A week.
Sasuke didn't know how Itachi managed to hold off the news of their coming out for a week. The scandal blew up pages on the newspapers but to make matters bigger, a series of announcements were made after it.
[Uchiha Brothers Coming out of the Closet, Is the Empire doomed?]
[Most Eligible Bachelor now Gay and Attached!]
[Handsome CEO spotted in Androgynous Fashion with Lover]
[Proud Representative of the LGBTQ Community? Uchihas Speak Their Minds]
Naruto was still blissfully unaware about the scandalous news flying all over the country. However, the golden fox still noticed how many stares they were getting from random strangers on the streets and on the campus.
Following the news of their public statement, Itachi released another bomb to the media who ate it up like a bunch of ravenous hyenas. The outrage and drama flying around the company didn't stop but the shares continued to rise with big supporters of Itachi's personal life. Kurama of unknown background also became an overnight star when the news reported their marriage. Sasuke and Naruto were also apparently engaged not that the young Uchiha minded. He did appreciate a little warning before the news was released but that was still tolerable.,
What Sasuke couldn't understand was how he had suddenly become the sole official heir to the Uchiha Empire. His brother had always told him that they would run it together so why would Itachi be naming Sasuke as the heir? That screamed fishy to the sophomore. There was something Itachi wasn't telling him. A named heir would only paint targets on the backs of both brothers. There would be no shortage of people trying to cosy in on them for material benefits now that it was made official.
What exactly was Itachi planning?
Following that news, Sasuke raised his brow at Itachi's official statement at a gathered press conference interviewing him about the flurry of gossips surrounding his reputation.
His brother declared that Uchiha Inc. was currently in the middle of a staff reshuffling progress and was recruiting new talent. It didn't surprise anyone that after the announcement of his sexual orientation, the board of directors started to boycott. Itachi made it clear that his company didn't need 'narrow-minded folks who only thought in the perspective of self-interest' to work with them. The statement was very clear and didn't veil the threat directed towards unnamed individuals.
His bold statement and action only inspired more movements within the country to accept the LGBTQ community. Itachi was hailed as the modern hero who paved the way for queers who wanted a better future. The Uchiha Empire faced many threats fr their bold statement but these threats did not surpass the number of people offering collaborations with them.
True to his name as the Devil of the Business World, Itachi revealed that it was because of his capable husband's management that they were able to get so far. To solidify that claim, Kurama became one of the board directors even though he was an independent party who aided Itachi with his daily life from secretary to security.
Sasuke wasn't amused by Itachi's explanation over the phone.
"I get to get rid of sharks, raise the company's value, become more influential and flaunt my new husband. Isn't this brilliant?"
The sophomore sighed. "Why so sudden? Didn't you say that we were going to run the company together after I graduated? Why name me as the heir?"
Itachi smiled. His younger brother was sometimes too sharp for his own good. In actual fact, Itachi was pushing his plans ahead by a lot simply because he wanted to retire early and spend the remaining of his short life with Kurama. As a converted demon, Sasuke would live as long as naruto if not more. Kurama had refused Itachi's request of converting into a demon so the CEO felt an urgency like he had never felt before. Time had never felt so scarce and it pained the CEO that they spent so much time wasting away in the confined walls of his office.
"The truth is, I don't want to be the CEO anymore. Sasuke, I'm tired."
The younger Uchiha didn't know how to respond to that. He knew the kind of burdens his older brother had to shoulder from a very young age. Itachi had sacrificed a lot for him and missed out on the joys in life trying to protect both the company and him. It was time for Sasuke to give back what little he could.
"I understand. Once I graduate, I will assume the role and responsibility for expanding our empire. I heard it from Naruto. Kurama doesn't want to change you?"
Itachi didn't answer and Sasuke sighed. "Naruto said the same thing. If it weren't because of circumstances, he wouldn't have changed me either."
Itachi laughed bitterly. "I guess not. Do you think he will change me if I put myself in danger and had my life hanging by a thread?"
Instead of agreeing, Itachi was surprised by Sasuke's sudden outburst of anger.
"Learn to treasure yourself more, baka aniki! You're my only family left... I don't want to think about losing you so soon... I haven't even graduated and you have not held your wedding ceremony. How can I answer to father and mother if you parted so soon? Think about Kurama too before you say such things. Would he be happy to see you live and die so recklessly?"
Itachi chuckled. "I'm sorry. I'm just jealous of you. Don't worry, I'm not going to purposely throw myself off a skyscraper just to test the theory out. I just want to have more time to live so that I can spend it with you and Kurama. I've never thought of a human's life as short until now... sorry."
