Hey Everyone! I bet you noticed that brief Hiatus. Hopefully, I didn't lose a bunch of people who were following. I've had a CrAzY past few months. Moved twice. Read an entire textbook. Passed a certification exam. Started Grad School. Woo. Now I'm a month into my program and I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of things. I also read a whole bunch of books on writing... I'm not sure they helped. They probably didn't. In fact, I felt way more stressed at writing than I did before, and I began over-analyzing everything. But I am way more aware of mistakes in writing that beginners tend to make, so hopefully I'm avoiding more of those now. :)

Anyway, the latest chapter I've been working on has gotten waaaaay too long, so I'm just gonna cut it, and put the second half in another chapter. So, on a whim, I'm totally just throwing this out there today. No more analyzing. I'm just gonna give you something! Yay! Be fed and happy!

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Chapter 8: Here goes nothing.

I doodle on my notepad, as my brother drones on about our business partners in Europe. I couldn't care less. Most of this information doesn't pertain to me, but I've been informed that I have to sit in this check-up meeting just like everyone else. Appearances and such.

My pen draws a series of lines and hash marks, crescents and circles. I fill in a few shapes. I pause, my pen hanging in the air millimeters above the page. I work my bottom lip between my teeth. My lungs pause.

A familiar pair of eyes stare up at me from the page. If I had just the right shade of blue, I would color them in.

"…u-'re dismissed."

Buzzing begins around me, as my co-workers begin rising from their seats around me and collecting their belongings. Most of them are out of the door in seconds. Seeing this as my cue, I grab the cover of my notepad to close it, when a familiar, pale hand appears over my shoulder and grasping the notepad and ripping it out of my hands. My heart jumps, and I swipe at its fluttering pages, but it's pulled out of reach over my shoulder. Turning my head, I meet my brother's eyes.

Itachi, wearing his usual crisp, navy suit and trademark pony-tail, smirks, holding my notepad up to the light. "I didn't know you still drew, Otouto."

"I don't."

"Impressive use of…" My brother tilts the page side to side, pursing his lips like an over-blown art critic. "…lines."

"You have no idea what you're talking about."

He shrugs. "Well, I can see you have a talent for it. When you were in middle school, I used to believe you would become an artist. I can say I was surprised when you choose accounting."

My lips tighten, as if on cue. I swipe at my notepad again, but he moves it away from my hand. The peaks of my canines stab my tongue without mercy, when he begins flipping through other pages. This is the notebook I bring to pointless meetings, such as this one, so it's filled with many…

…doodles…

…of a certain person.

"That's private."

"Hmm…" Itachi's onyx eyes capture mine and hold them tightly, as his lips spread across his face. "I can see why."

My eyes turn away from my brother's piercing gaze, as they follow the last three stragglers leaving the conference room. I wait until the door swings shut behind them, giving myself time to unhinge my locked jaw. I turn to my brother once again. "Did you need something?"

"It's been two weeks, Otouto. Is this how you greet your favorite older brother?"

"You're my only older brother."

"So disagreeable. Can't I get one 'Welcome home, Nii-san'?"

I sigh quietly through my nose. Itachi loves when I say 'Nii-san.' So I usually chose not to use it. "Welcome home…"

Black eyes narrow and a smirk grows, as the Spawn of Satan waves my notebook in the air above my head.

Blackmail.

Damn it.

"Nii-san," I say. Disdain dripping from my lips. I hold my palm out, waiting for him to return my book.

My brother's smirk turns into a small smile, his lips tight, as if he's trying to keep it from growing. Like I said, he loves it when I say, 'Nii-san.' No matter how I say it.

Itachi sits on the edge of the conference table next to my seat, crossing his arms across his chest. My notebook clamped to his chest. "Still sore, I take it?"

Yes. "No." I eye my notebook trapped in his arms, looking for the best method to snatch it back.

"You aren't sore?" Itachi's eyes glisten in the florescent lighting above, and he quirks one delicate eyebrow. "That's surprising, Otouto. I thought your lack of response to my phone calls, emails, and texts was due to you still being upset with me for kicking your ass two weeks ago."

