Touching the untouchable

Chapter 33

Itachi's brows creased together slightly when he watched Naruto walk into the meeting room. The blond looked... off. The way he was walking, the way he paused for a split second as if trying to keep himself together, the way he rubbed his arms as if soothing a pain. It broke Itachi's heart when he saw how much skinnier the blond was getting each time they had to meet each other after the breakup. It had almost been two months and neither of them has moved on, wanting to fix the relationship that was never broken but they weren't sure how to do so.

The eyebags under his eyes could barely be concealed, Itachi had to force himself to not reach out and smooth his thumbs over the fatigue lining Naruto's face. He knew that Naruto would cover his eyebags to look as refreshed as possible for work but the blond could hardly conceal the purplish eyebags and sunken in look even with makeup. 'This is getting really bad.' Itachi thought to himself as he focused on the professional yet soothing voice of Naruto, presenting to their clients who were all smiles and in awe of the young blond.

He made sure to keep an eye on Naruto but not getting all up in his space as he was unsure whether the blond would welcome him with open arms. Choosing to be cautious to make sure the blond doesn't flee, he watched the blond just in case the fatigue catches up suddenly. Naruto was talking to him and the people that approached them like normal - professional and yet friendly, charming his way into everyone's hearts. Itachi smiled fondly at Naruto who beamed back at him, no hostile feelings or awkwardness between them, when one of the potential clients offered a proposal to the Uchiha Corporations. It had taken him every bit of strength to not sweep the beautiful blond off his feet and plant his lips on him, Itachi noted absently that Naruto's lips are a bit cracked but that insignificant detail would not have stopped him from kissing the blond if he was given the chance to do so.

He had seen the movement coming towards him and Naruto at high speed, followed by a tall figure yelling at him to freeze. He hadn't had time to react as the person came screaming at him in pure rage and an arm surging towards Itachi. There was a loud scream and he had seen the long thick knife too late to dodge, bracing for the pain but there was nothing except for the comforting warmth pressed to his chest and a tuff of blond hair covering half his vision. Kisame came the next second followed by Deidara, tackling the attacker to the ground. Suddenly another scream erupted, making them turn to see what was wrong. Itachi and his friends who were struggling with the attacker felt their blood turn cold at the sight. Naruto who had already been fighting to stay conscious was confused but not panicking, unaware that he had been stabbed as his eyes were unfocused and blinking owlishly to keep his eyes open. The full length of the knife went straight through him, buried all the way to the hilt.

Itachi lunged out to break the fall when the blond started tipping over. Despite that, they had hit the ground rather harshly, Naruto let out a soft grunt of pain. Itachi barely registered the chaos around him as his bodyguards flanked his sides to protect him whilst he kept the pressure on the wound. He kept whispering soothing words to Naruto, encouraging him. He wasn't sure if the blond heard him but he kept going. Naruto opened his mouth as if to say something but to everyone's horror, a thick pool of blood escapes the slightly parted lips. Konan dropped to her knees harshly, turning Naruto's head gently to make sure he doesn't choke on his own blood. He heard a quiet gasp of horror from Konan, he looked up at the blue-haired woman who had tentatively lifted two fingertips from the mess of Naruto's hair with blood staining it. Itachi froze, he had made sure to protect Naruto's head so there would have been no way the landing had cracked open Naruto's skull.

No time for wondering! It was time for action. "Please, love, please don't leave me alone." Itachi muttered to Naruto, tuning out the screaming and yelling around him. He almost flinched when a hand stroked his cheek, tears had blurred his vision but he didn't want to release the pressure on Naruto's wound. "You are so beautiful." Naruto rasped out, making an involuntary smile lift at Itachi's lips. "Shhh. Save your strength, love." Itachi said, trying to keep his voice from trembling and showing his fear and anguish. A sob escape from his lips when he heard Naruto apologising even though the blond did no wrong. His pain grew when the hand that was wiping away the tears that ran down his cheeks dropped to the ground next to them. He yelled at Naruto to stay with him and to stay awake but his eyes fluttered shut. Everything that happened next had been a blur. Hands tugging at him and pushing him along, the next time he became aware of his surroundings he was standing in front of the operating theatre as the doors shut and the lights signifying that an operation was occurring turned on.

Itachi took a shuddering breath, clenching his hands into tight fists in a weak attempt at containing the involuntary shaking. He dropped himself heavily onto one of the hard plastic chairs that lined a small section of the hallway. He noted with confusion as to when his hands were somewhat cleaned up of the blood that had stained it. His hands started to shake again when the feeling of Naruto's weakening pulse could be felt under his hand and the blood spurting out the deep wound despite the heavy pressure. It was times like this when he wished he could magic away the pain and the injury that had been inflicted on Naruto because of him. It was his fault that Naruto was in there. It was his fault that Naruto was suffering and not taking care of himself. He heard brisk footsteps making their way towards him but he didn't look up from where he was staring. His hands, stained with Naruto's blood. It was all his fault.