This was an idea that just sparked out of no where. I hope I'm not copying anyone else's idea, but it was near-genius when I first thought of it. Anyway, if you don't like it, I suggest you not reading it.

Anyway, this is a SasukexHinata fanfic, but I'm going to add a little spice in other pairings just to suffice me. For people who were reading Sakura Speaks, I'm sorry I couldn't get the latest chapter in. There's a bit of a thing called 'losing motivation'. But once I get my book back, I'll try my best to make an update for that story.

This story was set when the grand battle between Naruto and Sasuke turned out to be a different ending. Shockingly, Naruto had won the battle instead and brought Sasuke back to Konoha. And this takes place on what happens after.

DISCLAIMER: Unfortunately, I do not own Naruto or any corporation consisting of the series.

For whichever rationale there may be,
If the existence of emotional impact is true,
The establishment of a new season will blossom.
- C. M. Torres

The First
CHANGING SEASONS

The world is highly unfair.

It had to be the Hyuuga family's mission instead of a promising, obsessive fangirl's. But this was for the sake of someone vital to me, and I didn't want to fail him; I want him to know that he could trust me for anything that may come. If I can never reveal my masked emotions for that certain person in words, perhaps I shall show him a good deed. So I'll take this advantage to prove myself how worthy I am for Uzumaki Naruto. After all, it doesn't necessitate much but to baby-sit.

If babysitting means to watch over a perilous missing-nin the equivalent age as me with a heart made of glacial ice and steel.

I'm overly proud of Naruto-kun for winning the battle between his vengeful teammate, and I had absolutely no doubt at all he would be victorious, but the fairness in putting the situation in my family's hands is just unexpected and sudden. Of course, being one of the strongest clans in our village, it would make sense for us to guard a boy with pure obsession for power. On the plus side plus, Naruto-kun would be more than pleased if he saw progress through our mission, and Sakura wouldn't have to shed anymore distressing tears. It wasn't like I had a choice.

What does Sakura see in him? His pestilential, onyx eyes, his intimidating, stone-like figure, his arrogant, pompous attitude of his – I don't understand. Whenever I see the person, mostly around Naruto-kun, my legs have the need to shudder, and my eyes refuse to even glance at him. That's the reason as to why I don't interact with him at all, and I always try to speak to Naruto-kun for comfort and probable protection. Even if everyone else can bear being with him, I'm always hiding myself from his attention. Just realizing this makes me feel like a mouse, and this mission won't help a thing.

Not one bit.

"They're arriving today," A familiar voice interrupted my line of thought, "Are you ready?" It was only the afternoon, and I was already intimidated in meeting our arrival.

"Yes, father. I'm ready," I lied, standing up from the mat of the living room. I tried to look eager in front of Hiashi, but my worried eyes gave it away.

"Remember that this mission is highly important. Didn't you see how serious Tsunade-sama was?" How could I not forget? Her expression was as hard as stone when she informed us earlier. "The kid's teammates were full of worry. The girl looked like she was about to cry. Plus, Neji hasn't recovered yet from the wounds. It will be a lot harder around here," Hiashi sighed. The sound of my cousin's name made me flinched, but even if the negativity he still hold against me existed, I still worried about his recovery and everyone else's.

"I-I know, and I'm going to do my best no matter what." Was that a lie?

It was just the opening of spring. The air carried a fresh, garden scent that swiftly went by me when I unhurriedly opened the door to the front entrance of the Hyuuga mansion. Delighting my eyes were the cherry blossom trees which shaded our roofs and the clear, cerulean opening of the sky that brought along a couple of feathery, white friends. It was a miracle to see all the vibrant and pastel colors working together to make a beautiful scenery around us. I thought they would notice it too.

Hiashi didn't seem to notice much of our surroundings, as he ambled by my side watching impatiently on the road for our deliverance. Another creek from the door, and my tedious sibling, Hanabi, joined along with us; her usual pale face didn't show much expression for her first, official mission. It was surprising to me since she didn't even graduate yet that she acted so calm. Neither of them seemed to bother taking note of what spring had to bring.

"I really don't understand why we have to watch over this Uchiha kid." Hanabi muttered, sighing with unwilling anticipation. Her long, dark hair glowed from the rays of the sun as she stared straight at the road. At least I wasn't the only who didn't want to take this long-term mission.

My impatience rose as a stroke of cool wind made me huddle myself in the soft, tan furs of my jacket. I didn't like standing outside in silence waiting for someone that might not come. Just when I doubt they would show up, distant footsteps were heard, alerting me to adjust my standing posture, as three different people walked up our road.

"They're here," Hiashi whispered. I stiffened, as my nervousness kicked in.

