"Sasuke Uchiha is out everybody! He's out!" -Clevver News
"Uchiha Sasuke has been proven innocent after being locked up!" -People Magazine
"Wait – so he's innocent?" -Forbes
"Are we sure he's innocent? He said some questionable things!" -BuzzFeed
"Who cares?! Our pretty boy is out, let's celebrate!" -Gossip News
Sasuke sighed and turned his phone off. He wiped his face, he was unbelievably tired right now. The press was always up his ass before, but right now was just asinine. He couldn't even go home without being constantly harassed with questions. Did you feel the same about Naruto? Is your relationship with Karin back? How do you think your fans think of you now?
He doesn't fucking know.
For one, no. He did not feel the same for Naruto (or…currently feel the same. He doesn't know how Naruto feels now). He loves Naruto like a brother, not like he'd do what he did with him with his own blood. But that was a very different time. Sasuke, just like his brother, very vehemently denies his sexuality. He's heterosexual according to himself. He's only ever wanted a relationship with women, he's only ever slept with Naruto, so he doesn't think anything changes. (Obviously him and Itachi don't like admitting the truth to themselves).
Number two, hell no. Back with Karin? He never even considered that. Prison was a whole situation, the only thing he ever thought about was how pissed he was at Root. Everything they did really fucked his life up even more. Karin was more like a phase to him. Dating someone who was quick to agree with him and loved to be by his side was something he wanted at the time. Now however, he's quite content with someone who can and will challenge him.
Lastly, pff. He'snever really cared about what anyone thought about him, including his fans. He appreciates the love he gets, but if their opinions of him changed because of what happened, they weren't much of fans anyway now where they? He was proven innocent with proof of what really happened leaked by ANBU. They didn't release Root or Noriko's name, but the footage of how Danzo died was released. If people are mad at him for beating up a middle aged man, they can talk to him about it. (He might kick their asses too).
Moving on, his family was ecstatic about his return. He was only locked up for a few days counting the paperwork, but he expected the reaction. While he's happy about that, there's other things he needs to mend. One including Naruto. The one person who didn't see him after he got out. Even Sakura came over. For like a second, but still. Not even a text. So Sasuke came to the conclusion to go and find him. Sasuke put on a black hoodie, blue jeans, and black vans. He wore a black hat and pulled the hoodie over it. He wore black sunglasses and a hospital mask. He grabbed his phone and car keys. Keys to a car he never drove in case his signature car was recognized. Like this, no one would know it's him.
With that, he left to find his friend.
.
"Should we throw a party?"
"Wha – no. The family isn't ready for something like that. A 'hey, you just got out of jail, let's celebrate' party isn't appropriate."
Mikoto nodded in defeat. "I know, I just…wanted to try and make light of the situation. That way we can move forward quietly."
Fugaku gave her a sympathetic smile. "There's no way we'll move forward quietly from now on. The backlash of this could last months, maybe a year." He furrowed his brows. "Sasuke…has been answering my calls."
Mikoto gave Fugaku a skeptical look. "That's a good thing?" In hindsight it was, so she didn't understand why Fugaku was distraught about it. It's rare for Sasuke to even text them back, let alone answer their calls without hesitation. Fugaku wipes his face with his hand and leaned back on the loveseat he was sitting in.
"Sasuke never answers calls. He doesn't feel the need to answer you, him doing so means he just wants to appease us and think nothing is wrong. So now I'm worried he's secretly locked up and crying." Mikoto bit inside her cheek.
"This is Sasuke we're talking about, crying? I doubt he would be doing that. Maybe he's just trying to change things, he still blames himself for even getting in prison."
Fugaku looked out the large window on the left of him. He scratched his head in frustration. He wondered when his family would be back to normal. The family had taken a huge toll and things have just been…cold and distant. Fugaku missed how they were. Despite how annoying everyone could be. He missed Hana calling him Fu Fu and Shisui mocking him. Missed how Sasuke would call him dude and joke about everyone. He missed Itachi's…Itachi!
