Chapter Vier
I tried to break away
Took one chance
To try and be happy
But deep inside
I know
I'll never forget
The ties that bind
The blood that flows
Of everything I have
Of all that I am
No matter what
Family
Still hold a place
In this heart of mine
We spoke of a confrontation in the last chapter and now, we progress towards the night of the gala party where the choice will be announced.
Past ties we see can never be broken, as deep down inside, the blood flows and the bonds exist. We can speak of disownment, of a firm stand that our families do not have a say our state of affairs when we hit adulthood. Some things we do not have to obey in earnest but sometimes we do it because it makes our parents makes them happy, whether you are genuine about doing the favor. Even that has its limits, for surely marriage is something for the average adult can consider yo be a personal affair? Not necessary, not especially if you live within the shadows of your past and heritage. Not if you are a Hyuuga.
One can have everything that declares you free but that never works if your heart is still with the family. And Hinata is not someone who has the heart to break her father's heart.
It was some days after the interviews and according to the envelope that all of them were issued, tonight's gala event will reveal who the lucky (or should we say unfortunate?) fiancée would be for Uchiha Itachi.
The event was held at the same hotel in the grand ballroom. All celebrities and big shots were there and the reporters and paparazzi were having a ball capturing the people's faces and trying to dig up some pieces of dirt to stir up some sizzle in the paper tomorrow. Regardless, the juiciest news tonight would be to find out which girl will marry into one of society's oldest and most prestigious family. Speculations have some of their money on the property tycoon Hiro-sama's daughter, Miko while many others have their bets on the dark horse, the lovely Hyuuga Hinata.
Hinata, at this time however, difd not wish to speculate. She was trying to afford herself a little break after taking in way too flashlights and name cards. And of course, not to mention the never-ending flow of handshakes and toasts to oblige the polite society which was starting to give her a headache. She walked over to the corner to talk to Shikamaru, whose eyes were hovering over a particular person.
"Shikamaru?" She poked at the lanky guy that was in a tux and leaning against a marble pillar.
"Yes Hinata? Are you worried about something?"
"No. I was just wondering when you are going to pick up your courage to go ask Ino for a dance."
"Nani? Ask the loudmouth for a dance? What gave you such a crazy idea?"
And he walked outside for a quick smoke. Hinata followed him and wait him to calm down from the first puff.
"She's looks good in the tight blue tube dress, doesn't she?"
"Yeah, she does. And the sapphires around her neck bring out the hue in her eyes." And he suddenly realizes he was caught in his thoughts. "Ahh…. Hinata, stop it."
She laughed. Sometimes it wasn't that difficult to read him.
"So how long has it been? 2 years?"
"Not that long. Just a year and a half."
She suppressed a laugh.
"My, you sure hide it well from the girl herself."
They watched as Ino tries to her best to flirt with Sasuke whom she finally got to dance with. There was a long line of girls who were doing hovering near the dance floor for a chance to spend some time with the eligible gentlemen. The Uchiha males were playing the gracious hosts, but the Hyuuga male was busy at the table with Hanabi and Hiashi, some discussion was on-going and does not look to stop any time soon.
"Hinata, whatever happens tonight, do not lose your cool."
"Stop changing the subject."
He smirked. "Look, someone like Ino is high-maintenance. How is a personal assistant like me going to afford to upkeep her?"
"You also know that Ino is not all materialistic. And PA is not your permanent real job, you know that better than me!"
"Yeah, but anyway, she's still hung up over the Uchiha doctor, so it's just less troublesome for me to spend time weaning myself of all hopes."
"Shikamaru." And she patted the guy on the shoulder.
Another figure comes up from behind and greets her. She smiled at the familiar face.
"Neji nii-san."
"Hinata-sama."
She raised an eyebrow at him.
He maintained his poker face.
"You owe no allegiance to me so stop with the honorifics."
He laughed and stepped closer.
"Old habits die hard."
"I've never really thanked you properly for all that you've done for me. I would have never made it through the times without you to always be there for me."
"We're family. There is no need for thanks between family."
"But I can still give you a hug right?"
He smiled and she stepped close to circle her arms around his waist. She gives him a warm friendly hug and silently basks in the security of his arms.
Thank you so much for everything, Neiji. I am truly thankful to have you around. You're my blessing in this family.
