Trinity

A/N: Talk about inspiration. I wrote this chapter in like...four hours. Usually it takes a LOT longer. And for those of you that have reviewed, I adore you.

poornmiserable: I'm glad you like it. Here's your update. And fear not. Sakura has her fun, even if she has to stay pure. She's an awful tease.

Allys: Itachi is, as always, a complete bastard. But, even he has his limits. As you will discover in this chapter X3

Midnight: As to Itachi's thing with Sasuke...I guess...chalk it up to him being around 13 I guess, and hormones going crazy. That and he's a bit of a crazy bastard. Mix those two up, and you get Uchihacest. But there won't be any flashbacks of that.

anon: While I don't usually condone people under 18 reading this type of literature, I will say that your review does seem much more mature than most 17-year-olds I've gotten reviews from. The yaoi...it is part of the "Trinity" idea, but it won't turn out the way you think it will, I promise.

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Chapter 2: Dance With a Flame

“I do not understand why you are so concerned about this, Sasuke-sama.” Ebisu’s voice was a mere drone in his ears. The man had little regard for anyone other than Itachi. “That girl…she is just that. A girl. If you were bedding her, I may find it different. But as it is—“

Sasuke raised a hand for silence. “You will keep a civil tongue when you speak of her, Ebisu-sensei. She is your student, as well.” Ebisu had never really understood why that was. It had been at Sasuke’s request—and later his threats—that the man had begun to instruct Naruto and Sakura. While he thought it was prudent that Naruto learn the way of the sword, and other weapons, he obviously thought it abhorrent that he even consider tutoring Sasuke’s maid.

Sakura’s weapons were subtler than those that Sasuke and Naruto carried. While Naruto wore a large katana on his back, and Sasuke had his standard katana and wakizashi, Sakura carried a fan, a blade under her tongue, and needles in her hairpins. Thankfully, she had not yet to use these on an actual person, but he had no doubt that she was fully capable of protecting herself in close combat. On rare occasions, Ebisu would actually admit that she was skilled. The truth of the matter was that Sakura would be quite proficient as an assassin.

It was for this reason that he knew he should not worry. But that did not stop him from doing so. An absence of fear in such situations leads to ruin, and he knew it. Naruto shifted next to him. They were trying to calm themselves by having tea, but Ebisu had come in, and he was insisting upon belittling Sakura, which was a sure way to get Sasuke angry. He did not have to look to know that Naruto’s hand had twitched toward his sword. Ebisu hurriedly said, “Yes, Sasuke-sama. If you will allow me, I have other duties to attend to…”

Smiling around the rim of his teacup, Sasuke mused, “Yes, I’m certain that you do. Only take care that you do not disturb my brother’s party. You know how he dislikes it.” The man nodded gravely, his dark eyes fixed on the floor as he backed out of the room. When the door slid shut again, footsteps having faded into the distance, Sasuke’s hand tightened on his cup. “That pretentious bastard…”

Naruto lay a soothing hand on his knee. “We only need remain calm. Sakura can take care of herself. Yesterday, she only had her fan. Today…”

--

Sakura sat outside the room where she was to meet Itachi. Mentally, she went over the list of weapons Naruto had forced her to wear. Fourteen hairpins were actually casings for thick needles that she could plunge into any pressure point, paralyzing whatever part of the body she wished. She could use the scarf over her hair as a weapon, in case strangulation was necessary. The blade she had under her tongue did not interfere with speech or singing. And then there was her fan. It was sheathed behind her obi, along with another, which she would use if she were called upon to dance.

Because she was made to do this, she had worn her best kimono. It was a dark red, with pale green leaves embroidered over the sleeves and hem. Her obi was green, a red and black obiage wrapped around it. The scarf over her hair was black, and she hoped that it did not come loose. Her hand rose, checking its position.

“Good afternoon, Sakura…” Itachi’s voice came from her left, and when she turned to look at him, she saw him smiling warmly. Offering a hand to her (which she did not take), he said, “…you look lovely.”

“Thank you, Itachi-sama,” her voice was cool but polite when she stood on her own, and then, “I have come as ordered. What will you need for your friends?” Her lack of conversation did not seem to bother him, though she could have sworn that she saw a small glimmer of disappointment in his eyes. She nearly smirked.

