"C'mon Sakuraaaa just tell me what happened." Naruto whines from across the half booth half table in the dining hall. Ino and Shikamaru are distracted by a video on Ino's phone; their bodies huddled over the small rectangle. Naruto leans back in his chair, convinced his best friend is hiding something from him.
"I'm serious Naruto I don't really remember anything after we got to the house." She points her fork in the air, a chunk of pineapple stabbed by the prongs. She shoves it in her mouth, shrugging as she sits back in the booth. It isn't a complete lie; she doesn't remember every detail of the night, but she recalls a few moments in time, most of them involving her number one enemy since day one. And because she can't remember everything, she's decided to keep it to herself; vaguely answering Naruto's questions will only cause more questions, and he's good at questioning.
He eyes her, reading her body language for any sign of deception. She doesn't wiggle or budge, her poker face has gotten better over the years. He remembers when they were young when he could spot her lying from a mile away, usually about small things like not knowing the answers to the math homework or the crush she had on a guy in their class, but with time she learned how to play the game and play the game well.
"Can you at least tell me who drove you to the dorms? I know you didn't walk." She bites her lip; if she gives Naruto a nibble, just a crumb she might as well offer him a whole meal at a buffet. She sighs.
"If I tell you, will you drop it? It really wasn't anything exciting I didn't hook up with anyone if that's what you're wondering."
She knows she'll regret giving him something, but she sucks in a breath, "Itachi gave me a ride."
Naruto nods, satisfied with the answer he got. He knows Itachi would never do anything to hurt Sakura in fact, he probably thinks of her as a younger sister in some regards. When they were younger, she would always hang out at the library after school so it was no surprise when he found her sitting at the same table at the older Uchiha. She told him they became friends by accident, she saw him reading a book on Newton's Laws of Motion and being only 11 at the time, she would have to wait a few years before it was thoroughly covered in any class— befriending the upperclassman at the time seemed like the smart thing to do.
Itachi wasn't too hard to get along with in his younger years, but his intelligence was intimidating to most kids his age and class was boring; hence the reason he skipped a grade in elementary school. Making friends wasn't at the top of his list of priorities then, he liked learning, and he had the brain capacity to do so. Aside from his younger brother, older cousin and the girl who lived down the street, he didn't really socialize with anyone but after overhearing a conversation between his parents, he set out to make at least one more friend. Unknown to him at the time, it was his little brother's academic rival, mortal enemy, the hot to his cold, the oil in his water, the sun to his moon.
After the first day at the library, they made a silent pact to meet up and read together. He liked Sakura's presence; she didn't say much and when she did it was to the point and usually a question regarding her reading. Sasuke followed him to the library one afternoon and saw them reading together; his face was red, and he broke the first rule on a librarian's list—be respectful of others. He unleashed a song full of anger, his voice carried through the empty space and to Itachi's embarrassment, he had to drag his little brother through the wooden doors to calm him down. Sasuke finally got over it years later, at least that's what Itachi told himself, although deep down he believed his baby brother was still upset even into his awkward puberty filled years.
As they finish up at the dining hall and head back to the dorms, Shikamaru turns his head towards Sakura. "You ready for Ibiki's midterm?" His arm is slung around Ino's small shoulders, her arm wrapped around his waist. Ino insists they're just friends whenever Sakura pries, but anyone would think otherwise.
"Think so. He hasn't mentioned what's gonna be on it and it's stressing me out. I was thinking about sending the TA an email."
"You'll do fine. Have you guys figured out your group presentation?"
Ino whines, dramatically flinging her head back in the air before laying it against Shikamaru's shoulder. "Don't get her started. I had to listen to her complain about Sasuke for 30 minutes after they tried to discuss it in the library Wednesday night."
"You told Ino but not me?!" Naruto stops walking, his eyes narrow as he looks at Sakura. She squeezes her eyes closed as she pinches her nose, her shoulders droop; 'is this karma from last night?'
"He's your friend, Naruto. I didn't wanna say anything bad about him to you."
"Well still, you could've told me." He brushes off her nonchalant-ness regarding the situation; he hates how indifferent she tries to make herself appear when deep down, she's reeling in anger and rage. He wraps his arm around her shoulders, and she leans her head against him, they start walking again, Ino and Shikamaru in front of them. "You're my friend too, ya know?" He says slowly, sending her a lopsided smile.
