Crossroads
"Whenever I look at you all I feel is hate, Itachi Uchiha. Don't you dare think otherwise." There had always been a deadly tension between the Akatsuki and the Senju. But for two people, the stakes were about to get a whole lot deadlier. ItachixOC. Rewritten and reformed. AU. M rating.
Author's note: I am not kidding about the M rating, please be advised and continue at own discretion. No claim to canon characters, nor canon places. More notes at the end.
xxx
Chapter One.
"I can't even look at you."
Those words haunted him for two long years; those were the words he spoke to himself when he woke in the mornings and those were the words he fell asleep each night whispering to himself. Itachi Uchiha almost jumped at the loud clanging of the heavy metal gates slamming shut behind him. His dark eyes focused through the dust that had been kicked up and locked with a familiar pair of eyes across the road.
"Breathe in the air of freedom, Itachi.'' Kisame Hoshigaki grinned broadly as Itachi made his way towards him. He slapped Itachi's back in a friendly manner. "Let's go get you a burger, we need to start fattening you up. Nice face by the way." Kisame added the last part with a raised eyebrow in question.
Itachi touched his swollen lip and black eye gently and in thought before smirking. "Courtesy of our Senju friends." He simply answered and a broad, prideful grin grew on Kisame's face but he didn't speak anymore of it.
This was the reason Itachi was friends with Kisame, the taller man always knew when to hold his tongue and not speak of the things Itachi didn't want to talk about without him having to say so. Itachi got into the passenger's side of the car, setting down his bag of meagre belongings on the floor at his feet and buckling himself in.
It was time to face the world.
Kisame chattered mindlessly as he drove through the windy country roads back towards civilisation. The radio was on in the background, the latest pop music playing. Itachi didn't recognise the song nor the singer. He cast his gaze out of the window, tuning out Kisame's loud voice as he watched the scenery pass by. Itachi had been preparing for this moment for months now, but there was still a tightening in his chest that grew as they got closer and closer to home.
Home.
It would be a lie to claim Itachi hadn't thought of home. In fact he thought of it every day, it had been his safe haven; a reminder of better times to retreat into when things got too much. And that they did often. He would be laid back in his bed, eyes closed and a hand tucked behind his head. Imagining a heavy weight on his chest, the content silence he had grown to live for and a shade of bright blue eyes locking with his, followed by a pair of lips curving up into a gentle smile.
xxx
A dark scowl adorned a young woman's face as she shouted out curses, tossing the pitch fork she held in her hands on the straw covered ground. "Naruto!" Gabby Momochi searched for the assailant who had just flung horse shit at the back of her head. "Baka, I'll kill you!" She snarled and lunged at the short blond who stood cackling away in the corner.
Naruto Uzumaki yelped in fear when Gabby flew at him, darting under her arm and out towards the safety of the yard. Fortunately for him he was faster, able to outrun the brunette who stopped to glare at him before returning to muck out the rest of the stalls. Sasuke Uchiha raised an eyebrow when she stomped past him but wisely held his tongue at the sight of horse manure stuck in her ponytail. A smile graced his lips anyway and he turned his head away before Gabby could see and yell at him too.
Gravel crunched under car tires and four by four black BMW came to a stop just in front of the wooden gates. "Good afternoon, suckers!" Kim Saito called out as she jumped out of the car that was way too big for her. She hopped over the gates and grinned at Naruto who was sat up in a tree. It didn't a genius to guess he was hiding out from Gabby's temper.
"The heck you doing up there?" A blue haired girl slammed the passenger door shut and stood at the bottom of the tree looking up at Naruto. Aoi Koizumi rolled her eyes and held a hand up when Naruto opened his mouth to speak. "Never mind." She decided, "I don't want to know. Hey Gabbers!" Aoi shouted instead and followed after Kim towards the horse stalls.
"Hey." Gabby brushed some loose strands of hair out of her face and looked at them from over a stall. "Finished work already?"
"Yeah well, we're one of the unlucky ones whose parent don't own their own fucking ranch and make money whenever they want to." Aoi retorted.
