Best Friend's Brother 9

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters used except my OC

Sasuke's onyx hues traveled over the frame of Natsumi with a look of concern crossing his features. It had been two days since the meeting she had with her parents but the young girl had yet to disclose any details. Instead she had opted for a shutting down completely and on occasion storming off in a huff. Currently she was making her way from their PE class, being the last one to exit the girl's locker room.

"Come on" Sasuke said abruptly taking the girl by the forearm much to her alarm.

"What are you doing?!" Natsumi asked frantically trying to pull back her arm as Sasuke led her through the halls inadvertently attracting the attention of the many after school on lookers. "Sasuke!" Natsumi said in an annoyed tone as she tried to focus away from the eyes of the other students.

Upon reaching the parking lot the Uchiha finally released his hold on the dark haired girl's arm, coming to an abrupt halt beside his car as he unlocked the door and looked at her expectantly.

"Get in" the teen boy instructed, earning a glare from the young girl who simply crossed her arms in response.

"What's your problem?" Natsumi asked angrily after a while of silence, before Sasuke walked over to open his passenger door, and then pushed the teen girl in. "Sasuke!" Natsumi yelled as he shut the door and walked around to the other side of the car, entering without much to say as he started the car, put on his belt and began to pullout of the school's parking lot.

'The nerve of this guy' Natsumi thought rolling her eyes as she adjusted her own seat belt with a huff, unknowingly earning a sideways glance from the dark haired boy as she began to stare out the car window.

The rest of the car ride was silent as Sasuke drove for the most part keeping his eyes on the road with the occasional glance to his female passenger to see her with her head still turned to look out the window. Although there were no words, there was a type of comfort that the teens found as they carried on, Sasuke readied himself for the stop and Natsumi took in the many sights of the town that was still so unfamiliar to her, until she notice a specific turn Sasuke had taken, making her glance forward to confirm that the secluded area they were at was what she remembered.

"This is the lookout we came to after that lunch with your family" Natsumi said as the car came to a halt.

"Hn" Sasuke said nodding in acknowledgment as he turned off his vehicle. "Originally this is where the founders decided to make this Konoha" he said surprising the girl with the fact.

"Someone paid attention in History" Natsumi said jokingly, earning an eye roll from the Uchiha as he unbuckled his seat belt and made his way out of the car and walked to where they stood before, giving Natsumi a look that told her to follow. "I didn't realize you'd be so sensitive" she said as the pair stood at the edge, overlooking the town.

"It's not something I learned from History" Sasuke replied sparking an interest in the teen girl beside him as a look of curiosity crossed her face.

"Oh yeah where from then?" Natsumi asked tilting her head to the side slightly.

"We're not here to talk about that now, we're here because of you so just spit it out" Sasuke said turning to look at the dark haired girl then releasing a heavy sigh as Natsumi stared blankly at him. "We both know you're not one to beat around the bush. Right now you're acting just as annoying as the others at school so just get to the point" Sasuke went on putting hands in his pockets.

"Hey when we came here after that lunch, I at least gave you the choice to tell me or not!" Natsumi said back angrily placing her hands on her hips as she looked over the Uchiha in disbelief. "You are such a jerk!" she exclaimed loudly making the boy scoff.

"And you're annoying so now would you just get to the point?" Sasuke said in an annoyed tone, making her grow a silent as a blush of embarrassment that lightly dusted her cheeks, making her fold her arms and huff.

"Fine" she said dejectedly taking a deep breath before continuing. "My dad didn't show up for the meeting" she admitted catching Sasuke's attention as he looked at her with raised brows. "He sent a lawyer in his place" she went on looking to the ground.

"Tell me what happened from the beginning" Sasuke said catching her attention as she looked at him.

"There's really not much else to say Sasuke" she said shaking her head before taking a seat on the ground and staring straight ahead, prompting the dark haired male to do the same.

"Natsumi" he said in a warning tone, making the girl roll her eyes as she contemplated saying more.

"I was just so nervous about seeing him again, I changed probably like three times before deciding I'd rather be comfortable in my clothes since I'd probably already be uncomfortable with my parents" Natsumi said making Sasuke raise a brow in question.

