CCNote: If you would like to hear the cello piece in this chapter search for Suite 1 in G Major. Thank you to everyone who left a review on the last chapter. The last chapter was fluff, this is your real update for the week. A big shout out of thanks to my beta PrincessJelly! Enjoy!
Sacrifice
Friday, October 4, 2017, 2:21pm
Hyuuga Enterprise
...
Hinata clamped her hands over her mouth as she tried to muffle her moans. It wasn't doing much good but it was better than nothing. His rough hands gripped her hips tightly as he slammed into her repeatedly. She knew that there would be bruises there later. It was an even trade since his back was marked by her nails.
"Fuck." He groaned as she continuously met each of his thrusts in time.
Strewn around them were papers and pencils that they had haphazardly knocked off the desk in their haste. They certainly would have a mess to clean up later but for now, neither one of them cared. It was the first time that they had been able to be in a room alone together all week. They would deal with the consequences of their hasty decisions later. Sasuke grabbed both of her hands and pinned them above her head as he leaned down to capture her lips.
They shouldn't be doing this. She knew it was wrong but what could have easily been dismissed as temporary lapses in judgment had evolved into an addiction. Every touch, every glance left her wanting more. It was never enough. His tongue swirled around hers, blurring her thoughts and electrifying her all the way down to her toes. As he continued to thrust into her she felt the coil that had been tightening inside of her release. Her toes curled in her heels. Her hips bucked involuntarily as she rode out her orgasm, bringing Sasuke to a quick finish as well.
He released her hands but buried his face between her shoulder and neck. The heavy panting of their breathing and a phone ringing incessantly was the only sound to be heard. Wait. A phone? Hinata turned her head to the right to see her cell phone which somehow had managed to remain on the desk. Sasuke groaned into her neck as it continued to ring. She smiled and answered the call.
"Hello?" She said and smacked Sasuke's arm when he lightly bit her neck. He was incorrigible.
"Hinata where are you?" Neji asked, the serious tone in his voice dictating that this was not a casual call. In the background, she heard many unintelligible loud voices.
"I'm in my office, why?"
"Hinata have you forgotten about the press release?" Neji said with a sigh and Hinata mentally cursed. "Get down to the fifth floor now. You still have time before Uncle arrives."
Neji hung up the phone shortly after that and Hinata let out a sigh of frustration. She couldn't believe that she had forgotten something so important. Sasuke hovered over her with a slight look of concern.
"What happened?"
"The press release!"
"Fuck."
….
Friday October 4 2017 4:00pm
Hyuuga Enterprise
...
Thank you all for joining us here today to witness this announcement. We hope to have your continued support as we head into a bright future for the services with which we provide." Fugaku said and nodded his head in Hiashi's direction who leaned into his mic.
"On behalf of the Hyuuga and the Uchiha, thank you."
The bright bulbs of the cameras flashed incessantly from the press pool. She kept her eyes fixed on her father's broad back as he and Fugaku stood side by side to address the questions being lobbied at them. It wasn't often two powerful men shared a stage together and the media was curious as to what brought on their sudden alliance. While on the outside it appeared that they merely wanted to merge for the sake of innovation into the future, there was a much more worrisome truth. Hinata wasn't quite sure what it was that would make her father come down off of his high horse to align with his rival but it had to be something serious. Even Neji who was essentially her father's right-hand man had no idea the full extent to his reasoning. None of them dared to question him openly. Hiashi Hyuuga has his reasons for everything.
More unintelligible questions were shouted by the press as the two patriarchs cordially shook hands before filing off of the stage. Hinata and her sister stood from their seats behind their father and followed him off of the stage. They walked in lock step a foot behind their father and Neji managed to push his way through the crowd to their side. Once they were outside of the building they were escorted to their limo which of course was surrounded by more people from the press who were unable to make it inside of the building and protestors. Hinata had expected some backlash against the merge but to be faced with the reality of it was a different story.
"Globalist scum!"
"Fucking rich bastards!"
Hinata kept her eyes glued to her father's back and tightened her grip on Hanabi's hand. Between the constant camera flashes and the deafening noise, it was all she could do to keep one foot in front of the other.
"You don't give a shit about little people like us!"
"How can you sleep at night knowing you are running other people out of business?!"
"People like you make me sick!"
They banged on the windows of the limo once the doors were closed and she imagined that their protest continued well after they had driven away. They were being accused of everything from corruption to stock manipulation to aiding in the economic suppression of the lower class. All of the vitriolic claims were false but their words still hurt just the same. Had her father anticipated this backlash? Hinata could not blame people for feeling suspicious of the merge.
