Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. This is just a product of my imagination and boredom.
P.S apologies for the grammar.:)
189 days before the incident
Chin up.
Do not slouch.
Straighten your back.
Never stutter.
Walk with confidence.
Be a Hyuga. Show them you're a Hyuga.
These are the things I have to remember every time I am ask to join any social gatherings. My father does not usually invite me to accompany him, because according to him I lack the qualities of a Hyuga. Well, he is quiet right, if not for my appearance, people will never associate me with my family.
But I wonder, how it is to be a Hyuga?
The Hyuga is popular in the healthcare industry, as the family owns the biggest and most modern hospital in the country. Most of my relatives are well known doctors. My father, being the leader of the whole clan, inherits and has the total control on 95% of the family business. The next one to succeed him will be my older brother, Neji.
As far as I know, Neji is the perfect child. He is a genius and he is very much a Hyuga. Tall, confident, and someone you could not mess with. That's why in every gathering, in every dinner thrown for and by the Hyuga, he's always the one beside our father.
My father is not usually a stoic person. He smiled and he laughed like normal people do. But when my mother died, all his laughters and smiles died with her too. I am just barely eight when it happened. Imagine how heart breaking it is , owning the country's biggest hospital and knowing a lot of top doctors and yet his wife still died.
Since that day, I felt like we are force to mature and grow up already. My father, started to focus all his time and attention to our business. My brother, who was just ten years old by that time, started training too. Me, I was left in our house with the maids. I am receiving training too, but I am not smart as my brother. I often disappoint my father, that rumors started to circulate in the clan. Sooner or later he will marry me to some wealthy guy so I could be of use. Fortunately, it still remain as a rumor.
My eyes search the whole event place, trying to see if some one from school also attended. I saw the Uzumakis, but Naruto isn't with them. How lucky of him, his parents never force him to anything he doesn't like. I also saw the Narra clan, but I guess Shikamaru is too lazy to attend. And there's Ino Yamanaka. She's glorious. Every male in the room are looking at her. And she knows how to interact with them. I turned my head away from her before she could spot me.
Then I saw them, the Uchiha. Sasuke's mother is really beautiful. No wonder her sons are both handsome. Itachi Uchiha, is a matured and refined version of his brother.
Before Sasuke, even saw me, Ino is already making her way towards them. Her long blonde hair sways from side to side as her hips and the people she passed by are in awe.
She gave his mother a kiss, and a handshake to his father and brother. She chats with Mrs Uchiha, who looks so fond of her. But what really amazes me, is that no matter how alluring Ino looks , both the Uchiha brothers don't seem interested. Itachi occasionally joins their conversation out of respect but soon find the opportunity to leave their company. Sasuke, is still the grouchy Sasuke from school but ten times more attractive because of his suits. I'm guessing that Ino will tell Sakura all about it, just to annoy and make her jealous.
After some more minutes, Mr. Uchiha approaches their table, he whispers something to Mrs. Uchiha. Then, Ino leaves their table as they make their way towards us.
"Be confident. Don't embarrass me." My father whispered.
"Good evening Hiashi." Said Mr. Uchiha.
"Good evening to you too Fugaku." My father said.
"How have you been? " Mr. Uchiha asked.
"Been busy with work but I am good. And you and your lovely family? "
I never heard the rest of their conversation. I just feel so self conscious that Sasuke is looking at me right now. I know I am a bit under dress for the occasion. I just wore a simple Chinese collared black dress that reaches my knee and my hair was styled into a one sided braid. So simple and so plain.
"Your daughter looks so lovely." I heard Mrs. Uchiha said. I know she's just being kind. There's no way I look lovely.
"Thank you. And so are you Mrs. Uchiha." I said as gracefully as I could.
"Have you met my sons?" She asked kindly.
"We're from the same school." Sasuke said casually.
"Oh that's nice. You have someone to talk with in this party." She said with a smile. "And oh, this is my older son, Itachi."
"Good evening, Itachi, I am Hyuga Hinata, nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine, my lady. " he said and shook my hand.
It is a brief contact. Just for formality's sake and yet I feel my cheeks turning red.
"So you and my brother are schoolmates?"He asked.
"Classmates."Sasuke answered for me.
"You never tell us about her." Mrs. Uchiha said.
"I never tell you anything about my classmates." He said in his usual bored voice.
"But we know about Ms. Yamanaka and Naruto." Mrs. Uchiha asked with raised eyebrow.
