The Demilitarized Zone

Disclaimer: Not mine. Bummer.
Summary: Itachi Uchiha has always had a sadistic streak when it came to his little brother. Now the perfect opportunity has presented itself and he just can’t let it go by. He does love him after all. (SasuNaru)

Author’s Note: So, two weeks… sigh. Excuses, I have them. Valid reasons… got those too. But, this is a super long chapter so I hope that appeases you, my dear and extraordinarily appreciated readers.

Warning: Sadly, there is no need for this warning. I tried. I really did. I had all the fixings for a lemonade stand experience, but the darn story wouldn’t let it happen. So, barring Sasuke and Naruto standing up and making a long annoying beeeeeeeep, followed by words running at the bottom of your screen saying “We interrupt this story to bring you crazy, non-plot driven sex including, but not limited too, bondage, bastards, dobes, lube, torn clothes and upset neighbors” I just couldn’t work it in.
I now return you to your previously schedule, mildly lime-y chapter.
You have been bored. ;)


The Demilitarized Zone
Chapter 11
Sasuke grabbed Naruto’s hips and lifted him until the blonde set on the edge of the desk. He nudged Naruto’s knees about and slid between his legs, leaning down to leave a mark on Naruto’s neck that could be seen from outer space.

“Damn it, bastard, that hur… oh god,” Naruto’s chest arched against Sasuke’s as the dark haired man’s tongue and lips tenderly soothed the new bruise, “hmmm… never mind.”

Sasuke smirked and stood up, looking into Naruto’s eyes, “You have the most expressive eyes I have ever seen,” Sasuke said pushing a lock of blonde hair off the side of Naruto’s face, “How do you live with that much emotion…” Pale pink lips pressed chastely against dusty rose ones.

Naruto licked at Sasuke’s lips and smiled when Sasuke parted his lips slightly. He leaned forward so that he could hold Sasuke steady and proceeded to nip playfully at Sasuke’s bottom lips before sucking it gently into his mouth, releasing it only before his tongue darted into Sasuke, dueling for control.

Sasuke smirked when Naruto wound tan fingers into his dark hair and forcefully tilted the pale man’s head so that he could map out Sasuke’s mouth from yet another angle. Naruto was on fired and he was going to burn everything in his path, most notably, Sasuke.

Naruto released Sasuke’s lips and attached his mouth to the side of Sasuke’s pale neck. Sasuke’s hips thrust forward and ground against Naruto’s causing Naruto to throw his head back as a whimpering moan escaped, his brilliant blue eyes closed. It pleased the young Uchiha so much he did it again just hear the sound that sent bolts of electricity through his mind only to settle pleasantly between his legs.

“… god,” Sasuke said before yanking Naruto and his torturously beautiful sounds off the desk and over to the bed.

At seeing the bed, a sliver of rationality worked its way into Naruto’s lust fogged mind. “Teme, I… that is, what… what are we doing?”

Reality must have cleared Sasuke’s mind as well because he looked away from Naruto, running a hand through his black hair, “Fuck.”

“Ah, well… that is what it looks like, yes.” Naruto choked out and part of him, a large and painfully hard part of him, was all for it.

“Dobe,” Sasuke shook his head and pulled Naruto onto the bed, “When did I start wanting…” The word ‘you’ hung in the air and Sasuke didn’t know if he could answer the question because regardless of the lust being cooled, Sasuke knew he was going to keep wanting Naruto… keep wanting him until he had his tan body beneath him and his arms around him and his wicked tongue… and then he knew that he’d still want him.

Naruto sighed loudly and fell back on the bed. He reached up and grabbed Sasuke’s bare shoulder, ignoring the warmth, refusing to acknowledge the smoothness, and pulled the tall man down so that they lay side by side staring at the ceiling. Sasuke smiled when Naruto found his hand and threaded their fingers together.

“That is a good question, Uchiha,” Naruto began and turned his head to look at Sasuke’s profile. So perfect. Skin smooth and pale, cheek bones prominent without being harsh, black hair and eyes contrasting vividly… beautifully. Suddenly, Naruto blinked when those dark pools turned on him.

“Stalker like staring, dobe.”

“Bastard like behavior, asshole.”

“Immature comeback, idiot.”

“Stick-up-the-ass attitude, jerk.”

Sasuke squeezed Naruto’s fingers in his own as a warning, but his eyes sparkled with humor.

They lay there face to face for sometime before Naruto leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against Sasuke’s in a chaste kiss that still had both of their hearts racing. Sasuke brought his free hand up and traced the scars tenderly on either side of the blonde’s cheeks.

“They are from the accident that killed Minato and Kush… my parents.” Naruto whispered with his eyes shut. Normally he wasn’t comfortable when people pointed them out but Sasuke made him feel unique… special.

“Naruto,” Sasuke breathed against his face and Naruto knew his name, his stupid, silly little name, had never been more beautiful. “Don’t do that.” Naruto’s blue eyes widened, “You don’t have to call them your parents, not to me. I understand.”

Naruto nuzzled into Sasuke’s hand, a gentle sigh escaping his lips, “But they are my parents. They loved me. They didn’t mean to leave m…” Sasuke’s lips stopped him.

“I said not to do that,” Sasuke interrupted and let his hand move around and cup the back of Naruto’s head before leaning in to kiss his forehead, “So stop.”

Naruto nodded and rested his head next to Sasuke’s shoulder, feeling the man’s inane warmth against his face.

“So,” Naruto sighed, “Last week you hated me.”

“Hn. Last week we hated each other.”

Naruto turned his head away, mumbling something Sasuke couldn’t make out.

“Dobe, speak clearly or don’t waste my time,” Sasuke said with a gentle squeeze to the fingers still in his hand.

“I said that I never hated you, teme.” Naruto bit out and tried to pull his fingers free, his head still turned away, “I’m not saying that I always wanted to… well, whatever it is we have been doing, but I never hated you.”

“Hn,” Sasuke said keeping the tan hand securely in his own, “I never hated you, either.”

Shocked blue eyes met black, “I don’t… but then, why?”

Sasuke shrugged, “There’s something about you, Uzumaki. It’s impossible not to be in your space and still function the way I always have.” He ran a hand over his bare chest in a nervous gesture that made Naruto drool, “And even when I would remove myself, you are like a magnetic force. I wanted to do things, to be in your space, just to get a…” His voice trailed off when Naruto smiled. It was soft, pure and beautiful.

“Just to get a reaction, right?” Naruto finished for him.

“Hn.”

“I felt the same way. I thought I wanted to be your friend. You are so different from me. Most people like me and yet, you didn’t. You acted like I wasn’t important… less than you. I should have walked away but like some sick instinct, I couldn’t break it. And so I hit you.”

Sasuke smirked, “And I hit you,” He rolled until he was on top of Naruto, forcing his legs apart, “And then, yesterday, instead of hitting you, I kissed you.”

Naruto nodded and let his hands trail up muscled arms and across a pale toned chest, “It was certainly less painful.”

“And so much more… rewarding.” Sasuke whispered.

“So, instead of hitting each other that first day, I should have crawled slowly over your desk on my hands and knees. I should have reached forward and wrapped my hand around your tie, pulling your dark head towards mine before whispering, ‘You must be Sasuke Uchiha, my name is Naruto Uzu…” He never got to finish because Sasuke pressed his lips harshly against his own. His pink tongue immediately entering his mouth to run along teeth and gums before tensing Naruto’s own tongue.

“I wouldn’t have let you say your name, dumbass,” Sasuke panted, “I never would have made it that long.”

“I’ll have to try it someday and see.” Naruto mewled, wiggling his hips under Sasuke’s weight.

