I know that it has been ages… but I hope that you still love me. LOL
Disclamer: I don't own NAruto… please? LOLz
To kill the Queen
Chapter 3
Three days have gone like a blur for the preparation of the arrival of Sasuke Uchiha, Although Hinata was tired, she could not help but release a contented sigh. It had been difficult, especially with sending the invites at short notice, but she was surprised when almost everyone confirmed that they are coming. Sasuke Uchiha, although unheard of to her, seems to be quite popular.
Hinata was not particularly one for too much details, but she could not help asking Naruto about his friend. Naruto has a lot of friends, but this one seems to be the best. She wanted to make sure that the interior would be much to the liking of this Uchiha, The room has an entire western look, which is the theme of the party.
She gazed from her veranda, seeing the guests enter, being welcomed by Naruto himself. The place was beautifully designed, colors of different shades are glittering, as the lights make to seem everything sparkle. She could not help but smile. Everything seemed to be perfect, yet, as she watched Naruto whose eyes seemed to drift to Sakura every now and then, she could not deny that this would be the death of her. According to him, Sakura should be there, because the three of them, Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke were the best of friends. They have been together most of their childhood. It would have been believable, but she could not help her feelings of is the first time that she actually looked at Sakura, and she instantly felt insecurity gnawing her being. She had to admit that no sane man could deny Sakura's charm. She has this exotic beauty that every man seems to crave, and compared to her, Sakura is more Queen looking. It did not help that Naruto seemed to forget about her, and could not take his eyes of Sakura. Aside from that, it is quite controversial, because Sakura is a concubine. But she could not say no to Naruto when he showered her with much attention these past few days. It is no wonder Neji hasn't talked to her since his arrival. Perhaps he was ashamed of her weakness. Then again, she had been busy and…
Hinata went back inside her room. Realization hit her hard. She never prepared a welcoming party for Neji, even when he came home from China, successfully announcing that trade for silk is now open. And this time, she had not even given him a warm welcome. Although Neji has been quite mean to her after her marriage with Naruto, he still is her cousin. Yet, for this Uchiha, she prepared a ball just because Naruto asked her. Neji had been going back and forth to China for a year, although not the emperor, he is a prince of their country. He is the one helping her with politics when she could not handle it herself. Naruto is a good diplomat, but not very good with numbers. So when it came to trade, Neji is the better candidate to talk business. Hinata felt guilty.
Hinata started to straighten her dress from the invisible wrinkles while rechecking her image on the mirror. The image of Sakura suddenly came to mind. Hinata sighed defeated. She's feels so…. plain.
It was not long when the maid has knocked on her door, informing her that Sasuke Uchiha has arrived, and that Naruto could not escort her. She was very much saddened, even offended that her husband is disregarding her. Though he must be very excited to meet his best friend, or maybe, just can't leave Sakura's side. She grunted.
As she neared the stairs with two of the guards following her, she stopped. She caught sight of the three, her husband hugging the man with much enthusiasm, Sakura beside him then taking her turn. She felt sick. It was a reunion where she plays no part in. Is Sakura trying to take her place? For although she is not part of their trio, she is the one who should be standing beside her husband.
Some of the guests raised their brow and some frowned showing disapproval. Are concubines given the privilege of standing beside the emperor in welcoming the guest of honor? Although Naruto is a different kind of emperor, one who has no royal blood, thus the very unique way of representing his way, this was way too scandalous. No doubt that if the Queen's father was still alive… such shame.
Hinata almost did not want to make her presence known, but unexpectedly, Neji walked to meet her, and even more surprisingly, offered to escort her. He offered his arm for Hinata. She smiled at him as she gratefully looped her arm with his. The guards made the trumpet sound announcing her presence. Everyone bowed in acknowledgement, except Naruto who walked nearer the stairs to take her. As she and Neji cascaded down the stairs a small talk has emerged.
"Don't let him do this to you Hinata-sama…" Neji told her silently.
"Then what should I do?" she asked him quietly, hoping for an intelligible advice.
Neji did not answer. He was tempted to tell her that it's her own stupidity that got her in this dilemma.
