/Our New Lady/
/Uchiha/
The Viscount turned to pick his great-coat. Mr Tobi watched him shrug himself into it. Obito was strongly tempted to let him go, but he felt that it behoved him to make an attempt.
'Been thinking about it all day,' he said. 'Seems to me Uchiha ought to know of it.'
'Well he ain't going to,' replied Kurama shortly.
'Wouldn't do if he were to get wind of it,' insisted Mr Tobi. 'Wouldn't like it, if he found her ladyship has been hoaxing him.'
'Now, don't you start fretting and fuming!' begged Kurama. 'I told my kit I'd settle it, and so, I will!'
Obito raised a brow. 'No business of mine, but may I ask how?' he asked.
'By hedge or by stile,' replied the Viscount flippantly.
'It won't fadge. You're all to pieces yourself. Daresay you're thinking of a run of luck, but it ain't when one's run of legs that one gets the luck. Ever noticed that it's pretty near always the best-breeched coves who win?' Obito said, trying to convince his junior. He then took a deep breath and finally said: 'Seems to me there's only one way you can help Lady Uchiha.'
Kurama looked at him with a slight frown creasing his brow. 'Well, what is it?'
Obito took a snuff with deliberation. 'Best way out of the fix is for her to tell Uchiha the whole. Tried to tell her about it. But she seemed to be in the deuce of a quake. No use telling her not the slightest need. Got the notion fixed in her head. I can't tell him. . . The thing is for you to do it.'
'I tell Uchiha my sister's swallowed a spider, and is trying to break shins with Jew King?' gasped the Viscount. His expression was leaking incrédule. 'I thought you must be trifle disguised when you asked me to come home with you, but I can see now that you're either ape-drunk, or touched in the upper works!'
'No, I ain't,' replied Obiti stolidly. 'I know it's a dashed difficult thing to do: in fact, it needs a devilishly good bottom, but they say you've got that.
'Bottom! A damned whiddling disposition is all I'd need, and I'll have you know something I've not got!' Kurama shot at him. 'Cry rope on my own sister? By God, if I hadn't been drinking your brandy, dammned if I wouldn't tip you a settler, Tobi!'
Obito was thrown into disorder. It was not that he particularly feared the Viscount's fists, both of which were suggestively clenched; but that, in face of that fiery young man's quick wrath, the horrid suspicion assailed him that he had been doing him an injustice. This was a breach of ton the very thought of it made him turn pale. He hastened to make amends. 'Beg you won't give the brandy a thought!' he said. 'Not that I wish to sport a painted peeper, but I shouldn't like you to feel yourself at a disadvantage. . What I mean is, it's not partial to, but I can mill my way out of a row.'
Kurama's brow snapped together, him feel to be at a disadvantage? 'I should like to know what the devil you mean by thinking I'm the sort of rum touch who-'
'Spoke under misapprehension!' said Obito, eyeing the cane clenched rather skillfully in his left fist. 'Took a notion into my head! Stupid thing to do!'
'What notion?' demanded the Viscount, considerably pacified.
Obito, much embarrassed, coughed, his eyes darting away and the briefest of colour on his pallid cheeks.
'What notion?' reapeated Kurama, with a good deal of emphasis, his eyes shining with restlessness.
He said: 'Couldn't think why Lady Uchiha should be afraid to tell my cousin she was in debt. I know Sasuke well, you know. Practically raised him.. nearly boys with his young uncle..'
The Viscount made a sound frighteningly similar to an animal's growl, making a shiver run down his spine. Obito snapped from his drifting rant and said straightforwardedly: 'Ready to swear he'd give her anything she wanted. She might be in a tweak if she took to gaming; but, I don't think so, chipper can barely tell one card from another..'
'Stop rambling like a babbling babe! and get on with it, Uchiha!'
'It occurred to me that it was something Uchiha wouldn't allow.' He once more studied his snuffbox with interest. 'Probably even forbidden it. Mind you, very understandable thing for her to do!'
