Chapter 8: Nerves

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters

Sasuke sat there on his bed with his face in his hands. It was late at night now and Itachi had left him, seeming quite and what Sasuke could guess, angry. As soon as the words left his mouth, Sasuke wasn't sure if he should have taken them back or regretted them. His brother after the words came out, let go of his chin, rose, and left the room without a word. Sasuke was left sitting on his bed, confused and scared. It had been hours now and still Itachi didn't return.

Night fell and had found Sasuke still sitting on his bed. His hands long stopped trembling, but his heart still beat quickly in his chest. Sighing, the boy gave up and decided it was time to change into his nightclothes and half-expected Itachi to come to the door, joining him for the night. Slipping under the covers, Sasuke watched his door but no movement came from it. Closing his eyes, Sasuke suddenly wondered what was going through his older brother's mind.

Itachi wasn't mad, really he wasn't, but he couldn't help but be hurt by Sasuke's outburst. Surely by now he proved himself in the boy's eyes; he had spilled his heart and given him every emotion. Knowing just nerves were talking, Itachi said nothing as he left, and he wondered if it was the right decision to make. He would leave Sasuke alone tonight, leave the boy in his thoughts and let him figure this out. Returning to his own room, he ignored the siren's call to return to Sasuke side. He hoped Sasuke didn't get the wrong message by him not coming to his room. Closing the door to his room, he noticed how empty it was, how devoid of life it was. Sighing, Itachi began to strip and change it to his nightclothes. He crawled under his own covers and folded his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling. Sasuke was just conflicting, and he knew that. He couldn't help but feel his heart clenching pain at the way Sasuke had just burst it out about how he felt. Itachi closed his eyes for the night, left in his own thoughts.

Sasuke, just take your time . . . There's no need to rush it.

Of course eventually Itachi had no choice but to tell his mother. The woman had done awful things but in the end, they would have no choice but to ask for her blessing in the matters of matrimony. Itachi dressed casually but elegantly as he went to go collect Sasuke. The boy had gotten up early but there were still bags under his eyes. Itachi felt a sense of guilt hit him at knowing he was the one to have put the bags there. Sasuke was probably awake half the night worrying whether his brother would come back or not. The boy didn't look him in the eye as they walked side-by-side down the hallway, and Itachi could no longer take the silence.

"I'm not mad Sasuke; you feel what you feel," Itachi told him quietly. The boy shook his head as a deep frowned clouded his beautiful face. He still didn't look up at Itachi, concentrating on his shoes as they walked down the hall.

"I shouldn't have done that, I'm sorry. You're right, just nerves probably talking. I'll be quiet from this day forwards," the younger said quietly in a mumble. Itachi growled as he stopped in the hallway and grabbed Sasuke's wrist. The boy looked up at him in both fear and confusion, and Itachi hated it. If the boy was to be his, Sasuke would look at him with adoration, not fear.

"I love you, and I want to know everything you feel. I don't blame you for having doubts, maybe I will change in the future, but it will be for the better, not for the worst. I love you, and I'll do anything it takes to hear those words come from you," The older hissed. Sasuke didn't look any better and Itachi could swear that the boy went for paler. Looking for all the world. . . Miserable. Sasuke took back his arm and held it against his chest.

"Sorry, I'm just not feeling well today," He said weakly, seeming tired. Itachi looked now in concern for the boy. It looked as if Sasuke didn't get any sleep last night because he chose to just stand up and walk away. Now the boy looked absolutely exhausted, and it was his fault.

"If you want, I'll tell mother on my own. You don't have to face her if you are not ready," Itachi said, raising a hand and gently smoothing it over the boy's cheek. Sasuke didn't react to the touch, but he looked to the side instead.

"There is no point in avoiding it, let's just get this over with," He said. Sasuke pulled aside from Itachi and started walking down the hallway again. Itachi watched him walk down the hall and away from him. Clenching his fists, he followed Sasuke to their mother's favorite study.

Itachi now stood in front of their mother as she stared almost gleefully at them. Her hands were clasped in front of her as she gazed at both of her boys.

"Wonderful! I'm pleased to see you too finally come to an agreement! My two doves, I promise you'll be very joyful together!" She gushed almost too sweetly. Sasuke flinched but otherwise said nothing. Itachi gave Sasuke a sorrowful look, and with all his heart wished this could have been a much happier occasion. Instead, he turned it into one that could only hold a frown. He had imagined something so much more different from this, a scene where he and Sasuke would be happy about telling their mother and smiling, not this.

Noticing her boy's gloomy faces, she too went from happy to frowning. She tilted her head almost in thought as she regarded her youngest.

"Sasuke, I thought you would be much happier upon agreeing to this?" She asked him. Sasuke crossed his arms and shook his head.