The Uchiha and Hyuuga influences were so far reaching into different sectors of their society that it made sense for others to see them as the bad guys. All they saw were two powerful family-run businesses about to become even more powerful. While she knew that eventually, they would once more fade to the back of people's minds she knew that they had to do something about their image. She looked over at her father who was busy scrolling through his phone and bit her lip. She wanted to say something to him, to voice her concerns but she let the words die in her throat. Judging by his furrowed brow and deep scowl, now was not the time. She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind of all thoughts. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
…..
Friday October 4 2017 7:00pm
Uchiha Residence
...
"It's been so long since I've heard you play." Mikoto sighed as she rested her cheek in her open palm and took a small sip of red wine.
"It's only been a little over a month and a half mother." Sasuke said as he skillfully strummed his bow along the thick strings. He used to practice often back in their old home but now he rarely found the time.
"A month and a half too long!" Mikoto pouted. "I missed you."
Sasuke tried to suppress a blush from creeping up his cheeks. His mother always said the most embarrassing things. He focused his concentration on the vibrations created from his cello instead. His fingers flew over the strings in conjunction with his bow, filling the apartment with his mother's favorite song. The front door to the penthouse opened and Itachi entered the room with their Uncle Madara and cousin Shushui in tow. Mikoto slid over on the couch to make room for Itachi to sit down. Madara sat on the arm of the couch while Shisui leaned forward against the back.
"My, my, Sasuke you certainly have improved since the last time I heard you play." Madara said and Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"The last time you heard him play he was fifteen, Uncle." Itachi defended and Madara huffed.
"Really? I could have sworn that you just turned sixteen yesterday. How old are you now?"
"You're getting old Uncle. You can't even keep up with the age of your nephews." Shisui snickered but Madara only waved him off.
"When you have lived as long as I have, you have earned the right to forget things from time to time."
Sasuke rolled his eyes again and finished up his song. Mikoto smiled and clapped her hands.
"Wonderful!" She said.
"Where is father?" Sasuke asked the new arrivals and they all pretended to suddenly become preoccupied with other things. Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Itachi."
"He has a few loose strings to tie up before tomorrow's events." Itachi said.
Sasuke nodded but a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach didn't subside. He placed his cello back into its case by his feet and stood up to stretch. Whatever his father was doing it had to be pretty important for it to keep him away from home this late. He picked up the case and began walking from the living room towards his bedroom. He had only just closed the door when he heard a soft knock.
"Come in." He called as he set his cello case in the corner of the room. The door creaked open and Itachi walked in. From the serious look on his face, he was not here to joke around. The younger Uchiha crossed his arms over his chest and prepared himself for whatever Itachi was about to say.
"Sasuke," he started. "Father is meeting with a lawyer."
"Is someone suing us?" Sasuke asked and Itachi smiled and shook his head.
"No, nothing like that. He's stepping down."
"Hn, we both knew that this would happen eventually." Sasuke sighed with a shrug of his shoulders. This was the day that was always meant to happen. Itachi would ascend to the role as the head of their family and corporation. A position he had always been born to fulfill. "Congratulations."
"I am not accepting my position as his heir." Itachi said and Sasuke looked at him as though he had grown another head.
"What?"
"I'm not accepting-"
"I heard you the first time, why are you doing this?" Sasuke interrupted. "Are you trying to leave us?"
It wouldn't be that far in left field for Itachi to do such a thing. He had rejected the role of an heir for many years before father had finally worn him down. Itachi laughed and sat down on the bed. He motioned for Sasuke to join him but the younger man refused.
"I'm not leaving you, little brother. Father has been the head of this company since his father stepped down and his father before him. Each Uchiha male has taken up the mantle of our family and has inched us further and further down the path that we are currently on. It has led to our success and at times, near ruin. With this merge with the Hyuuga, this will become an even greater responsibility. Unfortunately, I am unable to carry this burden on my own. You have grown so much, even Father is beginning to take notice of your efforts."
"Itachi-"
"No, let me finish. Father is meeting with a lawyer to reverse all of the documents and shares that are in my name and make it so that they will now hold yours as well. We will be equals in all things from this day forward little brother."
…..
Saturday, October 5, 2017, 6:30 pm
Renaissance Hotel
...
