Disclaimer : I own nothing
Warning : Unbetaed One-Shot. Modern AU. SasuSaku. Written in a confusing way.
Everyone is alive (I think, ah, except for Izuna), because I love all the Naruto's chara (sorry Izuna, I still like you though.)
I don't know where I'm going with this one-shot.
Synopsis : Everything would have been fine, if he hadn't met a medical student with sparkling green eyes, mesmerizing pink hair and a pleasant personality.
Life Happened . . .
Everything was crashing down around him, and he couldn't speak up.
Sasuke knows he fucked up.
If anyone asks, he will blame Naruto.
Uchiha Sasuke is the second son of Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto, and he is also Uchiha Itachi's beloved brother. This information is meaningful when you take into account that this family is one of the richest families in Asia; they belonged to the famous Uchiha Clan.
The patriarch of the family was a man in his seventies (an exquisite being with a fierce face carved out of precious marble, his white hair as luscious and as spiky as ever… *cough*) this not-so-nice-but-nice-looking leader was a man named Madara. During his youth the intelligent man managed to establish his own corporation called Sharingan, specialised in security systems - easily conquering the Japanese market.
However, since his compulsory retirement, old Madara only came to significant meetings and events. His family tended to intentionally avoid him as much as they could, which wasn't possible when you belonged to the direct Uchiha line - exactly like the case of Itachi and Sasuke.
Sasuke didn't hate Madara; in fact he preferred Madara to his demanding father Fugaku. Madara tended to favor Sasuke because of his striking resemblance to Uchiha Izuna - Madara's younger brother, and the elder Uchiha thought that him and Sasuke shared a similar personality at the core.
When Fugaku scolded Sasuke, Madara reprimanded Fugaku. Those two seemed to despise each other. A lot. Even if they respected each other, deep, deep, really deep down. Chibi Sasuke had no knowledge about the bad blood between his father and his grandfather, however as he grew up he instantly started to perceive what was the essential problem between Madara and his father.
Uchiha Fugaku had been the CEO of the Japanese branch of Sharingan Corp. Where he encountered a outstanding, intelligent woman; he instantly fell in love with his lovely colleague - the best assistant in Japan. She was divine perfection in his eyes (and in the eyes of many other). Fugaku had always been selective with his entourage; he wanted the best. And that remarkable woman was gorgeous and efficient - exactly Fugaku's type. She possessed a cold dangerous temper and a killer smile. (Either you go with her plan and can appreciate those white teeth, or you die.)
Not many people know this specific information, but that bright woman had been the couteau suisse of Sharingan Corp. She worked diligently in many branches of the growing company, and they all managed to exceed expectations during and after her passage. She was the precious jewel of the corporation, and of the Uchiha Clan.
Every Uchiha knows not to oppose her, and this is the reason why there seemed to be... tension between Madara and Fugaku.
That charming assistant hadn't merely been Uchiha Fugaku's girlfriend; she was the darling and cherished daughter of Uchiha Madara.
(Currently, Sasuke completely understands Madara.
If someone seduced his precious daughter from him; he doesn't know how he will react, but he knows he will do something. If Sasuke had been Madara, he would have killed Fugaku… maybe?)
Madara's precious daughter was affectionately named Mikoto; she studied in the States and excelled in everything she performed. Fugaku may have desired the clever woman as his lawful wife, but she was the one who willingly accepted him as her husband. (Sasuke sometimes doesn't decipher what his dear mother saw in him.)
After Mikoto and Fugaku got properly married, many rumors emerged - was it really Love or was it a powerplay made by the Uchiha? - Did Fugaku blackmail Madara or Mikoto? - Aren't they second-cousins? - Did Madara force his dutiful daughter to marry his successor?- And, most importantly, how the heck did Fugaku survive that encounter?
(An anonymous worker *cough*Uchiha*cough*Shisui*cough* from Sharingan Corp is still investigating on that ultimate question.)
Lamentably, nobody dared to investigate the whys behind the wedding during the press-conference; it may have to do with Mikoto's pearly sharp teeth or Madara's harsh glaring face, but nobody had the gall to interrogate them. Alternatively, the cowardly interviewers reasonably asked tentative questions about the wedding date, the guest list and Sharigan Corp.'s future.
People learned Mikoto would quit her job and focus on her personal projects. Naturally, as a stakeholder of Uchiha Corp. she still followed what was happening, but she wasn't that much present in the company. (Who are you to question Madara's precious daughter?)
One and half year after Fugaku's wedding, the wealthy couple announced the successful birth of their first-born Uchiha Itachi. And if anybody was still questioning Mikoto and Fugaku's wedding, they all shut up after seeing or meeting their child.
Uchiha Itachi was one of the smartest babies to have graced earth. At five years old, he won many contests, such as kendo championship, chest tournament, etc. (Check out his extensive portfolio, it will be quicker.). Since then Itachi typically continued on his path to success.
