Title: Twisted Time
Series: Naruto
Rating: T
Genres: Drama, sorta-angst, adventure, romance.
Warnings: Crack, swearing, shounen-ai, shojou-ai, het, insane love triangle with the Uchiha's, my typical.
Verse: Canon Redeux.
DHC: New fic I've begun. I've had this idea swimming around in my mind for quite some time. I decided, what the hell, I've already started so many other fics, I might as well add this one to the pile, right? At least it's something to amuse the masses with, lol. So, anyway, I hope you people enjoy this beginning chapter! -rides off on her chocobo into the sunset-
A five year old Uchiha, Itachi stood silent beside his father as he watched Nara, Shikaku enter into the room and exchange pleasantries with his father before sitting down in one of the chairs in the quaint, if not sterile room of one of the guest offices in the Uchiha main house.
"Congratulations are in order, I see. You're now a father." Uchiha, Fugaku said as he leaned back and reached across from his seat to the cabinet beside and withdrew a bottle of sake and two glasses. Meticulously, he poured the liquid into the glasses equally before passing one to the other figure in the room.
"Heh, thanks." Shikaku responded, raising his glass a little in small salute before he took a sip. "It feels almost strange, to be called a father. I suppose the congratulations are a few months late considering the birth of your second son."
Itachi shifted subtly, the smallest hints of pride swelling inside of him at the thought of his baby brother. Fugaku nodded, accepting the praise before glancing to Itachi. "Yes, Itachi has been much help in taking care of him for his mother. Sasuke can be quite a hassle but he is a pride, indeed."
Itachi did not speak, but the small glow that lit his eyes up spoke the words for him at the praise. Shikaku chuckled before taking another sip of sake as he contemplated for a moment. "So I suppose you're calling upon me to honor our deal, not just to congratulate me?"
Itachi's brows rose up and he glanced curiously up to his father, who looked back at him. "The stability of Konoha can waver at any moment, Itachi. For the peace to remain, we clans must continue to hold together in steadfast kinship. This is not merely for front, I want you to know. The Nara clan is our closest ally amongst the bond of the other clans, Itachi. We made a pact that once he produced an heir, you and they would be bonded together when older."
Itachi blinked his eyes curiously again, tilting his head slightly. "Bonded, father?" He questioned softly.
He'd seen so much war and death already, that such things of bonding and kinship besides his family were foreign almost. He loved his little brother and had already sworn to protect him from ever seeing such things. He would take care of him til his dying breath if it ever came to it.
"Yes, Itachi," Fugaku responded, placing one hand on the boy's shoulder, looking down into his eyes. "When you and Shikaku's child are much older, you two will bond together to make our clans stronger. In other terms, I suppose you can call it a marriage."
Itachi's eyes widened in realization. So he was to be married? "Like you and mother, father?" He questioned.
"Yes, Itachi. You will wed Shikamaru, Shikaku's son."
"But... Isn't that another boy?" He questioned, frowning in confusion.
"Gender matters not, Itachi. Between all clans, marriages between heirs or other members of the clan are considered great honors, for they are there to show the sacred bond of trust between clans. You will be upholding the Uchiha legacy and Shikamaru, the Nara's. It is a big responsibility but one day, you will be worthy of it."
Itachi's heart swelled with pride at the words of praise from his father. "Yes, father. I will carry out the Uchiha's legacy and continue to make us great!"
Slowly, Fugaku's hand moved from Itachi's shoulder to rest on his son's head, the edges of his lips softening for a moment in a semi-small smile before glancing over to Shikaku who had been observing. "Is he here?"
"Yes, He is with my wife, who is presumably chewing the fat with yours. Shall I bring him in?" Shikaku asked, downing the remains of his drink.
"I would have Itachi meet him, if it is of no trouble." Replied Fugaku, before he slowly took a meticulous sip of his own sake.
Shikaku nodded and stood up before slowly ambling off to find his wife.
Itachi stood still, fighting the urge to fidget. A small tingle of excitement ran through his body. Fugaku held in a chuckle as he observed his son. "It is fine, Itachi. You are not required to be silent now."
Itachi jostled a little before nodding. "What will it be like, father? For me to marry?"
The man was silent for a long while as he thought of a response. "You will be required to watch after your mate, protect them since they are younger than you; you must show them love and compassion, but be reserved about it. There is no need to choke them with affection, for if you treat them with kindness, in return, it will flourish on its own. You two will one day take our place as heads of the clans; you two will need to bond closely to weather any storm life throws at you and be prepared to give your life at a moments notice for your other should danger come to them."
Itachi listened silently, nodding every so often, taking the information in. "I will, father."
"That's my son. You will be the greatest Uchiha yet." Fugaku praised softly.
Before Itachi could even begin to feel elated about such praise, Shikaku returned, a blanked draped over his arms and a baby nestling in his arms. Shikaku sat back down and Itachi looked to his father for permission.
"You may," Fugaku responded with the chuckle he'd been holding back. "I know you wish to meet him."
