Disclaimer: we do not own Naruto.
Warning: mature content and mild drink abuse.
Genre: romance/drama
Strangers at Sea
Chapter Two: Bora Bora
- Sakura -
"Transferring your own tag to a body shield is clearly against the rules!" Naruto growled, pointing an index finger at the older Uchiha.
Itachi seemed unaffected by the accusation, "There were no rules that said otherwise."
"Hm. That's true…" Ino said thoughtfully, a single finger on her lips in deep thought.
"I agree with Naruto! I say we disqualify the rule-breaker!" Scowling at Itachi, rubbing a sore neck. Probably whiplash from being jerked around the entire hour.
Itachi's nose crinkled in amusement.
"Well, technically there was nothing said about being able to transfer your tags, but it does seem a little…"
"Unorthodox." Hidan finished his fiancé's sentence with a toothy grin.
"Yes! Exactly. Therefore I pronounce that Itachi is disqualified and Sasori and Naruto win at a tie!" Ino clapped her hands. It seemed that only she and Hidan were delighted with the outcome of the game.
There was a tired congratulations ceremony and most of the guests stayed to rub shoulders with a variety of well-known personages.
Hinata's alarm jerked me awake at what felt like a most ungodly hour.
Squinting, I saw the beast blink its red eyes. 6:30AM.
"Hina, do you know what the concept of a vacation is?" I groaned, covering my head with a pillow.
"But Ino said to be at breakfast by seven. We're supposed to be exploring the Bora Bora islands today!" In the span of a couple seconds, Hinata had finished making her bed. Trust the princess of Hyuga Corp. to start her day like one.
"Bora Bora can wait a couple more hours," I flipped onto my stomach, willing sleep to take me back into its sweet sweet arms.
Hinata's giggle echoed from the washroom, "Do you want me to bring you back something?"
"No no," I sighed, rolling on my back and kicking myself off the bed, "Ino will kill me before I have a chance to enjoy this Godforsaken vacation."
/ Konan /
My eyes slowly blinked open as a familiar heaviness pulsed at the back of my skull. Naturally, my body had become more prone to the consequences of alcohol throughout the years. Ah, how I truly missed the blessings of youth.
The digital clock on the nightstand read 7:15 AM. I stretched my arms over my head lazily.
Too damn early…
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I noticed a bottle of water and a vial of aspirin pills sitting next to the clock. Had I put them there? No, there was definitely someone else here last night. I ransacked my brain, recalling indistinct memories of an empty bar and…
"I'll stay."
...Sasuke?
Before I could dig any deeper, a sharp knock hammered at the door.
"Konan! You awake yet?" I recognized the muffled voice as Sasori's.
"One sec!" I hollered back.
Rolling off the mattress and landing on my bare feet, wrapping a silk black robe around my frame. Coyly, I poked my head out the door in case he had company. I was relieved when it was just him standing there with a hand tucked in the pocket of his dark jeans. He had on a loose grey t-shirt accessorized with a silver cross necklace.
"Morning, sleepyhead," he offered a lopsided grin. I opened the door fully as a silent invitation for him to enter the suite. The mirror next to the entrance revealed my disheveled reflection, but I knew Sasori had seen me in less attractive states of being.
"Why are you up so early," I groaned, rummaging through the closet for an outfit, "aren't we supposed to be on vacation?"
A light-hearted chuckle slipped his lips, "I'm afraid Ino and Hidan's wedding and the term vacation are polar opposites."
My lips formed an irrepressible pout.
"You're just bitter you came in last place," he patted his palm condescendingly atop my messy head of hair.
"Look who's talking," my eyes flickered towards the ceiling at his ever-present cockiness, "you probably didn't even make top ten."
Even with my back turned, I could almost feel Sasori's smug expression radiating from the door.
"My dear friend Konan," he started slowly, not an ounce of effort put into concealing his sarcasm, "you hurt my feelings."
I should've left him in the hallway.
"I won the game."
This time I whipped around, eyebrows lifted in cynicism.
No. Way.
"Hope you weren't caught cheating," I stuck my tongue out playfully, but waited to hear the rest of the story.
