Chapter 16 " … there's more than one way to skin a skunk."
"There are almost as many security agents as guests." Hinata handed Sēramu a glass of lemonade. Sēramu, perched on a wooden porch glider, looked fragile to Hinata, but she had remained feisty. "I guess that's what happens when the Vice President says he'll drop by your party." This year the Hyuga annual Illumination Day affair felt as formal as a state dinner. Secret Service had sealed off the perimeter two blocks around the house. Nobody got inside without an invitation and a name on the official list. Hinata was Sēramu's '… and guest.'
Sēramu eyeballed the seer suckered sentry posted at the front door of Hughes House. "This is ludicrous. We've had dignitaries on the island for years. I don't know why he wants that man here in the first place. I must speak to Hiashi. This party has become a spectacle!" "Hyuga's got to stay politically connected because of business, and the last thing you'd want is for the Vice President of the United States to be injured at a Black man's party." "Lord, yes. They'd put us all on boats for sure then!" Sēramu agreed. Even though Sēramu didn't cotton to the Vice President's party affiliation, the thought of Hiashi, her father, playing host to such a prominent figure made Hinata swell with pride. She anticipated the arrival of the honored guest as much as anyone, but more to the point she wanted to see Hiashi, and he hadn't made an appearance yet. Out of the corner of her eye, Hinata saw Mr and Mrs Inuzuka strolling up the walk and decided to duck into the house to avoid a conversation where Kiba's name would undoubtedly come up.
"There's too much hot air in there for me. I'll be along later, dear," Sēramu said. Hinata paused at the main stairs to gaze at the portraits. They had stayed so vivid in her mind that she could hardly believe it had been almost a decade since she had last seen them. Just as stern and imposing as before, but this time she felt more secure that she would live up to their challenge. She let her mind wander, to a time when she could trot up these steps and be met by a hug or a kiss on the cheek, what any daughter could expect.
"Can I help you, miss?" The agent, posted at the curve of the banister looked wilted in his dark suit, but he was obviously alert. "The upstairs quarters are off-limits."
"Just admiring the pictures. There's a lot of history up there, you know."
"Yes, ma'am." Like he cares.
She swung into the dining room, heading straight for the bar for something to quiet her jitters. She assured herself this was no big deal. She'd been introducing herself to strangers since she could remember, but none of them was her father. Fortified with a gimlet, she entered serious mingling mode, always on the lookout for Hiashi. She chatted up a bank chairman who had met Hiashi at a Colorado symposium for corporate bigwigs. "He impressed the heck out of me," he told her. "Quite a mind."
A woman she knew by face from the gym turned out to be PR director at a major record label. They promised to get together for more than torture and sweat. Still no Hiashi. Hinata felt a tap on her shoulder. "Chōji Akimichi. What a surprise." He introduced his wife Karui, as Hinata checked out his tan double-breasted suit and black silk T-shirt. He looks almost hip. His wife must dress him. "How do you two know each other?" Karui asked. A goofy grin, washed over Chōji's face and Hinata did her best not to smirk. "I spent the summer before college here. Your husband was nice enough to show me … around." Chōji had sold the Hidden Leaf Village restaurant and now owned three restaurants in Upstate Konoha. His parents were retired and sailing wherever the spirit took them. Hinata thought Chōji and Karui looked happily-ever-after together in a way that made her squeamish. After trading business cards and, fingers crossed, promising to keep in touch, she excused herself and went outside. Humidity and anticipation dampened the usually lively crowd in the backyard. Although the spread was as lavish as before, few people were chowing down. Hinata had just finished debating the merits of a Jaguar with the owner of a Chrysler dealership and gone to the bar for a refill.
"What are you doing here?" The voice was still rich, but it incited Hinata like nails on a chalkboard.
"This is a party. I'm a guest." It took all of her self-control to keep from bathing Kiba in vodka and lime juice.
