A/N: I wanted to thank everyone for their continued support of my stories; I wouldn't keep writing otherwise. Hope you enjoy this one as well!

Rating: M

Disclaimer: All characters were created by and belong to Masashi Kishimoto and Tite Kubo.


Chapter 2

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The first thing that assaulted her as she stepped outside her father's dojo was the swarm of people. If she hadn't looked up when she did she would have collided with a woman coming straight at her, juggling a carrier with what looked like four coffees in one hand and a briefcase and stack of papers in the other. There was a never a dull day in the streets— or in this case the sidewalks— of Minato, a ward that thrived with life in Tokyo.

Yes, she was 21 years old and recipient of a Bachelor's degree in Business, but she felt lost somehow. It had not been long since she had graduated, three months to be exact, and she had yet to find a job. Her cousin Neji had offered her a position at the company he was part owner of but she had kindly declined. She had pursued the career she chose to be able to stand on her own two feet— she did not choose to follow the path her father had wanted for her or taken the easy way out and gone to the one she considered her brother for help. However, the more days passed the more she was tempted to take him up on his offer. She had not expected her assimilation in the work force would come soon, but now she knew that having a degree only made it that much more competitive.

After graduation she continued to help out at her father's dojo much like she did before. Although she did not want to take the reigns, she still enjoyed being there; whether she spend her time teaching others what had been engraved in the Hyūgas from a young age, or performing the kata for her own benefit, or if it was sparring with her sister she enjoyed it nonetheless.

After a morning of overlooking students of different ages, Hiashi Hyūga closed the dojo for a two hour "midday intermission" as he liked to call it since it was open until late every day. Hinata just referred to it as what it was, lunch time, which had lead to her leaving the safety of the dojo and her near collision with the business woman as soon as she stepped out. With her destination in mind she opted for walking, the place was only two blocks away. When she arrived and walked in she spotted a familiar head of brunette sitting towards the back.

When she saw Hinata she stood up and embraced her tightly. "I am so glad you could meet me on such short notice," the brunette she had considered her closest friend since their elementary years offered by way of greeting. She had called her first thing in the morning and asked to meet her at their favorite coffee shop Jitterz during the lunch hour.

"It's really no problem at all, Tenten; I was just really happy to hear from you." Hinata reassured her as they both took their seats. The server approached their table and promptly took their order before retreating once more.

"I'm really sorry, I— well, we have been very busy lately," Tenten said nervously and when Hinata raised an eyebrow in question she cleared her throat before continuing. "The reason I called you is because there's something I need to ask you."

Hinata was starting to worry about her demeanor and at the look on her face Tenten laughed. "Oh, it's nothing bad!" She assured. "I just wanted to ask you if… if you would be my Maid of Honor?"

"Maid of…" Hinata trailed off when she looked down at the hand her friend had outstretched toward her. Sure enough a simple and beautiful engagement ring was placed there. "When did he..?"

"He proposed last night and he really wanted to be here, but I told him it would be best if I did it alone since I wanted to ask you." Tenten couldn't stop smiling. "What do you think?"

"Well, I'm still a little… shocked. I thought he was never going to do it," Hinata looked at her friend and saw that she was glowing, her smile was contagious. "Other than that I'm really happy for you; it was about time Neji-niisan proposed!" She reached out and squeezed her hand. "You're officially going to become a part of the family."

"I know! We've known each other since before we could even talk and we dated for almost six years. I was starting to think he would never ask!"

"Does my father know already?" Hinata asked. "What about your parents? Neji-niisan is real traditional at times."

The brunette laughed knowingly, "Tell me about it. He already talked to my parents last night and asked for their consent, as if he would need it, my family loves him. Neji wants to speak with your dad tonight."

"That shouldn't be a problem either since my father has known this day would come eventually; it's odd how he knew you two would end up together before you even started dating."

