Disclaimer: check chap 1
"Come in," Minato said from behind the door.
Itachi opened the door of Hokage's office and stepped in. Deidara followed him. They saw Yondaime Hokage sitting behind his desk. He was not alone. Fugaku, Mikoto, and Kushina were there as well. Minato smiled amiably at the young couple, "Glad you are here, Itachi." He glanced at the young blond, "I assume you are Itachi's soon-to-be husband, Deidara of Iwagakure. Correct?"
"It's an honor to meet you, Yondaime Hokage-sama," Deidara bowed politely.
"Likewise, I hope you enjoy your stay in Konoha." Minato smiled. He looked at the Uchiha couple and his wife before addressing Itachi and Deidara, "I just received a letter from Sandaime Tsuchikage."
Deidara gasped lightly when he saw Iwagakure's official stamp on a letter Minato showed them. Yondaime Hokage continued, "He let me know that he is on his way to Konoha with his people. Do you guys know his intention?"
The younger blond frowned, "Yes. I received a letter from him as well. He will be here in two days." He glanced at Itachi, his future parents-in-law. "Along with my father, so we don't need to go to Iwa anymore, un."
Minato nodded, "Tsuchikage give his blessing to your plan to get married and 'suggest' to accelerate your wedding in Konoha. He 'hope' it will be next week."
Kushina was surprised. She didn't foresee this. The Uchihas were silent as if they knew the meaning behind Tsuchikage's 'suggestion'. As a Kage as well, Minato is familiar with Sandaime Tsuchikage's cunning habit. Deidara closed his eyes and cursed his Kage inwardly. How greedy he was!
Deidara could see clearly the reason Tsuchikage wanted the wedding to be as soon as possible. He wanted a connection with Uchiha Clan. Not to mention Itachi's heritage was too good to pass up. He didn't want Itachi to have a second thought about marrying Deidara. Hence, he demands the wedding to be next week. Onoki must be acknowledged that the low rate of divorce in the Uchiha Clan. Once an Uchiha married, they stayed loyal to their spouse. He wanted to seal the deal.
Oh, no, he didn't think of Deidara's happiness based on that knowledge but rather the affiliation with Uchiha Clan. That was his aim. Deidara knew that. Fugaku, who has met Tsuchikage several times, knew his aim as well. Itachi didn't know Tsuchikage like Deidara did or like his father did but he saw the familiar pattern from those suitors who aimed to marry an Uchiha. Mikoto recognized the pattern as well.
"I called you two to come here to ask whether you two accept Tsuchikage's 'suggestion' about your wedding," Minato asked. "Do you want to get married next week?"
All eyes were on the younger couple. When Deidara turned his head to locked gazed with Itachi, his long hair moved so his neck was bare. One glance, four set of eyes was focused on Deidara's neck. There was a pink spot on the said neck. They were not blind nor stupid. They were young ones so they knew what that pink spot was.
A kiss mark.
Cautiously, their eyes looked at Deidara's appearance. Kushina and Mikoto noticed the small change in the obi's position. It was a different position than the time Itachi and Deidara went out of their houses. The height of the obi was slightly changed. It meant they fixed it during the festival due to some 'reason'. Meanwhile, Minato and Fugaku observed their lips were lightly bruised and redder than normal. A realization sunk in. Yet, they showed nothing on their faces regarding the realization.
"Next week is fine," Itachi replied. "I was planning to have our wedding for next month due to our Akatsuki's mission schedule. Currently, we are taking two weeks off from Akatsuki for meeting the parents. So, if the wedding is next week, we still have time off from our schedule." An affectionate smile curved on his lips as he asked, "What do you think, Deidara? Will you marry me? Next week?"
Deidara blushed hard since the moment of their recent activity flashed. He loved the way Itachi looked at him right now. It was a fond gaze, tinted with longing and lust, along with that gentle smile! It made him love Itachi even more. Deidara didn't realize he mirrored Itachi's expression when he said, "Yes."
The other two couples in this room who witnessed Itachi and Deidara were felt over the heels for each other, commented inwardly with amusement, 'Of course.'
Minato smiled and asked the Uchihas couple, "How about you two, Fugaku-san? Mikoto-san? Are you agree their wedding will be next week?"
