Day 3

Favorite Cliche/Rivals AU

His briefcase matched his shoes. And his belt.

She shouldn't pay attention to something so trivial, but her eyes couldn't help but wander. The sleekness of the chestnut was glossy enough to reflect the sunlight streaming in from the windows. Italian leather? Eyes narrowing, she focused on the thin leather belt. The color went well with his dark dress pants. The white collared shirt he tucked in provided a pleasant contrast of color. All in all, it was a handsome ensemble and Hinata admired it greatly. Especially the belt. Where she would find one like it, she couldn't guess. A man of his caliber might have picked it up in Europe.

To make sure she wouldn't forget, Hinata quickly jotted down a reminder to do some online shopping as soon as this board meeting was over.

Belt. Italian leather. Cherrywood/chestnut. Matching shoes?

Tapping her pen against her chin, Hinata zeroed in on the belt once more. If he would simply stop moving, she could get a better look at it. The lights reflecting from the projector didn't help either. Perhaps, when he finished his presentation, Hinata could ask him a few questions.

"Any questions?"

Hinata looked up just as the lights were flicked back on and the projector dimmed down. Uchiha Fugaku, hands behind his back, strolled to the front of the room. His son, Sasuke, opened up his handsome briefcase and loaded his laptop and reports back in. Hinata watched him for a few seconds before turning back to her notepad.

She had forgotten to take notes.

"None. Excellent work, Uchiha-san." Her father, Hyuga Hiashi, said courteously.

"Thank you." He responded in that uninterested, bored tone that they learned he had no control over.

"Hyuga-san," Fugaku took his seat across from her father. Sasuke took his across from her. Their eyes did not meet. "The floor is yours."

Nodding once in affirmation, Hinata stood from her chair, gathering her notes and black leather briefcase. Back straight, face hardened in determination, she crossed to the front of the room, black pointed heels tapping in perfect synchronization.

The lights dimmed. The screen lit up with the first page of the presentation she spent weeks perfecting. "If you would please turn to the first page of your print-outs…"

Her presentation had gone well.

Father told her so.

Hinata lay lifeless in her office chair, the weight off her shoulders almost coaxing her to sleep. How long had it been since she had a full night's rest?

But it had been worth it. The blood and sweat she poured into this project-into her baby-would help her father's company for years to come. Gentle Step Incorporated, a banking and investment firm, would prosper with her plan. Utilizing two mirror accounts to track stock fluctuations and international trade patterns, investors could feel secure they were making the right decisions. She called it the Twin Lion program.

All in all, her presentation had gone very well. She had even caught Fugaku staring heatedly at the table when she made her excellent point (the one she had planned for and timed to the last millisecond for dramatic effect). And it had worked. The other members of the board were impressed.

But Sasuke had impressed them too.

Hinata grumbled under her breath. Of course he would. Everyone in the banking community knew of Fugaku's "wonder boys". Irritatingly handsome, and nauseatingly polite. You could see the intelligence in their dark eyes.

Not that her father could complain.

Hinata herself was distinguished amongst them. Along with her older cousin, they dominated the-

Suddenly, her head snapped up. The belt.

WIth lightning speed, Hinata rolled her chair over to her desktop, opening up several pages of high-end men's retailers. Belt, belt, belt. Where are you? No, not that shade. This one was too gaudy. That one...she would have to read the reviews on that one.

Hinata deliberated quietly to herself as the door to her office was thrown open. "Hinata." Her cousin, Neji, stormed in.

Gasping, Hinata dove to the monitors, blocking them from his sight. "W-What are you doing?! I'm in the middle of somethi-"

"Uchiha Sasuke says you were staring at his crotch during the meeting."

Hinata blinked.

"Wha...what?"

"Uchiha Sasuke," Neji growled. "Says you couldn't take your eyes off his groin the entire meeting."

"Th-that's ridiculous!" Hinata snapped, face flushing red. "I would never-just who does he think he is?!"

"My thoughts exactly." Neji continued calmly, drawing up a chair in front of her desk. "God forbid one woman doesn't throw herself at him, he has to make up lies to soothe his ego. Bastard."

Hinata fumed, her temper flaring, body temperature boiling with every passing second, as Neji looked on approvingly. It seemed all those years of lecturing her to grow a backbone had finally paid off; Hyuga Hinata was pissed. "Who told you?"

