Terms of Agreement

By: Itachi Silverwolf

I had made the phone call only to end up confused. Tomorrow Itachi was not working. I was told to show up at the agency by ten. Ten was a bit late to start a date, wasn't it? Then again I shouldn't have been drawing conclusions after I heard Itachi wasn't supposed to be working.

I arrive at the building to find a teenage blonde behind the counter with the same azure haired female as before. "Naruto, would you take this gentlman to the alcove?" The blonde teen nods. Now I'm confused. Wasn't there a price that had been skipped?

Once outside I watch the blonde disappear inside meeting up with the younger Uchiha as he makes an appearance. While one steps outside the other continues on his path. "Look if you expect an apology for before it won't happen. I had every right to protect my brother." I didn't expect an apology from the teen to begin with. "Here's the deal. You want answers you'll get them... but tonight is on my brother's terms. So decide right here if you agree or disagree."

I don't really hesitate to agree. With my decision Sasuke opens the door leading back inside the agency. I'm silent as the raven teen takes me up the stairs without a word. Even I know that I'm not inside of the actualy mansion. Instead of knocking the teen just opens the door. "He's here."

"I chose not to let you pay for tonight. Besides I have a paper due in the morning. But no, I still won't bring you into where I sleep at night." Itachi sits with his back to me writing. A paper due? I'm even more confused now. "Because of the fact my attention is divided I choose for this to be my time alone. Sasuke, you can go if you want." I watch the teen shake his head as Itachi glances over his shoulder. "Start asking Pein."

My first question is about the words he just spoke "An essay due for a college history course." Now I'm surprised some. Itachi went to college while doing escort work. Did that keep him out late into the night? "I deal with my choices." That comment was as if reading my mind. "My name is Itachi Uchiha. I have a feeling you know that all ready. At seventeen I became the legal guardian of my younger brother. We stay in the mansion. It's not my home though Pein. It belongs to Konan's beau." I start on his past. He cuts my words off. "At one point in time that was true. It's not anymore. I choose not to dwell on it. The money I make now keeps us fed and keps us both in school. That's my only concern for now. Well that and not allowing Sasuke and Naruto to kill each other. Naruto is a younger cousin Konan's beau has custody of."

I make the same offer as before. "Pein..." This time I cut him off. In return I receive the same treatment. "Look I don't know if I could ever trust anyone enough to be a true part of my world. That's why there's no preference mentioned on the page you saw when you picked me. I'm not looking for rings and dreams. Only to be certain to keep Sasuke in school and fed." I make my offer again. This time with Itachi's younger brother listening.

"Obviously you have no idea how many times we've discovered those that are supposed to protect you don't." I didn't know much of the pair's past. I didn't want to start a fight. Instead I decide to make a proposal that would give me a chance to prove things to Itachi. After sharing this proposal I wait for Itachi's response.

"Under those terms then you'll be paying for a place for us to stay, food, college expenses and then some." I nod. I didn't really care about the money. I could always make more. Especially since the pair lived with little from what I'd learned. "What's the rest of this propsal?" For Itachi to ask for me to keep going meant I wasn't denied yet. "You do realize under those terms I'm not exclusively yours?" I nod. One step at a time.

"I'm not sure if this is even right." I watch Sasuke stare at me. It takes a moment to realize Itachi is also watching me instead of writing the paper. I tell him to finish the essay and think over my offer. That's all I can ask for currently. After all I had all ready proved that I had quite a temper when it came to Itachi.

The room is silent for a moment was Itachi goes back to witing. It doesn't stay that way. "Why even present the offer you did?" I shrug watching Itachi write from over his shoulder. The Uchiha leans back against me a moment. The handwriting is much neater than my own. I soon realize after watching some that Itachi was wearing glasses. Before I can mention it I hear Itachi. "You haven't seen them before because you haven't seen me do my college work." Maybe I wanted to see him when he wasn't following my arrangements now. Itachi pulls a chair across to the desk near him. When I decide to lightly fallinto it the Uchiha turns leaning against me some. His eyes close a moment when I kiss the side of his neck. "Nii-san... I'm going to bed." Itachi nods as Sasuke disappears.

A/N: Now it's time for a decision... will Itachi accept either offer from Pein? Is it time for him to rely on someone else yet? Or should he deny them both and continue on?