Chapter 11
Could've been a princess, you'd be a king…
Halfway through her conversation with Leaf's Hermit Pervert Jiraiya, Ino had almost forgotten why she was here in the first place. Sitting amongst the lush pillows of Sapphire Room, she relaxed and smiled at his proposition.
As soon as she had pulled up to Himo's Hideaway earlier, she became annoyed. She knew about this place and only a very select few were allowed to enter. Sasuke was a grade A jerk, she thought heatedly and yanked her keys from the ignition. He expected her to wait so he could get them in. Pride and power were never far from his thoughts apparently. But luck was on her side (maybe the skin tight blue jeweled mini dress and killer heels helped too) but seconds after she closed the door and contemplated how she was going to get into this establishment a bright apple green sports car zipped into the VVIP parking place next to hers. She glanced over and saw a tall, well muscled older gentleman with a mane of unruly, thick snow white hair and a mischievous grin get out. He unabashedly ran his gaze down the silhouette of her body, his grin growing more lecherous by the minute before he offered his hand to her.
She hesitated for just a moment before handing her hand to him. His warm breath ghosted along her knuckles and made goosebumps emerge on her arm. He saw the way her skin prickled before his eyes and gave her a knowing smirk. She fought a blush and her tummy flipped. She timidly acknowledged the spark of attraction he ignited in her before she clamped down on that feeling. She knew who he was and knew his game. He was Leaf's premiere bachelor after all. A legend in this rare business and she felt a kind of kinship with him.
"I am the famous Jiraiya, author of the infamous Icha Icha Paradise series. Welcome, to my establishment beautiful…"
Ino took a breath and gave a smile. "Ino." She offered and he kissed the back of her hand again, before tucking it into his arm. She forced herself to relax. He was quite solid beneath her fingers and he had this intoxicating smell of sage spice about him. It was actually really nice. But again she reminded herself about whom the enigmatic Jiraiya was. He was the founder of Icha Icha Paradise, a popular men's magazine. She caught her dad with once when she was little and he hid it from her when she tried to read the title page. Her curiosity had her searching his room for it when he left to work the next day. She wanted to know what kind of magazine it was that caused her dad look at her guiltily and angrily that day.
She found it at the bottom of his laundry hamper two days later, under his dirty clothes. Looking around, she rolled the wide magazine up and slipped it under her arm and ran to her room. She closed her door and locked it in a rush of adrenaline and fear. Her parents were down stairs watching TV and she was supposed to be doing her homework. With shaking hands, she looked at the odd picture of a red headed women sitting on a motorcycle with very short shorts on and a leather black jacket unzipped in the front. She didn't have a shirt under it and her red lips were in a kind of alluring half smile. There were headlines on the front like "How to get more out of a first date" and "Ten things that will make her think your fingers are magic" Whatever that meant.
When she finally opened it, she sucked in a breath and her mouth dropped open. There were pages and pages of naked women! There was also men…naked men. It was the first time she had ever seen one before and she was horrified and intrigued all at once. She had been ten and whenever she would see her mom and dad, her mind would wonder back to the photos in Icha Icha and she wondered if her mom and dad looked like that naked. She couldn't meet her dad's eyes that whole week after discovering his naughty secret.
"So what do you say? An open spread with you as February's jewel of the month?" He leaned forward in expectation. Ino's heart sped up a little at the thought. It was so wicked that she was considering it! But…Jewel of the Month? She would have bragging rights all her life. Icha Icha was the main men's magazine in Fire Country and his books were finally being made into movies. He was a major part of the reason Fire was inching its way out of sexual conservatism. She was seriously considering it and was going to give him an answer when there was a knock at the door. Ino sucked in a started breath and glanced up to see the young looking host she met earlier ushering in Sasuke Uchiha.
Her heart sped up once more out of nervousness and she took a breath to calm herself. Be strong Ino! Strong!
