Drawn to your Darkness, Addicted to your light

Drawn to your Darkness, Addicted to your light.

A/N: Sorry this took so long but it is the longest chapter I’ve ever written. Damn plot bunnies. To Michele, sorry if editing this made you eyes bleed. Thanks to Roely who helped me along when I got stuck and boosted my confidence as I wrote. My eternal gratitude to everyone who reviewed. I should mention some names but it’s late and I really want to get this up. I love you all and thanks for reading my unconventional pairing. There’s an epilogue in the works and it’s nice and short so I hope to get it up soon. Granted that’s what I said about this chapter…there are some spoilers so consider yourself warned. Oh yeah, read the cave scene slowly and I promise it makes sense.

Warning: Violence, yaoi sex, language

Disclaimer: Still don’t own or the manga would be reading very very differently.

Itachi gazed down at the village Hidden in the Leaves for the sixth time in three months. He knew that it was risky sneaking into Konaha so often but every time it had been worth it. In the weeks in between his visits, he found both his body and his heart aching for their next rendezvous. He missed the chuunin’s smooth skin, his soulful eyes and he even found himself missing the questions Iruka asked as he left the brunette alone. Not all of them had been easy on him but they made him feel human.

/Flashback/

He felt the innocent eyes on his back as he pulled on his cloak. It had been two weeks since he had shown up in the man’s shower and he’d just finished ravaging the taut body again.

“Sasuke’s in Sound with Orochimaru.” Itachi’s fingers froze on his last button. He’d known this, of course, but it was always hard to hear about his foolish little brother. “I was just wondering if it was your intention to ruin him so completely.” He didn’t look back as he left Iruka tied to the bed.

/End Flashback/

On the other hand not all the questions had been so brutal either. Many of them had shown Itachi how curious Iruka was about him. Do you ever miss the village? How do you put up with Kisame all the time? What’s your favorite colour? But the last question…Itachi hid his face behind the high collar of his cloak so his partner wouldn’t see his smile. The last question had been the best.

/Flashback/

He watched the beautiful brunet stretch his whole body on the bed, the lean torso arching upwards. Itachi had already released the vine jutsu and he was now glad of it. Iruka tucked his hands under his head and smiled the most dazzling, heart throbbing, cock teasing smile.

“Why don’t you ever answer my questions before you leave?” Itachi couldn’t contain the single chuckle that escaped his throat. He tossed his fishnet shit to the brunette who brought it to his nose, smiling shyly. They looked at each other for a minute before Itachi disappeared with a pop.

/End Flashback/

“Well whadaya know. We’re back in Konaha…again.” Kisame’s annoying voice jerked him from his pleasant reverie. “So, how long has it been this time? Three weeks?”

“Hn.” Itachi wasn’t going to have this conversation with the aggravating shark.

“Look, Uchiha, this is getting out of hand. What are you going to tell Pain we’ve been doing for the past four months?” Itachi glared daggers at his partner. “You’re going to get caught. You know that right? They’re going to catch you and have a good, old fashion, public execution. Is a good fuck really worth that?”

Itachi stood up and walked away from the giant. What his partner said was true. He was being careless…but Iruka was worth it.

“I’m not watching your back if you’re going to act like a fool!” The raven heard his colleague shouting behind him but he didn’t look back. Three weeks had felt like a long time, a painfully long time to be without his chuunin.

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Kakashi blocked the well placed kick and grabbed Iruka’s leg, tossing him backwards. Iruka pushed his hands off the ground in an elegant back spring. He raised his hand, gesturing for Kakashi to take a break.

“Whew! It is hot out today.” He unzipped his vest and pulled off his uniform shirt, wiping his forehead with it. Kakashi gapped at the brunette who had collapsed on the ground and pulled out a bottle of water from his bag.

“Are you wearing fishnet?” Iruka looked down at his chest which was indeed covered only by Itachi’s shirt. He blushed scarlet and cursed internally.

“Oh, uh…yeah. I forgot I was wearing it.” Kakashi continued to gape at the article of clothing that seemed so out of place on the docile young man. “It was a gift,” Iruka followed up, hoping Kakashi would stop staring at him like he’d grown an extra head.

“It’s a little big on you but it looks good.” The tan cheeks flamed and Iruka dug around in his bag for the snacks he brought to avoid looking at Kakashi. He handed the jounin an apple and a bottle of water. This had become a new routine for them. Along with their frequent lunches, they’d taken up a weekly sparing session every Saturday.

“You’ve gotten really good you know.” Iruka looked up, surprised by the sudden praise.

“Oh, thanks. I can’t imagine that this is very helpful for you though.” Kakashi shrugged and winked at Iruka.

“Every little bit helps. Just the regularity of matches is good for me. I’ve gotten lazy since I don’t have kids to train anymore.”

“Lazy? You? I don’t believe it.” Kakashi chuckled and swatted Iruka’s shoulder.

“Smart ass! If we keep this up for much longer, I’ll be able to take out the whole of Akatsuki. If they were stupid enough to show their faces around here again that is.” Iruka shifted uncomfortably, fingering his shirt. “Hey, are you okay?” A hand settled on the mesh covered shoulder. Iruka stood up abruptly, shaking the hand off.

“I have to go.”

“‘Ruka? What’s wrong?” The chuunin reached down and picked up his bag and clothes from the ground and started to walk away. Kakashi popped up in front of him, blocking his path. “What did I say?” Iruka shook his head and side stepped his friend but two seconds later, the jounin was in his way again.

“You know, just cuz you’re faster than me doesn’t mean that I appreciate you flaunting it in my face.” Kakashi reeled back as if he’d been struck, looking at the teacher with hurt and confusion pouring from the visible, usually bored eye. Iruka sighed. Why did Kakashi always make him feel so guilty? “It’s nothing. Sorry. I…I’m just hot and tired and need a shower.” He took another step when a strong, pale hand wrapped around his arm.

“Does this have to do with Itachi?” Iruka froze, trying to keep the panic from showing on his face, even though his body language was probably screaming it. He looked up at Kakashi and forced a smile on his face before gripping the front of the jounin’s uniform and tossing him over his head.

Kakashi sat up and shook his silver hair, watching the brunette walk away. Iruka looked back over his shoulder at him and smiled a real smile.

“I’ll see you on Monday for lunch.” Kakashi groaned and collapsed back to the ground. Something was definitely bothering the teacher but he couldn’t figure out exactly what it was. Was Iruka still upset about what the Uchiha had done to him? He’d seemed fine for the past few months so it didn’t seem like that was the case. He pulled absentmindedly at the grass beneath him and decided that he’d find out what was going on…no matter what.

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Iruka stepped into his cool apartment, sighing as he dropped his belongings on the table and glancing at his calendar. There were black Xs through most of the days already except for one day at the start of the month that had a red X through it. He fingered the mark longingly before pulling off his, or rather Itachi’s shirt. He held the clothing to his face but only his scent hung on the material. He’d been wearing it to much. In fact, he wore it almost all the time under his uniform. It really needed to be washed he noticed, scrunching up his nose and tossing it into the laundry hamper. He crawled onto his bed and reached for his other keepsake that he knew still smelled like the Uchiha. He traced one of the clouds with is finger. Three weeks. It felt like so much longer.

He smoothed the wrinkles out of the fabric and spread the cloak out on the bed, cuddling up to it, imagining that Itachi was there. He jumped when long, cool fingers slid up his naked back. He turned and found the aforementioned man staring down at him. His body still pumping with adrenaline from training, he grabbed the Uchiha by the front of his cloak and pulled him to the bed, crawling on top of the younger man and devouring his mouth.

“My, you’re aggressive today, Chuunin.” Iruka smiled into the pale neck, inhaling deeply. Nothing beat the smell of the real thing.

“I was training. You were gone so long. So long…” He kissed the thin lips hungrily as Itachi slid his long fingers up the tan flanks. Iruka nipped at the pale jaw, grinding his erection into the S-class criminal’s. The strong hands pressed down on his ass causing more friction and making them both groan loudly.

“So sexy, Chuunin.” Iruka smiled and carded his hands into the long black hair.

“So beautiful, Killer. So dark…so beautiful.” The callused tan hands began to undo the cloak that was obstructing his view of the smooth, alabaster skin. Itachi’s black eyes widened in surprise as the chuunin ripped open his mesh shirt and began impatiently running his tongue over his pecks. He gasped as the sinful mouth closed around one of his nipples, gleaming white teeth tugging at the hardening nub. He twisted his hands in brown hair watching the dark lips move across his body intently.

It felt good to let Iruka have free reign. He loved being in charge; making the teacher’s beautiful body writhe beneath his hands, but not knowing exactly where the chuunin’s mouth would move to next was intoxicating.

Iruka looked up from Itachi’s chest to see the black eyes studying him. The man was terrifyingly intense, those dark pools threatening to swallow him whole with the promise of pleasure yet to come. Iruka closed his eyes and shivered as the hands in his hair pulled gently and thin lips pressed to his temple, coaxing him up for a proper kiss. He sighed into the mass murderer’s mouth as the deadly hands caressed his neck and shoulders. It never failed to amaze him how tender Itachi could be. He ground his hips downward making the sexy, thin lips beneath him part in desire. He snagged the bottom lip between his teeth, tugging at it as he ground their erections together making the Uchiha release a rare throaty moan.

Itachi growled in need and flipped their positions, kissing his way down the tan body. He grinned when the muscular abs arched as his tongue dipped into the brunette’s navel. The man was so addictive. Everything about him was what Itachi needed. The chuunin’s pants were stripped away, as were Itachi’s. Their skin slid together as the raven moved back up the teacher’s body, straddling the slim hips. He raised his hands to perform the vine jutsu when bronze fingers tangled in his. He looked down into the warm chocolate orbs which made his stomach tighten in desire.

“No. Please. I want to be able to touch you.” Itachi looked down at the man who was asking something so normal of a lover. He wanted to consent but was he willing to admit that they were lovers? The umber brows furrowed, the caring eyes begging him to allow this one simple request. Itachi slid his hands over the narrow shoulders, leaning down and recreating his mark of possession that had faded over the weeks on the tan neck.

“Then touch me.” Trembling, dark hands slid over the white back and the chuunin moaned at finally being able to feel the soft skin beneath his fingers. Iruka mewled as sharp teeth sunk into his skin and his nails scraped down the pale flesh.

Itachi couldn’t believe how good it felt to have Iruka’s hands on him. He almost wanted to give up his control over the situation completely when the chuunin’s fingers dug into his back. There was so much trust between them now. Iruka trusted Itachi with his body unequivocally and he trusted the nin not to alert anyone about his presence in the village. He wrapped his hand around their grinding erections, reaffirming his dominance as the chuunin screamed and bucked against him. Itachi smirked as he remembered their first time together, seeing in the chocolate gaze that the older man was thinking the same thing, passion glittering in the expressive eyes.

Reaching behind him, Itachi pulled a bottle of cinnamon flavored lubricant out of his cloak which had been kicked to the end of the bed. He pulled the cork out of the bottle with his teeth, poured some of the spicy liquid on his hand and returned it to its previous placement on their members.

Both men groaned loudly and thrust into the slick grip.

“Aaaah, gods, Itachi! It feels so good.” The younger man smiled as the chuunin pushed wildly against him, the feeling of lube clearly new to him. Iruka pushed his body off the bed and climbed onto Itachi’s knees, wrapping his lean arms around the muscular shoulders. The Uchiha poured some more lube on his hand, dropping it to the brunette’s taught ass. Iruka bucked harder and threw back his head as a finger pressed into him.

“Give me your hand, Chuunin.” He slipped one of his hands into the pale hand on his ass, his fingers slicked as the long elegant digits moved over his. He whimpered as Itachi’s finger pulled out of him but gasped when the Uchiha’s hand guided his fingers into his own body. Iruka turned his eyes back forward. The black eyes were studying him fixedly as he stretched himself. He mewled and dropped his face to the lean neck as a long, thin finger joined his, stretching him quickly.

