I know. Poor Itachi and Sasuke :(: The Uchihas are surely one dysfunctional lot.
Also, to address a Guest's review - the setting is our world plus elemental nations (I admit, it was just a convenient plot device).
Jade - "You are so mad" Eu juro que ri pra caramba XD
Interlude II
CHAPTER 12
Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Itachi join Tsukuyomi as interns.
If the future is where Itachi belongs, he might as well begin the process of integrating it in his life. Besides, after their college graduation, Sasuke and Itachi will be joining the company on a full-time basis, and it would help their position if they have field experience before becoming employees. Not to mention, their status as Heirs will at least be justified, if nothing else. The Uchihas might be the cream layer of the society, but putting in efforts on fair grounds is a thing of personal pride.
The Tsukuyomi headquarters is an eleven-storied glass and steel building. Sasuke tells Shikamaru how the two brothers used to visit the place when they were little with wide eyes filled with wonder. The excitement waned over years and changed into smugness when they learned that being an Uchiha is a privilege in this country, and soon, the entire experience just turned into one where Fugaku would show them off proudly during their office gatherings.
On their second day of internship, as Itachi is perched on Sasuke's desk discussing over a document that they're asked to work on, Sasuke is approached by one of the employees – a mousy little young woman named Emina. She asks if Sasuke would like a cup of coffee, and he points out that the coffee machine is right there, and he is perfectly capable of having one if he wishes so. Emina flushes a deep red, muttering how she was only trying to be friendly.
"I'm gay," he tells her flatly. "And if you could please focus on your job rather than the President's son, maybe the company would expand beyond the national border."
When she leaves – never to be seen again by them, for that matter – Itachi tells him that he didn't have to be so harsh.
"Itachi, I'm not here for some office romance," Sasuke rolls his eyes. "I'm all up for socialising, but hitting on me in the middle of the day, when I'm clearly working?"
Itachi smirks with amusement. "Is that the real problem? Are you sure this has nothing to do with a certain someone in Kiri?"
Naruto recently began dating a black-haired guitarist from his college, and Itachi had spent a good fifteen minutes laughing at Sasuke's unnatural, Frankenstein smile.
"No," Sasuke says stubbornly. "And focus. We need to finish this by two."
On another day, Shikamaru has his feet up on the desk, hands clasped behind his head, and he's staring in space.
"Dude," Sasuke says coming over to the man, and Itachi – having developed the habit by now – perches himself on the desk once more. "What are you doing?"
Shikamaru sighs. "Thinking about freedom."
Sasuke rolls his eyes, remarking how Itachi and Shikamaru need to take this internship more seriously.
One day, Fugaku calls Sasuke and Itachi in his office on the topmost floor.
As soon as they enter, they're greeted by their family lawyers and Board of Directors. Fugaku lets the lawyers explain the procedure of signing a bunch of documents –
"Now that you're both legally adults, according to Mr. President's directions, you will be stakeholders in this company. Since you two are the future Heirs, the division is such that next to Fugaku, you both will have the second-highest shares divided equally. However, there is a clause that states that until your college graduation, you will not be utilising your positional power."
Later that evening, Itachi and Sasuke throw a party on their yacht – the Susano'o – and invite every person they've ever known in life. They're both dressed in matching steel blue suits and black shirts, instantly attracting the attention of both men and women alike.
Naruto can't make it, though, and Itachi finds Sasuke glued to his phone screen for half the night.
Samui looks gorgeous in a glittering black dress and red lips, her platinum blonde hair in a perfect hairdo.
A few days later, they sign the lease on a brand new apartment. It's large and spacious, two bedrooms, wide balconies, open kitchen plan, and a study room that they turn into a dance studio slash dojo. A grand piano takes up space in the corner of the living room area. Sasuke turns the last room into his personal art workshop.
During their house-warming party, Kiba finally hits on Sasuke.
"Why not?" Itachi smirks at him later that night, when everyone has left, and they're both sipping on Jägermeister in the balcony, replaying the experience. "He's not bad."