"Mikoto, have you heard from Itachi?!" Fugaku snapped his head to his wife who looked at him with an equally worried look. Itachi has Izumi back sure, but being Sasuke's brother, the press has been attacking him almost harder. They've been attacked Mikoto and Fugaku as well, but they can work from home that's the difference. Itachi has to commute to work. With all of that against him, it's probably be hard for him to cope. Itachi has a history of…getting depressed.
Mikoto whipped out her phone while muttering, "how could we forget about our son?" Fugaku stood and walked towards her as she put the call on speaker. The phone rang once without an answer, which was normal for Itachi. It rang a second time and that's usually when Itachi picks up but nothing. When it reached its last ring and was about to cut off, the phone answered and a small voice, which wasn't characteristic, answered.
"Hello?"
Fugaku and Mikoto heaved a sigh. The voice was raspy and sounded tired. But it was around the time Itachi would prepare himself for work, so they figured he was getting ready to leave. Mikoto swallows thickly, "Hey honey, um, we just called to check in on you." Fugaku pat Mikoto's back and spoke up, "How are you, and Izumi? You guys are…well?"
They could hear shuffling in the background. A faint voice came and Itachi lulled the person to go back to sleep. "We're fine."
"Well I, we were just concerned because you've been very recluse and – "
A sigh cut them off. "I'm fine."
Fugaku scrunched his face, "I know you stopped using…depressants for a while, but if you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to call me or your mother. We're always here."
The line was silent for a spell until a small breath came, "Yeah…okay. I'll talk to you later."
Mikoto heaved a small smile, "Alright baby, don't push yourself. We love you. Maybe later this week we could all have dinner? The four of us, as a family."
"…I appreciate the offer. I'll think about it." The line cut off and Fugaku and Mikoto looked at each other, discerned.
.
Shisui kisses the top of Hana's head and smiled at her, "You alright baby? Need anything?" Hana groaned and pulled the blankets up to her chin.
"I want vodka."
Shisui chuckled, "Well you can't have any. I'm gonna go check up on Shosuke, I'll be back, alright?" Shisui gave one final look at his wife and exited the room. He closed the door and ran a hand through his hair. He's been trying his best to cope with how things have changed. The press has been asking him questions but he's been able to avoid them quite well. He's also been trying to move Shosuke's crib into their room but unfortunately his head maid told him not to worry, they've got it covered. They isn't much when he got kidnapped the first time, but he tried to forget that.
He rushed over to the room and opened the door. When he didn't see a ruffle of black hair in the crib his heart jumped. "Shosuke, no, no, please no – " he heard a small gurgle and turned to see Shosuke playing with a teddy bear in the corner of the room. Shosuke sighed in relief and fell against the floor. "Oh god…scared the hell out of me." He let his heart calm down and watched amusedly as Shosuke wobbled towards him.
Shisui rest him in his lap and messed with his hair. Shosuke played with Shisui's fingers and kept seeming like he was trying to say something. Shisui at this point was about a year old and trying to walk and talk. He'd been trying so hard it was cute. Shisui pokes his cheek. "You look so much like me. Can't believe I ever thought you weren't mine."
Shosuke slobbered on his finger.
"And definitely Hana's too."
Shosuke laughed as if he understood and looked up at Shisui with red cheeks and a smile. "Dada!" Shisui widened his eyes.
"Wha…what?" Shosuke clapped happily. "S-say that again Shosuke."
"Dada! Dada!" Shisui gushed and carried Shosuke out of the room.
"Hana, you won't believe it!"
.
Sasuke didn't think it would be that easy to escape the press, but push comes to shove and he can be the most discreet person in the world apparently. He took his hood off when he figured he was safe and in front of Naruto's door. Lowering the hospital mask, he sighed. Pressing the doorbell two times. Sasuke was never the most patient person, so when it took a minute and no answer, he grew frustrated. Ringing the doorbell seven more times. Drastic, he knows, but he didn't care. Sasuke tapped his foot and rolled his eyes, pounding on the door with his fist. Shock overcame him when the door creaked open.