The four make their way back to the dorms, seeking refuge in the girls' room. Tenten is wrapped up in her comforter, soft snores coming from her body dancing around the dorm.
"Movie?" Ino asks, gathering the pillows off her bed and throwing them on the floor in front of Sakura's.
"Shhhh Ino." Shikamaru reprimands her, motioning towards the corner where Tenten rests. "We shouldn't wake her. Let's just go to our dorm." He suggests, scooping up the pillows Ino just tossed on the ground.
"Shikamaru it's fine. She'll sleep through the noise." Ino goes to grab the pillows and he twists away from her, trying to dodge her claws. Naruto and Sakura watch the two act like an old married couple; everyone always thought they'd end up together given their dad's closeness and their shared childhoods.
"Ino let's just go to their dorm." Sakura interferes, seeing their antics getting more and more aggressive.
"Really forehead? You're on his side? What if Sasuke's there?"
Sakura rolls her eyes, completely forgetting about his existence. She hates it when her friend makes a good point. "If he is I'm sure he'll leave at the sight of me. Now let's go." She heads towards the door with Naruto on her tail, Shikamaru and Ino following soon after. They reach the boys' dorm and the sound of a video game bounces off the walls; the wooden door provides no barrier for the outside world. Shikamaru opens the door, and they meet Neji and Sasuke crouched in front of a flat screen tv placed on a wood drawer set; the game controllers in their hands aimlessly swinging in the air, profanities flying out of their mouths. Neither of them look from the screen, their eyes stuck to the shooting game on the screen.
"We'll watch it on my side." Shikamaru says leading the group to the right side of the room, two beds pressed against the wall, the drawers against the opposite wall. Another tv is placed on the drawers, Naruto hops on Shikamaru's bed, waiting for the girls to do the same. They make themselves comfortable as the movie starts. Shikamaru and Ino lean against each other on the ride side of the bed, their closeness says everything; Naruto sits next to Shikamaru although he leaves as much distance as possible, Sakura to his left. Her head rests against his shoulder, her warmth just as comforting as he remembers from when they were kids.
Halfway through the movie a body lingers at the side of the bed, his presence not as discreet as he thinks. His black hoodie coats his body in coziness, his messy hair on full display. She turns her head, lifting it from Naruto's shoulder.
"This movie is stupid." He mutters, catching her eyes before turning away and slipping out the door.
"I'll be right back." Naruto slips from the bed and out the door. He follows his friend through the long hallway towards the stairs, his footsteps echoing as he tries to corner the older boy.
"Why did you follow Dobe?" His long legs lead him up the stairs, his feet climbing the stairs two at a time in hopes of outrunning the blonde. His friend quickens his pace, keeping up with Sasuke's steady footsteps. If there's one thing about Naruto, it's that he'll pry and pry not because he's nosy, but because he's nosy and cares. As they go in circles up the stairs, going past floor after floor they end up at the top of the building, a heavy metal door marked with 'EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY' in red greeting his dark eyes. He pushes it open and makes his way across the roof around the side of the ventilation box, he takes comfort in leaning over the short wall of the building. The blonde boy follows his movements, leaning against the wall as the specks of people move across the campus.
"Where were you last night Teme?" His voice is full of curiosity as he continues to look down on the people roaming beneath their noses. He knows not to pry too forcefully, then his friend will give him nothing.
"I was tired." His voice is casual, which is so like him. His tone gives nothing away; is he lying? Is he telling the truth? His eyes stay straightforward, his shoulders hunched as they absorb the changing weather.
"You came in early this morning." Naruto knows to give little to know information, if he's questioned, he knows he'll need a good excuse for this impromptu interview. He may be stupid, but he's not stupid enough to reveal his hand to his friend.
"Slept over at Itachi's, was closer." He shrugs his shoulders, pulling the front of his hoodie down, trying to fix the annoying bunching in the front. He hates when hoodies slide back, choking him; it's like he's being suffocated. He hates the feeling of being suffocated and all he's been feeling for the past few months, maybe years even, is the feeling of a pretty, manicured hand around his neck.
"I was just worried about you, ya know? I texted you and you never responded." Naruto looks over at his friend, worried he's fighting some sort of inner war by himself. His body language doesn't change as his hand reaches for Sasuke's shoulder and rests there momentarily.
