The Jutsu of Surrender

Two years later, and the two had a closer bond than either could have expected. Itachi watched as Sasuke completely a difficult and volatile jutsu with ease. The boy... Itachi affectionately thought of him as such in his mind, but the tone of his muscles and slightly added height kept him from calling Sasuke that out loud. The added height... Thankfully the brat had stopped growing again, they were now almost as tall as one another. Itachi hated to be considered short, but having his little brother possibly catch up to him in inches was annoying.

Sasuke’s hair was bound behind him, bangs hiding his eyes from Itachi’s view. The older Uchiha’s eyes slid down to where they were supposed to be watching, Sasuke hands as he practiced the jutsu once more. Teaching his brother was nice, since he never let himself do it when they were younger. He saw that Sasuke could be something great, but he didn’t want to raise his skills as quickly as his own were, seeing the mistakes and loneliness that followed. Sasuke was a social boy at the time, being ostracized for having too much skill would have saddened him. Ah, the joys of being a weird protective older brother.

“I think I have it down. The next step is combining it with the other jutsu, ne? That might prove to be difficult.”

Itachi uncrossed his arms, walking toward his sibling. “Not really, you picked up on each rather quickly.” His arms retreated into the cloak, fiddling with the seem of the sleeve.

“Still, we should go slow.” Sasuke nodded, dropping his hands. He was tired, body aching from being so tense.

“Hn. You’re only saying that so I don’t force us to fight.... I’ll wait a year, so we can have some peace together.”

“Mm.... don’t talk about that right now.”

“Or course,” Itachi leaned closer, kissing his forehead. Loving gestures were still few and far between, but Itachi did not feel so odd when doing them, for the most part. Especially when Leader might be watching them. He never missed a chance at thumbing his nose at the man. “We should go in, its getting dark.”

Sasuke nodded a little, “aa. So aniki... are we ready now?”

“We are,” he whispered. Itachi had a plan. It was a brazen plan, but one that might work if all the pieces fell in the right places. Sasuke was strong enough to help him. If Leader knew what was coming, he didn’t give any indication of such. They were careful when they talked of the plan, making sure that the room was blocked from outside viewing, still speaking in hushed tones. Sasuke smiled at him, rising a little to the balls of his feet to being even with his brother, kissing him softly. Itachi touched his neck, thumb stroking just above his pulse, smiling against his brothers lips as Sasuke shivered in response. Pulling away a little, he whispered against Sasuke’s lips, “we’ve come a long way since the sound village...”

“Aa... We have.” A long way, and a lot of... settling, on both of their parts. Sasuke settled his past, and resigned to not think of the future for once, instead enjoy living in the here and now. Itachi was more than a brother, and more than Sasuke could have wished to have. Their lives were entwined once more, Sasuke not quite agreeing to the final fight Itachi had in mind, but he had stop protesting as loudly as well. Not really given up, just a resolve to live and be with Itachi in peace, rather than argue. No sense complaining about a future event until it was more imminent.

“Come on, let’s go get some dinner.” A slow and seldom seen smile spread across his lips.

Sasuke nodded, brushing his fingers over Itachi, smirking as they twitched. Two years, and the man still couldn’t hold his hand. Unless, of course, he was too preoccupied with other things to notice. If someone had told him that Itachi was a rather good lover in the past, Sasuke would have scoffed at the idea. Not that, in the past, he would have wanted to hear anything involving sex and his brother. Life had a crazy way of changing.

“You’ve spoiled me, you know.” He turned, Sasuke following by his side, walking back to the side entrance of the Akatsuki. “If I lost you now, there wouldn’t be anyone else that I could be interested in.”

“Good to know,” Sasuke smirked a little.

Itachi snorted, “you would find pleasure in that.” Reaching over, he ruffled Sasuke’s carefully groomed hair, chuckling at the mock glare Sasuke shot him. “You should cut it again... Its getting long.”

“You don’t like it long?”

“You look too much like me.”

Sasuke blinked in surprise. “That’s bad?”

“You’re beautiful on your own.”

“Mm,” Sasuke was mostly used to that now, able to keep from blushing every compliment his brother threw his way. “I could cut it the way it used to be when I was younger, if you’d like,” he chuckled, glancing up at Itachi. “Spikes in the back and all.”

