That night when we all got back to the apartments I couldn't help the smirk on my face. Fumiko and I terrorized the others so well we had to run for our lives, or in my case I hobbled. And right now Itachi glared angrily at me in the car, Fumiko, Kakashi and Iruka in the back. They were glaring at Fumiko.
I rolled my eyes and said, "It was all in a bit of fun."
Itachi said coolly, in a tone I knew meant he was madder then he was showing, "You put glasses of cold water down our shirts."
Fumiko chirped, leaning away from Kakashi which was closest to her, "At the end of the festival so no worries on looking bad."
I put in my two cents, "And it wasn't cold water, it was luke warm. Only the ice cubes were cold."
Fumiko and I chimed together, "You shouldn't have called us Dumb and Dumber."
That was what had started the cup dumping. Although my part in dumping water and ice cubes down Itachi's shirt was half because of my frustrations with my crush. Not to mention Kakashi had called us Dumb and Dumber and Iruka laughed while Itachi nodded, looking amused. Sasuke, Naruto and Naruko were spared because they left before us.
We stopped at a red light and Itachi turned his flashing red glaring eyes on me. I looked back innocently and said, "It's the weekend."
He frowned, wondering what this had to do with anything. Fumiko threw up her hands and cheered, "Sleep over make over! Itachi can be our dummy."
The light turned green and Itachi hit the gas so hard we were thrust back. I flinched when this sent piercing shots of pain on my body. I grumbled, "No, he's too grumpy."
Itachi yanked on the wheel and I gripped the seat as we were thrust to the side of the car. Feeling my temper rise slightly when this made me hurt more I said, "Oh did I hit a nerve Cranky-san?"
Itachi slammed on the brakes in his parking spit next to the apartments and growled angrily at me, "What is your problem!?"
I growled back, "My problem? Your the one throwing us around the car like a pin ball machine! And over a bit of water!"
His eyes were full on red now. Itachi wouldn't admit that it bothered and frustrated him that Ariana had been avoiding him. Now his frustrations mixed with his annoyance and was getting out of control at the prank which had gotten his expensive shirt wet. He leaned forward with a sneer, voice rising steadily "I mean what is your problem for all week! You've been acting weird! You ran us on a wild goose chase so that you could teach Iruka's class!"
I snarled, bristling angrily, "I helped Iruka, and you needed the exercise!"
His voice got louder, people in the back forgotten, "You avoid me all week after that dinner and now your acting like a pissed off elephant! What has gotten into you? Did that crash make you lose what marbles you had left?"
I felt a twinge at the insults but was now too angry to care. Yelling right back I got in his face, "I can't lose what I don't have! What's gotten into you? A little joke and suddenly it's like someone pissed in your drink! And what's wrong with me is none of your damn business!"
"Apparently a lot is wrong with you! Your acting like a stupid arrogant child!"
Feeling my eyes prickle with unshed tears at this I yelled furiously, "IT'S BETTER THEN A PRICK LIKE YOU!"
Spinning I kicked the door open and got out. Slamming the door behind me I saw Fumiko's window was open. I tossed her my keys and said blandly, "Let yourself in. I'm going for a walk."
Rubbing furiously at the tears I barely used my crutch as I stormed to the road. Calling a taxi I got in, ignoring the call of my name and ordered the driver to step on it.
0o0
The taxi driver dropped me off at a blue bike shop in a rough part of the west side of town. It was where I got my bike and took it for repairs. It was turning to evening but all the lights were on and I could hear people inside. I knocked on the door with my crutch and heard muffled yells before the door opened. A big buff black guy with small dreadlocks on his head opened the door with a shout, "What do you want!"
I snorted, "To harass you."
He then saw me and with a laugh came out to greet me, "Ariana! Long time no see! What's shakin girl?"
He looked me up and down and growled, "And who did it! Me and the boys will tear them up!"
Laughing I shook my head, "It was a couple of trucks Scrap. I don't think you should tear them up and get arrested."
His jaw dropped and a heard one of his boys yell from the shop, "Did she just say she got beat up by a couple of trucks?"