"Yes," Fugaku nodded. Mikoto smiled, "I'm happy to have Deidara as our son-in-law sooner."
Minato nodded, "Well, it's decided then. Next week, we will have Itachi and Deidara's wedding." He looked at Deidara, "Since you are from another village. I will suggest you stay at my house during Kakuri (isolation) days. Your family will stay close to my house during their visit."
The young couple turned ashen when they heard Kakuri. It was a tradition for the soon-to-be-married couple to isolate themselves inside their houses for one week before the ceremony. They were allowed to meet friends and family but they couldn't step out of their homes. It was for the couple's protection. By staying in one safe place, they hoped to prevent any accidents like being hurt before the wedding ceremony.
It was taboo to meet their fiance during Kakuri days. Many believed the ceremony will be more special after Kakuri days because of the yearning they feel for each other during separation. In other words, Itachi and Deidara couldn't see each other for one week until their wedding. They locked their gaze filled with sadness due to the news.
After just confessing their love a few minutes earlier, now they had to be separate for one week? It was a nightmare!
Yet, they cease looking at each other when Naruto opened the door. "Dad!" He walked in. Sasuke followed his suit. Blue eyes blinked at the people inside before he focused on his father, "Dad, Gamakichi told me that we have guest to stay in our house. Is it true?"
"Yes, Naruto," Minato nodded.
Naruto asked, "Who is it?"
Minato glanced at Deidara and the young man knew his cue. "It's me, Naruto," Deidara replied. "I will stay at your house for a week."
"A week?" Naruto was confused as he looked at Deidara, "But, you are staying in Sasuke's house?"
"It's for Kakuri days," Minato smiled. "Itachi and Deidara will be getting married next week."
Both Sasuke and Naruto widened their eyes. Sasuke asked Itachi, "You're getting married next week? Didn't you say you need to go to Iwagakure before that?"
Itachi nodded, "Tsuchikage informed us that he and Deidara's father are on their way here. He gives us his blessing for our wedding and suggests we will have the wedding next week."
Deidara was sure Sasuke looked like he will faint any moment if his pale face was any indication. The Iwagakure shinobi pressed the urge to brag to Sasuke. Something along the line: HAHA I got your brother, un!
Yet, he held himself. He did say to Itachi that he will try to get along with Sasuke. Somehow, Deidara thought this news was like the worst news Sasuke ever had. Surely, it was not the worst. This little brother of Itachi should learn to share his brother. Nonetheless, Deidara should not push any button and let Sasuke process the reality of his brother getting married.
His thought about Sasuke was cut off by Naruto's question which he missed. "Come again?" Deidara didn't hear the younger blond words.
Naruto pointed his finger at Deidara's neck and repeated, "Did you get bitten by mosquitoes?
His hand reached up and felt his neck gingerly, "What?" Mosquito? No, he didn't feel any itchy sensation on his neck. Was he unaware?
Naruto illustrated, "You have pink spots on your neck."
Pink spot? Why would—Deidara widened his eyes and blushed hard. He covered his neck before snapping his head at Itachi who met his eyes with similar realization dawn in. One glance at the older couples in this room who tried to cover their chuckle made his face redden.
They know, un!
—000—
Deidara avoided eye contact during his first night in the Namikaze household. He was so embarrassed. Itachi's parents and Namikaze couple knew what Deidara and Itachi did last night. He didn't check Sasuke's expression but he was sure Naruto didn't know. He still thought it was mosquito bites. Bless the kid! His innocence hasn't been touched by Sasuke.
Based on Naruto's innocence still intact, Deidara assumed Sasuke took his time in his relationship with Naruto. To be honest, Deidara doubt that was the case. Sasuke didn't strike him as someone who will go slow with the pace. He was more open about his possessiveness over Naruto. Personally, Deidara thought Sasuke had his way with Naruto already.
On his first night sleeping in the bedroom beside Naruto's, he sat on the single bed with a sigh. He had a bath already and changed yukata to a white shirt with black short pants. Naruto came in with pillows and a light blanket. He had changed his yukata as well into a black shirt and orange shorts. Naruto put them on the bed beside Deidara. "If you need anything else, just tell me," Naruto smiled.
"Thanks, Naruto, un," Deidara nodded.
