Hi everyone. I'm up and wired on coffee. I have so much energy right now it's not even funny. Anyway, I won't bore you with my excuses, I know you're probably sick of them by now. Without further delay :
Cover My Eyes
by, Rampantt
Chapter Twelve: Rose Garden
Hinata sat behind the desk of her very own office. Hiashi had made sure his daughter would receive a corner office with large windows, something she had not quite earned but he considered it one of his graduation gifts to her. Despite how he might come at times, Hiashi did indeed spoil his daughters, just not in the way that others would consider spoiling to be done.
The heiress was busy adding the finishing touches to project she had been working on. As the Vice President of Foreign Design, it was Hinata's job to scout new projects overseas and build on the Hyuuga Empire. Currently, she was working on a project in the Lightning Country – there were talks of opening up a department store in one of the shopping malls in Cloud City. It was a failing outlet but with a little investment from top brands like Hyuuga Enterprise's Hana clothing line, the mall could be reinvented.
No company wanted to suffer loss and to some it was seen as a would-be-loss to invest in the failing shopping outlet but Hinata saw beauty in it. She believed the mall could be re-birthed and thrive for many years afterward. It just needed a bit of polishing up. She planned on taking a trip out to Cloud City in the approaching weeks to canvas the mall and do a little surveying of the target audience Hana would be attracting.
Hinata supposed she would need a few interns to travel with her. She picked up her office phone and punched one.
"Yes, Hyuuga-sama?" her secretary answered on the other line.
"Yugao-san, I need you to send a memo out to all the Foreign Design interns that I'll be needing three or four of them for an assignment in Cloud City," Hinata said into the phone.
"Yes, Hyuuga-sama."
"Thank you," the heiress said before ending the call.
Hinata spent the next few hours on the mall's websites, checking out what stores it already carried as well as it's layout. She needed to be prepared for the trip and for the subsequent pitch she would lead to the board. The heiress was confident that when news of Hana opening in the mall, many other stores would sign on as well. The way she saw it, the mall needed a face-lift and that was what she intended to give it.
Her office phone buzzed.
"Yes, Yugao-san?" Hinata answered, cradling the phone between her shoulder and cheek as worked on a proposal draft.
"It's time for your lunch, Hyuuga-sama."
"Thank you, Yugao-san; feel free to take yours as well," Hinata said into the phone before hanging up.
She added just a few more sentences before saving and standing up from her desk chair. She shrugged on her navy blue blazer and tucked her feet back into her white kitten heels. The heiress had dressed herself in a white button down and tucked it neatly into navy blue form-fitting trousers. She grabbed her white satchel and her cell phone from her desk and proceeded out of her office.
Hinata was meeting with her cousin for lunch that day. Ever since their heart-to-heart a few weeks ago the two had begun repairing their damaged relationship. They had still yet to talk about what was really going on between the two of them but that wasn't how Hyuuga's dealt with things. They swept things under the rug, forgo apologies and moved on. It looked like that was what was happening with Hinata and Neji now.
Hinata couldn't quite say that she was satisfied with that fact but it was easier than being mad at him all the time. She truly did miss her cousin and it had been her pride and resentment towards her father that had pushed a wedge between herself and her cousin. The two had been very close at one point, it had only been in recent years that they drifted apart. While they had yet to have the conversation they needed, Hinata knew in her heart that she wasn't quite ready for it. She wasn't ready to admit to her cousin how jealous she had been of him and how his mere presence in their home made her uncomfortable at times. For now, the occasional lunch and business talk was enough for the heiress.
She met him downtown at a gourmet ramen restaurant. Naruto had been the one in to introduce it to her. She tried hard not to think of Naruto but the task was difficult. Here and there throughout her days there would be something that reminded her of him and it was honestly starting to exhaust the heiress. She wanted nothing more than to move on from Naruto at this point.
"Hi, Neji-niisan." said Hinata, taking her seat across from him at the lowered table.
Neji offered what Hinata supposed was intended to be a smile. Her cousin had never really been good at showing those kinds of emotions but she appreciated the attempt, it meant that progress was being made.
"How are you?" he asked her once she was settled in.
"Good," she answered. "I almost forgot we were meeting today, I was a little wrapped up with work."
"Oh?" he inquired, one thin black brow cocked. "Got something good going on?"
Hinata smiled pleasantly. "I think so."
Neji sipped at his water but otherwise remained silent, waiting for his cousin to fill him in on the details.
"I know things aren't quite finished with the Lily, but I don't think that's any reason not to be on the look out for other opportunities," Hinata started. "There's been some talking about Cloud City's Main Street Mall and they're looking to revamp. I was thinking we should open up a Hana store in the mall."
"That mall has been dead for years," Neji mentioned. "Do you think the board is going to go for something like that."
