Warning: Excessive need for tissues is recommended. I adore this chapter ever since the first time I wrote it...so I did not make much editing to this chapter.
Enjoy guys.
Chapter 28
"Itachi."
A voice called out to the young child sitting on a bench beside the white door of a private hospital room. He had mid-shoulder length reddish-black hair, dark innocent onyx eyes, and pale complexion. Four, nearly five, his age was young, too young to comprehend the situation at hand.
"Itachi." At the sound of his voice again, the child looked up to see his father. A man in his mid twenties, his face was the mature replica of the boy. "Come here." He knelt on one knee and spread his arms open to motion for the boy to come closer to his embrace. Fugaku looked lost as his son's tiny feet walked to him. His eyes were exhausted, and a heavy expression weighted on his face. "I'm sorry." The only thing he could say to the young mind.
"How is mommy?" A tiny voice asked his father as his arms hugged tighter. At the mention of his wife, the mother of his son, Fuguka's body couldn't help but to shudder. "Is it my turn to see her now?" Itachi asked him politely. He had waited patiently like usual. Ever since fall, his mother had stayed in the hospital the whole time. Three months passed since the incident that made her trapped inside the white room, but the boy didn't know the reason why. The only thing he knew was that his mother was sick and she needed to stay in the hospital so that the doctors could help her get better again. He never would have thought nor understood that she was plagued with a rare cancer case. The dreaded illness had deteriorated her body slowly each day.
"You may see her now." Fugaku's voice was rough. He picked Itachi up, cradling the child in his arms as he walked slowly inside the room. A heavy arm pushed the door open slowly as if he was scared that a slight loud movement would suddenly disrupt the serenity in the room. Soft beeping noises from the monitor, deep breathing of the withering body drowned their ears. Slowly, Fugaku made his way to his wife's side.
"MOMMY!" Even though he was told many times before to not make a racket when he was in the room, Itachi couldn't help it from not seeing his mother for so long. Turning around, he struggled within Fugaku's hold in motion to be put down. Once his little feet hit the floor, Itachi was right by the frail woman's side instantly.
Tiredly, she opened her amber orbs. "I…ta…chi…" It was hard to utter any words but it was worth it to say his name. With every ounce of reserved energy, she used it with her arms. Moving slowly, she rested her hand on his head.
Pat. Pat. Itachi smiled from the loving touch. "Mommy, get well soon so that we can go to Disney!" It would be their first family trip together. "Right, Daddy!?" He turned around to see his father getting closer, joining them.
"Yes." Fugaku also rested his hand on Itachi's head. He placed it on his wife's slowly turning cold hand. "We will." He wanted to believe those words with all his might. However, fate played a cruel game with them.
Amber orbs looked up. Her eyes were blurred. Sadness filled her gaze as she looked at her husband. She wanted to tell him how much she was sorry for parting them, for putting everything on his shoulder, for leaving him alone. Chapped lips quivered. Her breathe was slipping away, and with a smile on her lips, she said her last words. "Be happy."
Beeeeeeeeeeppppp-
Fugaku held her hand tighter before it slipped away from his hold. Indiscreetly shaking it above the boy's head, he thought, doing so would wake her up. The little shake became a tug. He was losing to death. Fugaku stood there in disbelieving that his wife had died.
"Mommy…?" About to reach up to her, Itachi wondered why his mom just went to sleep. "Are you tired already?" His little fingers touched her cheek.
"Itachi."
"Yes."
"Don't wake your mom up. She's tired. Why don't you go outside, Ayame is out there." Itachi pouted at the mention of the head-maid's name. He rather stayed to wait for his mother to wake up. Leaning up, he kissed her cheek, "Goodnight mommy" then obediently walked away.
Click. The door was shut. Fugaku was left to stand alone in the lifeless room. With her hand still held tightly in his, a chair was grabbed for him to sit down. For the longest time, the miserable husband sat there and stared at his wife. Even after death, she was still beautiful.
Michiko Uchiha was truly a magnificent wife, the only woman successful to capture his heart and keeping it. They had married young, and the time they spent together was too short. Seven years was not enough. It definitely was not enough. He had not learned much about her, so many events he wanted to spend with her. They were supposed to live together until the end of their lives, to watch Itachi grow up each year and, if they could, grant him a little brother or sister, or both. He would be working to expand the Uchiha's fortune, she would be tending the home and each days after work she would greet him with a smile. Like that, they would grow old together. But, all odds were against them. Fate was cruel.
But it was alright, at least now, his wife would not be suffering from the pain every day. She was at rest, peaceful at rest.
o-o-o-o-o
Sun shined above their heads in mockery, but its light was not enough to warm up the cold air from the early wintertime. It especially couldn't warm up the walls of ice building up inside a tiny heart.
Realization had finally dawn in his head. After that night, his mom wasn't going to wake up, ever. Itachi stood, clutching the cloth of Ayame's kimono. He stared as the people walked in to pay respect. His house was crowded with strangers, all dressed in black.
The day slipped by and before he knew it, Itachi was standing next to his dad. His eyes widened as the men were closing up the coffin and dropping it down eight feet below the ground.
"!" Sudden emotions exploded in his mind. Running with his little feet, he pushed the men away, not letting them cover her up with the earth. "NO! NO! NO! NO!" He screamed, and thrashed about, hitting anybody who came near.
"Itachi." Fugaku finally caught his son, tightly holding him in his arms. "Don't. Mother wouldn't be happy if you act like that." And the boy burst into tears. He cried so much. His eyes were red. His throat hurt. His jaws were aching from wailing. Clutching tight to his father, Itachi didn't stop until his tiny body gave out.
And she was the first woman, he had shed tears for.
o-o-o-o-o
o-o-o-o-o
[Two years later]
"NO!" Fugaku's voice exploded through thin paper wall. He stood his ground, staring at the seated elders. "I. Will. Not. Remarry." His jaws locked tight.
This predicament was what he wished would never happen. A fist tightened by his side, Fugaku was once again in the same spot he was ten years ago. Only this time, he had a reason to refuse. He was already married.
"Fugaku, I am pleased that you are a loyal husband but the situation that you are in—can bring much damage to the Uchiha Corps." An elder, sat in his mighty center spot, spoke first. "The markets are failing. Financially, we are unstable. This marriage would help you to a great extend. Reviving the power."
"I will not marry anyone." Fugaku repeated.
Another elder voiced her reason. "Don't you think that we are forgetting an important matter here? Itachi?" She paused to let his name sink in. "Fugaku, you alone, can't offer him both roles. He needs a mother."
"…" He was confused. The Uchiha's monarch was losing to fate again. After a long silent, his fists relaxed in defeat. The faces of the elders were smiling.
o-o-o-o-o
"Miss Mikoto, please. Make yourself at home. This will be your future home after all." Ayame spoke as she led the young maiden deeper into the Uchiha compound. Deep glazed eyes glanced about, amazed by the breathtaking view.
"Th-thank you." She bowed to the elder woman before she walked inside a chamber. After a moment, she felt trapped. Mikoto carefully slid the door opened and walked outside. The sky was painted purple and orange. It was late afternoon.
Enjoying the scenery, she walked along the outside hall. The artificial river was lively, flowing with the Koi fish jumping now and then.
"!" 'Who is this?' Curious, she thought as she found a boy standing by the main pond. 'He must be Itachi.' Her prior knowledge of the young child told her so and it wasn't hard from his appearance. Walking closer, she was wondering what the boy was up to. "Hello, there." With gentle voice, she greeted her soon-to-be stepson.
[…]
Perhaps, he did make the right decision. Keeping his presence in the shadow, Fugaku watched as Mitoko played with Itachi. He never saw the child smiled brighter since that day. But then and there, he was smiling for real with Mikoto, whom he had only met five days before. She was the woman who would be betrothed to him from the Elders' proposal. They had chosen well, he believed.
Mikoto Sagara was the first daughter of the Legacy Dynasty, a powerful corporation with strong influences and ties all over Asia as well as Europe. Fugaku always wondered how the elders were able match them. Even though, the Uchiha's reputation was not to be taken lightly, the current situation of their financial status was in a crisis from the eyes of the outsiders. Preventing from a total collapse, the elders believed they would be saved with the help of the Sagaras. And they were right. The effect didn't wait until their marriage was announced. Uchiha's stock was already climbing up. However, that was the least of his doubts. He could have helped them stand back on their feet, but it would take longer time.
His main reason was … Itachi.
