A/N: I'm sorry for the delay in updating, but that's high school for you. I made this chapter extra long to compensate and I hope to get another chapter up sooner than later, but we'll see how things go.

Chapter Four: Vows

About two hours before her alarm clock was set to ring, Hinata was rudely awoken by the insistent call of her phone. Groaning and pushing back her bed-rumpled hair, she hit the 'talk' button and almost spat out a greeting.

'Uh... Hinata?'

Hinata recognised Hanabi's voice- although the uncertainty wasn't familiar- and grumbled out a half-hearted apology for sounding so snippy. She didn't bother explaining why she was so annoyed; surely Hanabi, genius that she was, could figure it out.

'Hinata... A friend of mine called me a few minutes ago. She said she heard there was some sort of 'commotion' at the set today?'

'Yesterday,' Hinata corrected with a sigh. Surprisingly, there'd been no coverage of the mentioned 'commotion' by the time she'd gotten home; thus no frantic messages on her answering machine by well-meaning relatives. She proceeded to give her sister a quick recap of the events, although the story was constantly punctuated by Hanabi's exclamations of horror.

'You know Father won't be pleased about this.'

'I think he will be, actually,' Hinata said bitterly. 'He'll be happy to be presented with another reason I shouldn't be acting.'

'Stop it.' Hanabi was stern. It seemed to Hinata that they'd switched roles in their relationship; she felt like she was the younger sister. 'You've worked hard to achieve your goals and I know Father's proud of you. He just- Well, he just doesn't know how to express it.'

'Thanks, Hanabi, but you won't blame me for not quite believing that, will you?' Hinata twisted the corner of her blanket, a sharp stab of sorrow striking momentarily. 'We both know that when I passed my claim to the company to you, he more or less detached himself from me in every way possible.'

Her sister's tired sigh led her to the late realisation that Hanabi was up at an unusual time too.

'Why are you still awake, Hanabi?' she asked, softening.

'Major project,' Hanabi answered and even then Hinata could hear the distinct rustle of paper. 'And there was something else-'

Hinata waited.

'Oh, that's right. Sorry, I'm half-awake here. A friend of my friend works at Curiosity and apparently received pictures of you and Uchiha Sasuke in a 'compromising position.' I suppose they were just of him saving you, though.'

'Oh, for-' Hinata mentally hit herself as she came to the conclusion that one of the extras or crewmembers must have snapped a few pictures for an easy reward. Curiosity was infamous for twisting stories to a state where even they didn't know where the truth began and the lies ended. They were sure to have a lovely story out before the end of the week- something else she could look forward to.

'Anyway, Hinata, I should get back to work.'

'Alright,' she said. She ended the call and flopped back onto her bed, anticipating a week of unwelcome drama.

She could already sense a headache forming.

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

Hinata stared at her coffee, savouring the delicious aroma. Whoever was in charge of catering had made sure it was the best; one whiff of the stuff left no doubt that it was expensive. Normally, Hinata would have passed the coffee over for tea, but she hadn't been able to go back to sleep after talking to Hanabi. She hoped coffee would help ease off the half-dead look she knew she held.

Someone stormed into the room, a whirl of dark blue clothing and black hair. It was Shizune.

'Oh, I'm sorry, Hinata,' she said, on realising she wasn't alone. 'I'm not in a good mood today, I'm afraid.'

'You and me both,' Hinata mumbled. She felt Shizune's inquisitive eyes on her, but simply couldn't muster the energy to be polite and expand on the comment.

'Okay. I'll see you on set, then.' The assistant director disappeared with a mug of coffee.

Only a minute or two after she left, Sakura swept in, wrapped in a long, stylish coat.

'Hinata, have you seen this?'

Fearing the worst, Hinata lifted her head, only to have the latest issue of Curiosity waved in front of her. A giant, glossy picture of Sasuke more or less lying on top of her mocked her from the front cover, while the heading 'Romance on 'Dead Drop' Set?' sneered above it.

'Well, they were quick,' Hinata said, her voice indifferent enough to shock her for a second. She cared- deeply- that Curiosity was spouting rubbish sure to make her life more difficult- rabid Sasuke fans was an image that sprang to mind- but honestly, she was too tired to care.

'It's a weekly publication,' Sakura said. She frowned at the suggestive photo. 'The cover story they planned got yanked in favour of this one. Someone worked hard to get it ready in time.'

