A Day in the Life

AN: It's my mum's birthday today. Happy birthday mum, lol. But on no account are you to read this. On no account! If you have managed to get this far, then step away, and wait until a man in black shows up at your door and wipes your memory. Thank you.

July 22nd

Love.

It makes the world go round, apparently. At least that's what I heard in a song once. It was either Perry Como or the Powerpuff Girls (strange options, I know, but I had an argument with Jiraiya over it when I asked him earlier, who insists it was Perry Como I heard. I still think it was the Powerpuff Girls, but whatever, Jiraiya.)

At any rate, love is the metaphorical fulcrum upon which the delicate balance of our existence sits. If things are going smoothly and no one rocks the boat, love is wonderful and makes you feel like you want to skip along the bank of a gentle river upon a summer's day, hand in hand with your beloved, grinning silly grins at one another and making bitter singletons want to vomit. If things are not going so well, the fulcrum turns and you are plunged into the dark depths of a desperate despair. Weeping and bemoaning your fate, it will make you long for the carefree life of the aforementioned bitter singletons. Either that, or love generally makes things difficult for you when, let's say, you are quite happily attached but other people's love problems are impinging upon your hard-earned content.

I have had such a long day, and I have resorted to staying a little late at the office to write this, as there is absolutely no way the boss can know about what went on during lunch. The situation has been dealt with, with as much patience and kindness as I can muster, but if he ever finds out, I think Karin would lose her job. Plus, Naruto has also confided in me regarding relationship problems (not before time), and I'm not sure he would relish hearing the boss's input if the boss were to "accidentally" read today's entry as he has so often done in the past.

Actually, I'm really not sure what I'm going to do about the Karin thing. We're supposed to be leaving for the Suna coast for the Product of the Year awards tonight, and I'm going to be around her constantly for the next couple of days. Of course, I value her friendship and I do still like her, but obviously I cannot become involved with her in any physical capacity because the boss would most probably have her murdered.

I suppose I could always talk about Naruto first. Since it doesn't directly affect me, there is no real problem-solving process involved, no angst on my part, and is therefore infinitely easier to talk about. Yes. Let's write about Naruto first. Maybe it'll help me solve my own problems, because, now that I think about it, there is a slight resemblance in the whole 'letting people down gently' issue. Perhaps some of my own advice would be the wisest course to take?

One moment. Kisame's calling me.

LATER:

Today has… suddenly gone careering downhill.

On the phone, not a moment ago, Kisame was asking whether the boss had booked the Ritz-Carlton suite at the Suna Ritz-Carlton because uncle Madara had had Konan try to acquire it for him, to no avail. I informed Kisame that yes, the boss had indeed booked the Ritz-Carlton suite for us, along with the Club Carlton, the Club Tower, the Club Millenia, the Club Executive, the Tower Deluxe and the Club Deluxe suites for the sole use of the rest of the higher-ups because he was in a good mood that day and wanted to splash out. As I was telling Kisame this, I heard a voice in the background and a short scuffling as the phone, presumably, changed hands. Then uncle Madara's familiar, insincere tones rose to greet me. As he spoke, I could picture him clearly: his long, black choppy hair; his false smile that never reaches his eyes; perched alertly upon the very edge of Kisame's desk - probably dressed in red or black. In an instant, my hackles were raised and I was put on the defence, even though it was only a short conversation. The man never fails to elicit a reaction from me – and I hate him for it.

"Greetings, Sasuke," he said, with a customary hint of amusement. "How nice to hear from you again."

"Put Kisame back on, or I'm hanging up," I replied coldly.

"Now, now… there is no need for that," uncle Madara went on, laughing. "I merely wished to enquire about the situation at the Suna Ritz-Carlton, though I gather from what you were telling Kisame that Orochimaru has already acquired the Ritz-Carlton suite for his own use. No matter. I shall have to content myself with the Presidential."

"Yeah, well, sucks to be you," I said, maturely.

"Perhaps," uncle Madara replied casually, "or will it suck to be you? For you, I feel, will be the one who will be obliged to tolerate my malcontent over dinner."

I fell into a state of stunned, outraged silence as the reality of the situation – that I would be stuck in the same hotel as uncle Madara for two days – finally sunk in. At the other end of the phone, uncle Madara, perhaps, sensed this, as he took the opportunity to further turn the thumbscrews as he added, with unnecessary cheer, "Fear not, Sasuke. I shall abide. I very much look forward to seeing you again. Until tomorrow!"

Then he hung up, leaving me open-mouthed and fuming at my desk.

You know, I never would have believed it possible that I could hate that man any more, but I have definitely hopped over another border into a whole new kingdom of loathing. I cannot believe I will have to share hotel space with that slimy arsehole. I cannot believe he has RUINED this trip for me – one eagerly anticipated on my part because it has been a life's ambition of mine to stay in the Ritz-Carlton suite in the mind-bogglingly luxurious Suna Ritz-Carlton hotel. And… oh god, it's going to be on my birthday!

I can't believe this. First having to put up with Kimimaro, and now him?

What a wanker…

LATER:

Apologies. I have only just realised I forgot to write about Naruto and Karin. Uncle Madara's malevolent smarm can do that to one, I find.

Anyway, as I was saying…

At breakfast this morning, having risen curiously early, I wandered down to the dining room to see if I could have my coffee and bagel there instead of on a tray in the bedroom as per usual. Imagine my surprise when I found Naruto already sitting there, elbows on the table, with a glass of Mountain Dew and a bowl of Lucky Charms, half-eaten. He was staring off into space, apparently (and strangely) lost in thought. He heard me coming, though, and looked round, grinning at me with no sign of sleepiness.

"Hey, Sasuke," he said, picking up his spoon and shovelling it into his bowl of sugary rubbish.

"Hey," I said, stifling a yawn and taking a seat across from him. "What're you doing up?"

Naruto's retarded reply came out in a muffled spray of half-masticated Lucky Charm ooze.

"Mmph—What're you doin' up?"

Not feeling much like playing a variant of the 'I know you are but what am I?' game at stupid am on a weekday, I sighed and said, a little irritated, "I just woke up early, Naruto, that's all. Are you going to tell me why you're up or am I going to have to go back to bed on account of you pissing me off?"

Naruto managed to swallow and said, his hands aloft in a conciliatory gesture, "Okay, okay, dude! Jeez, I was only kidding. Nah, but really, I was just doin' some thinking. You know. About stuff… and stuff."

"You were… doing some thinking?" I said slowly, unable to quite believe what Naruto had just said to me.

"Yeah."

"About stuff?"

"Yeah!"

"What sort of stuff?"

"Girl stuff," he said, with a shrug of his shoulders. "And life stuff. The two kinda go together."

"So… would you care to tell me what the girl and life stuff is all about? I mean, only if you want to, of course. I might be able to help."

There was a moment's pause as Naruto's mouth worked industriously while he considered my offer. Then he shrugged again, smiled, and said, "Yeah, okay. I guess I can tell you because you know most of the stuff anyway."

"Okay," I said, setting my elbows on the table in my patented listening stance. "Shoot."

"So yeah, I was thinking about life and work and girls and stuff, and well… dude, you know I like Hinata, right? I mean, since we've been going out, I like her more and more, yeah?"

"I should hope so."

"Well, yeah. But see the thing is – and this might be kind of a shock, dude, so don't go all funny on me or laugh or anything – but I think Sakura might like me."

I had to fight very hard to keep a straight face to be able to say, without the merest hint of a flicker of mirth, "Oh? What makes you think that?" when what I really wanted to do was laugh in his face and yell, "Oh my god! And you've only just noticed?"

Naruto's brow furrowed as he recounted his reasoning.

"I dunno. She's just been real nice, is all. I mean, she danced with me at Asuma and Kurenai's wedding, she calls me all the time, she hasn't yelled at me for ages, she let me take her out for ramen, she came to the hospital when I texted her to tell her about Kylie, and she went to sleep on my shoulder later and when she woke up she said, "I'm so lucky to have you, Naruto" (I did not know about that one!) I mean, just little things like that, dude. But they've kinda all piled up and I'm wondering…"

"Wondering what?" I asked slowly, peering at him across the table in a cautious and calculating manner. "You're not thinking about breaking up with Hinata, are you?"

Naruto looked agitated and began to fidget. "Man, that's the thing, dude. I really like Hinata, but I don't think I can do the whole relationship thing anymore—"

"So you want to go out with Sakura because you think she likes you now?" I said flatly.

"No, dude! That's not it!" Naruto implored, quite distressed, his normally cheerful and slightly vacant face a picture of misery. "I don't think I can go out with Sakura even if she likes me!"

I must admit, at that point I was quite dumbfounded, and thus encouraged Naruto to further enlighten me.

"Let me get this straight," I said, while giving a nod to the male underling who set down my coffee and bagel in front of me. "You are planning to dump Hinata, but not so you can go out with Sakura?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Thank you for the clarification on that front. Now could you please tell why you wish to dump Hinata, because, if I remember rightly, you said you did really like her? I mean, seriously, I'm finding it hard to detect a motive here, Naruto."

"Well…" Naruto said sheepishly, squirming a touch under interrogation, "I-I guess… I guess it's because of my dad."

It was then logic had appeared to have been completely abandoned (at least from my point of view) and since I hate feeling unable to follow conversation, I stared at Naruto in a vaguely threatening manner until he felt inclined to elaborate. I was also a little unnerved, since I had never before heard Naruto mention his father – neither in a speculative sense, when we were kids, nor in a direct sense, after Jiraiya spilled the beans a few months ago. Clearly, the revelation had affected him more than I had accounted for.

Naruto sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"It's kinda hard to explain, but I guess you might understand since you were there and all, so here goes. You know Jiraiya told me about my dad at the hospital?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I've been trying to find some stuff out about him. I talked to Jiraiya and he's told me loads more stuff. He took me up to the attic and we looked at some old pictures Oro has. There was only one of my mom and dad, but it was really good. They were at some boring black tie dinner or something. I kinda wanted it, so I went down and asked Oro if I could keep it. He said yeah and then he told me some stuff too. He brought out that photo album you made him that first Christmas and he showed me the one with my dad sitting round a table with all the Konoha higher-ups, and he told me that old man Sarutobi picked him to be his replacement!"

"Really?" I said, feigning ignorance (I felt bad knowing more about Naruto's father than Naruto himself, but I'm sure he has learned much more in the interim. Or at least, I hope he has.)

"Yeah! And you know what that means?"

"What?"

"It means that my dad was awesome. He must've worked real hard to get a job like that!"

For a brief moment, Naruto paused. His eyes were wide and glittering with a newfound sense of admiration. Then he turned to me, smiling a winning smile, and said, "I wanna be like my dad, Sasuke. I wanna be good enough to fill someone like Oro's shoes. I wanna be friends with people like Jiraiya and Oro and Tsunade and old man Sarutobi – not because I'm family or whatever, but because they respect me and think I'm good enough!

I wanna be good like my dad was. So I'm not gonna screw around anymore. I have to concentrate and work hard – focus on my career, y'know? And that means I can't get distracted by girls and stuff. From now on, Sasuke, I'm gonna be the best!"

There followed a prolonged silence, throughout which, I was rendered absolutely dumbfounded. Completely and utterly floored. While Naruto sat across from me, straight-backed and proud, radiating from every pore a new sense of pride, belonging and purpose – I probably looked a touch daft, with an expression that begged someone like an overbearing mother, perhaps, to smack me upside the head and tell me to wake the hell up and pay attention. Mercifully, Naruto spoke up and saved me from my mute foolishness.

"Hey, Sasuke," he said, shooting me a sly grin, "I sound kinda like you, eh?"

"Hmmm?"