"You didn't kick my ass."

"Hm…" He becomes lost in fake thought, tapping an index finger against his pointed chin. My eyes flick to my notebook. He tightens his grip in response. "As I remember it, I had you pinned to the floor…"

"…" I meet his eyes.

"Chichi had to rescue you."

"…" My lips press together.

"Oh…" His voice lowers. "And Naruto…"His soulless eyes flick to my notebook in his tight grasp and then to me once again. Wicked Triumph lurking in his gaze. "… heard the entire thing on speaker phone."

My mask of passivity slowly slips and a glare makes an entrance. My fist tightens as I glower at my brother's growing smirk, but still I refuse to respond.

Asshole.

His eyes continues to bore into mine, and I wait on tenterhooks for his next move. I have an idea of what he is going to say. I'm confident that he has had the entire story from Naruto. The blonde being such an insufferable chatter mouth, I bet he was thrilled to share such a juicy story with my brother. I can just hear them…

…

'Itachi, you'll never believe it… Sasuke tried to feel me up, and I totally shot his ass down. Can you believe he actually thought I would sleep with him?'

Itachi shakes his head slowly, his eyes trained on the floor. 'And on the first night, too. I never knew my precious little brother was such a creep.'

'I know, God! Why would you ever think that I would be interested in a creep like that? I have class, Itachi! And then, can you believe he made fun of orphans at a charity gala?'

Itachi groans and covers his face with his hands. 'Can he stoop any lower?'

'Itachi, please make sure your disgusting, classless brother comes nowhere near me ever again.'

'I will, Naruto… I will.' Itachi's body is wracked with held back sobs. 'I wish you could be my brother, instead. You're a good man, Naruto.'

'I am. And I'm definitely too good for Sasuke.'

…

The sound of pages turning brings me back to reality. Itachi has my notebook open in his grasp, licking his index finger periodically and perusing the pages once by one. "Have you apologized?" His voice breaks the quiet.

I turn my head to face him fully, heat drowning my stomach. Naruto told him. He actually told him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"So, you haven't apologized."

I blink several times and grit my teeth, their potentially-real conversation running through my head like a mantra.

…Can he stoop any lower?… your disgusting, classless brother…nowhere near me ever again…too good for Sasuke…

"I don't need to apologize."

He continues to flip through my drawings, still not meeting my eyes. "Do you want to apologize?"

I swallow and pucker my lips, my tongue pressing against the backside of my teeth. "There is nothing to apologize for, Itachi. The idiot simply misunderstood a comment I made. It's not my fault that he's a complete and utter dumbass." My brother's hand pauses in mid-page-turn, still not meeting my eyes. My heart pounds in my chest. I bet he's finding it just as ironic as I am. My complaining about the man, who's face is scrawled into everyone of those pages.

But Itachi's silent for a moment too long. I swallow again, my heart pounding against my ear drums. I look up at him through my lashes. My breathing tight. Waiting for it. Just waiting. Itachi stares down at me with an unreadable expression.

Here it comes…

I swallow again, as I try to smooth out my eyebrows. It's coming. I can feel it. But unlike previous times…

I know I deserve whatever I get.

Itachi's lips press together, before his mouth opens. I try not to cringe.

"Okay."

I blink. Twice. "Okay?"

He shrugs. "Okay."

My eyebrows pinch, and my eyes travel around the room before returning to Itachi. "That's it?" My eyes search his closed expression for an indication of anything more coming. "No staring contest. No concealed words of wisdom. No brotherly intervention. No... constrained fury?" I blink three more times and swallow twice. "Just 'Okay?'"

My brother smiles and closes my book. He hikes up one pant leg and rests his ankle on the opposite knee, now perched rather precariously on the table edge, both hands and notebook resting on his shin. He continues to smile down at me. I continue to glare up at him.

"You seem upset, Otouto."

I refuse to respond, as my jaw skews to one side.

"Hm. I didn't know you valued my input so much. I'm touched."

I snort quietly. "I didn't say I valued it." I respond, through gritted teeth. "It just…" I work my jaw to loosen it, as barbs of frustration continue to irk me. "It usually comes…" My voice trails off.

