In My Arms

Illusory Impurity

Rating – Mature

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Mikoto Uchiha looked up from her novel, smiling at the boys coming down the stairs.

"Naruto, Sasuke. How is the project going? I hope you're working hard." She greeted. Sasuke simply nodded, and Naruto gave a nervous smile. The teens had been up in Sasuke's room for over an hour. They had a big project coming up in their biology class, and they were paired together for the next few days. "What is it? Do you want something to eat?" She asked cheerfully. Her smile fell a bit after a moment of silence.

"…Is something wrong?" The woman questioned softly, placing her book to the side. Fugaku Uchiha, Sasuke's father, also looked up from his newspaper, noticing that something was strange. "Sasuke, do you need something?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow. Sasuke sighed softly, looking his father in the eyes.

"I have something I need to tell you. By you, I mean all three of you. Father, Mother, and Itachi." He said, glancing over to Naruto. The blond teen offered up a small, reassuring smile. "Mother, would you please call Itachi into the room?" He asked softly. She nodded and stood, brushing her skirt off with her pale, delicate hands.

Within a few minutes, Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi were all seated on the large, black couch. Mikoto smiled up at her son. He didn't return it, and this worried her. She reached up, pulling some dark hair away from her feminine face.

Fugaku looked at Naruto warily.

"If this is family business, I don't think you should drag your friend into it."

"What I have to say involves him."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, Father."

Fugaku crossed his arms over his chest, closing his eyes for a moment before returning his gaze to his son.

"Alright then, get on with it."

Itachi was silent. He kept his eyes on the younger Uchiha in front of him. Sasuke looked at his blond companion, who met his eyes immediately.

Itachi knew what was going on. He had seen this coming a long time ago. He only hoped his parents, or at least his dear mother, wouldn't do anything stupid.

Mikoto's eyes widened a bit when she saw Sasuke grasp Naruto's shaky hand in his. She looked up from their hands and met her son's eyes. Fugaku had reacted the same way, eyes wide and questioning. It almost seemed like he didn't believe it. Itachi merely sat there quietly, watching his father carefully. His mother was calm, and very gentle with Sasuke, but Fugaku could be very harsh and was angered easily.

Sasuke pulled Naruto closer, never breaking eye contact with his parents.

"…Mother, Father. This is what I needed to tell you. Naruto…Naruto and I are dating. We have been for the last three months. I can't hide it from you. I don't want to. I'm…I'm gay. I've known for a few years now."

The room went quiet.

Naruto's head was bowed. Not in embarrassment, no, but in fear. He feared for Sasuke. He was close to tears. He had known Sasuke's parents for years, since elementary school, and he knew what could happen. Mikoto was kind, and very sweet, but Sasuke's father had not failed to show his temper now and again. It worried him.

Sasuke gripped Naruto's hand tighter, trying to reassure his boyfriend.

"…Have you had sex?" Fugaku asked stiffly. Itachi shook his head at his father's question. How embarrassing.

Sasuke met his father's eyes once more. "No. We haven't done anything like that." He said quietly. Fugaku's dark eyes narrowed.

"How far have you gone?"

"We've only kissed."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Mikoto's expression softened, and she stood. She took a step closer to the young couple. The woman placed a hand on Sasuke's tense shoulder.

"Sasuke…honey, I want you to know that I'm completely fine with it. You and Naruto have been friends since fifth grade. You're very close, and I guess I should have seen it coming. You care about each other, I can te—! Fugaku!" She exclaimed as a sharp sound rang out in the large living room.

Sasuke stumbled back, and then fell to the floor in shock, his cheek stinging where his father had slapped him. Naruto's hands had flown up to cover his mouth, his eyes wide with fear. He had known this would happen. Sasuke had been hurt. He rushed to the boy's side, kneeling down and taking Sasuke's hand again.

"Sasuke! Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes full of concern. Sasuke nodded, not meeting Naruto's eyes. His father…had never hit him like that.

Mikoto clasped her hands over her chest as and squeaked quietly as Itachi pulled Fugaku around to face him, fury in his onyx eyes. The long haired woman gasped as her husband was knocked to the floor. She looked at her oldest son, shock written across her delicate features. Her son…Itachi had just punched Fugaku in the face. Hard.

