? Nushi

A/N: long time no update. real life has been crazy and many things in my life have been kind of falling apart lately. i've had to take some time off, but i'm gonna try to be back soon. i'm not abandoning anything, it just may take a whole lot more time than it has in the past. sorry for this, and if you're still there reading, thank you a whole lot.

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Naruto woke early the next morning, his internal clock worried as to when his Master wished to rise. Being given no instructions the night before, Naruto decided that allowing the man to sleep in would be wise. Still, as hard as he tried to get back to sleep himself, he found he couldn't, the sensation of sleeping in a bed with another person still too new to him. His old master had had Naruto sleep in a little trundle bed that tucked away under his own when he was home, and when he was away Naruto slept in another room, on a lumpy old couch. He hadn't thought twice about it either, it was his master's decision after all.

This new Master though, Itachi was so different from his old master that it made Naruto wonder sometimes. Itachi-danna was nice to him, and without cause. He knew it wasn't some reward, because he had yet to do much of anything. It made him a little suspicious of his Master's motives, but in the end he was trying to please the man so it didn't really matter.

He watched Itachi sleep then, the room silent except for the gentle rise and fall of the man's soft breathing. Naruto shifted, rolling out of bed as softly as he could to kneel beside the futon's platform. The tatami was soft under his legs, obviously expensive and of a very high quality. He held his breath as Itachi shifted slightly, worried he had woken his Master up, but the man quickly settled, his dark hair fanned out around his head on the smooth white cotton of the pillow.

He wasn't sure how long he'd sat there, just watching Itachi sleep, before the man did stir, shifting and stretching in the bed. Naruto scooted closer to the bed then, still kneeling on the floor. He bowed his head then, and laid his hands gently on the side of the futon.

"Good morning, Nushi. I wasn't sure when you would want to wake, but I assumed you would be tired from your trip. Forgive me if this was incorrect." Itachi chuckled sleepily, stretching his arms above his head and letting out a large yawn.

"It was fine, Naruto-kun. If I wish to be woken up, I will inform you. I cannot expect you to do something I have not yet asked you to do, can I?" Naruto bowed his head further, touching his forehead to the smooth, combed cotton of the sheets.

"Thank you, Nushi. I will try my hardest to follow your every command, should you give one." Itachi chuckled again, and reached out a pale hand to tuck the boy's blonde hair behind his ear, steering the tanned face back up until their eyes met again.

"You're doing an excellent job so far, if I do say so myself. Now, I would like you to go into that bathroom and draw me a bath." Naruto nodded, before scurrying off to the door indicated. He hadn't known there was a bathroom there, and he wasn't sure why he hadn't noticed the door before. It wasn't like he made a habit of snooping around in his Masters' houses, but he was usually more aware than that.

He pushed the screen to the side, and he felt his eyes go wide. The bathroom was bigger than the entire room he'd slept in at his old master's house. It was a traditional style japanese bathroom, with a toilet set into a raised alcove with a sink and vanity counter opposite. Beyond that was a sliding glass door that led to the large shower room, big enough to it at least four people comfortably, and a large, sunken whirlpool tub. He shook the surprise from his face and entered, padding across the cool tile in his bare feet to the tub.

The controls were simple, smooth brushed steel with inset glass to indicate the hot from the cold, and the switch to divert water to the adjustable shower head mounted outside the tub. Naruto set everything carefully before turning the water on, making sure the water was warm enough without being too hot, then watching as the water swirled down into the large tub, bubbling from the movement. The currents in the water were hypnotic, and he wasn't sure how long he had been staring at the ripples on the surface before he realized the tub was almost full.

He quickly shut the water off, and stood, walking back to the door. He slid the screen aside and knelt just inside the opening. He could hear Itachi moving inside of the room, the pad of his slippered feet on the tatami. Naruto swallowed, clearing his throat as silently as he could. Still, he heard the feet stop. He blushed a deep red.

"Itachi-danna, the bath is drawn for you. Would you like me to wash your back for you? I could also lay out a nice towel for you." Itachi smiled, though naruto couldn't see it at the moment.

"I would be quite pleased to have you wash my back for you. There are towels under the counter in the bathroom, if you could grab two of them and set them up outside." Naruto almost jumped to his feet, setting about with the last minute preparations. He didn't hear Itachi step into the bathroom behind him, and he nearly dropped the towels he was carrying when he saw him in the mirror. Itachi just smiled again, showing Naruto where to set the towels, and then instructing him to undress them both, starting with himself.

He couldn't quite hold down the blush that heated his cheeks as he reached for the hem on the long cotton shirt he was wearing. Still, even if his hands shook a little in his nervousness, he lifted it upwards, pulling the garment over his head. He busied himself with folding it, and setting it on the counter behind him, not wanting to think about how his body was on display like that, how Itachi was watching him.

