Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Broken	By : DevilnBlue Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1981 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Prologue
- 2-Chapter One
- 1
- 2
Hello Hopeless Blue Kiss here and I would like to thank those who have reviewed this story. I'm so happy that most people seem to like what I have done so far even though the basic idea is a bit overdone in some cases. If I can make this story feel somewhat original despite it having the same formula in at least the beginning then I will be truly happy. But of course you know that I do not own Naruto but this story is completely mines.
But anyway, in order for me to update regularly I have constructed a review/chapter rubric to help not only me but my readers understand which story will take priority on my updating list from now on. Please take a look at it before you're done this chapter so you'll know why this story or another may not be updated as quickly as you might want; it'd be appreciated.
I found the quote below by Jack Henry Abbott this time which blends in nicely with the hell on earth that Naruto has been feeling even for someone so young. OC-ness if done correctly should be embraced. I hope you enjoy the story and review lots like always.
** "The part of me which wanders through my mind and never sees or feels actual objects, but which lives in and moves through my passions and my emotions, experiences this world as a horrible nightmare."**
~Jack Henry Abbott
Broken
Naruto didn't know quite what to name the new feeling that lapped at his heart in little waves. It slowly drowned him as he sat in his little corner in Itachi's new room with a clean blanket wrapped around him for warmth. His fingers gripped tightly to the edge of his cover to secure it in place even as he pressed the thick fabric against his cleanly clothed legs. Bare toes wiggled freely in the nice cool air created by the summer rain as he thought of his day and how it had progressed to him just sitting there contemplating the night away.
He felt so… so… what did he feel? He wasn't quite sure he could really put a finger on it. He never felt this way before. It was just this feeling of being clean and properly fed with a roof securely over his head that didn't leak all over him that made him feel safe and secure. Were those the words that he was after? He never really had a reason to use them until now.
But still it wasn't as if his future was actually written out in stone… yet. His eyes gravitated to the sleeping form of his master who held his fate in his hands and he wondered if this could really work. Could this older kid really take care of someone that the villagers' vehemently saw as a monster? He didn't want to doubt this Itachi's resolve but Naruto really never had anything to count on in his life and so why should one child's whim make any difference?
He let out a deep, heartfelt sigh before resting his chin on top of his knees. It was just a lot for a four year old like himself to take in all at once. He never really had a home to call his own because the Orphanage didn't really count. The people there allowed some of the angry villagers to drag him out of his threadbare futon whenever they felt like it and ruff him up or do whatever. 'What kind of home was that?' No, Naruto couldn't really imagine even one moment where he didn't have to be on alert in case he had to make a quick escape and it was frankly depressing.
'But now… what now?' he shook his head and eased himself up to his feet still clutching the blanket Itachi gave him. He was surprised at how easy it was to enter this gated community of Uchihas' last night without any looks of hatred or curses thrown his way. Foolishly he believed that as soon as he set foot through the giant doors that the very place would purge him from Itachi's side. That it would recognize him for the blight that he was and dissolve the place like Brigadoon (1) taking the mysterious new master and his hopes with it.
He shivered at the thought that this was all just a dream and quickly went to sit next to his owner. The child made sure not to sit too close for fear of somehow waking him up even as he took pleasure in the warmth that radiated from the still sleeping form. His hand quickly sliced through the small space that separated the two bodies, reassuring himself that he wasn't quite touching before looking at his catalyst in human form. It was sad to think that it took so very little for the child to be dependent on the sleeping form that had given up practically everything to keep him. But it was that kind of sacrifice that he desperately needed right now in order to survive.
And so it was with that feeling of budding hope for the future that Naruto finally let sleep claim him, curling up against Itachi's side. The events of that day played over and over again in his head, a little less harsh now with the reassuring presence of the Uchiha. He didn't even realize that Itachi had been pretending to sleep all this time. The day's trouble was still weighing on his shoulders as he tried to figure out where he had erred.
FLASHBACK TO EARLIER THAT DAY
Itachi woke up. He was the type that was allergic to mornings but woke up early anyway because it was the shinobi thing to do. It took him forever to do so but when he did he loved going out to the training grounds when it was nearly deserted and leaving just as more people arrived. He was antisocial that way.