"You know? When we were kids. You'd always go on about how girls were just a distraction and that you wanted to be the best so you could beat Itachi."

"Ha. Oh yes…"

"Well, now I'm gonna be the best, so I have to cut out all distractions – just like you said! Man, you're really smart, Sasuke! I wish I figured that out earlier!"

"Mmmm? Oh. Yes. Well, I can't take all credit. I mean, obviously I haven't kept to it very well…"

There was a rude squawk as Naruto pushed away his chair and stood up, stretching, his arms high above his head. The lost look from earlier had completely vanished, leaving in its place Naruto's default, generally cheerful mien.

"Sasuke, dude, thanks for talking to me. It's good to get that one off my chest, y'know?"

"No problem, Naruto. Anytime."

"I- I guess all I have to do now is find a way to tell Hinata…"

"If you tell her everything you told me, I'm sure she'll understand."

Naruto paused briefly for thought, then his expression brightened. "Yeah! That's a good idea, dude. I've gotta tell her why! I mean, I owe her, right?"

"Right."

"Cool. Then I'd better get to work. I've got, like, a million things to do for Jiraiya and I've gotta get them all done and e-mailed to HQ before five."

"Okay then. See you later, Naruto!"

"Yeah, see ya, dude!" Naruto sang, flashing me a huge grin and a thumbs up before he darted away, out the dining room door and along the corridor to the main stairwell. I sat at the table for a good half an hour after, wondering whether Naruto was aware how much he had changed, what this would mean for him – and, indeed, whether he realised that what he was about to do would only make girls want him more. It is a fact: people want all the more what they cannot have – a fact that was hammered home and made extremely apparent during my lunch break.

During said lunch break, I went to the higher ups' Staff Room, as per usual, for a chat with Kabuto, Suigetsu and the others. This chat, however, did not happen, as I was still stuck on Naruto's potentially momentous change in life-direction. While I munched thoughtfully on my tuna onigiri (mmm…), the others were talking away, nattering about how excited they were about the impending trip to Suna. Having sat pretty much in silence the whole time, I figured the others wouldn't miss me if I went to the bathroom and left early.

Wiping my hands and throwing my onigiri wrapper in the bin, I headed out and along the corridor to our special bathroom (the only unisex peeing facility in the base, for some odd reason). As I was washing my hands, having had a nice, peaceful pee, the door swung open, and with a waft of Chanel perfume, Karin walked in, the heels of her black Manolos clicking on the dark granite tiles. I looked up and nodded by way of greeting, and she stopped next to the hand dryer, leaning against the wall.

It was difficult to do what I had to do, because she was looking great. Along with her sexy heels, she was wearing a black mini-skirt and a white, fitted, cotton shirt with three-quarter sleeves, hook-and-eye fastening and a mandarin collar. She had run a handful of soft wax through her long, dyed-red hair, as every sharp layer was clearly delineated. I knew this because this is exactly what I do with my hair every morning. Add to that the sultry red lipstick and the perfume, and had the boss not managed to grab and retain my attention two years ago on that fateful day in October, I would have been sold!

As I pushed down on the soap dispenser, coating my palms in the nice, yellow liquid soap I like, I was aware of Karin staring at me. It was getting a little weird, and I was just about to open my mouth to ask her if she was alright when she beat me to it.

"You okay, Sasuke?" she asked, her head tilting to one side.

"Hmm? Me?" I replied absently, while rubbing my hands together to create a lather. "I was just about to ask you the same thing."

Karin blushed, and turned her head slightly. "Well, you were quiet at lunch. I just wondered if you were okay."

"Yeah, I suppose I was quiet," I said frankly, having at that point progressed to the hand-rinsing stage. "But don't worry. I was just thinking about Naruto. He told me something kind of weird at breakfast and I haven't been able to get it out of my head all morning."

"What kind of weird? Anything I can help with?"

"Girl problems," I said, turning off the tap and moving to the hand-dryer. The rest I was obliged to shout, since the machine is ferociously and inconsiderately noisy. "He wants to let his love-interests down gently! No distractions! Wants to concentrate on his career!"

"Are you sure you were talking to Naruto?"

At the press of a button, the dryer calmed down to a dull roar, then stopped.

"Ha. Yeah, I know what you mean, but I'm certain it was Naruto. I have knowledge of no other who regularly wears cow print pyjamas and a frog nightcap to bed."

This quip made Karin laugh and instantly, she seemed more at ease. "Well, I know how he feels," she exclaimed. "With all the guys I've had to let down gently this year, I should be an expert by now. Tell him to give me a text or drop me an email or something and I'll dish out some of my sage advice…"

"Wait, wait, wait… what's this about all the guys?" I said slyly, raising an eyebrow as I moved into position straight across from her, leaning on a cubicle door. "Karin, you never told me you were in demand."

"Well, what can I say, Sasuke?" she replied airily, with a mock toss of her hair. "I have this magnetic personality, you know?"

"Oh yeah?" I said, teasing. "I won't believe it until you name names."

To my surprise, Karin began to count off a list of suitors denied on her fingers.

"Let's see… we have Dosu from Purchasing, Ukon from Finance, Yoroi and Misumi from IT, Isamu the porter – that's Kiku's cousin, by the way, and he's a beautiful beefcake, so that one was difficult – a couple of the boss's shareholders, the daimyo—"

"The daimyo!" I interrupted, incredulously. "You're kidding?"

"Not kidding, Sasuke."

"But he's married, the dirty, old sleazebag!"

"I know," Karin said, with a hint of smugness. "He wanted to keep me as his official mistress. I did think about it. Being a kept woman would be nice, but I'm used to being able to do as I please. And besides, I like my job."

I was flabbergasted.

"Any more names you'd like to share?"

"One more, but I don't think I should say…"

"Anyone I know?" I asked, seeking to grasp at any clue I could wrangle from her. I am such a gossip. Honestly, it's terrible.

"Yes," she said firmly. "But that's all you're getting." I tried making a pouty face, but it didn't work, as Karin felt compelled to reiterate her standpoint with renewed vigour. "No, Sasuke. I know what you're like. You won't drop it until I tell you. You're as bad as Orochimaru-sama."

"I am not!" I said, outraged.

"You are."

"Fine then," I said, with carefully crafted nonchalance. "I'll drop it, since it's you. But what's with turning them all down? You have your eye on someone else?"

"Yes," she said, raising her head to look me straight in the eye.

There was a glint of challenge there, and I feel, with hindsight, that perhaps I misinterpreted it. I thought it was a playfully flirtatious 'I dare you to ask me' sort of challenge – the kind that regularly crops up in our exchanges – when in reality, it was in fact a 'what will you do if you ask and I tell you' sort of challenge.

Thus, I blundered blindly into a romantic complication.

"Oh really?" I said, totally clueless. I still cringe thinking about this. "And who might the lovely Karin have her eye on? It must be someone surpassingly wonderful to have made you mercilessly reject all those eligible bachelors, you cruel thing. I only hope he lives up to the hype."

"He does. And he is surpassingly wonderful."

"Dear me! I'm starting to get jealous, here. I must confess this a mortal blow to my male ego. However can I compete?"

"You don't have to."

"Ahh, not even in the race? I know I'm very firmly attached to Orochimaru-sama, but nevertheless, I do like to think I still generate a degree of interest."

Karin said nothing, but smiled mysteriously by way of reply, her eyes still locked on mine, challenging.

"I take your silence to indicate a negative response. I am utterly humbled and prostrate myself at your feet. I can only hope you furnish me with the name of this most wonderful specimen of manhood, that I may hope one day to aspire to his greatness." When Karin remained silent, I turned off the facetious, flirtatious display and said frankly, "Oh come on, Karin. Just tell me. I won't tell anyone else, I promise."

This piqued Karin's attention and she said, "You won't tell anyone else?"

"I won't."

"You swear you won't tell anyone? Even the boss?"

"I solemnly swear. On Itachi's general health and well-being. And especially not the boss. That should be enough for you."

"Okay," she said, strangely subdued. There followed a short pause, before she squared her shoulders and said, "You want to know who I've had my eye on?"

"I do."

"It's you."

Right then and there in the higher-ups' lavish, unisex bathroom, my brain had a paper-jam moment. Having been without a clue until that point, my confusion upon Karin's confession was rendered all the more severe, and an eerie, creeping, tingling feeling began to steal over me – a composite of shock, awkwardness, flattered disbelief, and, strangely, pleasure – that caused all my higher faculties to shut down, leaving me standing there across from Karin, mouth slightly open, stunned into silence for the second time in less than twenty-four hours.

"You don't know what to say, do you?" Karin said, smiling a sad smile, reading me like a book.

"I- I don't," I admitted. "This is… rather unexpected. I had no idea."

Karin's brow furrowed in puzzlement. "Really? You had no idea at all?"

When she asked me directly, I took the time to briefly consider, and I supposed I had perhaps possessed an inkling of knowledge on that front. But that inkling of knowledge was implicit. More than implicit, in fact, for it was hidden and repressed. I did not want to think about the implications of Karin having feelings for me – for several very good reasons – so I shoved them firmly to the back of my mind and played off the chemistry as flirtatious banter between good friends of the opposite sex.

So I said, "I suppose I might have. Sort of."

Karin sighed and slid down the wall – a slow, despairing movement – coming to rest on the cold tiles, her head in her hands. I remained standing, afraid that sitting down beside her would give out a particular signal, which would have been most unwise.

"You know, Sasuke, in the court room that day, in Konoha, I was really disappointed when Naruto told everyone you'd spent the night with the boss," she said quietly.

"Really?" I asked, feeling quite uncomfortable, but powerless to do anything about it.

"I knew he was interested in you. Hell, everyone knew he was interested in you. I remember the first real sales meeting we had, and I went up to the boss to try and speak to him about something at the end, but I couldn't even grab his attention because he was too busy staring at you. He stared at you a lot back then. Still does."

"Yeah, I know," I said, a little embarrassed.

"And at first, I thought, god, another high-flying, pretty boy bites the dust. But then I started getting to know you, and I… I started to like you, and I found myself hoping that maybe you wouldn't fall for him like everyone else. Ha, what an idiot, right? I mean, everyone does sort of fall for him, in a way. I had a crush on him myself for a while when I first started, and even Suigetsu understands the weird power he has over people."

"I did try to hold out," I said, with a touch of wounded insistence. "I knew he liked me and I tried to ignore it. It's just… really hard to ignore him. He kind of imposes his presence on you, and once he's interested in you, that's it!"

"What Orochimaru-sama wants, Orochimaru-sama gets," Karin said wryly.

"Well… yes," I said, as if it were the most logical thing in the world. "But you know the score by now as well as everyone else. Honestly, Karin, considering the circumstances, I'm surprised I even managed to hold out for a month – and I only caved because he got me drunk at Jiraiya's 50th!"

"Yeah, even before it all came out, I kind of figured you got together with the boss that night. First he disappeared, then you. Suigetsu and I looked all over, but we couldn't find either of you. Suigetsu started saying it was likely the boss had long since dragged you into a cupboard or something. He was right, but I didn't really want to believe it. I texted you so many times that night, I must have looked so stupid!"

"You didn't look stupid, Karin," I said gently, remembering vividly her worried texts and how she was the one I wanted to text back most when I was feeling slightly hysterical the morning after. "I was glad you were looking out for me. I was new to Otogakure back then, and it was good to think I had made some friends."

"Ha. Yeah, friends," she said, with a touch of bitterness, though she smiled as she spoke. "That's all it's ever going to be, right?"

"Probably," I said, finally feeling it was safe to kneel down and look her in the eye again. I also felt it was time to inject a hefty dose of reality, so I added, "Can you imagine how terrible the boss would be if we did get together and he found out we were having an affair or something?"

