Anatomy Of A Tidal Wave
Chapter X:
Like A Deep Desire, My Chest Tightens Again
- - - - - - - - - -
Kyuubi glanced at the grayish sky with a smile gracefully dancing on his lips and for once, he did not care if he looked like an idiot who was jumping up and down, in the middle of the busy square, with his hands outstretched as if he wanted to embrace the whole sky.
He wanted to shout, he wanted to scream aloud for all to hear how happy and madly in love he is. Kyuubi ignored all the glares or sheepish laughs coming his ways, because deep inside he felt satisfaction from all the sour faces he saw, feeling the need to rub off his happiness into their faces.
What a show off.
Over one week had passed from his reunion with Sasuke and less than a week from that accident involving a flushed and handcuffed Naruto, and Kiba's drunken advances.
A few days ago, he spoke with Kiba. That resulted at the loss of more of his dearest friend's brain cells, a head-splitting headache and his rampage in Kiba's house and a lot of traumatized dogs, equally mad Kiba's older sister who vowed to do much more than to castrate them as dogs if they ever dared to solve their problems anywhere near her house.
It was not a pretty sight to see.
At least Kiba had apologized to Hinata, who after initial shock and struggles had accepted his apology and offering of piece. She was too nice in his opinion and he gladly purposed to smack him a few times for a good measure – and up till now Kiba is always sober and just a mere sight of alcohol makes him shiver in disgust.
Kyuubi stopped his ministrations and exhaled audibly, his eyes never leaving the sky and its changing color. That left only one problem – Naruto.
He could not say that he still hated him for that day, when he had walked on them, but he was sure that he could not promise that he would not rip his head off if this scenario were to repeat again.
What kind of friend he was? Who for the loved one would sacrifice whatever bonds were necessary if that meant that this person was always by his side; not one of the best kinds.
He knew that he should be ashamed for that, because Naruto in return would do so much more than he could ever imagine, with that dazzling smile of his and lit up eyes proudly exclaiming 'what are friends for?' and he would be grateful for that, just simply grateful. It should be sufficient. He had nothing more to offer to him, because everything else already belonged to Sasuke.
Kyuubi picked a slow pace, determined to speak to Naruto, but not determined enough to rush the inevitable meeting. What should he say in the first place? I am sorry. What for - he is not feeling guilty, not at all. We should be friends again. No, they still have their bond. Forget about everything. He was not sure if he could do that.
His footsteps halted abruptly, his idiotic smile wavering as his eyes scanned his calloused fingers. What was there to ask? Nothing came to his mind; his mind already blank.
Why should he be the one to strike up the conversation? He thought anxiously, frowning at this particular thought. He will let Naruto do all the talking and than see, what he should do with the entire situation. That should do.
Kyuubi sighted, kicking a small piece of rock, which so happened to cross his path, forward into the distance until it disappeared into the sea of hurried footsteps. He paid no heed to all the people who bumped or pushed him forward, it was the busiest time of the day, and proceeded to glance at the glass-cases of shops with a particular interest in the art galleries.
Not anyone knew about his obsession with paintings, not that he boasted about it back and forth to everyone he knew – oh no – his beloved possessions had their own holy place in his house dedicated solely to them and far from everyone's prying eyes.
Kyuubi could spend his all of his savings if only he could acquire an item that had caught his attention. It was like being a drug addict, only this did not damage his health – excluding those times when he had been on a diet, because he was short on money – and resulted into emptying his bank account or borrowing from some kind of generous soul.
He was not some kind of person who only colleted an old pieces of art, his mainly interest was into today's modern art and its expressive ways to convey their views of concepts of society or simply fan fictional world – these were his favorite themes.
Kyuubi's heart skipped a beat when his eyes captured a newly established art gallery and curiosity started to swell in his body and before he could register what was happening around him, his feet were already unconsciously carrying him closer to the doorstep of the modern looking building.
