Title: Flying To His Arms
Rating: T
Characters / Pairings: Sasuke-Hinata
Genre: Romance
Warnings: AU. Slightly OOC.
Summary: Sasuke had been giving me secretive glances or smiles. But he was my brother's best friend, my teacher as well and ten years older than me. So far I had lived in denial, but he was persistent. AU
Disclaimer: Naruto isn't mine to begin with. I own nothing except the plot.
…
Chapter 1
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For me, Sasuke Uchiha was not a stranger. That black haired guy was my brother's best friend. Sure Neji often brought friends home but the Uchiha visited more than them. Usually they studied together or just had some discussion over some matters. That had been going on for years. I could not remember since when my brother and him had been friends, but as long as I remember, they always were.
Sometimes Sasuke acknowledged me by nodding his head or nonchalantly waved. In return, I would bow. Of course that was just a formality. Wasn't it a common sense to be polite to your best friend's younger sister and to your brother's best friend? In fact, Sasuke and I never really talked. That was okay, I often thought and shrugged, because I didn't know what kind of topic to talk with someone who was ten years older than me. Neji was the same age as him but he was my brother, so it was different.
Every time Sasuke or Neji's other friends were here, mother always asked me to bring snacks or drinks for them. Once she told me that maybe by meeting some of his friends would gradually cure my major weakness: shyness. I was too shy for her liking, she said. Though I had a thought that it was no use. As soon as I was done delivering the food, I would promptly go back to my room instead of staying and talking to them.
But Neji understood me better. The moment he spotted me holding a tray full of food or beverage, he would hastily get up and help me even though I wasn't a wobbly and clumsy seven year old girl anymore. Right, I had been the 'delivery girl' since that age.
Despite of the cool demeanor he always wore, Neji had a soft spot for me. After getting the tray, he would fondly ruffle my hair, made it a bit messy and then said thank you. Just like at that particular evening when Sasuke was here.
"Brother, I'm fourteen. You should stop doing it," I protested.
Neji only chuckled. He was way taller than me so I couldn't do the same to his long hair. Mine was indigo and his was coffee brown.
I was retrieving the tray and ready to go back to the kitchen when a grunt was heard.
"Thank you, Hinata," Sasuke grunted. He glance up at me from his seat.
I was agape. It's not very often that Sasuke spoke to me, so it's not surprising if I was deeply surprised. "Y-you're welcome," I replied awkwardly.
Instead of going back to read the newspaper he had in his hands, the raven man kept his gaze at me and slightly smiled. I felt mesmerized. I could feel a blush crept up my neck and cheeks. "You're in grade ninth, aren't you?" he asked.
"Uh, yes, I am," I answered.
Neji slung an arm over my shoulders and exactly dragged me down to sit with him on the sofa. "In less than a year Hinata will graduate and be a senior high student," he spoke to Sasuke. "Believe me, Little Sister, time flies very fast," he kindly averted his eyes on me.
"Really?" Frankly, being in the last year in junior high really made me extremely nervous. I knew many important exams were coming and the students were expected to study harder to pass the final tests.
"I can tutor you," Sasuke unexpectedly offered.
I was incredibly grateful my jaw was not widely open. But one thing I was positively sure: I was gawking. My mouth was slightly open, no doubt about that. Sasuke, this Sasuke Uchiha, Konoha's Iceberg, who happened to be one of the most gorgeous men alive –according to people, not me-, gave me the offer? Unbelievable! He was not close with me. In fact, we're not friends. That made me think it's kinda odd that he proposed to help me in studying. But of course regarding that I was his best friend's sister might count.
"Says the true teacher," Neji poked my shoulder. There was a hint of amusement in his deep voice.
Neji and Sasuke had studied in the same university, the same faculty but different department. My brother had chosen Chemist while the Uchiha had Math. After graduating, Neji worked in the family's company, Hyuuga Corp. Sasuke applied a job as a teacher. A Math teacher to be more precise. At the age of twenty four, both men had already worked for two years.
I didn't know whether I should accept the offer or simply rejected it. I could already imagine how my best friends' reaction: both Ino and Sakura would squeal in their high pitched voices if they knew their idol lent his hands for me. They would be thrilled and envy at the same time, I could envision that. Moreover, Sasuke was one of the reasons they would apply to Konoha High since the man taught there.
The said man averted his obsidian orbs at me, subtly wanted to hear my answer. I felt uncomfortable so I fondled my fingers uneasily and looked at Neji. My brother was more than capable of helping me. He was as smart as his friend. But I realized, rejecting Sasuke right away sounded rude. I might be only fourteen but I knew mannerism.
