Two Different Worlds

Author's Note: Finally here it is, after over a year! I finally am able to write and hopefully finish this fanfiction. I deeply apologize for the long absence, believe me I have enough reason as to why I temporarily abandoned this fiction. Stupid heart surgeries and all! Thankfully I was able to live through it. Being confined in the hospital for such a long period of time was enough to make me crazy! Thankfully my brother keeps me company almost all the time. -shrug- I miss the sucker so much already! -weeps-



Summary: Blue eyes met blue. The other to protect his village, the other to protect his most precious person. ItaNaru, slight onesided? SasuNaru in the future. Please read and review.



Disclaimer: Everything belongs to their rightful owner. I on the other hand, own the plotline.



Chapter 8: Things Aren't Always What They Seem



There was something terribly off, he just couldn’t figure out what.



If felt like he was in his cage again, but he knew that was impossible. Ever since the merger, he and Naruto had agreed to co-exist fair and square. So why was he having this feeling like something wasn’t right here?



“Strange how things had turned out.” he mused, as the smiling face of the teen flashed in his mind. In the past, he would’ve given anything to be able to grasp that feeling of complete freedom. He wanted more than ever to just be rid of the damn container he was being held captive with and to walk free again. The very thought of being tied to a human child for the rest of his life was unacceptable. But yet here he was, merged with him, acting like the father figure. The irony of the situation, he had wanted to see the child suffer, but now what he wanted more than anything else was to see him happy.



"But that doesn’t change the fact that I hate humans with the passion of a thousand burning suns.” They were the major reason why he was so miserable; they didn’t just rob him of his mate but of his own existence as well. At first yes, he hated the blond teen, anyone in their right mind would be if they were ever in his situation, well actually that would make nine of them all in all. He had sworn to himself and to his mate’s memory that he would make the child’s life a living hell.



But as years passed his resolve slowly and begrudgingly wavered. Seeing the way those village people had treated the child like he was the demon himself, he couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the kid. The daily beatings he received, the hateful worlds, the heated glares, a kid can only take so much. Along with the fact that the didn’t have the slightest idea of why he was being treated that way, one could say he was surprised how the kid was still able to smile despite his predicament.



"Those pathetic humans, hating Naruto, hating me for something they themselves have done. They drew first blood, didn’t they even think about that?!” he growled as the memory of Aki flooded in his mind. “She was everything to me, the only family I’ve ever had. And those insufferable humans had to take her away. And for what? For their own lust and greed for power. And when I finally had taken my revenge…” an overwhelming sense of hatred enveloped him. “…they see me as nothing more than a monster. That even an innocent kid, the one that didn’t have any control over what had been done to him, had to suffer from it as well.”



The face of the third Hokage flashed in his mind, it was him he was angered at most. Danzou was someone famous for his lust for power and absolute control. The one that handed out the order to beat the living daylights out of the Kyuubi container every chance they get. Just thinking about him right now makes him want to rip someone apart. Sure the old cow’s dead but who can blame him for being upset for what was done to his container really. Besides, said container reminded him so much of Aki. He had every right to get worked up every time his thoughts wander to the old coot.



Speaking of wandering thoughts, he cursed himself for getting off track again. He had to focus on the matter at hand. He couldn’t remember much of anything that happened while they were fighting Orochimaru’s goons or anything shortly before that. Only that he saw Itachi in immediate danger and his container and he himself had only saving him in mind.



Everything was a blur, but he was going to figure what the heck was wrong once and for all. He had plently of time to think about it.



--



"How is he Tsunade?" Jiraiya was the first to ask as the Hokage emerged from the operating room.



"The bleeding has stopped, he's going to need a blood transfusion as soon as possible." she took her gloves off, took a deep breath and met the other sannin's gaze. "He's going to be fine. I did everything I could despite the urge to just leave him the way he is Jiraiya, so don't give me that look."



"I wasn't saying anything." was his simple response.



"You do know I can read you like an open book." she retorted sighing, a frown creased on her forehead. "What I don't undestand is why most of his chakra reserves has been depleted."



"I guess that speaks for itself, you saw his state."



"No, there's something else. It doesn't add up. The trained killer that Itachi is, he wouldn't waste such huge amount of chakra on something if his motive wasn't absolute. Plus, from the chakra residue left, it pretty much points out that he was more on the defensive than the offensive." Jiraiya was confused, Tsunade continued. "It almost seemed like he was trying to protect someone and purposely made a barrier using his own chakra, with the amount he used I'd say whoever it was he was protecting was too important to him. Question is, what could be so important, that he's willing to give his life for it."



