The clouds rolled over one another in hues of sad purple and angry greys. Occasionally a crack of thunder would interrupt the continuous soft pounding of the rain.

Itachi watched from the kitchen window, admiring the beauty of the rain clouds as Shisui sat at the counter with a mug of coffee. Itachi didn't notice Shisui's eyes fixed on him.

"Itachi? Itachi, can you hear me?" Mellissa asked from the other end of the phone.

Itachi snapped out of his trance, "Yeah, sorry... What was the question again?"

Mellissa sighed in irritation – Itachi could hear it and could even picture her pinching the bridge of her nose, "I asked what kind of flowers would you two like at the ceremony?"

When Mellissa said "you two", Itachi knew she was speaking of him only. Shisui had taken a step back from the arrangements – wanting Itachi to have anything he wants.

"I want it to be perfect for you – so you decide on whatever you want and it will happen", Shisui whispered sinfully in Itachi's ear as he thrust inside the Uchiha slowly and deeply.

It was not fair that Shisui used his sexual abilities to get Itachi to agree or concede to something...

"Plum blossoms", Itachi answered Mellissa's question, "I like them and I want them", he then shot Shisui a spiteful look. The older male just smiled his toothy smile.

"Okay, we can work with that. Have you thought about colour schemes? Traditional white, or something else?" Mellissa asked, suddenly excited – her prior irritation dissipating.

Itachi turned to face the window again, escaping into the rolling clouds. He heard Shisui get up and stand behind him. The older male rested his chin on Itachi's shoulder, "Just saying, I love you in red."

A small smile spread onto Itachi's lips, "Colour scheme... I was thinking red and white... maybe some grey in there if there's an issue."

Mellissa squealed so loud Itachi held the phone away from his ear for three seconds. Shisui wrapped his arms around Itachi's waist, resting his chin on the top of Itachi's head now – embracing the Uchiha from behind.

"I was hoping there would be red – any specific shades?" Mellissa giddily asked.

"I really like vermillion", Itachi responded absentmindedly – distracted by Shisui's warmth.

"And shade of white?"

"Aunt Mellissa, you can pick that one – we've been on this call for three hours", Itachi whined, "I'd like to just curl up with my fiancé right now."

"Okay, okay – I'll use the same shade of white as the plum blossoms. Don't forget to think of a location – and soon!" Mellissa reminded Itachi.

Itachi sighed, "I'll look into it, love you! Bye!" Itachi quickly hung up and placed the phone on the counter.

Together Shisui and Itachi stared out the window at the churning clouds as they spattered out rain. The sound of the drops hitting the roof brought Itachi a sense of peace.

"So I know you want to curl up with me", Shisui teased, "But-"

Itachi spun around and claimed Shisui's lips, kissing him fiercely. He jumped up and Shisui caught him easily – the Uchiha wrapping his legs around the older male's waist. The kiss was intense, Itachi viciously licking Shisui's bottom lip as the older male groped Itachi's ass – his hands travelling across the Uchiha's legs.

Itachi broke the kiss, still being held by Shisui – their faces mere inches apart, "No more chores", Itachi pouted. He had dealt with Mellissa and wedding arrangements for three hours straight. And that wasn't even the first time – for the past couple of days, all it had been was wedding, wedding, wedding.

"It's not a chore...per se. It's more like free food", Shisui clarified.

Itachi released his legs' vice grip on Shisui's waist and placed his feet on the floor, "What is it now?" Itachi asked sceptically.

"Well, I want us to tell my parents today", Shisui said tentatively, keeping a close eye on Itachi.

The Uchiha grew pale and suddenly felt dizzy, Shisui grabbed him immediately to prevent Itachi from fainting to the floor.

"Oh my God...Your parents...They must hate me", Itachi said in an anxious voice.

"They don't hate you – I promise. But I really want to tell them today – I want them to know and today just feels...right..."

Itachi pressed his face into Shisui's chest. The older male wrapped his arms around the Uchiha – trying to protect Itachi from his own thoughts. There was a bright flash of white followed by a loud roar of the sky. Itachi remained silent, pushing himself harder and harder into his fiancé's chest.

"Do... Do they still stay there?" Itachi asked softly.

Shisui tightened his arms around Itachi in reflex of the Uchiha's soft, scared voice, "They still stay in the same house, yes."

The old Uchiha residence was abandoned. The deed was passed on to Itachi once he turned the age of majority – eighteen. It was part of his parents' will. He had thought about demolishing it countless times – but he couldn't bring himself to tear down what once was his happy place. He couldn't bring himself to kill the laughter and childlike wonder trapped within those walls. Even so, he couldn't step foot inside the place his parents died – their blood and screams had imprinted the very soil.

"I'll be with you the whole time – I won't leave your side for a second", Shisui spoke quickly as Itachi started shaking in his arms.

Itachi took a deep breath, inhaling Shisui's pine-y scent that always calmed him down, "Okay, okay – let's go tell them." Despite his decision, Itachi was still scared. Scared of facing Shisui's parents, who would blame him for their son's dark period; scared of seeing the haunted skeleton of his childhood home.

*****

Shisui pulled up to his parents' house, Itachi kept his eyes closed and focussed on his breathing. Inhale, exhale and repeat.

"We're here", Shisui spoke gently.

Itachi opened his eyes, making sure to avoid looking in any mirrors which would reflect the stain of his parents' house directly behind them. In his anxiety, Itachi pulled on the sleeves of the hoodie he was wearing – Shisui's hoodie.

"Give me one of your hoodies", Itachi demanded intensely as he brushed his hair.

Shisui looked at Itachi while putting on a sweater, "What? Why?"

Itachi looked down from the mirror, "It'll make me feel safe..."