Karin actually shivered. "Sasuke, I don't even want to think about it," she said, waving a hand in outright dismissal.

"Then I guess we can't really do anything, can we?"

"I guess."

I nodded, and held out a hand to help her up. Karin took it gratefully, and we rose to our feet.

"Are we still friends?" I said, casting a hopeful smile at her.

"Always, Sasuke," she said, holding out a hand to briefly touch my arm before pulling away, as though she knew it wasn't safe to tempt herself.

"Then I'd better get back to work," I announced, risking a quick glance in the mirror and fixing my hair. "You coming?"

"Sure!"

The whole way back, we talked about the trip to Suna and how amazing it was going to be staying at the Ritz-Carlton. I talked about how it would be good to re-assess my impression of the place, since the last time I was there, I had spent three months in the local hospital on a roll out hammock bed after the boss nearly died of heatstroke. Karin talked about what she was going to wear to the awards – a dilemma, since July is Suna's winter, and though it is still hot enough to wear pretty, formal dresses, there are the occasional cold snaps and rainy spells.

It was weird.

It was as though nothing had happened – that the knowledge had once again retreated into the inner recesses of my mind, to be noted but largely ignored, for fear of the consequences. But I knew, and presumably Karin knew, that it was out there, and that things would be slightly different from now on.

This trip to Suna… I'm still not sure how it's going to go. My two most-hated people in the universe will be conspicuously present, but at the same time, I have my brother, the more likeable Akatsuki members, my friends at Otogakure Enterprises – Karin among them – and the boss. If I keep in mind the good parts and do my best to ignore the bad, then I might just be able to get through it. If I just—

LATER:

Sorry about that. The boss came breezing into my office without so much as a knock at the door, wanting to know what I was up to and why I hadn't come back to the compound. I had to snap my laptop closed pretty sharpish. Thank goodness for autosave!

I don't have any time left to write, as I need to pack in a bad way and say goodbye to Mallory (the bad thing about staying in hotels – no adorable pets allowed.) We're travelling to Suna on the boss's jet and our flight leaves at seven-thirty. I have forty-five minutes to accomplish everything on my travel list before we head for the airport.

Will I screw myself over and hold everyone back?

Most likely.

Will write tomorrow!

July 23rd

I was right. I did, in fact, end up holding everyone back due to my lack of packing haste and thus we eventually left Otogakure at eight, rather than seven-thirty as planned. The rest of the higher-ups were already waiting at the airport when the boss, Kabuto and I arrived, and when the boss explained the reason for our tardiness, Kimimaro drew me a filthy look. As I had already decided I was not going to put up with any of his crap, I told him, in no uncertain terms, to do something about it. Characteristically, he rolled his eyes and walked away.

The five hour flight was uneventful, bar my turning round and telling Kimimaro to cut the fuck out his immature seat-kicking (he was sitting behind the boss and I, and I swear he was doing it on purpose). Kimimaro sighed in a self-righteous manner and denied it, saying he was merely crossing and uncrossing his legs and that I shouldn't expect him to sit still for my benefit for five hours. Nevertheless, I informed him that if he kicked the back of my seat again, I'd kick him. That shut him up, and for the rest of the flight, I was able to enjoy myself and forget that he was even there.

We touched down in Suna at one in the morning and after the hour's car ride to the coast, we checked in and our luggage was transported to the fifty-third floor. As I had never before stayed at the Suna Ritz-Carlton, I was ridiculously excited to see what our suite would be like, even though it was past two am and I should have been knackered. I think the boss realised this, as he kept teasing me, trying to describe to me what the rooms were like, but I would always cover my ears and yell, "Don't tell me! Don't tell me! I want it to be a surprise!"

When the bellhop opened the door, holding it open for the boss and I to enter, I dashed inside – and was confronted with a vision of unspeakable loveliness. The suite is huge, composed of several rooms, with a living room, a dining room, a walk-in pantry, a walk-in closet, two bathrooms and a separate den! Our suite takes up most of the fifty-third floor, and, as such, the vast windows afford a panoramic view of the Suna coastal skyline (I am looking forward to watching some spectacular sunsets!) In the bedroom, I found not only a beautiful four-poster bed (the mattress is so soft, I love it!) but a bottle of the 1907 Heidsieck shipwreck champagne on ice, which, I later learned when I asked, the boss had bought specially for my birthday!

Naturally, I was thrilled (because I could buy a decent house for the price of that bottle of champagne alone) and I ran up behind the boss and squeezed him gratefully, burying my face into the silky folds of his off-white kimono. Never mind that he was still tipping the bellhop at the time. I wanted him to know that I was pleased with what he had done, to hell with dignity and poise! The bellhop, being properly trained, knew when to take a hint, and he bowed low and wished us good night before backing out of the room and closing the door quietly behind him.

"Does our accommodation please my Sasuke-kun?" the boss said, with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Despite the lateness of the hour, I was feeling quite awake and not at all ready to go to sleep. I did, however, feel the sudden urge to head for the bedroom. The four-poster was calling me, and I figured it was time to test its durability, as well as its comfort.

"It pleases your Sasuke-kun very, very much," I replied, whispering in the boss's ear while reaching up and wrapping my arms around his neck. "In fact, it pleases your Sasuke-kun so much that he feels it only proper to show his appreciation…"

The boss didn't need any further hints.

"What wonderful news," he murmured, his eyes already alight with lust. "Then I shall leave you momentarily while I slip into something more comfortable – though not you, Sasuke-kun. Tonight, I want you to undress in front of me."

"That's fine by me," I said, grinning. "I like that game, anyway." (This is true, for two reasons. First, I enjoy the attention, and second, it drives the boss absolutely wild. He has never been able to resist when I offer to do this for him, even when he's in the middle of something important down in the labs. Thus, I have to use it sparingly, lest the novelty wear off.)

The boss cast me a lingering look of anticipation before he managed to tear himself away from me long enough to change. While the boss freshened himself up, I was left waiting in the living room, eager and ready to get down to business. Not long after, though, there came a knock at the door. Thinking it was the bellhop, I opened it, only to find Suigetsu standing out in the corridor, jigging and making happy noises. I opened my mouth to tell him that I was busy and that I'd talk to him in the morning, but he barged his way in, all wound up and chattering excitedly.

"Oh my god, Sasuke, my room is fucking amazing!" he blurted out, effusively. "The bathroom is just, oh my god! And the bed… man. And there're these windows, right? Big fuckers that cover the whole wall! You can see for miles! And they've given me a telescope! Who in their right mind would give me a telescope? I mean, come on! Me and Amachi are only going to use it to spy on hot chicks on the beach, yeah? And, oh my god, there's a bidet in the bathroom! A fucking bidet, Sasuke! I didn't even know what a bidet was! Had to ask Kimi because he's posh. Man, I can't believe some guy invented something to help you wash your ass. Seriously, there's a jet that fires water straight up there! BAM! Anal cleansing!"

"That's great Suigetsu, but—"

"But oh my freakin god, Sasuke! Your room is fucking huge! Seriously, who needs a room this big? Nah, who am I kidding? I'd fucking kill for a room like this! I guess that's why I work at Oto Enterprises, eh? Ha, ha! But, oh yeah, man, what's your bathroom like?"

"We have two, but—"

"OH MY GOD!" Suigetsu said, his voice becoming higher and higher as his enthusiasm meter went off the scale. "You have two bathrooms? Seriously, who needs two bathrooms in a hotel room? So, what, are you and the boss going to shower separately or something? Don't make me laugh!"

It was then that the boss decided to reappear. Sweeping into the living room, he was clearly dressed for bed in a silky, taupe-coloured robe I had never seen before. Probably new, I figured. As he entered, his eyes fell instantly upon Suigetsu. The boss obviously knew he was there, as no one within a five-mile radius could have failed to detect Suigetsu's loud, obnoxious voice. On sight of the boss, Suigetsu shut himself up and giggled sheepishly.

"Sorry, Orochimaru-sama," he said, with his customary toothy grin.

"Out, Suigetsu!" the boss barked, thrusting a finger towards the door.

Suigetsu didn't need to be told twice. Before he left, he gave me an extraordinarily unsubtle wink and said, "I'll leave you to it, Sasuke. Talk to you in the morning, yeah?"

I nodded absently, my mind already on other things.

When Suigetsu slammed the door behind him, I was ready to pounce – and so was the boss.

"Shall we?" he said, his eyes glittering.

"I suppose," I answered, coyly. "We'd best get started now, if you don't want to be kept up too late."

Now, I know the majority of guys complain about foreplay (I know because I used to be one of them), but recently, I've come to rather enjoy it. It's the one area in my life where I have complete power over my significant other. He loves to be wound up and teased and tortured in the bedroom until he can take it no more and he spills over into effusive words of affectionate praise that leave me giddy and only too willing to let him seal the deal.

And I have to tell you, the sex was fantastic. That's all I'm going to say.

You see, these are the moments when I am truly glad I left Konoha to work for Oto Enterprises. If every day was like this I could live quite happily there for the rest of my life.

LATER:

This morning was… interesting.

Once again, I woke up early, and after watching some crap Suna breakfast TV in the living room, I decided to go find Suigetsu because some sixth sense told me he would be up and annoying the hell out of the others. Having knocked on his door and being met with no answer, I called him, and he told me he was at the indoor pool on floor forty-seven with Kisame and the rest of the Akatsuki lot and that I had to come down or else. Suddenly quite fancying a swim, I donned my black swim-shorts, my loose-fitting white shirt and flip-flops, left the boss a note to say where I was, and headed for the pool.

Upon my arrival, the Akatsuki mob were indeed present in their entirety (including uncle Madara) and I was greeted with great enthusiasm by Suigetsu, who tumbled off the shark float he was clinging to and jumped up and down in the water, waving madly.

"HEY SASUKE! JUMP IN! THE POOL'S AMAZING!" he yelled, almost deafening Kakuzu, who had innocently passed by him while doing a few lengths.

I assured Suigetsu I would, but that I wanted to reserve a recliner first, get myself organised and have a bit of chill time. Suigetsu let me away with it, on condition that if I was not in the pool in an hour's time, he'd come looking for me. Laughing, I said in that case I would most definitely comply, before I went to find a recliner in a location that met my single, stringent criterion: namely that it was as far away from uncle Madara as possible. As Akatsuki were all grouped together, the vast distance I put between myself and my hated relative made me look like an anti-social weirdo for a while, before the Oto Enterprises lot gradually began to filter downstairs and saved me from my self-imposed isolation.

Once the others arrived, the whole group became much more heterogeneous and the atmosphere warmed up considerably. Up until today, I never really realised how strong the connections are between our two companies, but watching everyone from the poolside made it hit home how incestuous these networks really are. Obviously, the boss was there, talking to Kakuzu and Sasori, his old partners in crime from when he used to work for the Akatsuki Group; then there was Suigetsu, Kimimaro and Kisame, who are all related in some capacity and all used to work for Gato Shipping before it went bust; then there was Kabuto and Deidara, a strange chalk-and-cheese alliance born of rebellion at one of the boss's Christmas parties; my brother, Itachi, and myself – between the two of us and the boss, bridging the gaps between the three corporations; and then there was uncle Madara, sitting chatting to Konan and some other guy I didn't recognise with a glass of port in hand. Uncle Madara, the man who almost plunged the boss into poverty when he was a child through his dodgy dealings; the man who seeks to divide Itachi and I with secrets and lies; the man who remains to this day the hated enemy of most of the Konoha higher-ups, for whom both the boss and I used to work, and with whom we are still on friendly terms.

