Chapter Four: New Beginnings
"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." ― Carl Bard
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"Now remember Hinata, poise is a girl's best friend...and diamonds, but make sure you look...poised", sai Ino as she stopped her 2013 Rolls Royce at the red light, unconsciously checking her makeup in the rear-view mirror.
Konan rolled her eyes at the blonde's vainness from the passenger's seat. " Every girl's best friend is Ben and Jerry, Ino."
Ino wiped the side of her mouth with her finger before cutting her eyes towards the woman. "You just say that because you're such a fatty, Konan. Every girl with taste knows that diamonds are what counts!"
"I don't see what's tasty about diamonds unless you're a gold-digger.", Konan responded as she stared out the window impassively.
"And you would know, wouldn't you, whore?", Ino shot back.
"Yeah I would - you asked me many times to buy you things even though you had the money."
Ino groaned loudly, swerving on the road a bit, causing several cars to beep at her."There you go again, bringing up the PAST! I don't waste bill money on shoes, Konan!"
"That's just what a gold-digging whore would say."
Hinata sighed in the back seat at the petty argument going on in the front and began to pick at her indigo sundress Ino bought her. She was nervous - and Ino and Konan's argument wasn't helping her cause at all. It was only causing her nerves in her body to coexist with her filling bladder.
"A-are we there yet, Ino? I-I really have to use the r-restroom.", Hinata asked as she squirmed in her seat.
The blonde looked in the mirror at the girl. "Hinata now is not the time to have the bladder of a three year-old! I told you to go before we got in the car, did I not?!", Ino reprimanded as she cut off a lamborghini. Konan put her head down as pedestrians started to yell at the Rolls Royce.
Hinata pouted. "N-No, you yelled at me to get in the car!"
"Pipe down, will ya!" Ino, not wanting to hear the whining girl, turned the corner sharply, making Hinata fall back into her seat with a gasp. Once she parked the car, Ino glanced back at the girl. "We're here. Now get out."
That little...Hinata glared at the blonde before stepping out the car and slamming the door, which made Ino squeak and hurriedly check the backseat door for any scratches. The one thing the blonde loved besides hot guys were got cars.
Hinata looked towards the towering building. It seemed to have been bigger than she had expected, which made her heart speed up a bit.
Konan strood past her, glancing down at her Ipad."Don't stress out too much. Gaara hasn't bitten any heads off in a while."
Ino took out her compact mirror and started to check her makeup. "He's a good guy with a hot ass. Come to think of it.", the blonde sent the Hyuuga a grin. "He's single. Hint. Hint."
Hinata glared once more at the blonde before starting towards the entrance of the huge building with Konan and Ino. The sundress and heels were uncomfortable to the bluette, but she couldn't object to it. Even though Ino had bought her the clothes, she still wished she had the money to buy her own things.
Hinata shook her head before looking both ways and walking towards the building. Screams and shouts were heard, which caused the girl to look up at the crowd of people at the entrance. Is something big happening here today? Hinata shook her thoughts out of her head; if she was going to get back her image it had to start now. She couldn't care what the media thought of her, right? The bluette, with new found confidence, started to walk across the large parking lot.
A car cut her off before she could make it though.
It was that black lamborghini that Ino had cut off. Hinata jumped back a little - had that car been following them?
The one of the tinted windows of the car rolled down slowly. Ino's gulp was heard in the air.
Hinata's felt the world around her slow down as she peered into red-tinted eyes. She thought she wouldn't have to see eyes like those ever again.
"Hn. I didn't think I'd see your face for a while." Itachi Uchiha. Member of the notorious Akatsuki and one of Japan's most eligible bachelors. Also Hinata's brother-in-law. For now, that is.
Hinata tried to smile "H-Hello to you too, Itachi-nii-san."
Itachi glanced at the two women behind the girl before getting out the car, which caused Ino to become nervous.
Konan smirked at the blonde's predicament."What happened to having poise?"
Ino ignored her.
Hinata looked away from Itachi. Even though he was nice to her, she couldn't help but dislike him, if only a little; he looked like Sasuke too much. And he had a cold aura around him, just like Sasuke.
"We can't chat here." , Itachi nodded his head in the direction of the building. A crowd of paparazzi was scattered around.
Konan cursed under her breath. "I'll try and move the crowd away from the exit a little. You and Ino can go in with Itachi."
