All The King's Men (formerly I Want You So Bad)

Disclaimer: Not written for profit, this is only being written for my own amusement and my desire to share a story with others. I do not own Naruto.

This chapter will contain a lot of flash backs, so for confusion sake the flashbacks will in italics and present in normal print. Okay? Good. Then let's read.

Oh, I would also like to say thank you to Jelp for allowing me to use Kakashi's and Naruto relationship from her wonderful Restless Series. Thank you.


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Chapter Three:

When he was feeling nostalgic, Orochimaru would talk to me about the past.

I

The Past.

The Village Hidden in the Rain.

Ten years ago.

Uchiha Itachi had just turned nineteen.

He was nineteen and according to Kisamae, the boy, now a man, needed to celebrate his manhood like a man. Kisamae's idea of how to celebrate Itachi's newfound manhood meant dragging the youth to the red light district and finding him a woman for the evening.

The opposite happened, much to Kisamae's disappointment, but he knew Itachi, and Itachi was good kid, who still had high standards in regards to decency and ethics, despite having killing his entire clan. Kisamae understood this, and it was why he kept Itachi's secret to the end. He never told another soul about the girl Itachi had married on his nineteenth birthday or the child he had fathered. As long as they did not become liabilities to their mission, Kisamae could pretend they that neither existed.

Itachi saw his small family as often as he could and he tried to provide for his new family. He purchased a flat for his wife, he gave her a large portion of the small fortune he amassed as part of his take from the Akatsuki. Itachi made sure that nothing that belonged to him was ever left in the flat for fear of his wife's and their unborn child's safety.

His wife was an understanding woman, as well as kind and infinitely patient. Itachi knew that his parents would have accepted Mai, despite the circumstances that led to their meeting; Itachi had paid family debt and released her from bondage. He then restored her honour by giving her his family name and making her his bride. They were barely more than children, but life had forced them to mature faster and with little joy. Mai had been seventeen and he was just nineteen, and both were alone in this world so they tried to take comfort in each other and make the best of their situation.

Itachi did care for his wife. Neither were prepared or believed that they were in love with each other, they respected and cared for the other. Itachi tried his best to there for Mai throughout her pregnancy and he made sure that he was there for his child's birth, and now he had a son. It was with great pride and a broken heart named his son Uchiha Akihiko Sasuke.

If he could have done anything else in that one perfect moment, Itachi have wanted to his brother there with him. He would have given anything for Sasuke to know that he was now an uncle, that there was any other Uchiha in their too small, little family. Yet as was everything that seemed to define his life, Itachi knew such a thing was impossible.

Sasuke would never meet his nephew much less come to know of the boy's existence if Itachi had his way. He wanted to protect his son from the horrors of his past sins and the wraith of his brother's righteous vengeance. Even though he had long accepted a his guilt and the forced rejection of his only kin, Itachi still longed for the family he had lost and never ached for them more than in this moment.

Itachi pressed a tender kiss to his infant son's brow as he hummed the lullaby that his okasan sang to him and to Sasuke, all the while wishing she was there with him.

Nine years ago.

He had cancer.

The doctor had to turn away from the devastated young man sitting his office, he could not bear to see the awful horror on the stricken boy's face.

The was a terrible, agonizing blow to a young man who had lost so much, this news just what brought Uchiha Itachi low.

He had cancer.

The doctor was speaking again, talking about possible treatments options and the latest in medications that could help treat and put the disease in remission…but Itachi had very few options available to him and his chances were surviving even another year were not promising. The disease had spread to his bones and was spreading. Even the best of treatment would not stop the enitivable.

Itachi had never complained about the pain that he felt in his body. He looked upon his illness as divine retribution for killing his family, even though he had been ordered to do so. He deserved punishment for abandoning his brother thus allowing that rotten corpse Orochimaru to get his hands on the boy and now Sasuke too was missing nin with a bounty on his head.

And he has cancer. What a wonderful fucking end to the fucked up fucking mess that was his wretched life.

"Goddamn it!" Itachi exploded. Damn it all, straight to Hell. Everything was falling apart and he was fucking dying. What kind of clan leader was he if could not protect those he cared about? What kind of father or brother was he if he left his child alone in the world or his brother with that psychopath? What kind of useless bastard was he if he could…

Itachi did not know that he was crying, sobbing hysterically until he felt the doctor's arms around his shoulders and the soothing patting on his back telling him to just let it all out.

