Note: This chapter is not proofread. I am currently looking for beta readers for my fics so if you're interested, please DM me on Twitter (mikawritesss) or Tumblr (connectedfeelings).

Naruto

Does your best man know anyone coming to the wedding?
Me

?
Why?
Idk maybe if his parents can make it, then probably
just them and my dad

A few people he might know professionally
But yeah why?
Should he?
Naruto

Nah, just curious
Me

?
Oh should i warn him about an angry ex employee?
Naruto

No, no. I got my job back
Me

CONGRATS !
Happy vibes for my wedding !
Oh that reminds me i have to text the bastard about the wedding rehearsal
Naruto

He needs a reminder? I'd think his assistant would have had that on his calendar.
Me

Yeah but teme overworks himself so its better to remind him anyway
Been that way since his brother stepped down
Anyway congrats again sakura !
Naruto

I stare at Naruto's text a little longer than I'd care to admit. Itachi Uchiha's decision to step down as CEO of his family's company is public knowledge. In fact, that's all people around her would talk about when it happened. It's not everyday someone in his position makes a decision like that.

It has me wondering. If Sasuke Uchiha is as much of a workaholic as Naruto made it sound, and from what I've gleaned in our few emails, maybe it really was just a lot of work for the previous CEO. Too much work for Itachi Uchiha... But is it really too much for the man the media dubbed as a wunderkind, as someone who could do it all and do so effortlessly?

Before I can think about it more, my hands reach for my laptop. With a quick search, and Itachi Uchiha's final speech is on my screen.

I hadn't questioned anything at the time. In the grand scheme of things, virtually nothing has changed aside from leadership. But, knowing what I know now, though not significant knowledge, there's something in the back of my mind, journalistic instinct, if you will, that's telling me something doesn't seem quite right.

The video starts with Itachi walking up to the podium. Cameras flash, but he remains calm, as do the rest of the Uchiha family standing behind him. My eyes zone in on Sasuke Uchiha. His face is devoid of any emotion aside from the intensity in his eyes. He looks just like everyone that surrounds him. Poised, calm, collected. But I catch onto a small, seemingly meaningless movement: the stiffening of his shoulders. It could be mistaken for assurance, for strength, but whether it's nerves (which I doubt) or something else entirely, there's something about him at that moment that seems uneasy.

I focus on Itachi now. I don't notice anything outwardly off putting about him. Maybe he's better at hiding it than his younger brother.

"Thank you all for coming," he begins, his tone clear and concise.

He wastes no time after that, immediately announcing that he is stepping down. There are gasps and chatter about the room, the video panning to the seats of reporters already yelling their questions. But Itachi raises a hand, and it quiets the room.

I've only ever heard about people that are able to do that, my godmother being one.

Itachi Uchiha had a big reputation in the city. All the Uchiha do. But Itachi Uchiha had the media eating out of the palm of his hand. Was it because of his boy genius status that captivated people to him since he was a child? Captivation comes and goes. What I'm seeing is reverence. From the reporters, from the staff in the room, and especially, his younger brother.

Sasuke's eyes soften ever so slightly as his brother speaks. It's brief, but it's telling. If I know anything about Sasuke Uchiha solely based on our emails, it's that he can be an asshole. But seeing this, I know one more thing: Sasuke Uchiha cares for his brother.

As his speech ends, the staff ready the room for questions, the other Uchiha walking to the front of the stage as well. The questions start off standard, asking for specificity regarding his departure, his next plans. A few questions are thrown at the other Uchiha on stage, particularly about how this changes the company, how they think Sasuke would fare as the new CEO.

"Is it surprising to any of you that he made this decision?"

There's a slight pause in the room that is quickly dispelled by who looks like the oldest Uchiha in the room. With long graying hair, and a dignified sounding laugh, the man laughs and places a hand on Itachi's shoulder. "He's been talking about wanting a quieter life for a while now. While I can't say I'm not surprised, it's not as shocking to me."

That may be the case for him, but based on Sasuke's short, sharp inhale, it's the opposite for him.

