Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Hybrid Host Club ❯ Chapter 7

Hybrid Host Club

Part 7: Food (87)

Sasuke stood stock still for a few moments as his brain caught up with what his eyes were seeing; his voice came out as a question rather than a statement sounding a little bewildered, "Mother?"

Sasuke felt the tension that had built inside him ease a little, muscles loosening, and his hands dropping from where he'd unconsciously been keeping the blond haired fox caged behind him. He sighed audibly and heard the woman standing before them chuckle softly. Sasuke eyed her curiously, making note of the formal navy blue dress suit she was wearing, her hair done in a neat bun at the nape of her neck.

It was clear that she'd been out on business somewhere; he hadn't been expecting anyone to be home in the middle of the day, normally the house stood empty in the middle of the afternoon and he had timed it so that he wouldn't run into his Father. Sasuke was still concerned that his Father was here, but the fact that his Mother was present leant some degree of comfort, she at least had the good manners not to insult company. His respected his Mother greatly because, though spoken of as a traditional Japanese beauty from times past, she had a way with her husband that no one knew about except her two children and the man in question.

She would never allow Fugaku to upset Sasuke's guest.

Naruto watched the woman that exited the front door with interest. She was tall, slender and graceful as she approached, hands coming to rest in a loose fold infront of her body. He practically felt Sasuke's body relax in front of him. In turn the fine hairs that had risen all over Naruto's body in response to Sasuke's discomfort began to settle back down flat against his skin. The odd prickling sensation that had covered his body and made him feel twitchy and nervous slowly disappearing.

The warm smile that curled her lips reminded him of Sasuke's, though he didn't show it often. In fact, as she drew closer, Naruto could see that Sasuke had her nose, delicate facial shape and dark eyes. He noticed her gaze flick upwards as he leant around Sasuke to see her more clearly and he felt something in his gut tighten, hand going up to cover his exposed ears, having not put his hat back on before exiting the car. It was a testament to how comfortable he felt around Sasuke that he'd forgotten, but he felt exposed now, bare to the world and its accusatory eyes.

Sasuke turned to see what his Mother was staring at and took note of the Dobe leaning around him so that he could see her. He watched as discomfort slid across expressive features, lining the foxes face with a frown that shouldn't mar such a pretty face. Sasuke frowned at the thought but paid it no heed, eyes remaining fixed on the blond behind him. He saw a tanned hand come up to hide one of the pointed ears that were slowly drooping down, flicking back to run parallel on either side of his head, half buried in golden spikes.

As the fox straightened Sasuke realised what he was doing, the Dobe was effectively hiding himself behind Sasuke and away from his Mother's interested gaze. Sasuke felt the urge to touch those soft ears, to stroke his fingers across the downy fur, like he had with the fox's tail in the club. He didn't like seeing the blond like this. He shoved his hands in his pockets, to prevent the twitching things from following his unbidden thoughts.

Sasuke turned fully around effectively blocking his Mother from view, analyzing the fox's posture with ease - his hands were clenched tight, shoulders drawn in, head down, ears flattened and tail stiff even under the jumper he had tied around his waist. The fox was clearly nervous, uncomfortable and heading towards distress as his eyes flicked back and forth searchingly. The fox looked like he wanted to hide and that had something inside Sasuke screwing up in a heavy ball of regret and concern.

Sasuke thought that Itachi would be proud of his observations but quickly put that thought aside, he hadn't tried to please his brother or his family in years, and he wasn't intending to start now.

Sasuke moved forward, eyebrows drawn down in a frown reflecting his inner thoughts; he slowly closed the distance between them without touching the nervous man. Sasuke could feel the tension radiating from the blond haired foxes frame and he knew if he touched him he might bolt - not that he had anywhere to run to. So instead Sasuke murmured quietly enough that his Mother wouldn't hear him, she couldn't read his lips because his back was facing her, "Why don't you get your things from the car?"

Sasuke didn't want to rub the fox the wrong way by suggesting that he needed that ridiculous hat to hide behind, but some things were necessary for ones peace of mind. He understood that better than most. Sasuke had his own routines that helped him to get past certain anxieties and he couldn't begrudge the fox his own - he wasn't a hypocrite. It became clear to Sasuke just how dependent upon the thing the blond was in those few moments. But it also made the idea that the blond haired man had left the car without it, not even considering putting the floppy scrap of fabric on, spark to life in his mind and squeeze around his heart.