Itachi stood up straight, glaring coolly at his father.

"Don't you dare touch him." He said calmly, though there was a definite undertone of rage. He walked over to Sasuke and Naruto, crouching down beside the younger males.

"Go up to Sasuke's room, and don't come down until I tell you to, alright?" He told Naruto softly. The blond nodded, fear in his cerulean eyes. Itachi help pull the boys to the their feet and ushered them towards the stairs. They went up quickly, Naruto tugging Sasuke by the hand. Sasuke could tell that Naruto was utterly terrified.

When they reached the bedroom, Sasuke closed the door gently, not meeting Naruto's eyes.

"Well that could have gone better." He muttered, pulling Naruto into a loose hug. Naruto fisted his hands in his boyfriend's shirt, sighing. "I knew it. I knew you would get hurt." He murmured, looking up at Sasuke and placing a hand on the teen's red cheek. He was gentle, and it was obvious to Sasuke that Naruto felt horrible.

Sasuke drew Naruto over to the large black bed, sitting down and pulling Naruto into his lap.

"I'll be fine. It doesn't hurt." He lied, sighing. Naruto moved to Sasuke's side and kissed his dark haired lover's forehead, twirling his fingers in Sasuke's sleek hair.

"You're a horrible liar."

Sasuke chuckled.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm. …Hey, Naruto. Come with me." He whispered, standing. Naruto stood as well, and then froze. "Wait…where are you going? We can't…" He started. Sasuke pressed a finger to Naruto's soft lips, his eyes troubled.

"I need to know that he's okay."

"…You mean Itachi…alright, but only to the top of the stairs." He whispered in reply, gripping Sasuke's hand tightly. Sasuke squeezed back.

They snuck out of the room and into the hallway, not peeking their heads out, only listening.

"Fugaku, why can't you just be happy for him? He's your son! Our son! He cares about Naruto, it's clear! How could you hit him like that?!"

Sasuke's eyes softened. His mother was defending him. His heart sank with guilt. His parents were fighting because of him.

When he felt a particularly tight squeeze on his hand, he looked up at Naruto, who was smiling sadly. Sasuke nodded, forcing a small smile onto his pale lips. He pulled Naruto into a sitting position on the floor against the wall, their knees either tucked to the side or pulled tight against their chests.

"Mikoto, it's…it's not right! He's an Uchiha, and Uchihas don't mingle with their own gender! He's not gay! It's probably just a phase! He's a teenager, you know how they get!"

Onyx eyes narrowed. Sasuke knew it wasn't a phase. He just wasn't attracted to females, and he never had been. He never would be, it was a fact. His eyes widened a bit when he heard his brother begin to speak.

"That's a load of crap, father, and you know it."

"Excuse me?" Fugaku demanded, anger evident in his tone.

"You said that Uchihas don't mingle with those of their own gender. Well, that is, to be blunt, a load of bullshit. You can't speak for the entire family. Not only is it rude, but it is also completely absurd."

"Itachi, stay out of this!" Fugaku yelled. That boy was testing his patience.

"No. My little brother wants to be happy, and you don't care. Don't you see, you old fool? Sasuke can only be himself with Naruto. He loves him." He said coolly. "And he certainly isn't the first Uchiha to have same sex relations. I myself have been with a man." The young man said, crossing his arms over his chest. "In fact, I have a boyfriend."

Sasuke's eyes widened once more. His brother…Itachi was gay…or at least bisexual. Quite the surprise. Well, at least to him.

Fugaku growled, glaring at his son.

"How long?" He asked coldly.

"How long…?" Itachi drew out.

"How long have you been going behind our backs like a whore?!" The older man yelled. Sasuke and Naruto flinched, the man's voice ricocheting of the walls.

Itachi remained calm. "Since I was fifteen. And I'm anything but a whore. Kyuubi and I have been dating for two years. I can hold a relationship, much to your surprise, I'm sure."

"Who's Kyuubi? Your slut?" Fugaku growled.

"My boyfriend. And he's anything but a slut. Even if he was a whore, he would be far above you."