“Oh, hell,” Sasuke groaned, “I want you, dobe. I want you so fucking bad. Since, yesterday, since that first day in my office… since I saw you in a wet, white tuxedo…”

Naruto purred beneath him, licking his shoulder before biting down teasingly and then sucking gently.

“Me too.” Naruto smiled against pale skin when Sasuke’s body stiffened above him, “But, not now, teme. The devil wants to see you, we have to tell your family about the false engagement and I need to use your phone to call work.”

Sasuke growled, thrusting against Naruto, “Soon, dobe.”

Naruto closed his eyes, memorizing the feel of Sasuke above him, “Soon, teme.”

Sasuke sat up pulling Naruto into his arms, “When this is over, Naruto,” He nuzzled golden spikes, “When your parents are awake and this asshole is gone,” Sasuke’s grip tightened, “I’m going to lock you in my bedroom, my office, maybe my car… and have me way with you until you need to take stock in aspirin. Do you understand?”

Naruto pushed out of Sasuke’s arms and stood next to the bed, hand rubbing the back of his head while a blush crossed his cheeks, “I’ll hold you to that, bastard.”

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If asked, five year old Naruto would say that of all the equipment in the schoolyard, his favorite was the sandbox. It was a bright orange box set under a large tree that filtered light through its leaves in a way that captivated the little boy. He loved how the sunrays would waver in the breeze making the sand in his newest castle or alien moon base different colors before his wide eyes.

He also liked it because most of the time the other kids were playing on different things like the swings or the slide and he could use all the sand he wanted without participating in ‘sharing’, a concept his Papa found very important and Naruto found very boring.

Today he had constructed the perfect Ninja village. It had buildings and training grounds, but the thing he was most proud of was a mountain that stood above the village with three small faces that Naruto saw as his daddy, his papa and the largest one was, of course, himself. He was the best ninja… ever.

He giggled and pushed a small green leaf onto the ‘gate’ of the village. Perfect.

He stopped giggling when a dark shadow crossed over his village and he looked up startled when he saw a dark haired man smirking down on him. His blue eyes scanned the playground and he saw the other children swinging and sliding but the teacher was nowhere to be found.

“How are you, Naruto?” The tall man said and something inside of Naruto’s stomach twisted making Naruto’s blue eyes wide. His daddy had told him not to talk to strangers. He backed up into the corner of the box and the tall man followed him, stepping onto his mountain, smashing his family under his foot. He opened his mouth to yell. That’s what daddy had said to do.

“That wouldn’t be a good idea, Naruto.” The pale man sneered and Naruto felt arms wrap around him from behind. He screamed but his mouth was covered by something wet and sweet smelling. The pale man chuckled at him as darkness overtook Naruto’s vision.

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Text Message

From: Naruto Uzumaki
To: Team Naruto

Hey, Kids. Phone conference in ten minutes.

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Sasuke showed Naruto where the phone and his computer were before shoving the blonde against his dresser and stealing his breath with his own. In the end, it took Naruto literally pushing him out of the door, his breathing ragged and his tan cheeks flushed, before Sasuke started on his trip to see his brother. He needed Naruto so ba… NO, he needed to go see the Prince of Darkness and figure out what the fuck was going on so that he could follow through on his promise to lock Naruto away and fu…

Damn it. Sasuke growled in the silence of the hallway. This needed to end soon.

He knocked lightly on the door to Itachi’s study and stepped into the room without waiting for an answer. Itachi sat behind his desk on the phone, the file Sasuke knew all too well spread out before him. He didn’t even acknowledge Sasuke in the room as he carried on his conversation.

Sasuke walked directly to the liquor cabinet and without even asking if his brother wanted anything, poured him a drink too. He walked over to the desk and took a seat just as his brother hung up the phone. Looking at the drink, he tilted his head in thanks before downing the amber liquid.

“Tell me.”

Sasuke smirked. Itachi was never one to mince his words. “Naruto was kidnapped by Orochimaru Sannin at age five. He doesn’t remember anything but being scared. Apparently, they don’t talk about it. Naruto doesn’t know any details beyond that Orochimaru was killed.”

Itachi sat back in his chair, his dark head pressed against the equally dark chair. He watched his little brother closely before nodding. “Here is what I know. It was a man by the name of Sakon who drove the SUV that put Hatake and Umino in the hospital. I have someone tracking him now. The ‘nurse’ in the hospital is currently being,” Piercing black eyes met Sasuke’s and only years of dealing with Itachi stopped Sasuke from audibly swallowing at the hard stare, “‘questioned’. Her name is Tayuya. I should have the results of that ‘discussion’ soon. I had discovered that Naruto had been kidnapped during the ‘break’ but finding details has proven to be irritatingly difficult.” Itachi’s hand tightened around his glass.

“Itachi, it has been two hours. Even you can’t be expected to…” Sasuke began impressed with the information that Itachi had discovered thus far. Did the police even know any of this?

“They rigged a goddamn bomb is your apartment, baby brother. I should have had this information in the first fifteen minutes from asking for it. I will not sit by and wait for the police to fumble through red tape and logistics while your life is on the line. I will not wait patiently while someone picks off Naruto’s loved ones all around him. It will not happen.”

Sasuke blinked owlishly. Throughout the monologue his brother’s voice had never raised, in octave or in temperature. Itachi Uchiha was a frightening man and Sasuke silently thanked god they weren’t on opposite sides of the playing field.

“Thank you, Itachi.” Sasuke said and bowed his head… slightly. Regardless of his respect for his older and freakishly scary brother he was still an Uchiha.

“You have nothing to thank me for. Nobody messes with my family and soon that will include Naruto.”

Sasuke filled his glass and knocked it back before once more meeting Itachi’s eyes, “Actually, big brother, it won’t.”

One elegant eyebrow arched, “Explain.”

Sasuke actually caught himself squirming in his seat to his complete mortification. What was it about Naruto that made all of his Uchiha-ness slip away? “When we arrived at the hospital Naruto was… upset.”

Itachi nodded, nearly biting his tongue off to keep from smiling at the obvious nervousness that his little brother was trying so miserably to hide. “Understandably.”

“Yes, it was,” A pale hand ran through ink black hair before falling quickly to the arm of the chair, “The doctor was trying to explain his parents’ conditions but Naruto wasn’t able to focus and so I sent him in to be with his father. Meanwhile, I asked the doctor to fill me in.”

Itachi couldn’t stop the smirk, “And then?”

“The doctor wouldn’t tell me and before I knew it ItoldhimNarutowasmyfiance.”

“What was that?” Itachi asked leaning forward as if he really hadn’t understood. Sasuke nearly growled.

“I told the doctor that Naruto was my fiancé.”

Itachi sat back again, steepling his fingers in front of his face, “You told the doctor Naruto was your fiancé? Why not say he was your brother or cousin or a crazy uncle no one talks about?”

“FUCK!” Sasuke said standing running both hands through his hair, “I don’t know! But, I didn’t. Jesus… why isn’t that enough for you people?!”

Itachi chuckled causing Sasuke to stop his ranting to gawk openly at his older brother.

“So, what you are telling me, baby brother, is that you are not engaged to the man who you nearly kissed in front of our father and, not twenty minutes ago, had locked in your bedroom for a period of time much longer than one might normally need to show someone where they will be sleeping, but then, I do not think that is what you had in mind.”

Sasuke nodded, “At the time of my ‘confession’ we had only kissed once and I think he might have hated me.”

“I put an announcement on the front page of the newspaper heralding in your engagement that in turn may have placed a death warrant on your precious little head over a fake engagement.” Itachi felt the anger wrapping around his heart, choking it, making breathing an effort. No, this wasn’t anger… this was fear. Fear for what would have happened had Sasuke gone home, fear for what might still happen. Itachi hadn’t felt this level of heart stopping fear since the doctor had uttered the words ‘cancer’ and his beautiful wife had slowly slipped away. Fear at the unstoppable, the un-fightable… No, this wasn’t the same. Anger surged again and Itachi felt his heart beat once more as he called on the anger to ground him.