Hinata shrugged her shoulders a bit. "Maybe not now, but I think I convince them," she told him. "I'm going to be heading out to Cloud City in the next two weeks to see for myself what can really be done if anything at all. But, if all goes well, I'm thinking something major. The two Hana boutiques have done really well thus far and so I think it's time to expand the brand."
Neji nodded his head. "So maybe something on a larger scale? Like a department store?"
"Exactly like a department store. I'm thinking we start the men's and children's clothing line as well. The women and teen lines have been doing very well over the last few years and I don't doubt that men and children will fair well too," Hinata told him as she looked over the menu.
"Hm. I like the idea, I do, but I'm not sure the board is going to agree with you," Neji told her. "I mean, sure opening up a department store is a great idea but I'm not sold on Cloud City."
"I expected that. What you don't know is that there are talks from other brands to open up their stores in Main Street Mall as well. I'm thinking we should get in on this while the getting is good. Cloud City University is maybe twenty miles away from the mall and with the opening of new stores it's bound to attract a lot of University students as well as staff members. Let's not forget where the mall is located either; it's in the upper east side which is notorious for its yuppies."
Neji seemed to consider that.
"Hi I'm Ayame and I'll be your server. Are you two ready to order or should I start you off with some appetizers?" the waitress interrupted before Neji could speak.
Hinata smiled. "Yes, we'd like beef dumplings as an appetizer and I'll have the Hiyashi ramen."
The waitress scribbled the order down on a notepad. "And for you sir?"
"Shio ramen please, and could you bring us a bottle of sake please?" Neji answered her.
"Yes sir, sure thing," she said, writing down his order. "I'll take your menus for you."
She gathered up their menus and disappeared into the kitchen to have their orders filled.
Neji cleared his throat before speaking again. "Maybe this could be good," he said. "We won't know until you get your proposal drafted."
"Hn," Hinata said, sipping at her water.
"Did you want me to come with you to Cloud City?" he asked her.
"No I should be fine. I'm going to take a couple of the foreign design interns with me to help me survey and to keep track of my notes," she responded.
Neji was silent for a while. "I'm proud of you Hinata," he told her. "You're going to do great at this."
"So I've been thinking, your birthday is coming up in the next few weeks, why not host a party?" Neji offered.
Hinata shook her head, she was honestly all partied out. Too much had happened to her in the last few months because of her partying and she would like to stay away from them at all costs. "No, I'm not really sure how I feel about that."
Neji smiled again. "It's your twenty-fourth birthday, how much longer do you think Hiashi is going to wait before he formally introduces you as eligible for marriage?"
Hinata gasped. "You don't think he'd marry me off do you?"
"What's to stop him? You might be his heir but you're still his daughter. I doubt he'll let you remain single for much longer," Neji told her.
Hinata sighed deeply. Hiashi would marry her off if she didn't seem to be making an attempt to find a husband on her own. Hinata hadn't even begun to think of marriage as of yet. She had been so wrapped up in work and Naruto for so long that she hadn't even considered dating. Neji had a very valid point. If she didn't start dating soon she was bound to have another kind of party, one that would no doubt be incredibly embarrassing.
"You're right," she told him.
Neji bobbed his head. "You just need to find an escort you wouldn't mind introducing to Hiashi, that should keep him off your back for at least a few months about getting married."
Hinata sighed again. She was humble by nature but that didn't mean that she was unaware of how many men were interested in her. Even though there were many suitors around her, she couldn't really say that she knew any of them enough to feel comfortable asking them to escort her to her birthday party.
"Don't stress it too much. Ask a friend if it makes you more comfortable."
Hinata didn't have too many male friends when she thought of it. There was Shikamaru but he was currently dating some blonde girl whose name she felt bad for forgetting. There was Shino but he was out of town on vacation. She knew if she asked Neji's friend Lee to take her he would agree but she didn't think she'd be able to handle a night of conversation with him. As hard as she was trying not to she couldn't help but think of Naruto. If he hadn't been such a jerk to her it would have been a no-brainer to ask him to be her escort. Hinata supposed however that it was a good thing that they had fallen out – no longer could she delude herself into thinking what they had was more than just a friendship.
"I could ask Lee to take you if you want," Neji offered her.
Hinata shook her head again. "No thanks, I don't have the right kind of energy to handle Lee for an entire night."
Neji looked at her apologetically. "Don't worry about it, you still have a few weeks to consider it."
The heiress bobbed her head once. "I guess so."
"In the mean time, I'll have my secretary look around for some party planners."
"Thanks Neji," Hinata said with a smile as their food arrived.
"I hear your architectural firm has been met with success, I am proud of you, younger brother. You know, it wouldn't kill you to answer my calls sometimes; we are still family. I'm never going to give up on you."
