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7 Memories of Pain
Bulling comes in all shapes and sizes.
It could be mental or physical.
Sad part is that the mental is always more difficult to prove.
My point?
Because of the simple fact that I had no physical proof of my abuse; I ended up in a mental asylum for something that was not my fault.
My name is Itachi.
And I murdered my family.
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Pink hair swayed in the morning wind as a young woman sat outside on the back patio set. Long, pale pink nails with cherry blossoms painted on them placed a giant mug of coffee atop the table alongside the morning paper. She sat in the lounge chain and crossed her bare legs, enjoying the cool air brushing against her skin. "Mmmhhhmmm…God I love quiet mornings…" She mumbled, taking the mug and sipping it, her emerald eyes sliding close as the warm substance slid down her throat.
She wore checkered pink Hello Kitty bedroom short shorts, an oversized Escape the Fate hoodie paired with checkered black and pink ankle high bedroom boots. Her emerald eyes scanned the front page of the local paper, pausing at various articles; sports, entertainment, foreign government and finally stopped at the cover story. 'Hey, that guy looks familiar…' Her slender hands picked up papers and placed down the mug, quickly scanning the caption of a young man with semi long black hair wearing a straight jacket being restrained by several men. 'Is that…no way…Itachi?'
"Sakura?" A male's voice rang out though her house and echoed onto the back porch. "Where are you?"
"Out here Naruto." Sakura called out, reading the article.
A few seconds later a young man with messy blonde hair popped out of the doorway grinning. "There you are!" He laughed and took a seat opposite her.
Sakura glanced up at him over the top of the paper and shook her head. "Yeah, what a surprise that I was in my own home right? Who would have guessed?" She stated dryly before sighing. "And how the hell did you get in here?"
Naruto glanced behind her head. "Well the mai-"
"-has the day off." She interrupted, folding the papers back in order.
"Oh did I say maid? I meant butle-"
"-is on vacation in Canada."
Cerulean eyes widened in nervousness before he squinted and began laughing nervously. "What I really meant was that the Chei-"
"Went to Okinawa to get some dollop of andamisu." She placed that papers on the table and picked up the mug of coffee. "He's been craving it for awhile now."
"You know he and the uh gardener look a lot alike you know…" Naruto trailed off.
Sakura eyed the young man in front of her, taking in his simple black shirt with an orange swirl on the front paired with baggy orange surfer shorts and black Vans with orange laces. "Right because you know the Chief has bleached blonde hair and the gardener has jet black hair. Completely understandable."
"Yeah! You should make them wear name tags or something." He nodded.
"Mhmm…except that the gardener is not here today-he's coming in later this afternoon to tend to the hedges and trim them when the sun isn't as hot." She smiled slyly.
Awkward silence.
"So you snuck into my house hmmm?" Sakura raised a perfectly shaped brow and leaned back sipping her mug of coffee. "Mind telling me how you did it?"
Cerulean eyes darted above her head. "Yeah…I kinda do…"
"You do, do you…"
"Yeah cause then you'd get pissed and I can't do it anymore…"
Sakura eyed the man in front of her then slowly shook her head. "You stole my keys then made an extra set didn't you?"
Naruto blushed and avoided her probing eyes. "…Yeah…"
She shrugged casually and smiled. "I did the same." She mumbled as her eyes slid close.
"What?"
"I. Took. You're. Keys. And. Made. A. Copy." She repeated slowly.
Naruto laughed, relaxing a bit. "Sakura! That's wrong you know."
Emerald eyes flashed open, playfully glaring at him. "And you are talking because?"
"Too shay my friend…too shay…"
Together the two sat in comfortable silence, Naruto relaxing, enjoying the cool weather and Sakura reading the papers.
"Hey Naru…do you remember Itachi?" She asked quietly, leaning forward and placing her mug on the table.
"You mean the guy that really thought I was some sort of fox? Sasuke's brother? "
"Yeah."
"The one that chased me around all Halloween night and didn't let me get any candy?"
"Yeah. That's the one."
"You mea-"
"Yes!"
"So what about that freak?" Naruto asked, shrugging casually.
Sakura twisted her mouth and nudged the papers to him. "Take a look at the cover story."
Cerulean eyes scanned the front page, his long fingers gripping the edges and pulling it closer to him as he read.
" 'Young man apprehended for murdering his village and family…has been detained and being held at Kyoto's Mental Asylum under the order that he is mentally unbalanced and needs to be stabilized..."Cerulean eyes glanced up at her before continuing. " 'Charges seem to be dropped for reasons unknown…Uchiha's have 'taken him under their wing' and will see to his mental health.'"
