Your Heart in My Hand
A/N: Oh my, this is so late but I'm back. Enjoy!
A little warning: This fic is an AU so characters will definitely be OOC.
Note: Flashbacks in italics.
Without further ado, enjoy the ninth chapter of Your Heart in My Hand.
Inspired by Fujiwara Kiyo'sWild Ones.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 9: A Proposal
Sasuke sighed deeply. He couldn't sleep. He groaned and covered his ears, trying to shut out Naruto's loud snoring. He wasn't just suffering from insomnia, he was also extremely angry. He was fuming. He wanted badly to smash Sasori's face. He knew that bastard was up to no good. He hated that Sakura couldn't see that and he hated that Sasori knew that. He closed his eyes forcibly and grunted. It was going to be a long week.
Friday could not arrive faster for Sakura. She had spent the entire week not talking to Sasuke. She couldn't avoid being in his presence obviously but she only spoke to him when she really needed to. It hadn't been particularly difficult. Sasuke had made it all too easy. She knew he was mad at her. She wanted so much to tell him that she did not love Sasori. She laid on the table, smudging the ink on her homework. In truth, she was not over Sasuke. She loved him too much. It hurt her that he didn't love her back. It hurt her that he was angry but there was nothing she could do.
She jolted straight up when a sharp knock came outside her door.
"Come in," She said.
Neji's head poked through the gap.
"Sakura-sama. Hashirama-sama requests your presence in his room."
Sakura arched her eyebrow slightly and nodded slowly. When she was about to walk out the door, Neji grabbed her arm.
"Wait," He said.
Sakura's heart almost stopped. Neji had never spoken to her besides when he needed to.
Neji's eyebrows formed a little 'v' and he reached out for her cheek. Sakura flinched but Neji's hand did not waver.
"You have some ink on your face," Neji said, rubbing off the ink with his thumb.
"Oh," She blushed. "Thank you."
Neji nodded.
"Let's go," He said.
When Sakura entered his room, Hashirama was seated behind his desk. Dismissing Neji, he gestured for Sakura to sit. Gulping, Sakura took a seat. To her relief, her grandfather was all smiles.
"Sakura, I'm sure you're curious as to why I've summoned you to my room. Please don't be nervous. It's nothing that should bother you," Hashirama said, smiling.
Sakura nodded slowly. For once, she wasn't sure she trusted her grandfather. Bile threatened to rise from her throat and she had to force herself to swallow her saliva multiple times to stop herself from vomiting. She could feel her heart racing and she knew that whatever he was about to say was far from something that "should not bother her".
"I know this is sudden but I was wondering if you could humour your grandfather a little and meet this young, wonderful man I know. He's very smart and about your age. His father is the owner of the Tokyo Academic of Fine Art and I'm sure, as a budding artist yourself, you should know that this is the most prestigious art school in the whole of Japan."
Sakura's lips parted and she suddenly found it hard to breathe. She knew exactly where this was going.
Taking in his granddaughter's troubled expression, Hashirama spoke again.
"It's just a little meeting. He'll be there with his parents and there won't be any obligations. I know you're still studying but I just wanted to ensure that your future is secured. He is a very eligible bachelor and I would definitely approve should the both of you decide to take things further."
Sakura closed her eyes. She could feel the bile again, almost out of her mouth. She almost gagged, forcing herself once again to not vomit. She couldn't believe it. Her grandfather had offered her hand in marriage to a complete stranger without consulting her. She could feel the disappointment and betrayal sink in as her heart stung. She opened her eyes, only for tears to well up. She shut her eyes immediately, not wanting her grandfather to see her cry.
"Sakura…" Hashirama walked over and placed his hand on his granddaughter's shoulder.
Sakura shook her head and offered a weak smile.
"I'm fine. I'm sorry, I was just overwhelmed that's all," She said, placing a reassuring over Hashirama's hand.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Hashirama kneeled.
"I'm glad to hear that. So, will you go? I won't expect much but I'll be happy as long as you attend the meeting," Hashirama said. "Please."