“Hn, so sexy. So sexy.” Iruka couldn’t even breathe he felt so good. Between the invading fingers and the fisting of the pair of erections he was already at his threshold. He felt a warm ring of chakra slide around his member just as he was about to cum and his eyes snapped up to the Uchiha’s smirking face.

“Ahhh! You…evil…sadistic…bastard!” A deep chuckled rumbled in the Uchiha’s chest as he withdrew their fingers and laid Iruka back on the bed. He quickly positioned himself at the brunette’s entrance and pushed his lubed cock into the warm passage making Iruka slam his head back into the bed and gasp.

“Hn, you know you love it.” Iruka was already begging him to remove the chakra cock ring as he slid smoothly in and out of the tight body. A tan finger slid into the chuunin’s mouth, the dark face falling to side in bliss. Itachi grunted and dropped his chest to Iruka’s, sliding his arms under the slim shoulders and cupping the older man’s chin, turning it forward. The men’s eyes met and they stared at each other as they panted and groaned. Itachi’s long hair fell in his face and Iruka reached up and pushed the black silk out of his line of sight, holding it in place behind Itachi’s head. He trailed his finger up the pale spine collecting the drops of sweat that were trickling down the soft skin. He tightened his arms around the Uchiha as their tongues met.

Running his hands along the pale face he could feel Itachi pressing into his caresses. He watched Itachi nuzzle his hand and for a moment the Uchiha’s guard was down. Iruka watched a look of need and affection wash over the handsome face as the pale, thin lips pressed into the tender skin of his wrist. Realizing his mistake, Itachi’s eyes hardened and he thrust into Iruka forcefully. However, upon seeing Iruka’s brows furrow he let his face soften a little, kissed the dark lips gently and slowed his pace back to the slow, passionate speed he’d previously had, sighing internally as Iruka’s hands resumed caressing his face. He pushed his growing reservations about their relationship to the back of his mind and simply reveled in the incredible feeling of closeness as he pressed his lips to his chuunin’s, his pale thumbs caressing the tan cheeks. Iruka whimpered softly as his prostate was struck.

“Itachi…please…aaah! Take it off! Please!” Having been so caught up in their intimate moment Itachi had forgotten about the band of chakra he’d placed on the older man’s member. He raised himself to his knees and began ghosting his fingers over the purpling organ making Iruka groan and reiterate his plea. Itachi gasped as the hot flesh contracted around his cock, squeezing him so hard it almost hurt. He moved his hips a little faster, drawing chakra to his fingers as he stroked the throbbing flesh. Iruka writhed beneath him, the tan legs tightening around his back. Itachi closed his eyes in gratification as dark hands stroked every piece of his skin they could reach. Suddenly the supple body beneath him began to convulse, the brown eyes widening in both pleasure and pain as Iruka rested on the cusp of a highly restrained orgasm. The Uchiha released the jutsu and his chuunin released a feral scream, coating his stomach with cum.

Itachi groaned as Iruka tightened like a vise around him. He didn’t even have to move, just let the spasming passage milk him to completion. He collapsed onto the tan chest not even caring that he had landed in a huge puddle of semen. Burying his head in the crook of Iruka’s neck, he nuzzled the soft skin there. Tan arms feebly wrapped around his shoulders and squeezed. Itachi smirked at how completely spent Iruka seemed to be, the chocolate head lolling lazily against the pillow. However, when he tried to push himself off the bed, the strength in those slim arms seemed to return, pulling him back to the mattress possessively. He smirked at the chuunin’s obvious desire for him not to leave yet. The smirk faded as he tucked a strand of hair behind Iruka’s ear and studied the umber eyes that were studying him.

Iruka’s fingers slid over his pale cheeks, his thin lips and the elegant arc of his black brows. He was unused to being appraised so meticulously. In fact, no one had looked at him like that since he left the village. Running his fingers through Iruka’s hair he let them trail down to the bronze face, cupping the chin and pressing their lips together tenderly. This had clearly gone past trying to ruin the older man. If anything, it was Iruka who was ruining him now.

They lay there just listening to each other breathe for several minutes until Itachi nuzzled the dark neck and pecked Iruka’s lips before pushing himself off the bed. His chest clenched painfully as he glanced back at his lover to see the warm eyes brimming with tears. He swallowed thickly and continued to dress. As he was pulling his cloak on over his bare shoulders, (the remainders his shirt in tatters on the bed), he heard Iruka’s gentle, tenor voice.

“Itachi, what, if anything, are you afraid of?”

Iruka’s eyes widened as Itachi turned to face him, glad that he’d been able to calm himself down before asking his question. Itachi had never really acknowledged any of his questions before but now he was moving back across the room and crawling back on top of the brunette. The thin, pale lips pressed to the full, cinnamon pair; first gently, then hungrily. Itachi ran the bridge of his nose along the tan jaw, nipping at the chuunin’s ear. Iruka wound his hands in the black hair, releasing a breathy gasp as the murderer’s lips moved on the sensitive skin of his lobe. Itachi didn’t smile as he whispered his first response to Iruka.

“You.”

Iruka had been so enraptured in what the younger man was doing to him that he almost missed it. He pulled the raven head to his chest and stroked the sheet of long back silk, smiling as Itachi rested his full weight against him.

“I’m leading a mission on Tuesday. At least five days to Grass. If…if you were…in the area…”

“Hn.” Iruka smiled and kissed the crown of his lover’s head as Itachi’s fingers skimmed up his stomach. They both tensed and held their breath as a loud knock at the door disrupted the tranquil moment. Iruka tightened his arms around Itachi, their eyes meeting and a silent conversation passing between them. Itachi released the muting jutsu and Iruka hopped to his feet, pulling on a pair of jeans and wiping off his chest with a towel he draped around his shoulders. Another knock at the door. He rushed back to the bed and kissed Itachi on the lips.

“Don’t go. I’ll be right back.” The Uchiha watched his chuunin scramble from the room before silently following him.

“I’m coming! One sec.” Iruka pulled open the door to find Kakashi leaning against the railing to his floor’s balcony.

“‘Kashi. What’s…uh…what’s up?”

The silver haired jounin stared at his half naked friend trying to sort out all the things that were wrong with this moment. Iruka wasn’t inviting him in, that was one. There had been some kind of jutsu around the residence; that was another. But the biggie was the fact that Iruka had someone’s scent all over him. He knew it was familiar but he couldn’t place it. Kakashi couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment at the notion that Iruka had a lover. He cared very deeply about Iruka and it was only lately that he’d begun to realize just how deep those feeling went.

“I just got a mission. I’m leaving tomorrow morning so I won’t be around for lunch on Monday.” Iruka nodded though rather distractedly as a very suspicious Uchiha had just stepped behind the door. He could feel the cool glare boring into the side of his head.

“Oh, that’s too bad.” Kakashi nodded, not missing how Iruka had suddenly tensed up.

“I was just wondering if you wanted to do dinner tonight instead.” The chuunin began to panic as he felt a very unregulated chakra spike from his lover and saw Kakashi’s visible eye widen. “Is everything okay, Iruka?” Iruka leaned against the open door and stretched his hidden arm towards Itachi, his fingers brushing the washboard abs. He smiled disarmingly at his friend.

“Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” Kakashi eyed the chuunin wearily. He wanted to ask who was there, but if Iruka didn’t want to tell him he wouldn’t press. “I’m sorry but I already have plans tonight. When do you get back?”

“Probably Wednesday. Rain check ‘til then?” Iruka shook his head and Kakashi sighed.

“I’ve got that mission to Grass next week. I’m not sure exactly when I’ll be back.” The chuunin flinched as Itachi’s hands slid over his own, pushing his fingers to the top of the mass murderer’s pants.

Kakashi nodded but craned his neck to try to see into the apartment. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Iruka smiled at his closest friend. If only he knew whose body was being stroked just two feet away from him.

“Yeah, I’m great. I’ll see you when I get back. You’ll owe me a lunch and a sparring session by then.” Kakashi regarded his smiling comrade sadly before shrugging his shoulders, his bored mask firmly fixed on his face.

“When you get back then.” Iruka waved cheerily to the jounin and closed the door only to have Itachi grab is wrists and pin him up against the closed door. The brunette gasped as his back collided with the solid wood surface, his brown eyes widened as he saw jealousy and a hint of betrayal flash through the charcoal eyes.

“We’re just friends.” The hard gaze didn’t soften nor did the grip on his arms. “Itachi…you’re the only one I want. You’re the only one I let touch me. I swear. The only one...” The pale hands slid down his arms and stroked his neck though the black eyes were still blazing. Iruka cupped the pale face, raising himself on his toes to press their lips together but the Uchiha caught him.

Iruka’s eyes widened as his lover turned away from him. He scrambled to get back in front of Itachi but the younger man was too quick for him disappearing from the room in a puff of smoke.

Iruka sank to the floor in dismay, clutching his knees to his chest. He didn’t understand what exactly happened. How could Itachi not believe him? Who could possibly want more than what he already had?

Itachi strode through the forest quickly. He’d seen that Iruka was telling the truth and he’d felt so…relieved. But therein lay the problem. He wasn’t supposed to be feeling anything. Jealousy, relief, passion…love, these were all parts of humanity that he’d given up years ago and needed to stay buried in order for him to survive.

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Iruka tromped through the woods on the edge of the fire country. He’d be gone for almost two days, two very miserable days. It actually had been nice to get out of his apartment and away from the place that reminded him so much of Itachi.

The client was walking a bit behind him with two young chuunins on either side of him. The two young men had been in Iruka’s fist class and were doing very well for their age. He felt bad for his morbid and short tempered mood but he couldn’t help it. He was miserable.

He couldn’t stop thinking about how his lover had looked when Kakashi had asked him out. If this whole mess with Itachi hadn’t started, he’d have been ecstatic about the idea of dating Kakashi but, now, he had placed all his anger about losing the mysterious Uchiha on the jounin. It really wasn’t his fault but Iruka couldn’t help but think that if it hadn’t been for his friend, he would be expecting his lover to meet him on this trip. He clutched his chest as a pang of sorrow passed through it.

“Iruka-sensei…are you alright?” Iruka looked back and smiled at his teammate.

“I’m fine, Jiro. Thanks for asking. How are you fairing, Tomi-san?” The client nodded weakly, his exhaustion showing.

“I’m a bit tired. Will we be camping soon?” Iruka nodded.

“Just as soon as we find a good…” He raised his hand and the group halted behind him. He could feel eyes on him, so similar to the feeling he’d had the night Itachi had molested him in his shower.

“What is it?” Iruka’s eyes darted wildly around the area. Nothing so far. Whoever was out there was waiting to make their move.

“It’s nothing, Toshi. Probably just an animal or something.” The continued walking but the two young men caught the small hand signs that they had made up before the start of the mission near their leader’s leg. Someone was definitely out there.

They walked for another hour, not wanting to stop as they would be vulnerable. Finally, they stopped and set up camp, the three ninja’s not dropping their guard for a second when Tomi went to sleep.

“Go lay down for half an hour. I’ll keep watch. In exactly one hour you should be in the new campsite. Use a sleep jutsu on him so he doesn’t make any noise. Chakra flares if something goes wrong. If I’m not back by sun up, you get the hell out of here.” The two boys nodded though he could see in their eyes that they wouldn’t leave him to die.

“I mean it. The first priority is to the client. You need to get him home safely.” Toshi nodded his head and clapped Iruka on the shoulder.

“Be careful, Sensei.” Iruka nodded and then raised his voice to above its previous whisper.

“Okay, get some sleep. I’ll take first watch.” The two teen disappeared into their tent and Iruka settled himself on a log in front of the fire.

He extended his chakra and could feel the blips that were bounced back towards him indicating an enemy. He closed his eyes and focused on all the people surrounding the clearing. There were so many but there was an opening for his teammates to slip through. He swallowed thickly as he realized that there was a strong possibility that he wouldn’t survive this assault. He wasn’t ready to die, by any means, but he didn’t feel the same need to survive that he had a week ago. He knew his team needed him. He knew that Naruto still needed him, even if it was just a small amount. His students needed him, his friends needed him, his village needed him…but all that paled in comparison to the previously held belief that Itachi needed him.

