Can it Be Love: Chapter 4 (itasaku)

Chapter 41

Itachi's POV2

"ITACHI! FRONT AND CENTER!!!" God, I think my eardrums just busted, no thanks to my damn teacher. 3

"What is it, sir?" I asked boredly. Zabuza could seriously be a pain in my ass. "What the hell is this?" he asked, pulling up a peice of paper. Oh shit! That is the picture I drew! It was a naked woman, showing the breasts on up. Her hair was thrown everywhere on this bed of flowers. I was bored that day and since Deidara was reading a porn magazine, he kinda, I don't know, gave me inspiration. I thought I did pretty a good job, I mean, the shading was right where it was needed and the proportions were just right. Honestly, I didn't mean for it to be of a..."suggestive" picture. I meant for it to be actual, well you know, art. 4

"Well?" Zabuza asked in a demanding tone. "It's my artwork, sir." I replied. Zabuza sighed. "Here, place it in your folder and LEAVE IT THERE. Don't draw stuff like this at school."5

He gave me the picture which I rolled up neatly. I'll give Zabuza one thing. Of all the teachers I've ever known, Zabuza understood me better. He knows that unlike other guys who draw naked people for enjoyment for their own pervy needs, I draw for the liking of art. I probably sound like Dei or his other friend Sasori, who is a 32 year old guy who looked like he was 15. Both were upsessed with art and would occaisionally fight over what is art. I never got into one of their arguments, but I didn't agree with either one of them.6

Deidara said that ALL art was a blast. Anything that didn't blow up for a split second, it was just junk to him. I guess I could understand that since he illeagally makes homemade fireworks. Sasori on the otherhand makes macrame puppets. He thinks that art should last forever. But that is stupid and foolish, for even rocks will erode down to dirt eventually. 7

I think art is the beauty of the artwork's nature. One that portrays thoughts, feelings, desires, hopes, and dreams. Anything from a human being to a tree, or a photo or even to a simple peice of paper with paint slung on it could be art to me. All because under the strokes of dry paint, within the words of a single poem, floating on the rays of light in the sun, it all portrays everything that there is the artist is feeling or what the artist's opinions and beliefs are. Poetry is even art to me, but I choose not to voice any of it.8

"Itachi," Zabuza said in his most sincere voice (or was attempting to anyways,) "Your better than this. You shouldn't even be here in D-Hall. If it weren't for your parents being dead, then you could've been on your fourth year of collage, maybe even on your way to a doctor's degree. But you throw it all away for stupid things."9

Zabuza walked away from me. I went to my desk, Deidara finally looking up from his porn magizine. "Did you get your picture back?" he asked. "Yeah, but if you weren't showing it off to the other guys, passing it around the classroom, I wouldn't have to get called down for it in the first place." groaned I. "Aw, c'mon! Your artwork is awesome! I'm only showing the class how brillant you are!" Dei retorted. 10

I sighed. I didn't want to fight with him and trust me, it was eceptionally easy to get into an argument with Deidara. "Just be glad Zabuza understands." I growled. "Ah, hush. Put your pretty picture in your folder. Oh, and I thought it was Mr. Zabuza?" I sent him a glare. It didn't shut him up, but at least he dropped the subject.11

The bell finally rang to go home. The first thing I thought of was Sakura Hurano. If I was going to hook up with her or get some, I was going to have to talk with her again. But then again, she probably heard one of the hundred thousand rumors about me all over the school. Some even went personal...They talked about the accident. The rumors twisted and distorted the truth, but with so many rumors, I wouldn't doubt that Sakura believed them. I mean, everyone else did. Even Deidara and my other friend, Kisame, who was in collage, believed the petty rumors. 12

The rumors were, I guess, in some cases good. No one bothered me for fear I might go psycho and kill them. But the worst part is that Sasuke strayed away. 13

The rumors didn't make him like this, they were just a bonus. Something to make the real situation worse. Sasuke never smiled the same and his eyes never shone like they used to. To top it all off, he's never forgiven me.14

"Itachi!" someone called. I averted my attention to the person who called me. It was Sakura. "Oh, hello Sakura. It's lovely to see you again." I said, acting as formal as I did before. She came up to me, but leaned onto her knees, panting as if out of breath. "Did you run a mile or something similar anyways?" I asked. "I guess I could've. I've been running around school doing errands." she replied. Ah, so that explains the panting.15

