AN, a longer chapter for you all, hope you enjoy. I'm worried I would have wanted to change if I slept on it, but really, I just want to get it out there to keep the writing juices flowing. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Having spent much of the previous evening with her own thoughts, Hinata had not managed to rest much during the night and the consequences were acutely apparent in the form of dark circles underneath her eyes. She sighed, not for the first time, as her lack of sleep only added to her other imperfections. Her Aunt Kurenai disregarded her several grey hairs, dormant eyes and pale cheeks as the natural result of aging, but they both knew that the process had been exacerbated by a decade of silent sadness. As though her heart, in rebellion of being broken, decided to never allocate blood to her cheeks or light to her eyes.

She scoffed at herself as she bought a coffee from the cafe opposite the government buildings. In settling with her thoughts the previous night she had expended far too much time worrying what Naruto would think of her upon their forced re-acquaintance. Would he be pleased, or nervous, or excited? Until finally remembering that he wasn't aware that they would meet and would be feeling nothing but either shock or disregard. Then, with a few tears, the penny had dropped that the very real possibility that he may not even remember her had sunk. She had concluded that a man once rejected was highly unlikely to pursue a second attempt, and so trying to make herself appealing (something she hadn't placed any energy in for the past ten years) was certainly futile. But then what was it that she wanted? Knowing he would not wish for her hand again, she resolved instead to remain dignified and be happy for him, whether he were available or not. And then a second penny dropped and the likelihood of him remaining single seemed utterly preposterous! Uzumaki Naruto, charismatic, kind, confident and handsome could not possibly remain unattached as she had been. His willful strength would have negated it, if anyone could have forced fate to prosper him it would have been Naruto-kun, she only hoped the lucky woman would appreciate him as she hadn't.

Despite her deduction, Hinata woke up from a fitful sleep to pour over the contents of her wardrobe like a mad woman chasing sanity, until her sanity finally caught up with her and she realized that even if Naruto did spare her a glance, her lost youthfulness will distance him from her no matter what she wore. With a tremulous, but sinking heart she put on her trousers and modest blouse, brushed her long hair, ate breakfast and set out to work.

Her heart did not calm on the commute, on the contrary, it sped up like a trapped hummingbird. Despite knowing the depressing certainty that he wouldn't want anything to do with her, she was riddled with sweet anxiety at the prospect of their meeting. She was only grateful that she had some prior notice, but considering the frazzled state she had become, she wondered if perhaps ignorance would have been bliss in this situation.

When she reached her desk, she exhaled slowly as she lowered her coffee cup on the table with a shaking hand, pleased despite all her nerves that she wasn't required to use both hands for the simple task.

"Morning Hinata!" Kira's loud greeting made her jump just as it had the previous day, and she gave an almost routine apology in response, he seemed to see through her a little more astutely than usual, and considering he was usually incredibly oblivious to details, Hinata wondered if her altered manner appeared worryingly striking. "You okay? You look different."

"I'm well Kiba-kun, thank you for asking." She hoped that would be all the reply necessary.

"You sure? You don't look like your usual self."

"I just didn't sleep much last night."

He looked at her for a moment longer, "okay, but if you need anything just let me know." Hinata smiled with genuine gratitude, she sensed he sensed something underlying her vague response but was pleased he didn't pressure her to answer frankly. Her Aunt Kurenai once mentioned if there could be a substance of affection between them once, Hinata had always insisted that they had the sort of sacred friendship that didn't allow for other tensions, but Aunt Kurenai only stopped her insinuations when Kiba-kun's relationship with a red head from the second floor became public. Hinata was grateful he became involved with a woman who understood Kiba-kun's fierce loyalty wouldn't be settled only on herself but on his friends too. Hinata never got on with jealous types.

The morning commenced in its usual way, but Hinata could not detach herself from her heightened nerves, wondering how they were going to meet and what would happen, what would be said or if anything would be said, or if they would meet at all. Heaven knows she wouldn't be able to repeat this anxiety a second time. But she then logically realized that as he would be in employment on a permanent contract she would logically see him every day, a thought that both pleased and agonized her for several moments, until the voices of a few of her neighbors made themselves clear to her.

"Oh my god Ino have you heard about the new guy starting today?" Said Haruno Sakura, a pink-headed woman who dealt with health policy in the cubicle beside her.

Hinata forgave herself for paying attention, "Aren't there two starting today?" Replied Ino, a blonde woman with connections to the botany department.

"Yeah, but only one of them is really hot, and that's the only type of guy worth talking about."

Hinata could almost see Ino's smile, " depends on how hot he is, you're not known for your good taste."

Hinata assumed that was an only-within-friends-allowed dig at Sakura's misfortune in relationships, none seemed to last long and all seemed to leave her dysfunctionally depressed until a new man took interest in her. "That's not fair, it's not my fault there are so many douche bags in the world."

"doesn't mean you have to date them."

"oh never mind, this new guy looks like the complete package. I saw him come out of the lift with Kakashi-san on the fifth floor when he was being given a tour of the executive rooms, and oh my god…" at this point Sakura couldn't contain her dreamy sigh.

"let me guess, muscles like an Ox, and eyes that could heat water."

"Oh my god Ino, like you could never imagine."

"Well maybe I'll get to judge for myself, it will take a lot to top Sai."

"Trust me, he's the kind of guy that would make any woman want to upgrade."

Hinata felt uneasy and slightly sick, she wasn't sure why but knew that she would need several more hours to sit and contemplate before she would be able to compose herself, when suddenly that option was refuted when Kakashi-san stepped out of the lift with two gentleman following by. Hinata had only a moment's notice when she saw a flash of blonde hair and quickly averted her gaze to her email inbox, hoping against hope that the wild beating of heart wouldn't give away her extreme discomfort.

