The music was classy, jazzy, and perfectly up tempo for a dance on the foyer of the Uchiha estate. The dance floor was properly filled with chiffon dresses and penguins tuxes and beyond the wearers of these rose grandeur stone stair cases, both sides curving symmetrically in order to provide the most aesthetically pleasing way possible to either ascend up to the fountain, beyond which led back into the Uchiha Manor, yes the Uchiha were indeed rich enough to have a Manor and even richer still to have it capitalized when referred to in type, or to descend towards the equally extravagant and elegant dance floor where couples swirled effortlessly on high risers and heels, beyond which lay a tremendous garden and an Olympic pool off in the distance beside a few tennis courts. Truly fitting for this family and truly fitting for the occasion, Fugaku observed.

"Oh, what is that dazzling fragrance! Do tell Fugaku!" the Walmart CEO's wife inquired with gracious enthusiasm.

"Japanese lilies, imported just last week for the occasion." Fugaku replied in a tone many would be deceived for warmth but beneath the surface was the true intent, it was all business, cold and hard.

Right up to the man's exceedingly high expectations. For it was his youngest son's seventeenth birthday which meant there was a brilliant opportunity to gather many high on the social hierarchy, some to impress, others to intimidate, either way this night's purpose was to make connections for the next generation of entrepreneurs, namely Itachi and Sasuke. The heavens knew Sasuke needed all of the help he could get, while skilled at public relations coupled with a quick business mind well suited for inheriting vast fortunes and even larger corporations, he still failed to hold caliber to Itachi. His eldest son was a genius, if one could be blunt, in all aspects. And while Itachi's every move was a calculation; every calculation was a brilliant one. So Fugaku was quite confident as he made proper rotations from prominent guest to prominent guest that Itachi was doing the same. Whether he was calculating weaknesses of potential threats to the family or making connections with those same threats, Itachi was sharp as a blade, and twice as effective. All of this being said, Fugaku was a bit surprised to survey the on goings of the gathering to find Itachi in fact not strategizing but instead idling.

"Yes, Mikoto picked them out, right dear?"

"I was agonizing for weeks between the lilies and begonias. In the end I gave up. I got them both!" Mikoto's merry response was followed by light laughter from the circle of class.

What was he doing to be wasting this blatant opportunity? Surely something deeply complex, though Fugaku had no idea what this strategy could possibly entail. That was the only fault in Itachi, his brilliance was alienating. Not even Fugaku had a clue as to what was going through his own son's mind. It was unsettling particularly because Fugaku was no fool himself. So it evoked further fearful wonder as Itachi simply walked up the left stair casing from his lone table (many had approached his son for the same reasons Fugaku was chattering with a Walmart CEO and his idiotic trophy wife right now and had left inexplicably soon after wards) and proceeded to enter the Manor. What was he up to? It had better be good, thought Fugaku as he politely excused himself from fat man and his gold digger to move onto, ah, strange switch really, power hungry, big shot senator and his rotund wife. Same difference, both important to get along with, both pawns to be played.

The idea never occurred to Fugaku that the night of Sasuke's 17th birthday celebration would also be the night that Itachi would forfeit the game.

He was tired, tired of the game. It'd seemed necessary to master at the time, but it'd gotten boring. It was no longer worthwhile to play with these high society fools. And Itachi was finished appeasing his father as well. He might've continued on if it weren't for the fact that it was killing Sasuke to be so completely disregarded by his father. He hated seeing his father overlook Sasuke nearly as much as he hated seeing Sasuke so affected by it. His foolish brother was so sweet and earnest and innocent, much unlike himself, it pained Itachi to watch Sasuke be constantly compared to him. The boy was still in high school for Christ's sake. If it weren't for the one other reason that Itachi was withdrawing from all of the beauracracy, Itachi probably would have just eased off in success in order to make Sasuke appear to emerge as the prodigy of the two. Itachi hoped that this small selfishness to pull out rather than reinforce Sasuke as the dominant of them wouldn't trap his brother. Because it had to be one of them, but Itachi had faith, however, that Sasuke would fill the position as successor perfectly. He was certainly eager and willing to exceed father's expectations but what did he truly want to do with his life? If Sasuke honestly desired to follow in their father's foot steps as the next CEO of the Uchiha Conglomerate, Itachi wished the best for him and would support him for the sake of his beloved brother's happiness. And if Sasuke decided to ditch their father's master plan to elope with his blonde idiot friend (Itachi could never tell with those two, behind his constant teasing of his little brother laid truth that when the two were fighting, which was often, one could cut the sexual tension with a knife, it was hilarious.), Itachi would gladly send him all the money he needed to support him. So Itachi was assured that he had all of his bases covered.