I figured she was a goody girl, but it made me wonder. "Do you work for the office?" She looked up at me. "Yeah, why do you ask?" Figures. People who worked in the office most of the time know everything about everyone in the entire school. No doubt she already heard about the rumors or even worse, read my data about it. "You're quite famous in this school." she stated. I raised my eyesbrows, pretending not to know. "There are rumors up and down this school about you." she said. Great, she heard them. "But don't worry. I know they're rubbish." She finished. Wait, did she just say that she didn't beleive it? "You don't? Wow, that's a first." I proclaimed. She looked confused at first, but soon was chuckling. "Well, what about your friend, Deidara? I'm sure he believes you?" I chuckled with her. If I told her that not even Dei beleive me, she would pity me. I wanted to get her, not make her feel sorry for the tiniest thing in my life. Though it could help me get in bed with her, I'd still dislike it. I want her to do it with me because she gave full consent to, not out of sympathy. "Oh yeah. I guess it slipped my mind about him. He does make THE first. I guess what I meant to say is that your the first in quite a long while." I said.16

It felt nice to talk to someone, even if it was fake. I mean, at least she talks to me normaly. Kisame does nothing but boss me around and talks about nothing but his sword collection. Deidara would talk of nothing but girls, porn, sex, and more girls. Maybe he'd complain about how horrible his life is and about his problems. Well, if something is horrible or if there is a problem, fix it. It's as simple as that. I may only be after Hurano for a chance to do her, but I'll admit it. The two days that I've known her, she's already proven to me that she is a great person to talk too. I might just keep her as my girlfriend for a while.17

"I take it though that everyone knows about our little chat yesterday?" I asked, "I mean, the rumors don't start going around without a trigger." "Yeah," she replied, "my friend, Ino, probably told everyone."18

I raised my eyebrow at the comment. "You're friends with Ino? You think she was the one who spread it?" Seriously, this girl who was the one who was disgusted by the comments the guys in D-Hall said was Ino's friend? Amazing.19

"I'm sorry for it. If I could've stopped her--" I cut her off. "It's alright! You don't have to apoligize! It's not like you could control her. Trust me, Dei has told me all the times he's tried." I said. She beamed up at me. "Um, thanks!" she said. I guess a lot of people blame her for Ino's wrong doing. She deserves better.20

Wait! That gave me an idea! "Hey," I said, "I know this is all sudden, but, do you want to go somewhere else and chat? There are alot of people here and with rumors going around that we were conversating, most likely people will actually stick around to see what we're talking about and I know that neither one of us want to have spies on our tails. I know a place thats quiet where we can talk and perhaps grab some food while we're at it." I asked. Crap, that sounded almost like a date. "Oh, okay. I'll need to let my mom know though. Where is this place?" she asked. I swear, if I wasn't supposed to act calm and smooth, I would've sighed with relief. "Oh, it's just a little cafe located in downtown. It's nice, I think you'll like it." 21

She pulled out her cell and started dialing a number I couldn't see. "Mom? Yeah, it's me, ma. Hey, look, I'm going somewhere with a friend. Oh, it's just a cafe. We're going to grab some food there too. It's a cafe, mom. What food do you think is going to be there? Um, he's a new friend. Yes, he's a he. No, he's not like that. Look, I'll talk with you when I get home, bye." Sakura slamed her phone shut before placing it into her pocket. She glanced up, pulling off a nervous laugh. "Mothers." she simply said. I guess her mom was one of those hyper ones.22

"Um, how are we going to get there?" she asked, looking quite confused. "Oh, I have my car. We can drive there unless you want to walk." I replied.23

"How far of a walk is it?"24

"About four miles. Not too long."25

"Four miles? Um, let's take the car."26

I nodded before we walked off to my car. Mine was pretty easy to spot. A black camorro sat in the last parking slot. It gleamed against the sun's light, giving the wondrous look that I loved so much. But now, with the pink haired beauty, it will be complete.27

"A black camarro?" she asked. "I love classic cars. All the new sports cars like the viper and the lamborginni are okay, but nothing gets better than a 1960 camarro." I replied. It's true. No sports car could ever take the place of the love I have for something like a '53 convertable. I don't know why I do, I just know that it has a nice feel to it, like you know everything to it. It give a "homey" feel.28

Sakura approached the car, slightly touching the surface, skimming her thin fingers against the polished surface. "It's nice." she said. "It sure took alot of work." I mentioned.29

She looked up at me with a confused expression. "What do you mean, 'took alot of work?'" I was laughing on the inside. I thought it was obvious, but then again, she's yet to notice who I really am. Not only that, but her face was so cute. "I got the car from a junkyard. They were about to crush it, but I took it off their hands and fixed it up. It took awhile, but the product turned out good." 30

