DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!!!

Sorry, I've been really busy.

-HmongAuthoress


Part VII: The Gala, Part 2

"Hinata," Kiba said letting go of her after the dance ended, "You must be thirsty. I'll go get you a drink, okay?" Hinata nodded shyly, "Thank you, Kiba."

"It's no biggie," he said walking away to the refreshments table.

"Excuse me," a male voice said causing Hinata to turn around. She came face to face with him, and stiffened. Smiling coolly, Sasuke said, "You again, huh? Just can't seem to stop following me."

"T – that's not what – what I'm trying to do," Hinata stuttered uncomfortably looking away from him. He looked handsome in his traditional black tux. However, his white button shirt underneath wasn't quite completely buttoned, revealing a bit of tan muscular chest. His piercing onyx eyes, spiky dark hair, and seductive smile seemed to almost lure her into his mental grip. Trying to intimidate her, Sasuke teasingly stepped forward closer to her, indecently so. Her face looked like a tomato now with two pearly orbs. Looking around, hoping someone would come rescue her, she saw that Kiba was talking to someone and was holding two drinks in his hand. You're joking me, she thought dismayed.

"Oh … really?" Sasuke said as a new slow song started playing. Hinata looked at him, trying to ignore the fact that he was so close, "Excuse me please," she said starting to walk away and get lost in the crowd. The slow song was now playing louder, and the room's chandeliers were being dimmed, causing Hinata more reason to feel insecure.

"Not so fast," Sasuke whispered into her ear as he grabbed her arm and whirled her into his arms, "You're not leaving me without a dance partner. You danced with that other boy … Kiba was it?" Hinata struggled helplessly against his steel grip, "P – please let me go. I'm sure y – you can find someone else to be your partner."

He encircled her tightly into his strong arms whispering, "I want you to be my partner for this dance." Hinata was so surprised she stopped struggling and looked up into his face to see a sexy smile directed to her. She blushed and looked away, "B – but …" She wasn't sure what she should say to him.

"That's more like it," he whispered huskily into her ear, "Relax. I won't try to seduce you … just yet anyways. As much as I hate to admit it, you look way too good to be left alone tonight."

"I – I came w – with someone," Hinata said weakly, "I don't want him to think I – I've ditched him."

"Well, that's too bad," Sasuke, said, "Because you're with me now." She squirmed against him grip awkwardly. She could feel his hands on the small of her back through her stupidly thin dress. Although she was fully clothed, Hinata felt too revealed to him with her low neckline and bare shoulders.

He grabbed her hands and put them around her neck, bringing her against him. Their faces were so close. Sasuke could smell her deliciously flowery perfume. He liked it. Suddenly, an idea struck him and he smiled inwardly, beginning to dance her close to the courtyard garden out back.

Hinata hadn't realized what he was doing until they were outside, "W – why are we outside?" He tightened his grip around her so she wouldn't escape; "I've decided you're going to be my company tonight."

"W – what!?" Hinata spluttered, "N – no way. I can't – I won't spend the night with you! I don't even know you!"

"You'll get to know me better then," Sasuke whispered in her ear. He looked at her and was suddenly struck by how ethereally beautiful she looked. She looked as though she was glowing and her hair was now unexpectedly loose from its bun.

The next thing Hinata knew Sasuke was closing in on her in a way that made Hinata feel claustrophobic. She pushed him away as hard as she could and he stopped.

"What is it now?" He said exasperatedly.

"We could be friends," Hinata suggested hopefully, "We – You don't need to do things like this."

"Of course I don't need to," he said his voice lowering to a whisper, "But I definitely want to."

"But – " Hinata started saying. Before she had the chance to finish her sentence, he seized her open mouth. She beat against his chest in what seemed like a futile attempt at release. She could hear a low chuckle from his throat. At first it was only lip to lip, but soon she found her mouth being enveloped into a slow … sexylavishing kiss.

Oh – my – goodness, she thought feeling her body melt against him against her will, He's using his tongue. Quickly she regained her composure enough to push him away, breathing hard for air.

"Well," Sasuke said smiling sexily, "That was an interesting experience." Anger flowed through her, and she looked straight into his eyes. SLAP!

"Don't you ever – ever touch me again," Hinata said looking as though she was about to cry and then ran away.

"Yeeash," Sasuke said, rubbing his now bruised cheek, "She sure packs a punch for a nun."

Gala's Ballroom

Hinata took a few seconds to breathe deeply and make sure that she didn't look as though she was about to cry. Plastering a fake smile on her face towards those looking at her, she discreetly walked to the women's bathroom. When she finally got in the empty golden looking room, she headed straight for a stall. Sitting down on the toilet, she began to cry.

