As they walked around the village, Naruto could feel the tension oozing out of Itachi. He decided to keep quiet and not comment on it, figuring he should just wait for the older boy to open up to him. It took a while, but once they had reached the village limits and stood in silence at the exit, Itachi finally spoke up.

"My father found out about us," he said.

Naruto didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Sure, he knew Itachi and Sasuke's dad was pretty strict and close-minded, but he still had to have some openness toward his sons' choices. …Right? "And..?"

"He was repulsed. He threatened to disown me if I… If I didn't immediately end it." Itachi sighed sadly and looked down. His gaze quickly found itself back on Naruto's face, though, when the blonde responded with something that he couldn't help but be surprised by.

"Then end it. I don't want you to get disowned." Itachi frowned at the disappointment he easily detected in Naruto's voice.

"Why would I do that? That's ridiculous. I don't care if I get disowned, Naruto, so long as I can be with you."

Naruto gazed unsurely at Itachi. "…really? You'd risk that… for me?"

"Of course, Naruto. I would do anything for you." When Naruto didn't fully excise his look of uncertainty, Itachi swept the younger boy up in his arms and embraced him. Naruto instantly responded, hugging the Uchiha back, knowing that Itachi wouldn't lie to him like that.

"But… What are we going to do, then? You know, if he does disown you?" Naruto asked, his words slightly muffled by Itachi's shoulder.

"Well, I suppose we'll just have to figure that out when it happens. For now, may I take you out to dinner?"

"…ramen?" Naruto asked, lifting his head up enough to look into Itachi's eyes hopefully.

Despite himself, Itachi chuckled at Naruto's childlike anticipation. "Ramen," he confirmed, sealing it with a kiss.

FIN.