A/N: I don't have a Beta so read at your own risk. So hey, enjoy! 8) It might not punch you in the gut splattering the feels everywhere, or it just might. Anyway, R&R. *sigh* Entrances suck, I'm transitioning into a Zombie. Also, if you guys are living in a hellish nightmare that burns liek the fiery depths of HELL then hydrate folks! and re-hydrate! Summer is coming, brace yerselves. Laters.

P.S. I thought it could've been done without the dialogue things too stretching. But, apparently I'm not THAT awesome, so this'll hafta dooo! Have Fun! \(^o^)/

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any relative characters. They're property of Masashi Kishimoto.

Warning: Slash, Angst. Essentially AU ItaNaru with a hint of SasuHina (IT HAS BEGUN). You no Like, You No Read!

Previously: Itachi stops the swivelling chair that was supposed to take Naruto to a fairy dreamland...(obviously).

Chapter 10 ~ Without the Love.

"Wha-''

Itachi rested one hand on the armrest and leaned close to the blond. "Quit avoiding me, Naruto." Hearing his name roll off Itachi's tongue as well as their proximity made the blond flush a bright red.

"Ehr," he scratched his temple fumbling for words. This situation was truly uncalled for. He had no idea what to do. He rolled his chair away feeling too close all of a sudden. This action went anything but unnoticed by Itachi who stood dumfounded for a second. Naruto got up; fidgeting with his tie he pulled it slightly loose around his neck. He felt stifled.

He looked at Itachi who had seemingly gained his composure. "About what you asked me...before, Naruto?"

"Huh!? Oh yes, what was it?" He bit his lip looking sideways for a quick escape.

Itachi thought it over and went with a different approach. "Naruto, why did you run away?" He wanted answers to his questions but more importantly he wanted his stability back. He wanted Naruto back.

"Who said I ran away?" The blond flared at the silent accusation. "I thought I made it pretty clear, in my last phone call." He was looking away as he couldn't bring himself to look him in the eyes. The depth of emotions swirling there would engulf him in flooding waves.

"You hardly let me speak..."

"Because you always listened to me, right?" Naruto's voice turned icy and he regretted his words but since he had spoken, there was no going back.

He spoke after a short pause. This time picking his words with a little bit of care. "What do you want to hear, Itachi?"

"I just want you to come back…we can talk this out calmly." The offer was tempting. But the sleepless nights did teach the blond something, he wasn't going through that again.

Naruto made for the exit and spoke firmly, "The meeting is over, and you should head home now."

"But...I won't return without you." There was a certain threatening tone to it. Naruto's eyes froze as he turned to face him. 'No.' He squashed all tiny rays of hope under his feet.

"I...I'm not going back to before. We're done," he said gritting his teeth.

"Naruto, do you have any idea how much I missed you?" Naruto watched the Uchiha gulp in anxiousness, something he rarely saw. But he had nerves of steel too, even if it carved a hole in his chest. He was not going to budge.

"Are you sure you didn't miss your work?"

"It..." Itachi sighed running one hand through his locks. "It's not the same without you. I don't know what to say to make you come back!" He was still lost as to why the blond was making him say this when they both knew he was already aware of everything, ever feeling. He stepped closer with each word.

Before the blond could escape, Itachi trapped him against a wall, forearms on each side. Seeing pure emotions in eyes, Naruto gulped. "It's not that easy, okay?" They stood stagnant as blue eyes locked on dark ones.

Itachi sighed, his mental gears shifting. "At least tell me why we broke up? Was it something that night? I said I was going to be late...I only had a business meeti—"

"Please… "Naruto clenched one hand in a fist by his side and the other tried in vain to push him away. He felt words trapped in his throat as he remained in the spot looking down. "Don't make it any worse than it already is."

"At least listen to me, why won't you?" Itachi leaned close, yearning for him to look him in the eye.

"I don't," He punched his chest lightly, "...want to hear it..." Naruto could hear himself choking on his breath, his head fell limp. 'This was no use, why was he always so helpless in front of him?'

"Why?" Itachi closed his eyes his forehead inches away from the blond's.

There was a quiet whisper. "Because..." He looked at Uchiha with immense pain reflected in the ocean of his eyes. "Because, then… I'd have one less reason to stop loving you, to convince myself that this…" he moved his hand gesturing to both of them. "Isn't going anywhere..." Itachi's eyes flew open at that confession, he thought back on Konan's words.

"I've...lost my grasp on this..." He sighed again. "If you want to hear me say that I love you then here…" He took his clenched hand and hooked one finger underneath his chin. Naruto was still facing away. "I love you..." The raven waited with bated breath.

The blond's eyes grew misty; he could feel a lump in his throat. What was he supposed to say? 'Does he think it's a fucking joke?'

This time he pushed him away gently but firmly...Itachi fell back a few steps." Don't say it.''

"I will say it as many times as I want to..."

