Chapter 4

The den was spacious, boasting a contemporary style with its high cathedral ceiling and large windows. Walls painted in an off-white color gleamed from the sunlight, their brightness reflecting off of the polished, wooden floors. A white coffee table with a vase of white flowers was set in the middle of the room, standing on an ivory and gold carpet with woven images of palm trees and coconuts. Surrounding the piece of furniture were a couple of chairs, a couch, and a loveseat.

With its simple style and cozy furnishings, surely this place would be a welcomed haven, a great escape. To Naruto, it was hell.

The blonde-haired youth sat on a chair, slouching, as he glared at the silver-haired Kakashi while Hinata took a place on the loveseat, playing with the ends of her skirt. The older male simply hummed a tune under his breath as he flipped to another page of Icha Icha Paradise. As the silence dragged on, Naruto's knee began to bounce as shook his right leg, a sour look on his face until he finally leaned over, smacking a fist into an open palm.

"Well!"

Kakashi paused in his reading, a light blush on his cheeks. Confused, Naruto waited with furrowed brows until Kakashi let out a low chuckle, turning to the next page. With his eye twitching, Naruto tried again.

"…We-ell?"

Again, no response. Another page was read.

Hinata bit down on her lower lip as she watched the scene before her, a drop of sweat traveling down the side of her face.


After Naruto was untied from the ropes, he turned his sapphire eyes to Kakashi as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"So who are you? Don't tell me Sasuke bastard paid you to do this… That jerk, I should have just ignored the call"

As Naruto ranted, Hinata got up, smoothing her skirt down as she held up an arm. With a finger on her lip, she timidly looked at Kakashi with half-lidded eyes, a silent plea reflected off of her eyes. With a bored face, Kakashi lightly coughed into a hand before he rose an arm. As his hand descended, a book manifested and bashed onto Naruto's head, making the other male shout.

"ITE! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!"

"Shut up…dunce," Kakashi murmured as he checked over Icha Icha Paradise. He hates to see a creased cover, or worse…a ripped page. Finding none, Kakashi turned on a heel, a hand in his pocket while the other held the novel up.

"Follow me, I'll explain the situation…" The silver-haired man gave a meaningful look towards the blonde. Naruto snorted, a hand swiping his nose.

"Stupid scarecrow…"

"Are…Are you all right, Naruto?" Hinata asked politely, appearing by his side.

"Yeah, yeah… Ugh, this is just stupid…" Naruto trailed off as he pursued Kakashi, hands stuffed in his pockets. Before she fell into step, Hinata clasped her hands together, a look of fear flashing across her face. Gazing at a spot on the floor, Hinata squeezed her hands together as her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Why…?" she asked to herself.


"Heard of One-on-One?" Kakashi asked out of the blue, cutting off another one of Naruto's outbursts. "It's one of the most popular shows known"

"Wha-?" Naruto quirked a brow as he stuck out his lower lip. "One-on-One… Isn't that a basketball show?"

The occupants of the room froze as the question hung in the air.

With a single drop of sweat clinging to the side of his face, Kakashi coughed, disbelief materializing on his face. Snapping the book shut, he stuffed it into the back-pocket of his pants before he sat up on the couch. Pausing for dramatic effect, Kakashi went to the point.

"You are on a famous, reality dating show where two peopleelected by friends, family, or a simple random sampleare to spend time together. For this case, it is you and Hinata that will be spending quality time together at Aoi Beach, right here in this bungalow."

"Nani? You mean Sasuke and the group signed me up for this crap!" Naruto bared his teeth as he slammed a hand on the table. "I'm not sticking around for this"

"Of course, since you're part of the production, you don't need to pay for the place, or the food and clothes."

"Okay, I'm listening." Naruto shut up then. Food is ramen, and if he can get ramen for free, then Naruto is happy. Hinata, for her part, was staring at clasped hands on her lap, listening to every word but giving no thoughts on her behalf. She didn't need to.

Her face had an intense look of both worry and fear…

"Miss Hyuuga, are you all right?" Kakashi asked, concern ringing in his words. Of course he'd be concernedthis is his job, and if the "players" of this production will not cooperate, the company may need to interfere…

Shaking herself out of her stupor, Hinata snapped her head up as she gave an embarrassed smile.

"Oh, oh… I'm fine…" she lied. "Where were we?"

Kakashi paused, a hand rubbing his chin. Something was not quite right… With a slight shrug, Kakashi continued as he filed her response into his memory. He'll think over it later.

"Ah yes. Well, since this is a dating show, our audience is expecting…many things from the both of you."

"Many…"

"…Things?" Naruto and Hinata chorused together.

"Of course, these…things will not be set up by us. That's up to you." Kakashi regarded Naruto's questioning look. "Ah, you'll see. However, if these certain things will not appear on the show," And if our ratings went down, Kakashi thought to himself, "Then we may…help out. I will, what with me being host and all."

"…I still don't get it." Naruto stated, scratching the back of his head. "Ah, what the hell. Sure, whatever!" Standing up from his seat, Naruto shoved a fist out before him as he stuck a thumb up. "Since Uzumaki Naruto's going to be on television…hehhehheh…"

Naruto's good-guy pose (copied from Lee, of course) was ruined when a gurgling sound emanated from his stomach. Blushing lightly, Naruto gripped his belly before he glanced at Kakashi.

"Ugh, I'm hungrygot ramen?"

Kakashi looked off to the side as he mumbled under his breath, an index finger pointing off towards the kitchenette.

"Idiot…"

Elsewhere, within Hyuuga Corps., the president of the company stood behind his desk as he glared out of the double-glass windows. President Hyuuga Hiashi frowned at the darkened sky as he clasped his hands behind him. Upon his desk sat a remote control of the television nearby, along with a video cassette. Upon closer inspection, the label of the cassette read as follows: Hyuuga HinataOne-on-One.

"Hinata…is this your way of avoiding the inevitable?" Turning back towards the tape, Hiashi picked it up as his eyes narrowed. "You will do as I say, and you will continue the Hyuuga legacy. Just as I promised, Uchiha."

Facing the shadows at the other side of the office, Hiashi waited until a form manifested before him. A tall, well-built man sporting a black Armani suit stared back at him with expressionless red eyes, his low ponytail softly swinging from side-to-side as he walked towards the older man.

"Hai," Uchiha Itachi answered as he stood before the president's desk. "I believe this union will be very beneficial, Mr. Hyuuga."

"It should. Once Hinata agrees to marry your younger brother, things will be setbusiness will increase once both our companies merge into one."

Smirking lightly, Itachi only nodded.

"Yes, as it should be…right? Sasuke?"

A/N: Yeah, you're right luna, I need to carve my characters out more (sorry if I seem like I'm calling you out, heeI'm sure there are others who are wondering as well). Don't worry, though, "all shall be revealed" in due time… As for this turn of events, I'm not sure if I like it, so this chapter is subject to change. However, if most of my readers are okay with it, I'll leave it be.