The Companion

Flibber T. Gibbet

Rating: M

Disclaimer: same as prologue

Author's Notes: Well, sweet people of the world, here is Chapter 1. I probably will never update this quickly again, so don't get your hopes up. I want to thank everyone who has read and reviewed this story. You are all good, kind people who make my life happier. Hopefully, you will find this a little longer. I still don't like it and ANY thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Well, I think that's all. Read and enjoy, I hope.

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A fluid stroke of green paint wavered when there was a knock on Itachi's door. He swore imaginatively, prepared to fire the servant who dared disturb him.

"You can pick up your last paycheck and then I'm gonna kick your sorry little ass out. Got it?" he growled threateningly as he opened the door.

"I get paid?" asked an amused voice. "Now why haven't I heard of that?" Sasuke walked in, ignoring the glare aimed at him. Carelessly, the younger brother shoved some papers off a chair and sat down.

"So… aniki, how's life?"

"What do you want?"

"You wound me. Do you really think that lowly of me?"

"No, I think worse. You are a spoiled, selfish, obnoxious, arrogant, stuck-up, bossy prick with something seriously pointy stuck up your arse."

"The same ass you were planning to kick out?"

"Hn."

"Well, I'm glad we cleared that up."

"Now can you leave? I have work to do."

"Of course you do."

"Get the fuck out, you bastard!"

"We have the same parents. Remember, the married ones?"

"…" Itachi grabbed Sasuke and twisted him arm behind his back. "If you have something to say, say it or get out."

"Ah… aniki… please…" whimpered Sasuke. His sadistic brother snickered. "Not so cocky now, eh?"

"What's… a… Companion…?" Each word was punctuated with a haggard gasp. Caught off guard, Itachi released his grip. After a moment of shocked silence, he began laughing.

"A Companion? You... and a Companion?"

Sasuke, gingerly stretching his sore arm, said, "Not helping."

"I'm sorry." At Sasuke's evil glare, Itachi raised his hands in mock defeat. "Okay, maybe I'm not. But anyway. A companion is a commoner, usually an orphan, who lives with the royal family. In your case, it will probably be some outgoing, kind troublemaker your age. The entire concept is for the royal prince or princess to lose some of their arrogance, of which you have aplenty. Also giving an orphan a royal home is good PR for mom and dad," he added thoughtfully.

"I am not arrogant," Sasuke spluttered indignantly.

"Uh huh. Of course you aren't," Itachi said soothingly. "Can you leave now?" Itachi's eyes began to gleam sadistically.

"Yes, aniki. Thank you, "he said humbly, his sense of self-preservation kicking in. He walked out of the room, not bothering to close the doot gently. Sasuke wandered through the labyrinth of hallways in the palace aimlessly, looking for a secluded place where he could process all the new information he just received. Turning at random points, he found himself in front of a ladder of sorts embedded into the stone wall. It led up to a small trapdoor on the wall about ten feet above the floor, out of normal eyesight.

Hmm… I didn't know we had this. Having a palace is definitely a learning experience.

With a grace only an Uchiha could even think of possessing, he swiftly climbed up the wall, pausing to unlatch the old fashioned lock and crawled in.

Holy shit.

An amazing room lay before him. With charcoal grey walls and a thich white carpet, his immediate reaction, well after the "holy shit", was that the room fit his monotone personality. The ceiling was a good ten feet tall.

What's below this? Oh yeah, one of the servant's quarters.

The wall directly across from him was solid glass which could be tinted at the owner's discretion. On his left, there was an ebony bed canopy bed with silvery silk sheets, a light comforter, and thin pillows. Sasuke hated fluffy pillows; they hurt his neck. In the middle of the middle of the room, near the glass wall, there was an overstuffed black leather armchair with a matching ottoman. A large side table was made in a similar fashion to the ebony bed. A flexible chrome floor lamp was positioned at the ideal position for reading. And at the opposite end of the room… his jaw dropped – figuratively, of course. He would never disgrace the Uchiha name by performing such a vulgar, plebian act. A giant television screen dominated the entire wall. A popcorn machine and a vending machine stood temptingly against the grey wall. A long leather sectional, also pitch black, sat a small distance from the theater style screen.