His senses slowly began to gather around him until he found himself staring absently at the blonde child curled up at his feet like a tuckered out pup. The well-trained nine-year-old, registering the stranger, suddenly tensed. His kunai slowly eased out from under his pillow even as his adolescent mind fought to supply the now alert Uchiha with the necessary information on the blonde lump in front of him.
He frowned thoughtfully when he finally remembered what had happened last night before settling his kunai onto his lap. His gaze fell onto golden skin, eager to find the scars that had attracted him to the small blonde in the first place but none were present. Where was his imperfect angel? His broken doll!
Itachi rubbed his eyes of sleep then leaned forward so that he could catch the markings that should all be present. But nothing was there that didn't appear now as old scars against peach soft skin. The Uchiha knew that he wasn't going crazy because he remembered just yesterday as he helped bath and cloth the child that he couldn't help but pause every once in a while to trace an interesting looking scar. Each little discolored blemish and scar was thoroughly admired and now… now they were all gone.
A MINUTE LATER
Naruto was scared out of his mind as he tried to figure out in his sleep fogged mind what he could have possibly done to warrant being snatched so roughly up out of his sleep. He focused frighten blue on the displeased face that seemed not to notice what he was actually doing. His small body fairly quaked with miniature tremors as he was quickly stripped of all clothes that hung on his frame only to be exposed to demanding onyx. The blonde's first instincts were to curl up into a ball or try to shrink away from such scrutiny but the slender, pale fingers on his own bony arm held firm.
"Stay still!" snapped his nine year old master who was now in a foul temper. His grip tightened automatically. He was already displeased that there was yet another mystery about Naruto yet to be solved not to mention that the blonde was shaking so terribly that it was hard to examine him now. Itachi raised his coal black orbs to glare his young charge into submission before continuing his examination. It was just too hard to believe.
Fugaku's eldest son was sorely tempted to dig the balls of his fingers into the younger child's flesh. He wondered that if he did so whether or not the bruising marks that he left would remain there for long or simply just melt away under his surveillance. 'It is a possibility…' he trailed off in thought, hating to be left in the dark. He didn't even notice the tears that his careless actions had generated from the blonde even as he instructed the blonde to 'get dress.' And when the blonde didn't he was forced to take into account the damage he had caused.
"He… Hey, little monster don't cry," stumbled out Itachi, abruptly, awkwardly. He grimaced inwardly that this blonde haired, blue eyed creature, which he knew nothing about besides his name, could cause a sharp pang of regret in his heart. His hardened face softened a bit as his conscious, that nowadays only made cameo appearances to let the older boy know that it still existed, berated him for what he just did. How could he possibly derive pleasure from harming this poor, defenseless creature? Worship scars that shouldn't even have existed in the first place?
His gaze couldn't even focus on the new bruises that were formed by his own hand as his guilt nipped so greedily at his conscious. The dark haired male was helpless to do anything but draw the covers away from himself as he looked down before he wrapped it around the trembling shoulders of the blonde. He then began to dab a corner of the blanket against tear streaked cheeks as he was forced to make soothing noises.
"Shh… shh… I'm sorry now. I won't hurt you," Itachi said hating every hiccupping sob that entered the air. The Uchiha had completely forgotten that he was dealing with a human being, a four year old at that. "Do you believe me? Trust me when I say I won't hurt you?" he couldn't help but ask, refocusing his eyes back on the blonde. He wondered how much this kid hated him right now.
Naruto hesitated, clutching the blankets even closer to himself as he looked at the older boy with watery blue. He was unsure on how to respond to that because if he risked being honest the boy in front of him might take his frustration out on him. But then again if his new owner sensed his lie he might hurt him for that instead. There was obviously no win/win situation for the frightened blonde.
"Sorry, stupid question. You have no reason to trust me… yet," Itachi affirmed. If he was this scared child right now he'd be having some major trust issues too. He could only imagine half the things this child has been put through especially since all signs of abuse seemed to easily erase itself from peach soft skin. So he did what any respectable person would do in an awkward situation, he changed the subject. "Are you hungry?"