He wasn't sure he could ever live up to what that gaze wanted, he was sure that when his Master really saw him, he'd realize his mistake and send Naruto away. No one had ever been this nice to him, not since the faint glimmers in the back of his memory that could have once been his parents. He'd convinced himself that was just a childhood fantasy though, something he wished for but could never have had.

He took a deep breath, focusing on obeying his Master's request, on being as good a slave as he could possibly be, and hoping that it would be enough for his Master to keep him. He laid his hands, no longer trembling, on the hem of Itachi's loose nightshirt, standing on tiptoes to pull it over the man's head, before crouching to remove his Master's night pants, letting them pool on the floor. Itachi stepped out of them silently, his eyes still focused on Naruto, watching as the boy folded his nightclothes as well, setting them aside reverently on the counter top beside his own.

Itachi smiled, turning to the large shower and stepping inside, closing his eyes in pleasure at the delicious wet heat that hit him when he did. Naruto jumped up to follow with wide eyes, not wanting to be left behind or displease his Master. He rushed in, turning on the water and unrolling the slatted wooden mat that fit over the bath tub. Itachi nodded his thanks, and sat down, motioning for Naruto to begin. The boy swallowed hard, carefully selecting a sponge from the small rack by the door, and positioning the shower head so that the water fell down over his Master. He busied himself looking for the soap then, his cheeks flushing again at the sight of the water cascading down his Master's pale skin. He focused instead on the basket full of cleansing lotions and body washes.

"Nushi, is there a specific soap you wish me to use? You have so many here, I..." His voice trailed off. He wasn't doing a very good job he could feel it. Itachi just chuckled.

"Pick whichever you like, Naruto-kun. After all, I would not have it in my shower if I did not like it." Naruto relaxed a little bit at that, and selected one that looked rich. He opened it, and the smell of sandalwood and musk floated out. He liked that, it was masculine and clean, yet earthy. He squeezed some out onto the sponge, carefully lathering it up before gingerly applying it to his Master's skin, rubbing small circles on the man's chest, moving to the shoulders quickly enough, and down the arms. He didn't allow himself to linger, only to move along, completing his task quickly but thoroughly.

He fell to his knees then, lathering his Master's feet and slowly moving upwards. He focused on the movement of his hands, on the lather on his Master's skin, on making sure he rinsed it clean, anything to keep his mind on the task. Still, the higher he got, the harder it was to concentrate. He sped up then, determined to get the task done with without embarrassing himself in front of his Master.

He fell still though, when Itachi's pale hand wrapped around his wrist, stilling his sponge.

"Slow down, Naruto-kun, and relax yourself. Really, it might seem that you find this task distasteful..." Naruto's eyes went wide, and he shook his head.

"N-no, Itachi-danna. It's just ..." He paused, unable to meet his Master's eyes, "... it's embarrassing, hard to concentrate. I want to do it right..." Itachi smiled, and steered the boy's face up, forcing their eyes to meet once again.

"You're doing just fine. Just relax yourself, hm?" Naruto tried, but the tension didn't leave his frame. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. It was to his great surprise then, that strong hands lifted him under his armpits, and he found himself wide eyed, straddling Itachi's lap. Those strong hands rubbed his back, pulling him closer, and he felt himself relax. It was calming, and now the warm water of the shower cascaded down onto him as well, pressed into Itachi's chest like that.

He shifted a little, but Itachi took the sponge from his hands. He rubbed it up and down Naruto's tanned back, cleaning the boy well. Naruto bit his lip, slightly uncomfortable with this treatment, but wrote it off as his Master's choice, which he had to right to question, in his own mind. Still, he shifted around in Itachi's lap, and it wasn't long before he felt his Master's length poking into his thigh.

He looked up then, focusing on Itachi's reaction to this. He was met with a look of desire, which changed quickly to pleasure as he shifted once again, this time purposely rubbing on his Master's sensitive shaft. He kept his eyes upturned, trained on his Master's face, as he reached his hands between them, wrapping his fingers carefully around Itachi's hardness, pumping once, then twice, slow and tentative.

Itachi sounded his approval, a groan escaping his lips, as his fingers continued to rub small circles in Naruto's tanned back. He let one hand trail downwards, cupping the boy's round ass cheeks in his palm, peering down at him through half lidded eyes. Naruto squirmed a little at the contact, but didn't find it particularly disturbing, so he let it go, focusing on the task at hand. He pumped his Master's erection faster now, and was rewarded with a tremor down the man's spine. Itachi clutched at him, pulling the boy in close in his please, one finger sliding idly between the tanned globes of the boy's ass, flicking over the small opening there.

Naruto shifted nervously at that, but let his trust in his Master shine through. Concentrating on his own task, he flicked his wrist slightly, drawing a new moan from Itachi's lips, and he took this as encouragement, moving his hand faster, letting his other hand move from stabilizing him in Itachi's lap to ghost down, massaging the man's sensitive testes. That was the final straw, and he felt Itachi tense under him, and then the added warmth of his Master's essence flooded over his hand.

