Unanticipated Reunions and Alliances

DarkAngelJudas: It's a little emotionally dark, but don't worry, Itachi's safe for a while. He'll kick ass soon. And almost literally.
RustyShacklefortlol: Thank you so much! I hope the rest of the story lives up to your expectations! Really, you made me blush. ^_^
DarkAngelJudas and disembodiedvoiceofthedying , I'm always impressed by you two; you always review within hours. Love you guys!!!!

Yo, two lemons for the price of one! The second lemon took me too long to write.

----------

In Konoha, the news of Jiraiya’s death arrived along with the code, corpse, and captive. The raven had left a scroll to summon him if absolutely necessary. Tsunade used it now. She gave the raven the photograph of the code and a scroll detailing what happened to Jiraiya.

“Gives these to Kakashi and Shikamaru. I need their opinions as soon as possible.”

“Ah.” The raven vanished in a reverse summons, appearing in front of Itachi as he discussed strategy with Shikamaru.

“Urgent information from the Hokage for Kakashi-kun and Shikamaru. She’ll be wanting a response, so I’ll stay and fly back when you’re ready.”

“Ah. Let’s find Kakashi and Sasuke.”

The pair were talking, apparently about Sasuke’s decision to go to Orochimaru, in the reception room where the snake had been blasted apart and most of the rubble already cleared. They were playing Go on the now mostly cleared platform.

“We received word from Konoha,” Itachi said.

“For you Kakashi-kun and Shikamaru,” the raven added.

Itachi handed the scroll and photograph to Kakashi. Shikamaru didn’t take offence, knowing he was still an outsider here.

“Jiraiya’s been killed.” Sasuke had never met the man and didn’t flinch, but Itachi’s face fell—though he was hardly wearing an expression at all to being with—and Shikamaru grew concerned. Kakashi was the most distressed.

Kakashi read the scroll out to them and showed them the photograph. “They have Intelligence working on it, but they want our input if we have anything to offer.”

Itachi now held the photograph. He squinted at it. “It occurs to me that this isn’t the number nine.”

“What?” Kakashi and Shikamaru said.

The raven leaned in. “I agree. ‘Ta.’”

“It’s a quirk of Jiraiya-sama’s hand writing,” Itachi explained.

“Ah,” the raven agreed.

“How would you know that?” Kakashi asked.

“Didn’t I already tell you? I’ve been feeding him information this entire time on Akatsuki and Orochimaru. He would leave me messages, asking me for certain pieces of information. Of course he never knew it was me, just thought it was a spy he found he could trust. Annoying habit of his actually; confusing to read sometimes.”

“’Ta,’” Shikamaru mused. “What would that signify?”

“He was an author. Perhaps these are page numbers for one of his books.”

“Icha Icha Tactics,” Kakashi said. “It’s the only book of his that had that had ‘ta’ in the title. I didn’t bring my books with me.” He looked at Sasuke.

“I don’t read that trash.”

“He and Orochimaru were friends; did Orochimaru have any of his books?”

“Orochimaru wasn’t very sentimental. I doubt it.”

“We can forward this theory to the Hokage,” Itachi said. “Is there anything else any of you see in this in case I’m wrong?” None of them could add anything. “You have our answer,” Itachi told his raven. “I’ll take you to the surface so you can fly back. Want some food first?”

“That’s why I like you Uchiha, always kind to your summons.”

Itachi took him into the kitchen but brought him back with him, still pecking food out of Itachi’s hand. The others looked at him curiously.

“Jiraiya-sama infiltrated Ame,” he said. “And they can’t reach me or Kisame, Akatsuki must think we’re both dead. I made Madara swear not to attack the village while I’m alive. If he thinks I’m dead and Konoha made a move on Ame, he might attack Konoha. He didn’t want the Kyuubi until last, but he might decide to deal with Konoha once and for all and take the Kyuubi at the same time.”

“But even if we let him know you’re alive, will he stop his plans to attack Konoha?” Shikamaru asked.

“The one thing Madara wants more than world domination is Konoha destroyed. He waited this long because of his promise to me. I think he would stop. I can contact Pein and let him know I’m alive. Perhaps I should seem like I’m still loyal. If not, Madara might regard our agreement as null and void. I’ll have to travel some distance away in order to do this so they can’t track me back here.”

“And if he doesn’t hold to your agreement or it’s too late?”

“Perhaps we should go back to Konoha as reinforcements.”

“You will not go, Itachi,” Sasuke said. “The only person in Konoha who would believe you aren’t with Akatsuki is the Hokage. They will kill you without hesitation. And my situation is still uncertain. We can send the four of you, everyone but Itachi and my team. As much as the Sharingan might help, we can’t be seen in Konoha.”

“My position is doubtful as well,” Kakashi said. “There are at least nine shinobi who believe I’m either a traitor or under genjutsu, same for Sakura. The least we can do is inform the Hokage of our suspicions and leave whether we return to Konoha or not to her.”

“All we can offer Konoha then is two or three shinobi, Shikamaru, Neji, and maybe Sakura,” Sasuke said.

“You’d trust the two of us enough to send us there and back?”

“You, yes,” Itachi said, “the Hyuuga, not a chance.”

“’Tachi,” Kakashi chided softly.

“I will never trust a damn Hyuuga.”

“Anyway, that’s all the support we can offer,” Sasuke repeated, looking at the raven. “Let the Hokage know.”

“Ah,” the raven dipped his head. Itachi took him outside and let him go. When Itachi returned, he seemed indecisive about who to sit next to, his lover or his brother. He decided on his brother. He rubbed his back affectionately.

“Should I go and try to contact Pein?”

“We can try. Kakashi and Ne—Suigetsu will go with you. Suigetsu’s warming up to you because of the swords. Take Sakura as well, make sure your wound is healed and in case you’re attacked. The rest of us will wait here.”

Itachi smiled warmly at his brother for his consideration. “We should leave now.”

“Bring lots of water for Suigetsu.”

-----

Itachi sat motionless on a rock outcropping in something akin to a Buddhist pose. Kakashi watched him intently and Suigetsu stood guard, a little grudgingly, while Sakura just stood by, not expecting there to be any problem.

They had traveled to the north that afternoon and camped out for the night. It was early morning when Itachi slipped on his ring and attempted to contact Akatsuki.

Kakashi examined his lover, once again looking completely like a member of Akatsuki. He wore his Akatsuki cloak, sported his scored leaf headband, and nails were once again indigo. Kakashi had always thought they were pained, but when Itachi slipped the Akatsuki ring back on his right ring finger, his nails darkened on their own.

Minutes slipped by. Kakashi was getting worried; this was taking too long. Even Suigetsu started to fidget rather than sucking on his water bottle.

Suddenly Itachi’s eyes snapped open and he stood.

“Run.” He didn’t scream it, he didn’t show any fear or anxiety. The evenness of his voice was far more alarming in a way. One reason may be because they were seeing the Akatsuki Itachi, the one who never showed emotion, not even a raised voice, an Itachi ready for battle. Kakashi was reminded of the emotionless boy in ANBU, the smooth, unnaturally deep voice issuing evenly from behind the ANBU mask.

They began to run in a different direction than their base and were stopped by a figure in a mask.

“Itachi, you’ve always been a thorn in my side,” Madara snarled.

“Bite me,” Itachi sneered back. Kakashi Suigetsu couldn’t help a giggle.