Sasuke didn't know exactly what that meant, but he vowed that he would look into further later. Right now he needed to make sure the dobe was comfortable, because it made his own nerves stand on end when he so clearly wasn't.

Naruto looked at Sasuke closely, scrutinizing him for a moment, his legs twitching with the need to move, to do as Sasuke suggested so he could get his hat and cover his ears. He hadn't felt this on edge in years. He'd never gone out without a hat on since he'd been a child, he just couldn't stand the way everyone had stared and pointed the constant murmur of voices, sneers and malicious accusations had been too much for the child he'd been. Naruto had hidden what he could of what made him other in people's minds in the hope that it would stop the constant scrutiny.

And it had, to a point.

Naruto nodded decisively at Sasuke's suggestion, not trusting his voice not to give away the emotional turmoil that was running over him like a train wreck. He pivoted on his heel, practically stalking back the way they'd come, moving around the car, opening his door again with a jerk and quickly reaching in to retrieve his things. The hat was the first thing he grabbed, plonking it down on his head to quickly hide his flattened ears from view. Naruto could feel Sasuke's eyes on him and he felt something twist in his belly at the obvious care Sasuke had shown for his discomfort.

He knew how obvious it was that he was nervous and upset about something, though he knew Sasuke couldn't know what had caused it and he was glad for that small mercy at least. Naruto just wasn't made to hide his feelings from others, they showed clearly in his face and body, many people had told him that over the years, but only one person had made it okay, Iruka-sensei.

Iruka had told a ten year old Naruto that it was alright to express yourself, though sometimes it meant people hurt you, it also made you far more honest and forthright than most. He had said that it was a good quality to have in a friend. Naruto turned and sat on the edge of the black leather seat for a moment remembering Iruka's words before flicking his gaze to look through the front window screen and back to the two Uchiha. Naruto could see that the woman, Sasuke's Mother, had approached him and they stood together chatting quietly and he felt something go tight around his heart and make it difficult to get a full breath.

Sasuke's Mother. It had been so long since he'd felt that soul deep ache in his chest, like vines with sharp thorn's curling around his heart at the memory of Mother and Father. They were two radiant lights in a past he didn't want to remember. He shoved the feelings, images and wants back in the dark corner they'd emerged from. The one that Iruka had once told him he'd have to face eventually and that brought a quiet snort from him. If he had any choice in the matter it would stay there in the shadows. He didn't want to go back, even if it meant he couldn't think of his parent's for fear of drawing the bad out with the good.

He looked at Sasuke considering, he was Naruto's complete opposite, far more able to conceal his emotions behind a wall so high and thick he didn't know if Sasuke felt anything at all most of the time. Sasuke was just like Itachi used to be. Naruto looked down at his hands, flexing them slowly to see claws far more catlike than fox peek out from the tips of his fingers, sharp and lethal.

Did he want to climb that wall? Was the Teme worth the effort? Could they be friends?

He felt something hot and pleasant curl in his belly and he perfectly sat still for a moment trying to figure out what it meant, trying to chase the unfamiliar but admired warmth to its source, but not being fast enough to keep up, to earn comprehension. But Naruto just didn't understand it couldn't grasp onto it with both hands and bring it into the light, he knew his body was trying to tell him something but Kami knew what that something was!

Shrugging the feeling off for later study Naruto looked out through glass of the window screen that was slowly steaming up with each warm breath he exhaled. He caught sight of a pale hand resting on Sasuke's arm and he felt something tighten in his chest and much lower. Though he could see their familial resemblance now they were closer together, Naruto didn't like that hand touching Sasuke, much like he hadn't liked the way the museum Curator had touched his Teme.

When Sasuke had become his he wasn't sure and didn't want to try and understand that just yet either. Naruto knew it was irrational and he didn't understand it, but there it was. He sighed audibly, claws retracting as he retrieved his bag from the foot well and climbed slowly from the rust bucket Sasuke called a car. Sasuke was nothing but one conundrum after the other, and he decided that without getting to know the Teme further, he wouldn't ever make head or tail of these thoughts and feeling that the dark haired man caused to roll around like rambunctious puppies inside him.

But that didn't mean Naruto had to be nice about it.

Sasuke watched the blond haired man move away quickly, feeling regret pool in his belly, heavy and leaden. Maybe this had been a bad idea, if his Father was here they would leave, he could at least spare the Dobe that much. If this was how the fox reacted to people he didn't know Sasuke didn't want the blond to be anywhere near the elder Uchiha. The man would pick him apart with ease.

