Serendipity
Chapter Twenty Four
The Uzumaki, the Hyuuga, and Hokage were now all gathered around the dinner table.
Plates full to the brim with food were brought in by the servants, making the dining room smell good. The sound of the plates being neatly placed on the table echoed around them. Everyone was quiet, watching each other with sharp eyes that spoke of some sort of animosity clearly held between the Uzumaki brothers, to be specific.
Hinata hastily walked in, joining them after she had managed to catch Ramen. She apologized in her soft and polite way, getting greetings and looks of understanding. The kitten was squirming in her arms but she was determined to hold him down against her chest. This dinner after all not only commemorated his welcome into their family but the big news they had all been waiting for. They had all gathered for this special moment in anticipation and she really wanted Ramen present, seeing as the kitten was now part of the family.
She smiled at Naruto, taking her seat next to him.
He glanced at the kitten and made the mistake of wanting to pet him, only to get his hand bitten by the growling little creature. Claws reached to pierce his hand and Naruto held in a scream as the sound of a glass being delicately tapped by a metal spoon called for all of their attentions.
Hinata managed to gather the kitten towards her chest, flinching when claws dug into her bosom. She held it in, pretending it hadn't hurt as she gave her husband an assuring look when the blond asked if she would like him to hold the kitten. She shook her head and Naruto let out a deep breath, turning his attention to the front.
Hiruzen suddenly cleared his throat, smile on his face, and his hands now tucked behind him.
The tension in the room turned even heavier between the three brothers.
The fact that the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had made himself known in their gathering meant that the man had finally made his decision. The question was now, who would be the next Hokage. Now he stood before them, making them wait. Watching as everyone settled and turned their gazes to him.
Hiruzen smiled once he had everyone's attention.
"Now I know you've all been curious as to why I'm here today," he drawled out deliberately. While Naruto and Kurama gave him eager looks, Menma rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, wishing that the old man would speak faster. At this rate he might die telling them what his decision was. "The time has finally come for me to choose the next Hokage, and," he settled his hand over Konohamaru's head when the boy turned to him with quickness.
"What is your decision?" Minato asked, curious and impatient himself.
Sasuke in Hinata's arms tensed up, releasing his claws from her as he watched the family interact. He barely noticed Hinata letting out a breath as she ran her hands through the fur on his back. This was probably something that he shouldn't be listening to, but how interesting it was that he was about to learn who the next Hokage would be.
Not that he had ever cared much over it, but he had learned about how important it was from school. If he remembered right, this family had a Hokage in the past.
A few years back Hiruzen had retired and there had been another Hokage, Namikaze Minato, whom had given up his position as Hokage to protect his wife and adopted son, Kurama.
It had been quickly reported that Kurama wasn't truly their son the press had a field day with the news. It was found out that Kurama was the son of Kushina's, grandmother, Uzumaki Mito. Mito had never revealed who the father was but instead had asked Kushina and her family to take care of him once she fell ill and knew she wouldn't have much longer in the world.
Her only wish was for Kurama to be loved and grow in a loving family. To be cared for where she couldn't take care of him anymore, but above all she wished for him to be happy. No one could get the real information as to what had truly happened.
Many people in Uzumaki clan had suspected that it was the pregnancy and by proxy, the father of Kurama that had left her-Uzumaki Mito, so weak and ill. Kurama being a half fox creature and a demon could shift into a demonic fox form with nine powerful tails. He made for an amazing sight when he did so, powerful and fearsome, all at once.
There were images and comments of awe based all on it.
At the time Minato had been the next Hokage, young, and full of ideas for change that he wished the world would embrace but it did more harm than good as it was his family that was suffering under the scrutiny of the public eye.
To think that now one of Minato's sons would be chosen to take that rightful position. There was room to wonder if it was even a good idea, much less if it would be a welcomed idea. Minato had not left much of a positive impression.
On top of that, Hiruzen was taking his time being a troll.
Hiruzen turned his gaze towards the three fine boys that Kushina and Minato had raised oh so well. He smiled as he delivered the news he was sure had everyone at the edge of their seats.
"In everything there is no one better than I could think of to give this position to, than you Naruto," he turned warm eyes to the wide eyed blond, "You've proven that although you can be reckless you have a heart of gold. You've done so much in your community and helped so many there are no doubts in my mind, that you will be accepted with open arms when becoming Hokage."
