Itachi's Point of View ^_^ hope you like it!
Decisions
I spent a majority of the night contemplating marking a trail in my hotel room from pacing, grumbling and a little more than frustrated. It was a little bit of a cruel irony to find the first woman that has my greatest of interests in the arms of one of my most trusted friends. Would I be willing to fight for her? My body already answered that it mattered not how little I knew her, my curiosity to find a woman that quite literally ran away from me, someone so beautiful and artistic a mind that I was dying to get inside of was actually out there and painfully out of my grasp. I wanted so badly to know her, what made her… her there was no way or no how about it. I picked up the source of my turmoil; it was this little purple books fault I decided, I must have looked at the contents twenty times by now each time making me wish what had made her want to draw it, write it or how each of her plans for the Hyuuga corporation went through I wanted, no I needed to be with her.
Than I thought of Kakashi, I vaguely remember him speaking of a woman in his life how lucky he had been to have caught her rolling my eyes I also recalled the cheeky grin he got when he spoke of her innocent nature. Innocent indeed my body retaliated when I thought of them together, she should be with someone to treat her how she should, like a princess. Not to say that Kakashi is treating her badly but my ego screamed that I could do it better that I' am the better choice. Could I really take her away from him? Could I really deny him his happiness? I groaned I was right back to the beginning of the problem than I thought of something that hadn't occurred to me, 'What if she rejected me?'
Maybe breakfast would make me feel better.
After getting out of the shower I choose one of many black suits, black shirt but I decided to switch it up a little bit with a light blue tie my mother bought me. Tying my hair back and watch in place I was ready to go maybe it was high time to return the lady's rightful property so grabbed the notebook, I did feel a little guilty for just helping myself to it…a little. Opening the door I could only blink in surprise when someone's fist was raised to knock directly on my chest.
"Mother?"
"Oh, honey, you knew I was coming didn't you?" She gushed while reaching out to fix my tie.
"What are you doing here?" I watched her light frown she couldn't quite deny that her being in New York was a little odd.
"I missed you." Now it was my turn to frown.
"So you came all the way from Japan, a call would have sufficed. Wasn't Sasuke home with you?"
"He had to leave on a business trip to." There was a bit of a sharp edge to her voice, must have been another argument.
"It got a little boring so I decided to come see my other beloved son." She had a bright smile but I understood instantly, ever since Father's funeral she never liked to be left alone. There was going to be something coming for Sasuke to be stupid enough to just leave her, that un-grateful brat. Change of plans, today was going to be all about making my mother smile it has been a while since we actually spent a day together.
"Alright than." I stepped back to make a deep bow coming back up I winked and extended my arm for hers to take.
"Shall we go to breakfast, my lady?" She giggled playfully and linked arms with me, making me smile, I loved my mothers laugh, I heard it so rarely now but I don't think I would ever admit that to her, I would never hear the end of it.
"Did you have any plans for today? I don't want to take you away from your work, my son." I actually had a meeting that I was suppose to attend but it could wait.
"No my schedule has had a sudden change, I' am now a free man all day." Uncle Soubi wouldn't be happy but he could live with it.
"Does Soubi approve of this 'sudden' change in schedule?" It's like she can read my mind.
"I' am sure he can make an exception for his sister-in law." I said wryly, she only snorted.
"Yeah right." Its true, they never got along even when Father was alive. "But if he wants to try and steal you away, he's going to have to go through me." Like that was going to happen, even Uncle knew not to mess with this woman.
"What would you like to do today, Mother, sky is the limit." I didn't mean it literally but I could already see the wheels in her head turning.
"Let's start out slow." I warned she only smiled cheekily that's when I knew she was going to take full advantage of my offer. Oh well what ever will make her happy.
When we arrived at the breakfast bar I decided we should sit and eat outside by the pool, it was a beautiful day. We got our food and sat down, for a moment it was quiet, which only meant that she wanted to talk about something important or that was eating at her usually my 'love' life. So I waited for the inevitable questions.
"Is that your notebook, Itachi?" For a moment I couldn't answer, wasn't at all what I was expecting.
"No." Was all I could muster.
"Well who does it belong to?" Now I could see her eyes burning with curiosity.
"A friend of mine." She huffed not really patient enough to get the answer out of me so she moved on.
"Have you found anybody yet, my son?"