Hinata's head snapped towards the purple haired woman. She couldn't possibly go in with Itach. Paparazzi would take it and completely exaggerate the whole situation.
Before the girl could protest though, Itachi had already taken off his jacket and was covering both her and himself. Ino walked ahead of them and through the doors, ignoring the boisterous fans and cameras. Hinata could hear the opening of car doors and news reporters talking. Their voices pierced her brain despite her and Itachi's struggle to avoid the rowdy crowd.
"Good morning, Tsu. I am standing here outside Sabaku Corporations along with thousands of fans here waiting for the Akatsuki to arrive for the Big Decision. Just now Itachi Uchiha was seen walking among the crowd, but not alone. We couldn't make out the person next to the man, but we can say that it was definitely a woman! This is Rin with Japan's Number One NEWS station!"
Hinata sighed a little with relief. That was until the coat was pulled from them by a raging fan.
Screams uplifted in the crowd as Hinata and Itachi were seen side by side, the older Uchiha holding her waist. It was a misunderstanding. A big misunderstanding.
"It's Hinata Uchiha! Could this be the start of a scandal? Yesterday Sasuke announced his engagement to his supermodel girlfriend Sakura Haruno despite him still being married to Hinata. Inside Sources say that the girl's cousin Neji Hyuuga was named Heir to the Hyuuga throne, which knocked Hinata out of seat of Hyuuga Corporations and also from the sacred clan! Now being seen here at this very moment is one of Japan's eligible bachelors Itachi and Hinata, the disowned Hyuuga AND soon to be divorcee of Sasuke. Is this just a little in-law misunderstanding or is this something more?"The news reporter continued.
Hinata looked forward.
The scared girl tried to shield her eyes against the flashing lights that erupted from cameras. They were everywhere. The girl looked up at Itachi. His face held no emotion as his bodyguards pushed back the screaming fans. They both knew that this was going to go viral. It always did.
"You okay?", asked the Uchiha as he and Hinata got on the elevator.
The girl nodded quickly before grabbing the railing on the wall. She still had to go to the restroom. Where was Konan when she needed her?
"I want to apologize on Sasuke's behalf.", she heard him say, much to her surprise.
Lavender eyes snapped back into the red ones. Itachi Uchiha is apologizing for Sasuke's mistakes?
"Y-You have nothing t-to apologize for, Nii-san. I-I should be the one asking for forgiveness. I wasn't a-able to be a g-good wife to him, so he l-left.", Hinata didn't want to talk about him; it was still painful.
The girl heard a sigh from the older Uchiha.
"You are too submissive. Sakura is a challenge for him. That could be a reason why he left, though I doubt it."
Hinata's heart stopped as she stared at Itachi. He was calling her weak.
"It may sound cruel and heartless, but it is the truth. You are not strong to handle Sasuke. Not even mother can.", he stated, his even tone never changing.
The elevator doors opened.
Itachi glanced at the slowly breaking girl. "Nonetheless, you are a good person. You were just thrown in the wrong place at the wrong time in Sasuke's life."
Once the man was gone, Hinata let her tears flow.
Did everyone think she was weak and pathetic? She was tired of crying.
The girl exited the elevator and looked in search of a restroom. She needed to release her bladder as well as her held-in tears. Hinata spotted a woman seated at a desk; her heart almost sang.
She rushed over, almost startling the poor woman. "A-Ano, excuse me? C-Can you tell me where the restroom is?"
The secretary started to say something, but stopped. Her eyes widened."Oh my God - Y-You're Hinata Uchiha!", the woman screamed, making Hinata take a step back. "OMG, you don't know how much I love you!"
Hinata was crushed in a hug by the screaming girl, suddenly forgetting about her bulging bladder.
"Matsuri, let her go!", a sandy blonde in a black suit pulled the squealing assistant from the bluette, causing one of Hinata's shoes to come off. The star- struck brunette was quickly pulled into a room by her co-workers, leaving the blonde and Hinata.
The woman sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. "Sorry about that. Employees around here hardly get to see any celebrities while on duty. Besides Gaara that is"
Hinata blushed a little.
The woman stuck out her hand. "I'm Temari by the way, Gaara's older sister.", Temari greeted, a small smirk on her face.
