Love, Honor, and Blood

Sasuke laid on the King size bed within his room, his arms under his head, as he stared at the ceiling. It had been a week since he broke up with Naruto, and the day he was to meet Hinata-sama for dinner. He was not a happy person either. All he could think about was Naruto. When he walked through town, he would see Naruto engorge himself at Ichiraku, desperately trying to fill Sasuke’s void with ramen, and it killed him inside.

When he closed his eyes, Naruto was there in his thoughts and dreams. Even when he looked at objects with no relation, he would still think of Naruto. Sasuke was not a happy person indeed. How was he supposed to go through with this wedding if he couldn't even pretend to love the bride?

Sasuke looked at the clock on the wall, which read 6:30. He was supposed to be at the Hyuuga’s estate at 7. Sasuke sighed slightly before sitting up on the bed, knowing he had to leave soon. Deciding that the black collared shirt and white khakis were suitable for the occasion, he left his house and began walking toward the Hyuuga estate. Looking to his left, he saw his cherry blossom, the one he and Naruto always say under, and couldn’t help but wince at the memory. How he missed his uke, even if it was only a week he had been without him. If Sasuke couldn’t live a week without Naruto, how would he able to live a lifetime without him? Now outside the walls of the Uchiha estate, Sasuke caught eye of Neji, who was muttering under his breath a bit.

“Neji? What are you doing here? Shouldn‘t you be at the estate with Hinata-sama?” Neji looked up for a moment at the Uchiha, and then smiled realizing it was him. “Hello Sasuke-sama” He said with a cheerful reply, “I actually have some things to do tonight, so I will not be in attendance.”

“Oh,” Sasuke said softly, hoping Neji would be able to keep him some company so he wouldn’t have to be with Hinata the entire night, “Well, I guess we’ll see each other later then.” Neji got silent for a moment, which left Sasuke in a bit of confusion. “You don’t love Hinata-kun do you?”

“Well what makes you think that?” Sasuke said trying to cover up the fact he was still in love with Naruto, “I can have any girl I want, you know that, and I like Hinata-sama. She‘s…she‘s nice.” Neji looked at him skeptically. “At least Hinata will not the be the only person miserable in this marriage then” He said relieved, “Because I know for a fact she doesn’t want to be with you.” Sasuke looked at him accusingly. “What do you mean by that!” Sasuke said lying, “I like Hinata! She’s a great girl, and she’ll probably make a great wife!” Neji looked at Sasuke with a look of surprise on his face. He was not expecting a response like that from Sasuke. Maybe Sasuke actually didn’t mind this arranged marriage thing to Hinata. “I’m sorry for saying something like that to you Sasuke-sama” Neji said respectively, a frown on his face regaurdless, “I just wanted to know your true intentions toward Hinata-sama.”

“It’s fine” Sasuke said calming himself down, trying not to become paranoid, “I think a lot of people would question my motives for such things…especially this one.” Neji nodded his head slightly. “I must be going now, see you Sasuke.” Neji waved goodbye to the Uchiha and hurried off. Sasuke looked Neji hurry off awkwardly. “What was that about?” He thought to himself, “I’ve never seen him act like that…ever.”

Neji turned the corner and let out a huge sigh. What had just happened? He just went off on Hinata-kun’s betrothed. He couldn’t let that happen again. He was of the Hyuuga clan, and he had to approve of this marriage, no matter how much he didn’t want it.

“Neji-sama?”

Neji looked over his right shoulder to see a mouth of ramen noodles in Naruto’s mouth. He ran all the way to Ichiraku to get away from Sasuke. “Hello Naruto” Neji said politely, “how are you?”

“Not the best Neji-sama” Naruto said stuffing another mouthful are noodles sadly into his wide trap, “ Sasuke wont talk to me anymore.” Neji looked at Naruto in confusion. “What do you mean?” he asked him, “Aren’t you and Sasuke best friends?”

“I thought we were more than that” Naruto said slurping the noodles up, “But something happened a week ago and he hasn’t talked to me since…”

“Wait a second, “Neji said thinking about what Naruto had just said to him, “A week ago was when Hinata-Kun found out she was betrothed to Sasuke-sama!” Naruto choked and coughed up his noodles. “What do you mean betrothed!” Naruto said in confusion, “Sasuke wasn‘t engaged to anyone! He would‘ve told me! He loved me!” Neji looked at him confused as well. “ What do you mean loved you!” Neji said snapping back, “You mean you two are gay!”

“It wasn’t obvious?” Naruto said shrugging slightly, swallowing the broth from the bowl, “…actually, maybe not. I mean Sakura doesn’t notice it… she just assumes we’re training together.”

“So your gay?”

“Yeah, I just said that.” Naruto replied.

“If that’s the case,” Neji said a grin on his face, “I’ve got a plan.”

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Hinata was blushing a deep hue of crimson upon her soft, pale cheeks. What her father had chosen for dinner tonight with Sasuke was a bit risqué for her own tastes. It was a Silk white Kimono that fell off at the shoulders, and the print upon it was small cherry blossoms, each flower a unique shade of pink and fit Hinata’s curves perfectly. She wore a small pendent on her neck, bearing the symbol of the Hyuuga clan, and her makeup flaunted and contrasted her pale eyes, making them stand out. Looking at herself in the mirror, she felt like something unreal ,and not only did she definitely know it, but she didn’t like it; It wasn’t her at all.

