I feel bad for neglecting this fanfiction again so here's chapter 25 as an apology :) Here's Naru and Shika's date.
Chapter 25. Naru POV
"Shit, shit, shit." I run down the stairs, almost tripping over the last few steps. I head to the kitchen and steal a bit of toast from Sasuke's plate, stuffing it in my mouth while pulling my socks on.
"Hey! That's mine." Itachi comes in chuckling after me. I turn to glare at him, though I doubt it looks very intimidating with the piece of toast hanging out my mouth.
"I did try to wake you up an hour ago." I finish pulling the other sock before giving him the finger.
"'ou ob'ly stidint 'ry 'ard enugh." Walking past he ruffles my hair; I bat his hand away, trying to fix my hair and finish the toast at the same time.
"I'm sorry, I don't speak blonde." Finishing the last bite I stick my tongue out at him.
"I said; you obviously didn't try hard enough. Arsehole." I quickly check my reflection in the fridge door, thank god for its unnecessary shininess, making sure no hair is sticking up in odd places. "Anyway, how do I look?" I give him a quick twirl. The snow has been none stop the past few nights so I'm just wearing black jeans and a plain orange t-shirt. No point in dressing up too much.
"You look fine. But I think you're late." Just as he says that my phone starts ringing.
"Ahh! Shit, shit, shit." The Lazy Song plays as I try to fish it out my pocket. Answering it, I run into the hallway and step into my trainers. Expertly, if I do say so myself, I answer the phone wedging it between my ear and shoulder as I pull my winter coat on. Black and orange of course.
"You're not standing me up are you, Miss Uzumaki?" Oops. That's what I get for staying up 'til late playing video games with Sasuke.
"'Course not, Shika. I'm on my way right now. I'm like two minutes away." Itachi leans against the doorway into the living room smirking at me as he mouths 'liar'. Ignoring him, I wrap my scarf around my neck and pull my hat on.
"Did you sleep in, Naruko?" I check my hair one last time in the mirror near the door before Itachi throws a pen at me. I glare at him while opening the door; I mouth 'what?' at him.
"Do you want a lift?" Looking out the door I can't help but smile. I hang up the phone, placing it in my pocket before giving Itachi a slight wave.
"Nah, it's okay. My date's here."
"You slept in didn't you?"
"I told you I didn't!" I try smiling sweetly up at him but he just laughs.
"You're a terrible liar, you know." I shove my hands into my coat pockets regretting not remembering to pick up some gloves.
"Hey, I'm a brilliant liar. You can only tell because I'm lying 'cause I let you." He laughs again as he wraps an arm around my shoulders pulling me closer to him and I'm glad for the extra body heat.
"Sure whatever you say, Blondie." I pout playfully.
"Don't call me that, you lazy arse." He pulls my hat down, covering my eyes.
"You do realise that's not an insult but rather a fact, right?" Pushing the material back up I stick my tongue out at him.
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Mr smarty-pants."
"Again, that's a fact." I hit him in the chest but smile up at him.
"Pineapple."
"Order whatever you want. My treat." My eyes scan the pages of the menu, widening as I see the prices for each.
"No way, have you seen the price of some of these? I'll pay for... ouch!" I rub the spot of my head that's he's just assaulted with his own menu.
"Naruko. Are you really going to insult my manliness by not letting me pay?" He stares at me for a few moments with his serious face before smiling. I smile back before scanning the menu again. "I'm a gentleman, remember?" I blush at memory of the first time he said that and what could have happened that night. I lift the menu up to hide my face.
"Whatever, old man."
"I'm so full!" I run out in front of him, spinning around slightly in the fresh falling snow. "So what's next, Mr date-man?" Walking up to me he links my arm, dragging me along with him.
"Arcade?" I punch my fist into the air.
"Oh yeah! I'll kick your arse, Shika."
"Humph. I'd like to see you try." We walk along the street heading to the arcade as I chat about everything and nothing. He nods along, answering me every now and again. I can't wait to go to the arcade; I've not been in such a long time. I'd normally go with Kiba but we've both been busy lately with work or Uni.
