Naruto Fan Fiction / Naruto Shippuden Fan Fiction ❯ With You I Will Journey Life's Path ❯ Taking Control ( Chapter 13 )

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 13: Taking Control

Sitting in a dark coffee shop, leafing through a legal document while waiting for his uncle and father, was possibly the worse way Itachi could think of spending an afternoon.

However that was his current location and activity, putting one hand to his forehead in frustration and mentally thanking his father for suggesting a coffee shop as a meeting place. The aroma of the shop and the coffee in front of him was practically the only thing keeping him awake, after all.

He'd spent the two days after Kisame's departure putting the document together, pulling from his mental reserves of law knowledge to make sure it was sound.

Then he'd sat up in bed the night before with the document, reading it over and over until he fell asleep with it. He had awoken to Deidara lightly poking him, looking slightly amused as he indicated scattered papers all over the floor.

"I hope you numbered those pages," he had mused before heading off to shower. Itachi had, thankfully, done so and thus had spent the first half an hour of the day putting them back together.

He'd fallen asleep with his contacts in and made his eyes sore, so had resorted to having to wear his glasses which had put him in an even worse mood.

He reasoned that he was, at least, putting his law studies to good use. He skipped back to the most relevant page in the document before a shadow cast across the table, leaving him to glance up and give his father a tiny smile.

"Afternoon son," Fugaku nodded as he sat down.

"Good afternoon. Is Madara with you?"

"We came together- he's parking the car." Fugaku glanced over his shoulder and lowered his voice regardless, narrowing his eyes sharply. "I'm not happy about deceiving him."

"We're not," Itachi replied firmly. "I have the contract written up right now, and he's welcome to read every word before signing it. You get the business, and I get my freedom."

"He's family. I know you aren't fond of him-"

"Because he's a meddling, two faced jerk?"

"He's your uncle regardless! He deserves your respect if nothing else."

"And he shall get it," Itachi reassured.

Madara entered at that moment, silencing them both as he approached the table. He gave Itachi a nod of hello before practically snatching the contract from his hands and reading through it.

Itachi was unperturbed, blowing onto his coffee to cool it indifferently. Madara would be raking through the contract with a fine tooth comb, no doubt. That was fine. He was certain it was watertight.

"Satisfactory," Madara finally complemented, pulling a pen from his pocket.

As expected, it was an expensive fountain pen, complete with an engraving of the name 'Madara'. Itachi didn't care- he was too busy attempting not to sigh in relief. "Sign please, both of you."

Itachi took the pen and offered it to his father first, who signed in the first box. Itachi signed in the second, seeing Madara's eyes widen as he did so.

He whisked the paper out from beneath them should Itachi suddenly decide to set it ablaze with his eyes or something equally destructive, bidding them goodbye and vanishing seconds later with it clutched tightly in his hands.

"Why does he want me so much?" Itachi mused to his father.

"You're young and talented," Fugaku replied without any hesitation.

"Plus you're an Uchiha. Our name is powerful in the business world, so being secure in the knowledge that there are two generations of Uchiha to take over is good for Madara. So go on- what loophole did you construct that he missed?"

"I was an excellent law student," Itachi smirked. "Of course he missed it. He doesn't know enough about me to think it was a problem."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a single sheet of folded paper, which contained a copy of part of the contract. Fugaku watched as Itachi ran his finger along a small, seemingly unimportant section.

"In the event that Uchiha Fugaku is incapacitated in any way, including but not limited to; retirement, hospitalisation, death or mental impairment, Uchiha Itachi will be elected as the new Chief Executive Officer," Itachi read out loud.

"In the event that any of the above should befall Uchiha Itachi, then he may choose a new successor provided he is able to do so. In the event that he is not, the task shall lie with the Board of Directors."

"I don't see your point, Itachi."

"I have a perfection complex," Itachi replied simply. "It's a mental impairment."

"That's all?" Fugaku asked, eyes slightly wide in shock. "You really think you can get out of it based on that alone?"

"I'll fight it in a court of law if I have to," Itachi shrugged as he sipped his coffee, looking unconcerned.

"The wish to be perfect in such a position would cause somebody to use people around them for that goal, would it not? Perhaps a person would cut corners to keep a perfect record. Perhaps they would intimidate or bribe people into deals to keep a good front for the business."

"You'd never do any of that, though."

"But I could," Itachi reasoned. "People wouldn't want to work under me, knowing what I could be capable of in the name of perfection."

"You are incredible," Fugaku finally praised with a smile. "You'd have made a good lawyer."

"I know," Itachi agreed. "But I'd like to think I'll make an even better teacher since I'll actually enjoy it."

Fugaku chuckled at that. "You know, I was actually quite disappointed when I thought you'd broken up with Deidara," he admitted. "It took some getting used to, but you're suited. I like the influence he's had on you."

"Thank you," Itachi said quietly. "I appreciate hearing that, especially from you."

"Do you see him in your future?"

"Of course. I wouldn't be with him if I didn't."