Dark orbs glanced in the direction of his fiancé and son. Delighted to see her gentleness, it reminded him so much of Michiko. Truthfully, he couldn't deny it but she was indeed much more beautiful than his first wife. With her long black hair, porcelain skin tone, and a tender personality, Mikoto was soon-to-be his second wife. Maybe fate finally decided to lift its curse from him.
o-o-o-o-o
"I thought you were a nice lady! But you're here to take mommy's place!" Itachi's childish voice echoed through the wall. He stood up after throwing his bowl of rice on to the ground. Stomping his feet loudly, Itachi angrily exited the room.
Dinner did not pass by smoothly that night, and it was the night before the start of their wedding ceremony. Mikoto learned from the tradition of the Uchiha family that the soon-to-be-bride would spend a month staying at the main compound to study the proper way of marital. Then a week before the wedding day, she would be taken to stay in the ancestors' mansion of the groom's family. Therefore, she decided to cook a dinner before her leave to the ancestors' mansion. But, when Fugaku properly answered the real reason of the dinner and why Mikoto was leaving for a week, Itachi completed the puzzle that had floated inside his head from the passing rumors. His dad was to be remarried. Mad, the little body turned the peaceful dinner in to mayhem.
"No. Please, let me." Mikoto softly asked her fiancé for a chance to talk to the boy. After a nod from him, she stood to follow behind. His name was called out from her many times, as she tried to catch up but he refused to slow down or listen.
"Stay away. You're an evil lady. You're going to make Daddy forget Mommy!" Little lungs spat at her.
"Please Itachi, slow down. You're going to hur-" Before she could complete her sentence, he was already on the ground, bleeding from his knee and forehead. 'No.' From afar, Fugaku observed as Mikoto dash to Itachi's side and scooped him up in her arms. She frantically asked the maids to get the first-aid kit while she hurried to the nearest room.
[…]
"Ow!" Tugging his leg back, acting like the medicine was making his wounds throb because he was being the child he was. But truthfully, with Mikoto's caring touch, it didn't really hurt that much.
Delicately, she said in a sweet voice. "I'm not here to take your mother's place. I would never dare to. Because I know how important she is." She carefully wrapped his injury.
"However…" Her glazed black orbs were asking for his permission. "I only want to ask for this little tiny space…" She made a motion with the thumb and index finger. "Because I truly want to take care of you." She smiled.
After a while, Itachi looked up to her. Feeling the loving gestures that had been long buried deep with in him resurfaced. He answered. "No." Then he reached out his hand to make the space smaller. "Only this much." And Mikoto smiled wider at the boy. Fugaku stood again in daze at the entrance. He couldn't believe how easy it was for Mikoto to persuade Itachi to accept her. Fugaku guessed that the past weeks must have given her a good impression with the boy. All seemed to be well.
o-o-o-o-o
"Are you planning to buy that for the soon-to-be Mrs. Uchiha?" An amused voice spoke up.
Fugaku looked up from his awkward stance staring at a set piece of jewelry to see Hana, his personal secretary. For three years until now, she worked diligently for him. This woman knew his routine from the inside out.
"Uhm." He looked to the side, in denial. It had been three days since Mikoto's leave. Itachi would not stop bugging him about her return. Indeed, without knowing how it happened, Fugaku too started to miss her presence. Guilty as it seemed, he was leaving a space in his heart. He knew Michiko wouldn't mind having to share a piece of it.
"I think it would go well with her wedding dress, no?" Her dainty hands picked up the exotic piece, the gems glistened under the bright light. She glanced side way to see his agreeing expression. "So why wait? Wrap it up and get it to her."
"We're not supposed to meet the week before the wedding." He informed her.
"Oh, please, Fugaku. Like you would actually follow those rules." Knowing the history of his passed away wife and him during their wedding ceremony time, she rolled her eyes. Then her hand swiftly took out his wallet in the inner coat pocket of his jacket, she pulled out his credit card and gave it to the sales clerk. "Wrap it up nicely." Hana then turned to him with his annoyed face. "After the meeting, I'll drive you to the mansion. Then no one would know." Assuring the soon-to-be-groom.
[…]
The way up to the mansion was treacherous with ill lighting since they had to use the back entrance through the mountain to sneak their way in. Fugaku really never did follow the rules.
"Wow. I knew it. You would know the back-way to here." Hana said as she tried to avoid running into trees and/or animals.
"…" He ignored her. Thinking in his head, 'Why in the world did I do this'. Sitting in the passenger seat brought memory in his mind back to time when he was still a young lad, creeping his way up by foot to see Michiko. His eyes pulled away from the side window to see the lantern lights of the Mansion. That same anticipating emotion rumbled in his stomach. The car finally came to a stop with a far safe distance from the high wall.
"Here you go. I'll keep a look out." Hana unlocked the door to let him out. "Don't forget the bag." She pointed to the extravagant gift bag behind them.
He was annoyed by her act, but was ,sadly, used to it from working with her. Quietly he made his movement, grabbing the bag and about to open the door but…
"?!" All his movements halt seeing a manly body slipped out from the back door. Hana, too, caught the moving visage. A gasp was emitted from her.
Before the confused man came to any conclusion, Hana voiced up with a laugh. "I'm sure that's one of the mansion tenants. He's probably was doing some check out around the property." But, somehow, it wasn't that believable seeing the man's improperly dressed from the light. The way he looked around in suspicion said another story.
Grimacing, Fugaku narrowed his eyes, tightened his hold around the bag, almost tearing the flimsy material. Hana tried one more time to save the situation, "It could just be one of the maids. You know those."
Thinking through, he thought she was right. His muscle relaxed.
Watching closely, Hana asked once more time. "Do you want to go in now?"
"No. Let's go back." His voice told her to follow his direction without question and she did. In the back of his mind, he told himself it was just a coincident, but suspicious caution continuously on high alert.
o-o-o-o-o
o-o-o-o-o
The wedding was magnificent, filled with marvelous decoration and extravagance. Guests of the highest social chain gathered from all over the world to witness the matrimony between the couple. Cheerfulness hovered in the air. Even Itachi was jumpy from the excitement. He ran through the hallway in his dashing suit.
"Congratulation Fugaku." The groom turned around to see the Hyuuga's monarch and his wife with their son, the 3 years old Neji by their feet. Shaking their hands, the men shared an arrogant smirk.
The day from dawn until night, every corner, and every room was overflowing with joyous festivity. When it finally ended, Fugaku made his way to the awaited room where the bride was quietly waiting for him. Tipsy from the alcohol, he walked slowly and dragged his body along the wall.
Scrrrrreech.
His heavy movement caused friction to the sliding door. A soft yelp echoed from inside. Slowly, he walked in after sliding the door shut with a loud bang to evoke the stillness. Onyx eyes rested upon the feminine body sitting on the bed. She hid her face from him. Her hand clumsily was tugging and pulling her dress.
"Ah…" He made his movement closer, wobbled his way in. "Mikoto." His eyes widened at the sight. All too familiar sight. 'Michiko.' Under the dimly lit light, everything was hazy.
"Mm...?" She slowly lifted her head. Shyly, looking at him.
"Mikoto." He whispered her name as his body moved closer. 'Michiko.'
Softly holding her shoulders, he pushed her back.
"Mi…chiko." His voice lightly breathed out. 'Michiko.' Luckily, since Mikoto's mind was induced from the act, her ears didn't catch the name that actually slipped from his lips.
With that night, their marriage was consummated.
o-o-o-o-o
All went well. The life within the wall of the Uchiha's manor was jolly.
A season had passed since the wedding. The maids were in preparation to prep the manor for autumn. Everyone was busy from the front entrance to the kitchen and the private quarters.
"Master Itachi, please do not run!" A voice called out to their master, who was at his lively age of eight. Itachi was full with energy.
He turned around. "Do you know where Mikoto is?" But Itachi didn't wait for the maid to finish her sentence, he ran straight to the kitchen ignoring her warning again, happy to show his first grade of the year.
"Mikoto, Mikoto, Mikoto!" Running and screaming at the same time, the paper fluttered in his hand. Even though he could not bring himself to call her mom, he viewed the woman with respect a mother deserved. He skipped and dodged the people from opposite direction.
Giving up on the several times, she told him not to run through a busy crowd, Mikoto stopped midway to wipe her hand with her apron at the sight and sound of the incoming figure. Leaning down, her eyes expressed happiness when Itachi showed her the grade. She didn't know what else would make her feel more content.
[…]
"Fugaku."
"Hm?" The husband answered as he took off his jacket with Mikoto's help.
"So you'll be going for a three months trip next month?" Confirming the time, she asked.
"Yeah. It can't be helped. I guess I have to come up with something big as a sorry gift to Itachi. This is a big project, I don't even think I'll have free time to come back to visit." Knowing that during the time of his trip, he would miss his son important violin recital in school. Second graders came up with all kind of activities.