Though the dining chair was perfectly comfortable, the Uchiha possessed only the best after all, there was a draft settling in so Itachi rose to find a more temperate climate to lay his thoughts. He was relieved that the game was over but, little did he know, the young man was about to face an entirely new sort of challenge that would certainly push him in ways he'd never calculated.

He ascended the steps, ignoring calls to him from people that no longer mattered. Itachi strolled past the fountain and back into the house. He walked towards the long hall to find his sanctuary but as he treaded down the dark hall, easily navigated due to it's familiarity to him, Itachi detected the sound of another pair of feet, a woman's judging by the clank of her heels. Itachi turned into the unlit passage holding the study, his destination, and was annoyed to find that his pursuer was persistent. Best to cut her off here or risk having any one who asked her know exactly where he was. Itachi was surprised at the identity of his follower as he turned to dismiss her.

"A Hyuuga?" and not just any Hyuuga either, the timid one who's father didn't let her out much. Itachi knew her name but was annoyed to utilize the knowledge he'd only needed when he was his father's puppet.

"Yes!" she squeaked. Her face red, then "… S-sorry to bother you! It's just that- that you- umm" she began to sweat "so I… followed you….and…." The girl then ended her attempts at speech to devote her lungs to hyperventilation.

Oh no, how did she get herself into this situation. But as Hinata continued her attempt at explanation, it only seemed to get worse! She sounded like some kind of stalker to him, she was sure, and a desperate one at that. Those were the worst kind, Hinata knew, the man must be so repulsed by her. She knew that she had to retreat. And Hinata had arrived this evening with such high hopes! But she'd allowed herself to- Oh no! He'd been talking while she'd been spacing out!

Hinata was frozen in anxiety while the man gave her a look of pure impatience as he awaited a response to what ever he'd just said.

"Are you going to answer me or just look like you're going to faint?"

Hinata decided to do the man one better as she actually fainted.

The day had begun with so much promise. The sun seeped through the creamy curtains to gently flow over Hinata's face, caressing her with her with it's warmth in waking. As she rose from her gentle slumber, Hinata remembered the date.

Hinata popped up to an alert standing position with an abrupt burst of energy.

She was determined.

Today would be the day she'd been anticipating because today would be the day Hinata would change herself, no more lonely, low self esteemed shut in. Hinata was eager for this opportunity to integrate herself into society as a normal, sociable, happy young woman just like Naruto! For tonight Hinata was going to a party.

Not just an ordinary party either, a high society party with many important people, her father had informed her, so she had to be on her best behavior. And Hinata was determined to do just that. Since the incident when she was twelve four years ago, Hinata wasn't allowed out to do much of anything, but tonight the restriction was being lifted. Hinata really had no clue why exactly, perhaps this Sasuke Uchiha was really that important. Hinata couldn't help but feel that she wouldn't be happier if it were to be her own birthday while in the same thought, blessing this faceless Uchiha boy for being born. He, with his sure to be extravagant birthday gathering, had given Hinata this chance to be like the rest of the world; to dress up, to go out, to make friends. Hinata pranced from her bedroom to her bathroom as she dressed and made her self presentable for other eyes in the Hyuuga abode.