Hinata bit her bottom lip as she stepped into the lavish lobby of the hotel. Everything was opulently decorated in gold leaf and marble. A giant chandelier dripping in crystals loomed overhead, casting a bright light over the room. By her side, Hanabi let out a low whistle of appreciation.
"Father has us sparing no expense tonight huh?" She said. Hinata and Neji nodded.
This event on its face was to celebrate the union of the Hyuuga and the Uchiha. It was meant to convey the hope that they had for propelling their new company into the future. In reality, it was all about power. The place would be stocked with the extended branches of the Hyuuga clan as well as the Uchiha. Everyone from their competitors to their allies would be here tonight to ring in the new era of their newly combined strength. Tonight had nothing to do with hope and change. Tonight people would kiss their feet and talk behind their backs, such was the way in the circle they resided. At the moment they were at the top of the hierarchy but one misstep would send them tumbling down to be devoured by the masses.
Hinata absently ran a hand over her silver gown to even out any imaginary wrinkles and prayed that everything went off without a hitch. These kinds of events always made her nervous. All around them, pale eyed Hyuugas bowed deeply to pay their respects to the heads of their family. Neji stepped in between the sisters and they hooked their arms through his. He confidently led them through the lobby and up a wide, winding spiral staircase. Once they had reached the second floor they entered the first door on the right which was meant to be a waiting area before they entered the ballroom. Already inside of the room were Mikoto, Sasuke, and Itachi. Sasuke had his back to them as he was adjusting his dark blue tie in the mirror while Mikoto stood next to him with her hands on her hips and a disapproving look on her face. Her deep burgundy dress with quarter length sleeves complimented her figure nicely and one would have never known that she was the mother of the two other men in the room. Itachi was slouched in one of the many plush chairs that dotted the small room finding pure amusement in his brother's struggle.
"Stop fidgeting Sasuke." Mikoto chided and smacked his hands away from his tie. "I already fixed it."
"I would listen to our mother if you want to keep your fingers." Itachi chuckled and looked up when he noticed their arrival. "Look what we have here."
Hinata blushed as Itachi quickly crossed the room and grabbed her hand. He pulled her away from Neji and spun her around.
"Don't you look absolutely gorgeous!" He gushed and Hinata laughed at his theatrics. "We will have to beat your suitors off with a stick tonight!"
"Hey! What about me?" Hanabi pouted as she put her hands on her hips. Itachi's smile widened and he took Hanabi's hand as well.
"You are the prettiest of them all my little firecracker." He said as he placed a short kiss on her knuckles.
Neji pulled them both back to his side and glared at the eldest Uchiha.
"Hands off Uchiha." He said flatly but Itachi only smirked and gave him a wink.
"Now now Itachi, behave." Mikoto reprimanded as she approached them. She kissed both of their cheeks and smiled brightly. "You girls do look beautiful. Hikari would be so pleased."
Hinata blushed as she felt the woman's lips press against her skin. It reminded her of the way her own mother would constantly smother her face with kisses when she was a little girl. She pressed her fingertips to her cheek as though it would keep the fleeting feeling of the kiss there for a little longer. Mikoto clicked her tongue as she held Hanabi's slightly messy braid in her hand and removed the pale blue ribbon at the end, effectively unraveling the braid. She expertly raked her fingers through her long brown hair and began redoing her hair in a much neater fashion.
"I always wanted a daughter." She sighed as her fingers nimbly weaved through Hanabi's brown tresses. "I imagine she would listen better than these two stubborn boys of mine. Hikari is lucky she got two girls instead."
"You knew our mother?" Hanabi asked bluntly, not minding in the slightest that the Uchiha matriarch was taking such liberties with her hair. Mikoto's eyes softened and she nodded her head.
"A long, long time ago. We used to be very good friends when we were girls but, as with many things, life happens." She said distantly as though recalling memories that had been buried deep down. The sisters listened with apt attention. Their father never talked about their mother. "We stayed in touch pretty well when I first got married and had Itachi but then I had Sasuke. My hands were much too full taking care of two boys and helping their father lead the company when I could. Over a year after Sasuke was born, Hikari had a baby girl of her own to care for so it was only natural that we drifted apart. We did see each other occasionally over the years though and she seemed happy. The last time I saw her, she told me that she was pregnant with her second child..."
Mikoto's voice trailed off as she realized how deep the waters were that she was wading through. She retied the ribbon to the end of Hanabi's braid. The Uchiha matriarch rubbed a thumb over Hanabi's cheek and smiled.
