Last Time:
"Well, good night then," the nurse said. "Lady Hyuuga, our visiting hours will be ending soon. Will you be spending the night here with Mr. Uzumaki? If you are, I'm going to need you fill out an overnight form for me."
"No," Hinata said as she looked at the nurse. "I'll stay just until visiting hours are over before heading out, thank you though."
"Of course," the nurse said with a smile before bowing and leaving the room.
Hinata and Naruto both let out sighs of relief before looking at one another and smiling.
"Damn heart monitor," Naruto complained as he looked at it. "I can't wait until I'm out of here."
Opposites Attract: Chapter 22 – "First Annual Konoha Business Alliance's Charitarian Banquet"
"This evening, Sannin Hotel and Casino here in the City of Konoha will be hosting the first ever Konoha Business Alliance's Charitarian Banquet. The Sannin Group's very own Chairman Namikaze Minato, put the event together with the help of Uchiha Incorporated's Chairman Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuuga Enterprise's Chairman Hyuuga Hiashi. So tonight, the elites of the City of Konoha will be coming together underneath one roof to not only bring in the New Year but to help raise money for countless charities and foundations across Fire Country."
Three weeks came and went in no time at all. After Naruto woke up, he went through various test so that doctors could fully assess the amount of damage his accident caused. On top of this, he went through intense physical therapy – per his request – and went through being prepped for and receiving his new arm. Through all of this, Hinata stay by his side from waiting for him to get out of his test and helping him when she could during his physical therapy sessions. And after he received his new arm, she helped him get used to it by going through practice exercises with him every night in his room.
And now, Naruto sat in the back of his family's limo as it made its way towards Sannin Hotel and Casino. He sat there wearing a newly tailored suit with his custom cufflinks that were a present from Minato years ago. He wore a simple black tie with a platinum clip and he adorned an orange handkerchief in his breast pocket. His hair was freshly cut and slicked back and his face professionally clean shaven just earlier that day.
"How are you feeling?"
Naruto had been staring out the window when he felt Jiraiya nudge him. He looked at him and saw the slightly concerned look on his face. He smiled. "I'm all right Oji-chan."
"What about your arm?" Jiraiya questioned.
"It feels completely natural at this point," Naruto admitted as he looked at Tsunade who wore a proud look on her face. "I thought it would take a lot longer to get used to but I guess with Hinata-chan helping me with all those exercises every night before she left really helped."
"Speaking of Hinata," Kushina chimed in as she crossed her legs and eyed her son. She sat there wearing an ice white gown that had crystal accents along the skirt. Her hair was down and hanging over her right shoulder while she wore a simple pendant around her neck but a thick diamond bracelet around her wrist. "What are you going to do about Hiashi?"
"If I get the chance, I plan to speak with him one on one," Naruto explained and saw Kushina give a slight nod of approval. "I feel that I have to make my peace with him about the Baji situation before I can continue to date Hinata. I know he won't want to hear much from me but I just hope he's willing to listen."
"I'm sure he'll listen," Minato said as he slid his phone into his inner jacket pocket. "Hiashi may be a hard-ass but he knows when to admit when he's lost. Family is important to him and he's not willing to put his own stubbornness ahead of his daughter's happiness."
There was a muttering of agreement before their car slowed down. After a few short seconds, their door was opened and they could hear the shouting of reporters and paparazzi and see the rapid flashing of their cameras. Jiraiya climbed out first and waved to the crowd before offering his hand and helping Tsunade out. Minato climbed out next and assisted Kushina out. And lastly, Naruto climbed out and offered his hand to Sakura and helping her own.
Each pair stopped for a couple of pictures while Minato and Jiraiya stopped to answer a few questions. It didn't take long for them to get into the hotel though where a majority of their guests stood around and chatted with drinks in their hands. Once some of them realized that Minato and his family had arrived, most of the guests went out of their way to greet Minato or Jiraiya and shake their hands.
"Naruto-nii!"
Before Naruto turned around, he could feel someone run into his back and wrap their arms around his waist. He looked over his shoulder and smiled at the sight of Hanabi grinning up at him. Sakura giggled at Hanabi's greeting while Naruto turned around and gave her a prince-like bow in return.
"Good evening Lady Hanabi, it is truly an honor to see you this evening," Naruto spoke unnaturally formal which caused Hanabi to laugh. He grinned – though a bit embarrassed – and scratched his cheek before he caught sight of Hinata. Just like before at the Hyuuga Enterprise Charitarian Masquerade Ball, he was stunned by her appearance.