"Ah!" Jiraiya stood up and shook Sasuke's hand happily. "Sasuke! Good to see you! So you're Ino's guest?! Who would have known huh?" He chuckled and his easy going nature put Ino at ease and she smiled and stood up. Sasuke nodded in greeting at Jiraiya. She allowed her gaze to ghost over his tantalizing appearance. He was dressed down in casual clothes, a black tee shirt with a little v at the neck with soft looking cotton slacks and black shoes.
"I see you're still the same." Sasuke mused in a not so amused voice and Jiraiya chuckled, turning his attention back to her. She straightened her back and smiled sweetly.
He pulled a card from his suit pocket and she took it with a grin. "Thank you. I'll let you know as soon as possible." She said and he took her hand and gave her a lingering kiss on her knuckles before leaving. She watched him exit with the host. She felt Sasuke's judgmental gaze rest heavily on her and she quickly tucked the card away.
"Thank you for seeing me Sasuke." She began after a tense silence and sat down on the edge of the designer couch.
He sank into the chair next to her with a tired sigh. She noticed the beginning of dark smudges under his eyes and he just felt like he was tired. She watched him with some concern as he pressed a call button. Four seconds later a young girl dressed in tight black shorts and a mock tuxedo top entered. Her eyes widened a second when she saw him and she stumbled for a pen and order pad.
"Sour ginger and vodka." He waved her back. Ino watched the girl bow and couldn't help the slice of jealously that cut when her green eyes looked at him with hero worship and longing. Stupid, she thought to herself when the girl looked at her. Ino raised a haughty brow and very deliberately crossed her legs, her mini dress hiking up her thighs. The girl flushed and hurried out and Ino turned back to Sasuke.
"Sasuke…"
"What do you want Ino?" He interrupted her and with an icy look. "It better be worth the trip."
Ino huffed. She was going to ask him how he was doing but then he had to go and be an ass. She grabbed her large shoulder bag to the side of her and took out the thick manila envelopes and placed them on the dark stained coffee table.
"Look, I know were not on the best of terms right now…"
He snorted. "Right now? Things will never be the same again. I don't want to have to deal with anything you do in the future."
Ino tried not to flinch at those words. That he could still make her feel so insignificant made her angry. He shouldn't be able to hurt her like that. She leaned forward. "Then why are you trying to take my workplace away? You say you don't want to see me or deal with me and I've been out of your way since we both got back to Fire. But then today three men who say they are from Uchiha headquarters come and say that they are going to suspend my lease on the building on Main and Primrose! But Sasuke, there is no lease! I bought the place months before returning."
Sasuke frowned and leaned down to pick up the documents she had prepared. He flipped through them slowly before shaking his head. "I don't deal with lesser properties like this so I don't know what you're talking about." He smirked and tossed the papers on the table. "If I wanted to get back at you, I wouldn't do something like this."
Ino looked down with a frown. "You wouldn't?" She asked hesitantly. Was she reading this wrong? Sasuke was the only one she knew at Uchiha who would gain anything from that building. Like he said, it was small and out of the way. A good location for her budding designs. Itachi was the one who told her about it and she knew for sure that he didn't have anything to do with this.
"It would be too little. To easy." He purred darkly and stood up. Ino stiffened, keeping a wary eye on him as he slowly advanced on her. She willed herself to stay in one place, to not be intimidated by the feral look in his eyes. He sat on the coffee table, so close she could feel his body heat on her bare legs and smell the familiar scent of his cologne. Oh, it brought back so many memories of their past. Of her nuzzling her face against his strong chest, running her fingers up the nape of his neck and into his thick hair as she kissed him. The sensation of his fingers down her arms, of his teeth nipping at her earlobe. His sweat even smelled like his cologne and she would cuddle into the pillow that he used when he would sneak into her room to spend the night.
Her knee jerked when she felt his cool hand touched it and she stilled, mouth going dry. His hand slid slowly up her thigh to where the bottom of her dress rested. His presence was overwhelming her and she wanted to lean back for some personal space but that would mean he would win…whatever he was playing at. What was he doing?
"Was this the reason you really called me here?" He murmured, dark eyes capturing hers as he lifted her leg that was crossed over the other and placed it on the floor. Her breath quickened and she licked her lips.