Hinata practically danced with joy to the dining room where breakfast was being served. Already at the table sat her father Hiashi, her sister Hanabi, and her cousin Neji. "Good morning!" she rejoiced to the table, which served to surprise everyone with the degree of her declaration's enthusiasm as well as the absence of stuttering.

Two mumbled good mornings were given, then a "sit down and eat your breakfast, Hinata, or it'll get cold."

Hinata shut up and sat down next to her cousin at the fine table currently embellished with petit déjeuner galore. Delicious. Hinata began with one Belgium waffle stacked on top of a blueberry pancake, and a half grapefruit, Hinata wasn't particularly fond of grapefruit but they were supposedly very good for one's health, her father had told her. "Hanabi, would you pass the syrup, please?"

"Not too much, Hinata."

"… Right." Hinata amended quietly then focused on getting her syrup precisely into the waffle pits and then bordering said waffle to reach the smothered pancake beneath with her rationed amount of syrup.

"Hinata, scone please."

"Okay," Hinata paused in her waffle bordering to hand Neji the bowl filled with scones and admired the gold bordering on the porcelain. "Do you want the butter to go with that?"

"No, there's some right here." Neji replied as he vaguely tilted his head to the right indicating the general vicinity of the proximal butter.

"Oh."

Neji 'mmh'd' noncommittally in response.

Hinata dared not discuss the party that was to come that night in fear that her father might deem her excitement as Hinata not being mature enough to handle herself in public settings. So Hinata settled with silently enjoying the wonderful breakfast prepared by the chef in the kitchen.

When breakfast was finished, Hanabi silently followed Hinata to her room, upon the closing of her door, "So have you decided which dress you want to wear?" Hanabi inquired with urgent excitement.

"I've narrowed it down to the navy blue and the cream," Hinata nodded seriously.

"Hmm, tough, which one is the one that shows off your jugs?"

"Ehh, t-the red one but it's a bit tight and-"

"Right, you look great in red."

"… You think red would be best?"

"I know it. Now onto the hair, you've got so much of it so let's show that off, shall we?"

"O-okay. Sounds good." Hinata somehow couldn't stop smiling. It's really happening, she kept thinking.

"What about you, Hanabi? What will you be wearing?"

A mischievous glint gathered in Hanabi's eyes then, "Oh, don't worry about it, I won't be there very long anyhow, I'll be leaving once father's distracted. Kou is going to sneak out of the party with me, we're going down to the beach a few miles off!" she squealed.

Hinata loved how happy Kou made her sister but the boy him self made Hinata a little uneasy, though she had no reason to feel so, from how Hanabi spoke of him, Kou was a great and fun person. Plus Kou had a real, not henna, not temporary, an honest to goodness tattoo on his skin, which was supposedly an incredibly appealing trait to the female population if Hanabi's enthusiasm was any indication.

The only problem with Hanabi's arrangement was that Hinata would have no one to fall back on if she failed in making any friends. As if sensing Hinata's worries, "Don't worry, everyone will love you, you'll meet all sorts of fabulous people, maybe even a guy! Ooh! If you meet anyone you have to promise me you'll dance with him. You'll have so much fun Hinata if you just let your self be open to new things."

Hinata could never imagine herself actually dancing with anyone, let alone a man, but dreamed distantly of it none the less.

"Okay, I will."

"Good girl. I'll be back around ten- thirty though so make sure Father doesn't find a reason to go home early, kay?" Both knew that father could never get enough of these parties to form new social relations because they gave Hyunet corporation an edge.

"Right."

"Oh yeah, and Sasuke? The birthday boy? Completely out of your reach, everyone's for that matter, so don't feel bad if he completely blows you off, Kay?"

"O-okay, but what do you mean by 'out of everyone's reach'? Is he shy around people too?"

"Hah, not exactly, but he has nothing to gain by talking to you, do you understand?"

So, he had goals like father for this night, "Even though it's his birthday, how sad."