"I broke this necklace my dad bought me a while back and ... I started freaking out about what he might say when my mom came in to let me know to come downstairs. I was so worried he'd be upset, but then I found out that it was the attorney downstairs instead of him" Natsumi began with a sad look in her usually warm eyes. "And of all the members on his legal team, of course he sent Mitaka" she went on balling her fists in anger.

"Who's Mitaka?" Sasuke asked curiously, noting the girl's tense posture.

"He was a college graduate that my parent's hired to train me in etiquette. He came from a well off family so it was no problem in teaching me the lessons but as good as he was at his job, he only took it to get closer to my father" Natsumi explained. "Mr. Mitaka is now one of the leading members of his legal team" she said releasing a deep breath.

"So he used you as a job to get a better one" Sasuke surmised nodding in understanding as he waited for Natsumi to continue.

"Mr. Mitaka explained that my father had so graciously outlined a rough draft of his weekly schedule as well as his monthly meetings for the rest of the year for me to work around" Natsumi stated sarcastically. "I was told that he 'understands the inconvenience there is in the travel between here and Kyoto, so he has opted out for the weekly visitation and instead would like for a three week notice to be written up for the holidays' that I would like to spend with him" she went on reciting what was said in the meeting.

"Is he expecting you for any specific holidays?" Sasuke inquired.

"No he wanted me to have the freedom to select the holidays I want to spend with him" Natsumi replied bitterly with a heavy heart.

"Hn and what do you need to have in the three week notice, aside from the holiday that you're planning on attending?" Sasuke asked curiously.

"He would like me to name the holiday, when I plan to arrive, how long my intended stay is, and how much I would like to see him while visiting" the teen girl said, earning a look of confusion from the Uchiha.

"What does he mean how much you would like to see him while visiting?" Sasuke asked curiously. "Is he still planning on working while you're with him?" he asked in disbelief.

"Apparently he has full intention of spending time with me while the visits take place, but he also sees no reason as to why they should take him away from his work for a full work day" Natsumi explained as an aura of disappointment washed over the teen girl and she shook her head in disappoint.

"Does he plan on spending any more time with you, aside from holidays?" Sasuke asked making a look with a look of confusion crossing his face.

"You mean like my birthday, school breaks ..." Natsumi started to list as a Sasuke nodded in response. "My father would like for the rules of holiday visits to apply to these recreational events as well ... as long as they do not conflict with the aforementioned dates provided from his schedule" she replied further shocking the young man beside her.

"Does he have any specific dates set aside for when he would like to see you?" he asked noticing the way the dark haired girl stiffened at the question.

"He has a few major events coming up for the company that he would like me to attend but he understands that I may not be able to attend them with my studies and other commitments, so he marked these days as preference visits on his schedule" Natsumi wrapping her arms around herself. "And he sure had his dates of importance marked off" Natsumi said bitterly feeling her eyes sting.

"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked as he noticed the emphasis that the girl put on 'his'.

"He didn't even have my birthday marked off ... he had a meeting scheduled" Natsumi replied as her eyes watered and she tried to blink the tears away. 'It really seems like Dad's really just cutting me out of his life" Natsumi said in a shaky voice as she felt a warm tear roll down her cheek, leaving Sasuke perplexed on what to say next, as he never found himself in these situations.

"But that's not entirely true though because even though he has opted out of his weekly visitations, he wants to have at least one phone call with me every week" Natsumi said catching the teen boy's interest as he looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

"Do you get to select when the call takes place or do you need to provide written notice ahead of time too?" Sasuke asked in annoyance as he watched Natsumi wipe away another tear.

"You almost sound as upset as I did Sasuke" Natsumi said before sniffling. "I doubted he would let me, but he actually is ok with me picking the time" the girl said surprising Sasuke. "... as long as it's at a reasonable hour on a Saturday" she finished making Sasuke release a huff.

"Are these all the regulations he had set fourth?" Sasuke asked, earning a nod from the girl whose eyes now stayed downcast to hide the new tears trying to spill over.

"These rules set up sound more appropriate for a business deal rather than his own daughter" Sasuke scoffed.

