Hey! Sorry for the late update. A bunch of stuff had happened, and I won't bore you with the details. I've been busy and am happy to finally get this chapter out! Hopefully, the next one doesn't take so long.

Also, I warn yall.

*LEMON WARNING!*

There is spice in this chapter. I shall warn you guys now, lol. Enjoy!

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I was sitting alone, across the entire hallway from his room, but the smell of his blood was driving me nuts. I'd go outside, but I'd be passing his room, and I don't want to risk it. I do not want to lay a finger on his door, I don't want to hurt him, and I must stay away. I could hear his panted breathing, the quiver in his lungs, and the weakness of his heartbeat. I was hanging on every thump in his chest, every inhale and exhale, praying I didn't hear it stop.

I knew that eating before we got there was a bat idea, I fucking knew it. I tried to say it, but he insisted, and I just couldn't say no to him. I caved under his sweet words and promises and hunger and bit him, drinking more than I needed to. How in the hell did Kisame even find us? That was my first question and the one I needed to have answered the most.

I was watching us... I was keeping an eye for as far as I was able and remain relaxed and hyper aware of our immediate surroundings. I was keeping watch, so how did he manage to slip under my radar? If he tracked us all the way here... why attack now?

Yes, this is his favorite terrain, but he couldn't have known we were going to sea. We didn't speak about it until we were alone... no one was around when we spoke about it.

We were secluded near rivers on our way here, so why?

Why?

Why?

"Why...?" I hissed angrily, wincing at a gash that twinned on my cheekbone.

I heard Naruto break into a coughing fit, making my head snap to my door, wide eyes staring at the wood, listening as he woke up, and began to vomit. I wanted to cradle his head or rub his back with my sharper nails and soothe his aches. I wanted to comfort every quiver of pain I heard, every twitch of discomfort. I wanted to hold him, simply hold him and nurse him healthy.

But I couldn't because he smelt so good to me. His battered body smelt like heaven, and those tiny voices in my head, my subconscious mind, kept tempting me and urging me to gobble the easy meal next door.

"A tender and wounded snack should be savored, he should heal, then we can go in a bite through that artery before he makes a full recovery."

"Wait just long enough for a decent amount of blood to be replenished."

"He smells enticing."

"I want him."

"Let's take him while he's weaker. We can overstimulate his body and flavor his blood in a delicious way!"

Quiet yourself, Itachi. I looked down at my hands to find them shaking with need. I felt overwhelmed by the waves against the boat, the wind in the sail, Guy's groaning and snoring and Naruto's quivered breathing. His pain hurts my heart, and delights the sick monster half of my mind.

The predatory side of my mind I hate.

I heard footsteps grow closer, making me tense and back against the wall I had pinned my back against. I knew by the sound his breathing that it was Sasuke, but I still couldn't help the instinctual growl. As quiet as I was, I heard him sigh with slight annoyance, having heard it, making me echo a sigh of my own.

"Itachi, how are you holding up?" Sasuke asked, trying for the door, only to jiggle the knob since it's locked.

"Fine." I rasped, wincing at the dryness of my tone.

Already thirsty... and it's barely been a full twenty-four hours since I drank from him last. What the hell is wrong with me lately?

The door clicked, making my ears twitch as the wood opened up into the hall. I frowned in disapproval as I watched Sasuke put away a picking tool. He looked at me using the light from the lantern in the hall, his eyes narrowing in concern.

"It's bothering you that much?" He spoke in a judgemental tone, making me sourly stare at him.

"Don't give me that tone, Sasuke. I can't help it." I rasped out, grunting and rubbing my throat. "So, what have you been up to?"

"..." Sasuke narrowed his eyes further, and they both bled red, making me tense a little, and my guard raised at the unexpected glare.

"Hey... calm down." I raised my hands in surrender.

"You're a reanimated corpse of Kabuto's. Where do you think he got that technique from?" Sasuke asked and closed the door behind him and turned the lantern beside the door on, making me squint at the light change.

