A Date With Destiny

Disclaimer: Naruto (c) Masashi Kishimoto


As soon as Hinata and TenTen stepped out of the bathroom, an overly concerned Naruto ambushed them. His clear blue eyes were wide as Hinata and TenTen recounted what happened in the bathroom with Sakura. Neji let out a silent chuckle when Hinata repeated the threat that TenTen had imposed on the pink-haired girl. Both girls remained careful to skip over the main sections of Sakura's tirade; worried that it would instigate unnecessary conflict among the group. However, as TenTen played over the events, Hinata noticed that Sasuke was still leaning on the wall, staring at the diamond tile floor glumly.

After they were done, Neji asked, "Are we still going to go ahead with the plan? We'll have to revise it if we do. However, I propose that we drop it right now and try to make amends."

"Why? It's not our fault that TenTen slapped Sakura!" Naruto argued defensively. Neji's features hardened.

"I know it isn't, Uzumaki, but think about this." He spread his hands. "Haruno is a powerful enemy—especially in the Academy. She can navigate the media and paparazzi any direction she wishes and in doing so, she can cause more harm to Hinata."

"She won't be able to touch her!"

"You idiot, you think that mere force will be able to deny her?" Neji's jaw tightened at Naruto's ignorance. "Do you have any idea how this will affect Hinata's image? You forget again who she is, Uzumaki—the sole heir of the Hyuuga Corps—"

"Enough, Neji…" Hinata placed a comforting hand on her cousin's shoulder. "I-I asked Naruto not to consider my status already, it just makes everything much harder for me. I think we do have reason to be cautious, but I trust you, Naruto, TenTen and…Sasuke…" She faltered a bit at the last name.

TenTen stiffened when she saw Neji grasp Hinata's hands and murmur something intelligible to her. Hinata shook her head and went to stand next to TenTen again. There was an uncomfortable moment of silence.

"So…that's it, then?"

Naruto examined the solemn faces of his friends. Finally, Sasuke was the one who answered him.

"No," he managed a grim smile, "Don't forget, there's still the annual runway show put on by that witch of a woman…all we have to do is get Hinata in it. It'll greatly increase her popularity and then Haruno will have to admit defeat."

"Hai…" Neji's lip twitched as he thought, "But how will we get her in?"

"Don't forget who I am," Sasuke's smile suddenly seemed sinister, "After all, I am the future co-president of Uchiha Inc., and I do have…external connections. Leave it to me, and everything will go accordingly."

"Yeah! That would totally work out," Naruto was relieved by the quick resolution that had just been achieved. "And Hinata would look totally AWESOME!"

"Um…" Hinata tugged at Naruto's sleeve, "I'm going to have to wear high-heels and more fancy things, right?"

They all stared at her.

TenTen couldn't help but feel a little bit disgusted by the incoherent blush creeping up on all the boys' faces and the tiny drop of a nosebleed on Naruto's face.


Under the stony mask he put on, Sasuke Uchiha was seething in rage. How dare Haruno insult Hinata, especially when she was the only one who had any compassion on the pink-haired monster? Did the woman lose all sense of simple gratitude? What angered him almost as much was the way Naruto had regarded the witch when she left the bathroom crying. All three of them were briefly shocked of course, but Naruto's face showed poorly concealed pity for her. Of course, he had been careful to restrain himself from running after her, because if he did, Sasuke would've been glad to hunt him down. For a brief moment, Sasuke thought he detected a difference in feeling between Naruto and Hinata.

One can observe much when one is leaning against the wall, he thought sarcastically. At that moment he was just trying to control his own expression. His hand clenched at nothing when they described how Haruno had turned on Hinata and how TenTen had to defend her. It was surprising the feel the emotion swirling up inside of him, and having to press it down to maintain his cool demeanor.

It didn't help when Neji had acted so familiar with Hinata. Somewhere in Sasuke, a foreign emotion stirred in him. It was a mix of sadness, grief, anger and envy. Somehow, he came to the conclusion that it was just simple jealousy.

Jealousy at the fact that Hinata was so comfortable with everyone except for him. What had he done to make her so alien to him?

Of course, the act of groping her earlier didn't even register in his mind as he pondered over the queer jealousy he felt.

The proposal of putting Hinata in the runway show was a mere whim. But in fact, he knew that his brother's current girlfriend was an important sponsor for the show. Without her, Haruno couldn't continue. It was also convenient that the girlfriend would do anything to get on the good side of Sasuke, since apparently, she didn't know about the previous engagement his brother had to Hinata Hyuuga. She was just a toy that Itachi Uchiha liked better than all the other ones.

Sasuke couldn't believe he was following his brother's footsteps with women.


The next three days were consumed in a flurry of activity.

Sasuke did get Hinata included in the Spring Flare show (as it was named); using ways that he kept to himself. The three following Gazette issues were mainly focused on the anticipation for the show and how high the ticket prices were reaching. It was well known now that Hinata Hyuuga would be in it; making the prices run even higher.

So, on the Saturday, six days away from the date of the dance, Hinata Hyuuga was quite busy backstage. Apparently she couldn't get out of wearing extensive make-up or walking in three inch high-heels. Thank goodness that she only tripped three times on the last rehearsal. Hinata fingered the outfits that she would have to switch on and off in a space of five minutes each.

They were an assortment of different shades put into different categories. Lime green and neon yellow, black lace and lavender silk, pure white and baby blue. Her hair was braided into two thick and loose pigtails intertwined with shimmering purple ribbons.

