An exaggerated groan escaped Sasuke's throat as he rolled over. His eyes were dry, his head felt heavy and held a slight throb. It had been years since he had a hangover so it couldn't be that. When he opened his eyes he realised he was in his old bedroom, for a moment he didn't remember why he was at the manor.
As he sat up he noticed he was dressed in some of his old clothes he never bothered to remove from his old room. It was strange, he had no recollection of changing. That was another thing, why had he stayed last night?
A lightbulb went off in Sasuke's mind. 'Right, my birthday.' A quick groan followed because he knew that meant breakfast with his family.
Sasuke leaned over and rubbed the pads of his fingers over his eyes in an attempt to stave off their dryness. He tried to recount last night's events, most birthday's he tried to forget but he wanted to remember this one, Kurama was...
'Naruto!' Sasuke bolted off his bed, immediately regretting his decision as the throbbing pain in his head increased. Pushing the pain to the back of his mind he frantically looked around his room for any proof that last night wasn't a dream. There was nothing, not a single shred of evidence that Naruto had been there.
Sasuke slouched down, it was another dream. How could life be this cruel? He could still feel the heat that radiated from Naruto's large, strong body. He could still taste his soft plush lips. He could still smell his magnificent scent as he nestled his face in the nook of his neck. It was so real!
A knock sounded on the door followed by a muffled female voice. "Mr. Uchiha, your mother wanted me to inform you that your family is waiting for you so breakfast can be served."
"Tell her I'll be down in a few," Sasuke grunted. He wasn't in the mood for a large family breakfast. All he wanted to do was curl back up and dream of his blond again. At least there he could be happy.
After relieving himself, washing his hands and face he took a couple pain pills and decided to make his way downstairs. Last thing he needed was to arrive after his grandfather swapped his mimosas for scotch.
Sasuke was met with Itachi as he reached the formal dining room. "Morning little brother," Itachi greeted with an overly pleased smirk.
"Hn," Sasuke grunted with a scowl plastered on his face, he hoped the meds he took weren't expired and that they'd relive the thumping in his head soon.
Itachi gave him an inquisitive eyebrow. "I thought you'd be a little happier today."
"And why would I be happier, Itachi?" Sasuke snapped. He wasn't in the mood after waking up and coming to realise he'd been dreaming again. A perky Itachi wasn't making it any better either.
Itachi was a little taken back by his outburst. After last night his brother should be over the moon. Then it clicked, between the alcohol and the intense emotions he confronted he must not remember passing out in Naruto's lap on the floor in the sound booth last night. Or maybe he does but doesn't think it was real.
Itachi smirked. "One would think having your long lost love reveal themselves to you would remove that stick from your ass. Guess I was wrong."
Sasuke's whole demeanour changed. "What did you say?"
Itachi winked at him before he started to walk away. "Breakfast's in the garden."
Sasuke went to grab his brother by the arm but Itachi took off in a sprint through the house. Sasuke did the only thing he could do, he acted like a child and took off after him. "Itachi get back here and tell me!"
With Sasuke on his trail Itachi lets out a breathy chuckle while looking back over his shoulder. "Where's the fun in that?"
The two ran out the back and and around the side, they were closing in on the lush garden where an overly large beautiful stone and wood pergola sat. Sasuke was so focused on catching up to Itachi that he didn't pay any mind to his family that was already seated and awaiting his arrival for breakfast.
"Tell me what you know about Naruto!" Sasuke demanded, his breath was a little laboured from his impromptu cardio.
"What about me?" A deep rumbly voice asked in amusement.
Sasuke's face whipped to where the voice came from. Locking eyes with mirthful sapphires Sasuke whispers, "Naruto?"
"That's my name," The blond grinned lightly. The ravens shock was endearing.
Naruto had stayed the night after respectfully redressing Sasuke and putting him to bed once he fell asleep on him. After thinking about how Sasuke would react when he woke up he had agreed with Itachi's request to stay the night and eat breakfast with the Uchiha family in the morning. Unable to sleep, Naruto spent most of the night tinkering around the Uchiha's music room and only left briefly to bring his guitar home and get cleaned up and changed. When he returned he was greeted by Mikoto and Fugaku who were both shocked to see him. He was startled when Mikoto took him into a warm hug. For a little woman she sure gave a strong hug. Even Fugaku seemed pleased to see him when he offered his hand in an approving shake.