"Don't be such a dick, Aoi." Gabby sniffed and shovelled the last load of horse crap onto the wheelbarrow. Sasuke joined them when they traipsed out of the barn, hovering around and shooting knowing glances at Kim. The two exchanged a look and then Kim cleared her throat.
"Gabby—"
"I know.'' Gabby interrupted calmly, a delicate eyebrow raised. Her bright blue eyes twinkled with fake amusement. "I've known for ages. Some friends y'all are, not telling me sooner. And it explains why Naruto and Sasuke felt the need to babysit me besides the fact Sakura is still on holiday so they're bored." She dumped the contents of her wheelbarrow on the steaming muck heap and discarded the wheelbarrow besides a wall, glancing at Naruto who had sided up to her with a sheepish look. "You're fired." Gabby grumbled at him.
"Of course you knew." Kim spoke dryly and folded her arms. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." It was a blatant lie and everyone knew it. The only one who seemed slightly out of the loop was Aoi and she looked at them with a lost and slightly irritated expression. Gabby exhaled and shot them a grin. "I'll be fine, okay? Besides," She hooked an arm around Naruto's shoulders. "I've got you guys."
"Yeah!" Naruto cheered as they trudged towards the big house that stood large along a gravel path. "And if that dobe even looks at you, I'll punch him in the throat!"
The little group stumbled up the steps of the house onto the veranda where they all removed their shoes before heading indoors. Aoi twirled a strand of her blue hair around her finger, entering last. She felt a bit lost as the other four joked between themselves. There was some kind of inside joke they were having that she had no clue about. Aoi hadn't been part of their group for very long, it had only been a year since she moved into town and easily befriending Kim and Gabby who both worked at the diner her aunt owned, thus joining the little friendship group they was part of.
"Hey, Kakashi." Kim waved in greeting as they passed the white-haired man lounging on an armchair with a book in his hand. Kakashi returned the wave, winking at Gabby who rolled her eyes at him.
"Stalls are done, I'll bring the horses in later unless you want to do it. I've got some errands to run." She paused to pet the dog and Pakkun panted, his tongue lolling from his mouth as she scratched him behind his ear.
"That's okay, I'll do it before Rin comes back." Kakashi marked the page in his book and set it down on the table. "Are you coming back tonight?" He asked her, a knowing twinkle in his eye.
"I've got a project to work on with Mary, I'll probably stay at hers." Gabby straightened up and folded her arms across her chest defensively. She knew what Kakashi was thinking and he was wrong. She was done with that chapter of her life. Pakkun snorted when he realised Gabby wasn't going to give him any more attention and padded over to Aoi who happily sat herself down on the floor and let him drop himself heavily in her lap.
"Right." Kakashi didn't seem too convinced. The man sighed and shrugged his shoulders. He picked up his book and gazed at Gabby who stared back at him defiantly. "Fine, don't be late tomorrow morning. Rin will kill the both of us if you aren't here to help her."
He opened his book back up and Gabby took that as confirmation to leave. "I'll be right back, meet you guys outside." The brunette didn't waste time hanging around in case Kakashi decided to change his mind and call her bluff. Naruto, Aoi and Kim waved goodbye to Kakashi and split up from Gabby and Sasuke. The latter frowned at Gabby and followed her up the stairs to her bedroom.
''...Gabby.''
"I know what you're thinking, Sasuke." Gabby shrugged out of her dirty top and sprayed some deodorant on before grabbing a clean top and pulling on a flannel vest over it. "You're wrong." She glared defensively at him whilst seating herself on her bed and peeling off her riding trousers.
"I'm not thinking anything," Sasuke replied coolly and leaned against the wall with his arms folded. "You're the one assuming things."
"Jesus fucking Christ, Sasuke. I do not need a babysitter or anyone telling me what to do." Gabby snapped and yanked on a pair of jeans. She grabbed her hair brush, pulled the ponytail out of her hair and pulling it through her hair. Once satisfied she didn't look homeless, Gabby slipped her feet in her dirty white trainers and picked up her car keys from her bedside table.
