AN: A bit shorter than usual, and more of a character-bonding chappie. I promise to have more action in the next one!

Chapter 3. The Real Her

"So not sexy!" Hinata gasped at Sasuke's sudden outburst again. It wasn't the first time he complained about her looks, and there were still times like this when he'd just have sudden outbursts like this. And there was the discussion again. "I'm growing tired of this. Why do you have to look like… that?! You look even worse than my high school history teacher," Sasuke hissed at his secretary. Hinata wasn't prepared for him to walk over to her and bend over her in an intimidating way.

"W-well sorry f-for not being sexy…" Hinata said with a blush, avoiding eye contact nervously. "B-but like I told you before, even if I'd put effort to… I would have my limitations…" Hinata continued, and she nervously gazed back at him again. She squeaked and leaned back when Sasuke suddenly leaned even closer, clasping her chin between his finger and thumb and forcing her to look at him.

"You know what I think? I think you're a little liar who has the guts to fool her almighty boss. These glasses don't even look real…" He reached out, and Hinata was just in time to pull back because he did an attempt at snatching her glasses from her.

"S-stop it director. I need my glasses or I'll g-get headaches b-because of using the computer so much and –" Sasuke interrupted her by laughing. "Headaches?" He laughed. "Then what about your hair? I think pulling in a tight, ugly bun like that would be anything but comfortable. Doesn't that give you headaches?" Hinata mumbled something inaudible and turned her attention back at her computer again without responding. She wondered why he went on about it now… Normally he would complain about her looks, why go on about it now? Maybe because he drank her blood, and he was feeling ashamed because he drank the blood of a not-sexy-looking woman? She didn't understand, but he was really putting her in a difficult position right now. She couldn't be his secretary without her secretary-cover, because if he knew what she really looked like… She shook her head at the thought. People considered the director's secretary as the face of the company, so how could she go out looking like a young teenage girl?

Sasuke smirked at her troubled expression and gave up for now. He was getting more curious each day as to why that woman had to pull off such a show. Nowadays no one looked like… that. And especially after he drank her blood, he had grown more and more curious… Her skin was so soft and smooth, and her blood had been so delicious... He was almost sure she had to be pretty.

Hinata caught him staring at her and with a boiling head she tried to ignore him. She was already nervous around him ever since the time he drank her blood. How could this bastard awaken such… feelings inside her? The feeling of a vampire bite... She moaned and buried her face in her hands for a moment. Why was she remembering it anyway? Wasn't it common for women to suffer from amnesia after a bite of his? Why wasn't she? Damn it. She still didn't understand after all.

oOo

"I brought you tea!" Hinata chirped. and her heart made a jump when Itachi turned and smiled at her. "Thanks, Hyuuga-san," He said with his gentle voice. Itachi was visiting Sasuke and they were having a talk in Sasuke's private room. Hinata admitted to herself that she was excited. She had figured Itachi couldn't be a vampire because he had no trouble with exposing himself to direct sunlight. It sure seemed complicated, but she didn't dare to ask. Sasuke was a vampire, his brother wasn't… Hinata always wondered why the brothers didn't seem to get along, but somehow this could be the explanation. Maybe Sasuke was feeling inferior because he was strange…? No, that was not Sasuke-like. Probably the opposite. Feeling superior and not wanting to deal with lowly humans. She could literally hear him say it in her imagination. But then again, Itachi was just… too perfect. Sasuke being jealous was also an option.

"Hyuuga," Sasuke's voice was as loud as a gun shot, and it appeared he had been calling her name for a while now. "A-ah yes!" She squeaked and she bowed quickly, murmuring an apology. How could she doze off like this in front of Itachi? How embarrassing! She had been standing there like an idiot, waiting for Sasuke's next order and not even responding to his words.

"You can leave us alone for a moment" Sasuke said. "Alright, sir." Hinata bowed politel, quickly smiled shyly at Itachi and walked back towards the door, relieved it was more like a request than his usual "Hyuuga, out!", which he used to say a lot when she had to leave him alone. Maybe he was becoming nicer after all. Hinata almost laughed at those thoughts. Just when she wanted to shut the door she heard an outburst.

"Fuck damn it! Find out who did this!" Sasuke was angry again. Stopping the door from closing Hinata stood and listened to what the problem was. "It's not sure yet if they got it from us but –", "Are you an idiot? It is, without a doubt. Someone's framing us, it has to be. Look if any of our staff has connections with them," Sasuke grunted. What was going on? After hesitating for a bit, Hinata closed the door. She'd probably hear it later. When Itachi exited the room without Sasuke she got from her chair and looked at him with expecting eyes.

