Naruto Fan Fiction / Naruto Shippuden Fan Fiction ❯ With You I Will Journey Life's Path ❯ For Those You Love ( Chapter 5 )

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 5: For Those You Love

When they arrived the church doors were just being opened to admit the people milling around on the green outside. Considering the time of year the sky looked like it might be threatening rain, but had thankfully managed to stay dry to that point.

Madara had insisted on driving with the roof down regardless, complaining that convertibles were made for such a practise even if it was snowing. Itachi dearly thanked that it wasn't.

"I swear," he muttered to Deidara once they were out of the car. "If I suddenly pass out, just take the kimono off and I'm sure I'll be just fine. I'll just need oxygen."

"Take the kimono off?" Deidara murmured into his ear huskily. "Now, now. We're going inside a church, yeah. That's quite inappropriate."

"You're inappropriate," Itachi countered as he linked one arm through Deidara's with a soft smile to show he didn't really mean any harm. "The church is beautiful. I'm not surprised they decided to get married here."

"So even you can appreciate the beauty of architecture?" Deidara mused.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you aren't very creative, yeah. I look at this building and I see artistic potential. I expected you to just see stones and ivy."

"You have a rather warped view of me," Itachi noted as they headed inside the church. "Just because I don't pick up pencils and draw masterpieces doesn't mean I'm not creative."

"You should though, yeah."

"Why? That isn't me," Itachi argued, holding one hand up to him to halt the conversation.

Uchiha Mikoto, sitting in the second row on the right hand side, was beckoning to him with a smile on her face. He smiled back and lightly pulled Deidara by the hand with him, Sasuke a few steps behind.

"Oh honey, you look lovely," Mikoto praised as they sat down with her. "Hello Deidara. Sasuke, smile! It's a wedding!"

"Madara's a jackass. Don't ever make me go anywhere near him again," Sasuke complained, folding his arms and clearly sulking.

"Oh come on, it was only for a couple of hours. What did he do now?"

"He got another cat and he messed up my hair."

"Is that all?" Mikoto sighed, putting one arm around his shoulders and giving him a quick squeeze. "Lighten up then, dear. You're out of there now."

"Boys," Fugaku greeted from her side with a single nod. "Good to see that you made it."

"Is Madara just being a jerk when he says the kimono is supposed to be tied tightly?" Itachi asked Mikoto quietly, tugging on the kaku obi again and trying to sit comfortably.

"It is supposed to be rather tight, yes. Stop fussing with it dear, you'll loosen it and then it'll all fall apart."

"I want to loosen it."

"Stop complaining about it," Deidara soothed. "You've barely shut up since you put it on- that's not like you."

"That should tell you just how awful it is then."

"No, it just says you're irritable because you didn't sleep well."

"That's what happens when we sleep in the car."

"You slept in the car?" Mikoto echoed, looking mildly concerned. "What happened to the hotel?"

"We got a little lost on the way," Itachi explained, but Sasuke spoke straight over him.

"The blond idiot over there tore our map up."

"Oh," Mikoto replied, looking a touch mystified and deciding to say nothing at all. Deidara sheepishly attempted to hide from his spot on the end of the bench seat.

Itachi turned his attention to the front of the church instead, seeing Madara standing with Nagato at the front chatting with a white haired man in full robes- presumably, he was the one who would be marrying them. Nagato looked a little nervous, repeatedly glancing towards the door where Konan would be arriving.

Itachi extended his focus to scanning the room, taking in some of the other guests. Predictably, he recognised none of them, except for a couple who he guessed he must have seen at a business party of his father's at one time or another.

"Hey," Deidara whispered in his ear. "About what we were saying earlier... Are you annoyed with me?"

"A little," Itachi admitted. "It's frustrating that you don't see how creative I am in other areas sometimes."

"Like where?"

"Like when I cook, for example. I come up with recipes and make sauces and salad dressings- that's creativity too, you know."

"It's not the same," Deidara sighed. "I sometimes wish you understood why I love art so much, that's all. Don't take it personally."

"It's a little difficult not to take it personally, don't you think? Besides- I'd rather discuss this at another time, alright?"

Deidara hesitated and reached into the front pocket of his suit, pulling out a miniature pencil and notepad. He passed it across to Itachi, who looked at him in disbelief.

"You bought a sketchbook to a wedding?"

"It's hardly a sketchbook," Deidara argued. "It's a bit small, yeah. Draw me something."

"I don't want to."

"Go on! It doesn't matter what it is or if it's bad, I promise."

"Deidara," Itachi warned, attempting to hand the notepad back. "Don't push it."

Sasuke reached over and snatched the notebook, sending a glare in Deidara's direction. "I can't help but overhear you," he noted. "Stop hounding my brother. He said no, now leave him alone."

"Thank you Sasuke, but I can fight my own battles," Itachi told him firmly.

"Forgive me for looking out for you," Sasuke snapped back in response, earning a genuinely compassionate smile from Itachi and an apologetic hug.

