Cosmic Palette

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Summary: Hinata Hyuga is a talented, aspiring, beautiful painter, Naruto Uzumaki is the handsome heir to a famous company that trades talented works of art. What happens when you add love and business together? A Cosmic Palette. Rated T. NxH

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Chapter Three:

Hinata stared at her childhood friend silently, shocked out of her mind. She hadn't seen him in 10 years, and now...all of a sudden?

Sakura, her mind groaned, this is all her doing. But Sakura wouldn't have known, so this was...match-making, sigh.

Not that she would mind...stop.

"Eh, want to come in?" Naruto's voice broke through her thoughts, and she broke out of her reverie, and stumbled inside. She walked awkwardly to the chairs, carefully carrying her sculptures with her. No matter how surprising this encounter was she still wanted to make a good impression.

"Long time no see, huh, Hinata?" He grinned at her, as he sat down, and swiveled, "Last time was when we were 9, right?"

She smiled at the memory, relaxing slightly at his care-free attitude, "Yes, when we were in Grade Four, before I moved."

"Who would have thought we would end up seeing each other again? That's so cool!" His blue eyes crinkled at her, and Hinata giggled at them. She was feeling less and less awkward around him minute by minute. It was refreshing to see that he hadn't changed a bit, she had kind of missed that goofy 9-year old boy.

"I'm assuming you met Sakura and Sasuke in high-school right?"

Naruto bobbed his head, "Yup, some of the best times of my life. It's nice to see them still together, but how did you meet Sakura?"

"Family friends, I'm actually surprised we never met each other at dinners," she quirked her eyebrows, the thought suddenly occurring to her, but she focused back to Naruto when she heard him chuckle sheepishly.

"Hehe, that was kind of my fault. I sort of hated those functions, and I told my parents I would study harder if they didn't make me go." He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, and Hinata tilted her head in amusement. "Besides, though," he continued, "I went on a trip with my god father for a while, so that was another reason, but..mostly just the skipping."

"Wish I could have done the same," she though wistfully, remembering the times before she had met Sakura, "But then I wouldn't have met Sakura, so I guess it was a good thing."

Naruto looked up at the ceiling, "I can't believe she and Teme are actually getting married."

She nodded silently, running a hand nervously over her sculptures. Knowing it was someone she knew made her afraid of showing her work, or maybe... it was just his presence? Hinata wasn't sure, and resolved to push the thought far away.

Naruto must have noticed her fidgeting because he leaned in, and spotted the bag. "Right! The wedding plans, Sakura wants both of us to decorate her wedding, right?"

"Yes, I, uh, actually brought in a few sculptures to show you my work," she shrank back down into her seat, feeling strangely mortified, "So, you could have an idea of what I would be capable of doing." This had seemed like such a better idea in her head, than what it actually was now.

"Woah, really?" His eyes lit up, and he motioned for the bag, "I'm sure they'll look great!" She sure hoped so.

Sighing internally, she retracted the sculptures out from the bag, and delicately laid them out on the table. She had purposefully made them smaller, as they'd be easier to see. Naruto quieted down, and for a moment, she was certain he didn't like them.

"These are gorgeous," he breathed, "Honestly, I'm a tad surprised. Most sculptures I see that are this size don't have the intricate detail these have. You obviously put a lot of effort into these," his eyes were shining, "It's going to be amazing to work with an artist of your caliber."

Flushing, Hinata looked praise was embarrassing her, and she knew that she wasn't that great. "T-thank you," she mumbled, "But they're really-"

He interrupted her, "I think they're fantastic! You're always underestimating yourself too much," he admonished, but the effect was ruined as he swiveled in his chair once more.

She tugged at her jeans nervously, and ducked her head. "I-f you don't mind, I actually had some ideas that I'd like to discuss with you about the theme, and colour scheme." She looked up, and smiled shyly.

He shot her a blinding smile, "Shoot."

They discussed it for 2 hours. It was quite possibly the longest and funniest conversation Hinata had ever had. Even with Sakura they were comfortable lulls, but with Naruto Hinata found that time flew by faster.

They knew Sakura wanted it to be Spring-themed, so their discussion was centered around that. Naruto and Hinata also decided that a 'vintage' look should be included into the wedding, as Sakura and Sasuke wanted the wedding to be traditional, but also because it would bring some life and character into the Spring theme.

After that they discussed room space available, costs, and set a budget. Plans, and ideas would be drawn out it was decided.

"Wow," Naruto commented once it was done, "That was a lot of work."

Equally tired Hinata nodded, "But it's worth it, I want Sakura and Sasuke to have a spectacular wedding."

Naruto looked over at her, and nodded. They lapsed into silence for a while, before Naruto jumped up. "C'mon," he grinned, "I'll take us out for dinner, my treat."

She stared at him, before shaking her hands hurriedly in front of herself, "Oh, it's okay! You don't have to, there's no need."

"I want to, though," he coaxed, "Please? Is a prospect of having dinner with me that unappealing?" He pouted.

Hinata turned red, "T-that's not what I m-meant! It's just-I-well-," she took a breath, and sighed, "It's just that my car is parked here."

Naruto grinned, "That's alright. The place I'm thinking of is just around the corner, and after that I can walk you to your car."

She was breaking. "You really don't have to," Hinata mumbled.

"I want to, remember? Now c'mon." With that he tugged her up, and laughing, led her out of the room.

From her perch on the tree's Sakura watched them walk out of the room, side by side. It's working, she thought, it's actually happening! Stiff from sitting on her spot for more than two hours, she put the binoculars away, and rubbed her neck. Honestly, if only her friends knew how much she did for them.

She was such a giving person.

Sighing, she turned around, before suddenly remembering her fiancé. "Sasuke?" she called, "Where did you go?" In response, she heard a snore. Peering down, she saw her husband-to-be flat on the ground, asleep.

"Eh? How did he get down there?"

When she got home that evening Hinata was smiling from ear to ear. Talking and laughing with Naruto at the ramen stand (even after all these years his love had remained true) had left her a warm feeling in her stomach. She couldn't identify the emotion, but she liked it. There was something about him that made her all fuzzy.

She blushed, and shook her head. "Forget about that," she muttered, before smiling again. She was going to see him again tomorrow to draw the plans together, and create some of the decorations. While they had decided to buy some, they thought hand-making some would be more sentimental and count as some of their presents.

"Today was a good day," she concluded when she went to bed, "But I can't wait for tomorrow."

In another building, far away, Naruto was thinking the same thing.

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A/N: IMPORTANT NOTE-About the wedding and Sakura's dress I don't mean to offend anyone who celebrates in a different way. Where I come from doesn't celebrate a wedding like this (white dress, maid-of-honour, etc.), so for a while I was at a loss for how to celebrate this wedding. In the end I decided to go for a more western-style wedding, because I felt this would be the simplest way to describe the wedding, and it would be generic. So, in the end Sakura is wearing a Kimono, but they are first celebrating in a building, and then Sakura and Sasuke will go to a Shinto temple. The building is what Hinata and Naruto are decorating, and I won't write the Shinto temple part, but as the reader infer that it will happen afterwards. I respect every culture's way of celebrating a wedding ceremony, but decided this would be the easiest way to go.

Anyway, long time no see, huh guys? ^_^ I missed you! Sorry if this chapter was short, but this is just a fluffy, fun story, and I think I'll finish this in break. I suspect maybe 2-3 chapters more, maybe? Reviews are always appreciated :3

Constructive criticism is always appreciated!