Uchiha Sasuke sat behind the steering wheel of his black Infinity QX56. He wore an ear piece so he could listen to the messages on his cellphone while he drove to work that morning. His older brother had been more and more insistent on getting in contact with him in the last month. Hyuuga Enterprises had posted an announcement on their website about the Lily and it only made sense that Itachi would be seeking him out now. In his mind, this breakthrough success meant that Sasuke would be retuning home soon; pride in tact.
He was wrong.
Sasuke had become accustomed to being on his own and had done rather well at it. He didn't need the Uchiha any more than they needed him. There was nothing left there but severed ties and Sasuke had no interest in repairing them. He swore he would never return to the family that damn-near cast him out years ago. He proven to himself and to them that he didn't need them in order to make it in this world.
Still, he couldn't ignore the tightening in his chest. He swallowed past the lump that had lodged itself in his throat. Sasuke could remember the last day he spent in his former home. He remembered the look on his father's face when he told him he wanted nothing to do with the family business. He could still taste the cooper in his mouth from when his father hit him. He could remember it all. Sasuke was not about to return to that house, not even if they begged him to.
The rational part of his mind knew it wasn't fair of him to blame Itachi the way that he did but he couldn't stop himself. When he cast aside the Uchiha, that meant Itachi too by default. There was a time when he looked up to his brother most of all, but the feeling of admiration soon turned to resentment. Sasuke could remember how his heart turned against his brother and gone were the days of wanting to be just like him.
It started off as nothing more than teen rebellion, but as the years stretched and his father's patience thinned, it turned into something real. No longer was he upset with his father just to match his attitude, but he had a genuine reason to be. He understood why he was so angry and why he drifted away from his brother. Why should he try so hard to be someone he was not? If his family couldn't accept him for who he was then he didn't need them.
After he left the Uchiha, Sasuke seldom felt like he had made a mistake. In the beginning, every once in a while he'd panic and wonder if he ought to just return home and hope they forgive him. Truly being out on his own was not as easy as he thought it would be. He had come to appreciate the privilege he had once taken for granted just from being an Uchiha but he had also learned that he didn't need that privilege to survive. Here he was, mid-twenties, and succeeding far beyond his wildest dreams. Sasuke wasn't sure if he had ever believed he would have made it this far – but he did.
He reminded himself of that as he discarded the earpiece, tossing it to the passenger seat beside him. He pulled up in front of Sarutobi Hotel and hopped out, tossing his keys to the valet. He was dressed in a tailored gray suit with the jacket unbuttoned, a crisp white button down tucked neatly into his trousers, a gray bow tie with white polka-dots and a pair of stylish brown oxfords. He ran a hand through his hair, ensuring that the inky locks were slicked back away from his face.
Tonight he would be attending a birthday celebration for the Hyuuga Heiress, Hinata. He had received his invitation a few weeks ago and was hesitant to attend at first. Sasuke wasn't quite sure of what he was doing where Hinata was concerned. He was at a dead end it seemed. Ever since that night in the Hot Springs Country, Sasuke was sure he had really blown it with her. At first, he thought he ought to change his strategy, perhaps if he worked on building up a genuine friendship she would come around. However, Sasuke was feeling as if it would be futile like all his other attempts to get close to her. And so, he had wondered if he ought not show up for her birthday bash. When he decided to go, he told himself he was going as a business associate of the Hyuuga and that he could use this opportunity to network.
He told himself that again as he walked into the hotel's lobby where he was directed to the ballroom where the party was being hosted. Everything was clean and gold. Multiple chandeliers dangled from the ceiling which was home to dozens of painted angels. Music hummed throughout the ballroom and everyone was dressed in their finest designer labels. It had been a long time since Sasuke had attended such a glamorous event, so long that he had almost forgotten what they were like.
"Champagne, sir?" a waiter asked him, offering a cylinder from the silver tray he carried.
"Thank you," he answered, removing one glass cylinder from the tray and taking a sip at the champagne that awaited him.
"Sasuke, it's good to see you," a voice said to him as he sipped at his drink.
"Ah, Shikamaru, didn't except to see you here," Sasuke said as the two clasped hands in greeting.
"Yeah, Temari has been dying to come to Hinata's party since the day the invitation arrived," Shikamaru told him.
Sasuke wasn't surprised. Hinata and Sakura had the same magnetic pull when it came to the women in the Fire Country and abroad. It was the celebrity status that made them flock. It had been that way since high school, Sasuke remembered. Sakura had basked in the popularity while Hinata merely seemed used to it and tolerated it like she did everything else.
"Oh?" Sasuke remarked.