"How about I read your fortune?" An old lady standing outside a psychic shop grabs my arm but I quickly shake her off. People like her always give me the creeps.
"Let's go, it's a whole load of crap." I whisper to Shikamaru but instead of following me he pulls me back.
"Come on, it might be fun." He smiles down at me before dragging me into the shop after the old creepy woman. I look around the shop and shiver, this place gives me the creeps just as much as the old lady. She ushers us into the back room and sits us down in front of her little table. It even has a crystal ball on top. Could this place get any more cliché? Shika grabs my hand and smiles down at me reassuringly. I find myself returning the smile though I can't help stop the slight shaking. I hate these kind of places. My mom took me to a psychic once in Suna and I ran out crying at the things she told me. My mom even shouted at her for saying such things to a child. Though everything she said did come true and I don't really want this one to say anything about that in front of Shika if she's the real deal. Though I've tried for years to convince myself that they're all phonies.
"Who's first, then?" I shake my head so Shika offers. The woman takes his other hand in her own as she examines his palm. It's silent though she 'hmms' and 'haas' every now and again. "You're a very intelligent man. Though you're quite lazy, yes?" I look up at him as he nods. "Hmm, you don't know what you want to do with your life but anything is fine so long as you don't end up working for your father." The way she says it sounds more like a statement than a question. "But you'll come to realise what you want soon enough in the near future. And you'll be very successful at it."
"What is it?" My voice squeaks, though I keep looking at him; refusing to look at her.
"I see two options for this young man. Though either one will bring to success." I feel her gaze turn to me but I still don't look at her. She lets go of his hand and indicates for me to give her my own. I shake my head, squeezing Shikamaru's hand.
"Go on. It's all crap, remember?" He whispers into my ear and I slowly turn to look at her. I don't think I've ever seen a creepier looking old person. Reluctantly, I slowly move my free hand across the table and jump slightly as she grabs hold of it. I cringe as she tuts while looking at my palm. After what seems like forever she finally looks up at me and I freeze at her cold stare.
"You've done a lot of bad things, young miss." Shika looks down at me but I ignore him. Please don't say anything descript... "You're past will come back to haunt you if you're not careful." Her thumb rolls over my palm causing a shiver to go up my spine. "Hmm, I can see a young dark haired boy. He's very important to you isn't he?" I find myself nodding even though I try not to react to her words. "He's a major part of your life right now; you would do anything for him?" I choke slightly.
"Yes." I barely register Shika squeezing my hand.
"Then be careful. The boy can be used to get to you when he decides to come for you." I stand up suddenly, causing my chair to fall backwards.
"No." I don't realise Shika's also standing until I feel his hand on my shoulder. I watch as he puts some money down, thanking her for her time and tries to pull me away but I stay still looking at her. She cocks her head to the side, as if examining me. "He can't, he's behind bars for life." I lower my gaze at the ground, though I know she's probably right I can't accept it. "And you're wrong. My past won't come back to haunt me; because it haunts me every single day." This time I let Shika drag me away; though before we leave I hear her say one last thing.
"Be careful, Naruko. He will get out; and he will come for you."
Neither of us talks for a long time and I just let him pull me along by my hand, though I've no idea where we're going. Eventually we end up in front of some flats and he lets us into one of the ones on the bottom floor. Automatically I slip my shoes off and follow him into what I'm guessing is his bedroom.
"Are you okay?" I sit down next to him on his bed, pulling my legs up and under me.
"Yeah." He wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me towards him.
"Come 'ere." Wrapping my arms around his waist, I rest my head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I spoiled your day." I pull away and reposition myself so that I can look up at him. I shake my head at him.
"You didn't. I've had a good time." I try smiling at him but the woman's words go through my head again and I can't stop the frown that appears.
"Yeah, I did. I shouldn't have made you go in there when you obviously didn't want to."
"It's okay." I cup his cheek with my hand, rubbing my thumb against his cheek slightly. "I had a nice time, really."
"We didn't get to the arcade though..." I laugh as he mumbles something about Kiba telling him to take me.