He stilled for a moment, promises to Sasuke to stop investing his money into such unnecessary thing rung through his head. However, if he only looked around and inspected what it had to offer in case some of his friends suddenly found themselves in dire need of paintings, he could voice his opinion whether it was worth to waste their time going here instead of going to the other gallery, which would definitely satisfy their needs.
Kyuubi smirked; his logic was flawless as always.
Suddenly, his eyes widened and his body went rigid as he stared speechless in awe at the painting that astounded him. With light steps, as not to create any sounds with his shoes, on the perfectly polished marble, he swiftly moved straight towards the revealed beauty.
A lone, expressionless dark-haired male beauty with a paper white skin tone, who was gracefully dancing in the pitch-dark sky over an army of well-armed soldiers, slaughtering them with precise and skillful movements as he was handling his sword like a wind, wearing equally dark attire decorated with fresh prints of the spilled blood. His silver sword was shining so brightly up in the sky as the non-existent moon itself, making it like a day, and at the same time reflecting the pained expressions of dying soldiers, who collapsed on the dirt covered ground when they got the last glimpse of their attacker in their field of vision. (1)
He was such unearthly beauty, he breathed out.
Right next to that painting appeared the exact male but this time in the different setting. This time, he was lying on his back under the moonlight, on top of the old, leafless tree, reading a comedy book with a taunting smirk plastered on his pale, uncommon features, and he was sure, if the black unnamed swordsman were a live being, he would hear his deep and husky laugh carried away by the wind. (2)
A truly splendid and breath taking piece of art.
"Like what you see?" a husky voice rang through his ears, making his body react instinctively by punching whoever was standing right behind him. He hated when somebody unknown walked into his personal bubble without his permission, a rule he made for himself from the early days.
Kyuubi turned around to glare at the intruder, but stopped immediately when dark pools of eyes met his fierce ruby ones. Unfortunately, it seemed that the man was quick enough to avoid his punch and had sharp reflexes as well.
"You were so engrossed with these paintings that I couldn't help myself," answered the pale boy with a blank expression on his face, but he perfectly knew that he was smirking and inwardly laughing at him with a mocking tone in it.
Kyuubi seized him up and down, frowning at the man who was facing him with a smile, obviously a fake one, about his age and almost a perfect copy of Sasuke, almost perfect, because Sasuke was much more intimidating and slightly a better looking too.
"What do you want?" he gritted out wanting to get rid of this annoying, pestering boy and further indulge himself into admiring 'the unknown swordsman' as he dubbed him; there wasn't any name tag under it to prove him wrong.
"Do you like him?"
Kyuubi was puzzled for a moment, unsure what the other man was inquiring to know and as if sensing his confusion the dark-haired male with a flick of his wrist pointed towards 'the unknown swordsman's' painting. He felt a blush surfacing on his cheeks, because for a second he thought that he was asking about his boyfriend, Sasuke. You are a moron, he muttered to himself.
Kyuubi narrowed his eyes "What of it?"
"I'll give you one of these" dark eyes once again traveled to the mentioned paintings "If you accept my proposal"
Proposal my ass, he growled. "Fuck off"
"Oh my, how impropriate of me not to introduce myself" he bowed in old-fashionable way and kneeled down on his knee "I'm Sai, the owner of this gallery and the author of this exhibition"
Despite all the gallantry, everything about Sai just screamed 'fake' as if he was some kind of programmed robot to act according to its instruction.
"What do you want from me?"
"Only to drink a cup of whatever you prefer"
"No"
"As friends, nothing more or less"
Kyuubi stole a masked glance at the paintings and cursed his obsessions and inability to say 'no' when it came to these mentioned obsessions. "Why?"
"Because you're a piece of art yourself"
Even though Sai was playing dirty, hence the attempt to literary buy him, he was a man who intrigued him and he like bold and daring ones, who could throw down a challenge.
