Author's Note: I'm so sorry the updates have been so slow. To be fair I felt like I had writer's block with this chapter, the fic is coming to a close and I think I'm more scared at messing up the finale rather than writing it. Responsibility, and the risk of failure, makes me procrastinate. In other news, my baby has started to stand which has been nice :) I'm hoping to conclude this fic in the next chapter or two. Thank you all who reviewed (really motivates me to face the fear of failure) and stuck with it. I hope it has been enjoyable and fruitful for you :)

Chapter 12

A pleasured blush seemed to have imprinted itself on Hinata's visage that evening. Walking home she couldn't help the small smile that attached itself to her lips, nor did she regret looking somewhat foolish as she opened the door to her family's home, she had many a reason to feel pleased after all.

At long long last, she and Naruto seemed to be building a friendship again. She thought back to their lunchtime team meet up and how readily he sat next to her, how he talked to her, and how they separated with what she thought was a hopeful glint in his perfect blue eyes. However, their correspondence remained tentative and hesitant, she knew that with her ingrained shyness little exuberance would come from her side, and she had hoped it would originate from Naruto, but that energy didn't materialize as it had once done before. On reflection, Hinata felt whatever was brewing between them certainly felt hopeful, but it was lined with too much uncertainty, and the sort of secondary fear that often accompanies a once broken heart.

Regardless of the rough texture to their new acquaintance, Hinata still had that very pleased coy smile on her face, her thoughts being so heavily preoccupied that she didn't notice her father calling her from his study. Shaking herself, Hinata responded to his solemn emotionless command and entered the sacred ground of his home office.

"You called for me father?"

"Yes" he finished writing what he was documenting, and slowly put his pen down perfectly parallel to his notepad before looking up to assess his daughter with an appraising gaze. Patiently but nervously Hinata waited for her father to continue, she couldn't understand his lengthy pause, she could only surmise that he was nervous about something, but the idea of her father feeling nervous opposed every other instinct she had about his decisive and almost ruthless nature.

Finally he spoke,"Have you made plans with Human Resources to resume work at the company?" She replied that she had, she pointedly declined to note how little she was looking forward to it, or her indecision about following it through now that Naruto was talking to her again. Her father nodded his head, and after several seconds of silence continued, "I assume you haven't forgotten about the company Gala this weekend." He spoke the words as though in preparation for disappointment.

"No sir, I haven't." Her Aunt Kurenai had ensured Hinata not forget about it as she texted her repeatedly about potential dates for the event. All of which Hinata had politely but, almost concretely, declined.

Her father nodded his head stiffly, "Good, then I don't need to remind you of the importance of appearing well established." Hinata frowned very slightly, she didn't like where this was going.

"I understand the value." That didn't mean she agreed with it.

Strangely, he hesitated before continuing, his fingers, old with age and the fatigue of inescapable routine, interlocked together on the leather clad table. "Then you understand me when I ask: have you acquired a good partner for the event?"

Hinata exhaled, the strain of having to answer the question actually causing her pain by her temples. She wanted to explain her heart, she wanted to dissect each feeling and reason to him, make him see her full humanity in all its complex glory, instead she uttered "No I haven't."

The well defined lines on her father's face deepened as he frowned, "I can't say I am surprised but the disappointment is just as prominent." Not knowing what to say she remained silent, which seemed to trigger her father into a state she hadn't seen in him before. "Hinata, I may be old but I am not unaware of the ways of the young. I don't know why you are so averse to being accompanied at our events, but I assume it is not a reason that is healthy or progressive to your success." Shocked at her father's unusual bahviour and rather astute perception, she was struggling for words when he reached vocabulary first, "Year after year you walk into that Gala hall alone, and everyone is wondering why. It can't carry on like this." Hinata took in a shuddering breath, feeling more and more anxious at where the conversation was going, but again he spoke first "Which is why I have made arrangements."

"A-arrangements?" Stuttered Hinata, wishing she had heard wrong.

"Yes, this weekend you will be attending along with a good young man I have known for quite sometime."

"He's a business associate isn't he?"