Pink hair swayed as she nodded. "Yup. Good old Uchiha's, always willing to lead a helping hand you know?"
Naruto nodded and scratched the back of his head. "Sasuke's taking care of it huh? Doing damage control?"
"Mmmhmm."
Naruto picked up the paper again and re-read the article. "Say's here it's one of the largest massacres to ever happen in years…" He trailed off, his eyes shining bright in surprise.
Sakura pursed her lips before nodding. "I heard something last night…"
"What?"
"I got a phone call from security asking me to stay inside at all times and make sure my doors are all locked…amazing how the flies immediately started buzzing around that story soon as it unfolded huh?" She sighed and stood up. "It's a real shame though…"
Naruto looked up at the pinkett tugging at the end of her Escape the Fate hoodie. "Itachi?"
"Mhhmm." She nodded. "He had so much going for him you know?"
"Yeah…man I can't even imagine what's going through Sasuke's head right now…"
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Sasuke sighed as he racked his long fingers through his raven hair and stared down at the sheets of paper mocking him. 'What the hell…what the hell…' He slumped back down in his chair and closed his tired eyes; lacing his fingers in front of him. 'Okay…okay…Mother and Father are dead…the family is dead…press release is out…Itachi is in the hospital…now to see to the bodies?'
"Sasuke?" He looked up to see Karin standing in the doorway.
"What do you need Karin?" He sighed and closed his eyes.
She blushed and glanced down at her feet, adjusting her glasses then clearing her throat. "I was just wondering if there was anything I can get you…water? Coffee? A snack perhaps?" Her voice turned sugary sweet.
Sasuke's mouth twitched in annoyance before he sighed and exasperated sigh and folded his hands under his chin. "I'm fine Karin." He drawled. 'This is the fourth time in less than two hours; this woman is fucking relentless…'
"Are you sure?" She stepped closer, playing with the edge of her purple blouse.
"I'm sure Karin." He abruptly stood up and strode across the office to a bookshelf covering an entire wall.
Red hair swayed as she nodded solemnly and slowly backed out of his office. "If you need anything-"
"Give you a call I got it Karin."
After a few minutes, he grabbed a folder stuffed with papers and returned to his desk, flipping open the folder and mulling though the many documents.
"Hey Sasuke?" Sakura's gentle voice echoed though the large room.
Onex eyes darted up to see her worried face staring down at him. Her emerald eyes shone bright with concern, her long pink hair was pulled back into a messy bun, some fringes falling out to frame her face. On her slight frame rested a large black shirt with a giant orange swirl on the enter with the top cut off so it rested around her shoulders falling off; beneath that she wore a simple white cami paired with orange short shorts an simple black gladiator sandals. "Sakura?"
"Hi." She nodded and placed her aviator rhinestone encrusted sunglasses in her large black purse hooked on her elbow, careful not to damage her long, pink nails with cherry blossoms painted on them. "How you doing?" Her voice fell even softer.
"Okay." Sasuke mumbled, running his fingers though his messy hair.
"Sasuke!" Naruto barged in, his face a mixture of worry, panic, and relief. "Hey Buddy! Your okay-good!" He released a heavy sigh and grinned, walking over to the desk and placing a medium sized cup of Starbucks coffee in front of Sasuke. "Thought you might need this." He grinned then threw himself onto one of the chairs in front of the desk.
"Naruto." Onex eyes stared at the blonde in front of him.
"Don't be mean." Sakura interjected, placing her large purse on the desk then sitting beside the blonde. "We're here to help-so be happy." She sent him a dazzling smile. "What do you need done? I take it you have the press under control and Itachi's in the hospital so that just leaves all the funeral arrangements, am I right?"
Blonde hair clouded his vision as Naruto pushed his way in front of him, shoving him out of his seat and taking over. "You got all the names in your phone book right?" He mumbled, squinting his eyes and beginning his epic search for the little book.
"Address book Naru, address book." Sakura stated, roaming around the roomy office.
Sasuke frowned and took a seat on the sofa off to the side. 'Pushy bastards…' He sipped the coffee Naruto bought him. 'Pushy, annoying, overly caring friends…' He sighed and reclined back onto the comfortable settee, his tired eyes sliding closed.
Sakura smiled a soft, gentle, smile down at Sasuke and shook her head. "Hey Naru, I'll be right back kay?"
"Mmmhhmmm…" The spiky blonde muttered absently, his attention completely absorbed in locating the address book.