"Don't worry. He'll understand, and besides, I'll be there." She gathered his laundry in her arms and ready to walk out.
"Mikoto." He called out to her.
"Hm?" She turned around.
"Thank you." Fugaku couldn't make eye contact to her. It was too mushy for his pride.
Mikoto stood there with a flabbergasted expression. It wasn't the 'thank you' that shocked her but the way he said it. It was soft and gentle with a passionate tone. As if in replacement for the three words, she longed to hear. However, she knew, in time it would happen.
"You're welcome, this is my duty." 'As your wife.' She tried her best to hold back the butterfly feeling in her voice.
o-o-o-o-o
[Four months later]
"Hana. Keep your alert. They will call us anytime within the next six hours."
"Yes." Hana hurried her step behind him, one hand holding her purse to prop her planner, one hand tried to write as fast as she could. This was the fundamental time of all his hard work for the past three months staying abroad. Already had his suitcases send home, Fugaku walked out of the airport gate. His next destination was the office even though his mind wished to return home to see Itachi and … her.
Then in suddenness, he halted his step. His chest tightened.
"Dad!" His ears were in denial, but with another blink of an eye, he looked again. There they were, Mikoto stood before him with Itachi in hand. In an instance when she released his hand, Itachi like a one of those rewinding toys, jolted straight at him. Nothing in his hands, he grabbed the boy's body and lifted him up.
"Urgh. You've gotten heavier Itachi!" It was the truth. His son was growing after all.
"Fugaku." Mikoto's voice rang. "Welcome back." She was right next to him.
"Ah." He smiled. She smiled. They stood and stared at each other, forgetting all the noises from the airport.
"Hello Mikoto." Hana walked up from behind.
The couple jumped. Mikoto and Fugaku broke their eyes contact.
"Hey there sport!" The secretary turned to Itachi. "Guess what I have in here." She showed him her purse.
"Mine!" He tried to grab it.
Mikoto watched along with Itachi as he tried to grab the gift from Hana. But. "Hana." Fugaku remembered. "We have to go to the office."
"Oh yea." She had her fun and pulled out the newest game for the boy.
"Office?"
"We have to wait for the final decision from them to complete the proposal." His face looked tired from the long flight. "Take Itachi home. I should be home tonight." Looking at his watch, seeing the short hand was mid way to two pm.
Mikoto bit her lips, she felt bad that she couldn't help him much with his work. But, fortunately he had Hana to help his side, she let out a small smile as she watched Fugaku walked out with Hana hurried behind, still frantically writing his orders in her planner.
[…]
Shifting and shuffling in her bed, Mikoto was having a hard time closing her eyes. She sat up again to look at the clock by the bed side. 'It's 1 already.' She was worried. Fugaku had not called ever since they parted at the airport. 'I wonder if his work is all right.' " She knew how important the project was to him.
Her hand was fumbling for phone's handle. She wanted to call his office so much. However, she feared that it would interrupt him.
"!" Mikoto jumped at the sound of the door roughly being opened. "Fugaku!" She got straight out of the bed seeing his body hanging on to the side door. 'He's drunk.' The stench of alcohol was emitting from him. Wrapping his arm over her shoulder, Mikoto tried her best to drag his body inside to settle him on their bed.
"OOFT!" She was puzzle why he was in that condition.
"I did it. I finally did it." The words slurred from him. He thrashed around from the dizziness. "Yes!" Mikoto understood then that he was celebrating his success over the project. Shaking her head, she helped him removed his attires.
Grab. "Oh!" She jumped when he roughly grabbed her hand and pulled her body to him. Cradling her softly, she shivered from the hold. It filled so much with affection. Loving affection. Nuzzling his face in to her neck, Fugaku breathed delicately. "I did it." He hugged her tighter, whispering it repeatedly. "I did it…"
Gently. "Yes. Yes, you did. Fugaku. Congratulation." She returned his hug.
Kiss. His lips made contact with her skin sweetly showered her neck with gentle kisses. "Yes…Michiko." He lifted his head. Drunken eyes looked at the woman beneath him. "Michiko. I did it." He lingered above like that for a while to reminiscent the past. Seeing, thinking it was Michiko in his embrace.
"!" Did he just say what she thought he said or were her ears deceived her mind? Sadly, she couldn't lie to her feeling. Cupping his jaw with her hands, she bit her lips. Mikoto accepted the harsh truth. She knew that she would never be able to replace Michiko nor did she ever really want to. But she hoped, at least, for the slightest little space in his heart. She truly hoped, one day he would save a space for her. Even if it was a tiny spec of space.
Fugaku was overwhelmed from the alcohol's control of his mind. This project was Michiko's dream to see him accomplished and he did it. Tears were dripping down from his eyes, blurring his vision.
And so was hers. Mikoto silently let his tears infused with her, camouflaging her tears. Closing her eyes as he leaned in, closing the gap with his lips. "Michiko. I love you."
She wished so much for her ears to be deaf so that she could only feel the love from his touch even when it was not meant for her.
o-o-o-o-o
[Three weeks later]
SLAM.
A hard banging sound ruptured the silent in the room, photographs fluttered from his harsh throw.
"What's going on?" Hana bent down to pick up the paper and gasped aloud. Shocked from the photograph she snapped her head up. "What is this?" She showed the picture of Mikoto appearing to hug a man. The way they were embracing each other was shameful.
"How should I know?" He was mad. Furious.
"I'm sure this is just a look alike."
"I bought her that coat for New Year's." His voice was dark. Extremely dark.
"Uhmm…" Trying to find other explanation, Hana picked up all the photos and put them in side the folder that was send by an anonymous.
"Hire an investigator. I want to know who it is."
"Yes." She quietly walked out.
o-o-o-o-o
Sitting with Itachi in the main hall, Mikoto was happy. Both were waiting for Fugaku to return from his business trip. Hand softly rubbed her stomach. A smile contently showed on her face. The air out side was cold but her inside was warm. A light layer of snow covered the earth to enchant the event.
She couldn't believe it but within year they had formed a life. She turned to Itachi and asked him. "Itachi." The boy looked up from reading his book. "What would you do if you have a little brother or sister?" She smiled tapping her stomach.
It took a while, but Itachi's eyes widened in amazement. Mikoto knew that he understood what she meant. "YES!" He exclaimed, cheering. The book was dropped to the side as he ran to Mikoto and placed his head against her tummy.
"AHhaaa. Itachi, it's too early." Patting the boy's head.
-"Master Fugaku."- The announcement of her husband made Mikoto jumpy in her seat. She had not seen him for two weeks from his business trip. This news couldn't wait any longer. But she didn't know how to tell him. Luckily, she has Itachi. The little boy quickly got up from his position and ran to his father's side.
"Dad! Dad! … I'm going to have a baby brother." He paused. "Or maybe a baby sister. But who cares! Daddy, There's a baby in Mikoto's tummy!" He tugged on Fugaku's arm and pulled him toward Mikoto.
"Fugaku." With her hand on her tummy, she stood up with a smile. "Welcome back." She waited for his reaction.
But it wasn't what she expected or it could be because she couldn't read his expression. It was blank. He stood there and stared at her.
She tried again. "We're going to have a new member soon." She walked ahead to touch his arm but he shrugged away. "?!" Mikoto was confused by his response.
"I-I'm a bit a tired." He pulled his hand from Itachi's grasp and turned to walk away. At that moment, she stood there and stared after his retrieving back as though each step from her was his way of keeping his heart tied to Michiko. Was allowing this little life to form the right decision? 'No.' Mikoto threw that thought away. No matter what, she would keep on trying.
[…]
The room was dark. He was supposed to be home but he couldn't understand why—why was he at Hana's apartment? He didn't know. But his mind was confused. Extremely perplex from the predicament he was trapped in.
Why? This was the question and the answer that he could only come up with was. 'Why not?'
"Fugaku." Hana spoke out as she walked from her kitchen, carrying two glasses in hand. Her body settled on to the sofa and the glasses was set on the coffee table next to a wine bottle.
"I don't understand." His hand ran through his hair. "What have I done?"
"You've done nothing." Hana tried her best to console him.
"How could she be pregnant?" He remembered earliest time they did it, was last week, and the other time was before he left for his long four month trip. "How could she be about one month? It doesn't add up?" Fugaku desperately search in his mind for any missing memory.
"Fugaku." Hana tapped his arm with a wine glass. "I guess I should tell you the result from the private investigator."
Frantically washed his dried throat with the bloody red wine, Fugaku glanced at her. "Tell me." He ordered.