Naruto grinned, filled with pride as Hinata turned to him beaming.
Congratulations went all around until someone dropped a fork against the side of a porcelain plate. Sasuke's ears flicked over to the man he detested, but he wasn't the only one who's attention had shifted.
"Of course, saint Naruto has to be the one to get the position," Menma pushed his plate away from himself, upset at the news. He wasn't happy with the decision. He had worked hard to get it and thought he had done his best.
No matter what, he was always unable to climb over the wall that was his annoying twin brother, Naruto.
"Shut up, Menma," Kurama bared his teeth. He was sick of Menma's attitude. "All you ever do is antagonize others and think that you are better than them. Why else do you think you weren't chosen, maybe if you humbled yourself it would be different!"
"That's because I am better than Naruto. I am stronger, faster, and smarter than this dumbass," Menma jabbed his thumb towards Naruto with a look of disgust on his face. "I hate that he is my twin. I am the better one Kurama, don't you fucking forget that. People just like Naruto better because he's the golden little two-good shoes!"
"That's enough Menma," Kushina hissed, upset with the way that Menma was acting up. She had raised him to be good and all but no matter what, Menma was always angry and so negative towards his own family.
She could never understand why he wasn't a happy child.
"No, mom, it's okay," Naruto stood up with a challenging look in his eyes. "What is it that you want to prove Menma? That we all should agree with you? This isn't about power so much as it is about considering our community, but if you think I can't drop you then lets step outside. Right now, you and me, let's go!"
Hinata threw her husband a worried look.
Menma smirked and stood to be at eyelevel with the challenging Naruto, showing that he wasn't in the least bit scared of him.
Menma then lowered his eyes towards Hinata and the strange kitten that she was holding to her chest. The small pathetic creature was looking up at him with strange red eyes that echoed something familiar in his head, but he couldn't place what it was.
"Fighting you will be a waste of my time," He turned his taunting gaze back at Naruto, "You're fucking ridiculous. How is anything being solved, explain it to me. You readily accept a fucking shifter who's worth trash into our family as your brother and then you go and get married to an incompetent wife who can't carry a baby to term. So you decide to get a pet and pretend that it's a new child in this home, and now you're going to be Hokage," Menma laughed at the bristling Naruto, who couldn't even make a comeback at his words. "No I won't fight you because I have shit to prove to you. Do what you want. I'm out of here,"
Menma walked out of the dining room, heading for his bedroom.
"Menma!" Naruto gritted his teeth and took a step to follow after his disrespectful brother. He couldn't stand how he just insulted Kurama, but above everything how he belittled his beloved wife.
Hinata was quick to stand and grab his arm to keep him from chasing Menma. She pressed close into his chest with the kitten squished between them. Naruto's eyes were wide as he held her, watching her with worry.
"It's okay Naruto, his words mean nothing to me. Please don't go after him," Hinata whispered, sadness dripping from her voice. She had seen how Naruto and Menma could fight and it never ended well for either of them. While she didn't care if Menma got hurt, she didn't want to see her husband in pain.
"Hinata," Naruto moved to cup her small face, and brushed his thumbs under her teary eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered. Damn it, all he ever wanted to do was protect and love her as much as he could. To keep her from having to hear the jeers and bad words from others, and yet it was his own brother that he had to protect her from.
"You did nothing wrong," She closed her eyes at the warmth of her husband.
"Once I get my hands on Menma I will make him apologize to you Hinata. He had no right to say that. I brought that child into the world and I can take him out," Kushina flamed. Minato had to place a calming hand on her lower back.
"I believe that Menma is bitter for a few personal reasons, so Naruto. I think it's time for you to show your gift of changing peoples heart and start with your brother. As your first duty of being Hokage you will have to deal with people that are just like him. It's hard, but I think you can do it," Hiruzen spoke up, clearly looking forward to how Naruto would change the people around them.
Naruto gave him a wide eyed look, "That's not possible. Since we were young Menma has just been so mad…"
"It has to be my fault. We always got bullied because I was never a full demon…" Kurama spoke, shame filling him.
"Mom and dad never raised us that way though," Naruto said, giving Kurama a soft look. "Menma…he's just…"
"Menma has pressures he's faced. So Naruto, how are you going to change your brother's heart?" Hiruzen asked, trying to be diplomatic in his approach. He had seen so many children like Menma, all of them so jaded and angry because they had a hard time fitting in. He guessed it might be the case, but he couldn't be sure.
