Okay. I was kind of eh what goes where, but I guess I'll do this instead.

Metamorphosis

Chapter X

Business

"Great liars are also great magicians." - Adolf Hitler.

Sasuke had been fifteen when he had first been properly introduced into the 'family business'. Fifteen and still too naive and emotional about the world around him. Fifteen and unsheltered, as his brother had still been a proud soldier fighting in a war so far away. Fifteen and still clueless about things he would soon no longer be clueless about.

His first time being present at a business meeting had been nothing special; his father had just made an inquiry about the different people in the Family, the way they were acting, and if anything seemed suspicious. He also received complaints about different people - some he decided to act on, others not. It always had intrigued Sasuke to know how his father made such decisions.

"It's all about the eyes, Sasuke," he had informed, his voice wise and oh-so-knowing. As much as it derived respect from the young Uchihta, it also angered him. It was an indirect way of saying that he was incompetent while his father brilliant. Sasuke had always hated that.

"Always look for profits, Sasuke. You know the famous singer Haku? Well, he wouldn't have been a singer without our help. Now he'll always be connected to us. Remember that." It was almost like his father was educating him on the debts people had to them - and how to exploit those debts.

"The trick is to make them think they're the ones gaining something. Humans are greedy creatures." All of his words had been perspicacious, and it was obvious he lived by the things he said. And as Sasuke had seen it, his father had always been correct, as the business thrived and continued to thrive as the months passed by with Sasuke continuing his observation.

And finally, a point was reached where Sasuke started to become an active participant in the deals. He had learned enough to be a certified officer of the Underworld - and if his brother could see him now, Sasuke was sure that he'd be beyond horrified. But that was okay since Itachi wasn't here, and had left him and the family - he obviously wanted to go out and be the hero that they weren't meant to be, and come back expecting people to be clapping for him. And they would. They would, because Itachi was the hero, the great and the knowing, and had exceeded expectations that Sasuke hadn't. Because Itachi was cut out to be the hero, and Sasuke was stuck back home, learning how to lie and how to cheat. The shameful (but rich) family business that Itachi didn't want to inherit.

Sasuke knew that Itachi thought that Shisui would inherit it. But that was naive - since Shisui wasn't his father's son. Didn't Itachi know that? Then again, Itachi had never bothered to learn the code - the code that made an a man a part of the Underworld - the code of honour. Sasuke doubted that Itachi would ever learn it.

But that was okay. Because now Sasuke would know something Itachi didn't - for what may have been the very first time.

It was around a month after Sasuke's sixteenth birthday that he was present at a business deal that held a foreign tension that he hadn't experienced before. A man named Kabuto had come to negotiate about taking part (as in contributing money) in live human experiments related to high quality drugs and addictive substances - saying the reward would be high if the experiment proved to be successful.

In the beginning, his father had been very pensive, and there had been the slightest frown on his face."Would you care to explain further?" By now, Sasuke had known that his father never made a decision without hearing out the full details - which was wise. Sasuke didn't know if he himself would be able to exercise such gripping control.

"But of course," Sasuke hadn't liked Kabuto ever since he'd first met him. His eyes had been too sly and his hair too slick. He looked shady - which was understandable given what he worked as - but he looked too shady. Sasuke hadn't liked it. But this was business, and Sasuke wasn't allowed to have an opinion. "By getting people to sink into debt, we give them an option - either pay all the money back immediately, or pay with their body. Of course, given those two alternatives, people choose to pay with their bodies - and become our subjects. We can experiment different sorts of addictive substances, in an effort to create the ultimate drug - and once it's complete, we create more of it to sell to the markets." Kabuto paused, took a deep breath, and pushed up his glasses. "Of course, the effect will be unbelievable - profits will be reaped. However, to complete this purpose, we need sponsors - and me and my superior consider you to be suitable for this purpose."

His father, for some reason, looked disturbed - why, Sasuke could not possibly fathom. "And who is this superior?"

"I'm afraid that information is classified." If his underling was so creepy, Sasuke really didn't want to see what the 'superior' looked like.

"And how much would we have to sponsor?" Now, Sasuke realised that this was the tricky bit. It always was. They could either gain a lot, or loose a lot - and anything in between. Generally, his father won - but the occasional loss did happen.

"Ten million ryoo," Kabuto's answer seemed so confident; so self-assured. Sasuke would have envied him if his older brother weren't already like that.

"I see..." Fugaku trailed off, lost in thought. "I wish you luck with your business... However, I'm going to have to decline your offer. I wish to not involve myself with narcotics. I respect that it's a way for you to earn your money, but... It's a dirty business."

"Father, why?" Sasuke exploded, momentarily having forgotten that Kabuto hadn't left the room. "This deal will reap benefits, won't it?"

"Sasuke!" Fugaku scolded, his tone stern and unforgiving. "I shall address you later. Mr. Yakushi - my men will escort you out." Kabuto nodded, an unreadable look on his face as he followed the Uchiha head's orders.

The moment Kabuto had left the room, it was Sasuke's turn to get a scolding. "Sasuke! Never embarrass me like that again - keep your emotions to yourself. No one wants to hear about them. Not in this room. If you speak uncalled for again one more time, I might have to disqualify you as an heir."

"But... Father, why did you drop the deal?"

Fugaku had a grimace on his face as he spoke his next few words. "Something about that man doesn't bode well with me. That deal means trouble. That very business means trouble. I just chose to stay away from it."

Fugaku hadn't known how right he was, back then - but unfortunately, he was too late. Trouble had come the moment that Kabuto Yakushi had walked through their doors, as Sasuke would understand a few years later.

Urg. Last four paragraphs rushed somewhat. Forgive moi. Also, I don't like Hitler, but I thought that quote to be totally true, so don't judge. Pwease.

Reviews? Aurora.