Sasuke stares out at the city. "Yeah," he concedes. "But he's not good enough."
Itachi's smirk slowly fades away. He had always teased Sasuke over Naruto, believing that his brother only needs a push to finally ask out the blonde – moreover, since Fugaku is ready to accept him. Watching him now, though, it is as if looking in the mirror – which is ridiculous, of course, because they're both stuck between fraternal and identical twins, so it shouldn't be a surprise.
Except that it is.
Samui is looking at him strangely.
Itachi squirms slightly. "What?"
"You're going to stop playing the piano?" she repeats for clarification.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Itachi takes a sip of the wine. "I don't feel like it."
"Don't feel what?"
"Feel like playing it anymore."
"Is this because of what happened the other day?" Samui frowns. "Itachi, it was your twentieth birthday. Of course, everyone requested for a song."
"And I couldn't play."
"You were having an off day," she insists.
You're not having an off day. You're having a life crisis.
"It's not that big of a deal," Itachi says. "Piano was never going to be my career. I always knew that."
"No, it wasn't," she concedes. "But you've been playing your entire life. This feels like a decision that shouldn't be taken simply because you …"
"Had a breakdown in front of all the guests?" Itachi supplies dryly.
It was a disaster. Everyone was at the apartment, and after the two brothers had cut the enormous cake, Itachi was asked to play a song on the piano. As soon as he sat down on the bench, he froze. He has no idea why, all he knows is that the black and white keys that were always so familiar, always so comforting, suddenly weren't. And the next thing he knew, he was on his feet, shaking and trembling. Sasuke had approached cautiously, extending one arm as if Itachi was a live wire soaked in water, and placed a calming hand on his shoulder. They simply stood there in the sudden silence of the room until Itachi felt it was safe to move his muscles.
Now as he sits across Samui at Kotoamatsukami, he thinks that it is for the best that he never be in such a position again in the first place.
"No one thinks any less of you now," Samui says consolingly.
"I know that," Itachi tells her. "I just don't feel like playing. There is no deeper meaning here. Don't read too much into it."
She sighs. "If you're sure."
He doesn't respond. They finish their dinner talking about their college, studies, exams, and Samui tells him that Karin is thinking of moving in with Suigetsu. Itachi tells her about his internship, how Temari's performances are receiving wide recognition, how Naruto is more and more on the social media for his debates despite being only a college student, and how Sasuke plans to visit him during their fall break.
"Are you going to accompany him?" she asks.
"I think so. It'll be nice to get out of the city."
Shisui comes to escort them out after Itachi pays for the meal. They wait on the curb for Kakashi to pull the car around.
"Are you going to come for Uncle Fugaku's birthday dinner?"
"I don't know yet."
"How long are you going to stay mad at Aunt Mikoto?"
Itachi shoots him a look. "She hurt Sasuke for years."
"You haven't returned after that Christmas dinner, Itachi," Shisui says seriously. "Not once."
"Mom hasn't made a single effort to apologize to Sasuke, either. Why should I let that go?"
Kakashi arrives with the car. Shisui gives him a short wave through the window, before turning to Itachi again. "You've missed too many events at the house. How long are you going to stay angry for? Think over it. It's fine if you want to avoid your mother right now. But what's next? Avoid her for the rest of your life? That's a little extreme."
"What's extreme is pestering Sasuke for a girlfriend knowing that he's gay," Itachi says stonily. "You don't need to advocate on her behalf. If she has something to say to me or Sasuke, she can do so directly."
"And will you be willing to listen?" Shisui raises his eyebrows coolly.
"I don't want to waste time into thinking of a situation that is never going to happen, Shisui. Mom is too proud to approach us."
Shisui laughs a little. "And so are you. Whether you like it or not, you acquired her pride."
Itachi doesn't respond to that. Instead, he bids him goodbye, and Samui follows quietly as he sits in the car, and tells Kakashi to play Fur Elise already.
"Roger that, Sir."
Itachi drops off Samui at her apartment. When he reaches his own, he opens the door with his own set of keys. There is one lit spotlight in the foyer, but as he wanders further into the house, everything is dark and quiet.
