Mine.
I sleeked my hair again with my fingers, making sure to eliminate all traces of frizz, leaving only silky, voluminous pale pink. Deep breath. Deep breath. I wished I had someone to squeeze my hand.
He walked in. Mercy, mercy, what a man. I felt my breath catch in my throat with a squeaky gasp. Stand up, stand up! Etiquette! I stood straight, face composed, shoulders back.
"Dr Haruno!" The woman greeted me warmly, shaking both hands firmly before motioning for Sasuke to sit down. He was glorious; pale snowy skin as perfect as marble, long black eyelashes, blue-black hair, a long, lean body of rippling sinewy muscle. We would make such pretty babies.
I looked down, biting my lower lip to restrain myself. Cool air calmed my spastic lungs, evening out my breathing. I cleared my mind, refreshed my intelligence.
I'd read every book published on how to buy your own curio. It wasn't like buying chattel or drudges, a quick exchange of cash and papers with the owner. Curios were the royalty of men; the finest for the finest woman. So I had to be the finest woman, able to provide a comfortable life for him. And I was.
"You've finally come to see us again! Why, I remember when you were just a little girl, coming with your respectable mother to buy one of our curios." Her wrinkled face convoluted into a smile and I held back my grimace. "What a shame, that."
I controlled my sudden death-glare at the mention, training my flashing eyes on the marbled floor. My fisted hands shaking, hidden by my skirt. Calm down. Calm- this was not the time for a fist-fight with the goddamn Madame. I ran a dry tongue over my upper lip.
"So Dr Haruno, I see you've gained quite the repertoire among the medical community. You've done so much with your life; you are the perfect example of a true-bred patrician. Beautiful, sophisticated, educated, and successful. I'm sure any man would love to be serving such a wonderful Lady." The Madame smiled lightly at Sasuke, who kept his beautiful face blank. Its cold remoteness resembled almost nothing to the determined smirk I met. But still, my love for him flared to burn my heart.
I smiled my charming smile. "Of course, Madame; I would be honored with the privilege of buying one of your legendary curios." Modesty was always a nice touch.
The Madame beamed dully, accepting the over-done flattery like a true, deluded champ.
"Well, Doctor," she said the grand title with a sly little smile "as you already know, our House prides itself on our reputation of excellence." Way to toot your own horn, lady. I just nodded sweetly; my eyes turning chinky with the force it took my cheek muscles to keep that smile from turning into a scowl.
But he was here, here, right in front of me! Oh, how my heart fluttered in his presence, I could feel those strong arms wrapping around me, our baby girl in my belly. How lovely.
I sighed quietly, lost in thought but keeping the charade of attention as the Madame went on about her wonderful Mansion.
"Well now, let's move into the parlor and we can have a drink while I file the paperwork." She clapped her hands once and immediately a mousey looking chattel came forward, bowing slightly and showing us to the parlor.
Sasuke didn't look at me once during the entire walk.
More than I wanted anything, more than I wanted the world, I wanted those black eyes to just look at me. To look at me with respect and adoration.
"Madame, Doctor," the chattel bowed and opened the doors for us, and into a huge office. But the most peculiar part was how the room was built. Sasuke brushed past me almost rudely, my eyes automatically following his slim figure. He ignored me.
I sniffed and avoided looking at him, focusing my attention on the stern-looking woman sitting before me. But even though my eyes weren't on him, my every other sense was trained solely on him; he was like a cold, distant, mesmerizingly beautiful sun. He smelled faintly of lavender and clean, fresh cotton.
"Tea, Doctor? (There it was again, the stress on my much respected title like it was candy in her shriveled old mouth) Or perhaps something a bit stronger?" She winked at me, trying to appear playful. The look really didn't become her, mainly I think because of the massive jowls swinging like pendulums from her face.
"Tea would be wonderful, thank you." She crowed back and nodded to Sasuke, who glared viciously.
Wait; what? My wonderful Sasuke looked…well, he looked absolutely feral. I licked my lips, taking deep breaths and smoothing my skirt. The raven got up despite his burning eyes and served the tea. Even the china was beautiful, intricately designed blue on ancient white.
"You may serve yourself water, Mr. Uchiha." I could feel the rage like fire emanating from the man. 'Mmmm….He's a feisty one…'
"When he arrives at your home Dr Haruno, you really shouldn't spoil him with too many treats and favors. It'll rot any man, for after all, men will be men." She cocked her head to the side with an imposing, tight smile.
The paperwork went speedily; I grew more and more impatient as the minutes ticked by. My tea cup was empty and cold; my stomach was suddenly overfull and churning. Almost over, almost mine!
My fretful green eyes scanned the rest of the room, over the knickknacks placed on the woman's desk to make it appear more friendly and welcoming. Shit out of luck on that one. The center of the desk was surprisingly messy, cluttered. A newspaper was thrown carelessly to the side, the title reading: 'Another Akatsuki kidnapping!'
I quietly rolled my eyes. The newspapers made such big deals of such little men and their little organizations, all just because they had nothing else controversial to report. Since the takeover of the female sex almost all wars and physical disputes had stopped, peace reigned. This was because women have more common sense and less testosterone than men, and therefore more intelligence in such matters. It was scientifically proven.
"And…. We're done!" The woman looked as if a huge boulder had been lifted off her shoulders "He's officially yours, Dr Haruno. Congratulations on your very first curio! And one of ours to be your first! Please, come again as soon as you wish; we have many fine men here." She inched to the door. Thank God.
"He'll be transported by 7:00 tonight, so until then, you may say your goodbyes." The woman bowed slightly to me and scurried off, probably to wedge that acorn out of her asshole.
I turned to him, my love. My man. No, my curio. I lifted my chin and gave my very most gorgeous smile.
"Goodbye, Sasuke. Until tonight then." The man didn't spare me even one glance. I bit my lip, but straightened my back and turned to leave. It didn't matter that he didn't look at me. Maybe he was too nervous? Embarrassed?
No, maybe…maybe he didn't like me. Well, who gives a fuck anyways? If he didn't like me now, he'd learn to.
Outside in the guest hall three women sat on couches, giggling and talking in hushed whispers. They turned at the sound of my clicking high heels on marble floors.
"Sakura!" Ino launched herself at me and I struggled to hold up both our weights. I poked her ribs, needing the comfort of my friend's rapacious laughter. She squealed and I poked her again.
Grinning, she slapped my hands away at last as we all headed for the door.
"So? How'd it go? She didn't pull any bullshit about his price, right? Because I already told you how to deal with bartering bitches." Tenten grinned, looping her lightly tanned arm through mine. My skin was ghostly in comparison.
I grinned back at her "No, but she had these huge jowls, I thought she was going to disengage her jaw and gobble me up. I mean my Lord, she winked at me. " The girl laughed aloud as we reached the car. Ino waved her away impatiently and turned to me, one thin blond eyebrow raised.
I knew that look. So I grinned hugely "To the spa, ladies!"
Cheer for me, yes, cheers all around. I licked my lips, then thought better of it and applied some of my favorite wine-colored, super moist lipstick; about time to buy some new lingerie, ne?
(AN) Thank you so much to all who reviewed! Please continue to help me out with constructive criticism so i may improve my writing.
But hey, just saying; i love criticism, just keep it contructive or keep it to yourself. Thanks :)
.Sol