Hinata hurriedly put on the most professional shirt she had and squeezed into the well dress pants she had since the first year of college. Sakura called her last night asking if she can go as a representative of their business to an appointment that was highly important. She kept apologizing. She said that something came up and neither Ino nor she would be able to make it. Despite the last minute notice, Hinata accepted the request nonetheless. She stopped fixing her hair and stared at her boyfriend who slept away naked under the covers.

He suddenly came by her house and kissed her with raw passion the moment she opened her door. He had her against the wall, pants gone and thrusting deep within her. He kept saying how much he loved her and how much he treasured her. She didn't know how to bring up the situation with Shion. It was xtremely difficult to concentrate considering he kept making her orgasm. So it didn't really hit her till now. What happened between them?

She had no time to dwell, however. She kissed him on the forehead and dashed out of her studio. She'll buy breakfast on the way over there.

She hoped she won't mess this up.


After talking to the secretary, Hinata sat nervously in the lobby. The room was small and looked almost empty. She realized that this building was new in the area. She grabbed the files she brought with her and looked over the information. Apparently Sakura and Ino have been contacting with this specific company for many months. The company had agreed to help fund their business as long as they pay them back a certain percentage. When Hinata looked over their contract, she couldn't help but admit how much this deal will help them. All she had to do was give whoever this person was the papers that were signed and answer last minute questions the person might have of the business.

"She's ready to see you now," announced the secretary.

Hinata smiled and said thanks before gathering her items and walking into the office. Hinata gasped and nearly dropped her items. The young woman looked up and her eyes widened.

"Hinata?"

"S-Shion." Hinata blushed, not expecting to stutter in such a place, and composed herself quickly. "Ms. Shion, it's a pleasure to see you."

"Oh, Hinata, you don't have to act so professional!" Shion stood up immediately and waved to the seats in front of her. "Please sit. Would you like something to drink?"

"Oh, no thank you." Hinata sat down immediately and placed the files on her desk. "Here are the paper works that my employers have for you."

Shion smiled and sat down. "Right now to business, eh?" She grabbed the files and looked them over. She glanced up. "How's your day so far?"

She involuntarily blushed, remembering the way her boyfriend made love to her till morning. "It was good. And yours?"

"Well," Shion paused and closed the folder holding the files, "it was okay. After this I'm leaving town."

"Oh."

"Yes. Well everything seems to be in order. Are there any questions you may have for me?"

"No. Do you have any questions for me?"

"No."

An awkward silence.

"I will be going now." Hinata stood up and almost dropped the suit case she brought.

"Hey…Hinata…" She stopped and turned to look at Shion. "Did…did Naruto tell you what happened last night?"

Hinata's heart dropped. "Oh he didn't. He came over to my studio and…fell asleep."

Shion hummed and stood up. "If you don't mind, I will like to have your company for a few more minutes."

Hinata bit her lip. She nodded after a while and sat back down. Shion went and grabbed a water bottle from her bag.

"I told Naruto I was sorry for what I did." Shion drank some water. "I'm sure you know what I'm talking about?"

Hinata nodded. So she apologized to him, huh?

"And that's it."

Hinata looked up quickly and Shion laughed.

"Did you think I was going to steal your boyfriend?"

"Oh…um…no that's not it! I just…"

"You got worried, huh?" She smiled in an understanding way. "Don't worry. I probably would have been too if my boyfriend met up with an ex." She got quiet for a bit before sitting back down. "I was actually hoping that he was single."

Hinata said nothing.

"He was such a nice guy back then. In my mind, I thought it was going to be like those clichés stories where I apologize to my ex for the wrongs I've committed and we get back together because we both realize how much we love each other and blah, blah, blah." Shion smiled at Hinata. "But when I saw him with you, I thought, 'Oh, I lost my chance.'

"A part of me was sad," continued Shion, "But I was also happy for him. He looked happy."

Hinata gripped her hands on her lap.

"I also forgot to tell him something."

Hinata gave a confusing look to Shion.

Shion smiled almost sadly and walked towards her bag. She took out a letter and handed it to Hinata.

"I want you to read this before I give it to him."


Sasuke massaged his neck and stretched. He heard the satisfying pops and he sighed, relaxing his body against the chair. He checked the clock and it was almost five. Sakura was about to come home soon. He realized that after their short and abrupt conversation about marriage, Sakura has been acting weird. Sometimes she'll stare off into space and he'll have to snap her out of it. When she talks about how Ino's been, she'll have this sadness in her eyes that makes him wonder why she's sad in the first place.