"Well, that would be -"

"It's Orochimaru's justu. He talked about it briefly when practicing, and I overheard conversations between him and Kabuto during my stay with them." Sasuke began and sat down in front of me, his eyes narrowing with a complete lack of trust. "While able to reanimated others, he can control them freely without them able to struggle against its control. It also allowed him to track their whearabouts and enter their heads." Sasuke informed, and my mouth slowly fell open.

"Control them freely?" I asked slowly.

"Yes. I was thinking about Kisame's convenience in finding us. I had forgotten about that aspect of reanimation until I remembered that fact. They are probably tracking you." Sasuke informed me, making my heart stop.

Okay... shit.

"You don't think their listening now, do you?" I asked, feeling every hair on the back on my neck stand up.

"Probably." Sasuke sighed.

I felt a sick feeling squirm into my gut as I covered my mouth, horrified. I twitched when Naruro coughed again, feeling a sinking sensation in my chest as I listened, looking over at my brother again with a look of guilt, as it began overwhelming me.

"I nearly got him killed." I mumbled out, feeling numb.

"Do you have a way to break the connection before we get there?" Sasuke asked me, his eyes turning cold and pained, making my guard raise even further.

"Yes, I do. I need to wait a day, I'll stay in here, just make sure to have important talks away from me." I informed him, still shaken up as I looked down at my knees.

"How far away?" Sasuke questioned.

I bit my lower lip, nicking it with my fangs on accident. I listened for the opposite end of the ship, sighing heavily and shaking my head.

"The farthest point from here possible. It's probably on the opposite end of the ship. I'll try napping when you guys talk about things, or punching something hard, or hitting a metal object." I grumbled out. "But I need to wait a day. Better inform Yamato about it before I hear directions. Or, you could write everything down and burn it before I get the chance to see it."

"Okay." Sasuke stood up and moved to the door. However, he stopped and turned his head to look at me. "You watch yourself, Itachi. I know what you did wasn't your fault, and you were ordered to do things to prevent a war, but it doesn't change how angry I am with you and our situation. I won't hesitate to cut you down if I have to,"

"I know. And no matter what you choose to do, I won't hate you for it. I'll love you regardless because you're doing your duty." I smiled at him faintly, still internally numb from guilt.

Sasuke's coldness lifted then, his eyebrows furrowing, but his eyes opened sadly. I stood up and walked over to him, raising an eyebrow at him.

"It's okay..." I spoke gently and patted his shoulder. "Don't look so upset. I'm sure everything will work itself out, brother. You have every right to be angry with me. Never bottle those emotions away. Especially with me, if you feel like yelling, then yell. If you feel like sparring, then we can do that too. If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here. And if you never want to bring it up with me, we can do that too. No matter the choice, I won't be mad."

Sasuke frowned and looked at me with a longing look. I relaxed and pulled him into a hug, one he didn't pull away from, leaning into me a little as I rubbed his back. He gave a heavy sigh, letting emotions go he was holding in. He moved his arms around me and hugged me very tightly.

We didn't say a word to each other... no words could be spoken...

This was weird, but he seemed to need it, and I assumed right. I don't think words will help him now... saying anything related to the massacre would probably hurt our relationship more. That much I understood, and so I only gave him affection and attention, silent love from the bottom of my heart in the form of a comforting hug.

He didn't cry. He didn't shift uncomfortably, and he didn't change anything aside from his racing heart. He was masterfully stoic on the outside, aside from the looking expression, but even that faded as the time passed us by. We must have stayed like this for over five minutes, and the moment went uninterrupted until a faint growl from Naruto and Yamato's voice piped up.

"Damnit, Naruto, I told you not to move too much, easy..."

Naruto wheezed, and I immediately tensed when the smell of something purely divine hit my nose, making the world stop turning for me as my eyes moved to the door.

It smells so heavenly...

