hi! thought in italic , dialogue in " ", POV alterning and Naruto's still not mine.
Chapter 10
She was….a vision.
Sasuke stood to the side, his presence yet unknown, admiring her under the soft light of the Japanese lanterns in the entrance of the Hyuuga estate greeting guests.
He always taunted her by calling her princess. He never knew how right he was.
She was resplendent in her what-he-will-now-start-to-refer-to-as 'Full Princess Regalia'.
A multilayered Kimono made of the softest silk, that'll give any man an aneurysm while trying to take it off.
Fabric the color of the clear blue sky so light it almost looked white was draped around her shoulders.
As his gaze swept down so did the shades darken until it reached a blue so dark, so familiar, it reminded him of a starless night. An obi of the same color circled her waist, accentuating her figure.
He wondered if she wore what he selected underneath or if it was just a coincidence that her outfit had the same color palette.
Half her dark tresses were twisted in a crown circling her head while the rest spilled free on her shoulders and back.
He could see sparkling ornaments that mimicked the stars placed strategically in her hair, as she bowed to great another noble.
Night triumphant.
That was the sentence that echoed in Sasuke's mind as he activated his Sharingan to forever burn this picture into memory.
Hinata lifted her head and looked in his direction.
Sasuke smirked.
Princess or not she was still an accomplished kunoichi. The only one who detected the small flicker of chakra he allowed to seep through.
He inclined his head in greeting while leaning against the inner wall of the Hyuuga gardens, waiting for his so-called best friend to arrive.
What kind of Hokage arrives after the guests of honor did?
An idiot Hokage.
To be fair the Kazekage himself didn't make an appearance yet.
But still, Suna nobles swarmed the garden all trying to get a good look at what the Hyuugas had to offer.
They weren't disappointed.
Greeting duties was never Hinata's favorite.
She felt too much in display.
Alas her father appointed her at the gates to minimize the carnage that would've ensued if her sister were to be subjected to hours of diplomatic talk and fake smiling.
Hanabi had no patience for any of it.
A shame really, her sister is usually the life of the party. She was named adequately. Her little Firecracker.
On second thought, it was best that she not be exposed to some of those disguised barbs and back handed compliments.
She might just blow up spectacularly.
Hinata knew she was exaggerating but it was better to be safe than sorry.
Her father certainly thought so too. As he kept Hanabi close to his side in the entrance of the Manor talking with the big political players after Hinata had broken the ice and softened their rough edges.
Hanabi-chan looks beautiful.
Their seamstress had outdone herself. She dressed both of them like celestial beings.
Hanabi was the rising sun in her yellow and orange Kimono with the red Hyuuga flames licking at the hem. Half her hair pulled back and pinned with an ornament the shape of the sun.
She herself was the darkening sky, devouring the light of day.
Hinata's cheeks tinged pink at the reminder of her seamstress's source of inspiration.
As if her thoughts summoned him, Hinata felt that tail-tale flicker of electric chakra that announced Sasuke's arrival.
Their gaze met. He inclined his head politely, letting her know he wasn't ready to join civilization yet.
Hinata smiled.
He came. That was enough.
"My..My.. And who is this lovely creature?"Her thoughts were interrupted by an aged voice.
Right. I forgot about them.
She had been in the midst of a boring conversation with a civilian noble from the capitol who was invited for some reason.
They didn't announce what was happening yet but Hinata knew it must be big since there are a lot of important people present. Not a simple visit from the Kazekage.
"Uncle, may I present the Lady Hinata of the Hyuuga clan." A brown-haired man said. They had met once or twice while she was establishing a foothold for her clan in the new economical ladder after the war at the capitol.
Hyuuga money didn't grow on trees after all.
"It's a pleasure to meet you my Lord." Hinata bowed slightly.
"The pleasure is all mine. Tales of your grace and beauty have never been far from my ear. But tales do not do you justice my dear. "
"You flatter me."
"It's a shame really to throw such a gem in muddy battlefields" The elder's man ridiculous mustache twitched.
Here we go. Hinata sighed internally
"Uncle…" the younger noble, whom she still didn't remember the name of, tried to intervene.
"It is true nephew. I simply do not understand the travesty of ninja villages. To subject someone with such a delicate disposition…" Hinata could've sworn she heard a snort coming from Sasuke's direction. "..to bloodshed. That's no way to treat a lady!"
"I'm afraid ladies have always been subjected to their own brand of bloodshed. But I shan't offend your delicate sensibilities with womanly topics."
Hinata noticed her barb went totally over his fatted head once he heard the word 'blood' and 'womanly topics' in the same sentence.
He looked a bit uncomfortable.
Good.
He was lucky Hanabi wasn't here to show him how delicate she can be.
