Sorry for no updates lately. Just a lot happening in life right now. Plus uploading this chapter took a while for some reason.

So last time Hinata revealed a secret to Hidan that she never wanted anyone to hear. How will she face him now? The Masquerade ball is about to begin.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS. I DO NOT OWN THE MUSIC THAT IS MENTIONED IN THIS CHAPTER EITHER.

Chapter 4 The Masquerade Ball

Tonight was the big night. The night of the masquerade ball. All day the Akatsuki were given lessons on etiquette, what to wear and how to dance (which everyone but Tobi did not enjoy). The Akatsuki were all in the hotel lobby waiting for Konan and Hinata. Everyone looked very uncomfortable in their attire. All the men were wearing 18th century style clothes crossed with modern style. They all looked very handsome, but felt ridiculous.

"Tobi, stop messing with your collar!" Deidara said "We're gonna be leaving soon! Un!" getting irritated with Tobi.

"But it hurts my Tobis apple" He whined. Pein just pinched his brow. This is gonna be a long night.

Everyone was chatting amongst themselves; discussing how the evening will go. Hidan stayed quiet. Still recalling what Hinata said yesterday. Kakuzu noticed his partner not being his vocal self.

Kakuzu: "You seem quiet for once."

Hidan: "Yeah" Not really paying attention. He then felt Kisames hand on his head messing his usual combed back hairstyle.

Kisame: "You better get your head out of the clouds Hidan hehe we wouldn't want to mess up this mission because of a certain silver fox was away with the fairys hahahaha!" Still messing up Hidans hair until Hidan pushed him off.

"Urgh! Give me a fucking break!" He said while styling his hair back. "You can relax, I'm not gonna fuck up this mission!" Kisame just smiled.

Pein silenced everyone as Konan made her way down the stairs along with Hinata shyly following behind. Everyone stared in awe. The attire rules for the women were abit different than the mens. All women must wear a dress that brings out their best assets. Even with the 18th century style fashion, the girls looked very good. Both were obviously wearing corsets underneath, which gave them very obvious cleavages. The men had to stop themselves from looking for too long. Konans dress was blue and black with her hair completely tied back with her origami flower. Hinatas dress was purple and white, while her hair was tied up with a few loose strands and permed. Hidan couldn't stop looking.

"Well" Sasori said "You clean up quite nicely princess."

Hidan flinched at his nickname for Hinata; stopping himself from punching Sasori's lights out. Hinata just kept her head down until Konan instructed her to hold her head up high and be confident. The Akatsuki got into the Limo and made their way to the ball.

In the limo...

Pein: Alright everyone, this is it. We have a target as well as gathering intel. You can have a little bit of fun but remember, we're on a mission. Do not sabotage it. And Tobi sit down!

Tobi was waving his arms out the sun roof "Wooooo! I'm in Hollywood!" He yelled. Deidara grabbed his ankle and yanked him down.

Pein: Everyone put your masks on.

Everyones masks were different styles (always covering the eyes) and colours:

Pein: Only covering the eyes with traditional musical patterns. Orange

Konan: Only covering the eyes with a butterfly wing on the right. Light blue.

Itachi: Eyes and left side of the face covered; making it moon style. Red with black outlines.

Kisame: Completely covering the face. Side smirk on the mask with blue along the eyes and cheeks with fish painted along the face.

Deidara: Covering only one eye (His fringe covers the other half) with yellow spirals along the eye.

Sasori: Covering both eyes with a moon style similar to Itachis but the crescent shape is over the head instead of the face. Gold spirals with red checker shapes.

Hidan: Cover the entire top half of the face and meets at a point at the tip of the nose with black feathers on one side. Black around the blacks, Silver everywhere else with gold spirals.

Kakuzu: Head and face completely covered. Expressionless face with Musical notes along the outline of the eyes. Green. With his normal black turbin covering his head.

Zetsu: Outside the premises and in hiding so doesn't need a mask.

Tobi: A Jester style mask with bells and a smile on the mask. Gold and red.