Suddenly, the temperature dropped in the room and Sasuke was nervous for an entirely different reason. He nodded, “Yes, brother.”

Itachi stood and walked calmly toward his brother, “Someone tried to kill you, baby brother. Someone tried to kill you because I told the media and it was all a fucking lie, is that what you are telling me?” By the end of the sentence Itachi was standing directly in front of his little brother, his strong hands fisting Sasuke’s black sweater being their faces inches from each other.

“Itachi, that is enough.”

Both brothers turned in unison, innocent looks on their pale faces as Itachi released Sasuke who immediately straightened his sweater.

“Father,” Itachi said, nodding to the man.

“It might have been a fake engagement at the time but Sasuke has been in love with that boy since he was six months old. It was only a matter of time.” Fugaku Uchiha entered the study, walking passed his two sons to fill his own glass before taking a seat next to Sasuke’s vacated one. “I trust you both have shared what you think you know. Would you like to hear what I know?” One midnight eyebrow rose and two dark heads nodded before the two young men took their seats, attention on their smirking father.

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“What the hell in going on, Naruto?” Kiba yelled into the intercom resting on the conference table.

“Well, you see, it’s like this,” Naruto began, walking toward Sasuke’s bed before flinging himself on it, “There was a misunderstanding at the hospital.”

“Meaning.” Gaara said flatly.

“Well, there I was and Dad was in the room and the doctor was there but I was so upset because just a few hours earlier Sasuke was… and I don’t know, I just wanted things to be okay, so I wasn’t really paying attention and the next thing I know Sasuke tells me to go in to be with my dad and I was all like really appreciative and Sasuke was just trying to help and he might have said he was my fiancé so the doctors would tell him…”

“Naruto.” Shikamaru drawled, “Take a breath. So troublesome.”

“Naruto,” Hinata said quietly, “So, you and Sasuke aren’t engaged?”

“No. He just told the doctor that so that he could get the information on my parents.” Naruto explained and then listened to the silence over the line.

“Explain the hospital then.” Kiba said. “Explain you sleeping in Uchiha’s lap and him petting you… he was fucking petting you. Explain his glares and when you were holding hands. Explain him…”

“I don’t know, Kiba. Fuck.” He ran a hand through his hair, “I said we weren’t engaged, not that we weren’t… well… you know.”

“I don’t think we do know, Naruto.” Gaara said and Naruto could hear the smirk whether it appeared on the pale face or not.

“Well, Sabuka, I would imagine that it is a lot like what you and Neji do in the copy room at night when you think I’ve gone home. Oh, and I’ve been meaning to tell you, I have some ‘copies’ you forgot in your personal file. I have a feeling the Devil will enjoy them come Employee Review time, don’t you?”

Silence filled the phone line before Kiba’s laughter filled the void, “The copier… can I just say, gross!”

Shikamaru sighed loudly, “Naruto, so you and Uchiha are… what? Together now? Because I still have the email that called him a bastard and begged us to ‘create an emergency’.”

Naruto furrowed his eyebrows, “I… well, yes. I think so.”

“If you are potentially making copier art then I would say you are together.” Kiba put in and Naruto distinctly heard Gaara growl in the background.

Naruto sat up and headed towards Sasuke’s computer, “Okay, kids, my love life, or whatever the hell I have going on with the bastard, aside, I won’t be into work for awhile so we need to talk about what needs to be done, when, how and by who.”

“Why won’t you be in, Naruto?” Hinata said and Naruto smiled imagining her fiddling her fingers.

“You all know about the attempted murder of my parents. It turns out whoever is behind it, also has their sights set on me and my… fiancé.”

Kiba failed to hide his snort.

“Fugaku Uchiha is placing my parents in a more secure location and Sasuke and I was staying here until this… well, ends.”

“Do they know anything?” Gaara asked leaning forward.

“No,” Naruto sighed, “But someone left a bomb in Sasuke’s apartment. They are serious. I want you all to be careful. I don’t think there’s any threat to you, but please… just be careful.”

He listened while they all agreed and then they changed the subject, handling business, something Naruto could control, while everything else spun chaotically around him.

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Jouta turned the corner and wondered when his book was going to be published because honestly, this teaching thing was not working out. His class was on the playground when a man with long white hair had come to the side fence to ask a question about enrolling his daughter. Jouta tried to point him in the direction of the office but the man insisted that he couldn’t understand Jouta and could he please come closer. Finally, tired of waving his arms and screaming, he walked to the fence. He could see all the playground equipment and therefore the children from his position. Well, except for the sandbox, but Naruto never moved once he was there until the whistle blew.

So, he had answered the gentleman’s questions and was headed back to his spot next to the slide where he could monitor all playground activity when he stopped. The sandbox was empty.

He could feel his heart rate increase to painful proportions and scanned the playground, willing himself to calm down. The little boy couldn’t have gone far. He’d been there only three minutes ago. Swings. No. Slide. No. Monkey bars. No.

“Sensei?” A little voice pulled his attention down toward the brown haired five year old with tight buns on either side of her head.

“Yes, Tenten,” Jouta said, his eyes frantically willing a mop of golden hair to materialize.

“I think Naruto might have been sick.”

Jouta dropped to his knees, grasping the girl’s shoulders and pulling her forward, “Why, Tenten, where is he?”

“Two men were talking to him and then Naruto fell over and they took him away. Maybe he needed the hospital. Mommy says that when you are sick you…”

“The two men, Tenten, were they his fathers? Have you seen them here before?”

Tenten furrowed her brow, “No, not the daddies. I remember the daddies.”

Jouta’s hands slid off her shoulders and down to his sides.

Oh dear god… no.

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As Sasuke and Itachi settled in their chairs, Fugaku began refilling their glasses. Sasuke put a hand over his and shook his head. He’d had two, and although he was sure it was five o’clock somewhere, here, it was barely noon.

“Orochimaru Sannin contested Minato’s will and Naruto’s custody two months after Naruto was born. During the two month court proceedings, Naruto spent most of his time at our home.” The older man took a sip of his drink, “At first both of you didn’t take kindly to the intrusion on your lives, but soon Itachi was ‘playing’,” The smirk denoted that perhaps ‘playing’ was too kind of a word, “with Naruto just as he did you, Sasuke.”

“So, he was an asshole?” Sasuke said and smiled sweetly at his glaring brother.

“There was an incident where Itachi took Naruto’s pacifier and even though you were only six months old, you refused to leave Naruto’s side. Protecting the small baby, comforting him with baby babble no one understood. I thought you mother was going to die from all the giggling and cooing she did over the two of you.”

Sasuke forced down the blush and began to regret his earlier decision to curtail his drinking. “I was six months old, that’s hardly the sign of lifelong commitment. Hell, I might have been that ‘cute’,” Sasuke spat the word, “Had you gotten me a puppy.”

“Baby brother,” Itachi said smirking, “I never guessed that you harbored tendencies toward the animal kingdom. Does Uzumaki know?”

Sasuke shifted in his seat, fully capable and willing to add a bruise to the other side of Itachi’s face, in the interest of symmetry, when his father cleared his throat, “Itachi, I am still in the room.”

“Forgive me, Father.” Itachi said.

“Forgive me, Father.” Sasuke mimicked and then blanched at his plummeting maturity levels. Damn that dobe.

Fugaku smiled slyly into his glass, “Well, I suppose the puppy scenario is a reasonable theory, Sasuke, but what about when you were eight?”

