Peace to the Void

Thank you to all those who read. For my reviewers-

nivell:Sorry, I am looking for a beta. I know that my grammar leaves something to be desired. I hope it wasn't too much of a pain, and I'm glad that you enjoyed the story. Thank you for the advice.

Darling425: Thank you for the review. I hope you continue to enjoy the relationship evolving between Naruto and Sasuke.

LividusNight: Thank you for your kind words.I'm sorry you got a bit confused. I'll write a background for terms that might confuse people not too familiar with sci-fi.

AlienX: Thank you, I hope you like what I've done with Naruto's ancestry and the dynamic between Itachi and Naruto. ^^; I actually wrote chapter one in early June when I discovered "In the cold space...". I really like the saga so I didn't post PTTV because I thought it would seem like I was a copy cat. Still PTTV just kept bugging me so I finally decided to just post it anyway.

Nickles: Thank you very much, I hope you enjoy this chapter too.


Chapter Two

He had spent the last two weeks suffering through cold sweats, keeping down a solid meal was nearly impossible, and if his fever hadn’t broken last night he was certain that he would’ve been tanked. However, today was important. Today he would answer questions for the kage, and council. He was actually looking forward to it because he would get to see Naruto during his breaks. Today he was wearing a kimono that his mother had bought him since they’d transferred from the Hokage’s Tower to the Konoha Village colony. It was the colony where the academy was located and only a day from the Uchiha’s former home planet.

Neji and Haku two of his brother’s aides had assisted him as he got ready.

“What would you like for your lunch break? I will make sure they send it when they send Naruto’s ramen.”

“Sashimi with rice and pickled radish,” He answered, as he continued to look himself over. He was pale, more than just spacer pale, it was like his skin was becoming translucent. “Neji-kun,” looked back to catch eyes with the Hyuuga, “Do you think I look nice? Do you think they will like it?”

He knew impressing them was important. If they were impressed they would let him stay with his family and Naruto.

Neji smiled, “Yes, I’m sure they will.”

Haku fixed his obi, “You look very nice Uchiha-san.” Sasuke watched as nimble fingers straightened and re-straightened the lines of his obi. “This is a gorgeous kimono and the color suits you.”

He smiled feeling proud that his mother had bought this kimono for him, “Naruto will like it?”

Haku chuckled, “I’m sure Naruto-kun would like anything if you were wearing it. You should try wearing vegetables.”

“Haku,” Neji scolded.

Haku continued to chuckle, stepping away from Sasuke to retrieve a hair brush. Neji quickly picked up the brush before the chuckling aide. “You look lovely, and I’m
certain everyone in attendance will like it.”

He began to brush Sasuke’s hair softly. Sasuke wondered if he should have it cut. It was only just passed his shoulders. It had been much longer before he had been rescued but it had been cut when he was in the incubator. Still it made him look more feminine, and with his small frame and his mother’s eyes he looked like a girl. He glanced at Haku; Haku looked like a girl, especially with the kimono he was wearing and he didn’t sound like a boy when he spoke. Sasuke was certain he at least sounded and looked more like a boy than Haku.

“Haku-kun looks like a girl.” He commented to Neji smoothing his kimono.

Neji chuckled as Haku made a sour face in the mirror. “He does.”

Haku then glared at Neji, “If Hinata-san were flat-chested you’d look like twins.”

Sasuke chuckled covering his mouth. The sound was almost too unfamiliar to him.

Neji scowled, “It’s not funny besides you and Mr. Secretary are just androgynous versions of Lady Mikoto.”

Sasuke smiled, “I like looking like my mother and Tachi-nii. It’s an honor for someone like me.”

Haku simply smiled and put a cream on his lips that tingled. “I’d kiss you if you ever said something that sweet about me.”

“I can’t kiss you, it would make Naruto angry.” He replied slightly confused.

Haku chuckled pulled the other into his arms, “Oh he’s so cute. I want to steal him.”

Of course both Neji and Haku were confused and panicked when the Uchiha abruptly slammed Haku against the wall, arm twist painfully around his back. His sharingan was swirling, as he hissed, “I will not be stolen again.”

The Hyuuga immediately dialed for Naruto and tried his best to negotiate Haku’s freedom before anything escalated, “What Haku meant was that he thought your expression was very cute and sweet to him. He was not trying to imply that he would steal you away. He’d never do that. You know that Konoha is very safe, no one here would try to steal you away.”