"W-well he thought these terms were fair considering the time frame of his schedule" Natsumi tried to explain as she wiped her face again.

"Exactly, considering his schedule" Sasuke said dryly. "I understand what it's like to have a father who puts his all into his work, but the fact that he would put you off in favor of the company is despicable" Sasuke said angrily. "Is there anything else?" he asked before waiting for the dark haired girl to continue.

"There's a lot more" Natsumi admitted trying to blink away anymore tears.

"Well ... go on" Sasuke commanded, making the girl give him a look of disbelief.

"You're such a jerk" Natsumi complained. "I didn't make you tell me everything about you and your father and your brother" she said stubbornly, making Sasuke narrow his eyes at her.

"I'm not you" Sasuke said angrily.

"Clearly" Natsumi retorted.

"Just talk" Sasuke said with an annoyed huff as he waited for the dark haired girl to speak.

"It's about my family" Natsumi said folding her hands in her lap as she turned her head away from the Uchiha.

"Ok" Sasuke said urging her to elaborate.

"I told you before that my parents had an arranged marriage" Natsumi began, catching the boy's attention as he stared at her.

"Yeah so did mine" he said as Natsumi looked at him. "They were probably the last generation to take part in one for the sake of the family" Sasuke went on making the girl scoff.

"'The sake of family'" Natsumi repeated before continuing. "Mine were married for business" she said dryly as Sasuke's brows rose in interest. "More specifically it was for the sake of their family's companies" Natsumi said looking down to her lap.

"Before the marriage took place both companies were in financial turmoil and in danger of being bought out, so a merger was to take place after the ceremony that would secure stability for both families. With this agreement my parents were married, the companies came together and the business changed direction for the better but it was never a secret that they disliked one another ... they really had no say though. Both families were appeased but with my parents disdain so evident, the directors grew worried it could end with the company splitting and ruining everything for both sides... so after becoming established in the market, the elder board members agreed to a divorce since they would most likely not split after making their new name, but not wanting to cause such a fuss they then pushed the idea for an heir on my parents instead." Natsumi explained as she folded her hands in her together as Sasuke found himself speechless, leaving a long silence between the teens before the young girl decided to speak again.

"So it was decided the two would need to produce an heir to the company to ensure either side would not be able to step back" Natsumi said bitterly feeling a knot grow in her stomach as she went on. "But just because I was born, that didn't change anything between my parents. They've always fought from what I remember ... At times it wasn't so bad and we all kind of found a rhythm with the situation. I grew up comfortable in Kyoto. My father worked a lot of the time, while my mother tended to me as much as possible when she wasn't working. There were always small disagreements over that though, since my father wanted to send me to the best private schools with top of the line tutors and nannies to care for me, but my mother thought it was important that I always had one of them around and was able to have a normal childhood." Natsumi recounted as she shifted uncomfortably.

"Things got worse when I started high school. Dad was more prominent about sending me to a top school while my mom thought I should be able to attend a regular one so I could have a normal life before graduating ...and well." Natsumi trailed off sparking the Uchiha's interest in the subject.

"What is it?" he asked curiously looking over the girl beside him.

"My mom wanted me to have a normal life, go to university and decide if I wanted to take over the company or not. While my dad wanted me to attend the top high school, attend the top university, accept an arranged marriage and then assist my husband in running the company" Natsumi replied nervously shifting her gaze anywhere except for Sasuke's onyx hues, sensing this the dark haired boy averted his gaze forward in an attempt to put the girl at ease.

"How did you find out about all of this?" he asked curiously, catching the girl's attention as she turned to look at him, perplexed by the question. "The marriage agreement and what the company's board members said about a divorce" he clarified as Natsumi nodded in understanding.

"I once went to a company party with my parents and wondered off to my father's office to escape the party. When I heard someone coming I hid under his desk ... and I heard him ... talking about mother's stubbornness leading to his daughter's corruption and how he wished he didn't have to deal with any of it anymore... I'm not too sure who he was talking to but they mentioned a loop hole in the marriage contract ... they talked for a while about how after the company became stable and established, they could've divorced but this wasn't discovered until after they found out mom was pregnant. If I wasn't born they could've split up sooner but instead they were together longer and unhappy because of me" the girl said with a new wave of tears pouring out from her eyes as she finished.