Hinata: Covering only the eyes. Cat ears with a big flower and feather on the left side. Plain on one the left side and spirals on the right. With Purple on the outline and slowly turning purple towards the middles.

The masks were extremely detailed. All the men wore three pointed hats with a fur cloak on one shoulder. After half an hour they arrived at the Masquerade ball. Everyone divided into their usual pairs, Hinata pairing with Tobi. Once everyone was in place, they all switch on their hidden mics.

Deidara: So I know we have to mingle for intel but who exactly is our target? Un.

Pein: The only intel I have about him is that our target is male and will be wearing an iron style looking mask. Not steam punk style.

Sasori: An iron mask…how original.

Kisame laughed

Pein: Just keep a look out.

Itachi: Sir is it possible this man could be a woman dress as a man?

Hidan: Fuck sake Uchiha why do you have to make everything more complicated?

Pein: There is that possibility which is why this mission is under category S

Hinata: S?

Kisame: He means Seduction. This is a seduction mission as well as an intel mission. Hehehehe

Hinata blushed.

Kakuzu: Seriously? This is a pretty unusual mission if you asked me.

Tobi: Well how else are we gonna get intel right? We just need to woo people. Simples!

Everyone sighed. Like Tobi could "woo" someone.

Pein: Hinata I want you to use your Bykuugan during tonight and if there's anything or anyone suspicious, report it immediately.

Hinata: Y-yes sir. Ummmmm w-what about the s-seduction. D-do I need to do that too?

Hidan listened intently.

Pein: Just focus on your Bykuugan but if the situation asks you to then so be it.

Hinata stayed silent and activated her Bykuugan. Hidan stayed quiet too.

Pein: Now get to it.

Everyone: Yes, Sir!

The Masquerade ball was now under way. Classical music was being played by the orchestra while some people were dancing to it. Others ate and drank while others just discussed businesses and what's hot in the black market. During the entire evening, Hidan had kept his eyes on Hinata; making sure she wasn't completely alone. Or worse, alone with some stranger who would only be interested in one thing.

Meanwhile Kisame was drunk while watching Itachi "Work his magic" on a woman for intel. He used his sharingan and took her into her own world. Within seconds the woman was blushing heavily and moaned and almost collapsed but remembered where she was and stood up straight, fanning herself. The intel gathering was going very smoothly.

After the Orchestra finished the piece they were playing a ting sound from a wine glass echoed in the ball room. "May I have your attention please" They all heard.

Everyone turned to face the stage with the Orchestra. In front of the orchestra stood a young woman looking very similar to Lorenza but was abit older looking.

Her sister maybe? The Akatsuki thought.

Behind her was a man holding a glass of champagne in the same attire as everyone else with a plain black mask covering his entire face but his mouth and chin. "Mr Artino would like to welcome everyone to the annual Masquerade ball! Please enjoy the food, the champagne and the music, and don't be shy to find that special someone and dance! Our next music will be Golden Phoenix performed by Sayaka Ohara. Thank you!"

It was time to put those dance lessons to good use. Of course, Konan paired up with Pein. As for Hinata, she looked around, feeling anxious about who to choose within the Akatsuki. There was no way she was going to pair with a random stranger. Hidan seeing Hinata's reaction to seeing everyone pair up started making his way towards her, but stopped when he saw Kisame approach her and took her hand to dance. He scowled.

THE FUCK IS THAT FISH FACE DOING?! SHE'S WAY TOO FUCKING YOUNG FOR HIM?! FUCKING ASS! He thought. On the outside the only reaction he showed was his now red face with a vein on sticking out and his wine glass breaking from his grip. A waiter simply came over, cleaned the mess and gave Hidan a new glass of champagne.

The song begins. Golden Phoenix ~Nando Demo~ by Sayaka Ohara. Yes, this song exists. I suggest playing while reading this part. It won't be too detailed but you can imagine.

Throughout the music Hinata danced with almost every man from the Akatsuki. From Kisame to Deidara, then Kakuzu, then Sasori, then Tobi (who was abit too enthusiastic) and then Itachi. Hidan watched Hinata the whole time, watching as she danced with almost everyone.

