Author's Notes (Best not to be skipped):

The Author's Notes are pretty long, so feel free to skip this part if you want to. But please, do pay attention to the Notice below.

I will occasionally re-upload old chapters along with new ones, however don't worry, there won't be any significant differences. I will mainly do so to correct any spelling, grammatical or phraseological mistakes. I might add some sentences once in a while, but there really won't be any significant changes.

Take Notice:

This is an Alternative Universe (AU) story set in our Earth – modern day world. Take this into consideration, especially when you are thinking/"frowning" about the reactions/choices or the general personality of the Characters that will be depicted.

This story is a Yaoi (male x male). This means that the homosexual relationship(s) between males is (are) illustrated.

If you're particularly young or aren't familiar/comfortable with this topic then I suggest you do not proceed to read this story/chapter.

Interesting Facts – Did you know? :

The Greek name for the Butterfly is Psyche (ψυχή = psu-khe) and that same word means "Soul" in English. The Latin equivalent to Psyche or Soul is "Anima", which is roughly translated as "air, breath, spirit". That is because the soul was considered the incorporeal or spiritual 'breath' which animates (animus, anima, etc), the living organism.

As stated by Bulfinch's Mythology, in the Age of Fable (about the Greek personification of the soul) :

«There is no other illustration of the immortality of the soul as striking and beautiful as the butterfly, bursting on brilliant wings from the tomb in which it has lain, after a dull, grovelling, caterpillar existence, to flutter in the blaze of day and feed on the most fragrant and delicate productions of the spring.

Psyche, then, is the human soul, which is purified by sufferings and misfortunes, and is thus prepared for the enjoyment of true and pure happiness. »

There is also a Greek myth, "The Story of Eros and Psyche", which I recommend to all. The myth of Eros and Psyche (Cupid in Latin, and Soul in English), is probably one of the most beautiful and lyrical love stories in Classical Mythology. In this story we can see the perseverance of a man, even when he is possessed by passion, and the efforts of a woman to overcome many obstacles in order to achieve the bliss of Love.

Aishiteru: "I love you" (one of the strongest ways to say it in Japan, though not used often)

Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Anime or the Characters!This work is for entertaining purposes only; I obviously make no profit from this.

All rights go to the creator: Masashi Kishimoto.

The only thing(s) that I DO OWN are the Idea (behind the story) and the story itself.

PS: The rating may change, as well as the title.

You, my friend(s), have been both informed and warned.

Chapter I

I never thought I could hate someone this much.

But I do. I want to see his wretched being crawling on the ground, bleeding and begging for his life. I want him to know the same pain and fear that Shisui felt.

...

What would you do!?

If the person you loved had been defiled, his heart butchered like a pig! What would you do!? Would you be all right and mighty!?

You know it.

You know it.

I tried. I told myself that this is what Shisui would have wanted... Justice.

But this... No. This...atrocity of a human doesn't deserve Justice.

...

Itachi leisurely opened one of eyes, blocking the sun with his arm, while burying himself under the pillow.

As his senses awakened, his nose tensed up from below the cushion and, smelling the bacon, he lazily dragged the pillow aside, looking above at Shisui in a seductive, and playful, manner.

"Are you seducing me or the bacon?" Shisui teased, holding the frying pan with the supposed bacon and some pancakes.

Itachi returned a chuckle and got up. He dragged himself to the table and sat down, rubbing the back of his neck.

After Shisui served him, he hastily got ready for work-or to wherever today's routine demanded of him.

He put on an expensive black suit, paired with its own shoes, and as soon as he had managed the daring feat of tying his tie, he started clawing it off. Something along the lines of 'Not enough oxygen! Not enough oxygen!' kind of behaviour.

He hated formal attires. It was just not his style. He was laid-back, simplistic.

Shisui was the kind of person to wear socks at the beach while wearing sandals, and not give a damn about it. Those "bureaucratic"- as he often called them- clothes just weren't for him.

