Seaswept

Warnings: some racial slurs and violence.  Just to be clear, there is no shota in this.  Both Itachi and Sasuke will be of legal age in my state of residence before they engage in sex.

Seaswept

Chapter Three

Itachi lengthened his stride as he followed the large man he knew as Kisame. Every step he took was twice the length of his own. He was hard and menacing with a faint aura of violence carefully tempered behind his harsh eyes. Itachi was not sure he had ever seen such a man in his life, even amongst the plethora of foreigners who frequented the port outside his village.

"Sasuke?" He could not mask the worry in his voice.

"I'm taking you to him." Kisame pushed open the surgery door and ushered Itachi inside. "Well, Dan? How is the runt?"

Dan was finishing up his lancing of the infected bites dotting Sasuke’s legs. "Hard to say. He's weak and dehydrated but there is always a chance. He's going to be bedridden for a while until his strength returns should he pull through. All we can do is wait and see."

"Sasuke!" Itachi moved quickly past Kisame and immediately to Sasuke's side. Sasuke's skin was a pasty white and his body unresponsive to Itachi's call. "Sasuke can you hear me?"

"He's unconscious. His body is fighting the infection. I'm having to force fluids down his throat." Dan leveled a gaze on Kisame. "I don't know what you expected bringing the boy to me, but you know I won't let him die without a fight. If you wanted him to simply pass on, you wouldn't have brought him here."

Kisame's face didn't twitch in the slightest and he folded his arms across his chest. "You're the ship physician. Where else was I going to take him?"

Dan chuckled and wiped an arm over a sweat dampened brow. "Come here, boy. Let me check your wounds."

Dan forced Itachi to sit in a bolted down chair while he lifted his legs to examine the angry red bites. "You're lucky. You would have been as bad as your brother had you been found later."

Itachi's eyes darted between the doctor and Kisame. "I won't…sick…I won't get sick?"

He winced at how difficult it was to accustom himself to speaking in a language not his own. It took concentration to decipher the words spoken and even more to formulate a response. His jaw clenched in frustration. This was so different from practicing in his father's presence. So many of their words were unfamiliar and required guessing on his part as to their meanings.

"Why did you steal aboard the Crimson Cloud?" asked Dan, his hands deftly applying a tingling salve to Itachi's legs. "That seems a foolish thing to do."

"Steal?" He frowned while trying to understand the obvious question. "Food…I am sorry. We needed…to eat."

Dan blinked several times before glancing at Kisame, who simple shrugged his massive shoulders. "No…why did you leave home?"

Understanding flashed across Itachi's features. "Ah…We…half-foreigner?"

Kisame grunted at the answer. "Apparently even those of mixed blood were exiled. What a bunch of stupid people."

"No!" Itachi turned on Kisame with fire in his eyes. "Not stupid. Afraid and…frus…trated. The villagers…they needed…"

His slender brows drew together and his eyes became focused. "I don't know the word."

Dan heaved a sigh and nodded. "You don't have to tell me. I understand. I imagine it was more common in the smaller villages. The villagers and fishermen needed a scapegoat for their frustration."

"No…not goat. My family…all half-blood." Itachi's face went hard. "I give up…honor to save Sasuke."

Kisame gave a small laugh. "It's good that you don’t have any honor, because you're on a ship full of honorless men."

Itachi frowned and parted his lips to speak but was interrupted by a moan from Sasuke. "Sasuke?"

"Niisan, I’m thirsty."

Dan sat forward. "What did he say?"

"He is thirsty." Itachi looked around desperately. "Water. Can he have?"

"Of course." Dan dipped a metal cup into a small barrel and brought it to Sasuke's lips while Itachi held him upward. "Does he speak English as well?"

"No well. A few words." Itachi pulled Sasuke to his chest, feeling as if his heart was going to pound right out of his chest. "Father teach me."

Dan arched a brow. "You don't look much older than him. Why only you?"

Itachi licked his cracked lips while struggling for the words. It was difficult. "Otousan…Father teach older."

"What's that got to do with anything?" asked Kisame suddenly, drawing the attention of both Itachi and Dan. "Fuck, I'm just asking. You don't have to look at me like I'm an idiot."