"Thank you," finally I spoke. My voice was small he might have difficulty hearing it. But thankfully my beloved brother saved me.
"But I think you'll be very busy, Sasuke," Neji told him. "I know you teach in many hours. Not to mention you're also a homeroom teacher. So, let me take the responsibility. I, too, don't want my precious sister to fail in exams."
Neji got up to turn on the TV across the room. I exhaled a relieved breath. In doing so, I caught Sasuke's gaze. In a sudden I felt a butterfly in my stomach.
Lately Sasuke had been giving me secretive glances or smiles. He wasn't as cold as he used to be. The guy whom I had known since he was a boy until now turn to a man often invited me in conversation. As a clumsy teenager, I felt queasy, but inwardly I reminded myself that maybe he just tried to be more familiar with his best friends' younger sister. To be more friendly. I didn't think he thought about me in a romantic way. I was a decade younger than him. Besides, for a handsome man like the raven man, he was definitely surrounded by thousands of beautiful and cute women who clung to his long arms like leeches.
"You have a really cute sister, Neji," Sasuke casually said. His eyes never left me.
Now, this really startled me. I never thought the pale man would tell that to my brother. I didn't know why but hearing him flattering that I was cute made me blush profusely. If my brother was also surprised, he didn't express it. Maybe Neji thought his friend just teased me, I bashfully thought.
"Very true," Neji nodded in agreement. He smiled proudly at me.
…
There were too many things to worry about, so any thoughts about Sasuke gradually went to the far back of my minds. Exams, school crams and assignments were all I concerned about. That made my schedule tight. Effectively I rarely met Sasuke. Sometimes he came to my house when my brother threw a party. I tried my hardest to avoid him but he seemed to find ways to be near me. Without any questions he would help me with the food or beverage. In the middle of the party he asked me about school and I only gave short and brief answers.
Occasionally he asked Neji about me. I knew this because my brother told me so. Well, Neji was my brother and best friend but I could not confess to him that the Uchiha man made me feel weird. He made my heart beat faster and my face filled with color when he was around. I didn't want Neji to think anything about me or Sasuke. I wouldn't stand it if he thought I liked Sasuke, just like many women did, because I didn't. I really didn't.
I believed my brother assumed it just normal when Sasuke gave me books through him. Since the man was a teacher, the copies he gave me were all about material and exams. I was secretly touched by his attention.
When the final exams were coming, I indulged myself in studying intensely, more than before. My days were spent around school, cram school and home. One night Neji peaked to my room and told me that Sasuke sent his regard and wished me luck. I smiled faintly and thanked his kindness.
I could pass all of the tests with flying colors, thanks to Neji who had tutored me and managed to do so between his time and to my great effort as well. I graduated from secondary school and then enrolled Konoha High. My family decided to hold a huge dinner. Since Neji told mother that Sasuke had also helped me by giving me books and copies of try out exams, the teacher was invited. He would be my teacher someday, I could feel it.
"Congratulation. You have studied hard, Hinata. It is alright if you loosen up a bit," he gave me a small smile.
Mother was perked when she overheard it. "Sasuke's right, dear," she exclaimed merrily. "It's time to give some rewards for yourself."
I knew their intention was good, but I feel cornered. "I'm alright," I softly replied. Having finished exams made me slightly overwhelmed. I felt exhausted to the extreme.
"Let me treat you to a movie," Sasuke said after elegantly swallowing his tomato juice.
I was plainly stunned. Going to a movie? With Sasuke? Didn't it sound like a date? I was anxious.
"Me, Neji and you," Sasuke continued. He smiled. I had a feeling that he knew what was going on in my minds.
My smile faltered. Half of me was relieved and the other half was vaguely disappointed. Did I actually expect that it would be just me and him? I instantly shook that thought away. Besides, he had been very kind to me, in his own way. For this time, I complied. "Thank you, Sasuke-san. When will we go?"
"How about this weekend? Are you free?" Sasuke asked Neji, who was sitting beside him. The Uchiha man didn't need to ask me since it was a common knowledge that I had some days off before the school started.
"Yes, I am." Neji nodded.
Sasuke looked pleased. He turned to me. "I think I should tell you this. It's a fat chance that I will teach you. So, see you in class in a couple of days, Hinata."
I froze.
…
TBC
A/N: One more chapter to go I guess. Happy reading.