Disclaimer:
If Naruto is mine, Sasuke will go back to Konoha and marry Neji.
Title: Hate me, Love me?
Pairing: SasuNeji, SasukexNeji
Rating: T to be safe
Genre: Drama/Romance, AU, Yaoi
Summary: Sasuke and Neji were the most popular guys in Konoha High. Their first meeting is not a good one and ended up as enemies. How will the relationship of these two turn from hate into love? And what does Hiashi and Fugaku have to do with this?
Author's Note:
AUehara – Thanks for the review. It motivates me to continue this story.
Please, forgive me for slow updates. Please read and review. And also if someone comes across my other fic "Special Christmas", please if you have time to read and review I'll be glad. I really want to improve my writing. Thanks.
" – Talk
' - Thought
Chapter 3: You'll never know
Sasuke climbed up the branches that were close to his window. He opened it and slid inside his room. He carelessly threw his backpack on a corner. He started to undress himself and made his way to the shower room. Warm water started to calm Sasuke's nerves. He closed his eyes trying to clear his thoughts of anything. The day's event was really tiring for him. He wanted to take a rest. Not a care in the world. A towel wrapped loosely on Sasuke's waist. The excess water is still dripping on his naked body as he made his way to his bed. He lay on his bed staring at the ceiling not bothering to dry his self off completely. His life was a really fucked up one. He is not the heir but Itachi, his older brother. He doesn't have anything against his brother; he just didn't get it why he has to be stuck in an arranged marriage.
Earlier that day, his father Fugaku wished to speak with him. This rarely happens unless it's something that would piss him off. And he was never wrong.
Flashback
"Sasuke before you go, meet me in my office. I have something to tell you." Fugaku said sternly.
"Hai, Otoosan." Sasuke answered politely and look at his brother. His eyes were silently asking what it would be. Itachi just shrugged his shoulder in response.
"You better go in there, before he got annoyed waiting for you, Otooto." He said to his younger brother. Sasuke nodded and went to his father's office. He knows better. His father is not one to have long patience like his brother. He's somewhat grateful his brother did not inherit this attitude from him.
Fugaku looked up from the paper he was working on upon hearing someone knocked.
"Come in." Then the door opened to reveal Sasuke already on his school uniform.
"Otoosan." He bowed politely. "You wanted to talk with me?"
Fugaku had set aside the files that he was working on. His attention is now solely on Sasuke. He looked at his youngest son. He knows his son. This set-up might not be good for Sasuke's taste. Knowing him he really didn't like being told of what he should and should not do. But he has to do this. He is not only thinking about their business when he agreed to this, he want to see his son happy. He already knows Sasuke's jealousy over his older brother. He would admit he really want to leave the company to Itachi that's why his attention was focused on him but that doesn't mean he won't leave anything to Sasuke. He somewhat knew this is the best thing he could done for his son.
"I'm sure you know the Hyuga clan right? And that we are building partnership with them in business. Hiashi and I had agreed for an arranged marriage between the Hyuga clan and Uchiha clan." Hiashi paused with his words. His eyes were studying Sasuke's reaction. As for now, there is none so he continued. "This arrangement is for the welfare of both our clan." In Sasuke's head, a conclusion is starting to form in his mind. He just had to confirm it/
"What do I have to do with this father?" he finally asked.
"You will be engaged with one of the members of their clan." His father said leaving no chance for arguments. He sent him away after that.
His life was really doomed.
End Flashback
Stupid agreement.
Stupid father.
Stupid clan.
They didn't even ask him if he want it or not. They would just shove your future into your ass. He never liked the Hyuga's. From what he has heard about them, they are also very manipulative, much like his father. To top it off he had met one this morning. He has long brown hair tied in a loose ponytail. He doesn't like his eyes. It seems like he is blind and no emotion or something. Well, all Hyuga's have the same eyes. The guy who approached him earlier was surely the same as them.
A knock on his door wake his senses. He had a guess it was his brother. Itachi could always tell if he snuck in through the window.
"Sasuke, Can I come in?"
"Yeah, just a moment." He then grabbed his boxer and loose pants and put it on. "You can come in now." He sat on his bed waiting for Itachi to approach him.
"I assume you already know about the engagement 'cause you will not use the window as the door if you don't." Sasuke did not answer. He just shook his head in agreement. So his old brother knew about it. Itachi sat next to him.
"I know you don't agree with it Sasuke, but we can't do anything about it. You know how father is. I know you don't like the idea of being engage with someone you don't know. But you have to do it." Itachi did not get any response. He had to think of a way to comfort his brother. "Soon enough I will also enter an arrange marriage just like you. I don't like the idea but I don't think it will be that bad."
