Disclaimer : Don't own Naruto.

"Next week, we'll hold a celebration to announce the merging of the Uchiha and Hyuuga co. And as promised, Sasuke will be declared CEO of the southern branch."Hiashi threw the file in front of the younger Uchiha. "Just sign these papers and we're good to go."

Sasuke glared at the offending object as if it were the cause of all the wrongs in his life. In a sense it was. His father had bargained his happiness in exchange for this contract, this worthless piece of paper that ensured that Uchiha stayed on top.

It did worth more them him at least.

Sasuke grabbed a pen from the pencil holder sitting innocently at the table, scribbled down his name at the bottom and without wasting a second, got up to leave.

"Sasuke."His father spoke up. "Isn't there something you wish to say to Hyuuga-san?" While he sounded polite, the glare he sent him reminded of the time when he had received a gift from a friend of his and in his excitement, had forgotten to thank him. Though his father's reprimanding gaze had made him turn around and show his gratitude the very next moment; the earful he had earned for his mistake had left a mark in his head.

But he was not the same child anymore. He won't bow to the ways of Fugaku any longer. He had dealt with his shit for far too long and he'd be damned if he let him control his life any longer. So without turning, he walked up to his door and slipped out. But not before sparing the two males a glance.

The Hyuuga leader sat in his chair with a mask of indifference preventing any emotion from betraying, executing calmness. But it was the look on his father's face that pulled his lips up in a smirk.

He looked pissed, his face red with anger. It felt like he was going to blow up any moment. Satisfied with the outcome, Sasuke slipped out of the office.

He flew down the stairs, not stopping to return the greeting thrown in his direction. There was somewhere he needed to be and nothing would stop him today.

With long strides, he walked to his car and drove away.

In the back mirror of his car, he could see the tall building shrinking as the distance stretched between the two. The Hyuuga Corporation. One of the most successful companies in the entire Land of Fire. It had always been topping the business charts of Konoha. So when they had approached his father, proposing to unite the two companies, it had indeed surprised them. His father's was a thriving business -no doubt about that- but they were nowhere near as successful as the Hyuugas.

Turned out that the Hyuuga heir was the black sheep of their clan, failing to show promise, making Hyuuga Hiashi turn to the Uchihas to secure the future of his company. And as if it was the chance Fugaku had just been waiting for, he jumped at the proposition and signed his son over to them.

Not surprising at all. Sasuke always knew his father hated him.

His phone vibrated and the screen lit up, displaying 'Fagaku'. Yes he was his father but he had never done anything to earn that respect from him. So he simply called him by his name. "What is it, old man?" Sasuke picked up his phone, not attempting to conceal the annoyance in his voice.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING, BRAT!?" He roared on the other end. "What you did was highly inappropriate and rude. You better make it up to Hiash-"

"Like hell I will!" Sasuke cut him off. "He's your problem, you deal with him. I never wanted any of this so just leave me the hell alone! "He cut off the call and threw away the cell, not caring if it landed on the back seat or not (which it did, luckily).

Sasuke desperately wanted to punch something. He was angry and if he didn't calm down, he'll hurt someone and end up in prison himself. The idea didn't sound too bad. Fugaku would have a heart attack. But as tempting as it was, he wouldn't want that for himself and his mother. It would surely break her heart.

He needed to cool off. And he knew just the place for it.

Sakura's.
...

When the door opened, it was the site of red puffy eyes that greeted him. She immediately tried to shut it in his face but his foot prevented her from succeeding and he marched right into her apartment. "Go away, Sasuke."

"Sakura. Just hear me out. "He pleaded. She simply ignored him and continued her walk to her bedroom. His hand grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. She collided with his chest. "Listen!"

"No. "She struggled to free herself but his grip on her was relentless. "Leave me alone Sasuke. "Her voice quivered.

Sasuke would be lying if he said that he was not affected by the tears rolling down her face. With her, it might not be love but it was the closest thing to it. "I can't do that, Sakura. It'll destroy us both."

Sakura gave a bitter laugh. "And here I thought you came because you actually care. I should have known better. You're so selfish Sasuke."

"Call me whatever you like but hear me out, please."

Please. He was begging again. The word sounded weird on his tongue. Sasuke always demanded or ordered never requested. And it was that fact that made Sakura consider his...request.

She buried her face in his shirt. "Alright, Sasuke. I'll hear you out but just this once."

His arms circled around her petite form and he sighed. Things would be alright as long as he had her by his side.
...

"Hinata as in Hyuuga Hinata?" The pinkette sat up on the couch she was lying on.

Sasuke's hand stopped midair with a cherry tomato between his fingers. He gave her a questioning look, an eyebrow shooting up to his forehead. "You know her?"