“Hmmm...” Considering this, Itachi tilted his head, examining the area in question. “Well I’d miss playing with your hair.” When it was only the two of them, Itachi would calm the nerves that Leader made raw by running his hand through Sasuke’s hair. Well... lots of sex, and then while both caught their breathes, he would do that. Being totally exhausted and doing something so simple but enjoyable was the highlight of those evenings. Like ink, running through his fingers, that was how soft his brother’s hair was. Short, and Sasuke would feel the need to spike it. Spiked meant gel... and that would hinder his enjoyment.

Sasuke chuckled softly, “then tell me how you want it.” Itachi snickered, looking back down at the path. “You pervert.” Was there something about him that made the people that slept with him perverts? Orochimaru had always been one, Naruto slowly turned into it... and then there was Itachi.

“It’s your fault.”

“You’re right... I just force those thoughts into your head, ne?”

“You do, actually.” His brother was very good at forcing those thoughts into his head at the most inopportune moments.

“How?”

Itachi licked his lips, mind drifting over each instance. “Lots of ways... You give me one of those looks, you bend over... or walk in front of me... You say sexy things.” Of course in the right mood, Sasuke could say anything, and Itachi would want him more. Unless he was being a stubborn ass.

“Mm,” Sasuke swung in front of Itachi, sliding his hands down his brother’s chest. “How is just walking in front of you an invitation for you to have dirty thoughts?”

Itachi mildly glared at him; damn it, he was hungry, this was not the time to initiate a sexual experience. “Its because my eyes somehow manage to find their ways to your butt... which is nice looking... and it reminds me that I haven’t humped you nearly enough that day.”

“Hn, well you’re right about one thing.” Sasuke smirked up at him, body pressing against Itachi. “You haven’t humped me enough today.” Snickering at his brother’s choice of words, he curled his fingers in his cloak.

“Well, we should rectify that, ne?” Screw dinner, it would hold for a few more hours, this was more important.

Sasuke nodded, “definitely.”

Itachi searched their surroundings, trying to pick out an area to have sex in. “Want to try it in that tree?” It would bring chakra control to a whole new level.

Raising an eyebrow, Sasuke eyed the tree. “Only if I can keep my shirt on. Tree bark against my back isn’t very appealing.”

Then the tree was out. Itachi did not mind a quickie with their clothes mostly on, but it might be uncomfortable against his brother’s skin, even through the shirt. “Hmmm... rocks?” He pointed out an area, large rocks grouped together at odd angles.

“Rocks?”

“Well they’re big,” Itachi shrugged, “something to pin you to and fuck, that’s all I ask.”

“Works for me. Let’s go.” Sasuke wrapped his arms around Itachi’s neck, his brother’s arm coiling around his waist. It would have been faster for himself to jump to the rocks Itachi had picked out, but Sasuke rather enjoyed being this close to him. As soon as he was set down, Sasuke leaned against the sun warmed rock.

Itachi reached out, running his fingers over the blood colored rock. “Seems smooth enough.”

“Good.” The one he picked to lean against felt firm, not giving as he pushed back against it. It was angled back a little, the perfect place to be taken advantage of. Sasuke smirked at that though, eyeing his brother’s cloak. It needed to go; the younger Uchiha happily yanked it off of Itachi’s shoulders. A hissing grabbed both of their attention, eyes turning to the source. The snake was tan and red, rough looking scales making a soft whisper as it coiled. It was just warning them from his home, Sasuke knew, but he was grateful when his brother threw a kunai at it, cleanly severing the head. He did not have any pity for snakes anymore. “I hate snakes.”

Itachi chuckled, throwing his cloak over a rock. Knowing his luck, some poisonous insect would hide there, and he’d have to explain just how he was bit/stung by the creature. Outdoor sex was dangerous. “I bet you are... There shouldn’t be more, or they’ll stay hidden.”

“Good.”

Since they had not planned on going further than the surrounding forest, Itachi had worn the belt Sasuke bought him for his birthday. He undid it, sliding it from the belt loops. Devine inspiration indeed. “Raise your arms.” Sasuke licked his lips, silently doing as asked of him. The older Uchiha put Sasuke’s wrists together, looping the belt around them. Making sure he did not pull too tightly, Itachi tightened the belt, tying it in a knot between his hands. Incase they were attacked, Sasuke could free himself. “Heh.”