He seemed to have inherited his mother's remarkable beauty, her skills and uniquely combined them with his father's need for perfection and calculative mind. Today, Uchiha Itachi was 25 and the epitome of success; he was a god among humans. And maybe a bachelor.
Yes, Itachi Uchiha is young, intelligent, rich, handsome - he is perfection, and he is still single. Some rumors say he frequently spends his time with Chief Marketing Izumi Uchiha, other rumors says that he has been seen in many coffee shops with Senior Manager Uchiha Shisui, but those are rumors… aren't they?
Sasuke Uchiha was the second son born to Fugaku and Mikoto. Compared to Itachi's success, his hadn't been that grand. Not many paparazzi focused on him after incorrectly concluding that he was average compared to Itachi. In the eyes of the world, Sasuke will eternally be behind his talented brother.
The boy was clever, but his brother was better; the boy was strong but his brother was stronger.
Itachi had an untouchable charisma, a philosophic mind, he had a way with and his profound silence louder than other.
Compared to him, Sasuke Uchiha was colder, his temper was explosive, the boy was labeled as spoiled. Nothing unusual happened in his dull life; he was barely in Japan. The media naturally tended to look only at Itachi.
Too bad for them.
What the world doesn't know is that Uchiha Sasuke is the most important person in the heart of many notable people. He was Itachi's precious brother and Madara's beloved grandson. Fugaku didn't display it, but he loved his son in his own way. In the specific case of Mikoto, Sasuke was her cutest son.
(The moment Sasuke had revealed his dark eyes and his pouty lips opened in a small yawn; Mikoto's kind eyes had sparkled with fierce joy and love.
"You're so cute I want to eat you, my sweet Sasu-chan. Nobody will hurt you, my darling."
The moment Sasuke's pudgy hand had gripped Itachi's hand and squeezed, his innocent sparkling eyes curiously eyeing his big brother; Itachi's heart and mind had come to one conclusion.
Must be protected.
"No one will take Sasuke away from me."
The moment a three-years-old Sasuke had met his grandfather, with a shy smile and an awkward bow; the man's eyes had widened, he took the little child in his arms and raised the boy toward his face. Sasuke's face scrunched up in annoyance.
"Let me down! Nii-san, help!"
Of course, Itachi helped his precious baby brother and pulled Madara's spiky long hair. Mikoto and Fugaku had paled, but Madara ignored them all. Instead, he put down little Sasuke.
"Sasuke-chan, Let us have some ice cream, my darling grandson."
The boy pouted and scowled.
"Only, if nii-san comes!"
"Everything for you, Sasuke-chan." intensely said Madara, frightening Itachi, Mikoto and even Fugaku.)
Why are all those informations relevant?
Well, today is an significant day for Sharingan Corp. In a few days, Fugaku will be finally stepping down from his role as CEO during an official ceremony, and let his first-born Itachi naturally lead the group toward the path of success. (Madara would have preferred giving the company to Sasuke, but his grandson didn't sound that interested in the position.)
However, before the official ceremony can take place, many prominent members of the Uchiha Clan who possessed a share in the company, have to participate in a formal meeting with all the leaders of every branch and stakeholders. The stuffy meeting was boring but of the utmost importance for everyone.
The number of VIPs coming for this two-days event in Japan was incredible. The first day during the morning, the various stakeholders of Sharingan Corp. would complete their annual session and combine it with the special gathering for Itachi.
The next day, in the evening, a private gathering will be held with the elites of Asian's richest companies such as the Byakugan Corp. But also other clans, and successful politicians like Namikaze Minato and his family.
(The perfect event you would monitor on the news channel at home, while contentedly eating leftovers or junk foods. You would admire everyone's clothes while wearing those overwashed PJ's hanging on your bed.)
Sasuke would have given everything to be able to stay comfortably in his home, wearing pricy PJ's, eating spaghetti and watching the news channel. Sadly for him, Sasuke's last name was Uchiha, he was the second son of the infamous Uchiha 'Office-couple' and he was the brother of the prodigy Uchiha Itachi. Sasuke was, furthermore, the next in line of one of the lessers known branch of Sharingan Corp. directed by Hatake Kakashi.
It meant that Sasuke's personal attendance at that event was compulsory.
Everything would have been fine, if Sasuke hadn't decided to promptly go study abroad — enthusiastically encouraged by his dear mother and his beloved brother — everything would have been fine if Naruto hadn't forced him to attend dubious parties.
Everything would have been fine, if he hadn't met a medical student with sparkling green eyes, mesmerizing pink hair and a pleasant personality.
In a perfect world, Sasuke would have properly introduced his new friend to his parents; he would have courted her, asked her to be his girlfriend, proposed to her, both of their parents would have accepted their wedding.
