Naruto Fan Fiction / Naruto Shippuden Fan Fiction ❯ Every Light on this Path is For You ❯ Just One of Those Days ( Chapter 12 )

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 12: Just One of Those Days

Itachi was unsurprised to see Deidara and Sasuke standing expectantly by his car at the end of the day, and even less surprised to see both of them with fire in their eyes, shouting at one another loud enough that he had heard them before he saw them.

He approached them with a soft sigh, wondering when on earth they were going to admit they actually didn't mind each other's company all that much anymore.

"Itachi!" Sasuke barked at him, turning to face him. "Where were you?!"

Itachi raised an eyebrow at him. His brother was making it sound like the two of them had been left in one another's company for hours, when in reality it had been mere minutes.

"I've had to listen to this idiot-"

"What!" Deidara immediately cut in. "You jumped straight down my throat the second I got here!"

"Of course I did."

"You did, you jumped up little jerk!"

Itachi glanced between the two of them, both standing with balled fists and apparently inches from smacking each other. He sighed, putting a hand to his forehead.

"Why do you get the front seat?" Deidara complained when Sasuke opened the passenger door. "Get out, yeah! Shotgun! Shotgun!"

"Fuck you and fuck your shotgun," Sasuke told him simply before getting in the car. Itachi glared at Deidara until he got in the back, getting in the driver's seat and looking expectantly at Sasuke.

"What?" Sasuke snapped irritably, noticing his brother's gaze.

"What were you fighting about?"

"Doesn't matter," Sasuke murmured, and Itachi instantly realised from the look in his eye that it really didn't. Sasuke had been taking his frustration out on Deidara, who had risen to the bait easily.

"Am I taking you home, or are you coming to mine?" He asked quietly.

"You can take me home."

Itachi nodded, doing as requested. Sasuke hesitated on the pavement, causing Itachi to step out the car and close the door behind him to give them some privacy. He didn't mind if Deidara overheard, but he thought Sasuke might.

"Hey," he said softly, putting a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "You need to calm down, alright? If you don't want to make nice with Dad then don't. If you do, then call him and talk it over. You can't carry on like this."

"I know," Sasuke murmured, looking down at the pavement.

"Good," Itachi nodded, letting his hand drop. "Let me know what you decide to do."

Sasuke nodded, glancing up at Itachi as he did so. His eyes narrowed when he caught sight of his brother's cheek, seeing the light bruising that was already beginning to come through.

"They really caught you badly with that door," he mused. Itachi put an unconscious hand to the wound, nodding his agreement.

"Seems so. Go on, Sasuke. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you."

Thankful to have diverted the conversation, Itachi slipped back into the driver's seat to face another confrontation from Deidara. He had jumped over the seat into the front one, eyes on Itachi's wounded cheek as he pointed to it.

"What happened?"

"That kid threatened me again today," Itachi told him, keeping his voice neutral. "Don't tell Sasuke. Don't tell anyone, in fact."

"Why not? He'd probably get expelled for that, yeah."

"Don't say a word," Itachi repeated. "Please. He said he'd make life difficult for Sasuke if I did, and he doesn't need that right now."

"If he's expelled then he can't do anything."

"And if they don't expel him then he's still around to do so. Keep it quiet."

Deidara looked worried, but he didn't argue. Itachi took that as a sign to re-start the car and make their way back home, thankful to be done with the day. It hadn't been a great one- something he'd suffered with a lot lately- and he hoped that once he was safely home that the difficulties would end there.

Upon getting out of the car once they were home, Itachi realised that wasn't going to be the case. He'd been concentrating so hard on Sasuke's issues with their father that he'd forgotten about his own with his mother.

His mother. Who was currently sitting on his doorstep, giving him a short wave and a nervous smile. His father was standing next to her, giving them both a nod of greeting as they stepped through the gate.

Mikoto had a brochure of some kind in her hands. As Itachi opened the door, she handed it to Deidara. It was for Stanford Art College. Deidara's eyes lit up as he was ushered into the house, flicking through it as he sat at the table with Itachi.

