One Eye Between Them

It’s Yaoi-Con Weekend!!!! See ya in Long Beach! I’ll be wondering around and volunteering all weekend and my name badge will be Misato’sPenPen, so you can find me. I wear mostly black. Stop me and say hi!

smint45: I very much enjoy hearing that people enjoyed the smut. ^_^
RedRoma: Mystery revealed. At least one of them.
GHOSTSherri: You’re job is point out that kind of thing. ^_^ I actually looked it up and Itachi and Iruka are the same height according to the databooks, so I changed it. And there will be a dance scene. I love the fact you pointed out the SEALs thing. It would be hilarious if we did have an army of baby seals going after terrorists. ^_^ Both ex’s make appearances. I bet people are wondering who Itachi’s lover was. Thanks again!

Was that really all the reviews? Really? Please read and review. Please.

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Kakashi woke up with a warm body in his arms and a muffled rendition of ‘Inside Out’ by Eve 6. It was a cell phone going off. Itachi sat up. He checked that the necktie was still in place; it was. He turned helplessly to Kakashi who was already getting up to fish through the clothes sprawled on the floor, looking for the phone. He found it and placed it in Itachi’s hand.

“Otouto,” Itachi greeted.

What’s going on?

“We were sleeping. What time is it?”

Six.

“Fuck, Sasuke, you could wait until a descent hour.”

Are you okay?

“Yes. I said I’d call you when I woke up.”

Were you actually going to call?

“I’ll be home eventually.” Itachi ended the call and growled in frustration.

Itachi had felt Kakashi get back into bed and lay down. He did the same. “Do you have somewhere to be?”

“Not for a few hours; I start at ten. Can you go back to sleep or do you want to go out for breakfast before I take you home?”

“Breakfast sounds wonderful.”

-----

They both ordered the same big breakfast at the diner. Kakashi had his coffee black; Itachi asked Kakashi to pour the sugar and cream in his.

Unlike before when Itachi used his fork or chopsticks to figure out what was where on his plate, he moved his fork over the plate and asked Kakashi to identify it; he was started to lean on Kakashi a little.

“Can I ask about your previous boyfriend?” Itachi asked once he was settled and started eating.

“How did you know I had one?”

Itachi smiled. “You seemed to know what you were doing.”

“Iruka. He was Hawaiian, olive skinned, long hair like yours, about your height. We dated in high school. I always intended to join the military; got myself into the best shape I could to join the Green Berets. He was fine with it and we both promised to be true to each other while I was gone. I didn’t have any family so I visited him on leave. When we triggered that IED I hesitated to tell him about it; I wanted to wait until the scares healed more so I could send him a picture so he’d know I was okay. Before that could happen, we were deployed on a mission to the middle of nowhere. No mail. It was during that mission that I lost my eye.

“I let him know that lost my left eye and I was being discharged and that I was coming home to him. One of my friends from the military lived closer to the airport and he picked me up and dropped me off at Iruka’s house. I was so happy to be home and see him that I hugged him. I never felt him so tense; he really didn’t want to be there. I let him go and he hit me with a break up speech. He hadn’t even seen me before he decided he wanted to break up with me. It had to be the eye since I didn’t mention the scars before and he was ready with a speech before I came through the door.

“He told me I could stay with him for a month or two until I got a new place and a job. He left, telling me to rest. I think I feared that would happen, that’s why I didn’t tell him about the cuts to my face when it happened. And maybe I was shocked or jaded, but I didn’t say anything, just let him leave, I didn’t even watch him leave.

“I called my buddy on his cell and asked him to go rent a moving truck. Most of my stuff was boxed up anyway. We got everything on the truck—including a few pieces of furniture I considered mine—and I drove it to a motel. I never saw Iruka again. I spent the next few days looking for an apartment and a job. My buddy knew a mechanic and he hired me. He actually likes my eye patch, he feels it gives his garage some street-cred; a few more motorcycles come our way now.”

“I want to punch Iruka.” His voice was even, but Kakashi could tell his eyes were set in a glare behind his glasses.