At Hinata's questioning glance, Sakura defended herself with,

'I've got connections. They called me about it. Anyway, I haven't seen Sasuke yet, but-'

Hinata almost choked on her coffee as she suddenly realised another consequence of Sasuke being involved in this. Neji would be... displeased, to say the least. He had a strange dislike for the Uchiha.

'Oh, God,' she moaned, letting her head fall onto her arms.

'Not quite, but I appreciate it.' Kakashi made his entrance then. He headed straight for the coffee with a cheerful smile just detectable beneath the mask, joining them once he'd taken his share of the popular drink.

'Look at this, Kakashi,' Sakura exclaimed. 'One day of filming, and the gossip magazines are already writing trash.'

Kakashi skimmed through the article, secretly grinning as he caught italicised phrases such as 'lust publicly displayed.'

'Well, Sakura,' he said, laying the magazine down when he finished, and sounding so much like he was going to impart fascinatingly wise words that even Hinata gave him her attention, 'How do you know it's trash?'

Sakura glowered at him.

'Please let it be known,' Hinata griped in a moment of exhaustion-fuelled anger, 'that I do not have any romantic feelings for Uchiha Sasuke and I'm sure that I never will.'

'There's no better way to begin a day,' came a low drawl from the doorway, 'than by personally ensuring someone's pride takes a heavy beating. Is there, Hinata?'

I've just insulted Uchiha Sasuke, Hinata thought, flushing with embarrassment. And he heard me. This really is a wonderful start.

'I'm sorry if I offended you!' she blurted out, avoiding his general direction. 'I'm just tired and I hate these ridiculous stories-'

'Is the idea of being in a relationship with me so ridiculous?' Sasuke asked. She looked up and noticed he ignored the coffee, heading instead for some of the weak tea she'd rejected earlier.

'Ye- No- I mean, I'm sure there's a lovely woman out there for you, but she just- Well, she just isn't me.' Blushing furiously, Hinata lowered her head again.

'Hmm,' was his only reply. He didn't sit at the table with them, but she heard him lean against a counter next to their seats.

'Leave the poor girl alone,' Kakashi said, yawning slightly as he stood up. Hinata could practically feel his amusement radiating off him. 'Ah, it's off to the lovely Shizune for me now. Play nice, Sasuke.'

'I never play nice,' he replied.

Kakashi's grin widened even further than Hinata thought humanly possible before he made his departure. She hoped she was imagining the threat in Sasuke's voice.

'Sasuke, I can call Curiosity for you,' Sakura offered. 'Hint at legal action...'

'Why bother? Let the morons write whatever they want. It doesn't affect me.'

Hinata watched out of the corner of her eye as his shoes shifted closer to the table. The magazine rustled as he lifted it up.

'Unless, of course, Hinata would like something done about this 'ridiculous story'.'

She didn't answer, but timidly- slowly- raised her eyes, only to find the other two staring at her. Sasuke's current feelings were difficult to discern. Sakura, on the other hand...

Oh, damn, she cursed mentally, while also reminding herself she shouldn't use such words.

If she told Sasuke that she would like legal action, he'd be even more vexed than he already was. If she said she wouldn't, Sakura would probably believe it was because she secretly wanted such things printed, naturally leading to the idea that she had feelings for Sasuke. Hinata didn't really follow the logic in that thought, but it was evident that it was in Sakura's mind. She'd lose either way. The question was, whom would she prefer to have as a possible life-long enemy?

'Hinata?' Sakura prompted, sounding a little threatening herself.

'I don't think we should throw this movie into controversy before it's even really begun!' she said in a rush, for a moment thinking getting shuriken-ed would have been a better alternative to this.

'Fine.'

All of a sudden, Hinata was alone with Sasuke, the only evidence of Sakura's earlier presence being the faint smell of expensive perfume.

They sat in utter silence. Hinata had never been in a situation where the people involved were doing absolutely nothing, yet were still so tense.

Her cell phone rang, saving her from further awkwardness and effectively cutting off whatever Sasuke was about to say.

'Hello?' she said, welcoming the chance to retreat into a corner.

'Hinata? Why am I looking at a picture of you and Uchiha Sasuke on the cover of some trashy magazine?'

'N-Neji! Um, I can explain- really.' In a hurried whisper, she filled her cousin in on the circumstances surrounding that particular snapshot. She hoped Sasuke couldn't hear the conversation.

'Someone tried to kill you?' Neji sounded stunned. 'You don't even sound worried.'