His nod was polite and minimal. “There will be three men. We will require tea upon their arrival, and when the time comes, we will eat supper. During the meal, as well as afterward, we will have sake.” Sakura nodded before taking her leave to inform the kitchen staff.

“Is there anything Itachi-sama needs right now?” Her voice was a simple, neutral tone, carrying none of the sarcasm that she had used the previous night. Her eyes remained on the ground, where they were supposed to be, so she did not see Itachi lean down toward her. His voice came low and half-growling next to her ear.

“I will let you know.” Those words mad her jump, but not only because of their proximity. Backing away quickly, Sakura stammered that she would return shortly.

--

Naruto watched Sasuke. He was so agitated…it was a wonder that he could sit still at all. Usually, Sasuke was so calm, like the sea before a storm. But now, he was nowhere near so serene. His master had always been kind to him, always defended him. There were times when Sasuke pointed out his…less than intelligent moments, and that always bothered him, but for the most part, they got along perfectly.

He thought back to the time he first met Sasuke. Naruto had been but six years old, living on the streets. Several times, he had seen the dark-haired boy walking with his mother. His small hand curled around hers, dark eyes darted all around, taking in everything. Naruto had had to hide behind a large basket to keep from being seen the first time he watched him. It was on the fifth time, when Mikoto-dono had gone into a shop to buy fish, that Naruto tried to get a closer look. He scurried past a cart, and darted behind a large crate of cabbage, peeking around it. Sasuke had been only a stone’s throw away.

As if sensing the eyes on him, the pale boy looked directly at where Naruto was hiding. His small face had scrunched up in confusion, and he blinked a couple of times. Remembering it now, Naruto smiled. Sasuke had walked over, folded his arms over his small chest, and said, “Come now. If you are going to stare at me, you should at least show your face.”

When he stepped out from the shadow of the cabbage bin, Naruto bit his lip. His clothes were full of holes, his face was dirty, and he tugged at his limp, unwashed hair. He was nothing to this boy, who seemed perfect in every way. Shyly, he said, “Hello…” Just then, Sasuke’s mother emerged from the fish market, carrying a large basket. Naruto became instantly alarmed, and hid behind the bin.

The woman looked curiously at the pair of bright blue eyes that looked very frightened, indeed as they gazed around the wooden edge of the bin at her. Turning to Sasuke, she asked, “Sasuke-chan…who is your friend?” When the boy did not answer, she set her basket down and lowered herself to the ground, holding out a hand to him. “Please, do not be afraid. We will not harm you.” For a long moment, Naruto studied the woman’s face. She looked to be very kind, and she did seem to be telling the truth. He stepped out. “Ah. So this is the little one who has been watching my Sasuke-chan…such a lovely boy. Would you like to help me?”

Twisting his dirty hands in front of him nervously, he stuttered, “Y-Yes…I would like to help…”

Sasuke watched with a placid face as his mother asked Naruto to help carry the basket. “It is quite heavy, you see, and I am not sure that I can carry it all the way to the house.”

Naruto hated seeing anyone in need. Perhaps it was growing up in need himself, or seeing such bad things day in and day out…but he smiled brilliantly. “Oh, yes!” He cried, grasping the basket on his own and hefting it until he could lay the thing atop his head. “Please, let me carry it.” The woman gasped, murmuring something about unusual strength. Sasuke just stared. Naruto was at the time rather oblivious to it all. “Please, madame, which way is your house?”

Mikoto-dono had led him to the house, and showed him where to put the basket. Then, they had all entered a large room, and Naruto felt as if he were going to dirty something just by being in there. A very stern man that resembled Sasuke was seated at a low table, looking at a stack of papers. “Yes?” he asked in a low tone.

“I believe we may have found a suitable bodyguard for Sasuke-chan.” The woman stepped aside then, letting the man get a look at Naruto.

“A street-urchin, Mikoto?” the man’s mouth turned downward into a frown.