"There, much better!" She said just as the door to the room opened and the two family heads walked in. "Now you truly are the prettiest of them all."
"It's time." Hiashi said and led them all out of the room.
…..
Saturday, October 5, 2017, 9:00pm
Rennasaince Hotel
...
Hinata clutched Sasuke's arm tightly as he intercepted yet another aspiring ladder climber from pawning their son/cousin/nephew off on her. Itachi had been correct about one thing, they certainly did have to beat off the greedy barrage of suitors. Unfortunately, they did not have a stick. She had not anticipated that it would be this bad but Sasuke was a very good deterrent. He stayed by her side and was not distracted by any of the female offers that had been thrown his way. Being that they were both of marrying age it was no surprise that everyone was throwing their eligible relatives at them. The thought of getting married to any of them sent a chill down her spine. Someone of her stature would have been promised off to some wealthy son of a billionaire by now but she had managed to stave off the inevitable.
When her relationship with Naruto had begun organically, her father had seemed satisfied to let her make her own decisions. One does not climb much higher than the son of the nation's leader. If their relationship had worked out, Hanabi would have been named the heir and she would have joined the Uzumaki clan. Everything would have been tied up rather nicely. She might have even stayed with him, as unsatisfied as she was if it meant that her sister would have the possibility of rising up as the heir. However, after dating for almost three years, Naruto never showed any indication that he wanted to marry her. He was too preoccupied building the foundation of his political career to think of things like getting married or having children.
She had broached the topic once when her love for him was just starting to waver though the idea of little blonde children still made her heart flutter. He replied that if she wanted to get married and have children then he would give that to her. The answer had left a sour taste in her mouth. She didn't want him to tie himself to her further because that's what she desired. She wanted him to want those things just as much as she did. If he had been more enthused about the prospect of a future together at the time would they still be together? Would she be planning a wedding right now? Would it have made her happy?
Hinata shook the thought from her mind and continued to smile and nod as a rich older woman droned on about something she didn't care about. The woman's young male companion tried to slyly grab her hand but she dodged it by sidestepping closer to Sasuke. She subtly squeezed Sasuke's arm and he smoothly extricated them from the awkward interaction. When they had gotten a considerable distance between them and the woman she squeezed his arm again and he looked down at her. His dark eyes made the chaotic environment around them cease to exist and she stood transfixed by his gaze.
"Thank you, Sasuke." She said softly and he smirked and opened his mouth to reply.
"Hey, bastard!" A familiar voice shouted from behind them and she felt her blood run cold.
'It couldn't be!' She thought, panic beginning to set in. Had she conjured him up just by thinking too hard?
"Idiot." Sasuke said as he turned them around to face the person who had shouted out to them.
Hinata felt her voice catch in her throat as her first love bounded up to them. He didn't seem to see her at first but when their eyes locked he sped up. Her heart beat wildly in her chest as he came closer and closer. This was the first time she had seen him in person since the day she had packed up her things and left. He had been smiling that day too although it didn't quite meet his eyes. Today his smile was huge, just as she had remembered when things between them were fine. When she was within arm's length he wrapped her up in his arms and squeezed her tightly before planting a kiss on her cheek. It was all typical Naruto behavior but he had pulled her a bit too close. His lips had remained a second too long.
"You look beautiful tonight Hinata!" Naruto said warmly. "Congratulations on the merge!"
"H-H-Hello Naruto." She stammered when he released her slightly but still kept an arm around her shoulders. "Thank you."
"You two know each other?" Sasuke asked tersely, his dark eyes searching for an answer between the two of them.
"W-well-"
"Actually-"
"Excuse me for a moment." The deep rolling baritone of her father cut in. "I need a moment alone with my daughter."
….
Saturday, October 5, 2017, 9:37 pm
Renaissance Hotel
...
The cool air of the fall night should have calmed her nerves and settled her blush but she remained a nervous wreck. On the outside, she was the picture of perfect calm as she had always been taught to be. On the inside, she was full of anxiety. In the hotel, her current and former lover were more than likely conversing with one another. She had no idea how that conversation would turn out but it didn't look good. She sucked in a deep breath and tried not to focus on tripping over an errant rock as she and her father walked together along the carefully cultivated garden path.
"Hinata." He began and she looked up at him expectantly. "Do you know what it means to be a Hyuuga?"
