Summary: Altarpieces connect a family and Naruto comes to Itachi to request his.

World Status: AU

Pairings: ItaNaru

Lapidary.

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(Of or Pertaining to Stone Cutting; Also, Terse or Refined in Expression)

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13/01/10

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The stone mason had a look of complete concentration on his face. He dipped his chisel into the grey stone and hit it gently, chipping off stone to create the desired effect. The work was hard and hours were long, but when the work was completed, Itachi always felt proud.

At the moment he had been commissioned to design the centrepiece for a family altar, something that happened a lot, actually. It was the same sort of work, deities carved into the stone each time, depending on which household god or goddess the family tended to favour. It was tedious work, altarpieces, but Itachi still enjoyed it.

Dark eyes looked up as the small bell tingled above the door, alerting him to a customer entering the main shop. He left the workroom he had been in, brushing the stone dust from his hands onto the work apron he wore.

A well-dressed, blond haired man stood in the centre of the shop, looking unsure of how he should proceed. Itachi stepped behind the counter and smiled.

"Welcome, can I help you in any way?"

It was a redundant question because no one came window shopping here. They came with a reason, often a specific one, and with at least a brief plan in mind.

The man started as if he had been shot and his eyes brightened upon seeing Itachi.

"You're Uchiha Itachi?" He waited for Itachi's nod. "I was sent here because you're rumoured to be the best stone mason in the country."

Itachi had heard the praise before yet it never failed to make him happy. He had worked hard to establish his little business and there was always work to be done. He was proud of everything he had done.

"Would you like to come through to the back? We can discuss business in private if that is preferable."

The man nodded and Itachi moved to the shop door, flicking the sign over so that it read closed. It was hardly polite to allow someone's business to be interrupted half way. They walked to another back room, left of the workroom, where a desk and chairs on either side sat. It was Itachi's office, where photographs of every piece lay and every plan he had yet to work on. Personal work, of course. Customers took priority.

"Please have a seat. Can I get you a drink?" Itachi indicated to the small drink table to the side yet the man shook his head.

"No thank you. I heard you take on commissions though," he added. Itachi nodded and waited for the man to continue. "I was wondering if you could do a piece for an altar."

Itachi hid the grimace well, knowing that the person would probably ask for a superficial god to be carved in the stone. Something for money, perhaps, or to attract a beautiful wife... just like everyone else.

"Do you know much of Izanagi, Susano'o, Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi?"

Itachi had never had a request for these particular gods and a thrill shot through him. Could this person actually be asking for one of the old legends to be carved in? It was a day that Itachi had thought would never come.

"I do," he replied, leaning forwards. Something flashed through the blue eyes of the man and he grinned.

"Brilliant. I'm not sure about placing, but I'd like the creation of Susano'o, Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi from Izanagi."

Itachi was still for a moment before he leapt up, hands meeting the black book he had stored his best ideas in. He flipped open to one of the pages, flicking a few more past, until he stopped, turning the book round to the customer.

"I can use this as a basic design if you'd like. I'll alter it to see fit," Itachi said, even though he cringed at the thought of altering such a piece.

"No," the blond said, drawing a finger over the pencil design. "It's perfect."

Itachi felt himself respecting the man before him even more than before that he had the same opinions and looked down. Izanagi was the largest figure, his face clear. Around him were his children, fresh and ready to rule. A sun sat behind Amaterasu's, while the crescent of a moon glimmered behind Tsukuyomi. Susano'o was set upon waves, his clothes and hair blowing in an non-existant wind.

"It's beautiful, thank you," the customer said before sticking his hand out. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto by the way."

Itachi recognised the name yet waited until the customer had left, promising to return the following day. He knew of the Uzumaki's of course, who didn't? His parents had been murdered years before, back when Itachi was a child. The son had moved away and now it seemed he was back.

Itachi looked down to the new design and felt an urge to begin at once. It was a ridiculous urge, of course, as he still had to complete the other stone, not to mention he hardly knew any details on what Naruto wanted.

Patience, he told himself, and it will be worth it.

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Itachi had been working on Naruto's stone piece for three weeks now, and he had about one more to go. Because he was so dedicated to the piece, Naruto had put him up for the time being. He spent almost every waking minute chiselling the stone, bending it to his will, and Naruto remained when he could.

He learnt a lot about the blond, from his home life after the death of his parents to how his favourite food was ramen. During this time he had formed an attachment to the blond, perhaps more than a simple liking.

"So, 'Tachi, how's everything coming along today?"

Itachi looked up from his work, smiling at the given name from Naruto.

"I just have to finish Susano'o and the background around him and it'll be done. Maybe a few more days left."

Itachi assumed he imagined Naruto's forced smile. A hand rested on his head for a moment longer than considered for a friend and yet Itachi paid no heed. Naruto was a very touchy-feely person after all.

"I'll leave you to it then," Naruto retreated from the altar room and Itachi continued to work, the dull clink-clink of his tools chipping at the stone his only comfort.

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The altarpiece was finally finished and the gods stood out in a way only Itachi could create. Naruto's mouth was hanging open a little and Itachi chuckled.

"I take it you like it then?"

Naruto's face was overcome with delight and he rammed into Itachi, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you so much," he whispered, running a hand over the delicate stone. It was hard to believe they had been carved, so smooth was the design and realistic.

"Well then, I'll expect payment in a few days and I shall see you another time." Itachi picked up his bag of belongings, not noticing the disappointed look on Naruto's face.

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Itachi was beginning to get annoyed. It had been a week since Naruto had promised his payment and yet it hadn't arrived. Finally having enough and wondering what kept the blond, Itachi took off to his house, shutting up the shop with a frown.

When he reached Naruto's door, the blond opened it with accusing eyes.

"Took your time," he said sourly. Itachi was confused; had Naruto misenterpreted his payment methods?

"I thought maybe something was wrong when the payment did not arrive."

Naruto actually gaped, and Itachi took a step back.

"You think..?" He paused, scrunching up his face and throwing his arms in the air. Itachi took another step back. "You think this is about the money? Here," he shoved an envelope in Itachi's hands. "Take you bloody money and piss off."

Itachi blocked the door before it closed, anger beginning to seep through. What on earth was Naruto on about?

"I mean I've left enough hints the past week. Are you so stupid that you can't actually see them? Or are you just laughing at me now?"

Hurt eyes flashed dangerously at Itachi and he reached out to calm Naruto. Unfortunately it had the opposite effect, and Naruto batted his fingers away.

"Go away," he moaned, both parties pushing against the door. Itachi won with little difficulty and Naruto stood there limply.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Can't you take a hint? I like you Itachi. Why the hell do you think I offered my home to you."

Itachi was silent and Naruto froze, determined not to turn away. Inside Itachi's head, his thoughts were running at a mile a minute, all screaming that Naruto liked him.

What a curious twist of fate.

"You know," Itachi began, "We have the same household gods."

Naruto eyed him skeptically. "If this is an attempt of a chat-up line then you can piss off."

Itachi shook his head, "Only I don't have a family altarpiece."

Naruto's eyebrows rose as he finally grasped what Itachi was saying.

"So, maybe we could use this money to buy a bigger bed?"

Naruto smiled and they kissed gently, anticipating the movement from each other. As they drew apart, Itachi whispered in his ear,

"Just so you know, the last bit was my chat-up line."

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Notes:

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