Neji cherished the moment for as long as it could last.
Hinata, I really hope that things will work out for you.
They parted and she continued to smile.
He had a small smile on his face too.
Her eyes looked over to a cheongsam clad girl with two buns upon her head looking rather bored from the activities. Hinata turned to Neiji.
"Why don't you ask your old classmate Tenten, for a dance?"
He looked at the direction she pointed.
Smiling and breathing out a deep sigh, he nodded. Hinata tip-toed and gave a friendly kiss on his check before he walked over to the girl in question. With a surprised look and a flush that crept across the nose, she accepted his invitation and was led to the dance floor.
Shikamaru watched the scene.
Hinata, you are really an angel. Who in this sort of society care more for others than themselves? Though I wonder, would your strong sense of duty land you in a situation that you do not desire to be? What would you do if you had to marry the Uchiha heir?
He sighed. He already knew the answer and therefore continued to enjoy the night scenery and his smoke.
After all, the Uchiha doctor has decided to walk over and invited Hinata for a dance, thus he was left to be alone.
Uchiha Itachi was moving around the likes of polite society. He toasts and flirts with the people but not dance. For he was busy watching one particular girl who has been hiding in the outskirts of the crowd, shunning the limelight and choosing to spend it chatting with friends.
Yes, he was watching Hinata, the girl in the knee-length asymmetrical cowed-necked halter black dress. With her hair curled slightly for volume, she looked like a fallen angel whose heart was for everyone around her.
She hasn't changed much. For as long as he remembered when they were little during the visits, she never failed to have that sweet smile and big heart whose policy is to not leave anyone alone. Especially if she sensed that the loners were feeling down.
And he was glad that she did not change much from those times. Though, he was surprised at the incident three years ago.
He smiled. No, the little rebel streak showed that she has some backbone in her. She did not became the timid adolescent that he had thought she gotten molded into by her father.
His parents always liked her. And from what he observes, her cousin had a soft spot for her as well. Something which he would need to watch out in future, should things be allowed to go as planned.
Itachi sipped his brandy and watched as his own brother led her to the dance floor. They waltzed to the live band and under the dazzling chandelier lights. The crowd was watching.
"You dance well, Sasuke-san."
The young man smiled as he led them through the steps.
"Hmmm… We have known each other since young, surely we can do away with some formalities?"
She flushed.
"Hai. We did indeed, Sasuke-kun."
"Remember the sandbox incident?"
"Where we hid Itachi's notebook?"
They laughed. It was a blackmail they used to get Itachi to play with them instead of burying his nose in books all the time.
He laughed. "Yeah, I still remember the sand bits that kept falling out when he had to present his work to Otou-san. What a thrashing he got."
She looked at him wide-eyed. He spied the shock.
"Not too worry, it wasn't that bad. Otou-san doesn't belt out much corporal punishment. Okaa-san wouldn't let him anyway."
She looked over at the lady in a lady red silk kimono sitting with the Uchiha head. She smiled. She always liked their Okaa-san. And the lady treated Hinata like the daughter she never had.
"I sometimes wish I knew my Okaa-san better, she died when I was five."
He smiled and shot a knowing look to his brother, who was standing in the shadows watching them. Sasuke circled his arms around her waist to dip her down for the finishing step.
Oh how he knew so well which buttons to push to agitate his beloved brother.
The crowd clapped and soon the conductor strikes up a slow tune. Sasuke then asked Hinata to continue on for another dance.
He was enquiring about her health when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. He turns to look at a pair of red eyes.
A smirk crept at the corners. He bowed and relinquished his dance partner to him.
Itachi then bowed politely and took Hinata's hand to start a slow dance.
This time, the crowd really stood back to watch.
Hinata couldn't help but be uncomfortable at the scrutiny.
"Are you that uncomfortable with me?"
Hinata shook her head, though she thought the opposite. She looked straight and stared at his bowtie, even with heels he stood nearly a head taller than her.
"You look lovely tonight, Hinata."
She flushed.
"Arigato. You look good tonight as well, Itachi-san."
And she wasn't just being polite. With his lean physique and locks in a neat tail at the back of his head, he looked dashing in his tux. He had a more chiseled and mature face compared to Sasuke but it was the sort that one would deem him as the dark knight. An attractive face that most female cannot resist being attracted to but for Hinata, there was something about the haunting dark red irises framed by his hooded lids. It was as if they were trying to look through her.
