A Home for the Holidays.

A/N: I hope you all had a great holiday! Gomen for not posting sooner, things have been a little crazy. I wanna thank all of you who reviewed, and I'd also like to announce that I'll be opening a forum topic for this fic, if you want to talk to me, ask me questions, give constructive criticism, or just hang out and get to know the author... Who knows, I may update quicker with proper encouragement! It's also how I'll start notifying you that I've posted new chapters. EDIT: Here's the URL for the forum for this fic! Discussion is NOT required, if you want to just pop on and drop off a review there, that would be greatly appreciated as well. http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/19160-a-home-for-the-holidays-naruto-tobiasrosetta/ THANK YOU!

Edit: SMUT COMING NEXT CHAPTER~

Chapter 5: We Three Kings...

“How long have you been out on the streets? You don't look sickly or diseased.” Itachi's voiced came smoothly over the bubbling water in the pot in front of him. “At the most, you're underweight. So it can't have been long.” Standing at the stove, the man looked no less imposing as he leaned his weight on his left hand, braced against the granite counter, a wooden spoon in the other to dutifully tend to the food. His body was still long, lean, and commanding of attention. Naruto pulled a face behind his back, the blond youth sighing as he kicked his feet back and forth a little in the air they dangled in. One hand was raking through his hair, still unused to how soft an limp it was from the good quality shampoo that had been used on him. The other hand gripped the edge of the stool between where his legs where spread for balance.

“Just a month, now.” He said finally, his voice as wry as his face. Itachi didn't even have to turn to see it. The tone painted a clear enough picture for him.

“An entire month on your own here in America... In New York, no less. That's... Almost admirable. Especially for you to not have been killed, kidnapped, drugged, or raped.” The dark haired businessman said, emotionless in tone. It was a very matter-of-fact statement. One that had Naruto tensing silently. After a long silence of neither admonishment, or denial, Itachi glanced over, a single cold black eye coming into view from the profile angle of his face. /Perhaps I spoke too soon.../ He thought idly to himself, but he didn't retract any of his statement. “So, who hurt you?” His words were blunt, and cut like a knife through the thick air. Naruto's teeth gritted almost audibly, as he fixed his angry blue eyes onto the floor. Angry and pained.

“Some creeps on the street trying to mug me the other day. I didn't have anything for them to take, but a watch and some change.” He growled out, his voice tight. Itachi felt his shoulders strain, wanting to tense.

“So that explains the fresh marks. But you have old ones too.” He said just as calmly as ever.

“Look I was out on the streets! Not every person is so generous as to turn a blind eye to homeless people, okay? It's not like I'm going to remember every single person that did something wrong to me!” He snapped, starting to wonder if the food was even worth this. But as the aroma of the seasonings that Itachi had been adding to the broth wafted through the kitchen, he relaxed just a bit.

Itachi didn't press the question further though, waiting a few moments before sighing and starting to pour the noodles into individual bowls. “And the scars?” He asked finally, a touch of something deeper in his normally apathetic tone. Naruto froze, feeling his stomach knot slightly at the mention. Lowering his right hand from his hair to his cheek, a single fingertip brushed over one of the perfect lines on his face, before jerking away like he'd been shocked, digits retracting into a clenched fist, which lowered to perch on his thigh.

“I was attacked, when I was a kid.” He muttered, looking away with narrowed eyes.

“By what?” the Uchiha pressed, unable to help his curiosity. Naruto was silent for a long time, long enough for Itachi to turn and face him quietly. He wouldn't take this question back either.

“A wild animal.” Came the terse, almost regretful reply, that seemed to have a hidden meaning to it. “Look, is the food done? I'm starving here.” He asked finally, looking up with a gaze that begged the questions to end. Itachi finally let out a low, even breath that just barely flared his nostrils, before nodding and finishing the garnish for their dinner, and carrying the bowls to the table, where they settled to eat in silence......

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Naruto was cursing Itachi in his head, yet again. But this time for not having a bigger couch.

After they'd finished eating, Itachi had announced that he had some work he needed to finish up, and gave the younger man permission to do as he pleased. Naruto wasn't one to ask twice and risk the opportunity to relax being taken away from him. So he bounded into the living room, taking up perch on the same couch he'd waited on so nervously before for his Master to come home, but this time he dove for the tv remote, and sprawled out comfortably. In the back of his mind, he tried to battle the concept of suddenly having such luxury after a month of being cold, and hungry. But he wasn't ready to wake up from a dream, if that's what this was. His stomach was full, he was warm, and he wasn't laying on hard concrete, or on an army cot in a shelter.

Only 30 minutes had passed, and already he'd started to drift off into a content, light sleep, an obnoxious cartoon playing loudly in the back ground. His body registered movement, and a slight jostle, before being settled into an even more comfortable position. It hadn't been enough to truly rouse him until he felt warmth beneath his cheek.

Sighing, and shifting slightly, the blond raised a hand, pushing to fluff whatever his head had been moved to rest on. It was so hard. His hand met a fabric covered resistance. “Hnn...” He grumbled irritated, rolling over. Only to find his face buried into a similarly firm object. Taking in a deep breath and sighing it back out, Naruto took a second sniff, to absorb the musky, spicy aroma of something masculine, and alluring. Finally, he cracked a single blue eye open, to look up. His tired mind slowly registered that he was looking at a man. Itachi. The name popped into his head. But this Itachi was different then the irritatingly cold man that had been pestering him before about questions he wasn't prepared to answer. This Itachi was wearing thin wire framed glasses, square in shape, that sat low on the bridge of his perfect nose. His eyes weren't cold as they skimmed idly over the pages of a book that he held before him in a single hand. His lips weren't wrought into a disapproving or judging frown, and the aura he was exuding, was one of calm. It had an effect on Naruto, who had been ready to jump away and scold the man just seconds before this new person registered to him. Already the japanese youth was realizing that his Master was more complicated than the face he showed most comfortably.