Haku whimpered as the grip on his arm tightened. Neji did his best to stay calm as red eyes locked with his. “He said that…but he said.”

“He works for Itachi-sama,” Neji supplied quickly, “We both do. Do you think your brother would trust you with just anyone?”

The breath Neji hadn’t known he was holding escaped as Sasuke’s eyes faded back to their original night sky. A frown marred the Uchiha’s face as he slowly released Haku and stepped away.

“If Tachi-nii thinks you are trustworthy then I will remember that I can trust you.” Sasuke commented quietly.

Haku clutched his now sore arm but apologized none-the-less, “I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Sasuke looked down, “I’m sorry that I intended to break your arm when you did not intend to frighten me.”

Haku gave an uneasy smile, “You’re forgiven.” Just then the door opened, “Look Naruto.”

Quickly Sasuke turned and rushed toward Naruto as much as he could in the extravagant kimono with his weak legs. He threw his arms about him and held him tightly. He was frightened of what was coming next but knowing that Naruto would be just outside the door waiting made him feel better.

Naruto pulled out of the embrace to look Sasuke over. He caught Neji inspecting Haku’s arm and realized that he’d been called for an emergency that had been fortunately settled without him. He smiled at Sasuke and brushed his long bangs from his eyes.

The blond pecked his forehead, “How are you feeling?”

Sasuke fell against his chest, “Better. My fever broke last night and I ate a
grapefruit, the whole thing all by myself and I did not vomit.”

Naruto wrapped an arm around him holding him close, “That’s awesome.” He looked to Neji and Haku and mouthed ‘Are you okay?’ both men nodded. “You look very nice in your furisode.”

His pale cheeks turned pink, he mumbled, “Thank you.”

The blond simply grinned, “So what are you doing now?”

“I was going to break Haku-kun’s arm.” Sasuke remarked startling him. “He said he was going to steal me but he didn’t mean that he would actually steal me. He meant that he thought I was cute.”

Naruto nodded, a frown marred his face; “You have to make sure you know someone’s intentions before you decide you’re going to break their arm.”

“Yes,” Sasuke nodded, “Are you going to take me to Tachi-nii?”

Naruto shook his head, “Actually I was just checking up on you. I have to brief with Kakashi-sensei before I meet you and your brother.”

“Why do you have to be briefed?” He asked his fingers idly curling the blond hair at the base of Naruto’s neck.

Naruto snorted, “They think if I hear something I’ll do something stupid in front of all the Village leaders.”

Sasuke smiled and reached up to kiss his cheek, “That’s good then.”

“Hey, I wouldn’t do anything stupid teme.”

Sasuke shook his head, “But some of the things they’ll ask me about are very bad. You’ll get angry when I answer and then want to do something stupid. I don’t want you to hear them.”

Naruto leaned down so that his forehead touched Sasuke’s own, so that his eyes could stare directly into the endless black depths of the man in his arms. As Sasuke blinked at him he lost his train of thought, he simply couldn’t help but stare into those beautiful eyes framed by long dark lashes, surrounded by porcelain skin.

“Your eyes are really pretty. It’s like you put the void in there and when they catch the light it’s like looking at distant stars.” He mumbled more to himself than the boy before him.

Sasuke smiled before closing his eyes to softly kiss the man before him. He released his lips with a smile, wanting to stand with him for an eternity. Naruto pecked his lips after a few moments in silence, “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you in a bit.”

Sasuke nodded and slowly released him. Naruto brought his hands to the paler boys face and kissed him once more before grinning, “Okay see you later.”

He waited until Naruto was out of the room to fall down. Fortunately Haku caught him.

“My goodness, are you alright?” He asked holding the boy firmly.

He nodded panting slightly, “I’m all tired now. I didn’t think it’d be too much trouble to stand for a few more minutes.”

Neji came to them, touching Sasuke’s forehead, “You’re warm but your fever isn’t back. Should I contact Mr. Secretary and call for a delay?”

Sasuke shook his head, “No, I just need to sit for a moment.”

They helped him to a seat. Haku brought him a H2O pill.

“It’ll settle quicker than a glass of water.” He supplied. “So you won’t vomit.”

