Three Kunai

narusasu-fan00: I don’t usually give shout outs to anyone but reviewers, but you favored so many of my stories in one day I had to say thank you. ^_^
Bob can suck me: True, but I want people without accounts to feel free to review as well. Bob can tongue fuck my ass, actually.
Darial Kuznetsova: True, there is so much smut here (fanfiction.net). It’s why I’m here.
00-night-eyes-00: Looking into it. I have a legit website, but I don’t want the smut reputation attached to my legitimate web presence. *sigh* And thank you for the praise too. ^_^
Aniya and Lizzia: It’s like chocolate and vanilla! BDSM and sweet ItachiXKakashi. I’m so glad you like it.
OnlyInDarknessCanWeSee: Thank you so much. Appreciation of the smut is one thing, to hear that I’m appreciated as an author means so much more. Thank you. *bows*
Little Karma: Only authors may know this, but FanFiction does not allow smut, it’s in the terms and conditions. It’s often ignored (I’m one of those who ignore them). I’m not using ‘everyone else does it’ as a defense, I knowingly did wrong and I don’t care. I was mostly indignant that I was threatened. Just report me or shut up. I thank you for your support. *bows*
KwelAnime: Sorry for the wait. Writing too many stories at once and the inspiration for the smut is not always around. It’s a flighty muse. Must build a trap for it . . . That and getting banged up in that car accident.
IkutoForever: I don’t abandon anything (though my non-Naruto work is suffering from neglect *feels guilty*). I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Teh.Juxtaposer: Hmmm. I haven’t decided if I’ll write any SasukeXNaruto . . . I actually liked adding Naruto to this one. ^_^
DarkAngelJudas: Doesn’t seem the type, does he. We shall see . . .
Midknight Killer: Kisame knows where the line is, but he may try to test its strength.
Jessica: Putting the SasukeXNaruto to a vote.

----------

Kakashi didn’t tell Itachi about Naruto. Actually, he was frightened to. Kakashi was supposed to look after and protect Sasuke, but Sasuke’s been discovered by the worse ninja in the world and was injured. Sasuke was fine after a few days, but Kakashi felt guilty even though there was nothing he could have done except never leave the boy’s side.

A few months after Naruto discovered Sasuke’s real name, Naruto announced he was entered in the chunin exam. Jealousy welled in Sasuke. Kakashi had told him about the chunin exam and everything else about life in a village shinobi. Being out here all alone, even the missions finding stray cats and picking up trash sounded good. But that this moron was going to be competing in the chunin exams and he couldn’t . . . He was monumentally depressed after Naruto told him.

“Trust me, Sasuke,” Kakashi told him that night, “if you were in the village, even with that kid on your team, you’d be in the chunin exam and kick ass. Trust me, I passed the chunin exam at 6, your brother at 10. You’re already at chunin level. But you know what, being that your age group is starting to take the exam, I’m going to teach you my own jutsu, an A-rank level technique.” Sasuke brightened. “And, I’ll see about sneaking us in to watch the last part of the exam, the tournament.”

Sasuke didn’t touch Kakashi very often beside sparring, but Sasuke actually rushed and hugged his guardian.

“Just don’t tell your brother.”

-----

After the second part of the exam, Naruto came to tell Sasuke that he’d made it to the third and final part of it. Sasuke was happy for him and it added to fuel to his fire to learn the Chidori.

Learning the Chidori did make Sasuke feel better. Sasuke’s new found rivalry with Naruto drove him to learn it quickly, mastering it in the little over a month he had before the tournament. He wouldn’t be able to show it off, not even to Naruto, but he knew he could do it.

On the morning before the final exam, Kakashi put on his modified ANBU uniform and Sasuke put on the black shinobi gear Itachi had gotten him for his birthday under their civilian clothes. Once in view of the Konoha gates, they transformed. Tenzou was waiting to escort them in; as non-residents, they needed some kind of papers in order to enter. Tenzou gave them papers to use in future and their tickets for the tournament, courtesy of the Hokage himself.

“I also made reservations at a small hostel for you near the arena,” Tenzou said. “Have fun.” He hurried to his post.

This was the first time Sasuke had been inside Konoha since the night Itachi slaughtered their clan. He was excited. He didn’t have a lot of memory of the village outside the Uchiha compound and Kakashi steered him clear of anyplace that might stir painful memories.

The pair made their way to hostel to check in, but they had no luggage to leave. Kakashi took Sasuke out and showed him around the more interesting parts of the village. They ate restaurant food for the first time in a year and that night attended the festival. Kakashi let Sasuke play some of the games—which the Uchiha won—and eat whatever he wanted.

But it wasn’t all happy. Kakashi saw a lot of his friends and comrades walking around enjoying themselves. The first time he saw Shikaku Kakashi had been about to call out to him, but then remembered. Sasuke felt bad for him. Sasuke saw a few vaguely familiar faces, but he didn’t know anyone. Everyone he had really known was dead. They both shook those thoughts off and enjoyed the rest of the night.