He proceeds to close the distance between them. His hand encircled the waist and pulled her closer to him.
She was about to resist when he whispered into her ears.
"Do you really not consider me to be a good husband?"
Stunned, she looked up at the handsome face that stood but a few inches from hers. They held the eye contact for a while before he smiled and ended the danced. He bowed and brought her back to Shikamaru.
"Shikamaru…."
But she was unable to finish her sentence. The Uchiha head had called for attention.
It was time.
"Good evening Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for gracing tonight's event with your distinguished presence to which, a special thanks be given to all the lovely ladies tonight for your charms have not gone unnoticed, I can assure you."
The crowd laughed.
"I'm already taken, so I apologize if any hearts were broken."
More laugher.
"All right, we shall get a little more serious now. After spending nearly a week meeting the ladies and their families and after much consultation, we have finally made a decision. That decision, my friends, will change the life of one lady tonight."
Everyone held their breath.
The media were ready to pounce.
Hinata hung onto Shikamaru's arm and fallen back into twisting a bit of her dress, an old habit that surfaces when she really got nervous.
"Itachi, why don't you go invite your fiancé to join us here at the stage."
The young man bowed and confidently made his way down the steps. He mingled in the crowds and walked around the room teasingly.
Hinata allowed herself to breathe a little for he was at the other side of the room. It would seem that he was heading in the direction of Arakawa Miko, the property tycoon's daughter, who was standing next to her father, watching as Itachi made his way through, eyes flirting and certain.
The Hyuuga girl breathed out and looked at Shikamaru who relaxed a little as well.
That is, until they felt many eyes on them, and turned their heads to see why.
Uchiha Itachi was standing right in front of her!
Her eyes widened as she froze.
He smiled and bowed politely.
"Hinata, if you please?" And offered his arm out to her.
It can't be.
She looked at her father who had made his way up on stage with Hanabi and Neiji. He gave her that look.
She could practically hear his voice in his head.
"Do as you are told."
Itachi cleared his throat.
She took a deep breath and looked into those pools of reds, for an answer. For now, she had to accept. All eyes were on them.
Hinata took his arm and the crowds clapped and flashes went off as he led them back up the stage where all could see proper.
She looked at her father who awarded a slight nod.
The Uchiha head asked, "Perhaps we can hear a few words from Hinata about what is going through her head."
Itachi released her arm and she walked up to the mike.
Smiled nervously.
"Good evening everyone, ano, I really wasn't expecting this to happen."
Yes you did. You spent the past few nights praying for it to not happen, Shikamaru thought.
He sighed.
"But it is nonetheless a deep honor to be deemed worthy to be part of the Uchiha family."
The Uchiha head and first lady beamed.
In contrast, Hinata heart wrenched as she searched for words to say.
Sakura, Tenten and Ino looked up from below the stage. Their hearts fell as they watched their friend bravely deal with her situation. Eyes watered as they hear her speech. Even as a financial-independent full-fledged adult, she was not free from her father. Yes, the bird still has one leash tied to her ankle. Something called filial piety. Something called love for family regardless of how they treated you.
It was both her weakness and strength.
It was her father's trump card.
It was what he can use to make her, the pawn, moved in the desired direction in his political game.
"I-I am honored but- "
And the Hyuuga head collapsed.
Hinata turned her back, only to see Hanabi frantically trying to loosen the traditional clothing to aid his breathing while Sasuke moved fast to examine him.
"Call an ambulance!"
Neji was already on the phone while the rest of the ballroom went into chaos. Organizers moved in fast to control the disruption and shield the media from caving in to take photos.
"Otou-san!" Hinata ran towards to her fallen father's form but was halted by Itachi.
"Don't. You'll only hinder Sasuke from tending to him."
Her frightened eyes looked up into his calm ones. His arms wrapped round and held her close, as she watched helplessly from the side.
A few hours later at the hospital…..
"Onee-chan."
Hinata looked up from at her sister who walked into the lounge. The Uchihas had gone back to rest at her insistence and thanked them for all that they had done, even though the brothers had wanted to stay.
"Otou-san is awake now. He has asked to see you. Alone."