They would have had a spring wedding in Japan, with cherry blossom around them — exactly like Naruto's grand wedding — and a few years later, they would have produced a nice baby to satisfy their parent's nagging.
Sasuke was not known for his communication skills; he justly blamed his father for those useless genes.
Sasuke's life has always been overshadowed by his brother, until he decided to study abroad in the USA with his best friend Uzumaki Naruto, he would have undoubtedly preferred England, however Naruto was accepted in the States.
In the space of one month, he stopped speaking with his family; he genuinely tried sending some things by mail, but who would care? His father doesn't care about his social life. There was no way Sasuke was speaking about that with anyone, period.
Itachi and mother had tried investigating his life, but they rarely spoke through the phone, and they just didn't have the time.
Sasuke was bad with communications, and he just stopped sending news to his active family.
As long as he sent them brief messages once during the months, they won't worry. That was his social policy. For his father, it was sufficient, Itachi tried to nag Sasuke, but the younger brother ingeniously used the 'Shisui Excuse'.
("Sasuke, I worry about you." said monotonously Itachi.
Suddenly, the phone in his hand disappeared, and it found itself in another man's hand.
"Yeah, what are you doing chibi-suke? Something new, did you and Naru-chan hook up?" said the annoying giggling voice of Shisui Uchiha.
"Hn. I'm hanging up."
"Shisui, give me back the phone. I'm having a private conversation with Sasuke."
"Buuut, I-ta-chi, I know you're phone's password and we share the same room, I know everything you know about Sasuke. Let me ask the questions, please, you never ask enough."
"Shisui." scolded monotonously Itachi.
"But, I-ta-"
Sasuke hang up.
"Sorry, aniki, but you will have to be happy with my mails." muttered Sasuke to himself.
"Teme, I just saw you hang up. Itachi can't hear you, believe it!"
Sasuke frowned severely hearing that usuratonkachi's loud voice.
"I know dobe."
"Jeez, you're the one who's stupid, dattebayo!")
During his studies, he and Naruto met a young woman who was the same age as them. The only thing eye catching about that girl had been her most peculiar hair color (Sasuke genuinely thought it was a dye, until he saw her eyebrows.) She was annoying at first with the way she nagged, but Naruto had liked her a lot.
Sasuke had strongly suspected it had to do with her resemblance with Uzumaki Kushina. Not that he cared in the beginning. However, the more he encountered her and properly spoke with her, the more he found her… interesting. She had been a nice friend, and one day he blinked — he doesn't remember why and how — and found their friendship progressed into love.
Their love was gradual, and their bond got stronger with time. Sure, he did found her annoying at first, and she found him too intimidating. But it worked. One day, she managed to understand every thought he had, and he managed to perceive all her moods.
It was an unconventional love, she was as loud as the dobe, but she was as kind as his mother and nearly as intelligent as Itachi. She annoyed him greatly, but not having her with him was unpleasant.
Her name was Haruno Sakura, and he doesn't understand how but she managed to enter his heart and stay there.
However, they both decided to end peacefully their unique relationship because Sasuke had to return home to diligently study business. They both cleverly concluded that a long-distance relationship would never work out. The time difference was too big, Sasuke rarely used his phone apps - his past experience showed him that should he take this road, their relationship would fail (i.e. his family was bad enough, he doesn't want to lose her companionship because of him) - and Sakura was a work alcoholic at heart.
Despite everything, they surprisingly managed to stay in contact. Sasuke randomly found himself using his phone to send her random pictures, and Sakura always found time to leave him vocal messages or emoji.
It was during their breakup, that Sasuke realised that he long to see her and he wanted to go back to her.
Sure she was annoying, but in a lovely way. She was constantly worried about him, but she allowed him space. She argued with him daringly when he was in the wrong, without caring about his social standing.
He missed her voice and missed her eyes, and missed her soft breath… He found himself missing her touches, even her cold toes, her nagging, but also her slender body and her pink locks. He dearly missed her and her presence.
He found himself comparing every other woman he met with her; she was the best. Yes, there were other women more exquisite than her, more endowed than her, maybe even more intelligent than her… But he wanted Sakura. Not them.
He spent many times keenly regretting their break up, but he didn't dare to ask her out again. They wouldn't be able to make it, it was easier being friends; if they become lovers again, they won't be capable to bear this distance. Those thoughts played in his brain like a broken record during one long year.
Until a day, where he had been lost in his thoughts, he received a call from Naruto. The Dobe cheerly asked him to come and go to a 'road trip' in America.
Sasuke had sternly refused.
("Dobe." hissed Sasuke. "Are you seriously asking me to come with you and the Hyuuga, during your honeymoon? Are you out of your fucking mind?"
"It's Uzumaki, dattebayo! " shouted triumphantly the blond before going back to la la land, mooning over his Hyuuga.
"Dobe! I don't care, I'm not going to be the third wheel."