It was quiet and Itachi instantly regretted his request. He was going to dismiss his words as a joke when a large hand held out a bright yellow hoodie. Itachi turned around and Shisui was looking at him with such tenderness.

"Here, but you don't need this when you have me", Shisui then playfully flexed his right bicep and flashed his toothy smile.

Shisui got out the car and Itachi followed suit, being meticulous in keeping his eyes forward. Shisui grabbed the small Uchiha's hand and led him to the front door.

"Just calm down, it'll be fine – you'll see", Shisui reassured Itachi – who nodded.

Shisui opened the front door, mumbling, "They need to start locking this door."

"Mom! Dad!" Shisui called loudly.

Itachi's nerves shot up, his breathing became shallow and he tightened his grip on Shisui's hand.

"Is that my boy?!" A woman asked loudly. Itachi could hear hurried footsteps – like the sound of running.

Hae – Shisui's mother – appeared from a room and stopped in her hurried tracks as her eyes landed on Itachi. Almost, as if synchronised, Kagami entered the room – stopping still as well.

"Mom, you remember It-" Shisui began but was cut off.

"Itachi Uchiha, I can't believe it's you..." Hae took cautious steps forward – her eyes filled with curiosity and wonder.

"It's been five years since we last saw you..." Shisui's father said in the same mystified tone.

"G-great to see you again", Itachi said softly, viciously pulling on the huge hoodie that's sleeves covered half of his hands.

The house was silent, except for the pitter-patter of the rain on the roof. Itachi shifted his weight from one foot to the next in nervousness. Shisui didn't let go of Itachi's hand, but his grip loosened – and that sent Itachi's heart racing.

Shisui and his father ran at each other in lightning spontaneity, Hae continued approaching toward Itachi – more light-hearted and with a smile on her face. Shisui and his father jumped up and slammed their chests against each other, they then fell to the floor laughing.

Hae giggled, "That's how they started greeting each other – boys will be boys", she said with adoration in her eyes. She then turned to Itachi, "You've grown – you look more like an adult now... Well, I suppose you are one! How is your brother? Why don't you two stay for lunch?" Hae fired away, speaking excitedly and fast.

Itachi felt utterly confused, he couldn't get a coherent sentence to formulate in his mind.

"We'd love to stay for lunch", Shisui spoke up, returning to his place next to Itachi.

Kagami extended his hand to Itachi, "It's wonderful to see you again, Itachi." He said in a warm tone.

Itachi took his shaky hand and shook Kagami's hand in greeting. Kagami had large hands – like Shisui. Itachi supposed that's where his fiancé got his size from.

"Well, I'll set the table, you boys sit and relax – lunch is almost ready", Hae said happily.

"No please, I'll help", Itachi offered – seemingly more at ease with Shisui's mother than with his father.

Itachi and Hae walked into the dining room and laid down plates and cutlery.

"We missed you – dearly. Shisui...he wasn't doing so well", Hae spoke gently as she set a plate.

Itachi felt his heart speed up yet again – he knew this was going to happen.

"But I told him you'd come back – because of the look in your eyes from five years ago. It's a look that harbours an eternal flame. An eternal flame of love", Hae smiled at Itachi.

Itachi was taken aback by her wisdom and tranquillity, "So you don't...hate or despise me?"

Hae took Itachi's left hand gently, "You lost your parents tragically. Who would make rational decisions in such a situation and at such a young age? Of course I didn't despise you – and neither did my husband. We knew...that you needed time."

Hae let go of Itachi's hand and walked to the kitchen. Itachi was in a trance for a few seconds before rushing after her. He helped her carry the food to the table and soon they were all sitting around, eating their food and talking.

Shisui updated his parents on his studies. Kagami and Shisui laughed at their random jokes. Hae giggled and spoke about her booming meditation centre, occasionally cracking a joke herself. The attention then shifted strictly to Itachi.

And, at complete ease with Shisui's parents, Itachi told them everything. Where he went after leaving Konoha High to go to a different school. His brother's condition and Sasuke's progress. His overbearing aunt. His apartment and his own studies – he filled them in on the five years of information they had been deprived of. Like dry sponges, Shisui's parents soaked up every word – even asking questions here and there.

The food was quickly finished and Shisui stood up suddenly, "Guys, we have something to tell you."

Kagami and Hae looked at Shisui in confusion. Shisui pulled Itachi up gently, he rolled up Itachi's right sleeve so it wasn't covering his hand and showed off Itachi's glittering engagement ring, "We're getting married!"

Itachi felt as if he had gone mad because everything was suddenly so loud. Kagami was yelling in excitement and Hae was weeping in happiness. Shisui smiled and dragged Itachi into a hug, shielding the Uchiha's ears from the sonic blasts his parents were making.

Once they had calmed down, it was round two of questioning. Hae wanted to know everything – Kagami wanted to know how he could help. But most of all – they wanted to know when the ceremony would be.

"We haven't picked a date yet...but soon", Itachi offered.

Colour schemes, guest lists, catering, entertainment – all of these topics came up. By the time the ones that could be answered were answered, it was night.

"We need to go now, it's getting darker. I'll keep you guys updated!" Shisui bid farewell to his parents.

"Itachi, you come back, okay? Don't be a stranger!" Hae called.

Itachi smiled and nodded as he got into the car.

Shisui started the engine, and suddenly captured Itachi's face between his hands – slamming his lips to the Uchiha's. It was a loving kiss and Itachi immediately felt less frazzled.

"You did amazing", Shisui whispered proudly.

And that prideful tone warmed and expanded Itachi's heart.

A/N: Well? Thoughts? Leave this Icy author a sweet comment and a loving vote :)

What did you think of Shisui's parents' reaction?