"Not like I had much of a choice," Sasuke replied bitterly. Itachi narrowed his eyes but otherwise remained quiet. Mikoto instead stepped forward, but Sasuke kept looking at the floor. She raised a hand and touched Sasuke's cheek, forcing him to look at her.

"Did your time with Orochimaru teach you nothing?" She seemed to say evenly.

Sasuke jolted up so fast that Itachi thought that he might have fallen over. He moved away from Mikoto as if he had been burned as he stared at her wide eyed. Itachi growled loudly and stomped forward quickly, placing himself between her and his fiancee. Itachi stared her down hatefully as he wrapped an arm around a now shaking Sasuke.

"You bitch!" Itachi hissed at her. Mikoto did nothing at the look he was giving her. Instead, she only backed up and gave him a coy smile.

"Easy my ruby, no need to be harsh. I'm only stating a fact. I'm proud of you for proposing the way you did. Furthermore, for the way you exterminated Orochimaru. There should be no ill will between us any longer, surely?" She asked.

Itachi clenched his teeth so hard that it started to hurt. Sasuke was shaking in his hold as he turned to face the boy.

"I don't believe our relationship, mother, can ever be patched. You've created a road that I can no longer travel. With or without you, I love Sasuke. And I swear. . . You perpetually hurt him like that again, you ever deceive us or trick us; I'll fucking kill you," The older male hissed at her. Sasuke didn't stop shaking as he reached up and grasped his brother's shoulders.

"Itachi, stop it, please, let's just leave, I want to be alone with you," his younger brother begged him. Itachi wasted no more time on the woman as he spun them both around toward the door. Giving her one final look of disgust, he led his brother out of the study. Her face never changed as she watched both of her boys go, but as the door closed, a small smile graced her features.

A week passed and the stiffness between the brothers only lessened by a little. Their mother had offered help with the wedding but of course Itachi had refused any contact with her whatsoever. Although Itachi wanted no contact, she was still the Queen. She would be at the wedding, but he made sure she had no part of it in its design. Sasuke had begged him when they were alone for a small ceremony. Itachi had originally planned for something a little bigger but when the boy was ready to get on his knees about it; he immediately reconsidered. Sasuke had become extremely high-strung and paranoid, and it worried Itachi. He became pale and twitchy. Itachi had planned to keep the engagement longer, but he felt a sooner wedding would be more appropriate. Often, there were times he'd wander into the boy's room to see him staring at the wall. Sasuke for the world looked lost and scared.

Three more weeks had gone by, and slowly Sasuke perked up, but not by much. He came out of his room, and though he never liked to talk about the wedding, he knew it would be soon upon them. Itachi at night would go into his room and sit with him for long hours, discussing smaller details. Very rarely did he get a smile out of Sasuke, but as soon as he mentioned certain words like, wedding, rings, or honeymoon, the boy would become silent and distant. Itachi growing tired of the quiet, made his moves on those nights. They had yet to initially couple, he was saving that for the honeymoon. They would only fool around a little, some sexual relief to get through the strenuous days by simply holding or fondling each other. It felt good to wake up in the morning next to the boy, naked and at peace. He hoped every day of their marriage would be like that. When the day of the wedding arrived, Sasuke had pulled a complete turnaround and refused to leave his room.

Itachi stood worriedly outside the room, Kakashi standing next to him. Deidara and Pain waited behind them in the hallway. Itachi chose to wear his armor for the wedding, just the chest piece with pants and boots. He had been standing outside the door now for half an hour, sending in maids and anyone else to try to coax Sasuke out of his room. Maids came out looking worried or scared, and Itachi didn't want to go in and scare the boy. He chalked it up to the boy having nerves about the day ahead.

"Should I go in there, un?" Deidara said quietly. Kakashi shook his head.

"No offense Deidara, I don't think Sasuke would appreciate that right now," He lightly told the blond. A maid came rushing out of the room, looking at them all. Her hair seemed flustered, and Itachi could only imagine the things Sasuke might have said to get her like that.

"Your highness, Prince Sasuke keeps asking for a man named Iruka, is he in the castle?" The woman asked him with a bow. Itachi's eyes were wide for a moment, and look of disturbance crossed his face.

"Why?" Itachi asked her in clear confusion. The maid shook her head and shrugged her shoulders before looking back at the floor.

"I'm sorry my prince; I have no idea. However, the young Prince seems quite distraught. I recommend finding this Iruka person right away," She advised. She bowed one last time before leaving down the hallway. Kakashi faced the prince and looked at him in confusion also.

"My prince, who is Iruka?" Kakashi asked him. Itachi bit his lower lip before looking at the silver-haired man.