"That's good," Fugaku nodded. "Any plans to make an honest... uh, man out of him?"

"Dad!" Itachi hissed in embarrassment.

"What? Just because you're with a man doesn't mean you're freed from these questions, Itachi. I just have to find new ways to word them."

"Everyone keeps telling me I should, but why? I love him- I don't need a piece of paper telling me that," Itachi countered.

"No, but you'd need a piece of paper for your relationship to be legally recognised," Fugaku remarked. "You can live together for fifty years, buy a house together, forge a life together then one of you could die and leave the other with nothing."

Itachi frowned at that thought, breaking his gaze and staring down at the table.

"I apologise for the morbid statement," Fugaku continued quietly.

"No, it's fine. You're right- I should know that, having studied law for so long," Itachi reasoned quietly. "Thank you."

"Glad to help, son. Sasuke tells me Deidara has re-decorated your living room."

"He's painted a giant unicorn onto the wall. It's frolicking about on silver stars and riding a rainbow."

"If you ever decide to move I want it painted over, alright son?"

"Of course."

"As well as that hideous sun in your kitchen, and those strange motifs on the bathroom wall. Is there anything that boy won't touch with a paintbrush?"

"Apparently not," Itachi laughed, allowing the conversation to drop into silence as they savoured the coffee and moment together.

"So?" Deidara asked the second Itachi walked back through the door. "Did it work?"

"Of course it worked," Itachi smirked as he took the hug Deidara offered. "The business is going to Dad, and in the event it passes to me I can pass it on again because of my mental deficiency."

"That's genius."

"I know."

"Careful, there won't be room in the house for your ego if you continue," Deidara warned. "Guess what I've been up to while you've been gone?"

"Who knows with you," Itachi sighed as he followed Deidara into the living room. "Go on, what have you been-"

He cut himself off upon entering the room, eyes widening in shock. The sofa had been covered with old sheets and the furniture had been pulled away from the wall opposite the unicorn-clad one. Deidara had painted it pink, just like the other one, and had the outline of a unicorn ready.

"Help me paint," Deidara grinned as he thrust a paintbrush into Itachi's hand.

Itachi stared at it for a few moments, tempted to put it down and tell his boyfriend he was insane, but he didn't. Instead he slipped his jacket off and tentatively dipped the paintbrush into white paint, setting it to the wall with a tiny smile.

"I suppose the room couldn't have looked any worse," he reasoned.

Deidara seemed shocked that Itachi hadn't put up a fight, but he didn't complain. He grabbed another paintbrush and joined in, grinning as he did so.

"Is that an expensive shirt?" He asked idly of Itachi's blue dress shirt.

"Not particularly. I wanted something smart to impress Madara though."

"Good," Deidara declared before flicking paint at him. Itachi held his hands up to protect himself out of instinct, resulting in his arms catching splatters of white.

"You idiot," he chided lightly, before flicking paint straight back at him.

It was a declaration of war that left them both dipping their paintbrushes into paint, flicking and throwing it at one another childishly.

When some ended up in his hair Itachi attempted to stop the fight by hiding behind the sofa, but Deidara had simply ran his paint-laden paintbrush through Itachi's hair with a grin.

Itachi, not to be outdone, had accosted the pink paint this time and dripped copious amounts onto his partner's own locks.

"Truce?" Itachi asked when they were both slightly breathless from chasing each other around the living room, armed with paintbrushes and standing amidst a warzone filled with paint.

"I suppose," Deidara shrugged, dropping his brush and stalking across the room. He kissed Itachi fiercely, running his hands through his colourful hair and spreading the paint around further. Itachi didn't protest, finding himself backed up against the door in a fit of passion.

Their clothes found their way to the floor, as did they, giving Itachi a single moment to lament that his lovely carpet was probably going to get covered in paint before his lips were captured by Deidara's once more.

Passionate moments with Deidara were as expected from the artist- heated and almost frantic, but still caring and tender somehow. Once finished they would bathe in a shared afterglow, marginally out of breath with flushed cheeks and hair sticking to their foreheads.

Eventually it would fade, leaving them to go about their usual lives once again, but safe in the knowledge they were just a little bit closer than they had been before.

Of course, that level of closeness also led people to say silly things. For some it was 'I love you' that was hastily taken back later when the speaker had collected their senses, but neither Itachi nor Deidara had problems with those words.

As they lay naked on the floor surrounded by paint splatters and newspapers, Itachi lifted himself up onto his elbows and gave Deidara a tiny, if hazy, smile.

"Maybe marriage wouldn't be so bad," he mused.

Deidara narrowed his eyes with an amused smile. "How about you tell me that in an hour's time? If you can, then we'll talk."

"It's not the afterglow talking," Itachi chided, even if he wasn't entirely sure about the truthfulness of that sentence. "Maybe it would be a good idea after all."

"Uh huh. It's the afterglow talking, yeah."

Itachi gave him a small scowl. "It's a genuine sentiment. I was thinking about it earlier in the coffee shop anyway. I had a good talk with Kisame the other day... And I admitted I feel like I'm not perfect enough for you."

