Taken

"And honestly, he doesn't matter."

Hinata Hyuuga of immunobiology has made enough groundbreaking research to seize a Nobel prize. She is also a humanitarian, who works avidly to help the slum areas of the war-torn Ghana, as well as a writer of bestselling fiction novels for children. Verbally, she doesn't speak much, but utilizes judo to release stress and ballet to express happiness.

As a person, she is soft, yielding, thoughtful, selfless, and peaceful. Family will always come before work, and she demands little, compromises plenty, with a matured understanding that love comes not in compliments, gifts, or even, togetherness. The last is key.

And she is indeed attractive, her hair trailing and soft, dark and long, feathers in the air.

She gently breaks away, shyly looks up to examine my expression. She smiles in a warm blush.

"T-thank you, Sasuke. Good night." And she disappears behind a door, while I step down back into the streets.

For a woman like Hinata, it is very easy to please her, very easy to obtain her. Had any of her admirers only found the brains or the balls to reach for a telephone book and dial her number, she probably would have fallen in love with one of them a long time ago. But she will now inevitably fall in love with me, and when that happens, I need very little maintenance to keep her faithfully by my side.

"Sasuke."

I stop in my tracks.

Well... that is one voice I have not been expecting.

He does a wonderful job of blocking the sidewalk, a chiaroscuro by the street lights sharpening his scowl. My- a blackberry in his hand.

"I thought the drama would be spared."

Naruto Uzumaki steps fully into the light, and I see he has underwent some changes, from orange sweatshirts and dirty jerseys to the tall, dignified, and competent leader he's suppose to be if he ever wants a true shot at presidency. And if I remember correctly, he is here because I have recently broke my ties to Sakura, and indirectly, to him.

See, Naruto wants to be a politician, drenched in ideals, charisma, and passion. Unfortunately, politicians equate to nothing without wealth and support, which falls under Sakura's side of corporate business and finance. However, she, like all big businesses, will find herself in messes only I of the law division can pull her out of. In turn, Naruto can grant me unimaginable positions and amnesty to do as I please. Combined, we are quite the devastating force, capable of controlling the greatest country in the world, a feat ambitious even for my brother.

Yet, should one party withdraw... I smirk. "How did you find me, Naruto?"

"When satellites, intelligence, and hackers all fail," he says, "ask some campus girls. Your date today is the new hot topic."

Of course. Their ships of hope must have sunk by now. I walk by; he grabs my shoulder and forces me to stop.

"Are you aware that Itachi has been outside your apartment for three days?"

"As if he will catch me in such an obvious place-"

Crack.

I straighten my jaw.

Hm, I forget. Naruto speaks with both words and fists.

"No, the one going crazy trying to catch you is Sakura!" he spits. "Your brother is the one waiting for you to come to him on your own volition. You owe both of them a damn explanation!"

"I owe them nothing."

"Sasuke!" he yells, shaking my shoulders. "Wake up! You know to Sakura this marriage is the single most important thing in her entire life. Maybe you find her below your outrageous standards, but not many women can love a man enough to take over the most stressful job in the world for him. And love her or hate her, as her friend, you are obligated to support this marriage."

"Last time I checked, I approved of the marriage."

He slams my back into the lamp post. "What approval? You didn't even bother a pretense." Naruto releases his hold on me. "Whatever dissent you have going on, I suggest you find them before their flight midnight and explain properly. That, or swallow it down and stop trying to make the people who love you miserable at every opportunity."

I say nothing, only push past him with my hands tucked in my pockets.

"You know, Sasuke, you're born to be a lawyer, and a damn good one. But you turn your talents against us, make simple matters complicated with bullshit, you and me are about to have some problems. You have less than an hour to clean up your act and get your ass down to their hotel!"

I pretend to not hear and turn the corner.

Naruto has made his position very clear. Through our college years together, of intense competitions and heated debates, he and I have forged a blood bond. He will have my back on anything.

But Sakura is a precious woman to him, and his love for her is far beyond any romantic attraction. Their history dates back to childhood times. Before his miraculous turn-about in high school. Before his career as champion underdog in college. All the way back when he was nothing but a dropout, and she was the teacher's pet who, either out of pity or morals, one day extended a hand out to him.

Naruto considers me his closest companion, a great asset and partner, a key player to obtaining his personal goals, and ultimately, a best friend he's willing to bite a bullet for. But if I hurt Sakura, he will aim the gun at me. This isn't just bad business; this is personal, and the warning shot has been fired.

But he doesn't threaten me. Equally, I will survive either with or without his friendship.

The streets take several winds and turns before they become familiar. The signs don't matter; my sense of direction guides me. The first decent hotel I pass, I enter. The clock in the lobby ticks a quarter past one.

"One room recently became vacant but it hasn't been-"

"I'll take it."

It takes ten minutes to register and check in, swipe my card and sign my name. I am presented with a card key, of which I use to mechanically swipe into the second door down the hallway of the third floor. I need not switch on the light; I can see well that it's empty, clean, and unlived. The bed made, the curtains open, the desk empty, spotless and obsolete.

I halfheartedly expect to feel the smooth edge of a playing card stranded between the edge of the mattress and the headboard, or something that Itachi missed when he packed, but he isn't the type to overlook things and leave his possessions behind.

A complete silence settles in, and there only remains the red flickering of the nightstand clock.

At 3:12 AM, the door unlocks, the lights flickers on, and the door violently slams close.

"You are really trying my patience, Sasuke."

I don't bother pretending to be asleep. Neither do I look at my intruder.

The lock bolts shut, there are the heavy steps of standard heels against carpet.

"Three days..." Sakura clicks her tongue, "for three whole days, your brother did not eat, did not sleep... are you pleased now, Sasuke?"

I shift my gaze. Fine pressed beige suit, her arms are folded, hand exposed to reveal the gleaming silver ring. I close my eyes and reposition myself to lean against the headboard, resting my free hand on a knee; she stands taller.

My mouth finds words of it's own. "He's gone."

"Across the Atlantic. When the flight lands, he will have twenty minutes to arrive at the board meeting, and life will continue. For him, vacation is over... at least, until I take over." Her tone is professional, like a secretary reciting a schedule.

Her actions are not. She begins to unbutton her blazer and tosses it on the bed post, then kicks off her shoes. Without requesting for permission, she makes herself comfortable on the bed and shuffles her hair.

"I'm taking a separate flight in the morning," she reads my mind. "You will keep me company until then. You should appreciate it: an hour of my time is worth eight hundred euros."

I am in no mood for her dry humor, and Sakura knows well of this. She studies my expression, then chuckles to herself, "Of course, I am talking to the Sasuke Uchiha. You haven't even graduated yet, but I can only assume you will charge exorbitantly once you do. Your name isn't undistinguished. All top business corporations around the world will be battling for you. Itachi and I have had this conversation. He said you wanted to work for him when you were younger, which surprised me as much as learning he had no intention of hiring you."

My hand tenses, but it is hidden under bedsheets. My face betrays nothing. "Do you plan to keep me up all night with small talk?"

"Afraid so," she laughs, swinging a leg over the bed. "Until you talk, I'll have to. Please don't think I'm any more pleased, Sasuke. I gave up the opportunity to have sex with your brother on a private jet."

I strip off the comforter. My foot barely makes contact with the carpet when Sakura says, "Why do you think it took me two hours to get here?"

I clench my jaw.

"Naruto bugged you. His men are outside," she informs me.

She drapes her arms around my neck and leans in, close enough that I smell her perfume. "So, why don't you make yourself comfortable."

"Get out."

"No. You and I are going to have a nice, long night together, Sasuke."