"However, you'll find that our village has much to offer. We are honored to have you as guests. Please enjoy our hospitality." Hinata's smile didn't reach her eyes, but it had the desired effect as both of them walked past her self-importantly completely charmed.
"How the hell do you do that?" A feminine voice said behind her "you just insulted him, to his face and he still left happy."
"It's called pretty privilege." another masculine voice chimed in.
"Shikamaru-san! Temari-san! I'm glad you could both make it." Hinata's smile was genuine now.
"I didn't really have a choice, did I?" Shikamaru sighed.
"Hush you" Temari waved her hand dismissively "but really that was brilliant. Now I understand why my brother has been singing your praise."
Hinata didn't interact much with Temari when she went on a diplomatic mission to Suna, for the sand princess was more focused on her traveling companion at the time which happened to be her own boyfriend.
" Kazekage-sama exaggerates." the blue haired beauty giggled at Shikamaru's eye-roll and Temari answering glare.
"Gaara never exaggerates. He said you had our council wrapped around your finger since day one." Temari's grin stretched wide "Half dread your next visit. The other anticipate it. Gaara couldn't be more pleased."
"And where is Kazekage-sama?" Hinata fidgeted, not used to praise.
"Oh you know Gaara. He doesn't like big crowds. He'll show once the circus is done with." The sand kunoichi answered "in the meantime I have to be the main attraction until he graces us with his presence."
"Enjoy the party." Hinata giggled at the funny sibling dynamic. She just couldn't imagine someone as serious as Gaara having a disagreement with his older sister.
" I will, if lazy ass here asks me to dance."
"Troublesome women." Shikamaru sighed again.
They are so cute together.
Hinata smiled at the couple before turning back around and spotting Naruto and Sasuke making their way to her.
Big breath in.
The kunoichi gathered herself, she knew it'll be hard but it was time to face him and try to move on from it all. The fact that Sasuke was there filled her with even more courage.
Sasuke glanced at his friend, he looked nervous.
So did his Hyuuga princess, but she held her head high ready to face the upcoming storm.
His lips quirked at the sight.
"Hokage-Sama, welcome to the Hyuuga estate." Hinata greeted before facing him with a cheeky smile "Commander Uchiha." Her bow was more of a curtsey.
Sasuke won't admit he liked the mocking feminine gesture made just for him.
"Hi Hinata-chan. How are you?" Naruto grimaced at the loaded question.
"I am fine. Thank you for asking." There was a stretch of awkward silence.
"hmm…Your Kimono…it's not lavender..but it's still.. nice." Naruto cringed at his own failed attempt at flattery.
This is just painful to watch.
Thankfully for all parties involved Hanabi's arrival broke the tense atmosphere.
"That's because my sister has acquired a taste for dark things; Blue, Charcoal, Dark purple." The youngest heiress smiled cheekily his way "I'm sure she'll become fond of red soon enough."
Sasuke kept a neutral expression, he hoped he didn't completely misunderstand the hidden message.
Hinata wasn't as successful as him, as her cheeks bloomed a red he found quite fetching.
Naruto was wondering why they were discussing fashion.
"I can't really blame her seeing as you were always an eye sore." Hanabi scowled at Naruto.
"Hanabi! Don't be rude." Hinata scolded.
"Anyway, Hanae-san was looking for you. Something about missing ice for the champagne" The brown-haired Hyuuga addressed her sister.
"Oh! I'll see you guys later. Enjoy the party."
When the eldest Heiress was out of earshot, Sasuke addressed his friend.
"Really? You dated her for months and you don't know how to give her a compliment?"
"I didn't exactly hear you spouting poetry!" Naruto blushed in embarrassment.
"I don't need to resort to that." Sasuke's smirk was so cocky it made the youngest heiress snicker. Then she faced the blond again with a scowl.
"Listen Uzumaki, if you so much as look at my sister's direction, I'll give you another black eye as a parting gift."
Sasuke was amused by this short girl threatening one of the most legendary shinobi in history.
"You do realize I'm your Hokage. You little brat!" Naruto scowled back childishly.
"Hokage or not, I suggest you run for your life before I tell Neji-nii-san why your relationship ended." Her threat was effective apparently as Naruto paled and excused himself from their presence.
After a few minutes of silence, the little Hyuuga addressed him.
"Do you like to dance Uchiha-san?"
"Not particularly."
"That's a shame. My sister loves to dance." She said before leaving him.
Sasuke was liking this brat more and more.
AN: I apparently am still not over that lingerie detail. Oh and in case it wasn't obvious Hinata is absolutely wearing it.
Also, can we take a moment to appreciate Sasuke's cockiness.
I really, really, really loved reading all your reviews! You have no idea how much they mean to me.
I'm always waiting to hear from you.
-your faithful writer
Lady Thunder Storm.