"I am a man of integrity," he continued to feign emotional injury, "plus, no one would dare lay a finger on lovely Hinata."
"You used the heiress of Hyuga Corp. as a fucking body shield?!"
Sasori shrugged, a sheepish look crossing his face, "Desperate measures."
A sudden pulse against my temples reminded me of the hangover-antidote sitting on my nightstand. Dropping my selection of denim shorts and a black crop top onto the sofa, I cranked open the water bottle and downed both aspirin pills.
"Rough night?" Sasori raised a brow in subtle discernment.
"You know me, barely remember a thing. Just how I like it." I winked at him half-jokingly. Some nights I drank to forget, but I was genuinely curious about the events of last night.
"You can be my drinking buddyyy!"
…
Did I say that to Sasuke?
…
A wine bottle being waved in the air.
…
Fuck. How embarrassing.
Itachi would not be impressed with me. Why was Sasuke in my room anyways?
"You should get ready soon if you want breakfast," Sasori gazed at me with probing eyes, breaking me from a flashback that highlighted my mortifying drunkenness.
"Right," I gathered my clothes and entered the bathroom, my stomach growling as if on cue.
Itachi, Hidan, and Deidara were already eating when Sasori and I entered the breakfast hall.
The familiarity of the older Uchiha caused another set of flashbacks and I shook my head violently, willing them out of my head. There was no way I was going to pursue my curiosity of last night. I would forget anything had ever happened and hopefully never run into the younger Uchiha ever again.
Two weeks playing hide-and-seek with a detective? Good luck with that.
"Good morning friends!" Deidara was the first to greet us as we sat down.
"Are mornings ever really good?" I muttered, cutting into the eggs benedict I had piled onto my plate.
Itachi chuckled, sipping on a mug of black coffee. His long glossy hair was pulled back in his usually low ponytail, a few strands resting against his cheekbones. I couldn't help but notice how high said feature was, and how similar he and his brother looked. They both had the same deathly pallor that contrasted their inky hair, cheekbones that could cut glass, and a long Grecian nose that made Itachi's fans go wild.
But it was their eyes that diverged their likeness. Unlike the younger, Itachi's face was sharper, his eyes cut narrower, with a steely intensity that never seemed to soften even when he was with friends. Sometimes when we were together during our usual regimen of drink and die, I'd see it wane. I couldn't help but feel a little touched that he would let down his guard, even just a fraction, with me.
"Oh come now, with that attitude you'll never win the next event my darling and I have planned," Hidan grinned, spreading his arms wide. He was truly Ino's counterpart.
I snapped my head up, "Another event?"
"Of course! We had this whole trip planned out just for you. Isn't that right, Honey?" Hidan called over to his bride-to-be, who I had not noticed until now was sitting three tables away with her bridesmaids. My eyes narrowed onto a head of pink hair. I could only see her profile, as she chewed on what looked like some French toast. The bubble-gum reporter was laughing at something, covering her mouth with a hand. When Ino turned to face her fiancé, Sakura's eyes caught mine and darted nervously to the space behind me, turning her head quickly away.
Although it seemed from what I had gathered in my drunken stupor yesterday that the reporter was oblivious to what she had done, I couldn't help but feel a burning sensation roil in my gut. How could she just sit there, oblivious, to what she had done to me? Laughing at some stupid joke when there were real careers she was damaging with her little "scoops".
I had almost gotten fired from a particular incident she blasted across the Channel 5 News. During her usual report, she revealed a photo speculating about a "dark, handsome figure spotted inside my apartment". Rumors had spread like wildfire that I was romantically linked to another celebrity. Due to the rumors, male celebrities and their companies had avoided my talk show like a plague, damaging my ratings and reputation. It had taken me a strenuous, long year to re-build my reputation as a professional show host, but I had never fully recovered from the anxieties of being seen in public. I still made a point to not go out unless 100% necessary and made sure that I was always with a team member. My little drinking habit certainly did not benefit from that year either.
"Of course darling!" The glowing blonde responded, blowing a kiss to her soon-to-be-husband sitting across from me, which I almost instinctively dodged.
