Itachi groaned as he opened his eyes to see a white lights around. Only to be recognized as a white ceiling. He shifted and groaned again, his shoulder felt so stiff. He peered down to see an oxygen tank helping him breathe, and to see his heart monitor moving slowly, but still moving. He felt a pang in his chest and coughed. That's when he realized there were others in the room. His mother and father in the corner. His mother had tears of sadness which changed to joy, upon seeing Itachi wake up. His father's face was still stern, but he had a hint of relief. He saw Sasuke's bundle of joy friends in the back sighing. Then there was Sasuke. His face had different emotions plastered on it, there also was a bruise on his cheek, that was swolen. There was happiness, relief, sadness, guilt, sorrow, and did I say guilt? Because that was written in his body actions as well. He moved to go to Itachi's side but stopped himself when he remebered all what he did and said to Itachi. Itachi furrowed his brows. Then there was Naruto. Itachi felt indifferent towards Naruto's appearance. Part of him was almost happy to see him there, by his side. May sound cliche, but he felt like that's where Naruto belonged. By his side forever, yes that sounded cliche. Naruto was standing uncomfortably and moving his gaze as not to look at Itachi. Itachi made a Puff of air hit his mask, as to make it clear he definitely was alive and breathing. This was not a dream. Mikoto rushed by his side, followed by her husband.
"Oh dear, are you okay? We all were so worried. You weren't breathing. And- and your eyes were rolled to the back of your head, and," The tears started pouring out again. Itachi barely smiled at her motherly love. "And you scared me too much." She ran to her husband's arms again and sobbed. Fugaku rubbed her back to sooth her.
"I'm fine." Itachi spoke calmy. Sasuke growled and shot a deadly look towards Itachi. He stood from his seat, making Sakura's hand that was playing with his hair move away. "Like hell you are!" Sasuke ignored the glare he received from his father. And the waringly deadly glance he got from his mother. He also was able to brush away the fact that he was angry at his pale faced brother, who looked in a state that anyone would think was a corpse. Sasuke would just channel his sadness and regret for what he said to Itachi into anger. What the doctor told them almost made him want to jump of the Eiffel Tower and flat on the ground. Itachi had a simple collapse due to previous events being forced on him again. In short words, when Sasuke deemed Itachi a stranger. And when Naruto spoke to Itachi about his art again. They fought about it, him and Naruto. Sasuke punched him in the gut, Naruto punched his pretty boy face, and some crude words were said. It took a while before Kiba could break off the fight. "You could have-"
"But I didn't." Itachi interrupted him and moved his head to face his heart monitor. That's when the doctor ran in and smiled at seeing that his patient had finally awoken. He instructed that they all had to be wary and give Itachi some space. The doctor took some small notes. It almost annoyed Itachi how he slowly checked the heart monitor and refilled his oxygen tank. Also how he kept adjusting Itachi's bed and making him move more than he'd want to. The feel of his head moving up and then down and then up again, it was almost an arithmetic. But a horrible verse as well, it made Itachi's stomach churn and his head feel light. Some doctor, making his patient feel like more crap then he already felt. He turned his head during the intermission of the bed adjustments he saw a small silver trashcan. He really felt like moving over and throwing. But he didn't want to move his arms to take off his mask. He held down the feeling and sighed in relief when the doctor was done and left. His parents made them all leave to grab something to eat. Naruto turned back for a minute to look at Itachi. Itachi ignored the concerned look he sent him.
Finally, some peace and quiet, Itachi closed his eyes to sleep. But not too long after, did that vibrant head of yellow walk through again. He had a tray of the cafeterias food. Food that Itachi's had maybe quite too often. He turned towards the window when Naruto placed it next to him. Naruto pulled up and sat next to Itachi's elevated bed. His skin was much too white, it's like he lost all his color from quitting his art. His hair seemed to be fading too. His usual black raven slick hair, was sweaty and sticking to his hospital gown. His eyes had more bags than ever under them. Naruto hated seeing him like this. He felt his heart pang when he remebered what happened after Naruto called for Sasuke.
Naruto knocked again. He began to worry, Itachi had to be awake, he heard him moving. He knocked again and now was very worried. He clenched his fists, getting ready to punch the door open. But he realized it was Sasuke's house, he couldn't do that. And if Itachi was awake he wouldn't take that lightly. Now losing hope, he breathed in, "Sasuke!" It took five seconds exactly before Sasuke rushed towards him. The look Naruto gave him explained it all. They both stepped back as Sasuke stretched.
