55 Sad and Hur

"Hello sis, go get freshened up and come have dinner," Itachi said.

His eyes darted pass his kid sis to their mother watching them.

"Mum, what is the matter?"

"Ehh ehh, nothing, nothong, just ignore this mother of yours," she said savin her hand

"If you say so."

He began descending the stairs while Sakiko rushed up the stairs. By the time they were on the same step, he pulled her in for an embrace.

"Itachi-san."

"You'll never be too grown for an embrace from your senior bro."

She was about pulling away, but he held her tight in his embrace. It was as though he knew she needed a hug and he provided it.

Her brother was her piller whenever she felt down, he knew her like the back of his hands. He had noticed she wasn't happy when he called her, also just now when he saw her trying to enter the kitchen.

He knew it was a facade. She just wanted to distract everyone from how she was feeling and pretended to go for d food, when she knew she was going to get a scolding.

"Welcome home sis."

She nestles her head on his chest as she relaxed into his embrace.

"Are you okay, Sakiko?"

"Hmm," she mumbled.

He pulled her from the hug so he could stare into her eyes. He was right, something was definitely up.

Their eyes met and she averted her gaze. She couldn't look him in d eye because she knew he would find out once. She was like an open book to him.

He moved his fingers from her shoulder and pulled her face up to look at him.

"Brother is here, what happened?" He asked on a whisper.

By now, their mother had gone back into the kitchen, so no one saw them.

"Sasuke–Sasuke... He yelled at me."

"What?! He did what?" He half shouted.

Sakiko quickly covered his mouth with her hands, as her head darted towards the kitchen praying that her mum and sister didn't hurry out.

"Calm down, it isn't like that. Don't get angry."

"How can I calm down when he hurt you?"

"Itachi!" She pouted. "Do you want me to just shut up instead?"

"No, no, no. I'm sorry. I overreacted."

"Hmm," she scoffed at him and crossed her arms. She wasn't buying that. He was still mad and could punch Sasuke if he we're to see him now.

"Okay, come let's go to your room. You'd tell me all about it."

"Alright."

He held her hand in his and they walked back up the stairs.

"Itachi dear!" Mrs Ishida called out.

"Yes mum!"

"Come on and help Itsumi, but go call your father down first. Sakiko better be having her bath and not standing there with you."

Sakiko wanted to run before her mother came out, put she couldn't pull her hand away from Itachi's.

Busted.

"Nope, she has gone already."

"Okay, hurry up now." Her voice faded and both siblings stared at each other.

She nodded in understanding.

"Smile, I guess it was a misunderstanding. I would listen to it all after dinner, just the two of us, I promise."

"Okay. Thanks."

"Now hurry along before mum finds you here."

With that she rushed up the stairs on her toes, careful not to make a noise.

*****

She took her bath and changed into a pair of white shorts and a yellow top. She packed her hair into messy bun and made for the door when a message came into her phone.

Ping!

She turned and headed for her bed. Initially she had forgotten to pick it up with her. Taking her phone she unlocked it to check who the message was from.

"Oh my!! One new message and six missed calls."

She quickly checked her phone log and saw the calls and message were from Sasuke. She clicked on the message icon and opened her inbox.

"Where are you? Why aren't you answering your calls? Did anything happen to you? Sakiko please pick up."

She read the message in her head and smiled. She was happy he still cared and her earlier sadness almost disappeared.

She clicked on the telephone icon and dialed his number. It didn't even ring before he picked the call.

"Sakiko!"

"Sasuke. Sorry I... "

"Don't scare me like that again. Why didn't you pick your calls, are you still mad at me?" His voice sounded soft and sad and she knew she had hurt him.

"I am sorry, I was taking a shower."

"It's okay, I just was worried. Are you just getting home?"

She hesitated a bit before answering. "Hmm, yes."

"Why? Did your driver not get there on time? I told you to let us drop you off."

"It's okay. I just went for some coffee."

"Without me? Alone?"

"I... "

"Sakiko!"

Her mother's voice echoed from the living room.

"I am sorry, I've got to go. Mum's calling me downstairs. Talk to you later."

Before he could reply she cut the call.

"Sakiko!"

"Coming!"