– baby, let the games begin –
II. …Ready For It?
It was a sunny day in Konoha, but one of those bright-before-the-rain days, where the air was so heavy and so humid that it made you anxious waiting for the fresh release of the rain. The weather reflected Kurenai's mood pretty accurately.
She had someone yelling about 'logistics' and 'unreasonable demands' in her earpiece, she hadn't gotten around to answering all of the time-sensitive emails of the day and her coffee was no longer warm. Well, that last one was on her. She should've known better than to wait for the man she was supposed to meet.
But then, just as she was about to enter into another grating conversation, her 'date' walked right inside the café. The sight of him walking nonchalantly to her table made that throbbing vein in her forehead pop. Her day had already gotten off to a rough start, when she arrived at Haruno International to meet her two most prominent clients.
"You're beyond late, Kakashi."
The man, perpetually stuck in an aloof mood, simply waved at her.
"Spare me the excuses, I'm already short on time."
Kakashi looked at her, then at the phone she was clutching in her hand, and finally at the sorry excuse for a cappuccino she elegantly sipped on. He never quite understood the simple pleasure of strutting around Downtown Konoha doing business with big time players, coffee in hand and looking straight out of a magazine. He much more enjoyed losing himself on the road of life and occasionally getting stuff done in between.
"Well, it's nice to see you too."
Kurenai made a face. Kakashi Hatake's prowess to just… not give a damn unless someone was literally dying was inspirational. If that was even a thing. He obviously did not have two ticking bombs on his hands to take care of.
"I didn't say it was nice," she snapped, declining a call with a tap to the earpiece.
Kakashi whistled, "I get the sense that we're not here for a friendly chat."
"We're not, and you're paying."
He raised a brow. Kurenai looked around the café before leaning forward on her elbows.
"Let's get down to business. Were they seen together?"
Kakashi sighed as he reluctantly entered the lion's den, "Not that I know of. For the record, I told Sasuke it was a bad idea."
"Doesn't matter," Kurenai confessed, very aware that she had done the same with Sakura, "What's done is done. My issue is, why did this happen at all? What does Sasuke want with Sakura, now?"
"Bold of you to assume I know what goes through Sasuke's mind," he shrugged.
"Bold of you to assume I'm going to fall for that."
Kurenai didn't know Kakashi intimately, and she hadn't seen much of him throughout the past two years. He was also a hard person to get to know, because it was damn near impossible to get past that unaffected pleasantry. She found that if she kept pushing however, there was a better chance of doing that.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. She was getting closer.
"C'mon, Kakashi. We're both too busy handling their slip-ups to sit here and chit chat. I happen to know that Sasuke is in the middle of some very… interesting negotiations, so the faster we're done here, the better."
Her leverage was part sensitive information, part bluff, and she couldn't tell whether or not he truly bought into it, but he did raise his guard and that was enough.
"What would you do if I told you that it was all in good faith?"
His tone was amicable, but his eyes were impenetrable as always. Kurenai would've laughed, because unlike the people they were representing, they had experience under their belts. Sakura was still soft and Sasuke was still brash.
"I would tell you that I'm in no hurry to believe you, given their history."
He leaned back in his chair and scratched at his temple contemplatively.
"Alright then, what do you propose?"
Kurenai took a moment to think.
("You want to do what?" she snapped.
Dealing with Sakura was one thing, but when Ino supported whatever debauchery she came up with, it was like the planets were aligning to make Kurenai's life ten times harder.
"Sakura, we've spent almost two years pushing to gain back public favor. Do you want to throw it all away, just like that?"
But Sakura did not let up, already hardened up.
"And where did that get us? I still don't have half the reach I used to, my name is still stained by his, and they're doing better than ever."
Ino nodded, like she was waiting for her cue.
"You know some of Akatsuki has already confirmed that they will be attending my show. Just last night, Itachi Uchiha was put down for two seats. There's a chance he might show up, but you have to admit that the timing is too suspicious."