The soft thump of polished shoes on the old carpet alerted the newcomer's anticipated presence and Hinata could hear Sakura whisper a word to Ino, no doubt pointing out the good looking man they had been shortly discussing. In fact two men came, one was a shrewd looking man in a neat but relaxed suit who kakashi introduced as Nara Shikamaru, who would be leading on security and strategy. Then Hinata held her breath as Uzumaki Naruto was introduced first to Sakura who smiled widely, then to Ino who smiled even wider, and then finally, with a being that seemed to halt and heighten, to Hinata.

He lost no charm, in fact they seemed to have multiplied. He stood tall and with all the confidence that promised prosperity had afforded him. Holding onto her composure she nodded as a way of greeting and averted her gaze, unable to look at him longer than the half second she did, despite having wished to see him for the best part of a decade. She didn't miss his slightly widened eyes, or his polite nod. And after a few explanatory words from their boss, he was then directed to meet the rest of the team on the floor.

She released her breath and with it, the tension that had haunted her for the past twenty four hours. It was done, and she had survived the ordeal, she could contemplate more in the sweet vicinity of solitude, but for now she must remain composed while witnesses remained.

"Didn't I tell you he was a fine specimen?" Sakura's voice popped the bubble of Hinata's wonderings and she was forced to the present.

"You weren't wrong, that's for sure." Replied Ino.

"I wonder how old he is, he doesn't have any rings on his fingers."

"Hopefully he's available then."

"Eh! What about Sai?"

"Wasn't it you that preached about upgrades?"

Sakura frowned slightly, but only slightly."Never mind that, Hinata-san, don't you think he's hot?"

Hinata startled slightly at being addressed so suddenly, and wasn't appreciative of the subject matter, Naruto-kun was so much more than his appearance, but she couldn't deny his presence always held a kind of magic. At first she was worried her startle would give away her discomfort, but Sakura and Ino had probably seen her startle so often that it must be considered a fixed side effect of being herself by now. "Which man were you talking about Sakura-san?" Asked Hinata, it wouldn't do to show she knew exactly whom they were discussing.

"The blonde one of course!" Of course indeed, thought Hinata, "Why would anyone give grumpy pants a second glance." Hinata would not have agreed, but she realized she too, like her fellow colleagues, had been so engrossed with Naruto that she barely noticed the second recruit's attendance.

"He is handsome." Concurred Hinata, feeling shameful in departing thoughts she held prized for so long in a discussion that felt denigrating to his memory and presence.

"I didn't know you had worked together before." Commented Ino.

"Huh?" When had that been mentioned? She could not miss such important comments if she wanted to survive being in the same building as him.

"Kakashi said that you had worked together in your father's company."

"Yes, but that was a long time ago." Hinata really hoped they wouldn't press for more information. Ino could be persistent when she wanted to be. Fortunately Hinata was rescued by Kiba asking her about some inconsequential documents that no one would probably read, and she leaped on the opportunity to escape.

The rest of the day had shielded her from the starter's presence, she only had to suffer her neighbour's frequent mentioning of him, and the pain it brought along with it, of hearing him be discussed so freely while she had harbored and nursed precious feelings for him for so long, the juxtaposition felt cruel and absurd. She welcomed the end of the day like no other, and retreated home, to her stringent family but the solace of her room, where she was free to think.

He had been surprised, if not shocked at her presence, but otherwise betrayed nothing else. She could garner from this small fact at least that he had not forgotten her, only then she realized that it would be very difficult for anyone to forget a former fiancee. Her mind brought forth the look of pained anger when she had rejected him all those years ago, did he still harbor resentment? Did he dislike her? Had he forgiven her?

She hadn't lied to Sakura when she mentioned his being handsome. His hair was as beautiful as it had always been, he seemed to have grown even taller since she could last recollect and his volume had indeed developed. He dressed with consideration but not vanity, and expressed a sense of knowing his self worth that Hinata had always took inspiration from. She had always found him handsome, and she could not stop feeling sorry for herself that time apart from her had taken not one charm away from him while seeming to have stolen all of hers. No sooner had the thought come than she shook it out of her head. Melancholy, she knew, was not in his nature, he was too confident, too bold for despair to scratch him. He would have healed quickly and found the greatness he had always said would be ready for his hands to grasp. And now he was a senior civil servant while she was at entry level, as though the past several years had not made one elevation on her career ladder.

She wondered if he would think of her, or if she was now as inconsequential as the reports Kiba had asked for. The memory of his ringless fingers came to mind and she found herself surprised. She couldn't fathom why he hadn't found someone to settle with. Remembering a once long discussion they had had around family, Natuto had mentioned that growing up as an orphan he had always prized the permanency that a nuclear family provided, and wanted that for himself to feel grounded to. She had blushed when he furthered his point by commenting that he would only want a relationship that he could see leading to marriage, because the permanency a wife could afford set a stability he found very attractive, and which he never had seen exemplified as a child. She sighed as she felt her heart constrict familiarly again, after several minutes of deliberation, Hinata decided that it was now no longer a cause for her concern. He was master of himself and free to live his life the way he wished to. There was no telling if he would adhere to principles he stated ten years ago, and they would shed no connection to her now that she had severed all ties with him.

For the present she was grateful for the distance between them, and would remain his well wisher from afar, she was only left with a slightly greater sadness that she could no longer mean anything to him, but if she wished her own heart had changed, she couldn't say. Having once acted against her feelings she had sworn to do justice by them and only act as what felt right by her instinct and heart, even in the face of hopelessness, she would continue to do so.