“Yes. But he is very strong. He lifted an entire basket full of yellow fin tuna on his own.” Her voice sounded pleased, and the man blinked several times in surprise at this statement. He rose from his table, beckoning Naruto forward. Moving as instructed, he came to stand before the unusually tall man.

“What is your name, little one?” His tone was kindly, and there was a smile on his face. Naruto bit his lip, then smiled back.

“Naruto is my name, sir.”

“Are you a good boy, Naruto?”

Nodding vehemently, he said, “Yes, sir. I must do good to my family name. It is the only way to become an honorable man.”

The smile on the man’s face broadened. “And he is wise, as well. What, then, is your family name?”

“Uzumaki, sir.” He watched surprise form in the man’s eyes. “Sir?”

The man stood straight. “My name is Uchiha Fugaku. The lady there is my wife, Mikoto. You have already met my younger son, Sasuke. I have one other son, who you may see later, if you will. What do you think, Naruto-kun? Will you live here, help us, and protect my son?”

Naruto stared, momentarily stunned. When he found his voice, he said, “Yes, sir!” Before he calmed himself and bowed deeply. “Whatever is required of me, I will do.” Fugaku laughed a little, and dismissed them after welcoming him to their service. Outside the room, Sasuke came to stand before him.

“Naruto-kun,” he said slowly, letting the name and suffix mingle on his tongue, “Let us get you a bath. You smell of cabbage.” Mikoto-dono had laughed lightly, but then told Sasuke to be nice. “But he does smell like cabbage, mother. Besides, he would have to get cleaned eventually.” Relenting, she told them to be off. Naruto sniffed at himself as he followed Sasuke. Did he really smell like cabbage? Hopefully he didn’t smell like cooked cabbage. That smelled like old man’s feet!

They came at length to a small building, and Sasuke bade him enter. He did, and was surprised to find a natural hot spring inside. “Wow!” Before he could jump in, Sasuke grabbed him, handing him a scrub brush and a bucket. “What’s this for?” he asked, his face a mask of confusion.

Sasuke’s eyes grew large, scandalized. “When was the last time you had a bath, Naruto-kun?”

“I…” he thought hard, “…I dunked myself in the river two weeks ago.”

The pale little boy groaned. “Here. I’ll show you. He took off his kimono, stripping to his skin. Taking the bucket, he gathered some of the water from the spring. The little brush he used to scrub his skin. What little dirt was on his body came off with this action, then he dumped the bucket over his head to rinse himself. Once he had done this, Sasuke slipped into the spring. “There. Now you.”

Naruto had never been naked around anyone before, so he found himself blushing to his ears. But he did as Sasuke instructed. Once he was in the spring, the dark-haired boy took a bottle from the edge of the water and poured a clear liquid into his hands. After dunking Naruto under the water without warning, he slathered the liquid into the blonde boy’s hair, working the oil in until it saturated every bit of the dirty, matted mass. Using his fingers, he worked out knots and tangles, and then poured handfuls of water over Naruto’s head. “How do you feel, Naruto-kun?”

Moving his arms and legs, then touching his face and hair, he said, “I…I feel brand new!” The other boy smiled at him, then cleared his throat, regaining his stern expression. Naruto inclined his head respectfully. “Thank you, Sasuke-dono…”

Again, he smiled at the memory. Yes, Sasuke-dono was truly a kind person. He realized then that he had loved him since that day, and perhaps even before. The dirty little boy he had been…staring at pale perfection, was not unlike the way he was today. It was not so unlike the wonder he felt when he held the man in his arms, and when he touched him. Perhaps he was still that ragged child, trying to keep a little piece of perfection for himself?

--

Now sitting in the corner, Sakura watched the men at the table. Itachi sat on one end, as the other men around him chatted. They were an odd gathering. One man, a tall youth of noble bearing, wore a pale gray kimono that was precisely the color of his eyes. His hair was bound only loosely, preferring not to bother with a topknot, and his skin was a pale translucent color that resembled fine Chinese porcelain. Sakura thought Hyuuga Neji was beautiful. The second member of the company was much more boisterous, with shining black hair that was cut into a strange style. It was short in the front, with a long braid down his back. In a way, Rock Lee looked Chinese. The third man was the strangest. He was obviously lazy. In fact, for a little while, until she figured out what to look for, Sakura had been sure he was asleep. His eyes—a very dark brown—were almost always half closed, and his brown hair was held in a traditional topknot. His perpetually bored expression made her wonder if he ever got anything done. This man’s name was Nara Shikamaru.