"But Sakura-chan will come to."
"What."
Sasuke's eyebrow twitched, Sakura wasn't stupid enough to travel with a married couple during their honeymoon.
"Yeah, I wanted Hinata to meet her, dattebayo."
Sasuke's eyes widened.
"You told the Hyuuga, that the both of you were going to another country during your honeymoon, and she will meet your first crush? What the fuck ?! What did she say?"
Naruto looked confused.
"She smiled and said yes. She's the best, dattebayo!"
"What the heck is wrong with you people?" loudly shouted Sasuke. )
Sasuke accepted after calling Sakura.
("That idiot!" shouted Sakura after laughing fully during two minutes and twenty-five seconds - yes he had carefully counted that. "Sasuke-kun, our friends wanted to properly meet Hinata, that's why Ino and I organized a small gathering. They are supposed to meet us in LA, and they will go on their merry way through road 66."
"Hn."
"Are you going to come?"
He could imagine her radiant face blushing a bit, her glittering eyes carefully looking toward the right side.
"Ah."
"Really? This is going to be so cool !")
Sure it had been quite 'cool'.
He had ignored the weird glances sent toward him by his family when he told them he was going to LA with Hinata and Naruto. Shisui's grin was the biggest perverted leer he had ever seen on the face of an Uchiha. Sasuke did the mature thing and launched a poor tomato on his disgusting grinning face. ( Poor sacrificed tomato, Sasuke was sure it would have tasted fabulously.)
Sakura met them out of the airport, and they spent a great night catching up with everyone. Not that Sasuke cared about their other friends' feelings, but at least he saw Sakura again. He had missed her.
He had perfectly predicted their small week; they would laze their morning in her apartment, they would cook and ate a nice healthy breakfast, they would walk around the park by her home.
Everything would have been fine, if the dobe hadn't called one day after their gathering because he forgot his papers in Ino's apartment - who went back to work — and Sakura was the only one with the keys to the blonde girl's apartment and had the free time to help the dobe — well, her and Sasuke.
Everything would have been fine, if the dobe hadn't been arrested in fucking Las Vegas.
("I can't believe that idiot! How could he forget his license, his ID card and all his paper? And decided that instead of following their planned road trip, they should go to Las Vegas?" shouted Sakura.
"Hn."
He was as pissed as her. He will find that dobe, and end him.
"Why the heck did he take innocent Hinata to Las Vegas? He's mad, I tell you. Remind me how he is your best friend?"
Sasuke frowned thoughtfully.
"Hn. Maybe I should downgrade him to friend?" proposed Sasuke.
Sakura snorted and sent him a delighted grin.
"Oh please, tell him that when we'll see him. I want to take a picture of his face."
She smirked evilly and he smirked right back, he really appreciated that side of her.)
Thankfully, they carefully managed to save the dobe from one arrestation and one scandal - he was the son of a notable politician.
("Sorry sir, we really thought you were Menma." said the cop in an unapologetic tone.
"Didn't I tell you, my name is Naruto and the blonde hair is natural, dattebayo!" shouted Naruto.
Sakura looked carefully at the Menma dude's picture, the man looked exactly like Naruto but with dark hair - Sasuke could understand the cop. Naruto looked like a blonde Menma, and as he didn't have his papers to prove his identity — except for a frail crying woman telling them that her husband was not a liar — the cop was right to arrest the dobe.
"Mmmh. Look Hinata!" said Sakura, her hands on the Hyu- urgh- Uzumaki's shoulder. "That Menma guy could be Naruto and Sasuke's love child!"
The Hyuuga giggled with a small nod.
"EEEHH, Sakura-chan don't corrupt my Hinata, 'ttebayo!"
Sasuke face-palmed.)
Everything that inevitably followed was Naruto's fault.
The dobe insisted that they stayed in Las Vegas to party, drink and gamble, and take the road tomorrow. Sasuke would have refused, but he saw the tiredness in Sakura's luminous eyes and they unanimously accepted to stay.
That was his first mistake.
The following scene could have been taken from a bad sitcom; Naruto and Sasuke decided to have a little battle consisting of drinking more alcohol than the other.
("No." coldly said Sasuke.
"TEME! You're killing my fun! Tell him Sakura-chan!"
"Na-ru-to." hissed Sakura. "You already stayed in prison, now you want to drink? Think about Hinata, would you ?! Isn't this supposed to be your honeymoon? Shouldn't you spend some time with your wife?" scolded Sakura.
Naruto's face turned into disappointment and sadness. Sasuke watched as the short Hyuuga took the dobe's hand. The dobe's eyes turned apologetically toward his young wife.
"N-naruto-kun, it's okay, I want to have fun too."
She shyly avoided his eyes and muttered those condemning words.
"I want to participate, l-let's play!"
Urgh Uzumakis, they will be the death of him.
"Hinata."