The former Hyuuga squeaked when she heard this. She was getting cold feet at this point. This was his sister! Older sister?! She felt like fainting."I-I'm Hinata, pleased to m-meet you Temari-san."
Temari smirked at the girl."It's Temari. Just Temari."
Hinata blushed at the line; it was the same one that she had heard at the store yesterday.
She shook herself of the nervousness and looked back towards the busty woman."C-Could you show me w-where the restroom is? I r-really need to go."
The sandy blonde let her eyes widen a bit before a small smile came onto her lips."Just turn down that hallway and go two doors down."
Hinata thanked Temari before scurried away like a mouse. It seemed that she was getting more nervous by the minute. Once the girl found the bathroom, she realized that her tears never fell. The were gone and forgotten. She prayed she wouldn't have to face Itachi again; she was sure she would snap.
God please let this day get better. Please.
The room was big and wide. A long table with a lot of chairs were scattered about, much like a meeting room. Hinata quietly took a seat in the empty room. Ino and Konan were no where to be seen. She took out her phone, her eyes connecting to the text messages on the right side of her screen. All from Sasuke.
"You're here."
Hinata's eyes snapped up and were meet with teal. Her heart started to beat fast. It was him; Gaara Sabaku. Hinata closed the phone before putting it away. He wouldn't ruin this for her.
Hinata stood and bowed."T-Thank you so much for inviting me to sit in on this meeting, Sabaku-san."
Gaara gave a slight nod and a smile before taking a seat at the head of the table.
Hinata smiled and decided to join him, and soon took a seat by the calming redhead."Oh, and t-thanks for the 'diversion'. I-I really needed it and I appreciate it."
"No problem. However it seemed that my efforts were in vain. Your dethronement made you a trending topic. Sorry about that.", he spoke warily.
Hinata waved it off. " Still, i-it was a big move to pull. A s-sex tape could possibly ruin you."
"It won't, trust me. It's long overdue actually.", Gaara leaned back in his chair. "I've shared so many things with the media - why not my body, you know?", he chuckled slightly causing the bluette to smile.
"If there is anything I-I can do for you, just let me know. I'm so sorry I had to put you through this!"
Gaara waved her off and leaned forward in his chair. "Will do."
Suddenly the door opened loudly and in came the men from Hell. Akatsuki.
"What did I tell you about picking up strays, Gaara?", replied a redhead with bright hazel-eyes as he sat down in one of the chairs and took out his laptop.
They came in order somehow. Hinata looked on in awe as they took their respective places at the table. How could they look so beautiful and unique?
"Come on Sasori my man, don't be like that to the lady. Where are your manners?", A handsome blonde man winked in her direction, causing her to bow her head in embarrassment.
Sasori snorted as he took out his reading glasses. "She's no better than the rest of us."
"You're just mad that the girl took your seat.", a bluish man suddenly spoke up while taking the seat in front of the dark redhead.
Sasori glared at the blue man sitting in front of him."I'm surprised you didn't show up with your pimp, bitch."
Hinata flinched at the foreign words.
"Deidara, I suggest you get your puppet before I teach him how to be a real boy..", Kisame snarled, glaring daggers at Sasori, who ignored him.
Deidara ignored the outbursts having had Hinata catch his attention. He smirked lightly at her. "So, I hear you're getting a divorce soon. I'm up in being a rebound if you'd like." The bluette narrowed her eyes in confusion and was about to respond but was cut off.
"She's not interested, Deidara. Take out your damn files and get ready for the meeting.", an emotionless tone stated, which could have only been from Konan.
Hinata looked up in relief and saw Ino and Konan entering the room, a McDonald's bag in their hands.
Gaara rolled his eyes as Konan ruffled his hair as she passed to get to her seat; Ino bend down and pinched his butt with a devious smirk, causing him to glare at her, though Hinata could see slight embarrassment in those teal orbs.. The pair quickly took their seats beside Hinata before digging in; Hinata jealously watched them, feeling her own stomach growl.
"Oh Panda-Kun, it's been forever since I've heard from you. You haven't been hiding in the bamboo trees from us have you? Ah - you're still as adorable as ever.", Ino cooed playfully as Gaara blushed a little at the sudden outburst.
Deidara snickered."You won't be thinking adorable once you see Gaara's little movie. I have gained another level of respect for you."
All eyes shifted on the blonde.
