Many thanks to BlackElement7 for doing a wonderful beta job.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Last time on the Virgin Wife:
Once upon a time, boy and girl meet, marry and live happily ever after.
Only, that was a lie.
Instead, it's an arranged marriage and the husband's a cheating bastard. But what's weirder is that she doesn't care. Hinata's fine being a virgin wife.
"Any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to know how to lie well." - Samuel Butler
Chapter One: Liar, Liar.
Hinata picked up lying at an early age. Ironically, it was the one thing she was the best at among the Hyuugas.
At the tender age of five, Hinata had taken one look at her father's mask and known that Hyuugas were horrible liars.
Having no emotion upon one's face made society try that much harder to figure out what was happening behind it. They would spend hours watching that emotionless mask for cracks. Then they would notice those little signs that showed exactly what the person was thinking.
Thus Hinata understood that Hyuugas were horrible liars because they did not comprehend that the best kind of mask was not one that made the emotions invisible but rather confused society with the wrong type of emotion.
She knew exactly how to look and act for her lie to be believed.
She knew exactly how to tell a lie without arousing any suspicions. How to construct a lie that would be easy to remember and simple to believe.
Hinata understood that a smile was the best mask of all, because no one cared enough to look underneath the underneath.
Hinata sighed as she rolled her shoulders. The burden of exams was finally off her shoulders, yet the strain it had caused still lingered. Her last exam had been her least favourite - neuropsychology. Unlike others, she just couldn't find a way to memorize what part of the brain caused what reaction. Frankly, it seemed a bit pointless to know that fact unless you were a doctor. Then again, most psychiatrists were doctors, but that wasn't where Hinata wanted to go. Unlike Sasuke, Hinata had no future planned out; she only knew the few things she had no desire to do. Unfortunately, this lack of a goal decreased her desire to study, so she concentrated on the little things. The small goals. They were what got her through life in general.
"Oh man! That was BRUTAL!" Naruto cried out as he walked out the door, getting many glares at his loud voice. "HINATA-CHAN!" He all but collapsed on her and her knees almost buckled under the added weight. But unlike others would have done, she did not throw him off of her. She understood that if she considered this subject difficult, Naruto considered it torture. Like her, he understood human behaviour but was at a complete loss when it came to human biology. Naruto and Hinata had spent many nights locked up in her library at home, going through the material. It was difficult getting Naruto to remember all the material because he did not learn in the conventional way, so Hinata was forced to be creative. Luckily for her, this method also helped her understand more and retain the information longer.
"At least it's over now. Let's get ramen to celebrate, Naruto-kun," Hinata murmured softly into his ear as she lightly patted him on the head. She smiled, knowing the reaction that would come.
"ALRIGHT, RAMEN!" Naruto jumped out of her arms and fist-pumped the air in excitement. He faltered for a moment, though, to Hinata's surprise, as something very much like regret flashed through his eyes.
Hinata just smiled and led the way. She did not falter in her movements. Her eyes did not widen, nor did she swallow loudly and stare at him a moment too long. She made sure to lie so that his lie would be intact.
Hinata understood Naruto enough to know his usual reactions were a mask and that his actual self was hidden. She always wondered what had made him so vulnerable when he was young, what had caused him to hide himself away. Moments like those happened only for a second and while they usually fascinated her, there were also those moments when she knew she could not press further. Because to press would ultimately complicate the situation. Things would get messy. It was another one of the reasons that Naruto had no idea about Sasuke's common indiscretions, among them the fact that Naruto would kill him. Naruto was loyal to the bone, and for his best friend to be cheating on his wife - regardless of the fact that the marriage had not been made out of love - was something that would not be tolerated.
She supposed, then, that she and Naruto were the best liars because they could lie successfully even to themselves.
Slowly, Hinata slipped her tear-drop diamond earrings into the lobe. Her hands mechanically smoothed down the creases in her cocktail dress. She much preferred kimonos over western dresses but the restaurant they were going to required a certain dress code. She had been forced to buy a new dress (because heaven forbid I wear the same one twice!) for the occasion.
