Chapter 14- The plan: success or failure?
Hidan noticed the young blonde female as she vigorously knocked over the people in her way as she passed. She made her way to his office and hesitated before opening the door. She thought of what she was going to say as if rehearsing for a drama and then tilted the door open pushing her head in first. When she noticed he wasn't busy she closed the door behind her and walked over to the older blonde's desk. He noticed a change in her size but kept silent in case the wrong words slipped from his mouth.
"What's wrong, un?"
"I-I-"
He tilted his head in question but she ignored him, took a deep breath and proceeded to try again.
"Deidara, I'm pregnant."
He didn't move and his face displayed astonishment like no one had seen before. Ino became nervous that he might not want her anymore just like the sad reality shows where the man leaves the girl to suffer despite being one of the main roles in the whole complex situation. Ino wanted her life to be less stressing, and even though problems like these occur, she hoped that he wouldn't crush her hopes and dump her.
"Ah, well, I'm sorry to hear that."
"We have to get married after I finish school."
"No! No way. I'm not the marrying guy at all."
"But you can't leave me to take care of the baby myself!"
"There's your mother."
"No. We made the mistake so we have to fix it."
"I'm sorry I just can't-"
"Yeah, I knew it," she said crying. "All you men are the same." She walked out the room and bounced Hidan out of his path. He sighed and laughed at the same time.
"Wow, I guess I wrong about them this time."
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"Hinata where are you going?" Neji asked as she came downstairs in a change of clothes.
"Um, just going to the shopping centre."
"You've been on the road a lot lately. You just came back and you're leaving again."
"Then you want to come shopping with me?" she asked smiling at him.
"No! Guys don't go shopping Hinata."
"You're not very successful with the 'cool' act. That's why you'll never get a wife," she said smirking as she shut the door.
It did get on his nerves all right. Whenever she teased him about not getting a wife. He used this chance to phone a certain someone about Hinata's destination. Luckily, Itachi was at work and so he would be successful about their meeting. I mean, who could not give in to Sasuke's good looks. He smirked and it broadened into a laugh, when he pictured Itachi's shocked face when he sees his 'girlfriend' dating his own brother.
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The shopping centre was huge and crowded as usual. It had three stories, two elevators and many escalators to find your way around. It decorated with beige, cream and light maroon and the stores inside used colours they liked to compliment it as well. It was cold with the air conditioner but you didn't need to treat it as if it was wintertime. You'd really look silly.
You could shop from morning to evening and you would get hungry. People set up their restaurants and food places with all sorts of varieties. Setting up a business in here was a good way to make money and save money. There were frequent sales, discounts and specials. You could find almost everything in here from babies' clothes to household appliances. Oh, I shouldn't leave out the couples that come here often. If the park is too public, you can find a spot there too.
Two of the trio met at the entrance. Hinata looked to her and Sakura looked to her right for any sign of Ino. They turned to see if she was going to surprise them from behind but that wasn't the behind they looking be looking for. When they turned around they tripped over each other as Ino's mother scared them. Ino got out the car and shut the door, then took the card from her. They waved her "goodbye" after Ino got the 'don't spend off my money' look. They turned to the inside of the huge mall and looked around like lost puppies.
"So where do we go?" Sakura asked.
"I'm cold."
"Yeah me too."
"Let's go to the kiddies store first."
"Aww Hinata."
"We can buy Reiko's clothes and Mira's clothes." (Ino decided to name her daughter Mira).
"Okay, c'mon," Ino said pulling them."
They took the escalator to the store located just beside the shoe's store that was named 'Les Chaussures'. They went inside and scrambled around with the clothes. It wasn't until 15 minutes later that they saw something to buy, well except Sakura.
"Hey, isn't this so cute. It has a teddy bear on the front."
"I prefer the one the sailor moon picture," Sakura said doing the pose.
"Oh don't worry I might even buy the costume for her when she's older." They all laughed.
"That's a nice dress for Reiko."
"Yeah, since she likes blue I just thought of buying this."
"Look at this Sakura. It matches the colours of you hair and eyes."
She held up a dress that was light pink. Except for the v-shaped neck that wasn't cut deep, the top part was like a chinese dress of the same material, with a green sparkled linen decorating it. The designs on the front were darker green emerald-looking stones that were sewed on and connected by pink threads. Another green linen distinguished the hips and flowed into a flare at the bottom. The set came with a pair of shoes and accessories and Sakura had to try on the whole thing.
"Yup, it looks great."
"You should wear it on a date."
"It's a bit expensive."
"SO!" they shouted.
"Ok! You don't need to shout."
They were finally cashing and out of the store with couple of bags. Looking around for another place, they spotted a sign that marked 'SALE' and literally ran over to it. The number of bags each one had doubled by the time they left that store.
"Remember, we can't forget about shoes." And they were at it again.
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Neji switched of the motor in the parking lot close to the main entrance of the mall. He came out from the driver's side of the car and waited for Sasuke to exit the car before locking the doors. Unfortunately, it was their first time here; they had no need for coming somewhere like this. Up the stairs they went and the cool wind shocked them as they looked ahead at the three stories and all the stores in here. They looked dumbfounded at each other.
"How are we going to find them now?"
"I don't know."
"This might take a while."
"Hopefully they don't see us first."
"Yeah. You think they're still on the bottom floor."
"They didn't come a long time ago, so yeah."
"Wow."
"Let's start searching."
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"So who do we put up for this job?" Itachi asked.
"Don't know. I think Kisame is good. He's the loud and boisterous type."
"Yes. I was thinking about someone of that type which puts us back to Hidan."
