Sunlight in a Dark Room

Author's Note: A HUGE, GIANT thanks goes to my beta, AmuseMe. She really helped me out with this chapter. *hugs* Thank ya so much! ^_______^ It was A LOT shorter. XDDD

Review Responses:

kkk: *hearts Itachi* He's still learning this whole feeling thing. ^_____^ The pace is rather slow for me and I'm dying to get to the good part, but I keep thinking, it's too soon, so slow it is. I really have no idea if that made sense. O_o; LOL. It's kind of late, so I'm not very intelligent at the moment. XD;

I want those two to get it on and over with in the next few chapters. *gets hit* Haha, I don't know for sure, but soon-ish. :P

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look into it. ^_______^

kaesaku: Cliffies are evil. Much apologies. :P I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. :D SasuNaru is also one of my faves. :D

Anon: *glomps back* Thanks. :D As the story continues, where they are going will be explained. :D I'm still working out the details though. :P

hina88: LOL. I really didn't mean to do that. XD;;; Thanks for your comment. It's good to know that it wasn't too soon. ^^ I continue to fret about that. =_= Thanks again. :D

The seal...I'm still trying to figure out the best way to explain that. I have to say that I'm a wee bit worried about it too. Hopefully it works out. ^______^ *frets*

*laughs* I think that was your longest. :P Awesome stuff!!! XDDD

Sancta: Thank you! :D

FallenGoddessOfBattle: I really like the idea of Naruto initiating it. I really can't imagine Itachi doing that, despite his attraction. The emotionless guy still has some things to learn. :P *hugs him*

LOL! I agree. I really doubt that Gaara could stand Sai for very long. XDDDD Poor Sai. :P My comp is finally back online!!!! Took long enough! XD; Thank you! :D

Kamikyo: Thank you! :D *laughs* I'm not really sure. Within the next few chapters, certainly not the next chapter, but sometime after...hopefully. :D

Nusku: LOL. I agree. He should just, give in and go. *gets hit* XDDD

Amaya: Thank you. ^_____^ I'm so glad you enjoyes this chapter. :D

AnA La PaNa83: Haha. Thanks again. ;D *hugs* Well, my take on Itachi is that he wouldn't be all into the intimacy of kissing while he was sleeping with someone just to alleviate his teenaged hormonal imbalance...does that make sense? XD; I figured he would be more like 'get it over with and go'. The guy isn't into having any form of bonds with anyone. But I left that open for interpretation though. :P I really hope I'm making some sort of sense here. I'm so tired. XD;

sainaru_fangurl: Thank you so much for another wonderful comment. I'm really happy. :D I have no idea how long the updates will be from now on, not as fast, that's for sure, but I'm glad to know that you will wait. :D *hugs back* :D

Mey: Thank you. :P You're right too. He isn't a think-before-do guy. 8D LOL. Sasuke really did try to fix that...when they were training. XDDD LOL. Narutard, I like that. 8D *narutarded* XDDDDD

Aki WildQueen: Thank you for your fantastic comment. I really appreciate it. :D And I'm so happy that you like the story. :D I've actually almost stopped reading SasuNaru fics...like you said, a lot of them are overdone. I actually started writing a SasuNaru fic and it's like, going nowhere because I want it to be different somehow and I can't really. *sigh* Itachi and Naruto are cute together. *hearts*

Awwww. Mr. Bunny is cute. :D


(I just realized that the entire last chapter is in italics...I'll fix it later. :P)

This is actually my favourite chapter so far and I really do hope that everyone likes it as well. :D

Also, updates will be farther apart from now on. *sigh* It sucks, but I haven't been writing too much lately. :( So, hopefully it picks up soon. :D Sorry about that. :(

Chapter 9 - Repercussions

What a mess.