Sasuke nods in appreciation.
They stay there for a while longer, the smell of autumn kicking up as a warm breeze blows past them. There's two things Naruto Uzumaki is good at; eating copious amounts of ramen and ignoring every single alarm he sets on his phone. But as the two inhale the fresh air and relish in the last bit of sunlight, every alarm in Naruto's brain goes off and he's not hitting snooze.
The next few days fall into a steady rhythm full of notes, which he still doesn't take, and even more awkward silence and tension between his genius, pink-haired best friend, and his constantly grumpy, raven-haired best friend. Naruto is no stranger to their animosity towards each other, it's been there since they were all kids and since they've gotten older, it's only started to build and form into something more… questionable.
Sometimes he wonders if they're both secretly into each other, but because neither of them have dated anyone they can't figure out how to properly and, in all honesty, healthily, express their feelings. All they've known is bickering and 'hmph-ing' at each other, maybe it's some sort of love language? Maybe it's a mating call! Sakura's left eyebrow twitches and that attracts the young and inexperienced Sasuke Uchiha? No. Well, maybe…
As Wednesday afternoon approaches quickly, Naruto finds himself in the library with Sakura going over Psychology notes in preparation for the midterm rapidly gaining on them. Sakura of course, has laptop and transferred, written notes color-coded with highlighter and pull tabs while Naruto has a piece of clean, untarnished notebook paper and a dream (of ramen probably).
"So when do you wanna get dinner tonight?" Naruto asks, watching the girl in front of him bite her lip as she flips through her notebook, her eyebrows squished together as she focuses on her notes.
"Uh I won't be able to. I have dinner with Itachi tonight." She scribbles something down on a sticky note, paying little attention to the boy in front of her.
Naruto stays quiet the rest of the time they're at the library; his mind wrapped around the fact that his two best friends disappeared from a party, and both happened to spend the night at the same place. It's not unusual besides the fact that they hate each other, and both came back scratch free, there was no report of an earthquake or worse, homicide.
Something's definitely going on… or went on. And being the nosy best friend to both parties, he takes it upon himself to figure out what exactly happened that night and what's happening now, or maybe lack of. He sits back in the wooden chair, his eyebrows furrowed as he starts scheming.
"C'mon Sakura, you can do this. Just get in and get it over with." She tells herself, ringing the doorbell then quickly retracting her hand. She smooths her hair, hoping she looks presentable. She knows Itachi and Izumi won't care what she shows up in, she could be wrapped in a plastic bag, and they wouldn't care but she has too much pride and consideration….and frankly anxiety so here she is, dressed in blue mom jeans and a black, long sleeve bodysuit. Chunky, black booties add a few inches and her long, pink hair cascades down her back in soft waves. Soft pink blush dusts her cheeks and nose, her waterline smudged expertly with a maroon eyeshadow, her green eyes even more vibrant than usual.
The door opens and Itachi greets her with open arms, pulling her in as he shuts the door. "You look great, kid." He smiles at her causing his eyes to crinkle which is normal however, she senses his uneasiness—the corner of his lips twitching slightly as he looks towards the kitchen.
"Is that Sakura?" Izumi asks, emerging from the other room with an apron tied around her body and a towel in hand.
"Izumi," Sakura greets her with a warm smile, approaching the other woman. The two embrace, just like they did when she was in high school. Izumi was the older sister Sakura never had; offering her boy advice when Ino and Tenten's suggestions would go south, the five extra years of living really made the difference.
When they first met Sakura shrunk behind Itachi as the brown-haired girl exclaimed in thrills; "Another girl to hang out with?!" Itachi was his usual self, reserved and calm however, even Sakura could see the relief on his face when he saw them getting along. Years have passed and they're just as close; Izumi offering to take her out on a girl's trip after a bad situationship or throwing her a birthday party when her own parents forgot.
The three of them walk towards the kitchen, dinner already in the oven and the rice cooker already on. Now that she's sober, she can truly appreciate her friends' house, the simple yet modern touch of the décor. The kitchen is cozy, nothing like Itachi and Sasuke's mother's, spacious and new. No, this kitchen is so Itachi and Izumi. The mixed-matched plates and bowls on the exposed shelves lining the walls, the light blue walls reflecting the sunlight, warming the room up.