Despite the fact that we should have been (and technically are) rivals, Oto Enterprises and the Akatsuki Group were getting along strangely well. I found myself chatting to various mini-groups, in which I managed to gather together a respectable amount of gossip. I learned from Deidara and Sasori (who were pleasantly sober and lucid – it won't last for long) that they are already planning their next great artistic venture – an interactive, haunted house style exhibit, where every scrap of the thing is hand-crafted. Apparently, they wish to enlist the help of Sai, who has taken on the artist's handle "Root", and I have to watch out for him in future, as they both assured me he is very talented. Most interesting, however, was the news that they are thinking very seriously about quitting Akatsuki to focus on their art. This did surprise me, and when I asked why they wanted to quit, they cited uncle Madara as the main reason.

"He wants to expand everywhere," Sasori said, in his strange, quiet tones. "It's too much, too quick. There aren't enough hours in the day, and not enough people to manage them. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but we're really missing Oro. He's been gone for years, but we've never hired anyone to replace him. Never could find anyone good enough. Oh, and you heard about Madara wanting to move headquarters to Kirigakure?"

I nodded grimly.

"Then you'll understand how busy we've been. On top of the expansion into Konoha, on top of the operations we have outstanding in all the different countries, on top of moving headquarters to Kirigakure – Deidara and I barely have time to sketch at night, let alone plan for another exhibit."

Then Deidara dropped another gossip bombshell. He was talking more to Sasori than to me, but he knew I was there and was obviously fine with me listening in.

"And did you know Kakuzu and Hidan are wanting to quit too?"

"Mmm-hmm," Sasori said, nodding. "Kakuzu was telling me the other night before we flew out. He says that if Madara doesn't start recruiting more management-level staff, he's going to walk because he can't take anymore of the fifteen-hour days. And Kisame's not happy with the way Madara's treating Itachi."

"Obviously," Deidara drawled. "I mean, I know Itachi has always been a workaholic, but Madara's been piling so much shit on him lately it's unreal! I'm amazed he hasn't collapsed!"

Worried, I risked a quick glance over at my brother, who was in the recliner next to uncle Madara, silent as the grave and wired to his ipod, as our arsehole of an uncle conversed gaily with Konan and the other guy I didn't know. On the surface, he looked okay. There were no dark circles under his eyes, and he seemed quite alert – normal for my able, energetic brother. Though the fact that he was not in the pool, doing one-hundred lengths at breakneck speed and showing everyone else up was telling.

"Madara has got to recruit," Sasori went on. "He's got to open up new managerial positions if he doesn't want a mutiny on his hands. And I do believe he's thinking about it."

"Really?" Deidara said, picking out what looked like flecks of blue paint from his nails. "Does he have his eye on anyone yet?"

"Not that I know of. I know we'd all like Oro back, but that's not going to happen. Though I did hear overhear Nagato and Konan whispering about recruitment, so even they're considering it."

Deidara snorted. "Good. It's about bloody time! If we're all thinking the same thing, then Madara's got to listen!"

They went on like that for another couple of minutes, before Deidara announced he wanted to go in the pool. Round about the same time, Suigetsu emerged and demanded I join them, so I spent a blessed half-hour acting like an idiot in the deep end with Deidara, Suigetsu and Kisame, throwing around the random shark float that seemed to belong to no one in particular.

Playtime, however, was cut short when the boss stealthily slipped into the water, swam up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, an action that made me yelp embarrassingly and also caused me to neglect the shark float, which was speeding through the air towards me from Kisame's end and consequently slammed into my face, its soft, pointy rubber nose bashing me right between the eyes.

As Kisame, Deidara and Suigetsu pointed and laughed and guffawed like morons ("Ha ha! You suck, Sasuke!") I took the opportunity to pout at the boss in an accusatory manner. Brazen as usual, the boss brushed aside my feeble attempt at animosity and proceeded to drag me to the shallow end of the pool. We ended up commandeering a corner, in which the boss decided he wanted to kiss me and feel me up. This was fine by me, so we spent a fair amount of time there making everyone else in the room feel uncomfortable, before we decided we'd had enough and the boss and I parted ways: I to the recliners to towel myself down, and the boss to the deep end of the pool, where he joined the impromptu shark-tossing game (to Suigetsu's great delight – he does not often witness the boss getting to have fun.)

It was while I was towelling myself down, all set for some quality time with my ipod, that I had my first real confrontation with the Kaguya Freak. I was sitting down on my recliner, my head bent, drying my hair. When I sat up, I noticed a shadow looming over me. My eyes travelled upwards and instantly took note of the familiar form of my nine-to-five nemesis, wearing a loose, flowing yukata and a look that seemed remarkably like hatred. My lip curled on instinct.

"What do you want?"

"I suppose you enjoyed that," Kimimaro answered. He was obviously trying to keep his tone level, but there was a slight tremor that gave him away. "I suppose you enjoyed having me watch while you had your filthy, unworthy hands all over him."

For a moment, I must confess, I hadn't the faintest clue what he was talking about. Then he mentioned having my hands all over Orochimaru-sama, and suddenly I knew perfectly well. I couldn't stop the nasty, smug smile that formed on my lips, nor the feeling of accomplishment that I had rammed another nail of grief into his heart.

"Well if it bothers you that much," I began, adding extra malice for his benefit, "then why don't you quit and go somewhere else? I mean, it isn't going to stop anytime soon."

Kimimaro's eyes flashed.

"You'd love that, wouldn't you?" he hissed. "You would love it if I upped and left without a trace, leaving you unchallenged. It would suit you. You, the cosseted Uchiha brat, who has floated through life thus far without a care in the world. Well, I will not leave. I will stay at Otogakure for as long as it takes, and I am going to make your life hell, Uchiha Sasuke!"

The sheer venom Kimimaro spat out shocked even me. Of course, I didn't let him know it. Instead, I shrugged and said, matter-of-factly, "Well, if you want to make your own life miserable, then go ahead. Now, I don't know if you've noticed, Kaguya – and if you haven't then I'm giving you a heads up – but the boss likes me, not you. Read my lips: he doesn't like you anymore. You're yesterday's news. Got that?"

For a moment, I thought I'd overdone it and Kimimaro was going to punch me. My words must have struck home, or struck something at any rate, for he stood there, staring down his nose at me, as though he couldn't believe what he'd just heard.

Then he smiled an incredulous smile and said, "Astonishing. Absolutely astonishing. Your arrogance is boundless, Uchiha Sasuke. You truly do believe you have Orochimaru-sama wrapped around your little finger, don't you?"

"Well, I wouldn't say that, but I know he wouldn't go for you again…"

Kimimaro's incredulous smile turned secretive.

"You are certain of that?"

At that point, I didn't like the way the conversation was going, and I sought to bring it to a firm close. Snatching my towel and tossing it over my shoulder, I stood up and looked Kimimaro right in the eye.

"I'm pretty certain," I replied. "So certain that I'm going to prove it to you by leaving him unsupervised while I go for a sauna. Now do me a favour and fuck off. I don't want to see you here when I get back. If I'm around you any longer, I might catch something."

With that, I swept off, Kimimaro casting me a look of withering resentment as I went.

I was in a pretty bad mood when I reached the sauna, and I flung the doors open with a little more force than was strictly necessary. Great billowing clouds of steam churned out, obscuring my vision and catching the back of my throat. Someone, it appeared, had been a little overzealous with the water on the coals. Coughing, spluttering and cursing Kimimaro under my breath, I managed to feel my way through the thick clouds of steam and took a seat next to Konan and another young man I didn't recognise. It turned out to be Nagato.

"Who's that?" a familiar voice called out.

"It's me, Sasuke. Is that you, Kabuto?"

"Yes."

"Where are you?"

"I'm over here next to your uncle Madara!"

Cringing, I performed a mental facepalm and upped the internal cursing factor. Honestly, I have had such bad luck this morning. I only hope tonight bucks the trend.

"Where are you?"

"I'm here next to… umm… Konan and… umm…"

"Nagato," Nagato said chivalrously, offering a hand. "You're sitting here next to Konan and Nagato."

My face must've been a picture.

"Oh my god, Nagato? Is that you? I'm really sorry. I didn't recognise you at all. I-Is this a new look or are you going straight for the awards?"

This was true. The last time I'd seen Nagato, he had dyed, spiky orange hair and sported far too many facial piercings. This time, Nagato's hair was straight, not quite shoulder-length, uniformly black and his face was free of forcibly inserted, decorative, foreign bodies. I was gaping, I knew it, for Konan raised a dainty hand to her mouth and started giggling.

"The latter, Sasuke," he replied. "Madara-sama thought it best I present a clean image for the awards tonight since they will be televised. And I agree with him."

"I am glad you do, Nagato," my uncle said, finally making his presence known. "And I also happen to think you look rather dashing au naturale, as you are at present."

"Though I find it strange to see myself again as I am, I thank you for the compliment, Madara-sama."

"Well, I think you look good both ways," I said loudly, annoyed at Nagato's unflinching compliance with my uncle's demands. "And I think people should be allowed to look how they want to look."

My uncle said nothing, but I knew that he knew it was a direct challenge. I couldn't see his face very well – his silhouette was a blur at the other end of the room – but I could have sworn I saw him smile. Madara ignored me pointedly, and instead turned to bother Kabuto. That was fine by me, and I spent the rest of my sauna chatting to Konan and Nagato.

As with Deidara and Sasori, the conversation inevitably turned to the horrors of their workplace (something that was clearly foremost in the minds of all the Akatsuki higher-ups and therefore must be a real issue). It turned out that Sasori was right: they had been considering recruiting – and they seemed keen to try it on with the Otogakure management. They were discreet, though, I'll give them that. Wisely discreet. If they'd done it within earshot of the boss, I don't think relations between the companies would have continued on a friendly note for very long.

"So Sasori was telling me earlier about your move to Kirigakure. How's that going?"

"It's difficult, but we're getting there," Konan said, with a hint of optimism, that was put there, no doubt, in case my uncle Madara was listening in. "There are a lot of things going on right now. We're just lucky that there's already a building waiting for us. I don't think we could have handled it if there wasn't."

"Oh?" I said, suddenly curious. "So where's your new base, then? I rather liked the one in River Country."

"It's actually the old Kaguya stronghold," Nagato said. "Kimimaro sold it to Madara-sama not long ago when Akatsuki approached him, looking for a property."

"Really?" I said quietly. "I had no idea."

I was tempted to finish that sentence, adding, "I had no idea Kimimaro would go to such lengths to stay in Otogakure, the pathetic, obsessed freak that he is." But I didn't, and let Nagato continue.

"Yes. It's a little rundown, having been left uninhabited for almost twenty years, but Akatsuki have the budget to fully restore it and return the castle to its former glory."

"All we need now is a few more people to help run it," Konan said. Then she turned to look at me with an odd, half-hopeful, half-sceptical expression, as though she were perfectly aware I'd turn her down but wanted to have a go anyway, just in case.

"Sasuke," she said, "I know this is rather out of the blue, but would you ever consider joining Akatsuki? You're exactly the sort of person we need."

I tried to phrase it as politely as I could.

"Wow… Konan. I'm flattered, I really am, but I couldn't possibly…"

"You would never, ever consider it?"

"Well, I would never say never. I mean, it would be rather nice to see Itachi more often, but—"

"If you joined, then you'd be able to see him whenever you liked."

"Umm… well, I don't exactly think I'd want to see him every day."

"Then is it the money? Because I'm sure Akatsuki would happily raise your salary."

"No! I mean… no. It's not the money. Orochimaru-sama pays me well and, actually, I'm quite happy at Oto Enterprises."

Defeated, Konan sighed, leaning over and reaching for the bright, copper ladle.

"Oh well," she said to Nagato, half smiling. "At least I tried."