“I see you’ve allied yourself with Konoha.”

Madara caught Itachi’s eye and leaped back. He knew Itachi’s Mangekyô and this Sharingan was not the same.

“Sasuke. Did you kill him?”

“I would never kill my own brother.” Madara tilted his head forward; he’d taken great offence to Itachi words.

While he was momentarily distracted by Itachi’s comment, a Chidori Hound leapt for Madara, but the hound ran right through him.

“Impossible,” Kakashi gasped.

Madara attacked.

-----

Sasuke woke before Juugo and he let the larger man sleep. Sasuke was too worried about his brother to sleep well. He cleaned up and wondered into the kitchen. Neji was making something for himself. Neji looked over at him, though he knew without looking who it was.

“Shikamaru woke up, but went right back to sleep.”

“His laziness has always been legendary,” Sasuke said as he sat down. “There’s nothing to do but wait for them to return. Or call us for reinforcements. But they shouldn’t; I have absolute confidence in them. I would have sent you with them, but Itachi doesn’t trust the Hyuuga.”

“I can understand that. You don’t seem to share his distrust.”

“I always believed you were an arrogant ass, but I never had anything against you. I wasn’t raised to hate your clan like Itachi was.”

“Nor I yours.” Neji was smirking at Sasuke’s description of him.

“There were none left of us to hate,” Sasuke said sadly.

Neji stepped aside to let Sasuke prepare his own meal.

“I understand you were the first of us from the chunin exam to because a Jounin.”

“Yes. Only you and Naruto are still genin.”

“I don’t think I’m even considered a geinin anymore. I’m a missing-nin after all.”

“You’re still officially a member of Team Kakashi. That other one is merely your temporary replacement. Naruto lives to bring you home.”

“He’ll get his wish when we finish this, unless the Hokage decides I’m too dangerous or untrustworthy to return.”

“She’ll listen to Shikamaru and I.”

“I guess I should court your favor then,” Sasuke said dryly.

Neji couldn’t repress a blush at Sasuke’s choice of the word ‘court,’ irresistibly thinking of it in a romantic context. Luckily Sasuke still had his back to him.

“We’ll report the truth. But honestly, we both want to bring you home to Konoha safely.”

Sasuke turned at that; Neji’s bluish was gone by now. “Why’s that exactly?”

“Shikamaru was the captain of the team sent to bring you back when you left. I was a member of that team. It’s bothered Shikamaru that his first mission as captain, and as a chunin, ended in failure.”

“Did you kill one of the four sent to bring me to Orochimaru?”

“Yes. He nearly killed me as well. To this day he is the most dangerous opponent I have ever fought. I guess I should thank you for that; I learned a lot that day.”

“Which one was it?”

“The spider one with the ponytail.”

“Hmm. They didn’t give me much choice, but I was facing all four. I did go willingly though; they were . . . very persuasive.”

They both chuckled dryly.

“If you went willingly, why were you sealed in a coffin?”

Sasuke’s hand went to the curse mark; Neji couldn’t miss that. “You saw my transformation while we were fighting Kisame?”

“I noticed it, but I was concentrating on Kisame.”

“Being sealed in that coffin allowed the curse seal Orochimaru gave me to evolve so I could transform completely like I did to fight Kisame. My chakra increases and has other benefits. I hate using it. At least I don’t become as ugly as Juugo or the others.”

“I only ever saw the one. He was very demonic.”

“Demonic, good word. The reason a wear shirts like this is so I can easily slip it off my shoulders for my wings. After the wings tore through the only shirt I took with me, I chose this style.”

“You have wings?”

“You must not have been paying attention.” With an inexplicable urge to show off, Sasuke stepped away from the counter, allowed his shirt to fall around his waist, and let the curse mark creep over his shoulder. One hand-like wing emerged, but the most of his body remained unchanged. The curse spread over half his face, making his eyes black and gold; a perfect half transformation. “No need to let them both come out. Hideous, don’t you think?”

“Grotesque.”

“What can you expect from Orochimaru?” The curse mark retreated. Neji was left with a fine view of Sasuke’s chest. A few scars, but nothing too serious, nothing that marred the beauty of his body. Neji mentally smacked himself for that thought and tore his eyes away.

“Being Orochimaru I would have thought something more snake-like.”

“You must have seen some of my jutsu when we were fighting Kisame.” Sasuke threaded his arms back through the arms of his shirt.

“I did see the snakes you used to bind him of course.”

“But not my monstrous transformation. You’d be amazed how many snake based jutsu I have. And I knew precisely how I was going to use them to kill Itachi. Everything I did was to kill him. I even developed a jutsu that would work without fail, the most perfect jutsu, instant death, inescapable. Perhaps I’ll use it when we confront Madara. Really I think everything I did, everything I learned and developed, might have been just to show my brother I could be better than him, more powerful, more skilled. Sort of show off while I killed him. Prove I’m more than just his little brother to be lost in his shadow.” For the second time he found himself saying much more than he ever intended to Neji. Why did he feel compelled, or simply comfortable enough, to say these things to him?

Sasuke shook his head. “Anyway, most of Orochimaru’s most powerful jutsu were based on snakes. There are a few even I have no idea out how I would escape.”

“I’d like to see them. Perhaps we can spar later.”

“I’ve actually always wanted to fight you. I regret the Chunin Exams were cut off, I was looking forward to fighting you.”

“You wouldn’t have had the chance, remember? I lost to Naruto.”

“I forgot. I can’t believe the dobe beat you.”

“It was his sheer tenacity.”

“That sounds like Naruto. I would have liked to have seen your fight. I swear Kakashi was trying to shape me in his own image with us being late to the Exam. I guess every captain has one student who takes after him.”

“Lee and Gai-sensei is a perfect example.”

“If they don’t take after them, the captain defiantly has a favorite; I remember Asuma and Shikamaru.”

“True.”

Sasuke brought himself out of his own musings. “Anyway.” He returned to preparing food for himself and Neji returned his attention to eating. Juugo staggered in just as Sasuke finished preparing his meal, but Juugo wouldn’t let him make anything for him, insisting on doing it himself. Sasuke shrugged, but Neji eyed the larger man.

-----

Madara had finished playing with them. Itachi knew his ancestor well enough. Itachi grabbed Kakashi and dragged him to where Suigetsu stood. “Sakura!” She took the hint and came to his side.

Madara released Amaterasu. Sakura had heard about the black flames and started to back away, wanting to run, but Itachi tripped her. She curled into a ball waiting for the flames to engulf them. She felt heat, like standing too near a lava flow. But the heat did not increase; she wasn’t burned. She opened her eyes and raised her head. She saw everything through a red veil.

“Damn you, Itachi!” Madara yelled. “Since when have you been able to master Sasano?”

Kakashi looked at Itachi and he was almost repulsed by what he saw. Itachi was wearing a mocking smile that resembled an evil leer full of contempt and sadism. There was also blood seeping from one of Itachi’s eyes.

“You doubted me that much?” Sasano produced a water jug and shook it, revealing a sword which it brandished. Madara vanished, fearing Totsuka. Itachi didn’t move or release Sasano until he was sure Madara was gone and not just playing possum. Finally, he released the technique and collapsed. Kakashi hesitated only a moment before he was down next to him, supporting him.

