One Eye Between Them

1CarinoInu: Thank you and you’re welcome! As I said, I’m not much for Het and don’t even particularly like Sakura, but I’m totally into your story! I love damaged characters; they are far more interesting. I hope I’ve started a new addiction in Yaoi. ^_^
smint45: If you liked that, you are going to love this chapter. Thanks!
Chubby-King-Chocobo: Everything you want is in this chapter, except Kakashi’s friends. That’s coming in the next chapter. Thank you so much for the review!
babywolf-lover: Get your tissues out. Poor Itachi. I’m glad you enjoy it!

Beta’ed by PhoenixInnocence

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Kakashi never expected to see Sasuke on his campus. The young Uchiha walked up to him where Kakashi sat on a bench under a tree in the middle of the quad, reading. Kakashi’s training alerted him to someone staring at him and he noted the black haired, black clothed finger coming toward him.

“To what do I owe the honor of your visit?” Kakashi asked as he put a bookmark between the pages.

“I tried texting you, but I got no answer. I checked at your apartment then I . . . I called Shikamaru and he told me where you worked and they said you’d already left and I remembered you were attending here . . .”

“The question remains, why? Itachi’s obvious fine or you’d be more than embarrassed and stalking me.”

Sasuke bristled. “I wanted to thank you, asshole. Itachi told me what you did and he was . . . he was practically crying, but it was because . . . Itachi’s even more in love with you now. Thank you. I’m glad I opened up to you. And I’m sorry for being so hostile. But that’s not going to change, but I’m not planning your death every time I see you.”

“Thank you.”

“Am I keeping you from class?”

“No, I’m finished.” Kakashi stood and pulled out his phone and found three messages from Sasuke aka ‘Brat.’ “I was going to spend the evening with homework, but . . .”

“Honestly, I don’t plan to have a lot of drinks with my brother-in-law.”

“I’m sure Neji will be thrilled to hear it,” Kakashi quipped.

Sasuke looked annoyed, but before he could retort, someone ran over to them. Kakashi stepped aside at the unexpected arrival of the blond.

“Naruto?” Sasuke was so surprised that his eyes went wide; Kakashi had never seen so much emotion before. It shifted to anger. “What do you want?” he snarled.

“I haven’t seen you in months,” Naruto said, seemingly oblivious to Sasuke’s growing fury. “I’m afraid to go to your house or the company, so I couldn’t get in touch. You blocked my phone too. I was shocked to see you here. Please, let’s talk. I’m really sorry, but I miss you, you were my best friend. I know I was a douche, but I want my best friend back.”

Sasuke was glaring into Naruto’s eyes, but when the blond finished speaking, Sasuke looked at Kakashi. “This is Itachi’s ex-boyfriend,” Sasuke said. “Sic him.”

Naruto whirled with a look of fear.

“Number one: I’m not a dog,” Kakashi said calmly. “Number two: I’ve never been arrested and I don’t want to start now. Number three: Not on campus. Don’t shit where you eat or sleep or spend six hours a week.” Kakashi’s one visible eye narrowed as he looked down at the shorter blond. “However, I am sorely tempted,” he said with some menace.

Naruto stuttered. “Uhh, ahh, who are you?”

“I’m Itachi’s current boyfriend.”

“Oh, shit.”

“Ex-military,” Sasuke supplied.

Naruto shrank a little.

“And by the way,” Sasuke said, dragging Naruto’s attention back to him. “I’m asking Hinata to marry me. Don’t come near me, my fiancé, or my brother.” Sasuke tone’s was icier than any he ever used with Kakashi. Kakashi could almost see dark clouds gathering around the youngest Uchiha and expected lightening to congregate and smite Naruto.

Naruto seemed to see the same illusion as he backed away. Once he ran off, Sasuke turned to Kakashi. “Follow me in your car.”

Kakashi did as he was told. He got in his Kia while Sasuke slid into his Aston Martin. At a stop light, Sasuke sent Kakashi a text that he would pay for the valet. Kakashi immediately pulled off his mask and eye patch. Sasuke led him to a very up class establishment and he handed over his car the same as Sasuke. Sasuke stalked to the back of the predominantly red room. Few people were about. A moment after they sat down, a waiter arrived.

“Mr. Uchiha?”

“Vodka; I’m not driving home.”

Kakashi let an eyebrow rise.

“A steak, medium-well, with gratin, don’t waste the vegetables,” Sasuke continued. “Red wine with that too. Eclipse, 2010. Don’t bother with a salad either.”

The waiter turned to Kakashi. “For you, sir?”

“Porterhouse, medium . . . gratin as well. I’ll take a salad and whatever vegetables. Just a coke to drink.”

The man bowed and went to fill their orders.

Sasuke snarled. “Naruto. I need to vent and you’ve not heard any of this, so I’m going to vent to someone who has nearly as much reason to hate him as I do.”

Kakashi nodded. Sasuke’s vodka and wine arrived with Kakashi’s salad and coke.

