Chapter four round two

Tenten woke up in her bed. Brown eyes slowly opening to see the red digital O five hundred blinking back at her. The sun has risen again. Shower, standing in her closet, breakfast, coffee, traffic then she's back at work she cringed in hopes no one will ask her if she's okay today. It's become over bearing. Each of her co-workers and bosses voices asking those dreadful three words.

"Are you okay"

The question she hated the most. When she woke in the hospital learning she was dehydrated. Captain Hyuuga was there.

She could hear the mocking laughs of her Sergeant, corporal, and privates.

"Tenten that's private Heiki first name"

The memory had her rattled and when Captain Hyuuga touched her arm. She lost it.

Get the fuck off of me she yelled at the captain and put her boot on his chin.

He stumbled back and didn't say anything as he brought his head back down. She repeatedly told him to leave, until he did, and she had to catch a commercial flight back to Konoha.

She sat at her divider behind the desktop. She's still employed. He didn't tell on her.

Tenten has been able to survive somehow. Regretting how bright-eyed and bushy tailed she once been for being able to serve her nation. She could still feel them. Their hands on her. Their laughs are what rang in her ear as the ocean waves could be behind them.

She had put it away. She had to keep going on. She had been hiding out at her mothers house when Director Kakashi Hatake had emailed her with a job offer. The training had been simple. She met the guys and just floated with them offering support. Saving victims with the team. Sometimes they were too late. She grew a level of trust with them before she even knew it. They have been really concerned about her and Inzunka. Agent Hyuuga and Yamanaka even arranged a small tribute to Pakun and gave her a basket of assorted tea leaves. Her eyes traveled to the daisy on her desk. She clocked for lunch and grabbed it before walking around to Inuzuka sipping from a blue police box mug that Agent Hyuuga gave him. She wished she participated in it when Ino offered. The spiritually down man looked from his screen to her surprised as she extended her arm.

"My condolences for Pakun"

He took the flower and smiled at her. "Thank you Heiki. Are you feeling better ?"

She hated attention. She was an officer first line of defense for her team. She's supposed to be strong and a dependable comrade she worked so hard to be that but now she's afraid they're all seeing her for weakness. Being born a woman.

"I am" she answers him "are you going to lunch ?"

"No later maybe I'm swamp trying to find a replacement canine for Pakun. He was the only bomb dog".

"Okay I'll see you later" she says then turns on her heels.

She has tea for lunch because it's all she can stomach. She wanted to know where Agent Hyuuga sister was station, but she could be overstepping her boundaries with her questions and conspiracies. It was clear to her, she was just some flesh that the system she loved chewed up and spat out. Medically separated is what they called her. Their ship had been lost for four weeks, and they called her delusional. The combat doctors tried to convince her nothing happen and the swim to choppers latter would've washed away any evidence. She grips her cup and bring the hot vapor under her nose and top of her lip. To feel something then the numbness.

She feels the heat of a body behind her, and she jumps spilling liquid as she sharply turns to the red face Captain. His cheeks were pink on his pale skin and there's a small scar on his sharp chin from her steel toes. Her face is also red.

He chuckles bitterly. "Do I repulse you that much ?"

She grimaced. He doesn't. She repulses herself. She sits in her cowardly false protection of silence.

"You're making it crystal that you don't want to be my friend"

Remorse fills her. She didn't get a chance to say what she wanted because her No's fell on death ears before and it seems everyone with ears couldn't hear her screams on the inside but Captain Hyuuga. She thinks he can with his pitied glances attempts at talking to her. Her eyes could only take in his defeated face. It didn't suit him well. He was more discipline than this.

"Friends" it falls from her lips as his eyes rise to look back into hers. "We can be" she says blushing at her choppy spoken words.

There's a smile on his lips, and she takes a deep breath feeling like she's breathing again after holding her breath for a long time.

"I'm" she started looking at his chin remembering everything at the hospital.
"Sorry" she whispered.

"No need to apologize. I shouldn't" he paused." you lock up sometimes and I don't mean to over step but".

She nodded. Of course her pain leaks through the facade. "Thank you" she says dryly.

"You are okay with me doing that?" He seems surprised.

"Yes Captain Hyuga" she nodded slowly. She didn't care how many drinks she spilled. Someone could see her inner turmoil that she's scared will consume her whole one day. If he can pull her from it at least while at work she can keep this job.

His face is twisted. Determination in his lavender eyes. A content frown on his face. "Neji" he tells her.

Her breathing ceased as confusions
flood her. "Neji" she says indifference as she tries for the first time. It felt wrong.

