Lent

Saturdays.

A time when young children wake up early to watch cartoons, a day when teenagers and young adults sleep in until noon and adults wake up to nurse their hangovers. The weekend brings about a sense of calm and peace in which people are allowed to relax from the daily stress of school and work; two days, in which they are free to do anything, they wish. Provided it is legal in all terms.

This particular Saturday was just like a normal Saturday in February; slightly cool weather lingering outside the house from the chilly night before, but it would break away to a warm afternoon. An afternoon that would be perfect for doing something outside and relaxing in the sun. No doubt, the local children would be outside playing some game by noon today, creating a sense of ease for observers.

However, while peace, calm, and serenity reined outside, inside one large house, it was anything but peaceful.

“Naruto, come on.” Each word was emphasized by a tug.

“No!”

“Naruto…” The threat was left hanging as another tug was delivered against the tanned body.

“I don’t wanna!”

Sasuke grunted as he adjusted his body around Naruto’s waist and tried to get a better grip on the squirming blond. They had been at this for almost the entire morning and had gotten nowhere. Whose brilliant idea had it been to wait until this morning to tell Naruto that they were taking him to see their mom?

Oh yeah; his.

Next to him, Itachi was trying to pry Naruto’s hands away from the banister that he had attached himself to. If it had been any other day or situation, Sasuke would have laughed at his brothers’ face as he attempted to remove the blond unsuccessfully. Itachi’s face was furrowed in concentration and a pink tongue was poked out in thought as he tried to unclasp the tightly bound hands.

Any other day, Sasuke would have taken this situation into his favor and he would be a very content Uchiha.

But this was not a normal day.

Today was the day they were supposed to meet with their mother, and neither Uchiha brother wanted to face her alone. They had stayed too far from home in the past months for Mikoto to be utterly forgiving. She had something planned for them. Something that would remind them to visit more often and on their own accord.

Sasuke huffed, released his grip from Naruto’s waist, and glanced up at Itachi. They shared a quick look before coming to a mutual agreement; in order to remove the blond, they would have to work together.

Naruto yelped as he felt two sets of arms wrap around his waist and he gripped the banister tighter as both brothers started to pull. He wouldn’t have expected the two Uchiha’s to gang up on him at the same time; let alone willingly get so close to each other. They must be desperate.

But still, he wasn’t going.

“No, Sasuke stop it.” He cried, “Your mom scares me, all she’s going to do is dress me up.”

Sasuke nodded, “Probably.”

“No!” Naruto yelled and hugged the wood railing tighter. “I have plans already you selfish bastard.”

The younger raven frowned, he did remember Naruto telling him that he was going to visit some friends on Saturday, but this was an emergency. He could see them later.

As if on cue, Itachi reassured him, “You can see them tomorrow.”

Sasuke glared at him and shook his head, “No way, Naruto’s mine tomorrow, and you know it.” There was no way Itachi was letting Naruto leave tomorrow, he had big plans for that day.

The older Uchiha huffed, “Fine, I’ll give you Monday off to go see them.”

Naruto’s head spun around and he pointed at them, “That’s beside the point you uncaring jerks.” His eyes widened when he felt his body being dragged from the railing and he reattached his arm to the post. “Leave me out of your fear of your mom and let me go!”

Silence settled over the house and Naruto cracked an eye open at the silence. The arms were still wrapped around his waist but they had slackened considerably.

Both brothers looked at each other. Were they really sinking so low as to drag Naruto with them because they were slightly fearful of their mother? The thought ran rampant in their minds, whispering insults that they were acting very un-Uchiha like, and that they should act like men and take their lecture with honor. They were Uchiha’s, and Uchiha’s weren’t scared of anything…

Except an angry Mikoto when she was denied her little boys.

The tug of war match resumed with Naruto yelling curses at them and several made up words that seemed to spill from his mouth. It wasn’t until a loud crack sounded that Itachi suddenly released the blond and pulled Sasuke away.

“What the hell Itachi, we almost had him.”

Itachi was staring at the banister, from where the cracking noise had come from. “Leave him.”

“What!”

“If we keep pulling him, the banister will break.”

