Unanticipated Reunions and Alliances

Darial_Kuznetsova: What name errors? O_O If you mean the u with the line over it, too much trouble to deal with since it’s not on a normal keyboard and “uu” is the convention for replacing it. Or if you mean Tobi/Madara, I started writing this over a year ago, we didn’t know the truth of things at that point. If it’s something else, let me know. Anyway, thank you and how did you know it was the story I was working on? Consider this update just for you!
DarkAngelJudas: ^_^ I gave myself a chuckle while writing that. I thought they needed to cut loose a little and get in my favorite “Uchiha are easy drunks” joke. But also, there was no other way I could see Sasuke letting Neji top, he had to get drunk.
Prescripto13: Indeed, they shouldn’t really trust Konoha as far as they can throw them (though with this group, that’s pretty far). Naruto and Shikaku are there. You know the elders aren’t going to like the idea of the Uchiha coming home or admitting the truth.
Live to anger the World: Yeah, they have some hurtles.
xxSazzyBabexx: ^_^

Okay, I was in a car accident. I'm okay, just an injured knee, but my truck was totaled and so I'm dealing with that. Posts will probably continue to be delayed, so bear with me.

----------

Sasuke woke up in his brother’s arms. He felt immediately guilty that Itachi had slept against the hard wall, but he couldn’t let Itachi go in his room and smell the sex that he was sure permeated the air in there after what he and Neji had done.

Neji. He could feel the fact he’s been fucked, but it wasn’t painful. Well, not physically. He regretted doing anything with him. A few more days and they would never see each other again. He snuggled deeper in Itachi’s arms.

Itachi stroked his hair. Sasuke didn’t want to move, but he knew his brother was probably stiff and in some pain with his burned leg. He pulled back.

“Are you alright, otouto?” Itachi asked.

“Thank you. I’m sorry; you shouldn’t be sleeping on the floor with your leg.”

“It’s fine. You avoided my question.”

“I don’t know. I’m just so sad and depressed.”

Itachi was certain Kakashi was right. “You’re revenge is over and the goals you held onto for so long are gone. It’s left you empty. Revenge will do that.”

“Yeah.” Sasuke stood and helped his brother up. He put Itachi’s arm over his shoulders and encouraged him to put his weight on him as they left. It didn’t hurt that much to walk, but Itachi let Sasuke take some of his weight.

It was silent. It was still early. Sasuke took Itachi to Kakashi’s room and gently opened the door. Kakashi had been asleep, but was too much a shinobi not to wake up. He got up and helped Itachi to the bed.

“Are you alright, Sasuke?” Kakashi asked.

“Yeah, I think so. Get some real sleep, Aniki.”

Itachi smiled at him as Sasuke left to go back to his own room.

“Did he say anything?” Kakashi asked Itachi once the door shut.

“Not really, just that’s he’s sad and depressed.”

“Give him some time. He’s not had a naturally happy disposition in a very long time.”

“Which is my fault.”

“Stop it. He loves you. Don’t beat yourself up over this; let Sasuke do that.”

Itachi smiled and laid down. “Should we even try to negotiate? I just want to grab Sasuke and run. With you, of course.”

Kakashi thought about it and honestly he couldn’t bring himself to miss Konoha; he was far too happy to be with Itachi and having Sasuke with them as well. “I wouldn’t mind. Though we’d probably have to become mercenaries; we don’t have any other skills.”

“Maybe.” Itachi was drifting off. “Not much different then village life.”

“I guess you’re right.” Kakashi spooned him and pulled the blanket over them. “Sleep. You’ll have a hangover to deal with in a few hours.”

“Hmmm.”

-----

Sasuke tired to sleep, but it was useless. It was only an hour or two before dawn so he decided on coffee. Kabuto always kept these hideouts stocked since he would spend days on end working on various things. Sasuke found a sealed canister and prepared it. Those that had passed out the night before were still where they fell. Sasuke could see them from where he perched on the counter.

The coffee was bitter and smelled wonderful. The base was still cold despite attempts to heat the whole place and all the bodies in it. The coffee warmed him, but did little for his spirits. This life had become comfortable even more than life with Orochimaru had become though that was a longer period of time. He wanted to stay out here with his brother, his lover, and his friends. He didn’t want to go back to Konoha. He was a missing-nin, guilty of desertion if nothing else. And dealing with Naruto . . . especially after Naruto nearly killed him. Itachi wouldn’t be too pleased with the blond either. Kakashi was certainly in trouble, and Sakura. And Itachi was still the most wanted missing-nin in the entire world; they should make a new classification above S just for Itachi.

At least Neji was off the hook. He and Shikamaru could return home. Juugo was doomed to remain by Sasuke’s side because of split personality, Karen might leave if she found out about Neji—but then again, with Neji gone . . . Suigetsu was a wildcard. Sasuke would try to get Konoha to take the refugees; they deserved better after all Orochimaru put them through. But this group would not last. The Land of Rivers was nice and he’d heard there were some beautiful, secluded places in the Lightening Country. He didn’t really care for the ruralness of the Land of Waves, but at least they were known and liked there.

What did he train so hard for? What had he betrayed his village for? He should blame Itachi for this, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t feel hate for Itachi; Itachi had fucked up his own life as much as he had fucked up Sasuke’s. There was no one left to blame. As Itachi said—and Kakashi before him—revenge left him empty. He didn’t know what to do. He felt a tear escape his eye.

Kakashi’s entrance startled him.

“I thought you were with my brother.”

“He’s sleeping. I’m awake now, so I decided to stay up. Coffee?”

Sasuke nodded and Kakashi helped himself to a cup. “Good stuff.”

“Orochimaru prided himself on being able to get the best of anything. If it kept Kabuto awake and happy, he would buy it.”

“Your memories of Orochimaru and Kabuto aren’t painful?”

“Painful?” Sasuke scoffed. “I’ve been so emotionally closed off they couldn’t hurt me like that. They both learned when to back off rather quickly. I knew how valuable I was that if they didn’t take the hint I could always threaten suicide. Try to use my corpse then, bastards. No, they treated me well enough. Orochimaru wasn’t very nurturing, but he wasn’t brutal. We had an understanding; I wanted to learn and could learn anything he wanted to teach me fast with my Sharingan. Kabuto was the one I had to watch out for, but I had to trust him since he was always injecting me with something. He was too afraid of Orochimaru to fuck with me though.”

“I was always afraid of what they were doing to you.”

