Serendipity
Chapter Fourteen:
"Hey Itachi. We're over here!" Both Tamaki and Shinko happily waved at the raven haired demon the moment they spotted him.
Their bright faces were completely different compared to the sour look their male companion held. Tenma scoffed, pouted, and crossed his arms as he refused to look at the other male demon. He was so not happy about seeing Itachi again.
Despite that, Itachi approached them with a friendly smile, glad to see all of them.
For the past few days they had been sharing texts with plans to meet up. The girls really wanted to show Itachi more about cats. Although he suspected that their real motive was to meet Kitty for real. Both women had been insistent that he join them today.
It was one of Itachi's day's off and he decided he had nothing to lose. Besides, his friends all kept saying that he needed to get out more and explore on his own. He hoped this counted as doing just that.
Wondering about the address that Tamaki had provided him with, Itachi was greeted by an older kind of setting. The roads were all made of well-placed bricks, each colored similarly to a light dusting of gold. The buildings were red hard bricks contrasted beautifully by the green flora that climbed it, giving it a fairy tale like feeling.
It was almost as if time had not touched this town.
"Who is that lovely little one with you?" Tamaki asked when she spotted the kitten comfortably hanging off Itachi's shoulder. The little thing looked so at ease, if not self-satisfied, like Itachi's shoulder was its rightful place to be.
The large red eyes watched them closely, the tiny nose twitching as it regarded the new strangers, while it pressed its cheek close to Itachi's. Kitty 's tail curled around Itachi's head, almost as if pressing closer to him to feel comfort or safety.
Tamaki and Shinko smiled softly at the sight, thinking Itachi was a great owner.
"This is Kitty," Itachi said, bringing his hand up to caress the head of said kitten. Kitty's response was to press his head into Itachi's cheek, rather aggressively with a light purr, in turn eliciting a slight chuckle from Itachi.
"He's so adorable!" Shinko squealed, "Completely how you said he would be," she slowly reached her hand out before pausing. Her eyes turned to Itachi, filled with hope "Uh…could I pet him?" She asked, looking at Itachi from under her lashes and Sasuke tensed over Itachi's shoulder, claws giving a fair warning as to what the demon's answer should be.
"Uh," Itachi gave her an unsure look, taking the clear hint from Kitty's reaction. "He can be finicky so I don't know. Maybe we should wait to see if he warms up to you?" he said instead, trying his best to be polite towards her.
Sasuke silently disapproved of this, thinking once more that Itachi was so dumb for considering the feelings of others. Why couldn't the demon be a bit more possessive and selfish?
Well, damn it to hell if Itachi thought he was about to warm up to anyone that wasn't Itachi.
"Aw, okay." Shinko relented, but pouted over not being able to touch the curious kitten hanging off Itachi so adorably. Having cats of her own, she knew it was never good to touch or approach another's pet without permission.
She respected Itachi's answer and understood it.
Tamaki smiled pleasantly as she brought their attention over to her, "Alright guys, I asked you to meet me here so that I can have your help," she pulled out a map from her bag that was slung over her side, and opened it to show the circled areas, "Neko-baa said that each cat has a different temperament because they are 'possessed,'" She paused, giving Itachi a curious look, "Have you heard of 'possessed' being before, Itachi?"
"Yes, I'm familiar," Itachi responded.
Possessed beings were similar to regular beings, except that the one residing in the 'vessel' was not the original owner. It happened a lot with weaker humans, or small animals. They often faced a fate that is being possessed or death.
"Okay then we don't have to worry about you being shocked at seeing a talking cat or something," Tamaki grinned, "Just because they are possessed doesn't mean they don't have feelings and just want to live normal lives. If anything, these possessed cats should be simple to hold down and given them their shots and check-up,"
"Why would we hold them down?" Itachi asked, wondering if they could understand them why would they need to be held down.
"They're like children, stubborn and unwilling." Tamaki sighed.
Tenma groaned loudly and deliberate, "Wait, this is why you two called me out? I thought we were just going to show Itachi around the weapon shop," He shot his glare to Shinko who looked away from him.
"What….did I say that…" She laughed it off, trying her best not to look at Tenma's angry face. He continued to glare until the anger in his chest dissipated as it always did when it came to Shinko and he scowled, crossing his arms, looking away in defeat. He was going to go anyways, so what did it matter if he had been tricked.
He couldn't leave the girls alone with Itachi after all.
They hardly knew him.
"Why would you even invite Itachi to such a ridiculous thing?" he asked.
"Because Itachi has shown interest in cat care and he wanted to see how we took care of our own. He is also highly interested in all kinds of cat species. Obviously you weren't listening when he said he wanted to do his best by his Kitty!" Shinko retorted, hands on her hips as she gave Tenma a hard look.