Sasuke couldn't say anything. That concern that his brother had was also his concern at first when he knew he was in love with a fox demon. He understood that kind of despair only too well. For some reason, he was happy that fate played things out differently for him. Still, Sasuke prayed that Itachi will also find his version of happiness despite the difficulties. He didn't want to think about it but Sasuke knew that once his brother passes on, he would truly be the last Uchiha.
"Foolish brother, don't read too much into it. Let's take things one step at a time. There will be a board reshuffling soon and I can finally get rid of the sharks. You should be proud of yourself, you know? The paparazzi got some really good photos from that double date."
Sasuke grit his teeth. He knew what photos Itachi was talking about. He'd seen them spayed across the first page of the headline news. That selfie he took and set as his phone's wallpaper got leaked and the sophomore had a good idea who the culprit was.
"That's a violation of personal privacy..."
Itachi laughed. "Sorry, Sasuke. That was the juiciest picture I could find. The rest of the photographs given to me just weren't as good. On the bright side, you're now a celebrity! Your Sasuke fan group has grown even bigger and I suspect that modelling agencies have been approaching you and your fox."
Sasuke ground his teeth, feeling the irritation build inside of him the longer he spoke with Itachi. "That's none of your business!" he snapped and promptly ended the call.
Naruto who had just come out of the shower raised his brow. Sasuke didn't often raise his voice. What could possibly have happened in such a short notice?
"Sasuke? Everything alright?"
The younger Uchiha hurriedly hid the papers and tossed them in the bin.
"Yes, everything's under control. How is Iruka? I heard that he was going for the ultra scan."
Naruto grinned and hugged Sasuke's waist, pressing an ear to that flat abdomen. "Kakashi was crying over the phone. He says that they were going to have two pups. The Hatake clan have small litters and although pregnancy is a high-risk thing, Ino assured me that Iruka will deliver safely. I can't believe how quickly they progressed after Danzo's incident."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. Ever since the mating period, Naruto has become more clingy and five times more affectionate. The golden fox had expressed his desire to raise some babies with Sasuke but the sophomore told him to wait for a few more years. They have not graduated from school and weren't married yet. Sasuke wasn't sure if he could handle becoming pregnant just yet, much less become a good parent. He was still slightly afraid of being on the bottom even though Naruto had been gentle with him for his first time despite the mating fever.
"I know, I know. We'll take it slow, don't worry," Naruto grinned and planted a trail of kisses down Sasuke's stomach.
"Also, Kurama said that he will surprise your brother tonight."
Sasuke raised a brow. "What kind of surprise?"
The golden fox nuzzled into his lover's stomach. "There are ways to share the same lifespan with a foxes' human mate without converting them. It's just more sacrifice on Kurama's part. He wants Itachi to live his only human life to a full term before he brings him back to the demon world to live forever with him."
Sasuke froze. What was Naruto talking about?
"Oh! But my brother said he doesn't want kits so I guess that means we need to make up for their lack of tiny foxes running around their place. I tried telling him that it wasn't necessary to do so but he wouldn't listen. Kurama kept insisting that he didn't want his children to fight with mine over the position of the next clan leader."
"Naruto, what are you talking about? I don't understand it. Share the same lifespan? My brother and Kurama?"
Naruto nodded and sulked. "I wanted to do the same for you but then thanks to that stupid snake, you're not able to enjoy the pleasures of a normal human life."
Choked with emotions at the information, Sasuke couldn't breathe and hyperventilated a little, tears falling from his eyes. His legs felt weak with relief and the teen collapsed into Naruto's arms, sobbing into his lover's chest.
Naruto grinned and stroked Sasuke's hair. "I guess we should have told the both of you earlier huh? Unlike what people think about us, we foxes are romantics on the inside. There's no way this wouldn't be a happy ending."
Sasuke smacked Naruto in the chest and the golden kit yelped more in surprise than pain.
"Dobe, you should say important things like this earlier!"
Naruto smiled and kissed Sasuke deeply. "Sorry, I'll remember that next time. I love you Sasuke."
"I love you too, Naruto..." Sasuke breathed and they spent that afternoon skipping lessons in favour of trying to break the bed with their passionate love-making.
-End of Season 2-
Author's Note: I will be making Season 3 (KakaIru) somewhere in April or May. Right now, I have to focus on the original stories that have been contracted and premium so I don't have much time to commit to this. Many apologies for the slow updates with my priorities but I can promise you that the story will not be dropped.
Last but not least, thank you for all your support!