Kurama's eyes cooled to a wrathful shade; he was comprehending the meaning behind the Uchiha's skirting and masked words, and he didn't like it.
'Persuaded Sasuke would think it so, too. Natural affection,' he said, mumbling something about rivalry after his speech.
'Are you saying you thought she was under the hatches because shed lent her blunt to me?' demanded to tall Viscount, his voice taking a calm drift.
'Only thing I could hit on!' pleaded Obito. 'See I was mistaken, of course.'
Kurama inhaled, just about to tell him in angry character that so far from being responsible for Naru's difficulties he had nothing whatsoever to do with them, he stopped. Suddenly remembering his own obligation to her, his choler disappearing with a blink. It was true that this hadn't put her in debt, at the time: but it had made it impossible for her to pay, now, for a Chantilly lace court dress.
For a moment he felt abominably ill-used.
She had assured him that she was flush in the pocket: it was rather too bad for her to run into a debt, instead of exercising a little economy.
He settled for eyeing Mr Tobi smoulderingly, the gentleman trying his best not to shrink away. Kurama's crushing glare intensified at the lack of reaction, this time prompting Obito to behold the snuffbox's designs. He had never liked the fellow above half (like every other damned Uchiha), and to be unable to refute his ignoble suspicions made him seethe with rage.
Literally seething.
He wanted more than anything to plant him a facer (and paint his peeper a deep blue for being an annoying bloke), but since that also, under the circumstances, was impossible without being discourteous. Waiting for Tobi to view him once more Kurama had to content himself with saying in a voice of ice: 'Accept my thanks for your kind offices! And rest assured that you have no need to tease yourself further in the matter! I wish you a goodnight!'
With these dignified words he picked up his hat and straightened a fold in his cloak, bowed formally to his host, and departed, his menacing figure disappearing into the filmy fore-dawn mist on the cobbled London Streets.
Obito closed the door and sagged onto the wooden object, pulling his handkerchief to mop his brow, which was covered with an unhealthy amount of perspiration, he wondered what the outcome of this affair. Convinced of Kurama's innocence, he was still profoundly sceptical of his ability to rescue his sister from the River Tick.
Gathering the glassware, he noticed that the back of his collar and shirt was damp... he hadn't even noticed. To think that the boy had made him sweat with cold fear, maybe the tales surrounding the heir to the Namikaze and Uzumaki weren't merely an admirer's romance.
/Our New Lady/
/Uchiha/
Not very many hours later Naru was surprised qnd gratified to receive a visit from her brother. She had woken up hoping he would call that day, but hadn't been expecting him to stride in right after her breakfast-tray was taken away from her quarters. Her brother wasn't too fond of matutinal activities, preferring to laze around until the sun was well up and shining, so she was expecting one around or after noon. Naru, slightly embarrassed at her uncombed hair and messy eyebrows offered her eerily-calm brother breakfast. He declined her offer and said all he wanted was a moment word with her.
Since he had most purposefully strode in, Naru had thought that he had hit upon a solution to her matter; the tenor in he spoke to her did not encourage her rising hope. A look at his face told her that something had happened to put him out of humour.
Sakura, who had been enjoying breakfast with her cousin, informed him (with deplorable want of tact), that he looked to be "as cross as a cat," and all but demanded to know the reason. Kurama replied that he was not at all cross, but wished to be private with his sister. Since this could only be regarded as a heavy set-down, Sakura instantly took umbrage, and a very spirited dialogue ensued, a dialogue in which several personalities of uncomplimentary nature were exchanged. Kurama emerged victorious from the engagement, taking unhandsome advantage of his older years, and informing Sakura, with all the air of an infinitely-wise-man, that pertness was neither proper nor pleasing in chits of her age.
Unable to think of something crushing enough to respond, Sakura flounced out of the room, slamming the doors behind her.
'How could you, Kyū?' exclaimed Naru reproachfully. 'I never heard you say anything so uncivil! Talking about impropriety, you know it is quite improper for you to be scolding her! You are not of direct relation!'