"Believe me, Sasuke Uchiha isn't too broken up about it. So about your nails, I'm sure we can get someone in here to take care of that."

From there, Hinata and her little sister worked out the details of Hinata's appearance for the evening to come. Later a tailor arrived to modify Hinata's dress to accommodate for her breasts, much to Hinata's extreme embarrassment, and from there the girls continued their focus on getting ready for the birthday party.

A knock at the door, "Hinata? Hanabi? Hiashi wants to know if you two are ready to leave."

"Y-yes!"

"Hold on a sec."

Then both girls emerged. Neji stared. Hanabi smirked. "Ooh! Neji's a pervert! How creepy! You know that acting upon those sick-" Neji glared.

"Hurry up, Hiashi's waiting."

Just as Hinata was about to descend into the car, she heard a murmur from Neji, "Are you alright? You look like you're suffocating."

She blushed to match her dress and responded when they both settled into the car. "I-I'm fine, the dress is just a bit tight around the waist but Hanabi said it's to show off my figure in some way."

He gave the concerned look one gives a crazed homeless person who says something that makes no sense.

"I think I'm mainly just excited, that's all." She whispered with a secret, but nonetheless exuberant, smile.

Neji turned and sighed. "It's only a party. Don't wet yourself."

Ignoring Neji, Hinata remained determined and optimistic as Hanabi turned to grin in encouragement.

"Just because you don't like fun doesn't mean Hinata should feel the same."

"I just don't want her to be disappointed."

They arrived shortly to the estate, marginally larger than their own, and in an even shorter amount of time Hinata and Hanabi were promptly introduced to the people that Hiashi deemed important enough, namely a few congressmen, CEOs, in addition to vaguely pointing out Sasuke Uchiha, and then pushed to the side in favor of setting up Neji to the wonderful world of connection building, left to their own devices. Hanabi shot out the door as soon as she could to escape to her Kou. And just like that, Hinata was alone.

It finally gave her a chance to stop and take in the surroundings. The Manor was truly graceful in it's priceless antique quality, much like her own home. Lovely really. Then Hinata laid her gaze upon the outside foyer. There was a stone fountain, and if her eyes did not deceive her, a floor for dancing. Hanabi's voice echoed back to her, but maybe she'd build up to dancing, after all one couldn't dance with just their self. Hinata moved on to set her purse at their reserved table and then, with shaking hands and a tentative heart, made her way to the closest circle of teen wealth.

"So where's our Tenten tonight?" one girl of the circle questioned with an eyebrow raised in suspicion and anticipation of the gossip she could feel coming.

"You didn't hear about the nose job gone wrong?" another exclaimed in excitement to share the delicious humiliation of a supposed friend.

"You've got to be kidding me! Who messed it up? Dr. Orochimaru? I heard he's started slipping recently, I'd always heard that he was creepy but did a sharp nose…"

"Perhaps he's snapped! And poor Tenten, to be the victim! How embarrassing!"

"I heard her nose is droopy and long now." One girl whispered conspiratorially.

"Eww, like an elephant?" The girls laughed, one almost fell into the fountain they were positioned next to.

Perhaps Hinata would try another group. She turned her sights.

And there he was, the boy from that time four years ago… Naruto Uzumaki. Laughing, right next to the person everyone had gathered for. Sasuke Uchiha watched on with fond arrogance and restrained amusement at Naruto who had just bust into the circle that Sasuke had been working. Now this circle was more of a scattered group of would be aristocrats watching on in disgust. But if Naruto noticed, he didn't care.

"AH! Don't worry everybody, Naruto is HERE! Sasuke, your man has arrived to liven up this lame excuse for a party!"

Sasuke face palmed. "Dobe, shut up." He shook his head with a secret smirk.

"… N-Naruto…" Ah, but why would he ever remember her. Naruto Uzumaki was an inspiration for courage; he was bold, charismatic, fearless, and most of all everyone who he came in contact with seemed better for it because he was so genuine and kind. Hinata had always longed for contact with this amazing role model, not that she held any delusions that she would ever be worth his time. Hinata was content to take confidence and inspiration from him without direct contact.

