Unanticipated Reunions and Alliances

I want to assure my number one fan that Itachi’s day is coming, not today though. No lemons, too many people around.

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Two more days and the Uchiha brothers would be able to see again. Itachi sent his raven to Tsunade. Shikamaru and Neji were summoned and sent off with the raven. The pair was silent as they followed the bird through the trees. Half way, Neji broke the silence.

“Are we almost there?”

“Not yet.”

“I see two shinobi.”

“They are your escort.”

“I thought you were out escort,” Shikamaru said.

“I’m your guide. These two are to escort you in and make sure we haven’t been followed. One is someone you are familiar with.”

As they drew closer, Neji recognized Sakura. They stopped one tree away from the two kunoichi. Karin had her eyes shut, searching for any other shinobi. Everyone remained silent while she was concentrating.

She opened her eyes, “We’re alone.”

Neji nodded his agreement, more to assure Shikamaru they had not entered into an ambush.

“We’ll take you the rest of the way,” Sakura said. The two males nodded and they followed the kunoichi and the raven the rest of the way, on another angle than the raven had been leading them on.

“So, Sakura,” Shikamaru said, “what’s the deal?”

“I guess I should prepare you,” she responded. “Sasuke and Itachi have reconciled. It seems Itachi isn’t the villain he was painted as. They will have to tell you the whole story if they choose. Itachi had gone blind and Kakashi took him in, why, I can’t say. When Sasuke came to the village, they sent for me to perform a procedure that would give Itachi back his sight and increase his power and Sasuke’s. They are blind right now and will be for another day. It was that night that some shinobi planned to attack Kakashi’s home. I was with them. They told me to leave and deny knowledge of anything of this, for my protection, but I chose to come with them.

“Our group’s target is Akatsuki. Itachi was Jiraiya’s spy in Akatsuki, though Jiraiya never knew it was Itachi passing him the information. Our group wants to work with Konoha and eventually return. You’re here to work with us and act as intermediaries between us and Konoha. We’ll have a little over two teams, all powerful shinobi. Karin here is part of the team Sasuke put together after he killed Orochimaru. You probably deduced that she’s a sensor. Our base is one of Orochimaru’s hideouts. There are a group of former captives helping us.”

“You’re saying that both Uchiha are blind?” Neji asked.

“Yes, right now. They should regain their sight in another day.”

Both Konoha shinobi wondered why they were summoned now and not two days from now.

They arrived at the hideout.

“I don’t see anyone around,” Neji said, confused.

“Orochimaru knew how to hide,” Karin said. “There are many protections on this base to prevent my sensory abilities and your Byakugan. Even the Sharingan is powerless.”

Karin opened the disguised door and Neji could see others below ground. Sakura led them in while Karin sealed the door behind them after one last check on the area.

The ‘reception’ room had been cleared and Sasuke waited in front of a large snake statue, much like the one in the hideout Sakura and her team had found Sasuke in months ago. This room was not as grand as that one and the snake much smaller, but no less imposing. The room was well lit, leaving no shadows in which to hide. Sasuke was once again sitting with his sheathed sword sitting upright next to him, ready to be draw within an instant. His brother sat behind him with Kakashi next to him. The raven flew to Itachi’s shoulder. The affect was very imperial even with Sasuke’s eyes covered in thick bandages. But Juugo and Suigetsu stood off to the side, too far to be adequate guards. Sasuke seemed to be depending on Kakashi and the kunoichi for protection if these newcomers were to attack, though Kakashi seemed more posed to defend Itachi, as was the raven.

Neji had not been raised with the clan rivalry of Uchiha versus Hyuuga—the Uchiha having been wiped out when he was very young—but he was aware that it had existed before they were slaughtered. By him. Two Uchiha. He showed no emotion, nor did Shikamaru, as they approached.

“Welcome, Shikamaru, Neji,” Sasuke said when they stopped before him. “I’m glad to have you with us.”

“Is there a reason you summoned us before you’re healed?” Neji asked without a greeting.