"This is my chance to reclaim the narrative," Sakura pitched in, almost pleadingly, "They want me to be bad? I'll give them bad."
"All press is good press."Ino finished.
Kurenai did not like this turn of events, but she couldn't deny that despite the mess that always came out of whatever Sakura and Ino did together, the net gains vastly outweighed the losses. In all honesty, their constant push to make Sakura out to be Konoha's pristine princess once more didn't get them very far, because no woman could truly wipe the slate clean once she'd been branded a slut in the court of public opinion.
It was an unorthodox approach, but perhaps it was worth a try.)
Kakashi was waiting patiently for her reply, but Kurenai had a feeling he had not agreed to meet with her from a position of strength. That suspicion emboldened her enough to steel her nerves and deliver the first blow on Sakura's behalf.
"You claim Sasuke had no ulterior motives, so I'm asking you to answer a question." At that, he cocked a brow in anticipation. "Fashion Week is only a few days away and as you know, it is a very important time for both of my clients. Ino's show in particular has a lot riding on it. Should we expect to see Sasuke there, seeing as Sakura is obviously going to be in attendance?"
There was a slow moment during which Kakashi dropped his eyes in thought, torn in conflict. He must've picked up on the fact that Kurenai and her girls had figured out which Uchiha was actually planning to show up, but no matter. All she wanted was an honest reply, not because it would change Sakura's plans anyhow, but because it helped to know if your opponents were expecting you to go on the offense.
Finally, Kakashi sighed in defeat, and she would've felt for him if it didn't make her job easier.
"I've cleared his schedule for the day."
Kurenai smiled.
The days following that cataclysmic blow to the head were strange.
But in a less gutting way, Sakura supposed. The wound was still very much open, thank-you-kindly-asshole, but it had turned into a sore spot, a deaf sting that she felt whenever her will spread thin and threatened to disappear. In those moments, when she would almost forget herself and why she was working as hard as she was, the pain would wash over her again shortly after. It was a potentially harmful cycle of emotion she was allowing herself to drown in, but it kept her busy, and that was the most important part.
Contrary to popular belief (or well, popular belief before Sasuke because he shattered that perception), Sakura was not only capable, but more than willing to strike back a foe that wronged her. However, despite the strength in her punches, she was also volatile, as she never took to plotting on a bigger scale. But Sasuke would soon find out that he'd taught her that too, both in their time together and apart.
She had kept Ino up that whole night in order to work out the strategy. Once she grew back her balls, Sakura was ready to wage war on Sasuke right then and there but decided not to because, even if it took a bullet to her pride to admit it, Ino's input on the matter was invaluable. Some things in life arguably favored Sakura, but Ino didn't bet on being a natural. Or chance, for that matter. Sakura wanted to swing a shot so precise it would be heard around the world and unfortunately, she wouldn't be able to do it on her own.
The inkling of an idea popped into her head when Ino looked over the list of confirmed attendees once more. It was daring, but it was simple. Very straight-forward, too. They spent an hour finessing the details, but it definitely wasn't a big enough hit.
"It'll probably be, for Sasuke," Ino mused, dipping another tortilla chip into the guac. "And it will be the talk of town for a while, but it will also blow over pretty soon."
"It's going to give me momentum, and I need to make sure I hold onto it somehow."
"Yes but," she tilted her head in thought, "I feel like we're missing something."
Sakura cracked her neck. She had been awake forever, it felt like.
"Seize the moment? Try to book a talk-show? Stage something and call the paparazzi?"
Ino sighed, then went silent. It seemed to Sakura like she was grasping at something, but was unsure, which pissed her off because that was Ino worrying if Sakura could stomach doing whatever it was. Right now she could stomach anything.
"Say it. What are you thinking?"
"Well, since you want to know," she rolled her eyes, "I was wondering if we could go fishing for information. You know, Sasuke probably has a lot of reach over on his side, but there must be someone who will slip up. Intentionally or not."