“Everyone seems to think I was raped. As if I’d let that happen. He may have been a Sanin, but he was nothing against my Sharingan after my fight with Naruto. I used his own curse seal against him too. Nothing scares a snake more than a hawk. They treated me well.” Sasuke smirked. “They did try to seduce me though. Orochimaru thought he was far sexier than he was.”

“I’m glad nothing happened to you. I blamed myself for not being able to stop you.”

“I don’t really regret it. I’m not sure if I would have gone crazy in Konoha or been drawn into having a normal life. Getting Itachi back is worth anything though.”

“I agree.” Kakashi put his cup down and came up to Sasuke. He put his hand in Sasuke’s hair and pulled him to lean against him. “No matter what, you’ll always have Itachi and I, always.”

Sasuke put his own cup down and hugged his former sensei. He let himself cry for the second time in a matter of hours, the third or fourth time in years. Kakashi’s hand slid down to encircle Sasuke’s back.

“You were always my favorite, Sasuke; like a son to me. If you can’t talk to your brother, I hope you can talk to me.”

Obviously speaking through tears while pressed against Kakashi’s chest, Sasuke said, “Trying to get me to explain my sudden depression last night?”

“No. Just letting you know the two of us are here and only want you to be happy. Well, honestly, your happiness is second to Itachi’s, but since his is dependent on yours . . .”

“I just felt incredible lonely.”

Kakashi’s arm around Sasuke tightened. “It’s Neji, isn’t it?” he whispered. Sasuke tried to pull back, but Kakashi held him. “I won’t tell Itachi. I know Neji better than Itachi does and I can see the affect you have on him and I can put two and two together.”

“I shouldn’t have done that. We won’t see each other again.”

“You don’t know that.”

“You’ve always been an optimist.”

“Not always. If we’re accepted back in Konoha, we can convince Itachi to accept it. I always had doubts about Hideaki. I don’t think he was himself when he attack Itachi. I don’t have the courage or the evidence to say that to Itachi. I don’t believe the Hyuuga are traitorous. But I should have dissuaded you the moment I suspect it. Neji’s an important member of the clan, not the future head, but very important. The clan may not allow him to choose any lover he wants. Even if we go back to Konoha, you may not be able to be together. Just be prepared for that. Neji must know that too.”

“Are you here to make me feel better or worse?” Sasuke voice was muffled by Kakashi’s shirt.

“Better. I’d say under the circumstances, you’re sort of my brother-in-law.” Kakashi kissed the top of Sasuke’s head. “Cheer up, otouto.” He released Sasuke. Sasuke was a few seconds straightening up. “And challenge your brother to a cathartic little fight as soon as he’s healed; he needs to vent all the guilt he’s carrying around over you. He’s depressing the hell out of me sometimes.”

Kakashi left. Sasuke did feel better. He looked to make sure Suigetsu and the others who had passed out were still out. They were. He scavenged some of the leftover food, taking a large plateful with him back to his room. He took his brother’s advice and drank as much water as he could stomach and crawled into bed. He planned to stay in bed for some time and had enough food and water to last him. He needed another therapeutic night’s sleep.

-----

The fest’s leftovers lasted everyone for the day. Hangovers kept many in their rooms, so no one was surprised not to see the brothers out during the day. Sasuke stumbled out eventually and played shogi with Shikamaru.

“We should leave soon,” Shikamaru said.

“Ah. Take Sakura with you. She either came willingly or we kidnapped her, anything to keep her out of trouble.”

“Ah.”

“You can stock up and leave tomorrow. We’ll leave too and head to another base in case Konoha decides to kill us and turn you against us with genjutsu or something. If they do that, you can tell them about this place and we’ll already be gone. We’ll write up our conditions and give them to you. I’ll figure out a meeting place for one of you to get in touch with us with their response.”

“I shouldn’t ask, but what will you do if you can’t come to some agreement?”

“Run away. We’ll find somewhere to live away from the shinobi world. We might have to become bounty hunters or mercenaries to survive, but we’ll stay out of the way. Though I can’t speak for everyone, just my brother, Kakashi, and Juugo.

“I’m leaving talking to Naruto to you. It might be best not to say anything until it’s all settled and we’re welcomed back or exiled, but he might prove to be our greatest ally depending on his standing in the village. Don’t let him come after us, no matter what.” Shikamaru nodded. “If we can’t come home, I don’t want him wasting the rest of his life chasing after me. I guess you can always tell him we died. Previously unknown Akatsuki came after us or missing-nins, or something.”

“He’ll chase after revenge rather than you then.”

“Then we took them down and but were mortally wounded.”

Shikamaru nodded. “My father’s helping run things until the Fifth wakes up. He trusts my judgment. Neji and I will bring you home.”

“I seriously doubt most of the village will want us back. Do what you can, but don’t get yourselves in trouble on our account. The three of us made conscious decisions to leave.”

Shikamaru won the game.

-----

The three Sharingan users gathered soon after Sasuke’s game with Shikamaru and discussed what terms they would ask for. They were simple really. It helped that the brothers couldn’t give a fuck about their family’s honor anymore. Though their terms were simple, they weren’t easy.

That night Sasuke went to Neji’s room. He hugged him close.

“I’m going to miss you,” Sasuke said.

“Not as much as I’ll miss you. I love you, Sasuke.” He threaded his fingers in Sasuke’s onyx hair. Sasuke just rubbed his head against Neji’s like an affectionate cat. Sasuke turned to kiss his lips as he pulled away.

“I wish I could give you something like the kimono.”

“You gave me something better.”

Sasuke actually blushed. Neji kissed him. There was no fight for dominance, they both just kissed. Sasuke pulled back before either of them could get hard.

“Itachi’s watching me like a hawk so I can’t stay. I think he’s kicking Kakashi out to keep me close tonight. Either that or we’ll be making a chaste Itachi sandwich tonight.”

Neji smiled. “I better say goodbye right now then.” He kissed Sasuke again, more passionately than before, savoring his flavor. He held Sasuke firmly against him, memorizing the feeling of his body in his arms. They parted.

“I say we’ll see each other again in a month,” Neji said.

“Optimist.”

“Realist.”

“I should hate for you making me miss you. Goodbye and thank you.”

-----

Everyone came out to see Shikamaru, Neji, and Sakura off.

Sakura ran up and hugged Sasuke. “We’ll convince them to take you back, I promise.” She didn’t want to let go of him, but had to pull away. She turned to Itachi. “I gave Karen everything to treat your burns. Eat the soldier pills, they’ll speed healing.”