"… without you asking for it."

My eyes flick to his. "Precisely."

Itachi's eyes, void of any emotion, seem to pierce into my soul. "Are you asking for it now, Otouto?"

Pale fingers twirl the pen still resting on the table. "No." This is getting dangerously close to begging.

And Uchiha's don't beg.

"Okay." Itachi repeats and stands from his position against the table. He tosses my notebook back on the table in front of me, and I wrap my hands around it, pulling it into my body. I look up, but his back is turned towards me. My eyes track his movements, as he begins detaching his laptop from the projector, then turning off the technology around the room. My stomach swells with tortuous waves of warmth, as he turns back in my direction, but he moves towards his laptop bag, picking it up from underneath the conference table. My brother grabs his laptop and places it inside the bag, swinging it over his shoulder and pulling his pinned pony-tail out from underneath its strap. He begins to turn, and I lick my lips.

Here is comes.

Itachi glances around the room without meeting my eyes. He takes a few unhurried steps towards the door. At the door, he pauses. Lifting his hand slowly.

Now.

He flicks off the lights and walks out of the room… Leaving the door wide open and me in the dying light from the window.

God, damn it.

I grit my teeth, my palm slamming the twirling pen to a halt on the table. My fingers drum the table around the pen. "Nii-san…"

"Yes, Otouto?" My brother's smiling face appears around the door frame.

I meet Itachi's eyes for a split second, before looking down at the pen resting between my fingers. My teeth dig into my cheek. "If… I was…" My brother doesn't respond and the silence grows. "…ask-… -ing…"

"Otouto," The rest of his lithe body appears, as he leans against the door frame, pulling his ponytail over one shoulder. He crosses his ankles, then his arms. "Are you asking for my input?"

"I…" One final exhale. "Yes…. Nii-san." My eyes leaving the table long enough to see his shit-eating grin.

God, he's loving this.

"Which would you prefer, Sasuke? Some concealed words of wisdom? Some brotherly intervention? Or would you rather we do a staring contest? That's always been your favorite."

I send him a deadpan stare.

"I'm afraid I don't know any of the details, Sasuke. Unless you share the particulars, I will not be able to… intervene."

My eyes narrow. "Bullshit."

My brother's lips split into an easy smile. "You think very highly of me, little brother."

"There's no way he hasn't told you."

"Quite the contrary." His eyes travel to the floor, as his amusement seems to grow. "I admit that I inquired, about what about what transpired." He smile twists "But he failed to… comply-ired."

"Oh, God. Please tell me you aren't rapping."

"I have been looking for a career change."

"Ha ha." I respond dryly. "So," keeping my brother on topic, "…you asked Naruto, but…"

He sighs. "As I recall… and pardon the language… he told me to mind my own fucking business and stay the fuck out of yours." He purses his lips to one side, looking dangerously like a scolded puppy. Nearly apologetic.

I lick my lips, as my eyes absorbs every nuance of his downcast expression. So Naruto didn't… he actually… he stood up to… and he even made my brother…

"Naruto is one of two people, who is allowed to talk to me that way… and live."

A smile tugs at my lips.

Just… wow.

"Of course," He black eyes meet mine once again, "Naruto doesn't understand how much you…" he smiles, "…appreciate my input."

My smile transforms into a glare. "Like hell I do."

"Did you not just ask for my help, Otouto?"

I clamp my lips shut.

Damn it.

"Hm. I'm guessing you aren't going to share what happened, now that you know I don't know."

That sounds about right.

"I can work with that," Itachi continues. "My advice is the same as before."

I wait for more, but my brother remains quiet. "Advice?" I prompt. I can't think of any advice.

"I hate repeating myself, so don't make me say this again." Three long strides and a painful jab to my forehead with two fingers from across the table. "Naruto's a good man," his dark eyes hold mine, his fingers remain in jabbing position. "So get your head out of your ass."

I smile in spite of myself and knock his hand away from my head. "Lovely."