Blue eyes widened minutely as he watched the older mans free hand, attached to his arm which had been draped across the back of the couch, lowered from it's perch. Only to suddenly rest on the blonds temple. Naruto stiffened a little, expecting some kind of harsh treatment. But all he received was absent minded, gentle pets to smooth his hair. Only for those slender fingers to weave through his flaxen strands. The brush of his follicles shifting over a naturally sensitive scalp rendered a shiver through the youths spine, his fingers suddenly curling to fist into his masters shirt. Relaxing against his will, Naruto wondered how he'd let his guard down like this.

“I think, if you're so tired, Naruto, we should go to bed.”

“EHHHH!?”

Naruto finally tore himself away from Itachi, tumbling over the armrest farthest from the dark haired man, to land on the floor with a resounding thud. Itachi sent a rather dispassionate look over.

“What did you find wrong with that suggestion?” He asked tersely, upset that the calm atmosphere had been ruined.

“I-I...We... W-were not sleeping in th-the same bed!!!!” Naruto exclaimed, jumping to his feet, and pointing an accusing finger at Itachi. Black eyes stared up at him, face impassive.

“Well I don't have another bed for you, and if I let you sleep on the couch, and someone came in, I could be arrested for neglecting you.” He said bluntly.

“Then you sleep on the couch and I'll take your bed! I'm not sleeping next to you, ya perv!” The blond practically yelled. Sighing in irritation, Itachi stood up, slipping a tassel into the book he'd been reading before closing it and setting it aside.

“I'm not giving up my bed for some bratty pet I didn't even want. I'm not going to rape you, so calm down. Dogs sleep in their owners beds all the time, so think of it like that.” His words were cold, and thoughtless, hitting Naruto deeper than they rightfully should have.

/.....some bratty pet I didn't even want.....didn't even want.....didn't want.../ Naruto's hand dropped slowly and he lowered his gaze quietly. A half chuckle, half snort pulled through him and he shook his head a bit.

“Of course. Why would you want to take care of some homeless punk. But you're stuck with me right? So you gotta take care of me, and make sure I stay happy and treated right and all. Well that's pretty generous of you, Mr. Big Shot. Such a giving King.” He drawled out in a hurt voice, unable to help himself. Just another person that didn't want him around. /It really shouldn't be a surprise..../ He thought to himself, fists clenched at his side. Itachi watched him curiously for a moment, before walking over to him, and scooping the youth, despite the raucous protests, into his arms.

“I'm not a Big Shot, and I'm not a King. There are three kings here in New York, and I am not one of them. I'm an executive for a company. That's it. I was forced into signing a contract to take care of some kid I'd never met. You can't honestly tell me you wanted this situation either, so don't get hurt when I say that I didn't want it. But you're here regardless, so we're going to make the best of this. You need to put aside your tender emotions. It's very unbecoming for a boy to act so feminine.” Itachi explained, the words almost sounding like he was gently chastising Naruto for the misunderstandings. And Naruto, for some reason, couldn't help but grit his teeth and take the scolding, feeling a pang for having displeased Itachi. He didn't like being wrapped up in another person like this. It was dangerous.

“I'm not feminine. You've got it all wrong.” He grumbled, the only part of the small lecture he could find problem with. Itachi actually let out a raspy chuckle, the sound almost foreign from the young man.

“You look like a stubborn little girl trying not to cry when I said I didn't want you, Naruto. But, to fix the damage I've done, I'll tell you now.... I think you'll grow on me, whether I like it or not....”

“HOW IS THAT SUPPOSED TO FIX ANYTHING, BASTARD?! IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER?! EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTH IS RUDE!” All the way to the bedroom, Naruto ranted, and struggled, raving against his highly amused master. Itachi unceremoniously dumped the blond onto the center of his bed, a large king sized monstrosity, with four posters, and curtains that were tied away. Naruto looked around the room in mild wonder, having not been in here yet. The light that had been flipped on when they entered was dim, a soft golden glow rather than a harsh incandescent light. The room was almost... romantic, with the hardwood floors, and the deep burgundy painted walls, the bedding and accents of the room impeccable in their carefully matched reds, blacks, creams, and browns. It was warm, and cozy, and almost immediately, Naruto felt another wave of exhaustion roll over him. Shifting to curl up tightly on one side of the large bed, he hugged his knees tightly, and watched the man through heavy lidded eyes.

Itachi didn't seem to pay the blond any attention as he stripped away layer after layer of clothing, until he stood in nothing but a pair of sinfully tight, black, boxer-briefs. Naruto felt a light blush when he took note of the attractive shifting muscles, taunt under pale japanese skin, ebony hair where it waterfalled between defined shoulderblades.... Before long, Itachi had pulled on a pair of loose cotton pants, and even tossed a pair to his pet. “They'll be loose, but they'll do for tonight. Clothes for you will be delivered tomorrow. Wear those for now.”

Naruto didn't respond though, even as Itachi disappeared into his bathroom to brush his teeth. Returning to the room moments later, he saw that the pants were still where he'd thrown them. Draped like a blanket over the slender youth, who was out cold, his breathing noisy and even. Shaking his head just a little, Itachi wordlessly slid Naruto into the pants, tightening the drawstring so they wouldn't slip off during the night, and discarded the robe, before flicking the lights off, and crawling in beside his pet. This was odd.