Itachi had not cried since the awful night he failed to protect his clan and he was crying again for the same reason. He failed once again to protect his family.

Eight years ago.

He was done. His final duty to his clan and his village was done. The threat to his brother had been eliminated and Itachi had passed down every form of jutsu he had learned from the Uchiha Clan, his Jounin instructors in Konohakagure and everything that he had mastered from his years as a spy within Akatsuki to Sasuke and now Itachi could finally receive his peace.

The old monk that had performed his wedding had helped the young shinobi come to terms with his guilt. He had spoke of absolution then to a lost girl and heart sick boy, and few years later when Itachi had come stumbling into his temple again, the old monk gave him hope.

His life was so different from the one that was started in Konohakagure, there were so many things that he regretted but not this moment with his brother. His last vision of this mortal life was seeing his mother's smiling face on Sasuke's startled one. He had missed his little brother terribly but he had enjoyed playing this final game with him. It was always so easy to rile Sasuke up, even after all this time Sasuke still fell for the same bait only to end up being flicked in the forehead.

The smile on Uchiha Itachi's face was a real smile. It was honest and pure. And it was the last time Sasuke would see older brother as he had been before that terrible night.

Itachi was gone.

Seven months later the same year.

A Chidori through that crazy bitch's black heart ended Karin's miserable existence. On the floor, under the wild-eyed witch, was a terrified little boy. The boy was about three-years-old with soft black hair, and dark brown eyes in a sweet baby's face that endeared him to the small band of misfits.

The child had been recently entrusted to Sasuke by his dying mother.

The boy's mother had been Sasuke's sister-in-law, Uchiha Mai the marriage license had read, Itachi's wife. It was dated three years before on Itachi's birthday no less. Years before seeing the license and delicate woman would have been a surprise, but Sasuke remembered his brother, therefore it was no shock only bitterness he felt as he laid the blame at the feet of those bastards in Konoha.

The letters Itachi had left his son had explained everything to his brother that Sasuke would have never been able to ask. Mai had planned to give them to Akihiko when he was older so that he would know of his family and to not hate his uncle, she gave them and her son to her husband's brother because she wanted Sasuke to raise her son without the guilt of murdering his brother shrouding his heart.

Mai died a week later in Grandma Cat's den from consumption. Fate was meant to leave Akihiko an orphan, it up to Sasuke to make sure the boy had a chance at better life than his parents and Sasuke had. As a start to his plan, Sasuke added Mai's ashes to the urn that contained Itachi's ashes. He vowed to give them a proper memorial once he had given their son a home.

*.*.*

Sasuke had been aware of the change within Karin long before Suigetsu decided to share his observations with him.

Suigetsu was a killer, first and foremost, therefore he no reservations about killing children, even infants still in their mothers' wombs. Yet even he understood there were just some people you did not fuck with, even their family was off limits, if you had any commonsense and Suigetsu knew that Uchiha Sasuke was one of those people.

Karin was the one who lacked commonsense.

When he was sure Sasuke was not listening, Suigetsu had tried warning Karin to leave the child alone. He told her in non-uncertain terms what would happen to her if she harmed the boy but Karin refused listen to reason. She though too highly of herself and Sasuke's value for her. In Sasuke's eyes, they were all expendable; but in Karin's fevered brain, she saw herself in a position that had become threatened by the little boy and she was going to eliminate that threat.

Exasperated and slightly worried about Sasuke's possible reaction were something to happen to the little boy Suigetsu took it upon himself to become the child's keeper. Even in front of Sasuke, Suigetsu took on the role of bodyguard and caregiver to the littlest Uchiha. He had gone so far to have enlisted Juugo's service as another silent caregiver when he had to be away from Akihiko for more than a few hours. As the group travelled throughout the five nations, Suigetsu amused everyone with his worst rendition of a nursemaid. It was amusing to see the fearsome Mizu Nin falling over himself to ensure that the little boy was feed, bathed, amused, and generally happy. Most important that Akihiko was kept away from Karin and her machinations. Though Suigetsu motivations for caring for the child were altruistic, (he enjoyed living just as much as the next guy,) it was obvious that Suigetsu had developed an attachment and affection for the boy that had developed in spite of Suigetsu's nature. He personally prepared all of the Akihiko's meals, he made sure he always had the softest futon with plenty of blankets if they were in an inn and on the road, he was the lone sentinel resting as close as he dared to the little boy sleeping on his uncle's bedroll. Suigetsu always stepped in when Karin offered to assist in caring for the boy even if Sasuke had asked her. He may have not liked Karin, but he did try to save her life, she deserved that much consideration. Still his best intentions were for naught thus he eventually gave up and left Karin to her fate.