Sasuke began as the man left and Kakashi started on his salad. Sasuke sipped at his vodka every once in a while. “We were best friends—that little shit. We were rivals. I was a genius and he . . . wasn’t. But of course, everyone loved me, everyone looked up to me, including him. He wanted to be the golden boy so he worked his ass off to compete with me in everything: academics, sports, love. He would have done the same in martial arts, but his father only let him take one class instead of my three. So this dead-last moron got through school with a GPA higher than three all because of me. I have to admit, he earned my respect. That started when we were in the second grade.”

Sasuke backtracked a little. “When I said love, by the way, I mean, the girls idolized me to the point I was sick of it. It pissed him off especially since the girl he liked was in love with me, but I never reciprocated. Anyway, he was always trying to get her attention and the attention of anything else female.

“So, I respected him and decided to even help him out. Our personalities were totally different, but it seemed a good fit. We argued and a lot and as we got older it become more of debates and discussion rather than arguing. There were a few things we both liked and often went to movies and concerts together.

“So anyway, this whole time, my fiancé, Hinata, had a crush on Naruto, but she was too shy to confess to him. She could barely say a word to him. I noticed how she blushed and stammered around him, but I really thought that was the worst match ever, especially after we became friends—Naruto and I, that is. I noticed her crush in sixth grade.

“Naruto, Hinata, and I all went on to the same university. Hinata came up to me soon after classes started and asked how she could make her feelings known to Naruto. I offered to tell him about it. She thanked me and I did. Naruto was incredulous. He thought she was too meek, cute and all, but too much a non-person. I actually agreed with him. I told her he wasn’t interested and tried to comfort her. She took it rather well, just sort of blank, like she knew it never would have worked.

“I looked out for her the next day and saw that she had changed. She wore her hair back off her shoulders and stopped wearing that coat she seemed to always have. Naruto still didn’t pay her any mind, but I felt a little responsible for her. I mean, she trusted me enough to confess to me her feelings for Naruto and ask my advice and I felt bad for delivering the bad news. But that was all. I didn’t see her really after that because we didn’t share any classes.

“About that same time, Naruto asked Itachi if he wanted to start hanging out. It quickly turned to dating. I didn’t like it, but I knew Naruto—I thought—and Itachi was stronger then, really a presence, someone to be reckoned with. I didn’t worry about it.”

The waiter brought their meals and two glasses of vodka for Sasuke, taking the empty one away. Sasuke downed half of one like a shot before he set about cutting his steak apart.

“Sophomore year I end up having a class with Hinata. She was so different. It was like her crush on Naruto had held her down. Maybe she realized that the way she behaved and held herself and dressed put people off and she finally broke out of her shell. First day of class I greeted her and asked how she was and she was happy I’d reached out to her. I always greeted her or at least sent her a smile, but that was it. I did notice that without that coat she was buxom and with her hair back she was more than pretty, but I thought no more of it.

“Two weeks into the year and we had to partner up. She looked right at me and I nodded. I got to know her and we became friends. But I was falling for her and before I knew it, I was totally smitten. She’s still very soft spoken and sort of meek, but I found out why and discovered we shared some interests and that when it came to it, she could hold her own. Part of her weak demeanor was that she thought that was attractive to men. She’s working to shed that persona.

“Over a year later, during winter break of our junior year, I had to admit to her that I was falling for her. We started to date.

“Enter: Naruto. He and Itachi seemed to really have a thing going; they were sleeping together and Itachi seemed happy. I had asked Naruto about his longtime obsession with Sakura and he told me he figured out in high school that he was bi; he even admitted one reason he discovered that was because he couldn’t help checking me out as much as Sakura. I was like ‘whatever;’ I didn’t care about that. And Sakura got knocked up by this weirdo Lee. I don’t even want to know what happened there.

“So Naruto and Itachi seem happy, I’m happy with Hinata and then things start to go to shit. Now that Hinata’s dating me, Naruto grows suddenly interested and asks her out. He knew we were dating!” Sasuke didn’t raise his voice very high, but he conveyed his betrayal well enough to Kakashi.

“Hinata’s torn. Here’s her childhood crush finally acknowledging her while she’s in a pretty serious relationship with me, his best friend. She shows how confused she is and delays him. She comes to me and tells me what happened. Of course my male instinct rears its head. Then I realize, not only is he trying to get my girlfriend to cheat on me, but he’s trying to cheat on my brother!

“I tried to cool down; I didn’t want to frighten Hinata. The fact she came to me and told me and asked what she should do . . . I mean she asked me if she should cheat on me. That’s a lot of trust. I could have flipped out, struck her, dumped her . . . But she was right about me, that I would be completely honest with her and think of her own best interest. I told her the truth, that if I thought Naruto’s interest was valid, I would have told her to go for it, go out with him a few times and see which of us she truly preferred. But, I said, Naruto’s currently dating my older brother. I explained that Naruto was bi and that he’d been dating my brother for about the same amount of time as we have.

“She was shocked. I told her that I wouldn’t begrudge her having dinner with him, but I admitted I really didn’t like the situation and the truth was, I loved her. She said she would speak with Naruto. She did and she stayed with me without a single date with Naruto. But Naruto kept trying. It almost got to the point of stalking. He tried to convince her that he loved her and she just needed to give him a chance.