"I…I don't know," Naruto whispered, conflicted with the task suddenly sitting heavily at his shoulders. He looked to his family and they were all giving him supportive looks.
"We're all her for what you decide to do," They all assured.
Sasuke who was in Hinata's arms listening to the conversation happening before him dropped his gaze down to his paws. He had to get away from here, far, far away as fast as he could. He feared that the man would be able to identify him if he wasn't careful. When he had looked at him, for a second he thought that Menma might have been able to realize who he was.
It scared him.
His mother had always said that they were cats in her image. There was something special about them that would capture any eye.
Uzumaki Menma, the man that was supposed to be his father, killed his mother and made play things out of his siblings and him…there was so much that Sasuke felt inside towards that man. Mainly bitter hatred and undeniable fear, so much so that he wanted to get far away from him.
He wasn't safe here.
He felt like a broken record, but he wanted Itachi.
After realizing that he had attacked Kisame over how he was feeling, Itachi did the only thing that he could think of in the moment, he ran.
He was appalled at himself and his actions. He felt out of control and nothing like himself. He felt terrible and sick to his stomach. He had never lost control of his emotions, not even as a child. Given as a child he was so emotionally constipated that he rarely showed that he cared about much of anything that he couldn't logically make sense of. It took his friends great effort to make him realize that he had feelings.
Yet, even if he had been called cold in the past because he hadn't felt things the same way others did, this feeling was not one he had ever felt before. This thing growing inside of him had no name or rational reason.
The- what had to be metaphorical- hollowness in his chest ached. Not like a wound, it didn't bleed, and there was nothing he could do to balm it over. It just hurt, and although he wanted to pretend he was fine the truth was a hard pill to swallow.
There was no part of him that was fine—he was strangely off balance.
He wasn't okay.
Itachi gritted his teeth and tugged at his hair in disdain.
There was no doubt in his mind that he had gone insane. For fuck's sake, Kitty had officially been gone forty eight hours. Two days, and he had gone and attacked his friend because of it. He was a complete and utter walking disaster just because of a small kitten that shouldn't mean all that much and yet…
Kitty meant the world.
He didn't know why or how that statement had become a truth in his life, but it had.
He couldn't understand how there were people out there that could easily claim that Kitty was replaceable. His parents had acted that way. They told him that they had gotten him another cat that he could have instead of Kitty. When he had looked at that other cat, the so called replacement, all he felt was rage, because no one, not even that cat could replace Kitty.
Nothing could compare to his kitten and he wasn't all that sure if that feeling was normal or not.
He didn't know how to express the hopelessness that he was feeling. Instead he was getting angry at the effort others were showing because he had given up. Deep inside he knew that was the real truth. He was angry at himself because he didn't want to care, and he didn't want others to care more than he did or didn't.
Taking a deep breath he headed towards the only place he thought he would be well understood in his feelings.
He headed to Neko-baa's home.
He wanted advice.
Maybe he wanted to hear something different.
He didn't know.
He just wanted someone to help him rationalize his thoughts and feelings.
Itachi took his time getting to his destination.
Once there he stood before the door he stared not moving and it opened a few seconds later despite his lack of knocking. Neko-baa for as short and old as she was, looked like she had been waiting for him to return.
"Oh child," Neko=baa gave him a sad smile as she pulled him down. He didn't resist, bending to her height. She patted his cheeks, assuring him that he had made the right decision to come here, and then reached for his hand, pulling him inside. She guided him to sit in one of her favorite cushions.
She petted his head while offering him some tea that he gratefully took.
All of this was done in silence and in her tender care. She was careful around Itachi, allowing him time to come down to his senses. She didn't need to be a psychic or anything to know that the demon before her, although powerful and scary, was currently hurting and aching for that bit of marshmallow warmth that had so preciously found him but recently lost.
The sudden departure of that would leave anyone confused and wondering. She knew it well. For now, she poured herself tea while looking up at Itachi who hesitantly brought the cup towards his mouth and took a tentative drink.
A sip was enough to warm his chest, but left a hollow coldness the next moment. It wasn't enough or what he needed. Itachi's wry mouth told her so. It was a curious sight and she found herself fondly gazing at him.
"You know Itachi when you left here upset, I had not intended for you to take things the wrong way," She chided. "I swear, children these days." She muttered under her breath and then shook her head. "I've noticed that you're a bit of an impatient child when it comes to Kitty, but you have to understand that I speak on experience here and you have to trust your elders."
