Author's Note: This story is based on a universe created on Y-Gallery in the form of a club called the Firefly Spa. The Spa is owned by Uchiha Mikoto. Both her sons work there and though she thinks she had a respectable business her sons know otherwise. Sasuke knows some, but Itachi, with his closed circuit cameras everywhere, knows all. Hope you all enjoy. :)
At the beginning of every week the staff of the Firefly Spa would sit down for a quick meeting to go over any information that they needed to know. Though the building was only 2 stories tall, a fraction of the height of the near by skyscrapers, the place was always busy with clients and staff going in and out of the dozens of small treatment rooms. Because of this, the weekly meetings were established to make sure all employees were up to date on the overall goings of the spa, including all promotions and the rare incidences that occur within any business.
Uchiha Mikoto was always very insistent that all employees attend these meetings. She took very good care of her staff and her office always held an open door policy. She believed the first step to a happy customer was always a happy employee. She would usually stay for the first part of the meeting to go over anything particular she felt strongly about. The second part of the meeting was usually overseen by Itachi.
What Mikoto didn't know was that once she left the real meeting would begin. Most staff knew about some part of the hidden side of the spa though her eldest son Uchiha Itachi was the only one who knew everything. He would go over anything that was important for the staff to know that his mother shouldn't. Knowing that it would surely devastate Mikoto to know the truth and because everyone loved and respected her too much to hurt her, the staff were very careful not to let anything slip by them.
"Good morning everyone." Mikoto smiled warmly at her staff. Because they had no room for a meeting room, the staff met in the pool room where the morning light washed over all of their smiling faces through the large picture windows on the east side. "Just one item I have for everyone today. We have a new client coming in today and he's a very special one. Do any of you remember the school shooting 6 months ago at my son's former high school?"
Many of the staff nodded. Those who had been working since then knew how panicked Mikoto had been about her youngest son Uchiha Sasuke. As it turns out he had been out of the school on his lunch break at the time.
"Well as you know thankfully no one was killed but a teacher was severely wounded after he was shot in the back while protecting some students. His name is Umino Iruka and though he is out of the hospital he still has a long way to go in his recovery. Knowing how expensive rehab can be and how important of a teacher he was to my son and a few others here, it has been agreed upon that we will take on Umino-sensei free of charge. Now I will be paying wages for anyone who treats him as the spa will be taking on all of Umino-sensei's expenses. Anyone who wishes to donate their time is free to do so but I will not expect it of anyone."
There were smiles and nods all around including a rare smile from Sasuke as it had been his idea in the beginning.
"Good, now that that is settled, I have to run as I have an appointment with the accountant. I leave you all with Itachi to go over anything else that needs to be discussed." And with that Mikoto smiled and waved to the staff as she made a quick exit.
"I don't have much either this morning but I want to further speak on what my mother told you all." Itachi spoke calmly as he made his way from his seat to in front of the staff.
"Iruka-sensei is one of the most pure-hearted and giving men you will ever come across. I know that some of the younger staff members here even had the pleasure of having him for a teacher at one point. I have only ever met him twice but for those who haven't you'll understand what I mean when you meet him." Itachi spoke.
"Don't forget about his temper." Sasuke smirked and some of the other younger staff either laughed or cringed at that remark.
"I was getting to that little brother." Itachi smirked as well having seen it on one of the two times he had met the man. "I'm hoping to avoid that. As such I'm asking everyone to keep an eye out on Umino-sensei. I know he would not appreciate that other side of our spa here and unfortunately I predict his personality as well as his looks will catch the eye of some of our more depraved clients. Again many of you will understand when you meet him."
"For now his treatment will be overseen by myself and will start with water therapy with Kisame followed by a deep tissue massage by Tsunade. Other treatments will be considered as he progresses. The bullet to his back damaged some nerves and he currently walks with two canes. We hope to change that as soon as possible." Itachi explained. "That's all for now. The spa opens in half and hour and Umino-sensei arrives in one hour. Everyone is dismissed." Itachi finished and the staff rose to leave to prepare for the day.
Once everyone had left, Sasuke approached Itachi, "You realize keeping Iruka-sensei away from our depraved clients is going to be tough. He may be intelligent but he wasn't really smart when it came to lecherous advances."
Itachi sighed, "I know, but I think if we keep him near some of our more intimidating staff like Kisame and Tsunade we should avoid the worst."
An "hn" was Sasuke's only reply.
Umino Iruka climbed out of the taxi with a bit of difficulty but was able to manage without help from the driver. His pride had taken a beating with how much help he had required in the last 6 months but every time he could do something on his own was a small victory in his mind. Today though he was doing one of the few things he had promised himself he'd never do since losing his parents; become a charity case.