He nodded taking the pill. He saw Neji reading his on his note, going over procedures and schedules. He had a few minutes to rest before a med-chair was brought by a nurse. Haku took the chair and excused her. Soon they were going down the corridors. Sasuke was amused to see the startled look on the faces of the crew they passed. Everyone stopped in their place and bowed until he had gone by. When they arrived at the meeting room Itachi was waiting for them. Haku parked the chair near Itachi’s own.

There was another chair with a recorder set up in front of it. Standing beside the set up was Sai, Itachi’s third aide who heavily resembled Sasuke. Sasuke had wondered when he met the boy if he had been given his station on looks alone.
However, Sai seemed very proficient at his job and trusted that Itachi had not become so grief stricken that he would hire someone simply because they resembled him. Sai bowed before him.

“Good morning.” He said looking up at his brother.

Itachi smiled, “Good morning otouto.” His smile dropped, “I have an earpiece, the five kage and council may feed me extra questions. I already have a list of questions I will ask you. Sai-kun will be recording this. Neji-kun and Haku-kun will be by the door, when we have a break I will tell you. I will signal to Sai to pause the recording and for Haku-kun and Neji-kun to let Uzumaki in.” Sasuke nodded, “Answer all questions to the best of your ability, be specific. Tell me if you need a break or if you start to feel sick. Are there any questions?”

Sasuke took a moment before shaking his head, “I’m ready.”

Itachi signaled to Sai to begin recording. "State your name and age for the record."

"Uchiha Sasuke, age 19."

"What do you remember about the kidnapping?" Itachi began.

Sasuke frowned, "We, Naruto and I, were in the dock because we were waiting for a delivery. Naruto broke a part of the simulator we were working with and we couldn't lift off without it. That's when we were ambushed by four men. We both fought but they were stronger than us. I remember seeing a man holding Naruto down and he was reaching out trying to get to me when they gave me a sleep drug."

Itachi leaned forward briefly touching his brother's hand, "Now I want you to describe exactly what happened when you woke on the S.S. Manda."

Sasuke nodded, "When I woke up I kicked the man watching me and he hit me before sending for Orouchimaru-sama. I thought they took Naruto too but he wasn't there. They had put me in a tank before they woke me but I don't know how long. Then I saw Orouchimaru-sama the first thing he did was ask how my cheek had gotten bruised. When the man told him, he shot him and said he didn't like people touching his things without permission. Then they threw his body out of the air lock." He began to wring his hands nervously and looked down.

"It's alright," the elder Uchiha reassured, "Just take your time and be honest."

Sasuke nodded slowly and glanced up, "Then he told Kabuto to take me to the lab."

"What happened in the lab?"

His voice trembled, "He had me tied to the tabled because I was struggling. Then he gave me a spray that put me to sleep. When I woke up my eyes were very sore and they were bandaged so I couldn't open them. But most my body felt sore too. My eyes were just the worst, and I was strapped on a table so I couldn’t move but I felt bandage around my head and my abdomen."

Itachi nodded, "What happened when you recovered?"

"Kabuto ran tests, Orouchimaru-sama supervised them."

"Do you remember any tests?"

"He wanted to see how fast my relay would be and how it would affect my combat skills." Sasuke answered. He paused looking away, “They made a man attack me and I killed him without even meaning to. They had me run a relay with my sharingan for nineteen hours. It was supposed to be twenty four but I blacked out. All the tests were like that.”

"What were the results?"

The younger Uchiha bit his lip, "Orouchimaru-sama liked them he said they were very good but Kabuto said that they had to stop before it got too good. Orouchimaru-sama only said that he had another type of training I would be doing until I proved my obedience."

Itachi waited before asking, "What kind of training did you receive next?"

"How best to serve Orouchimaru-sama," Sasuke answered, "How to serve him with my body."

Sasuke looked down ashamed to face his brother.

Itachi shuddered knowing he'd have to ask his brother about the details. "Can you tell me exactly what happened?"

Sasuke paused, "He told Kabuto to restrain me and he cut off my clothes with his knife. I tried to struggle but he only laughed. I didn't know what he was doing until I felt the hurt. I was too busy struggling to pay attention but the hurt and the nausea made me stop. He was moving fast and it hurt. Kabuto was taking pictures." he replied. "I started to cry because the hurt was getting worse and I was bleeding. That made Orouchimaru-sama very happy, so he got his knife. Kabuto told him to be careful or I'd have to go back into the tank."

