Warnings: Standard warnings apply. Also, Juugo and Suigetsu are in here and will be in this till the end. If you don't read the manga, I hope I'm not spoiling anything in here.
Chapters will be longer starting Chapter 10/11. This will be the shortest chapter in this fic- that's a promise
Standard disclaimer applies. Unbeta-ed.
Chapter 3: Friends
"Maam…" the butler came into the salon to where Mikoto was sitting and reading a magazine; a tray of tea and biscuits was placed on the coffee table next to her.
"Yes?"
"There're two young gentlemen at the door. They claimed they are Sasuke-dono's friends from university. They ask if they could see him."
Mikoto looked around. "Is the Master in at the moment?" she asked the butler without answering the man's question.
"He has a business at the bank; saying he'll be back in an hour."
"What about Itachi?"
"He's entertaining clients at the golf club, Maam…"
Mikoto hesitated for a while. Ever since the accident 4 years ago, no one was allowed to see Sasuke unless upon permission of Fugaku or Itachi; even Mikoto didn't have that kind of power.
"Please send them in here; I'll entertain them while waiting for Master to come home. Bring in two cups of tea and some biscuits too, if you may?"
The butler nodded and turned to attend to the order.
They were chatting animatedly when the butler announced that Uchiha-sama had arrived home. The two younger men stood up, bowed.
"Hozuki Suigetsu," one with light straight hair introduced himself.
"Edwards Juugo, Sir. Nice to meet you," the one with spiky blond hair shook Fugaku's hand. Fugaku gave a small smile to the one named Juugo.
"Edwards as in Edwards International?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Good; nice to meet you too. I believe your company had one of our limited edition once."
Juugo nodded. "It was for my grandfather's birthday gift; very priceless, Sir."
"I look forward doing business with Edwards International again."
"So do I, Uchiha-sama," Juugo gave a small smile.
"I was told that you are friend with my son?"
"We are. If you permit, we'd like to visit him. It's been years since we graduated and last saw each other." It was a white lie; of course they met once a while after Sasuke had come back and began working with his family, but Fugaku didn't need to know that.
"Sure. Sasuke never told me that he has friend of such great influence in business field."
"That's a very high complement, Sir. I'm honoured."
Fugaku nodded. "I'll let the butler show you where Sasuke's room is. Please take a seat first. If you may excuse me, I have other business to attend to."
"Thank you, Uchiha-sama," both Juugo and Suigetsu bowed and trailed their eyes on the Uchiha's head walking out of the room. Mikoto dutifully followed her husband. She gave a warm smile; eyes shining with hopes.
It wasn't long before both friends were showed up to Sasuke's room. The butler closed the door as the two friends looked at one raven-haired man so engrossed in his work over at the table near the wide window that he didn't notice their presence.
"Sasuke!" Suigetsu called. The shoulder of the said man stiffened. He slowly turned and what Juugo and Suigetsu saw shocked them.
The lights of determination and life were gone from the black eyes. In fact they looked dead. The healthy ivory of Sasuke's skin turned to ash-colour and again it looked dead. Dark rims surrounded the dark eyes, making they looked bigger. And it certainly didn't help with the hollow shape of Sasuke's cheek.
"What the hell has happened to you?!" Suigetsu whispered, still shock.
The shock in Sasuke's eyes dimmed as he shrugged. He hadn't seen his good friends from universities for quite a number of years and he certainly didn't expect to see them now.
Sasuke turned back to his work. How did they get in anyway? It wasn't like he was allowed many visitors.
"Sasuke!" Suigetsu hissed, grabbing Sasuke's shoulder to turn him around to face them. "What the fuck is going on?!"
There was a heavy silent as Sasuke remained tight-lipped.
TBC
Next: And Sasuke spoke about it for the first time. Juugo and Suigetsu looked at each other, a plan forming in their heads.