She hated it.
Not because it wasn't flattering on her, because it was. The colour was a dark purple - it looked purplish in the light, but in the dark it appeared black. It was off the shoulders and went to her knees. The only reason Sasuke approved it was because of how figure hugging the material was. It was tight all the way down. Particularly, it tightened against her breasts, holding them against her chest yet not make her flat, in order for her shape to be more slender instead of voluptuous.
She was afraid to breathe in that thing for her stomach might expand and then there would be a bump, which would make her father-in-law think that she was getting fat or her mother-in-law think that she was pregnant. Itachi would probably be the only one who knew she just wanted to breathe, but he would prefer to smirk and let his parents contemplate their own ideas.
Like always, she finished dressing first. Despite all the stereotypes, Sasuke was a vain man. He made sure to spend extra time grooming, especially for his own parents. It was something she could relate to. They both just desperately wanted the approval of their families, of their parents. That's what had landed them in this sham in the first place.
Tip-toeing to his bedroom, Hinata peered in to see her husband fumbling with his tie. Sasuke only wore a tie when seeing his parents; otherwise, the collar would be open and the throat exposed. Due to the fact that he preferred not having to visit his parents often, particularly in formal settings, his tie tying skills were non existent. Unfortunately, his pride did not allow him to call out his wife's name but preferred to waste both of their time by waiting for her to come to him.
Breathing out, she calmly walked inside the room, reaching for him. He met her halfway, and instead of watching the tie, he watched her. Hinata never understood why he would watch her instead of watching her hands. He would learn the skill that way. She often suspected it was the intimacy of the notion. She, herself, had often seen her mother tying her father's tie before work. Her father had only learned the skill himself when her mother passed. Maybe Sasuke observed the same routine.
Adjusting the knot, she slowly pulled it tighter until it rested comfortably around his neck. Automatically, she smoothed down the tie against his chest, the same thing she had seen her mother do countless times.
Stepping back, she smiled approvingly.
"Thanks," he murmured even as he yanked the tie looser as per his style. Hinata suppressed her smile. Her husband was definitely a metro sexual.
"Shall we?" he asked as he offered her his arm.
She placed her hand at the crook of his elbow and nodded.
If there were two things Hiashi had successfully drilled into his daughter, they were the importance of reputation and the importance of Hyuuga.
"Hinata," he would lecture. "Even if your marriage is crumbling, your parents are dying, your child is rebelling and the business is going under - you must never show it upon your face. You must continue to deceive society into believing that everything is okay. To enlighten society of your shortcomings is to allow them to judge. Then your reputation will fall, along with the Hyuuga name."
Hiashi did just that. Even with the passing of his beloved wife and Hinata's poor performances at school, he carried his head high with a stone face and society dared not judge him. Inside the comfort of his own home, he allowed the tears of grief to fall in the master bedroom where his wife had once lain with him, and he allowed his disappointment to show to his daughter every time she brought home a mark less then what he expected.
Hiashi was a great liar, but Hinata was better.
Hinata made sure to follow her father's example. With her knowledge of psychology, she made sure to subtly tilt her body towards her husband and to relax into his hold instantly whenever he touched her. When he seated her, her eyes would follow until he was seated himself, and then she would smile briefly. She made sure to serve him first and eat only seconds after he took a bite. She learned to smile softly and blush at his glances. Or depending on his looks, she would send a slightly mischievous look with a slightly bitten lip.
He only looked at her that way, though, when he was desperate to escape his or her family. Mikoto would always see and send them off in hopes that she would receive her grandchild that much sooner. Her father would just get awkward and excuse them.
Just how much of an impressive liar she must be, if she had not only fooled society but also their friends and family into thinking they had a happy marriage.
If only they knew that she was still a virgin and he was a cheating bastard.
Sorry, Mikoto, looks like the grandchildren aren't coming anytime soon.
"How were your exams?" Fugaku asked, after they had finished their dinner and were enjoying some drinks. Mikoto and Hinata drank green tea while the men drank sake.