Sasuke turned toward his father, confusion in his dark eyes, “When I was eight? What do you mean, Father?” But even as the words came out of his mouth, an image of blonde hair flitted in the back of his memory.

“When you were eight, I took you to see Konoha’s Symphony Orchestra. They had a special guess, an eight year old boy, who I wanted to see, for my own reasons, which I’m sure are now quite obvious. I thought you might enjoy it. And you did, didn’t you, son?”

“Oh dear god.” Sasuke breathed and leaned heavily against the back of his chair, “It was Naruto.”

“Yes, you were captivated. When we got home, you demanded we go back the next night, and the next day’s matinee and the following night. We saw every performance that Naruto played in until his guest performances ended.”

Sasuke ran a hand over his face and Itachi watched with growing evil delight… the mileage that he could get from this… it was like Christmas.

“When we told you he wasn’t playing anymore, you demanded that I find out who he was and have him come to our house. It was the first, and last time, you ever asked me to use our name to get you what you wanted. When I said I couldn’t, you refused to eat. You were so stubborn.”

Itachi suddenly choked and Sasuke met his eyes, “That’s why you weren’t eating? I came home from school for the weekend and Mother was beside herself because you hadn’t eaten in three days. And it was because of some little blonde cello player. Baby brother, that’s just…” Itachi waved his hand dismissingly, “Pathetic.”

“Oh, but if I hadn’t stopped eating, you wouldn’t have been able to hold me down and shove baby food down my throat, big brother. I know how much you enjoyed that, asshole.”

Itachi shrugged, “Excellent point. I’ll have to send my musically inclined minion a thank you note.”

Sasuke turned to his father, “And the whole time you did know him. You could have had him come here. It wouldn’t have been any trouble at all…”

“No, I couldn’t. Kakashi and Naruto had their own lives, completely separate from ours.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. None. I don’t understand the separation.”

“After the kidnapping, many things changed.” Fugaku sat back and both brothers could tell the conversation had truly begun.

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Kakashi was preparing for fifth period Calculus when the office called informing him he had an emergency phone call. He pushed his paper work aside and standing, walked quickly toward the office.

The pretty secretary smiled and pointed to the phone, “Line two.”

He nodded his thanks before picking up, “Kakashi Hatake.”

“Mr. Hatake, this is Airi Shirakawa, the principal at Naruto’s school.” Kakashi gripped the counter because the woman’s voice made it clear this wasn’t a social call.

“Yes, I remember.” Kakashi said quietly, “Has something happened?”

There was silence for a moment before the woman cleared her throat, “I don’t know how to tell you this,” His heart stopped, “But we believe that today during recess Naruto was kidnapped from the playground.”

His heart broke and his lungs stopped moving, stilling mid-breath, as the tall man slid down the counter to the floor, “What? He’s not there?” His silver head was shaking frantically and he didn’t see the secretary run towards the high school principal’s office.

“No, sir. We have phoned the police and they would like me to tell you they are sending a car to pick you and Mr. Umino up to bring you back he…”

“How did this happen? Did he wander off? Explain to me how the hell this could happen?!”

Again, there was silence before a soft sigh was heard, “Mr. Hatake, I am so sorry. I don’t know… I just don’t know.”

An officer appeared in the office doorway and Kakashi pushed himself to standing, replacing the phone in its cradle without saying another word.

“Mr. Hatake?” The uniformed man asked while pushing up his glasses. Kakashi nodded. “We need to go, sir.”

Kakashi turned to tell someone he was leaving only to come face to face with his principal who put a caring hand on his shoulder. “Just go, Kakashi. We’ll take care of things here.”

“Thank you.” Kakashi said and followed the police officer to his car.

Kakashi almost tripped when he saw Iruka sitting in the backseat, tears trailing down his cheeks. Kakashi burst into a jog and jerked open the door, taking the smaller man into his arms.

“‘Kashi,” Iruka sobbed into his shoulder, “He’s gone. Why? Who would do this?”

Kakashi felt his senses come back for the first time since he had taken the call and rocked Iruka gently as the car pulled away from the curb, “I don’t know. I don’t know, but we will find out and Naruto will come back to us.”

Iruka just nodded into his chest and Kakashi pulled out his cell phone, dialing a number he thought he’d never have to use. Iruka listened while Kakashi asked for Fugaku Uchiha and then they set in silence for a moment. Finally, Iruka heard someone speak and Kakashi took a calming breath.

“Naruto is gone. Someone took him from school.”

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The first thing little Naruto thought upon waking up was that he was very, very cold. Shivers racked his body and his teeth hurt from chattering. He blinked open his eyes only to see nothing, nothing but darkness. His bottom lip began to quiver and he sucked it into his mouth. He was having a bad dream and Daddy wanted him to try and deal with them on his own before calling for help. Papa said he was in control. If he wanted ramen waterfalls instead of grotesque monsters, all he had to do was imagine them. Force the monsters away and bathe in the seasoned goodness of miso ramen.

He closed his eyes and imagined that his Daddy was there with him, holding him, pushing away the darkness. The image was so clear in his mind that he giggled and forced open his eyes expecting the silver haired man to be smiling down on him.

A sob escaped when all he saw was the darkness. It wasn’t a dream… it wasn’t a dream. What was happening? Trying to be brave, he felt the floor around him. He was on something hard, like cement or stones and everything was wet. His clothes were soaked and another series of shivers coursed through his small frame.

Crawling on his hands and knees, he inched along the floor, reaching one hand out until he felt the wall. Moving along it he came to a break in the wall. For a moment, he felt himself get excited, but then his hand touched several cold, metal bars. He couldn’t stop the tears or the sob that ripped from his throat. He was in cage… like the animals at the zoo. Throwing himself away from the bars like he had been burned, the little boy curled up on himself and swore that he never, ever, wanted to see the animals in cages again.

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After Naruto had finished his phone call, he checked and finished a few more things on Sasuke’s computer before deciding it was time to drag Sasuke back from hell and the devil.

He strolled down the hallway until he heard faint piano notes and childish voices from several rooms down. He reached the door and stuck his head in to see Iyo and Naoki, along with their grandmother, in an open room with desks, writing boards and in the corner a piano that Naoki was toying with absently.

“Is Naru still here?” The little boy asked, his fingers running up and down the scales.

“Yes, Naoki, and he will be staying the night so you will see him at dinner, if not sooner.” Mikoto said while tying Iyo’s ribbon into her dark hair.

Naruto stepped into the room and smiled, “Mind if I join you?”

Three pairs of black eyes look around at the sound and Mikoto smiled as Naoki fell off the piano bench before jumping up and running into Naruto.

“Hey, Naoki. How were your lessons?”

“Fine,” The little boy said excitedly, “You came to see me? Did you tell Uncle ‘Sake? Was he sad?” The smirk the small boy gave reminded Naruto heavily of the boy’s father… devil’s spawn indeed.

“No, I did not tell him. I didn’t know that you were all here and I believe that he is with your father.”

The dark head nodded and Naruto felt small fingers clasp his own as he was pulled farther into the room. Naruto almost missed the boy’s whisper, “His loss.”

Naruto listened while Naoki and soon Iyo told him everything they had learned that day while Mikoto watched the three of them quietly. She could not believe how much Naruto resembled Minato. Yes, the resemblance had been there when the boy was a baby, but now… it made her heart ache for the friends she had lost and the life they had all planned together. Pushing the sadness aside, Mikoto couldn’t help but think how funny it was that Sasuke and Naruto had found one another anyway. Admittedly, when Kushina and Mikoto had created their dream lives over gallons of mint chocolate chip ice cream, their boys were just friends, but this… Sasuke came alive around the blonde. He always had.

“Naoki, Iyo,” Mikoto said after looking at the clock, “It’s time for you to head to the kitchen for snack.”