“I had had enough. I went to him and told him to stop it. He had a chance with Hinata before and let it pass. He chose my brother, but now he was actively trying to cheat on him. I told him to back off of Hinata before she put out a restraining order, or worse, her family started gunning for him. I also told him to never lie to my brother again and if he wasn’t serious about Itachi to break it off. I never told Itachi because I thought he really loved Naruto. However, it was nothing compared to what he seems to feel for you.”

The fact that last part came out so naturally and with a slight sneer of disapproval, Kakashi figured the vodka had loosened Sasuke up and it was the god’s honest truth.

“Naruto backed off. Then just a few weeks later, Itachi goes to Africa.” Sasuke downed the rest of his third glass of vodka and raised his hand for another. “Itachi needed him. He did stay for about a month, then . . . poof.”

The glass was brought and Kakashi was certain that the bartender had switched to a lower proof brand of vodka by the fact he’d poured this one from a different bottle than the first. Still, Sasuke was going to feel it.

“I hunted his ass down and let loose on him. I was arrested after Shikamaru and Kiba pulled me off of him. But they were on my side. I said enough that they understood what happened. And they all knew about Itachi.”

Kakashi could see Sasuke’s blood boil for a moment, but it was just a flare of anger and died quickly.

“Naruto’s father is Minato Namikaze, the mayor. Naruto had to tell him why he was in the hospital and then he came to me. He started off saying that he knew the stress I was under because of my brother, but to take it out on Naruto . . . I shut him up real quick. I was released an hour later and driven home by an irate Minato. I’m sure he let his son have it. I might have mentioned the whole thing with Hinata as well.”

“Might?”

“Yeah, ‘might.’ My mind was spinning with rage. I’m surprised I didn’t attack Minato.” Sasuke suddenly threw himself back against the backrest and covered his face with his hands. “Oh god, if it had been Hinata . . . If Hinata had gone through what Itachi did . . . I wouldn’t leave her side for a second. Fuck. How can you abandon someone you’re supposed to love? He felt nothing for Itachi!” Sasuke dropped his hands. “Look at you! God, you love him more than I can understand. I don’t get you. How can you love my brother so much? I love him, I really do, he’s my world, always has been, but goddamn it, I can’t take much more. I worry and worry and I miss him and I’m so sad for him. Why do you love him so much? It’s all wearing me down, but you, you . . . I’ve never seen so much affection. Something tells me you would love him if he was normal, but you dote on him. You are too goddamn perfect. If it’s a dominance thing, I’ll rip your spleen out.”

“I think you’re right about loving him if he weren’t blind. But here’s someone who needs my help, my protection. How could I not love him more? It’s not a dominance thing. Honestly, it’s a little bit of a sub thing. I want to be his slave; I want to do everything for him. He’s my prince.”

“No, you’re the prince.” He emptied his wine glass, all of it making it into his mouth. “Finished? What some more?”

“No. However, I think Itachi would appreciate a dessert.”

Sasuke summoned the waiter. “A tiramisu to go.” He pulled at his wallet and struggled to find and pull out his credit card. The waiter left and Sasuke had a similar struggle with his phone. He held it out to Kakashi. “Call Shika and tell him I need a ride home.”

“You trust me going through your contacts?”

Sasuke snatched back his phone. “Fuck it. You’re here and you want to give Itachi that thing. Drive me home. My car, your car, I don’t give a fuck. Either one will be safe here. Shika can retrieve it later.”

“You’ll let me drive your Aston Martin?”

“Take advantage of my bad judgment while you have the chance.”

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Sasuke started crying before they even got three blocks away. He was lost in his own little world of despair. From his mumblings, Sasuke was still caught in the nightmare that Hinata could have gone through what Itachi did and was also mourning the old Itachi that seemed dead. Kakashi made a metal note that Sasuke was a terrible drunk. He’d try to worn Hinata about that. At least he was merely an emotional drunk.

When they got to the security gate around the estate, Kakashi wasn’t sure which button on the console to push and Sasuke was seeing double.

“They should open it for me,” Sasuke grumbled as he tried to unbuckle his seatbelt. He opened the door and used it to haul himself out of the car and stand. “Open the fucking gate!”

The gate rolled open and Sasuke fell back into the seat and barely managed to shut his door.

Kakashi eased into the driveway. “Should I pull into the garage?”

“I don’t trust you to park my baby in a confined area,” Sasuke slurred. “Just park in front of the door.”

Kakashi pulled into the circular drive and parked. He looked for the key, but it was a key fob, not a standard key. He rolled his eyes and pulled out the fob and quickly got out to help the inebriated Uchiha out of the car.

If Kakashi needed evidence Sasuke was drunk, he got it. Sasuke couldn’t stand up straight and opted to lean into Kakashi and hugged him. Kakashi put an arm around him and guided Sasuke to the front door and tried to open it. It was locked. Sasuke banged on the door while Kakashi tried to find keys in Sasuke’s pocket.

One of the usually invisible servants opened the door. Kakashi struggled to guide Sasuke through the door. Mikoto and Itachi came to the top of the stairs at the racket.

“It’s Sasuke,” Mikoto told Itachi as she ran down the stairs to check on her youngest son.

Itachi came down a few steps, holding tight to the railing, but stopped, not wanting to get in the way.

“What’s wrong?” Itachi asked.

