Notes: Hello! Here's chapter 14!
Thank you so much to my beta-reader, DeeDee (MsDeeDeeStyles on Twitter), for proofreading!
The shock on my cousin's face is not unwarranted.
Having known me for the entirety of my life, Shisui and I used to be much closer in my youth. He and Itachi were the two older family members I'd cling on to the most. I didn't see much of him as I grew older as he took on a bigger role in the company.
He and Itachi remained close throughout the years, but since I was ten years younger than him, I began making the few friends I have that were my own age.
"Fiancée?!" His eyes dart from me to the woman who now stands beside me, having gotten down from the desk. "I didn't even know you knew how to talk to women!"
Clearly the woman in question is enjoying the jokes aimed at me because a burst of laughter escapes her.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. I had expected this kind of reaction from Obito, but not him.
While I can describe Obito as the most boisterous Uchiha, Shisui was the dependable cousin. For a time, it was thought that he was going to take over the company after my father. His capability and trustworthiness are the reason why all of the craziness regarding Sakura's firing and Jiji's reign over the SNO offices are so odd.
SNO is the largest subsidiary under Uchiha Enterprises, so it's not like someone could be aware of absolutely everything that happens in the company. However, if there is someone capable of such a thing, Shisui would be the one. That's unless something else is taking precedent.
It's not hard to miss that Shisui hasn't been present in the past few big company gatherings, and grandfather didn't seem to mind his absence.
I hadn't had the chance to have an in-depth conversation with him after the Jiji debacle. I had left immediately after deducing Jiji and his motives, so I didn't get a chance to speak with him then. We had exchanged emails, but with everything that has transpired since, my mind has been elsewhere.
Perhaps this is a perfect time to get much needed answers.
"Close the door. We need to talk," I say in a manner that usually has people scrambling.
Shisui doesn't look the least bit intimidated, following my order[DS1] with an amused grin. "CEO Sasuke mode on, I see."
Ms. Haruno appears to have other plans, though, as she loops an arm into mine, tugging me to her side and stunning me to silence in the process.
"Actually, you promised me lunch," she says with eyes urging me to play along. She squeezes my arm with more strength than I assumed she could possess. Yet, another unexpected trait. "And I only have an hour until I have to get back to work."
My cousin flits his attention back to the woman beside me, a mix of amusement and surprise in his features.
One would think that she, too, wants answers, but there's an order in her eyes, a plea to be heard. She has a plan, and it seems I'm willing to see what that may be.
Following her lead, I place a hand on the small of her back before sending a glare to my older cousin. "We'll talk later."
Shisui doesn't seem to know what to make of the exchange, confusion evident in the way he continues to study Ms. Haruno and I. Still, he manages to speak. "Well," he starts with uncertainty and feigns a cough in an attempt to regain composure. "Don't let me continue to interrupt you."
He focuses on Ms. Haruno, a teasing glint in his eye as he offers a hand. "And sorry about this guy. He's become a workaholic as of late and forgot he has yet to turn thirty."
Ms. Haruno laughs again, accepting his extended hand with her free one. "Don't I know it."
Yet again, I am the subject of her teasing.
"I'm Shisui." He glances at her desk, her name adorning the plate stating her position. "Though, I guess you already knew that."
"Nice to finally meet you. I'm Sakura."
"Hopefully, we can talk more soon. Knowing Shrimp, here, it may not be until the day of your wedding." He laughs, awkwardness creeping back in as the unfamiliarity of the situation sinks in.
I lead her out of her office as her reply leaves her lips.
"Honestly, I doubt the Uchihas are strangers to secrets."
An understatement, to say the least.
Miss Haruno winces as she finally answers a call from her godmother. The phone is to her ear, but I can hear the woman's voice as I am seated next to her.
Juugo is at the driver's seat, earbuds in place as per my foresight. He is still unaware of the scale of this situation, and I'd rather have everything sorted before my assistant is informed of such a shift.