Some people had to learn the truth the hard way and Karin, despite her intelligence, she was hopelessly stubborn and to her own detriment unnecessarily cruel. She was bound and determined to suffer Sasuke's wraith.

Like all those who came of age under Orochimaru's tender guidance, Karin was cruel, self-serving, and slightly mad. Sasuke was not blind to any of this and it was solely for that reason that he sent Suigetsu away for an hour while Juugo was meditating leaving him and Karin alone with Akihiko in the abandoned house they had been living in for the last month.

Karin struck as soon as she no longer felt Sasuke's charka signature in the house. Akihiko did not have chance to scream nor did Karin feel it as the Chidori tore through her back and out of her breast. Her heart and both lungs were destroyed when Sasuke forced his hand through her back his lighting charka blew out the front of her chest, leaving nothing but gapping, gory mess of an imploded ribcage and the stink of cooked flesh and the child's cries filling the air. Karin was dead before she hit the ground and Sasuke was already gone from the house with Akihiko in his arms, as he called for Suigetsu as the little boy bleed out his life in his arms.

Karin had managed to get to Akihiko before Sasuke killed her. She had stabbed him in his lower abdomen, away from his vital organs and was going to drag the kunai across his belly, eviscerating the child. Sasuke had prevented the worst from happening, but he had failed to prevent the initial wound. Neither boy was a medic, Karin had served in that capacity, but she was dead at Sasuke's feet, yet with his nephew's life hanging in the balance, Sasuke made a decision that could only end in two ways but he was willing to take that risk for Akihiko.

They were in Fire Country already, at normal speed Konoha was at least a day's run from their hide out. With his speed, Sasuke could be there within hours. Sasuke was aware of what awaited him in Konoha were he just to show up, but he put his faith in Suigetsu and Juugo, and that would not let him die.

It was nightfall when Sasuke arrived in Konoha and Sasuke immediately headed towards the one person that could save his nephew. He did not care that he might be imprisoned on sight, Sasuke knew he would freed in a matter of days, if not hours, but none of that mattered now. The only thing that was important to him was that Akihiko be all right.

*.*.*

The Council had wanted his head. They though that they would have Itachi's son to groom into the perfect weapon only to have the boy snatched from their grasps by Suigetsu who had infiltrated the village two days later and whisked the frightened child away from the strangers.

The Council and the Hokage realized soon after just how powerful Sasuke had become and this had nothing to with his mastered jutsu. Sasuke had an army of followers, loyal only to him, ready to fall on Konohakagure if any harm befell their leader.

He also had information, the kind of information that brought down the three supposedly powerful Council members. The destruction of the Uchiha Clan and the coercion of Uchiha Itachi were acts of treason that none on the Council could deny.

"What had been done to that boy," the Fifth hard tone lowered the head of every citizen of Konohakagure in shame for their combined past, "what was done to Jonin Uchiha Itachi was so a crime so terrible that it can never be forgiven." Her golden eyes met Sasuke's dark one once more and the Hokage bowed low before the young man. "Yet I ask for forgiveness, Uchiha-san, on the behalf of my people and this village. Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Akihiko, I, Tsunade of the Senji Clan and Hokage of Konohakagure, humbly beg of you to forgive the all that was done to your clan by my Grandfather and his followers. I, also the sole surviving student of the Third Hokage, ask that you forgive my teacher for not saving your brother or defend your clan. I humble myself to ask that you forgive my comrade, Orochimaru for his attempt to end your own life, Uchiha-san. And I ask that you forgive me for allowing this travesty to continue for as long as it has."

Those cold dark eyes never left the prostrate woman. She had another confession for the public but that was for another day, when a loud, unrefined shinobi with sun bright hair would learn the truth of his own legacy and how it was tied to the Uchiha's because Sasuke willed it so.

v.V.v

Their twins turned six months old today.

Normally this would be a day of excitement and celebration in the Uchiha household. It was late autumn, and that school season had begun and that translated into was cold and flu season for any household that had one child or more.

