A/N:
I edited the last chapter and added to a couple parts. You don't have to re-read it, but it's better now (and longer)! Gosh it was worse than I thought.
PREVIOUSLY:
Finding Naruto holding an alcoholic drink, Sasuke took it from his grasp, ignored his friend's protests, and drank the contents.
"Hello?" Ino waved a hand in front of Hinata's frozen features, "Earth to Hinata. Are you okay?"
"Uh… I… um," was all she could voice.
Ino crossed her arms and gave her a suspicious glare, "You know I know, right?"
Hinata's heart skipped a beat. She looked down, "Kn—Know what?"
"I almost forgot but when I saw you two I remembered. I saw the ad on a billboard before I came here. Hinata, why didn't you tell me you worked with that man-whore?"
Man… whore?
"I can understand if it was just a job, but to talk to him here?" she said, looking in Sasuke's direction. "Trust me, he's not your type."
Type? "I… was just—"
"I mean, I know every girl likes him, but I thought you liked guys like Naruto," Ino paused, then looked at Hinata. "Speak of the devil," she said, pointing to the blonde male.
Hinata's head immediately whipped in the direction Ino was pointing in. She saw Sasuke take a glass from Naruto's hand. When she heard giggling, she turned her attention back to Ino.
"You're so obvious, you know," she smacked Hinata's shoulder playfully. "Well, as long as it's him. So? What are you waiting for? Go talk to him!"
"I—I already… did," Hinata looked to the ground shyly.
"You did?" Ino put a hand to her mouth. "When? Why didn't you tell me?" She sighed, "First, you didn't tell me about your shoot with Sasuke, and now this. And here I thought we were friends. Able to talk to each other about anything." Sighing, she feigned hurt.
"No, no," Hinata hastily replied, "That's—not it."
Ino's frown suddenly turned into a smirk, "You're too gullible, Hinata." She crossed her arms in front of her chest again, "But really, I'm not Sakura you know. You don't have to hide anything about that guy around me. Now spill."
Hinata paused, "W—With what?"
"Well, how about Naruto first. We'll get to the good stuff later."
Sighing, Hinata told her nerve-wracking experience as best she could.
"Damn it!" she heard Naruto Uzumaki say aloud. But still, Sasuke did not stop looking at the girl.
Who was she? What is she to him? Maybe that bitch was the reason Sasuke wanted to break up, Karin contemplated, her jaw clenched. If it weren't for the glass in between her fingers, she would ball her hands into fists so tight her knuckles would turn white.
Just when she was going to play hard-to-get by brushing by Sasuke and showing him a cold shoulder, she watches him approach the girl. Then she saw the two actors speaking with the girl. And why did he stay with her when he was left alone?
Constantly Sasuke would isolate himself during the time he was her co-star in their last movie. He didn't care to talk to anyone unless he was forced to, and wouldn't be near anyone unless he had to.
So why is she so special? Karin didn't recognize her from anything. And she certainly wasn't as pretty. Rather, she was boring and plain. But with the way she was barely talking when the boys were around her, was she playing hard-to-get too?
So she knows the secret? It must be working too! Since Sasuke sneaks glances at her. She grew angrier as her thoughts ran wild.
Then, an idea came to mind. She grinned menacingly. Perfect.
"Really?" Ino laughed, "Wow, Hinata. I mean I knew you were really shy, but to freeze up like that? Come on! You should've taken advantage of the moment. Seize the opportunity!"
Ino's words made Hinata feel regretful that she didn't have enough courage to speak more.
"I mean, if I were you, and I liked him, I would've tried to show my good sides. You should've flirted with him!" Ino pushed Hinata's shoulder teasingly.
A blush crept upon Hinata's cheeks. Flirt? She definitely didn't have the courage for that!
"It might be hard for someone like you, but all you gotta do is think subtle. Little touches here and there work."
"Eh?" Hinata couldn't imagine being so forward. "Ino, I—"
"You see it's like this…" Ino proceeded to teach Hinata in the ways of flirting. She demonstrated small taps on the arm or brushing of the legs and all Hinata could do was turn tomato red. Her body temperature was rising just thinking about doing such things to Naruto. Ino and Sakura were always confident enough, but Hinata wasn't like that. She didn't have such confidence.
"…Got it? So, since I never saw you talk to him, it doesn't count."
"E—Excuse me?" Hinata was shocked.
"I'm saying you have to talk to him before we leave," Ino leaned closer to Hinata for emphasis, "and think subtle." She winked.
"But—"
"How did you come here anyway? Agent? Taxi?" Ino looked around them, "I didn't see Tsunade here," she looked back at Hinata, "So by taxi?"
Hinata didn't know how to respond. She couldn't possibly tell her that Sasuke personally drove her here.
Before she could answer, Ino spoke again, "Let's share a taxi on the way home, okay?"