Sasuke smiled. “I’ll be honest. I mean it as a sign of trust.” Sasuke spread his arms. “I’m wide open. My Sharingan is useless and I know that for except one person in this room, Shikamaru can keep everyone from moving and you could kill me, Neji. I’m trusting you to not kill me. I want your trust, so I’m giving you mine.

“Also, this way you can be sure my brother and I are not using genjutsu on you or anyone else here. Everyone is here by their own will. Even you. If you find you cannot trust us, you can go and we will relocate before you can make it back to Konoha.”

“What is our mission?”

“We are going to destroy Akatsuki. They are a danger to village and the entire shinobi world. But Itachi and I have personal reasons to destroy them.”

“I think we should know what your person reasons are in case it might compromise the mission.”

“We will kill their leader in the shadows, Uchiha Madara.”

“There’s another Uchiha?” Neji said in shock. Sakura hadn’t heard this either.

“We will kill him. Suigetsu’s personal reason for being one of us is he is a swordsman and sword collector and a member of Akatsuki, Kisame, has one that he desires. Everyone else is here to help us destroy Akatsuki. Are you satisfied?”

“Ah,” Neji said. Shikamaru nodded.

“Good. Kakashi is in charge while Itachi and I are . . . incapacitated. You’ve met Karin?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sure you figured out that this is Itachi. You two introduce yourselves.”

“Juugo.”

“Hôzuki Suigetsu.”

“Hyuuga Neji.”

“Nara Shikamaru.”

“You probably want to rest after your journey,” Sasuke said. “You’ll be sharing a room with Juugo. We still haven’t finished clearing this place of Orochimaru’s influence and traps, so the rooms are limited. Juugo, Suigetsu, show them to their room. If you’re hungry, Juugo or Suigetsu will get it for you or they can show you the kitchen. You may be move about freely, but only escorted. They are still many traps here we haven’t found or gotten to. We would appreciate your help in that regard.”

“We’ll help.”

“Thank you.” Sasuke went silent and the new pair followed Juugo and Suigetsu out. Once they were far enough away, “Well, what do you think?”

“The Hyuuga are as arrogant as ever,” Itachi said.

“Neither of them are the type to take rash action,” Kakashi said, ignoring Itachi’s immediate and inherit dislike of the Hyuuga. “Neji is clearly the leader.”

“No,” Sasuke said, “I don’t think either of them is really in charge of the other.”

“Neji is a Jounin,” Sakura said, “and Shikamaru is still a chunin.”

“Shikamaru is only a chunin because he lacks the drive to become a jounin,” Kakashi said. “But Neji is the more powerful one. Shikamaru is the better tactician, but Neji is very wise. He also has almost infallible insight into an enemy.”

“Arrogant, pompous ass,” Itachi muttered. Both Kakashi and Sasuke smirked.

“Karin?”

“I can’t really say I trust them, but we’ll see. I keep an eye on their movements.”

“Sakura? You probably know them best out of all of us.”

“They are both hard to read. They were among the shinobi who went after you when you left; Shikamaru was the captain of that mission and Neji almost died killing one of those . . . escorting you. They also both believe in Naruto. If they betray us, it will be to bring you back to Konoha. I think they will not harm you or Kakashi or me. I can’t say about the rest of you.”

“What about Itachi?”

“As long as they believe you have made peace with him, I don’t think they’ll harm him unless they feel he’s threatening them or controlling any of us.”

“I won’t go near the Hyuuga,” Itachi said.

“You may have to fight along side him.”

Sasuke could imagine the sneer that did cross his brother’s face.

“I hope I don’t have to tell my own older brother to behave himself around our guests.”

Itachi’s smirk returned. “I may only be alive by your sufferance, but don’t push it, Otouto.”

“Humph. Let’s get back to the room, nii-chan.” Itachi’s raven disappeared with a caw.

Karin beat Sakura to Sasuke’s side and she put his hand on her shoulder and led him out while Kakashi tended to Itachi. Sakura followed with a glare at the other woman.

