The bell chimes when the front door of the salon is pushed open, and Itachi can faintly hear the sounds of stilettos making their way to him. Who else wears those things outside of court at this hour? He could feel the breeze from her putting her (presumably) purse on the small table belonging to the chair to his right. Still, he says nothing, cucumbers covering his eyelids as he feels the technician gently push down his cuticles.
"I figured you'd be here." The even tone of an exasperated Yamanaka comes out after she's sat down. Eyes still closed, he hears her unclasp her heels before dipping her toes into the bottom tray, the sound of a bottle of nail polish meeting the table between them both.
"You're always prompt." He drawls, pretending to be surprised his work enemy would try to find him. They were friends until a case was shared, but for now, enemies was factually accurate. "I take it he's been served."
She whines now. "Let's not talk about it." She reaches for the cucumber on his right eye and bites down. He takes a peak at her, not hiding his disgust, as she gestures quickly to the other technician that she's ready for her weekly special.
"You know the rules." While he respects, and even tolerates, Ino outside of court for occasional pedicures, he never interacts with her when they're on the same case. The risk of work spilling into their conversation was too grand and frankly, not worth unpaid, unbillable arguing. Itachi cared about his labor far too much.
"I made them!" She grit her teeth. He is such an asshole. "Besides, this is the only time I have out of the office this week. Shut up." Who else could she talk to? Naruto was her client, so she didn't exactly want to be around him with the work lenses off. Hinata was understandably keeping a distance, Sakura was busy, and well, Chouji and Shikamaru weren't exactly gossip worthy, either.
His visible eye crinkled, enjoying her plight. "We won't be able to do this anymore for a bit." She knows he means until it settles, which isn't likely. It's the never ending game between divorce attorneys, particularly in Konohagakure, where the percentage of final divorces is drastically low. It's more so the social and political pressures of keeping families together than it is actually successful marriages. If it weren't for the hurdles, he was willing to bet most of Konoha (except him) would be divorced.
It's also what makes the game more exciting - getting to fight is rare. Even if a Complaint petition is filed with the court, it must be heard before the judges' panel. As archaic as the current domestic court runs, it's also Itachi's favorite court to argue in. Much to the disappointment of his father, but that made the deal a bit sweeter. Itachi was proud of his notoriety and influence he carried just on his work alone.
Itachi is as frightening on paper as he is in the courtroom, and she would know since she was his pupil fresh out of Konoha Law for a year. But she had her tricks up her sleeve and used any means necessary to agitate him, especially with their current shared case.
Ino rolled her eyes, her focus now on the bubbles pooling around her toes. She was stressed, and the client at hand was her one way ticket to a heart attack. She wouldn't admit it to Itachi, but her hands were overwhelmingly full with Naruto. And, she should have known better - but her inclination to help a friend in need blurred her reality of her currently tabled friendship with the Hyuuga.
"I-"
"Unless it's in writing during my office hours, don't say anything else."
Ino nearly bit her tongue. "Fine." She turns to him. "The color you picked is hideous, by the way."
"I don't care what you think." He looked down at his hands, the woman painting his short nails mulberry. It's his signature color, and one he continues to order now that they're exclusive to European markets. Ino was being cattier than usual, which works in his favor. It means she's trying to figure him out, but he's the king of indifference. He's sure Hinata will be pleased whenever he gets a chance to look at her inevitable motions in his inbox.
Changing topics, Ino pulled her phone out. Her legs were resting on the foot rest as the technician was scrubbing away at her feet with the pumice bar. "Do you think we can schedule-"
"Ino, I'm not working right now."
She shook her head. "No. This is about my living room."
Itachi arched a brow. "Ask my husband." Itachi closed his eyes again, hoping that Ino would take the hint and that the only sounds he could hear would be the nail drill.
"Do you remember when we were kids?" She asks quietly. They had been sitting in silence for at least twelve minutes. Hinata is staring through the passenger rear mirror at the bright neon sign of the convenience store on the corner. She could make out her lawyer's engraved plaque on the side of the 12th story building she had just exited in a haste. She hoped the note accepting the document without changes would suffice, but she couldn't stay in that room with those documents anymore. She didn't want to doubt anything else for once and wanted the bandaid to finally rip.
"Which part?" He's staring ahead and at the cross guard helping a row of children cross the road, all wearing matching bucket hats and hands linked together. The radio's off and all that can be heard otherwise was the low rumble of the car engine and the cool air from the front vents. She would have to be specific, especially when he was a pro at suppressing the past.
She started to pick at her cuticle on her right hand with her left index finger, looking down. "High school…I think he must have been doing it even then." Humiliated that she tolerated what she knew even then, angry at herself for allowing it to ferment and grow into their eventual marriage. She watches people out the window as the car moves. Children with their parents, couples holding hands. Maybe she used an invisible shield that protected her from accepting the crumbs of the truth that were so obvious, so noticeable. She always trusted him even when she shouldn't have. Unwavering loyalty for an absolute fool.
