Fine Lines

Fine Lines Ch. 6
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Tuesday morning rolled around fairly quickly to the surprise of Itachi. He headed off to school at the usual time, feeling a lot better in knowing that Naruto would definitely be there. He would do his best to help out his student and would talk to the principal to see if there was any way that Naruto would be able to pass that year and move on to become a senior.

It would probably take a lot of coercion, but he figured the principal, a woman my the name of Tsunade, would have a bit of lenience for Naruto, considering his family situation and lack of proper needs to meet the requirements the school demanded of all students.

With that in mind, Itachi made his way straight to the blonde woman's office before class and hoped to speak with her right away.

Upon entering the office, Itachi headed straight for the woman’s office and politely knocked on the door-frame, even though the door was open, he still wanted to be polite.

Tsunade looked up from her paperwork and smiled at the man. “Itachi, it’s good to see you. What brings you here?”

Itachi thought that as an invitation to enter and took a few steps into the room. “I’m actually here on behalf of one of my students. He’s… well he’s in danger of not passing this grade. But I think that if he just had a little help…”

“You know how I feel about letting students slide, Itachi.” The woman said with a narrowed gaze. “If I do this for one, everyone is going to expect I do it for them.”

The raven sighed; he knew it would be a bit difficult. “Listen,” he said before closing the door. “Right now, Naruto Uzumaki is failing every class. He has no one at home to help him and he has barely any confidence to even think about doing the homework let alone take tests.”

Tsunade sat up at the mention of the name. “Uzumaki… He’s had trouble with grades all throughout high school…”

“I know, but he’s been coming to me after class to talk to me and he’s really worried about this. His uncle is always off on business so he’s usually alone and I think if he just had sometime to maybe tutor him or help him out with his homework that he can get his grades up.” He paused to take a breath. “I know he can do great work, I’ve seen it on occasion.”

Tsunade rested a cheek in her manicured hand and thought about it for a moment. “What about you? I know you have Sasuke to take care of, but since he seems to be comfortable with you, you could help him with his homework and studying if he so chooses to ask.”

Itachi’s jaw almost dropped. He almost wondered if she suspected something by suggesting he be Naruto’s tutor. “I wouldn’t mind… I want him to succeed and if he would ask for my help I’d do my best to do that.”

Tsunade smiled then sat up straight again. “Alright then, I give you permission to do what you need to do. If it means going to his house; fine. But there are some conditions.”

Itachi knew there would be so he just listened.

“First, he has to turn in every homework assignment from now until the end of the school year, and he has to get at least a C or higher in every class.” She gave the raven an ‘and I mean it’ kind of look.

Itachi mentally sighed, those conditions were no problem. “Ok.” Was all he said before thanking her and headed back to his classroom. Now he really couldn’t wait to see Naruto and tell him the good news.

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The alarm woke Naruto bright and early the next morning and he forced himself from bed and took a short shower before dressing. He managed to make it to school on time by skipping breakfast, but that was a somewhat normal occurrence.

He tried his very best to pay attention in his first classes as he had told Itachi he would try. It proved hard but he figured it would come easier with the next few days. He was a little frustrated by the time his World History class came around, but he perked up at the thought of seeing his favorite teacher.

He made it to class a few minutes early and went straight to his desk in the back. He had actually completed the homework that Itachi had given him the previous day, although it had taken him most of the night and he was sure it was riddled with mistakes.

He still wasn’t sure about the whole school thing, but he figured if the raven was going to attempt to straighten things out for him, he had better try his best. After all, he did want the older man to be proud of him.

Itachi noticed Naruto was among the first to arrive and flashed the boy a smile. He knew the blonde could be a good student if he just tried and with the deal he was able to work out with Tsunade, he was sure Naruto would be more than willing to try.

The final bell rang and everyone went quiet, waiting for Itachi to start class. His lesson for that day was on the French Revolution and by the end of the lesson, half the class was asleep. He noticed though that Naruto had been diligently taking notes the entire time.