She nodded slowly, even though she was unsure whether she was supposed to get a ride back with Sasuke. Since she was given a ride to the event, it was only assumed she would be driven back. But to decline Ino's offer was too suspicious.
"Great! We can share cab fare. Hey," Ino grabbed Hinata's arm and started pulling her, "come with me to the bathroom. Let's freshen up."
"Okay," Hinata let Ino guide her to the female's restroom.
When they walked in, they found the restroom to resemble that of a hotel's public restroom. It held more than one sink, marble countertops, and had more than one stall to use, all in a golden color tone. It was a restroom fit for large gatherings, or perhaps royalty.
No one was inside. Ino found a mirror to stare into, as she fixed the make-up around her eyes. Hinata didn't bring anything, so she simply looked back at herself in another mirror. Then they heard a third person walk in.
"Oh? Hey, it's you!"
The voice caused the two girls to turn to the female. Suddenly, a flash blinded Hinata, causing her to shut her eyes.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" she heard Ino yell.
Hinata blinked rapidly as she opened her eyes again. When her vision was almost back to normal, she saw a girl smiling, giggling to herself. Recognizing her red hair, Hinata gaped.
"Oh, nothing. I just… was a big fan, I guess," Karin shrugged.
"Yeah, right!"
"Hm. You're right," Karin's smile instantly turned into a frown, "I'm lying."
Hinata noticed Karin was holding a wine glass the moment she raised her arm. She immediately squeezed her eyes closed in reflex, then felt liquid hit her face and drip from her hair and her clothes. A gasp was heard behind her.
"You bitch! You crazy psychotic bitch!" Ino yelled.
"Good. Now you look as pathetic as you act," Karin told Hinata. "Consider this a warning. I don't know what you think you're doing, but don't you dare think to come near my boyfriend again. Got it?"
Hinata wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. But as she did so, she realized she was shaking. When did it become so cold?
"Boyfriend? What, you mean Sasuke? Um, last I check, he dumped your sorry ass."
"I thought they told you not to believe everything you read," Karin smirked.
"Who said I read it? He told me."
Karin paused, glaring. Then she questioned, "Who the hell are you? I've never heard of you before."
Ino placed her hands on her hips, "We have a history."
She grit her teeth, "Liar."
"Try me," she said, crossing her arms.
Karin growled. "Shut up, you stupid blonde!"
"What did you say, fire head?" Ino was about ready to charge at the redhead with fists of fury until Hinata turned around to face Ino. "Hinata, are you okay?" Ino slowly reached for her friend's arm. She could see her mildly shaking.
Karin turned to leave, satisfied.
Ino glared at Karin's backside, mumbling beneath her breath, "Yeah you better run, you whore." Then she turned to Hinata when she heard her sniffling, "Hinata? What's wrong?"
Her head bowed, Hinata wiped at her eyes again, "I… I was just surprised… that's all."
"Well… Hinata, is there something I don't know about? Why are you making enemies already? It was just one job, right?"
She nodded lightly.
"Okay, then, don't worry about it. She's just insane." When Hinata continued to sniffle, Ino grew irritated. She placed her hands on her hips, "Listen up. Stop crying or you'll have to deal with me next. You should never cry because of trash. Wipe your eyes one more time and that better be the end of it."
Hinata froze, the backs of her hands to her eyes. What with Ino's tone of voice, she knew she was going to be in trouble if she didn't stop. So, with her best effort, she took in a deep breath, then wiped her eyes for the last time, lowering her arms to her sides afterwards.
"Good. Now look at me."
Hinata squeezed her eyes to hold any more tears threatening to fall. Then, she slowly raised her head to face Ino, blinking.
"Better," Ino said, looking into both of Hinata's eyes. "Now let's dry you up."
After a few minutes passed of the two patting the red wine from Hinata's face, hair and clothes with toilet paper, Ino spoke up again.
"I don't know about you, but I think I've partied enough for one night," she said, observing Hinata's stained clothes. "Shocking I know, since I just love parties. But it's always cool to leave early anyway." Turning her face to Hinata, she asked, "Wanna leave?"
"Okay," she replied softly.
As Ino linked their arms together, Hinata began to grow nervous remembering that she would have to leave Sasuke behind, but also grew worried that she might confuse—if not anger—Sasuke Uchiha if he were to be waiting for her. She couldn't leave Ino for a moment just to speak with him either, not as they were leaving like this.
Contemplating what she could do, she felt almost relieved when she recalled that Tsunade had made them exchange numbers.
"And then he was like—"
When Naruto stopped midsentence, Sasuke opened his eyes to look at him.
"Oh I'm sorry! Are you okay?" Karin petted Naruto's arm.
"Uh, yeah, I'm fine," Naruto replied, confused.