“Can Naru come? You want to come, don’t you, Naru?”

“Actually, dear,” Mikoto said, pulling the dark haired boy away from Naruto and pushing him towards the door, “I would like to talk to Naruto for a bit. You’ll see him again soon.”

Naoki groaned and Iyo hit him on the head, running as he squawked and chased after her.

“You certainly have a fan in him.” Mikoto said coming to sit next to Naruto.

“I still can’t believe Itachi has children. It seems fundamentally… wrong.” Naruto grinned.

Mikoto chuckled, “Itachi met the children’s mother his senior year in college. Kaeda was a sweet girl and Itachi loved her from the moment he saw her. We were concerned. They were so young and before we knew it, she was pregnant. Fugaku was livid. He accused her of trapping Itachi…” Mikoto shook her head, “Itachi threatened to leave the family, forsake us and everything the Uchiha name might give him. Fugaku nearly let him, but then, I’ll never forget it. Sasuke, who at the time was in high school, took Fugaku into his study. They were in there for less than fifteen minutes before Fugaku came out and apologized to Itachi and Kaeda.” Mikoto smiled, “I saw Itachi approach Sasuke later and Sasuke just shrugged and walked away.”

Naruto smiled and wondered what Sasuke had said to make his father back down. The bastard could be just as evil as the rest of his family, Naruto was sure.

“They were married and had Iyo. It didn’t take long for the rest of us to see what Itachi saw in her. Soon, they had Naoki. After his birth, Kaeda became sick and was diagnosed with Leukemia. She died just before Naoki turned one.”

“I am so sorry.” Naruto said, “They are beautiful children and very happy. Itachi must take comfort in that.”

“I think so,” Mikoto looked at the young man in front of her, his wide, blue eyes sympathetic, “So, when should we expect grandchildren from the two of you?”

Naruto choked, coughed and then gasped for breath, “Oh well,” He calmed himself and looked directly at Sasuke’s mother… they really were similar, “We aren’t actually engaged.” A tan hand ran through golden locks, Mikoto stifled a snicker. The young man was adorable, “Actually, there’s no ‘actually’ about it. We are not engaged. A week ago we weren’t even allowed in the same room together for fear of one of us coming away dead.”

Black eyes widened before softening, “Would you like to share how it is that my husband and oldest son think you are to be married?”

“Sasuke was trying to help me when we first got to the hospital and so he told the doctor he was my fiancé, who in turn notified the detective and the nurses, who informed the secretary at work, who spilled to all the duckies, who ratted to Itachi, who blabbed to his father and the bloody newspaper.” Naruto took a deep breath and prayed Mikoto didn’t have any more questions.

“I see. And would you like to share why Sasuke had your belongings put in his room, instead of the guest bedroom I offered?”

So much for a higher power, “Ah, you see, last week we were trying to kill each other. This week… not so much.”

Mikoto grinned, “I have never seen Sasuke happier than he was today.”

Naruto hadn’t seen Sasuke hornier than he was today… did that count? And so, not knowing what to say, he nodded.

“Fugaku and Itachi seem fond of you as well.”

“Well, I can see Itachi, I am one of his minions… but Fugaku? I’ve only ever spoken to him twice.”

A small frown crossed the older woman’s face, “After the custody battle, Fugaku moved us here while you and your family stayed in Suna. Minato had wanted you to grow up and become whatever you wanted to be… unlike the life set forth for Minato and Fugaku. After your parents died, Fugaku decided the best way to see that through was to step back from your life and let Kakashi and Iruka raise you as they saw fit.” Mikoto met Naruto’s eyes, “After the kidnapping, the idea became concrete. It was better that you be allowed a childhood out of the spotlight… a childhood you would not have had with Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha as playmates. You should have seen Fugaku when he found out you were pursuing business in college. We all worked so hard not to pressure you and you followed in Minato’s footsteps anyway.”

Naruto nodded, “I’m sorry that they died and you didn’t get to have a life with them.”

“Darling,” Mikoto said, “I’m sorry too, but things work out they way they should and regardless of the status of your ‘engagement’, you are in our lives now.”

Mikoto stood and brushed imaginary dust from her slacks. “Would you like to join me for tea?”

Naruto looked around and his eyes landed on the piano, “Do you mind if I stay in here for awhile?”

“That would be just fine.” Mikoto walked over and kissed the top of Naruto’s head, causing Naruto to close his eyes while he attempted to burn the moment into his memory. “You are a wonderful young man. Your fathers must be proud. I know Minato and Kushina would be and Sasuke… he’s just damn lucky, isn’t he?” With that she walked out of the room, leaving a quiet Naruto in her wake.

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Fugaku called Mikoto from the jet. He could hear Sasuke and Itachi in the background. “Naruto Uzumaki has been kidnapped from his school.”

“What?” Mikoto said and the sounds of the boys drifted off letting Fugaku know she has left the room, “How? When?” Her voice sounded shaky. Fugaku closed his eyes and added another reason to his list of why whoever had done this was going to die.

“Kakashi called me this morning. I am on my way to Suna. I’ve talked to the detectives and a ransom note has been delivered to their home. They are asking for nearly ninety percent of the total assets left to Naruto through Minato’s will.”

“There’s no way… in what time frame?” Mikoto asked.

Fugaku ran a hand over his face and behind his neck trying to ease the tension, “Not enough time. I have called in several… favors.”

“Fugaku Uchiha! I am your wife. If you called in all the demons from hell, I’ll make them fucking lemonade if it saves that little boy.”

Fugaku chuckled, “I know, you’re right… and I did.”

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Huge, blue eyes blinked owlishly as light streamed through the bars of his ‘cage’. A tall man with long, black hair and yellowish, slanted eyes stared at him, an evil smirk on his face. Naruto continued to shiver but now wasn’t able to tell if he was cold or scared.

“Hello, Naruto.” The man whispered and Naruto scooted back against the wall, a small whimper escaping his mouth. “Oh, are you scared? You don’t have to be scared.” A pale hand curled around a bar of the cell and inserted a key into the lock. “I brought you some food.” He entered and set a chipped dish on the floor, the white goop sloshing sluggishly around the bowl.

“I want my Daddy,” Naruto whispered.

“Didn’t anyone tell you that your daddy was dead?” The man asked leaning against the bars.

The small blonde head shook back and forth, “No, no, he’s not. I saw him. He said he would pick me up from school! He said!”

“Oh dear, do you always whine like this, Naruto?” The voice was cold and mocking. The man once more came closer to Naruto and in a flash had a handful of the boy’s hair in his hand. Naruto screamed, wildly grabbing at the hand, his sneakered feet kicking out, knocking over the bowl and sending white goop over the man’s dark pants.

“Please! Let go! Please!” His little voice echoed against the cell walls and his captor released him with disgust, tossing him back against the wall, looking at the mess down his legs. Naruto whined in pain, clutching his ribs as the man looked down on him.

“If you were referring to Kakashi Hatake, he knows what he has to do to get you back.” The man walked out of the cell, closing the door behind him, “I wish I could stay, Naruto. Watching Minato’s son lick his supper off the floor would be such a rewarding experience for me, however, do enjoy yourself.”

“Wait, who are you? Why am I here?” Naruto asked bravely, but still didn’t uncurl from corner.

The man’s chuckles were all Naruto heard as the ‘cage’ plunged into darkness and he heard his tummy growl.

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Fugaku looked at his sons as he finished telling them of Naruto’s kidnapping and subsequent rescue. Itachi’s face was blank, but his hand held his empty glass tightly, his wrist muscles flexing at the controlled squeeze. Sasuke’s face was livid, barely suppressed by his Uchiha background. Fugaku could only count a handful of times he’d seen that look on his youngest son’s face and he thanked god, that this time, it wasn’t directed at him.