As if on cue there in the morning sun in all her glory, Hinata walked out into view, my breath caught for a moment she wore a simple sky blue sundress reaching just above her knees a white ribbon decorating her small waist and little silver flats adorning her feet. God do I wish I could touch her hair, as usual it fell freely down her back but there was something different she had layered bangs fringed that perfectly framed her face. Her eyes painted in a fine silver this time, you almost couldn't see it. The urge to go to her was unfathomable. Suddenly my mother cleared her throat a little miffed that I was ignoring her.
"Will you excuse me, Mother, but I have to go return something to its owner." I stood and started toward Hinata book in hand, completely ignoring my mothers shocked protest. She had her back to me so I took the liberty to clear my throat to get her attention; I inwardly smiled when she jumped.
"Pardon me, Miss Hyuuga, but I seem to have something of yours in my possession." Hinata slowly turned to look at me, a small blush already covering her cheeks.
"Th-thank you, Mr. Uchiha." Slowly she reached out for the notebook, her fingers fumbled and it slipped out of her grasp but I caught it just before it hit the ground. I handed it to her again but this time I curled my hand around hers to make sure she had a firm hold on it. At least that's what I told myself; I kept my hand there, covering hers and looked at her she seemed to be as lost as I was her eyes held something that I couldn't quite put my finger on, indecision?
"I must apologize for my behavior yesterday. I' am truly sorry for acting like an 'animal' toward you." She let out a nervous laugh and bowed her head so I couldn't see her face.
"It's okay, you d-didn't do anything wrong." Was that guilt I heard? "Y-you don't have to apologize."
Did she feel guilty that I apologized? Was she really that insecure?
"Very well." I lifted my other hand to tip her chin up with my finger, "I see you got a hair cut, Miss Hyuuga." I watched her expression turn to surprise probably thinking no one would notice, than a slight frown.
"I didn't r-really want to cut my hair." She crinkled her nose and made a soft noise of frustration I couldn't help but smile.
"Well it looks wonderful, Hinata." I kicked myself inwardly, saying her name seemed too intimate at the moment.
"Thank you." Suddenly she smiled, her eyes brightened, "Itachi." She quietly murmured as if to test it out than her eyes widened and she gasped, I recognized that look from yesterday, the 'what am I doing?' look. Quickly she removed her hand from mine and took a step back tucking the notebook to her chest.
"I don't appreciate being left, my son!" We both turned in surprise to face my mother standing with both her hands on her hips, a look in her eyes that I knew all to well 'uh oh' she was making a plan. She turned to look at Hinata with a warm smile.
"And who might you be, sweetie?"
"M-my name is Hyuuga Hinata." She blushed darkly.
"That's a lovely name, my name is Uchiha Mikato, I' am Itachi's mother."
"It's n-nice to meet you, Mrs. Uchiha." Hinata bowed politely and smiled
"Please, please call me Mikato." She reached out and grabbed Hinata's hand much to her surprise and started to drag her toward the hotel.
"Come on, Itachi! The day is still young, we have much to do." I rolled my eyes and followed them.
"Where a-are we g-going?"
"Shopping of course!" Hinata only nodded, supposing that she was invited.
"Please, Mother, at least ask Miss Hyuuga if she would like to join us."
"Nonsense! She would love to join us, right, Hinata?" Mother gave her the look that no one could deny; Hinata was no different because she only nodded vigorously.
"Of course I would, as long as Ita….Mr. Uchiha wouldn't mind." She looked back at me, a hopeful look in her eyes, I smiled she really wanted to come.
"Of course I want you to come, Miss Hyuuga." She smiled sweetly; I felt my answering smile when our eyes met.
"Alright than, its settled, where is your car?" We all stood at the entrance of the lobby, I turned to the elevators.
"It's down in parking lot B." My car is one thing I take pride in.
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, people suddenly starting bustling in till there was barely any room, Hinata was pushed until she was pressed against my chest, gently, I placed my hands on her shoulders to steady her problem was, I couldn't take them back. Her skin was so soft, she smelt so good it was a light scent of vanilla and something else that was uniquely Hinata. To feel her right there, in my hands was such an extraordinary feeling I found myself to be a whole head taller than her, it made her seem more delicate I wanted to just wrap my arms around her, protect her. Thank goodness we weren't facing each other I don't think I would have been able to control myself.