When a cool palm rested against his forearm were he'd rolled up the sleeve's on the journey over because it had gotten warm in the car he looked down to see his Mother stood beside him, concern clear on her face. She looked up from eyes as dark and velvety as his own, "I'm sorry Sasuke, did I make your friend uncomfortable?"

He looked back at the car, noting that the blond haired fox was taking his time and he looked back down to the woman beside him, "No, don't worry about it. Is he home?"

Sasuke made a mental note that his Mother hadn't used the word hybrid as his Father would have done upon meeting the blond. Sasuke could hear the sneering tone in his voice even though the man was nowhere in sight. Sasuke was happy that she had just called him a friend, no assumptions made, no derisive words spoken, and he was grateful for that.

Sasuke had purposefully denied the Dobe's discomfort because he might be able to hear him, even though he was inside his car and Sasuke hadn't wanted the Dobe to feel uncomfortable around his Mother.

Sasuke focused on his Mother again when he felt her hand squeeze gently, "No - your Father isn't here and neither is Itachi. You boys don't visit me as much as I would like." She gave him a knowing look but said nothing else. He would love to visit his Mother more, but there was a large, human shaped deterrent that kept him and Itachi from visiting her and she knew it.

He felt her hand stroke gently across his forearm, before tucking up and under settling at the crook of his elbow, "How about you and your friend join me for lunch?" She smiled warmly up at him, the only member of the Uchiha household that was on such good terms with her own emotions. Sasuke supposed that it came from marrying into the family and not being trained from birth to be anything else. Sasuke looked back at the fox, his gaze following hers. and he could see the blond assessing his Mother from where he now stood beside the car.

When the fox's eyes softened just the slightest bit, a small smile tilting his lips, making those whisker marks curve slightly, Sasuke felt something go soft like molten chocolate inside him. That look spoke volumes about the foxes emotions, the tension was gone, shoulders loose and relaxed, hat firmly in place. Sasuke looked at the blond who nodded slightly before he looked down at his Mother, "We would like that very much."

The smile that curled Sasuke's Mother's lips was warm and welcoming and Naruto felt his body relaxing. He could see the clear affection that existed between the two Uchiha's, and had heard what Sasuke had said or not said about his Father. It was clear he didn't care for the man and, though he didn't know why, he knew there was a reason.

It was just another piece to the ever growing puzzle that the Teme presented.

Naruto stilled when Sasuke's Mother reached a hand out to him, he stared at it for a moment as if it would bite him before tentatively settling his own slightly sweaty palm in hers, his tanned hand dwarfing her small delicate one, shaking it slowly, "Uchiha Mikoto."

"Uzu..." Naruto's eyes went wide as his gaze slipped sideways to rest on Sasuke's curious gaze, a small smile curling one corner of his lip at his almost slip. Sneaky bastard Naruto thought and growled at Sasuke, "Teme!"

Sasuke caught his mother's curious gaze, eyebrow rising in silent question, and sighed softly, amusement put aside so he could explain, "I guess it's a kind of challenge, Okaa-san. We haven't known each other long and I am trying to discover his name."

He watched her reaction with interest, seeing her mind ticking over things and hearing the pieces shift into place like clockwork. People often forgot that his Mother was far from a wallflower, though she played the part well. Itachi's super genius genes couldn't come from just one parent after all.

Sasuke watched a smile bloom across her face, warming her pale skin and dark eyes, "Ahh... I see. Then you shall be Kitsune-san as you speak some Japanese." Sasuke turned to look at the blond haired fox to assess his reaction and chuckled softly at the shock that was evident in his face, mouth slightly open, eyes wide. He watched with interest as the fox fumbled for a moment before straightening and pulling his face into a small smile, "I do speak some Japanese Uchiha-san, but I don't like to be that formal. Please just call me Kitsune, if you like."

"Kitsune it is then." Sasuke watched as his Mother herded them both indoors, her other hand sneaking up and under the fox's elbow, mimicking the hold she had on him. Sasuke gave a small smile at the startled look on the other man's face, but didn't comment on it. He knew what the woman was like; he'd lived with his parents for many years and had seen how Mikoto Uchiha did things. So he left his Mother to it, watching as she had the desired effect on the nervous blond, soothing him enough that he started to chat with her rather than fiddle with the strap of his shoulder bag.