“We need to get out of here before he decides to come back,” Itachi gasped. Even with Sasuke’s eyes, Sasano was taxing on his system. Kakashi helped him up and was asking with his eyes if he needed to be carried. Itachi mentally balked at being carried again. “I can run.”

“Where are we?” Sakura asked.

Their battle had moved them deeper into the forest and away from any familiar point of reference.

“Kakashi?” He knew Itachi was asking if he, with his keen sense of direction and smell, could lead them back. He frowned and summoned Pakkun.

-----

When Sasuke finished breakfast he decided to go up above for some fresh air. Juugo eagerly went with him.

It was a beautiful morning. It was approaching noon, but there was still the slight chill of morning and a thin marine layer that hadn’t burned off yet. Sasuke couldn’t fault Orochimaru for his taste in some of the locations of his bases.

Sasuke watched as several birds flew to Juugo, hovered around him, then perched on his shoulders. One continued to hover as Sasuke watched. He came a little closer and held out his hand to this one. The bird hesitated then fluttered away. Sasuke’s expression saddened and it tore at Juugo’s heart. He caught Sasuke’s wrists gently as he pulled it away. Juugo held a finger out to one of the birds on his shoulder, inviting it to perch there. Once the little bird did so, he carefully brought his finger next to Sasuke’s. The bird hopped indecisively for a second, then hopped to Sasuke’s hand. Sasuke actually smiled. Not the superior smirk most people sometimes saw, but a true smile, the same he gave his brother. Sasuke brought his hand closer to his chest and the bird remained. Something in the woods startled all the birds and they flew off. Sasuke’s smile didn’t waver.

“Thank you, Juugo.”

“My pleasure.”

Pakkun rushed out of the trees, quickly followed by Kakashi and the others. They all looked a little worse for wear. They were all panting having run at full speed straight back to base compared to their more leisurely pace the day before.

“Itachi!”

“We’re alright. Madara attacked. Then we got lost. I don’t think I’ve ever run that fast.”

“How did he find you?”

“He was able to trace me through the telepathy technique.”

“What about the attack on Konoha?” Juugo asked.

“It’s already too late, Pein is on his way and, as I feared, Madara sees my betrayal as a breach of our agreement. We’ve not received word from the Hokage yet. I need to rest.” He turned to Pakkun. “Thank you, Pakkun. I’ll make sure you get a nice T-bone when we get inside.”

“That’ll do.”

They went below. Itachi went straight to the kitchen to make good on his promise to Pakkun. Sakura started patching up Suigetsu and Kakashi—Itachi hadn’t been physically injured. Sasuke left them in the receiving room and followed his brother while Juugo sealed the entrance.

Itachi hesitated when he saw Neji still cleaning up from breakfast. After a scowl, Itachi cleaned up and went to the refrigerator and found a defrosting side of beef.

“That’s dinner,” Sasuke complained as Itachi took out the slab of meat.

“I hate steak,” Itachi said simply. Despite his hatred of beef, he knew how to butcher it and started cutting off a generous portion.

Sasuke wet a cloth. “Turn around.” Itachi did so, more wondering why Sasuke asked him than obeying. Sasuke wiped his cheeks. Itachi saw the blood on the cloth. Sasuke cleaned all the blood away and then finished off by wiping Itachi’s forehead of the dried sweat and the dirt that stuck to it.

“Thank you. I didn’t think my eyes bled that much.”

Sasuke examined his eyes carefully. “Your eyes themselves don’t seem to have hemorrhaged.”

“The blood usually seeps out from the lower lid. I’ve never seen it of course, but Kisame told me about it.”

Kakashi, Suigetsu, and Juugo wondered in. “I’m starving,” Suigetsu said.

“What me to butcher this for the rest of you?” Itachi asked.

“Yes,” Suigetsu answered.

“I can do it for you,” Neji offered, but Itachi ignored him and did it himself.

“Sakura’s gone to rest,” Kakashi said.

“So what actually happened?” Sasuke asked.

“Madara showed up,” Kakashi said. “He was sort of toying with us I think, but then he used Amaterasu. Itachi used a technique I’ve never even heard of.”

“Sasano,” Itachi supplied.

“’He with the ability to help by any means,’” Sasuke said. “I don’t know anything else about it.”

“An ethereal warrior which acts as a shield, enveloping the user, but is also able to attack,” Itachi explained.

“That thing is invincible,” Suigetsu said. “Oi, Sasuke, I’m starting to like you brother.” There was a lilt to Suigetsu’s voice Sasuke didn’t like. “Even those black flames of yours couldn’t get through that technique.”

Kakashi possessively put an arm around Itachi on hearing that same lilt. “Mine.” Itachi pushed him off. Kakashi laughed a lightly. “What? It’s not like everyone doesn’t know.”

Itachi put the meat on a plate and washed his hands. “Pukkun.”

Kakashi sighed and moved so Pakkun could stand at Itachi’s feet.

“Are you hungry, nii-san?” Sasuke asked as Itachi knelt and picked up the dog.

“No, I just want to sleep. Come on, Pakkun, you can eat in peace in my room.”

When Itachi was gone, Sasuke glared at Suigetsu.

“What? It was impressive. Eh, Sasuke, can you do that?”

“I don’t know; I’ve only had my Mangekyô for a short time; Itachi’s had his for years.” As much as he wanted to chide Kakashi for embarrassing his brother, he knew that wasn’t his place. He turned his annoyance on Suigetsu.

“Eh, Sasuke, don’t turn the steaks into charcoal, will ya?” Suigetsu sauntered out a bit too quickly, knowing he’d angered the younger Uchiha.

“I’m beginning to think that discipline is breaking down around here.”

“Suigetsu was just in a battle,” Neji said. “Anyway, he doesn’t seem that different from normal.”

“I wasn’t just refereeing to Suigetsu.”

“Sorry, Sasuke,” Kakashi said in his disinterested voice. “I’ll apologize to Itachi as well. But everyone does already know.”

“It is a bit obvious,” Neji said.

“I just don’t like my brother being treated as a uke,” Sasuke growled as he finished what Itachi started.

“He’s not,” Kakashi said.

“I don’t actually want to hear about my brother’s sex life.”

“What’s wrong, Sasuke?”

He’s jealous again, Neji thought.

“How drained was he?”

“He collapsed, but was able to keep up with us as we made our way back here. You know, Madara was impressed he could use that technique; your brother’s not weak or fragile.”

“I’m just worried about him.” Sasuke used one of his jutsu to sear the meat.

-----

Kakashi returned to his room after he finished eating and found his lover already in bed, apparently already asleep. Despite sleeping in the same bed for most of the last few weeks, seeing the bedding pooled around Itachi’s waist showing bare skin and a part pulled back enough to show a bare hip, surprised him. He didn’t think Itachi was the type to sleep in the nude when they weren’t having sex. Itachi woke up from a doze when he came in and looked over like a cat.

Pakkun was curled up on the bed next to him munching quietly as possible on the t-bone. When he preserved the situation, he said, “Thanks Itachi-kun, you’re not bad for a cat summoner,” and he was gone.

“I brought you these,” Kakashi hefted a plate of onigiri wrapped in nori. “Two of each, kombu, katsuobushi, and salmon. I’ll warn you, the odd one is one of Sakura’s soldier pills mashed up with katsubushi to hide the taste. Sakura insisted you have one to restore your chakra.”

