Thank you so much everyone! I've been so busy with college and stuff that I wasn't planning on getting to this chapter for a little while longer... But I came on just to check and I read all of your reviews and I just couldn't do anything else until I got this chapter out!

So thank you so much all of your reviews really helped me to write this! I really hope you all enjoy it! :3

All characters belong to their rightful owners.

I am Taimukipa.

Barbed Collar

Chapter 6

Shisui was frozen. Frozen under the covers. Frozen beside Itachi. Itachi hadn't stopped mewling and moaning in his sleep of course, and to Shisui it felt like he'd been doing it forever. Though it must have only been a couple of minutes. Shisui wondered what Itachi was dreaming about. He wished dearly that he could have continued to wonder, to keep his mind occupied, but every time Itachi arched against him, Shisui's mind went fuzzy. He could feel the lower half of his body warming up slowly.

No no no... This can't- this can't be happening!

He thought shocked.

Another mewl came from Itachi as his cat pressed against him again, and Shisui, now hyperaware of their tangled limbs, had not only Itachi rolling against him in such a way, but the cats thigh also rubbed against his, more sensitive parts. Shisui couldn't help it. He was starting to get hotter, and as Itachi arched against him, he could have yelled out as his body moved to meet Itachi's, his hips rubbed against Itachi's and faint waves or pleasure thrummed through him.

"Ah..." He breathed out, arching his head back, his eyes growing hazy.

What did something like this mean? Surly Shisui was no stranger to pleasure... but this was Itachi! Another man making him feel it! There wasn't any possible way that Shisui could feel this way! There had to be some logical explanation...

Of course mornings were often hard, as he would wake up as such. Maybe waking up with Itachi all tangled up against him had cause his morning erection to simply respond? To wait to be fulfilled for once? That had to be it... and of course with Itachi's slim waist and thin limbs all curled up around him, and his hips rubbing so sensually against him, Itachi's body was such a tease.

Shisui had to bite his lower lip as he rubbed against Itachi shamelessly, his cat continuing on with his dream, with the rubbing, mewling and moaning, and Shisui... his body just responded. Just couldn't stop. A faint moan managed to fall past Shisui's lips as he grinded his hips against Itachi's.

"Oh-!" He bit his tongue quickly and his eyes snapped open. Shisui hadn't even noticed when they'd closed. What was he doing! He looked down again to find that his arms were tightly around Itachi, as if he were desperate to get closer to him, Itachi was slowly calming down somewhat, merely purring in his sleep now, his little ears flicked from time to time as his body slowly fell still once more.

But Shisui was still aching. Since he stupidly allowed himself to fall victim to taking advantage of Itachi while he was asleep, it was only natural that Shisui's morning issue was now hardened to a point he couldn't reverse. He bit his lip. He had to release. Looking to Itachi as he slept soundly once more, Shisui did his best to untangle himself from his cat without waking him.

A sigh escaped his lips as he sat up, covered Itachi and then stood up and headed back to his room, finding it awkward to walk, but all he had to do was get to his bed...!

Luck seemed to be on his side as he slipped under his covers. He took a short second to revel in his relief, before his hand was gripping himself tightly, pumping his hardened member, desperately trying to draw out his release. He tried to think of some gorgeous woman from the past or so. Thankful when he managed to be drawn closer to his release as he thought of long straight black hair, glittering coal eyes, and a soft supple body.

Inevitably, Shisui released when he imagined black ears and a tail on that body. He came as that image suddenly mewled at him.

Shisui sat in his office, quietly going over paperwork. He was still shocked about this morning... Itachi decided to wait in his office until lunch time with him while he worked, and his presence was doing nothing but distracting Shisui. Did Itachi remember anything from this morning? Did he know what Shisui did?

Thankfully Itachi's ever calm attitude did manage to calm him somewhat. He sighed lightly and pushed the papers aside, hiding his face in his hands. Seconds later, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Do you need a break?" Came the low voice of Itachi. Shisui flinched slightly and then looked up to Itachi.

