A/N: Firegoat: There are two reasons Sasuke paid Hinata a bit of odd attention in the previous chapter: (1) His partly wounded pride at Hinata's horror about the love scenes and (2) Well, two would spoil a minor plot point I'm working out, so I'll stop there. I think the story will mostly be in Hinata's POV (Because she's my favourite too!) but I might change it occasionally. And yes, Gaara... -sigh- Gaara and Sasuke plus big egos equals future scene.

Chapter Three: Mayhem

The studio was in complete chaos on the first day of shooting. Hinata and Sakura entered it together and both took a step back almost instantly. They'd been involved in big projects before, but never with Sannin Productions. It seemed Tsunade enjoyed the rush of a hectic set.

The women were herded off to the wardrobe department the second Shizune spotted them. From there, it was a blur of lipstick, eyeliner and foundation as the make-up artists worked to enhance their features.

'The bar scene is up first,' Satomi said, looking up from the careful application of eye shadow on Hinata. She waved a hand at her fellow stylist. 'Smudge Miss Haruno's eye make-up a little, and more blush, I think.'

Satomi bent back over Hinata with a smile.

'We've been told the scene is especially 'steamy,'' she explained as she selected a different applicator. 'But I'm not sure if that's in regards to the characters' actions or the setting.'

As Hinata couldn't recall reading of any particularly 'steamy' acts in that scene, aside from a few heated looks between Mira and Nori, she told Satomi she suspected it was the latter.

'That's a shame.' Satomi winked. 'Are you looking forward to your scenes with Mr Uchiha? He's got quite the female fan base, you know.'

Hinata fought a blush- she'd gotten over her stuttering habit sometime during her years at the Academy, but could never stop her cheeks reddening.

'I'm aware of that. I just hope they don't hate me too much for those scenes.' She said the last part jokingly, but was surprised when Sakura spoke up.

'I hope not too.' Sakura glanced over with genuine concern as her make-up artist dashed off to find something. 'A couple of years ago, Tenten- you remember her, right? - received about a month's worth of threatening letters. Some insane woman was furious because Tenten hugged Sasuke in a movie they made together.'

'Really?' Hinata asked, suddenly feeling an increase in trepidation.

'Ah, well, some fans are like that,' Satomi said wisely. 'I'm sure you'll be okay, sweetheart.'

Hinata hadn't been faced with this problem before. She'd received a few odd love letters from admirers, but had never encountered anyone as crazy as Sasuke's fans sounded. She tried to sound calm as she responded to Satomi, who whisked her off for a change of clothes.

'You look perfect,' the stylist told her happily, looking over her black pants and clingy top with a critical eye. 'Just like the cool, hard-hearted spy Mira is.'

The call for cast and crew was made shortly after. Hinata and Sakura joined Naruto and Sasuke on set, but a frantic Shizune told them Kakashi was nowhere to be found.

'Fantastic,' Sasuke muttered, sinking into a chair. 'If he's not here yet, he won't be for a while.'

'What do you mean by that?' Shizune asked almost hysterically. 'We're on a tight schedule here; we can't afford delays!'

'Kakashi is always late. I thought everyone in the industry knew that.'

Coolly, Sasuke leaned back, ignoring Shizune, who was near tears. Sakura and Naruto grabbed seats as well, leaving the only available chair next to Sasuke.

He glanced at Hinata.

'I don't bite,' he said, seeing her hesitation.

'Much,' Naruto muttered. He raised his voice. 'Come sit next to me, Hinata. We can catch up!'

He dragged the chair away from Sasuke and patted it.

'What do you mean by 'much'?' Sakura ventured slowly. 'Have you two-?'

'Stop right there,' Sasuke snapped, seeming a little displeased as Hinata obeyed Naruto. 'Naruto's just trying to sound clever; unsurprisingly, he's failing miserably.'

'Just like you fail at producing movies worth watching,' Naruto retorted unexpectedly.

'Is that right? And what are you basing that on? Your own personal opinion? Because that doesn't count for much.'

'I'm judging by how much money your movies take in compared to mine!'

'Well, in that case, I still win. Everyone knows only idiots watch your movies, with all the car chases and shoot-outs. Your movies have no substance.'