She wore a classy navy blue maxi dress that hugged her body and revealed her curves. The skirt held a slit that stopped just above her thigh and she wore strappy silver heels that matched her sterling earrings and necklace that rested just above her breasts. Her hair was done in simple waves with most of her hair flowing down her back while some rested on her shoulder.
"Mr. Uzumaki," Hiashi pulled Naruto out of his moment of admiration of Hinata which left her blushing pink and Naruto doing his best to not appear like an idiot, "I'm glad to see that you're up and on your feet again."
"Oh, um, thank you," Naruto managed a quick enough answer. He cleared his throat as he straightened his tie even though it didn't need straightening and looked Hiashi directly in his eyes. "Master Hiashi, I feel that there have been a few things left unsaid between the two of us and I just wanted to take the opportunity to clear the air, so to speak."
"Oh?" Hiashi raised an eye brow as he eyed Naruto. "And what exactly would that be?"
"Naruto-kun," Minato called from a few feet ahead. "Naruto-kun, up front."
"Ah, coming," Naruto called before letting out a heavy sigh and looking at Hiashi again. "If possible, I would like to speak with you later this evening. But only if it's possible."
"I'm not entirely sure it will be," Hiashi muttered but then he coughed when Hiyori rammed her elbow into his rib cage. "But I'm sure I can find some time later this evening."
"Thank you, sir," Naruto said with a small smile before sharing a look with Hinata and catching up with his parents. He took ahold of Sakura's hand and helped her halfway up the slight of steps where Jiraiya and Tsunade waited. Minato took his place in the middle with Kushina and Naruto and Sakura standing on their left.
"Now then," Minato clapped his hands and rubbed them together, the crowd focusing their attention on him as they waited for him to receive his mic from a hotel employee. He tapped it a few times before bringing the mic up. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I hope you all are feeling very generous this evening and if you aren't, there are plenty of drinks inside that will help make you very generous," Minato joked, "and be advised that all donations are nonrefundable."
The crowd laughed at his jokes while some guests raised their glasses to show they were already working on becoming more generous.
"On behalf of The Sannin Group, Uchiha Incorporated, and Hyuuga Enterprise along with the Konoha Business Alliance, we thank all of you for coming out this evening and showing your support for the countless charities, foundations, and organizations we hope to help this evening with charitable donations and sponsorships," Minato said, a light applause coming from the crowd. He nodded and clapped along a bit as well before bringing the mic back up. "Following some standards set previously by Hyuuga Enterprise and their Charitarian Masquerade Ball, there will be auctions later on this evening where you have the chance to bid on art created by some very talented and located artists. Not only that, this evening's fashion show is sponsored by the lovely Yamanaka Mari, founder of A Rose's Thornes. And of course, we intend to have a little fun later this evening with a friendly auction," Minato added.
The crowed muttered to one another, their excitement beginning to show with the additional events that were traditional for a Hyuuga Enterprise Charitarian Masquerade Ball.
"Now, we'll have a standard traditional auction where you'll have the chance to bid on items such as trips and tickets, even a couple of complimentary nights at any hotel underneath The Sannin Group umbrella," Minato said with a shrug. "But we'll also be holding a Persons Auction. During this, you'll get the opportunity to bid on some lovely men and women who are here in attendance this evening and once bidding for that singular person is complete, you'll get twenty-four hours with them. We just ask that you return them to their families in the same condition they came to you as."
There were more laughs.
"All right then, I believe I've kept you away from the main event long enough," Minato stated as he looked around the room and saw just how anxious everyone had become. "I hope that you enjoy yourselves this evening," he bowed slightly towards them before pointing the mic towards the section of the hotel that'd been blocked off by employees. Once they moved out of the way, their guests flooded into the event hall and the party truly began.
The music was live, the drinks were imported and top shelf, and the food was expensive. All things that kept every person in attendance happy and chatting with one another. And with it being the elite of Konoha, it didn't take long before the cliques gathered and they became absorbed in their usual gossip. But while all of this was going on, Minato, Fugaku, and Hiashi made sure to do their rounds and encourage guests to "find it in their hearts" and donate "generous sums" to the cause. Kushina, Mikoto, and Hiyori worked the room and dropped bits of information that certain people were planning to donate a considerably large amount and gain all the praise for the evening. Of course, none of it was true but seeing as the elite were always attempting to outdo one another, it was almost all the motivation they needed to donate more than they originally intended.
