A/N: Sorry these are taking so long! I'm writing everything at the same time lol.

Thursday Early Evening

Sumire narrowed her eyes in concentration. Her right hand clutched a smaller bowl at a dangerous angle and her left twirled a whisk as flour dropped inside bit by bit.

I must succeed!

At a distance came the sound of the front door opening and closing then followed by the faint sound of shoes against a tile floor.

"I'm home."

Sumire bit her lip slightly at the low voice, a shiver traveled down her spine.

"Welcome home!" she called.

The gentle swish of brushing clothing approached her slowly. He used his height to his advantage and peeked over the top of her head.

"I'm baking American-style cupcakes." She informed him, titling her head back.

The last of the flour landed against her whisk then was blended into the light chocolate batter.

"I see. Do you need any help?"

"Actually yes!"

Sumire set the now empty bowl in her right hand against the tile counter then pointed to the cabinets above her.

"Will you grab the cupcake tin for me?"

He silently reached his long arm over her. Sumire leaned back as he opened the cabinet door, the back of her head met his chest and her face flushed. The scent of his cologne dashed out all her other senses. She remained stiff minus her left hand that still dazedly stirred the mixture in the bowl.

There was a leap beneath Itachi's ribcage, then a quick, repetitive thumping. Aside from the mouth-watering warm chocolate fragrance emanating from the bowl in front of her, a wave of vanilla drifted over him. He leaned down a tad to sneakily inhale the aroma coming from her hair, but his movement put her into a deeper stupor from the intensity of his own aura.

The motion that felt like an eternity between them was merely a moment. He placed the cupcake tin on the counter.

"Thank you." She whispered.

Her head turned slowly, shyly meeting his own nervous gaze. Another second of eternity and he finally leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Sparks across her lips almost made her lose her grip on the whisk. She rose onto her toes from a flutter of delight in her body. He pulled away and straightened rigidly behind her.

"Is there anything else you would like help with?" he asked in a somewhat husky voice.

Sumire's thoughts drifted to unholy places but she responded with a simple:

"No, it's pretty much done, thank you."

He took a step back and she immediately began to miss his presence.

"Um…"

He paused, waiting.

"Will you help me with the frosting?"

"Of course."

She greased and filled the cupcake tin while asking him what he had done all day.

"I had some work to do for my classes so I went to my work office to do them."

"You have a separate work office?"

"Yes."

"Is it close?"

"It's a bit in the city, in a local branch of my family's company."

"Your father's company… the Uchiha business empire."

He released a short sound that made her look up. He rested his lean frame against the sink and his arms crossed over his chest.

"…I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"…I just… I don't want to ask you about anything upsetting… you don't," her eyes dropped to the floor. "You don't seem like you want to talk about your family and I don't want to push you. I just…"

The sound of a chuckle made her jump. She gazed at him wonderstruck by the noise he made.

"…what…why?" she blurted.

"You always worry so much about offending me. It's adorable."

Her face took on a deep shade of red.

"…I don't want to upset you…"

"Please don't worry so much. I'll answer any question you ask me."

"…"

She finished filling the cupcake tin with batter then placed it into a preheated oven.

"…you… are estranged from your family?"

In the split second before he responded a sense of dread enveloped her. Had she asked the wrong question? He said it was okay but he could still be upset…

"It's a bit of a long story," he took the empty flour bowl and did a quick scrub and rinse in the sink.

Sumire waited patiently for him to continue.

"Uchiha Incorporate is one of largest companies in Japan, if not, one of the most well-known. Naturally there are a few people who wish to undermine its operations."

He wiped off the whisk she had handed him while she measured out powdered sugar for the frosting. He let out a weak, tired sigh:

"Too keep it short, someone threatened to harm Sasuke."

Sumire watched him wide-eyed.

"They would hurt him if I didn't step down as the heir to my father's company."

She remained silent.

"You would think since the Uchiha have so much power they would not listen to such a threat, but the reputation of my family's company has never been perfect with rival companies and a history… that I will not get into now… though I'll simply say our history leads a lot of people to think of us as only interested in profit and power even at the expense of others." He paused to hand her the whisk. "And the one who threatened us is a man who would benefit from our company going under. He is a government official who expected me not to comply and in that event, he would cause severe damage to what little face the Uchiha have gained under my father."