When the bell rang, everyone jumped up, stuffing papers and books into their bags as they made their way out, only a few suck ups stayed to ask Itachi some questions about the lesson. He didn't mind brown-nosers, they were among the best students in the class; it rather amused him actually.

The raven saw Naruto hesitate at his desk for a moment and knew the blonde wanted to talk to him, so he did what he thought was best. "Naruto, can I talk to you for a moment before you head off to lunch?"

Naruto nodded and began to slowly put his books away while he waited for everyone else to clear from the room. He had to admit that he’d actually found the lesson to be extremely boring, but Itachi’s rumbling voice had made it easy to pay attention. He couldn’t help drifting off a few times, remembering the way that voice had sounded in the throes of passion though...

Once everyone was gone, the blond swung his bag over his shoulder and made his way to Itachi’s desk. He couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from twitching into a small smile when he was finally close to the raven again.

Itachi smiled back and pulled out Naruto's homework that he had turned in at the beginning of class. "I graded it while you guys were reading." He hesitated. "Do you have the textbook?"

“Somewhere,” Naruto shrugged and then sighed. “I know it’s garbage, but I did try...” He left out the fact that he had stayed up very late to actually finish it.

"I can tell you tried; that's good." He reached into his desk and took out a copy of the textbook. "Here, the homework is much easier if you have this. Just don’t' lose it." He smiled at the blonde and continued speaking. "I talked to the principal. She said that if you complete all your homework for everyone of your classes and get at least a C or better on every final, she'll pass you for this year."

Naruto’s eyes widened as he looked at Itachi. “You really did do it...” he murmured. He really wanted to move around the desk and just wrap his arms around the older man but he knew he couldn’t. Shaking himself from his temporary stupor, one of his hands came up to rub the back of his head sheepishly. “I’ll try my best.”

Itachi smiled again and stood up, heading around the desk to place a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. "I know you can do it. I've also gotten permission from her to tutor you during the week after school. So whenever you need help..." he left the sentence open, knowing Naruto knew what he meant.

Naruto smiled at that and gripped his bag more firmly as it was sliding from his shoulder. “I might need a lot of help,” he said quietly, turning sparkling blue eyes on Itachi.

Itachi just chuckled and ruffled the blonde's hair affectionately. "Just give me a call. I'll be over." He leaned down so he spoke a bit quieter. "At least I have an excuse now." He smirked at the blonde and straightened up again. "Go to lunch. I'll see you tomorrow, if not before."

“Okay,” Naruto smiled and turned to leave. He walked the nearly empty halls until he reached his locker and then stashed his bag inside after grabbing his lunch. He made his way to the cafeteria and sat at an empty table in the back to enjoy his food. It made him smile while he ate because the food had come from home, which meant it had come from Itachi.

Sasuke chose that moment to sit down across from Naruto, much like he had the week before and just stared at the blonde. "Thought you quit. But then again, you were always too stupid to take good advice."

Naruto only glared at Sasuke, choosing not to say anything. His day had started out better than most did and he didn’t want it to end. He was even thinking about contacting Itachi about coming over...something he never thought he’d do. He sat in silence, eating his lunch and attempting to ignore the stupid younger raven that insisted on bothering him.

"Not talking huh? What's wrong; am I that intimidating?" He laughed at his own joke and leaned forward. "So... why's my brother so interested in helping you anyway? I mean, it's not like he's getting anything out of it."

The blond was so sick of Sasuke. He felt his temper begin to rise and he flashed another glare him. “I don’t know. Maybe because he’s a good teacher. He’s not like you, a scumbag who walks all over people.”

Sasuke's smile dropped from his face at that. "Whatever." he said as he got up. "At least I know how to get what I want." With that the stuck up raven walked away, making his way back to his friends.

Satisfied, Naruto ate the rest of his lunch quietly in the back corner until he finished. The bell rang not long afterwards and he headed off to the rest of his boring classes, intent on actually working.