Kisame gave off a disturbed look. "You saw that! You're gross, man! He's our co-worker!"
Deidara shrugged as he continued to snicker, taking out his notepad. The door opened once again to reveal the man Hinata was trying to avoid, Itachi.
He made his way over to the chair in front of Hinata; she almost groaned.
"I hope you've got your trap money, fish-face. Pimp daddy's here.", Sasori glanced Kisame from across the table.
Kisame glared at Sasori. "Shut the f-!"
"Be quiet." The room was silenced by Gaara as he started to speak. He coughed a bit at the awkward silence, as if he was forgetting something, but soon waved it off and started back to his meeting."Now that that's settled, this meeting was-"
An albino man with a half-buttoned dress shirt was shown opening the door with multiple bags of McDonald's in his hands.
"I, the Sex-god, have finally arrived to feed his faithful followers!"
Gaara sighed and gripped his forehead as the chatter in the room increased once again. How they're company was so successful, he would never know. "Shut up."
The room was quiet soon with only the sound of munching. The Sabaku sighed once more."This meeting was called on such short amount for one reason and one reason only - our upcoming clothing line."
Deidara's eyes brightened ."You mean the line you were talking about with the elders the last month?", when Gaara nodded, he slapped his hand on the table. "Fuck yes! I've been wanting to get in on this line from the first time I heard of it."
Gaara glared. "Who told you about it in the first place?"
"Snitches get stitches.", Deidara grinned.
The red-haired Sabaku shook his head."Anyway, I have an idea of what I want it to be.", he waited as everyone started to pull out their notepads. Hinata looked around the table - they took this very seriously. "Lingerie."
"Objection.", Konan stated.
"Reasoning?", Gaara inquired.
"Sexualized images of young girls in advertising, merchandising, and the media harm the growth of young girls and women. I'm all for lingerie and it relating to women empowerment - but broadcasting super thin with disproportionate and unrealistic body measurement models is something I'm not willing to comply with. We'll only argue about it and be in another long-ass meeting with the Elders.", Konan said.
Hidan sighed. "Fucking feminists.", he grunted, earning a punch in the shoulder from Ino and a glare from Konan.
Gaara smirked. "Intriguing points. Tell me - when you hear someone say 'lingerie', what do you think?"
"Hot women in underwear and tight clothing.", Kisame said, making Konan throw him a glare.
The Sabaku nodded towards Kisame in agreement of his opinion."Exactly. Lingerie models these days are sultry and adventurous . These fantasies include false interpretations of women as Konan says. Most companies make lingerie so that women can fit these fantasies."
Sasori glanced over at his cousin. "What are you saying, Gaara?"
Gaara smirked before looking at Hinata; his piercing gaze startled her. "In order to capture our consumer's attention, we need to be relatable. Instead of creating a line for one type of woman, we'll make it for all, but in order to make it relatable, we'll connect it with one experience that most women are bound to go through."
The room became quiet. Hinata could feel the tension.
Gaara folded his arms.
"Virginity."
Konan and Ino threw each other a look as the guys in the room let out surprised noises.
Hinata paled.
"Virginity? So...we're making lingerie for virgins?", Hidan asked, to which Gaara nodded.
"For virgins and for women who want to try something different - for all women. Whether it be a new relationship - ", Gaara glanced at Hinata. "Or a new experience."
Hinata looked away, a blush coming to her cheeks.
"Throw out the bold colors and lipstick and replace it with light colors and flowers.", Deidara muttered, jotting down his ideas in his notepad.
"So no leather or chains. Dammit.", Hidan cursed.
Sasori sighed. "Virgin lingerie and clothing line, eh? Sounds different. I'll bite as long as the Elders agree with it.", he said as he typed something.
"The idea is to create an air of innocence and purity, right?", Ino asked, glancing at Hinata for a moment.
Gaara nodded. "Yes."
Itachi looked towards the man at the head of the table."Do you have an idea of who the spokesmodel will be?"
Hinata couldn't stop her heart from jumping when Gaara whipped his head in her direction, his face impassive, yet teal eyes shining. "Remember when you said you'd do anything for me? I'll cash that in now."
She didn't have any time to speak -
"Congratulations, Hinata Hyuuga. You're our new spokesmodel."
Hinata heard gasps and chairs moving before she fainted on the sight. She had a feeling that this meeting was far from over with. Me?