He felt Sasuke tensed.
"What are you saying?" eyes glaring at his brother. He can feel his anger rising up. "You of all people should know why I don't want to be involved in this agreement. You know the reason why."
Itachi sighed. Of course he knew the reason. After all, his younger brother confides only to him. It's just that his guts are telling him that this is going to be very interesting. He had a feeling this arrangement will change Sasuke.
"Think of it this way Sasuke. You haven't met the person yet, in time you might even fell….."
"I will never fall for whoever that person is. Hyuga or not. Never Itachi." Sasuke retaliated cutting off his brother. His brother should let him be for now. He should know when to leave him alone. He knows Itachi was trying to comfort him but he's not helping.
As if reading Sasuke's mind, Itachi stood calmly. He will let him think for now but he can't help but wonder if what Sasuke said is really true. He won't leave without adding fuel to the fire "You'll never know Sasuke, you'll never know."
- - - - - At the Hyuga's - - - - - - -
Hiashi was not in his office. His assistant, who opened the door when he knocked told him that his uncle will speak to him later at dinner.
'What was he thinking?' he sighed and went back to his room.
"Can I borrow a book Neji – nii?" Hanabi sauntered to his room.
"No."
"Why not?"
"You're not reading it Hanabi!" a vein was trying to pop out of his head.
She just grinned at him and run out of his room yelling "Father, Nii-san is a meanie!"
'How come I'm mean? She is the one who annoyed the hell of me.' Neji was fuming to himself as one of the servant knock.
"Neji – sama, dinner is ready. Hiashi – sama is waiting at the dining room."
"Thank you. I'll be there in a minute." He answered.
'Uncle is also getting on my nerves. He better talk now.' He thought as he went out of his room.
_ - - - - - - - Time Break -_-
"Neji"
He looked up from his food as Hiashi call him. Hinata who sat next to her father curiously glanced at him. Hiashi rarely talk when they are having their meal. Neji felt a tug on his sleeves.
"Nii-san, did you do something bad?" Neji glared at Hanabi who murmured her question to him.
"I did not." He whispered back before asking his uncle. "What is it uncle?" he warily look at him. He could tell something is going to happen. Something bad. Again.
"Have you considered marrying a man?" Hiashi asked nonchalantly, while Neji, yes Neji. He looks like he's going to pass out any moment. The deafening silence was broken when Hanabi butted in.
"He's gay. There's no problem in it father."
"Hanabi – chan!" Hinata chastised her younger sister. Hiashi raised an eyebrow at her daughter's behaviour then look at his still dumbfounded nephew.
"Is this true Neji?" Hiashi asked with a glint in his eyes.
Neji didn't answer. He couldn't answer. He's getting worried about something. His uncle is not asking him things like this just for the fun of it. This is not about him being gay. Gender is not a big issue for them knowing their families secret. A wild thought clicked in Neji's head
'It couldn't be that. Please not that' he thought.
"Neji, is it true? Are you gay like what Hanabi said?"
"Of course it's true. I don't lie!"
"Shut up, Hanabi!" damn his cousin. Hanabi is really a pain in the ass.
"Well Neji, what do you say?"
"I-I – Yes, It's true uncle." Neji said not meeting his uncle's eyes.
"I see. That's good to hear." He said. Hiashi looked at his nephew. "On Saturday, we are going to the Uchiha's. They will held a dinner for us."
'A dinner? Why at the Uchiha's? And what this has to do with me being gay?' he wondered as he chanced a glance at his uncle.
"Neji, you'll be introduced to the Uchiha clan as a formal announcement of your engagement to Uchiha Sasuke."
Clattering sounds could be heard on the table. Neji couldn't see the concerned look that Hinata is giving him. His eyes are wide silently asking for explanation. His thoughts were blurry. Consider marrying a man. Him, being gay. It makes sense. So that's the purpose of his uncle's out of the blue questions earlier that morning. That's why he asks him about the Uchiha's. If he know them.
Hiashi knows this is somewhat harsh on Neji's part. He hoped his nephew would understand. He's not doing this to give him pain. He loved Neji like his own son. Never in his life would he make a decision that will ruin his nephew's life.
"Neji, don't think of this as some kind of punishment 'cause you've never done anything wrong. I'm just doing what I think will make you happy." His nephew has not uttered a single word. Hiashi sighed. He had to reassure Neji. "If I found out that this arrangement will only give you grief, I will take you out of this. I promise you that. Please, understand Neji."
Neji didn't answer. Hinata fidgeted on her seat while Hanabi just shrugged nonchalantly and started eating again. For a while, Hiashi thought Neji would not answer.
"I will trust your judgment uncle. I'll do it."
To be continued…