"I couldn't possibly call you that" she said.

"You don't have to Tenten" he says, and she felt her face tremble as if he couldn't know her first name. Of course, he knew her name. He's basically her supervisor but no one has called her consistently in years. "But can I call you Tenten? Since we're friends Captain is also too formal".

What he is saying is making sense, and she's sure she had more social freedom when she was in first grade. "Okay"... "Neji"

He smiles at her. "That's so much better Tenten"

She felt silly and childish but it felt good to not just house her first name and to hear it again. Yamanaka sometimes slips and calls her that too, and she always thought it sounded nice coming from her. She had been bullied about her name before. Bullied if you can even call such acts bullying she thinks bitterly.

"Maybe we can work on drinks not spilling next time we meet"

The joke is an insider. She smiles small for his attempt. "Maybe we can... Exchange mugs" she says then immediately blushed. "Yamanaka did it with your... With Agent Hyuuga and Inzunka" she tried to farther explain, but he's not saying anything. "Never mind it's stupid"

"No! No it's not. Mug exchange sounds pretty cool! All the kids are doing it. I needed a new mug and it'll ease my concern over your hands they make these cups too flimsy."

She's stun. She never seen him like this before. Tenten remembers the personalization of the mugs. Inuzuka square Dr. Who police box mug from Neji's cousin had made him smile for the first time since Pakun. Agent Hyuga was given a mug with a black cat that had a golden moon on its forehead. Inuzuka got Ino a black mug with green matrix style text. It was pretty adorable.

"Is there anything you like?" She asked him shyly. "Like a favorite color or something?"

"Neutral colors and old oriental fighting movies but no pressure anything you get I will like. You?"

What did she like?

"Coffee. Tea" she said blushing. "Toast"

"Coffee tea and toast Okay" he nodded.

"When should we have our little exchange ?"

Tomorrow is too soon and next week is too far he'll probably forget. "Wednesday"

"Wednesday" he said while looking into her eyes.

He took a deep breath. "I have to authorize the new dogs Inuzuka have chosen"

She nodded.

"Enjoy your lunch Tenten"

The captain walked away to his office. Neji was happy about the progress with her. He would get her the best mug he could find. Still something was wrong. He spent three years with professionals who study these things. Surely they know it too. He had been drawn to her knowing her history of serving in the aquatic defense of their nation. Just like his missing cousin. He wasn't perfect either, but he could put it aside at work. Tenten Heiki couldn't. The directors encourage him to continue education but if he did he wouldn't be directly over her. This is why he's stuck in the same position. Officer Sai instead is being supported by the program to be promoted from officer to Agent and not him. Agent Heiki... Tenten. He smiles to himself. Today he won the privilege of seeing her smile it wasn't for long, it was lopsided, and he's sure there was a bit of fear behind it but. She smiled. He could feel the faded pain of her kick and remembered her portfolio. She was rocking two high buns when she was younger and actively serving. Medically separated has always bothered him, but he didn't get every detail about her as the director's pick the officer's who will work for them.

Maybe she needed a friend. One that wasn't over her and one that wasn't male. A girlfriend. He sighed and began typing up an e-mail at his desktop with his signature scowl returning.

Hinata could feel the elephant in the room twenty-four seven, and she's sure they feel it too. Rather it's for the greater good or for a check this job. When she asked Ino how she does it she expressed she has the safety of being behind monitors, but she still sees cases and read horrible things. She advises staying true to yourself. When Hinata thought about staying true she could only think of dancing. After one stressful day of the worst news she's ever gotten she found herself at her fathers dojo. She somehow had gotten slap by her dad for saying something did seem right about it.
She had Passé, Plié, and Piourette over and over in her pointe shoes until she was found collapsed with bloody feet laying on the floor of the gym staring up at those big industrial light. Arms stretched in defeat and knees bent in the same spot she had fallen connected to her useless feet. She burst a blood vessel. Ko had gently picked her up, and she cried in his embrace.

Her foot flexed in her flats as she remembers this. She used to want to dance professionally but that drowned with Hanabi. The very small upside is the long term effects will not be a problem since she hadn't. Cosmetically her feet will be fine.

She always had to find the bright side to things no matter how dark the other side is.

She cleared her throat before she spoke. "How about dancing Friday" she said and this piques his interest.

She then looks at Ino. "All of us could go to this improv spot its 20 bucks" she shrugged looking back at the disappointed officer Inzunka, but then he smiles.

"Okay I'm in"

Hinata smiled at that as Yamanaka agreed to go as well.