In either case, he wore his shoes and joyfully shouted "I'm off". Itachi barely managed to squeeze an "Okay, Be Careful" between the seconds it took for Shisui to 'walk' out of the house dashing and slam the door behind.

"Be Careful"... Those words seemed so ordinary at the time. So mundane.

For the last four years they lived together, this was how their mornings played out- it was as if they were scripted.

It wasn't like London was that dangerous but then again, that was a habit Itachi couldn't shake. Even back in Japan, in his old neighbourhood- the place where he grew up at- his parents would casually tell Sasuke and himself to be careful, even though they knew practically everyone in a range of 2 miles.

Returning to his breakfast, Itachi thought to himself how 'routinely' their days were. Today, too, was going to be the same... except not quite the same; he smirked.

That's right. Today will be special. He thought to himself, almost proud.

He pondered for a bit, looking into the distance vacantly, before going back to grinning and smirking, his happiness filling the room.

A golden pair. Or maybe one just for him? But gold may be a bit eye-catching. On second thought, a fine silver pair with our names engraved into them would be ideal, I'm certain he would like that.

An engagement ring was something Itachi had wished to give Shisui for a long time; he just never felt that the timing was right.

He had meant for this to be a surprise, but that wasn't really an option; he had wanted to be certain that he wouldn't do something that Shisui would dislike, so he had frequently brought up the subject- miserably trying to get Shisui to tell him what he would like.

Shisui had, of course, understood the underlying meaning in Itachi's unusual speech patterns and behaviour with ease but, for his sake, had pretended not to notice.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Itachi snapped out of his memories, gulped down the remaining of his breakfast, dressed, and was on his way.

...

Before entering the jewellery store, he took the time to browse through the front window, just to get an idea.

Gold rings, silver rings. With gems, peculiar designs...

So many to choose from, he was intimidated.

At least for a moment.

When he laid his eyes on it, it was spontaneous. He knew.

He placed his fingers on the window and leaned forward to get a better look.

It was perfection incarnate.

An elegant, slim, silver pair of engagement rings. No gems or anything too flashy.

On the exterior side, from what little he could make out of it, the rings seemed to have engraved the phrase "Till stars fade" in Latin- in a calligraphically, pleasing to the eye, manner. It also seemed that, aside from the samples, the store was willing to write the same phrase in any language the buyer wanted.

Aside from these, the rings also had enough space in the interior for their names to be carved.

It was everything Shisui was: elegant, graceful and stylish, with an indeterminate value. Light, but full with meaning.

His heart pounded heavily as he stepped into the shop.

He chose the rings and, before he gave them to the young employee, looked at them one more time. His eyes smiling in a tender fashion.

He will love them.

As he handed them to the girl, he felt a tiny ounce of regret. It was just a shame these wouldn't be their wedding rings.

He took a deep breath and then shook his head slightly.

It's ok.

It didn't matter to him that they couldn't be officially married. In their hearts they would be- and that was enough for both of them, he was certain Shisui felt the same way as well.

...

After he was done picking the rings, he went to the University, where he thought his day would play out as it always had- that, of course, not being the case.

A mere 2 hours later his phone rang, curiously so, since there weren't any people he knew that would call him while he was at the University.

That should have been a dead giveaway that it wasn't for anything good.

And it wasn't.

After he answered the call from the Hospital, Itachi lost it. His mind went blank. Simply hearing the phrase "Shisui was in an accident" was enough for him to lose all sense of reason.

He dashed out of his classes, hurrying by Shisui's side, leaving the teacher and his classmates similarly bewildered.

His confusion was such that he had not even thought of catching the train or calling a taxi.

No. His primal instinct was to run. There was no logic in his fear.

Even as his legs started to hurt. Even as his knees gave out. Even as he stumbled and fell and his lungs felt crushed.

He gritted his teeth, gasped for the cold air of London's morning, and ran.

Was he all right!?

Was he injured!?

Where did it happen!?