Itachi chuckles, just as a ringtone fills the air. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. "I'm sure it will fit any situation you manage to find yourself in." Turning away, he answers. "Oka-san… mm-hmm… My flight was good…"

I drum my fingers on the table as my brother falls into an easy conversation with my mother. My jaw works, as I chew on the inside of my cheek. I guess I have my answer. The only problem is… I threw Naruto's stupid number away. What the hell was I thinking?

My eyes travel up to my brother, to where he is leaning against the door with his back to me. I really don't want to ask again. I'd rather die. And not figuratively die. Actually die. I mean I had to puke to get Naruto's number out of him the first time.

"Hm… Sasuke?..."

I raise my gaze, and he's looking at me through the corner of his eyes from his craned neck. The phone still to his ear.

"Yes, he's here. Do you want to speak to him?"

I press my lips together, eyes wide, as I vigorously shake my head. I know exactly what's she's going to say. It's been two weeks, and I have yet to take Hinata on a 'proper' date.

"Ah, okay." My brother places his hand over the microphone, turning back towards me, a smirk playing on his lips. "Okasan's waiting for you at your office." My stomach sinks, as my brother's smile continues to grow. "With Hinata."

The color drains from my face in a slow, sinking trickle. My peripheral vision blurs. My breathing stops. My hand grips the table edge.

It's fight or flight.

Pushing back from the table in one fluid motion, I stand, knocking my chair to the floor. My heart pounding, as the adrenaline kicks in. "Girlfriend." My voice hard, as I enunciate every syllable, yet, soft enough to not be picked up by Itachi's phone. My eyes narrow to show I'm serious. "Girlfriend," I repeat.

Fight. I've chosen to fight.

A normal human would not be able to detect the small widening of my brother's eyes. The slight tightening of his lips. Or the way his brows pinch. But I'm no normal human. I'm a fucking Uchiha.

Seconds tic by. The pounding of my heart alive in my ears. My breath pauses, as I wait for his response.

"Hm…" Only an Uchiha could detect his nostril flare. The way his eyes narrow to show he's serious. Itachi swallows before lowering his hand from the microphone. "Sasuke said he will meeting you both in the lobby. Yes. Okay. Bye." Itachi's hard gaze never leaves mine as he lowers the phone, his thumb taping the 'End' button. "I just bought you ten minutes."

I press my lips firm to keep the pleased smirk from breaking through. Uchiha's don't gloat. I collect my notebook, pen, and laptop, clutching them tight. My feet fall in brisk steps, as I brush past my brother on my way to the door. A hand grasps my shoulder, tugging me to a halt. Warm lips brush the cuff of my ear. Hot puff invading my space.

"I don't do well with threats." Itachi's voice is low, himself threatening. Dangerous. My eyes stare unfocused through the door frame. "If you want me to do something, ask." His hand tightens painfully on my shoulder. "I would never use your personal life as leverage."

I swallow and grit my teeth. Part of me knows he's right, but something else dark and furious claws through my gut. I tilt my chin up to meet his hard gaze, not even sure what I plan to say. "You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend."

His lips press together, but fails to respond. Typical.

"You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend. How long have you been dating her, Nii-san? Weeks? Months?" I sneer. "Years?"

Still no response.

My eyes narrow, as I feel the boil begin to overflow. My hands fisting at my side. "You expect me to lay my life open to you, Nii-san. Yet, you share nothing in return."

Itachi holds my gaze for a few shaky moments longer, before he releases my shoulder, his hand falling to his side, and a sluggish breath releases from his lungs. "Hn." His dark eyes travel to the floor. A few more seconds pass, and I half expect my mother and Hinata to fly through the door. "I'll meet Haha in the Lobby…. Buy you more time." With that, he quietly exits the room.

That's the closest thing I'll get to an apology.

I follow my brother to the elevator at the end of the hall. He presses the button, but I take the stairs. I haven't quite forgiven him, and my office is only two flights down. Reaching my floor, I walk down the hallway at a brisk pace, ignoring my assistant as he tries to inform me about my mother. I shut my wooden door, and I go straight for my canvas shoulder bag hanging off the back of my black, leather chair. I quickly stuff my laptop and its cord inside. Digging in the front pocket, I make sure I have my keys and bus card, before grabbing the strap of the bag and swinging it over my shoulder.