Dan chuckled and patted Itachi on the back before turning to Kisame. "Itachi's father probably expected his son to take over for him in whatever profession he held. It might have dealt with foreigners on a regular basis so speaking the language would be useful. The second son was probably given a bit more freedom. It's a common practice with nobles in Europe. The elder is the heir and is trained from birth to follow in his father's footsteps."

Kisame snorted and turned to leave. "Where I'm from, all the siblings fight for the what they get."

"And that's probably why you are so violent."

A grin slid across Kisame's features. "Probably. Captain says he can stay the night with his brother. I'll come get him at dawn and put him to work."

The door slammed behind him and Dan gave a small sigh. "You're lucky."

"Lucky?"

Dan shook his head. "This ship is full of the worst of the worst. You're lucky you survived long enough to go before the captain and luckier still that he didn't order you thrown overboard."

A chill went up Itachi's spine. "Why kill?"

"It's the law of the sea. Ships have limited supplies. Even fishing up food, water is a precious commodity." Dan heaved a sigh, looking as if he wanted to say more. "Let's just say that this ship isn't your typical trade ship."

Itachi nibbled on his lip. "Why no kill us?"

Dan sniffed and riffled through a draw before pulling out a slender bit of leather. He moved behind Itachi with a comb and the thong. "I can't speak for the captain's reasons. He's not one to talk much with the crew, but don't assume because he allowed you to live that he is a kind man. He's not."

The comb running through Itachi's hair soothed him and his eyes began to drift closed. Exhaustion was beating away at him and the gentle and caring touch was something he had missed since leaving home. His mother used to comb his hair even after he had grown too old. She said it was her special time with her eldest. There was no stopping his body as it leaned into the touch. For a moment the horrible nightmare faded away and he was once again being tended to by his mother.

Like all dreams, this one faded away and he jerked stiff once more. He was not with is mother in their home; he was on a ship moving farther and farther away from everything he knew.

"What is the captain?” he asked, pushing away the peace the stroking hands in his hair gave him.

Dan began braiding Itachi's hair and tied it off at the end. "He's a hard man who demands order and respect from his crew. If you attempt to cross him, you will have a pistol ball in your heart and a knife in your throat."

Itachi thought back to his first impressions of the man with the ginger red hair and cold lavender eyes. Something in the way he moved reminded him of a wild animal that killed indiscriminately, yet he had allowed two stowaways to live. A cruel and heartless man with no honor would not do such a thing.

"Why don't you rest here with your brother. I've given him some herbs that will help with the fever and keep him asleep." Dan sent a compassionate glance in Itachi's direction. "You're in for a rough time tomorrow."

His gaze followed the healer as he left before returning to his brother. Dark eyes slid over every inch of Sasuke to insure he was unharmed from the treatment he received at the hands of the stranger. His breathing seemed less ragged and his skin less sallow.

For the first time since they snuck aboard the ship, Itachi relaxed. Sasuke was well cared for even if it was at the hands of foreigners. There would be time later to understand the reasons for being allowed to live. At least for the moment, both were safe.

 

oOo

A harsh shaking of his shoulder jarred him away from the pillow created by his arms. His body ached from the position hunched beside Sasuke and his mind filled with haze at who had disturbed his rest. Only when his eyes cleared did he recognize the large man from the previous day. Kisame.

"Get up. You'll need to be up at this time every day. I'll run you through your duties." Kisame turned without a backward glance. "Come, the Captain wants to see you before you begin your day."

Itachi's bare feet padded behind Kisame while he mentally struggled to keep up with his words and physically with his body. The brawn of the other man was astonishing, yet he moved with grace uncommon in one so large. His boot clad feet were nearly silent as they moved from the infirmary and then topside.

Over the far horizon, the sky was barely beginning to brighten in hues of pink and blue. He had never been privy to such a sight and froze where he stood, his gaze locking on the majestic view, causing the word around him to fade away. It was more beautiful than anything and completely captivated him as nothing else ever had.

