Hinata P.O.V
Soft and velvet, like rose petals.
Enticing and electrifying.
Those were the thoughts that swam in Hinata's mind as she was still coming to terms with what happened at the restaurant. That moment her whole body fell alive, humming tin reaction to the kiss she shared with Sasuke. As it stood, Hinata would die before admitting those words to anyone. A month had not passed since she ended things with Naruto and she was in the arms of another man. How scandalous! What concerned her was that a part of her enjoyed it, not necessarily that she was falling for Sasuke, rather, that she –more logically her body- getting attention from a man that she craved. Does that even make sense, she wondered, I sound like a hopeless romantic.
When they left the restaurant, Hinata had been in a state of shock; she vaguely remembered Sasuke trying to engage conversation but she hardly said anything. Once more she was in a haze of motions, doing whatever, though not acknowledging them; and before she knew it she was in a plane again.
There was snapping in her face bringing her back to reality.
"Oi, Hyuga!" Sasuke exclaimed, "When are you going to get your head out of the clouds?"
"Where are we going?" Hinata asked.
"The city of New York"
"Why?"
"To attend a little fundraising event"
"And I couldn't head back to my cousin, why?"
"It's all part of the plan, Hyuuga. Right now we just initiated Phase 1 and in New York is where Phase 2 will be in action"
"I still fail to comprehend what Phase 1 was since all we did was have dinner and you having the audacity to kiss me"
"Tsk, tsk. Why do you fail to see the bigger picture Hyuuga? The whole point of the dinner was to start a rumour mill about our supposed 'relationship'. Purpose? To lay the foundation for the real work"
"Wh-what? My family will think I betrayed the Hyuuga for the Uchiha and my name will forever be tainted"
"Relax," said Sasuke, "this is only in relationship terms not business. You never mix business with pleasure; those two should forever remain separate if you want to be successful in life. If I wanted something profitable to come out of this, I would not have to go through all this trouble"
Hinata huffed and turned away from Sasuke, "You are incorrigible. If I'm seen like this with you, what's going to become of me once this is all over? I can't return to a normal life without people thinking you've conquered me. Or worse, that I've conquered you. I should just start a new life where no one will think to find me"
Instead of a reply, Hinata heard Sasuke laughing, to which she flipped back to glare at him with questioning eyes.
"Oh dear, Hinata," Sasuke chuckled, "you burden yourself with ridiculous worries. You're about to become one of the most powerful women this world has ever seen. And admittedly that's at my side as you have said. I must say there's something interesting about us both having conquered each other; I, an untouchable cold Hyuuga and you, the number one bachelor in the world. But don't lose sight of the objective, what we have to do is stir things up and cause confusion. We take advantage of that confusion and voila, we're the top dogs and the Hyuuga are left in the dust. Let the record also show that I have things at stake as well, not just you, hime"
"What could those things possibly be?" Hinata asked.
"Don't worry about it. Just relax and enjoy the flight. You're going to need all the rest you can get because once we get of this plane, we have a lot of work to do for Phase 2"
Neji and Ten-ten
Dressed in a red bikini set, Ten-ten was lounging on a beach chair on the outdoor deck, enjoying the breeze and a cocktail she whipped up. Next to her, her husband –with a laptop seated on his lap- was busy with work.
"You know," Ten-ten said lazily, "the whole point of Hinata going out to meet a friend was so that we could spend time with each other"
"I know, love," Neji sighed, cranking his neck, "I just have to finish this proposal then you can have me for the rest of the day"
"Then finish up faster so that there's still daylight for me to spend with you"
"Just half an hour more"
Sighing, Ten-ten stayed silent for about twenty minutes before standing up and doing some stretches. When she was done, she tip-toed her way behind Neji and put her hands on his shoulders, massing them. Leaning down, she whispered, "Done yet?"
"Almost," Neji replied, trying not to get too distracted by his wife's ministrations.
"What are you working on anyway?" Ten-ten asked
"Just a proposal for securities measures for a client"
"Where do they want their supplies from?"
"Uchiha"
"Oo, good choice. So, I'm guessing you were meeting with one of the Uchiha representatives?"
"Yeah. Sasuke Uchiha"
"No kidding"
"Wow! That's a surprise. Will you be meeting him again?"
"Not really. We covered everything in the meeting given how short the meeting was"
"Aren't your meetings quite lengthy? I mean you deal with international clientele and all"
"True, but he seemed to be rushing somewhere. I didn't want to waste his time more than necessary"
"Okay," Ten-ten said.
As Ten-ten continued to massage Neji's shoulders, she watched him type away until he finish and send the document to client via email. When Neji was done, he checked his mail for any important messages. About to log off, a new email popped up, and the sender in question surprised him.
"This is …new?"
"What is it?" Ten-ten asked.
"I have an email from Hiashi"
"Well, we're going to ignore it since we don't deal with that uptight jerk"
"I should at least see what he has to say…"
"Oh no mister, you owe me some hubby time and you are not backing out of it. Close that laptop, consultation hours are over. It's me time"
Neji shook his head at his wife's antics and closed his laptop, following his wife into the house he rented for them, definitely unaware of the brewing storm on the other side of the world. He took to spending time with his wife, going to the beach, spending some time with her at big malls and local markets, not to mention romantic dinners and late night walks. In all the time they spent together, he would wonder how he survived without the joy that was Ten-ten when he spent long periods of time away from her for work.
