MIA: Missing In Action

Title: MIA: Missing in Action 2/12?
Words: 6,627
Status: WIP (Work In Progress)
Pairing: SasNaru, Sasuke Naruto
Rating: Though, right now it's mostly PG, it will get up to R or NC-17
Warnings: yaoi, slight abuse, colorful language, eventual character death
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO! What else do you want from me? Written in blood? Honestly, you expect too much.
Summary: Placed into a mental institution for attempted suicide, Naruto meets the younger brother of one of the patients. However, will their relationship become something to help Naruto resolve the issues which have haunted him for years or just anger the demon inside him? Or anger the demon in Itachi.

Chapter 1: A New Friend

Naruto--

I made a new friend today. Well, I make new friends every day I suppose. Not in the I forget who I am everyday kind of new friends but more of the I always meet people every day kind of way. Some people here are those types who forget who they are you are everyday, so I guess it is only partially new friends every day. But mostly, I just try to meet new people. People who come and visit me, the families who visit their precious people, the nurses, doctors, the patients who never remember anything. It's like a big meet and greet for me. I'm just being friendly.

His name is Itachi. He was brought here the other night. I watched him being brought in. I don't think he was paying attention to what was going on. He also didn't seem very happy about it, kept on yelling at what looked like his brother that he didn't need to be here and telling him he was going to kill him for putting him in here. I don't know the story so I don't know what to think about it. He didn't say anything in group therapy today even though he was new. Shizune, the nice nurse, tried to get him to introduce himself but all we got was his name before he began to inspect his nails in a bored fashion. He paints them black. I tried sitting with him at dinner but conversation didn't really go anywhere until he asked me why I was here.

I don't really like talking about it but he seemed kinda interested so I told him. He told me he was here for something similar, except instead of killing himself he had killed his whole family. I asked him why he wasn't in jail and he said it was because he got off for mental instability and was sent here instead. He told me they were watching him all the time though to make sure he wouldn't kill anyone else. He told me he wouldn't kill anyone unless they annoyed him. For fun, I asked him if I was annoying him. He told me yes.

I'm not gonna lie, sitting there with him, talking across overcooked vegetables and dry meat, he was scary. Long dark hair fastened at the nape of his neck and cold eyes that told me he could eliminate me without a moments hesitation. But there was something else there, an underlying softness that I could just sense under his harsh cold exterior. I guess that's why I kinda opened up to him. Told him a little about myself. He seemed much more interested in my.... 'issue' than anything else I had to talk about.

I don't really remember much of our conversation after that but he seemed genuinely interested when I went back to my room later. Smiled and everything. I feel like we're going to get to know each other pretty well eventually, hopefully be friends. I love making new friends.

Gaara wont talk to me anymore though. I'll have to ask Kakashi what's going on. And I haven't seen Sai in a while. I hope everything is ok.

-----------

He had been sitting in the powder blue plastic chair for a good ten minutes and was looking more and more unhappy by the minute. He was new, that was for sure, the way he looked stiff and important, he held himself as if he shouldn't be there. He also looked uncomfortable, occasionally his eyes would flicker around the room, checking on the occupants to make sure they were involved in their own business and wouldn't bother him. He had to be waiting for something either to happen or to finish. There was no way he was one of them here, he looked too stable.

Naruto wasn't staring, that would be incredibly impolite. No, he was observing, for long periods of time, the dark haired boy sitting in the powder blue chair. He was curious, and nothing said he couldn't look at the new figure, obviously out of place and wanting to leave. Seeing someone brought in was new, but seeing someone he had yet to meet in general was a rare thing indeed for the blond boy. Sitting on the old 70's couch, Naruto was having a mental tennis match. Introduce himself to the strange new boy or continue staring until it possibly became creepy. Not that he was staring.

'You're already being creepy'. The familiar husky voice ground out from the depths of his mind. 'Just get up already and do something before he places you among the schizophrenics.'

Naruto frowned at the voice but otherwise made no physical sign of response. After all, most of the people here already thought he was completely insane. Most of the people in here were completely insane. He just wasn't, well, quite as bad as them. He just had a voice that talked to him and occasionally made him black out. Nothing too dangerous.

