Chapter 7

Hinata felt his unwavering stare from the doorway separating their single suites as she unpacked her clothes from her suitcase and put them into the wardrobe. He made her nervous every time he looked at her that way, as if he was reading her mind and planning everything he was going to reply to whatever she would say.

She clenched her teeth behind her lips. She fought with her nerves to say something, Do you want to say something, or are you just going to stand there? Her fear prevailed and she stayed silent, pretending his presence did not bother her. If she was honest, she wished she could have the loud-mouth, humorous courage of her younger sister Hanabi, or the confidence and pride of Sakura. She was not like them. She had been a shy child, she would grow a shy woman.

She almost groaned when she thought of Sakura, remembering the text she had received shortly after arriving.

You didn't tell me you were going to England with Sasuke! Exactly what are you up to with him? WB.

The last two letters indicating the pink-haired journalist expected a quick reply frightened Hinata. Obviously rumour had spread fast and she felt threatened by Hinata's trip with her crush. Well, Hinata could tell her she needn't worry. Nothing was going to happen between them, and although she almost wished something would, that something…wouldn't. It was clear she got in his way with her suggestions and her sleepiness…

She blushed under his gaze as she remembered falling asleep in his lap. And felt bad for getting angry at him for calling her his girlfriend. He had saved whatever dignity she had left after her doze.

"Why are you blushing?" his voice sliced through her thoughts. She glanced up in surprise of his speech and her eyes widened.

"Huh?"

Sasuke pointed at her face. "You're all red."

Hinata felt her cheeks heat up even more. "N-nothing," she stammered. Damn. You're stuttering, now. As if you haven't been bad enough up 'till now.

"Nothing. Sure. Did you know I hate lies?"

It was a warning, not an insight to his likes and dislikes. She frowned.

He sighed and walked over and began taking some of her clothes, putting them on hangers.

"What are you doing?" Hinata asked, annoyed. His cold, cobalt gaze reached her lavender orbs slowly, in bitter irritation.

"I also hate stupid questions."

She said nothing more as he leant over to take a piece of clothing from her suitcase, brushing her hand by accident with his fingers. He didn't react, but tremors went through Hinata's body from the touch. How could a man she hated arouse such feelings within her?

Of course, with Naruto, when he held her hand or kissed her cheek, she felt that teddy bear cuddly feeling. But when Sasuke touched her, she felt her stomach churn, her heart leap, her mind reeling. It was like he knew exactly what she felt, and he was intent on making her feel the same way every time he was present.

But of course he wasn't trying to do anything of the sort, which irritated Hinata, because it was working anyway.

"Look," began Sasuke suddenly, "I'm just about sick of this barrier between us, so can we please just act a little tolerant to each other? At least for this trip."

Hinata wanted to make a comeback to his tolerance comment, but she knew by his eyes that he already knew what she would say. So she held in her sarcasm. "Fine."

"I just…don't want to fight."

Hinata looked up at him in surprise at seeing such a soft gaze on his face. It had to be rare. "I don't either."

Sasuke's eyes changed at that moment and Hinata's heart stopped. He seemed to be analysing her thoughts and emotions, and she felt herself so vulnerable and revealed. Did he read her as well as it seemed he did?

Then something fluttered against her hand. Then gripped it. She looked down. It was Sasuke's hand. His fingers pressed against the flesh of her palm, squeezing it with a promise of a short truce. He left in a few steps. She wondered how long the truce would last.


A black shirt-and-skinny-jean-clad Sasuke hurried down the path, newspaper under his left arm, coffee cup in his right hand. His hair was impeccable. His expression was undiscernible. Hinata could stare at his face for an hour at this point in the morning and he could ignore her completely. Not that she could start staring at anything right now. His pace was so quick that she had to pick up a jog every so often to fall into step with him.

"Can you s-slow down?" It wasn't a stutter, it was a pant.

He let out an almost silent groan and slowed down. She took a breath but didn't relax too much. They were still power walking. Hinata decided when she got back home she would whack Ino over the head with the stiletto heels she had made her pack, the ones she was now wearing, the ones branding pain all over her feet.

"When we get there, ask questions of relevance. Be respectful. Professional." Sasuke sounded like a teacher giving his students field trip rules. Hinata glanced at him in amusement.