The dobe looked really mature there, surprising Sasuke and Sakura.
"They look so adorable." whispered Sakura with a gentle smile.
"Tch."
She clutched his sleeve.
"Sasuke-kun, I'll watch over them, you go and make reservations for the both of us or we can sleep in the car?" questioned Sakura, her eyebrows furrowed, carefully calculating if the price of comfort was worth her modest budget.
He merely rolled his eyes and gently poked her on her prominent forehead.
"We'll share a room, don't overwork yourself, I'll be paying."
He walked away with a smirk as she was delicately flushed like a tomato.)
Sakura managed to stay with the Hyuuga and introduced her to the art of gambling. Surprisingly after a few drinks the shy girl developed some kind of second personality; she was ruthless against every opponent.
Sasuke doesn't recall many things about that night, except that Naruto and him were drunk, more drunk than Sakura and Hinata. There were alcohols, lots of alcohol, pink hair and green eyes, a white hall, classical music and that was it.
The morning after, he woke up finding Sakura besides him. Nothing strange there, she was the only one for him, so he closed his tired eyes again and fell asleep.
Until the pink haired woman woke up with a shrill scream.
("Hn?" said Sasuke, his head was still spinning.
"S-Sasuke-kun! Look!" screeched the annoying woman, her hand waving in front of his eyes.
He instantly caught the appendage and stared without understanding at the distinctive ring on her dainty finger.
A familiar ring.
A ring, he had made in a workshop in Japan for this girl.
A ring that wasn't supposed to be on her finger, not now at least.
"What the hell."
His eyes continued to glare at the glittering ring.
"It's a gift for your twenty-fifth birthday, not now!"
Sakura blinked many times, and he avoided her expressive eyes.
"You bought a ring for my twenty-fifth birthday? Sasuke-kun… I'm twenty-three years old right now!" shouted the woman flushed with anger.
"I know."
"Huh?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes and got up.
"Sakura, sometimes, you're so annoying!")
They managed to discuss like proper adults, and Sasuke managed to share his feelings. The both of them decided to stay married, until they have a proper wedding. Sasuke wasn't that famous yet, so no one would be able to find out about his marriage.
Sasuke didn't know how to tell his parents and his family that he eloped in USA with his ex-girlfriend. They didn't even know he dated someone in the past, they know about Naruto's friend Sakura, but that was it.
Everything would have been fine, if he had just told those secrets to his family. Something that Naruto and Sakura couldn't understand. How can he tell his proud family, those that cared for him that he fucked up.
He decided to stay silent on the matter. He will properly introduce Sakura as his girlfriend to his family; he will date her for a few years and then they will get wedded again… There was no need to divorce Sakura, and his family will meet her, eventually.
Sasuke doesn't know why he thought that was a great plan… Instead it became his second mistake, he should have instantly told them the shameful truth from the start.
Everything turned out to be fine, at first.
His demanding father had decided to send him to England; enabling Sasuke to work with Hatake Kakashi, in one of the unknown branch of Sharingan Corp.
Sasuke rarely went to Japan, and he communicated less and less with his active family, again.
However, his relationship with Sakura hadn't altered that much.
They continued living as they did before, and Sasuke was happier now she was his. He knows she's also happy to be with him, with the way she blushed each time he praised her or sent her exotic flowers. Sakura was an independent woman who diligently studied to be a doctor, she sent him texts everyday and concentrated on her carrier.
He was proud of her when she ultimately accomplished her ambitious dream. He gifted her a nice honeymoon in Paris, and they were the happiest when they were together.
Life happened.
Sasuke rarely went to Japan; his wealthy family was as busy as him, and that's why this event was so exciting for Mikoto who is gently forcing everyone to come.
Sasuke never wanted to tell his family the brutal truth through the phone, in the end he never managed to find the occasion.
Sakura doesn't approve but respects Sasuke's terrible choice. He also felt distressed because he was undoubtedly hurting her, even if she managed to keep her beautiful smile. That's why, he agreed with her when she urged him to try to reveal the truth to his family this year… Because their daughter Sarada is three months old and needs to know her father's family and vice versa.
Sasuke sighed in his room alone; he was back in his childhood house and was regretting his poor choices in life. He pushed back the book he was uselessly trying to read, he didn't want to be here. No, that was a lie; he would have loved to be here, if only he had his family by side.
He wanted Sakura's warm presence, Sarada's curious gaze on him. He wanted to be back surrounded by the scent of verbena, of warm, of peace. He wanted to walk around his childhood home, with his beautiful intelligent kind wife. Her hand would be tightly clenching his. He wanted to proudly show off his clever daughter.
He groaned at his stupidity, if only he had told them the truth.
A knock interrupted him in his thoughts, and he got up and calmly allowed the person to enter; naturally, it was mother.