The girls start cutting the vegetables while Itachi pours the wine. They sip on the red liquid as the conversation floats from their mouths to their ears, just like the old times. It's so easy talking to them, it always has been. As they continue to laugh at a funny story Izumi tells and the last of the vegetables get put into the oven, they make their way to the dinner table.
Soon enough dinner is ready and they're plating the food when there's a sudden knock on the front door. Sakura's too wrapped up in her conversation with Izumi to notice and Itachi heads to answer it, his glass of wine switched out for a beer that sits fittingly in his hand.
He opens the door and's greeted by a mirror image of his mother, "Sasuke?" There's a hint of surprise in his voice. He doesn't remember inviting his younger brother over, but his days have started to blur since the semester started. He opens the door further, letting his younger brother in.
They make their way to the kitchen where the girls are plating dinner; their backs still to them as they enter the room. Itachi goes to grab a beer out of the fridge for Sasuke as he clears his voice. Izumi and Sakura whirl around, their facial expressions displaying two very different emotions. Izumi's is full of surprise with an undertone of pleasure, it's always good seeing her soon-to-be brother-in-law however, Sakura looks like she's just smelled the foulest odor in the universe, disgust written through her eyebrows and annoyance weaved through her nose and mouth.
Izumi cuts through the silence first, "Sasuke, what a surprise! We'll fix you a plate." She goes to the cabinet to get a plate for him, Sakura still shocked to see her number one enemy standing in front of her.
"What? Can't I join my brother and sister for dinner?" He shoots at her, the acid in his words ricochet off her body taking aim for her wineglass on the table at her place for tonight. Her left eyebrow twitches, she inhales through her nose and turns back around, the knife in her right hand ready to snap in half at any moment.
As they plate up his food, Itachi and Sasuke take their seats at the table. Itachi and Izumi sit across from each other, Sasuke placed in front of Sakura. The girls bring the plates of food over to the table, placing them in front of the boys, the plates and bowls of extra food placed in the middle of the table. They all calmly sit in their respective seats, the only sound in the room is someone's chopsticks scraping the plate.
"So…." Izumi awkwardly forces out, trying to ease the tension she didn't plan on serving with her pork, "Itachi tells me you're taking Psychology with Naruto and Sasuke, how're you liking it?" She brings the chopsticks to her mouth, her eyes rattling between the two childhood enemies.
"Yeah, it's alright. We have the midterm coming up which I'm really worried about, I may email the TA about a few terms I feel like we're covered very well in class. Professor Ibiki gave us a study guide and there's a study session in a few days but still…" She glances down at her plate realizing she's mumbling on, "and well, you know Naruto." She awkwardly laughs, her body stiff. Sasuke groans in response, rolling his eyes. Itachi shoots him a scolding look, warning him to act nice or he'll get a call from their mother. Sasuke raises his eyebrows acting as if he's innocent.
"That sounds like Naruto." Izumi butts in, a fake smile plastered on her face. She may not be considered part of the family in the eyes of the law, but her threats disguised as simple grins could rival their mother's. The two Uchiha boys across from her continue to eat their food, the silence falls on the table again.
Sakura indulges in Izumi's home cooking, the meal filling her stomach in ways the dining hall could never. Growing up her mother and father were hardly home by dinner time which meant learning to cook on her own; if she wanted to eat, she had to fend for herself and as she got older, she found it therapeutic to prepare dinner for her parents. She didn't understand everything they did for her back then; the long hours at work all the time, extra shifts on the weekends and holidays were disguised as her being shipped off to an aunt or uncle's house for a change of scenery.
It was lonely then, but they had good intentions for doing what they did. They knew she was smart, 'a genius in the making!' as her dad would say, which meant they would need as much money as possible to put her through school to help her achieve her dreams because Kizashi and Mebuki Haruno raised a strong, independent and wickedly smart girl who would have every chance and opportunity as her rich and privileged classmates—that they were sure of.
"I'm sure you'll do fine Sakura. You always do." Izumi continues, nudging her friend on the shoulder with her own. She sends her a reassuring smile and Sakura thanks her with a toothy smile of her own.