The pink-haired reporter glanced in our direction once more, our eyes meeting for a brief moment. I watched as she microscopically jumped in her seat, deer-like eyes widening impossibly bigger. Half of me almost felt regretful that I seemed to intimidate her so, but the other half couldn't help resenting her.
Bubble-gum looked down, bringing a glass of orange juice shakily to her mouth to cover her face.
The wedding couple continued to exchange shiver-inducing gestures of hearts and kisses across the room.
Someone put me out of my misery please.
"What do you think it'll be this time?" Sasori smirked, popping an orange slice into his mouth, "Waddya think, Konan?"
I willed myself to tear my eyes away from the career-destroyer and join the conversation.
"Wait a second," I tilted my head, "Sasori you won, but weren't you with Itachi? How did 'tachi lose to you?"
Sasori jokingly brought a hand to his heart, "Konan, you sure know to hit where it hurts."
"It didn't have as much luck with my choice of bodyguard," Itachi raised his eyebrows.
"Nah, get this," Sasori smirked leaning in, "he pulled an illegal move by switching his tag onto his bodyguard to trick…" he snapped his fingers, "that feisty police officer that also won. Naruto? Anyways, when the other players started attacking, he saved her by ripping off his own tag."
"What?" I replied deadpan, glancing to Itachi for confirmation.
Itachi calmly sipped his coffee, shrugging.
"Who was the bodyguard?" I asked, slowly.
There was a pause before Itachi finally replied, "Nobody of consequence."
"Your absolute favorite," Sasori replied jutting his neck out to the person I had just been staring down.
A tinge of betrayal lurched in my stomach.
I pinned Itachi with a look, who seemed to be at the same time, trying to read mine.
He wasn't going to reveal anything else, I knew. Though I was itching for him to elaborate further I would only be forced to drop it – for now.
"Whatever, it's just a game anyway," I made a point of rolling my eyes and changing the subject, "Whatever Ino and Hidan's next torture deviations, I'm gonna have to win. Hell will freeze over before I participate in that talent show."
- Sakura -
As my luck would have it, my morning hadn't started off great. Another death-stare showdown with Konan, who also seemed to have slept in despite the fact that she had been eliminated early in the game. She also hadn't been at the congratulations ceremony with the rest of the A-list stars if memory served. The purple-haired host had looked a little disturbed, chewing on her eggs with a grimace. Dark circles had been prominent under her tangerine irises.
As I made my way down to the dock where a large group of Ino's guests had gathered along the beach, I couldn't help but feel lighter. Despite a rough night and a tense morning, I was excited to explore what the beautiful beaches had to offer. In the horizon, the waters sparkled invitingly. Hinata and Naruto waved me over and I greeted them happily. It was nice to see everyone dressed in casual beachwear – a 180 degree turn from the elegant gowns and suits from the first evening's dinner. Hinata wore a sleeveless forest-green maxi-dress, her purple bikini straps peeking through a darker shade of loose violet hair. Naruto was in a plain white button-up and orange swimming trunks.
"Good morning my lovely people!" Ino stood in front of the crowd, a microphone in hand. She was wearing a yellow sundress and a large brimmed hat that hid half of her face. Hidan, dressed in a casual Hawaiian-themed short-sleeve and jeans, stood next to his beloved all smiles.
"I hope you all have slathered on some sunscreen because we're going to explore the lovely islands of Bora Bora!" I caught the familiar twinkle in her eye, "There are many different activities to do in this island so feel free to take some time for yourselves to enjoy the sun to its fullest. Now, of course to prepare you for tonight's event, I've decided to add a team building component as you will work in teams later tonight. I've divided you into teams of ten and I expect you to spend some time with your members during your explorations."
"Here we go again," Choji, another old high school friend, whispered beside me. Choji had since made it big as a world renown food critic. It was difficult to keep in touch as he was always in some other part of the world. It was nice to see his face after all these years. His love of food had been his trademark, even in highschool. The last I had heard, he had eloped with a famous Parisian chef. A male chef, not that most of us were very surprised. Choji had always been passionate with food and art, never one to conceal his flamboyancy.
