Chapter 21- "Cat got your tongue?"
AN: it's finally here!
'If I review one more set of budget figures, I'll die.' Hinata massaged her neck and reread the thank-you note she'd gotten from Sumire. Hinata hadn't found real butterflies, and not exactly ballerinas, but she did take the little girl to a local theater dance production.
Sumire was transfixed from the moment they arrived at town hall. "It looks like a castle, she said. When the curtain opened she all but exploded. Amazed by the dancers. Her eyes were glued to the stage. Afterward, over burgers and fries, Sumire read the play bill aloud and when Hinata dropped her off she got a kiss and a bear hug. "This is the best day of my life!" She gushed.
At lunch Hinata stopped at a pharmacy and picked out a basketful of barrettes , head bands , shampoo, conditioner, hairdressing, and a tortoiseshell comb and brush to send to her. Hinata waited in line and remembered how warm that hug made her feel. 'She keeps the program under her pillow, hoping she'll dream about the dancers.' Sumire had been through a lot, but she still had a wide search of curiosity and wonder. Hinata had a hard time imagining herself ever so open and sweet, but Sumire reminded her she must have been once.
When she got back to the office she lit a cigarette and went back to number crunching. There was a meeting on the horizon. 'More doom, conflict, and circling the wagons.'
They all knew it was coming, but Kakuzu and Kabuto had not been able to bring themselves to seriously discuss what the agency would do, not if, but when the head of the agency and star innovator Orochimaru died , complications from one too many plastic surgeries and addiction to pain medications and other drugs, no one was prepared. The Monday after his memorial service the senior executive woke up to the fact there was no one in the wings with the combination of talent, flare , fire and good advertising instinct to take over. Deidara's relentless crusade garnered him the job, but it was apparent he had lots of growing to do and no grace period to do it in.
And OSA was leaking juicy, status accounts. Hinata felt it personally when their automaker account left, taking the adventurer and its four wheeled siblings to a rival shop. That was front page news and speculation about OSA as a takeover target started again.
Each morning Hinata dragged into the office looking for her crisis-of - the day memo, but in her position she felt like a bench warmer, on the team, but unable to score. She longed to be in the production again, pasting images together and making deadlines by a nose hair. Hinata had a talk with Kakuzu, told him her talent wasting wasted.
"Sit tight. You're doing a great job. We won't lose sight of that," Kakuzu said.
Hinata yawned, reached for her cigarette. The tip had gone cold and the inch-long ash dripped into the ashtray. She crushed it, traced it around the other discarded butts.
'Damn have I smoke that many already?'
Her long ski weekend in Vermont with Toneri was supposed to be a pick me up but she came back early and alone because by Sunday he had danced on her last nerve. Saturday had dawned gray and bitter cold, but Hinata made a go of it on the slopes. By the end of the day her fingers felt like swollen sausages ready to explode, her cheeks were so icy they burned, and she had no sensation at all below the ankles.
Sunday started the same way, so when Toneri pulled on his silk thermals, Hinata opted out in favor of a Jacuzzi and the fireplace. Toneri wouldn't leave it alone. He cajoled her about how invigorated she'd feel and the fun they'd have getting warm again, then he got petty. "If I knew you were going to be like this, I'd have come with somebody else."
"Keep that in mind for future reference." Hinata closed herself in the bathroom and ran a tub to head off the argument and Toneri slammed out the chalet.
Snow and sleet brought him in before noon, aggravated and determined to pick a fight. He made snide remarks about OSA's slipping position, he noted the weight Hinata had put on. "Unless you're planning to hibernate, you should get rid of it," he had said, pinching more than an inch. But the very final straw came when he brought up Naruto.
Hinata had left a magazine turned to an article about the pleasures and dangers of riding a motorcycle. Naruto was pictured, and a section of the the piece described his injuries and rehab. Toneri picked ups the magazine and went off. "Damn overpaid jock better hope they can piece him together. What's he got, a high school diploma? At least he can read fan mail and sign checks. Without brawn, he's selling sneakers, instead of wearing them for a living."
"And what are stockbrokers but overpaid sales help? Answer me that Toneri!" Hinata was enraged. "You could be selling sneakers…or French fries for that matter! How dare you assume that because Naruto Uzumaki is an athlete, he's some kind of imbecile!" She read Toneri about how pompous and intolerant he was, things she always knew, but ignored. Suddenly he struck her as mean, shallow and she couldn't stand him for one more minute.