"Ah..." Coal eyes watched him intently, worry marred his face, and Shisui felt guilty that it was there. He smiled faintly and then nodded. Itachi's ears perked up slightly as the worry left his face and he stepped back. Shisui followed Itachi's lead and then stood up stretching. He yawned loudly before looking to the time. It was still an hour and a half or so away from lunch time. He pursed his lips and then looked to Itachi. "Want a snack?" he asked, smiling to his cat.

Itachi tilted his head and then nodded, his expression calm.

"What do you plan on having?" Itachi asked, and Shisui grinned to him.

"It's not what I want, It's what we both want!" He laughed. "So what are you in the mood for? I think I want some Tempura!" He said smiling widely, looking up thoughtfully as he imagined eating the delicious dish. He blinked though and quickly returned his attention to Itachi, not wanting him to drift off in his own thoughts. "So...?" He asked him.

Itachi was quietly staring at the floor for a long moment before looking to him and speaking up.

"May I have dango?" he asked lightly, tilting his head.

Shisui smiled more glad that Itachi was able to ask for something he wanted. He was happy that Itachi seemed to be more comfortable in this friendship now, and not so on the mindset that he was just a slave to Shisui. Sure it hadn't been that long, but since the two of them have been together for most of the days anyways, Shisui was hopeful there would be some kind of change in Itachi.

"Sure! I'll send down the orders for them." He said as he went over to his door and then called to the maid who stood outside it dutifully and told her to send in the orders. She nodded before running off. He turned to Itachi. "So what did you want to do now?" He asked him lightly.

Itachi merely looked out the window once more, almost longingly. Shisui blinked at this, but Itachi spoke up.

"Perhaps we could go out and walk around the gardens." he suggested, turning back to look to Shisui calmly. Shisui blinked at him but only smile and nodded.

"Sure that sounds fine! Since it's almost midday now hopefully everything will be dried up from the storm before." He said as he turned and then started to head out of the room, Itachi following. "Since it's still morning, maybe we can catch the morning glories before they close." He said happily looking back to Itachi who nodded, though he could see the content in Itachi's coal orbs.

His eyes widened a bit and he quickly turned away, grinning widely, trying to keep his beating heart from pounding out of his chest. This morning... still worried him. He had tried his best to deduct it all as rationally as he could... but the fact that when he had finally released this morning, it was to an image of someone that looked like Itachi...? What explanation was there to that?

More importantly... what if Itachi found out? What if he resented and hated Shisui for having such thoughts? What if, he asked to be let go, or given to someone else...? The thought made Shisui's heart hurt... he didn't want Itachi to hate him, to want to leave. He'd become attached to Itachi in the short time they've been together... Maybe, since Itachi hadn't brought up anything about it, then he didn't know? Maybe Shisui could keep it a secret and just never let something like that happen again?

That was a solution! He'd just have to be more careful!

A small smile lit up his face as the thoughts and possibilities rolled through his head. Still leading Itachi to the gardens, and lost in his own thoughts, he didn't notice the blank look the cat behind him had on, or those coal orbs boring into the back of his head.

Shisui sat with Itachi outside beside the water fountain he had going. He had a small dry table and seats set up so they could eat their snack outside. Shisui was content now. He no longer felt sick with worry over the mishap this morning, and Itachi seemed to be normal as well, so he was able to let it go finally. He decided to take the rest of the time off until lunch and talk with Itachi.

He took a bite of his food and chewed it happily, the taste appealed to him greatly.

"Ahh... but I truly wish uncle were back." He said with a sigh. "... He usually takes a large portion of the work from me, and I appreciate him for that, and the break it gives me." He mumbled talking to Itachi about his work load lately.

"... You're uncle...? How long is he going to be away?" He asked lightly. Shisui shrugged.