"Sasuke?" he calls out in the silence. No reply.
Assuming he must have made plans with Kiba, Chouji, and Shino, Itachi enters his own bedroom. He kicks out his shoes, shrugs off his jacket, removes the blazer, and drops on his bed, rolling the sleeves of his shirt to the elbows. He scoots to the middle, his back against the headboard, and shuts his eyes for a few minutes.
"Lights."
The room floods bright white.
He groans. "Low lights."
The room bathes in a soft yellow.
"Alexa –"
A minute later, the opening music for The Lion King breaks the stillness of the night, and Itachi grabs a pillow to his lap, watching attentively because –
Simba was walking too slow, so I told him to Mufasa.
He laughs for five minutes straight.
The decision to attend his father's birthday dinner is purely out of spite. I am not my mother, Itachi firmly tells himself as he dresses up for the occasion. Sasuke has refused the offer, though.
"I'll be seeing him at the office, anyway," he says, his eyes narrowed at the book in front of him. He's lounging on the couch for the evening, one hand absently buried in their cat's furry body. It's an orange tabby with blue eyes, and Sasuke has "jokingly" named him Kitsune.
Itachi fixes the tie on his collar, sighing. He can't blame Sasuke when he doesn't really want to go himself. All he wants to do is prove Shisui wrong.
Sasuke's phone starts to ring. He grabs it from the coffee table and immediately grins. Naruto's cheery face pops up on the screen.
"Hey, teme! Check out my new haircut! Got it done just now. How's it?"
Itachi picks up Kitsune and deposits him in his lap, and scoots closer to Sasuke to better look at the screen. Sasuke holds the phone so that Naruto can see Itachi, too.
"Looking nice, Uchiha," Naruto grins. "What's the occasion?"
Sasuke tsks. "I told you earlier, Dad's birthday dinner. And why did you cut so short? You look better with longer hair."
Naruto's easy smile is replaced with a heavy frown. "I don't see you dressed up, Sasuke," he says, completely ignoring his own purpose for the call.
"I'm not going."
"Why not?"
Sasuke gives him an incredulous look. "Why would I? Mom will be there."
"So what? You've avoided enough events because of her already."
"I don't want to listen to more homophobic comments, that's what," Sasuke snaps.
Naruto raises his eyebrows. "You don't have to."
Sasuke eyes narrow. "Are you high? Did Fuu accidentally put something in your morning coffee, again?"
Naruto isn't amused. "No, you bastard. This is your Dad's birthday. Don't let your anger at your Mom ruin his day. You missed the last one, too, if I remember correctly."
"What do you expect me to do?" Sasuke says. "Attend it knowing that I'll be subjected to harsh treatment?"
"You don't have to talk to her if you don't want to. How many people are gonna be at that thing? Just stick with someone else. Dude, your brother will be there."
Sasuke groans. "I'm still mad at her, though."
"Which is fine, because I'm too," Naruto says smoothly. "But this day isn't about you or her."
"I hate it when you're right," Sasuke grumbles.
Naruto beams. "I'm always right, teme!"
"Whatever," Sasuke sighs. "Here. Talk to him. I'll go shower."
Itachi dutifully takes the phone from his hand, still holding Kitsune in his lap. He tilts the camera a little so that Naruto can see the cat.
"Awwww, hello, my namesake!" Naruto coos. "How's teme treating you? You just tell me if he ignores you, 'kay? I'll beat him up!"
Itachi snorts. "As if. Sasuke seems to have taken the cat as an extended version of you. He's always showering him with an uncharacteristic amount of affection."
Naruto blushes up a storm, even as he tries to laugh it away. "Sasuke showing me affection? Now that's an unrealistic world! Besides, I'm dating, Uchiha. Have you forgotten that tiny detail?"
Itachi shakes his head dismissively. "And yet, you're always on phone with my brother more than your boyfriend, Namikaze."
"When will you stop trying to push us together?"
"Why would I?"
Naruto pretends to think. "Oh, I don't know? Because your brother isn't interested in me whatsoever?"