He shook the thoughts from his head and focused on the enemies surrounding him as he felt the expertly masked chakra of his students moving away from the camp, replications in their sleeping bags. He sent out a strong wave of chakra that would tell him if any of the enemies had moved and give his teammates an idea of their locations. Nothing so far. Everyone was holding their ground. Iruka was beginning to worry about his plan but it was to late now to back out. He sat in a relaxed manner, still unsure as to why he hadn’t been attacked.

It was at least five hours later when he finally felt someone move against the waves of chakra he was sending out. Slowly pulling out a kunai and several shuriken, he hid them along the sides of his legs as he felt the circle of people advance on him. He could feel three members of the group heading for the client’s tent. He’d have to put himself right in harm’s way if he wanted to keep up the illusion that the Tomi and the rest of his team were still here.

He leapt to his feet as the first man entered the clearing, tossing the shuriken at him. One of the stars caught the man in the chest and he cried and fell to the ground while two more immediately took his place. Iruka slashed the air furiously, keeping his body between the tents and his opponents. He could feel four more people on the edge of the clearing and four…no, five more behind them. He was hopelessly out numbered but he had to give his team as much time as possible.

He shot up a blue chakra flare signaling for the three men to start moving immediately. He internally cursed himself for not taking another member for the squad. Four would have left them in good shape right now but the B-rank mission was supposed to be light and they were trying to make good time.

A kick to the chest sent him flying backwards and he performed his recently perfected back spring into the center of the camp site. Men were advancing on him from all sides now. He took out another kunai and took his most effective defensive stance.

“Come on, then!” He wasn’t being rational but he didn’t really care. He was going to take out as many of the enemy as possible before dying.

Four of the nine men he could see lunged at him. He was glad of his recent training with Kakashi now, as he easily slew the first one and hit a pressure point in another’s neck, paralyzing him immediately. A kunochi swung her leg near the ground in an attempt to take out his feet but he jumped and kicked her in the head sending her flying into a nearby tree. A chakra spike to his left alerted him to a fire jutsu which he narrowly avoided, a chunk of his uniform and hair getting singed.

A pair of blades appeared right in front of him and he only just got a replacement jutsu off in time to save himself. He landed a few feet away but was grabbed by two pairs of strong hands and forced to his knees. He sighed in failure. Seven enemies left and the last chakra signature was heading towards the clearing. His head was wrenched from it resting place on his chest and he looked into the victorious, sadistic smile of one of the remaining men who was unsheathing his sword.

“I hope you’re prepared to die for the lives you took, Leaf nin.” Iruka looked up at the man, his brown eyes clearly showing that he was, before closing his eyes as he heard the swish of the sword cut through the air.

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Toshi looked up as the streak of blue chakra lit up the sky.

“Jiro! Get him up, we have to move!” The younger man sat up and saw the streak fade.

“Iruka-sensei! We have to go ba-.”

“No! Get Tomi-san up. We’re moving out…now.” Jiro bristled, advancing on his friend.

“How can you just leave him? He’s going to get killed. Iruka-sensei is the best teacher in the village. He was our teacher. I’m not just going to…” Toshi grabbed the younger man’s shoulders tightly.

“Yes you are. He told us to keep going and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. Just…just get him up.” Jiro’s rebuttal died in his throat at the broken look that entered his friend’s eyes. Grudgingly he nodded and roused the client. The three men set off with the young chuunins glancing over their shoulders sending their old sensei silent prayers for his survival.

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Iruka opened his eyes when a sickening crack in front of him graced his ears. He looked up at the man holding his left arm but he was staring forward, a look of absolute terror on his face. Slowly he lifted his gaze to the man standing in front of him…a man who had someone right behind him. The sword arm had been caught and the man’s throat was in the grasp of a strong, hand. He gasped as he saw the man sputter and cough blood, his jugular crushed by the pale grip, before falling to the ground and revealing a stoic, handsome face. The black pools lowered to his and Iruka didn’t know whether to cry in gratitude or shudder at the bone chilling undercurrents that lay in the seemingly unemotional eyes.

The man on his left began to tremble, a shaky word falling into the silent air.

“A-Akatsuki.” Itachi’s eyes darted to the man who should have held his tongue. Spinning, red sharingan blazed and in a move too fast to follow the elder Uchiha slit both men that were holding his arms throats. The other members of the enemy group gasped looking at each other, unsure as to what to do. A battle cry from one of them sent the whole horde upon the pair.

Watching Itachi fight was like watching a beautiful, choreographed dance, the grace and fluidity of every movement a true depiction of what a shinobi should be. Snapping out of his stupor, Iruka jumped into the fray with renewed vigor. He blocked a kunai that was headed for Itachi’s back and launched himself at the pitcher. He felt something wild wash over him as he buried his blade into the kunochi’s chest and grasped her hair, slitting her throat and pulling her hiatai off in a singular motion. He looked around the clearing and found Itachi dispatching the last enemy. The menacing figure rose, the haunting gaze resting on the tan chuunin. The Akatsuki looked like he wanted to say something but instead turned to leave the clearing.

Iruka growled and not wanting to let his lover go, he teleported directly into Itachi’s path. The black eyes narrowed momentarily but a pale hand reached up and pulled a strand of hair off the dark, wet face. In a flash they were hungrily devouring each other’s mouths, completely indifferent to the blood that was covering both of their faces. Itachi’s hands tightened in the chocolate hair making the full pouty lips part as he attacked the exposed neck. He could feel the vibrations of sound as he pressed his tongue against his chuunin’s jugular and Iruka sobbed and whispered.

“I thought I’d lost you. I thought…I thought you were gone forever.” Itachi sealed his lips over Iruka’s, wanting to comfort the man who he’d distressed so deeply. Iruka used his sleeve to wipe the crimson fluid off the handsome face as Itachi pulled his thumb over the dark lips. The murderer’s face softened and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth making Iruka gasp at how beautiful his lover looked, smiling gently at him, emotion pouring from his usually icy eyes.

Both of their heads snapped up simultaneously as senbon rained down from the sky. The S-class criminal growled in rage that their perfect little reunion moment had be ruined. Tossing Iruka out of harm’s way, he swatted them all down without a single needle breaking his skin. Up in a tree the direction the needles had come from was a black-ops. He wasn’t from Konoha. No, he was a Rock ANBU. Itachi’s red eyes darted around the clearing. Two more…no, three more. Why was his chuunin guarding someone who would have an ANBU team after them?

‘Or are they after me? Have I led my sweet chuunin into a trap designed for me alone?’ Itachi wondered. No time to think on it now though. He grasped Iruka’s hand, squeezing it in reassurance.

“Stay close to me.” Iruka didn’t have to be told twice. He pressed his back against Itachi’s and dragged his thumb across the pale hand before releasing it as the onslaught began.

The pair were almost immediately separated and Itachi began to fear for his chuunin. Three of the black-ops were surrounding him and one was backing Iruka into the woods away from him. He knew that the Leaf nin wouldn’t last long against someone so much above him in skill level. His pulse raced as Iruka slipped from his sight into the dark of the forest, the senbon wielding nin right behind him.

Grunting his concern, the Akatsuki member snapped into action. He could feel anxiety pouring off the Rock nins as he switched from prey to predator. Fingers flying through hands signs he sent a jet of water at the nins who separated avoiding the spray before regrouping. This was what he had been counting on. Finishing the last position on his second jutsu he released a bolt of lightening into the wet ground they were standing on. One of the black-ops was quick enough to get out of the way but the other two fell to the ground their bodies convulsing as electricity flowed through them. Never taking his eyes off his remaining opponent, he pulled out a short katana and stabbed it through the first body. Moving to the second, he placed his foot on the back of the now groaning nin and slid the sharp blade through his neck, severing the man’s head.

The body twitched twice under his foot and he could feel the smothered rage of the last remaining man rolling into the empty space between them. His face as emotionless as the white mask on his enemy’s face he dashed forward. Their bodies moved quickly, clashing and thrusting each other away. The man was smart enough to use physical attacks as opposed to jutsus that he could copy and use against him. As fast as his opponent was he was no match for Itachi and his sharingan, his attacks easily blocked and his blocks coming up a fraction of a second to late. Soon the nin was bloody from his failed defenses, his motions slowing and his reactions duller. Itachi found the opening his was looking for and thrust his blade into the man’s chest. He watched the man fall helplessly to the ground as Iruka leapt back into the clearing, dodging senbons as he jumped from tree to tree.

Itachi watched in horror as Iruka blocked another barrage of needles in the air, several of them to fast and burrowing into his shoulder. He fell to the ground with a thump, gripping his shoulder as the poison spread through his body. Itachi was at his side instantly, pulling the points from his shoulder. Iruka whimpered as his arm went numb. He had anti venom in his bag but he wasn’t sure if it could get to it. Iruka felt Itachi’s arm slide around him and he gripped the arm with his still functional appendage. He felt his eyes sting with tears as his other arm began to lose feeling. Thin lips pressed to his jaw by his ear.

“Hold on, Chuunin.” Iruka swallowed his cry of despair as the warmth of the strong body pulled away from him, cold spreading through his limbs and gripping his chest. He was dying and all he wanted was for Itachi to hold him as he slipped away. Suddenly the warm arms were around him again. A prick in his shoulder brought him out of his increasing darkness. He felt the burning of the antidote pushing through his veins making him grit his teeth and thrash, pushing his body back into the chest and stomach behind him. He could feel Itachi’s breath on his ear and could hear that he was speaking but the fire that was pushing through his body was overwhelming.

Itachi clutched his lover who began to shake as the remedy moved through his system.

“Just a few more minutes. You can do this. Hold on.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d said so many words at once. Just as he was about to press his lips to the tan face, more senbon flew through the air towards them. He raised his hands snatching them all from the air before they reached their targets before raising his eyes to the nin that had landed on the edge of the clearing. Black spread through his crimson gaze and the black-op froze in place.

Iruka opened his eyes as the last enemy released a tortured scream and collapsed to the forest floor. He took a deep breath as the heaviness in his arms receded.

“I’m okay. Thank you.” Itachi grunted and stood up, turning away from him. Iruka watched as Itachi walked slowly to the edge of the clearing…and stumbled.

‘Uchiha’s don’t stumble!’ Iruka thought, struggling to his feet. He caught up with the raven as he stumbled again and braced himself on tree.

“Itachi? Itachi are you alright?” The Uchiha nodded and relaxed as Iruka ran his hands over his back. “Why won’t you look at me?” Itachi paused not knowing if he should turn around. Slowly he rotated his body, trying not to flinch as he heard Iruka gasp.

“Because I can’t see you.”

Iruka stared in shock at the blood that was running down the beautiful face from the closed eyes. He cried out in shock and cupped the pale jaw, pressing his lips to Itachi’s face.

“Oh gods. Oh…what should I do? What should I…oh, Itachi.” The Akatsuki member raised a hand uncertainly, searching blindly for Iruka’s cheek. The man wasn’t disgusted by his horrible technique, he was hysterical that he might be blind. He smiled as he felt a hand over his, guiding it to the tan face.

“I’ll be alright. It’s only temporary. You need to go catch up with your team.”

“No! I can’t just leave you…” A soft thump drew his attention to Kisame who had landed a few feet away. Itachi felt Iruka stiffen in his arms.

“It’s alright. Go. I’ll see you soon.” Iruka hesitated but a reassuring squeeze from the pale hands made him nod, grab his bag and rush from the clearing.

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Jiro and Toshi had just crossed into grass with the client when two ANBU landed beside them. The pair tensed and pulled out weapons when they noticed that black-ops were grass nins.

“Tomi-san, are you alright?” The client nodded to his countrymen.

“Yes, just very tired. Let’s just say that our plan didn’t work so well.” Jiro stepped forward looking menacing.

“What do you mean ‘your plan’?” The client sighed and sank to a log and accepted a canteen from the rat masked ANBU.

“I’m not a business man avoiding a competitor. I’m…the dynamo’s brother. We wanted to throw my attacker off my trail by sending me with a small group of protection and taking an off-road route.” The two chuunin stared at the exhausted man in shock. Jiro growled but Toshi was the one who found his voice first.