Kisame stopped and glanced over his shoulder to see Itachi staring off in wonder at the sun just beginning to peak over the horizon. He chuckled faintly and moved to his side. "The first time you see the sun rise over the ocean determines your fate."

"How?" asked Itachi, though his eyes never left the horizon.

Kisame folded his arms across his chest and glanced down at Itachi's nearly glazed eyes. "Once you see it, if you can bear to leave the ocean and know that you will never see such sunrises again, you aren't meant to ride the waves."

Itachi's gaze parted from the sunrise to stare up at Kisame. "I see."

"You're an odd one, Itachi. Come on, the Captain doesn't like waiting, even for a sunrise." Kisame lead Itachi up to the door into the captain's quarters. His hand raised and gave a single knock on the thick wooden door.

"Enter."

Tan hands pushed open the door and gestured for Itachi to enter. "Here's the boy."

"Your name is Itachi, yes?" Pein glanced up from where his hand scribbled in an open log book. "Well?"

Itachi startled when Kisame gave him a small shove to his back. "Yes."

"How is his English?" Pein's gaze narrowed on Itachi, his gaze so intense it took every ounce of Itachi's strength not to shift under it.

"Passable. He'll struggle for a bit, but I think he will be alright after a time." Kisame scratched his jaw thoughtfully. "Just don’t use any of your big words."

The faintest of smiles cracked Pein's stoic mask. "I see. He cleans up well. He looks more like a man and less like a half starved waif."

Kisame shrugged. "He could still use a bit more meat on him. I could see his ribs quite clearly last eve when he bathed."

For a moment, a slight twinkle appeared in the deep lavender eyes before it was extinguished and the mask drawn tight. "And the boy?"

"Still alive. Dan is caring for him."

Pein hummed low before nodding his head. "Do you know what type of ship this is?"

Itachi didn't blink an eye. "Trade."

The answer brought an amused twisting of thin lips. "Partly true. Have you ever killed a man, Itachi?"

Dark orbs went wide for the length of a breath before Itachi spoke. "No."

"You will." Pein reached into a draw of his desk and tossed a dirty bag across the wood. "You're lucky it was Kisame who found this otherwise I’m sure its contents would have already been divided amongst the crew."

Itachi's eyes widened and he reached for the bag containing all that his father could scrape together for his sons. "Thank you."

"Kisame, let the crew know that Itachi is now a member of the crew and as such, his possessions are his. Anyone caught stealing them will be subject to twenty lashes and a day tied to the central mast." Pein's eyes narrowed on Itachi. "That goes for you as well. You're a member of the crew and your indiscretions will be punished as such."

Itachi's eyes darted to Kisame. It felt strange to seek some sort of comfort from someone he didn't know, let alone one who seemed not to care in the least whether he lived or died. This was an unacceptable response after having trained for years to bury visible weakness. He was a failure and deserved his fate.

The captain's hard gaze pulled his attention once more. "Do you understand?"

Itachi's teeth sunk into the flesh of his inner jaw to keep the flinch from being visible." Yes."

"Here are your duties while aboard this ship. You're to bring me breakfast every morning as soon as it is prepared. You will knock before entering. While I am eating you can get your own food and then retrieve my tray. Afterwards you are to clean my room. The only place you aren't allowed to touch is that chest there." Pein pointed towards a large locked chest at the foot of his bunk. "And anything on my desk."

Itachi struggled to maintain his composure as he mentally translated the words coming quickly from the man's lips. It seemed as if he was purposefully speaking faster than was necessary to make things much more difficult for him.

Pein continued on as if he was dictating to a secretary. "After cleaning, you'll go to Kisame. He'll assign you duties on the ship until dinner where you will again bring me my meal and then have your own. If I have anything special I need of you, I'll make sure you know."

Pein plucked a book from the small shelf on one wall and turned to Itachi. "Do you read?"

"I can not read." It frustrated Itachi to an extent. It felt like a weakness amongst these men, one he despised for being put in this situation. He despised the weakness in himself.

"Hmph." Pein nodded and took a seat at his desk. "That is all. Dismissed."