A clatter reaches my ears, and I glare at the overturned pen cup, as it rolls across my desk. I manage to catch three pens before they hit the floor, but I miss two, and they bounce off the carpet and spin under my desk. I stare at the dark void, knowing I should leave them there and escape for dear life. But for the life of me, I can't. I have been raised to be clean and meticulous. Uchiha's don't leave messes. One of many rules my father inculcated in me from birth.

Dropping to my knees, I quickly swipe under the desk, and my hands connects with two pens and a crumpled, piece of paper. Pulling them out, I rise to my feet and stuff the pens back in their cup, before looking down at the yellow, paper ball. A yellow, post-it.

A crumpled, yellow post-it.

My canines press together, as a fleeting thought gnaws at my brain. Something seems… off.

A crumpled, yellow post-it under my desk… next to the trash can.

My phone beeps and I dig it out of my pocket, while simultaneously tossing the ball in the trash. A text from my brother:

'Crisis delayed. Distracted parental unit with coffee. Get out while you still can. This message will self-destructing in 10... 9...'

I roll my eyes and place my phone back in my pocket. Outside my office, I leave my assistant with a quick message about a family emergency. The emergency, of course, being my family. He nods sagaciously, and I'm half-way down the hall before it happens.

The remembrance.

Turning on my heels, stride down the hallway at a sprint, throwing my office door open, and launching myself at my trash receptacle. I spill its contents on the floor, shifting through the paper coffee cups and the forgotten memos to that stupid, yellow, crumpled post-it. With shaky fingers, I smooth open its creases, until my eyes behold the nine most magnificent numbers I have ever seen in my life. And I'm an accountant.

I pull my phone back out, ignoring the most recent text from my brother, I dial the numbers, and as I listen to the phone ring, my eyes trace over my brother's tight scrawl on the stupidly wonderful, crumpled, yellow, post-it. I might need to make a call to PSA, Post-it Stare-ers Anonymous, after this.

"Hello?"

The air leaves my body. "Naruto," I manage to say with my last ounce of breath.

"Um… hi? Who is this?"

"Sasuke."

The pause is palpable."I guess I don't need to ask how you got this number."

My lips press together, as my smile grows. Like coming up for fresh air-

"So... what do you want?" He sounds... hostile.

My cloud of bliss sinks in. "Um…" I start without any real direction.

"Yes?"

"..."

I hear him sigh. "If you didn't have anything to say, why did you even call?"

"I…"

"You..."

My brother's voice rings in my ears. 'Have you apologized?'

I clear my throat, steeling my body. I can do this.

"I wanted to… ap… pol… lo… gize." There is a sentence I haven't uttered since I was five.

"Okay…"

A pleased smile, pulls at my lips. "Good." That was easier than I thought. I had expected Naruto to be difficult.

"Wait… what?" A long pause from his end. "Was that… Was that your apology?"

"Um… Yes?"

"You've got to be kidding me."

"I wasn't kidding."

"So, your apology is just, 'I wait to… ap-po-po-lo-gi-gize'?" He mimics my voice in a very, unfavorable fashion.

I grit my teeth. "Yes."

"Let me guess, Uchiha's don't apologize."

"Generally no."

He sighs. "Typical."

"So, do you accept it?" I ask.

"No, are you kidding? If you're going to apologize, you should at least say what you're apologizing for."

"Why?"

"What do you mean 'why?' So I understand why you're sorry."

"You already know what I'm apologizing for."

"It could be any number of things, Asshole."

I blink several times, the little patience I have failing. "I only know of two instances that may require an apology, but I'm sure you are aware of those instances."

"Humor me, Bastard."

"No."

"Then I'm not accepting your shitty-ass apology."

"Stop being difficult."

"No, you stop being difficult."

"Only if you stop being an idiot."

"You trying to rack up more things to apologize for?"

"Just accept my apology."

"No! It wasn't even a real apology!"

I move my jaw back and forth to relieve some of the building tension. "Fine."

"Fine what?"

"I apologize…"

"for…"

"…for the orphan thing."

A pause. "What else?"