"I'm not telling you what to do, just be careful." Sasuke snapped back at her. "Mary isn't even in town but I bet Kakashi already knows that. If you're going traipsing through town by yourself in the dark—" He trailed off when Gabby pulled open the drawer of her bedside table and took out a handgun.
She double checked it was loaded and when satisfied she clicked the safety off and back on again before sticking it in her waistband at the back of her jeans and looked up at Sasuke. "I'm not stupid, Sasuke. I can protect myself, I won't make the same mistake I did two years ago."
Sasuke exhaled through his nose in frustration, rubbing his temples. "Jesus fucking Christ, Gabby."
Gabby ignored him, grabbing her jacket from her bed and opening her bedroom to leave. She only halted when Sasuke opened his mouth once more.
"You know my brother isn't the only one getting out of prison today, Gabby. Don't do anything irrational."
xxx
It was dark by the time Kisame and Itachi pulled up outside the diner Kisame's aunt owned. The little bell on the door chimed as they entered and a few people glanced up in mere curiosity. That curiosity turned swiftly into whispers and soon enough Kisame and Itachi were being watched by quite a few people. The two ignored it and found themselves a booth in the far corner out of sight of most people.
"Hi! My name is Aoi and I'll be your waitress—oh it's you." The chirpy voice that started the sentence off swiftly dulled when Kisame looked up. His sister rolled her eyes at him and pushed him over so she could join him at the table, ignoring the fact she should be working right now. "I've had such a shit day, honestly." The blue haired girl laid her head down on the table. "Do my customers for me."
"Hell no. Do your own job, lazy bitch." Kisame retorted and shoved her back out of the booth. "Go get us some coffees and burgers."
Aoi glared at him and shoved her notebook in the front pocket of her apron as she stormed away, muttering curses under her breath. Itachi watched her go, an eyebrow raised and he looked to Kisame for an explanation.
"Aoi, my sister. Or well she's my half-sister." Kisame shrugged his shoulders as if it was no big deal. As if he hadn't hidden a sister from Itachi for twenty odd years. "She's my dad's kid. Apparently her mom couldn't handle her anymore which is no surprise with the shit genes dad gave her, so sent her here a year ago to live with us. Royal pain in the ass and now tag teams with Naruto, Kim and well... you know. That lot."
Itachi frowned, his eyes following the blue haired girl as she bounced across the diner bringing people their orders and greeting new people. Seemingly purposely neglecting Kisame's order for himself and Itachi. "Right." He was silent as he observed her, she reminded him in a way of her. But she also seemed the complete opposite.
"For fucks sake," Kisame stood up in annoyance. "I'll go grab us something to eat, won't be long."
Itachi sat back in the booth, his arms against his chest and he closed his eyes for a moment. The moment didn't last long as Aoi plonked herself in the seat opposite him and cleared her throat loudly. His eyes opened and he narrowed them at her.
"You're Sasuke's brother." She observed and a little too loudly if you asked Itachi. He didn't reply and Aoi took it as an invitation to open her mouth again to make more obvious comments. "You look like him."
"I should hope so, we are family after all." Itachi mentally sighed. She had been sitting there for less than twenty seconds and he already wanted her gone.
"Yeah, well. Kisame and I are family and we are none alike." Aoi pointed out smugly.
Itachi fought to raise his eyebrow at her and merely nodded. "Right, and your point is?"
Aoi didn't quite know what to say to that, leaning forwards and staring at him from under her long eyelashes. He noted that her eyes were a similar hue to a mutual connection they had, except Aoi's eyes had a dark blue – almost purple, hue around them. "What happened to your face? Oh and do you know—"
"Aoi! Get lost!" Kisame exclaimed, slamming down the food tray on the table and only narrowly missing her fingers. "Go back to work or I'll tell Hanuka that you're slacking off again!"
"Ack!" Aoi pulled her hands away and glared at him. "Fuck you, Kisame. I don't like your friend anyway." She sniffed haughtily as she stood and once again sauntered off angrily.