"You said to wait and do nothing," Itachi's hand on the tea cup shook a bit. He was angry at those words. She was right, he was so patient with many things, but not when it came to Kitty's safety. It shouldn't be that hard to understand. "I…I…don't like it but I… intend to do as you say," he reluctantly gritted.
Neko-baa chuckled at him, amused.
"I figure that you would be the type to do as such. But I guess I was wrong to word it that way. What I meant was, don't go overboard searching for something that is already yours. Instead, look, listen, and be alert to when Kitty will appear before you again. Call his name if you have to, post up the missing signs, they all help to guide him back home." She said.
Itachi abruptly stopped shaking and let out a relieved sigh. He supposed he had jumped the gun at the idea of doing nothing to search for Kitty. He was glad to hear that he didn't actually have to sit around doing nothing.
"I don't have to stop and do nothing?" he asked for clarification.
"No, Itachi, that's silly," Neko-baa chortled, "Meet Kitty half way, will ya?" Her eyes shone and Itachi took the time to consider her words. "Kitty must be scared, I know, but he must also be looking for you." she said.
"Right," Itachi took a fuller drink from his tea.
"Oh when you finish your tea, let me read the leaves," Neko-baa said as she finished her own tea and swirled her cup. "I want to read them for you,"
Itachi looked up at her and nodded his head obediently, for now feeling a bit lighter than he had in the last few hours.
"I had a strange dream last night," Itachi said as he finished his tea and handed her the cup. Closing his eyes he recalled what had happened in his dream. It had been something so whimsical, nothing like what he usually dreamt about and left him confused. Maybe she would be able to tell him the meaning of such a dream. "I was chasing ducks, the same way that I've seen Kitty do. It made me feel childish, and like I wanted nothing but to bite into the feathery whiteness of the duck…" he smiled as he remembered the dream.
It had felt like Kitty was there.
Neko-baa hummed at him, swirling his cup.
"That's a wonderful dream to have. It could mean that you miss him greatly and wish you knew how he felt." She then turned to Itachi with a large smile. "Good news my boy, it looks like you and Kitty have good fortune coming your way!" she said, "It's so strange, I've never seen this kind of bond before but look at it,"
Itachi blinked, all he could see was speck of tea leaves sitting at the bottom of his cup but for some reason or the other, their presence made Neko-baa incredibly happy. So Itachi simply offered her a smile and nodded along to what she was saying.
Good fortune would be nice right about now…
Kiba yawned as he stepped out of his bedroom.
He'd been sleeping peacefully until his alarm woke him up. It was time to get ready to go to school but before that his stomach growled and he started to consider what he could eat. He paused when he saw Tamaki sitting at the edge of Neko-baa's reading room. He silently walked over to her, watching how her expression was soft and happy.
He knitted his eyebrows in confusion.
He'd never seen that serene expression on her face before but for one reason or the other it made his gut flutter pleasantly. His tail wagged happily behind him, for a moment he got lost in the beauty that was Tamaki.
He then heard Neko-baa jovially chatter and laugh. He blinked, but couldn't see inside the room nor what had caused the happy sound.
"Who's Neko-baa talking to?" he asked.
Tamaki jumped at his sudden presence and turned to him with wide eyes.
"Kiba, hush," she reached for him, dragging him to get him away from the door. She didn't want to get caught eavesdropping on such a personal conversation, but she couldn't help it. She had been worried about Itachi and the moment that he walked inside, she wanted to know how he was holding up.
When the two of them got to the kitchen, she released Kiba and let out a sigh. She smiled to herself. She was glad to know that Neko-baa had fixed things and made Itachi understand what she meant.
"What's going on?" Kiba asked, wondering what had Tamaki smiling so nicely. He scrunched his face with a raised brow.
Tamaki turned to Kiba and thought about what she would say. The matter didn't pertain to him so she shrugged and decided to just go with a basic explanation.
"Well my friend Itachi recently lost his cat, you know Kitty the little one that came to play with you and Akamaru?" She asked. Kiba nodded at her, wide eyed. Tamaki frowned at the sudden look on his face but brushed it aside and said, "Well Kitty was kidnapped by Itachi's mom and now no one knows where he is at, so Neko-baa is trying her best to help him be calm in his search for him. It will take time but Neko-baa believes that their reunion is inevitable."