He then noticed that she was dancing with Itachi the longer than with the others, and even seemed to have a chat with him while dancing. Itachi twirled her around too.

This made Hidan break his wine glass in his hand again. Once again the mess was cleaned up and the glass replaced.

Why the fuck are they still dancing together. Hidan tried to overhear their conversation through their mics but they were switched off. Hidan got more irritated. And once again he broke another glass. Kakuzu walked to him; himself getting irritated by Hidans scene of breaking his glass for the third or fourth time. As he walked towards him, he could hear Hidan mumbling.

"Fucks sake it must be my turn now! She better not be fucking avoiding me!"

Kakuzu grab him by the shoulder tightly and whispered in his ear angrily. "Either control your strength or put down the fucking glass, you're making a scene!"

This made Hidan calm down. He walked off to put down his glass on the table closest to him. He didn't turn back to Kakuzu or even looked at him. He continued looking at Hinata. How beautifully she was dancing, looking amazing. Hidan could feel his heart jump all of a sudden. He put placed his hand on his chest; looking confused. Kakuzu once again noticed. He switched on his mic to Hidans

Kakuzu: What's wrong?

Hidan: Hmm? Oh just heart burn. Probably ate too much.

Kakuzu:…...Just keep a look out for our target. And it's obviously not the Hyuuga girl.

Hidan just grumbled and switched off his mic.

He decided that Itachi and Hinata had danced together long enough, but as he was about to walk to the couple the music had come to an end.

FUCK! Hidan mentally face palmed.

Everyone once again faced the stage and applauded to the singer and orchestra.

Hidan looked back to where he last saw Hinata, but she was gone. He went to where he last saw her and looked around for her until he was approached…

Meanwhile outside in the garden

Hinata was slowly wondering around the garden. The garden itself was huge and well lit. There were even speakers in the bushes so you could still hear the classical music that was being played in the hall.

Hinata found a bench and sat down, after struggling to even bend down thanks to her outfit. She sat there for what felt like to her hours; just pondering about how things are going in her life. What's happened, what's happening now and what could happen. Hinata sighed long and heavily.

She then woke up from her thoughts by footsteps. She looked up to see Hidan a few feet away from her by a fountain.

Hidan made his way towards Hinata. "What are you doing out here?" He asked gently.

Hinata just smiled and looked down. "Just getting some fresh air. It's too stuffy in there for me."

Music playing: Clair de Lune (Piano version)

Hidan stopped just a few metres in front of her. Both stayed quiet; listening to the music and the fountain and the ball in the background. Hinata broke the silence.

"Hidan?" Hidan turned his head to face her. It was the first time she called him by his name, and for some unknown reason, it made him happy.

"What's up?" He asked. Hinata stood up straight and looked directly at him with a melancholy look on her face. Even with the mask on he could tell her expression.

Hinata: I'm sorry about yesterday. For yelling at you and stuff. I was just so frustrated and…yeah.

Hidan took a minute to answer.

Hidan: It's ok. To be honest I was kind of expecting it, I was surprised you didn't fucking snap sooner. Hehe I would of.

Hinata laughed but stopped after hearing him still talking.

"I was more surprised about what you said" He said while looking at her and took a step closer.

Hinata wondered for a bit but then recalled what she said about not being a virgin. She blushed heavily.

Hinata: "I-I'm so sorry! It just came out, p-please don't say anything to the others".

Hidan: "Nahhhhhh! Of course not! I bet half the people in there are fucking virgins. They're like unicorns. Rare to see nowadays hahahahaha"

Hinata laughed. Calling people who are untouched unicorns. She understood exactly what he meant.

They both laughed and after a while settled down.

"Actually" He started "The thing I meant that surprised me was what you said about yourself. Why are you so self-conscious about your body?"

Hinata just stared at Hidan in shock.