"Yes, sir."

He looked at her in annoyance, but she ignored him. After they got into a cab, for the rest if the trip she studied London, it's buildings and people, and wished Sasuke wouldn't plan something for every single day so she could actually sightsee. She longed to see Big Ben and the Buckingham Palace.

They got out of the cab and Sasuke turned into the driveway of a gigantic mansion and pressed the button at the black iron gate. Hinata peered through the bars at the green yard with perfect, straight trees, trimmed bushes and elegant gardens creating the pathway to the lovely white castle and put 'House in England' on her mental prayer list.

"Professional…" Sasuke whispered as the gate opened and they walked through.

"…Relevant, respectful. Got it."

She thought she saw a smile on Sasuke's lips as they reached the front door.


Hinata looked in amazement at the house's interior. The ceiling extended so far up she wondered how it's painters had put up with the height while they worked. She looked at the walls, every inch of it intricately designed with texture or different coloured designs. The corners were decorated with large, eye-catching flowers and plants, and the air smelled of herbal tea. She gazed in adoration of the statues and other silver and porcelain ornaments. Sasuke had to grasp her arm to keep her moving.

The butler opened the door only slightly to peek in. Hinata tilted her head to see past him and Sasuke gave her a disapproving look.

"Sir, the reporters are here to see you," he informed.

Hinata heard mumbling from inside and the butler let them through. Sasuke led the way into the room. Hinata was stunned. If the hall had been wonderful, the sitting room was magnificent.

The shelves on the left wall were lined with thick books , and on the opposite wall another set of shelves held trophies and certificates from top to bottom. The wall right before them was filled by a gigantic, regal, white fireplace lined with gold paint and with iron bars fencing the fire. In a large armchair near the fireplace sat an older man, a cup in his hand, his shoes gleaming as if to say, 'I'm rich and you're not'. The man, though elderly, looked strong and knowledgeable. His beige suit was impeccable, his grey hair was kempt, his faded eyes managed to pierce. As his gaze drifted to her and Sasuke, Hinata felt young and lost, but Sasuke remained unwavered. He walked right over and extended his hand. Hinata hastened after him.

"Mr. Hannard, Sasuke Uchiha of Global Hour magazine, and my associate Hinata Hyuuga."

Hinata almost blinked hard at Sasuke, impressed of the professionalism of his tone and speech. She shook the old man's hand. He was gentle, but Hinata noticed he had the strength he looked he would have.

"Nice to meet you both," he said, and Hinata smiled at his thick, British accent. "I suppose you want to get right to it."

Hinata knew the man had to be able to read minds - how else could he have known what Sasuke was thinking?

Hinata listened to Sasuke's questions about the war and the reasons for it, often giving her own queries and listening carefully to Mr. Hannard's intelligent answers, often surprising her with humour.

Hinata glanced at Sasuke when he asked another question and was caught off-guard when she saw he was staring right back at her, though he was directing his speech at Mr. Hannard. She blushed and diverted her gaze to the ground, waiting for him to stop looking at her. She listened and participated in the rest of the interview and stood when Sasuke announced the end. They shook hands and Mr. Hannard chuckled, looking at them both in turn.

"Associates," he said, with a knowing grin. "I remember my last business associate. She's my wife now."

Sasuke flinched slightly and Hinata blushed.

"Uh, it's not like that…" Hinata began.

"We really are associates, sir," Sasuke said, his tone the same.

Mr. Hannard nodded as if to put two children's argument to rest. "I understand. You think no one sees it."

Sasuke allowed Hinata to exit first and then thanked the man before following her.

They closed the door behind them and stood in the main hall, stunned.

Sasuke said nothing. Hinata didn't say a word either. She felt so embarrassed at Mr. Hannard's last words that she wanted to melt into the floor. Sasuke's gaze slowly landed on her and she looked up quickly. His eyes were fixed on hers, studying intently, ignoring the fact she could see him perusing her.

"Sasuke…" she said quietly, waving her hand softly before his eyes. He kept staring.

"He married his associate," he said, his voice drifting off as he began to walk to the door. Hinata followed him slowly, her heart thumping at his strange words. Suddenly there was more than tolerance in the air between them.