"Sasuke-chan, are you okay?" gently asked his mother, as she cautiously pushed Sasuke back on his luxurious bed.
"Hn."
The concerned look she sent him, instantly reminded him so much of Sakura when she worried about Sarada and him; he flinched. Mikoto clamped her lips in a frown similar to Sasuke's.
"Sasuke. I'm worried. We never see you anymore, and now…" a pained look entered her dark eyes. "Now that you're finally here, with us, you look as unhappy as before. Talk to me Sasuke-chan, please."
His heartbeat increased, he would have sworn he was sweating from all his pores. Was it the time to unravel the truth? Should he confess what a horrid life he was giving to the one he loved? His mother always knew the best; she would understand him.
"I." he choked. "I'm fine."
He was such a liar.
"What about you?" continued Sasuke, his tone less anxious.
He should have confessed the truth to her. The world gave him an opportunity, and he hadn't taken it. He had undoubtedly failed as an Uchiha.
His mother let out a profound sigh.
"You are so much like your father." muttered his kind mother, as she tenderly kissed his forehead.
The same way he kissed Sarada. Shit, his lovely daughter would be so disappointed. He scowled harder.
"Tell me when you can, Sasuke-chan." Softly said his mother, her dark warm eyes reassuring him.
That's right, he could tell them the truth tomorrow, after his father passed the company to Itachi. Or he could tell them the truth after the gala, it would be less stressful for his mother. Yes, that was a nice plan; he will tell them the truth after the big event; it will enable him to flee back to home in peace.
"I finally see you determined Sasu-chan." said Mikoto with a proud smile.
"Hn. I will tell you everything after the gala." carefully said Sasuke.
His mother smile was bright again.
"How are you, kaa-san?" asked Sasuke, his heart now at ease.
The delighted giggle that escaped his mother's lips made his mouth drop.
"Your tou-san is taking me on a delightful trip around the world!" gushed his mother brightly, she looked more youthful than Itachi at that moment.
Wait, what.
"Hn?"
"Yes, your tou-san is taking me on a trip! We're waiting for Ita-chan to take over the company, and we'll be gone by the end of the month. I'm so excited! Fugaku promised that we would have so much fun together." loudly said his mother.
Sasuke blinked, he was surprised by their father. He never would have thought that his father knew what was funny. His kind mother must have noticed his dubious glance, because she tweaked his nose.
"Your tou-san can be fun Sasu-chan, I promise." he grimaced at the affectionate nickname. "You know, you should go have a talk with him later. He dearly missed you, Sasuke, he's just dreadful at expressing himself." remarked his mother, her brilliant eyes holding knowledge - the same way his brother looked at the world.
"Hn."
"Enter." monotonously said his father.
Sasuke cautiously entered the study room and looked carefully at his father. He looked old, more worn than most men his age.
"Father." greeted Sasuke.
"Sasuke." greeted back his demanding father, he elevated one eyebrow, inquiring what Sasuke wanted.
The young man merely rolled his eyes.
"Mother required us to speak." bluntly said Sasuke.
His father blinked in acknowledgement.
An uncomfortable moment of prolonged silence passed, where Sasuke didn't know what to say — he tended to let Sakura or Naruto speak — nor did his father.
"Mother told me you were taking her on a trip." launched Sasuke, with a wry grimace. Hopefully, the dubiousness hadn't entered his voice.
Astonishingly, his father's face softened.
"Hn. I'm planning a surprise wedding for when we get back, a way to renew our vows." solemnly informed his father, making Sasuke nearly choke on his spit and air. "You will understand when you'll get married." concluded wisely his father.
"I see." cut Sasuke. He knew exactly where his father was planning on steering the conversation. "Shouldn't we be worried about Itachi?" he mentally sent a profuse apology to his dear brother.
Fugaku frowned thoughtfully, his intelligent eyes sharply assessing his second son.
"Hn. I have work to complete, don't forget to work on your slides."
And that was that.
Sasuke offered a firm nod, his teeth clenched; he already completed his slides, tch. He instantly turned his back and walked out of the study room. He sighed profoundly as he closed the door, at least he dodged that bullet.
As Sasuke walked back to his room, he promised himself to try harder than his father when he will speak with his darling daughter.
A gentle smile found its way on his lips, at least he will be able to skype them today.
After greeting important members, like his maternal grandfather, Sasuke grumpily promptly took his sit in the conference room full of Uchiha. He calmly consumed his premium coffee as his brain proudly managed to blatantly ignore Shisui's annoying voice. Naturally, the Uchiha clan was composed of punctual members; if one ignored Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Obito.
"Sasuke." greeted a cordial monotonous voice, making his grumpiness fly away.
"Itachi." greeted back Sasuke, his eyes warmer as he looked at his big brother.
His sleek hair was longer, and he looked as exhausted as Sasuke felt.
"I see, Shisui managed to suck your energy as well." accurately said Sasuke with a smirk.