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Sasuke fumed as he entered Itachi’s classroom after school. He had no idea what the hell was going on between Naruto and his brother, but he was going to find out.

Itachi looked up as he saw Sasuke enter and frowned. Did he know? No, he couldn’t possibly know. “Yes?” he asked as he continued to pack up for the day.

Sasuke just frowned as he sat on Itachi’s desk. “What’s going on with you and Naruto? Why are you helping him out all of a sudden?”

“I’m a teacher Sasuke, someone who is a guide for others. I don’t just spew out facts and expect students to know them. I offer help where I can. Naruto just happens to need it.” Itachi stood up as he shouldered his bag.

“Well what if I need it?” Sasuke asked indignantly as he too stood up from the desk.

Itachi sighed, he knew Sasuke was jealous of the attention he was giving to Naruto; it had always been that way. “You don’t need help Sasuke; you’re at the top of your grade. But if you did need help I wouldn’t hesitate.”

Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest. “Whatever, you’re just saying that because that’s what I want to hear. If I find out that you’re screwing him…” he stopped there, not really knowing what he’d do if something like that were to come into his knowledge. “Whatever.” were his parting words before storming out of the room. Before he was fully out the door he turned back around. “Don’t bother making dinner for me; I’m spending the night at Suigetsu’s house.” And with that, the younger Uchiha disappeared from sight.

Itachi sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose before heading out the door himself. He hoped Naruto would call. he really wanted to be alone with the boy again. Although he did have every intention of really tutoring Naruto, he knew it wouldn’t' be just that.

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After school was finally over, something he was very grateful for, Naruto packed up his bag and lazily made his way home. He fought with himself the entire way home; whether to call Itachi.

By the time he was actually home, he still hadn’t made up his mind. He sat on the couch to watch TV but couldn’t concentrate as his gaze kept flicking back to the phone. After a bit he gave up and made his way across the room to grab it after finding the card Itachi had given him.

At the raven’s house, Itachi had just sat down to read for a while when the phone rang. His heart fluttered in his chest as he picked up the device. "Hello?" he answered as he closed his book and set it down on the table.

“Um hi,” Naruto murmured, a tad bit flustered. “You told me to call you...a-and I...” Sighing, his cheeks flushed and he tried again. “I wanted to know if you could come over...”

Itachi smiled to himself at how nervous the blonde was. "Of course I'll come over. Is it homework related?" He wanted to make sure in which context this visit would be. Although he knew that it really didn't matter either way.

Naruto wasn’t quite sure what that meant and he was silent for a few seconds. He wondered if he said yes, if that’s all the visit would be... “Um...kind of?” He rolled his eyes at his own stupidity.

Itachi chuckled. "I'll be over in a few minutes." He said before standing up to grab his keys. "Need me to bring anything? Like the book you left on my desk?"

“Right...I guess I did forget that... No, that’s all...” Naruto stammered, totally embarrassed. There were reasons he hadn’t wanted to call Itachi, and this was definitely one of them...

Itachi just chuckled again and said his goodbye before hanging up. He hurried out the door, textbook in hand and some real lube, he couldn't be too prepared...

He slid into his car and started it up before pulling out of the driveway and made the short drive to his student's apartment.

Naruto threw the phone down on the couch and flopped back so he was lying down as he attempted to calm himself. Hopefully next time, he wouldn’t be so stupid and would be able to actually talk. He laid there until a knock on the door startled him and he pulled himself from the couch to let Itachi in.

The raven entered the familiar apartment and noticed the room hadn't changed much. He handed the book to Naruto before he wrapped his arms around the boy and gently pressed his lips to the blonde’s. "I've wanted to do that all day. It's so hard to just be together."

“Yeah,” Naruto agreed before his arms moved up to encircle Itachi’s neck, squeezing him tight, as he’d been thinking about earlier. He buried his face in the older raven’s neck, just reveling in his warmth and the enticing smell that seemed to surround him.