Then she poured two ladles full of water upon the white hot coals. The temperature rocketed, and steam clouds filled the room until I could hardly see my hand in front of my face. Playfully, I protested, and Kabuto heard me, joining in. After that, conversation opened up and turned round to other matters. It wasn't long before I couldn't stand the heat and had to take my leave and jump back in the pool. I was in there until around midday, arsing about, before the boss decided he wanted to go for lunch and the Otogakure lot were obliged to follow suit.

Lunch itself was wonderful. Departing from the norm, the boss opted not to go for traditional food, as is his wont, but instead announced he felt like pasta. This was fantastic news, as I have an unnatural love for pasta and haven't been able to eat it quite as much as I would like ever since the boss kidnapped me and installed me in his overlarge house. I ordered spinach and ricotta ravioli with asparagus. It was beautiful. Gen'yumaru had a forkful, just to try, and said its texture and freshness was divine. Since he's an excellent cook, I am inclined to agree with him.

As of this moment, I'm back in the suite, freshening up for the awards. The boss isn't back yet, having been waylaid by uncle Madara at the Club Lounge. I hate to think what sort of conversation my uncle is forcing upon him. There is an unforeseen upside to this, however, as I've managed to get the bathroom to myself, with no strops and tantrums because a) the soap isn't rinsing out of the boss's hair, or b) because soap has run into the boss's eyes, or c) because the boss's eye make-up isn't applying properly, or d) because the boss has suddenly had a random freak-out over the kimono he's chosen to wear, or e) because he doesn't like the way his moisturiser feels on his skin. I could go on. These are matters I regularly have to deal with in Otogakure.

Ah well. At least I don't have to deal with uncle Madara. I'm going to take advantage of the extra time to chill out, watch some TV, dick around on the net, maybe lie in bed and read a book in my wonderful suite. After all, it is my birthday…

LATER:

I hate uncle Madara.

He has officially ruined everything.

You know what I said earlier about wondering what sort of conversation he would be imposing on the boss? I was right to wonder. I was right to worry. Because do you know what he told him? He told the boss that I had said to Konan in the sauna that I would consider joining Akatsuki.

I NEVER SAID THAT!! I said that I would never say never, but uncle Madara, being the loathsome, manipulative worm he is, was obviously listening in. He's twisted my words and dripped poison in them before passing them on to someone else!

What does he want? What the hell does he want? First, he tries to break up Itachi and I – and now he's going for the boss and I? I mean, I can't even begin to think what's in this for him. He already has Itachi. What could he want with me? Maybe Deidara and Kisame and the others have convinced him to recruit, and this is his vile, underhand way of going about it? Or maybe he's just black-hearted to the core and cannot stand seeing others happy?

Who am I kidding? I don't give a shit what he wants. I want him to butt the hell out of my life. I want him to stop.

I was lying in bed reading a book when the boss came storming in. The door battered open on its hinges and I felt a flutter of dread as I heard the boss shouting in anger.

"SASUKE-KUN! SASUKE-KUN, WHERE ARE YOU? GET OUT HERE NOW!"

And then the bedroom door flew open and the boss stood framed within. I froze in the act of turning a page and I stared up at him, my mouth open in shock. He was absolutely incandescent with rage. I only ever see him like that when he's at work, yelling at other people down in the labs. It was scary.

"W-What is it—?" I began, startled, before the boss took three long strides, cleared the floor, grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room.

Did you hear that? He dragged me from the room. I was stumbling, and he gripped my arm so hard I still have a red mark to show for it and he dragged me into the living room and threw me against the couch. I hit it quite hard and I fell onto the floor, spraining my wrist. The boss was looming over me, staring at me with fire in his eyes. Then he spoke, and everything became clear.

"So you will be joining Akatsuki, will you?" he spat viciously.

"W-What?" I said, utterly bewildered. "No! Who the hell told you that?"

The boss smiled a cynical smile.

"Madara told me."

"What? Oh my god… you… you actually listened to him? And here I thought you were clever. I guess even geniuses have their moments—"

"SILENCE!" the boss roared, gesticulating wildly, suddenly looking quite deranged.

It scared the hell out of me and my mouth snapped shut. All I could do was stare at him as I tried to retreat into the side of the vast, unmoveable, leather couch. I actually wanted to hide inside, it was so bad. He just kept ranting on and on and on…

"I have had it up to here with you, Sasuke-kun! You push and you push and you push and I will tolerate it no longer! I am sick to the back teeth of your insolence! Sometimes, I think you forget your place—"

"My place?" I said, my voice trembling with indignation. "So where's that then?"

The boss paused for a moment and looked at me funny. Then he said in a voice devoid of all emotion, "Your place is in Otogakure, Sasuke-kun. With me. And don't you ever forget it."

Then the boss stormed off into the den, slamming the door behind him.

I was dazed; utterly shocked at the severity of the boss's tirade. After a moment, I picked myself up and sat on the couch, took stock and tried to recover. My wrist was killing me, little sharp pains shooting up the length of my arm. It was then I noticed the red mark the boss had left as I rolled up the my shirt sleeve to investigate. The sight of it awakened something in me. It awakened a sense of righteous indignation, a sense of terrible injustice that had been done to me. I had done nothing wrong! How dare he treat me like that? How dare he?

So when the boss came back in for another round, I was ready for him. We ended up at each others' throats, screaming until we were blue in the face, shouting over each other, fighting to be heard. Before long, we weren't even arguing about Madara and Akatsuki anymore, but instead every ugly thought we'd ever dared think about one other was given voice. Naturally, this only led to further resentment and further recrimination until the boss snapped and launched a vase at me, hurling it across the room. It smashed against the wall, missing me by inches. I managed to dodge the shrapnel, but I was thoroughly soaked with musty flower-juice.

The vicious shouting match recommenced until we were brought down to earth with a bump as one of the concierge knocked on the door to inform us that we had an hour and a half to get ready for the awards, and that if we wanted anything, we'd to let him know. The guy had obviously heard us arguing, and must've been working up the courage to knock for ages. As he spoke, his eyes kept flitting over to me, covered in nasty flower water and surrounded by broken glass and bruised white lilies.

"Yeah," I snapped, shaking my hands and feeling water dripping off my fingertips. "You can send someone to come clean this up – and while they're at it, they can take this," I tugged at my shirt, "down to be laundered. And he can pay for it!" I finished, hurling a finger at the boss before I ran out of the living room and straight into the bathroom for yet another shower – even though I'd just got out.

I'm in the bedroom right now, typing this up. The boss is here too, but he's not speaking to me. Instead, he seems content to dress for the awards in mulish silence. That's fine by me. I don't feel much like speaking to him, either. If I did, he'd probably end up biting my head off, anyway.

I hate him sometimes, I really do.

I hate uncle Madara even more.

If that man says one word wrong tonight, so help me god, I'm going to commit murder.

LATER:

The awards are over, done with, finished, ended. Otogakure Enterprises walked away with two awards for 'Outstanding innovation in research and development' and 'best new pharmaceutical product', plus an unexpected surprise in the name of Business of the Year. We did pretty damned well. Akatsuki were not left out, winning the awards for 'most successful expansion' and 'protecting the people'. There's a party in the Club Lounge, but I'm still in a foul mood, so I'm sitting alone in the suite, taking advantage of the wireless internet connection to play celebrity-killing flash games on Newgrounds. Some birthday, eh?

Man, I sound like the biggest emo-child ever…

Okay, so there were a few laughs at the awards themselves. I've got time to kill, so I might as well furnish a few details. God knows, it'll be a long night, otherwise.

The ceremony was held in the Grand Ballroom, and the Otogakure lot headed down in a group to take our seats at our table for the night. The place had already been kitted out by Zabuza's TV minions and I could see cameramen and soundmen and lurking in the shadows. The floor manager was pacing up and down, barking orders to everyone, and I could see Haku on the podium, dressed up to the nines in black kimono and grey hakama, practising reading from the autocue.

The table arrangements worked out quite well. We were placed five rows from the front, far enough away so we were not constantly in front of the cameras, but close enough that we could reach the podium without having to mount an expedition. Next to us was the Mikatsuhikata TV table, with Zabuza, director-general, lording it over a bunch of sycophantic minions. The next table along belonged to the Akatsuki Group, which was good, because I spent half my time there when the cameras weren't rolling. It was excruciating sitting next to the boss. As soon as we sat down, he made it perfectly clear that he was going to ignore me the whole night. Fine, I figured. If he intended to act like a spoiled brat, then that was his prerogative. I didn't have to tolerate it, though, so as soon as I got settled, and the waitress took my drinks order, I headed over to the Akatsuki table without so much as a glance at the boss. If he didn't like it, he could damn well come over and tell me.

Naturally, I found a warm welcome at the Akatsuki table, and I took a seat between Kakuzu and Sasori. The only people who didn't greet me were Deidara, who was in the bathroom, and Hidan, who wasn't really all there. He was slumped to one side in his seat and stared warily at me, as though he were trying very hard to remember who I was.

"What's wrong with him?" I whispered to Kakuzu.

Kakuzu rolled his eyes.

"Madara said he didn't want Hidan doing anything stupid tonight and charged Sasori and Deidara with keeping him under control. Unfortunately, the imbeciles decided the best way to go about this would be to sneak an unhealthy dose of Deidara's prescription tranquilisers into his soup."

"Whoa," I said, my eyes widening. "Is he okay?"

"He will be," Sasori said, a touch irritated, as though he were fed up answering that particular question. "It's not lethal. Honestly, you'd think we'd poisoned him, the way you're reacting…"

"Muuuuuuuurrrrrrr…?" Hidan said suddenly, leaning forward and touching me on the shoulder, slurring his words badly, his eyes drifting in and out of focus. "Murrrrr mafff nnnn wizzle wizzle mafff nnnnnnnnn?"

"Just say yes," Kakuzu said, rescuing me as I stared at Hidan with vague horror. "I haven't a fucking clue what he's on about, so it's safer just to say yes."

I did as Kakuzu recommended, and Hidan nodded, patting my shoulder. I say nodded, it was more like his head lolled once or twice on his shoulders. Then he smiled and keeled over, his head hitting the table with a mournful clink of glassware. There was a brief uh-oh moment as we all looked at each other.

"Zetsu… is he dead?" Kakuzu asked hesitantly.

Zetsu leaned over and prodded Hidan. When that did not elicit a response, he felt for a pulse.

"No. I don't think so… Wait, yeah, he's still breathing."

"Thank god for that!" Kakuzu said, with relief. "Can you imagine the bollocking we'd have got if he'd died?"

Then Deidara appeared, swinging himself into his seat and arriving in the midst of the group like a bomb going off.

"MAN DOWN, HAHAHAHAHA!" Deidara shrieked, clapping his hands so loudly it made me jump. Red-eyed and jittery, it was obvious he was already on drugs. "GUESS IT WAS TOO MUCH FOR HIM, EH SASORI-DANNA?"

Sasori shrugged. "They'll wear off before long. Probably just in time for him to come round and cause mayhem at the after-party." Then he stood up, smoothing fastidiously the creases from his Akatsuki robes and said, quite without shame, "Right. I'm going for a couple of lines. Does anyone else want any? It's on me. Sasuke?"

You see this is exactly why I could never go to work for Akatsuki. Before long, I'd be peer-pressured into becoming a junkie.

"Umm… thanks, Sasori, but I'm okay," I said as politely as possible.

Sasori shrugged and said, "Suit yourself. I'll be back in a bit."

