Yoru No Koishii

‘Allo again. Boy, I’m slowing down. Fear not, though. *Strikes Lee pose.* My youthful intellect shall not let this fic go unfinished.

Okay, now, I have bad news and good news. The bad news is, lots of people are probably going to hate this chapter. That’s fine, send me all the flames you want to. I won’t feel horribly insulted.
Now, the good news is this will be the last chapter with any real Naruto abuse in it. At least, I hope it will be.

And as for the confusing title. It's part of a quote from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the full quote is "A dream is a wish your heart makes. This is real life." It's said just before Buffy's worst nightmares become reality, which is kind of how it ties in here.

*Hears a noise and turns white, then runs.*

Hime: *jumps up onto the back of D’Ceandre’s arm chair and looks around.* Where’s she going?

Trouble: *from the arm of the chair.* Hiding.

Demi: *on the other arm.* Somehow, Sasuke-kun got a hold of the latest chapter.

*Trouble looks innocent.*

Hime: Say, did anyone remind him that she can’t undo all this trouble if he kills her?
*Silence. Both the girls turn to look at Demi.*

Demi: What are you looking at me for?

Trouble: Oops.

******

“Otouto. Your pet cat is running loose again.” Sasuke turns to look at Itachi and me, as we come up behind him. I peek through my bangs at Sasuke, watching as his eyes flick to me, then away angrily.

“I’m sure she’ll track me down eventually. Takara’s good at that.” What does he have to be angry about? All right, so I’m following his worst enemy around, but it’s not like I have a choice. If Itachi got even a suspicion that I was remembering again, I’d be hauled back to the infirmary for another shot.

And maybe there’s a smidgen of me that’s doing it for revenge. But I have a reason, after all. He leaves me here with his psychotic brother, who’s even more of a stuck-up ass then he is, for nearly two months, and the next time I see him, he’s got another girl draped all over him. I’m beginning to think Gaara was right: that he’s just using me.

“She’d better be caught and back in her cell before the meeting.” Itachi half-turns, reaching to run his fingers through my hair. Maybe it’s an Uchiha thing, this apparent obsession with hair.

“I wonder who’s going to get him,” he comments, seemingly absentmindedly, and Sasuke tenses a little more, his eyes flickering to red and back.

I used to think Itachi was just doing this to piss Sasuke off, but now I’m not so sure. There are moments when he seems to be almost affectionate. Affectionate for him, at least.

He could just be trying to manipulate me too, though, I consider, as I watch Sasuke turn and stalk off. I’m well aware that I’m the most wanted carrier out of the nine, since everyone seems to think I’m the strongest one. I don’t. I’m sure Gaara’s stronger then me. But he’s a lot harder to control, too. I don’t think he’d let anyone except maybe Sasuke, if he was in a really good mood. Though, even in a good mood, he’d be just as likely to desert-coffin him. Not that I’d normally let anyone tell me what to do, but at least I wouldn’t kill them for trying.

“Come, Pet.” I pause a moment, as if trying to decipher the command, then follow, trying my best to seem completely docile.

People have always thought me incapable of subtlety or secrecy, but I can be just as secretive as Sasuke when I want to. I just don’t normally bother.

So probably no one would think me capable of even thinking of trying to fool Itachi like this, well, maybe Sasuke would, he seems to know me better then I know myself sometimes, but certainly no one else.

It wasn’t too hard for me to figure out, when I finally reached the point where I could actually think straight, that my usual loud approach to problems wouldn’t work here. I’m certainly not strong enough to fight Itachi physically, and my control of my chakra, despite the continuing decay of the chakra bands, is still sporadic at best. Like I said before, I’d just be hauled off to the infirmary again. And Sasuke either can’t or won’t do anything. Probably can’t.

Itachi stops suddenly, and I’m so busy trying to think up escape plans that I don’t notice until I bump into him. I expect him to just give me a push away and am surprised when he instead turns back to look down at me.

“You’re a better actor than I would have given you credit for.” I can’t help the slight tensing the comment brings, as I debate whether or not to try to make a break for it, since I’ve apparently been found out. Before I have a chance, though, Itachi’s finger slips through the choker’s ring, pulling it tight.

I grab his wrist out of reflex, my other hand trying to loosen the chain, but he just knocks my hands aside and lifts his hand higher, until he has me on my tiptoes.

“Look at me, Pet.”

“I’m not your damned pet,” I growl, and reach to try to pull his hand down again. I swing at him when that doesn’t work, but all that gets me is a slap across the face that I just know is going to leave one hell of a bruise.

He grabs my chin, tugging my face up, and despite my attempts to avoid his gaze, I soon find myself sinking into the too-familiar red-tinged blackness.