"I see you've found your new apartments," Sasuke whipped around at the first sound. He relaxed when he saw it was just his father.

"Couldn't you knock?" he asked, annoyed at having been caught unaware.

"I did," his father replied innocently. "You were just too enthralled by the room to notice. It is a nice room, isn't it?" He glanced around appreciatively, not missing his youngest son's slightly awe-struck stare. "I guess we'll have to add another chair for your Companion," he mused out loud when Sasuke still remained silent.

"Huh?"

"It's time for dinner."

"Well… actually… I'm not feeling that well…," Sasuke trailed off, looking at his father hopefully.

"Nice try… okay, honestly, that was one of your worst attempts to date. I'm tempted to think you're really sick if that's your best effort. But no. Dinner for you, young man." Fugaku said, trying the assertive technique his parenting handbook said was quite useful.

Sasuke just stood there, blankly, before placing a hand on his father's shoulder. "Dad… don't." And he crawled carefully out of the high room. His father there, like Sasuke had, his lips slightly parted in disbelief. He closed his mouth, snorted with laughter, shook his head and followed his son out of the newly furnished room.

By the time he had reached the informal dining room in which they were eating that night, his wife and two sons had already seated themselves, and started on their salads. Fugaku groaned inwardly; salad greens had always made him feel nauseous. Childish, but true. But did his manipulative wife let him skip the feared greens? Nooo. Once she had threatened no sex for a month. He shuddered at the memory; he had dutifully eaten his salads for awhile. Mikoto looked up at the soft sound of footsteps and smiled lovingly at her approaching husband.

"So glad you could join us. Even Sasuke arrived before you did? What caused this most unexpected delay? I'm sure your salad has gotten soggy by this time. Shall I ask for a new one?"

"I was evaluating the loft,' he answered, ignoring the salad comment. His wife nodded in understanding He seated himself at the only empty seat. The soggy salad loomed ominously in front of him. H glanced pleadingly at his beautiful wife who just smirked maliciously in reply. The brothers stared oddly at their parents' interaction.

I hope I don't end up like that, they thought simultaneously.

They finished their dinner in a comfortable silence punctuated only by forced small talk. The silence was so much more loving, in its own twisted way. After dinner, the dysfunctional family retired to their most exercised room: the library. A large, stark, barren room, it had been personalized with large, squishy chairs, a fluffy carpet and colorful knickknacks.

"Now explain."

"Sasuke," his mother reprimanded. "I don't want to hear that tone from you. You will treat your elders with respect." The corners of Itachi's pale lips twitched upwards when he saw his younger brother mutter viciously under his breath and then nod dutifully.

"Now, you were saying?" his father asked lightly.

"Could you please elaborate on the entire Companion thing?"

"Of course. Your companion will be arriving tomorrow afternoon, so he has Sunday to get acclimatized to his new surroundings. And then he'll go to school with you on Monday. We have arranged for him to have all his classes with you. I believe his name is Uzumaki."

"And exactly why am I being honored with the presence of a Companion?" Fugaku motioned to his wife that her turn to answer was way past due. Frowning slightly, Mikoto accepted her duties. "Well, darling, your father and I have decided that it would be in your best interests for you to diversify your social circle."

"Have I no say in my best interests?"

"Not until you're eighteen."

"Great," Sasuke replied with the barest hint of sarcasm. His parents didn't sarcasm very well.

"I'm sure Uzumaki-san and our little Sasuke will get along just beautifully, eh, little brother." Itachi walked out of the library, pausing to pat his little brother's dark head condescendingly.

"Mother? Father? Do you really absolutely need two sons?" asked Sasuke, his voice totally serious.

"No, Sasuke, you can't murder the heir to the throne of Konoha."

"Being royal sucks balls," he muttered. His father nodded sympathetically, while his mother scolded him.

"Sasuke! How many times do I have to tell you to watch your language!"

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Well, that's Chapter One. I desperately hope I didn't let all of you down. Man, I hate typing. Let me repeat, ALL ideas, thoughts and comments will be appreciated. Hmmm... considering the reviews I have recieved so far, I think I'll do the five-reviews-or-I'm-not-updating thing again. So, please review!

flib forever