These men sat around in various postures, drinking sake. Itachi had been pouring it, having told Sakura that she did not need to. Her primary task would be to fetch more of the stuff, until he decided that it was time for her to entertain. Every now and again, she saw him looking at her. Not certain how she should react to this, she would look away. It was three hours past sunset when he said, “Sakura, dear…if you could, please sing for us.”

Moving a few feet from her corner, she stood and bowed before kneeling again, making sure that he kimono was straight. Inclining her head, she asked, “But what shall I sing, Itachi-sama? Will your guests have a song of love, or one of good life?”

The lazy Nara remained silent on the matter, but Lee said, “Please, Sakura-san, a love song, if you can.” Neji nodded in agreement, his piercing gray eyes feeling as if they pinned her down to the spot.

“Does Itachi-sama wish for the same?” Her voice came sweetly, and he nodded, a tiny, yet somehow indecent smile on his lips. “Very well. It is an old song, which you may know.”

“When I look to the east,
Where the sun peeks up its face
Will you be there?
When the flowers fade,
The blooms withered away,
I will still be waiting.

Come to find me here,
When will our hands be joined?
When I look to the west,
Where they sun lays down its head
Will you meet me?

Find me here,
Find me

Where flowers die,
Where the sun lays down to sleep,
Where our hands will entwine,

Find me here,
Ever lost love…”

Sakura’s voice trailed off, the last note dying in the air. Rock Lee had tears in his eyes. He seemed the sentimental type. Itachi merely looked at her, but Neji seemed to be regarding her with a renewed interest. His eyes had softened a bit, for which Sakura was grateful. His gaze was far too hard for her.

“Thank you, Sakura.” Itachi murmured, and then produced a prodigious yawn. Blinking a bit in apparent surprise, he then said, “My apologies, gentlemen, but I am afraid that I am grown tired. Will you come again tomorrow?” The three men rose, taking their leave, and declaring that they would come again. The moment they were out of the door, Sakura rose to leave. “Going so soon, little flower?”

She turned around, just when she was going to kneel so that she could open the door. “I was under the impression that my duties only extended to the time your guests were here, Itachi-sama.”

“You will be allowed to leave when I tell you that you can.” He smiled at her, baring teeth. “Come here, Sakura.” He pointed to a spot on the floor, approximately three feet from him. She hesitantly walked over to where he indicated. “Sit.” Again, she did as she was told. He tilted his head to one side. “Can you pour a glass of sake?” A small muscle in her cheek twitched as she struggled to maintain her composure. So far, he had done nothing that she might consider inappropriate. But it was the tone he was using. It was indecent! That low, growling tone that set her skin to goose-flesh…it made her want to run from the room.

“Yes, Itachi-sama,” she said serenely, taking up the bottle and carefully pouring out a measured amount into the glass. After she lay the bottle aside, Sakura took the cup and offered it to him, eyes on the floor. Fingers brushed over hers as he took the cup.

“Thank you, Sakura.” He threw the liquor down his throat, and said, “Another?” Holding the cup out for her, he watched intently as she poured the rice wine into the little container. “The taste of sake…it is much like…a woman.” Itachi sipped his drink now, his eyes never leaving her face. “It is smooth…like silk, or skin…and yet, it can burn you if you are not careful.” The man drained his cup and set it onto the table. Sakura had counted the number of glasses he had. By all rights, Uchiha Itachi was drunk.

“Itachi-sama has had too much sake.” Taking the cup from the table, Sakura also picked up the bottle, setting both aside. “It would be best if Itachi-sama were to sleep.”

He leaned toward her, his breath hot on her face, “But…” one hand traced her shoulder, while the other grasped her knee. “I am not in the least bit tired, dear, sweet Sakura.” His face inched closer, and Sakura leaned back a little. “No…you are not…are you?” Her face must have shown her confusion, because he smiled evilly, “You are not sweet, are you Sakura? You would burn me…until there was nothing left of me.” Sakura did not know what to make of this. He was inebriated, and running off at the mouth.

