Save me | yandere! (various uchiha) x reader

Thirty-four

Three days had passed, and slowly, Arata and I were starting to adjust to the lavish lifestyle the Uchiha family provided. The grand halls, the exquisite furniture, and the breathtaking views all felt surreal, but we were settling into this new reality, however reluctantly.

This morning, I was sitting with Arata in the living room on our private floor, gently working moisturizer through his curls. It was a quiet, tender moment, and I found a sense of peace in the simple rhythm of caring for him.

"Mom," Arata said softly, his voice pulling me from my thoughts. "When will I see Uncle Genma and Aunt Aki again?"

His question stopped me, my fingers pausing mid-curl. Genma and Aki were like family, people he'd grown up knowing and trusting. I could still picture his bright smile as he ran toward them, laughing and carefree. Now, though, we were far from that life, and his question brought a wave of unease that I couldn't quite shake.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "They're... they're just busy right now, sweetheart," I said, knowing it sounded hollow even to me. "But I promise, we'll see them soon."

He looked at me, studying my face with a gaze that seemed far too knowing for his age. Thankfully, he didn't push further, though the worry lingered in his expression.

A sudden knock sounded at the doors leading to the hallway, and I turned in surprise. The sound of voices and the click of heels hinted that a group had gathered outside. I gave Arata's curls a final gentle pat, then stood to open the door.

A team of well-dressed individuals greeted me with warm smiles. One woman, who introduced herself as Mayumi, stepped forward holding a clipboard, her expression professional but friendly.

"Good morning, Y/N," she said. "We're here to take your measurements for the engagement party tomorrow."

I glanced back at Arata, whose eyes sparkled with curiosity. It seemed they weren't here just for me; they had something in mind for him as well.

As the team entered, one of the assistants, a young man with a friendly smile, knelt down to Arata's level and offered him a handful of fabric swatches. Arata looked at them with fascination, reaching for a vibrant blue.

Mayumi guided me toward the center of the room, where she and her team began measuring me for the outfit I'd be wearing tomorrow. I felt the tape around my waist and shoulders, the quiet hum of voices in the background, but my thoughts were far away.

Everything felt strange, almost surreal. The clothing, the measurements, the talk of an engagement party. It all felt like a mask, something elaborate to cover up the uncertainty I was still grappling with.

---

The night felt heavy with a mix of anticipation and tension as I stepped out of the elevator holding Arata's hand.

His tiny fingers were warm and trusting, a small comfort as we walked down the long, polished hallway. I kept my head held high, the soft rustling of my gown the only sound until my heels clacked against the delicate marble flooring of the grand entrance.

The gown was exquisite—dark, elegant, hugging my figure in all the right places and cascading down in soft folds, an undeniable contrast to the minimalist, casual clothes I was accustomed to. I could feel the gazes from the Uchiha family and their staff, murmured compliments brushing past me.

For the first time in a long while, I felt the intensity of being truly seen, though that attention carried a weight of its own.

Madara stood waiting near the entrance, his gaze unmistakably intense as it drifted over me, lingering in a way that almost brought a shiver. He extended his arm, his eyes meeting mine with a hint of something I couldn't quite place, and I took his arm, letting him guide me down the last few steps to the car that waited outside.

Itachi was there, a rare, faint warmth softening his features as he leaned down to help Arata into the car before he settled himself beside him, filling the space with a quiet protectiveness.

Once seated inside, I took a breath, fingers lacing together as the engine came to life, a soft rumble beneath us as the car glided away from the mansion's lights. Despite the calmness of it all, a gnawing feeling grew in the pit of my stomach, like an instinct flaring to life, refusing to be ignored.

As the car moved through the city streets, Madara's voice broke the silence. His tone was calm, controlled, but edged with a warning that made me listen all the more closely.

"There will be a lot of important people at this event tonight," he said, meeting my gaze. "People of influence, allies, associates—some of whom will be watching us carefully. Watching you and Arata." His hand rested on the seat, fingers tapping lightly against the leather. "This is part of a larger deal, and tonight is as much about image as it is about alliances. But I don't want you to worry. I've arranged every necessary protocol to ensure you and Arata's safety."

I held his gaze, nodding as he continued. I wanted to ask him to clarify, but I sensed he wasn't done.

"If anything were to go wrong," he continued, his voice lowering, "I have arranged guards on every floor and exits in places you'll know. There's a discrete emergency exit near the back of the venue. You'll be with one of my most trusted guards, and they will lead you directly out if there's any problem." His words were carefully measured, as if he'd considered every detail a hundred times over.

His reassurances should have comforted me, but my stomach twisted tighter. The driver's eyes met mine briefly in the rearview mirror, offering a nod of affirmation. I gave him a small nod back, trying to focus on the fact that every detail was in place, that they were prepared.

Beside me, Itachi was quietly pointing out sights through the window to keep Arata entertained, his voice low and gentle as he named landmarks and pointed out glimmering lights in the distance. Arata's eyes were wide, fascinated by the city as it passed in a blur of colors and shapes, his small hand pressing against the glass.

I turned back to Madara as he leaned in, his voice lowering even further, his gaze locking onto mine. "Listen closely. There will be people tonight who might try to approach you. High-profile associates, even government contacts. Most of them will have no reason to speak with you directly, but if anyone does, remember that you don't need to engage with them unless I instruct you to. These are people who may act like allies one minute and enemies the next."

The seriousness in his words sent a chill through me, and I nodded, taking in every syllable. It was one thing to be at the center of the Uchiha family's world, but to be surrounded by powerful figures beyond their control—that was something else entirely. I felt the weight of my role tonight, knowing my presence would be scrutinized, my every gesture noted.

As he explained further, the city lights painted streaks of color across the car, casting fleeting shadows over us. He named a few key people who would be in attendance, listing off their affiliations and potential motives, providing a mental map of allies and threats alike.

"It's important you stay close to me at all times," Madara said finally. "And if you feel uncomfortable or sense anything wrong, don't hesitate to tell me. I'm there to handle it."

The words felt like both a promise and a command, and though I wasn't sure I trusted him entirely, I sensed that he would indeed protect us if things took a turn.

Beside me, Itachi and Arata continued to talk softly, pointing out the shifting shapes of the buildings outside. Itachi's voice was calm and steady, guiding Arata's attention from one sight to the next, grounding us in something normal and real.

As the car rolled closer to our destination, I glanced back at Madara, his expression unreadable but undeniably fierce. I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was a crossroads, a point of no return.