'I know...' She furrowed her brow, contemplating her situation. It was odd that she hadn't felt any long-lasting anxiety. 'You know, Neji, I don't get the feeling I'm being targeted specifically. Why would anyone attack me there if they were after me alone? It felt like- It felt like someone was just trying to cause trouble.'

'Simply 'causing trouble'?' Neji sounded doubtful and she could hear concern seeping into his voice- much like during her talk with her sister. 'I want you to stay alert, but if something happens again, I'm making sure you have a bodyguard with you.'

'Okay,' Hinata relented. It wouldn't be any use trying to change his mind and she did appreciate his worry. 'I have to go, so I'll talk to you soon.'

'Take care, Hinata.'

Hinata absently turned back to the table, only to find Sasuke still waiting patiently for her. She found that she really couldn't summon the will to struggle through a conversation with him.

'Um, I have a few questions to ask Shizune, so I'll see you later, Sasuke.'

She grabbed her cold coffee and hurried out, underlining 'do not lie' on her personal list of life rules.

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

'Hey, Sasuke! Interesting photo, isn't it?'

Hinata had positively sprinted out of the room, amusing Sasuke to no end. That merriment was short-lived, however, as her seat was quickly occupied by a damp-haired Naruto.

'It's called a towel, idiot,' he said in exasperation, as droplets of water spattered onto the table. 'Civilised human beings use it to dry their hair to prevent drowning others.'

'I don't think you could be called a human being if that much water can drown you.' Naruto tapped the cover of Curiosity. 'So you and Hinata, hmm?'

'Idiot.' Sasuke scowled. 'You saw what happened yesterday and you still believe this?'

'No.' Naruto grinned suddenly. 'Because I know Hinata's too smart to want to get involved with you.'

Resisting the urge to punch his friend's stupid face, Sasuke gave a small 'hmph' and took a calming sip of tea.

'How'd you find out about it, anyway?' Sasuke asked.

'Sakura.' A shadow seemed to descend on Naruto's humour-filled features. 'She was fuming.'

Sasuke rolled his eyes.

'Stop pining after her, idiot. Make a move.'

'In case you haven't noticed,' Naruto returned, uncharacteristically testy, 'She's still pining after you.'

'She shouldn't. I've never shown any interest in her and I never will.' His blunt declaration reminded him of Hinata's similar vow regarding him. Although a little stung still, he couldn't help smiling.

'I don't get you, Sasuke.' Naruto shook his head, sending another spray of water over the table. 'Sakura is smart, hot and she wants you, although I personally don't know why. What sane man would pass that up?'

'This sane man,' Sasuke said easily, taking his mug and heading for the door. 'As a rule, I don't like any woman who makes it known she wants me.'

Uchiha Sasuke had always preferred a challenge.

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

It could possibly be the understatement of the year to say Hinata was becoming increasingly nervous about future love scenes with Sasuke. The Curiosity article, coupled with Sasuke overhearing her indirect insult, and with the third wheel addition of Sakura's anger, was adding to her anxiety.

Perched on a chair and waiting for Kakashi and her co-stars to appear for their scene rehearsal and blocking, Hinata flipped through her script. There was a major romance scene somewhere in the middle of the story. It took her a few seconds to find it.

'Eager, are we?'

Hinata determinedly fought off the flustered feeling that Sasuke always induced. She'd never been used to his habit of adding a light taunt to everything he said. Carefully, she turned the page and feigned composure.

'No, I'm not.' Even with a full night's rest, she could never have come up with any biting retorts.

'That scene should be interesting.'

'Which one?' she asked, seeing as she'd passed about three pages now.

Sasuke leaned over and flicked her script back to the page he'd caught her reading.

'That one.'

At that point, Hinata was glad for any interruption. Sakura and Naruto were making way over, scripts in hand and ready to rehearse the next scene, which they were all present in.

'Where's Kakashi?' Naruto asked, shooting the pair a curious look. Sasuke was still hanging over the arm of her chair, his hands holding the pages over her lap.

'I think he's coming,' Hinata said brightly. She smiled politely at Sasuke. 'May I have my script back?'

Looking a little surprised at her sudden change in demeanour, Sasuke let go and withdrew to his seat.

'I'm here,' Kakashi announced, strolling towards them and paying no attention to the fact that he was late. 'Let's get going.'

They spent a few minutes running through a café scene, where the four characters bantered playfully. Kakashi insisted Hinata and Sasuke shift their chairs closer together, until they were more or less climbing into each other's lap. Frustrated, Sakura demanded Kakashi refer to the script: Mira and Nori were not romantically involved yet, so there was no need for such intimate positions.