"Yeah, it's kind of a pain, but at least now she'll be off my back for a few weeks," joked Shikamaru.
The two men laughed.
"Anyway, there's someone I think you should meet," Shikamaru said in a light-hearted tone.
Sasuke cringed inwardly; it had definitely been a long time since he attended a high-class event like this, so long that he had completely forgotten about the mother's who loved to push their single daughters on all the available bachelors in town. Sasuke was twenty-four and unmarried and noticeably single; and while his status with his family was still shaky, he had landed a very large contract with Hyuuga Enterprises. Karin had informed him that the gossip magazines were following him closely and apparently with this seven-figure contract he was regaining his popularity among the social elite, especially the women of marrying age.
"Don't do this to me, Shikamaru," Sasuke groaned. "You of all people should know what a drag stuff like this is."
Shikamaru smiled guiltily. "Believe me, I know. But my boss's wife urged me to get you to at least meet her daughter and I don't want to get on their bad side what with my annual review coming up," he explained. "Just do me this solid and I'll owe you one."
Sasuke sucked down the rest of his champagne and sighed. "Fine, I'll meet her, but don't expect me to do anything other than that."
"I wouldn't even ask you to," Shikamaru said, taking his glass from him and placing it on the tray of a near by waiter and taking two more glasses. He handed one to Sasuke and kept the other for himself. "Just make a good impression on them then feel free to excuse yourself."
And that's exactly what Sasuke planned to do, although he couldn't promise he'd make a good impression on anyone. He wasn't known for his manners or his "good-boy" attitude either.
The two men approached a well dressed middle-aged woman. Her hair was dark and pulled up into an intricate bun and held a strong silver streak on the right side. She was dressed in a straight, deep blue gown and matching lace shall placed over her shoulders. She sparkled in pearls and looked expensive, just like everyone else hoping to establish just how wealthy their family was that night. She smiled.
"Sasuke, this is Mrs. Jin; Mrs. Jin, Sasuke Uchiha," Shikamaru introduced the two.
"Nice to meet you Sasuke-san," the older woman said pleasantly, smiling beautifully at him.
Sasuke didn't quite return the smile but did his best to be polite for Shikamaru's sake. There was nothing he hated more about these parties than the mother hen's trying to marry off their daughters to just about any rich man in the room.
"It's nice to meet you as well," he said politely to her.
Mrs. Jin smiled again. "I'd like you to meet my daughter, Fuu," she said. She wasn't the type to waste time, Sasuke figured.
A woman around his age stepped into their circle and smiled. She was beautiful, Sasuke noted. Her hair was an interesting shade of blue and Sasuke wondered if that were her real hair color not. She wore her blue locks in soft waves that halted just below her jaw. Her make-up was soft and barely noticeable save for the light pink of her lips. She wore a light pink spaghetti strapped gown infused with tiny diamonds that matched the ones in her ears and around her neck.
"Fuu, this is Sasuke Uchiha," Mrs. Jin introduced the two.
Fuu smiled again, this time only at Sasuke.
"My daughter is currently studying modern furniture design at the Konoha University of Art," Mrs. Jin announced.
Sasuke bobbed his head once. "How interesting," he commented.
He supposed they were trying to establish something the two had in common. While they might have sounded similar, Sasuke didn't think there would be much for them to discuss. He was an architect, he was interested in how a building moved and how each room blended into the next, or not at all even. He couldn't say that he concerned himself much with furnishing of his designs. It was the walls he was impressed by.
"I'll be finishing in May," Fuu told him.
"Congratulations," Sasuke responded.
Shikamaru cleared his throat and gave him a light nudge which Sasuke took as a sign that he was not pleased with his responses.
"I heard the design programs at KUA are very intensive," Sasuke mentioned casually, not really sure what else to say.
"They are," Fuu answered. "I just finished an internship with Jinin Akebino."
"So I see," said Sasuke.
"Perhaps you've heard of him?" mother Jin inquired.
"Yes, I'm a bit familiar with his work," Sasuke answered truthfully. "He offered to donate a few pieces to a smaller project of mine a while back."
Fuu smiled pleasantly. "He's offered me a paid internship after I graduate. It'll be an honor to work with him again."
Sasuke offered the most pleasant smile that he could muster without looking like he was smirking at them. He could honestly say that he was not interested. Fuu was beautiful and all and he supposed if he got to know her he'd think kindly of her as well, but situations like this always made him feel as though the girl and her mother too, were both desperate. Sasuke was a bit old fashioned in that he preferred to approach a woman when he was interested in her, having her thrown at him like this was a bit of a turn off. Sasuke couldn't say that he was ever at any point in his life looking for a girlfriend or wife. Perhaps if he was still unmarried by the time he reached his thirties and if society still considered him an eligible bachelor, he'd appreciate meetings like this, but for now, they were the last thing he looked forward to.