As the morning slowly progressed he was pleasantly surprised that the barrage of intrusive questions never came. They didn't ask about Minato and his childhood, they didn't ask about why or where he disappeared for eight years, they didn't ask anything about what happened between Sasuke and him. All they asked was why he stayed hidden from them last night and he answered truthfully. He told them how he wasn't sure he, Naruto, was ready to come face to face with Sasuke. They surprised him yet again by accepting his answer without any protest.
A few newly recognized Uchiha's began to filter down and Naruto figured they must be staying from out of town like Fugaku and Mikoto. It would seem that the Uchiha manor was mostly Itachi's these days unless there was some sort of family gathering. The first time he'd approached the massive mansion he remembered thinking why they needed so much space but after living with nine other people he had a new understanding. The Uchiha clan was huge, far larger than ten people and if they usually got the whole family together the space would definitely not go to waste. It made him realise just how short a time Sasuke and he had spent together. Face to face with Sasuke in front of a piece of the Uchiha heritage, Naruto realised there was still so much they hadn't experienced together before.
Without thinking about it, Sasuke's body moved quickly towards the blond. "You're really here?" He couldn't believe it. It wasn't a dream, Naruto was really there in front of him, it seemed surreal.
"I'm really here," Naruto nodded, his lips still pulled into the slightest smile. It seemed like it was just the two of them as they shared a moment.
Their moment couldn't last forever, Madara made sure of it. "Nice to see you finally joined us."
It was then Sasuke's worst fear came to life, Madara was sitting next to Naruto. He was so caught up in the blond he hadn't realised that Naruto had been sitting with his family for who knows how long. No good could come from this. Though when he heard Naruto's rumbly chuckle he couldn't remember what he was going to say.
Itachi walks up to him and places his hands on his shoulders. "Come little brother, take a seat."
"But..." Sasuke mumbles out looking to see that there was no available seat next to the blond.
Sasuke's dilemma was blatantly obvious to his family but they all knew better than to ask a sober-ish Madara to move, especially when he took it upon himself to sit next to the blond instead of at the head of the table. He was still their elder and much scarier when he wasn't completely inebriated. Sasuke ended up nodding dumbly before following his brother to the opposite side of the table. After all, this was all a lot to process, having Naruto here with his family was almost more dream-like than any of his actual dreams.
"Shisui, dear, can you let Sasuke sit there?" Mikoto's request came out more like a demand. Shisui had been sitting directly across from Naruto and Mikoto figured it would be the next best spot for her overwhelmed son.
Shi looks from Naruto back to Mikoto. "Do I have to? I'm still trying to process this too, you know." The man may have been sulking due to the fact that he now knew Kurama's true identity but his magazine couldn't publish the information. Sometimes being a respectful human being sucked more than realising how oblivious one was.
"Shi," Itachi warned this time, his voice dipping low as he took his seat next to Kisame. "You can see Naruto from the seat over."
"Ugh, fine," Shisui grumbled as he reluctantly pushed himself out of his chair like a grumpy child. He made no attempt to hide his huffy pout as Sasuke drifted deftly into the slightly warmed seat.
Madara looked at his pouting grandson as he took his seat nearby. "How are you so successful?
"Father, leave him be," Kagami sighed.
"What? We're all thinking it." Madara smirked as he downed his third mimosa. Twisting around he snaps his fingers at the butler for another.
The waiter looked slightly panicked so Fugaku took pity on him. "Breakfast can be served now."
The butler bowed politely. "Right away sir."
Madara turned his attention back towards the blond. "So, Naruto. What are you going to do with your new found free time?"
Breakfast was wrapping up quicker than Sasuke would have imagined. There was something about Naruto that seemed to be able to charm all the Uchiha's. Never once had Sasuke seen his grandfather give anybody an affirmative shoulder pat but he gave one to the blond. Though with last night's drunk comments he couldn't rule out that Madara was just trying to cop a feel of the well sculpted man. Sasuke may have been a little jealous.
