Naruto Fan Fiction / Naruto Shippuden Fan Fiction ❯ With You I Will Journey Life's Path ❯ A Cocktail Contains Neither of the Above ( Chapter 7 )

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 7: A Cocktail Contains Neither of the Above

The illusion of two people in love was shattered moments after stepping outside. The garden was quite quiet, with only a few people sitting around chatting together at tables near the entrance.

Itachi could sense the air around them change as Deidara's soft hold on his hand became tight and harsh, dragging him across the garden to a vaguely private corner.

"We're not done, are we?" He asked flatly, remembering Deidara's earlier words.

"No we are not done," Deidara hissed. "How was my acting for you? It's almost as good as yours, right? Only my acts don't involve lies like all of yours do."

"Fine," Itachi sighed. "Apparently you can't play nice for the sake of someone else's wedding."

"I did, yeah. They all thought we were fine just now, didn't they?"

"I presume we're not."

"No we are not!" Deidara whisper-shouted in annoyance, clenching his fists tightly. "I am so angry with you! I can tell you now, the only thing I have planned tomorrow is getting drunk in the hotel bar and staying as far away from you as possible since I have to pretend we're fine tonight."

"What do you want me to do about this? I can't change the past."

"I want you to stay away from me for a while," Deidara warned. "I swear Itachi, just stay away and let me have some space so I don't just get a train home right now."

"If you insist," Itachi replied with a shrug, before heading straight inside and leaving Deidara in the garden.

He closed his eyes and sighed heavily, distracting himself by heading for the bar. It was Madara's tab, which made the want to get horribly drunk much stronger than usual.

He found temptation too difficult to resist. Ten minutes later, Sasuke found him in one corner of the garden sinking Jagerbombs and looking visibly upset and more notably, alone.

"Where's Deidara?" He asked as he sank down to the ground as best he could in his kimono.

Itachi shrugged, not meeting his eye. "Who knows?"

"Why do you do it?" Sasuke asked in exasperation, taking a Jagerbomb from the tray Itachi had next to him. "Why do you constantly fuck up the things you really shouldn't be?"

"Because I'm an idiot, apparently."

"Well, yes, you are. But seriously- he got on that train, Itachi. He almost left once because you couldn't put him above your complex, and you're going to let that happen again?"

"No!"

"It doesn't look that way. He's scared, he said it himself. All he wants is an open, honest relationship and you aren't giving that to him."

"I'm quite aware of my failings, Sasuke. I don't need to be reminded."

"No, you do, because the more you're told what's at stake, the harder you'll fight. If you keep up doing what you're doing, Deidara will be gone within six months. He loves you, sure, but he loves you, not the perfect being you try to create to appease who-knows-who these days if it's not Dad."

"Can you just leave me alone?" Itachi asked firmly as he picked up another cocktail.

"So you can wallow in self pity? I don't think so."

"Don't you have a relationship of your own to go and fix?"

"There's nothing wrong with my relationship. Don't be a spiteful bastard, it doesn't suit you."

"Sorry," Itachi murmured. "I don't know what to do, Sasuke."

"Then tell him that. Tell me that, tell anyone that so we can help you," Sasuke urged passionately. "We're going to the therapist with you, and the doctor. Tell them it's not working out and they'll change tactic- it's what they're there to do. You can feel better, Itachi, and you will if you allow people to help you."

With that he swiped another Jagerbomb from the tray and made his way back inside. Itachi watched him go, following him a few moments later. He hovered in the doorway, spying Deidara dancing on the floor with Sasori to some kind of cheesy disco song, a huge smile plastered on his face. It didn't look fake at all.

Unlike his partner, who was apparently as good of an actor as he was an artist, Itachi was unable to act the same way. It led to him leaning against the wall just watching the dance floor, looking away whenever Deidara glanced in his direction.

"Sweetheart?"

He turned to see his mother, giving him a concerned look and resting a hand on his shoulder. Itachi gave her a weak smile, knowing she would have already have sussed his mood- he couldn't hide much from her these days in regards to emotions. Besides, he was standing around looking despondent- he was an open book right then.

"What's wrong?" She asked, frowning in concern.

"Nothing much," Itachi shrugged, brushing off her remark.

The last thing he wanted was to bare his soul to his mother about his failings in life. She hovered for a moment, knowing it was untrue, but eventually her hand fell away and she sighed softly.

"Alright," she conceded. "You know where I am if you want to talk."

Itachi didn't want to talk- not unless it was to Deidara, and attempting to fix what he'd managed to inadvertently damage.

However, his partner seemed more interested in dancing than he did talking, so Itachi turned to the next best thing. Soothing and offering sympathy to all- a tasty glass or five of alcohol.