How did it happen!?

A thousand thoughts crossed his mind while he ran. Hands moving back and forth in unsynchronized craze; sweat dripping down on his face and teeth clenched as the tears fell. Before he knew it, he was already in front of the hospital's entrance.

Without a moment's rest he bursted open the hospital's doors and made his way through the halls. He was panting heavily, his shoulders violently moving up and down as he tried to even his breathing, he frantically turned his head around in agony, hoping to catch glimpse of Shisui's face.

Still, in his haze of a mind, all he could make out was blurred faces walking past him.

He hadn't even processed that right in front of him was the information centre. Similarly, in his headache, he hadn't even heard of the young receptionist asking him what he wanted, he had disregarded her without meaning so, and had stumbled farther into the hospital's halls.

It wasn't until ten minutes later that one of the nurses noticed him looking around hysterically and asked him what he sought, leading him to Shisui's room.

Seeing Shisui smile at him goofily, he sighed in relief.

His eyes too heavy, he shut the up as the tears flowed. Unable to speak, or think, he bit his lips and stood there as Shisui, and everyone in the room, watched him break down, his whole face- and body- trembling.

A huge burden had been lifted off his chest. When he finally, somehow, calmed down, he stepped in, moving closer to Shisui and as he sat down beside his bed, he took Shisui's hand into his own freezing ones; repeatedly kissing it with adoration.

Shisui laughed it off with his usual humour- and Itachi felt relieved that he had done so- but nonetheless, he was uneasy.

As Itachi seemed more composed, the nurse returned with the doctor and announced the results of the x-rays, stating that Shisui had to be prepared for surgery right away due to some broken ribs and internal bleeding.

"... I see. But, it's a standard procedure, right?", his voice shivered.

"Of course."

Now relieved, his mind found the time to worry about other, secondary issues. Like how exactly all these had happened.

He asked the doctor who, after a quick peek at Shisui, he proceeded to explain:

"Earlier this morning, we received a call by the police that a traffic accident had taken place and that we should hurry there, as there were people who had been injured. When we arrived, upon asking the police of the incident, we were informed that a child had been playing in the track of the street when he, accidentally, lost control of the ball, resulting in it flying in the road.

The boy, trying to retrieve the ball, sprung in front of the driver unexpectedly, who didn't have enough time to react. It was at that time that Shisui... if I recall his name correctly, jumped out of nowhere, grabbing the child into his arms, shielding him and getting hit by the car instead."

Itachi froze for a second and then asked. "And how is the child?"

The Doctor paused. His expression emotionless.

"... Thanks to your friend shielding him from the direct blow of the crush, the child didn't have any serious injuries. The only injuries that we found were a few scratches in his face and hands. He and his parents already left."

It sounded exactly like Shisui.

"Now, if you'll excuse us, but we have to prepare Shisui for surgery", the doctor said, leading Itachi outside.

The moment the door closed the atmosphere in the room changed.

"... Thank you, Yamashita-san."

The Doctor didn't bother turning around and cleaned his glasses with his sleeve. "What do you hope to accomplice by having me lie?" he asked, his voice dictating and cold- almost judgmental.

"Protect him" Shisui answered; his voice smiling. "You, at least, should be familiar with the concept." his tone turning cynical- slightly aggressive.

Yamashita snorted, shaking his head; he tried to comprehend Shisui's words while rubbing his forehead. Eventually, his snort turned into a loud laughter.

"Forget it. My situation is nothing like yours. I'm not his-

The pillow smacked his face.

"NEVER-" he bellowed. "Don't say that! Not ever again! I've moved on!" He screeched at the top of his lungs, his voice shivering, desperate to be believed.

The Doctor growled. He had heard those words before. They were the same as the foolishness of his youth.

He frowned, "You can't erase the past...", the memories of his past filling him with regret. "And you surely can't protect anyone. He won't stop. He'll hunt you down. You might as well say your goodbyes." He said, picking up his glasses.