"Hn." definitely agreed his brother, with twinkling eyes as he smirked back. They both ignored Shisui's outraged muttering in the background.
Itachi sat down next to him and his mother. Sasuke sighed at the thought of having Shisui next to him, he would have undoubtedly preferred to sit in-between his dear mother and his brother. His brother smirked as if he managed to follow Sasuke's thoughts and gently poked his forehead.
"Nii-san." scolded Sasuke, as he caressed his forehead with a fierce scowl.
"Ita-chan, Sasu-chan, try to keep your cool." reprimanded their overbearing mother as she got up, probably to go to the toilet - something Sasuke decided not ask, his mother would scold him again.
Itachi and Sasuke levelled their eyes at their mother's back; they both were really cool, unlike Shisui.
"Still can't believe your mom married your dad." muttered Shisui - the boy had a crush on their mother since he was born, according to Obito.
Before Sasuke harshly told Shisui off, someone more dangerous grumbled behind them.
"Is that so, dear nephew? Shall I seek a wife for you, in that case?" interrupted the unmistakable voice of Fugaku.
Sasuke smirked fiendishly as Shisui's joke finally went to far.
"U-uncle, didn't see you there. Ha, ha, ha." robotically said a pale Shisui. Itachi took pity on his poor cousin.
"Did you need something father?" asked monotonously the chosen heir of the company.
"Hn." Their father turned toward, Sasuke. "My laptop has no more battery." said Sasuke.
The younger Uchiha blinked. Everyone, even Madara had a new model, except for Sasuke and Fukagu who favored an older version of it.
"I didn't take the charger." said Sasuke with a frown.
This was bad. They all knew that with the introduction of the new laptop, the older versions had all been thrown away, and even if an older model was in the building, they didn't have enough time to search for it.
His father frowned and glanced at Madara; of course, their father couldn't start the meeting late. One Madara will diss Fugaku for his un-uchiha behavior, two he and everyone else will tease their father because he doesn't know how to use a newer version of the laptop.
"Your slides aren't on the Kamui app?" asked Obito. "I could lend you my laptop, if you want, I will share with Kakashi." proposed kindly Obito, as he walked leisurely toward them.
"Father doesn't use Kamui, Obito. He favors USB stick." rationally explained Itachi.
Itachi and Sasuke instantly shared a look; they both knew that even if their father agreed to use the moderner version of the laptop, he would not be as effective. Furthermore, he and Madara will surely argue, and the meeting will drag on.
His brother offered him a brief nod.
"It's okay." cut Sasuke. "I will share with nii-san, you can take mine, father."
That must have been his ultimate error or karma condemning him for all his wrongdoing to Sakura.
Sasuke may have agreed to generously lend his laptop to his father, but he didn't think his father would directly take it; without allowing time for the young man to disable the volume button, exit Naratube, or all his personal apps.
Time went away too quickly, and Sasuke had genuinely thought he would at least have two more minutes with his portable computer. That was not the case; his demanding father was already branching Sasuke's laptop to display his work on the screen.
Their kind mother came back and sat down as the meeting was supposed to start. Shisui snorted when he saw that Sasuke had been watching cooking ASMR program. Sasuke merely kept his fierce scowl and evaded the questioning glance sent his or his father's way.
The meeting finally started after his father but on his USB stick, and properly started his powerpoint.
"Good morning to all stakeholders of Sharingan Corporation." started his father. "As all of you know — if you have read your mail — today we will conduct our annual session about the group's progress. We will carefully analyze each graphic, and our next CEO will carefully explain to us his operational plan for Sharingan Corporation's future."
And, the meeting started.
Sasuke watched the massive screen where his father's powerpoint was sliding. He smirked openly when he saw a nice three percent growth in the UK market, Sasuke shared a glorious moment with Kakashi. The clever man had taught the younger one everything he knew, and Obito's friend had been kinder than most of the Uchiha.
The majority of them had been salty, when they learned Sasuke had done an internship with a rival company named Manda Inc. The young man had easily impressed the CEO Orochimaru, and managed to complete his internship in America.
There was no way he would have done an internship in the USA branch of Sharingan Corp., the one in charge was a pitiful excuse of an Uchiha. Thankfully for him, his grandfather, brother, mother, and even his father definitely agreed with his choice.
Suddenly a thundering sound, interrupted harshly the meeting and Sasuke's thoughts. However, they needn't search for the alleged culprit; because the massive screen was blazing in dark blue with an incoming call.
The user's photo wasn't that seeable, but everyone was neverless able to undoubtedly see the figure of a woman in a sundress, with a straw hat. And even if the picture had been something else, the user's name made everyone froze.
'Las Vegas Angel ❤️'
Sasuke's grave face paled, and he was cursing horribly the dobe - because yes Naruto was the one who altered Sakura's name on his account.