They even ran into Naruto. He was with Shikamaru talking about something that had just happened to the pair.

“Oh, hey, Nowaki!”

“Naruto,” Sasuke acknowledged.

“This is Shikamaru, he’s in the exam with me. This here is Nowaki, he lives outside the village.”

Sasuke nodded to Shikamaru who nodded back.

“Come to see me kick butt tomorrow?” Naruto asked.

“I came to see you trounced, dobe,” Sasuke answered.

“Teme.” They were both smiling. “We gotta go, but it’s great seeing you here. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow after I win!”

“I’ll help them carry your body from the arena.”

-----

Sasuke was up early, excited to see the tournament. Despite what he’d said to Naruto, he did hope Naruto won. After all, if someone he could beat with a hand tied behind his back as easily as he could climb a mountain with a hand tied behind his back could win, then he would win by default in his own mind.

They ate breakfast at one of the tea houses then went to the arena. Naruto was up first against Hyuuga Neji. Kakashi had explained a lot of the jutsu in Konoha and the clans and their Kekkei Genkai. Kakashi leaned in to whisper in Sasuke’s ear.

“Neji is the son of the clan head’s twin brother. He’s about a year older than you and Naruto.”

The fight was interesting and enlightening. It ended with Naruto winning. Somehow Naruto had pinpointed his friend in the crowd and threw him a thumbs up. Sasuke just smiled at him.

Shikamaru was next.

“Shikamaru’s father is a genius, but unmotivated unless lives are on the line. I expect the same from his son. That girl is the daughter of the Kazekage.” Kakashi glanced up at the two Kage watching. “If she’s like her father she’ll be bloodthirsty and unyielding.”

Having been clued into the fact Shikamaru was a genius and seeing that he used a shadow jutsu, Sasuke watched the shadows move with the sun and realized that Shikamaru was waiting. He was as shocked as everyone else when he forfeited, but he admired the boy’s mind.

Then there was Sai, Naruto’s teammate, versus Gaara, the youngest child of the Kazekage as Kakashi told him. The painter was getting nowhere with the sand-wielding shinobi.

Suddenly, Sasuke felt sleepy. He barely heard Kakashi say something and he was jolted awake.

“It’s a genjutsu. We’re under attack.”

Sasuke’s heart leaped. Finally: battle!

“Redo your transformation; it broke as you were going under.”

Sasuke put the transform jutsu on himself again quickly, but not before a pair of dark eyes saw him in his true form.

“We can’t break cover and use our Chidori, but we can go join the battle outside. I don’t want you in the middle of this.”

The ‘this’ Kakashi was refereeing to was Gaara and the attack on the Hokage. He whisked Sasuke out of the arena. As they moved, they stripped their civilian clothes, tucking them into a pouch on their backs they brought for just such an eventuality and pulled cowls over their hair with veils over their eyes so no one would see Kakashi’s Sharingan or Sasuke’s black Uchiha eyes, becoming black clad shinobi. Kakashi had his headband tied around his bicep and a faked up one around Sasuke’s arm. At least they would be safe from attack by their allies no matter how unfamiliar they looked. They fought Sound and Sand shinobi as well as a giant snake.

Kakashi took pride in his student’s clear headed, skillful attacks. He was certainly powerful and had learned well. Kakashi decided to stay back and watch out for Sasuke, letting the Uchiha take the fore. He watched Sasuke’s back as Sasuke dealt with shinobi larger, older, and more experienced than himself.

Kakashi struck at a shinobi coming at them from the side. Sasuke turned, sensing someone coming in behind them. Kakashi was fighting, kept too preoccupied to defend himself from the second shinobi. Sasuke felt a pain in his eyes and the world seemed to change. He could see Kakashi’s powerful chakra, a silvery aura, and the bluish chakra of the other two. And time seemed to slow and he felt he could see what was about to happen. Sasuke jumped up and was able to take on this second quick, powerful shinobi with perfect grace. Sasuke was a flash, slitting the man’s throat. He pirouetted and severed the spine of Kakashi’s first attacker.

Kakashi looked around at the carnage his young apprentice had created in just a few seconds. They were safe for the moment. Kakashi knelt in front of Sasuke and lifted the veil. The Sharingan with two tomoe in each eye were blazing in his face.

“You’ve reawakened your Sharingan. Don’t overdo it.”

Sasuke was ecstatic and they continued fighting.

Finally, the snakes vanished and the Sand and Sound pulled back. Kakashi grabbed Sasuke and hid in a partially destroyed building. They put their civilian clothes back on and left their shelter like normal, scared peasants. They headed back to their hostel to gather their purchases and prizes from the night before, then they ran home. They didn’t stop until they were safe in their house after taking a winding path to throw off any possible pursuit.

“Now I know why you two don’t want me leaving the house,” Sasuke said. He was gasping more now that they were safe. He grabbed his sides in pain. He started to laugh in relief. When he sobered, he said, “I wonder what happened to Naruto and Shikamaru. And the Hokage.”

