Author status: currently looking for beta-reader(s)
Rated: T, for political themes, sexual issues, verbal profanities
Standard disclaimer applies on each and every chapter of this fan fiction series.
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Prime Minister: Uchiha Sasuke
Chapter 1 - The Press Conference to Begin With
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"Mr. Prime Minister, how would you explain the pedophilia issue?"
"Mr. Prime Minister, is it true that you are having relations with an underage women?"
"Mr. Prime Minister, is it true that you are a pedophile?"
"Hell, no." That was what he wanted to say. But Prime Minister Uchiha Sasuke knew better than to spat at the heated reporters surrounding him. Instead, he flashed a polite smile at a particular blonde-haired reporter who happened to try to feed him with her microphone at any terms, as he calmly surrendered to his warm, convenient limousine.
The reporters continued to attack with their violent questions, even as the Prime Minister's Personal Aide, Uzumaki Naruto, shut the limousine door behind him. "They never give up until you fall into the trap," he chuckled, giving the reporters a cheerful wave.
Sasuke glanced up to have a look at the vicious blonde-haired reporter. "What was her name again?" he asked to his spokesperson, Haruno Sakura, who happened to be sitting on the other side of the limo. Sasuke recognized the meticulous reporter from a press conference back at the headquarters; she was as over-ambitious as ever.
"Her?" Sakura asked pointing at the reporter. Sakura gave a disgusted look. "Yamanaka Ino, from Bogue fashion magazine, though I have no idea why she would be after your issues."
Sasuke folded his arms, with no further interest.
The limo, surrounded by quadroons of police guards, moved slowly through the chilly, autumn weather, heading towards the Office - the headquarters of the Prime Minister. Uchiha Sasuke gazed out the filtered windows as Naruto read out his schedule for today. "…which means, your agenda ends at around four, this afternoon, sir," Naruto concluded, closing the agenda book shut.
"No dinner meetings to attend?" asked Sasuke.
When Naruto assured the Prime Minister that there was nothing specific to do in the evening, Sasuk turned to his spokesperson and said, "Prepare a press conference at seven, and Naruto," he added, turning back to the aide, "I won't be available before that hour."
"What matter, sir?"
Sasuke casually tucked his deep-blue-colored tie into his suit. He fixed his eyes on the road ahead, muttering, "I've got problems to settle. That pedophilia issue's really getting on me."
Hyuuga Hinata rested her head on her desk. It was a noisy afternoon in class, after the homeroom teacher announced the literature teacher that was supposed to teach during the last period, happened to be ill. The students were to self-study, but as usual, they ended up chattering non-stop.
Hinata stared at her slim, brandished, 3G, double-camera, clam-shell cell phone. No new mail, she pondered, pressing on the mini buttons lazily.
"So boring," Hinata heard her desk mate, Tenten, sigh deeply. Tenten suddenly shot up with bright eyes. "Why don't we go to the mall?"
Hinata laid her head back on to the desk. "Don't you get tired of it? There's nothing new anyways."
"I don't know," replied Tenten. "I just like to look for things that are up-to-date." She squealed excitedly. "Oh, like those pair of boots I got a couple of days ago! I can't believe I was so lucky to get them on fifty-percent price, they were six hundred dollars each." Tenten let out a happy sigh. "It was so worth it."
Hinata struggled to hide the temptation of rolling her eyes. It was such a mistake for her father to make her go to a school packed with rich people (not that she wasn't rich herself - perhaps, she was the richest), even though it was the best prep school available in the country. To Hinata's horror, it was like MTV's Rich Girls reality show come true.
Hinata never liked such spoilt, glamorous life. Instead of attending a socialite party with a ball gown and a glass of wine (though she still had three years shame), Hinata would rather hold a calm and cozy tea ceremony with Hanabi, her sister, and Neji, her elder cousin.
And Hinata just hated being among a huge pack of people. It wasn't that she was an antisocial, but being in a crowded area made her feel anxious and apprehensive.
So, later that evening, when she found two long, black limousines, along with a horde of police motor bikes, perched right in front of the gate of the Hyuuga Residence, she decided to edge to her quiet, private quarters. It was so nice to live in such a big house; even if your sister was listening to System of a Down on maximum volume in her room, it would be around a hundred meters away from your room, so you wouldn't be hearing anything but bird chirps.
It was then that Hanabi came banging into Hinata's room with a psyched approach. "Guess who's here?" she asked, squealing excitedly. She began to poke at Hinata's ribs madly.
"Stop that," Hinata ordered her younger sister. Why is everyone in that happy-go-lucky attitude today? "Who?" she asked back, shortly.
Hanabi's squeals leveled one notch higher. "The Prime Minister!"
Hinata paled at the statement. Certainly, the Prime Minister did not come all the way to discuss about the article in the morning paper? Then again, thought Hinata, the PM might have came for some economical advises. But why bother come here himself? Wouldn't it be better to send the Minister of Economy, or hold a meeting at the Office? At that thought, Hinata grew even paler.
Her questions seemed to be answered the second the door opened, revealing a straight faced Hyuuga Neji.