He could do nothing, as he felt cold anger next to him. He turned to his side, and no, it hadn't been his brother - whose face had paled. Oh no, it was worse. His dear mother was glaring daggers at his father, her pinched face looking strikingly similar to their grandfather.
She smiled coldly.
Everyone stopped whispering, but the ringing continued.
"Fugaku. Who the hell is that bitch?"
Fugaku froze.
"Mikoto, it's not what you think!" shouted frantically his father; it was the first time he heard his father speak like that.
"Take the call, you bastard! I knew you were cheating on me!" screamed shrilly Mikoto, her fists clenched as she tried keeping her dignified composure.
"Mikoto, it's not what you think! Look I'll accept the call"
Fugaku swiftly took the call, but not before sending a glare at Sasuke. The young Uchiha was unable to explain himself, nor was he able to stop his father. His soul must have abandoned his body.
Everything was crashing down around him, and Sasuke couldn't speak up.
Sasuke knows he fucked up. If anyone asks, he will blame Naruto.
A lovely young woman appeared on the large screen; she had a cute frown and sparkling green eyes, and long luscious pink hair.
"Ah, Anata I can't see you well. The quality is terrible! Are you at home?"
Resonated powerfully a charming feminine voice destroying Mikoto's life.
"What's the meaning of this Fugaku-kun." hissed Madara.
Everyone started to mutter.
"Sasuke." whispered Itachi in a troubled tone.
"Anata? Can you hear me? Are you busy? I need your help…" revealed the pink haired woman.
Sasuke sighed wearily. His life was prematurely ending in front of him.
Shit.
He managed to get up and never flattered as he went toward his father. Sasuke casually took the laptop from his frozen father.
At least he won't feel guilty anymore.
"I can hear you Sakura. What is it? " said Sasuke in the most composed voice he could use in this dire situation.
"Ah, sorry, it's just Sarada. She doesn't want to sleep without seeing your face or at least before hearing you, the recorder technique doesn't work anymore." murmured the unique beauty.
"Ah."
The attractive woman moved around the homey house without knowing how many eager eyes were on her, analyzing the pictures on the walls.
She carefully approached a crib.
"Holy Shit!" muttered loudly Shisui.
A cute baby girl with jet-black hair and dark eyes in a puzzled frown was looking at them - well at the phone.
"Sarada, look here, it's your papa." stated the woman.
The screen zoomed on the little baby.
Sasuke's pinched face softened.
"Sarada. You should be sleeping."
The baby's frown disappeared, and she started to coo with a smile.
"Good night Sarada, papa will come back later." continued Sasuke.
They keenly watched as the innocent baby relaxed softly on her plushy beddings, her eyes closing gently.
"Thank you Sasuke-kun. She really needed to see you."
Sasuke's ears turned red.
"Hn."
The attractive woman giggled.
"Is your meeting finished? How was it?"
Sasuke grimaced.
"Hn."
Sakura blinked.
"It's not finished, oh. I thought it started early in the morning… I even thought you wouldn't be able to answer!" pursued the pink lady.
Sasuke doesn't know how he should adequately explain to her his actual situation; even the dobe's arrestation hadn't achieved that level of unpredictability.
"Sasuke." said his mother, her eyes distracted.
"Sasuke-kun?" softly questioned Sakura.
"Ah, I have to go…" said awkwardly Sasuke.
The woman blinked and smiled gently; she gave him - or well them a nod. And she strategically positioned her phone correctly on her lovely face.
"Isn't she hanging out?" whispered Izumi.
Her expressive eyes looked eagerly at the pixelated version of Sasuke, because Sasuke was sure Sakura hadn't guessed where he was, the wireless was quite funky on this laptop.
Sakura was blushing a bit.
"I guess she's waiting for a kiss or something." whispered (not) helpfully Obito.
Sasuke blushed hotly a rosy red and glared defiantly with embarrassment.
"Sakura, you're annoying."
"Sasuke!" scolded Mikoto, still a little lost.
The pink haired girl's charming smile dropped for a few seconds, making Sasuke flinched. He nearly apologized, but her eyes brightened with determination.
She offered a pleasant smile and raised two fingers near the screen.
"No way, is she doing that thing?" stage-whispered Shisui to Itachi, whose eyes were wide.
"It's okay, I'll do it this time." she naturally gave him a conspiratorial wink, before conveying their love through those familiar words. "Sasuke-kun, I'll see you next time."
The call promptly stopped.
Sasuke's muscles instantly relaxed a few seconds; until his eyes left his glowing screen to meet many black orbs full of burning curiosity.
" Sasuke. It seems that you have some explanations for us." said Fugaku in a neutral tone, his eyes harsher, but his face paler than normal.
Sasuke was in deep shit, but still, he was blaming Naruto for this one.
- THE END ?
AN : Ah, poor Sasuke. *evil smirk*