"We can go another time." His eyes seem to brighten at that and this time the smile stays on my face.
"Hey, Naruko..." I take my hand away from his face, letting it fall to my lap, and 'hmm' at him. "I, err... I know we haven't known each other very long and today didn't go as planned but, err..."
"Yes?" His cheeks and even the tops of his ears redden slightly and I have to stop myself from sniggering at him.
"Would you, you know, be my girlfriend?" I watch him for a few moments as he starts squirming under my gaze. A little giggle escapes my mouth as I tease him by making him wait. "I understand if you don't want to, if it's too troublesome for you..."
"Sure." He stares blankly at me for a few seconds and this time I laugh out loud.
"Ermm..." I touch his cheek again, bringing his face closer to mine.
"I'll be your girlfriend." I close the distance between us, pressing my lips to his. Pulling away, I lean my forehead against his. "Hey, if you're free tonight, do you wanna go to a party with me?"
"Hey, un." I greet Dei as he gives me a quick hug. "Itachi's just gone to pick something up from the shop. His mom was going crazy that she'd forgotten to buy it." I laugh as I follow him into the living area, Shika trailing behind.
"You remember Shikamaru, don't you Dei?"
"Of course. You looked like you were ready to beat the shit out of him when you's first met, un." I blush slightly as they shake hands briefly. I see Sasuke come out of the kitchen and motion for him to come over. I notice the can in his hand and frown.
"Sasuke, that's not..." He holds it out to me so I can see the writing; non-alcoholic beer.
"Dad's making me drink it. He thinks it'll make me feel included 'cause I'm the only teenager." He grimaces as his mother comes up behind him. "It's fucking disgusting... ouch!" I snigger as Mikoto smacks her son across the head.
"Sasuke! Whoever taught you to swear like that?" He grins before pointing at me. I whack him this time.
"Hey! Why's everyone hitting me?" He rubs his head as Mikoto smiles at me.
"Don't lie, Sasuke. Naruko doesn't swear." He mumbles under his breath, something about women ganging up on him. "Anyway, Naruko." She nods her head towards Shika. "Aren't you going to introduce us to your friend, hmm?" Her eyes seem to sparkle slightly and I don't know whether to laugh or be scared of her.
"Err, yeah. This is Shikamaru. Shika, this is Sasuke and Mrs Uchiha. Itachi's little bro' and mom." He shakes both their hands though Sasuke glares at him the whole time.
"Nice to meet you, Shikamaru." Mikoto smiles at us, I'm sure she winked at him, and Sasuke just grunts.
"You too." He looks over to Sasuke. "So you did the drawing on Naruko's wall, huh? You got talent kid." Sasuke just grunts again so I stand on his foot. He glares at me before casting his eyes down.
"Thanks." Deidara disappears to wait for Itachi, probably not comfortable with the awkward silence. Mikoto claps her hands, as if to end the silence.
"So, Shika... are you Naruko dear's boyfriend?" My cheeks flush slightly and so do Shika's.
"Yeah I am." The blush reddens as he holds my hand smiling down at me. Mikoto fawns over us for a while before heading to the door to welcome some relatives. I don't realise Sasuke's vanished until Mikoto leaves and I realise he was acting kind of weird. I try not to think about it but it sort of seemed like he was angry over something. I guess I'll ask him later. Itachi and Dei finally join us and we spend the night chatting, laughing and of course drinking. And all the time I smile as Shika holds my hand, briefly forgetting Sasuke's strange behaviour.
Sasu POV
"Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!" Everyone cheers and hugs each other; looking at the drunken adults you wouldn't think that during the day they are world class businessmen. I can't help but smile at their silly antics until some of them try to hug me. I quickly excuse myself, heading outside even though it's a bit chilly tonight, or this morning; whichever way you want to look at it. Stepping out I freeze as Naruko lifts up on her tip toes to kiss the pineapple head. I frown as the jealously kicks in. Shaking my head, I try to brush it off and look over at my brother just in time to see him kiss Deidara. I don't have much luck tonight. Before I can think about whether I should be happy or embarrassed at the sight of my brother kissing another guy, I'm roughly pushed to the side as dad storms towards them. Uh-oh.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Itachi and Deidara quickly break away as dad stops in front of them.