"So," Naruto sat on Deidara's other side, "I thought your wedding will be next month. How come it changes to next week?"
"Yeah, apparently, a certain greedy old man, namely Sandaime Tsuchikage, is eager to have his pupil marry an Uchiha, un," Deidara shrugged. "He couldn't even wait for us to go to Iwagakure first!"
Naruto laughed, "Wow, Itachi-nii is really something to make Tsuchikage come here personally."
"You don't say," Deidara chuckled. "I never realize his popularity is this amazing, un. I know he is popular but not to this extent."
Naruto admitted, "He is so popular! Sasuke jealous of him sometimes."
"Really? Sasuke jealous of Itachi's popularity?" Deidara didn't expect that. "They seemed "close" to me." He mimicked air quoted with his hands.
"Oh, no, not the popularity. He is more jealous in the ability department. Jutsu-wise, Itachi-nii is invincible," Naruto explained. "Sasuke is the genius one in my generation. He is the only one who becomes ANBU from us. But, he thinks he is nothing compared to Itachi-nii."
"So, he is insecure," Deidara concluded. "I didn't see that coming. I thought he has a brother complex."
"That too," Naruto laughed. "But, as a second son, he looked up to Itachi-nii. I understand that." He smiled wistfully, "Itachi is like my big brother too. Wise beyond his age. He never belittled me or Sasuke. He always protects us. He is the best big brother ever!"
Deidara felt proud to hear about Itachi's which he never knows. He was curious, "Protect you two? From what, un?"
"Well," Naruto laid his back on the bed. He looked at the ceiling, joy has left his voice, "I'm not as genius as my dad, and being Hokage's son, people have expectations of me which I'm failed to achieve. Of course, adults couldn't say it openly about their disappointment of Hokage's son but even I can pick it up from their chosen words when I was a child."
Misty blue eyes stared at Naruto with sympathy. It was understandable. Deidara was not related by blood to a Kage but his kouhai, Kurotsuchi, was Sandaime Tsuchikage's granddaughter. She faced the same expectation Naruto had. Grew up together with Kurotsuchi, Deidara knew what Naruto talked about. He even had training extra with her so she could be better and got people to shut their mouths.
"At first, I thought Itachi-nii was the same like other adults I know coz even though he is just 5 years older than me, he has been valuable shinobi since he was a child. I thought he will belittle me like them coz I'm Hokage's son with no talent but he didn't. Not once," Naruto closed his eyes. He smiled, "He is always kind to me."
"Sounds like you adore Itachi~ Did you have a crush on him back then, un?" Deidara grinned playfully.
"What?!" Naruto snapped his eyes open, shocked to the core. "No! I told you he is like a big brother to me."
"I'm not buying it," he grinned, "Tell me about how did you falling in love with Sasuke. Maybe it'll convince me, un."
"Eh?" Naruto blushed, "Sasuke?"
"Yeah, tell me about him," Deidara laid back beside Naruto as well. "You said you like him since you were small, right?"
Still blushing, Naruto considered it, "But, don't tell Sasuke what I will tell you."
"Can you imagine I talk to him amiably?" Deidara rolled his eyes. "He is a jerk. No offense."
"Good point," Naruto chuckled. "Yeah, he is a jerk. He never changes."
"Then, why do you love him?"
"To be honest, I don't know why. It's just happening," Naruto smiled at the ceiling once again. "My mother brought me to his house for a playdate and introduce us. Sasuke is always better than me and it pissed me off, you know. I can accept Itachi is excellent in anything because he is older than me. I expect him to be but Sasuke beat me in everything. And we were classmates! Well, all my classmates were better than me. But, it's just more annoying because Sasuke is handsome and had a fan club already. We were just started Ninja Academy!"
He continued, "I took him as rival and focused my effort to best him. We were fighting all the time over everything. There was no day pass without me challenging Sasuke. This keeps going during our academy time."
"When it's changed, un?"
"Hmmm… I… I think around our Genin time. I mean the first time we become Genin. Sasuke… he… protected me countless times during our mission. He even risks his life. I never thought he would do that for me. That time, I realized Sasuke is not like what I thought."
"You see him in the new light, un?" Deidara grinned, he poked Naruto's red cheek playfully. "But, you said you like since you were small? I assume it was when you two were in the academy."
