A/N- Gosh! Guys, I'm sooo sorry. I know I promised. But I'm soooo late. Buuut, I'm here now. Soo, you enjoy the chappie and I hope you guys love it and stuff. I have no idea why I'm stretching my words; probably because my cousin, Liso, is reading my every word back to me. Gah. Anywho, I hope you love dis von. I know it's short, but whateves. I'll shut up now. Have fun, Hope to post soon as. Adieu. – Aria.
Chapter Five
"So, where exactly are you taking me?" she asked, looking amused at Itachi's obviously (to her, at least. Because well, she can read Uchiha) stressed posture.
"Away from those imbeciles," he sighed, rubbing his temples.
'He sure does that a lot. It's kinda hot,' she noted absently.
Itachi had dragged her away from the party, retrieved their coats and unceremoniously dumped her back into the limo. Now, she was in the back seat with her boss, off to god knows where. She could only hope that the driver had set course to her house. She winced and pulled off her heels.
"You don't mind, do you?" she asked, in reference to her bare feet.
"Not at all. I've been told that heels are quite arduous to manage," he replied with a nod of acknowledgement.
The car stopped and the driver's door opened and closed.
"Whoever told you that, gave you only the half of it," she groaned. "Where are we going anyway? Are we here already?"
"You'll see. We're almost there, just one stop first. I believe the driver has to acquire something."
"You're making me think you're about to kidnap me and your henchmen are going to get you chains and rope," she said, looking at him dubiously.
The door opened and closed again and the car resumed its journey.
"Well, technically, I have kidnapped you and if I were to send my 'henchmen' to get me something, it'll more be along the lines of a gag," he replied, glancing at her.
She now looked at him in bewilderment. "Huh?" Was that a teasing note in his voice? Since when do Uchiha's tease?
"You talk too much," he smirked.
She suppressed a shiver at that smirk. 'Hot damn! A teasing, smirking Uchiha? Yeow, I can get used to this.'
"And you need to talk more," she retorted, smiling slightly. 'Who knew? Itachi has a playful side.'
"Then we balance each other perfectly then," he replied, looking intensely at her.
She blushed. 'Well, that suddenly took a unexpected turn. Was he flirting?!'
Once more, the car stopped.
She looked out of the window, but she couldn't make out anything.
"Have we arrived?" she asked Itachi.
"Yes."
He got out and walked around to get her door. Her car door opened and she went to put back on her shoes.
Itachi put a restraining hand on her shoulder.
"I don't believe you'll be needing those."
"What do you mean?"
He stepped aside and allowed her to see behind him.
She gasped as she took in the sight of the beautiful white sand and sprays of salt water.
"You took me to the beach?" she asked incredulously.
"I took you to a beach," he corrected, helping her out of the car.
She revelled in the feel of the smooth, white sand beneath her feet and she basked in the cool ocean air.
"What's the difference?" she asked with closed eyes.
"This one is mine," he replied, taking in the sight of her beautiful, tranquil face.
She looked at him. "'I'm sorry, what? You own this beach?!" she exclaimed with wide eyes.
"Yes. And that house on the cliff belongs to me," he replied calmly, nodding to a lighted mansion a few acres away.
"You have your own house? I thought you lived with your parents," she queried.
"What am I, five?" he scoffed. "Main events are all held at the main Uchiha household. I also have a house in the Uchiha compound but I prefer it here. It's quiet and peaceful and I don't have to deal with my foolish little brother," he explained.
"Solitude, huh? Sounds like me," she mused.
"Come," he took her elbow and led her closer to the waterfront.
A little way from the rolling waves, a small blanket had been spread and a basket was waiting for them, as well as a few ice-buckets with wine and champagne.
"I believe we missed dinner," he gestured to the blanket.
"Moonlight picnics on the beach? Most people would consider this a date, Uchiha," she smirked, glancing at him slyly.
"Hn."
"I swear, that has got to be the most Uchiha trait ever! And I was just thinking how different you were, compared to your brother," she teased.
"I am nothing like my brother," he sniffed imperiously.
"Oh, I disagree. The hair, the eyes – "
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry," she giggled when he shot her a deadly glare.
They sat and he opened the basket. She snickered when he pulled out lobster tails cling wrapped to china plates.
"What?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"You rich people just can't do anything the easy way, can you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"That's what I'm talking about," she exclaimed as he pulled out crystal champagne glasses and silver cutlery. "China, crystal, silver? Dude, normal people use plastic cups and paper plates. And they take sandwiches on picnics, and soda. Not that I'm complaining," she hastily amended, as she eyed the caviar he had just pulled out.
"You like caviar, don't you?" he smirked.
"Yeah," she reluctantly allowed.
He picked up the plate and waved it in front of her face. He inwardly snickered as she closed her eyes and breathed in the smell. He pulled the plate further away and smirked when she followed it with her nose. He kept pulling it away and enjoying the way her nose followed. He pulled it completely away but was startled when she ended up falling directly into his lap.
They both jolted in surprise and she practically jumped out of his lap to end up further away from him than she originally was, both looking anyway but at each other.
Obviously flustered, she attempted to regain her composure. "…ahem. Right then. I suppose you have toast to go with that?" she asked without looking at him.
"Hn," he replied, handing her a cling-wrapped stack of golden brown toast.
They ate in complete, companionable silence while they breathed in the seaside air and listened to the crashing of the waves. Afterward, he pulled out two plates with cheesecake topped with strawberries.
She groaned.
"Want some?" he tempted, seeing her look longingly at it.
"I really shouldn't," she bemoaned.
"But you want to, I know you do," he goaded.
"Oh, fine. Give it here! I swear, it's like you're the damn devil. Annoying and tempting me with things I really shouldn't be eating."
He smirked.
"I swear Uchiha, if you're doing this to give me zits, or make me so fat I can't fit into my Maid-of-Honor dress, I will literally go, find a witch, and hex you to have bad acne for the rest of your life," she threatened.
He looked at her quizzically.
"I was reading Harry Potter this weekend," she explained. "What I wouldn't do to have magical powers," she sighed dreamily.
He was slowly leaning away from her with an odd expression.
"You're an extraordinarily odd person. Are you aware of this?"
"Oh yeah. My friends tell me this every day. And I love it," she responded, smiling cheerfully.
"Hn."
They finished their cheesecake and Sakura pulled him down to lay on the blanket with her.
"Look at the stars," she whispered, pointing up to the sky.
Unknown to her, he was smiling softly at her while gazing at her serene face. They lay there in complete silence, enjoying the warmth of each other's company and the peaceful silence of the night. After a while, they both drifted off to sleep, side by side, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, unknowingly moving closer to each other, until their limbs entwined together.
A/N – Liked it? Loved it? Loathed it? Tell me. Don't forget to drop a review. Love you all. – Aria.