That’s what Sasuke thought when he saw the remains of the mountain. It looked like a pile of rubble surrounded by smaller piles of rubble that used to be the land around the mountain. The Rock nin had long since departed from the area. They had not found anything remotely relevant in their investigation. Sasuke inwardly scoffed at their less than par skills.

He was currently standing over a ‘well hidden’ but obvious hole at the side of the mountain ruins. The chakra signature had dissipated, but someone had blasted their way through the fallen debris. There were survivors.

Of what exactly? Sasuke really didn‘t know. They had no idea if this was an Akatsuki base or not. For all they knew, it could have been just a fight that had gone very wrong between several or more random nin. A part of him hoped that it was Naruto that fought his way through this mess.

“Was it him?” A quiet voice behind Sasuke spoke.

Sasuke responded without turning, he had felt Gaara appear behind him a few minutes ago, “I don’t know. The signature’s already gone.”

“Jiraiya said the closest town is about a day east. Mikageishi, I believe. It is highly likely they would have headed there.”

Sasuke nodded and scanned the large gap with his Sharingan once more.

Nothing.

“We’ll try the next town, boy,” Jiraiya said walking up to stand beside Sasuke and peer into the man made escape route, “Interesting. It’s pretty deep too. There was no signature?”

“No.”

“Well, we better head out. Mikageishi is not far and there’s someone I’d like to speak with there,” Jiraiya mused.

“Another woman?” Sai asked as he and Sakura joined the group.

“No, no. But he owes me a favour or two.”

“Let’s go,” Sasuke said taking off in an easterly direction. He was rather tired of Jiraiya’s nonchalant carefree attitude about this whole situation. It bothered him that the pervert didn’t appear to be the least bit worried. He supposed though that it was Jiraiya’s way of coping. To each his own. But if it wasn’t, Sasuke was ready to pummel the man into the ground.

~*~

“Ah, Mikageishi,” Jiraiya sighed, “She’s a great town. Full of pretty ladies and a lot of fun things to do. Believe me, kids, you’ll never get bored in this town.”

Sakura rolled her eyes at the Sannin and almost sent Sai flying when he started asking the old pervert about these ‘pretty ladies’ and ‘fun things’. To think that this man had trained their team mate.

“Is this going to continue?” Gaara asked her from behind.

She could practically feel the evident anger lining the Kage’s voice. And now that she thought about it, she could feel the killing intent radiating from her other team mate behind Gaara. Sasuke was pissed.

“Are we staying here for the night, Jiraiya-san?” Sakura asked trying to keep her own anger in check.

“Eh? Oh, yeah. There’s a decent inn down the street about three buildings past the onsen,” Jiraiya grinned lecherously.

Now Sakura was ready to bust a fuse. But before she could do anything, a calm hand rested on her shoulder. She glanced at Gaara who nodded towards Sasuke. With a reluctant ‘fine’ she turned and headed in the direction of the inn, dragging Sai with her. Gaara followed them without so much as a glance at the remaining men.

“Where’s this person who owes you a favour?” Sasuke demanded. He wanted to get this over and done with. It was frustrating because it felt like Jiraiya was just wasting their time.

“Believe me, boy, I’m serious about this mission,” Jiraiya stated. He had sensed the younger Uchiha’s malice their entire trip so far. It was amusing at first, but he can’t have their best shinobi making mistakes because of his own antics now could he?

Sasuke studied the Sannin somewhat warily and nodded.

“Now let’s go have a little chat with my friend,” Jiraiya smiled and walked in the opposite direction that the rest of their group went.

“Who is this friend of yours?” Sasuke questioned, “One of your contacts?”

“Well, I wouldn’t really call him a contact. Or a spy for that matter. He just owes me.”

“Loyal?” Now Sasuke was curious.

“No. Not at all,” Jiraiya chuckled.

“Can we trust him?” The younger Uchiha was starting to wonder if there was any reason to see this man.

“Definitely not.”

“Then…”

Jiraiya cut him off, “You’ll see when we get there, Sasuke.”

