I'm back… after the long absence, I've returned with this chapter for you. I'm positive you readers don't want the details of my long absence so I won't give it to you. However, I apologize for the seriously long wait.
An advanced warning for this chapter though…it seems I've accidentally made some of the characters out of character so I ask for forgiveness in advance.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own Naruto, just the characters that aren't part of the Naruto universe.
Chapter Four: Visits
A week had already passed since the advanced art class's first assignment; however most felt that a month had already gone by in the week. Since they done much the previous year with the now retired Sanshou obaa-san, Kumiko had to spend the time brushing her students up. Although most knew about the simplicity in doing graphite pencil sketching, there were other things that their new sensei taught them that polished the skills they had.
In the beginning they started out with simple shapes of cubes and pyramids and such and then they got more complex. By the end of the week, they were observing activities going on outside of the classroom and making quick sketches of people moving. The class felt they learned more in a week than the whole year with Sanshou obaa-san.
However, the lack of doing something interesting was taking its toll on some of the students.
"I thought this year I could finally learn some new techniques with Haraguchi Kumiko as our sensei but we're basically doing the same thing as last year but a faster pace," Naruto complained to his friends during the lunch break. "I'm gonna pull out my hair and go bald if we don't hurry up and do something."
"Although she has taught us some interesting new things, I have to agree," Haku remarked in a calmer voice.
"I bet you guys are doing some kind of review. At least you guys will get to the more exciting things sooner," Kiba grumbled with an irritated expression. "We're just going line quality drawings, but I think we're gonna start with shading today."
"That sounds really exciting," Naruto said with sarcasm dripping from his words.
"By the way, what happened to the third member of the advanced trio?" Kiba asked noticing that Sasuke was not really there.
"He said something about eating with his older brother and cousin today," Haku informed with a shrug.
"Seriously? Don't they have this love/hate relationship kind of thing?" Kiba asked the two that spent more time with the Uchiha than he did. "I hear about it all over school. One minute they are all arguing about kami knows what and next they both are talking and walking home like civil people."
"The only time we're around the both of them is in art class. They usually don't talk much," Haku said with a thoughtful look. Naruto nodded in confirmation to what his best friend said.
"Most likely because Kumiko-sensei doesn't want another incident like before happening again," Naruto inputted logically. "If the ever talk, its mostly about the composition Sasuke's doing and how he should use a certain technique to make it look better."
"I wonder what they're doing now. My bet is that they're fighting over something stupid," Kiba mused with a smirk, his canines showing.
"You guys haven't seen each other in years and you have nothing to talk to each other about?" Shisui questioned in an exasperated voice. "I don't believe this. There's gotta be something."
"How do you know they haven't already said everything to each other already?" Izumo asked, amusement clearly showing.
"Knowing these two, they probably haven't said anything to each other," Shisui said, annoyance shown on his face and in his voice.
"Give it a reast Shisui. They've got the whole year," Kotetsu intervened before something bad happened. He turned to the youngest Uchiha. "Sasuke, where do you usually go for lunch break?"
"The roof," Sasuke answered simply.
"By yourself? Or do you meet up with someone?" Izumo asked further into the subject.
"I bet it's with a girl. Who is it? Haruno or maybe Yamanaka, they harp about you all the time in the Psych classes," Shisui leered with a mischievous smirk.
"Not in this life or any other for that matter," Sasuke countered back hotly. "I meet up with my friends."
"You mean with the one who looks like a girl and the blonde?" Kotetsu inquired this time.
"Hyourin and Uzumaki right? Both are effeminate but Hyourin could pull off being a girl easily," Izumo remembered the two said boys from the science classes both were taking.
"For being guys, they're hotter than most girls here," Shisui put in his observation with a sly look. "I wouldn't be surprised if Sasuke was attracted to them. They probably have legions and don't even know it yet."
"It's not like that you pervert! They're just friends, nothing more," Sasuke protested resolutely, not noticing that there was a slight flush on his cheeks.
"I wonder which one got you first. Hyourin's definitely a beauty, most would not have been able to pull off looks like that," Shisui continued on with his teasing. "Or is it Uzumaki? Gotta say he's a pretty one too. With those sun-kissed locks and amazing sapphire blues, it'd definitely be hard to deny him."
"Shisui, that's enough," Itachi said, putting a halt to his cousin's teasing. As much as he liked having Sasuke on the spot, he didn't like it when Shisui started talking that way about his brother's friends. For reasons lost to him, he didn't especially like it when he mentioned the blonde in that insinuation.