The Uchiha brothers were beyond bored in Sasuke’s room. Though blind, they should have been able to at least exercise, but Sakura forbade anything that would raise their blood pressure to ensure there was no damage to their blood vessels in their eyes. Itachi was the calmer of the two and was able to doze, especially with a lover there to pet him or massage his shoulders. Sasuke sat nearby, unable to see them, but he could feel their chakra very close to one another. He was getting jealous again. Sasuke was radiating hostility which kept the two kunoichi back.

Itachi looked toward him, concerned, but he didn’t say anything, unsure what was causing his little brother’s mood. He wished he could see him and wanted to ask Kakashi what he saw, but didn’t want to provoke his brother by not asking him directly or asking at all. He may not know his brother very well anymore, but he knew himself, knew his blood, and he could feel his hostile chakra.

Karin left to help conscript Shin and his crew to continue to deactivate traps. Sasuke was angry and he knew it was irrational, he need to bleed it off and get away from the lovers.

“Sakura, I need to move. I want to take a walk.”

Sakura gladly helped him up and placed his hand on her shoulder.

Alone, Itachi asked Kakashi, “What’s wrong?”

“Just feeling helpless and confined. If Sakura would let him train . . .”

“That’s not it. He’s angry about something, and not the Hyuuga and the other one. Maybe it’s us.”

“He seemed fine with it. We spoke briefly before we felt Konoha; he seemed fine with it as long as my feelings for you were genuine.”

“But now he’s having to live with it. I should probably talk to him. We haven’t spoken about it.”

Kakashi kissed his temple and relished the opportunity to show him some affection while they were alone, a rare event the last few days.

Sasuke’s hearing was getting better during his time in the dark. It wasn’t so much his hearing, but discerning the fine difference of their steps as they moved through the corridors. He could hear when they passed connecting corridors and even doors. He remembered the layout of this hideout even though he had spent very little time here. He knew exactly where he was.

“Find Juugo, I want to go outside.” Sakura obeyed. She had to admit she was a little less fond of this new imperious Sasuke than she was of the one she knew and dreamed of since he left. She tried to put it down to being in a state of paranoia being around Orochimaru for three years or/and having to keep a level of authority over his three companions. She wondered if he was also struggling with the Itachi’s presence.

Juugo was eating with Neji and Shikamaru in the dining room. Suigetsu stood against a wall looking like a guard, but everyone ignored him. As Sasuke and Sakura approached, Sasuke forced chakra into his ears the way Kakashi did his nose to increase his sense of smell. Shikamaru was talking about Konoha, apparently answering a question from Juugo. Sasuke pulled back on Sakura’s shoulder to slow her. He knew all conversation would stop when he entered and he didn’t want to interrupt. And he didn’t want to hear anything about Konoha. He found the he had no affection for his village, especially since what they forced his brother to do. He was not homesick, but he was feeling cast off with no home. Thinking of Itachi being so close to Kakashi made him feel even more isolated. He had cut his ties with Naruto and Sakura and he felt like he didn’t want to reconnect with them even though Sakura had fallen into their group. He was glad since she was a far more capable medical-nin than Karin. Karin’s greatest healing ability was one she and Sasuke didn’t want to make use of if they could prevent it. Sakura could prevent it. Which might be one reason Karin hadn’t killed her yet, the other being that she wanted to be friendly with one of Sasuke’s old friends in order to curry favor with him.

Shikamaru finished his answer and Sasuke pushed Sakura’s shoulder gently to speed back up. It was already silent when they entered.

“Tea, please, Sakura,” Sasuke said. Sakura wasn’t prepared for the request. Juugo stood to help Sasuke to a seat while Sakura prepared the tea. There was already hot water so it was ready quickly.

Sasuke was right, the newcomers were uncomfortable in his presence and that made Sakura uncomfortable.

“Have you settled in yet?” Sasuke asked.

“Yes,” Neji said.

“I apologize for the three to a room, but we can spread out within a few days. Once my brother and I can see, and with your help, we can clear this place of Orochimaru’s presence and spread out.”

“May I ask why have you forgiven your brother?”

Sakura had not heard the full story so she gave Sasuke her full attention.

