Masks and Devils
Kakashi laid on his back in his bed with one arm tucked behind his head whilst the other rested on his stomach. He looked up at the high ceiling and allowed for his musings to consume his tired mind. Throughout the majority of his adult life, sex had been his rehab until it unconsciously plagued his own mind and heart. He stopped seeing women as humans, but as subjects to his desires. They were mere objects, in his eyes, that would bring him pleasure and subdue his ill mind.
...Not Tsunade. He's always viewed her as a woman - the finest one there is. She was bold, powerful, gentle, independent and just feminine. She was one of the few people he respected without limit. He didn't want to sleep with her, because he knew he would tarnish the traits he so adored. But... he was a greedy man. He craved for her everything and she longed for his affection. It was a mismatched connection. The longer he slept with her, the more he felt the radiance of love. And it scared him. Albeit it was slow, the long-term effect caused him to deviate from his traits of hiring whores. Instead, he invested most of his leisure time with her.
He turned his back to Mei and locked his stare at the electronic clock he had sitting on his bedside table, flickering away to one o'clock. The red hue of his clock reminded him of the dress Tsunade so boldly wore in the Christmas party. The fleeting glances they exchanged that night amidst the crowd, the soft touches they shared behind everybody's watch, and the inevitable event of the undoing that occurred later that night spiraled in his mind.
She was soft and smooth - pristine beyond comprehension. Her moans were as sweet as her arousal. Kakashi licked his lips and pushed himself up to a sitting position, glancing back at his fiance. Her sleeping form was facing him, exposing a healthy portion of her breasts. He leaned closer, kissing her neck and nuzzling against her in desperation to feel her warmth instead of fantasizing about another woman.
He knew, if he kept reminding himself of Tsunade, the feelings he buried deep within would inevitably resurface and his relationship with Mei will be rendered obsolete. His hand lowered the strap of her shirt and proceeded to kiss her soft skin. Mei shivered and lazily opened her eyes, looking at her lover towering over her with desperate need. His eyes were wide and frightened, his lips were shaking and his hands were forceful.
"Kakashi..?" she merely whispered in the dark.
"Please..." he pleaded, biting his bottom lip. "Let me have you tonight."
She didn't know what spurred this sudden burst of angst from her fiance, but she could see from the reflection of his eyes that he was gravely hurting. Was this still about the retched child he saw? Kakashi was not a dense man, he could easily put two and two together without requiring much information. However, DNA and genetics are far from his feat of judgment. He cannot just say that the child he saw with Tsunade was his. And that's what's tearing him up - living in the unknown, with several unanswered questions.
Mei rose from her form and took him into her arms, kissing and ravishing his upper torso with her sultry lips and hot tongue. He shivered under her lecherous touch, she smirked. Taking the opportunity in front of her, she latched on to him and pushed him down onto the bed before she straddled him. When she knew she was in power, she pinned his arms above his head and kissed him deeply on his lips.
She would make him forget about Tsunade and everything else that belong to her. Kakashi belonged to her. Tsunade was just obstructing their happiness by showing up at the most inconvenient time. Why did she have to show up to Kakashi, with her kid? It didn't matter. She is going to marry Kakashi soon. As long as she can seal that deal; everything will be fine.
Her clothes were disposed into a useless heap in the darkness of the room.
"I'll give you everything."
Akihiko couldn't help but smile the day after his date with the woman who had fullmetal of a heart - Tsunade. Finally, he broke past her shields of defense. He kissed her deeply that night, showing her how much he wanted her. At first, she was defiant but soon she grew submissive against his burning touches and forfeited to his dominance. Had his driver driven slower that night, Akihiko was sure that he would have coaxed Tsunade into third base.
He was so close.
He groaned an ache from his lips at the thought.
The door of his office opened and his grin widened when he saw the blonde he was just thinking about, walk into his office. Tsunade dumped some documents onto his desk and took her leave, but he grappled her forearm and pulled her back to the desk. She turned around, losing balance on her heels, and her lips were met with his. Tongues were exchanged and moans were hushed when Akihiko pushed harder against her. She felt him hastily slide his hand up to her breasts, feeling the material of her bra underneath it.
"I call for a second date." He licked her lips before he devoured it again, bruising her.
