A/N: A fic for this year's Sasuhina Month. I had planned on writing and publishing something for every day of the month but once again I have under-performed and under-delivered. I still wanna write some of the ideas I had, so I guess I'll be uploading Sasuhina month content through the year. Maybe I'll get them all out before next year's SH month (one can only hope).
Day 1: Beginning of Us
"Sunagakure was nice last time I visited, I never would have thought that a city in a desert would be so pleasant. Mayor Gaara really is exceeding all expectations..." Sasuke tried not to let the boredom show on his face. Unfortunately, Satoshi Nakada was an important supplier to Uchiha Corporations, and pissing off business partners would not help Sasuke convince his father to give him more responsibility.
Sasuke hated these corporate functions, hated being forced to rub elbows with people he couldn't care less about. Everyone was boring, irritating, or loud - usually all three - and often became even more so after a couple of drinks. Even worse, it was so easy to get trapped in a boring story that went on and on, leaving Sasuke unable to extricate himself without looking rude.
Lucky for him, a young man wandered over, wine glass in hand, brimming with nervous confidence. He looked fresh out of school, and was probably desperate to develop some industry connections. The rookie introduced himself to Sasuke and Nakada, who looked like someone who had just woken up from a trance. Sasuke smiled and patted the newcomer on the shoulder. "Well, I have to, uh, get some more appetizers, so I'll leave you two to get acquainted." Having found a suitable sacrifice, Sasuke made a beeline for the back door.
Sasuke's father expected him to represent the family company, so Sasuke couldn't just leave like he wanted to. He had, however, discovered that he could duck away to an empty corner and wait until the function was almost over before re-emerging and pretending he had been there the entire time with no one the wiser. Empty rooms were risky - Sasuke learned the hard way that middle-aged adults could be just as horny as teenagers - so he wandered around outside until he found the perfect spot: a slight bend in the building surrounded by tall hedges that could hide him from view while still providing good visibility to the guests passing by. The only problem with this hiding spot was that it was already occupied.
"Get out," Sasuke said before he could stop himself. The girl stared at him with wide pale eyes that glowed in the moonlight. She had dark hair and pale skin and wore what looked like a light purple cocktail dress, though it was hard to distinguish the color in the dim light. Sasuke forced himself to soften his tone. "I mean, can you please leave."
The girl raised an eyebrow. "I-I was here first."
Sasuke's left eye twitched. "Surely a lovely lady like yourself has people looking for you. I can walk you back to the party if you want," he said with a smile that had previously dazzled many other women into acquiescing to his demands.
"I-I could say the same to you," the girl sniped back, her defiant words at odds with the way she nervously tapped her fingers together. "Why don't you head back and I'll stay here."
Sasuke dropped all polite pretenses and scowled. If he couldn't charm her into leaving, then he'd just have to chase her away. But before he could make a cutting comment about the girl's looks or obvious awkwardness, they were interrupted by the sound of thunderous steps and of exuberant voices.
"That's it Lee! Let the power of youth propel you to the finish line!" Sasuke hurriedly stepped into the alcove, squeezing himself between the girl and the wall. The girl squeaked at the sudden proximity, but Sasuke paid her no mind, more concerned about hiding himself from the new arrivals. Through the half cover of the hedges, Sasuke could see the twin forms of Might Guy and Rock Lee stampeding down the path on their hands. When they reached the birdbath, located right next to where Sasuke and the girl were hiding, the two leapt to their feet and clasped hands. "Amazing Lee. You've improved leagues since I last saw you."
"It is only due to Guy-sensei's support and dedication that I am where I am now. Guy-sensei's coolness is a constant inspiration," Lee exclaimed, his smile appearing to be a light source all on its own.
"Let us celebrate your achievement with another hundred laps!" The two green-suited fanatics dashed off down the path again, kicking up a trail of dust behind them.
Sasuke breathed a sigh of relief. "I can't believe those two are still invited to these things," he muttered.
"The mayor likes them, it would look bad if they weren't invited. Besides, they're very nice once you get to know them." She was leaning awkwardly against the wall, her body angle away from him. Sasuke suddenly became painfully aware of how close they were. He could smell her lavender perfume and make out the silvery flowers stitched into her dress.
"I thought they were invited because Tsunade gets a kick out of watching them challenge people to push-up contests."
"...Maybe that too," she said with a smile, revealing small dimples on both sides of her mouth. She had a nice smile, Sasuke thought idly before frowning. Why had he thought that? He wanted her to leave after all.
"If you enjoy their company so much, why don't you go join them when they come back around."
"Alright," she agreed, to his shock. "I'll introduce you too. I'm sure they'd be thrilled to meet you."
"I don't think that's necessary," he said quickly. Watching the duo from a distance was already overwhelming, interacting with them up close might fry his green color receptors and a couple of brain cells along with it.
"Then I suppose we should just stay put then," the girl said, and Sasuke grudgingly admitted defeat. There were worse people to be stuck behind a hedge with, he supposed. Just then, Satoshi Nakada stumbled down the path, gripping a poor waiter's arm for support, slurring loudly about his younger days.
"Looks like this party might be starting to wrap up soon," Sasuke commented once the old man and his hapless victim had passed.
"Nakada-san's only started talking about his first business deal, there's a few more hours to go I think," the girl said. Sasuke chuckled, startling them both. He hadn't expected that.
"He spent so much time talking about his recent Suna trip today, he might not have started drinking until later. The timeline's probably pushed up."
The girl inclined her head. "Maybe. But Shikamaru-kun is coming out for a smoke now." She gestured at a faraway figure who was taking a drag on a lit cigarette. "If the event was wrapping up, his mother would have dragged him back in."
"Nara's more than capable of giving his mom the slip," Sasuke argued. "This might be his second round."
"Then what about Tsunade-sama? She's still inside, so she hasn't had the time to get drunk yet."
"Everyone's working double time to make sure we don't get a repeat of last month's fiasco. She might not even get trashed this time."
And so their conversation went, with the girl raising one proposal after another for why it was still early, and Sasuke finding ways to shoot it down. It was comfortable, engaging, and even, dare he say it, fun. What a strange thought. These parties were formal, a way to make connections, an obligation that Sasuke had to go to whether he wanted to or not. At best it was satisfying to walk away with a new business partner. They were never fun.
The game was interrupted by a lone female figure walking down the path shouting "Nee-san! Stop hiding and come out. Father's looking for you." She was short, with brown hair and a silvery-white gown. They watched her walk past in silence. When she disappeared down the bend, the girl sighed.
"Looks like you were right, the party is wrapping up." She moved to leave their little hiding spot, but glanced back at him, lips quirking upward in a small smile. "It was good to meet you, Uchiha-san." She hurried down the path after her sister.
Sasuke stood there, by himself. He'd gotten his wish, the hiding spot was his. But it was darker and quieter than it was before. Sasuke stood there, annoyed that she had known who he was but he hadn't even gotten a name. With a huff, Sasuke left the hedge too, and headed back towards the party. His father was probably looking for him.