Summary: Fugaku and Mikoto meet someone special. Sasuke runs into someone from the past and faces some unpalatable truths.
AN: Minor edits Dec 26, 2011
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~ooO Reunions 2 Ooo~
Mikoto smiled at the pretty young blonde walking down the stairs beside her firstborn. There was something vaguely familiar about the bone structure, the high cheekbones, pointed chin and tilted feline-like bright blue eyes.
The girl was dressed in unexpectedly demure clothes, a knee-length grey-navy herringbone skirt matched with a sky blue sweater-vest over a white collared full-sleeve shirt. Slim shapely legs were covered in sheer nude tights and ended in block heeled pumps more suited to an office worker. Shoulder length blonde hair was drawn back with artless care and secured with two ebony hair picks adorned with black silk tassels. The only jewellery visible were demure pearl earrings, a tasteful wrist watch, and a band of white gold set with flashing dark blue stones and white fire.
Interest, pleasure, concern, and curiosity surged to life within the Uchiha Matriarch. She ignored the deliberate silence from her husband to approach the girl, no, the young woman and her son.
Warm dark eyes looked up into the carefully blank face of her eldest son. "Itachi-kun?"
Happiness surged free when she heard his reply. "Kaa-san, I'd like you to meet my fiancée, Uzumaki Narumi. Naru-koi, this is my mother Uchiha Mikoto."
Uzumaki Narumi spoke in warm, husky tones. "It is a pleasure to meet you Uchiha-san. Itachi-kun has spoken of you. I'd like to apologize in advice for keeping quiet. The both of us wanted to get to know each other and be certain before meeting the families."
"Families?" Mikoto perked. "Tsunade-sama said you were her ward." She frowned as the familiar face activated dormant memories. "But you look familiar Uzumaki-san. Your name though… Your mother, was she Uzumaki Kushina?"
Narumi bowed her head briefly. "You have a good memory Uchiha-san. My birth mother is Uzumaki Kushina but I also consider Senju Tsunade as my mother."
Mikoto nodded and smiled more warmly. "Of course. Tsunade-sama raised you. But please call me Mikoto."
"As you wish Mikoto-san. And please call me Narumi." She smiled at the quiet male standing so close to her. "Or Naru as Tachi likes to."
Mikoto was amused. "Tachi?"
Narumi shrugged. "Itachi is formal. Tachi fits better when we are together."
Mikoto raised a brow and looked at her eldest who did not meet her eyes immediately; he was more intent on the petite blonde standing next to him. He looked up, eyes soft and liquid with warm emotion. Mikoto knew just then Itachi was very serious about Narumi. She made the decision to accept Narumi despite the irregularities of her birth; Uzumaki Kushina had never married to the best of Mikotos knowledge. It had been a huge scandal when the national-level athlete dropped out of Japans fencing and martial arts circuit, pregnant and unmarried.
"Kushina was very brave. Choosing to face public censure."
Narumi merely shrugged. "She had too much trust in the publics good nature. Like my father. I do not share their blind faith."
Mikoto blinked. "Your father?"
Narumi shrugged slightly. "He died before I was born. It was a huge mess since they weren't married. Kaa-san and Jiraiya-jii-san had to crack a few skulls to straighten the estate out."
"Estate?" Fugakus mild voice did not fool anyone. He wanted to know. His detectives had run into a granite wall protecting the owners of Hoshi Jutsu, including the editor Uzumaki Narumi. Breaking such barriers would be illegal and more than likely noted by those who had placed the defences in place.
Narumis blue eyes were limpid with deceptive innocence. "Oh. You wouldn't know. My father is Namikaze Minato. Jiraiya-jii-san is the estate trustee until I turn twenty-five or my first wedding anniversary." She smirked. "Don't worry Uchiha-san, I'm not marrying Itachi-kun to fulfill the requirements. I was more than happy to wait; my work editing Hoshi Jutsu satisfied my creative needs in ways money can never match."
Fugaku nodded slowly, his mind working furiously. The Namikaze Estate had been in limbo for the past twenty years after the initial infighting when Gamai Jiraiya emerged as the trustee. He had maintained and expanded on the estate, but for whom… those in the know were not talking. Fugaku had assumed Minato had set up some kind of charitable trust, but it had not fit since Jiraiya had chosen to reinvest a great deal of the Estate income. For what purpose no one had ever figured out and the privacy laws made it very difficult for others to find out.