They didn’t speak again after that. Sasuke observed the bustling town and noted that it looked to be rather prosperous despite its location. If the countless vendors and cheerful people were any indication. Their ever present happiness almost bothered Sasuke so he turned his attention back to the path Jiraiya was making ahead of him. Ignoring everything else. Shutting it out.

“You should be paying attention to your surroundings, boy. That’s not very shinobi-like, don’t you think?” Jiraiya was glancing sideways at Sasuke.

“Hn.”

Jiraiya sighed, “You young people and your raging emotions. One day, they’ll catch up and get the better of you.”

Sasuke ignored the old man and spoke so quietly Jiraiya almost missed it.

“They already have.”

“Ah, here we are,” Jiraiya motioned towards an older building purposely ignoring Sasuke’s previous statement. That was a subject he’d rather not get into now.

Sasuke noted that there weren’t many people in this particular area of the town. And he was fine with that. He followed Jiraiya through the open door and into what he saw was a store.

“Jiraiya-san. I never expected to see your face around here so soon.”

Sasuke followed the sound of the voice to an eerily attractive redheaded man.

“Keisuke-chan, it’s good to see you again,” Jiraiya grinned.

This Keisuke smiled at the old man and finally looked at Sasuke. The Uchiha couldn’t tell what the informant’s initial expression was before it was replaced with a knowing leer. Sasuke merely glared at the man.

Jiraiya observed this with amusement. Keisuke was all too easy to read.

“So you’ve seen him recently?” Jiraiya questioned casually.

“Hmm?” Keisuke glanced at the old man, “Seen whom?”

“The man you’ll never have,” was Jiraiya’s smug response. He enjoyed pissing off the redhead. He considered it one of his specialties.

Keisuke’s seemingly calm attitude faltered and he glared at the Sannin, “What do you know, Jiraiya? Tell me that.”

“I know all too well, Keisuke, that,” Jiraiya leaned forward and grinned at the younger man, “you owe me a few favours.”

Keisuke rolled his eyes, “I haven’t forgotten. What do you want?”

“Information, my boy. Information is what we need.”

“Well, that depends, Jiraiya-san. What sort of information do you need? I can’t give you all of my secrets you know?” Keisuke calmed his previous anger and studied the pervert warily. Jiraiya was up to something and it was most likely in regards to the Akatasuki. Or Itachi. Looking over at the elder Uchiha’s younger brother, Keisuke assumed it was the latter.

“I ask again, have you seen your Itachi-sama lately?” Jiraiya asked all too innocently.

Sasuke’s chakra flared for an moment before he composed himself, watching the scene before him intently. He kept a keen eye on the redhead, activating his Sharingan to study him.

“Actually, I did,” Keisuke shot a mocking look at the angered Sasuke, “Itachi-sama came by here a few days ago and picked up some supplies.”

Keisuke was well aware of Itachi’s past. One could get a lot of information out of a drunken Kisame along with a few unwanted lewd remarks. But those were minor details.

“That man does not deserve such a title,” Sasuke was falling for the bait. He knew it, but his hatred for his brother outweighed his need to be tactful.

The shit eating grin that made its way across Keisuke’s face pissed Sasuke off even more. He knew something.

“I will regard Itachi-sama in whichever way I want, boy,” the redhead stated as he looked Sasuke up and down. His smile changed to that of something akin to a predator, “That’s what you are now, aren’t you? A mere boy lost in the shadow of his big brother.”

Sasuke’s reaction happened in an instant. In one second he was standing behind Jiraiya, annoyed with the redhead. In the next, he had slammed Keisuke against a nearby wall with a kunai at his neck. His Sharingan was spinning wildly as he spoke, his tone quiet and dangerous.

“Say that again,” he hissed.

‘The kid’s got potential.’ Keisuke idly thought as he returned Sasuke’s heated look with his own smug one.