Opening the door all the way, Sasuke stepped inside gingerly, locking the door behind him. Glancing around he made a disgusted face. Naruto's place was a mess. Clothes everywhere, some of which didn't belong to Naruto himself. Empty bottles of tequila, vodka, Hennessy, scotch, if it's alcoholic it was probably there. Sasuke trudged through the mess, finding a petite girl in her underwear on Naruto's couch. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Sasuke nudged her.
"Hey. Hey, wake up!" The girl stirred, but didn't budge. "Come on, I don't have time for this shit. Get the hell up!" The girl jolted up with a confused expression. She glanced around the room groggily and realized where she was, getting flustered at Sasuke seeing her in such a state.
"Oh…oh my god, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, oh my god." She seemed like she was having an episode so Sasuke kindly calmed her down. Well as kindly as he could.
"Hey, chill. Don't apologize to me, I don't live in this pigsty."
The girl soaked up his words and lowered her shoulders. "O-okay. Do you know where Naruto is? He, uh – he's my ride."
Sasuke shrugged, "Currently looking for the idiot now. You should…find your clothes. He'll be out in a bit." The girl looked down and realized her state of undress, immediately covering herself. Sasuke, again, resisted the urge to roll his eyes and went over to the kitchen. Having to dodge clothes, bottles, and two other girls. Peering in the kitchen he found some guy in his birthday suit drinking a bottle of wine while vaping.
"Jesus, did Naruto have a fucking orgy in here or what?" Sasuke averted his eyes from the unwanted view in front of him and shifted his way to the fridge. The man in question used the bottle to unsuccessfully cover his nudity.
"Not an orgy, but I think what we did could be a synonym."
Sasuke ignored him. Looking in the fridge he found an unopened bottle of Hennessy and took it out.
"If you came to get drunk you should do that with me. I'm responsible." Still ignoring him, Sasuke closed the fridge, going back to covering his eyes from the nude man on Naruto's countertop. "You don't have to be shy, we're both guys."
"Which is exactly why I don't want to see your dick."
"I'm not into that either, but Naruto is pretty convincing."
Sasuke made a disgusted face. "Then clearly you're into that. If you'd excuse me – " The man quickly grabbed Sasuke's arm.
"Don't be such a stick in the mud. Looking at your face clearly now, you're pretty cute. Want me to wake one of the girls up?"
"They're blackout drunk."
"So?"
"That'd be rape."
"Oh."
After about three minutes, the mans hand was still wrapped around his arm and Sasuke got rid of his inhibitions and looked at the man full on. "You can let me go now."
"Oh come on –"
"We're in a kitchen full of knives, and you're naked. Do you really want me to chop your dick off?" Quickly the man let him go. "That's what I thought." Sasuke walked away, a little bit frustrated. He finally was able to begin the search for Naruto. He wasn't in his bedroom, or any other room with a door for that matter. Sasuke did find however, two girls making out in Naruto's bath tub, a sight he definitely wasn't prepared for. Especially when they asked if he wanted to join.
When he was ready to give up, Sasuke peeped outside to see vibrant blonde hair on the roof of the house. Sighing in relief, Sasuke held the Hennessy tight, getting onto the roof with ease. Naruto's back was to him. He had on his favorite orange hoodie and was only in his boxers. Sasuke crept forward and coughed, revealing his presence sooner than he wanted to. Naruto turned around abruptly. "Damn Naruto. How much weed do you have?"
Naruto's face morphed from one of surprise to one of indifference. "Not that much anymore. Smoked it all in a few hours."
Sasuke crept closer and sat himself next to Naruto on the roof. "You're going to kill yourself, you know." Naruto snorted and pulled his hood over his head.
"Oh, because you care about me now?"
Sasuke widened his eyes. "What? What do you mean?"