“After the kidnapping, Kakashi and Iruka decided to move here. Naruto was obviously scarred by the experience and having troubles sleeping and being alone. Kakashi found a new, higher paying job here and since it was the summer time, Iruka and Kakashi were able to stay home with him. He did better. Being away from his old life did wonders.”

Sasuke clinched his teeth and tried to calm himself. Who would do that to a child? If Sannin wasn’t dead…

“So, if they were here, why didn’t we interact with them?” Itachi asked and Sasuke sent him a quick glance that Itachi nodded to.

“Minato wanted Naruto to grow up away from the influences of ‘family’. Minato came from a long line of powerful people and limited choices. He never wanted that for Naruto. He broke away from his family and when his father died, leaving him everything since he was the only son, he took that money and built his own empire.” Fugaku smiled, “But, he had no intention of forcing Naruto to follow in his footsteps. After they got Naruto back, Kakashi had me liquidate everything that Minato had. Everything. All of those finances were then put into a trust that Naruto won’t have access to until he turns twenty-nine. There is no loop hole. If Naruto were to die before then, all assets would go to charity. The idea was to prevent anyone from trying to take Naruto for money.”

“That still doesn’t explain…” Sasuke began.

“Honestly, Sasuke, at that point, Kakashi thought it was too dangerous to have Naruto around us and I felt it was too dangerous to have you around him.”

“What?” Both brothers questioned.

“Kakashi is Naruto’s father. He was looking after his son to the best of his ability. We were on the cover of magazines. Something that you’ll noticed stopped after Naruto was taken. He didn’t want any more attention on Naruto. It’s not that I thought Naruto was dangerous, I just wanted you both safe as well. We were all scared and trying to do the right thing for Naruto. Give him the life that Minato wanted. We just wanted to give him a chance at a normal life and I felt the same about the two of you.”

Sasuke nodded, “I understand, Father.”

“I agree. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect Iyo and Naoki.” His dark eyes turned to Sasuke, “Or my adorable minions.”

Sasuke nodded briskly and Fugaku wondered just how many ‘demons’ Itachi had called forth from hell. Standing, the older man looked at Sasuke, “I have moved Kakashi and Iruka to a hospital not far from here. I thought maybe you and Naruto could go visit before dinner. The agents will, of course, be with you.”

Sasuke stood as well, “Yes, Father. I’ll go tell him now.”

“Sasuke, is the engagement really a fake?” Black eyes twinkled.

Sasuke looked right as his father and brother, face devoid of any emotion. The perfect Uchiha. He shrugged, “For the time begin.”

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Sasuke walked towards his room, fairly certain Naruto would have left by now, but needing a place to begin his search. As he neared the school room, he heard music coming from the piano. He immediately recognized Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’ and changed direction, knowing he had located his dobe.

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Naruto sat at the piano and allowed his fingers to move across the keys like water. He closed his eyes and let the notes twirl around in his head, carrying away his worries, his confusion and stress.

“Are you some kind a musical prodigy, dobe?”

Naruto’s fingers stumbled over themselves, creating a scattering of misplaced notes, ending the trance the song had created around the blonde.

“No, I don’t think so,” Naruto said beginning to get up from the bench, but then Sasuke shook his head and set next to him. Naruto scooting down to make room.

“So, you play the cello and the piano?” Sasuke said and clinked at several keys, the beginning notes of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ making Naruto smile.

“The cello, although my favorite, is not always available.” Naruto said and finished the song, “I learned to play after the kidnapping. My ‘mental health advisor’ thought having something to focus on and that would allow me to express my feelings would be helpful.” Naruto started another faintly familiar melody, “The guy was a total idiot, but it was worth it for that single piece of advice. That week, my parents took me to several music stores and bought CD’s so that I could decide what I wanted to try. We listened to music in the car, while we ate, when I would lie in bed at night wide awake because…” Naruto shook his head, his fingers stilling, “Dad would come in and lay next to me, each of us staring at the ceiling, as we named the different instruments and songs.” Naruto turned to Sasuke, a smile on his face, “I was really lucky. I don’t think Dad had ever listened to classical music a day in his life, but he threw himself into it… just to help me.”

Sasuke pushed lock of blonde hair away from Naruto’s face, “What made you decide on the cello?”

“I saw Gamakichi and my decision was made.”

“Gamakichi?”

Naruto laughed softy and Sasuke felt it in his chest, like a gentle breeze, “Yes, Gamakichi, my first cello. He was perfect. He was in a display case, next to a miniature grand piano. To listen to my Papa tell it, I stopped in my tracks and wouldn’t budge until Gamakichi was in his box ready to come home with us.”

Sasuke nodded before asking, “Your first cello?”

“Well, I was just six when he came home with us so, of course, I outgrew him.”

Sasuke looked Naruto up and down, smirking, “Gamakichi must have been ‘very’ small then.”

“Bastard!” Naruto said, leaning his shoulder in to shove the taller man, “I also have Gamakichi, the Second, and now I have Gamabunta, my last and best cello.” Tan fingers ran over white keys, “He’ll be jealous.”

“You know, my father reminded me today that I have actually seen you play.” Sasuke said, his hands falling into his lap, his dark bangs falling into his face.

Naruto started and turned to look at Sasuke, “Really? When?”

“I was eight and just because I know my fucking brother is going to say something, I was fascinated by you.”

Surprise filled azure eyes, “Fascinated?”

Sasuke nodded stiffly, “I made them take me to every performance you were a part of.”

“Every one?” Naruto smiled, enjoying Sasuke’s reluctant embarrassment.

“Yes, every one of them and then, when your performances ended, I demanded that Father bring you to my house so that you could play for me. He refused and I refused to eat.”

Naruto laughed aloud, “You went on a hunger strike when you were eight years old because of some boy you saw playing cello?!”

The pale hand wrapping around his neck silenced his laughter and the pale pink lips brushing gently against his own stopped his breath, “No, I went on a hunger strike because of you.” Naruto’s eyes widened and Sasuke’s lips connected, the older man’s tongue immediately demanding entrance, warring with Naruto’s tongue, as he tasted and teased. Naruto whimpered, pressing closer and Sasuke moaned, his other hand coming up to push Naruto’s lower back so that their bodies touched to the most of their ability.

“S’uke,” Naruto whispered and ran his own hands up Sasuke’s chest only to wind into soft, black spikes.

Sasuke shifted, pushing Naruto backward to lay him on the bench. Naruto’s arms flayed out to ensure his balance, his elbow hitting the white keys, startling both men back to their senses.

“This is becoming… troublesome.” Sasuke said, sitting back up and pulling Naruto with him. “I must be making up for lost time.”

“Lost time?” Naruto asked, rubbing his smarting elbow, “Like from when you were eight? Because I can tell you, as an eight year old, I wouldn’t have appreciated you manhandling me on a music bench.”

Sasuke stood and smirked down at Naruto, “Maybe… maybe not, but right now, Father sent me to tell you your parents have been moved to a hospital nearby and I was wondering if you would like to go visit them.”

Naruto who had been frowning after the ‘maybe not’ comment smiled, “Yeah, I’d love that.”

Sasuke grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers and started toward the door, “More than proposed ‘musical bench activities’?”

Naruto hit him on the shoulder, the door closing behind them.

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Three days.

Naruto had been gone for three days. Kakashi bit back the curse that threatened to erupt from his mouth, not wanting to wake Iruka who had finally drifted to sleep from exhaustion. Kakashi was nowhere near that point. He could hear the officers mulling about in the living room and could just make out Fugaku’s voice, cool, demanding and… god help them, worried.

He had tried closing his eyes, but all he saw was Naruto’s baby face begging him to help him. Screaming ‘Daddy’ and searching for Kakashi in the darkness. Kakashi didn’t doubt for a moment that if this went on much longer he would go insane.