It seemed that everyone including Izuna and Obito had struck up a conversation with Naruto while Sasuke could just sit there listening and listlessly eat his food. Now that he had time to sit and bask in Naruto's presence he could remember everything from last night right down to the kiss. But if they kissed, why was Naruto barely glancing across at him? Did he just pity him last night? Did he regret it?
Sasuke watched curiously as Naruto checked his phone while breakfast was being cleared. Naruto had already made plans to meet with Shika and Choji early in the afternoon and hadn't expected to spend his morning with the Uchiha's. Naruto stood and gave an apologetic smile as tea began to be served. "I'm sorry but unfortunately I can't stay for tea."
"Whatever it is, can't you reschedule? We were just getting to know you." Madara tried to give the blond a look that usually bends all to his will.
The blond's insides twisted slightly but he managed to keep his composure. "I'm sorry but I've been putting this off since I've been back in town. I can't push this back any further."
"But-" Madara started.
"Father, leave him alone," Mikoto cut him off in warning, giving her father in law her terrifyingly forced smile.
Madara huffed to hide his shudder as he avoided the small woman's frigidly sweet gaze. "Fine." He looked at the blond and extended his hand. "But I hope to see you again. I still want to pick your brain on a few things."
"Of course sir," Naruto returns the firm handshake without a second thought.
"Madara is fine," The elder responded with a creepy smile.
"See, I told you. A goddamn Madara whisper," Kisames whispered in his boyfriend's ear as everyone else tried to ignore just how bizarre the elders' behaviour was.
"Not now!" Itachi elbowed him away. He was more invested in his idiotic brother staying quiet all morning even after he went through the trouble of making sure the blond had breakfast with them.
Sasuke was frozen, there was too much going on. Never had his mind been so overstimulated before, but this breakfast had breached that territory. At this moment Sasuke couldn't comprehend anything else other than he didn't want the blond to go. What if he disappeared again? He had no time to think of how to stall Naruto.
Lucky for him Naruto could still read his seemingly blank expressions. "Walk me out Sasuke?"
Everyone turned their attention towards the fresh twenty five year old and all he could do was nod dumbly and stumble to his feet. So much for his Uchiha genetics. Of all times they could fail him, it had to be in front of his family. Sasuke had never felt so judged, and he'd spent his whole life being judged.
Naruto takes a quick glance around the table in an attempt to politely address everyone. "It was nice seeing and meeting all of you."
—-
The two walk casually across the Uchiha's property and through the house, both with their hands in their pockets. Neither had mustered the courage to utter the first word, but the closer they got towards the front door, the closer their bodies were magnetised towards one another. By the time they were exiting the front door their shoulders were lightly brushing against one another.
The two approached Naruto's generic silver rental and it was what caused Sasuke to break the silence. "So, this is Mr. Big shot Rockstar's car?"
Naruto rolled his eyes fondly at the raven's teasing smirk. "It's a rental okay? I'm waiting for mine to be shipped over."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night dobe." Sasuke's smirk only grew wider. If the blond was having his vehicles shipped over that meant he was going to stay right?
"Teme," Naruto scowled half heartedly. They both ended up bursting out laughing. It felt good to throw those familiar nicknames around again. Never had insults felt so good.
They both took a minute to catch their breath, for the moment it was nice to act as if they'd never been separated. Even after all this time they still just clicked.
Sasuke was more at ease then he'd been in years, he couldn't let the blond slip away again. "Naruto I-"
The blond raised his hand to cut him off, he already knew he was about to apologise again. "I know Sasuke, you've already told me."
"But I need you to know how sorry I am," Sasuke's face showed agonising sincerity as his eyes traced the scar he's sure he left behind.
Naruto sighed, he didn't have time right now for this conversation. "Listen Sasuke, I know you're sorry. You don't need to keep beating yourself up."
"Why do I feel a but coming on?" Sasuke mumbled.
"But," Naruto chuckled. "We have a lot we need to talk about and unfortunately I don't have the time right now."
"You really have to go right now?" Sasuke asked in a doleful voice. He really didn't want the blond slipping away. Had he been a psycho he'd have locked the blond up and kept him for himself.