Itachi sat up completely, sat cross-legged with the blanket over his shoulders, and accepted the plate. “Thank you.” He ate one of the normal onigiri before venturing to try the soldier pill laced one. He winced, but ate it all. Kakashi handed him a cup of tea he brought with him. Itachi washed the horrid thing down.

“That girl needs to learn to cook,” Itachi said.

“She’s a dedicated medical-nin; she’s more concerned about the medical benefits than the taste.” Itachi finished off one more onigiri then handed the plate back to Kakashi. “I’ll have to thank her regardless; I’ve never had much stamina and Sasano takes a lot of chakra.”

Kakashi stripped. As alluring as a naked Itachi was, he just wanted to sleep; fighting the ancient Uchiha had drained them all. He dressed in a pair of black pajama pants and joined his lover, Itachi not looking like the little amorous scamp he sometimes did.

“Sorry about that,” Kakashi said as he spooned his lover. “Suigetsu and I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

“I know. I just don’t like being doted on around Sasuke. I know it makes Sasuke feel . . . uncomfortable. It always did. And he told me he was lonely, so I don’t want to flaunt our relationship.”

“I get it. He was worried about you. You are all right, right?”

“Yeah. A year ago my vision would be blurry, but now, it’s just some hemorrhaging. Not uncommon.”

“Good. Neither of us want anything to happen to you.”

“I know.”

Kakashi was tired, but he wanted to talk with his lover for a while.

“Do you usually sleep in the nude?” Kakashi asked.

“No. And not just because Kisame was always two yards away. I’m doing it now mostly just because I can. Not being able to bathe or change clothes for a few days is familiar to you, but weeks? Waiting to check into an inn or finding a river. I never stripped for bed at all because if I did, there was no way I would be able to put my dirty clothes back on and I’d have to wash both sets of clothes the next time we had the opportunity. And being naked for any amount of time around Kisame is not something I like to experience. Bathing was bad enough. And before that, I never knew when Sasuke would come into my room at night.”

Itachi’s recitation came to a sudden stop. “Itachi?” Itachi shook his head and pressed closer to Kakashi. “’Tachi?” He wasn’t crying, yet . . .

Finally, Itachi spoke. “When I think of Sasuke back then, I just feel like I’m remembering someone who died. He must think the same way about me. He’s not the boy who would run around smiling and laughing anymore. And it’s my fault. He’s not happy. He hasn’t been happy, and that’s my fault. I feel like I murdered my brother that night like they wanted me too.”

“No one’s like they were as a child. It’s called growing up.”

“I never changed much. My family was a little worried about me. I haven’t changed since I was four. The war made me mature too quickly. And from what I’ve heard, you didn’t change much either. Sasuke used to happy and good-natured. Now he’s sullen, unhappy, imperious, and seems to lack anything like a sense of humor.”

“He does have his team around right now; he has to keep their respect. With that lot, he has to project superiority.”

“I miss my little brother.”

“I know he misses his older brother. Give him time; he’s not used to having family around him anymore. Friends either. He’s starting to come out of the barriers he built around his heart. I think he’s still uncomfortable around you; he needs to get used to being around you again. He’s still not warmed back up to me either. Don’t worry, Itachi, just give him time.”

-----

Sasuke was maintaining his weapons alone in his room that evening. They were all still waiting for a message from the Hokage and had little to do but train and take care of mundane tasks. He looked up when Itachi came to his open door.

Itachi looked down at him for a long moment, considering what to say. What was he suppose to ask him? ‘Want to make origami shuriken and I’ll show you how to throw them at your stuffed dinosaur? Play ninja? Making hand signs in their standard order as fast as possible to see which of them could do it longer without errors? Play hide and seek?’ His brother was eight when he left, what could they do together that would make them both feel like they had their brothers back? What else did they do together? There was one thing.

“Want to train together?”

“Are you feeling better?”

“I was just tired. That’s the most powerful technique I have. It’s taxing and hurts, but I’m all right.”

“Your wound?”

“It’s completely healed. You should be thankful to have someone like Sakura on your team.”

“Ah. She can be annoying though.”

“I can understand that. She adores you though.”

“I don’t share her feelings.”

“I’m worried about you, Sasuke. You’re not close to anyone.”

“Being all but held captive by Orochimaru doesn’t lend oneself to be very sociable.”

“Hmm.”

“But I am trying.”

“Come on, I’ll teach you Sasano.”

-----

The raven reversed summoned himself to Itachi while he and Sasuke fought. Itachi prevented the raven from making his report until they were all gathered.

“Do not come. She says it might be good to have reinforcements outside the village. You are correct that there are few who would trust any of you except Neji and Shikamaru. She will summon me using that scroll when Pein attacks and then to let you know the results of the attack. If you don’t have a location on the other members of Akatsuki, then you should wait for word from her; they might be able to get a location from Pein if he’s captured.”

“Pein will not be taken alive; I don’t know about Konan.” Itachi considered. “I think there are things she’s not telling us. What about the Jinchûriki? What did they learn from the corpse and the captive from Ame? I don’t think she fully trusts us.”

Kakashi nodded. “I agree. Tsunade would be more forthcoming with me I’m sure. But I’m not surprised. I wouldn’t expect her to let Naruto’s location, or her plans concerning him, leave the village.”

“So we wait,” Sasuke said.

“That might be prudent with Madara aware that there is a group of us working against with Itachi’s help,” Neji said. “We should lay low for a time. If we can avoid detection down here, then he can search for us all he wants. He must be searching. Itachi was too valuable and too dangerous to leave alone.”

Itachi clearly didn’t like the Hyuuga even saying his name, but he had to agree. “Ah. And he can assume Sasuke is working with me. When you killed Orochimaru, Pein told the rest of Akatsuki about Suigetsu and Juugo, but not Karin. And they still don’t know about Shikamaru or the Hyuuga. At least he does not know our full strength. Staying hidden will keep it that way.”

“Then we’re stuck here with nothing to do,” Suigetsu complained.

“We can train,” Neji said. “We faced one Akatsuki together, and some of you fought others. We should take what we’ve learned about them in general and come up with a more effective strategy.”

Itachi bristled at that, he being the captain in the fight against Kisame. But he wouldn’t give the Hyuuga the satisfaction of seeing him angry or insulted.

-----

Karin entered the reception room which they had turned into a large lounge, surprised to see Suigetsu reading, but then she saw illustrations of swords. She turned her attention to Sasuke.

“Kakashi and Itachi not here?” Karin asked.

“Dogs in heat,” Suigetsu smirked.

Karin opened her mouth to scream at him. But before she could say a word, Sasuke, who was standing a pace behind Suigetsu reading a scroll, stepped forward and slapped him in the back of the head, his hand sparking with a mild Chidori.

“What the hell?! It’s not like I was talking about you and Juugo.”

“Karin,” Sasuke said calmly, “have at him.”

She hesitated at the odd order, but she did as ordered, gleefully.

Sakura came into the room and was shocked by the odd scene: Sasuke stood by, not looking at the others, reading his scroll, while Karin pummeled Suigetsu into a puddle.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Sasuke said nonchalantly.

She wondered if this was normal and wondered at Sasuke being apparently content and reasonably in control of these people.

Sasuke looked up. “Karin.” She stopped. “Suigetsu, keep quiet.”

“What the—”

“I don’t want you two to provoke Juugo.”

Juugo arrived a few seconds later.

“Humph. Nice to see you developing a sense of humor, Sasuke,” Suigetsu said. “Even if it is a bad one.”