"…why can't he just go through with it… If he's a government official? Not to sound so negative or…"

Her words came to halt as he was smiling at her again. That smile always seemed to take the breath out of her.

"I don't know…" she managed. "I mean… why can't he just try to hurt you guys anyway?"

"If he did so now he wouldn't be able to without enormous attention from the media since the heir has separated himself from his family. They have been watching my family and my family's company closely since then. Anything that man does to harm them could never succeed without some sort of trail leading back to him."

"What an awful person." Sumire huffed.

I feel like he's telling me the plot to some drama.

"And there's no one you can go to help for this? No other government or police people?"

"He had his claws in every aspect of our countries politics. It would be impossible to find enough help to stop his plans."

"This is so messed up. That's so not fair."

She was pouting while jabbing the center of the frosting with a whisk.

"I'm so sorry."

He chuckled again then gently planted a kiss on the top of her head.

"It's nothing to fret about. I may very well be dragged back into my family's affairs. There may always be someone more powerful than you, but there is always a way to leverage the difference."

"So…" she met his eyes. "You don't want to be a part of it… you sound…"

"It's inevitable, that I will return."

"…you don't sound like you want to."

"May I tell you a secret?"

Her cheeks returned to a light shade of red from his sudden playfulness.

"Un."

"My deepest desire is to live a peaceful life with people I love."

She nodded eagerly:

"That's a great thing to want. You can do that!"

Something changed within him. He put his arms around her waist and buried his face in her warm, sweet scented hair. Steam burst from her ears and every inch of her face became heated.

"I wish things were so simple." His voice came out in a whisper.

"Me too." She replied.

He laughed softly into the comforting blanket of hair then rested his chin on the very top of her head.

So much so fast. I'm getting dizzy, she thought.

The oven made a loud ding sound followed by a few beeps and Itachi released her to retrieve the cupcakes. She tried to escape the embarrassment she felt by dipping a finger into the bowl of frosting and putting the bit of white creamy mixture onto her tongue.

"Mmm, super sweet." Setting the whisk down she turned to the man who was pensively looking out the window. "We just have to wait for the cupcakes to cool then we can frost them."

"Have you eaten yet?" He asked, he still wasn't looking at her.

"No, not yet."

"I'll make us something."

"What're you going to make?" She eyed him as he moved to the refrigerator.

"Something American? We should have American food if we are eating American cupcakes."

"Have you eaten a lot of American food?"

"I've had quite a bit. How does… grilled cheese and tomato soup sound?"

"What's grilled cheese? Won't cheese melt if you put it on a grill? How would you get it off?"

"It's a cheese sandwich."

"Cheese sandwich…"

"That you put in a pan with some butter to toast it."

"…huh… okay that doesn't sound too weird."

"And the tomato soup is exactly what it sounds like."

"Tomatoes in soup form.'

"Yes."

"Is it… a popular American food?"

"It's one of the first things a friend of mine showed me when I moved there for my first year in Harvard."

"Oh… okay. I will try it."

She found great amusement in watching his back as he moved about the kitchen preparing their meal.

We have another date tomorrow, that's so exciting.

She saw her phone buzzing atop the counter so she leapt up and grabbed it to read the text.

There was a cold feeling in her center. The air left the room, then she became very aware of herself for her entire body trembled.

"Sumire-san?" he had noticed her change immediately.

She looked up at Itachi.

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Are you sure?"

Beneath those onyx eyes she knew she couldn't hide it.

"Sakura texted me."

"Oh… are you going to read it?"

"…I'll read it after dinner."

"Okay."

She set her phone down on the island and seated herself. She stared at the device while Itachi finished cooking and set her food down in front of her. They ate in silence and went to the sink to wash their dishes. While he dried the last of their dishes she read her text. Itachi wiped off his hands.

"She wants to meet at a café tomorrow after work," Sumire surmised the text she received from Sakura, "Sasuke is going to be there."

Itachi let his gaze fall onto Sumire's nervous expression. Her chest rose and fell with a soft sigh, he felt an urge to lean over and kiss along her neckline.

"I can go with you." He said once he had pried his thoughts way from her body. "We both get off at noon, then we can decide together where we would like to go for dinner."