Hinata stood up from the couch. Shikamaru had already dozed off and so she left him to continue his peaceful slumber. The heels clicked on the hospital floor as she made her way over to the room, where Neji opened the door for her to go in.
It was cold.
But the jacket kept her warm. She had forgotten to return it back to its owner, who had draped it over her shoulders earlier when they were waiting for the doctor's report.
Sighing, she decided that it was to be sent for dry-cleaning and delivered back to the Itachi first thing tomorrow. For now, she was grateful to have it in the presence of freezing air-conditioning temperatures.
Her father lay there breathing steadily. He had suffered from a heart attack that was only waiting to happen, the doctors spoke of possible triple by-pass in the later future but for now, he was fine. And of course, they warned that he was not to be agitated.
It was a sad sight for a proud man who never tolerated weakness. Tubes and wires were attached to monitor his vital signs and ensure that he was in stable condition.
He has aged from three years ago.
His dark locks had grey bits and the skin around the eyes and mouth has wrinkled.
He looked tired.
"Hinata."
"Hai, Otou-san." She was standing a few feet away from the bed.
"Come closer."
She cautiously walked nearer to him and sat at the chair beside the bed.
"Hinata, do you hate me?"
She shook her head lightly.
"Surely you do. After all I have done to you, after tonight, surely some hate must exist."
"Iie, I don't."
He sighed.
"You are so much like your mother."
She looked at him. Hiashi rarely ever spoke about his late wife.
"The two of you look so weak but nothing can seem to break you. You bend like a bamboo in a storm in whichever direction the wind blows, but not break."
He looked at his grown up daughter and breathed a staggered breath. He propped his arms and tried to sit up. Hinata rushed to stop him from straining himself but at his insistence, propped him up into a sitting position.
He was breathing hard after shifting to a sitting position, such that he had to rest a little before speaking again.
"Yes, your marriage is a political one but also one that was in the talks from the time when you and Itachi were little. It was your mother who proposed it."
"Okaa-san?"
"She wanted someone she could trust to take care of her shy daughter, who clung onto our clothes when in front of strangers, who was so trusting and naïve towards everyone. But at the same time, she didn't want the two of you betrothed. Her plan was to maintain the interaction between you two and hope that it would blossom into a mutual relationship."
Hinata couldn't really believe what she was hearing.
"With her death and Itachi being subsequently sent to a boarding school, I had forgotten about it. Until recently a few years back when the Uchiha family came to visit, they wanted to honor your mother's proposal."
Her shoulders slumped. She wondered if it was the drugs or the close brush with death that were subduing the father she knew. This was a side, she had never seen in her life. Not even at Okaa-san's funeral, he had shown any slight emotion but now, she was seeing a defeated man pouring out his soul to her.
"The two of you were meant to be re-introduced and rekindle your friendship when you turned nineteen. That was why I was exceptionally harder on you in the years preceding the time before you left. I wanted you to be ready for the responsibilities that were to come and to be able to match up to Itachi - to be a potential partner not only in marriage but in business as well."
He shut his eyes.
"Everything that happened this week was all a masquerade to get you to come back. To come home."
Hiashi was breathing hard.
Fatigue was setting in.
"Why don't you rest and we continue this another time when you are better?" She had got up to help lower him to lie back on the bed.
"Iie." He waved her off. "I need to do this."
Her heart pained to see him struggle.
"Hinata."
She looked at him.
"Gomenasai, I failed to be the father you ought to have."
He had bowed his head to ask her for forgiveness!
She was stunned.
The man who never acknowledged any weakness or mistake was apologizing to her.
Otou-san…
Author's note:
Hi everyone!
Just want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement! Special thanks to Rune-Rune and Naito Kiseki for pointing out the mistakes and they have been corrected for the past chapter. I hope I managed to keep them minimal this time. And to Xoni-Newcomer, I hope that somehow I managed to answer your question with this chapter! So sorry that I'm a bit slow to justify stuff and I can promise that the next chapters to come will help to make things clearer too. All right, I'll be off now.
Special thanks to:
Joann
Saturnova
Momo-sama
Ah-choo
Morgannia
Insanely-normal
Cookie6
Rune-Rune
Xoni-Newcomer
Naito Kiseki
Raine
Cheers,
Arte