“Now, I know you heard me,” Keisuke replied in voice so calm it put Sasuke on edge, “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be pinned to the wall of my own shop, now would I?”

“You know nothing of him nor me. You have no right to speak so highly of him,” the younger Uchiha snarled and pressed the kunai closer, drawing blood.

The second the kunai sliced his skin, Keisuke responded without hesitation. He had been coiling small amounts of chakra at the palms of his hands. Sasuke had been too preoccupied with his anger to notice, much to Keisuke’s delight. He released the stored chakra in waves, sending a small portion of it back up through his arm and the rest out of his hand.

He took pleasure in the surprised look on Itachi’s little brother’s face when he gripped the arm holding the kunai and pulled it away with ease. He squeezed Sasuke’s wrist tightly until the kunai dropped into the redhead’s free hand.

“Blood for blood,” was all he said before he sliced achingly slowly along the underside of Sasuke’s forearm.

The younger Uchiha winced and was about to strike Keisuke with his own free arm but the redhead was too fast. Dropping the kunai and relinquishing his grip on the annoying brat. With insane speed, Keisuke forced all of the chakra that had gone up his arms back down, out of his hands and slammed them onto Sasuke’s chest. He grinned triumphantly as he watched the boy fly across the room and crash into the opposite wall.

Keisuke casually walked towards the mess. He knelt down beside Sasuke, leaning forward as he tipped the brat’s face up to look at his own.

“You’re cute, boy, a little moody, but cute,” Keisuke spoke as if he were addressing the weather.

Sasuke glared, his anger reaching new levels.

“However, your brother deserves my respect and I give it to him freely,” Keisuke licked his lips and stole a quick kiss from Sasuke’s unwilling mouth before whispering, “Why? Because that man would have never let me get this close. Well, among other things.” Keisuke finished as he got up and walked away from the raging nin.

Sasuke was up in an instant and would have charged the redheaded bastard if not for the warning hand on his shoulder. He hadn’t even noticed Jiraiya move.

“Calm down, Uchiha, or leave,” Jiraiya’s tone was stern. Sasuke bristled at the command but took a deep breath and nodded. He ignored the wound on his arm in favour of glowering at Keisuke who only seemed to relish in the attention. He was sickened that the man had kissed him, had beaten him.

Jiraiya watched the scene before him and sighed. He should have left the Uchiha with the rest of the group.

“Now, can we get back to business without the violence, gentlemen?” The old man asked loudly.

“Of course, Jiraiya-san,” Keisuke smiled.

“Good. Now was Itachi alone, Keisuke?”

The redhead noted the grim tone Jiraiya was using and knew immediately that this had something to do with the blond Itachi was with. Whether or not he told the truth, it would not benefit him either way. One thing was for sure though. He was loyal to Itachi. In more ways than he should be.

“Yes, he was. I was surprised that Kisame-sama was not with him. That man does not usually travel alone.”

Jiraiya nodded at Keisuke‘s response and continued, “What did he come to you for?”

“Oh. Just the basic traveling supplies he usually comes here for and his katana. Said he was going on a long trip so I packed enough to last him a month,” Keisuke's smile was fake.

“You’re lying.”

Keisuke looked at Sasuke not really caring if he looked guilty, but his face did not falter at the accusation. The younger Uchiha still had his Sharingan activated.

“Now why would you go and say a thing like that?” Keisuke pouted, “It’s rather rude, don’t you think, Cutie?”

Sasuke’s chakra flared again. They had no time for this pointless conversation.

“Enough you two. If the brat says you’re lying, he’s probably right,” Jiraiya stated and waited for a truthful answer out of Keisuke.

“I’m not lying,” the redhead defended himself, “Itachi-sama came through here, ordered supplies and picked up his katana. Then he left. Never even bothered to tell me where he’s going. Not that he would either. Kisame-sama was the one who told me everything.”

“A blond man,” Sasuke questioned, “Was there a blond man with him?”