"She's so fucking nosy." Kisame muttered in annoyance. He sat down opposite Itachi and pushed his burger and coffee cup towards him. "Eat up, and tell me what you know."
xxx
It was gone midnight by the time Itachi finally got home. His parents and his younger brother had all gone to sleep judging by the fact no lights were on. He quietly let himself in with the spare key kept under the flowerpot and took his shoes off. He padded up the stairs silently, finding his bedroom with ease and entering. It wasn't until he had almost pulled his shirt over his head that Itachi realised he was being watched and his heart plummeted to his stomach in surprise.
"What the—" he trailed off when his dark eyes locked with cold blue eyes.
"Itachi." Gabby didn't know what else to say. She didn't have anything else to say. His name rolling off her lips for the first time in one and a half year sent a shiver down both their spines.
"I can't even look at you."
Those were the last words she had spoken to him. Spoken through a pane of glass that separated the two. The sound of the phone hitting the smooth counter after she left still echoed in Itachi's dreams. It had been the first and only time she had visited him in prison. And now she was here. Sat crossed legged on his bed as if nothing had happened.
No.
Her eyes proved that there was a cold distance between them. The sparkle that used to light her eyes had gone, replaced by a cold stare that drilled right through him. He stood awkwardly in the middle of the dark room with his shirt tugged up to his neck.
"You shouldn't be here, Gabriella." Itachi finally spoke quietly and pulled his shirt over his head, holding it bunched up in his fist. ''How did you even get in?''
"I— I climbed the tree.'' Gabby's voice wavered and nervousness weaved through her words, the open window besides his bed confirming the truth. "I know. I just—I had to see for myself. I mean, you. I had to see you." As soon as the words left her lips she knew she had broken something between them which wasn't meant to be broken. Itachi's shirt dropped to the floor and it took him two strides to reach the bed and one smooth movement to be knelt before her.
The bed dipped under his added weight and Gabby couldn't breathe at all. A second that seemed to last a lifetime passed before her hand reached out and cupped his cheek gently, brushing her finger over his bruised eye. Itachi closed his eyes and let out a gentle breath at the familiar touch he had dreamt of and longed for two years.
"Itachi." Gabby voice was quiet but earnest and he opened his eyes to look at her. "You smell."
Itachi couldn't help the laugh that slipped from his lips, something he hadn't done for a while and his lips curved up into a smile. "That is probably true." Amusement danced in his eyes and he straightened, getting off the bed. He took a step towards the ensuite before stopping and looking back at her. "Stay." Please. Itachi didn't dare move, for if he left her he feared she would be gone when he got back. That this had all been just a dream.
A small nod of Gabby's head wasn't enough but he knew that was all he was going to get. Minutes later the steady stream of water was heard. Gabby stared at the small trickle of light that escaped from the bathroom door that Itachi hadn't fully closed. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Don't be irrational Sasuke had said. And here she was doing the one thing she promised herself she wouldn't.
The brunette pressed her hand against her chest, feeling how fast her heart was racing. If she closed her eyes she would almost be able to convince herself that it was going to burst out of her chest. But if she closed her eyes, all Gabby would see is Itachi's dark eyes. The eyes that once held admiration and amusement in them whenever he looked at her now only held a darkness and coldness in them. It couldn't have been easy, spending so long between four walls with nothing but the enemy surrounding him. She reached to the back of her jeans, feeling the cool metal against her skin and drummed her fingers on the firearm for a moment in thought.
Itachi closed his eyes, pressing his hand against the cool tiles of the bathroom wall. He held his head up to the stream of water, willing the tightness of his chest to go away. He didn't hear the bathroom door opening and closing. He didn't hear the clothes hit the floor nor the girl step in the shower. Her arms slid around him from behind, her forehead pressing against his back. They stood there in silence for a moment, the water cascading down around them.
He didn't say anything when he turned around, just gazed at her intently. Gabby raised her eyes, watching the water drip down his face. Her hand reached up again to cup his cheek in her palm and this time he responded, leaning down and capturing her lips with his.
The kiss was gentle, his hands moved to tangle in her wet hair and pull her face up. Gabby broke from the kiss with a gasp for air and Itachi moved his lips down to her jaw. A soft noise came from Gabby's lips as he pressed gentle kisses along her jawline and down her neck, nipping at her collarbone. She pressed herself up against him, her breathing heavy and fast.
