Back to Normal?

~Suine's POV~

"Look, Kana, I know that he looks bad on his resume but I promise you, no I swear to you that it is all lies." I began and her eyes widened, "His father is trying to force him back into his house by keeping him away from having a productive life without him. So he messed up his resume in order to keep him away from a job. But I promise you that it is all lies…He is an honest man, a hard-working boy…"

"You know that I will be taking a big risk if you let me down about this guy right?" Kana warned me and I quickly shook my head, acknowledging the risk.

"I'm telling you the truth; he is not what that resume says and I promise you that you will love him as a worker!" I smiled and she huffed out some air.

"Okay…I'll put my trust into you. You have never led me astray before so I believe you." Kana sighed and I began to happily jump up and down, "Alright he has a job but if he fails it's on you."

"Oh thank you Kana! I promise you, you will not regret this!"

I quickly walked out of the office, bowing lightly to Kana. Itachi paced around the front door of the office with this nervous look on his face. He saw me and went up to me. I smiled and his eyes widened.

"I got it?" He asked as I nodded, "You…got me a job!" I swear I saw tears well up in his eyes.

I nodded once and he smiled. He put his arms around my waist, making my eyes widen. He lightly picked me up and held me close, twirling me around in happiness. My cheeks reddened but I smiled past the embarrassment. He put me down and I whacked him over the head.

"Idiot!" I told him but he didn't care.

"Thank you so much Suine. I can't believe you were able to get me this job. I have been trying for so long I thought it was impossible to get a job." He paused and I smiled, "Thank you…"

"Of course Itachi-kun…" I replied and he lightly grabbed my hand.

"Now there is just one more stop to make!"

"What? Where? Why?"

"Come on Suine, I told you that there were a couple places I wanted to go to today. Remember I'm getting a new makeover!"

"You sound like a female…"

He rolled his eyes and began to pull me out of the store. It had been past the 6 weeks that the doctor said Itachi would need to recover; needless to say he was well and more active than ever. But I guess I can see why. He was finally able to use his legs freely again, without the help of any crutches. He had been happier now; everyone had forgiven him for his mistakes, even Melody. Kisame had been more protective of him now; he even went as far as to get revenge for him by kicking the Student Council's ass. Everyone was shocked at how he was able to beat them up. It was like he had strength that had never been seen before. Either way he made his statement clear; no one is allowed to harm Itachi again. Itachi and I had been getting along just like we used to, my heart always seemed to stop when he looked me straight in the eyes.

Speaking of couples, Melody and Kisame have been crazy for each other. I swear nothing can separate them and I am happy that Melody found someone who will mean the world to her. Who will mean more to her than me. Our family seems to get bigger but now it seems complete. With Itachi and Kisame, I know that we will stand strong as a family, unlike the ones we are 'supposed' to turn to. We will always be there for each other and never turn our backs on one another, at least not again. We are stronger than we were before this incident.

We had asked Itachi where he got the money for the alcohol and rent if he didn't have a job. Turns out he sold a watch that he got from his servants on Christmas. They had loved him so much for his generosity and always giving them something to look forward to work for. So they secretly bought him a watch in return and he cherished it but he had to sell it in order to keep everything a secret from us. Kisame, Melody and I, then searched for that watch and eventually found the one he sold and bought it for his Christmas present, which was a couple weeks ago. He cried and cried for the rest of the day, but he was so happy. I was happy to be able to make him happy again after his terrible experiences.

Yuka had respected Itachi's threat and stayed away from the both of us for good now. She doesn't even try to look over at us at school now. Sasuke on the other hand has visited us once or twice to check up on his brother, especially while he was hurt. But at school, Sasuke keeps his distance as he has just joined the Student Council. As much as it hurts to know that he has changed sides, Itachi keeps a hope that this experience will allow him to realize that he must come back to us and his old friends. Itachi says that it is time for Sasuke to choose his own path, even if that means he stays with Karin and goes to the Student Council.

Itachi pulled me into a hair salon and my eyes widened. He lightly put me onto a chair in the waiting area and told me to wait there. I watched him go up to a desk, where the secretary then pulled him away from the desk and into a faraway booth where he would get something done. However, I knew he purposely put himself away from me in order to keep it a surprise. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention towards a television that had the news on.

"While talking to the Uchiha Company's manager, Fugaku Uchiha-" The news reporter began and my eyes widened, "About his recent project that was supposed to be released today, we learnt that some council members were wanting to hold a debate over it. It makes one wonder if this so called 'magnificent' idea is really all that great. Though we were unable to get any other information concerning this somewhat mysterious project, we were able to learn things about the whereabouts of his son, Itachi Uchiha, who has been missing from the scene of the Company for months now. We were able to find this testimony from his father."