"Trouble in paradise?" A voice asked him once he was at the bar, about to knock back a whiskey.

"What do you want, Madara?" Itachi growled. He had no patience for his interfering uncle right then.

"I'd like you to tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing of interest to you."

"It doesn't escape my notice your boyfriend isn't with you, Itachi. Did you have a disagreement about my proposal for the business?"

Itachi knocked back the drink in his hand in one easy movement. It was no surprise Madara had guessed the problem- he'd probably hoped it would happen, after all. "Is there any particular reason you dislike my relationship so much?" He asked sharply.

"You're a brilliant man," Madara praised. "He is not. That's all there is to it."

"It depends how you measure a person's potential," Itachi argued. "Compared to Deidara, I am nothing."

"Don't be modest. Your father's told me all about your academic achievements. Always top of the class, excelling in college. You're made for bigger things than a relationship with an artist, Itachi."

"Are you done insulting me?"

"I'm giving you the facts, Itachi," Madara attempted to tell him, but Itachi had already stood up and begun to walk away.

Instead, Madara grabbed his arm and halted him sharply. "You know I'm right," he warned. "He'll lead you astray. You can't see it, can you?"

Itachi pulled his arm free and promptly ignored him, going straight to his parent's table. Madara wouldn't harass him there- he knew better.

"Evening son," Fugaku greeted. "Is everything alright?"

"Of course," Itachi replied smoothly, his usual facade in place.

Mikoto eyed him suspiciously, but said nothing to shatter it. It didn't escape Itachi's notice that there was another person at the table that he didn't recognise. He seemed to have a family resemblance, though his hair was strangely curly.

"This is your cousin Shisui," Fugaku introduced. "It's been a long time since you've seen each other."

"It's a pleasure," Itachi replied politely, holding one hand out to his cousin.

"Evening. Your father tells me you want to be a teacher," Shisui remarked. "Come with me."

Frowning in confusion, Itachi let Shisui lead him across the room and out the front door, taking in the cool air gladly. The room was becoming unbearably hot with so many people in it, even though it was the middle of February.

"Sorry," Shisui apologised. "Your father views me highly- I'd hate to shatter that. You want to teach, right?"

"Correct. That is my eventual goal."

"I may be able to help you with that," Shisui told him slyly, a mischievous grin on his features that reminded Itachi so much of Deidara. "You see, I'm also a teacher."

Itachi's ears pricked up at that. "Is that so?"

"That's right. Right now I'm teaching primary school kids, but I'm moving up to college next term. I, uh, have the right contacts..."

The way he trailed his sentence off and continue to grin slyly put Itachi on edge. "Contacts?" He asked, though he realised as he did so that he probably didn't want to know.

"Well, you see, have you heard of Victoria College?"

"I attended it until recently," Itachi replied, eyes widening slightly. "You're going to be teaching there?"

"You know it?" Shisui echoed, looking even more troubled. "Well, ah, you see... You know the vice-principal- the really hot redheaded woman?"

Itachi really wasn't sure he wanted to hear this, but he nodded in confirmation anyway and decided not to argue over the attractiveness of the lady in question.

"Right. Well, we met as some union party last year- few too many drinks, you see, one thing led to another and we may have accidently slept together." He paused as Itachi stared at him in shock. "Twice," he added quietly.

"Do go on," Itachi finally requested when the shock had worn off.

"So anyway, we got it on in and I happened to mention I was looking for a job, and she happened to have a position opening and also happened to be the one who conducted the interview, which wasn't so much an interview as it was a quickie on the desk-"

"I get the picture," Itachi finally cut in hurriedly. "So you're saying you slept with her and landed yourself a job at my old college."

"That would be correct. I could easily put in a good word for you, if you know what I mean, and get you a job teaching when you're ready."

"Thank you for the offer, Shisui," Itachi told him politely, deciding to ignore the questionable circumstances surrounding the job offer and seeing it for exactly what it was- a potential teaching job, just like he wanted.

"It would be strange to work in the same environment I was taught in for a while, I must say. However, I will most definitely think about it. Do you have a number I can contact you through closer to the time?"

Shisui grinned and happily scribbled his number down on a scrap of paper he had procured from his pocket, which turned out to be an old receipt.

"Glad to be of service," he grinned. "Though- could you keep how I landed the job a secret? Like I said, your Dad thinks pretty highly of me and all that jazz."

"My lips are sealed," Itachi promised.

"Great," Shisui grinned, throwing an arm around his shoulder and leading him back to the door. "Nice to see you again, Itachi. The last time we met you must have been about four and I was seven- I think your mother was pregnant with Sasuke at the time."

"I can't say I remember."