"Wow." she said in bewilderment. "You did all this?" "Yep. Even the interior. I beleive it's the best one I've made, well, so far."31

Her eyes nearly popped out of her skull. "You've made more?!" "Yes, I have. Most have been sold, but one I haven't finished." I stopped, memories playing back like they were on a movie screen. My words, I tried to keep them bright like nothing was wrong. I didn't want her to know anything about me all too soon. "It was supposed to be a masterpeice." "When do you think it'll be done?" she asked, still caressing the smooth metal under her hands. Good thing none of my emotions slipped. I don't want Sakura to think that something is troubling me, or even worse, that I'm soft.32

"I don't know, I'm thinking of discontinuing the little project." I said more in a "matter of fact" voice. "Oh, why?" she asked. Now I don't want to tell her a lie, but I don't want to give her details either. "Something happened and it destroyed some parts to it. But it's nothing to worry about. But if you really want too, I can show you someday."33

Sakura smiled. "That sounds cool. I'd love to see what you got so far." she said before opening the door and plopping into the car. I got into the driver seat.34

Sakura was looking about the vehicle, touching the leather like it was glass. "You said you even made the interior?" "Well, I didn't make it, but I installed everything in here." I replied.35

She paused as she actually took notice to the leather seats. "Is this...real?" she asked. "No." I said, "I don't like working with real leather. It feels weirder in my hands than the faux type. 36

Besides," I turned my head to look at her while placing my keys in the ignition, "it's not the loveliest thought to know that your sitting on something that belongs to a dead cow."37

I turned the key. The purr of the car filled the enclosed space, relaxing any tense muscles I may of had. I saw out of the corner of my eye that Sakura even had a relaxing expression. I backed up the car and put the gear into drive. Now, we were driving.38

"Hey, Itachi?" I heard the pink-haired beauty beside me ask. "Yes?" I answered. I turned my head a little just to see her face which looked like she was in the middle of thought. "What parts got destroyed in the car you were talking about?"39

Oh great, she had to ask that. How do I answer this? The things that were destroyed; the enjoyment, the reason, the will, the pride, the idea?40

"Oh, the motor and possibly the muffler. Neither of them are working right. The gas tank might also be a problem, but I have to look more into it." I replied. It was the only thing I could think of at the moment. Why, of all things, did she have to bring that car up? Wait, I brought that up, didn't I? Uhg, one of the things I've tried so hard to forget!41

"Wait," she exclaimed. "I didn't think a muffler did anything." 42

I chuckled abit. That at least got my mind off the flooding memories.43

"Yeah, the muffler does do something. It's not as important as the others, but it has its place. Why would it be invented if it was practically useless?" I told her.44

"Okay," she said. "Well, what does it do?"45

I was about to answer her when I noticed that she was asking alot of questions, not about the car, but car parts. She was asking what was wrong and trying to get what little information that she wanted.46

I glanced over at her to see a face that was actually interested.47

"You seem to be very interested in cars." I said. She turned her head, smiling with a slight blush. She looked like one of those porclyn dolls when she did that, beautiful and fair. "I was hoping to learn some things about cars. I don't like going to autoshops where most of the guys think they can rip me off just because I'm a girl. I was thinking if I knew some things about motor vehicles, I could fix my own car if something goes wrong. Well, if I ever get one that is." she said. I grinned over at her. "Someone who is an amatuer shouldn't mess with such heavy equiptment for they could mess the vehicle up even more or sometimes even hurt themselves. But if you really want to learn, I'll be glad to teach you." I told her. She smiled and nodded. 48

I could imagine it now. I right behind the flower, my hands working with hers, her body pressing against mine. As I'm "teaching" her to remove, check, or place certain things in their place (or maybe other things in certain places) our clothes would get dirty and things would get sweaty.... I need to stop thinking of things that give me erections while I'm driving or I'm going to crash. 49

Even though we were only talking about the anatomy of cars (or rather I was explaining), the conversation was going pretty well. It wasn't too soon that we pulled up into the parking lot of the cafe. 50

Burlon's Cafe, I liked this place. It was quiet, soothing, and peaceful. Not to mention that the drinks were good enough to keep me from my "addiction."51

We walked into the shop and the first thing I heard was Sakura's ah's. She sounded like it was her first time in a cafe. I had to ask if it was. She blushed with what I guess was embarassment. "Yeah, it kinda is. My mother never had the time to take me to one and I don't have a vehicle to drive to one either." "Well, I hope you enjoy it." I said, smiling at her.52