'Shut up, both of you,' Sakura said irritably. 'My movies make more money than either of yours.'

The men quieted down at Sakura's fiery expression.

'Anyway, Hinata...' The next fifteen minutes passed pleasantly enough as Hinata, Naruto and Sakura discussed mutual friends and the movies they'd starred in over the last couple of years. Hinata listened more than she spoke, and it was during a particularly lengthy period of silence on her part that she felt as though she was being watched.

She turned her head slightly, surveying the crewmembers bustling around. No one seemed to be paying her any attention, but...

'Get down!' Hinata heard Sasuke's voice just as he leapt at her and dragged her onto the floor. Her chair came crashing down with an resounding bang. Screams tore through the studio, but she couldn't see the cause of the uproar.

'Wh-What is it?' she managed. She looked up to find Sasuke leaning over her, his arms drawing back. 'Sasuke?'

'Something was flying in your direction,' he explained shortly. He pushed himself up and offered her a hand. 'Are you hurt?'

'No, I don't think so...' She clambered to her feet with Sasuke's help, very aware that he was studying her carefully. 'Thank you.'

Nearby, Sakura and Naruto were climbing up too. Various crewmembers were on the ground, although no one seemed to be hurt. Wondering what had happened, Hinata glanced around.

Three very sharp, deadly looking metal weapons lay scattered around her fallen chair.

'Shuriken,' Sasuke said calmly, seeing the direction her eyes were in. 'Traditional Japanese weapons.'

Hinata realised with a start that those things had been aimed at her. She'd felt someone watching her...

'He was over there.' Sasuke nodded to a spot just beyond the set where a clutter of equipment stood. 'I thought he was a crewmember.'

Trembling a little, Hinata could only manage a brief 'okay.' Sasuke yanked up her chair and gently prodded her towards it.

'Sit,' he ordered. His hand found its way to the small of her back, oddly comforting as he guided her over.

Hinata sank gratefully down as Sasuke exchanged a few words with an uncharacteristically serious Naruto, whose gaze repeatedly shifted to a shaken Sakura. The men headed over to Shizune, who was snapping orders at the rather late security guards and attempting to calm several hysterical crewmembers. Sakura joined Hinata with admirable control over her emotions.

The next forty-five minutes was lost as the police arrived, sets were righted and security fended off the media, who'd somehow caught wind of the drama. Hinata hoped her family didn't hear about it, but anticipated a wave of concerned phone calls once she got home.

Kakashi came to find the place in utter confusion and Hinata swore she saw a look of disappointment at having missed the event. Shizune vented her frustration at the day's proceedings by screaming at him for a good fifteen minutes.

Amidst all this, Tsunade arrived.

'Quiet!' she ordered, placing her fingers in her mouth and giving a sharp whistle. The babble died away. 'Alright! That's enough, thank you. I want everybody back to work. I can assure you that Sannin Productions will not let such an event occur again and you are all perfectly safe. Let's get this movie going, please.'

Tsunade's commanding tone was impressive. Within seconds, everybody was back in an orderly state and carrying out their duties with no hint to the previous drama, aside from the occasional speculative whisper.

'Miss Hyuuga, Miss Haruno, were you hurt?' the blonde asked, softening as she approached the two female leads.

Hinata merely shook her head, but Sakura spoke angrily.

'I expected security to be tighter around the set of such a massive production, Tsunade! I didn't think every man and his dog would be able to wander in so easily! Do I need to bring my own security along to prevent an early death?'

'I'd like an answer to that question too.' Sasuke returned with Naruto. 'It seems your guards are fairly slow to respond.'

'I'm sorry that such an incident was allowed to take place,' Tsunade said. 'However, I have complete faith in my guards. I don't know how anyone could have escaped their notice.'

'Maybe while those senile old men were asleep!' Sakura snapped. At the shocked looks of her co-stars, she exhaled deeply. 'I'm sorry, but I don't appreciate having to feel like I should be concerned for my life.'

'Please don't blame Tsunade or the guards,' Hinata said softly. Everyone turned to her. 'The important thing is that nobody was hurt. I'd like to just get on with the scene, if that's possible.'