Sasuke ‘humphed’ back at him, but then was drawn into a thought: when was the last time he’d laughed? Really laughed? It took a moment and he remembered: nearly four years.

“Why were you looking for Kakashi and my brother?” Sasuke asked Karin.

“Really just looking for Kakashi. He summoned his hounds and they’re making a mess. I just assumed he’d be in here.”

“Can’t you just sense him?” Suigetsu asked.

“I don’t use my sense if I don’t have to.”

“Karin,” Sasuke summoned her attention. “Kakashi’s not here.”

She turned in a huff and left.

----

It ended up Itachi was not having sex with his lover; in fact, Kakashi was no where to be found. Sasuke’s Sharingan activated on its own as he approached the room Itachi shared with Kakashi. Sasuke and Itachi had discovered that whenever the other was nearby and their chakra flared or was especially concentrated or focused, the other’s Sharingan would activate, reacting to the chakra of their original owner. Sasuke still feared his eyes spouting the black flames of Amaterasu on their own, but he and Itachi had sat trying to force the other’s eyes to do things without result. It was just the presence of their chakra that made their Sharingans activate.

Sasuke found that Itachi had left his door open, probably better able to sense his surroundings than with the door shut. Itachi was deep in meditation, so deep he either ignored Sasuke’s presence or really didn’t notice him. That was alright, Sasuke didn’t have anything to say to him or want to do anything with him; he just wanted to be near him. He sat down a few paces next to Itachi and attempted to meditate as well.

But it was useless.

He looked around the room. This used to be just an empty room. Orochimaru had an irrational number of empty rooms in every base. Shin and the others had been making normal beds for everyone, but the bed in this room had actually been Orochimaru’s; sensible since they were the only ones in need of a double bed. It looked like it had been charred and shaved to remove any remnant of Orochimaru’s presence from it. The mattress was probably burned and they probably had Shin stuff a new one. Sasuke smiled at the cat hairs on the blanket. Kakashi must hate that. But then dogs weren’t much better in that regard. Itachi must have summoned one of the Uchiha cats. They must have forgiven him since he wasn’t covered in bloody scratches.

There wasn’t much else to the room. None of them had many personal items. It depressed Sasuke. He thought of Shin and the others as refugees, but they were all refuges except Neji and Shikamaru. They were living like refugees or criminals.

The only personal things in this room were a tattered Akatsuki cloak, the three Akatsuki rings—Sasuke had taken Orochimaru’s ring after he killed him and had given it to Itachi when Itachi asked about it— two sets of ANBU armor and kodachis, and Kakashi’s photographs of his two teams: Team Minato and Team Seven. Sasuke stared at the picture of he and Naruto glaring at each other with Kakashi and Sakura smiling. He really did miss those days. It was something he tried not to think about. His attention drifted inward and he reflected on the last four years.

“Sasuke.”

Sasuke was jolted out of his retrieve to see his brother knelling beside him.

“You seemed far away.”

“Just . . . I’m okay.”

“Did you want something?”

“No. Just wanted to, I don’t know, hang out with my brother, be with my family. I don’t remember what that’s suppose to feel like.”

“Me either.” Itachi sat next to him and put an arm around him. “I wish I could carry you around on my back like before. I want things to go back to how they were, but you’re not eight years old anymore. You grew up too much while I was gone.” He pulled Sasuke’s head to his chest and Sasuke relaxed into his embrace. “I’m sorry, Sasuke.”

“But I’m happy to see you really haven’t changed much, nii-san. I’m the one who changed.”

“But that’s my fault.”

“I don’t blame you anymore. I made my own bad decisions.” He put his arms around Itachi’s waist.

“Once this is over—Fuck that. Any of us could die. Like I said, even if you hate me, I’m here for you.”

“I don’t hate you, nii-san; I’m not sure I ever did.”

“For now on, I’ll always be right here to protect you.”

“Please, just don’t get yourself killed.”

-----

Kakashi meanwhile was collecting his hounds to take for a walk.

“Why are they everywhere?” Karin demanded. “They were even in my room.”

“They like to get familiar with their surroundings.”

“Hey, you use the same shampoo as I do just like Sakura-chan,” Pakkun commented to Karin.

She spluttered, allowing Kakashi to lead his hounds outside.

Once alone with his hounds above ground, “Well?”

“Nothing suspicious,” Pakkun said.

“There is some weird shit down there, but nothing connected to any of your comrades,” Urushi said.

“Except maybe Sasuke-kun,” Guruko said. “He smells like snake.”

“He summons snakes,” Kakashi explained.

“And hawks too it smells like,” Pakkun said.

“His chakra smells . . . more sinister than it used to,” Shiba said.

“Different than after he got the curse mark?” Kakashi said.

“Much darker.”

“Could be the total transformation he can use now?”

“Don’t know. It’s just dark.”

“And Itachi smells like cat. You and cat.”

Kakashi gave Guruko a glare. “What about the pair from Konoha? Do you think they’ll turn on us?”

“I don’t sense any nervousness, nothing that would say they were on a mission to betray you,” Pakkun said.

“Good. Itachi’s not just prejudice against Hyuuga Neji, he’s very suspicious of him. He seems fine with Nara Shikamaru.”

“I wouldn’t worry about any of them. The only one who seems suspicious is the Kiri-nin but, though he may not seem like it, he’s loyal to Sasuke.”

“He’s taken a liking to Itachi too.”

“And as much as we hate those cats, their only loyalty is to the Uchiha,” Bisuke said.

“Madara’s an Uchiha.”

“True,” Pakkun said, “but they’ll stick with the future of the clan rather than the one who ultimately tried to destroy it. Itachi . . . they must have the same sympathy for him as we do.”

“Glad you’ve taken a liking to him.”

“It surprised all of us when he murdered his clan. He seemed a good kid, always nice to us.”

“Itachi’s always been too nice to be a shinobi; too good natured.”

“It must have been rough on him psychologically.”

“I’ve been talking with him. I think he’s together. I’m a little worried about Sasuke though.”

-----

Sasuke never would have thought he was a uke, but he found himself naked, on his back with Juugo kneeling between his legs looking down at him in awe. Whether it was awe of his physique or the fact Sasuke had given him this honor, he didn’t know.

Juugo leaned down to kiss him. His hand ran down Sasuke’s side with such gentle reverence that it frustrated Sasuke. He hated it. He didn’t deserve it. But he said nothing, did nothing to stop him. When Juugo kissed the curse mark on his shoulder, Sasuke felt something like a bolt of lightning firing through his body. It was partially the memory of Orochimaru biting him there and partially the feeling that Juugo was the original source of the curse mark and it was like it was being reunited with the source.

Every touch was like Juugo was caressing a fragile porcelain cup, a priceless, delicate, item. Sasuke wanted to be anyone but himself, be worthy of this, someone who didn’t run out on his friends and home, someone who hadn’t betrayed everyone, someone who hadn’t been so ready to murder his brother, who could be so easily manipulated.

But that’s why he was on his back, wasn’t it? With his legs spread.

Juugo moved down his chest hesitating at his nipple. Sasuke hadn’t moved more than to tilt his head back to offer his throat to the larger man, but now he arched into his mouth and threaded his fingers into the flame-like hair. He didn’t push or pull though he didn’t want him to stop. But Juugo pulled away to travel down his tense washboard stomach dragging Sasuke’s limp hand along with him.

