Naruto Fan Fiction / Naruto Shippuden Fan Fiction ❯ Every Light on this Path is For You ❯ Clarity, And then Some ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: The characters, items, places etc of Naruto are property of Masashi Kishimoto. These objects are used without permission for entertainment only, not for making money. No infringement is intended.

Chapter 11: Clarity, And then Some

By the time Itachi crawled out of bed the following day, Deidara was already gone. A glance at the clock told him it was approaching eight- without his usual lift for the day, the artist had presumably left earlier to struggle with public transport.

Itachi wondered how he'd managed to actually sleep for eleven straight hours- he hadn't even woken to Deidara getting out of bed! Small miracles could happen it seemed, but he deduced it was because he really must have been quite tired.

A note in Deidara's messy scrawl was waiting for him on the living room table, along with a cinnamon cake. Deidara, the cheeky devil, had written the letters in huge font in the presumption Itachi would see it first thing in the morning, and therefore wouldn't have his contacts in.

The note explained the huge letters were for that exact reason, that the cake in front of him was testing a new recipe, and that Deidara would have his phone on at lunch break should Itachi want to call.

Itachi set it down again, eyeing the cake wearily. A new recipe could mean anything with his partner, but regardless he broke a tiny bit off- he wasn't in the habit of eating sweets for breakfast- and tasted it.

It tasted exactly like Sasuke's cakes did. Impressed, Itachi tore off another small bite before quickly putting it away to stop himself from being tempted. How had Deidara managed to get it tasting so much like his brother's?

He mused idly that perhaps they'd shared some cookery tips when they'd been sitting in the tree beforehand, remembering a few minutes later when he'd successfully procured coffee that Sasuke had shared the recipe with his partner a month ago- when he'd been eavesdropping outside the door, no less. He made a mental note to act surprised at the similarity when he spoke to Deidara later.

He came to a rather troubling conclusion once he was dressed and presentable for the day with no-where to go and nothing to do. Apart from college classes, he and Deidara were never without one another. To walk into the college building and part from him felt normal.

To be at home and be without him was now abnormal. He set about cleaning instead- a necessary evil that his partner had begun to take care of when he'd unofficially moved in, but why leave it to him when Itachi had the whole day to do it?

Even with music on in the background, Itachi still felt far too lonely. The house was too dull without Deidara's presence to brighten it.

Deidara found himself very glad to be home. He'd had to fight with the bus which was always a gamble- whether it even turned up was the first hurdle and if it did, it was unlikely to be on time.

Today it had been close to thirty minutes late, but he told himself the silver lining of the cloud lay in the fact it had arrived at all.

Pushing open the front door, he called out to Itachi. A call of confirmation from the living room had him heading in that direction, feeling complete once more now he was in the vicinity of his other half.

He stopped in the doorway, staring at the state of the room. Itachi took the moment he was incapacitated in shock to swiftly kiss him, a combination of passionate and tender, causing Deidara's knees to weaken. He put a hand to the doorframe to steady himself, slowly following Itachi's finger as he pointed upwards once they had parted.

Mistletoe greeted him- of course, because that matched the rest of the current decor. Deidara laughed out loud, taking in the room that had been once again adorned with Christmas decorations. Much to his surprise, Sasuke was sitting on the floor by the tree, an imperceptible smile on his lips as he hung ornaments.

"We had nothing better to do," Itachi explained with a shrug. "What do you think?"

"It looks great!" Deidara praised, smirking at the handmade paper chains that hung from the ceiling.

He hadn't touched the ceiling before since Itachi's box of decorations didn't house anything appropriate. It seemed the Uchiha brothers really did have too much time on their hands if they'd made some.

"How was your day?"

"Boring," Deidara intoned, falling onto the soft, cushioned cream sofa with a happy sigh. He was glad to be home, even if home currently contained Sasuke. "People wouldn't shut up about you being suspended again."

Itachi frowned slightly at that. "Don't people have something better to do than gossip?"

"Apparently not."

"I'm sure they'll get over it, yeah."

Itachi thought about it for a moment, sitting down next to Deidara. "I'm not sure I should care what they think, really."

"That's progress."

"I know."

"I'm proud of you."

Itachi laughed a little at that. "Don't be just yet. I've barely done anything."

He curled up into Deidara's side, happy to finally be with him once more. He'd cleaned the whole place from top to bottom, studied for a while and come to the conclusion he was far too lonely to care about work. Besides, he had another whole day off to do it, so he had called Sasuke for a chat.

