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The harbinger of misfortunes begins with an act of good will.
"Everyone's having barbeque at Yakiniku Q tonight to celebrate its reopening! You should join us, Itachi!"
Your hand stops, and you look up from the laundry to see Naruto's face pressed close, a beaming smile stretched as wide as a fox's. But despite his mischievous appearance, his intentions are pure, and he has no motive beyond the surface.
However, overhearing, your brother becomes wary. His fingers make contact with your shoulder, as he says, "My brother doesn't know everyone there."
Sakura bites back a giggle. "Worried your brother is shy, Sasuke-kun? Sai didn't know anyone when he first went with us, but he assimilated just..." She looks at her aforementioned companion with his plastered smile and mechanical wave, and lowers an eyebrow. "...fine... ish."
"The place is very popular. It's Gyu-Kaku-style, and their negi tanshio is the most delicious," Sai reads straight off Konoha's tourist brochure. "88% of the people would recommend going."
Before you can respond, your brother has already interjected, "My brother doesn't like meat," his hand holding you tighter. You observe his unease, and keep your silence.
Naruto, on the other hand, speaks without thought for tact nor persuasion. "Oi, Sasuke, you've been keeping Itachi indoors like a broken housewife! He must be bored out of his mind. And even if he doesn't like us kids, he can talk about youth or porn or whatever with the adults. Also, if he loves vegetables, he can have all of mine, PLEASE. Except spare me a few grilled peppers... those aren't too bad..." With that, Naruto strokes his chin in contemplation, oblivious to your brother's uncertain glance in your direction.
You merely touch his hand and give him a reassuring smile.
"Thank you for inviting me, Naruto-kun," you say, putting aside the laundry. "I would love to go."
You sense an objection.
"And in the unlikely scenario I become bored of youth or porn or whatever, as Naruto eloquently put, I can always have another glaring contest with my little brother."
Sasuke is sometimes too easy to bait, because as soon as these words escape your lips, he has already unintentionally accepted your challenge with a glare.
"Ooh, ooh, five ryou on Itachi!"
And so, everybody exits into streets in chatter. Your brother is the only person who does not speak, subconsciously fallen two steps behind and to your right, the position of a bodyguard shinobi with a client. You sense how his fears are realized when the crowd cuts and diverges around you like the flow of a stream against a rock. There are unwanted eyes in your direction.
The sun sets fast, and the shadows run to provide you shelter. But shadows cannot do everything, and Sakura becomes the second person be perceptive of the situation. While Naruto waves to his friends at a faraway table, her ears pick up the subtle hush in volume, her eyes pick up the trickles of customers filing out in larger numbers.
You soothe her discomfort by asking, "May I sit by a lady today?" and she responds with delight.
"Of course!"
The third member aware is Sai. In your company are Yuuhi, Hatake, and Maito, and while they are courteous, none of you have forgotten the confrontation by the bridge five years ago. Eye contact is rare, words unnaturally polite as they pass you the rolls basket.
But when Sai notes their unspoken tension, they instantly stiffen. In your presence, their pride as mentors have faltered, and they push to reconcile.
Finally, the last to notice, but notice the sharpest is Naruto, after the waiter has written everyone's orders for drinks. The waiter is about to leave when Naruto blurts, "Oi! You forgot Itachi!"
Your name is a shock-wave that ripples through the restaurant, halting still every conversation and chopstick. Forcing a smile, the waiter bows. "Of course, of course, I will add another drink."
Naruto, his mirth gone, demands, "How will you know what to get him when you haven't even asked him what he wants! Oi!"
But the waiter has already fled. Naruto is ready to get up, when you say, "Actually, I did not want anything, Naruto-kun. I am satisfied with the tea."
However, while Sakura is uncomfortable, Sai is confused, Naruto is angry, the one to snap is your poised little brother. While you attempt to appease the other three, you have become careless. A waitress pushes your hand into the brazier with a stone pot. You retract instinctively, but your fingers suffer a mild burn.
"Aren't you going to apologize." Sasuke locks the waitress's wrist in a vise grip before she could leave.
"What- I didn't do any-"
"Don't pretend."
Much to her horror, his eyes are red. "You saw. Do you lack that much common courtesy to apologize? And isn't it protocol that you retrieve a first aid? You would do so if it were with any other guest. So why, with my brother, you ignore and walk away."
"I- I- "
He grips tighter, ready to snap bone. "You don't deserve to serve others. How is such scum not-"
"Sasuke, shouldn't we serve the rice before it gets cold?" You uncap the pot. "You are keeping the entire table waiting."
Your brother returns, and he lets her go.
"Burns happen all the time," the girl across the table, Tenten, dares to break the ice. "How bad is it, Itachi-san? I have bandages if you need them."
"I h-have some ointment..." the Hyuuga heiress offers.
You decline, and as you serve everyone rice, conversations slowly resume. With every bowl, you do not acknowledge the rage simmering within your brother. Equally, you pretend to be oblivious to the wince of betrayal just a layer deeper.
You offer him the second to last bowl and smile. "It smells delicious, Sasuke. Why don't you have some?"
You can tell he will be bitter on the walk home, but he will let it go. He'll forgive you faster on a full stomach.
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