Kiba stood there staring with that same silly shocked face of his. Tamaki frowned and reached for his hand. "Hey, you okay?"
"You said Kitty went missing, when?" Kiba demanded.
Tamaki flinched, her heart twisting a bit in jealousy she didn't know she could feel at his show of concern for another. She had tried to set Kiba up with Kitty but didn't think they got that close. They had only had one play date, that wasn't long enough to create a bond.
"A day or two by now, not that long. What's wrong with you?" She asked but Kiba pushed past her and ran towards Neko-baa's room.
Kiba slammed the door open and his eyes landed on Itachi who was having his palm read. Neko-baa and Itachi were startled by his sudden entrance, but he didn't care. He slid across the room to come in front of Itachi and with conviction, said, "Itachi don't give up, you can't give up! Sasuke needs you and I will support you on it!"
He couldn't have stopped himself if he tried.
There was a burning in his chest that propelled him forward, getting the attention of Itachi being a priority if he was going to help his friend. It was strange, now that Itachi was looking at him with wide confused eyes.
"Um, what?" Itachi blinked obliviously.
Damn it, he realized belatedly, Sasuke had clearly not told Itachi about himself yet.
"Kiba-darling, are you okay?" Neko-baa asked him.
"Uh…I mean…" he spluttered.
"Idiot move it, stop being so embarrassing," Tamaki rushed to pull Kiba away from Itachi and Neko-baa. She shoved him out of the room and closed the door on him. All the while Kiba started shouting that they shall prevail with the help of his fellow dogs and insects…
Tamaki couldn't begin to comprehend what her idiot meant by all of that.
Itachi blinked. Confused as to what just had happened. He turned to look at Tamaki who had a thoughtful look on her face.
"Who was that?" Itachi asked.
"Uh…oh tha-that was a child I am taking care of at the moment. He's a well-meaning boy but yeah, don't mind him too much," Tamaki said, waving off what had just happened as nothing. "Oh Itachi, I'm glad that you returned. I'm ready to help you search for Kitty, I know a few little tricks that can lure a kitty back home, I will teach you all I know," She winked at Itachi with an optimistic look on her face.
Itachi smiled at her and nodded, "Thank you Tamaki, I will do anything that I can to guide Kitty back home,"
"Great, do you want to get started?" She asked.
"Yes, please," Itachi nodded. Tamaki happily walked over to him and started to show him a few things that she knew lured cats back home.
Itachi paid closed attention, receptive to the help, but as Tamaki helped him he couldn't help but begin to feel guilty over how he had treated his friends. He needed to go back home as soon as he learned a few of Tamaki's tricks, and he should apologize. His friends had done nothing wrong. In fact, they were great with how far they were going for him and Kitty.
If one thing was right that Neko-baa had said in their conversation, it was that he was lucky to have such a support system.
Kiba ran out of the house and straight to Shino's home.
He knocked on the door making Shino panic and wonder if there was something wrong with his friend, especially when he started to shout. He had to dress up as quickly as possible and run out the door to see what it was that had gotten into Kiba.
Shino had to make Kiba stop screaming and slowdown in his explanation.
"Sasuke is gone, and Itachi doesn't know where he went. He's been the big napped. We have to do something to help find him!" Kiba said as slowly as he could without tripping up on his words.
Shino got a thoughtful look on his face and then turned so he could lead the way to his back yard. His strides were purposeful.
"We have to do the calls!" Shino said.
"That's what I thought!" Kiba grinned toothily. He was excited to execute such a plan. "Great minds truly think alike!"
"I will send my insects to go around and spread the word to other insects, until they can locate Sasuke, and you send the call through the bark." Shino instructed. "If anything try to send a message to him to let him know that everything is okay and to send word back, sadly, Sasuke won't be able to talk to insects as he would other mammals."
Kiba nodded.
He transformed into his dog form and ran into the neighborhood. He climbed on one of the cars and started to bark. The bark was caught by the neighboring dogs, and quickly, they started to spread it into the next one. Once the call was started it was a matter of it being returned with news as to where Sasuke could be.
Kiba just wondered how long it would take.
Just how far away was Sasuke?
Was he safe and in an open place…he didn't know but he hoped that he was somewhere that he could be recognized.
Itachi and Sasuke needed to be together no matter what.