"Enough about me, I want to hear about you since I haven't seen you in so long. How are you and Sasori doing?" Tenten asked and when she saw Hinata's expression change immediately she regretted doing so. "I'm sorry, Hinata I-"

"No, it's okay Tenten." She tried to shrug it off but failed. "We- we're not doing so well." Hinata answered quietly.

"I'm sorry, Hinata I shouldn't have asked." Tenten felt like the worst friend at that moment for stirring up these emotions.

"No, I-" Hinata cleared her throat. "If I don't say anything I feel like I'm going to explode. I really shouldn't be telling anything to anybody about the problems we have as a couple, but I can't hold it in anymore…"

Hinata refused to look up at her best friend but by the tone of her voice it seemed like she would break down any moment. It was then that the waiter brought them their order but was dismissed quickly with a thank you by Tenten. "He still hasn't told me that he… that he… he still hasn't said that he loves me… after all this time."

Her hand was clenching the napkin in a white knuckle grip; Tenten reached out to comfortingly hold her hand until she let go and looked at her. "Not even once?" Tenten asked tentatively.

"No, in the beginning there were often times when I thought and felt like he was going to say it but in the end he would just look at me as if he was weighing the pros and cons of saying something as important as that." The sad lavender eyed girl chuckled humorlessly, "Knowing Sasori he was and in the end he would just smile sadly and embrace me."

Hinata focused once again on Tenten and the brunette could see the tears in her eyes that she refused to set free. Her younger friend was strong willed even when it was clear that the situation was breaking her. As Tenten observed Hinata closely she saw the toll it was taking on her; shadows were evident under her eyes, her porcelain skin looked almost transparent, and she had lost weight, the usual loose clothes she wore over her curvaceous body looked too big on her now. Tenten couldn't help but feel guilty. How could she not have known what her quiet friend was going through?

As if reading her expression Hinata shook her head. "No, Tenten there's no way you could have known what has been going on. I've been spending as much time at the dojo as I can since graduation and you have a very demanding position at the company. Not even Hanabi knows…"

"Does that mean you've distanced yourself from him?"

"Yes, since I moved out of the dorms I moved back home at my father's request until I can stand on my own two feet. To be honest I'm quite grateful, Sasori is always busy working for his uncle and has even less time to see me now."

"Have you… you know," Tenten cleared her throat nervously. "Are you guys still… intimate?" She remembered how difficult it had been for Hinata to finally be with Sasori for her first time.

Hinata blushed at the question but shook her head. "We- we have not been together since that first time."

"W-what?" Tenten was shocked to say the least that after a four year relationship they had only been together once. "But-"

"The first few times after that when he wanted to I wasn't able to— I couldn't. After that when I finally thought I was ready it was too late and three years had passed." Her voice was still as soft as always but it dripped with sadness. "I really don't know what to do, Tenten."

"Do you love him, Hinata?" Tenten asked not taking her eyes off of her.

The question caught her by surprise. "I- I…" Did she really love him? Sasori had been her first in several ways and he was very important to her but what did she really feel?

"It seems to me that you're confused about what you feel towards him. Maybe the way your relationship currently is right now is what has you doubting your feelings." When Hinata didn't deny it she continued. "Have you considered spending some time apart to see where you want this to go?"

Hinata's eyes widened suddenly, "You mean break up?"

"Not necessarily," Tenten clarified. "Maybe you should take advantage of your busy schedules and use that to really think things through. Who knows, maybe the absence of the other lets you truly see what you mean to each other."

Hinata thought about what Tenten suggested deeply and saw truth in what she had said. "I think that would be the best solution at this point. Thank you, Tenten for listening to my problems and for giving me advice. I know it must be difficult to be impartial especially since I know you have never liked Sasori for me."

Tenten gave her a tiny smile, "Whether I like him for you or not should not matter. As long as he keeps you happy and takes care of you then I'll be satisfied." The brunette thought back on something Hinata had mentioned earlier. "How is the job hunt going?"