"Naruto."
Naruto was in the middle of speaking with Fujikaze Yukie, a well-known actress from the Land of Snow, when he heard the familiar voice call him. He looked over his shoulder and seemed to lit up at the sight of the red-haired teen. He immediately went over and hugged him, the two of them patting the other on the back before holding each other at arms-length and looking each other over.
"Gaara, I had no idea you were coming," Naruto said as he watched Sabaku no Gaara's elder siblings, Kankuro and Temari, approached.
"We received an invitation from Minato about two weeks ago," Gaara answered as he looked over Naruto again. "Are you all right? I heard there was an accident and I would've come to check on you but I wasn't able to leave Suna. Your hand…"
"Ah, Gaara I'm fine, really," Naruto said as he gave his shoulder a reassuring pat with his right hand. "I'm totally fine, see? You don't see anything wrong with me, do you?"
"No, not that I can tell," Gaara said. "I sent flowers though, did you get them?"
"Of course," Naruto answered. "Now stop worrying about me, okay? I'm all right. You came all this way so you just need to make sure you enjoy yourself tonight and obviously donate while you're here."
Gaara eyed Naruto for a moment before nodded. "Okay, I'll do that. I'm just glad you're okay."
"Me too," Naruto said with a grin just as Kankuro came forward and put an arm around his younger brother's shoulder.
"Come on," Kankuro urged as he turned Gaara toward the bar. "Let's get a drink and see what they have at the buffet. I'm starving."
Naruto watched as Gaara was taken away, Naruto chuckling a bit while Temari rolled her eyes and sighed. Naruto looked to Temari and saw she wore a simple black dress that was cut out at the sides and exposed her hips with an exposed back. She held a simple paper fan in one hand while the other held a leather black clutch.
"Gaara was worried," Temari said as she hugged Naruto. "You have no idea how hard it was to keep him from getting on the first flight out here the minute we heard you were hurt."
"I'm sorry for making him worry so much," Naruto said as he let go of Temari. He smiled a bit as Temari tapped his cheek with her fan before opening it and lightly fanning herself. "How long are you in town?"
"Three days," Temari answered. "Gaara made sure to get all his work done before we came so that he could hang out with you for a bit before going home. He figured you wouldn't have much time with this event being hosted by Lord Minato so make sure you set up a date with him for either tomorrow or the day after."
"I'll be sure to do that," Naruto said and saw Temari give a nod of approval. Just then, he saw Hiashi was at the bar on his own and chatting with the bartender. He swallowed hard before looking back at Temari. "I'll be sure to come and talk to you guys again before the night is over."
"Sounds good," Temari said but before she could say anything else, Naruto had wandered off. She shrugged and began to make her way to the buffet but stopped when she saw Nara Shikamaru just a few feet away. She was hoping to slip away before he saw her but he turned and they made eye contact.
Shikamaru stared at her for a moment before turning back to Akimichi Chouji and Yamanaka Ino. He said a few words before walking away and approaching Temari. "I didn't know you were coming."
"I'm surprised you showed up," Temari countered. "Don't you hate events like this? Something about them being 'such a drag?'"
"That sounds like something I said," Shikamaru agreed as he took a sip of his drink. "I'm mainly here because the museum needs donations to fund a new program among other things," he explained. "Other than that, I have no real purpose for being here."
"Really? There's nothing else?" Temari questioned.
"Well, it may not be entirely true now," Shikamaru answered and the way he looked at Temari cause a slight blush to come onto her cheeks. He took another sip of his drink and heard the music change to a slower jazz tune. He put his drink down on a passing waiter's tray. He looked back at Temari and held out his hand. "Dance with me?"
"You're serious?" Temari asked.
"If you don't take my hand now, the song is going to end and I probably won't ask for another dance," Shikamaru warned. "So, will you dance with me?"
Temari eyed him for a moment before taking hold of his hand. She couldn't help but blush as Shikamaru led her through the crowd and onto the dance floor. She shivered when his hand rested onto her hip but she enjoyed the way he held her hand. Together, they began to sway with the rest of the dancers.
"When did you get taller?" Temari questioned as she noticed that despite her heels, he was just a little bit taller than her.
"You really expect me to pinpoint it?" Shikamaru questioned with a slight smirk on his face.
To Be Continued…