"I pulled some strings for you," Mikoto told Deidara softly. "I got your scholarship back. They were apparently very disappointed when you pulled out the first time, but their general policy is to not allow re-applications in the same year. However, I got them to make an exception- they seemed quite keen to do so for you."

She gave him a wink, earning another beaming smile from Deidara as he leafed through the brochure. There were so many areas of expertise! He glanced up, eyes questioning.

"The scholarship is for Art and Design in the media," Fugaku filled in. "It's the field you'll have the best chance of actually getting a job in."

If Deidara was upset at the subject being chosen for him, he didn't show it. He still had a bright smile on his features, finally finding his voice.

"Thank you so much," he said sincerely. "I really appreciate this, yeah."

"Itachi," Mikoto said quietly after a few minutes of awkward silence, punctured only by the sound of Deidara turning pages. "I don't know what to say to you other than 'I'm sorry'. But your brother- he needed... I mean, you needed too, but he needed... Because..."

Itachi decided to put her out of her misery, holding a hand up with a sigh. "I understand," he replied. "I don't like it, but I understand."

He wasn't going to allow the gesture to Deidara to be the only deciding factor in his decision to set aside the animosity. That would cheapen the ordeal- he wouldn't allow that.

"I got you a scholarship too," Mikoto continued almost shyly. "You were never happy with law, were you?"

"But I'm in my final year-"

"Of a subject you despise," Fugaku cut in. "Which you should have told me you hated, son. What do you want to study? The scholarship is based on you academically, not a single subject, because of your current record. Just say what you want to do, and it's yours."

"Are you kidding?" Itachi asked, his voice a whisper. "Anything?"

"Whatever you want, dear," Mikoto confirmed.

"Are you attempting to win me over with this?" He asked, his tone forceful. "That's cheap."

He didn't care that he sounded rude. The gesture was a kind one but he couldn't help but think there was an ulterior motive to it- he couldn't accept it in good conscience if it was.

"No." Mikoto shook her head, tone adamant. "I did it because I love you. You're my son- my firstborn, Itachi! I was so excited when I fell pregnant with you. I felt like I was the only woman to ever be blessed with such a beautiful and gifted child."

Pretty words, Itachi thought idly. They meant nothing if they were fake. However something in his mother's eyes told him that they weren't fake at all. She was radiating a genuine expression of love and joy as she continued to speak.

"For the first five years of your life I was dedicated to you." She paused, grimacing in memory. "Well, minus the morning sickness period of my pregnancy with Sasuke. Other than that, I was yours."

"After Sasuke came along, he needed a lot of attention. He was a colicky baby, Itachi dear. It used to upset you so much to hear him cry, and it would break my heart. Do you remember?"

Itachi shook his head slowly, wondering why he was suddenly feeling rather humbled.

"He grew, and you did too. Your father began to realise you were shining- you were excellent at everything you touched. You started school and became top of your little class, and we were so proud. I suppose that was around the time your father began to praise your achievements, and I began to dedicate more time to Sasuke."

Her face fell, eyes flickering slightly in what Itachi could see was genuine remorse.

"It wasn't ideal but sometimes these things happen, and you don't even realise it. We fell into a routine- your father would be concentrating on you and I would be on Sasuke... It was only when years had passed of the arrangement that we realised something had gone horribly wrong along the way."

Itachi could sympathise with that. Years of perfection meant training himself out of it was proving difficult, as he had already shown himself.

"I realised around your twelfth birthday," Mikoto concluded. "By then you were used to only wanting your father's attention. Sasuke... He was stubborn as a child- still is, in fact. Your father attempted to spend more time with him but he would just ask for me instead."

"Eventually it became resentment- he wanted me and he was getting your father. So we slipped back into the old arrangement, only I never stopped trying with you. You were older though- wiser, more capable of being bitter."

