Impossible to Love You
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to the brilliant Masashi Kishimoto-sama. I am not Masashi Kishimoto-sama, unfortunately.
Warnings: Incest.
Pairing: ItaSasu
A/N: It took so long and the quality for this chapter sucks. But I still hope you guys will enjoy it and review to keep my creativity juices flowing, but it has run dry like a well in the Sahara desert. Kaira-chan15, yeah it was Itachi. Itachi loves Sasuke too much. XD I'm so glad it's one of your favourite fanfics and I hope it will continue to be! Panzy Mistress, yes it was Itachi! And no it's not the same restaurant, haha. And JaeJoong is always awesome! I like Changmin's witty remarks though. He's cool. xXxUchihaL0v3rxXx, I share my birthday with no one! I'm a 30 Dec baby. XD True DBSK is really maturing. Ah well it's inevitable. Oh I love O and Triangle too! JJ's new hair is black now right? And really short. A bit too short. Ah well but he's still cute. I think there might be a slight possibility of some continuation of GaaSasu, as you will find out later… but I still don't know yet! XP
When Sasuke returned home after a mentally satisfying activity in the nearby restaurant, his spirits were finally lifted. But his light mood plummeted to a halt the instant he entered the dining room. Only his mother reclined at her usual spot, her usually glowing face wan. She smiled at Sasuke when he joined her, but the smile remained on her lips, never quite reaching her eyes.
"Kaa-san, where's otou-san and nii-san?" Sasuke asked in hushed tones.
"They're still discussing about business. They'd be back late, so don't bother waiting for them." She replied whilst pushing her untouched food around the plate.
"…Alright." Sasuke tucked into his food, nibbling as he pondered about the possible situation over at his father's company.
Sasuke laid on his stomach, elbows resting on the soft bed as he flipped the pages of a novel, his eyes not registering a single word. His eyes flickered towards the clock. It was near midnight. He returned his gaze to the book, his breath escaping in the form of a tiny sigh.
"Why are you sighing? Reading in that position strains your eyes, otouto." A familiar bass voice played above him. Sasuke snapped straight up, his heart suddenly beating like thousands of drums thumping hard against his chest.
"Itachi! You startled me!" He accused hotly, masking his tiny thrill of delight at his brother's arrival.
"You amuse me." Itachi smirked with a raised brow and turned to leave.
"Wait!" The word flew out of Sasuke's mouth before he could even think. Itachi paused at the open doorway.
"What is it?" Itachi asked, his back facing Sasuke.
"How did your talk with otou-san go?" Sasuke asked hastily.
"I have things under control. Madara-san is coming for dinner tomorrow."
"What? You're serious? Otou-san agreed?"
"Otou-san wants to gauge his credibility." Itachi replied curtly.
Sasuke stared at the broad shoulders of his brother, who stood rooted on the ground for the briefest of a second, before he started moving again.
"Itachi!" Yet another word fell from his lips and Itachi stilled.
Sasuke didn't know what to say. His voice kept acting on its own accord, and he was, deep down inside, truly mortified. Why had he called his brother again, when he had nothing to say? Maybe it was because Sasuke had wanted him to stay, just a little longer.
Sasuke flushed as he thought of the idea, hating the warmth spreading around his cheeks. He was behaving like a little girl. If this carried on any longer Itachi would be having a sister instead of a brother. He had to stop being so needy. He was no longer a child. Just because Itachi hadn't given him sufficient attention back when he was young didn't mean that he could demand for it now to make up for their lost times.
"Well, what's up?" Itachi was facing him the moment his gaze lifted up, though he remained at the entrance.
"Er… goodnight." Sasuke finished lamely, dropping his eyes back to the tousled bed sheets.
"Goodnight." Itachi smiled gently, with an odd gleam in his obisidian eyes. He swivelled on his heel, and left the room. Sasuke closed his novel slowly, trying to decipher the bizarre look in his brother's eyes but failing.
He propped his arms behind his head and dropped backwards, his head sinking into the soft flounce of the downy pillow. His eyes remained wide and staring at the bright ceiling of light. Sleep refused to take him. He huffed out a little sigh and turned on his side.