"And now, Ladies and Gentleman, the guest of honor," the party planner announced from the center of the ballroom and into a microphone.
All together, everyone applauded politely, awaiting the heiress to make her entrance. The lights dimmed and a spotlight appeared by the entrance of the ballroom. The french doors were pulled open by two white-gloved butlers and Hinata made her appearance.
She was dressed in a dark blue gown with a deep plunging neckline that showed off a generous amount of cleavage. It flared a bit around the bust and tightened at the waist, clinging to her hips and thighs before loosening at her legs. Her ebony tresses were slicked back into a chic pony tail, not a strand daring to rebel. Her make-up was exquisite; dark pink lips, long black lashes and soft pink blush had been added to her cheeks.
Sasuke had never seen her look more beautiful. Maybe it was because she was in the spotlight why she seemed to shine a bit brighter than every other girl in the room. For the first time in his life Sasuke was feeling insecure about a woman and where he stood with her. The ballroom was probably crawling with eligible bachelors all lined up for a shot at the Hyuuga Heiress. What was he supposed to do now?
"Ladies and gentleman, the heiress Hinata and her date Inuzuka Kiba," the party planner announced as they stepped into view.
The ballroom erupted into applause as Kiba escorted Hinata deeper into the room. Sasuke had been so distracted by Hinata that he hadn't even noticed she had a date. What had he been expecting honestly? What heiress would come to her own birthday party without a man on her arm? Hinata was probably the most notable heiress the Fire Country had to offer, of course she wouldn't show up alone. In her daily life, Sasuke assumed there were a slue of suitors waiting for the opportunity to make an impression on the Hyuuga heiress.
Hinata smiled at all her guests.
From what she could see, a lot of the people in attendance were business associates. There were of course many relatives and few friendly faces from what she could tell but Hinata knew what these things really were. Most people showed up hoping to rub elbows with the Hyuuga while simultaneously hoping to see something gossip magazine worthy. Hinata had been fortunate enough not to have a single scandal under her belt but she couldn't say the same for a certain pinkette. Often Hinata found herself swept up in the pinkette's drama but she couldn't say she minded it too much. However, when it came to her own drama, people were out for blood. She had been clean for so long people couldn't wait to catch her dirty.
Cameras flashed.
Sakura had been away on another champagne tour for Juicy Cosmetics and so she wouldn't be able to attend the party. She did however send the dress Hinata was wearing that night. The heiress was hesitant to wear it at first but the pinkette left a note in the box telling her to be daring for once.
More flashing erupted.
Hinata smiled prettily for the cameras, allowing them to see just how magnificent the dress was.
"You look really pretty tonight, Hinata-hime," an approaching voice said.
Kiba and Hinata both turned, the heiress offering a kind smile. It was Temari. The blonde stood before her with her golden tresses twisted up into an intricate bun. Her green eyes shimmered under golden-brown eyeshadow. Her lips were a pretty champagne hue that accented the pink champagne gown she wore.
"Thank you, Temari-san," the heiress responded.
It was a shame that Sakura couldn't make it, the heiress thought. At least she would have someone to make her laugh at how ridiculous this whole thing was. The pinkette acted as a buffer for all the girls who approached her hoping to become instant bffs. Sometimes Hinata didn't mind it, a little brown-nosing could take a person places, however tonight, the heiress knew she would be forced to handle more of these conversations.
"I hope you're enjoying yourself," Hinata said to the blonde with a smile. "Have you tried anything from the fruit bar yet?"
Temari returned the smile, eager to engage the heiress. "Not yet, but I'll be sure to have Shikamaru get me something."
"Oh? I didn't know he was here, how is he?" Hinata asked politely.
"He's right over there," the blonde said, looking over her shoulder and in his direction. "With Sasuke and Madam Jin."
Hinata's breath hitched in her throat at the mention of Sasuke's name. The heiress had honestly not expected him to come. She knew of course that he would be invited, he was of course a business associate and an eligible bachelor but it had never occurred to her that he might come. Hinata couldn't keep herself from looking at him.
"Fuu Jin is so tacky," Temari said. "She couldn't wait to hear that Sasuke and Sakura broke up so she could sink her claws into him. Just look at her."
Hinata's opal eyes shifted to the woman who had been standing beside Sasuke. She was beautiful. Hinata felt a twinge of what she suspected was jealousy pang at her heart. "Fuu's not that bad," Hinata said eventually. "She's just looking for love."
Temari scoffed. "As if. She's just looking for someone with enough money to support her lazy ass. I heard her father is planning to write her out of his will and now her mother is desperate to get her married off to anyone with money just in case."