Tsunade, very stern-looking, was one of the three who had her grip onto a resentful boy's arms. I looked at him for a minute. His appearance was just overwhelming; no doubt he was a beautiful person, but he turned as icy as ever. I chewed hard on lip as his devilish eyes glared straight at me melting my skin. I was locked in his glare afraid that if I look away, I'll lose my guard and he'll jump and attack me. My legs wanted to tremble, but I stayed as still as possible. Yet the feeling as if I was trapped in a dysphoria never drifted as I imagined myself running away into the security of my room. Shifting my senses, the beauty of spring's surroundings faded as everything turned back to winter.

"Ah, Sasuke. Say hello to the family you're going to be staying with for quite a long time," The third of the group relaxingly said, "Although, one of them is missing. Perhaps, it's because he was brutally injured for being part of the rescue team. Let's just say it's your entire fault," He finished grinning a carefree smile.

Sasuke's eyes shifted away from me towards his sensei, giving me a chance to calm myself from shattering apart. I predicted him to say something, but he never spoke a word. Not even a small grunt as he glared irately at the man.

"Kakashi, cut it out," Tsunade ordered. She turned to view us as she readied herself for a set of instructions she was about to give out. Tsunade started, "We'll have him stay here for as long until we see some progress. Don't let him out of your sight for a single second. There will be a lot of predicaments if he gets loose. I strained him from using chakra for a couple of days, so things will be a bit easier for you to take care of. He could have visitors as long as he stays inside. But he's not allowed outdoors or out of the house. Hiashi, we know very well that you're in charge."

He nodded his head, examining our reluctant visitor. Glancing at his eyes, I could see that he disapproved something about him. It was the exact expression he makes whenever I failed at something – it was almost starting to become a habit. I didn't want to think about it and quickly change the topic back to Sasuke. He didn't seem to glare at Hiashi or me, instead, towards the mansion. There was no reason for me to think that in his mind he was insulting my home, but nothing could stop me from thinking it.

"Hm. Any questions before I leave him here?" Tsunade asked reading any signs of querying that we may have.

"I do," Hiashi spoke up having her turn towards him. He took a glance at Sasuke before he continued, "What happens if Orochimaru or his people come back for him? What should we do?" That was a question which frightened me a little about the mission itself.

"I've already set up an ANBU team. They'll be keeping on eye on things and will alert us if they find anyone." I was a bit comforted for that small piece of information, but it seemed that Sasuke was growling. Tsunade continued, "If at any chance someone breaks out, hide him someplace where they can't find him. That's all I can do. I can't have the whole village locked down over some kid."

"Oh, and if he runs off on his own, then find him. You have the power to track things down," Kakashi added pointing to his eye informing us about the Byakugan. The rest of us nodded.

Tsunade searched us to see if we have any questions left then nodded at Kakashi. "Alright, I'll leave him with you. Come to me if you have any concerns," She finished off as she walked back down the road with Kakashi, leaving an Uchiha standing alone with a backpack strapped behind him. He didn't seem to glare anymore; he just stared – directly at us waiting for an action.

"Come inside," Hiashi told mostly to Sasuke as he stared back at him waiting for movement. Unhurriedly, Sasuke walked towards us as we went back to the mansion. For a minute, the four of us ambled inside the house in uncomfortable silence. I couldn't help but fidget with my fingers – a horrible habit I produced. Since I was the last one to get inside, I closed the door behind me not sure what to expect once we're in.

"Hinata." This was the first time my name was ever mentioned today.

"Yes, father?" If it was some sort of task that will free me from feeling the presence of the Uchiha, then I was willing to get away as soon as possible.

"I'm busy organizing some paper work out from the hospital. Show our guest to the available room we have, and keep an eye on him. You can give him a tour around the mansion if you want," He requested. This wasn't exactly what I hoped for.

"But father…I-I don't-"

His intimidating, stern voice cut me off from finishing my incomplete excuse. "What is the issue in that? Hinata, this is a rather long mission, and I wouldn't want to start it out poorly. Are you too frail to walk a small distance to the guest room? I have no time for shame. Do as you've been told," Hiashi said bitterly.

I looked down at my feet offended by his comment. "Yes, father," I mumbled timidly. There was no need to tag Sasuke to follow me, as he was already near me waiting. There was a little hint of curiosity at his acidic stare, but I didn't let it bother me. It was another uncomfortable walk from the living room towards the guest room.

The room was empty. The sun glazed from the window upon a flat mat on the wooden floor placed in the center. Placed on the mat were a pillow and a medium sized blanket; it reminded me of something I used to sleep on when I was young. On the right side were shelves which had a small mirror on top of it. To the left of the mat, a sturdy, mahogany desk stood carrying several books of historical information mostly about the Hyuuga clan. One the other side of the room was a small closet with a broken door filled with a few hangers. Of course, the room had things inside it, but it was empty because I had no memory of it. Yet the mansion was large, and the hallways were always dim to see. I didn't have time to memorize every room in every hallway.

