Taken

"In fact, I was shocked that he remained single for this long. It's impossible for someone like him to not attract attention."

"Daaang, Sasuke. That was total motherfuckin' nuclear annihilation back there. The other team didn't even get a change to react." Suigetsu whistles, patting me on the back.

I smirk, adjusting the cuff of my sleeve. I have been on an excellent streak since yesterday, so much that towards the end of tonight, one of the tougher opponents actually yelped and dashed away. That left the remaining challenge, a sharp, witty girl with a thing for exploiting semantics, to fend for herself. Eventually, she too was left speechless. The pleasure of seeing her bitchy mouth snap shut and yield after a year of her insubstantial nitpicking is indescribable. Past her, the others had nothing – one didn't even do the proper research – and their closing arguments were moot.

To make it all the sweeter, the attorney evaluators this time hail from prestigious firms. Even Orochimaru, litigation legend, was watching with burning intensity, practically bathed in a sheet of cold sweat.

Life is good.

"Sassuuukeee!"

Almost good.

"Karin," I sigh, as I feel her weight suddenly collide into my back.

"You. Were. AWESOME!" she gives a ear-bleeding squeal, squeezing me with all her might, one leg propped up. "Forget waterboy, let's do it now!"

"Oy," complains said water boy, cleaning his ears.

"Oh poo-bear, you looked sexy too, wiggling your eyebrows and sipping your water and all," Karin snorts, before rubbing her cheek against my back. "Just not as sexy when Sasu-honey made that whore cry in utter despair."

"Alright, enough," Suigetsu commands, curling a finger, "or else, I'll make you cry in utter despair tonight."

"MeOW," Karin purrs, jumping back to under her boyfriend's arms.

Taking that as an opportunity to slip away, I grab my suitcase and try my best to not run-hop-skip towards the entrance way of the courtroom, pushing anyone and everyone out of the way. Instead I compose myself into a dignified figure, straightening my tie.

"Well?" I question, upholding my nonchalant poker face.

Itachi pushes himself off the wall and uncrosses his arms. As he struts over, he delivers three claps.

"Remind me..." he begins, "to murder that bigot uncle of ours who said you would only make it in Estates or Copyright."

I find my lips twitching and stretching into a wide grin. "Murder is a rather heinous crime, Itachi."

"I'm sure I'm safe if you're defending me."

"I don't know, Itachi," I say breezily, "I'm also sure your ass is absolutely fucked if I'm prosecuting you."

"Dutily noted," he chuckles.

"Sasuke! Itachi!"

Shuffling in from the main door is Juugo. He waves and weaves his way through the bustling crowd. Since he generally watches my matches, I've been expecting him sooner or later; it's the person accompanying him that surprises me.

Kimimaro, third year law student, rank one of his year, and current boyfriend of Juugo. He made national news in the Fall court case, and the last time I checked, these trials are far beneath him.

"That was an incredible match, Sasuke!" Juugo compliments, breathing hard. "A quarter of the student body started peeking in through the windows just to catch a glimpse of it!"

Kimimaro merely pockets a hand, carrying the same cold, plaintive expression that matches the bone white suit he always dons on. But today, there is a slight flicker of interest in his eyes. "Commendable performance," he briefly acknowledges me, icily and composed.

Hearing that from the senior star who considers ninety-four percent of the Yale law students 'useless trash,' I must have been commendable indeed.

"Harvard must be feeling the bloody stab of betrayal, to have their former undergrad destroy them so," Juugo laughs in a malicious whisper, before reverting back to his gentle, mild self. "We should celebrate."

Since I already have some plans with my brother in mind, I am about to interject.

But Itachi beats me to it. "What do you have in mind, Juugo?" he inquires, placing a hand on my shoulder. I close my mouth.

"Well, every other Friday night, the students here infiltrate this downtown nightclub..."

"I don't dance," I say bluntly.

"They serve interesting cocktails..."

"I don't drink."

"The spot is also infamous for drug dealing," Kimimaro adds in monotone. "If you are absolutely repulsed by such scum, then nightclubs are right for you. It's full of chauvinists who crowd around tables to complain about the harmful effects and drugs and alcohol while mocking how preposterous the people on the dance floor look."

"Sounds perfect," Itachi says, looking at me for my approval. "Unless you have other ideas, Sasuke?"

"I... No."

"Wonderful! Let's get Suigetsu and Karin too. They love this stuff," Juugo says, scanning the emptying room for the couple. Consequently, he has the misfortune of seeing one their notorious make out sessions, with Suigetsu's hand clutching a fistful of her hair, and her black stocking leg wrapped around him. All on the proctor's table.

Exasperated, Juugo looks away and calls, "Suigetsu! Karin!"

"WHAT!" come the irritated cries.

"Nightclub!"

"WHAT?"

"CLUB."

A pause. Then, "SURE!" One final bite at each other later, Suigetsu runs his fingers over his hair and Karin straightens her blazer.

"Nightclub, huh," purrs Karin, as she nudges up her glasses. "We're down. Should I even ask if you're attending, Sasu-buns?"

I don't feel the need to grace her with an answer. I seize my belongings and exit the near-empty courtroom.

"My god! So you are!" she shrieks in delight. "You are in a good mood today!"

Upon exiting the hall, I hear her swaying over to my brother. "And Itachi, shall I assume you're going too?"

"This should be fun," is his light reply.

"You've clubbed before in Europe?"

I snort. Itachi. He's been attending balls since he was four. He dined in renowned restaurants with daughters of wealthy corporate lawyers, and practically grew up on Chateaux. As if I can ever imagine him going to these low grades of entertainment-

"I spent a few nights in Belgrade with female companions before. Does that count?"

Karin and I both freeze. I turn back to see Karin's eyes wide and mesmerized. "Serbia?"

"Yes."

Mesmerized jumps to zealous worship. "Oh. My. GOD. Oh yeah," she says, fanning herself, "that counts."

"What about you, Sasuke?" Itachi asks, catching me off guard. "Surely this is not your first experience."

Flashbacks goes to college, with one drunken tai chi master dealing much property damage, one flamboyant dobe failing miserably to woo any girls, one blonde giving you a very painful bitch slap, and one girlfriend dumping nine cherry lemon margaritas on your head.

"No, it's not," I grumble.