The frog sannin heaved himself off the wall he was leaning against and walked closer to the other. "A jinchuuruki maybe?"



"That's a possibility, but like I said the chakra residue pointed out he was protecting something or someone of dire importance to him. Do you really think...he's willing to give his life for a jinchuuruki?"



"Judging from his character? No! But I do know someone that he might..."



"Don't even think about it."



Jiraiya sighed in defeat. "You do know that sooner or later Tsunade we'd have to face the fact that we weren't honest with Naruto from the start."



"I do not need reminding Jiraiya."



"So is he going to wake up anytime soon?" he asked changing the subject.



"Soon yes, maybe! But he would be too drained to even move his lips. I apologize Jiraiya, but from the looks of it, the interrogation you're planning to do will have to wait a little bit longer." was her simple answer before she went back inside the operating room.



--



The fox’s eyes slammed shut as a sudden thought struck him, making his head hurt so much he can barely stand it. This was it, this was what he was missing. It felt like events and memories were trying desperately to enter his mind all at one go. “I wasn’t yet merged with Naruto before all this happened.” Another flash blinded him as memories poured in, he growled and writhed in pain, claws dug onto his head, eyes tightly shut. “Fish-breath died trying to protect Naruto…” that would explain that feeling he had in his gut earlier about Kisame. He wasn’t supposed to be there. He doubled over again in agony. “The Uchiha, the Uchiha was dying.” He too was trying to protect Naruto despite everything else that was going on in the battle field. Yet, he was walking around unscathed as well.



But he had no time to ponder on those thoughts as the next memory came rushing back to him, as his expression turned into that unfathomable rage.


There had been an attempt at extraction. “PEIN!! You fucking bastard.”



--



"I see. That is indeed wonderful news Kabuto. This is sure to fasten things up a bit for us." Orochimaru answered quite pleased with the information his apprentice delivered.



"Shall we tell Sasuke this news as soon a possible Orochimaru-sama?" he asked, a little bit distracted with the half-naked state his master was in on the bed. Who can blame him really.



"There is no need for that. I already know." Sasuke's voice echoed through the room. He was standing by Orochimaru's bedroom door arms crossed against his chest, legs crossed.



"My, my Sasuke-kun it isn't polite to enter someone's bedchamber just like that." the snake-sannin teased.



Sasuke inwardly groaned. He has had it with his master's obvious flirting. "I am going alone, don't even think of letting the other two morons come with me." was all he said before he dissapeared.



"I do not think he is very much thrilled with the news Orochimaru-sama." Kabuto smirked all too knowingly.



"You cannot blame the kid Kabuto, after all these years of training and a blooded almost dead brother is all he gets to kill." Orochimaru grinned his trademark grin and egged the younger man to join him on the bed. "But we do not think about that right now, I do have more pressing matters to attend to."



And Kabuto could only nod and comply.



--



“Goddamit, MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP!” Naruto writhed and yelled and kicked on the ground. Both hands clutched tightly on his head, eyes slammed shut, tears brimming at the corner of his eyes. Kisame was at a loss, earlier the twerp was still saying jokes and making fun of him in general and the next moment he was on the ground looking anything but fine.



“Naruto! Naruto, what the hell is wrong with you?” he himself was surprised with the amount of concern his voice held. He was instantly crouched by his side, hands attempting to calm him down. “Dammit, you brat. Get a hold of yourself.”



Without warning, Naruto’s crimson colored eyes opened wide, looking at Kisame as tears uncontrollably fell. The sight that met him only made matters worse. He looked at Kisame’s ashen face, he was missing one eye, and his mouth was dripping with blood as he talked. “Get away from me, get the fuck away from me!” he screamed as he sent Kisame flying to the nearest tree. Naruto hurriedly sprinted to the opposite direction and slumped on a rock. Hugging his knees to himself, hands still clutched tightly at his head.



Kisame was beyond worried now. What the fuck was happening to the brat. He looked so lost, so helpless, yet so enraged at the same time. “Naruto, tell me what’s going on.”



More and more blood was dripping out of Kisame’s mouth. Naruto felt sick. Someone had to make this stop.“Get away, you’re not him. You’re not him. He’s dead. He’s dead. Get away from me. He’s dead.”