Naruto could feel resentment boil under his skin. 'This was enough.' He was putting his foot down. He lowered his head and stepped up close to him; regarding him through his tousled hair with eyes welled up in moisture. "Don't say It like u mean it...Don't say it..." A sob wrecked through his chest and he clenched his fist. "..DON"T SAY IT WHEN YOU DON'T MEAN IT!" He almost shouted and barely noticed the raven's wide eyes as he stormed out.

He exhaled trying to stop the sobs from escaping. He was no weakling, thinking so, he brisk walked. Wiping his tears by his sleeve he headed straight out the building. 'Dammit, I promised myself I wouldn't cry over something like this...' "Why am I so stupid?"

Minutes later he was driving home. He banged his head on the car window, cursing himself. This was too much; he wouldn't allow himself to suffer anymore. Any feeling in the world would be better than this…than all the hurt he was feeling. At this point, he didn't even care if Itachi had seen him with Gaara or not. This situation was precisely why he thought himself lucky for breaking up over the phone.

…

The restaurant was filled with uninteresting people, as most are to Uchihas. With practiced ease, he'd drowned out their nonsense or chatter.

"Huh!?" She was smiling back but he was too lost.

"You..." She spoke in the same hushed tone, exhaling softly. "You're Uchiha Sasuke-san?"

"Yes, I am. Did Naruto put you up for this?" He was more used to hearing a different suffix to his name so he was taken aback, slightly. But he wouldn't waver. Girls this submissive never lasted before his strong personality.

Hinata was observing him from under her lashes. "I'm sorry I don't understand what you meant? Naruto's joining us later, right?" Sasuke was getting annoyed but he simply raised an eyebrow.

"I'm quite sure I heard the host say it was a table for two." He calmly gestured to their seating.

"Well, I was invited by Naruto for a simple lunch meeting…or lunch." Her tone was terse; she seemed on the edge of her seat.

Sasuke smirked. "Is that how it is?" 'They always have such petty ways to go about it. But all of them are the same.' He rested his face in the palm of his hands and watched her with snide eyes.

Hinata felt like she had had enough of it. Prissy bastards like him were the reason why she left her family to fly solo. It was precisely why she hated heirs like him. It was also one of the reasons why she found Naruto to be such a nice person. He was the complete opposite, so warm and welcoming.

The person before her, however, she had no idea what bizarre thoughts were swimming in his head. She pursed her lips and crossed her legs underneath the table. But she could tell he was basically taunting her with his pretentious prissy behaviour and prejudiced self. She smiled sweetly.

"Uchiha-san, I would appreciate it if you would be more forward and less wry with your talks."

He simply arched an elegant eyebrow. Her posture had changed and he could feel the atmosphere shift visibly. The smile on her face looked almost painful. "Then am I to call this a date?"

She furrowed her eyebrows, her smile faltered. "Would you stop being so delusional, please? It's not nice."

"I don't quite know what you're talking about…" He trailed off looking innocently at her.

Hinata thought this was enough. Naruto wasn't coming and this jerk wasn't even deserving of a conversation. She had tried playing nice, sometimes it just didn't work. She tilted her head and her eyes veered to challenge his fixated gaze. "You're such an Asshole, Uchiha."

She fixed him with a condescending glare and Sasuke felt confused. 'What just happened?' "What, are you waiting for me to deny it?"

"That's highly unlikely, considering the probability of you actually apologizing for your rude behaviour." She signalled the waiter and smoothly placed orders for two drinks.

Sasuke smirked, he was intrigued. "Where's that sweet demeanour you projected earlier, Hinata-san?" The way he forced the suffix got on her nerves.

She didn't seem like that submissive persona he sensed before, the way she was handling the situation. But all Hyuugas were the same. Why would she be any different?

"So how's Neji-san?"

"Hm?" She was clearly uninterested in playing with the conversation but she still had her manners so she complied. It would be best not to let the date or whatever it was, go to a total waste, she'd hate to disappoint Naruto.

"Well, I wouldn't know, since he works in the branch company headquarters which are located overseas. We don't talk much, but I suppose he's doing fine. How's Itachi-san?" She had a soft smile playing on her lips.

"Why? Are you not cozy enough with your nii-san?"

"You're someone to talk, especially with your inferiority complex." She was pretty sure; he'd be nothing by the end of this meeting. "That aside, I don't meddle in his business, he doesn't in mine. We respect each other."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I could say the same, but who are you kidding?"

"So you admit it then?" She cracked an amused smile.

"What?" He was getting annoyed and the drinks did little to calm him.

"Oh, nothing. I always imagined what you'd be like in-person." Sasuke smirked, 'so she was a fan girl after all.' "But I don't need special meetings to identify an insensitive jerk."

"Hn, I don't even know why Naruto thought this was such a good idea." He smirked nonchalantly, trying to cover up the slight pause.

"At least we agree on something…" The Hyuuga heiress was staring at the sparkly drink in her hands. "I wonder if he's doing well." She idly mused recalling his strange weariness in the office.