Sasuke keened when Juugo took his into his mouth and gasped his name. It amazed Sasuke that Juugo knew what he was doing. Probably did it with Kimimaro. He was his replacement after all. That’s all he was, a replacement for Kimimaro. He was Karin’s replacement for her dead master, probably a replacement for Suigetsu’s dead brother, Kakashi’s replacement for Itachi, Itachi’s replacement for their entire family. He was also just spare parts to Orochimaru. A spare Sharingan to Konoha.

None of that let his erection flag.

“Just take me, Juugo,” he sighed as Juugo began preparing him. “Just do it.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I want you to. I’m not fragile, I won’t break.”

Juugo ignored him and begin stretching him with a finger. Juugo did his best to deep throat him as he added a second finger. Sasuke couldn’t believe how much just that hurt. Finally, Juugo moved to once again kneel between Sasuke lily-white thighs. Juugo put his hands under Sasuke ass to lift him up and spread him at the same time. Sasuke found it hard to breathe before Juugo even attempted to enter him. Sasuke shut his eyes.

Juugo eased in, but it hurt despite the preparation. Sasuke refused to show it beyond wincing. He wanted to cry out for Juugo to stop, but he said nothing and Juugo pressed on. Sasuke stopped breathing; he only started again when he felt his hips meet Juugo’s. It was a long shuddering breath.

He didn’t wait long for Sasuke to adjust. He began sawing into Sasuke’s body. The pain eased and pleasure replaced it every time Juugo hit his prostate. He began moaning in pleasure. Juugo took that as a sign to speed up. He was soon pounding Sasuke into the mattress, pressing out curses and pleas for Juugo to fuck him harder and faster.

Juugo came deep inside him and with the feeling of the hot fluid filling him, Sasuke cam. He knew nothing else.

Sasuke opened his eyes. Two of the three candles he’d left burning the night before had guttered. He turned and realized he was in his nightclothes. He sat up and saw Juugo sleeping in his own small bed on the other side of the room. Most telling, he didn’t feel any pain. But Sasuke felt the drying cum on his groin. A dream. Or a nightmare.

Grumbling lowly, Sasuke got up to clean himself up. Though he had absolutely no proof, he cursed Itachi’s libido for this. And Suigetsu’s insinuation about he and Juugo.

-----

Sasuke turned inward on himself, drawing further away from most of the people around him. His thoughts during the dream/nightmare stayed with him. Of all the people in the base, Sasuke seemed to lurk more around Shin and his four friends, Shikamaru, and Neji. At least around Shin and the others, he was respected as a savior; he felt real around them, not like a replacement. The five refugees felt honored to be allowed to spend time around the great Uchiha who killed Orochimaru.

Sasuke was now spending a good deal of time going through all of Kabuto’s records and Orochimaru’s experiments, looking for anything relating to him and the others. Shin and the others were hauling out and destroying everything Sasuke wanted disposed of. Little by little, they were erasing Orochimaru and Kabuto from the hideout. In the meantime, he was avoiding everyone.

Itachi was concern about his sudden introverted little brother. “Sasuke, we’re having a meeting.”

“Ah.” Sasuke finished reading the report in his hand and followed his brother.

“You alright, Sasuke?”

“Yeah.”

-----

“It’s been three days since we fought Madara,” Itachi said. “We should have heard from Konoha by now.”

“Maybe they haven’t attacked yet,” Shikamaru said.

“Madara used a space time jutsu that brought him right to us within seconds,” Kakashi said. “Even distance wouldn’t be a factor.”

“And Pein was on his way. My communication with him stopped him. I’m worried.”

Sasuke nodded, but said nothing.

“I’m sending my raven for reconnaissance,” Itachi said. He hesitated for any objections then made his way to the entrance.

Outside he summoned his raven. “Scout out Konoha, see if there’s anything wrong. Even if there’s nothing wrong, try to get some kind of report from the Hokage.”

“Ah,” the raven cawed and flew away.

Itachi turned quickly sensing someone there. The Hyuuga. “I just wanted to make sure there was no one around.”

“My Sharingan can do that,” Itachi sneered. He was about to stalk pass the Hyuuga on his way back down into the base, but he suddenly stopped almost next to him. The entrance was closed, no one would hear them. “Kakashi tells me you have remarkable powers of perception when it comes to your enemies.”

“Ah.”

“And your allies?”

Neji hesitated before answering. “Ah.”

“Then tell me, what’s wrong with my brother?”

“I don’t—”

“He’s been avoiding all of us except you two and the former captives. Why?”

“Is it really fair for me to tell what Sasuke won’t?”

“I’m his brother; I have more of a right to know than a fucking Hyuuga.”

“You may be right. But can you at least stop refereeing to me as a ‘fucking Hyuuga?’”

“Seems fair enough. I won’t say that in your hearing again.” Neji scowled. “You can’t expect me not to say it to Kakashi.”

“Fine. For some reason Sasuke feels . . . inadequate. He looks at the rest of you like he’s failed you. He won’t speak about it and I know better than to ask. The rest of us have less history with him than you all do. He’s harder to read than most. But there’s some resentment too.”

Itachi nodded in the minimum of gratitude and Neji was going to let him go, but he grabbed his arm to stop him. “I think you should know something else. He’s spoken about you. I think he still wants to prove himself to you. I think he still feels like he’s in your shadow. That may have something to do with it. But as I said, he’s hard to read.”

“Thank you.”

“I don’t like seeing him like this either.”

Itachi’s eyes narrowed, but he refrained from calling Neji a ‘fucking Hyuuga.’

Itachi considered Neji’s words in the reception room/lounge. It was hard to figure out what was going on his brother’s head. Didn’t help that even in what Sasuke had shown him of his life with Orochimaru, he could sense nothing about Sasuke’s state of mind or his thoughts. He considered it for nearly an hour. Itachi was planning on confronting Sasuke, but his raven’s return prevented that.

“Konoha is gone.”

“What?”

“It’s just a hole in the ground and debris. The Hokage is unconscious, but alive. The Jinchûriki defeated Pein.”

Itachi was speechless. His chakra was distressed enough to summon Sasuke, Neji and Karin. The raven turned to them and their faces dropped.

“Konoha?” Sasuke asked.

“Destroyed,” the raven said. “But few people are dead. The Jinchûriki defeated Pein.”

“Naruto?” Neji said in disbelief.

Neji ran around to gather the others. The raven gave them the story as much as Shizune, who had just come back from the dead the day before, and Shikaku, Shikamaru’s father, could tell him. It ended up that Tsunade had confided the situation with Shikaku as Shikamaru’s father and as one of her top Jounin since Kakashi was with them.

“Shikaku tried to make a case for Kakashi-kun to become Hokage, but Danzo took it. From what I gathered no one is happy with this. But if Tsunade wakes up, the point will be moot. Because of this attack, a conference will be held between the Kage in the Land of Iron. Danzo will go to that.”

Even those without the ability to feel chakra could feel Sasuke’s chakra flaring.

The raven continued. “Shizune and Shikaku have not mentioned your group to Danzo, nor will they. They don’t seem concerned at all for his safety. They suggest you work on the last of Akatsuki, perhaps going to the conference, staying just far enough away. They believe Akatsuki will attack there.”

“Is there any way to determine Danzo’s path and escort?” Sasuke asked.

