Men of the Sea
Chapter 18
Sasuke sat within the den of the Uchiha Manor with an anxious glance at the clock on the wall.
He was late.
Sasuke licked his dry lips and began picking lint off of the white couch he was sitting on. 'He'll come. He's always been the late sort,' he thought to himself. But Sasuke was judging behavior from their adolescence. Maybe he had changed?
Sasuke's leg began to jump a bit with nervousness.
He glanced at the clock again.
He was twelve minutes late now.
With a slow exhale he grabbed his phone. It didn't hurt to call and check on him, right? Maybe he was stuck in traffic? Or had car troubles? Or he...forgot?
"Yo."
Sasuke's gaze left his phone and towards the curved entrance of the den's entryway. "What's up dufus?"
On reflex, Sasuke grinned cockily as he stood from his seat. "Waiting for you to show up, idiot." Naruto fully walked into the den and shook Sasuke's hand. It was a necessary formal gesture. After all, it was their first time seeing each other as grown men.
Simultaneously, they both sat on opposing white plush couches. Naruto awkwardly smiled at Sasuke. "I was surprised when my assistant said that you called." "Oh?" A servant came into the room to drop off a dark wooden tray of tea. She poured the steaming liquid in each cup and just as quietly as she entered, she left. "Well, I hadn't heard from you in ten years. So, yea." "I wanted to talk to you."
"About?"
"My stupidity."
Naruto blinked. Sasuke reached for a cup of tea.
"Okay?" Naruto said, slowly following Sasuke's lead and grabbing a cup of tea for himself. "Care to elaborate?"
"Over the years I've let ego cloud my judgment. And as a result, I've lost everything that mattered to me. My friends, the respect of my colleagues and family, my job, and my fiance." Naruto, who was calmly sipping his tea, choked. Sputtering he asked, "YOU WERE ENGAGED!?" "Yes."
"TO WHO!?"
"Sakura Haruno."
Naruto looked close to fainting.
"Which brings me to my an important facet of me asking you to come here."
Sasuke placed his cup down, stood upright, and bowed forward to Naruto. As Sasuke righted himself, Naruto held a comical expression with bulging eyes and a gaping mouth. "What the hell!?"
Understandingly so, Naruto was overflowing with questions. Of which Sasuke calmly answered once he settled back into his seat.
"So that time we fought…"
"I was scared," Sasuke whispered.
"Of what?"
"Of Sakura liking you back."
Naruto frowned. "If you were open with me about the situation, I would have backed off." Sasuke blinked. "What?" "I mean, a lot was going on. I wouldn't have risked losing both of my best friends. Besides, you guys were already engaged. It would have been pretty stupid asking Sakura out."
Sasuke nodded and ruefully chuckled to himself.
The years of not having his best friend at his side could have been avoided had he talked to Naruto openly about his predicament and his feelings.
He was always getting in his own way.
"So… Are we good?" Naruto hesitantly asked. Sasuke smirked, "Yea, we're good."
Sakura's POV
Sakura confidently walked into her office with her assistant by her side. Kana timidly handed her a thick black leather folder and eased a distance from Sakura and the two gentlemen who extended a hand towards Sakura. The pink-haired woman shook both hands and walked to the other side of the desk. The two men simultaneously sat in the leather chairs that were settled across from her. "Good morning, gentlemen," she said with a soft warm smile. Kisame's father glared menacingly at her. "Hoshigaki-San, since you are in town I figured we could go over a few things concerning MR as we move forward with our deal for Lithium."
"The lawyers have finished the paperwork aspect of the deal, I think it's important that we now strategize the most efficient means to achieve maximum Lithium production for UE products." As she opened the leather folder that held her documents, Kisame's father spoke, "You are a bold woman." Sakura's hand paused over the folder. "Excuse me?"
"Hoshigaki-Sama," the man beside him, his lawyer perhaps, whispered to him. "You dare conduct business while I am in Japan for the injury of my son that you caused? "As I have been informed, Kisame has been discharged and is being rehabilitated in a luxury facility on the Uchiha's dime, as thanks to our CEO. I am conducting business because you are in Japan and we must finish the loose ends of our deal. We're in the process of making you an incredibly rich man, Hoshigaki-San. I am not bold. I am a professional."
His face reddened.
Sakura wasn't immediately sure as to why. Was it from anger? Or embarrassment?
"Leave me," Kisame's father hissed to the suited man beside him. The man gawked. "Sir, I don't think it's-" "I SAID LEAVE ME." Sakura's hands began to sweat. "Kana, give us a few minutes." "Yes, ma'am."
The two awkwardly shuffled out of Sakura's office and closed the door behind them.
"I don't like you, Haruno. Not. One. Bit."
"Sir, I am aware."