She would’ve worn something more conservative for Sasuke, but as her father said to her as he handed her the Kimono, “Your dressing to impress, not to look mediocre. You want to impress Sasuke with your beauty and talent.” Hinata knew however that Sasuke wouldn’t be impressed with her. He knew that Hinata was timid and weak, nothing more, nothing less than useless, though she refused to tell her father this. She just went along with it, just like she always did.

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Sasuke knocked upon the outer door of the Hyuuga estate. He was about five minutes early, but then again, better to be early then to arrive late. It would look bad to his future in-laws…not that he wanted to marry Hinata anyway. He was still thinking about Naruto and his soft blond hair…

“Welcome to the Hyuuga estate Uchiha Sasuke” Hiashi Hyuuga said at the door, snapping Sasuke out of his vision of Naruto, “Please come this way.” As Sasuke looked at Hiashi and followed, he knew immediately that he under-dressed. Oh well. His loss. Following closely behind the Head Hyuuga, he looked at his surroundings. He hadn’t ever been the Hyuuga Estate now that he thought about it, but it was almost as stunning as his home. Instead of cherry blossoms everywhere, soft willows decorated the landscape of the estate, and a tranquil koi pond rested under a soft waterfall. It was actually quite nice to his surprise. Hiashi opened a screen and gestured Sasuke into the room. He obliged graciously and sat down, Hiashi following afterward. Looking to his left, Sasuke could see the shadow of a figure behind the screen; Hinata’s.

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“Naruto, did you realize that Hinata-kun liked you a lot?” Neji said as they made their way back to the Hyuuga estate, another bowl of ramen noodles in Naruto’s hands, “Because she does.” Naruto choked on a noodle. “Are you serious!” He said, “I had no clue at all!”

“How could you not notice!” Neji said in disbelief, “Everyone else did! Didn’t you notice that after all these years that if you ever got close to her in any way, shape, or form, she blush madly and faint!”

“That was because of me?” He said in disbelief, “ I thought she was just claustrophobic…” Neji wacked Naruto across the head, causing him to choke on more noodles. “Your so oblivious to everything.” Neji Grunted.

“Well you’re a moron,” Naruto said, not able to think of anything at the moment to make a comeback, “But that’s not the point. I’m having a feeling this plan has to do with Hinata-sama.”

“It does Naruto. I want you to flirt with her.”

“But why?” Naruto said finishing up the bowl and tossing it into the nearest trash receptacle, “She’s being forced to marry Sasuke-kun.”

“I realize that…but she’s the weaker of the two. If you could push her to break off the marriage, you could have Sasuke back.”

“But when that happens, wont that hurt Hinata-sama?” Naruto said thinking of her feelings, “She’d be heartbroken.”

“Exactly.” Neji said, “And I’d be there to comfort her.” Naruto looked at Neji in disbelief. “But Neji-sama,” Naruto said cautiously, “doesn’t that mean you would be-”

“Yes Naruto. We would be committing incest if anything happened.”

“You could be-”

“Yes I know the consequences as well Naruto” Neji said as they arrived at the door of the Hyuuga estate, “We could be banished, but I’m looking to change that.” Naruto looked at Neji skeptically. The plan could work, but there were more consequences for Neji if the plan failed.

“What if we just pretend we were going out or something?” Naruto said trying to think of other possibilities.

“Hinata would assume I am homosexual as well” Neji said opening the door, “This is the only way.” Naruto shrugged it off, for once deciding that he shouldn’t question someone else’s reasoning. From the look in Neji’s eyes when he mentioned Hinata’s name, it looked like how he felt about Sasuke. He sympathized him for that. “Ok,” Naruto said willingly, “I’ll give this a shot.” Neji gave his friend a slight bow in appreciation. “Thank you Naruto, It means the world to me.”

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The screen separating Sasuke from Hinata opened, and he stared at Hinata in disbelief. Though he wasn’t physically attracted to her, She looked…Different…Extremely Different, though her timid composure was still there. It was a nice change for Hinata, who tended to stay away from making herself seen unless she wanted it. “Good evening Sasuke-kun” Hinata said softly, “I hope the food we’ve prepared tonight is to your liking.” Sasuke smiled, showing his appreciation, and she blushed slightly, a tinge of color flushing her cheeks as she laid out their plates, served her father, and then Sasuke and herself. The three of them were about to lift their glasses to a drink when a loud obnoxious, and well known voice was heard outside.

“Wow Neji! I don’t think I‘ve ever been to your estate! It‘s almost as big as Sasuke‘s!”

“Naruto!” Sasuke and Hinata said together at the same time. The screen to outside opened, and Naruto stood at the door grinning. “Hey Hinata! Your house is huge!”

“What is the meaning of this intrusion!” the Head Hyuuga replied, anger rising in his voice, “These two are in the middle of courtship!”

“Oh! Sorry” Naruto said trying to appear innocent and oblivious to what was happening, “Well, I’ll go then! If you want Hinata-sama, come hang with Neji and I later! C-ya!” The screen closed quickly and Hinata face grew to a deep crimson color. Naruto…asked her… hang? It wasn’t possible! The thought only made her blush more.

Sasuke however was in shock. His uke…was hanging with Neji….Did that mean he had moved on? The thought ate at him, killing him. Naruto wasn’t like that…was he? And what about Neji? Was he secretly gay as well? Had he swept Naruto off his feet? No! Sasuke Wouldn’t Believe it! This was Naruto and Neji he was talking about. Naruto loved him…He said he did…He wouldn’t believe this act he was playing. If anything, it seemed like he was doing this to get back at him. And it was working. Perfectly.