Itachi waited, thinking he would continue but he stopped staring out into the distance. "Sasuke."

The boy blinked quickly looking at his brother, "Yes?"

"What happened next?"

Sasuke smiled, "Oh he cut me up luckily I blacked out before he finished and Kabuto had to put me in the tank for two days."

Itachi did his best to ease his churning stomach. He felt like he'd be ill even though he’d taken precautions. There was a call for a break in his earpiece. He was grateful.

"We are going to take a short break." He remarked standing.

He motioned to Sai to stop recording and then Neji and Haku at the door. They opened it to let Naruto inside. He moved to the door that led to the other side where the kage were waiting with council. He entered the room to greet somber faces. His mother was wiping her eyes. He leaned to kiss her cheek before sitting in the chair beside her.

"He seemed more nervous about talking about the experiments and training than the other trauma," the Kazekage observed.

"That is because Sasuke fears that's what will worry you the most." Itachi explained, "I got the chance to see his relay, it rivals that of Nara Shikamaru's. You've also heard of his physical skills when he easily subdued seventeen men and he was still sick. When he fully recovers it will be intimidating."

"True," the Raikage commented, "We will ask for him to demonstrate his sharingan later."

After a few minutes they were ready to continue Itachi returned to the room to sit in front of Sasuke. Naruto exited shortly after he had entered. The eldest Uchiha smiled seeing that his younger brother seemed more at ease. His aides returned to their posts. He signaled Sai to continue the record.

"Now I want you to list names of everyone on the SS Manda and what you know about them."

Sasuke nodded, "I didn't know the names for most of the crew. They just fucked me because Orouchimaru-sama didn't want to stop sometimes and he wouldn't let them get a whore. Orouchimaru-sama’s crew was always changing too because when he got tired of someone he’d get rid of them and find someone new. I know Kimimaro. He tended to me when Kabuto was too drunk. Kimi-kun was very nice to me. Sometimes if he wasn't feeling sick he'd take me to his room. I think everyone thought he wanted to fuck me without them watching but he'd read stories to me and let me have a bath. Kimi-kun is really nice." His eyes widened suddenly, "Is Kimi-kun still here? His pod was on the ship. Was he... Is he alive?"

Itachi waited for an answer and smiled when he received it. "Yes his pod is still operating. We haven't opened it but diagnostics were run. Now that we know who he is we will open the pod to begin treatment."

Sasuke smiled, "I'm glad that he is safe. Orouchimaru-sama saved Kimi-kun and he became indebted to him. That’s why he was with him, not because he’s a bad man like Kabuto. Kimi-kun is a good person surrounded by bad people."

“We’ll find his origins and try our best to be accommodating,” Itachi remarked. "Were there others that you knew?"

"Kabuto," he began, "Kabuto is very smart, and he makes SphaX. He's most loyal to Orouchimaru-sama. He will do anything for him. He didn't want me; he didn't like me but he kept me alive and fucked me for Orouchimaru-sama. He helps Orouchimaru-sama switch bodies and makes droids that are different from everyone else’s. He works with tech and watches experiments." Sasuke looked down, "He put me on SphaX one day because I'd struggle and get beaten by the men then Kabuto would have to punish them before Orouchimaru-sama killed them. He said that he can't run the ship by himself so he had to drug me. He made a new SphaX. It’s purple and it feels like venom is rushing down your veins. It makes you shake and black out."
Sasuke looked up briefly, “I think Kabuto started to like me more when I was on SphaX. He fucked me more when I was in a trip or he’d use one of his toys on me, but he always stitched me up. He didn’t like to cum inside me. Orouchimaru-sama let him do it even after he told everyone else that they couldn’t. Still he’d only cum in my mouth.” His brow furrowed, “Actually I think he just liked my mouth more. Orouchimaru-sama would always say that he had a tongue fetish.”

Itachi took a slow deep breath, "Tell me about Orouchimaru?"

"He likes when I'm bleeding most. He says that I’m very pretty when I bleed. He only allows me to be on SphaX sometimes because he likes to fuck me when I can struggle the right way." He was very casual about the entire thing, "His cock tastes different too." Itachi's eyes widened and he was momentarily frozen. "I think it’s because his spunk is different and it really burns when he cums inside more than with others. Kabuto said he was trying to get me pregnant so he mutated his sperm. He always makes me swallow it too but it’s like drinking acid."