The ransom amount had been collected, courtesy of the Uchiha Inc, and now they were waiting for the asshole to set a drop point. Kakashi couldn’t stop the growl and then had to quickly shush the shifting Iruka, petting the brown head until he settled.

They all knew it was Orochimaru Sannin. The man didn’t try hard to cover his tracks and Kakashi worried about that over everything else. The snake didn’t care if they knew it was him. He didn’t care and that made Naruto’s position… risky. Deadly.

His sunshine was alone with that bastard… over money. Kakashi tasted the blood in his mouth and tenderly touched a finger to his abused lip. Orochimaru would kill Naruto without a thought because he had nothing to lose. Nothing at all.

Kakashi, blinked, the tears sliding silently down his cheeks. Whereas he had everything to lose.

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“I’ll have the money transferred.” Fugaku snapped the phone shut and turned to the detective next to him, “I know where he is.”

Relaying the information, Fugaku excused himself while the officers made a plan of attack and knocked gently on Kakashi’s bedroom door. Receiving no answer, he pushed the door open to find Iruka sleeping restlessly on the bed, Kakashi nowhere in sight. Shutting the door, he walked down the hall to the only other room, Naruto’s room.

Kakashi sat on the small bed, holding a stuffed fox while looking at the window. “I won’t be able to sleep, so please, don’t ask me too.”

Fugaku walked in and put a hand on the young man’s shoulder, “You don’t have time to sleep. We have to go get your son.”

Gray eyes shot up, tired and wary, but Fugaku could see the hope, “I know where he is. Let’s go.”

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The warehouse was on the outskirts of town. The police had cleared the area and had circled the location. Spot lights from helicopters lit the area. Kakashi and Iruka waited next to a police car with Fugaku as the police demanded that Orochimaru, and any of his accomplices, release Naruto and exit the building.

Shots rang out and the police were forced to return fire. Kakashi was remotely aware of Iruka being sick toward the back of the car, but his mind and all of his senses were alert of any sign or sound of a small boy in between the shots, helicopter noises and shouts around him.

Finally, the shooting stopped and men in vests and night vision goggles entered the building, clearing the area, a scattering of shots were heard, before they declared an ‘all clear’.

“And Naruto?!” Fugaku yelled at the lead detective, “Any sign of Naruto?”

“Not yet, sir!” The man said shaking his head. A crackling came over the radio and the detective held it to his ear, “We didn’t get that, sergeant. Repeat!”

“We found the boy… help… immediately.”

Kakashi was running across the parking lot before anyone could stop him.

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The men in the building must have had children, Kakashi thought, as he ran through. Instead of stopping him, they nodded and pointed him in the direction he needed to go. Soon, he was in a basement and three officers stood in front of a barred room, working to unlock the door.

Kakashi walked slowly to their side, taking deep breaths through his mouth, trying fruitlessly to calm his heart and his breathing. In the cell he saw bugs crawling everywhere, some kind of food having drawn them into the dank room. There was no furniture and in the far corner he saw a huddled mess and a sob escaped his lips.

“Sir?” Kakashi continued to stare at his lifeless little boy, “Sir? We saw him move. We know he’s alive. We have the door open. Did you want to… or would you rather that we…”

Kakashi moved around him and walked through the open door, avoiding the swarming bugs before falling to his knees next to Naruto. The boy had dark bruises on his face and arms, his body trembling from the cold. He could only imagine what his torso and legs looked like. Kakashi breathed a sigh when all of Naruto’s clothes were battered, but still on and in one piece. He had considered the worse and hoped this was a sign that the worse hadn’t happened. He reached out his hand and touch Naruto’s shoulder and the small boy flinched violently, his blue eyes snapping open, a whimper coming from his severely chapped lips.

“Shh… sunshine, it’s me, Dada.” Naruto’s eyes tried to focus, his body shivering as he pulled his knees tighter against his chest.

“Dada?” Kakashi felt his heart break listening to the weak sound that was his son’s voice.

“Yes, sunshine. I’m here now. You’re going to be okay.” Tears streamed down both of their faces as a little hand reached for Kakashi’s, trembling fingers wrapping around Kakashi’s larger ones. “Are you hurt, Naruto? Can I pick you up?”

Naruto sobbed and shook his head, pushing himself into his father’s arms. “Dada!” He choked out, “Dada… dada… dada…” Until Kakashi couldn’t make out of the words, rocking the blonde boy back and forth, stroking his hair and rubbing his back gently trying to sooth and comfort the frightened boy.

He looked up at a noise at the door and saw Iruka and Fugaku had entered the room.

“Oh god…” Iruka whispered and Fugaku grabbed onto the bars.

“He’s okay,” Kakashi said softly, “We found him and he’s okay.”

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Sasuke pulled into the private hospital and parked the car. Naruto opened his mouth and Sasuke spoke over him, “No, no one likes hospitals. They all suck, no matter what.”

Naruto smiled and leaned towards Sasuke, allowing his forehead to fall against Sasuke’s shoulder, “Thanks, teme.”

“Come on, dobe.”

They walked into the hospital and checked in at the front desk. Naruto smiled at the guards and entered his parents’ private room, Sasuke’s fingers laced in his, trailing behind. The two men lay asleep on their beds, just like the last time Naruto had seen them.

Smiling sadly at Sasuke, Naruto pulled free of his fingers and headed to Iruka’s bed, adjusting the blankets and kissing his sleeping forehead, “Hey, Papa.” Naruto whispered, “It sounds like you both had a busy morning.”

Turning, he stepped up to Kakakshi’s bed, “I miss you. I want you to be okay n-now…”

Suddenly, Sasuke was behind him, pulling Naruto into his arms, kissing his blonde crown and rubbing his arms gently, “They will be, dobe. I promise.” Naruto turned in the taller man’s arms and rested his head against his chest, squeezing his eyes shut, trying to stop the tears. “Seeing them reminds me that I’m alone and,” Naruto release a heavy sigh, “I think I’m tired, S’uke.”

“I know,” Sasuke whispered tilting the man’s head up, brushing pink lips against scarred cheeks and dropped eyelids, “I’m here… you aren’t alone. We’ll go home and go to bed. I won’t leave you…”

Naruto leaned up, wrapping his arms around Sasuke as he pulled to pink lips down on his own once again. Naruto nipped lightly at Sasuke bottom lip before the dark haired man opened his lips and allowed Naruto to enter, his tongue running lightly against teeth and gums, swirling around Sasuke’s willing muscle before pulling Sasuke’s tongue into his mouth and sucking gently. Sasuke moaned and thrust his hips forward, causing Naruto to gasp, releasing his tongue. Sasuke dived in to pull Naruto’s tongue into his own mouth…

“Well, this is new, Sunshine.” Sasuke and Naruto broke apart as Kakashi coughed his voice raspy from disuse.

“Dad!” Naruto whispered and walked forward, his bottom lip caught in his teeth, “Dad!” He stepped forward and grabbed Kakashi’s hand in his own. “Are you okay? Teme, get a doctor!” Naruto offered his father a glass of water.

“Wait,” Kakashi said stopping Sasuke in his step, before taking several drinks of water, “I don’t really understand what is going on, but I do know that my last memory included you and the littlest Uchiha hating one another, which is clearly not the case anymore.”

Naruto blushed and shuffled his feet, “Well, you see…”

“Sunshine and I are engaged.” Sasuke smirked while both Kakashi and Naruto choked.

“Teme!” Naruto yelled, “What the hell?!”

“Engaged?” Kakashi gasped, pulling Naruto to sit on the side of his bed, “Does your Papa know about this?”