There was always a strange atmosphere hanging around whenever Hinata and Neji were in the same room. Tense would not be the exact word to describe it. Neji, currently twenty-five, was the Executive Director of the Hyuuga Hotel Corporate. Neji was always envious of Hinata's position as the heir of the Hyuuga holdings, for he had devoted all of his twenty-five years (so far) to the glory of the Hyuuga family. It felt unfair that he was the one in sweat, while this - this girl was the one who would get the blue ribbon prize. It was a good thing that Neji was extremely capable of not showing his feelings towards the Hyuuga heiress.
There was barely any color left on Hinata's already pale face, when he said in his deep, monotonous voice, "The Prime Minister looks forward to meet you. Now."
Prime Minister Uchiha Sasuke sat still with both feet tucked under him. He fingered the rim of the terracotta cup that was filled with blazing hot green tea.
Waiting in the Hyuuga Residence felt abominable, even to someone that belonged to the Uchihas, like him. Perhaps, it was the aura of the house, which held intensity and greatness. The waiting room was a vast multi-purpose area, covered with plain, but high-quality tatami mats. Each sliding door was made from the best bamboo cuts and plastered with thin, yet strong washi paper. The papers were illustrated with various traditional drawings, like the one in the south side: a picture of a soaring crane, or the one in the far west: a beautiful cover of cherry-blossom petals. Staring at the extremely elevated ceilings made Sasuke feel inferior and he did not like that feeling at all.
Sasuke felt relieved when a maid announced the arrival of Hyuuga Hinata. He certainly did not feel that he could hold the tension any longer.
Hyuuga Hinata entered the room, still in her full school uniform: an indigo blue blazer on top of a light blue blouse with a red plaid skirt. Her black socks were pulled high, almost touching her knees, showing that she was a young girl of manner more than a girl of fashion. Her face was as pale as always, Uchiha Sasuke remembered, having to know the girl from socialite parties, back in his younger days. But her hair, Sasuke noted, had grown out a bit, as it fell exactly on her shoulders.
The Hyuuga heiress gave Sasuke a deep bow as she settled on the layered floor. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Prime Minister."
"And you, too, Miss Hyuuga," replied the PM, nodding his head in return. He then clasped his hands together, and said, impatiently, as if he had been longing to do so, "Since you're here, Miss Hyuuga, we should get going now."
"We?" The teenager tilted her head in question.
Sasuke nodded once more. "You and I, miss." He pushed his tea cup forwards with the tips of his fingers. "Forgive me for the short notice, but you and I will be going to the press room at the Office, right now."
"Haruno-san, about the issues on the new Prime Minister…"
Haruno Sakura held up a hand to the speaker. "Now, Temari, I am sure that the Prime Minister has his own way to explain those issues, but I am a hundred percent sure that he is not a pedophile."
Laughter rang in the press meeting room, that evening. The press was very eager – if not to say, extremely zealous – about the latest topic that surrounded the Office. Pencil carbons were scribbling madly against paper fiber; cameras were flashing their blitz wildly. Never in Haruno Sakura's public relations' life had she faced such enthusiasm. Her approach was calm, but she could feel her heart beating madly against her ribcage. It must be the adrenaline, she thought, as she gave a short reply to one of the reporters.
A man behind the curtains of the podium signaled the spokesperson. She nodded. She turned to the press and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Prime Minister."
The people in the press conference room stood up in unison, causing several chairs to screech against the marble floor. Blitzes flashed wildly once more as the man of honor stepped on to the podium. He gave a nod to Haruno, who bowed in return and retreated to the back of the stage. The Prime Minister then took a few seconds to adjust the microphone to his height and settled comfortably behind the podium. He, with a small smile and a hand gesture, said, "Thank you. Please, sit down."
The audience sat in obedience.
"I'm sure most of you are impatient to ask question about certain issues that have been running around for a day or two, now, but do allow me to explain some things first. If, after I am done with my statement, there are some things to be questioned about, you are free to ask." The PM paused for a second, before continuing.
"There are always idiosyncratic issues that appear at the beginning of one's period to govern. Some were catastrophic issues, such as the nine-one-one, or the tsunami. Others were global issues, perhaps the world economic recess, in example. I feel quite lucky that mine is only an untruthful rumor about me, having abnormal sexual relationships."
The audience roared with laughter.
"I do believe that you, ladies and gentlemen, already have a strong hint of whom the young lady in the troubled picture is. These wrong issues about me have become a …dishonor towards her and her family. Therefore, allow me to get these issues straight, and let her family name not be tainted.
"I do not deny having to know this lady and having to meet her at Hyuuga Hotel." Hands shot up instantly. "Please, hold the questions till I am done." The hands were pulled back down. "Thank you, I appreciate that." The Prime Minister resumed. "I do not deny those facts. But I do object the report that said I am having illegal relations with this lady. The only relation that I have with this lovely young lady is one hundred percent legal by law and norm.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to announce that Hyuuga Hinata and I are currently engaged."
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a/n: I'm truly touched by the reviews I got. I hope everyone keeps reading and reviewing this humble writing of mine. Thank you, thank you very much. O yeah, I'll only continue if I get enough positive reviews. -grin- thank you, once more.