Emerald eyes darted about outside the office, looking for the young woman she saw earlier. "Karin?" She called. "Karin?" She tried again.
"Yeah?" A young woman with mid-length red hair and glasses spoke, emerging from the mini kitchen. "What do you want?"
Sakura twisted her mouth before answering. "Where's the blankets and pillows?" She asked, her voice annoyed and filled with authority.
"Why the hell do you need to know?"
Emerald eyes flashed in anger. "Sasuke needs them."
Karin's mouth formed a perfect 'O'.
'Dumb skank…' Sakura sighed and eyed the woman. "So? Where are they?"
"OH! Uhm...I'll get them…" She stumbled off down the hall and stopped at a closet. 'OOOhhhhhhh Sasuke needs pillows and blankets? Does that mean he'll be spending the night here?' She opened the door and grabbed a navy blue blanket and one fluffy white pillow.
"Thanks" Sakura smiled and snatched them from her arms. "I can take it from here now." She twisted her lips in a malicious grin and sauntered off, shaking her ass as she went.
Sakura returned to the office, her arms filled. "Saku?" Naruto's voice sounded through the room.
"For Sasuke." She mumbled and made her way over to his sleeping form on the couch. "He's sleeping you know." Her emerald eyes glanced over to the blonde to see him scribbling down something on a bright orange sticky note. She shrugged and placed the bedding supplies near the edge of the couch and grabbed the pillow then adjusted it under his slumbering head. 'how cute…he's sound asleep…' She smiled sadly then spread the blanket over his tired form. "Sleep well..." She mumbled and stood up then strolled over to Naruto seated at the desk.
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"Hey back off." Itachi glared at the silver haired male in front of him and snatched up his carton of fat free milk. "This is my milk."
"Fuck you." Hidan snarled, yanking the chair back and roughly sitting down. "What the hell did you do?" He squinted at the male. "You look like a familiar mother fucker…"
Itachi nodded and leaned back, opening the carton of milk and casually sliding the straw though the opening.
"Who the hell are you?" Hidan worked his jaw, crushing his chocolate chip cookies into little pieces.
"Itachi." Black hair swayed as he adjusted himself.
"Itachi?" Hidan repeated dubiously, his fingers working to destroy the cookies faster.
"Uchiha Itachi."
Awkward silence.
"HOLY SHIT! YOU'RE THE CRAZY MOTHER FUCKER!" Hidan jumped up on the chair and pointed his finger down at Itachi who was still seated calmly; the cookie crumbs tumbling off his hands and onto the ground. "YOU FUCKING MASSACURED YOUR WHOLE FUCKI-"
"Relax." A guard dressed in dark blue mumbled as he stuck the syringe filled with – into Hidan's arm. "You should probably go to your room now." He nodded at Itachi as he hefted Hidan's limp body onto his back.
"Heh heh heh…" Hidan giggled lifelessly. "I gottsa shots in meh armmaayyy…" He laughed. "It was…"
Itachi stood, eyeing the cockamamie patient. 'Well…this is unusual…' He walked away from the two in the direction of the doors.
"It hurted a lil bit…like…little…Bob…" Hidan mumbled before passing out.
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Midnight blue hair moved as Sasuke shifted slightly, inhaling deeply then sighing; slowly waking up.
"Hey Naru? Think you can try and contact Kabuto Yakushi again?" Sakura's soft voice drifted through a tunnel in Sasuke's head.
Slight shuffling was heard before someone pulled out his swivel chair and sat down. "Why him again?" He heard Naruto's raspy voice echo in his head.
"Orochimaru." Sasuke heard Sakura answer and he squeezed his eyes tightly before opening them, blearily blinking away the remnants of sleep. He groaned awake and slowly sat up on the couch, rubbing his knuckles into his eyes, trying to fully wake his exhausted body.
He heard shuffling moving closer to him then a soft, slender hand on his hunched shoulder. "Hey Sleepy Head-you're awake huh?" Then the spot beside him sunk down with her weight.
"Mmm…" His deep voice rumbled in his chest.
"Here." She held out a mug of steaming hot coffee to him, her lithe fingers curled around the handle and cupping underneath.
"Thanks." He mumbled, gratefully accepting the beverage and taking a sip; his eyes taking in his office now scattered with various papers and a multitude of neon colored sticky notes. "Been working hard huh?"
Sakura nodded, her long, pink, cherry blossomed finger nails tapping against her thigh in a rhythmic pattern. "Mhhmm…"
"Sorry for falling asleep…I-"
"Don't be." Naruto cut him off, flipping through his address book and grabbing a neon green sticky note.