Except that it had almost killed him.

They'd had a long talk about that.

The boy on the powder blue chair probably thought he was insane too. Thus, Naruto had two options. He could sit here and stare, failing to make a friend, he could get up and go over to the boy and, for kicks, actually act like he was completely insane, or he could go over and act normal, just like he actually was. Might as well let the boy judge whether he was insane or not by his own standards.

Having made up his mind, Naruto swiftly pushed himself from the couch and, grinning broadly, approached the unfamiliar scowling face seated in the powder blue chair. Dark obsidian eyes locked onto him almost instantly, following as he made a direct path towards the wall where the new boy sat. His face displayed no emotions at all, an impassive slate unforgiving for those wishing to find the mysteries of his mind. His eyes however, spoke volumes. Naruto could tell almost instantly the thought process racing through his dark head. Is he insane or just being friendly. Do I need to flag down one of the staff? and other such thoughts could be seen darting around along with the underlying tinge of curiosity and apprehension.

Still grinning, Naruto sat down in the powder blue plastic chair right next to the strange new boy. "In answer to your questions no, I am not going to start speaking in tongues or having fits," he said in an assuring tone, looking straight at the boy, who eyed him warily, scowling. "I came over to say hello."

The other boy said nothing, just continued to look at him from his dark eyes, black bangs falling around his face.

"You could always say hello back," Naruto prompted, leaning forward slightly, knowing that, as is typical manners, when you say hello, someone usually says hello back.

"Hn," the black haired boy grunted, smirking slightly and leaning back against the wall, head still turned to Naruto, smirking slightly.

"Is that 'hello' in bastard or something?" Naruto said tersely, scowling at how cold this punk was. Honestly, he was just being friendly. What need was there for such a response as what he was getting. Usually people were very nice. Usually people also thought he was crazy too, talking to him as if he was a two year old, but that was besides the point.

"Hello is hello in bastard, dobe," the raven haired boy said, smirk growing slightly.

Naruto frowned at him. "You know, for a visitor or patient or whatever, you're not exactly easy to get along with."

The other boy scowled. "I'm not a patient," he snapped, eyes growing cold as they bored into Naruto.

"Then you're visiting," Naruto supplied, inclining his head slightly. The other boy said nothing, turning his gaze straight ahead, eyes fixed on nothing. "Who are you visiting?"

The raven said nothing for a period, eyes fixed ahead, almost unblinking. Naruto was just about to repeat his question, mouth opening, when the other replied suddenly, his voice ringing out in a clear baritone. "My brother."

Naruto immediately brightened at finally getting a non-assholeish response from his conversationalist. "Really? Has he been here long? Do I know him?" His habits of perpetual questions and talking had never stopped, not since he was a child until now. He was only ever silent when he slept and even then it was iffy.

The dark haired boy glanced sideways at him, a slight smirk on his features. "Probably not," he answered. "He just was put in here a few days ago. I also doubt someone seemingly sane would venture near him."

"Why's that?" Naruto asked, perplexed.

The boy sighed, slightly exasperatedly, though his smirk still remained on his features none the less. "Because he's..." he paused for a moment, frowning as he looked at Naruto.

Naruto, guessing the unspoken words from the raven, nodded once, a soft slightly sad smile on his face. "He's in here because he's not sane. Because people think he's crazy." He watched the obsidian eyes for a moment, glowing with something as they looked back at Naruto. "Do you think he's crazy too?" The dark haired boy scowled at him, anger flashing across his features. Naruto held up his hands, grinning apologetically. "Hey, sorry, just asking," he said, chucking nervously under the glare.

The other boy just looked at him for a moment, eyes cold, before turning away and looking down at his hands, still scowling slightly as he rubbed his pale hands together absently. "So what are you in for?"

Naruto just looked at him for a moment, contemplating his response. He usually didn't like talking about why he was here, the topic being complicated and painful for the blond. After a moment, he settled on the easiest response. "I tried to kill myself," he said, turning from the raven slightly and leaning against the back of the chair, looking out in front of him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Naruto saw his companion jerk his head towards him, a slight look of shock on his pale features as he looked at the blond, black eyes slightly widened. "Why?"