"Iruka Umino was Sasuke's nursemaid when he was a baby. It's almost understandable why Sasuke would want him now, not wanting to see mother or I. . . Iruka is the only person left he trusts," Itachi mumbled on an afterthought. Deidara and Pain looked at each other before addressing the prince.

"Oh yeah, un. I remember him! It's been a while though, it's kind of strange for him to be asking for Iruka like this," The blond stated, putting a finger to his lips. His lover looked at him like he was crazy.

"Not really, the poor boy is getting married today, and he is all nerves. It's understandable that Sasuke wants another adult figure right now for comfort," Pain said. Itachi threw his hands up and interrupted their conversations.

"Enough! If Sasuke wants Iruka, then find him! He must still live in the village nearby! Get him here before the wedding tonight. I need to find out what is wrong with Sasuke and fast!" Itachi shouted at them. Deidara and Pain rushed to do as told, nearly tripping on each other down the hallway. Itachi suddenly felt guilty for yelling, but he was highly stressed. Kakashi turned to him and set a hand on his shoulder.

"Pushing Sasuke like this is not wise your highness. If the boy is having doubts or regrets, then let him think. He has been acting strange all week," The silver-haired man advised. Itachi shrugged off his hand and glared at the man.

"Mind your own business, why don't you go make yourself useful and go find Iruka!" Itachi hissed. Itachi was still sore on the subject of Sasuke choosing this man to sleep with for a period of time. It still stung him every time he looked at the man, knowing he had been with his brother. Kakashi only gave a respectful bow as he backed away from the prince.

"Of course, your highness," He replied smoothly. Itachi clenched his fists as he watched the man walk away. It took everything he had not to put the knife in the man's back. Looking one last time at Sasuke's door, he frowned in worry.

Iruka was not a hard man to find. The man still lived in the village near the castle, having moved in with his sister after Sasuke reached an age where he didn't need the man anymore. Deidara and Pain had easily explained the situation to the man, and he followed eagerly. Worry coated his features as the tan man walked down the hallway's he had once known for the first half of Sasuke's life. His features hadn't changed at all over the years that Sasuke had reached puberty. His hair was still cropped up in a chocolate brown ponytail while the scar across his nose looked as fresh as the day he got it in a training accident. He wore plain servants' clothes now compared to the days he wore a work apron and slacks. Coming up on a familiar door, he nodded to Prince Itachi before going into Sasuke's room.

He walked in to see Sasuke curled up on his bed, sitting over the edge. He looked up to the intruder, and the raven's bloodshot eyes were the most noticeable feature against his pale face. He looked worn, tired, and scared most of all. Iruka walked over with a kind smile and gently set a hand on the boy's cheek.

"You've grown so much; I'm happy," He told the other. Sasuke's face scrunched up as he quickly stood and embraced the man around the waist, burying his face into the man's chest.

"Iruka! Iruka! I...I...I'm sorry b-but . . . I needed you. I don't know who else to talk to. The maids are useless, and I can't talk to Itachi or my mother! What am I going to do? I'm getting married today! I don't know if I love him or not! I'm so confused; I'm so scared. . . I wish Itachi had never asked me to marry him!" The boy choked out in sobs, burying his face in the other man's chest deeper. Iruka gently wrapped his arms around the boy and stroked his back while making soothing noises.

"Easy now, tell me all about it," He urged the boy softly.

Sasuke went into the tail of what had happened a few weeks previous. He stuttered through the parts that embarrassed him and cried when he reached the end of his story. The older male stood silently, listened with wisdom to it all before he set a hand on Sasuke's head. The boy looked up at him; eyes lost and glossy.

"Sasuke, you're acting foolish," The man scolded. Sasuke's face scrunched up this time in anger.

"You sound like my mother! I brought you here to help me!" Sasuke accused of him. Iruka shook his head but gave the boy a gentle smile, his brown eyes shining.

"You told me yourself, you had to doubt in your heart, but you agreed to marry him Sasuke. You know Itachi better than anybody, you know his feelings are sincere. I'm not trying to convince you to say yes, I'm asking you to give it a chance," He asked the boy. Sasuke looked at the floor as if it could give him the answers he sought. Iruka smoothed back his hair as another tear fell off the boy's cheek.

"When you were little, you used to follow him around like a puppy. Growing up and having him court you is scary, isn't it? I don't know what changed your brother, but he always used to ask me how you were on the days you avoided him. Sasuke, you need to look into your heart You feel something for him, you don't know if it's love. . . However, it can become love if you try. If it's not love, then you'll always have your brother regardless," The man explained.

Sasuke's eyes drifted to the corner, and Iruka followed the movement. A headless mannequin stood there, wearing an outfit. Iruka smiled as he saw the suit Sasuke had picked out to be married in.