"Because you're dating some idiot in Kiri."
"Hey!" Naruto protests. "Juugo is not an idiot. He's a very collected person, and cares for me a lot."
Itachi sighs. "And my brother adopted a cat despite having sworn off of pets long ago, named it after you, and listens to everything you say as if you actually make sense. That's an incredible feat to pull."
Naruto's mouth gapes open a few times, unable to decide what to say. "Okay, first of all, Kitsune is just a way to mock me, we all know that. Second of all, I do make sense to a lot of people."
"You're way too stubborn for your own good."
"Look who's talking," Naruto quips instantly.
Itachi smirks. "I'm telling you, Namikaze. If you don't do something soon, my brother will move on to someone else."
Naruto flushes again. "Why do I have to do anything? I'm already dating!"
"Fine, fine," Itachi lets it go for now. But he knows Naruto is right. For whatever reason, Sasuke has convinced himself that asking out Naruto when he is in Kiri isn't the best decision. Long distance, he'd said to Itachi one fateful night when they'd both been drunk. Of course, he's not going to admit it to Naruto, though.
"Anyway," Naruto stresses with purpose. "How's Samui? Is she joining you tonight?"
"No. She has to study. And Sasuke is right. Short hair doesn't suit you. Oh, and I saw your recent video, by the way."
Naruto immediately grins again and begins regaling how he asked Jiraiya to set up a meeting with Tsunade one month ago. He did a small apprenticeship under her of three weeks, which is nothing in the grand scheme of things – except that Tsunade is an important member of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The ICRC is a non-profit humanitarian organization and a three-time Nobel Prize Laureate. To be interning under their banner is nothing less than admirable for a twenty-year-old college student.
Sasuke steps out of his bedroom wearing a black suit like Itachi, but with a jade green shirt underneath and black tie around the collar. He's grown out his hair recently – not as long as Itachi's – but long enough to tie it in a short pointy ponytail at the nape of his neck, and short fringes framing his face. He's also wearing the matching emerald studs in his ears that Itachi gifted him on their twentieth birthday.
His brother re-joins him on the couch.
"Wow," Naruto breathes suddenly, forgetting his earlier train of the conversation entirely. "Sasuke, you look great!"
Sasuke smirks. "Thanks."
Kitsune is trying to crawl into his lap. Sasuke picks him up and places him on the floor. "Go play with your string ball. We have to leave."
Kitsune doesn't leave. He stares at him with doleful eyes. Sasuke groans, picking him up again to deposit him in his miniature house.
"Okay, so I'm expecting you both soon!" Naruto says, reclaiming Itachi's attention. "And please, tell Kakashi and Kimimaro to wear something casual. Last time you guys visited, I had many students asking me why I'm suddenly roaming around with Men in Black guys around the campus."
Itachi tries to picture Kakashi in Dr. Orochimaru-style clothes and snorts. "I'll see."
"I'll ask Suigetsu and Hinata, too, in case they're free. Call Yahiko and Konan, will you? Oh, and Nagato! Man, I feel like we should just call everyone over."
"A high school reunion?" Sasuke questions, walking towards him sans Kitsune. "That's going to be awkward."
"It won't be," Naruto insists. "Let me ask them."
"As you wish," Itachi shrugs. "Here." He hands the phone back to Sasuke and gets up to drink some water.
It's not as though they haven't remained friends. But since Kisame blatantly refused to stand up for both Itachi and Sasuke during that Christmas dinner, no one has bothered speaking with him. Moreover, as per his social media feed, he's begun dating Izumi.
The others do still talk, but the conversations are stilted. Everyone is busy with their new lives, and the last time they'd all come together was many months prior. Only Naruto has been in constant touch with both Itachi and Sasuke. Yahiko and Konan are struggling with their married life since they aren't exactly in love, but childhood friends and Nagato has visited the couple more often than not to act as a mediator. Zetsu left college a few months ago and is on the road, picking up his father's knack for all things monk. Hinata and Suigetsu are sharing an apartment in Iwa, and if Karin does move in with the man, Hinata will be in a tricky position. She seems to be pining after Hozuki and the man is either completely oblivious or cruel with his ignorance.
