If you consider going out for ramen – you'll surely end up at Ichiraku's. At Friday evening the place was graced with double popularity. The lights of traditional lanterns drew hungry consumers like moths to a flame. Human senses were bombarded with every kind of impulses – tasty smell of frying noodles, colorful curtains of the stall, merry banters and talks or pushes earned from others. It all made the evening ramen an intense experience. The brothers had to wait half an hour to get a place at the table. They managed to sit in the corner at the counter, where they were granted a little bit of privacy. Nobody would hear what they were taking through such noise, but that was not the case. Sasuke wanted to avoid running at some old acquaintances. And his fears were not exaggerated. At the other side of restaurant he spotted Ino-Shika-Cho trio, fortunately too focused on themselves to pay attention to others.
"It's almost like festival. Just we don't have yukatas on," joked Itachi.
"Mhm, right! Festivals always remind me of summer levity," Sasuke had already got over the frustration about his parole and enjoyed the special vibe of the place. After gray days of captivity, it was like inside a kaleidoscope here. He was glad he let Itachi persuade him to go out.
Itachi thought about it too. The air still carried taste of warm days, although the true summer was a memory now. So were their youthful days. He couldn't help but recall as they used to get together at clan celebrations or play at Konoha's annual festival. He and Shisui would explore attractions of each stall, dragging behind little Sasuke and then watch hanabi. He always feared then he would lose the little one and father would scold him. Something in his face expression must have given out his thoughts, because Sasuke dared to pat softly at his shoulder in a buddy-like style.
"So... what is your recommendation," Sasuke didn't gave him more time to fall into nostalgia. "I haven't eaten ramen for a year, all the time long only rice with seaweed."
"I take the classic one. But everything Ichiraku makes tastes like heaven."
"Don't say you also turned into a ramen freak," Sasuke said and bit his tongue. There was one ramen addict he once knew, but why this had to pop in Sasuke's mind now? He didn't want to remember. "I'll go for the classic one, too".
Soon they got their orders. The food was amazing and tasted exactly as Sasuke remembered it. Salty noodles went well with beer, so brothers made a toast for their first week. Although Sasuke was still a minor, Itachi quite freely treated these matters. Beer was not even strong alcohol and he didn't want to turn into Sasuke's nanny or put restrains.
Friday evening was truly crowded. It seemed as if almost everybody in the town decided to relax at Ichiraku after the whole week of work. So it was just a matter of time before some known faces would show up. Brothers were enjoying only a half an hour together and already one of Itachi's acquaintances came up to them. The man past his fifties, in an elegant brown suit, temporally with a shirt messily sticking out his trousers and tie loosen past any standards, greeted with Itachi like with a close friend. However Sasuke guessed form brother's now all stiffen form and pleasant words that this must be his boss - the person Itachi couldn't sent off, even if he'd like to. They were introduced to each other - Kikuta-san shook hands with Sasuke, said "oh I knew it, you are so similar" and lost all interest in the boy. The boss dragged Itachi into conversation about seminar and work issues, embellished with a good portion of some absurd gossips. Sasuke noticed in disgust that the guy was quite drunk and needed to hold on to Itachi to stay upright. It was supposed to be their evening but work again stole Itachi attention. Sasuke angrily sipped his lonely beer feeling more and more awkward as he was left alone.
But not for long. He too apparently was under observation, because as the Itachi's talk got longer, the empty place beside younger Uchiha was soon taken by Iruka-sensei himself. He looked just like Sasuke remembered him, maybe except a few additional wrinkles visible when he smiled. Maybe the time really flowed slower in Konoha.
"Hello Sasuke," sensei said gently. The boy greeted him with a head nod. "You've changed. But it's good to see you again among us," he added after a while.
"Well, I guess I have. For better or worse?" Sasuke tried to turn the question into a joke. He noticed in surprise that he was feeling almost shy in the presence of this all-too-optimistic man. As if he was his student again.
Although Sesnei, during old school days hadn't pay too much attention to him (because Sasuke didn't cause troubles), he was very considerate and generous. Iruka always wanted to see good in people. After boy's parents death, he tried to help him but without pitying him. Now, from the perspective of years, Sasuke could finally appreciated how much heart was offered to him. Even though he didn't benefit much form it, because he quickly shut himself in anger and avoided contact.
"I meant you were through a lot. I can't even imagine how hard it was for you. And you've grown up."