"It's not your fault" Sasuke said bluntly surprising the teen girl with his harsh tone.

"I-It's fine" Natsumi said dismissively as she wiped her tears onto her sleeve and sniffled. "I've accepted that it's the truth, I was the reason they had to stay unhappy ... just like I was the reason they divorced" she went on surprising Sasuke as his brows rose.

"What are you talking about?" Sasuke asked in disbelief.

"The final nail in the coffin for their marriage was about my future" Natsumi replied bringing her knees to up to hug to her chest. "The thing is my parents' engagement was announced when they were younger, so my father... He ... he wanted to begin setting up mine." Natsumi said before sniffling and making a look of shock cross his face.

"Are you ..." he began trying to ask before being stopped by Natsumi.

"No I'm not" Natsumi said not wanting to hear the end of Sasuke's question. "And I have my mother to thank for that" she went on wiping face with her sleeve again. "She wasn't happy at all... I still remember that fight; it was the worst one I'd seen. I woke up and came downstairs to see them yelling at each other and then a chair went flying. My dad said she was crazy for not thinking of my future but then she said something that really stuck with me ... 'You really want our daughter to have a future as unhappy as ours? We've never got along, and you want this for her?'" Natsumi said clenching her fists as she felt more hot tears run down her cheeks. "Well my dad didn't have anything to say after that so my mother thought that was the end of it. But it really wasn't ..." she trailed off again as her voice trembled more and she inwardly chastised herself for breaking down in front of the Uchiha, who was at a loss on what to do, until the girl collected herself enough to continue.

"After that my dad bought me this locket with the name Nakamaru carved inside a heart and he promised me that things would change and he wanted me to be able to proudly claim my name. He started taking more time off and we were able to spend more time together than just the holidays. I was so happy and my mom was under the impression that it was him attempting to bond with me to make up for all the time he usually worked. It started with movies, shopping, dinners and ... lunches." Natsumi said with her voice cracking towards to end as her sight grew blurry with her tears.

"Those stupid lunches" Natsumi said wiping her eyes once more before continuing. "The lunches started including his colleagues and then other company heads with their sons. I didn't want to think anything of it at the time. I even tried to reason that the lunch meetings had to occur since he was taking so much time off, but one day my father and his colleagues stepped out and I was left with a boy about my age maybe a little older to 'get to know one another'." She went on bitterly as Sasuke shifted his gaze from the crying girl beside him.

"I'm not an idiot, it all made sense after that, my dad wasn't trying to spend time with me, he was grooming me for an arranged marriage that he wasn't going to tell my mother about until the contracts were signed" Natsumi said after trying to calm herself enough to speak. "She was pissed when she found out I thought there would be more yelling, but she was quiet while he tried to argue his point, so I knew something was wrong. She listened until he was done and then told him she wanted a divorce." She said simply bringing the dark haired boy's attention back to her, to see her wipe the many more tears that spilled over.

'Natsumi' he thought looking over her small frame that shook from trying to keep in her sobs.

"After I decided to stay with mom she said we were off to Konoha" Natsumi said before bringing her hands up to hide her crying face from the teen boy beside her.

"So that's how you ended up here" Sasuke said releasing a sigh as he shifted his gaze to the side, before placing a hand on the girl's shoulder as he did before "Let's go to my house" Sasuke offered, trying not to acknowledge the emotional wreck the girl was as he began rising from his seat on the ground and extending a hand to Natsumi, who now stopped crying.

Surprised by the gesture Natsumi stared at the teen boy's hand before taking it and allowing him to pull her up from where she sat.

"Do you want to go home to change first and let your mom know?" Sasuke asked beginning the walk back to his car as he turned away from the girl who preoccupied herself in drying her face.

"She left" Natsumi said bringing the boy to an abrupt halt as he turned to face the dark haired girl again.

"What?" he asked in shock at her statement.

"After the attorney left, she received a call about a meeting in China she was needed for" Natsumi replied making Sasuke give her a look of disbelief.

"She really left after that train wreck?" Sasuke asked with a tone of shock.