"Of course she will." Sasuke says loud enough for everyone to hear, a clump of rice landing in his mouth as his words rest on everyone's ears. Itachi inhales sharply, his elbow making contact with his little brother's arm.
"I'm sorry did you say something?" Sakura asks, facing the younger Uchiha, "Speak up."
"No you're just making things up as usual." He's taunting her, and she knows it. Leave it to Sasuke Uchiha to ruin a perfectly nice dinner with his family.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Sakura slams her chopsticks down, scooting her chair back slightly, ready to throw punches and dodge words and whatever else the youngest Uchiha decides to surprise her with. Izumi shoots Itachi a pleading look, the cordial dinner only moments away from becoming a battleground.
"Sasuke—" Itachi starts but he's interrupted.
"You've gotten perfect grades since we were kids, I would know you would constantly brag about them. Why are you so worried? It's fucking annoying you do everything perfect yet still complain about your life and problems that don't exist, so what Ibiki didn't cover a few terms the way you want? Newsflash, people won't do everything the way you want them to."
"You think I don't have problems? That my life is perfect?" She fires back, standing up from her chair just as he does.
"Yeah Haruno. You're a shallow—"
"Sasuke sit down." Itachi interrupts, his eyes wide in anger as his right hand clenches his brother's arm.
"Sakura would you like more rice?" Izumi offers, wiping visible sweat from her brow.
The silence is deafening as her chest falls up and down, her heart rattling in her ribcage from rage. She's always been known for her explosive temper and Sasuke was drawn to it like a moth to a flame, he wouldn't admit it though. But he didn't need to, everyone could see it, almost everyone.
There's a knock at the front door and Izumi scoots her chair back but Itachi beats her to it, standing up with his napkin in his hand. "I'll get it Izumi, you continue eating." Itachi shoots Sasuke a warning in the form of a tattling death squint, ordering his brother to continue eating and the dining room better be in the same condition he's leaving it in. They both sit back down as Itachi pads to the front door, opening it wide to see a blonde-haired boy with bright blue eyes.
"Naruto?" Bewilderment covers his sharp, pronounced features as he moves out of way to let the younger man in. His beige shirt has a red swirl on the back, orange writing displayed vertically on the chest area. The black basketball shorts hang low on his hips, the multi-colored sneakers go past his ankles.
"Hey Itachi." His arms are behind his head as he casually glances in the house before accepting Itachi's invitation in, stepping into the clean house. The smell of cooked pork rushes his nostrils; he hasn't had a homecooked meal since he got dropped off at the beginning of the semester. "Is Sakura here?"
"Yeah are you okay?" There's worry in his voice as his eyebrows narrow on his younger brother's friend.
"Yeah I just wanted to make sure she's okay." The comment doesn't go unnoticed as Itachi wraps his arm around his shoulder, offering him a puzzled look. Suddenly there's a loud crash and yelling from the dining room and they both rush towards it. Sasuke and Sakura are standing up over the table, chopsticks drawn as Izumi tries hopelessly to shove her way between them. Sakura's broken wineglass reflects the light, the small amount of wine that was left in it splashed across the wooden floor.
"Drop 'em!" Izumi shouts, her face red as she tries to resolve the issue as the only adult in the room.
"Why are you really here Uchiha?" Sakura seethes, her eyes narrow as her hair falls into her face. Her green eyes are ready to shoot lasers at her victim of one; Sasuke Uchiha.
"They said I'm welcomed anytime." He smirks, watching the fire ignite behind her eyes as she processes his words and nagging tone.
"What's going on?!" Itachi pushes off Naruto and rushes towards his brother, grabbing the chopsticks out of his left hand and pulling him to the side.
"Naruto?!" Sasuke and Sakura exclaim together, confusion written on both their faces.
"What are you doing here?" Her face twists at the sight of his presence; so long for a calm and relaxing homecooked dinner with friends. She sighs, rubbing her temples as Sasuke turns his body to him, pointing his index finger at the blonde's chest. Naruto rubs the back of his neck, his cheeks changing a deep red as all the attention is now focused on him.
"No matter that's ok," Izumi cuts in, heading towards the cabinet with the plates, "We have more than enough if you'd like to join us." She serves him a plate, setting it down at the head of the table. He takes his place, sitting down and digging in, his cheeks stuffed with rice. He realizes everyone else is still standing besides Izumi. She clears her throat as she sets her napkin on her lap and they all take their seats quietly, none of them wanting to break the silence first.