The fox container blinked in genuine surprise, astonished that his master had taken him out from between a rock and a hard place. No one had really been that considerate to him… ever. He could search the crevices of his brain all he liked and he'd still come up blank. And so although he felt it hard to form the necessary words of confirmation he did manage to barely nod his head in the affirmative. 'Yes, very.'
"Okay we'll get you cleaned up and fed," Itachi announced aloud to the child carefully. He slowly stood up before cautiously reaching out his hand so that the small one could take it. "Here take it," he offered not wanting to startle the poor child more than he already had been. 'This might be tricky,' he thought although at no point did thoughts of giving up on this child enter his head.
He waited until the child settled his hand into his own before gently leading him to the tasks of washing before giving him the small pile of Sasuke's old clothes to wear. "Put these on and I'll tell you how things will probably work out today," he ordered gently as he pressed the fabric into the child's hands. He himself leaned up against the wall of his room before looking thoughtfully at the ceiling.
"You will have to stay close to me while I straighten things out. So we'll stop to grab something to eat from the kitchen before heading out to the training grounds. I like to go out early in the morning to train before I go into the forests to train some more. I'll eventually return back here, change and meet my team but we'll probably get stopped by my parents before then," he said thoughtfully to the air. He frowned before looking down at the blonde to see if the kid was getting all of this.
"Okay they'll probably find out about you from nosy villagers and relatives. So we'll head back to my house so they can 'try' and convince me that I shouldn't keep you. I will, of course, keep you, regardless of what they say," he said firmly, voice hardening before suddenly softening. "Might introduce you to my little brother and if things go well I'll enroll you into the Academy before we go to the forest for more training," Itachi said simply laying things out. Nothing was quite set in stone yet but it was a good enough outline for their day.
"Of course we'll eat at the appropriate times and since you're dress now is as good as any to break our fast," the Uchiha child supplied even as he took the kyuubi container's hand. 'Something light and quick to grab, don't feel like arguing with my parents before training,' he thought, his mind thinking up possible obstacles to face even they began to walk towards the kitchen.
Naruto really didn't know what to say on the whole matter or about his new owner. All he could think of as he tried to keep up with the determined nine-year-old was, 'Warm… his fingers feel so warm.' His gaze couldn't help but stray towards their joined hands trying to pinpoint a time when he gladly followed someone without being dragged kicking and screaming to their destination and came up short once more.
His eyes nearly teared up at the memory of his last encounter with the villagers. The images came to him in choppy pieces full of angry faces, curses and his whimpering pleas. He could remember clearly how the man that had grabbed his hand smashed his fingers together in his meaty fist while nearly tugging the poor blonde's arm off as he yanked him along. And with each blink of his eyes his nightmare crawled out of its dark cubbyhole and out into the real world.
His breath quicken, his heart panicked and an involuntary shiver danced down his spine and created small tremors down his arms and hands. They reached Itachi from their linked hands just as the four year old began to try and pull away from the pale boy in front of him. He struggled, against the angry man superimposed over Itachi, a plea bubbling up even as his eyes screwed close.
'Please… no more… I'll be good... promise!'
He didn't even realize when the older boy suddenly came to a stop, pausing before turning to look at the flailing child. Itachi wondered if his grasp was too tight or if he somehow tugged the child too hard as he quickly dropped Naruto's hands. He hesitated on the brink of asking and demanding 'what the hell was going on?' before making his decision.
"Hey are you okay?" asked the Uchiha male, real concern in his eyes. He didn't even realize that he was already kneeling in front of the trembling, hiccupping child until he noticed that red rimmed eyes were now level with his own.
Naruto let out an inaudible gasp as he felt fingers lightly brush away his tears instead of striking him. He parted saturated lashes to look at the concerned Uchiha, remembering himself enough to nod his head quickly. He tried to jumpstart a reassuring smile but it flat lined before it could get itself off the ground so he settled on willing his tears back.
"Are you sure? Did I pull too hard on your arm or something?" Itachi demanded, frowning. He had already reverted back to his no nonsense self. He didn't really know the first thing about children Sasuke's age. He had put that part of his life happily in the past and look forward to tucking away his adolescent life completely so he didn't quite know what could possibly have triggered this reaction unless... "I told you I'd protect you right?" he demanded quickly in order to reassure.