“I really don’t know.” Kakashi didn’t feel like lying to reassure the boy. Truth was best with the Uchiha. “We have no way of getting news unless Naruto, Tenzou, or Jiraiya show up, but we can go to town; they should know what’s happened. But not today. Don’t think about it; Naruto’s a survivor, Shikamaru’s a genius, and the Hokage is very powerful; my sensei’s sensei’s sensei.” He smiled at Sasuke. “Enjoy your first trip to Konoha?”

Sasuke was still high on adrenaline and smiled back. “I really did.”

“Your brother will be proud of your Sharingan. Can you activate it again?” Sasuke activated and deactivated it. “Perfect. Be careful with it; don’t over use it.”

Sasuke nodded then pulled out the things he’d gotten.

Kakashi smiled. Sasuke was safe and happy, that’s all that mattered. Itachi was going to kill him when he returned, but Sasuke was happy and healthy.

-----

“You did what?!” Itachi demanded. He didn’t even care if Sasuke was right there, he was pissed.

“We didn’t know it was going to turn into . . .”

“A war! You took my little brother into battle! Into the middle of a war!”

“I didn’t know there was going to be a battle. But once it started . . . I couldn’t just leave.”

“Yes, you could!”

Sasuke wasn’t cowering or hiding behind Kakashi—most of Itachi’s ire was directed to Kakashi, not him anyway—but he was frightened, flinching at his brother’s raised voice.

Itachi took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Sasuke was safe, that’s all that mattered. His brother may have been in jeopardy, but he’d come out of it alive. He should be proud and thankful to Kakashi for the training that allowed Sasuke to survive. He sighed. When he opened them he was looking at Sasuke.

“How’d you do in your first real fight?” Itachi asked him calmly.

“I wasn’t injured and I took down several guys and one of those snakes.”

“No one saw you? No one could identify you as an Uchiha?”

“No.”

Itachi nodded. “Alright. What’s done is done. Being out here though, you didn’t hear what happened, did you?”

“No,” Kakashi said.

“The Hokage was killed.” The room was silent and still. “Suna not only conceded defeat, but they apologized. They said they were manipulated by Orochimaru and their Kage was murdered my him. Casualties weren’t that bad for Konoha,” Itachi continued, “but we lost the Hokage. It’s why I came back. I attended his funeral at a distance and in disguise.”

Kakashi thought there was something odd about Itachi’s voice when he said that, but he said nothing in front of Sasuke.

“My deal with the Hokage hasn’t really changed,” Kakashi said. “Jiraiya will continue to funnel information and Tenzou knows who we really are.”

“Good. As long as the two of you are safe, then everything is fine.” Sasuke came up and hugged his brother. “I’m sorry I yelled.”

“I know we shouldn’t have gone to Konoha, but he did it for me. Don’t be mad at him Aniki. I really had fun.”

Itachi smiled. “It’s okay; I’m not mad anymore. I was just frightened.”

“My Sharingan came back.”

Itachi’s eyebrow shot up. “You can use the Sharingan now?” Sasuke activated it. Itachi’s smile was weak, but Sasuke thought it was from shock at the suddenness of it. Itachi kissed his cheek. “I’m glad. I’ll have to give you a little extra training.”

Itachi looked at Kakashi and Sasuke rolled his eyes a little, knowing what that look meant.

“I’ll go hang out in my room so you can have some time with Kakashi-nii.”

Itachi smiled after him. Sasuke had wanted to ask if he knew the names of anyone else who died, worried for Naruto, but he didn’t want to confess that he was friends with anyone.

When Itachi turned to look at Kakashi it was obvious he was still a bit angry, though there was a little playfulness there too. Kakashi put his hands up in defense.

“He had fun,” Kakashi tried to defend himself.

“You’re lucky he’s alright. If he’d gotten a single scratch, I would be gauging out your other eye.”

“I wuv you.”

Itachi’s eyes grew hot from lust rather than anger. “Prove it.”

“I’ll go buy you dangos.”

Itachi sauntered closer to him. “That’s not what I meant.” Itachi came up close to him and pulled down his mask, a little amused. “It’s been years; has Sasuke even seen your face yet?”

“I don’t think so.”

“I like being the only one.” Itachi kissed him, sucking at his lips and taking his face in his hands. Kakashi put his hands on Itachi’s thin waist. “I love you so much. I might have to punish you for putting my Otouto in jeopardy though.”

“He had fun.”

“Nevertheless.” He kissed him again, this time deeper. He pushed him toward their bedroom without breaking their kiss.

Sasuke was started, but just smiled when he heard their bedroom door bang open and them fall through the open door and hit the floor. He may be only thirteen, but he sort of knew what was going on.