"Fine," Sasuke grumbled as he quickly took a sip of the sake. A slight pink dusting his cheeks. Hinata internally sighed at the sight, for it meant that she would have to drive them home and fend off Sasuke's advances. She hated that his advances hurt her pride because it was only then that he showed any interest in her in that way. Her pride hurt more when she acknowledged that her presence was easily replaceable in those moments. Furthermore, she hated that his pride forced him to drink the sake when they were both aware of his low tolerance for it and his behaviour once tipsy. He became aroused much too easily and thus began thinking with the wrong head.
"Neuropsychology was a bit of a challenge, but otherwise they went well," Hinata's response smoothed over the lack thereof from their son. Mikoto smiled approvingly; Fugaku and Itachi both nodded in acknowledgement and pride, respectively.
Suddenly, Mikoto squealed softly in delight. "Are there any grandchildren on the way?" She had boldly placed her hand on Hinata's stomach. The thing Hinata secretly feared had happened; her stomach had rolled slightly as she sat down and Mikoto had noticed.
Luckily, Sasuke had let go of his drink and simply sputtered nonsense. The last thing they needed was for Sasuke to spit out his drink in shock. Fugaku would not like liquid being spat in his face, even from his own son.
Itachi had simply raised his glass to his lips to take a sip, but his eyes betrayed his amusement to Hinata, who was very quickly turning red with embarrassment.
Fugaku rolled his eyes. "Calm down, woman. It's obviously her own stomach. After eating a huge meal like she did, it's no wonder her stomach looks like that."
(Oh God! Will the embarrassment never end?) Her lobster red face quickly paled in shock. Fugaku not only called her fat but a pig too. (Excuse me if I don't want to eat a salad at every meal like your wife must.)
"It's an attractive thing, otou-san. A woman with a hearty appetite. After all, Hinata does have an appreciation for food." Itachi came to her rescue, thankfully, by reminding them silently of Hinata's skill within the kitchen. Thank goodness, Itachi could hold his liquor. Unfortunately, Sasuke was useless after a sip of alcohol.
Fugaku nodded in agreement. "To each his own. But when are you planning to have children? I am tired of listening to Mikoto's wonderings."
"Oh, hush!" she scolded playfully, before she turned her attention to the young couple, obviously expecting an answer.
"Why don't you ask your eldest for some kids? Or at least to get married." Tipsy Sasuke was also very easy to irritate.
"Currently, you've taken the only woman I see fit to be by my side," Itachi said, half teasing and half serious. It was private knowledge that Hinata had originally been engaged to Itachi before the parents decided that Sasuke, who was closer to her age, might be more appropriate.
Hinata knew this fact, but Sasuke did not. Itachi wanted to protect his brother from the knowledge that he was the second choice.
Hinata disagreed slightly with the choice but after meeting Sasuke, she had understood Itachi's reasoning. Sasuke had the immaturity of a child and would be heavily insulted and hurt by being second. Itachi's omission of truth spared Sasuke from pain.
However, Hinata understood that an omission was just as bad as a lie. In that way, Itachi was a much more truthful liar. Unlike Hinata, who could look someone in the face and lie point blank, Itachi preferred to dance around the topic so skillfully that most people forgot the original question.
Very few could catch Itachi lying. Hinata was one of them.
Hinata interrupted skillfully before her husband could grow defensive or, heaven forbid, possessive. "You flatter me again with your words, Itachi-kun." Here, she smiled shyly at him before turning her gaze to Mikoto. "Children will probably only come after we have finished our education and have stable jobs. Until then, Sasuke enjoys practicing."
Sasuke choked on his sake, almost spilling it down his front. His family chuckled at his reaction, but did not understand the real reason behind. While they saw it as shock to her blunt statement, Sasuke knew she was alluding to his multiple affairs.
Despite the fact that she was good at it, didn't mean that she like lying.
She saw his anger rising and quickly moved to intercept. The last thing she needed was for Sasuke to say something out of anger, bruised ego and embarrassment in front of his family and the public. "Speaking of, shall we go home then?"
