My Saving Grace

 

Disclaimer – We don’t own Naruto nor any character or setting there from and we’re not making any profit off these writings, it’s all just for fun





Warning – Nothing much for this chapter either. Men being attracted to other men, UST and meddling ex boyfriends.





My Saving Grace.



Part 2





As usual the flea market was crowded with people and a great many of them had children of all ages. Squeals of childish amusement came especially from the stalls where toys or animals could be found. Teenage girls flocked around the clothing, jewelry, and perfume. Teenage boys looked at knives, car speakers and accessories, and DVDs not far from the girls. The scent of boiling peanuts, funnel cake, and melted ice cream permeated the air and you could hear brays, whinnies, and squawks coming from the market's petting zoo/pony ride near the entrance. Itachi was in a small heaven.





Neji pushed his sunglasses further up his nose and tossed his braid over his shoulder as he notices Itachi's look of contentment. It was nice to see, the older man often had such shadows in his eyes and to his own surprise Neji didn't like seeing him like that. He looked around the bustling place, finger itching to explore and search for the item that was just right. Neji didn't know what it was he was looking for yet but that was part of the charm, he would know when he found it. He turned to the slightly taller man. "Where to first?"





Itachi smiled. "I vote we start at the sparse far end that has all the dollar odds and ends and work our way down to the other end."





"Sounds good to me." Neji returned the smile and started to walk next to Itachi, it was nice, spending time with the man. Neji started to believe that maybe it wouldn't be so bad getting to know him better, not bad at all. He couldn't keep holding everyone at an arms distance just because one guy had turned out to be an asshole. "Is there anything special you look for? Anything you're collecting?"





"Mmm. I tend to pick up soft silky materials or sun catchers, things that please my senses. There's also a shop a little further along that has figurines of mythical creatures in one half, real life animals in the other. It's called Stardust. I never skip it."





"Ooh do you think they have dragons?" Neji's smile was brilliant. "I collect dragons, be it figurines, paintings or jewelry...but only small ones. Ones that will fit in my place and not look cluttered." Neji shifted a bit. "And now I'm babbling...sorry." His look was sheepish. Great job! Scaring off the only man he'd been attracted to for a long time with his obsession for dragons and his motor mouth.





Itachi shook his head. "Don't be. Dragons are their bread and butter best sellers. I have a couple myself but I used to get my mother unicorns and I'd buy ducks for Sasuke just to irritate him." The reddish brown eyes twinkled. He'd enjoyed seeing that flash of almost childish enjoyment. "For myself, I used to get crows. I haven't been here since...." Itachi's eyes clouded for a moment, "since I got out of the hospital."





Neji's eyes widened in understanding beneath his shades and he stepped a bit closer to the other man, so that their shoulders were almost brushing against each other. "Then I'm glad that you came here with me. Let's go find you a crow and me a dragon. I want a glass one...preferably blue, to keep in my window." He chuckled lightly. "I've always been looking for one but never found one yet, maybe you'll be my lucky charm."





The Uchiha looked over at his companion and it felt like a gentle wave of cool water swept away the desolate feeling thoughts of his illness had brought to the surface. He smiled slightly. "I'll be happy to be your lucky charm."





Neji returned the small smile with a warm one of his own as he followed Itachi's lead towards the store he'd talked about. Even through the slightly yellow light of his sunglasses Itachi was stunning and Neji couldn't help but sneak peeks at him as they walked.





Itachi carefully angled with Neji through the crowds of people, occasionally smiling at a child that pleaded with his or her parent for some ice cream or some such thing. Every so often he'd glance briefly at his companion and catch his breath at the way the morning light seemed to catch Neji's profile just right and surround him with a nimbus of light. On one such glance he caught Neji looking at him and his lips curved in the knowledge that the Hyuga found him pleasing to look at.





He itched to grab Itachi's hand and lace his fingers with the other's but Neji knew that it was too soon for that. Heck he didn't even know what he wanted with Itachi himself. Neji only knew that he had found that he liked to be in Itachi's company, he figured that was a good start.