Kakashi laughed. “Yeah. I really didn’t want another relationship and resisted going out with my friends because of it. I think I resented the fact I missed out on other relationships because of Iruka. I could have had a chance with a few guys in my unit—there are more gay guys in there than you’d think. But in the end, I’m happy. I rather have you than any of them. I’m thinking of sending Iruka a thank you card.”

Itachi laughed. It was the first time Kakashi had heard him laugh. Itachi was finally relaxed enough to laugh. It warmed his heart. He was glad Itachi couldn’t see him since he was grinning like an idiot while he stared at the oblivious young man; not even his mask could hide his pleasure.

“We should both sign it,” Kakashi said. “I kind of want to rub it in his face.”

“That you have a wealthy, attractive new boyfriend?” Itachi joked.

“That I’m happier now than I ever was with him.”

Itachi stopped smiling. “Really?”

“I thought I loved Iruka, but I never felt like this for him or anyone else before.”

Itachi blushed. “Kakashi, think about how much of a liability I am.”

“So the movies might be out, but I don’t see any other inconvenience.”

Itachi sighed. “I warned you.”

“Are you going to give a break up speech too? If so, do it now before I become addicted to you.”

“I don’t want that. I mean, the break up. My last boyfriend really burned me. Sasuke almost killed him. Sasuke’s friends pulled him away. Even his father decided Sasuke was justified and no charges were brought. Our father would have stopped charges anyway.”

“I’ll give you Iruka’s address if you give me his.”

“As tempting as the offer is: no. I don’t want you or my brother going to jail; my brother would have to do the asskicking on my behalf. Anyway, knowing his first name, my father can find him.”

Kakashi chuckled. “Tell me one thing before tonight; is there anything your mother is particularly fond of?”

“Huh?”

“As a gift. A type of wine she likes, flowers, something like that. I think I should bring a gift of some kind for your parents. Maybe your father likes a type of brandy or something?”

“A good bottle of Glenmorangie scotch for my father would be good. My mother, like me, loves tea. I doubt you’d be able to find it in one day, but she’s fond of Earl Grey with lavender. If you can find that you’d defiantly ingratiate yourself with her.”

“The scavenger hunt begins,” Kakashi said lightly. He smiled thinking about how he was going to convince his military buddies to help him scoured the city for tea without telling them why.

-----

Kakashi brought Itachi home and walked him to the door.

“This is the first time Sasuke hasn’t been waiting at the door to glare at me,” Kakashi observed, glancing around in search for said overprotective brother.

“He should be at work.”

“So soon should I,” Kakashi murmured. “I can finally kiss you goodnight. Or, goodbye.”

Kakashi pressed forward to kiss Itachi against the door, but as Itachi’s back was about to touch the door and his lips, Kakashi’s, the door opened. Kakashi grabbed Itachi to keep him from falling backward. Itachi pressed himself into Kakashi’s chest and turned around to face the door.

There stood Sasuke, scowling.

“Cyclops,” Sasuke greeted Kakashi.

“Otouto,” Itachi reproved.

“Brat,” Kakashi retorted.

Itachi pressed his lips together tightly to keep from laughing out loud.

“You’re turning red, brother.”

Itachi let out his laugh. “He’s got your number, Sasuke.”

“You look happy this morning.”

“You sound grumpy this morning.”

“Father wanted me to wait for you.”

“So you got to sleep in; thank us,” Itachi said.

“Thank the Cyclops,” Kakashi said.

“How was I to sleep in when my brother’s being—”

“Sasuke!” Itachi yelled.

“—by a pirate.”

“Are you wearing the eye patch?” Itachi asked.

“I am. They’re used to seeing me like this at that diner.”

“Don’t tempt my brother tonight.”

“Maskless and my glass eye,” Kakashi assured him.

“Thank you,” Itachi said. “A moment alone, Otouto.”

Sasuke looked at Kakashi expectantly.

“I think he meant a moment alone with me,” Kakashi said.

Sasuke shrank away and shut the door.

“You owe me a kiss,” Itachi said.

“I pay my debts,” Kakashi said and kissed him. “I’ll . . . be back here soon.” He wanted to say that he’d ‘see’ him soon, but was wary of the word. He knocked on the door and Sasuke opened it.