"You aren't slick, young lady. This deal could have been done via a phone call or email with my team. Yet, instead, you call me here personally." "You left me with no choice." "I don't approve of your interest in my son. I am certain his infatuation with you will fade with given time, he's young. Which means that all is left is you." "I'm in love with him."
"Too bad."
The older man before her straightened his tie. "Here's what we are going to do: You are going to give me back my company and leave my son alone, are we clear?" Sakura snorted. "Oh?"
"Yes."
"And why on Earth would I do that?" "Because if you don't, I'll make Kisame's life a living hell." Sakura froze. "I will ruin him in Australia. And believe me, I have the means to make it happen.I'll exile him away from his family, his mother. And I'll do everything in my power to make his life a living hell. Which, ultimately if he stays with you, will make your life a living hell." "You're lying. You wouldn't do that to your only son."
"Young lady, this company is my parent's legacy. I don't feel keen on actively collaborating in whatever UE has to offer if it means that I am to revoke whatever power I wield over MR. And then, of course, there is you. Need I go into detail about how I disapprove of you? Of how your very existence irks me?"
"Even if I wanted to stop the contact of UE taking over MR, I can't." Sakura's hands were shaking now.
"Don't test me, young lady."
"Are you willing to take Kisame's family from him, Sakura? Are you willing to put his whole country against him?"
Sakura's mouth opened but no words managed to exit it.
"I am confident in your capability in finding a way. I thank Fugaku Uchiha for his gesture of goodwill. But my company will not conduct business with him on the grounds that have been laid out. I look forward to your response, ."
And with that, he left.
Sakura sat upon her leather office chair dumbfounded. "What… What just happened?"
She reached for the phone on her desk, then froze. Who was she to call? Ino? No. This deal was a huge accomplishment for both of them. For UE! Ino would not be on board of jeopardizing their success over Sakura's technical relationship with Kisame.
Biting her lip she inhaled slowly from her nose and reached for her personal cell phone. Her only option was to void UE and MR's deal and potentially reconstruct it so that the Hoshigaki's still had main control of their company. But the only person with that power was Fugaku or his heir.
Fugaku would not be willing to jeopardize such a large deal. Not for anyone. Even her. Which left her with one option.
Itachi.
Finding his contact information, she pressed the green call icon on her smartphone's glass screen. Leaning back within her seat she waited a few rings till she heard him pick up.
"Sakura?"
"Itachi...I...can we talk?"
Itachi's POV
The eldest son of Fugaku Uchiha scanned the documents his father presented him with half-hearted interest. His thoughts had been clouded thanks to a certain pink-haired woman.
He wasn't heartbroken.
He was agitated.
What about him did not appeal to Sakura?! Did she not understand how many women would kill to be in her shoes!? He went about his days for the last month or so contemplating his next move.
While he said he had given her up he couldn't yet find it in him to let her go.
And then she called.
"Itachi...I...can we talk?"
Itachi's posture straightened despite her speaking to him over the phone.
"Certainly."
"I've changed my mind. I'll marry you."
Itachi felt his mind blank.
"Excuse me?"
"I-I was stupid, Itachi. Incredibly stupid. I think I was scared. I'm sorry for my mistake. Do… Do you still want me?" Itachi smiled to himself. "Of course. When can I see you?"
"Tonight? Now? Whenever you want."
Itachi tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. "Meet me at my apartment for dinner. We'll discuss our engagement then."
"Of course."
Her voice sounded somewhat distant, but also breathless.
It was a curious combination. There was a tone of relief. But also something else…
She arrived at eight o'clock. Her hair was down in natural pink waves and she wore a tasteful white jumpsuit. She smiled nervously at him when she entered his apartment.
"Hopefully there will be no interruptions this time around." She smiled politely at him. "Wine?" he asked. "Please."
"Would you also care for some fruit while we drink?" "Sure." Itachi grabbed a small bowl of washed strawberries and grapes.
"How was work today?" She leaned against the counter and gratefully took the stemmed glass from Itachi as he began to cut an apple and scatter almonds onto a wooden cutting board. "Mostly uneventful, thankfully. How about you?"
"Tedious. Father is having me look over documents of varying importance for the company." "He's having you do that often now, isn't he?" Itachi nodded before sipping from his own glass of wine. They both made way to his living room. He carried the board of fruit and nuts."Yes. I suspect that he will soon step down."
"How does that make you feel?"
Itachi looked at Sakura and then at his glass.
"A bit anxious. It's a huge responsibility. But I also feel grateful that he entrusts in me such a large responsibility."
Sakura did not comment. Instead, she downed her glass of wine as if it were a shot. "Are you alright?" "Yes, just… the wine is good." "Would you care for some more?" "Keep it coming!" She said with a (bit forced) playful laugh.
A few bottles of wine later and she was thoroughly drunk.
