For Tomorrow Chapter Six

"You know the plan, right?"

It was the first time in a long time that Naruto had seen Konohamaru this nervous. His usual overconfident and scheming demeanour was subdued, barely flickering beneath the surface as he stared across the room. This would have worried Naruto but he was more than familiar with the behaviour expected at such gatherings. Even he, who would normally have cleared out the entirety of the kitchen under normal circumstances, was restraining himself with the politeness and grace his homeland prided itself on. Self control was essential during such a time...

They have those fancy French puddings. One or two platefuls wouldn't be missed, right?

"You cannot touch the food under any circumstance, Naruto."

The smirk was there but only barely; even Konohamaru couldn't repress all of his mischievous personality. Whoever taught him social etiquette was a miracle worker. There used to be a rumour when Naruto was first recruited that the young master had driven many a nursemaid and tutor well past their limits until they were pleading with his father to leave them be. One footman had even claimed that an entire company had refused their services, even when Mr Sarutobi had offered a fine price, good hours and one of the many rooms reserved for only the most influential of guests.

"I only want a little tid-bit. They haven't arrived yet anyway." Naruto would have pouted while saying this but thought better of it considering their surroundings. High society and all that.

"What if they show up as soon as you start cramming your mouth full of food? Then what?"

"I don't even know who they are. All you've told me is that I'm looking for the 'older girl who shows up with the Hyuugas'. For all I know she's some old dragon of a lady in waiting."

"..."

Taking Konohamaru's temporary lapse into silence as an opportunity, Naruto surveyed the grand hall once more. Underneath all the shining chandeliers, pure silver serving plates and beautiful murals across the walls not covered by expensive arched windows, the guests of tonight's do were busy exchanging pleasantries and the more adventurous had taken to dancing the- you guessed it- waltz. The most boring dance on earth was as adventurous as the so called socially elite got. Naruto was starting to understand why Konohamaru hated these things so much. It really wasn't worth the fancy food. Not that the only Uzumaki could pronounce their names anyway.

He had it from a good source that Kiba Inuzuka was in charge of security and was toying with the idea of scouting around for his old friend. They had been roommates as children, raised in the same orphanage. They got into so much trouble together. Hate at first sight had turned into true friendship. He had been Naruto's first friend. At the age of twelve, Kiba had been adopted by the Inuzuka family. They were famous and very wealthy dog breeders that took the best of their dogs and trained them as specialised guard dogs. Inuzuka dogs were used all over the world. God help the poor sod who tried to break into their estates.

The only reason Naruto hadn't bolted already was because he knew the young master would have no qualms skinning him alive should he cost him his chance with the ferocious young Hyuuga.

"Naruto?"

Kurenai Sarutobi had a knack for pulling Naruto out of his deepest thoughts. Because of said talent, she was a very valuable asset to Konohamaru, who loved his aunt dearly.

Having safely removed himself from half way up the nearby pillar, Naruto addressed Mrs. Sarutobi with the respect this kind but independent woman inspired in all she talked to.

"Did I startle you, Naruto?"

"Not at all, Lady Sarutobi. I was away with the Fairies for a moment there."

"I did not mean to be an inconvenience. My husband was commandeered by some overweight officials and I don't think he will be back any time in the near future."

There was hesitance tugging at Kurenai's features, not content to let her be civil so easily.

"Naruto, you know I am not one to pry but have you any idea as to what has made Konohamaru so jumpy lately? It's really quite distressing."

"It's not for me to say, I'm sorry, Lady Sarutobi."

Naruto's eyes had found the comfort of the floor, as they often did when he felt like he was letting someone down. He always strived to keep his word, if he couldn't do something as simple as that, what kind of gentleman would he be?

"No, no, I understand. It's fine, Naruto."

Before the gardener realised the potential awkward turn of the conversation the usual background hum of conversation that had accompanied the orchestra hushed. Even the murmuring of the young Akamichi's fiancé Ino died when the new arrivals entered.

