Men of the Sea
Chapter 7
Sasuke's POV
Karin and Kana softly giggled once Sakura fully closed the door behind her. The three of them momentarily sat within the darkness of Sasuke's office.
Sasuke could feel his heart pounding vigorously within his chest.
"That sounds lovely," Sakura said to Itachi, genuinely sounding like she meant it. Sasuke felt himself become irritated. He shoved both of the girls away from him and began to button his shirt. Wide eyes regarded him. "Uchiha-Sama." Karin mewled. He glared at her. His mood was suddenly sour.
"Let us finish." Kana practically begged.
"Fuck off."
He pulled up his pants, tucked in his shirt, buckled his belt, and threw on his blazer. Smoothing down his hair, he glared at the two naked girls that were still at his feet. "Get. Dressed." "But-" "I won't say it again." Kana pouted. He didn't give a damn.
He felt Karin's cold gaze on him. He ignored it.
He wasn't sure what had him so agitated all of a sudden. But, in the end, it didn't really matter. He just wanted Karin and Kana out of his sight. "When you're fully clothed, leave." The girls didn't protest.
Moments later, Sasuke heard the door open.
The light flickered on.
Itachi presented himself within Sasuke's personal quarters. He obviously was not pleased with the scene before him. "I should say that I am surprised, but I'm not." His brother regarded both of the girls. They hadn't had the chance to fully clothe themselves yet. "Hm. No wonder Sakura was so shocked. My, how you have fallen, Sasuke." "Shut up." "It's a symptom of her kindness, Sakura not calling you out when she had the chance. She tried to cover for you instead."
Sasuke gritted his teeth. "I said: Shut. UP!" "Oh, I heard you. I just don't care. Foolish little brother, surely you are smart enough to at least lock your office door if you're going to be partaking in scandalous behavior." "You don't know what you're talking about." "I think anyone with an inkling of intelligence could surmise exactly what occurred here, Sasuke."
Karin had only managed to put on her forest green lingerie. And yet, she did not seem at all perturbed as she walked up to Itachi. Her petite frame was dwarfed by his brother's height. She wasn't intimidated. "Leave him alone." Itachi hardly offered her a glance. His eyes remained on him. "So now your whores' are defending you?"
Karin attempted to slap Itachi in the face. Without looking he caught her wrist in mid-air. Karin pulled back to free herself. Itachi let her go.
"I wonder how Father would react to the news that his son is going against UE policy and fraternizing with the staff he manages? On company grounds, no less. Hm, he had mentioned the potential of demoting you, hadn't he?" "Stay out of my business." "Why? Clearly, you aren't trying to hide anything."
"Why are you here?" Sasuke asked while straightening his black tie. He didn't want to take Itachi's scolding any longer.
"Based on your poor behavior with Sakura, I can assume your answer," Itachi began seriously, "But I must confirm for the sake of my own curiosity." Sasuke regarded his older brother peculiarly.
"Have you slept with Sakura?"
Sasuke frowned.
Before the engagement was announced, Sakura and Sasuke often spent time together. He knew that her crush on him had subsided, and that was fine with him. Sakura was the one girl on this planet besides his mother that he respected. Her platonic company was enough.
Their friendship was genuine.
At around age fourteen, Sakura began to scold him for his habit of sleeping around. He enjoyed the attention. Sakura didn't dote on him like she used to…
Admittedly, it annoyed him.
But, he didn't blame her. After all, they were growing up. The thought that they were growing apart did not register kindly within his mind. Of course, he wasn't thrilled with the notion of being engaged. But after he calmed down, he realized that if it was Sakura… It really wasn't all that bad. And too, shouldn't he use this to his advantage somehow?
Sasuke came to the decision he would do the right thing. He would quit his skirt-chasing habits and commit to Sakura.
Yea, he was annoyed at the situation. But the reality was, Sakura was hardly the worst person to be stuck with for the rest of his life.
It was a late Saturday afternoon. Sakura and Sasuke were awkwardly sitting within his bedroom. Naruto, as always, was running late. Sakura, per usual, had her nose in a book. Though, Sasuke wondered if it was a way to also keep herself busy so that she did not have to talk to him. Whatever. He was playing video games across the bed from where she sat. He kept losing his stupid game. His eyes couldn't stay on the screen, they kept venturing to Sakura's petite frame.
After losing a fifth time Sasuke threw his gameboy across his bed. It thumped on his comforter and tumbled to the ground. He didn't reach for it.
He regarded the pink haired girl. "Ne, Sakura." "Hm?" she responded cautiously. He didn't blame her, he'd been a jerk since she told him she wasn't saying no to her father. After a few awkward minutes he finally stated, "We're stuck with each other." She dog-eared the page she was reading and closed her book. She turned to him.