The blonde nodded again, sniffling as his tears died down.
"So I'll make sure that if anyone but me touches you without my permission I'll break every last finger so they'll never try again. You are mine Uzumaki. You gave yourself to me and I protect what is mine," Itachi supplied sharply before standing. "Now here, wipe your tears. We still have places to go," he ordered though his gaze softened for the child as he handed the blonde his handkerchief.
Naruto could only take it in trembling fingers, shocked by how easily Itachi had squished down his fears. The sincerity rung in his ears so clear, so like his master's promise last night, that the child found himself promising himself to Itachi all over again in his head. His heart sped up for a different reason as he took the offered hand in his own, awe-struck and worshipping as they continued on. (2)
And it seemed that after just a minute or two of companionable silence Itachi couldn't help asking a question even as they entered the kitchen. "Um… hmm, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to but I was wondering does that always happen?" Itachi suddenly asked unable to bite back his curiosity anymore. His hesitancy on how to approach the question made him all the more human as he tried to continue. "Those scars, I mean, do they always disappear like that?"
A blonde head nodded in the affirmative but realizing that the older boy wasn't looking at him he ventured to speak up into the air. "Y… yes, always," he breathed out even as he took in the roomy kitchen.
"I see. Do you know why that happens by chance?" Itachi asked even as he let go of Naruto's hand to make them an impromptu breakfast of cold onigiri and melon slices.
Naruto shook his head 'no,' as he watched on curiously. He realized again that Itachi wasn't looking his way so he spoke up a firm, "No." Then when curious eyes fell on him he stuttered out his next words, blushing. "I… it just happens… sorry."
"Don't be and thanks. I won't ask any more questions now," he reassured then pushed a melon slice towards Naruto. "Eat. It's not much but it'll help tie you over until lunch and I'll save these onigiri for our snack," he explained, softening his order. Itachi was bossy, but he wasn't if not a quick study on how to handle certain situations and people like Naruto.
"Thank you," the younger child murmured softly before taking a bite of the cool melon. He had been a bit wary about how this day would progress but now that he realized that his master was one of the good guys, albeit stiff, he was looking forward to going out with him. It'd be like a great adventure or something.
And so as soon as they ate a slice or two of melon and Itachi made sure he had everything he needed they made their way out of the Uchiha Compound that smacked so strongly of traditional Japan. One night and the start of a new day had passed since Naruto's arrival and as soon as they both stepped out into the main street leading out of the Uchiha District it happened. The bubbling ripple of a miniature village inside of another woke up to greet the new day. That was until it was startled into silence by the presence of the blonde parasite walking so closely to their golden protégée in their inner sanctum.
"Gold morning Auntie… Uncle," Itachi politely called out to an old couple just preparing to set up shop at their little grocery. He didn't mind that they didn't reply back, he just flashed them a brief smile before making his way on. He continued to greet and wave to a passing relative or two, while inwardly his happy outward demeanor puckered into something sour as he walked with the village's human taboo. 'What are they hiding from me? What did this child do or his parents do to warrant such reactions?' he demanded in his head though his smile never faltered.
He could feel them, millions of eyes pressed against his back as he passed the stunned Uchihas' before entering the rest of the village. His path left a wave of silence followed by furious whispers as the happy little bees buzzed angrily at the new addition.
/"Did you see?"
"Trickery, it's simple trickery."
"That thing is wearing the Uchiha crest."
"Parasite… monster… horrible…"/
"Naruto please, not so close. It's the middle of summer and the air is already heating up," chastised Itachi lightly, interrupting the barrage of hushed, broken up words that entered the adolescent's ears.
The child blinked owlishly up at Itachi as if just remembering that he was walking with the dark haired genius. He then noticed how close he had pressed his small frame and then quickly took a small step backwards. "I… okay, sorry," Naruto mumbled his apology to the ground, cheeks flushed. It was the first words that the child had managed to say since they had stepped outside.
"Just make sure not to lose sight of me and everything will be okay," Itachi said gently, trying not to startle the child into silence. He had wanted to give Naruto's shoulder or hand a quick squeeze of reassurance but was afraid that the villagers' discouraging looks would intensify towards the small man-child.
