I don't own Naruto characters.
I was moved to tears by hits, reviews, and messages. A reply truly matters to some. Take care and enjoy. This is long but informative. (-:!
Chapter Ten
Itachi emerged from the bathroom to have the wonderful smells of breakfast tickle his nose.
By Kami...I don't think I can drool much more. That smells wonderful.
When he came in, he caught a glimpse of Hinata humming and shaking her hips to a song. He smiled as she shook her shoulders to what he counted to be a four count beat. She sprinkled some thyme on the top of what looked like an omellette and spun around making a complete circle. Hinata had her eyes closed so she didn't see her admirer with his arms folded leaning at the threshold of the kitchen. When she turned to place the plates down her eyes widened, her jaw dropped and the plates shattered.
"Oh my! I-I-I- di-di-didn't s-s-see you there," a fresh blush swirled her cheeks and she knelt down hurriedly to gather the food.
"Oh, oh no, I should've made some sort of noise to let you know I was there. I mean I was enjoying the show," he grinned while he assisted with cleaning up the mess.
Soft lilac eyes looked up through long black lashes at the crown of a dark and mysterious man. Her heart galloped at the thought he watched her, as she worked. She couldn't speak from embarrassment so she continued to gather the food. When she looked down he looked up, with black eyes watching the hands of a baker that loved food and it's proper preparation. His eyes lingered about her arms before they traveled up catching a peek at her cleavage making him bow to the floor quickly.
The two worked silently, taking turns stealing glances, all the while they got closer together raking up the pieces of the ham and tomatoe omeltete that was spilled. Finally they glanced up when their heads got close and their eyes hugged. The twinkle her eyes displayed made his skin moisten. The bold confidence in his orbs made her skin prickle. Their cheeks were coated with a soft peach that slowly tinted to a lite rose.
By Kami, she's really beautiful.
Oh my, he-he's so handsome.
They were trapped in each others stare, that seemed to last for moments, though it was only for a minute or two.
"I-I- think I can uhm, clean this up. Th-th-thank you, I-Itachi." She spoke quietly, never taking her eyes from his, yet moving her hands to feel for the trash.
"No, I-I want to help. It-it's just the least I can-" Itachi was stopped when his hand cupped hers along with some eggs. The pair looked down quickly, and reflex made him grip her hand slightly.
"Oh well, I, uhm got you?" his voice was unsteady, just like his heart. She pulled her hand back, unable to fight the smile that curled over her lips.
"Ye-ye-yeah." A small cough to help her clear her throat would stop the awkward silence they shared. Hinata rose to her feet in a daze of giddiness while she tossed the food in the garbage disposal and threw the pieces of the plate in the trash.
Itachi finished with the rest of the mess and stood beside her at the sink to put in the food he had. Their hands were close again and it made them steal a glance at one another. Hinata giggled and Itachi cleared his throat.
"Would you like for me to help you make something else? I am your apprentice remember?" He figured he'd try to stop the bubbling feelings he was experiencing while so close to her, by working with a recipe.
"Oh yeah, that's right. Okay well what would you like to fix? I mean I don't cook heavy food all the time, and I wasn't sure what to fix you for a late lunch." She took a step back from him to admire his face.
"Uhm, okay well let me see what you have in your refrigerator." Walking over he opened the doors and saw a ton of food. He could put together just about anything.
"Okay, well how about something quick and easy?" Itachi said while standing. His stomach rumbled and he grabbed his waist.
"Sounds like a plan, but do you think your stomach will hold out that long?"
The joke made him smirk. She covered her mouth while laughing at him.
"Heh, funny, real funny, Hina."
They pulled out pork-chops and vegetables. Itachi showed Hinata how to saute and she showed him how to put a crusting on the sliced asparagus, red peppers, and zuichini for a twist. They roasted some red potatoes and in moments they had a great meal to discuss business over.
Itachi worked up a new contract with Hinata's permission set it up on her computer to send out electronically to help her save cost on paper. He then set up a budget plan off of Excel that she could use to track her business better. Even though she didn't open her books for him to go through, he gave her tips on getting feedback from her previous jobs and looking to see what baked goods sold the most and what sold the least. They found that she did her best business as a wedding cake designer and caterer.
"Thank you so very much for your help. I've learned so much tonight about business and what I should be doing. Itachi you were simply a blessing and I really appreciate all the hard-work you've put in." Hinata stood up from the table to clean up their plates from their cherry tart desert. Itachi bowed his head modestly.
"No, thank you Hinata for teaching me some really neat recipes, and opening your kitchen to me. I'll have to work extra hard tomorrow for all the hospitality shown." He stood to help her again, which impressed her emmensely.
Never have I met a man that offers to do the dishes and clean up without being asked and on top of all that so mannerable. I bet his girlfriend is waiting for him to get home. Or maybe his wife and kids are missing him. Oh, I'd better let him know the job is done so he can leave.
