Event of The Undoing

As night descended and smothered the stifling heat of the daylight hours, South Beach became a shameless hotbed of sex, drugs, and tequila. The streets baked so hot under the merciless midday sun, that you could still feel the heat rising from the sidewalk concrete late into the night. Beautiful women sauntered from one bar to the next wearing just enough clothing to keep them legal, but not so much as to discourage the attentions of lonely, wealthy men.

The dusk air was filled with the tantalizing scents of fresh cuisine. The rich, sweet aromas of spicy pork, jerk chicken, and flame-grilled peppers drifted down the streets on a gentle breeze that blew in from the ocean.

Gaudy neon lights bathed the art deco buildings in splashes of eye-catching color which bled from one shade to the next, whilst the beat of the drums and the throbbing strum of acoustic guitar strings breathed a new life onto the street once the sun set below the horizon. The hypnotic sounds spilled enticingly from the open doorways of hotels and nightclubs.

Kakashi led Mei away from the cacophony by persistently taking a hold of her hand. She willingly gave in under his power and allowed herself to be taken away. They walked together, kicking sand and carrying their sandals as they walked. Mei dusted some of the sand that fell on her white summer dress and proceeded to nuzzle up closely to Kakashi. He held her hand and tugged her further along.

When they finally reached their destination, Mei could only gape out in awe. Lit candles in lanterns were lit and spewed around one dining table. Professional waiters and waitresses waited obediently until the said order was given. With haste, they prepared the meal and prepared the chairs for both Mei and Kakashi to sit on. When Mei descended on her seat, Kakashi picked off a piece of rose off its stem and carefully placed it behind her ear, endearingly.

She blushed heavily, whilst he smirked in a chappy manner. "Mei Terumi," he looked through her as if she was some sort of precious jewel. "I was going to wait..."

"What... do you mean?" She weakly whispered.

"But I don't think I'd like to wait any longer."

"Kakashi..."

He got on one knee and took out the velvet box in his pocket. Before he could open the box, Mei lunged down at him and pushed him against the sand.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"...Will you marry me?" His voice barely came up under her weight. When she frantically nodded, he slipped the ring into her finger and kissed her deeply on the lips. "God, you're stunning."

One man cleared his throat to grab their attention. "I thought there was a cue for the proposal, Hatake-san."

"Nah, it would have been too obvious."

"So... no more music for desert?"

He didn't break his eye contact with her. "No.."

Mei leaned closer to him. "Shall we eat?"

"We shall," he kissed her again, regaining his balance to stand back up. "Future-Mrs-Hatake."

She smirked. She loved the sound of that.

"Is everything okay, Tsunade?" Akihiko asked softly, peering through her door and watching her wipe her eyes with tissues. She looked at him in pieces unable to make her words coherent. She broke down in her words, failing to find her footing. He approached her with concern, but stopped when her body language rejected his gentle touch immediately. "I'm not going to hurt you." he reassured.

She dried her tears and fixed her dress. With a rugged sigh, she calmed herself down and her nerves ceased to shake. Finally, she found the strength to make direct eye contact with her boss. Her lips pursed with hesitation, but his warm green eyes invited the words out of her mouth before she could even resist in. "I'm just so alone..."

"You're not alone." He smiled sympathetically, cupped her hand with his significantly bigger one. He tipped her chin, the same way Kakashi used to, and brought himself closer to her. When they were within as small distance to seal the deal and kiss, Akihiko drew her in and kissed her on the forehead. The warmth that his body provided and the solace his words brought comfort to her heart, breaking her open to vulnerability. She clutched around him and welcomed his incoming embrace. "You have me." he murmured finally.

She breathed him in, nodding at his reassurance. "Thank you..."

"Come out with me tonight..."

"I can't," she began, but he silenced her with his finger.

"It must be difficult moving into another country where you do not have any relatives or friends close by." He stroked her hair away from her face before he seemed to express pity on her behalf. "I can fill the void; if you let me. I won't hurt you, if you let me in, Tsunade." His nose touched against the tip of hers and their gazes met, heating into something more potent and delirious.

"I can't.." She said again, weaker this time without any ultimatum. Akihiko could see that he was growing into her. She wet her lips and continued to look at him straight into his eyes, as the palms of her hands grew moist.

"It's only a wedding party. I can drive you back home whenever you like."

"Akihiko-san..."

"Just Akihiko." He lightly corrected. "Please, Tsunade, give me a chance. You are the only employee I've seen to be like this. You are so smart, independent just so goddamn mesmerizing. "

"I really don't think I can."

"Yes, you can."

The gaze he held in his eyes were most definitely hypnotic. With a slump of her shoulders, she resigned her defeat.

"Okay... I'll go with you."

Tsunade took a moment away from the wedding festivities. She rubbed the chill from her arms and strolled through the grounds of the reception center. Her heels sank into the damp earth and the dew tickled her toes. Gnarled trees towered overhead, surrounded by neat flower beds and lush grass. The darkness enveloped her.