Sakura could feel her heart and brain crossing swords. A part of her did want to go because she wanted to be a good granddaughter and she didn't like seeing her ji-chan sad. Another part of her wanted to run away immediately and never come back. She hated that she had to meet a stranger to discuss a future together- a future she had not asked for. An image of her, not much older than now, slaving over a stove, heavily pregnant came into her mind. She shuddered. She clenched her fist hard, turning her knuckles white. Say no, say no, she repeated in her brain.
"Sakura?"
When she looked at him, all her resolve melted. He was smiling gently, and suddenly, Sakura saw her mother in him. Hashirama's greying black hair turned blonde and the wrinkles around his now light brown eyes were disappearing. Her mother smiled at her, her eyes in a crescent moon shape. She remembered her like it was yesterday.
"Mama, look! I drew you!" A 7-year-old Sakura held up a pencil drawing of Tsunade, waving it in front of her.
Tsunade chuckled.
"That's perfect, my darling."
Sakura grinned, her 2 front teeth missing. She waved another piece of paper in front of Tsunade.
"Look, look. I drew another. You and me," Sakura jumped around.
"Wow, let me see,"Tsundae reached out and she couldn't help the look of horror on her face.
"And papa and grandfather!"
Sakura had drawn a total of 4 figures on the paper. The blonde held hands with the pink haired girl, and on Tsunade's right, a man with long black hair was frowning. A man, with grey hair and bangs took Sakura's other hand.
"What do you think? Mama?" Sakura squealed.
Tsunade was stunned, unable to speak. She had never told Sakura about her grandfather and while she had told Sakura about her father, she had never shown her a photo. She figured Sakura must have gone through her things and saw the photos of the two men in her drawing. A painful memory appeared in Tsunade's mind and she tried to shoo it away. Her husband was smiling at her, his bangs almost covering his eyes. He placed a hand on her swollen belly and kissed it. Tsunade couldn't bare it. He had died, in a car accident while he was on a business trip. Tsunade unconsciously started twirling her wedding band around her finger. She stopped when she noticed Sakura staring at her, worried.
"Mama? Did I do something wrong?"
Tsunade wiped the horrified expression off her face and smiled at Sakura, petting her head.
"No, nothing is wrong. Why don't you put it on the fridge with the other drawings?"
Sakura looked away from Hashirama and forced herself not to tear up. She knew her grandfather only had her best interests in his heart but she still couldn't help feeling annoyed and frustrated by his request. She wanted to tell him that she didn't need to do whatever he said because he was technically, still a stranger. He had been absent from her life for the past 16 years and had done nothing to help her mother, who raised her on her own. She wanted to say no and to tell him she didn't have to listen to a stranger but she was also appreciative that he had taken her in and given her the opportunity to study in a school. She knew her grandfather cared for her mother and she knew he cared for her. She just didn't like that he had taken to controlling this aspect of her life. There was only one man she had ever considered marrying and he didn't love her.
Sighing internally, she placed both her hands on Hashirama's shoulder and smiled, though it did not reach her eyes.
"I will go for the miai. But, I will reserve the last decision in whatever happens. That is my condition. I know you mean well for me ji-chan but please, at least allow me the freedom to choose my own fate."
Hashirama furrowed his eyebrows and then smiled.
"Of course, Sakura. An arrangement has been made for the two of you to meet this coming Friday, at 7pm. It'll be at RyuGin. Try to dress nicely but also, comfortable. I want you to be comfortable," Hashirama smiled, sending Sakura back to her room with a good night.
Sakura dragged her feet back to her room and sat on her futon. She lay down and tears rolled down her face. She didn't bother changing into her pyjamas and went to sleep.
Sakura had been dreading this day. It was finally Friday. She was now seated in her room, facing Ino and Hinata. She had invited them over, to break the news. She had managed to keep this secret in and she knew it was time to tell them the truth.
"Erm, guys. I need to tell you something," Sakura started, her eyes on her lap.
Ino and Hinata both looked up at her and Ino smirked.
"Wait, don't tell me… Are you going out with someone?"
Sakura coughed and shook her head.
"No, I am not. But I am meeting someone. My grandfather has arranged for a miai today at 7pm."
Stunned, it took Hinata and Ino a few seconds before they could speak again. Hinata went first.
