A Scrap of Humanity

To Grow with him


A Scrap of Humanity


Part IX


Naruto POV


I'm not sure when, but some how my memories slowly were coming back to me. There were still obvious blanks, but it seemed that the more Itachi trained me, and the more my own abilities grew, the more I remembered stuff. I still couldn't remember the name of my other teammate though. Itachi had told me that the most sensitive memories would probably come with time.


"Itachi-rin, I'm starting to remember something painful. It was about him."

I noticed Itachi's eyes wavered just slightly. Maybe it was sadness, but it was there for only a brief second before he addressed me. "Do you want to know the truth? I've been hiding things from you for a while."


"But why?" I couldn't understand why he'd feel the need to lie to me.

"You were in too much pain then. If I told you the truth then...I could have sent you into shock and very well lost you. I didn't want to risk that." He sighed in slight anger. "Will you listen to what I have to say?"


I nodded, curious of what he'd tell me and how much of it was a lie. He sighed again and pat the place next to him motioning for me to sit down. I agreed and sat down with my back to his side so that I wouldn't have to look in his eyes. Even though I did trust him not to try anything weird on me, I didn't want to look at his sadness.


"Your teammate's name is Uchiha Sasuke. He did try to fight and kill you, but he was not on a mission. It was for his own gain. In a way my fault."


"What? How is that possible?"


"Sasuke is my younger brother. He is the supposed last surviving heir to the Uchiha clan. The clan that I slaughtered. His desire to kill you was to obtain the eyes I have. He needs the eyes to defeat me."


"Why did you kill yourn own family?" I turned to him and could feel the tears forming in my eyes.


"The Uchiha clan doesn't deserve to live after the atrocities they caused. A clan built on power. Sasuke was innocent of that because they believed him to be under the expectations. They had given up hope on him. I would not see them turn me or my innocent sibling to a slave, so I slaughtered them. Unfortunately their teachings were already engrained too far into his mind. He is hell bent on revenge." He sighed and lowered his head. "You found this out once before."

Itachi's voice was steady, yet I could feel the pain he was trying to hide. I could feel the hatred he had for his family. "But...killing them? Was that really the right way to go about it?"


He sighed. "Naruto, that clan had some of the most pull in Konoha. There are things that even people of higher positions could not do just because of the extreme amount of influence they have." He lowered his head, "I can't even stand to look at myself knowing that I'm a part of that pathetic family."

I sighed and wrapped my arms around his waist. "You shouldn't ever disgrace your name. You should be proud of who you are and overcome all obstacles."

"Like you? The one who contains all the power in the world."

"I would not ever disgrace the hokage who chose me. I know it was his intention that I protect my home." My voice wavered. I knew that I wanted to believe those words, but it still hurt to think about. And I still found myself wondering 'why me?'.

SASUKE POV


Every night since Itachi took Naruto I have been thinking about it. Each night he's probably having his way with him, or brainwashing the gullible idiot. It makes me sick to think that my brother and Naruto....


I had Naruto there, and yet I made no motion to protect what was mine. I hoped that the nightmares of my brother being Naruto's secret lover were false. I hoped that his secret lover was out there looking for him. I didn't want to admit, but ANYONE would have been better than Itachi. That treacherous kiss he gave to Naruto still is burned clearly in my mind. I want nothing more than to rip his mouth off for doing that.


The sight of Naruto cold and lifeless by my hand also haunts me. The thought that I was the one to do that frightens me. I kept mulling over why killing him was so important and yet the result was the same. The sharingan didn't seem as important now.


Tonight was important. Naruto would be turning 14. I couldn't believe that it had been so long and yet no one had hear anything and had even been able to get information. Itachi's words were haunting me tonight especially since by all rights, I should have been sitting here with Naruto 'celebrating' over a bowl of ramen. I stirred the limp noodles trying not to get incensed. I wondered what Itachi had meant by replacing me in Naruto's life.

"We have a possible lead..."

I snapped out of my thoughts when I realized that Kakashi had just snuck up on me. I turned to him. He looked worn out and his years were starting to show. I never realized until then that Naruto was important to him. It had never seemed the case before, yet I could see it now.


"Naruto is still alive. In fact he's more than that. He's healthy and he's been training it seems."


"How would you know something like that?" Suddenly I felt defensive that I had not been privy to such information.