"Last night was a mistake." she breathed, pushing him back to lessen the sexual advances he had radiating off him. "I'm sorry, but my son is my number one priority. If I do this with you - not only will it be deemed unprofessional, but my attention for my son will be cut in half. I barely spend time with him as it is, the last thing I need is-"
"One date shouldn't make you compromise." He touched her wet lips with his thumb and gazed at her. "You kissed me back last night. Doesn't that show me that you also want me? Just as I want you."
Tsunade bit her lower lip. Last night was a mistake. She only kissed him back because she felt vulnerable. She only allowed him to venture in the backseat of the car, because she wanted to feel wanted. After seeing Kakashi again... she just needed another person's warmth against her own to calm her inner turmoil. She glazed her eyes with steel when she looked back at him. "It was all a mistake."
"Give me this next date to make it or break it, for you." He proposed desperately. "I want us to work."
"I really don't know..."
"I can be a father to your child. I will be your lover. You won't ever have to be alone again." He grabbed both of her hands and squeezed them with desperation. "Give me a chance. Maybe I can give you happiness."
Tsunade froze. A father to her child? Seeing the near future of Hiroki wondering who his dad is pained her. But if she were to take up this offer. Maybe she could salvage Hiroki from suffering from such thought. She wanted her son to have a fatherly figure. She wanted to have a complete family. Most of all, she wanted a man who would be there for her at the end of each day.
Maybe Akihiko was the one...
"Okay... one chance."
She submitted.
Mei snuggled up against Kakashi after their heated session of lovemaking. She glanced at the engagement ring that rested on her finger and smiled. "It's next month." she lightly said. "We'll finally be married next month."
Kakashi lazily played with her hair and smiled faintly. "..Yeah. Have you chosen a wedding dress yet?"
"It's being made in the Land of Lightning, as we speak - tailored and customized to what I want." she replied.
"I can't wait to see it." he murmured, kissing her on the crown of her head. "I bet you'll be very beautiful, my dear."
"I can't wait to hear your vows."
He chuckled. "It's still very short. I haven't finished it yet. But I swear..." he held her closer against him. "...it will be worth the wait."
"Kakashi," Mei whispered, gaining his attention.
"Yes?"
"How do you feel about having children of our own?"
His breath was caught. How could he respond to a question like that?
"I don't know... maybe in the future."
Akihiko was ecstatic when Tsunade agreed to meet him for the wine tasting, and hopefully, he would have the opportunity to see her as he had before. He looked forward to seeing her even if he didn't get to see her as he had before. He felt something on the hike that made him nervous. He hoped she felt what he felt, hoped that this wasn't some getaway fling, and he hoped that he would think and talk with the right head!
He spent too long in the shower as he thought of the first time he saw her, which led to a quick climax. He dressed in tan linen trousers, a V-neck white cotton shirt, and a tan jacket; the ensemble fit his six-foot frame nicely. He splashed aftershave on the clean masculine line of his jaw, and not wanting to waste time, Akihiko left his lodge thirty minutes early. There was urgency in his gait that showed just how excited he was to see Tsunade.
The atmosphere inside the resort's banquet room was cozy and inviting. Bucharon Wineries had every wine they made displayed in the room for tasting, which made it difficult for any wine lover to select a wine. Akihiko had already consumed a glass of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon he'd had in ages. He was doing his best to wait for Tsunade, but his nerves got the best of him. This was so unlike him; Akihiko was the epitome of smooth when it came to women. He never let them see him sweat, never was at a loss for words, and never was out of control. He commanded his senses, and most times he was the one that left the lady breathless.
That was until Tsunade entered the room smiling. Her little black dress hugged every womanly curve she had to offer. Every click of her heels on the wood floor made Akihiko's desire edge higher. She surveyed the room searching for him, and as she did, she had the feeling that she was being watched. She was. The men in the room did double takes as their wives or girlfriends eyed her suspiciously. Unable to locate Akihiko, she sidled up to a table that offered her favorite white wine.
Breathlessly, Akihiko watched her as she unceremoniously downed the wine. "Someone is as nervous as I am," he thought. He stood, approached the table where she'd selected the wine, and took her another glass.