"A miai? Why?" A look of confusion on Hinata's face.
Sakura shrugged. She told them both the conversation she had with her ji-chan.
Ino's brows furrowed.
"So you're going? Does… Does Sasuke know?"
Sakura bit her lip and looked at her lap once again. That was answer enough for Ino and Hinata.
"But you told your grandfather that you'll have the last decision right? Do you think he'll honour that?" Ino asked.
Sakura didn't say anything. To be honest, she was hoping he would but she wasn't sure.
"Well, let us know how it goes okay?" Hinata said, kindly.
"Alright, let's think positive. Let's pick something for you to wear!" Ino grinned and went straight to Sakura's closet.
Sakura tugged on her dress. Ino had picked the only dress she had that went above her knees. Her dress was navy blue, in a baby doll cut with black buttons lining the middle. Her black socks went up to the middle of her thighs and she wore the gold bracelet her mother had given her. Her hair was tied in a milkmaid braid and she was wearing very light makeup. She was currently waiting for her ji-chan near the gates of the house. When she heard footsteps behind, she turned, smiling at her ji-chan. It was then that she saw him and she almost turned away.
"Sakura, you look beautiful. I'm sure the young man we are meeting will be smitten with you." Hashirama said, leading her to the car parked outside the house.
Sakura gave a tight smile and stole a glance at Sasuke. He was expressionless as usual but he was staring at her. She felt his onyx eyes boring into her own. She turned away, blushing.
Sasuke got into the driver's seat and Sakura and Hashirama got into the back. Sasuke pressed the keyless ignition and the BMW purred to life. Before he stepped on the accelerator, Hashirama stopped him. He had forgotten something in the house. Once he got out, Sasuke turned to Sakura immediately.
"Sakura-sama," Sasuke breathed.
Sakura felt like the air in her lungs had been knocked out. He sounded so…
Sakura looked at Sasuke, expectant. She wanted him to take her away this instant. She wanted him to tell her not to go and to be with him instead. Her heart started pounding like a jackhammer when he bit her lip and stared into her eyes. Please, she begged. Say something. Tell me you love me.
At the corner of her eyes, she saw Hashirama making his way slowly towards the car and her eyes widened.
Sasuke looked away and turned to the front. He caught her eye through the rear view mirror and smiled a sad smile.
"Good luck for the miai. I hope it goes well."
Sakura felt like she had been slapped.
When they arrived at RyuGin, the Maître D' informed them that the other party had already arrived. Stepping into the dark restaurant, they were led through rows of tables. Sakura felt her heart quicken and nausea suddenly threatened to engulf her. She instinctively went for Sasuke's hand. He turned, shocked but didn't let go. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and at that moment, both of them were relieved that Hashirama was walking in front.
When they arrived at the entrance of the private room, Sasuke squeezed Sakura's hand once more before letting go. She smiled at him, thankful and he returned her smile. When Hashirama suddenly turned around, both of them quickly put a space between themselves.
"Uchiha, you'll stand outside." Hashirama said.
Sasuke nodded and Hashirama opened the door to the room. The woman inside looked like she was in her 40s. Her hair was long, straight and brown. Her eyes were the same colour and they were kind. She looked stunning in her kimono. The man next to her had red, wavy hair and he also looked about the same age. He was slightly chubby and had quite a serious look. He wore a black suit with a pink work shirt beneath. The younger man who sat opposite the couple turned to face them and Sasuke blanched. He had hair like his father but his mother's dark brown eyes. When he caught Sasuke's eyes, his lips trembled, supressing a smirk. Sasuke's eyes widened in horror and he reached to grab Sakura's hand but stopped himself. He clenched his fist tightly as the door closed.
Hashirama took a seat on the left side of the table, gesturing for Sakura to sit next to the young man. Sakura took a seat gingerly and she felt all eyes on her.
Hashirama and the couple exchanged pleasantries and he turned to her.
"Sakura, I would like you to meet this incredible young man, Sasori."
A/N: Well, this is it. This chapter was supposed to take a slightly different route but I'm actually about this one. I don't think I'll post before the year ends so I wanted to wish everyone merry christmas and a happy new year! I'll see you guys real soon.