"What do you mean? He should be meeting Itachi by now. I'm sure they'll work it out." He noticed her expression and continued stealthily. "I don't suppose you'd have problems with that, would you?"

Hinata curved her lips in a genuine smile. "Of course not, I'd help him if I could. He could use it. I used to have a childhood crush on him but since he has different interests." She took another sip from her drink. "There's not much I can do except wish him well."

Sasuke tilted his head, examining her response. This was quite a different specimen. He was starting to doubt his pre-conceived judgements. He downed the rest of his drink and proceeded to order something to eat. 'This could prove helpful in future endeavours.'

…

Naruto reached home, he had avoided a collision driving on the way home but just barely. He entered the house and found it weird that no one was there. But he was too drunk on his misery to notice much so next thing he found himself slumped on the couch. He switched on the TV hoping to drown out the silence and laid there staring at the ceiling. He felt weakness in his bones while his mind wandered, avoiding the obvious.

He thought of how their 'date' must be going and snorted. It was either perfect or he was getting killed tomorrow. Judging by both of them, either one could be true for him. 'They would make a great couple, maybe even fall in love.' "I just hope they don't end up like me." He shifted so he was sprawled face down on the couch, cheek against the puffy armrest. 'Where did I go wrong?' It's not like he got to choose who he was going to fall in love with. So he found the situation rather unsettling. He wanted to give up but he couldn't because no other interests even came close to what he felt for the Uchiha. 'If only he'd stop being so closed off and tense.'

Naruto could tell the difference between what was forced and natural, so he was pretty cross at Itachi. He knew work wasn't that important to him so why was he avoiding their relationship? Was he stalling? They were going great the first year, but as soon as he got promoted, something changed. He understood filling shoes of his father must've been a grave task to accomplish for the Uchiha but he grew distant and put up these stupid barriers. Whatever it was, he wasn't going to listen to dishonest confessions.

Naruto chewed on his lip, trying to work his little brain. 'It'd been only 3 days...and he couldn't take it? Can he imagine how I felt? …being so close to him and always being pushed away. Slightly further each time.' It sounded so morbid he grew tired of thinking about it too long.

He rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hand, what was he doing? He should just go sleep on it. He'd figure out what to do tomorrow. Besides, he still needed to apologize to Gaara and more importantly his mom. He thought it better to sleep on it, preferably on his bed.

…

The blond was tangled in the sheets, from restless kicking and turning. He got up all of a sudden, remembering he had a job now. Laziness won't do so he went about getting ready. Unnoticed to Naruto, his phone was beeping alerts left on the nightstand.

Coming out of the shower he shook his head, of course he was late for work, again. He got ready in a flash, figuring his parents left early. 'Why else would the house be this empty? Where was the staff anyway?' The food was refrigerated so he didn't really care. It could've been their day off. He shrugged standing in the kitchen with the refrigerator and cupboards open, guess he'd have to grab some ramen anyway. He took one last look in the mirror, straightened his grey suit, and finally grabbed his phone, thinking he should text Deidara.

Then he saw the memo for today and found out it was Saturday. He face palmed at his stupidity. "Great."

'Wait…then...shouldn't mom and dad be at home too?' He looked around, peeking in their bedrooms, in case they were still sleeping. This was highly unlikely because his dad rarely missed work. He was still wondering where they were and crashed on the couch again, loosening his tie that almost strangled him to death. Following the flow of the moment he opted for a quick lazy breakfast and prepared some cereal for himself. They were probably working on a day off as well. He switched on the news report, his suit coat was draped against the back of the couch and he lay back scrolling through his mail. It contained one voicemail from Sasuke. Naruto cringed at the thought of getting a scolding sprinkled with insults. He sighed and pressed play. Sasuke sounded mad and pissed, but may be his plan worked. 'Hmm.' Maybe it had gone well after all. Naruto rubbed his chin in a dramatic manner patting himself on the back for the small achievement in poor Sasuke's joy-ridden hermit life. 'The bastard should lighten up more.' He chuckled and shut his phone after sending a few important replies and texts.

Then, the doorbell rang. 'Who could it be at this hour?' The blond scratched the nape of neck, it was close to 9:00, where was the staff, really? "Ahh so many questions…" He dragged his feet to the door and opened it wide to stare back at weary dark eyes.

A/N: Nah, this ain't gon be a repeat of the last time them eyes met EYES...heheh...ehrm, it's gonna be a bit of adventure from here on in the fic...in case no one caught on to the blatant hints I dropped int he earlier chapters. -.- AND JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR, I TOLD Y'ALL THE CHARACTERS WILL HAVE SLIGHT OOC-NESS BECAUSE THAT'S HOW I'M WRITING THEM. DEAL WITH IT. B] Stay Curious.

Don't Kill me though. Oh and the song by Demi - Without the Love is pretty good. Just sayin, kbye.