The essence of an angel leaking from his body... so wasteful. It was unfortunate that bandages could soak up sometimes so delightful. It was more than unfortunate. It was unfair. It's completely unfair. Such a sickly body holding in such delicious blood was irresistible. It was flavored by adrenaline, fear, anger, agony, and excitement. It was missing lust... if it was scented with lust, then I could have a perfect mix, perfect as the day I first bit him.

Nothing has been quite as delicious as that first bite from his neck... the ability to finally drink blood after starving myself nearly to death just to protect him.

Yes... he owes me -

"Itachi." Sasuke's strict tone broke my thoughts, making me grunt, and blink away the intrusive state of mind.

"I can smell it through the bandages... I can smell it in the air." I rasped, swallowing past the dryness. "It's driving me insane Sasuke." I mumbled, feeling my body cool down as a minty blush dusted my face.

My hands began trembling again.

"Focus, Itachi. Would moving outside be better for you?" Sasuke asked.

"Probably, but then again, if I walk past that door, I don't think I'd be able to resist my intensifying urge to break it down and drink every last drop of his blood." I admitted allowed, shuddering as it played in my head.

"I'll be here to stop you." Sasuke reassured, but I shook my head.

"Sasuke... my physical strength alone could kill you. It wouldn't be that hard for me to do so." I frowned at him.

Sasuke rolled his eyes before grabbing my wrist. "Jesus, I thought I was the one who normally acts dramatic. You're worse than I am." Sasuke complained, and my heart broke as he drug straight into the hall.

I tensed and covered my mouth and nose, sweating as the smell grew more and more, and the moment we reached his door, it took every last ounce of rational mind to not pry my arm from my brother.

It was a moment of blurriness that was impossible to describe properly. My vision nearly vanished as everything muddied together. My skin became electric with sensitivity, to the point I was almost sure that Sasuke was ripping off my hand. My hearing honed in on Naruto's heartbeat... as the sound of his weakened veins sung out for releif.

A rush flowed through me, and I would have pulled away had we not already made it outside. When Sasuke slammed the door to the cabins, my head exploded with pain. My eyes rolled in the back of my head as my body just stopped...

I don't even remember hitting the floor, I just knew that I was awake one moment and unconsciously dreaming in the next.

..

..

..

..

Was it really true? Someone was watching, perhaps the worst kind of person... the enemy. But, how could they if Kabuto was the one to do it? If Kabuto had resurrected and had no idea about it being a success, then who? Who was watching?

Who?

Was it Madara? That was the only other logical explanation. He was there when I woke up where I had died. I was alone with him and delirious at first. I was alone with Madara Uchiha, who assigned me with bringing in Naruto Uzumaki. He had full confidence in my ability to. He wasn't particularly fuming when I betrayed him either.

It was almost like he was expecting me to.

If that was the case, then why let things drag on so far? Why let me retain my control over myself? Why not end the chase immediately by showing up?

What was he planning?

We were sent -

...

...

...

He knows...

He knows where we are going already because Tsunade explained it. He knows not about the direction, I wasn't shown a map. But I was given a description, and that's all he needs to hunt us down. How he will do this is unknown to me, but he knows.

Kisame is dead, and following us in the ocean was much more difficult. I can only go outside during the day, and the stars will probably give our position away if I start looking around.

I need to stay inside, or at the very least blind myself...

Oh, Naruto... forgive my stupidity...

I don't want this to ruin us... I don't want to be the one to get you killed... I can't be the one to get you killed.

It would completely destroy me.

I can't be the cause of it. I can't take that kind of pain again.

"Itachi..."

His sweetness was too much for me to have weighing me down. I couldn't destroy that light. Not this one, I didn't want to get him killed. I loved and cherished him too much. I just want to hold him close to my heart forever.

"Itachi...?" Naruto's soft tone.

The tone he only used when we were alone together, before or right after intimacy. Ah... love with him was something special. I only loved once, but she doesn't hold a candle to Naruto Uzumaki. He loved me genuinely. He loved me regardless of my monsterous self. He loved me for who I was and found me attractive despite my wrongdoings. I was a mass murderer and he still gave me his heart. Even after lying... he still...