Naruto shrugged and took another hit. "What do I mean? You should know. You know, I've had like hours to think all by myself. You only ever show up when you want something. Or when you've got a problem and need a blonde bomb like myself to rope you out."
Sasuke furrowed his brows, still confused. "…Where is this even coming from? I didn't come here because I want something."
Naruto looked at Sasuke for the first time in a while. It took Sasuke a second to assess how awful he looked. His eyes were bloodshot, probably from all the damn smoking. His unruly hair looked even worse in his current state. His face was pale, but cheeks and nose were red. Liquor and weed was evident on his breath. Sasuke never had the strong urge before to comfort someone so heavily. He wanted the urge to go away quickly, but it only grew when Naruto glared at him.
"Don't fucking lie to me. I can't count or even remember how many times you've sought me out to help yourself. Or how many times you've shut yourself out because some shit hit the fan. Sakura leaves you, or some childhood trauma, or you go to fucking jail." Naruto got up shakily, turning heel to leave. "You should just go. Or maybe I should. I could jump off the roof, that'd be quicker, yeah actually – "
Sasuke got up quick enough to grab Naruto's arm in a haste. "Naruto, what the fuck!? Are you even sane right now? I'll ask again. What do you mean?" Naruto looked down and lowered his glare.
"Is that Hennessy?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes and let Naruto go. "It was supposed to be a peace offering. But I didn't even get the chance to explain that." Sasuke went back to sitting on the roof. Looking up at Naruto expectantly, Naruto glanced away and sat back where he was before his little outburst. Sasuke sighed and rubbed his temples. He knew him going to jail messed some people up, but come on. "Okay. You said I only show up when I have a problem."
"Because you're a douchebag. How was jail by the way?"
"I'm aware of that Naruto. Also, it was like any party I've been to. Boring, full of idiots, and short lived."
"Maybe you should go to therapy."
"For being a douchebag or because of prison?"
"Both. Literally both." Naruto took a long hit, one that made Sasuke appreciative of his lungs. Sasuke thought it over. The part about him being a douchebag, not the therapy. He figured he should be as honest with Naruto as possible.
"A lot of shit happened to me the past few months. I mean the jail thing was a whole…situation. But I don't dwell on it. My family is really a shit hole right now. I actually very much miss Sakura more after all this and have contemplated getting drunk and going to her place. Do you know where she lives now by the way? Actually, never mind. But listen, too much happened and it kind of made me a little more thoughtful of the shit I do. "
Sasuke didn't realize how hard Naruto was staring at him until he was done. Slightly uncomfortable with the situation, he cleared his throat. "I know I'm not the best person or friend for that matter. But I really do want to get – to be better. Obviously it won't happen overnight, but…gotta start somewhere. For what it's worth…I'm sorry for everything up until now."
Speechless really couldn't describe the look on Naruto's face. Sasuke got a little worried when it lasted longer than expected. Before he could snap him out of his state of stupor, Naruto blinked and closed his mouth. "Did you just…apologize to me?"
"Yes. No need to be so shocked."
Naruto betrayed his anger for Sasuke from earlier with a small smile. "Wow. I'm…wow. Apology very much appreciated and accepted. Thank you." Naruto sighed and snuck the Hennessy away from Sasuke. "I'm so happy I could kiss you."
Sasuke stayed silent for a bit while Naruto popped open the Hennessy and downed some of it. "Right. That actually brings me to the other reason I'm here."
"…That is?" Naruto was hesitant to answer, almost as if he knew what Sasuke meant. He was regretting saying that 'so happy I could kiss you' line.
Sasuke decided to be as blunt as possible with Naruto. It was the only thing that seemed to work. "Don't play dumb. In the court. When you were asked if you had feelings for me. You said it was true."
"…Yes, I know. I was there." Yet another hesitant answer.
"So you…like me?" It was weird to get the words out of his mouth. He never thought he'd have to have a conversation like this with Naruto of all people. Karin definitely. Suigetsu probably. Sakura never. Naruto contorted his face into one of horror.