"Hey Sasuke why don't you leave?" Sakura asked offhandedly, grabbing a small stack of papers off the edge of the desk and began organizing them.
Sasuke glanced at her as he took another gulp of the coffee. "What?"
Emerald eyes glanced up at him before she shrugged and began flipping though his phone book. "Go see Itachi-I know you want to."
"I-"
"It's perfectly understandable and Naru and I can handle the rest. All that's left is to make some phone calls and set up the remainder funeral arrangements." She affirmed and stood up. "Go."
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"Itachi?" A young man wearing a guard's uniform walked into his room. "You have a guest."
Emotionless eyes glanced up from the book he was reading then nodded. "Who is it?" He asked, standing up and fixing his clothing, tossing the book onto his ruffled bed.
The guard stepped aside and motioned out the door. "Your brother." Was all he mumbled before grabbing Itachi's arm and shoving him out the door. "Let's go I don't have all fucking day."
Together, the two strode down the hallway; Itachi in front with the guard in the back. They walked down the long, empty, winding white halls; most of the patients having been confined to their rooms. They passed the cafeteria and nurse's station until the guard stopped in front of a locked, metal door with another guard standing beside it. "Spread em." The guard ordered, placing a toothpick in-between his lips and nodding at the wall beside the door.
Itachi obliged, placing his hands out in front of him and leaning against the wall. The guard sighed and quickly patted him down; pushing his hand against his back, ribs, hips, butt, legs and ankles. "Okay." The guard nodded and tapped him on the shoulder. "He's good."
They opened the door and pushed him in, nodding at the lone table in the middle of the stark white room. "Wait here." Was all they said before locking the door after him.
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Sasuke eyed the man seated in front of him wearing stark white clothing; from his shirt to his shoes it was all white. His long black hair was tied back at the nape of his neck with a simple hair tie and his hands were now coarse; the muscles he once had was now gone, replaced with slim bones and skin. His dark sunken eyes bore holes into the table while his cheek bones jutted out in an odd fashion.
"Itachi." Sasuke nodded and stood, hand extended.
"Sasuke." Itachi gripped his younger brother's hand and gave a curt nod.
They each took a seat, tension setting in.
"…Why?" Sasuke asked, his voice low and uneasy.
"You wouldn't understand."
"Damn right I wouldn't." He gritted, his fists clenching as he avoided his intense gaze. "You murdered our family-our friends…you just-it was a massacre…a huge, bloody, disgusting massacre…"
"Little Brother I-"
"Don't 'Little Brother' me." Sasuke growled cutting him off his glare sharp and intense.
Itachi nodded, head slightly bowed but eyes locked on Sasuke's. "Sasuke. I did what I had to-needed to do." He began, voice hushed yet echoing throughout the empty white room. You don't understand-our business is a corrupt one Sasuke. Father never bothered to set up the correct legal papers and was charging under the table-not to mention the biohazard waste that's been polluting the ocean-it's ours. The company's. We are responsible for all those dead animals Sasuke. We are. I tried to reason with Father that night. I tried to make Mother come to terms and when they turned me away-I went to the CEO…but he also ignored me-forcing me to do what I had to do. Sasuke you need to redo what has been done-do your part to help the environment properly rid of the biohazard waste."
Sasuke sat in silence, taking in all the newfound information. 'Itachi can't be-he's not lying…is he? If so then Father lied all this time…and Mother? No-no it can't be…but oddly enough the cash flow has been absurdly steady; I thought it was because Father had set up a long term contract with the company to dispose of the waste but if he never did that and was just dumping it in the ocean that would explain why the bill was level all this time…'
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Sakura sighed dreamily and settled herself into her king sized bed; nuzzling her nose into the many pillows and snuggling down into the black silk sheets. 'Oh how I adore thee bed…' She let her tired, emerald eyes drift shut; her mind buzzed from today's events. 'Poor Sasuke…I hope things went well with Itachi…what the hell am I saying he fucking murdered his entire family!' She turned her head to the side, pushing her face into another pillow. 'He should at least make sure and get a good night's sleep tonight…he has to do another press release tomorrow…'
Suddenly she heard her doorbell ring.
'The fuck?' She groaned and unwillingly sat up in bed, glaring at her clock. 'It's 11:45 PM…who in their right mind would-'
"Sakura?" He heard her name echo though her house.
'Well that's creepy…' She swung her legs out of bed and slipped on her black and pink checkered bedroom boots. 'Who can that be-and why are they-how?'