"Leave that girl alone, Temari," Kiba butt in at last. He had been listening to the trash talking long enough.
Temari cocked one thin brow at him in surprise. "So would you want a girl to go after you only for your money?"
He shrugged. "What else can I expect? You know what everyone is like in our circles."
Hinata nodded her head. "He does have a point. If it weren't Fuu, it'd be some other girl."
Temari was quiet for a moment, as if she were considering this. "Perhaps. The night is young after all, I wouldn't be surprised if a few more girls tried it with him."
Hinata nodded her head in agreement once again. Sasuke was on the market now. There had to be millions of girls after him once again now that Sakura was out of the picture. He was even more desirable now that he was rich again – rich on his own too. People liked old money sure, but new money was always exciting.
"Oh, here they come," Temari commented, pulling the heiress from her thoughts.
Hinata watched as Shikamaru, Sasuke and Fuu all made their way over to them. She smiled pretty once again.
"Happy birthday Hinata-hime," Shikamaru said to her with a certain grin, handing her a flute of champagne.
"Please don't call me that, Shika-kun, you know how uncomfortable that makes me," she said with a smile, taking the drink from him.
"Does it really? I always thought being a real life princess would be fun," Temari said, cozying into Shikamaru's side.
Hinata smiled. "Well, it's not bad or anything, people just treat me differently is all."
"Oh, but don't pretend you don't enjoy the special treatment," Fuu cut in, wiggling a brow at her.
Hinata took a sip from her glass, debating whether or not to respond. "I'm sorry, have we met?" she found herself asking.
The cotton candy haired socialite paused and Hinata could tell she was struggling to bite her tongue. "Yes, we have; last summer at the Konoha Charity Ball. I'm Fuu Jin," she introduced herself.
"Oh," Hinata said, taking another sip from her drink. Hinata decided she didn't like her right then and there.
Sasuke smirked. It was good to see her have an attitude for once – or at least with someone other than him. He liked this honest side of Hinata. The side of her that was aware of her social status and didn't allow people to walk all over her. He was interested in seeing more of this confident Hinata.
"You really don't remember me?" Fuu asked.
Hinata smiled guilty. "No, I'm sorry."
"My father is head of Konoha's police department, surely you've seen him on the news or at least heard the name Jin?" Fuu insisted.
Hinata shook her head. "No, I can't say that I have. I don't really watch TV too much," the heiress answered truthfully. "When I do, it's usually the the stock channel."
"I see," Fuu said deflating.
Hinata finished the rest of her drink. She could practically feel the eyes on her. She knew that people in the ballroom were watching her but this was different. It was hard for her to ignore the way Sasuke was looking at her. Hinata still couldn't figure it out. After that kiss her head had been all mixed up about him. She could hate him and want him to disappear from her life all while wanting him to pull her in at the same time. She couldn't understand it. What was it about Uchiha Sasuke that she suddenly found so attractive? She wondered then if perhaps it had always been there and she chose to ignore it?
"You look beautiful tonight, Hinata. Happy birthday," Sasuke said to her at last, breaking the silence that had fallen between the group.
Heat rose to her cheeks in a way that it hadn't since she was young. For the first time in years she found herself unable to meet someone's eyes. "Th-thank you, Sasuke," she said to him nervously, suddenly wishing there was more in her glass for her to drink.
"No problem," he said, smirking at her.
It was good to know he had that effect on her. At least he knew for sure that he wasn't the only one feeling something between the two of them. He didn't even care that other people could see him flirting with her. So what if Sakura was her best friend? She would get over it eventually and so would everyone else. Since he left the Uchiha, he was less concerned with what people thought of him.
"Is there going to be an after party?" he inquired.
"An after party for a party?" Shikamaru challenged.
"This isn't really a party," Sasuke quipped.
"That is true," Temari chimed in. "Events like these are mainly for the adults. 'Who can bring the most expensive gift'."
Fuu laughed. "By the way, what did your family bring Temari? I heard there's trouble in the Sand Country."
"Just know that it's better than what the police department could muster up," the blonde deadpanned.
"Please don't fight," Hinata said to them. "I'm sure both gifts are lovely."
"Leave it to Hinata to play peacekeeper," Kiba said to the group, pulling her closer to him. "That's what I love about her."
Hinata flushed, unsure of how to respond. Temari on the other hand perked up. "Love? Is that a confession we're hearing?"
Kiba flashed a toothy grin. "Could be."
The group chuckled, all but Hinata and Sasuke of course.
The heiress snuck a quick glance at the raven to gauge his reaction. Hinata never pretended not to know just how found Kiba was of her. In fact, she had made it clear on several occasions that she would only ever be able to see him as a friend. That never stopped him though. He wasn't obnoxious or by any means did he make her uncomfortable at all, he just wasn't going to give up on her. On some level, Hinata respected that. She definitely appreciated his genuine feelings for her. She had even considered dating him at one point. Sakura pointed out how selfish that would be of her if she didn't go into it with the same level of interest as him.
