~Konoha High School Art Club~
8
How Big Brothers Be...
Sasuke and Saseme walked together in a heavy silence. He could feel her trembling hand in his, and tightened his own hold around it. He could tell she was frustrated...
And the fact that he couldn't do anything about it made him even more frustrated. Their house came into view and the two stood together at the foot of the black gate, peering through the bars at the inhabitance. It was a massive home, made of brick and a dark roof. The walk way rounded a fountain in the middle of the residence. The lights inside seemed warm and inviting...
Yet behind those walls...it was much darker than anyone would have ever thought to imagine...
XXXXX
"WELCOME HOME~" Itachi threw his arms around his two younger siblings that stepped through the door. Captured by his embrace before they could even say "we're home"
"I missed yoU~" he beamed, one could practicalyy hear the hearts in his voice. He froze as he took a step back and took them in. He did this every time. They were just so much bigger now...
His eyes raised and he let out a little squeal of delight.
"Awww...you two still hold hands~" he giggled, "It makes me so happy to see~"
Sasuke let out a little gasp and blushed as he immediately pulled his hand from his sisters, much to their older brother's disappointment.
"It smells delicious~" Saseme said sweetly which loosened another doting squeal from Itachi as he threw his arms around her and squeezed tightly.
"Cute~ Cute~ Cute~ Why! Are! You! So! CUTE!?" he giggled, flowers and hearts all around.
"There are less lights on in here than usual..." said Sasuke as he loosened his tie, his button down shirt falling loosly open as he swiped his fingers to release the top three, revealing a bit of chest as his eyes wandered around the house, "Are mother and father out?" he asked.
"Indeed they are." said Itachi as he nuzzled his sister sweetly cheek to cheek. "It's just the three of us tonight, Sasuke."
Sasuke's nose began perking up as the aroma of a full course meal tickled his nose.
"What did the cooks make tonight?" he wondered.
"The cooks?" Itachi blinked, as he released Saseme, returning to a more stoic exression. Itachi was a very doting brother, however, as a man he held a stern...intimidating look. If looks could kill...any man who dared make an unapproved pass to his sister would be a dead man...
If Sasuke didn't kill them first.
A single glare of Itachi's sent more than chills down the spine...
It could lead to nightmares for a month that would feel like a millenia...
In short... both brothers were protective of her. Itachi however, was more so protective of both...no one else mattered to him more than they did.
"No cooks today." he stated, "I sent them home...I made this meal."
Sasuke twitched as his eyes narrowed.
"What!?" Itachi shrugged.
"We have cooks for a reason, Itachi..." Sasuke muttered.
The elder brother heaved an exaggerated gasp as he clapped his hand to his chest.
"Don't you LIKE my cooking, Sasuke!?" he asked dramatically, "I made it just for you two~"
"It's not that we don't like your cooking, Itachi..." said Saseme, as she tried to salvage Itachi from Sasuke's harsh tone. She knew it was playful, but she did her best to keep the peace, "It's just that...you make a lot of it..."
"Huh..." Itachi blinked, "You think?"
"You think you DON'T!?" Sasuke's exasperated voice could be heard from the dining room, drawing Saseme to the gravity of what looked like a 10-course-gourmet-meal.
"...You two are growing!" Itachi said defensively, "You need ALL your nutrients!"
"Itachi NO ONE can eat all of this!" said Sasuke, "There's no way the three of us will be able to mae a dent in finishing this!"
"...Take some to school for lunch tomorrow!" was Itachi's arguement.
"Huh...take some to school for lunch tomorrow he says..." Sasuke muttered, "Take some to school for lunch for the next three months~" He whispered in his sister's ear and she couldn't help but giggle.
"You're exaggerating!" Itachi huffed, "Now go on you two." he smiled, "Wash up for dinner."
The twins exchanged a cheeky look to each other, and the race to the bathroom began.
"Nope!" Saseme said as she yanked her brother back by the cloth of his shirt and made a dart for the first one up the steps.
"Ahh!" he let out a yelp as he was tugged back and hurried up a few steps behnd.
"Eeeek, ITACHI~!" Saseme yelped as her brother lifted her from behind and moved her back so he could get ahead. He had one hand on the handle before Itachi's sharp tone could be heard from the bottom of the double stair way.
"HEY!" he snapped, "I saw that Sasuke- She got there first!"
"HA!
"Dammit..." Sasuke huffed as Saseme danced her way to victory into the hot steam bath.
Itachi laughed at his brother's stubborn pout as he began to set the table...only to be soon interrupted by a sudden knocking on the red hard wood door.
"Now who could that be in this time of night?" Itachi wondered as he made his way to the door and swung it open.
"Gaara?" he blinked as the brunette male stood awkwardly in the door way. He wore a smile, but it looked rather forced.
"What brings you here?" asked Itachi, "I don't recall us having made any arrangement tonight..."
"W-Well uh, I mean..." Gaara struggled a bit on how to word his explaination, "...Saseme and I are engaged right?" he stated, "So I thought perhaps I should try to make an effort to see her more...naturally?"
Itachi raised a brow. His sispcion was clear on his fce and Gaara sighed in defeat.
"...I'm sorry." he said softly, "For the record...this wasn't my idea...I was pushed into this."
"What!?" Itachi gasped.
"All right let's cut the crap!" Naruto's voice sounded from a hidden corner and he stepped in from the shadows that hid him. His long coat feathered out with the gentle breeze outside, lifting the excess ribbon of his head band along with it. Arms folded, blue eyes sharp and fierce.
"Gaara isn't here to see Sasuke." he stated, "I used him to get in-"
"And just who might you be?" Itachi asked while Gaara could only sigh and continue to apologize.
"The name's Uzumaki Naruto." said the blonde, as his blue eyes narrowed, " And I'm here to have a word with Sasuke."
Itachi's eyes slightly widened as he took in the kid before him. An all too familiar look about him.
"Did you say...Uzumaki?"
To Be Continued