She led them inside and they all slipped off their shoes at the door, donning cream coloured slippers, before heading down the corridor, through the third door on the left and into the kitchen.

Naruto watched Sasuke's mother bustle around the open kitchen with ease and familiarity, slipping a cream coloured apron over her suit. It was an odd contrast really, he could quite clearly see from the brief glimpse of the grand entranceway, high ceilings, large sprawling staircase and the big but oddly comfortable kitchen that they were very well off - as expected as the owner's of one of the largest companies in the city. But it was clear that this was her space.

And Naruto liked that.

Naruto wasn't really sure what he had been expecting, her to ring a bell to summon a maid?

But he was glad that it was like this instead, it reminded him of Chouji bustling around the kitchen at dinner, fixing a meal for them all. From what he had seen of Mikoto Uchiha she appeared kind and genuine. Naruto wasn't sure what he would have thought or done if she'd had a maid at her beck and call.

His thoughts were interrupted by said woman as she spoke over her shoulder to him, "Kitsune, I hope you like ramen?" The warm smile that she gave him over her shoulder made him smile back in return, he knew someone else with a smile just like that.

Naruto turned his gaze to Sasuke for a moment, seeing the other man frowning. They both settled at the long pale birch counter that sat in the middle of the kitchen, placing their weight in sturdy, tall wooden breakfast bar chairs that matched. "Teme? What are you glowering about now?"

Sasuke turned his confused gaze on the blond haired fox, scowling at the other man "Hn."

Sasuke hoped that would get a rise out of the fox. He turned back to his Mother as she flitted around the kitchen, chopping different ingredients to add to the broth she was already boiling. "Okaa-san why ramen?"

Sasuke hadn't seen the women eat the broth and noodle dish for many years and was a little confused by her sudden choice of beverage. He hoped it didn't have anything to do with their guest. Ramen was known as a cheap and easy to make dish served to commoners and not something his Father would like in the house.

But then, when had his Mother ever truly bent to his Fathers will?

Sasuke waited quietly for her reply as she continued her preparations, "You know the building opposite the town hall - the charity offices there?" She turned to glance back at her son when he didn't answer, garnering a nod of acknowledgment from him before continuing, "I was there today to start putting together a charity auction and some other things, and I smelt something just delicious. I asked one of the young ladies I was there to speak with about what it and she said it was ramen. I couldn't resist popping into the mobile cart that had pulled up in the square. It was so busy! The smell took me back to my childhood, reminded me of what mama, your grandmother, used to cook for us on special occasions. I didn't have time for a bowl then and there so I decided I would make myself something when I returned home!"

Sasuke nodded at his Mother's words and smiled softly, it was a rather impulsive thing for her to do but he had been known to do the same thing on occasion.

Sasuke watched as she quickly diced a tomato on the chopping board she'd placed in front of her with brisk efficiency before bringing over a few slice's on a small plate. She gave him a knowing smile that he returned with a small curl of lip. She went back across the room and Sasuke reached out to pluck a thin slice of tomato from the dish.

"You went to Ichiraku's? That's awesome! That cart moves around all the time and you never know where it's going to turn up! I've never managed to catch the blasted thing!" Naruto caught Sasuke's surprised stare, seeing the tomato that was half way to parted lips from the corner of his eyes but paid it no mind, gaze focused on the female Uchiha who had returned across the room to the counter she'd been working at. His ears perked up, tail waving underneath his bright sweatshirt excitedly.

Naruto was in awe Mikoto had stumbled on the famous cart by accident and he'd wanted to get a taste of the famous ramen for years. He loved ramen, practically ate nothing else. Naruto's ears had perked forward as she had described the smell making his mouth salivating in want. The scents filling the kitchen were making his stomach growl in response, as her words inspired thoughts of the famous ramen stand.

Sasuke couldn't help but chuckle at the blond haired fox's response to his Mother's revelation, amused at his sheer excitement over something so simple. He could see the fox's jumper swaying, the tip of his tail poking out from underneath as he ate the slice of tomato hanging from his fingertips. Sasuke caught his Mother's curious look and gave her another small lip curl of a smile, going to rise from the chair he'd settled in beside the blond, an empty plate left behind. "Okaa-san, I need to get some things together to take back with me. Can I leave him here with you for a short time until you've finished lunch?"

