Chapter 2:

So It Begins

The night continued, as the streets never seemed to empty; Rapture had an infinite liveliness to it. The young couple had decided to take a walk in Arcadia, and as the gentleman he was, Naruto paid for both of their entries to the Tea Garden.

"I've never been here before." Hinata admits in a quiet, shy voice as the two enter.

"Then you're in for a treat, Miss Hyuga. This place is the most relaxing and...romantic place in the city."

She blushed hearing him say it was a "romantic" place, wondering if he was indirectly taking her out on a date. The two had only known each other for a couple of hours. After finishing their drink at the Kashmir, they walked aimlessly and talked about their experiences in Rapture so far. She didn't want to tell him too much though, it seemed more exciting to let him do his research.

The two walked down the stone path in a calm manner and in silence, for Hinata was more interested in looking around. There were tiny lights on each side of the path, illuminating the way through the dim garden, and propped up on the trees and bushes. The quantity and variety of flowers she saw was astounding and, like an exploring child, she kneeled down to smell them all; they all smelled tropically delicious. The garden was quiet overall, except for the sound of a miniature waterfall that emptied into a stream and echoed in the distance, and the crickets and cicadas that sung their tune along with the rushing water. It was all quite relaxing.

"So how do ya like it, Miss?" Naruto grinned to himself knowing very well what her answer was going to be.

"It's fantastic." She looked up at him with a hearty smile that gave him a pleased feeling, like he had accomplished something great.

He helped her up and led her to a bench near the stream, letting go of her hand once she sat down. With her hands on her lap and an upright posture, she watched him walk over to a Jukebox nearby and slide in a coin.

Hinata's head tilted to the side a little, trying to figure out the song he had chosen, "I know that song…isn't it called 'Please Be Kind'?"

"You are correct, Miss. I see you know your Jazz." Naruto chuckled and sat next to her, keeping some distance between them to not make her uncomfortable.

"...so remind me why I'm here with you?" She teased him, a glint in her silvery eyes.

"Because you think I'm the most handsome guy you have ever seen and you like me-it's no secret Miss." He replied through bouts of laughter.

Hyuga was not very amused, but with a rueful smile, admitted her defeat this time. He was smooth with words, he was a lawyer after all.

"I admit tonight was very entertaining thanks to you, Mr. Uzumaki-"

He stopped her, "Just call me Naruto."

Smiling, she nodded and continue, "Okay, Naruto, thank you for tonight but I must go home. It's very late."

"Let me walk you home, then." He offered.

Knowing her father, he was sure that their final destination was Olympus Heights, where only the wealthy lived.

Naruto, despite his above-average paycheck as a lawyer, decided to live somewhere more secluded and not give in to the hierarchy implanted in the civilians' minds. It was what Rapture meant, the best remain the best by their own means, profiting from what he or she created, and no one else could take that from them. The lower class were at loss currently, with no affordable health care and such. Many decided to ignore this issue, and Andrew Ryan, being the founder, saw no problem with what was going on; he believed these business owners were entitled to profit from their work.

Once reaching the apartment complex, Hinata stopped in front of the elevator and turned to face Naruto,

"Will I see you again?" She looked disappointed and disheartened.

"You can count on that, sweetheart. Don't worry." He placed his hand on her head caressing it all the way down to her neck, pulling her close to plant a soft kiss on her forehead.

From there, she simply waved goodbye standing in the elevator, and as the doors slowly closed, their gazes remained fixated on each other. The two were not ready to end this night.

She sighed once the doors closed completely and the elevator reached her floor. Once the elevator opened, Hinata ran to the edge of the balcony and looked down to find that Naruto was leaving the complex. Her shoulders slumped forward from the disappointment. Tonight went by too fast.

Hanabi, a brunette with grey eyes, much like her sister's, a thin figure, and stern looking features, enjoyed solitude. She rarely left the complex to go out like Hinata did; however, having her around was something she enjoyed even more than the seclusion. It was hard to explain the bond they had, almost like they could share thoughts and feelings no matter where one of them was. Tonight was one of those cases, she sensed something different, an event changed something significantly tonight, and she felt it from the pit of her stomach, to her tingling toes.

"I'm home!" Hinata called from the doorway as she took off her heels.

"Where have you been? I've been incredibly worried, there are muggers and thieves out in the streets and you just waltz in like-"

"Like I had the time of my life? Yes!"

Hanabi's eyebrows came together when she gave her sister a look of utter confusion, "Well will you tell me what happened?"

"I met this guy…" Her gaze drifted off, as if she was travelling through memories of the best night of her life. "I was having tea at Brenda's, and suddenly this guy with gorgeous blue eyes and crazy blond hair orders me a whole bottle of Moonbeam Absinthe."

"He must carry a lotta bread, huh?"

"Yep! He's a lawyer and he…"

Hinata stopped herself and her smile progressively faded with each second that ticked. She forgot that Naruto Uzumaki worked for her father. It would be virtually impossible for them to be...together. She just met him but he really wowed her. As for her sister, she wasn't sure how she would react if she told her.

"And what?"

"He kinda works for dad."

Hanabi stared at Hinata in deep thought. The two knew what this news meant. Last time Hinata had a boyfriend, her father sabotaged their relationship by hiring one of those "private showgirls" from Fort Frolic to seduce her beau. She vowed to never forgive her father once she walked in on the horrible scene...not that she was in love with the guy. She eventually moved on, and she could care less, especially now that she had her heart set on one man.

Naruto was different than all the other men in Rapture, and ever since she was a child, Hinata got what she wanted no matter what.

"I know what you're thinking…" Hanabi spoke after a long silent pause,"I don't agree with it, and I know things will end in a very nasty way, but…"

Hinata looked at her with hope-filled eyes, "But?"

"I promise I'll keep this a secret. You know we have always helped each other during difficult times, and this is no different."

With a wide grin on her face, Hinata hugged her sister with all her might. She thanked her for being so considerate towards her. She wasn't expecting Hanabi to do anything about her situation, but just knowing that she could trust her in case things did get complicated with her father made Hinata feel at ease.

"Just promise me one thing…" Hanabi whispered without breaking their hug.

"What is it?" Hinata whispered back.

"That you will be careful and take care of yourself...I have a bad feeling, like something bad is gonna happen…"

Author's Note:

The song 'Please Be Kind' is actually in the Bioshock soundtrack, you can listen to it here: watch?v=zY6hi9rbe_4