"Well, Ino is the one who always approach you and who keeps reminding you that we are classmates. And you know Naruto from the day he was born."
"Yes, Ms. Yamanaka is quite a character." She said with a knowing smile.
"She is? I don't know that." Sasuke said with sarcasm.
"Is my brother usually like this at school?" Itachi asked.
I look at Sasuke, and he gives me the look that warning me not to say anything about how he is at school. For some odd reason I find this amusing. It would not harm to tease him.
"I would not know, because all he does at school is to seat in a corner, and stare at space. " I said with a tiny teasing smile.
"Yes, he sure is good at that. A nice tactic to avoid people."Itachi said teasing his brother and I could not help but widen my smile.
"So you think that's funny? You're the one who taught me that trick." Sasuke said annoyed. But Itachi just smiled and he found away to escape the conversation.
"If you ladies may excuse me, father is calling." Itachi then said before he joins his father and mine.
"I'll just get myself a drink." Sasuke said and left us too
"My boys are all grown up now, and yet sometimes they act like they are seven years old." Mrs. Uchiha said while shaking her head with a smile. "So how long have you know my son, Sasuke I mean?"
"We've been classmates since our freshman days." I answered and I can't stop feeling nervous.
"Are you good friends?"
Are we friends? He once said we are friends. But I think no one knows about it . I am not sure if I am allowed to tell his mom about it.
"Uhmm," I started to get really nervous.
"Don't be nervous dear." She said again with a smile. "I know my son, he's not friendly. He doesn't like people and sometimes he can be rude. But I am hoping he has some friends aside from Naruto." She added with concern in her voice.
"He maybe rude sometimes, but he is kind. I do not know how many friends he has, but I know he is a good friend."
"How did you know?"
"I - I " I don't really know how to answer. I know because I hang out with him. But I can't say that. Then I remember something way back in our freshman days. "Because, when I first entered Konoha High, Sasuke is the only one who did not comment on how freaky my eyes are."
I can't help but smile remembering that.
"Because your eyes are beautiful, dear." She said with a kind smile.
I returned her smile. She's a kind woman, and Sasuke is lucky having a mother like her. I kinda wish, mom's still here with me. Maybe my life will turn out different.
I lost track of how long I've been talking with Mrs. Uchiha. But our conversation is mainly her asking questions and me answering. I just hope I didn't bored her with my answers. Sasuke does not return to our table. And when Mrs. Uchiha finally bid me goodbye as she saw some of her friends, I find myself alone again. So as not to look so pitiful, I decided to roam around.
The place is huge and it is more peaceful here outside. There's no music and people chattering. Just the sound of the wind and leaves.
"What are you doing here outside?" I got surprised when I heard Sasuke's voice. "I'm here." He said again.
He's leaning behind one of pillars and he has a cigarette on his hand.
"You smoke?" I asked as I approach him.
"Sometimes." He answered unbothered.
"Do people know you smoke?"
"Of course not." He answered. "Can't stand the party?"
"Well, yeah. May I join you here?" I said and sat down on the other side of the pillar.
"Mother already let go of you?" He asked again.
"Yes, I might have bored her."
"You think so?"
"Yes. I don't really know how to make a conversation. That's why I don't like parties."
"Well, compared to me, you're better at it."
It made me smile. "Anyway, are you here because you are hiding from Ino?"
"Not really."
"She seems to be enjoying the attention."
"She won't be dress like that if she doesn't like the spotlight."
"Anyway, you haven't been to school this past three days."
"You're a teacher now, checking my attendance?"
"Sorry." I said embarrassed. "I know I don't have the right to know."
"It's okay. I just feel like ditching the class."
"We have lots of exams coming up next week."
"Yeah, Sakura's been updating me of all the things we're doing."
"Good for you, you have Sakura."
"Yes, she's good at those stuffs. Sometimes I'm thinking of hiring her as my secretary." He said and I can hear the sarcasm in his voice.
"But honestly she's nice to you."
"I don't know what is your definition of nice but she's definitely not it."
I don't want to argue any further. So I just quietly sat and watch the stars while he is smoking. This seem peaceful and somehow, this night is the best party I've ever been to.
"Hey." He said after he is done with his cigarette.
"What?" I looked at him and saw that he is giving me his mobile phone.
"In case I'll ditch class again." He said without looking at me.
"Oh." And I suddenly realized what he meant. "Here." I returned his phone after I enter my number.
"Good." He said before he walks away.
Tonight is really a goodnight.