After that, things started to go a little better as the wine began to flow. I cared less when Karin had to come fetch me and take me back to the Otogakure table just as the awards were about to start. The boss glared at me when I sat down, but I was already a little tipsy, so I didn't care. Then the lights went down, the cheesy music started up, and Haku walked on stage to a roar of applause.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" he said in his slightly effeminate, safe-for-family-television tones. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! In case you didn't know, I am Haku of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? fame, and I welcome you all most warmly to the annual Product of the Year awards, in which we take the time to honour those hard-working men and women who strive for excellence and innovation in their chosen fields in order to better the lives of their many consumers! This year was particularly tough, with some real winners short-listed, so we'd best get down to business. I know you wouldn't have it any other way!"

I had to sit through the glamour, fashion, home-electronics, charity, home-entertainment, confectionary, body care, body wash, frozen foods, household cleaning (Cillit BANG!), men's grooming and oral care categories, pretending I was enjoying myself and pretending I didn't want to strangle the boss. Halfway through the snacks category, things got a little more interesting. Bored out of my mind, I suppressed a yelp as Deidara snuck up behind my chair and tugged the sleeve of my tux.

"Sasuke!" he whispered, sniggering and snorting like a naughty kid at the back of the class. "C'mere! You've gotta see this!"

"See what?" I hissed. "The cameras are still rolling!"

"Sasuke, seriously. You have to come see this or you'll regret it foreverrrrrr!"

I rolled my eyes and followed him to the Akatsuki table. Sasori, Zetsu, Konan and Kisame were all crowded round Kakuzu, grinning in anticipation. Hidan was observing with vague interest. Someone had obviously sat him upright.

"What's going on—?" I began, before I was shushed by the rest of them.

"Go on, Kakuzu, get it out!" Deidara chortled, unable to contain himself.

Smirking, Kakuzu reaching into the folds of his Akatsuki robes and revealed a little black box. Opening it, it appeared to contain what looked like your bog-standard fountain pen. Except this had round attachments to screw onto the top.

"Oh no," I said, with a creeping feeling of realisation and dread. "Shit. That's a laser pointer! No, Kakuzu. You're not going to—? Are you?"

The evil grin on Kakuzu's face confirmed my worst fears.

"It has a range of sixty miles," he said proudly, "and it can burst balloons and melt plastic. I got it at a dodgy stall down by the beach. Kisame and I tested it out last night."

"It really works," Kisame said, rubbing it in.

"Oh god…"

"But you know what the best part is, Sasuke?" Deidara asked maniacally, grabbing my arm and shaking me. "It has the funniest freaking attachments ever!"

"Oh god…"

"Yeah! There's this one that's just a big "Hello", but there's another one that's, like, a giant hash leaf, and another one that projects a giant knob onto the sky! It's hilarious! Like the bat-symbol, or something!"

"Like the Akatsuki symbol, you mean! You're going to get us all thrown out, you morons!"

Kakuzu waved away my protests with an impatient hand.

"Sasuke, they won't throw us out. We're Akatsuki. And besides, the show's not going out live. They can cut the giant laser dick out if they really want to."

Thus I could do nothing but watch as Kakuzu flicked the switch. The chairman of the Konoha Mega-Mart chain was presenting the guy from Pringles with the award for Best New Snack, and there was a howl of laughter from the Akatsuki table as Kakuzu adjusted the focus and planted a mini, green laser dick on the forehead of the Pringles man. He did the same for the pet food category, but instead opted for the giant laser dick. Eventually, I was crying with laughter, along with the rest of the Akatsuki group. Every time security came running over, looking to apprehend the perpetrator, we all had to stifle our sniggers as Kakuzu switched it off and pretended he was taking notes with his 'pen'. Uncle Madara knew fine well what was going on, but since he is all for displays of casual cruelty and disregard for tradition and ceremony, it no doubt amused him and he let it slide.

"I swear to god, Kakuzu," I said, wiping tears from my eyes, "if Oto Enterprises gets an award and you shine that giant dick on my face, I'll tell everyone here it's your fault…"

"Curses," Kakuzu muttered. "I knew I shouldn't have let Deidara bring you over. Oh well. Otogakure is safe. For now…"

Then he pointed the beam at a shiny, gold balloon next to the podium and burst it, making Haku scream. Everyone laughed.

"That's it!" Haku shrieked, making me laugh harder because I'd never before seen him lose his frail composure. "Zabuza-san!" he whined. "Tell Kakuzu to stop it! I know it's him! I can't concentrate when he's shining that thing in my face, and I'm not doing any more links until he promises to stop it!"

At the table next to us, Zabuza looked over and raised one of his non-eyebrows (note: Momochi Zabuza has strange, funny, little half-brows. I'm not sure whether this is natural, or whether he has them deliberately shaped. Either way, this combined with his preternatural love for high-waisted, hareem trousers (it's hammer time!) makes him look a tad eccentric.)

"Kakuzu…" he said warningly.

"Yes?"

"Cut it out. There's only so much we can edit."

With a mock sigh, Kakuzu reached for the case and put the laser pointer away. He didn't protest, which probably meant he'd had his fun and was quite content to sit back and reap the rewards of his victory over the pomp and ceremony of the occasion. It gave me a laugh at any rate, and I high-fived him, congratulating him on a stellar prank (has hell frozen over, I wonder?) and returned to the Otogakure table. The atmosphere there was a complete contrast. It was chilly to say the least. The boss was glaring into space, sitting in stony silence, swirling his wine in his glass. His eyes flickered briefly towards me when I sat down before flitting away just as quickly. I sighed. Everyone else was too afraid to talk, since the boss was radiating bad vibes from every pore. I decided to form a natural animosity deflector by reaching for a bottle of red wine, filling my glass to the brim and downing the lot. I could feel my cheeks going red and was already caring less about the boss's ridiculous, childish behaviour.

There were only a few other awards to sit through (Akatsuki's 'Protecting the People' and 'Most Successful Expansion' awards among them) before the medical science category got underway. As expected, we won both awards in the category. Those were: 'Outstanding Innovation in Research and Development' and 'Best New Pharmaceutical Product'. Kabuto and the boss went up for those ones, and because the boss was PMSing, Kabuto had to make the speech. I must say he did very well, being all charming and clever while the boss stood there the whole time in the background, glowering like a petulant child and tossing his head.

The very last award, though, was a different story. No one knows who is nominated for Business of the Year until the night of the awards ceremony. It's always a surprise. Akatsuki won it last year, and, once again, their name was read out on the short-list of candidates, along with the Nanakusa restaurant chain and Gap clothing (why?)

When Haku smiled and said, "… and finally – Otogakure Enterprises!" the boss's jaw dropped. Every single head at our table turned to look at him. It was safe to say the petulant strop had vanished – having been replaced by an ardent longing, apparent only in the boss's eyes, which were glittering with desire. Instantly, I knew how much he wanted that award. Oh boy, did he want it. In a bad way. The boss is very competitive, and I don't really want to think how he would have reacted if we hadn't won.

On the podium, Haku dropped one of his patented, special TV presenter's Irritatingly Long Pauses. You know? The ones in which the presenter flashes a winning smile and waits so long before announcing the winner you want to reach through the screen and throttle them?

Under the table, I crossed my fingers and whispered, "Ohpleaseohpleaseohpleasephplease…"

Then Haku put us all out of our misery.

"And this year's winner is… OTOGAKURE ENTERPRISES!"

The spotlight swung round to our table, but nothing could have made the boss's huge smile any brighter. He stood up so quickly he almost sent the whole table toppling.

"Quick!" he hissed, still managing to order us around while smiling furiously. "All of you, up, now!"

Instinctively, the boss grabbed my hand and propelled me along the red carpet onto the stage. The others followed, open-mouthed in astonishment, revelling in the cheers of the audience and the bright lights, in the free-flowing champagne and the appreciation of our peers and our opulent surroundings. It was such a rush. In a heartbeat, I was running up the stairs, hand in hand with the boss, and then Haku was heading for us, smiling, holding out the award. Grabbing it with both hands, the boss stared at it for a moment, as though he couldn't quite believe it. Then in one swift movement, he turned oh-so-gracefully, kissed me briefly but deeply in front of quite a lot of people, and dived for the podium, clutching the mic in a vice-like grip. There was no way Kabuto was going to get a word in edge-ways this time round. The thought made me laugh, and I stood there on stage, looking out at all the smiling faces. Suigetsu came charging up behind me, throwing an arm around my shoulder, yelling, "YEAH, WE DID IT! WE FUCKING DID IT!" Then Karin appeared, her face alight with joy, and, without thinking, I wrapped my arms around her and lifted her up in a great bear hug, spinning her around. Gen'yumaru joined us, and pretty soon, we were all caught up in a group-hug dancing circle (everyone except Kimimaro, of course – he had to stand at the boss's side and be dignified, as always.)

I have to admit… that part of the night sort of made all the hard work I've put in at Oto Enterprises over the past couple of years worth it. Somehow, I believe the boss was working along the same lines. He's put so much into this company, invested so much. We all have. It's nice to earn a little recognition. Hence our rather colourful and enthusiastic reaction.

Gradually, the applause died down as the audience waited for the great, infamous Orochimaru-sama of Otogakure Enterprises to speak.

"This award means more to me than you could ever know," the boss began. "It is the culmination of many years of creative toil and plain hard work. My vision, but a dream when I left the Akatsuki group, has now become reality. But it is not through my efforts alone. To aid me, I have an accomplished team both in research and development, headed by Yakushi Kabuto, and on a management level. Behind me are Suigetsu, my head of HR; Karin, of Marketing and PR; Amachi, my valuable IT guru; Gen'yumaru of Purchasing, who acquires for me everything I could ever want; Kaguya Kimimaro, the face of Finance; and finally Uchiha Sasuke, with whom you are more than likely familiar, my able and charismatic general manager of the north base. I would also like to mention Juugo, my head of Finance, who cannot be here today due to personal reasons.

In short, this award, my long-suffering employees, also belongs to you. It is the culmination of many years of creative toil and plain hard work. But although it is a culmination, a conclusion, an end of sorts, it is also a beginning.

This is not the last you will see of Otogakure Enterprises. This award, this recognition, is merely the beginning. If I have my way – and I will stop at nothing until I do – I shall see Otogakure Enterprises a household name: our products and services on the shelves of every personal medicine cupboard and every supermarket, prescribed by every general practitioner, used by every single hospital in every far flung corner of the world! This award is a springboard to bigger and better things, propelling Otogakure Enterprises toward the stars.

Our consumers trust us. We will continue to provide.

Thank you."

For being off the cuff, it was a really good speech. The whole of the grand ballroom erupted in applause and we filed off the stage behind the boss, two-by-two. Karin and I were grinning at each other the whole time, and since I was feeling chivalrous, I jumped the last few steps and held out my hand to help her down. Back at our table, the atmosphere had improved considerably, but this was not to last very long.

You know when you're bathed in the hot glare of the spotlight, the shadows all around appear that much darker? Well, imagine our table, alight and bubbling over with joy. Now imagine uncle Madara approaching, emerging from the shadows, with my brother trailing behind him like a wraith. It was freaky – like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland; his insincere smile appearing first, the rest of him following. The steely glint in his eyes told me he hadn't liked the way the night had turned out.

Worse still, his very presence reminded the boss that he was still angry with me (for something I did not do!) Pre-sabotaging-uncle, he was chatting away quite the thing. When Madara turned up, he seemed to stiffen. Then he pushed his chair away with a rude squawk and walked off, without a word of explanation to anyone.

Uncle Madara instantly spotted the vacated seat next to me and claimed it.

"Congratulations," he said, still with that steely look in his eyes. "Business of the Year, eh? That's quite an honour."

"Yeah. I noticed Akatsuki won it quite regularly before you bought most of it."

A brief flash of anger in Madara's eyes. I felt a thrill of victory. I had wounded him.