Naruto chuckled, "When our friends know we are a couple they said that they knew it since back then. They said my fights with Sasuke are different than other kids' fights. Usually, Sasuke never wastes his two seconds on someone he didn't think was worth his time but he keeps fighting with me. Even after I lost each time I challenged him. Our friends said that those fights were our way to get attention from each other. And… yeah, now that I think about it, I want his attention. I want him to look at him."
"How did you realize it?" Deidara asked.
"Coz… when we become a couple, I feel like 'ah, finally!' that kind of thing, you know. I can't describe it but I'm so happy he is with me. I feel like I found a missing piece in my soul," Naruto smiled in joy at his memory.
Deidara smiled, "I know what you mean, un." He felt like that too after Itachi told him that he loved Deidara. "It's like you never know you have an incomplete part inside you and he is the missing piece you've been looking for unknowingly."
"Yeah," he nodded, "Over time, I realize that Sasuke is not a romantic type. He is not a guy who use words to convey his feeling. He is not good with words in the romance department but his action speaks louder," Naruto smiled fondly at the memory of Sasuke.
"What action did he do?" Deidara was curious. "Did he kiss you yet, un?"
Blushed, Naruto startled, "Of course, he did."
Deidara saw the chance to get the information he thought earlier about how far Sasuke and Naruto's relationship was. "Did you two do it yet?"
"Do what?"
"You know," Deidara coughed his embarrassment, "touching there?"
Naruto blinked, slightly confused, "We do holding hands and hugging like a normal couple does."
"No, I mean, down there, did he touch yours, un?"
"Why would he touch it?" Naruto replied.
Deidara bit down his gasp. He had his answer now! Sasuke never touched Naruto! Or at least, not yet. He still believed Sasuke was not the type to slow down considering how possessive he was. Deidara knew he needed to change the topic before he ruined Naruto's innocence. He didn't want to give the younger blond what people called 'the talk'. He was a virgin himself. It will awkward.
"Never mind that." He changed the topic, "When did you two become a couple?"
"I think…" Naruto didn't press Deidara's previous topic, "last year? We were separated when we were trained under different masters. He was trained by Orochimaru and I was trained by my Godfather. We just got back here last year but Sasuke being genius as he is, recruited as ANBU this spring and we rarely met," Naruto pouted.
"Because his schedule is different than yours?" Deidara guessed. Naruto nodded. Ah, so it was not like Sasuke going at a slow pace with Naruto but he didn't have enough time to do it with Naruto. At least, Deidara thought.
"How did you get together with Itachi-nii?" Naruto stared at Deidara with curiosity.
Deidara laughed at that question, "I lost a bet."
Wait, wait, now that he thinks about it, Itachi has always mastered a jutsu in one try. He was a genius in that department. If his nature was any indication, his intention to marry Deidara within one month should be predictable. Itachi always did his mission efficiently and he knew which strategy to use. If he applied that in his courting to Deidara, no wonder this wedding will be happening as soon as possible. Surprise, surprise.
"You are kidding…" Naruto was skeptical of Deidara's words.
"No," he chuckled, "I lost a bet to my friend, Hidan. My penalty from him was to ask Itachi to be my boyfriend and he accepted! Even he told me he want us to date with marriage in mind. I was so shocked, un!"
Naruto laughed, "I can't believe it!"
"I still can't believe it too but, here I am," Deidara giggled. "Considering how fast Itachi's way in mastering something, I should foresee our wedding will be sooner."
Naruto grinned, "Wicked!"
"Thank you, un," Deidara smiled. "Hey, we will be in-laws when you marry Sasuke someday, what do you think of me, un?"
"I like you," Naruto beamed, "You are fun!"
Deidara grinned, "Right back at you." He ruffled Naruto's spiky blond hair. "I don't have siblings but you are like my little brother already."
"Seconded!" Naruto exclaimed and hugged Deidara. The older blond was surprised but it was not unwelcomed. They were the only child in their respective families and sometimes they wish to have a brother or sister. Now, their wishes have come true.
Thank you for reading! Please review if you don't mind!
note: I made up Kakuri days
a.abchohan: I'm trying.
Saturnmieze: Thanks! can't wait to see your review again!