"Don't become melodramatic", Shisui said. His voice transformed to a more stable, a more confident tone.

...

The surgery was indeed a standard procedure as Shisui was in and out in no time at all. Days later he was discharged and allowed to go home.

But something was off. He wasn't the same.

At the beginning it seemed fine, like some kind of emotional after-effect from the accident, but it got worse.

Soon afterwards, Shisui became paranoid. He became jumpy to the littlest sound and he would double lock all windows and doors, even the ones inside the apartment.

The dawning of the second week found both Shisui and Itachi at odds. Shisui woke with an odd sense of a sinister foreboding, and as Itachi's leave of absence from the University was up, he had to, hesitantly though, leave Shisui alone.

He was doubtful of leaving him by himself, but with a little- though awkwardly executed- encouragement, he was convinced that it was fine.

As he was about to leave, Shisui hugged him attentively.

"Aishiteru..." he spoke softly, his voice caressing Itachi's neck.

He hugged him back, squeezing him in his arms. "I love you too. More than anything in this world. So don't ever worry me like that again."

Shisui didn't answer. He was afraid to. There was something in his mind that he could not say and so he buried himself deeper into his lover's neckline before letting him go.

Feeling a bit uneasy, Itachi kissed Shisui's forehead- "I'll be back in around 4 to 6 hours. Take a hot bath and try to relax. Don't push yourself too hard".

He stroked Shisui's hair and closed the door behind him, leaving Shisui at the other side staring at it.

Eventually, he sat on the couch and opened the TV, wishing for time to just move forward.

However, as time passed, an ominous feeling engulfed him.

Hearing the sudden knock on the door, he jerked back almost as violently as a cat would in a water slide.

He tiptoed his way to the door, careful not to make any noise, and as he looked through the peephole, dread filled his body.

He cowered back, holding his breath. Wishing that he would just go away.

But that wouldn't be the case.

The knocks on the door turned to bangs.

With each bang his fists clenched instinctively.

He wasn't a coward. But he had been taught to fear him.

But he couldn't hide.

He gulped, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath before opening the door- preparing for what it was that he had to face.

"M-

The man grabbed Shisui's throat. His anger obvious. "At least you remembered to call me 'Master'" he said with a growl as he let him go- pushing him aside.

Shisui rubbed his neck, for a moment he had thought he was a goner.

"Your... your hair has really grown... Last time I show you they were barely longer than your neck..." he stumbled his words, buying himself time- just in case his courage decided to show up.

The man glared at him, a deep frown painting his face darker. "That can happen in a period of 3 to 4 years."

"You're mad..."

He chuckled. "Now, why would I be?" he asked, seemingly calm.

"Because" he hesitated, his heart ready to jump out of his chest. "Because I left you."

The man paused, a crease forming in his face. "If you realize your mistake then return to me. Apologize, and I'll be kind to you", he leaned down, "-like I have always been. Deny me however..."

"KIND!? When have you ever been kind!?" he shouted, grabbing the man by his collar but regretted quickly as he saw the man glaring at him.

"Has freedom gone over your head?" he posed; the tone of his voice threatening. "Don't forget who you are talking to."

"Y-Yes!" Shisui cried. "S-So... why are you here...?"

"I missed you." The man said in a childish manner, playing along.

"Missed me? Is that why you almost had me killed!?"his hands formed into fists.

He ignored the question. "Tell me Shisui, how did the freedom I provided you with, feel?"

"Huh...?"

"Don't tell me you thought you had escaped. Did you seriously think you could have left me? You wanted some space to breathe, so I gave you a taste of the freedom you desired."

No. He's lying. .LYING. He didn't let me go. I escaped. I escaped!

He continued to repeat this mantra in his mind; he had to believe it.

He had to believe that he managed to evade this man's claws on his own, rather than to have been left to wander like a dog. Because if that was the case, there really was no escape.

He's lying...

