"Sasuke!" A little girl exclaimed struggling through tears. She ran into the said Uchiha's arms and he held her tight.

"What's wrong, Hina-Hime?" Sasuke looked at her pouting face. They were both merely ten years of age, and best friends.

"Father said I can't be friends with you anymore." More tears cascaded down the Hyuga heiress' face. Sasuke wiped them away gently with his thumb. Everyone in the village, (Except the fan girls) thought Sasuke was a heartless, cold boy. But Hinata knew the truth. What Sasuke put on was all a show. Deep down he wanted to be loved, he was a compassionate person who just wished for his family back. He wanted friends but was afraid that if he had friends, Itachi would hurt them again.

Hinata shared his pain. Her father didn't accept her; she was a weak excuse for a heir to the Hyuga clan line.

"It'll be ok, I promise!" Sasuke hugged his best friend tight. "I don't want you to get in trouble. Go home, Hina-Hime." This was the last time Sasuke had called her princess.

Six years later

Hinata was sixteen now. She hadn't seen Sasuke in ages, ever since they were ten. He hadn't spoken to her for that long, let alone acknowledge her. He knew that if he did, it would get back to her father Hiashi Hyuga and his Best friend would be in the worst trouble imaginable.

Hinata drug the brush through her long beautiful hair one more time. Today Sasuke came back to the village. He had been gone for three long years, and she had missed seeing his face terribly. How would Sasuke act towards Hinata? Would he talk to her? Announce that she was his best friend and he missed her? Would he even remember her let alone recognize her?

She set the golden brush down on her dresser with a soft clink, checked her appearance one more time and set off for the gates of the hidden leaf.

"Hinata-Chan!" The dog-boy Kiba exclaimed upon seeing the shy Hyuga walking his way. Shino briefly turned his head too.

"K-Kiba-Kun, Shino-k-kun, Good m-morning." Hinata stuttered. It was an age old habit of hers; she never used to stutter around Sasuke though.

"Ready for the dick to come home?" Kiba asked snottily. He hated Sasuke, for reasons unknown to Hinata.

"Kiba-kun that's not nice to say." Hinata looked at Kiba with a bit of protection in her eyes.

"You didn't stutter!" Kiba was surprised big time, even Akamaru tilted his head to the side and let out a loud bark.

"Why so protective over Uchiha?" Shino took a step towards Hinata. "Is their something we don't know?"

"N-No of course not…" Hinata looked at the ground and fiddled with her fingers. She looked around, not many people were here. Sasuke's remaining fan girls, the council and Tsunande mostly. Not many people liked Sasuke now that he had left the village and joined Orochimaru. Naruto had to get him back by force, but Sasuke eventually agreed.

Suddenly the gates opened and Naruto and the now completer team seven entered. Sasuke was in the sound outfit he had worn for the years, his bare chest showed. He looked down at the ground not acknowledging the screaming fan girls, but as he passed the silent awestruck Hinata, his eyes darted up he gave her the old genuine, Sasuke smile and whispered, "Hello, Princess."

Hinata gasped, her eyes followed the Uchiha avenger as he was led away by Tsunade and the council. Fortunately, no one had heard his little remark.

Hinata punched the pole in the training grounds. She had gotten a lot stronger over the years. She kicked it, faked a duck and punched again. She was saving her chakra, not using the Hyuga clan jutsu's while training. She had mastered them so well she didn't need to practice them extra.

"Hinata." The deep voice sliced through her thoughts like a katana blade.

Hinata turned slowly to see the Uchiha traitor leaned against a tree. She immediately took in his features. Sasuke's hair was longer, not too long but a good inch or two. He looked more like a man than a kid, his muscles more distinguished.

"Done staring?" Hinata pulled her eyes away from his body and looked him in the eyes. His eyes were dark and mysterious.

"You're back." Hinata couldn't find many words, she was just happy she was still able to talk to him without stuttering.

"State the obvious, princess." Sasuke used the old nickname he had called her so many times.

"You're not afraid to be my friend?" Hinata took one step towards the Uchiha. She wanted to run and hug her old friends; her best friend.

"I should ask you that." He returned softly as he pushed him self away from the tree that he was resting on.

"The village doesn't trust me. That must mean your Father hates me more than he used to huh?" Sasuke stopped about a foot in front of her. He looked at her but she looked at the ground.

"Right," Hinata looked up into his eyes. "But I don't care. I've had to live without my best friend for six years and I can't do it any longer." With those words she flung herself into his warm arms. At first Sasuke was surprised but he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. Just like when they were little kids.

"I'm touched." Sasuke whispered into her ear with his old playful fake sarcasm.

Hinata laughed and punched his arm playfully.

"Ouch!" He grabbed his arm and pouted. "That hurt! You must have been working out. You actually do look more muscular and manly."

Hinata gasped and while laughing she hit him again. They both broke into fits of uncontrollable laughter. They sat down and joked and caught up with eachother. They were friends again. Best friends.

"Were you with that Uchiha kid?" Hinabi whispered as she entered Hinata's room.

"What's it to you?" There was always competition between the two Hyuga girls. Hinata wasn't about to lose her best friend again.

"Both you and the Uchiha disappeared for a couple of hours, and reappeared at the same time. I'm not stupid sis."

Hinata ignored her little sister and instead turned the stereo on.

…I said Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone,

I've been waiting; all that's left to do is run,

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess, it's a love story

Baby, just say yes…

Hinata began singing with her favorite song; little did she know what a big part it would have in her relationship with her best friend.

Romeo save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel.

This love is different, but it's real

Don't be afraid we'll make it out of this mess

It's a love story, baby, just say yes…

Glancing at the clock Hinata discovered that she had boon gone for quite a while. It was now eleven at night, shooing Hinabi out of her room, Hinata sang along with the rest of her favorite song and then drifted of to sleep, her dreams filled with princes and princesses.

Hinata slurped her ramen, and Naruto sat beside her.

"Hey, Hinata. I didn't know you liked Ramen." The blonde boy smiled and ordered some ramen of his own.

"Not too many people are happy that Sasuke-Teme's back in town." Said Naruto as he broke apart a pair of chopsticks.

Hinata blushed and looked at the nine-tailed fox vessel. She had liked this boy for so long, but he never seemed to notice. It was as if he was oblivious to everyone, except Sakura.

"Hey, there's a party comin' up. Would you like to go with me Hinata?" Naruto asked suddenly, breaking Hinata's train of thought.

"Yes!" She exclaimed suddenly, all shyness left behind. Then she realized just how she had said it and blushed, shrinking back a bit from Naruto.

Naruto grinned, a big mischievous smile, and got up from his seat. "I'll pick you up at eight tonight, 'kay?" Hinata nodded her head vigorously at this. Smiling one last time, Naruto took off.

"He invited me to Ino's party." Hinata hung upside down on Temari's hotel bed.

Temari was Hinata's other best friend. She was always there for her and had stuck up for Hinata throughout the years, but Temari lived in Suna so Hinata didn't get to see her a lot.

"That's great! How long have you liked him?"

"A long time…" Hinata admitted, blushing.