Itachi left his father's side and approached slowly. Shikaku slowly pushed the blanket down to reveal an awake and aware baby. Itachi stared, tilting his head. The child yawned, rubbing its eye as it stretched before it looked back at Itachi as well.
They stared, and Itachi could see how fragile and small Shikamaru was, how easily it would be to harm him. He never wanted anyone to see the things he had, he silently vowed he would protect Shikamaru as well as Sasuke from the horrors of war, death, and destruction. He stepped even closer, reaching out before hesitating, breaking his staring with the baby to look up at Shikaku. "...May I?"
The man chuckled quietly himself before he nodded. Slowly, he shifted the baby in his arms and in a few simple movements, tranferred the baby to Itachi's awaiting arms. Shikamaru made a small protesting sound when he was moved, but quieted down once he settled back down into Itachi's arms. He stared up at Itachi again and the small Uchiha found himself drawn into the baby's endlessly dark eyes. This was the child he was going to protect, to care for, to eventually marry. His heart fluttered excitedly at the thought that one day, together, they would make their clan's proud.
"I will watch over him," Itachi spoke softly, finally lifting his head once he noticed that Shikamaru's had went lidded with sleepiness. He had lost sense of all time from his staring and was unaware he'd just been standing there for ten long minutes, just staring into the child's eyes.
Shikaku nodded, finding himself able to smile at the sincere honesty shining in Itachi's eyes. "Thank you, Itachi. I'm sure you will protect my son with everything you posess."
Nodding, Itachi looked to his father, searching for some kind of approval for his statement.
Once again, Fugaku's lips curled the slightest. "You have quite the responsibilities now, Itachi. I expect great things from you."
"Yes, father. I won't let you down." Itachi replied before looking back down at Shikamaru, finding the baby had fallen asleep.
He found himself smiling, because his mother had told him that babies only fell asleep in others arms because they felt warm, secure, and safe. This meant that Shikamaru already believed he was safe with him. He would make sure it would stay that way. He lowered his head, surprising both of the men watching by placing a soft kiss against the baby's cheek; at which the baby only made a sleeping coo, snuggling deeper into the small Uchiha's arms.
"Race you!" A seven year old Sasuke cried as he began to charge off at full speed from the Academy towards the Uchiha compound.
"No fair, you cheater," A seven year old Shikamaru replied as he managed to catch up to the other, matching him speed for speed.
The two laughed and giggled as they pushed and tried to trip one another in their running, each trying to get ahead, but they somehow managed to stay neck and neck. Up ahead, waiting at the gate for them was eleven year old Itachi, and he smiled slightly at the two's antics. He straightened his stance and bent his knees a little, locking his ankles in place and nearly three seconds later, fell straight backwards despite all his training at the impact as the two collided with him.
"Ita-nii!"
"Ita-kun!"
Itachi chuckled softly as he gazed up at the two grinning boys.
"I win!" Sasuke declared proudly.
"You did not, I was ahead of you by .23 centimeters." Shikamaru replied with a frown.
Itachi put one hand on either of them to quell the storm of rage that would surely begin if he did not intervene. "It doesn't matter, you both won to me. That's all that counts."
Both boys seemed to accept the answer and beamed.
"Boys, I have juice and some small cakes inside for you!" Mikoto called from the door of the Uchiha Main House.
"Kaasan!" Sasuke bolted up and sped off towards the woman while Shikamaru was slower in getting up, lagging behind to help Itachi up and smiled at him.
Itachi looked down at him and smiled back. "Come on, let's go."
"Un," Shikamaru replied, before almost shyly taking Itachi by the hand and began to walk with him towards the door.
Sasuke turned away from hugging Mikoto to see, small jealousy flaring up inside of him before he stomped it down. Shikamaru was Itachi's betrothed, they had every right to hold hands. Still, he felt the third wheel in a way when it came to his brother's attention. He was great friends with Shikamaru, it was true, but he valued his brother's praise more and it seemed now all of Itachi's praise went to Shikamaru little by little.
Mikoto saw and placed her hand on Sasuke's head, gaining his attention. She smiled lovingly at him. "Come now, Sasu-chan, let's get you your snack. How was your day?"
He found the will to smile happily at her attention as she turned them to head inside. "Alright, Kaasan. My day was boring and Naruto was being an idiot again and the girls kept giggling towards me and, and-" His voice disappeared soon enough as they headed further inside.
"Ita-kun... Why does Sasu-kun always try to beat me?" Shikamaru finally asked slowly. The two had been vying for Top Student all year. Despite their friendship, it had turned into a rivalry in school.
"Because...," Itachi responded slowly, thinking over his words. "I think he feels inferior. He feels neglected. Father's always training me or busy with other things to train Sasuke, and you're my betrothed... I think he feels he has to prove himself against you to gain my approval."
"But you already do approve," Shikamaru protested softly.
