Chapter two: Actor
The warm sunbeams shined through the window, directly on his face. Sasuke pulled his blancket over his head and groaned. It was probably already noon, but he wasn´t in the mood to leave his bed yet.
His head felt still heavy from the lack of sleep. Yesterday´s event had deeply agitated him and he wasn´t able to find rest. It was not until morning, that he finally found some sleep. No wonder he was totally exhausted now.
After he tried several failed tries to go back to sleep, he gave up and stood eventually up. In the end, he couldn´t hide in his bed forever.
Sasuke grabbed his cell phone from the nightstand and looked at the display. Like expected, it was already eleven o´clock am and definitely time to get up, but right now he prefered his room over the rest of the house.
He was betrothed now. But it didn´t mean anything to him. Why? Because his parents had decided it. He had agreed, but only because he knew that he hadn´t a choice anyway. His father accomplished always what he wanted and if he wished for him to marry this girl, than he had to marry her.
And if he thought about the past two years, he could be at least glad to be at home again.
He spent the past two years on a boarding school and this had been so far the worst time of his life. At that time, he had been fifteen and revolted against his parents. Actually a natural behaviour for a young teenager but his parents, especial his father, saw this in a complete different perspective.
Sasuke had meet with friends, his parents didn´t like. He had skipped school on some occassions. His grades had dropped and he had practically disobeyed every order his mother or father gave to him.
Maybe his rebellion had been a bit extreme, but at that time he had longed so much for freedom. Like all children in the Uchiha family, he had been raised very strict. Strict rules and high expectations, determined his whole childhood. When he entered puperty, he became very defiant and it only became worse with the years.
When his parent´s punishments lost the effect on him, Fugaku had decided to send him to a boarding school. And suddenly Sasuke´s stubbornness toppled. He had practically begged his father to not send him away but it was hopeless.
The boarding school conducted a strict regiment. Every single offense was chastised with firm disciplinary measures. In short, Sasuke hadn´t even the slightest with of freedom there. Fugaku got what he wanted, Sasuke´s grades became better and soon he was top of the class again.
He wrote countless letters, e-mails at home, begging his mother to let him return but they let him stay there for two years and this really taught him a lesson. Not to rebel ever again against his family.
His mother convinced her husband, that he had learned his lesson and that he was returned home now. Fugaku had warned him, if he´d cause trouble again, he´d send him back to the boarding school immediately.
Sasuke would´ve promised anything if it meant he could return home. Mikoto and Fugaku expected so much from him, that he knew that he couldn´t dare to disappoint them. He had still two years of high school ahead and had to bring the best he could afford. Nothing else would be accepted.
His life wasn´t easy at home either, but a lot better as it was those past two years. So he really tried to avoid anything which could anger his parents.
Since he was behaving in a way, both Mikoto and Fugaku approved, they let him relative much freedom. Maybe because he was older now, but he began to enjoy the luxury life in the fullest again. He received a pretty high pocket money , which he expended with big joy.
Than they informed him about the planned engagement and he had been shocked and angry. But he calmed down quickly, after all it was clear that this would happen sooner or later. His brother Itachi was married off too, but Sasuke never expected that his parents forge wedding plans for him this soon.
He agreed, mostly because he couldn´t allow himself to anger his father and so he had comforted himself with the thought, that the wedding wouldn´t take place before he turned twenty. He only knew that the girl came from a prestigious political family, but that wasn´t really a surprise anyway.
But after the engagement party yesterday, he couldn´t handle the situation so apathetic anymore. Wenn he meet his future wife for the first time, he was shocked. Impossible he could find any liking for that person, let alone love her!
He couldn´t bear her. She was ugly, stupid and couldn´t even speak in complete sentences. Really he´d rather deal with every other girl, as with this clodhopper. The dislike he felt was enormous and even if his thoughts were probably exaggerated, he couldn´t help but hated her!
Why couldn´t his parents at least look for a girl, he´d optically like. But no, they had to engage him with the ugliest girl from Tokio.
Suddenly, he felt disgusted from his own thoughts and shook his head.
Not think about that yet, He admonished himself.
The Uchiha was about to head for the adjacent bathroom, when he spotted the engagement ring on the floor. In his anger, he had thrown it there. He played with the thought to throw the ring in the toilett and wash it down. But of course this would just cause problems, so he picked the ring up and put it in the drawer of his nightstand. Engagement or not, no one could force him to wear that thing all the time.
He needed distracton and since there were still few days from his holidays left, he decided he´d spend the day outdoors.
After a long and relaxing shower and getting dressed, he observed his reflection in the mirror and smirked satisfied. Sasuke knew very well that he was a very good looking guy and he was arrogant in many ways.
When he deemed himself fit enough to leave, he headed downstairs directly for the front door. The Uchiha´s mansion was huge, since they owned a lot of rooms for official events, but the private rooms of the family were placed close together.
Sasuke wanted to leave before he´d run into one of his family members, but like always he wasn´t lucky. When he passed by the tea room, his mother called him back.
Mikoto stepped to the doorframe. She smiled at him and he forced himself to return the gesture. He couldn´t let her feel how pissed he actually was.
"Please return punctual for dinner. I´ve invited the Hyuugas for tonight."
His eyes widened when he processed her words. This couldn´t be true!
"Why?" He almost snapped at her but managed to pull himself together.
"You know very well, why. You need to get used to her. You both were so distant towards eachother and that really bothers me."
"I don`t want to know her better!" He said, because it was the truth. But realizing what he just said, he added quickly; "I mean, it should be my choice, how and when I´m ready to become closer to her."