Itachi pressed Kakashi harder against the wood floor. As he kissed him he pushed up the civilian shirt. Kakashi pulled at the Akatsuki cloak. Itachi wore it constantly when away from them that it had become a second skin so he hadn’t taken it off yet. Itachi hadn’t been wearing it with his arms through the sleeves so it came off easily once unfastened. Kakashi pulled it off Itachi’s back and dropped it next to his head. He was overwhelmed by Itachi’s scent.

“I wish you could leave that cloak, it smells of you.”

“You’ll just have to fuck me so deep into the mattress that it’ll stink of me until I get home again.”

“I can do that.” Kakashi peeked over Itachi’s shoulder. “The door’s still open.”

Itachi used his limberness to stretch and kick the door shut. Sasuke started again, but just continued playing with Ban. Itachi started clawing at Kakashi’s clothes with even more vigor.

“You really want to do this on the floor?” Kakashi asked.

“I’d do it in a mud puddle at this point.”

“You are so romantic.”

Kakashi forced Itachi up to his knees so he could stand, then dragged him the rest of the way up to strip him. Itachi lay down and waited as Kakashi finished undressing. Though he wasn’t waiting patiently; he was stroking his already hard cock. Itachi watched him strip and Kakashi watched him jerking off. Finally, Kakashi mounted the bed between Itachi’s parted legs.

Kakashi leaned over him, grabbing Itachi’s hand from his cock and pressing their arousals together. Kakashi went for Itachi’s neck to create a mark of ownership on his alabaster skin. Itachi groaned with the friction their dry cocks gave each other.

Kakashi eased Itachi’s thighs further open and shimmied down between his legs. He lifted Itachi’s length to kiss and suck at the underside of his cock. He started at the base, caressing his scrotum with his lips then ran his tongue up and down his length, alternating the rough top side and the smooth underside, knowing how much Itachi loved that. He lubed his cock as he lavished Itachi’s manhood with attention.

Kakashi moved in to take him. Neither wanting to deal with prepping, he positioned his cock at Itachi’s hungry entrance. He was aching to feel him, aching to be inside him.

Then Ban started barking, making Kakashi and Itachi freeze.

“I’ll deal with it,” Sasuke called.

“What’s going on?” Itachi asked.

“Jiraiya I believe. Let Sasuke deal with him. We have no intel for him now anyway.”

“You expect me to have sex with Jiraiya outside. If he realizes we’re having sex, he’ll try to peek.”

“True, I have read his books.”

“Me too.”

Kakashi’s eyebrow raised at that admission. They might really have fun later.

-----

“Nowaki!” Naruto jumped him. “I was worried about you!”

“I was worried about you too, but my father dragged me out of the village as soon as the attack started.”

“Good thing,” Jiraiya said. “Nasty business.”

“I was worried with you not being a shinobi and all,” Naruto said.

Sasuke was itching to show him who was the better shinobi, but knew that was impossible. “Congratulations on winning against the Hyuuga. I have to admit I was impressed, dobe.”

“Thanks, teme. I still didn’t pass; I’m still a genin.”

“It’s every six months, right? You’ll be promoted next time for sure. How’s everyone else? Shikamaru and your teammates?”

“Everyone’s fine. The only person I knew who died was the Hokage. I’ll really miss him.”

“I knew of him, but I’ve never met him.” At least not that I remember.

“He was great old man.”

Sasuke looked up at Jiraiya. “Why are you two here together?”

“Ero-Sanin is going to train me! We’re going on a journey.”

Sasuke’s face fell. His only friend was leaving.

“Where’s your father?” Jiraiya asked.

“He and my mother are . . . spending some time together.”

“Oh, I haven’t met her yet.” Jiraiya took a step toward the house, but Sasuke move in his way.

“They don’t want to be disturbed.”

“It’s alright, Nowaki,” Itachi—in his feminine form—said from the doorway. Kakashi was right behind him.

“My lady,” Jiraiya said as he approached him. “You are far more beautiful than even I could imagine.” Jiraiya took Itachi’s hand and kissed it.

“Hey,” Kakashi said. “Stop putting the moves on my wife.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Jiraiya-san.” Itachi’s voice was beautifully lilting. So much so Kakashi gave his lover a betrayed look. “But I’m afraid if you came here for information, I don’t have any for you. I returned home when I heard about the attack on Konoha; I wanted to make sure my family was safe.”

“Actually, I came here because of my new apprentice.”

Oh, shit, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Ban all thought.

“Naruto, come over here.”

Itachi couldn’t stop his eyes from widening, but luckily Jiraiya’s attention was on the blond approaching them. This boy was his mark: the Kyuubi’s Jinchuriki.

“It ends up he’s befriended your son. We’re leaving on a mission of sorts as I train him as a shinobi. He wanted to say goodbye to Nowaki before we left.”

We are sooo dead, Kakashi and Sasuke thought. Ban’s tail went between her legs.

Itachi however was the consummate actor. He smiled sweetly. “Pleasure to meet you, Naruto-kun. Thank you for being Nowaki’s friend.”