Deidara frowned at him, shaking his head slowly. "That's not true."

"Kisame said that," Itachi nodded. "And I think maybe it does make sense at times like now... Like maybe you won't walk out on me for not being good enough-"

"I'm not going anywhere," Deidara cut in firmly. "I love you just how you are."

"My father pointed out some practical reasons to marry today," Itachi admitted. "It gave me something to think about I guess."

"Like what?"

"It doesn't matter. Either way I'm considering it- isn't that what you wanted?"

"Only if it's what you want too, yeah. Like I said, let's talk about this later," Deidara promised as he pulled himself to his knees and retrieved his shirt. "Help me finish this unicorn, yeah."

Itachi gave him a smile as he collected his clothing as well, frowning in distaste as he fingered strands of his hair- the paint was already beginning to dry.

"I'm going to take a shower. There's paint in my hair."

"So?" Deidara shrugged. His own hair was equally coated but he obviously didn't care, paintbrush already back on the walls. Itachi left him to it- if he wanted to cut clumps of hair off later to get rid of the paint, then that was his decision.

After about five washes and a lot of rinsing, Itachi finally got out of the shower with paint-free hair. He ran a comb through it as he studied himself in the mirror, taking a good look at his reflection with a tiny smile on his lips.

He'd come such a long way since meeting Deidara, and even though physically he hadn't changed much he was unrecognisable to himself now.

The shower had given him plenty of time to think as well. He made his way back to the living room, leaning against the doorframe in his towelling gown and watching Deidara paint. His wet hair was dripping on the carpet but for once he didn't care, which he felt must have been quite a positive sign.

"It would be a civil partnership you know," he said, catching Deidara's attention.

"Does it matter? I wouldn't ask 'will you civil partnership me', would I?" Deidara pointed out, turning back to his paintbrush.

"I'm not wearing a dress."

"I wouldn't expect you to. A kimono would look pretty good though, yeah. Your uncle Madara isn't getting an invite."

"Of course not. A think a small affair would be for the best."

"I agree with that. Maybe you could finally meet my mother."

"That would be nice."

"Would you object if I asked Sasuke to be my best man?"

"Sasuke?" Itachi echoed, eyes widening in shock.

Deidara shrugged awkwardly. "It's not like I know anybody else, is it? Besides, if I do that then you can ask Kisame to be yours."

"That's true. You realise we're talking about this like it's actually going to happen?"

Deidara rolled his eyes with a long sigh. "Thank you for stating the obvious, Itachi. Are you going to avoid it any longer or shall I do it?"

The silence answered his question so he sighed again, raising an eyebrow in Itachi's direction. Itachi simply smirked and said nothing.

"I'm not getting down on one knee," Deidara warned. "But will you civil partnership me, Itachi?"

Itachi had to laugh at that, pretending to think about it. "Well, alright then," he replied slowly.

"But in my time, Deidara. The whole idea is going to be stressful and taxing for me. I'm only just beginning to really get over this complex, and a ceremony is going to put me in the spotlight. I only thrive in spotlights when I'm being perfect."

"Blah blah blah," Deidara shrugged. "I don't care, yeah. Nor does anybody else."

"I'm aware, but I care. That's my problem."

"What if I don't let you plan or organise anything?" Deidara remarked, looking thoughtful. "If you don't have any control over it, then surely you can't stress?"

"If I have no control over it, I will be a complete wreck. I need control."

"Alright. You can have full control, yeah."

"That isn't a very good option either."

"You're complicated," Deidara sighed. "And don't tell me- I should know that already. Just focus on the reception- it'll be all over then, plus there will be tons of alcohol." He looked serious for a moment, narrowing his eyes in concern.

"Talk it over with your therapist," he said quietly. "It's a nice idea, but we'll only do it if you think you can. Now stop being sappy and pick up a paintbrush, yeah. This unicorn isn't going to paint itself."

Itachi took up the brush, dipping it into the paint and hesitating for a moment. He had two options: put it to the wall, or flick paint at Deidara. He grinned and took option number two, earning a cry from Deidara who clearly hadn't been expecting it.

"That's it!" Deidara declared as he loaded his brush with bright pink paint, but Itachi was already gone, swiftly leaving for the bedroom. Deidara gave chase with the brush still in hand, finding Itachi had shed his gown as was sitting on the bed giving him a tiny smirk of satisfaction.

"No paint in the bedroom," he warned.

Deidara took one look at the brush before launching it out into the hallway, where it connected with the carpet in a shower of pink. Itachi opened his mouth to complain but Deidara had already joined him on the bed, sealing his words with a kiss instead.

"You know I love you, right?" He murmured into Itachi's ear.

"And I love you too," Itachi returned, snaking a hand around Deidara's neck and drawing him in for another kiss.

He could certainly do worse than his current life, he mused as he allowed himself to be pushed lightly back against the mattress. If marriage meant signing himself up for more of this, then really- who was he to refuse?

Chapter End