“YOU SON OF A BITCH! Iruka-sensei is dead because you didn’t tell the missions office who you are!” One of the Grass nins stepped between them but Tomi stood up and looked the chuunin in the eye.

“I’m very sorry. I’ll, of course, compensate you for the mission rank and-.”

“Compensate! Do you have any idea who just gave their life for you?! Everyone loved Iruka-sensei. He was the best pre-genin teacher in the country. You can’t just buy your way out of this! Lady Hokage is going to have your head!” The client and the Grass nins flinched at the thought of an enraged Tsunade.

“I’m very sorry. Clearly, I didn’t think this through.”

“That,” the entire group turned to see Iruka supporting himself against the trunk of a tree, “is an understatement.” Jiro and Toshi rushed to their teacher’s side, supporting his weight on their shoulders.

“Iruka-sensei! Are you alright? What happened?” Iruka paused and turned around, spilling the contents of his stomach on the ground. Coughing, he straightened up and grasped Jiro’s arm.

“Water and ration bars.” As the black haired chuunin rushed to his bag, Toshi settled Iruka down a few feet away from their client.

“Fuck…I’m okay. Thanks. I got a dose of poison but I didn’t have time to figure out which one, so I used my V6.” Toshi gasped and stared at his teacher in shock.

“A V6! You should have gone back to Konoha! How are you even able to stand, never mind catch up to us?” Iruka chuckled darkly.

“In hindsight, yes, I should have but I didn’t know if there were any chasing you. I don’t think I killed them all.” Jiro settled beside the chuunin-sensei, handing him some food and a canteen.

“How many were there?” Iruka scrunched up his face pretending to try to remember. How could he forget?

“Uh, let’s see; three, then four more, then four more. Eleven, and then a squad of four black-ops.” One of the Grass nins who had been pretending not to listen chuckled but was silenced by a frigid glare from Iruka’s usually warm brown eyes. Both young chuunins shuddered at the sudden change in their former teacher.

“You took out fifteen people? Including four Rock black-ops?” Iruka nodded to the second Grass nin.

“What are you, a hunter nin in disguise?” Iruka released a bark of sarcastic laughter, which made him clutch his still very upset stomach. He smiled grimly at his former students who he was shocked to find were looking at him in frightened and morbid fascination.

“Guys, I’m not a hunter. Really. Just extremely lucky to be alive.” He stood up, swaying on his feet. The Grass nin who had called him a hunter steadied him as Iruka took in his shoulder length orange hair that seemed so fitting with his tiger mask.

“Thanks, Tiger-san. I’m alright. We should keep moving.” The Grass nins nodded but the two young chuunin’s protested.

“No way! You need to rest! You still have the V6 in your system. We should wait at least…”

“We should get to the mission end so I can rest properly. Now we need to head out. Toshi, you’re on point. Jiro, you’re guard. I’ll bring up the rear.” The two young men nodded and moved into position. Iruka caught the ANBU’s arm.

“Tiger-san, would you take up the rear with me?” The blank face regarded him, reading his desire not to appear weak in front of his team. The tiger pulled Iruka’s arm over his shoulder and with a nod they set off behind the group, the other grass nin in the trees above them. It wasn’t long before the tiger nin pulled a struggling Iruka onto his back. The chuunin had a fever and was beginning to shake by the time Tiger had decided to ignore his statements of being fine. It was about two hours from the village that the ANBU halted the group. Iruka had passed out and was clearly hallucinating.

“Go ahead. I’ll treat him and cool him down a bit. We will follow as soon as he’s either stable or lucid.” Jiro made to protest but Toshi placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“He has more medical knowledge than we do. Please take good care of him, Tiger-san. He’s very precious to both us and the village.” The masked nin nodded and leapt off in the direction of a nearby lake. The group was silent for a while before Jiro whispered to his friend.

“Do you think he really killed fifteen men all by himself? I mean, four ANBU? That’s crazy! Is it even possible?” Toshi didn’t answer but couldn’t help but think about what the tiger had said. Could Iruka be a hunter nin? How did he survive if his story was true?

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Tiger waded into the cool water with Iruka in his arms. What an enigma the young man was. A chuunin who killed fifteen men. Unheard of, at least for a chuunin of this age. He wasn’t a child prodigy. He’s a pre-genin teacher!

He ran his hand through the dark hair under the water, his cock springing to life when the man released a deep moan and began to mutter.

“‘Tachi. Mmmm.” Iruka writhed in his grasp making the Grass nin’s mind think of all the terrible, erotic things he could do to the helpless Leaf nin. Those spectacular brown eyes opened without sight and tan hands gripped his shirt.

“‘Tachi. Kiss me…please. I’m so cold. Please…warm me…” Tiger was now battling his libido. He needed to stabilize the man a little more before making his decision whether to play or not. He carried the chuunin out of the water and began removing the young man’s clothes.

Itachi flinched in the tree as the stranger began to undress his lover. His eyes weren’t back to their normal, pristine sharpness but he could easily see the stranger’s hands all over his chuunin, who was thrashing on the ground and moaning. The sound of his teeth grinding together made Kisame rest a restraining hand on his shoulder. He could feel the rage rolling off his partner’s usually relaxed and emotionless body. The black eyes widened as Iruka moaned loud enough for them to hear.

“Mmmmm. Touch me, Itachi.”

Tiger smirked behind his mask and ran his hands down the exposed chest making it arch into his touch. He pulled out a kunai and nicked the tan shoulder, pulling the blade to his nose. Smelling poison in the blood he lifted his mask and tongued the coppery fluid before spitting, pulling out a V2 antidote and injecting it into the brunette. Iruka whimpered and groped at the Grass nin, his fever beginning to wane.

Tiger smirked behind his mask. He had a couple of minutes before the chuunin would be coherent, plenty time for a little seduction. He straddled the narrow hips, amused at the hardness that was bucking up into his. Grinding his hips downward, he heard a throaty groan and more broken pleas from the delicious dark lips.

“Nnnngh!...Itachi…feels so good. I want you…need you. You feel so good inside me. Please…fuck me…love me…Itachi…” Tiger pushed his mask up and ran his tongue over the sinful mouth which opened, giving him access to the warm cavern. It had been a while since he’d gotten laid and the delirious man beneath him was begging for it. The fact that he clearly thought he was someone else was a minor detail. Checking to see that Iruka was still hallucinating, he attacked the slim chest with his mouth leaving purple bruises on the tan collar bones and pectorals. Stroking the wiry musculature, he once again drove his tongue into the chuunin’s mouth. The chocolate head began to shake as he pulled back.

“You taste wrong.”

‘Fuck, he’s starting to come out of it.’ Tiger thought as he got off the chuunin and reached down to unbutton the younger man’s pants. Suddenly the brown eyes flew open and Iruka rolled onto his knees dry heaving. After a few violent coughs, Iruka weakly raised his head glancing about. He jumped as long fingers slid up his side.

“Welcome back.” Tiger was holding out a canteen for him and gently rubbing his back. He groaned as his stomach lurched again.

“Wh-what happened?” Feeling too queasy to notice the fingers sliding up and down his spine he took the canteen.

“You still had poison in your system. It happens with V6 sometimes. Because it’s designed to work against any poison it doesn’t always clear the body completely. I gave you a V2 and broke your fever. You should be alright.” Iruka nodded as he screwed the cap back on the water and handed it back to the ANBU. It was only then that he noticed the hands gently exploring his body. Stiffening, he tried to stand up but his weak body refused to comply.

“What are you doing?” The hands paused but weren’t removed.

“Relax, Leaf nin. You need to rest.” Even as the words were spoken the hands slid underneath him and began to pull down the zipper on his pants. Iruka slapped at one of the arms but he was way too frail to even make a concerted effort.

“That’s not restful! Please stop.” A low chuckle behind him gave the impression that that wasn’t likely to happen. Lips pressed to his back as a throbbing erection ground into his ass. “You really should stop that.” Tiger chuckled again, leaning over to whisper in Iruka’s ear.

“And why is that, Leaf?” Iruka dropped his head and gritted his teeth as the cock rubbed against him more forcefully.

“Cuz my lover is the jealous type.” Tiger outright laughed at Iruka this time, tonguing the large scar on the bronze back from the windmill shuriken.

“You’re forgetting something, Leaf nin. He’s all the way back in Konoha and we’re here. “What is he going to…” The words trailed off and slowly the hands slid off his body. Iruka crawled forward away from the molesting hips and tried to stand but collapsed to the ground yet again. Strong hands grasped his shoulders and he thrashed wildly, trying to shake off the grip.

“Shhhh, Chuunin.” Iruka looked up in shock before launching himself with all his strength at Itachi who cradled him in his arms, stroking his hair lovingly. Itachi ran one of his fingers over a bruise on Iruka’s chest making the older nin stutter.

“I…I’m sorry. I…didn’t…I thought he was you…I…Itachi I’d never…” The raven pressed their lips together silencing him.

“I know.” He released a tiny contented sigh as Iruka relaxed in his arms and for a moment they just held each other. A shuffling from a few feet away drew their attention to Tiger and another Itachi who was holding a kunai to his throat. Iruka sighed and buried his head in the crook of Itachi’s neck.

“You can’t, baby. Much as I want you to, you can’t.”

“Hn?” Iruka smiled at the classic Uchiha grunt used in question form.

“He’s supposed to be bringing me back. How am I going to explain that he died when I bring his corpse to the village with me? They already don’t believe me about the others and for good reason. I’ve got anti-venom in my blood and wouldn’t stand a chance against him. You have to let him go.” The clone disappeared with a pop and Itachi leaned down and kissed the dark lips one more time.

“I’ll be watching.” Iruka smiled as the raven vanished. After pulling on his clothes, the two headed out towards the village in oppressive silence. As they approached the village Tiger finally spoke.

“I’m sure your Hokage would be interested in hearing that you’re fucking Akatsuki.” Iruka shot him a very Uchiha-like glare.

“No more so than your T and I (torture and interrogation) expert would be in hearing you almost raped an ally.” They walked in silence for a few more minutes letting each other’s threats sink in.

“I think we have an understanding.” With that Tiger leapt up into the trees.

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Jiro sighed as they set up camp. The past three days had been bizarre to say the least. Iruka was…scary. He’d been irritable and glaring at everything that moved since he’d gotten to their destination and his mood hadn’t lightened on the way home either. Until this morning, that is. He’d crawled from his tent this morning to see Iruka smiling while making breakfast for them. The sensei was chatty and seemed to be back to his old self…which begged the question, what exactly had changed over night?

/Flashback/

Toshi had woken Iruka for his watch before turning in for the night. He knew that he’d been behaving like a petulant teenager for days but he couldn’t seem to snap himself out of his bad mood. He missed Itachi. His body seemed to be aching for the knowledge that he was still desired. It was now just over a week since the last time they’d had sex and it was driving him up the wall. One week is not the appropriate length of time to make you irritable from lack of getting fucked. Before Itachi he’d gone without for years before it became a problem.

Sighing he pulled his hair out of its tie and massaged his scalp. A noise from the edge of the clearing made him jump to his feet. His face broke into a dazzling smile as he made out Itachi’s lean form in the shadows. Listening carefully to his former students to make sure they were asleep he crept over to the tree Itachi was leaning against. Immediately strong hands wound in his hair and pushed him up against the tree. He moaned loudly and wrapped his legs around the muscular frame, making both of them freeze as Jiro stirred in his sleeping bag. Itachi plundered his mouth silently, both of them drinking each other in like hungry animals. Finally breaking the kiss for air Iruka looked woefully at his sleeping teammates.

“I can’t leave. If something happened to them I’d never forgive myself.” The thin, pale lips descended again and Itachi pulled Iruka away from the campsite. Iruka began to protest when a second pair of hands slid up his back. His head whipped his head around in shock to find a second Itachi kissing his neck. He moaned and leaned back, kissing the second pale man ferociously. The Itachi not supporting his weight whisper in his ear,

“I’ll watch them. If anything comes up we’ll transport you back.” Iruka moaned again, grinding himself furiously against the man holding him. A brief chakra surge and they were transported away from the clearing into a limestone cave. Itachi set him down and commanded him to strip. Like he needed to be told!