But just as Hinata was sure that he hadn't heard the murmur of his name, Naruto turned.

"Eh?" He turned to her. "Did someone call me?"

Hinata was shocked. Naruto Uzumaki was currently looking right at her! "Dobe, you get more delusional by the second. Not everyone is always calling your name."

"Heh! Oh well." That was close. As Hinata's heart beat returned to a stable rhythm her mind recalled Naruto's latest feat of courage; he'd jumped, literally, head first into the group of people she was hesitating to approach. She'd been too busy wavering and planning an introduction to ease her way in. But double thinking her every move was not going to help her build the confidence to relax and enjoy time with new people. And that was her goal, right?

Hinata turned back to the girls by the fountain. Be spontaneous like Naruto, Hinata's motivation climbed. Hope rose in her chest.

"Excuse me, I'm Hina-"

"My god, that spaz Uzumaki."

"Yeah, why would someone like Sasuke Uchiha ever associate themselves with such an obnoxious idiot?"

"Hah! I know, what a mystery."

Perhaps not then.

One of the girls turned to Hinata. "Did you say something?"

"I think she said her name was Hina."

"Hi, Hina!" One girl hollered kindly.

"U-uh, Hello!" They all stared for a moment in askance.

"… Oh! I just um- nice dress." She resigned, desperately. How could they say those things about Naruto?

"Thanks, it's Balenciaga." She turned to another in the group. "I got it when I was in Paris with mama over vacation."

The girls seemed to forget that Hinata had even come as they turned their attention back to their next self centered commentary.

But Hinata couldn't blame them, it was her fault for not being interesting or fun enough to hold their attention. Hinata's plans of fun and new friends in her head dissipated to make room for her insecurities. This was a stupid idea anyway, it was ridiculous to believe that just because she could finally attend these extravagant parties, that she would suddenly fit in.

Hinata scanned across the balcony of the staircase, overhanging the gathering. The sun was dipping into the horizon with Hinata's self confidence. Everything was so beautiful, the décor, the location, even the company. And yet Hinata felt so small and inadequate, this was not her place, she was not meant to fit in with others. As Hinata watched all of the happy dancers on the floor, who all seemed to blend together in a blur of frivolous beauty, she spied a single outlier in the sparkling crowd. A man who'd just gotten up from an empty table with a serious look on his face, how strange, he looked so sharp and confident and yet so detached from the entire establishment. And there was something else that was off about this man, he was alone, without a friend to chat with or even one he could possibly be approaching, his head wasn't turning to scan for a familiar face but focused on something intangible.

He wore his dark hair long, tied back and dipping between his shoulder blades, then stopping as if to nestle there. He had a decisive walk and his back, as he maneuvered across the dance floor to reach the stairs, had a masculine sophistication to its broadness. His face as it drew into closer focus was handsome, and well accented by his tuxedo, but currently settled into a far away expression. His mind wasn't here, it was somewhere else. Who was he? So silently confident, as he crossed the stone foyer his gate set a more lonesome tone. This man however empowered and confident looking, was alone, and felt this weight.

Hinata didn't know why all of these visual estimations felt so true. Perhaps the compellation to draw these conclusions was the same one that left Hinata following this serious, detached man into the Uchiha Manor.

Hinata walked faster in order to keep up with his increasing pace, her heart raced, pounding against the tightness of her restricting dress. It seemed urgent that she confront him. He turned sharply into a dark hallway within the manse. Hinata abruptly was forced to stop. She was about to collide with the dark haired man. When their eyes met, her trance broke.

Every 'Be like Naruto! Have confidence!' had escaped her mind when he said, "A Hyuuga?"