Scrap moved to let me in, "I think you should explain this to us. And what your doing here so late."
Sighing slightly I walked in and waved at the three boys inside. All big men, they ranged from white to tan to brown. The white man had bright red hair and was Tank. The tan man had no hair and was Carl. Lastly was a brown man with long black hair pulled back into a ponytail and was Cougar.
The shop was half store, with bike and such and half bike repair shop. Everyone sat in the lounge area, tinkering with something and Scrap and I joined them. I sat next to Cougar and accepted the soda handed to me, "It's kind of a long story."
Scrap shrugged, leaning back in his chair, "We got all night."
So I told them about the bike accident and then the fight with my boss, which then revealed my crush. Blushing I studied my soda and said, "I guess I kind of snapped, but I'm not sure what made him mad in the first place."
They all looked at each other, almost like they couldn't believe I didn't know why. Cougar put his arm around my shoulders and said softly, "Ariana, it's because you've avoided him. It bothers him."
Confused, I frowned with my brow furrowed. Finally I admitted, "I don't understand."
Tank set down whatever piece of bike he was working on and said, "He cares about you, yes? So when you avoid him, and he doesn't understand why, he got frustrated."
Carl nodded, twisted a wrench, "And then he doesn't know why he's frustrated so he gets angry and all he knows is because of you. So who do you think he'll take it out on?"
Realization hit me like a lightening bolt and I stared at them in disbelief, "How are you guys so smart?"
They laughed and Scrap wrinkled his nose at me, "Cuz we're married. We have to learn on the go."
Grinning I pleaded, "Please keep all I said a secret."
They promised and I heard a knock and Scrap stood, "Speak of the devil."
He opened the door and in walked his wife Kim. A solid five feet, she was slim but you could tell by the stern look and glare she wasn't someone to mess with. Her long black hair in a no nonsense braid. But she was very sweet once you got to know her and didn't piss her off.
She saw me and her smile transformed her whole face, "Ariana! It's good to see you!"
Then she saw my casts and her smile vanished, "What happened!"
Grinning I quickly told her about my bike accident and said smoothly, "And came here to see is Scrap had something like my old bike."
He winked and said, "I do. Come by when you get your casts off."
I saluted and stood, "Well I gotta get back. Thanks for everything guys."
I went over and hugged Kim, "See you later Kim."
Heading for the door I stopped when Cougar said, "No need to call a cab, i'll take you."
Not one to pass up a ride on his Harley I nodded eagerly and he followed me out. We got on his big bike and I said softly before he started it, "You don't think..."
I couldn't finish and he said encouragingly, "Apologize and let him cool down. If he's your friend he'll forgive you."
Smiling I wrapped my arms the best I could around his waist as his bike roared to life. I withheld a excited squeal as we zoomed down the road, I really liked his bike. Smooth as silk with a lions roar for an engine.
I yelled directions over the engine and he pulled up in front of my apartment. I carefully got off and leaned on my crutch as I grinned at him, "Thanks for the ride Cougar."
He held out his big hand, which engulfed mine when I held out mine, "Any time. You always helped us if we needed it, it's good for us to be able to help you."
I grinned whickidly at him, "Like getting you married. I do pat myself on the back for that."
He laughed and kicked his bike to life again, "Catch you later Wildfire!"
I waved as he roared down the road and then started the long trek up the stairs. By the time I made it to the apartment all I wanted to do was find my bed. It had been a very long day. But just as I reached for the door knob I heard a small cough to my left. Turning slowly I was surprised to see Itachi walking up.
Frowning slightly, still a bit miffed at the insults I asked coolly, "Can I help you?"
He frowned slightly before stopping next to me. He stared at me with his dark eyes and finally let loose a huge sigh, "Ariana, I was out of line. I apologize."
I stared at him in stunned silence, hardly believing my ears. I squeaked, wondering if he was a clone, "You apologize?"
My crutch suddenly slipped from my grip and I yelped as I fell and landed on my rear. Itachi hurried up, clearly worried, "Ariana?"