Itachi tried not to grimace. “Thank you, Sakura.”

She looked to Kakashi. “I’ll make sure they know you didn’t kidnap me.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

Shikamaru just nodded to them. Neji stared at Sasuke, but just nodded to him. The trio left for Konoha with Uhei guiding them.

“We have a day before we have to leave,” Sasuke said. “Karen, we need to decide where to go next.”

-----

Kakashi wrapped his arms around Sasuke from behind as Sasuke was making himself breakfast the next morning. “Good morning, otouto!”

Sasuke turned as much as he could with Kakashi clutching him. “Never call me ‘otouto,’ nii-san. Don’t call me ‘Sasuke-chan’ or ‘chibi’ either or I’ll scratch out your other eye.”

“What about ‘nii-chan?’”

“I’d prefer ‘nii-san,’ nii-san.”

Kakashi kissed the side of his head. “Nii-san’s excepted me as family!”

“Get off, Kakashi.”

“Your brother’s not around.”

“You are asking to die.”

Kakashi let go.

Sasuke sat down across from Suigetsu who was smirking. Much more sedate, Kakashi sat down near his ‘brother-in-law.’

“If Itachi’s ready to travel,” Sasuke said, “we’ll leave once everyone is packed. Karen and I chose a place within the Fire Country. I gave Shikamaru the location for a dead drop to leave Konoha’s answer to our conditions. We’ll check it in a week.”

Sasuke put a hand to his head, he was even more stressed than when he was planning their little war against Akatsuki and Danzo; he’d been plagued by a headache for a day now. He’d also been depressed; Kakashi’s antics were to lift his mood. Kakashi may be a little laid back, but none of his actions were petty or without reasons.

“Where’s my brother?” Sasuke asked Kakashi.

“I’m here, otouto,” Itachi said from behind him. He’d actually seen Kakashi’s antics and was happy to see Sasuke’s reaction. But he could see how depressed his little brother still was. “If you put that genjutsu on me again, I can run with you to the next hideout.”

“I just want them to give us a yes or no so we don’t have to hop around undercover like this more than once. I want to go home, wherever that may be.”

Itachi wrapped a hand over Sasuke’s forehead and affectionately brushed Sasuke’s hair back as he walked by to collect food. Kakashi immediately got up to make a plate for Itachi so he could sit besides his brother.

Suigetsu had been eyeing the interactions between the brothers since Hebi had joined up with Kakashi and Itachi. Sasuke had noticed and knew why.

“Eh, Sasuke,” Suigetsu said. “Do you even know what you’ll do if your village doesn’t welcome you back?”

“Find somewhere we can live—aboveground—and probably find work as bounty hunters or mercenaries. I don’t want to be a nomad and I don’t want to live underground any longer. Will you try to go home? Go rouge? Stay with us?” There was an inflection in Sasuke’s voice at the end that suggest that he hoped Suigetsu would decide to stay.

“I haven’t decided. I’m not sure I want to go home or stay anywhere. I may choose to became a nomad.”

“As long as you don’t lead any trouble to our doorstep, you’ll be welcome with us.”

“Ha!” Karin said as she came in. She was the same as ever; used to being the only woman among so many men. The only reason she didn’t throw herself at Sasuke was he was sitting between Itachi and Juugo. With Sakura gone, she would no doubt try to seduce Sasuke again.

“What are you going to do, Karin?” Suigetsu asked.

“Stay with Sasuke.”

Honestly, Sasuke wouldn’t mind if she left. He’d only recruited her for her tracking and medical talents. He didn’t react to any of this. He was actually tempted to say screw it and just leave without waiting for Konoha’s answer. He just wanted his brother. He was tired; he just wanted all this to end.

“We’ll leave once everyone is packed,” Sasuke said.

-----

When the Konoha group arrived, they were met by a sight none of them could have prepared for: their village was destroyed. They’d heard about it, but they did not understand how bad the damage had been. That was somewhat mitigated by the news that Tsunade was awake and reinstated as the Hokage. The three of them met with her and Shikaku in the temporary Hokage headquarters. Shikamaru reported everything that had happened and Sasuke’s terms. Neji stood stoically next to him.

The last few weeks were far more vivid for Neji than Shikamaru’s report. Neji missed Sasuke more than he thought he would just a few hours after leaving him. None of what he was thinking about now was arousing, he really just missed the dour Uchiha.

“You’re opinion on Sasuke and his group?” Tsunade asked Shikamaru.

“He’s not a danger to Konoha, nor is anyone else in his group. Kakashi and Itachi are very much in love and that’s why Kakashi helped and fled with Itachi. I don’t think either of them would ever betray Konoha, especially if Itachi’s story is true, which I have no problem believing; Itachi loves Sasuke too much to have done anything malicious against him. No one is that good an actor over this much time. He adores Sasuke. And Kakashi.

“The others, Suigetsu, Karin, and Juugo are very loyal to Sasuke. Karin’s in love with him and Juugo is like a puppy, he will follow wherever Sasuke leads. But Suigetsu is more of a friend. He’s formerly of Kiri and was apparently captured by Orochimaru; he never actually left Kiri, therefore not really a missing-nin. He’ll either go home or go off on his own. The refugees see Sasuke as a savior and will follow him, but Sasuke wants us to take them regardless. I agree that they will be no danger. If Sasuke tells them to swear loyalty to Konoha, they will.”

“Neji?”

“I agree with everything Shikamaru said. I really believe we should take the whole group back. Sasuke does want to come home, but if you don’t take Itachi back, he will not come back ether; he will remain with Itachi, as will Kakashi. You take all three or none of them. Actually, you take the whole group, or none at all. Sasuke will not abandon anyone. However, Suigetsu is not part of the deal, he’ll go his own way.”

“Sakura?”

“I want Sasuke and Kakashi to come home and I don’t think Itachi or the others will be a threat. Itachi’s a good man and talented. I see no reason not to take them all in.”

“Alright. The biggest problem is Itachi’s past. The brothers may be fine with their family sins being known, but Konoha’s sins are threatened here as well.”

“If the brothers can forgive, why won’t the rest of the village?” Neji asked. “It was done to avert civil war.”

“We’ll discuss it.”

“The three of us won’t defy you, but we, and Naruto I’m sure, will do whatever it takes to convince you to let them all come home.” Everyone was surprised by Neji’s statement, but Sakura and Shikamaru didn’t distance themselves from it.

“Understood,” Tsunade said.