The only thing she could do was to make him go to bed. That way, he would shut up. “Please, Itachi-sama, let me help you to bed. You are not yourself.”

Deep red eyes drooped, and his smile became far more indecent. The hand on her shoulder slid around, running over her breast. Her eyes widened painfully. “Bed? You would take me to bed…” a groan escaped him as his hand tightened on the soft flesh in his hand. “I want you, Sakura.”

Her voice sounded before she could stop herself. “I am sorry, Itachi-sama, but I do not want you.”

His face changed then. Dark eyebrows drew down, red eyes flashed, and he launched himself at her. Pinning her wrists at her head, he insinuated himself between her legs. Sakura’s mind rushed, trying to close on some method of freeing herself. “I-Itachi-sama, let me go…”

“No,” he growled next to her ear, “I want you…so badly Sakura. I want you to want me.” Her mouth opened to say that she did not, could not want him, but his lips touched her neck, causing her to gasp. “Did you touch yourself, Sakura? Did you? While you thought of me?” His hips settled onto hers, and she gasped again. Out. She had to get out. But how? If something did not happen soon, if he did not release her, Itachi was going to rape her. She knew it as surely as she knew the sun would rise in the morning. A tongue lapped at her neck, and she bit back a moan.

Damn him…it actually felt good. “No…” She said quietly, trying to struggle against him.

His breath was hot on her neck. “Do not lie to me, Sakura. Your body longs for me. You want me inside you. Look how you shake…” His teeth nipped at her skin, and she let out a soft cry. “If you ask me, I will.” One hand let go of her right wrist, only to have that same wrist held along with the left one above her head. Itachi began pulling at her kimono. It did not take long before his fingers played along the bare skin of her breasts. “Why do you not scream, Sakura? Call out for help. Surely someone will come for you. My brother…would he not? Or Naruto-kun? Call to them.”

Something inside her wanted to. There was part of her that wanted to be saved. And then there was a part of her that did not want that. This part of her wanted to save herself. And then, it came to her. The perfect way to get out of this…

“No…” she said, her voice only a hoarse whisper.

“Why?” He asked, pulling away so that he could look into her eyes. “They would save you, surely.” As he spoke, he leaned down, letting his mouth play over her left breast. The sigh that escaped her lips was not false. The bodily pleasure was real.

Arching into the wetness of his mouth, she said amidst a moan, “Who says I want saving?” His movement stopped, and he pulled back, completely releasing her, and staring down at her in utter shock. Sakura sat up, the kimono falling away from her shoulders. “What is wrong, Itachi-sama? Are you so surprised?” Candle-light played across her skin, forming deep shadows and golden planes. Itachi blinked. “But you must know…”

She scooted closer, leaning very close and reaching around him to tug at the knot of his obi. “What must I know?” His voice was rough with alcohol and desire. Sakura smiled as the knot came free.

Parting the folds of his kimono, she placed her hands on his chest, and pushed until he fell onto his back. “To dance with a flame…leaves one forever changed.” He groaned as her hands ran over his flesh. “What do you want me to do to you, Itachi-sama?” Sakura’s nails scraped at the skin of his chest. “I could touch you…would you like that?” Her hands moved slowly, gliding over hot skin, until they came to the area just above the cloth-covered bulge between his legs. Itachi gave a loud, wordless moan. Sakura untied her scarf from her hair, laying it aside. Her left hand slid lower, teasing at his manhood through the thin cloth used as an undergarment.

As she bent low, running her tongue up his chest, she said, “I could…use my mouth…Itachi-sama. I am sure you would love that…” her teeth nipped at his skin, “Or…I could…” nimble hands moved swiftly, tying his wrists together above his head. Itachi’s eyes widened as Sakura moved, placing herself atop his thighs, with one leg on either side. She brought her entire bodyweight down to bear on him now, feeling her bare breasts brush over his skin, and suppressed a shiver at how the sensitive flesh reacted. Holding his hands down, Sakura smiled naughtily. “I could take you, Itachi-sama. I could—“ fingers toyed with that little linen cloth that held back his straining flesh, “—rip this little thing away. I could hold you down on the floor…”

She leaned down to his ear, letting her lips brush over the tiny hairs there. Itachi groaned as she said, “I could hold you in my hand, and slide down on you. I might even make you scream…don’t you think so…Itachi-sama?” Her voice drew out the honorific like a dirty word, and his body jerked. “All you have to do…” Sakura let her words trail off.