The dimensions between him and his brother seemed to be shifting, gradually but surely. He wondered how their relationship would be like in the future. He shut his eyes and clasped his hands in a tiny prayer in hope that it would only turn for the better.
As he slowly drifted off to the realms of dreams he heard a tiny click as the red moon blanketing his closed eyes vanished into a dark abyss. He smirked to himself. He could already see into their future. And it was a hopeful one.
The next day in school was uneventful, with only the slightest brushes with a certain gloomy redhead on occasion. After his work, he rushed off again to his outlet for his recently churning emotions that he couldn't place. He had not yet noticed the two pairs of eyes, so diligently trained on his every movement, and the sleek black car that appeared wherever he was.
But he had felt their presence. Whenever somebody stared at him, he could always feel it. It felt like a long ribbon constantly snaking across his neck, raising goosebumps on his pale skin. He was familiar with this sensation. His days back in school taught him well, with all the crazy girl stalkers after him. His eyes darted around the surroundings nervously. He couldn't see any suspicious people around. He swung his head toward his back in lightning speed.
People were all walking around casually, absorbed in their own worlds of technological gadgets. A couple of girls were staring and giggling at him, but his tough glare sent them scurrying quick. It wasn't just some simple girls staring at him. The foreign presence prickling at the back of his skull signalled something darker and more menacing.
The person following him was certainly no greenhorn. He could hide himself so inconspicuously, to blend into the surrounding environment. He was no easy enemy. How on earth did he get himself into that? Sasuke almost groaned at the thought.
Though he wasn't the friendliest person on earth, he had never really made enemies either. Could it be… Orochimaru? No. It wasn't possible. Orochimaru had fled the country. Just who could it be then? Sasuke felt exposed and vulnerable. The wind got a little stronger then as it slapped Sasuke's cheeks with a cold current. Sasuke wrapped his arms around himself a little tighter and continued his way home. It was near autumn.
As he entered the iron-wrought gates, he remembered a very crucial piece of information. Uncle Madara was visiting. After so many years of estrangement from the Uchiha family, he was coming as a guest. A business guest. It sounded strange to Sasuke's ears. And he had seen Gaara and Sasuke together back at the bar. Damn that was weird. And humiliating. Sasuke flushed and trudged towards his home, entering the living room.
Madara was seated at the Victorian style couch, along with a grim Fugaku and Itachi. Two people stood behind the couch, still like marble sculptures. Sasuke shuddered mentally at the mere sight of them, though his outward appearance seemed to acknowledge them calmly, almost analytically. They looked tough, and one of them was actually a woman. The man had dyed orange hair and multiple thick piercings all around his face and wore a pair of odd contacts that created an illusion of concentric circles around his expressionless pupils, whilst the woman had heavily lined black eyes that drilled into Sasuke's. Madara stood up instantly at the sight of Sasuke, and flashed a brilliant grin.
"How nice to see you again, Sasuke-kun! Come and join us!"
Fugaku stood as well, and said stiffly, "We're discussing business here, Madara. There's no need for a child like him to be involved."
Sasuke's fists grew hard and softened in a split second, as he bowed politely at Madara.
"Oh Fugaku! Stop being so serious! We're family! Besides, it's dinnertime." Madara flashed a bright smile again as he jabbed a finger at Mikoto lingering at the doorway.
"Alright. Let's go to the dining area then." Fugaku replied morosely.
Madara put two thumbs up as he slurped the food noisily in approval.
"It's delicious! Mikoto-san, your cooking has gotten even better after all these years! Maybe I should come by more often!" Madara praised lavishly.
Mikoto coloured into a pink rose at his compliment, but instantly fought her blush down upon spotting her husband's deep frown. Sasuke looked to and fro at his family, feeling an uncomfortable tingle spreading throughout his body. He wiggled slightly to shake the tension off and stared down at his bowl of rice.
"Madara, I'm not quite sure about you extending our family business overseas…" Fugaku begun.