Sasuke was apparently equally bored and somehow, Itachi had convinced him coming over to decorate his house for Christmas two months early was a good idea. He had actually asked to be the one to decorate the tree.

"Itachi?"

"Mm?"

"I like this, yeah. You seem happy."

"I am."

"Because of what your father said?"

Behind them, Sasuke stiffened slightly, recovering after a moment to continue hanging decorations a little more forcefully. Neither his brother nor Deidara noticed.

"Partly. Also, partly because you're home. Being suspended is awfully boring."

"Maybe I should take the day off tomorrow to keep you company, yeah."

To his surprise, Itachi simply shrugged. "If you want."

Deidara took that as a positive, closing his eyes contentedly and tightening his hold around his partner. "You know I love you, right?"

"Yeah," Itachi murmured. "I love you too."

"Get a room," Sasuke muttered, causing both of them to jump. They'd apparently forgotten his presence in their moment. "You're so fucking sappy."

"Jealously isn't pretty, Uchiha."

"The day I become jealous of you is the day Hell freezes over, Blondie."

"Hell's already frozen, yeah."

Sasuke blinked a few times in confusion. "What?"

"The innermost circle of Hell is frozen," Deidara explained as though Sasuke was a five year old child.

He received a blank look equal to a child, causing him to exhale in annoyance. "You have no idea what I'm talking about?"

"I don't care."

"Dante? The name doesn't ring any bells?"

"I said I don't care."

Deidara threw his hands up in frustration. "The Divine Comedy? One of the greatest literary works of all time? You're telling me you have no idea what I'm talking about?"

"Deidara?"

"What?"

"I really fucking hate you."

Itachi put one hand to his forehead, exhaling wearily. Life might be heading down a more preferable path, but he really wished his companions could be a little more civil along the way.

Itachi was supposed to be studying. He knew that, but his thoughts were hampered by other more pressing matters. He'd been back at college for four days now, which meant Sasuke would be returning that day from his week-long suspension. Itachi had been hoping to run into him, but he hadn't done so yet.

Sometimes he saw him in the hall or around the cafeteria at lunch break, where they would share a brief conversation and move on. They had different circles of friends. Well, Itachi lamented, he had one friend at least. And Sasuke had not-so-politely suggested that his elder brother hanging around was 'cramping his style'.

That didn't stop him asking for lifts home or taking a seat next to him in the library, however. Itachi glanced across as Sasuke did the latter, giving him a soft smile. He had appeared almost as though he had been summoned from Itachi's thoughts, but Itachi knew it was more likely he'd been too deeply in thought to notice his entrance.

"I'm cool enough to hang out with when you're without your friends, am I?" He asked with a good natured smile, smirking as Sasuke glowered at him. "How have you been today?"

"Alright. That prick keeps giving me evil glares."

"Ignore him."

"I am. That doesn't stop him being a prick."

"So why are you here?" Itachi asked, noticing Sasuke didn't have any books on him- almost as though he had no intentions of actually doing any work.

Sasuke seemed to be rendered speechless, which was unusual. He fiddled with the edge of one of Itachi's textbooks on the table, looking as though he wanted to say something. Itachi frowned, wishing to push him on it, before the faint sound of a bell ringing in the background halted him.

"That's my cue," Itachi informed him quietly, putting his pen down. "Talk to me later, alright?"

Sasuke nodded, helping Itachi gather his things and walking with him as they left the library. Itachi gave him a short wave as they separated ways, heading through the hall to the correct classroom.

He didn't really think walking through the hall of the college needed much thought, so he wasn't really paying attention to his surroundings as he did so. He knew where the walls were so he didn't walk into them, and that was all he needed.

As a result he was taken by surprise when he felt a hand on his arm halt him and moments later, a sharp pain at the back of his neck as he was pulled swiftly by his long ponytail into an empty classroom. The door closed behind him and his assailant, who Itachi instantly recognised as the boy he had tussled with before.

"What do you want?" He asked evenly, straightening his hair out once it was released and refusing to be intimidated. The lad was Sasuke's age, not even out of his teens- Itachi wasn't going to be frightened of him.

"You and I have unfinished business," the boy replied.

"I'm not interested in fighting with you."

"Too bad, because I'm interested in fighting with you."