“He’s just drunk,” Kakashi said.

“Kakashi?”

“Yeah. Sasuke invited me out for a drink and he over did it. He’ll be alright.”

“Inoichi,” Mikoto spoke to the butler, “bring him upstairs.”

Inoichi and Kakashi pulled Sasuke upstairs behind Mikoto. Itachi backed up to clear the stairs. He followed after them, running his hand along the wall to guide him.

Sasuke was deposited on his bed and he fell right to sleep.

“Bring up a large pitcher of water and a bottle of aspirin, please,” Mikoto said to Inoichi. He nodded and eased passed Itachi who was holding onto the door frame.

“What happened?” Mikoto asked Kakashi.

“He came to see me on campus and . . .” he looked at Itachi, “Naruto came up to us.”

Itachi’s face clouded and Mikoto’s eyes narrowed.

“Naruto wanted to renew their friendship and Sasuke wasn’t having any of that and asked me to kill Naruto.”

“Did you?” both Uchiha asked.

“No. I would never do that. In a public place. Sasuke was . . . distressed and asked me to have a drink with him. He told me the whole story and got very, very drunk. He had some depressing thoughts and that’s why he’s a mess.”

“What thoughts?” Itachi asked. When Kakashi didn’t answer immediately, he said, “Sasuke was really depressed the other day too; I want to know what’s wrong with my brother.”

“He couldn’t understand Naruto leaving you because he wouldn’t have left Hinata if what happened to you happened to her. He thought about that a little too hard.”

Itachi rubbed the heel of his hand into his forehead, then combed his loose hair back. He felt like it was his fault his brother was sinking into depression.

Mikoto sat on her youngest son’s bed and petted his hair. “Thank you for taking care of him, Kakashi.”

“No problem.” Kakashi went to Itachi and rubbed Itachi’s upper arm through his long sleeve shirt. “You want me to stay a little longer?”

“Yeah. My brother’s probably going to sleep for a while. Did you or Sasuke leave a car somewhere?”

“My car.”

“You drove the Aston Martin?”

“Sweet ride.”

“He’s drunker than I thought.”

Kakashi gently pulled Itachi away from the door to let Inoichi into Sasuke’s room with the water and aspirin.

“Can you stay the night?” Itachi asked.

“Sure. As long as your father doesn’t try to kill me for it.”

Itachi could hear Inoichi coming out of his brother’s room. “Inoichi, could you send someone to pick up Kakashi’s car?”

“Yes, sir.”

Kakashi fished the valet ticket from his pocket and gave it to Inoichi. He held out a hand to stop Inoichi and handed him the fob to the Aston Martin as well.

“I’ll just leave this in Sasuke-sama’s room,” Inoichi said as he stepped in to leave the key fob on Sasuke’s dresser.

“Everyone’s afraid of touching Sasuke’s baby, huh?”

“You have no idea, sir,” Inoichi said.

Itachi hugged Kakashi’s arm and Kakashi went to Itachi’s room. “Mind if I turn on the light?”

“Sure.”

This was Kakashi’s second time in Itachi’s sanctum, but the first time he really got to look around. A full bookshelf was in the corner of the room with the bed against it so any book was within reach from the bed. There was a window just to the side of the bed and a desk under it. The closet was to the right of the door as was the personal bathroom. To the left of the door was a dresser. The room was smaller than Kakashi would have thought for a rich kid. And it was dark with black carpet and dark green walls and ceiling. There was an overhead light, but the lamp from the desk was gone—it was useless now. Though the room was dark, and cave-like, it was comfortable and safe. Kakashi liked it.

The computer was on, but the monitor off. Music was coming out of the speakers, but it had been turned way down when Itachi heard Sasuke banging on the door.

Once back in his room, Itachi detached from Kakashi’s arm and went to sit on his bed. Kakashi sat next to him.

“Is there really nothing else wrong with Sasuke?” Itachi asked.

“Well, a few days ago, he told me he was concerned about you. He told me not to let you end the relationship.”

“That was the day he was depressed, the day I was thinking I was being a burden on him and would be one on you.”

Kakashi pulled Itachi’s head closer and kissed his temple. “You’re not. Sasuke’s stressing himself out.”

“If he would just marry Hinata . . .”

“I agree. He really loves her; he got drunk and sad enough.”

“He does. He gave up being a playboy for her.”

Kakashi laughed because Iruka had described Sasuke as a playboy as well. “Your brother must have been a handful.”

“I was scared to death he’d get a disease with how many different women he was sleeping with. He was even sleeping with older women while he was still a teenager. He was going to give me an ulcer. Maybe him stressing out over me now is a sort of revenge for the stress I was under.”

Itachi leaned on Kakashi and Kakashi put an arm around him.

“Sasuke’s fine.”

“I wish he would get married and move out so I’ll stop stressing him out.”

“Don’t blame yourself. Sasuke is just high strung with sensitive honor and highly developed sense of family protectiveness. He just needs to calm down.”

“He’s taking after our father. Too uptight.”

“No offence, but he’s not the only one. Stop worrying about being a burden. We all love you.”

Itachi didn’t respond and Kakashi just rubbed Itachi’s back.