"Ah. Well, your Dad took us to the zoo for the day to give your mother a break. We fed the animals and went on that safari tour thing- don't you remember?"

"Not really I'm afraid."

"Strange," Shisui mused. "I'm surprised. You ended up pretty traumatised because I told you that the tigers could scale the side of the fence and they were going to come and eat you."

"That sounds vaguely familiar," Itachi replied, sensing the slightest jolt of memory on the edge of his mind at those words.

"I made you swear you wouldn't tell anyone I'd said it either, because I told you the tigers would overhear and then they'd definitely want to eat you. I know it's nearly twenty years too late, but sorry about that."

"It's fine, I assure you."

"Good to know," Shisui grinned before patting him on the shoulder a couple of times, vanishing off to the dance floor.

Itachi watched him, realising that in his absence Deidara had vacated the hall. Hoping enough time had passed he went in search of him, finding him in the garden.

He was in the same corner they had been in earlier, sitting with a tray of cocktails. He slowly made his way over, hoping his partner would be a little more receptive now.

"Itachi," Deidara remarked as he noticed him, giving him a grin and holding up a cocktail shakily. It took Itachi approximately three milliseconds to realise he was absolutely smashed. "Do you want my cock? My cock... Tail. Cocktail."

He dissolved into laughter which Itachi took to be a good sign, taking the cocktail slowly and examining it with a frown.

"It's called a Screaming Orgasm," Deidara told him between deep breathes around his laughter. "A-a... Orgasm, Itachi, who names a cock... Oh wait I think I just got the connection."

"Does this mean you aren't angry with me anymore?" Itachi asked quietly as Deidara dissolved into fits of laughter again.

Deidara sobered for a moment, halting in his mirth. "I am," he admitted. "But I love you. I don't want to be mad at you."

"Then please accept my apologises," Itachi replied, setting the drink down and reaching over to hug him tightly. "I promise you, I'll stop the self-sabotage. Please forgive me, Deidara."

"I appreciate that," Deidara whispered softly, marred slightly by the slur in his voice. He seemed able to comprehend the serious tone of the conversation, however. "I haven't forgotten this, but for now you are forgiven. Take this as a warning, yeah."

"Duly noted," Itachi murmured as he let go of his boyfriend, picking up the cocktail and drinking it quickly. He needed to get drunk too, he decided, to erase the bad memories of the evening so far. "I'll get us some more drinks."

Deidara shrugged, apparently happy with the one in his hand, leaving Itachi to head for the bar feeling like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. They were repaired, for now, and he had to be careful to keep those pieces together.

He returned with a new tray of cocktails, which Deidara examined the moment he set it down with what Itachi felt was far too much enthusiasm.

"What's this?" He asked, lifting a shot into the air.

"It's a... Does it matter?"

"That's a funny name for a cocktail."

"No- I mean, does the name really matter?"

"You look uncomfortable," Deidara grinned. "Go on, what filthy name is it?"

"It's a Quick Fuck," Itachi finally sighed.

"And this one? Oh look at you, you look embarrassed- you're so easy to wind up, yeah. What's it called?"

"A Blowjob," Itachi muttered, leaving Deidara to giggle at the thought of his usually reserved boyfriend uttering such wicked things.

"And this?"

"You're out of luck- it's a Mai Tai."

"Oh I know this," Deidara hollered as he picked up a shot glass. "I have a Slippery Nipple," he announced with a giggle before knocking the shot back.

Itachi selected the Mai Tai with a sigh, deciding that the sooner he got drunk, the greater the likelihood his boyfriend's humour would make sense.

"There you are," a voice behind them declared. They turned to see Sasuke a couple of steps behind them. "Did you make up?"

"Something like that," Itachi nodded. "Thank you for the talk earlier."

"Don't worry about it. What are you up to now then?"

"Cocktails," Deidara snickered. "I have a Hairy Virgin for you, Sasuke."

"You can keep it. I spy Jagerbombs," Sasuke replied as he snatched one from the tray. "I thought you guys had a day of rampant sex planned for tomorrow or something. You're going to be hung over instead."

"It was a day together away from home," Itachi corrected. "You were looking for me? What did you want?"

"Dad's trying to set me up with some girl in there," Sasuke replied in distaste.

"You know if you told him about Naruto he would stop, right?"

"It's easier to just hide out here and drink cocktails with you two. I admit, spending time with Deidara isn't preferable but it's better than having some chick clinging to me."

"It's Madara's tab," Itachi reminded him blithely, smirking as Sasuke's eyes lit up.

"Can't we just order the most expensive drinks and tip them in a bush?"

"That would be a spiteful, Sasuke. You're above such behaviour."

"But you aren't above ordering trays of cocktails on his wallet?"

"That's different. These are getting consumed."

