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Love Squared

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Parallel
Two coplanar lines perpendicular to the same line shall therefore never intersect, and are therefore parallel.

Neji's visit had been one of the best Hinata could remember. He'd gone to great pains to take her to so many lovely and interesting places, and paid her every possible consideration. Even their current function – a black tie affair that normally would have had her counting down the time until she could go home – was a pleasure.

Hinata learned a few things about herself when Sakura helped her get ready.

1. She actually liked dressing up when it was to her specifications.

2. It was possible to buy an evening gown that was flattering without being uncomfortably fitted or revealing, and the border between revealing and matronly was wider than she'd thought.

3. What she saw in the mirror was at odds with what she thought she should see in the mirror, and some lingering insecurities were gently but effectively silenced, at least for the evening.

4. It was empowering to feel attractive when you were dressing up for yourself, and not to please someone else.

Sakura took a picture for her to send to Hanabi, who quickly replied "Sis, you're HOT!" making Hinata giggle. Neji had approved, declared both she and Sakura as "lovely," and swept them all off to the benefit gala at the Konoha Concert Hall.

Despite the large number of people supporting the event, the reception they were attending was for only a select few, and very manageable. The pre-concert cocktail hour had been even smaller, and had given Neji and Sakura a chance to point out and/or introduce her to a few people that she could now recognize in the crowd.

She'd spent the first twenty minutes or so of the evening bracing herself for each introduction, before she began to relax. She felt the insecurities of her younger self – the small, timid girl, hiding behind her mother at a too-loud and too-large event, or the young woman standing silently at her father's elbow, desperately trying to not embarrass him – melt away. Here, she was not Hiashi's daughter. She was Sakura's friend, or Neji's guest, and most people did not know much or anything about her.

There was a euphoric freedom to stepping into this kind of environment and feeling like no one wanted anything from her or her family. (Possibly that was true because Neji had already submitted the Hyūga Family's donation, but at least no one was trying to directly solicit her connections or monopolize her evening.)

In some ways, it was like having a front seat to a movie. Sakura was well known in her own right as Dr. Senju's protege, as well as for her kind, magnetic nature, and easy conversation. Neji commanded attention no matter where he went, but the same ability he had to completely shut others down was equally as engaging when he was in the mood to be politely social. He was intelligent, and subtly dictated all interactions while allowing the other person to feel as if it had been their idea all along.

Hinata marveled at them both.

For her part, when she did interact, she listened well, spoke kindly, and gently passed the speaker off to another person when she reached her threshold for interaction. It was all done so graciously, that the other person never knew they had been redirected (and in that respect she was equal to her cousin, even if her methods were her own).

The trio of businesspeople from Iwa had just moved on to speak with the engineers from Kumo (at Neji's suggestion) and she took a small cleansing breath.

"How are you holding up," Sakura asked, plucking two beverages off a passing tray, and handing one to her. "Nonalcoholic," she added at her questioning look.

"I'm well. This is a lovely event."

"It is," Sakura looked around. "I remember the first time I saw the symphony – it was a class trip for our enrichment program. We saw the sign for the private reception, and I always wondered what it would be like to go to something like this." She paused to sip her drink. "What about you?" she dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a cocktail napkin. "I know you listen to quite a bit of orchestral music at home."

"Mother loved to go to the symphony," her smile was warm. "She started taking me as soon as I was old enough. Those are some of my fondest memories."

"There is something other-worldly about it, isn't there?" Sakura sighed happily. "Sitting in the dark while time suspends and there is only music? Sometimes I wish I had kept up with flute, but I lost interest after middle school band." She nudged her friend gently. "I bet you play an instrument."

Hinata's pale cheeks flushed. "A little bit."

"Nonsense," Neji interjected rejoining them with a fresh drink of his own. "Hinata is an accomplished pianist and violinist. She is also a lovely singer, but she prefers that no one knows."

"And you?" Sakura turned to him. "What is your instrument?"

"Cello, although I do not get to play very often."

"And piano," Hinata added reflexively. "And upright bass. And classical guitar."

"So, basically anything with strings?" Sakura arched an eyebrow.

Unabashed, Neji gave a modest shrug and a not-quite modest smile. "Basically."

"Hyūgas," Sakura shook her head with a playful sigh. "You're all so good at everything."

"Neji is," Hinata smiled up at her older cousin. "I've never seen him not accomplish whatever he set his mind to."

"And I don't need Neji to tell me you are the same," Sakura grinned. "I suspect you are impossible to deter, once you've set a goal."

"We are all a bit stubborn" Hinata laughed. "Although Hanabi tells me the word is 'tenacious.'"

"She is the most blatant," Neji motioned to a server and handed over his empty glass. "But it is Hinata that best balances tenacity and good sense."

"She certainly has the most good sense out of any Huyga I've encountered."

Hinata turned sharply at that voice, while Neji merely looked over his glass.

"Sasuke," she blinked up at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Something came up," he answered, his eyes drifting over their heads. "Besides. Someone had to keep an eye out for him."

"Hey! You're all here!" Naruto grinned, as he put an arm around Sakura and Hinata. "Boy am I glad to see you! I wasn't sure we'd know anyone here."

"Naruto," Sakura laughed. "You know someone everywhere."

"Not always in the tuxedo crowd," he tugged at his collar. "You both look outstanding by the way," he stepped back and guestured them both, his eyes lingering on Sakura's for just a hint of a moment more. "You, too, Neji," he added, his grin growing broader. "Do something with your hair?"

"I can see where brushing it would be foreign to you," Neji replied smoothly. "Uchiha," he nodded to Sasuke. "I would have thought that you'd be back in Kumo by now."

"I did return," Sasuke said, nonchalantly studying the bubbles in his fluted glass. "Briefly."

"Pardon me," Shizune appeared in their group. "Would the three of you mind coming with me? Lady Tsunade is asking after you."

"Of course," Sakura looped an arm through Hinata's. "See you in a bit," she smiled, before steering them after Shizune.

Neji let them get a step or two ahead before inclining his head to the other two. "Have a good evening. And, assuming I don't get the chance to say it later, have a safe trip back to Kumo, Uchiha."

Neji was almost past him when Sasuke stepped in his way.

"I'd like to make a wager."

"Oh?" Neji raised his eyebrows politely, his tone cool.

"I'd bet that before the evening is out, you will beg me stay in Konoha rather than return to Kumo."

Neji gave a snort of amusement. "I am not sure it is even ethical to take such a bet, as it is an impossibility."

"And you don't believe in the impossible?"

"Have a good evening, Uchiha."

And with that Neji stepped away, leaving Naruto to sidle up to Sasuke.

"So. That's you being friendly, huh?"

"I promised to play fair, not to be friendly."

"And, there is a universe in which Neji would ever willing you ask you to do anything?"

His grin was sharp.

"There's about to be."