"Where are we going ?" Sai asked popping out of nowhere.

"Dancing" Hinata told him.

"Okay I'm so going" he said zipping by before taking a seat in his nearby divider.

She and Ino go back to their desk.

"Should we invite anyone else ?"

Ino thought about it with a hand under her chin "I don't know Sasuke and Sakura are boring they don't do spontaneous. Kakashi is like our bosses boss. "She shudders. "Neji no way. Shino no. Naruto yes but no he's still our boss. Hmm, Tenten maybe ?"

Hinata was stuck in the flurry of names Yamanaka through her way.

"Something wrong Hinata?" She asked innocently.

Hinata cracks a smile. "Nothing it's just weird you saying everyone's first names like that." She once thought it was weird going by her last name only now she thinks it's odd going by her first. It was more odd to think about the head and Kyuubi real name is Naruto. It was cute.

Ino giggled. "Yeah it's taboo around here but hey" she shrugged.

"How do you get Kyuubi from." She couldn't say it. He wasn't an officer or Agent. He was the director.

"Naruto" Ino says easily and Hinata could feel flutters in her belly. Soft to touch looking blonde hair. Blue deepen eyes. The sterness. Birthmarks highlighting cheekbones. His build under the suits. His soothing rasp voice when he speaks to her.

You did good Agent Hyuuga
It's better not to console

Was his last previous words to her. She awaits the moment he will speak to her again His mother took a look at him and named him Naruto. That's so cute. Behind being the director she thought about the man. Naruto.

"It's the amount of cases he cracked with Nara and Harano. They're the fastest and youngest generation to have 90 percent success rate. When he was just an Agent He saved a kid from a burning building anticipating and profiling where and when this arsonists would attack next. He was ordered not to go into the building everybody had been evacuated except for a little voice coughing for his mother. He ran inside pulling the kid from the flames, smoke, and ashes. Allegedly the kid had called him Kyuubi".

Hinata held a wondrous looking on her face she had thought that was a scary moniker, but she cracked a smile. "That's adorable and brave"

Ino snickered. "Yeah he's one of the good ones" she said then sighed. While looking over her monitor. Hinata followed her gaze to Sai she then looks back at Ino.

"What should we wear Friday?"

"Loose clothing or like the most active sleep wear you have" she said while checking her e-mail and to her surprise. Neji wanted to see her in his office.

Neji has a decent sized office. It's better than her divider. Shizune helped her find it. She took a seat on her own without him telling her. No matter how estranged they are there's still a layer of comfort that says hey we come from the ball sack of brothers. She cringed as soon as she thought it.

She focused in on his face. That damn expression that says I hate you. He needs to lighten up.

"How are you fairing with employment?"

"Employment is required" is all she could come up with because her first case taken her second to last strand of innocence. What her heart and now her eyes had witness she's literally down to the V card the last thing she has. Somehow she's hold on through a high school religious sweetheart, and a perverted professor. Both ended terrible. He proposed at graduation she said no and her old speech professor let's just say a restraining order was in placed. He was obsessed with her, she had thought she was actually smart but no. No use crying over almost spilled milk. A knee to the balls was enough to get him off her. Her cousin is glaring at her, she blushes. Why the hell was she thinking about this now?

"I have a favor to ask you"

Hell has frozen over. Pigs are flying. She wants to cry but she doesn't. Her dear cousin needs her for something. "Anything Neji" she whispers not free from emotions.

His features relaxed as he looks away then back at her. "What do you think of Officer Heiki?"

Officer Heiki? This about her. "Well" she didn't know much, but she's the only female officer. She was pretty. "She's cute" was he asking her of her opinion of a girl ? Director Uzumaki said I am able to profile. Maybe. She takes in his light purple eyes averting as he is deep in thought before looking back at her with genuine eyes.

"You two could get along well don't you think?"

He wants me to be her friend ? This was amazing and rare. Of course, she will. Her cousin asked. "Yeah we could" she answered excitedly.

She marched upbeat towards Officer Heiki desk. She slammed down on it with too much spunk it caused the officer to reach. Hinata paled before laughing out an apology. Wow! This is awkward. Her hands and feet start moving causing her body to do a nervous jig.

"So we're going to this open dance spot Friday night want to come ?" She asked mid Jazz hands.

Officer Heiki face held amusement then disappointment expression. "I can't sorry"

Hinata nodded as her limbs stop moving. "It's okay next time" she said pointing at the lady officer as she moon walked back to her desk. "Me and you shall dance" she said before tripping and falling into her chair.

