Mesmerizing
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. For those of you who are concerned about the pace of Madara's and Hinata's romance, don't worry. He's naturally flirtatious, but I'm not planning on having them get together immediately. Oh and I have also posted a new poll on my profile. If you're interested, feel free to check that out because it should be up soon! With that being said, I hope that you all enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 6
Hinata slowly opens her eyes in confusion. Where was she? That's when she realizes that she was laying on her bed and the tv was on, but she had never turned it on.
"W-What happened?" Her lavender eyes look around her room warily.
She hadn't turned the tv on. Hinata knew that much for certain. The last thing she could remember was going into her room and hearing Madara on the phone with someone and oh!
Oh no! She couldn't possibly have fainted! Could she?! No! This was beyond humiliating! Hinata could only pray that somehow she hadn't fainted while Madara was present! Her boss!
Of course, someone up there hatred her. "Easy. You passed out." Because apparently, that was exactly what happened.
She had fainted in front of her boss! The former heiress couldn't believe it! Why?! He probably thought she was either sick or pathetically shy. Either way wasn't good!
"I'm sorry." The young woman feels her face burn in embarrassment. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Madara shakes his head as he leans over and takes her pulse. "You terrified me out of my mind for approximately thirty seconds, but your vitals have remained stable." He must be used to dealing with fainting people, Hinata muses. "So I figured that it was more of a case of being startled than anything else." Maybe, he had dealt with a few fainting models in his line of work.
Only they probably collapsed from exhaustion and Hinata had fainted because of what she had overheard. Damn it! Madara was never going to take her seriously now!
"I shouldn't have fainted like that." She blushes and almost jumps at the sound of a wolf's howl.
He chuckles at her reaction. "Hinata, relax." He points to the television. "It's merely a nature documentary about wolves."
Oh. Right. She had heard the tv on. That explained the howl then.
Hinata mentally scolds herself for freaking out in the way that she had. Of course, it was the tv! It was highly unlikely that there was going to be an actual wolf in the middle of a city!
"Alright." Her voice comes out as barely more than a mumble, even to her own ears. "I'm still sorry for scaring you, even if it was only for a little while."
He shakes his head once again. "I should have watched what I was saying." The CEO smiles at Hinata reassuringly. "It could have easily been taken the wrong way, but that was nothing more than the banter between brothers. It wasn't as if I was planning on seducing you."
Hinata didn't know whether she should be relieved or offended by that last part. On one hand, it was a relief because Hinata was well aware there was a chance he might be successful in such an attempt. On the other, it was a bit a blow to her pride. Did he not consider her worthy of seducing?!
"That's alright." She shakes her head as she slowly sits up. "I overreacted and while I don't have a brother, I have a sister." So Hinata fully understood what he meant by bantering with your sibling. "So I get what you mean."
She needed something, anything to change the current direction of their conversation. As she looked around, she saw only one thing. The nature documentary.
So she said the first thing that came to her mind. "It figures that you would be watching a film about wolves." And as soon as the words came out of her mouth, Hinata immediately regretted them.
To her surprise and relief though, Madara just smirks at her. "Yes, I suppose that I do have a bit of a reputation as the big, bad wolf." That kind of smirk really should be illegal. "Though wolves are far more than just apex predators. They're also loyal. Did you know that they mate for life?"
Oh boy! This was going too far. Hinata was pretty sure that Madara wasn't just casually displaying his knowledge of Zoology. She was going to have to put her foot down.
"Yes, I was aware of that." Even though this might cost her, her job! "Madara, I feel l-like you might be getting the wrong idea. You're my b-boss." Scratch that, it was almost certainly going to cost Hinata her job! "Not my boyfriend. I'm not r-really looking for a boyfriend and the fact that we work together would make it a very bad idea for us to b-be anything more than colleagues and friends."
Wonderful. She was stammering. Hinata felt as though she was right back in middle school and high school. Where had all the progress that she had made in becoming more assertive gone?!
Madara looks mildly chastised. "Hinata, my apologies." Though mercifully, not angry. "I never meant to give you the impression that I was being anything other than friendly, but I suppose that I'm just used to dealing with models who are used to such comments." He smiles at her.
The bluenette had read too much into it. He might have been flirting with her, but not seriously. Damn it! Hinata was growing even more embarrassed by the minute!
"It's okay." Her face was never going to go back to its normal color. "I was the one who was imagining things." It was likely going to be stained a permanent shade of red at this point!