An engagement, no matter the sincerity, is a change in one's personal life, but this one will bleed into work once the news is made public. It's preferable Ms. Haruno and I are aware of when it is, rather than have my grandfather force his hand.
"I know what I said, but things happened after you left, and now…" She trails off, no doubt having been interrupted by her godmother on the other line.
A nod.
Another one.
She looks at me with a sheepish, apologetic expression. Moving the phone away from her ear and offering it to me, she whispers, "She wants to speak with you. Can I put it on speaker?"
I nod.
There's a sudden uneasiness I feel that vexes me. I knew this was coming. It's only inevitable that I must speak with Tsunade Senju seeing as I'm now, technically, engaged with her goddaughter. The nerves are unwelcome.
She taps on the speaker button, and immediately, there's a guarded edge in her voice. "Uchiha, explain."
Ms. Haruno sighs, rubbing at her temple. "I was about to explain, but you cut me off."
"You're going to sugar coat it. I don't need bullshit right now."
"I wasn't going to sugar coat it," Ms. Haruno mutters under her breath like a child would.
It's yet another facet of the woman now uncovered. Each layer is increasingly more perplexing.
My unexpected visit to her office didn't seem to faze her much. When last I saw her, she was determined to uncover the underlying story that is my family right after despairing by a bar at the very prospect of being forced into a marriage she wanted no part in.
She cannot be a more confusing woman. It's annoying that I haven't a clue what to make of her.
"We're engaged," I say, opting to say it as it is since she requested it.
There's a slight hue in Ms. Haruno's cheeks, most likely due to the bluntness of my delivery.
"And why the fuck are you engaged when Sakura was vehemently against it twenty-four hours ago? If you're forcing my goddaughter to go through with this[DS2] , I will deal with you, Uchiha."
I hadn't doubted their close relationship, but hearing this intense protectiveness cements it.
"Okay, enough of that," Ms. Haruno intercepts the conversation. "When have I ever been forced to do shit I don't want to do?"
"Just yesterday, you didn't want to do this!"
"Well, if you let me finish, I would have told you what happened!"
I'm truly not necessary in this conversation if the two continue to overtake each other before I even have a chance to speak.
"What? Are you going to tell me you and the Uchiha have history, and that's what changed your mind?"
Ms. Haruno huffs. "Define history."
"Sakura Haruno."
Full name. Universally, not a good sign.
"We've emailed each other before."
I scoff which earns me a glare.
"So what? You became pen pals with him? You can't possibly have grown a crush on your boss through email!"
"Why is that your conclusion?"
The two begin to bicker, and I debate cutting in, if only to speed the conclusion of this conversation.
It's apparent that Tsunade Senju is very protective of her. Having given her a choice regarding the matter, it's a stark contrast to my grandfather's order that this farce be pushed through.
There's a tenderness in the harsh, biting back-and-forth. Ms. Haruno does not seem at all negatively affected by the brusque way she's being spoken to[DS3] , and Senju is allowing her to speak to her the same way. Knowing what is spoken about the latter, any other person would be weeping after daring to address her like that.
"Look, do you trust me or not, Aunt T?"
"It's not that I don't trust you. It's them I don't trust."
With a heavy exhale, I finally interject. "It's a joint project, of sorts."
A pause.
"Project?"
"Both Ms. Haruno and I have something to gain."
Said woman and I share a look. I refuse to divulge anything about Itachi to anyone else yet, and based on her knowing look, she understands.
She and I are treading dangerous waters, so the less people know, the better.
"And I need you to trust me on this," Ms. Haruno adds.
"So you're both going to continue to be vague about this?" Frustration laces the older woman's voice.
"We'll tell you what we want people to know for now. We'll tell you everything later. Preferably, in person."
"You better not do anything stupid, Sakura."
Ms. Haruno pouts as she mutters "Too late for that," under her breath.
"Official story for now is that we met through a mutual friend," I say.
The idiot won't be too pleased that he's going to be used as a name for the press but given the fact he's off the grid for two to three weeks on his honeymoon, he'll survive.