The kid really did almost seem like an animal in human form in some ways. A blue eyed doe who had to be coaxed into trusting humanity again even after seeing the total devastation human's were capable of. It would make sense that he would want to press up against the only person who had shown him an ounce of kindness no matter how awkwardly done. So Itachi stayed closed lipped when despite his kind suggestion the blonde was even more glued to his side as they continued to walk towards the training grounds. Hopefully they could find some respite from prying eyes there.
THREE HOURS LATER
On their return trip Naruto had tried to stay as close as he could to Itachi. He became a personal shadow that superseded Itachi's natural one as he clung desperately to his master. His eyes were downcast as he tried to make himself as small and insignificant as he possibly could while his arms clung desperately to the older boy's one.
But even though the villagers automatically looked at them with hatred as they passed, their eyes did not linger too long on Naruto. He couldn't help but to look up to find out the cause for this after a few minutes and found that the piercing hundred eyed monster of the villagers were held at bay by the scathing look of one Itachi Uchiha.
His glare dared anyone to challenge the nine-year-old and his choice of company. 'Like I'm incapable of making my own decisions by now,' he thought in total disgust. His pale digits soon pressed against Naruto's shoulder, drawing the child closer to his comforting presence before he muttered in distaste, "Fools, all of them."
Then as if afraid that their ignorance would somehow rub off on him and kill a few brain cells he decided to disappear with his pet in a shower of swirling leaves. His chin was raised defiantly and a cocky look of triumph flashed across his face even as the surprised faces of the villager's faded away before his surroundings returned in the form of the Uchiha Compound.
Even at nine he was capable of using a transportation jutsu that for anyone else his age would be more than difficult. Itachi knew that the blonde was still with him because he felt the quivering lump pressed hard against his hip, Naruto's fingers clenched tightly as if afraid that he might lose sight of his master in the swirl of leaves. "It's over now, my parents will be waiting for us," the sharingan user announced. He waited an extra minute for the boy to gather his bearings before they moved once more.
"Big brother, mother and father wants you," a miniature Itachi cried out as soon as they entered the hallways of their home. The small boy came careening towards his brother. His pale face simply lit up at the sudden sighting of his sibling. He didn't even realize that Itachi had company until a few heartbeats later. And so when that happened he skidded to a sudden halt against the gleaming wooden floors, his head cocked curiously to the side in question. "Is he why you are in trouble big brother?" he blurted out suddenly, needing to know.
"Who says I'm in trouble?" Itachi asked in amusement even as he crooked his fingers so that his little brother could come closer. He watched as the dark haired child hesitated for just a moment before smiling and closing the gap between the two. 'Typical Sasuke,' he thought fondly before suddenly poking the child's head with his index and middle finger. His lips had nearly spasm into a smile as he watched his brother scowl and rub his poor forehead.
"Ouch," Sasuke declared rubbing the spot that had been poked so many times before. His frown soon faded though as he couldn't help his eyes moving towards Naruto. "So who is he anyway?" Sasuke asked, pointing his chin at the shrinking blonde.
"Tell him," Itachi ordered even as he gently tried to pry the frighten fox container from his side. But it seemed useless as the blonde pet stuck to his master like a bur. "Well at least tell him your name," sighed out the Uchiha protégée in exasperation. He knew a losing battle when he saw one.
"N… Naruto. I am Naruto Uzumaki, Itachi's pet," confessed the blonde taking some comfort in the last two words that fell from his lips.
"Pet?" Sasuke asked confused. He raised his eyes up towards his brother to explain.
"Well you did prevent me from owning something practical like a cat or a dog. So yes, he's my pet," Itachi agreed as if keeping a human pet was a normal thing to do. "And now you tell Naruto your name. We taught you better than that," scolded the older sibling.
"Mom taught me. You never have time to teach me anything," grumbled Sasuke pouting at his brother before giving the blonde a measuring look. He sized him up to see if he was worthy enough to receive his name before he gave it out. "Sasuke Uchiha, big brother's little brother."
"Good, good, now that we are done with the pleasantries me and Naruto will go to Mother and Father. They are in the study, right?" Itachi asked to confirm with his brother who was now suddenly behind him. He raised a lone brow, battling between amusement and irritation as the two little ones checked each other out. "Right, Sasuke!"