Sakura realized what she was getting at on the spot, and for a moment, she wanted to keep that revelation to herself because it shamed her. But then it shamed her more to give in so easily.
"…Naruto."
"Are you sure?"
"I mean, not really. But." Sakura chewed on her lip. "We were friends before and he's not, you know. I don't think he'd be hard to crack."
Ino waited.
"But?"
But Sakura wanted to smack herself up the head because she was already going soft. Even back then, she thought Naruto was innocent. And now the cost of her revenge could end up making him into collateral damage. It just wasn't something she was eager to do. But then again…
"It's okay if you don't want to, we'll think of something else."
"…He could've tried to get in touch with me. I understand there was Sasuke, but he was my friend, too." Sakura swallowed and looked Ino in the eye. "And it's not like I'm aiming for him, right?"
There was a puzzled look on Ino's face as she pondered over this newfound resolve, but in the end, she nodded.
"Then let's start there."
Sakura was ready. Had been, in fact, for about half an hour now. She was on stand-by, waiting for shit to finally hit the fan while making sure the line of her lips was staying extra sharp. Normally she didn't enjoy being left with a mirror and no real company to small talk through the nerves, but she also knew that shows of this magnitude took a ton of effort, resources and dependable hands on-deck. But despite what the media had to say about her, she'd been playing this game for a long time now. She, too, was a professional.
So, she waited somewhat patiently in her corner and watched Ino stomp her feet back and forth backstage between the dancers, models and the rest of the crew. Sakura liked seeing her best friend work her magic, because it urged her to do the same. They were very close, but they were also very competitive. Nothing awakened the drive to prove herself more than a daring opponent waiting for her next move. Sakura had to hand it to Ino though. This was only her second Fashion Week and not only did she blow last season's production out of the water but, if things went as they planned, her name would be one to be reckoned with in the industry.
Kunoichi by Yamanaka, Ino's lingerie line, was going to reach astonishing new heights tonight, they were sure of it. Obviously, Sakura had been a brand ambassador from the very beginning, going as far as to model pieces every new collection. But she'd never done something as risqué as what was about to happen. She couldn't risk revealing too much skin before, which was why it had remained too soft, she reckoned. But no more.
Ino walked her way and gave her the once over before plastering a teasing smile on her face. They were both brimming with anticipation and pride for one another. After all, there's nothing like conquering the world with your best friend. Come what may, the world was theirs, even if just for tonight.
"Well Forehead, you look…"
Sakura wrinkled her nose, "Don't say it."
"Like a million bucks,"
A beat passed and the tension dissipated into thin air. They both burst into laughter.
"Well, I am wearing a bra worth a million," she countered, admiring the absolutely fantastic piece she still couldn't fully believe she was wearing.
Ino scanned their surroundings, searching the set and crew for potential weak links.
"So, you look great, but how do you feel?"
Sakura had to chew on that for a few moments, allowing herself one more one-eighty in the mirror to make sure the shadows of doubt that rarely subsided completely, at least shut the fuck up for tonight. She was wearing The Million Dollar Bra for god's sake. The show had been conceived around the idea of Ino wearing it, but that was months and heartbreaks ago. Once they decided that Sakura would be a part of it no more than a few days prior, Ino gave it up of her own volition. It was going to turn heads and spin headlines.
"Weird," she bit her lip, "It's like I can't sit still. But…I'm not nervous anymore."
Ino smirked.
"Good, because it's go time."
Sasuke did not like this turn of events. Something seemed… off.
The show was starting. The plan was to attend the event seemingly in place of his brother, which was why he had put Itachi's name down for front row seats in the center, Sakura's coveted spot. When asked, he would simply explain that his brother could not make it, nothing less, nothing more. It was a harmless switch-up that would allow him the chance to encounter Sakura publicly, on even ground. He was being charitable, a concept apparently foreign to her because, for the past few days, she'd been fucking impossible to get a hold of.