Hinata emptied her ashtray in the trash. The episode with Toneri meant she was without an escort for the reception next week at the Studio Museum. It would honor Hiashi Hyuga for a large donation to the Harlem institution and announce a march grant fundraising drive he would underwrite , equaling all contributions to the museum. As soon as she got word of the event, Hinata bought tickets, figuring she'd have a shot at avoiding Kiba and talking to Hiashi in the museum's intimate galleries. She had to make something happen with her father soon, or it never would.
Hinata doodled in the margins of a memo. 'I could go alone. I don't need moral support from Toneri or any damn body else…or I could ask Naruto.'
Naruto had kept in touch since the accident. After he left the hospital he went to North Carolina to check on his parents and ended up staying for a few months. He called Hinata once a week or so just to talk. "They're getting to me. One's near crazy, the other's blind to it. I'm gonna be in the road howlin' at cars if I don't get outta here soon." Hinata knew he only meant it halfway, but she worried about the other half.
Three days a week Naruto worked with a physical therapist in Raleigh and trained every day on his own, but he was impatient with his progress. "Feels like they put some rusty screws from a jar in the basement in my knee. My arm is ugly as fuck. I keep it covered with a compression sleeve. It's coming along, but it still doesn't feel like my arm. Almost like I'm using someone else's arm." He planned to make spring training.
Often Hinata teased him. "You can quit marry Shion, and become Mr Supermodel."
"You outta your mind, too? Must be your cigarettes. Don't get me wrong. Shion's cool, but hanging with her for too long is like trying to live on air alone. After a while I need something substantial."
Hinata was happy to have Naruto back in her life… 'Just like a brother … so what's the big deal about asking him to this thing?' She knew he'd be in town, seeing his doctor, and if she was going to ask, it had to be now, so she stubbed out her unlit cigarette, made the call, and felt giddy in a way she chose not to dwell on when Naruto said he'd be happy to go.
"Does this dress look okay? I should have worn the black one. It makes me look slimmer. I should be slimmer." Hinata smoothes the sides of her one shoulder red bodycon midi dress with a side hem split.
"Whoa! If I didn't say it before, you look beautiful, Miss Mitarashi." Naruto, leaned closer to her ear. "You have nothing to worry about in the looks department. Not the way I see it." He took her hand, gave it a squeeze, "Let's go get cultured."
Hinata followed him into the Studio Museum's main gallery. She'd been one pulsing nerve ending all day, worried that she wouldn't find a way to talk with Hiashi. After she dressed for the evening she dug out the tin and put his monogrammed cuff link in her purse for luck. The warmth of Naruto's hand steadied her, but it sent a charge up her arm that was anything but brotherly. 'Get a grip!' Music played in place supported by the murmur of conversations. Hinata surveyed the crowd downstairs quickly. Naruto led her toward the music, but Hinata tapped his shoulder. "Let's take a swing upstairs first."
"Are you looking for someone in particular?"
"No…Yes….it's complicated."
"Old flame, arch enemy, spy … Yeah, special agent Mitarashi. It suits you. So are we gonna be drugged and kidnapped until you tell the secrets?"
"Nothing so intriguing, except in a way it is. I'm not making sense. I'll tell you later."
"I'll hold you to it." He winked and walked towards the stairs. Several people acknowledged him, shook hands, including the director, who said she was glad to see him on the mend and hoped he was impressed enough with the museum to become a patron. Naruto seemed at ease. He still favored his right leg but he looked amazing. He was sharp in a collarless shirt and trousers in a jet black, topped by a black and cream houndstooth jacket, not at all like a man he was a few months ago at the hospital. They did a spin around the balcony. No Kiba, No Hiashi.
"I warn, you I don't know anything about art," Naruto said.
But as they examined paintings and sculptures Hinata was impressed with his observation, and when they took a post at the balcony railing and engaged in people watching, where Naruto really excelled. He pointed to a couple standing in front of a massive canvas.
"See, they're not a regular thing. This is a test date, and the poor guy is not making headway. He's leaning in, trying to sway her, but sis keeps staring at the painting like the secret of life is on it. Now, bro is kinda good-looking so she figured tonight had potential, but she won't even look in his direction, which tells me that what's coming out of his mouth is not what she had in mind. Damn, she just took two steps away from him. Either he's got stank breath, or he sounds corny. I say he's gonna be doing a lot of talking to her voicemail in the future."
When Naruto stopped speaking, Hinata realized she'd been staring at his lips and she hurriedly looked down into the crown, just in time to catch Hiashi's entrance. The museum director hugged him warmly and they huddled in conversation, the nucleus of a small circle who followed their conversation like a tennis match, heads swiveling from one to the other.