The video ends, and I stare wordlessly as my laptop screen fades to black,

Itachi Uchiha wanted to step away to live a quiet life. If that's the case, he's succeeded. Now that I really think about it, it's like he just disappeared.

"Sakura!" Ino grabs me by the shoulder and turns me around to face her.

"Geez. What happened to warning a girl before you pig-handle her?"

She lets go of my shoulder as quickly as she took it. "Don't look now, but Mr. Big Boss just came in."

"That could be anyone in this room considering we have Uzumakis and Hyuugas here." We're all here for the wedding rehearsal, so that could be several people even excluding the bride's and groom's families.

"Sakura!" As if Ino isn't enough to drive the message home, Karin grabs my other shoulder, this time to prevent me from turning. "Don't turn around."

"Girls, what are you doing?"

They look at me worriedly before Ino speaks. "Sasuke Uchiha is here."

"Oh."

"Oh?!" Karin repeats. "Why is he here?"

"Do you know any of your cousin's friends at all?" I ask, surprised she doesn't seem to know.

"Why would I need to when knowing Naruto is enough."

"Yeah, well, Sasuke Uchiha's his best man."

A brief, heavy pause is followed by a series of accusatory questions are sent my way. I answer as best as I can, explaining that Hinata didn't even know her fiancé's best man due to a name mixup.

"Wait, so you knew he was coming?" Ino looks behind me briefly before focusing on me again.

I shrug. "Yeah."

"And you're okay with that?"

"He did get me my job back, so I don't really have anything against the man."

"You said he was an asshole!"

"Yeah, but just because he's here doesn't mean I have to talk to him."

Karin eyes me suspiciously. "I hear a 'but' coming."

I grin. "But..."

Ino laughs. "Of course. You want to grill him for questions."

"Not grill, necessarily."

"We should have known."

"What?" I say defensively.

"Do you ever take a break?" My oldest friend eyes me disapprovingly, arms folded. "You just got your job back. You can chill out once and a while, you know?"

"I'm not asking him questions for work."

"So you're asking him out?"

"What? No! What brought you to that conclusion?"

"Well, if you're not asking him questions for a story or asking him out, what is it?" Karin maneuvers us farther away from where I assume the man in question is. Chances are, he's already noticed me because of how loud my two friends are.

"Just some things I'm curious about, that's all." Not that I think he'd answer me, but I do want to at least try.

"And you're not curious about his dick?"

"Damn it, pig, please keep your voice down!" I scold, my voice lowering to a whisper. "We're in a church for fuck's sake!"

Ignoring me, Karin only makes it worse. "God knows how dry you are down there, forehead. It's time to Ame that Suna."

My face crumples in disgust, and as I'm about to respond to that crazy statement, someone else beats me to the punch.

"Ew, Karin, what the hell are you girls talking about?" I hear Naruto before I see him. A relieved sigh escapes me. Someone's saving me from this conversation. I turn to face him, a 'thank you' ready to leave my lips, but it never comes out.

Of course, this would happen to me.

Because every time I interact with this man, something ridiculous has to happen.

Sasuke Uchiha regards me with a questioning and, dare I say it, amused expression. I hope he didn't hear what came before Karin's absurd proclamation, but with my luck, I'm better off not asking anything from the universe at all.

"This is becoming a frequent occurrence, Ms. Haruno."

I find my voice, not allowing him to phase me. "This is the first time we've met, so it can't be frequent, Mr. Uchiha"

"First time we've met in person, yes," he clarifies. He lets the rest of what he wants to say drift between us. Maybe to save me from further embarrassment, but why would he do that?

Keeping my chin up, I stare back at him despite the heat rising in my cheeks. Sure, I can't seem to catch a break with this guy, but he doesn't have to know that it bothers me. I'm usually more composed, especially when it comes to work. I guess that habit was out the window the moment I was fired. I'm still willing that part to return to me, especially now that I'm facing the man who's witnessed three of my top five most cringeworthy moments.

There's a spark of acknowledgment from him that catches my breath. What he sees, I have no clue, but I hope that means he's not going to make tonight any more awkward than it should be.