The officers and Ino had a good chuckle out of this.

"Don't let the doctor see you" She heard, and she immediately squinted her eyes. Turning to see Uchiha sitting down.

"How did she even see that ?" Hinata spat salty remembering how she called her out about her happy dance in the parking lot.

"We all saw you dance Hyuuga" Inzunka snorted.

She pouted her lips great just great.

When Neji left the office he drove straight to an outdoor mall. He found a nice trinket shop. The salesman helped him pick out a custard short cup matching saucer with a golden handle. It also came with a golden flower shape spoon. He had also picked up tea leaves, a small glass tea pot, and manuka honey. He bought a brown bag and yellow tissue for wrapping and almost left the nick knack store before seeing a mug in the novelties section a kicking, buns wearing caricature who meant business. He smiled to himself and purchased it.

When he got in his car he felt like a teenager. He had tried to ignore what he felt about her from the moment he met her. When she burned her fingers with coffee he just felt overwhelming concern. He didn't know how to express it. She barely talks and the break room was full. She acted as if nothing happen. It had to of hurt her. Neji would have to recommend ice coffee and ice tea for her occasional clumsy. She reminded him of Hinata that way those quiet and awkward types. Maybe they'll get along Hinata could learn some discipline from Tenten and Tenten can not be so lonely.

It all boiled down to him liking her. He found her attractive, kind, and mysterious. That's a truth he's been sitting on for months. He felt like an Idiot putting himself out there. Admitting that he thinks she's thinks he is repulsing. Smiling at her, smiling for her. It had been worth for that wrinkled smile she gave him.

He knew what he wanted and she was it. In what way? He didn't know, always? And maybe he's lying to himself because he knows what way. In a way a man wants a woman, but he could even settle for friendship. He wanted to protect her even from herself he sees the inner conflict with her every time all the time. He wanted her be alright. She's stuck in her head all the time while she's also stuck in his head.

Wednesday

It took six sets of ten minutes intervals to pick out a mug. Tenten couldn't find any action movie mugs, but she did buy a Bruce Lee movie at an old pawn shop. The cup was white with a golden circle on the rim with a Geisha holding an umbrella. If he likes Oriental things Japan falls under that category too. He does always eat with his chopsticks. She doesn't use them any more her hands are mostly her utensils being lost in the ocean can really change your perspective. One week the hunger is just annoying sharing one 5 pound bag of rice. Two weeks your irate because the food is gone. Three weeks you're convinced this is it. Four weeks men turn to monsters. Maybe that's why she fit in with this job she used to the monster's.

She shakes her head. Her heart was beating beyond the bruises. She was excited. When she's inside the office she's holding the wrapped gifts in her hands maybe a bag would've been better. She waits for him but it's time for the clock. She placed the items in her work bag frowning because they'll get wrinkled. When she nears her desk there's a shiny brown balloon connected to a natural colored bag on her desk. She slowly rounds it with a blush on her face as Yamanaka and Hyuuga make girly ah's and ou's!

She takes a seat as the guy officers have join in.

"Is it your birthday did I miss it ?" Yamanaka suddenly gushing comes to a halt replaced with dread.

Tenten didn't participate in the birthday celebrations but. "It's in November and I'll like to participate this year"

Yamanaka cheered up instantly and began writing in her calendar. "Hinata you in ?" The blonde asked.

"Yeah. December".

Hinata it's a pretty name. Tenten eyes glanced at her. Wow! she looks like him. Dancing? Could she go? It's been years. She could just be support for work group outing, but she's just support at work covering the agent's and protecting the savable victims. Sighing she clocked and took her first break immediately. Darting straight to his office with a soft knock. He was on the phone she stood by his desk.

"I ensure you that Officer Inzunka is very responsible we had been blindsided by bombs last minute. Pakun saved all of our lives, evidence and provided closure to families. Inuzuka the best of the best he was stuck between a rock and hard place."

He's pissed off. Yelling into the phone pleading Inzunka's case with passion.

She was staring at him with the cutest shocked face. His eyes soften at the sight of her he made quick work of this call before hanging up.

"Hey Tenten" he breathed and the smile on his face is so huge it's embarrassing. His face heated up in hopes she liked her gifts.

She was pulling something from her bag and placed it on his desk. He saw a wrapped rectangle and cylinder.

"Thank you Neji" she breathed out cutely.

He chuckled at her. "Did you like it ?"

She blushed. "I haven't looked yet waiting till I get home."

"Have a seat"

She slowly did so. His fingers unwrapped the heaviest item. It was a sweet geisha mug.