Sakura crept out of her room, down the dark hallway and down the winding staircase to the first floor to see Sasuke standing there in the foyer.
"Sasuke?"
"Sakura…" He mumbled dejectedly. He stood with his hands shoved into his black dress pant pocket and his black dress shirt askew on his lean frame. "I'm sorry but-"
"No no it's fine; come in come in." She ushered him in, clicking on the lights as she went. "What's going on?" Her sweet voice echoed though the living room.
Sasuke sighed, kicking off his dress shoes and stumbling into the living room and onto the antique couch. His tired eyes glanced up at Sakura making a drink on the portable bar. She was wearing simple black bedroom short shorts with the words 'Jack Sparrow' printed on her rear end and a simple washed out gray tank with a picture of the Black Pearl and the words 'Captain Jack Sparrow' scrawled across her breasts.
"Here." She stated and handed him the drink. "It's just Vodka and Coke kay."
"Hn.." He nodded, accepting the drink and sipping it.
Sakura twisted her lips and sat on the chair across from him, curling up on it like a cat. 'Wonder why he's here…can't be good-he looks like shit after all…what happened?' Emerald eyes scanned the man in front of her, taking in his haggard appearance and stiff posture. 'What happened when he went to see Itachi?'
"I'm sorry Saku…" He began again, closing his eyes. "To barge in on you this late at night…"
"Hey uh-how'd you get in?" She asked suddenly, glancing around her living room. 'I know for sure I locked the door and no one answered it so…'
"Oh." He glanced at her. "Naruto gave me a key to your place-I thought you…" He trailed off.
Emerald eyes twitched as she tried to control her anger. 'Na-ru-to…'
Sasuke shifted uncomfortably before clearing his throat. "Anyways…I was wondering…can I crash here tonight?"
Sakura bite her lower lip and nodded. "Of course."
"Thanks…"
"So…follow me I guess." She stood up and motioned with her hand for him to follow her. "Uh…where do you want to sleep?" Her long, pink hair swayed as she led him through the hallways.
Sasuke eyed her from behind. "How about a bedroom." He took another sip from his drink, shoving his left hand into his pant pocket.
"I mean where as in location of room."
"Oh…I don't know where does Naruto sleep?" He glanced down the long halls as she led him upstairs.
"Usually one of these rooms." She motioned with her arm down the hall filled with many rooms. "My room's over here." She nodded behind her to the short hallway that led to a grand door. "So take your pick."
"Mmm…" He nodded and took one step forward. "Itachi told me some things today…" He mumbled softly. "Things that I should have been told long ago…it changes everything Sakura. Everything."
Emerald eyes watched in silence as he opened the first door, pausing at the entrance. "Do you want your key back?" He asked quietly.
Sakura shrugged, an understanding look gracing her face. "Ah no-you can keep it."
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Morning light shinned through the light pink drapes and onto the slumbering pinkett on her bed, stirring her awake. She heaved a heavy sigh and turned over on her side, burring her head beneath a pile of pillows.
'Hnnn I got to get up now…' She eventually sat up and rubbed her eyes then focused on the clock beside her bed. '6:00 AM…oh the joy…' A loud yawn escaped her mouth before she got out of bed, slipped on her bedroom boots and made her way to the bathroom connected to her room.
Sakura sighed and stared at herself in the mirror; her long pink hair was a mess of tangles and her eyes still had that sleepy look in them. 'Welllll I don't look horrid…' She pursed his lips then shook her head. 'Shower time.'
She sighed and opened the shower door and turned on the steamy hot shower; tugging at the edge of her tank. 'Cant wait to take a nice hot shower…' Her emerald eyes glanced at the doorknob to make sure it was locked before she removed the gray tank along with her shorts and black panties then quickly slipped into the warm shower.
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Sakura sighed a contented sigh as she slipped on her aqua v-neck with a bow in the middle and simple black denim shorts with studs. She gathered most of her hair at the crown of her head and clipped it up then headed downstairs to the kitchen.
Emerald eyes scanned her enormous kitchen, taking in the askew pots and pans, plates, and mugs before landing on a young man with his back turned to her leaning over the large stove.
"Sasuke?" She crept in, walking lightly on the balls of her feet.
"Hn." Was all he mumbled, flipping a stack of pancakes and expertly catching them on a dish. "Breakfast is ready." He stared down at her face before he handed her the hot dish. "Put these on the table wont you; I've already taken care of everything else."