"You think I called you here for something else?" She whispered. He smirked and both hands were on her knees and he parted them slowly. She bit her lip and put her hands on top of his, digging her nails into the back of his hands. "Stop." She ordered as sternly as she could. But even she heard the shakiness in the command.
"I was curious." He murmured, fingers tightening on her thighs. "And I'm disappointed you think me so petty to try and take a measly little building." His hands roamed up her thighs and rested at her hips. "You see, if I wanted to hurt you I would take the things that really matter. I would use those useless feelings you have and then break your soul into a thousand pieces. Ne, Ino? It would be fair."
He leaned in until only inches stood between then, his fingers dug into her hips. Her breath caught in her throat and she blinked back her tears and pushed him back. But he didn't budge. She pushed again with all of her weight and stood. She shook off his hand that grasped her wrist. "I told you and told you and told you! I don't know why I even asked you to come!" She grabbed her purse and the papers from the table.
"Why did you ask me?" Sasuke took her place on the couch, sprawled over the lush blue pillows like he owned the place. Like nothing ever happened. And nothing did, Ino assured herself.
"To see if we could talk like adults and try to work this out." She sighed and put a hand to her head. To see you her subconscious whispered to her treacherously. "It was a mistake that won't happen again." She mustered up her courage and raised her eyes to meet his. Her heart thudded on her throat. "It's been six years Sasuke."
"Mmm, it has." He shrugged. "Six years and you should know I don't do little things like that." He motioned to her bag before he gave a dark grin. "I would blow up your world Ino. And everything would go down in flames."
She shook back her hair. "Fine. I believe you. I'll find out myself so continue to stay out of my life." She threw the strap of her purse over her shoulder. "And I'll do the same for you." With one last glare, she opened the door to Sapphire Room and stomped out.
XOXO
He finally acknowledged the icy pain her words coxed in him. Stay out of her life and she'll do the same. Sasuke sighed and leaned back on the couch, the smell of her lingering perfume making him feel even more tired.
He didn't think that a building was the reason she would want to see him. Part of him was hoping that she had wanted to see him just because.
He laughed bitterly. He was a nostalgic fool. He never went out of his way to see her but when he did catch a glimpse of her with Kiba or Neji he devoured the sight. It was so stupid of him, clinging onto that pathetic excuse. He hated that weakness.
But the way she looked at him, it made his chest tighten with false hope. Maybe it was just his imagination but when she would look at him he saw the soft warmth of love sparkle. He missed that sight more than he would ever admit. He missed the way they were together. But then he thought of her and Itachi tangled in limbs. His imagination would run away from him and that cold bitter feeling he felt six years ago came flooding back.
He sighed and stood up just as the waitress came in with his drink. He eyed her for a moment in deliberation. She was pretty and willing enough and he wanted to forget everything today but Ino's perfume still stung his nose and lingered in the room and he was left feeling empty. The waitress would be a poor substitute and he didn't want to deal with strangers in his space. Misa was still pissed at him and he didn't want to deal with that either.
With a scowl he passed the waitress and exited Himo's. Ino ruined his taste.
XOXO
Ino was brooding in her office. There was a spread of newly penned designs on her desk but she was giving them her half hearted attention.
If it wasn't Sasuke then what was going on? Did someone find out about she and Itachi? Itachi told her that he was going to meet with his mother today but did his mom hire someone to track her down? Did they know about the boys? Ino bit her lip. They had been so careful about everything. Itachi with his meticulous planning put everything in place before they moved back to Fire Country. He sought out the most exclusive schools for the boys. He made sure that her work building had no strings attached to the Uchiha after the purchase. The place they were staying at was independently owned by various investors. It had taken some time to even find anything in Leaf that the Uchiha or Hyuga didn't own but they managed. The few people who knew about her relationship with Itachi and her sons were in her close circle of friends and family. If anything it had been Itachi who suffered the most. No one in his family knew about Sesame and Taeyo. Now his mom would know but Itachi assured her that his mother would keep this secret for him.
Ino threw back her head sigh a loud sigh. Then what the hell was going on with the building?