******

The shadows are long through Itachi’s bedroom window when I awake to find myself stretched out on the bastard’s bed. There’s something different, and it takes me a moment to figure out what it is. The semi-presence of Kyuubi that I could just sense through the cracked bracelets is gone. I look down at my wrists, not surprised to see new bands there. In addition, there is another pair of bands around my ankles. Obviously Itachi doesn’t want a repeat of the last time I broke free.

I can hear fighting outside, and I sit up to look out the window. It takes a minute to figure out just who it is, but once I catch a glimpse of blue-black hair, it all comes together.

“Sasuke!” I know he can’t hear me from here, but I shout anyways, watching as Itachi calmly turns away the younger’s attack. Itachi’s saying something, though I can’t make out what. Whatever it is seems to be making Sasuke even angrier. If he had had a strategy at the start of the fight, it’s long gone, broken down to simple enraged attacks that the elder Uchiha dodges and blocks easily.

I clamber off the bed, tripping over something in the process and turning to look back in surprise. There’s a large eyebolt set into the floor just under the edge of the bed, and a heavy chain attached to it. It’s clipped to the ring on my choker, and I wonder how I didn’t notice it before, but an agonized scream breaks me from my pondering.

I leap to my feet, to stare out the window again, and my eyes widen when I see Itachi holding Sasuke by the throat, their eyes locked. I can’t see from here, but I’ve no doubt he’s got the mangekyou activated.

“Sasuke!” I throw myself against the chain, desperate to escape, though I’m not sure what I could do.

But all my tugging and jerking and swearing are in vain, since everything’s chakra-locked and reinforced, until I’m sure even Tsunade, unimpeded, would have a hell of a time getting loose.

I pause a moment to look up again. Sasuke’s lying unconscious at the bastard’s feet. The scene is still for a long moment, the only movement is the locks of Itachi’s hair, shifted by the wind. Then it ends, as Itachi turns and walks out of sight, leaving Sasuke where he fell.

“SASUKE!” My throat hurts from screaming, but I can’t stop, can’t think. I pull against the chain again, not caring when the links around my throat dig in painfully, not even really noticing. All I know is that I have to get to him; have to help him, somehow.

Then there’s someone behind me, trying to stop my struggling with one hand, while the other clamps over my mouth to halt the screams.

“I’ll go get Kabuto-sama.” I’m not even rational enough to be able to figure out whose voice it is.

I scream out again, still fighting whoever it is that’s trying to hold me. My teeth sink into flesh, and the hand jerks back, letting me loose. I turn abruptly, determined to take out my attackers and get to him. Everything will be all right once I get free, once I’m back at his side.

The chain’s suddenly loose, and I lunge at the nearest person, fists flying. Somebody grabs at me again, but I’m wriggling too much for them to get a decent grip.

“Sasuke!” The person finally gets a good hold on me, and forces me to the floor, using their weight to keep me there. Then there’s a prick in my arm, and my body starts to feel heavy.

“Sasuke,” I moan again, still trying to break free, but it’s as if I’m swimming through thick mud.

“What is going on?” I hear another voice in the doorway. The person on top of me stands.

“Itachi-sama.” I see someone move out of the corner of my eye. The voice is female, but I’m not interested in any other details, too busy trying to get my limbs moving again. “I came in to check on him and he was going crazy, so I thought…” she trails off nervously, before continuing.

“Then Nishirachi-sama came in to help.” I finally manage to get my arms to behave enough so that I can push myself up a bit. My eyes focus on Itachi, and everyone else in the room is forgotten.

“Damn you,” I snarl. “I’ll kill you.”

“Hn. Don’t make threats you can’t keep, Pet. You can’t even stand.”

“Temporary paralysis.” Kabuto added. “It’s a new neuro-toxin I was working on. I just finished testing the day before yesterday.”

I ignore them, concentrating on proving Itachi wrong. Finally I manage to get my feet under me, and stand, wavering drunkenly. I take a step and pitch forward.

Itachi moves quickly to catch me, and all I can do is lean bonelessly against him, the drug continuing to sap my strength.

It’s right about then that I decide that I’m never going to take another drug, ever. Not even painkillers. The same goes for needles of any kind.

“Let go of me, Bastard.”

“Quiet.”

“Fuck…” The rest of my comment is muffled in his shirt as he presses my face into the material.

I fall quiet then, since it’s hard enough just to breathe, and listen as Itachi dismisses the others, informing Kabuto that he should probably go make sure that ‘the useless waste of air that is his brother’ is all right, adding that he should be.

That makes me feel a little better. If Sasuke were to die… I don’t even want to think about it.

Then I’m laid down on the bed, and Itachi tilts my chin up to study my neck, fingers running over the injured skin. I close my eyes, concentrating on my breathing, trying unsuccessfully to hold back a hiss of pain as he presses against a particularly sensitive spot. Besides, maybe this way I can forget just who it is standing over me.

