Guess who's still alive? I present to you guys the longest chapter so far. Enjoy!

"Where did you say you two worked, again?"

"Obito Publishing," Hinata reiterated with a polite smile. On the inside she was screaming and shaking the man by the shoulders. She glanced down at the plate on the desk.

Shikaku Nara.

All of a sudden she was reminded of her genius slacker of a classmate from college. Shikamaru Nara had been an exchange student from Suna. Hinata would not be surprised to learn that the man before her was somehow related to him. The sheer nonchalance and strange ponytail could only be genetic.

"And what are your positions in the company?"

How many more questions were they supposed to answer? She was sure that she had already answered those two a while ago, but her mind spinned and at that moment nothing sounded more comforting than allowing her mind to go blank. She could get into a lot of trouble for helping Sasuke.

"Didn't we already tell you that I'm the editor in chief and she's an assistant?" Sasuke muttered darkly. He took out his phone and scowled at something he read. Hinata couldn't bother to think about what it could've been.

The man hummed to himself, typing something on the computer. Hinata glanced at Sasuke and he only shrugged. What do you want me to do, he seemed to ask. Hinata felt her left eye twitch in irritation. "How much longer do we need to stay here?" Hinata heard herself asking. "We have much work to get back to."

He was testing them. If either of them messed up or one of their stories didn't add up… that was it for both her and Sasuke.

"Be patient, Ms. Hyūga," Shikaku said in an irritatingly laidback tone. "You said you wanted the wedding to be here in Suna and that won't happen unless you cooperate."

"She hasn't had the chance to have breakfast or lunch." Sasuke leaned on the desk and tapped his fingers on the wood. "You do understand that going on and on in ridiculous circles is bound to be a problem, don't you?"

Shikaku narrowed his eyes. "You two say that Ms. Hyūga is an assistant, is that correct?"

Hinata sighed. "That's right."

"Who's assistant, exactly?" Hinata and Sasuke glanced at each other before returning their gazes to Shikaku. He zeroed in on Sasuke. "Yours?"

"Yes, my assistant."

Shikaku nodded and leaned back on his chair with a pensive gleam in his eyes. "So you're telling me that you two have been in a relationship for one year and that you're getting married right when Mr. Uchiha's visa expires."

Sasuke's semblance reflected pure boredom. "Our jobs and lives are here in Suna, why would we want to go to Konoha to start a life together."

"Can anyone vouch for your relationship?"

Sasuke scoffed. "Was I supposed to tell people that the next promotion is going to my assistant who happens to be my girlfriend?"

No one could vouch for them… except for the gossip brigade.

Hinata took a deep breath and readied herself for a wave of embarrassment. There was no going back now. "I haven't told anyone either but… Sasuke and I usually tell our coworkers that we stay late for work."

Shikaku raised an eyebrow. "How is that relevant to proving your relationship is true?"

"We— we, um." Hinata's eyes trailed to the side and she felt her burn at the implication of her words. Her nervousness was genuine and the embarrassment was palpable, she was sure of that much. For once in her life she felt grateful for the ease with which her face flushed. "Sometimes we go out for dinner."

With clients, but Shikaku didn't need to know that.

Beside her Sasuke sighed and rested a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What she means to say is that we use that excuse to spend time together. We have a nice conference room in the building, it's near the top floor and the windows are on the outside. It's a very…" Sasuke paused and his mind seemingly raced trying to find the appropriate word. "Private area in the building. I'm sure you can see where this is going."

Hinata buried her face in her hands and Sasuke started rubbing circles on her shoulder. "I think that— that some of our coworkers know. We tried our best but—" Hinata's voice cracked. "We messed up, they know."

"Yes…" Sasuke's gaze never left Hinata's trembling form, ever the doting lover he was charading as. "I'm sure you will find proof amongst our coworkers, all I ask is discretion. It wouldn't be fair for Hinata to miss out on a well deserved promotion just because we found happiness with each other."

Hinata made a choking sound and her hand shot out to grab the courtesy water bottle. Sasuke would kill her if she laughed.

But.

She couldn't help the snort. Sasuke was reciting a monologue from the sick author's newest book, an office romance. While she swooned reading the section, hearing it from Sasuke's mouth was laughable. If Shikaku knew, she would be in a prison cell and Sasuke would be forced on the earliest flight to Konoha.

Shikaku glanced between the two of them with a raised eyebrow. "Very risqué… but I suppose it will pay off on this occasion. How about relatives?"

"Dead." Sasuke deadpanned.

Shikaku turned to Hinata. She shrugged sheepishly. "I've had no contact with my family since I was twenty three."

"I see. I'm sorry for your loss, Mr. Uchiha." The man did not seem convinced at all. "How old did you say you were again?"

At this point Sasuke was probably already midway through fabricating a revenge scheme against Shikaku. "Twenty nine."

"And you, Ms. Hyūga?"