Akihiko had was staying with Umino Iruka since he was the only one not have come down with the nasty sickness that Samuru had brought home from the germ infested nest of iniquity that was Konoha Primary School. Sasuke had placed the boy there until he was old enough to enroll in the Shinobi Academy to continue with his basic education and to become used to other people outside of his family.

Naruto hated the place with a passion, even though Akihiko had gone there and survived. The school taught the basics elementary education with the main focused being on reading, writing, and mathematics and the children seemed to like it there. None of this meant that Naruto like that freaky little happy place. He believed that it corrupted the innocent. Why? His number one argument was that they allowed Ebisu to teach there and that guy was as big as pervert as they come. So if they allowed a pervert like that to teach there who knew what was really going on?

Uzumaki was whining pitifully in his bassinet and that woke up Itachi. Sasuke looked up from his place on the couch and started to rise, but the snot-faced Toshihiro began to whimper when his Da-da moved causing Sasuke to attend to baby in his lap.

Buried under a quilt at the other end Samuru black head rose and little boy croaked for more juice while Raidon cried for Okasan to tend to his red little nose. Ji was heavily medicated and sleeping on the other side of Sasuke on the couch. The little boy's mucus covered hand was buried his father's long black hair. Sasuke swore he was going to chop all his hair, but he wouldn't, seeing as how his boys liked holding onto his normally braided hair or playing with when they were roughhousing with their Otosan.

Yuudai came trotting back into the family room, holding onto Baa-chan's dainty fingers. Thought the little boy's face was still bright with fever, thankfully, he had finally stopped vomiting.

After tucking her grandson back into his nest of covers on the loveseat, Tsunade joined Naruto with the twins. She took Itachi from his bassinet and checked to baby over before placing a light sleep jutsu on him. She had done the same to Dai-chan and she was now going around performing the same jutsu on each of her grandsons. Except for Ji-chan. For him, Tsunade had given him drugs. Lots and lots of drugs and that kid would sleep good for the rest of the day and through the night. Or so they hoped. The boy was too active even when ill, that he could give Naruto a run for his money on one of his best days.

*.*.*

After a yearlong mission, Hatate Kakashi had finally returned to Konohakagure. His first stop was the memorial stone to pay his respects to his first friends from his Genin years. His second stop was at the Hokage memorial to pay his respects to his former Sensei and unknown brother, the Fourth Hokage.

Upon leaving the markers, Kakashi went to make his report to the Hokage. He was somewhat surprised to find that she was not there. Not wanting to deal with the clerks in the mission room, Kakashi decided he would drop his report off with his nephew or his nephew's husband depending on who was in their office that morning, before he headed home to his own small family. Just as he reached the ANBU Headquarters, Kakashi ran into Yakama Ino. The girl had been recruited by Morino Ibki because of her family's kekki-geniki. She was a sergeant, many believed to be on fast track to making Taichou within a few years.

To Kakashi, she was an annoying chatterbox and gossip who did not know where her nose belonged or how to stay out of people's lives. Kakashi was yet to forgive the little tart for attacking his nephew shortly after he and Sasuke took their relationship public. Nor could he forget the scene she caused at his own wedding. Sasuke and Sakura had come to blows when his former female student had admitted that she allowed Ino in the Uchiha compound. Ino had told her that she forgotten her invitation and had easily explained why her name did not appear on the guest list.

Even after all these years, Kakashi's family was wary of the woman. Sakura had severed her ties with Ino after the wedding and the Fifth would not include Ino in missions with any of them.

It was from the stalker that Kakashi learned that his nephews had taken a family leave of absence. The entire village was talking about how all the Uchiha children had caught some nasty little cold. Ino like the other women in the village had left a care package for the children. Kakashi doubted any of the packages would be accepted or needed since the Hokage was personally attending to her adopted grandchildren, never mind that Sasuke did not trust the villagers when it came to his family. There had been too many death threats against the Uchiha's spouse and children by desperate women and noble families who wanted Sasuke and his wealth.

Kakashi left his report with Naruto's assistant before leaving HQ.

His home was in the Uchiha district and part of the main compound that made up the Clan leader's estate. Kakashi thought to stop by but he had his stepson to worry over and Kurenai would not like appreciate having his germ infested self in their home.