"Do you think it'll be a scavenger hunt?" Naruto piped up in excitement.
"God I hope not, too much work," Shikamaru drawled in response.
Ino cleared her throat, as Hidan passed her a piece of paper.
"Don't worry, this time I and my lovely fiancé will be participating! But the game will be announced later. You may take your leave once your team has been called. Teams are as follows. Team One: myself, Neji, Naruto, Temari, Sasori, Deidara, Hinata, Sai, Shino, and Kiba…"
"Awh man! I'm not on your team Sakura!" Naruto grumbled as I gave him a conciliatory hug. I bit my lip in slight disappointment – Naruto's competitive nature was always a plus in any competition and always a minus if he was your opponent.
Shikamaru sighed, as if reading my mind.
"Well whatever it is, we'll make sure to come up on top," Temari winked, "Isn't that right, Naruto?"
"Hell yeah! Let's go Hinata," Naruto punched the air, a resilient ball of energy.
"Hinata," I gave the heiress a pointed look and hissed under my breath, "Keep away from that playboy."
Hinata flushed a dark red, "I..I…"
"Don't worry Sak, we'll take care of her," Temari assured, grabbing Hinata's hand.
I nodded gratefully, watching 'Team One' separate themselves from the rest of the pack. My eyes focused in on Sasori who seemed to be joking with the lanky blonde musician known as Deidara, while making their way towards their team.
Ino continued to list the teams and I waited to be called. As the group began to thin, I grew increasingly nervous. There were two individuals, the two individuals I had been trying to avoid all morning, whose names were also not being called. Dread began to fill my gut as it dawned on me that I would be on a team with both of these individuals.
"Last but not least, my lovely Hidan, Shikamaru, Tenten, Sasuke, Konan, Kisame, Lee, Choji, Sakura, and Itachi."
Shit.
It was almost as if Ino had planned to put together the most anti-social slash socially awkward individuals on the fricking boat. The only solace was having Shikamaru and Choji by my side. Tenten, despite having met her many times due to bridal duties, had never warmed up to me. She was from Ino and Hidan's world of luxury and comfort, another one of Ino's heiress friends who she'd met through family connections. While she had kept things polite and friendly, I couldn't help shrink back when her words turned slightly condescending or at the pitiful looks she gave me when she thought I wasn't looking.
And Sasuke was well…Sasuke.
Naturally, Hidan had designated himself as the team lead. Despite not being the most social group, there seemed to be an unspoken agreement between all of us that we would do whatever it was to keep the leader happy on his honeymoon. When Hidan had brought up the idea of snorkeling, Tenten had clapped her hands in delight. Lee, a curious fellow I'd never seen before but had heard about through Tenten, seemed genuinely enthusiastic. Konan smiled weakly. Shikamaru, the world-class complainer, remained silent. Even Sasuke had attempted an enthusiastic 'hn'. Itachi and Kisame proceeded to arrange a boat with the boat's own tour guide and snorkeling instructor. Before we knew it, we were all on a yacht in the middle of the water.
I couldn't help but admire how clear and blue the water was, you could almost see through it to the bottom. The air was crisp and fresh and had the smell of the Pacific Ocean. I closed my eyes, feeling the wind in my hair as we moved further and further away from the beach.
Hitting the washroom underdeck to change, I quickly peeled off my plain t-shirt and jeans. I was already wearing a simple navy bathing suit that I had fished out from my closet from a million years ago. I couldn't remember the last time I had actually used it. I was starting to feel excited about the prospect of snorkeling as I emerged from the stall.
I stopped dead in my tracks when I came face to face with Konan.
I had been careful not to linger too long in Konan's presence up until now and silently cursed myself for letting my guard down.
The talk show host blinked slowly, seeming at a loss herself.
"You're not seriously planning to wear that, are you?"
Caught off guard by her sudden question, I found myself stammering, "W-wear w-what?"
"Were you a competitive swimmer?" She looked just as puzzled as I felt.
"N-no?"
"Then why do you look like you're about to go Olympic diving?"
"Oh," I looked down at my plain one piece, "It was the only thing I could find."