"Well, much like yourselves, Akatsuki are seeking the stars. Next year, perhaps?"

"I wouldn't count on it," I retorted. "Unless you stop treating your staff like crap, you won't have anyone left to get you there."

Bam! Another direct hit as an ugly look passed over my uncle's face. Obviously, recruitment was a real issue. The shadow was gone, though, in an instant – replaced with a subtle, sinister smile.

"Strange…" my uncle began, all-too-casually. "Strange, indeed, that such behaviour is tolerated in Orochimaru, where I am vilified." Then a deliberate change in tack as he added, "Ah well. Such is life. But how is Orochimaru? Forgive me for saying, but he seems a little out of sorts…"

The implication was left hanging in the air between us. We both knew damn fine what it meant. He told the boss about what happened in the sauna because he knew it would rattle him.

The red mist descended…

"He's not alright," I began, dangerously quiet, leaning over to speak right into his face. "He's not alright because you've been sitting there on your fat arse all day drinking port and feeding him your lies!"

"Lies, Sasuke?" Madara said, with mock effrontery. "No. Not lies."

"Then an incomplete truth!" I hissed. "They're just as bad as out and out lies! Ha, you must've wanted to get up and dance when you heard me talking to Konan!"

Madara's laugh was short and humourless. He was still smiling, but his eyes had narrowed slightly and they were burning with pure malice.

"Dear me," he began, "I never thought I'd live to see one of my own, an Uchiha, born and bred, defend truth and justice. Whatever has our family come to? Your mother? Your father? What would they think of you—?"

I am not proud to say that I lost control. However, I am very proud to say that my loss of control was quite spectacular and I got him a good one. Beside me, lay the boss's glass of red wine – abandoned, but most importantly, full. In one fluid movement – my eyes not leaving my uncle's – my hand darted out to reach it, grabbed it, and threw the contents all over Madara's face.

There was a collective gasp at the table. Uncle Madara snarled and violently pushed his chair away, dripping wet. Behind him, Itachi's face went pale, and he cast me a significant look, mouthing the words, "Go! Now!"

I wasn't sure whether Madara was the type to reach over the table and beat the crap out of me, but I didn't want to take my chances. I ran from the table and didn't look back, all the way up to our suite in the fifty-third floor. I thought the boss might be there. He wasn't, so I put the chain on the lock, just to be safe.

I'm still here now, alone and bored, while the after-party is in full swing in the Club Lounge.

I cannot believe I'm hiding out from my uncle in a hotel room.

I cannot believe the boss is still being a brat about all this.

I cannot believe how badly this weekend has turned out.

Fuck my life.

LATER:

That's it. I'm going to the party. I don't care if Madara's going to be there. I'm bored and I want to find the boss. I want to sit him down and force him to listen to the truth. I can't take anymore of this crap.

I'll let you know how it goes.

LATER:

It's midnight… or at least I think it is.

I have spent the last hour and a half in the bathroom crying and throwing up. This is because, as I type, the boss is fucking Kimimaro senseless in the next room.

I'm sitting on the living room floor with my laptop, my back pressed against the wall, imagining I can see them, imagining I can hear them, imagining I can feel what they feel. I can picture it quite clearly: the boss with his fingers knotted in Kimimaro's long, moon-pale hair; his nails raking down his back; his eyes alight with lust; whispering to him the sweet nothings (for that is clearly what they are) he always whispered to me; telling him how beautiful he is, that he has always preferred him, that he will never set eyes on another, that I was a mistake, a poor substitute for the one who truly holds his heart.

My eyes are stinging, burning even. I'm shaking and weak. I can hardly walk. It took all that I had just to fetch my laptop and write. And I had to write… I just had to. If I don't talk about this… I don't know what I'll do.

Who am I kidding? I don't know what I'll do anyway. What'll I do when he comes back – if he comes back?

What'll I say?

I can't…

I just can't…

LATER:

I didn't make it to the party at the Club Lounge. I had to psyche myself up to go there in the first place, to face uncle Madara and the rest of them for the sake of my relationship. Ha, what a fucking joke! I needn't have bothered.

When I was walking down the corridor to the Club Lounge, I stopped short when I heard a familiar voice. It was the boss's, and it had a weary, exasperated note to it. My heart skipped a beat when I realised the boss's voice was coming from inside someone's room – someone else's room, not ours. Suddenly fretting, I whipped round, trying to discern the source. The reply was not long in coming. With a sickening lurch, I recognised Kimimaro's cultured, wistful tones coming from his room – his room! – and I ran straight for the door, pressing my ear against it.

To my surprise, the door gave way beneath my hands with a quiet click. They hadn't locked it properly.

It was then I knew something bad was going to happen.

My heartbeat quickened, and I could feel my hands trembling as they touched the cool, smooth metal handle. At that moment, I had two options: leave and live in blissful ignorance, or stay and know and live in despair.

I am who I am. I chose the latter.

Softly, softly, I pushed open the door, cringing, waiting for one of them to notice me and loudly protest their innocence. But it never came. In the living room, there was no one to be found. A window lay open, a chill breeze blowing in, disturbing the curtains. The voices were clearer, though. I really did begin to panic when I realised they were coming from the bedroom.

Once again, the door was ajar. I spied a crack of warm, dim light within, and I could hear every word. Leaning against the wall, my stomach churned as I contemplated looking. Did I want to look? I asked myself. Did I really want to see what was going on in there? Did I truly want to make my life miserable for myself – a prospect I had taunted Kimimaro with only hours ago?

Of course I did. Of course I looked. I couldn't have lived without knowing.

Carefully, silently, I knelt with one knee on the floor and peered through the gap.

Kimimaro was sitting on the bed (another four poster, though in a different style) while the boss paced the length of the room, agitated about something. His hair was all a-tangle and he'd managed to smear his eye make-up. Kimimaro looked up at him, his expression a mixture of unconcealed longing and concern.

"— Kimimaro-kun, I have had it up to here with him!" the boss said, throwing his hands in the air. "He pushes and pushes… and I can tolerate it no longer!"

My stomach did a sad, little flip as I realised he was talking about me.

"Does he believe he can bat his eyes at me and I'll let him away with anything? Hmmm? Does he?"

Once again, my careless words came back to haunt me. Kimimaro saw his opening, and he grabbed it with both hands. Outside in the living room, I silently shook my head, mouthing, "No, no, no…"

"Well, Orochimaru-sama… I- I didn't really want to have to be the one to tell you this, but something Uchiha-san said to me by the pool this morning… well… I- I think he probably does believe it."

The boss stopped short and turned to fix Kimimaro with an oddly intent gaze.

"What did he say?" the boss said slowly, almost as though he didn't want to hear the answer.

"He said he was so certain of your favour, so certain you'd never go near me again that he could 'leave you unsupervised' while he went for a sauna."

"Did he now…?"

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama. And that is the truth!"

Then Kimimaro's voice took on a more urgent, a more pleading note as he rose and walked towards the boss, his eyes shining with obsessive, obedient, submissive love.

"I don't know why you continue to put yourself through this, Orochimaru-sama," he said, laying a gentle hand on the boss's arm. "The Uchiha sincerely believes he has you wrapped around his little finger – and I hate it! I cannot stand for it any longer! He is arrogant, spoiled and vain, and knows nothing of suffering! I would suffer for you, Orochimaru-sama. I have suffered for you, for so, so long…"

Then he shifted, moving in front of the boss to hook his arms around his neck, tilting his head up so he could look into his eyes. It was hard for me to watch then. I wanted so badly to storm in and beat Kimimaro until even dental records wouldn't help. But I didn't. Why? I'm not sure. I guess it was sort of a test, to see if the boss really would go through with it. Unfortunately for me, he did.

"I would never treat you with such disrespect," Kimimaro went on, his voice softening as he moved in for the kill. "I have always honoured you, Orochimaru-sama, honoured and obeyed without question…"

Their faces were but inches from touching.

"I am in love with you, Orochimaru-sama," he whispered. "I adore you. You are my sun. You always have been. Why won't you see that? Why won't you let—?"

In the end, Kimimaro didn't have to do the deed. The boss did, his hands jerking compulsively, wrenching Kimimaro forward and pressing his lips to his. For the briefest of moments, Kimimaro's eyes widened, obviously not expecting such a reaction, but it didn't take him long to recover. He melted into his long-awaited kiss.

It was like a knife in my heart. I am not lying. When I saw the boss kiss Kimimaro, I actually felt a real, physical pain. A tight, aching feeling. It was in lots of places, but mostly centred in my chest, and I clutched at it, suddenly finding that breathing wasn't so easy anymore. Tears stung at my eyes and then a single drop escaped, falling to the floor. I wondered vaguely whether the boss would notice it in the morning. Before long, I realised I was shaking – actually shaking – and when the boss guided Kimimaro over to the bed and laid him down upon it, I couldn't take it anymore.

I ran.

I ran back to the suite, not caring whether anyone heard me. I threw the door open in desperation and slammed it behind me. Inside, alone, unloved, a great black wave of despair washed over me. The feeling of betrayal was too much. It overwhelmed me, and I ran into the bathroom and was sick. Then I cried. I cried so hard it made me sick again and when the tears ran dry, I slumped to the floor next to the toilet, shivering and staring into space.

I jumped when I heard the knock at the door. Terrified, thinking it was the boss, I dried my eyes and bounded through the living room, diving for the door. Upon opening it, I discovered it was not the boss, but Kimimaro. He was wearing only a bathrobe, and I knew then for certain they'd been having sex. He held a brown paper package in his hand, tied with string, and he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Been drinking, have we?" he said in that passive-aggressive manner that makes me want to punch him through a wall.

I realised why he might have thought that. When I saw him standing in front of me, at my door, while the boss was no doubt waiting in his bed for another round, I just couldn't get over the audacity of it. I couldn't register. I completely froze up, and I just stood there staring at him dumbly. Plus, my eyes were red-rimmed and glassy from crying and I no doubt smelled faintly of vomit.

"Oh well. Never mind," he said, supremely unconcerned. "I just wanted to give you this."

He handed me the package and all I could do was stare. With numb fingers, I took it, and he swept away, back to the boss, back to bed, slamming the door in my face.

I unwrapped it where he had left me standing. It was a slim, brown journal – ring-bound and narrow ruled. Puzzled, I opened it to the first page and found Kimimaro's graceful, looping hand filled the page. I began to read.

----

August 3rd

My name is Kaguya Kimimaro, and I think I am dying.

I couldn't stop reading, even though every word he wrote drove another nail of grief into my heart. At the end was a note, written freshly by Kimimaro on Ritz-Carlton hotel paper in emerald-green ink. It said:

I can see the fear in your eyes, Uchiha Sasuke. I know that you know what this means. You are clever, of course, and you have realised. But it is too late.

Winner takes all.

----

It was his journal. The fucking journal he wrote on his deathbed. The fucking journal that contained all the evidence that the boss had been lying to me for months – no, years! It was as plain as day that he did still have feelings for Kimimaro, despite him repeatedly telling me otherwise, and that he hadn't got over him…

… he was only holding back.

I've been walking a knife-edge for so long, and I didn't even realise. It's humiliating.

It's not even my fault…

LATER:

I wish my phone would shut the fuck up. Someone keeps texting me. It's driving me crazy.

LATER:

Instant Karma, that strange, coincidental and otherworldly state of affairs in which when one does wrong, one is immediately punished. For example, you kick the backs of your brother's knees, making him fall, and the next second, a bird flies over and shits in your laughing mouth. That's instant Karma. You get what you give – and you get it right then and there.

Tonight, I played the role of Karma. That ancient philosophical wisdom that dictates actions have consequences.

