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Love Squared

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Interception
The intercept theorem, also known as Thales' theorem (not to be confused with another theorem with the same name) or basic proportionality theorem, is an important theorem in elementary geometry about the ratios of various line segments that are created if two intersecting lines are intercepted by a pair of parallels. It is equivalent to the theorem about ratios in similar triangles. Traditionally it is attributed to Greek mathematician Thales.[1]

Neji didn't arrive in Konoha so much as he descended upon it. Before the flight attendants in first class could serve his final 25-year single malt scotch, a sleek, black SUV was dispatched to Hinata and Sakura's to whisk them off to three-star restaurant inside the five-star hotel where he was staying. Despite the hours of travel, he was impeccably dressed, impossibly pristine, and made everyone from the maître d' to the man in the sandwich board touting the end of the world, stand up taller and take notice. Neji created a wake into which others naturally followed, and Sakura hadn't once considered not accepting her copy of the meticulously crafted agenda that detailed his and Hinata's every waking moment for the rest of his stay.

"He is very thorough," Sakura mused, sliding the folder and crisp, professionally printed schedule across the table to Sasuke "I don't know how he did it. Almost anything requiring admission has been sold out for months, and yet he got tickets for all three of us, 'should I be able to attend,'" she air quoted as she mimicked Neji's highly formal speech.

Sasuke had been prepared to be underwhelmed, but found his eyebrows lifting in begrudging appreciation as he read through the file while Sakura turned back to her cutting board and an assortment of fruits and vegetables.

"Did he come with this prepared?"

"That's the interesting part," she studied some broccoli critically before tossing it into the blender. "He must have had some of these things set up before hand, but I saw his assistant deliver the folders to his suite while we were having after-dinner drinks. That makes me think that he did some fine tuning after our dinner conversation."

Sasuke waited until the blender whirred back to stillness, eying the green concoction that constituted Sakura's post-workout breakfast with mistrust.

"That hardly seems unusual," Sasuke flinched as Sakura poured the thick shake into a large straw cup and took a hearty slurp. "Naturally he would make any adjustments as needed."

"Yes, but the most notable adjustment is the note on the bottom of the last page. Did you see it?"

"Revised copy," Sasuke read aloud. "Departure extended per Mr. Hyūga… And yesterday's date."

"Notice anything about that departure date?"

Sasuke shook his head.

"I may have taken a moment to gush to the assistant that it was so nice that Neji could extend his departure, and what had he adjusted it from…. And it was originally four days prior. And the adjustment only came after he learned you were leaving 2 days after his original date."

"And now he is leaving two days after I have to report back to Kumo."

"Exactly," she said pointedly, moving her straw up and down in her cup to better attack her concoction. "Sasuke… I don't want to sound crazy, but is it possible he is trying to keep you from spending time with Hinata?"

"Probable," he snorted, tossing the schedule to the table.

"Wow. He must really not like you."

"The feeling is mutual."

"So?" Sakura sat back, eyebrows raised. "What are you going to do about it?" At his expression she laughed. "Come on, Sasuke. Naruto isn't the only one who's known you for forever. You admitted you're interested in Hinata- I can't imagine that you just wanted a hook-up and no more."

"I never said I wanted a hook-up," he frowned, the tips of his ears turning red.

"Of course not; that isn't your style. Come to think of it," she cocked her head to the side. "You've always been an 'all or nothing' sort of guy. What did you have in mind when you agreed to this little bit of craziness?"

"Helping out the idiot, for one."

"And for two?"

Sasuke thought he had an answer, but it was as yet intangible on the tongue, so he settled for, "I am not sure."

"Hm," Sakura took a large slurp of her smoothie. "So how can I help?"

"Have Neji deported?"

"Tempting," Sakura's smile was slow, and turned sharp. "But I think we can do better."

Sasuke's eyes glinted.

"I'm listening."

"Look," Naruto tugged on the neck of his borrowed tux shirt, "all I'm saying is it makes no sense that the restaurant has three stars and the hotel has five. Why not the same number of stars? Why complicate matters?"

"Tch," Sasuke adjusted his cufflinks. "This from the man that thinks a corner ramen shop is a ten-star establishment."

"You leave Ichiraiku out of this," Naruto narrowed his eyes. "It's sacred. Besides," he grimaced, adjusting his bow tie. "Why are we even going to this event? I thought it was a closed affair."

"It is," Sasuke said breezily, swatting Naruto's hand away as he adjusted his tie and muttered "stop messing with it," before continuing. "Neji had to pull several strings to get tickets for himself and Hinata and Sakura at so late a date."

"What is his deal?" Naruto groaned. "He has seriously bogarted the girl's time since he got here."

"The girls' or Sakura's?"

"Well, both," Naruto flushed. "I mean, I get that Hinata is his cousin, but Sakura only gets limited time off. She shouldn't have her time monopolized like that!"

"I'm not sure if I am more amused that you are pretending that you don't mean Sakura specifically, or that you actually used the word 'monopolized' correctly."

"Whatever, bastard. So, tell me again how we are going to get into this sold-out swanky affair. Are we pretending to be waiters and then weaseling our way in?"

"You watch too many movies," Sasuke scoffed. "It just so happens, that Hyūga isn't the only one that can pull strings."

"They've been going to exclusive stuff all week. Did you have to wait to pull the kind of strings that landed me in a tux? And why did you leave earlier this week and come back? I thought you were going back to Kumo until you go the official word to move to Konoha."

"Are you aware that at this very moment Sakura is mingling with the crème de la crème of Konoha society with Neji Hyūga?"

"Sure. She said she'd stay close for Hinata's sake."

"Mm. And did she tell you she was wearing a Terumi gown?"

"Um… no? Should that matter?"

"Depends," Sasuke gave a careless shrug. "My understanding is that designer never releases anything that isn't fitted or backless – but I suppose that wouldn't matter to you, now would it?"

"N-no!" Naruto smiled brightly to hide his stammer. "Not a bit."

"Tch," Sasuke donned his overcoat and draped his tuxedo jacket over his arm. "You were always a terrible liar."

"So, are we going to talk about you and Hinata now, or…?"

"The buffet closes in about an hour," Sasuke checked his watch, bored. "Ayame is one of the local guest chefs."

"Well why didn't you say so sooner?" Naruto brightened immediately, clapping him on the back and leading them both out of the door. "Let's go be fancy!"