"You mean, that's the only swimwear you brought on this entire cruise?"
I blushed, "I don't swim much."
"You knew you were going to be on a boat for two weeks…and that's the only thing you brought?"
My mouth dried, I was unsure how to respond.
"Does Ino know?" Konan tilted her head, then shook it, "Never mind, of course not."
I daren't move as Konan fished through her tote bag.
"Top," she said and proceeded to fling her weapon of choice at me. I yelped, dropping my clothes to catch whatever was being launched at me. It took me a second to process that it was a piece of fabric. A small piece of fabric at that.
"Bottom." She launched her second assault. I caught it with a free hand.
"Go back in there and change. It should fit, even if you are," she lowered her eyes a couple inches, "smaller than me."
"W-what about you?" I stuttered, cheeks burning.
"I brought five pairs just in case."
I stared.
"What? I like to be prepared. Don't just gawk. Change."
Fashion icons are just a whole other level…
I did as she ordered. The bikini was bright red and way, way, way too small.
"Um, I think it's a little small on me." I called from behind the stall nervously.
"Come out. Let me see."
"It barely covers my chest area…and my bottom…" I lowered my voice too embarrassed to continue.
"Haruno, if you don't come out, I'll come in."
Believing the threat, I pushed open the door, covering as much as I could with my hands.
I was surprised to see that the lavender-haired celebrity was already changed into a black and gold bikini. The top was not the usual triangle bra shape, but it tubed around her breasts, a notch of fabric missing in the middle, exposing a scandalous amount of cleavage. I couldn't help but stare at her. She looked like one of those bikini models you saw in sports magazines.
"Well look at that," she seemed almost pleased, which confused me, "the reporter's got a bod."
"I can't go out like this," I pleaded.
She swatted my hands violently away from my chest, "You definitely can. They're small but they're perky." She nodded approvingly.
"Could I at least put my shirt on?"
"Listen Haruno. I didn't have to save you from a fashion crisis. I wouldn't have even bothered if it weren't for the fact that if Hidan or Tenten or anyone on this ship for that matter saw Ino's maid of honor in that," she motioned aggressively to the navy one piece now sitting on top of my clothes, "It would be a disgrace. Got it?"
I sighed, knowing that she was probably right. She had probably saved me from a tongue lashing from Ino.
I nodded sulkily.
"Good. Now straighten up. You look like the female Hunchback."
I did my best not to conjure the look of a female Quasimodo as I walked the long path from the stairs to the deck. Most of the team were already in their snorkeling gear.
"Oh Sakura, I love that bathing suit!" Tenten exclaimed the minute I went on deck. The hotel heiress looked like her usual elegant self in a floral scalloped halter swimsuit. I flinched as a host of eyes turned in my direction. Sasuke, currently standing next to the brunette at the bow of the boat raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He turned his attention to Konan who suddenly seemed a little flustered, rushing towards Hidan to grab her pair of goggles.
"You ladies look visionary! Youth has truly blessed you!" Lee exclaimed. He was neck to toe in some strange green-leotard-looking wetsuit which showed off his surprisingly muscular physique.
I heard a low whistle and felt myself turn the shade of the bikini. Kisame, another friend of Hidan's that I wasn't too familiar with, flashed a toothy grin under goggles that made him look like an extra-terrestrial.
I willed the universe to swallow me whole.
Sitting casually near the edge of the boat was the last person I wanted to see, not to mention witness the three inches of fabric I was currently wearing. Itachi's hair was loose – a rare sight – and he was wearing navy swim trunks with white borders.
I took in a long sip of air.
If Konan was a bikini goddess, Itachi was an Abercrombie model. I knew that actors took care of themselves, but I wasn't expecting the musculature that started from his well-defined pectorals to the grooves of his six-packs. Itachi wasn't a body-builder, he was lean and sinewy, the kind of body expected of a swimmer or a long-distance runner. I knew some part of my brain was comparing him to another image of him that had been burned into my mind. He had been much leaner then…
I fought the warm sensation that spread from my cheeks down towards my belly.
Are you crazy?