"Huh? Oh yeah study, study," Sasuke choked out, blushing suddenly at his brother's sudden rebuke. He then perked up at a sudden thought. "Can I go with?"
"No, this doesn't concern you, sorry. Now come Naruto," Itachi ordered before he walked purposely towards the study where his judge and jury were waiting for them. He didn't even have time to absorb the disappointed look his little brother gave him as he tried to move quickly without actually running. He just wanted to get this over with as soon as possible so he steeled himself for the worse.
And the worse seemed to come in the form of two highly disappointed faces as soon as he parted the sliding door to let the two of them enter. He clutched at the wood frame of the door longer than he needed to so that he could stop himself from grimacing at the way his mother looked up at him upon his entrance as if she had had her heart thoroughly broken. "Father… mother… It is good to see you in good health today," he managed to forced between clenched teeth before letting go of the door frame.
He looked towards his father, waiting until the older man gave him permission to sit down before he knelt down in front of his parents. His hand shot out without even looking to his side and dragged the trembling kyuubi container down next to him. He bent his head to whisper some harsh, clipped words to still the quivering blonde before countering his hard words by giving Naruto's hand the squeeze that he wasn't able to earlier.
"I will make things right. So calm down," he murmured softly as an afterthought. Then straighten suddenly when his father cleared his throat.
Naruto, after the words that he just received, sat as quietly as he could beside Itachi. His hand that was not thankfully being held in Itachi's between them was fisted in his lap. He didn't want to make it hard for his owner by asking any unnecessary questions but he couldn't help but fidget slightly, unused to sitting so still. He had also wanted to look up at Itachi's parents and gauge out their reactions to his presence but he didn't want to start violently shaking again in case it was as bad as he feared. So he trained his eyes downward, waiting on his fate.
"Itachi we have heard rumors earlier today, that now seem warranted, that you have been associating with that 'thing' beside you," Fugaku began, his displeasure dripping from every syllable. "How far does this association go?" he demanded sharply before he felt his wife's hand flutter down to settle on his arm.
"Wh… what your father is trying to say is that we are just concerned about you. We know that you are a good boy and so does the villagers. We are all just worried about your choice in… in company," the petite woman confessed softly. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she tried to fight to soften her husband's words.
"Father, mother it's not like I have fallen in with a bad crowd. This is 'only a child' as you so urgently point out whenever I want to discuss everyone's weird actions towards Naruto. So it shouldn't worry you if I try and associate with—" Itachi began civilly before he was cut off.
"Is this because we won't tell you the truth about that 'thing' that you are acting out this way?" demanded Itachi's father as his eyes narrowed suspiciously at his usually model son. He felt a bit of regret that he had believed his child completely without flaws as he boasted of his son's accomplishments to others. And now, now because he chose to withhold information because it was so ordained by the Lord Hokage, his Itachi was acting out. 'Unacceptable.'
He watched with his piercing eyes as his son couldn't help a minute flinch, letting him know that he was right in his suspicions. "You shouldn't ruin your bright future because you cannot get your way Itachi," Fugaku began, thawing out his words a bit. "It is only necessary for you to know that when the time comes I will reveal why the villager's treat that child the way they do. When you are older you will understand," his father pressed hoping to appease his son.
"I'm not ruining anything, honorable father," Itachi forced out with a smile that was more grimace than anything. He tried to fight back his growing irritation at the answer that he had received many times before when he questioned either parent about Naruto. "I am a good citizen of Konoha and would never dream to upset anyone on purpose. My apologies to all but I plan to keep this 'thing' you refer to as my pet," Itachi finally announced, watching his father suddenly stiffen in anger again.
"Pet? Pet? What foolishness is this Itachi!" growled out his father even as he leaned forward to stab his son with his glaring eyes. "First you question my reasoning for withholding information you aren't ready for and now, now you tell me such foolishness? Who do you think you are?!"
"I am me, Itachi Uchiha, your son, like I've always have been father," Itachi said calmly, his lips twitching into a small smile for their benefit.