Her father appraised her with some impressed aspect, "Yes, he and his father are in regular coalition with this company, It would be good for you and for the company if you both got along together."

"Father I am uncomfortable at the suggestion. I would much prefer to attend alone. It would reduce risk of upsetting other potential business partners if one was specially selected by you to attend a member of your family."

"Clever reasoning Hinata, but this singledom of yours needs to close."

"Do you intend for us to marry?"

She thought she saw a subtle flash of pain behind his opaque eyes, "I have never intended to pressure either of my daughters to marry. I know the value of finding your own love. But I have a duty as your father to ensure your prosperity before too much time has elapsed and the chances for that success expires." In other words, he saw a need to make sure she got married and had babies even if she didn't want to. Again she was surprised when he leaned forward, unlatched his fingers from each other before reaching towards her hand, only to suddenly stop and recline back into his own body, had he wanted to comfort her? " I won't force you to marry, but I also will not waste time on the matter." She appreciated his care but she did wish their interaction wasn't so twisted.

"Father, it is not my intention to marry at present."

The stern look he responded with made her nerves clamp up. "That will be all." And reaching for his pen, he opened it while saying decisively, "reflect on what I have said. Goodnight." Without another word he continued working on the documents before him as Hinata took in a shuddering breath that held so many convoluted feelings of simultaneous rejection and objection. Dutifully, she turned around and exited the room, where she rushed to her own to throw herself on the plush bed and spend the rest of the night detangling her bruised thoughts and feelings instead of her original intention of bathing in the pleasure and comfort of the memories she had made at lunch that day.

Clenching her hands into fists, she leaned her head on them as she fought to hold onto her tears before they expelled themselves from her soul. It was an acute pain for her to find no space to be herself in front of her father. She knew he loved her, but she often doubted if it was enough, and consequently, if she meant more to him than everything else he held dear. Unable to formulate any thoughts coherently in her shattered mind, she let go of the reins holding her tears back and let them cascade. Free, unlike her choices.

Several minutes later she wiped the salt from her skin and took in several breaths. Her eyes creaked as she blinked in fatigue, but her mind felt orderly and relaxed once again. With courage she crossed her legs while sitting upright on the bed and brought her thoughts to the uncomfortable direction of the company Gala. Reflexively she felt anger, who was anybody to dictate when and to whom she would associate with? Least of all for marriage? And what was up with the need to have children? What if she wasn't able to conceive? Was her life forfeit from that moment? Why couldn't her father be progressive enough to at least ask her for her opinion? More than anything she was angry at being trapped in a situation she did not brew or request.

Blue eyes and a kind warm smile flashed through her mind. She closed her eyes tight, afraid of more tears. She had waited for so long, and after all this time her father was going to pull strings and guilt to get her married anyway?

But why had she waited? Her eyes opened in sudden wonder, she had never asked herself that. Not once had she hoped to entertain a hope with him, until the past several days where Naruto-kun appeared to exercise some… something with her. And no matter how long she pondered, analyzed and reflected, he said no solid thing, gave no objective message that he wanted to reignite a romantic relationship with her.

Why had she waited so long? Had she held onto her feelings willingly? Or not forced herself to heal stubbornly? She had always told herself she would act in accordance with her heart, but perhaps she should have used her head more. Had she sacrificed her prime reproductive years for the ghost of a love once passionately and happily felt? What was the point?

She could feel tears culminating between the lids of her eyes again, but this time she felt no mental relief when she let them fall. Her confusion remained, and this time tinged with a little despair. She didn't know what to do. Challenging her father's will was like challenging Mount Fuji to move, but if she did nothing then her life wouldn't be her own, it would just be lived for her. He said he wouldn't force her to marry, but he was forcing her to engage in something she wasn't ready for, wasn't that the same form of blameable coercion?

Feeling overwhelmed, she closed her eyes after wiping the last tear, and fell into a solid dark sleep. When she woke her fatigue had dissipated with the night, but her spirit remained troubled and unhappy.