"This is beautiful. Thank you so much Tenten" he then looked in wonder at the other present.

"Enter the dragon ? Circa 73' ha ha this movie is older than us and I've watched it a hundred times".

He takes a peek at her, and she's gone red.

"But I never watched it with Tenten"

Her eyes advert from his.

"Would you like too ?"

"Go to your house?" She asked watery.

"Sure it's more comfy there but I always have my MacBook. A café that should be ideal we can order all the tea and coffee you like"

Her lips spread into an endearing grin, and she nodded while looking in his eyes. "Okay Neji" her big brown eyes shining in the sun that's found its way in.

That smile. He couldn't offer one back he was basking at how pretty she is. "F Friday" he says deeply.

The "Okay" slips from behind her teeth, and he is floored at her. "A smile looks good on you" he almost curses himself as her lips fall but a small lopsided smile.

"Tenten" he says her name with no follow up needed because she does the same thing.

"Neji" she responded with a chuckle at him before standing up. "Breaks over"

She began to leave.

"Is it considered favoritism if I give you longer breaks?" He called after her.

"Yes Captain" she says before swiftly leaving

He could only sit back and grab his face.

This woman.

He better research the finest café he could find.

She couldn't wait until she got home that night. When she got in her car she opened the gifts like a kid on Christmas. It was just beautiful. She wouldn't dare take it back to work which was the whole point of it. She blushed at herself. Finding a place for it when she got home was difficult she finally decides to display it on her bar. Along with teapot she'll take the fighter mug back to the office. She had an embarrassing chuckle at the fact the woman was in mid kick. She put the tea leaves and honey by her coffee maker for the first time in. Forever she didn't time herself after work.

He called her his favorite.

Friday

Hinata the day had been smooth. Everyone had to go home to change, but she brought her clothes to work. Inzunka, Yamanaka, and Sai all talking about the night's events. Dancing then dinner. She was excited. Shion and Tamaki Her college friends couldn't make it. Shion is a professional ballerina and Tamaki is a Majorette turned cat lady judge. The anticipation of the night was high. She had been getting over time due to a last minute chart Dr. Harano wanted her to fill out. It was an exercise to match the Sasori victims to the cities in the land of wind to practice the importance of geography in the cases. With a click of her mouse she did, so she made her way to the seventies. She tries to not think of it as a person but a number she truly is but it's hard. She has to be positive her first two checks were generous. She'll soon have to enroll. Maybe one class a semester with how demanding her job is.

Her thoughts are interrupted by a clean crisp smell teasing her nostrils. She's trapped literally a tan hand holding the edge of her desk to the right and left of her.

"You still here Agent Hyuuga. What are you doing ?"

He says and there's a shadow over her head.

She doesn't know what to do.

What to do?

Oh! how about answering him.

"Yeah I'm still here." It's so airy and unintentionally light. She sounded like a prostitute.

"Dr. Harano wanted me to do this geographical practice" she says trying to level her voice.

He lifts one of his hands to point at the monitor. "Her methods are interesting but I'm sure with your geography studies this is easy for you"

Yes and no. "Yes" she opts for because like a dumbass she told him she couldn't get use to this job last they spoke.

He smells so good, and he's so close her the top of her head keeps hovering under his chin.

"I hear there's a gathering taking place tonight" he says and backs away.

Her eyes widen as she swivels around to look up at him, and she feels all a cat may look at a King. He was a staple. A force. That crease in his brow and mix between clout and authority oozing from his whisker clad face, and he's in boot cut jeans and a cashmere dark orange sweater with a dark blue blazer on top. His shoes brown.

She felt pulsation in her throat. He was a fucking hunk. Heat blasted her face and her eyes gone blurry. "Contemporary dancing an improv class and dinner after"

His Deep in thought face changes into a scowl. "Who's attending ?" he asked non-hesitant.

She should totally invite him. "Agent Yamanaka and officers Sai Inzunka"

He is straight up frowning now. His Blue eyes rolled a bit and his lips upside down. Oh dear he looks scary and hot. "You should come" she says in that shy prostitute voice. She couldn't help the hitch in her voice over her heart beating out.

"I'm not much of a dancer" he says

No he's withdrawing she didn't want that. She stood up and for the first time she noticed their height difference is pathetically apparent. She must look like a baby hamster to him.

"Food! Mediterranean food it's a place downtown. The only one in the capital".

"You better get back to the graphs wouldn't want you late to your date" he says and her eyes are wide watching him march away in his cloud of princely aura.

