Sumire and Itachi were dressed in their pajamas and curled up in bed. The past evening was the most emotionally straining experience either had had in a long time, but they were happy to have come to a level of mutual understanding.

Itachi's arm was lightly hooked over her side, his face only inches from hers. Both were tucked under the covers with their heads on the same long navy pillow. They could feel one another's warm breath softly brushing across one another's lips, but neither was bothered by this rare, prolonged closeness.

"The issues began when I first started studying at Konoha University. I received a note slipped into my bookbag that I hadn't found until I arrived home. It was an anonymous threat, that if I didn't abandon my father's company, they would cause Sasuke harm."

Sumire pouted, but she silently waited for him to continue.

"Through a series of events. I left my family home with all that I'd saved from working as an office assistant to a few of the supervisors in our company, my father included."

"So you quit as the heir?"

"Not exactly. My father and I agreed I should leave for a short while, so they could investigate the source of the threatening letter and to prevent Sasuke from being harmed. We never announced that I was leaving the company, but somehow reporters arrived at my family home asking questions. My mother called me to warn me they might be able to track me down. I was working remotely from my laptop in my apartment. I sought help from the business department head at Konoha University at the time, and he put me in contact with the director of the concert hall."

"That's how you started working at the concert hall?"

"Yes, but unfortunately, things became more complicated. Because Sasuke was so young at the time, we tried to keep everything from him. To protect him."

Like you did to me? You have a really bad habit of this, Itachi. She wanted to spout, but she only frowned.

Itachi's dark brows raised slightly at the displeasure in her expression, and he smiled:

"Yes, I haven't learned have I?"

"Oh no, I was. I mean." her hands came up from their comfortable place beneath the sheets.

He chuckled and kissed her forehead.

"I never explained to Sasuke exactly what was happening. In his eyes, I was abandoning the company, the family, and most importantly him. Before I realized this, he had already dropped out of school and ran away from home. My mother called me, sobbing. We couldn't contact him at all. He left behind his cell phone and no clue as to where he had gone."

"...why would he run away? ...why would…"

"I suppose, in his eyes. He must have thought that he would be forced to take over the family company, but with resentment. The company "wasn't good enough" for my older brother and he's just passing it off to me. I imagine is what he thought. Uchiha Incorporate was not as large at the time, but it was steadily growing under the direction of my father. Nonetheless, we were seen as a company rife with malpractice. 'Why should I inherit such a deplorable company?' Is likely another thing he thought. He might have feared he would become the target for my father's anger at losing the 'perfect heir' and being given to the 'less talented younger son.' Enough of this rhetoric running through your mind at such a young age can be really trying."

That's why he's such a butthead. I guess even he has had a tough time.

"We were able to regain contact with him. It turns out he had gone away to the Oto district on the other side of the country and was working a few jobs to support himself. He returned when my mother explained everything to him, but our relationship has been strained since."

"It'll be okay."

Itachi let his gaze fall onto the eyes sparkling at him.

"He really loves you. I think he'll find a way to forgive you for not being clear with him."

"Un. I hope so."

"Then, what is happening now?"

"Sasuke is no longer in harm's way, and my father is preparing to hand over the reins once I complete my doctorate. That man is using your existence as a last ditch attempt to smear my name, but it is hardly an issue. My family is only panicking because the "pureblooded" concept still permeates the branches. If you make a public appearance alongside me, with my father's verbal approval, it should qualm the media presence. I wanted to speak to you first, though. Once your face becomes public. You will have a much more difficult time. In your daily life. At school. Out with your friends. You likely won't have much privacy afterward. At least not for a few weeks. I know how difficult a lot of attention and crowds can be."

"I didn't think about that."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. I don't really think I'm ready to become… a celebrity?"

"In a sense. Yes."

"I don't know if I could handle it. I'll have to think about it."

"Of course. Take your time."

She nodded and snuggled beneath his chin.

"Thank you for telling me everything."

"Whenever you have a question, just ask. I promise to answer them. All of them."

"I will."

"Good."

"Itachi."

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

His cheeks reddened.

"I love you too."

A Few Days Later

"Girl you better send me lots of nice ass gifts once you get a hold of all that money."

"Asami, seriously."

"Shit. Marrying a fucking prince. Your ass. Can't believe it."

"He's not a prince."

"Might as well be. Shit."

"You are awful."

"Does he have any hot, rich friends I can seduce?"

"Asami."

"I will never stop pushing your buttons."

Sumire pinched Asami's elbow, earning a yelp and a quick slap of retaliation.

"I'm glad you two are on the same page though. It must feel better to know what's going on." she rubbed the red spot left from Sumire's feeble attack.

"It does." Sumire picked up her teacup from the coffee table. "It really does."

"It should have come from him in the first place though. It sucks that some stranger had to come and tell you to make him come clean."

"Yeah, but he was just scared. He was trying to deal with it all the only way he knew how. By himself. He knows better now, and hopefully, he'll be more open. He said he will, but I don't know if this will happen again." Between sips, she continued. "I'll try to be more assertive too."

"You should." Asami turned her attention to the television screen in front of them. "This T.V. is bitching."

Sumire's hand hit her forehead:

"Oh my god get out."

The door to Itachi and Sumire's apartment opened, and the sound of deep male voices filled the room.

