Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Soup's On	By : OfFansAndFlames Category: Naruto AU/AR > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1793 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters mentioned. I make no money on this fiction.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Itachi just had to ask like that, didn't he? He had to use words like "trust" and "believe." He didn't know what was worse - the disappointment he knew his brother would experience if he was honest or the glaring guilt he'd experience if he lied. Despite the situation, he considered himself an honest person. And on the list of people he'd be most reluctant to lie to in a situation like this, Itachi was on the top by a mile.
Granted, he had already lied to Itachi just a few seconds ago. So was lying again really such a big deal? If he stopped stealing, was there really any reason Itachi had to know? It was a white lie that could save them both a lot of stress and drama. If anything, this currently brief exchange had showed him that he could not continue shoplifting. When he stole, his brother's face did not flash through his mind. The dots had been connected now, his emotions speaking loudly. One quick lie was all he needed to avoid the consequences of his actions.
Yet when Itachi spoke like that, his gentle voice full of understanding and even compassion, his conscience just couldn't withstand it. So he sat there, unable to speak even if he had wanted to. His eyes held direct contact with Itachi's, then fell to the table. He was being cowardly. The word "yes" wasn't a part of his vocabulary currently, but it was definitely implied.
"So," Itachi's voice went from gentle and pleading to tired and annoyed, "You have no answer for me."
He stared at the table, still, all words failing him. All he could manage was a simple shrug. Of course, it had to be Itachi. Itachi, the genius, the prize student, the athlete. He'd started college at sixteen and would be a lawyer by the age of twenty-two. Itachi had always been better than him. He'd been smarter, more athletic, more respectful. Their father had noticed this fact as well, as Sasuke was frequently made aware of.
But how could he blame Itachi for this? Despite the competition their father pitted them in, Itachi treated Sasuke with kindness. As he moved forward, he always tried to pull Sasuke up with him. He was the man who stepped up to raise him after he'd lost his own parents. Sasuke wasn't one to look up to others; perhaps he was too arrogant for that. But Itachi had always been an exception.
Sasuke felt nauseous, not because he feared something as trivial as losing his television privileges or getting grounded. In fact, Itachi wasn't even around enough to enforce punishments. He just didn't want to disappoint him.
Itachi sighed, his breath full of anger. It was obvious that Itachi was attempting to control himself, to keep himself from exploding.
"Sasuke, I have tried to be understanding. But what the hell are you thinking?"
Itachi stood next to the table, crossing his arms as he stared down at Sasuke. His eyes demanded an answer.
"Do you want to go to juvie? Because that's where you're headed at this rate."
Sasuke was now finally able to look at Itachi, praying that the man would keep his voice down. What if Naruto overheard? He was hard-pressed to think of anything more humiliating. When Sasuke responded, his voice was low and quiet.
"I'm not going to juvenile hall."
Itachi's voice raised ever so slightly, the tempo quickening.
"You're not? Because you were just in court a few months ago, and as I recall, the judge wasn't overly pleased with you."
Sasuke searched for an answer in the next several seconds, but Itachi beat him to the punch.
"Don't you...even realize all the trouble I've gone through to keep your record clean? To raise you? Do you even care?"
Itachi's words forced themselves into his chest like an icepick. It was clear that Itachi had been in an irritable mood himself. Considering all the stress he had endured recently, it was difficult to blame him.
"Obviously."
Itachi sneered at the answer. He was yelling now, and there was no way Naruto could have misheard.
"Oh, 'obviously,' huh? You just throw it all away, blowing any opportunities you could have, opportunities I fought for, right out your ass. Hell, I'm hardly even an adult myself. And I'm trying my best, but I just don't know how to handle... You."
Itachi angrily gestured towards Sasuke. This was going even worse than he had feared. Worst of all, Naruto was likely hearing almost every word. Itachi so rarely lost his cool, so for him to shout at Sasuke at such an unfortunate time was heinously ironic.