Sasuke fell silent. He hated such talks, but somehow he couldn't muster any anger toward the sensei. Iruka was always sincere, always showing real interest in people.
"How are you doing in the town?" former teacher continued queries. It was not one of these desultory question you could satisfy with 'fine, thanks'. Sensei asked with his heart.
"I'm functioning somehow," yes, Sasuke wouldn't call his existence here 'life'. "Sometimes it's worse, sometimes better, but Itachi is a great support." That's how one is supposed to answer such question, right?
"Good to hear it. You know, if you want to talk or just want anything, pop in to me. Oh! and maybe you want to see the school again? Hahaha, I've heard you help in the hospital so one day I may arrange some work for you in my school if you want. You have no idea how horrible kids can be."
"Thanks." Then, after some moments of silence Sasuke decided to ask for something that was on his mind but didn't dare to turn to anybody. "And what is happening with Naruto? I've only heard he's in Suna," he hoped it sounded just like casual question.
"Oh, yes, yes. Tsunade sent him off, officially for him to learn how to run a village and organize things, unofficially she was fed up with his pranks and complaining."
"Ah, and when does he come back?"
"Mhm, he should have been back a week ago but he prolonged his stay. He said he still has some matters to take care of. But you probably know everything better than me as you work in hospital with lady Tsunade."
"Eee, we don't talk more than necessary and I don't always see her," Sasuke felt butterflies rise in his stomach. It was obvious that Uzumaki hadn't come back on purpose, he must have known, like everybody knew about Sasuke's release. Good, he didn't need to complicate his situation more. There was no reason for them to meet anymore. But the wave of relief throbbed unpleasantly. Was he expecting something else? Young Uchiha couldn't decipher his emotions at all. All he knew was that it stressed him more than expected.
"And with Sakura?" Sensei continued.
"Sakura? I haven't seen her since... since I moved in." he gulped.
"Iruka-san!" Itachi was finally free. "What are you conspiring about with my little brother?" his voice gave out that Itachi had already drunk quite a lot.
"Itachi! I'm glad to see you. And in such good mood!" he added sarcastically. "Watch him, he likes to 'have fun'," he whispered to Sasuke and bid his goodbye.
When they were again alone, Itachi put an arm around Sasuke and ordered another drinks for them. The teen didn't like such intense touching, but after a few tires to push Itachi's hand away, he gave up. Suddenly a pleasant evening went away, when the anger - Sasuke's well known friend - decided to join in He grabbed his mug and emptied it in one moment. He also wanted to "have fun" to ease his rising emotions.
Iruka-sensei was right. Itachi, once started drinking, didn't think about limits. After Ichiraku they ended up in a nearby pub. Sasuke exasperated with everything and without practical reason welcomed another shots with satisfaction, even though Itachi still clung to some sense responsibility offer him and scolded him for drinking. When they finally arrived home well after midnight, Itachi was not done. He took out a bottle from a cabinet and poured himself. Sitting beside a table proved to be quite difficult. Sasuke was more or less fine, at least on his mind. That couldn't be said about the older Uchiha.
"Sasuuukeeee, I will looove'u alwaysss," Itachi gibbered and try to embrace his little brother. "Forgive me, you didn't deserve this," he whispered to his ears.
The boy was fed up with the whole situation. The bottle was emptied and it was high time to drag his older brother to the bedroom. He rolled out the futons, changed to sleeping clothes. Then he stripped Itachi off his shirt and trousers and pushed him under blanket. When he lied down, his brother rolled near him and embraced him.
"Saasuuke," Itachi wept and his tears ran down on Sasuke neck. "I am so sorrry, I am so... so.. sorryyyy little brother..."
Sasuke didn't have strength to react. He was close to tears too, but rather angry ones. He also knew that brother's confession doesn't change anything between them. Just gibbering of a drunkard. Itachi didn't regret anything, if he did, Sasuke weren't in this shit right now.
Next morning they woke up hugging each other. Itachi as expected didn't remember much. Only headache gave him a hint how he spent the night.
Soon Sasuke was out to deal with his supervisor. Itachi was leaving later, but fortunately the man was in no condition to get angry why the teen hadn't told him earlier, nor he demanded any details for now. He hoped that Itachi would learn by himself and wouldn't pester him about explanations.
AN: Thanks for reading and for your support! Please review and let me know what do you think about this chapter.
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