"He's her ex or supposedly her ex."
C-crack! The poor little glass broke in to tiny pieces in his hand.
"OH!" Hana turned around to grab some paper from the roll under the table. "Your hand!" She led him back to the sofa. "Stay here, I'll get something." A little moment later she returned with the first-aid kit. Sitting on the ground, she tenderly wrapped his injured hand. "I don't know what to say but I guess first love dies hard."
"…" Fugaku couldn't utter any word.
"They were a couple ever since high school. Comparing to you. I guess it's …" She couldn't find the right word. "But it is too much to say the baby is yo-"
"Hana." His voice was low.
"!?" She looked up.
And what happened that night was the start or the ignition of all the future chaotic disarrays.
Was it the truth or a lie? Who was to blame? Fate truly was a cruel thing. Since history would always repeat itself, one way or another. Like a domino effect, it just kept on going and going, without end. From one generation to the next, fate always would be cruel.
o-o-o-o-o
o-o-o-o-o
[Seven years later]
"Why?"
"…"
"Tell me." Demanding a response from his father, Itachi stood with a solid stance in front of the mahogany desk. His eyes looked ahead with determination. "Why am I going to Tokyo, now?"
Sighing out tiredly, Fugaku slowly moved his hand to massage his temple in a way of releasing stress. Finally, he lifted his head. In front of him was a mature teenager that was once a little boy. Itachi would be seventeen in three months. Time had passed by so fast. There was no way to contain it.
"Father? I don't understand. Why are you deciding on this…now…? I'm two-thirds into my junior year and now you want me to transfer?" Itachi forgot all his manners. His arms were swinging around, and his voice was loud. Frustrated, he did not know what other way to liberate the tension that was caused by his father, besides confronting him. But, even that only helped a little bit.
Not receiving much answer from his father, Itachi continued. "I know I will have to transfer, but why can't that wait until I finish this year!" Seeing Fugaku moved his lips, Itachi shut his mouth.
Fugaku put the file in his hand away to show his son how serious he was and that all attention would be focus on this conversation. "Originally, it was planned for you to spend your senior year in Tokyo so you are prepared for England. But, I figure it's much better for you to transfer now. Your grades wouldn't be much of a problem, I just want you to be more familiar with the surrounding for next year. It would be a hassle trying to study and managed everything else at the same time." He spoke from experience.
The way he said it, made Itachi feel as if he had never been to Tokyo despised the fact of him going there almost every month. Although, it was true that he had never studied there, but how hard would it be? Surely, the school that had been chosen by his father was the most prestigious in Tokyo and its curriculum was famous for being harsh and brutal to the students' intellect.
Thinking over the matter again, he saw the reasons behind it, but there was still an uncertainty floating in the back of his mind. Hesitant, whether he should ask or keep it to himself, Itachi crumpled up the hem of his school's jacket again. An action that the Uchiha's heir must not possessed.
"What now?" The thirty-five year old father noticed his son's little display.
His hand relaxed, certain, Itachi asked. "That is only your excuse. Tell me. Is the real reason…?" He paused, "Is it because …" then replayed those words that had been echoing through the wall of the Uchiha's manor.
Fugaku quietly listened to his son. His eyes closed, tongue-tied, unable to stop Itachi from talking. The truth was hard to hide forever.
o-o-o-o-o
Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.
Itachi's private quarter was cluttered with maids cleaning up his space to get ready for his leave. Lifelessly walking among them, he, surprisingly, avoided all the opposing bodies without the need of lifting his eyes. His steps, heavy from the newly found, no, confirmed truth, led his body to the ancestor room.
With a soft movement, the fragile screen door slid open. 'Mom.'
In need of a private place to clear his mind, Itachi knelt down in front of the family alter after putting the burnt incense in the big holder. Scented smoke hovered about in the air to create a hazing scene to calm the mind. However, Itachi's was too deep in troubling thoughts to feel the easiness.
'Why?' The same question asked by his father years ago reappeared. But Itachi refused to believe the answer that was presented. He knew, Mikoto, no matter what, would not lied to him, especially about… 'him'. His little brother or 'was he?'
He didn't know. It was all so confusing.
[…]
"Kitara?"
"!" The busy maid almost got a heart attack by Itachi's sudden appearance. She jumped a foot off the ground before turning around with her hand on her chest. "Master Itachi. D-do you need anything?"
"Where is my brother?" He asked while glancing around for that signature spikey head.
"He is at the east garden, on top of the hill by the lake, I believe." Kitara bowed as Itachi made his movement toward the said direction.
During his little walk, flash backs continued to run through his mind. Six years, this little life had been with him for the past six years.
o-o-o
"He's your little brother, Itachi."
Tippy-toeing, Itachi peaked in to the crib.
Tiny hands and tiny feet, the baby was wrinkly with his big dark orbs glancing around to take in the surrounding of this new world.
He looked up again at Mikoto and looked back with his hand reached out to touch the tiny fingers.
"!" Itachi was shocked that his hand was grabbed. Feeble but with strength, little noises emitted from the tiny lungs.
"He's saying hi to you." Mikoto put her hand on his head. "Sasuke likes you."
Ah. His brother's name.
Sasuke.
Sasuke Uchiha.
o-o-o
Itachi walked through the main hallway. He suddenly stopped and glanced into the dining room. The inside of his body churned uncomfortably at the memory.
o-o-o
Quiet, stillness, a pin dropping could be heard from miles away.
It was dinnertime in the household of the Uchiha.
Fugaku seated at the center seat with Itachi on his right and Mikoto on his left.
Sasuke was crawling around.
Silently, dinner was spent as usual without a single word spoken.
Suddenly,
"Da…"
A tiny voice disturbed the peacefulness.
"Daaa…"
There it was again.
Every single pair of eyes looked at the crawling body of Sasuke.
"Daaaa…"
Stopping his little trail, he sat right beside Fugaku with his arms spread.
"Daaa…d"
Unbelievable.
Of all the first words, he could say.
Sasuke said the word that was hardly ever mentioned in front of him.
Itachi sat there, watching his brother, who was barely a year old, seeing him desperately trying.
Trying to get a hold of his father.
But.
"Oh wow. You finally said your first word."
Mikoto had reached out to him first to save the situation.
"Now try saying mom! Please…Don't be unfair… say … m…oh…m."
He, too, joined in.
"No. Sasuke! Say I…ta…chi…"
No matter how much commotion they made to distract the little mind.
Itachi could not forget that pair of eyes.
Longing in the direction of the man, Sasuke knew, should be his father.
o-o-o
The sky was rouge. Spring had just begun. The air around them was chaste with the newly grown buds. Little specks of green were visible on the rows of tree.
"Sasuke." Itachi calmly called out to him. The little boy sat by the dock with a stack of books on his right and a bowl of cherry tomatoes in his hands.
"Tachi!" Excited, he waved his little hand. Sasuke motioned for his brother to join him as he pushed the books aside to make a space.
A quick glance at the children books, he asked after sitting down. "You read all of these already?" A nod from the boy.
Bright mind he was, Itachi was always amazed at the speed of his learning skill. It was as if Sasuke had photographic memory. He could remember anything he read. Even without a decent understanding, almost every word could be repeated by him.
"You have to go?"
"Yes. I have to leave for my new school next week." He answered with a low voice. His eyes glanced ahead to watch the waves on the lake.
Itachi felt the little face pouted. His hand reached over to place on the spiky head and ruffled it. "Don't worry. Soon, you'll join me too."
"Hmp!" Sasuke gave a wide grin. "I'll be there soon." And something told Itachi, it wouldn't be long, judging from his pace of growing knowledge. Such a big brain for a little head.
o-o-o-o-o
Itachi couldn't believe it had happened again.
The week passed by too quickly. He remembered the moment standing next to Sasuke as they stood before Mikoto's grave. The sky was grey. It was so different from that dreadful day of his life. In his hand was a prepared tissue package, waiting for the boy's breaking moment. But it never came. Sasuke just stood there and stared at the ground. His face harbored no expression. The cheerfulness was gone from his eyes. His face was frail. His lips paled.
Sasuke was certainly not the same little brother he remembered a year ago.
"!" A surprised hug disrupted his mind. Itachi woke up from his dazing state and straightened his back. Turning his body around on the bench of the school's courtyard, his onyx orbs met the pure silver eyes.
"Ita-kun!"
"Yumi." He grumbled as the girl climbed over the seat in her school uniform. His eyes caught the way her skirt rose higher from the boyish movement.