A knock startled her and she cried out on surprise, the back of her chair catapulting her forward. Temari raised an eyebrow and shut the door behind her.
"Anything?" She sat in front of Ino desk.
Ino groaned. "No. Sasuke said he didn't have anything to do with it." She puffed her cheeks. "And I believe him."
Temari frowned and leaned back in her chair. "Then what's going on?"
Ino sucked her teeth. "I don't know." She shuffled through some papers on her desk trying to get her mind off of what happened last night at Himo's.
"Do you think that Rin Rena has something to do with it?" Temari asked after a long pause. Ino stopped looking at the designs.
"I never really thought about that!" She exclaimed. Her business was so small and they haven't produced anything yet so it never occurred to her to think about someone other than the Uchiha.
"But I'm not so sure." Ino said, tapping her fingers. "We're nothing for her to be worried over. Yet." She grinned darkly. "But I could see where you got that idea."
She stood. "We need to investigate this." She swallowed and turned back to Temari who had gone tense. How can she know what I'm about to ask? Did they really think that much alike? "Temari…"
"You call him." Temari snapped and folded her arms. Her teal eyes glittered angrily.
"But he's your husband." Ino said weakly. "You guys are totally missing each other right now."
"He's your best friend. He'll do anything for you." Temari bit out. "Not me." She muttered looking away.
Ino's stomach fell in sadness and guilt. "He loves you."
Temari stood up sharply. "And I love him but why do I have to always make things work huh? Why should I call him? He should call me! He should make an effort to make things better between us but he hasn't! It's always been me to give in first, to call him. That's not fair!"
"It's just how Shikamaru is." Ino made an attempt to defend her childhood friend but Temari glared at her.
"Don't make excuses for him! His mom does that every time she calls me to bug me about calling that ass! Don't you do that to me too!"
Ino smiled and held up her hands. "Okay okay! I'll call him. Anything you want me to say to him specifically?" She leaned in with a conspirator's gaze. "You know I'll lay into him if you want. He needs a kick in the ass to get him going anyways."
Temari reached for the door trying to hide the small smile that crept to her face. "Tell him it his move alone." She bit out and walked out of her office. Ino sank back into her chair and pulled her cell from her purse. Why was she always the mediator between those two?
He picked up after five rings. "Hey Shikamaru. We need to get together and talk. I need a favor from Fire's top Defense Strategist."
XOXO
It was a tense dinner but Itachi suspected it to be. They were alone in this restaurant and he made sure that they were alone. Kisame had security set up all around the small restaurant and his mother had Inabi close at hand.
"I don't want this to be awkward, Son." His mother finally broke the ice with her warm soothing voice and Itachi relaxed.
"I apologize. I'm not helping matters with my silence." He tipped his head down in respect briefly before locking eyes with his mother.
Her inky black hair was down and curled romantically. She was dressed neatly in a beige and lavender suit with light make-up. She was dressed comfortably and he appreciated the environment she tried to create for their conversation.
"You must understand the reason I kept my children hidden Mother." He began softly, but in a firm tone, eyes never wavering. "You of all people know why."
His mother's eyes misted and he saw the hurt in them and it pained him. She had always been so soft and nurturing growing up. Whereas their father was so demanding and stoic, his mother had been gentle touches and encouraging words. But even that was overshadowed by their father's parenting. She was a dutiful wife, supporting his father in all aspects of their business. He knew she wasn't immune from the power Fugaku Uchiha wielded even in their private home life. She would sit quietly by while his father berated him about his "soft heart" and his "moral soap box". When it came to things like that he knew looking to his mother for support was a hard thing to do. But Itachi knew she loved he and Sasuke and he knew that lately she was been coming out of her ideal shell of security and facing the world. Doing what she wanted.
She was in silent support of Tsunade Senju for Hokage. Something his father looked at in contempt but didn't forbid her from doing. She was on various seats of women's rights boards and opened many home for girls in the past five years. Perhaps it was her interests in community service that made his father tolerate her "hobbies" he called them. She was giving the Uchiha a positive image after all and keeping out of Fugaku's business management with Uchiha Corporation. He knew a small part of his father appreciated her efforts in doing her own thing and respected that quiet strength in her.
