Chapter 3: Heartbreak

Itachi slowly turned around. "What did you just say?"

Kyuubi looked around nervously, trying to find the courage to repeat the words he spoke just seconds ago. "Your brother called."

Perhaps if he slipped in that word "brother" it would do something to lessen the anger, the tension that was steadily building. The look on Itachi's face, the imminent possibility of violence, has Kyuubi trembling where he stood.

Kyuubi moved back as Itachi stepped back inside the room. He watched Itachi run his hand down his face before he began pacing back and forth.

"How did he get my number?" He suddenly stopped and looked at Kyuubi.

Kyuubi shrugged his shoulders, looking around as if the answer was hidden somewhere within the room.

"I don't know. Your phone rang and I thought it was Deidara so I answered it."

"You didn't see the fucking caller ID?" Itachi stated in a tone that mocked Kyuubi.

"Obviously, I did," Kyuubi said defensively. "It was a random number. How was I supposed to know it was your brother?"

"What the fuck are you doing answering my calls in the first place?" Itachi yelled, his threatening demeanor causing Kyuubi to cower away from him.

"I'm sorry," Kyuubi whispered.

Itachi breathed in deeply. "What did you say to him?"

"I told him you weren't home."

"Anything else?" His tone was accusing.

"No."

Itachi exhaled as he grabbed his phone off the bed and began searching through it. When he saw the foreign number, he felt all the anger and hatred rushing back. He felt it clawing at his chest. He felt like he was on fire.

"Fuck!"

Itachi hurled his phone, the object just missing Kyuubi's head before it collided with the wall. The impact was heard loudly throughout the room.

"Itachi, calm down." He stepped back when Itachi advanced towards him.

"Don't fucking tell me to calm down! Don't you ever tell me to calm down!" His grip was painful as he violently shook Kyuubi. "This is all your fault." He shoved him away as if he was some piece of trash.

Kyuubi forced himself to stop trembling. "It's not my fault."

"What was that?"

Kyuubi felt genuinely hurt. He didn't understand the hate and anger directed towards him. He was willing to admit taking Itachi's phone was wrong, but he wouldn't allow himself to be held responsible for something he had no control over, something that had absolutely nothing to do with him.

"I didn't give him your number."

"Yeah, well, you might as well have. You're so fucking stupid. Why would you pick up his call? I mean, how dumb can you be?"

"You can blame me and everyone in the fucking world for your fucking problems. But the truth is, you're the cause of most it. If anything, you are the reason why everything is so fucked up in your life! There's a reason why everyone around you leaves you, you fucking asshole!"

It was dead silent in the room. Kyuubi expected a punch, a slap, but nothing. Itachi wasn't angry. He just stood there, staring at him with a coldness he's never seen in his eyes before.

"I should punch the shit out of you right now but I'm afraid if I do I wont be able to stop."

Kyuubi got the message and stepped back. "Just walk away," he said softly. "Please." That didn't stop Itachi from walking towards him "Itachi, please," Kyuubi begged, his eyes pleading. "Please, just walk away." He stretched out his hand to create a distance between them.

There was a slight change, the little of the man he had fallen in love returning. He gazed into Itachi's distant cold eyes, watched with caution as Itachi backed away, then grabbing his car keys hurriedly left the room.

Kyuubi took a moment to exhale the breath he didn't know he was holding. He ran his hands through his hair, frustrated with the awareness of just how dangerous that situation could've ended. Suddenly, it dawned on him that it was late in the night, really late, and Itachi had just grabbed his car keys. Scared or not, he did not want his boyfriend driving this late in the night angry.

In a hurry, Kyuubi rushed out of the room, down the spiral staircase where he met the back of Itachi descending down the last few steps.

"Itachi!"

The man continued down the stairs, ignoring him.

"Itachi, please. I'm sorry." Kyuubi felt helpless all over again. "For once, can you just fucking listen to me!"

By now, they had woken up the whole house. The three maids rushed out of their bedrooms in their pajamas. Hinata was the first to approach Kyuubi at the bottom of the steps, held him while Kyuubi stared helplessly after Itachi.

"Kyuubi, what on earth is going on?" Hinata asked, warmly wrapping her arms around Kyuubi's shoulders.

The front door slammed shut, rattling the hinges and shattering Kyuubi's heart. To put up a brave front, Kyuubi blinked away the salty tears. "Drive yourself into a fucking car accident. See if I care."

"What did you do?" Ino's accusation was condescending. As the youngest maid, she was known to have a stronger bond with Itachi than the rest. "You always do something."

Kyuubi looked at her, hate twisting his features. "What did you say to me?"

Ino shook her head and with a roll of her eyes chose to back down. Sakura on the other hand, the second oldest, was less fragile and felt the need to speak up and defend her friend.

"She's asking because when it was just the four of us, we never had these problems. So clearly, you're the problem."

Kyuubi quickly moved towards her but was stopped by Hinata.