"I didn't see your name on the list." His eyes flashed like hazard lights.
"What business is it of yours?" She stepped away from the bar, but he followed. Hinata wasn't sure how long her tongue would hold.
"I'm Mr. Hyuga's assistant. If it concerns him, it concerns me, and I didn't see your name."
"You work for Hiashi Hyuga?" It was inconceivable, like the devil's idea of an April Fool's prank, but this was August and Kiba wasn't laughing. "So I guess you're living in Konoha now. It's a good thing Tamaki convinced you to take the bar exam there, isn't it?" Hinata spoke in an acid whisper.
The corners of Kiba's mouth thinned into a flat line. "If you're not an invited guest, I'll have to ask you to leave. If not, I'll call security."
"You would enjoy that, wouldn't you? Well, I didn't crash the party, Kiba I am the guest of Miss Sēramu Roran and a Secret Service agent took my name when we arrived. We can go find her if you like."
Kiba straightened his tie. "That won't be necessary. Sorry to have bothered you." Hinata held her glass steady, determined not to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much this twisted her guts.
"And where is your wife? Tamaki was never one to miss a party."
"The twins have chicken pox …"
"I see." A punch couldn't have hurt more.
"Please … enjoy yourself." He shifted to walk away.
"Kiba…." This was the last person on the planet she wanted to talk to, with the possible exception of her mother, but he was Hiashi's assistant, so her feelings had to stay in her hip pocket. "Look, you and I have nothing to say to each other, but I'd really like to meet Hiashi Hyuga. Can you introduce me?"
"Ah … today is a little … hectic, due to the Vice President's visit."
"It doesn't have to be long. I have some ideas about promoting The Hyuga Foundation Center …"
"There's no promotion budget …"
"I'm talking pro bono, Kiba I produce commercials for a living, as you may remember. I'd like to put something together …"
"Get that to me in writing." He peeled a business card from his breast pocket. "Thats handled through the foundation. I'll see it gets properly routes."
"Right." 'Into the shredder.'
Kiba disappeared into the house, leaving Hinata with a sickening taste in her mouth. She peered at the engraved card in her hand. "Kiba Inuzuka, Executive Assistant to the President. 'Mommy or Daddy probably got him the job because he didn't pass the damn bar exams.' She crumpled the card and shoved it in her pocket.
'I have to find a way around Kiba.' This wasn't exactly the time for her to be away from the office. One of Karin's producers was stonewalling big-time over Hinata's recommendations for pruning the budget on a insurance company campaign. Staffers at OSA were packing the peanut gallery to see if the new senior broadcast resources director had any real bite, but when Sēramu extended the invite, Hinata couldn't say no. Her goal was to meet Hiashi, make sure he heard her name at least once, and to leave a favorable impression for the future. Kiba was going to make that difficult. Hinata decided it was time to check on Sēramu, so she went back in the house, got a fresh glass of lemonade, and was at the door when she spied Hiashi at the top of the landing a blue blazer draper over his shoulder, hanging from his crooked finger. Kiba followed a few steps behind.
"There you are you old skunk. I was beginning to think you lured us to this island in the middle of the Atlantic so you could close some deal while no one was looking" The bank chairman waggled an unlit pipe.
"I am deeply hurt that would question my hospitality. I will, however, keep that in mind. It's a damn good idea." He stopped at the last step so he stood a head taller than the audience that gathered around him. Kiba hung on the fringes of the semicircle.
Hinata admired the way Hiashi seemed at ease with all eyes and ears focused on him. 'That's what makes him a leader.'
"What do we have to look forward to next? The Hyuga broadcasting system? Then we'll have to hear you opinion about everything all the time," the banker continued.
"Hyuga Broadcasting system had a good ring, but if I said where I was going, you'd trip over yourselves trying to beat me there so I graciously decline to tell you mothers' sons what I might do." Hiashi's laugh was as hearty as a slap on the back, "In all seriousness, does Secretary of the Treasury Hiashi Hyuga sound as good to you as it does to me?"