"They couldn't send anyone else and she didn't go until after ..." Natsumi began before trailing off.

"After what?" Sasuke asked studying Natsumi's face and trying to see past the girl's slightly puffy eyes.

"After she made me promise I'd talk to someone about it" Natsumi replied biting the inside of her cheek.

"You haven't said anything for two days" Sasuke said bluntly in an annoyed tone as the girl sniffled, shifting her gaze downwards guiltily.

"Alright let's go" Sasuke said dismissively looking away from Natsumi as he turned to continue his walk to the car as if nothing happened.

"You're just going to let it go?" Natsumi asked in shock at the Uchiha's actions as she expected him to further chastise her.

"For now but don't expect this to become a normal thing" Sasuke called out over his shoulder.

"So even Sasuke Uchiha can try to show emotion" Natsumi said sarcastically with a smile before rushing to catch up with the dark haired boy who now glared at her.

"You're so annoying" Sasuke stated as the girl neared him, only earning a light smile in response before the teens entered his car to begin the journey to the Uchiha residence.

...

Unbeknownst to the teens they were not alone at the usually empty lookout as a dark car had parked in the shadows of some trees to watch the pair as they sat.

"Yes Mr. Nakamaru as requested I have kept your daughter in my sights for the past few days" a man in his mid to late 30's said into his phone as he ran a hand through his black locks.

"Ah yes have there been any new developments that I need to be made aware of Mr. Mitaka?" the voice of another man said over the line as the man observed the black car the teens entered start, prompting him to do the same.

"Unlike the past couple days your daughter didn't walk home today" the man informed as he pulled out after the car to follow discreetly.

"Hn has anything of interest occurred?" Mr. Nakamaru asked curiously over the line.

"Well it seems she has a male companion whom she didn't seem to interact with until day. After school ended I observed the teen boy lead Ms. Nakamaru to his car and take her to a secluded lookout that I followed them to" Mr. Mitaka said hearing the man he spoke with on the other line take in a sharp breath.

"What teen boy?" Mr. Nakamaru asked in a low voice.

"I'm still unsure as to the nature of their relationship as what I observed so far, didn't seem romantic" Mr. Mitaka said trailing behind the dark car.

"What did you observe though?" Mr. Nakamaru inquired in a tone of worry and anger.

"After arriving to the lookout they walked to the edge where they sat and talked for a while, then after some time Ms. Nakamaru became emotionally distressed over the discussion, but the only comfort the young man offered her was a hand on her shoulder" Mr. Mitaka recounted what he saw just moments ago.

"Do you know what they discussed?" Mr. Nakamaru asked gruffly.

"It's hard to say with the distance I had to maintain in order to stay undetected" Mr. Mitaka said making the man on the other line scoff in disappointment.

"I'm disappointed Mitaka" Mr. Nakamaru said as the man swallowed the nervous lump in his throat. "But for now I want to know more about this boy my daughter has been associating with" he went on earning a sigh of relief from Mr. Mitaka.

"Oh of course sir" Mr. Mitaka said. "That is being taken care of as we speak. I took the liberty of taking pictures of the male's car and license plate which is being processed now" he went on.

"Good for now are you still following them?" Mr. Nakamaru inquired curiously.

"Yes sir when they stop I will call again" Mr. Mitaka said trying to keep an appropriate distance between the black car he followed and himself.

"Good work Mr. Mitaka. I'm glad I sent you for this job" Mr. Nakamaru praised on the other line.

"It's my pleasure sir, after all the livelihood of Natsumi- I mean Ms. Nakamaru is of the upmost importance for the Company" Mr. Mitaka said stumbling over his words briefly as he spoke.

"I want a detailed report by the end of the week with background checks on anyone she associates with for the rest of the week. I won't have my ex-wife's carelessness be the downfall of my daughter's integrity and put my deal with the Nekozawa Group in jeopardy." Mr. Nakamaru fumed on the other line of the phone. "Also Mr. Mitaka, no more slips of the tongue, my daughter is Ms. Nakamaru to you, she stopped being Natsumi from the moment you took this job, understand?" Mr. Nakamaru asked in a warning tone that made the tall dark haired male sink back in his seat.