Was it because she wanted to marry him?

He sighed and ruffled his hair before grabbing his pencil once again.

No, she wouldn't be thinking that, right?

They were so young still. She also knows that he doesn't think highly of marriage. His parents almost divorced once when he was in high school. He can still remember overhearing a conversation his mother had with his aunt. She was sobbing and crying out, "See?! I shouldn't have gotten married! Marriage only leads to divorce!"

He never wanted that to happen with Sakura. He's afraid that once he tied the knot, something horrible is going to happen and they'll divorce. He'll no longer be able to see her in the morning or be the one to cause her to smile so late at night. He won't be by her side anymore, helping her each step of the way. He'll no longer be part of her life and he didn't want that. He wanted to stay by her side for as long as she wants him. He was an asshole to her in the beginning of their relationship only because he thought she only wanted him for his looks. But once he began to fall for her, he knew she was special.

He didn't want to lose her. And if it means not marrying her, then so be it.


Naruto wiped the sweat from his forehead and chugged his water bottle. He sighed in contempt and threw the bottle in the recycling bin. Today work was hectic. So many people were coming in and out that he didn't have time for a break. It's only now that he's able to have at least a thirty minute break. He took out his phone and tried hard not show his disappointment when he didn't see a text message from Hinata.

When he woke up this morning, he didn't see her anywhere in her studio. It was only after he checked his phone and saw her text message that he calmed down. He guessed she didn't want to wake him up. He wanted to greet her back with breakfast or something but he had work to report to. Not only that but he'll be busy from now on because finals are near and he has yet to hear from the schools he applied to transfer to. He can only go so far with the little money he has.

"Oy, Naruto." He looked up and saw a coworker pointing to the front of the shop. "Someone's asking for ya."

Naruto jumped to his feet and immediately ran out. Maybe it was Hinata? His smile disappeared once he saw that it was in fact Shion.

"Shion?" he asked, confused. How did she know that he worked there?

"Hi Naruto." She smiled. "Do you have some time?"

The last time they talked it was about their relationship and how she felt so sorry for the things she did. But what else was there to talk about? Wasn't she leaving today?

"Sure, I guess. How did you know I worked here?"

She gestured to the benches that were neatly placed in front of his work. He sat down and she followed soon after.

"I have a business, remember? And we're trying to fund small businesses since we're having some financial problems. So I came here to ask if they wanted to be part of our company." She smiled at him. "I was waiting for your boss to sign some paper work when I saw some blueprints on his desk." His eyes widened. "I asked if I can see them and the hand drawn architecture was amazing. He said that it was from you.

"Of course when he said your name, I brushed it off. There hundreds of others with a name likes yours," she continued, giggling slightly. "You were planning on remodeling your work place?"

"Y-Yeah." He blushed and scratched the back of his neck. "My blueprints still need some improvement but my boss already said that he wants it done soon."

She smiled tightly. "I asked him if I can have some copies."

"Of my blueprints?"

"Yeah. A friend of mine works at this university of architecture. I sent him the copies and he was in awe." She took out a letter. "After I saw you that day, I knew it was you who made those blueprints. So I rang him up and asked him what he thought about your work. He said that he'll like for you to come over to his school."

He grabbed the letter and opened it. He read what it said and his eyes widened.

"A full scholarship?"

"Yeah and it'll pay for everything for a whole year."

"I-It's on the other side of the country!" He turned to look at her. "What—how?"

"I know. It's a lot to take in but consider it. It's far from home but it'll help you fulfill the dream job you always wanted."

He read the directions of the letter and he felt his heart race. "It's from the university I always wanted to go to…"

"Naruto, this is the least I can do for you." She stood up. "I can't help you from here. He'll be waiting till next month for an answer. You finish school the next two weeks, right?" He didn't answer. He kept staring at the letter, rereading it for the fifth time. She looked on with sadness. She didn't expect for him to have Hinata when she first saw him. It was too late to change her friend's mind on the idea that Naruto might end up going to his university. She couldn't stop the ripple she caused.

"I have to go now. I wish you luck, Naruto." She walked away. "I'm sorry…" she whispered, her words unheard.

"What…do I do?" he couldn't help but ask himself.

Hinata, his friends, his job, his family…they're all here. Should he pursue it? The dream job he's been working for his whole life?

"What do I do?"