"Things in the Uchiha Empire," He nearly sneered. "Are not…shall we say…admirable? Father and Madara's civil war is trickling down the ranks and they are both becoming desperate for heirs. My sons will never be pawns to him. I will die a thousand times before I allow something like that to happen."
His mother nodded. "I admit, I was hurt when I found out. It hurt that you thought not to come to me. It hurt to know that you didn't think me worthy to know your sons but then I knew that my Itachi would never so something so malicious to me. You've always had a kind heart Itachi. A strong will that you father could never take from you. And I knew that you would do everything in your power to keep your boys safe. I don't fault you at all my Son, not at all." She smiled through her tears and grabbed his hand from across the table. Her hands were soft and warm and they squeezed his fingers. "I'm so happy that you came to me in the end."
"You are trusted mother." He said softly and smiled. "I anticipate your meeting. Sesame and Taeyo will be excited."
"And their mother?" His mother asked boldly and Itachi chuckled.
"Unfortunately, you cannot meet her yet. Please understand."
His mother frowned a bit but then composed herself. "Tell me about her then. What's she like?"
Itachi relaxed back in his chair. Ino's blue eyes danced in his mind and her smile ignited warmth to spread in his chest. "She's amazing. Beautiful, bright, happy and strong. My world exploded when I first saw her. I wanted to make sure she was always safe and always happy. I would give everything in my world to make sure she stays exactly as she is."
He looked at his mother and saw her eyes shining brightly with joy. "You love her then?"
Itachi's breath caught in his chest. "She's everything." He said in an awed voice. "She's more than I ever thought I deserved. And ours forever."
His mother lifted a brow. "Ours?"
Itachi blinked. Did he saw ours? He had been caught up in the euphoria of his feelings he didn't realized he said that. He smiled easily. "Me and the boys of course." Of course he thought shaking his head. Be careful Itachi…
XOXO
Mikoto was dizzy with happiness and anticipation when she returned home. She would meet her grandsons! Itachi said he would call her later on to set up a meeting and all her thoughts rushed from her head.
Though she would have like to meet Itachi's mystery woman she knew she had to be patient and that meant waiting. If she sent Inabi out to gather information on the woman, she was sure Itachi would find out and she wasn't willing to ruin the precious trust he placed with her.
She must be something to capture my Son so. She thought happily. She worried that Itachi would never find anyone to care for and she worried that he would be trapped in an arranged marriage, doomed to be miserable. It could still happen, she thought with a start.
Itachi was right about Fugaku and Madara getting desperate. Madara's two sons were married already by neither of his daughters-in-laws were pregnant. Her husband was on the hunt for matches for their sons. Itachi more than Sasuke.
She should warn Itachi about matching making dates. Though she wanted Itachi to be happy she didn't know if she could prevent a marriage. If she objected, Fugaku would know something was up and he might dig into Itachi's life and find out about their grandsons.
She shivered as she changed into her night clothes. If Fugaku found out about the boys she knew she would never see Itachi again. He would disappear and she would lose them.
But perhaps she could turn Fugaku's attention to Sasuke. Her husband told her that he was proud of Sasuke and that he would make a strong inheriting son and Sasuke always wanted to be the named heir. If they could get Sasuke married then some of the pressure would be off of Itachi. She had no doubt that Sasuke and Itachi would take Uchiha out of the shadows of Fugaku and Madara's reign when their time came. They could change the imposing Uchiha Empire into something to be proud of. Something admirable.
They had to be allies in this though. Divided, Itachi and Sasuke were vulnerable to their father and uncle's manipulations.
"Get Sasuke married." She muttered to herself with a nod. One step at a time. That girl, Sakura Haruno seemed like a good choice. She would have to set up a date between those two. She would call her and ask if she had made her decision and then urge Sasuke give the girl some encouragement. As far as she knew, Sasuke was not romantically involved with anyone right now. He had a few evening…partners she knew. Which disappointed her but he was a grown man and she guessed he had his…urges. But he wasn't serious about any of them. He could get serious with Sakura though. She had a strength and intelligence that Sasuke wouldn't be able to take advantage of.
