My appreciation goes to the following people for their reviews: Yuzuki476, km987001, littlenewgardner, I-Love-Trunks1, Hinatacentric
Chapter title from the song Crystalized by the XX.
Thank you all. Please enjoy.
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Chapter Four: That I Could Bring Paradise
Itachi did not want to admit it, but the Hyuga were right. He never realized how much he needed administrative help until Hinata.
She arrived at the Tower earlier than him, already working on the day's agenda. They reviewed it and added changes based on Itachi's input. She gave him the most important paperwork to review first thing. She logged missions and reviewed all the communications from the different departments. Her organization skills cleaned up Itachi's whole office so efficiently, he felt like he was missing something.
His desk, while not completely empty, still felt barren and strange.
She did not let him work through lunch. She made sure he got another break for dinner. And she vetted all his guests to make sure they had an appointment.
That brought them to their current problem.
Hinata stood in front of the window, immovable as a mountain. She frowned up at the nin currently crouching on the sill.
"Do you have an appointment, Uchiha-san?" She asked.
Itachi found it funny how someone with such a soft voice could sound so stern. He rested his elbow on the desk, and his chin in his palm to cover his smile with his fingers.
Shisui sent Itachi a pleading glance. Itachi did nothing except watch.
"Ah, Hyuga-san…" Shisui gestured with his hand. "I'll just be a minute."
"The window access is for emergencies, is it not?" She crossed her arms. "Is this an emergency?"
Itachi had not seen Shisui pout like that in ages.
"It'll just take a minute, I promise." One hand held onto the lintel, and his free one pressed to his chest. Sincerity practically oozed out of his pores.
"Is this an emergency?" she repeated, before adding a new argument. "Are all nin allowed to come in the window to say hello? Is that fair?"
The ANBU perched on a rafter and hidden from view, snickered. Itachi wished he could activate his Sharingan and record this.
Shisui sighed. "Itachi…" he whined.
Itachi shrugged a shoulder. "She is correct. I've told you this before."
Shisui sagged in place, looking like a forlorn kitten. Hinata looked at her watch.
"The Hokage has a meeting in five minutes. If you come through the front door, he can meet with you before then," she said.
Shisui gaped. "It'll take that long for me to come up the Tower!"
Her lips stretched into a small and mischievous grin. Itachi sat up and did his best to imprint it in his memory. He did not know her capable of appearing so impish.
"Hurry," she advised.
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Apparently, the story of Shisui's humiliation spread across the clan. A few days later, Sasuke stomped his way up to the office door, not even bothering to try his luck at the window.
He stopped in front of Hinata's desk. "Hey, Hinata." He nodded at her. "Does Itachi have an appointment?"
She checked her watch. "Not for another thirty minutes, but he is on lunch." The tiny crinkle of her nose communicated her disapproval of the interruption.
Itachi set down his chopsticks. "It's fine, Hyuga-san." He gestured to the seat in front of him. "What can I do for you, little brother?"
Sasuke shrugged and tossed a scroll in Itachi's direction, which Itachi easily caught. Sasuke did not budge from his spot. Both Hinata and Itachi frowned at Sasuke's lack of manners.
"Here's the monthly crime report." Sasuke drawled.
He turned his attention to Hinata, and his posture changed. He set a hand on her desk. He crossed his legs and set a hand on his hip so he could lean close. His smile turned predatory.
"How's my brother treating you, Hinata? Not working you too hard, I hope?"
Itachi rolled his eyes. He contemplated throwing the scroll back at Sasuke's head. Resisting the urge, he indulged his curiosity. How would Hinata handle his brother? They were in the same pre-genin class, after all. Was she used to his flirting?
Hinata primly set her hands on her desk and gave Sasuke her full attention. The smile she displayed was becoming familiar to Itachi. She used it right before she voiced words no one wanted to hear.
"I appreciate the opportunity to work here. Serving the Village is an honor."
Sasuke nodded. "Good. Hey, do you think you would like to go out to dinner some time?"
She brightened. For a brief moment, Itachi despaired. Already, Itachi found her immensely valuable. He could not lose her so soon because Sasuke refused to behave.
Her next words soothed Itachi's worries. "Oh! Will you be bringing Haruka? We met at the hospital when I was training under Tsunade-sama. She's so nice!"
At the mention of his on-and-off again med-nin girlfriend, Sasuke recoiled. His mouth puckered, like Hinata presented him with a bowl of sugar and ordered him to eat the whole thing.
"Yes," he said through clenched teeth. "She… is very nice."
He gave them both a stiff nod before fleeing. Hinata watched him go, before turning to Itachi.
"I didn't know if that would work. Are they together again?"
Itachi shrugged. His grin refused to fall from his face. Hinata just bought him more time to focus on his work instead of trying to shoo his brother out of the office. Sasuke would not show up until he was done licking his wounds.
Itachi wanted Hinata to stay his assistant forever.
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Coming up: We get a glimpse at Hinata's POV.