"Uhm, well it is late and it's dark outside, so you better get on your way. I'd hate for your family to worry about you. I'm sure they miss you very much." She swallowed slowly. Her heart trembled for what ever reply he would give.
"Well I don't have family here. They're well out of town. It's just me by myself." Itachi said, gathering his bag and walking onto the porch.
"Oh, I assumed you were married or well dating or something." She pressed her pointers together while her ears warmed up for prying. Normally she'd never ask such a personal question but she just had to know.
Itachi felt an uneasy warmth crawl up the back of his neck as he noticed how sheepish she became with her inquiry.
"Oh well I-I-I'm a bach-bachelor." Itachi allowed his eyes to wander on the porch before they glanced up at Hinata.
"Oh-oh, well, uhm o-o-okay." The temptation to grin was held at bay.
"Well go-good night and I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning then." She smiled.
"Okay, good night and thank you so much." He gave a slight bow.
"Thank you."
They watched either, until the bushes and trees blocked their view. When Hinata walked in and closed the door Itachi felt a goosh of excitement.
I've never felt so, so, alive. She's so, so, so admirable and oh Kami! Thank you for putting her in my path.
He whistled on his way to the train. When he got to the next to the last stop he decided to call Sasuke while he waited.
"Hey, Sasuke?"
"Yo, man, when you disappear you disappear!"
"Glad to hear from you too. Hey, how are you doing and what's all the noise in the back?"
"Oh that? Just a little party I got in the penthouse. You want to come over? I'll send a driver to get you."
"Heh, if they can drive to Virginia and back that fast, heh." Itachi laughed.
"Where are you in Virginia? I'm at the Marriot by what they call Waterside."
Itachi swallowed his tongue almost while feeling lightheaded.
"Hello? Hello? Yo guys shut the hell up back there, don't you see me talking to my damn bro?" Sasuke yelled at the rowdy crowd.
"You-you-you're where?" Itachi choked.
"I'm in downtown Norfolk. Hey, I'm trying to close some deals here and shit I can't hear you so just tell me where you are and we'll hook up okay?"
Itachi knew full well he couldn't let his brother see the state he was in. Pride slapped him hard and confusion for what to do wiggled his lips.
I can't let him come to the church. I sure as hell can't tell him I'm living in an abandoned warehouse. I can't tell him where I am either! Damn it!
"Hey, Itachi? What?" Sasuke almost screamed in the phone due to the noise.
"Oh look uhm, I'll come to see you. What's your room number?"
"I'm on the penthouse and I just took up the top four floors. Just tell'em you're with Steven Barksdale."
"Who?" Itachi asked looking at the receiver strangely.
"Steven Barksdale. Look I had to get an alias when dad started going bat crazy and well I got a couple of stalkers out there so, look just come and we'll talk then. I can't wait to see you but I need to hurry up and get with this trick that's humping my-"
The phone went dead and Itachi felt his heart pounding on his toes.
What will I do know?
The train pulled up and he sat down beside a young man sketching something. He was so out of it the gentleman stopped to ask was he okay.
"A, yo, are, are you okay? Ya not having a seizure or anything are ya?"
The blonde blue eyed male looked at Itachi strangely. Itachi looked at him and shook his head no. He caught a glimpse of the picture the artist was drawing.
"Wow, that's nice."
"Oh this?" The young man closed his book for a moment before opening it so Itachi could see the full thing. The dragon that was in black and white, was fierce and intense. The eyes and mustache looked real and the claws made your skin crawl. The man was just about to finish the rest of the body that seemed to be surrounding something.
"Yeah, that looks really cool." Itachi said, being honest and very much impressed with the mans talent.
"Oh well, I wish I could show my work off. I work in an art store that sells classics and stuff and the art studio that I want to submit my things to says I'm not what they're looking for. I mean I'm an artist, so I have to find people that appreciate my work."
Deidre blushed from frustration yet the compliment reddened his ears, while he continued sketching and Itachi could easily empathize with him.
"I totally understand. I'm Itachi Uchiha."
He held his hand out. Deidre looked at him and smiled giving him a hand shake back.
"I'm Deidre Samuels."
"Samuels? Sorry, but you don't look like a Samuels." Itachi said with a raised eyebrow.
"Well I hate my family for dismissing me and well my lifestyle and my art, so I disowned the name. I do love my mom so I kept my first name and moved to America. Well this is my stop. Thanks for your compliments man. Look me up in Norfolk sometimes, okay?"
Handing him a business card, he shook hands with Itachi once more and left. Itachi noticed the strange drawing of a hand with a mouth licking an eyeball. The image made him shiver, but he tucked the card in his bag.
Okay, well, at least that encounter took my mind of off what to do about tomorrow. And what to tell Sasuke.
Author's Note: Freakishly long chapter, but the gist of the plot is now laid out...Finally. Be ready for appearances from most of the characters in all kinds of ways now. Thank you guys so much though, I can't say or type that enough.