"Father…"
"Don't you 'father' me, boy." I cringe at his tone even though his anger isn't directed at me. Mom appears suddenly placing her hand on his shoulder and whispers to him, as if to calm him down, but he shrugs her off. I walk over to Naruko and her boyfriend, just as she tells him it's probably best if he goes. I ignore them as he leans down to kiss her before he goes. Good riddance, I say.
"Fugaku, please. Don't make a scene."
"Don't make a scene? How can I not when our son has his hands all over somebody of the same sex!"
"I tried to tell you father, but you wouldn't listen…" I cringe again at the angry look on my father's face.
"Damn right I wouldn't listen. Itachi, you are an Uchiha. You should damn well act like one." I'm about to walk over, ready to stick up for my brother, but Naruko grabs my hand pulling me back. I look down at her but she just shakes her head. "I told you last time to drop the disgusting topic because it is wrong. Immoral!" Itachi's face hardens at dad's harsh words.
"No, father. It is who I am." I squeeze Naruko's hand. I really want to stand up for him, but I know it'll probably make things worse for Itachi.
"No it is not. You are my son, an Uchiha. The heir to our family's business. You will not take part in this despicable act of defiance!"
"Mr Uchiha…" The look dad sends Deidara gives me the shivers, even at this distance.
"No son of mine will be labelled as a… as a homo!" Itachi clenches and unclenches his fists a few times and I wonder if he would hit father. But he grabs Deidara's hand and stares down at dad.
"Then maybe I don't want to be your son." Mom gasps and if it wasn't for the situation I may have laughed at how our father was suddenly speechless. "You think I'm doing this to defy you, father? For once I'm doing something because I want to. I'm not a child anymore; you can't tell me what I can and can't do."
"Get out."
"Fugaku, no. Don't do this…" Mom talks to him, presumably trying to talk him out of it, but he just brushes her off again.
"I said get out. I can't bare to even look at you right now." I'm sure I hear Itachi's teeth clench together, as if carefully considering his next words.
"I love Deidara." Father glares at him but Itachi refuses to back down. Respect for my brother floods through me. "If you are too close-minded to even accept that then I don't want to be considered your son. Or an Uchiha." He spits the last word out, reminding me of the first time I questioned my brother about why our name was so important. At the time Itachi just patted my head and told me that even if you are born with a certain name, it isn't the name that defines who you are; you define yourself, name regardless. I was only ten at the time and I didn't really understand him. But I guess I kind of understand him now. Why fuss over a name if you can't be yourself?
Itachi pushes past dad, knocking him slightly as he drags Dei back into the house. He glances over at me and Naruko briefly but doesn't say anything as he walks away from our father, his head held high.
"How dare you." I look back over at our parents just as mom slaps dad.
"Come on." Naruko drags me away, following Itachi, though I try to listen to my parents argue but I don't catch much of it as they speak in hushed whispers. I follow her through the not-so-sober guests to the front door. She lets go of my hand before running after Itachi.
"Wait." She tries to grab his arm but he shakes her off. Standing at the bottom of the steps leading up to the house, I notice his face is red with anger. Though his eyes look a bit glazed and I wonder if he's trying not to cry in front of us. I don't think I've ever seen Itachi cry.
"Go back inside, Naruko." She shakes her head and tries to grab him again; this time he lets her, looking down at her as she holds onto his arm her eyes pleading.
"Don't go." His eyes narrow slightly, even though is not her he's angry at.
"You heard him, Naru." He lowers his head slightly as he holds the back of her head in his free hand. "He doesn't want a tainted son. I can't stay here if he feels it's 'immoral'."
"But where will you go? Itachi, this is your home…" He presses their foreheads together slightly before straightening and glancing at Dei, a sad smile on his face.
"He can stay with me." Deidara tries to give Naruko an encouraging smile. "We discussed this a long time ago." Itachi nods, looking back down at his best friend.