Itachi pulled back slightly and led Naruto to the couch. “So, what were you planning on working on? I don't have to leave at a certain time tonight; Sasuke's 'studying' with a friend for the night at their house."

“I don’t know,” Naruto admitted as he placed the textbook on the coffee table. “Today was kinda overwhelming. You know, after not paying attention for so long...” He leaned back against the couch and braced his arms behind his head, letting out a weary breath.

"Well..." Itachi thought for a moment. "Let me see your assignments for today, maybe we'll start with the hardest first, so you can get them out of the way."

He scooted a bit closer to Naruto and waited for the blonde to pull out the papers before donning his reading glasses, a necessary accessory that seemed to drive everyone around him crazy for some reason. Frankly he thought he looked awful in them.

The blond almost drooled. Almost. Itachi looked amazing on his own but with the glasses... He didn’t even know if he’d be able to attempt to concentrate sitting beside the sexy raven. His hand itched to reach over and untie his hair but he knew any work would go flying out the window if he did that. Once he had the papers, he handed them over to Itachi so he could look at them.

Going over the blonde's assignments, he figured, coincidentally enough, that his would most likely be the hardest to do first. He pulled out the paper that he had given to the blonde earlier in class and set it down on the table. "Ok, this one isn’t too difficult; it’s just a lot of reading. All you have to do is read these pages," He wrote the page numbers down on the corner of the assignment sheet. "And then answer these questions based on what you read." He looked at the blonde after his explanation and noticed the intent stare Naruto had on his face. The raven blushed a bit and looked away, something he rarely did, but it was different with Naruto. "I hate these things." he said, referring to his glasses which he knew Naruto was looking at.

“Are you kidding?” Naruto chuckled. “You look sexy as hell in them.” His face flushed as soon as the words were out. He absolutely hated how he blurted things out without thinking when he was around Itachi.

He shook it off though, and leaned over so he could pull the tie from the older man’s hair, a shiver running through his body when the hair he loved swung free. “There...perfect,” he mumbled before moving back to his spot.

He supposed he would have to get started on his homework, so he picked the book up then and flipped it open to where he would have to begin reading. He flipped around so he could stretch his legs across the free part of the couch and settled down to read, wanting to get it over with.

Itachi gave an amused smile, knowing that Naruto loved his hair down and just left it at that. He noticed Naruto stretch himself out on the couch and decided to get comfortable as well and read what he was planning on reading before Naruto called.

The raven pulled out his book and leaned against the corner of the couch, placing an arm around Naruto shoulder and pulling the boy so his upper body was rested against Itachi's chest. Now that was comfy.

Naruto smiled and leaned his head back against Itachi, holding the book up so he could read it properly. He was so comfortable and tired and knew he could easily fall asleep there but he forced himself to keep reading.

It took him quite awhile to get through the pages and by the time he was done his eyes were stinging. Setting the book down over his lap, he rubbed at his eyes before sighing. He knew right then that the rest of the year was going to be torture, but if he got to spend more time with Itachi like this, it would be totally worth it...

The older man looked down when Naruto put the book down and smiled. "You know, you could have taken a break. It's hard to read straight through like that, especially on a boring subject, even if I don’t' think it’s boring, most of you guys seem to think so."

“I know, but I’d rather get it over with. It took me all night to finish the work you gave me yesterday,” Naruto admitted before stretching his body out, a quiet, satisfied moan leaving him when a few of his joints popped.

Itachi placed a hand on Naruto's stomach in a comforting gesture before leaning down to kiss the blonde's forehead. "Why don't I make us some dinner while you answer the questions? Then you'll have something to look forward to." He smiled at the blonde and kissed his lips this time.

“Alright,” Naruto agreed. He hesitated for a moment before pressing his lips to Itachi’s once more and then moved so he could get up and settled himself on the floor between the couch and the coffee table. As soon as the older man moved into the kitchen, he spread his book out on the table and grabbed the sheet to begin answering the questions.

TBC