"You're as conservative as ever. I assure you, Itachi-kun and I have done research. The market is good. We're sure to make profits! Surely you wouldn't be so bad to deny me this chance to work with you again as a family? You're just like tou-san, bless his dead soul, but he just passed his entire inheritance to you, my younger brother and forgot about me…" Madara stuck his lower lip out childishly, whining as if he was a five-year-old who had his favourite toy taken from him.
Fugaku's face turned stonier at the mention of their dead father, his whole frame stiff like a corpse. Mikoto's large eyes flickered between the two brothers in mounting anxiety as silence lapsed. Itachi merely ate his food calmly, annoying Sasuke who stole a look at his reaction.
"You're doing very well now, Madara. I'm sure otou-san believed you could make it on your own. And yes, I do agree your proposal sounds promising, but Itachi might not yet have the ability to manage his own firm. I am still training him as you know." Fugaku finally replied in a strained voice.
"Yes I am very much well respected now, at least in this vicinity. Thanks to our dear tou-san, who had taught me that power is the most important thing in the world. And how can you behave like the dead geezer who disowned his son? Believe in Itachi-kun! He possesses great capabilities. To be running a famed music school at his age is no small feat, Fugaku." Madara pointed out between his mouthful of sashimi.
"Do not speak of our father in this way. By the way, you have never opened a music school before, I'm not sure if you would understand the operations."
"That's why I need reliable Itachi-kun. Now stop talking about business. We can always discuss it later. We're dining as a family now, aren't we?"
"We're strictly speaking, just business partners as of now. You might have forgotten the reason you were thrown out of the house for, but I never will. And if you want this dinner to proceed on in peace, get your men out of this dining room." Fugaku growled irritably.
"They're my most trusted companions! Alright, alright. I give in. Pein, Konan, you two just leave first. I'm fine on my own." Madara waved them away as they bowed politely at him before retreating.
"So, Sasuke-kun, are you doing fine with your boyfriend?" Madara flashed a brilliant smile at Sasuke innocently.
Sasuke dropped his chopsticks in sheer horror and gaped at Madara, who instantly looked guilt-stricken as he looked at the simultaneous changes in the family members' expressions. Even Itachi twitched a lip muscle at the unwitting question.
Mikoto had paled, her lily-white skin turning into pure snow. And Fugaku looked positively murderous, his eyes thunderous as his chest swelled when he took a deep breath.
Madara hastily cut in before Fugaku could speak, altering his question, "I meant girlfriend. Sorry, slip of tongue."
Fugaku calmed down instantaneously, and colour returned to Mikoto's skin. Mikoto turned to Sasuke, excitement flooding her dark eyes.
"Who is your girlfriend Sasuke? Why haven't you mentioned her before? Bring her home someday! Kaa-san would love to see her! I'm sure otou-san is anxious as well, right?" Mikoto smiled sweetly as she nudged her sullen husband at his side, who merely grunted in response.
"I broke up with her." Sasyke replied dully, his hands itching to strangle his uncle for asking such a sensitive question.
"Nonsense! You must be shy. Bring her home this Sunday! You haven't got work, so we can have dinner together!" Mikoto gushed happily.
"But kaa-san—" Sasuke started, his entire body almost leaving his chair as he lurched forward in desperation.
"No buts." Mikoto wagged a finger at him and he sank down in frustration. He shot a glare at the smirk creeping up his brother's lips. He stared at Madara in exasperation, pinning him down with his death glare whilst Madara merely shrugged in apology.
The dinner proceeded smoothly with just the slightest twang of tension in the air afterwards, and Madara left shortly after dessert. Fugaku motioned Itachi to follow him, and they left together to the family office upstairs. Mikoto broke into a wide smile again, and begun quizzing Sasuke incessantly about his girlfriend as they walked up the stairs together to their respective rooms.
Sasuke flopped down on his bed in depression. He was in deep soup. What could he do now? How was he supposed to find a girlfriend out of thin air? He could ask any of his fan-girls, but he feared the worst. No, he'd be taken advantage of. How troublesome.
