disclaimer i don't own naruto.

SASUKE

chapter two – parental pains

Sasuke had always thought social media was useless. He didn't want attention from acquaintances or cousins he wouldn't talk to in real life – all he needed was himself, his family and possibly Naruto. Possibly. So he really didn't know why he let himself get persuaded by that idiotic blonde to sign up for one.

That was until he realised how powerful these kinds of websites (apps?) could be. He didn't have to make physical contact or awkward small talk with people in order to find out about them or their interests. All he needed to do was tap a 'follow' button and voila. He could comment and like on people's pictures and there would be absolutely no need to continue into an actual conversation. He didn't even have to post pictures himself, and he could control who followed him. It was the perfect way to stalk his peers without compromising himself, and it was wonderful.

… Not that he would do any of those things anyway. To most people. That was until he re-met the angelic heiress of the Hyuga clan through a mutual follow. Hot damn, if her photos had anything to say about what puberty was doing to her.

They'd never talked, but he knew her alright. After all, he did find himself thinking about her and her pretty face more often than he wanted to, and they hadn't even formally met! But she intrigued him. She was a mystery, an enigma, and yet not many seemed to take notice of her despite how much she stood out.

Naruto used to talk about her, back in their primary days. He had a huge crush on her then, and for some reason that had made his heart twinge in what he refused to identify as jealousy. But in the sixth grade, his blonde friend had moved houses and they had also been separated into different classes, with Naruto now being with Sasuke, and unfortunately (fortunately, really) they weren't good enough friends to keep in contact. So Naruto's crush on Hinata faded away, replaced by his new crush on the smartest girl in their class, Haruno Sakura.

Such a temporary thing, crushes were. That's why they were so… well, troublesome, as his classmate Shikamaru would describe it. Never mind the fact that he'd sometimes sneak a glance whenever the princess passed by, or that his heart sometimes sped up when he saw her unexpectedly.

The fact that he could potentially like her had absolutely no part in his impulsive decision to comment on her photo. 'It's just a comment…' he had thought at the time. Well look what that led him to – sharing his kik details with a girl in public and having long-ass conversations with said girl about everything and nothing, important and unimportant. It was unlike him!

Sasuke was cut off from his musing by the sudden vibration of his phone.

Hinata Hyuga any plans for today?

Sasuke Uchiha not really, but i think my mum wants to go shopping.

Hinata Hyuga ooh, we're going shopping too! it's such a shame that we're an hour away from each other despite being in the same city. :)

Sasuke smirked. Indeed it was. He proceeded to type out a response, but it seemed she had gone afk for a bit, so he decided to go check his Instagram while he waited. He scrolled through his newsfeed boredly, until he saw a post by one Yamanaka Ino.

ino_xx happy 15th birthday to one of my best friends hinata-chan! hinata, you're the cutest, kindest girl i've ever come to know and i'm so…

The Uchiha froze in his spot on the couch, staring at the beginning of the caption and at the filtered selfie, his eyes darting between the two as his mind registered what he had just read. 27th of December… it was Hinata's birthday? He wasn't informed of this! As if on cue, Hinata replied.

Hinata Hyuga yeah, they say that a lot of things are cheaper here in the sand even though it's the same quality and all

Sasuke Uchiha hyuga, you didn't tell me it was your birthday.

Hinata Hyuga oh.. :$ so it is

Sasuke Uchiha … happy birthday then. guess that makes you the baby of the class, huh

Hinata Hyuga thank you! :D well at least i'm a cute baby.

Hinata Hyuga haha just kidding, definitely not cute v.v

Sasuke unknowingly smiled to himself. Contrary to what she believed, she certainly was very cute. (Why was he not resisting these thoughts?) He decided then. He'd get her something to make up for the fact that he hadn't known it was her birthday. He didn't usually care about birthdays, but… she was a girl. A girl who he also considered a friend. A very good friend.

"Hmm, what are you smiling about, otouto?" Sasuke almost jumped and cursed inwardly. How did he not sense Itachi coming? He quickly locked his phone and looked up at his curious brother.

"Nothing," he replied, clutching his device. Unfortunately for him, Itachi had already caught a glimpse of who he was talking to.

"Hyuga, eh? Not bad," he nodded, smirking when he saw a faint trace of pink on Sasuke's cheeks.

"It's not what you think," he retorted. "She's just a friend."

Unfortunately for Sasuke, his mother decided to drop in at that time too. "Do I hear talk of a girlfriend, Sasuke?" she smiled at her youngest. "I hope she's just as pretty or even prettier than me, dear. I don't mean to be superficial but I don't want ugly grandchildren… the fact that she's Hyuga might suffice though, if she doesn't have the looks."

Sasuke almost choked. Itachi chuckled. "I have standards, okaa-san! Besides, she's not just any Hyuga, she's the heiress," he said almost defensively. "And we're just friends."

"Touchy," the Uchiha matriarch teased. "Your father will be proud of your taste. Just don't piss anyone off and ruin our family name." She beamed threateningly. "Well anyway, let's go now. Our ride is already outside."

Itachi was already on his way out. "Tell your girlfriend I said 'hi'," he called over his shoulder. Mikoto giggled softly as Sasuke grumbled, texting his byes and Itachi's 'hi' to Hinata as he too walked out. It didn't help that he could feel his neck heating up at the mere thought of Hinata being his.

