed. It is sooo warm. My eyes drooped slowly and despite me agitation and anxiousness, I fell into a deep slumber, allowing dreams to invade my strung out mind.

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Warm lips ghosted over heated skin, tasting, biting, sucking, trying to consume the essence that was his love’s unique flavor. A moan of utter ecstasy freed itself from his working throat around the delicious flesh that was stiff and weeping its contents into his swallowing throat. It was such a wonderfully tangy and bitter sauce, one that he clearly enjoyed greatly. He pulled back after a moment to lick his reddened lips clean of the substance before fixing me with a beaming smile.

“ Oy! Shikamaru! Would you like some more Barb-Q?” He asked cheerfully before popping the rest of the meat into his mouth. I really should take Jiraiya up on his offer to help write those books of his. Either that or I just need to get laid. My head shook slightly from side to side out of habit. Speaking is too much of a hassle. We had been enjoying an early breakfast at the Bar-b-Q hut before it was time to meet at the Hokage’s tower. I eyed my still eating best friend out of the corner of my eye. Today was his first mission as a Chuunin. To say that I was worried about it was an understatement. True, Chouji had lost some weight and gained a good deal of strength after his near death experience when we had gone to retrieve the Uchiha, but still, he was not as strong as the others. Luckily, I would be going along as their squad leader to keep an eye on him.

“Let’s go, Chouji, we don’t want to be late…” I stated finally, earning a whine from the other. I threw down enough money to cover the bill and rose to my feet with a soft sigh.

“Your appetite is so troublesome sometimes.” I can’t help but mutter, earning only a chuckle from him as he followed after me. We made our slow way through the streets of Konoha toward the tower. Walking fast was never something I enjoyed doing and Chouji seemed content to stay at my side, so there was no need to hurry. I am sure that we made quite the pair. Two men dressed in full shinobi attire, loaded to the teeth with weapons, walking lazily along as though we had nothing to do and were not about to go risk our lives. Chouji really had changed over the past couple years. He hadn’t grown very tall, but he had slimmed up to looking close to an average weight. His hair was still that wild orange color, but it had been cut short and stuck out in a neat layered sort of design. I find it amusing that he has more admirers then even Hyuuga now.

“I…I’m a bit worried, Shika-chan…” He murmured softly to me, and I could feel one of his hands bunching in the hem of my shirt. Normally he would have held onto my forearm, but it was currently folded behind my head. I smiled over at him lightly, tilting my head to get a better look at him.

“We’ll be fine, Chouji. Besides, with you watching my back, I am sure that things will go smoothly.” I replied and I reached over to ruffle his hair affectionately, earning a grin from him. No doubt he knows the perverted thoughts that are already forming in my head against that little remark.

“Perv.” He snickers lightly, with a wicked gleam in his eyes. I returned my gaze ahead of me while shaking my head.

“Too troublesome.”

It was at this point that several blurs crossed our path and we both stop to watch them vanish into the air.

“Was that Ino?” Chouji asked me curiously after a moment.

“Aa. Lee, Sakura, Kakashi, Jiraiya, Yamato, Ino, and Neji if I my eyes are correct.” I state after a moment before starting to walk again. That is interesting indeed.

“I wonder what is going on…” The red head at my side says as we enter the main floor of the Hokage tower.

“Naruto must have done something stupid again…”


A/N:: Well, here it is folks! The second edition of the story In Death. This all takes place before In Death and it will be a few chapters long. I may write the sequel to In Death after this. Who knows. -shrugs- I will update soon! XD I bet you were all thinking nasty thoughts when I introduced Chouji and Shika weren’t you? =P Ja ne! ** Rate and Review please!! -gives you cookies-