Sasuke stopped looking off into the distance. He spoke as though he’d forgotten Itachi was there at all as though he were simply musing to himself. Itachi heard a comment to stop in his ear. He once again gave the signals and left to the other room. His mother was weeping. He sat beside her and took her hand. He looked at how Sasuke smiled as Naruto spoke to him animatedly about something.

"He's going to get better look at how he smiles with Naruto." He mentioned. She look to see him chuckling as Naruto pouted, "He's safe now. He'll get better with time."

She nodded weakly smiling, she squeezed his hand. He was about to return her smile when he saw that idiot pilot kissing his brother.

"Nyaah Sasuke there's plexi right there you can't just kiss me everyone will see!" Naruto shouted.

Sasuke only blinked, "Oh yes Tachi-nii will be mean to you now. I'd forgotten."

"Teme," Naruto groaned, "You can't forget such important things or I will call you dobe."

Sasuke smiled, "Okay and you can be teme."

Naruto laughed and leaned down before Sasuke's face, "Still cheeky teme."

Itachi didn't want to smile but Sasuke looked so happy. He looked to the others in the room to find that Hatake was missing. He frowned and looked to the Hokage, before he could form the question she answered.

“He’s vomiting.”

Itachi nodded, it was only fitting. Itachi had taken a pill so that his body wouldn’t have that particular reaction. “He didn’t take a pill or a spray?”

“To be honest,” the Mizukage began, “you, your mother, Hokage, and Tsuchikage were the only ones to take the pill. The rest of us didn’t take the pill until the first break, it obviously didn’t settle with Hatake-san as quickly as he had hoped.”

He nodded understanding, after hearing Sasuke speak so frankly he was glad he had been able to keep most of his composure. He was also very impressed with his aides. He had seen only a tiny trembling from Neji, a simply wavering in Sai’s hand, and a small inaudible gasp from Haku. They were taking it much better than expected.

“Is he always like this with Naruto?” The Kazekage asked.

Itachi simply nodded, “Yes since he’s returned.” It irritated the elder brother to no end how fond Sasuke had grown to Naruto in the small time he’d been here.

“How’s he recovering from SphaX?” The Raikage asked.

“It’s slower than I had hoped, but it is working. I think he’s about finished with his physical lows so there should only be mental addiction problems now.” The Hokage answered, “He’s better when he’s around his family and Naruto.”

Itachi wasn’t surprised that she was already suggesting that it was better that Sasuke stayed with them.

The Raikage snorted turning back to the plexi, “We still don’t know if Orouchimaru is controlling him.”

“We’ve run every test on him.” The Mizukage replied. “We’ve had the best from every fraction look him over. The hardest thing to find was the bug they put in his brain.”

“It does seem to fit together all too easily,” The Tsuchikage began, “After six years of searching for Orouchimaru we suddenly find him with his defenses down and a Jichuriki team ready to attack only to find that Uchiha Sasuke is still miraculously alive.”

“I’d hardly call having my brother found, overdosing on a newer, more potent version of the most dangerous substance in known space, bleeding, beaten, and brainwashed ‘fitting together all too easily’. And to imply that there was foul play would be to doubt your own fraction who accidentally found Orouchimaru’s location.” Itachi rebutted. “He was only rescued by Konoha fraction because they were closest and the Jichuriki team has Nara Shikamaru who, as I’m sure you all know, hacked the frequencies again. Thus alerting Uzumaki Naruto, who pilots the Kyuubi to take off toward the scene, and the rest of the team followed.”
The older man scoffed but didn’t supply a rebuttal.

Lord Hyuuga Hiashi spoke next, “Has he become close with anyone else?”

Itachi shook his head, “No, he has spent most of his time sick and is paranoid that Orouchimaru will kidnap him again making him very untrusting. His reactions to people are different depending on what he remembers of their previous history and current standing. He tends to be a bit more relaxed around crew who he remembers from the academy and those who introduce themselves as a connection to my mother, Uzumaki, and myself.”

He nodded. The door opened and Hatake returned, he bowed briefly and apologized. Itachi waited until he settled.