"Sorry," Itachi murmured into his brother's ear. "Madara spoke to me about something that's upset me a little, that's all. It's not Deidara's fault."

"What did he say?"

"I'll tell you later," Itachi promised as he let go and pried the notebook back from Sasuke, throwing it back at Deidara with a heavy sigh. Deidara grabbed it and put it away, sulking mildly.

The opening bars of the bridal chorus flooded the church from the organ near the front, instantly drawing the room into silence except for its own sounds. All heads turned to see Konan enter the building, wearing an ivory wedding dress decorated with pearls and a tiara upon her head.

Her hair was styled into soft waves, combed to one side as she stepped up the aisle on the arm of a man assumed to be her father.

She carried a bouquet of white roses, tied with lilac and yellow ribbons as she shyly glanced around the room at the attendees. A reasonably short train glided along behind her, and the tips of white high heels shoes were visible as she slowly put one foot ahead of one another and locked eyes with Nagato.

The ceremony went by without any hitches. Rings and words were exchanged as was a customary kiss after they had been pronounced, earning a soft round of applause from the guests before they were whisked away to sign the marriage charter.

"I've never been to a wedding before," Deidara sighed happily as they began to file out of the church. "That was so beautiful, yeah."

"Mm," Itachi nodded, realising immediately after that if he was going to continue trying to shield Deidara from what was really annoying him, he might have to be a little more enthusiastic.

"What's wrong?" Deidara replied with a concerned frown.

"The kimono," Itachi told him flatly.

"You're still complaining about that?"

"I'll be complaining until I can remove it," Itachi replied, though it left him wondering about what he was going to use to cover his mood once he had changed.

He couldn't avoid the conversation forever, he knew that, but he just wanted to avoid it right then.

The photographs on the church grounds were cut short by the beginnings of rainfall, which left people dashing back to their cars of attempting to shelter in the church doorway.

Konan and Nagato were whisked off to the bridal car and ushered inside with a glass of champagne each, while the photographer braved the weather professionally to snap some shots of them in it.

Sasuke managed to convince Fugaku to give him a lift, leaving Itachi and Deidara to brave the ride to the reception with Madara alone. Itachi got in the back seat regardless of the look his uncle gave him, staring out the window and silently praying to any available deities that there would be no conversation.

"Alright, I'll just raise my voice," Madara called once they were on their way. "Deidara, how do you feel about the possibility of Itachi running my company in the future?"

Itachi closed his eyes and mentally willed Deidara to keep his mouth shut, but Deidara instantly frowned and decided to speak his mind instead.

"I hate the idea and so does Itachi, yeah."

"Does he now? Did he say that?"

"No, but I know him well enough to know he does. He wants to teach geography. He doesn't want to run some posh business, being stuck in an office all day."

"The office isn't so bad," Madara chuckled. His light-hearted tone somehow put Itachi on edge even more.

"It's like a prison!" Deidara argued. "You're chained to your desk and the four walls around you! People should be free, yeah."

"But with freedom comes a lapse in society, Deidara. If people didn't do such jobs, the world would eventually stop functioning. It takes people like myself keeping the economy in order-"

"Bullshit!" Deidara interrupted. He was in full tirade mode now, leaving Itachi to stare out of the window and keep well and truly clear of the wrecking zone.

"People survived before without high rise buildings and stock markets and shares and all that other stuff, yeah! What's wrong with just living for the moment and seeing where life takes you rather than trying to force it to move for you?"

"I had no idea you were such a free spirit," Madara mused. "Interesting choice, Itachi."

Itachi said nothing, determined to keep out of the conversation.

"We're a good couple," Deidara defended.

"I didn't say you weren't. I simply observed that you have differing personalities. Anyway, back to important matters. Itachi? You're being very quiet back there."

"I have no intentions of getting involved in this," Itachi told him quietly. "Besides, it might not even be relevant if you pass the business to Nagato."

"Oh, Itachi," Madara sighed. "You realise the reason Nagato asked me to be his best man is because he is also attempting to gain the promotion when the time comes, don't you?"

"He originally asked his best friend, Yahiko, but withdrew the offer when he realised what was at stake. Does your father know how you feel about the potential position?"

"It's his potential position, not mine. Why does it matter?"

"You know why it matters. Never mind- we'll discuss this in further detail over a drink at the reception, shall we?"

The rest of the drive was conducted in excruciating silence. Deidara pulled Itachi to the side the moment they were out of the car, concern in his eyes.

"So that's what's been eating at you?"

"Yes," Itachi admitted, keeping his eyes to the floor. "But my father really wants this, Deidara. I don't have to actually take it if the times comes, right?"

"So you expect me to just stay quiet and not say anything about how much you dislike the idea?"

"That would be appreciated."

Deidara paused for a moment before laughing sharply. "Not a chance, Itachi! I love you and I refuse to let you sacrifice what you want."

"Didn't you hear me- I wouldn't take it when the time comes to pass it to me."

"Yes, you would. You'd take it because if you didn't, Sasuke would have to. You wouldn't want that for him."