"I wasn't bitter," Itachi spoke up. "Bitter isn't the right word."

"I understand why things have been strained and I don't expect us to repair it overnight," Mikoto explained, her voice stronger now than it had been at the start of her monologue. "But the scholarships- they are yours and Deidara's, even if you ask me to leave. No strings attached."

"Geography," Itachi replied after a moment. Fugaku frowned just slightly, but he said nothing. Itachi caught it however, turning his attention to him. "I knew you'd feel that way. Useless subject with very little academic value, correct?"

"Not as useful as law," Fugaku admitted. "But still- not an awful choice."

"I'm glad you're being honest about it."

"I've never been anything but honest with you boys," Fugaku remarked. "Even if it meant being blunt about things you don't want to hear. If you will enjoy it, then so be it. We'll arrange it with the college as soon as possible."

"Sasuke's going to be annoyed," Itachi remarked with a soft sigh. "He's going to lose his occasional lifts home."

"If Sasuke wanted it I'm sure we could arrange something for him, too."

"If it came from you he might," Itachi replied to his mother with the same honesty presented to him by them. "He might not want to move so soon, though. Talk with him about it."

"Going to see him is my next plan," Fugaku replied, rising to a stand. Itachi frowned, shaking his head at that.

"Not tonight," he requested. "He needs some time to think."

"He still isn't pleased."

It wasn't a question- it was a clear statement. Itachi nodded, feeling a little guilty to be the bearer of bad news.

"Alright," Fugaku sighed after a moment. "I'll give it some time. Will you be in contact more often yourself now, Itachi?"

Itachi knew it was a veiled question of 'do you forgive your mother?', and he had a very simple answer for it.

"Yes. I will be."

He wasn't ready to start becoming his mother's greatest friend, but he was willing to bury the hatchet at least. It was a start at rebuilding the lost relationship, which judging by her smile, she was happy with for now.

"Bye," he called as he waved them off out the door, closing it softly before making his way back to Deidara in the living room. He was pouring over the brochure, the huge smile still firmly plastered on his face.

"You got it all after all," Itachi noted as he sat down opposite him. "You got me, the local scholarship and I'll be joining you this time."

"Aren't you annoyed to be dropping a subject you're so close to being done with?"

"No," Itachi replied, and he meant it. "It's the chance for a new start."

"A less perfect start?"

"Yes," Itachi smiled, realising he was right. "I can certainly try."

"And perhaps... Be open about us?"

Deidara looked so hopeful. Itachi reached across the table, prying the brochure from his hand and clasping it instead. "Sure," he agreed. "I don't have any reason not to now my father knows and doesn't seem to care." He paused, taking that fact in. "I can't believe he doesn't care. Honestly, did you put him under a spell or something?"

"I'm an artist, not a magician," Deidara joked. "I just told him how you felt. They seem to feel pretty guilty about the way things were, yeah. It's good that you're happy to try and move forward with your Mum."

"It's going to be strange," Itachi agreed. "As far as I've been concerned, I've barely had a mother. I'm worried more about Sasuke and Dad, though- he's not as forgiving as I am."

He exhaled, putting a hand to his forehead and taking a moment to just breathe and relax. For once, life was slotting into place for him and he was actually happy, minus the small issue of his little brother.

"I'm going to speak to Sasuke tomorrow," he declared. "If I can help him be happy, then I really do think life will be perfect right now."

"Nothing's ever perfect, yeah."

"It would be," Itachi told him definitely. "Sometimes perfect is the right word to use."

"I'm glad to hear you say it anyway," Deidara told him genuinely, a grin on his face as he leant across and sealed their lips in a kiss. "Maybe I can go back to the way I was before, then."

"What do you mean?"

"You haven't noticed? I don't do so many crazy artistic things anymore, yeah. I've been too busy trying to help you."

"Oh," Itachi replied, a little dumbstruck by the revelation. "I'm sor-"

"I told you I wanted to help you," Deidara reminded him firmly. "I don't mind, but it will be nice to go back to that. Art's who I am- I don't want to keep suppressing it like I have been."