“Do you have any questions you’d like to ask before we continue?”

Hatake looked to him, “Ask him how he feels about Orouchimaru last.”

Itachi nodded. He kissed his mother’s hand before returning to the room. Naruto pouted about having to leave but did so reluctantly. Sasuke seemed saddened that he had gone. Itachi sat, Sai began recording.

“Can you tell me more about Kimimaro? What his abilities are? What Orouchimaru made him do?”

He nodded, “Orouchimaru-sama made Kimi-kun into a killer and a fighter. Kimimaro told me that at first he was confused but then he was okay with it. He said it wasn’t until me that he didn’t like being with Orouchimaru-sama but I understood that. Orouchimaru-sama was always very nice to Kimi-kun. He never hit him or fucked him. He made sure that the crew knew not to mess with Kimimaro. He was like a father to him and Kimimaro and Kimimaro accepted all the bad things Orouchimaru-sama had done. Kimimaro has a bone disease. His bones grow and splinter and it can cut his skin. It hurts him a lot.” Sasuke looked down, “He got really sick sometime when I was dosed up. He didn’t like that they put me on SphaX once when I was lucid I heard him yelling at Kabuto. I don’t know when they had to pod Kimi-kun though.”

“What do you know of Kabuto’s abilities?”

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed, “He’s good at modifying the things that Orouchimaru-sama makes. Orouchimaru-sama created SphaX but Kabuto modified it so that they could sell it as a drug. Kabuto is also a skilled doctor. He is very good at surgery. He’d do anything for Orouchimaru-sama, anything. I don’t like Kabuto, sometimes I think if Orouchimaru-sama really did die Kabuto could become even worse than Orouchimaru.”

Itachi nodded before continuing, “During your time on the SS Manda what illegal activities did you observe?”

“Well Orouchimaru-sama killed people,” He began listing them off on his fingers, “He killed a lot of people, and he sold slaves. He kidnapped people for genetic experiments. He stole credit, identities, and property. He had Kabuto do a lot of hacking; and he worked with Madara.”

Itachi heard several questions all pertaining to Madara. He for the most part ignored them, knowing what he needed to ask, “Why was Orouchimaru working with Madara?”

“It was early,” Sasuke started, “It was just after I’d gotten out of the tank from Orouchimaru-sama cutting me up. Orouchimaru-sama was going to fuck me again when Kabuto told him they had a message from someone. He was going to ignore it but Kabuto said it was from the Akatsuki. Then Orouchimaru-sama asked who specifically, and Kabuto told him it was Madara and that his ship was only minutes away and he wanted to come aboard. So Orouchimaru-sama told Kabuto to have the dock prepared and to dress me. Kabuto took me to the dock where Orouchimaru-sama was waiting. Madara had on a mask with only one eye showing but he had his sharingan activated so I knew it had to be him. They had already been talking about something. Orouchimaru-sama told him he’d work with the droid and asked why he didn’t ask Sasori to do it. Madara said that he had to keep somethings for himself. Then Orouchimaru asked what did he want in return and Kabuto pushed me forward. Then Madara smiled and said that Orouchimaru-sama had already decided for him and that it was a very agreeable deal. Orouchimaru-sama said he was getting more than he deserved, 12 hours, and that he would owe him later.”

He stopped looking down, wringing his hands nervously. Itachi went slowly, “What happened next?”

“Kabuto took us to a room with a bed. He pushed me in and then Madara walked in. When Kabuto closed and locked the door I was frightened. Then Madara came towards me and he grabbed my wrist and I was scared. I activated my sharingan.” He looked up with sad, guilt ridden eyes, “But it was an accident Tachi-nii honest. I didn’t mean to.”

Itachi reached over to hold his brother’s hand, “I understand it wasn’t your fault, what happened then?”

“Madara stopped and he looked at me before shaking his head and smiling, “He said Orouchimaru-sama was lucky. He said my sharingan was special but he didn’t say how. Then he made me sit in his lap and he talked to me. He asked me questions, like if I had a best friend, and if I used hair gel. He let me take a nap and gave me some of his solid food, when they brought him food. When he had to leave he kissed my forehead and told me that we would meet again when I was older but he never came again.”

Itachi waited for more questions to come but none did. He had only one question left. “How do you feel about Orouchimaru?”