“I coul—”

“This is not the time, Sasuke,” Kakashi interrupted. “Konoha must be represented at the conference. We could attack him on his way back to Konoha, but Konoha must not be seen as leaderless right now.”

It was at this point Kakashi realized Itachi was also glowering with hatred for the old man.

“If we send Sakura to Konoha, could she help with the Hokage’s condition?” Itachi asked.

“Shizune is my sempai, more skilled than I am,” Sakura said. “I doubt I could do anything more than she.”

“Should we begin preparing to go to this conference and ambush any Akatsuki attack?” Neji asked.

“When is the conference?” Itachi asked.

“Not for another twelve days,” the raven said. “Word must spread to the rest of the Five Nations of the summit and Konoha must be somewhat stabilized.”

“It will take us two days to get to the Land of Iron and setup, we can begin preparation, but we don’t have to get going just yet,” Kakashi said.

“We’ll take out any Akatsuki assassins, then we’ll kill that bastard Danzo as he leaves the summit,” Sasuke said in a voice harder than any of them had heard before.

-----

Itachi was just as cold the rest of the day. Both brothers were focused on Danzo, but unlike Sasuke, Itachi couldn’t sustain his fury; he’d lived with his resentment of Danzo for too long. He was a little subdued, but otherwise back to normal when he and Kakashi went to their room that night.

“All I did to save Konoha and it’s destroyed anyway,” Itachi sighed and lay on the bed without undressing. “And that evil old bastard is finally Hokage. He’ll be a problem with Root under his control. Sasuke’s right, he must be killed. But I agree with you, we should wait until after the summit.”

“We do have an advantage with Naruto being a Sage,” Kakashi offered as he stripped to his bare chest and removed his mask.

“True. I once saw Jiraiya use his Sage techniques. If Naruto could defeat Pein . . .”

Kakashi crouched down next to him and rubbed his lover’s scalp soothingly. Itachi smiled.

“And you, Hokage, huh? I had no idea.”

“I don’t want to be Hokage. You’re more suited to it.” Itachi looked at him skeptically. “You loved the village more than your clan, you’ve sacrificed so much for it, and you’re probably more powerful than Minato-sensei. You’d make a formidable Hokage.”

“As if anyone would trust me. I never really thought about being Hokage. It really never crossed my mind.”

“I’d follow you without question.” Kakashi kissed him briefly on the lips.

“Yeah, but you’re inclined to trust me. The rest of the village would need a lot of convincing,” he said wistfully, not really considering it. He stared at the ceiling distractedly.

“I’ll bring you and Sasuke home; I’ll convince them to trust you.” Kakashi kissed him again, but more deeply this time. Kakashi started stripping Itachi, being half stripped himself. He finished stripping both of them and straddled Itachi’s thin, yet muscular legs.

He never got tired of looking at Itachi. Even after all these years, Itachi’s chest, like his brother’s and Kakashi own, was hairless. There were a few scars, but not many. His ivory skin was deliciously smooth. Even his hands were unusually smooth. Being a genjutsu and ninjutsu master, Itachi rarely used physical weapons, though he was marvelous with them. In addition to lacking a lot of rough weapon calluses, parts of Itachi’s hands were extra smooth with burn scars from using so many fire based jutsu. Kakashi luxuriated in the feel of Itachi’s hands on his face. Itachi caressed and cupped his lover’s face in such a loving and intimate way, it was clear how deeply in love they really were.

Kakashi’s face turned in Itachi’s hands to kiss his palm then wrist, lapping tenderly at his skin. He kissed and licked back up to the tip of his index finger and sucked gently on the tip, teasing it as if it were something else. He took more and more of his finger into his mouth. Itachi watched with hooded eyes.

“Mmmm, you better stop that before I cum.”

The thing about Kakashi was his eyes were always hooded, but Itachi knew the subtle differences. It helped that he could see the man’s face. Sasuke got a glimpse of it when he caught the two of them that morning in Konoha just before Itachi got his vision back, but no one else probably had seen Kakashi’s face since his father.

That was nearly a boner killer, thinking of Sasuke and Kakashi’s father who died before Itachi was even born, but the look on Kakashi’s face was so full of lust tainted affection that nothing could spoil the mood short of Sasuke bursting through the door. That made Itachi chuckle.

“What?”

“Nothing. Remember how I told you I was always afraid of sleeping in the nude because I never knew when Sasuke would come in? I was thinking that was about the only thing that could put a damper on this.”

Kakashi chuckled and then leaned in to kiss him. “It’s amazing, but every time, it feels like we haven’t does this in years.”

“Makes it even better, doesn’t it?”

Kakashi responded by kissing him again. Itachi reached for the oil, took Kakashi hand, and dripped and spread the oil on Kakashi’s fingers, all the while running his tongue across Kakashi’s lower lip as he sucked on Itachi’s upper lip. Kakashi deepened the kiss, licking the underside of Itachi’s tongue, as he reach between them to caress Itachi’s opening. He had Itachi moaning into his mouth with desire.

Itachi pushed him away. “If you don’t fuck me, I’ll make your life hell.”

“That could be fun too.”

“You feel like making another visit to Tsukuyomi?”

“I love you too.” Itachi’s response was cut off by two fingers being thrust into him. It wasn’t long before his fingers were replaced with something more satisfying. “Damn it, Itachi, you still feel like a virgin.”

“I hope I’m your only point of reference.”

“You are.”

Kakashi stayed still, loving the feeling of just being inside his little raven. When Itachi glared at him through his beautiful eyelashes, Kakashi started to move, making love to him slowly. He got no more glares only moans of pleasure. Itachi kept himself under tight control, refusing to cum. Kakashi was trying to outlast him, but he finally could hold back his orgasm no longer.

Kakashi reached down to bring Itachi off, but Itachi caught his hand and turned him over onto his back.

“It isn’t due to lack of skill,” Itachi purred. “We Uchiha aren’t known for control for nothing. Self control is a daily practice.”

Despite his words, he needed to calm down so he bent down to kiss Kakashi’s inviting lips. After a while he moved to lick at the scar that ran through Kakashi’s eye. Itachi always wondered if that scar bothered him, if it was part of the reason Kakashi kept his headband over the eye. He would never try to convince Kakashi to remove the mask or headband, he relished being the only one having the privilege of seeing his full face too much, but he hoped Kakashi wasn’t insecure about the scar or his looks. He knew Kakashi wasn’t so vain to cover his face because he was gorgeous—which he was.

Itachi was calmer and Kakashi’s erection was coming back so Itachi began preparing the older man. Itachi considered the age difference for a moment. It was shameful eight years ago, but now . . . If they did go back to Konoha, no one could know about their relationship before. But now it was only a slight inconvenience. Eight years difference. He still couldn’t bring himself to care. His white hair even failed to reinforce the idea of Kakashi being nearly a decade older than him.

It didn’t take long to prepare either of them.

“Turn over,” Itachi cooed.

Kakashi obeyed and Itachi entered him fully with little resistance, Kakashi having relearned how to relax, as Itachi had, since they were reunited. He let all his upper body weight rest on Kakashi’s back so he could play with Kakashi’s sensitive nipples with both hands. Kakashi bucked back against him in frustration as Itachi was moving slowly inside him.

“Fuck me, ‘Tachi,” Kakashi pleaded.

“I thought that’s what I was doing.”