"That's your concern, not mine," Itachi informed him, one hand on the door handle to leave. He was going to be late to his class if this carried on, and he refused to give the boy any more of his time.

A hand clasped over his, roughly pulling it off of the door. "You aren't going anywhere, Uchiha Itachi."

Itachi glanced over his shoulder, seeing unbridled bloodlust in the other boy's eyes. Clearly his pride had taken a beating from their confrontation- Itachi had put him to the floor with barely any effort, so it was to be expected.

He sighed, knowing he needed to at least give a verbal confrontation if he was going to leave the room without a fight.

"What do you want from me?" He asked evenly, turning to face the boy with a raised eyebrow of question. "I'm not going to be intimidated by you nor am I going to spar with you."

A smirk in response was all he got, reminding Itachi so much of his younger brother when he was having a cocky moment. It was a reinforcement of all this kid was- overconfident, with the ability to hold a grudge if he wanted to. Just like Sasuke with their father and Deidara. He found himself smirking back, unable to contain it.

"What's so funny?"

"I was just thinking how much like my brother you are," Itachi replied truthfully. "And as a result, I'm sorry- I just can't take you seriously."

He took a solid punch to the face for his insolence- mostly expected, but still painful. The boy was wearing rings today, which Itachi was now very much aware of. He put a hand to his cheek, not allowing himself to seem pained by it. He was the master of perfect facades and, for once, it was going to work in his favour.

"Fight me."

"That would be a waste of both of our time."

"Fight me!"

"Do you believe because I dislike fighting that I won't?" Itachi asked after a moment's consideration. "Because I told you before that I wouldn't hold back if needed, and you're pushing my limits a little."

"So you aren't a pacifist," the boy declared. "I just haven't pushed you hard enough yet."

Itachi expected the second punch when it came, grabbing the offending hand with his palm and attempting to divert it. He managed to keep it away from his eye, deflecting it to his shoulder instead. The boy slammed him up against the wall instead, pinning his arms against it with a feral growl.

"Listen to me," he snapped. "Your brother's a feisty one. If I even look at him, he's on guard. I'm not going to get him, so I'll get him through you."

"No," Itachi replied back, surprised by the calm in his voice. "You listen to me. You have five seconds to release me."

"And if I don't?"

"You'll regret it."

Itachi realised that he had five seconds to think of a way to stop his words from being a simple bluff. His exterior was hardened though, eyes narrowed as he began to count out loud.

"One."

He couldn't think of a thing.

"Two."

Why did his mind have to give up on him now?!

"Three."

Think, Itachi! Think!

"Four."

To his relief, the boy tentatively released his arms, throwing another punch instead. Itachi was too stunned to dodge, wincing as his already-injured cheek took the hit. He glanced to the door, wondering if he was going to be able to get to it if he ran.

He shook the thought away, pride taking over. He was Uchiha Itachi! He wasn't going to run from this! He might be an emotional coward, but he wasn't one when it came to things like this. He was taking the hits so Sasuke didn't have to- that was good enough for him.

Fortunately for him, the boy appeared to be losing some of his anger, giving Itachi one last murderous glance before balling his fists and turning his gaze to the floor.

"Fine. Get out of here."

Itachi didn't need to be told twice, walking to the door with enough haste to be sensible, but not too much that he looked frightened. As he was about to step back through it, he found an arm around his neck and he choked as he was pulled back, his ear right by the other boy's lips.

"Be on your guard, Uchiha Itachi. We'll finish this another day."

He let Itachi go, allowing him to take a couple of choking breaths before he found his voice to speak. "You think I'm not going to simply report you for threatening me?"

"If you tell, I'll get Sasuke."

Itachi sighed heavily at that, closing his eyes. There was no competition there, so he simply gave a short nod of confirmation before walking away down the hall. A glance over his shoulder saw the boy slip out of the room and head in the other direction, leaving Itachi to put a hand to his cheek with a soft hiss of pain.

His fingertips revealed crimson when he pulled them back and he frowned, diverting into the closest bathroom to deal with it. He couldn't simply waltz into class with a cut on his face- that would require explanations that he wasn't allowed to give.

The room would likely be empty considering it was class time, which was a blessing. Pushing the door open, he stopped and blinked a couple of times when he discovered that wasn't the case.

And of course, of all the people who could have been leaning up against the wall smoking a cigarette, it had to be his brother. The same brother, he realised, who was looking very much like he wanted to cry for some reason.