"Now there's a man who doesn't need to be convinced he's somebody." Naruto looked at Hinata and saw her eyes riveted on the scene downstairs. "Yeah his parents made sure he knew his shit didn't stink."
"Naruto, Hiashi Hyuga heads a huge corporation. The vice president came to his barbecue. I was there."
"Is that right? Sounds to me like you're convinced his shit don't stink, too." Naruto straightened up, folded his arms across his chest.
"What's the matter with you? He's one of the most influential men in the country and he's from Konoha. You should appreciate that."
"Obviously you do."
"As a matter of fact you're right. He's not just rich. He supports lots of causes, like this museum, which is why we're here in case you forgot."
"Did you write the press release or just memorize it?"
Hinata sucked her teeth. "I don't see you acting all humble when folks fall all over you."
"What ever…"
Hinata and Naruto listened to opening remarks in huffy silence. It caught Naruto by surprise when the director acknowledged him as a one of the honored guests for the evening. He snapped on his public face and waved from the balcony amid enthusiastic applause.
When the attention went back to Hiashi, Hinata whispered to Naruto, "I guess some of us are just more special than others." He rolled his eyes.
When Hiashi stepped to the podium, he yanked down his shirt cuffs and Hinata saw the gold disks fastened at his wrists. Knowing she had one just like it in her clutch gave her a charge. He spoke in a commanding dignified voice,. Hinata ate up every word.
'Naruto can sulk if he wants. I don't know what's eating him about Hiashi Hyuga.'
After the speeches people streamed downstairs and Hinata caught sight of Kiba mounting the steps against the tide. 'There goes the devil.' He was heading toward Naruto, so Hinata took a step to the side, faced the balcony and digging her purse so Kiba wouldn't notice her.
"Naruto Uzuamaki, It's good to see you! ….Kiba Inuzuka. Remember Konoha High school? I work with Mr. Hyuga. He's a big fan, and he'd like to meet you."
Hinata didn't breath, blink or move a muscle. 'If Naruto goes down, then I can, too. Delivered by humble sycophant, Kiba Inuzuka.' She wasn't sure which made her happier.
"Ah… sure. Hinata, are you coming?"
Kiba pressed his lips together, swallowed hard and looked like he had downed a mouthful of razors blades. When Naruto introduced them, Hinata beamed, shook his hand like she'd never laid eyes on him before, and enjoyed watching Kiba squirm. Hiashi eagerly admitted them to his circle, seeming happy to be rescued from seriously appropriate gallery chatter.
"Naruto Uzumaki, glad to meet you!" He clamped a hand on Naruto's shoulder, and Hinata was surprised to see her father's eye widen with childlike wonder. When Hiashi greeted Hinata, she searched his face for a glimmer of recognition. She remembered every second of their prior meeting, had lived on them for years, but although he was cordial she knew it was the standard acknowledgement and that she'd be forgotten within seconds of leaving him if she didn't do something. She tucked herself slightly behind Naruto and listened, waiting for an opportunity to jump in.
"We're in a museum tonight, but the way this man strokes a ball, that's art too," Hiashi said. "I played some tennis coming up in Konoha. Thought I was good and dreamt about Wimbledon trophy. But man, you have done it! Reached the highest ring. The World Series. That must make you feel"— he gave a "you know what I mean" arch to his eyebrows — "like a man!"
Naruto's laughter along with the others. "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't sweet."
Hinata would have given anything to hear Hiashi go on like that about her.
"You must let me know how to contact. It would be my pleasure to have to dinner. Do you have a card?"
"Ah no, I don't."
"Here, you can use this." Hinata handed Naruto one hers and pen. While Naruto wrote Hinata said, "I bet you were an aggressive serve and volley kind of tennis player, Mr Hyuga." Hinata hadn't played in a while, but she could still talk a good game.
"Mr Hyuga was my father. Call me Hiashi." He gave Hinata a more careful appraisal. "And I've still been known to charge the net, given the right approach shot. I take it you've played some tennis yourself, Hinata."
She liked the way her name sounded when he said it. "I know my way around the court. I'm baseline player. Patient until my opponent slips up. Then I make my move."
"You shouldn't tell me too much about your game. It give me a strategic advantage."
Both Naruto and Kiba looked daggers at her, but she never noticed.
"And that sounds like a challenge to me, Hiashi."
Naruto handed Hiashi the card and shoved the pen back at Hinata.
"Let me know if you'd like to get together over a bucket of balls. My number at the office is on the other side of that card." Kiba can keep me from reaching Hiashi, but he can't stop Hiashi from picking up the phone.'