"Yeah, I promised Shika I'd finally see Choji," a gentle smile pulled at the blond's lips as he thought of seeing his soft spoken friend again.
The mention of Nara and Akimichi piqued Sasuke's interest and made him think. "Did they know?"
"Hn?" Naruto wasn't sure what Sasuke was referring to.
"Did Nara and Akimichi know about you?" Sasuke clarified, his voice held an icy edge.
Naruto was silent for a moment but he figured he may as well rip off the band aid. "Just Shika."
Sasuke's jaw clenched. "How long?"
"I don't think we should talk about this now," Naruto warned, he knew Sasuke wasn't going to like the answer.
"Just answer the question," Sasuke demanded, though his voice was alarmingly quiet.
Shutting his eyes, Naruto answered truthfully. "The whole time."
This was too much for Sasuke to take, this whole time Nara could have put him out of his misery, or at least ease it slightly. Slightly shaking he leaned over, taking his face in his hands. "Why?"
Naruto didn't move even though his body and mind were demanding him to comfort his soulmate. "Sasuke," his name sounded like a desperate plea slipping from the blond's mouth.
Sasuke looked up and his face was nothing but that of an exhausted man. "Just tell me. Please?"
"I didn't want him to tell you," Naruto admitted before turning around to walk around to the driver's side door of his car. It was hard to look at the raven after telling him.
"You wanted me to suffer?" Sasuke's voice strained. He knew he'd deserve it, but thinking Naruto would want him to hurt was an agonising thought.
Naruto corrected him. No matter how betrayed he felt, he never wanted to intentionally hurt the raven. "No, I really didn't think you'd care. You'd just told me you never wanted to see or hear from me again." he sighed before finishing. "Besides, after everything I couldn't be here anymore, I didn't want to be found either."
Sasuke's eye clenched painfully and whispered, "I didn't mean it. I didn't mean any of it." How could he forget the terrible things he'd said to the blond. It wasn't just his actions that hurt the man, but his words too.
Naruto leaned over the roof of his car and lowered his head. This conversation was quickly getting too deep. It was things they needed to discuss, just not here, not now. "I don't think this is a conversation to start in your driveway."
Sasuke opens his eyes and stares at the blond who seemed just as misplaced as himself. He knew the blond was right, though it didn't make letting him leave at the moment any easier. "I'm afraid that once you leave I won't see you again."
Naruto lifted his head and saw nothing but trepidation in those deep galactic orbs. It tore at his insides. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise."
"Really?" Sasuke asked timidly, he wasn't ashamed that he needed the affirmation.
Naruto offered him a gentle smile as he reached into his pocket for his keys to unlock his car. "Have I ever lied to you?"
Sasuke sighed. "No. But my mind still tells me you're going to leave and disappear again."
"I'm not going anywhere, teme." Naruto hated that he couldn't ease Sasuke's mind anymore, but he simply didn't have the time right now.
"Maybe try saying that when you're not inching your way into a car," Sasuke joked but it was an obvious way of coping.
Naruto shook his head and snorted as he opened his door. "Text me."
Sasuke scowled at him like he was an idiot. "Dobe, I don't have your number!"
Naruto winked at him. "Check your phone." Then he slid into his car and closed the door. Sasuke didn't know that Naruto had hijacked his phone and added his number the night before while he was putting him to bed.
Sasuke felt his pockets in a panic only to realise he didn't have his phone with him. Without thinking he opened the passenger door and got in. "What do you mean check my phone? You can't promise me you're not going anywhere then leave like that!"
Naruto just gave him an amused look. "I put my number in your phone last night when you fell asleep."
Sasuke wanted to be embarrassed at passing out but the visual of having Naruto happy in front of him made Sasuke forget as he thought he could die of happiness right there. Naruto really had turned into a gorgeous man. He quickly shook the thoughts from his head. "Hn."
"Yeah, hn. You gonna get out now or?" Naruto's playful tone dragged out.
Sasuke bit his lip before gaining some courage. He was Sasuke Uchiha, he shouldn't need to gain courage, he should permanently exude it. "Yeah, but could I maybe...kiss you?" The last part came out in a jumbled incoherent mumble.