And it's not as though Itachi is dying to spend time with them. In fact, he has come to realise that, yes, they are his childhood friends, but they belong to a part of his life that he'd rather avoid reliving. Shikamaru, Samui, and Temari are the ones he prefers to focus on at the moment.
Sasuke ends the call with Naruto, sighs in preparation for the evening, and they leave the house after making sure Kitsune has his food and water.
Obito, Shisui, and Naori stay with the two as soon as Itachi and Sasuke enter the doors of their old house's ballroom. The place is decorated with balloons, streamers, flowers, fairy lights, and huge golden numbers 5 and 0, denoting Fugaku's golden jubilee celebration.
The cake has been cut already before they'd arrived, and now all that is left for them is to find their father alone for two minutes so that they can wish him. They get the chance to do so when Mikoto disappears somewhere as the round individual tables are being set with dinner utensils.
Fugaku arrives at the table that they are sharing with Obito, Shisui, and Naori.
"You came!" Fugaku smiles.
Sasuke and Itachi get to their feet to give him a hug each. "Congratulations, Dad. You survived 50 years."
Fugaku chuckles, but thanks them sincerely, anyway. Itachi begins to feel glad that they decided to come, despite the horrible memories that this place now holds, because Fugaku might have been distant during their teenage years, he has made it a point that the two brothers will not feel as alienated as they did before. Working together in the company has seemed to play a great role in this development. Moreover, after their spat, Itachi has tried his best to understand Fugaku's standpoint even if he doesn't agree with most of it.
Mostly, though, he just ignores it in favour of Sasuke receiving the acceptance that he was robbed off.
And it's not as though Sasuke suddenly began dating men right and left – and Itachi knows it's mostly due to Naruto – but he does engage himself in the occasional dates. Itachi has had the misfortune of walking in once on Sasuke and some blonde man dry humping on their couch, eating each other's mouths. Which was fine, he thinks, because Sasuke has had his share of witnessing Itachi in compromising positions with Samui once or twice.
Thrice.
Fugaku soon leaves to talk with more guests, and Sasuke and Itachi engage Naori in a "catching up" conversation. She is one of their distant cousins in her late thirties and is too busy for life. Not that they blame her, she is the President of Izanami – another company under the Uchiha Corp. just like Tsukuyomi is; although, Izanami belongs to the transport industry.
"I'm going outside," Obito says after he's done. "This is getting a bit stuffy. If one more person comes to ask me whether I plan to get married or not, I'll hurl wine in their face."
"I'll join you," Shisui laughs. "Let's go for a swim."
Naori refuses, laughing that she has more people to attend to.
Itachi massages his neck languidly.
He's floating in the corner of the pool with a glass of gin and tonic. Sasuke and Shisui are taking lazy laps around the edge. Obito has dragged Kakashi from the outside, stating your ward is swimming, so you need to be there, you useless piece of shit, and now they're both nearby, floating on their backs and speaking softly amongst themselves.
Itachi's phone beeps.
How did it go?
Fine. In the pool now. Are you done with studying?
No. Just taking a break. I was thinking of coming over tomorrow.
Alright.
Do you want to do something in particular?
I can think of a few things. ;)
Mind out of the gutter, sailor.
I'll have you squirming under me in no time. Wanna bet?
Samui moans, fisting her hands in Itachi hair.
He continues to lick and suck, holding her thighs in place with his hands. He moves his right arm to crawl up her hip, her stomach, and palms her breast. Her breathing increases rapidly, and her fingers tighten, and she's coming undone within fifteen minutes of setting foot in their apartment.
"Told you," he smirks, kissing up her stomach until he reaches her chest. "Isn't this better than watching some movie?"
Samui yanks him up to kiss him on the lips. "You just wanted to avoid watching a documentary."
He laughs softly. "True that."