"Oh, my darling!" Mikoto moaned out in sadness. "It's been so long!" Hinata's guilt increased. She wouldn't mind visiting Mikoto without Sasuke, but to do so would show that he was not as busy as he said he was. Questions would arise about what, exactly, he did that kept him so busy.
"Our exams are over, Mikoto-san. Perhaps we can visit you next week?" Hinata said hesitantly as she peered over her shoulder to her somber husband.
"Of course, Okaa-san. We do have more time now." Sasuke was not a mama's boy but he did care greatly for his mother. A soft spot.
Hinata was silently amused by the Uchiha family. Sasuke sought his father's approval, but his father favoured Itachi. The eldest was a mama's boy but the mother always showed more love and comfort for the youngest. Too bad Hinata hadn't know at the time of the engagement that Sasuke was not a mama's boy, since they were generally known to treat their wives with much respect. She might not have married him.
In that respect, she would have preferred Itachi. He certainly would have given their marriage a chance and he would definitely not have slept with half the women in the town in an angry attempt at revenge. If they didn't fall in love, he would have made sure she was cared for greatly.
That was the difference between a man and a boy. Between Itachi and Sasuke.
Hinata had long since accepted that her marriage was and always will be a lie. But that didn't mean that she wouldn't be bitter, especially when the occasion called for it.
"Well then," Sasuke said as he stood from the table and discreetly stretched. "We're leaving." He grabbed her hand and hauled her viciously up and onto him.
Hinata suppressed a shriek with great difficulty. Her hands were sprawled along her husband's chest and her surprised feet were still struggling to find balance. Frankly, the only thing keep her up was Sasuke's arm, which was tightly wrapped around her waist.
Mikoto and Fugaku smiled at the action, thinking they were a young couple in love, while Itachi and Hinata knew Sasuke's actions were done out of anger and possessive envy. But only Hinata understood the reasons behind his emotions.
Sasuke was always a poor liar, just like his father. Luckily for Fugaku, he had so much power that he could always tell the truth and get away with it.
Barely allowing her to gather her items, Sasuke proceeded to drag her, stumbling through the dining room and along the corridor until they were outside, waiting for the valet to bring Sasuke's car.
All Uchihas, no matter how drunk they were, could walk in a straight line and fool even the quickest of cops (as long as they didn't take a breathe test). This grace was there throughout their life; sober and hammered. It was a trait that Hinata envied, as she stumbled even when she was sober.
Hinata was stuck pressed up against Sasuke, despite the fact that he was only using one arm to pin her against him. He was a very strong man. Not to say that Hinata wasn't strong, because she was. But they both trained regularly in their family's martial art style. While the Uchiha family style concentrated on speed and strength, the Hyuuga's was about using the opponent's strength against them, flexibility and pin-point accuracy.
Plus, as sexist as this sounded, Sasuke was a guy. They were generally built stronger.
That, and the fact that to struggle against his grip would one, anger him and two, look bad to anybody who was watching. The media had a way of twisting even the most innocent of gesture into betrayal and heartbreak. This was something that must always be avoided.
For the sake of the Hyuuga reputation.
She sighed, allowing her body to relax into his, hoping that her subtle acceptance of his actions would smooth over any hurt feelings Sasuke might have. Luckily, she knew her husband well, and as soon as he realized her stance had change, he relaxed his hold into a slightly softer but still possessive embrace.
To outsiders, they looked like they were in their own loving little world.
Sasuke leaned down and kissed her neck. "I love you," he murmured.
But Hinata knew better.
She peered up at him and smiled.
They were just liars.
"I love you too, Sasuke." She quickly pecked his lips before settling back in his embrace.
Some were just better at it than others.
SORRY - I was supposed to update this last week to try and follow my new year's resolutions but that failed. Unfortunately, life gets in the way.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE REVIEWS! I LOVED reading them! :D
This is my favourite chapter that I have written in all my stories. There's something about it that I enjoyed.
Did you feel the same way?
Read & Review,
Ramen