The next few days until the weekend arrived were uncomfortable and difficult for Hinata. She could not hide her puffy eyes and slightly red nose, despite looking decently composed, her mind remained detached from her surroundings and occupied by conflicts and queries. Hinata attempted to remain professionally distant with her emotions while at work but being human, and being Hinata, it was perfectly impossible, and on a few occasions she did cry in the toilets. Naruto had been busy with a project and so was restricted to his own office for the majority of the time, but the moments when they were in closer proximity were filled with an almost cruel anguish within Hinata, for it resurfaced all her conflicts and struggles. He in turn tread even more lightly around her, was more tentative, almost entirely professional. The threat loomed of his friendship being withdrawn completely, but she was grateful he did not blank her out entirely from his attention.

Fed up of all the conflicts, Hinata vowed to herself while dressing for the company Gala, that she wouldn't let her father run her life, she would talk to him and live the way she wanted to regardless. If it meant living her own life, she would face the consequences. As for Naruto, now that she could think without the cloud of resentment as a result of her father's denial of her, she felt quietly confident that her feelings were not a result of tenacity or willful self deceit, but the natural consequence of her beating living heart. Her feelings were true, she had not forced them, or could ignore them. When the opportunity arose she would encourage Naruto-kun as best she could and hope for the best, if the best didn't happen she would accept that and challenge her heart to move on, even if it would be extremely painful to do so.

Hinata took out her dusty make up bag and tried to extract her eye liner. Staring resolutely at the mirror she continued painting her face. If her father wanted her to marry some man from some useful company, he could want that all he would like, that didn't mean she would marry the guy, she will not bow to the pressure. She sustained a broken heart for ten years, one man in the way won't break her resolve.

With the last press of her lips to even out the cherry colour of her lipstick, Hinata sat back to assess the effect. She was overall pleased with the outcome of her labour, and gave a little sigh that the man she really wanted to impress would not be there tonight. She liked the idea of him falling in love with her all over again at the sight of herself while strolling the Gala hall in her best light. She very much liked the idea of him thinking her beautiful, how she wished she could strike him dumb with her mere presence.

The grin that had made its way to Hinata's face slid off suddenly and she rolled her eyes at herself. She wasn't nineteen anymore. Wishing for a night filled with the promise of destiny read more like a science fiction novel rather than reality to her weathered spirits. But still, there was no harm in liking the idea at least.

It was with these more grounded thoughts that she steeled her nerves for a night of expected displeasure and discomfort as the family car dropped her, her sister and father to the Huuga Company Gala. The usually beige and colourless building appearing vibrant and sparkly with the desire to impress, which it succeeded in doing greatly.

"Oh there you are Hamada." Called her father to a man in a small crowd a little way from her. Hamada? Hinata frowned slightly, why does that name ring a bell?

"Good evening sir, it's good to meet you again." The voice was the same leathery texture that had intrigued her all those weeks ago. She turned around and gasped a gasp that went unheard as her father, in typical fashion, spoke first.

"Hinata, I'd like to introduce you to Hamada Daisuke from Hamada corporations." Her eyes remained large as she looked upon his face that stationed on a head that sat upon a very tall silhouette. It was the same man who had flirted with her at the onsen.

He smiled broadly when his landed on her, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, but I should be honest and say that I'm quite excited to continue where we left off."

"You've met before?" Enquired her father, his tone remained light but slightly more stiff that Hamada didn't notice, but to a great student of her father's features, Hinata could tell he was less than pleased, he was decidedly unhappy.

"We met at the onsen during the trip I took for work father." Hinata tried not noticing Hamada's gaze taking her all in. Grateful for the halter top she wore and the flowing skirt. Unlike the first time she met him, his appreciation of her physicality felt unwanted and uncomfortable.

"Oh I see, we'll I suppose it is fortuitous that you meet again." Said her father. Hinata knew what he really meant by that, and she didn't like it. She absolutely refused for destiny to be laid within this preconstructed encounter. Before she could willfully blight anything else, a voice called from behind her.

"Huuga-san?" She gasped again, shocked beyond all comprehension, as she slowly turned around her almost frozen body to come face to face with Naruto-kun.