What would Naruto think of him now? The guilt and embarrassment had become physically painful, affecting his head, his stomach, and his heart. All of these feelings were quickly converting to rage. Something seemed to have sparked in Sasuke, who abruptly stood and distanced himself from the table. His voice's volume met Itachi's.
"How much 'handling' do you have to do? You're never fucking home!"
Itachi's face went cold at the comment, all warmth and affection in his features vanished.
"How can you be so ungrateful? Do you even remotely understand what I've sacrificed for you, how difficult you've been?"
Sasuke had been pushed into the defensive.
"If it's so tough for you, why don't you turn me over to the foster care system, huh? Then you can stop feeling sorry for yourself and get rid of me, since I'm such a burden to you."
Itachi stepped backwards, scoffing at Sasuke.
"You accuse me of feeling sorry for myself? You've been moping and dicking around ever since Mom and Dad died!"
Sasuke clenched his teeth. It was that sentence that he never wanted Naruto to hear. He didn't want Naruto to know. He just wanted to avoid the issue. Even if Naruto had his suspicions, it would be better than just laying everything out like this. But it wasn't over yet.
"But me… I didn't get the chance to act up or hold myself a pity party. I had to suck up all of the pain I was experiencing so that I could be a good guardian and provider, for you. This is life. Get the fuck over it already, Sasuke! You know what… Maybe I should give you up to the system after all. I don't need this shit."
So, this is what Itachi hid behind that forced smile every time he came home from work with those tired eyes. He'd always felt like a burden after his parents died, but he prayed that Itachi didn't feel that way too. His throat felt tight, and his fingers tingled as the painfully quiet seconds passed. He wondered if he would have to fight back tears soon, but he gathered his strength as he yelled back.
"Then do it! Get rid of me! At least a foster family would have to be around. This fucking house is always empty. I'm always alone. You're not my 'guardian.' You're hardly even a brother!"
Shit, why would he say that? It was too late to take his words back. Itachi was one hell of a brother, and he knew it. Itachi's face went cold at the comment, all warmth and affection in his features vanished. He raised his arm up, and his fist collided against Sasuke's cheek with a loud thud.
Sasuke felt a painful pinch as his eyes began to water. He knew the injury would bruise, but hell... Over the past year, Sasuke had developed a reputation for getting in fights, though he hadn't been in one since he'd gone to court. It would be easy to make excuses. Everyone would believe him. But it felt so strange for someone like Itachi, so gentle and patient, to strike him. The only thing that Sasuke could think to himself was that he must've really messed up this time.
Maybe Itachi really did dislike Sasuke, secretly. Or maybe Sasuke's comment had made Itachi feel guilty. The last time Sauske had felt Itachi's fist on his face, he couldn't have been older than seven. He'd generally been a very kind and protective older brother, but siblings were bound to have their squabbles. Especially considering how competitive the two of them used to be, it made sense. But this... This was much different.
Sasuke stared back at Itachi, his gaze full of hurt and shock. Perhaps surprisingly, Itachi looked every bit as astounded as Sasuke did. The younger brother barely witnessed the look of profound guilt on the other's face just before turning his head away. Was Sasuke going to cry? No, that was ridiculous. The Uchiha could take a punch without batting an eye; that much was a definite. But perhaps not from Itachi.
"Fuck you," Sasuke spat, silent fury quaking his voice. "I don't have to deal with your bullshit."
Sasuke concentrated on his footsteps as he walked out of the kitchen with a deliberately steady pace, hastily stomping up the stairs once he was out of view. He wasn't sure if he was storming away because he was angry and wanted to avoid doing something he'd regret, or because he didn't want Itachi to see him crumble.
It hadn't taken long for him to get from the kitchen to his bedroom door. He shoved the door open, observing Naruto awkwardly scurrying back to the bed as his face had obviously been pressed against the door. His terror might have been funny if Sasuke weren't so furious. The imprints of Sasuke's door were even freshly red against his cheek. So he had heard.