"Aye, Captain." Kisame nodded to Itachi and led him from the room. "Go get the captain's breakfast from the galley."

Itachi grated his teeth together and turned to disappear below deck. He felt like a servant and while he was not above manual labor, he hated the looks of disgust or mistrust. The only person on this ship who truly seemed genuine in his speech was Dan.

"Ye're the new cabin boy?"

Itachi entered the small room set aside for cooking. The scent of onions and grease was thick in the air, causing his stomach to lurch threateningly. "I am Itachi."

"Chouza." The heavy set man gestured towards a covered tray of food and pot of tea. "That there be the captain's food. It's the first prepared so ye'll need to get here first thing if ye want to keep it hot."

Itachi lifted the tray and was surprised by the weight. It seemed heavier than it looked upon first glance. He was tempted to ask what was for breakfast that it was so heavy but held his tongue at the annoyed look on the man's sweaty face.

The deck beneath is feet shifted, causing him to tip precariously to the side. If not for his natural balance, he would have tumbled to the deck along with the captain's meal. His arms burned under the strain and his knees felt close to collapsing. When had he become so weak?

The door to the captain's quarters seemed far and each step upward caused him to groan under the weight. There were a few chuckles from men standing about with bowls of steaming gruel.

"I’ve a coin that says he drops it before reaching the captain!"

"I'll take that bet!"

Ribald laughter and shouts of bets erupted from the men as they watched Itachi's struggle to carry the tray. He could feel their eyes and became all the more determined not to fail in his task. He wavered with each step but did not fall.

Cheers and more bets erupted between the growing gathering of crew members. He was surprised that some cheered for him while others against. It caused a frown to spread across his face as he reached the final step and braced the tray against the wall while knocking.

"Enter."

He struggled with the latch, the tray tipping dangerously to the side and each individual watching held their breath in anticipation of its toppling fall. He refused to fail before their eyes and through a bit of luck meshed liberally with keen balance, he was able to push open the door without losing control of the tray. His breath exhaled in relief as he stepped into the cabin.

Whines of loss were met equally with cheers of victory. The sailors exchanged coins to cover debts owed and Itachi smiled faintly at the small pride he felt at his success. That small mental celebration, however, was short lived at the annoyed look crossing the captain's features.

"If you ever take that long again, I will lash you within an inch of your life." Pein stood in a smooth motion and glided gracefully to the waiting table with it's bolted chairs. "Put the food there."

Itachi panted slightly and slid the tray to the table with shaky arms. Just that single look took away all the pride he'd had at successfully keeping the tray aloft. His stomach churned with the shame he felt at disappointing the captain. Despite the feelings swirling in him, he refused to allow these foreigners to destroy him and silently told himself all this was for Sasuke's sake.

Pein poured the tea into the solitary cup before bringing it too his lips with a contented sigh. "Go break your fast before it's gone."

The words jarred Itachi into his sense and he turned to leave the room, missing the small smile creasing his captain's features. "Good boy."

Itachi darted from the captain's cabin and down the stairs towards the galley. The large cook was in the process of scrapping fat drippings into a large greasy barrel when he entered.

"What ye want, boy?"

Itachi swallowed thickly at the hunger cramps squeezing his insides. "Food?"

"It's gone. These scurvy arses are greedy. If ye don get yers early, ye don eat." Chouza turned to his task without another glance towards him.

Anger boiled just beneath the surface forcing Itachi to tamp down the flood. Anger was not worth his emotions and would get him nothing but lashes from the captain. Control was everything now.

He bowed formally to the man and exited the galley towards the deck. He would wait there until he was certain the captain was finished with his meal. Like the days of his previous life, he would act accordingly for Sasuke's sake.

Kisame sat on the rail sipping a cup of coffee and smirking as Itachi stepped from below deck. "Boy."

Itachi turned at the call. While he felt no affection for the man, he was familiar in such a stressful and unfamiliar atmosphere. He approached silently, his eyes remaining silent pools.

A tanned hand extended outward and a hunk of brown bread with a slab of greasy meat was extended to him. "I figured there wouldn't be much left so I took extra."