Once seated, she immediately noticed his pained expression. It was obvious to her; Yumi knew what was weighting his mind. Gently touching his hand, she cradled it in her lap. "Are you thinking about her again?" Her eyes softened, seeing his head nodded. "Just think, she's in heaven now. Possibly talking in merriment with your mom about you and your embarrassing stories."
He gave a little a chuckle. No matter what kind of situation, she would always make his mind ease. His body relaxed when she wrapped her hands around his arms and rested her head on his shoulder. In two months, he would be graduating from this school. Never expected to miss the place he had loath so much.
It wasn't because of the facilities or its student body. It was because of her. Glancing down, Itachi took noticed of his girlfriend's state. They had been dating for 5 months, and last year's Christmas party imprinted in his mind forever.
Yumi Misaki. Beautiful blossom. Fitting name for her. Long amber lock always tied in braids. The big brim glasses hid her lovely silver-gray eyes. Fair skin with active pinkness, she was one in a million to him.
Their love story was one of the most ridiculous. Having her pummel him with a broomstick on their first meeting because he walked into the girl's locker room by mistake and saw her partially undress was something cliche, expected from a movie or a romance novel. From that moment, everything went wrong. She was a freshman while he was a newly transfer senior.
Quarrels were something they couldn't avoid. Top-notch student versus the mysterious, handsome one, the average mix to be found in a private institute.
Hating him with her guts, Yumi wanted to cut his hair since the first day she was the school's officer. If it wasn't for Itachi and his family background, his head would be shaved clean by her ambush.
He didn't take much liking to this certain bookworm either. She was clingy as a leech to have his hair cut and constantly calling him a pervert. All he saw was … nothing. There actually was nothing to be taking advantage of to bear the reputation of a pervert.
But, fate as always...
That certain night of wasting his body with alcohol from a Christmas party, Itachi made his way to his dorm like a zombie in need of brains. Crossing the school in zigzag formation, he walked straight in to the pool. How he got through the fence was a mystery without an answer.
Everything happened so fast, all he remembered was waking up in partial soberness. His surrounding was completely foreign and he was naked, saved for the boxer—the only article on his body, in a bed.
Frantic, he sat up and looked around. The all familiar braids told him. 'Yumi.'
"You're finally awake?"
"Uhhh…How did I- …Um…"
"Well. You fell into a pool. I'm not going to ask why nor am I going through the trouble of reporting you consuming alcohol during this time and hour. You're lucky because I'm nice during Christmas time"
See what he was talking about? This girl was overwhelming. He remembered seeing her sat in the middle of her room, with a lamp on a low table. She was writing something. Bookworm to the max.
Itachi sat there in her bed for while to situate, then suddenly…
"Does she like French folktales too?"
"?"
"Your mom…"
Apparently, after his little stunt, all that Itachi mumbled out about was his deceased mother and perhaps his family. To her surprise, the playboy had a soft spot, a lot of those actually. They reminded each other nothing of the incident. Everything was back to normal to next morning but it wasn't exactly the way it used to be.
She stopped bugging him about cutting his hair because she had learned what kind of memory it held for him of his mother. Their meetings slowly decreased by the passing day. Itachi found it hard to believe that he was missing the skinny girl in uniform and badge, chasing him everyday through the school. Therefore, he pursued after her and entangled himself in a love story.
"Are you really planning to attend school in England after graduation?" Yumi suddenly raised her head from his shoulder. Her eyes looked in his direction for a constructive answer. Itachi was a person who loved to beat around the bush from answering topics that he didn't like to converse about. She knew that trait pretty well. But today, Itachi actually was giving her a decent answer.
"No." A bit blunt but it was at least an answer.
Wrinkling her brows together, she narrowed her eyes. "How so, I thought that was the reason you came here in the first place."
"Uhm, I still don't want to leave…" He paused, as if there was something he really wanted to tell her but couldn't. "I'll have my preparation for Tokyo U. done soon." His hand gave her hold around his arm a few pats. "Besides you're still here. I can't leave and let someone else steal you away." Joking, his smiling eyes showed the true feeling of his words.
Yumi rolled her eyes at his confession. "Pfff. Please, I should be the one… You in England with those … European girls…" She gave his arm a tight squeeze. A tint of jealousy in her eyes, but it disappeared rather quickly because of his news. She then remembered. "But."
"Hm?"
"Won't your father oppose this?" She bit her lower lip.
Looking up to the sky, Itachi pondered for a while. "Perhaps." He finally answered. "But I can deal with it."
And, it wasn't that easy. For days, Itachi had to reason his way out. He talked so much that by the end, he didn't know how, but he did it. Finally, he was able to convince his dad to let him stay… but with one condition.
And it was:
"You have to stay in Tokyo during your whole time in school. Unless needed, otherwise, stay and focus on your study. I will have Kakashi give you a position in one of our company branch so you can learn and get experience."
It was nothing different from leaving Japan, but Itachi found it was better this way. At least, no one would suspect a thing.
"Thank you, Father." With a bow, Itachi respectfully straightened his body and backed out.
His chest heaved out a content sigh after walking a good distance from his father's office.
Vvvrrrmmm. The pocket of his pants vibrated violently.
"Hey." Placing the phone by his ear, Itachi was immediately engaged in a conversation with Yumi. His lips curled up in a smile from hearing her squealed about his father's approval. Walking along the outer hallway, he continued to converse about how they would be celebrating this news the next day once he returned to Tokyo that night. But his path halted for a second then his pace lingered. Itachi was being cautious from making loud sound with his attention split into two. One was to Yumi over the phone and other was toward a certain silhouette in front of him.
Safely standing behind in the shadow, he said bye to his girlfriend and paid full attention to the little body sitting by the koi fishpond. Still that cherry tomato bowl in hands, still that stack of books by his side but those were harder books now, much more advance. Itachi cringed seeing a sullen expression on his face. Sasuke definitely no longer the same little mind he was from before.
[…]
Seasons passed and came. Time sped by without a memo. The snow was covering up the city below with a thick layer of whiteness. Its fluffiness covered up all traces of human. Sitting in his bed, Itachi looked beyond the city's light and far into a distance. Nearly three years had gone by since his graduation day. The number of times he returned to the Uchiha manor could be counted by his fingers with one hand.
The darkness of the room made everything outside looked bright as the day. He sat there in stillness of the night and let his ears drowned by the soft breathing. Pulling his eyes from the glass window, he glanced down to her. 'Yumi.'
Soft, smooth body, she curled up by his side. Quite a passionate night they had had. In remembrance of the certain Christmas time, years ago, when they encountered each other in the queerest situation.
"Mmmhh…" Yumi stirred. Lazily, she opened her dazed orbs, still tired from her insatiate slumber. "What's wrong? Why aren't you asleep? Did you sleep?" One of her arm reached out to stretch while the other rubbed her eye simultaneously.
Itachi chuckled. "What? I can't watch my girlfriend sleep?" Amused, he saw her face cringed when he lay down to wrap his arms around her.
"That's creepy." She playfully slapped his face away, not letting him kiss her.
"So?" He tried again and this time successfully captured her lips. It was slow and sensual. They indulged their senses into the kiss, the movements of their lips and tongues. From an easy pace, the fire inside them ignited once more that night. It burned slowly yet intense, creating a thin layer of sweat to cover their nude bodies under the fluffy comforter.
"Mmmhh…" Her moans were soft and soothing like a ballad. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she couldn't take the teasing anymore. "P…pl..plea..ase…" Begging. "Pl…leas…se…" She begged between his kisses, his naughty touches.
Itachi's head was swelled with pride from her pleading moans. It told him how much she was crazed in pleasure. Removing his lips from the addictive woman, he straightened his arms and gazed down at the half-lid eyes, the flustered face, parted lips, and velvet skin drenched in sweat. "You're absolutely the most beautiful woman ever … Yumi." He replayed the words again and no matter how many times he said it, she would never get tired of hearing it.
Blushing, she wrapped her arms around his head and pulled him down again. His nose nuzzled deeply between her breasts. Lips puckered to kiss her skin, tasting its tangy flavor. Moving one hand up to brush over the tip, he felt how hard and erected her nipple was from his touch. Lightly, he tapped the tip, flickering it. His inside melted from hearing her moaned in delight.
Forgetting the foreplay because of the frustrated arousing state they were in, Itachi wasted no time to slip his member inside her moistened ready opening.
With a single fluid movement, his full hard length rested nicely inside after a loud gasp from her. Tightly pressing his waist to the feminine body, he sucked in his stomach and held his breath to calm his body from moving so she could adjust. White was flashing behind his eyelids. The way her wall tightened around him made Itachi suffered from holding back his sex drive.