"Hinata, you didn't mention that you and Kiba were dating," Temari said. "I was wondering when you'd finally meet someone."
Hinata blushed again. "We're not dating," she responded.
"Not yet," Kiba said confidently. "I think she'll come around eventually."
Temari smiled. "Well, I'm certainly cheering for you, Kiba."
Hinata's heart was hammering in her chest, embarrassment creeping up her neck. Was everyone really that curious of her love-life? The gossip mags hinted and at possible relationships between her and a few other men over the years but none of them had ever confirmed anything so Hinata supposed it was only natural for people to be curious. The pressure of settling down was weighing on her now. It wasn't like she was twenty-nine or anything, she still had time before people needed to worry over her.
"If you all would excuse me for just a second," Hinata said, unable to come up with a reason for her departure. She just needed a few minutes away from such awkward conversation. She needed to prepare herself for the night she was in for. The heiress was certain now that everyone would be on her back about getting married.
Kiba released her from his hold and she smiled politely at him before taking her leave. Hinata was suddenly missing Sakura more than ever. At least if her best friend were there she could count on her to steal the spotlight and distract everyone from such embarrassing conversations about her love-life. Sakura's was always more interesting than her own. Hinata was sure the pinkette would be able to wow everyone with stories of her latest beau.
As she made her way across the ballroom people stopped her to wish her well on her birthday. Some to comment on how gorgeous she looked and how stunning her dress was. There was the occasional light flirting from would-be suitors and even a few mom's who were desperate to get her to meet their sons. Hinata smiled through it all. Neji had been absolutely right. Now that she was twenty-four and had begun working, everyone was ready for her to settle down. Hinata knew that was only because she was a woman. Neji was a few years older than her and no one had been pressuring him to settle down yet. Nowadays it wasn't enough for a woman to have a solid career and her own money in the bank – you weren't complete as a woman until you had a respectable man by your side a few children too. It was just too much all at once for Hinata's liking.
The heiress found herself in the garden after weeding through all the nosy guests. Smoothing out her dress, she seated herself on a gold-stained garden bench. The roses were magnificent, she noted. Everything about the location of her party was stunning. It wasn't until she was alone that she could really appreciate the effort and thought put into it. Hinata was humbled.
She eased back on the bench, allowing herself to relax for the first time since she arrived at the hotel. Normally the heiress appreciated her alone time, there was always someone in her face about something, but now she felt truly lonely. It was her birthday and for the first time she had to spend it without Sakura. Part of her even missed Naruto. Those two always kept her company at functions like this where everyone smiled in her face, looking to get something from her. Without them all she could really do is find a bit of solitude whenever she caught the opportunity.
"So you never answered my question about the after-party," said a husky voice.
Hinata's gaze drifted from the rose bush and to the direction the voice had come. Her heart shot up to her throat as opal clashed with onyx.
"Sasuke..." she breathed.
It scared her how relieved and excited she to see him. How long had it been since they last spoke, she wondered. She remembered the last few things she had said to him hadn't been the kindest. Every now and again she caught herself regretting having being so upset with him at the time. When she thought of it, he had been looking out for her the entire time. He warned her about Naruto and she did nothing but get offended the entire time. For so long she had only been able to see Naruto, the man she thought of as the sun, with rose-colored-glasses. Sasuke had only been trying to show her the truth.
"Hey," he said, a cool smirk tugging at the corners of his lips – he was taking pride in the red that stained her cheeks.
"Hi," she said softly.
He studied her for a moment or so, not minding the silence that fell between them in the least bit. "Cigarette?" he asked her as he fished through his pocket for the box of cigarettes he kept with him.
"Yes, thank you," she answered. She would need at least two before she was ready to go back inside.
He pulled out two from the carton and handing one to her, lighting the poisonous stick once she had it balanced between her lips and then he lit his own. The heiress breathed in, sucking back the nicotine she needed in order to function.
"I didn't think you would come," she said to him after a while, exhaling.
"Why wouldn't I?" he asked her, sliding the box back into his pocket.
Hinata shrugged her shoulders once. "I don't know... After the way I spoke to you a few weeks ago..." she started to explain. She shrugged her shoulders again.
Sasuke was silent for a while. He took a few drags from his cigarette and breathed the smoke out through his nose. "I'm able to recover from things like that quickly," he said with a smirk.
Again, Hinata could not meet his gaze. Being alone with him like this and having him look at her the way he was was more than she could handle. However, she didn't want to leave. In fact, she wanted more and she was going to allow herself to have it, even if it only lasted a little while.
