Wow. I got some pretty pleasant reviews for this story. I'm happy.
This typically is a modern age love story, with mysteries and dark themes applied. Don't like, don't read.
Thank you very much for your patience. As for my other fics, I'll start working…sometime.
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Naruto later invited me to his house as an escape from the chaos already destroying my own. It was actually very thoughtful of him, and I immediately accepted the offer. I took my camera, and Naruto's messily wrapped unopened present and slipped out the back door leading to our yard. It didn't surprise me that no one noticed me leave.
The blond continued blabbering about the neighborhood, friends, school, and other social activities. I nodded, 'hn.ed' and 'ahh-ed' at the right places, but my mind was busy traveling elsewhere. Wherever my brother was. I wondered if he was happy, smiling. I also wondered whether he missed me, my sobbing, crushed mother, and my stoic-as-ever father at all.
"Sasuke? Oi, Sasuke!?" he said, waving a large tan hand in front of my face. He pouted, not used to being ignored. "Teme! Are you going to ignore me all day, or what? Hey, Sasuke-teme!"
I stopped walking, blinking the thoughts to the back of my head, and I turned to face him. Despite his mad words, Naruto's face held more worry than anger. Fumbling with the presents in my hands, I sighed and assured him that everything was already. He remained unconvinced but said nothing more. We crossed our backyards and stepped up the wooden porch. I waited while he dug through his pockets for the keys, and half listened to his cheery banter.
Finally, he managed to throw the door open, and I walked inside.
It was very…Uzumaki. The walls were painted in many splotches of bright colors, as if someone just threw a whole balloon of paint at them. Knowing the family, who was widely notorious for their freedom and artistic talent, I wouldn't be surprised if every room in the building was decorated in the same fashion. The recliners and couches were set up under the laws of feng shui, and a huge television sat in the center. Upon one of the interesting chairs sat Naruto's father, and surprisingly, the governor of Konoha, Namikaze Minato. He had welcomed my family with open arms, and apparently, our parents were good friends. He was what a teenager would call "a cool dad," known for fun and spunk.
Minato looked up from his seat, a comforting smile on his face. "Some birthday, huh?" he joked.
I shrugged and took a seat next to him, and stared blankly at the screen. During the first two weeks that we've been here, my family had all sort of fights under the stress. Sometimes, my brother and I would run to this house, and Kushina, Minato, and Naruto would all be armed with soothing words of reassurance. Every once in a while I would wonder what it would be like to have parents like them – strong, willful, but sweet and understanding. To have a brother like Naruto – my exact opposite. I thought it would be chaos, but my brother said it would be somewhat of a relief.
My eyes glance at the small, mahogany table beside the couch. Several envelopes were heaped precariously atop it, as well as a lamp, pens and post it papers. The papers were what caught my eye. On the top sheet was my brother's name written in Itachi's doodling scrawl. I reached over and ripped the sheet out of the stack, and I wondered what my brother was thinking when he sat here, on this very couch and wrote his name. Was he planning this from the beginning?
"Hey."
Naruto's voice again shocked me out of my stupor. It seemed to be happening a lot lately; whenever I fell into daydreams, it was Naruto who I awoke to. The thought almost made me blush. "What?"
"Let's play some video games!" he cheered in the most childlike way possible. There was a sort of whine to it, an innocence. Since I had nothing else to do, and it would probably be better to get my mind out of this junk, I complied and followed him down the stairs into a large, open basement. The air conditioning was cranked up, cooling the room. Another large television and stereo set sat on the left wall, and a game system was situated in front, surrounded by beanbag chairs. The walls were painted just like the upstairs living room. I smiled.
Naruto moved to turn on the system and plopped his broad figure down on one of the chairs. I sank into mine, scrunching up into a little ball. Naruto threw me a controller and the loud stereo blasted out the game music, jolting me upright. Laughing loudly over the sounds, Naruto apologized and tuned the volume down a little.
We played for hours, loosing ourselves in the fantasy worlds and on the racetracks. I found it odd: how easily you could detach yourself from reality. Nintendo is a genius.
Naruto threw down his controller in frustration, pouting like a little girl. "Damnit. Who knew you were so good at these things?" he complained.
I shrugged, saying, "Well, I got bored often. Although my parents don't like video games, I used to sneak over to my old friend, Suigetsu, to play them. He taught me a lot of cheats."
A pregnant, awkward pause ensued. Then, "Aren't you going to open your present?" Naruto asked, an insecure smile on his face. "Well, I'm not sure you'll like it, but since you just moved here I figured I should've got you something. And since you're new you might not have a lot of friends and…"
In the middle of his rants, I reached behind me and placed the orange box on my lap. Slowly, my fingers removed the ribbon holding the container closed and I gently unfolded the wrapping paper. Naruto groaned about how meticulously I was handling the present. I retorted that I wouldn't like to rip the unique wrapping paper. Finally, I lifted the lid.
Only to find another box wrapped in orange paper.
I glared. "Do you do this often?"
