Barriers

 

Hello all

Still with me? YAY

Anywho.. nothing major in this, other than some kissing.

So, on with the chapter

Ja Ne

Anubis

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Naruto was tackled from behind, a kunai held to his throat. Grunting, he twisted to grab his attacker. Reddish black eyes stared at him. "Itachi!" Kakashi said, grabbing him, "Come on, we are here to help you."

Itachi froze at the sound of Kakashi's voice. "Senpai?" he said softly.

Naruto sighed in relief and stood. Itachi was still tense in Kakashi's grip, but, had lowered the kunai. "Yeah, Itachi, it's me," Kakashi said gently, "Going to relax a little more?"

Itachi sagged against Kakashi and closed his eyes. The Copy Nin laid his hand on the unconscious man's forehead and flinched. "He is burning up," he said, "Ino, can you come down?"

"Sure, Hinata is letting the others know we have him," she said, jumping down.

Naruto nodded and looked at the other door. "I am going to see if Sasuke is nearby," he said, "He is going to be pissed."

Ino rushed over and gestured for Kakashi to lay Itachi down. She ran her hands over his head and chest, trying to figure out where the problem was. "He has pneumonia," she said, "Other than that, he is fine."

Kakashi sighed in relief. "He exhausted himself," he said, "Let's get him comfortable until Sasuke gets here."

Naruto ran out of the compound to get reception on the communicator. "Sasuke, we have Itachi."

---

Sasuke led his team towards the compound, waiting for Naruto to let them know if he had Itachi. He had barely been able to wait until the appointed time to leave. He could still feel the residual chakra of their mock fight, could see the damage done to the trees and surrounding landscape.

They arrived at their waiting point within 30 minutes. Sasuke had pushed them hard. Neji looked around, grabbing the plants they needed to make the mission 'official'. The Uchiha was pacing, playing with the communicator.

"Sasuke… we have Itachi."

Shikamaru and Neji barely had time to get a word in before Sasuke took off. They raced after him, trying to catch up.

---

Naruto waited by the trap door for the others, listening for signs that the abductors had heard them. Kakashi was searching the other rooms, trying to find evidence of the council's involvement. "Naruto, I think they have left," he said, "Perhaps once they couldn't find Itachi, they booked it."

Naruto shook his head. "I can still feel some chakra in there," he said, "They are on the other side... a few are familiar."

Hinata came out and started to scan the area. "You're right," she said, "They are a level down and on the other side, which is why they haven't noticed us yet, they are too busy looking for Itachi."

Ino looked out of the door. "Naruto, we are bringing Itachi up," she said, "Help Kakashi."

"All right."

Kakashi lifted Itachi. "Hey, Itachi, I need you to wake up a little," he said, "Come on."

Black eyes opened, looking feverish, but coherent. He shook his head and allowed Kakashi to lead him to the door. Naruto reached down. "Come on," he said, "Sasuke is on his way, let's get you into the light, so Ino can have a better look."

Itachi nodded and took Naruto's hands. With a boost from Kakashi, Naruto pulled the older Uchiha through the trap door. Ino came up after, blinking in the bright light. "All right, Itachi," she said, "Sit here and let me just make sure that everything is ok enough for you to travel."

"Maa, he will have enough time to recover a bit while we wait in the village."

Itachi looked at her, confused. "Why are we waiting?"

"The Lady Hokage wants to ensure that the ones responsible for your abduction are dealt with," Naruto said, "So, we wait for her go ahead to return."

He nodded. "I want to thank you," he said, his voice soft, "for helping Sasuke, I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't helped him, Naruto."

The blond blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "Hey, he is my best friend; of course I will help him."

Itachi smiled. "I will have to find a way to repay you properly," he said, "Once the trouble is settled."

Naruto was about speak when Sasuke raced by him, with Neji and Shikamaru trailing behind him. Itachi looked at his brother. "Took you long enough," he said, smirking.

Sasuke glared at him. "You… why… Damnit Itachi!" he said, close to yelling (because we all know that an Uchiha doesn't yell) "Why did you close the bond like that, I would have been able to find you faster!"

The smirk grew bigger. "So, this is my fault?"