“Speaking of Naruto,” Shikamaru said. “Sasuke knows he will be an advocate for them to come home, but he doesn’t want Naruto to do anything stupid or spend the rest of his life trying to bring him back. He wondered if it would be best not to tell him anything and tell him they’re dead if you don’t welcome them back so Naruto can put Sasuke behind him.”

Tsunade sighed. Naruto had become like a grandson to her. She had to hate Sasuke a little for putting the brat through all this. What should she do?

“Maybe Sasuke’s right. Say nothing to Naruto; tell him you’re under orders not to talk about Sasuke and the others. Give the impression that it’s bad news, that Sasuke and Kakashi are dead. It will make it more believable if it comes to it. However, I’m hopeful they will come home.”

They were dismissed.

-----

Naruto wasn’t told that they were home, but he eventually crossed Shikamaru’s path. “You’re back! Where’s Sasuke? What’s going on?”

“I can’t discuss it, Naruto, I’m sorry.”

“Come on, what’s happening, is he alright? What about Sakura? And Kakashi-sensei?”

“Sakura came back with Neji and I, but I’m under orders not to discuss anything about Sasuke or Kakashi. But if you’re worried about that wound you gave Sasuke, he recovered from it fine. It’s troublesome, but Neji, Sakura, and I are under orders not to say anything else though. Talk to the Hokage.”

Naruto ran off to do just that.

Shikamaru happened to be on his way to deliver Tsunade’s initial answer at the dead drop.

-----

Sasuke read the note Shikamaru left as soon as he reached the dead drop. He didn’t realize he was holding his breath until it fluttered the note as he read it. He went back to their current home.

They had found an abandoned house on the way to their next hideout and decided to stay here, aboveground. Sasuke gave them the news when he arrived.

“First off, Tsunade is awake and still the Hokage. Shikamaru left his own note saying that the village was completely destroyed, nothing left in the center but an empty crater; worse than they imaged. The rest is debris blown against the walls. They’ve already begun rebuilding.”

Itachi hugged himself. The village he sacrificed so much for was destroyed. Kakashi pulled him to lean back on him.

“On the brighter side, the Hokage wants to take us in, all of us. However, the elders are resistant to exposing their role in the Uchiha massacre. It’s basically the clearing of Itachi’s name Tsunade is having a problem with.”

Itachi seemed to shrink back into Kakashi. He was the problem.

“But she’ll take you,” Sasuke said to the refugees. “I want you to go; they will treat you well and help you build normal lives. Those of you have shinobi background or talent who want to become shinobi will be allowed to train. Unless you want to go somewhere else, you’re going to Konoha. But I’ll wait until we know what’s happening with the rest of us to send you there because I don’t want to have leave this place for now.”

The refugees nodded. Sasuke knew Shin in particular was devoted to him, but they understood that Sasuke wanted them to have security which they wouldn’t have with a bunch of outlaws.

“We’ll give them some time to argue and then contact them again.”

Later that night, Suigetsu sat outside sucking on his water bottle, on watch. Sasuke had finished his and was suppose to be asleep. But sleep wouldn’t come. He sat up on his bed roll by the window. It was odd sleeping above ground for him, living nearly four years under ground with Orochimaru and more recently with this group. He leaned an elbow on the low window frame and stared out at darkness.

He was missing Neji. And not just the sex. They had only slept together three times, but he was missing the warmth of Neji’s body, his smell, and the way he stroked him like a cat at times. He was missing his companionship, talking with him, his—sometimes successful—attempt at making him laugh without acting like an idiot. Damn it! he inwardly cursed. He had fallen in love with Neji.

He wrapped his arms around himself. It was a poor substitute. Cautiously, trying not to wake anyone, Sasuke got up and walked over to where his brother and Kakashi were sleeping. For once they weren’t spooning; Kakashi lay on his back and Itachi lay on his side with his back to his lover. Sasuke settled down in front of his brother, on his side with his back to him. He was just close enough that, if he concentrated enough, he could feel Itachi’s body heat behind him.

Itachi must have sensed a warm body in front of him because he draped an arm over Sasuke and pulled him closer like a teddy bear. Whether he could tell though asleep that this was his brother or he did not tend to wrap his arms too low on a person’s body, Sasuke was thankful for the chasteness of Itachi’s touch. He snuggled back against him a little and fell asleep.

-----

Itachi sent his raven off to get information two days earlier than Sasuke had suggested. He didn’t understand why the situation was wearing Sasuke down so much; he was also starting to think like his brother: just fuck it and run, anything to relieve the pressure from his little brother. However, Itachi wouldn’t like what his raven brought back. The Hyuuga.

Sasuke was by himself in the woods practicing katas, trying to clear his mind. He sensed something and recognized Neji’s presence. Knowing he’d caught Sasuke’s attention, Neji approached. Sasuke tensed, holding himself back from jumping Neji. The raven landed on a branch between them.

“No one followed me,” Neji said. “I wanted to tell you in person that the elders caved. They’ve already told everyone the true story. I think they’re taking it well. It’s the gossip of village as it’s rebuilding; giving everyone something else to talk about. People are taking sides, but it’s friendly in an odd sort of way. But people . . . pity the two of you. They actually want you back. Especially Itachi. He’s being put on a pedestal as someone who would do anything for the good of the village. The fact that we all worked together to end the Akatsuki helped. Your story has become mythical to the villagers. The shinobi understand it better and they also want you home. Of course they also want Kakashi back.”

“So we can come home?”

“Yes.”

Sasuke took a deep breath and leaned back against a tree. He looked a bit haggard.

Neji approached him. “Are you alright, Sasuke? You look almost as back as you did wounded.”


Sasuke smiled at him weakly. “My life has been stable for years. I had a purpose, I knew what I wanted, I knew I where I wanted to be, what I wanted to do. It’s all gone. And this uncertainly has been hard. I just want to go home and curl up in bed and sleep.” Neji was looking at him with concern. Sasuke reached up and put his hand on Neji’s cheek. “And I miss you. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not,” Neji responded.

“What about your clan? What do that think of all this.”

“I think they’re struggling with it. They understand your brother’s commitment to the village and obeying such high ranking orders, but loyalty to the clan is important to them. Almost more important. But they don’t know about us yet.”

“Does anyone know you’re here?”

By the tone of Sasuke’s voice, Neji knew he meant Itachi and Kakashi and the others. He used his Byakugan, but tried not to use too much chakra so Itachi wouldn’t notice.