"This is really good Izumi." He compliments, smiling at her with a mouth full of rice. Sakura cringes in disgust and turns away at the sight of his half-chewed food. Sasuke shakes his head as he places bits of rice and pork in his mouth. The silence is drowned out by their chewing, the time couldn't pass by any slower.
"Sakura, Sasuke and I are taking Psychology together with Ibiki." Naruto starts, unable to sense the awkwardness in the room or maybe he just doesn't care, "We have a project coming up and we still haven't decided what we're gonna do I bet these two have already argued like 10 times about it." He snickers, shoveling broccolini in his mouth. Sakura shoots him a glare; she knows he's trying to make a joke and calm everyone's nerves but if Sasuke Uchiha is in the room, there will be no calming of nerves.
"No we haven't." She laughs lightly, looking at everyone around the table.
"So?" He says at the same time as her, his eyes focused on the very interesting plate of food in front of him.
"No we haven't." She repeats again, her voice a higher pitch as she tries to gain control of the situation. She stares directly at the younger Uchiha, her green eyes shooting laser beams and sharp knives at the man who only smirks.
"Actually, Haruno agreed to be an adult for once and let me decide what we're doing the project on…Sigmund Freud." Sasuke places the peapod in his mouth, ignoring the steam escaping the pink-haired girl's ears.
"Actually, Uchiha agreed to be mature for the first time in his life and let me choose the topic. He knew my ideas would get us a good grade, unlike his ideas…they were a tad, weak. I knew they wouldn't go anywhere and with the presentation being 15 minutes long and 25% of our grade, I knew we needed a strong topic."
"I don't need your help getting a good grade in that class."
"Naruto and I both know your score on the first quiz is why you've been paying so much attention during the lectures. You don't think I didn't notice it at the library last week?" She squints her eyes, sticking a bite of rice in her mouth, aggressively chewing as she watches Sasuke squirm in anger in front of her.
"Naruto and I are doing perfectly fine in the class. Your discussion posts could use some work…" He takes the last bit of food in his chopsticks, chewing it as he doesn't break eye contact with Sakura.
"Actually if it weren't for me and finding that study spot in the library, you two would be failing." She shovels the last few grains of rice in her mouth, reaching for the bowl of rice to her right.
"You didn't find anything." Sasuke reaches for the bowl at the same time, tugging it towards him. Sakura doesn't let the bowl go, instead tightening her grip as she pulls it towards her. They continue to stare at each other, both out for blood and ready to go in for the kill despite the audience of three in front of them. Sasuke tugs the bowl harder, causing Sakura to grunt and pull the bowl towards her.
Izumi shoots Itachi and concerned look, Naruto stares between both of them as if he's just seen a ghost. "Wait guys, the presentation has to be 15 minutes?" He gulps down the peapod, the thought of public speaking scaring away his appetite.
"Let. Go." She grits through her teeth; her eyebrows are tight and wrinkled as she continues her glaring contest with Sasuke. She yanks the bowl towards her with more force and Sasuke let's go, the bowl of rice flying across the table towards her and covering her in rice. She exhales, flames surround her as she stands from her seat ready to launch her body across the table at him.
"I let go." He smiles at her sweetly, sarcasm echoing with every word. She stares at him, her body trembling with anger.
She breathes out, grabbing the chunk of rice sitting on the table by her plate. She scoops it up and throws it towards his face, the grains scattering across his body, covering him in cold rice.
He rushes to his feet, "Can you grow up Haruno?" His index finger extends towards her, pointing accusingly at her.
"Coming from the person who invited himself to dinner? It's like you're obsessed with me."
"Fuck you." He seethes, afraid of the truth seeping out into the open. Maybe he did ask Naruto where Sakura would be and maybe he did let it slip, but he can't help that his best friend has loose lips. But this is his brother and sister-in-law she's eating with; why wasn't he invited?
"Take your nose out of your stupid books and your head out of your ass. The whole reason you're so competitive with me is because you feel the need to prove to yourself that you belong here and fit in with the rest of us, but you don't. You're the same little girl begging for attention in any capacity."
"Sasuke." Itachi cuts in, standing up.
