This chapter, though the usual length, runs a little fast. It is one of those chapters that sets us up for the future chapters.

I do NOT own Naruto.

The next week started just as bland and tedious as every other. We both got up, showered, got dressed, ate breakfast, and left for work, all within two hours. I pulled into my parking space that was reserved and designated to the CEO, me, and was met with an all-too familiar message. Spray-painted over the sign was the word 'demon.'

I haven't heard that one before...

Ever since the truth has come out, this is how Hinata and I have been treated. In all honesty, I get the brunt of it, though. Hinata, though plagued with the same curse I have, has the prestige of her clan behind her. I, on the other hand, am a nobody who has grown accustomed to the name I have been given.

With a sigh, I made mental note to have the sign cleaned, and to have cameras installed in the parking lot.

THAT decision is going to go over well with the staff...

I walked inside and wasn't met the with usual over-enthusiastic Rock Lee. In fact, no one greeted me at all. I walked over to the receptionist and greeted her, and instead of her usual smile and wave, all I got was a grunt of acknowledgement. You'd figure that after the week I had, God would at least allow me something good.

Who knows...the day is still young...

I walked to my secretaries desk and saw a letter written from Neji, informing me that Lee would not be making it to work, as he had to take care of Lee. I smiled. Even if Neji portrayed a very cold exterior, he was still a kind-hearted individual who loved his friends.

After taking the schedule that Neji made for me, I headed into my office to get started on the bane of my existence: paperwork.

Even I have to admit that Naruto has it worse than I do. Though we are still cursed in the same manner, I am not given the hate that others have toward my husband. However, today was different. Instead of the many greetings that I received from those of the once-branch house, I received the same glares of disdain that the once-main branch gave me.

I walked over to my secretary, Margaret, who was positioned outside of my office.

"Good Morning, Margaret."

She didn't respond.

"You too, huh?"

Still no answer.

"Will you at least tell me-"

"Everything is on your desk."

"Really? Care to elaborate?" I asked, getting rather impatient.

She ignored me.

"You do realize that I am your boss, right? You may not like me, but you still have to answer to me."

She sighed, "Just go look on your desk. It will explain everything."

I continued to stare at her. She quickly returned my gaze, only to remove it just as fast. With a sigh, I marched into my office, fully intent on seeing what everyone's problem was.

"HE WHAT!?" I screamed to no one.

I was staring at a paper that was part of Neji's packet. It was a copy of the shares owned by the three companies involved with the merger. In the week I was out, the Uchiha corporation had bought up half of the Uzumaki and Hyūga corporation's shares. In layman's terms, the Uchiha corporation now owned both of our respective companies.

I can't believe he...LIED to me... Oh yeah, he's gonna get it!

I stormed to my door and yelled out, "I don't care who, but someone bring me a report of the recent investments of this company!"

I was staring at the data, dumbfounded. Naruto and I were duped...by our own friends! Many questions began to race through my head. I thought back to the party, and our conversation at the hospital, trying to see if there was anything that would have pointed to this blatant betrayal.

They both acted as if nothing happened. Sasuke's explanation seemed sound...

I grabbed my cell phone in time to see it ring. It was Naruto.

My loves voice came through loud and clear, confirming my suspicions and fears even further, "We're going to Sasuke's."

He hung up.

The drive to the Uchiha corporation was very short, due to my anger. I was speeding and thankfully there were no cops to be seen. Twenty minutes later, I pulled into the parking lot, only to pull in next to Hinata. We both got out of our respective vehicles at the same time, walked over to face each other, and both nodded.

With that, we marched up to the top floor of the Uchiha corporation. Many of the people we passed at first had the same disdain the others had, but when they saw our faces, they immediately backed down. They knew what was coming.

We both marched into Sasuke's office. His office was rather simple, much like Sasuke. There were four chairs surrounding his desk, and two sat on one side, awaiting our arrival.

"Naruto." Sasuke nodded toward me. It took everything I had not to jump him right then.

Hinata, who was my calmer half, realized this and gently squeezed my hand. She looked at Sakura, who was seated next to her husband, and said, "I can't believe you did this."

"It's just business," was both their reply.

"Just business? You do realize that the only REASON we even proposed this merger was based on the fact the we are - WERE - friends, right?" I said, doing my best to control my temper.

"Too bad I didn't 'agree' to that part of the arrangement," was Sasuke's simple reply.

"So you never considered us friends?" Hinata asked.

Sakura answered with a shaking of her head, "We think so little of you, that we are firing you from your jobs."

"You will pay for this, Sasuke." I said, about to burst.

"And what are you going to do? I now OWN your company, as well as the hers. Do you realize how much money I now have? I can finally-"

"I don't care, Sasuke." I grabbed Hinata's hand and we both turned around, leaving. I stopped at the door and half-turned, "I really did think of you two as my brother and sister."

The drive home was very quiet, but the tension was high. Both of us wanted to explode, but we had to keep it together, at least for the moment. On instinct, I pulled into Konoha high school, and Naruto followed suit. We both got out of our vehicles and walked into the building. We both walked into the principal's office, only to be met by Shizune.