“No.”

“Good.” He looked up at the raven. “Don’t tell Itachi about Neji coming here.”

“I’m not stupid,” the raven said.

“But you are loyal to him. Go home, Neji; we’ll follow in a day or so.”

Neji wanted to kiss him, but he left.

Sasuke and the raven went back to the house to share the news.

-----

The group purposely arrived under the cover of darkness. They all stopped dead at their first view of the devastated village. The guards descended on them. Sasuke and Kakashi removed the hoods of their winter cloaks. The Konoha shinobi stood down.

“The Hokage is waiting for you.”

Rather than walking down into the village, the group was led around the parameter and up onto the cliff to the Hokage’s temporary office. They were left there as someone went to wake Tsunade.

Sasuke and Kakashi stood on either side of Itachi in the fore, Sasuke’s team behind them, including Suigetsu, and the refugees behind them. It was clear everyone was defensive in case this was a deception. Even the raven was there on Itachi’s shoulder to make sure he hadn’t brought his master into a trap.

Tsunade finally arrived with Shizune behind her. She immediately recognized Itachi was being shielded.

“Relax, it’s not an ambush.” She sat behind her desk. “Sasuke and Kakashi, you two should be severely punished for what you’ve done, but under the circumstances, I’ll let that go. Itachi, welcome home. And welcome to the rest of you. Naruto will be ecstatic. As you can see, we’re still rebuilding so we can’t offer any of you a permanent place to live just yet, but I’ve had Yamato make you a house up here on the cliff since I’m sure you don’t want to be mixing with curious villagers just now.”

“Well,” Suigetsu said, “if you’re feeling safe, Sasuke, I’ll be going.”

“Take care, Suigetsu,” Sasuke said to him.

Suigetsu pulled Sasuke into a hug in a bilrgerant way, nearly knocking the wind out of the expressionless Uchiha. “Take care of your brother.” He looked at the Hokage, “I can leave, right?”

“You can stay if you want, but yes, you can leave.”

“See ya around,” he said and left. Sasuke and Itachi would miss him. Karin looked happy.

“Shizune, take them to house. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

-----

Yamato had provided a two story house with several rooms. Itachi invited his brother to share his room with Kakashi and Sasuke accepted. Karin of course got her own room.

Sasuke slept into the afternoon. Tsunade came to them that morning, but Itachi didn’t want to wake Sasuke. Itachi and Kakashi finalized everything with Tsunade.

Sasuke’s morning grumpiness never failed to amuse Kakashi. Sasuke staggered out and plopped down at the table.

“Ohayou.”

“It’s afternoon, otouto,” Itachi said as he came in to tend to his grumpy little brother.

“Huh? What about the Hokage?”

“Itachi and I met with her,” Kakashi said. “I’ll fix you some breakfast.”

Itachi sat across from Sasuke. “She wants us to stay up here and not help out since we’ll be a distraction with the village gossiping about us already. She wants them to get used to the idea before we reenter village life. There are a few who aren’t happy about me. We have ANBU guarding us.”

“Well, I feel safe,” Sasuke said with sarcasm dripping like venom from his lips.

“We have Juugo, Karen, and Kakashi, the five of us can take on anything a few unhappy shinobi can throw at us. She’s held Naruto back, insisting that we rest before he bothers us.”

“You’re not itching to kill him, are you?” Sasuke asked.

“I will have to get a shot in for injuring you. What about you?”

“I’m not looking forward to reuniting with him. So the Hokage just wants us to lounge up here for a while? Lovely.”

“Because neither of us have been Konoha shinobi for a long time, she wants to test us.” Sasuke grimaced. “She said she had Naruto go through a similar test. That one was he and Sakura against Kakashi.”

“Gah, what? She wants me to team up with those two to take on Kakashi? Or you and I against Kakashi? Stupid. And would suck for Kakashi.”

“I heard that, brat!” Kakashi called from the kitchen. “Netto it is.”

“No,” Itachi said. “She wants to observe you and I fight each other.”

Sasuke’s eyes opened completely. “What?”

“A few more days and I’ll be healed and you’ll be rested. If there’s any vestiges of hatred or a grudge in you, I beg you to take it out in this fight. I’ll defend myself to the utmost and push back a bit, but please, let’s air out any bad feelings in this fight.”

“I don’t like it. I don’t like the fact she’ll be watching. Probably with the same elders who ruined our lives.”

“Just her and her assistant. I think Kakashi will insist on being present.”

“Hai!!” The brothers ignored Kakashi.

“We’ll be out in one of the larger, open training areas and we can put everything behind us.”

“I don’t really have a choice, do I?”

“No, not really. And I want this fight.”

Sasuke studied his brother’s face. “Yeah, okay. You better go out back and train with Kakashi in preparation. I use the Chidori quite a bit so be ready to defend against it.”

“I will, otouto.”

“When does she plan to unleash Naruto on me?”

“He is chomping at the bit. When you’re ready.”

Kakashi returned with Sasuke’s breakfast, sans natto.

-----

Sasuke finally decided to bite the bullet and meet with Naruto. Itachi and Kakashi took up station against the wall behind Sasuke; Naruto might want to see Kakashi anyway. Sasuke was thrumming with nervousness; he really didn’t want to do this. They hadn’t parted on the best terms and their last two meetings had been exactly friendly.

As soon as the door opened, Naruto ran towards him and grabbed him in a tight hug, pressing his face into Sasuke’s chest. Sasuke was too squished to even think about returning the gesture. Then he realized Naruto was crying.

“Why are you crying, dobe?”

“I’ve missed you so much. All I’ve wanted was to bring you back.” He tightened his embrace. “I’m so glad your back.”

Sasuke really had nothing to say. Then he realized his cheeks were warm with tears. Maybe he missed the idiot after all. He forced an arm from Naruto’s embrace and put it around his shoulders. That struggle had loosened Naruto’s vice-like grip on his body.

“I really don’t know if I’m glad to be home yet. But I missed you. You were my only friend.”

“You were my first.”

“Iruka was your first.”

“You were always my best friend.”

“I tried to kill you. Three times. I haven’t been near you for nearly four years. You need better standards in friends.”

“But you’re back.”

Defeated, Sasuke was forced to agree, “Yeah, I’m back.”

Naruto’s hug cut off his breath again.

“Let the boy breathe,” Kakashi said. “You just got him back and you’re killing him.”

