Men of the Sea
Chapter 5
Her internal alarm clock had her stirring around 6 AM. She wiped her face with the back of her hand with a sigh. She had fallen asleep at the foot of her Dad's bed. She peered at him as she sat upright. He looked the same as he did when she had fallen asleep. She wasn't sure if she was grateful or disappointed.
Grateful that he was still alive. That he made it through another day.
Disappointed that he hadn't woken up.
She stood and leaned over him. A light kiss on his warm cheek was her greeting for the day. "I'll come back tonight, Dad." And then she was on her way to her own personal quarters. While she was sleeping Kakashi had kindly brought her suitcase to her room. Taking out her beauty products, she then sorted through her closet. Upon occasion, she tended to come home. Thankfully she had a set of work clothes here from when she last visited.
Her apartment wasn't too far from the Hatake house. A thirty-minute drive without traffic. But she always found it wise to leave a few garments of clothing in case she ended up staying home or if Kakashi needed to take leave unexpectedly. The two had been rotating staying at their childhood home for their Dad. Of course, they hired a stay at home Nurse too. Technically, neither of them needed to be around much.
But they did it anyway.
Sakura walked across the hall and got ready in the small bathroom she shared with Kakashi. It wasn't often the two were home at the same time. Most of middle school and high school she had the bathroom to herself. It was strange to see his razor at the sink and his towel hanging on the back door. She scratched her cheek and looked around.
He probably thought the same thing.
When Kakashi went off to college, Sakumo let her do as she pleased. Meaning she changed the boring grey bathroom decorations into that of all pink. Sakumo allowed for her to change the game room too. Video games were switched out for weights and books. It was more of a second bedroom for her to put all her things than a shared space meant for two "kids".
Kakashi never complained. But she always wondered how he felt. Honestly, since their dad's...illness… This is the most she's ever seen him. Besides brief interactions on holidays when he came home from college or took time away from his work as a writer, she never saw him. Not to say he actually spoke to her when he was around. Beyond the rare civil conversation, he avoided her. Sakura was sure she had spoken more to the staff at her local gym in the last month than she ever did with Kakashi since she was adopted at ten years old.
Sakura turned on the faucet and waited for the water to turn scalding.
A small part of her wondered what would happen if her Dad didn't make it. Would Kakashi completely cut ties with her? She couldn't see why he wouldn't. She was no one to him.
She closed her eyes and took a deep cleansing breath. No, she wouldn't think of such things now. Sakumo was still alive. He had a chance of getting better.
He will get better.
She undressed and stepped into the water.
The water was delightfully painful upon her pale sensitive skin. After much time had passed, pruning fingers eventually reached for a towel. Combing through her long pink hair, she stared at her reflection within the steaming bathroom.
"Itachi, though, seems to like you."
What does that even mean? Itachi likes her? She sighed. Well, she was sure she was going to find out one way or another, wasn't she?
Putting her hair into a high ponytail, she then pulled on a red tight-fitting knee-length dress. She liked the dress because she felt powerful in it. Red had always been her favorite color. She tried to wear red as often as she could.
Sakura gathered her dirty clothes, makeup bag, and brush and moved to make her leave. Upon opening the door she nearly walked into the 6' 2" wall of her older brother. Kakashi sleepily regarded her, fist raised as if he were in the process of knocking on the door. "Mornin." he yawned walking past her in only his blue boxers.
Sakura felt her face burn with embarrassment. "Good morning," she muttered as he slammed the door shut behind him. She quickly made way to her room.
Throwing the items in her arms upon her bed, she reached for her laptop and began her daily work routine.
It was indeed strange having Kakashi around.
She went through emails, confirmed meetings, and sorted through a few documents. After her trip to Australia, she had meant to take a week off of work. Since Fugaku requested her, she told Ino to update their department and cancel her "stay-cation". She was coming into the office anyway, might as well be productive.
She found an email from Ino. It was sent at 5 AM. She wasn't at all surprised that Ino was up and working already.
Sakura,
You will have a new phone on your personal desk upon arrival at the office this morning. I will be tying up the loose ends of the MR deal with our lawyers today. But if you need me, call. All important contacts are already on the new phone.
Ino
Sakura smiled. What would she do without her? Sending an appreciative response back, Sakura used the house phone to request a driver. Giving her Dad a quick kiss on the cheek, it wasn't long before she was making her commute to the office. Headquarters was only a fifteen-minute drive from the Hatake house.
It was 7:00 AM when she made it to Uchiha Enterprise's massive building. One of her assistants, a girl named Kana, was waiting for her at the entrance. She had a black coffee at hand for Sakura. Sakura thanked the girl and made way to the elevator.
Kana was close on her heels.
"Has Fugaku arrived yet?" "No. But it is estimated he will be here around 9 AM, ma'am." Sakura nodded. "What's the itinerary today?" she asked. Sakura already knew it by heart, having familiarized herself with it before she made her commute. But still, it was nice to hear it again. Just in case she missed something.
Kana opened her notebook and rattled on about Sakura's schedule.