"What's the problem, sir?" She asked sweetly. "Oh nothing, don't you worry Hyuuga-san!" She was surprised when he patted her head and she blushed, but still offended that he wouldn't tell her. Itachi left and she gazed at the closed door. Sasuke sounded upset, was there a problem with the company?

Her question was answered by a newly published article on the staff members' website of the company. It seemed that their rival Haneda Company had produced a cologne with exactly their company's formula, though they denied theft or any relation to Uchiha Inc., and it was a big hit on the market. Sasuke, who was still fuming, exited his private room and entered the office.

"How did they find out?" Hinata asked. Sasuke looked at her and knew she read the article. "Doesn't matter. What does matter is catching the traitor. It's an employee's policy to keep the company's secrets secret. Someone's not doing so" He said. "M-maybe it was an accident?" She asked. Sasuke looked at her with piercing eyes. "Go out and check their product, Hyuuga. It's excellent, and exactly what our company was supposed to bring onto the market. That can't be an accident." He furiously typed something on his computer and then leaned back, stretching his neck. "Should I…" "No, stay out of this. Just do your job." He refused her offer to help before she could even finish. "Ah, okay…" Hinata sighed and continued her work.

That week, more and more about their stolen product came to the light, until Sasuke finally claimed they had a suspect. It appeared someone had a grudge against Sasuke and was all for getting him from his position as the director, and ruining his career as well as the company. This was only the start, but it was clear they had to do something before it would get worse.

"Director, it's time for your appointment at Haneda Company," Hinata said, and she handed him the report. "Are you going to talk the matter over with them?" She asked. "Just a sec." Sasuke answered his phone and Hinata noticed the change of his expression. "What?! Damn… No, I have a meeting with them in less than 30 minutes… No I can't, fuck.." Hinata nervously fiddled with the hem of her skirt. Sasuke was making her nervous with this behavior. Wasn't a director supposed to be polite? He really should do something about his language...

"Alright. No, don't. Tell him to stay there, I'll arrange something…" He finally hung up and Hinata almost jumped in shock when he suddenly eyed her. "Hyuuga. I have a mission for you" He said. "A m-mission?" She asked hesitantly. "I need you to go to Haneda's Department store in Odawara. You'll find a man there on the first floor. He has the contract papers and proof of the conspiracy between their company and our supposed employee. Got that?" He asked, and Hinata nodded. "They may not see you're from our company, so go in casual clothes. After you've claimed the papers, come to Haneda Headquarters where I'll have my meeting by 5 pm, you can't be late." Hinata repeated the words in her head and then nodded. "Yes sir!" Undercover secretary Hyuuga was on her way!

oOo

Hinata's long hair swayed behind her as she exited the department store. The stormy weather worried her, but she successfully claimed the papers! She started to run when a heavy rain storm decided to accompany the strong wind, and she called out for a taxi.

"Haneda Headquarters, as fast as possible!" She panted, and the driver did as she told him. Hinata's face got pale when they got stuck in a traffic jam, a couple of minutes later. "T-there really is no way?" She asked, but she knew the answer. "We're stuck young lady, there's nothing I can do," The driver said, and Hinata nervously checked the time. "T-then I have to go! Sorry!" She handed him some money and exited the taxi before the man could reply. If only she had brought her umbrella!

Sasuke sighed and rubbed his temples. These people really had no idea or were damn good liars, Hinata really had to come quickly or – one of the secretaries patted his shoulder and whispered that someone was there to see him. Alright that had to be her! "Would you please excuse me for a moment," He said politely, and he quickly left the room. But when he reached the hall, he couldn't see her.

"Hyuuga?" He called out. He looked around and then he saw that only one girl reacted. She seemed to be having trouble with a man, and she smiled brightly when she noticed Sasuke. "Ah, director!" She said, and Sasuke's heart stopped for a short moment. Who was this? Was this really his secretary? She was soaked from the rain and water was dripping from her long hair. She wasn't wearing her glasses and she looked… quite adorable. "Are you… Hyuuga?" He asked, walking over to her and she quickly bowed. "Y-yes, I'm sorry I'm so late! And looking like this…" The man who stood next to her also bowed at him. "I'm s-sorry sir," He said with an embarrassed face. "She looks no older than my daughter so I…" Both Hinata and the man looked surprised when Sasuke laughed. "It's fine, it's fine," He chuckled, and he gently grabbed Hinata by hy er shoulder and took her with him.

