Series: Bound

Pairing: KakaSaku, SasuTen, NaruIno, HinaIta

Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama

Author: Juniper11

Chapter Title: Intensity

"She's utterly delightful Sasuke. I highly approve." Sasuke smirked. He wasn't exactly displeased with his choice either. He had just returned from walking...or more like following Tenten home while she rather vocally railed at him for deceiving her into being accepted wholeheartedly by his family.

Why she actually believed she would be unacceptable baffled him. She was absolutely perfect—mostly. Her mouth needed to be tamed quite a bit but there were ways to take care of that... "She reminds me a bit of Itachi though…that could be a problem."

"She's nothing like Itachi." Sasuke immediately contradicted. If that were true then…it would just be disgusting. It was like being secretly attracted to his brother and even if his brother did look like a breastless woman—

Sasuke shook his head. His mind was not going to go there.

Mikoto, wisely let the subject go. "Still, she's a beautiful girl. I wonder what she'd look like with all that glorious hair let down. I've always wanted a daughter." Mikoto sighed wistfully. "But I got stuck with you boys."

Sasuke arched a brow before saying, "Just for that you'll have nothing but grandsons."

A sinister smile graced Mikoto's lips, "Is that what you think?"

Sasuke was suddenly very afraid.

:::

The other Uchiha brother was on his way to find his own intended because he just had to have her over for dinner the following night. Of course, his father had 'ordered' it, but even if he hadn't he would have brought her over anyway for shits and giggles.

He wondered if she had spoken to the Hokage yet and now knew that resistance was futile. The Hokage was a woman on a mission and no one was going to stand in her way and he doubted the girl had it in her to be a missing-nin.

As he reached the gates to the Hyuuga Compound he found himself being eyed suspiciously by the guards. After all, why would he, Itachi Uchiha, be skulking about their compound? He was more than happy to tell them.

"I'm here to see my fiance', Hinata Hyuuga."

The expression on their faces was something that he'd remember for the rest of his life. They stared at him dumbfounded saying nothing. A smirk graced his lips as he strolled passed the two guards and went in search of the poor innocent Hinata. He actually rather fancied the image of himself as the Big Bad Wolf come to gobble up his little red. Although, the only thing red on her was her face when he finally found Hinata with her father.

"What are you doing here Uchiha?" Hiashi asked as soon as Itachi came into view. He bowed politely and said, "Good evening Hyuuga-san. I am here, of course, to see you and your daughter about our impending nuptials."

Hiashi's eyes narrowed at his polite speech no doubt looking for some way to find something in what he said unsuitable. However Itachi was no fool. He'd save all his unsuitable comments for his daughter's ears only.

And maybe after the hand fasting was done with he'd share some unsavory comments with Hiashi because he was generous like that.

"I have nothing to say to you Uchiha. I will never allow this farce go any further."

"You intend to rebel against the Hokage?" He phrased his question with shocked curiosity but beneath his tone Hiashi could tell that anything he said can and would be used against him. Not only was Itachi part of the Uchiha police force but he was also a member of the ANBU Black Ops—and although it wasn't something that was broadcast throughout the village you'd have to be a fool to believe that he, of all people, wasn't a member.

"No." Hiashi said through grit teeth and fell silent. Itachi stared at him for a moment or two bemused before he decided to move on.

"Well, then since you have nothing further to say," Itachi turned to Hinata, "If you would be so kind as to join my family tomorrow for dinner it would be greatly appreciated." Hinata glanced at her father who looked like he was turning purple with rage and began to fidget nervously. In her anxiety she failed to notice that Itachi had picked up her hand and brought it to her lips. When she did notice (which was something she couldn't ignore since his lips decided to linger) she was certain her heart was going to stop.

Itachi murmured low enough so that only Hinata would hear, "Wear something red." Itachi couldn't hold back his amused chuckle when her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she collapsed into his arms.

:::

Sakura had completely forgotten about Kakashi until a few days later. She felt terrible. She had been so locked in her own misery over Sasuke that she forgotten that she was supposed to look for a house with Kakashi.

She hadn't seen or heard from him since that day and she knew that he had to be pissed. It was an impeccable way to start a union that would bind them together for a year. Sakura immediately jumped to her feet and went to scour the village for his personage. She found him easily enough and fell into step beside him not knowing exactly what to say even though she knew what she should say. Sakura slowly stepped into her big girl panties and started, "Kakashi, I'm-"

He slowly turned his head towards her and something in that lone eye of his silenced her. It confused her since she had never ever seen such an expression on his face. The only word she could think of to describe it would be intense. It made her more nervous than she cared to admit.

He extended a hand to her and waited silently for her to take it. Alarm bells started ringing in her head but curiosity had taken hold of her and made her disregard all warnings. She slowly extended her hand and intertwined her fingers with his. A few seconds later they disappeared.