Universe: Canon Verse
Rating: Adult themes, sexual references, coarse language (M 16+)
Categories: Contains Hetero (F/M) scenes
Icon Picture: Jonathan Summers
I do not own any Naruto characters
This story is also available on AO3
When evening rain settles and tufts of clouds recede from the night canvas, Izumi awaits his arrival by the river's maple tree. He has been training since the early hours of afternoon, and as a gesture of her friendship, she decides to walk him home.
"Itachi! Over here," Izumi calls.
As if she is speaking through a disconnected line, Itachi's slow response is almost disconcerting.
He glances wearily in her direction before motioning a wave of acknowledgement.
"What are you doing here so late?" He asks.
His approaching voice is hollow, yet vigilant. She dislikes this sudden wariness he has adopted lately.
"I had a report to write. I was only finishing," she answers sheepishly.
A half-hearted truth. She had completed the report hours ago, but her uneasiness to Itachi's recent change in behaviour has left her eager for details.
"I see," he says steadily.
His tone gives her a strong impression that he knows she is lying. Half-lying. But Itachi would never accuse her.
His nature presents a strong element of keeping unpleasantness silenced, even if it does more harm than good.
Izumi has never been conflicted about this personal aspect of Itachi's, but her never experiencing the unappealing end of such manner is perhaps keeping her opinions neutral.
"Are you hungry? Why don't we get something to eat together?" Izumi suggests.
"Sorry, Izumi, but I have family errands to complete. Maybe another time," he replies.
She stares sulkily at the ground.
"That's what you said last time," she sighs and Itachi is looking slightly uncomfortable, "No, no that is fine. No pressure, I know you have a lot on. I'll walk home with you," she adds quickly.
There is a momentary silence, a stillness that can only be interpreted by the inexplicable expression on Itachi's face and the awkwardness in Izumi's shifting.
"Let's," Itachi says eventually.
Their brief walk towards the Uchiha grounds is saturated in silence. It is not a deliberate discomforting quietness, rather, a silence that is keeping Itachi's mind occupied and expression glazed.
By Izumi's front door, his features break into a tired smile.
"Itachi?"
She watches him carefully, a solemn appearance glides her face.
"Is everything alright?"
He is surprised at her sudden question, yet she sees a fleeting aspect of anxiety flickering his gaze. But Itachi is adept at emotional pretence.
"Everything is alright. Don't look so worried," he answers cheerfully.
She frowns.
"Don't disapprove if I worry, with you looking like that," she says.
"I'd tell you if there was something."
"Promise?"
"Yes. Promise."
And when he disappears into the night, Izumi so desperately wants to believe his beautifully played out facade. Yet on her part, she sees through this, perhaps not of the content of his worries, rather, the painful emotions that are traumatising his insides.