Sakura listened closely as she drank her coffee and made the short journey to her private office.
'Work.'
'Work.'
'Work because it's all you know how to do, Sakura.'
Sasuke's POV
Sasuke was surrounded by women. Ten girls in total filled his bedroom. All exotic, all beautiful, all not Sakura. He was a free man. He could do whatever he wished! Not that it stopped him before. But still, it was the principle of the thing. He smiled to himself as he glanced at the clock. 8:42 AM.
After he got off the phone with Sakura he skipped the rest of work and began his celebration. Of course, he couldn't announce why he was celebrating. But nobody questions the rich 20 something year old who's buying the whole club drinks. He said he was celebrating and everyone wanted to celebrate with him!
The world was fully at his fingertips.
He grinned.
Sasuke was careful not to drink too much. His father made it clear that today he was going to have to show him he was serious with UE. But, he still managed to have a good time. The raven-haired male rolled on his side, a naked woman with dark skin was pulled into his arms. Her dark brown hair was soft and curly. He brought her closer to him still. He had to get up. But first, he wanted to enjoy his harem of women.
"Uchiha-Sama."
He cracked open a reluctant eye. It was Mio? Lana? Sam?
She looked displeased.
"Sakura's assistant has alerted me that she has made it to the office. We should be going ourselves." "Yea, alright," Sasuke said while stretching his legs. A few of the women on his bed seemed to gravitate towards him, even within their sleep. One woman wrapped a leg around his body, another fingered absentmindedly through his hair. He felt hands sweep against his body within the darkness of his bedroom.
"Uchiha-Sama." She pressed.
Her voice was displeased.
Why was she here again? Oh right, he called her to join them. He glanced at the various naked women upon his King size bed. Did she join them? He couldn't remember. She was clothed, so probably not. He sat upright. "I'm going to shower. Get rid of them?" he asked. She smiled.
It was an unpleasant sight.
"Absolutely." she nearly purred.
He felt a slight shiver run through his spine.
Something about her seemed...off.
But, whatever. He waltzed into his bathroom and into his standing shower. He had better things to think about than his slightly strange red-headed receptionist. Like, not being engaged. He grinned stupidly as he washed his black hair under the cold water.
He entered UE at around 10 AM. Ino was sitting in front of his desk when he entered his personal office. He was surprised to see her there. All luscious locks and curves. But her facial expression was as stony as ever when it regarded him. She was here on business.
Pity.
Ino went to the same high school as him. Though, it wasn't until senior year that they were in the same class. At that time, Sakura was already gone. He vaguely remembered someone saying she graduated early.
As if he cared.
Back then, Ino still had a crush on him. He could tell with her doe eyes and shy glances. All the girls were an open book at school.
He asked her out once and she happily accepted. He thought it was clear what his intentions were. Apparently not.
"What do you mean you don't want to go to the hotel? I already paid for it."
"I'm not going!" she stated, eyes no longer soft and much more fierce. "You said you'd take me somewhere fun. I thought we were going to an amusement park or to a movie!" "Sex is fun." he tried to reason with her, his eyes trained on her large breasts that her modest white dress could not hide. She stomped her foot, pissed.
"I'm not some, some, WHORE!" She screamed. People began to stare. Sasuke began to feel embarrassed. They were downtown, almost a block away from the nice hotel he got a room at. Usually girls just went with whatever he wanted. He hated it when he was denied. "Ino, calm down. You're making a scene." She looked like she was about to slap him. He took a discreet step back.
"I'll take you somewhere nice after." "After? AFTER WHAT!?" She screeched, face red and eyes now wide. "After we, you know?" he said with a shrug. "YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!? YOU-YOU ANIMAL!"
"Ow!"
She began whacking him with her purse. He ran for his life and didn't look back. He was grateful she didn't follow him. For the rest of their senior year, he avoided her the best he could. The feeling seemed to be mutual.
He had never been so humiliated in his life.
That was years ago.
Years later, and she's now in his office.
He cautiously takes a seat at his desk. "How may I help you, Miss Yamanaka?"
"We need to discuss the prototypes of the new tablets and what materials your engineers will need. With the MR deal more or less complete, my department will need to continue scouting other potential suppliers for raw materials we're estimated to have a shortage of."
He nodded.
Sasuke pulled out a few documents.
"I wasn't aware you were coming to see me this morning." "I sent you an email yesterday," she stated coldly. There was no way Sasuke would have seen that email since he took the day off. He frowned. What else was on his agenda for the day? He should probably figure that out.
"Why are you here and not Sakura?" he asked absentmindedly. Didn't his receptionist mention she was at headquarters today? And Sakura was the head of their department. She should be the one that was conducting this meeting. That, and he hated Ino's stare. Bright blue eyes could be beautiful. Or chilling. Ino's were the latter. "Sakura has a busy schedule today."