'She's right,' Hinata said, clamping down on the enthusiasm with which she supported Sakura. 'So I think this distance should work well.'

She scooted to the other corner of the table.

'Well, Katsu should sit closer to Kasumi.' Naruto moved his chair.

His co-stars stared at him, 'why?' clearly etched on their faces.

'There's nothing to say otherwise!'

'Kasumi is not involved with Katsu,' Sakura declared. 'They are friends. He says at one point that they're as 'close as siblings.''

She shifted.

'As long as we're trying to argue things with no evidence,' Sakura continued, 'why can't Kasumi and Nori be an item?'

Hinata turned away to hide her smile.

'Because Mira and Nori are a couple,' Sasuke put in helpfully, seeming highly entertained. 'A fact pointed at throughout the entire movie. It's one thing to try to prove something with no evidence and another to try when there's evidence against it.'

'You're all children,' Kakashi said vaguely, having taken out a book and begun reading. 'Should I have someone build a schoolyard set and set up a 'did not, did too' argument for you all?'

'Are you reading porn?' Sakura gasped, catching sight of the cover. 'You're supposed to be helping us rehearse!'

'I was waiting for you all to finish discussing the love lives of fictional characters and attempting to create parallels with yourselves. Get yourselves off to wardrobe and prepare for shooting.'

Hinata disappeared red-faced, while Sakura dashed away, failing to hide her emotions. Naruto appeared hurt as he slunk off to wardrobe. Sasuke alone was stoic.

Kakashi remained sitting, idly turning the page.

'Kids,' he sighed.

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

Sakura took a few steadying breaths in an unoccupied room, fighting off the tears threatening to escape.

The fact was, she knew how pathetic she'd been acting; she didn't need Kakashi's humiliating remarks. Sasuke had always had an odd hold over her actions and she wasn't sure if that power would ever fade. She'd thought that several years of little communication with him would do it, but it hadn't, and just a few days near him had her reverting to her teenage ways.

Scrolling to Ino's name in the contact list of her phone and selecting it, Sakura slid onto the floor, briefly shutting her eyes.

'Hello?'

'Ino, it's me.'

'Hey, Sakura! How's filming?'

'It's fine.' She stopped.

'What's wrong?'

Apparently, Sakura hadn't controlled her voice as well as she thought she had. She bit her lip, wondering how she could express the flurry of emotions currently raging within.

'Ino, I'm-' She heard her words thicken with tears.

'Sakura? You're worrying me.'

'It's Sasuke,' she admitted softly.

Ino listened to her explain her situation. When she was done, Ino let out a dismayed breath.

'I'm really sorry, Sakura.'

'Why? It isn't your fault.'

'It is.' Ino paused and Sakura waited with burning curiosity. 'That day in the café... I pressured you into accepting the role because I was afraid you'd decide to try out for Shikamaru's play. I was determined to get a lead part... I'm sorry, Sakura. You wouldn't be facing Sasuke every day if I hadn't pushed you.'

Sakura considered this. She remembered her suspicions when Ino was trying to convince her to take the role. Ino often helped her with movie decisions, but never so persistently.

'Ino, I wish you'd just told me you didn't want me trying out, but in the end, it isn't your fault. I chose to accept the part because Sasuke was in it and that was my decision alone. And I've decided- I've decided I'm going to make this a positive thing.'

'How?'

'By the end of this movie's filming, Uchiha Sasuke will no longer play a factor in my decisions. I'm going to get over this stupid crush.'

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

'It caused some disturbance, but surprisingly, little long lasting damage.'

'Unfortunate... Tsunade must be on her guard by now.'

'Yes. I discovered she has tightened security considerably.'

'As expected. A shame. The death of a high profile star in her studios would have been a wonderful accomplishment.'

'Do we continue as planned?'

'No. I'd like to show Tsunade that she can fill Sannin Productions with a hundred men, but I'll still be able to penetrate. I want to shake her confidence.'

'And the plans?'

'Reschedule them for their on-location shoot. We'll make sure they go home with a few... souvenirs.'

A/N: -I think my past week inspired Hinata's tiredness and consequently, her snappishness. I've also decided that I most likely will have future chapters with a few different POVs. They're a lot more fun to write that way.

Thanks for reading and thank you to those who have reviewed.

(Fun fact: My spell-check suggested I replace 'Sasuke' with 'saucy.')