When Mothers Meddle

Chapter 17-

Itachi

Itachi was working hard to keep a pleasant expression on his face. He didn't want to scare the children he passed in the street. But it's hard to be pleasant when you're looking for someone who can't be found.

He needed to find her, now. The clan meeting was in two hours and she needed to be there.

Sakura

Sakura's hands shook as she knocked on Mikoto's door. She'd looked everywhere, if he wasn't here she was going to have to give up. Maybe he didn't want to be found? Maybe it was a sign that she should leave things be.

"Sakura?"

Sasuke's confusion drew her out of her reverie.

"Oh... Sasuke..." She wrung her hands behind her back and bit her lip. "Have you seen Itachi?"

"He was here for lunch."

Sasuke's pause was so long that she thought she might have to drag more information out of him. Or punch it. That would definitely be more fun.

"He ran off, without even finishing lunch. My mother wasn't happy."

"Really?" Sakura wrinkled her forehead. "Why? Oh never mind. When is the clan meeting?"

Sasuke glanced at his watch. "In two hours."

Sakura's shoulder sank. She wasn't going to find him in time. And he was going to be forced to propose to that simpering little girl before she could tell him she didn't care about the obstacles. Sakura blinked back the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

"You have time to find him." The encouragement in Sasuke's voice surprised her. "He's probably been to all the places you usually go, so try the places you probably don't go."

Sakura narrowed her eyes at her former teammate unsure if she should trust him or not.

"If you don't find him, come back here in an hour and a half. I'll take you to the meeting."

Sakura was sure she'd heard him wrong, but the honesty in his eyes was reminiscent of their early days when they'd been friends.

Itachi

Itachi paced the front of the clan hall, vibrating with frustration. The clan was gathering for the meeting and he'd failed in his search.

Sakura was either out of the village or hiding from him. Maybe this was for the best.

"Itachi-san, it's nice to see you stepping into your father's shoes." The elder bowed in front of him. "I offer you my service and loyalty."

"Thank you." Itachi's smile was genuine, if a little tight. Many of the elders had approached him with such greetings before finding their seats.

"Did you find her?" Shisui sidled up beside him, whispering the words so quietly that only they could hear them.

He shook his head, shoulders drooping. He could do this. It might not be what he wanted, but who was he to question fate? His first loyalty was to the Uchiha clan, wasn't it?

"Itachi?"

He forced himself to focus on the room, meeting his mother's eyes and hoping he didn't look as broken as he felt. When he'd foiled Danzo's plans he thought he'd beat fate, but apparently fate had just been waiting to catch him in its snare again.

"Mother." He nodded his head at her, hoping she didn't want to talk.

"You left without eating anything." She held out a small bag. "You shouldn't do this on an empty stomach."

Itachi took the surprisingly light bag, distracted by Hibiki's entrance at the back of the hall. Hoshi slunk in behind him, her face swollen and red. She cast a sulky glance at Itachi and then slumped into a seat in the last row, glaring angrily at her father when he spoke and pointed to the front of the room.

He handed the bag off to Shisui absently and headed towards the back of the room. He had a crow to eat before he could think about anything else. And it was going to be a sour crow if the sneer on Hoshi's face as she watched him approach her was anything to go by.

He stopped in front of her, hesitating so he could gather his last vestige of self-respect. He was resigning himself to a lifetime of misery, but the clan would be whole, and he'd be a good leader. He knew that much.

"Hoshi." He tilted his head toward her, smiling so tightly he thought his lips might snap like a rubber band.

She glanced up at him, pure hatred lacing her eyes. Perhaps he should reconsider his plan? If he'd accepted Hibiki's suggestion weeks ago, she would have been difficult to live with. Now, after all that had passed, she was going to make him miserable.

"Itachi." It was a wonder snow didn't come out of her mouth with his name.

"I—"The raised murmur of voices made him glance up to see his brother coming through the door, with... Sakura? Sasuke was holding firmly to Sakura's wrist and ignoring the terrified look on her face.

What kind of game was Sasuke playing? Was this his idea of a joke? A new way to humiliate his older brother? This time his younger brother was going to be reminded why picking on your older, more talented brother was a bad idea.

"Itachi!" Sakura's sweet voice washed through the hall, the low rumble of voices ending abruptly as everyone quieted to watch whatever drama might play out in the next few minutes.

Itachi feasted his eyes on her beauty as Sasuke dragged her over to him. Even disheveled and frightened she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

"I realized this morning. You're right. You can thank me later." Sasuke's voice was quiet and gruff as he held Sakura's wrist out for Itachi. "She's not here against her will, just scared."

Itachi wrapped her cold hand in his, pulling her close to him. This hadn't been part of his plan, but if fate wanted him to bare his heart in front of the entire Uchiha clan, who was he to argue?

"Itachi—"

"Sakura—" They spoke at the same time and he stopped to avoid speaking over her, returning her wry smile. "Let me go first."

She nodded, following him as he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to the front of the room. Once there he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I will explain more later, please just nod your head if you're here because you love me."

His heart beat heavy and painful in his chest and then leaped with excitement. Her nod was slight, but certain. He returned her nod and then turned to the room, holding her hand in his.

"If you'd all find a seat." His voice boomed through the silent room. Everyone was watching them. He met their gazes and waited.