"You are such a stereotype," he declared as he closed the door, deciding to divert away from the obvious melancholy. "Skipping class to come and smoke in the bathroom? You realise this is the first place any teacher who would want to seek you would look?"

"I don't have a class right now," Sasuke shrugged indifferently. "I know you do, though."

"I have something more important to deal with it," Itachi told him firmly. The light was off in the room, leaving only the semi-light of the dirty windows to illuminate them inadequately.

Sasuke had probably turned it off to shield himself should anyone come in and notice his distress, but Itachi needed it to be on to see the damage to his cheek.

"That's what breaks are for," Sasuke declared with a shrug, misinterpreting Itachi's comment until his sibling flicked the switch and bathed the room in light.

Sasuke blinked a couple of times, eyes falling on the cut Itachi was inspecting in the mirror. He was at his side in an instant, eyes narrowed in concern.

"What happened?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," Itachi told him, keeping his voice level. "Someone was careless with a door, that's all. Why are you skipping class?"

The diversion was flawless, and Sasuke took to it easily. "I told you, I don't have a class."

"So why are you hiding away here rather than heading home?"

"I have one later."

"That still doesn't explain why you're not smoking outside," Itachi remarked, taking the cigarette from his brother's fingers. "And while I'm not going to yell at you for doing this, I'd prefer you didn't around me."

"I'm not skipping," Sasuke muttered as Itachi put the cigarette out. His edgy demeanour hinted he wasn't telling the whole truth- whatever had been bothering him in the library was clearly still doing so.

Itachi let it go for that moment, cleaning the blood from his face and checking the injury once more. It looked much better and he turned to leave when it became clear Sasuke wasn't going to speak, armed with the same story about a door for his teacher.

"I'm already late," he explained over his shoulder. "I need to go, Sasuke."

"...Don't leave."

Itachi faltered in his step. The voice that Sasuke had just spoken in was small, and very much unlike him. "Will you tell me what's going on?" He asked quietly as he turned his attention back to his saddened sibling.

Sasuke averted his eyes in such a manner that Itachi didn't have to think any more about the decision to stay. Being another five minutes late wasn't going to hurt at this stage.

"Sasuke?"

"It's Dad," Sasuke finally admitted once Itachi was at his side, silently leaning against the wall next to him for him to speak. "He called me again last night and asked if I was ready to talk about what he said."

"What did you say?"

"I hung up."

"That probably wasn't wise."

"I told you, I don't care for what he has to say!" Sasuke protested, but it was half hearted to even the least observant people. Itachi, being very observant and especially when it came to his brother, shook his head in disagreement.

"You do care. We wouldn't be having this conversation if you didn't."

"You're right," Sasuke finally uttered, his voice bitter. "I do care but I really wish I didn't."

"I know the feeling," Itachi replied with a small smile. "But I also have no idea how to help you with that."

"You always have the answers."

Itachi was taken aback for a moment by the statement, but he didn't let it show. "No I don't, Sasuke. Academically I may excel but when it comes to the intricacies of life, I'm afraid I'm just coming to terms with the fact I fail quite often."

"I'll always be proud of you either way," Sasuke told him, a hint of affection in his tone. Itachi smiled at it- it was rare, and he was pleased to hear it. He and Sasuke had a unique relationship in that they managed to be closely bonded with very little outward sign of it, but it didn't stop him giving a quick hug and a flick of the forehead to his brother.

"Get to class," he scolded lightly, pulling the door open and stepping aside for Sasuke to pass through. Sasuke didn't attempt to argue that there was no class, making his way wordlessly down the hall with a sheepish expression on his face.

"Itachi?" He called after a moment, glancing over his shoulder. "Can I get a lift home?"

"Sure," Itachi nodded. "My car is parked just outside the gate."

"I know, I saw it. Thanks."

With Sasuke gone, Itachi briefly wondered whether it was even worth going to class now that he only had twenty minutes left of it. He struggled with the decision before finally deciding not to bother- it was his last class anyway and he would be spending the rest of the afternoon in the library until Deidara finished his own.

Might as well continue his earlier studies and explain the absence later. He smirked, hoping Sasuke wouldn't find out considering Itachi had just sent him off to his own class.

He walked cautiously through the hall this time, eyes and ears open. He wasn't going to be caught off guard like that again- the next time it happened, and he was certain that it would, he would be ready.

Chapter End