Hello, boys and girls. How have you been? It's been two years! I hope you guys still remember my story.

Chapter 26 When Forever Starts

Naruto's knee kept on bouncing on the car floor. He was looking out at the night sky, biting his lip, sweat dotting his forehead.

Itachi chuckled and slapped the blonde's kneecap to get it to stop bouncing. "You're distracting me."

Naruto turned to him, his face flush with embarrassment and nervousness. "S-sorry..."

Itachi drove with one hand while his other hand rested on Naruto's knee. Since the younger man was feeling restless he probably didn't even notice it. But when he felt the warm hand slowly travelling up his thigh, he flinched.

Naruto moved his knee away, scowling at Itachi. The older Uchiha regarded him with cool eyes. This provincial boy could look naive and nervous but in his dark gray pinstripe suit he exuded an aura of virile masculinity that Itachi longed to tap into, and indulge.

"You look good in that suit, pup. Too bad you wouldn't let me sample a bit of what's inside it in the dressing room."

Naruto turned back to the window, gazing at the darkness outside. "The saleslady was looking at us funny."

"What, haven't done much PDA with Sasuke?"

"Sasuke hates PDA," Naruto snapped.

"I don't," Itachi quipped, smiling.

Inspite of himself, that got Naruto to chuckle. "Of course you don't, asswipe."

In a gentler voice, Itachi asked, "Still nervous?"

"Yeah... I'm about to go up against the strongest family in the land... I didn't think that it would come to this..."

"Regretting it?"

"NO, of course not!" Naruto said. "To get Sasuke back I'm prepared to do anything." His face was grim with determination.

Itachi leaned back on his seat, lazily driving with one hand, his other one threading through his long silky hair.

Reaching inside his own black suit he procured an expensive looking invitation envelope. He handed it to the young blonde. "Here."

Naruto carefully opened the invitation, seeing the lavish Uchiha design and stamp on the paper. "Wow, you even got their family stamp spot on!"

Itachi snorted. "I kept our stamp and seal when I ran away. Try to keep up, Naruto. And for goodness' sake don't speak in that lilting provincial accent of yours."

"I – I'm sorry..." Naruto pocketed the invitation, getting more nervous than ever.

Itachi reached out and ruffled the younger man's thick tresses affectionately. "Don't think about anything else. Don't think about screwing up. Focus on the goal."

"O- kay..."

"Attaboy, soldier." With a carress on Naruto's faintly stubbled cheek, he went back to driving.

Naruto regarded him sideways, quietly, as if seeing him in a new light. Itachi might be one horny bastard, but hewas a good man, nonetheless.

After several more hours of driving, Itachi stopped the car in a busy intersection. He pointed to a palatial mansion far from them, surrounded by tall gates. Naruto's eyes widened. "That's your – house?"

Itachi reached into the glovebox and procured an intricately designed black eyemask obviously created to be worn by a male in a masquerade ball.

With shaking hands, Naruto accepted the mask.

Itachi unbuttoned his suit casually, leaning forward until he was almost nose to nose with the younger man. "It's showtime."

Xxx

This was ridiculous.

Sasuke surveyed the grand ballroom hall where guests of about three hundred flitted about. The women wore stylish designer gowns while most older ladies wore their traditional party kimonos.

The men, either in suits or kimonos too, fomed small groups, most of them probably discussing their business with their partners over a glass of wine. Men and women flocked together naturally, old and young.

Sasuke was standing next to the shoji doors that would open to the gardens. He wished he could flee to the garden and wait until the party was over. He had no intention whatsoever to go through with this bullshit. To hell with his father and relatives! Sasuke was seething by the wall, thinking of a thousand ways to thwart his clan's plans for him.

Then a hush came down upon the crowd and everybody watched as Lady Asuka came in, clad in her dazzling gown, a beautiful butterfly mask on her eyes, and she was joined by her parents in their equally lavish kimonos.

Sasuke unclasped the buttons on his collar, suddenly feeling suffocated. It was true that Asuka his cousin was a vibrant young woman, but the thought of having to touch her in an intimate way made his skin crawl.