Naruto paused, torn between facing the music and literally running away from Sasuke, perhaps lunging out their second story window and hoping for the best. God, Sasuke wasterrifying when he was angry. The raven shoved Naruto away, the smaller boy stumbling and nearly losing his footing. Sasuke didn't want Naruto knowing any of this. He didn't want Naruto to know about the people he hung out with, the decisions he made, or his parents' death. He just wanted things to stay the same as they were now - simple, calm, and shallow.
"What the hell, Sasuke? It's not like you guys weren't yelling anyway!"
Sasuke's blood was still coursing. When Naruto noticed the trembling of Sasuke's hands and the angry wound on his face, his expression immediately softened. It had been so tempting at that moment to shout insults at Naruto for being so rude, so nosey. Even for giving him that look he was giving him now. It wasn't disappointment or anger. Even worse, it was pity. But he held his tongue, his molars digging into it painfully. He couldn't risk Itachi overhearing them.
Naruto had only heard the yelling, and they had made no reference to any physical violence. Had Sasuke's brother hit him? How many times? Was this a frequent occurrence in the Uchiha household? There had been so much that Sasuke hadn't told him. It blew him away, honestly. Despite knowing that there was more to Sasuke than met the eye, he couldn't help thinking that the kid was spoiled. Sure, Naruto knew he had a few issues, but how tough could life really be for someone like Sasuke?
Naruto approached Sasuke as if attempting to pet a feral animal. When Naruto put his arm on his shoulder, he swatted it away, taking another step back. Naruto wouldn't hear of it, however. He quickly closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around Sasuke and gripping each wrist with the opposite hand. Sasuke thrashed for an instant, trying to free himself and finding the blond shockingly strong. Suddenly, he felt very tired. The adrenaline was leaving his body so quickly, it seemed. Sasuke slumped.
"What do you want to say to me now? That he's right?"
Sasuke sighed, eyeing the ground.
"This must sound so stupid to someone like you."
Naruto remembered the Zoloft he'd found in Sasuke's desk, and it made more sense to him now. He frowned, muttering into Sasuke's ear.
"I didn't know you were dealing with this. I'm sorry..."
Sasuke grunted.
"Don't apologize, and don't pity me. You called me a spoiled brat back then. You could've been right."
This was one of those rare times when Sasuke actually felt like a moron. Naruto had no one to take care of him. The guy lived on the streets and nearly got raped just a few days ago. Really, things could have been a lot worse.
Naruto shook his head, petting Sasuke's arm soothingly. Sasuke was torn between shooing him away and enjoying it. Ultimately he decided on the latter, his breathing and heartbeat returning to normal.
"I've never had anyone, but I've also never lost anyone. It hurts all the same, but it's a different sort of hurt. It's silly to try to compare them."
They were silent for a while, Naruto wrapped around Sasuke as the raven caved into himself. Sasuke felt an uncomfortable moistness on his cheek and wiped at it. The dark streak on his palm told him that it was blood. Considering the pulsing by his jawbone, it wasn't surprising. He sighed in relief. Thank god, he wasn't crying.
"Do you think he meant it?"
As Naruto stopped to respond, Sasuke listened for any signs of Itachi. The lower floor was completely silent.
"Honestly... I don't know your brother well enough to say. Did you mean what you said?"
Sasuke shook his head slowly.
"In a way, I think he's like you. You know, you're fucking scary when you're worried."
It felt better when he thought of it that way, when he tried to put himself in Itachi's position. It was obvious why he would be worried about Sasuke, and judging from all of the sacrifices he made, it was obvious that he cared. He couldn't blame Itachi for becoming overwhelmed.
Sasuke gently shook free of Naruto, falling onto his bed and lying backwards. His stronger emotions were now being replaced with fatigue, and he gave a deep sigh. This had been a day of lofty highs and dire lows. One minute he's in a love stupor, and the next he gets punched in the face.