Kitty perked up at her words, interested in anything that involved Itachi.
"Why, it's not that hard to take care of a simple cat. It isn't like Kitty is a possessed one," Tenma said and turned to eye the kitten hanging off Itachi's shoulder. The kitten's eyes flashed towards him, the red rubies for his eyes shining eerily in the daylight. When the round pupil shifted into a slit he tensed up feeling sudden fear crawling up his spine. Looking from cat to owner he couldn't help thinking maybe they were actually both strange enough to need a lesson or two.
"So what if Kitty might be a simple cat, it's still important to properly care for him!" Shinko said.
"Plus Itachi mentioned that the kitten might be cursed, so it will be great to explore that," Tamaki added.
"I never said he was cursed," Itachi muttered more to himself, but he was ignored by all three.
"Of course, of course his cat will be cursed. Damn you Itachi, you're nothing but trouble," Tenma turned his glare to the raven haired demon. Itachi simply smiled at that while the kitten on his shoulder rose with a growl, fur on end. Tenma jumped, "The hell, what's it doing!?"
Kitty hissed at him.
"Protecting his owner," Shinko said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Fuck this shit," Tenma said. Itachi probably did own a possessed cat and didn't even fucking know it. Okay, he could see why Tamaki and Shinko felt like Itachi needed their help. That didn't mean that he trusted him.
Ignoring Tenma, Tamaki pulled out cat eared headbands.
"Anyways, we are going to need these so we can blend in!" She said, handing them out. While Tenma and Shinko were familiar with the process, Itachi hesitated as he looked at the white fluffy cat ears in his hands.
Did he really have to wear them?
When he glanced up, he was met with the expectant looks of the others. Itachi sighed, and reluctantly placed the ears on his head. Shinko and Tamaki immediately fell in love with the sight. Tenma bristled with jealous anger, thinking it was unfair how good looking and perfect Itachi was.
Oh you look good, Sasuke thought as he was shocked at the sight of Itachi with kitten ears on his head. His demon was so handsome, Sasuke felt proud.
"Itachi you're so adorable," Shinko squealed with heart eyes. Tamaki nodded in agreement, finding the sight pleasant as well. Tenma glared hard, trying his best not to let them know that he thought Itachi looked pretty cute as well.
Itachi was a bit uncomfortable but thanked them.
"Let's get a move on!" Tenma hissed, turning to go on ahead without them.
Shinko and Tamaki glanced at him before turning to Itachi once more.
"Always try to speak with a Nya at the end of your sentences and don't let them see you without the ears, or they will think you're not one of them. While cats can be good allies, they don't like humans encroaching on their territory. Even if we're not enemies," Tamaki explained as they made their way into cat city.
Watching Tamaki work with the possessed cats was something else.
She was the one that administered their medication while Shinko and Tenma simply helped hold down her patients. Itachi got the hang of it fast and was able to seamlessly help out in holding some of the more rowdy ones.
They were small for the most part, but as they kept going, they grew in size.
Itachi was amazed by all the different kinds of cats he was facing. No matter the size, each cat had a regal elegance about them, and even a delicacy that was unlike any other creature.
At one point Kitty had climbed off Itachi's shoulder and ventured a bit on his own.
Itachi had watched in amusement as his kitten approached cats his size, only for worry to fill him the next second when they got into a scuffle and he had to pull Kitty away from ripping his claws into the other cats.
He was starting to suspect that Kitty had a mean streak about him.
The growling kitten in his arm flicked its tail back and forth impatiently while imperiously looking down at the other hissing cats. The growling and yowling that followed led Itachi to believe that they were having some form of cat argument between them.
"Kitty has an attitude about him," Tamaki said as she accessed the situation. She leaned in towards Kitty, giving him a once over. Red eyes flickered over to her, pupils in slits with the anger reflecting off those large orbs. "So young too," She giggled.
Kitty hissed at her.
"Is that even normal behavior for a young cat?" Tenma asked, looking at the kitten in Itachi's arms warily. There really was something off about that cat, but he couldn't quite place it. It was a little demon though, that was for sure.
"Well judging by what he has gone through, I can say he might have a hard time trusting others. So in a way, it's normal but it shouldn't be," Tamaki said. "No worries though Itachi, a little socializing and time and Kitty should learn that he doesn't need to be so defensive."
"What has he gone through?" Tenma asked.
"He's nearly died several times. I found him half dead the first time so I'm not sure what happened then but he was also assaulted by a rat demon and according to my neighbor, bat demons," Itachi said.
"Why are demons after him?" Tenma couldn't see anything special about the kitten that they might want.
"That's what I am trying to figure out," Itachi said, giving Kitty a concerned look. The kitten had stopped growling and was looking up at Itachi with curiosity.