Naruto's head snapped to the raven, eyes widening slightly at the simple one word question. Usually, when he told someone he tried to kill himself, they just quieted and moved onto a different topic, not wanting to step into the area of suicide, the topic being taboo. The simple question from the raven had him speechless, a rarity for the blond.

The other just sat, watching him patiently, waiting for a response. Naruto was spared, however, for having to say anything when two people walked up to them. Naruto turned from his nameless companion, the raven turning as well, as Shizune walked up to them, holding a tall dark haired man gently by the shoulder as she guided him towards the powder blue plastic chairs.

Naruto's mind flashed in recognition of the tall elegant figure, remembering him to be Itachi, the dark and slightly scary man who had moved in the other day. He had seemed nice enough, if not a little strange, but overall harmless. Eyes widening in understanding, putting two and two together, he glanced swiftly at the boy next to him, who was watching Itachi with a wary expression. This was the boy Naruto had glimpsed while hiding behind a door, shouting with Itachi when the older man was brought in. His younger brother.

Itachi smiled, finally coming to a stop and looking over the two boys before him with soft eyes. "I see you've met my brother, Naruto," he said, amusement dancing in his slightly reddish eyes.

Again, Naruto stole a quick glance at the raven beside him, just in time to catch the other's dark eyes flicker his direction. Trying to avoid an awkward moment, he grinned widely, looking up at Itachi. "Yeah, I did," he said, practically glowing. "How are you doing, Itachi?"

Naruto heard a slight intake of breath beside him, coming from the raven haired boy, but nothing else was said. Itachi's eyes flickered over to his younger brother, glinting with amusement. "Have you introduced yourself yet, little brother?" he asked, his voice sliding from his mouth like silk. Silence answered his query as Itachi looked at his brother expectantly, his smirk growing wider before turning back to Naruto. "Naruto, this is my younger brother, Sasuke."

Feeling the aura of formality presiding over the scene, Naruto turned to face the dark haired boy, smiling as pleasantly as he could. "Hello, Sasuke," he said, smiling his best smile, all teeth and plastered happiness.
If he had been expecting a nicety in response, Naruto was sadly disappointed as Sasuke just stared at him before turning and uttering a short "Hn," his eyes drifting back to his brother. Naruto scowled, feeling spurned by the younger sibling as he continued to observe his brother.

Itachi's smirk began to widen, the expression becoming slightly sinister as he looked at his brother, still seated in the powder blue chair. Naruto, though still frowning, noticed as Sasuke stiffened slightly, his eyes trained on his brother, as if waiting for something to happen. Shizune had left when Itachi and Naruto had begun talking, going over to speak softly with some of the girls seated on the old 70's couch. Glancing up at Itachi, Naruto began to wish she were still here, as the older man's grin was widening progressively.

Suddenly, Itachi bent double, hands flying to his face as his back arched, his face contorting into an expression of pain.

"Itachi!" Naruto found himself gasping out, making to rise from his chair to attend to the hunched figure only to find a hand clamped firmly around his wrist, preventing him from moving. Eyes flashing, Naruto whipped to glare at Sasuke, anger bursting through his veins. "Let go, teme!" he snapped, feeling a familiar shift in his stomach as his vision blurred momentarily.

Sasuke's face was cold as he looked up from the hunched form of his older brother to meet Naruto's gaze. His dark eyes were hard, stern as he looked back at Naruto, who had his teeth clenched, feeling another jolt through his stomach as Itachi let out a gasp. "Don't touch him," Sasuke said, his baritone voice even and demanding attention.

Naruto growled, feeling the ominous sensation he had grown to know begin to build in his spine, his ears slightly ringing. "He's your brother!" he spat, trying to wrench his arm from the strong grip.

The hand on his arm tightened, causing Naruto to wince slightly as Sasuke's eyes flashed. "You think I don't know that," Sasuke hissed, his body going rigid as he turned to look at Itachi, apprehension flickering over his pale features. Still fuming and trying to battle the faint laughter growing in the back of his mind, Naruto turned to look at Itachi as well.