"I overheard his father. He went by Uncle's office. I just happened to pass by."

Hinata wanted to murder him. "What did father say?!"

"He defended you." Neji said immediately, knowing how badly Hinata sought his approval. "I didn't get to hear much of it, Fugaku closed the door."

Hinata closed her eyes. "First off," She snapped as if she was speaking to Sasuke himself. "I was not staring at him down there! Does he really think I would do something like that during a board meeting?! It's inappropriate, it's beneath me, I've hardly ever spoken to him!" She cradled her temple in her hands. "Neji." She said gravely. "Why would he say something like that? The board is still deliberating between our projects. Why would he say that now?"

"He's afraid. It's obvious. We have them now. Those Uchiha dogs know it."

She looked up at him in shock, eyes widening with fear. "You think he wants to get my proposal thrown out?"

Neji crossed his arms over his chest. "What else could he be planning? After your presentation, he must have gotten desperate. I saw your presentation, by the way. Uncle showed me the recording. Impressive job."

Her anger simmered, just the slightest. "Thank you." She replied gruffly. "How did yours go?"

"Itachi has a way with words." He responded with an eye roll. "But facts are facts. My research easily disproves so many of their business tactics."

Hinata nodded in agreement. Silence followed as they each lingered in the aftermath of their board meetings. "What should I do?" She asked sternly.

"Confront him." Neji answered immediately. "I would do it myself, but it means more coming from you. Let's go. He should still be at the suites nearby. He's flying to Tokyo tomorrow, we don't have much time."

Neji waited in the lobby as Hinata rode the elevator to the twentieth floor.

Arms strapped across her chest, tapping her foot impatiently.

Uchiha Sasuke, she thought to herself. Just what are you up to?

As soon as the gold plated doors opened, Hinata bolted out, rounding the corner and heading straight for Room T7.

Do Not Disturb.

Hinata read the words on the card hanging from the doorknob. Do not disturb? YOU'RE the disturbed one, you swine!

She lifted her hand to knock, when a thought came to her. These signs...weren't they used when the guest had...company? What if Sasuke was in there with another woman? What if they were in the middle of...that? Hinata couldn't help her blush. Perhaps...another time…

No! He leaves tomorrow! You must confront him now, when he least expects it!

Deciding she didn't give a shit if someone else was in there, Hinata rapped her knuckles against the door.

The faint muffle of Sasuke's voice behind the door came through. "Do not disturb."

Just hearing him fired her up. Quickly, she knocked again. This time, louder.

"I'm busy. Come back later."

Hinata pounded against the door.

"Ocupado. Vuelva mas tarde."

Hinata scowled. He would be fluent in Spanish. And how demeaning to assume the maid couldn't speak their language.

"It's me." She spoke up. Glaring at the door, she listened carefully for his response. There was none. Hinata was about to knock again when the door opened.

Uchiha Sasuke stared down at her. "Hyuga." His hideous white collared shirt that she admired during the board meeting was open, revealing his toned chest and stomach. Hinata met his stare easily. Neither spoke for a few seconds, until Sasuke leaned back and nudged the door open. "Come in."

"No." Hinata snapped. "Thank you." Her politeness kicked in, to her irritation.

He lifted a dark brow. "I'm finishing something up." She snorted. As if she cared who was waiting in there to be finished off.

"This won't take long." Hinata uncrossed her arms and took a breath, recalling the first line to the speech she and Neji rehearsed in the car ride over. Without a word, Sasuke whirled around and went back into his suite. Flabbergasted, Hinata gaped after him.

"In the kitchen." His calm voice drifted from inside.

She was irritated. She did not want to go inside. But she was going to say her piece and Sasuke was going to listen. She stormed in, closing the door behind her. Cautiously, she walked slowly through the hallway, watchful for any guests.

Sasuke stood at the island, drowning a to-go box full of French fries in ketchup. Paper bags with drawings of burgers and milkshakes stamped all over occupied every inch of counter space.

"Is this a bad time?" Hinata asked reluctantly. She wanted his full attention. "I didn't mean to intrude, especially if you have a guest." In his relaxed presence, the fire that spurned her on earlier dampened.

Sasuke glanced over at her, staring at her pointedly as he sucked a glob of ketchup off his wrist. "Not at all. It's just you and me." The direct eye contact made it even creepier. Hinata averted her eyes.