"It was only in fun Itachi. Maa, gomen all the same Sasuke," Shisui eased up lightly, however he eyed the older brother carefully. Normally, Itachi wouldn't defend anyone but himself and event then it was scarce because he didn't care. But to have him stop him from teasing was a surprise. He didn't know whether it was for Sasuke or something else but intended to find out.
"I know you're all bored with doing all this review stuff with sketching and whatnot, but there is a reason," Kumiko started the class hour to her students. She glanced over her students, a mysterious glint in her eyes. "How many of you like manga?"
If Itachi had no self-control, he would have out right grinned in amusement at the incredulous looks the class was showing at the sudden question. He would have inwardly looked the same if not for Kumiko confiding in him first about it. He just sat quietly and observed everything going on.
"Don't be shy to admit it. I love manga. In fact, I have a section on my small library full of manga," Kumiko confessed unabashedly. After a few seconds a few hands raised to their sensei's initial question. "Good then you guys are probably gonna like this outside project. Since I love manga so much, I want you to make one for me."
"EH!" was the collective response.
"Before you jump onto me with questions and stuff, let me explain the project first," Kumiko settled her class down quickly. "There are only 15 students in the class so you are going to do this in groups of three, no more no less. All I want is a short one, maybe 2-4 pages but the maximum is 6. You can do anything you want as long as I understand what's going on. You don't have to dialogue but you'll receive extra points for any. The main priority is the drawings. I expect that all of the principles we used so far be applied to the drawings. This is an advanced class so I will be expecting more than simple drawings from you. You may use the rest of the hour to form your groups and plan out what you want to do. I'll give you a due date in a day or two."
With that, students shuffled around to form groups of three. Naruto, Haku, and Sasuke immediately came together to form their group. Once the groups were settled, light chatter was heard throughout the art room. Kumiko glanced around with a light grin as she wrote down the formed groups. She glanced over to her student assistant and saw that there was some interest in his eyes but for what she knew not. She decided to observe and wait it out.
"I never would have thought that Kumiko-sensei would like manga," Nartuo stated a bit of surprise in his voice.
"I guess we should expect the unexpected from her," Haku commented with a smile. "So what shall we do about this project? Any ideas?"
"Not really at the moment. I need to brainstorm this for a while," Naruto replied with a thoughtful look.
"I guess we should just think about this and then meet up somewhere later," Sasuke suggested simply.
"I agree. We should think about it over the week and then this weekend sort through out ideas and get started," Haku planned out smoothly. "The question is where should we meet."
"We can't go to my house. Otou-san plans to clean up the studio and needs all the room he can get," Naruto said, putting his home out of the question.
"And I really don't have a studio like Naruto's at my house," Haku started. "But if Sasuke isn't comfortable with having this at his place then mine will have to do,"
"It's all right, I don't mind. I have space where we can work," Sasuke assured, though in his mind he was hoping everything would turn out all right.
"Everything going okay in this group?"
The trio turned to the person who asked the question who just happened to be their sensei. She had on a smile that had a glint of mystery to it.
"Kumiko-sensei, it was rather unexpected of your admittance to liking manga," Haku commented in an amused tone.
"Anything wrong with liking manga?" Kumiko asked innocently with a raised brow.
"Iie, it just surprised us is all," Haku replied back with a grin.
"Ne Kumiko-sensei, which manga do you like?" Naruto asked curiously, wanting to know.
"Well I have several that I like, but since I'm a die hard shounen-ai fangirl then it should be obvious which ones I really like," Kumiko replied and grinning in amusement at the flushed look of the trio of males. "Gravitation really got me into it. Others I like are Hikaru no Go and Prince of Tennis, Black Cat, and Bleach. The anime for those are great too."
"So sensei likes anime too," Haku deducted from what Kumiko just said.
"Of course. Can't really like one without liking the other can you?" Kumiko questioned to her student.
"I guess overall people would be like that but there are people that would probably prefer one to the other," Haku wisely stated.
"True, just depending on tastes I guess," Kumiko conceded with a shrug. "Well I'll leave you three to your discussion then. Now that you know a bit of my tastes, I hope you'll use it to your advantage. Of course then I'll be expecting even more from you if you should."
"From the list that Kumiko-sensei just said, I'd say she likes a variety of genres," Naruto said with a thoughtful look. "It'll be hard to decide what to do fro the project then."