Sasuke looked up at his wrists, giving Itachi a curious look. “Interesting.” He summoned the best uke look he could, pretending to struggle against his bonds.

“...Is it wrong that I like that?” Itachi smirked, lowering his pants to his thighs, fingers working to remove Sasuke’s shorts.

“No.” Of course not, he could be kinky too when he wanted to be. An unfortunately good side effect of living with Orochimaru. He arched his hips, the small amount of his brother’s touch teasing the trapped hardness. The approaching evening air hit his hot skin, making him hiss and shiver. Itachi kissed the tip of his length, one finger sliding down it. Inhaling sharply, Sasuke bit his lip. “Mmm... aniki...” He shifted a little, missing the ability to touch his brother.

Given his new appreciation of Sasuke’s body, in the worst times, Itachi had taken to carrying around a small bottle of oil that worked well as lubrication. Inwardly he thought it was silly of him, but these chances of taking his brother were ones he looked forward too.

“Do you carry that with you everywhere?” Sasuke was familiar with the small bottle, he smirked down at it as Itachi stroked himself with the oil.

“Are you complaining?”

“Not at all,” licking his lips eagerly, Sasuke watched as his brother moved closer to him between his legs. He’d long broken Itachi’s need to be gentle with him. Everything was healed, and he was for the most part accustomed with the member filling him. Sasuke angled his head to get a better look, opening his legs wider.

Itachi teased his entrance with the tip of his length, watching the younger Uchiha. His brother groaned and tried to push the member deeper inside, Itachi smirking at the response. While teasing Sasuke was fun, he didn’t feel like holding back this time. With a rough thrust, he entered Sasuke roughly, leaning down to kiss him. “Start out fast or slow... your choice.”

“Nnn...” Sasuke wrapped his legs around Itachi’s waist, struggling to free his wrists. “Fast... hard...”

Pinning Sasuke to the rock, Itachi obliged, bodies slamming together with loud slaps. They both moaned, the sounds of their romp echoing off of the rocks. Watching each other through lust hazed eyes, their hot breathes mixed with every pant, the world around them falling away. All Itachi could see and feel was Sasuke; he knew it was dangerous to be in this sort of state out in the open, but that was part of the rush. His free hand wrapped around Sasuke’s weeping member, feverish to the touch, and stroked it quickly.

“Aniki!” Sasuke’s hips jerked, chin lifting as he moaned loudly. The older Uchiha’s hips rolled while he thrust harder, every inward stroke hitting the sensitive spot inside him. He fisted his hands then relaxed them, aching to touch Itachi. The feel of his skin, the dampness from the sweat that arose from the exertion, it was all part of what made sex good with his brother.

Itachi turned his head, whispering in Sasuke’s ear. “Want your hands free?”

Despite his pride, Sasuke whimpered longingly. “Yes.”

“Beg for it.”

If it had been any other time, Sasuke would have scowled at Itachi, possibly walked away. He didn’t beg for anything. This wasn’t one of those times, though, and he wanted his hands free so badly. “Nnn... please, aniki... let me touch you.” Sasuke moaned, closing his eyes. “Please.”

Shivering at Sasuke’s pleas, Itachi loosened the belt enough to allow the boy to slip his hands out of the binding leather. Sasuke eagerly touched Itachi’s cheeks, then ran his hands into his hair. As Itachi’s eyes sagged shut, Sasuke ran his hands down his shoulders skin cool thanks to the light sheen of sweat and subtle breeze. Itachi shifted his position, bare knees scraping on the rock.

“Faster, aniki...” Itachi did as he was asked, making Sasuke give a low moan.

Biting his chin, Itachi smirked slightly. “I love it when you moan like that.”

“I love you.”

Itachi ignored that, curling his hand in Sasuke’s hair at the top of his head, resting his elbow and forearm against he rock. Every thrust brought him closer, feeling the knot in his stomach tighten.

“Mmm!” Sasuke’s legs tightened around his waist suddenly, body tensing then shuddering as he came, seed hitting both of their stomachs.

The tight walls around Itachi made him wince, but hurried his frenzied thrusts even more, taking advantage of it before they relaxed once more. After a few thrusts, Itachi joined his brother in bliss, orgasm hitting him like a wave of pleasure that left him tingling as it receded. Itachi laid his forehead on Sasuke’s shoulder, breath ragged.