"Fine" he added with a hint of amusement in his voice, he could spare some time to play with him.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Naruto fidgeted under Kyuubi's gaze, feeling how his temper was rising with every passing minute and he did not know how much longer he would contain himself.
Twenty minutes had already passed and neither of them said a single word, calculating and analyzing each other's actions with blank stares and stiff movements. The tension was so thick and visible, that it was hardly any air left to breathe; his throat itched with soreness, his mouth dry as desert and once in a while he would part his mouth to make sure it wasn't stick together, his palms hot and sweaty from all the anxiety boiling in his mind.
He wanted to talk, to break this deafening and strangling silence, but all of his struggles were fruitless. He felt like helpless, dying fish with a dire need for water, mortified that its last minutes were already running out; pathetic, he was that pathetic.
Kyuubi sighted tiredly, his mood already dropped, and with a hint of irritation, he started to speak.
"Listen" he stopped shortly to gain Naruto's attention, he did not want to talk with a wall "I don't hate you, I admit, that I was mad, really mad at you and Sasuke, but more importantly I was frustrated at myself for my foolishness and inability to choose" Damn, so much for his plan to make Naruto to talk first.
Naruto stayed silent, not daring to interrupt his friend's speech, trying to comprehend why something as trivial as this came between them and was set against each other.
Besides, informing that he already knew some small bits about their relationship and moreover, that he had a meeting with a man who triggered their enmity with each other was like signing yourself a death wish and it did not matter how worthless his life was, he sill wanted to live that life until the end.
Kyuubi's eyelids fluttered shut and after he silently counted from one to ten, he began to speak again "Despite all the jealousy fueling my blood and my amendable errors, Sasuke and I decided to start anew and…." One part of his mind shouted at him for not giving Naruto a friendly advise to stay the fuck away from his property, but he drowned that voice and tried to collect himself together.
Kyuubi could not afford to lose his best friend, not like that, not after what they overcame together. He will not give in for those hollow voices.
"Naruto" his voice slightly cracked, but was instantly masked with a colder and more determined one "Promise me, that if I ever loose my mind and jealousy consumes my being, you'll stop me before I do something inappropriate"
That loud, coated with malice voice he used to hear in the past was his constant accomplice in his mind nowadays, bringing too much painful memories about the man he swore to erase along with his past. (3)
"What are you-?
"You perfectly know that I have some serious issues with holding my temper"
"Kyuu-"
"Promise me, Naruto"
"I promise"
"Good, now give me a hug"
"Get off, you're choking me"
"You deserved it"
"Jerk"
Naruto was still puzzled about Kyuubi's strange request, but quickly brushed it off as one of the many bizarre quirks he had yet to decipher. All that mattered now that all misunderstandings had cleared off.
"How are things between you and Neji going?"
Naruto stiffened, but luckily, it went unnoticed by Kyuubi "Fine, I guess"
What could he say? It was never-ending routine. Strange how oddly everything fit so perfectly into places as if it couldn't' go the other way around; like each piece of puzzle had its destined place to reside in.
Neji still called, left messages, inquired to know where he is, with whom and for how long. He wanted to know every detail and aspect of his life like a fallowing shadow. As if he was waiting for a chance to catch him red-handed and then boast how his sharp senses will not ever let him down, although, he neglected this thought as fast as it came.
Moreover, their relationship has not progressed either, looking back with reminiscence about being together for one year, it stalled with uncertainness as to which way they were heading off. However, according to others, him being still naïve, he wanted to believe and have faith that this relationship will move on and to make certain it could reach the highs he wanted; he tried to put a lot of effort in it as well.
"Is he still bugging you?"
"No!" Naruto shouted, standing straight up. "He has changed a bit" he bit the inside of his cheek, a sort of punishment for his lies "And…he isn't as demanding as before"almost sincere smile "and we can actually hold a conversation without any arguments. "
More lies sprouted from his mouth, leaving its bitterness in its wake. It was never so easy for him to lie, and so persuasively for that matter, so why it was different now? What has changed?