'No, and I sincerely thank God for it!' he returned. 'If she don't take care she'll grow into one of those hurly-burly women there's no bearing.'
'But, Kyū, why are you so out of reason cross?'
'I'll tell you!' he said awfully. 'And don't put on any innocent airs, my girl,' he warned tossing his cane in the seat Sakura was occupying earlier and swiping his curls free from his hat.
At the troubled and confused shine Naru's eyes were taking, his eyes snapped shut for a second before his features scowled at her and a hissed growl was spat at her.
'You can't gammon me this time, Nar', or turn me up sweet by making kitten's eyes at me!' he spoke unhandsomely, his eyes landing on her. 'You've been playing an undergame, and well do you know it! What the devil did you mean by going off to Jew King after I'd told you I wouldn't have you dealing with a cents-per-cent?'
She looked a little conscience-stricken, but demanded hotly, 'Did Obito tell you that? I had not thought he could use me so shabbily!'
The Viscount was incensed with Mr Tobi, but he informed his erring sister , an a few pithy words, that she might think herself much obliged to him. He then drew a picture of the horrifying fates that overtook persons so "cork-brained" as to "walk into the clutches of usurers:" moralized in a very edifying way on the evils of improvidence; and demanded from her a solemn promise that she would never again try to visit Jew King, or any other of those "moneylending sharks."
'And if you think jauntering to ruin is something to go into whoops over,' he added wrathfully, 'let me tell you that you much mistake the matter!'
Naru answered, trying and failing to speak soberly. 'No! indeed I don't! It - it was - I c-can't help laughing when you talk like that about being improvident, and c - careless, and - and all the things that...' She noticed that her words were not softening in effect and said contritely: 'I will never do so again! Of course it would be bad should I continue borrowing, but I should have paid the money back come quarter-day, I promise you!'
'And have found yourself in the backet before the cat had time to lick her ear! Don't I know it!' returned the Viscount. Then, feeling slightly hurt and betrayed, he added, speaking with passionate feel. 'And why the devil you had to meddle, when I told you - you knew I had the business in hand!'
Naru (terribly oblivious to his sentiments) said frankly : 'Yes, but I thought it would be better if I did the thing myself. In case you did anything dreadful.'
'Oh, you did, did you? Coming it too strong, Kit!' he said his nerves irritated at the heart-clenching lack of faith his sister was displaying. 'What the deuce should I have done, pray?'
'Well, to own the truth,' she confessed, 'I was afraid you might hold someone up!'
'Afraid I might hold someone up?' gasped Kurama. 'Well upon my soul! A pretty notion you have of me, by God!'
'You held me up!' Naru pointed out.
All of Kurama's remaining sensitiveness all but evaporated, leaving behind pure incense.
'And if I hadn't recognized you you would have robbed me - you know you would!'
'If that doesn't beat all hallow!' ejaculated Kurama his irritation leaking. 'When all I meant to do was to have sold your curst jewellery for you! You're fair and far off, my girl!'
'But it was a desperate thing to do, Kyū, and it quite cut up my peace. I can't but wonder what next you may do, which puts me in high fidgets. Because-'
'Gammon!' interrupted his lordship. 'Why! when I wasn't even going to take Saku's trinkets! What's more! this is all humdudgeon! You wouldn't have cared a button for losing your jewels, had it been a real highwayman! - now, would you?'
Naru faltered, a horrible realization striking her. 'N-no, but-'
But the Viscount wasn't done: 'And you'd have been devilishly thankful not to have recognized me, if I'd handed over the dibs to you next day. And it is my belief,' he pursued relentlessly, his face conspicuous, 'that, had you perchance not recognized me, you'd have taken good care not to have asked me how I'd come by feathers!'
Wide-eyed and stricken (quite snubbed at the realization), she said: 'Oh, Kyū, I'm sadly afraid that that is true! It is the most mortifying reflection, too!'