"You weren't imagining things." He smiles at her. "Well at least not entirely." No doubt trying to reassure her. "I don't view anything wrong with complimenting a beautiful woman such as yourself, but I shall try to conduct myself in a more appropriate manner going forward."
That was good. If Madara treated her like a normal boss than maybe, Hinata wouldn't make a fool out of herself. Again!
She smiles shyly at him. "Thank you. I know that you're just trying to be friendly." Best to get this out of the way though. "But I guess I have a hard time distinguishing your natural openness from flirtation."
He nods at her as he turns off the television. "Well you wouldn't be the first." Madara seems to find amusement in that thought. "The fashion industry exists in something of a bubble. We don't really operate on the same social norms that most other industries do."
Yes, Hinata was definitely starting to understand that now. Well she supposed that the worst of it was over. Madara was going to behave himself "properly" and she would stop reading too much into things!
"I guess I'll just have to get used to it." She smiles at him.
To which Madara offers her a hand and helps her stand. "I'm quite certain that you'll land on your feet. You may act like a cute, little bunny, but you have the grace of a cat." Or not. It seemed that he didn't even know when he was doing it!
Elsewhere Izuna had just entered a charming diner that made him wonder for a moment, if he had truly gone back in time. The fact that he saw two of his half-brothers sitting close together made him realize that wasn't actually the case though.
"Sasuke, Itachi, it's been too long." The other Uchiha smiles as he strides over towards them. "I wish that we were meeting under better circumstances though."
A dynasty. That was what Mrs. Joo had given birth to. Five brothers, but three kingdoms so to speak. Izuna referred to them mentally as the Imperial North, Imperial South, and the Orchards.
Itachi nods at him. "I feel the same way." He glances towards the window. "It's storming heavily. I'm afraid that Madara might have to cancel on us." That was most assuredly true.
The Imperial North was of course, Kaguya and Zetsu. Those two were inseparable. More like twins than mother and son in some ways. It was a cold, but beautiful land. One that would kill you with frostbite. Nothing less than perfection and absolute obedience to the Queen would be allowed.
"It's possible." Izuna smiles good-naturedly. "Oh well. Let's just order some food and see if he comes in the next hour or two." It wasn't as if they were going anywhere with that storm anyway.
The Imperial South of course was him and Madara. Theirs was a far warmer kingdom. One of freedom and beauty. Though one that constantly had to fortify its walls to protect itself from the North.
Sasuke nods and smiles as he orders some tomato soup. Well some things never changed. He might not know his brothers that well, but Izuna did know that his youngest brother favored tomatoes and Itachi strangely enough had a thing for cabbage.
"What can I get you?" The waitress smiles at Itachi.
Though really, that was probably tame compared to what quirks the other man could have developed. "Cabbage soup, please." Mrs. Joo was their "mother" after all.
Speaking of food, there was a reason why he considered their youngest brothers to be the Orchards. Itachi and Sasuke had managed to mostly isolate themselves from the influence of the Imperial Kingdom and to focus on their own endeavors. Growing metaphorical fruit (pursuing their careers) and leading seemingly normal lives for the most part.
"Of course." The waitress smiles at Izuna. "And for you?"
He returns her smile. "I'll have some steak please." There was no reason not to enjoy a good meal while he was waiting for his elder brother.
The pretty brunette nods and heads off. Though Izuna notices an extra napkin on their table. He chuckles at the message.
If any of you are single, here's my number ;) 555-5555 Akemi, your friendly waitress.
"Well I suppose some things never change." Itachi pokes Sasuke's forehead playfully. "At least this one didn't try make us fat with chocolates."
Sasuke groans at that. "Don't remind me about those traumatic Valentine's Day Memories!" That poor boy.
Well it was both an Uchiha Curse and Blessing, Izuna thinks to himself. Good looks. (Alright. He might be a little vain, but he digressed in favor of watching his amusing half-brothers' antics).
Elsewhere Kaguya smiles as she watches the news. "Well that's a morbid coincidence." While she certainly hadn't planned for the girl's death, it did work out rather nicely.
"One of Madara's models dies shortly before their fashion show in Rome?" Zetsu nods. "I would say so. It might scare off some of the other models."
Of course, it was a car accident. There wasn't really anything to be scared of, but Kaguya was well aware what a suspicious lot models could be. They were so easily spooked by things like that.
She nods as she watches the news report further. "Possibly." While Mrs. Joo might not have called her pretty, the woman was certainly striking.