Naruto let go and looked his friend in the face for the first time since he Rasenganed him. Sasuke looked expressionless, but his cheeks were wet. Naruto was an absolute mess. Sasuke smiled. “Go wipe your face, dobe.”

Itachi came forward with a handkerchief. Naruto looked at him in amazement; he hadn’t noticed him there. Itachi smiled gently and warmly at him.

“There are no hard feelings I trust, Naruto-kun,” Itachi said. “I had to play my part. My brother is very dear to me, but since I hunted and dogged you, and put you under a cruel genjutsu not so very long ago, I will forget your injuring of my Otouto.”

Naruto gulped, then laughed nervously. He looked between the brothers. “Yeah, ahh, sorry about that. I really thought you were under genjutsu or something.”

“Our accounts are clear?” Itachi asked.

Naruto looked confused with wide eyes for a moment, then said, “Ahh, yeah.” He cleaned his face with Itachi’s handkerchief. His eye found Kakashi still standing against the wall behind Sasuke. “Kakashi-sensei!” Naruto rushed him and hugged him, though not as tightly as he had Sasuke.

“Naruto, it is good to see you again.”

“I was worried about all of you! My whole team was gone! I wish you would have brought me with you.”

“No one, including you at the time, would have stood for that.”

“I’m just glad you’re all back.” He turned back to Sasuke. “Want to go get ramen?”

“I’m not really suppose to leave this building. I’m not sure how long Tsunade plans on hiding us up here.”

“You’re not under arrest, are you?”

“No, she just wants the village to have time to accept the idea of us being here and give us a chance to rest. She’ll be testing Itachi and I soon. I don’t know why; we’re clearly Jounin level already. Maybe after that we’ll be allowed to rejoin village life and take missions again.”

“I think I’d rather go back into ANBU,” Itachi said. “Be the Hokage’s guard if she trusts me enough.”

“I’ve thought of that too,” Sasuke said. “I still want to keep to myself.”

Naruto was about to object to that, but Itachi beat him to it. “No. You’ve been isolated almost as long as I have. You should at least begin on a normal team. If after a year you want to join ANBU then fine, but otherwise, you will get used to being around and working with your peers again.”

“I could throw your words back at you, nii-san.”

Itachi glanced at Naruto; he didn’t really want to go into his reasons in front of him. “I’d rather be a bodyguard than an active shinobi. I’ve had enough of violence. I’d rather retire, but that’s not an option. Naruto, why don’t you grab a few bowls of ramen to go and bring them here for all four of us?”

“Yosh!”

Itachi handed him a few bills and Naruto ran out.

“Actually Itachi,” Kakashi said, “I think you should take on a genin team. You’re not quite the age I was when I took on Naruto and Sasuke, but I think you’d be good at it.”

Itachi eyed his brother. “I rather train some Uchiha heirs.”

Sasuke grew a little nervous. “You assume we’re not that alike.”

“Oh.” Itachi looked a little disappointed. “Anyone in mind?”

Sasuke shrugged. “But I do want children, I want to rebuild out clan. Both of us can still have kids. No matter what, you’ll be in your mid-thirties by the time any young Uchiha are ready to be trained; might as well hone your skills with a team now. I’m too young for that. I’m too rash and arrogant, impatient, irritable . . . I’ll just rejoin Team Seven or something for now. Maybe father a few heirs in a year or two. You should do the same.”

“I’ll stick to guarding the village in ANBU and I’ll babysit your kids while you’re out on missions.”

“Hn.”

Naruto soon returned and they had lunch together.

-----

A week later, the brothers were fully healed and rested. It was time for their fight. Only Kakashi and Shizune joined the Hokage to watch them. Itachi taunted Sasuke, trying to get him to release his anger and resentment toward him. It worked to an extent, but Sasuke had mostly let it go; he loved Itachi too much.

This was more than an airing of bad feelings, it was a test, so they showed off their jutsus. They cheated a little by warning each other of their capabilities beforehand so they had the opportunity to figure out how to evade and survive the techniques. Sasuke even demonstrated his Blaze Release ability on a clone of Itachi, but some techniques like Kirin were still kept back, a potential trump card no one knew about.

Worn out, they collapsed. Susanoo had kept them safe so neither was declared the winner. Itachi admitted once again that with Sasuke’s Blaze Release control of Amaterasu, he was the more powerful. Itachi was contented to fade into the background and let his brother become the most talented in the clan since Madara—and perhaps the entire shinobi world. It was what Sasuke always strove for, beating his brother. It didn’t make Sasuke happy like it would have when they were younger, but it felt like a weight lifted from him.

They were both reinstated as Jounin.

-----

Yamato built the brothers a large house on the edge of village where there was room for a potential new clan district. Karin and Juugo were given their own homes next door, though Karin thought it a waste since she was certain she would be moving in with Sasuke any day, whenever he decided to finally ask her to marry him. Kakashi, of course, moved into Itachi’s bedroom.

They all had to put up with stares and whispers and questions from the more confident villagers, but they could roam about the village without feeling like people distrusted them or wanted to kill them. That was a relief. It was kind of nice being back in the village, but the brothers were so unused to being around so many people that they were a little uncomfortable.

Sasuke was put back on Kakashi’s team with Naruto and Sakura and Itachi was put back in ANBU. Juugo and Karin were trained as a Konoha shinobi; an Uchiha, or at least someone with sealing abilities, were always around to subdue Juugo in case his murderous side came out.

While Itachi was on patrol, Sasuke snuck away to the Hyuuga district. He felt a little awkward entering this part of the village without permission or in company of a friendly Hyuuga—of which he only knew one. He was wearing his Uchiha kimono that Neji had given him, so he felt a little more conspicuous. Luckily, Hinata spotted him quickly. She came over.

“Sasuke-san! I, ah, can I ask? What are you doing here?”

“Forgive me for intruding,” he said. “I’m looking for Neji.”

“I think he’s training with my father. I’ll take you there.”

“Thank you.” He walked beside her through the district’s streets. “I haven’t seen you since the chunin exams. You recovered well?”

“Ahh, yes, thank you.”

“Still shy and nervous as you ever were.”

“I’m, ahh, surprised that you remember me.”

“I wasn’t there during your fight, but I saw the recordings and I remember you from the academy.”

They came to Hinata’s home. She lead the way in and they found Neji sparing with Hiashi. Neji sensed Sasuke’s arrival and was distracted, letting Hiashi knock him back off his feet. Sasuke smirked at the fact Neji could be so distracted by his presence. Hiashi had noticed him as well, but did not lose focus the way Neji had.