"Years of Karate, don't fail me now..." Sasuke raised his foot in perfect form and kicked the door with slight hesitation. His leg hurt from the impact, but seeing his brother on the floor, lifeless, hurt more. He ran towards him. "Itachi! Itachi, wake up!" He looked towards the doorway to see his friends gathering. He looked towards Sakura and she nodded. She pulled out her smart phone and dialed the number we all know so well.
Sasuke watched in remorse as the ambulance sped off. He was furious that they said he couldn't come, due to his unruly anger. He groaned and kicked the closest thing next to him, which happen to be his prized car. He left a dent, but he didn't even care, his brother was in the fucking hospital! Again! He growled. "How the hell did this shit fucking happen!?" He cursed out to the heavens. He perked. "Naruto, why were you near his room?" He glared when Naruto turned away.
He grabbed his collar and held him up. "Why the hell were you near his room!?" Sasuke raised his fist. Naruto glared back. "I wondered if he was okay! It's not my fucking fault he passes out from the silliest shit!" Naruto immediately regretted what he said. One, because he felt a certain way for Itachi and he just spoke bad of him. Two, because Sasuke's fist made contact with his gut. He dropped to the floor and held his stomach. He growled and clenched his fist. He stood and gave Sasuke a good one in his left cheek. It pushed Sasuke back to crouch and hold his cheek.
They both got in fight ready positions to attack again, until Sasuke felt Shikamaru holding him back, and Kiba holding Naruto back. "Gah, okay let me go!" Sasuke seethed and pulled away from Shikamaru. Naruto pulled away, without words. Kiba glared at the both of them.
"Stop being dumb asses! You're fighting over a trivial matter that has passed! While your brother is on the way to the hospital your here fighting this stupid idiot that is stupid and says the most stupid crap! And you! Don't you dare give me that look, you know better than to even cross that line with Sasuke! Now if you two shit heads are ready to go and support your brother, we're all in!" Sasuke growled and turned away to enter his car. Sakura looked between the both of them and scurried off next to Sasuke's side.
"Sas-" She cut herself off from saying anything when seeing his angry look...
Naruto shook his head to forget about the awkward car ride that was. Naruto was stuck in between Shikamaru and Kiba, so even if he wanted to he couldn't lunge to attack Sasuke and kill them all in a car crash. Sakura had a firm grip on Sasuke's shoulder so that he wouldn't get angry and kill them all while thinking of his brother. Naruto perked to see Itachi not eating. He moved the food towards him more. Itachi pushed it away. Naruto sighed as Itachi looked towards the window. "Just eat something...please." Itachi turned his head to see Naruto smiled sadly towards him.
"If I eat, I'll throw up." Itachi explained slowly and cracked his stiff neck, while rolling his also stiff shoulder. Naruto nodded, understanding, he groaned and held his stomach. That punch was hell for him. He knew punching Sasuke's face probably brought more pain since he made contact with his cheekbone, but his gut was hurting horribly. "Naruto...why are you so concerned with me?" Itachi asked looking back towards Naruto.
Naruto sighed and scratched his chin. "When I first saw you, you looked so at home with art and..I liked that. I saw your art and I felt so happy seeing all those colors clash together and make new colors. It was tranquil and I liked to see you painting with tranquility. It made me...happy. I don't know..I just have this intense feeling for you. Affection, maybe? But I just couldn't bear for you to quit something I know you love. I wanted to see you paint, and do things you love. It made me want to smile and...I can't explain it exactly. But I know I hated the feeling in my stomach when I saw you on your floor, motionless. It killed me inside. So yeah, I am concerned with you. Or..maybe it's more than that.." Naruto droned on, forgetting that he was telling Itachi all this. He blushed and looked away from Itachi's onyx eyes that sparkled a bit. "Ah, that was embarrassing...I shouldn't have said all that.." He chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his head.
"Naruto. What you just described is love." Naruto blushed more furiously and covered his face with his hands. He widened his eyes when he felt Itachi's cold hand wrap around his wrists and move his hands away. Naruto looked up and into Itachi's onyx eyes and Itachi watching his cerulean ones. "When I first saw you I thought you were too bright for my eyes to handle. But then you spoke and I thought you were an idiot." Naruto sweat dropped. Was this supposed to make him feel better? "But then I saw you wandering in the halls looking so sad and lost. I didn't know what I felt back then and I still don't. When I saw you in my art studio I really wanted to punch you." Naruto sweat dropped again. This really wasn't helping at all. "But I started to sort of warm up to you. You gave me this certain feel of joy and excitement. Your eyes also captivated me. They are such a rare blue, that I wanted to just capture you into a painting." Naruto gasped quietly. "I can't explain it now..and I won't ever be able to. But that 'affection' you're feeling is mutual." Itachi smiled faintly and let go of Naruto's wrists. Naruto blushed and grinned.