But, despite what Kakashi had told him, Sakura did not show up. She was reportedly there, but nowhere to be found. And the show was already underway.
There were dancers broken up into two very distinct groups; some of the women were synchronized twirling and bowing intricately, each handling two matching, painted fans, while the others were paired off and performing a contemporary choreography meant to mimic traditional sword-fighting. Naturally, there were barely any clothes to speak of, which made it look all the more ridiculous. Who the fuck fought off evil in a bikini? Of all the things that were known to put names even remotely on the same map as his, this infantile fascination with being served shallow glamour was something Sasuke disdained.
"This is COOL AS SHIT!" Naruto jabbed him. He drew closer, grinning idiotically. "But you know what takes the cake?"
Sasuke sighed as he readied himself for yet another time in his life he couldn't tackle Naruto because there were too many witnesses around.
"I see you got stood up!" he laughed, innocently throwing a hand over Sasuke's shoulders. "And to think you weren't even going on a date…Yikes, man."
Throwing Naruto the possibly coldest glare he'd ever managed, Sasuke turned away from his not-at-all-funny jokes and back to the task at hand.
Tsk. Fucking Sakura.
Just as he thought that, the fast-moving lights that were following the mock fights all coalesced in the center and the dancers stopped in their tracks. There was thick smoke floating around and out of it materialized a new figure, confidently making her way on the catwalk. Ino, dressed in a skimpy silk set and with what were supposedly bindings tied suggestively around her body, stopped maybe thirty feet away from them. She let her eyes wander over the entire audience, a daring part to her lips.
"Huh, she's wearing white too," Naruto whispered, "Are they all wearing white?"
Before Sasuke could do anything with that revelation, Ino struck her best pose and brought the microphone to her lips.
"Welcome, kunoichi's and gentlemen," she smiled, "I'll be your host this evening."
The blonde snapped her fingers once and the lights suddenly dimmed. She started walking slowly, guided by the beautiful flickering of color as the performers patiently waited in-pose for the next signal. The music swelled and the dancers resumed their movements for a few more moments. Ino then unsheathed a costume katana, previously hidden as it hung from her back and spinned it around with the confidence of someone who got away with her worst behavior yet.
"My name is Ino," she pointed the blade forward, right towards Sasuke it seemed, "And this is Kunoichi by Yamanaka."
The crowd broke into deafening applause. Ino rewarded them with a solemn bow.
"Centuries of culture and a history of neglect, yet tonight you shall know beauty," she winked, "For I present to you…" the swordfighters all exchanged blows in sync, "The ethereal Brides of Konoha!"
There were loud cheers as Ino twirled on her toes and set the katana straight along her shoulders. She walked away and once she was out of view, the models made their entrance one by one, materializing out of that same thick cloud of smoke the way she did. The music was building up to something, Sasuke could tell. Beat by beat the traditional production subsided, replaced by something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Then, unexpectedly, a larger, bulkier figure appeared onstage.
"No fucking way!" Naruto yelled, standing from his seat to get a better view.
Sasuke recognized the newcomer once the air around him cleared.
"Evening, Konoha!"
Killer Bee was an equally famous and controversial rapper, with numerous hits spread across The Hot 100. Sasuke was not fond of this asshole in the slightest, because of an old deal that he had tried to cut with the artist, which cost him more than he liked. The sight of him coupled with the fact that Sasuke was now forced to wait through his fucking spectacle didn't help his foul mood. And yet, somehow…he had a feeling it was only the beginning.