She heard the front door opening and left her room to see who it was. Surprisingly, it was the son she had just been thinking about.
"Sasuke! Are you staying the night?" She asked him, greeting him with a comforting hug. She felt how tired he was and he looked like he was troubled over something. She caressed his cheek in concern. "Sasuke?"
He pressed his hand over hers with a sigh and managed a cool smile. "Just tired Mother."
She rubbed his arms. "Go up and get some rest then. I'll send Mr. Chu up with some chamomile tea." She said.
Sasuke nodded and left upstairs. Whatever was wrong she wished he would tell her. Seeing him like that made her feel so helpless. Maybe I can talk to Fugaku about giving him a vacation. She left back to her empty room. Her husband often worked late and despite the fact that there was no love lost between them it was still lonely to sleep by herself. Tomorrow I'll call Gino. I think I need a vacation too.
XOXO
Since his mother didn't know that he and Itachi were not on good terms, Sasuke had no choice but to do as she asked (with a smile) when he awoke the next morning. So when he left the manor, out of her line of sight, his smile disappeared into a thin line of anger. Why the hell did he have to take Itachi his clothes? The damn drycleaners had mistakenly dropped off Itachi's expensive business suits at the manor and his mother had asked him to drop them off at Itachi's city condo since it was on his way.
As soon as the door to the car was open, he carelessly tossed the freshly pressed suits in the back, not caring if they wrinkled or not. He wasn't a damn delivery boy! Why couldn't the house keeper do it? His pride sizzled as he quickly pressed his thumb to the starter of his cherry red sports car and peeled out of the drive way. He kept glaring at the fluttering nylon bags in the back of his car, angrily jerking the wheel right or left as he made his way to Itachi's condo building. He enjoyed the way his wheels screeched to a halt when he parked in the garage and grabbed the clothing bags from the back.
His mother told him that Itachi stayed on the 32nd floor. This particular condo building was owned by someone other than their family and Sasuke wondered why Itachi didn't just stay at the Tsukuyomi complex, owned by their father. Well, whatever. He was just going to hand Itachi's dry cleaning to the bell boy and then be done with it. He didn't want to see or talk with his older brother.
The lobby of the Ninth Place condos was clean and neat and screamed luxury. It certainly could give Tsukuyomi a run for its money, he thought in appreciation noting the design of the intricate pillars and staircase. The tile looked to be marble with rare blue and gold veins throughout. He had gone to Mist Country to study architecture for a little bit, but when he moved to Sound, he immersed himself into business and land management like his father had wanted.
"Welcome to Ninth Place. How can I help you?" The older receptionist dressed smartly in a dark blue and grey business suit shamelessly fluttered her eye lashes at him when he stood at the front desk.
"I'm dropping this off for my brother, Itachi Uchiha." He held up the dry cleaning and draped them over the counter.
The receptionist (whose nametag read Yuki) typed on the computer. "Yes, Mr. Uchiha, unit 300. We'll be sure to get it to him." She said, giving him a polite smile. Sasuke frowned and put a hand over the clothes when she moved to take them.
"No, his unit is 322." He corrected. Yuki's brow furrowed and looked the unit number up on her computer with quick taps of the keyboard.
She slightly raised a brow. "Yes, that's right. 322. I apologize for that. His name is on two leases here." She explained. "We'll make sure he gets these." Two leases? Why would Itachi have two leases here in this place? Now his curiously was stirred. Sasuke stopped her from taking the dry cleaning when she reached for them once again.
"I think I'll just take it up to him. Thanks for the hard work Yuki." He smiled charmingly at her, making her flush and relinquish her hold on the clothes.
He took the elevator up to the 30th floor, finally escaping the annoying cheery elevator music. The floor was pretty quiet and the first bold red door he came too was Unit 300. It was eight in the morning but Itachi didn't start work until nine so he assumed he was in. He knocked and waited a few seconds before knocking again. When the door finally opened, he was staring at empty space, so he logically lowered his eyes to see a young boy staring blankly up at him. His ebony locks caught in his long eye lashes as he blinked his achingly familiar blue eyes a couple of times.