Breathing slightly back to normal, Yumi slowly moved her hip in motion for him. Taking the signal, Itachi slid back slowly until his tip was at her opening and paused.
"Ugh…" Before the annoyed girl protested, he suddenly plunged his member back deeper than before, earning a loud gasp from his lover. Her nails were scratching his skin. Old marks and the new fresh ones reddened from his flustered skin.
"AH!..." She stopped breathing as he slithered out again. Then with more force, he pushed his hip forward, moving her body along from his act. Yumi's back sharply curved back from the spine shocking movement. Her cry was inaudible as she tried to breathe at the same time.
"Fas…uhm…faster… uh…." Her breath, short and jagged, the poor lungs thirsted for air. His movement was dawdling to an exasperating pace. She wanted to flip him over and have her way with him but the damn man was too strong. Holding her down by his weight, his hands were spreading her knees apart. Deep inside, Itachi took a moment to stare at his lover. Lust. His whole mind and body were controlled by lust and his lust was her. He lusted for her. Everything, from her body, her thought, her heart, her love, he wanted to possess her. All to himself.
Frustrated, Yumi lazily opened her eyes to stare at the arrogant man. Her chest heaved a hard pattern. "Itachi. I swear if …ah… If you don't hurry up and move … ah… faster… ah… I'm so …going … to—AH!" Not letting her finish her threat, Itachi complied with her wish. Thrusting his full length, he was moving in and out of her rapidly.
"Oh… Oh…Yes…!" Panting hard, she shuddered violently from the mind numbing sensation washing over her body at that moment. Her palms held Itachi's head tightly as she desperately searched his face, his lips. Feverishly kissing, she encouraged his pace with the number of kisses placed on him.
"Ugh…Yumi…" Pushing, pulling, and kept on pushing, his hip was moving on its own. "So …ugh… You feel so good…ugh…." Sporadic, they continued to meet the mad thrusting pattern in between. She lifted her hip as he plunged deeper inside her womb.
Like that, bursting with passion, they made love to the fullest.
The bed was somehow able to stay in piece from their vigorous act throughout the night and the morning after. This couple was so full of vitality and love. They spend their break hardly separated from each other.
o-o-o-o-o
o-o-o-o-o
"Kakashi?" Fugaku sat in his big seat of the top floor. His eyes followed the lines of the report in hand. "Is there a set date?"
"Yes," The silver haired adviser nodded his head. Kakashi took out his PDA to check on the date. "It is next Saturday, Sir."
"Have you told Itachi to return?" He signed the paper and closed the binder.
"Yes," Kakashi's hands reached out to grab the object. "I've mentioned it to him."
"Ah. Not full detail?"
"No sir."
"Good. It'll be like a surprise for him."
[…]
CRASH.
A table was turned over. Itachi stood in extreme anger, staring at the broken vase and the fallen objects on the floor.
He was mad. Raging emotion controlled his mind, his action. His hands were in a tight fist while his furious conscious jogged his memories back to the instant not long ago.
"Itachi. This is your fiancé. Michelle."
He knelt there in disbelief for a moment
Thinking that everything must be prank
What was this?
Who was this?
His fiancée?
This girl in front of him was his fiancée.
Unacceptable.
Absolutely intolerable.
Itachi could tolerate the control over what he wore, what he ate, how he spent, how he lived, where he studied and whom he interacted with but choosing his own fiancée for him would never … ever be acknowledged. He didn't care whether she was from a royal blood nor marrying her would help his status. Her beauty was unappealing to him.
He wanted nothing to do with this woman.
Raging blood slowly dissipated, Itachi panted hard from the previous burst of force. Quickly turning his heel, he walked out of his room and into the main hall.
"Master Itachi. Where are you going? You father wished to spend dinner with you?" Ayame scurried her feet after him.
Halting his step, Itachi turned around. "I'm going back to Tokyo." With that, he left the manor. Itachi drove his car away, without knowing there was a pair of obsidian eyes following after him.
o-o-o-o-o
The air was tight. Breathing was hard.
Two bodies sat in opposition, stared at each other ever since they were seated. Itachi refused to break his eyes contact away from his father while the man was too stubborn to stop. His eyes took the time to study his father's aging face. Fugaku's hair had not been cut ever since that day. His skin worn from being overstressed.
"You've changed Itachi?" Fugaku finally spoke. He felt the decision he made three years ago was a mistake. He should have sent Itachi straight to England. Seeing the son, who once obediently listened to his instructions, opposed his perfect arranged marriage.
"No. I've grown." Itachi retaliated.
"Your mother and I were wedded by arrangement."
"And so was your marriage with Mikoto." Upon hearing the name, Fugaku's face changed. It distorted with a foul expression.
However, before neither of them could continue, the door of Itachi's apartment was opened.
"Itachi? You're home already?" Busied from taking her shoes off with one hand because the other was occupied with grocery, Yumi's head was down. She was oblivious to the tension in the room. Until her body straightened up, then her face began to change. Fear was the first. Followed by surprise, then apologetic and the last was nervousness. Her silvery eyes picked up the appearance of the man and she knew instantly who he was. 'Itachi's father.'
Stunned, she stood like a statue by his door. Her mind was busy from processing the thought. She wasn't ready. Even though the idea of keeping their relationship low from their parents was his before they came to an agreement. She still wasn't ready.
She wasn't dressed properly. Her hair was in a mess and she just walked in like an ill-mannered child. What in the world, was she doing standing there, then?
Quickly to save the situation, Yumi immediately folded her arm and bowed, deeply in respect. "I'm sorry. My name is Yumi Masaki. It's an honor to finally meet you. Mr. Uchiha."
"Hn." The old man raised his eyebrow before resting his eyes on the staggered son. "So this is why..." Fugaku mumbled under his breath directly for Itachi to hear, even though he already knew the girl's existence and their relationship.
Tongue-tied, Itachi could only close his eyes and tighten his jaw. Wishing deeply that this father-son meeting did not happen in his apartment or he should have called her before not to drop by and make dinner.
Yumi hesitantly walked inside toward his kitchen. "Um. I'm sorry. I didn't know that ... Uhm… I'm just going to drop this off in the kitchen. And I'll be right o-"
"No. Please take a seat… Miss…Masaki." Fugaku ordered the girl to come forth.
Eyes searching for Itachi, she made a slow movement to sit beside him with a huge gap between them. Hand neatly folded on her lap, she sat in tremor.
Ymui gulped. "I'm so-" She tried again.
But Fugaku interrupted her apology. "Is that all you can say?" He raised an eyebrow, picking on petty things.
"Oh, no sir." Shaking her head, Yumi was a nervous wreck. Suddenly, Itachi scooted his body closer to her and grabbed her hand, his attempt to calm her down.
Frowning slightly, Fugaku didn't like this interaction between them. It appeared that whatever connection they possessed might be too deep.
"What do your parents do, Miss Misaki?" Keeping their conversation formal, he wanted the girl to notice this foreign distance he had of her.
"They are mainly investors. Small businesses." Her voice was trembling. Itachi's comfort hold only helped to keep her from jumping off the couch.
"Nothing significant then." His voice mocked the negligible background of the girl.
"Father." Itachi interrupted but Yumi hushed him. 'It's alright.' The message she sent by her touch.
"Yes, Sir." Not liking how her parents' hard work just got trashed and derided, Yumi still kept her manner and sat still.
"Hmp." Fugaku suddenly stood up from his seat and walked out the door without saying a single word.
His leave left the two blundering souls crying in relief.
[…]
Ding.
The elevator door opened to reveal an angry Fugaku. His steps pounded the ground as he walked out of the building with Hana following behind after she saw him at the lobby.
"Hana."
"Yes."
"I want you to cut all ties between them. There will be a wedding."
"Yes…" She was right. Hana knew, the exact moment she saw the familiar girl from the investigator's photograph walked by the lobby. "Yes. I will try my best."
o-o-o-o-o
Kick.
"OW…" Shrugging his leg back, Itachi turned around to meet his girlfriend. She seemed upset to give him a hard kick out of the blue.
"…" Yumi grumbled under her breath. Her eyes narrowed to the ground.
His lip smirked at her childish face. "What's wrong now? Who annoyed you in school this time?" Arms wrapped his around her tiny frame.
Ymui pouted. "Nothing." Clearly, she was hiding something. "Itachi?!..."
"Hm?" He waited for a question, but it never came.
"Let's go see a movie today." It wasn't what she wanted to tell him, because she couldn't bare to tell him what was on her mind. He already had enough trouble on his shoulders. She could tell, even though it was not revealed to her but she knew. She just knew it from the innuendo creeping in the back of her mind. Something was coming.