Sakura folded her arms, staring daringly at Kyuubi. "I'm saying it was peaceful when you weren't here so do us all a favor and stop causing trouble."

"You fucking bitch," Kyuubi shouted, thrashing around in Hinata's hold. "I dare you to speak to me like that again."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Come on Ino, let's go."

The blonde maid smiled, laughing as she followed after her friend down the hall back to their rooms.

"Today's your last day in this house, you bitch!"

Hinata dropped her arms. "Kyuubi, please calm down. You shouldn't let them get to you like that."

Kyuubi looked at her with anger mixed with genuine hurt. "Did you hear what she said to me? She can't talk to me like that."

Hinata grabbed his hands, trying to console him. "No, she can't. And believe me, I will talk to them both and have them apologize."

"Fuck their apologies," Kyuubi said, pulling his hands away. "Tonight's her last day in this house, you can bet on that."

All Hinata could do was nod her head. She watched sadly as Kyuubi went up those steps, wiping away his tears as he silently cried to himself. She was worried for her friend but what could she really do for him without feeling as though she was trespassing in her boss' affairs.

—

Itachi parked his Lamborghini outside a mansion of a far larger stature to his own. He had spent the past hours sleeping in his car. Scared of his own anger and fearful of what he might do, he felt the sacrifice of a warm bed was necessary if it meant being away from Kyuubi who would be at the fore front to take on all his rage. Exiting the car, Itachi walked through a beautiful flower garden to the front door. The cold water bottle chilled his hand as he opened it and took a sip. He rang the doorbell, once, twice, then excessively.

A young brunette woman answered the door, her hazel eyes welcomed Itachi. "Itachi, long time no see. How have you been?"

Itachi brushed past her, walking inside to greet the familiar setting of luxury. "Where's my grandfather?" he asked.

The woman looked past his rudeness. She was aware of his dislike towards her and so she's become accustomed to his cold behavior. Judging from his tone, she also figured something was wrong.

"Your grandfather is in his studies," she said. "I'll inform him you wish to see him."

"I can do it myself."

The woman was quick to walk in front of him. "No," she said. "You stay here and I'll go fetch him. I'll be but a minute."

Itachi nodded, watched with discreet judgement as the woman walked away. She was just a few years older than him and as much as he wanted to tell her to mind her tone, to know her place, he was also quite aware of the special position she held with his grandfather. He knew in this house he needed to tread lightly. He was required to give his grandfather that much respect whether he wanted to or not.

It didn't take long until Mizu arrived with his grandfather by her side. She bowed and quietly took her leave.

Itachi frowned and waited until his grandfather's eyes left the woman before he spoke. "Shouldn't your maid be in a uniform?" He made sure to emphasize the term maid.

The elder man softly laughed as he shook his head. "She's not a maid. Some actually find that term offensive."

"What is she, then?"

The man silently turned around and began walking down the hall of his home. "Itachi, I am sure you did not come all this way to talk about Mizu."

As they entered the large living room, Itachi remained by the entrance while his grandfather walked over to the glass center table. He pulled off his glasses and placed them down over the glass.

"What can I do for you?"

Itachi thought over his words carefully. "Why'd you do it?" he said after a long pause.

Madara shuffled his hands inside the pockets of his trousers. "I'm going to need you to be a little bit more specific."

"Sasuke," Itachi spat bitterly. "Why did you give him my number?"

Madara was silent. He observed his grandson, saw the bitterness that was still present. "Your quarrel is not with me."

Itachi clenched his jaw. '"He called me yesterday." He watched his grandfather's face for a reaction but saw none. "Did you give him my number?"

Madara, though in his late sixties, still retained some of his youthful features so much that he could still pass for a man in his early forties, a luxury stemming afforded to good genes and wealth.

"I did not give your brother your number," Madara said confidently. "I believe it was your older brother, Kagami."

Itachi frowned. "There's no reason for me to be here then."

"Itachi, why don't you stay for a cup of tea. I'm interested to know what's going on in your life."

"Another time."

"I insist."

Itachi silently walked away.

—

"Where is he?" Ino nibbled on her finger nail as she paced back and forth. "Maybe we should call the police or big brother, Deidara."

"Can you calm down?" Sakura stood up from her seat on the couch beside Hinata. "Maybe he rented a hotel for the night or something."

Ino dropped her hand to her side as she sat down in Sakura's previous spot. "Why does Itachi even torture himself? All they do is fight. Why is he still with him?"

"Our boss always did have eyes for pretty things," Sakura chimed in. "Even if they are worthless."

"Sakura!" Hinata warned.

"What?" Sakura countered with a deep frown on her face. "It's not like I'm lying."

"Be careful of how you speak of Kyuubi," said Hinata. "Would you be so bold to talk about him like that in front of Itachi?"

Sakura disregarded Hinata's warning with a roll of her eyes. "Oh please, we all know you're only defending him because he's your friend."

"What was that?"

"You heard me."

Ino was quick to get between the two before things could escalate. Just then, all three of them turned towards the front door when they heard it open.