"You know what I mean!"

Itachi stared at Sasuke for a few moments before lowering his eyes. The younger man dropped to his knees, took his hands and looked at him. "I was very worried," Sasuke whispered, "Gods, Itachi, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you alone."

Itachi shook his head and leaned on Sasuke. "You're here now," he said.

A barely perceptible nod and Sasuke pulled Itachi into a tight hold. The older man relaxed completely. "Love you," Sasuke whispered, kissing his neck.

Ino's eyes bugged out. Hinata elbowed her before she could speak. Naruto gestured for them to begin to search for evidence. "I am going to head back in and see if I can find who was watching him, Kakashi, can you come with me?" he said, "Neji and Shikamaru, go and search the surrounding area, perhaps there is a place the elders stayed when they came here with Itachi, Ino and Hinata, wait here with them."

The two kunoichi nodded and the others went their separate ways. Sasuke held Itachi to his chest, his hands running gently over his back. They sat like that for a moment, before Sasuke leaned back a little. "Are you hurt?" he asked.

"Not really," Itachi said, "Just, the pain in my chest and it's a bit hard to breathe, probably from being sick."

Ino stepped forward and smiled. "Ok, can I get a better look at his chest?" she asked.

"All right," Sasuke said, "Do what you can."

Ino nodded and got to work. Sasuke watched Itachi carefully, standing right next to him. After a few, she straightened up and smiled. "All righty, he should be good for a bit," she said, "This looks fairly easy to treat, which is amazing, considering the damage that is there from his disease."

Sasuke sighed in relief. "You were taking care of yourself," he said to Itachi.

"Of course," the older man said indignantly, "Wouldn't have done me any good to not, right?"

"I would have just gotten pissed."

Itachi chuckled and shook his head. "Sasuke, Sasuke," he said, "Do you think that you can control me?"

Black eyes focused on the smaller man. Sasuke lifted Itachi easily from his seated position and leaned him against one of the ruined walls. "Do you really want to test this?" he whispered.

Itachi's eyes bled into the Sharingan red. "Always."

"Hn."

With a sadistic grin, Sasuke leaned on his brother, kissing him hard. Itachi moaned and he moved his hands above his head. Ino and Hinata blushed, then turned away. "Uh, hey, guys?" Ino called.

They both ignored her. Sasuke pulled away and pinned the thin hands to the wall. Itachi struggled half-heartedly, then settled for kissing Sasuke again. "Hey, GUYS!" Ino said again.

Sasuke turned and looked at her. "Yes?" he asked, mock innocently.

"Knock it off," she said, "Naruto and Kakashi are on their way back."

"So?"

Ino shook her head and sighed. "Fine, fine," she mumbled.

Sasuke released Itachi's wrists and laughed. The older man shook his head. "You are creeping them out," he said, "Sasuke, you perv."

"I haven't heard you complain about it."

Itachi put his arms around Sasuke's neck and grinned. "I have never had a reason to," he said, "Other than you being rough occasionally."

Ino blushed a bright red. "So, Sasuke, when are you going to tell all of those girls that you are off the market?"

Itachi burst into laughter when Sasuke's face paled dramatically. The younger man looked at Ino, holding Itachi closer. "You just had to mention that, didn't you?" he said nervously, "Ok, Itachi, we are going to run away from the village again, for our own safety."

Ino began to laugh as well. "Poor Sasuke," she said, rolling on the ground, "I sooooo want to be there when you announce that!"

Hinata giggled, while Itachi buried his face in Sasuke's chest, trying to hide the fact that he was still laughing. The younger man glared down at his brother and then at the still laughing Kunoichi. "You three are ….hey, quiet!"

Hinata looked up, helping Ino off the ground. "What's wrong?" she mouthed.

Sasuke looked back, listening. "They are coming this way, looking for Itachi," he said, releasing the older man, "Wait here."

He jumped into the room below and stood near the doorway. He could hear the nins in there, talking rapidly. His blood ran cold when he heard her voice. "Karin," he whispered.

---

Sasuke the perv... yay!

Questions, comments, complaints? Remember, any criticism should be polite, or I will just ignore you :D