“Love you...”

Itachi only nodded, kissing Sasuke’s shoulder as he sat up. As much as he hated it, there were things they needed to do, and there wasn’t time to cuddle and bathe in the afterglow of their orgasms. He slipped out of Sasuke with a wince, patting his hip. “We’ll get some dinner, then go back to my room to talk, okay?” Itachi bent to pull on his pants, then helped Sasuke with his own.

“Okay,” right, they had to go through the events at least once more, so the plan would go off without a hitch.

“I should wear belts more often,” he murmured as he slipped the belt back through the belt loops.

Sasuke chuckled, rubbing his wrists lightly. “It was entertaining.”

“Did it chafe?”

“No, it was fine.” Sasuke smirked up at him, pushing himself up to stand. His legs shook a little, rear aching mildly. It was a good ache though, it meant his brother was close to him.

Itachi couldn’t help a smug grin, “you okay there?”

“Shut up,” he scowled at Itachi.

“Want a ride back?”

Sasuke hesitated; he wasn’t a child anymore, but getting to wrap his arms around Itachi while he was awake didn’t happen often. “That would be nice.” Of course there were other reasons... He climbed onto Itachi’s back as his brother knelt down, wrapping his arms around his neck. Familiar hands cupped his butt; that was the other reason. Not that they hid their sexual relationship from others, but this gave them an excuse to grope and be groped for a longer period of time. Groping while walking next to someone, and not running into things took too much concentration.

Jumping away from the rocks, Itachi quickly closed the distance to the door. Sasuke had gotten heavier; the lean body he loved to touch had filled out more fully, heavier muscle replacing any trace of baby fat. Except for an extra bit on his rear. Itachi snickered, squeezing the object he was thinking of. “I hope the good cooks are out tonight.”

“Aa,” Sasuke yawned around a half smile.

“Tired?” All the things they had been through, and one of the thorns in their sides would finally fall away. Just one more time with the older man, then it would be over.

“Mm, a little... training, then sex...”

“Right, tiring combination. I’m a bit tired myself, but then I’m getting old.” Itachi smirked as he pulled open the door with one hand, foot catching and keeping it open until he had passed through.

Sasuke nipped at his brother’s shoulder, “are not.”

“Aah, you keep me young. Its all the sex. Actually, that would explain a few things.”

“Like what?”

Shaking his head, Itachi made his way toward the source of the good smelling food. “Do you really want to know about what old people I know, and how I think they stay young?”

Sasuke coughed, “no. Never mind.”

“I didn’t think so.” In the comfortable silence, Itachi held back a sigh. He only had a year left with Sasuke, and then he would force the boy into a fight. It was hard to think about now, almost impossible to imagine. Only his stubbornness kept him from giving up on that agreement. Sasuke might be sad at first, but then he would realize what a favor Itachi was doing for him. A world with one less Uchiha would be a better one.

Itachi’s growing attachment to Sasuke made it hard for his plans to stay the same, and for Leader to touch him. It was different in the beginning; he could block it out, not pay attention, or just give in to a momentary guilty pleasure. Now, he only wanted Sasuke in that way, and had a growing distaste for the older man. Itachi lightly set down a sleepy looking Sasuke, then entered the large cavern. Spiced bread and rice wafted toward him, steam rising from the bustling cooking staff. “Smells good, at least. I’ll pick us something out, ne?”

“Mkay,” Sasuke nodded, barely able to keep his eyes open.

While Sasuke leaned against the metal counter, Itachi told the cook he wanted his dinner in containers to take back to his room, then picked out what smelt good. Glancing at his brother, he reluctantly added a side dish he knew Sasuke liked. Depending on how well things went, this might be the last few meals they would have. Even if he liked odd things, Sasuke should at least eat what he enjoyed. Taking the bag that was offered to him, Itachi nodded to the younger Uchiha before heading back toward his room.

Once back to his room, Itachi checked to make sure if Leader was having him watched, then sealed it to keep out those who might keep an eye on him. “Its safe.” He turned around, kissing Sasuke’s forehead. “Let’s talk and eat. Then you can sleep.”

“Okay,” Sasuke said as he stretched, purring happily as his back popped. “So what did you get us to eat?”