“As a Hyuuga, you might enjoy the story. The Uchiha were suspected in the Kyuubi incident. Itachi learned that it was one Uchiha, the one we’re after now, Uchiha Madara. Our clan was innocent.”

“Wait a second. Uchiha Madara? He’s the one who co-founded the village. Was there another Uchiha named Madara?”

“No, it’s the same man.”

“That’s not possible.”

“I think Itachi understands it, but somehow Madara has survived. It may be akin to Orochimaru’s attempts, but I don’t know.

“You know how proud our clans are. The Uchiha took offence to being wrongfully accused for an attempted coup using the Kyuubi. So my father did start planning a coup; Itachi was his trump card. Itachi was a prodigy, a genius, the most powerful and talented Uchiha since Madara. He maneuvered for Itachi to join ANBU. He was a spy. But he turned traitor on his clan and became the Hokage’s spy within the Uchiha. Negotiations failed between my father and the Hokage; the Hokage asked the impossible for Itachi: to murder his entire clan. He did what he was ordered in order to save Konoha from a destructive civil war and from the other villages who would take advantage of the situation. Itachi is a hero.

“He left me alive and asked the Hokage to keep the truth from me and the rest of the village. He wanted me motivated to become a strong shinobi and he wanted me to kill him and become a hero in the eyes of the village and use me to alleviate his own guilt by killing him. He joined Akatsuki as a spy.

“His plan fell apart about a month ago when he went blind. Our Mangekyô leads to blindness. He overused his Mangekyô and went blind before we could fight. When we did meet, I couldn’t kill him because he wanted me to kill him. I loathed him and wouldn’t free him from this pathetic situation. I will not talk about what is between Kakashi and my brother, but Kakashi came to save him from me. Itachi confessed everything to him while I was listening without their knowledge. I couldn’t help but forgive him.

“As for our eyes, the only way to prevent or reverse the blindness is to take the eyes of another with the Mangekyô. I awoke my own Mangekyô. We asked Sakura to exchange our eyes. We can see, but she keeps these poultices on our eyes to aid healing. And it’s driving me insane.”

That last statement lightened the mood somewhat. Sasuke finished his tea. “Juugo, I need some fresh air and I need a guard out there.”

“I’ll come with you,” Neji said as if there could be no possible objection. But Sasuke only nodded. The three of them stood, Juugo guided Sasuke’s hand to his shoulder and led him and Neji toward the entrance leaving Shikamaru with Sakura and Suigetsu.

“What’s Neji playing at?” Sakura asked.

“Haven’t a clue,” Shikamaru said. “We really didn’t come here with any intention of harming any of you. Just knowing about the Uchiha, Kakashi, and you, this is a powerful team that could dispose of Akatsuki. We were chosen to help you take them out. What happens afterward, we don’t even know yet.”

“Anything happens to Sasuke and we’ll send your bodies back sliced to ribbons,” Suigetsu said. “Unless Itachi gets to you first; you’ll just be ashes.”

“I’m aware of it. If Neji does anything, I’m not a part of it.”

Neji didn’t try anything, but Sasuke could feel the swell of chakra coming from him. His Byakugan was activated. Sasuke wore his sword as always and had the shrunken summoning tattoos on his arms, though those were covered at the moment. He was more confident in Juugu than in his own ability to defend himself.

But Neji didn’t attack.

“There’s no one around. How far did the Konoha shinobi follow you?”

“No where near this far,” Sasuke said.

“What about Orochimaru’s people?”

“There were few supporters left alive after I killed him; the prisoners killed them. The escapees have no reason to come back here. We should be safe. We’ll eventually leave this base, but we may make it our fall back. Orochimaru had around twenty hideouts all over the continent. One good thing about Orochimaru is the built in infrastructure.”

“Impressive. But you didn’t keep any of his people?”

“Just Karin. Don’t worry about her loyalties. She was indebted to Orochimaru for either saving or sparing her life. She’s completely loyal to me now.”

“How do you know?”

“She’s in love with me.”