After a few minutes, there was a knock on the door. “Dinner’s ready,” Mikoto said through the door.

“Coming, mother,” Itachi called back.

“I ate with your brother,” Kakashi told him. “But I’ll stay with you. That reminds me; I left something in the brat’s car.”

Kakashi ducked into Sasuke’s room to get the key fob—smiled at Sasuke’s soft snores—and escorted Itachi downstairs. He ran out to get the tiramisu from the backseat, then ran the fob back to Sasuke’s room and then escorted Itachi into the dining room.

“I had dinner with Sasuke, so I’ll just have tea,” Kakashi told Inoichi.

Kakashi sat next to Itachi and helped him eat.

Fugaku arrived. “Sorry, I’m late.” He kissed his wife. On seeing Kakashi sitting in Sasuke’s seat, he said, “Kakashi, good to see you.”

“And you, sir.”

Fugaku sat down. “Why is Sasuke’s car parked out front and where is he?”

“Sasuke got drunk and Kakashi-kun brought him home,” Mikoto explained.

“Sasuke getting drunk?”

“Naruto approached him,” Mikoto said.

“Should I send my condolences to Minato?”

Everyone chuckled. “No,” Kakashi said. “I was asked to kill him, but I didn’t think everyone would find it justified.”

“Most would.”

Kakashi was surprised how easily he was able to chat with his lover’s family—minus the brat—after that. When Itachi finished his meal, Kakashi asked, “Want desert?”

“Love some.”

“How about some tiramisu?”

“I love tiramisu.”

Inoichi came over to take the take-out bag and went to put it on a plate and soon returned with the dessert. Itachi moved his fork over the plate until he hit the layered treat and up to find the top and broke off a bite. Kakashi watched him, forgetting they weren’t alone and watched the bliss cross Itachi’s face at the flavor.

“Fantastic. Thank you. You want some?”

“I don’t have much of a sweet tooth,” Kakashi said.

“Mom? Dad?”

“Full from dinner,” Fugaku said.

“All for you, dear,” Mikoto said.

They were also staring at Itachi. Their eyes were full of love for their eldest son. Fugaku stood and came around next to Itachi. He put a hand on Itachi’s head and bent down to kiss his forehead. “I’m going to work in my office. I love you, Itachi.”

“Love you too, tousan.”

Fugaku put a hand on Kakashi’s shoulder and left.

Inoichi returned. “Sir, your car has been parked outside,” he said to Kakashi.

“Thanks.” To Itachi he said, “I’ll bring my stuff in and do my homework in your room.”

“Okay. I like just having you around.”

“Me too.”

Back in Itachi’s room, Kakashi turned up the music on Itachi’s computer and did his work while Itachi lay on his bed. Kakashi was finished in an hour.

“You awake?” Kakashi asked quietly.

“Yeah.” Itachi sat up and swung is legs over the side of the bed.

“If I was closer to the beginning, I would have read to you.”

“Yeah, I miss being able to read.”

Kakashi sat next to him and stroked Itachi’s hair.

“Kakashi, I sort of want to tell you what really happened. I’ve been thinking about it while you were working. You already know so much, including about Naruto, and I know you won’t leave and I think I’ll get over it faster if I tell someone the whole truth about what happened.”

“Water?”

“Definitely.”

There was a pitcher on the bedside table and a glass. Kakashi sat down next to Itachi with the water. Itachi was silent for a minute, trying to figure out how and what to say.

“I told you that not everything was in that file. You know in general what happened, but I actually hid a lot. Mostly about Yahiko, the leader of the group.”

“You mean the one they called ‘Pain?’”

“Yeah. Yahiko was his real name. Or so he told me.” Itachi hesitated again. He grew more agitated.

Kakashi used the back of his fingers to caress Itachi’s arm and he was glad he didn’t even twitch at the touch. “If it’s too uncomfortable, you don’t have to tell me.”

“I think I’ll feel better if I tell someone.” He took a deep breath. “I knew what Yahiko was doing to me, but . . . Was there anything in the files you read about Kakuzu?”

Kakashi thought. “The finance guy of the group. He wasn’t there during the raid and they were going to try to track him, but they found his body on the grounds. They think he was killed for embezzling.”

“He wasn’t. Yahiko did kill him . . . but it was to protect me.”

Kakashi was flabbergasted. “Because you were a hostage and he wanted to kill you?”

“No. None of them wanted to kill me. The bastard, Yahiko, didn’t have any problem taking my eyes. He said . . . after he took my left eye . . . he told my father if the dead drop was compromised again, he’d take my other eye. He wouldn’t want to know what he’d take if the third drop was compromised. He took my other eye.” Itachi shook his head. “It wasn’t Yahiko who did it. It was . . .”

“Hidan,” Kakashi supplied more to keep Itachi from sinking too far into his memories.

“Yeah. Yahiko ordered him to do it, but he couldn’t watch. Hidan did it with glee both times.

“Yahiko killed Kakuzu himself. All Kakuzu could talk about was whoring me out. He couldn’t wait for the third dead drop to fail. They were going to give up and keep me. Yahiko may have let the others rape me, but he was still possessive of me.