Itachi gave him a subdued guilty look, followed by the smallest of smiles a moment later. "Does that mean I should start dreading waking up in the mornings again?"

Deidara gave him a huge, cheeky grin that suggested all was right with the world regardless of the topic. "You can count on it, yeah."

The following morning, Itachi awoke to a draft from the open window in the bedroom and the scent of paint. He hadn't left the window open and he certainly hadn't left any paint anywhere, which meant one thing- Deidara wasn't joking when he said he should fear mornings once more.

He groaned and covered his head with his pillow, feeling a familiar sense of dread wash over him. However this time, it was accompanied by the feeling that all was right with the world because this felt normal.

He finally ventured to find his boyfriend in the living room with a paintbrush in one hand and stencil in the other, painting bright orange fishes on his lovely clean magnolia walls. He blinked a few times, resisting the urge to smile.

"Fishes?" He queried. He was past anger, frustration, surprise or disbelief now, but that didn't mean he understood why Deidara had chosen a stencil usually suited to bathrooms.

"Check the bathroom, yeah."

Itachi did as requested, finding the once white walls an appropriate shade of aqua. He pushed down a hint of surprise- any praise of the colouring was drowned out by the ridiculous stencilled cafe-style coffee cups on the walls. They were a soft creamy shade, and it really would have looked nice had they not been coffee cups.

Deidara appeared at his side, paintbrush still in hand. Itachi quickly grabbed it and threw it into the nearby sink, frowning at him.

"Don't drip paint on the carpet."

"I wasn't going to! What do you think?"

"I think it's entirely unsuitable, so therefore it's very you. Please explain?"

"This place looks like a showroom," Deidara said simply. "I was making it a little less perfect, in light of your recent change of heart and the addition of myself to the home, yeah."

Itachi thought about that for a moment, nodding in agreement. "I suppose in your strangely warped logic, that makes sense. Coffee?"

"I made you one already. It's on the table."

Itachi went to find it, gladly snatching it up and taking a long, welcome sip. Deidara stood in the living room doorway, stifling a chuckle as Itachi choked slightly and set the cup down.

"I appreciate that you put cinnamon in there, but just how much did you use?" Itachi asked when he had recovered, eyes watering slightly from the unexpected spice and strange taste.

"Do you like it?" Deidara asked instead, neatly sidestepping the question.

"It's horrific."

Deidara grinned at that. "It was worth a try."

Itachi headed off to the kitchen to make a real drink, stopping in the doorway as a giant painted sun greeted him from the wall. Upon seeing that it was emblazoned with huge googly eyes, Itachi simply ignored it and went straight for the kettle. Deidara had moved to the doorway, a grin still on his features.

"What do you think of that then?"

"What do I think?" Itachi echoed, seemingly thinking it over before holding up one finger. "I think I'll be right back."

Deidara watched him leave with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, the latter taking over when Itachi re-emerged with a black marker in his hand.

"This is what I think," Itachi remarked demurely, placing the marker to the wall and drawing a sad smile on the sun. He stood back, giving Deidara an impassiveness glance.

To his credit, it took Deidara a couple of moments to recover his shock before he practically pinned Itachi to the kitchen counter, kissing him urgently as though Itachi was the air he needed to survive. Itachi let it happen right up until they were on the floor, tangled together in a heap that was rapidly decreasing in clothing.

"What got into you?" Itachi breathed as Deidara hastily shrugged his shirt over his shoulders.

"You," Deidara replied, lips close to Itachi's ear. "You did something artistic, yeah."

"It was a line," Itachi protested. "I just needed to draw on my walls to turn you on?"

He was met with a kiss that clearly screamed 'shut up', which he was more than happy to comply with. With the current development in mind, Itachi really rather enjoyed having such unpredictability in his life now, and wouldn't change it for the world.

Chapter End