"It's not a date" she shot to his retreating back.

"Huh?" he asked with a half turn of his head she could only see his lips, marked cheek and a spec of blue optical before she could even answer back he is gone.

Damn it. He was rude. His curt husky voice and insulting insinuations didn't stop the pounding in multiple places. She swallowed and quickly finished up her work before clocking out and heading to the lockers.

The shower was quick. Black biker shorts, a loose white crop top and white converse is the outfit. She tossed her hair into a side ponytail before tossing her duffle over her back cross body style.

He shouldn't get to caught up in what his Agents and officer's do in their free time off the clock. He should ignore that his newest agent was going out with Inzunka and Sai. It wasn't his business apparently Yamanaka would be there to. There was something about her, she caught his eye from the start. He never thought Captain Hyuuga dull eyes could look so provocative on the opposite sex. She's all messed up. Haunting eyes, indigo hair, pale skin it didn't match her friendly persona.

Just who was she. He wanted to know her. Not on paper and not around the office. He frowned in his thoughts. Inzunka was up to bat with her. Will he swing hit a home run? He didn't like the thought of that. Dancing? What would he say to his subordinates. He still had two hours left here. Sharing information with the land of rain and wind. Earth ignored their concerns. He hasn't forgotten that arsonists unsub with the bombs collaborating with Sasori. Kakashi was only allowed five hours with him and used all his triggers he didn't crack. It's a code in the underworld. Don't tell. He left his office again. Walked around a bit checked the floor empty seats greeted him. She is gone into the low murmurs of a Friday night. She's well liked around the office, bringing in breakfast. He watches her every time he breezed by his eyes take a glance and a peek at her. If he profiled himself right now his behavior could match those of some bastards he put away. He's ashamed no matter how much of human brain he studied he still couldn't escape his mannish DNA. In his walk of shame he's in the security room. He sees her in black and White a big duffle bouncing on her legs as she skips out of the parking garage. Her shorts are on her like a second skin and her shirt is loose but exposing a tone belly with each movement of her arms. A dark ponytail in the wind as she goes to the side of the building waving for a Taxi.

She didn't take her car today ? She's planning to drink probably at dinner. He sighed until she flags one down and is gone from view. Skipping inside with one hand pressing her cellphone to her ear a smile plastered on her face.

Looks like he's having Mediterranean tonight.

Ino and Agent Hyuuga had been loose limbs as music played during the freestyle Sai and Kiba and Sai tried to keep up with them. She had been snapping all night with her coworkers. It felt good to let loose after such a case and Pakun. The instructor Mei had cleared the floor and said it was solo time. They watched people moved their bodies to every type of song. Hinata wanted to do a solo and was extracted into the center of the floor. She was surprised when two hands snaked around her waist she turned and saw Sai. He didn't look at her only head she smiled to herself and focused back on Hyuuga.

Hinata sat on the floor as the music started.

She was on her knees and her upper body started circular motions from her waist building its way up to her chest, neck and head. She swung her head with so much force her scrunchie came off making her hair fall on her shoulders and back. She slowly stood from bending over still moving the torso of her body around and around bringing each hand over her shoulders before releasing her palms to the ceiling before doing a series of Chassé leaps. The crowd cheered for her as she went on until the song slowed, and she melted into floor play sliding her legs and hips against the floor. The feeling of the ceilings lights down on her skin the music and audiences fueling her sensual movements until the songs end.

In her finale she was met by claps and cheers as she stood and ran back to her friends. She smiled to them as Ino told her She did great Sai noticeably holding onto the blonde and Kiba brown eyes staring down at her. She tried to act normal but with half the group coupling and Kiba's eyes taking her in had brought an unwanted tension and peer pressure onto her shoulders.

Blue eyes scanned the city as he drove with the city and her lights reflecting in his windshield. Wake up, job, new case, workout and home. Its rinse, wash, and repeat on repeat. Every now and again a woman would find her way into his bed. After Sakura's beating rejection and Sasuke swooping in for the kill he knew she was a one man woman. No matter the years she's too anal to try again for love. Sasuke did a number on her. He she shouldn't study her but that's the only love he's known. After her moment with Sauske her hopes of him returning Naruto observer it. A one man women. He didn't like Sakura he liked the idea of her and the idea wasn't even of her. It was an ideal of a woman out there who could hold him down and bring the wind under his wings. These one, two, and occasion three time flings were okay, but he's out nine months of intimacy maybe that's what pulled him to her.