"You're okay..." He spoke again, and I was roused to consciousness.

My eyes fluttered, and I woke into a dark room, nearly black aside from a candle. Not that I needed one, but he probably put it up to see me. I felt a hand over mine, one I was holding without realizing it. He brushed my hair from my face, and I tiredly looked up at him.

The hunger was completely gone.

"There you are, I was worried. You were asleep for a long while. Sasuke said you collapsed, and that was that." Naruto explained to me, making my eyebrows raise a little.

"How long is a long while?" I asked him gently, leaning into the hand that caressed the side of my face.

"Three days." He replied, making me wake up quicker and push to sit up.

I smelt no blood from him, and I immediately cupped his face with both hands and surveyed his condition, eyes roaming everywhere.

"Don't worry, ehehe, I'm fine now. I've been fully healed since this morning." Naruto smiled with amusement.

"Naruto... that was all my fault I should have been smarter about -" I began, but he put a hand over my mouth to shut me up.

"Sasuke explained everything to us already. I don't think you have a thing to apologize for. You can't help it." Naruto whispered to me.

"Actually... now that you are here and fully healed up, I have a request." I perked up a little.

"Name it." Naruto shrugged.

"You remember the talk we had before I died? When I asked you what you planned to do when you encountered my brother again?" I questioned him.

"Yes, I do. And come to think of it, you straight up shoved a crow down my mouth! What was that about?" Naruto grumbled and shoved me lightly.

"Something I gave you in case I needed to use it. In case something like this arose. It was a trump card I sealed within you for a time of my choosing. It's a one use thing for this scenario, however... and it will effectively destroy the crow." I explained. "Would you mind if I took it back from you? It may feel unpleasant." I warned, giving him an apologetic look.

Naruto gave me a curious look and nodded. "Okay, if it will help you."

I smiled at him gently and placed a hand on his shoulder, I then pulled it away and held my hand up a sign, looking straight at him. Naruto didn't react at first but then winced and began coughing. His eyes then bulged as a crow spat itself from his mouth. It fluttered up to his head and landed as Naruto coughed and beat his chest. The crow looked at me, and I funneled my chakra into it through its eye. And the jutsu I had stored inside of it released.

"Kotoamatsukami." I spoke softly and felt a rush flow through my body.

I felt something snap I didn't realize was there. It was an odd connection I hadn't felt until then, and the moment it shattered, I felt a presence leave my body. Naruto tensed, too, probably having felt it then as well. The pressure lifted from my head, and I relaxed a little, albeit shaken that it was there.

"Did it work?" Naruto asked me with a serious tone.

"Yes, I think it did. I felt someone vanish from my head... I think we're safe." I grinned weakly. "So, how are you?"

"Much better." Naruto seemed grateful by the change in subject. "Better now that you are awake. We've been sailing in some dense fog, and it's been raining non-stop all day, so I've been inside. Guy is absolutely miserable, ahaha, he can't stand sailing. He only catches a break when we drop the anchor and stop sailing for a bit. You slept straight through this big storm! I had to be tied down since it was the day after I got turned into shredded cheese." Naruto chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "Yamato and Sasuke had to basically do everything."

"Sounds exciting." I smiled calmly. "How is Sasuke doing?"

"He's being Sasuke." Naruto rolled his eyes. "The brooding Uchiha who slumps against a railing or wall and looks out at the distant nothing with that loaded look he always wears. It's kind of irritating, really. He's super one dimensional. At least he isn't rambling on and on about power and revenge like he used to." Naruto folded his arms, his eyes alive with irritation, but excitement.

He seems happier with him here.

"Alright, what time is it?" I asked him, pulling sheets off of me to find I was in the same clothes.

"It's just past mid-day. It's also rainy and gross outside." Naruto sighed weakly, with boredom in his features.