"Sir?" Hinata asked when Sasuke was still laughing. "Sorry, I think I finally know where your secretary-mask is coming from. I can't believe this is what you really look like," He said, and Hinata blushed. When they reached a quiet place Hinata quickly got the documents from her bag. "Here's what you ordered me to get, director." Sasuke accepted the files and gave her a smile.

"Good job. Wait for me in the car," He said, and he walked away. Hinata felt her red cheeks with her hands. He complimented her… And he didn't get angry about her looks… She giggled to herself and walked back outside. Maybe working for Sasuke wasn't that bad.

oOo

"You sure look different" Hinata looked up and saw Kiba's eyes in the reflection. "I'm sorry" She replied softly, but Kiba started to laugh. "Don't need to apologize. Is this your real look?" He asked, and Hinata nodded nervously.

"Are you… human?" She asked after an awkward silence, surprised by the words that escaped her mouth. What a rude question! Kiba laughed again and turned around with a smirk. "What do you think?" He grinned and Hinata nervously opened her mouth to respond when someone knocked the window.

"M-manager Uchiha?" Hinata stepped out of the car and greeted him nervously. "W-what are you doing here, sir?" She asked. She looked up at him and noticed he was looking at her with a surprised face. "Is that you, Hyuuga-san?" He asked, and Hinata blushed and nervously played with a strand of wet hair. "I'm sorry for looking so inappropriate…" She said, her cheeks burning because of the embarrassment. She was surprised when Itachi chuckled, and she blushed when he patted her head. "I can't believe it. My baby brother doesn't only have a capable secretary, but a really cute one as well!" He blinked at her and Hinata's heart was doing a happy dance.

"What are you doing here?" They both turned to see where the cold voice was coming from. Sasuke stood a few feet away from the car and he didn't have the same gentle look on his face as earlier. He looked annoyed and rather pissed.

"D-director! What's wrong? Did it not go well?" Hinata asked with a worried look. Sasuke ignored her and walked towards his brother. "Answer me. Why are you here?" He asked Itachi. "Chill man, I was just worried. Did the meeting go well? Is everything fixed?" Sasuke rolled his eyes at his brother's concern. "Yes, everything's fine so back off" He pushed Itachi away from the car and entered the car with a grumpy face. Hinata looked at Itachi with a worried face and shrugged. "It's okay. He's always like that, isn't he?" He waved at her and walked away.

Hinata nervously sat down in the car and gazed at Sasuke while Kiba started the car. "I'm g-glad it went well…" She whispered. "Don't aim too high," Sasuke said bluntly, and Hinata looked at him in confusion. "He may think you're cute but he's way out of your range." Hinata's eyes widened and she blushed. "Y-you heard?!" She asked. Sasuke ignored her question but looked her up and down, making her move uncomfortably. "So this is what you've been hiding under that secretary-mask. Even I was completely fooled… I had no idea what the real you was like, yet I trusted you…" Sasuke gazed out of the window and Hinata was a bit speechless.

"I'm sorry…" She whispered. Sasuke looked back at her and shrugged. "It's okay. I'm glad I finally found out. Cutie" He taunted and Hinata shook her head. "Please don't say that, sir!" She squeaked.

"And so your glasses were fake after all," He teased with a grin, leaning close to her face. "What happened to them anyway?" He asked when Hinata looked away with a blush. "I broke them on my way…" She mumbled, remembering the dumb way her glasses fell off in the rain storm and how she crushed it by accidentally standing on it. Sasuke smirked at her flushed face and patted her leg. "Alright, Kiba, drive us to an optician," He commanded, and Hinata looked up in surprise. "If you say you can do your work better with that mask of yours, then so be it. I'll buy them for you," Sasuke said, and Hinata never saw him in such a positive light. "But the condition is that I get to choose, and we'll get sexy ones this time!" He said, and Hinata giggled. They arrived at the optician and Hinata felt uncomfortable when people stared at them. She wondered if they looked like a couple…

"How about this one?" Hinata was surprised when Sasuke put some red colored glasses on her face and she gazed at herself in the mirror. "N-n-no I don't like this!" She squeaked. "Argh, then how about this one?" It continued like that for a while, but Hinata didn't like Sasuke's sexy-taste. In the end she won the battle and chose the exact same ones as she had before.

She giggled quietly at her sulking boss while he paid for the glasses. He turned to look at her and stuck his tongue out. Somehow the way he treated her had changed, just a little bit…