So basically, they just admitted they loved each other.
Itachi had to stay in the hospital for a little while longer. Sasuke had to be dragged home by his parents and away from Itachi's side. Naruto pretended to leave, but went back to see Itachi. Now that he was pretty sure he liked Itachi like that, and that Itachi felt the same (but didn't know it yet) he just wanted to be around him all the time. Sounds so lame, but that's what he was. He entered Itachi's room happily. The first time he was happy when entering a hospital room. Itachi looked up and held back a smile from seeing the same blonde he was thinking of. Now that he knew he had a certain affection for Naruto (that he couldn't describe just yet) he wanted to be around him a bit more. Sounded dumb, but that's what he was, dumb. Well, not exactly, but you get it.
"Sasuke was finally dragged home after he threw a ten year old tantrum. The rest are gone too, just you..and me." Naruto smiled. Itachi looked down at his left hand and was taken aback to see the bandages were gone, he was just noticing now. He moved his thumb. It was sore and kind of cracked up, but almost completely fine. He moved his index finger. It was still very stiff and sore, but it moved almost perfectly. His middle finger moved perfectly and he almost didn't have control. Though, his ring finger was stiff and couldn't move very well, almost not at all. His pinkie he had control of, and even though it was sore, not stiff at all. "The doctor's did some wierd stuff with your hand to make it all new again. There were alot of needles. Thank God you were asleep." Naruto chuckled, Itachi gave him a small smile and then stopped. There were a few unanswered questions he had for Naruto. And since no one could disturb them, he could ask away. "Naruto, why were you really at that art supplies store?" Naruto was shocked from the sudden question, but would answer anyway. He pondered it.
"Well, I had noticed how much your behavior changed, and I knew I couldn't do much about it. And I hated that. Sasuke had told me you used to jog, but suddenly stopped. I thought that maybe you still did, but at different times. I went jogging for the whole day, until I saw that art store. I thought you might be there, but no such luck. I really wanted you to get your inspiration back, so I thought go stay 'til you came, and you did. So in the spur of the moment I wanted to show you something, that I thought would spark your artistic side, but again, nothing.." Itachi replayed what Naruto said in his mind and thought it over. He was a bit disappointed by it. He turned away and watched the window again. That's probably the only thing unique about him. His 'art', sadly. "It's getting late, you should go home." Naruto rose a brow.
"I usually stay out late. Pops won't worry." Itachi scowled at the window. "Just go.." Naruto frowned and waited a while before standing to leave. He almost wanted to cry when Itachi said nothing as he wished him a goodnight. He gave a final glance towards him and left.
Well, he never entered a hospital happy. But he always left sad...
Sasuke flipped through the channels on his T.V. to forget about his brother who was now home and in his room. Doing whatever he always does when getting out of the hospital. Sasuke turned the television off and sighed into his pillow. He felt bad about everything. When he dropped Sakura off at her house and she tried cheering him up, they got into a fight. He said she was a meddler, making her get angry with him and pushing him away. So now he was on hold, as to whether they were through or not. Kiba wasn't talking to him, a normal reaction when you punch his best friend's gut. Shikamaru looked at him like he was an idiot now, which he know knew he was. And he has yet to face his parents wrath for cursing back in the hospital. He still didn't apologize to Naruto, due to his pride. And worst of all, Itachi hadn't ever looked him in the eye since he left the hospital. Sasuke regretted everything now, he was such an idiot! He perked when he heard the doorbell ring. He slowly moved form his room to the door and opened it slowly. Only to have a light brown girl push her way through and grab Sasuke's hand to shake. Her hair was short light blue, she had a puffy lime green dress on and purple really high heels. No fashion sense, much? Her nails were pink, and he couldn't see her eyes due to her giant orange sunglasses. There was another girl followed in behind her. She had dirty blonde hair in a long ponytail. Red lipstick and a man suit on. Lesbians, Sasuke decided. That was until he saw the blondes ring and the other girls ringless finger.
"Hola! Fuu is Fuu's name! This is the meanie Yugito Ni'i! Hey, that rhymed!" The girl laughed and removed her huge glasses and stuffed them in her red and white small purse. He now saw her hazel eyes. Yugito stepped in front of her and sweat dropped.