"Sasuke, why don't you go to bed?"
Sasuke shook his head.
"As great as that sounds, I have work to do."
Naruto pursed his lips.
"Do you really think you can learn with your mind wandering like this? You look exhausted."
"I'm fine, Naruto. Just a little while longer."
He rested on his bed, unsuccessfully hacking at his history book over the next hour. His studies were disrupted by a knock on the door. Sasuke wasn't sure if he was ready to speak to Itachi again, but he motioned for Naruto to hide in the closet nonetheless.
"Yeah?"
Itachi frowned as he noticed the smear of blood on Sasuke's cheek, the skin beginning to swell.
"Sasuke, do you mind if I come in?"
Itachi's voice was soft, sounding much like he always did. That much was a good sign. Without answering, Sasuke opened the door, looking up at Itachi hesitantly.
"Yes?"
Sasuke's voice was mostly tired, but there was a small hint of spite. As guilty as he felt about stealing, he was still unhappy with the way Itachi had reacted.
"Sasuke..."
Itachi's words were gentle, almost pleading. Sasuke stared back at him impatiently, feigning boredom. Why did seeing his brother right now make him feel so upset? There was a distant part of him that just wanted Itachi to put his hand on his shoulder, to tell him that he didn't mean it. He was ashamed of this; it was weakness.
"I won't steal again, okay?" Sasuke interrupted. "I don't want to talk about it anymore."
Sasuke could read his brother well. He knew that he had come to his room to mend things over. Itachi shook his head, persisting regardless.
"I'm sorry."
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"You don't have to apologize for honesty."
While he meant what he said, he hoped that Itachi would contradict him. He was too prideful to test the waters more directly. When the other shook his head, a long strand of hair fell from his pony tail.
"It wasn't honesty. It was frustration. And no matter what you did, hitting you is...absolutely inexcusable."
Sasuke shrugged, still skeptical. Sometimes, when people are angry, they say things they don't mean. But sometimes those breaking points are when the truth surfaces. Sasuke still didn't know which he believed.
"It's fine."
Keen as ever, Itachi didn't miss Sasuke's suspicions for an instant.
"I wouldn't give up on you for the world, you know? You're the only family I have left. I think without you... I'd be a disaster."
Sasuke had no idea that he helped Itachi, in any way. All he seemed to do was cause him hassle, mostly in ways that weren't even in his control. As pleased as he was, wasn't it a little embarrassing for Naruto to overhear this? He stared at paper circle that had fallen from his college ruled notebook paper, the only thing disrupting the well-vacuumed carpet.
"You don't have to be so sappy about it," he muttered.
Itachi easily saw through his feigned indifference, a wordless understanding passing between them.
"I didn't mean it either, 'Tachi. You've done much better than I ever could've."
Itachi smiled back at Sasuke, the look of relief on his face evident. As strong as Itachi was, it was sometimes difficult for Sasuke to remember that he was human, and thus vulnerable to his own insecurities.
"Well... We should both be getting our sleep."
Just as Itachi started to turn away, Sasuke called after him.
"Itachi..."
"Hm?"
He swallowed before he spoke.
"I'm sorry. ...Both for stealing and what I said. I didn't mean to cause you even more trouble..."
He was story for stealing, sorry for lying to Itachi, and sorry for not apologizing earlier. There were a lot of things he regretted, but there was no going back now. Itachi smiled, lowering his head at Sasuke and raising his brows.
"Don't do it again, and we'll call it even."

A few hours early this week. :)
So what did you think? Given that this chapter was particularly dramatic, I'd love to know. How do you feel towards the brothers? Still pissed at Sasuke for stealing, or do you feel like he's gotten his punishment?
Thank you for everyone who's reviewing/favoriting/following. It's very much appreciated.
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Soup's On