Fugaku only snorted at his sudden meekness, arms crossed over his expansive chest. He was prepared to say more on the topic to nip this all in a bud when his wife suddenly spoke up. His gaze softened slightly as he looked at his spouse, knowing that if he couldn't talk sense into his son's thick head than maybe she could appeal to him.
"Are… are you really sure about this? It's a lot of responsibility taking care of anything, pet or… or otherwise," she said with difficulty, trying to humor him. Mikoto's eyes darted nervously towards the blonde child that still held her son's hand before looking away, trying to squish the anger that wanted to bloom in the docile Uchiha's chest.
Mikoto knew that it was hard for her self-sufficient son to process the gravity of his decision but he needed to learn that some things, no matter how outstanding his thinking and shinobi skills were, could not be questioned, should not be questioned for the benefit of all. She frowned, fiddling with the edge of her sundress wondering if she could possibly force her child to see the light without revealing the ugly truth about that… that monster that had decided to attach itself to her precious boy. 'Please Itachi… understand. We mean you well.'
"I can handle the situation well enough and he doesn't need much. Besides it's not like he's better off without my help. You should have seen the condition he was in earlier," reasoned the Uchiha child trying to win his parents over. He tried to keep the awe from his voice as he described the bruises and scars he found littering the small boy's body. He didn't need for his honorable parents to know that their son was twisted.
"Really, well then maybe we should take him to the hospital to get checked out or something," suggested Mikoto quickly, her eyes suddenly fascinated with the layout of the tatami mats on the floor.
"You should listen to your mother; she is saying this for both of your benefits. Leave such matters to ones who are equipped to handle these sort of situations. I'm sure the Orphanage he belongs is worried about his whereabouts. We should go now and take their ward back to them and besides that I do not see any visible scars on the kid. So your statement was unwarranted Itachi," Fugaku tried to explain calmly, ready to ease himself up onto his feet.
"I don't necessary need your permission father. I could just as easily ask the Hokage for permission to keep him," Itachi spoke to the ground, his voice suddenly thick with emotion. He grimaced, looking at the suddenly pale blonde, from the corner of his eyes before looking down at their joined hands. He suddenly rose up his free one to stop his father from blustering out a retort to his insolence. "Listen, please. I saw what I saw and I have no reason to lie to either of you," he said calmly, before lifting his eyes up to look at both of his parents, pleadingly.
"When I think of how that could have easily been my little brother I just—" Itachi tried another tactic by playing close to home. But it seemed he miscalculated as his father suddenly slammed his fist down against the ground making everyone in the room flinch from it as well as the coming words.
"That's enough Itachi! That… that 'thing' is nothing like your brother," Fugaku sputtered out. His spittle flew from his mouth as he fastened wild, angry eyes on the blonde who dared to cringe against his son's side for protection. "He deserves each and every bruise that the villagers graciously give him because your precious pet that you are trying to defend is nothing but a—" Fugaku began to thunder out, his words bending with momentum. His face with flushed a horrible, blotchy red as he got even more caught up in his burning rage when his mother rightfully silenced him.
"Fugaku no… don't. You almost…" Mikoto began, her words suddenly failing her though she did take her husband's hand in her own. She slowly unfurled his clenched fist to stroke the back of his hand hoping to soothe his angered soul. "He doesn't understand what that child represents dear… so please. And you Itachi that child, whatever he might be, he isn't a pet. He's still a human being," Mikoto proceeded going from soothing words to rebuking ones for husband and son.
'But did either of you to treat him like he's human? You must have seen the condition he was in while passing him in the village,' Itachi wanted to question. He doubted that his parents were capable right now or ever to see pass whatever it is Naruto really was. But he was not naïve or even brave enough at the moment to question them on that point. Instead he settled on laying down the facts.
"Well than this is my human being," Itachi said smartly and gave the child's hand another reassuring squeeze before lifting up his chin defensively. "Tell him your name. They need to know that you aren't just a 'thing', that you are indeed human," he said tightly, his eye flashing in challenge while never leaving his father's face.
"N… Naruto. I… have a name its Naruto," gasped out the child trembling from head to toe by this point. His cheeks were flushed pink as he tried to keep back the tears that welled in his eyes. He sensed Mikoto and Fugaku's hatred beating down on him on some intuitive level; but the fear that he might lose the one person who saw him as truly human weighed more on his heart than any of that. 'God if you're out there…' he thought as he pressed his warm face against Itachi's shoulder.