Sasuke stared at him, “Your serious; you’re sending us home without a cute, loveable blond as protection, in favor for protecting your banister?!”

“Yes.” He looked at his watch, “Come on, we should get ready to leave soon.”

“I don’t believe you.” Sasuke stated and glared at him, trying to see if he had an ulterior motive. When he found none, he scowled at his brother and stomped off to the living room.

Itachi glanced down at Naruto, who was still clinging tightly to the wooden rail, “If you leave now, Sasuke won’t be able to catch you.”

Azure eyes blinked up at him and in a gust of wind that slammed the door shut, Naruto was gone. Outside, Itachi could hear an engine revving before it moved away and down the road. He moved towards the living room where Sasuke was straightening his ties and a smirk slid across his face.

“You know, there was a way you could have gotten Naruto to let go of the railing.”

Sasuke spun around to glare at him, “And why didn’t you tell me this before hand, dear brother.”

Itachi ignored the strained words and slipped his jacket on, “If I unfortunately remember correctly, Naruto is ticklish on his sides. Or so you told me months ago.”

“You remembered that?”

“Sadly, yes.” Itachi felt a shudder run down his spine; there were defiantly times when he didn’t care to know what his brother was doing. Especially when it came to his love life. However, he supposed that is what happened when Sasuke got a little tipsy and lose lipped.

There was a knock at the door and Itachi walked to the foyer, where a short man waited for him when he opened the door. “Good morning Master Uchiha. Your mother has requested that I come and pick you up.”

“Why?” Questioned a voice behind him as Sasuke made his presence known.

The man chuckled nervously, “She said she didn’t trust you two.” He said, leaving the rest of the sentence unfinished.

Both Uchiha’s grunted and followed the driver, with the only thoughts running through their minds of, ‘Damn she’s good.’

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Naruto let out a sigh of relief and his shoulders relaxed as the tension ebbed away. He loved Mikoto at times, but he also feared what she had planned for him, which was one of the reasons he didn’t want to go. He hadn’t lied though, he did have someone he wanted to see, but the dressing up thing simply solidified the deal.

The road in front of him curved around the hilly terrain and the fallen leaves kicked up behind him as he drove by. He was truthfully surprised when the call had come in from his old friend saying that he wanted to see him again. It had been a while since they had last seen each other and he was happy to know that he was back in town. The last time he had seen the man was months ago before he left to go on some type of research trip.

Apparently, he was back again and wanted to catch up on old times. Naruto was supposed to meet him at a resort he was staying at so they could talk and the blond felt a smile ease across his face. The resort was in the country, away from the inner parts of the city and he tended to like the country more than the city.

A wooden sign appeared ahead of him and he turned the car onto the road. It wasn’t long before a log cabin loomed into view and he parked his car in the shade of the building before walking up the steps. In a stained wooden rocking chair was a white haired male, scribbling something into a notebook. He glanced up at the footsteps on the wooden porch and flashed the blond a grin.

“I see that you didn’t get lost.”

Naruto snorted, “Nice to see you too Jiraiya.” He sat down in the opposite rocking chair, “You said you wanted to talk, what’s up?”

The older man shrugged, “Not much. It’s just good to be back in the area again after staying away for so long.”

Naruto eyed him curiously, the last time they talked; Jiraiya had taken him to a hot springs and spent most of the time trying to see into the females’ side of the spa. The mere fact that they were still sitting here on the porch without a woman in site had sparked his curiosity. Perhaps this time the old man actually wanted to talk.

“So Naruto, how’s your relation with the Uchiha?”

“What?”

“Just making sure he’s keeping you happy.”

“Uh, yeah, we’re still good.” This was turning out to be very awkward.

“Good, good.” Jiraiya paused briefly, “How’s the sex?”

“Huh?!”

The older male scratched his head, “Well, you see, I’m writing this new book about two guys and I need some references.”

This wasn’t turning out to very awkward, it was awkward.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Itachi and Sasuke glared out of their separate windows, each silently blaming the other for the reason they were being dragged towards torture. However, in the back of their minds, they each had the next day on their minds; and one mind danced in joy, while the other plotted on ways to destroy Sundays.