"My father could pass it to someone else within the company," Itachi countered. "It wouldn't have to be either of us."

"No. You said the entire reason you're even here is to stand with your father and remind Madara that you and Sasuke are there for that exact purpose, yeah."

"Besides, you told me yourself that the only circumstance it would pass to you is if your father died or retired, and you hinted it would have to be the former."

Itachi faltered at that, unable to give an instant reply. Deidara seized the opportunity and continued.

"I know you well. You want to look perfect for him, don't you?"

"What gives you that idea?" Itachi argued. "I'm in therapy for that."

"That doesn't mean the feeling is gone. I know it isn't. Do you think I'm blind?" Deidara lowered his voice and leant closer to Itachi.

"You bought a paper shredder. You did that so I wouldn't see how many sheets of paper you'd gone through making an essay perfect."

"You stayed up all night for that exam at the start of this term. And you know what else? I wasn't going to bring this up but I know you aren't taking your medication, yeah."

"Is that so?" Itachi asked neutrally, but his eyes reflected panic for a brief moment.

"You shredded the latest prescription. The packet that's in the cupboard is empty, yeah. I'm not as stupid as Sasuke implies, and I'm certainly not when it comes to your wellbeing."

"Deidara, this is not the time or the place for this conversation," Itachi hissed at him sharply. "Drop it."

"When I got with you I made sure it was only when you agreed to fight this," Deidara pushed regardless, looking suddenly heartbroken as he reached out and grabbed Itachi's hands. "Don't fall back into that. Please don't. I don't want to take second place to some stupid complex, yeah. Not again."

They stared at each other for a moment, hands tightly clenched together, until they were interrupted by Sasuke approaching with a frown on his face.

"Dad's asking for you," he said, though the atmosphere didn't go unnoticed.

He gave Itachi a brief glance of concern, which was promptly ignored. Together they slipped inside the reception hall, to be greeted by cheery music and laughter. It was decorated in lilac and purple, with a banquet table at one end and a bar at the other. The middle was a dance floor, though it was mostly empty and would stay that way until the alcohol began to loosen people up.

"Itachi!" Fugaku called, beckoning him over. He was seated at a table with Madara, Nagato, Konan and a few other people. "Sasuke!"

Despite his name not being called, Deidara stayed firmly glued to Itachi's side. Fugaku didn't object, moving to let the three of them sit down and heading to get them something to drink. When he returned he had three glasses and a bottle of champagne, pouring them each a glass.

"Just this once, son," he told Sasuke, who looked thrilled at the prospect of alcohol with permission. "Be sensible and don't tell your mother I let you."

"I'm almost eighteen anyway," Sasuke attempted to protest, but Fugaku had already turned his attention to the other members of the table.

Itachi recognised the priest who had married Konan and Nagato, now dressed in a suit and looking quite bored. Next to him was a tall man with tan skin and long hair, and a redhead wearing a rather scruffy outfit that consisted of what appeared to be black skinny jeans and a shirt with a jumper over it.

"Sasori, Kakuzu, Hidan- these are my sons and their friend Deidara."

"He's not my friend," Sasuke hissed, while Itachi chose not to correct him. Deidara didn't look impressed, but also kept his silence.

"Hidan is the priest from earlier, as you can probably tell- he's an old friend of Konan's. Kakuzu is Madara's financial advisor and Sasori is head of marketing. Deidara, you may have something in common with him- he's also an artist."

Deidara's eyes immediately lit up, as did Sasori's though to a lesser degree, and they immediately launched into a conversation that went straight over everybody else's heads.

"What's your favourite shade?" Deidara began.

"Coquelicot."

"I love that one! What do you think of Jasper?"

"I'm not over-keen. Byzantine?"

"Not really. Aureolin?"

"Awful. Viridian?"

"With the introductions out of the way, let's talk business," Madara declared, holding up his glass and speaking over the two artists. "But first- a toast to the happy couple."

They all raised their glasses, before the atmosphere turned immediately sombre and Madara began to speak.

"As you know, I am looking at retiring at some point in the near future. I have very worthy candidates to promote as CEO of the company, and I tell you- I'm torn. All would do a splendid job."

"However I am also a man who likes to think about the future- I want to know where my company is going to be headed in the long term, and be confident it will be handled with the care I have put into it."

He turned to Fugaku with a smile that looked far too much like a smirk for Itachi's tastes. "Did you know Itachi apparently isn't thrilled at the idea of taking over from you one day, should I pass it to you?"

"Is he not?" Fugaku replied, glancing straight across to his eldest with sharp eyes. "He has never said anything like that to me."

"It's not that," Itachi immediately cut in, feeling Deidara jab him sharply in the ribs as he did so. "It's just an overwhelming position to be put in. I don't mind."

"Liar!" Deidara hissed in his ear. "Itachi!"

"Deidara, do you have something to say about this?" Madara asked, immediately seeing the interaction.

His smile definitely became a smirk as Deidara hesitated, finally sighing deeply and shaking his head.

"No," he sighed. "Nothing."

Chapter End