Sakura nodded, a light pink dusting her cheeks. "Mmkay." She turned and walked toward the glass table situated in the adjoining room to the kitchen. "You really needn't have cooked breakfast you know…" She glanced over her shoulder to see him following her with two mugs of hot coffee.
"It's fine." He placed the mugs down then took a seat opposite her. "Go on, eat." He nodded at the mounds of food spread out across the table. It was filled with eggs, bacon, a little white rice, pudding, pancakes and more.
After a few moments of silence Sakura decided to break it.
"How did you sleep?" Sakura asked around a mouthful of eggs.
"Fine." Sasuke stated, cutting into a small stack of pancakes.
Pink hair swayed as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Good…" She stole a glance at him under her long lashes. "So you went to see Itachi yesterday huh?"
"Mhm."
"How'd it go?"
"Not so fantastic."
"…Want to talk about it?"
Awkward silence.
Emerald eyes darted nervously about. "Or not…"
Sasuke sighed and placed down his fork and knife. "Sakura…Itachi told me some things…He said the company is basically built on shit."
Sakura blinked. "What?"
He heaved a heavy sigh and racked his fingers through his hair. "I have a lot of fucking work to do…to fix the mess my Father made…the Uchiha's made."
"So…Itachi told you all this? If he knew then why didn't he fix it? Why did he go and k-do what he did?" She leaned forward on her elbows, intrigued with the developments.
Sasuke worked his jaw, his eyes set on something directly in front of him. "Honestly Sakura, I think he was abused by my Father and used this as an opportunity for revenge."
"…Well that's one hell of a bomb you just dropped…"
Midnight blue hair swayed as he stood up and closed his eyes. "I need to go meet the press." He mumbled and slowly strode out of the room.
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Onex eyes stared out at the press in front of him. There were bright flashes, thousands of voices and questions echoing though the air.
He cleared his throat and closed his eyes. "Rest assured my brother has been apprehended and is receiving the appropriate treatment for his actions." Sasuke spoke confidently into the numerous microphones being shoved at him at the press conference.
Suddenly the press went wild; firing multiple questions at the young man.
"What caused Itachi Uchiha to murder his entire family and members of the Corporation?"
"Will you go out of business?"
"What about the Uchiha Corporation?"
"What's to come of the massacre?"
"Will you now take over as president off the Uchiha Corporation?"
"How is your mental state?"
"Is there another successor aside from you to the Uchiha Corporation?"
Onex eyes turned emotionless as he stared out at the crowd. "No further questions will be answered at this point in time." He stated and turned away from the microphone.
"Wait! One statement!" A young man wearing a long scarf jumped up onto the podium yelled. "How do you feel in regards to the situation?"
Awkward silence.
The crowd went silent.
No one moved.
Sasuke stated at the young man in front of him. He had spiky brown hair, wore a long green scarf paired with a green jacket and khaki shorts.
"I feel..." Sasuke began, bowing his head. "My brother murdered my family, my company is in turmoil, and you the nosey press won't leave me alone. I have no privacy to digest any of the shit that has happened yet I still have to act in a responsible, respectful manor."
"I have yet to grieve over the loss of my parents. When something that tragic has happened to all of you, you are more than welcome to come talk to me. Until then stop talking to me." With that said, Sasuke walked off the podium.
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Sasuke worked his jaw as he stiffly sat in front of his older brother.
"Okay…it's being taken care of…" He nodded and glanced at the guard.
Itachi nodded.
Awkward silence.
"…That couldn't be the only reason though right?" Onex eyes bore into the man in front of him.
Itachi cocked a perfect eyebrow. "What is it that you are hinting at Little Brother?"
Sasuke shrugged causally and arrogantly leaned back. "Whatever you think I meant…Brother."
Itachi sighed and closed his eyes.
"Was it the stress?"
"What?"
"The stress Father placed on you. Was that another reason you did it?"
"Sas-"
"They were abusing you weren't they."
Itachi's eyes turned dark. "What do you know?"
"I did some poking around."
"You had no right." He growled threateningly.
Sasuke sat up, his eyes turning dark and his posture going stiff. "My Brother is in a mental asylum for massacring my entire family and you say I have no right?" He snarled and leaned forward. "Itachi I have all the fucking right in the world-I can do whatever the hell I want instead I chose to pursue your stupid hunches and orders." His voice was low and harsh.
"But I was right wasn't I? Everything I said was correct."
"It would have been nice if you told me."
"Told you what Sasuke? That Father was a coldhearted asshole that only wanted the company to succeed? That Mother wouldn't-couldn't do anything? That so long as I kept my mouth shut everything was alright? Is that what you wanted to hear Sasuke? Was it?"