'Stuff!' said the Viscount contemptuously. Then, his gaze softening, he spoke again in comforting drifts: 'Now, there's no need for you to sit there looking as blue as a razor, Kit! I don't mean to leave you in a lurch, I promise you.'
The brightening of her countenance encouraged him. 'I've got one or two capital notions in my head, but I can't raise the wind all in a trice, so it ain't a bit of use fretting like a fly in a tar-box, and wanting to know (every time you see me) what I've been doing!' he assured, ruffling her hair indelicately.
'Give me a week, and see if I don't have the business blocked at both ends,' he reassured, rather boastfully.
She regarded him in some apprehension. 'What notions do you have in your head, Kyū?'
'Never you mind,' he replied crushingly, squeezing her head to emphasise his words. 'A notion I've got is that: the less you know about it, the better!'
Her apprehension only grew, her mouth turning down at the corners; she said: 'I won't tease you, but I think I would rather know!'
'Of course you wish to know, but you can't expect me to pull you out from under the hatches if you turn maggotty every time I hit on a scheme,' said the Viscount retracting his hand. 'Because it is just what you would do! for you seem to me to be regularly betwattled!'
'I am very sorry!' she said humbly. 'I do try, but it is excessively hard to do so when I am in such affliction, Kyū! Every time I hear the door-knocker I think it is perhaps Lavalle, coming to demand her money from Uchiha with floating threads and sharp needles. Alarm suspends all my faculties!'
He gave a short laugh. 'Now don't be such a goosecap, Naru!' recommended the blond, putting his arm round her shoulders and giving her a slight hug. 'She won't do that. Not for a week or two, at all events. All she meant to do was frighten you into paying down the dust as soon as possible. She'll give you a week's grace at the least, and most very likely longer. When does that Uchiha come back to town?'
'On the Monday, I think. I'm not really sure, but he said that he would be away for a se'evnight.' She was silent for a moment, Kurama spotted a few shiny tears before she turned her face away: 'I quite dread his coming. That is more lowering than all the rest!'
Kurama was about to fervently tell her that if the "bastard" tried anything, she was to yell bloody murder and he would come swooping in to straighten his crooked heart, but was spared of answering when Sakura walked into the room. He muttered instead at her lack of tact, 'What in the world is possessing the chipper to not knock before intruding people's privacy?'
He seemed to forget his own lack of tact, from earlier.
Sakura was wearing her hat, and a light shawl, draped gracefully on her being; she had come to take leave of Naru. She pointedly ignored the Viscount, kissing Naru's cheek affectionately, and told her that her aunt would provide transport home. Kurama merely watched with scorn as Naru returned the gesture with a sweet smile, quite jealous at the attention the deep-pink haired lady was receiving from his sister.
'All that finery just for an aunt?' said Kurama, critically surveying her. 'I must say, that's a deuced fetching gown!'
Becoming aware of his existence, Sakura raised her brows as haughtily as she could and said in freezing accents: 'You are too kind, Sir!'
'Silly chit!' said Kurama indulgently.
Sakura's eyes flashed, Naru hastened to intervene, shooting the incorrigible tormentor she called brother a warning glare. 'You look charmingly,' she assured, edging the wrathful girl towards the door.
Sakura paused and said: 'I don't wish to distress you, Naru, but I think that your brother is the most obvious, uncivil person I ever met!'
Naru laughed. 'Yes, indeed! Thing is, if he treats you as such it is because he thinks of you as his sister, I am convinced. And you know how brothers are; you shouldn't allow him to put you in a miff!'
'I surely hope that is not the case -for I,' she had turned her visage to shoot scathing glares at the Viscount, only to meet his mocking face and a tongue that he stuck out to her. She gasped sharply and pranced out of the room.
'Kyū!'
He merely crossed his arms and huffed, his lower lip sticking out slightly. 'Silly chipper deserved it.'