Her just bouncing around in those pencil skirts with that hourglass body innocently charming every man in her perimeter. Who knew the Hyugas bred such beauty and grace. She has been the latest on thoughts on his latest night. Those neutral looks on the plane after her first case losing some life in those eyes. Getting a taste of his work world he wonders how she look if she got a taste of his personal world. Inappropriate to say the least, it would be. That didn't stop him from riding the elevator up to his house stripping out his clothes and taking a shower. It's not too late to call up Sasuke and go out to find some pretty thing at a bar or finally call some old thing back for a heated night of release. Nah, he's having Mediterranean tonight.

He dress himself in boxers, tracksuit pants, T-shirt and sneakers his hair still wet as he grabs his keys and look up the restaurant. The engine is still hot in his black with orange highlights two-seater. He starts it back up drive into the Friday night into early August night heat knowing the summer is trying to get her last days to count with Konoha in his view. A text to Sasuke and Shikamaru to come over after their done in the office.

ABAU building midnight

Sauske had been with Captain Hyuga they went over his approach of running after Sasori blinding with no gun drawn. They debated if it was the right or wrong thing to risk if he had been separated from the agents with weapons drawn what could've gone wrong. He was the only profiler on their team. Of course Sai and Agent Hyuga had some experiences, but he was in a position where he's in the first wave of defense and second. It wasn't too long into the night when the captain ditched him, and he was left along writing reports. He has been going to his desk and the printer, copy and fax machine repetitively. It wasn't until he ran out of paper did he realize he needed more. He made his way to the supply closer to catch a certain doctor trying to reach the pens her cardigan rising over her jeans exposing her tone lower body to him one he knew well before. He smiled to himself before grabbing the boxes for her,
She took a deep breath before falling onto her feet facing him.

He handed her the box.

"Thanks Agent Uchiha" she said.

"Your welcome Dr. Harano"

She took another deep breath as he grabbed. A pack of paper getting a little close to her in his reach. And they stared at each other.

"No hot date ?" He asked. She was pretty and successful sure she had them lining up at her door.

"I'm off men" she says. " For four years now"

The realization hits him. All this time?

"You're being coy right?"

Her eyes deflated downwards and she shrugged.

He didn't like the ominous air forming.

"A beautiful thing like yourself. Being so tight so wet".

Sakura could feel blooded in her face as he says such things. Her face drops in angst, but she feels flattered and shocked at his words. Offering some half ass closure. She wasn't a bad lay to him. How many times had she thought that been the reason he fled her. "Sasuke don't" she pleaded weakly.

"It's the truth"

She shook her head no not being able to look at him.

She felt a poke in her waist.

"You're telling me you stayed down?"

She felt silly and naive. She's said too much.

He was watching her squirming. He slowly cornered her into the shelves until she looked up at him breathing through her nose.

"Interesting" he said lowly and pushed a pink hair out of her face.

Her green eyes glitches back and forth into his black ones.

"I can't do this" she whispered to him.

"But I can and I'll wait"

Her eyes widen. "Wait?" She asked panicky.

"Until you're ready and have the courage. Round two" he says and takes his leave backing out and not looking from her until he's gone.

She finally breathed through her mouth and felt like crying.

She was not over him and she knew it

After the class they rode in Sai's car to the restaurant. In the night they have moved beyond the work place thresholds of their last names. She's rolling with Ino Sai and Kiba not Yamanaka, Inuzuka, and officer Sai. She finds it brave he normalized his first name, and he's a failed struggling artist who was forced into the corporate lifestyle. Their stomachs now filled with bread, olive oil and lamb.

The place was decorated in beautiful tiles with dark lights as music played.
They were sitting at a brown table with a candle flame playing before them.

The seating went Ino, Sai, Hinata, and Kiba. They were having debates.

"Come on Hinata back me up here tell me you still believe there's love in Konoha" Kiba said pleading for her assistant.

She blushed and shrugged. Truth be told her love was gone lost at sea where they said her sister is but truth also be told she wouldn't be a downer. "Love just seems unattainable. Lust maybe but love it's almost fetishize in our society. What's wrong with self-love and loving friends" she tries Kiba's not satisfied with her lack of loyalty.

With a rolled his of his brown eyes as Sai nodded and Ino looked in different.

"I like that Hinata" Sai offered then swiftly turn to Ino. "Because I'm all in lust tonight".

Kiba scoff as Hinata laughed and Ino blushed with a gasp. Her cheeks red.

"Seriously you look good."