“Naruto what are you talking about. Come on, Itachi’s waiting for us at the inn.” The instant he mentioned Itachi’s name, Naruto just got worse.



“It-chan.” he murmured to himself, a moment of silence passed as he just slumped there, eyes unseeing seemingly haunted, a look of defeat marred his features. Suddenly his hands went limp by his side expression turning dull, Kisame thought that the boy had finally calmed down but all of that was shortlived though ‘cause in a split motion, Kisame found himself at the mercy of a very enraged, very kyuubi-like Naruto, tails and all, killing intent flashed dangerously in his blood red eyes. “Where is he?! Where the hell is he?” he snarled, claws digging into his neck. “What did you do to him, you snake bastard!!”



“Snap out of it, Naruto-kun.” Itachi softly spoke, there he was behind the blonde and Kisame, standing a few feet away, small waterdroplets of water fell onto his face and his shoulders courtesy of his wet untied hair, his plain black shirt and pants clung to his body which had gotten soaked in his hurry. The onyx-eyed nin had just emerged from the shower when he suddenly felt Naruto's chakra burst that he didn't have time to care that he was practically still dripping wet, pulling his clothes onto himself, he left the inn in haste.




Relief washed all over Kisame as he heard the voice. He inwardly cursed as he felt Naruto release his hold on him. It was kind of hard to breath like that. The shark-like nin, held himself upright, massaging his neck where Naruto's claws was once been. If only he didn't care a bit, just a tiny bit about the brat and his partner, he would've tried skinning the brat alive a few moments ago. He was just starting to get his bearings back when what he heard next was just about to mess him up again.



"What kind of a sick game are you playing huh?" The blonde ground out, but the voice that came out of his lips was anything but his. "I admit, for a while there you got me convinced this was actually fish-breath and the Uchiha that's with us." his voice held venom. "So how'd you do it, you fucking bastard?!"



Upon hearing the bijuu's voice, Kisame considerably paled despite himself. It was another thing to be assaulted by the jinchuuruki it was a whole lot different scenario when the demon's the one that has dominance over the brat's body. Itachi however, as usual was not phased. If he could play his cards right, which he always did! He can make this a far easier situation for all of them.



"I believe you have us confused with someone else. Kyuubi-san."



Naruto's eyes turned into slits. "And you expect me to believe you?" he spat harshly. "Fish-breath's dead, and you were dying! It was only a matter of time and you would have died as well." he laughed then continued. "And here you are walking around unscathed, acting like nothing has ever happened. Seriously Uchiha or whoever you are. How much of a fool do you think I am?"



Itachi was about to answer when Kisame beat him to it. It was now or never, the mist-nin thought. "We do not think of you a fool." he started, gulping a lung full of hair as he continued to massage his sore neck. "I know this is going to come as a surprise for you, but we are exactly who we are. We are exactly where we're supposed to be. You're...you're the one that has been...for lack of a better word. Misplaced."



A frown. "Misplaced you say?" he repeated a little intrigued as to where this was going.



Given permission to continue Kisame did so. "We aren't quite sure as of yet, but from what the brat..." he paused not quite sure as to how the demon would react if he didn't appear as nice as Naruto expected him to be. "...from what Naruto said, there was a jutsu that was meant for Itachi but ended up hitting Naruto and yourself instead. We believe, that it somehow had something to do with why you're here." the bijuu with Naruto's face raised an eyebrow. "In our time... world, that is."



"You yourself couldn't figure out how this was done, this isn't a trick and I know, you know it." Itachi supplied.



Kyuubi processed everything in his mind. It was true, as he thought about it, it does make sense. Fox's were known for their ability to see and know things in a more precise way. It's what got him enraged on the first place, thinking that a mere human was able to trick him into thinking that he was with the same people he was with a few hours ago. But now as he thought about it, it just wasn't possible. Everything was the same with them, he would have known if they were clones or something else or a technique the miserable bastard had trapped them in. "Ahh, I think I am beginning to understand. No matter how ridiculous it may seem." the demon nodded. "But will Naruto be?" a smirk. "I saw the same things he did, and I am quite sure he saw you.." he pointed at Kisame. "...dead. And you..." he pointed back at Itachi. "Anything but having a chance to live."



"We will be able to work it out." the ebony haired man answered non-too gently.



Naruto or the Kyuubi that is, moved toward the older Uchiha, his demon fox look gone and settled on a normal looking Naruto. After all, another world or not, he knew by now with the way the Uchiha had kissed his container earlier that what he feels is real. "So, in this world of yours..."