As he passed by the main house, Kakashi caught sight of Sasuke personal bodyguards setting fire to the care packages from the people in the village, right in the face of those who had brought some of them. Suigetsu drew one of his swords when a more vocal fat woman of middle years tried to push her way towards the gates dragging behind her a pretty face girl who was clutching a basket to her chest.

Kakashi had seen the woman before. She had been the wife of prominent military surgeon who had left her for a younger, pretty woman. The lady had been hounding Sasuke for three years now dragging that girl behind her. Hell, Sasuke point blank told the woman that he would slit her fucking throat if she came anywhere near him or his family.

The desperation of the social climbers, they were a continuing source for Kakashi's personal amusement.

His home was quiet. Kakashi decided against going up stairs so soon. He cleaned up in the first floor guest room. He found a pair of his pajamas in the laundry dryer, freshly washed, and comfortable. Kurenai must have guessed his arrival and left them for him. These simple things that most men would have long taken for granted were what Kakashi had come to appreciate about married life. The fresh warmed clothes left in the dryer when he retuned from long missions. The delicious home cooked meal that graced the table before he left in the mornings and those waiting for him when he came home in the evening.

His friends had used to joke that he was been putting on weight since his marriage while trying to grab little treats from his desk. That had been true, little packages of baked goods were often tucked away in the bento he would bring from home when his was duties allowed him to be near the village or when it was long trip. It was little things like that along with the warm, welcoming feeling that surrounded his home, made married life a gift that he would never take for granted.

After a quick shower, Kakashi headed upstairs to his bedroom and to his wife.

Kurenai was asleep, her lovely face turned towards the open window and her nightstand. A photograph she and Asuma were there along with a photograph of their son. Kakashi understood Kurenai still mourned Asuma as well that a part of her was still in love with him. He did not begrudge her this nor was did it upset him. Asuma would always be apart of their family and though Kakashi was here now instead of his friend, he was forever grateful for his friend for this opportunity—Kakashi's own second chance at life.

He believed that Kurenai felt the same, beside the photograph she, her late love and his friend, was a photograph of them: Kakashi and Kurenai. It was the first and last time the village had caught a glimpse of his full face and it was because his wife was kissing him.

*.*.*

Hinata watched impassively as the nurse took Neji's daughter away. She was such a beautiful baby, everyone said so, even the stoic Uchiha who never praised any woman, was unrestrained in his admiration for the newest Hyuga princess.

She had Hinata's coloring and perfect mix of both her parents' best features. Masami was the jewel of the Hyuga's crown. Hinata's hands itched to rid the world of that spawn. But she could not move from her chair, she was confined to it and her bedroom while her body healed and yet she was still restrained like wild animal for those two creatures to suck her dry. She turned her face away, ignoring the children forced into her body and cut out of her. If she could only reach a kunai then this entire nightmare would be over!

"…Hinata?" warm, rich voice of played softly on her ears but she ignored it.

Kurenai watched with a broken heart as her former student was restrained after being forced to nurse her own children. It was the only way to protect Hinata, Neji had explained to when Kurenai had first protested the treatment of her student.

But Kurenai had been there when Hinata had tried to kill Uchiha Samuru and Raidon. There was no doubt in her mind that Hinata would not hesitate to murder her own children. Several weeks after she had given birth, Hinata in a moment of madness spirited the boys from their pre-school and taken them to the river where she tried to drown them. Naruto had been the one to find them.

Kurenai had never wondered how far Naruto would have gone had she not been there to stop him. A chill raced down her spine as she involuntarily recalled his bloody hand and forearm appearing from Hinata's back just as the Rasanga's energy dispersed. It was only when he heard the sound of his crying scared children did Naruto drop Hinata's body, but not after he had plunged the kunai Hinata had in her hands into Hinata's own neck.

Kurenai brushed the long bangs from Hinata's eyes. The ugly wound had long since healed, once again leaving Hinata's slender alabaster neck unmarred and pristine. The promises of Hinata's childhood had been fore filled, never before had there such a beautiful woman in all of Konohakagure. Hinata's beauty was unrivalled and her insanity amplified this.

It was obvious that Neji did not love her, not as a husband should love his wife. But he cared for Hinata as the mother of his children and because she was still his family. Kurenai had heard rumors of his infidelity, but that wasn't important as along as the women were unseen and there were no bastard children running about the village. But then no one faulted Neji for not waiting to bed his own wife. The woman would never love him, she was loathed to his touch, and she hated the children she bore him. She refused to give up on her childhood fascination with Naruto.

