I don't own any Naruto Characters.

Rise Above Part II

Friday morning was busier than the LAX after delays. Hinata was still hurting but fought through her pain to help with the tray preparations. She gave Itachi the recipes for her desserts so Ms. Cookie could take care of them in the church kitchen. Ms. Cookie was able to get the kitchen opened up at four in the morning and all her staff decided to help and then some. When Itachi arrived with the supplies in one of the vans his brother loaned him he almost fainted to see twelve of his homeless buddies there also. They were cleaned up and dressed.

"What...you..."
"Ms. Cookie told us what was going on. Well, we don't have anyone that really needs us but hell you've been such an inspiration we just had to do something. The deacons picked us up early and we all went to the associate minister's house to get cleaned up. Then they opened the clothes closet and we all got matching stuff, so we're your free servers for this big shing dig tonight." Mr. Mel, grinned widely, as the men smiled at the shocked young man.

Itachi could not speak but simply go to his hands and knees slowly and bow to them, with his forehead to the ground. They looked at each other and simply mimicked his appreciation. All was coming into to play as everyone played their part. By noon on Friday almost all the food was ready and it was time to deliver it to the Chrysler Hall which was across the street from the church. Itachi saw Hinata working on some icing while sitting in a chair, and he felt so proud that his girlfriend didn't sleep a wink, trying to make sure her biggest event ever would pull through. Sasuke was in the spare room taking care of his own business, trying to make amends with his cruiseline partners to give him another shot.

Hinata took a minute and winced from pain she felt in her hand. Itachi quickly took the bowl and knelt in front of her.
"Hey, you need to lay down. You've been working straight through and that's not what the doctor ordered."
"Well, I'm the master chef...right? Besides, you haven't slept either." She caressed his tired face, looking at the dark circles under his eyes, and the pinkish white around his black orbs.
"I'm strong because you are strong. So get some rest...please? I have your orders and I'll make sure we leave on time to set up."
He stood up and helped her to her feet.
"Well, I guess I can take a small nap." She feigned a yarn and he stepped into her for a quick kiss. It stunned her at how lovingly he pressed his lips along hers, and how tightly he held her around her waist. The world was like fuzzy cuddles.
"Please take her too a room, and when you do be careful, I got ta find some bourbon."
They pulled apart to hear Sasuke walk out the front door. Itachi grinned at Hinata's rosy face.

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"Hello?" Hanabi answered.

"Hanabi, what's HInata's address? I dropped my phone and it lost the information. Everything has been wiped off." Neji grumbled while he fiddled with his door key.
"Do you know what time it is?"
"Yes. I apologize. Jet lag I supposed and this confounded device is not working." Slamming the key to the ground and giving it a stomp he pinched his nose and returned to his call.

"Look, I'll call later. I think my dad will be here around two. He's staying with me. Oh and I'm at the Marriott in Norfolk."
"Oh, well okay. I've got a board meeting tomorrow, so I'll call when you when I'm awake."
"Fine. Good night...I mean morning."
Neji tried his key again and it worked. The tired lawyer walked in tossed his things down and fell on his bed to get some much needed rest.

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At one o'clock, Kiba realized Sasuke was gone and not coming back so he hitched a ride with a group of people traveling Virginia Beach bound. He also couldn't figure why he had nightmares about Akamaru. Itachi and his group of vans and sedans arrived at the Chrysler Hall to see large art exhibits and strange paintings and sculptures. They were given a map of where the food was to go and the tables set and they worked feverishly to make it happen. He had mixed feelings since he had two dishes that he'd made on the table. Hinata insisted he provide two items, to get a chance for others to try his cooking.

The police took the bullet from Akamaru, noticing the poor dog looked sickly.
"You may need to put this poor guy down. He doesn't look too well."
"We know. We hope someone will call and claim him." The worker said while they watched the weakening eyes of the whining pooch.

Neji, pulled up at the address that Hanabi gave him to see a city truck out front.
"Hello, uhm is the lady of the house home?" He asked the gentleman. Naruto turned with a questioning look.
"Uhm, well I don't think so. I've been ringing and knocking on the door and Ms. Hinata's not coming so she may be out on a job."
"A job?"
"Yeah, you know she's a great baker. Mrs. Sweets, is what her company is called. Course, I'm going to have to shut down her business for a couple of months."

Neji frowned. He didn't know Hinata had really gone through with trying to set up a baking business full time.
"Why is that? And you can tell me, I'm her cousin."
"Oh well I figured you were related. You got the same really strange but pretty eyes. Well her eyes look better cuz she's a girl, but yours are pretty too even though you're a guy, but you're cute enough to be woman, but then that's sexiest, or well not saying your gay, but you just really pretty for a man, I mean your really long hair and man your skin is like silky smooth and clear and..."
"Get on with it moron!" Neji yelled at the babbling man.
"Oh yeah, right, uhm well, ya see, she is sitting on some pipes that have messed up her foundation and well she's going to have to relocate until the city can fix it. Since she has the gas and electric it's a hazard and the city is going to condemn her house. She'll have to get her stuff out by Tuesday at least."
Neji scowled at the news and bit his bottom lip.
"Well thank you."
"Sure thing man, oh and tell her if she has time and any left overs to send me some doughnuts, I love hers!"
"Sure." Neji said while turning to get back into his cab.

Basically, she's being evicted today. I couldn't have gotten here at a worst time. Dad will hit the ceiling when he hears this.