Itachi's form was no longer rigid, his hair hanging limply over his shoulder as his hands were cupped loosely over his face. His breathing was labored, his back rising and falling with each breath. After a moment, he uttered a small sound, sounding slightly like a laugh, before his breathing rapidly stabilized, his back relaxing as he straightened slowly. Naruto watched as Itachi's form righted itself, one hand falling to his side easily as the other spread lazily over his face. His mouth was parted slightly, air passing silently as the elder breathed easily. The lips began to turn slightly, a crooked smile forming as Naruto felt Sasuke tense beside him, hand still clamped over the blond's arm.

Itachi let forth another laugh like sound, his hand slowly dragging down his face, revealing the smooth pale skin and closed eyes, black lashes resting peacefully against white flesh. Without warning, Itachi's eyes flew open, the pupils dilated and ringed with red, staring wide at the two boys seated before him. Naruto felt his blood run cold, the freezing fear he loathed shooting through him as Itachi looked down at him, face twisted horribly and eyes wild. Sasuke was completely rigid beside him, his face guarded as he looked up at his brother.

Itachi's eyes floated lazily to his brother, the manic glint shifting as his mouth quirked. "Hello, little brother," he drawled out, leaning back just slightly before coughing out another laugh.

Slowly, warily, Sasuke nodded his head to his brother, eyes never leaving him. "Itachi," he said slowly and clearly, back tense. Itachi's horrific smile widened, a gruesome slash across his previously beautiful face. Naruto felt as if he could move, the previous need to get to Itachi gone to be replaced by a cold fear. He felt the ringing in his ears begin to get louder, the ominous laughter rising in volume, echoing though his head.

Itachi scoffed, his eyes closing slightly as he observed his brother. "You're weak," he spat out, hand still splayed terribly over half of his features, the nails of his fingers digging slightly into his skin. "You can never defeat me, foolish little brother." His hair was falling randomly around his face, strands hanging wildly.

"Itachi," Sasuke repeated, his voice still even as he leaned forwards slightly, slowly attempting to rise to his feet, his grip releasing on Naruto's arm suddenly. The movement seemed to attract Itachi's attention instantly, his reddish eyes snapping to the blond as he sat frozen in his chair. Sasuke froze, half standing up, his eyes flickering to Naruto.

Naruto felt his breath pick up slightly as his heart began to race, the laughing voice beginning to rise distractingly as he looked straight into the wild eyes of Itachi, which widened upon spotting him. His grin quirked before something flashed over his face, causing him to falter, his nails clutching into his skin before he flashed back, eyes crinkling as they flashed briefly to Sasuke.

"You brought a friend, little brother?" Itachi cooed to Sasuke, his head tilting to the side lazily. "That's not a fair fight, now is it?" His head lolled back, hand finally falling back, his hair dropping down his back, pale neck stretched as his back curved impressively.

Instantly, Sasuke was up, snatching Naruto's hand and throwing him away from the chairs. Giving a yelp, Naruto attempted to gain his footing, stumbling as the force of Sasuke's throw propelled him away from the brothers. Skidding to a halt on the ground, he whipped his head back to the two brothers. Sasuke was posed, tense and ready before his brother, as Itachi's head slowly fell back to look at his brother. To the side, Naruto could see Shizune, Kakashi, and Kiba, some of the attendants and workers of the hospital, edging their way towards the siblings.

Itachi had begun to laugh, his voice sending chills up Naruto's spin as the laughing finally stopped. Closing his eyes to try to block out the scene before him, the images striking chords within him he never wanted awakened again.

There was a low rumbling chuckle, resounding in his mind horribly. 'Scared, kit?' It purred, licking against his thoughts seductively followed by another low chuckle. 'Let go, little kit,' it purred, making Naruto press his eyes tighter shut. 'Just let me take care of things. You know you're too weak.' Naruto shivered as the voice began to wrap around him. 'You know you need me.'

Naruto grit his teeth. Get out, Kyuubi. His own voice in his mind was faint even to him, weak and pleading, a child. Please just leave me alone. He could feel the familiar strong presence begin to close in around him when there was a sudden loud sound. His eyes flying open, Naruto watched as Itachi lunged at Sasuke, the younger brother's face flashing with fear, eyes widening as the horribly grinning face of his brother lunged at him, hands curled into claws.

