Authors Note:
This story is set in our world. Just wanted to clarify that ahead of time.
Starships were meant to fly
Hands up and touch the sky
Can't stop 'cause we're so high
Let's do this one more time
(Oh oh, oh oh)
Ritsuko groaned as she pressed a hand against her aching head. The flashing neon lights, the boisterous crowd in the club, and the booming base combined into a nightmarish mess. Now that pain in her head matched the pain in her heart. She felt so raw and exposed in the middle of the dance floor. Surely her heartbreak was obvious to everyone else as what was left of her heart still longed for Kankuro. Despite the humiliating break-up, she kept checking her phone to see if he'd returned her calls yet. This is the 21st century for crying out loud. No one needs their parents to approve who they date. They were both eighteen, old enough to make their own decisions and to seize the future they had planned together. But once Daddy dearest threatens to disinherit OH NO! Suddenly she's disposable. I hate him! She thought bitterly as she checked her phone yet again. She knew that he wasn't ever going to call and yet still foolishly hoped that he would. Unsurprisingly the inbox was empty. With a snarl she shoved her phone into the back pocket of her skinny jeans.
She never should have come here. She should have stayed home and ignored the phone when she saw Shizako Nara's number. Her best friend had insisted that a night out would do some her good; lift her spirits, and all that feel-good sugary crap. She only agreed because it seemed better than wallowing in misery at home. So here she was waiting for her so they could go to some stupid party but apparently she was running late. Now she felt like it had been a mistake to come at all so she turned on her heel to leave. Especially when the atmosphere had settled down into a slower song with Rhianna's "Only Girl in the World." Her hands curled into angry fists. Kankuro used to make her feel that special…like they were the only ones that mattered. And like a sucker she completely fell for it.
To her surprise someone gently caught her by the hand. She turned around and was startled to see a man towering over her. He looked much older than her but his gentle eyes set her nerves immediately at rest. His skin glowed blue underneath the flashing lights and he wore his navy hair faux-hawk style. He smirked gently. "Let's dance," he said as he jerked his head back towards the dance floor.
She frowned and shook her head. "I'm not in the mood." She said as she tried to pull free.
"I know," he said as he tugged her back into the crowd. "That's why I'm asking."
So boy forget about the world cause it's gon' be me and you tonight
I wanna make you beg for it, then Imma make you swallow your pride
She struggled harder but his grip on her was firm but still gentle. She sensed tension in his arms as if he was capable of greater strength but saw no reason to use it yet. He had a muscular build; probably one of those body-builder types. He was definitely handsome but that was beside the point. "Let go of me!" She hissed angrily and fire blazed in her eyes.
She was a spitfire. He liked that. Her temper emphasized her beauty. "Just humor me kid. It's only a dance; its not like fate's involved."
She pouted but he was right. One little dance was no big deal. "Fine but don't get fresh unless you want to meet my fist."
Oh he just couldn't resist. Curious if she really meant it he slid his hand down her backside. She swung her fist and he deftly caught it with the same hand. She stared at him open-mouthed, completely floored by his incredible reflex. He continued to dance and rested her hand against his chest. "Just testing you," he reassured her. "You're strong for a little squirt."
She glared at him but he just chuckled. On the music continued all around them:
Baby I'll tell you all my secrets that I'm keepin', you can come inside
And when you enter, you ain't leavin', be my prisoner for the night
"Why did you ask me to dance?" She demanded.
His smile faded slightly though he tried to shrug indifferently. "You looked like you could use a good dance."
"Explain," she frowned.
"I'll tell you if you'll tell me why you're acting like such a sour puss."
She flinched. "That's none of your business."
"Then I have nothing to explain either," he said casually enough. And for the remainder of the dance they both were silent.
Want you to make me feel like I'm the only girl in the world
Like I'm the only one that you'll ever love
Like I'm the only one who knows your heart
Only girl in the world...
She lowered her gaze shamefully. Why couldn't she be that girl for Kankuro? Why wasn't she enough to please him and his stupid family? Her heart ached painfully and she was startled to feel the stranger gently squeeze her hand. He wore a sympathetic smile. "I know that it hurts now," he whispered softly. "Right now you think that the sun will never shine as brightly as it did then. But it will get better. I promise."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she huffed.
That didn't seem to deter him at all. "I do…I recognize the pain in your eyes." She quickly looked away as her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "Whatever you do, don't lock your heart up so tightly that it's past feeling."