"Itachi." It was all she needed to say for him to turn them around, pushing her up against the wall and claiming her lips once again for his own. This time the kiss was anything but gentle. The two young adults fought for dominance, Itachi's hands moving down her body and lifting her up. With ease and familiarity Gabby's legs hooked around his waist, her nails raking down his back as he entered her in one thrust; muffling her loud cry with his mouth against hers.
Everything in Gabby screamed at her to stop, that this was wrong but at the same time old instincts in her screamed back that she was to never stop. She threw her head back, her lips open in a silent cry of pleasure. The pain that flashed down her neck from her head hitting the wall was hardly acknowledged and she tightened her grip on Itachi, nails digging into his skin.
Itachi buried his head in the crook of her neck, his teeth biting down on her shoulder as he thrust into her over and over again. His tongue flicked over the mark he had left and once against he fisted her hair in one hand and pulled her back in for a kiss. Sweat mixed with the water running down their bodies, the slapping of skin against skin echoing in the bathroom.
He stepped black, one arm keeping her firmly pressed against him and the other blindly reaching for the shower door. Itachi stumbled out of the shower, his wet feet sliding over the tiles until he hit the bathroom door and opened it. The couple tumbled from the bathroom, Gabby's feet touching the carpet. They never broke from the violent kiss until the back of Itachi's legs hit the bed and he sat down abruptly, his eyes opening to stare at the perfect brunette in front of him.
Their breathing was heavy but they didn't speak a word, just simply lapped up each other's presence. Gabby straddled him, her arms hooking around his neck as she lowered herself onto him. Itachi let himself fall back on the bed, one arm curling around Gabby to bring her as close to him as humanly possible. His eyes never left her face, watching as her tongue flicked out to wet her lips and her teeth biting down on her bottom lip. Her breathing got faster, matching her pace as she rocked against him faster as her climax approached. Milliseconds before she could cry out, Itachi crashed his lips against hers once more to silence her. Teeth clashing painfully and the sharp pain of his teeth clamping down on her bottom lip. She tensed and tightened around him, giving Itachi all he needed to follow her climax soon after.
Gabby collapsed on top of him, worn out and spent. Their still wet bodies slipped against each other and the dark haired Uchiha gently rolled her off him, tugging the covers from beneath them and over them in an attempt to protect Gabby's modesty. She was too tired to protest, turning her back to him and laying down on her side.
''Whoever did that number on your face, I applaud them.'' She mumbled tiredly.
Itachi's fingers trailed over her arm, propping himself up on his elbow. "Gabriella."
A shiver down her spine. How he still held so much power over her with just one word, she felt like she would never understand. He understood when she didn't answer him, instead opting to curl his arm around her and press his nose in the crook of her neck to breathe in her scent. He dared not to ask, fearing the answer. And sure enough, when daylight broke through the open window and he woke to his mother noisily walking down the stairs, Gabby was gone. The spot in his bed where she had laid was long abandoned and cold.
xxxxx
A/N:
So, a brand new Crossroads surfaces. If you've made it this far, I want to once again remind you that this story is not M rated for nothing. There will be language, explicit scenes and all sorts shown. So if you're deciding to continue with me on this story, then I want you to know that this is entirely your own choice.
This story is focused on Gabby and Itachi, but there will be other pairings - Deidara, Hidan, Sasori for example. As well as OCxOC, canonxcanon and other canonxOC. Most will be sidelined, merely mentioned with possible hopes for a spinoff/oneshot.
I have a lot of plans (as usual) for this story, and I have my fingers crossed to actually finish this time. Fun fact, I have never finished a story in my life. That's terrible. I know. But I also have to let you know that I have a hectic existence so updates will not happen regularly. They could be fast sometimes and other times quite slow. I strongly encourage messages asking for more updates, as long as they're not to hassly. Nobody likes to be hassled.
Please let me know your thoughts, constructive criticism encouraged. Any thoughts on OOC'ness and I must mention that this is not canon storyline, so lots of things have not happened and so I feel like I should have free range on personalities.
Thank you for reading, and I really hope you enjoyed this!