Kurenai thoughts drifted to her own son who was currently out with his father and cousin. She could not image hurting her son or denying him her love. He was the most important person in her world.

Kurenai pressed a tender kiss to Hinata's brow and promised to visit again soon. As she pushed open the shoji screen door, she felt her heart twist when she heard the broken woman softly call out the name of her obsession.

Hinata's heart began to beat wildly in her chest. It was he; it was her love. He had come for her. Naruto-kun, she wanted to call out to him but she had been warned before of what would happen to her and her love if she so much as whispered about the happenings within the Hyuga household.

II

Otokagure

Ten years ago

Orochimaru was in one of his moods again. Sasuke had learned from experience that it was best to just let the madman perform his little ceremony of drinking sake and reading that damned little orange book than to disturb Orochimaru.

Today was not a good day to bother the Sannin, not even Kabuto would approach Orochimaru on days like this. It was best to just him read his perverted little books and drink his alcohol. When he snapped out of it then Sasuke's training would resume.

Unfortunately, Orochimaru was not just content to read and slip his drink in silence that afternoon. Sasuke was often forced to join his sensei in his chamber and listen to the old man talk.

Old men liked to talk about the past, Sasuke recalled from his earlier childhood. His great uncles like to gather all the little Uchihas around and tell them stories about the old battles and daring mission. Orochimaru was no different. He liked to reminiscence on his days in Konohakagure, the fun days when it was just him, Jiraiya, and Tsunade. They had their adventures, not all of them were related to their shinobi training. It was jus the three of them together and that was all that mattered.

While he was drunk, Orochimaru would sometimes laugh or tell horrible jokes that never brought a smile to Sasuke's unyielding face. Then there were those days when those cold tawny eyes would be filled with an emotion that no one would ever attribute to the mad man…Sorrow. And it was on those days that Orochimaru would pull out one of the Ichi Ichi Paradise books and pour himself a saucer of sake and read.

Sasuke did not know who this Jiraiya was other than he was the author of those foul little books and Orochimaru's best friend. Tsunade, she was medical nin that Orochimaru held in the highest regard, was now Hokage of their former village. Both had been former teammates of his and both were two of the Legendry Sannin.

But today was one of those strange days. Kabuto was out and Orochimaru was drunk and reading. He had called Sasuke to him and as soon as the boy had entered his chamber, Orochimaru had tossed one of those despicable little orange books in his direction.

"If I recall correctly, Kakashi-kun was an avid fan of Jai's little novels." The old man waved Sasuke to one of the low cushions on the floor. "Minato almost ripped Jai's head off when he learned that his student was reading the pervert's pornography."

"And why should I be forced to read this filth?" Sasuke demanded.

Absently, Orochimaru raised his little dish of sake to his lips, his eyes never leaving the pages of his book. "You have come to that certain age when a young man becomes curious about certain things regarding their bodies." Orochimaru took another sip, "I have no desire to explain these things to you, nor do I trust Kabuto to tell you anything useful or something that might not scar you for life." He finished blandly. "If you must, look upon this as something educational so when you finally do get a woman under you, you'll know what is expected of you."

Sasuke had to catch himself when he felt his lips start to quirk at the corners. Orochimaru had a dry, sarcastic sense of humor that he often blamed on Jiraiya.

Sasuke turned the book over in his hands and read the cover. A soft smile of remembrance graced his features as he though of the masked ninja with his bright silver hair. Ichi Ichi Tactics, it was Kakashi-sensei's favorite book.

Orochimaru glanced at his student over his own reading material, a sad little smile that Sasuke did not see was on his face. "Minato never knew that I was the one that gave the boy the book. Jai never told him neither did Kakashi…"

Only when Orochimaru's voice trailed off did Sasuke raise his eyes, only to see the other man reading his book as he sipped his sake.

v.V.v

Sasuke watched his nephew go through the kata for the fifth time. Each time the boy went through his form he became more confident and mastered just a bit more. Seated in the grass near his otosan's feet, Samuru watched his cousin move flawless through the traditional Uchiha fighting style in awe.

Samuru rested his tired little body against his Otosan's leg, otosan's jacket lay over the boy's thin shoulders, keeping him warm, and otosan's scent was comforting. Soon enough, Akihiko was done. Sasuke reached down, gently shaking his son's head tell the boy to get up, it was time to get back.