"Tha thank you" she said then threw Hinata a knowing look. Hinata gave her an encouraging smile back. The blooming of attraction across from her and the dangerous looks Kiba were giving her caused her belly to crave alcoholic beverage. "I'm getting some more drinks. Request ?"

Two beers and a daiquiri. She repeats in her head on the way to the bar. She skips up and lays her exposed torso on the hard surface waiting for the tender.

Her side eye catches orange. Orange tracksuit pants and her jaw drops before she smiled and twirls over by his seat.

"You came" she says trying to bite back her delight.

His head titled to her. "It's a good as any night for lamb"

She giggled happily in his presence. Director Uzumaki not in professional setting it seem so wrong. She looked at his wet tousled blonde strands contrasting with those blue eyes, plush lips and harden jaw. If it's wrong she doesn't want to be right. They're having a staring contest in the white noise of forks scraping plate, low talking and low jazz music.

The bartender comes, and she's forced away losing their silent battle.

"Two beers and two strawberry Daiquiri's" she orders, and he walks away beginning to flipping bottles.

She turns back to him her liquid courage she consumed earlier has made its way into her blood. She remembers his rudeness and smirked. "Will you join us ?" She asked.

"Just picking up takeout" he answers before taking a sip of his water.

She didn't want him to leave.

The song changes her body likes the beat. Hopping of the bar she began to dance sensual next to him.

He is crouched on the bar by his water. She found him. He's been here twenty minutes and already ordered. They had brief small talk before she began to dance. He didn't want to gawk but in his side vision he could see movements that peek his interest. He looked over his shoulder with a blonde eyebrow raised and jaw tighten.

She had her arms and hand intertwined above her as her waist rolled an invisible hoolah hoop. The circles of her waist moving slow but steady over and over. Thighs and hips complimenting the waist in rotation as she brought her hands down to her side before she laughs and turns her back to the bar and lies on it giggling to herself before turning her face to him. A teasing smile on her lips. He turned a bit more to see his fellow ABAU coworkers then her. "Would you like a ride home?"

She nodded.

They weren't on the clock, but she's ticking like an explosive.

"Why don't you give them their drinks and meet me outside"

"Okay" she peeped.

He got his food and awaited for her.

Hinata skipped back to the table with the drinks and lied about going to the restroom before making her way outside while texting Ino explaining she had somewhere to go. She followed her temptation and saw him standing by a low deep black and orange sports car.

He spotted her and opened the door. She got in and watched as he rounded.

"You know how many of our cases start out like this" he asked her, and she felt a bit of danger before laughing it off.

"You can't scare me. Kyuubi".

She says and turns in her seat to see him lightly blushing she giggled and looked at the sky. It was a full moon. She opened her mouth and howled to it.

He was taken aback by her howls, but he enjoyed them. "You're challenging a wolf not a fox"

She giggled and shrugged. "Same family and don't say it's not possible. Those ligers and donkey horses crossbred are real you know".

He shakes his head and turns to look at her. She's lightly intoxicated. "A wolf and a fox" he says, and she calms herself covering her face from his eyes.

"Put those away I'm enjoying the view"

She slowly exposes her red face back to him. "I'm sorry Director Uzumaki"

"Agent Hyuga I ensure you don't have to apologize for being yourself"

She Sighs and melt against his seat. She's twisting under her belt before her eyes land on him.

"How do you do it director this job how do you get by?"

That's a good question. One he asked many times. The answer. "I don't take work home" he tells her.

"That's kind of ironic considering, You're taking me home"

He suppressed his urge to smile at that as she giggled to herself.

"Next time I'll invite everybody and maybe Dr. Harano will come and like me more"

"Don't let Sakura get to you. She means well" he says and could feel her distress as eh got really quiet.
A frown was on her face. Was she jealous?

She was so jealous. He calls Dr. Harano by her first name what the waffle?. The rest of the ride is silent until she's in front of her condos as the car parks in front. He knows where she lives?

She turns to him taking a peek at her boss. "Thank you Director"

He turned fully to her. His eyes illuminated in blue hues fairing well with night and lowly staring her down. Wet lips slightly pursed under his nose and whiskered cheek. The streetlights shining through Blonde semi dry hair. He was bright like the sun how could she not get lost in the glow.

"Your welcome Agent Hyuga"

She couldn't help the sideways smile forming into her left cheek infecting the right.

He's staring at her, she's all smiley. Her dark hair waved and cuffing her opal eyes, up turned nose, and full dry lips.

"It wasn't a date" she says before quickly leaving happy she got the last word and skipping up into her building. He sighed taking a deep breath before he peeled off into early morning or late night it just depended on the timing.