Pathetic, Sasuke thought, but what he mumbled was, "Obnoxious."
"Oh? Gosh I never saw you there, Sasuke. How are you?" Karin feigned surprise. Without giving him time to answer, she turned back to Naruto, "So how have you been? Naruto, right? We haven't formerly met or anything but of course I know who you are." She smiled charmingly, sticking her chest out to emphasize her sexiness in the red dress she wore.
Naruto grinned, laughing awkwardly.
Unlike Naruto, Sasuke could see through her façade. Deciding he was in no mood to hear her suspicious overly effeminate voice, he stepped away from the wall he was leaning on and left the two behind to move across the room.
Karin continued to show attention to Naruto until Sasuke had his back to them. She then followed his retreating backside with her eyes as he further distanced himself. She grit her teeth.
Confused by her change in expression, Naruto asked, "Hey, anything wrong?"
Though she wasn't addressing him, but was more speaking to herself, Karin gave him an earful.
The girls had done their best to sneakily pass through the partygoers without them noticing Hinata's stained clothing. Despite a few stares and a pointing of a finger or two, the girls were able to leave quickly and without too much notice.
As they stepped outside of the mansion, Hinata pulled out her phone. Too shy to call him, and assuming he might not even hear his phone ring, she opted to text him instead. It took her a moment to rack her brain to figure out how to tell him nicely, and as Ino called for a taxi, she finally wrote down what she wanted to say, then sent it.
"Hinata," Ino called.
She flinched, looking back up at Ino. A taxi was already beside the curb and Ino held the door open.
"Let's go."
Women of different ages surrounded Sasuke as he was planning to find another wall to lean against. Their flirting tactics temporarily stopped him in his tracks. They made sure he didn't leave their company. Visibly irritated, he replied in only one-word sentences to their questions. He could care less of masking his attitude from them. Fortunately, their conversations were cut short when the vibration of his phone in his pocket distracted him.
He took it out and saw that he had a text message, and was mildly surprised when he found it came from the shy girl, his "partner."
Deciding not to read what she sent him, and if only to free himself from the attention of the group of females, he decided to call Hinata instead. Without excusing himself, he turned back the way he came and put the phone to his ear.
The ringing continued on the line, and he thought she would ignore his call until he finally heard light rustling then mumbling of a word that sounded like a greeting. In order to hear the soft-spoken girl more clearly, he walked out of the room through the main entrance and stepped outside.
"What?" he asked indifferently.
"I—I sent you… a text," she replied. Her voice seemed very hushed over the phone.
"What did it say?" he replied. Knowingly, he was making small talk, insignificant talk, and reasoned it was because he was bored and the call was a good reason to be away from the people inside.
"Um, I'm, um, going home now. So… you don't need… to…"
She was trailing off, and it didn't seem that she wanted to finish her sentence. Why does she act so strangely? And leaving already? he questioned, before concluding that he didn't care and didn't need to care whether she left now or later or never.
"Who are you talking to?" he heard through the line. "Your agent?" He guessed it to be the blonde girl from before, her friend apparently.
Well, she didn't have to explain anymore to him because Sasuke already knew what she was trying to say anyway. What does it matter if he doesn't take her home? Whether or not Tsunade allowed this, it was Hinata's own decision to leave herself. He contemplated explaining that he could care less about driving her but decided against saying so much and instead replied with, "Fine." He hung up the phone, then decided he'd have a couple more drinks before he ended the night.
When he reentered the mansion and returned to the party, the night seemed even more dull and pointless. He had no reason to be here nor did he have a reason to stay. And that was all.
"Hey," Naruto approached him. "Where'd you go? Leaving me with her too… You sure get all the crazies, don't you?" He paused, then added, "Except Sakura of course!"
Sasuke glared at him. What was he getting at?
"Yeah, out of all of them, I like her best," Naruto said with his hands behind his head, turning to look around to make sure the redheaded girl wasn't nearby.
"Shut up."
Naruto turned back to the brooding male, "What did I do?"
Sasuke took another drink from a passing waiter. He said nothing as he drank it all expertly.
"Hey," Naruto said. "Shouldn't you slow down? You've been drinking all night."
"So?" he replied, wiping the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand when he finished.
"So? You're driving aren't you? You can't drive if you keep drinking! You may have good tolerance but that doesn't mean you're not susceptible to getting drunk."
"Go lecture someone else."
"I guess I couldn't see you talk to him," Ino said disappointingly, "Darn." Then after a moment of silence, she proceeded to reignite the conversation regarding Sasuke, to Hinata's dismay, "Yeah I heard he broke up with that bimbo. He probably just did her, then dumped her—Oh!" Ino put a hand to her mouth, "Right. Sorry, Hinata. I forget you're innocent." She patted her friend's head lightly.