Hinata felt like a dress-up Barbie when they measured and put the outfits on her as they forced her to prance around in death-defying heels. It reminded her of how she used to play dress-up with Naruto back in the day.

Naruto.

He was practically ignoring her these days.

Whenever she saw him, he would be depressed or would refuse to talk about anything. She wished that she could tell him what was happening to her…but the words wouldn't come out. How do you tell someone that you're in love with someone that won't love you back?

Of course, she noticed, Naruto had his own problems. Haruno quieted down the past few days, wandering around with the same confused look as Naruto instead of creating any more problems or pitfalls for Hinata. To Hinata, this was a relief, maybe a sign that Sasuke's plan had worked. After all, whenever Hinata was out, people she never knew existed would greet her and smile and chatter like they were her best friends. It was unnerving to say the least.

But somehow, she thought that something more was going on.

Naruto would always be gone at the same time for lunch, and he would be optimistic beforehand. But afterwards, he was dejected and lost when Hinata tried to ask him what was wrong. When the models were all practicing to be Barbies, she would see Haruno leaning against the wall, hugging herself and minimizing her own presence.

It was like everyone had been replaced with clones.

Hinata smiled as she ran her finger down the lime green material, as least Sasuke wasn't acting too weird. He was still cold and blasé, but that just made Hinata's heart thump more, because sometimes she could see his other side when they were together. Those silent chuckles and light hints at sarcasm—a side that no one else ever saw. That alone made it all the more precious to her.

Feeling his presence, his fingers running through her hair and his ivory smooth skin under her hands…that was all very, very special to Hinata. This Sasuke she could see was warm, kind and caring—in his own way.

She wandered off the stage, hoping to get some fresh air to calm down her jumping nerves before the show began. A hand suddenly grabbed her from behind and she found herself face to face with Sasuke. His trademark Uchiha smirk was still on his face.

"Wh-what are you doing here?" Hinata felt a hot blush paint her cheeks.

"To see how you're doing."

"I'm fine…"

"Are you absolutely sure?" He was staring at her intently.

"Hai," her eyes softened, "I'm fine as long as I don't break my leg on those high heels."

"Hn," he seemed to consider the possibility, "Knowing you, that wouldn't be hard to accomplish."

"Would you care?" She tried to sound lighthearted as she presented him with the question. She saw a flash of mischief in his eyes.

"You decide."

Then he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. Immediately, Hinata's eyes closed and she leaned into him. Then his arm wrapped around her and she gasped with surprised as he lifted her up and ducked into a dark storage room nearby, never breaking the kiss the whole time. By now, she should be used to this…but every time she felt him so near, her heart would quicken and she found herself complying with whatever he wanted. She tried to hold back the moan as his hands roamed her slim body, finally settling around the narrow edges of her hips. Her own hands went up, clutching his dark hair.

His tongue was exploring her mouth, tasting the sweetness left over by the gum she had been chewing and effectively making her breathless. After a while, they both pulled apart, panting for breath. Hinata was still running her hands through his hair, enjoying the shudders that went through him while she did. His lips went down to the hollow of her throat, making her breath catch and her mind went blank as he trailed light kisses down her collarbone.

"D-do you…" her voice faltered when his poked under her shirt. She swallowed and tried to keep a clear mind as he toyed with the edge of her bra. A part of her mind exulted, wanting this to happen. Another part rebelled, urging her to push him away and ask the question that was bothering her for so long. The rebellious part won.

"Do you love me?"

The question hung in the air, almost visible to Hinata's eyes. She felt him freeze beside her. Her own mind was now screaming at her stupidity for asking the question. But she had to know. Were these excursions an act of love…or just the simple matter of lust?

"Does it matter?" She recoiled, stung by the frostiness in his words. She gulped and nodded.

"Hai. It does matter…" it came out in a shaky whisper.

"That never occurred to me."

"Ah." Her vision blurred with tears. So it was just lust. Her heart ached uncontrollably, threatening to shatter her whole being. How unlucky. She fell hopelessly in love with someone who would never love her back. For a moment, she thought that maybe, she found the person she could spend the rest of life with. Maybe they could've found some way to escape the bindings of an arranged marriage. But not anymore—he probably didn't even love her. She withdrew her hands and clasped them together, as if trying to hold her breaking heart.

"I…I understand," she wiped at her tears quickly, "The show is about to start soon and Haruno-san will get on my case if I don't get there early."

Without another word, she turned briskly and walked out of the dingy room. He stared at the empty space in front of him and then slammed his head into the wall. How could he be so stupid? But he wasn't the type to ever chase after a girl—not even one that he might've fallen in love with. That thought scared him immensely.

Sasuke Uchiha falling in love with a girl. Not just taking advantage of her for his own convenience, but actually loving and cherishing somebody. His head span from the pain of hitting hit head on the wall and watching Hinata leave without looking back. He tried to sift through the myriad of emotions rising up in him as the runway music started on the stage. Regret. Sadness. Jealousy. Desire. Caring. And the pain of thinking about separation from Hinata.

He closed his eyes, wondering if maybe, this overwhelming heartbreak and the pain he saw briefly reflected in Hinata's was the definition of love.


Author's Note: Two or three more chapters to go! Yesh indeed, I'm so happy! The sequel, which I am planning, will probably be posted a month after this one ends. It should be short, around five chapters and such. After this fanfiction, I will work on Reflection, which won the poll. Anyway, I personally hate this chapter, but it needed to be written. Oh, and the thank you drawing for 200+ votes is on my profile. Please review!

-moonhaku