“I told the truth to a point. I didn’t mention how Yahiko killed Kakuzu sort of while Kakuzu was raping me. Kakuzu couldn’t keep his mouth shut about how much money they could make whoring me out; it was mostly a sort of dirty talk to him. I still had my right eye at the time. Yahiko lost patience with Kakuzu; couldn’t stand that thought maybe. He grabbed him by the back of the neck and away from me . . . out of me. We all watched in shock as he turned him around and grabbed him by the throat. I could hear the man’s neck snap before he finished strangulating . . . Yahiko protected me.”

Itachi took a deep breath, knowing his story was jumping around and was probably confusing Kakashi as to what he was truly hiding. He decided to start again at the beginning. “I told the FBI that they kept me in that cell. It was only for the first three days. I was isolated. I had nothing but a bucket and a bare mattress. The windows were high so I couldn’t look out and they were barred, but they let the light in. I spent hours jumping up trying to grab the bars and yank them free, but I only managed to reach them a few times and they didn’t budge.

“They slid my food through a hole in the bottom of the door; again, it was impossible to get through, but I did try. They never spoke to me during those three days. They didn’t break my spirit, I was just angry at being captured.

“On the fourth day, Kisame pulled me out and let me shower. He didn’t give me any clothes. Then he forced me into Yahiko’s room. Yahiko was the first to rape me. He threatened me quite a bit, that if I didn’t struggle—I would still be raped by the others, but he wouldn’t let the others cause me too much harm. He also told me to beg him to . . . I did. After he was done with me the first time, he took me to the same room where my father’s men found me. Even after I was blind, I knew it was the same room because the piece of metal on the floor that I kept cutting myself on causing that scar on my back. Yahiko let them all rape me.

“But he never took me back to the cell. He took me to his own room. I was his pet. At first he chained me to the wall, but after a few days during which I didn’t resist him, he let me sleep in his bed. It was a reward. I was his to use whenever he wanted, but he treated me very well aside from letting the others rape me every other day. He was doing it on purpose, we both knew that. Kisame knew it too since he was his bodyguard and always nearby; he was the reason I never tried to get away, he was always outside Yahiko’s door.

“But when he killed Kakuzu . . . we all realized he really . . . cared for me. At least was far more possessive than he should have been. Some of the others never touched me again; afraid he’d turn on them too. I really felt safe with Yahiko.

“I didn’t tell anyone that. I know it was Stockholm Syndrome and Yahiko was doing it on purpose, but it worked. Yeah, I was depressed about my eyes and the rapes after I was rescued, but that I could start to love Yahiko . . . That I was so weak as to fall into Stockholm Syndrome really made me feel pathetic.”

Kakashi wanted to break in and tell him it wasn’t pathetic, but Itachi push on.

“Kisame believed Yahiko loved me. Kisame still raped me though, but he was a lot gentler after Kakuzu died. He was the one raping me when the raid took place. He left me to fight and I curled in the corner. Yahiko was the one who gave me the . . . whatever I was covered with when they found me. He knelt down and stroked my hair. I felt guilty for Yahiko’s death on top of all the rest.

“I was a total mess when I was brought back home. I never even told the doctors. I had enough problems to treat anyway. Knowing what it was, I tried to deal with Yahiko alone. I think I’m over it, but knowing he was dead was hard for me.

“One thing that helped was that I was sure Naruto would be there for me and still have sex with me and treat me well and that might help me deal with my memories of Yahiko; maybe he would even turn into Yahiko in a way. His eyes were the same beautiful blue as Naruto and he wore his hair similarly too. He had the most remarkable red hair and he had a lot of piercings. I think I was more in love with Yahiko than Naruto. Yahiko was dead, but I still had Naruto.

“But then Naruto dumped me. I had a mini-breakdown and told Sasuke about Naruto, that he was the cause, and that’s when Sasuke hunted Naruto down and nearly killed him. If their mutual friends hadn’t been there to stop him, he would have murdered Naruto, his best friend. Because of me they haven’t spoken in months.”

Kakashi was thankful for the slight change in topic and huffed. “That wasn’t the only reason. Don’t feel guilty about Sasuke and Naruto. I overheard their confrontation they had today and you were just the last nail in the coffin. If you feel guilty about that, don’t.”

“What? What was it? What else came between them?”

“I’m not sure I should tell you.”

“You will tell me,” Itachi ordered. Kakashi was a little surprised at the tone, but he smiled because that seemed like the old Itachi Sasuke had talked about and was in line with slight aggression he had observed gleaming through Itachi’s more reticent exterior. Though he thought telling Itachi the truth would be harmful, he did sort of have his back to the wall.

“Seems Hinata used to have a crush on Naruto and after Sasuke and Hinata got together, Naruto started reciprocating. Sasuke knew that even when Naruto was with you, he was hitting on Hinata. He saw how much you loved him and didn’t want to hurt you. He warned Naruto to give up on Hinata and never lie to you again. At least Naruto finally broke up with you and probably therefore kept the promise to stop lying to you. But when he left you, it was the final straw.”

“That son of a bitch!”

Kakashi smiled. “At least you’re angry. I thought you’d be . . . devastated or something.”

“Him and Iruka, point me to them,” Itachi growled.

“Let that go. I’m not going to let you commit murder or even assault, so just let it go. You were saying about Yahiko?”