Samui is on her knees sometime later, and Itachi holds her head in place as he thrusts with force. She's bracing herself by clutching at his hips. His eyes are shut, head rolled back, breathing rapid, and when she traces her fingers down, across, and twists –
"Fuck," she groans, her legs on either side of his lap, and he's sucking on her neck, not hard enough to leave a mark because she hates that, but because he enjoys doing it, anyway.
When they're lying on his bed, side-by-side, Itachi faces her and watches as the full-body blush fades away slowly. She's staring at the ceiling, evening out her breaths.
Juugo is larger in person. Itachi has this crazy urge to ask Naruto who tops in bed, but holds his tongue because Naruto is hugging Sasuke with such enthusiasm that Juugo has no idea what to make of it. So he stares, and Itachi stares with him.
Naruto still stays at the dorm, and so they end up at the hotel room that the brothers are staying at for their little trip. Kakashi and Kimimaro – who are clad in their usual "Men in Black" attire much to Naruto's distaste – leave them alone, retreating to their own rooms. They order room service after Sasuke complains about not being in the mood to go out just yet.
Hinata, Suigetsu, and Karin arrive later in the evening. Then the room is too stuffy, and Naruto convinces Sasuke to at least get down to the lobby. But then he calls his Kiri friends – still loud and making a ruckus – and Itachi dials Kakashi's number.
"We have to go. Get Kimimaro, too."
Kakashi hangs up without a response.
They drive to the pier that Naruto insists upon, because Kiri is known for its oceans. The place is filled with pockets of people and Suigetsu manages to find one space large enough for them all. Itachi sits with Hinata and Kakashi. Naruto is fooling around with his Kiri friends – Bee, Fuu, Yagura, Yugito, Han, and Roushi. Sasuke is with Kimimaro, Suigetsu, Karin, and – somehow – Juugo.
"You're staring," Itachi tells Hinata at one point.
She startles slightly, her cheeks flooding red. "I wasn't," she denies weakly.
"What will you do if Karin moves in?" he asks her directly.
Hinata sighs and stares at her feet. "I don't know."
Neji is back in Konoha already and began his training in Byakugan. Hinata will probably have to get a place of her own, until she moves back after graduation to join the company, too. Which is fine. Finances are hardly a concern.
Itachi throws a quick glance at Suigetsu. He has Karin tucked under his arm, and they're listening to whatever Sasuke is saying attentively. Even Juugo. Naruto's focus is seemingly on Yagura, but Itachi catches him a few times looking over at his brother.
"I used to like Naruto, you know," Hinata suddenly admits.
Itachi doesn't know how to react. "What?"
Hinata shrugs self-consciously. "When he first came to our school, I had a crush on him. Of course, I didn't know that he was gay at that time. I used to watch him stand up to everyone, dusting his pants off as if none of it ever fazed him."
Itachi remembers those times. They feel like a million years ago.
"I never told anyone of it, though," Hinata continues. "I felt that I'd receive a lot of backlashes if it gets out that I liked this boy who'd come on a scholarship. He was the rut of the school. And I was the Hyuuga Princess." She snorts derisively at the nickname. "Back then, all those things mattered. We grew up pretty sheltered. And then Naruto arrived with his long speeches. Hearing him talk, I felt ashamed and … inspired? I think. Look at him now. He's outsmarted all us rich kids. He does have some controversial opinions, but he's garnering respect at the same time. I have no doubt that he's going to be very successful in his life.
"I think about that a lot. When we were in school, all those things that we thought mattered so much, don't really matter now, do they? It's as though someone dumped us in cold water, and we've woken up from a twisted, bizarre dream."
Itachi doesn't respond.
"Anyway," she chuckles, and the sound falls flat. "I think I never deserved Naruto. All I did was watch him from a distance, harbouring a secret crush, when he was pushed and troubled and he just became more and more determined to do that much better every single time. And that's the same thing I did with Su. I watched him grow in front of my eyes, from being proud of his family to outright refusing to commit indirect genocide. I've known Su my whole life, and it felt inevitable to fall for him after a point. I convinced myself that he'd return it, which sounds foolish now, because I never did anything about it. Two heartbreaks by twenty. I had not expected that."
