Chapter Text
Itachi wasn't usually at his parents house. He rarely ever visited having his own penthouse and loving his own space from the suffocating presence that was his father. However, he sometimes on occasion, usually when he had to see Sasuke visited because he did not want to let Sasuke know where he lived or Shisui or his mother for that matter. Otherwise they'd bother him and come in uninvited for whatever reason. Itachi simply wanted his own space and he frankly, thrived in it. However, sometimes he visited home just to see Sasuke, and today was one of the times.
It was a cold day in Konoha city and that was quite lucky too since his parents were sleeping blissfully or cuddling or anything that Itachi didn't want to think about, but regardless they weren't in the room and that was more than good enough for Itachi and Sasuke. It was just that for the first few minutes, Sasuke had been looking at him in a way that ..was like their mother. And that made Itachi incredibly uncomfortable, because Sasuke had that same gossiping, planning gaze that he would vehemently deny with his chest but very much existed.
He genuinely hoped it didn't do anything with his mother and he was about to ask when Sasuke broke the silent. "Do you like my scarf?" Sasuke asked and Itachi blinked for a moment, confused, then his eyes trailed to scarf on Sasuke's neck which was beautifully made, it was navy blue and had a cute pattern that resembled a miniature version of Sasuke in a suit. "I like it" he commented wondering why Sasuke asked him for advice but not dwelling it, he'd long given up trying to understand the little brat that was his brother ever since Sasuke burned a 1.7 million car just get Itachi to come home on his first year of university.
It was a good thing he'd matured and was on his last year. And it was a good thing he'd never given to Sasuke's demands otherwise he would have been more spoiled.
Sasuke smiled proudly, "my friend made it for me, it looks good, don't you think?" he said his voice prideful and gauging his reaction. Itachi's ears twitched and looked at Sasuke who was looking at him carefully for a moment and then looked away. Itachi blinked. Confused. Exactly, what was going on in Sasuke's mind? Then he saw a glint in the other's eyes that reminded him of his mother and he knew he didn't want to know.
"It is, a lovely craft" Itachi said gently because the scarf was really lovely and Sasuke nodded with a self satisfied smile that made Itachi wonder if it'd been to feed his ego or something else? He didn't ponder, the evening continued quietly as they both watched another old movie which had no business being televised considering it was advocating pedophilia under the tag romance.
His phone beeped and then he frowned as he looked at the text from Nagato. "I have to meet one of partners for a work thing. I'll see you later okay?" He left briskly and noted Sasuke staring at his back. When he closed the door, he couldn't help but sigh, he really hoped it was just Nagato and Konan, he did not want to deal with the others at all.
He left to the quiet coffee place on a balcony, it was shrouded in an ally area and strategically where most people usually passed from all the cities, the gray light district, one if the most underdeveloped with old apartments and a somber atmosphere. It was slightly unsettling and people would have rather avoided if if they could, and so did he but it was where Nagato asked for a meeting and was relieved to see the other with Yahiko. He sighed lightly and Yahiko chuckled, "you thought we'd bring the others didn't you?" Itachi rolled his eyes, "with you here it truly makes no difference" he muttered dryly, Yahiko blanched then pouted whilst Nagato smirked lightly. "He's got a point" Nagato said and Yahiko cried dramatically, "you're all mean. I'll tell Konann" he said, Itachi and Nagato rolled their eyes.
"What can I get you?"
A gentle voice asked and Itachi paused a, then looked up, he met the lilac eyes of the Hyūga Heiress and he smiled lightly, a little surprised but nevertheless how could he not smile when she was smiling at him, "coffee, with milk" he said and Hinata Hyūga, the heiress of the Hyūga clan smiled at him, "sure, I'll be right in the second, you?" She asked diverting to Nagato and Yahiko, they both smiled, "2 hot cocoas" Yahiko said and Nagato nodded in agreement as he took out his laptop. Hinata gave a gentle smile and left.