As if this was a signal, Kiba and Kakashi leapt forward, barreling into Itachi and bringing him crashing to the floor. Itachi let out a startled yell, turning wilding in the strong arms of Kiba as they pinned him to the floor. Screaming in rage, Itachi began to writhe, his form twisting as it clawed at the man on top of him, attempting to get free.

"Get off!" Itachi screeched, eyes flashing as they roved the room. "Sasuke!" His hand shot out, snatching an unsuspecting Sasuke around the ankle and dragging him to the floor with a loud thud. "Little brother!" He was growling, hair mussed as he attempted to drag his younger brother towards him, Kiba and Kakashi fighting to keep him down and away from Sasuke.

"Let go, Itachi!" Sasuke half-yelled, trying to wrench his foot from Itachi's vice-like grip. "Stop!"

Naruto moved without knowing it, scrambling over the floor to the scuffling figures on the floor.

"Get back, Naruto!" Kakashi yelled, his eyes flying in shock as the blond rushed over the floor to the struggling form of Sasuke. "Stay away!"

Naruto ignored him, mind devoid of thoughts as his hands clamped around Sasuke's shoulder, attempting to drag him from his brother's grasp. Itachi, watching as his brother was dragged from him, growled in anger, his face instantly contorting in rage as his eyes locked on Naruto.

"Give him back!" Itachi screeched, hands scrabbling as Sasuke's ankle slipped from his hands. "Brother!" His black painted nails scrabbled at the tiled floor as he tried to pull himself towards his sibling, teeth bared. Kiba grunted from somewhere around his waist as Kakashi struggled, trying to grab Itachi's arms. With a surge, Itachi flung himself up, throwing Kakashi off and jolting Kiba to the side. Snarling, he made a quick lunge from Sasuke, eyes wide as they watched the enraged face of his brother fly towards him.

It happened in a second. Naruto was no longer behind Sasuke, hands clutched in the fabric of his shirt, tan form shaking slightly. Itachi slammed into a figure who growled in primitive tones, arms snapping out to throw the raven to the side where he slammed into the powder blue plastic chairs. His reddish eyes flew wide as he slid swiftly, back colliding painfully with the furniture, locked with burning red irises glaring from a snarling tan face.

In that split second, Naruto had appeared in front of Sasuke, braced and tense on the tiled floor, his body radiating power and wild emotion, watching as Itachi flew across the floor before keeling to the side slightly, a soft moan drifting from parted lips.

There was nothing but silence for a moment before all hell broke loose. The entire room had been watching the scene by the chairs in shocked quiet. It was like Naruto's small moan had jolted them all from a trace, resulting in instant pandemonium. Everyone was talking, screaming, shouting, moving, crying, mumbling or rushing for help around the room, attendants hurrying about, trying to calm the room and restore order. Shizune had run to the doctors quarters, returning with two men clad in scrubs, holding syringes and other such medical supplies as Kiba pulled himself up, joining the men in scrubs as they hastened to Itachi, pulling him up. Kakashi was next to Naruto, not touching him as he inquired over and over about his well being.

The only people not talking were three individuals, all staring at each other. Itachi, having been grabbed firmly by the arms and restrained from doing anything, was staring, as if transfixed, at the blond slouched on the floor. The red had begun to leave the older ravens eyes, his mouth remaining parted slightly. The momentary flash of red eyes, the force behind the throw which had sent him careening into the chairs, the expression on the tan face was burned into his mind, leaving him stunned.

Behind, Sasuke was staring at the back of the blond boy in front of him, a look of shock painted across his pale face. He barely noticed as Itachi was hauled off, beginning to fight the attendants as they pulled him from the blond and his brother, his eyes still trained on the slouched figure on the floor.

Naruto was breathing heavily, eyes closed as he faced the floor, the ringing in his ears subsiding slightly as his heart slowed. Swallowing, he opened his eyes, glancing up into the worried face of Kakashi, smiling gently. Kakashi studied his face briefly, a look of apprehension over his features before he too smiled, reaching out a hand and placing it gently onto the blonds shoulder. "You gave us a scare there, Naruto," the doctor said, lightly squeezing the blond through the fabric of his shirt.