“Goodbye, brat.”

“Hn.” Sasuke gently grabbed Itachi’s arm and led him in.

“Bye,” Itachi said before the door was shut.

Kakashi laughed and departed.

-----

Sasuke escorted Itachi to his room.

“I’m going to work. Call me if you need anything. Everything is alright, right?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“’K.” Sasuke leaned in to kiss his brother on the forehead before he headed for the door. He stopped half way out. “You know, the Cyclops was a cannibal.” Sasuke closed the door behind him.

Itachi smirked. “That was just one in The Odyssey,” Itachi mumbled to himself.

Itachi threw himself onto his bed. The foam gave just enough without bouncing back, just hugging his body slightly. He reached up to one side and felt the bookshelf. His books were still there. He liked playing his fingers over the smooth, unmarred spines of some of his paperbacks, the creased and bowed spines of others, the cloth hardcover spines and the embossed dust jackets. He loved his books, but they were mostly mute to him now. At least he had audio books now, though Sasuke couldn’t find every book he wanted. Sasuke had offered to read to him, but Itachi couldn’t ask him to spend that much time.

His artwork had been left intact as well. He had his own Giger poster, Brain Salad Surgery. He also had two Amano prints. Thinking about them made Itachi depressed; he’d never see them again. However, Kakashi might appreciate them.

“Play: Instrumental One,” Itachi said. His voice activated computer started playing Apcolyptica’s instrumental version of Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters. His great joy now was music. This piece took him to a forest just after sunrise. It made his soul swell. He would love to dance with someone to this piece.

He smiled as he thought of Kakashi. He’d painted a picture of him in his mind that he altered a little last night. He hoped Kakashi really looked like that. He imagined dancing with him to this music. He wondered if the man danced.

He had enjoyed last night; the sex was great, but he couldn’t say that he loved Kakashi. He really wasn’t sure yet. Being blind and having thought he was in love before, made him consider how much of love was visual. He knew Kakashi, but he couldn’t see him. Itachi was certain if he could see Kakashi he would have been able to say he loved him back. But Kakashi had not pressed him or seemed disappointed that he hadn’t returned the sentiment.

Sometimes Kakashi seemed too perfect. Itachi turned over onto his stomach and hugged his pillow. He didn’t know what to do. Should he allow Kakashi to ruin his own life by attaching himself to a cripple? If that was Kakashi’s choice, who was Itachi to stop him? Kakashi had been so good to him. Yeah, he probably did love him.

Everloving by Moby was playing as he drifted to sleep.

-----

Itachi opened the door that evening.

“I’m really nervous,” he told Kakashi before letting him in.

“Shouldn’t I be the nervous one?” Kakashi retorted.

“Are you?”

“A little. But I love you so much, I’m confidant. After Afghanistan, this doesn’t rattle me.”

“You’ve never met my father. Most men would rather face down a hundred members of Hezbollah than my father.”

Itachi pulled him inside, but Sasuke was the one who led them into the living room where Fugaku and Mikoto waited. Mikoto was beautiful, looking much like her sons. Fugaku was a severe looking man with the same tear troughs in his cheeks as his eldest son. They were standing to meet Kakashi. Fugaku put out a hand.

“Fugaku Uchiha.”

“Kakashi Hatake.”

“My wife, Mikoto.”

Kakashi took Mikoto’s offered hand and bent as if he would kiss her hand, but he merely made the gesture, careful not to overstep. She smiled at him.

Kakashi opened his messenger bag and pulled out a box of tea and gave it to Mikoto. “Itachi said you were fond of tea. I hope you like it.”

“It’s actually my favorite,” Mikoto said with a wide smile.

“And I thought you’d appreciate this, sir.” Kakashi handed Fugaku a sixteen year old bottle of Glenmorangie.

“I see you have good taste in spirits,” Fugaku said appreciatively.

“Dinner is nearly ready,” Mikoto said. “We can go into the dining room.”

Sasuke led the way, allowing Kakashi to guide his brother.

Fugaku and Mikoto sat on one side of the table while Kakashi and Sasuke sat on either side of Itachi opposite them.