I feel Naruto's eyes on my profile and catch his gaze moving back and forth from Sasuke and I. "Okay, this is weird. What's happening?"

The best man watches me a moment longer before turning his gaze to his friend. "Just gauging the situation."

Oh, so I'm a situation, now? I scoff. I guess that look I saw earlier was approving his assessment of me.

"I think Hinata needs help with… something," Ino says, and I know it's bullshit. An obvious lie to get away, which, honestly is a blessing. Who knows what else those two would say in this situation. I get in trouble with this guy by myself, how much more so with those two?

Without saying anything else, the two traitors leave me alone with the groom and the best man.

"Is this some kind of girl code thing?" Naruto asks, clearly confused. "Because that was also weird."

I chuckle mirthlessly. "Don't worry about it."

"Well, anyway. I don't think you two need an… introduction." He smiles, trying to ease the weird atmosphere that's taken over. "But Sakura, this is the bastard. Bastard, this is Sakura. You're paired for the walk down the aisle. By the way, she has a bone to pick with you. Good luck!" And just like that, the groom, too, leaves. Not before flashing a mischievous grin at his best man before turning around to talk to the wedding planner.

After a few seconds of silence, baffled by the sheer speed of his exit, I clear my throat. If his goal was to make things less weird between his supposed best friend and I, he's failed that attempt.

Either way, I don't want to just walk away. The opportunity to make myself seem less like a bumbling idiot in front of my boss's boss's boss has presented itself to me in a silver platter, albeit clumsily served. "Don't the best man and maid of honor usually walk together?"

"He mentioned something about a favor for one of his friends."

I think and realize he's talking about Konohamaru. He's had a crush on Hinata's sister for a while now.

"Well then, is your mood any better?" I ask, referencing my last email to him.

"That would depend on where this is going. And what bone do you have to pick with me?"

I shake my head. "I don't have any. Well, maybe a few, but Naruto knows I got my job back."

"So, there is a bone."

"That bone has been buried six feet under… for now." I smile for emphasis.

"I don't know if I believe you."

"Would your best friend befriend someone you can't trust?"

"I can name several. In this room." He's being serious.

"I was joking."

"I don't joke."

Not knowing what else to say, I go with a long, drawn out, "Okay."

Looks like his tone in his emails do match him to a t. Surprisingly, that makes this conversation less daunting. I don't have to play a guessing game when it comes to possible responses since, I've become acquainted with his style of... communication.

"You knew he was going to pull this?"

"'This' being what? Us walking together?"

"He should have thought this through."

"Since you're his best man, you should know Naruto is the king of acting on impulse."

"And you would know?"

"I've known him since high school. He went to the same high school his father went to instead of going to The Academy like every other rich kid. Known Hinata since our first year in KU."

He raises a brow. "I'm guessing The Academy jab is aimed at me?"

"Depends on how you take it." I shrug.

"About as well as 'Silver Spoon Ass', I suppose."

I wince. "Didn't we agree to not mentioning that first email?"

"If I recall correctly, you said not to, but I hadn't responded to that particular email considering it seemed like you wanted the last word." He has the nerve to smirk.

And he's absolutely right. I did want the last word. "Knowing loopholes is a skill you definitely need, I suppose," I mutter.

"Comes in handy, especially when accusatory emails find their way into my inbox."

I groan. "Oh my God, I'm never living that down, am I?"

I thought the smirk on his lips meant he was making fun of me. Now that I'm actually looking at him, though, I realize he thinks this is funny. And that he's exhausted. His hair is perfectly styled, his suit pressed and without a crease, and he doesn't look all too different from the photos I've seen of him online. But there are dark circles under his eyes, that familiar stiffness in his shoulders. He's still in his work clothes too.

Before I can comment on it, the planner calls for everyone to be in their places. The rehearsal is about to begin. The two of us are guided to outside the entrance as everyone pays attention to the short directions given.

Naruto walks in before everyone else, is stopped at certain places and shares a short conversation with the planner on the aisle. I look around and stop as I see Sasuke raise his arm slightly, offering his arm to me.

I stare at it. "What?"