"My son…" Fugaku, or Itachi's father, came up onto the screen which made me get angry, "Itachi is a delinquent. He has been for the majority of his life; just ask any of the people at his school. He does not care for the well-being of this company nor his family. He has run off, breaking the heart of his dear mother and younger brother…Leaving not a note or any indication that he will be coming back."

"But with all your power you must be able to track him down." The reporter asked and Fugaku looked to her.

"He knows of my sources and is able to hide from us…If anyone has any information about his whereabouts that would be most helpful. We truly miss him and wish that he comes home soon."

"It is weird that you have not sent up any missing reports for him-"

"If my men cannot find him, which includes the police, then I am afraid there is no need for such reports."

"I have some sources that tell me that your son is staying in an apartment complex in the downtown area. Our sources say that he is staying with some school mates of his. If this comes to any help to your search."

"I will gladly look into it, thank you so much for this information. You have brought my family great happiness."

"Bullshit…" I muttered underneath my breath and looked away from the television which had moved onto another story in the news.

Just as I turned away, I saw Itachi standing right beside me. He stared up at the television screen with hurtful eyes and I looked down. However, he simply smiled and turned back to me. My eyes noticed his hair and I felt my cheeks burn up. He had cut it short now, it ended at the end of his neck. His bangs were cut to end right at his cheeks.

"So what do you think?" He asked as he helped me up off the chair, "Do you like it?"

"W-Wh…Why do you ask me…It doesn't matter if I like it." I tried to get the attention of me but somehow I knew that wasn't going to happen.

"I care about what you think though, Suine…" A cute sad look came upon his face, "I've always cared…"

"I…" My face felt hotter and I whacked him over the head, "Idiot!"

"I…" Itachi laughed and a huge smile came upon his face, "I'll take that as you do." His eyes softened as he stared into my eyes, making my heart skip a beat.

"Itachi-kun…"

He lightly grabbed a hold of my hand again and took me out of the hair salon. I felt my cheeks burn up even more when I felt my hand in his. I loved him, it was obvious that I did; even after everything that had happened. But there was no way that I would be able to tell him. Besides, he was just starting to get his life in order; he doesn't need something that would disrupt that order. Itachi stopped pulling me the moment we had made it back to our apartments front doors. He let my hand go and immediately I could feel the cold begin to seep in and take over my hand.

"Itachi! Itachi Uchiha!" A voice yelled at us and we both turned behind us to see three different reporters with tons of camera crews and photographers with them. My eyes widened and I felt Itachi put his hand upon my shoulder, "There you are! May we have a word with you?"

"Huh!?" Itachi angrily went in front of me, pushing his arm out to protect me from the camera lights, "How did you guys find me? Hasn't my father learned to stay away?"

"We are not here on your father's behalf Itachi-" The one reporter began, "We would like to ask you a few questions about why you ran away…and who that girl is-"

"Leave me alone!" Itachi told them off, "Leave us alone! There is nothing that I will tell you! So back off and go away."

"But it's just a few questions-"

"You guys always have to come into my life; please just leave us alone! I have done nothing so please go away…"

"Are you saying that your father is a liar than?"

"What?"

"He said you ran away yet you say that you have done nothing."

"You…" Itachi paused and I put my hand onto his arm, "You're just putting words into my mouth!"

"Itachi…Just stop talking, they won't listen…It's their job to continue to pry…" I told him.

"Are you insulting the press now?" One reporter bluntly asked me and Itachi then put his entire body in front of me.

"Leave her alone, she said no such thing." Itachi retorted, "Please-"

"Get off of my property!" I watched as someone walked in front of Itachi, shielding the both of us from the press, "Leave these kids alone, you hear? The cops are already on their way. Stop harassing my tenants!"

"But ma'am-" One reporter tried to say back but I watched as Mira would have none of it.

"Get off of my property right now or be escorted out by the police. Your choice!" Mira explained to them and they eventually scrambled off of the sidewalk and into their news vans.

"Thank you Mira…" Itachi sighed and Mira lightly turned to us with a bright warm smile on her face.

"Thank you for protecting Suine…It was very brave of you to stand up to the press like that. After all, they will somehow use it against you. I would prepare for the worst…" Mira sighed, "But…at least you got home safely, they are vultures…They could have found you anywhere…I guess your father is starting to act…"

"Well he shouldn't be…He banished me, remember?" Itachi told her and she nodded, "I don't understand why he would care so much…"

"What about that debate you are supposed to be in charge of?"

"That's not until a week before the last day of school…That is still a while away…"

"Then I am fresh out ideas…" Mira told him and he looked down in sadness. I put my hand into his, making him turn to me, "But no need to worry. Whatever it is; we will be here to protect you."

"Thank you Mira. You really are a blessing."

"Oh stop it…"

Mira chuckled and showed us back into the apartment complex. Itachi had seemed to calm down but I knew he felt it too. The sinking feeling that this was going to be something more than just one incident. Something bad was going to happen, and I knew that it was going to come soon.