“What do you do for a living, Kakashi?” Fugaku asked, already knowing the answer.

“Mechanic. But I’m going to school part time.”

“What are you studying?”

“Literature.”

Itachi looked at him—or rather, turned his head toward him. He didn’t know that. He’d not asked what Kakashi was studying when Kakashi mentioned being in college before.

“I would like to teach it eventually; reading’s always been my favorite pastime.”

“We have a large library you might enjoy,” Mikoto said. She was about to say Itachi loved to read, but stopped herself. She looked at Itachi sympathetically so Kakashi knew that was what she was going to say.

Dinner was served. Sasuke whispered to Itachi what was where on his plate. Fugaku and Mikoto watched as Kakashi looked to make sure Itachi was doing alright just as Sasuke was.

“What about your family?” Mikoto asked.

“My parents both died when I was young. My adopted mother died while I was in basic training. No siblings or other family.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. I have many friends from the military though.”

Fugaku gave an approving nod. “Itachi told us. Special Forces, correct?”

“Yes.” Kakashi rubbed his lower face where the unhidden scars marred his face. He’d decided not to cover the scars; he didn’t want to always hide them from Itachi’s family if they stayed together, so he might as well be honest about them from the start. “I have more souvenirs from the Afghanistan than just friends I’m afraid. At least I didn’t come home with PTSD. They hold Green Berets and Navy SEALs to a higher psychological standard.”

“That’s good to hear,” Fugaku said. “How long have you been back?”

“Over half a year. Came back in . . . September. I was able to get settled and registered for college just in time for the spring semester.”

“September? That’s good. July and August was a bad time around here.” Fugaku was grave.

“Really? Out in the desert, we got absolutely no news from home.” All the Uchiha except Itachi were a little shocked that Kakashi wasn’t familiar with the ‘bad times’ in Konoha the year before.

“So you’re from Konoha?” Mikoto changed the subject.

Kakashi realized that Itachi must have lost his sight in July by the sudden shift. “Yes. I went to the Konoha Academy.”

“Did you have classes with Hiruzen Sarutobi?”

“I also did detention with him.”

Fugaku chuckled. “We named Sasuke after Hiruzen’s father. Sasuke Sarutobi was the best head master and the best teacher the Academy ever had. And he kicked my ass in tenth grade for blowing up half the faculty bathroom with M-80s.”

“He was a good friend to us,” Mikoto said. “He even presided over our wedding. His son, Hiruzen taught both out sons.”

Itachi relaxed after that exchange. Not only did his parents seem to approve by talking about their wedding and seemed to like the fact Kakashi went to the same school as the entire Uchiha clan, but they had also deftly side stepped the ‘unpleasantness.’

After dinner, when they had all moved to the living room, Sasuke dragged Itachi into the kitchen ostensibly to help with the coffee, but Itachi being blind made it clear that was bullshit.

“I think I’ll help,” Kakashi said after they left. Fugaku and Mikoto nodded approvingly.

Kakashi entered the dining room and was about to enter the kitchen when he heard Sasuke say, “You haven’t told him?” Kakashi leaned in to listen.

“I’m scared to.”

“But you’ve slept together; he must have seen it.”

“I asked to be blindfolded and he agreed. I really appreciated that he didn’t try to convince me I didn’t need it.”

Sasuke cursed. “He has to know sooner or later. How doesn’t he know? It was in the news.”

“You heard, he was in the military at the time. And not all of it was in the news.”

“It was national—international—news. Fuck. He has to know,” Sasuke said gently. “It’ll only be worse if someone else mentions it. I’ll tell him.”

“If he wants to break up with me, I’d rather he just tell you and not tell me in person. It would hurt less.”

“’Tachi,” Sasuke sighed sympathetically. “I don’t think he’ll leave.”

“Yeah, he will. That’s why I’ve hidden it.”

The conversation was about over and Kakashi was certain he wouldn’t hear what they were talking about by listening at the door. Kakashi pushed the door open in such a way it didn’t look like he had heard anything.

“I thought you could use another pair of hands.”

Kakashi left that night with a just a hug and a kiss on Itachi’s cheek. Itachi turned to face his parents after the door shut, his face twisted with anxiety.

