EDIT: If you have read this already just ignore it.

Chapter 2: Trouble with the in-laws

Konan stared at Taro a little surprised. She glanced at the clock on the wall and saw it was past one o'clock in the morning. She held her hands up as a peace signal and for him to know she wanted to clarify her delay.

"Look I can explain. I hadn't seen them all in such a long time and-"

"Let me guess. Time passed by before you knew it." He butted into her explanation.

"Yes, but I also had trouble getting a bus this late at night."

"You could've just called me! I sat here waiting all night for you to show up. I could have just come to get you." His brows were furrowed and he had an exasperated look on his face.

"Well I never said you had to." Konan replied, looking to the floor.

"You promised you'd be back before dinner! Why didn't you just say you weren't going to be able to make it?"

"For once can't you let me do what I want? I'm not a child Taro!" Konan pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. She started walking towards the staircase leading to their bedroom.

"Where do you think you're going? We're not done talking yet!"

"Ugh, look I'm going to bed. We can solve this in the morning. I still have to get up early to cook the family meal for tomorrow."

"Fine, whatever, I'll sleep here on the couch."

Konan headed slowly up the stairs. She really hadn't meant to shout at him but lately he had been getting on her nerves a lot more and it was taking its toll on her. Tomorrow morning he'd probably apologise and say he's sorry, that he was wrong and all that stuff. This of course would make Konan feel guilty for letting him take all the blame as she was the one at fault as well. This would result in both of them apologising and everything would be just dandy after that… for a while anyway.

She undressed and put on a pair of pajamas and got in bed. The thoughts going through her mind were like lightning. Most of them were thoughts of her when was free before she was married.

She turned onto her side. The bed was warmer when she was alone.

…

Konan awoke the next morning with a splitting headache and she knew that with the day starting off like that, it was not going to end well. She stretched her body and numerous pops were heard from her joints and she sighed. She got out of bed, freshened up and got dressed in a jeans and sweater before heading downstairs to the kitchen. Taro was still sleeping on the couch, his one leg over the back of the couch and his pillow being hugged. Konan smiled and headed to the breadbox. She had a breakfast of two slices of toast and a cup of coffee before taking a painkiller and starting on her kitchen duties.

If it was something that she had learned about Taro's family was that they loved their chicken. Every Sunday was a day when they would have their chicken and it was also her job to make it on Sundays if they came over for lunch. She put on an apron and got out the ingredients for the meal and went to wash her hands before starting. The telephone began to ring but before she could answer it, her husband sleepily got up and answered first. He started talking on the phone and Konan continued with her business. She went to the cupboard for a bowl.

When she turned around she gave a gasp to see Taro standing right in front of her.

"Don't scare me like that." Konan said with a frown.

"Oh yeah, sorry," He said sheepishly "My parents say don't worry about lunch. They'll bring it so just relax."

Konan raised an eyebrow but nodded. It was rare that they offered to do anything if she was around, like she was some kind of slave to their wants.

"And I'm… I'm sorry about last night. I was just cranky from being tired." Konan was a little surprised he said sorry so early.

"It's okay I guess. I'm sorry as well for not telling you I would come home late." Konan said with a shrug and he hugged her.

"Mom said she's bringing mac and cheese, salad and chicken." Konan nodded, but inwardly rolled her eyes, and took off her apron. Taro sighed and looked at Konan.

"Look, to show that I'm really sorry…," He seemed to think for a moment "You can bring your friend over for dinner tomorrow. What's his name again? Pein? Yeah, Pein that's it."

Konan eyes widened a little and she smiled. Taro smiled as well but inside there were fierce feelings of jealousy. She never smiled like that for him. He watched his wife walk out of the kitchen. He knew she was either going to phone her friend now or continue with her school work. He could understand that, her job being time consuming and all, but it was a Sunday! Why couldn't she relax with him for once?

Konan headed to the house phone intending to call Pein but she realized he would most probably be at work and decided against it. He would be home at about seven and even then she'd have to be quick about calling him as he immediately takes a shower, eats and goes to bed. Even so, she wanted to speak to him as the true friends they were before she was married.

Though she would never admit it, there was definitely a rift growing between them, like fabric tearing in half, and it was her fault for not rebelling against Taro's wishes. If it wasn't for her passive nature none of it would've happened. She knew there wasn't much she could do to get her way; force was definitely out the picture as he was a man and he was much stronger than her. If she voiced her opinion he'd laugh at her and she would regret ever thinking of even trying to talk like adults.

She sighed and went back to the room to get her cellphone instead. She knew her auburn-haired friend's number by heart and instead of calling him she sent a text message.

Free tomorrow? -K

His reply was almost instant and Konan smiled.

