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The lively chatter and laughter echoed through Shisui's housewarming party as guests mingled, celebrating the new beginning. Itachi handed Akemi a glass of orange juice with a wry smile, and she quirked an eyebrow playfully. "Is this your subtle way of telling me you're trying to poison me, Itachi?"
He chuckled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You caught me, Akemi. Consider it my way of testing your ninja instincts."
They shared a brief, lighthearted moment, the playful banter weaving seamlessly into the ambiance of the celebration. "This is random but my favourite juice is apple juice." Akemi stated. As they sipped their drinks, Shisui, the host, took center stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Shisui announced, raising his glass, "I hope you're all having a splendid time. Now, I have a proposition. How about we add a touch of elegance to this party? I invite you all to the dance floor!"
The crowd responded with cheers and laughter, the prospect of dancing injecting a fresh wave of enthusiasm into the gathering. Itachi turned to Akemi with a glint in his eyes. "Care to join me on the dance floor, Akemi?"
Akemi blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Dance? You, Itachi Uchiha, want to dance?" She burst into laughter, the idea seeming almost surreal.
Itachi remained calm. "It's a celebration, and I thought we might as well embrace the festivities."
Before Akemi could muster a response, a voice interrupted, dripping with mockery. "Oh, how quaint. Itachi, it seems your companion is taking quite some time to decide. Perhaps you'd like a more decisive partner."
Izumi Uchiha, the girl Fugaku expected Itachi to marry, stood nearby with a smug expression. Itachi turned to her, his response direct. "No, thank you," he said, declining her offer in a straightforward manner.
Izumi, undeterred, continued with a teasing tone. "Itachi, waiting for a response seems rather tedious. Allow me to take the lead." She held her hand out, prepared to drag Itachi away.
Itachi, unmoved, reached out and took Akemi's hand. "I appreciate the offer, Izumi, but I've already found my dance partner."
Akemi, still processing the unexpected turn of events, couldn't help but stared at Itachi and mouthing "What?" to respond to the situation's absurdity. Itachi led her to the dance floor, their hands intertwined. The guests redirect their focus on the pair, coming up with all sorts of theories.
"I have never seen Itachi asking a girl to dance with him. Wait, is that Akemi?" Kurenai gasped while trying to process what she had witnessed. Asuma on the other hand, was amused, "Looks like our little Akemi has some romantic potential."
Kakashi stood beside Asuma, he did not make a comment on the pair's debut onto the dance floor. He felt a strange sensation creeping up, it was as if his heartstrings got tangled and it made him feel suffocated at the sight of Akemi and Itachi.