The candle light suited him well. It made gus blonde hair and eyes glisten pleasantly in the yellow toned light. His peach skin begged for attention as he sat there, thinking to himself about whatever it was he decided to linger on. That bored expression of his could easily be replaced by something more tempting.

We hadn't had sex in a while, and the more I listened, the louder the rain got. The waves were rocking the boat, creating a lot of white noise to drown everything else out. I was unable to hear Guy snoring or the heartbeats of the others.

Only Naruto's.

I wanted him... I wonder if he was in the mood as well.

"Okay, I can't think with you staring at me like that, Itachi." Naruto eventually stated, making me realize I was, in fact, staring.

I averted my eyes and felt a minty blush form on my cheeks. Naruto chuckled beside me and leaned over and gave me a gentle peck on the cheek before resuming to think. I, however, looked back at him with a smirk and raised eyebrow.

"Oh? Is that all I get?" I playfully teased, poking his arm.

"Hm?" Naruto looked at me, pink dusting his cheekbones and nose at my tone.

"I've been missing your steamy kisses and flexibility~!" I purred, licking over my fangs.

Naruto's face reddened. "They'll hear." He whispered, though with more breathe in it since he was visibly struggling to rein himself in.

He was getting aroused.

"Hn, I have confidence in your capabilities to stay quiet. If you struggle, I can always gag you or just cover your mouth with my hand." I replied to his attempt to fight off his feelings.

His smell swelled throughout the room as his arousal took him over. His face reddened even further, and I had to reign myself in from pouncing on him or yanking him into the bed with me. He shifted where he sat, looking over at me as thought fogged his eyes. He then proceeded to crawl over top of me, pushing a hand to my chest, making me smirk up at him hungrily.

"Hn, you topped last time, I recall." I raised a brow before giving into delicious thought.

I yanked him by his arm, flipping our position, pinning him to the bed under me, chuckling at the gasp he made. His eyes widened when I leaned in, kissing him lovingly, basking in the the way he flinched as I brought my knee between his legs and began to rub. He squirmed a little but didn't fight me or shove me off, letting me know he was okay with it.

He wanted me.

I explored everywhere there was with my tongue, kissing him passionately as I controlled his body and his actions. He moaned when I pulled away, trailing kiss after kissing down his neck. I wasn't hungry, so I merely kissed and sucked at his skin, brushing my fangs along his scars.

"I-I love you, Itachi." Naruto whispered breathlessly, trembling against my body as I let my hands roam about.

His words warmed my heart, making me smile against the fabric of his shirt as I settled just over his heart. I planted a soft kiss on his chest as my ice-cold body swelled with affection.

It's such a simple phrase, and yet it packs such a hard punch. A single sentence was able to stir my very slow beating heart.

"I love you too, Naruto." I replied tenderly, sliding his shirt up, watching as he raised his arms in compliance.

His face softened at my response, and the lust coming from him grew stronger and mingled with adoration and affection. He had been affected by the simple truth as well. This fact left me smiling, kissing up his chest and to his collarbone. I sucked on his collarbone for a moment, as I undid my pants and wormed out of them. I then pulled away to yank off my shirt, listening as Naruto made to remove his pants hurriedly.

"Eager to enjoy me?" I quipped as I pulled my shirt up, momentarily losing sight of him.

I felt his body shift, and his hands ran up my abdomen and to my chest, making me shiver involuntarily at the touch. He moved his hands up and down my front, lips kissing my abs. I smiled and removed my shirt, looking down as he kissed up my chest and then stole my lips. We held one another, only in our boxers as we made out.

His heat washed over me like a comforting blanket, and I only hoped my ice-cold skin did the same for him. I gave off cold instead of heat, but I hoped it didn't bother him. I hoped he enjoyed my cool temperature and minty blush.

I slowly pushed us down until I was finally settled over him. He didn't gripe or make to protest, so I continued my movements, kissing him over and over and over, with and without tongue, simply loving him and basking in his presence before getting down to business.