Tsunade nodded gratefully, re-adopting her brisk, firm manner and hurrying over to rescue Kakashi from Shizune's bitter scolding.

x . o . x . o . x . o . x

Hinata walked with all the confidence she imagined Mira to possess towards Sakura, who leant half-slumped over the 'bar' counter as Kasumi. The two men who'd been harassing the pink-haired woman glanced up at her approach; they'd been labelled in the script as 'Tall Man in Bar' and 'Short Man in Bar.'

'Get the hell away from her,' she ordered, directing a ferocious glare at them.

'Come to join the fun, darling?' Tall Man smirked and began to leer at her. 'There's plenty of room for you.'

'Fun?' Mira scoffed. She pointed at Kasumi. 'I hope you're not relying on her as any indication of how much 'fun' you two are.'

His face contorted into a scowl and he placed a hand roughly on her arm.

'You better shut that pretty mouth of yours before it gets you into trouble.'

Hinata sensed the door of the set opening and knew Naruto and Sasuke were entering, their characters having come to find Kasumi.

With a kick that looked deceptively gentle, she sent Tall Man stumbling back.

'Touch me again,' she said, lowering her voice dangerously, 'And I'll have you flat against that wall over there.'

'With you pressing against me, I hope,' Tall Man said, finding a lecherous look again.

'Oh, I'll be pressing against you, all right.' She pulled Kasumi up. The woman's head lolled drunkenly on her shoulder. 'My knee will be pressing on you so hard you'll learn the meaning of the word 'infertility.'

She helped Kasumi stumble away. Katsu brushed past her with a small grin to block the paths of the men following her, and began tossing out warnings.

'I'll take her. She's a friend,' Nori said quietly, putting a supportive arm around Kasumi's waist. Kasumi mumbled a little as though heavily in sleep.

'You should take better care of your 'friend,' Mira said lightly.

Hinata folded her arms and let her eyes meet Sasuke's. This part of the scene called for 'smouldering looks' and Hinata forced herself to stare at Sasuke with the appropriate amount of intensity. She noticed the tiniest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.

'Who are you?' Nori asked with interest.

Hinata paused very briefly, allowing the keener audience members to catch onto her act early.

'My name is Mira,' she replied.

'Just Mira?'

'What else would you like? My address?'

Sasuke flashed her a charming, crooked smile. Hinata felt her breath hitch at the sight; at that moment, she was prepared to believe the reports she'd heard of half the socialites at a charity event falling for Sasuke after he'd merely smiled at them.

'That would be quite nice, actually,' he murmured, his gaze again locking with hers.

'Done yet, Nori?' came Katsu's teasing voice.

Sasuke's face took on annoyance, part of which Hinata believed- with some surprise- was genuine.

She stepped gracefully away from him as Katsu joined the odd little group, and breezed out the door without another word.

'And- cut.' Kakashi's bored voice rang out throughout the set. A smatter of applause greeted Hinata as she returned. 'I want a few more takes before we finish.'

Sakura fell into step with Hinata as they readied themselves for the scene again.

'That was fantastic, Hinata,' she praised.

Hinata thanked her with a smile. The nervous energy that had swelled as a result of the earlier incident steadied into quiet content.

x . o . x . o . x . o . x

'I want security tightened.'

Shizune looked up from the notes she was scribbling down about schedule changes. Tsunade looked oddly serious as she clasped her hands together and rested her chin on them.

'Do you think it'll happen again?' Shizune asked, searching for an explanation for Tsunade's grave expression.

'I want everyone to feel secure,' Tsunade said, her blue eyes fixing on a distant point above Shizune's head. 'And yes, I also think there may be another attack.'

A/N: I've had a few people ask about the movie plot, but because I don't plan to go into too much detail during the story, here's a brief summary:

Basically, there's two intelligence agencies from two rival countries. A third party is planning a very important 'dead drop' (hence the movie title- there's a good article on 'dead drop' on wikipedia) which both agencies want their hands on (I'm not going to specify what it is). Mira is from one agency and her mission is to gather information on what the other agency knows (through Nori, Katsu and Kasumi) and help her agency secure the 'dead drop' through any means possible (leaking false information to Nori's agency, etc.).

I'm not a massive fan of espionage films, so I honestly don't know if there's an existing movie with that plot. Let me know if you've seen one, okay? Thanks for reading!