Suddenly, Fugaku Uchiha was at his son's side. He scanned the crowd and held his champagne glass. The ubiquitous waiters placed glasses of wine on each of the bethrothed's hand. Sasuke helplessly held on to his glass, biting his lip.

When Fugaku spoke to the crowd his voice was clear. "Good evening, everyone. Ladies. Gentlemen. Our family is most thankful to all of you for sharing with us this special night. My only son, Sasuke is going to be married to Asuka Sakata of our branch family, in order to strengthen the ties between our clan. They are the future of the Uchiha, and their children will become powerful leaders in this country. A toast – to their successful union."

Everybody raised their glasses, cheering.

Sasuke had no choice but to do the same, raise his glass towards Asuka, who was smiling so sweetly up at him.

Amidst the cheers and boisterous applause of everyone in the hall, Sasuke's heart was breaking pitifully. How would he be able to escape this fate?

"Indeed."

Sasuke's head whipped up so fast in reaction to that masculine voice he suddenly felt dizzy.

That voice! Where was –

A tall figure wearing a dark suit was slowly making his way to the circle of the Uchiha first family. Everyone paused to stare at him – the audacious blond young man who dared approach the Uchihas so casually. He plucked a wineglass from a waiter's tray.

"Good evening Uchiha-sama, Sakata-sama, two of the finest and most esteemed leaders of the Uchiha clan."

Sasuke, in his shock, was rooted on the spot, speechless.

The upper part of the newcomer's face was hidden by a black mask. Yet the younger women were all curious about him, whispering in hushed tones with each other.

The blonde's hair was slicked fashionably, his suit impeccably crisp. He had the body of an athlete, as evident by the sharp lines of is body, his broad shoulders and wide chest.

Even Sasuke couldn't believe how dapper his boyfriend looked in a suit. And his speech – he was speaking so formally like a – like an actual educated person!

Naruto walked over to Sasuke, unsmiling, but the warmth and affection in his eyes flooded the Uchiha's senses. His heart was beating wildly in his chest and if Naruto kissed him in front of the crowd he would be happy to be swept away by this passion, uncaring if his clan would finally cut him off their family.

"Congratulations on your betrothal, Sasuke," Naruto told him directly, in a loud voice. "I wish you all the happiness in your marriage!"

Sasuke was still tonguetied. "I – I – "

Ren Sakata, the uncle, hissed to Fugaku, "Who is this?"

Fugaku's face was almost red with anger. He signalled to some of his men.

Naruto sipped his wine cooly, not seeming alarmed. "Have you ever heard of the Toshi constructions?"

Both Fugaku and Ren froze where they stood, looking at each other, obviously in panic. Ren's wife even gasped audibly.

Naruto chuckled. "Would you like to have a little chat?" He sounded playful, teasing as if he wasn't flirting with danger and possibly, death.

Fugaku tried to lower his voice, not wanting to create a scandal. "What do you want?"

That was when Naruto looked at Sasuke's father, who was a few inches shorter than him. With a steady set of his jaw he he spoke with deadly calm. "I WANT WHAT'S MINE!" And Naruto looked pointedly at Sasuke.

Sasuke didn't know if he would faint from fear or beat the crap out of his boyfriend.

Not wanting the crowd to know how aggravated he was, Fugaku nodded to Naruto. "Let's go to my office."

"No – I'd rather we talk here. Somewhere a little private – there!" Naruto pointed to a vacant place near the wall.

A tic was already forming on Fugaku's cheek. "You dare tell me what to do in my house, boy?"

Naruto shrugged. "The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I'll get out of your hair."

Fugaku's eyes suggested otherwise, they were murderous. Naruto smirked.

Turning to Sasuke he said, "Come on, I gotta chat with your father."

"Naruto, what in the world are you – "

"Sssshhh... We'll get to it. Walk with me." Naruto led the way. Sasuke followed his boyfriend to wherever he was going, mesmerized at his show of confidence – of power.

Asuka was whining pitifully to her mother, whose expression was so white it was as if she was the one affected the most by Naruto's arrival.