"Twenty six."

Instead of continuing the interrogation, Shikaku's attention returned to typing down information.

The tablet in Hinata's messenger bag vibrated and she quickly took it out. She sighed with relief when she found that it was only the one hour warning before Sasuke's next appointment. Sasuke leaned closer to take a look at the calendar.

"Let's postpone that meeting for another day."

Hinata's face fell. "But it took us ages to get an interview with Killer B!"

"Let's go grab lunch instead," he said with a shrug. "My treat."

"Are you serious?"

"I'm serious. You get cranky when you're hungry and right now you're starving."

"I don't get cranky…" Hinata narrowed her eyes at him before reluctantly typing out an apology email. "You'd be lucky to get another interview in the next few months, si— Sasuke."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. Why she felt the need to address him as 'sir' was beyond him. Especially when she was talking back within the same sentence.

"Alright then." Shikaku stretched his arms and yawned before continuing. "I'm going to catch a lunch break myself so you're free to go."

"So, everything is okay with Sasuke and his immigration issue?"

Shikaku tutted and raised a finger. "Don't be so hasty Ms. Hyūga. This is a complicated process because there are individuals who… attempt to commit fraud, you know?" Hinata gulped and she hoped that her face did not pale. "I need to make sure that this is a legitimate and loving relationship, so I'll be keeping an eye on you two. When did you say the wedding will be?"

Hinata glanced at Sasuke. "Next month."

Shikaku hummed and tapped a figure on his chin. "Ah, right on Mr. Uchiha's birthday month. Will it be on his birthday?"

Sasuke scowled. "Do you take me for a narcissist?"

Shikaku chuckled as he grabbed his coat and gestured at the door. "Just wondering. Have a nice weekend, you two."

oOo

"You owe me big time," Hinata hissed. Her hands had stopped trembling but she still held on tightly to the strap of her messenger bag.

"How about I take you to that new coffee shop?"

She scowled and looked to the side. "Do they have food?"

A knowing smile crossed his face. "There is a bakery and I believe they have breakfast sandwiches." She would love it, he was sure of it.

Her stomach growled and her scowl grew deeper. After a moment she reluctantly waved a hand. "Lead the way."

She really was cranky when she was hungry, it wasn't something Sasuke made up on the spot. A ridiculous pineapple pony caught his sight and he came to a stop. Hinata crashed into his back. She rubbed her nose and glared at him.

Sasuke's gaze trailed back to Shikaku and Hinata followed it. Her eyes widened with the realization and nodded to communicate her understanding.

Sasuke extended an arm. After a beat, Hinata stepped into the space and allowed him to settle his arm across her shoulders. It wasn't that bad, she mused. In fact, it was slightly warmer and she appreciated any warmth she could get. Walking around in a coat without pockets and forgetting your gloves at home was not an ideal situation in Suna during those months.

"Is it really your treat?"

"Why do you always doubt me?"

oOo

"I think I misheard this entire conversation."

"Don't say that, Tenten!" Hinata's twitching fingers grabbed her friend's sleeve and tugged on it. Tenten set her arm on the table and Hinata's other hand reached for the same sleeve. "Come on, tell me it wasn't a stupid and— and impulsive decision."

It kind of was, though. That Tenten did not have the heart to say it outloud was a whole new topic. They had been friends since Neji introduced them during Hinata's freshman year in college; eight years of friendship. They celebrated Hinata's twenty-third birthday with the joint purchase of a condo in the heart of Suna's largest city. In spite of her demanding job, Hinata seemed happy. With Tenten's support she was able to abandon her family's Suna house and cut them out of her life for good.

While neither Hyūga was particularly forthcoming about their family's dynamics, Tenten knew enough to want to commit homicide. It also gave her an inkling as to what motivated Hinata's sudden recklessness. Even after three years since leaving them behind, the effect her family had on her was still present.

It was rather tragic, in a sense.

"I think… your situation has pros and cons," Tenten started slowly. "Let's analyze them."

Hinata bit her bottom lip and nodded. "Let's start with the pros."

"Uchiha promised to publish your work, yes?" Another nod. "He also promised you an ascension."

"Well, not exactly— but yes."

Tenten narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean 'not exactly?'"

"He agreed to give me a chance to prove myself capable as an editor."

"Look, criminal law is my specialty, but even I know that to commit that type of fraud can result in time in prison." Hinata's lips thinned and she glanced to the side. Tenten quickly put her hands on Hinata's shoulders. "Look at me, it's not the end of the world. I'm just saying that he should guarantee the promotion just to balance out the risk you're taking. If anything goes wrong, I'll bail you."

"Promise?" Hinata held out her pinky with a small smile.

Tenten smirked and linked their pinkies. "Promise. You have the best attorney in Suna right here by your side, got it?"

Hinata nodded and her smile grew a little more relaxed. "Thanks, Tenten."