disclaimer: i own nothing. Only the undying love i have for ino.
warning: adult language, mentioned sexy times, dubious use of uchiha clan members (NOBODY DIED) and other things.
notes: the arranged marriage au that nobody asked for. and my first sasuino fic because they're kinda fun okay. don't judge. a quick clarification about sasuke's character – he's like that because that's how i imagine he would be if his clan ain't murdered and he doesn't harbour a massive killcrush on itachi. sort of an entitled brat, kind of arrogant but there's sweetness there, i promise. ino is a queen, obviously.

let's get this show on the road.

half stumbling towards the us we already are
chapter one

This whole thing was an absolute PR nightmare.

Sasuke paced his suite like a caged tiger, hair sticking up everywhere and the bruises on his face smudged even darker under the harsh fluorescent light. He had exchanged his ruined tuxedo for a pair of threadbare pyjama bottoms, and while it made him look less like a mugging victim, it helped little in alleviating the amount of homicidal vibes currently emanating from his entire body.

"You have no choice," Shisui pointed out, ever so helpful. He's perched on the edge of the bed, which was the only piece of furniture that hadn't been overturned by Sasuke during the course of his temper tantrum. "It's the law."

Sasuke stopped pacing to glare at Shisui. Sometimes, he wondered why he kept the unhelpful bastard's company. "Screw the law! I am not going marry a commoner just because of some crazy decree written two thousand years ago!"

"You have no problem sleeping with said commoner though," Shisui sneered, didn't even bother to disguise his amusement. His phone hadn't stopped ringing since this shitstorm started and the king was on his way over. Shisui considered himself well and truly entertained to worry about something as trivial as offending the prince's delicate sensibilities. "Several times at that too, if memory serves. I hope you took videos, Suke-chan."

"Doesn't mean I want to marry her!" Sasuke roared, face going an unattractive shade of red. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides, looked seconds away from tearing into someone. Most probably Shisui. "Did you get hitched to everyone you've fucked?!"

"No, but I'm not the one tied up to outdated marriage laws in their constitution." Shisui shrugged, unrepentant. "Look. At least you like the girl enough to sleep with her, yeah? Maybe it wouldn't be so bad."

Sasuke laughed, coarse and near hysterical. "Why don't I put that in my vows? 'Dearest wife of mine, it's love at first sight when I saw how perky your tits are' - are you fucking kidding me?!"

Shisui's eyes gleamed, near carnivorous in his glee. "Perky, huh?"

Something round and heavy sailed through the air and narrowly missed Shisui's head, before it crashed against the wall in a firework of glass.

"GET OUT!"

.

Ino figured that she was in Trouble (the capital warranted, given the situation) when she came into work and was ushered directly into one of their oft-abandoned meeting rooms. Her agent was nowhere to be seen, which was odd since Asuma wasn't the type to leave her hanging without any explanation. He knew how much she hated being out of the loop. They left her to stew for half an hour before he finally stalked inside, banging the door close behind him.

It's nine in the morning and Asuma's suit was already rumpled.

Not Good.

He plopped down across her and the chair screeched in protest. "So."

She arched an eyebrow. Well. Two can play this game. "So?"

Asuma exhaled and leaned back, fingers twitching for a cigarette he didn't have. It's office policy - no smoking. "Do you know Uchiha Sasuke?"

Her forehead creased into a frown, mind racing to figure out why her agent was asking about her one-night stand. Okay, several nights. Maybe more than twenty, but who's looking at the fine prints. Sasuke was near perfect, tall dark handsome and everything in between. It's when he opened his mouth that she found out how much of an ego-centric asshole he really was. Didn't stop her from seeing him though. It's a tragedy that she could never resist beautiful things.

At Asuma's impatient sigh, she said, "Yes. I do know him. Is there a problem?"

"Problem is an understatement," he muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face. He looked ten years older and Ino was alarmed - Sasuke isn't some kind of a criminal, is he? "Did he ever tell you who he is?"

Ino scoffed. "We're too busy doing something else to bother with small talks, if you know what I mean."

"Don't be crass. God. I need a smoke right now."

"How did you find out about him anyway?" She narrowed her eyes. "Did Shikamaru rat me out?"

Asuma sighed again. "No. Damnit, Ino. I thought you knew better than to get involved with guys you didn't know."

"I'll ask for a background check next time and put it on your tab." Unease was starting to scratch along her spine. She crossed her arms, to stop herself from gesticulating. It's a nervous habit she hadn't quite fixed. "Why is this such a big deal? Since when do you care who I sleep with?"

"He's royalty."

What. "Excuse me?"

"Prince Uchiha Sasuke. From Konoha."

"Konoha?"

"One of those small Eastern islands that doesn't really show up on the map unless you use a magnifying glass. Google it."

"A prince?"

"Yeah."

"Sasuke?"

"Yep."

"I fucked a prince?"

Asuma made a face like he'd just been punched in the solar plexus. "If you have to put it that way, yes."

Huh. That would explain his superiority complex. Ino thought he was one of those trust fund brats who coasted on their parents' ridiculous wealth. Their relationship (or whatever it was) was not at a point where they shared personal information. Sasuke had approached her at one of those Fashion Week after-parties and they spoke for maybe fifteen minutes before he drove her back to the penthouse he'd rented. They drank more champagne and he slipped off the glittery Balenciaga dress she wore with surprisingly steady hands.

They had a good time. He showed up the week after, all roguish charm and flashy cars.

Ino didn't even try to resist.

She eased back into her chair and shrugged. "So? What now? His family found out and they want us to stop seeing each other?"

"No."

"No?"

"No." Asuma looked seconds away from a coronary. Ino was almost concerned. "They don't want you to stop."

"Look, we're not—"

"They want you to marry him."

Ino stared for a few seconds before she started laughing. It was a nervous, high-pitched sound that reminded her of injured animals. She stopped when Asuma just looked at her. "Tell me you're joking."

"Ino. I'm serious."

"... Really?"

"Like a heart attack."

"Well." A second. "Shit."

"Exactly."

TBC because let's keep the updates short and simple. less stress to write.

review if you're reading, please and thank you.