Itachi strode inside his home in one piece. He entered the living room and was slightly startled when his housemaids rushed over to greet him. They were gleeful, happy to see him well and alive.

"What's the matter with you girls?"

Sakura was the first to speak up. "We're just happy you're home safe. We were really worried."

Itachi rubbed his temples. "Well don't. I'm alright."

Sakura tucked strands of her pink hair behind her ears. "Are you hungry? I prepared breakfast."

"No, thank you." Itachi looked around the living room. "Where's Kyuubi?"

The drastic change in the maid's expression did not go unnoticed by Itachi. He made a mental note to address it later on.

"He hasn't come downstairs all morning." Hinata answered.

Itachi opened the door of his bedroom to find Kyuubi freshly showered with a towel securely wrapped around his waist. Kyuubi rushed over and embraced him. At first, Itachi doesn't respond but then he found himself slowly melting into the embrace and indulging over the sweet smell of Kyuubi's shampoo.

"I was so worried," Kyuubi breathed out, laying his head over Itachi's chest. "Why do you treat me like this?"

Itachi closed his eyes as he breathed in Kyuubi's soothing scent. He made no movements to hug Kyuubi back. Instead, he simply grabbed Kyuubi by the waist and gently pushed him aside.

"Don't touch me right now," he said, indignantly.

Kyuubi reached out and grabbed his hand. "Please talk to me." He gasped when he was violently shoved, nearly falling on the ground.

"You went behind my back," Itachi said, seething with anger. "Embarrassed me."

"I shouldn't have called, Deidara. I was just-"

"I don't fucking care!" Itachi interrupted him. "This is the last fucking time you pull something like that, do you hear me?"

Kyuubi nodded. "Okay, I hear you."

Itachi again pushed him aside. "Get the fuck out of my way."

Kyuubi grabbed his arm before he could walk away, turned him around and brought him down in a kiss. There was still hesitation, some tension and unwillingness Itachi's part, but Kyuubi held onto him, pulled him closer. He was tired of fighting. He just wanted it all to be over with. He wanted them to be good again. He kissed Itachi harder, more desperately. When they're apart, he began unbuttoning Itachi's shirt.

"You think sex will make up for the shit you pulled?"

Kyuubi looked up at him, eyes yearning for forgiveness. "Let me show you how much you mean to me."

Itachi continued to stare at him with detachment in his eyes.

"This helps, right?" Kyuubi whispered, his hands fumbling with the button of Itachi's jeans. "Because if it's not me, it'll be someone else and I don't think I can take that right now."

Itachi roughly pulled Kyuubi forward and kissed him hard, maybe too hard, and moving them towards the bed pushed him on top. He pulled off his shirt, a dangerous look in his eyes as he stared down at his boyfriend.

—

Kyuubi laid beside Itachi, his body screaming in pain. He could still feel the bruising grip on his waist, the roughness of Itachi's thrusts, the hard pulling of his hair that now had his scalp feeling tender. He had expected the aggression and roughness. He had prepared himself mentally for it. But his body could never really get used to it. The last time he had promised himself he would stop willingly giving his body to Itachi as a tool to ease his anger, he hoped he would be able to keep that promise. But, he hated seeing Itachi angry. As much as he and Itachi argued, he hated the hostility, the intensity. It was too draining. If sacrificing himself would make it all simmer down, maybe it was worth the pain, the bruises that came with it the following day.

Kyuubi glanced down at his fingers trailing small circles over Itachi's bare chest. He's not entirely sure where Itachi's mind was. Does he pretend everything was back to normal or does he take caution with his words and actions?

"Where did you go?" he asked softly.

Itachi continued to stare blankly at the ceiling. "My grandfather's," he said.

"How is he?"

"Well."

"Did you see Sasuke?"

"No."

Kyuubi grew worried when Itachi moved to get out of the bed. "Wait!" He grabbed his arm. "We don't have to talk about your family if you don't want to."

Itachi shuffled on his briefs. "I'm going to shower."

"Itachi."

"What?" Itachi snapped in frustration.

"I want you to stop being angry." Kyuubi tried to keep his voice from breaking. "I already apologized. I gave you my body. What else do you want me to do?"

"I want you to shut the fuck up."

Kyuubi swallowed down the sob building up in his throat. He wiped away the tear that fell down his face.

Just as Itachi was about to step out of the room, he said softly. "Fire, Sakura."

Itachi's not totally surprised hearing this. "What for?"

"She's a fucking bitch. You should've seen how she talked to me yesterday."

"I'm not firing her. She's good at her job."

Kyuubi stared at him in disbelief. "So you're okay with your maids disrespecting me?"

"If she spoke rudely to you, maybe you fucking deserved it." He left without another word.

Kyuubi glanced at the door in disbelief. He nodded his head as the words seeped in and the sob finally escaped him.

"Maybe I deserved it." The tears ran down his face as he cried softly.

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Chapter 3 finished. Chapter 4 edited and posted soon. Thanks for reading and review.