Naruto put his hands behind his head and smiled like an idiot. “It’s nothing. He’s the first friend I ever had.”

“Naruto’s on his way to being a first rate shinobi,” Jiraiya said. “We’re actually going to be looking for Tsunade, one of the other Sanin.”

“I’ve heard of her,” Itachi said. “Perhaps the greatest kunoichi that ever lived. I wish you luck.”

“I’ll take good care of him.” Jiraiya said this with emphasis and a knowing look. As the go between, Kakashi knew that Itachi had given Jiraiya information on the fact Akatsuki wanted Naruto. Itachi had made his own job harder, but that was part of the idea. Kakashi was certain Itachi had no intention of really going after Naruto, but he had to keep up appearances among Akatsuki. Having Jiraiya as a bodyguard would make it impossible for Itachi—or any other member of Akatsuki—to kidnap him.

After a few more pleasantries and such, Sasuke and Naruto said goodbye and Jiraiya winked at him to let him know that he left more instructional scrolls in the woods for him. He also assured him that they wouldn’t be gone for long.

Then the pair left. As they got further away, Sasuke’s shoulders crept up and his head sunk. He turned slowly to see how angry Itachi would be, but Itachi—now back to himself—didn’t look angry.

Kakashi was surprised too. “Itachi?”

“It had to be Naruto.”

“I’m sorry, Aniki. We met in woods while I was hunting and he insisted on looking for me and we sort of became friends. I’m sorry.”

“You’re a kid, you should have friends. I’m the one who’s sorry; you should have a bunch of friends and classmates. You should be on a genin team by now. You’d probably be a chunin by now.”

“That doesn’t matter, Aniki. Don’t feel guilty. I don’t really like being around a lot of people.”

“That’s my fault too.”

“Nii-san,” Sasuke whined. “I have one friend, it’s enough. I’m used to this life and I’m fine. Kakashi, Ban, and the other dogs are enough, really. I just wish you could come home more often. I’m also just happy you’re not angry.”

“Naruto’s the one I’ve been tasked with capturing.” Sasuke went still. “Don’t worry, Otouto, I have no intention of actually doing it. It’s just . . . ironic that you’d become friends with him of all people. But if Naruto tells you I tried to kidnap him or attack him, don’t think badly of me; I have to keep up appearances. Come on, Otouto, show me what you got at the festival, then I’ll give you some training with your Sharingan.” His erection was completely gone.

That night they were able to continue what Jiraiya had interrupted. Itachi got on the bed completely naked on his hands and knees, presenting that beautiful ass to his lover. Kakashi took a moment to admire the sight.

“Are you going to fuck me or look at me?”

“I never get to see you, let me do both.”

Itachi arched back to lift his ass and looked over his shoulder at him, enticing him. Kakashi’s cock jumped.

“I guess I can deal with this myself if you just want to look.”

Kakashi considered that option for a moment. Later, he decided. He mounted the bed and plunged his lubed cock into Itachi’s waiting entrance. Itachi was so tight from months of abstinence that entry was painful and he groaned, but he didn’t want Kakashi to stop. He didn’t care if he tore and stained the bedding with his blood, he just wanted Kakashi inside him. Kakashi slowed down, not wanting to hurt him, but he didn’t stop, needing to be inside the elegant Uchiha as much as Itachi wanted him inside.

Itachi didn’t press back. His body stung and quivered with pain. It felt good around Kakashi’s cock, but he knew the younger man was in pain. He finished pressing in and waited. He played his hands over Itachi’s lovely back. Itachi felt like those light caresses were drawing the pain away and out of his body and he relaxed.

“I forget how much that hurts,’ Itachi said, surprised by the amount of pain in his voice.

Kakashi leaned down to put his arms around him. “I wish we did it often enough that you’d forget forever.”

“That would be nice. I’m alright now.”

“Sure?”

“Yeah.” Itachi rolled his hips to push the point. Kakashi’s gentle thrusts rocked Itachi’s body and caused him to moan.

“Don’t be gentle, Kakashi, fuck me hard.”

Kakashi kissed his neck and raised himself up, dragging his hands lovingly down Itachi’s thin body until he held those bony hips in his hands. He increased the speed of his thrusts.

“Kisame likes to watch me,” Itachi said. “He always watches when I bathe. His eyes are so hungry,” Itachi moaned. “I can feel his lust, his longing to touch me.”

Kakashi started fucking his little raven with a vengeance, reminding the little raven who he belonged to. Itachi couldn’t continue making Kakashi jealous with the brutal speed and strength of his thrusts. Itachi knew how to get want he wanted. Kakashi sought out his prostate with every thrust, causing Itachi to grunt every time it was hit. Kakashi couldn’t last long with his cock being squeezed by that tight heat as he moved so quickly through that heavenly ring of muscle. He cam hard inside Itachi’s body.