"You are Minatos heiress."
Narumi merely shrugged. "Truth." She smiled warmly up at her fiancé. "Jiraiya-jii-san only managed to straighten things out just before I finished high school. I had no expectations on the Namikaze Estate."
"But now that you do…?"
"I will maintain my fathers legacy for his grandchildren, for any children Itachi and I have." Her voice was pure steel. "Our eldest son will be Uchiha but the younger ones and the daughters will be named for my parents, to keep their clans alive. Itachi and I have discussed the matter and are in agreement. There are several dozen young men and women bearing the Uchiha name to keep that Legacy alive."
Fugaku was dismayed. He had been imagining the possibilities of amalgamating the Namikaze wealth into Uchiha coffers and doubling, no tripling the Uchiha Corporation.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I will give up the Uchiha name." Itachi replied in quiet but just as steely tones. "As titular Elder Jiraiya-san will have no problems listing me on the Namikaze Ledger."
Mikoto hit her husband sharply. "Don't you dare be an ass Fugaku! Don't say a word or you will be sleeping on the couch for the next six months! If you can't be civil keep your thoughts to yourself." Her expression dared him to challenge her on this. Fugaku subsided. Mikoto rarely pressed but when she did it was best to let her have her way.
Satisfied she would be getting her way, Mikoto turned to her eldest son and future daughter-in-law. "That sounds suitable. It is perfectly understandable. Many marriages are contracted with the understanding that the younger sons are named to keep clan names alive. Inuzuka Tsumes husband adopted her clan name when they married. There was little concern since he was a third son."
Narumi smiled brightly. "Kiba-sans father? I hadn't heard of that."
"Kiba-san?" Mikoto blinked surprised. How had Narumi met Kiba who always traveled in the more elite rarefied circles?
Narumi made a face. "I attended Konoha Prep for a year. It did not… suit me so I transferred out. I kept in touch with a few students though. Hyuuga Hinata. Nara Shikamaru. Aburame Shino. Shika works part-time for me. He maintains Hoshi Jutsu's on-line presence. Hinata does some freelance writing under a pseudonym. Shino does some free lance photography."
Mikoto blinked at that unexpected information. The children of her friends knew and kept quiet. Question was how much did they know from the start compared to now. Making a mental note she focused on something else that was nagging her.
"Narumi-san, have you met my younger son? Sasuke? He attended Konoha Prep the same class year as Kiba-san and Hinata-chan and the others. They would have shared a lot of the same classes."
Mikoto noted the subtle distancing and cooling warmth in blue eyes. Her eldest moved closer in a protective fashion to wrap his arm around his fiancé.
"Hai. I met Sasuke. We worked on a few group projects. We were… acquaintances. I cannot say I really understood or knew him. I haven't seen Sasuke in years."
"Who hasn't seen me?" A fifth voice interrupted the conversation.
The two couples turned to the entry way where a young man in his early twenties stood dressed in tailored casual clothes that screamed designer chic.
Mikoto smiled at her younger son. "Welcome back Sasuke-kun. Itachi has brought his fiancée to meet us. She attended Konoha Prep the same year as you. I'm not sure if you remember, but her name is Uzumaki Narumi."
Sasuke paled and dropped his messenger back to the floor. "Narumi?"
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Sasuke idly removed the ear buds of his iPod and tucked the device into the protective case and then into a Velcroed pocket of his messenger bag. He sincerely hoped Itachi and his girlfriend were dressed for dinner. It had really thrown him off, seeing his cold distant brother so hot and into any girl. Oh, he had heard it from his mother but he had believed it was a cold arrangement to produce suitable offspring. What he had seen earlier that morning totally destroyed that illusion. Whatever Itachi and his girl had it wasn't cold; it was hot, supernova hot.
"…Konoha Prep the same class year as Kiba-san and Hinata-chan and the others. They would have shared a lot of the same classes." His mother familiar soothing voice drifted across the foyer. Curious Sasuke walked a bit faster.
A husky but undeniably feminine voice answered. "Hai. I met Sasuke. We worked on a few group projects. We were… acquaintances. I cannot say I really understood or knew him. I haven't seen Sasuke in years."
It was the blonde who he had last seen under Itachi, her blouse around her elbows and skirt hitched up around her waist. Now though the skirt and blouse were demurely smooth and zipped or buttoned up. The golden strands were twisted up into a knot secured by picks. She had a very narrow waist and generous hips that led to slim shapely legs ending in old-fashioned pumps.