"Sadly, it's not uncommon for some humans to try and sacrifice animals for their so called rituals. It truly sounds like something that might have been done to Kitty." Tamaki said, "Sadly, animals don't speak so they can't tell us everything that they have gone through,"
"It's a good thing that you found him and were able to save him Itachi," Shinko added.
"I feel like I haven't protected him well though," Itachi sadly admitted.
"Hey things happen, at least you've been there to save him," Tamaki said, trying to cheer him up.
Not all the time, not how Itachi would like to be there to just prevent it all from happening.
"Why don't we go get some lunch, we've been working so hard. We deserve a break," Shinko suggested when she saw that Itachi wasn't looking too happy with what was being said.
"That's a good idea," Tamaki chimed in. "Neko-baa will be happy for us to join her,"
Neko-baa turned out to be an elderly lady with thick gray hair, wrinkles all over, yet had a knowing look when she spared you a glance. Her hair was so much like a young lions main and the black ears on top of her head added to that curiosity.
They looked real to some extent, almost as if they were ready to move.
Itachi could feel her judging him. Not that she was looking at him, but her eyes were contemplating and locked on Kitty.
No, there was no doubt, he was being judged.
Kitty was on her table, eating right out of the plate that should be Itachi's meal, shamelessly. He bet they thought he was rude, with no regard to what the others thought for allowing such behavior.
Of course, the kitten would have no idea that what he was doing was essentially rude, Itachi hadn't taught him that this was something not allowed. Because he was an animal that should be eating pet food on a bowl placed on the floor.
Yet Itachi couldn't bring himself to stop the ravenous Kitty from filling his belly as he pleased. Itachi couldn't bring himself to stop the kitten from doing as he pleased. All he wanted was for him to be happy and if that meant eating his food on the table, then he would allow it.
But with everyone here, Itachi was feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the situation.
"Your kitten is quite curious," She sudden said, shifting back as she reached for a smoking pipe. She placed the tip onto the side of her mouth, her eyes now on Itachi.
The raven blinked when he saw that she was giving him a curious look.
"He's something," Itachi managed to say.
She chuckle, looking almost a little too happy with the situation. "Would you like me to take such a troublesome kitten from you?" she asked. She wanted the kitten so badly. There was something about it that made it seem so special.
The kitten hissed in response, making her blink at the reaction.
"I'm sorry, I wish to keep him. Trouble making antics and all," Itachi said, placing a gentle hand over Kitty's head to calm him.
That was the right thing to say, it seemed, as Neko-baa's sparkled with approval in Itachi's direction.
"I'm glad you wish to keep him. Why don't you tell me how you came to acquire him?" she asked, ready to hear the story.
"I found him nearly dead by a large trash can at some diner parking lot," Itachi explained, making it simple. He wasn't sure how many times he had told the story already. "Since then I've had to rescue him from one danger or the other, always threatening his life,"
"Have you figured out what nor who originally tried to kill him?" Neko-baa asked with concern.
"I tried to find a lead, but all I found was that…" Itachi hesitated as he picked Kitty into his arms. Itachi looked at the purring kitty as he licked his lips and blinked at him curiously, almost too innocent. "All I found was his mother and siblings… dead." He said.
There was no reaction from the kitten at his words, only a slow purring and wide trusting eyes directed at him. Itachi pulled him down towards his chest, petting the soft furry back, allowing the kitten to melt into him.
Hidden against Itachi's chest, Sasuke let sadness flash on his face. He knew already that his family had met tragedy, but it was still hard to hear it. He melted against Itachi, seeking comfort from what was essentially all he had left.
"Who could ever do such a cruel thing to poor innocent kittens, it makes me so mad!" Tamaki slammed her fist onto the table. She had heard the story from Itachi already, but no matter how much she heard it, it unsettled her.
"The cruelty that others have to the weak is something that will take time to change. Instead of helping each other we destroy, and it's all nature. It's getting rid of what we essentially think isn't important, but the world isn't all black and white like that," Neko-baa said as she placed her pipe away. "Itachi, would you allow me to perform a cleansing for you and Kitty?" she asked, her eyes pleading him. "I would like to sever any past ties that might cause him to have bad luck, and I'd like to form a bond that links you two for a more harmonious relationship,"
"A cleansing is that…" Itachi turned to Shinko when she placed a gentle hand on his.
"It's not pretend or something that was made up Itachi, trust us," Shinko smiled softly, "I know that many, not only humans practice it and many don't believe in it, but it's a real practice, and it does help."
Itachi was unsure, but decided to follow their lead on this. He'd do anything that would ensure not only Kitty's safety, but his wellbeing as well.