My heart skipped a beat as I noticed him watching me…as I was checking him out. For what seemed like an eternity we held each other's gaze, an unreadable expression falling over his features. I watched him give me slow once over, a dark cloud building in his eyes.
My nipples hardened as if on command.
His eyes widened then narrowed within a nanosecond, his sharp gaze detecting the subtle change. My whole body flushed, exposing my desire. Then he licked his lips, his eyes darting back to mine, predatory. I had a sudden flashback to Sasuke's house. Itachi's room, his eyes filled with animalistic hunger and ecstasy.
My heart hammered unhealthily against my barely covered chest.
"What's with the get up?" Shikamaru smirked as he handed me a pair of goggles and flippers.
Practically jumping, I ripped my eyes from Itachi's. I did my best to cover my indecency from Shikamaru with the equipment he handed me. Walking to the front end of the yacht in an attempt to escape his looming presence, I avoided looking at the S.W.A.T. officer.
"Don't ask," I said, out of breath.
"I had the sense that you weren't Konan Fugiwara's favorite person," Shikamaru continued, as I slipped on the grey flippers.
"Oh I'm definitely not," I muttered under my breath, "I was practically manhandled into it."
Choji chuckled as he approached us, "I'd expect not. That's a thousand-dollar bikini dear."
My eyes shot up, incredulous, "Come again?"
"Shouldn't have said anything. Now she'll never walk properly," Shikamaru shook his head.
"Unfortunate. She has a great ass if only she knew how to use it," Choji sashayed playfully, garnering a chuckle from Sasuke, who had been listening the entire time.
The microscopic pieces of fabric suddenly felt heavy against my skin. A thousand premonitions of damaging the bikini flashed through my mind. Damages that I wouldn't be able to afford, figuratively and literally. It was one thing to pay Konan back for the bikini, it was another to offend her by damaging it in the first place.
"Who buys a thousand-dollar bikini?" I hissed, "How is this a thousand dollars?"
"Celebrities and because its Gucci hon," Choji replied with a flourish of his hand.
"Okay guys! Time to get into the water!" Hidan exclaimed before following his own advice.
There was a large splash as a couple others followed.
Lee yelled something about his youth and cannon-balled into the water.
"Last one in is a rotten egg!" Tenten giggled, hopping in after him.
"I despise rotten eggs," Choji sniffed, diving elegantly off the boat.
"Bothersome," Shikamaru drawled and slipped into the water, barely making a splash.
Sasuke walked to the edge, glancing over his shoulder, "Sak, you coming?"
"I'm not going in," I blurted.
"Oh yes you are," Konan, appearing out of thin air, rested her hands on her hips. Even in her snorkeling goggles and flippers, she still somehow managed to look glamourous.
"How am I supposed to get this thing wet conscience-free?"
"With help of course," Konan shot Sasuke a devious smile, "Uchiha, a little help if you will?"
Sasuke's mouth twitched in amusement, watching the talk show host for a moment before shrugging and making towards me.
What was with all these traitorous friends? First Hinata and now Sasuke…
"Don't you dare!" I lifted a palm at him, taking a few steps back.
"We can make this easy or difficult," Sasuke's eyes glinted, closing in on me.
"I wouldn't like to make anything of this really," I began, but was cut off as a tall figure emerged from my periphery.
"Oh good 'Tachi you're here. Help your little brother out would you?"
"We're trying to get Sak into the water," Sasuke elaborated to his elder when Itachi cocked his head.
Itachi, without hesitation, took four very long strides towards me before I vaulted myself, without another thought, off the damned boat.
/ Konan /
After spending a good couple hours dipping around Bora Bora's famous coral reefs, we dragged our exhausted bodies back to the boat.
I sat down at the starboard side of the yacht, gazing into the bluest waters I'd ever seen. I let my hand dangle in its cool embrace. I tried to remember the last time I had been so at peace. It had been a while since I felt comfortable enough to let my guard down in public. Whenever I did go out, my coping methods usually made the mornings after hazy and left me with major hangovers. Not having to deal with any hidden paparazzi, crazed fans, or social-climbing reporters was refreshing for once. Having Itachi nearby was also comforting; though he wasn't exactly an open book, his presence always had a calming effect on my nerves.