Akihiko reminded Sasuke that he promised to treat them an ice cream. Akihiko bounced around his uncle, laughing in delight as the giant man scooped his cousin up to lightly toss the little boy onto his back.

Akihiko loved these moments when his uncle stopped being sensei and was just Otosan. Akihiko grabbed his uncle's free hand, a happy smile on his face as he stared adoringly up at his hero.

*.*.*

Konohakagure

Seven years ago

He never got the appeal of pushing people into walls or any hard surface then slamming another body before biting the hell out of partner.

Naruto tried to voice his displeasure as he was the party currently suffering against a wall with Sasuke's wickedly sharp teeth were nibbling on Naruto's exposed collarbone.

He groaned as the Sasuke's right hand slipped further down into Naruto's open trousers. Strong, long fingers ghosted over his cock before gently grasping his scrotum to fondle his sac. A deep seated groan escaped Naruto's lips as the hand moved up to penis, Sasuke lightly traced the vein on the underside of the violently twitching appendage before the cruel bastard settled on teasing the dripping tip.

"Sasuke," Naruto moaned. God, he wanted to push the other man away—Hell, how had he ended up in the situation in the first place? Naruto was just doing his damn job by watching this place, when Sasuke had called him over saying he needed some help moving a wardrobe out of his nephew's bedroom and the next Naruto knew his mask was gone, his clothes were hanging off his body, and Sasuke was on him like a fucking leech.

Another moan and this time Naruto tried to pull away but Sasuke pressed his hips into Naruto's and that damned sneaky hand glided along bare skin to move to his lower back…Naruto jumped as that devilish hand dove into the clef of his rear. Naruto did not have time to think before his legs were kicked further apart then that wide palmed hand began to rub his spread cheeks.

"…please, I don't want this." Naruto breathed out. He tried again to push Sasuke away only to stiffen as his body was penetrated.

Eyes the color of night stared into his shocked eyes. Sasuke watched Naruto, studying his most minuet reaction before a slow, mocking smirk twisted his sculpted lips.

"You don't want this, Naruto." He said lazily. "You don't me want tasting you, touching you—fucking you?" One ebony brow rose mockingly. "Poor little Naruto," he tsked. "Do you honestly think I am not going have you?"

"Sasuke," Naruto swallowed hard even as another dry finger was pressed into his body. "Please, we're friends. Think about what this'll do to our friendship…" He trailed off as the other openly scoffed at his plea.

Those dark eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. "Does this look like I want to be your fucking friend, Naruto?" Sasuke jerked Naruto's body closer to his, his free hand going up to Naruto's untamed blond locks and the other buried itself in that tight little opening. "Does this feel like I give a damn about your precious little friendship?" Sasuke gave Naruto's head a violent little shake. "The only thing I want from you is your ass in my bed every night and my goddamned name on every fucking piece of official piece of paper related to you." Those evil fingers went deeper. "Do you understand me, Naruto?"

No, Naruto did not understand. He did not understand why he hadn't knocked the hell out of Sasuke and was running for the door. He did not understand why he was pulling that bastard closer, fighting to get his clothes off while helping Sasuke strip him of his own. Naruto did not understand why he was on his back, his left leg thrown over Sasuke's shoulder screaming like a wanton slut as the other man relentlessly pounded him into the floor. He did not understand but he knew this was what he wanted. If this was all that Sasuke had to give him then Naruto would accept it because it was Sasuke. It was Sasuke and Naruto would do anything to keep him.

Naruto awoke with a start. His senses expanded before immediately focusing on the only other person in the house.

"This wasn't rape." Sasuke's dark voice wrapped around him, a shudder went down Naruto's spine. "Uzumaki?"

Sasuke sat on mound of pillows beneath an open window, his dark eyes fixed on the man decadently draped over his bed. Naruto rolled this side to meet his friend—Naruto frowned, Sasuke did not want to be his friend, he wanted to be his husband—gaze. Pale blond lashes lowered over dark blue eyes as he blew out a breath. It was obvious what Sasuke wanted him to be considering the positions that they had assumed during their tryst.

Hearing his name Naruto met that demanding gaze. What did Sasuke want? He didn't need reassurances Sasuke should know by now to whom and where Naruto's loyalties rested. How could he doubt that Naruto wouldn't want this? If this was what Sasuke wanted then Naruto wanted it too.