Keisuke looked Sasuke dead in the eye and answered, “No. He was alone. I only packed enough for one for a month. He would have asked for more if there were another person with him. He’s meticulous like that.”

Sasuke knew that was true. Itachi would never allow himself to be unprepared for any reason.

“Where’s Kisame?” Jiraiya butted in.

“I have no idea. Itachi-sama did not reply when I inquired about Kisame-sama,” Keisuke chuckled, “Besides, like I’ve been saying, it’s not like he’d speak more than necessary anyways. Never does and never will. Such a cold man, eh?”

“Yes, he is,” Jiraiya frowned, “Well, you were of no use to us. I guess we’ll be taking our leave now. See you around, Keisuke-chan.”

“Bye for now,” Keisuke showered them with another fake smile. Jiraiya really knew how to ruin his mood and piss him off, but that boy was even worse. He wasn’t worried about Itachi though. If that man wanted to disappear, he would. And there was no way of finding him.

~*~

“He’s not telling us everything,” Sasuke stated as they made their way back through the crowded streets.

“I know, but like I said, he isn’t loyal,” Jiraiya responded indifferently.

“Then what was the point of talking to him?” Sasuke demanded.

“One, we found out that Itachi is indeed alive. And two, he may not be alone. Keisuke was much too quick to answer and he was lying. You said so yourself.”

“Hn.” Sasuke nodded. His whole body was tense and still radiating his killing intent.

Weak.

He felt weak.

“You know, brat, you deserved what you got in there,” Jiraiya stated, “Well, I think you did anyways.”

Before Sasuke could interrupt, Jiraiya cut him off.

“You were out of line and you know it. It probably would have gone more smoothly if I had taken Sai or even the Kazekage. Keisuke hates women so I dared not even consider taking Sakura-chan.”

Sasuke’s face remained indifferent at the reprimand as he nodded his understanding to the old man.

“Things could have easily gone even more wrong then they had there and we could have come out with nothing. We’re all suffering over this Sasuke, just as much as you. We all may not have the same family history, but we are still in pain. You are a shinobi of Konoha like the rest of us, trained to deal with situations like this. Back there and even now you are acting like a spoiled child. If you continue this I won’t hesitate to send you home. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now,” Jiraiya’s tone changed to a more calmer one, “We’ll continue east. That’s the only way he could have gone from here. He probably headed to the nearest town which is about a few days away.”

They only had just a little over a week before they had to return to Konoha. To give up. Sasuke was repulsed at the fact that Tsunade was willing to claim Naruto as dead, but she, like everyone else, had every reason to believe that the blond could not make it out of this one.

Sasuke clenched his fists.

“If we don’t find him within the time limit,” Jiraiya spoke firmly not even looking at the younger Uchiha, “I’ll keep looking.”

Sasuke looked over to the Sannin, his earlier anger somewhat dissipating and allowed the tiniest of smiles before turning back to the road ahead of him.

~*~

Sai watched Sakura and Gaara silently from behind. They were walking towards that inn that Jiraiya had mentioned, but the girl kept stopping at random vendors in the marketplace. He was amused, however, that Gaara was the one she dragged to each stall. He was well aware that the Kazekage did not like him. Not that Sai cared. Gaara was not one to make friends so easily and neither was Sai.

Which is what made the ex-Root member curious about Naruto’s friendship with Gaara. It was a bond far stronger than the one he shared with the blond. Sai had asked Naruto about it once and received a long winded story about his first Chuunin exam. But amongst all of the boasting and insults towards Sasuke, Sai was able to catch all of the underlying emotions Naruto was feeling as he reminisced. Those emotions only seemed to intensify when his friend spoke of Gaara’s extraction.