"So should we conclude it's more than mere coincidence that a presidential candidate will be here this afternoon?" The journalist arched an eyebrow? "Also where does your brother stand, we noticed he isn't here this evening."
"To answer the first one , not at all. Didn't your mother ever tell you that Kami works in mysterious way? And also my bother had to be away on urgent business but if you hadn't noticed by now I'm the head of this operation anyway." He turned to his assistant whom whispered in his ear. "I just received word the Vice President's helicopter has landed."
Even at a distance, Hinata spied his monogram on the breast pocket of the shirt. "So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to greet my guest, make him feel welcome." On cue the circle parted and Hiashi walked toward the door.
'This is it. I've got to say something now.' As Hiashi strode past, Hinata called out, Mr Hyuga, Ms Sēramu Roran says she has a bone to pick with you." Hiashi stopped. Hinata held her breath. He looked over with eyes that seemed tired. They were impossible to read.
"Is that a fact? I don't believe we've had the pleasure. You are…?"
"Hinata Mitarashi." She fought to keep her voice from shaking. 'I wonder does Mitarashi mean anything to him?'
He gripped her hand in a solid shake and every molecule in her body vibrated. Hinata had dreamed about this meeting for so long, but this was real, and she wanted to remember it all. She examined his long fingers , felt the softness in his palm. 'My hands are like his.' Until this moment, she had always wished for this moment. She was surprised when he let go and his fingers flickered across her open hand.
"Glad to know you. That's what I love about this party. Always some new faces."
"I'm a big admirer of you foundation. Teaching self-sufficiency skills speaks to the needs of a lot of people." 'Glad to know me.' She spoke quickly, but she felt like her time was running out. "I produce TV commercials, and I'd like to propose a public service campaign for the center." Hinata saw secret service agents gathering near the front of the walk.
Kiba appeared at Hiashi's shoulder, glared at Hinata. "He's here." Hiashi buttoned his jacket, reached into the pocket, and removed a business card. " Let me know what you have in mind." He hustled down the path, but turned back to her. "And you tell Miss Sēramu I'll stop by so she pick all the bones she wants."
Hinata stared down at the cream card but Kiba interrupted. "Do both of us a favor and find another charity," he growled, and disappeared inside.
The party perked up as guests positioned themselves for picture taking with the VP, who was dressed more casually than most in attendance. Hiashi made a special effort to bring to meet Miss Sēramu, whose greeting was cordial, but underwhelmed. After a once around the backyard and the great show of rib tasting, the VIPs disappeared behind the closed door of the none of that mattered to Hinata. She already had what she had come for.
That night, after she'd helped Sēramu blow out the candled in her fragile paper lanterns and tuck them away for next summer, Hinata retired to her tiny bedroom under the eaves and stayed up late, composing an email to Hiashi. She looked for just the right tone to convey her pleasure at their meeting and her willingness to get involved with the Hyuga Foundation without sounding too eager.
'I'll float the public service idea with Kakuzu next week.'
Hiashi's business card, Hinata's trophy from her Vineyard expedition, went directly in her desk once she arrived at her office. Her new office. The one with windows. It overlooked short dingy building on the side street, but she got sunlight and Karin didn't have windows. Hinata returned ready to sting anybody who crossed her. She had a point to prove and a father to impress.
First, Hinata had Sora brief her on the status of her old accounts.
"They think the Adventurer spot is the best suggestion ever." Creative had pitched Naruto as a candidate for the Sports drink spokesman. "I hear the client eats and sleeps baseball. Your friend Uzumaki's got a three-fourteen batting average which won't hurt, and he is one cute item."
"Forget it, Sora." Naruto deserved the deal as much as anybody. Hinata was just glad she wouldn't be producing the campaign. 'It's cleaner this way.'