Itachi sighed and refocused. “Yeah. After I went blind—even before that. You know what it’s like losing one eye and your depth perception changes.”

Kakashi nodded, but then remembered and said, “Yes.”

“I couldn’t grab a glass. He helped me. I would reach for something and he would guide my hand. I didn’t fully get used to it when Hidan took my right eye too. Then Yahiko did everything for me. He loved that; it was what he wanted: I was totally dependent on him. I couldn’t eat, drink, go to the bathroom, anything without his help. I knew it, I knew he wanted to dominate me and make me dependent on him. And I really started to love him. I think.” He shook his head. “I don’t know. He was kind to me and affectionate and made sure I got pleasure out of it. He really did mess me up.” Itachi was disgusted with himself and becoming distressed.

Kakashi put his hands on either side of Itachi’s head and forced him to focus on him even if he was blind. “Itachi, I understand Stockholm Syndrome and I totally understand about feeling for Yahiko. The fact you haven’t once called him Pain, says that you cared for him. I understand. I understand. I’d even understand if I was competing with a dead man, but I’m not, am I?”

Itachi was bordering on tears. “No, you’re not,” he said with a shaky voice.

“But you still felt bad for falling for Yahiko.”

“Of course.”

“Of course. You saw the true man behind the leader of a terrorist organization. He was still a harsh man and a sadist, but he cared for you. He may have let you go blind because he wanted you dependent on him, but he protected you. He didn’t really watch when you were raped, did he?”

“No, but he was there.”

“To make sure you weren’t too badly harmed.”

“Yes.”

“He had to share you with his comrades because that’s the kind of group they were. Maybe he didn’t want you blinded, but that was business. Stockholm or not, he cared for you. Yes, even if you were properly brainwashed after a year or more you would have acclimated, but you would have always been somewhat miserable and miss your freedom and your family, especially your pain in the ass brother. Never regret you came home and never regret that he died. Knowing your brother, he wouldn’t have survived your death or your disappearance. Nor would your father.

“Naruto was never good enough for you. Yahiko was not good enough for you because he put his organization before you. I’m not good enough for you because I’m not perfect or a prince or a Calvin Klein model and your brother hates me. But I love you enough to tell the man I thought I loved to go fuck himself when he tried to make me take him back and I would give up anything for you.

“However, if the impossible happens and I mistreat you in any way, you’re so perfect, you will find someone better who loves you as much as I do, don’t doubt it. But I love you and I would never harm you. I don’t want you dependent on me like Yahiko probably did, but I don’t mind it, I even relish it because I can show you how much I love you. And if I ever look at anyone else, I’ll let your brother take out my other eye.”

“Thank you. Thank you for understanding. I miss him, just a little. I think he really loved me.”

“I’m sure he did; you’re just so easy to love, so perfect.” Kakashi kissed his forehead.

“He told me how he and his two friends grew up during a civil war in their home country—he never named it. He started Akatsuki as a rebel group to end the civil war and agreed to join the government forces, but then they were betrayed. Disillusioned, they stepped up their attacks until they helped overthrow the government. But the other rebels wouldn’t accept them, feared them and called them terrorists. They were driven from their own country. They then truly became a terrorist organization; they needed money and only had one set of skills.

“I did sympathize with him. I also resigned myself to staying with him after they took my other eye. I wondered if they even had asked for ransom. I really did feel like I was Yahiko’s objective. He was with me almost constantly. I really felt like he loved me.

“Please, one thing I don’t want you to do, don’t call me a weasel.”

“Weasel? Because of your name?”

“Yeah. Yahiko looked it up because it was an unusual name and took to calling me his weasel.”

“I will avoid it.”

“Or kitten. Kisame called me ‘kitten.’”

Itachi’s mood had quickly lightened and even though he was referring back to things having to do with his repeated gang rapes, Itachi was relaxed.

“No weasel or kitten, got it.”

“What else was absolutely horrible?” Itachi wondered aloud to himself.

“I’d rather you not try to remember.”

“Better than you accidently doing it and freaking me out.”

That came out so naturally like he was talking about what he didn’t like to have for dinner. Maybe talking about it really did do him good.

“I just hope you don’t think I’m a slut for taking any pleasure in it then or desiring it now. I couldn’t help it, they made sure I’d . . .”

“Not at all. I’m glad they allowed you something to make that experience not as bad as it should have been. And trust me, I understand desire. I want to abstain from you just out of respect, but I love your body almost as much as I love you.”

“How about not abstaining now?”

“Now?”

“Lock the door. And shove something in the way; my father and Inoichi have keys and Sasuke could ask Shika to pick the lock.”

Kakashi locked the door and pulled a dresser half way across the door, enough to prevent the door from being opened. He turned around to see Itachi already shirtless and now slipping off his pants.

“Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” Kakashi said.

“Thank you.”

Itachi pushed the bedding aside and lay completely naked in front of Kakashi. Kakashi let his eyes roam over Itachi’s lovely physique for a moment. Itachi pulled his loose hair over his shoulder to lie on his pale skin. Kakashi stripped, which was hard to do in a rush with a boner.

Kakashi straddled Itachi’s thighs. “Since we’re making requests, I have one.”