She didn't want to hear his kind words. It was weird to hear them coming from a stranger anyway so she turned on her heel and stormed away. He watched after her with a sad expression. He felt sorry for her because he had gone through it too. Such heartbreak is obvious to those who've experienced it. But she'll have to find her own way to deal with the loss. He checked his watch and swore under his breath. He was going to be late if he didn't hurry.
Ritsuko stormed out of the club and ran into Shizako. "Whoa hold up!" Shizako cried out as she caught her by the shoulder. "Where are you going?"
"Home!" Ritsuko snapped as she shrugged her off and kept going.
"What?! No way!" she said as she grabbed hold of her by the shoulders to stop her. "Enough pining over Kankuro. Forget that jerk already and let's go have some fun!"
"I'm not in the mood," Ritsuko grumbled but Shizako ignored that as she led her back to the car.
"My boyfriend Itachi is throwing a party at his house with some of his buddies from college," Shizako explained with a wide grin. "It's definitely gonna be wild."
"And possibly illegal," Ritsuko raised an eyebrow.
"Fine, don't drink if you don't want to," She shrugged. "But seriously! It's going to be lots of fun."
Ritsuko gave up and sat in the car. Shizako's argument hardly won her over but she was familiar with her friend's stubbornness and wasn't in the mood to fight her on this. "Alright let's go." She said emotionlessly as she folded her arms across her chest.
"And who knows, maybe you'll meet someone new," Shizako winked at her.
Ritsuko rolled her eyes. "Yeah just what I need; more guy trouble."
Shizako turned the car on and started to drive. She risked a quick look at her friend. She leaned against the door, resting her head on the glass. It was weird to see her friend so…emotional. Ritsuko was the classic loner-type who usually kept her true feelings to herself. She really opened up when she was started dating Kankuro and Shizako had been thrilled. But now that it was all over between them, she hated to think that Ritsuko would hide inside herself again. "Look, you know that I'm here for you right?"
Ritsuko didn't make eye contact but her expression softened just a bit as she nodded. "Yeah, I do."
"Good, so then relax and we'll have a good time ok?" She held out her first. "You and me just like old times."
Ritsuko smirked and fist pumped her. "That will never change."
Shizako smiled back and the mood felt considerably lighter. By the time they pulled into the Uchihas' driveway, Ritsuko actually started to feel excited about the party. She whistled as she looked out the window. "His place is HUGE!"
"Well it's his parents' place," she confessed. "But yeah, the Uchihas are pretty rich."
That did explain why the place was crowded with people dancing, chatting, eating, and general goofing around. As they entered the house, LMFAO's song boomed throughout the house.
When I walk in the spot (yeah), this is what I see (ok)
Everybody stops and they staring at me
I got passion in my pants and I ain't afraid to show it, show it, show it, show it
I'm sexy and I know it
"There he is!" Shizako squealed with excitement as she dragged Ritsuko over to the host. Itachi stood there, surrounded by a gaggle of giggling girls. They tried hard to get him to smile and talk with them but he was content to sip his drink and nod politely at the right times. He wasn't being rude to them; he just seemed content to keep things casual. When he saw Shizako, his face lit up with a handsome smile and he immediately approached her. The other girls pouted and frowned as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Ritsuko wore a sad side smile. They really did look good together. Shizako then turned to introduce her to him. He nodded and firmly shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Shizako speaks very highly of you."
"All exaggeration I bet," Ritsuko smirked as she rested her hands on her hips.
"What? Of course not!" Shizako protested but Ritsuko laughed and tweaked her nose teasingly. Shizako swatted her hand away.
"Ah Kisame!" Itachi said as he waved to someone in the crowd to come over. "I didn't think you'd make it."
"I had a few hours to kill so I figured why not waste them here?" a familiar voice teased. Ritsuko felt chills run down her spine as she recognized it. And there he was, that annoying stranger from the dance club.
"I'd like you to meet my girlfriend Shizako," Itachi introduced. "And this is her friend Ritsuko."
"So now we're properly introduced," He smirked deviously as he took her hand and bent down to kiss it. The nerve! Her temper flared and without thinking she tried to slap him with her other hand. Once again he easily caught it with his other while still moving in to brush his lips against her fingers. She glared at him with such a terrible fury that he was amused by it. He liked her spirit. "I think we'll be great friends, don't you?" He teased.