Awkward silence.
"I already told you I did what I needed to do." Itachi mumbled.
Sasuke nodded and stood up, leaning one hand one that table top and shoving the other into his pant pocket. "Still…" He closed his eyes. "It would have been nice to know my older brother was being abused." Then he quietly turned around and walked out of the room.
Itachi stared forlornly at the now empty seat in front of his across the table. "What would you have done? If you knew, Father would have treated you the same way." He mumbled then stood up and nodded at the guard in the corner.
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That night, locked away in the confinements of - Itachi dreamed of the day he decided to do whatever it took to save the Uchiha Corporation as well as the environment it was harming.
'Father please listen." Itachi followed his father down the corridor. "All you have to do is sign the contract-I've set everything up already."
"Itachi I haven't any time for this now." His father grumbled and opened the Board room door. "I have a meeting to attend."
"Just sign-that's all it-"
"That and over one thousand dollars in sign up fees as well as taking care of past productions." He growled and walked though the door, his back facing Itachi. "Stop bothering me with this shit Itachi. You use to be so bright. What the hell happened to my son." He muttered before slamming the door shut in Itachi's face.
Itachi sighed and ran his long, lithe fingers through his hair. "Just you wait Father…I will fix what you've done…and more…" He mumbled then shoved his right hand in his pocket; the left holding the papers then began to leisurely walk down the hallways of the Uchiha Corporation.
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The hot lunch time summer sun beat down to earth as semi cool breeze blew through the crowded streets of the city. Midnight blue hair swayed in the wind as he made his was down the sidewalk to the brisk little café downtown. Onex eyes darted about behind his dark sunglasses. With one hand shoved into his black dress pant pocket the other unbuttoned his dark blue dress shirt; revealing a white wife beater.
The young man sighed as he reached his destination, quickly opening the old fashioned door and relishing the cool feeling of air-conditioning as it washed over his heated skin. He made his way to the back, dodging a few customers and waitresses then taking a seat on one of the worn, leather couches.
"Sasuke?" He glanced up to see a woman with long wavy black hair and red lips approaching him. "Thought that was you I saw." She smiled; she was wearing a white see through dress shirt over a black tank top paired with a black, skin tight skirt that went down to just above her knees.
"Kurenai-Sensei? Is that you?" He stood and grasped her hand in a firm but quick handshake.
"Ah, don't call me sensei-I haven't been that for years." She smiled and took a seat opposite him in one of the wooden chairs. "So why the call after so long hm?"
Sasuke sighed and took off his shades; tossing them onto the table between them. "I'm sure you've heard what's going on with the Uchiha Corporation." He began, draping one arm over the top of the leather couch.
"Yes." She nodded.
"You being a great lawyer and all-I was simply wondering if you could tell me-"
"There's nothing you can do." She cut him off, leaning back and crossing her long legs. "He murdered everyone Sasuke-that's the only way the court would see it."
"And if he pleads insanity?"
"He might get life in prison. Where is he now?"
"Kyoto's Mental Asylum."
"You might be able to get him life in the Asylum then."
Onex eyes slid close. "He can never walk free can he?"
"Massacre Sasuke. Massacre."
Awkward silence.
"What if I can prove he was being abused?"
Kurenai furred her eyebrows in confusion. "What?"
"Would that work?"
"He was being abused?"
"If I can prove that-would it help?"
She sighed and closed her eyes. "Either way he killed so many people-the best he can get is life at Kyoto's Mental Asylum. "
Sasuke nodded and heaved a heavy sigh. "I know but…"
Kurenai nodded, a sympathetic look crossing her features. "I know Sasuke-he's your brother…if there was something I can do I would do it you know…the best advice I can give you as a lawyer is to plead insanity. At least with that he can avoid the death penalty…even though he won't walk free…but maybe after a few years of good behavior you can apply for some community service as well as some days out."
"What?"
"A day pass. They can do it-depends on what kind of judge you get though."
He nodded, digesting the information. 'So maybe he can…this is good-I can work with this…'
"Why'd he do it?" Her soft voice cut through his thoughts.
Sasuke looked up at her confused gaze then quickly looked away.
"What made him do it?"
"…He's my brother…I refuse to judge him."
She nodded in silent understanding of his inner turmoil. 'On one side he murdered his entire family and co-workers…and on the other it's his brother-his flesh and blood; they grew up together, they got along well. What do you do when your life is suddenly destroyed like that?'
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Sasuke stared emotionlessly down at his older brother seated at the same table they've been meeting at once a week. "You know I can't save you right?" He asked, his voice low and heavy.