After they had finished their meal, they all settled into the living room. Neko-baa had smoky incense covering her as she lit several candles, while Tamaki placed several crystals around her. Shinko and Tenma quietly sat back, simply watching the proceedings.
Itachi was nervous and on edge.
He'd only ever heard of people spiritually practicing cleansings, or magic through different mediums. Most of it was classified as harmless practices people did to make themselves and others feel better. It only came to his attention when it was used maliciously in order to curse or perform harm to others.
Like everything, this kind of practice had its good and bad points, depending on the intentions behind the person performing them.
Nothing was inherently evil about it. At the end of the day it was just human belief and what they accepted in their life based on it.
He was sure that there was no ill intent behind Neko-baa and her nurturing nature as she walked close to him and kneeled, done having placed several stones around him and Kitty. Kitty blinked his large red eyes when a clear crystal was waved in front of his face.
She hummed softly before closing her eyes, placing the crystal down before waving her hands around. She didn't say any words, and for the most part kept silent.
Itachi glanced down at Kitty, to see that not only was he calm but transfixed by the movements of her hands. Slowly the kitten melted over Itachi's lap, relaxed and liquid. After what felt like hours, Neko-baa gently placed her hand over the kitten's head and smiled.
She ran her fingers over the furry head, making the kitten purr. That was when her serious face mellowed out and she finally graced a smile on her lips. Itachi felt a heaviness lift from his chest, and relief fill him in a way he had never felt before.
The feeling was strange, but he didn't think much on it as Neko-baa reached for a particular stone. She did something with it, like performing some sort of spell or whatever, Itachi wasn't sure. He could have sworn that the stone glowed a peculiar reddish purple, it was just a second, but there was no way that to know.
He thought it had to be his eyes playing tricks on him, and even that was a hard thing to believe. Itachi relied most on his eyes, to show him truth and reality, so was strange to feel uncertain about something.
Finally she smoked the small stone, and encased it in a strange sphere, with a jump ring that she latched onto a black soft collar. She then held it out, open palm up, and looked straight at Itachi, expectantly. Itachi blinked, but understood what he had to do.
He reached for the collar, grabbing it gingerly into his own hands.
Neko-baa pressed her wrinkle hands onto her knees as she sat back. She was looking happy and satisfied with the ritual she had just performed.
"Place that collar on him and it should be able to form a bond between you," Neko-baa said once she noticed that Itachi was carefully inspecting the collar. "Don't worry yourself, nothing bad will happen."
"What do you mean by bond?" Itachi asked, looking up at the elderly woman.
She hummed softly, looking like she was thinking before she said anything. "It's nothing invasive. At most you'll just be able to feel his wellbeing. That he is doing well, or if there is ever something wrong with his health. Cats can't speak and are good at hiding when they are ill, this will help you understand when he needs you."
Itachi looked at the collar skeptically, but didn't think too hard on it.
He placed the collar on Kitty, gently clasping it locked. He felt a small shiver go down his being that he ignored in favor to ensure that the collar didn't impeded kitty from breathing or caused him discomfort.
When the kitty simply rolled over, snatching his hand to nip at his fingers, Itachi relaxed and smiled at the adorable sight.
Itachi turned to Neko-baa, politely bowing his head to her, "Thank you for taking the time to ensure Kitty's safety,"
"It was my pleasure, Itachi. You and Kitty are always welcome to come and visit, I'd love to ensure that he remains safe." Neko-baa said.
With that, the sessions ended.
Tamaki helped her grandmother get back to her usual seat and cleaned up her ritual set up. Meanwhile Itachi, Shinko, and Tenma had moved outside to get some fresh air and talk before Itachi had to go.
"It's so nice that you care so much about Kitty, Itachi. Not a lot of people would go out of their way to just care for a stray cat." Shinko said, her arms crossed behind her back as she peered at the kitten hanging off Itachi's shoulder.
Tenma crossed his arms, looking perturbed but softened. He could see now that Itachi wasn't a bad person. He hadn't said anything about their strange practices and instead indulged them by allowing their performance.
He could say that Itachi was a good guy, but for now he would only think it, and not say it out loud.
"I don't know I just couldn't stand the idea of letting him die. I…wanted to save him," Itachi said making Shinko grin.
"You're so awesome Itachi," Shinko gushed.
Tenma bristled with jealousy. "He's not that great, he just did the right thing!"
Shinko pushed him away, "Don't listen to him, he doesn't know what he is saying," She quickly said, offering Itachi another of her best smiles.
Itachi smiled back, "Thank you for doing this for me," he said. Itachi was sure that he got lucky when he met her and Tamaki. His other friends couldn't understand, although they had been supportive of him having a pet. They didn't understand that this was new and odd to him, something that he couldn't understand.
He still had questions, as to why Kitty would feel so important to him, but at least he was happy to know that he wasn't alone in this world of caring for a pet.