"Secret sources seem to have seen a blonde fitting Naruto's description traveling with a dark-haired companion. They also seemed to have seen said persons briefly at a tea festival several hundred kilometers south of Konoha three months back."

"Why didn't they say so before?" This angered me.

"I'm sure you know that if his companion is Itachi, this can be a difficult situation to approach. The sources seemed to say that the two interacted as if they were familiar with each other." Kakashi sighed and slouched. "Chances are he's under some jutsu or he lost his memories. Either way, with chakra depletion, both are possible."

I drooped visibly. I knew he was right, but I felt helpless and frustrated, both were feelings that I did not like. I felt Kakashi scoot closer as if to tell me something important, so I turned to him. He still wasn't looking at me, but I knew he had something pressing to tell me.

"Hokage-sama has agreed to let the two of us follow the leads, if, and only if we just observe and don't get involved." I was about to make an outburst, but he held his hand up and continued. "Chances are that if Itachi is the said traveling companion it is possible that others affiliated with him will be close by. We also will not know the state of Naruto's mind. She wants information on this so that we may assess the best way in which to bring him back."


I was still not pleased, but this would have to do.


-----------------------------------


After a month and a week of searching, we finally turned up seemingly successful. The leads had directed us to a village very far north east of Konoha. I was surprised that places like this had existed. It was very much an advanced place. It seemed though that even so, the people still enjoyed to outdoors. When we had arrived there, it was cold and predicted to snow and sure enough it did. It seemed as if this place was also gearing up for a celebration. Kakashi had given me some freedom to observe while he checked with the Konoha spies. I found the place to be friendly and a bit strange in their customs.

All at once a flash of blonde caught my eye. Inconspicuously I followed to observe. It was indeed Naruto. He looked as if he had just hit a growth spurt. He was taller and his face had slimmed down. His hair was longer and whispier as well. His voice had lowered too. I heard as he spoke with a vendor.


"What can I get for you young man?"

"I need to get something for my..." he got embarrassed it appeared as his cheeks flushed. "..boyfriend."

The vendor laughed heartily and showed him some odds and ends. Naruto didn't seem interested in them until the last thing. I briefly had tuned out the dealer until Naruto showed interest. It was a simple necklace with what appeared to be bone beads.

"His other one broke. I know it's not the same style, but I think he'll like it." He smiled and I could hear him ask the price. His face fell a little and the vendor seemed to notice. "Oh...I'm sorry. I can't pay for that. I'm sorry to have wasted your time." The vendor smiled and bagged the item while handing Naruto a small log. " Why did you do that? and What is this for?"

I was quite curious so I turned back into what was being said. "It's a yule log. You put your hand on it and make a wish. It's something that is important to our society. It's in celebration of the winter and the new year to come."

Naruto grinned and paid the dealer then tucked the small package away. HIs smile seemed to have brightened as he rushed off. I followed hoping to find something helpful. In the least, I was glad to see Naruto was well. A voice was telling me not to follow though. I ignored it though. Wasn't it my mission to observe? And in order to do that I needed to follow.

My heart stopped when he got to his destination. It was a nice looking hotel. The front even had a large fountain. It was frozen over, but that wasn't what halted me. There sitting on the edge of the frozen structure was Itachi. He wasn't even in Ninja attire and he was reading.


"Itachi-rin!" I clenched my fist. Hearing Naruto call his name so affectionately was burning me up from the inside. I watched as he ran up to Itachi and just before slide on a patch of ice and fall. It was then that I was surprised. I heard Itachi chuckle, but not the frightening one that haunted my dreams, but a soft one. I watched as he knelt and helped Naruto up.

"I was afraid you were going to leave me to freeze to death."


"I'm sorry. Thank you for stopping here and letting me wander. I've never seen a place like this." Naruto smiled while pulling his package out. I found it strange to see such interaction between them. "I got something for you for the holiday they celebrate here."


I saw Itachi quirk his eyebrow and take the package almost questioningly. "Why did you waste money on me?" I saw Naruto's head droop. Itachi sighed and leaned over to kiss the top of his head. " I guess I can't tell you what to do."