Kaguya had to give Madara this much. He certainly had an eye for talent, especially unconventional kinds of talent. She was quite certain that he did enjoy the stereotypical Westernized version of beauty, but his tastes were far more diverse than just the living dolls that you saw plastered everywhere.
No, Tsukuyomi was far more diverse than that. It had models from every corner of the globe. (Which was an ironic expression, Kaguya muses to herself because Earth didn't have any actual corners on it). The models came in all shapes, sizes, and from every background imaginable. Even their ages ranged widely.
"Shame though." Zetsu shakes his head. "She was so young."
Mrs. Joo nods in agreement. It wasn't that she had any grudge against Karui or anything to do with her death, it was just that her early demise might work to her advantage.
Though it was still proper to show a little deference to the dead. If one didn't do so, they might come back to haunt you she observes to herself as she watches the reporter on tv.
"Unfortunately, one of the fashion world's rising stars has died today." Mei sighs into the camera. "Her name was Karui and she worked at Tsukuyomi as most of you are likely aware."
Mei was a rather famous reporter. At one point, she had been a model for Kaguya's Agency. Those eyes were really something, but the woman was just too willful. In the end, she had quit and changed her career paths.
To her credit, the woman did look saddened by Karui's death even if her previous employer had been rivals with Karui's. "She died in a car crash and the memorial will be held this Thursday." Mei takes a deep and continues. "It will be open to the public and begin at 8 P.M."
That was the end of the story really. Well as far as Kaguya was concerned it was, anyway. A commercial was now running.
She really did hate commercials. Kaguya was a woman who hated to waste time and in her mind, ads were exactly that. Well unless they were ads for her agency, of course.
That might be hypocritical, but Mrs. Joo had never claimed to be entirely consistent in her views. Perhaps, she should call Madara and offer her condolences about the loss of his model though. It seemed like the proper thing to do.
"Zetsu, can you get me my phone?" She smiles at him. "I think that I should probably offer Madara a shoulder to cry on in his time of need."
Zetsu nods and quickly hands her the phone. "Of course, anything for you, Mother." He really was such a good boy.
Exactly thirteen awkward minutes later, Madara bids an awkward farewell to his bunny. His bunny who was still blushing.
"Well it looks like the storm has finally cleared up." He smiles at her. "So I'm going to be off to join my brother for dinner."
Hinata nods shyly at that. "Drive safely." How the woman had ever survived amongst the Hyuga Clan for so long really was a mystery to him.
She was such a quiet and sweet thing. It was no wonder why Hinata had decided to distance herself. Which was what he should be doing now, really. Distancing himself from her.
"I will." He winks at her. "I didn't make it to thirty without knowing how to hail a cab." Portraying himself to be far more playful than he actually felt.
She had done the proper thing of course. Hinata had laid down her boundaries before he could pass them and honestly, he hadn't been actually planning on seducing her.
Madara had just been having fun teasing her here and there. Though the bluenette was right to stop him in his tracks. The fact that he was actually upset by her very gentle rebuff was more than proof enough that it was actually needed.
She laughs softly at that as she watches the taxi he had just called for pull up. Madara briefly offers her a wave, before getting in.
"Where to Mr.?" The cab driver obviously didn't recognize him.
Which was good. Fame did have its perks, but it could also be mildly exhausting at times. That much had been made obvious to him years ago.
He smiles at the driver. "The Mangekyo Diner, please." That was after all, Itachi's favorite place to eat. So it was no small wonder that was where he wanted to meet.
The driver nods and they depart at a rather ginger pace. Not that Madara could blame him. It was the smart thing to do. To drive slowly on slick roads.
"Got yourself a pretty girlfriend there." The middle aged man smiles at him.
Madara laughs softly at that. "She's more than pretty, but thank you." He shakes his head as he looks out the window, noting the light traffic that was already beginning to form. "Though she's not my girlfriend."
"Ah well, who knows?" His blue eyes sparkle at Madara's warmly. "That could change. You might get lucky."
He doubted that. Hinata had drawn a firm line in the sand it was one that he should respect. She was right to be wary. More often than not relationships between coworkers didn't end well, especially if one of the coworkers was your boss.
She had much to loose, if they pursued an office romance. The woman was just being smart. He'd have to get over the injury to his pride. Well at least that's what he told himself as they headed for the Diner.
Meanwhile Hiash Hyuga was having his own business dinner. Though his was decidedly less pleasant than the one that was facing Madara. No. His was with a man he despised.