We parted, and he panted heavily to catch his breath. I chuckled as he drew in air hungrily, forgetting my ability to hold my breath was better than his. It was probably better than most people, but I chose not to linger on the thought as I let him breathe.

"Mmn, that was nice." Naruto hummed.

"It was." I agreed, trailing my hand down to his crotch and began to rub in circular motions, feeling his body buck into the touch a bit. "I enjoy you, Naruto. So, do you want gentle or rough?" I questioned, raising a brow at him.

His face darkened by a lot, and the candle on the nightstand by the bed flickered out then. I could see the glow from my eyes lighting his face in a red color, I could see them in the reflection in his eyes. So full of lust and desire. I could make out his features perfectly, but he could probably only see my eyes. His eyes widened as he stared into mine, drinking in the ruby color.

"Shying away from the question?" I purred, feeling him squirm under me, chuckling when he shrank into the bed a little. "Don't worry, I'll keep you quiet." I winked at him. "Would you mind if I go a little rough?" I asked him, feeling hunger boil in my veins when he shook his head.

Ah... he didn't mind at all!

I grinned and grabbed him by the neck, his whole body tensing as I pulled him up with me, until I flipped him onto his stomach. He grunted as I shoved him down, holding him by the hair as I kissed along his bare shoulder, pulling my boxers down to reveal my throbbing member. I growled hungrily beside his ear as I pulled down his as well, rubbing myself against him. I moved my hand off of his hair and slid it to his neck, holding his head up and off the bed a little and using it to hold myself up as well.

"I-Itachi!" Naruto whimpered, his tone excited and slightly nervous.

I chuckled at his shock and kissed his ear softly as I reached over toward the nightstand. I opened the drawer and grabbed something I had stashed away for an occasion like this. Some simple oil, good for one's skin and harmless. This should would seemingly. I twisted the top open and grabbed the pipette, and filled it with oil. I then looked down and lathered myself in it, shuddering at the friction as my body buzzed with arousal.

I made sure to put a little around his entrance, relishing in the way he shivered.

"O-One of these days, I'll fuck you instead." Naruto panted out, fisting the sheets beneath him as I gently messaged his entrance.

"Is that so?" I purred, putting the oil away and grabbing myself, rubbing it over his hole.

"Y-yes. I have a feeling that you'll enjoy it." Naruto chuckled. "And you will have to struggle to stay quie- Huh!" Naruto gasped when I pushed the head of my cock in.

"Hnhnhnhn, what were you saying?" I snickered, slowly beginning to sink into him, giving off a satisfied moan as extreme heat washed over me.

He gripped around me, but it didn't stop me from sliding in further and further. Inch by inch. He tensed and then relaxed in a cycle as I pushed myself in, until my hips rested against his sexy ass. He made soft moans as I slid in, shaking when I finished my initial entrance. It wasn't as hard to put myself in this time, unlike the last. He fit around me perfectly.

"Fuck, you feel so good." I panted out, kissing his shoulder.

I moved my hips backward slowly, taking my sweet time before ramming right into him again with force. He gave a loud shriek, having not expected that. I quickly moved my hand up from his chin and covered his mouth tightly, and began to slowly pull out and slam into him repeatedly, enjoying the way he moaned into my hand. I grinned and kissed his shoulder over and over again. I went slow but rough.

He felt so good that I couldn't help my soft moans from escaping. I pressed my mouth against his shoulder to keep myself quiet, too. I began to speed up a little, thrusting into him roughly, grunting each time I slammed into him, relishing in the sound of skin slapping skin. He moaned into my hand, loud but muffled so it didn't travel far from us.

I had my fun with him, fucking him into the bed rough and slow, not going fast as to keep him walking after we are done. I believed he was enjoying himself plenty by this. He was dissolving into the mattress, moaning and pulling at the sheets. His moans are getting longer and shakier, and his body tensing around me. I then moaned into his shoulder, eyes rolling as he squeezed me. He moaned loudly, then, hands shooting to grab the one covering his mouth.