Shopping was the worst thing ever, especially when he went shopping with females like his very own mother. He felt horribly out of place in the pinks and whites of all the stores they visited, even with Itachi there. Everywhere he turned there would be young girls and old mothers ogling. He just wanted the trip to be over and done with. Both brothers would've stayed home, but they didn't exactly want their mother to be shopping around a foreign country alone.

Luckily, the store they were in didn't seem as feminine as other jewellery stores Sasuke had been to. There were bracelets, necklaces and watches for guys as well. He wandered off to the opposite side from where his mother had gone, surveying the products, not intending to buy any at all. That was until he caught his eye on a collection of braided leather bracelets.

There was at least one in every colour. The bracelets looked fancy but simple enough at the same time, Sasuke's style. He picked a red one up and inspected it. A lightbulb lit up then – this is what he'd get for Hinata. He'd get her a bracelet! It was a shame he didn't know her favourite colour. 'Then I guess I'll just get her to wear my colours then,' Sasuke smirked to himself.

The lady at the checkout was scanning Mikoto's last item when Sasuke sauntered through and dumped seven bracelets on the counter, two red, two blue, two black and one orange. Mikoto raised an eyebrow. "Friends," he responded simply to her unasked question. He was generally an asshole but he could be nice when he wanted.

He couldn't decide between red, black or blue, so he got all three for Hinata and for himself, because there was no harm in matching. Nope. And he figured that Naruto would complain his ear off for not getting him any souvenirs (the poor bloke rarely travelled too), so he decided that an orange version of the bracelet wouldn't hurt.

"That's $1120.45," the cashier said monotonously.

"Nani?! What?! Sasuke!" Mikoto reprimanded. "Did you forget to check the prices again? Money doesn't grow on trees!" she scolded as she scanned her travel credit card anyway. Sasuke shot her an almost guilty look. Almost. He didn't really see the harm in indulging once in a while (all the time). They were rich as frick.

"My great-grandchildren are going to live a peasant's life…" Mikoto sobbed, unaware that the cashier had taken great offence seeing as her parents were peasants. But she was irrelevant. The Uchiha female took out her silk handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes as she walked away to the next store, expecting Sasuke to get the bag and follow.

Sometimes, his mother was so high-class it hurt.

[12.09pm]

Hinata Hyuga ah… hi, itachi-san o_o

Hinata Hyuga bye sasuke-kun, have fun!

Hinata Hyuga you're so lucky your family is so open…

[4.52pm]

Sasuke Uchiha and yours isn't?

Sasuke Uchiha i got you a birthday present.

[5.24pm]

Hinata Hyuga :o you shouldn't have!

Sasuke Uchiha i already bought it. you can't say no.

Hinata Hyuga thank you so muchh T_T but see, the thing is, i'm actually not allowed to talk to boys…

Hinata Hyuga what if my dad or cousin find out about you? they'll kill us both

Sasuke Uchiha relax, just say ino or sakura gave it to you.

Hinata Hyuga alright…

Wow, the frick kind of family restricts their daughter like that these days? Wasn't that so 15th century? Besides, there was nothing wrong and everything right with dat- befriending an Uchiha. No wonder that girl was so shy, she was so sheltered! 'She's going to rebel someday,' Sasuke predicted as he laid on the couch beside his older brother, who was on his tablet. On TV was a sort of cooking channel which even Mikoto ignored as she typed away on her laptop.

The youngest Uchiha looked around the living room, noting how technology had taken over their lives. He glanced at the shades of red, black, white and blue that were the signature colours of every house they owned in each of the five major villages due to their infinite reaches and frequent travels. His eyes wandered to the front door, where it then proceeded to open wide courtesy of his father. Fugaku looked dead straight at his son, who looked away. That was so creepy, it was like his eyes could predict the movements of others before they even did them! That would be such a great power to have, he mused.

"Tadaima," the father said as he stepped into the living room. I'm home. Mikoto looked up and smiled at her husband. "Okaeri, anata." Welcome home, dear.

"Otou-san," Itachi greeted, "Sasuke has a girlfriend now."

"Aniki!" Sasuke cried out, face palming. His mother laughed unhelpfully.

"Oh?" Fugaku said, raising an eyebrow. He set his bag down and took off his blazer, Mikoto helping him with his tie.

"We're just friends," Sasuke said for what felt like the thousandth time that day. He did not want to discuss his social life with his dad; that was so awkward.

"The Hyuga heiress, Hinata-chan," Mikoto explained cheerfully.

Fugaku's eyebrows raised even further, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He looked at Sasuke with amusement. "How very interesting," he commented vaguely.

Sasuke didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

author's note

yeah so actually, i wrote this the day after chapter one and i'm very proud of myself. i'm trying to write as much as i can before school starts again because there's no hope then haha. also, i figured out the whole plot of the story and made a brief outline and… it's going to take 30 chapters for me to finish this story. - dies -

this is the exact reason i never finish my stories. the juicy parts just take so long to get to T_T

i love how it's called village hidden in the sand but hinata refers to it as a city xD

is sasuke too ooc (out of character)? i imagine that with his family around he wouldn't be as moody. i dunno though, what do you guys think?

thank you very much on all your reviews, follows and favourites! they mean so much to me x