Scratching his neck, he wondered as she pulled his other arm. "But we just saw one yesterday."
"I want to see more!"
"Aha…Okay." He gave up from her random behavior.
[…]
Click. The front door shut close. Stepping inside the grand house, Yumi was struck with another loud banging sound coming from her father's office before she made it to the bottom stair.
Quietly, she sneaked up the stair and down the third floor hallway. Pressed close to the door, she eavesdropped on the conversation inside.
"What are we going to do now?" Her mother's cheery voice was lost and replaced with a worrisome tone.
A short while, after some distance ruffling paper, her father spoke. "I am currently trying my best but all the banks that I tried. None of them would give us a loan." A loud knock on the table as if he dropped his hand in defeat. "They want to drive us out of business."
"Honey." Her mother soothing voice didn't seem effective enough. "What do we have to pull us through all of this?"
"I don't know. I honestly don't know." He sounded helpless. "There's no other way."
"Oh. We could always start over again."
A long heavy sigh from him, her father lowered his voice deeper. "I know. But how are we going to break this to Yumi. I don't even think we could support her education after this is done."
Yumi cringed hearing that, not caring of her future education because she was far qualified for any type of scholarship, but she worried about her parents the most. She didn't know what had happened nor what was going on. Everything was fine weeks ago, memory of her father cheering about making a new successful investment still fresh in her mind. But lately, this household was filled with gloominess whenever she returned during the weekend.
And today, she finally knew the cause. With all her courage, Yumi turned the handle and walked in. After a long time of confronting her parents of the dilemma they were in, she walked out with the six letters name imprinted in her mind, Uchiha. It was the Uchiha's Corp that drove her parents to the point of bankruptcy.
"Why?" She asked that question. It always would be that question. Clutching her knees, Yumi scrunched up in the corner of her bed. The darkness of her room consumed her body wholly. Her mind pained from the infinite alternatives popping up every millisecond.
Then 'what if' came to her.
What if she hadn't met Itachi?
What if she hadn't fallen in love with him?
What if he wasn't an Uchiha?
What if his father accepted her?
What if her family was richer, more powerful … more prominent?
What if … So many… It was unbearable to think.
But …
No matter what would happen, she still loves him. She loved him with all her heart and strength.
But…
If loving him meant she had to torn down all the hard work that her parents created, she would be condemn with guilt for life.
"Yumi?" A soft voice interrupted her thought. "You're still not asleep?"
Lifting her head, she glanced out to the dimly lit hallway. "Mom." Her breath was low. Her eyes watered from seeing the frail body as her mom moved to sit by the bedside. The little child inside her resurfaced and she felt weaker by second. Reaching her arms out, Yumi held her waist and rested her head on the soft laps. She looked just like a seven-years old girl again, scared from a frightening nightmare and in need of her mother's comfort after waking up with a tearful face.
"Mom." She was sobbing.
"Yumi?" With a hand rested on her daughter's head, she combed her hair gently. "Don't cry. Be strong. We can have a fresh start again. I know it will be hard on you since you are preparing for college. But we can pull through this ... together. We only went this far … all because of you, Yumi. We wanted all the best for you. And now, you've grown up. I guess it's time for our early retirement." Her words were soothing and soft. But it didn't calm the weeping body on her lap.
Shaking her head, Yumi made a motion that her trouble was not of that. It was something different. Much more complicated.
Puzzled, she waited patiently for her daughter to explain further. And as expected, she was stunned from the exposing story. Her daughter Yumi had been going out with the Heir of Uchiha. Holding her breath from disbelieving, time to time, she couldn't take in all the details. Anger didn't even appear in her mind when the girl made a discreet notion of loosing her innocence to this young man, because from her tone, from her expression, love was felt. Deeply touched by the young lovers, the mother didn't know what to react, how to react.
"Yumi." She spoke again, her words of wisdom and experience. "There is an emotion much stronger than guilt and … don't argue with me about it … love." Her cupped the girl's cheeks and lifted her face. "That is regret."
"!" Yumi widened her eyes. Tears were streaking down her face.
"Ten years from now… or even fifty years. You will sit on a bench in park and think about your life. You'll begin to analyze all the decision you've made, regardless if it was smart or not. Then you'll start to feel that disturbance inside you when you know you could have done something much better if you were thinking straight. You'll start to loath your actions. That, my daughter, is regret. Whether it is a few or a lot. Regretting love is the least of what you want to experience." She took a moment and looked down to her wedding ring. "It doesn't matter to your father and I if our business is in a chaos now. We could always start over again. Being a business investor, you're in prepared from the beginning knowing that one day your investment might not return profit. But start from scratch is an easy task once everything was already in gear. And as long as your father and I are together. There're nothing that can't be done. Second chances are plenty in the field of an investor. But … true love may only come once." She emphasized those last few words.
"M-mom…" Stuttered, she blinked her eyes to clear her vision. Yumi was appalled.
"I can tell how much you love him and to stand against his own father for you. He must really treasure this daughter of mine." A soft, motherly hand ruffled the girl's head. Amber locks twirled in a mess.
"Oh mom!" Happy from her consent, Yumi threw her body to wrap her mom in gratitude.
Her mother smiled. "Now. I have to go break this news to your dad. I expect to see this gentleman home for dinner soon."
Blushing her face red, Yumi didn't know how to break this to Itachi.
[…]
"Pffffftttttttttttt…" Well she didn't expect this. Sitting at the canteen of the mall, Yumi covered her face from Itachi's reaction once she told him that her parents wanted him home for dinner.
"Ita-kun…" She gave him a napkin to clean his mouth after spitting out all his drink.
"You're pulling my leg here." Knowing her, this girl could pull all kind of stunts.
Yumi pouted. "No I'm not." She was mad that he would think she joked about this matter.
'No shit. She's for real.' His eyes twitched after the realization. Itachi gave a defeating sigh and asked the time of the dinner. His body felt a sudden rush of relieve when she said it would be in two weeks. That should give him enough time to prepare. He believed so.
"Itachi. I order you to end this ridiculous relationship immediately."
Fugaku's word stunned his ears. Tightening his grip on the wheel, Itachi stepped on the gas pedal and sped down the road. 'I'm fucking late.'
"You're going to marry Michelle by the end of this month."
Like hell he was. He would rather throw everything away, even the title of being the Uchiha's heir.
Making a sharp turn, he passed the light just in time before it turned red. Itachi continued his way to her, already had a plan forming in his head.
[…]
"So you two have been going out for three years…?" Mr. Masaki raised his eyebrow at the two young adults.
"Yes sir." Itachi answered first. His voice was calmed but his inside was the total opposite. Never had he felt this nervous. It was strange. 'So, this is what it feels like to meet the in-laws. Hmm…'
Yumi was also a nervous wreck. Not eating at all, she continued to take secretive glimpses at her parents. Unknowing how long she would see them again after that night. She bit her lip lightly, and Itachi caught the movement of her hesitation. He reached for her hand under the table and gave her a reassuring squeeze. As planned, they would elope and hide themselves among the average civilians in a small town. In a few years, when everything settled, they would come back—perhaps with an extra bundle in hand or two.
Dinner passed with a few awkward moments, the parents didn't know why but they felt something strange. It had been lurking about in the back of their conscious through out the night. Their daughter definitely had something else hidden in her sleeve.
Itachi bid goodnight to her family as it was time for him to leave. Giving them his uppermost respectful bow, he lingered to say how much he would treasure and protect their daughter. With their smiles, he was giving full consent. Itachi walked away after giving Yumi a glance. They would separate for now on their own to get ready. The two agreed to meet at the train station by midnight. Then their journey would begin. Their new life shall start.
However, if only everything would be that easy. Like a movie with happy ending but without the drama in between.
Yes. If only…
Sitting against the big pillar of the train station with packs and luggage readied. Itachi had been waiting for 1…2…3…—4 hours.
He didn't know how many times he had called her once he noticed she was an hour late. He didn't know how many text messages he had send her after she was two hours late. A bundle of tickets for a missed train in his hand. Itachi sat there like a beggar with his miserable expression.
'Why?' This question came up once too many times.
Why wasn't she here yet?
Why hadn't she returned his calls, responded to his messages?
Why must this happen now?
Why would she back out at this moment?
He gave up everything to be with her but 'Where is she?'
Confusion, bewilderment, mayhem, all kinds of thoughts were destroying his mind. His heart throbbed with pain. Itachi ran his hand up through his hair and pulled on it. He was like a crazed man. A crazed man in love, stupidly in love.