"You don't have to." She met his gaze.

"I will sit at a separate table with my brother, it will be a good opportunity to see him."

She nodded slightly.

"Also, it might help your nerves. If you need anything I will be nearby."

Her fingers clasped around her phone tightly. A wave of emotion enveloped her and within moments she was crying.

"What's wrong?" he edged a bit closer.

"Nothings wrong," she let out a sob, "I'm just so happy."

She managed to look at him through the tears blurring her vision.

"I never thought I'd be with someone so kind. I'm so lucky." Her face fell into her hands.

What she truly wanted to say was bubbling at the base of her throat, but swallowed it down and threw herself into his arms. He cradled her against his torso, petting her head as she slowly reached a calm. She lifted her head and he kissed her left cheek, his large hands cupped her face, his thumbs wiped away the remnants of her tears.

"Let's get some rest."

"Un."

They held hands as they walked down the hall. Their fingers slipped away so they could complete their routines. Sumire then returned to Itachi's side, by climbing into his bed and curling up beside him beneath his navy sheets. They both drifted off to sleep, their cupcakes forgotten.

Friday Early Afternoon

Sumire ordered a couple cups of coffee at the counter of the café. Her eyes scanned the menu for a particular item.

"Do you have sweet cream?" she asked finally.

"Yes we do. Would you like sweet cream in your coffee?"

"Will you put a cup of it on the side?"

"Of course."

Sumire paid and walked to the table where Itachi was seated. Inside she was admiring the dark blue button down he wore. He always looks so handsome. Just as she was sitting down Sasuke and Sakura entered the café. Sasuke motioned that he would order for them, he ignored the presence of the other couple. Sumire stood, after receiving an encouraging glance from Itachi, and went to a separate table with a nervous looking Sakura.

X

Sasuke turned to his brother and seated himself across from him. They were silent, Sasuke looking at his older brothers collar, Itachi looking at his younger brothers down casted gaze. "Are you well?" he asked.

Sasuke's hand flinched beneath the table, but he still answered:

"Yes."

X

The girls were silent for much longer, both staring at the table. A worker arrived and set down a tray with two cups of coffee and a dish of sweet cream.

"What did you order?" Sumire asked

"Just black coffee."

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the worker bring the men a tray of the same drinks.

"One second." Sumire said and she stood.

She carefully picked up the dish filled with a milky white liquid and carried it to the pair seated away from them.

"Here, they do have sweet cream." She spoke to Itachi.

"Thank you," he looked relieved suddenly.

She couldn't stop herself from smiling."

"You would have had to suffer from all that bitterness," she giggled.

He grasped her hand before it drifted away and gave it a gentle squeeze. They shared another smile and she slowly pulled away from him to return to the table with Sakura

X

Itachi poured the cream over his coffee, watching the dark liquid swirl into the white, creating a smooth tan color. Without mixing he lifted the mug to his lips and took a sip.

"Ni-san."

His gaze moved to his brother's again.

"How do you feel about her?"

Itachi too another sip.

"How do you feel about Haruno-san?"

"Don't dodge the question."

X

The two women were together again, facing one another. Though this time Sumire was watching Sakura and Sakura was looking at the coffee in front of her. Sumire felt her patience quickly wearing thin. She sipped at her coffee, her eyebrows knitting with impatience.

"Sumire…" Sakura finally began. "I… I'm sorry…"

Sumire set her coffee cup down with a soft thud and stared at her, waiting for her to continue. Another minute passed and Sumire's eyes narrowed.

"Is that it?" her voice came out harsher than she intended.

"No, I just was… sorry."

Sumire pinched her fingers together in order to keep herself from blurting out again.

"I know I don't have a right to ask your forgiveness, but I wanted… wanted you to at least know I'm sorry… I wish things hadn't happened the way they had… I'm sorry."

Sumire dug all of her nails into her palm. Don't yell, don't scream… She took a breath, her eyes went wide, and she let herself respond.

"You brought me out here for this?"

"…yes…I…"

"You brought me out here to make yourself feel better about what you did? Please don't forget that. Things didn't just happen, you made these decisions without telling me, you told me one week before the lease was supposed to close."