Itachi’s gaze settled onto the passing billboards that flashed by and his eyes widened at one of them. A small smile crept up on his face and he allowed his body to lean against the leather seats as he pulled out his cell phone.

Perhaps this day would turn out better than he thought.

By the time he finished with his phone, the Uchiha manor was coming into view and the wrought iron gates swung open slowly. The car moved up the driveway smoothly and both brothers could see their mother standing outside the door waiting for them. She waited until they had climbed the steps to give them each a hug and when she finished, she glanced back towards the car.

“Naruto couldn’t come?”

“No.” Sasuke said stiffly.

Mikoto squeezed his hand gently, mistaking his annoyance for grief, “Its okay honey, I’m sure he’ll be there when you get home.”

Itachi held back his laughter and followed his mother inside, while Sasuke glared holes into the back of his head. Their mother seemed to be in a happy mood, which bode well for them and he could smell something cooking in the kitchen; the delicious smell drafting through the house.

They made their way to the living room and Mikoto turned around to give them a smile. “I’m so glad that you two could come today; I’ve missed seeing my boys.”

Itachi and Sasuke hesitated, there was something hidden under that sweet tone.

“You wouldn’t mind helping your mother now, would you?”

Oh yes, there it was; the tone in which a mother uses to draw in her unsuspecting children.

“And since Naruto couldn’t make it today…” She trailed off.

The tone and suggestion of torture on the child’s part.

“You two will have to try these on for me.” She finished and held up some clothes, “Look, they match!”

XXXXXXXXXXXX

An hour and a half later, the slamming of the door was loud in the silent house. Hurried footsteps echoed throughout the house and slowed as they passed by the living room. The person skidded to a halt and retraced their footsteps, before laughter bounced off the walls.

“I wish I had my camera.”

“Shut up Naruto.”

The blond shook his head, “I can’t, it’s too funny. I didn’t think she’d make you two dress up; and how cute, you match.”

Sasuke stood up from the couch, “Naruto…” he growled.

“What are you doing here Naruto?” Itachi asked, “I thought you had plans to see someone.”

A blush crept up Naruto’s neck, “Well, you see, I decided the torture I’d get here couldn’t any worse than what I was going through with my, uh, friend.” He had been fine until Jiraiya had asked that question and then decided that he was going to keep pressuring the subject. He went as far as to ask if he could videotape them for reference.

Naruto had never left a place so quickly.

“Naruto!”

Blue eyes slid to the left where the voice came from and it wasn’t long before he felt a tight grip on his arm. “Hi Mrs. Uchiha.” He said weakly as he was pulled out of the room.

“Please, it’s Mikoto. Come on, I have an outfit for you too.”

Itachi and Sasuke blinked as the blond vanished from the room and his shouts echoed down the hallway. “No wait, stop, don’t take off my boxers!” Two eyebrows were raised and Sasuke started to rise from the couch but Itachi quickly pulled him down.

Moments later, Mikoto bounded into the room with a sullen Naruto following. Itachi smirked, “Look Naruto, now you match us too.”

Naruto stuck his tongue out at the elder raven, “But I make this look good.” He turned towards Mikoto, “What made you think of these outfits anyway?”

“Sasuke’s uncle owns a ranch and when we went there last week, I thought the boys would look so cute in matching riding outfits.” She looked over Naruto, “But you look just as cute too. Now come on, it’s picture time!”

The three males sighed; it was going to be a long day.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

It was much later that night when they finally arrived home and collapsed through the front door.

“Your mom is scary.” Naruto said as he kicked off his shoes and slowly made his way up the steps. “Never again.”

Sasuke grunted and followed him upstairs while Itachi watched them before heading into the kitchen. He picked up his phone and punched in a few numbers before he brought the device to his ear.

“Did you get them?” He asked and a slow smirk spread across his face at the answer. “Good, I’ll need them first thing tomorrow.”

XXXXXXXXXXXX

The matching riding outfits came from my last chapter in Bloodlines, and I thought it would be funny to actually dress them up in it. I have no excuse on why this was so late; except for school and all the pain that comes with it. Maybe a little bit of laziness too.