“Yeah?”

“Take off the glasses when we have sex.”

“Alright.”

Kakashi pinched the nosepiece of the sunglasses and pulled them off. “I’ve gotten used to them.” He put his hand to the side of Itachi’s head and gently moved his thumb over one scarred eyelid. “Don’t hide them from me anymore.”

“Says the man who wears a mask and an eye patch.”

“Touché.”

Kakashi kissed him.

“I just remembered,” Itachi interrupted the kiss. “I don’t have any lube. Haven’t had anyone over since Naruto left me. Someone took my supply.”

Kakashi chuckled. “I bet it was the watchdog little brother of yours. Perhaps even for this very moment. I’ll see what’s in your bathroom.”

Kakashi didn’t find much. “You’ve got some lotion.”

“Good enough.”

“Your ass will smell wonderful at least. Sandalwood, I believe.”

Kakashi got back on the bed and slipped two lubed fingers inside Itachi’s lithe body.

“Kakashi,” Itachi sighed.

Fuck. Kakashi really wanted to call him a cock hungry little whore and say ‘you love that don’t you.’ He bit his lips together. He massaged Itachi muscles, encouraging them to relax and loosen.

“Say something,” Itachi begged.

“My first instincts are to say some things you might not like.”

“Fuck it, say it.”

“You love being entered, don’t you, baby?”

“I do. I want you to fuck me so bad.”

“Damn, your voice is so fucking sexy.”

“I’m ready, just fuck me.”

Kakashi took his fingers away, but then lightly trailed his finger up Itachi’s erection, teasing him.

“Kakashi,” he whined.

Kakashi started stroking him, concentrating on the up strokes.

“Ever topped before?” Kakashi asked.

“Yeah. Quite a bit with Naruto. But not tonight. Damn, I want you in me right now. I feel so empty without you.”

Kakashi didn’t stop teasing his cock. Itachi put out a hand, knowing where Kakashi’s body should be. He found the arm Kakashi was using to brace himself. He pulled him toward him.

“Give me your cock.”

“Huh?”

“Come up here.”

Kakashi let go of Itachi’s cock and move to straddle his head. Itachi’s hand moved over his body to find Kakashi’s cock as it settled over his head. He guided it into his mouth, pulling gently for Kakashi to ease downward.

Itachi’s lips were so soft and wet as they touched the head of his cock. Then his tongue flicked the tip. Kakashi was hard pressed not to fall or thrust his cock into his mouth. This was the first oral Itachi had ever given him. Itachi’s lips moved to encapsulate just the head of his cock and he sucked gently. Everything was slow and gentle, tantalizing, languid, and oh so fucking good. His tongue swirled around the slit then pushed into it.

Kakashi was careful as he repositioned, not sure how long he could stay in this position.

Itachi’s hand was still on the shaft and now it started to move. He stroked Kakashi’s cock, but also pulled it lower.

“Itachi, you’re going to make me cum,” Kakashi breathed.

Itachi pulled his head back as much as the pillow allowed and let go of the cock in his hand. Kakashi pulled his hips up.

“I’d rather you fuck me.”

“That was fucking amazing.”

“I’ve had some good ones to teach me. And fantastic inspiration.”

Kakashi moved back to face Itachi. “I knew that mouth was wonderful, but fuck. Next time, before you fuck me, give me a proper blow job like that until I cum.”

“Alright. If you fuck me now. The idea is making me hotter.”

“You might want to be quieter tonight.”

“I’ll try.” Itachi rested the back of his wrist on his chin, ready to cover his mouth if he got too loud.

Kakashi helped Itachi position his legs and pressed into his tight heat. The light was still on and Kakashi stared at the beautiful body before him.

“My beautiful raven.”

“Fuck me, Kakashi.”

Kakashi pulled almost all the way out and slid back in, shifting his initial angle, hitting just the right spot inside him.

Itachi was just able to cover his mouth before he cried out. Kakashi continued to slowly fuck him for a minute, then sped up. Itachi reached for his own cock and stroked himself as Kakashi pounded him into the mattress. Itachi’s muffled cried ran down Kakashi’s spine. He was having to hold back his orgasm after that little bit of head Itachi gave him. Luckily, Itachi was not of a mind to hurry and he was beating his own cock as fast as he could. Itachi cam and Kakashi let himself go. He forced his jaw shut so that he wouldn’t alert the whole house to what a fabulous fuck Itachi was.

Itachi’s wrist slipped off his mouth. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“Thank you? So very sincerely, my pleasure.”

“For everything. You still want me after everything I told you.”

“I wish they were all still alive so that I could slaughter them myself. Naruto has been warned.”

“I’m too content right now to ask you to rough him up. I’m happy.”

“That makes me happy.” Kakashi kissed him briefly on the lips. “I’ll be right back.”

Kakashi got up and cleaned up and brought a warm washcloth to clean Itachi’s stomach, hand, and ass, doing it all himself. He then rinsed out the washcloth. He shut off the light and lay down next to Itachi.

“You have a maid right?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Hate for your mother to see these sheets.”

“Humph.” Itachi snuggled back against Kakashi in the small bed. “Go to sleep, Kashi.”

Kakashi hummed.