Sasuke looked at him, his sharingan activated. Itachi’s own eyes bled red. “He’s alive and when he comes for me I will kill him because he cannot steal me again. I have never belonged to him.”

Itachi nodded. He turned to the plexi brow raised and waited but no more questions came. “We’re going to break for lunch now. If there are more questions we will continue, if not we’ll be moving you to our house.”

Sasuke blinked his sharingan faded, “They aren’t going to take me away?”

Itachi smiled deactivating his own, “Of course not.”

Sasuke returned his smile, “I’m almost better Tachi-nii. I ate a whole grapefruit all by myself and I did not throw it up.”

Itachi leaned over to kiss his brother’s cheek, “That is very good, otouto. You enjoy lunch with Naruto, my aides will be joining you.”

“I told Neji that Haku-kun looks like a girl.” He commented suddenly. “And Haku-kun said that he looks like a flat-chested Hinata-san. All of your aides look like girls.” His head cocked to the side in curiosity. “It’s because you used to look more like a girl before you filled out?”

Itachi couldn’t help the blush that graced his face, he stood scowling. He poked Sasuke’s forehead, “Foolish little brother.”

“You don’t look much like a girl anymore aniki.” Sasuke chuckled. He heard more laughing through his ear piece and frowned.

“You’re one to talk, Sasuke-chan.”

The younger Uchiha only smiled brightly, “Because I look like mother, but I’m very happy to look like mother.”

Itachi found himself smiling once more, he leaned down and kissed his brother’s forehead before brushing his bangs from his eyes, “I’ll see you after we’re done.”

His brother nodded as he continued to smile. Naruto was escorted in and immediately rushed to Sasuke whose smile only brightened. Itachi exited to the other room. The atmosphere was lighter he counted it as Sasuke’s sudden admission. His mother smiled at him.

“He’s getting better.” She remarked looking to the plexi again.

He looked to the others in the room, “Shall we move on to the conference room?”
Everyone stood, moving to the conference room. He looked back to his brother one last time to find Sasuke was looking at him.

Sasuke was certain that even though he couldn’t see him do it. His brother was looking back at him.

“Ne Sasuke, are you paying attention?”

He waved quickly before turning back to Naruto, “Yes, I was just waving to Tachi-nii.”

Naruto pouted, “If you were listening, what did I say?”

“I lied not to hurt your feelings.” He added casually, “Say it again.”

“You gotta pay better attention dattebayo.” Naruto whined before continuing, “So I was practicing right and then Sakura-chan comes in and WHAM!” He shouted, “She punches me right in the face. Right in the face, and you know why?”

He stood moving to sit in Naruto’s lap, he ran his fingers through his blond’s hair, “No why?”

“We-well, you know I was talking to Kakashi-sensei in the hanger and he said he heard that I kissed you. So I asked him how did he know and he said that Shikamaru had bugged Neji so he saw the whole thing and told everybody. Then Sakura comes in and punches my jaw off yelling at me cause I kissed you.” He explained.

The Uchiha looked at him plainly, “You did not realize that Neji was bugged?”

“No, of course not, why did you?”

He nodded, “Of course dobe.”

The blond wrapped his arms around the boy in his lap, “Nyaah, Sasuke I can’t believe you’re so much smarter than me and I studied really hard while you were away to catch up.”

Sasuke leaned down to kiss him when a cough from the entrance distracted him. He looked up to see Neji, beside him was Sai and behind him was a giggling Haku.

“We’ve brought lunch, if you want to follow us to the galley.” Neji replied.

Sasuke briefly wondered how many steps it would take to get to the galley and if he could take that many steps. However, Naruto swept him into his arms effortlessly.

He grinned down at him, “Don’t worry I won’t drop you teme.”

He only nodded wrapping his arms around his tanned neck as he followed them down the corridor.

“You’re much stronger now.” He mumbled against him.

“I had to get stronger to help bring you back home.”

They entered the galley and Sasuke was surprised to find it filled with familiar faces. Holovid ran the ceiling saying: Welcome Home Sasuke. Naruto place him in the chair at the head of the table and kissed his cheek before joining the people surrounding him.

They chorused, “Welcome home, Sasuke,” before bursting into cheers and applause.

TBC

Thank you for reading. Please let me know what you think of the story so far.