"Hidan will give us a bad name. You know how frustrated he gets with these patient jobs."
"We need someone to report to Pein by the end of the day and we haven't come to an agreement yet."
"I know it's sad, Itachi."
Itachi sat in Sasori's office with the stack of files on his lap. They were debating about it for the last thirty minutes. This was the first break they had taken from this argument where there was silence in the room. The two looked up as the door creaked and Deidara's head popped in.
"Oh, so you're here too Itachi-san."
"We can't talk now," Sasori said.
"But Sasori-chaan," he wined.
"Aww, just talk to your ex-boyfriend for a while."
"Huh, that wasn't-"
"Oh we all knew you two were, 'cough'"
Deidara sat in the sat in the chair and pouted. He lifted his head with more serious-looking eyes.
"What should I do? My girlfriend is pregnant and she might dump me because I won't take care of her child."
"You mean our child."
"Ehh," he said getting angry.
"It is your child and you should take responsibility for your child."
"But I don't get well with children."
"Then you should have thought about that before."
"So mean."
"But he's right," Sasori said.
"Maybe I should find another girl."
"What about how she'll feel. It's not you broke up because you don't like her anymore. She'll still be there taunting you."
"Hmm."
"And it's not you're taking care of the child without her. Think about it that way. Suppose she feels the same way you feel about children."
"Oh I see. I'll ... think about it then."
"Thanks guys," he said before leaving.
"Wow. You're a good counselor."
"Aren't I?"
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The boys found the girls on the escalators, going to the second floor. They had to separate them before they got to the second floor. Sasuke worked his idea. Hinata was at the very back, a little behind so it was perfect. He rushed up the stairs and took one of her bags from her hand so she noticed. She spun around and ran after him. The rest were already on the second floor before she could shout to them. She decided to look for the thief and found him near the elevator. She ran on and went inside to where he stood. He turned and smiled at her but got frightened when she squealed.
"Ah! Sasuke!"
"Hey."
"Why did you take my bag?"
"Well here's your bag."
"Thanks. I guess I should meet up with the others."
"No, I want you to come with me," he said and pulled her out of the elevator with him.
Neji met the others when they stepped of the escalator. He greeted them casually like he appeared out of nowhere. He walked with them and helped with their shopping like any other male friend. He smiled; their plan was working.
The third floor was like an entire food court. Restaurants positioned themselves everywhere and most of your favourite food shops where right here. Sasuke helped her with her bags so he could boast about being chivalrous. It wasn't a quality you could tell he had like other guys, so he tried his hardest. They walked around on the floor for sometime before Hinata decided she would go to a fast food restaurant.
"I never knew the line would be so long."
"At least we got our food."
"You like it?"
"Yeah."
Hinata ordered number three on the menu. That included a double cheese sandwich with large fries and a soda but she ordered a mash potato salad on the side. Sasuke ordered a number five, which was a simple ham sandwich and a large soda. They sat at the corner in the colder parts of the seating area. Hinata gazed at the decoration on the table before picking up her food. Sasuke stared at her until she looked his way.
"What's wrong?"
"Are young going to finish that?"
"Yeah."
"Hm, you sure eat a lot."
"Heh."
"So how old are you now?"
"Um, 17."
"Oh, same age as me."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I can't move out of my house yet though."
"Why?"
"I don't know. My father insists on keeping me back for some important reason."
"Aw. That's sad."
"What about you?"
"Well, I live with my cousin."
"So you can go anywhere."
"Yea, but if its really far I have to beg him to drive me there."
"Oh, maybe when I can drive soon I can take you certain places," said tilting his head and putting emphasis on certain.
She giggled at his comment. "Ah, okay."
Sasuke offered to dispose of her garbage for her. She smiled at his generosity. He thought of something they could do to pass time. He suggested going to the next floor. When he attempted to ask her, she was over at another shop buying cakes. He sighed and watched her take the slices from the lady. She offered him one and he took gratefully. She agreed to go some games after she washed her hands.
Hinata felt she being watched as she went into the elevator again but her attention was drifted to Sasuke again when he held her hand and pulled her inside. They went from game room to game room. They sat on one of the benches in the passage. Sasuke looked at his watch and realised it was 5:30pm. He had to leave quickly before his father gave him more work.
Hinata's senses did not fool her. Tsuki dialed his number. She watched from the open dining area of a french restaurant nearby. She was surprised Hinata didn't realise his motive, but she would prevent his 'plan' from going any further. She was just behind them at a safe distance. The phone rang and she could hear Itachi's voice on the other line.
"So what is it?"
"I think someone is pestering your girlfriend."
"And who is that?"
"Why should I say? You have to come anyway."
"Hn, thanks for telling me."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah it's just-"
"You sound so dead."
"Well, later."
Itachi hung up the phone and slipped it into his pocket. He slouched down in his chaired and sighed deeply. One of the passing secretaries stopped and delivered something to him. Itachi picked up the package. It said anonymous but he opened it anyways.
"What the heck is this?"
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Sasuke escorted her downstairs as they went by the escalator. They stopped on the first floor and he returned her bags to her. He kissed her lips and backed away as he went to meet up with Neji. Since he didn't see him yet he stayed to keep her company. Fiddling with his hands in pockets, Hinata smiled and she knew what was coming.
"Did you have fun in the little time we spent together."
"Yeah, you knid of spent a lot of money though."
"That's okay," he said before leaning closer. "I just want to know if you would want to date me... because I like you."
She blushed slightly when she heard him confess but she laughed because she had expected it. "Well, Sasuke, you see I ..."
End chapter