Itachi wraps his arm around her shoulder, having no idea what to say. He remembers when Hinata was seen as this untouchable beauty in school, who could get anyone she wanted, but always stuck with Sasuke. He realises now that she wasn't sticking with Sasuke because Sasuke is gay, and would never be interested in her romantically, but because Suigetsu is not gay.
She's shaking slightly against his side, and he turns a little so that the others can't see her breaking down.
The next day, they're at the bowling alley, and Naruto is expectedly wiping the floor off of them.
"Can we play something else?" Sasuke snaps when his team is about to lose.
Naruto gets right in his face, grinning. "Absolutely not. I want to see your face when you lose."
Sasuke's lips thin with irritation. "I hate you and your Master-of-All ass."
"You know you love me," Naruto sings cheerily and then turns when Juugo calls him.
Itachi leaves at one point to go to the washroom. When he comes back out, Yugito is waiting by the doors.
"What's up?" Itachi asks her warily.
She shrugs casually. "Is anyone in there?"
"No."
She immediately pushes him inside and into one of the stalls. Itachi is too surprised by the unexpectedness of it to really do anything. When she locks the stall, though, he finally backs away in the tiny space.
"We can't. You know that I have a girlfriend."
Yugito doesn't move, though. She stares at him across that small distance, and he begins to squirm.
"What?"
"Are you committed to this girlfriend?"
And Itachi thinks of Samui and their relationship of almost two years. Samui is a very interesting person to be with, and she's proven time and time again that she's also strong, smart, funny, and a talented guitarist. Itachi has spent hours listening to her play the instrument. Despite their school band being disbanded, Samui pursued her interest with the same amount of passion. Itachi likes that, he likes that Samui is a constant, and that Samui doesn't mind that he dislikes documentaries, doesn't speak much, that he prefers to be quiet, and that he doesn't know how to play the piano anymore.
He licks his dry lips and gulps because his throat is suddenly dry, too.
It's their last year of college, and as Closer by Chainsmokers drift through the car speakers, Itachi tells Kakashi –
"Teach me how to drive."
Kakashi lowers the sound.
"I don't need you following me around anymore," Itachi continues. "After I graduate, you are free to go."
"I'm on your dad's payroll," Kakashi says dryly. "This decision is not really up to you."
"I'll speak with him," Itachi insists. "Teach me how to drive first."
"You're sure about this?"
And Itachi knows, he knows what Kakashi really means is, Are you ready for this?
He doesn't know the answer to that, so he doesn't respond. But Kakashi begins his teaching classes on the following weekends, anyway.
It's January.
Itachi is having dinner with Shikamaru and Temari at his place. Sasuke is out on a date. Kitsune is spread out flat on the floor by Itachi's feet like a fluffy rug. He's sulking currently because Itachi refused to scratch his belly earlier.
"Get over it," Itachi tells him.
Kitsune stares back with big blue eyes.
"That doesn't work on me," Itachi laughs. "Blue eyes are more of Sasuke's thing."
Temari picks him up, cooing. "Come here, you little furry baby."
Shikamaru rolls his eyes.
"Good luck for your future babies," Itachi tells him.
Temari scoffs. "I'd hate to see what you do."
"Who said I'll have kids?" Itachi counters.
"With the way you live," Shikamaru cuts in, "I'll be surprised if there isn't one."
Temari cackles and Itachi tsks. "I'm very responsible." And before they can make more comments, he redirects the conversation. "Have you thought about what you'll do, Shika? After we graduate?"
"Not really," Shikamaru replies.
Shikamaru has already gotten an offer letter from Tsukuyomi for all his input in the company over their internship period. Itachi thinks that the man might probably end up accepting it by the time their final exams are due. Which is why he can't wait that long –
"I have a proposition for you," Itachi smirks.
Itachi and Sasuke graduate college with good grades, enough to make Fugaku proud. He throws a party for them on their yacht, the Susano'o.