Idly Sasuke wondered if she was wearing a garter belt or pantyhose.
"Who hasn't seen me?"
His mother looked up and smiled. "Welcome back Sasuke-kun. Itachi has brought his fiancée to meet us. She attended Konoha Prep the same year as you. I'm not sure if you remember, but her name is Uzumaki Narumi."
Sasuke paled and dropped his messenger back to the floor. "Narumi?"
The blonde turned around staying within his brothers arms. Bright blue eyes met his with cool distant formality.
"Hello Sasuke-san." She smiled more warmly at his mother. "As I was saying Mikoto-san we know each other and parted over a difference of opinion." She smirked at his father. "He reminds me of your husband, very status and class conscious." She stroked the hand resting on her shoulder and rested her head against Itachis chest. "Your eldest is more… open-minded."
"Open-minded?" That confused everyone including Sasuke. "Itachi is very reserved. Most would call him unfeeling." Mikoto smiled apologetically at Itachi who merely nuzzled his nose into the blonde head. "I suppose being around you has changed him."
Narumi laughed throatily. "Change Itachi? Why should I? It is his reserve that I truly appreciate. I know what praise and words I get from him are truthful and genuine, not pretty lies spoken to fool me."
Itachi chuckled softly. "And with you I know I will always hear your honest views, whether I want to hear it or not. A refreshing experience for one used to syncopates or fear-filled sheep inclined to follow mob consensus."
Mikoto nodded slowly. "I suppose it would be refreshing for you Itachi-kun." She blinked back tears. "Your mother was like that Narumi-san, a breath of fresh air."
Narumi inclined her head in agreement. "So they tell me. But Jiraiya-jii-san says I favor my father in other ways."
At this point Fugaku spoke up. "I can believe that. Minato always did have the touch regarding relationship and media-based businesses. He bankrolled several prominent and profitable cable channels and magazines when they first started out."
Narumi gave a tiny shrug. "Hoshi Jutsu was an experiment that became more. It has grown to a point where I will probably hand over responsibility and try something else in a few years." She smiled up at Itachi. "May be something to do with pre-school or middle-school children."
Sasuke could feel everything spinning out of control. He was missing a huge part of the story. Who were Narumis parents? How did His parents know Them?
His mother looked at him strangely.
"You might not know but Narumis mother was a national level athlete. Uzumaki Kushina. Her father was the media business baron Namikaze Minato."
Sasuke then realized he had voiced his questions out loud, not just mentally. Then it hit him. Narumis father was just as wealthy as the Uchihas, if not more since he had sole control over his business enterprises. If her father was so wealthy why had she been a scholarship student at Konoha Prep? Why had she not told any one about her lineage?
Blindly he turned to his once girlfriend seeking answers. She smiled politely, her eyes cool as she answered his unvoiced questions.
"My parents were never married Sasuke-san. My mother was pregnant when my father died in a plane crash. He didn't have time to draw up air tight legal papers or to formally acknowledge me as his heir though Tsunade-kaa-san and Jiraiya-jii-san assure me it was his intent." She held up one hand, palm up slightly cupped. "Japan literally turned on my mother for her perceived betrayal. Because she could not compete internationally since she was pregnant." Narumi snorted. "As though she was married to the country! Idiots!"
Sasuke stared at her. "How long did you know?" Translation: Did you know when we were together?
"Long enough to know I prefer being around people who see Narumi, not my social status. Because when you get down to it I'm illegitimate." Translation: Yes, and you failed.
Itachi chuckled softly and brushed his lips against her hair.
"Of the two of us I am more likely to be called a bastard."
Sasuke stared at his 'perfect' elder brother. "It doesn't bother you? That people will talk about your wife? About her background?"
A look of understanding dawned on Itachis composed face. His eyes were bemused, a wry smile quirking thin lips. "Not particularly. Narumi didn't have much choice regarding her parents matrimonial status. What matters to me is Narumi, her clarity of purpose and devotion. She will not sway in the winds of public opinion like a weeping willow. And I know she will not betray or abandon me in difficult times. By that same token I know she will not lie or pretend. I will not have to be on guard for falsehoods in my private life.