Setting the food onto the small table near the bed, Itachi pointed to each container as he named the contents. “Roast beef, potatoes... and that crap you like.” He chucked the tub at Sasuke, “you can keep that to yourself.”

“Hm?” Blinking in surprise, Sasuke looked down at the steam fogged container.

“I hate greens,” Itachi stood, heading into the study to get the paper plates. Since he didn’t feel like sharing a container with Sasuke, and working with dishes in a bathroom sink was unmanageable. Sasuke thought it was some sort of neurosis; doing the dishes had once been Itachi’s chore.

“Always did hate them,” Sasuke called from the main room, sitting at the table.

Returning with two plates, Itachi set one in front of Sasuke. “Mm. I don’t know how you ended up liking them.”

“They’re good,” Sasuke shrugged, opening the lid to the potatoes. He took one of the forks left in the bag for them, and served himself.

“As you say.” They ate in silence for a few minutes enjoying their meal. It was nice to have someone who knew what a comfortable silence was. Kisame respected that, which was one of the reasons he respected his partner. “We should make our move the day after tomorrow.”

Sasuke’s hand paused half way to his mouth, eyes flickering to Itachi’s face. “Why then?”

“I have to go to him tonight... You need your rest, and I’ll need mine. I’ll drop the hint to him tonight that you would like to join.” Itachi couldn’t help a shudder at the mental image those words conjured. “He’ll give me tomorrow off, so the day after that, we’ll go in.”

“Alright.” Looking down, he fidgeted uncomfortably. If anything went wrong, this small bit of happiness he had finally found would disappear.

Itachi swallowed the food he had just scooped into his mouth then rose to his knees, leaning over the table to lightly kiss Sauske’s cheek. “Just one more night of him touching me... then I’m all yours.”

Nodding, Sasuke turned his head to kiss him lightly. “Just one more night.”

Itachi licked Sasuke’s bottom lip then wrinkled his nose as he sat back down. “Ew.”

“Ew?” Raising an eyebrow, the younger Uchiha looked at him expectantly. He better have had a good reason for the ew, or Sasuke would cut off his sex.

“You taste like that crap you’re eating. No more kissing until you brush your teeth.” Finishing off what was left of his dinner, Itachi leaned away from the table, one hand stroking his stomach.

“We’ll see,” he stuck his tongue out at Itachi then took a bite of the vegetable he hated just to annoy him.

“You would turn everything into a challenge.” Only half paying attention to Sasuke’s response, he zoned out, mind drifting over the next problem. “Where should we go?” Sure, if they cut or shaved their hair, or did some other sort of drastic change, then they might be able to pass off living in the fire country. It was a long shot, and too dangerous to think of. By now, Sasuke wasn’t all that popular in the village either, if they still believed he was with Orochimaru. The area around them was nice, but too close to the Akatsuki base for his comfort. A middle ground had to be established some where. “I doubt Konoha would welcome me. In fact, I’m pretty sure if I showed up there, it would be certain death.” For them, Itachi snorted. “If they could beat me.”

“They couldn’t,” Sasuke said, distracted by his thoughts. “Just... somewhere no one will find us.”

“Maybe alone? In some cabin or something.”

“Sounds nice...”

Itachi smirked, “I could build us something.”

“Oh?” He chuckled, sliding around the table to sit in Itachi’s lap. “You know how to build a cabin?”

“It shouldn’t be too hard. You make a wall... then you make three others like it.” All he needed were some trees. Certain ones had a thick sap that would help bind the logs together. There had been a mission in which he and his other team members had to pose as construction workers on the home their target was having built, to get closer to the man. Idiots, the whole bunch. When asked why Itachi looked like a child, he made the claim that he was stuck that way, and no one questioned him.

“We’ll find a cabin.”

Itachi shrugged, “yeah, there’s a lot of old people that own their own homes in the woods. I’ll just use the mangekyo to scare them to death, and the cabin will be ours.”

The almost pleasantness of his tone made Sasuke smirk. Who else would sound cheerful with that sort of plan? “You’re never going to change, are you?”

“Nope.” Itachi wrapped his arm around Sasuke’s waist, pulling him closer. “Have a problem with that?”

“Oh, definitely not.”

“Good...” Tilting his head, he gave his brother a soft and slow kiss, enjoying the full stomach and Sasuke’s body so close to him.“Still tired?”