"I'll look forward to it." He tucked the card in his breast pocket.
They left the gallery shortly after talking with Hiashi. The car was a two blocks away before Naruto spoke. "Why didn't you just open your legs and ask if he wanted a sniff?"
"Pardon me?" Hinata was aware of some frost blowing off Naruto, but she was too busy hoping Hiashi would call to check out the change in the weather.
"You got what you came for. You were plotting how to get him your phone number from the time you were hanging off the balcony telling me how important he is. And he'll get off cause he got the number of a big jocks date, right under his damn nose. Guys try that shit all the time, but most women have the decency to do it behind my back. Damn!"
"It's not what you think."
"Uh-huh."
Hinata hadn't planned to tell anybody. The situation was dicey enough without involving another person, but she couldn't let Naruto think what he was thinking. "He's my father."
"He's your what?"
Hinata showed Naruto the cuff link, told him her story over wine in her apartment.
"Do you expect him to open his arms wide and say "Come to me, my child? That shit happens in the movies. He wasn't lookin at you like one of his damn kids tonight neither."
"You read too much into things."
"Give me credit for being a man. He might like it if you call him daddy, but there ain't nothing fatherly in that man's mind ya'know."
"You don't understand." She kicked off her shoes, pulled her dress up her thighs and clutched her knees to her chest. Now that she'd said it aloud she had to make Naruto see. She'd spent years working, sacrificing, for the chance to make Hiashi proud, and now she was so close. "I didn't believe Anko either, but I checked it out, You saw the cuff link."
"So does he have any other kids?"
"One a daughter, the mother passed away which was Hitomi whom had me before I went back to Anko."
"The one he dismissed your mother for?"
"He left Anko and I can't blame him. You remember my so-called mother. The scotch-swilling, bar hag who disowned me. Would you say 'I do' to her?"
"Do you know what she was like back then? Before you? Excuse me for being blunt, but he said 'I do' to something. And since you been tracking the man for years, where is this other kid? Have you seen her hanging with dear old dad? Huh? You got him up on some kinda pedestal, Hinata, and you need to sure he belongs there, ya'know! That's all I'm saying." Naruto scooted over on the couch and drew her close.
Hinata sat still, feeling awkward but somehow happy in the strong curve of his arm. "I don't even how where she is. Or how to get in touch with her. That will come later. Right now I just want my father to be proud of me. That's not so strange. You want it, too."
"That's different."
"I don't want his money. I don't need him to help me out. I just want him to see that I turned out all right, not like her."
"I hope it works out the way you want, but you should be proud of yourself no matter what cause he didn't make you who you are. You did."
Finally she leaned against his chest and relaxed into the steady beat of his heart. He kneaded her arm. After a few minutes, she looked up to ask if he wanted another drink and she was so close to his lips, the lips she couldn't keep her eyes aways from earlier, that she could feel his breath, and she wanted to breathe it in, feel his mouth against hers. Then she shifts her gaze to his eyes and the ripples started, just under skin. 'Just like it felt in the basement. Hinata, you're making a fool of yourself.' But she couldn't deny the feeling. 'I have to stop this before we…I..' She had to say something, just to keep her lips moving.
"Thanks for coming with me, even though I made you mad."
"I'm not mad. Not now anyway. You're too good a person to set yourself up to get hurt. I couldn't stand for that." His voice was an intimate whisper that pulled her closer.
"I won't get hurt." Hinata moved to kiss his cheek, just as he turned toward her she caught the corner of his mouth. She knew if she just tilted her head their lips would meet. So close, but then she pulled away… 'Like my brother…'
"Ya'know!" He cleared the rasp from his voice. "One day I'm a figure you out, woman." He moved her bangs then kissed her forehead. "I oughta go. I got another long day with my physical terrorist, ah I mean therapist, tomorrow. I'll check you later."
Hinata watched him walk down the wanted to ask him to stay, feeling she had no right. Naruto startled her when he turned around.
"Go slow with Hiashi. He's not a boy scout ya'know!"
Hinata closed the door, touched the corner of her mouth where his lips had been. 'Damn. Why didn't I kiss him? We're both grown now, and no-one is in the way.' She paced the apartment, radiating enough static electricity to make her glow in the dark. In a single evening she had one-upped Kiba, gotten her business card in her father's hands, and now Naruto had set her panties on fire. She wanted to call downstairs and have the doorman send him back, but she headed for a nightcap and the shower massager instead. 'Keep your legs crossed. You just haven't had any for a while. Don't risk a friendship.