"We'll come up with something. We've got the week to think it over before deciding on something," Sasuke said nonchalantly.
Unknown to them, a certain figure was listening in on their conversation the whole time and began making his own plans for the weekend.
"I knew Sasuke was rich but this is too much," Naruto uttered as he gawked at the place the raven haired teen called home. He and Haku took in the sight before them of the large property. The mansion seemed to favor that of the English Victorian style structure, which surprised both boys. They figured that he Uchiha family was more of the traditional style.
They were greeted out front by Sasuke who stood in the midst of servants scurrying about the property carrying various things. Sasuke himself had an irritated scowl on his face as he looked about. He made his way to greet his personal guests and save them from the current chaos.
"What's going on Sasuke?" Naruto asked when the raven haired teen reached them.
"Itachi came back here and now my parents insist that they have a welcome back party for him," Sasuke explained, obviously not liking it.
"Do you want us to leave?" Haku asked, wondering if then being there would be a nuisance to the family.
"Iie, my parents could care less what I do now that the prodigal son in home," Sasuke replied in a non-caring tone but the look in his eyes said otherwise. Although both Uchiha siblings seemed to get along with each other as much as brothers of their caliber could, Sasuke still didn't like the fact that Itachi took all of their parents' attention. He understood to a certain extent that Itachi couldn't help that, might even not want the attention, but still couldn't help the anger and jealousy he felt.
"Let's get inside. There's too much going on out here," Sasuke suggested and the two boys followed after the youngest son. If Sasuke thought there was too much going on outside then the inside was a war zone. Servants left and right were doing the tasks given to them in haste but efficiency. Sasuke quickly led them upstairs away from the chaos into the confines of a decent sized art studio.
It looked to be an artist's haven, having every possible media an artist could want. Everything in the studio was neatly kept, all in their own part of the room. A collection of completed works looked to take up a good portion of the room, most likely done by Sasuke.
"No one will bug us here so make yourselves at home," Sasuke offered to the two. The trio sat down on stools around a desk, Naruto and Haku placing their bags on the ground. After denying the offer of drinks from their host, they began the discussion of possible things to do for their manga. They filtered through all of their ideas, Haku keeping a record on paper what they talked about. Time flew by as their discussion went on, none even bothered with the clock that ticked away the day.
"Geez, my brain's hurting from all this," Naruto mused after they finally decided on what they were gonna do. The blonde glanced at his watch and sapphire blues widened in surprise. "We talked for a long time. When is this welcome back party supposed to start? I think we should leave before then." Sasuke glanced at the clock on the wall and raised an eyebrow.
"It's gonna start in like an hour. Wouldn't surprise me if there were people already here though," Sasuke answered with a shrug. "We can start on the actual drawings next week."
"We can do that at my place. Otou-san should be finished by then," Naruto offered while getting his bag.
"Fine with me," Haku agreed. "Is it all right to leave when there could be guests here already? Your parents won't mind?"
"Don't worry about it. My parents will be caught up entertaining the guests if there are any. Plus they're here to see Itachi anyway," Sasuke answered in a tone that told them not to be concerned about it. "I'll take you out the back way. It's longer but we'll have less chance of meeting up with anyone other than the servants."
Sasuke led the way through the house occasionally pointing out some of the things that were on the way. Naruto and Haku took everything in with slight awe at all the priceless antiques that the Uchiha family had collected over the years. It still surprised Naruto that they didn't live in a fully traditional Japanese home. However, living in a Western style house did show the amount of wealth they had.
'Kind of odd that we haven't met up with anyone, not even a servant,' Haku thought to himself but showed nothing but simple interest on the outside. However, just as he finished that thought, someone spoke up from behind them in a rather familiar voice.
"It pains me that you would not introduce your guests to me Sasuke," Itachi remarked with a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Aniki, I figured you'd be busy for the party so I didn't want to disturb you," Sasuke drawled back. "Besides you already know them from art class, Hyourin Haku and Uzumaki Naruto."
"The home and classroom are two different settings Sasuke, but I suppose you're right," Itachi said. "Are you leaving?"
"Aa, we don't want to intrude on your party," Haku answered politely. He could have imagined it, but Haku though he saw a flicker of disappointment in the older Uchiha's eyes. It was discrete but he saw the direction of where the college student's eyes landed for a split second, which was right next to him where his blonde best friend stood. He held in a knowing smile.