Shock worked through Itachi as he stared at the food. His stomach lurched in excitement of being filled, churning and bubbling.

"Well, take it." The hand pressed forward once more and Itachi was unable to resist the temptation presented.

The bread was coarse and thick in his mouth and the meat salty and tough, still it was filling and his hunger was momentarily satiated. "Thank you."

Kisame grunted and moved away without another word. "Alright, you slags. Get off your lazy arses and go to work. Release the sails and get them tied down. Mr. Asuma!"

"Aye, Kisame?"

Kisame glanced up to the man manning the large wooden wheel at the stern of the ship. "Set us a course twelve degrees starboard. We're going to restock in a nearby port before heading towards the Cape."

"Aye, Sir."

Itachi stood watching the man and his boisterous voice carrying outward. The crew didn't question his orders for even the slightest of seconds. He was a powerful and respected man aboard this ship. It was quite startling how even Itachi felt a tendril of respect for the man.

"Go take care of the captain's tray."

"Hai." Itachi turned to work his way up the small stairs flanking the entrance to the below deck portion of the ship.

"It's aye."

Itachi paused and glanced back. "Excuse?"

Kisame arched a brow. "It's aye…not hai."

Itachi blinked several times before nodding. "Aye."

Itachi trotted towards the captain's cabin, knocked, and entered upon request. "Food finish?"

Pein nodded as he finished off his tea and rose from the chair. As Itachi approached to take the tray, he noticed several large bricks arranged around the much smaller plate than expected. His eyes darted to were the captain was sitting at his desk with a mysterious smile just barely curving his lips. The cook had made the tray purposefully heavy.

"My cabin is fine for today. Go see Kisame after you return the tray."

Itachi stiffened and tamped down the glare attempting to work its way into his gaze. "Aye, Captain."

The tray was only faintly lighter, but he refused to remove the bricks weighing it down. He would return it to the kitchen in the condition it was removed sans the food the captain had eaten. For Sasuke, he would accept the abuse thrown his way. As long as Sasuke was cared for, no amount of suffering was too much.

"Hey, boy." Chouza stepped forward to accept the tray with a grin. "Thanks to ye fer makin' me a bit o' coin."

Itachi bowed stiffly to the man and turned to leave, only to pause at the beefy palm on his shoulder. He turned to see an extra bit of bread and a small bit of meat spread over it.

"Take it."

Again Itachi bowed, this time with slightly less stiffness. "Thank you."

He shoved the bit of bread and meat into the returned satchel at his waist for later and made his way topside to search for Kisame. Though the ship wasn't massive, there were still plenty of places to hide. His eyes darted up the mast and across the rigging. Several sailors darted like monkeys across the rope as they tightened and loosened it as per the shouts commanded. A few men sat near the railing, tying knots in netting while speaking loudly of the wenches they would fuck once they returned to a familiar port of call.

He approached cautiously. "Pardon…Kisame where?"

The older of the two men glanced up to reveal sun wrinkled features. Watery blue eyes gleamed with amusement and he pointed a finger towards a high part of the rigging where Kisame's familiar build darted across the poles as if he possessed wings.

"How I get him?" Itachi followed the brawny bunching of shoulders as he tugged ropes into position.

"Climb…or wait. If it be important…you should climb." The sailor pointed towards where a rope ladder inclined upward towards the poles stemming outward from the mast.

Itachi pushed aside the fear pooling in his tight abdomen. Fear had no place in him. He would not allow these hard men to frighten him in what must be done. The captain had ordered him to Kisame and waiting could likely win him lashes or worse.

He moved towards the knotted rope forming the ladder and pulled himself easily onto the rail of the ship. His stomach lurched when the ship crested a rather large wave and dipped downward. Knuckles bleached white as he gripped the prickly rope with desperate hands. No one would see his fear. He would not allow it.

Placing one foot on the rope was the easier action. It only became harder from that moment on.

The busy duties of the sailors kept them from noticing him until he was halfway up the rope. His heart thudded loudly in his chest though his face showed nothing save his intent towards his goal. He didn't hear the shouts of the sailors, but only focused on pulling himself higher and higher.