Yes… Working early shift so I'll be home early -P

Good, you can come for dinner. -K

You sure? Won't that imbecile get angry? -P

Watch your mouth and it was his idea. Looking forward to it. -K

Unbelievable, but I'll come anyway. –P

Konan sighed in relief and lay down on the bed again. She stared at the ceiling, until she eventually fell asleep.

…

Konan woke up with a start. She hadn't intended to fall asleep. She glanced at the alarm clock next to the bed. It was 11:30.

Konan gave a gasp, jumped up and quickly made up the bed before brushing her hair again. She swiftly went downstairs, happy to find out that her in-laws weren't there yet. She gave a sigh of relief and sat on the couch. Taro entered the room reading a magazine.

"Oh you're awake. My parents are coming in about more or less ten minutes so set the table or something."

Konan nodded, stood up and headed to the kitchen to fetch glasses. She carried rinsed six glasses along with forks and knives on a tray towards the dining table. She went back to the kitchen to fetch table mats when the doorbell rang.

…

Pein was not one to fuss about most things, but when his friend had invited him to dinner, he couldn't help but smile at the news. To hear it was her fool of a husband's idea was rather shocking but he wasn't about to let a chance like that slip out his hands. It would have been better if everyone could come but he was grateful that he was even allowed come at all. He sat cleaning out a car that he had just finished working on, and wiped his forehead. It was hot.

Being a mechanic, he got called on at any time to fix cars that have broken down in roads and streets. Thankfully he had the early shift the next day so he wouldn't be bothered as much. The downside of his job was that he had very little free time because if he didn't get calls he would have to toil at the workshop, like now. He didn't mind, he loved his job and the pay was great.

All his friends were lucky to be successful in life through hard work. Though Deidara was still studying, they already had a job set aside for him in art because he was simply outstanding. Sasori worked alongside others as a puppeteer in a famous theatre and Kakuzu was manager of a bank. Hidan was a priest and Kisame was captain of a ship. Konan taught first graders, Itachi had a daycare centre with Tobi, and Zetsu ran a nursery. They were all happy with their jobs but Pein couldn't hide his surprise when Itachi had stated he wanted to open a daycare centre. The guy was most possibly the most anti-social person alive but when Pein saw how he interacted with children, his mind changed for the better. Itachi smiled- actually smiled- with them and showed compassion. It was a side of Itachi that was rarely showed but the children had the opportunity to see it.

It was actually kind of funny. One day Pein had visited the day care to see Itachi, who was wearing a jeans and tank top, reading a storybook to the brats while some of the children were braiding his hair. When Pein started smirking, Itachi had clearly given him a look that said 'don't you dare laugh'. The children had then given Pein the nickname, much to his annoyance, Man of Steel because of the numerous piercings in his face as well as him working on cars as a job. Tobi would then come in with a tray full of food and hand each child a bowl of whatever it was and let Itachi continue reading his book to them. To anyone else it would have been a strange sight but the mothers adored Itachi because, apparently, his manners were charming and Tobi was wonderful with kids.

The orange haired man sighed and went to get a drink of water. Just when he was about to open the tap he heard a familiar voice shouting in the entrance's direction.

"Hey Pein, where are you, yeah?!" Pein rolled his eyes and got his water before heading towards the entrance. The blonde haired man standing at the doorway with a huge grin on his face surely wasn't a good sign in any way.

"Deidara shouldn't you be in college?" Pein drank his water slowly, enjoying the cool sensation down his throat.

"Well yeah I guess, but they let me off early since I finished my exam."

"Then why are you here? I'm still working."

"Duh, I know that, yeah. Itachi's phone was broken by those brats he looks after so he told me to tell you to come to the daycare centre when you're done here, yeah."

"And how do you know this?"

"I was just there and my phone is at home. It's not that far to walk from there to here you know, yeah." Pein was about to question the blonde's sanity to walk in this kind of weather but decided against it. It was sometimes a burden to be friends with an idiot.

"Tell Itachi I'll come over when I can."

…

Konan set the table while Taro opened the door for his family. She could hear bubbly greetings and laughter and when she had completed setting the table she went to greet them. The little sister immediately bounced towards Konan and hugged her around the waist. The mother sent a glare to the child for doing that, Konan noticed. The brother gave a nod and the father's icy glare greeted her. Konan glanced at the clock. 11:45, they ate at 12 and until then, agonizing silence or criticizing would begin.

"So Konan…," Konan cringed, it was beginning "I've heard from my son that you were out late last night at your friends place. What exactly were you doing there?" The mother asked, a sinister smile plastered on her face. Konan was hurt that Taro had told his mother. She looked in his direction and he just shrugged.

"They're my friends. Can't I go and see them?" Konan shrugged, dodging the other question and trying to look calm, when inside her blood was boiling. How dare he squeal about what she does! She sent an icy look towards Taro and he instantly knew it was another night on the couch for him.