"Oh Sasuke, it's lovely," The man commented in a whisper. Sasuke looked away in embarrassment as the older regarded the clothing.

It was a simple white suit, lined with gold and silver. It was elegant yet simple and matched Sasuke's personality perfectly. The pants were short just above the ankles with a pair of black boots sitting at the bottom, silver buckles on the side. As a Prince, Sasuke had a sword for a symbol of title more so than battle. It hung at the suit's side, just below the vest line. The collar consisted of a neckerchief, embroidered with golden lining and soft white cotton. The vest was the most beautiful part of the outfit. The buttons were silver, carved with patterns of swirls of water. A pair of gloves sat on the shoulder of the mannequin, clean and crisp white.

"Now look at that, if you didn't love Itachi, would you have picked out such a beautiful outfit for him?" The man asked him. Sasuke blushed heavily as he released his grip from around his previous nursemaid.

"What if all of this is a mistake?" He couldn't help but ask. Iruka reached forward and gently tapped the boy on the forehead.

"Don't be afraid of mistakes, mistakes happen and can easily be rectified. This isn't a mistake Sasuke; this is the beginning of an adventure."

Iruka exited Sasuke's room looking confident and reassuring. He smiled at the Crown Prince and bowed to him.

"Now, I believe it is customary. . . The groom is not to see the bride before the ceremony, correct?" Iruka smiled. Itachi blinked in confusion until the man's words dawned on him.

"Is he all right? He's going to go through it with me?" Itachi asked anxiously, dropping his facade completely. Iruka smiled and nodded happily.

"Yes, he is still confused and scared. . . However, it will pass eventually. Give it time your highness. This is a huge step for him and you. Don't expect him to have an iron stomach, "The man advised.

Iruka led Itachi away from the door as much as the prince wanted to stay.

Inside his room, Sasuke stared at the outfit he had chosen for his wedding. He crossed his arms low over his stomach as butterflies hit him. He smiled softly as Iruka's words echoed in his mind.

"Don't be afraid of mistakes, mistakes happen and can easily be rectified. This isn't a mistake Sasuke; this is the beginning of an adventure."

Sasuke turned away from the outfit as he went to his bathroom to get ready for the day.

"I hope you're right Iruka. . . Because I seriously need this to work out. I truthfully need to see for myself how I feel about him."

It was only minutes before the wedding and Itachi was a nervous wreck, on the inside anyway. He let nothing show on the outside as he stood there now fully in his armor, waiting for the love of his life. Pain stood next to him as his best man while his lover Deidara sat in the audience. Kakashi remained off to the side and what from Itachi could tell, was making eyes at Iruka, who stood near the entrance to where Sasuke would come in. He frowned at the silver-haired man as he continued to watch every movement the other made. Upon Sasuke's request, it was a small ceremony. Purely, friends and family were here along with the priest. Their mother sat in the front row on the bride's side, dressed only in an eloquent gown of green. Her hair was done up in a ponytail as she sat. She too began to watch the entrance and waited for Sasuke's arrival. Itachi refused to look at her every time she tried to make eye contact. His heart was beating so fast he thought it might pop out of his chest plate. He felt his mouth going dry as he imagined this moment repeatedly in the past. It was a bit different than what he would've thought, but in the end, Sasuke agreed to be his.

I hope he doesn't regret anything.

Before he could worry about any longer his best man elbowed him in the side.

"Your highness, wake up! Sasuke is here!" He told the other. At the words, Itachi perked up and looked toward the entranceway. Sure enough, Sasuke stood there, looking. . .

Amazing. . .

Was the only word in Itachi's head that he could form at the moment His Sasuke stood there, looking perfect in his all-white suit. A buzz went around the room as Sasuke walked down the aisle, Iruka at his back. When Sasuke reached the altar, he unlatched the sword at his side and handed it to Iruka, who took it and stepped aside. Itachi was blind to the rest of the world as this gorgeous creature stood before him. He paid no attention to his mother who sat admiring her youngest son. If he had looked closer, he could nearly see the formation of tears in her eyes. Sasuke faced him with a reserved look as his own eyes bore down on the boy. Sasuke stepped forward, and Itachi reached out and took his hands.

"Are you sure?" Itachi asked him. The younger raven looked at the floor before his eyes went back up to Itachi.

"Honestly, I don't know. But . . . I guess I'll have to find out. I won't know unless I try," The boy mumbled the last part. Itachi stared at the boy as he felt himself squeezing Sasuke's hands. It wasn't a yes. . . Even so, it wasn't a negative answer either. . .

Instead, Itachi nodded and they both turned to face the priest. They held hands as the man opened his book.

"Dearly beloved. . . We gather here today. . . "

TBC