“Mm... aa, a little bit.”

“Go to bed. I’ll be back in the morning, as usual.” Itachi stroked Sasuke’s back, resting his chin on top of his head when his brother cuddled against him. “Sleep well, otouto.”

“Mm... I will.”

Itachi gave his arm one last squeeze before standing, dread settling like iron in his stomach. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, aniki...” The younger Uchiha curled around a pillow, drifting off to sleep after a long day.

Once he knew Sasuke was asleep, Itachi turned and left. One more time... only one more time, and it would be over, one way or another. Either their plan would work, or it wouldn’t, and they’d both die. Pulling off something like this would take a lot of luck, and knowledge of Leader’s weaknesses. Luckily, he seemed to be in no short supply of luck, and as to the weaknesses... there was one he would be able to exploit.

Itachi knocked before entering the room as always, coming in after a murmur of assent was heard through the thick doors. He wondered if anyone would walk by and hear their acts. It made him wish the room was soundproof.

Leader watched the Uchiha silently, sitting at his desk. Itachi removed his shirt and dropped it to the floor, walking to the bed. “I have... a request. Or a question, which ever you may deem it to be.” He sat on the bed, fingers curling in the soft sheets. They were new, of course; it was rare that he walked away from their encounters without some part of him bleeding, and blood was notoriously hard to get out of fabrics.

“Very well,” the older man rose, chair squeaking as he left it.

“Sasuke... is curious as to what we do.”

“What you and I do, or what the Akatsuki in general do?” Close enough to touch, Leader reached out and slid a hand up Itachi’s thigh. “Because I’m fairly sure he knows what you and I do.”

“Yes,” Itachi let himself shiver at the contact, wanting to be less stubborn so Leader would be open to their ideas. “But he wants to be a part of... us.”

“I see... is he strong enough?”

“I didn’t mean the Akatsuki. He wants to join... us. We do it often enough,” Itachi attempted to give a nonchalant shrug, “he’s curious to see what you can do.”

Leader raised an eyebrow at that, considering Itachi’s words. “Hmm... he is rather attractive... and not even Orochimaru could break him...”

Itachi’s jaw clenched, body tensing. “Break him,” he asked, voice barely above a growl, “do you plan on doing that?”

“Possibly.”

Their plan... he had to stick to the plan, or it wouldn’t work. It was the best way they both would get out, and survive. The only way they could get the jump on Leader; he respected Leader’s strength, and knew he couldn’t take him head on. If Itachi reacted now, and let the opportunity slip through his fingers, he would have to put up with those touches he hated for as long as he and Sasuke lived. “Okay,” he said quietly, eyes not leaving Leader’s roaming ones.

“You don’t mind?”

“If I get to watch... It may be interesting to see how strong his will is.”

Leader licked his lips, “you want to watch me break him? After how... affectionate you seem to be with him?”

“I think he can handle it. He’s strong...”

Laughing, Leader pushed Itachi back on the bed. “Well well, you’re a bit more demented than I thought.”

“Of course I am,” Itachi sniffed, annoyed at the implication that he wasn’t.

“Very well. Bring him here tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

Leader straddled his waist, fingers tracing the lines of muscles on Itachi’s chest and stomach. “Mmhmm... but now, you owe me... don’t you, Itachi?”

“How so?” He didn’t like the sound of that.

“Well I’m allowing your brother to join us, aren’t I?” At Itachi’s silence, Leader dragged his nails down the soft chest. “Act like you like it this time.”

“...Yes...”


Itachi opened the door to his room silently, trudging in slowly. There wasn’t an inch of him that didn’t ache or burn. Tired, Itachi leaned against the door as he checked to make sure there was no one watching. Even the slightest slip up now would result in their deaths. It was a dangerous game to play, but one he found worth playing. Groaning as he pushed away from the door, Itachi dropped his shirt over the foot of the bed.

“Mm... aniki...”

Sighing, Itachi crawled into bed, laying beside the warm lump that was his brother. “It’s over.... Almost.”

“‘M so glad...” Sasuke smiled blearily at him, slipping his arms around Itachi’s waist.

“Me too,” Itachi kissed his forehead, closing his eyes.

“Love you...” He had long gotten used to not expecting Itachi to reply the same, “we’ll be together now...”