Finally when Fugaku and Ren were facing Naruto in one secluded corner, the Uchiha leader lashed out, "I can have you killed, your balls cut off and your body quartered in my garden for everyone to see, you insolent brat!"

"Oh, really now? Can you do that, knowing that what I know can ultimately destroy your precious clan in the eyes of this country?" Naruto stood straight, feet apart, as if ready for a fight.

"Father, what does he mean by this?" Sasuke demanded.

"Your family is not as rich as you once were, Sasuke,"Naruto said. "Your Uncle Ren's wife is being whored to one of the Prime Minister's sons so that they could win the Toshi's construction bid, the largest construction project in the country. It is worth hundreds of billions of yen and they plan to get half of the amount of money to be divided amongst themselves, including the Prime Minister's son."

"What?" Sasuke gasped.

"They plan on cutting down on the cost of the expenses of the materials, so that they can save a lot of money and steal the national budget. Your Uncle Ren wants to marry you off to Asuka to strengthen your family's ties and to keep this secret in your family. They want to control you and make you the face of the clan, while they are working their schemes behind your back. And interestingly, I also found out that there is partnership brewing with the Sound country."

Naruto glared at the seething Ren. "You plan to invest in the arms industry. After getting the money from the construction bid, you want to expand your business into arms dealing. And you want Fugaku-sama to join you in this venture. Isn't that right, Sir?"

Ren cried out, "This is atrocious!"

Fugaku snapped finally. "Take him away. I want him to disappear!"

Sasuke cried out, "NO! Father –"

Two burly men approached Naruto, about to grab him. Naruto called out calmly, "Mishiranu."

All of a sudden a lithe tall man, who seemingly came out of nowhere, stepped infront of Sasuke and Naruto. Sasuke noted the long cascading black hair on his back. I- Itachi?

The long haired black man towered over all of them, staring down the two henchmen that Fugaku ordered to take Naruto away.

Itachi's face is fully covered with an Anbu mask. Which everybody noticed.

"I am under Anbu protection – my whole family and I," Naruto warned. "Touch me or my father and I assure you these secrets will all come out. In any case, whatever illegal activity you may be doing is against your conscience. I will not breathe a word of it, though I cannot guarantee the Anbu will not do anything against it – but I just want to have Sasuke back. He doesn't deserve to be tied to your sick and cruel plans!"

Naruto stared directly at Fugaku. "He has a life with me. We are together. I will not allow you to take him away from the life we have."

"Father, please," Sasuke begged. "I have never wanted anything in my life besides my freedom. You can do what you want with the clan and our wealth – or the lack thereof – I don't care anymore. I just want to be with him. Please. I cannot get married to Asuka!"

Sasuke gasped when Naruto's hand enveloped his in a tight comforting grip.

"Get out of my sight!" Fugaku hissed, his face red with anger. "I have no son anymore. All my sons are dead to me now."

Sasuke looked up at his older brother, the firstborn of the Uchiha to have red eyes in centuries. Itachi glanced down at his younger brother.

And winked at him.

"Babe, come on, let's go..."Naruto whispered, tugging at Sasuke's hand.

Sasuke looked at Fugaku one last time. "Forgive me, father. Goodbye."

Naruto hurried away from the hall, clutching Sasuke's hand for everyone to see. Asuka and her mother looked shocked, scandalized.

Itachi waited until the two were out safely, before he looked at his father straight in the eye, through the mask's slits, his eyes blazing.

In red.

Fugaku was shocked. He blinked, sure that his eyes made a mistake. But before he could look at the tall man properly again, he was almost gone.

Fugaku watched the Anbu's retreating back. "Wait – Waaaait –"

Itachi never looked back.

Xxx

Sasuke, still dazed, went with Naruto, half running towards the outside of the gates. Even when they reached the busy street, Naruto did not break his speed.

"Naruto! Naruto, wait – where are we going?"

Naruto almost ran, not letting go of his lover's hand. At last when they got to where their car was parked, Naruto let go and held onto the hood. "Oh my gosh! Oh man, I really did it!" he gasped.

And in a wonderful display of manliness, he threw up, all over the pavement.