The train were filled with people once the clock strike six am. He was still waiting for her. Believing she would soon show up. His mind continuously reminded how much she loves her parents and probably wanted to spend a little more time with them. He thought of so many possibilities. Nevertheless, he was still waiting until the sun was up and the short hand made its way to eight.
He did not once shut his eye for more than two seconds. Fearing he would miss her as she walked by to look for him. Did she get lost? Was there a bad traffic? Nothing had occurred in his mind that something horrible happened because the likelihood was so low.
But fate played another game of cruelty.
Ears picked up on the conversation from the nearby waiting passengers. Itachi lifted his head and turned toward their direction. Seeing the newspaper in their hands, he politely asked to view it, wanting to clarify the information that just drifted by. They nicely gave him the paper after making a pitying face for the poor soul in the news.
Horror, his eyes widened in terror as he read, reread each word in the headline article. Words popped from the tiny paragraphs.
Female
Drown
Wounds
Body
Midnight
Blood
Drunkards
Gash
Choked
Yumi
Tied
Captive
Yumi
Raped
Gang-raped
Yumi
Dead
Yumi Masaki had died that night at 3:45 am.
o-o-o-o-o
Huff. Huff. Huff.
Running, running and kept on running. He dashed away from the train station once he finished the article without thinking, because he could not think. His brain was numb.
Itachi continued to move his legs with unimaginable stamina. He didn't care if his lungs was giving out, his body thirsted for a moment of break. He was running like a mad man.
"OMG! What are you doing in here?!"
"Fuck!"
He ran down the main street, pushing his body through the crowd.
"Itachi Uchiha. Stop it right there! You pervert!"
"Like hell I will."
"Stop running. You are getting your hair cut today!"
"In your dreams."
Bodies were clearing their way to avoid his bombarding strength. Itachi was running through stoplights, green lights.
"Your mother must be a great woman."
"She was beautiful."
A truck almost ran in to him. Itachi ignored the screaming driver as he jumped over the open manhole and dashed his body away.
"Yumi Masaki!"
"What?"
"You. My girlfriend."
"No."
"Yes."
"NO!"
"Yes."
"NOO!"
"Yes."
"NO-Offt"
Chu.
"No?"
Blush. "Yes…I meant…No… ye…Argh!"
He was inhuman. For who knew how long, he was still running. From the city, he was now speeding through a neighborhood.
"Wah, You did it! You got in to Tokyo U!" Glomp.
"Che. Of course."
Playful slap. "Stop being so cocky."
"Well then. Shouldn't we be celebrating now?"
Blush.
o-o-o-o-o
Nearing the familiar surroundings, he finally came to a stop. His arm supported his body against a light pole. Itachi panted hard from the marathon he just did, straight from the station. Closing his eyes, gulping his throat, he tried his best to catch his breath. "Haa…Haa…hah…."
"Let's stop here. My house is down the corner."
"Hm. No."
"C'mon Itachi. We're going to get caught."
"…"
Kiss. "Be nice. I'll go home now. I'll see you Monday. Sleep tight kay?"
About to walked away but she got pulled back.
"I can't sleep without you."
His voice was blunt but his face was red from the words that just escaped his lips.
I will never be able to sleep without you.
o-o-o-o-o
Suddenly a strange disturbance stirred in his abdomen. Itachi clutched his stomach, leaned over the side and dumped everything he ate the night before on to the pavement street. His head was drenched with sweat. His face paled from the sickness emotion draining his body.
Steps became heavier and heavier as he walked closer to her house. Holding the urges to hurl out his already emptied stomach, Itachi trailed along the walled gate of the neighboring houses.
'Please let it be a coincidence. Please let it be a coincidence. Please let it be a coincidence. Please let it be a coincidence. …'
That sentence repeatedly chanted in his head, building the confidence back in his soul. But, all washed away in to dust once he stood at that same corner they separated, and saw the white lantern hung from her gate. The way it fluttered in the air, mocked him.
Such a pure color. White.
Without enough control, another spasm hit his body. Itachi started to dry heave.
He couldn't make another step forward. He was ashamed to face them. To face her parents after what he had promised them. He was useless, stupid, a moron…
He had ruined her life, taking it from her. He was selfish, wanting to keep her by his side, all to himself. Now the consequence was losing her forever. He couldn't bring enough courage to see her, to see her corpse, her lifeless body. He possessed no privilege to show up at her funeral. He had absolute no permission to disturb her anymore, even at the last peaceful moment with her family. His appearance would only caused turmoil to the serene ceremony.
Even when his heart was screaming for him to walk forward, he was backtracking. Why was he in such a hurry? They could have waited a few days to get everything ready. Why did he choose midnight? They were not run away prisoners. Why didn't he come and pick her up? They were supposed to elope together.
Walking out to the big road again, Itachi collapsed right in the middle of the street. The fresh tear marks on his face were clearly visible.
o-o-o-o-o
o-o-o-o-o
o-o-o-o-o
"Oh… Yes Itachi. You're such a man! Hee hee!"
What was he doing?
"My goodness …" The pair of blue eyes widened at the sight of his length.
What the fuck was he doing?
"Please…I'm yours… take me!" She shamelessly launched her body toward him.
Who was this woman, this whore?
"Urh…" Roughly pushing the feminine body onto the mattress, he pulled her waist up and impaled his length inside. Totally forgetting himself in the act, Itachi was ruining his body, dirtying it. He wanted to be covered in much filth as ever.
Mindlessly thrusting his hip into the girl with ruthless strength, he dumped all his inept frustration onto her because she was used as a way for him to release. Letting go, setting everything inside free.
For a moment, only a short moment, after that, it would all return to him.
Just like the way she had left him.
Alone, desolate, heartless ...
[…]
"Leave." Throwing a couple hundred-dollar bills to the naked body, still recovering from the flashing orgasm, he ordered the woman away.
Leaping to her feet, she gathered everything in her arms, including the money and within minutes, the room was left to its stillness and the lingering scent of sex.
Filthy, soiled sex.
Another sleepless night, a year it had been since losing her. Itachi found himself still in the same predicament that had turned his life upside-down. He couldn't get free, be liberated. Even when his father knew the death of his girlfriend, the only thing he did was give Itachi a chance of studying abroad for a few years as a way to calm his system. He couldn't blame the old man for being harsh, pushing this marriage on to him. It was all for his own good. Then the way his father was consoling his tattered mind from his own experience, made him guilty for not trying harder. If only he didn't act on impulse then right now, the person he was engaged to would be Yumi, not what's-her-name.
That woman and her family, royal blood with political power in hand and affiliation with the underground force, he knew well how much more authority and fame he would get from this marriage. However, to him, those were merely garbage, trash. That was why he agreed upon the whole ordeal that was called the 'engagement'. Not only did he want to soil his body, his mind must be infected with the corruption of this world.
All so that he could avenge. So he could stoop to their level. Because he knew, Itachi knew every well. It wasn't all an accident. It didn't matter if all evidences were clarified. He knew there was possibly no way it was a mishap.
Therefore, he shall start slowly, from ruined her mind. He would leisurely torment her soul. His actions would drive her to the point of insanity. He would treat her the way she had inflicted.
Darkness had finally engulfed him fully.
Itachi's heart wanted to stop beating ever since Yumi stopped living. But he couldn't, wouldn't. He must endure the pain of living everyday without her, waking up without her. Even so, it wasn't enough. Nothing was enough.
Nothing he did was sufficient to cover the scar upon his heart. When he was alone, images of her would haunt his mind. His ears ached from hearing her crying for help, screaming for him.
He couldn't revert back to thinking only images of her smiling, for him, to him, at him.
Itachi did not deserve that luxury.
"Itachi, I love you!"
"Yumi. Don't scream in the middle of the night."
He was a bit shy, standing there with her at the center of the intersection.
"I love you!" Ignoring his protest, she continued.
After a moment of her silvery eyes staring at him, he gave up.
"I love you more!" His lung screamed.
"!"
"Mine's better." Itachi smirked at the blushing girl.
The surrounding bystanders could only be jealous, staring at them.
Envy of their love.
.
.
.
J-kiwi: EXTRA Note: If you are confused about the time line. Here's a quick ref. Fugaku first married when he was 18 and so was Michiko. They had a son a year after. Itachi. 5 years later Michiko died and Fugaku remarried 2 years after that. Then within a year, Mikoto was pregnant and Sasuke was born. 7 years later, she committed suicide.
Itachi and Sasuke are 8-9 years apart and while Itachi was in Tokyo, Sasuke was still living in the Uchiha manor until he turned 11. The same year Yumi died and Itachi decided to study abroad.
Quick huh?
Well, I love you. Let me know what you guys think. =)