Chapter Ten

Rekindling


"You're busy today as well?"

"I'm sincerely sorry Kushina, but father asked me to accompany him."

"I understand," I sigh, pushing my hair away from my face after falling back onto my bed. "Good luck Hinata," I add quickly, knowing for sure she would be secretly overwhelmed. Sometimes I wish I could do something about that..

"Thank you," I hear the smile from her tone. "I have a few minutes to talk; what do you plan on doing?"

"Plan B was inhaling calories, but I'm surprisingly not in the mood for it."

"It's coming, isn't it? M-mine is a bit late this month…"

"Probably due to your frequent travelling. Speaking of which, did that creep leave you alone yet?"

She giggles slightly. "Toneri-san isn't that bad. He's just…."

"Mentally ill?" I quip wryly, laughing myself when she sighs. "Come on, who would ask…..just right off the bat? If I were you, I'd kick him where the Sun doesn't shine."

"Kushina!"

"Alright, alright, you may be flattered about it, but be careful. And don't forget about me if you do plan on listening to your father's wish."

"I promise. Although not about the last part."

"I guess I'll see you Monday morning."

"Yes, I almost forgot I had to dress," she panicked as she most likely ran into her closet. "I'll text you when I can alrihgt? I hope you enjoy your weekend Kushina."

"I hope yours doesn't suck so bad either Hinata. Don't forget your pepper spray!"

I smile fondly as I hear her laugh, before I hang up for the both of us, knowing she was rushing. We never say 'goodbye' to each other, reason being we see it as a permanent farewell, when we know we would never want to. It was one of my deepest fears; losing my oldest and closest friend. I couldn't help but imagine that snobby bastard, closing on her, and then I remember someone else.

But I don't have his number.

Oh, screw my annoying logic. I couldn't call her back and ask to talk to Neji without it being suspicious. Even though he'd heed my suspicions, and make sure to keep an eye on Hinata, I think he would crack as soon as she questioned him what I had told him.

Since that was out of the picture, I evaluated my options carefully, keeping my contacts in my head to refrain from any plot holes, and came to only one conclusion that could possibly be the only thing that would ease me at the moment.

I counted the time difference and was pleased to know that he'd be on his lunch break about now. I swiped his contact before I could convince myself not to.

It was barely two rings before he picked up.

"Kushina."

"That was really fast dude, what're you up to?"

I hear a door being shut in the backdrop. "Lunch in my office."

"Still cooped up in there? I wonder sometimes if your colleagues question your sanity like I do."

"You think about me constantly? That is very sweet of you."

I rolled my eyes despite the smile stretching onto my face, and was really glad he wasn't here to witness it himself. I could only imagine the extreme ego boost that would subject him to.

"If you're eating, I guess I should call you back cuz you need to respect the food."

"And you care about my well-being as well? What happened?"

"I….need you to do something important," I let that slide without a snide remark, remembering my mission. It wouldn't do good if I forgot my priority over my pride.

"Not to catch up? That hurts."

I recoiled. Although it was nonchalant, and I assumed he wanted it to be recognized as wit, I caught the underlying bitterness which managed to hurt me. Again. But I needed to think about Hinata.

"I'm sorry Itachi," I whisper sincerely, only to hear something crash on the line and shake out of my melancholy. "What was that?"

"I-it came from the other room!"

"Oh damn okay, calm down, I didn't attack you yet," I drew out quickly as I shook my head. "As I was saying, I want you to check someone. For a friend."

"A background check? Do you have a name?"

"Yeah, Toneri Otsutsuki."

There was a pregnant pause, longer than what I assumed would take him to jot that down, so I ask if he was still there.

"It sounds awfully like a male's name."

I furrow my eyebrows at his sudden cold tone. "Yes it is a guy Itachi. How soon can you send me the details?"

"Kushina."

"What?"

"Why are you asking?"

I'm quiet for a moment, horribly surprised that he would question my motives when he never has before, and maybe it was a moment too long, because he says in a more harsher tone-

"You like him?"

"NO!" I hiss furiously, not understanding why he's suddenly so sensitive. "He's someone who is constantly meeting Hinata for Hyuuga affairs, and I just have a bad feeling about him from what she tells me. I'm just worried he'd turn up to be a crazy person and hurt her!"

I know I could have calmly explained it to him, but something about his accusation hit a little too close to home and I suddenly got flustered.

"I've never met him," I say after gathering my wits, "And I hope I wouldn't ever have to.."

"Kushina."

"Yes?" I ask annoyed, wondering why he was overusing my name today.

"I'll send them to you in an hour, I promise."

I smiled delightfully. "Thank you, really."

"I have your e-mail so I don't need anything else."

"Itachi."

"Yes?"

"When're you free?"

He was quiet for a moment. "I have four more hours of work left."

"That's around….hmm, okay, I guess I could stay up today…."

"Is there something else you need from me?"

"You wanted to talk right?"

"Oh?" he asks slyly, and I'm inclined to hang up on him, but I don't.

"Don't act all coy with me weasel, be prepared for a really long call."

"Anything for you, sweetheart."

I almost scream in exasperation when he hangs up after that.