"Yea."
Her voice held a tone of sadness to it. He ignored the sensation and emotion that riled within him. "You're going to be my wife." He said slowly. Her eyes widened at that. "So we might as well hook up, or something. You know?"
'She didn't know', her face stated clearly.
He grabbed her arm and pinned her against his bed.
Emerald eyes, always calculating, always seeing, regarded him.
She was his.
He'd show her that she was his.
He leaned forward to kiss her.
She punched him.
He flew backward, off of the bed, and landed awkwardly on the floor. His hands instinctively went to his nose. 'Was it bleeding!?' He wasn't sure. But his eyes watered as he turned to his side. He'd never been a serious target of Sakura's infamous lethal hand. Her right hook was no joke.
She casually slid off of his bed and grabbed her book.
"Sasuke, you're a real idiot."
And she was gone.
Naruto showed up about twenty minutes later. He asked where Sakura was. Sasuke said he didn't know.
He didn't fucking care, at that point.
She wouldn't tell her father no to the engagement, and she would not even kiss him. She was the tart he always thought she was.
Frigid bitch.
"No." Sasuke hissed.
Itachi looked pleased. "Hm, as I figured."
Sasuke stomped towards Itachi. The slightly older man had to slightly gaze upwards to look Sasuke in the eye. This made him feel slightly better.
"Karin and Kana, get out." "But we're not fully dr-" "GET OUT." The girls grabbed whatever clothes they hadn't put on and ran out of his office. The door slammed shut behind them.
"I could be lying. After all, we were engaged for TEN YEARS." "Be honest, Sasuke. She wouldn't touch you if someone paid her. You never treated her right. I will." "You don't know her, Itachi. What makes you think you truly have a shot? Just because Father handed her to you, doesn't mean anything. She could refuse you."
'Like she refused me…'
Itachi grinned as if he knew something Sasuke didn't. It pissed Sasuke off even more.
"My, do I hear the inklings of jealousy? What we do and how I feel doesn't concern you." "It does," Sasuke said before he could think his response through. "And why is that?" Itachi asked.
Sasuke couldn't answer.
"I'll see you later, Sasuke."
Itachi turned to leave. Sasuke didn't want him to go. At least, not yet.
The low ponytail that was at the nape of Itachi's neck was suddenly in Sasuke's hand. Itachi fell back with one grand tug. He turned to Sasuke with a glare. Sasuke was too busy looking at his open hand to notice. He'd never put a hand on Itachi before.
"You childish little-" Itachi reached for Sasuke.
"ENOUGH."
He stopped in mid-motion.
"Father." The two sons said in unison. Neither of them heard his entrance. "Sasuke, care to inform me as to why there are two staff members running around the halls half-naked?" Fugaku asked, obviously displeased. "Sir, I can explain."
"I'm listening."
"They spilled something on themselves and-" "If you aren't going to tell me the truth, I'm not interested in hearing anything you have to say." Fugaku boomed. Sasuke felt himself bow forward. "Father, I apologize for my behavior. It won't happen again."
Fugaku walked towards Sasuke and Itachi. "Sasuke, I warned you of what would happen if you didn't shape up. That wasn't even two days ago." "I apologize." "Oh, I don't doubt your sincerity of this matter. However, I can not overlook your behavior any longer."
"I am releasing you of your duties within this company for the time being. You are suspended indefinitely." "What!?" Sasuke asked, straightening his back. "Who will run my department?" "Oh, I'll find someone. I heard the newcomer, Sai, is doing quite well. If anything, he's more than qualified for your job. Perhaps I'll make this change a permanent solution?"
"You can't do this." "Oh? It's my company. Sasuke, I can do as I please."
"Itachi, get security. Sasuke will need help clearing out his office."
"Yes, Father." Itachi left with swiftness.
"Please, I'll do what's right. I made a mistake. I'll do better. I'll-"
"Enough! I have given you many chances. It is clear to me that I have failed you as father and did not reprimand you enough as your Superior. This position is a joke to you. I will not deal with your insolence any longer."
Sasuke felt as if he were going to vomit.
'No. No. NO. NO!'
If he wasn't at EU, where else would he work? Who was he if not the rich second son of Fugaku Uchiha?
"I am disappointed in you, Sasuke."
This was all wrong.
This was…
This was…
Sakura's fault.
Author's note:
Forgive me for the short chapter. I just couldn't resist stopping here! I also want to reiterate how grateful I am to everyone who is following, has favorited, or has reviewed my fic! Literally, I lose my shit (in the best of ways) whenever I get an alert on my phone or see someone has liked my story. I love you all! And I hope you have a fantastic day!
-J