So fucking adorable.

"You came so fast. I take it you're enjoying yourself?" I purred into his ear.

"Mhm!" He moaned out, clinging to me as I continued my actions.

Another five minutes had passed before I finally came, burying myself deep within him as I released, moaning into his shoulder to muffle myself. He had come about 3 times I believed before I did, and when I pulled out and fell beside him, he was a panting mess, barely conscious and exhausted.

However, he looked entirely satisfied.

My whole body was buzzing from a high. My throat wasn't the slightest bit dry, and I was flooded with delight and happiness. He shakily rolled until he was looking at me, tiredly panting as he fought th catch his breath. I chuckled and pecked him on the forehead.

"You are a complete mess." I commented, gazing over my work, happy with the results.

Naruto swatted me gently. "O-Of course I am, idiot." He huffed, "uhg... I can't feel my legs." Naruto shivered out, shakily scooting up a little, looking down despite being unable to see.

His toes wiggled, letting me know they just went numb from pleasure. I curiously ran a finger up his arm, watching him stammer and slap my hand away in oversensitivety. I laughed as his reaction was due to how cute he was being.

"Laugh it up, Uchiha." Naruto stuck out his tongue.

"Come now, you enjoyed it~!" I smirked knowingly.

"Of course I did." Naruto hummed, calming down and feeling his stomach and the sheets under him with a wince. "Jesus..."

"Hn, I'll clean everything. You stay and rest, I'll bring a wet cloth from storage." I chimed and pecked his forehead again before getting up.

"Something to eat too. I'm starving." Naruto asked. "Please?"

"Anything for my precious fox." I chirped, seeing him smile softly in return.

I cleaned myself and dressed in my daytime outfit. I pulled the mask on and placed my hat on my head before exiting the room carefully. No one was in the hall, and I happily coasted to the doors and left the cabin area of the ship to the deck.

It was indeed rainy and foggy. The cloud cover was thick, but daylight still peaked through, letting me know that suiting up was a smart decision. If it were closer to sunset, I'd be fine, but unfortunately, time hates me. I gazed up toward the main deck to find Yamato leaning on the railing, watching me calmly. I gave him a wave, and he bobbed his head back before making his way over, folding his arms in boredom. I didn't wait for him, though, and proceeded to open the hatch, go the storage below deck, and walk down the stairs.

"You were asleep for a long while." Yamato commented.

"Yes, apparently I was. Not that I could particularly help it." I hummed as I surveyed the storage, noting the weeks' worth of food and supplies, spotting the clean clothing and water area.

"Yes, Sasuke told me that Naruto's wounds drove you to isolate yourself in your room. He said you collapsed when you walked past the door we were behind immediately." Yamato hummed. "So... do you get bothered each time there is an injury?"

"Yeah, but I'm usually tame. That was a lot of blood, however, and due to the fact he's a Jinchuriki, it smells different than other blood types." I quickly explained, not taking my attention off of gathering things like an outfit for Naruto and new sheets.

I could see Yamato giving a very judgemental look from the side, but I didn't acknowledge it and continued to search about, getting him a pair of pants and a shirt in his size. I then grabbed some rags and moved to the water storage, grabbing a bucket on my way over.

"So long as I shouldn't have anything yo worry about with you. Also, about your issue regarding the onlookers.." Yamato began.

"I've already dealt with that, too." I shrugged.

"You're positive?" Yamato raised a brow.

"Yes, very positive." I looked over at him with a light glare before going back to what I was doing. "How have you been fairing?"

"Okay. It's been calm since Naruto finished healing, and the ship's been fully repaired. Guy is still vomiting and miserable, so I've had to make sure to keep him hydrated. I've basically turned into everyone's caretaker." Yamato rolled his eyes with annoyance lacing his gaze.

"Hn, I bet that's frustrating. I can help you look after Guy if you need it." I offered.