"What was that?" Naruto bit back his smile, he could get used to this awkward Sasuke.
Sasuke sighed heavily before looking over at the blond hopefully. "Can I kiss you?"
Naruto bit the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from throwing himself at the man. "Sasuke, we still have a lot we need to talk about."
"Oh, okay," the raven couldn't hide the hurt in his voice. Now all he could think about was that the blond must have regretted kissing him last night. "I guess I'll let you go then." Sasuke twisted to open the door.
Naruto couldn't take it. "Sasuke."
Reluctantly, Sasuke turned around, he wasn't sure he could handle being pitied right now. "Hn?"
Naruto reached his arm over and tilted Sasuke's chin up with his index and middle fingers. Without wasting any time he leaned over to place a sweet gentle kiss on those soft pale lips. Naruto pulled back to see a befuddled Sasuke. His pale face flush a pretty shade of pink, Naruto couldn't help but grace him with a soft, beautiful smile. "Now you can let me go."
Sasuke found himself smiling like a teenage girl, they had shared many kisses, but even after all this time a sweet kiss was enough to engulf his chest in a comforting warmth. "Dobe."
—-
Naruto arrived at his old favourite café. Just being in front of it brought back so many memories. It was also the first time he'd been this close to Minato's old house. Lucky for him his mind had been too clouded with thoughts of Sasuke as well as finally seeing his old friend again to dwell on it too much.
Naruto ended up being the first one there so he took the liberty of ordering a large black coffee. He was disappointed that they didn't have the danishes he used to order so he opted for a couple freshly baked cookies instead. After paying for his order he collected his items and found a booth in the back corner. The blond sipped his coffee as he tried to ignore the giggling females a few tables over.
It didn't take long until one gained the courage to come talk to him. It was something he was used to regardless of the persona he was in, but it never grew less irritating.
"Ex-excuse me?" This girl stuttered through her furious blush.
Naruto looked at her and sighed. "Yes?"
The brunette shuddered at his deep sensual voice before nervously pushing a strand of fallen bangs behind her ear. "W-well, I just wanted to give you my number. I thought maybe we c-could go out sometime?"
"What's your name?" Naruto asked flatly.
The female smiled sweetly, thinking this was going well. "Naomi."
"Well Naomi, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to respectfully decline." The blond's face remained phlegmatic. He was as nice as he could be, at this point he was surprised he didn't start snarling at every pass made at him.
A look of utter embarrassment passed over Naomi's face. "But- but-"
"Please leave, I won't ask you again," Naruto's tone held a hint of warning. All he wanted to do was wait for his old comrades in peace.
As if fate heard him, the door to the café opened and there walked in his two friends. "Holy shit."
Naruto ignored the pouting female and stood to greet the two men out of polite habit. He couldn't hide the smirk when he greeted the one he hadn't seen in years. "Choji."
Never had Naruto seen the robust man move so quickly. One moment he was gawking at him with his jaw nearly unhinged. Next, he had himself an armful of Akimichi. "Oh my god Naruto, you're like...you're like...god I don't even know. Look at you!" The rosy cheeked man pulled back and looked up at him. Choji couldn't believe how much his friend had changed.
Naruto smiled down at him as he ruffled his unruly locks. "Look at you, you grew your hair out. I hear you opened your own restaurant too."
Choji waved his hand bashfully. "Oh it's nothing special."
"Don't listen to him, It's the best barbeque place in town," Shikamaru suddenly added. He'd been hanging back watching his two friends fondly. Everything in the universe felt right again.
"It's hardly the best," Choji huffed, he was clearly still uncomfortable receiving praise.
"Don't sell yourself short, I've heard great things," Naruto gave his friend a reassuring shoulder squeeze. Shika had told him the little restaurant had even received a couple awards.
"He's right, you're doing incredible," the Nara gave a lazy smile.
With a never ending blush Choji marches off muttering something about needing a light snack. The two men chuckled before sliding into the booth.
"So?" Shikamaru asked as he stole one of the blond's cookies he'd been eagerly eyeing.