"I know."
"There's only so much I can do."
"I know."
"You murdered our entire fucking family. And workers."
"I know what happened Sasuke I was there."
"Yeah well…" Sasuke shifted uncomfortably. "The most I can get you right now is maybe life in this place."
Itachi nodded then stood up, facing his younger brother. "I understand."
"So you accept."
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"What the hell?"
"I'm sorry Little Brother." He reached up and flicked his forehead. "I did what I had to do. I'm leaving."
"What? What the hell do you mean you're leaving?"
"Goodbye Sasuke." With those final words, Itachi walked back into the white halls of Kyoto's Mental Asylum leaving his little brother behind.
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Teal eyes stared disgustedly at the people standing in front of him under the warm afternoon sun. 'The fuck…?'
Ino sighed and flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder as she took a seat on the cement bench under the shade of a large tree. "Well well, our group just seems to keep growing huh?" She fluttered her fake eyelashes at the moody male standing a ways off.
Sakura shrugged nonchalantly and nudged the red head as she strolled up. "Hey Gaara, what's up?" She casually asked, taking in his black and white snap-up woven shirt and simple black cargo shorts.
"What the fuck-where the hell are all these people coming from?" He scowled at the blonde and the morose male off to his left.
She shrugged, adjusting her rhinestone encrusted sunglass and moving away from him. "This is a good thing you know-more people mean less work really."
Gaara worked his jaw and studied her now sitting on another wooden bench across from Ino. She wore a white button chain halter corset top paired with a white pyramid stud and chain pleated skirt, her long pink hair was pulled half way to the side of her head and held in place by a small clip. On the bridge of her nose rested her ever present rhinestone encrusted aviator shades and on her feet she wore penthouse black vinyl wooden platform heels.
"Well I don't give a flying fuck-how much longer till I can go?" He growled and took a seat beside her.
"Sakura, what are we doing after?" Sasuke asked, stepping closer to her his bad mood lighting.
"Mmmm well usually Gaara and I go for something to eat and Ino just…disappears…" She twisted her mouth in thought. "So I guess us three can go to dinner."
"The hell? I'm not invited?" Ino cut in, smacking her glossed lips and fixing her deep purple denim tube top romper and crossing her long legs, drawing attention to her purple satin T-strap bow heels.
Gaara sent a sidelong glance at Sakura sitting on the bench. "Are you and Kakashi starting a fucking commune?"
Ino growled a low, threatening growl in the back of her throat. "Stop fucking ignoring me!"
Sakura sighed and clapped her hands. "Okay!" She looked around at the faces surrounding her. "Let's get started shall we?"
"Listen bitch I-"
The pinkett turned the blonde out as she reached inside her large black purse and pulled out a stack of bright neon blue flyers. "Here, each of you take some then start passing them out-be sure to walk down the streets and spread out kay?"
Ino worked her jaw and glared at the pinkett through her shades. "Don't treat me like I'm some fucking idiot Forehead." She huffed and snatched the papers out of her outstretched hand. "I'm not a goddamn child." She snarled and took some of the flyers and tossed the rest at Gaara.
The red head caught the stack with ease and glared at the fuming blonde stalking down the street. "Bitch." He muttered and grabbed some flyers then shoved the rest at Sasuke.
Sakura sighed and ran her fingers through the ends of her long pink hair. "Okay Sasuke all you have to do is hand out the flyers-nicely. Not shoving them into peoples faces or anything okay. The goal is to get the word out-make people aware." She chewed on her lower lip and watched as Gaara walked to the middle of the sidewalk, casually handing out the flyers to accepting pedestrians. "Just do what Gaara does."
Sasuke nodded and pushed up the sleeved of his dark blue pinstripe dress shirt and walked to the edge of the sidewalk. He adjusted his dark shades and waited until the light turned red then began walking up to waiting cars and handing the drivers and passengers the flyers.
'The guilt and stress of it all is just killing you isn't it…' Sakura nodded, her emerald eyes trained on him as he made his way through traffic, giving just about every car a flyer.
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Sasuke sighed as he stared at the two people beside him; Sakura on his left, Gaara on his right. They sat atop the cement bench relaxing, watching the people walk on by.
'I suppose if I paid a little more attention I would have seen the sighs sooner…' Onex eyes followed a young boy as he trailed behind his older brother, nervously clutching the end of his shirt. 'To not know that my brother felt as though he had to murder our own Father to make things right…that's the burden I need to carry with me till the day that I die.'
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L.
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