"You know Itachi its okay that you think of Kitty as if he were your child. You are taking care of him and animals are able to feel and think," Shinko started. "Loving him and caring for him is normal and don't ever let anyone else tell you otherwise,"
Itachi watched her with slight disbelief. It was like she knew what he had been thinking. He nodded his head. "Thank you Shinko,"
"No problem Itachi," She said and then asked, "What do you plan to do for the rest of the day?"
"I'm probably just going to hang out at home," Itachi said. He wasn't sure yet if his friends would drag him out to somewhere, He knew that they were already planning a few more things for him to meet new people.
He was not looking forward to it.
"Is that all you ever do, just chill at home?" Tenma asked, not for a second believing that someone like Itachi was a homebody.
"Yeah, that or go to work," Itachi said.
"Come to think of it, what do you do?" Shinko asked.
"I work for Akatsuki," Itachi said. That usually did for people to know that he did investigative work and infiltration, much like an officer of the law would do.
"Oh," Shinko and Tenma both gave him wide eyed looks.
"Is everything okay?" Itachi asked, noting how they paled at the mention of his career.
"Oh no, everything is okay!" Shinko covered with a smile, but Itachi could tell that something was bothering her. "Akatsuki huh, I would have never thought that you'd work in such a place," She shifted, tensing when she heard a small gasp.
Stepping out of the house was Tamaki, now looking wide eyed and nervous where she stood.
"Ah, well it was fun hanging out with you Itachi. Hopefully we can do this again!" Shinko tugged on Tenma, pulling him towards the frozen Tamaki. Tenma nodded his head, pulling a strained smile on his face as Shinko shoved Tamaki back inside. "See you around Itachi!" she said, closing the door.
Itachi was left confused, standing outside of Neko-baa's home. He shrugged off the weirdness and moved to leave, unknown to him that he was being watched.
"So, where did Itachi take you?" Chiyo asked as she poured some tea.
She had set up a small round and intricate table outside that she and Sasuke had gone out to pick out, along with it two small doll like seats that allowed them to sit and have tea together.
Sasuke kicked his legs back and forth as he watched her add a splash of milk into his tea. He was dressed in a long sleeved black shirt and some blue jean shorts that cut off at the knees. His feet were covered in black socks while his shoes had been left to the side.
When Itachi and Kisame had the apartment landlord upgrade the security system, Sasuke had already moved his clothes and belongings into one of Chiyo's closets. If he shifted, he made sure it was either in Itachi's bedroom if he was staying in, or in Chiyo's home before leaving to go anywhere.
He didn't want to get caught leaving the apartment, seeing as Kisame checked things daily.
With that, Orochimaru had also stopped coming to try and break into the apartment.
In a way, it was nice since it made things peaceful. On the other, it was annoying because he had to be careful where he shifted.
"We went to some place with a lot of cats and we met an old lady named Neko-baa," Sasuke said, his cheeks tinting a bit pink as he reached his fingers around his neck. There is where the collar Itachi had placed on him sat, untouched.
Sasuke couldn't explain the warmth that spread to him at the feel of it. It was like Itachi was there with him and it made him happy.
"Looks like Itachi collared you. he's very assertive isn't he." Chiyo jokingly said after a while of contemplating the sight of Sasuke's collar. She had been eyeing it ever since she first saw it when Itachi returned and she had greeted him. "Such a possessive demon that he'd make sure everyone knows who owns you," she smirked.
She was sure that it wasn't the intention Itachi had when he placed a collar of ownership on Sasuke, but as she looked at it, she couldn't help but sense how it was just that, ownership to this sweet little, clueless kitten.
"Neko-baa said that it was meant to bond us, like he will know when I am safe or not," Sasuke innocently pouted at her, that little glare was nothing but adorableness on his face. The tone of his voice nothing but happiness as he explained what the collar on his neck meant.
"You know you could just tell Itachi who you are so that you can communicate to him when you are safe or not," Chiyo pointed out.
Sasuke scoffed, avoiding eye contact now. He was clearly not ready to come clean to Itachi any time soon.
She let out a breath of amusement, closing her eyes to enjoy her tea.
Most of her objective was to get Sasuke to confess to Itachi that he wasn't just a pet. She would have already said something if she was a lesser woman and didn't keep her word. Besides, it would be better if he told Itachi himself. It would mean a lot more if Sasuke was the one to be honest with Itachi, and hopefully things worked out.
Her eyes turned back to the collar, noting how the sphere held a purplish shifting reddish stone safely inside. Ownership or not, it was a sign of Itachi's care and protection for something she was sure he didn't understand. Chiyo suspected it the first time she saw Itachi and Sasuke interact, but there was no doubt left in her head.