"You did it all wrong," he whispered in her ear. Inhaling her scent he continued, "Should I teach you?"
Startled, Tsunade responded, her heart beating faster in her heaving chest. "You were watching me?"
"Yes."
"How long have you been here, watching me?"
"I saw you come in. Do you know how many heads you've turned?"
"What do you want to teach me?" Her smile was engaging and Akihiko found himself captivated by her again.
"It's a wine tasting, Tsunade. You downed that like a shot," he pointed at the empty glass on the table.
"Sit down," she looked him in the eyes. "Did we really come here for the tasting?"
"It's Grass, of course we did." Akihiko noticed her hesitation, "Go on, say what's on your mind."
"Food, wine, atmosphere… Akihiko, are you trying to just get me into your bed?"
"Would you believe me if I said no?" he gave her his best impression of boyish innocence. "Let me teach you to taste and get to know you. Please?"
"No, I wouldn't believe you. But I have the strangest urge to get to know you too, so I'll stay," she smiled and Akihiko's heart skipped a beat.
He smiled and rested his hand on hers, "Good, let's get started."
Instead of swishing her finger into the wine, she brought the glass to her nose, sniffed it and took a small swallow. As Tsunade lowered the glass, a wide grin spread across her face and a drop of wine landed on the corner of her mouth. "Are you sure you don't want to taste… I mean teach me?" Akihiko started to tell her, then he reached for her, but again he changed his mind. He leaned over the table and lifted the drop of wine from the edge of her mouth with his tongue. Electricity spread through Tsunade.
Leaning over the table once more, Akihiko lightly kissed the corner of her mouth and licked where the drop of wine had been. Tsunade moaned, pressed her mouth firmly to his, and as she took a breath, his tongue slid gently into her mouth. A blast of shivers spread throughout her torso. Desire blossomed between them and neither made a move to end the kiss, it grew. The kiss grew deeper, and passion radiated from them as they both began to moan in unison. Finally Akihiko ended the kiss, "Holy hell, Tsunade."
"Me? I'm not the one that licked wine from your face." she added, "But I'm so glad you did."
Goosebumps peppered Akihiko's arms, "Come with me." As he stood and offered Tsunade his hand, Akihiko knew that she would become his future. He didn't care where she lived, didn't care what she was before he met her, didn't care what they had to overcome, he only cared about making Tsunade his. "Come, please."
They left hand in hand, and feeling like teenagers on a first date. As they approached Akihiko's cabin, Tsunade was a bundle of nerves and filled with doubt. She stopped, "Wait."
"What is it?"
"I don't think..."
"You're with me, Tsunade." He stroked reassured. "I won't ever hurt you."
As if by magic, the strain in her heart eased.
They gazed longingly at each other and within seconds they were in a passionate lip-lock. There was no stopping the inevitable. The chemistry between the two of them was palpable and soon Akihiko 's hand was at the back of her dress on its zipper.
"No."
"No?"
"Yes. No," she was confused as desire pulsed through every cell of her body.
"I'll stop, but you gotta stop falling into my kisses like that."
"Come with me." Using his words and actions, Tsunade led Akihiko to the floor in front of the fire. "Talk to me."
"I can tell you're scarred, Tsunade." The atmosphere of the evening grew serious, though it was still very sexually charged.
"He hurt me, in every way possible," she said softly, "I won't be hurt again, Akihiko."
"I'll never hurt you. I don't know what this is, but whatever it is and wherever it goes I'll never hurt you. I want you—all of you." He brushed his lips gently against her temple and intended to stop there, but she had something different in mind.
She was behind him again in an instant and she pulled off his jacket and let it drift to the floor. Tsunade reached her arm around him and they swayed to the music, "Akihiko, take off your shirt."
"No, you do it. Take what you need, Tsunade." A tear dropped from her eye, and within a second he kissed her cheek and dried the tear with his lips.
Tsunade undressed him slowly. Her eyes soaked up the sight of his every curve, every muscle, and every twitch. All of him intrigued her. She was reminded of what it was like to ache for the touch of another, yet she stood silent instead of taking action. She was not ready for him.
"I can't."
"Yes, you can. Tsunade, turn around," he placed a hand at the base of her neck and slowly inched the zipper of her dress down. "Red... so sexy. Lie down."