“Try something stupid like that again, and I will tie you so securely you won’t be able to move even a finger. Understand?”

I can feel my body waking up again. Apparently Kabuto’s new stuff doesn’t last very long, thankfully.

“Answer me.” My silence is rewarded with a tap on the cheek. It wouldn’t have normally hurt that much, but he hits the side that was bruised from earlier, drawing another ill-concealed hiss of pain.

“Fine,” I snarl, not bothering to hide the loathing in my tone.

“Don’t be rude.” He straightens, turning to remove his shirt.

I have to admit that Itachi is hot, even if I do hate him on a level with Orochimaru. He and Sasuke are so similar, in looks at least, it’s not funny. So I can be totally forgiven if I found myself staring as he undressed. I was still doing that ‘pretend he’s Sasuke’ thing, I swear.

But like I said, I do abhor him, drop-dead gorgeous or not, so as soon as I realise what I’m doing I immediately find something else to look at.

Wait, what was that? I stare into one of the dim corners, sure I saw movement, and can just make out a small form. It suddenly bounds forward, up onto the bed, settling itself on my chest. I force one hand up slowly to stroke soft raven fur, and the fox starts bathing my injuries.

Itachi glances over his shoulder at us, frowning slightly. The fox is roughly lifted by the nape of its neck and Itachi drops it outside the door, closing it before the creature can get back in. He leans against the wood, his arms crossed, watching as I stretch and slowly sit up.

“Stupid bastard.” I growl, ignoring the little voice that calls me stupid for drawing his anger on me again.

“You’ll start training in the morning again.”

“Fuck you.”

“The final list was handed out today of who got which demon…”

“Then why the hell am I still here with you?” I interrupt. Surely whoever had written it up must have realised that the only person I was ever going to even think about obeying was Sasuke.

“You’re still here because you’re mine.” He moved away from the door, towards the bed, and I was suddenly reminded of a predator playing with its helpless prey.

“No.” I push myself from the bed to attack him. He has no difficulty in evading the attacks, and I soon find myself on the floor, his foot resting across my throat.

“You are mine, Pet. Completely.” His pupils spin as he stares down at me, and I want to look away, but for some reason find myself unable to.

“I can do anything I want to you. Anything.” His foot moves to brush down over my body, and I take the opportunity to bolt away.

Itachi turns back to the door, taking a minute to lock it before moving smoothly across the room toward the corner I’m in. I watch him cautiously, hoping he’s not planning what I think he’s planning, praying to anyone that’s listening that this scene, reminiscent of so many before, only with a different place and would-be attacker, is only my imagination and fear working overtime.

“Stay away from me,” I warn, inching along the wall. I stumble as I reach the open bathroom door, and quickly dart inside, closing it behind me and locking it. A moment later the handle jiggles.

“Unlock the door. You will regret it if I have to break it down.”

“I have a feeling I’ll regret opening it, too. Not that I would, asshole.” With even this flimsy barrier between us, my courage begins to return. I glance around the bathroom, hoping that sometime between the last time I was in here and now an escape would have suddenly presented itself. But there’s nothing. The window is barred, and the air vent in the roof is far too small for me to fit through.

I whirl as the door suddenly crashes inward, revealing a very annoyed looking Uchiha. It’s just now that I realise how stupid I was in trying to seek shelter in here. I really am trapped now, my only escape the door back to the room, which he’s blocking.

Before I can move, I’m being held against the wall, one of his hands holding my wrists above my head, the other loosening the obi on my kimono.

I struggle against his hold, but he’s using his chakra to strengthen his grip, and when I kick at him, he only grabs my thigh, pulling my leg up to rest on his hip, making the now unbelted robe fall open. I blush and try to pull away again, berating myself for putting myself in such a position.

I go completely still as I feel him press up against me, closing my eyes and licking suddenly dry lips. Sometimes, if I don’t struggle, it doesn’t hurt as much. I can’t stop myself from shaking in fear though.

“This is all it takes to make you behave?” Itachi’s question is answered with a whimper. I can’t deal with this again; the abuse, the pain. “I should have done it before.”

“Don’t. Please. Master?” The last is offered in a tentative whisper, an attempt to placate him into letting me go. But my plea is in vain as he thrusts into me, not bothering to stretch me first, though he did take the time to spread lube over himself.

It’s not as bad as I was expecting, though I still don’t want it. He gives me a minute to adjust before he starts moving inside, shifting until he brushes that spot that has me biting my lips to hold back the noises the unwanted pleasure brings. My eyes are still firmly closed, and silent tears streak my face.

It’s not long before I can feel his seed within, as he comes with a small grunt. He pulls out, but two fingers press in, rubbing over the gland.