Sai remembered distinctly how Naruto had tried and failed to hit him when he told the blond that his emotions were like that of a woman’s. Even now, Sai, for the life of him, could not understand why he’d received such a reaction from his friend for the remark. Sakura and Kakashi had only laughed when he told them and he had dared not tell Sasuke. A bad reaction out of Naruto would only mean imminent death from Sasuke. Come to think of it, the Uchiha was even more emotional than the blond was.

As he continued to observe Sakura’s interaction with a disinterested Gaara, Sai noticed a flash of red to the left of his companions. He looked at the fluttering object and saw it to be a fan. A fan that was held by a delicate hand. Sai’s gaze followed the pale skin until it disappeared under a layer of dark purple. He noted the red flower designs embroidered along the arm’s hem of the kimono as his eyes continued their path up the dark material. There was a line of red contrasting the purple before another splash of pale skin.

Dark eyes trailed up the slender neck and were met with a pretty smile and equally dark eyes. Sai smiled back at the definite older woman who he deemed to be one of Jiraiya’s ‘pretty ladies’. He watched as the woman studied his own features and was confused when her eyes widened a bit before she turned to walk away.

Sai was even more interested now. Glancing at the pair browsing a weapon’s stall, the ex-Root member disappeared into the crowd to follow the woman. It was not difficult to find her. He could probably almost consider it too easy.

He strolled casually alongside the woman and took a sideways glance at her. She was studying him intently. Seemingly searching for something Sai determined.

“Do I know you?” He smiled at her.

The woman blushed, “No, but you look like someone I’ve met recently.”

“Interesting. Is this someone, by any chance, as handsome as me?” Sai grinned mischievously.

The woman blushed, “Maybe.”

“Hmm. Now is that the only reason you were staring at me from across the street?”

“Yes,” she paused, “and no.”

“Cryptic, are we?” Sai teased, “May I ask who it is you were looking for then? You never know, I might know this person.”

The woman’s face fell before she composed herself and spoke again, “It doesn’t matter, he’s gone and already taken.”

“Now I’m even more curious,” Sai faked an astounded look, “What kind of man can resist such a beautiful woman?”

She laughed softly as a dark look crossed her pretty features, “A man with a male lover.”

“Now, that’s terrible,” Sai frowned in consternation, “Can you describe this man? I’d like to have a discussion with him for mistreating such a lovely lady. Ah! I‘m sorry. I haven‘t even introduced myself. My name is Sai.”

She smiled again. ‘Such a charming man.’

“My name is Narita Miyuki.”

“And such a pretty name for such a breathtaking woman,” Sai commented.

“Thank you, Sai-san.”

“It was never a problem, Miyuki-sama. Now, about this terrible man you speak of. Does he have a name?”

“It’s not often that I am called Miyuki-sama. You’re too kind, Sai-san,” she giggled softly before sighing, “Unfortunately, he didn’t give his name. He was supposed to in order to stay at the inn, but I allowed him to stay regardless.”

“And he took advantage of your hospitality?”

“Indeed, he did. I’ve never given out a room to someone without getting their name first. He was an exception.”

“Such a crude man,” Sai feigned annoyance, “You said he looked like me, did you not?”

She took a moment to study him again and nodded, “He had long hair though and was a little bit taller. Older. You are rather young, Sai-san.”

“Not much younger than you, my pretty Miyuki-sama. And that is the truth. So you really don’t have a name I can use to find this long haired version of myself?”

“No.”

“Now that’s too bad. But I will keep an eye out for him. I believe he needs to be put in his place. No one has the right to treat ladies as lovely as yourself like he has,” Sai was getting bored with this façade, “One more question, Miyuki-sama. If I may ask?”

“Of course, Sai-san.”

“What did his over look like?” Then Sai added, “Just so that when I find this man, I know it will be him.”

She frowned, most likely from the memory, “Blond. He had blond hair and blue eyes.”

“Thank you, Miyuki-sama.”