"I'm home," Itachi called as he stepped into the opening to the living room.

"Welcome home. Itachi, this is my best friend, Fujioka Asami."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he spoke politely.

"Back 'atcha buddy!" Asami hopped up from the couch.

"Cousin, are you going to invite me in?" the familiar, excited voice of Shisui came from the front doorway.

"Yesterday you lectured me about being overly formal. And today?"

"I'm just messing with you, geez."

Shisui ambled to Itachi and turned his body to the young women standing by the couch. He planted both fists on his hips.

And lightning struck. When their eyes met, he felt it. It was a rapid, hot expansion of light and color all through him, filling every limb. It took him a few seconds to realize he was holding his breath. It took him a few seconds to realize he wasn't literally falling. No this was just like the movies. Just like the T.V. shows. It was all at once that everything was permanently altered, yet, not a single move or sound had been made. She hadn't made a single sound, hadn't uttered a single word, yet, he knew. Shisui knew that this was it.

Her eyes grew more prominent, but only a touch. Her palms turned clammy, but only slightly. The couch before he was such a substantial obstacle, there were two others in the room, but every image faded away into a white mist. Before her was a figure. It's penetrating look could whittle away every ounce of false confidence she wore like a shield. Asami always used her brightness to push away the intimacy, but she knew. She knew it. The one who would peel the layers away had magically, coincidentally, appeared before her.

The air changed and only Sumire noticed. Beside her, Asami was restraining a grin and an uncharacteristically shy glance. Her eyes would meet Shisui's only to dart to the ground and back up. Shisui held nothing back. His white teeth were visible from the broadest smile he'd ever produced, his vision was fixed on Asami.

"So you're the fabled best friend?"

"And who are you, mysterious person?"

"I'm Itachi's cousin. Name's Shisui." he jutted his thumb up at himself.

The responding girl dramatically pointed her index finger to her head:

"Asami."

Shisui approached and peppered more questions, prompting Sumire to quietly circle the couch and tug on her boyfriend's sleeve.

"Let's make dinner."

"Alright."

Oblivious to the excited atmosphere building in the living room, Itachi happily joined her.

In between slicing sounds and sizzles in pans, Sumire giggled.

"What?" Itachi asked.

"It's nothing."

"Tell me."

"No."

"Tell me."

"No."

She shuffled away when he neared, only to be cornered by the sink between two long arms. Her bubbling laughter returned as he lowered his face to hers.

"Tell me, what's so funny?"

"Shisui-san, doesn't have a girlfriend still, right?"

"Not that I know of. Why?"

A loud crackle made them jump.

"The fish is burning!"

X

Energy so vibrant enclosed them both. They began on opposite ends of the couch, lost in a sea of words that were meaningless and only necessary as society deemed it. With every passing second, they edged closer to one another. With playful shoulder pats and light arms touches they were soon thigh to thigh. Discussing another mundane thing. Sports maybe? No, their favorite foods? The color of her underwear?

This was a one-way path you see.

Only so far were those lips, pinkened with lipstick. He wanted to lean into them, tangle with here right then and there, but his conscious was yanking back the leash of the panting dog in his brain. His conscious nearly lost hold of the chains when Asami pecked him. She showed him a smile that urged a tiny, desperate moan from him and he cupped the back of her head.

With all of the urgency in the universe their necks turned, their sensitive lips pressed firmer. Tingles and sparks reconfirmed what they already were sure of. Nearly shaking and uncontrolled they parted, barely centimeters from one another.

"We can go."

"Your place."

"God yes."

Up and almost out the door, Asami returned to the world of the living in time to shout:

"Sumire, I'm stealing Shisui. We'll see you guys later."

"Hold that phone!" Came Sumire's response, she rushed to the hallway while the pair was putting on their shoes. "What are you doing? Where are you going all of a sudden?"

"Shisui wants to show me something at his apartment," Asami winked.

Itachi poked his head into the hallway as well.

"Shisui?"

"I've gotta show Asami something, don't worry about us Itachi."

"What is so-" Itachi began, but was cut short by the sight of Sumire dashing past him to his room.

She returned, tight-fisted, and slapped one palm on Asami's stomach and one on Shisui's chest.

"Don't be stupid," she hissed while glaring up at them both.

Asami slipped her fingers around the plastic square wrapping and tucked it into her pocket.

"I love you." she laughed.

"I know."

Shisui, far less subtle, waved the condom in the air at Itachi.

"See you later cuz!"

Itachi's cheeks turned fiery as he finally understood what was happening. He returned to his place in front of the kitchen counter, his temperature only increasing.

"They really are…" he heard Sumire mumble and he shook his head.

Sumire noticed and asked:

"Does the idea of them 'doing it' make you uncomfortable?"

The red traveled down his pale neck.

"It's not… like… weirdly… just hear me out… kind of… kind of… you know… hot?"

He finally looked at her, though she was staring at the floor.

"Like. Our best friends are going over there. And they're just gonna go for it. And I don't mean to imagine it. I know I'm being weird! It's just… you know. Do you think Shisui has ever thought about us? I mean. Asami jokingly said she had, but I didn't believe her. I don't know. I'm weird. I'm sorry. I'll st-"

With crashes and quick movements, she was seated on the edge of the island with her panties hanging off her ankle.