Unlike the others gathered around him, Naruto's attention was not captured by the composed and slightly foreboding patriarch of the Hyuuga family, nor the proud and equally composed daughter that stood by his side, subtly scanning the crowd for something- someone. No, Naruto had been snared by the older of the two sisters, who had entered behind her father and sibling, chatting animatedly with a brunette as she entered.  Her smile could warm even the coldest of hearts. When it faded with her conversation as she entered he fought with the temptation to do something utterly ridiculous- anything to make her smile.

He knew he was staring but he just... he couldn't stop. She looked like she'd been pulled out of a fairytale.  Her eyes swept across the silent audience, as if she knew someone was looking passed the protective wall of her family.

In an instant, astonished lavender met adoring blue.

It was one of those moments when the entire world seemed to stop and speed up at the same time. The brief connection seemed to last far longer and yet the more Naruto tried to grasp it the faster it slipped away. The nameless beauty had blushed a shade of red that clashed viciously with her white dress' purple accents and Naruto found himself wondering if it would reach even the base of her tiara- a very expensive looking white gold headpiece studded with diamonds in curved patterns.

She was now staring at the announcer as if her life depended on it, leaving Naruto to feel a sense of loss. He wanted- no, needed her to look at him again.

Deafened to everything around him as the conversations started up again, he noticed only the graceful way she glided down the stairs behind the rest of her family and how the loose tendrils of her hair framed her porcelain face perfectly.

He was so enraptured by her presence that Konohamaru, in order to make him break his gaze away, had to borrow a nearby chair, stand on it and yell into his left ear various threats involving three chickens, a spoon and seven rolls of dishcloth.

"You called her plain." The statement was quiet and almost calm as it left Naruto's mouth but something sparked deep in his eyes.

"YOU CALLED HER PLAIN!"

At this point the young master was watching calmly as Naruto yelled an inch from his face. A few heads had swivelled as Naruto turned to face him but were now more concerned with Kurenai who had walked off minus a husband, something much more fitting to shove through the rumour mill.

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As soon as the mass of upper class men and women had stopped staring at the new arrivals, Hanabi had bid farewell to her father and dragged Hinata away once his back had turned.

"I spotted the young Sarutobi with a blond friend. You will need to distract him so I can get closer. Do not forget the plan, Sister."

The Hyuuga heiress couldn't help but feel this was the best and worst thing that could have happened. Hanabi had made it so she couldn't back out and had to talk to him but... Hanabi had made it so she couldn't back out and had to talk to him. Curse her shyness!

I'm going to have to play it by ear... I hope this works out as well as we planned... or roughly planned.

Hanabi had her part down to the last flutter of her eyelashes but had only told her "dear sister", that she was to distract anyone who was making conversation with her sister's soon to be fiancé, even if he didn't know it yet.

After an exchange of nods in understanding Hinata started to make her way through the crowd, politely making conversation when stopped by associates of her father's, the associates that would one day become part of her business empire, all the while thinking about how to approach the blond stranger.

I... I'll offer him a drink. No, that wouldn't work. I will just have to make myself talk... Somehow. If I get on his good side and invite him out to the garden then Hanabi should have enough time to get to Mr. Sarutobi.

I wonder where his companion is...

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Naruto was at a loss of what to do. The lavender-eyed beauty had disappeared and after almost knocking over half a dozen people he decided he needed a higher vantage point.

If I went past the dancers and up those steps then I would be able to see more of the room. Besides people are looking at me weirdly. So I piled up a few... or a dozen chairs, I needed them to make a pyramid. Duh. Silly aristocrats. I bet-

His very important thoughts were interrupted as he collided with a fellow guest. He automatically caught them round the waist before they were off balanced due to his larger size. He didn't expect to come to his senses as he stared into the surprised lavender eyes of his nameless beauty who only stammered incoherently.

Realising their close proximity, Naruto released her from where she was forced almost flat against his chest, missing the warmth immediately.

"I'm so, so sorry, Miss. I-I-"

"N-no! It... Uh...G-good evening, Sir."

They both stopped. Neither had planned for this but the same thought passed though their minds.

Now what do I do. They must think I'm an idiot!

It wasn't the best way to meet each other for the first time but both of them would definitely remember it.