"Of course I do. We went to college together until she dropped out." She looked as if deep in thought. "She was very smart and very pretty if you ask me. Now I know why you married her."

Sasuke gave her an annoyed look. "I told you before that our parents arranged it. Neither of us wanted it." The raven haired man had just finished explaining to Sakura how it had all happened, how their parents had mercilessly sealed their fate without their consent. It did not take long for Sakura to forgive him. He looked so distressed and so heartbroken that she couldn't help but kiss him. She did apologize profusely afterwards, feeling guilty about kissing a married man even when Sasuke had told that nothing had changed between them.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Oh please Sasuke. Any guy would be lucky to have her in his life. She's not just looks, she has brains as well. And with a snap of her fingers, she can have men bowing to her will. You should have seen Kiba and Shino, her friends. They practically followed her around like a second shadow. And I don't even want to start about her cousin. And Toneri, he went as far as declaring his undying lov-

Sasuke raised his hand to stop her. Seriously he wasn't here to hear about his wife being a guy magnet. He wasn't being jealous or possessive. He just didn't want to talk about her. "Can we please change the subject? I have had enough of her to deal with for an entire weekend. And besides, I'm not like those men who are smitten by her looks or brains."

"It's not just her looks or brain, Sasuke. She has a way with words. She can have anyone wrapped around her fingers just by exchanging a few sentences. "Sakura explained.

Sasuke gave her a pointed look. "I can see that."

"No I'm serious Sasuke. She represented our class before the Student Body Council and not once did she have them denying anything she wanted."

"You sure are quiet fond of her." He narrowed her eyes at her.

Sakura pulled out the remote from between the cushions and turned the TV. off. There was going to be no movie watching with the discussion they were having. "I have no reason to hate her. I too am among those who were struck by her charms." She looked up and gave him a sad smile. "She's going to win you over, too. No doubt about that."

Sasuke sighed, shaking his head. Seriously Sakura could be a real idiot sometimes. "She's not going to win me over, Sakura."

"You don't know that." She sniffed. "She's quiet the diplomat, you know. I don't know about business or anything but she would have made a great businesswoman. The kind who can have any deal signed. It's surprising she chose to major in medicine." By now, her tears were easily flowing down her cheeks.

Another sigh escaped Sasuke's lips. Disposing the bowl of tomatoes on the table, he shifted on the couch and pulled her in a hug. It had taken him an hour to stop her crying before and now she was at it again. "Stop crying Sakura."

"You shouldn't be here Sasuke." She mumbled in his chest. "You shouldn't hug another woman so casually when you have a wife waiting for you at home."

"Would you stop it Sakura." He pushed her back to look her in the eye. "I couldn't care less about this marriage. I want to be with my girlfriend and that is that. If anyone doesn't like it, it's their problem not mine." Sakura gave him a weak smile and once again buried her face in his chest. "Besides if Hinata is okay with it then I don't see why it should bother them."

Sakura's head shot up and she stared at him, slack jawed. "Hinata is okay with it?"

"Yeah" He looked down at her. "And I don't see why it's so surprising. It's not like she wanted this marriage either. Like me, she considers it an agreement and thinks we should keep living our lives the way we did before."

She pushed away from him and sat up. "This is exactly the kind of thing she does." Hiding her face in her palms, she continued. "This is what she does to make people believe she's on their side. She'll take you away from me."

Sasuke groaned mentally. "Sakura, Hinata is not going to take me away. She was forced into it just like me. Hell, I don't even think she likes me."

"Why would she not like you Sasuke!? What girl doesn't like you? She's smart; she's being subtle about it. First she'll earn your trust and then she'll claim your heart. It's a game she's quite familiar with and she's playing it with you as well. "

"You're just being overdramatic. She's not like that."

Sakura's lips curled up in a sad smile. "See, Sasuke. She already has us arguing. Only a day with her and you're defending her."

That shut Sasuke up immediately. Sakura was right; Sasuke was standing up for her - something he rarely did. Talking annoyed him to no end and here he was, arguing with his girlfriend of four years for a wife of only a few hours. How did she do that? Sasuke had trust issues especially when it concerned the female specie. It had taken Sakura an entire year just to earn his friendship. And Hinata had so easily managed to win his trust that he didn't even realize he was sticking up for her.

Hinata was dangerous, Sasuke concluded. He'd need to be careful around her.
...

Hi guys! Hopefully you're all doing fine.

I know today's chapter was a bit dry. Not much happened but still it took me effort and I'd very much appreciate if you left a comment or two. I think I deserve that much, don't you think?

Thank you for reading. Much love♡♡♡

tayyabalaraib