"No dude. The question he asked was if I used to like you. That's what it is. I don't feel that way anymore." They were back to the point where Naruto wouldn't look at him. Preferring to stare at the cars passing by and smoking.
Sasuke had a feeling Naruto didn't like him anymore. Naruto wasn't very good at hiding that type of thing. Then again, he liked him before but Sasuke didn't notice. Maybe he did and just refused to believe it. "Okay, I got that now. But…why?"
Naruto snapped his head towards Sasuke. "Is this really what you came here for? To talk about feelings? Because I don't want to." Naruto gripped the Hennessy.
Sasuke grabbed the Hennessy away from Naruto before he could drink it again. "Well too bad because we're talking. Just…tell me why. I'll leave you alone afterwards, I promise."
"…Have you ever looked in the mirror before?"
"So you were into me because of how I look? Didn't realize you were so shallow." Sasuke was teasing, even though he knew that this wasn't a time for that.
"Shut the fuck up. It's more like…you look good so your personality is just the bonus."
"So you liked my personality." He couldn't help himself.
"Dude. Dude. I have no clue what to even tell you. I must have been drugged into thinking you were my type."
"So I'm not your type?"
Naruto groaned, "I don't know. I don't even have one. This is weird. Let's talk about something else. Do you have a friend named Bob in prison? A bunch of tattoos and bald?" Naruto's attempt to deter the conversation was in vain.
"So I am your type."
"Sasuke! Why do you care so much? It happened, I used to like you. Used to. A lot of people have liked you before. Some of them still do, fortunately I'm not among them. It's like…you look like Itachi and have a shittier personality, so I thought we were like…a match. There."
"…So you actually like Itachi, but since he's too good for you, you settled for me."
"Oh my god! Do you actually want me to like you!?" Naruto almost pulled his hair out.
"What? Oh God no. I was just trying to put a finger on what exactly you meant. Naruto, no offense, but you're the only guy I've ever been with in that way and wouldn't even consider doing that again with you or anyone else."
Naruto rose a brow and looked Sasuke in the eyes. "Sasuke, no offense, but the very thought of being with you in that type of way again makes me sick to the stomach and I'd consider jumping into a vat of acid before ever entertaining the idea of dating you."
"Wow. Duly noted."
Naruto huffed out a laugh and drank more Hennessy.
"…No, but for real, did you actually like Itachi and settle for me?"
"I fucking hate you."
"You didn't hate me much before it seems."
The conversation ended with Naruto almost shoving Sasuke off of the roof.
.
Itachi was expectantly tired and worn. A lot – too much had happened.
His brother went to prison first of all. Went to prison and came back with a different attitude. He was the same old Sasuke that quipped and was sarcastic and was an all around douche. But he was obviously more recluse and didn't feel like talking to anybody but only did it because he knew the family was worried about him. Then there was Itachi's other problem.
His body hurt like hell. He has put some strain on himself for the past year and he can't really remember a time he didn't feel like crap. Sore, in pain, on painkillers and still in pain. It didn't help much that taking a break from work now would be throwing himself into more problems. That brings him to another problem that was brewing even more. The fucking media.
Is your brother really a murderer? Has your family been trying to hide this all along? Why, after all this time, did the FBI reopen this case?
Are you linked somehow to the death of Danzo Shimura?
Fucking Danzo. Going around destroying lives like it was his damn day job. At this point it was. Itachi didn't have time to dwell on all those things anyway. For he still had work, and he still had to take care of his family that was falling apart at the seams, and he still has a girlfriend he needs to love on. Which he hadn't done for a while and that was disheartening.
He turned around from his position at his at home work desk and saw a sleeping Izumi. He sighed. "Izumi?" Izumi wasn't the lightest of sleepers so it was a surprise that she opens her eyes rather quickly. Blinking a couple of times and eyeing Itachi. She held in a yawn.
"You're thinking rather loudly." She muttered.
"…Sorry. I was just…yeah, thinking."