He frowns, not looking at her. "I didn't know." It's true - as close as he is to the blond, they almost never discussed things like were protective of their respective marriages and their own privacy, especially since the three of them were childhood friends. Sasuke couldn't recall Naruto ever telling him this, even to flaunt. His respect for him was definitely dwindling at finding this out.
"Looking back, I think I was afraid of losing the only person who cared about me." She laughs a bit. It was comical to her at this point - of course she blames her own lack of self worth for why she was in this situation. But who else could she blame? She chose to marry him. She chose to be by his side.
She pursued him through every walk of life. Followed him to university, followed him to premarital sex and unconventional cohabitation (which resulted in a to-this-day strained relationship with her Father), took breaks during university, helped him study to keep his soccer scholarship, moved away to be closer to his parents and help with their family business, and then supported him through grad school. She couldn't go back, not yet. He proposed and after 6 years together, she was elated to get the symbol of his devotion for life. Suddenly school wasn't a priority anymore when she had a husband to care for. I can take care of you, and I will!
A wedding and a pregnancy later, and she had nothing substantial to show for it besides a degree in a field she hasn't studied in for nearly a decade that was only 10 credits short of a graduation cap. Really, if she could rewind time, she would have at least pushed for her Bachelor's.
Sasuke doesn't say anything, and she understands. It's not something he would reasonably know what to respond with. She thought about the many times Sakura cried to her during their separation and suddenly felt ashamed to be doing it now to him.
"I'm sorry." She laughs to herself, blinking her blurry vision away. "I should have called a cab. This is unfair to you." She turned to try to unlock the door but felt his hand on her sleeve.
"Do you know why Sakura and I separated?" She blinked, staring at his hand on her arm and looked turned back to face him. Even though the car seats were heated, she suddenly felt the hairs on her neck stand.
"No." She says. Sakura never told her. Not the full truth, anyway. All Hinata could recall was Sakura saying he didn't try hard enough to make it work.
"I let her walk all over me." He lets her arm go and just stares ahead. "Everything I did was because she wanted it. I went with it all just to keep one of my closest friends happy."
She noticed how his hands fell to the lower end of the steering wheel when he sighed. "But despite how shitty it got after we separated, I didn't lose my friend."
Well, sort of. Before she could respond, he added "I know she probably still hates me a little, but she's still in my life. And even if our daughter didn't exist, I believe she still would." It was complicated, but if his last conversation with his ex said nothing else, it at least gave him reassurance that she did want him to do whatever he wanted now. Not that he was ready to admit Sakura's assertions about him were true, especially with the woman of said discussion dabbing tissues to her reddened eyes next to him.
She nods, thanking him after a moment. She appreciated his sincerity especially when it was clearly a mutual, uncomfortable subject to talk about.
In another world, she could reach for his hand. He was so warm, and she wanted his touch.
When he dropped her off, she thanked him for his time and offered another apology for the sudden interruption in his day. Force of habit, he mused, when she bowed outside his car.
"It's alright." He said, shrugging it off. He couldn't tell her how much he wanted to punch Naruto in the face, but was at least satisfied that he could be there for her when she needed him to be. "You can call me anytime." He scratched his cheek, trying to cool the heat rising to his face.
She gave him a small smile before she turned into her building. He wanted until he could see her enter the elevator and drove off, wondering if she'd call him again. He hoped she would.
"It's just strange, you know? I'm over him, but I didn't realize he was suddenly focused on her again. And the timing! She's going through the ringer, she shouldn't be poached when she isn't even single yet!" Sakura aggressively continues as she plops a piece of sashimi into her mouth, forcing a quick swallow.
"Usually when you are over your ex, you don't bring them up with your current partner this much." The dark haired man grinned, the smile tight on his face. Sai was the opposite of any past partners - he was painfully direct. It was endearing and charming at first, but even a frustrated Sai offered little room for pleasantries.
She scoffs and waves it off with her chopsticks before grabbing another piece of sushi off the center plate. "I am." She insists, dipping the sashimi into the soy sauce dish until it's drenched. She taps it off lightly before bringing it to her mouth to chew.
"But at the recital-"
"Yes, how was Kazumi?" Sai interjected, trying to change the conversation topic for what felt like the fifth time. He didn't realize the conversation would derail completely and focus instead on ex husband after he asked 'How are you?' after he picked her up for their lunch date.
"Oh, I'll get to that." She smiled. "Do you know he recorded more of her than our own daughter? I mean, what the hell-"
"Sakura." She pauses, meeting his gaze. "I'm not the jealous type. But it's been an hour and all you've talked about is Sasuke."
"Oh." She takes her glass of water and brings it to her dry lips. "I'm sorry, Sai. I didn't mean to do that."