Naruto smiled at the white haired doctor, his white teeth flashing. Remembering himself, he turned to face the raven behind him, grin still in place as he locked his blue eyes with black. "Alright there, teme?" he asked, a flicker of a challenge passing through his irises.

Sasuke visibly collected himself, back unlocking and muscles relaxing slightly as he looked back at the blond. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly as he looked at the blond.

"Dobe."

--------

The next few days were extremely lively for Naruto, getting much more attention than he usually did. Immediately following the incident with the Uchiha brothers, as he had learned their name, Kakashi had met with him in his office, forcing him to bid goodbye to the bastard-like Sasuke. Kakashi had questioned him extensively, asking what had happened, asking him to describe Itachi's actions and his own. By the end of the session, Naruto was feeling drained and in great need of his bed. His body had felt slightly worn after the incident in the first place.

However, just as he was heading towards his room, hopefully able to avoid the nurses and slip in to sleep, he was confronted by a group of patients. His eyes went wide as Sakura, Ino, Neji, and Sai all descended on him, hauling him over the old 70's couch and demanding him to talk. Gaara, who had already been sitting on the couch, immediately scooted to the far end and perched there, glancing over occasionally. The red haired man in the large arm chair, Pein, glanced over at them briefly, before returning to his game of solitaire, though Naruto could tell from his stance he was listening intently.

Ino was the first to speak, her loud female voice cutting over the others and beating into Naruto's head. "What happened, Naruto!" she demanded, her too thin arms flailing excitedly as her long hair swayed. "Who were those men? Are they patients too? Do you know them?"

"Ino!" Naruto yelled, instantly getting her to shut up and still. From day one, despite his energetic attitude and personality, he had been labeled as the sanest one of the group. This had automatically placed him in a place of tedious authority in these sort of group situations. All of the others watched him intently. "Calm down, would you? It's not like I'm not going to tell you," he said, rolling his eyes as he leaned back into the lumpy old couch.

"So what happened then, blondie?" Sai asked, settling down next to him, a little too close for comfort. He grinned at Naruto, who smiled faintly in return, feeling uneasy as he tried to shift away from the other slightly. Of all the people here, crazy or not, Sai was the creepiest of them. Well, except maybe the Snake-man, but he had been locked away. Sai leaned towards him, still smiling his smile.

Sighing slightly, Naruto retold the story he had just spent half an hour telling Kakashi, with a few more embellishments to keep his listeners engaged. Ino, Sai, and Sakura made an excellent audience, making all of the correct reactions and exclamations. Sakura even forgot about the small doll she always carried with her, letting it go slightly limp in her hands.

"Did you already know Itachi then?" Neji asked when Naruto was almost done with his story, causing the blond to look over at the pale eyed boy. Neji barely spoke, keeping mostly silent and scowling, thick bandages covering his arms and various visible skin. Naruto had met Neji after living here for a month, the other boy being rushed past his room late one night, bleeding heavily from various wounds on his body, a kitchen knife clenched in his hand. A week later, Neji had told Naruto angrily that Masochism was nothing like suicide before swiftly slapping himself across the face.

Naruto frowned at the question, pausing a moment. "I met him the other day," he said slowly. "You know, in one of the group therapy sessions. We had dinner after that." He stopped again. "He didn't seem that strange then."

"Neither do serial killers until they start hacking into your skin," a dead voice said, floating over to the group, causing them all to turn at look at Pein, who was still absorbed in his game of solitaire. The slight quirk of his mouth gave him away however, as did the faint flicker of his eyes. The others shifted uncomfortably for a moment before Naruto shook his head swiftly, clearing his throat.

"Anyway, Kakashi said that Itachi is fine, confined to his room for the next few days but doing ok," the blond told the group, who were once again listening attentively. "He said that Itachi had some sort of relapse, but I couldn't get much more out of him than that."

Naruto frowned, remember the white haired man's reluctance to talk about the elder Uchiha sibling. Sasuke had been the same, not saying much at all about his brother. Then again, Sasuke hadn't said much at all in general, his dark eyes being the most expressive thing about him, flashing with emotions.