"Did I tell you how much that red dress becomes you? My schedule finds me traveling for much of the next month, so our tennis match will have to wait. Care to join me for dinner? My secretary will call." Hiashi name was signed in a hand Hinata was certain was too flowery to be his. The card accompanied a graceful array of alabaster orchids in ruby red porcelain pot. 'He remembers me. What I had on, what we talked about.'
Two days later Naruto called her at work. "I got my reprieve from the glue factory. My doctor says I'm clear for spring training."
"So soon?"
"Soon nothing. I been working my ass off, and tonight I'm planning to celebrate with a big huge bowl ramen. Care to join me?"
"Where's Shion?"
"Why do you keep asking me about her? I called you. You got a problem with that?"
"No problem."
"Glad to hear it. I'll pick you up. Before I hit your office, I'll stop in and show those clowns who worked on the sports drink commercials that I'm still big and devilishly good looking and tell em I'm back in a dodgers uniform so they don't opt out of my contract."
"How could they resist?" She could hear his grin over the phone, see that dimpled whisker mark up his cheek. 'It makes perfect sense for us to have dinner. He has to stop by the agency anyway.'
(AN: Sorry for the interruption. When putting this together I was listening to random music and the song from TLC -"This is how it works" came on and somehow it made me feel tingly. I know, TMI. Play this on low up to 1:32 of the song now!)
When Hinata returned to her office from a meeting, Naruto was waiting for her. She closed the door and turned around into his arms and a short, sweet hello kiss on her lips like it was their usual greeting. For a moment she was stunned. 'What the hell is this? I almost got carried away the last time, but he's…'
"Cat got your tongue or should I say fox?" He smiled down at her.
"No…uh…" Hinata felt the fringes of her brain start to sizzle. "Not yet"— she peered up into his face, the heat from his hands warmed her back, and —"But he could," slipped out before she could stop herself.
Then they were going at it, clinging together like neither of them ever needed anything so much. Then his hand trailed down and squeezed her ass. She gasped into his mouth in which he stuck his tongue deeper. Needing air their lips finally parted. Hinata was blushing and had tears in the corners of her eyes. She tugged her jacket down, cleared her throat, and side stepped to her desk, like she walked that way all time. "Make yourself at home, Titanium Man" She removed her purse from the bottom drawer. "I'm gonna freshen up." She could be smart with her desk safely between them.
"That happened because I wanted it to." Naruto looked directly at her. "And before you reason it to death, that wasn't just something I do cause I'm a man and gotta have it. I meant that kiss especially for you."
"Naruto, I…"
"I've had plenty of time since my accident. I spent a lot of it thinking about you."
"I don't know what I'm supposed to say." Hinata slipped the strap of her handbag over her shoulder. 'I can't stay back here forever.' Tentatively she eased from behind her desk.
"Listen, Hinata when I saw you the other night, well, everything kinda crystallized in my mind, about how special you are and that I want to know you, not just as a friend."
Hinata walked toward the door. 'Did it show? Was I that obvious?' "Naruto, I.."
"And this time… no guilt, no second thoughts." He stood in her path.
She looked at her shoes, his shoes, his knees, his face. She bit down on her lip hoping the sharp sensation would ground her. It didn't. "Uh.. Okay.. Naruto." 'Speak up. You still know how.' "…I …I have to.. I'll be right back…" She felt like an idiot, but she couldn't find any other words.
Naruto stepped aside with gallant sweep of arm. "I'll be waiting."
Hinata stumbled to the ladies' room, tried to put on lipstick, but her hands trembled. No kiss had shaken her so since the one they'd shared when they were kids, and she was unprepared for the dangerous depth of it, or to deal with feelings so strong… 'For Naruto?' She steadied herself against the sink and forced some air in her lungs. Naruto had just thrown her a long ball from left field, and she didn't know whether to catch it or let it drop. She had to slow her pulse and make room for some perspective, so she adjusted panty hose, combed her hair, refreshed her make up until she was calmer. 'I'll ask him about his stop in the art department. That's safe.'
Naruto was seated at her desk when she got back.
"How'd it go in Creative?" 'That sounds casual.'
"I don't know what happened or what didn't happen. Before, we were all buddies, now I feel like Frosty the snowman up there, definitely chilly."
Hinata sensed his distress and wanted to reach out to him. 'But maybe this is a retreat.' She found herself stranded somewhere between reliefs and disappointment. "Might just be busy. It's a deadline a minute up there. Don't take it personal." 'Good, Hinata, good.'
"That's the only way I know how to take it." He got up. "I know they think I'm history, but when I start blasting them balls back into orbit we'll see who's washed up."