"Is he alright?" Itachi interrupted, the fox smirked. "He is fine. Regaining the memories that was temporarily erased by your beloved Leader from us took a much larger toll on Naruto. He couldn't handle all of it at once. He passed out. But he's fine. You need not worry." Itachi merely nodded in relief. "So as I was saying...there should be another us in this world of yours, correct? Seeing as there is another you and fish-breath there."



"Heyyy...I have ears you know." Kisame complained, at first yes he was somewhat frightened with talking to the bijuu but he didn't seem like such a hard ass like everyone pictured him to be. Well, given that he's from another dimension. He guessed that's a good thing. Since obviously he's been around the Akatsuki almost his entire Naruto-contained life.



"He sure does complain alot, just the same as our very own fishsticks."



"I can't believe even the demon's making fun of me." Kisame rolled his eyes. "Figures he's the brat's occupant."



"Another Naruto and yourself does exist in this world." Itachi replied.



"And?"



"He's a Konoha shinobi and has very loyal and strong ties to the village."



The fox was anything but pleased with that bit of information. "What?! You didn't take him with you when you left the village?"



Itachi stared at him for a moment then answered. "He was under the third's protection, a law has been passed that no one should talk about the attack in front of him. No one dared to inflict physical damage on him." he paused and closed his eyes. "But getting ignored like you never existed was harder for him to accept."



Kyuubi refused to believe that. "Wow, so Danzou has a heart in this dimension."



"I have no idea who this Danzou you're talking about but Sarutobi was the third hokage. When the fourth died, he took the position again. From the information we've gathered that is." Kisame interjected moving towards his companion eyes focused on Naruto's occupant.



The fox was deep in thought. "I see, so some differences exist between mine and your world." he paused flicking his tongue as if to taste the sentence he had just said. Of course, the thought of jumping through dimensions wasn't foreign to him. Demons do have the ability to jump from their own demon realm to the human realm from time to time. But this was the first time this has happened to him. To be thrown to a completely different realm. He looked back at the two nins and regarded them for a brief moment before he continued. There was a question that needed answering right now. "There is still one thing I want to know, and answer me truthfully." Both ninja's looked at each other then at him and nodded. "Do you, or do you not intend to extract bijuus from their containers in this dimension of yours."



This was the dreaded question Itachi was expecting.



"DO YOU OR DO YOU NOT?!" Kisame didn't feel like answering that question anytime soon. It seemed like it's what exactly what the demon hated the most at the meantime.



Itachi breathed and spoke. "Our mission is to collect all tailed demons and extract them from their containers, yes." The calm exterior that the demon was showing just seconds ago was gone, his eyes swirled red as he glared at the mangekyou user, Itachi continued. "But we have no intentions of handing Naruto to the leader. It...It never was my intention for him to get killed."



Kyuubi frowned as he noted the slight tremor in the other's voice and straightened himself up. It didn't take a genius to figure it out though, he can definitely tell by that tone alone that this other Itachi didn't wish harm to fall upon the blonde as well. A sense of understanding enveloped him. "Just like how the Uchiha in my world, didn't expect the Leader to turn on his word!" he supplied. "Very well then, I will be back when I'm needed. My will alone could no longer stand for this body to remain awake after everything that we've been through." he gave Itachi one last penetrating stare and finally decided. "I will help you in making Naruto understand the situation. But for now, look after the both of us."and with those words he was gone. Itachi caught Naruto's limp body before it hit the ground, shifting Naruto's position in his arms, carrying him bridal style. Kisame went into motion beside him as they leapt from tree to another towards the inn.



"Interesting day huh?" Kisame asked, just for the sake of conversation. "Ya know, it's pretty strange knowing another you died in another world." Receiving no response, he asked. "So, what now?"



Itachi gazed at his partner then at the sleeping young man on his arms, the warmth of his body was doing wonders to help him get rid of the cold night's wind. He dreaded the morning now more than ever.



--



TBC



There finally I updated! And I plan to do so regularly (hopefully) from now on! I hope I get reviews even with the long absence! Love it? Hate it? Lemme know ne? And I would really appreciate it if the reviews wouldn't be anything like this ")" or like this "nice." I am a bit rusty from all this writing thing, God I hate being confined in a hospital! My brain's beginning to fry from thinking too much! Anyway, I would really love it if anyone can voice out their own thoughts or give out suggestions with the story.