It was startling for two reasons. This mysterious man had a deep commanding voice that was not only intimidating but also intriguing in a more unfamiliar and gripping way to Hinata. The second reason was that by the slight downturn of his lips that when flipped matched the pull of his inner brow, it was startlingly apparent that this man was displeased. Like she'd bothered him, detracted him from what he'd planned to do. To be so automatically disliked pushed Hinata even further into her shell.

"Yes!" she squeaked. Her face red, then "… S-sorry to bother you! It's just that- that you- umm" she began to sweat "so I… followed you….and…."

She lost herself in a dizzy mess of thoughts.

"Are you going to answer me or just look like you're going to faint?"

Hinata decided to do the man one better as she actually fainted.

"Really?" Itachi sighed in mild exasperation, "Self fulfilling prophecy I suppose." Itachi sighed. Hinata Hyuuga, now unconscious in his arms, showed no signs of a comeback. The fainting had been startling but the clean up was just exhausting. Though petite in appearance, looks were deceiving. The girl was quite heavy, not unmanageable but troublesome. Itachi lugged his burden into the closest room to set her down and wake her up.

He flicked on the light unveiling the room's identity. The room Itachi entered just so happened to be the large music room with a grand piano, long stretching windows revealing a center garden at the heart of the Manor, and stretching Redwood floors with a couch for visitors to enrapture themselves in the music of the pianist. Itachi often played in the music room though he didn't get many listeners. The section of the house committed to entertaining guests was on the other side of the Mansion.

Itachi set her down on the sofa and as he peered down in idle curiosity he wondered about this girl. She'd seemed frantic when he'd confronted her and while looking closely over her gentle, quiet looking face he felt remorse. Hinata was pure, he could tell, untainted by all of the politics and manipulation of high ladder climbing. Not to mention beautiful, but that was hardly the point. Itachi had never dated for pleasure and didn't plan to. Business had his life, but not any more. A mysterious passion had overcome Itachi resulting in his resignation from the life of his father. Itachi would not be a CEO or a senator; he would be a-

The girl shifted and regained consciousness.

"… oh." Hinata's vision came into focus. "AH!"

Itachi, his face hung directly above Hinata's poised in that same concentrated but faraway expression, abruptly pulled away in surprise.

"Gah, you're awake."

"Oh! I'm so sorry. I p-passed out didn't I?" she regained the steam to power her panic as she assessed her surroundings. "And you carried me here didn't you! I'm s-so sorry!"

"It's fine. Don't worry about it. Are you okay?"

"Yes! Completely! I-I'm sorry if a startled you. I think maybe I just panicked."

"Right…" He followed skeptically.

An awkward pause for each to catch their bearings, then:

"Just tell me, why were you following me?"

"… ah… well… just. I-I wasn't stalking you. I don't even know you! But- I-I don't know. I just saw you and you looked so different from everyone else… sadder."

"ah."

"yeah. S-sorry it was stupid. I'm sorry to have bothered you."

"I come off as sad to you?"

"..Well I-"

"Don't beat around the bush, yes or no?" The girl taken aback by the demand but gave a reply.

"Yes," she admitted quietly.

"Why's that? Candidly please."

A pause then:

"You looked out of place. Not simply that you wanted to be somewhere else though, but someone else."

Now it was Itachi's turn to have trouble with words. His eyebrows raised in astonishment, he paused in thought.

"… I'm sorry, I said too much, it was uncalled for. I just made all of these assumptions based on a glimpse at you for a few seconds I was out of line to judge you like that."

"Are you really sure that you're okay?" Itachi inquired more gently as he receded from his brief daze.

"I-I'm just fine, thank you. My father says that I can be ridiculous sometimes; I think this might be one of those times. I'll j-just take my leave; I promise I won't bother you again…"

She turned to make good on her promise but before she even stood:

"Wait, I want you to tell my more about myself."

Hinata was confused and nervous at the prospect that this man was even still talking to her, enough so to hardly find his request to be odd.

"I'm sure you know more than me! I don't even know your name- "

"Itachi Uchiha."

"Oh…Oh my."