There was something tying these two together, and while she believed it was that they were soulmates, she couldn't say for sure.
Sasuke was still a child, despite the fact that he was rapidly aging and soon would be old enough so she'd be able to tell better, but it was strange. She shouldn't be able to see that there was something between Itachi and Sasuke while he was still nothing but a child.
Was it the difference in that Sasuke wasn't just a demon, but more than just that?
No, that wouldn't really matter, creature or demon they were both supernatural.
Could it be the fact that Sasuke had been pushed at death's door that called for Itachi to protect him?
If so, it was interesting how survival could worked. What fragility…
While she wasn't bothered by the age difference, or the fact that Sasuke aged differently. That was not something that as demons or the supernatural controlled, it just was. Age at the end became something moot, when you lived for so long.
What did bothered her was this simmering and growing synergy between Itachi and Sasuke. It was warm and wholesome, pure even but she feared that it might get tainted. That it might break.
Again, Sasuke was still just a child at this point.
There were still a few years for him to hit full maturity, despite his fast aging, but even those years were too short, two, maybe three tops. For a child who had been robbed of his parents and a full life experience, would it be wise to say that he would be well off to face such a fate.
This is why she felt that she needed to get involved.
It would be up to her to teach him and broaden his world. Sasuke shouldn't have to solely be forced to rely on his soulmate. He needed to grow and learn before that.
She watched the way Sasuke sipped at his tea, savoring the flavor. It was obvious that he wasn't completely fond of it, but he didn't hate it. He took several tentative sips before turning his attention to the tea cake. He didn't like it, if the face he made was anything to go by.
"Why don't we get you enrolled into a school," She suddenly said, the change of topic catching Sasuke's attention.
"What is school?" Sasuke asked.
"It's where children your age go and learn all kinds of things. Especially to read and write." Chiyo explained.
"I already know how to read and write, Itachi taught me!" Sasuke confidently said.
"Really now, how did he do that?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He…he reads to me and I've seen him write reports and stuff," Sasuke stuttered, looking once more away.
Chiyo chuckled.
Of course Sasuke would learn a few things by observing his surroundings, but "That's not enough," She said. Sasuke frowned, looking reluctant to try anything else. "I will help you get into a school. Our story will be that you are my grandson. Everything will be okay, you shall see," She said, taking a sip of her tea.
"I don't want to go to school." Sasuke grumbled.
"It's for the best Sasuke, you will learn plenty there." Chiyo chided.
Sasuke sat back in his seat.
He supposed Chiyo knew best on what to do so that he could become the best. Someone worthy of Itachi…
Sasuke swirled his tea, watching how the milky swirls turned with the darker shades within the tea. He wasn't sure what would happen, but as long as he got to remain at Itachi's side he should be fine.
A month later, with Itachi's friends working hard to set him up on different dates, they were ready to give up.
Absolutely no one was worthy enough to hold Itachi's attention. Even when the person he was being introduced to was interested in him, Itachi just didn't care to put in the effort to make things work. His friends had tried everything, even holding a few events that would promote socializing with demons in the same field as them.
"What are we going to do with you Itachi," Kisame groaned, falling face first into the couch.
Itachi dropped his bag next to said couch and walked towards the kitchen, ignoring his friend's dramatics.
Sasuke ran to jump on the couch, watching Kisame with narrowed eyes. He was well aware of what Itachi's friends were trying to do, but he had not had much time to really think of it as he had his own problems.
At this point, Sasuke had been enrolled into a school by Chiyo and was learning a lot from children his own age, and his teachers. The children were competitive, showing off their powers and what they could do. Sasuke showed promise as well and met all his grades for both academic and physical educations.
In fact, he was at the top of his class.
Although it was clear that if his fellow classmates ever learned that he was not fully a demon, he might get bullied and picked on. That was what they did with Kiba and Shino, both students that were half human. Kiba was mixed with demon dog, while Shino was some kind of insect demon mix. It was hard to say what they really were, but they were always being called names and told off.
Sasuke tried his best to keep to himself for that reason, seldom allowing anyone to become his friend. As far as anyone was concern, he was a loner.
While the month before Sasuke had been eight and started out smaller than his fourth grade peers, he was now ten and fully at the right size and weight to deal with them properly. Many teachers had been concerned with how small he was compared to his classmates, but were glad to see him grow. Sasuke was sure that this had been a large growth spurt on his part, and would be a while before another one hit.
On top of school life, he had to wait for Itachi to get home only for Kisame to bitch about how the demon was annoying for not wanting to date. Sasuke had a nagging and ugly feeling growing in his chest at the mere thought of anyone getting close to Itachi.
The demon was his!
Sasuke's tail puffed at the thought and a small growl started from the back of his throat.