It confused me. I had never seen him be affectionate. Each action angered me. The way his eyes held a small spark as he examined the present, or the way Naruto swayed nervously, it was all a huge mess in my head. I tried to close my eyes for what happened next, but they wouldn't shut. I wanted it to be a lie. I wanted Naruto to fight back or push away or anything. He didn't though. He welcomed the agressive behavior or my brother pulling him near and ravishing his mouth. It was too much to bear. I could feel my stomach churning, so I ran. I ran aimless through the streets away from that treacherous scene. Oblivious to what was going on I tripped. The bile rose in my throat and I gave out emptying the contents of my stomach on the pavement. Continually I heaved until my mouth was raw and sour and nothing was left. I scooted away from the foul substance and closer to a wall. The scene played over and over again in my head and I could feel my eyes watering. I denied it and excused it as pain from the vomitting, but I knew that wasn't true.


"Naa...Sasuke," I refused to regard the lazy tone of the Jounin. I knew he'd seen my embarassing display. "You did good. You didn't get involved and have confirmed that Naruto is alive and that at the moment Itachi seems to have no intention of killing him."


I couldn't stop shaking from anger. "It's all a lie! It has to be. Naruto would never...he couldn't..."


"It does look bad, but this is Itachi we are dealing with. And whether you want to agree or not, the fact is that he is very powerful and genjutsu. This could easily be of his persuasion." he sighed again. "We at least need to let Hokage-sama know that Naruto is alive."


ITACHI POV

It's funny to think that Konoha is working so hard to get Naruto back. The village that spurned him is now expending precious energies to bring him to his "home". I can't stand it. I know that once Naruto returns, nothing will change. People will still ridicule him, they'll still hurt him. I too once had selfish regards toward him, and yet as a child, he was the one person to hold me in his eyes as Itachi and not a pawn. His innocence and resiliance is infectious. Each kiss he allows brings me closer to that ultimate desire which I know I will have no control over. Each night I come closer to taking advantage of the pureness of his emotions. I know Konoha wants to believe that he is only with me through jutsu or influence, but the truth is the clearness of his emotions is not something that can be mimicked, not even by the best genjutsu. Naruto is outside of that realm. Everything with him is so much more extreme and I was the lucky one to take notice.


Naruto is just now learning of the simple pleasures in life that Konoha always denied him. I've made sure that he experience the culture that he missed out on. In addition I've been training him in many ways. He's a fast learner and quite intelligent, but again, this is something they failed to notice. It is very evident to me that he is the son of the 4th Hokage. It is entirely frustrating to me that they have let such talent go to waste.

As I watch him now, I can't help but admire what a piece of work he is. He started changing not too long ago. I can't say I'm disappointed in the changes at all. His body has leaned up living with me. He doesn't junk out, like he did in Konoha, but I have the feeling that's because there is someone here to tell him what is best for him. Occasionally I indulge his fancy by treating him to ramen, but since he's been with me, his options and tastes have become more open. I'd also never realized it before, but Naruto wore cosmetics. He was always embarassed of his whisker marks so even when he was younger he'd try to hide them. They're much more prominent now, but I don't give a damn. He's beautiful with them, and this is perhaps why I never noticed. I broke him of the habit of trying to hide them telling him that there was no one here to ridicule him. I don't care what anyone says about his choice of clothing, yeah it could be more body appropriate, but orange is his best color. It enhances everything about him, the beautiful things that make him Naruto.


Konoha is a foolish village. Not only have they lost their greatest legacy, they had never taken the care to admire and groom him properly. As I watch him now, I can't help but think how lucky I was. Naruto has these quirks that I love to observe. He always paces when he brushes his teeth and my eyes follow him as he does so. From the hotel room I'm watching as he takes a few steps then does a face about to repeat the action. I can tell he's counting the seconds while he's doing so, just to make sure he cleans them for the full time. It's these quirks that let me know of his intelligence. He makes five and a half full rotations of his pacing before he stops to rinse. It's always the same amount of space covered and the same exact time. After he's done there, he go and sit on the toilet seat to comb his hair down to put his night cap on. Many people would think that he doesn't maintain his hair just because of it's spikiness, but I know for a fact that it's soft and that he's particularly vain about it. I know because I've yanked it in the midst of an ardent kiss and he's bitten me in retaliation. It was so very exciting.