Naruto did not want to change; he was perfectly fine this way. He worshiped security more than anything did.
"It's your life Naruto, and you damn perfectly know my opinion about him. But if you're satisfied with what you have so be it"
Suddenly Naruto's mobile phone's ringtone went off noting him about the received text message and he silently thanked to whoever saved him from the avoidance of this topic was a blessing soul sent straight off from the heavens – except not this time.
Damn it!
From: Bastard
To: Idiot
Tomorrow I am taking you to skate on the ice; I will be at your place at noon.
Wait…what? No way in hell he was going to go anywhere with that bastard and to do something behind Kyuubi's back. How he knows his home address? Is he some kind of stalker or what?
"Is something wrong?"
"Ha-ha "he rubbed his neck nervously "You know how Tsunade acts when she's too drunk to notice that water tastes the same as her precious sake? She thinks that right now I'm fucking some unknown male and started to babble about the protections and all…" It was a part of the truth, because whenever Tsunade was excessively drunk, she will begin to expand his horizon and it was a legit excuse to use.
"Yeah, I know"
He took his mobile phone and began to type.
To: Fuck off
Stop bothering me, you jerk! I have to attend more serious matters than to see you perverted face –AGAIN. So, back off and stalk somebody else for your sick activities.
"It is that bad?" Inquired Kyuubi, stretching his sore muscles with his eyes closed in relaxation.
"You have no idea"
His ringtone went off again and he tried to resist the urge to tear his hair out of frustration.
What had he done to deserve this?
From: Bastard
To: Hn.
So, are you trying to convince me what of a coward you are or that you are afraid to embarrass yourself in front of me? Nice try, moron.
Oh, that is it, that bastard is going down!
To: Asshole
You wish, bastard. I am going to wipe that smirk off your pretty face by kicking your sorry ass so much, that it bleeds. Prepare to lose your dignity, because boy oh boy, you will not have any when I will finish with you.
P.S. the winner takes it all!
"What's with the sudden change? Are you on drugs or what?"
"Nah just remembered something funny. I'm hungry, you want something?"
Kyuubi shook his head and Naruto went off to the kitchen to have some ramen. Halfway to the kitchen, he got a sudden feeling that he forgot about something important, but could not exactly point out what it was. He shrugged it off, probably nothing important.
Then, when he was halfway to finish his meal, the realization struck him like lighting, his mind wheeling to remember the contents of bastards sent message.
Did he mean skating on cold and slippery surface? Were your every inaccurate movement might lead to painful landings on the hard ice, sore body and severe injuries? Were you had to be at safe distance and look out for others, who might enjoy throwing you off balance and spraying with crystals of ice? Moreover, utter humiliation in front of everyone.
How could he fall for something like that? He had no idea whatsoever.
"I'm dead," he groaned aloud receiving a funny look from Kyuubi.
Moreover, what was the worst, you might ask? He absolutely did not know how to skate or had been on the ice for that matter. Nevertheless, the principle of balance looks the same as with roll-skaters. God, he hoped so.
"I'm so dead"
(1-2) it's from short anime by Studio 4°C, Kigeki. (You can find it on youtube). I recommend you to watch it.
(3) Let's say that Kyuubi had a traumatic past.
A/N: Sai isn't related to Sasuke in any way here, so they're strangers; he's quite important figure here. Kyuubi isn't as stable as it seems and who knows, maybe he'll overcome it?
fluffy-lover82192 – translation of Cassis by Gazette. I don't like to rush it, so it will take some time to develop some feelings for each other; it's more realistic I think.
makebelievegirl– yeah, he's going to get burned one way or another way. The only question is how much damage he will receive and how it will affect him. Don't worry; there won't be any explicit scenes of them in the story, but it was necessary for Kyuubi.
narutovixen– Yeah he deserves, but it will take time to get there. He needs to grow up a back-bone and stand firmly on the ground and only then to fix his love life; if I'm making any sense.