Realizing he’d cum before his love, Kakashi turned Itachi onto his back and sucked him. He took Itachi all the way down his throat, his lips tight around the base of his cock and swallowed around the head, undulating his tongue on the underside of his hardness. He released his cock and licked the underside and the sides, using the rough top of his tongue, then the smooth underside. He took just the head back in his mouth and swirled his tongue around it and teased the slit, trying to fuck it with his tongue like he fucked his ass. He deepthroated him again, his lips over his teeth. He bit down with moderate pressure and dragged his lip-covered teeth up his length like an impossibly tight body. Itachi released into his mouth with a cry, forgetting his brother was only meters away.

Kakashi came up to kiss him, kissing him as deeply as he could, then pulling his lips away to move down to his neck and he marked both sides of Itachi’s neck. He finished bruising the skin and let his body settle on Itachi’s small frame. Itachi put his arms around Kakashi’s shoulders and head comfortably. Kakashi rubbed his cheek against Itachi’s.

“Has he touched you?” Kakashi asked.

“No. He wants to though. He knows better. I’m the forbidden fruit he’s forced to look at every day.”

“He’ll try. He can’t resist forever. I couldn’t. Not even if I knew what a powerful, jealous lover was waiting for me to just touch you. I could never resist you. I couldn’t blame him for wanting you and acting on it, but I would destroy him if he touched a strand of your hair.” He stroked Itachi’s ebony hair for emphasis. “I don’t want you to go back.”

“Kisame fears me. He won’t touch me because he thinks I’m straight and will Amaterasu his ass if he gets near me. The latter part is true.”

“Your silver haired lover doesn’t scare him?”

“No one scares him but me.”

“Reinforce that if needs be.”

“I will. I’m sorry I mentioned Kisame; I just wanted to make you jealous enough to really take me. I’m only for you. Only ever for you.”

“Me too. I love you.”

“I love you. I’m incredibly tired.”

Kakashi moved to let Itachi get out from under him and took him securely in his arms.

“Sleep well, my precious little raven.”

-----

Itachi was thankful for the high collar of his Akatsuki cloak as it hid all the love bites on his neck. He feared bathing with Kisame’s habit of watching him. He didn’t think about all the love bites all over his body until now. At least Kakashi didn’t have to worry about anyone see any of his . . . wounds.

“Are you cold, Itachi-san?”

“I’m fine.” Itachi stopped pulling his collar up.

Itachi was very much aware of what Kakashi had said, that Kisame would not be able to resist long. Four years so far. How long could Kisame just look? He was afraid, but he also pitied Kisame. Part of him wanted to give Kisame something, but he couldn’t do that; it would be fair to no one and probably make Kisame want more. If he could only find someone for Kisame to turn his attention away from him.

He’d come to like Kisame. Kisame was kind to him, deferential to him, and they worked well together. He could never love him though, couldn’t even conceive of sleeping with him even once.

He wanted to sigh, but Kisame was already concerned about him. How long would he have to continue to pretend to be a member of Akatsuki? He just wanted to go home to Kakashi and Sasuke. What was Madara waiting for? He didn’t really need money for his plan, so why were they spending so much time on ‘fund raising’ missions? At least it was giving Naruto time to grow. But he’d missed much of Sasuke’s childhood. He was feeling tired. He wanted to go home.

-----

Kakashi was surprised to see Jiraiya here and so frantic. Well, he didn’t look all that panicked, but Kakashi knew that intensity in Jiraiya was as good as panicked.

“I need to speak to your wife. It’s urgent.”

“She’s not here.”

“Naruto and I will stay in the nearby town; let me know when she arrives.”

“At least Nowaki and Naruto can spend some time together.”

-----

Kakashi sent a message to Itachi.

The old man needs to speak with you.

Itachi furrowed his brow and wished he could ignore the summons, but knew he couldn’t. He growled, attracting Kisame’s attention.

“What is it, Itachi-san?”

“I have to go home. I’ll only be a few days.” He swore under his breath. He couldn’t be running off this often. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“The kid sick?”

“He’s begging for me apparently. I’ll be quick.”

“No hurry.”

-----

Itachi returned home as Akane. “What’s wrong?” (s)he asked Kakashi.

“Jiraiya demanded to see you and is lodging in town until you return. He seemed serious. Sasuke and Ban are over there now with Naruto; I’ll come with you.”

The transformed pair arrived at the inn and went straight to Jiraiya’s room. Itachi’s first words were: “Where’s Nowaki?”

“He’s out back with Naruto. I have to ask you about Uchiha Itachi.”

Itachi was startled.

“What about him?”

“You said he travels with Hoshigaki Kisame.”

“Hai.”

“Not with anyone else? A child for example?”

Itachi’s limbs were cold. “No. Akatsuki travel in two man teams and there are no children among them. I’m sure that Itachi is the youngest among them. Why are you asking about a child?”

“We found Tsunade and brought her back to be Hokage, but Orochimaru was trying to recruit her too. He believes there’s another Uchiha who survived the massacre, a boy about Naruto’s age.”

“No, from what I know there are no other Uchiha living, just Itachi.”