Sasuke slid a few documents over to Ino. "We're getting low on Cobalt. Short-term, we have enough for the next year or so. But for future products, we'll need to secure more raw materials." Ino nodded. "I'm not surprised. A lot of these new electric cars are starting to use them. Cobalt is going to be a tough source to secure with all the new competition." When it comes to tech, Uchiha Enterprise was on top of the food chain. But there were other industries they were beginning to compete with.
The automobile, kitchen appliance, and even the fashion industry were just a few of their rivals. Consumers wanted everything to be "smart". They needed their cars to park themselves, their refrigerators to tell them what they were out of, and their dresses to light up. Currently, there was a renaissance of sorts within almost every industry. And tech was at the center of it. UE was faring well. But the reality of the situation was that there would likely be a shortage of a few key raw materials that UE, and all tech companies, relied on for their products.
"Finding a new Cobalt source should be priority." Sasuke said seriously. Ino propped her laptop on his desk and began typing. "Cobalt, got it. Anything else?" Sasuke snorted. "Your hands will be full with this task. Find us a good supplier and we'll be set for some time."
"Noted."
Ino began to pack away her stuff. "An email would have been sufficient," Sasuke said. The blonde froze. "I prefer a hands-on approach when it comes to my work." He arched a brow. "Not how I remember it."
Wrong thing to say.
Ino slammed her hands on his desk.
It took everything in Sasuke to not jump out of his seat.
The blonde bombshell glared at him. "I am not one of your lackeys you can flirt with. I am to be respected, Sasuke. If you want to bring up old times here, I'll make you regret it."
And then she was gone.
The moment his door closed he sank within his chair.
'What is her problem?'
Sakura's POV
It was nearing noon when she made her way to Fugaku's office. She had just finished her meeting with the financial department. She yawned in her hand as she got onto the elevator and pulled out her new phone. She was sorting through new emails when he walked in.
Itachi Uchiha.
For whatever reason, she felt her pulse quicken with him so close.
"Haruno-San." He greeted formally.
Itachi was the complete opposite of Sasuke.
Respectful, kind, and hardworking.
She should feel at least a little happy that it was him she was now engaged to.
"Itachi, though, seems to like you."
But this was just business. She never imagined a happy marriage to Sasuke. She doubted they would have even shared the same room. Things were now different with Itachi being her new beau.
"Itachi, though, seems to like you."
Itachi liked her?
Why?
Since when?
"Haruno-San?"
She blinked.
"We're here." He was in front of her with a hand at the door to keep it from shutting close. She must have zoned out. "Oh." was all she managed to say as she exited the elevator. "I'm assuming you are meeting Father?" She nodded. He smiled at her.
It was a pleasant sight.
Most people, men and women, would swoon with the handsome and mighty Itachi Uchiha displaying such a look towards them. Sakura looked down.
"See you around."
"Yea…" she responded stupidly.
She knocked on Fugaku's office door.
"Come in."
Sakura obliged.
Upon seeing Sakura's disposition Fugaku brightened considerably. "Sakura, my dear!" He got to his feet and hugged her tightly. "How has your morning been?" she shrugged and tried not to think of Itachi.
"Please, sit. Would you like some tea?" Sakura shook her head no but did sit down. Fugaku looked less like the revered businessman and more like a doting uncle to her. "Cookies?" he asked, suddenly fishing in his office desk. It was a very un-Uchiha thing to do. "No, Fugaku-San, I'm okay." she laughed.
His eyes sparkled.
"There's the smile I was looking for."
She felt her cheeks warm.
"I am proud of you for securing the Lithium deal. Well done. Though, I apologize for the misfortunate experience of dealing with their CEO. You represented us well, Sakura." "Please. I don't deserve praise." "But you do! We are lucky to have you here. And I am also lucky to one day officially call you my daughter-in-law. Though, you must know that I see you as a daughter already."
Sakura discreetly squirmed in her seat.
"I'm sure Sasuke broke the news to you."
"About the engagement."
"Yes. But know that this is something that I thought long and hard about. Sasuke is not a suitable match for you. While I love my son, he is careless when it comes to women. I have heard the rumors and I know that you have too. You deserve better. And I think too, the engagement stressed him out. I hope he'll be a better man now that he is left to his own vices. Time will tell."
"So you hand me off to Itachi?" Sakura asked, her voice not at all warm.
"I did no such thing. Itachi asked me for your hand. He was the one that suggested it." "Why!?" She couldn't help herself, she was now at her feet.
Fugaku smiled.
"Itachi is a good man, Sakura. He knew that you would not be happy with Sasuke. Again, we love Sasuke dearly. But we must be realistic. Uchiha do not divorce. It's not our way. But we also won't be so cruel as to sign away your potential happiness to one of our own either. Marriage is meant to be a time and bond endeared with happiness. Not a punishment or heavy sentence."
"Itachi, though, seems to like you."
"Is it as simple as that?" Sakura asked, her body trembling. "Is it truly about what's best for me? Or is there something more?"
"This is something you must discuss with Itachi. As you know, he's not one easy to read. And he's even less likely to share his thoughts unless asked. He told me what he thought necessary. The rest is up to you to find out."