[Starting Author's Note]
Memo:
I apologize for the previous chapter being so short (especially since I haven't updated in a month last time) but it's the new year! This is the first chapter of the new year that I will be posting! Ain't that great?! Even though.. It's about 3 months into the new year.. Oops. Anyhow, thanks for being so patient with me. I just want to remind you guys with every chapter because I appreciate that you guys take the time to actually read these chapters despite them having many.. errors, so to speak.
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Chapter Summary:
It's an hour before the party starts. People are getting ready now. Neji checks in with Hinata. And before the party begins, Itachi asks the most important question of the evening.
Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto
[Ending Author's Note]
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| And, the answer? |
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There she was. It was strange, looking at her. There was his cousin, a modest little thing, flaunting her pheromones. It was dangerous seeing her this way. A child abandoned of her shell, a sprouting woman. Neji refused to see his cousin maturing every second, every minute, every day. But of all people, he could not lie to himself. Little solace was an offer dawdled over the burning night, an offer promising Hinata. Why? Because she will not meet him. "You look beautiful." Neji could see the way Hinata flinched at the sight of him appearing at the corner of the full-body mirror, her fragile heart jumpstart by fright.
"Neji..!" Hinata's curls bounced over her shoulders and with a wave of a hand as she invited Neji inside. "Have you seen Kiba around? I haven't seen him for a few hours, it's strange. I supposed he was with you otherwise he would be making a ruckus not too long ago!"
Neji averted his eyes from his cousin, a collective hangover from his tense consent with Itachi still pained him. Anxiety really does reach it's peaking point before the big game. "Ah.. Yes. He's in the kitchen now, helping the chefs. You should join him there!"
"But Neji, I've been helping out all day. I don't mean to sound selfish but.. It's just... I haven't even caught up with you this past year! After all, I did come here, and see you for a bit before you scurried off with Itachi. Now I have be excused from you again? That's not very polite.." Hinata crossed her arms. "And I didn't have the chance to show off this beautiful dress you bought me.."
The slightest reflection of Hinata had devastated Neji. The dress enhanced her womanly features but she still had a stubborn attitude of a child. He couldn't help but give her what she wants. "Fine, fine, I'll let you roam around but when it's time to raise our glasses, go to the kitchen and check on the food. We need to make sure we have enough and check chef's fatigue. It's a big day for them, the chefs... Do you hear me?"
"But.. But that's the most important.."
"Hinata." Dipped in clenched irritation was Hinata's name, it made her stomach quiver like a waking storm. She watched his outline step forward and felt a hand shelter itself on her petite shoulders. "I'm sorry but I want this party exceptional.. I hope you understand. It's important to me. For our name."
Hinata shook her head, "No, it's fine. I'm being a bit selfish anyways. But I will pester you here and there." She turned her head towards the bonfire that went on burning since the small hours of sun-down. "This place is so magnificent. Back home, it's quaint and beautiful. This room makes me feel a bit homesick."
"Going back wouldn't be a bad idea.."
"Neji.. Don't say that. It's like you want me to leave." Hinata felt on fire from head to toe as her face painted into disappointment swirled into disbelief. An uncontrollable feeling. Hinata crouched in front of the bonfire, carefully making sure to cover her bottom with her dress. She turned her head over her shoulder and found Neji's face stiffen. "I'm kidding Neji.. But going back is nice. But.. To think of going back of all days is a bit too early don't you think? Plus.. I have someone I have to see again. And I've made him wait long enough." Yes... I've made him wait long enough. To me, a little too long.
"Have a seat Kiba!" Itachi lit a match and brought close the candle in hand, carefully setting it on top of his desk.
Kiba felt old wariness surface again, he felt in the right to be suspicious of Itachi's motive, especially having invited an hour before the party opened doors. He assumed Itachi was an unpredictable man, often Neji had always questioned Itachi's intentions. Not able to meet his eyes just yet, he mapped his eyes to the floor, seating himself on where Neji last sat. A natural presence of Itachi was cold and damp, it chilled Kiba to the bone.
Itachi served Kiba with a glass of water and found amusement in Kiba's tension. He saw Kiba was a child of stone, with those rough features but in fact, he seemed vulnerable. Easily manipulated. "Kiba, I assume you know why I called you here.. Being that you probably listened to the conversation between Neji and I earlier." Itachi waited for a response, but nothing from Kiba. "Tell me Kiba, why are you helping Neji?"
"I wasn't expecting Neji to ask me a favor of this kind. I have no choice but to help him." Kiba felt air caught in his lungs. He couldn't bear it. He wasn't even a second response in and he knew tension will pile, and pile, always, pulsing him like a heartbeat. But more importantly, he wasn't sure if he could remain indifferent as Itachi maneuvered the 'idle-talk'.
"Even so, you do have a choice. What can Neji do to you if you refuse his requests? After all, You're Hinata's closest friend. She already counts you as family, I'm sure."
"Itachi, what are you trying to do here?" It was foreign to Kiba. Surely Itachi had a some role to play but what is he playing? What kind of business is he asking for.. So far in, Kiba concluded to nothing in the dead of silence.
"Now, now, Kiba.. No need to hold back anger in the back of your throat. I would be a little angry myself if kept in interrogation."
"Not once since entering have I considered this as interrogation."
"Well, that's a shame isn't it? Tell me Kiba, who is the right one here? Neji? Or I?" Itachi knew he was rambling, but he couldn't help but stump the boy. In fact, he, himself wasn't sure of the answer to his own question. "Do I have you stumped?" Itachi grimaced beneath the blackness that receded over his eyes. Another question, falling flat over Kiba.
"Rather it's an unfair question. I barely know either of you."
"..Wise of you to say, Kiba," Itachi watched Kiba's gaze harden into him like musk. "But you have drove me off the road. You avoided my question. What can Neji do to you? What is he giving you in return?"
"I don't know yet, I don't understand why you have to know. And as for being favored a grant. I have nothing to recall."
"..Really! In fact Kiba it has everything to do with me. Now that's interesting. Just why would a relative hurt the one he holds closest to his heart but not by his own hands but of another? Perhaps, a non-blood-related person that seems to be locked in a special place in the victim's heart? And he's being paid nothing? You've got to be kidding, right?"
"I'm not sure if I like your tone, Itachi."
"Tell me Kiba. Honestly. I'm just having fun with you, but truly this is valuable information to me. I'll give you time to refresh after you answer just this one question. Last question, I promise. Well.. For tonight at least. Do you want to do this?"
More than ever, Kiba felt sized down. He felt the clock tick with impatience and he honestly had no response. With out thinking, he felt obligated to speak for himself. He wasn't sure if this is what the man was capable of or if the moment felt right.
"..I don't know. I don't think so. If it means hurting Hinata, then I don't want any part of it. It's not that, I want her or anything, just in case if you were to misunderstand.. But.. It's because she's been waiting so patiently, never asking for anything in return. Always, always, waiting. And it would be a dick move to take the very thing she's been sleeping through the days for."
"..So you hold no romantic attraction towards her? You have pure motives Kiba. It's admirable. It's something the world needs a little more of. It keeps me sane, Kiba. Thank you." And with that, Itachi escorted Kiba outside, locking the room. "Seems like the event will start soon. It's your move now Kiba."
Confused about what Itachi meant, Kiba politely nodded a head to him and dismissed himself. The night still young proved to be eventful and Kiba felt motivated to find a place for himself within it.