'You're merely jealous!' Naru exclaimed, her eyes brimful of amusement. 'You nonsensical creature!'
She bestowed a crushing hug to the reluctant Viscount and pressed an effectionate kiss to his smooth chin. 'There, don't take me in aversion as well!'
'Whatever, Goodbye. I'm out'o here.'
He's so childlike, Naru thought, fondly.
/Our New Lady/
/Uchiha/
Naru spent an unexceptional if rather dull day, and soon began to feel sorry she had refused the invitation to practise French country-dances at a select morning-ball. In general, there never seemed to be enough time into which to fit her various engagements, for once the season was in full swing every sort of amusement offered; from Venetian breakfasts to Grand Balloon Ascensions. Any free time was spent sitting for her portrait to Mr Lawrence. Uchiha had commissioned this full-length likeness of Naru and it was going to cost him not a penny less than four hundred guineas.
Naru sighed: she was bored, after Kurama's scolding that early morning and paying a visit to his namesake there was nothing left to do. Her eyes set on the trees outdoors and suddenly a notion grasped her mind; Sasuke had left her in charge of fashioning their ballroom for the fête taking place soon. It should be great if Sasuke came back (in a two days' time) to find that she had already begun the planning.
Awesome actually.
Naru clapped her hands and jumped to her feet, it may be that Sasuke's wrath would be somewhat soothed. Because once Naru remembered that he was to be back in a few days' time, she cringed pitifully and stuck out her lower lip. Before clenching her fist and determinedly preparing for a drive to Chelsea, to visit the nursery garden she had glimpsed on one of her previous pursuits.
So off Naru went to Chelsea. No sooner did Mr Tubbs (the owner of the establishment), greeting her ladyship with a baffled and flattered deference, grasp the purpose of her visit. He immediately became an enthusiastic supporter of it, summoning up his chief minions, and rapidly devising several alternative plans for the tasteful decoration of her ballroom. All his plans differed in many respects, but in one way they were all alike: they were extremely costly. But since Sasuke had said she could do anything she chose (provided she didn't drape their ballroom with "pink calico") this consideration was of no moment. Naru was only thinking of a way to please the Earl; surely a dèsaxante effect was what she feverishly wished for.
She was soon deep in another world as she discussed her plans with the little man, choosing flowers and ferns (which were brought to her view by harried minio- ...I meant employees), and contemplating the rival merits of garlands, hanging-baskets, and a trelliswork set against the walls and covered with verdure. All in all, Naruto spent an agreeable hour or two planning the faerie-land she wished to turn their ballroom to; it lent her a great distraction to her worries. She parted from Mr Tubbs on the most cordial terms, that excellent horticulturist asking her to allow him the honour of accepting a bouquet composed of all the choice blooms she had particularly admired during the tour of his extensive gardens.
Naru pleasantly surprised gracefully accepted it, and it took all she had in her to not gape unbecomingly when two of his employees hauled the package out of the establishment; it was so large a bouquet that it had to be laid on the carpeted floor of the barouche. There was barely enough space for Naru to seat herself, but she merely warmly thanked him for it and delicately sat herself in a corner with flowers softly preased up to her. This had prompted a fierce glare from James, her coachman, to the short businessman, who had asked her ladyship to allow him to get her a more comfortable carriage. Naru declined saying she did not mind and was grateful for such a belle bouquet of flowers.
Mr Tubbs did not grudge a single blossom in it (no matter the value): fot it was not every day (or year, really) of the week that he received so magnificent an order as their new Lady Uchiha had given him. He assured her that he would be at her House imminently with a 'couple proffesionally-trained helping hands' to help her achieve a result that would hold her guests spellbound with admiration. No sooner had her barouche driven away than he took his fore-minion apart from the others and exhorted him to put forth his best endeavours.
'For mark my words, Andy,' he said earnestly, 'if this does not set a fashion! I shouldn't wonder at it if we were soon turning orders away!'