Of course nothing goes unnoticed with my Mother.
I snuck a peak over to her and saw a smug smile; her eyes never looked so delighted until that very moment oh she was just enjoying this. Suddenly my mother burst into giggles, mirth filling her eyes I couldn't help but smile even though I had no idea what was so funny, and I cocked my head to the side, asking her silently.
"You match." She stated simply, which only confused me she gestured to the both of us which did nothing for an explanation. I guess Hinata looked just as befuddled because she just rolled her eyes playfully and gestured again.
"You kids match." She lightly tugged on Hinata's dress than on my tie. 'Oh we matched in colors.' I rolled my eyes.
"Kids?" I lifted an eyebrow to her and just in time, the elevator doors opened letting us pile out and letting me calm my nerves. I pulled out my car keys and pressed the lock button there in the far corner was my car in all its brilliance. In mint condition sat a black 1965 mustang convertible, not to brag but this was my pride and glory I smirked when I heard Hinata's gasp. I opened the passenger door and gestured for both of them.
"Ladies." Giggles were my only answer. Hinata moved to sit in the back but my mother stopped her.
"No, no, Hinata, sit in the front I insist."
When we started driving I couldn't help but feel proud to have Hinata beside me in my car, I looked over at her my fingers twitched on the gear shifter, I wanted to reach over and hold her hand, have some sort of contact. But I reframed and looked back on the road 'She's not mine.'
"Itachi, must you persist to have long hair? Let me cut it." Through the rear view mirror I looked at her and frowned.
"No, Mother." Hinata lifted her hand to cover her mouth, trying to stifle her giggle.
"Don't you think he should, Hinata?" I looked over to her hopefully.
"No I don't think so, I-I like it." I gave her a secret smile she only blushed and looked the other way, my mother only sighed in defeat.
"Where are we going?" I looked back in my rear view mirror, her face already lighting up.
"There is a very special event happening tomorrow night and I would very much love to be present but first…I need to find the perfect dress!" She was always so theatrical about everything.
"And what might this 'special event' be, Mother?"
"It's a very formal get together, a dance you could say." She lifted her hand when she saw me about to protest. "It's called, 'Ballroom for the Stars.'!" She lifted her hands in exaggeration.
"Oh, I heard about that, I have always w-wanted to go." Hinata looked back at my mother excitedly.
"Would w-we really be going?" Suddenly two pairs of hopeful eyes were on me.
"I don't go to dances." Both eyes fell in disappointment.
"But I'll go to this one." I was the most feared competitor in the business world, no one dared to challenge me unless there was a serious case of stupidity and here I was being an immense pushover to a pair of whimsical woman. In my defense, one was my mother.
I only listened as they chattered excitedly about this 'Ball' maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Hinata was there.
This was the third store we have been to about thirty dresses tried on and modeled still nothing I could not fathom for the life of me why it had to be so difficult to find one garment. Suddenly there was a squeal from one of the change rooms.
"Can I-I ask you something, Mikato?" Uh oh I don't think they know I can hear them, well Hinata doesn't anyway.
"Of course ask away, sweetie."
"W-well I was just wondering if Itachi is like this w-with everyone else." There was a pause my mother chuckled.
"Not at all, you can take the term 'cold shoulder' quite literally with him, he has always kept to himself since he was young and when it comes to patients for other peoples affairs was never his forte. And he's never even come near to agreeing to come to social events of any kind let alone attend so you can imagine how delighted I was when he did agree."
There was a slight shuffle of fabric.
"Oh, honey you look amazing! I think this is the one for you." Hinata gasped.
"Are you s-sure? It's kind of r-revealing." I could already see her pulling at the dress uncomfortably.
"Don't be ridiculous, it's perfect!" There was a long pause.
"So why d-do you think he agreed today?" I held my breath.
"I think it's because of you."
"Wh-why do y-you think that?" She sounded so unsure.
"Well I don't think I have seen my son smile so much as he did today, he's never agreed to come shopping until today and he certainly never has waited patiently in the change rooms until today and it all started when you walked through those doors because his eyes never left you since."
"N-n-no I don't think I c-could mean that much."
Right than is when I made my decision, I would make sure Hinata knew how special she is to me.
