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Sasuke felt trapped. He couldn’t tell when he started feeling this way, as it felt like it has always been apart of him.
For as long as he could remember he always felt caged. As heir to one of the most powerful royal families that was probably natural. Especially if you were second in line after your older brother who was not only better at everything than you were, he was also better liked by your subjects.
If Itachi knew how Sasuke was feeling, he would certainly go on one of his lectures. Because that was what Itachi did. He talked, but never listened.
“I have the same troubles as you.” He would say.
Yeah right.
What a joke.
Their father Fugaku, the King, had both brothers in an arranged marriage. And they both were to be actually wed when they were of age. And for Itachi it was only one year from now. His fiancée was one of the noble women. Her name was Izumi.
She was nice. She was pretty.
It’s only too bad that only her mother was an Uchiha. Her father was a foreigner.
This caused quite the upset amongst the rest of the nobles when their engagement was announced when they were both only 11.
Their beloved Prince Itachi marrying a half-breed?
They couldn’t fathom such a horrible idea.
But Sasuke knew his father better than those idiots did. So he knew that King Fugaku did it on purpose. If they could see what a perfect match Itachi and Izumi were, then they would lay off her family and they would be more peace among the royal court.
It was a smart move, Sasuke had to admit.
But it was also unfair.
Why?
Because Itachi and Izumi had been in love from the start, so it works out perfectly for them.
Sasuke can’t be with who he was truly in love with.
He was stuck with a nagging, shrieking, annoying redhead from the Uzumaki Kingdom.
Her name was Karin.
And she was way too damn loud.
Sasuke was supposed to get married to her one day to “strengthen relations”.
But at this point Sasuke would gladly go to war with the Uzumakis if it means never having to see Karin again.
“SASUKE!”
Ugh, there she goes again.
“Are you even listening to me?”
Karin was giving Sasuke quite the death glare.
Sasuke wished they could just leave this stupid cramped carriage already, but alas it had to be a far away place to both allow alone time and to help prevent any assassination attempts.
The only comfort would be that it was close to your cabin.
Sasuke would do anything to be with you right now.
You the only person who helped make the world make sense.
You who lived in your own corner alone because you preferred it that way.
A sudden jump snapped Sasuke out of his thoughts. The carriage hit some kind of bump in the road. Karin had gotten thrown on to him.
Sasuke had to peel her off of him because Karin seemed too shocked to move.
Now Karin was blushing heavily.
“D-Don’t touch me! I don’t want your dirty hands on me!”
Karin gulped.
“Your dirty… strong…. masculine hands…”
Sasuke facepalmed.
This was one of the most annoying things about Karin. She obviously liked him, but usually pretends that she doesn’t.
Meanwhile, You were very open about your feelings about him.
You played with his hair.
You held his face in your hands.
You kissed him with all of your being.
Just thinking about you made Sasuke’s heartache with how badly he wanted to see you.
Somehow he managed to make it to the picnic spot in one piece.
It probably would look like a simple date for two people if he and Karin weren’t completely overdressed for the occasion.
He was the one to set down the cloth for them to sit on.
Karin set out the food.
All Sasuke had to do was survive a few more minutes with Karin, then he could sneak off to see you like he always did.
It started back when you saved him after a hunting accident.
It was supposed to be a “male bonding trip” between himself, his father, Itachi, and Itachi’s best friend Shisui.
Sasuke wanted to bring back the biggest game. He wouldn’t accept anything else.
He was supposed to stick close the group but, he was hellbent on getting this one Elk, so he chased after it on his horse.
Sasuke isn’t sure what happened exactly, but something spooked his horse which made him shoot himself by accident when aiming at the Elk.
Sasuke was thrown off his horse and abandoned in the middle of the forest.
By chance, you were outside because you were on your way to the closest river to do your laundry.
You brought him back to your cabin and used your magic to prevent him from bleeding out.
You were a witch who was knowledgeable about all kinds of powerful spells.
Sasuke didn’t believe you at first when you told him you used magic to heal him.
As fair as he knew, witches only existed in the fairytales his mother used to tell him.
But you intrigued him, and so after heading home, he visited you the next day under the cover of night.
And this became routine.
Sasuke got to see you use all different kinds of magic since he started visiting you, but you mainly preferred to use your powers for mundane tasks such as chopping up firewood.
One day, Sasuke couldn’t help but want to challenge you to a contest.
He left early enough so there were be at least some sunlight, and went head to head with you on who could chop up more firewood. You with your magic or him with an axe.
You won of course. But it was strange. Usually he hated when someone else was better than him at something.
This time however he didn’t mind. He liked you enough to not care about who was better at what.
Back in the present, Sasuke ate some sandwiches, and he drank some tea.
He even held somewhat of a conversation with Karin.
But eventually enough was enough and he just wanted to see you already.
Sasuke told Karin to pack up and get back in the carriage because he had to do something.
That was technically the truth.
Surprisingly Karin did as told without complaining.
Sasuke guessed she was in one of her rare good moods.
Sasuke raced towards your cabin.
He didn’t even care if he finally got caught because he decided to be reckless for once.
He wanted to meet with you and wanted to find a way out of his cage once and for all.
You were shocked to see Sasuke so early in the day, but gladly welcomed him in.