"Naruto..."

Still retching, Naruto waved his hand feebly to keep Sasuke back. He was so pitiful. This was not the glorious reunion he was envisioning. He wanted to sweep Sasuke off his feet and impress him, kiss away all his doubts.

And Naruto ended up puking his dinner on his shoes.

"NARUTO!" Sasuke insisted.

Naruto looked up and Sasuke launched himself into the blonde's arms. Sasuke wanted to kiss him but Naruto smelled of vomit so he turned his face away. Sasuke was only able to burrow his face on Naruto's neck. "You came for me."

"Of course, hon. I wish I could have done it sooner, though. Don't, Sasuke, don't kiss me – I just puked!"

A figure stepped out from the darkness. "Father, Uncle and his henchmen will eventually be arrested. Even if I don't do anything about it, their secret has already been discovered by the Anbu. It's only a matter of time before the clan gets destroyed. Because of their greed and lust for money and power. Uncle Ren started blackmailing father to make father join him in his gun dealing schemes, but I believe they are in this construction business together."

Sasuke turned to his Onii-san. "You! What are you doing here?!"

Itachi carefully removed his Anbu mask. "All's well that ends well, huh, little brother? Shouldn't you be thanking me because I helped you guys get back together?"

Sasuke looked back at his boyfriend questioningly. Naruto nodded, wiping his mouth. "It's true. He helped me with everything I need, all the information I had... I'm so thankful to your brother, Sasuke!"

"Thank you, Onii-san," Sasuke told Itachi, still hugging Naruto tightly.

Itachi inclined his head towards Naruto's direction, raising his eyebrow.

Blushing from embarrassment, Naruto remembered their unholy agreement and said to Sasuke, "Uhhhm, actually Itachi wants something in exchange for his help."

"What?"

Blushing, and since Naruto couldn't say it out loud, he whispered it to Sasuke. The smaller Uchiha's mouth dropped in surprise and he glared at his Onii-san. "Has he done something t you?" he asked Naruto.

Naruto blushed more deeply. "Uhhmm..."

"Answer me!" Sasuke snapped.

Mumbling, Naruto dipped his head. "He kissed me. Uh – several times..."

"Is that so?"

"I'm sorry, are you mad?" Naruto asked, worried.

Sasuke took a deep breath, stepping away from the blonde. "No, of course not."

Without any preamble he walked up to his tall brother. In the moonlight, the two dark haired brothers looked almost identical, only varying in size. Naruto watched them, mesmerized by both their male beauty.

"Thank you, Onii-san."

"My pleasure," Itachi answered with an affectionate smile.

"I owe you so much. And for that – " Sasuke reached up, grabbed the front of Itachi's suit and pulled him down for a big wet kiss.

It defintely wasn't a peck.

Sasuke almost forced his Onii-san's mouth open with his own and shoved his tongue inside, kissing Itachi for a few seconds. Itachi let out a very male groan.

Naruto didn't know if he would be aroused by the lovely display of the two handsome men, or if he would be jealous. Eventually it would come to this anyway.

Squeezing his brother, Sasuke bit Itachi's upper lip gently and pulled away. "That was for helping Naruto."

Itachi cleared his throat. "Maybe it's time to retire for the night. All three of us."

Sasuke clamped his mouth shut, and pulled down Itachi as hard as he could, sending one of his rock hard knee onto Itachi's abdomen.

"Oooofff – "

In a move only a taijutsu master could manage, Sasuke spun and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick that fell Itachi. The Anbu fell to the ground in an ungraceful manner, clutching his stomach.

"And that is for kissing my boyfriend. He's mine and mine alone. Nobody fucks him but me. Get it, Onii-san? Okay, now give me your keys."

Eyes blazing with fury, Sasuke held out his palm.

Itachi knew that once again, he was defeated. Laughing and wheezing at the same time, he tossed the car keys to his brother. "You're getting cheeky, Sasuke. How will I drive home?"

Sasuke snorted. "You're Anbu. Figure it out yourself. I'll pay up someday, Onii-san. Just not at Naruto's expense. He's mine."