They got to the shop and Neji eagerly looked at the merchandise, though he looked at Itachi just as much. "Do you see something that catches your eye?"





Itachi shook his head. "Mmm not as yet. Let's see if we can find you your dragon first." He strolled over into the mythical side of the shop. Figurines of dragons, griffins, unicorns, a few scattered kirin, and other mythological beasts perched on every shelf and on top of glass display cases. Inside the cases were the more expensive and smaller pieces, things that were either too much of an investment to leave out where they could get tipped over by a child or so small they'd easily be stolen. There were even paintings of the creatures on the walls for sale, some painted on velvet some the more traditional canvas. The creatures took all kinds of decorative and functional forms from just figurines to candle holders, treasure boxes, mirrors, and sun catchers.





They had a lot of great things and Neji couldn't believe that he had missed this place before. He wanted to take off his glasses and look at the items closer but he knew that his pale, silvery white eyes tended to unnerve people. That or evoke pity for the poor blind man and Neji wasn't in the mood to see either of those expressions in the people they met. He walked over to the bird section. "So is there a crow here you don't have yet?" He poked at one made of shiny black stone of some kind, wings half extended.





Itachi looked at the crows but unlike before he didn't feel the almost kinship he'd always felt towards crows. He knew it was stupid and somewhat silly but now he looked at the black birds and saw only the death and disease that he'd escaped. His hand rose and sifted through the short cap of frosted black hair on his head and he murmured. "No, nothing that piques my interest."





"You should get a phoenix instead....Like that one." Neji pointed towards a vibrant red and orange bird looking as if it was caught mid flight. It stood no taller than Neji's hand but he found it beautiful and for some reason it really reminded him of Itachi, he had no clue why. "Look at the detail, it's amazing."





The Uchiha turned to the bird and raised a hand to run one pale finger over a wing. "It is yes. A phoenix?" He tilted his head in slight question at Neji.





"Mhmm, strong and proud...never ending. Facing hardships and rising from the ashes even stronger and more beautiful than before." Neji looked from the bird to Itachi. "It fits you."





Utter surprise lit in the red depths of Itachi's eyes. He didn't view himself as having come out of his ordeal stronger at all. He'd always felt less since the doctor had told him that he was sterile now, not to mention a big chunk of his self image had been tied up in his hair, but the way Neji looked at him...it made him reconsider. He looked back at the figurine and a slight tilt came to the corner of his lips. "I do believe I like that thought."





"Good, then let me buy it for you." Neji tilted his head towards Itachi and smiled.





Itachi's independent nature bucked at that but he stifled it. He rather liked the idea of receiving a gift from Neji. Of course he had every intention of reciprocating at some point; it wasn't in his nature to take and not give in return. He inclined his head to his companion. "If you're sure you'd like to."





"Yeah I want to, I like the thoughts of new beginnings, we could all use them." Neji called for the shop keeper and watched as he wrapped up the phoenix and then he paid for it. He roamed around a little longer but there were no blue glass dragons. "Here you go." Neji handed over the wrapped phoenix to Itachi with a bright grin.





Itachi returned the grin with a gentle smile. "Thank you." He wasn't just thanking Neji for the phoenix but for the momentary boost in self-image he'd given him. "Tell me, do you like funnel cake?"





"I do, a little more than what's good for me actually." Neji patted his flat stomach. "I have such a sweet tooth it's insane. Hinata has to hide the dessert when I go home for dinner or I might just eat it early." He chuckled.





The red eyes of the other man gleamed. "Well there's an ice cream parlor right next to Stardust that has the most divine funnel cake. Would you like to share one?"





"I'd like that very much. Lead the way and me and my sweet tooth will follow eagerly." Neji stepped out of the shop and held the door open for Itachi, it was still early and he had still had more time then he had; had in a long time.





Itachi walked with the Hyuga over to the ice cream parlor and ordered one large funnel cake. As it was being made he looked over at the younger man. "Do you want to sit and eat it or wander the market with it?"





"Let's walk with it, there so much I want to see." Neji was almost smiling like a kid. His stomach grumbled at the smell of frying batter and he could almost taste it on his tongue. "The market his huge and I want to make my one around it at least twice, can't miss anything you know."