She wandered toward a park bench set in an alcove surrounded by fragrant blooms. Tsunade lowered herself to the wrought iron seat and braced her hands on either side of her, watching as dots of moonlight broke through the leaved canopy above and shimmered across her dress.

Her thoughts drifted to Akihiko, stirring the butterflies in her belly again. Although they'd only shared a couple of dances and minimal conversation throughout the night, each new encounter had acted like a kind of foreplay, building the intensity inside her until she'd had to escape outside to catch her breath.

Tsunade sighed and watched her breath curl out before her in a cloud of mist.

"I thought we were past being so awkward with each other."

She sucked in a breath and looked up to find him leaning against a tree, watching her. "Why do you keep sneaking up on me?" she asked.

"Because when I talk to you head-on you'll always find a way to flee. I know you don't trust me, but I am a reasonable man." His eyes glimmered with humor. "Is it because I smell? Or do I have bad breath, that I am not informed about?"

Tsunade chuckled, but refused to answer his question to humor him, knowing well enough that it was rhetorical.

He approached her slowly. When he was close enough to her, he cupped her cheek. She drew back and retained her distance, holding herself tight as she turned around. "Don't you want to see the pictures of the wedding? It's very beautiful."

"I'll have to take your word for it."

Tsunade cleared her throat. "I suppose you'll be able to look at the pictures soon enough."

"I don't care about the photos right now, Tsunade." Amusement filled his deep voice. "I prefer looking at you."

Her stomach dipped with pleasure. Tsunade closed her eyes and sighed. His hand crept up the curve of her neck. She had her hair pinned up in intricate little twists and felt his fingers sweep over her skin. He leaned in and whispered against her ear. "Turn around fully so I can see you, please..."

Tsunade ignored the warmth spreading through her and clenched her hands into fists at her sides. "Don't."

He turned her around and wrapped his arms around her waist, reeling her against him. He looked deep into her, making her feel naked under his gaze. "Don't, what?" he asked curiously. "Don't look at you like I want you? Because that will be very hard to do."

The way he looked at her was exactly the way Kakashi used to look at her. And the way his touches burned through her skin, scarring her, reminded her of the coarse touch of Kabuto. She winced and drew back again, this time warning him not to come any closer. "I-I... don't... want any of this."

"Tsunade..."

"Take me home," she ordered shakily. "Actually, I'll take a cab home."

"I didn't mean to-"

"How many times do I have to tell you, Akihiko-san, I am have no intention of dating!"

He shoved his hands into the swells of his pockets. "Is it because of Kakashi? Did he break you too much to trust other people, like me?"

She glared at him ominously, piercing daggers into him with her gaze. "Don't you ever speak of him in front of me." she icily spoke.

"And why not?" He pressed.

"Because it's none of your goddamn business!" She growled.

His smug face fell into disarray, embarrassment. "I'm sorry... I-I-I didn't mean to pry. Just let me take you home, it'll be safer."

"No. I'll take the cab."

He watched her walk away from him without looking back.

When she disappeared from his sights, he kicked through the wet plain and gritted his teeth in frustration. "Fuck!"

Mei continued to adore the precious diamond ring on her finger, as she sat down on their bed, biting her lip to tone down her excitement. The jewel glimmer on her finger and her gaiety grew brighter beyond comparison to the ring. However, her bright mood dimmed when she saw Kakashi emerge from the bathroom clad in a suit underneath his black trench coat.

She watched him take his brief case and small small luggage. He tied his red tie on and ensured that it was sophisticated enough, before he gelled his hair back to make his look more prominent and professional. He smirked at his reflection and was satisfied that he didn't like like a man who just got out of bed.

He crept up to Mei and kissed her on the lips, drawing back too soon, too fast. Mei tried to lock him down on the bed and persuade him to stay at home with her, but he was too smooth and quick for her clumsy decision to clamp him down. "When will you be back home?" she pouted.

"As soon as possible. Give me three days." He pulled up his tie and stared down at his watch. "I'm going to be late. I've got to go, Mei."

"I love you." She said abruptly upon his leave.

Kakashi stopped at the door of his penthouse swallowing hard in his throat. With found strength, he twisted the door knob and walked out of the penthouse to feign ignorance of what she had said. Granted he's heard her say it a dozen times to him before, it wasn't only after he proposed to her that he felt obligated to return the same affection. His lips pursed. He's never told anyone that he loves them in front of their face.

He clutched at his belongings and grunted at the thought. He already submitted to the beliefs of a monogamy. What more should she want?

Mei hugged her legs closer to her chest, admiring the ring on her finger with weary eyes.

Not once has he told her that he loved her.

The late-autumn light was fading quickly as Kakashi Hatake slipped a thick sheaf of papers into his briefcase and snapped the locks closed. He finished his cup of coffee, paid his fee and exited the cafe with nonchalance. Quickly, he got into his car and drove into the quarters of Unparalleled. His gut tightened as he drove towards the quarters of another magazine company. He was familiar with their work and their quarters, but he hasn't stepped into its realms since two years ago. When he found out that Tsunade...