"I'm sorry for her behavior. I am the worker from the Art Institute. She's the CEO. We have come here looking for a man named Uchiha Itachi. You must be Sasuke Uchiha, a pleasure for us both." She bowed, and regained her stoic form. "Is he in?" Sasuke was now more confused than ever. He shook his head and pushed them both back out the house. Fuu grumbled and pushed her way back in.
"Don't treat Fuu that way mister! I could have you and your family booted from the country and back to Japan!" Fuu stopped when Yugito whispered in her ear that they were richer than the company. "Oh..well whatever! Fuu got a recommendation from an..Uzumaki Naruto about Itachi. He showed Fuu a crumpled drawing and it was gorgeous! So, so, so we want 'Tachi to come join the Institute. We approached him before but he refused...but! We have a new offer! We shall grant him the opportunity to travel to exotic art places to paint to his free will! Cool, huh!? He will go to Florence, Italy. Second, Prague, Czech Republic. And lastly, Santiago Chile. Here's the brochure..and...where's the card!?" Fuu stopped looking when Yugito found it stuck up in her hair. "Ah! Okay here you go! Give it to him when he comes home, okay!? Counting on you! Bye, bye now!" She skipped to their limo to drive off. Yugito shook her head and began to recite the information she left out.
"Also he may bring one person with him with this all expenses paid art trip. Also you should know his trip isn't for nothing. We expect three perfect pieces for each place he travels. Our expectations are big. If he can't meet the requirements he'll be removed from the Art Institute. He has until Friday to answer us back, if not we will find someone more capable of the part. Thank you for your time, have a good day Mr. Uchiha." She finished and walked off. Sasuke looked down at his hands and looked back from the woman walking away to the brochure and card in his hand. What the hell just happened? And Naruto recommended his brother for an Art Institute? What the hell is with everyone these days!?
Itachi stared down at the card Sasuke placed under his door. Not these people again. He saw them that time he went for a jog..
Itachi jogged along the coast of the beach and caught his breath once he reached the end again. He pulled out his water bottle and took a huge swig. He looked towards the ocean and let out a tired breath. He hadn't jogged this long for a while. He needed to get away. He closed his eyes and let the breeze brush his face. "Itachi!?" That's funny, he swore he heard his name. "Itachi!" There it was again, he opened his eyes and looked around to see a short girl running towards him. With light blue hair and hazel brown eyes.
Her color sense was almost too idiotic. Orange jogger pants, purple tank top, and her nails were brown and red. Itachi almost wanted to paint on the right colors. She got infront of him and he waited for her to catch her breath. "Hola! Fuu is Fuu's name!" Itachi blinked, unimpressed. She didn't look like a fangirl, but she still was as annoying as one. "Fuu is from the Art Institute! We've gotten some proof of your art abilities! And so we have a once in a life opportunity to come study with us! What'cha say?!" She screamed joyfully. Itachi turned heel and walked away. As if he cared to become successful with his art. He painted because he wanted to, and liked it. Fuu shuffled around nervously, the Institute couldn't afford to lose any clients. Especially not with the art show fiasco that happened the last summer before the one now. She quickly jogged back in front of Itachi and stopped him from escaping. Itachi really didn't have time for this. He really felt like going home, maybe think about life. Because he actually has time to do that now. He let the girl get back in her cheerful state of mind, as annoying as it was. "Itachi, I'm sure you understand the gravity of this, hm? This is an opportunity from the best Institute around! You'd be a fool to pass this up, think about it!" She offered almost desperately. Itachi rose a brow.
"Itachi? Then you are aware of who and what I am in placement here. You say I'd be a fool to pass this up, but the contrary that you'd be a fool to pass an Uchiha up. With all due respect miss, but I highly doubt you're the best Institute since that incident last year. So if you'd excuse me, I'll be on my way. It was a pleasure." Not really, but he'd stay as polite as he could without sounding rude to turn her down. He'll take a rain check on painting for now, his head hurt massively. He even had trouble making coherent words. He'd rest once he got home...
He had thought that was the end of that. And that he wouldn't see the girl or hear from her again afterwards. But these companies were almost too persistant. He wondered though..how was it possible that this company found out about his passion for art? Or moreover..his old passion for art? The only way for anyone to know about him would be through a recommendation. Sasuke was angry with him, in more ways than one. For not taking enough care of himself, for not confiding in him with his problems and for being reckless with his..well, everything. He doubted Sasuke would still go behind his back and recommend him for something he knew Itachi found trivial and pointless. Well, he used to find trivial. But he lately had no idea what he'd do with his life. The only thing he loved was painting, and taking it for his living was something he never thought about. But he knew himself, he knew they'd put him under the pressure to work and he never worked well under anything really. His mother could have recommended him, but so far she's been too worried about his health to worry about his art hobby. He didn't want to refer to it as merely a hobby, but that's how it was sounding. Now his father wasn't remotely a possibility. His father would much rather Itachi become a lawyer instead, but he had respect for Itachi's beliefs so that was something he could rely on. So it comes down to the question..who recommended him?