"Isn't she the Hyūga princess, why does she work at a coffee place?" Yahiko asked curiously looking at Itachi and Itachi smiled lightly, "she left the Hyūga clan. It caused an uproar in the inner circles and she's been quiet and recluse ever since" Itachi stated and Nagato nodded in agreement. Yahiko hummed and looked at her with that look that he had when he usually was determined to get someone to join their company, "don't even think about it" Nagato said and Itachi nodded in agreement, Yahiko gave him a look, "why not? If I remember correctly, she raised one of the most astounding profits in her second year of university. I'm sure she'd be beneficial to the company"
Itachi hummed, "that'd be true but she left the Hyūga clan. She left the entire business circle behind Yahiko and I can tell she's not coming back ever" he said and Yahiko blinked, "how can you be sure?" Itachi blinked remembering the first time he'd seen the look in her eyes in her third year when she'd quit. The look of someone who'd had enough of it all. He'd recognized it. "I'm sure" he said simply and Nagato nodded in agreement, "Itachi's right, whether she can be asset of not, she clearly doesn't need us badgering us and even if she were coming, she wouldn't join, she's not friendly with the Uzumakis on a personal level" itachi blinked, that was news to him.
"Naruto?"
Yahiko opted and Nagato sighed, "you have no idea. But leave the idea be" Yahiko pouted, "imagine how beneficial it'd be though, Konan wouldn't be only woman anymore" Itachi twitched and Nagato sighed pretty loudly as he typed a few things on his laptop "Konan is a grown woman" he said and Yahiko pouted, "I know that but if she doesn't get girl time soon.. she'll turn me into a doll" Itachi chuckled with a smirk because he knew that the purple haired woman definitely would.
"Here are your orders, please call for me if you need anything" Hinata said softly and Itachi smiled, Nagato nodded and Yahiko immediately went to drink, Itachi rolled his eyes "thank you" he said politely, she smiled at him, "you're welcome" she said just as polite and she left. Itachi drank his coffee then he blinked..this was good. Yahiko slapped Nagato, "this is really good!" And itachi was inclined to agree. It truly was.
Yahiko sighed, "quiet, loves purple, she and Konan would make such good friends" He stated looking at his phone as Konan texted him another makeup box she was trying and he shivered lightly knowing he was next. Itachi felt almost, almost sorry for him. Almost. It was his fault.
"Right. I found it. Come let me show you" Nagato showed him and Itachi furrowed seeing Danzo's name there. They began to discuss the situation and itachi found himself slightly appalled as it went further but still continued to look through and when night started to hit, the trio stopped. "Isn't it supposed to be closed already? It's past 7 now" Itachi nodded at Yahiko's question but the shop still didn't close.
"Regardless, it's time we'll go, we'll address everything next week" Itachi said. Yahiko and Nagato started to leave, "not leaving?" Nagato questioned confused, "I want to get one cup and contemplate whether to drive to my parent's house or sleep at a hotel" Nagato gave him a sympathetic smile, "you can always come with us" Yahiko offered and Itachi gave him a look. The last time he went anywhere with them, he hadn't slept because of how much noise Konan and Yahiko made. No thanks. "I'm fine. I'd rather not and going to the Uzumakis, my godmother is just.. another one" he muttered dryly and Yahiko and Nagati gave him sympathetic smile.
"Then see you Thursday at Ame city and please ask for the Heiress's number. You grew up with her right? Thanks kisses!" And Yahiko bolted whilst Nagato rolled his eyes and Itachi sighed loudly.
Coward.
He tapped the button that called for service and Hinata appeared with a soft smile, seemingly not tired at all. "How can I help you? Do you need something?" She asked softly and Itachi pursed his lips, "may I ask, when are you closing?" He asked as he took out his cash still having been given the bill. Hinata smiled lightly, "we don't close on winter nights" she informed gently and Itachi rose an eyebrow. "Oh? Why, if I may ask" Hinata's tone was gentle, "..I thought that be nice if someone had no place to go during the cold, they could see the light from up here, and stay. It's a winter special for those who have no place to go or for those with heavy hearts"
Itachi's heart skipped a beat and he looked at Hinata's face, which was gentle and overwhelming with tenderness as she looked across the window.
"That's a very kind special" Hinata smiled lightly, "..is there anything else?" She asked and Itachi's heart felt a bit, "..may I have your number?" Hinata's eyes widened and Itachi felt..nervous, for the first time in a long while as he looked at the young woman who was standing on her own two feet. In a metaphorical sense and in a physical sense.
"..for?" Hinata questioned with a hint of a caution and Itachi gave her an assuring smile, Konan's name at the tip of his tongue. "Myself" he said honestly and Hinata looked at him hesitantly, "just you?" She questioned gently and Itachi smiled, "..yes..just me"
Hinata gave him another look and then she smiled and punched it in his phone. Then she left, "tell me if you need anything?"
Itachi smiled, "the bill please" she smiled, and came back with the bill and Itachi placed it on the table and left with a soft smile on his face.