Twirling a strand of her own pink hair around her finger, she eyed him. "You're a bit of a dreamboat, Itachi. Why do you want someone like me?"
"I already told you."
"Yes, but why do you still want me? Aren't you angry that I denied you?" "I was… But you're here now. What does it matter?"
Sakura placed her empty wine glass on the coffee table before them. Itachi mindfully did not offer her another glass. "I guess it doesn't matter…" she agreed with a hiccup.
Leaning forward, she put a hand on Itachi's face. "Will you love me?" she asked seriously. "Of course." "No matter what?" "I will try my best." "For better or for worse?" "I'll vow to it."
"Kiss me," she whispered.
And he obliged.
Her mouth was sweet of wine. She turned her head and pulled his hair. He pulled her closer to him. "Sakura," he moaned once she placed a hand on his lap. "I want you," she said, her green eyes warm and glazed. "You're drunk, I don't think it's wise to do this now."
"Itachi, you aren't interested in me?" "That's not what I'm saying. Not at all." Sakura nodded. He softly kissed her cheek. "Let's take it easy tonight. We have a lifetime to learn and experience each other."
"A lifetime…" Sakura repeated as if tasting the word itself.
"I am going to be your wife," she stated unnecessarily.
"Yes."
Sakura reached for his hand. "I was meant to be an Uchiha from the beginning. This is what's meant to be." Itachi arched a brow. Sakura's eyes fluttered as she leaned back upon the couch. "Itachi, thank you."
"For what?"
Sakura turned her head so that she could look at him, her skin was flushed from the alcohol, and she looked beautifully disheveled in the dim lighting of his living room. He very much so wanted to kiss her again, but restrained himself.
"For being you. For being Itachi Uchiha, of course."
"Let's go to bed," he offered. "Mkay," she responded with a nod. Itachi assisted her to her feet and to his room. "Itachi, we can have sex, you know? I'm alright." "I'd feel better if we waited."
As Sakura sat on his bed he grabbed his pajamas and moved to exit his room. "Where are you going?" "To the guest room." "You aren't sleeping here? With me?" Itachi paused in the doorway of his bedroom. "I don't trust myself with you in my bed right now. I don't know if I'll be able to control myself."
And then he left.
Sakura's POV
He closed the door behind him.
And with a sigh, Sakura sank into his soft comforter. She could do it. She could like Itachi, marry, fuck, and devote herself to him. She could seduce him and make him void the contract with MR. She could follow through with Hoshigaki's demands…
For Kisame, she would do anything.
Sakura closes her eyes.
But Itachi's responses, it wasn't what she prepared herself for. This was wrong. She was using him. He was a good guy. He didn't deserve this. But she couldn't back down now. Not when she came here. Not after she encouraged his advances.
So what did it all mean for her?
She clenched her firsts.
'It means I'm committed.'
Her decided commitment felt different when the morning came. It was early in the morning, near six am, when she exited the connected master suite's bathroom. Sakura was in the process of dabbing her face with a hand towel when she noticed Itachi was in the room. He had a glass of water in one hand and in the other was a bottle of pain medication. He glanced upright with her entrance.
"Hey, sorry to disturb you. I was just bringing you some stuff in case you had a hangover." Sakura smiled. He was indeed a kind man. "Thank you, Itachi." "How are you feeling?" "Well, the pulsing headache means I'm alive, right?"
"Yea."
He handed her the tall glass of water. She gulped it hastily while staring at his muscle t and black joggers. "I have coffee in the kitchen if you want some."
"Coffee sounds fantastic," she said tossing the white small towel in her hand onto the end of the bed. She followed Itachi out of his room and into the kitchen. The kitchenette was filled with the welcoming scent of freshly ground coffee beans. Her mouth watered. "Need cream or anything?" Itachi asked while grabbing a large mug from his top cupboard. "No, I like it black."
He smiled at her. "You're made of sturdier stuff than me, then. I can't stand the taste of coffee without sweetener and cream." She took a step forward and leaned her back on the edge of his marble counter. Placing her empty glass on the counter she stared at him as he continued, "I was thinking of making breakfast, but my father called me last minute to meet him at the office. You can stay here if you'd like. I can give you the spare key." "That's unnecessary, I'll leave shortly myself. I have to be at the office for a meeting at 8:00 am."
"If you insist," he responded with a nonchalant shrug.
He poured her a mug of coffee but did not hand it to her.
"Sakura, be honest with me…"
Sakura felt her hands sweat.
"Why did you change your mind? I had heard through the grapevine that you are already involved with someone else."
"I realized that he was insignificant."
A thoughtful look smoothed on Itachi's features.
"Does he share your sentiment?"
"Does it matter?"
Itachi didn't answer. Instead, he turned towards her. A mug was not in his hands.