"I don't believe so. All your friends are males, it is improper for you to go see them and so late at night as well. And you didn't answer my question. What were you doing there?"

"I had dinner there. Then we talked and played a few games, nothing else really." Konan said shrugging again. The mother was not satisfied with the answer but she let it slide.

"Fine, but then what did my dear son eat?"

"How the hell should I know?" Oops.

The mother looked shocked at Konan's answer and was about to let her have a piece of her mind when she was stopped by her youngest son. He had an irritated look on his face.

"Leave her alone. Sheesh let her have some fun once in a while. We're not living in the 50's you know." Konan sent him a grateful look and he nodded. Honestly, Konan would have sent a whole vocabulary of words she learnt from Hidan towards the mother if the son hadn't stopped the mother from spouting trash.

"Yuki, I was just testing her. Don't get so annoyed." She told her son.

"Well you don't have to 'test' her every time we come here." Yuki replied scornfully to his mother.

"Shiroi, Yuki, please contain yourselves." The father said and the two became quiet. The father was a rather scary looking man with a scar across his cheek with black hair. His daughter, Shou, and Taro resembled him. His wife Shiroi was a slim woman and had white hair as did her youngest son, who was only a few years younger than Taro. Though they looked alike, they fought a lot.

Shou tugged on Konan's sweater and she looked down to the child who looked confused.

"Why is Momma and Yuki-nii fighting?" Konan sighed and bent down to the child's level and put a hand on her head.

"They're just having a bad day, little one." Konan looked up to see the mother giving her a dirty look. Konan gave a look right back at her.

"Oookay, I think we should go sit at the table. Mom, give me that dish." Taro said, rubbing the back of his head and pointing to the macaroni dish that his mother picked up. He had told his mother not to bother Konan about the late night issue but does she listen? Nooo, it's always 'it's for you own good, dear.' So harassing his wife was for his own good? He sighed at his mother's absurd way of making him happy.

Konan closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Lunch hadn't even begun yet and the witch was already starting with her. It was only a matter of time before the father also started toying with her. Konan walked to the dining table and took a seat. The father sat at the end of the table with Shiroi next to him. Taro sat next to Konan. The other two siblings sat opposite Konan and Taro, the youngest facing her brother and Yuki facing Konan.

There was an awkward silence before the little one closed her eyes and said a prayer. Konan smiled at her and she beamed back at the blunette. Then everyone started dishing their food. Konan just had macaroni and cheese as she wasn't a big fan of meat.

The blunette ate slowly and frowned, the food was tasteless and she had just plain lost her appetite. She ate a little bit more before sighing and excusing herself from the table.

"Where are you going?" Taro asked, worried. Had his family pushed her too far this time?

"I'm not feeling well." Was Konan's answer and she headed to her room. Shiroi rolled her eyes, such a shameful daughter.

….

Konan stood in front of the mirror. She had done this many times in the past when she felt inferior or sad about herself. Though she did this a lot, she never found any flaws that were worth mentioning. The only prominent feature most people didn't like was the piercing below her bottom lip. Her short blue hair framed her face well and the only make up she wore was the occasional eye shadow and lip balm unlike her mother-in-law who wore so much make-up she practically uses her face as a colouring book.

Konan smiled slightly at her thoughts and exited the room, heading back downstairs. The house phone began to ring and she went to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is Konan there, yeah?"

"Yes, this is Konan."

"Oh good, can you come to Itachi's daycare centre, yeah? He's got something to show us apparently, yeah."

"Deidara?" Konan looked around to see if anyone was watching her and covered the phone with her hands. "I'm not sure if I can. My in-laws are here and they've been pestering me a lot about last night."

"Last night? Who told them about last night? OH I bet it was that dirt bag you call your husband, yeah."

"Hey, watch it. But yes it was him who told them. I'll see if I can sneak out for a few hours."

"Sweet, yeah!"

"Deidara, where are you anyway?"

"I'm at home now. I went to tell Pein first then I headed home, why?"

"Oh just wondering. I'll see you later, maybe." Then someone shouted from the dining table.

"Hey Konan who's on the phone?" Taro shouted.

"Umm my friend! He just informed me of something!"

"HE?" Konan heard the mother's voice and she rolled her eyes.

"Who's that? Your monster-in-laws? Tell them I say hi." Konan could hear Deidara sniggering and she frowned.

"Whatever. Look I have to go now."

"Yeah, yeah, but seriously, ditch them and come to us."

"It's so tempting at this moment that I'm actually going to do it. See you later." Konan could hear Deidara's laughter when she put the phone down. If she was going out, she might as well do it with a bang. She smiled and quietly headed out the front door.

….

A/N: Just imagining Itachi in a daycare centre gave me the giggles. Reviews are appreciated.