"That's good," she said to him after exhaling. "I felt really about my outburst, especially since what you said turned out to be true."
Sasuke's brows climbed his forehead. He was surprised Naruto told her. He had been keeping his relationship a secret for so long that Sasuke doubted the blonde would ever get around to telling her. "I could have found a better way to tell you," he said honestly.
Hinata nodded her head. "Still... I'm grateful you did," she said softly. "At least I wasn't blindsided when it all came out."
"Are you okay?" Sasuke asked her.
She nodded. "Yeah, I'm getting over it now."
"So, what's going on with you and Kiba then?" he asked, unable to pretend like he wasn't interested any longer.
Hinata blushed again. "He's... just a friend," she told him.
Sasuke was pleased to hear that. It had been worrying him since he saw them come in together that something might be going on between them. It was good to know he still had a shot with her. Judging by her reaction to him, Sasuke felt it was a pretty good shot too. "I see," he said before sucking back on his cigarette.
"And Fuu... is she your friend?" Hinata asked. Her cheeks darkened even more once she realized how childish that sounded.
Sasuke smirked again, breathing smoke through his nose. "She's far from being my friend."
"What does that mean?" Hinata asked somewhat hesitantly.
"It means I hardly know her," he said.
Hinata's heart began to race. She didn't know just how much the idea of him with Fuu made her uncomfortable until she asked about her. If the heiress were to be honest with herself, the idea of Sasuke with anyone else made her uncomfortable.
"Oh," she said softly.
"Why? Do you want to be my friend, Hinata?" he flirted.
Her eyes widened and she nearly choked on the nicotine.
Sasuke laughed at her reaction which in turn made her even more embarrassed. "You've got to learn how to talk to men Hinata, how else will you find a husband?" he teased her.
The heiress flushed deeply, all while rolling her eyes. "Oh please don't start that. You sound like everyone else."
Sasuke chuckled again. "None of your suitors interest you?"
Hinata shrugged once more. "Not really..."
"So I see..." he said, flicking away the ashes from his cigarette. "That's a shame."
"Is it?" she asked him.
He nodded his head, watching her smoke. It was interesting, having a pleasant conversation with her, that is. "Yeah," he said after a while. "I like a little competition."
The heiress blushed again; she was doing that a lot tonight with him.
"Here, you must be cold," he said after stomping out the last of his cigarette. He pulled off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders, taking up the seat beside her at last.
"Better?" he asked after pulling her in close to him.
Hinata nodded her head a bit. Her heart was pounding now. It was weird. A few months ago she never would have thought any man other than Naruto could make her have to kind of reaction – especially not Uchiha Sasuke. The heiress relaxed after a while, allowing herself to cozy into his side. For the first time since she realized she was attracted to him, Hinata didn't feel guilty. She told herself she would allow herself to enjoy being around him, even if it were only for a little while. Such an opportunity like this may not occur again. And it was her birthday. Every princess was allowed to be bad on their birthday, she reasoned.
Sasuke tightened his grip on her waist just a bit. He finally had her in his arms. After months of bickering and denying what they were feeling, who would have guessed they would have finally ended up here?
"You know what I want for my birthday?" she asked softly, breaking the silence.
"What?"
"A kiss..."
Sasuke smiled. "Oh?"
"Mhm."
He eased his grip a little, allowing her to turn in his grasp. He couldn't stop himself from smirking at her. She was looking up at him, her eyes half-lidded and her pink lips parted just slightly. She was inviting him to kiss her. Sasuke decided then that he did indeed make the right decision to come.
He leaned in, closing the gap between them and pressed his lips to hers. Neither one of them was sure why this time it was so much different from the first time they kissed. Hinata had been fighting it for so long and it finally felt good to give in. She pressed herself closer to him, her breath hot against his lips. Her heart was pounding so loudly that she wasn't even sure if it was coming from her.
"Hinata?" a familiar voice called to her.
The heiress stiffened, the voice ripping her from her thoughts. She tore herself away from the body that had been nothing but comforting to her to find none other than the one person she least expected to see.
"S-Sakura," she gasped.
"Is that... Sasuke?" asked Sakura, emerald eyes widening as she closed the distance between the three of them.
The pinkette watched as Sasuke turned to face her, the look of guilt in his eyes matching that of her best friend.
So that was a long chapter. I hope everyone enjoyed it. I actually had fun writing this. For a while I wasn't sure of how I wanted this chapter to look but I think I captured it well. Let me know what you think? With the way I prioritize I probably won't be updating again for a few weeks, I apologize in advance!
Anyway, thank you so much for reading and sticking with me through this. Especially everyone who has been reading since the first version.
With Love,
Rampantt ~