Sai bid the woman goodbye before heading back to find Sakura and Gaara. He was pleased with himself. Had he known it was easier to gather information via ‘flirting’, the ex-Root member would have learned more about it a long time ago. Well, witnessing Jiraiya flirt with women kind of turned one off of such a method. He supposed the Sannin knew something about it though. Sai reached into a pouch on his belt and pulled out a green book that he had borrowed from Kakashi. Opening it to where he had left off and skimming the previous few pages, Sai nodded in approval.

He had done everything right regarding the tactic of flirting. And, he had discovered some very vital information.

Naruto was still alive.

~*~

After leaving the hospital, the town and Naruto hoped, whatever the hell happened in his room behind, the pair had resumed their journey eastwards. The blond still had no idea where they were going, but he was not going to ask anytime soon. Not until Itachi’s taste and the feeling of his lips on Naruto’s own dissipated.

He tried to force away the blush that fought to leak through his denial. The blond hated the fact that he had liked it. Hell, it had felt good enough to want more.

Naruto bit his lip nervously. He wanted more.

The younger man chanced a quick look at his captor. Itachi was walking ahead of him, his movements always graceful and with purpose. Almost like he never wasted anything. Naruto had seen firsthand that the older man was thorough about things. He was without faults in more ways than anyone Naruto knew.

Flawless.

And yet, he had many.

Today, the Uchiha was acting as normal as he had when their journey started; only speaking when it was necessary. Naruto hadn’t spoken at all. The tension between them was palpable but Itachi was handling it better than the blond was. Well, Naruto thought so anyways. There was no indication that what had happened between them last night even bothered the other man.

In control.

The blond almost envied that lack of emotion. Or was it a skill? Something that Itachi had practiced and perfected like everything else he did? Naruto had no idea. But what he did know though was that he had seen flickers of emotion in the older man. They were faint, barely there, but they existed nonetheless. It was strange to realize something like that in a man infamous for massacring his family. Hell, it was stranger to go around kissing said man. He didn’t mean to, did he?

Naruto sighed and forced himself to look away from Itachi. This was going to be a long journey and there was no point in alienating himself from the Uchiha. Well, he hoped it would be a long journey. In all honesty, he wasn’t ready to die just yet. Well, not anymore. He really didn’t know if it was because he was given more time or if it was something else.

Bastard Uchiha.

“Where to now, Itachi?” Naruto asked as he sped up to walk beside the older man. He linked his fingers together behind his head and glanced at Itachi. His Sharingan was deactivated again. He was still tired?

Black eyes regarded Naruto for a moment before turning back to the road ahead of them. He didn’t speak right away allowing an uncomfortable silence to make the blond nervous.

“The next town is half a day east,” Itachi finally answered.

“Are we stopping there?”

“No.”

“Oh,” Naruto had run out of things to say. Damn it, this wasn’t going to be easy.

Itachi could not help but notice how awkward it was for Naruto to speak with him. He was not embarrassed about what had happened in the hospital room. Itachi wasn’t sure what exactly he should be feeling about it. It was something new to him and Naruto made him feel things that he never thought he could before.

An enigma.

Itachi pushed the want, the need, to try it again to the back of his mind. He was getting too close to the blond and it bothered him that he didn’t mind that fact at all.

No, he really didn’t.

Itachi stopped walking and tried to make sense of all the thoughts that were currently racing through his brow; all of these emotions. He could feel the frown forming on his forehead; that same one Naruto had noticed days ago. The one the blond jested about.

The Uchiha‘s frown only intensified with his next thought.

Itachi could still taste Naruto on his lips, in his mouth. He could still feel him. His pliant and welcoming body; warm, firm and pressed against his own. He could still hear the sounds of their mouths moving together; the hot puffs of air that escaped when either of them tried to breathe.

Naruto.

Itachi looked forward at the now confused blond who was probably wondering why he stopped so suddenly. Naruto said something. Itachi could see but he couldn’t hear. He merely stared at his captive wanting to quell the quickly rising feelings Naruto was currently invoking within him.