Naruto was rather hopeful, too, that she might be starting a new mode. There had been a number of parties at Uchiha House since her marriage, but this would be her first grand soirée she would hold; and she wanted people to say something more of it than that it had been a "dreadful squeeze."
They reached her place soon and after asking her footmen to haul the bouquet to the drawing-room, put off her hat and gloves and began gathering several bowls and vases so she could arrange the huge forest of flowers into several smaller pieces. She was picking several flowers with a barely-concealed smile when a deep, familiar, and heart-racing voice said from behind her:
'Charming!'
It was fortunate that she wasn't holding a vase or bowl, for she would have dropped it along with the flowers gathered in her arms, as so convulsive was the start she gave. She gasped sharply, and whirled around, a heightened colour ahold of her features, to find herself gazing into very familiar grey eyes.
Uchiha had come quietly into the room, and was standing by the door, quizzically regarding her. He had plainly arrived that instant, for though he had shed his driving-coat, he was still wearing a country habit of frock-coat, buckskins, and top-boots. His pale cheeks stained a deeper shade from the sun.
The shock of hearing his voice when she believed him to be a hundred miles away was severe, and her first sensation was of consternation. Naru had instantly recovered, but the young Earl had already seen the fright which had brightened her eyes. The quizzical look faded, replaced by a searching inquiry. She exclaimed, answering his unspoken question, a little faintly: 'Uchiha! Oh, how much you startled me.'
'I appear, rather, to have dismayed you,' he said, making no movement to approach her. His cold grey eyes, usually so warm, were narrowed, hard and freezing, watching her face without relent.
'No, no! How could you say so?' she protested, with a nervous laugh, and reddening cheeks. 'I am so glad - I did not expect to see you until Monday, and hearing you speak suddenly - made me jump!'
'I beg your pardon,' he replied unsmilingly. 'I should, of course, have warned you of my arrival. You must try to forgive my want of tact.'
'Sasuke, how absurd!' she said, holding out her hand.
He strolled forward, and took it, bowing formally, and just touching it with his lips. He released immediately, saying: 'Yes, in the manner of the farce we saw at Covent Garden, and thought so stupid. I shall stop short of searching behind the curtains and under the furniture for the hidden lover.'
This chilly salute he had bestowed on her hand had both alarmed and distressed her, but his speech fell so widely of the mark that she laughed, especially when she heard him mutter Obito and a cuss. 'In the expectation of finding your cousin Obito? It is a most improper notion,' Naru owned.
Then the image of a pinpoint proper Mr Tobi crouching behind a couch boggled her mind. She giggled again, 'But how very funny it would be to discover him in such a situation!'
He smiled slightly, some suspicion leaving his eyes. He still kept them on her face, and she found it quite hard to meet his grey orbs. 'What is it, Naru?' he asked, after a moment.
'But indeed it is nothing! I - I don't quite understand you! Are you offended with me for having jumped so? But that was quite your own fault, you know!'
Sasuke did not answer, for a moment long enough to prompt Naru to meet his gaze, and when he did at last answer he spoke in a colourless voice. 'As you say.'
He strode past her and stopped infront of the monstrosity of a bouquet sitting innocently on the flooring, his back to her. 'Which of your many admirers bestowed this handsome bouquet on you?' he asked, stooping to gather the flowers on the floor. 'You were arranging it delightfully.'
Naru was surprised at the tone in which he spoke, her heart beating painful liquid through her chest, and what was worse was she knew she deserved all the detached frigidity his lordship was displaying.
'None of them! At least, I don't flatter myself to believe he admires me precisely!' she replied, thankful for the change of subject. 'I had it from Tubbs, the nursery-man! I went there today, to order flowers, for our dress-ball, and at parting he entreated me to accept this most enormous bouquet. Can you imagine?'
'Did he indeed?' he spoke in placid accents, adding thoughtfully. 'Then it is safe to assume that you've lodged a very handsome order with him.'