After stripping bare Iruka shivered in the cool, dank air as Itachi stared at him. He took a step towards the still fully clothed Akatsuki when a throat clearing from behind him made him spin again. There, sprawled out on his bedroll was a fully naked Itachi. Confused, Iruka turned back to the first who was smirking and nodded for him to join the clothe-less man. Iruka, completely forgetting that under that bedroll was hard ground and not a bed, jumped on Itachi making them both groan in pain. He whispered an apology before winding his hands in the black silk and crushing their lips together. The dark lips and sparkling, white teeth slid down the pale, naked flesh and Itachi decided he wouldn’t hold a grudge. And when the warm mouth descended further and he felt hot breath on his twitching member he groaned loudly and carded his hands into the chocolate locks.

“Aaah! Forgiven.” He looked down to see those warm brown eyes sparkling with mischief, the full dark lips so close to his cock. He bucked his hips but Iruka pulled back and waggled a finger in a very teacher like manner.

“Tsk-tsk. Patience, Killer.” Itachi arched and elegant, black brow. Was his chuunin teasing him? A nip on his inner thigh told him that may be the case. Well, two could play at this game.

Iruka slowly slid his hands up the insides of the alabaster thighs and bit into one of the pale hips. Itachi hissed and thrust upward as the abused flesh was tongued. Nervous but wracked with desire, Iruka moved his mouth to over Itachi’s throbbing cock. He’d only ever had this beautiful piece of flesh between his lips but this was the first time he’d really wanted it there. Licking his lips he dropped his head so that his lips brushed the velvety skin. His heart slammed into his chest as he tried to push down his insecurities and opened his mouth. Suddenly another pair of hands grabbed him tightly. The Itachi that had carried him here was now naked and kneeling behind him. Pale arms slid under his and hands wound into the dark hair and much to everyone in the room’s surprise the Itachi started whispering in Iruka’s ear.

“Is thinking about sucking that cock making you hard? Do you want to feel it slide in between hot lips of yours? Feel your mouth stretch around it?” Iruka moaned and bucked as his captor ground against him. His arms were released and the pale hands began exploring his torso as Itachi reformed the love bite on his neck.

Itachi watched from his back the very erotic sight of himself all over Iruka.. It was spectacular and made him wonder why he’d never done it before. He watched his hand slide down and tickle Iruka’s hip, the pathetic and sexy sounds coming from the brunette as he was teased driving him wild. Finally he stood before the pair, trying to wrap his head around watching himself ravage the bronze body beneath him while his cock bobbed just above their heads.

Itachi plunged his tongue into Iruka’s mouth, grinding himself against Iruka a little more forcefully. He spread the golden cheeks and teased the perfect hole with his finger making Iruka gasp and push back, but Itachi removed the finger immediately.

“Aren’t you forgetting something, Chuunin?” Iruka’s gaze was guided forward to where Itachi was standing over him, member presented like an offering. “Suck him. He’s waiting.” The finger was back, taunting him and Iruka mewled and leaned forward to grasp the hips but Itachi pinned his arms with his free hand. “No. Just your mouth. That, hot, sexy mouth.” Something wet swept from the corner of his mouth across his upper lip and the chuunin whimpered as Itachi licked him. The brown eyes slid shut in ecstasy as a hand finally began to stroke his now purpling member.

“Oh, gods! Fuck!” There was a chuckle from both in front and behind him.

“No, Chuunin. You have to suck before we fuck.” These words tossed Iruka back into the land of the coherent and he tilted his body forward and took as much of Itachi in his mouth as he could.

Even though he had been expecting it, even though he’d been watching and saw Iruka open his mouth his knees almost buckled from the sensations of the warm, eager, oh gods, so eager, mouth around him. Iruka was not very skilled but he more than made up for it with his desire to please. Itachi whispered directions in the tan ear coaxing Iruka to try something new as the brunette became more and more comfortable.

“Yeah, that’s it, Chuunin. You look so hot with his cock in your mouth, with my cock in your mouth. Fuck, yeah. Run your tongue along it. That’s it. Look at him Chuunin. Look at how much pleasure you give him. Only you can do this for him. Only you make him feel that good, like a god.” Itachi released Iruka’s arms and the chuunin moaned around the leaking cock and grasped the pale hips before him, moving his head along the shaft savagely. He didn’t even pause when Itachi bucked and made him gag, pushing himself to go faster and take more. A hand fell into his hair and seeing as how two hands were already on his body he knew it was from the Itachi above him.

“Easy, Chuunin. Don’t hurt yourself.” Iruka’s eyes narrowed and he responded by digging his fingers into Itachi’s hips and ass cheeks and increasing the suction. Surprised, Itachi dropped to his knees and placed one hand on each side of the dark head, thrusting gently into Iruka’s face. Iruka forced himself not to gag and taking a deep breath swallowed as much of the cock as he could, massaging it with his throat. Itachi growled and thrust once but the other Itachi grabbed his hips as Iruka began to choke. Watery brown eyes turned upwards and the silent Itachi couldn’t stay quiet any longer.

“Gods you’re so beautiful. So fucking gorgeous. Are you crying because I hurt you?” Iruka shook his head and sucked a little harder. “You’re crying because you think you don’t please me, aren’t you?” Iruka just looked up at him, his mouth to full of dick to respond. Itachi pulled out of the hot mouth with a pop as Itachi pulled Iruka up between them.

Iruka’s lip trembled as Itachi withdrew from his mouth. He knew he’d been terrible but he’d had a couple pretty shitty blowjobs in his time and even they were worth finishing. He was being pulled off his hands but he didn’t want to look up. Itachi in front of him already knew he was crying but the shame of being so terrible at pleasing someone made it so much worse. A strong muscular chest on each side of him, hands pulling aside his hair and a hand lifting his chin. He kept his eyes lowered though still unable to meet the dark gaze of the perfect man.

“So silly, Chuunin.” The Itachi behind him whispered in his ear as he laid kisses along the bronze neck.

“So insecure.” The other Itachi hissed and he kissed the tan jaw.

“Has no idea how sexy he is.”

“How irresistible.”

“I bet every man in the village wants him.” Iruka arched violently and screamed as a lubed finger slid into him. A second finger quickly joined it and Iruka realized that they weren’t from the same hand…they weren’t even from the same body. Two separate Itachi’s were fingering him! The Itachi in front of him licked his cheeks, wiping away the remnants of the salty tears with his tongue.

“But my sweet Chuunin only lets me into his bed.” Another finger slid in, stretching him carefully before another slid in along with it.

“Into his body…” The fingers from two hands twisted and thrust.

“His mind…”

“His heart…”

Iruka’s concept of reality and all rational thought disintegrated. Two Itachi’s. Two broad chests on either side of him. Two heads of long, black, silky hair. Two pairs of lips hungrily exploring his face and neck while alternating lines of praise. Two pairs of charcoal eyes watching his ever shiver and gasp. FOUR hands caressing him inside and out. He now had five fingers inside of him and was beginning to feel very full. He began to squirm and whimper as they worked.

“Shhh, Chuunin. You have to be stretched for what we’re going to do.” Iruka quirked an eye brown in question but when realization set in he bucked onto their fingers and screamed like barbarian.

“Oh fuck! You’re both going to fuck me! Oh gods, yes! I’m gonna cum! Aaah!” But just as he was about to shoot his load all over the pale stomach he felt a familiar tingle around the base of his cock. He looked down to see a ring of blue chakra around his now painfully hard erection. He sobbed lightly at the theft of his orgasm but Itachi smiled a soft, mildly sadistic smile and ran his long elegant fingers over the head. Iruka screamed again and his body convulsed in a dry release, his ass clenching around the now six fingers buried inside him.

Itachi smirked as the shaking tan body collapsed on Itachi, their fingers still in the tight passageway. Itachi looked up at him from behind Iruka’s shoulder.

“He may be too tight. I don’t know if this will work. W e could hurt him.” But Iruka grabbed a handful of black hair from both in front and behind him.

“Oh gods, please try! I’ll be okay just please…gods, please try!” Both Itachis smirked at how needy Iruka sounded. Sliding so that the chatty Itachi was being straddled by the Itachi in front of him they slicked up their erections.

“Okay, go slow, Chuunin. Stop if it’s too much.” Four hands positioned him over the pulsing cocks and lowered him until both members were pressing against him. Iruka pressed down but that was clearly not going to work. One slick member slid into him and thrust a couple of times before two fingers slid in beside it. Iruka whimpered and dropped his forehead to the Itachi in front of him’s chest. Two strong arms wrapped around him as kisses were strung along his left shoulder.

“Are you alright, Chuunin?” Iruka nodded and groaned as the fingers began to move.

“Aaaah. Yeah, don’t stop. Nnnngh, Itachi!!” Slowly his body began to relax and Itachi thrust into him along with the fingers. The hands were lifting him again and two heads pressed against the ring of muscles. Releasing a deep breath he pressed his hips down gasping and clawing at both Itachi’s as the caps of both cocks entered him. He tried to press down more but the hands stopped him and Itachi whispered in his ear.

“Not so fast.” Iruka whimpered and tried to press down again, wincing as a little more flesh slid into him. Both Itachis chuckled.

“So eager...”

“So tight…” Strong arms lifted him and lowered him again so that he was even more filled.

“So sexy…”

“So mine…” Iruka gasped as their breaths caressed him and they began to work in and out in a precise rhythm. Groans and cries echoed of the walls of the cave as the trio worked to get both cocks buried in the tan body. Finally with a guttural scream Iruka thrust downward and could feel both laps beneath him. He leaned back into Itachi’s shoulder as Itachi kissed down his Adam’s apple and dropped his lips to one of the pert, dusky nipples. Iruka began to sob at the feeling of being so completely surrounded and filled.

“Oh gods! So good. So good!” Both Itachi’s chuckled as they resumed their slow pounding of the incredibly stretched ass.

“That’s it Chuunin. Does it feel good? Do you like two cocks inside you?” Iruka cried and lifted his weight giving them more room.

“YES! Fuck Itachi. Only you. You feel so good. Please I…I need to cum!” A hand slid over his member and his body was wracked with another dry orgasm. His screams were accompanied by grunts and groans of the two men inside him as he contracted around them.

“So close, Chuunin…”

“So fucking tight…” Iruka felt the band of chakra disappear from around the base of his member and their speed increased. Suddenly the Itachi in front of him’s face contorted in bliss and he felt hot fluid pouring inside of him. His body clenched again as he erupted like a volcano all over Itachi and himself. Itachi held him vertical as he thrust upwards mercilessly, the cum acting as increased lubrication. Grunts of pleasure spewed from behind him as Iruka rode out his orgasm and Itachi emptied himself into the overflowing hole. Iruka gasped and convulsed once more before he blacked out, collapsing on one raven as another stroked his back and hair.

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Iruka awoke to warmth and the gentle caressing of his back. He opened his eyes to see Itachi smiling softly at him. It was easily the most shocking and beautiful thing he’d ever seen. He smiled back just resting and enjoying the spectacular view of his lover’s face. Panic flowed into his body as he clutched the pale arms.

“How long was I out? What time is it?” Itachi chuckled and kissed the tan forehead.

“You were only out for twenty minutes. It’s still the middle of the night.” Iruka smiled and cuddled into the broad chest. It was only after a minute or two of relaxing that he realized there were too many hands on him. He craned his neck and saw the second Itachi smirking at him.

“Hi there.” Iruka groaned and rolled on his back, covering his eyes with one of his arms.

“Congratulations, you did ruin me. How could I EVER even think of sleeping with someone else after that? Two of you…fuck! That was so good I think it took a year off my life.” Both pale men chuckled and kissed the bronze neck. Iruka smiled and ran his hands through the black silky hair.

“So which one of you is real?” The Itachi on his left smirked and winked making Iruka grin widely. “And which one of you was behind me?” The same Itachi winked again and Iruka laughed. “Who new you were so chatty?” Itachi frowned and looked away. Iruka turned his face back towards him. “It was so hot. I never thought I’d hear you whisper those dirty things in my ear.” A small smirk formed on the scowling face and Itachi purred deeply. Iruka reached back and pulled the other Itachi flush against him.