The reporter and I seemed to have had called an unspoken truce, which was one less thing I needed to think about during Hidan and Ino's moment of celebration. While I was far from forgiving her, I had firmly pressed any hard-feelings into the back of my mind.
Other than a couple others, I found myself actually enjoying the company of the other team members. I had been able to exchange contacts with the acclaimed food critic and sommelier, Choji Akamichi, in which we were able to discuss our passion for good wine.
Rock Lee, who I had met on a couple occasions, was a martial arts champion of some sort who had retired as a celebrity personal trainer. I had taken some of his classes, and he was no joke. Lee was highly sought after, his training sessions booked months and months in advance. He was intense, to say the least, but good-natured and honest.
As for Sasuke, I had done my best to act natural as if nothing had happened. I had even talked to him. Well, talked at him. But I couldn't help but feel blushy whenever we were in near proximity. A couple times we had made eye contact, his always emitting a strange amusement, as if he knew something I didn't.
Or something you don't want to admit.
When we reached the beach, Ino announced that the next gathering would be a BBQ on the beach. We all had free time to grab lunch, rest, or hang out until then. I had graciously opted out of a group lunch, letting Hidan know that I would be in deep slumber until dinner.
I showered and swapped into another bikini. Opening up the closet, I shuffled through my choices of evening wear.
Just as I had settled on a white blouse, I heard a timid knock on my door.
"Bubble-gum."
"H-Hi! I'm sorry to disturb you. I just wanted to return your bikini and say thank you for lending it to me. I wanted to wash it but I didn't know how to go about washing a th-thousand," she paused in her ramblings, "I mean in case you had a specific way you liked to wash your things," she spluttered, offering me a small paper bag.
"You can keep it. You clearly need it more than I do," I replied, feeling a light headache coming on. I could already feel the withdrawal symptoms of staying sober for a whole day.
"Oh no please, I couldn't—"
I lifted a finger, cutting her off, "For Ino's sake."
The pinked-haired reporter bit her lip, her eyes darting side to side.
"At least let me pay you back somehow."
I was starting to regret my generous deed as I scrapped my brain for a way to get myself out a situation that I could feel was bringing on a full-blown migraine.
"There will come a time," I answered, dropping my voice conspiratorially, "that I will call on you for a favor." I placed my hand lightly on her shoulder, leaning in.
Haruno nodded, her eyes round, "Anything."
For a split second, I felt myself at a loss. I was having difficulty reconciling the evil reporter I had envisioned and the sad gullible creature before me.
I cleared my throat, "Good. Now I gotta take a nap. See ya later Bubble-gum."
"You look like you could use a drink," Itachi appeared through the thin veil of smoke trailing from the standing torches. Guests were slowly piling into the beach, some finding makeshift seats among the logs, while others set out picnic blankets.
Itachi's slender fingers were curled around the neck of a wine bottle, two empty glasses in his opposite grip.
Thank God.
"What took you so long," I poked my tongue out playfully. As I scanned our surroundings for an optimal drinking spot, my gaze met Sasuke's for an awkward moment. He seemed distracted from the ruckus the blonde-haired police officer and another boy I didn't recognize were causing.
Sasuke's gaze was pensive, and I wondered what he could possibly be thinking.
"There," Itachi gestured towards a somewhat discreet looking area by the water. I nodded in agreement and let him lead the way, but not before peeking once more towards the younger Uchiha. I caught myself wanting him to do the same. But he was caught up in the rambunctiousness of his peers who now seemed to be wrestling on the sand. The Hyuga siblings watched on, the female heiress looking concerned.
"Would you stop eyeing my little brother?"
A flash of heat bloomed across my cheeks.
I placed a hand over my mouth to muffle a nervous sputter, "W-What do you…I'm not—"
"He's definitely interested if that's what you're concerned about," Itachi spoke as if he were reciting ancient history, matter-of-fact and slightly disinterested.
"Shut it," I muttered as we took our seats on the warm sand, feet inches away from the tide pulling in and out. He opened the bottle with a distinct 'pop' before filling each glass halfway.