Decision made - wanted or not - Itachi walked the few strides between him and his target. His prize. He was pleased to see a curious look on Naruto’s face; bordering on alarm. The younger man was okay with him being this close? Deciding to test his limits, Itachi leaned forward watching in fascination as a red tinge bloomed on Naruto’s cheeks and realization dawned on his surprised features.

Okay, what is that bastard up to? Saying that Naruto was shocked was an understatement.

‘What the hell is he doing?’ Naruto mentally shouted.

They stood there, on the road in the middle of nowhere, staring at each other. They were merely a hairsbreadth apart, firm will the only thing preventing them from doing, no, repeating something that was so logically wrong. Naruto had made the first move last night whether he meant it or not. And he did it again now.

Without thinking. Without the chakra pulsing so addictively through his body like it had the night before, Uzumaki Naruto kissed Uchiha Itachi, S-Class missing nin and his best friend’s hated brother, for a second time. Well the third time actually. Not that he was keeping count.

Tanned hands gripped Itachi’s snug fitting shirt, jerking the older man closer. A shiver ran down Naruto’s spine when he felt those strong arms wrap around his leaner frame in a tight and more than welcome embrace. Naruto could feel a fire ignite deep within his being. Something he’d never felt before but reached out to it nonetheless, pulling it selfishly towards him. The hot red flames only intensified when Naruto felt Itachi’s tongue glide along his own, twisting, pushing, coaxing a reaction that the blond was all too willing to make.

Naruto loosened his grip on Itachi’s now wrinkled shirt and rested his open palms against a firm, well toned chest. He slid them up, feeling everything he could, until both arms were wrapped around the Uchiha’s neck. One hand found its way into the long, smooth strands of Itachi’s hair and grabbed a fistful in warning. Daring his captor to stop.

Because Naruto didn’t want it to stop. Not yet.

“Itachi!” Naruto gasped when he felt teeth nip at his bottom lip. He moaned audibly at the feel of a hot and wet tongue gliding along his jawline to lap and nip at his sensitive ear. Naruto found that he liked Itachi’s ministrations in more ways he could have ever imagined.

It once again idly occurred to Naruto who it was exactly making him feel this way. But right now, he really couldn’t give a damn because Itachi was sucking on his neck and, oh god. Naruto practically melted when he felt his captor’s teeth bite down into the tanned skin.

Marking him.

The blond whimpered and pressed his body almost wantonly into the taller one before him.

Gods, he wanted more. More of this undeniably sinfully addicting feeling. It was almost too much and yet not enough.

“Itachi,” the name rolled off of Naruto’s tongue in a tone that spoke volumes.

The Uchiha ceased his attention to the blond’s neck and captured Naruto’s lips in another flame inducing kiss. Their lips moving fast and unrelenting; sliding slick with their mingled saliva. Hot, almost unbearable. Until finally slowing their maddening pace. Their lips now barely touching would reach out and steal another kiss. Be it quick and soft or long and rapturous.

When Naruto groggily opened his lust hazed eyes, one thought came to mind as he stared into the black depths of his captor’s.

Uchiha Itachi was a damn good kisser.

The pair regarded at each other with silent appeal as they came down from their high. Their want, their need now somewhat sated for the moment. The ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ were irrelevant and neither of them were about to ask any questions. It was almost…It was a quiet understanding.

Need.

“Finish what you start, Uchiha,” Naruto finally spoke, his tone almost dangerous.

There was a short moment of silence before Itachi answered just as intensely.

“I could say the same to you too, Uzumaki.”

They kissed again, once more, before pulling apart. Itachi walking away first and a blushing Naruto following closely behind.

The blond reached up and rubbed his sore neck. He winced when his fingers touched a particularly raw spot that he distinctly remembered Itachi paying extra attention to.

Naruto glared at the older man’s back before he spoke angrily, “You marked me, you bastard!”

Silence.

“Hn.”