“I never thought I’d see you smile or hear you laugh either.” He lay there in complete bliss, wrapped up in two pairs of strong arms. Humming his contentment, Iruka cuddled into the warmth of the bodies.

“Itachi?”

“Hn?”

“What…what is going to happen to us? Will we always have to hide like this? It’s worth it but…”

“Grey.” Iruka looked up at Itachi who was staring at the roof of the cave.

“Huh?”

“My favorite colour is grey.”

“Okay, but seriously…”

“Kisame and I get along well enough, though he’s been a pain in the ass for the past three months.” Iruka chuckled.

“YOU think he’s a pain in the ass?” Itachis’ arms tightened around him in way of apology for letting Kisame hurt him.

“I miss the village all the time but it’s been even harder since I met you.” Iruka couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Itachi was pouring his heart to him. He stroked the pale, chiseled jaw but Itachi kept his eyes averted. It didn’t really matter though. This was a moment he never expected from the cold hearted killer.

“I never answered your questions because leaving you was always hard enough as it was.” A small undignified noise rose from the back of Iruka’s throat and he tried to pull Itachi back towards him but the Uchiha remained fixed. So instead he pressed back into the Itachi behind him, kissing the long, thin fingers gently but never taking his eyes off his real lover. The questions that were left were the hardest and the black eyes slid closed as if trying to block out painful images.

“I never wanted to hurt Sasuke. Growing up he was the only person I ever gave a damn about. And now he’s off with that snake, who’s doing god knows what to him just so he can get strong enough to kill me.” The tortured, black eyes turned to him, making Iruka’s heart break.

“I was trying to protect him.” Iruka abandoned the Itachi behind him and pulled the raven before him into his arms. His tears ran down onto the pale face as he pressed his lips to the soft skin.

Itachi felt the full lips tremble against his face. He loved that this man, this teacher, this…no…his chuunin could show all the emotions that he’d long since beaten out of himself. He couldn’t cry for anyone anymore and here Iruka’s tears were dripping down onto his face. He kissed the streams of sadness off the tan cheeks and tucked the chocolate head under his chin.

“I-Itachi…I…I lov-.” Jerking back Itachi pressed his lips to Iruka’s to silence him.

‘Don’t say that, Chuunin. Don’t ever say that. Once you say that I’m completely lost.’ With a finger pressed to the full lips he gazed into Iruka’s eyes wishing he hadn’t. It was all there. Every word he couldn’t stand to hear, every emotion he wanted to pretend wasn’t real was pouring out of those expressive, coffee orbs. Those eyes seemed to burn past his layers of defense that he’d spent years building and his finger slid off of the lips.

Iruka gazed into the charcoal eyes which seemed so conflicted. Did Itachi want him to say it now? Was that fear in those black depths? He opened his mouth to ask but the black eyes widened and the powerful frame sat bolt upright.

“Your team is up. Get dressed.” Iruka threw on his clothes, searching for his hiatai frantically. Itachi pulled him into his arms and tied the elusive headband around his forehead before the cave disappeared.

Iruka could hear Toshi calling him.

“Yeah! I’m here. Go back to bed!”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m making out with Akatsuki…I’m taking a piss! What do you think I’m doing?” He heard a low rumble in his lover’s chest and he smiled up at him. The kissed fiercely and finally broke apart. Itachi watched Iruka walk back to his teammate and settle by the fire before striding away.

He clutched his chest as pain entered his heart for the first time in ages. Even when he’d found out that Sasuke had left the village he hadn’t allowed himself to feel but now…now the years of repressed emotions seemed to be crushing him in this one single moment, tearing away everything he knew and cramming the gaping void in him with cinnamon skin, chocolate hair and eyes, and a smile that would make holy men sin and sinners repent. Pushing those thoughts from his mind he headed off to find his partner; they had a Grass nin to kill.

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Kakashi leaned against the side of the building with his bright orange book in hand, looking very bored and lazy like he usually did. However, anyone watching him closely would notice that he hadn’t flipped a page in half an hour and his eye kept darting to a group of young chuunins and genins not far away.

“I mean…it could be true. Who else could take out fifteen men by themselves? Either the Rock ninjas suck or Iruka-sensei has more skills than he lets on.”

“But a hunter nin? Come on! Think about Iruka-sensei for a second. Do you really think that he could hunt down and kill rogue nins? People he knew, grew up with or even taught? It’s not in his nature.” Jiro looked at the genin kunochi and shook his head.

“I didn’t think so either but…well…when we were on the mission he was…different.”

“What do you mean ‘different’?”

“He was cold and snappy and he had this glare that was absolutely bone chilling. I’m not saying one way or another but I’ve never seen him like that before.”

Having heard enough Kakashi closed his book and moved past the group and out into the street. Spotting Iruka, he slid in beside him at Ichiraku’s.

“So ‘Ruka, are the rumors true?” Iruka groaned and dropped his head to the counter.

“Fuuuuuck. Not you too. I’m going to kill those boys for spreading that rumor.” The jounin chuckled and patted his friend on the back.

“Maybe everyone is still talking about it because they haven’t heard you deny it yet.” Iruka looked up at Kakashi, his head still on the ledge.

“Look at me! I shouldn’t have to deny it. I should be dead and now Lady Tsunade keeps trying to convince me to take the jounin exam.”

“Well, maybe you should. You’re more than capable even if you ignore your somewhat miraculous last mission.”

“Noooo. First of all it was not somewhat miraculous. That monstrosity of a mission was easily the biggest fluke in the history of the planet. Secondly, I like teaching. I don’t want to give up my position, which I’d have to if I was promoted. Thirdly, not only am I not good enough to be a jounin, I’m not mentally tough enough either. I just want to keep taking simple missions and spend my evenings at home alone. Is that really so much to ask?”

“Hmmph. If that’s what you really want,” the jounin pulled down Iruka’s collar to expose the still dark purple hickey, “but something tells me you haven’t been spending that much time alone.”

Iruka straightened up and jerked up his collar shooting Kakashi his newly discovered Uchiha glare. The older nin held up his hands in defense.

“Whoa! No need for that. I think you just iced up my veins with that look. So…are you going to tell me who gave you that love bite?” Iruka blushed scarlet and became very interested in the remainders of his lunch.

“I don’t think so.” Kakashi chuckled and bumped the chuunin’s shoulder.

“Come oooooon. I can keep a secret.” Iruka scowled and turned away.

“No. Just drop it, okay?”

“Oooh. Did you and your mystery squeeze get in a fight? Does that mean you’re back on the market?” Iruka glared furiously at his friend before tossing some money on the counter and turned to leave. “‘Ruka…”

“Fuck off, Kakashi.” The jounin jumped up to follow but to his surprise Iruka spun around to face him. “Just stop, okay? I don’t want to talk about it, especially not with you!” Kakashi’s mouth fell open behind his mask and he stared at one of his closest friends in shock. A wave of guilt washed through Iruka and he ran a hand over his restrained hair in frustration.

“Why does everything have to be a joke to you? It pisses me off that you think my life is so hilarious. Fuck! Why do you always make me feel like I’m flying off the handle? You’re the one being a jerk!” Kakashi dropped his gaze to Iruka’s feet.

“I’m sorry. I thought you liked how we joke around. I’ll leave you alone like you want.” Iruka groaned loudly and grabbed the retreating nin’s arm pulling him into a tight hug.

“I’m sorry. I’m just really on edge right now. I do like how you make me laugh. It just hits the wrong buttons when I’m in a mood like this.” The jounin’s arms tightened around the smaller man and he nuzzled the top of the chocolate head, both of them completely oblivious that their embrace was drawing the attention of several villagers.

“What’s going on Iruka? You’ve been acting strange for months. Most of the time you’re…you, carefree or embarrassed but then you do a one-eighty and you’re defensive, withdrawn or downright hostile. Talk to me. We’re friends, aren’t we?” Iruka sighed and gently pushed Kakashi away.

“Yeah, Kakashi. You’re the best friend I’ve got…but I can’t talk about it, not right now anyway. Come on, walk me home.” Kakashi nodded and slung an arm over Iruka’s shoulder in a purely platonic manner and Iruka smiled up at him. Yes, this was okay. If Iruka needed a close friend he would be more than happy to be there for him. Maybe eventually it would progress but for the time being he would drop the innuendo and concentrate on what Iruka needed.

Iruka grabbed his mail outside his door, flipping through it as Kakashi danced around the issue of the hickey. Smirking as the jounin teased him he ripped open an envelope with no return address. He pulled out the folded note and a long sliver chain fell to the ground. Kakashi stopped talking as Iruka read the letter that had only a date, two days ago, and one simple line written on it.

See you in two weeks.

Iruka’s wistful moment was interrupted by a loud yelp. He looked at Kakashi who was glaring at the chain on the floor like it bit him.

“What’s wrong?” Kakashi looked up at him and then back at the floor in disbelief.

“It…It burned me!” Iruka laughed at the completely incredulous look on his friend’s face and scooped the necklace off the ground. The long, thin silver chain was plain except for a simple round pendant with I.U engraved on each side. Iruka smiled, realizing for the first time that they had the same initials making the gift completely innocuous.

“It’s fine, see?” Iruka held the necklace out in his hand towards Kakashi who hesitated but plucked the chain out of Iruka’s hand. It barely touched his skin before he hissed in pain and dropped it again. Iruka inspected his hand which had a thin blister running across all four fingers.

“I don’t believe it!”

“What the hell is that thing?” Iruka chuckled to himself, scooping up the chain he placed it around his neck and tucked it into his shirt.

“What a psycho.”

“Did you just call me a psycho?” Iruka looked up shocked, forgetting that Kakashi was still here.

“Uh, no. Sorry. It must react to chakra signatures that aren’t mine.”

“Who would send you something like that?” Kakashi was now very interested in the gift. “Would it be someone who, from the look of your neck, thinks they’re a vampire?” Iruka blushed and punched the jounin in the shoulder.

“Shut up. Are you okay?” Kakashi inspected his hand and nodded.

“I think whoever sent it is a possessive nutcase!” Iruka smiled softly and nodded.

“Yeah, I guess he is.” He clapped a hand to his forehead when Kakashi elbowed him in the side.

“He? Oooooh. Now we’re getting somewhere. So, do you pitch or catch?”

“Oh for the love of…go away ‘Kashi.” The jounin began to walk away, laughing the whole time. Iruka unlocked his door but Kakashi’s voice made him turn.

“Hey ‘Ruka. If you were pitching you would have answered the question.” The brown eyes rolled and he half heartedly slammed the door.

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Iruka tried to keep his pace slow as he half walked half ran home from the academy. This was the first time he knew to expect Itachi and he wanted to make tonight as romantic as possible. He felt giddy as he thought about his fridge that was full of amazing food and wine, the dozens of pillar candles he’d bought last week and the cd he’d compiled with the perfect mixture of sensual songs that reminded him of the sexy raven. His pulse raced as his building came into view. When he reached the stairs he took them three at a time pausing only to wave to Kotetsu who was clearly trying to get him to stay and chat. It was only five o’clock and he had no idea when Itachi would be coming but he wasn’t going to be caught unprepared, not tonight.

The next four hours flew by. Well the first two hours flew by, the last two dragged on in endless, torturous perpetuity. After having a shower and setting the candles out all over the apartment, he cooked up a batch of tempura chicken and vegetables and completely mangled over half of the sushi he was trying to wrap. He set out the wine and two glasses on the table with the food and then proceeded to the bathroom for the longest primping session he’d ever partaken in. It only killed about half an hour and soon he was wandering around his apartment shuffling piles of junk into drawers and cupboards, picking the more sloppily rolled sushi off the tray and changing his clothes several times. Finally at just after nine he changed into a pair of loose jeans and left his chest bare, bare except for the long silver chain that hung directly between his nipples, and lit all the candles. After putting his new CD on repeat he settled down on the couch with a stack of papers. After about an hour of distractedly trying to work, he fell asleep.