Hiashi turned to great him.

“Uchiha-sama.” Hiashi bowed to him. As young as Sasuke might be, he and his brother were the only surviving members of one of Konoha’s noble clans.

“Hyuuga-sama.” Sasuke bowed as well.

“To what do I owe this visit?”

“I was looking for Neji, but I can wait until your practice is finished.”

“I think we’re finished for the day.” Hiashi looked over at his nephew who was joining them. “It seems your presence is a sufficient distraction.”

Neji blushed. Sasuke smirked. “Apparently.”

“Let me freshen up,” Neji said and retreated into the house.

“I’m glad you and Neji have become friends; our clans never got along.”

“I’m aware of it. I’m afraid my brother carries a little of that prejudice.”

“Does he? I remember one of our clansmen being friends with him.”

“Itachi told me about that, but it seems they had a falling out of sorts.”

“Hmmm. It was . . . Hideaki. He died shortly after—well, after your clan . . . We could never be certain, but it seems he let himself be killed during a mission. He was very depressed after what happened to your clan and depressed even before that.”

“Forgive me for asking such a question, I know our clans did not like each other, but I don’t see a reason for that animosity to continue, but did your clan order Hideaki to kill Itachi?”

“Kill Itachi? Absolutely not. I was acknowledged as the clan head by that time and was in the council of the clan elders and there was no such mission.”

“Itachi says, and Kakashi was there at the time and confirms it, that Hideaki attacked my brother from behind while they were on an ANBU mission. He missed a vital spot and Kakashi wounded him as he was about to deliver a second blow.”

“Ahh, so that is what happened. I remember him returning with a wounded shoulder. He quit ANBU that very night.”

“Did he ever say anything about that?”

“No.”

“Kakashi said he didn’t seem like himself and neither of them ever saw Hideaki again.”

Hiashi’s eyes narrowed in thought. “I don’t mean to cook up a conspiracy theory in defense of my cousin, but I do seem to remember Hideaki talking to an Uchiha around that time. It’s been so long I can’t be sure of the timing, but I believe I saw him with Shisui.”

“Shisui?” Sasuke thought. “That makes since. It was Shisui who was in charge of spying on my brother. Perhaps he tried to kill him using someone my brother trusted. And if Hideaki felt so guilty that he let himself be killed, that could possibly be it. Shisui was so skilled, he might believe that he had done it on his own accord.” Hiashi nodded in agreement. “Of course, my brother will never believe that.”

Neji finally appeared. “Are you hungry?” Sasuke asked him.

“Yeah.”

“Let’s have lunch.” He bowed to Hiashi. “Hiashi-sama.”

Hiashi returned the bow. “Sasuke-sama.”

Sasuke nodded to Hinata and the boys left. As they were eating, Sasuke asked, “Do you remember Hideaki?”

Neji thought back. “Yeah, I remember something about him. Died on a mission I believe.”

“With my Sharingan, I can look at your memories. I’d like to see your memories of him.”

“Why?”

“Trust me.”

“I do.”

They finished eating and went to a quiet place on the training grounds. Sasuke used his Sharingan and found the right memory.

Neji was young, hearing voices, he went to investigate.

“Hideaki’s dead?” someone Sasuke couldn’t identify said; Neji’s memory did not provide him with names.

“His teammates reported that he just seemed to give up and let the Kiri-nin kill him.”

“He has been in a deep depression for the last month, since the Uchiha clan was slaughtered. I think he was a friend of Uchiha Itachi when he was in ANBU.”

“He was, I heard him talk about him and the Hatake kid. But ever since he left ANBU he hasn’t spoken of them or seen them to my knowledge.”

“Something must have happened when he was in ANBU, something traumatic.”

“Ah. His brother will take this hard.”

That was the end of the part pertaining to Hideaki.

Sasuke and Neji came back to reality.

“Itachi?” Neji asked.

“Hideaki is the reason Itachi hates your clan. If Hideaki regretted what happened or wasn’t in control of his actions, then he may be kinder to you. Would you let Itachi do this to you if he won’t take my memory of your memory as truth?”

“If it will make him hate me less.”

“If it does happen, open the memory up to him and lock your memories of us together away.”

“Hai.”

-----

Sasuke shared his findings with Kakashi when he got home. Kakashi thought Sasuke was right.

Itachi was used to walking non-stop for years, so patrolling Konoha for a few hours was nothing. He wasn’t very tired, but he was looking forward to all three of them being home together. He had no idea he was about to be ambushed by his brother.

“Aniki, I want to talk about Hideaki.”

Itachi narrowed his eyes. “What about him?”

“It’s easier if I show you.”

Itachi sighed and both their Sharingans activated. Sasuke showed him Neji’s memory and his conversation with Hiashi. Itachi’s eyes narrowed again when they were finished.

“Itachi,” Kakashi said, “I think Sasuke and Hiashi are right. I saw Hideaki’s face when he attacked you. He wasn’t himself and he broke out of whatever trance he was in when I wounded him. Look at my memory of it if you want.”

“Itachi, Neji’s my friend. I know you detest them, but any clan hatred can be put to rest now. Hiashi was more than civil to me and Neji and I are friends. Even if Hideaki did attack you on purpose, it was after the Kyuubi attack and there was all that suspicion about our role in it. All that has been brushed aside. I trust Neji. If he betrays me—without you stacking the deck—then I’ll admit you were right and we can go on for the rest of eternity as enemies of the Hyuuga.”

“Fine.”

“Good. So you will tolerate me spending time with Neji.”

“Hai, hai. I’m just your brother, I really have no power over you.”

“Well, you are technically the clan head now.”

It was obvious that Itachi wanted to counter with, ‘then don’t go near the Hyuuga,’ but he was smarter than that; he just got his little brother back, this was a stupid thing to lose him over.

Sasuke decided not to tell Itachi about he and Neji until he got used to Neji, then he’d drop the bombshell. As long as that bomb didn’t end up being a landmine.

-----

Itachi was persuaded to give his little brother a break from being the go-to-all-powerful-Uchiha and go on an important mission. Sasuke had been sent on mission after mission and was due some rest. Of course, the reason Sasuke was happy was that he could spend some quality alone time with Neji for the first time in three months.

Their first night together was nice and slow, gentle, enjoying being together again. Neji relished those brief kisses down his right cheek as Sasuke ran his hands down Neji’s bare chest. He loved the feel of those lips on his skin. They knelt on Sasuke’s bed freshly showered. Sasuke mouthed Neji’s neck as he poured oil on his hand to begin stroking Neji’s erection. His other hand caressed his waist. Neji didn’t know where to put his hands and just let Sasuke do what he wanted.