"U-uh, this is your room. Sorry if it's a little s-small. I just cleaned it up y-yesterday," I uncontrollably stuttered.

Sasuke examined the room eyeing peculiarly at the mat. His eyebrows were knit, and his eyes were still and stayed focused as if he was having a premonition. I sensed the fact that he loathed the mat which makes things more difficult than it already was. Still, he didn't say a word as he walked past me and sat on a chair near the desk. He threw his backpack on the mat then leaned on the desk putting his hands around his forehead.

I knew there was more silence awaiting us, and I didn't want to encourage it. Walking towards the window, I opened the latch letting a cool breeze inside which relaxed my tense skin. I noticed the air was colder than it was a few minutes ago and that it wasn't as bright as it was before. Sasuke didn't seem to mind so I left it open and stared out into the sky. To my disappointment, the clouds were coming in obscuring the sun, and I knew that it would rain this afternoon.

There was a ruffling sound, and I didn't know where it was coming from until I looked around to see him up from his chair and unpacking. He didn't look at me when I stared back at him as he took a set of clothes, and put it inside one of the drawers inside the shelves. Noticing this, I could tell that he wasn't planning on escaping…yet. The thought of that comforted me a bit.

"Hey…uh, do you need any help packing? Of course, y-you also need to know where the bathroom is located." I weakly tried to socialize but his presence was still overwhelmingly uncomfortable, and my words ran off too quickly for someone to be able to comprehend without pausing.

Sasuke paused for a moment, but then he started again with the rustling sounds of his items and placed them in the spots he chose. It was obvious that he had no intent on saying anything, and as troubling as it is for me, I respected his wishes. Things would have been more convoluted if I started to irritate him, and that was the least thing I wanted.

For several minutes, I watched him walk back and forth, at the same time watching the view over the cracked glass of the window. I was clinging onto the few blue cracks in the sky for some hope that the sky wouldn't shower. But I knew that the afternoon was coming and that the cracks would soon be filled with gray puffs of cold water. Dissatisfied, I quickly gave up, and brought my eyes back to Sasuke who seemed finished in what he was doing.

"Hey, umm, are you finished? I need to make lunch, and well…you should come along. Because the rules I think…we can't keep you out of sight." I was proud of myself for finishing without a single shutter.

I noticed how his expression changed from hatred to nothing. He closed his eyes slowly and nodded his head without a word. Confused and a bit paranoid, I walked back into the hallway as he walked to follow me. Even if his chakra was sealed, it was nerve-racking to have him behind me as he could make a sudden attack at any second. I hurried my pace to get to the kitchen.

The kitchen was small, dim, but it was durable; it had all the compartments it needed in a petite-sized room. I usually find myself in the kitchen the most since I'm the one who usually cooks the meals everyday. It was my own quiet, little space for me to think clearly while doing something that isn't wasting time. Sadly, today wasn't one of those days where I could relax with my culinary arts.

"Here's the kitchen. I-I suppose you want me to cook something in particular. What will I be?" I tried to sound cheery like Sakura always sounds when she's around him. It brought me to think on how she's capable on acting so optimistic – especially around him.

"Hn."

Ah, so finally his arrogance and narcissism brought him to articulate. I was surprised actually that he spoke at all, thinking that he might have stayed silent throughout the day. It was a mere syllable – not even a word – which didn't help much to my query. I figured that I'll have to decide myself.

"Well, uh, how about okonomiyaki bread? I'll make everyone some…" I already had my hands on a couple of vegetables and some flour, ready to cook.

Making the dough wasn't difficult, but cutting the vegetables was. I didn't have a proper, clean cutting board, so I used the placemat close to me instead. Turning around to get something in the shelf, I noticed Sasuke examining my cooking. His expression was unreadable, but I was glad that he didn't look annoyed or impatient. Shortly, I understood why his eyes kept locked onto me; he was studying to see how well I cook.

After I finished making the bread and placed them in the oven, Hanabi stepped into the kitchen. "The Uchiha has an early visitor," she muttered.

"Sasuke-kun! Are you in there?" A vexed voice was heard from a distance. The voice kept repeating his name like an echo.

Just then, a girl with moist, pastel hair holding a pink umbrella sparked her olive orbs at the sinister, conceited man standing in the corner.

I stood up. "Umm, hey…Sakura-chan."

Sasuke gets an unexpected – or rather really expected – visitor. Will Sakura ease things up for Hinata to handle, or will things go crashing down like the thunder storm? Patience is a virtue that will lead the writer to hypocrisy.

I really, really want to try my best and update this story. But school and school and don't forget school is driving me insane. I get inspired to write more by reasonable responses as to why SasukexHinata is so lovable. -hint-

So please review as much as you need!