“You don’t sound like you reciprocate her feelings.”

“I don’t. Not Sakura’s either. It may make them loyal, but they can get on my nerves.”

“That sounds awfully callous.”

“I always hated being fawned upon. Reminds me of how people would fawn around my broth—” Sasuke suddenly stopped himself. Why on earth was he telling Neji this, especially in front of Juugo. Because it’s bugging the fuck out of you right now because Itachi is here and Kakashi is fawning over your brother like everyone used to while they either ignored you, told you maybe you could grow up to be like Itachi, or simply said you were cute. And they still just see you as cute. Otherwise you’re still just an Uchiha. Even after the Slaughter, you were still Itachi’s little brother, an Uchiha, a Sharingan. Everyone, except maybe Itachi, Kakashi, and Naruto just saw you as that poor Uchiha with the last Sharingan or as a pretty face. You’re still jealous of your brother.

“I don’t like being fawned upon or the center of attention. Even Orochimaru was like that. He knew to keep his distance though; these women don’t.”

Juugo led Sasuke to a fallen tree log to sit and enjoy the evening breeze.

Sasuke couldn’t see how intense Neji’s stare was, how evaluating his stare was. It was the same penetrating sight he used against Hinata and Naruto during the chunin exams. But he couldn’t see the Uchiha’s eyes. But he understood enough. Sasuke felt like a piece of meat and jealous of the attention his brother received when they were younger. But that was more from Sasuke’s words. If Neji could have seen his eyes . . .

And why did Sasuke even answer his comment the way that he did? Sasuke was agitated. This subject was attached to the reason he was agitated. He came to a conclusion that he was jealous of Itachi for some reason now even though he was in charge of this entire operation and held his brother’s life in his hands. No one, except maybe Kakashi, would say a word if Sasuke went down there right now and slit Itachi’s throat. Neji started to suspect Sasuke’s emotional stability. Both these Uchiha may be walking a fine line of sanity.

-----

Neji had impressed Juugo by acting as a bodyguard for Sasuke even more than he was; he would stand by and only look at the surrounding forest, looking for attack, a model guard.

Neji followed Juugo and Sasuke back to Sasuke’s room under the pretense of being escorted. He had all his answers as to Kakashi and Itachi’s relationship as they came to the doorway. Itachi was curled up in Kakashi’s arms on the sofa. Sasuke couldn’t see it, but felt their chakra overlapping. Neji felt and saw Sasuke’s chakra flare for a moment.

Sasuke’s jealous! Neji wondered what part he was jealous about.

“Kakashi,” Sasuke said softy.

Kakashi opened his eyes. “Yeah.”

“It’s time for dinner, or should we let Itachi sleep?”

“I’ll wake him.”

Sasuke nodded and made his way toward the dining room. Neji followed even though he had already eaten.

“What is your mission, Neji?” Sasuke suddenly asked as they walked.

Neji was stunned for a moment. “Just to assist. Shikamaru and I were ordered to follow your orders.”

“And if my brother gave you orders?”

“We would defer to you over your brother, but if it’s your wish, we would follow his orders.”

“What are your orders concerning my brother?”

“We were given none, just told that he was with you.”

Sasuke merely hummed in response to that.

-----

Dinner was unexceptional, but Neji used it to analysis his new companions. Kakashi was protective of Itachi, but he didn’t seem to see the newcomers as a threat. Sasuke also hovered protectively close to his brother. Sakura and Karin stared daggers at each other when ever their eye met, obviously because they saw themselves as rivals for Sasuke’s affection. Shikamaru looked indifferent to everything around him. Juugo looked to Sasuke and was readier than anyone to see to Sasuke’s comfort. Suigetsu was watching the newcomers like a hawk and it seemed to Neji his concern was not for himself, but for Sasuke. Sasuke’s team was very loyal to him.

But Itachi . . . He glared in Neji’s direction. He could tell Neji’s chakra from the others and stirred clear of it. It would be difficult to gain that man’s trust.

That night Sasuke and his brother slept next to each other again. Kakashi didn’t have to wake them as often to keep them on their backs.