"You need fuel for that." She started to squeeze his arm, but thought better of it. "Lets go find the bowl of ramen your mouth is probably watering for."
"That's not the only thing."
Hinata pretended not to hear him and kept walking.
In the elevator Hinata searched her purse for phantom keys, hoping to dodge the question of hand-holding, or the possibility of feeling hurt if he didn't try. Outside he hailed a cab, took her hand as he helped her inside, and their fingers remained entwined all the way to the restaurant. To Hinata, it felt too right to be real. 'Naruto?'
Naruto was a regular at Ichiraku's , it was more upscale than regular take out. They fussed over him like the prodigal child had come home. Small talk was foreign to Hinata tonight, and she strained to pay attention while he laid out his spring training itinerary. She made a great show of sliding her noodles around in her bowl, but her body posted, on the edge of a meltdown, threatened to override her brain.
"I'm flying out tomorrow to let my folks see me before I head for camp. What's the name of that town where you were born?"
"Swan City. Why?" 'What is he talking about that for?'
"It was near the ocean, right? It's gotta be close to my parents' place. I was thinking you might like to visit there sometime."
"I haven't been back since I left plus too young to really remember it." Hinata played at eating her food.
"Then it's time."
"I think time has run out. I don't know a soul, and there's nothing I need to see. What on earth would I want to go to Swan City?"
"Sometimes you don't know what you need until you're looking at it, ya'know."
'What is that supposed to mean?'
She turned down dessert and wondered what would happen when Naruto took her home. But as soon as she unlocked her door there was no need to wonder anymore. They were in each other's arms, pressed in an embrace that felt like home. After several minutes Naruto came up for air. He unbuttoned her coat, removed it and hung it in the closet, followed by his own, then he scooped her up and into his arms.
"Stop! You'll hurt yourself! Hinata laughed and pretended to beat on his chest.
"I doubt that. I can press two or three or you. You are only a tiny morsel."
They laughed as he swooped her into the living room, backing up at her direction so she could turn on a light. He came in for a smooth landing on the couch, where he pulled her on top of him.
"Now, where were we?"
"Here." Hinata nibbled his bottom lip and they were in it again, full force. 'This is crazy', but stopping was out of the question. He caressed her body through her clothes, and it was like she'd been waiting for his touch. Hinata fingered his chest, hard beneath his cashmere sweater, and she wanted skin against her palm. He kissed her slowly, deeply, and she wanted him to swallow her whole.
"Wait." Spontaneous passion had gone, and she knew they couldn't continue like this. "I need to get ready." Hinata kissed his fingers and led him to her bedroom, then double back to the bathroom.
In minutes, sprayed Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, wrapped in a slinky lavender robe, naked underneath and condom in her pocket, she joined him. Still dressed, Naruto lay across her bed, propped on his side, fingering the delicate petals of an orchid.
"They're from my fath.. Hiashi Hyuga."
And Naruto's face turned to stone. "You still think it don't mean nothing." He sat up.
"I'm sure they're like dandelions to him." She knelt on the bed, awkward and unsure.
"Yeah. He sends them to the ladies he intends to explore at a later date. It's nothing new. I've done it myself." Hinata didn't answer.
"You ought to tell him what's on you mind."
"I will. When I'm ready." She didn't want to discuss Turner right now. "I want him to get to know me… as a person."
"You're setting yourself up for something freaky."
"What's that supposed to mean," she snapped, her clarity returning.
"I don't need x-ray vision to see what's happening here. I've known you since I was eight, and you ain't never been blind or stupid. It's too late to start acting like that now ya'know."
She stood, arms akimbo. "And I have gone through the better part of my life minding my business. I don't all of a sudden need you to mind it for me."
"Do what you wanna do."
"I intend to."
They faced off, the fire of desire turned to anger.
"All of a sudden, I'm feeling tired." Hinata turned her back. "Really tired."
"Funny how that happens." Naruto slid to the edge of the bed, slipped on on boots. "I need to pack, settle a few things before I leave."
Hinata didn't move for fear a disappointed tear might fall from her eye.
"Good Night."
She sat in the middle of her bed and listened for the door to close. 'Damn him!' She punched a pillow, then hugged it to her chest. She felt like she'd been tricked into fessing up to feelings she'd been tiptoeing around for years. 'I don't have time for this.' So when he called the next day, she spoke in a monotone, said she'd be in touch, wished him luck.
"I know you think you can handle Hyuga, but be careful. He's nothing to play with."