"Yes, son of Fugaku, CEO of-"

"How embarrassing, I come to your own brother's party and fail to even recognize you, how rude of me! I'm so sorry; I promise that I didn't just come for the cake! … Uhm, I'm truly very happy for Sasuke's Birthday! I just-I've been-"

With a smile nearly undetectable, Itachi spared her the pain she seemed to be in whenever she started these nervous, anxiety driven rants.

"Calm down, I… Forgive you… For whatever you're getting so worked up about."

Hinata then did calm to a degree. "It's nice to meet you Itachi. I'm Hinata Hyuuga."

And even know he'd already known her name, it took a new significance when she said it. She became real in his mind, something that mattered.

"Likewise, Hinata."

A strange pause passed, a deliberate one where each party tested the waters inherent of the other.

"I think I like you, Hinata."

Taken aback but eager to please, "Oh, umm I like you too… maybe."

"I hate almost all of the people who attend these stupid parties. Everything, it's so inane."

"What? But… it's your brother's birthday… and…" And she loved the idea of a great gathering, a night of dancing and dining and chatting with friends and family, all dressed their best in commemoration of a mutual loved one's special day, or maybe not even that, maybe they celebrated simple togetherness.

"The people here are hateful, self- absorbed status leaches. This is my last public event. I'm sick of the charades."

Hinata felt his words like the ringing of a church bell, resounding in sudden truth. A fantasy crushed, an ideal tarnished, Hinata was saddened by the reality.

"But, not all parties are like this, right? Not every person is awful? I bet there are nice people here tonight."

"Perhaps. Maybe I was just surrounding myself with the wrong circles. There are some good people here tonight." He looked down at her delicately clasped hands and then up to her gentle, quiet face and knew it was true.

He was so focused; though he never seemed to ever look Hinata directly in the eyes. She could feel all of his attention on her.

It gave her some confidence that he would listen to her, he felt so strong and yet so fatigued in experience. It added conviction to her earlier conceptions. She took a deep breath.

"Itachi?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"What for? The body dragging?"

"N-no, thank you for… seeing me. No one else here seemed to… I'm glad that I found a friend here tonight."

She smiled gently. Itachi was surprised at her sudden openness.

"How bold, what makes you think we're suddenly friends?" he teased.

She seemed let down by this."… I just hoped." She looked down at the gleaming wood surface that her heels gently clanked against as she lost the strength she'd gathered to call them friends.

"Calm down, I wasn't serious." She didn't seem to get the joke, he'd have to clarify another way.

"You know… I really do like you… you remember before? You seem sort of different to me. I don't know why but… It feels like you're someone I could…. I don't know."

"Really? How bold. What makes you think that matters to me?"

Itachi was pleasantly caught off guard by her huffy mix of humor and retort.

"So you're capable of standing up for yourself after all." He smiled in way only detected in his eyes, not his mouth.

She gave no response but seemed to be weighing something in her mind.

"Itachi, would you… like to dance with me?"

"Why would you want to do that?"

"… Because it's fun, and I've yet to have any of that tonight." She recomposed her manners. " Indulge me, please?"

She smiled with a mysterious strength that he felt compelled to appease.

"You're just getting bolder and bolder. Where's all of this energy coming from?"

"I'm really just as curious about that as you right now but I feel like we could."

Itachi couldn't help but want it too, he'd long since forgotten about his father and all of the stupid people and his momentous resignation tonight. He wanted to dance, chat, eat, laugh, walk, kiss- anything with this girl who was more than she seemed.

"Then we can. Let's go."

Hinata was overwhelmed with this sudden accomplishment. She didn't know she had it in her!

She rose from the couch

And fell in a crumpled heap.

Author's note: yeah I decided to start a multi- chaptered Hinata/Itachi Fiction. They're by far my favorite Naruto pairing. I hope you enjoyed and will read on as I write. Please review to tell me how I'm doing or even suggest plot ideas. I'd love it.

Oh. And I don't own Naruto, I just wrote a random story.