6 days 7 nights

Chap 1

« Sasuke, you work too hard. I do not care about your stupid excuses, and I certainly do not want to hear them. You take this plane ticket, you're going to have your fun, your rest, whatever you want. But if you step one foot in your office before next week, you'll regret it for the rest of your life… which would come way earlier than it normally would. You get my point here. And if by surprise I hear that you deliberatly missed your flight, I'll swear surgeons will still be able to distinguish the mark of my shoe size on your ass when they'll dig your liveless body out of my garbage. Am I clear ? »

Sasuke looked at his brother, eyebrows raised in a sign of intense reflexion. He was seated at his desk, a plane ticket indicating his departure to the island of Makatea the morning after. He wore a black suit, revealing a light blue shirt that made him look a little less strict than usual. A tie as black as the suit tightened his throat, showing off his uptightness, as well as his incapacity to communicate (or so said his brother). His face was the perfect example of cold anger and incredulity. He could not believe his brother's boldness.

« I'm sorry, Itachi, but did you hit your head somewhere this morning ? Have you gone mad ? Did you lose your mind ? Do you seriously think that I am going to party on an island in the middle of the ocean ? You never saw an Uchiwa do it, and believe me, you never will. Now if you'll excuse, I have work to do. »

Sasuke agitated his hand impatiently, the ticket moving right and left with the sharp movements of Sasuke's wrist, effectively dismissing his brother. Little Uchiwa was about to go back where he left his work when he sensed an aura surrounding the office. An angry one. Lifting his eyes up, bored, he stared at his brother, waiting for him to retreat, or give him a little boring speech about respect.

« Sasuke… « he slowly began, « you don't have to dismiss me. First, I dismiss myself. I am your boss, not the other way around. Second, as I am your boss, you have the right to remain silent and to obey my order, being my brother doesn't change a thing. And my order is that you're going to go home now, pack your junk for tomorrow, do whatever pleases you for the rest of the evening and leave this goddamn office in which your spend all your boring life. You haven't taken hollidays since… » Sasuke lifted his head higher, expectantly. « …did you ever took any ? » his brother finished desperately.

« Oh please, cut the crap of the concerned brother, you and I perfectly know that between us I'm the one working the most for this compagny, and that without me, it would have sinked long ago. May I also inform you that the only reason I do not take days off, is that I don't see the point in it. »

« The only reason why I take days off, is because I, unlike my foolish little brother, have a life ! A family ! Obviously, staying here all day long as you do, that's not something you're likely to get. You've got people who work for you, you don't need to go behind their backs and make sure that the work is done, for God's sake ! » Itachi finished, slamming his hands flat on the desk.

Sasuke was driving him mad indeed. He perfectly knew why his little brother spent his life working. This career, he had dreamt of it, it had been his goal in life. He had made it happen. And now… he no longer had a dream to fight for. He couldn't imagine a family, too much noise, too many things to take care of, crying kids all over the place, no quiet time, a mess everywhere… no thank you. So pretending to stay in sync with his ninteen years-old self, he convinced himself day after day that he had a purpose in this life, and that his routine wasn't meaningless. Except that he was twenty-three now ! He was young, sure, but it was at this age that you were supposed to build your future, and he was letting it slip away without even trying to grab it.

« Excuse me, I think I lost you at 'the only reason' », announced Sasuke uncaringly.

« Be damned, you and your fucking sarcasm ! Don't play that game with me, Sasuke. You're going. Whether you want it or not… Else I fire your sorry ass.

Sasuke suddenly grabbed Itachi's wrist, still on the desk.

«You wouldn't dare. »

« Try me. But let's not fight so early morning. You see this awesome paper ? » Grinned Itachi, shooting a paper out of his pocket with his free hand. « It's saying that you offically took leave since… oh, it's already been ten minutes ! »

« You took days off of my planning without my constent ? » Spit out a furious Sasuke. »

« I did. They won't be valid next month, so I suggest you take them now, you know, so you won't lose them. I figured I was doing you a favor. You replacement will be there tomorrow first hour. A guy named Lee…Rock. He seemed more than enthusiast at the idea. »

« I do not give a damn about my replacement. I. Am. Not. Going. »

Itachi frowned. The sweet method wasn't working ? Fine. His brother was being a pain in the ass ? They would be playing this game together then. A sadistic smile appeared on his face. The same second Sasuke saw it, he knew he wasn't going to get away with it. He let go of his brother's wrist, anxiety running through his body.