“Orochimaru’s assistant, Kabuto, said he saw a boy that looked like an Uchiha in Konoha when Orochimaru killed the Third.”

“That’s impossible,” Kakashi said. But then he remembered that Sasuke’s transformation dropped when he was put under the genjutsu. Kabuto must have seen him.

Kakashi and Itachi were thinking the same thing: tell Jiraiya that Nowaki is really Sasuke or feign ignorance? Kakashi hadn’t told Itachi that Naruto knew that Nowaki was not what he appeared to be, but that was exactly the same story he was planning on telling Jiraiya now. The lovers looked at each other. They agreed to tell him the partial truth. Kakashi spoke before Itachi could.

“Nowaki is not our child. He’s Uchiha Sasuke. He ran from Konoha that night and somehow Itachi missed him; he may still be looking for him. We came upon him in the forest. He would not go back to Konoha and he told us what happened and we took him in as our own. He knew enough jutsu to disguise himself. He’s frightened of Itachi finding him. We did confide in the Hokage.”

“I was incensed by what Itachi had done to his own family and to his own brother,” Itachi said, “that’s why I investigated Akatsuki. I was intending to hunt the bastard down, but came to my senses and just kept on eye on the organization. I decided I would take him down by taking down the entire organization, that’s why I’ve been working with Konoha.”

“I took Sasuke to the tournament,” Kakashi said. “He was transformed, but when the genjutsu was put on us, his transformation dropped before he could release himself and me from it. Kabuto must have seen him then.”

“That kid is an Uchiha?”

“Yes,” Kakashi said. “I didn’t want him trained as shinobi because I want him to have a better life than that.”

“With Itachi and Orochimaru gunning for him, that is very irresponsible. I feel I can confess that I’ve been leaving him instructional scrolls for him all these years. I did wonder at how fast he was learning. I’m taking Naruto with me to train him and keep him from Akatsuki. I want to take Sasuke as well.”

“No, absolutely not!” Itachi couldn’t help the gut reaction. “No one is taking him from me!”

“He’s as good as our son, Jiraiya,” Kakashi said. “You said yourself he’s a fast learner. Train him when you come here. But you are not taking him.”

There really was no arguing with the protectiveness of family that was clearly on display here. “Alright. But I will be stopping by more often. He needs training. Naruto will have to be told.”

“He already knows,” Kakashi sighed. That got him an outraged look from Itachi. “Sasuke was knocked out when he and Naruto were hunting and were attacked by a large bear. His transformation dropped and I had to explain to Naruto. He swore to keep Sasuke’s secret. But he doesn’t know he’s an Uchiha.”

“That he doesn’t need to know,” Jiraiya said. Itachi wholeheartedly agreed.

“You also can’t train him away from the house,” Itachi said. “That boy is too dear to me.”

“Let’s go back to the house,” Kakashi said. “I don’t like talking about this here.”

“We’re not in danger of being overheard,” Jiraiya assured them. “But I think you’re right.”

They went out to get the boys and Sasuke was happy to his brother. They all went back to the house. The adults took the three chairs as the boys stood by. Ban sat at Sasuke’s feet.

“Sasuke, drop the transformation,” Itachi told his brother.

Sasuke went pale and looked at Jiraiya. He did as he was told, confused as hell.

“We told Jiraiya about how you ran away from Konoha that night. Someone other than your brother knows you’re alive. He wants to train you to be able to protect yourself.”

“You know, I’m ashamed that I didn’t pick up on the fact he was using a jutsu,” Jiraiya said. “I’m ashamed that I didn’t notice the two of you were also using a jutsu.”

All three of the Sharingan users stiffened. Itachi locked eyes with Jiraiya. It was a long tense moment. Naruto shuffled nervously while Sasuke was staring threateningly at Jiraiya. Kakashi was watching Itachi. Ban whined.

“I’m sure Miyagi is from Konoha.”

“Kakashi,” Itachi said. Kakashi dropped his transformation.

“Minato’s student.” Jiraiya was surprised.

“Hai,” Kakashi confirmed.

“Who?” Naruto asked.

“This, Naruto, is the only surviving student of the Fourth Hokage.”

Naruto’s jaw dropped and his eyes brightened.

“Naruto has aspirations of becoming Hokage,” Jiraiya said. “So I assume Sasuke is already being trained after all.”

“Hai.”

“Who are you really, Akane?”

“No. You know Kakashi, you know you can trust him. We’ve kept Sasuke safe and I’ve been working for Konoha for years. If you don’t trust me, then you’re a fool. I wish to keep my identity a secret known only to my husband and adopted son.”

Jiraiya evaluated the woman in front of him. “Are you a shinobi?”

Itachi hesitated. “I’m an unaffiliated shinobi. You know everything about Akatsuki that you do because of me. If you don’t trust me, we will take Sasuke and disappear.”

“You trust her, don’t you?” Naruto asked his master.