"It shouldn't be more than another week, but he usually sends me a letter on if he's going to stay later, or the date he's going to be back." He said and smiled faintly.

"... Your Uncle Madara seems trustworthy." Itachi spoke before taking a bite of his own treat, his tail flicking happily. Shisui looked up to Itachi and smiled somewhat.

"... Well... He's all I got." He answered lightly. "Sure, my parents managed to make things successful around here, Uncle Madara was there to oversee them as well. Even if his name isn't on many of the papers, he could be considered a founder along with my father and mother... the three of them, they got along well." He spoke calmly as Itachi listened respectfully. Shisui shook his head and shut his eyes. "It's Madara that manages to pull me along through this when it gets too much for me, and he keeps whatever greedy relatives I have left away from me." He said looking to Itachi again.

The cat listened quietly and tilted his head somewhat.

"Does he not ask for anything? He's doing it all merely of his own good will?" He asked, unable to hide the suspicion in his voice. Shisui smiled at that and shook his head.

"I know what you're thinking Itachi... that Madara could easily turn around and snatch the company away from me, leave me poor, broken, and bankrupt..." he said lightly, causing Itachi to look down with guilt. Shisui only shook his head again, smiling somewhat. "But Uncle isn't like that... he's really a good guy, and he just wants what's best for me. For the company." He said lightly. "... Besides that, it was he who told me that his name didn't have to be on any papers, since his name was already widely known to be associated deeply with the company." He said lightly. "And if Uncle Madara ever wanted anything, he knows he just has to ask, he doesn't even have to tell me what it is." He said shrugging, looking to the side. "That's how much I trust him... he's the only family I have left that I can count on." He said lightly.

"... I see... forgive me. I never meant to doubt him." He looked to Itachi to see that the cats ears were pressed down submissively. Shisui smiled somewhat and then reached out grinning as he slipped Itachi's ears between his fingers and rubbed them, causing Itachi's eyes to widen and look to Shisui.

"I'm sorry, they're just so cute!" Shisui laughed causing what he hoped was maybe a blush to appear on Itachi's cheeks! It was so faint though that Shisui couldn't tell. As he continued to rub at Itachi's ears, and Itachi allowed it with only minimal complaints.

"Ahem"

Shisui stopped his teasing and then looked over to see one of his maids, looking away with a small blush on her face. Shisui held back a grin at that. Still she stepped foreword when she had his attention and held out a small silver tray with an envelope on it and bowed.

"Ah, thank you." He said and then pulled back from Itachi, who looked to the maid and letter curiously, before watching as Shisui took it and opened it up, scanning over the words. "... Wha..." His eyes widened and then a loud groan escaped his lips. He slumped in his chair, the letter dangling uselessly from his hand.

"... Shisui...?" He heard Itachi, only earning another loud, childish sigh from the man. "What is it?" Itachi questioned him lightly.

Shisui took a moment before heaving himself into a proper sitting position, frowning at the letter before looking to Itachi and waving the fragile paper around.

"It's from Uncle!" He said and frowned. "... He says that he's going to be staying a little later on this trip of his, and says he won't be able to attend a beneficial banquet in my place anymore." He said frowning. he heard a small snicker from Itachi. As he shot the cat a glower, he noticed Itachi's arms were crossed over his chest as he watched Shisui calmly.

"Shisui, if you are supposed to go, you shouldn't make your Uncle do it for you." He said lightly. "What could be so bad about a banquet. You merely have to go and mingle for a few hours, make a good impression, and your company should go higher up on market ratings, am I correct?" Itachi asked, causing Shisui to roll his eyes.

"Of course that's why! But you have to go there, act like you give a damn about what all those stuffed shirts are saying, and you have to deal with the forced engagements! It put's you on the spot!" He said annoyed. "If I don't go with a date this benefit might be the death of me..." he muttered.

He glared at Itachi as a small smirk twitched on the cats face.