Bee walked about the stage like he owned the place. His dancers circled him with their painted fans, occasionally brandishing his own weapon to 'interfere' with the swordfighters. The models were each coming and going, presenting parts of the collection. There was a lot of silk, there were a lot of bindings, and just like Naruto said – it was all white. Some of the pieces were long and see-through, cut in the style of the old kimono's and yukata's. All of the girls had their hair tied up in some way, and all of them had bright red lips. It was already too much of a shitshow for Sasuke to tolerate any longer. He finally accepted this defeat, whatever it may be, and with eyes sharp enough to cut through steel, Sasuke slid out of his seat.
When it seemed like Killer Bee finished his second song, one of the dancers with the swords engaged him in mock battle and then the lights flashed and everyone was still and quiet once more. He reluctantly turned around, only to notice a shadowy figure behind the curtains. Sasuke felt the air hitch in his throat, his heart indulging a cruel and vaguely familiar rhythm.
"And now, the guest of honor, the cherry on top if you will…" Ino had appeared from back stage, but stood right near the entrance, waiting on something.
It can't be-
Too bad.
"Sakura Haruno!"
Fuck.
Sakura tore the curtains herself. The performers resumed their choreography as that imbecile started singing again. But the key was different this time around. It was lower, slower…a ballad? No matter, he couldn't mind it anymore if he tried. The edge of the world was closing in as she approached, and he thought he might hate her, if only he loved her less. Sasuke still couldn't believe his treacherous eyes. Maybe he stopped breathing altogether, maybe that infuriating smoke got to him. He stood unmoving, absolutely frozen in place, looking only at her. So much for getting the fuck out of there, it seemed. He finally managed a shallow breath, and then the realization hit him: Sasuke had gravely underestimated his opponent.
He smirked.
She was wearing a tiny silk bikini, still that impeccable white and she was wearing a brilliant bra made out of god knows how many diamonds. Each and every one of the stones captured the light as she moved, slowly, deliberately, allowing the garments to do the same to her curves. She had her hair up too, but unlike the other girls, hers was somehow braided along the top of her head, something akin to a… crown. Her lips were that same lustrous blood red and they were curled into a certain sneer he hadn't seen in a long while. He was so taken by this sight of her that he almost missed the bedazzled belt hanging loosely from her hips, bouncing with her every step. There was a sheath there-
The crowd went wild.
Sakura walked with precision and purpose until she reached Killer Bee, who circled her reverently before kneeling at her side. Hand on her hip and looking the most fucking beautiful she had ever looked, glistening skin and burning eyes, she produced the blade from the sheathe. It looked different compared to the costume katana's the performers had been using, but Sasuke couldn't really see it properly until she swirled it in the air and brought it to Killer Bee's lips.
No fucking way.
From the shine to the sharp tip and the particular crafting, it had to be. Sasuke swore under his breath, in pure shock and awe. It was a custom made Uchiha Ent. crystal blade, no two ways about it. The sight of Sakura in that marvelous get up and playing with one of his swords was indescribable. And the way she walked towards him, swinging the sword…
But when she stopped at the end of the stage and lifted it to meet the trajectory of her unmatched eyes, Sasuke remembered himself. No blood in his veins, no marrow in his bones, just Sakura looking absolutely breathtaking and sending a message.
Bee joined at her side and spun her for the audience as he drew out the last notes of his song. Sakura struck a pose and everybody broke into a standing ovation. They were all standing up and clapping and whistling, including Naruto, which was the slap to the face that Sasuke needed to process what he'd just witnessed. Not only had Sakura ignored every fucking call, but she'd planned this. She must have, because nothing on this scale of production simply just… happens.
She had been expecting him. She had led him to believe that she would be a spectator supporting her friend's business, and gave him the best seats in the house. Ino walked to the front then and took Sakura's hand in hers. They were all throwing flowers at their feet, still going fucking crazy.
The boiling anger was slowly creeping up his arms, just like the blood that Sakura once again drained him dry of. Still, Sasuke couldn't help but challenge her eyes.
The message was loud and clear.
"Oh my god," Sakura said for the umpteenth time. It was the only thing she'd said for the past fifteen minutes and the high was beginning to wear off.