What was I thinking? Why did I let him do that? I am a nun … or at least I used to be.

"Excuse me," a female voice said, "Are you okay?" Quickly wiping away her tears, she opened the stall door, "I'm fine – Ino?"

"You! You're – you were that nun and – " Ino screamed excitedly, "I knew you were Hinata! I knew your eyes seemed familiar!"

Hinata wasn't sure what she should say and so just stood there before being embraced in a hug, "Ino, what are you doing?"

"Giving my savior a hug, duh, " Ino said looking at her happily, "Look at you! You're all dolled up and gorgeous!" Hinata blushed, "It's just for tonight."

"Hinata," Ino said as if they were best friends already, "You have no idea what you saved me from. Whew! That was way too close. By the way, why are you in here? We need to get back out there. I know we both look way too good to be only staying in a bathroom." She smiled and winked at Hinata. She did look extremely nice in a slim white sleeveless dress and her hair was in a half – ponytail.

"Um – um…" Hinata said trying to find some kind of an excuse to stay in the bathroom, but before she could she soon found herself being dragged out of the bathroom. Suddenly she bumped into someone almost knocking them to the floor.

"I'm so sorry," Hinata said helping the person up, "I didn't mean to bump into you."

"You should be," the gorgeous pink-haired woman said, brushing off her dress, "But then again when does a Hyuuga ever not bump into someone." With a cruel laugh, she looked or rather, examined Hinata from head to toe, "You're the old heiress, huh? You're certainly not much to look at."

Stung by her comments, Hinata just stood there staring at the woman in utter shock.

"Sakura," Ino said, coming out of a crowd she had gotten momentarily lost in and glaring at her, "What's up with you?" Suddenly seeing her, the woman called Sakura seemed to change completely, "I'm sorry, Ino. I'm just really tired and grouchy." She rubbed carefully at her eyes, looking as though she would cry. Ino's expression softened, "I'm sorry, Sakura. I didn't mean to snap on you."

"It's okay," Sakura said, smiling, "It's just that this girl pushed me down." She frowned a little at Hinata, "You should have watched where you were going, and at least apologized."

Ino looked at her strangely, "Hinata and I were just heading out of the bathroom. I'm sure she accidentally bumped into you." An expression of shock quickly passed over Sakura's face for a second, and then she smiled in a way that showed she obviously wasn't happy with Hinata, "Of course, Ino. I must have imagined it." She smoothed out her dress coolly, making sure the blue silk wasn't ruined in any way, and that every hair in her curly hairstyle was in place, "By the way, I'm Sakura Haruno. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Shaking off the vibes that this woman was giving her, she bowed slightly and smiled, "I'm Hinata Hyuuga. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."

"Oh the joys of youth and friendship!" Lee said suddenly appearing from behind Sakura, smiling, "Oh Sakura, Hinata! Two lovely flowers in full bloom!" He kneeled on the floor dramatically, "If one of you would only dance with your meager servant, I would be able to die a happy death!"

The suddenness and funniness of his outburst caused Ino and Hinata to burst in laughter.

"Am I missing something here?" Naruto said, popping out from behind Ino and flashing them a smile, and stiffening slightly when seeing Sakura.

"Hey Naruto," Hinata said smiling at Naruto. He looked at her happily, "Hey, are you enjoying yourself?" She nodded happily, "It's been fun."

"The fun's far from over, Hinata. Excuse us everyone," he said softly, grabbing her hand, and leading her out onto the dance floor. It felt like everyone was watching them. She blinked in surprise and they began to dance. He danced extremely well and seemed to really enjoy it. He twirled her and put his hand on her waist, making her blush slightly. Hinata smiled at him and was surprised to find him with a soft expression.

"Hinata," he said quietly, "I really think you're a great person, and I think I could really like you. Will – will you go out with me?"

Hinata looked at him, not sure what to say, "I – I don't know…"

"I understand," Naruto said solemnly, "You're not ready right now, but it's okay." He kissed her cheek gently, "I'll wait until you are." Then he walked away, his hands in his pockets.

"Oh please," Sakura said from behind her, "He wouldn't want someone like you. I'll have you know, he loves me." With that, she walked away.

What did she mean by that? Did they used to go out or something? I'm so confused.

Thinking about this, she walked to the food tables, and picked up a cup of what she thought was punch. Drinking it, she began to feel a bit drowsy. She walked outside to get fresh air, deciding that was probably what she needed.

Suddenly she felt herself sway and just before passing out, she could have sworn that she just saw a pair of identical eyes.


HmongAuthoress: Whew! Too busy to write more, but I'm listening to "So Sexy" by Reyez which provided a good

inspiration. I hope you enjoyed it. Hinata goes through so much. Poor girl. :P