"Nope. Just to the friends I really like."
That statement may have caused me to blush, but I denied it. Again, I unhurriedly removed the orange cover. Again, I lifted the lid.
Again, I was faced with another box decorated in the same fashion.
By now, my frustration was eating away at my patience. In spite of this, and in spite of Naruto, I continued to slowly, gracefully, unwrap the boxes and raise the lids. Again, and again, I was met with more boxes. Finally, something snapped, and I growled, savagely ripping off the paper. Naruto laughed, slapping his knee and rolling all over the floor.
It turns out that that was the final box. Shooting one more glare at Naruto, I opened the package, and something glittered inside. Captivated, I reached for the object in a trance like state. Dangling from my fingers was a silver chain necklace, with a swirling 'naruto' (fishcake) charm clipped onto it. I twirled the charm in my finger, and it spun, catching the light in such a dazzling way.
I've had plenty of gifts before: the camera, teddy bears, I-pod, laptop, cell phone, and other things that children and adolescents always begged their parents for. But nothing held the same wondrous feeling as this simple charm did.
"Th-thank you," I managed to stutter.
Naruto smiled sheepishly, and scratched the back of his head. "Well, I didn't know what else to give you, so yeah." His tan features flushed light pink and I looked away, smiling inwardly. "You're welcome," he whispered, barely audible.
Suddenly, all of my fingers lost their dexterity. As I clumsily fiddle with the necklace clasp, Naruto giggled again in amusement, like an idiot schoolgirl. I was too happy to glare at him, and to determined to put the accessory on to pay any attention to him. I guess that was when he stepped behind me and took the necklace in his hands. The clasp opened, and he placed the charm over my head and around my neck, then snapped it into place. A perfect fit.
"See! Now you can brag that Uzumaki Naruto, son of the wacky governor of Konoha, is your best friend!" the blond exclaimed proudly.
There was a wonderful sense of comfort in his words. Subconsciously, yet, with no regrets, I leaned back right into his arms. For a second he froze, and I wondered if I did something wrong. Just as I was about to jolt upright and apologize, his arms wrapped protectively around me, and something warm surged in my heart. Against his chest, I heard his beat loudly, practically jumping straight out of his body. Mine was probably in the same condition.
We sat there for what we hoped would be an eternity, I in his arms.
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W H I S P E R
2. Listen
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The wonderful bliss was interrupted by Minato's boisterous call from upstairs.
"Naruto! The boys are here to see you!"
Reluctantly, I shifted away from his warmth, and Naruto hollered, "Coming, Dad!" He stood up, and offered his hand to me. "C'mon, I'll introduce you to them!"
I thought the previous magical moment meant nothing to him. However, the thoughts were banished by the apparent crimson blush adorning his features. He helped me up and led me back to the living room, where several boys stood, conversing. I felt strangely out of place. Naruto released my hand and rushed over to them, smiling. "Hey guys! How was your vacation?"
"What's up, Naruto!?" a brunet boy yelled, slapping the blond a hard high five. He had spiky brown hair, sharp eyes, and teeth that looked more like a rabid animal's. In his arms was a small white dog. His eyes flashed to me, and I shied away, crossing my arms over my chest. "Hey, Naruto? Who's that guy?" he asked, pointing in my direction.
Naruto turned to face me, and I swore his large, dopey grin widened. "He's Sasuke, the new neighbor. Today's his birthday, so I came and invited him over. Sasuke, this is Kiba, a good friend from high school."
"Pleased to meet you," I said, bowing in the polite, Japanese way.
He raised his eyebrow, questioning my habits, before asking, "You're Japanese too, eh? I hear it in your accent. Naruto had it at first, too, but it's long gone." He outstretched his hand toward me, smiling friendlily. "I hate formal talk. It tires me out. It's nice to meet you, too, Sasuke!"
We shook hands, and Kiba gestured to the rest of the group. "This is Gaara, Shikamaru, and Neji," he said, pointing to a red-head with fascinating green eyes circled by heavy black eyeliner, a brunet with his hair tied up in a pineapple-like fashion and a lazy look plastered over his face, and a long haired, blank eyed teen, respectively. We nodded to each other. I got their names all jumbled up in my head.
"Heh, don't worry about it," Naruto said, slapping my back supportively. "Though you'll have A LOT more names to memorize."
I grunted, and then mumbled something in Japanese. Kiba chuckled at my reaction.
"So Sasuke, having a good birthday?" the dog-owner ignorantly inquired. I knew he was just being polite, but I turned away suddenly, attempting to hide the worry on my face. The blank eyed one (Neji?) immediately caught it, as if he could see through the back of my head. I heard him whisper something quietly to Naruto, who started to explain everything.
Sympathetically, they nodded, and muttered apologize. It made everything worse, though I didn't bother saying that aloud. Instead, I faked a smile and told them everything would be fine. Minato decided to break the ice with snacks and cards.