"In either case, let's say that you actually run away all on your own... what did you hope would happen once I found you again?"

"That...I hoped that... you would have grown tired of me... or have forgotten me... and that you would let me go."

At the sound of this the man laughed, his voice paranoiac, filled with menace. The answer had proved to have been more amusing than he had thought.

His mind balanced between amusement and rage.

In the end though, rage took over and he dug his nails at Shisui's neck. "Forget you!?"

He kept on tightening his grip and as much as Shisui fought back- kicking and whatnot- he was too weak.

It was odd because he had the strength. He was a grown man. It was just that, in the presence of that man, he became a child.

He gasped for air, trying to suck in oxygen, trying to scream but he could do neither.

Powerless to do anything, he felt his lungs suffocate as he thrashed around like a fish.

The sickening feeling of suffocation bringing back memories.

"M-Mas...ter..." he whispered with the few ounces of air he had left, the memories flooding back- the taste of blood, semen and steel making his body shiver.

Halfway through choking him, the man realized. Killing him wouldn't satisfy him. It would take much more than that.

He let go of his throat and instead grabbed Shisui's cheeks, forcing his lips apart. Looking down at Shisui's shivering body, the furrow on his face disappeared, and his features softened.

This pathetic sight of Shisui's breathlessness made the man find the capacity in himself to be a little gentler.

With his own breathing becoming heavier, he licked his lips. And for anyone else, this gesture wouldn't have meant much but for Shisui it was different.

This meant he was excited.

The man moved his face closer to Shisui's, eyeing the young boy's helpless lips before he proceeded to lavishly lick the outline of Shisui's upper lip, before he violated his mouth.

The man's passionate kiss sent shivers of pleasure in Shisui's body.

It was a helpless reaction.

He pulled back abruptly, with only a slight trail of saliva connecting their tongues... And Shisui lusting for more.

He looked down at Shisui's reddish cheeks and smiled fondly. His reaction satisfied him.

"Beg." He demanded, eager to see him fall further into the depths of despair.

Inside him, Shisui felt something break. Or... maybe it was something being stitched together?

He didn't care. Whatever it was, it scared him. He started weeping, trying to distance himself but unable to as the man's strength threatened to break his jaw.

He didn't have any other choice. He stuck out his tongue and, just like he had done so many times in the past, gestured at the man with it to "Come over here".

Pausing for a moment, the man's eyes widened. A corner of his mouth moving upwards into a sinister smirk as his eyes narrowed on his slave, brimming with ecstasy.

But he didn't dive into him right away. He wanted to let the humiliation sink in before giving him what he wanted.

He released Shisui's cheeks and jaw, and started planting kisses on his neck.

This meant he was in the mood for 'it'.

And while his kisses burnt Shisui's flesh like cigarettes would, he traced his hand lower to Shisui's body, playing with his nipple for a while, before moving lower.

And, at his movement, Shisui spread his legs, knowing that he would soon have to...

"You know..." the man said between his kisses, "Normally, I would be gentle with you..." he paused.

"But..." His aura darkened. "Bad boys should be punished."

He grabbed Shisui's dick, crashing it in his grip.

Shisui's pitiable cries only made his 'Master' angrier...or excited. It was hard to tell. Both sensations drive the heart to the extreme. And it didn't matter much as the result would either way be the same.

This meant... that it would not end well for him.

Shisui found that he was incapable of doing anything. He simply whimpered like a dog as his dominant continued crashing his erection.

He bit his lips and bent his head back, hoping to suffocate the tears. He couldn't do anything. He wasn't able to close his legs. He wasn't able to control his body.

The man stroked him a bit. Something like adding salt to injury... and then crushed his again.

The pain was the same...

His eyes rolled back into his skull, so much that they were barely visible, and he might as well have died right then.

Chapter I: the end

«To be continued»

Afterword:

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Do you think I could improve something?

I'd love some constructive criticism... or some encouragement.

Even the tiniest bit counts! Please help me improve.