Later that evening, Naruto and Hinata stopped by Sasuke's room and dropped him off for the night. There had been talk about the family going to the outside garden to share drinks to congratulate Naruto in his next step to becoming Hokage. It was no place for a young Kitten and it was decided it was his bed time.
Sasuke would have wanted to complain, but knew he had no say on it.
The lights were dimmed and the door closed.
To think, he had been present to hear who the next Hokage would be. Sasuke knew from his studies that at this point and time, Naruto would be rallying for the people's support of that decision. Not only would he have to get some in depth briefing over his new position, but he was also going to have to impress the public.
There was a chance that since Hiruzen took so long to choose his next successor that there might be some lobbying against his current choice. Naruto was going to have a long and hard road in front of him, and frankly, Sasuke didn't care about any of that.
He was still on edge from finding out that his father was Naruto's twin. Out of all things, for that man to be related to such a heartless demon, Sasuke couldn't understand how he had not connected the dots. It should have made sense why he was so uncomfortable around Naruto.
He should have been able to remember who he had so obviously reminded him of and yet…
Sasuke felt shame that the memories of his mother and siblings had slightly faded away to give way to happier memories. Ones full of warmth and Itachi, Itachi, and more Itachi. His mind had been so hyper focused on Itachi and his happiness of being with him that it had overshadowed his tragic past. The death of his family at the hands of someone he had so acutely feared not so long ago.
It felt like ages ago, but truly, it had only been a few months.
While in that time he had grown substantially, and had started to build a new life, he wasn't happy at all that he forgot this pain, this fear, and hate he felt toward his father.
He wanted to run away. He knew where he wanted to go. He was so useless, here, unable to do anything to help himself. Helplessly he swallowed back his tears.
Sasuke looked around the pretty room that had been set up just for him. He was now an individual cat with so many interesting things to climb and little places to hide and sleep. All of it would be paradise, were he a normal cat.
Honestly, he missed Itachi's bed and taking naps in it. Sleeping in it with Itachi…he'd do anything to be able to nap there. Frankly, he'd do anything to take a nap in Itachi's dirty laundry basket, that's how much he missed him.
Shaking his head clear of such thoughts, he forced himself to focus on the matter at hand. He rushed up one of the many cat trees, and climbed, his ears flicked as he tried to pick up any sound that he could as he ran around, inspecting each corner. Skidding down to the floor he paused, frowning as he had spotted two cameras in the room. Their position was set up to capture every corner of the room, for what reason, Sasuke wasn't sure.
What he was sure of was that transforming inside this house will be an utter mistake he couldn't afford.
With that in mind, he decided that showing some of the tricks he had learned in his cat form would be fine. He doubted that it would give away who he truly was, and if anything Hinata and Naruto would just be happy they had such a smart cat.
Now, with that in mind, it was time to test out the door.
Sasuke gave himself room to run before taking a large jump towards the door. He hooked himself on the handle with both his paws. The door had handles long enough to wrap your hand around the bar, not like the annoying round nubs, and he was happy to find that the door was unlocked.
It would be weird for them to lock a cat's room, so Sasuke was happy about that. He waited for the door to swing back with his weight before jumping down and running out the now slightly ajar door.
Looking down the hallway he turned in the direction he thought that he would find the stairs. Sasuke being so small in his cat form found the mansion to be excessively massive, but that could just be due to being practically close to the ground in height.
If he was in his demon form, maybe it would be different.
Trotting down towards the stairs that he could now see, he paused, ears flicking when he heard the click of a door opening. Sasuke dashed back up the hall, to where he had seen a hiding area. It was a weird indent on the wall, but to him it was the best hiding space in that moment.
Sasuke peeked his head out to see that the person that had just stepped out of his room was none other than Uzumaki Menma, his father.
Lowering his ears, he felt dread spread through his body. The man was talking on his phone with a low and annoyed tone. He had changed clothes to skin tight leather, making it look like it would be difficult to move in such clothes yet the man carried himself well as he now cussed the person on the phone. Menma had those spiked rocker boots on as he stomped his way down stairs.
Sasuke let curiosity get the best of him as he moved back into the hall way.
He paused in the middle, his ears flicking as they listened to the man walk down the stairs. He swallowed thickly, trying to get his nerves to calm as he listened to the steps make their way to the front door. He gunned it the moment that the front door closed behind Menma, erasing the man's presence from inside the mansion.