"Y-yes sir, I apologize for the misunderstanding and it won't happen again" Mr. Mitaka apologized feeling intimidated by the tone of his boss who now hung up leaving the sound of silence to engulf the man as he continued his pursuit of the car ahead of him.

...

Ever the observant one, Sasuke immediately took notice to the dark car following the teens as he drove. Not wanting to alarm Natsumi though, he'd taken the liberty of testing his theory by taking a course of three consecutive right turns that only confirmed his suspicion.

'Who are they?' Sasuke wondered curiously as his onyx found their way to the rear view mirror to take in more details of the pursuing vehicle.

It was silent for a while until the abrupt ringing of Natsumi's phone surprised both teens. Checking the device she saw she had just received a notification that she had a new text message from Hinata.

Hello Natsumi, I noticed that you seemed a bit off for the past couple days so I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to have tea and talk about it?

Natsumi read the message before glancing over a very preoccupied Sasuke.

"Is everything alight?" he immediately asked sensing her gaze.

"Yeah just a message from Hinata asking if I wanted to have tea and talk" Natsumi said returning her gaze to the window.

'Tea with the Hyuga ... That might be the better option in case it's the press following me for my father's business' Sasuke thought letting his eyes glance back to his rearview mirror.

"Do you want to go?" Sasuke asked beginning to take the turns to the Hyuga residence already.

"Wait what?" Natsumi asked surprised by Sasuke's response. "I thought we were going to your house?" she asked furrowing her brows at the dark haired boy as he continued to keep his attention on the road ahead.

'What is his problem?' Natsumi thought looking over the dark haired boy, taken aback by the drastic change from the somewhat comforting friend he'd been to the emotionless void that sat beside her.

"Sasuke?" Natsumi asked trying to get his attention again as the boy continued to drive with a focused look on his face that made the girl feel more ignored.

As he pulled his car forward in front of the Hyuga estate, Natsumi was in awe of the large traditional Japanese styled mansion that the teens were parked outside of with its brown and white colors, cherry blossom trees, and a large gate that seemed to lead to an open courtyard.

"This is the Hyuga estate" Sasuke said as he watched Natsumi take in the sight of the home.

"What ... what are we doing here?" Natsumi asked curiously as she turned back to Sasuke.

"You're having tea with Hinata right?" he asked raising a brow at the girl.

"She asked if I wanted to but like I said I thought we were going to go to your house" Natsumi said turning to face the boy and fully meet the gaze of his onyx hues.

"It's better if you spend time with Hinata" Sasuke said glancing away from the girl to check his rearview mirror again, only now to see the car that followed them was gone.

"Sasuke what's going on?" Natsumi asked noting the boy's distracted look.

"Nothing" the teen boy lied returning to look at the girl beside him. "But I have a question for you" he said abruptly surprising the teen girl.

"What?" Natsumi asked giving him a questioning look.

"Why didn't you talk to Hinata about any of this family stuff?" Sasuke asked alarming Natsumi. "I mean aside from me, I think she's the only one I've actually seen you take a liking to" he said earning scoff from the girl.

"Sounding awfully full of yourself Sasuke" Natsumi criticized the boy.

"That's not an answer Natsumi" Sasuke deflected.

"I'm just not ready to have that talk with her" Natsumi admitted turning away from the boy.

"You shouldn't bottle things up" Sasuke said bluntly catching Natsumi's attention again.

"What is your deal?!" Natsumi asked taken aback by the Uchiha's tone and observing his eyes shift away from her to his rear view mirror. "Is this about the car that was following us?" she then asked surprising the dark haired teen as he looked back at her in shock.

"You knew?" he asked looking at the girl in disbelief.

"Of course I knew" Natsumi said rolling her eyes. "I've been being followed for the past two days" she went on running a hand through her dark locks.

"You didn't think to tell me sooner?" Sasuke asked in a low tone.

"Why so you could get all paranoid like you are now?" Natsumi retorted sarcastically.

"You need to start telling me things Natsumi!" Sasuke said in an annoyed tone.

"Oh I thought you wanted me to start telling Hinata things?" Natsumi asked angrily, making the teen boy scoff.

"That's not the point Natsumi!" Sasuke said with his volume increasing.