"What are you going to be cooking!?" Kisame suddenly yelled, his face turned towards the television, despite it being off. His yellow eyes locked on the control and wished it was within reaching distance for him, but alas, he'd have to get up if he wanted to watch something.
"I haven't decided, besides aren't you going to go out to eat with Suigetsu?" Itachi narrowed his eyes. He was currently looking through the mail and the bills.
He noted his credit card statement and opened it. He frowned when he noticed a few transactions he had not made. Why did he keep getting charged for shit he had not bought? It all looked like kids clothing to, he was a man with no children. Maybe someone had gotten his information. He was going to call and dispute this with his credit card company and get it changed.
Setting that aside for later, he turned to the other bills. Water, electricity…Itachi glared.
"Yeah, but I could still eat!" Kisame laughed.
"Kisame, I'm going to make you pay extra on these bills, your dear boyfriend is still running up the water bill," Itachi hissed. While he generally wouldn't care, he felt it was unfair how high the water bill started coming. Suigetsu didn't live with them, although he supposed with the new demands of their job to go on longer trips and him babysitting Kitty it had open a way for Suigetsu to take more baths here.
Kisame's sighed, rolling his eyes. "Fuck I'll talk to him not to take long showers, again!"
"See that you do," Itachi said as he moved to prepare a meal for Kitty. "I'm about ready to kick you out!"
"No, you can't Itachi I refuse," Kisame muttered more to himself than to Itachi. Sasuke was sure Itachi heard it anyways, but the demon ignored his friend.
Sasuke flicked his tail, still feeling annoyed.
Suigetsu loved showering and knew that nothing was going to change. Sometimes Sasuke wondered if Suigetsu had died in the bath, but it would be awesome if Kisame and he were to move away.
Sasuke wouldn't mind living alone with Itachi.
Suddenly, Itachi received a phone call.
"Who's calling you?" Kisame asked. He knew he had a date with Suigetsu in a bit, but he also didn't like getting excluded from hanging out with his friends. He stood up and headed into the kitchen, getting hungry when he saw that Itachi was cooking.
"It's just my mom. She's started pressuring me again. There's no doubt that she's going to make me go on a date with Izumi," Itachi sighed, ignoring the call and letting voice mail get it. He already knew what she was going to say and he didn't want to hear it, again.
"Izumi is a cute girl, you should give her a shot man. What do you have to lose anyways?" Kisame asked, reaching for the jar of cookies. Itachi got a thoughtful look on his face and Sasuke froze from where he saw flicking his tail away in annoyance.
A cute girl for Itachi?
The memory suddenly came, of how a group of girls were chasing that one boy around because one of them wanted him as her boyfriend. They had practically forced the boy to like her or something, and she had given him a kiss on the lips when he agreed… His mind then supply that Itachi would do that with a girl and not him and he found that he did not like that!
No!
Meowing loudly he started to demand Itachi's attention. Going as far as climbing onto the table with a demanding stance.
Itachi smiled at him, going over with a plate of food to give to him. Sasuke bristled as he stared at the mouthwatering food. While, sure, he was hungry, this was not the time for food!
Itachi checked his phone with a frown, and moved to leave for his room.
"Hey where's mine!" Kisame called back for food but Itachi flipped him off as he went.
Groaning, Kisame decided to make himself something before going to look over a few files he had brought home with him. He knew he had to do it before he went out on his date.
Itachi on the other hand decided that it had been a long day and he needed a nap.
He sat down, a bit surprised when Kitty came barreling into his lap. The tiny kitten was meowing at him, his claws slightly digging into him, but all Itachi did was run his fingers through the agitated fur. In seconds he had Kitty purring, and the two of them fell asleep in a pleasant nap.
Itachi woke up later to his phone ringing again, and sighed.
He felt so incredibly defeated at this point. Not only were his friends desperate for him to start a relationship, his mother had run out of patience as well.
He sat up as he looked at who was calling, even though he already knew the answer. His mother was not going to stop. Finally, he let the call come through. There was no use running away, he needed to face her.
"Hello mother," he said politely, not letting any of his annoyance show.
"Itachi, darling, my sweetheart, why haven't you been answering!" Mikoto, his mother, said from the other end.
"I've been busy with work, I just got off." Itachi readily said the lie as easy as breathing.
Sasuke shifted beside him, his ears perking up at the sound of his Itachi's voice. He purred when he saw Itachi's eyes lock with his. Itachi smiled, reaching to run his fingers between his ears. Sasuke stood up stretching and crawled into his lap, his tail swinging back and forth as he pawed at Itachi's hand, silently demanding to be petted more.
