Itachi can, with complete accuracy and absolute certainty, say that Sakura Haruno was dangerous. She has this way of taking his intentions and twisting them into tempting actions. It's been a long time since any woman has been able to capture his attention and hold it. Sakura's methods of doing so were simple and extremely effective. Perhaps she sits at an advantage because he's known her but never took time to get to know her. So something he's already aware of. But others are welcomed surprises.
Sakura is full of those welcomed surprises.
Itachi had dared, and she responded in a way he didn't expect but relished. Then she dared, and he wasn't about to let her have all of the fun. So he put his hand down her pants and indulged himself. Itachi desired to continue down the track his fingers were going, except this wasn't some girl he picked up because he was bored. This was Sakura, the woman who slept on his couch and was his brother's best female friend. The same woman who teased him intrigued him and currently holds his attention.
The woman whose friend called her down to watch movies.
When his tongue wasn't down her throat (a true testament of his self-control), Itachi realized with startling clarity that this was going to be tricky. He needed some time to think about his approach to this situation, now that it indeed was a situation.
Because, along with his desires to persist in this little game he and Sakura started, there was Sasuke to consider. Whom, after some thought, Itachi remembered Sakura had kissed once. Or so she said. Which implied that there could have been something there. While Itachi didn't believe Sakura was so unscrupulous that she would pit two brothers against each other, he wanted to be sure.
When Sakura chose to leave, and Itachi had some extra time in the shower to release pent-up pressure from their encounter, he reasoned temporary space was necessary. So, he woke very early in the morning to be gone before Sakura could sneak into his room like he dreamed she had. Or hoped she would.
It was a shame she did none of those things.
Sakura hadn't been back to their home since then. Itachi suspected her distance may have been due to his. He wasn't trying to send mixed signals, just the correct frequency before proceeding. Partly because of his flavor of relationship, but mostly because he wanted to be sure of Sasuke's stance.
Itachi reasons he will need to address his concerns with Sasuke soon. Seeing as his brother is currently out, he busies himself while waiting.
Later that night, which is actually quite early in the morning, Itachi's packing up the last of freshly sanitized leather straps and bindings in his office bag. Most of the towels are folded and put away, with the last remaining bit waiting for him to get it out of the dryer.
Flicking on lights as he descends the stairs, Itachi hears the moment his brother pulls up into the garage. I should start with what happened at the bar. Itachi muses and removes towels from the dryer.
There are so many ways he can go about this. He's flipping through scenarios, barely up the stairs, when a throaty voice followed by intense feet shuffling infiltrates his introspections.
"Mmm, Sasuke-Kun."
Itachi blinks, then sighs, remembering who he shares a house with. Perhaps tomorrow then. He closes the door, sitting his basket down on the bed. Because he has absolutely no interest in hearing his brother's escapades, Itachi grabs Bluetooth earbuds and listens to music while folding laundry. He would have been content to continue doing so if one towel hadn't gone missing.
Irritating.
The oldest Uchiha ponders the best course of action. It's been at least a few minutes. They should have made it to Sasuke's room by now. Despite being vehemently against hearing any sexual happenings in his house, Itachi pulls out one earbud to gauge where they might be. And to see if it's safe to venture back to the laundry room.
Silence. Absolutely no noise. Furrowing his brows, the eldest Uchiha opens his bedroom door, thinking perhaps having it closed must have muffled sounds. But no. He can't hear anything, which could be a very good thing or a very bad thing. In Itachi's opinion, as long as they are doing their shit somewhere other than the laundry room, he should be fine.
And so, despite having no definitive evidence that they made it to his preferred destination, Itachi quickly traverses the short hallway to the stairs. Much to his relief, the towel in question lay on the middle step.
He's nearly past the third step when a slick, wet popping sound makes him cringe. In the living room, Sasuke? Really? At least he had the decency to take Sakura to his room.
Itachi keeps his criticism for his brother's choices for later, bending and reaching for the towel so as not to be seen. It takes a bit of flexibility, but he manages to barely get it between his fingers and haul it closer. As he does so, a head of red hair pops up, barely seen over the sofa, and catches her breath.
"How do I know you like it if you don't say anything?" the woman pouts.
"You'll know," Sasuke huskily replies, and that is more than Itachi ever wants to hear.
He makes a hasty retreat with an intriguing but somewhat disheartening realization.
Both of them like the ones with exotic colored hair. Meaning there is a chance something might have gone on with his brother and current interest.
Which only makes the situation even trickier. Irritating, indeed.
Adding to that is the mental image of one Sakura Haruno on her knees in front of his couch. A position that he is not opposed to in any regard.
Itachi controls himself long enough to pack work things before indulging in releasing even more pent-up pressure.
A/N: I would just like to say that I wanted to post this when the followers were at 69 because I'm childish. Alas, I was too busy and missed a most opportune moment! Listen, I also want them to, you know, but it's complicated. And I have a plan. So does Sakura. And I like teasing, so there's that.
-CeCe^^