Second love is Best

Reunion 1

Sasuke pouted as he picked at his meal. Here he was, top student and valedictorian of his graduating college class, and still playing second fiddle to his elder brother. Why couldn't his parents focus on Sasukes accomplishments? Why were they focused on Itachi? Sure he was older and the clan heir and unmarried but there was still time for Itachi to marry and have kids! Why were they talking about Itachis girlfriend the week before Sasukes graduation ceremony? A long familiar jab of envy surged to life within as he listened to his parents discussion.

~o~

Mikoto waited for the maid to serve dessert before she continued.

"Itachi is bringing his girlfriend to meet us."

Fugaku looked up slightly interested. "Oh, anyone we know?" He had tried and failed miserably at promoting matches more along the line of business mergers between his eldest son and the daughters of various businessmen. His wife had no better luck matching Itachi among the more socialite set.

Mikoto shook her head. "Itachi did not tell me her name. Just that he was serious about her." She shook her head faintly bemused. Her eldest had been without a significant other for so long there were rumours that he had preferences for his own sex. Mikoto would have regretted not having grandchildren but she would have still supported her son if he had a non-traditional sexual orientation.

Fugaku looked up and put down his fork. "He has not taken a date to any of the recent business functions hosted by the Corporation."

Mikoto nodded agreeably. "True, but some of my friends mentioned seeing him out-on-town with a beautiful blonde, a few years younger than him but still very mature." She savored the pleasure of knowing something her husband didn't. "Educated, polished and self-assured. They were seen at Sasoris latest showing."

Fugaku blinked. "Sasori. The sculptor?"

"Hai. He is one of Itachis artistic friends."

Fugaku nodded slowly. He was vaguely aware of Itachis artistic friends, the rag-tag group Itachi ran with in his younger years, the Akatsuki. Itachi himself did not have any artistic genius other than a minor talent for playing the violin but he had enjoyed associating with artists. He continued to do so by sponsoring several artistic endeavours using Uchiha Corp or his own money.

"Do you know anything about her?" Fugaku wanted to know if the girl was a pretentious upstart who had somehow charmed his eldest.

Mikato frowned and went over what she knew. "I don't know the girls name… But Itachi mentioned she was Tsunade-samas ward."

Fugaku blinked surprised. "Tsunade? Senju Tsunade? The researcher who does a lot of work for Uchiha Pharmaceuticals?"

"Hai."

"I didn't know Tsunade-sama had a ward."

"I didn't either so I asked Tsunade-sama when I met her at a charity board meeting. The girl was nearly a teenager when she came into Tsunade-samas care. She wished to have a private life so Tsunade-sama did not tell anyone other than personal friends. Tsunade is very protective of her. She specifically omitted using her name with me. I presume now that the girl is an adult she is willing to take her place as Tsunade-samas heiress."

"Did Tsunade-sama mention anything else about the girl?"

Mikoto thought hard. "Just that she graduated early from Akatsuki Arts College. She is the editor of Hoshi Jutsu."

~o~

Sasuke started. Hoshi Jutsu was the latest and hottest magazine for the twenty and thirty somethings in Japan. It initially started as a local college magazine that turned into a electronic newsletter that gained a loyal following among the students, a loyalty that was kept when the students grew older and took it to the workplace. It was a lifestyle magazine that focused on living healthy and finding enjoyment while handling a heavy schedule. It was very popular among the girls. Several boys (including Sasuke) had signed up on dares. Months after the dare was finished they were still receiving the e-letters and following the columns and advice because they made Sense and Worked.