"My brother's quite a simple person. It can be easy to discern his interests."
At a loss for words, I blinked at him.
"I give you both my blessing," Itachi said the same way I imagined a priest delivered a sermon.
I swiped at Itachi's upper arm, "I am not into your younger brother, Uchiha!"
"The lady doth protest too much," Itachi gave an elegant snort, sipping his wine glass.
"You'll shut it if you know what's good for you," I chugged my glass in annoyance, lifting it to be filled.
I waited as Itachi filled my cup with a look of veiled amusement.
That look definitely runs in the family…
I made quickly to down my second drink, pouring the third glass myself.
"How long since you last dated somebody?" Itachi asked suddenly.
"How long since you've dated?" I countered, my face burning, "The famous Itachi Uchiha, oh so private with his love life. Zero scandals to date."
A small smile spread across his lips, "I date."
I scoffed, taking another long gulp of the good drink, "No you don't. You fuck."
To my surprise, Itachi let out a low chuckle, bringing a hand to his chin in a somewhat sheepish gesture that reminded me of why I was so fond of him.
We sat in a comfortable silence, the warm ocean breeze caressing the sides of my face. I could feel the alcohol working in my system, the sun casting a pleasant orange hue that made the water shimmer and dance.
Feeling giddy with drink, I reached for the wine bottle, pausing at Itachi's still-full glass.
I frowned. "You're not drinking?"
He lifted a shoulder, "There's still an event coming up."
I groaned, disappointment threatening to sober me up, "Since when do you care about winning games?"
Itachi said nothing but took another conciliatory sip.
Trying not to look as disappointed as I felt, I chugged the rest of my drink. It was silly, I knew, but in my moment of drunkenness I felt as if I was losing him somehow. Even when the rest of the world disapproved of our lifestyle, I could always rely on him to make me feel less…broken.
It was also in that year that drinking had brought us closer. The year that I had almost lost everything. He would come over and we would drink ourselves to nothing, our situations fading away until we were just us, in the moment – no pressures or expectations hanging over our necks like a guillotine.
"So, Haruno."
I left the name hanging, unsure of where my outburst had come from.
Nonpulssed, Itachi's steady gaze met mine, "What about her?"
"You tell me," I replied haughtily, making a grab of the wine bottle.
I froze when Itachi gently placed his hand on top of mine.
His hand was cool against my wrist, grazing for the briefest of seconds.
"I never thanked you," the raven-haired actor finally said, "for what you did."
I swallowed hard, "Itachi, stop."
"It's because of me that you're this way."
My stomach dropped, a dizziness blurring my vision. I could feel a pinprick at the tip of my nose as I desperately clawed for something to keep the feeling at bay.
The last thing I wanted was his pity. His pity was a betrayal, I thought, as my nails dug into the sand. Itachi wasn't supposed to be like the rest of them. It wasn't supposed to be like this.
Stopstopstopstop.
In an effort not to expose myself, I gave a dry laugh and stood to my feet.
"Looks like we're going to need more wine!"
"Konan—"
"I'll be right back," I said fast-walking away before he could say another word.
Steering clear of the rest of the guests, I stumbled further away from the shore, trying to get a hold of my feelings. There was no way I was going to cry on this stupid beach.
Calm down. You're just drunk.
"Not drunk enough," I muttered, determined I would make myself forget the conversation I just had.
I heard Itachi call my name from behind, grabbing my wrist.
"Itachi, just drop it," I snapped, whirling on the wrong Uchiha.
Scanning my face, Sasuke's eyes immediately hardened, "What did Itachi do?"
A/N: And there we have it. Things are starting to spice up a bit. We did our best to give you some insight on each character. In a nutshell, Sakura's just here to have a good time and Konan needs a bit of lovin'. We chose to have Sasuke and Itachi are on relatively good terms - despite a little healthy sibling rivalry here and there. Please do let us know your thoughts on the storyline, the characters, or anything regarding this fic! We hope everything makes sense and is coherent through our Naruto-obsessed giddiness - heh.
Thank you again in advance for all your support! Take care and we'll see you soon.