Why is he asking me that? I thought he'd be just focusing on the other thing. She looked down but then remembered what Konan said. Even though she was a criminal Hinata had a lot of respect for Konan and even looked up to her. Such a strong, confident woman in a man's world. She stood her ground. Clenching her fists; trying not to cry or run away. She looked up, but couldn't make eye contact with Hidan.

"I-I've always felt like that" She quietly said but tried to speak up for Hidan. "M-my friends back home are all skinny and so pretty. Even though they complain about their looks at-at least they're not fat like me. No matter how much I train I've always seemed to have fat in the wrong places".

She blushed as she finally let her head down, looking at herself at the same time.

Hidan took a few steps closer to Hinata until his chest was almost touching hers. She looked up to look at him face to face. Why is he so close?

Suddenly, Hidan slapped his hands on both of her cheeks; like getting her out of a trance. He kept both hands on her cheeks and made her look more at him in the eyes and pulling her forward so their foreheads were touching. Hinata's face turned bright red.

"You are not fat!" Hidan stated "If you think you are, then those bitches you call friends must be fucking twigs! I bet you Kakuzu's entire savings that at least one of this bitches are jealous about your body. It's not fat, those are curves, and you've got them in all the right fucking places! It's fucking sexy!"

Hinata couldn't believe what she was hearing. Hidan was trying to make her feel better. Telling her she's not fat. And it was working.

The whole time he spoke to her, he didn't stop looking into her eyes; as if he was making sure his words reached the deepest depths of her soul.

Hidan took his hands off and took a step back. He revealed that his face was also red, but Hinata just passed it on as just sharing body warmth. He turned his head to the side and start scratching the back of his head. Like he was feeling uncomfortable.

"W-well that's what I think anyway!" he stuttered. Hinata just laughed quietly to herself.

After what felt like a few minutes of silence, Hidan cleared his thought to get her attention.

"By the way" He said "I know things have been abit awkward between us, but that doesn't give you an excuse to not fucking dance with me!"

Once again Hinata was shocked. H-he was watching me dance with the others? Is…is he jealous? Is he jealous that I didn't dance with him? I guess I was avoiding him during the dance.

Without saying a word, she just put her hand out and waited for Hidan to take it. Hidan looked and smiled.

He took her hand and slowly drew her closer to him. He placed his other hand around her waist while she placed her other hand on his upper arm. They then gently and slowly danced to the music that was being played in the garden.

Hinata kept her head up as she did during her other dances, but she felt different about this one. What is this feeling? I've never felt like this before. Maybe I was wrong about Hidan and the others. I hope we can stay like this for a while. I wonder…

"Hi-Hidan?" Hinata asked quietly.

"Yeah?" Hidan answered. Both were still dancing slowly to the music. "I've read about you in the bingo book, hearing people calling you a psycho path. But it's as if they're talking about a completely different person." They stopped. "A-are you really Hidan of the Akatsuki?"

Hidan moved his face closer to hers until his face was to the side of hers. "Does it really matter?" He whispered in her ear "But if you want me to be, then I am Hidan of the Akatsuki." Hidan then kissed her on gently on the cheek and moved his face back until they were face to face again. They both moved closer and just as their lips were about to touch….

Ding Dong "Good Evening everyone!"

They heard a loud woman's voice from the speakers in the garden. They moved away from each other but Hidan kept his hold around Hinata's waist. Secretly pissed off with the announcement for ruining the moment.

I'm seriously gonna fucking murder someone at this rate!

"We hope you've enjoyed the Masquerade ball and we hope you can come back for tomorrows big evening and day 2. Auction Night! Good Night all and stay for as long tonight as you want" Ding Dong.

"….DAY 2?!"

Yep! The Masquerade ball continues! Hidan and Hinata had a moment! So exciting! Let me know what you thought. I tried to make the masks as detailed as possible. The masks I saw in Venice were beautiful! Music "Golden Phoenix by Sayaka Ohara is from the Anime Kaleido Star – The Golden Phoenix. The anime and the song is amazing! So what is to come for the Akatsuki on day 2? Who approached Hidan in the ball room? And what were Itachi and Hinata talking about? Look forward to the next chapter. Masquerade Ball day 2.