Exposure

Prologue: Symphony for Two

He inhaled deeply, allowing the nicotine to burn down his system and listened to the rush hour traffic just beyond the mouth of the alleyway. The honking of horns was music to his ears and the angry, road rage swearing its lyrics. He smiled when he heard a particularly cleaver one. Leaning his head against the dirty, brick wall, Naruto closed his eyes and mentally listed what he needed from the story: eggs, rice, tofu, juice—did he need milk? Probably.

A rat scattered passed him and over to a nearby restaurant dumpster, but he didn't move. The city vermin were his old friends. When the rats were there, the streets were safe. When shit was about to go down, they were the first to scatter. Taking another drag of his cigarette, Naruto ignored the rotted scent of restaurant trash that the rat released when it entered the dumpster. What else did he need from the store?

Footsteps came from the alley entrance, they were slow, casual steps, someone used to the city alleys. Naruto opened his eyes and took another drag before exhaling slowly. His eyes flickered to the man and then over to the dumpster, where the rat was happily picking at someone's leftovers. The man looked about his own age and was dressed similarly in jeans and a nondescript t-shirt. His hair was on the long side and warm brown in colour. Life on the streets had taught Naruto many things: don't get caught looking, remember everyone.

"It's done," the man said softly as he passed Naruto without looking at him. His voice was deep, rough. It made Naruto think of a bear. Jogging up a set of stairs, the man entered the back entrance of a popular Main Street restaurant. For a moment Naruto heard the man cheerfully great the other restaurant employees and then the door closed, leaving Naruto alone with the city's rush hour symphony.

Naruto took a drag of his cigarette; it was nearly to the filter. He really wasn't sure if he needed milk. It was probably best to buy some anyways. Finishing his cigarette unhurriedly, he snubbed it against the brick wall before flicking it into the dumpster. The rat paid him no mind. Kicking off the wall, Naruto walked over to his motorcycle. He didn't want to waste milk either, so maybe he'd wait and go shopping in the morning. Sighing, he fired the bike up. Boruto would have a fit if he didn't have milk for his cereal. Naruto headed out of the alley. Best to just get it.

Sasuke laid on the horn as he slammed on the breaks and let loose a bilingual slew of curses. Fucking motorcyclists! The traffic behind him bellowed at his sudden halt. He was not in the mood for this. Seriously.

"Everything all right over there, little brother?" Itachi's smooth voice asked through the stereo speakers. He had called shortly after Sasuke had retrieved his car from the long term parking garage at the airport.

"Yes. It's fine. A biker just flew out of nowhere and cut me off." Sasuke's tone was bored. "So you went to see mother?"

"Yeah. She is, of course, trying to bring me back into the family."

Sasuke did not want to voice that he had a similar wish. He couldn't. His brother had wisely run away the family and the Uchiha Empire nearly sixteen years ago. He would be a fool to come back now. Instead he asked neutrally, "Was father there?"

"In his own way. I overheard him threatening someone over the phone in his office on my way to the bathroom. Apparently, someone offended the daughter of an important potential business partner."

Sasuke grimaced internally. "Her hands were dirty."

"Have you thought of seeing a professional?"

Pulling into an underground parking lot, Sasuke's gloved fingers tightened ever so slightly on the steering wheel. "There's no need."

Itachi sighed. "Of course not."

"I'm home now. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Coffee at my place tomorrow?"

After parking the car, Sasuke leaned his head against the back of the seat. All he really wanted to do was go up to his apartment, bathe and sanitize his luggage, and then sleep until next year. His trip had been long and tedious, and he had been in too many time zones. But he was an Uchiha.

"Of course," he said unfeelingly. "The usual place, though."

"Okay." He could hear the disappointment in Itachi's voice. "Do you work? It's Sunday so you can't have any classes, right?"

Sasuke thought of the presentation he had to make for the Board of Executives meeting on Monday morning. "No, I don't work."

"I'll let you sleep in, then. Meet me at, say, one o'clock?"

"Okay." Sasuke shut off the car, hanging up the call before Itachi could say anything more about meeting at his place instead. He didn't want to deal with anyone anymore. He just wanted to bathe.

Getting out of his car, Sasuke slung his carry-on over his shoulder and took his suitcase out of the trunk before locking the car and heading into the elevator. Once inside he rolled his tight shoulders a few times, trying to loosen them up to no avail. Of all the places he had to go for work, he hated airports nearly as much as public bathrooms. There were too many people—and children, who were no better than filthy vermin.

The elevator doors opened to the thirtieth floor. Stepping into the small lobby, Sasuke dug into his pocket for his key and turned to the left. A throat cleared. Looking up, Sasuke saw Temari standing in front of his apartment with her hands behind her back and a devious smirk on her cherry red lips. Wordlessly, Sasuke stopped in front of her. She grinned and held up a pair of black, leather heels. Sasuke raised an eyebrow and she rolled her eyes before revealing a bottle of tequila in her other hand.

Though he did not smile, his shoulders visibly relaxed. "You know I love you, right?"