A continuation of chapter 4(Of how Kyuubi and Itachi got together)
"When I imagined the first step of our courting process….this was not it." Said Itachi.
"So you have dreamt about it?!" If Enigmas could wag their tails. Kyuubi would be doing it right now.
"Only in my nightmares. So I take that back, this is accurate." Itachi sits on the plastic chairs in their rented space of the bowling alley.
The balls hitting the pins right loudly throughout the building. Itachi is in an Armani suit with well used bright orange rented shoes on his feet. When Kyuubi told him to dress nicely, he did as asked. Looking at Kyuubi, in his Under Armor sweat suit, he now knows it wasn't extended to himself.
"I love your jokes, Itachi. Save some for our wedding reception." Kyuubi gathers all of his hair into a high ponytail. "Go pick a ball." He tells Itachi.
Itachi looks at the family bowling next to them. "Go pick it for me." He didn't want to walk around this place more than he had to.
He was doing this for Kisame.
During the meeting, he kept being asked where Kisame was. He had to lie, saying a scenario about being with family tonight. Everyone else understood.
Naruto knew the truth.
Kyuubi smiled throughout the meeting.
"Will do."
10 minutes later, Kyuubi returns with a bottle of wine, and a green ball that fits his fingers perfectly. Itachi tells him thanks.
"I know your ring size." Kyuubi admits, pouring the wine into two paper cups.
Itachi chuckles a bit. Amused that he is drinking cheap wine out of a Pepsi designed soda cup. The ones he used to drink out of as a kid when he had time to walk the mall with his friends. "Kyuubi, you seem to know a lot about me without me speaking." He takes his first sip.
Kyuubi's signature grin drops a fraction. "I hope you don't expect me to apologize." Their names are on the monitor, Kyuubi is up first.
"You're not a man that would apologize."
Kyuubi frowns. In his seat next to Itachi, he turns inward, he swings his arm behind his chair. "I'm a family man. My mom taught me how to apologize." Using his other hand, he walked his fingers over Itachi's knee. "To those who matter."
He tells himself, Kisame is the only reason he isn't smacking the hand away. Using the cup, he hides his mouth. "You brought me to a bowling alley, so go bowl."
"Let's make a wager."
"I don't gamble."
"Because it's a losing hand?"
"No." He says. "Because you've already backed me into a corner. What more do you want?"
Kyuubi takes his hand off Itachi's knee. "Come home with me."
Itachi puts his cup down. Turning away from the bowling lane, peering into the depths of Kyuubi's eyes. He crosses his legs. "Ready to skip the courting process?" He asked. "Trying to trick me?"
They can't be alone for long periods of time in private spaces. The moment Itachi walks alone into Kyuubi's home, it's acceptance of being his mate.
"My maids there. I can call Naruto over, if you don't believe me." Kyuubi moves his face closer, wanting to mingle their breaths together.
Itachi backs away, his eyes lower in disbelief. "Show me you're a respectable man by waiting. You're confident that I'll give in, so we can wait for the day, I might accept you."
"Oh, sweetheart, I don't believe in might." Kyuubi stands up, walking to the bowling balls. "I've let your little friend go." He rolls the ball.
Itachi isn't surprised by the strike, but relief floods into his veins for Kisame.
Kyuubi walks back over, lifting his foot onto the chair he previously occupied. Using his temporary height advantage. "I will get him again, if this courting process isn't properly fulfilled. I promise you that, Itachi Uchiha." He warns.
Itachi lifts his cup. "Cheers to the day, I say no."
Kyuubi laughs, lifting his own cup. "Cheers."
Itachi wins two out of the three rounds. They talk throughout the night. Itachi learns that Kyuubi can speak six languages, offering Itachi time with him at his home in Norway. Itachi declined, saying the Uchiha have a home there as well.
He realizes that the night has gone better than he initially imagined when he's sad he has to return those shoes. Slipping his loafers back on, Kyuubi offers his home again.
"No trick." He says to Itachi. "I drove you here, and you're pretty far from home." He didn't know where Kyuubi lived. He thought they came to this bowling alley because the one closer to his home was closed on Tuesdays.
Sounds like a trick.
"Give me your hair tie." Itachi responds instead. His tie broke during the second game.
Without a second thought, Kyuubi slips it out, depositing it into Itachi's hand. Itachi takes it, gathering his black locs into a low bun.
"You look good." Kyuubi says. His red mane free across his back.
"I'll accept this as your first courting gift." He smiles.
Kyuubi frowns. "I had a meal waiting for you as a courting gift."
"I thought so." He smirks. "Otherwise, why would a maid be working at this time of night." He walks closer, curling a red loc around his finger. "There's always next time." He purrs.
Kyuubi keeps his hands to himself. "Are you ready to go home?" Kyuubi's demeanor has changed.
With one more tug, Itachi let's go.
On the drive home, Kyuubi doesn't speak. Itachi takes it as a win, choosing not to engage in conversation either.
In front of his home, Itachi begins to unbuckle his seatbelt.
"Itachi." The deep voice says. Itachi pauses. "Can I come over in the morning?"
"To my home?"
The dark sky looks good on Kyuubi's features. "Yes. There will be more than enough people to chaperone us, and I can cook you a meal since you ruined the one I had prepared for you."
Itachi tucks a loose strain behind his ear. "That is…. acceptable." He feels good. The thought of a potential mate feeding him sends a pleasant feeling down his spine.
"Also, this meal is not a courting gift." Kyuubi rested his hand on Itachi's.
Itachi doesn't acknowledge the warmth. "One of the courting gifts is a meal. That has to be one."
"Not this one. I want the meal gift to be at my house."
"Alone in the lion's den with you."
Lifting Itachi's hand to his mouth. He lays a soft kiss upon it. "Uzumakis are demons." He unlocks the car door. "You'll learn soon enough."