"Oh isn't it? As soon as you noticed the car you started acting weird and when I told you Hinata invited me over, you couldn't get rid of me fast enough" Natsumi said raising her tone as well.

"Why are you being so difficult?" Sasuke asked angrily.

"Why are you being such a jerk?" Natsumi shot back.

"I'm not the one who didn't mention we were being followed!" Sasuke argued.

"Yes you did! You didn't say a thing when you noticed it either!" Natsumi argued making the boy stiffen.

"You're so annoying" Sasuke said with a huff as he turned his gaze away from the teen girl.

"But I'm not the only one" Natsumi retorted folding her arms across her chest with a huff as well. "Just like I'm not the only one with a sharing problem" she went on catching the boy's attention again.

"What?" he asked.

"You could've said something too" Natsumi replied coldly.

"You should've said something first!" Sasuke replied.

"Like what? Hey Sasuke I know you're in the middle of taking me to have an uncomfortable conversation about my private life but you should probably know I'm being followed by my father's attorney?!" she asked sarcastically earning a tsk from the Uchiha.

"Whatever" Sasuke said turning away from the girl with a huff before she unbuckled her seat belt and stormed out of his car.

...

Upon arriving home Sasuke released a heavy sigh, catching the attention of Itachi who was on his way out, wearing a pair of black pants with a maroon long sleeved shirt and a pair of black shoes with his hair in its usual low ponytail.

"Sasuke" Itachi said in greeting as he came to a halt in front of the dark haired teen.

"Itachi" Sasuke said stepping aside from the door to allow his brother to pass, but when the older male didn't Sasuke raised a brow at him.

"Is everything alright?" Itachi asked in concern.

"I'm fine" Sasuke said trying to step around the boy again but being stopped when Itachi raised a hand.

"Sasuke" Itachi said in a knowing tone.

"Aren't you busy?" Sasuke asked. "Like always?" he continued striking a nerve with Itachi.

"Sasuke ..." Itachi started only to be cut off by his younger brother.

"It's fine ... You're probably too busy for me anyways so we can just talk 'later'" Sasuke said sarcastically, striking a nerve with his older brother.

"Sasuke I'm sorry" Itachi said honestly, bringing a caring hand around the boy's shoulders and leading him to the living room. "I know it seems like I'm always busy since there's a lot on my plate but if you need to talk I'll make the time" Itachi went on surprising his brother as the pair sat on the sofa.

"What?" Sasuke asked with a look of confusion.

"What's going on with you?" Itachi asked curiously.

"I don't want to talk about it" Sasuke said dismissively with a wave.

"Sasuke you can tell me" Itachi said in a caring tone earning a sigh from Sasuke before he began.

"It's Natsumi" Sasuke admitted.

"Are you two fighting?" Itachi asked.

"She had a family thing so I made her talk about it" Sasuke started to explain.

"You made her talk about something involving her personal life?" Itachi asked.

"Yeah" Sasuke replied wondering why that was what his brother focused on. "But that's not the important part"

"Oh Sasuke ... maybe she's having a hard time opening up about certain things" Itachi reasoned.

"You're taking her side?" Sasuke asked in disbelief as he glared at his brother.

"I'm not taking any side Sasuke" Itachi said raising his hands in defense. "I'm just trying to see both sides" he went on earning a scoff from his brother.

"Really?" Sasuke asked giving his brother a blank stare.

"I understand you were thinking in Natsumi's best interest" Itachi said calming Sasuke. "I know you care about her" he went on.

"Hn" Sasuke said glancing away until Itachi's phone began to ring catching the attention of both boys.

"Hello? Oh Kisame ... Yeah I know I'm sorry but I had to have a talk with my little brother" Itachi said into the device making Sasuke scoff as he heard Itachi talk about him.

'Little brother' Sasuke thought annoyed by the title.

"I'm sure the others won't mind us being a little late ... well aside from Sasori" Itachi went on into his phone, taking the device away from his ear to check the time before sighing. "Yeah I'll be out in a bit"

"Looks like you have to go" Sasuke said as Itachi ended his phone call.