"You sound pretty sober," Sasuke observed, glancing to Deidara who was halfway through a Blowjob. "Let me guess- he's been having most of them."

"That would be a correct assumption to make," Itachi confirmed.

"Let's go dance," Deidara declared happily, pulling himself to his feet. Before Itachi could disagree, he found himself being pulled rapidly to his feet.

"I don't dance," he reasoned.

"It's a wedding! We have to dance!"

"No, we really don't."

"Then let's head back to the hotel," Deidara remarked wickedly, tracing a finger down Itachi's chest. "We had a fight, yeah. We all know the best part of fights is making up."

"Can I pretend I didn't hear that?" Sasuke asked, looking disturbed.

Deidara smirked and linked one arm into Itachi's, giving him a coy grin. "So!" He declared loudly. "I'm going to give you a screaming orgasm with a blowjob, and then we might even have a quick fuck-"

"Shut up Blondie! I swear, one more word and I'm going to kill you."

"One more word?"

"One more."

"What about half a word? Like... the screw in screw driver?"

"You are the absolute epitome of moronic."

"We aren't going back to the hotel and we aren't dancing," Itachi replied flatly. "I think we should get you some water. How does that sound?"

"You are so boring," Deidara whined as Itachi led him away, leaving Sasuke to sigh and snatch another cocktail from the tray they had left behind.

He turned his attention to the sky, which was already dark and littered with stars, staying that way and taking in the relaxing cool air until a call from behind him caught his attention.

"Sasuke."

He glanced over his shoulder to see Madara approaching him. Gracefully he sunk down to the floor despite his attire, managing to look dignified as he picked up a martini from the selection on offer.

"Aren't you underage?" He noted.

"What's it to do with you?"

"Merely an observation, Sasuke. I'd like to ask you a few questions, if you would be so kind."

"It depends what you want to know," Sasuke replied, his tone cagey.

"I get the impression Deidara isn't very impressed at the idea of Itachi inheriting my business one day, should I choose your father to take over. What do you think about that?"

"I think Deidara has a point," Sasuke shrugged. "Itachi's not really a business man, is he?"

"I disagree. I think he would look very smart and professional in the position. In fact, I'm rather tempted to offer him a proposition in the form of a job opportunity."

"Shouldn't you be asking him about that then?"

"I fear with Deidara influencing him, he would decline without really thinking about it. I'm thinking that if I promote your father, there would be a position to fill and Itachi would be just the man for it."

"So you want to bribe him?" Sasuke remarked bluntly. "You're despicable."

"You don't think Deidara is holding him back?"

"On the contrary. Deidara is responsible for many positive changes in my brother."

"Those are some positive words about somebody you dislike."

"Dislike or not, it's true. He's an idiot with a ridiculous obsession for what he likes to think is art, but his heart is in the right place. He loves my brother and he treats him well."

"Hmm," Madara sighed. "I think I see something different to you."

"Do tell."

"I see somebody who will lead your brother astray," Madara continued airily.

"An artist? Really? They're polar opposites and with time I think Deidara's personality would rub off on dear Itachi. Deidara is flighty while Itachi is grounded."

"How long will that last, though? How long before Itachi abandons what he wants on a whim of Deidara's? I tried to speak to Itachi about this but he wasn't very receptive."

"Probably because you have no clue what you're talking about."

"Deidara has a hold over him," Madara warned. "I don't think he even realises it, nor does Itachi realise he's been snared. Just watch. Soon enough Deidara will only have to say jump and Itachi will be seeking the trampoline on which to do so."

"This conversation is over," Sasuke snapped as he pulled himself to his feet, resisting the urge to tip a cocktail onto his uncle's head.

He slipped back inside the venue, finding his brother and partner at the bar. Deidara was begrudgingly drinking a glass of water, clearly sulking at being forced into sobriety.

"I still think we should go back to the hotel, yeah."

"That's nice," Itachi replied offhandedly, glancing to Sasuke as he approached. "Everything alright?"

"Fine," Sasuke replied, his voice clipped.

"Go on, just for a little," Deidara continue to whine. "You could get changed too. Konan and Nagato left to get changed into casual clothes- you can do the same, surely?"

Itachi looked contemplative at that. "I guess we could," he said slowly.

"Stop manipulating him," Sasuke hissed at Deidara sharply. "He said no- why do you have to try and change his mind, huh? Can't you just accept-"

"Whoa, Sasuke," Itachi interjected, putting one hand up to him. "Relax. It's hardly manipulation."

"Suit yourself," Sasuke muttered, fleeing before he could say any more. He was annoyed with himself for taking Madara's words to heart, but somewhere in his mind he had a tiny, nagging feeling that somehow it made sense.

Chapter End