Hinata nodded her head slowly at her father's inquiry. Family above all else. Duty to the cause. Honor what is right. The words of her ancestors had been ingrained within her since the day she took her first steps. It was this phrase that pushed the Hyuugas throughout history down the path of prosperity. The cool breeze brushed against her flushed skin and the lights of the hotel were getting further and further away as the hedges grew taller.
"Family above all else." She recited as they continued down the dark garden path leaving the noisy Gala behind. "Duty to the cause. Honor what is right."
"Correct. Do you understand what it takes to uphold those three principles? To ensure that those below us are able to thrive?" Hiashi asked.
Hinata remained silent, this was not a question her father requested an answer to. He motioned to the rose bushes that surrounded them. The late blooms were lush and the color was painted black by the dim light of the crescent moon above them.
"Sacrifice." He said as he plucked one of the choicest blooms from the bush. "To get the best blooms one must constantly tear down and prune a rose bush so that in the following year the bush will flourish. At that point, one may admire their diligence but the pruning never ceases. Over and over one must take care to ensure that the roses are not allowed to run wild. Otherwise, they will swallow each other up and suffocate the less viable blooms. This sacrifice allows one to capitalize on a future you cannot see."
He pushed aside a few of the leaves of the bush where he had taken the rose and motioned for her to come closer. Just inside a lower branch was the start of a smaller bud just waiting to see the sun. It would have never had the chance to bloom if her father hadn't removed the already full rose from blocking its progress. Her father stepped away from the bush and led her down the path again, deeper and deeper into the maze of rose bushes.
"Roses are difficult to work with. They are stubborn and turn the soil acidic, making it difficult for other plants to thrive near them. If one is not careful they will prick themselves on its many thorns. Yet they are resilient plants that will survive on nearly any plot of land they are placed and when cared for properly, will no doubt flourish."
He stopped near the center of the maze and pointed towards a marble fountain in the center of the sprawling garden. Seated on the edge of the pool was Hanabi, the edges of her pale blue dress dipping slightly into the water as she toyed with the end of her braid. Standing next to her was a tall, lanky boy with dark brown hair and a sheepish smile on his face. Suddenly she recalled the picture that Hanabi had shown her a few weeks ago of that same boy. At the time she was much too tired to place a face to a name but now it all connected. That mischevious looking boy was none other than Konohamaru Senju, the only living grandson of the Senju dynasty and heir to their massive fortune. The Senju and a handful of old money families descended from royalty were the only ones higher than the Hyuuga. When they walked into the room, heads would turn. Their family had ruled the nation for hundreds of years and had only entrusted that task to the Uzumaki on the condition that they were still pulling the strings from behind the scenes. While they were no longer the face of the nation, their name was held in high esteem and held more power than anyone could fathom. A family as old and as powerful as the Senju would never accept a mere second daughter to be a match for the only grandson to carry on their lineage. Even if she was a Hyuuga. She needed more.
Konahamaru placed a hand on Hanabi's head, ruffling her brown locks so they looked slightly messy. She tried to smooth it back out but he grabbed her wrist. What Konohamaru said next they could not hear but it made Hanabi blush furiously and mumble something under her breath. When he let go of her wrist she punched him lightly on his arm. Her response caused the boy to laugh, the joyful sound echoing off into the night. Hiashi took Hinata's arm once more and led her back to the party in silence. When they reached the entrance of the hotel, her father stopped and handed her the rose he had taken. Now that they were in the light she could see the deep red color that coated the thick petals. He cupped her cheek and raised her face so that she was looking into eyes that had given her her own.
"To uphold our family there are things that we must do. Sacrifices that we must make for a future we can't see."
The sound of the glass door to the garden sliding open effectively ended their conversation. Her father's hand slowly left her face and she turned to see the one who had interrupted their conversation. Standing before them was Gaara. His red hair was slicked back and his green eyes shone with that natural intensity they always possessed. Her fingers tightened around the stem of the rose and ignored the sharp prick of the thorns. Slowly but surely she was beginning to understand the meaning behind her father's words. That she would never be his heiress. That she would have to prune her own blooms to make way for a brighter future. The continued future of their family. A future where she would tie herself to a man she barely knew for the sake of their family. She straightened her back and looked ahead, past Gaara, past the other guests that milled behind him. Inside she saw Mikoto ruffing Sasuke's hair and Itachi smiling at his brother's grimace. The brief happiness that had bloomed in their presence, in his arms had to be cut down. A heavy lump formed in her throat.
"Good evening Hiashi, Hinata."