I looked over as he knelt beside me and poked his arm, just to be sure, "Are you feeling alright?"
He scowled and I quickly said smoothly, "Not that I'm not happy you apologized, but your Itachi."
He took a deep breath and gently took my arm and helped me to my feet, "Yes well, don't get used to it."
Smiling because he now sounded like the Itachi I knew, I said gently, "And I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to avoid you, or make you so mad at me."
He shook his head and said, "I wasn't really mad, I just didn't know why."
Gulping slightly I said, "Well, I guess I was just being silly. I'm sorry. What do you say we let bygones be bygones and move forward?"
He smiled slightly and nodded, "I"d like that."
Smiling back we both jumped as my apartment door burst open and Fumiko growled, "Ariana! Kakashi won't stop trying to jump Iruka while he's making dinner and the stove is on fire!"
Alarmed Itachi and I hurried in only to find Iruka pinned to the wall by Kakashi, who was having a grand time with the flustered teacher and not even noticing the black smoke bellowing from my stove.
Itachi grabbed the fire extinguisher and I grabbed Kakashi's jacket with a snarl, throwing him into the guest room, "KNOCK IT OFF YOU HORN DOG!"
Iruka blushed scarlet and helped Itachi with the burnt food on the stove and made sure the fire was out. Coughing I shook my head as Kakashi peeked out of the guest room, looking sheepish. Groaning as my body protested I looked at Itachi pleadingly, "Please, can I sleep over on your couch?"
Fumiko caught my arm, looking at me carefully, "Yeah, you look worn. I'll take care of these two."
Itachi nodded, looking more worried now and glared at Kakashi as Fumiko set me on a chair and ran to get me some pajamas I glared angrily at Kakashi too, "Are you trying to burn down my apartment? Bad enough it got shot up."
Iruka bowed and said fretfully, "I'm so sorry Ariana."
I smiled sweetly at him, "Oh I know it's not your fault Iruka. Horn dog on the other hand."
I grinned evilly as Fumiko handed me a bag and then matched my smile. I said in a sing song voice as Itachi helped me to my feet, "Have fun Fumiko."
She chirped, "I will!"
I snickered as I closed the door behind me and we heard shouts. Muffling my laugh I said to Itachi, "Oh she's going to let them have it. Thanks for letting me stay over while she goes nuts."
He looked back warily, "Are you sure it's ok?"
I waved him off and said, "She'll get bored and go over to Naruko's to sleep soon. But lets let her have her fun."
He raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything else as he lead me into his apartment and I smiled and the tidiness, "I see you just cleaned."
He snorted and took a blanket and pillow from the cupboard, "Are you sure you want to take the couch?"
I waved him off as I found his bathroom to change, teasing, "I'm so tired I could sleep in a graveyard. Don't worry Itachi, if I get too uncomfortable I can always join you."
He snorted but I caught the small blush on his cheek and smiled softly as I closed the door and struggled into my pajamas. Once I was done I brushed my teeth and walked out with a yawn, "Well good night Itachi."
He hmmed, sounding almost gentle as he watched me curl up on the couch and was out like a light. I barely twitched as he settled the blanket over my sleeping form and brushed some hair from my cheek before going to his own room.
0o0
The next morning I woke up groggily to Itachi grabbing his briefcase. I mumbled, "Going to work?"
He looked up and smiled slightly, "Yes, go back to sleep."
Unable to keep my eyes open I mumbled a good bye and fell back asleep. I must have been exausted because I slept through out the day until Itachi got back. Sitting up with a yawn I mumbled, "Welcome back Itachi."
He blinked, "You've been asleep all day?"
Nodding I slowly stretched and said, "Must have been tired. Have you seen Kakashi?"
Itachi smirked and set down his briefcase, "Very sully today."
Snickering I slowly used my crutch to stand and said, "Well I better make sure my place is still intact. See you later?"
He nodded and I waved slightly as I left, smiling happily now that we were back to normal. Then with a bigger grin I opened my apartment door, "Mama's home!"