“Jiraiya-sama,” Kakashi said, “I trust her with my soul. I left Konoha with the Hokage’s blessing and married her.” Sort of. “I will abandon the village for her.”

“Very well. If you haven’t betrayed Sasuke yet, then I shouldn’t fear that you would.”

“But I swear, if one more fuc—person finds out anything, I’m grabbing Sasuke and going to the Land of Iron or Waves or somewhere with no freakin’ shinobi.” He turned to Kakashi and hit him in the bicep. “And you didn’t tell me Naruto knew about Sasuke!”

“I knew you’d hit me.”

“Fine, fine. I’m pissed at you that Orochimaru now knows about Sasuke and I want to stay, but I’ve got to get back.” He stood. “I’ll gut you when I get back. Sasuke, you can show off to them now. I’ll figure out something to throw Orochimaru off the scent. I think he still has contacts within Akatsuki. Naruto, I swear, you betray Sasuke and I’ll hand you over to Itachi. Might wrap you up in paper bombs, but . . .”

Akane looked serious so Naruto cowered before her and said, “I swear!”

Itachi hit Kakashi in the arm again, then crouched to kiss Sasuke’s forehead. “I love you.” He ran off.

“Kakashi, I wondered what happened to you. They say you disappeared the night of the massacre.”

“I went after Itachi, but couldn’t find him, but I came across Akane who had Sasuke with her. It was sort of love at first sight. I tried to convince Sasuke to return with me, but he wouldn’t. I met with the Hokage and came to this arrangement. She and I love Sasuke as if he was our own son. I’ll protect him. I’m sorry for deceiving you, but only the Third and one member of ANBU, the one who introduced us, know that I and Sasuke are even alive.”

“If the Third didn’t tell me, then you are not at fault. Should Tsunade know?”

“No, Akane is already pissed off at me. You, Tenzou, and Naruto here know, that’s more than enough.”

“I’m taking Naruto with me. We’ll keep moving around and I’ll train him. It’s the best way to keep him safe. Naruto, Sasuke, why don’t you go outside and talk, you won’t be seeing each other for a few weeks.”

The boys obeyed.

“Kakashi, I probably should have told Akane this as well, but I don’t want the boys to overhear and you can tell her. Orochimaru has been trading bodies in order to extend his life. I believe he wants Sasuke for a replacement body; he wants the Sharingan. Before the Third died, he was able to severely injure Orochimaru and I’m certain he’s had to change bodies already. He cannot change bodies again for three years. We have that long to train these boys before Orochimaru makes a concerted effort to find and kidnap Sasuke. But I have no doubt he will be searching for him until then regardless. Protect him. Minato always had great faith in you and I trust his judgment.”

“Thank you, Jiraiya-sama. I was serious when I said he’s like my son. He’ll be ready to defeat Orochimaru in three years.”

“And so will Naruto.” Jiraiya and Kakashi went outside. He spoke to Sasuke. “Akane gave you permission to show off; I want to see what she meant.”

A malicious smirk spread across his face. He looked to Kakashi who nodded. Sasuke stood clear of the others, made the proper hand signs, and Chidori sparked around his hand. Naruto was amazed.

Jiraiya looked over at Kakashi with a smirk. “I should have known: your own technique.”

“Of course.” Kakashi used a jutsu to create an earthen target and Sasuke attacked it.

“Amazing!” Naruto said. He looked at Kakashi. “Can you teach me that?”

“I don’t you’re suited to that one,” Jiraiya said. “I’m impressed Sasuke, that’s not an easy technique to learn, much less master.” He turned to Naruto. “Show them your new technique.”

Kakashi obligingly created a second target and Naruto made a shadow clone. They created the Rasengan and destroyed the target. Now it was Sasuke’s turn to be amazed.

“The Rasengan,” Kakashi said. “We’re both rather reckless, aren’t we?”

“They need it.”

Sasuke looked at Kakashi, but Kakashi shook his head. Sasuke pouted angrily.

“We should get going,” Jiraiya said. “Good luck to you, Kakashi-kun.” They shook hands.

“And to you. Oh, by the way, is there any possibly of you bringing by any new volumes of Icha Icha?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Goodbye, Naruto,” Sasuke said.

“Yeah, bye, Sasuke. When I get back, I’m going to be a really powerful shinobi, dattebayo!”

“I’ll still be better than you.”

“We’ll see about that!”

The pair left. Kakashi turned to Sasuke. “Actually, I see no reason not to train you in the Rasengan. You want to begin now?”

Of course he did.

----------
Okay, voting time. SasukeXNaruto or not. It’s not my favorite pairing to tell the truth, I’m sort of against it. If you want to see Sasuke with anyone other than Kakashi, Itachi, or Jiraiya, let me know that too; it’s something I’m thinking much about, but your input will be given much weight. Should I let you in on my thought or keep it a surprise (if I decide to run with it)? What to do . . . Then again, Sasuke doesn’t need a love interest. Babble, babble, babble . . .