Naruto let himself fall front wards then, leaning into the warmth and sweet scent of his Master. He waited until the man's breathing slowed before picking up the sponge that had been dropped in the excitement and cleaning the man off again. Itachi smiled at him, a satisfied look on his face that made Naruto proud.

X

Naruto exited the bathroom, after situating Itachi in the bath tub, warming the water first with a blast from the hot tap. Naruto would have loved to have stayed, but he knew there were other things for him to do, staring with tidying up his Master's bedroom, and airing out the futon mattress. Still, Naruto couldn't keep the smile from his face, as he slid the screen separating his Master's chambers from the courtyard gardens beyond. The sunlight streamed through the opening immediately, brightening the room and carrying in the perfume of the garden outside. It was perfect, and Naruto even found himself humming quietly as he proceeded to fold back the blankets on the futon, freshening them.

He found himself returning to the open window then, staring out into the empty courtyard. He sighed, wrapping his arms around himself in a tight hug. He was getting chilly, the damp hair on his head wasn't helping much, neither was the thin cotton of the yukata he'd pulled on. Still, it was peaceful, and he could hardly tear himself away to do the remainder of the tidying up. He managed to though, that was his job after all, to keep the Master and his chambers looked after.

He gathered the laundry from the room, also taking stock of the things Itachi had brought back from his trip, and sorted it into piles based on what would be washed here and what would be sent out, like the suit his master had been wearing upon his return. Still, that didn't take long at all, and in the end he was left with nothing to do, everything still being quite well done from before his Master had returned.

He sighed, returning to the window.

X

Sasuke watched the blond boy sitting in his brother's room with a scowl. He wasn't sure why the boy got to him this much, none of the rest of the stupid servants he brought home did. He could honestly say he wasn't really jealous of the boy, he had no desire to be the one in there, sorting laundry and airing out the futon like some bored housewife. Still, there was something there he didn't like one bit.

He had tried to focus on his breathing and meditation, sitting in the secluded corner of the garden by his own window, but he had been so rudely interrupted by the obnoxious sound of that blond idiot singing, almost too quiet to be heard, which only succeeded in making all the more annoying for him. He knew he was just sulking now, and that he should get himself inside and eat so he could be hard at work with Kakashi by the time his brother emerged. The desire to put the best face to Itachi was so ingrained into him now that it needed no thought, and no conscious action.

Still, he wanted to finish his meditation before he went back inside, but the idiot kept distracting him, doing whatever it was the boy did inside of his brother's room. Sasuke sighed, giving up on the meditation and flopping out backwards on the wooden boards of the platform. He hadn't been in Itachi's room for a long long time. He wished some days that things weren't so hard between them, but he didn't really know who to blame for that.

He hoped it hadn't been something he did, and he was pretty sure it wasn't Itachi's choice. Back then Itachi had been a kind brother, always watching out for him and having fun, just the two of them. He wasn't sure who to blame for the start of the situation, but he knew things would be a whole lot easier if Itachi didn't have so many stupid servants and the like hanging around the house. Sure, Sasuke knew he was lucky to have them looking after them so well, but it afforded him no time with his brother. He wasn't even sure he'd know what to say or do if he was given such time now.

Still, he knew what was standing in between him and that time now, and he was looking at it across the courtyard, with a sickly sweet smile on it's stupid little face. How could that idiot be happy like that, serving someone else? He must have been sick the day the brains were handed out. Sasuke couldn't keep the sly grin from his face, the analogy seemed to fit the boy perfectly.

He let his eyes slide shut for a moment, picturing the stupid blond's moronic grin in his head, and letting the smile return, though it was a little softer this time, less mean. When he opened his eyes again though, the boy was not in sight. He swore under his breath quietly, and started readying himself to go inside. It was a chance look over his shoulder that caused him to see it.

Itachi was there now, damp, sitting by the window, and the blond was drying Itachi's hair, smiling deeply. That wasn't what made his stomach lurch though, that was the fact that Itachi was smiling back. The expression was small, but it was there, something Sasuke hadn't seen since Itachi had been the boy he used to know, the caring older brother. There was sadness in his heart for a moment, before he slammed a lid on it, letting anger and jealousy thrive in that vacuum.

He promised himself then that he would do something about this, figure out some way to get the idiot blond away from his brother, and take his own rightful place at Itachi's side, if it was the last thing he did. He had worked for it after all, all these months of trying so hard, only for his brother to ignore him for a stupid slave boy. It was preposterous, and embarrassing, and Sasuke would put a stop to it as soon as he could.


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A/N: well there you have it, a short, and probably comparably crappy chapter, but this is starting to go where i want it to, and the scene i wrote this whole thing for is coming soon. stay tuned? Good? Bad? Ugly? Read, review and let me know! ^.^