He pushed her onto the bed and as he sunk to his knees, Tsunade sighed. Akihiko took her hand in his hand and kissed her palms, "Nothing you can say will stop me from making love to you. I'll be gentle. And I'll make you forget about that bastard."
"I can't."
"Shh, baby," and with that he took her into his arms and fell into bed.
"Akihiko..."
"Let me get you something to drink, to calm your nerves."
At a tuxedo shop, Kakashi stared at his reflection as he tidied up the collar of his shirt. He was getting married soon enough. Two more weeks, he sighed. He fixed the cufflinks in his sleeve and neatened up his tie. There he stood oozing with power and sophistication. He tucked his hands into his pockets and continued to stare at his reflection.
He's getting married.
"What's with the frown?" Shisui spoke suddenly, appearing in his own attire. "You should be getting excited! You're about to marry the woman of your dreams!"
Kakashi removed the blazer off him and slung it over the leather chair, undoing his tie. With a resigned huff, he settled down on another leather chair and ran his fingers through his hair with exasperation. "I just can't seem to get Tsunade out of my head."
The Uchiha swore he nearly choked from his own spit when he said that. With a slight looked of befuddlement, he approached the CEO of the company and settled down next to him. "You didn't hook up with her, did you?"
"No. Nothing like that," he murmured back, slightly amused of the accusation. "I would never do that to Mei. It's just that I found out that she is with a child. I can't help but think that, somehow, that child is mine. I can't confirm it, because Tsunade is refusing to speak to me. But you should have seen the child's eyes, Shisui. It was a spitting image of mine."
"Now you're just hallucinating." Shisui groaned. "You're getting married soon enough! Quit trying to bog yourself down with these. Maybe Tsunade had a baby with Dan - who knows! They were going to get married, weren't they? It's only a fair assumption that when they consummated their marriage, she became pregnant. There may have been a recessive allele for black eyes in their family."
Kakashi wrapped his black tie around his hand and gritted his teeth. "But what if... that child is mine? I can't bear the thought of not being there for my own child's life for three years! I want to be a father to my child, no matter what. I must know whether Tsunade was pregnant with my child. If he is indeed my son, I must know why she didn't try and tell me. Why she kept his existence from me."
"You're dead serious, aren't you?"
"I am."
"Settle this after you're married. Mei needs you now. The reception - everything - is beyond her grasp and control."
"I know." He paused. "The wedding will come first. The honeymoon will have to be cut short, and I'll find out more about Tsunade's son."
"Good. Now, let's get you out of this tux, so it can be preserved til your wedding."
"If he is my son..." Kakashi muttered. "I'll never forgive Tsunade for not telling me about him. She has no reason to hide him from me."
"Don't jump into conclusions!" Shisui quickly replied. "You'll cross that bridge soon. For now, put it at the back of your mind and concentrate on getting married."
"Getting custody wouldn't be so hard..." he persisted. "I can give him a better standard of living than Tsunade."
"Hey, aren't you listening to yourself? You're planning on taking away Tsunade's son!"
"If he is also my son. I see no problem in providing the best for him! Even if it means taking him away from Tsunade."
Shisui watched him undress from his shirt.
"I'll go to war with Tsunade if I have to."
Tsunade's consciousness seeped back to her soul slowly like a dying flame. Her toes curled and her body ached, she looked around her surroundings in confusion. Her location didn't register to her mind until she saw Akihiko sleeping right beside her, naked. She gasped out and peered under the covers to see that she was also naked. Everything seemed to piece itself together then. This was Akihiko's private lodge and they went to the countryside for wine tasting.
But what didn't register to her was what seemed to transpire after wine tasting and heading back to his cabin. She remembered refusing to initiate in sex. She remembered him giving her a glass of white wine to drink. After that... she was not so sure.
"Hello there, lovely." he groggily greeted. "You were so amazing."
"What happened?"
"What do you mean? We had sex." He replied with a frown. "Don't you remember? You kissed me and said you wanted me."
"I-I-I don't remember any of that.." she palmed her face and groaned out. "I don't even remember having sex with you."
Akihiko calmed down her nerves and reeled her in. "Hey, hey... it's okay. You're okay, I'm here."