"Oh. I figured, from the sign-"

"I always hang those." He explained distractedly, taking a loud sip from a foam cup.

Hinata breathed in. She just wanted to get this over with. "Uchiha-san, I was not staring at your penis." The loud slurping stopped, and Sasuke lowered his drink. "The very idea sickens me. I would never do something so inappropriate and disrespectful. And quite frankly, the fact you would accuse me of something so disgusting during such a critical time of both of our lives just tells me how desperate your family must be to challenge mine." There. Hinata breathed evenly, though her heart pounded in her chest, waiting for his response.

Sasuke breathed in deeply through his nose, then braced his hands on the counter. "I never said that."

Hinata didn't believe it for a moment. "Your father-"

"My father." Sasuke scoffed. "My father can be an asshole." He paused briefly. "All he told me was that you were looking at...the front of my pants. He jumped to conclusions."

Hinata grit her teeth. "That's not true."

"That's what he said."

"Well, tell him-"

"How about you tell your father I wasn't ogling you during your presentation?"

"What?!"

"Here." Sasuke tossed her his cell phone. Still glaring and shaking with anger, Hinata fumbled to hold it still as she read the text on the screen.

DAD

Hyuga says you were staring at his daughters tits during the meeting

What the fuck sasuke

Keep it in your fucking pants what the fuck are you thinking. That hyuga fucker is gonna use this against us

SASUKE

I didnt do shit. Tell that fucker i have better things to do.

Hinata immediately looked over at him and Sasuke shook his head. "I didn't mean that. I got...heated." He trailed off, looking away. Hinata almost laughed. He wasn't the one banging on the door a few minutes ago. "My dad got angry. Made shit up. I should have stopped him." He continued quietly.

Sasuke ruffled his hair, looking just as exhausted as Hinata felt. They both had long days of meetings. They both just finished their most ambitious proposals. They both delivered fantastic presentations to the members of the board. Sasuke was right. He had better things to do.

Hinata sighed. "Your belt." She said with a chuckle. Sasuke glanced over at her, eyebrow lifted. "I was looking at your belt. Neji's birthday is coming up, I thought it'd be perfect for him."

For the first time since she met him at her seventh birthday party, she heard him laugh. Astonished, she watched him saunter to the couch and drop down on it, shaking his head and chuckling to himself. Cautiously, she approached him.

He looked up at her. "My belt, huh? Makes sense. I sicken you, after all." He smiled and Hinata felt her heart speed up.

Shyly, she gingerly seated herself besides him. "It really is a nice belt." She said with a grin. "My father...I'm sorry. He can be intense." Sasuke shrugged indifferently. "And he should have known better. Clearly, you have much better things to do."

Smirking, Sasuke looked over at her and the two locked eyes.

"Your necklace is beautiful." Sasuke murmured, stare dropping to the thin silver chain around her neck. Hinata also glanced down at it. "But to be honest, I really hadn't noticed."

"Where have you been?!" Neji screamed into the phone. Hinata flinched, dropping her cell phone, and she fumbled to catch it. Throughout it all, Neji continued screaming. "I called you fifteen times! I was going to go up there and get you myself! What the hell happened?!"

Hinata closed her eyes and tilted her head back, walking slowly to the elevator. It took her five minutes to get downstairs and into the parking garage, where Neji was waiting. He was furious. The look on his face…

She almost didn't want to get in. Bracing herself, she opened the door and slid into the passenger seat.

"...with an Uchiha of all people! Let this be a lesson to you, Hinata…" Neji even drove angrily, flipping off anybody that dared to go the speed limit. Sighing, Hinata leaned against the seat, zoning in and out of Nej's lecture. "And what the hell is that?!"

At this, Hinata couldn't help smiling. She bit her lip. "A gift."

Resting across her lap lay an Italian leather belt.

I couldn't choose between those two prompts, so I thought I'd combine them. Who doesn't love business rivals SasuHina? Anyways, my last entry was on the more depressing side so I thought I'd lighten it up. Hope you guys enjoyed it. Also, I am very late to the game, I had no idea SasuHina Revolution Week was going on until Sunday night, so I've been writing a prompt a day as soon as I get back from work and uploading them same night. So, my apologies if it seems rushed or sloppy.

See ya tomorrow!

-Gen.