Sasuke paused in front of what he was sure was Menma's bedroom and didn't hesitate to jump on the handle.
The door didn't budge.
Fuck.
Sasuke had expected it to be as such, and he had a trick for it. He just hoped it wouldn't alert anyone about him.
See, wanting to be in the same line of work as Itachi, Sasuke had studied some of the books and techniques. Itachi was required to know a lot about breaking and entering, and many other things that just in case he wasn't able to deal with it with his demon powers—then well you get it. Picking locks was a must know and something Sasuke had easily picked up in the case of someone ever decided to lock him out of the house again.
Never again would doors be a problem for him, damn it.
Sasuke worked quick, his claw extending into the key hole delicately. He hit all the right points because the handle dipped under his weight and the door swung open. Sasuke jumped down to push it further open and took a look inside.
It was crucial, there was no knowing how long he'd be stuck here and knowing your enemy was important for success.
He sniffed carefully, sneezing a few times when the scent of heavy cologne hit his sensitive nose. Twitching he looked around to anything he could see.
The room was big and he could make out a dresser and bed, but everything else was shrouded in darkness. Frowning, he thought about letting his eyes glow red with his powers, but the prospect of being found out kept him from doing so.
He was limited.
In a serious mission that hindered him in this way, he needed to find the fastest solution. That meant finding the source and turning on the lights.
Sasuke looked around the walls, until he located the light switch. He jumped up to turn the light on. Bright daylight light flooded the room, along with it illuminating every last corner. Sasuke looked around in horror.
Menma's walls were covered with the heads of creatures, hung like trophies. The white clinical walls contrasted with the pitch black furniture—but nothing disturbed him more than the sight of his mother's heart, kept in a jar of clear fluid, neatly by the vanity mirror.
The memory of how Menma had talked down at her. The way that he had attacked her and ripped through her stomach, all of it vividly hit him hard as he remembered. Menma had held her heart in his hand, still beating as she hit the floor, his wide tooth smile gleaming at them in challenge.
To prove themselves worthy of being his seed- they only had a matter of seconds before they too would die…
Sasuke felt vile climb up his throat and puked over the wooden floor.
Sasuke ran out of there and back to his room. Away from everything that brought back bad memories. He didn't care at the moment about anything as hatred and disgust battled inside of his head, and heart- making him burn with the intent to kill.
To think that Menma would do that to his mother, he didn't deserve to keep her heart. He needed to make him pay!
His anger burned brightly and Sasuke silently cried.
He wanted to so badly make his father—no, he refused that man wasn't that—Uzumaki Menma had to pay for what he had done to his mother- to his family.
It was late night already when Itachi decided to leave Neko-baa's house and headed back to his apartment.
"Itachi," Tamaki called him to stop. She had followed him out and closed the door where Kiba and Neko-baa were still eating their dinner. She felt like there was something she wanted to tell him, but at the same time, she didn't have the words.
"Yes?" Itachi paused and turned to glance at her.
"It's truly is going to be okay, you know," Tamaki offered a smile. "Trust me."
Itachi returned the smile. "Sure," he said, not knowing whether he truly did or not, but he had hope. "Tamaki, why does it hurt?" he asked.
Tamaki blinked at the question and had to hold back tears as she knew it all too well. The answer was an easy one though.
"Of course it hurts. Just because Kitty is a pet doesn't mean that you didn't create a bond with him. It's the same when you make friends or even your family members. Wouldn't it hurt to lose one of them as well?"
Itachi's eyes widened as things made sense. Kitty was like his family, his friend. "I see," he said. "Thank you,"
"Good night Itachi. Get home safely," She waved.
Itachi waved in return and left into the night. The shadows swallowed his body and he rushed to get to his apartment. Although once there, he hesitated at the door. He could hear the boisterous voices of his friends crowding the small living room, and he pulled out his cell phone with all the missed calls and texts.
They were here, waiting for him.
Worried about him.
The terrible feeling in his gut came back and twisted with a vengeance as he was reminded once more that he had been acting badly towards his friends. He didn't deserve them. He was just thinking about leaving when the door behind him clicked opened.
He turned to see Chiyo stepping out of her apartment. The poor old woman waddled on forward and smile when she spotted him. If he didn't know any better, he'd say that she too had been waiting for him.
"Itachi, come here child," Chiyo called from her doorstep, waving him over. Itachi made his way over to her. "How are you?" She asked before he could say anything.
