Capítulo 20: Coffee?

A few months passed and everything fell back into a comfortable routine with the exception of his little brother's new transformation. The Uchiha CEO sighed and closed his eyes. The new couple fought regularly and it wasn't uncommon for Sasuke to complain about Naruto's unreasonable libido. According to Kurama, it was the prime of their youth. As the golden fox and new clan head, Naruto was in heat for the year. As his mate, Sasuke was required to partake in the child-making activities.

While his idiot brother and mate travelled to and from the demon world, Itachi was still stuck within the four walls of his mundane office. He hasn't seen the handsome kitsune older brother ever since and wondered if that was the end of everything they shared. Now that Naruto was the clan head (or acting as the clan head while in training), Itachi thought that he would have more opportunities to see Kurama.

Sadly, that wasn't the case. According to Kakashi, Kurama was busy making visits in the yokai world to the other clans. He was trying to build good relations so that they will support Naruto when he finally becomes the clan head. It was something Itachi would have done for Sasuke if the fool wanted to inherit the company but the older Uchiha wasn't so sure that Sasuke wanted to help him run the company now.

There were two curt knocks on the door and the CEO sighed.

"Tenten can you grab me a cup of coffee and maybe a sandwich or something?"

A deep chuckle that certainly didn't belong to his secretary made the CEO jolt upright. Itachi gaped like a fish, unable to form words when the handsome fox demon appeared.

"Cat got your tongue?" he asked smoothly with that infuriating smirk. Itachi couldn't respond in time when Kurama grabbed his chin and slid his tongue in.

Itachi closed his eyes and inhaled the scent that was purely Kurama. The fox demon smelled of smoke and cigarettes. There was also faint traces of matatabi that made Itachi wonder what the fox demon had been up to.

The kiss was hot and heavy, pushing out useless thoughts. The CEO found himself melting into the strong embrace and allowed Kurama to practically swallow his tongue whole while fucking his mouth. Their saliva mixed messily and the temperature rose. It was hard to tell where his lips started and where Kurama's fangs ended in the feverish exchange.

Itachi's legs gave out on him when Kurama growled and the CEO whimpered. The kitsune reeled, realising that he'd unknowingly released his pheromones. Itachi was flushed and teary-eyed, panting heavily against his neck and smelling incredibly aroused. That made it hard for the starving demon to hold back but he suppressed his desires with an iron-will. Itachi was still human. It was unfair to coerce him using fox magic if he wanted the effeminate man as his mate. According to the human mating culture, he should be a gentleman and ask his mate out for coffee first before moving things to the bedroom.

Awkwardly, the fox demon cleared his throat and looked outside the window. Itachi was slowly regaining his mind and gave the fox demon a questioning look.

"Coffee."

"Hmm?"

Kurama glared at the human who started grinding on him. Why was this human making it more difficult for him to control himself? Was the effect of his pheromones still lingering? he doubted it.

"Do you want to grab some coffee? You were asking for some earlier."

The gruff voice made Itachi stop what he was doing and he pulled away at once as if he touched something scalding. With a nervous laugh, the CEO agreed and picked up the fallen paperwork before chatting about some unimportant things.

Kurama smelled the disappointment and wondered what he'd done wrong. If the potential mate accepts the invitation, that means he'd done it right. Right? Why was Itachi upset?

The went to Akatsuki and ordered two coffees. Itachi was calmer now and decided to ask about what Kurama has been up to. They'd not seen each other since the fight with Hagoromo Gitsune. he was also curious about what would happen now that his little brother was a demon.

Kurama was patient and explained that he had to visit some old demon clans to convince the clans to give their support to the new Kitsune head. Nauto was still young and it would be about another hundred years or so before he takes over officially.

Upon hearing that, Itachi's mood plummeted. Hundred years... that's not something a normal human lifespan can witness.

Sensing the depressing thoughts, Kurama reached forward to grab one of Itachi's hands in his. "Don't worry," he told the beautiful CEO. "We will see it happen together. I'm not going to let you get left behind."

Itachi didn't know what to say. In fact, he didn't know if the fox demon before him was telling the truth or lying. It might have been the physical attraction at first and the uncanny twist of fate that led them to each other. However, Itachi knew that they were from very different worlds. For someone like Kurama, he could have anyone he wanted in the yokai world. Why did it have to be him?

"I don't know... why are you doing this to me? Is getting my hopes up and crushing them so fun for you?"

This confused the fox demon. "What? What are you talking about?"

With all the stress piling up, Itachi couldn't take it and let a single tear of fall. His business mask cracked slightly and Kurama was alarmed. Itachi was a strong man. Why would he suddenly cry? According to Naruto, Itachi never shed a single tear when Sasuke's parents passed away. The fox demon was immediately on high alert.

"You left me for months without a single word. I was just about to get over you and you waltzed into my office, kissed me senseless and asked me out for coffee. Was I meant to think that you were serious? This is all just a fling to you, isn't it? Foxes gain reputation by the number of victims the dupe, the more powerful the better. Isn't that so? You're a charmer type."

Kurama didn't deny that even if it wasn't technically right. He was a Hunter who duped victims and robs them. It wouldn't change the fact that he thought it would be interesting at first to try to seduce the CEO. However, after he witnessed the Uchiha's dedication to his brother and how he treated Naruto, Kurama had a change of heart. He sincerely wanted Itachi to become his mate because of how kind and selfless Itachi was as a person. he would be a good mother to his kits and a good lover who would never betray him. Kurama didn't trust foxes, they were too full of deceit, Naruto was a special case so that didn't count.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think it would come off as a fling but I can assure you that it is not the case. You're not a conquest although you might have been interesting to seduce at first. After seeing your selflessness when you were helping us fight against Hagoromo Gitsune, my eyes just followed you everywhere you went. I want you as my mate more than anyone else, Itachi. This isn't about Naruto anymore. It's about you and me. I can't lie about this, I've never fallen in love before so I'm trying to take this slow. I don't want to hurt you."

Itachi wasn't expecting this. For Kurama to admit his inexperience, that's got to mean something. "You're really not toying with me?"

"No. Absolutely not."

Itachi took a long sip of his coffee. "Then why wouldn't you contact me?"

Kurama grimaced. "Complications... it was meant to be an easy job but I got tangled with some marriage proposals that I had to get rid of. I couldn't possibly be courting you if I had clingy marriage partners hanging around me, can I? I didn't want to put you in danger... some of these demons aren't known to play nice."

Itachi's mind froze. "Marriage partners?"

Kurama nodded and drained his cup of coffee. "The Nekozuki tried to push their daughter to me in the name of strengthening clan ties but I had to reject her. She started stalking me and I had to find a way to get rid of her. The thousand-flame demon matatabi wasn't very easy to obtain but I'm glad my hard work paid off. The nekozuki elders called it off in exchange for it.

"So that's why there was that strange smell on you..." Itachi mused, feeling better now. Kurama heaved a silent sigh of relief on the inside. His mate seemed placated for now...