"See he has a name. And he is a human, so I am going to keep him and treat him as such," the Uchiha's eldest child supplied simply as if that was all that was needed to end the argument. He stood up smoothly and swiftly, dragging Naruto up with him. He was all but ready to leave the room before he really said something he'd regret.
"You can't keep him while you are under my roof," Fugaku announced, undeniably serious. His dark eyes glittered in anticipation of his son dropping the parasite for the cushy lifestyle that he had been enjoying until now. He knew in his heart that as soon as that 'thing' was removed than his son would slowly come back to his senses. Fugaku's other hand that wasn't held by his wife's already had come to cover her own in order to reassure her that their child would indeed see the light.
"Then don't worry father. I'll move out today to that recently abandoned house on the outskirts of our Compound," Itachi declared firmly, his back still facing his parents. "But I wonder honorable father…" Itachi spat out those two words as if it left a bad aftertaste in his mouth before continuing coolly "….how the others would think of how you treat your own precious son. They won't like it especially when I decide to drop out of this year's Chunnin exam (3)," he finished off smoothly.
"Itachi no, you can't. You've work so hard to prepare sweetie," Mikoto gasped out truly distraught by the entire situation. She looked helplessly to her husband to straighten things out seeing as she suddenly couldn't remember the easy action of standing.
"You wouldn't dare!" growled out Fugaku, standing. He looked angrily at his conceited child before his eyes narrowed at the frozen blonde who seemed unable to look away. 'How did Itachi ever let this boy poison his mind?' he thought prepared to take necessary precautions against the growing nuisance.
"Don't you dare lay a hand on what's mine," hissed out Itachi suddenly whirling around, kunai ready between fingertips. His sharp eyes watched his father falter more out of surprise than his sudden threat. But as suddenly as he had turned he had just as suddenly took a deep bow, ready to end the whole argument. "Goodbye father, mother. I have packing to do. We will hopefully speak again under better circumstances," Itachi said crisply before departing quickly with his bemused pet.
A/N:
(1): Brigadoon is a musical/ movie that tells the story of a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every hundred years, though to the villagers, the passing of each century seems no longer than one night. The enchantment is viewed by them as a blessing rather than a curse, for it saved the village from destruction. There's more to it than that but it basically follows the events of two Americans who stumble onto this enchanted village.
(2): I swear to god, give a small child a reason to admire you to the point of worshipping and they will follow you everywhere. I have a friend who treats her little brother like crap but he still worships the ground she walks on. I so want to figure how that works out.
(3): Itachi is nine in the story and officially doesn't take and pass the Chunnin exam's until he turns ten.
It was kind of hard to pinpoint how I should make Itachi act as a child. I know he'd probably be more or less anti-social; he'd probably train more than the average ninja his age. I picture him as being practically the furthest thing from a normal nine year old. I mean the limited information given on his childhood and years before the Uchiha Massacre let's someone no very little so you have to fill in the blanks yourself.
So I made him assertive, a little overconfident by the idea of being able to raise a child that has been abandon. He's impatient and pissed off by the fact that no one has revealed why all the adults don't like Naruto as well as miffed by the child's mysterious healing capabilities. Since Itachi is shown to be a genius at a very young age, I felt that he'd be more or less capable of acting and preferring to act older than he really is. I also feel that he's a kid that wants to skip adolescents completely because there are too many restrictions on what he can and cannot do. He thinks adolescence is an indulging stage of life for those weaker than himself.
He probably already thinks he's superior to everyone and tends occasionally to humor the adults by putting on the face of a complacent child. Sometimes when he uses sarcasm he acts overly polite while openly mocking someone. I might have Itachi a bit emotionally removed for most situations but unable to fight the fact that he himself is indeed human and can feel. Naruto will be good in bringing that out in him; and hopefully even though this Itachi in this story is a bit twisted and neglectful of his 'pet' I hope my readers like this story and chapter anyway and tell me what they feel about it in reviews.
So… yeah, it was hard to write but hopefully not hard enough for you guys to comment. Well until next time… bye.
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