“I like him,” Fugaku pronounced.

“I’m so happy for you,” Mikoto said, giving her eldest son a hug. “We both approve. I hope he makes you happy.”

“Thank you.” Itachi was relieved. He still wasn’t sure he loved Kakashi, but he did want his family to accept him. Sasuke might take more time to convince. But that might be a moot point once Kakashi learned the truth.

-----

Kakashi had just left the estate when his cell phone rang. He checked the number. Sasuke. He pulled over and answered it.

“Yeah?”

Kill two hours then park on the street. I’ll come get you. There’s something we need to talk about, but I’d prefer my parents didn’t know about this little meeting.

“Alright.”

Kakashi hung up and just sat there. What wasn’t Itachi telling him?

-----

Sasuke met Kakashi at the gates exactly two hours later. Sasuke led him into the library. He gestured for Kakashi to sit, Sasuke remained standing. He was nervous and when he turned to face his brother’s boyfriend, he found it impossible to tell him what really happened to his brother. He motioned for Kakashi to wait and Sasuke gather up a few files and put them on the table in front of Kakashi.

“This is what really happened to Itachi in Africa,” Sasuke said. “There’s the newspaper reports, read those first, that’s what the public was told. These other files elaborate.”

Sasuke went to sit out of Kakashi’s field of vision. Kakashi started on the newspaper accounts.

Itachi was in Africa to view his family’s holding like he told Kakashi, but from there the story differed completely from what Kakashi had assumed.

A terrorist group, Akatsuki, kidnapped him. He was held for nearly a month for a large ransom. Fugaku agreed to pay it immediately, but there were problems with the dead drops. Finally, the authorities ascertained Itachi’s location and raided the place. They found Itachi alive, but the terrorists had gouged out Itachi’s eyes. The terrorists were all killed.

It had been like a serial novel in the press. They followed every detail of this real life drama concerning one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world.

Shocked, Kakashi turned to the official report.

The reports themselves made Kakashi raise his eyes brows. “CONFIDENTIAL,” “SEALED,” and “TREAT AS ORIGINAL” were stamped on them. This was serious shit. But then again, it was a terrorist incident.

The facts were the same for a while: Itachi was in Africa to inspect his family’s holdings and he was kidnapped by Akatsuki. The official report was more detailed about what happened to Itachi during that month; it even included Itachi’s official statements which Kakashi had a hard time reading, imagining those terrible words in Itachi’s voice, probably broken and uncomfortable.

He didn’t just lose his eyes. Before the problems with the dead drops, Itachi had been raped. Then first dead drop had been staked out and Akatsuki knew it. They took one eye. The second dead drop was also compromised. They took the other eye.

It was at this point Fugaku took matters into his own hands. He hired mercenaries to find and kill the terrorists and bring his son home alive. They slaughtered the group and did find Itachi. Kakashi could barely read the details. When Itachi came home he was institutionalized for several weeks for depression. He, of course, had been traumatized by the whole episode.

Kakashi sat back and rubbed his face. Wow, was all he could think for a minute while he digested it all. Then he was impressed at how normal Itachi seemed now.

No wonder he didn’t want Kakashi to be rough with him or engage in dirty talk, they probably said some disgusting things as they raped him. Kakashi wanted to run upstairs and take Itachi into his arms.

Sasuke came over to sit across from him after Kakashi put the files down and sat back. “Itachi’s previous boyfriend stuck around a little, knowing that just dumping him as soon as he came home would be too devastating. But he did leave him. I’m really not sure if it was because he was blind, damaged, or the rape; maybe it was the combination. I can understand it, but it was still a shit thing to do. If he really loved Itachi, it wouldn’t have mattered.”

“I’m in awe of him,” Kakashi said. “To come through so much . . .”

“He has recovered well,” Sasuke agreed. “We’ve all been there for him. To the point he feels smothered. I refused to leave him alone in that hospital; I stayed with him 24/7 in that room. I love my brother more than anything. If those guys hadn’t all been killed, I would have personally seen to it they were.”

“I thought I understood your protectiveness before, but . . . thank you for not killing me.”