“For a year.”

Sasuke ignored that; a year, and then Itachi might try to force a fight. He still hoped he would be able to convince Itachi differently. A lot could change in a year, especially without the stress of being taken against your will. Sasuke respected that that would make one want to take their life, but once away from all that, and around his little brother enough, then just maybe Itachi would finally tell him he loved him back. Then a year would turn into however long they could live.

“Let’s sleep the rest of the day...” If sunlight could be seen through a window, it was probably breaking the horizon as they spoke. “Then we’ll go to him.”

“Mm... sounds good. Are you okay?”

“Well let’s just say... he made our last time memorable.” Itachi yawned, wincing as it pulled at the scratches on his neck.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, “but he’ll never... ever touch you again. If that makes it any better.”

“It does.... Goodnight.... morning... whatever.” The older Uchiha yawned again, letting sleep claim him shortly after.


Itachi knew that letting his little brother sleep with him was dangerous. It relaxed him, and made him unaware of the world around him. There were times when it was hard for him to rise to his alarm, and go to school in time.

Sasuke never moved, just crawled into bed with him whenever his dreams got the best of him, and slept close to his brother. It was a ritual of sorts; Itachi would lift the covers, Sasuke would crawl under them and snuggle close to his chest, mumbling about nightmares and monsters. The older Uchiha would reassure him that niisan would keep him safe, and both would drift off to sleep.

This time was different. Sasuke moved away from him, instantly awaking Itachi. He didn’t want the boy to fall out of bed. It was then that he saw their father looming over, eyeing Sasuke in ways that made Itachi’s blood boil. Thrusting an arm under his father’s chest, he elbowed him away and pushed Sasuke out of bed. The poor boy hit the floor with a loud thud, groaning and rubbing his head as he sat up.

“Niisan?”

“Get out,” Itachi hissed, leaning over the bed to push Sasuke toward the door. “Now!” The younger Uchiha’s eyes widened as he hastened to do as he was told. Itachi never raised his voice. As the door was shut loudly behind Sasuke, Itachi felt a rough hand turn him then smack across his cheek.

“Don’t raise your hand to me again, child,” his father’s breath stunk with the heavy scent of liquor. That was his defense, he was drunk. He didn’t mean to do it, he was drunk. The hate Itachi had for his father grew steadily over the years, now more than ever. He could have killed his father, but something held him back.

“I’m sorry,” Itachi whispered, nails digging into the palms of his hands.

“You will be.”

When it was over, Itachi remained on his belly, face down in the pillow. It had to stop, there had to be something he could do. Maybe if he let himself be injured in a sparring match or at school, then he wouldn’t be as attractive, he wouldn’t make his father want to... Even if he did that, Itachi knew what could happen. He would move to his brother instead. That couldn’t happen, Itachi enjoyed the innocence about his brother, the sweet smiles... he didn’t want them to disappear. He didn’t want Sasuke to be as dirty as himself.

Despite himself, tears came to his eyes. He was scared that he couldn’t protect Sasuke forever against his father, he was frustrated with not being able to do anything. Who could he have told? The Uchiha family were the police.

The door slid back again and Itachi tensed. His father wouldn’t normally come back, but then, there was a first time for everything... When soft footfalls were all he heard, Itachi lifted his head, looking back at a cutely pouting younger brother. His hands were on his hips, mimicking their mother’s posture when she was about to scold them.

“You were mean to me.”

“I’m sorry, otouto.”

Sasuke blinked, “you are?” He crawled into bed, blinking as he noticed that the pillow was wet. Little hands touched Itachi’s cheek, “aniki, are you okay?”

“Yeah... I just had a nightmare, Sasuke.”

The younger Uchiha’s eyes grew wider, “niisan has nightmares?”

“Yes.” A little bit of him lightened at the adorable look his brother was giving him. Sasuke’s greatest weapon against him was his ability to randomly be cute.

Sasuke stared at him for another moment before nodding to himself. “Okay.” He scooted further up the bed, leaning his head against the wall. His arms curled around Itachi’s head, pulling him closer. Fingers curled in his hair while others stroked it comfortingly. “Go to sleep. This time, I’ll protect niisan.”

Itachi blinked then smiled a little, pressing his face against Sasuke’s chest as he closed his eyes. “Yes, otouto.”