Izumi rubbed her eyes and gave him a worried look. "About?" When he didn't respond, Izumi but her lip. "I'm okay Itachi. No one hurt me physically. Mark didn't touch me after he caught me. I'm not sad, I'm happy to be back, with you." Itachi didn't look too convinced. "I need you to know that I'm perfectly fine. Okay?"
Itachi opted to glance at his laptop rather the answer so Izumi shifted on the bed, sitting on it and looking at him fiercely. "Alright? Sweetheart."
That made Itachi perk. "Since when have you called me that?" Izumi gave him a raised brow. Itachi sighed. "I know you're okay. But I can't be worried?"
Izumi smiled at him, "Of course you can be. I just don't want you constantly fretting over me. I want you happy too."
Itachi furrowed his brows. "Did I give off the impression that I wasn't happy?"
"Um. Kinda, yeah." She felt her heart pang when he worried his lip and looked away again. "Hey, it's fine, no one can be happy all the time. I love all parts of you."
He looked like he wanted to scoff, "Even the messy parts? This whole…situation we got ourselves into isn't the most flattering or welcoming."
Izumi crossed her arms over her chest and gave a defiant look. "What situation? Sasuke going to jail, me getting kidnapped, this Uchiha Secret or – "
"Everything. All of it. It makes me wonder if this isn't just a trend of problems for you. Because I can give you so much Izumi. Fancy clothes, cars, dinners, literally buy you a country. But I can't give you anything else so easily."
Izumi watched him give his little spiel and stood up, walking towards him quietly. Again, he wasn't looking at her. But when she grabbed a strand of his hair and tucked it behind his ear, he leaned into the touch. That was all it took before Izumi pulled up a stool and sat in front of him. "What can't you give me?"
"Too much."
"Elaborate."
Itachi grit his teeth. "Safety." Izumi widened her eyes, about to reassure him otherwise but he stopped her. "I can have Monsieur buy you bullet proof everything and could double on security when we go out or monitor any little movement outside of the house. But that doesn't matter. Because if people like Root – like Danzo could – " he closed his eyes. "I'm unsure of my ability to protect you."
"I don't need protection."
Itachi opened his eyes, a hint of irritation burning in them. "No, Izumi. Everyone needs protection. I do, my family does, and you do too. I'm not trying to degrade your ability to care for yourself, but you can't dodge a bullet or completely stop someone from hurting you or worse."
Izumi leaned back a bit. "Everyone you know needs protection. Before I could handle myself pretty well. That didn't change," abruptly Itachi stood. His eyes not showing small irritation but anger now.
"That's just the thing, you weren't with me before! You didn't have fans stalking you on Instagram, or paparazzi hassling you or – "
Izumi stood up too, anger suddenly swelling up in her. "What exactly are you saying? I'm only a target or people are only interested with me because I'm with you? I was a person before I started dating you Itachi!"
"You completely missed my point." Itachi settled for breathing through his nose to calm himself down, "I'm not saying any of that. You have a larger target on your back because you're with me. No one would've come after you if you weren't with me."
Izumi groaned. "And that's my fault how exactly?"
"Nobody said it was!"
"Itachi, this is asinine. You can't be angry because I'm with you and people want to hurt me because of it."
Itachi sniffed, "I most certainly can be angry about it. I can't do anything about it. This was a different circumstance sure, but I've never been…never felt so helpless in my entire life."
Izumi tapped her foot. "So what do you want me to do? Make you feel like a real boy and be the damsel in distress?"
Itachi rolled his eyes. "This conversation can happen without you insulting my masculinity."
"I only do so because it's toxic."
Itachi ran a hand through his hair. "I cannot help how I feel. Like – like us. This. It's so much easier – was so much easier when I didn't know if it would last. Now I'm stuck worrying, if you even prick your finger or get a paper cut I'll have a heart attack."
Izumi's voice rose to a point that Itachi never heard. "You think I don't feel that way too? Back in summer when you almost drowned. Or when you got shot, or when you felt like shit the whole time you were recovering and I couldn't do anything!" Tears formulated in the corner of her eyes. Usually Itachi would pause the conversation to help her feel better.