"Did... did you put something in my drink?" she asked groggily. Regretting the bold question immediately when it slipped past her lips.
"What kind of man do you think I am?" He defended quickly with widened eyes of disbelief. "Are you accusing me of put some date rape drug into your drink?!"
"I-I... don't know! It's just it's happened to me before - something quite similar."
"And you think I'm capable of such thing?"
Tsunade looked away, unable to look at him in the eyes after her accusation. Of course not. At least, she doesn't think so. He's a gentle man who won't indulge in other people's misery. He's more than that. "I'm sorry..." she whispered, trying hard to find her footing in the conversation again. "I shouldn't have accused you like that. I guess I really did have too much to drink."
"Don't worry about it." He stroked her hair lovingly. "..So, where does this leave us?"
Her heartbeat was caught. Where did this leave them?
"Make sure you go to Hiroki's third birthday." she whispered. "Then, I'll give you my answer."
Akihiko didn't anticipate Mei's visit to be so soon - and so unexpected - until she appeared in his office wearing a blue fitted dress underneath her cream coat. He joined his hands together and leaned his chin on top of it. "To what do I owe the pleasure Mei Terumi? Are you crawling back to work exclusively for us?"
The brunette snorted away, folding her arms over her chest. "Now wouldn't that be a betrayal to my future-husband?"
"Ah. I almost forgot - you're marrying Kakashi in two weeks time, aren't you?" He coolly mentioned. "Why am I not getting an invitation, my lovely?"
Mei sauntered closer to his desk and slid a plain envelope on his desk with a coy smile. Her hand stroked the back of his before she grabbed a hold of his silken tie, pulling him up on his feet to close the gap in between them. "Is that a sense of jealousy I feel radiating from you? Well, do not fret we'll always have the past to look back on. Remember?"
"How can I not?" he eyed her generous bust. "You were immaculate."
"I guess you're still the same closet perverted and BDSM-lover." she bit her lower lip, as if to challenge him to take action. He knew better. Kakashi has been known for his violent outbursts to protect the ones he loves. If he were to touch Mei, and the news would spread like wildfire, he would have to anticipate the silver-haired man's raging fury pulsate from every fiber of his being.
He shrugged her off and grinned. "And what's it to you? Are you missing the hardcore aspect of things? Doesn't Kakashi give you the thrill?"
"He's become gentle over the years - it's almost suspicious." She bit her tongue back to refrain herself from talking more about her fiance. With another flash of a smile, she took her leave. "I expect you to be at my wedding, Aki-kun."
"Count on it."
As Mei stalked through the corridor, her heart leaped up unexpectedly when she saw the one blonde she despised the most. Tsunade was dressed under a black dress that exuded with professionalism, and her hair was done up in a messy accent to had casualty. A very balancing look for the day. With a forced grin, she approached the smaller blonde.
"Mei," Tsunade was the first one to strike, voice rigid with trepidation.
"Hell there, Tsunade-chan~!" Mei chirped with a fake smile. "I came to give you this!" she handed her an invitation envelope and placed her hand on her hip. "I hope you can make it!"
"What is this for?" Tsunade asked innocently, bemused as to why she was given an invitation. Mei and her were like water and oil - they never mixed.
The other woman still wore a smile that was on the verge on being smug. "It's an invitation to mine and Kakashi's wedding! I hope you can come, Tsunade-chan!"
She grew beyond speechless. Kakashi was marrying her? He was not joking, after all. But why Mei of all people?! Since when did they share this intangible chemistry that they become so closely bonded that they are now marrying each other?! Kakashi never settled down in his life - not even for Rin. Yet he's willing to settle down for this harlot of a woman? What kind of standards does this man have?
"I'm giving you front row seat." She wickedly smiled. "Since you were Kakashi's ex assistant editor, I thought it would be a nice touch to have the best view. I'm sure Kakashi would love it as well."
"I don't think that I can go..."
"Oh, come on! Stop being like that. Whilst you're there, you can also tell Kakashi that your son isn't even remotely related to him in any shape or form."
Tsunade glared sharply. How dare she even slyly order her to do her wicked deed. The audacity of the other woman made Tsunade's violent persona flare, but she successfully leashed it before it went ablaze. "What?" she hissed sharply.