Kakashi groaned and Itachi straightened up to put more force into his thrusts. Once he settled into a good rhythm, Itachi caressed the expanse of skin before him. Kakashi shuttered at the moth light touch. Itachi traced scars there and the valley of his spine.

Itachi leaned in and started biting at Kakashi’s shoulder and neck, then raking his fingernails across his chest leaving red welts streaking his pecks. Itachi wasn’t usually into being rough, but now he just thrust in hard and fast as he dug his nails into Kakashi’s flesh. Itachi knew Kakashi enjoyed it, so he didn’t hold back.

Kakashi had to appreciate things that made Itachi angry, like Danzo, every once in a while because when Itachi was angry, the sex tended to be fantastic, if not a little brutal.

Kakashi remembered the first time Itachi had come to him when furious. A long mission had been successfully completed, but not without problems, and his fellow ANBU had taken Itachi’s age as license to rib and tease him for his not spotting a trap. They hadn’t taken it too far, fearing his Sharingan. To top it all off, when he got home, his mother was off visiting her parents with Sasuke and Itachi came home to his father’s complaining. Itachi had slipped out of his window and come to Kakashi. Itachi apologized when he began a bit rough, but Kakashi encouraged it. Kakashi had missed that angry little ANBU.

“Don’t you dare cum before I tell you,” Itachi growled. He put a hand over Kakashi’s throat, his smaller hand still able to encapsulate Kakashi’s slim throat. Itachi used his grip to pulled Kakashi up against him, almost bending him backward as he knelt in front of Itachi, still impaled on Itachi length.

Back to chest, Itachi was breathing into Kakashi’s ear and closed his grip on Kakashi’s throat, cutting off his breathing. Kakashi didn’t struggle. More adrenaline pumped into Kakashi’s system with the lack of oxygen. Another shot of adrenaline went through him when Itachi’s teeth pierced the skin where Kakashi’s neck and shoulder met. Itachi’s hand disappeared suddenly, nearly making Kakashi cum. Itachi found the fact Kakashi would never allow any other person to ever to do this as much as a turn on as the act itself. Itachi never missed a beat as he rocked his hips up into Kakashi’s desperate body. He raked his fingernails across the bared throat with just enough force to mark him a few days.

Itachi was getting close and he could tell so was Kakashi; he pulled out. “Turn back over.” Kakashi didn’t hesitate. Itachi entered him again. “You can cum now.” Kakashi did so and his body milked Itachi to his own orgasm. After a moment to gather himself, Itachi pulled out and reached down to scoop Kakashi’s cum from his stomach and sucked it off his fingers.

“Oh, don’t do that, Itachi. I don’t think I can cum again.”

“But I can.”

However spent Kakashi was, he was powerless at that sight. His wanton little scamp knew just how to arouse him.

“Damn it, ‘Tachi.”

He was still painfully sensitive and Itachi was mindful of that while he bent down to lick up the rest of Kakashi’s cum from his abdomen. Itachi kept eye contact the entire time.

Itachi suddenly got up, leaving Kakashi half hard and confused. Itachi came back with a hot, damp towel and gently wiped down Kakashi cock.

“Didn’t think you were fastidious at all when it came to sex.”

“I’m not taking something that just in my ass in my mouth.”

Before Kakashi could mention how many times Itachi stuck his tongue up Kakashi’s ass, Itachi was bobbing slowly up and down his still sensitive cock. He started by using only his lips, the head only brushing against his tongue as it was forced into Itachi’s throat. He started using his tongue as the sensitivity faded. Then he used his teeth. Kakashi’s erection didn’t flag in the slightest. Shinobi were used to pain and inflicting pain, so it wasn’t unusual to find they could be masochists as well as sadists.

Once they were both ready, Itachi thrust inside Kakashi again without hesitated. Kakashi’s body had begun to tighten back up and he groaned for the intrusion.

“Sorry.”

“Your heart isn’t in that apology.”

Itachi started slowly, but with every thrust he sped up and slammed in harder. He grabbed Kakashi’s left thigh, right behind his knee, and pressed it forward using it for leverage, pushing forward on the leg as he pulled himself nearly all the way out of Kakashi before thrusting all the way back in. It was by far a more violent coupling, but Kakashi wasn’t complaining.

Knowing he was still under the mandate not to cum, he struggled to keep it back under Itachi assault on his prostate.

Itachi leaned into Kakashi leg, nearly bending him in half and filled his lover’s body a second time.

Luckily for Kakashi, Itachi’s anger drained with his energy. He pulled out and then took Kakashi into his mouth again. Itachi’s sadism hadn’t completely drained as he dug his nails into Kakashi’s hips and used his teeth less gently than normal.

“Itachi,” he gasped.

Itachi hummed in response which only made things worse.

“Itachi, please.”

Itachi ignored him for a while, only granting so much mercy as to grip the base again to prevent him from cuming. But then he used his grip to push Kakashi’s balls forward so Itachi could lick them when the head of cock was in his throat. Kakashi groaned as his tongue teased the stretched skin over his balls.

Once he judged Kakashi adequately tortured, he pulled back, gave the tip a kiss, let go of the base and said, “Cum for me.”

Kakashi didn’t even need to feel Itachi’s breath to cum. Most made it into Itachi’s mouth, but a few shots hit his face. Itachi didn’t move as Kakashi came back to his senses. Once he opened his eyes, Itachi crawled up to be face to face with him. Kakashi licked the cum off Itachi’s face and then kissed him.

“You haven’t been rough like that since you were thirteen,” Kakashi said as Itachi lay on his chest. My hip is killing me.”

“Been too scared, too depressed, or too content.”

Kakashi rubbed his reddened throat. “It’s a good thing I wear a mask that covers my throat.”

“I thought everyone already knew?” Itachi teased.

“Yeah, but they think you’re the uke.”

Itachi stabbed Kakashi in the ribs with his knuckles painfully. “Maybe you should wear a more revealing mask for a while. Or I could order you around more.”

“I thought you didn’t want to flaunt our relationship in front of your brother.”

“I may have disguised myself as a woman to hide in Konoha, but my Uchiha pride won’t take being viewed as uke.”

“I’ll find a way to sneak it into the conversation.”

“You better, or you’re going shirtless so everyone can see those scratches.”

Kakashi chuckled. “Actually, your brother wasn’t happy about way Suigetsu and I talked about you and how I grabbed you; said he didn’t like you being treated like a uke. I assured him you weren’t.” Itachi raised his head enough to glare at Kakashi. “Yeah, he told me he didn’t want to hear about our sex life.”

“Leave it that way.”

He let Kakashi turn him onto his side and spoon him. His body fit into Kakashi’s perfectly. Kakashi was drifting off, but he could tell Itachi was not.

“Kakashi,” he started quietly. Kakashi hummed to let him know he was listening. “There’s only two members of Akatsuki left: Madara and Zetsu. In a few days we’re going to fight them and Danzo. Kakashi, I—”

“You’re not going to die. Never ever suggest it again. You’re not going to die.”

Itachi said nothing for a minute. “Take care of Sasuke. Just in case.”

“I will. But you’re not going to die.”

“I’ll hold you to that promise too.”

----------
I have to admit, the “I’ll hold you to that promise too,” is something from the novel Star Wars X-Wing Iron Fist. The line from the novel is “Well, I’ll try to hold you to that promise, too.” I love that novel. No one would know that if I didn’t say anything, but I’m an honest thief. But it’s not theft, it’s homage.