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Itachi pressed his back against the wall of the shop and held his breath as a patrol passed a few feet away from him. It was harder to get into the village tonight than it had ever been. He darted from one alley way to another carefully masking his presence. He stepped out into a street and froze as he saw a man walking towards him. The man who was walking to wards him had his face buried behind an orange book and his shock of sliver hair splayed out over the top of the cover. Kakashi. Itachi remembered him well but who didn’t? He quickly henged into the first person he could think of.

Kakashi looked up to see Iruka walking towards him, trying to avoid his eye.

“Hey ‘Ruka…What’s with the henge?” Itachi forced himself into Iruka’s state of mind and bit his lip shyly. This just felt too wrong. He was getting turned on by acting like his chuunin.

“Aaaaah trying to hide that hickey, huh?” Itachi tried not to both smirk at the idea that his mark of possession had been seen and his rage that Kakashi had gotten close enough to see it. “So, it’s after eleven and you’re still out and about. What’s the occasion?” Itachi was getting nervous now. He didn’t really know Iruka well enough to hold a conversation as him; they didn’t really do much talking.

“I just needed some fresh air but it’s late and I should get home. Good night Kakashi-san.” Kakashi just nodded and watched Iruka walk away.

‘Kakashi-san? That wasn’t Iruka.’

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When Itachi appeared in the apartment the sight that greeted him nearly took his breath away. The room was lit by the soft glow of dozens of vanilla and cinnamon scented candles. He shrugged off his cloak and ran a finger along the tray holding the now cold tempura, smiling softly at the trouble Iruka had taken to make every thing perfect. The whirl of the cd player restarting the disk lured him into the living room where he let his gaze fall on the brunette sleeping deeply on the couch. A stack of papers littered the floor from where they had fallen from Iruka’s hand. Carefully sidestepping them Itachi lowered himself gently to the sofa, watching the naked chest rise and fall rhythmically. As the music began to play again he trailed his fingers along the chain that lay against the bronze skin.

/I would die for you. I would die for you. I’ve been dying just to feel you by my side. To know that you’re mine./

Iruka stirred but didn’t wake and Itachi pulled off his shirt, trailing the fingers over the chuunin’s naked arms. Leaning down, he inhaled deeply; his sharp eyes watching the soft hairs on sensitive skin stand up as his breath caressed the side of the tan neck.

/I would cry for you. I would cry for you. I will wash away your pain with all my tears. And drown your fear./

Iruka took a long drawn breath before his eyes flew open and his body tensed.

“Shhh, it’s me, Chuunin.” Iruka gasped and carded his hands in the black hair, pulling the raven’s head beside his and nuzzling the pale temple. Itachi sat up, dragging his chuunin with him, pressing their lips together in a slow, passionate embrace. Their tongues caressed and soothed as they sunk deeply into each other’s mouths, reveling in the perfection of the intimate moment. Iruka mewled and whimpered as Itachi sucked his tongue and nipped as his lips and the S-class criminal marveled at how sweet the warm cavern tasted.

/I would pray for you. I would pray for you. I would sell my soul for something pure and true…someone like you./

Breaking the kiss for air, pale hands began to caress the tan face, the soft skin on bridges of their noses rubbing affectionately.

“Did you eat anything?” Itachi whispered as he pecked the horizontal scar that ran between Iruka’s cheek bones. Iruka shook his head, his eyes closed in pleasure like a pet being stroked as the pale lips darted around his face. “Then we should eat.” Itachi tried to stand up but the chuunin pulled him back down and pressed him against the back of the couch. Grunting in surprise the raven smirked as the smaller man crawled on top of him and straddled his lap. “Not hungry?” Iruka smiled slyly and began to rock his hips in time with the slow hypnotic beat making Itachi throw his head back and moan.

“I’m famished.” The breathy whisper into the obsidian hair set them both into a frenzy, clawing and mauling each other in a furious attempt to get closer, to feel and taste more.

/See your face every place that I’m walkin’. Hear your voice every time that I’m talkin’./

The low murmur of Itachi’s name pushed them even further, each of them struggling out of their pants while keeping the fierce intensity of the moment.

/You will believe in me…and I will never be ignored./

Soon both men were completely naked except for the necklace bouncing on the tan chest. As their bodies, slick with sweat slid together Iruka dragged his nails down Itachi’s neck, making the younger nin hiss in pleasure and pain.

/I will burn for you. Feel pain for you. I would twist the knife and bleed my aching heart…and tear it apart./

The chuunin lifted his weight off the long lap, his lips parting as hot flesh pressed against his opening. Gripping the sides of the angular pale face, his fingers curling into the black hair, Iruka gazed into the bottomless dark of his lover’s eyes and slowly lowered himself on to the hard member.

/I would lie for you. Beg and steal for you. I would crawl on hands and knees until you see…you’re just like me./

The chuunin’s head fell back in ecstasy as he bucked against the pale chest. Itachi strong hands slid up his back, bracing him as he swung his hips, moving up and down on the erect shaft.

/Violate all the love that I’m missin’. Throw away all the pain that I’m livin’. You will believe in me, and I will never be ignored./

They moved against each other slowly, nothing in their movements hurried or frantic.

/I would die for you./

Itachi ran his tongue over the tan jugular making Iruka moan and tilt his chin down to capture the pale lips.

/I would kill for you…/

The powerful, bronze legs flexed raising the lithe body up and down, both men sighing and moaning into each other’s mouths.

/I will steal for you.../

Pulling back their eyes locked heatedly and they lost themselves in the pleasure of the moment.

/I’d do time for you.../

Itachi tangled a hand in the chocolate hair and pulled their foreheads together.

/I will wait for you…/

Through the sweat and the electric sensations both men slowly came to the same conclusion.

/I’d sail ships for you…/

Nothing about what was happening to them and between them was just about sex anymore.

/To be close to you…/

Itachi looked up at the face contorted in desire and realized that that they hadn’t just fucked for over a month, they were making love.

/To be a part of you…/

Iruka gazed down at the usually porcelain face that was tinted pink and understood how far past infatuation he truly was.

/‘Cause I believe in you…/

Their lips met gently in admission of how deep they were each feeling as they both approached their climax.

/I believe in you…/

Both of their grips tightened as waves of pleasure crashed over them, their frames shaking as both body and mind were wracked with release. Panting, Iruka collapsed forward, burying his dripping face in the slightly tussled black, silky locks. They lay together, their sweaty bodies cooling in the night air.

/I would die for you…/

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They ate with Iruka on Itachi’s lap teasing and kissing as they sucked food from each other’s fingers and mouths. After another round of carnal pleasure they were lying on Iruka’s bed stroking each other’s hair.

“‘Tachi?” The chuunin’s heart was in his throat. He’d never done something as colossally stupid as what he was about to. Itachi raised an eyebrow and grunted, pulling Iruka’s head into his. “Why…” The older nin drew a deep breath and tightened his hold on his lover. “Why…” No matter how hard he tried he couldn’t seem to make his mouth form the words. Itachi licked the full pouty lips before pressing their mouths together in a quick, chaste kiss.

“Just ask.”

“Why did you kill your clan?” The body in his arms went rigid and dread spread through the cinnamon chuunin. Itachi pushed out of his arms and slid to the edge of the bed.

“Itachi, I’m sorry. Please don’t go. I…don’t need to know. I’m sorry!” Iruka disentangled himself from the sheets but froze when he saw Itachi lean forward as he sat on the edge of the bed, rest his arms on his knees and drag a hand over his face in a worn-down manner. Suddenly the elder Uchiha look so much older than his tender years and Iruka scarcely breathed, waiting to hear what the raven was about to say.

A heavy silence descended between them for a minute that seemed like an eternity. Finally, drawing a deep breath and releasing it in a sigh Itachi began.

“You can never repeat what I’m about to tell you.” Iruka nodded and crawled forward, stopping before he reached the broad pale back when he saw the muscles tighten. So he waited his mind racing with the possibilities. What could possibly be worse than what the story already was?

“Do you know about the war before the village was formed?” Iruka looked at the back of the bowed head in shock, not expecting the answer to be this complicated. Sliding forward again he trailed his fingers down Itachi’s shoulder blades trying to unstuck his voice.

“Uuuh, yeah. Of course. The Uchiha and the Senju clans were the most powerful forces in the land. The war dragged on for years as they fought for control of the territory.”

“Actually it lasted a lot longer than that. When the alliance was formed Uchiha Mardra,” Itachi spit the name out like it was poison, “thought that the newly formed Konoha was trying to subdue the Uchiha by choosing Senju Hashirama as the first Hokage. He tried to stand against the decision but no one in the glad stood with him, everyone too afraid they would be plunged back into war. He fought the first at the valley end and when he was defeated everyone thought that the animosity was dead and buried.” Iruka rested his forehead against his lover’s back, pressing his lips to the scarred skin.

“Please, go on.”

“The second Hokage created the military police and gave entire control of the outfit to the Uchiha clan as a symbol of his and the village’s trust in them. Many of the clan saw this as a way of secluding the clan from the general population. Animosity stirred underneath the surface of our united village for ninety years. Then when I was moved to jounin my family came to me and told me to accept the ANBU position I’d been offered. They wanted me close to the third so that I could feed them information about the village.” Iruka felt his head spin, his confusion making him feel very stupid with the genius Uchiha.

“But why…”

“They were planning a coup d’etat.” Iruka didn’t gasp because his chest tightened to the point of paralysis. The whole room began to tilt dangerously as his brain screamed for oxygen. His fingers dug into Itachi’s shoulders as his vision started to go dark. A muscular arm reached back and pulled the tan and fair frames closer. Feeling the warmth of the body before him, Iruka took a deep shuddering breath and laid his cheek on Itachi.

“Oh gods…”

“I love this village. I always have. I didn’t want there to be a repeat of the past, civilians, young genin, my brother, would all be unable to escape the horrors of war. I couldn’t let that happen so I became a double agent telling the council and the Third everything I could about what they were planning. When the situation was finally coming to a head, the council put forth a plan to end the ‘Uchiha problem’ once and for all. They ordered me to kill the entire clan and leave the village, keeping the council’s hands seemingly clean.” A wave of nausea and disillusionment washed over the chuunin as he clung to his lover in absolute shock.

“No…no! They couldn’t! They…they made you do it? They actually asked you to kill your whole family? I…oh ‘Tachi.” For the first time in his life Iruka understood that even though he had suffered, lost friends and family, bled and cried for the village, he was a child, small and naïve compared to this younger man who had given up his entire life because of an order.

“But the Sandimane, he…”

“The third was against it from the beginning but the council over ruled him. In the end he came through enough for me. They wanted the entire clan dead but…I couldn’t kill Sasuke. He was still so young and pure; he had no idea about the plot, an innocent academy student. So Sarutobi-sama promised me that he would keep my secret and protect my brother. I told Sasuke to get stronger. I wanted him to kill me for what I’d done. He would become the hero of the village and I would have absolution for the betrayal of my family.”

“You could come back. It was an order; you shouldn’t have to stay away. You could come back and…”

“No. I made my choice a long time ago. The village would never accept me and I still hope that Sasuke will return eventually. He deserves his revenge; it’s all he knows now.” Iruka’s tears ran down Itachi’s back and he took several shuddering breaths trying to put together everything he just heard. Itachi wasn’t the monster everyone else thought he was. He was waiting for his little brother whom he loved to track him down and kill him.

“I…I don’t want you to die.” The pale shoulders shuddered and Iruka pulled the sheet of black hair away from the handsome face. His lips parted in shock as Itachi craned his neck and leaned back into him, two fat tears rolling down the perfect cheek bones.

“Then you’ve given me more than I ever expected to get out of life.” They held each other in silence for hours, neither wanting to fall asleep for fear that the dream would shatter and they’d be left in the seeming cold by comparison lives they had before.

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It was almost dawn and Itachi knew he had to go but he just couldn’t tear himself out of his chuunin’s arms. He kissed Iruka again and again. Even as they moved out of the bedroom and he pulled on his cloak he couldn’t seem to make himself leave the apartment. Iruka’s smiling eyes kept pulling him back in deeper and deeper until he stopped trying to force himself to leave and pressed the naked, tan back against the wall, sucking on the lean neck.