When Uchiha Mikoto had first contacted him he had automatically remembered her from the many parent-teacher meetings he had had with her over the fighting incidences between her son Sasuke and another boy named Uzumaki Naruto back when they started High School. Thankfully over their three years there they had not only stopped fighting but had become the best of friends. It had only been last spring when they had graduated but he knew the memories of those two would never leave him.
When Mikoto had told him about the offer of providing him with the rehab he so desperately required but could not afford on his teacher's salary his had swallowed his pride and had said a very thankful yes. He had a feeling it had something to do with Sasuke but that was something he could ask the young man at a later time.
Iruka was actually a little nervous as he approached the front door of the old building. He'd never been to a spa in his life and until now had figured he'd never would. The outside was calming and the front looked welcoming. "My how life can change," he sighed and walked up to the front door.
Sakura was chatting with Kurenai who was sitting behind the front desk today. When they heard someone struggling at the front door they looked over and Sakura immediately recognised her former teacher and rushed over to help him in. "Good morning Iruka-sensei, it's so good to see you again. How are you doing?" She smiled warmly, though Iruka could sense the subtle grief in her voice.
"It's good to see you too Sakura-chan. I'm doing better than I was a few months ago though I'm hoping to feel more like my old self as time goes." He smiled brightly and gave her a quick hug to help easy her worries for him.
"Well we should be able to help you out with that." Sakura smiled brighter than she had a minute ago. After introducing Iruka to Kurenai, she led him down the hall to the change rooms where they met Itachi.
"Good morning Umino-sensei, I don't know if you remember me but I'm Uchiha Itachi, Mikoto's eldest son and Sasuke's older brother." Itachi bowed politely. "I'll be escorting you around our facility in between your appointments. Shall we get started then?" Sakura almost had a nose bleed and had to quickly excuse herself at the warm smile that Itachi gave Iruka. She had never once seen such a true smile on her supervisors face.
"It's nice to meet you again Itachi-san and please call me Iruka. Sure I'd love to get started but I have to warn you that I've never been to a spa before so I'm not familiar with the proper protocol." Iruka spoke as Itachi led them into the change rooms.
"That's quite alright Iruka-sensei. We booked you today with some extra time for a full tour and introduction to the spa. First we usually have our clients change into something more comfortable and useful before anything else. Did you remember your swim trunks and do you require any assistance changing?" Itachi asked as they entered the change room and approached a row of lockers.
"Yes I did and though it may take me a few extra minutes I'll be fine to change on my own." Itachi caught the subtle hint in Iruka's answer of his wishes to do as much on his own as he can.
"Very well, I'll be waiting around the corner for you. Call me if you need anything." Itachi replied and then walked back to the door of the change room. Though Iruka took this as a sign of respect for his privacy, Itachi used this excuse to watch the door for any of the other clients that were around that morning; especially one in particular.
After Iruka had finished changing, Itachi led him on a guided tour of the spa. Iruka was impressed with the place and felt more at easy as they slowly walked around. After the tour Itachi led them towards the pool area. The plan was for Iruka to shower and then spend some time in the hot tub warming up his muscles before Kisame took over for his first session in the pool.
Sasuke was speaking with Kurenai and Sakura at the front desk about the need to change the front door to accommodate those with disabilities when a very familiar and very notorious client sauntered though the front door. A look of pure shock washed over Sasuke's face for a split second before he pushed it down and replaced it with the trademark Uchiha face.
"Good morning Hatake-san, what brings you in today?" Sasuke asked with strained politeness.
Of all the troublesome clients that could have come in this morning why did it have to be this one? Hatake Kakashi was the second biggest pervert that Sasuke had ever met (Naruto's godfather Jiraiya held the top honours). And although Sasuke detested him, Kakashi was one of the spa's best clients. He was the owner of Chidori Inc. and was always spending loads of money at the spa either on himself or on his company's cliental. The money he brought in was the only reason Sasuke tolerated the man as he did.
"Oh just the usual work over by your brother. I know I'm not normally in until later this week but an upcoming merger with our biggest rival has had me working late for the last few weeks and my muscles are really feeling it." Kakashi spoke without raising his eyes from the newspaper he carried. He may have looked smart reading the business section, but the three standing there all knew he most likely had one of his infamous books stashed behind it.
Sasuke looked towards Kurenai but she only threw him a look of sympathy as Sakura began to escort Kakashi down the hallway towards the change rooms. Once they had vanished around the corner, Sasuke rushed to the phone at the desk and began dialling his brother's cell.
"How did he of all people end up being booked this morning? We booked Iruka-sensei specifically at this time to avoid the worst of the lechers." He spoke in hushed rage as the phone began to ring.
"I'm sorry Sasuke, but he called first thing this morning and your mother happened to answer the phone on her way out the door while we were all in the meeting. There was nothing I could do." Kurenai replied apologetically.
Sasuke scowled at the reply as the phone was picked up.
"Itachi, we have a problem."
TBC