"Yeah, yeah, Forehead," Ino snapped, "We kicked ass. I get it."
Ino watched Sakura burst into another fit of maniacal laughter, which endeared her to Ino once more. She pulled her friend into a bone-crushing hug as they swayed in their cashmere robes, still clad in the sexiest, most stunning lingerie possibly ever. Yeah, Ino was really proud of that collection and what they had made out of it. The headlines would be insane and insanely many and she couldn't wait to pick the fruits of their best laid plans – well, she could wait, because her feet were stiletto-sore and the night ahead was a well-deserved moment of quiet.
"Okay, enough," Sakura chided as she removed herself, "Time to get changed into something that doesn't sound like rattling glass when I move."
Ino picked up one of the props lying around and fanned herself. Sakura made for the changing booths at the end of the corridor, leaving her alone with her pride and her thoughts. And to think that the best part of this whole thing came because Sasuke Uchiha was a capital 'A' asshole – well, perhaps there was some merit to getting your heart broken every once in a while.
Ino walked to the light machine backstage, running her fingers along the many buttons; she thought of the effects pressing and turning each and every one of them had on the stage, what they added to the experience, things she'd unintentionally picked up on in the months before the show.
"They should've used that one more, yeah." Someone said from behind, making her jump.
No one was supposed to be there. There were still security guards around – Ino spun on her heels, doing a hopefully good job of hiding her shock.
"This area is off limits." She said, harsh.
Ino was met with the sight of a young man; if she had to guess, he was a bit older than her, but not by much. He was fit, and tall, and wore his golden hair long, in some semblance of a half up, half down hairstyle. Oh, and he also were a shit ton of eyeliner.
She had the sense that his face was familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on it.
"It's alright, Gorgeous."
Ino narrowed her eyes and pushed her chin forward. If not for her newfound curiosity, she would've reached for the remote in the pocket of her robe and pressed the emergency button, sending the guards running her way.
"Oh, thank you," she feigned a smile, "Now I feel better."
The man tore his eyes from hers and slowly looked around the whole set, as if to take it all in. As if he knew just what every wire and lever did. It made her a bit apprehensive that there was not one shred of worry in his stance, but she was also growing curious. He was kind of hot, and she still couldn't figure out where she knew him from.
"Pretty good show," he mused, and before she snapped back, "Could've been better, yeah."
Well, so much for the interest. Ino picked out the remote from her robe and made a show of waving it in front of him.
"Right, see, this would've been a nice moment for a meet-and-greet, but I'm a bit tired."
He laughed.
"Un, no need to get hasty."
"Then tell me what you're doing here, or I call security."
"Alright, babe," he spread his arms in defeat; he had some pretty fucking weird tattoos in both palms of his hands. "Anything for you."
He took a step closer, but Ino stood her ground. She was cautious, but she was also getting bored with this prick.
"Your friend, the pretty one."
Sakura.
"What about her?"
He kicked his foot, "Is she coming to the Oscars?"
Ino quirked her brow – that was an unexpected turn.
"C'mon now. I'd love to see you there too, yeah," He smirked. "Anyway, I guess you 'can't say.' Or won't. Either way, tell her to come."
It was her turn to laugh, "You do know you have to… be invited to these things, right?"
"Like that ever stopped us."
Us.
He took a step back and then turned to leave.
"By the way, the name's Deidara."
And then it finally hit her.
9 A.M sharp and he was already on his third coffee. People were running all over the office space, briefcases bouncing and polished leather oxfords drumming on the floor as if to spitefully remind him of his restlessness the other night. Fine by him, he was the one who called the emergency board meeting, after all. Sasuke wasn't simply good at his job, he was proficient, making it a habit to keep himself one step ahead in the game. And he knew that once you got summoned for a meeting like this, refusal wasn't really on the table.