Suddenly he asked her, "Sakura, may I kiss you?"
Sakura stared into the depths of his eyes, they were warm yet calculating. She nodded.
"Of course."
He took a step forward and placed a hand on either side of the counter she was leaning on. "Sakura, once you're mine I won't let you go."
"I hope not," she breathed. With their difference of height, she had to stare upright to continue looking at his face. And while he was by no means of Kisame's towering stature, Itachi was still a tall man. He dipped his head forward and Sakura simultaneously closed her eyes.
At first, his lips were soft against hers.
A feathery searching touch of skin from her lips to either side of her jaw. Her stomach began to feel warm with each peck. His kisses were like curious intimate brushes on her skin. With slight hesitation, she turned her head and deepened a kiss once his lips found its way back to her mouth. He inhaled deeply while suddenly making a fist through her hair.
Sakura noted that he tasted of coffee, but also of creamer and sugar. She noted that she did not hate the mostly sweet flavor on his tongue, of him. And felt deeply conflicted of this realization, even if they were now engaged.
This was for Kisame's own good, right?
She loved Kisame. She was doing this to protect him!
This was torture for her, being with another man...
She hated this, didn't she?
Itachi unexpectedly pushed his body against hers. Without thinking she moaned into his mouth.
He pulled his lips away from hers, and she opened her eyes.
Clearly, within his gaze, she saw his desire. And she didn't need a mirror to stare at her own reflection to know that she probably held the same expression.
"I'm supposed to meet with father," he said, his voice now a smoldering baritone.
"Uh-huh."
He kissed her again, his hand that had grabbed her hair now groped her chest. The other hand fumbled with her jumpsuit's zipper. A moment of intense warmth gave away to sudden cold. Her outfit pooled at her feet, leaving her with nothing on but her underwear.
Instincts kicked in. Sakura pulled his black jogger pants down and felt his hardening member with a curious hand still over his grey boxers. His breath hitched as her fingers found the entrance to his boxers and pulled out his lengthening manhood. She swallowed. Itachi was well endowed.
"Sakura…" He said her name as if there lingered a question associated with it. As if he were on the verge of asking her, "are you sure?" or "should we stop?". Maybe she had it wrong, and he wasn't interested in asking her anything. Maybe he was just-
His free hand steadied her as she felt her knees bending downwards. She gazed at him as two of his digits began to find a rhythm at her wet center, his eyes were still warm with desire, but also searching. 'For what?' she wondered. 'Deceit? Pleasure? Discomfort?' Well, her intentions in coming here weren't pure, but her body's reaction to him most certainly was.
"I want you, Sakura." She opened her mouth, intending to say something of equal caliber or sentiment when he suddenly lifted one of her legs and inserted himself fully into her. She moaned loudly.
He kissed her. And she kissed him back.
Momentarily allowing their bodies to relax with each other's, he began a slow and gentle thrust against her. Her nails dug into his shoulder as he did so.
He felt out of this world.
Eventually picking her up with ease, she wrapped her legs around him as he walked towards a wall adjacent to the kitchen counter. She felt him press her against its cold surface and began to put more force with his movements in her. His hands gripped her sides so hard she was sure she would bruise later.
She didn't mind. And she didn't care.
"Itachi."
He kissed her again.
Unliked their first kiss, this one was hard and dominating.
As they continued to kiss one another she continued to moan, he was hitting a familiar spot that she knew would have her seeing stars soon. He grunted, pumping into her furiously. Sweat lined his brow.
She used one hand to wipe it away.
He closed his eyes and pulled her impossibly closer to him.
She moaned louder.
He pulled his mouth from hers and thrust with even more force.
Sakura's head span.
"Yes!" She screamed.
Itachi gripped her thigh tightly and held his position, moaning into her shoulder.
They stayed connected for less than a minute, their breathing was erratic and their bodies tingling.
Slowly, he put her down on her own shaky feet. Pulling away from her, she felt Itachi's seaman began to trickle down from within her. She stood there, in a daze, almost unsure how it all happened. Itachi pushed wet bangs from his face and leaned downwards to kiss her temple.
"I have to go," he whispered to her.
Sakura nearly forgot about Itachi's meeting with his father.
"Oh, uh, o-of course…" she could hardly form an intelligent sentence. Sakura was admittedly stunned.
"I'll call you later. Or maybe I'll stop by your office?" His voice was hopeful, and a bit nervous.
"Uh, yeah," she responded dumbly.
He smiled. "Great."
He kissed her fully on the lips one more time and he was gone.
She stood in his kitchen, then looked at her jumpsuit and underwear where she was standing earlier. Her mug of coffee was no longer steaming. She mechanically walked towards her clothes and mug and took a tentative sip of her coffee.
It was cold.