"I tried to tell you before but you get so wrapped up in your own life, I barely get to speak-"

"I gave you so many opportunities to tell me!" Sumire's voice raised. "I know I talk a lot, but if you needed to tell me something SO-FUCKING-IMPORTANT, that would take the first opportunity to do so. Send me an email, call me on the phone, text me for fucks sake!"

Sakura's lips parted but no sound came forth.

"I could have been thrown out on the street! If Itachi hadn't offered to take me in I would be homeless Sakura! You know how fucking hard I've worked to never be in that position again and out of no-fucking-where I was there again."

Sakura silently wiped a tear from her cheek.

"I know you're sorry, I get it, and I know it's not entirely your fault…" she paused to wipe the tears streaming down her own face.

"I know your boyfriend hates me, but even so, it's not fucking fair, it was so fucking cruel."

X

Itachi watched his younger brother's became increasingly angry. They could hear the women clearly from their position. The intensifying anger suddenly softened:

"I don't hate her…"

"I'm sure she knows, she's simply upset." Itachi responded.

Sasuke wanted to intervene, hearing his girlfriend being yelled at infuriated him. Itachi noticed him making a move to rise.

"Sasuke."

He stopped.

"Please don't interrupt them, they need this."

"She's overdoing it."

"Considering the circumstances, I believe she's doing very well to hold back."

"Ni-san."

"You and I have never and will never understand what it is like to not have a home. We both know that if we returned to the Uchiha estate we'd be welcomed. It's fantastic that you are so concerned for Haruno-san, but your intervening would create a bridge between them, I think you know this."

"Ni-san," his eyes flashed with anger. "That passiveness is the one thing I hate about you."

Itachi remained calm, but he felt a pain in his chest. Sasuke stood suddenly.

"Sasuke."

He ignored his older brother and walked briskly to the other table.

"Enough, Sakura we're leaving."

"Sasuke-kun." She whispered as she looked at him.

Sumire glared at him.

"There's no more talking to her." He hesitated on the "her."

"Wait, I have more…"

"She's not going to listen Sakura."

"Sasuke-kun, please."

"We're leaving."

"This is why I can't fucking stand you. Stop trying to control her! She's a human being." Sumire interjected.

"I don't want to hear it bitch."

"You are the worst." Sumire was crying again.

"You're lucky my brother took you in, you'd be on the street fucking-"

A tall body stepped between them.

"Enough," Itachi's voice was firm.

"Ni-san."

Itachi turned to the small crying woman and gently took her arm. He drew her to him and embraced her, letting her hide her face in his chest. He stroked her hair while looking at the pink haired woman still sitting.

"You can continue this conversation, at a later date, in private." He lifted Sumire's face up. "Let's go home."

"Un," she sniffled.

He leaned down, much to the surprise of the couple watching them, and kissed her forehead. They both remained wide-eyed as the newly confirmed couple departed the café.

Itachi's sensitivity was working at full capacity as he drove them home. He wrapped the still sniveling young woman in a blanket on the couch, put one of her favorite movies, and quickly prepared a cup of hot cocoa. He returned to her side after ordering pizza and cradled her in his lap while she sipped. It took some time, but she finally smiled up at him with her naturally flushed face.

"Thank you."

An urge filled him, but he resisted.

Not yet.

Early Saturday Morning

"Kisame, may I ask you a question?"

"Technically that is a question Itachi-san, but fire away."

Itachi's hand slowed as he rolled the cord beneath the machines of the lighting booth.

"How… how does one… know one's… condom size?"

Kisame broke into his trademark grin. He playfully elbowed the dark haired man.

"You two are getting along well I take it."

Itachi tried to remain calm despite an embarrassed flush coming upon his face.

"Measure the length and the width when it's up. If it's too close to or longer than 7, then look into the large sizes. If not, standard is fine. Unless the width is over 3 inches, then still go for the larger sizes."

"…okay…"

"If you are still unsure, buy a sample pack and try 'em out."

"Okay, thank you."

Kisame continued to grin. Glad someone is going to get some. Lucky. I hope she's a good lay. He considered the question briefly again, and suddenly glanced sideways to his partner. So, he's… huh… why am I surprised?

A/N: Heh heh heh heh...