"No thanks. I've got things covered. It's already engraved into my routine. Sasuke has also been helping me already, so it's covered. Your brother is an extremely introverted individual." Yamato declined the offer.

"Alright then." I shrugged as I finished filling the bucket halfway with water. "Well, I'll be off then." I hummed and picked up the bucket.

"So tell me, Itachi. What happens when your skin is exposed to the sun?" Yamato suddenly asked.

...

Okay... this conversation is sending me the entirely wrong signal.

"It's harmful." I vaguely explained.

"Right. So does it burn? Crumbe? Bleed?" He listed. "I'm just curious."

"I'll leave that to your imagination." I looked over my shoulder at him, narrowing me eyes. "Tell me, then, do I intimidate you?"

"What kind of-"

"Answer the question. It's a yes or a no." I demanded calmly.

"It's not intimidation, more like curiosity. You're a walking corpse with life, not just a doll or puppet. You are a living breathing creature of the enemy's making. It worries me." Yamato informed me, his eyes growing cold and serious.

"How so?" I turned and faced him.

"Who else could Madara Uchiha bring back from the dead and control?" Yamato questioned. "Fallen Shinobi with strong abilities still in tack like yours are. It could spell a difficult war ahead if he creates more monsters like you."

I felt a strange pang in my chest at that word choice. Monster. The word echoed in my head repeatedly and didn't go away despite trying to fight it off. It destroyed my ability to think about something else. It made me feel dirty and wrong. Off.

"Pray that he doesn't because you'd be dead before you heard or saw a thing." I huffed before exiting the lower storage up top where the rain beat against my outfit lightly.

With clothing and sheets in one hand and a bucket of water in the other, I made my way back to the cabins, shutting the door behind me with a sour set to my face. I made it to our room in time to find Naruto waiting patiently, his eyes greeting me with a look of love and admiration.

It's completely different from Yamato's cold and unforgiving stare. A look someone wears when they only mean to look for answers or something beneficial to themselves. I relaxed momentarily, letting his love warm my heart.

"That was fast." Naruto commented, sitting up and scooting over.

"Can you stand?" I asked him.

He slowly got up, albeit with a wobble. He leaned against the wall closest to the bed. He made room for me when I walked over and watched as I took the sheets off of the bed and replaced them with new ones. I set his clean clothes on the nightstand and threw the sheets away in the corner. I then dunked a rag in the water for his use.

I gave him privacy and chose not to stare as he cleaned himself. The words rolled about in my head, and I felt more and more filthy as the seconds passed. My body kept getting heavier... and the sounds of my family dying filled my ears. Sasuke's terrified screams, his confused eyes staring at me in fear. Naruto's eyes stared at me with pain and terror as I ripped into his neck. His own filled with overwhelming pain from the nightmare he had experienced.

Monster... yes, that was an accurate description of what I was. I've become nothing more than a creature of the night, something pure light couldn't touch without burning away. I winced and grabbed my wrist as Yamato's cold eyes washed over my body, swallowing it up in their gaze.

I couldn't help it... yet I felt guilty.

I looked over at Naruto's neck as he dressed himself. I stared at it until he looked to me, probably feeling my eyes on him.

"Why do you still have that on?" Naruto questioned. "Planning on going back outside?"

I stared at him sadly, glad he wasn't able to see my face. I smiled despite myself and nodded. "Yeah, I want to spend the rest of my day with you. Fishing sounds like fun." I offered.

"Hell yes, it does!" Naruto smirked and yanked the plain black shirt over his head. "Let's go!"

He rushed out the door with excitement. I watched him leave and took this moment to quickly lift the mask and dry the tears from my face. I sniffled and pulled myself together before putting the mask back and following after him.

I may be a monster... but I'm also his lover and guardian. I won't let anyone lay a hand on him. No... I'm not just a monster... that much is clear.

I'm his monster, and he is my sun...

I'm never letting him go.