Sasuke turned him around and used the oil on his own length and used his oily fingers to loosen Neji up. It had been quite some time since either of them had sex. Sasuke enjoyed caressing the silken insides of his lover.

“You’re so hot,” Sasuke whispered. “I could cum just thinking how good you’ll feel around me.”

“Fuck me, Sasuke,” Neji begged.

Sasuke continued to message his inner walls, opening him up. Finally, he deemed his lover ready. Sasuke wiped his fingers clean and pressed into Neji’s tight body. Those heated walls were deliciously silky and so hot.

“You feel so fucking good,” Sasuke gasped. He draped his body over his lover and rolled his hips into Neji’s tight tunnel.

Neji gasped Sasuke’s name several time and grunted whenever Sasuke touched his prostate. Neji twitched with pleasure and desperation. Sasuke reached around to jerk him off. The pulsating of Neji’s orgasmic body brought Sasuke off inside him. They remained in that position as Sasuke reached behind himself to prepare himself for Neji. Neji figured out what the Uchiha was doing on top of him.

Sasuke peeled away and Neji turned around. Sasuke didn’t let him move too far; he took his half hard cock into his mouth, lapping his tongue at the underside and sucking hard at his length. As he pleasured Neji, Sasuke continued to finger his own ass. He became too desperate to wait any longer. He backed off and waited for instructions; he was normally the dominant, but right now he wanted to be taken by Neji any way he wanted.

Neji got the unspoken message and eased Sasuke onto his back. He pushed Sasuke’s thighs up and out and guided his erection to Sasuke’s entrance which had only been breached once before. He went slower than Sasuke did with him since Sasuke had taken him several times before and Neji liked pain whereas Sasuke did not.

Neji couldn’t image his body could feel as good as Sasuke’s did. To him, Sasuke was absolute heaven. There was nothing about Sasuke that Neji didn’t worship. He looked down at Sasuke in the lamplight. He was beautiful, pale even in the warm glow of the lamp, his raven hair shining like lacquered ebony, his eyes like glittering onyxes.

“I love you so much, Sasuke.”

Sasuke’s expression softened from its intense lust. “I love you, Neji.”

Neji wished this night would ever end; it was so perfect being with his beautiful Sasuke. He fucked him slowly, watching him. Sasuke couldn’t take the slow fucking for long and started to buck up into Neji. Neji realized that Sasuke would not ask for anything, wouldn’t beg. At least when sober. Neji loved having this control over Sasuke who he loved submitting to normally. He would serve Sasuke for the rest of his life if he got just these small moments of control over the all-powerful Uchiha.

Neji sped up and stated to fuck Sasuke. Sasuke shut his eyes in ecstasy. Neji couldn’t keep his eyes open either with Sasuke’s body gliding over his erect flesh so quickly. He cam before Sasuke. He didn’t want to take Sasuke into his mouth after Sasuke’d fucked him. He grabbed Sasuke’s lubed cock with his thumb and forefinger making a tight ring and quickly jacked him with moderate pressure. Finally, Sasuke cam. Neji spooned him and they fell asleep.

That was just the prelude.

The next night, Kakashi decided that he should take this opportunity to hang out and drink late with the friends Itachi didn’t like, Gai for instance. Itachi didn’t like to drink, perfectly aware he was a bad drunk, so Kakashi took the opportunity to get drunk and leave the lovers alone in the Uchiha’s house.

Knowing they were alone, Sasuke decided to dominate Neji like he did back in that hideout.

Sasuke threw the lube to Neji. “Prepare yourself.” Neji got on all fours facing Sasuke. Neji lubed up his fingers and put two fingers into his ass. His head dropped.

“Look at me.” Neji looked up. “Look me in the eye when you’re degrading yourself and fucking yourself.”

“Yes, Sasuke.” He held eye contact with Sasuke as he thrust his fingers in and out of himself.

“That’s enough,” Sasuke said after a full minute. “Present yourself to me.”

Neji turned around and used his hands to spread his flawless cheeks.

“What is it you want?”

“I want you to use me, Sasuke.”

“That’s not very specific.”

“I want you to fuck me and hurt me, Sasuke.”

Sasuke took Neji’s hands and tied them with a thin rope behind his back. Neji was startled, but he didn’t object. Sasuke was particular about the knot. Neji was using his considerable leg strength to keep himself up, but now he fell forward and lay his head in the pillow.

“The rope isn’t the only thing I have this time. I plan to play with you all night.”

Neji sighed and wiggled his ass.

“What do you want?”

“Hurt me, Sasuke.” Neji spread his legs further. “Fuck me, please.”

Sasuke decided to oblige. He pushed in quickly, slowly enough not to hurt himself, but fast enough to open Neji up painfully. Neji moaned out of a mixture of pleasure and pain. Sasuke pulled out and gave him a few more brutal thrusts. He pulled him upright to fuck up into his body.

“Meet my thrusts,” Sasuke instructed in a husky voice. Neji gladly obeyed. With his tied hands pressed against Sasuke’s chest and abdomen, he could feel and caress his body.

Sasuke stopped moving and grabbed Neji’s balls and squeezed. He was careful, but brutal. Neji practically barked. Sasuke leaned back and to the side to look at Neji’s pain racked face. He looked like he was in exquisite pain. He was beautiful like this. Neji started fucking himself up and down on Sasuke’s still cock, creating the sensation of Sasuke pulling on his balls.

“Please, Sasuke!”

“Please what?”

“Please let me cum, Sasuke.” He whimpered. Sasuke cooed to him and let go of his balls.

Neji cried out as his balls were freed and Sasuke hit his prostate. He started fucking him fast and hard.

“Please let me cum! Sasuke!”

Sasuke put his hand loosely around Neji’s cock and let their movements fuck Neji’s cock through his loose fist. Neji was very close. Sasuke wasn’t, but he was expecting Neji to deal with that presently. Neji groaned with his approaching orgasm. Sasuke waited, torturing Neji by withholding permission to cum. He was on the point of giving permission.

Then, the door opened.

----------
I revel in evilness!
To clarify something that I couldn’t really say in the story because no one living would know this, but I my mind Shisui controlled Hideaki to kill Itachi, feeling he was betraying the Uchiha and spending an indecent amount of time with Kakashi and a Hyuuga.