Sasuke wasted no time in telling you his plans of wanting to leave together.
“But where will we go?” You asked.
“Anywhere you want.” Sasuke said.
“When?” You asked.
“Tonight.” Sasuke said with determination.
“I’ll arrange everything. You just need to show up.”
You sniffed.
You tried to hold back the tears but you couldn’t.
“What’s wrong?” Sasuke asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
“I’m just so happy.” You said.
“I’ve wanted this for so long but I didn’t know how to tell you.”
Sasuke gave you one of his rare smiles.
“I want to be with you, and no one else.”
You embraced him. Then, while he couldn’t see your face, you gave a sinister grin.
You loved Sasuke since you first laid eyes on him. You would do anything to have him belong to you and you alone.
Now here was finally your chance!
You led Sasuke to your bed. You just wanted to be with him until it was time to prepare for the departure.
At first it started soft.
Gentle gazes.
Light touches.
But then it grew more passionate.
Rough kissing.
Clothes thrown on the floor.
Sasuke lost his virginity that day.
But he didn’t care. He wanted his first time to be with you.
Sasuke stayed for as long as possible before he finally had to leave to get everything ready.
First, he got the boat.
He had to pretend that he needed it for secret grand event in the future, but the boat man was thankfully lax since Sasuke was the one asking.
Secondly, he needed to sneak back in the castle with people none the wiser.
Easier said than done considering he had gone MIA for hours and it was late at night now, but Sasuke had a plan.
He had found a special way of out of the castle with minimal foot traffic, so he just went inside the other way. He packed all of the essentials. Clothes, food, water, and enough money to last just so you and him can get started.
Thirdly and finally, Sasuke had to get out of the castle without anyone-
“Sasuke, stop this at once.”
Shit.
Itachi caught him. Of course he did.
“You can’t tell me what to do.” Sasuke replied, refusing to give Itachi any dignity by looking at him.
“I can because-“
“WHO CARES IF YOUR MY OLDER BROTHER!?” Sasuke screamed. Years of pent up rage spilled out.
Itachi was silent for a few seconds, almost as if he was waiting for Sasuke to calm down.
“I know what you’ve been up to.” He then said.
“I don’t know who you’ve been visiting, but I know you’ve been sneaking out. I only didn’t say anything because you looked the happiest I’ve seen you in years.”
“Then let me be happy!”
Sasuke finally looked at him.
Desperation fulling his eyes.
“Let me be happy.” The younger Uchiha said again, but more quiet.
“If you really care about me, let me do this. I’ve never been satisfied with this life. All of the fake politeness, the itchy ‘fancy’ clothes, random strangers putting all of this pressure on you to be exactly like your parents or your brother. I can’t live like this Itachi.”
Sasuke’s voice cracked at the last statement. Which he cursed himself for, because now Itachi is going to feel compelled to baby him.
Sasuke gritted his teeth.
He’s 17, he’s not a child anymore, he knows what he wants.
“Sasuke…why didn’t you tell me you felt this way?” Itachi asked, not judging, but with compassion.
Sasuke growled. His free hand clutched in a fist so hard his hand bleed.
“Because you fit right in! You never ask questions! You always do what you’re told like a good little slave!”
Sauske’s eyes became crazed.
He smiled from ear to ear.
“I won’t let you take my freedom away… I’ll never let you take my freedom away!”
“Think about your actions Sasuke! Can you say you even really know who you’re running away with? ” Itachi said.
He took a fighting stance, he was ready to do anything to keep Sasuke from leaving.
“I do know!”
Sasuke laughed a maniacal laugh, something which surprised even himself.
The pressure must have gotten to him more than he thought.
“My other half! My reason to live!”
With that, Sasuke jumped out of the window that was next to him.
It was a good thing it wasn’t any higher, or Sasuke would have sustained serious injuries. But with the bag of everything he needed with him, he bolted into the woods.
All he needed to do now was get you, and he could start anew.
He could live a fulfilling life at last.
Sasuke felt euphoria flood his senses.
He could be his own person!
He could be with the one he loves!
He will be happy at last!
Sasuke threw open the door of your cabin without hesitation.
To his relief you were already all packed with everything you needed.
You took his hand in yours, and you both raced to the boat.
You were thrilled beyond words.
Sasuke will finally be yours and yours alone forever.
You really were content with how things turned out.
You were originally planning to kill this “Karin” lady as a last resort because you couldn’t handle anyone else having him.
Not even if it was a political marriage.
You and Sasuke made it to the boat.
Sasuke untied the boat, and the boat began to float away from the shore.
You and Sasuke smiled at each other.
Everything was going to be fine.
“Sasuke!”
Or not.
Itachi was still persistent at getting his brother to change his mind.
You were not going to let this go unchallenged.
Sasuke is yours.
No one else’s.
You held out your hand.
The next thing Sasuke saw made him scream in horror.
Itachi was completely dismembered in a blink.
Sasuke fell to his knees and began to hyperventilate.
He never got along with Itachi, but he never wanted him to die.
“Can you say you even really know who you’re running away with?”
Itachi’s words echoed in his mind.
Now trapped with his brother’s killer on a boat that’s getting further and further away from land, Sasuke can’t say that he did.