Satisfied with the story, Ino and Neji drifted away, bidding a swift goodbye to Naruto before wandering off separately, Ino towards the bathrooms and Neji to the bookshelves. Sakura, looking slightly lost, finally settled herself somewhat beside Naruto on the couch, her doll nestled in her arms as she stared into space, smiling softly, stroking the stringy hair of the doll. Sai hadn't moved, though he seemed slightly less forward now than he had when Naruto had last seen him.

Feeling slightly curious and not enjoying the prevailing silence, Naruto turned to the dark haired boy beside him, flashing a swift grin. "So Sai," he said, watching as the other boy instantly turned to him, giving full attention. "Where have you been, I haven't seen you around much."

Sai was silent for a moment, watching Naruto closely before he smiled in return, the oddly creepy expression spreading instantly over his face like a badly painted mask. "I was just taking a bit of time off," he said, dark eyes crinkling as he looked at Naruto. "Kakashi suggested it for my health. Did you miss me, Naru?"

Naruto tried not to flinch at the nickname. The first time Sai had used it Naruto had flinched, edging away from the older boy as old memories flooded his mind. Now, he smiled cockily, laughing lightly. "Sure I did," he joked. "Who else is going to talk to me around here?"

Sai's smile widened, his eyes glinting slightly as they roved over Naruto swiftly. "You know, I can do more than talk to you, little Naru," he said, his voice slightly lowered as he shifted towards the blond. Naruto was prepared however, instantly shifting away and laughing, putting distance between him and the other on the couch. Sai smirked at the blond's actions. "You know it's not nice to tease," he chastised, tilting his head to the side slightly. "Playing hard to get will just get them to bite harder."

Naruto laughed nervously, leaning back slightly as Sai's smirk grew. "I'm not playing anything Sai and you know it," he said, his voice light but the message firm.

Sai paused a moment before shrugging, backing off slightly and seating himself back in the couch away from Naruto, giving the blond room to properly breathe, which he did gladly. Still smirking, he turned to look at the blond again. "You know, you're incredibly confusing," he said, ever one to be blunt. "One second you're teasing and cute, the second you're wild and trying to kill me. You make no sense, Naru."

Naruto's eyes flew wide, staring at Sai, his words echoing in his head. "What?" he breathed out, swallowing to a dry throat.

Sai shrugged, still looking at him. "I'm just saying you give a guy mixed messages," he explained, fake smile fixed again as he looked at Naruto, who frowned.

"Well, thanks for the pointer, Sai," the blond said, pushing himself from the couch and tugging briefly on his pants to straighten them. Sai watched him move, eyes tracing his actions carefully. "I'm gonna go see if they've opened up the mess."

Sai frowned. "It's only 4:30, I doubt they'll let you in."

Naruto grinned at him. "Worth a shot." His eyes flashed to Gaara, still seated motionlessly at the far end of the couch, the usually brooding figure still and tense, as if prepared for something to attack him. Or someone.

Sighing, Naruto made for the mess hall, only to change him mind halfway there as a sharp stab of pain shot through his head. He had forgotten about his exhaustion from earlier due to the excitement of storytelling. Rubbing a hand through his hair absently, he passed the rooms on either side of him without giving them a second thought. He had lived here long enough to know that looking into the rooms was never a good idea, the images inside not always being pleasant.

A hand suddenly shot out from a partially open door, catching Naruto off guard as it closed on the fabric of his shirt and yanking him into the dark room. Giving a startled yelp, eyes wide, Naruto stumbled over his own feet, trying to keep his balance as the door closed partially behind him and a hand clamped over his mouth. Eyes swiftly adjusting to the dim light, Naruto felt his throat constrict as he recognized the dark eyes and hair of the elder Uchiha, face close to his as he studied him. Instantly, Naruto began to struggle, causing the hand over his mouth to dig sharp fingernails into his cheeks.

"Stop," Itachi commanded softly, shaking him gently. "I'm not going to hurt you so just be quiet." Giving his captor a wary look, Naruto ceased his struggles.

After a moment, Itachi seemed to have confirmed that Naruto was going to remain quiet and still. Letting out a long breath and stepping away from the blond, removing his hands from Naruto and settling back onto the edge of a bed, Itachi looked up at him, a slight smirk on his features.