"Nonsense, you aren't intruding at all," Itachi responded. Sasuke looked at his older brother questioningly. His aniki was acting very out of character all of a sudden. He wondered if it was because that was what their parents wanted, especially to the guests. Then again this was Itachi and he could do what he wanted, regardless of what their parents wanted. He snapped out of his thoughts when he realized that his older brother were steering his friends away from the back exit.
"Aniki where are you taking them?" Sasuke asked after his brother.
"I find it fair that I show my collection since you showed your's, little brother," Itachi responded rather nonchalantly. "Although I haven't been here for the past few years, I'm sure my art studio is the same as I left it."
"Uchiha-senpai, when did you first get into art?" Haku inquired, curious about the older Uchiha.
"Itachi is fine. As to when I first started, it was when I was about five. I accidentally drew over chichiue's important documents that he left on the table," Itachi gave a little chuckle at the memory that happened so long ago. "Chichiue wasn't very happy with what I did because clients were coming in to talk about a deal with him. However, the deal was made partially because the clients liked the doodles I did on the papers. They said it lightened the formality of the papers."
Both Naruto and Haku let out chuckles of their own while Sasuke, bringing up the rear, let out a small grin. He didn't exactly remember that day because he was but a few months old, but he has heard the story many times because coincidentally he started the same way. Plus the influence of his older brother played a big part.
They continued their trek through the large mansion, taking in everything. Both guests were openly showing their curiosity about the finely decorated home. Naruto was looking at the fine art paintings on the walls more than anything. He recognized most of the better-known paintings while others he couldn't quite put his finger on. Then there were portraits of numerous people, most likely all part of the Uchiha family. There was a certain feeling he got that made him believe that. Plus he didn't think there was any way that they would have portraits of other people within their home.
A few minutes later they stopped in front of a door that seemed rather isolated from the main sections of the mansion. Itachi opened the door and allowed the others to do in before him. Once inside the room, he flipped on the switch to shed some light in the room. A collective gasp was heard. Paintings in various stages of production covered most of the room. Most of them were completed, if the frames indicated anything. Yet there were still ones that have not been finished and were still on their easel, seemingly waiting for their creator to finish them.
"When was the last time I've been in here?" Sasuke murmured to himself, taking in the art with appreciation in his eyes.
"Truly amazing work," Haku complimented, taking everything in. Glancing at his best friend, he let out a knowing smile at seeing the far off look on the blonde's face as he ventured further into the room. "May I ask you something Itachi-senpai?"
"Of course," Itachi complied easily, inwardly satisfied that the two guests were taking to his work so well.
"Your art is amazing work, so have you ever considered putting them into a gallery?" Haku inquired innocently enough, curiosity eating at him.
The question surprised the older Uchiha the slightest bit, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't expecting a question similar to the one asked. He hesitated for a second before replying. "I'm not too sure myself. I mean I have thought of putting them into a gallery but I never did and I don't know why."
"Something was probably holding you back, otherwise you would have done it already," Naruto, who was silent until then, inputted still looking at the artwork. Itachi glanced at the blonde, contemplating what he just said. He didn't get to ponder for long before the blonde asked his own question. "Will you be finishing all of the incomplete works in here?"
"Unfortunately I cannot. It's been years since I last stepped foot into this room so the inspiration and reason I started with for each one is sort of lost to me," Itachi replied at bit sadly.
"That's too bad. I would have loved to see the finished products of all the incomplete ones. I'm sure they would have turned out beautiful," Naruto said wistfully, imaging how they would have turned out. However, he knew that whatever he came up with would not even compare to what the actual product would be. Or rather could have been. It's a shame that they would stay unfinished.
Itachi didn't understand why, but for some reason, after glancing at the melancholic expression on the blonde's face, he felt compelled to paint something. Although not sure what it was he would paint, he felt as if he needed to at that moment before he lost the sudden urge and inspiration for it. It was strange. He hadn't felt this way in the longest time. The suddenness of it was a bit overwhelming, wondering where it came from. Another look at the blonde told him exactly where.
'Uzumaki Naruto…'
Well there it is…hopefully it was a good one, but I'll let you readers decide that for me in review you can leave for me if you want. By the way, are there any other pairings that you want to see? I didn't really plan out for any others, but if you really want others shown, don't hesitate to say so.
Thanks for reading! - kuraihoshi