Danzo. The elderly man was an excellent businessman, but he was such a snake that it was all Hiashi could do to keep his lips from curling in distaste at the mere sight of him.
"Thank you, for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice." The other man smiles at him. "I know that you have a busy schedule to say the least." That was putting it mildly.
One couldn't be the Head of the Hyuga Clan and not be busy. That was by its nature the default state of anyone who managed their family.
Still, he manages a polite nod. "You're welcome. Though I must admit I am curious." Very curious. "What compelled you to arrange such an impromptu meeting?"
It wasn't like the other man in the least. Danzo was the sort who carefully planned every move. The fact that he was sitting here meant that the matter was urgent in a way.
"I heard that your eldest took a job at my former stepson's modeling agency." Was that really what this was about?! "Hinata, I believe her name is." Would he really be so petty?
Madara was Kaguya's son and Kaguya had been married to Danzo not that long ago. Still, he didn't see what that really had to do with him or his wayward daughter!
His eyes narrow. "Danzo, I warn you that if you are planning to involve Hinata in whatever your issues with your ex wife and Madara may be, it will not end well for you." She might have chosen to spread her wings, but that didn't meant that Hiashi was going to allow some viper to get her and that was surely what Danzo was.
He was a cold-hearted snake. Which was why he was frankly surprised to hear of the man's divorce from Mrs. Joo. The two seemed like the perfect match made in Hell!
"Oh you misunderstand me!" Did he? "I harbor absolutely no ill will towards your daughter." Hiashi wasn't so sure about that. "It's Kaguya that concerns me."
Right. Well Hiashi wanted no part in whatever games Danzo was playing with the Queen of Fashion.
He gives him a dirty look. "Then you should speak to her and leave Hinata out of it." The Hyuga Patriarch quickly stands. "I shall take my leave, if that is all you wished to discuss."
Danzo wouldn't let him leave though. He quickly grabs Hiashi's hand. In response, the lavender eyed man yanks his hand free from the other gentleman's hold.
"It's about Karui." The model that had just died?! "I suspect that Kaguya may have had something to do with the accident."
He suspected the woman of murder?! Impossible! Kaguya was at the height of high society. Her every movement was watched. Even if Hiashi was inclined to agree with Danzo, when would she had have time to arrange such a thing and what could have possibly been the motive?
It wasn't widely known these days thanks to Kaguya's new name and look, but Madara was her son. There likely was bad blood between them, but why would the woman kill one of his models? The CEO wasn't even romantically involved with the woman as far as he could tell? Karui hadn't been Madara's lover!
"If you actually are accusing someone of murder, you best report it to the police!" The authorities needed to hear about this either way! "That would be the prudent thing to do! Not drag my daughter into this! Do you have any proof of what you say?!"
Hiashi doubted he did. If Danzo really could land Kaguya in prison for murder, he wouldn't be speaking to him. It would be a waste of his time.
Danzo sighs and shakes his head. "No. I believe that you're well aware of how intelligent she is." Mrs. Joo was indeed a genius. "She's far too clever to leave any real trail behind. Though don't you find it odd how many bodies follow the woman, wherever she goes?"
The businessman had wondered about that. More than once. The woman had four husbands and three of them were dead. Perhaps, Danzo was paranoid, but justifiably so.
There was a chance that his dining companion suspected that he was next. For good reason. Kaguya's husbands didn't have a very long life expectancy it seemed.
"And what do you want me to do about this?" It was a bright frightening to consider, really.
Danzo smiles at him. Probably trying to pacify him. "I just want you to tell Hinata to watch Madara closely." Because watching Madara was by default watching Kaguya. "That's all."
Hiashi rolls his eyes. "Well you've certainly given me a great deal to ponder." All of which was highly disturbing to say the least. "I shall have to consider this matter. Good day to you, Danzo." And with that, Hiashi quickly leaves before the other man could truly protest.
He had been dining with Danzo at his home. That meant that Hiashi now had to drive back to his own residence. Which was rather irritating given the fact it had just poured.
Oh well. He was a good driver and that was a minor irritation compared to what he had just heard. Danzo sincerely suspected a woman of murder.
A woman who was the mother of his daughter's employer! "It can't be true." That meant Hinata could be in danger, he realizes with horror.
It was best to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. Resolved by that thought, Hiashi gets into his car and drives home. He would be sure to give Hinata a call as soon as he got there.
This wasn't the sort of thing that could be left to chance. If there was any possibility that Madara's mother was a murderer, it wasn't safe for Hinata to be working at that agency!