Naruto’s face immediately fell and Kakashi looked at the Uchiha, noticing that all humor left his piercing black eyes. Following the pale young man’s gaze, his eyes looked passed Naruto and saw a sleeping Iruka, “Sunshine? What happened?” Kakashi whispered, looking at Iruka’s pale face littered with bruises.

“Dad,” Naruto said pressing against his father’s side like he had when he was a child, “There was an accident… no, someone tried to kill you.” Kakashi’s gray eyes widened, “They ran into your car while you and Papa were on your way to work. They brought you to the hospital, Papa was hurt very badly, Dad. He was in surgery… forever. His heart kept stopping.” Kakashi closed his eyes, memories flooding his mind, Iruka smiling and then pain. Iruka screaming and terror gripping his heart. “But, he made it through, but he is in a coma, Dad.”

Kakashi watched as Sasuke neared the bed and placed a hand on Naruto’s shoulder, his eyes narrowed when Naruto leaned away from him and into the snot nosed bastard’s touch. Before he could say anything, Naruto continued, “One of your lungs had collapsed, but you made it through surgery. I even talked to you… do you remember?” Kakashi closed his eyes, but nothing but Iruka’s scream came to him. He shuddered and shook his head, “It’s okay, I told you I love you.” Kakashi nodded and touched Naruto’s cheek, “I love you too.”

“I know, Dad. So afterwards, a woman came into the room and gave you a dose of insulin that nearly killed you, but instead, you have been in a coma for a little over a day.” Naruto sniffed, “They didn’t know if you would ever wake up, Dad. I thought… I thought that I was going to be…”

“Dobe.” Sasuke said warningly.

“Damn it, teme! They are my parents!”

“Hn, idiot. I think you just like playing the ‘poor me’ card.” Sasuke stepped away and shrugged.

Naruto lunged forward to hit Sasuke but Kakashi grabbed his shirt from behind, “Now, you see, this is more of what I was expecting.”

Naruto turned and settled back on the bed, watching his father smile, but his gray eyes kept straying to his sleeping husband, “Dad, are you okay?”

Kakashi sighed, “It’s a lot… Sunshine, it’s a lot to take in. Do you know who did it?”

Naruto shook his head and Sasuke spoke, “No, we don’t. My father and Itachi are working with the police. The consensus is that it somehow related to Naruto’s kidnapping.”

“Have they tried to hurt you?” Kakashi asked his attention fully on his son.

“Only by hurting you and Papa and trying to blow up my fiancé.”

“Fiancé? Engagement? What is going on?” Kakashi asked sternly, “Did something happen at camp? Do I need to kill Gai?”

“Now you care that I was in the Green Beast’s clutches… that’s priceless.” Naruto huffed and Sasuke’s smirked at him.

Turning to Kakashi, the young Uchiha explained, “Naruto and I… discovered… a different side of our relationship the last day we were at camp. When Naruto got word of your accident, I drove him to the hospital. The doctors wouldn’t tell me anything and so I said I was his…” Sasuke trailed off and Naruto smiled at his nervousness.

“He said he was my fiancé.” Naruto finished.

Kakashi considered that for a moment, “Why not brother or cousin or crazy uncle no…” Sasuke growled and Naruto hushed him.

“Calm down, bastard.” Naruto captured the pale hand in his own and turning to his father, he smiled, “He just went with the first thing that came to his mind.”

“Like a Freudian slip?” Kakashi said glaring at the pale man holding his son’s hand, “What the hell are your intentions, Uchiha?”

“I’m going to get the doctor.” Sasuke squeezed Naruto’s fingers before turning on his heel and walking out of the room.

Kakashi looked into his son’s blue eyes. He smiled because Naruto looked calm… happy, “There’s no amount of tequila on this earth that will be enough for the conversation we are going to have when your Papa wakes up, Sunshine.”

Naruto lay down, sighing contently against his father, “I can’t wait, Dad.”

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Naruto lay asleep in the hospital bed several IV’s bringing much needed fluids and antibiotics into his small body. Upon admittance, Naruto had been diagnosed with severe dehydration and starvation as well as a nasty cause of pneumonia. Iruka sat to one side of the bed, holding a small hand in his own, talking quietly to the little boy when he would start whimpering in his sleep.

Kakashi sat on the opposite side, his hand resting on Naruto’s side. The exhaustion from the last several days threatening to pull him under but he couldn’t rest, not until he was sure Orochimaru was no longer a threat.

Fugaku had called Mikoto and was currently staring out the window in Naruto’s room, waiting for the same assurances as Kakashi.

As if called into creation with a thought, a young officer Kakashi recognized as the officer who had picked him up at school, entered the room.

“Hello, sirs.” All three men turned and waited quietly, “I’m here to tell you that Orochimaru Sannin has been found dead outside of the airport. We theorized that he was trying to escape when someone, perhaps a disgruntled accomplice, shot him, execution style, and dropped his body in the fields along the runway.”

“Are you sure?” Fugaku asked stepping closer to the officer.

“Yes, sir. His body has been taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office, but we have identification on the body and his face was more than intact for a positive ID.”

“Thank you, son.” Fugaku said and turned to the silver haired man next to him, “It’s over.”

Kakashi nodded and rubbed his tired eyes, mumbling under his breath, “Thank god.”

“I’ll leave you now.” The officer said turning towards the door. He stopped when Iruka stood up.

“Wait, what is your name… you’ve been with us throughout and I never caught it.”

The white haired man smiled innocently and pushed up wire rimmed glasses with two fingers, “Kabuto Yakushi, sir.”

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Naruto sat with Kakashi while the doctor examined him and answered any questions the silver haired man had about Iruka. Sasuke had reentered the room but took measures not to touch Naruto too obviously since Kakashi had taken to growling, even when he wasn’t looking.

Kakashi had started blinking and yawning and Naruto laughed, “I can’t believe you are going back to sleep!” Smiling he leaned down and hugged his father, whispering in his ear, “Promise you’ll wake up.”

Kakashi hugged back and kissing the side of his son’s head, nodded, “I promise.”

“Dobe, I’ll get the car.” Sasuke interrupted and left after Naruto nodded, giving the father and son time alone.

“Tell me, Sunshine… about the littlest Uchiha.” Kakashi said his eyes closing and not opening.

Naruto shrugged and pulled the blankets around the older man, “It turns out, Dad… I love him.”

“That’s what we thought…” Kakashi said quietly and slipped into sleep.

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Naruto walked out of the hospital and saw Sasuke walking toward the car, taking the steps two at the time, he yelled out, “Teme! Wait up!”

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Sasuke turned around and smirked. He watched Naruto hurry down the steps, his hair brushing against his cheeks while he smiled brightly, waving his arms. Out of the corner of his eyes, Sasuke saw a dark SUV pulled around the corner, heading toward the front entrance and Naruto.

The van slowed down and pulled to a stop in front of Naruto, several men dressed in black coming out of the open doors.

“Dobe!” Sasuke yelled, glancing at the FBI agents’ car as his passed it at a jog, seeing both agents dead in the car, “NARUTO!” Sasuke yelled and watched Naruto’s blue eyes widened.

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Naruto paused when Sasuke started yelling and running toward him. A vehicle stopped in front of the stairs and men dressed in black exited, one smirked, “Naruto Uzumaki?”

Naruto’s eyes widened and he glanced up at Sasuke, backing away. Sasuke yelled his name once more before the car that Naruto knew held the FBI agents on guard exploded, sending cars and flames flying through the air.

“SASUKE!” Naruto yelled as he watched the dark haired man being engulfed in flames, “SASUKE!!”

Hands grabbed him and for the second time in his life Naruto screamed while a sweet, wetness was harshly held against his mouth and nose stealing away his consciousness.

‘Sasuke…’ and darkness descended.

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