"We decided if father reacted in this way that I would stay at Dei's. Whether it be temporary or permanent." Naruko reaches up to hold his cheek in her hand, tears running down her cheeks.
"Itachi…"
"Stay with Sasuke. I'll be fine. I'll call you tomorrow." He pulls away from her, presses his lips against her forehead briefly before walking off, Deidara behind him. Naruko stays put for a while, watching them until they disappear from view. After what seems like forever, she wipes her face with her sleeve before heading back in to house, head down, without looking at me. It takes me a few seconds to decide whether or not to follow her; I head back into the house and trace her steps, ending up back in the garden. None of the drunken friends or family seem to have noticed what just happened; they're either too drunk to care or they're lying comatose on the floor or furniture. It's probably for the best that nobody noticed what just went on. Naruko walks straight up to my father, staring up at him, interrupting my parents' argument.
"I hope you're happy."
"This has nothing to do with you Naruko. Leave it alone." I stop beside mom and she wraps an arm around me. I hear her sniffling and I try not to look at her sad face.
"The hell it doesn't. It has everything to do with me; Itachi is my best friend. I won't let you hurt him like this." Dad returns her stare but she doesn't back down.
"This is family business. I'll say it again, it doesn't concern you." Naruko's whole body stiffens as her hands turn to fists by her sides.
"Itachi is my family. My only family." Dad's face seems to soften slightly, but only by a bit. "You have no right to tell him what to do, how to feel. He's your son; you should be supporting him, not casting him out because of his sexual preference!" She shouts at him and even pushes him slightly. Mom's hold on me tightens and I guess she's probably just as worried to how he will react.
"Just drop it, Naruko." Her hands return to fists, shaking beside her.
"No. I will not drop it. You have no right, Fugaku. He is his own person; you can't control him. You can't control either of your sons." She glances at me quickly before returning her gaze to father. "They aren't objects; they're people. They have a mind of their own and you don't get to decide what they do or who they like." I notice her knuckles turn white and I just want to take her hands into my own.
"My family is not like yours was. We have a reputation to uphold. And I will not allow Itachi to dampen what my father and his father before him worked so hard to obtain." Dad brings up a hand and mom flinches beside me, but he just nips the bridge of his nose and sighs.
"I think it will be a good idea if we all retire to bed for now, hmm?" Mom lets me go and places a hand on dad's arm. "Go to bed you two. We'll discuss this some other time." It's my turn to grab Naruko's hand and I drag her inside and up the stairs; grabbing a half empty bottle of vodka on the way.
I shut my door behind us, I try to sit her on the bed but she refuses so I just hand her the bottle. She takes it from me, unscrews the cap and downs some of it. She replaces the top before throwing the bottle at the closed door. I jump at the action and unconsciously step back as it smashes against the wood; broken glass and liquid falling to the floor.
"How can he be so narrow minded!" I step back again, hitting my back against the bookshelf causing on of the books to drop to the floor. She turns to look at the noise, her eyes flicker between me and the broken bottle a few times before the anger seems to drain away from her and she reaches towards me. I try hard not to react but I can't help but flinch as her hand nears me. I see her frown before she wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me down to the floor so that we're kneeling. "I'm sorry, 'suke." She whispers, tightening her hold on me. After a few seconds I bring my arms up to circle around her waist, my face pressed into the crook of her neck. "Forgive me, squid. I shouldn't have let my anger get the better of me…" I can't help but notice as she shudders as I breathe against her neck, though I don't understand what that means exactly…
"It's okay, Naruko. It's okay." She starts to cry against me and I wonder whether she's crying for Itachi or for how she just lost control. I tighten my own arms around her as I keep repeating 'It's okay' and 'It'll be okay'. We stay like that for a long time before she slowly starts to fall asleep. I move my legs to the side as I start to lose the feeling in them. Her arms stay around my neck as her breathing slows and deepens. I don't have the heart to try and move her now so I just stay leaning against the bookcase with her snoring slightly against me. I sigh, closing my own eyes, wondering if my big brother will ever come home again…
So not exactly a happy chapter, but it had to happen eventually. But don't worry, things get sorted out soon enough! Look out for the next chapter!