There were several laughs, but it was the loud shout of a familiar gruff voice that jarred him from his focused intent. "What the fuck are you doing?"

Itachi's eyes darted upward to see Kisame holding onto a bit of rigging while balancing himself on the wooden poles of the mast. "The Captain said find you."

Kisame gave a small bark of a laugh. "And you decided to climb up here to me? You've got balls for an untried boy."

Itachi glanced downward and paled slightly at how far he had come. Only deeply drawn breaths kept him from vomiting up his breakfast. His hands gripped the rope ladder even tighter and he lifted his gaze to focus on the laughing gaze of the man above him.

"Give me your hand." Kisame extended a callous covered hand to Itachi. "I'll help you down."

Pride screamed out for him to ignore the offered help. He simply needed to reverse his direction down the ladder. The problem came that his body seemed locked where it was.

"Take it, lad."

It was a strange sensation when his hand extended and allowed Kisame to tug him onto the wooden beam. Fear kept him near paralyzed and he knelt there until it passed in slow increments.

"I don't think you're ready to be working on the sails."

Itachi gave a small grunt and allowed Kisame to pull him to his feet. From the perch high atop the main mast, he could see the horizon. Where the sky met the sea gave a sense of never ending blue. He could not tell where the heavens ended and the sea began. The world suddenly seemed so much larger than his mind could encompass.

"Look up." Kisame pointed towards the tip of the mast. "That is where the look out stays. He looks for land and for other ships and is a lazy bastard."

A slender man's head poked over the rim of the wooden loft before settling back to staring off into the horizon. A nonchalant wave was the only response either received.

Before Itachi could think, a warm arm wrapped around him and pulled him close to a bare chest. "Hold onto me. I won't let you fall."

Itachi immediately latched onto the thick frame, wrapping his legs around the tight waist and his arms around Kisame's neck. Within seconds they were moving downward toward the waiting deck. His stomach jumped into his throat as the deck grew closer that he was forced to bury his face against the large chest to prevent regurgitating his breakfast.

"Kisame…does this mean you've got another bunk mate?" called a member of the crew with a grin at how Itachi was latched around Kisame's waist.

“He’s a pretty one for a boy. I’d fuck his shithole between ports,” yelled another, earning him laughter and punches to his shoulder.

Itachi started at the voice and immediately released the man in his grip. The sudden departure caused him to sprawl backward over the deck. His heart still remained in his throat and a blush of embarrassment spread across his cheeks. "Sorry—"

"The trickery stops here."

Every member of the crew turned to see their captain standing outside the door to his cabin. "But Captain—"

"I've allowed you your fun, but the boy is now a member of the crew and when his life is endangered to provide you with amusement, I take offense. He should never have been directed towards the rigging. Teach him the trade, but don't allow him to do something under false pretenses that could endanger his life. As my cabin boy, he is under my protection." Pein narrowed a gaze to where Hidan stood with a petulant look spreading across his face. "And I take the protection of those under me seriously."

A chorus of 'aye, captain' rolled throughout the crew. The loitering sailors returned to their tasks leaving Itachi and Kisame alone. The larger gave a small grunt and retrieved a bucket and scrub brush for Itachi.

"Scrub the decks with that. By the time you’re finished, it should be close to supping time." Kisame didn't say another word, turning abruptly from Itachi and leaving him wondering if he had done wrong by clinging so closely.

With no other choice but to do as commanded, he knelt and began to push the brush across the deck. The hand on his shoulder didn't startle him so much as unnerve him. A chill worked up his spine and down into his stomach. He could feel heated breath, stinking of an unwashed mouth and rotting teeth. Disgust pooled heavily in him and he fought the urge to shift away from the touch.

"Watch your back, slant eyes."

Itachi's gaze remained focused forward as the body behind him moved away. There was no doubt in his mine of who spoke and that he would be watching his back from that moment on because of it.

To be continued

AN:Italicized dialogs means it is spoken in japanese. Show the story some love.  I'm more inclined to bother with posting if I see an interest.  Otherwise I just post it whenever I remember to.  It's up to ch. 16 on ygal.