Itachi pursed his lips and shrugged. "I'll be fine," he said.
Chiyo knew that Itachi wasn't fine, and he wouldn't be until Sasuke came back to him, but Itachi was strong. She knew he could cope and over all, would be as he said, fine. She reached her hand out, offering him a small strawberry flavor candy.
"I'm glad. I will help you look for Kitty as best as I can. We will get him back home," She said.
Itachi took the candy from her. "Thank you," he said, a true smile touching his lips for a second. He was blessed to have so many good people around him willing to help him find Kitty. He was so grateful to all of them, truly.
"Okay, now get home boy before we have some sort of search party. I heard your friends worrying about you and that isn't good." She chided. "Not with those over the top dramatic friends of yours."
"Yes ma'am." Itachi nodded and headed to his apartment.
He didn't hesitate this time. He opened the door and stepped inside to see his usual group of friends all making plans on how now they had to find him as well, all of them worried that he would have become a missing person.
"I'm back," he called.
"Itachi!" They rushed him.
Konan grabbed his hands while Pain squished his face, checking him for any sings that he might have done something to harm either himself or someone else.
Itachi knew the drill.
Kisame locked the door and stood before it, just in case he decided to run.
Hidan and Kakuzu had a few choice words for him while Zetsu crossed his arms and shook his head at him.
Sasori had to hold Deidara back from attacking Itachi and placing some harm on him.
It had been a long time since Itachi had given them reason to worry about him to this degree.
"Stop, I'm fine." Itachi shook them away. "Sorry I've been acting out. I was just upset that finding Kitty hasn't been easy and I took it out on you. I'm truly sorry about that."
"That's alright." Kisame pulled him into a side hug. "You scared me a bit there."
"Be it as it may, we can all understand why you've been upset Itachi and although we forgive you for your behavior, I'm going to have to ask for you to take a few days off." Pain used a strict tone with Itachi as he spoke.
Itachi lowered his head in shame. A part of him wanted to argue that point, but he knew better than to do that. He had no say in the matter.
"Yes sir," he said.
"Itachi, we're here for you to speak to, remember that," Konan moved in to give him a hug, her tone coming off as more motherly. "We also want to help you search for Kitty, no matter how long it takes. We'll find him."
"Besides, that little demon is strong! You raised him. There is no way that he would get easily hurt, remember that." Kisame reminded.
"Yeah, did you see the way it would steal the food right out of Deidara's hands," Zetsu smirked while Deidara yelled.
"Okay, we've all had a long day today, why don't we have a sleep over and some food," Pain called. Everyone agreed.
Deidara started to make a list of what everyone wanted so they could order it. Hidan and Kakuzu started to meddle with the television, trying to find a good movie that they could watch. Pain and Konan gave Itachi smiles and encouraged him to relax before going to join the group in setting up a place for each of them to sleep.
"Itachi," Kisame called.
"I'm sorry Kisame. I hurt you when I shouldn't have. That was out of line for me." Itachi cut in.
Kisame paused before shaking his head. "Hey forget it. I'd go crazy to if someone I cared about went missing too. I just couldn't stand you not caring about finding Kitty, not when I had seen how happy just taking a nap with him made you,"
Itachi finally turned to face his friend. "It hurts," he admitted. "But I'll do anything to find him."
"Hey, it's like those missing kid cases we often have to do. It's just that now it's your kid that has gone missing. We will find him, and I mean it. We're a good team right? We've found even the most impossible cases, we got this." Kisame assured.
Itachi nodded, "You're right."
"Aww, I knew I could get you to confess that you're Kitty's daddy," Kisame teased.
Itachi's cheeks colored a bit as he shot the man a glare. "Shut up," he muttered, looking away from his happily grinning friend, embarrassed of the tittle.
"Well, let's go and enjoy the rest of the night with everyone, I think you need to put your mind at ease right now," Kisame dragged Itachi to their friend group.
The rest of the night they spent it eating and watching comedy films to fill the apartment with laughter and joy. Itachi felt at ease being around his friends, and wasn't sure when it was that he fell asleep.
That night he had a nightmare. Someone was chasing him down, with glowing red eyes, and the promise of death if he wasn't able to defend himself. There were cries, and the spillage of blood, all of shapeless victims his mind couldn't grasp.
He woke up too early and alert, unable to go back to sleep because of the heavy dread in his chest.