Grabbing his nearly empty cup of coffee and checking for the Marlboro reds in his pocket, he stepped out on the balcony for a much-needed breath of fresh air. Well, as fresh as it could get in a city littered with sky-high buildings and third-rate cars cluttering the streets. Normally the excessive noise would've dampened his mood, but not today.
The cigarette between his lips lit quickly, and with the first holy exhale of burning smoke, Sasuke closed his eyes. After disappearing for months on end without a trace, refusing to take any of his calls and signing off on suspicious documents in his absence, Itachi would finally be cornered. He would have to look Sasuke in the eye, open his mouth, and come up with a good fucking explanation for everything that's been happening. Everyone else felt uncomfortable when the two of them were present in the same room, going at it, but Sasuke had already grown used to it; what most people often forgot though, was that when Itachi belonged somewhere, then Sasuke did just as much - and vice-versa. The Uchiha brothers were born to a world that already had a spot designed just for them, courtesy of Mikoto and Fugaku, whom had left behind a heavy legacy sealed with the names of their children. And it was about time the children stopped playing stupid fucking games and owned up to their mistakes. If Itachi thought Sasuke would go down quietly, betrayed by his own brother no less, he had another thing coming.
Naturally, his mind also flickered to Sakura and the blood-red lipstick on her mouth from her now infamous appearance. The katana forged with the weight of his name, which she gripped so tightly and with which she courageously taunted him, the entire world her witness. It was clearer now than ever before, both him and Sakura had been mere puppets in someone's cheap excuse for a play. Pathetic. He'd been careless, naïve. His situation with Sakura would require a more delicate touch, but that was a story for another time.
Today, he had no bullshit left in him, only the ashes of a lonely bridge burnt long ago. Yoyu don't step foot into fire without armor, however inviting and warm it may seem. And Sasuke's armor was his cruelty, his pain and the fury which burned bright even in eyes as black as his. Because he would see to it that all who dared to belittle him were not left without the proper punishment. He would see to it that what was once lost would finally return to its rightful heir.
With renewed determination, he put out his third smoke and walked back inside.
The table was set before them, bottles of water placed in front of each member of the board, piles of freshly printed documents gathered and prepared; everyone was anxiously waiting for the onslaught to begin. Sasuke stepped inside and took his place among them. From a position of strength, he could see all of their faces. Including the empty seat at the other end of the table, where he had expected eternally punctual Itachi would be sitting. He placed his knotted hands under his chin, refraining his face from showing the surprise. The room was quiet, and the general disposition seemed to be - fucking terrified. That was good.
Then, someone else walked into the room with the nonchalance of someone unaware it was a capital sin to enter after the COO.
Of-fucking-course.
"Shisui."
The man smiled, tugged at his tie and then sat himself at the table. His spot was always the chair closest to Itachi's.
"Sasuke, sorry. Busy morning."
"I trust you informed my brother of this meeting."
"I did."
A beat.
"Then," Sasuke hissed, but then caught himself. "Should we wait?"
Shisui waved him off, "Oh, no need. If this is a routine term check, we should go ahead." He gave a meaningful look around the table. "I'm sure we all have our schedules packed, lots of things to take care of."
Sasuke would've throttled that picture of unaffected pleasantry right then and there.
"We need clearance to proceed in the absence of the CEO."
Shisui smiled again.
"We have it."
Sasuke drew a harsh breath – a telltale sign for everyone present to start worrying. Everyone except fucking Shisui Uchiha.
"Shall we?" he asked, but moved to pick one of the folders before Sasuke could say anything.
And then it indeed was a standard review, complete with boring bureaucratic shit. The accountant went over the recent numbers, the gains, the losses, the…
I don't have time for this.
Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I'll be in my office," he slid the papers to the person on his right.
Sasuke stood up and started to walk away, but then Shisui spoke again.
"We're not up to date yet. Do we have clearance to keep going in your absence?"
That was it. The final fucking straw. That bastard would soon learn why no one else in that room dared step foot inside after him.