Fugaku took a step forward, but Mikoto stepped between them. "Fugaku, calm down! Itachi, why didn't you tell us?" She asked, running her fingers through her son's silky black bangs. Itachi threw a look Fugaku's way.

"Take a wild guess." His mother glanced back at her husband when she realized what the young man meant.

"You didn't tell us…because—"

"Because I knew father would react like a child."

"Excuse me? I'm your father! If anyone is acting like a child, it's you, Itachi!"

"Bullshit."

"What?" Fugaku roared.

"You heard me. Bull…shit…. bullshit. What part of it don't you understand?"

Sasuke looked at Naruto, pressing a light kiss to the boy's wet cheek. He was crying quietly. Small, pitiful sniffling sounds were escaping the blond.

Fugaku threw his hands up in the air, letting out an angry, exasperated sound. "That's it. I'm done. I can't deal with you right now." He said, walking out of the room and heading for the stairs.

Sasuke froze. He pulled Naruto into his chest. He couldn't breathe. His father would see them, he would know they were listening in on the…well; you couldn't really call it a conversation. It was just a big fight.

Sasuke's heart was pounding, and then he realized something.

Why did it matter?

His father had probably already decided that Sasuke was no longer of any importance. He wasn't worthy of the Uchiha name.

Naruto looked up at Sasuke, his eyes filled to the brim with fear. Sasuke held Naruto close, kissing his boyfriend's forehead. He closed his eyes, just concentrating on comforting his love. He didn't open his eyes until after the man had passed, grunting and going into their (meaning his and Mikoto's) bedroom.

He heard shuffling at the bottom of the stairs. "Sasuke…honey…I'm so sorry. Your father…he can be very insensitive. What he said and did was cruel…I'm sorry. Come here, baby." She murmured, holding out her arms biting back a small sob.

Sasuke looked down at her. She had known he and Naruto were there? He decided to do as she asked. He helped Naruto to his feet, taking the blond's trembling hand once again. They made their way down the stairs.

Sasuke held the crying blond close. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" The younger male repeated through his thick sobs. Sasuke shook his head. "You have nothing to be sorry for. You've done nothing wrong."

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Mikoto hugged the boys tightly, crying softly. She sat them on the couch, stroking Sasuke's hair much like she had when he was younger. "…Maybe you should stay at Naruto's tonight, Sasuke. I'll settle things over here. Itachi, will you make some tea, please?" She asked softly. He nodded and walked into the kitchen, preparing the water.

Mikoto stood, releasing the teens. "I'm going to go wash my face, I'll be right back."

And within seconds, she was upstairs. Sasuke heard the sound of running water and muffled sobs. It hurt. Naruto looked up at Sasuke, pressing a light kiss to his lover's lips.

"Sasuke…" He said with a small sniffle. Sasuke's darks eyes met his own.

Naruto wrapped his arms around Sasuke's neck, crawling into his lap. He rested his head against Sasuke's, sighing.

"Your mom is right. Stay over tonight. P…please." He muttered. It was obvious; the blond needed him there that night. He didn't want to be alone. No, he couldn't be alone. It would be too unbearable. It would be too lonely.

Sasuke was silent for a moment, thinking it over. What good would it do if he stayed at home? He nodded, forcing a small smile onto his face.

"That would be nice."

He pulled away a bit, taking in Naruto's appearance. His eyes were tired and sad, much like a sick dog, and he looked like he was about to pass out. Sasuke pressed a tender kiss to Naruto's lips, sighing. "You could sleep for a few minutes. You look tired."

Naruto smiled and shook his head, blond bangs swaying. "I am tired, but I can wait until we get to my place."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'll be fine."

"Alright. Are you hungry?"

"Sasuke…"

"What?"

"I'm fine. Don't worry."

"…Alright. Tell me if you need anything." He said. Naruto smiled.

"Yeah."

Itachi returned with their tea.

Everything would be okay, because they had each other.

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Okay, done. Yes, it was a oneshot. If I get enough requests to continue it, I will.

Love it? Hate it? Wanna smack it with a big, thick biology textbook? Tell me! I loooove me sum feedback. XD

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