"Really Itachi, what you do for work is a bit much, and I really think you should consider about settling down already, ground yourself for a bit," his mother huffed. "You wouldn't work so much if you had someone you know,"
"I'm just fine mom, I really don't want to settle down right now," Itachi always told her this, but she didn't listen.
"Itachi I don't want to get on the run around about this, young man. I gave you plenty of time already. I'm going to be straight with you. I have set a date for you and Izumi in a few days. Please meet her at the restaurant dressed nicely and be prepare to wow her, my son,"
Itachi frowned, "Mom, I really wish you would have let me be the one to ask her,"
His mother scoffed, "If I let you do that, you never will,"
"Mother I," Itachi didn't get to finish.
"Itachi I am worried about you. You've never been in a relationship and I know technically you're still young but this is ridiculous! As a demon of your age you should have already found a mate to spend your immortality with!" His mother sounded frantic.
"Okay, okay, I'll give her a chance." Itachi relented. He knew how things would end, but he would humor her this once.
"And if that doesn't work out I'm sure that one boy…I forget his name, anyways he would be more than willing to date you," Mikoto sing-songed happily.
"Mom, one date at a time, calm down." Itachi dropped back onto the bed as his mother said her final words and then hung up. Itachi flinched when he got a text with the day, time, and location that he would have to report for his date.
Itachi sighed as his kitty moved to paw at his face, licking and nibbling at his chin. Itachi brought the kitten up, his hands tucked under the little creatures arms as he looked up at him. The kitty looked down at him, head tilted but didn't struggle nor tried to move away. Purrs and large red eyes looked back at him and the world seemed softer somehow, much more bearable than it had been in the last few days.
Itachi smiled, thinking his Kitty was just too adorable.
The warm feeling didn't last as Itachi recalled how hollow and empty he felt inside. How lackluster he felt towards building a bond with anyone.
Itachi wished he could know why no one in life really fascinated him or got his attention. There was no one he was seeking to be with. When he was younger, Shisui who was like an older brother to him had asked him out and even tried to convey his feelings. The man had then laughed and said never mind, confusing Itachi at the time.
The thing was Itachi knew. He had known that Shisui had once had feelings for him, no matter how Shisui laughed it off and acted like it had been no big deal. Itachi was also aware that he had hurt him with his disinterest.
Before returning from his last visit, Itachi had asked him what he meant by all those years ago, for clarification or whatever Itachi wasn't sure. He'd just wanted to know why Shisui had ever liked him and was able to let those feelings go.
Shisui had smiled, pulling him into a tight embrace as he laughed.
"Silly boy, I thought maybe I was pressuring you and you seemed so young and innocent back then. I didn't want my impatience to damage you like that. I didn't want you to have to force yourself. IF you had felt something, if we were meant to be, then we would have fallen into place no matter what. That's what I believe…you should find the one you fall into place with Itachi. I think that's when it counts! And it'll be worth it!"
After that, admittedly, Itachi had not been able to get that idea out of his head.
To find the one to fall into place with…who and when Itachi thought to himself.
The kitten he was still holding up meowed, reaching his paw towards his nose as he started to purr loudly.
Itachi chuckled, bringing him down to his chest and turning on his side. The kitten laid there contentedly, watching him back. "Just who and when will I fall into place with Mushkitty?" Itachi asked. He knew the kitten didn't know what he was saying nor would he understand, but Itachi found that he loved him.
There were no conditions to this love, it just was.
Itachi felt happy just being. It was strange because this small creature was just that a creature. Other people would have stepped over him and let him die, but Itachi hadn't.
All Itachi could think was take care and protect.
"Well mushkitty, it seems I've got a date this weekend." Itachi sighed, turning to look at the ceiling, completely missing how the kitten beside him tensed up and his eyes widened. "I wonder if maybe I'm being stubborn…I could end up falling into place with Izumi, I haven't seen her in a while now, so I guess it will be worth seeing what can happen,"
The kitty sat up meowing loudly and kneading at Itachi's shirt. Itachi turned back to him perplexed by his sudden behavior of meowing. He had come to realize that it usually meant that his kitten wanted something. It was just hard to figure out what it could be.
Itachi wished Kitty could speak.
Sasuke was meowing don't do it.
Itachi grew concern, sitting up and reaching for his kitty. He didn't like how distressed he sounded. He didn't sense any illness or harm to him, so what could it be?
"What's wrong are you hungry? Thirsty? Maybe you want to go out for a bit?" As Itachi asked this he stood up to see if offering some food would help.
Sasuke wanted to cry as Itachi left the room.
He really wished he could tell Itachi who he really was, and turn to his demon form to demand that he date him instead. Damn it, he was ten years old now, with the capable mentality of a thirteen year old and he was being ridiculous but there was something no one could tell him otherwise.
Itachi was his!
This Izumi better watch her back for coming near his territory!