"Your child couldn't possibly be Kakashi's. Just tell him that it isn't his." She grinned. "I'll pay you to do this stunt, because I also know that you're just fucking with my fiance's mind. We all need to move on, Tsunade. That includes you trying to drag him back into your life."
"It?!" the blonde repeated back. "Don't you dare refer to my son as an it! And I couldn't give a damn about your fiance's mind. I am living my life separately to his. It's him who's trying to pry into my business. Why won't you go pester your own lover?!"
Mei stiffened. She never thought that she would have such a mouth on her. One more wrong step, she was sure, and she would meet Hell. "I'll pay you." Mei hastily proposed.
Tsunade's voice was stolen before she knew it. Hiroki wants a father and she wants him to also have a fatherly figure. But she didn't want him to be associated with a man like Kakashi. He's sunk so low that he is even letting his whore of a future wife to do his bidding for him. Is he that desperate to deny his own son's existence?! What different would be made if she did tell him this poorly concocted lie? She has already told him time and time again that Hiroki was his son!
What would this do for Kakashi? Will it make him more delusional and actually persuade him to think that he doesn't have a child that shares fifty per cent of his genetics?! She no longer cared. She was too weary of the charade, Tsunade no longer saw the point of trying to make Kakashi see that he is the father of her child. If she were to tell him this lie, then he would no longer be tied to her life. And he would go on with his life, feigning ignorance of being a father.
She didn't want him back in her life. He didn't want their son.
It was a win-win situation.
Tsunade looked back at the devious woman and gave her answer.
Two weeks later...
"Kakashi!" Itachi peered through the door and looked directly at the silver-haired man who was quietly straightening out his outfit. For one last time, he fixed his hair and sighed, looking directly at the darker featured man.
"Is it time?"
"Yes..."
He pushed his hands into his pockets and directed himself out of the changing room.
"Lets get myself married."
Kakashi casually walked up to the end of the aisle and stood there, awaiting for his bride-to-be to appear from within the double oak doors, adjacent to him. His wholehearted smile soon faded when he caught tendrils of soft sunkiss hair amidst the crowd. His onyx eyes locked with a caramel pair, unwavering. His mouth was left half open.
"...Tsunade?"
The crowd suddenly rose and the sudden soft melody of the piano filled the entire church. Mei was approaching him slowly with her father holding her arm protectively. Kakashi smiled at her with such admiration, despite half of his attention being stolen away by the blonde in the crowd. Mei was donned in a simple long ravishing white lace wedding dress. Her hair was curled and pulled up into a braid that curled into a bun. She smiled at him meekly, as she took several more steps forward. Her cheeks were flushed and her smile wouldn't perish.
Kakashi looked at his best-man, Shisui, for guidance but found him truly mesmerized by his bride. He grinned back at her and rubbed his hands together before he cleared his throat and waited for her to reach him. When they finally met, he took her hand from her father and shook his hand.
They both turned around to the priest, still holding each other's hand tightly. He leaned into her ear and said, "You look absolutely beautiful."
"Thank you."
"I'm really glad I'm marrying you today."
Mei's flushed cheeks deepened to a redder hue. She felt faint so she held onto his hand as hard as she could. For how long has she longer for those words to roll off his tongue? She's loved Kakashi more than she could ever fathom. He was always walking in front of her, unattainable. Yet now... on this day... he was beside her, holding her hand, waiting to be married.
"I feel the same way, too."
"We gather here to unite these two people in marriage. Their decision to marry has not been entered into lightly and today they publicly declare their private devotion to each other." the priest began strongly between the two.
Kakashi fixed his tie and cleared his throat. There was no going back now.
Tsunade looked away with in pain. She never thought it would be this hard to see him with another woman. She gasped out lightly when she felt Akihiko interlace his fingers with hers to give her comfort. With a small smile she nodded and leaned against him a little, gaining enough strength to look at Kakashi go through with the ceremony.
"Go now in peace and live in love, sharing the most precious gifts you have- the gifts of your lives united. And may your days be long on this earth. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Tsunade watched Kakashi lean closer to Mei, encircling her arms around her to reel her in softly. His lips touched his wife's and his eyes drifted closed, drowned in passion. However, just as the kiss was about to intensify, Kakashi opened his eyes and looked straight at her. His onyx eyes pierced through her, as he continued to kiss Mei lightly.