Itachi nodded and turned to accept the finished funnel cake from the woman manning the order window. He held it out to Neji after tearing off a small piece of fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar. "Then let's walk."





Neji tore pieces of the cake as they walked, looking at almost every stand and just enjoying themselves. "Oh God...This is sooo good." Neji licked his lips and broke another piece off. "I don't think I've ever has such tasty funnel cake before, it's like heaven has visited the batter."





The Uchiha just hummed in agreement, his gaze having riveted on the other man's lips with that innocent flick of the tongue. At the moment he'd give an eye just to get a taste of those lips. He opened his mouth to say something that may have screwed the day up but fate intervened in the form of a high pitched young voice.





"Mither Uchiha!"





Itachi turned to see a little girl with riotously curly blond hair and big brown eyes barreling towards him. He passed Neji the cake and the bag with the figurine just in time to catch the child as she leaped for a hug. Bright, happy giggles filled the air as he pat her head. "Well hello to you too Susie."





The girl stepped back and grinned, showing two missing front teeth. "I mithed you! Mither Umino thaid you got thick then he thaid you were taking a tha...tha...thabatical! What'h that?"





Itachi smiled and crouched so that he was on her level. "A sabbatical is when someone takes a long break from work so they can come back strong and better than before."





"Ooooooooh." The little girl then proceeded to chatter in an adorable lisp about a thousand different things that she'd done and learned since the last time she'd seen her teacher, absolutely assured that he'd be hanging on her every word.





Neji stood a bit behind Itachi and the chattering girl. Itachi was wonderful with her, listening at everything she said, nodding and asking questions without rolling his eyes or sighing once. He also noticed the flash of longing in Itachi's eyes though the Uchiha hid it well.





Itachi waited until the girl paused and asked. "Susie where are your parents?"





She blinked and sort of drew her shoulders up. "Um wel~l," her sneaker kicked at the ground, "I don' know prethithly."





The Uchiha raised a brow just as a woman shouted.





"Suzanne Alice Summers! How many times have I told you not to run off on your own in the flea market!" A woman clipped over to stand just behind her daughter, hands on her hips a scowl firmly in place.





The little girl looked up at her mother sheepishly. "Bout a thouthand?"





Itachi had to bite his lip to keep from laughing, especially when Susie's mother drew herself up and snagged the little girl's ear already starting on a tirade about how much trouble she was in and 'wait ‘til we get home and I tell your father young lady!' as she dragged her daughter through the market, people parting like the red sea.





"Bye Mither Uchiha!" The little girl waved, completely unfazed by her mother's dire threats or the hand pulling on her ear.





"What a cutie pie." Neji smiled brightly as they watched the mother and child disappear among the people. She may be tiny but Neji admired her spunk. "Naruto wasn't exaggerating when he talked my ear of about how much the children adore you. You really are good with kids, I thought maybe Shinji was biased but now I see he's just one of many to adore you."

He reached out ha hand to help Itachi up from his crouching position.





The Uchiha took the offered hand and stood. "I've always loved children and looking after them. The students like me because they can tell that I care about them and their success. Too many teachers don't."





"Not many teachers do that, I can see why they think you're special. Besides kids can tell when you honestly listen and care. I could always tell when a grown up was bullshitting and pretending to be interested in what I said and did." Neji pinched off another piece of cake. "You better hurry here before I eat it all, I wasn't kidding about my sweet tooth."





Itachi chuckled softly and snitched the piece from Neji's fingers. "Children are sharper than most people give them credit for. Especially the 'troublemakers' so often they're labeled as problem children and put in special education classes because no one bothers to look close enough and see that they've already go a handle on the material and they're bored. They're not problem children, they're geniuses in the making."





"Oh believe me, I know all about that." Neji nodded, having been one of those geniuses as a child. "I guess you do too, both you and Sasuke." He licked more powdered sugar off his lips as they continued walking, looking through the stands and shops.