"Nonsense, you're the very first girl he's ever showed interest in and I can see why, your beautiful, Hinata! Now go show it off, show Itachi how pretty you look in this dress." With that she opened the door and left Hinata, she gave me a meaningful look than turned to go into her own changing room. There was another shuffle than a soft whimper, 'Should I encourage her to come out? Would I be able to handle it?'
"Are you going to show me your dress, Hinata?" She gasped and paused for another long moment.
"Is that a nod I hear?" She giggled softly.
"P-promise not to laugh?" She wasn't serious? of course I wasn't going to laugh that silly girl.
"Scouts honor." She inhaled and opened the door with a slow determination.
Whatever I was expecting, it wasn't this, there she stood timidly, her eyes downcast and a blush covering her cheeks suddenly I was on my feet I didn't know what else to do. The dress was form fitting the silk ivory running down her body like water her ribs exposed by elegant cut outs on the sides and silver gems lining her ribcage. She twirled slowly and I was delightfully surprised to find that the dress was backless, rhinestone ribbons crisscrossing her back tying a neat bow above her tail bone, the ribbon almost reaching to the bottom of her feet. More rhinestones decorated her chest, accentuating it perfectly, ripples in the fabric and a light ruche complimenting her hips most flatteringly a soft train delicately fell behind her feet. There were no words, I could barely breath let alone think she was facing the floor but her eyes peeked up at me that's when I noticed a hint of lavender in them, her demure gaze made her look angelic she twirled again and looked at me almost fearful.
"D-do you like it, Itachi?" I still couldn't speak, slowly so I could savor her beauty in this moment, I took a step forward than another and another until finally I was lost in her presence, her voice, her eyes...her lips. I bent down so we were only inches apart feeling her breath warm my lips it was painful to have to stop.
"For the life of me, I cannot find the words to describe how beautiful you are to me, Hinata." Like the sun rising I watched happiness shine in her eyes a dazzling smile decorating her pretty lips. I leaned in closer so our foreheads were touching she didn't push me away but gently placed her hands on my chest, in response I let my arms wrap around her tiny waist it all felt so right I' am sure she can feel the electric current between us to. I couldn't help but gasp when she pressed herself against me murmuring my name in a way that drove me mad. I was simply intoxicated, nothing else mattered but the woman in my arms. 'Was she as lost as I' am?'
"Itachi! You still haven't seen me in my dress yet!" Just as quickly as I found Hinata in my arms, she was out, I watched as she dashed back into her changing room and looked over at my mother not sure if was extremely annoyed or relieved. 'What would have happened if she hadn't have interrupted?' I already knew the answer and I' am sure Hinata would not be happy if I let it get that far, I wouldn't do that to her.
"Be careful, my son."
"You look wonderful, Mother, I think this is the one." She rolled her eyes.
"That's what you said about the last ten dresses." I smiled when she shut the changing room door grumbling.
When Hinata opened the door, my heart fell, she built up her walls stronger than before, I admired her strong will but saddened that it was to keep me away she looked at me and bowed formally.
"I' am sorry, Mr. Uchiha, for b-behaving...oddly."
Again she never seemed so out of reach, I needed her more than I liked to admit but here she was stealing my heart and, undoubtedly, I will let her because it was me who was going to have to fight for her affections and scaring her off like that was not the way to do it. I need to woo her.
After much fuss and pleading on Hinata's part, I finally purchased the dress for her, as a token of my gratitude but I think she saw it as something that she had to owe me for because she looked absolutely mortified that I would even think of buying her something. I had a hunch she would react the same way if it was just a cup of coffee, Hinata doesn't like to 'bother' people.
"It really is no bother at all, Miss Hyuuga, so please just accept my gift." I looked at her and it must have been something I said because her face softened and nodded taking the wrapped up garments into her arms.
"Your very kind, Itachi." It was almost to low for me to hear, but she said my name I smiled involuntarily she was trying to break the formal boundary herself. I looked at her and at the same time she turned and looked at me, something happened right then something shifted even Hinata couldn't deny that there's something there.
There was no way around it, the decision was already made and I, Itachi had no power against it what so ever the pull within me to fight for her was to strong. The want, the need to have her was almost other worldly because it should be impossible to want someone that much, she belongs with me, that was the only thing that made sense out of all this mess. I will be strong enough to fight for her because she was worth it, I looked over at her again, Hinata smiled and blushed lightly, too bad the only strength I had left when she smiled was to smile back.