He stroked the bride's cheek and smiled sincerely.
"I love you, Kakashi..." Mei said with gaiety.
He mirrored her expression. "Let's not keep everybody waiting..."
"Yeah."
After the toasts that were made from the best-man and bridesmaid, Kakashi walked out to the balcony that overlooked the mundane city from below. He took a sip from his champagne before he played with the silver ring that occupied his finger, replacing his temporary engagement ring that Mei insisted he had. The glass door opened behind him, forcing him to turn around. His breath was stolen when he saw Tsunade standing right in front of him. "...You.."
"I need to tell you something." She spoke shakily. "It's about Hiroki."
Kakashi drew in closer. "I-Is he mine?"
Her lips pursed and her eyes stung at the question he proposed. She wanted to reiterate the truth to him. Why is he so unsure of his son's identity? Does he not trust her claim? Is he jumping to assumptions that she's lying to get some money off him? It didn't matter. She isn't going to satisfy him any longer. It's about time they cut each other out and live truly separately. She was hurting just looking at him. Kakashi had always been her weakness - her kryptonite.
With a balled fist, she opened her lips and icily spoke: "No, he's not. Hiroki is from another man I slept with after Dan and I broke up."
Kakashi's heart crashed inside. He didn't know whether he should feel relieved or disappointed. He shifted slightly on the spot and backed away from the blonde. "So... I'm not the father?"
She shook her head, secretly reprimanding herself for lying. But this was the best. Kakashi now found the answer he actually wanted. He didn't trust her claim, of bearing his son for nine months. He just wanted to live in denial - to live selfishly. She didn't want Hiroki to know a father like that. He's better off without his biological father.
"No, you're not the father, Kakashi..." she painfully spoke.
Kakashi's face fell and his expression was downcast. "Then who is?"
"I don't know!" She said with a sigh. "I'm a cheap woman who slept with a handful of other men. God knows who the father of this child is!"
He fiercely took her hand. "You're not the kind of woman who'd do something like that."
"What would you know about me?" She snorted, trying her hardest to keep up her facade and lies. "Have I told you that I love fucking around? I don't know, maybe it's out of habit now. Men used to come and go in my apartment, fucking me the way I'd like them to." Lies poisoned her tongue but she held her grimace in to make it convincing.
"Stop lying." He warned through his gritted teeth. "I know you, Tsunade. Talk to me goddamn it. I want to know what's going on. I am so fucking confused!"
"I've explained myself so many times in the past. And I'm tired of it." She wrung her arm from his grip and took several steps backwards. "Stay out of my life from now on, Kakashi. I don't want to see you ever again."
He stood on his spot on his wedding night, distraught. He clutched at his shirt again, feeling the same burning sensation in his chest.
She left him again...
Both and Akihiko and Mei listened to their conversation from the next balcony. He gave her a look of dismay and disapproval. "What did you make Tsunade do?"
"Tell Kakashi the truth..." she shrugged casually.
"The truth is that he is the father." He shot back. "What are you doing? This is wrong!"
"Oh shut up!" She spat. "By doing this I'm not only getting what I want, but you are as well. Imagine this: without Kakashi in the picture, you can have Tsunade all to yourself. Don't you want that?" her fingers trickled over his tie as her lips arched coyly. "You can finally get into her heart - and her panties. She'll be yours exclusively." she seized him by the back of his head and pushed him towards her, before she pressed her lips against his ear. "You can fuck her, love her, spoil her, corrupt her. Anything you can possibly think off."
Akihiko couldn't find his will to resist such thing. He wanted her more than anything.
"With Kakashi being in the picture. The chances are that her heart will remain the same." She pushed him back to gain space. "So, do we have a deal? You're not going to tell Kakashi about the bastard child Tsunade has, and you're not going to tell Tsunade that I'm the reason that Kakashi doesn't know about the existence of his own child."
"And what are you going to do for me?"
"I'm not going to tell Tsunade that you selfishly ordered Kabuto to assault her."
"How did you know about that?"
"I have my sources." she replied plainly. "So, what's your answer?"
"Fine... we'll work together to keep them apart."