"Hai, Sasuke. No one's disturbed any of your things so they shouldn't be too hard to find. Do you need some bags or a box to put them in?"

"I'll get a box from the garage, though a lot of what I need is already boxed up." He looked at the blond for a moment, seeing curious blue eyes, that inviting mouth parted as though about to speak. Sasuke quickly pivoted around and walked out of the room, feeling that now familiar heat stir in his groin, he didn't think having the blond haired man in his room would be the wisest of moves on his part. Plus his room was private, something he'd maintained even with his parent's. It was his space and he didn't like sharing it, it had always been that way.

Naruto watched Sasuke stride from the kitchen, a frown pulling at his brow, ears drooping on either side of his head under his hat a quiet, "Teme," falling from his lips. He didn't know why it bothered him so much that Sasuke had left him there with his Mother or that he hadn't even allowed him to speak before disappearing from the room, it just did.

Naruto started when a careful hand settled on his shoulder. That hand was quickly retracted as he spun away from the open kitchen door to look at whoever had touched him. Mikoto stood beside him, a sad expression tilting her features, hands curling almost protectively around her waist, "My apologies, Kitsune. I should know better than to touch others without their permission." Naruto narrowed his gaze on her, confused by the words, finding them odd.

He knew a lot of people who didn't like to be touched by others, but for her to understand that left him a little befuddled. She lived in a completely different world from him after all. She didn't let him speak though, continuing where she'd paused briefly, "Sasuke's a very private person Kitsune, and he's always been that way - Itachi too. I think it has a lot to do with the way we raised them." That last was said with regret and Naruto couldn't help but recognise it for what it was, watching as those small hand's rubbed her arms gently.

Naruto could see there was a lot of sadness hidden in her dark eyes, and it made him feel sad to see it there. Mikoto had seemed so cheerful, happy even. But now, she looked as though she regretted and she hurt. And he just didn't know how to fix that.

"Itachi was that way at first, I remember him coming into the club with a face that was completely blank of anything. It was a bit surprising to find someone who was so emotionally empty. But I brought him drinks as he ordered them and I guess we started talking. He's nice you know, not obviously so, but he is. And I think he's softening, especially because of Sai." Naruto blurted out, the need to reassure; to do something to ease pain he didn't want to see pulling the word's from him.

"You know Itachi, Kitsune?"

Naruto scratched the back of his neck absently, feeling a little embarrassed for saying so much, "Yeah. I know him."

He caught Mikoto's look of curiosity and sighed, hands dropping to the counter, reaching out and fiddling with the cutlery she'd put down ready for lunch, "I shouldn't have really said anything."

Naruto felt awkward and a little out of place for a moment, her scrutiny making him fidget in his chair.

"No."

Naruto looked up with wide eyes, startled by her negative response. But found himself easing back in the chair a little at the warmth in her gaze, he imagined that that look, such warmth and tenderness was the kind of look a Mother would give their son.

"I'm glad he's doing well, thank you Kitsune. I rarely see either of them and I worry that they work too hard and don't find time to live." She reached out slowly, watching Naruto for any obvious cues.

Naruto let her settle her hand over his own, the delicate, pale fingers curling over the back of his hand and pressing against his palm. She squeezed firmly and he let his larger hand squeeze back, though a little more gently. Warmth of a different kind filling him, it was the same kind of warmth that Iruka gave him and Kakashi too.

It felt right, nice, welcoming - kind of like family.

They exchanged a warm smile, before she startled at the loud bubbling sound coming from the pot on the stove top. "Oh, the ramen." She dashed across the tile floor and quickly turned the heat down, chuckling pleasantly, "Almost burnt ramen for lunch. Kitsune would you mind going and calling Sasuke for lunch? It's almost ready. If you go up the stairs, turn left his rooms two doors down, it's got his name on the door."

She turned around, smiling happily, there was a knowing in her gaze and Naruto wasn't sure what it meant but he smiled anyway. He rose slowly from the chair, standing for a moment, letting his hands reach his middle, unknotting the jumper around his waist and quickly depositing it on the chair. Hands reached and tugged his hat from its place on top of his head, one hand absently running through golden spikes, warmth heating his cheeks. "It's Naruto, Mam'."

Mikoto smiled at the blond haired fox, taking in the black tipped ears and lightly swaying tail, "It's nice to meet you, Naruto."

"Hai." Naruto didn't say anything else, slipping from the room on slippered feet, in search of Sasuke.