A surge of chakra woke Sasuke and Itachi. They were more sensitive to it than anyone else besides Karin.

“Sasuke,” Itachi whispered.

“It’s Neji. He’s not moving. He’s probably just scanning the area with his Byakugan. Can’t blame him. If I had the Byakugan, I’d be using it too. Go back to sleep. Kakashi and Sakura are here and Juugo is in their room.”

“Fucking Hyuuga,” Itachi grumbled as he lay back down.

Neji was scanning the hideout with his Byakugan, looking for Sasuke and his brother. They were laying next to each other, but they didn’t seem to be too close. Neji had his suspicions from earlier, but it appeared there was nothing inappropriate going on. He saw both brother’s chakra flare when they sensed him. Sasuke’s calmed down, but Itachi wasn’t easily placated.

The next day was spent with everyone but the Uchiha brothers and Sakura clearing half the hideout of traps. Itachi asked if Sakura would leave them alone for a while. At a nod from Sasuke, she did.

The door shut. “Sasuke, does my relationship with Kakashi bother you?”

“Not really.”

“But it does a little.”

Sasuke sighed. So his brother sensed it. “I’m just jealous. I’m alone and I wish I had what you and Kakashi have. I’m just lonely.”

Itachi could help but chuckle.

“What’s that for?”

“You have several very loyal shinobi around you, and three of them love you.”

“Three?”

“Juugo dotes on you, even I can see that.”

“I isolated myself from everyone for so long, I’m not sure how to . . .”

“I know. I did the same thing. Akatsuki and Orochimaru aren’t the type of people you want to get close to. But I had Kakashi to help me. So do you. He was your sensei. And you have me. I’m sorry, it’s my fault you’re so lonely.”

“I won’t say it wasn’t, but it was my decision; I could have chosen to indulge in having friends. I started to with Naruto, but . . . Anyway, I don’t have a problem with you and Kakashi. Though him showing you that much affection around me does make me a little uncomfortable.”

“I’ll let him know.”

-----

The next morning, even the pair of newcomers gathered in Sasuke’s room. The lights were low and Sakura worked carefully to completely removed the bandages and clean their faces of all the medicines and adhesives. She used her medical ninjutsu to analyze their blood vessels and muscles. She looked over her shoulder at Neji.

“Can you see if their chakra is flowing properly in their eyes?”

Neji nodded and activated his Byakugan. “Everything looks fine.”

“Alright,” she said, “you can keep the bandages off now. It’ll take some time to get used to the light again, but you should be fine now. Can you see alright?”

The brother sat up carefully, feeling slightly dizzy. They looked around and nodded.

“Being able to see again after so long is strange,” Itachi said. “It’ll take a little time to get my bearings and balance again.”

“It’s strange seeing through different eyes,” Sasuke said. “Can you all give us some time alone? Kakashi, you can stay.”

The others left. Itachi turned to his brother and looked at him for the first time since their first morning here. That had been a fuzzy and indistinct image; this was truly the first time he had seen Sasuke in three years. His brother had grown up a lot in three years. He had the same thought then after not seeing him for four years. To him it seemed Sasuke was growing up in leaps and bounds; he was never there to see it.

Itachi reached out a hand slowly, his hand and eyes coordination not yet to par, and put a hand to Sasuke’s cheek.

“You’ve really grown up.”

“You’ve changed a little too.”

Itachi’s hand snaked down to Sasuke’s neck and pulled him close and embraced him tightly. “I love you, Sasuke.”

“I love you, nii-san.” They both started weeping.

Kakashi stood by, almost as emotional as the brothers. He knew how much Itachi loved his brother. He realized Sasuke’s rage at his brother was born of the fact he loved him so much. It was the betrayal that hurt Sasuke so much. Now that Sasuke knew the truth, his love and admiration of his brother was all that was left.

After a few minutes, not letting go of his little brother, Itachi looked around to see Kakashi. He smiled at him. Kakashi took his mask down. Itachi’s smile widened.

“I finally really feel like I’m home,” Itachi said.