"Neji-nii… I'm sorry…"
"What for?" Neji raised a brow, what is she getting at?
"For not being ablt to give you a warm welcome, everytime…"
Neji did not let her finish. He could not help but let that small smile emerge. For no matter how much he tried to stop it, he just can't. No one can make him smile as easily as she can… and no matter how much he tried, he could not stop loving her.
"shh… I did not make my presence known." He said, as he untangled their arms and bowed at her. Naruto is there to take her from him; he gave Naruto a glare before leaving.
"I'm sorry, I was not able to escort you…" Naruto said with a smile. Hinata almost forgot that she should be mad at him, but seeing Sakura behind him, Hinata never felt more angrier, or threatened. Sakura bowed to her, which actually felt like a mock. Being too polite to do anything else, she nodded, acknowledging her presence but held her chin high. She is yet to smile at Naruto. She was not planning to, but her resolve was completely thrown at the window when he asked her worriedly is she was alright. She just had to assure him. So she smiled and told him 'I'm fine'. So he smiled back again, as if there's nothing wrong, standing beside her, looping their arms together and heading to the center of the room, where their guest of honor is.
The crowd made way as they walked. Finally, they stood at the center, and there she saw Sasuke Uchiha. He was taller than the average male populace and his western suit fitted him well. He bowed to her as he made a speech and held her hand.
"I've been to the corners of the world,
The North, the South, the East and the West,
But none of what I have seen,
Can compare to the beauty of my queen."
He recited those words as he held her hand and kissed the back of her palm. She could not help but blush. No one has ever said something so bold yet sophisticated. And when her eyes met his, as his lips quirked into a small smile, she caught her breath. No wonder he's so popular. Certainly, he is one of the most handsome men she has ever seen… with a sweet mouth to booth.
Everyone in the crowd was in obvious daze or disbelief. Naruto could not believe his eyes and ears. HE never thought that his best friend is capable of such sugary words, and the way he delivered it is just so… natural. Also, seeing Hinata's reaction of obvious breathlessness, he started to doubt if this was a very good idea. He did not even notice Sakura's reaction.
Everyone is waiting for the queen's reply, wondering on how they should react. Clap or frown with the Uchiha's boldness? It was not long when it has been decided when the queen gave a smile and said "There is no greater beauty than one's motherland. Welcome home Sasuke Uchiha…"
Sasuke was most impressed. She caught the meaning behind his words rather quickly. The queen he meant may be pertaining to their motherland. It was a double-edged speech. Most be consumed by their own vanity to even notice the other meaning. Then again, she is the queen, and intelligence should be expected. The queen has beauty and wits, yet as Sasuke broke their eye contact shifting to Naruto as he bowed again, he almost shook his head.
Neji smiled with Hinata's reply. She is his queen after all. He knew she would catch with what the Uchiha meant, though that does not mean that he approve of the Uchiha's boldness. But with everyone oblivious, Neji did not miss the way Sakura's eyes seemed to slit and her mouth forming a scowl. She knows too well that she's jealous, for he knew he looked like that when Hinata smiles at Naruto.
Seems like little miss concubine is in love with the Uchiha. Neji did not know what to do with this knowledge, but he knew that it would be of use someday.
Everyone clapped after Sasuke bowed the second time. Then the music again began as the people began to dance with the music.
Hinata was reminded of the book Pride and Prejudice, a scene with people dancing gaily. Western theme is one of the most popular way of welcoming guests this days.
After the short exchange with the Uchiha, she and Naruto started to dance, though she did notice the Uchiha being instantly crowded with women and men alike. Yet, she did not miss him llooking at her from time to time. She could not help but feel unease, and… she knows that this is ultimately wrong, for her eyes also kept darting towards his direction, and she knows too well, that what she has is not a bad stomach… it was the butterflies.
-R&R—
I know I have not updated for who knows how long, and I'm not sure if the chapter is good enough. LOL but being me, I am still hoping for reviews. It was hard coming up with this chapter. My imaginative mind is cutting short this past few months. Ugh…
sorry for the spelling and grammar!