"Yes? Can I help you?" He asked when all Sasuke could do was stare.
"Uh…I think I got the wrong place." He said, taking a step back.
"Sasame! Why did you open the door when I said not to!?" A young woman with long brown hair and light brown eyes stalked from somewhere in the back, her arms full with a dripping child. The white towel surrounded his head like a hood and when he saw Sasuke standing in the door, he expertly squirmed free and dropped naked to the ground.
"Taeyo!" The young woman cried in horror, tossing the damp towel to the ground to make a grab at the young boy. The older boy, Sasame looked amused as he watched the young boy, Taeyo and woman race around his legs. Sasuke stood in place, not really knowing what to do. He was sure he could catch the giggling nudist, but weren't there rules about touching a stranger's child when they were naked? He didn't want to be dubbed some kind of pedophile for trying to help.
"Was there something you wanted? Why are you still here?" The older boy demanded, putting himself in front of the door with his arms folded while the young woman managed to tackle the other boy down beside him.
He was confused. He knew he heard right. Receptionist Yuki had said that Itachi also leased unit 300. What was going on? "I thought someone else lived here. Itachi Uchiha?" The young woman gasped and Sasame stiffened, peering up at him with unhidden interest now. Young Taeyo, who was back in his towel, looked up at him with such an eager face. He noticed the black hair and blue eyes as well and assumed the boys were brothers.
"Daddy?"
Sasuke's heart skipped a beat and his blood turned ice cold seconds later. "D-daddy?"
"What do you need with my dad?" The older boy scowled, now showing utter mistrust. The young woman recovered and scrambled to her feet. She now looked pale and frightened and he wondered why.
"I'll take these! Thank you for dropping them off!" And soon, he was standing in total surprise at the door in his face, his fingers empty of the dry cleaning.
"What…the…fuck?" Itachi had children? Children? With who?
He began banging on the door in earnest, but five minutes later he let his hand slid down the cool surface and gave up. They weren't going to open it back up and he didn't want to bring unwanted attention. What was going on? His mind whirled in confusion and shock. He blindly pulled his phone from his pocket and started back to the elevator while he pressed number two on his speed dial.
"Suigetsu. I need you to check on something for me." He said as soon as the other man came on the phone. He exited the elevator as soon as it touched the 1st floor, quickly talking with Suigetsu when he stopped dead in his tracks.
"Sasuke?" He ignored Suigetsu's concern over the phone and locked his disbelieving eyes on a slim figure who was shuffling through some mail as she tossed her luxurious blond locks behind her shoulders. Dressed in a well-fitting high waisted skirt of rich navy and a loose gauzy white shirt that dipped and draped in the front, she looked breathtaking and flawless as ever. The sharp click of her strappy ribbon stilettos sounded like they grew louder and louder the closer she got to one of the elevators. The elevator boy gave her a devoted smile and she smiled back, stuffing her mail into her arm bag as the gold doors closed. His dark eyes looked at the numbers lighting above the elevator, praying that it didn't stop at the 30th floor. He swallowed hard, his heart beating just as hard in his chest as she passed the 27th floor, 28th, 29th….then his stomach dropped when it stopped.
"No." He whispered. "No, they can't…" But they were, a voice whispered darkly in his head. This was no coincidence. They were together and they…had children. Two of them. Itachi was a secretive person by nature, but how could he have kept this a secret from his whole family?! Did no one know? Was he the only one who found out? How could that be possible?
"..uke? Sasuke!" Suigetsu's irritated voice brought him from his mindlessness.
"Suigetsu." Sasuke's shock wore off quickly and his anger quickly came forth. "Meet me at my apartment right now." With one last glare at the numbers above the elevator, he stalked out of the high rise condos to his car. He was going to get to the bottom of this. His earlier words haunted him.
What happened with Itachi? No happily ever after for you two?