"I'm sorry Sasuke but Kisame has been waiting, but we can finish this talk later" Itachi said trying to offer the teen a half-hearted smile.

"Hn" Sasuke replied curtly as he stood from his seat and began to walk away.

"Sasuke" Itachi called standing as well and bringing his younger brother to an abrupt halt as he turned back to face Itachi. "I know you're upset but if you give Natsumi time she'll come to you when she's ready and she'll appreciate everything you do" Itachi said encouragingly before walking past his brother and patting him on the shoulder.

'He thinks he knows everything' Sasuke thought rolling his eyes as he was watching the older Uchiha make his exit. 'But right now I guess there's a part of me that hopes he's right ... I wonder how Natsumi is doing' Sasuke thought before making his way up the stairs to his room while loosening his tie from his school uniform.

...

"That does seem like a lot Natsumi" Hinata said setting down her tea cup as she brought an arm around her crying friend.

It had taken a lot for Natsumi to feel that she could open up about her life, but as much as she hated to admit it, Sasuke was right because he and Hinata really were the only ones she could really find comfort in. After swallowing her pride, the teen had recounted everything she's said to the Uchiha and told her other dark haired friend. As much as it hurt to be so vulnerable, she knew it was worth it as Hinata hugged her.

"Stupid Sasuke" Natsumi sniffled dabbing her damp sleeve under her eye and earning a light laugh from Hinata. "What is it?" she asked as the girl with purple eyes pulled back from the embrace.

"I know you're upset with Sasuke for making you talk about all of this but he really has your best interest at heart, besides if it weren't for him being so stupid we wouldn't be having this moment right now" Hinata said wisely with a kind smile crossing her face.

"You're such a good friend Hinata" Natsumi complimented the girl as she too now smiled.

"And so is Sasuke" Hinata said giving Natsumi a knowing look that made girl release a heavy sigh.

"You're right ... If you don't mind I think I'll step into the hall for a moment to call him" Natsumi said earning an encouraging hand on her shoulder before she rose from her seat, slid the door open and stepped into the hall.

Natsumi nervously paced back and forth before working up the nerve to press call on Sasuke's number. It rang for what felt like forever until he picked up and the young girl felt as if her stomach dropped as if she were on a roller coaster.

"Natsumi" Sasuke said with no emotion from the other line.

"Sasuke" she greeted unsure of what to say next, letting a long silence pass before continuing. "I-I'm sorry about earlier" she finally said waiting nervously to hear what he would say next.

"You're sorry?" he asked in disbelief from the other line.

"I know you were just looking in my best interest but at the time I didn't see it that way" she admitted shuffling her feet.

"Natsumi I should've given you the chance to come to me" Sasuke suddenly said shocking Natsumi.

"No" she said perplexed by his change in viewpoint. "If you hadn't given me the push I needed, then I don't know how long it would've taken me to open up to you or Hinata" Natsumi said fiddling with the sleeve of her school jacket. "So I'm sorry" she apologized again.

"You don't need to say sorry Natsumi" Sasuke said on the other line, making the girl huff.

"Would you just take the apology?" Natsumi asked growing slightly annoyed.

"Hn" Sasuke responded, making the girl scoff.

"Well I hope we're ok" Natsumi said now making the boy scoff.

"Stop being so dramatic Natsumi" Sasuke said.

"There's my moody friend" Natsumi sarcastically cheered.

"Hn" Sasuke said, making Natsumi almost certain that he had rolled his eyes. "Do you need anything else?" he asked curiously.

"Maybe a ride home later" Natsumi admitted sheepishly.

"Hn" Sasuke responded simply.

"I'll text you later then" Natsumi said before she heard another light hum in response and the call ended.

'He still isn't the best at saying goodbyes but he's still a pretty good friend' Natsumi thought with a small smile before stepping back into the tea room where Hinata waited for her. 'I'm glad I have these friends' Natsumi thought before sitting down and for the first time in a while feeling at ease with herself regardless of her predicaments.

...

A/N: And that is chapter 9. Sorry for posting so late and I'm sorry there isn't any interaction between Itachi and Natsumi but more will happen later. For now a major mile stone in the friendship between Sasuke and Natsumi that I hope you all enjoy aside from that though please read and review