“I want to hear you, Pet,” he commands. I shake my head.
“No, stop, please.” But his fingers only press harder, and this time I can’t stop the soft groan that breaks forth.

“More. Scream for me. Call my name.”

“No…” I moan, but I’ve already lost and I know it. His fingers press harder, rub faster, and I find myself finally giving in to the feelings. It’s only a slight triumph when my cry as I come is wordless.

I’m too tired and hurt to fight anymore. He presses his fingers to my mouth, ordering me to clean them, and I offer only the slightest resistance before obeying. The bitter taste lingers on my tongue long after.

I lean against him as he wets a cloth and uses it to clean us both up, then I’m carried out and laid on the bed. I stare unseeing at the wall to my left.

“So easily broken,” he comments, watching me while he dons a clean outfit.

There’s a commotion in the hall, and he unlocks the door, looking out to see what’s going on. After a moment he steps out, closing the door after him, and I can hear his footsteps fade away.

It takes a moment for me to register that I didn’t hear the click that normally sounds when the door is locked. A moment more and I manage to talk myself into investigating, trying to ignore the protests of my backside. Still, it’s a shock when the door opens easily under my hand. I stare at it, wondering if this is some sort of genjutsu, then quickly decide to take the chance. I close the door carefully behind me, wanting to prolong the time until discovery as long as possible and start down the hall.

I have to find Sasuke.

******

D’Ceandre: *Peaks around the corner carefully before tiptoeing over to the computer.* Whew, safe for the moment, at least.

See, it’s a bad chapter. I’m almost ashamed of myself. But it will all work out all right in the end.

Vox: Love flowers! Though I’m not sure if you’ll still want to give them to me now.

ShinigamiTaishou: Gosh, you’re gonna give me a big head.

Gingitsune: Well, maybe not soon, but definitely more. And I’m not sure even Itachi knows what’s going on in that cute head of his most of the time.

Seto’s Darkness: Don’t worry. She’s my character and even I don’t like her. She’s basically just there for the annoyance factor.

And I have a major disability when it comes to not having happy endings, so no worries there, either.

And I entirely thank Arcane for watching out for my more serious mistakes, few though they may be. It’s actually a bit messed up because like the first five chapters or so aren’t beta’d.

I read the manga, or at least a subbed version of it online, so I’m actually more up-to-date on it then on the anime, which is highly strange for me, but anyway, not important. On to your questions, and I hope these are satisfactory answers.

a.) Well, he was captured in some way. I never really got the details on that worked out, but I suppose it was probably a failed attempt to spring Sasuke and drag him home, willing or not. Which brings up why Sasuke was still staying there, when he obviously wasn’t pleased about what was happening. So I’ll blame that on the curse seal.

b.) I like to think of it as him being undercover. The whole plan was to get a hold of the supposed control jutsu that it was rumoured that they had. And yeah, he’s supposed to wear all that stuff, but he doesn’t wear the cloak because it’d just get in his way, and I’m not sure which of the rings he would wear.

c.) Well, Orochimaru’s dead, so where else would an infamous missing-nin go, but to his other employers. (Really, I just like him and wanted to stick him in there. Shh.)

d.) Yeah, Itachi knows. He’s just not terribly worried. He is taking some precautions, though. Sasuke’s return with the Takara is the first time the two have been together for any period of time, and, as Kisami said before, Itachi didn’t pair up with him when they were switching partners around because he didn’t want to have to worry all the time.

Ah, too much thinking. Brain shutting down… *Trouble digs her claws into her arm* Ow! Awake now.

Nope. This is Sasu/Naru all the way, (minus this little bit, but Itachi needs some relief too) cause them’s my favourite pairing. (Closely followed by Gaa/Naru, but this one won’t have that either.) And would you believe that choker was just an afterthought in the first chapter. Still not quite sure what happened there.

Hey, come to think of it, the little kit still doesn’t have a name, since it was originally supposed to be an apology present for Naruto, and he was supposed to name it. So… suggestions are welcome.

Much as I would like to see Itachi stop being evil, I just don’t think it’s gonna work here. Not unless I can somehow manage to pull some trick out of nowhere. Hey, maybe I’ll have him get amnesia and fall madly in love with Takara or something.

Yeah, right.

Kat: Thankies. Will do.

Wow, this is now nine pages long on my MS word. The longest other one so far was only six. Got a bit carried away.

Well, enough of listening to me yap. You can all go review, or flame, or hit the back button or whatever it is you feel like doing. I won’t stop you.

*There’s a loud crackling noise coming from out of sight.* Oh damn, doesn’t he ever go away? *runs for cover.*

Homicidal Sasuke: CHIDORI!

D’Ceandre: I said I was sorry!

*This scene has been cut due to gratuitous violence*