Sasuke grabbed his jacket and car keys quickly. He'd simply go over to Naruto's house and ask him why he would ask the most prestigious art school- in the world might I add- to let his older brother study there. He won't go there and start a fight like usual, he'd be reasonable and he'd be professional. He didn't bother to tell his parents he was headed out. He also didn't bother to tell Itachi he was going out, since you know, it sort of brought him into the matter. And because he was still angry with him. He did bother though, to make sure Kailoty, their one of many butlers, didn't say a word of his absence and if they did ask to tell them he stepped out for a bit to buy himself a snack. He jumped into his car, that still had that very noticeable dent that he kicked in when he was pissed at Itachi's pass out. He'd have to tell his parents about that sooner or later. His allowance would be cut in half, but that meant pretty much nothing. He'd still be getting about five grand. He drove down to the road and over to Naruto's. Despite being best friend's and knowing each other since elementary, he never actually went inside his house. He picked him up before, so he knew where it was, but he didn't enter before, which was hard to believe even for himself. He stopped in front and knocked lightly, remembering Naruto mention a while back that the doorbell was broken. He saw Naruto's surprised face when seeing Sasuke. His hair was ruffled and he was still in his pajamas. Naruto turned to let him enter.
"Sasuke..I'm surprised. Well either way, welcome to casa de Uzumaki." Naruto bowed. It wasn't much, and of course wasn't anything Sasuke was used too. The couch was a bit messy with mysterious stains. Their was Carpet everywhere, and it probably wasn't it's original color. He didn't even want to see Naruto's room, so he'd make this quick. "So.." Naruto began.
"I'm sorry." Sasuke spoke. He wasn't used to saying the two words. Since usually he had money to solve the messes he got himself in. But as if Naruto would be pawned off with money. Friendly love, you know? Naruto was surprised to say the least, he never thought the day would come. He smiled and began to joke.
"How rare, the Sasuke apologising to the peasant Naruto, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Naruto chuckled. Sasuke shook his head at how Naruto could joke even when he was holding his gut that still pained him. He sighed. But that wasn't the reason he was here. He thought over sitting on the couch, but he was pretty sure a rabbit would jump out and kill him, that's the only explanation for the constant shaking. Sasuke noticed the darken in Naruto's eyes as well, as if he had something to say that was imparative. "After we all left the first day Itachi woke up, when I got home my dad sat me down and...Jiraiya's gone." Naruto refused to cry right now. Sasuke looked down regrettably. He dragged Naruto into his problems and he didn't even get to say bye to his God father. "But, uh, before that. Pops had something to tell me that he's been waiting to tell me for a long time." Naruto choked at the end of it and felt the tears gather. "That- before I was born, there was supposed to be another Naruto. Even before Kyuubi was born. And heh, guess what? The other Naruto, before me? Died. Right at birth." No point now, so he only would allow that one tear to stream down his face. "And the sick things is- I just wish it could have been that way for me. Heh, because it's my fault my mother is dead. It's because pops and mom fooled around and wanted to bring this mess," He gestured to himself, "i-in the world. And the opposite happened, and my mom had to suffer. God, I've never felt like more crap before this. And everything- now everything feels wrong. It feels like everything is my fault. Pops says it's not my fault, I couldn't have helped anything, but I could have. I'm just a selfish kid, if I were there for that lame perve," Naruto chuckled bitterly, "Maybe I'd feel okay about this. I feel like shit, and I guess that's what I am." Naruto let all the tears stream and looked away from Sasuke, turning his back away. Sasuke glared at his back and grabbed his shoulder to turn him around. He pulled him in, and they shared that certain Bro hug.
"Naruto, shut the hell up. You're not a shit, get it? You couldn't have helped that, your God Father wouldn't hate you okay? You try so hard to be a good friend, and son, you can't help that you're not there for everyone. Because I swear to God, I sure as hell don't deserve how much you're there that it's almost annoying. You haven't lost anyone, because you have me. So wipe those tears and be you again." Naruto smiled and hugged him back.
"Thanks for the brug Sasuke." Sasuke rolled his eyes at his nickname for a bro hug. Sasuke stopped smiling and pulled away.
"But that's not the only reason I'm here..."