"She does not find my reserved manners distasteful. She is willing to work around my professional commitments as I am with hers. She is attractive, educated, intelligent, and articulate. She fits well into my lifestyle and enjoys the same hobbies as I do. Many of my past and present private clients enjoy her company. In fact Kakuzu is Hoshi Jutsus corporate lawyer. Zetsu and Kisame are silent partners in Hoshi Jutsu.
"Add a healthy dose of attraction, chemistry, and sexual compatibility that hasn't faded despite our conflicting schedules over our two year relationship I'd have to say that we are definitely ready to make a formal commitment and take the next step."
Sasuke smirked scornfully.
"You're just saying that to justify your actions. You're just after the money. I know you Itachi; you are just a businessman looking to increase your equity."
Itachi stilled paling dangerously. His slight motion was stilled by his fiancée who cupped his cheek and brushed a chaste kiss against his lips before turning to her old classmate.
Bright blue eyes were jewel hard chips set in the oval tanned face.
"I'm afraid you are mistaken to believe Itachi has the same morals as you Sasuke-san. He doesn't give make many promises, but when he does his word is his bond. As for his interest in the Namikaze Estate I'm afraid you are deluded. He did not know who my father was when we started dating. Nor did I know his clan name was Uchiha. It was an unspoken agreement to not speak about that aspect; see how far our relationship could develop without our respective backgrounds interfering."
Mikoto quickly decided to step in to divert the impending scuffle between her sons.
"And just how did you meet Narumi?"
The blonde turned to her future mother-in-law and the hardness softened a tad. "We met in a park downtown. It was a habit to do some tai chi during the noon hour between classes. After a few weeks of watching Itachi joined me."
Mikoto looked bemused. "Tai chi? Isn't that one of those martial arts?"
"It promotes stability and flexibility." Narumi explained helpfully. "Centring and clearing the mind; channelling the energies. You can disbelieve but it works."
She grasped both of Itachis hands and closed her eyes in concentration. The three Uchihas making up their audience watched with shocked eyes as a faint blue-yellow haze formed around the couples clasped hands.
"What is that?" Fugaku wanted to know.
"Biofeedback technique." Itachi explained blandly. "Narumi and I are… very compatible. When we work with each other there is a resonance feedback that amplifies the natural bioelectricity; enough to have visible physical effects among others. It carries over into other areas of our lives; public and private."
Sasuke stared at his elder brother and ex-girlfriend and turned away, walking without a word of explanation.
Mikoto gasped at her youngest son's behaviour before she turned to Narumi, embarrassed. "I'm so sorry," she began to be stopped by the younger woman.
"Don't. It's nothing you or I have done. It's entirely his issues." She hesitated before continuing. "I wasn't entirely honest about my past, my relationship with Sasuke. He was my boyfriend for six weeks when I was a Konoha Prep student. We broke up because he wanted things I was not ready for," she explained delicately. Both elder Uchihas eyes widened in shock then comprehension.
Mikoto reached out and squeezed her to-be daughter-in-law's hand. "Don't you dare blame yourself for anything," she told Narumi fiercely. "If a woman says no she means no. Fugaku and I taught that to both our sons." She huffed angrily. "He has no right to make such demands… Not after six weeks!" she added ignoring Narumi's bright red face. "But Itachi is treating you right, right?" she glared at her eldest ready to scold him if the answer was a negative. And she was pleased by Narumi's bright answering smile.
"Oh yes!" The blonde smiled up at Itachi squeezing his hand, lifting it to brush a kiss against his knuckles. Her eyes were warm and content as they met Mikoto's. "When I broke up with Sasuke I was hurt. But Tsunade-kaa-san told me a girl's first love isn't always the best and truest love. I didn't believe her for the longest time but Itachi proved it to me. He has been so good to me. I never thought someone like him existed," she confessed with a laugh. "Someone so honourable and devoted; so patient and loving."
Mikoto blinked confused and pleased by the girl's words. Her eldest was usually cool and stand-offish. She was curious to know just how their casual meetings turned into a romantic relationship, and she said so.
Narumi smiled broadly. "Oh that is a tale in itself…"
And then she proceeded to recount it for Mikoto. Both Uchiha males simply listened, content to make minor interjections, letting their feminine halves do the talking.
Sasuke never joined them for dinner; and it was decided by silent consensus to let it be, to not press him. His shock was understandable but his extreme and rude reactions were not proportional. He had not seen or talked to Narumi in years. It was perfectly acceptable for an ex-girlfriend to date and be in relationships you knew nothing about; especially when you hadn't seen her in years.
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TBC…
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