Tonight, it's lit with hundreds of white and yellow lights, and a large number of guests are mingling, dancing, drinking on the deck under the stars, surrounded by the vastness of the ocean. Fugaku had told them that this is also their Initiation Ceremony in the business world.
The brothers are dressed in black tuxedoes for the honour. They spend their night being introduced to who's who of the business industry, and by the end of the night, Itachi's head is buzzing with countless names and companies that he intends to memorise –
And Shikamaru is doing the same on the other side.
When Fugaku visits them at the apartment to talk about their duties at the company as full-time employees, Itachi has made up his mind. Sasuke avoids looking at them. He has Kitsune on his lap.
"Dad, I want to sell all my shares to Sasuke."
There's a beat of silence.
Fugaku clears his throat. "I'm sorry?"
"I don't want to join the company. I want Sasuke to have all my shares."
"Itachi, what is this? You've already proven yourself as a competent employee. Both you and Sasuke are being trained for the position of future leaders of the company. You can't just leave."
"I'm serious, Dad," Itachi says, his heart hammering inside his chest. He's already spoken with Sasuke, and Sasuke only stared at him, saying if you're sure. Itachi doesn't know if he's sure, but he wants to do this.
If Itachi sells his inherited shares to Sasuke, then Sasuke will become the effective boss, being the highest stakeholder, surpassing even Fugaku. But that's not the main reason for this – this – whatever this is.
He just needs the money.
Samui's teeth are clenched, her fingers fisted around the fork.
"Excuse me?"
Itachi inhales. "I left the company."
"To start your own."
"Yes."
"With Shikamaru."
"Yes."
"Named –"
"Yes."
Samui shakes her head. "Why?"
Itachi remembers don't look for me. He remembers replying okay. He remembers a lot of things, actually. He remembers that he vowed to keep his promise, and he did. He is. He is not looking for her, not in the least. But Hinata was wrong. Itachi didn't wake up from a twisted, bizarre dream after their high school graduation. Itachi fell into one.
It's time to wake-up.
If he can't look for her, and he won't, he won't, because he promised, but she's out there somewhere, somewhere and –
If he can't look for her, he sure as hell can at least make his presence known. He sure as hell can make some noise.
"I want to," he answers Samui.
She's getting to her feet, leaving her dinner half-finished. "I have to go. Itachi, you can't – you can't expect me to just go along with this."
"I'm not doing that," Itachi frowns, standing up, too.
They're at Kotoamatsukami for the evening.
"What do you want me to say then?" she counters, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Nothing," he insists. "You're my girlfriend, Samui. I'm only sharing my plans with you."
She laughs coldly. "Do you honestly think that I'll stay with you after this?"
"What?"
"Itachi, you can't be so thick!" her voice rises. The surrounding tables are looking at them now, and Itachi sees a few people trying to capture them in their phones from the corner of his eyes. "What you're planning – it's insane. I can't have a boyfriend who wants to scatter his high school affair's name across the country!"
Itachi ignores the stares as much as possible. "Are you breaking up with me?"
"Of course, I am!" her voice rises even further. "This is just too unhealthy. Itachi, it was an affair. An affair with the girl on the streets. That's it."
"You sound like my Dad," he says coldly.
"She could be dead," Samui states ruthlessly.
Itachi fists clench at his sides, and his shoulders tremble, rage thrumming under his skin. "She's not dead," he manages to say. "She's …" Elsa. She'll ice you up in an instant. "You don't know her. None of you do."
Samui doesn't like that. She grabs her purse and storms out of the place without a backward glance. Itachi calls for the bill, pays, and leaves, ignoring Shisui who's come to see what the disturbance has been about.
Itachi sits behind the wheel of his car and takes a steadying breath. This is not unhealthy, he tells himself. It's not. Unhealthy is what Izumi did. And Itachi is not doing what Izumi did.
Instead, he's trying to do what Sasuke asked him all those years ago. Maybe this is something that we can't fix. We won't even know where to start.
Itachi has merely found that start.
Aaaaaand we're back on track. Interlude period is over.
Next chapter is the aftermath of this decision.
The update cycle is 24 hours. Please review! :)