"Naruto, Hinata, how have you two been?"

Naruto looked down, still not trusting himself to speak. I answered for him. "We need to talk to Aunt Tsunade."

"Naru-ru?"

We both turned to see Tsunade standing in the doorway of his office. She was in the same garb she wore during our time attending the school. One look at Naruto, and Tsunade was serious, "Come into my office." We both followed her inside, and the instant the door was shut behind us, Naruto ran into Tsunade, embracing her.

With tears rolling down his face, Tsunade embraced him back. I had rarely ever seen Naruto break down like that. He has always been a very strong person, and to see him break down like he was, brought back bitter memories, making me tear up as well.

A few minutes later, Naruto calmed down enough to explain the situation to Tsunade. Tsunade just sat in her seat, the same look of disbelief that we both had earlier plastered on her face. She slowly looked up to Naruto, who was seated next to me, and said, "I can't believe this."

Naruto simply nodded.

She shook her head, "I'm sorry, Naruto. I know how important those two were to you."

A single tear fell down Naruto's face as he said, "Like family."

"And to be betrayed by family. There is no worse feeling."

"We're sorry for dumping this on you, Tsu-" I started, but was interrupted by said woman.

"It is no problem. Naruto, and now you Hinata, are the only family I have left. I am glad when you come to me, even if it just to talk."

"I just don't know how to take it. I've grown up without friends, but I've never experienced..." his voice trailed off, unsure if he should continue to rest of the sentence.

"...betrayal?" Tsunade finished for him.

He solemnly nodded his head.

Though Aunt Tsunade didn't find, or even search for, a solution to the problem we had been presented with, I was glad I spoke with her. In the few hours we spent talking, she got me to where I could think rationally again.

"Do you think we should talk to everyone else, to see if they had an inkling as to this happening?" I asked as we were walking to our vehicles that were parked outside of the school.

"From what you told me, Neji and Lee knew it beforehand." Hinata offered.

"Yeah, but what they told me was more of a warning. I don't think they had any-"

My phone rang. I pulled it out my pocket to see who the caller was.

"Speak of the Devil..." I pressed the talk button and was met with the very monotone voice of Neji.

"You heard?"

"I heard? More than that, I was told by the big man himself."

"I'm sorry, Naruto. I wish I would have done something-"

"Nah, it's okay, Neji. You did what you thought was best, and that was presenting the problem to me. I was the one gullible enough to believe that our friendship wouldn't allow him to go that far."

"Still, if I had known this would have happened, I would have stopped it."

Neji sounded resentful. He was angry with himself. I sympathized. I blamed myself too.

There was silence between us for several seconds before Neji continued, "Would you mind giving the phone to Lady Hinata? I wish to ask her something."

I chuckled at his formality, "Sure, Neji." I removed the phone from its position on my face, and handed the phone to her.

She pointed to herself and mouthed, "Me?"

I nodded my head as she took the phone.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Lady Hinata?"

"Yes, Neji?"

"I have a favor to ask of you."

"Anything...as long as it's not to borrow money" I added dryly.

"I ask only you, because I know how Naruto will react if I ask him."

"...Go ahead." I responded, getting defensive.

"Sakura wishes to speak with the two of you. She asked that I...mediate"

I glanced at Naruto who was sitting on the trunk of my car, waiting on me to finish talking. I had to admit, I wanted to talk to Sakura. We've been good friends for a long time, and I don't understand how she could do what she did.

"Sure. When?" was all I could say.

"Ichiraku."

I laughed, "Yeah," I glanced at Naruto, who was looking at the sky, lost in his own daydream. I forgot that I was even on the phone as I watched him.

Perhaps this is what Ino meant at the party.

Even with everything going on, I still found myself attracted to him. This was more than a mere physical attraction, though. When I saw him, my heart raced. When he looked at me, my old habits of stuttering and blushing came back. But, as I said, more than that, everything within me wants to hold his hand through life. No matter the problem that arises.

I would gladly give my life if it meant I could save you... I thought as I watched my love daydream.

"Lady Hinata?"

"Oh...yeah, sorry. What time?"

"Lunch."

"That's fine. I don't think it would be too much of a problem to persuade him to go."

"We thought so."

"Just one thing, Neji."

"What is it?"

"Tell her she is on VERY thin ice. Right now, I could care less about her." I sounded harsher that I intended, but it got the point across. Though I wanted to speak with her and figure this out, I was still very angry with her.

I heard Neji gulp.

Good.

"I will...relay your message. Thank you, Lady Hinata." With that, he hung up.

Naruto: "Uhh...Hinata?"
Hinata: "What?"
Naruto: "I don't think this is approriate..."
Hinata: *Jumps off of Naruto.* "And why-ever not?"
Naruto: "Because my aunt Tsunade is watch- HEY, are those chakra strings?!"
Tsunade: "Uh-Oh"

I'm not gonna write much of an "after-message." I spend the past four hours writing a paper for class. I'm tired. -.-

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