"Who are you?"

Naruto blinked at the question, confusion flashing over his face as he looked at the dark haired man. "What do you mean 'who am I?' " he asked, frowning slightly. "I'm Naruto. You met me the other day."

Itachi shook his head impatiently. "No," he snapped, causing Naruto to stiffen immediately. "I mean, who are you? The person who threw me against the chairs this afternoon was not the same as the overly happy blond I talked to in the Mess the other day."

Naruto was silent, his mind whirling in a semi-panic as he tried to think of a response. Itachi was watching him intensely, waiting for him to reply, to explain, to say something. But he couldn't. He didn't want to go down that road, down into the depths of past pain and trouble and the dark growling voice that laughed at him. Itachi was still watching him, eyes trained unblinkingly as he watched for anything, the slightest movement. Licking his lips quickly, Naruto gave a shaky laugh, rubbing a hand against the back of his head. "What are you talking about?"

Itachi was silent for a moment, eyes unreadable as he sat motionless on the small bed, making Naruto feel even more uncomfortable. Technically, he should have yelled, run from the room, done something, but he knew well enough it wouldn't be of help. Itachi was larger, stronger, and faster than him. They were in the living quarters, usually with only one or two assistants on watch, who, by the time they would have come to answer his cries, would probably be too late. Especially with the show Itachi had given this afternoon.

Speaking of this afternoon.

Naruto frowned suddenly, eyes narrowing as he looked at Itachi. "Well what about you," he said, voice growing cold as he looked back at the man on the bed. "What made you go psycho-boy this afternoon."

Itachi, though it was barely noticible, flinched. "You haven't answered my question."

Naruto snorted. "I think mine's just as valid, if not more so. The person I saw this afternoon wasn't the one I met in the mess the other day either. So what's wrong with you Itachi?" He was sneering slightly, his ears buzzing just slightly.

Itachi frowned, thin mouth turned down as he looked up at Naruto. "I'm insane, you moron," he said evenly, as if the topic wasn't taboo. "Why do you think I'm in here in the first place?" His black eyes were hard as they glared into Naruto, who was suddenly feeling uncomfortable and extremely aware of the barely open door behind him. "Just like you," Itachi's voice was emotionless, though it stabbed into Naruto like a spear. "And all of them." Naruto didn't want to hear this. "Crazy mother fuckers, all of us." It wasn't true, he wasn't crazy. "Locked away, out of sight out of mind." Stop. "So our families don't have to deal with the disgrace."

Naruto's eyes suddenly flashed. "Shut up!" he snapped, fists balled at his sides. Itachi stopped speaking, his mouth a simple line as he looked up at Naruto, before smoothly standing, a swift glint passing through his eyes.

"You say you tried to kill yourself," Itachi said, taking a small step towards Naruto, who continued to stand his ground, glaring. "Trying to kill yourself, isn't sane," Itachi continued. "It's what someone out of their mind does. Someone who has lost their grip on reality." His mouth quirked as Naruto's scowl. "You're just as off the deep end as the rest of us, Naruto."

"I didn't do it," Naruto snapped, before he could stop himself. "Kyuubi did!"

Shit.

As if a dam had been let loose inside of him, Naruto felt his stomach twist at the horror of realization, of what he had just admitted. There was a deep gravelly chuckle. 'You called, kit?' Itachi's eyes had widened slightly, flashing with interest as he watched the blond, suddenly bent double, arms clutching his midriff. 'Hush, Naru, I'm here.' Please go away. 'I'll protect you.' NO!

But it was too late. A second later, Naruto's muscles stopped tensing as he let out a slow breath, the arms relaxing around his midriff before falling lazily to his sides. Itachi watched in fascination as the blond languidly straightened up, his posture and being exuding the aura of nonchalance, intimidating and terrifying in it's effortlessness. His eyes were closed as he took a sighing breath, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck. His eyes opened, somewhat lazily had it not been for the deliberate intent in the action, to reveal eyes burning red, all traces of blue gone.

"You wanted to see me?" the blond said, mouth twisting to reveal sharp teeth and a feral grin.

Itachi swallowed.