The Uchiha matriarch looked unimpressed at her youngest son. "Do you think we haven´t noticed how distant and cold you´ve acted towards her? It was offending for Hinata and her family. You´ve presented us in a bad light and we´re only so forbearing because it was the first time you meet her. But Sasuke this won´t happen again. We expect that you´ll treat her with respect. You´ll learn to treat her as a future member of our family, your future wife."
"Great, so I´ve no say in this." He snapped, unable to control his anger.
"Sasuke, I´m warning you."
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a brief moment. A fight with his mother was the last thing he needed right now. His father would learn about it and that couldn´t end well then. So he pulled himself together.
"I understand. Can I go now, or is there anything else?"
"You can go. But you´ll be back on time."
Sasuke turned around and stormed off. By leaving the house, he slammed the door louder than intended. His mood destroyed and he was ready to explode. He was hardly few meter away from the mansion, when he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He needed that now.
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He came home in time, like his mother demanded. His impassive expression didn´t betray how agitated he was from the inside . He began to realize that this engagement was indeed decided. His parents would never change their mind, they were too happy about the perfect match. But somehow he couldn´t arrange himself with the thought to spend his life with that girl.
Sasuke wasn´t even looking at her. Not when he was forced to greet her politely and not when she sat on the table right next to him.
The housekeepers served the menu and noticed to his delight that they served traditional japanese dishes. He could enjoy the food but this was really the only positive thing tonight.
His father spoke with Mr Hyuuga about their work and other political topics. While his mother and Mrs Hyuuga were gossip about some nonsense, he wasn´t even bother to listen to. Itachi and his wife weren´t at home and so he was stuck here alone.
Hinata hadn´t said a single word until now and he wasn´t willing to say anything either. It was just pathetic. Two persons who sat right next to eachother, totally disallowed by the others presence. But two persons who were supposed to marry into the near future.
He tried to distract himself with his dish, but when the evening protracts, he was ready to break out into hysterical snorts. This was just ridiculous!
They can´t be serious... He thought over and over again.
If his parents were so thrilled to arrange a marriage for him, why couldn´t have they looked for a girl whose character would fit to him. And if they weren´t caring about that, couldn´t they at least looked for someone more pretty?!
Of course they would look for someone from a rich and prestigious family, but surely, the Hyuugas weren´t the only family whom meet these standard.
So why? How can they do that to me? Even just sitting next to her, let me wish to throw up!
"Sasuke honey, are you alright?" Mikoto asked sweetly and he couldn´t prevent himself from glaring at her.
"Yes, of course mother."
"Surely, you´re still tired, aren´t you? You haven´t caught much sleep last night, right?"
Sasuke nodded but said nothing.
"Why don´t you show Hinata our house and our garden. I´m sure she´d like to see how you live." His mother said and her features changed into a warning glare, daring him to refuse her suggestion.
He tried to think so desperately about a pretext in order to prevent to be forced to spend time with her. But than he noticed his father´s demanding look too and he knew, there was no escape for him.
"I think it´s a good idea." He said in a forced monotonous tone. He couldn´t bring himself to look at Hinata, when he stood up and waited that she´d follow him.
Obviously, she hadn´t grasped that they were supposed to spend some bonding time together now. Mrs Hyuuga needed to entlighten her by whispering something into her ear. This obtuseness, let his dislike only grow.
Hinata needed a moment, probably to pull herself together, before she stood up and followed him. The Uchiha wasn´t in the slightest interested to show her the mansion, garden or whatever. He didn´t care about her, when he stepped through the backdoor in the garden. He walked straight ahead and she followed him like a dog.
His family´s garden was created in a traditionnel japanese style, Though, his mother had discovered recently a passion for ornamental roses and she let the half of their garden plant with these. It lend, the elso so traditionnel garden, a hint of occidental flair. Nevertheless, the whole atmosphere were peaceful and calming. Especial in one of those refreshing sommernights.
But he couldn´t calm down. Not when he heard her steps behind. Not when he knew that she was there. In order to calm himself down, he lights a cigarette and inhaled the thick smoke. Hopefully this would help him to keep his composure.
Just when he thought he could relax for a bit, she opened her mouth!
"I... It´s re... really nice here.."
Her voice let his anger raise again. Her inability to speak fluently only irritated him more. She was the complete opposite from him and alone her presence made him sick!
Sasuke ignored her. Otherwise he wasn´t sure how he´d react. He continued to smoke, when he felt her eyes on his back. Her eyes widened in fear when he suddenly turned around.
"What are you staring at?!"
She winced and lowered her head in shame. She grabbed the fabric of her dress. It looked almost as if she was on the verge of crying.
"I... I...I´m so...sorry... I.. I didn´t want... It´s ju.. just... I thought... it´s unhealthy..."
He needed a second to understand that she meant the cigarette. He narrowed his eyes. This girl made him so angry. He was almost convinced that he really hated her. And he hated that fucking engagement more than anything! And because he couldn´t run inside the house and let his anger out on his parents, Hinata received all his wrath.
He stepped towards her and she shrinked back, her eyes wide with fear.
"I´ll just tell this once. I give a shit whether you´re my fiancee or not..." He said in a dangerous tone. "What I do is none of your business! For me, you´re just a pain in the neck. Some evil what my parents want in my life. But I´ll never give a fuck about you and I don´t want to have anything to do with you! So take care of your own fucking life!"
She fought with the tears, while she nodded hastily. It seemed as if she got the message.
Sasuke snorted when he turned around again and began to smoke one cigarette after another. He needed several minutes, until he felt calm enough in order to head back inside. He said nothing when he passed by Hinata and made his way back to the house. She still stood on the same spot but she followed after him when he left.
Now he was forced to play theatre again. He had to wore the indifferent mask again. But that was the world he was born into and now and then, he was forced to be an actor.
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