We ended up in a circle on the carpet, chattering about insignificant details, just like any normal teenager, over chips and dip and a game of black jack. Neji was a genius at the game, and I asked him if he counted cards. Shikamaru lazily stated that he could see through walls. I hoped he was kidding. Naruto lost fifteen times in a row before suggesting another game.
"We should bet stuff," Kiba said, throwing his arm over Neji's shoulder. "I call Neji on my team!"
Gaara glowered at Kiba, and looked as if he was about to murder the poor brunet. He growled, and Kiba took the hint and inched away from the card master, who blinked impassively at the redhead. I got the feeling that those two had more to their relationship than just simple friendship. Awkwardly, Naruto laughed and shuffled the cards. I chewed on my chips.
Suddenly, Kushina came flying in through the back door, her face excited, but extremely grim. She yanked on my arm, pulling me up from my seating position, and shook my shoulders. "Itachi called! He called. He called!" And she dashed up the stairs, repeating the phrase over and over again.
My head swirled for a few moments, and I clutched onto the sofa's armrests for balance. It took me five whole seconds to realize I had to get home. Quickly, I said my good-byes and rushed out the door, and Naruto's footsteps were right behind me, much to my surprise. We crossed the backyard faster than any Olympic track star and I forcefully slid open my own new home's back door. There, right in the kitchen, sat my mother, sobbing hysterically. For a moment, I thought I was too late, until a familiar voice came from the speaker.
"Mom?"
"Itachi, where are you? Oh my, you must come home!"
There was a pause. I thought he hung up, and my mother burst into another fit of tears. Finally, he spoke, each word calculated carefully, like the meticulous perfectionist he was. "I can't come home. Please don't ask me to."
"But Itachi!" she cried.
My father ripped open the door from his office and dashed toward the kitchen phone faster than I had ever seen him move before. His voice was stern, but shaky. "Son, we want you home. You may be old enough to go out on your own, but what about college."
"Dad, I'm not going to college. Not anymore."
Anger and frustration seemed to take hold of my father. He slammed his fist loudly against the refrigerator, and I swore I heard Itachi gasp. "Do you understand what you are doing? You're throwing away your life! Everything you worked so hard for, down the drain. I'm not allowing that. You're coming home, whether you like it or not, understood?"
I felt tears streaming down my face. Naruto clutched my arm supportively, tightly. It made no difference; I silently began to cry.
"No. I'm living my life now. I can't do this anymore, Dad. I'm not going," there was such indemnity, a fierceness in his voice. Whenever he used that tone, Itachi's decision was made. It was final; he wasn't coming home. Ever. I began sobbing, too, mimicking my mother, and Naruto's grip on my arm tightened considerably.
"Where are you?" my mother screeched, shaking crazily. My father held her, just as Naruto was holding me. "Where are you?" the question repeated, more softly.
"Sasuke? Sasuke, are you there? Please don't cry."
Immediately, I jumped up at the sound of my name. Quickly, with Naruto at my heels (like some sort of loyal golden retriever) I pushed past my parents toward the speaker, wiping my tears. "Yes?"
"Take care, okay? I miss you."
"Why? Why are you leaving?" I demanded, letting the anger flow through my words, too. "If you miss us so much, come home."
"It's hard, Sasuke. I just can't. I'm so sorry. I'm such a horrible brother," I heard the hitch in his voice. He was on the verge of tears, as well. I started yelling out apologizes, regretting every word I just previously spoke.
Finally, I heard him sigh. "Mom, Dad, take care, okay? Sasuke, you too," and the last word he spoke was said with an obvious hesitation. "Good-bye."
"No!" my mother pleaded, falling to her knees.
He hung up.
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Yes, I know it's short. But I had to update this fic.
Profiles.
Uchiha Fugaku
49
6'0
Businessman
Family – Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi
Likes – clean houses, sons, work, simplicity
Hates – untidiness, complexity
Goals – To raise his sons, so they can support themselves
-The patriarch of the Uchiha family, he moved to Konoha for a business opportunity. He's cold, calculating, but cares very deeply for his family's well being.
Uchiha Mikoto
44
5'7
Housemother
Family – Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi
Likes – bright colors, flowers, and her family
Hates – dullness, untidiness, fights
Goals – To give her sons everything she can and support the family
-The wife of Fugaku, she is almost his exact opposite. She's caring, and motherly, and loves her family above herself.
Namikaze Minato
43
6'1
Governor
Family – Uzumaki Kushina, Uzumaki Naruto
Likes – Crazy colors, excitement, happy things
Hates – boring things, work
Goals – To live life happily
-The spunky, and well-loved governor of Konoha, Minato is wise, and warm-hearted. He may not show it, but he has a powerful and strong will.
Uzumaki Kushina
40
5'8
Photographer/Art Teacher
Family – Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Naruto
Likes – her last name, fishcakes, art
Hates – black, boring people
Goals – To teach her son to be productive in some way
-The go-lucky, but solicitous mother of Naruto, she's friendly and outgoing. Despite this, she has an easily envious side, considering her husband is a well-loved man in the town.