"Whatever." Hinata hung up, thinking she'd put her feelings very neatly back in their box, but she smoked half a pack of cigarettes before she could speak to another person.
Two weeks later Hinata was summoned to dinner at Hiashi's office, in an elegant art deco high-rise. In her leather folio she carried THFC proposal that Kiba had tossed and she wore a red boucle suit, since he thought she looked nice in red. Riding up to the forty-fourth floor she realized she hadn't been so nervous in years. Not for job interviews, client presentation, or dates, because tonight she felt there was so much more on the line.
"Mr Hyuga is waiting for you." His secretary was dressed and jeweled more expensively than a lot of executive women Hinata knew.
Hiashi, in a shirt sleeves up, feet propped on a massive cherry desk, peered through half glasses at a binder of papers. "The numbers warrant my participation…" He spoke into a microphone. "…but at this time I can't risk future political fallout or the appearance of impropriety … Hinata! finally." He tossed the papers and his glasses on the desk and got up to greet her. "Just in time to rescue me from this tiresome nonsense." He strode across the wide room and shook both of Hinata's hands.
"I have been boring, even to myself."
"I doubt you're ever boring. It's good to see you Hiashi." The hello sounded more like a come-on that she intended. 'Watch it.'
Hiashi showed her to a sleek sofa at the far end of the room, then opened a door in the wall unit to reveal a bar. "You look like you can handle a drink. What do you take?"
"Vodka and tonic." She perched on the edge of the couch, her folio at her feet.
"I took you for a scotch drinker. Vodka's transparent and watery, got no character."
"I have plenty of character, regardless of what's in my glass."
"I presumed as much." He laughed and handed her a frosty, monogrammed glass. "To women with spirit."
Hinata raised her glass. 'I don't want to play this.' "You know I actually met you before the museum. At your lovely summer home…"
"And I let you slip away? Damn, I'm getting too old or too busy, probably both."
"You had a house full of guests, including the vice president."
"That's no excuse. I pride myself on being able to multitask." Hiashi dimmed the lights and sat in the leather armchair across from her.
"Well, you did give me you card." His direct gaze felt hypnotic, so she let her eyes move around the room to avoid it.
"And. You didn't call. I'm disappointed in you Hinata."
Hinata didn't like hearing those words, even if he wasn't serious. "Actually, I sent you a proposal about THFC. I didn't get a response, so I assumed you weren't interested."
"Believe me, I'd have answered whether I was interested in you business proposition or not." Hiashi adjusted his crease, crossed his legs, took a swallow of his drink. "I'll have to monitor my mail more carefully."
"I brought a copy with me…"
"Slow down. We have dinner and a whole evening ahead of us. And the nice thing about this joint is it doesn't close until I say so. Now tell me about Hinata Mitarashi."
'Tell him what's on your mind.' She could hear Naruto say it. 'Not yet.' Hinata skated by with her after college credentials, preferring to save her history for another time. She didn't want to tell the orphan lie since planned to set the record straight.
"I hope you're not one of those joyless, ball breaking career woman." Hiashi waved his empty glass. "Refill?"
"I'm still working on this one. And yes I've broken a few to get where I am, but they always had it coming."
"And I bet you're something to see when you're fired up." Hiashi tried to lock her in his sights again.
Hinata went to the wall unit and examined the photos and mementos displayed there to diffuse the force field. Hiashi sat on the couch next to where Hinata had been before. Hinata looked at him…
Light tapping at the door was followed by the entrance of a waiter with a rolling cart who went unobtrusively to work laying two place settings on the table near a window that looked south onto the city. Hinata and Hiashi made social chatter until the waiter served the broccoli bisque and disappeared.
"It seems I've heard you have you eye on a cabinet post." Hinata hit pay dirt.
Hiashi discussed his political aspirations through the salad and into the veal chops. "Money is no longer the challenge. Once I passed a certain point, making more became inevitable. You have to be the unluckiest son of a bitch in the world or just plain stupid to truly lose a fortune. What's more interesting is power, influence, control." He said it like an incantation.
"The cabinet is an elite club. How do you get appointed?" Hinata was truly fascinated. Hiashi sounded convinced his dream was attainable.
"I'm sure there's a rule book somewhere but it wasn't written for a mother's son like me in the first damn place. I've got enough education from the appropriate schools to be in the game. I write big checks at campaign fund-raisers so the party boys know I'm serious and so they feel they at least owe me a chance to say my piece, then I tell them what I want in no uncertain terms. I keep my name on as many lips as I can arrange, know twice as much as the next ten people, give away free advice when asked, show I can make things happen, and keep my nose clean.