Still dizzy from throwing up and shocked that Sasuke would dare hit his brother, Naruto was left leaning against the car, completely weakened. Sasuke opened the door for him. "We're leaving."

Naruto almost fell inside the car while Sasuke shifted it into gear. The young Uchiha looked one last time at his fallen brother. "Come by Naruto's house sometime, Onii-san. I'll cook your favorite nikujaga."

Itachi touched his bleeding lip. "Will do, brother. Will do."

And with that the car sped away.

Itachi chuckled and lay down on the pavement, looking up at the glittering stars on the night sky. Maybe someday he would have the kind of bond his younger brother shared with Naruto.

Even half of that wasn't so bad.

Xxx

Sasuke opened the door of their motel room forcefully, shoving Naruto inside. Using his foot to shut the door, he draped himself all over his lover, reaching up for a kiss.

Naruto covered his mouth. "Dude – I'm telling you I gotta brush my teeth first."

"Shut up, Naruto!" Sasuke snapped, pushing away his hand and pulling him down for a breath taking kiss. Sasuke ignored the sour taste of his lover's mouth, only feeling as if at last, he was finally able to draw air into his lungs again. He thought he wouldn't be able to see Naruto again, touch him, kiss him, make love to him...

With his surprising strength, Sasuke pushed Naruto towards the bed and knelt down between his legs. Without any further ado he unzipped Naruto's pants and reached inside to take out his half-hard member.

Naruto groaned, "Ahhh – Sasuke..."

"Shit, you are so hot tonight!" Sasuke moaned. He covered the tip of Naruto's cock with his mouth. Naruto hissed in pleasure.

Sasuke began sucking him, from root to tip, swirling his tongue around the crown. With eyes half lidded with passion he looked directly up at his trembling boyfriend. "I can't live without this, Naruto. Without you."

Naruto smiled, inspite of his panting, reaching down to carress Sasuke's silky hair. "Me, too, love. Me,too."

Sasuke swallowed Naruto's cock a few more times and with a popping sound moved his mouth away. Hurriedly he took off his coat, almost tearing at his buttons in haste. Naruto watched him from the bed, lazily stroking his shaft.

"Fuck me," Sasuke barked, like the bossy little bottom that he was.

A frown marred Naruto's forehead. "We haven't got any lube."

Sasuke's answer was to spit generously at Naruto's cock, climbing on top of him and when he was finally naked, lowering himself slowly onto the thick appendage.

Naruto held onto Sasuke's hips firmly, as he slowly eased Sasuke onto his thickness. Sasuke was wincing in pain, his eyes closed and Naruto whipered, "Does it hurt too much?"

"I'm fine... I want to do it. Need you – like the air... that I breathe..."

Lovingly, Naruto wrapped his arm around his smaller boyfriend, trying to be as gentle as he could, allowing Sasuke all the time in the world to get accustomed to his size without the ease of a lubricant.

Finally after struggling to get past the first tight ring of Sasuke's ass, Naruto was cocooned inside his lover's wet heat. They didn't move at first, completely satisfied with just holding on to each other, tightly connected.

"Tomorrow, we'll be going home,"Sasuke whispered, his face buried in Naruto's neck.

"Yeah, tomorrow. Pops is getting worried sick about you."

"I want to see him, too. Naruto, let's get out of the dorm and get a proper house. When we go back to the university," Sasuke suggested, rotating his hip slowly and gasping at the intense pleasure as Naruto hit all the right places inside him.

Naruto groaned, feeling good inside Sasuke. "I don't have a lot of money to share for the rent – "

"Everything that I have is yours, baka. And everything that you have is mine. We'll work it out. Okay? Don't argue with me!"

Naruto chuckled. "Okay, love, no arguing. Just – " Naruto thrusted upward, and Sasuke threw his head back, gasping. " – this."

"Yep, just this..."

Lowering his head, Sasuke kissed Naruto with all the passion and love and respect that he had for his lover.

The two young men spent the whole night making love to each other, and when they were tired and sated, began making plans for their future. A future where nothing and noone would be able to separate them.

THE END

Finally after two years. A proper closure.

Love you guys!