"And you're still the shy little boy living in his older brother's shadow dying to prove he belongs to the last name he was born to. My academic success intimidates you because I didn't come from money like the rest of you, I couldn't afford the any tutors yet I'm doing way better than all of you."
"I didn't have tutors—"
"And your grades reflect it. Guess you didn't inherit the 'genius Uchiha brains', did you?" She smirks, knowing she's hitting a nerve. "A poor girl exceeding, the rich boy who had access to every resource in the world and she's still on top. She will always be on top." She promises, the feeling of three pairs of eyes on her.
"You're such a—"
"Alriiiight," Izumi interrupts, clapping her hands together, "We all know you both hate each other for more reasons than any of us will ever know or understand. But if you're both gonna be in our wedding in a few months you need to get along. So, let's make a friendly competition yeah?" She watches both parties, both staring at her in shock as she just dropped major news on them. "Itachi and I have you two walking down the aisle together—"
Suddenly there's a spitting sound, and everyone looks at Naruto who's choking on a piece of pork. He bangs on his chest, coughs fill the kitchen as Sakura rushes to his side, worry on her face as she asks if he's ok. Sasuke rushes to grab him a glass of water. He stops coughing, tears running down his face.
"Sorry… go…on…" he breathes out harshly, gasping for air.
"You two are supposed to walk down the aisle together, it's just how the numbers worked out but we'll be willing to change it if…"
"If…" Sakura extends, eager to hear how she can get out of being anywhere near Sasuke at a wedding; he's probably even more dreadful than usual all suffocated in a suit and wrapped in expensive cologne.
"If you guys can get a combined percentage of 190 in your Psych 100 class, Itachi and I may be able to switch a few things around. That just means you both need to get an overall grade of 95% or better. And if what Sakura said is true about your grade on the first quiz, you need to study more or I'm sure Fugaku will be making an appearance shortly, Sasuke." Itachi nods, encouraging her words and wherever they're taking the conversation.
"Why would either of us agree to this?" Sasuke questions.
"Think of it like this, this little competition will push you to study harder and avoid any confrontation with your father and it'll get you both out of walking down the aisle with each other." She smiles in victory, the younger Uchiha slouching his shoulders slightly at her words, she has two very good points. "I also forgot to mention each couple will have to learn a dance for the reception, which also means dance rehearsals on top of wedding party tasks…"
Sakura and Sasuke both look at each other hesitantly, unsure if they'll both make it out alive.
The rest of dinner goes as expected. Sakura helps Izumi clean the kitchen as the boys play a video game in the living room, the yelling and shaking of the house sure signs of a grand victory or cheated loss. As the night gets later, and after a few more glasses of wine and long conversations at the table, Sakura says her goodbyes to Itachi and Izumi, hugging them both. Naruto and Sasuke follow her lead, leaving at the same time as they're all heading back to the same place.
Once they're long-gone Itachi and Izumi find themselves in their bedroom discussing the night's events. Itachi sits up in their bed under the covers with his back against the headboard, a book in hand as Izumi is getting ready in the bathroom connected to their room.
"And how do you think Sasuke found out Sakura would be here?"
"Same way Naruto did." Itachi chuckles, the night's events replaying in his head. He knew his brother was down bad, but he didn't realize how bad. He remembers the day Sasuke came home talking about a girl with pink hair, years later he's self-sabotaging trying to figure out how to share his feelings with her. He wasn't so sure the feelings were mutual until the other night, although drunk words are not always sober thoughts. He sighs.
"I think we need to call up Obito and Shisui about our little bet." Izumi smiles as she exits the bathroom and gets into bed next to him.
"You do realize we can easily put Sakura with Shisui and Sasuke with your cousin, right?" He sets the book on the nightstand, his eyes meeting hers, a devilish gleam dancing around them.
"I do, but they don't." She smirks, before leaning in to lay her lips against his.
a/n: hi pals! a very long awaited updated to my most popular fic (I think?) and its extra long mainly bc ive made u guys wait so long but also bc we're getting to the juiciest part of the story hehe! (my uncle also died but that's a story for another time!)
I do see all ur comments and interactions and i wanna thank you for being so lovely and supporting me and this thing. i'm so proud of it and it makes me so happy so much of u enjoy it! make sure to follow me on twitter /GSatellWrites23