"Well, it's not turning out so great. I have gone to countless companies and to numerous interviews but it's always the same. 'We will get in touch with you when we finish discussing your results.' But I have yet to receive a phone call. I am starting to regret not taking Neji up on the offer he gave me." Hinata explained.

Tenten smiled brightly and took that as her cue. "Actually that was the other reason why I asked you to meet me." She placed her hands flat on the table and leaned closer. "Since Neji and I will be getting married, I can't work at the company anymore so that means that my boss has entrusted me personally with the task of finding my replacement."

Hinata looked at her blankly and Tenten laughed. "What that means is that I think you should be my replacement."

"M-me? Why me?" She asked hesitantly.

"What do you mean, 'why me'? Who else could possibly take my place?" She asked incredulously. "Look, Hinata, many and I mean many would kill for that position. Kuchiki Corp. is one of the biggest companies in the East and it is incredibly difficult to get hired there. I could go through the hundreds of possible assistants but I am sure that I would not find the right one."

Hinata still looked unconvinced and Tenten sighed in exasperation. "Look Hinata-chan, my boss is a great man and I would like to leave him in good hands when I leave. I know nobody else but you can do it… you will not regret it, I promise. Besides you were looking for your independence and if you accept this position you will be on your own in no time."

That caught her attention she loved spending time with her sister but Hiashi Hyūga was as overprotective as always and if Tenten said that her boss was a great man then it was certainly true. "Alright, your boss will be in good hands."

"Thank you, Hinata-chan!" If they hadn't been out in public she would have jumped up from the excitement. "You have no idea how much better I feel now. I can leave comfortably knowing you'll be by his side."

Tenten would not stop smiling and Hinata couldn't help but do so as well. "When will you start training me?"

"Tomorrow," she answered.

"Tomorrow?" Hinata asked again in case she had heard wrong.

"Yes, it's a very important position and the transition has to go smoothly once you are there completely on your own. You will be my boss's personal assistant but the other executives will come to you on occasion." Tenten explained.

"Alright," Hinata answered confidently. "I'm ready to start tomorrow."

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The ding of the elevator announced her arrival to the correct floor and as the doors slowly opened she closed her eyes briefly and sighed. This was one of the last few times she would be following this daily routine, walking down these halls she could get through with her eyes closed. The only thing she could hear was the clack of her shoes until she reached the soft carpet that led to her and her boss's office.

Her door was always left open and she walked in, the carpet muffling her steps, but her boss had come to know her too well and recognize her habits— he was always so observant. Before she could even set her purse on her desk she heard her name.

"Tenten-san," the velvety voice she knew so well called just loud enough for her to hear from his office.

She smiled softly as she headed towards his office. He had most likely not gone to eat and stayed behind to do extra work, "just trying to get ahead" as he would always say. "Yes, Ukitake-san?" She answered respectfully.

He smiled warmly at her before he replied. "Did you enjoy your lunch?"

"Yes, thank you. Did you eat anything?" She asked already knowing the answer.

He laughed nervously. "I'm that obvious?" He answered instead and Tenten nodded slightly. "How is the search going? Have you found anybody you deem worthy of taking your place?"

She smiled at his choice of topic change; he always changed the conversation when it concerned his health. "Actually, I found her."

"You found her?" He asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, I just met with her for lunch." She offered.

"Who is she and when do I get to meet her?" Ukitake asked.

"You will meet her tomorrow and as to who she is it's a surprise."

Ukitake laughed warmly, "You are going to leave me in suspense? How will I be able to sleep tonight when I'll only be thinking of this mystery woman?"

Tenten laughed too, "No need to lose sleep over it, Ukitake-san, believe me she is more than capable of fulfilling this role." She said confidently.

"I trust your judgment completely, Tenten-san. I know whoever it is, you made the right choice."

If there was one thing Tenten was sure of was that Jūshirō Ukitake could not be left in better care than in the hands of Hinata Hyūga.