"No, Uchiha, this was not rape." His lips curled up into at corners into a small smirk. "Beside, I would never lie down and let you or anyone fuck me. I would kill you first, bastard."

"Still so vulgar, Naruto?" Sasuke drawled with a lazy smirk crawling over his lips.

"Just stating the facts, Sasuke." Naruto grinned.

Sasuke snorted and Naruto laughed.

This was what he wanted.

*.*.*

Bright blond hair gave away the other man's position and Sasuke did not hesitate to send his men in to ambush his spouse.

A shout of surprise brought a small smile to his lips as Naruto scooped up the gaggle of little boys before dumping them all on the puffed futon before the fireplace. Sasuke looked down at the infant in his lap who had started at first shout. Dark brown eyes met Sasuke's own. He raised the baby until the child's soft clothed belly was level to his face Sasuke rubbed his nose against the stomach, causing baby Itachi to laugh in delight at his father's antics.

Akihiko decided to join in on the fun; the little shinobi took a flying leap to land on his laughing uncle's back. Naruto went down with a hearty booming laugh that encouraged the other children to climb onto the wide muscular back. Little hands grabbed at short blond hair as little bodies hung off the powerful biceps like little monkeys as they tried to scramble on Naruto's shoulders and back.

"Kaa-san," Dai and Jai were screaming in Naruto's ear. Naruto pushed himself up to his knees, his hands flashed a familiar seal, there was small pop, and there were three more Naruto's for the children to play with.

Leaving his shadow clones to his children, Naruto gently extracted himself from the play to stumble over to the couch where their nanny sat with Uzumaki.

"Hey, big-boy," Naruto smiled as he took his son, "How's my little boy?"

Dark brown eyes fixed on the familiar blue ones and the baby smiled his toothless smile up at him.

"He's leaving tomorrow."

Sasuke glanced at the man seated on the other side of the overstuffed couch in the Uchiha's family room. Naruto's uncle, Kakashi had come to spend the night with his nephew and his family since it would be the last time he would see Naruto for a year.

"He'll be leaving before dawn," Sasuke pressed a soft kiss to his son's soft black hair. "It will be harder for him to leave if the children are awake."

"Thankfully, this will be his last mission outside of the village as an ANBU," Kakashi reached over to tickle the baby's tummy. He looked at Sasuke then, "What do you plan to do about Nara?"

Sasuke did not wince when Itachi gave a violent tug on his hair. Years of children pulling on his hair had desensitized Sasuke's scalp. "As long as Shikamaru is with Temari-hime, he has the protection of both the Kazakage and the Hokage. Until he makes a mistake, Nara is safe."

"Kurenai is worried. We don't want him near Isoka; he is making my son uncomfortable."

Sarutobi Isoka was the son of Shikamaru's late sensei. Everyone could respect that Shikamaru wanted to pass on his teacher's legacy to boy, but ever since Kurenai and Kakashi announced their relationship, Asuma's former students were not very pleased with that and they were very vocal in their displeasure. All three seemed to have forgotten that Kakashi had been a friend of Asuma and Kurenai and that Kurenai had asked Kakashi to be Isoka's godfather long before they began their intimate relationship. In fact things had gotten so bad that Naruto and Ino had almost come to blows just as recently as last week in the market place was reason enough for her to be on Sasuke's shit list.

"I will do what I can," Sasuke told him. "I still need Nara on the Council to ensure that Naruto is named Hokage next year, but I will do what I can for you and Kurenai. We are family after all." He grinned down at the smiling baby in his lap, "I think it's time for someone to see Okasan." He put the baby on his shoulder then stood up. His handsome spouse smiled warmly at Sasuke as the other man sat down beside him.

Naruto rested his head against Sasuke's heavy shoulder after pressing a quick kiss there. "I'm going to miss this," Naruto said softly. "I'm going to miss them."

Sasuke looked out at their laughing children; the warmth of their home was centered by the small man at his side. He could have killed Tsunade for taking his children's mother away from them for so long.

"They will be alright." Sasuke looked down at blond head resting against his arm. "They will fine because they know their Okasan will be coming home to them." Naruto looked up at him, "You will come home, Naruto, because our children expect it of you."

"Sasuke—" Naruto was silenced by his spouse sudden kiss.

"You will come back to me," Sasuke told him, "Even if I must drag you from the gates of Hell, you will always come back to me."


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