"These are things such a successful businessman like you has to endure. Just dutifully go, be polite, kind and courteous, and with care turn down the offers of proposals." He said lightly and raised an eyebrow. "Unless you actually find yourself interested in someone." he said to him. Shisui rolled his eyes at that.

"Please, I've seen all the girls that these fools try to marry off at these benefits. The only thing these rich little witches are good for is breaking your bank account with a superfluous and over luxurious life style." Shisui said. "Not worth the effort." he said pouting.

"Hm... well then perhaps you should find a woman to go with. Just to avoid that headache. Yes?" He heard Itachi suggest, which only caused him to frown more.

"Tch... yea. Like that's the easiest thing to do. I don't have many woman friends. I've been much to devoted with my work." He said looking up thoughtfully. "Any woman I've dated, well... it didn't end well because they said I didn't pay enough attention to them, and to choose between my work or them." He said and smirked. "Naturally, well... I chose work." He said and shrugged.

"Naturally." He heard Itachi say and then blinked, looking back to the smirking cat. Shisui only returned his smirk and tilted his head.

"Hm. So what would you know about proper banquet etiquette, Itachi?" He said in a low voice. Now it seemed to be Itachi's turn to roll his eyes.

"Shisui don't play this game. You'll have to find a proper woman to go as your date." He spoke calmly. Shisui pouted at him.

"Aw, but why not? It'd be fun." He said and grinned. Itachi let out a sigh.

"Two reasons." He started, looking to Shisui firmly. "... I am a man for one. The scandal it would bring to your name would instantly explode. And two, I am a slave. No one needs to pity you and think that you had to go and buy a slave just because you couldn't find a proper woman to bring." He spoke quietly, his expression slowly evening out as Shisui listened. "You don't need such shame brought down on you." He said.

Shisui smirked to him though.

"You think a little scandalous party would be enough to ruin me? 'Tachi you're so silly sometimes." He said lightly. "Besides that, haven't you thought of the scenario where I just say that you're my guest?" He asked lightly, raising an eyebrow. "If you're so worried about my reputation, you can wear a hat, and tuck in your tail." He said lightly. "No one will think twice of it."

Itachi seemed to contemplate these words for a short second, but soon closed those beautiful glowing eyes and shook his head.

"It's not some inner circle party. This is a benefit banquet. It's all business Shisui, show up properly, or you shouldn't go at all. I won't condone myself as your 'guest'." He said lightly. "You should go with a date. A woman on your arm will only make more of a statement to your social status." He said to Shisui calmly before going back to finish off his treat.

"Hm... I suppose you're right." Shisui said, watching Itachi intently for a while before he realized he was staring. he cleared his throat and then looked to the blue sky once again. The party was at the end of the week, so he had at least five days to get ready.

Besides that, Itachi was right... to make a statement, he'd need one hell of a woman on his arm. A beautiful one too. He grinned. Also she'd have to be beyond brilliant to keep up with the talk those old windbags liked to spout. Maybe even smart enough to put a few of them in their place.

But where could he find a girl like that?

Alright and that's a wrap! Once again sorry for any grammatical errors and such, I was in a hurry to write this and get it out to you all, now back to the books I go!

But I would really like some feedback, and I want another vote!

I think you all might be able to tell where this whole party and date thing is going, so let's see, the vote will be against Shisui going with Itachi as a slave, or let's dress Itachi up as a woman! Which would you like to read my dears?

Also as a side note, I decided to give Shisui a little break and not be seen by Itachi, and while things are moving slowly, I know most of you must be anxious to get to more graphic scenes, and I gotta say I agree with you all! It's getting really hard not to suddenly just make this story into pure smut. So while my patience is wearing thin, be sure to look foreword to more of the good stuff in future chapters ^_~

As always I love reviews from you guys, they really do help keep me motivated and such! You guys all make me feel so special thank you! 3

I'll do my best to have the next chapter up asap!

I am Taimukip