He comes into the room and stretches some before going through a series of smooth katas. He used to be more clumsy in them, but now that he's getting used to his body's changes, they go more fluidly. It's graceful and beautiful to watch. He notices me watching and stops. His eyes brighten realizing that I'm admiring him. Naruto is still unused to my open observation. It excites him, but at the same time embarrasses him. I relish in that unease he feels.


"Naruto.." I beckon him over and he comes. "Do you like me watching you?" I mentally chuckle as blushes and then dips his head. "Do you know how enticing it is to see you practicing the katas I taught you?" He shakes his head. I turn my hand so that I can tilt his chin up forcing him to look at me. His eyes widen, but I can see the excitement dancing in them.


Naruto is a sensuous individual and yet no one notices. He doesn't even know himself. His eyes heat up when people watch him. His body responds to heat differently than anyone I've ever seen. The subtle tilt of his head becomes a movement to show that he wants to be desired. I've seen it many nights. It's hard to ignore, but I know he is not ready for that step. I can still feel his apprehension when we kiss too feverishly. He says he wants it, and even begs, yet I can feel it in the way he trembles. The waiting is painful, but I'm patient enough to last until the right moment. I'll know when it is.

I kiss him quickly then rise to move to my own bed and drift off. Even with my back to him, I know he's wide awake and sitting dumbfounded after my teasing. I'm sure that once he snaps out of it he'll pout at me, maybe throw a pillow and then settle down.


---------------------------------------------


We've been here for a few days and I know that Konoha has sent people to observe, more importantly my younger brother and his teacher. I pretend that I don't know they are here though. I know they've been watching how I act with Naruto. While yes, I do plan to return to Akatsuki, they will never have use of him. My guess is that because of my involvement with said organization, they sent people to spy and not only find Naruto, but also the intention of Akatsuki. I think I have been successful in confusing Naruto's former companions, and I'll continue to act as if I'm unaware until they wander in on the most perfect moment of treachery. My feelings for Naruto are anything but false. They might view me as using Naruto, but they will never realize the extent of what he has brought out of me.


Today I would be taking Naruto on a date. He insists that he's not a girl and does not need such girly treatment, but I know he loves it. He loves being able to parade around latched on to my arm without getting glares or things throw at him. He smiles brighter when I take him out. I admit I love it too. I like showcasing that I have his heart. I love letting everyone see what a beautiful and radiant person I can share my thoughts and body with. I admit it's selfish and vain, but he is something special and the one person I can honestly say I treasure.

Many people gaze at Naruto as he swings our arms. They can't help but smile at his rident attitude. I know that we're being followed, but I can't seem to care. My focus is on the fox-boy that has seized my hand and pulled us excitedly to a large pine tree dressed in fine jewelry and lights. I can feel his body siddle closer to mine. The warmth is noticeable. Suddenly his breath is on my ear and I can feel him leaning into me. He suddenly kisses my cheek and dashes off urging me to make chase.

It's thrilling running after him. He's crafty, but his tricks never faze me. I smirk as I find him peeking around the corner of an alley way. "Boo."

He jumped at my voice, but suddenly turns and pulls me by the hand further in. He's in a mischeivous mood and I briefly wonder if I should indulge him. I decide that perhaps our unexpecting audience needs a show, so I allow myself to follow. His mouth finds mine in the dark daring me to refuse a kiss, which of course I won't. I crush him to me nipping at his lips letting him know I still have control. He fights it for a second and then goes limp in my arms allowing himself to be pushed to the wall. The heat is building between our bodies and I'm almost tempted to throw my promise out the window, but then I think, that I want his first time with me to be special and not at the eyes of voyeurs. I smile and kiss him gently letting my forehead rest against his.

He pouts at me then smiles at the serene expression I know I have. "Why did you stop? I want you so much, yet you always stop me."

"I want your first time with me to be something you won't forget. I want it to be something that will stay with you even when I die." He sighs letting me know he doesn't like the morbid comment


"Why must you make me wait? All these years I've loved you and yet I have to wait to be with you. It isn't fair."

I smirk at his childish behavior. "I've waited too. Every night I came to you after you became a genin was painful. But soon enough...I promise...just hold out."

He smiles again,"Alright, but only for you."

I can almost feel the rage radiating off Sasuke and I can safely say that I am pleased.

A/N: Yea nice long uneventful chapter, but you know what this means, the lemon is soon. Thanks for staying with me, I am soooooo sorry that I fail at updating quickly.