Hinata hid a small blush. Making up ideas that one slept with another, wasn't that sort of thing private? "I—It's okay," Hinata tried to wave it off. She would normally overhear her speaking of these things with Sakura anyway so it wasn't very surprising. But that the topic has to be about Sasuke is the only reason she felt somewhat uncomfortable. She just didn't want to think about those things if it revolved her… her "partner."
"So," Ino turned her body toward Hinata, "What was it like working with him? Were you really naked? Tell me everything! And if you want, I'll promise not to tell Sakura."
Hinata watched Ino as her friend looked back at her innocently.
To further emphasize her seriousness, Ino held out her pinky finger, "Pinky promise."
Hinata hesitantly took it.
Ino squealed. "So first, answer me honestly." Ino leaned closer to Hinata to whisper in her ear. Doubtfully but still somewhat hesitantly, she asked, "Did… you sleep with him?"
Hinata turned red at the thought, then waved her hands to Ino, "No, no!"
"Phew," Ino leaned back straight. "Well with you I shouldn't expect much," she said, looking away from Hinata and out the window beside her.
Hinata couldn't hear what Ino mumbled, but only caught the last few words, "…three of us." She was confused, and uttered softly, "What?"
Ino whipped her head to Hinata, "Uh… I just meant it wouldn't be good for any of us." She let out an awkward chuckle, then continued, "Anyway, what else happened?"
Hinata paused suspiciously, then nervously and hesitantly voiced a short version of the photo shoot's events. Surprisingly, Ino didn't ask too many invasive questions as Hinata thought she would. Actually, from time to time Hinata felt Ino zoning out despite her friend's eyes focusing on her. It was as if Ino was analyzing Hinata.
As they stepped outside to leave, Naruto watched Sasuke carefully, "Are you sure you'll be alright?"
"I'm fine," he replied certainly. Sure, he drank quite a bit, but the drinks weren't as strong as he had liked. The alcohol he drank wasn't enough to make him drunk so it really wouldn't do him any harm. Perhaps he felt a slight buzz, but a little light-headedness wouldn't kill him.
"Don't die, okay?"
Irritated, he replied, "Okay, shut up, I get it." He then spotted his car. You should know it isn't enough to do much to me, he added as an afterthought.
Naruto followed him as he reached his car and entered it. The moment he sat down, he felt slightly fatigued, as if he had been standing all day. Ignoring the feeling, he turned the ignition on and left Naruto behind.
The next morning, Hinata woke up still tired.
She was a morning person, so staying up late last night wasn't what her body was used to. But even though she left Orochimaru's social event early, she wouldn't have slept so late if she didn't have to worry about getting the red wine stains off her coatdress. Unfortunately, residue forever imprinted itself on the clothing.
Soon after she awoke however, she realized that the true culprit that took her from her slumber was her ringing phone. Reaching over to the nightstand next to her bed, she took hold of her phone and looked at the caller ID. It was her agent.
She sat up and answered with the best non-groggy voice she could muster, "Hello?"
"Good morning, Hinata."
"G," she yawned, "Good morning."
"I'm sorry to be calling you early like this, but I wanted to ask you if you can do me a favor."
"Yes… of course."
"You see, today Sasuke was supposed to have a photo shoot but he isn't answering my texts or picking up my calls. As I've told you, tardiness in this industry is unforgivable and it's not good for him to be doing this, especially since he's under me. It'll make me look bad and I won't tolerate it."
Hinata listened half-awake. With Tsunade's tone of voice, she began to make Hinata feel nervous in Sasuke's place.
"So, I'll need you to give him a visit. I'll text you his address. Can you do this for me, Hinata?"
It hadn't fully registered to Hinata that she had to go to see Sasuke at his home. Before she comprehended fully what Tsunade was instructing her to do, she replied, "Okay."
"Good. And please do so immediately."
Their conversation ended, and Hinata set her phone back on the nightstand. Falling back onto her bed, she snuggled under the warm bed covers. "Give him a visit," repeated in her head. …Address …visit. Then, she sat up abruptly. Visit? Me? Her chest tightened.
Her body almost felt as if it were moving on its own as she forced herself out of bed. Despite her confusion of the situation, she proceeded to change her clothes remembering Tsunade's urgency. Why her?
To Be Continued
A/N:
You know, it was actually better I waited a week because I had a paper due Monday so I might've had to have delayed an update anyway…unless I screwed my sleep again which always is the case when it comes to this story because I'd rather think and write about this than do homework.
I wrote this chapter all within the wee hours of the morning and revised it today. I started early in the morning so that I could upload it in the afternoon but it ended up becoming this late (10:10 PM) before I was completely satisfied to upload it. Darn. But this is the earliest update I've done for this story. So I guess that's something!
Anyway, let me know what you think. And thank you all for the amazing reviews!