Naruto raised an eyebrow at his lazy friend but chose to say nothing about his stolen confectionery. He knew not to get in the way of Shika and his sweets. "So?"
"Troublesome," Shika mumbled with his mouth full of ooey gooey goodness. "How did Uchiha's party go?"
Naruto squinted his eyes cautiously as he took a tentative sip of his hot coffee. "Fine."
Shikamaru raised an incredulous eyebrow at the blond giant. "Fine? What the fuck does that mean?"
With fidgety fingers, Naruto spun his plate of cookies. "I uh...told him."
The Nara couldn't hide his shock as he audibly swallowed a large bite of cookie. That was something Shikamaru wasn't expecting to hear. "Well shit...How'd that go?"
"I was honestly expecting anger after basically parading myself under his nose but it was just...it was just heartbreaking." All Naruto could remember are the flashes of Sasuke begging him to look at him the night before. He didn't know if he'd ever get the image of a broken Sasuke out of his mind.
Shika's eyes widened. "You kissed him."
"What?!" Naruto's deep voice somehow managed to squawk. Leave it to his genius friend to come to that conclusion without any prompting. Luckily they were interrupted before the lazy man could press further.
"Shika, next time get your own damn tea. They looked at me like I was nuts when I ordered your Earl Grey with five sugars." Choji complained as he placed a tray down on the table and slid in next to the Nara.
Shikamaru's expression quickly switched from shocked to bored. His face wasn't exactly made to exude such extensive facial expressions anyways. "You sure it wasn't the three toasted turkey croissants and the tray of brownies that they reacted to?"
Taking no offence to his friend, Choji shook his head. "Nope, I ordered your tea first."
"Geez Shika, five sugars?!" Naruto cringed.
The Nara shrugged. "Tastes like fruity candy."
The blond gasped, he didn't bother trying to hide his disgust. "That's because you're drinking straight sugar."
Shikamaru just waved him off. "Whatever. I don't judge your bitter ass coffee."
"My coffee won't cause my teeth to rot out of my skull," Naruto snorted.
Choji took a bite out of one of his croissants and sighed dreamily. "Ah, just like old times."
Both men smirked at him before replying in tandem. "Yeah."
"So Naruto, what have you been up to?" Choji finally asked.
Naruto looked from Choji to Shika. "Have you filled him in on anything?"
"Just that you moved back to town." Shika answered as he sipped his toxic concoction. Naruto could feel his teeth hurt just by observing him.
Choji swallowed his food before speaking. "Yeah, he didn't even tell me how much you've changed."
"So nothing about Nine Tails or Kurama?" Naruto asked even though the answer was obvious. He felt no need to address his changed appearance.
Shika shook his head a little more animatedly. "No."
"What does that have to do with-"Choji' began to ask, his face suddenly morphed to shock as the pieces clicked in his mind. The robust man made a quick glance around like he was making sure no one was listening. "Holy shit that's you?!"
Smiling awkwardly, Naruto rubbed his neck sheepishly at his jolly friend.
—-
"How are you holding up?" Itachi asked once he finally found his brother sitting in his old room staring mindlessly at his phone. He had expected his brother to have headed back to his apartment as soon as their relatives shipped out.
"Hn?" Sasuke's eyes darted up, he'd been so lost in thought he hadn't noticed Itachi in the doorway.
Itachi smiled at him before striding into the room and sitting next to him. "How are you doing?"
A frown marred the younger brother brow. "I...I don't know. Happy? Sad?"
"Hn," Itachi nodded and looked away. Usually he'd wait for his brother to come to him, but with his new appreciation for life he wasn't going to let that always be the case anymore.
Sasuke's face remained pensive. "I've finally found him, but I have no idea how to begin repairing what I broke."
"Did he tell you he expects you to fix it?" Itachi asked curiously, he couldn't see the blond doing that.
"Well, no...but-" Sasuke began to mumble.
Itachi didn't let him continue. "What did he say?"
Sasuke released a heavy sigh. "He said we have a lot to talk about."
"And he's right," Itachi agreed.
"Of course he is, but that doesn't change the fact that I want to fix this," Sasuke groaned in frustration.