Iruka frowned as suddenly the thin lips stopped moving and Itachi’s entire body went tense. The brown eyes flew wide as long elegant fingers flew through hand signs and vines sprouted from the wall and twisted around his arms and legs.

“Itachi? What…” His words died in his chest as a kunai was pressed against his throat. Itachi leaned over his shoulder and whispered in his ear.

“I’m sorry, Chuunin. I should never have let you get so close.” Iruka felt tears streaming down his face from his confusion. Why was this happening? How could Itachi do this after all that had happened, after everything he’d said? A hand cupped his face, pushing his cheek against his lover’s, everything about the touch screaming regret.

“Goodbye, Iruka.”

The doors and windows were all kicked in simultaneously and a dozen ANBU stormed the small apartment. Itachi jerked away from Iruka, kunai posed to strike. Iruka gasped as Itachi threw the ox masked ANBU across the room and raised the knife to cut down Rabbit who had moved in next.

“No!” Itachi froze at the cry from his lover and was tackled to the floor, chakra restraints attached to his hands. Ibiki strode into the room with Hound-san and wrenched Itachi’s head up by his hair.

“Just couldn’t stay away, could you, murderer? You and I are going to spend some quality time together. Teach you that we don’t like traitors who rape our friends.” Iruka gasped again and opened his mouth to tell them everything but a look from the cool, black eyes kept him quiet as they dragged Itachi to his feet and out the door.

Kakashi rushed to Iruka who looked so pale he thought the younger man was going to pass out.

“It’s okay. We’ve got him. You’re safe now. Ibiki will show him how stupid it was for him to come here.” He dispelled the vine jutsu, catching Iruka and lowering him to the floor as he collapsed.

“This…you did this. You’re the reason he was caught, aren’t you?” Iruka sobbed, clutching his knees. Kakashi nodded and crouched down in front of Iruka.

“I saw him last night, henged as you. I…” He was cut off as a growl of rage echoed off the walls of the apartment and he found himself on his back, Iruka straddling his lap and slamming him into the floor again and again.

“I hate you! You son of a bitch! Why couldn’t you just stay out of it?” Kakashi gripped Iruka’s wrists and moved to push him off when the pendant hanging down over his masked face. Suddenly everything made sense. He read the initials on the on the pendant seeing clearly what was going on. Iruka’s purple neck, his miraculous slaying of fifteen people, the possessive necklace, his mystery lover…Itachi Uchiha. He gazed up at the tan face, twisted in fury and utter sorrow, tears plinking off his white porcelain mask.

Iruka was shaking with emotion as he slammed the ANBU’s back into the floor. Suddenly he had to know exactly who had ruined everything for him. Who’s fault it was that Itachi was going to be tortured and killed unjustly. He wrenched his wrists from the pale grip and pulled down the hood revealing a mass of silver spikes. He gasped and pushed off Kakashi, sliding backwards until he bumped the wall.

“Noooo. Fuck, Kakashi, why? Why did it have to be you?” The hound mask was pulled off as Kakashi sat up.

“I didn’t know…but…what the hell, ‘Ruka? Itachi Uchiha? Are you out of your mind? Did you forget what he did?”

“He’s not what you think. He never was. I…I love him…with every ounce of my being.”

“I don’t understand.” Iruka dropped his forehead to his knees, curling into a tight ball.

“You’re not supposed to. Go away. I need to be alone.”

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The crowd in the monitor room was raucous as they watched Ibiki work on the village’s most deadly enemy. They cheered as a spurt of blood shot out from their enemies mouth and hit the white wall.

“Freak isn’t even flinching. The boss sure has his work cut out for him.”

Ibiki teleported into the room, wiping his bloody hands on a towel.

“He needs a minute to think about his answers. Ah, Hound. Did you take Iruka-sensei to the hospital?” Kakashi, who had just entered the room, shook his head.

“He didn’t need to go. He’s requested some leave. I’ll be taking him to the Hokage later, he needs some time…..He knows who I am.” The admittance of breaking ANBU cover silenced the room.

“That is unfortunate but not a big deal Hound. You’re just a part timer and I think he can keep a secret. Is he alright?” Kakashi kept his eyes on the monitor.

“Physically he’s fine. Mentally…I just don’t know what to think.” Ibiki could tell that there was more to that statement than concern. “I want to talk to him.” Kakashi gestured to the screen. “I think I can get some answers.” The master interrogator would normally have scoffed at the idea that anyone was better at his job than he was…but this was hardly a normal situation or a normal prisoner and Kakashi was acting oddly. Well, more oddly than usual. So he nodded his consent and the jounin appeared on the monitor in the small windowless, doorless room, his mere appearance getting more of a reaction from Itachi than two hours of torture had.

Kakashi stared down at Itachi who looked up as he materialized in the room. The man was a mess. The whole room reeked of blood and the criminal’s left arm and shoulder appeared to be broken. Pulling chakra into his hand he performed a mediocre healing jutsu to mend the bones.

“How long have you been seeing him?” The black eyes widened and turned to meet his one stormy grey eye.

“Did you see that?”

“Why is he healing him?”

“Does it matter? He got a reaction. What the hell is he saying?” The monitor room was a buzz of questions as they watched Kakashi and Itachi interact.

“Okay, everyone out!” Ibiki hissed and though there were protests and grunts of discontent, the room cleared.

“I need to know something and if that’s the only question you answer, that’s fine. Do you love him?” The black eyes revealed nothing and for several minutes they just sat in silence. Finally, Itachi dropped his eyes and Kakashi could see emotion peeking through the cuts and swelling in the face.

“You do, don’t you. Fuck. What a disaster.” Kakashi sighed, fingering the tube in his pocket. “I’ll be back.”

Ibiki turned as the hound masked nin appeared behind him.

“Are you going to explain to me exactly how you got him to talk? He didn’t even make a sound when I broke his arm.” Kakashi stepped closer and looked at the monitor.

“Yes.” The scarred nin flinched and looked at his arm as he felt a small prick, watching in shock as the green sedative was injected into his body. He fumbled for the alarm switch but was pulled into the center of the room.

“I will tell you everything I know eventually. Trust me that this is right.”

Itachi watched in shock as the ANBU removed his bonds and helped him to his feet.

“Why are you helping me?”

“It doesn’t seem in your nature to ask questions to which you already know the answer, Uchiha.”

They teleported out of the room to just outside Iruka’s door. Itachi moved to enter but Kakashi caught his arm.

“Say goodbye then get the hell out of here and never come back.” The black eyes narrowed fiercely but the raven head gave a curt nod before the jounin disappeared.

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Iruka rested his head against the wall, his body curled up on the floor in the corner of the room, Itachi’s cloak around his still naked shoulders. His face was gaunt and drawn but he couldn’t cry. Shock and despair pulsed through him and all he could do was stare blankly ahead, not really seeing anything. His lover was gone, sent to be tortured and killed by his best friend. He shifted as the familiar feeling of being watched settled on him but he didn’t look around. Anyone who came in now would see him huddled in the corner like a child, wrapped up in an Akatsuki cloak, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. As melodramatic as it seemed, he felt like his whole world had just been crushed. The village he’d dedicated his life to wasn’t the perfect example of justice and truth that he believed. Itachi was in Ibiki’s hands. The thought made his stomach churn and his muscles tighten painfully.

A throat cleared on his left and he sluggishly raised his head to see who had found him looking so pathetic.

Itachi held his shoulder and leaned against the wall of Iruka’s apartment. He looked down at his lover and regret gripped him. Iruka looked almost as horrible as he did, the usually expressive brown eyes deadened and hollow. He’d done this. The first night in the forest he’d told Iruka that he wanted to ruin him and he’d succeeded. Succeeded in completely destroying both of them. But the memories were too good to say that he wished it had never happened. He’d fallen in love with the most unlikely of people and he’d never want to take back a single second that they’d spent together. He cleared his throat and watched life spark in the blank face as the brown eye fell on him.

“I-Itachi?” He let a small smile form on his thin lips as the tan body leapt from the floor and dashed towards him. He groaned in pain as the eager arms squeezed him.

“Uugh. Easy, Chuunin.” Iruka’s face paled as he took in the horrible damage that had been inflicted. Itachi’s face was purple and swollen from a merciless beating and he appeared to be clutching his shoulder in pain.

“Oh baby. Oh, what did they do to you? Here, sit.” Iruka pulled Itachi to one of the kitchen chairs, kneeling before him, reaching up to stroke the wounded face.

“Are you alright?” Itachi nodded but winced as Iruka’s fingers slid over his bruised cheek bone. Iruka clasped both of his lover’s hands, bringing one to his face.

“I thought I’d never see you again. How did you…”

“Your jounin friend helped me out.” The tan jaw dropped and he gaped at Itachi.

“Kakashi? But…why?” Itachi didn’t respond because he was pretty sure Iruka knew the answer.

“I have to go, Chuunin. I just wanted to say goodbye.” Iruka kissed the pale hand on his face; tears slipping from his closed eyes. “Chuunin…” But his lover didn’t respond, just kissed his way up Itachi’s arm and laid his head on the long lap, his fingers gripping the fugitives dark pants securely. Itachi sighed and gently stroked Iruka’s hair. He never thought that this moment would be this hard.

“Iruka…” The head lifted from his legs and the watery brown eyes rose to his as he said his lover’s name for the first time. Leaning down he pressed their lips together, ignoring the searing pain in his jaw. “I have to go.” He stood up but Iruka was on his feet, desperation pouring from his eyes with the tears as he clutched at Itachi’s shirt.

“NO! No, I won’t let you. Don’t go. Don’t leave me. Itachi, I love…” A pale hand clapped over his mouth and Iruka wrapped his arms around Itachi’s hips as the hand was released and his head was pulled to the crook of the pale neck.

“I’m sorry, Iruka. I’m sorry that I was so selfish but I couldn’t stay away. I’m sorry that everything turned out this way. I’m…I’m sorry that you can’t say those words, but if you do I’ll stay. I’ll stay here until they kick down your door again and kill me on the spot…and I don’t want you to see that.” Iruka let out an undignified wail and thrust his tongue into Itachi’s mouth, drinking in his killer one last time. His knees gave out and they both sank to the floor, their tongues tasting each other desperately. Breaking the kiss, Itachi cupped the tan jaw and looked deep into to those heartbreaking, brown eyes.

“Thank you for everything. You made me feel alive, human for the first time in as long as I care to remember.” Iruka twisted his hands in the black hair, trying to keep Itachi on the floor with him, but his lover tightened his useable arm hauling them both to their feet.

“I…I could go with you.” The tall, pale body went rigid and Itachi pushed Iruka up against the wall.

“No, you can’t. You have people here who love you. People who will look after you…and being a missing nin is a hard life, one that I wouldn’t wish on an enemy never mind a lover. You’ll get over this. In time you’ll forget about me and fall in love with someone else.” Iruka tried to tell him that he would never forget what they had, but Itachi kissed him gently and the words died in his throat.

“Goodbye, Iruka. My sweet Chuunin.” Iruka tried to hold on but Itachi pulled away. He collapsed to the floor sobbing as he watched his lover walk away. Clenching his fists he kept himself from leaping up and holding on to Itachi. He had to let him go. To keep him here would mean the younger man’s death and he didn’t want that on his hands, no matter how desperately he wanted to keep him in his life. Swallowing thickly, he met his lover’s eyes as the elder Uchiha turned to take one last look, both their hearts breaking because they knew that this really would be the last look…ever. Itachi flashed Iruka a weak smile and whisper ‘I love you’ before disappearing into thin air. The chuunin sat in silence for a moment, the emptiness of the apartment sinking in around him. Then he released a tortured wail and collapsed on his stomach, his fingernails clawing at the linoleum floor as he sobbed uninhibitedly in loss.

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A/N: Okay, my eyes and brain hurt. There is still an epilogue coming so keep reading. I know, I’m such a liar. I just can’t cut things down.

Cheers