"And eventually started exchanging emails," Ms. Haruno continues for me, a grimace at the truth hiding in that statement. "One thing led to another, and we started seeing each other."
"And serendipitously, you also happen to be inheriting the Senju Empire." Senju sighs. "Spinning it like a romantic fantasy."
"The public loves those."
"And are suspicious of it all the same. Are you really sure you want to do this? Because faking being in love isn't going to be the hard part. You do know that you're also going to have to come with me to work since you'll be the face of the future of the Senju, at least for now. You'll be scrutinized on a bigger scale."
Determination solidifies in her features, that same annoyingly captivating twinkle in her eye reappearing. "I know what I'm doing, Aunt T, but I also know that I can get what I'm looking for by the end of this."
"Whatever that is." Senju's exasperation reverberates through the car, but she concedes. "You're too fucking stubborn."
"And who did I get that from?" Pride shines through her words, and the silence on the other line tells me all I need to know.
From being vehemently against this to this, Ms. Haruno's thirst for answers only reminds me of a few of our correspondences. She was always asking questions, making sure to inform me of even the tiniest flub and using it to her advantage. She's not overt in her cleverness, either, preferring to weave her way in deliberately before going in for the kill.
When it doesn't have to do with her innate curiosity, however, her emotions appear clear as day, and she is not afraid to show it. Case in point, her interaction with her godmother.
Right now, she's tenaciously steadfast, but there's a hint of unease despite it. Is it the brevity of the situation sinking in the more her godmother talks about it? Or is it the withholding of information that's obstructing the front of self-assurance?
I hadn't noticed it much before, most of our interactions having been through words on a screen rather than face to face, but with her right here next to me, flickers of fear escape through her eyes every so often. Even with all of that, she persists.
Just like my first encounter with her.
Admittedly, it is as admirable as it is annoyingly mystifying.
"Uchiha," Senju's voice brings me out of my silent assessment. "I haven't met you, but I've met with your grandfather more than I'd like, so you better listen up. You brought her into this, you make sure she'll get out of this okay."
I glance at Ms. Haruno, a small pout on her lips, almost petulant at the insinuation of the request.
"I think your goddaughter is more than capable of handling herself," I say, believing the words exiting my mouth. "But I'll do my best."
She harrumphs. "I guess I better get in contact with Madara. We'll have to finalize everything and figure out when to announce this."
The call ends shortly after, and Ms. Haruno relaxes herself on the leather seat, a long, deep intake of breath shuddering out into an exhale.
"One more nail in the coffin," she says.
I let out a breath, amused. "Flattering choice of words to choose to describe our engagement."
"Almost engagement," she turns her head, her cheeks slightly pink. Then, a smirk lifts her lips. "I don't see a ring, and your granddaddy hasn't paid the dowry, yet."
Rolling my eyes at her attempt at levity, I lean back on the seat, as well, arms crossed. "We may as well get our stories straight."
"And our act."
I turn my head and find her face is but a few inches away. I don't move back.
"If we're going to pretend this is a 'serendipitous romantic fantasy', as Aunt T said, you need to stop calling me 'Ms. Haruno'."
"I don't recall you ever calling me by my name, either."
Her teasing grin drops, and, for a moment, her gaze moves down before meeting mine again. It wasn't deliberate. It was brief, perhaps even subconsciously done, but it didn't miss my notice.
"Sakura." For the first time, I speak her name, and it truly does fit her, especially when a grin reforms on her lips.
"Sasuke."
There's that twinkle again.
She offers her hand. Slowly, I lift mine, feeling the warmth of her palm on mine.
A handshake.
A deal made.
A fate sealed.
Whatever that fate may be.
Notes:
Juugo with his little earbuds while he's driving T.T
Little does he know those earbuds will be his best friend later on in the story jdsfhksdjfhsdjkf (iykyk)
This took longer to write than I'd like, but weeeee, here it is!