Itachi gave his brother a firm yet gentle look. "Don't make this all about you. Naruto has always been straight forward, if that's what he expected he'd have told you."
"I'm not making this about me," the younger brother grumbled. "Besides, how can you be sure that's not what he wants to talk about?"
Itachi gave him a "you can't be serious" look. "When has he ever expected anything of anyone?"
Sasuke dejectedly pinched the bridge of his nose, of course he knew Naruto would never expect anything. "I know, I just...I don't want to loose him again."
Itachi wished he could give his brother all the answers but this was one of the things Naruto and he would have to sort out on their own. He schemed to get the two where they are now, the rest was up to them. "You'll feel better after you two have a proper discussion."
"I hope so. I'm just worried I'll wake up and this will all just be another dream," Sasuke admitted as his eyes returned to his phone screen.
A startling jab assaulted Sasuke's forehead. "Foolish little brother."
Sasuke brought a hand up to rub his newly abused forehead while turning to scowl at his smirking brother. "What the fuck Tachi?!"
The older brother shrugged smugly. "Now you know you're not dreaming."
Removing his hand from his forehead Sasuke points an accusative finger at Itachi. "You can't just jab me in the forehead whenever you want. I'm not a little kid anymore!"
Itachi chuckled at his pouty little brother. "So testy."
Sasuke's scowl only deepened, his brother was taking this finding Naruto a little too easily. It was that moment that something occurred to the younger raven. "You knew didn't you?!"
Itachi scoffed. "Of course I knew you weren't dreaming."
Sasuke's face drew up tightly in scrutiny. "No, you knew Kurama was Naruto!"
Itachi's face remained mostly impassive as he looked down at his nails with false interest. He wasn't going to show that he didn't expect Sasuke to draw that conclusion at the moment. "So what if I did?"
"So you did know. You knew and you didn't tell me. How long?" Sasukes voice raised a little higher than he'd ever admit to anyone.
With a deep sigh Itachi twisted his body around slightly to give his brother his full attention. "Sasuke, it wasn't my business to tell you."
"How long?" Sasuke demanded. His voice stretched his words out slowly emphasizing he wasn't kidding around.
"I ran into him not long after he got back into town." Itachi sighed. Sasuke was going to find out sooner or later.
Sasuke tossed his phone aside before leaning over and groaning into his hands. "I'm such an idiot."
"Your words not mine," Itachi teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Sasuke looked up from his palms, clearly not amused by his brother's attempt at humour. "Not helping." Sasuke wasn't used to his intelligence failing him.
"If it makes you feel any better I was the only one who knew. I only knew Naruto was Kurama because of the nine tattooed across his knuckles." Itachi gave him a half grin, but he only came off looking constipated.
"Really?" Sasuke mumbled as he side eyed his brother. He didn't want to think Itachi was just trying to make him feel better.
"Yes really," Itachi chuckled. "Not even Kisame knew."
This made Sasuke feel a bit better, he knew Itachi told his unofficial brother in law everything but then he remembered what Naruto admitted to him earlier and a frown pulled at his lips. "Nara knew. He knew the whole time. All eight agonising years."
"Seriously?" Itachi was torn between being impressed and annoyed at the Nara. It was unheard of to put one over on him and his people.
"Hn," Sasuke grunted in detest.
Itachi shook his head, none of this mattered, Naruto was back, that's what Sasuke should be focusing on. "You know what, none of this mattress anymore. So are you going to sit around and mope? Or are you going to be an Uchiha and get what you want?"
It was like Sasuke was doused with a bucket of ice water. 'Right, I'm a fucking Uchiha!'
Sasuke gave Itachi a smug smirk and reached for his phone. "I'm going to get what I want."
An almost invisible smile pulled at Itachi's lips, this is how he wanted to see his brother. "And what do you want my dear little brother?"
"I want to be by that blond dobe's side for always." Sasuke's face shone with confidence as he unlocked his phone.
"That's more like it," Itachi nodded in approval.
After staring at his phone without typing for an unusually long time, Sasuke whispered sheepishly, "what do I say?"
Itachi nearly face palmed. 'So much for confidence.'