A man behind the coffee counter with a scraggly beard came up with a kind expression. "Well hello, Itachi! It's nice to see you again! Oh, and you brought a friend?" "Hello, Mr. Burlon!" I answered back, "Yeah, this here is Sakura. It's our first time in a coffee shop."53

Sakura's face turned red, but Mr. Burlon didn't mind. "Oh, well good thing you came here! There's no better coffee in town than Burlon's cafe!" he said with a smile.54

"Well, may I take you two young people's order?" I grinned and said, "I'll have a hazelnut expresso, extra sugar. Sakura, what do you want?" Sakura looked about the menu. "The iced mocha looks nice. I'll have that!" Mr. Burlon smiled and went to get it while I counted out the money. "Oh, Itachi, this is on the house, okay?" I heard him say. "Oh alright." I said. He was probably doing this because I had Sakura with me. He's always been asking me when I'll find a girlfriend and probably thought that Sakura was one.55

"Hey, Itachi? Hows you brother doing? Is he, ya know...getting along better?" Mr. Burlon asked. Figures that he'd ask about that. "No. He's still taking it pretty hard, even though it's been a few years." I replied, memories once again, invading my head. I need to find ways to stop this. "Ah, well, if there's anything you or Sasuke may need, give me a call." Mr. Burlon said while turning around to hand us the coffee. I grabbed both and turned to give Sakura her mocha.56

Sakura and I went over to the lounge which was colored gold and ruby red. Sakura sat in a cushioned chair while I sat in a loveseat across from her.57

I was about to grab more sweatner when Sakura asked, "What exactly happened at home that Sasuke is upset about?"58

I paused. I wasn't expecting her to ask this, but then again, I wasn't expecting to remember that car either. I should've thought of it when we first met. Well, I can't lie to her becasue I had a feeling she'd just go run up to Sasuke about it either to coddle him or ask if it was true. But I can't give her all the information.59

"Sasuke is, I guess the word for it is, in a depression. Our parents died...in a car accident. I was 13 and Sasuke was 8. It was years ago, but he still gets upset about it time to time." Sasuke isn't the only one who gets hurt remembering it. "Oh, I'm so sorry." she said, her face looking very apoligetic for asking. "It's alright," I said. "It's not like you knew."60

A silence came over us. It was penetrating to the both of us. Well, it was untill Sakura asked another question.61

"Does Sasuke build cars like you?" I chuckled abit at her question. "Yeah, he does. It kind of runs in the family. He's not as good as I am, but he's average I guess." I joked. I was glad to hear Sakura laugh along with me.62

Sakura and I conversed about many things from what sports we liked all the way to if we believed global warming is a myth or not. We talked about the wierdest of things, but yet, we enjoyed every minute of it. We would even laugh about some things I brought up about Sasuke. Most of them were when he and I were younger, when we were actually "getting along."63

Finally, Sakura noticed that it was time for her and I to head home.64

I dropped Sakura off at her house and I watched her get inside. It was a good thing that I dropped her off at that time, because once I turned the corner to get out of the neighborhood, I noticed a golden Honda Civics pull into Sakura's driveway. In the rear-view mirror, I saw a woman with dark pink hair climb out of the car and go up to the door with keys in her hand. I guess it was Sakura's mother.65

I got home, it was already 6:48. Once I opened the huge doors we had, the first thing I heard was, "Where have you been?"66

I turned to see Sasuke slouched on the creme-based sofa. "I'm sorry, maybe you didn't hear me the first time. Where. Have. You. Been?" he asked me, like I was an idiot.67

"I'm not retarted, Sasuke. I heard what you said. I was only out for coffee." I replied, I heard Sasuke mutter "It's surprising that your not." under his breath.68

I was retiring to my room until I heard him yell down the hall, "You were with that pink-haired chick, Sakana, weren't you?!"69

I turned to face him. "First off, it's Sa-ku-ra, as in cherry blossom. Second, yes, I was. I see it as very common that friends hang out every now and then."70

I saw Sasuke's face scrunch up.71

"Why would someone like you want with a nobody like her?"72

I nearly chuckled, but on the inside I was getting irrated, espessionally how he called Sakura a nobody. I don't know why, but that seemed to burn me how he insulted Sakura like that. Maybe I am really considering her as a friend.73

"She's not a nobody, Sasuke. She's very interesting when you get to know her. She's a wonderful friend to have, quite nice to talk to." I walked up the stairs heading to my room. Even though Sasuke tried to keep it to himself, I could hear him, even from the doorway to my bedroom.74

"A criminal friends with a nobody. Now I've seen it all!"