"Isn't this how things go?"

"Oh. Right." Lifting a hand, I place it gingerly on his upper arm. "You don't seem like the type to care about weddings."

"I'm required to attend quite a few."

"Against your will?"

"To maintain business relations."

"Must be tough."

"Things aren't always easy for 'Silver Spoon Asses'." Amusement trickles in his voice.

He likes to tease. I didn't expect that to be a personality trait of his. "We should really agree not to talk about that damn email anymore. It was a momentary lapse of judgment."

"Of course."

"You don't sound very convincing."

"I'm not entirely convinced. Was it a lapse of judgment when you saved a photo of yourself flipping me off on my own phone."

And there is my second flub reminder. "Hey, you were very snippy on the phone, and I was in a terrible mood. So, yes."

"Right."

"Besides, you're hardly the type of person who just leaves something as important as their phone lying around. In a cafe, no less."

"I can't have bad days?"

It's our turn to walk and as we step onto the aisle. The conversation continues in whispered voices.

"I didn't say that. It's just that it's surprising."

"For me to have a bad day?"

"No. That you'd forget something like that. I mean, I can only imagine how your bad days go, running a billion Ryo company, wiping your tears with bills."

He scoffs. "Ah, yes, like every CEO does."

"And I… I don't know, just expected you to be more put together?"

"Put together? Do you usually insult people you've just met?"

"Well, I hadn't met you when I sent that email."

"You were drunk."

"Defending me now, are you?" His sigh makes me grin. "And no, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that you look like you've hardly slept. Plus, your little chaff in your email yesterday leads me to believe something else is going on."

"All that from my appearance and a few words?"

"Well, it is my job to be skeptical and overanalyze certain things." I look up at him, determination engulfing me. "And, you know, I'm just curious in nature."

"You know what they say about curiosity." He meets my gaze; a challenge is offered in a glance.

Without hesitating, I take it. "Yeah, but I'm hoping satisfaction brings it back."

I swear, I see a sliver of a smile before we separate and watch as the rest of the rehearsal takes place. But I feel his eyes linger on me.

Because of pride or not, I like that it does.

The rehearsal dinner goes smoothly. Everyone mingles as the food is served and short, toasts are shared. Unsurprisingly, Sasuke doesn't make a toast, leaving early for what I can only assume is a late-night work thing. Gaara does it instead.

For the rest of the night, the girls don't pester me with questions. Instead, we all focus on the soon to be wedded couple. A few tears were shed, which only means more will be shed tomorrow. Some are shed by our group as we all steal the bride for the ride up to our hotel rooms.

"How are you feeling?" I ask Hinata, patting a handkerchief onto her cheek.

"I can't believe I'm actually getting married tomorrow."

"Well, believe it, girly!" Karin hugs her, then stills. "But there is still time to bolt out of here. A lifetime with Naruto does not sound appealing."

"I should hope not. He's your cousin!" Mock disgust mars Tenten's face, and we all laugh.

"Whose room are we ruining before going to sleep?" Ino asks as the elevator doors open.

"Bridal suite?" Temari looks to Hinata.

She nods just as I feel my phone vibrate in my jeans pocket. I take it out and have to do a double take when I see the caller ID.

"I have to take this real quick. I'll knock when I'm done."

I wait until the door clicks shut before answering the call.

"This is a surprise. You never really call unless it's urgent," I say, smiling.

"This felt more like a call than a text type of thing."

My smile drops. "Did something happen?"

"Nothing bad. Just finally have some time on my hands on Sunday and am going to be in Konoha City for the upcoming weeks. I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch."

"You? In Konoha? Did you lose a bet or something?"

"Haha, you're very funny."

"You're lucky I went into journalism instead of comedy."

"I think everyone is."

"But, yeah, I should be free for lunch."

"Are you sure you won't be hungover after that wedding?"

"I'm not a lightweight like you."

"Careful. I basically raised you."

"Which is why I'm a better gambler and drinker than you are."

She laughs, a full-on cackle. "Missed you, kid. We have lots to discuss."

"Missed you too, Aunt T."