Well, Orochimaru-sama, your actions have big, fucking consequences, because it just so happens that I, too, have someone who is desperately in love with me and is willing to jump if I click my fingers.

I slept with Karin. It was so easy.

She was the one who had been texting me, ever since I ran out on the Otogakure lot after the awards. Her texts were all worry and concern:

'Sasuke, are you okay? Your uncle's gone to change. It's safe to come out. K xxx'

'You okay? Let me know. K xxx'

'We're in the Club Lounge. Where are you? K xxx'

'I know you probably don't feel like it, but if you change your mind and want to talk, I'm in my room. K xxx'

Sitting in my room, alone, unloved and betrayed… it was like a light went on in my head. It was like the sun came out, scattering all the dark clouds, leaving one pure thought in the distance, clear as day, shining upon the horizon.

Two could play at that game.

I didn't even fix myself, didn't even clean myself up before I went knocking on Karin's door. It took a while for her to answer. She was obviously in bed.

Eventually, the door opened and Karin stood there. She was wearing a short, silk nightdress – black and low cut. Her long, red hair was falling out of a loose ponytail and her glasses were crooked.

"Sasuke?" she began, sleepily. "What's wrong?"

Stepping forward, driven by demons of desperate despair and intent on retribution, I grabbed her and kissed her. She let out a little whimper of surprise but she clung to me, and I upped the intensity, pushing her inside and kicking the door closed behind me.

"Sasuke…" she said breathlessly, as I moved lower, kissing her neck, making her gasp, "what are you doing? I thought—"

"Shhh…" I said, hushing her, placing a finger upon her warm lips. "I've changed my mind."

And then I slept with her. It was so easy. It was also oddly cathartic, for I took out all my frustrations on her and still managed to make her moan and beg for more. By the end, she was lying there, gazing up at me, her lashes beaded in silver tears, so grateful for what I had given her.

I had given her nothing. I was punishing someone else.

I felt wonderful.

Naturally, I couldn't stay. We both knew that. Karin, however, was quite content with our one magical night together. What she doesn't know is that I'm planning more. Somehow, I doubt she'll protest.

I dressed, kissed her goodnight, and headed back to the suite. The boss was still with Kimimaro, and even though the thought grated, I was relieved. It meant I could take a shower and scrub off the smell of Karin's perfume. When I was finished, I put on my nightclothes and crawled into bed. It was strange, but I didn't feel the least bit tired, so I was wide awake and reading a book when the boss finally deigned to grace me with his presence.

He, too, was washed and freshly smelling of soap. Two could obviously play at our game. I turned over as he undressed, fearing that my look of revulsion would give me away. I tried to ignore him and concentrate on my book as he slipped into bed beside me and wrapped an arm around my waist.

"Sasuke-kun," he murmured, burying his head into the little hollow between my neck and shoulders, "oh, my Sasuke-kun…"

I almost shuddered, wondering what the hell he was playing at. Then realisation dawned. The bastard wanted to have his cake and eat it! It was a repeat of the Kabuto/Kimimaro situation all over again! Astounded at his audacity, I had to fight to suppress the urge to slap his hands away and have it out with him.

If he thinks it's going to be a repeat of the old Kabuto/Kimimaro situation, then he is making the biggest mistake of his life. Unlike either of the two, I already have the advantage and I know exactly what's going on. What he doesn't know, is that I'm playing my own game, and that he's the one who's being fooled – not I.

That's why I could tolerate it when he started kissing me. Hell, I even managed a little seduction and endured the subsequent sex without a flicker of remorse. I'd say the same was true for the boss as well. But that's okay. I don't mind. I can do this now, you see, for the knowledge of my own dirty, little secret sustains me.

He's going to regret ever going near that home-wrecking shitbag.

I'll make sure of it.

AN: "Can I help you?" "Yes, I'd like to order one can of worms please." "Right-o. One can of worms, coming right up. Here you go." "Cheers." "Hey, wait! Are you sure you wanna open them right here?" "Yup." "Really?" "Resolute." "Well, I'm going for my lunch break. Clean up when you've finished, alright?"

Yeah. Drama much? XD Sorry if any of you are traumatized by the chapter. It had to happen, but at least Sasuke's fighting back, right? And speaking of drama, omg, did you read the latest chapter of Naruto? OH, HINATA! I weep for you, you poor, gentle soul! :-( But I have seen the spoilers - so there is hope? Damn, it's still sad, though.

But enough talk of sad things... it's time for the thank-yous!

NayanRoo (Yes! Now you know how much trauma you put me (and your other readers) through with Shadowplay lol. Though I guess I can't say anything after this chapter (have faith in the master plan). One thing I do know, however, is that I now officially love writing Madara! He's just so damned manipulative. What he has up his sleeve concerning Itachi, though, I cannot say. I leave you to speculate. And possibly fret. And gnaw. And flail with anxiety. XD)

eerabbit (Happy and sad all at once? Awesome. That's exactly what I was going for! But where did I use tack? That's definitely a typo, as I would never confuse the two. Got to go back and change that one.)

ArilianaFireQueen (Why hello again! It was nice to see your name popping up on the review boards again. :) Good to hear school's going better, and well done for passing Chemistry. I'm full of admiration. Science and math has never been my strong point. $50 for front row seats? I'm up for that! Though, you sort of got a fight in this chapter. Kimi won this one, but watch this space!)

Aperion (Oh my god, I am so ashamed. We ended up on Oxford Street on the last day. I dragged my two uni companions around three different Uniqlos to find a particular pair of jeans I wanted but had sold out everywhere. And temptation, thy name is Topshop! If the last chapter left you chilled, then I guess I did a good job! :D It was exactly what I was going for. And you picked up on the change of reading material too. Very sharp. Too sharp. I must watch out for you, lest you guess everything! XD)

uberhaxxorofpwnage (Tension, indeed. I'm sorry if the outcome of this chapter made you rage and flail, lol. I couldn't help it. All part of the plan!)

Insomniac Owl (You know what? I'm so glad you're looking forward to all the drama. I am too. I love writing it. I cannot wait for the next couple of chapters. From now on, the story's going to be much more focused on Oro and Sasuke! :D I bet it was more satisfying being able to read it all through at once. I guess you have the advantage over some of the others, though, in that you remember the little things from older chapters and tie things together. I've tried to keep it related to canon, but it's difficult sometimes. Especially with the Pain situation. I changed my mind because I realised in the last chapter I said I wouldn't do something (introduce Naruto's parents) and then went and did it. It's good for the story, trust me!)

Bri (Oh, how do I get the feeling people will be cursing my name! XD Unfortunately, Oro has done something very stupid, just as you feared. But jeez... you totally called the Sasuke Karin plotline! I think and alloysius were the only ones to come out and say it, so points and prizes go to you! And omg, I have been reading the manga. When Hinata came flying out of the air and BAM! Pain smacks her sideways, I was all like "NOES!" :O But then I saw this week's spoilers and now I'm all "wtf is going on?")

Dooki (Oh no. If you were freaked out and concerned last chapter, then I wonder how you're feeling at the end of this. I was thinking about leaving updating for a bit, but I couldn't resist writing this chapter. I only hope you can forgive me for the horrible way Oro and Sasu are treating each other.)

Roxanne Morinaka (Lol, it seems everyone is freaking out for Sasuke. With good reason too. After this chapter, I think he might be feeling a little unstable...)

Nozomi-sama (I shall let you in on a little secret: I, too, say lol in everyday conversation. I cannot help it. It makes me lol. XD Some understand, some don't. But I don't care. For lol is the way of the future! But you hit the nail on the head when you said you could sense sad things on the horizon. You were also right about it being written sutbly but obviously. Sounds like a contradiction, but I was going for that. Obvious enough for the reader to sense, but subtle enough so that Sasuke doesn't ever really realise. Poor Sasuke...)

Ladyrouge214 (You are so right. It's even more apparent in this chapter. Damned, stubborn pride.)

YoungSasuke (Oh, YoungSasuke! You think you're not good at reading into context of stories? Well you are! So much so that I want you send you points and prizes in abundance. You absolutely got it spot on. I bet Sasuke would love to trade places with you right now, to know what you know. But then, that's why I like writing this fic. We all know, but Sasuke remains pretty much clueless. The poor Sauce...)

NaruGuru (Hmmm... I didn't exactly break them up. That's okay, right? Damn... everyone's totally going to curse my name tonight, I can feel it! XD Well, at least you can take solace in the fact that Naruto and Hinata's relationship is coming to a close. Also, you have Chromde to freak out with. That's got to be worth something, right?)

Chromde (Well... as I said to NaruGuru, I didn't exactly break them up. They're still together. It's just that Sasuke is really not best pleased with Oro - and Oro hasn't the faintest clue that Sasuke's up to no good with Karin. Your three predictions... Hmmm... they're interesting. Two has already sort of happened, but Oro is still with Sasuke. Three... well... all I'm going to say is that the issue will be important. Very important. You'll find out next chapter.)

alloysius (All I have to say is well damned spotted! You totally called the Saskue Karin plot. Points and prizes go to you! :) And I guess you'll be okay with the OroKimi stuff going on, but at the same time it's also still very much OroSasu. Aie! The drama! XD I'm glad you like the drama, btw, because there's going to be much more of it.)

Neko-Oni (Sinus trouble and pains in chests? Sad times. I hope you're feeling better now. I'm glad you liked the Akatsuki bit on the bus. I was giggling to myself when I wrote it (I really need to stop writing so much and get out more.) I guess you'll have been pleased with Kakuzu's annual product of the year prank. XD Alas, I can't tell you whether Oro slept with Kimi that night when Sasuke was in Konoha - you'll find out later.)

foreverloved (Ahhh... the choice thing. Yes. It will all become crystal clear in a later chapter - which I'm really looking forward to writing, in a bad way. But whether or not Oro did originally intend to break up with him, he obviously hasn't, since he's trying to have his cake and eat it. Never a good thing, especially with a vengeful Uchiha in your bed...)

chibibaka1 (Hi again! Yes, sorry about glueing you to the screen with all the drama, but I can't help it! I still love torturing Sasuke! XD Only you, the far east anthropologist, would pick up on the Japanese mythological names for rides. And I'm with you on the Susanoo ride! I want one like that! You totally nailed the anger turning to worry about losing Oro. It's like Sasuke sort of knows what this'll mean, but doesn't want to back down as his pride is at stake. And Tsunade defending Oro's attachment to Sasuke is important. It's an outside opinion!)

Kaira-chan15 (I love it when you come up and surprise me with review for past chapters. It makes me want to go back and read everything through again! (And maybe I should, in case I've dropped a plot stitch, lol.) I had completely forgotten about the Pantene Sleek-n-Smooth fight. Dammit, the thought of it still makes me lol! XD Also, you are right. It should definitely be 'her' not 'his'. That's quite an intrusive error. It's on my 'to do' list for when I go back and edit. Cheers for letting me know!)

fiore777 (You managed to get your hands on the Orochimaru username? Whoa. I bet you were on that shit so fast when the old Orochimaru said he was leaving! XD I do still come to the NF forums occasionally. Mostly for spoilers on the Konoha Telegrams. And I still have a strange love for the Library. I hadn't been reading the manga for a bit and then I saw a post on NayanRoo's journal saying "ASSSSS!! :(" and I was like, whoa? So I shot over and... damn. Lots of stuff going on. And Jiraiya would definitely be the best parent out of the three (or two, really. Oro shouldn't even be considered. The social would be on you like that.)

Beqs (Wow, you reviewed right on time! And I just have to say that your little rhyme at the end made me lol. I love it muchly and I'm so going to use it at the next given opportunity. So right back at ya! Hope this chapter didn't make you freak out. XD)