On one eventful evening, both were seated in the living-room, relaxing on the couch while watching television; and with these thoughts in Neji's mind, he gently kissed the curve of Ten-ten's neck.
"Hm?" Ten-ten asked, "What's up?"
"Nothing," Neji answered honestly, watching her change channels, "I just missed this"
Ten-ten looked up at Neji and smiled, "Me too"
She pecked his lips and returned to flipping through the channels. As Ten-ten continued flipping through, something caught Neji's eye and he said, "Flip back"
"What?"
"Flip back two channels"
Ten-ten complied, and both were hit with instant shock.
"…Hinata?"
New York City
"Sasuke," Hinata said, as she clutched onto Sasuke's elbow.
"Yes?"
"This is phase 2?"
"Yes of course. Now smile and wave"
If you are as confused as Hinata is, then you are in every right allowed to feel that way. See, after they landed, both Hinata and Sasuke were shuffled into a building, separated and pushed into whole other flurry of activity. It took a while for Hinata to comprehend what was going on, but she came to understand that she was being prepped for some event. She didn't bother asking the people around her what kind of event it was, thinking it best to save it for Sasuke.
When they were done, she wore a dark blue tulle sweetheart sequins floor-length ball gown with lace material covering her shoulders and arms. Her hair was twisted into bun with elaborate braids and little trinkets to secure her fringe away from her face, leaving her snippets of curled hair to frame her face. The make-up artists didn't do much with her face besides applying eye-liner and blue eye shadow to bring out her eyes and applying lipstick of a soft pink shade to her lips. They applied a light blush to her cheeks, but her natural blush seemed to do all the work for her. With a pair of navy-blue wedges she was sent off to an adjoining room where she found a mirror and was shocked by the sight that reflected. She was…
"Beautiful"
…and that word was not her known. Turning around she found Sasuke's eyes fixed on her. Giving him a once over, he wore a dark blue blazer with black collars, fitting black pants, a white shirt covered by buttoned black vest, black bow tie and black shoes. There was no denying that Sasuke looked good.
"Um, what?" Hinata stammered.
"Nothing," Sasuke replied, "We have to get going or we'll be late"
"Where exactly are we going dressed up like this?"
Sasuke smirked and beckoned Hinata to follow him. And here they were.
Phase 2, as Hinata discovered, was attending the Met Gala event. When they first stepped out of the car that brought them to the event, reporters went wild in recognition of the famed Sasuke Uchiha, but that was nothing to woman on his arm, Hinata Hyuuga. Anyone with half a brain could see that this was the biggest story of the century, especially for Asian based reporters. Was this the coming together of one of the well known families of Japan? Was there likely to be a partnership between the two most forward co-operations in the world?
The duo waved at the reporters and 'smiled' at photographers, Sasuke leaned down to Hinata's ear and whispered, "Phase 2, we're announcing our relationship to the world"
"You're insane, Sasuke"
"Come on, enjoy it. I bet you that right now, that you're family is having a field day"
"And yours isn't?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Let's enjoy the evening," Sasuke said. He whispered a few more words in Hinata's, and to others, it looked as though he were sharing words of affection.
They glided up the stairs towards the entrance and paused for a few more photos.
(Take note that conversations are in English. You know, since they're not in Japan and all)
"Sasuke Uchiha! Hinata Hyuuga! A word please!?"
"Come darling," Sasuke grinned, "let's answer a few questions"
"Sasuke Uchiha, this is the first time a member of the Uchiha family attend the Met Gala, and a surprising entrance with Hinata Hyuuga. What do you have to say to that?"
"Well, if you want to make a good impression," Sasuke began, "you have to make one that lasts. And why not make it big with a goddess by your side"
"Interesting," the reporter replied, and then turning to Hinata, "Miss Hyuuga you look absolutely gorgeous tonight! As Sasuke stated you truly look like a goddess"
"Thank you very much," Hinata replied.
"While many will be interested in who your designers were such an exquisite piece you're wearing, I have to admit it is a surprise that you are attending an event with one of the most eligible bachelors in the world. Comments?"
"I suppose it's a shock for anyone who's well acquainted with the history of our families. I have to admit I'm still in shock and yet excited all the same to be attending this event. For tonight, we've resolved to not let position of our families affect us and have a good time while we're here. Sasuke was more than gracious enough to bring me along," Hinata replied confidently.
"Don't be so modest, darling," Sasuke added with charm, "I know how much you enjoy history, art and charity"
"Mmmm, I sense a little something going on here, perhaps there's something you'd like to say something we don't know to our viewers?"
"What's there to say?" Hinata answered graciously, "I plan on having a marvellous time with my man"
Sasuke smirked in the shocked reporter's direction before guiding Hinata inside. Other reporters who were listening in on the interviews called after them with more questions. Safe to say that Phase 2 was already working beautifully with chaos brewing between concerned parties back in Japan.
A/N You know, I have to admit it was kinda hard writing this chapter. I feel like I was all over the place. Thank you for reading. Comment please. Criticism is allowed too and I do take it seriously. I don't plan on making this story long and it will probably end in like two chapters or so.
Until next time