"… for trying to have sex with you."

"Heh," he laughs. "You're apologizing for that?"

"Yes…"

"Interesting."

"Wait…" My brain turning. "You're not mad about that?"

"I'd be lying, if I said I was."

A smile tugs at my lips. "Hn."

"Well… I am a little mad about one part…" He trails off.

"What's that?" My phone dings next to my ear, but I ignore it.

"That your fiancée was in the other room, while you tried it."

"You didn't seem to mind at the time."

"Bastard."

"In fact, as I remember it, you were the one who wanted to take advantage of me."

He makes a low hum. "I know... God, I'm kinda sorry I acted that way. I've been pretty embarrassed about the whole thing."

I don't respond.

"Look Sasuke… I kinda like you and I'm definitely interested, but…" He sighs. "I don't want to be just some final gay fling before you get married."

I chew on my bottom lip, as the silence stretches between us.

Naruto grunts. "You can't even deny it?"

Feeling that his comment must be some kind of clue, I open my mouth to deny or something, anything… but no sound comes out. I haven't really thought about what this is… what I'm trying to accomplish… and, at this point, Naruto's description sounds pretty accurate.

"Okay, well…" Naruto's breath puffs into his microphone. "I think it would be best if you didn't contact me again."

"Naru-"

"No, just-ugh," he groans. "As long as you're still engaged, just don't… okay?"

My eyes stare unfocused towards the ground. A slow wave of understanding passes over me. It won't be easy, but I understand what I have to do.

My phone dings again.

I let out a slow breath and lick my lips, before swallowing. "Okay."

"Okay, what?" Naruto's voice sounds hesitant.

"Okay. I won't contact you again." I have to give up.

His breath against the phone again. "You're such a fucking asshole, you know that?"

My teeth grit at the name-calling. Real mature. "I'm an ass-hole because I agreed with you?"

"That's exactly why you're an asshole."

"You're the most confusing person."

"Well, so are you, fucker." I open my mouth to respond, but he cuts me off. "I have to go. So, just… do whatever the fuck you want. Bye, Sasuke." The phone goes quiet.

I pull the phone away from my ear, as I watch the screen go blank.

…

My teeth press together.

…

I'm so fucking confused.

I'm not sure how long I stood there staring at my reflection in the blank screen of my phone.

But now I'm sure it was about two minutes too long.

"There you are, Sasuke." My office door flings open, as my mother storms in, coat tails flying behind her in her wake, which feels like the Coming of Eternal Sorrow. She's wearing an electric smile, and even in my brain-muddled state I can tell her eyes are a little too wide for comfort. She turns and slowly closes the door behind her, with a pronounced click. Her back facing me. Her hand still resting on the door. "Thought you could use your brother to throw me off, huh, Sasuke?" She then slowly turns to face me. Her face stretched in a freighting smile.

A thrilling chill travels down my spine, as I take an involuntary step back. "Oka-san, I-"

"No talking."

My mouth snaps shut, and my body straightens.

"You've been avoiding me."

"I-"

"I thought I told you not to speak."

I nod. My eyes scanning the room, checking for an open window, a trap door. Some closet I can crawl into. Not that I'm not already in a closet, so to speak. MY mother clears her throat, and I meet her sharp, onyx eyes once again. Long lashes framing their edges, lengthening their depth. No escape.

"You've been avoiding me for two weeks." She begins. "Two whole weeks." My mother tilts her head forward, eyes piercing my soul, long, dark hair framing her face. "With excuse, after excuse. But enough is enough, Sasuke."

I swallow and try not to move.

"You need to spend time with Hinata."

My lips tighten, and my eyes travel to the floor. I don't agree. I have the rest of my life to 'spend time' with her. I would like to savor my freedom for as long as physically possible.

"You don't want to spend time with her, that much is evident. I'm sure even Hinata knows. But do you understand why I want you to spend time with her?"

I assume this is a rhetorical question, and I raise my eyebrows, still looking disdainfully at the carpet beneath my feet.

"It's important to get to know her, so you can fully understand the consequences of your inaction."