But he didn't this time around.
"And what?" She laughed bitterly, "It was easier when you didn't know we'd last? It's been almost two years now Itachi! I spend every waking moment with you and I can't think of life without you. I'm dependent on you." Izumi balled her fists, "Maybe that's the problem."
Itachi, expertly so, void of emotion in his voice answered. "What does the mean?"
"…This is…getting suffocating. We never – we can't. I just got back, we're together and we can't stand each other." Izumi took a deep breath, "We should – "
"Break up?" Itachi expected Izumi to answer a quick negative but she was silent. "Izumi. We should what?"
Izumi let out a shaky sigh, "No. I don't want to leave you, not with everything that's happened."
"…not with everything that's happened? Under different circumstances you'd break up with me?"
Izumi, yet again, didn't answer a quick negative Itachi expected. "I don't know. I…love you Itachi. But being in a relationship where the other constantly gives and gives and when I take it's almost natural isn't healthy," she frowned, "and we both know a lot about unhealthy relationships."
"I understand that. But this isn't really helping my concern with whether or not you're…safe."
Izumi gave him a weak smile. "Honestly? I don't know."
"You don't feel safe here. With me?"
Izumi bristled, "I do feel safe with you. I'm just worried about what's to come and I've never experienced media so harsh before. It's worse here because this is basically the center of it all."
Itachi took a step forward. "Izumi, sweetheart, what do you want? A break up, to move out, what?"
Izumi looked up at him with a new resolve. "A break."
"…"
"From each other. I know, I know. We just reunited but that wasn't on our terms. This will be. We're still together just not…together. Itachi I love you, but I really can't go on like this. I appreciate your concern with my wellbeing, I do. Just…grant me this Itachi."
Itachi frowned mutely. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay."
.
Shisui almost relented and let Hana drink vodka when they were still whooping about Shosuke's first word. He was also bragging that it was Dada and not any affectionate term for his mother. He has rights to bragging for years to come. The two of them were in the kitchen making a sundae and were going to even let Shosuke lick the spoon they were so happy. Until the doorbell rang and Shisui reluctantly left his family.
He opened the front door chirpy and saw an emotionally ragged Izumi. "Izumi? What are you doing here? And why do you look so…worn."
"I need a place to stay." She answered quietly.
Shisui gasped dramatically, "Oh no, Itachi finally kicked you out! The day has finally come, Hana get the liquor!" When Izumi didn't respond to his joke he rose a brow. "Um, Izumi? You in there?"
Izumi flinched. "Yeah, yeah. I'm okay. Itachi didn't kick me out. I left."
Shisui's eyes immediately darkened. "You left? The house or Itachi?" When she didn't answer Shisui assumed the worst. "You want me, Itachi's favorite cousin, to let you, Itachi's first love, crash here when he visits religiously even though you guys are post breakup?"
"We did not break up. We're…on a break."
"Who suggested that?"
"Me."
Shisui was about to drawl out something along the lines of 'why' and 'I knew you'd leave him' but Hana stepped out of the kitchen and saw the two of them. "Shisui, did you call me? Oh – Izumi, I – "
"Please Shisui. I'll be quiet when Itachi shows up, not like we're even avoiding each other. I just…can't stay any place else. I have no clue where Sakura lives and Sasuke would definitely kick me on my ass. Beside those two, you're the closest I'm with in this family."
Shisui did not think that was true. Not that Izumi was closest with him after Sasuke and Sakura, that much was correct. But that Sasuke would kick her out on her ass. She really thinks he hates her more than me does, or doesn't really. "Izumi, what are you talking about?" Hana came up from behind Shisui and Shisui didn't feel like explaining the whole problem again.
So he gave in. "Of course Izumi. Welcome to casa del Shisui."
Izumi gave him a sincere smile as he let her in. "Thank you."
On the other side of town almost, Itachi was forcibly getting used to living alone yet again.