Then she put on her boxing gloves to duke it out with the troublesome producer in Karin's group. Miss Uzumaki hadn't said anything yet, but Hinata knew who her real opponent was. Hinata called the producer to her office, tore holes in the campaign budget and sent him away to revise his figures. That triggered a series of hot phone calls from the AD on the team. Karin took up the argument with Kakuzu, but he wasn't moved. The showdown took place in Kabuto's office via speaker phone. Orochimaru called from his hospital bed , where he was recovering from plastic surgery. There was a dispute over how much power Hinata had to veto a budget. Finally they decided to side with Hinata and she received the revised figures on her desk.
When she left the office, she was wired but at home, halfway thru her third glass of wine, she was still bouncing off the walls and decided it was the perfect time to reorganize her closet. While doing she when thru a box she had of old mementos, her diploma and picture of her Sakura and Naruto before their prom. She knew how Naruto was doing, but for the first time in a while she wondered about Sakura. 'Is she still married to that asshole? What does Sarada look like? Probably like Sakura with Black hair.'
Hinata finished her glass and for a second Hinata considered calling Sakura, just because. 'Get a grip! All this time on my hands is making me soft in the head.' She took her tin with Hiashi's cufflink. She rubbed it gently across her cheek as she wondered if he still had the other one. 'I just need to shake things up.' And involving herself with the Hyuga Foundation was the perfect mixer. Hiashi hadn't responded yet, so she called the Hyuga Companies first thing in the morning, determined to get beyond the secretary.
"Ive left several messages and they haven't been returned,"
Hinata said.
"Yes, I remember. It's odd that no one called you. Will you hold a moment?"
Hinata took a deep breath to slow her pounding heart. Then she heard the click and the pause."Hinata , this is Kiba…"
"Let's not get into this. I'll leave a message if you're the only one who can help me."
"You can leave messages from now til 2030. They'll end up in the trash and voicemails deleted with the rest of them. Your email was deleted also."
"Why are you doing this?"
"It's in both of our best interests.."
"No, it's not. I let you confuse your interests with mine once, but not this time.."
"Then let me put it another way…"
Hinata slammed the phone so loud she heard ringing in her ears. 'Dammit to hell! He can't do this. It's not right!' But right or wrong he was doing it. 'He's afraid I'll find some way to let Hiashi know what a bastard he is.' Kiba had the means and the motivation to deny her access for now. 'But there's more than one to get past a guard dog.'
Hinata continued to make her presence felt at the agency. She reviewed budget practices with each produced and group head. Her conference with Karin was short and she felt the tension but Hinata remained professional and earned another victory on her side. The pace of her workdays slowed to a more civilized nine to five-is, but without the need to be at the office early, she hadn't been to the gym regularly either. She had plenty of time for long lunches, but after yet another noontime shopping trip when she couldn't think of anything she really wanted to buy, she realized how much she missed the hectic pace of producing.
Round three in her battle with Karin, one of her producers were being accused of sabotaging the shoot and Hinata tried negotiate a true between the producer and the director. Kakuzu barged into her office the next day stating what she thought she handled fell apart. And the client was threatening to take their business else where. "I don't care how you fix, just do it!" That was the first time he ever yelled at her. So she took care of it by going down to the shoot personally and taking over. Made the producer look like an imbecile. Hinata handled everything and received the clients seal of approval, the word spread how Hinata scored a goal.
By mid-October, Karin resigned, saying she needed to reassess her career goals. Hinata skipped the office farewell party, which traveled to a locate bar and continued into the night. Sora told her the next morning that her name had come up often. "Let's just say you should check all your packages for ticking."
Hinata didn't care who liked her, she had won. But before thanksgiving Karin's smiling face appeared in a magazine as the director of broadcasting for Akatsuki worldwide LTD. , Los Angeles. LA was across the world as far as Hinata's concerned. 'At least there are three thousand miles between us.'
AN: Thank you for reading.