"I'm impressed."
"I'm impressive, especially when get to know me."
'Get back on track.' "I imagine THFC earns you a few integrity points."
"At least lip service, especially since government social programs are going to be extinct as the dodo bird."
"That's where my proposal comes in. I want to offer my expertise and some of OSA resources to produce some public service announcements that should raise awareness of the program and what it offers."
"Orochimaru Sanin Agency…" He wiped his mouth, tossed his napkin across his plate. "I believe an acquaintance of my brother worked there. Karin Uzumaki. Do you know of …"
"She's no longer with the agency." Hinata wondered when that would come up. 'An acquaintance. He's at least diplomatic.'
"Hmmm. So tell me about these ads you have in mind." He never missed a beat.
Hinata launched into the speech she'd been rehearsing for what seemed like forever, careful to keep it breezy.
"Why are you making me this offer? There are lots of foundations that would do handstands for an offer like this."
"I'm impressed with the THFC concept and implementation I liked the package."
"And what is it you want out of this?" He clasped his hands behind his head.
Hinata saw the monogrammed disk at his shirt cuff. 'Tell him what's on your mind.' "To spend somebody's surplus funds and do a little good for people who need it."
"Are you always so noble?"
"No, but now and then it good for the soul."
"Hmm" He leaned forward and reached across the table where Hinata's Hinata's hand rested.
She moved it just before he made contact and got up. "I'll get my proposal. It's preliminary, so your input will be helpful." She headed for her folio.
"You should keep still sometimes."
"I make it a practice never to be a sitting duck." She handed him the spiral-bound proposal, but remained standing, admiring the skyline.
"Do you move around this much when you're with Naruto Uzumaki?"
"More. Mind if I smoke?" 'Did he really want to check me out just because I was with Naruto?' The waiter came in with coffee, and when she looked at Hiashi, Hinata saw he had that relaxed after dinner glow, and she knew she had to make an exit before got to the brandy.
"Should I phone next week to see where you want to go with this?"
Hiashi chuckled. "I need more people like you working for me, Hinata. I'll read it tonight, in bed. Unless you can think of something else I could be doing there."
"Nothing more beneficial than keeping the Hyuga name on people lips."
"Well out. If I'm buying what you're selling, I'll pass it on to Kiba Inuzuka, my assistant. He's my day to day liaison with the THFC board, so why don't you give him a call tomorrow." He handed her a card. "My secretary can put you through."
'Damn! All roads to Hiashi ran through Kiba eventually. "Sure." She checked her watch. "And I should be leaving."
"You don't give a man much of a chance to get to know you."
"On the contrary, I hope you get to know me very well." She knew immediately it didn't sound the way she meant it. 'Tell him what's on you mind.'
"Then you'll have to give me time to find out who you really are, when you're not helping your fellowman." Hiashi offered to call her a car, but Hinata declined. All she wanted was to get outside. He waited with her until the elevator came. Hinata extended her hand. "Thank you for a lovely evening."
Hiashi held it so tightly she almost had to pull it away. "You are certainly challenging Hinata. I like a challenge. I'll be in touch."
When the doors closed Hinata leaned against the elevator wall. 'He likes a challenge?' The joy she expected was floundering in a sea of uneasiness. 'What the hell am I going to do? Shit Naruto was right?'
"You won't leave it alone, will you?" Kiba's call burned through the phone lines the next day.
"I assume you're calling because Hiashi Hyuga likes my proposal, so let's get this straight. I don't give a shit whether this makes you uncomfortable. And I'm no longer interested in telling the world what a lying snake you were to me. You're Tamaki's problem and unless your spots have changed, you're lying to her now, but that's not my headache." Hinata twisted the phone cord around her fist. "Don't fuck with me on this. Kiba, cause it's not about you! If you've got problems with the proposal, I'll work on it, but keep your bullshit to yourself." She heard him panting like he was about to bust a gusset. When he composed himself he told her it was a go. He'd arrange for her to meet with the THFC board.
Hinata hung up and immediately dialed Kakuzu. Over the years, she had collected enough IOU's to put the spots for close to nothing. Just thinking about the project gave her the old, back in the trenches charge. She needed Kakuzu's official blessing and clearance to start the ball rolling on getting the airtime to play the finished ads.
'It's finally happening.' And all she wanted to do was call Naruto and gloat.
AN: Probably going to get cursed out by some of you for the hot and cold situation between Naruhina. Please be patient and keep reading. Only a few more chapters left. Thank you to everyone who left comments so far. I appreciate all of them.