Itachi was breathing hard, his body stretched out, vulnerable. Sakura would have been lying if she did not admit that this was the only way she actually found him attractive. He panted, his words coming out as less than a whisper, “What? What do I have to do?” she laughed darkly in his ear, and he whimpered. “Gods…tell me! You are driving me mad, Sakura…”

Her fingers pulled the cloth ever so slightly away from his now extremely painful erection. One fingertip touched the heated flesh, causing him to shudder. Sakura breathed, “All you have to do, Itachi-sama, is beg.”

“Beg?” The haze of desire he was in was obviously clouding his thoughts.

“Yes,” she said, touching him again and flicking his earlobe with her tongue, “Beg me. I want you to beg me with all your heart and soul, Itachi-sama.” His hands began clenching and flexing as she breathed hotly against his ear again. “Beg me to take you, and I will let you have my virginity…” the man’s body began to shake, “…I will let you slide into my body…over…and over…” his breathing became erratic, “…and over again…moving against you…taking you in…again and again…until finally…” Sakura let her hand entirely encircle his erection, “…you fill me completely…and I will scream your name…Itachi-sama…” His entire body jerked, wetness filling the linen of his undergarments. Sakura smirked.

Itachi panted, trying to catch his breath as she pulled away. “What…did…you do to me?”

Sakura laughed lightly as she untied her scarf from his hands. “Itachi-sama has not even come close to understanding how playing with fire can feel. He should keep that in mind next time he wants to do things he shouldn’t.”

“Sakura,” he growled, taking hold of her shoulders and sitting up until she was in his lap. His eyes burned into hers as his hands gripped her hips, pulling at the folds of her kimono until her legs were exposed all the way up to her hips. “Do it again,” he demanded. She shook her head. “Please,” he said, his grip tightening, “I must have you…” Itachi’s left hand grasped her right, laying it atop his lap. “It has to be now.”

Sighing, she said, “Very well. But you will not touch me unless I say you can. Is that understood?” He nodded, and she smirked. “Now…beg me.”

“I thought I already had?” He gaped at her, and she could feel him trembling.

An evil little laugh escaped her, and she said, “No, that was not begging. You have yet to beg. You have demanded, and bullied. Now…” Sakura shoved him onto his back. …beg.” Itachi made a completely helpless sound, and she decided that she was actually enjoying herself. But she had to get this over with before she enjoyed herself too much. After all, she was under orders from a god to remain pure, was she not? “Shall I teach you to beg, Itachi-sama?” Her hips ground down onto his, and he groaned.

“Please…” he growled.

“No…that’s all wrong. Let me try that again.” Placing her hands in the middle of his chest to gain leverage, she repeated the motion, only slower this time.

Itachi’s voice broke as he cried, “Please! Please, Sakura!”

Leaning down a bit, she said huskily, “One more time, please. Louder.”

He glared up at her, “Good gods, woman, you are evil.” When she only smiled at him and bore down again with her hips, he panted, crying, “Please,” at the top of his voice, “please, please, please! Gods…just let me…let me inside you…Sakura…” His eyes rolled back into his head, and she grinned. Perfect timing. Faster than the eye could see, Sakura pulled one of her hairpins, unsheathing the needle inside. This needle she inserted into a pressure point on Itachi’s neck, and he fell into unconsciousness instantly.

She sighed in relief. “Took you long enough…” Quickly, she went about making it look as if he actually got what he wanted. Removing his undergarments took no time at all, and arranging the pillows, his other clothing, and even pushing the table a bit toward one wall only the space of ten minutes. “I feel…dirty.” A bath was what she needed, more than anything else. Straightening her clothing and covering her hair, she made for the bath house.

--

A/N: Raise your hand if you feel dirty.