His grip around the steering-wheel tightened at the thought of her name. It was wrong to fill in for Shisui. He shouldn't have flown to the Land of Lightning. However, there was no going back now. He parked into their private underground parking lot and used the elevator to ascend to the working floor. He registered at the lobby and hopped into an elevator. He walked out of the elevator and handed his black coat at an assistant, and snapped his suit back prominently.

He was directed by Akihiko's assistant. A very attractive woman who was blessed with striking blue eyes and brunette hair. She deliberately swayed her hips hypnotically to capture his attention, but Kakashi's eyes glanced elsewhere. When the glass-panned doors were opened for him, he stalked into the room with oozing confidence. There he saw Akihiko with a dark glimmer in his green hued eyes.

"What was so important that you had me fly over here?" He questioned, taking a seat in front of the man.

"I - well, my father wants to offer a proposition."

He reclined back on his seat and rested on leg on top of the other. "I'm listening.."

"A collaboration. Where the two main power houses in the Fashion Industry joins forces and creates the issue of the year - no, decade. We-"

"I refuse." Kakashi casually responded. "My parents raised the company of Poise up as an individual company. No collaborations or partnerships with any other rivals. I am going to respect that tradition and make sure I expand Poise further as an innovative and individual company. Is this really the only offer you are going to propose to me, Akihiko? If this is, then I have truly wasted my time."

"Hear me out-"

"You know that I rule with an iron-fist, Aki'." The formality died down slightly and the tension uncoiled. He addressed him so casually that he almost forgot that this was supposed to be a formal meeting. "I've respected your wishes to have the first release of last month's issue, because of the drastic recline in your sales. I now ask you respect my ultimatum."

"But Kakashi, imagine how big this will be!" He persistently continued. "The company will let you have fifty-one per cent of the sales."

Kakashi's eyes glazed with trepidation. "What's the deal here? You do know that you're giving me over half of the profit, right?"

"Fine." He huffed. "By collaborating we were was hoping that we might be able to cement a partnership."

"I suspected as much." He rose from the chair and straightened his outfit. "I am sorry, but I'd have to reject your proposition. Poise and Unparalleled are rivaling companies. It has been like that for decades. We both have our reputation and individuality to keep. By joining forces, we are erasing our own identities as a company. Besides, our ideals simply do not correlate, Aki."

Akihiko groggily sighed out in exasperation. "Wow. If only Father would see how stubborn Sakumo's son is."

He gave a slanted smile. "I think we're done here."

"No, wait." He called out. "I just want to ask one last thing."

"What?"

"How did you do it?" he spoke cryptically with intrigue.

He raised one silver brow. "Do what?"

"How did you do it with Tsunade?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"I'm trying my hardest to..."

"Court her?"

"Yes. But, she's so distant. I thought she'd soften up over the course of two years, but she's grown more rigid and impervious."

He blandly glanced at him silently, as if to reprimand him. "I never tried. My actions were simply genuine and out of concern. I didn't do the things I did for Tsunade because I had an underlying agenda, Aki. I did it, because I cared."

"I do care!"

"You only care because you want something from her." His voice was stern and protective.

"Who doesn't? She's an amazing - single - woman! She is so goddamn perfect."

Kakashi shrugged off his infatuation and proceeded to walk out of his office. "Want a piece of advise, Aki?"

"What?"

"Don't you dare try and hurt her." He pushed his door open. "Because getting Tsunade will be the last thing of your concern, if you do."

Tsunade ran out of the abandoned room as she straightened the presentation of her clothes and hair. She refused to tear, to cry so helplessly under the circumstances. She was stronger than that. She clenched her hands by her side and resumed to trudged through the long corridor, touching her lips. The sensation still bled out profusely and left a bitter taste in her mouth. Her hands checked to see if all the buttons of her shirt was done up and that her lipstick was not as smeared as before.

She wiped the excess lipstick from her around her mouth and grimaced at her state. Hiroko was waiting for her in her office with his babysitter. It had been fifteen minutes since she disappeared, her son must be becoming frantic. He did just have a big wail session when he finally noticed that she left for work. His wails and screams became so demanding that the babysitter had no other choice but to drive him to his mother.

As she paced down the corridor, her heart sunk deeper than she could handle. Her legs stopped working by itself and her hazel eyes widened with trepidation. In front of her was a man donned in a sharp suit... with tresses of silver hair. The sharpness of his features and the stature of his body were all too familiar to the blonde. She could even distinguish him by looking at the slope of his back!

He didn't seem to take notice of her presence since he was on the phone. However, when she tried to retrace her steps he suddenly caught a whiff of her aroma and glanced at her. He didn't say anything upon seeing her. The phone in his hand threatened to slip past his fingers, as his mouth parted slightly in shock. He scrutinized her in his spot, noticing her disheveled state.

"Tsunade..." he said evenly, tucking his phone away.

"...Kakashi" she bitterly spoke, feeling an odd prickle sensation dig into her spine. When his hand ascended from his pocket, Tsunade saw a silver ring around his finger.

Was he married?

"Mommy!" Hiroki called out.

Tsunade's heart dipped.