"Yes, but he doesn't see it. My foolish otouto feels like if I don't say it to him, I'm not proud of him. Father treats him fairly coldly, often not even acknowledging him. Mother, you, and I are the only ones who verbally praise him."
"I see..." Shikamaru said, feeling a little bad.
Itachi stopped, slowly tugging Shika to a stop as well. "Don't feel bad, he must learn this on his own. He's more fragile than he looks, so we must keep showing him our love, but we must also not shower him with it, it will just make him weaker. He must learn to understand the more silent sides of affection."
Shikamaru looked up at Itachi, taking his words in with a contemplative expression for a long while before he nodded. "I understand."
Itachi knelt down til he was Shikamaru's height, it was kind of hard on his still growing body; he'd recently hit a growth spurt and shot up about seven inches within a few months, and his body was still adjusting to the new height. Shikamaru put his arms around Itachi's neck without hesitating and Itachi hugged him back before, without warning, swept the smaller boy up bridal style with a small chuckle and began carrying him towards the door.
"Hey!" Shikamaru cried, pouting madly as his feet wiggled back and forth in protest. "I can walk, Ita-kun."
Itachi smiled again. "Can't I spoil my betrothed?"
A small, heated flush came to the Nara heir's face. "I-I..." He trailed off, shyly lowering his head. "I guess..."
Itachi's smile widened. "Then hush and let me carry you."
Nodding again, Shikamaru fell silent, resting his head against Itachi's shoulder as the older boy carried him inside and into the kitchen before setting the other down in the chair. So as not to make Sasuke feel so jealous, as he passed, he placed a hand on his brother's head, ruffling his hair softly.
Mikoto smiled as she served the three of them juice and a small pound-cake each. "Here you go, enjoy."
"Thank you, Kaasan." Itachi complimented as he took a small bite of his cake.
"Thanks, Kaasan!" Sasuke cried, gulping down a mouthful of juice.
Shikamaru was a little more reserved, smiling up at the woman. "Thank you, Miko-chan."
The woman giggled at the endearing term and placed her hand on the boy. "Oh, it's no trouble at all, Shika-chan. You're part of the family."
The other smiled wider before taking a bite of his cake. The three ate in relative silence. Save the occasional quiet burp that escaped the two younger boys, who only giggled.
That night, Shikamaru stayed the night as he did every few days. A storm had blown in and lightning flashed, thunder boomed, and the two seven year olds were huddled close together, clinging on for dear life in Sasuke's bed, hiding under the covers as if it would shield them.
"Why does it have to be so loud?" Sasuke whimpered.
"It always sounds like the Kami are fighting." Shikamaru replied.
At that moment, another flash streaked across the sky, accompanied by a loud roar of thunder. Both boys shot up out of bed, hand in hand, letting out simultanious cries as they flung themselves out of Sasuke's room and pounded down the hall. They skidded to a stop at Itachi's door, just as the older boy himself opened it.
"Ita-nii!" Sasuke cried, immediately latching his free hand onto his brother, Shikamaru having done the same and they were both looking up pleadingly at him as another clap of thunder shook around them.
Itachi wanted to chuckle, but he refrained for he remembered his own time when he was scared of the storms. He knealt down to their height and stared at both of them. "There is nothing to be afraid of," He soothed softly.
"But Ita-kun-" Shikamaru began to protest.
"It is just the Kami's way of displaying their power. Just like we give off chakra to show our power, this is their way."
Both boys went quiet for a long time, shivering at each flash of lightning around them, trembling at each shake and boom of the thunder, but nodded after a long moment in understanding.
"W-will the Kami hurt us?" Sasuke asked timidly.
"They do not intend to hurt us most of the time. There are accidents that do happen, and then there are times people invoke their wrath and they smite them with their powers." Itachi replied, just as softly as before, so as to keep them relatively calm.
Shikamaru and Sasuke nodded.
"C-can we stay with you tonight, aniki?" Sasuke asked.
"Just this once?" Shikamaru pleaded.
Itachi chuckled softly, standing up and opening his door wider. "Just this once," He echoed quietly as he stepped back inside.
Both boys nodded and rushed inside and Itachi closed the door behind him. He climbed back into his bed, and he idly believed it was some miracle of the Kami that the three of them could even fit in his small-sized bed. Even it was getting too small for his growing body. Sasuke boldly claimed the middle and snuggled up tight against his brother, leaving Shikamaru to climb in on the other side of him. Sliding his arms around Sasuke like a stuffed plushie, Shikamaru clung for dear life onto him, both so as not to fall off the edge and to reassure himself that the storm was not going to eat him.
Itachi chuckled inwardly to himself again and pulled the covers up over the three of them before draping his arm across both of them. He stayed awake for an hour, listening as the two calmed down and fell into a slumber, lulled by the pulsings of thunder and lightning. He looked out his window at the storm idly, the thought struck him that someday, someday soon, a different kind of storm would brew.
One that he was going to wield.
'A Kami's power, indeed.' He thought quietly to himself before he closed his eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.
.
TBC