Pull Me in Gently

Chapter 11

"Would you stop that annoying tapping? It's driving me nuts." Sasori snapped as Izumi absentmindedly drummed her fingers on the arm rest next to her.

"Yeah, yeah, sorry. I was zoning out."

"About what exactly? Aren't things going well for you?"

Izumi slumped a little in her chair and closed her eyes. A small smile crept its way on her face. Sasori smirked as he watched it happen.

"Well that answers my question. So, what were you thinking about?"

"Just the fact that we have our final today and that's it. The semester's over and things are going to be different."

"I see." Sasori placed his arm around the back of her chair and Izumi cracked one eye open to look at her. "So, you're afraid what is going to happen with Itachi now that you won't have school?"

Izumi nodded her head. "Yeah, I'm just afraid that everything will get weird or something. Like we'll never have any time for each other."

"Well, you're not going anywhere this summer because of the wedding and your job and Itachi will be here working. Not much will change. It'll be all right. Besides, your relationship isn't just some superficial thing. I know you both and I can see that."

"Thanks Sasori. You know, you really are a great friend. You always know what to say to make me feel better. Which, I have to be honest, is weird since your always so grumpy."

Sasori rolled his eyes but wasn't able to respond as the door next to them swung open and they were called in to dance for their final. Izumi tried to internalize what he had said but she was still nervous. Was their relationship really deep enough already that they would be okay? Izumi shook her head and took a deep breath. For now she would ignore it and finish her finals.

Izumi laid on the floor of the library where she normally studied with everyone. The sun streamed through the window and she stretched like a cat in the rays. Keiko sighed to her left as they looked at the golden ceiling above them. Itachi sat perched in one of the fluffy maroon chairs on her right with a book in his hand.

"So, your finals went okay?" Keiko moved her arms behind her head.

"Yeah, they were all right. Sasori and I got almost a perfect score for our ballroom final and for one of my major classes I got a high A. What about you?"

"Pretty good. Deidara and I got a perfect score on our Paso and did okay on the other two. We were more interested in having fun with the dance then getting the steps right. But, I did manage to do well in my other classes and I got a high A on the project that I've been working on all semester."

"I'm glad this semester is over. I felt like I never saw you. I'm glad that you won;t have a wedding to help with next year."

Izumi moved and smiled at Itachi as Keiko adjusted her arms again. "Same here. I feel like I've been such a crappy friend this year. I mean, come on, all of your good advice came from Sasori this year."

Izumi laughed at Keiko's statement and Keiko joined in. There was silence in the room after their laughter died down. Both girls just admired the ceiling in the room and kept to their own thoughts. Izumi's drifted back to her conversation with Sasori earlier. Was he really right this time?

"I can't believe that someone actually lives like this and they want to date you."

Izumi jolted out of her thoughts and playfully nudged Keiko with her arm as Keiko stuck out her tongue. "At least someone wants to date me."

"Ouch. Touche."

Itachi laughed lowly as he watched the interaction. Izumi heard him and sat up so that her back was next to his leg. He immediately reached forward and started playing with her hair.

"Ugh, you're so cute. I can't stand it. I'm gonna go see if they need any help with dinner." Keiko stood up quickly and turned down the hallway skipping a little and humming. She was definitely happy the semester was over.

It was quiet in the library with just Itachi and Izumi's breathing and the occasional page turn. Izumi watched the moving sunlight on the floor. It was the last day of finals and the Uchihas were having a big dinner for all of their friends so the house was going to be filled with food and merriment any minute but Izumi couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Talking with Sasori had eased her for the moment but it couldn't ease her worries completely. Things were going to be different and their relationship was still pretty new. He was going to be working with his dad this summer so he could be pretty busy. Izumi was going to be interning with the social work team that worked with the mayor and would be pretty busy herself.

Then again, she could just be blowing all of this out of proportion. She'd never dated much before and Itachi was an even tempered guy that she was sure wouldn't worry about nay of this. Izumi sighed and rested her head against the armrest of the chair.

Itachi noticed the change in Izumi's demeanor a few days ago but had just assumed it was stress about finals but now he was sure he knew what was bothering her. He closed his book and set it on the table in front of them.

"Come here." He reached down and pulled on Izumi's arm. She stood up and settled on Itachi's lap. He gently placed his hand on her face to ensure that she was looking at him. He could see the worry in her eyes. "I know what's going on and I assure you that you do not need to worry."

"Are you sure? Things are going to be harder now." Izumi tried to look away from Itachi's piercing gaze but he wouldn't let her.

"I'm sure. It will be difficult to find time to spend together but I intend to spend all of my free time with you. Izumi, I love you."

Izumi's heart stopped for half a second. Did she just hear him right? She had heard him say he was in love with her but he had never said those words before. Izumi looked into Itachi's eyes and saw the smile on his lips.

"I have to say, your reaction was better than any response you could have given." Izumi giggled and squeezed Itachi into a tight hug. She pulled back and smiled brightly at him.

"I love you too and I think you're right. We'll be okay and everything will work out."

"Indeed. Now, I believe we are needed in the ballroom." Izumi smiled as she kissed Itachi on the cheek and grabbed his hand.

This summer was going to be just fine. Her relationship with Itachi would be just fine. And tonight she was going to enjoy herself with her love.

A/N:

Hey Everyone! Sorry this is so late! I knew that I wanted to end this story but I was unsure how I wanted to do that. So this is what I came up with. It's short and a little lame but I think it works well all the same. So, thanks for reading! :)