"Sasuke was quiet, he never stepped out of line because he didn't want to disappoint our parents. It wasn't until he met Naruto that he started to develop any kind of rebellious streak." Itachi's lips twitched as he remembered the first meeting between his parents and Naruto. He'd thought his father was going to stroke out. "Naruto is a lot smarter than others give him credit for. He, I think, was one of the worst mishandled geniuses. He didn't have any parents to fight for him. Shinji is probably going to drive his teachers out of their minds."





"Oh yeah, that boy will be too smart for his own good I think, and he's already on his way to drive his surroundings out of their minds, he's just so cute that he gets away with it." Neji chuckled as he thought of the Uchiha baby.





Itachi laughed. "Certainly too smart for his parents' good!"





Neji chuckled. "I wonder how long it will take until he gives his father his first gray hair." Neji finished the last of the funnel cake and wiped his powdery fingers on his jeans. He knew he had eaten much more than Itachi but he had warned the other so he didn't feel too bad about it.





Itachi smiled at his companion, he didn't mind in the least that Neji had eaten the bulk of the cake. He'd not actually had much of an appetite since he'd gotten out of the hospital though it was slowly coming back. His stomach had probably shrunk. They spent the next hour or so perusing the stalls and making idle chit-chat and Itachi honestly couldn't say he'd had a better time in years.





"I don't know what I'll do with more teacups but I couldn't help myself." Neji peered into his bag at the four dark green Japanese tea bowls. "They were calling to me." He looked up at Itachi. "You still haven't found anything eye catching? Neji looked around the bustling place. "Would you mind if we found somewhere to sit for a while, maybe have something to drink." He wiggled his toes inside his soft leather shoes with the sneaking suspicion that he had gotten a nice big blister on his heel.





"Not at all." They went over to one of the seating areas next to a hot dog stand and as soon as Neji was seated, Itachi couched and picked up the other man's foot, pulling off the shoe. "You're favoring your foot."





Neji flushed as he felt Itachi's hands on his foot. "Yeah I made a rookie mistake, wearing new shoes." He looked down at Itachi, noticing how long and slender his neck was and how much he wanted to run his fingers down that pale column. "It's no big deal though, nothing to worry about." Neji tried to pull his foot back from Itachi's grip, feeling embarrassed by his own thoughts.





The Uchiha tightened his hand on the other man's ankle and reached into his pocket, drawing out a large band aid. His voice was a soft murmur. "Let me just get this on so it doesn't get worse."





Right now Neji was grateful for his shades because the let him hide his expression of wide eyed wonder that some even cared about the fact that he had a blister on his heel, much less do something to help him. "Thank you." He said simply.





"You're welcome." Itachi smoothed the band aid over the blister and just couldn't keep himself from stroking his thumb on the skin of Neji's ankle for a moment before slipping the shoe back onto the other man's foot.





Neji slipped his foot under the table, his skin tingled where Itachi had touched it. "What would you like to drink? I can go get it."





"Sprite if you don't mind."





"Why would I mind? Sprite it is, just wait here and I'll be right back." Neji got up from the chair and walked over to a booth to by two chilled glasses of sprite. His foot felt a lot better with the band aid covering the blister. When he turned around to walk back to the table where

Itachi sat he saw a head of shockingly red hair that almost made him stumble, he shook it off though, and there was no way that Gaara would ever set his foot at a flea market.





Itachi smiled at the Hyuga as he came back then his brow furrowed. "Is something wrong?"





"No, nothing's wrong." Neji smiled back albeit a bit stiffly and placed the plastic glass in front of Itachi. "I hope you like ice, I asked for lots of it."





The Uchiha took the cup, eyes still concerned. "Plenty of ice is fine." He took a sip of sprite. "So w-"





"Hello Neji."





Neji winced behind his glasses, he hadn't seen wrong then. What the fuck was he doing here?





"Gaara." Neji nodded shortly.





Gaara's sharp green gaze practically devoured the long haired man. "It's been a while. How have you been Neji?"





Itachi looked over at the redhead, his gaze traveling up then down then back up slowly. A brow lifted and his expression clearly stated that Gaara had come up short in his estimation.