Naru immediately felt slightly anxious; maybe she overdid the whole carte-blanche offer. 'Well, yes,' she admitted. 'But it will be the prettiest ball of the season, and - and you did tell me I might spend as much as I wished on it.'
He turned back to face her, his mood lifting by the slightest, after stuffing the flowers back with the others (lacking any knowledge on how to arrange it). 'Certainly. I wasn't criticizing you, my love.'
She felt compelled to justify herself, for in spite of his assurance; there was an alarming lack of cordiality in his voice. 'It is the very first ball we are holding - the first grand ball, I mean, since I came here,' she said apologetically. 'I do not wish to hear people talking ill about the Uchiha gatherings any longer.'
She brightened when his eyes softened.
He seemed to be reassured of something, for his eyes warmed and he stepped closer to her. 'My dear Naru, you have no need to excuse yourself! By all means let it be of the first stare..' he gazed dreamily away with light-hearted mock; as though picturing the ball. 'There will be my whole family, people will be pleasantly mingling, I shall have the first five dances, of course, Kurama wouldn't be invited-'
'Sasuke!' Naru squealed, poking his arm angrily, a bubble of laughter betraying her sentiments.
Mischief shone in his eyes. 'Shall we serve our guests pink champagne?'
'Are you joking me?' she asked cautiously. 'It sounds excessively elegant, but I think I have never heard of it before.'
'Oh, no, I'm not joking you! I assure you it will lend a great cachet to the party.'
'More than pink calico?' she ventured, a gleam of fun in the glance she cast him.
That drew a laugh from him. 'Yes - or even pink silk! Where is Sakura, by the by?'
'She had gone to visit her Aunt Thorne. She will be back directly, I daresay.' She glimpsed the thoughtful frown in his eyesand added: 'You don't like that, but indeed, Sasuke, it's not right to encourage neglect.'
'True.. Tell me, Naru, what in heaven's name is this extraordinary story I have been hearing about Kurama's holding you up on the road to Chiswick the night of the masquerade?'
'Oh, good God, people know nothing of that surely?' she exclaimed, rather aghast.
'No, I had it from your coachman. According to him, your carriage was stopped by Kurama and two companions, all of them disguised as highwaymen. It seems quite incredible, even in Kurama, but I can hardly suppose that Jeffrey and James would entertain me with a Canterbury story. Do you mind explained the matter to me?'
Naruto had forgotten that the servants would be very likely to tell him of Kurama's strange exploit, and for an ignoble moment wished she had had the forethought to have told them to not peep a word. Then, instantly ashamed of her thoughts, she said, her colour heightening: 'Oh, it was one of Kyū's on-the-whim hoaxes, and a great deal too bad of him! I must own that I hoped you wouldn't find out about it.'
'That, Naru, is patent!' he said.
'Yes - I mean, I knew you would feel vexed! There was no harm in it - it all arose out of a w-wager a - a stupid wager - but of course it was most improper thing to do, and so I told him.'
Sasuke's eyes froze to flint. 'All arose out of a wager!' he repeated incredulously. His teeth clashed and gritted together for a second. 'With which of his associates did Kurama see fit to make you the subject of a wager?'
'N-not with any of them!' she stammered, fright steeling her feet in place the look on his making her already racing heart begin beating a scar into her ribcage.
His eyes could have scalded a cold surface, his brow trying not to break its calm façade and a searching look that flashed with something foreign.
'Then what the devil do you mean?' he demanded.
Naru mentally gulped; what to do? oh, Kyū, what am I to say?
/Our New Lady/
/Uchiha/
Next Chapter: Sasuke's and Naruto's dialogue! Naru meets the rest of the Uchihas once more! And! Clandestine Meetings!? More Sasu and Naru meetings!
I'm really sorry! Sorry! Sorry! I shall be uploading next chapter tomorrow (Sunday), I'm going back to typing, now! I just wanted to upload something today. And a bit cliffy till I'm done typing tje rest! I'm sorry encore, mais! I'll have the next chapter out tomorrow promis, juré craché.