Troublesome. He brightened up at the word. He had thought of a perfect candidate. All he had to do was some quick convincing. He hurriedly dialled a number and waited impatiently as the phone connected his call.
"Yes?"
"Shikamaru, you've got to help me. I'm in trouble. My family wants to see my girlfriend, and I haven't got one as you already know. Get your girlfriend to help me out."
"What? Why does your family want to see your non-existent girlfriend?"
"My stupid uncle teased me about just because he saw me and Gaara at the pub. Let's not talk about it. So do you want to help me or not?"
"I don't know if Temari would agree. She's rather peeved at your flat rejection of her brother's advances."
"Damn. Shikamaru, you've got to think of something to save my skin."
"Alright, alright. How troublesome. Hmm… I've got it. It requires some sacrifice on your part though."
"What is it?"
"You'll go out with Gaara once if she agrees to help."
"What!? No!"
"That's the only solution." Sasuke could almost hear Shikamaru shrugging over the line.
"…Alright then. Just once!"
"I can't really promise that. Temari's one hell of a woman to deal with."
"You chose her yourself. You'd better help me negotiate the best deal. I don't want to face him for too long. I'm counting on you."
"Okay. Wait for my news then." Shikamaru replied lazily and hung up.
Sasuke put down the phone and sighed. A familiar deep-throated chuckle woke him from his pensive thoughts.
"Nii-san!" His heart leapt for a second upon seeing his big brother's smile.
"You're finding help already? You must be really anxious."
"Trust you to gloat over my misfortune! Now I'll have to face my ex-girlfriend again because her sister is helping me." Sasuke growled in return.
Itachi shut the door at Sasuke's words and walked towards his bed, settling down next to him.
"You're going out with Gaara again? Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"Yes of course. I'm not some girl. I can take care of myself." Sasuke retorted.
"I know, Sasuke. But Gaara… I don't trust him. He's always touching you whenever I see you two together." Itachi muttered darkly, his feline gaze blazing like black inferno.
"He will not do it again. I can assure you that. I've already warned him." Sasuke uttered sullenly, irate at his brother's overprotective side.
Itachi nodded silently, his dark eyes gazing closely at Sasuke's face. Sasuke's face grew warm at his brother's intense gaze, and he stared down at his hands.
"What are you looking at?" He mumbled.
"We're brothers."
"What?"
"Come to think of it, you should consider Gaara. He might not be Orochimaru's accomplice. I think he's more like a mere pawn. He could be serious about you."
"And what has that got to do with us being brothers?" Sasuke huffed.
"As your brother, I have the right to think of what's best for you. You do understand me right? Everything I do is for your best interest."
"I don't! It's my life. I control it. You've no right to treat me as a puppet. First you tell me not to be near him, now you're telling me this? I won't be subject to your swings of whims and fancies. I make my own decisions, Itachi." Sasuke snarled, flaring in anger.
"Fine, I understand. I'm not forcing you. It's just my advice."
"Whatever. Go talk to your girlfriend if you have so much free time." Sasuke answered rudely.
"I already have." Itachi replied dully, staring at Sasuke's wardrobe.
"Hn." Sasuke's heart squeezed painfully tight for a second. His girlfriend came first. Sasuke whacked himself mentally. Of course she did. Whenever guys have girlfriends, they tend to forget about their families. Sasuke gripped his bed sheets tight, wrinkling them.
"I'm returning to my room. Goodnight, otouto."
"Wait."
Itachi lingered at the doorway, still as a statue.
"So how did your business meeting go?"
"It went perfectly well." Came Itachi's vague reply.
"…Alright. Goodnight." The soft closing of the oak door was the only response he received. Sasuke felt like shredding his hair strand by strand. Why was it that every one of their conversations ended in such an uncongenial manner of recent? A shrill of music sounded into his ears and he picked up his phone.
"What?" He barked snappily.
"I've gotten Temari to agree on the best term negotiated. All you've got to do is to just go out with Gaara once."
"Thanks."
"…Is there anything wrong?"
"No. I'm just tired. Bye."
"B—" Sasuke hung up the phone instantly, burrowing his face into the pillow.