"Just fine." Neji answered. He had been so in love with Gaara when they were together, before the redhead cheated on him but he was relieved to find that not an ounce of those feelings lingered. He didn't feel anything at all for the other man now. "What are you doing here?"





"Looking for you." He glanced over at Itachi. "Can we talk in private?"





"No." Neji pulled off his glasses not caring who saw his eyes, he was getting annoyed. "I'm here with Itachi."





Red collided with green as Gaara and Itachi looked at each other. The redhead was glaring for all he was worth but Itachi's gaze was utterly dismissive, as if Gaara wasn't worth the effort of a glare. The Uchiha drawled, "I'm sure you don't have anything so important to tell Neji that you cannot say it in front of me."





Gaara's jaw clenched in anger as he looked back at Neji. "Can't you tell him to go look at purses or something?"





"Why would I do that? I'm here with Itachi who I actually enjoy spending time with. I can't say the same about you." Neji glared. "If you don't have anything important to say then I wish you'd leave, you're being rude."





Gaara tenses. "I want another chance."





Neji burst out laughing, he couldn't help himself. "You can't be serious, you're kidding right?"





"I am serious. I want another chance, I want you back."





Even Itachi had to give the redhead an incredulous look. Obviously there were a few brain cells missing from Gaara's gray matter.





"Gaara, we're over. We are never getting back together, there's absolutely no chance in

hell." Neji looked at the redhead seriously. "Am I making myself clear?"





The redhead scowled. "You say that now but I don't intend to give up. What we had was too special for me to just give up. I'll see you again soon Neji." He turned and walked away before either man at the table could say anything.





Itachi turned to his companion, who looked sincerely pissed, and spoke in a perfectly deadpan tone, "Was he dropped on his head a lot as an infant."





"Precious my ass." Neji scoffed as he stared after Gaara in disbelief. "You know I'm starting to suspect so. That or he's gotten stupider this last year...I hate to think that he always was this stupid and I never noticed." Neji shuddered. "I'm sorry you had to see that, I had no idea he would be here."





Itachi shook his head and reached across the table to give the other man's hand a small squeeze. "Don't worry about it."





Again that tingling sensation happened when Itachi touched, Neji wasn't sure how he felt about it but he couldn't deny even to himself that he was really attracted to Itachi. He picked up his glass and took a long pull of the soda.





"Would you like to go get something to eat after we're done here?"





Neji had just been thinking that he didn't want his time with Itachi to end, maybe Itachi felt the same way...Wouldn't that be nice? "I'd like that." He looked over at Itachi before sliding his sunglasses back on. The tension he'd felt when Gaara showed up was slowly easing away and Neji found himself relaxing in Itachi's company.





Itachi just smiled and leaned back, pleased that he'd secured more time with this man who fascinated him and drove away the shadows of his self-pity.



 

oo—oOo—oo

Itachi took out the phoenix figure that Neji had purchased for him, smiling down at the flame colored feathers, then looked at his curio cabinet full of crows. His brow furrowed and he set the phoenix down so he could go get a storage box and newspaper. One by one he took the crows and ravens he'd collected over the years and wrapped them carefully in the newspaper to protect them from damage before placing them in the box.





He couldn't look at them right now, couldn't enjoy them as he had once, before his illness. He knew that one day he'd be able to bring them back out and display them again but for now he needed to tuck them away as he tried to recover his sense of self.





Once finished with his task he picked up his phone and dialed an old familiar number. "Hello Kisame. I'd like to make an appointment...No. I want the crow on my back changed." Itachi almost chuckled at the explosive curse that came from the other end. He understood, Kisame had worked hard for hours non-stop on the crow Itachi had inked into his back. It was just lines, since Itachi had wanted a 'white' crow and his skin was too pale for the white ink to really show, but they were expertly and beautifully done. "I know Kisame but I can't keep a crow on my back, not after the hospital." A grumble of understanding came over the line as well as an inquiry of what kind of change he wanted. Itachi's lips curved. "Make it a phoenix."



To be continued…

 

AN- Preview for next chapter…Our boys go out dancing and Shinji gets sick…