“Just treat him well. Our parents liked you. So, you’re not breaking up with him?”

“Never. Can I see him right now?”

“I told him that I was going to tell you about this and it made him anxious; he’s probably still awake. Come with me and wait in the hall.”

Sasuke escorted Kakashi upstairs. Kakashi waited as Sasuke went into Itachi room.

“’Tachi,” Sasuke whispered.

“Yeah,” Itachi whispered back.

Sasuke eased the door shut. “I talked to Kakashi, I showed him everything. He doesn’t want to leave you. He’s going to stay. He really does love you. He’s waiting in the hall; he wants to see you.”

“Alright. Leave the light off.”

“I’ll get him.” Sasuke went out and motioned for Kakashi to enter Itachi’s sanctum. Kakashi approached the bed slowly and sat down next to Itachi and took him in his arms.

“None of that makes me love you any less. Now I pathetically love you more. I will never let anyone touch you again.”

Itachi broke down and cried into Kakashi’s chest.

“Let me stay the night. No sex.” Kakashi was asking Sasuke as much as Itachi.

“Please.”

“I’d advise leaving before six,” Sasuke said. “Don’t want our parents to know you stayed the night.”

“I have to get home and get changed before work anyway. I’ll stay until then.”

Sasuke backed out of the room and silently shut the door.

Itachi continued to cry. Kakashi held him tighter and put a hand in his hair to pet and comfort him. He put his lips to Itachi’s forehead, but didn’t try to stop him from crying; it was better to let it out.

Finally, Itachi quieted and pulled away. “I’m so tired.”

Kakashi moved to let Itachi lie down. He lay next to him and put on arm over his side. “I’ll wake you before I go home. I love you, Itachi.”

“I love you too.” And Itachi meant it.

Sasuke leaned against the wall. He was relieved and tired. He pushed off the wall and headed to his own door. He stopped seeing a pair of figures in the corridor. Fugaku and Mikoto stood there.

“It went well?” Fugaku asked.

“Itachi didn’t want to tell him, afraid he’d run off to. Kakashi’s not going anywhere.”

“Good. Get some sleep, Sasuke. Good work.”

They all slept peacefully that night, especially Itachi who was wrapped in Kakashi’s arms all night.

TBC

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Itachi (or I, depending on how meta you want to be) chose “Inside Out” by Eve 6 for his brother’s ringtone because of the lyrics “I would swallow my pride, I would choke on the rinds, but the lack of thereof would leave me empty inside” because Sasuke’s so prideful, but can also be so sweet.

If you’re interested, the playlist Itachi is listening to is real, here’s one of my personal playlists (he had it on random):
Master of Puppets (my own edit of the just the slow bridge) – Apocalyptica
Until It Sleeps – Apocalyptica
Nothing Else Matters – Apocalyptica
Estasi Dell Anima – David Sardy (Zombieland film score)
Animus Vox – The Glitch Mob
Let the Dead Get In - Fiachra Trench, Hans Zimmer, Henning Lohner & Martin Tillman (The Ring/The Ring 2 Soundtrack)
Secret Karma Serenade – Yasushi Ishii (Hellsing soundtrack)
Act of Demon or Work of God – Yasushi Ishii (Hellsing soundtrack)
Fabricated Background – Yasushi Ishii (Hellsing soundtrack)
Victor’s Piano Solo – Danny Elfman (Corpse Bride Soundtrack)
The Piano Duet – Danny Elfman (Corpse Bride Soundtrack)
The Promise – Michael Nyman
Everloving – Moby
Guitar Flute And String – Moby
Ruska – Apocalyptica
Farewell – Apocalyptica
End Title – The Album Leaf (Nightmare Revisited)
My person edit of Eric Draven’s guitar solo in the movie The Crow – Graeme Revell
Nabbed – Yoshida Brothers
Winter: Ghosts of a Future Lost – Clint Mansell (Requiem For a Dream Soundtrack)
Luc Aeterna – Clint Mansell (Requiem For a Dream Soundtrack)
Luc Aeterna – Requiem For a Dream – Remix 2 – Clint Mansell (Requiem For a Dream Soundtrack)
The Power Within – Paul Reeves