"Jugo," Sasuke looked over at his assistant, "Stay here and report to me afterwards."
Then, he turned to glare the sharpest daggers at Shisui once more.
"Shisui, with me."
He didn't need to look back now to know that he was following.
What had started as a good morning topped with a side of well-deserved comeuppance ended up spoiling faster than milk. Shisui was the type to feign innocence when playing his cards, but Sasuke knew better. As much as he was a loose canon sometimes, the others he was loyal to their shared name. Which brought back into question the Itachi of it all. Sasuke had no doubt that Shisui wasn't lying and that his brother ultimately chose to skip the meeting fully aware that Sasuke had called it. Perhaps aware even of why he called it in the first place. But that only boiled his blood further - Sasuke would find a way to get a hold of Itachi one way or the other, he would make sure of it. Once inside his personal office, he pushed open the closest window and popped another cigarette in his mouth. Shisui appeared shortly after, and with a brazen roll of his eyes, closed the door behind him.
"Talk."
Sighing, he lit a cigarette of his own. "You know, you're only making yourself look bad. And if I may, you don't want that right now."
"You may the fuck not. Where's Itachi?"
"Alright," Shisui shrugged, his mask finally cracking a bit, "But you should know that's no way to run a business. Calling an emergency board meeting because of family matters?
"In case you haven't noticed, family affairs are part of this fucking business. Cut the crap, it doesn't work on me. He doesn't show up today, it's on him. It's about goddamn time he learned to take responsibility."
You don't know Itachi like I do.
"And what is he 'responsible' for? His COO acting up because he got stood up?"
"Don't make me laugh," Sasuke took a step in his direction, "He sends you to play house in his stead."
Another step; the edges of his vision were bleeding crimson.
"Itachi might be able to clear that, but he can't approve the moving of assets without a majority vote from the board."
Shisui finally flinched. It was so quick you could miss it, but for the way his dark eyes, a family heirloom, were now searching Sasuke's.
"You think I don't see you? Plotting god knows what with my brother, behind my back. And yet you call yourself my cousin."
Then, silence befell the room. It seemed as if one was waiting for the other to call out his bluff. But Shisui smiled in defeat; if only, because there was still a cunning tinge to his watchful stare.
"Look, you must think you have me all figured out, but you don't. Believe it or not, I am on your side." He produced a piece of paper from his suit and handed it to him. "This is from your brother. The more you think you know, the less you actually do - so it would do you well not to mistake your friends for enemies, cousin."
Sasuke snatched it and before the man had any chance to respond, Shisui had already made it to the door.
"And Sasuke," Shisui's body was half-turned to him, but his eyes had long since left him. "Don't think I don't know what you were hoping to achieve with this meeting."
Then he was gone.
Sasuke could already feel a migraine creeping up on him. Great, exactly what he needed, more questions. For the past months he'd diligently laid the pieces, one by one, all for this fated confrontation. Itachi would confess and he would pay. His fist closed around the paper, trembling with rage. It was so hard to believe that there was a time when they were both in this office, planning a take-down. Itachi had even brought Mother's engagement ring from the vault. One good memory that scorched his mind for two years straight, all for this moment, all for this one chance to get to the bottom of this shit.
It was starting to look less and less like a family problem, and more and more like the rabbit whole from fucking Alice in Wonderland. Only this wasn't some fucking fairytale, just the very fucking unfortunate reality. The tip of the iceberg had been unveiled, but the way down to its darkest depths was proving to be a long one.
But maybe, with this now crumpled note, Sasuke could finally shed some light on the puppeteer pulling the strings behind all of this mess.
Meet me at the cemetery. 8 o'clock. Come alone or don't come at all.
-I.U.
A/N: hi, it's us, we're the problem ;)
and we're back, with a more action-heavy chapter. we're introducing some of the other players in this game and there's more to come. fully in support of sakura's revenge era tho