"I know, it's just not what I thought we'd be talking about during our date." He stated. He brought the black tablecloth to his lips and sighed. "Can we please restart and focus on us?
She takes a breath. She couldn't help but worry about her friend. And as a been there, done that, kind of girl, she was just looking out for her. "I'm just worried about my friend." She insists, putting her left hand over his. She squeezed and hoped her sincerity was apparent.
"You're right, though. I'm sorry. I'm having a wonderful time with you." She smiles softly, tucking her hair behind her right ear.
He nods and smiles. "As am I. I just want to be clear we are on the same page."
"But just so we're clear, he is a part of my and my daughter's life. I do not want to avoid bringing his name up when I have to." She arches her brow and is met with a tight line on his otherwise unreadable face.
"I understand that. But I also know that you're my girlfriend, and it sounds like you're more focused on his romantic affairs than ours." He says before grabbing an unagi roll.
The silence that followed was tense, but she nodded. "You're right. You know, he said it was okay for you to meet Kazumi. I can show you pictures of her dress." She pivoted, trying to salvage their lunch. That seemed to satisfy her boyfriend as he eagerly leaned in to look at the photos of her daughter.
"She looks like you. Same forehead." He teased.
She laughed, flicking his forehead with her fingers. "Same temperament, too. Just like her mom."
When Hinata approached her door, she was surprised to see her husband. He was sitting on the ground, arms folded against his chest. The sound of the elevator closing brought his attention to her when he jolted up quickly. "Hinata."
She tried to ignore how her name on his mouth felt. It clenched her heart, like a spell she always fell for. It was different hearing it on voicemails or in messages. Out loud, she's brought back to the memories of him when they were younger and in love.
"You aren't supposed to be here." She says, feeling her knees begin to shake. She hasn't seen him in person in weeks, at least not face to face. Their exchanges of Souta were done so quickly to minimize the emotional hold he still had on her. She kept her distance for a reason because she knew it was hard to avoid falling right back into old patterns.
"I know." He says, slowly approaching her. She wants to scream, because he's read her mind and loops his arms under hers so she doesn't fall. Her arms move to her sides and he engulfs her, smelling like her favorite cologne. Her nose is betraying her heart, struck by the familiarity of his scent.
Where was he six months ago?
She feels her lower lip tremble but he takes her keys and pulls her gently towards the door, letting her inside. She's unable to speak with him so close, holding her like before. "Please." She whispers. To leave, to step away. She wants him out. Away from her. She doesn't want to be reeled back in.
When he brings her to her couch, he sits next to her, snuggling his arm right at her waist. He turns so that he can bring her head under his, pressed into his neck. He can feel the small breaths she was taking against his skin.
"I really miss you." He says, and she can't help but believe him. His other hand combs down her mane and she tightens her eyes, trying to prevent her tears from forming again.
He doesn't say anything else for a while, but she can feel his steady chest against hers. As erratic as her heart felt, he remained still and quiet, just letting his wife cry into him. For now, she could stay there. She could soak his shirt and give him just a glimpse of all she's bottled up.
When Naruto kissed her for the first time, it was quick and sweet. Her peach flavored gloss shone brightly in the sun. When he pulled away, she dragged her lower lip through her teeth, as if to control her flush. He remembered how breathless she looked, beaming up at him for an affirmation.
He had just won the team their final game as captain, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, trying to hide his grin. He loved how much she wanted him, even in soft moments like these.
When they first had sex their first year of college, he kept the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door handle for hours. He didn't care if he missed practice or a study session (well, she was his tutor), and definitely did not mind missing a quiz in International Politics class (why did he take this again?). He recalls how she hid under his comforter to catch her breath, too shy to want to be exposed in the daylight.
"Ne, Hina, I've already seen you!" He whispered, tugging the blanket down from her face. She's smiling again, showing her beautiful teeth. He always joked they were brighter than Kami himself, a lighthouse he could see from thousands of miles on the sea. He told her once he'd swim and find her anywhere.
He kissed her shoulder and let his hands make their way back around her frame, rolling her on top of him.
She squeaked at the sudden motion, her hair enveloping him, soft and sticky from their last two rounds. He couldn't get himself to let her go. Even when he brought her face back to his, her bruised lips still offered themselves openly for his arrival again. She pushed into him, lips dancing as his fingers found themselves in her again.
He thinks he could do this forever with her if she can just look at him this way every time.
A/N: Here's the newest chapter! I probably re-read it twelve times, so I hope you enjoy. I've been re-reading Naruto (and subsequently decided that I will give Boruto another chance) and suddenly felt so bad I was making Naruto so shitty. Trust the process! I don't want any of the characters to seem incapable of redemption. That said, I have no idea how many chapters this story will be so I hope you stick with me until the end. Let me know your thoughts! :)