My forehead wrinkles, and my eyes jump to my mother. Her eyes bore into mine as I attempt to process her words. "My inaction? Hn. Then, am I to assume that this marriage is punishment for not finding a wife?"

"No, I mean your inaction to stop a marriage you obviously do not want."

"Hn." I snort. "You make it sound like I have a choice.

"You always have a choice." Her voice soft. Quiet.

My eyes narrow. "Wasn't this already decided? I'm getting married to help the company. This merger will-"

"You don't actually believe that, do you?" She interrupts. "You aren't some commodity to be traded."

"Oto-san said-"I insist.

"-just enough to get you to surrender control." She pauses, and her voice lowers to a whisper. "Like you always do."

I blink several times, a warm rage settling in my stomach. "I don't surrender control." She makes it sound like I just… Like I… "Oto-san said the company-"

"Sasuke, the company doesn't need this merger. It would be beneficial, yes, but that isn't the true reason your father has made this decision."

"Then enlighten me… Oka-san." I add at the end, so I don't sound entirely disrespectful towards my mother.

"You've spent enough time alone.

"I like being alone." I say, through tight lips.

"You are a wonderful person, and you should share yourself with another human being."

"Tch." I roll my eyes.

A lone pause, so I raise my eyes. My mother stares unforgivably, until her lips quirk. Eyes narrow. "Even your brother has a girlfriend."

All thought derailed. My face relaxes, head lifting. "You know about that?"

"Please, Sasuke." She turns her head, with a coy smile. "Where do you think your brother received his investigative skills? You're father?" She laughs, pale fingers covering her lips.

I blink several times, seeing my mother in a different light.

"A few months ago, you're father and I agreed it was time you found a companion. I suggested that you just needed a push, and your father decided you needed more than a push. So, he found a suitable partner for you."

Not that suitable.

"In many ways, Hinata would be a very good partner for you."

Except in one very big way.

"She's intelligent, kindhearted. She would treat you well and keep you company. She comes from a similar family and would understand you in ways that many others would not. So, I agreed with your father's selection. And in less than two months, you will be married…" Her voice trails off... and I feel a distinct pause in the air.

"Unless…" I prompt.

My mother's lips quirk in a pleased smile. "Very good." She tilts her head to one side. "I've been trying to speak to you for two weeks because I'm prepared to make you a deal."

My heart flutters. "And what's that?"

"Find a partner in the next two months… well six weeks, at this point… then come out to your father, and I will make sure that do not have to marry Hinata-chan."

My eyebrows pinch and my stomach twists painfully at her phrasing. "Come out?"

"Yes." She smiles, her eyes narrowing affectionately. My stomach continues to churn. "Your father is more open-minded than you may imagine. Especially in his old age. I'm sure he just wants you to be honest with him."

My jaw tightens, and my heart pounds. Does she know that I…

… that I'm…

'Where do you think your brother received his investigative skills?'

Does she already know?

"So…" I start, unsure if I should proceed. "This partner can be…" Should I say it? Should I really ask if it can be…

"They can be anyone you want." She finishes.

"They?" I've noticed how she has failed to specify the gender of my supposed partner.

"Your partner."

The term 'partner' is also typically used for… "Do you know?" I blurt, instantly regretting my words. My eyes tight.

"Know what?" Her face turns concerned.

"If you know, just say it, Oka-san." My pulse beating against my ears.

She smirks and eyes me. "Wait… Do you have a secret lover I don't know about?" My mother's eyes and smile widen with excitement. "Then this will be easier than I thought. Who is it?" She asks, clearly searching for gossip. "Tell me."

My eye bore unflinchingly into my mother's excited gaze. "I don't have a secret lover." I'm still exceedingly aware that she isn't using any gendered nouns. Also, that I just used the phrase 'secret lover.' In front of my mother. And she said the phrase first.

Her face crumbles as she sighs. "Well, I guess you have six weeks to find one, right?" Her lips curve into a disturbing smirk, as she shoots me a wink. "And then, just come out to your father, tell him you do not wish to marry Hinata, and reveal to him who you have chosen."

She said it again. And I don't know how to respond. Seconds tick by. "Come out... with... "

"Just tell your father how you feel." She smiles. "You can even tell him about our deal if you wish. I don't mind taking the blame. Just make sure you tell him that you don't want to marry Hinata, and that you have another person in mind."

"I…" My voice trails off. I'm not sure what I think. Does she know or doesn't she? I'm too much of a coward to ask, and I'm feeling anxious about this deal and her words. I have a strange feeling that my mother knows more than she is letting on. Even if she has figured out that I am not… straight… If she thinks for one second that I would willing present a male to my father, with the punishment being immediate castration, then she is comically mistaken.

I study the floor around my mother's black pumps, and a ridiculous thought tries to enter my thought space…

...

I try to shake it away, but it keeps coming.

…

An image of Naruto in a red and white polka dot, 1050's style dress, stretched across his wide shoulders, as he greats me at the door of our house after work, his own black pumps clicking against the marbled floor. A long blonde wig perched atop his head, its length sweeping his shoulders. He kisses my cheek and takes my coat and briefcase from my hands, his crystal blue eyes gazing into mine. He sets down my things, placing his hands on the shoulders of my suit. Announcing how happy he is that I'm home…

…

Yeah, that's fucking stupid.

…

Naruto in drag wouldn't fool anyone.

…

But the image continues, and the absurdity of it causing a minuscule smile to form on my lips.

...

After dinner, I stand behind him as he does the dishes. My shoes on either side of those pumps I slide one hand under his skirt, feeling firm tights and tighter ass under my fingertips. He scolds me halfheartedly, while contradicting his words by pushing his ass into my hungry palm. My fingers graze his crack and dip inside, a cocky smirk on my lips, as I delve deep between his two cheeks. I press him onto the counter with my chest, stealing a whiff from his neck, one finger reaching my prize. He inhales sharply, a dish clattering into the sink, a moan escapes his throat, as I bite down on his neck and plunge one digit into his tight, hot-

"Do we have a deal, Sasuke?" My unfocused gaze lands on my mother's twisting smile, seemingly amused by my train of thought. Damn it. My cheeks color slightly. She holds out her hand, waiting for my shake of agreement.

Clearing my throat, I cover my mouth, and strategically my cheeks, with my fist, as I will away the traitorous blush. It's mostly under control, by the time I meet my mother's eyes once again. She seems even more amused than before. My eyes narrow. "Can you even make this deal, Oka-san? Father is set on this marriage. So, if I do manage to find… a partner…" Naruto bending over the sink, gripping the counter between his hands, my hand on his back, pushing him forward, lifting his skirt, so I can feast on the view below. I add a second digit to his quivering... "What exactly can you do to change his mind?"

"Oh, Sasuke…" Her coy smile returns, and her eyes sparkle in the fluorescent lighting above. "You have so much to learn." She extends her hand a few inches further, and my eyes lock on its position. Her fingers wave me forward, wigging playfully. I swallow, and take two steps forward, a slow chill rushes through me. I have the feeling this deal is wrong. A deal with the Devil. My hand connects, a strange tingle rushing through me, as her fingers latch around my hand, squeezing my palm tight.

What the hell did I just agree to?

"Good boy," my mother says, patting my shoulder with her other hand. We shake our interlocked hands three times. "Just remember that you have to spend time with Hinata and treat her with respect. She is also in an arranged marriage with which she may not agree." She releases my hand and turns on her heel, opening the door with one fluid movement and pausing just in the doorway. She turns her cheek towards me, not meeting my eyes. "She's waiting for you in the hallway. Please take her to dinner."

My mother leaves the room, and my eyes travel from my mother's back to Hinata's down-turned, blushing face.

I sigh. I have a feeling my life just got a bit more complicated.

Well.

Here goes nothing.

.

.

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Thank you to everyone that commented last chaper. And for the Guest who kept asking me to update. It was super sweet. I'm too ashamed to go back and read all your beautiful comments tonight. Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter enough to forgive me.

I have 10,000 more words written, but they need some heavy editing, which is one reason I've taken so long to post. I just haven't had time to clean it up and expand. I hope to find some time this weekend. So you should see the next chapter soon.

-Ptero