[Prologue - Two Months prior]

Hinata was sweating, and tired. Her breathing heavy, as she spun on her toes.

It hurt to move. To hear this music. To watch herself in the wall of mirrors, as her muscles contracted and loosed in familiar patterns. Choreography, that had been etched in her being, harder than words on the stone. She hated it now. It was so sudden, so unexpected, like being struck by lightning, but Hinata hated dancing now. Dancing was the abstract medium between herself and the afterlife of love, that had been her everything. Before it had been her means of release, expression, hope. It could still be those things, Hinata knew it truly could, but right now all she could see was how much it hurt. How much she hated it, because it reminded her of him, but she danced anyway. The pain in her limbs feeding her memory. Serving as a physical reminder, that helped her picture their time in this very spot-together. Making it all real and gone in an instant, like it had been nothing but a mere figment of her imagination.

The bass boomed in her blood as Hinata rocked, hitting every beat as hard as she could. It all flowed like the blood through her veins, as she twisted and turned, she could see it all in her mind's eye, unable to help the tears streaming down her face. Focus didn't allow her to wipe them as they spread across the floor.

They did nothing to truly obstruct her vision because Hinata could still see him as if he was actually in the room. His ghost fluttering behind, mimicking the same moves, red hair shining, as his smile beamed. Hinata could even hear his laugh, filling the air over the rhythm from the speakers.

"You're doing good baby, keep going."

A sob ripped from her throat, a heartbreaking sound even to her own ears, but she continued to move. Turning to take her next leap.

Hinata giggled, cuddling closer in the bed, playing at their interlaced fingers. "What do you love most about my dancing?"

Naruto huffed dramatically as he put on a perplexed expression as if he truly had to think about it and Hinata laughed again,

"Naruto, I'm serious."

Naruto released his own laugh before turning back, placing a soft kiss on Hinata's lips: "Okay, okay. I really love how you always look like you're free…like you're flying."

Hinata smiled. "Really?"

Naruto nodded, taking up the action of playing with their fingers in Hinata's distraction. "Of course. I wouldn't lie to you, babe."

The memory hit Hinata hard because he had been. Naruto had been lying to her the whole time. Her thoughts made her lose focus mid-air, and Hinata came down landing wrong. Her ankle twisted, and she rolled to the floor grasping at it. She cried out in pain and frustration. Her throat, burning from the never-ending sobs.

Close, ooh (Ooh)

Oh, so close, ooh

I want you close, ooh

Cause space was just a word made up by

Someone who's afraid to get

Why did he leave? Why hadn't Hinata been good enough?

The song was ending, but Hinata continued to lay on the floor, breathing heavily, ankle throbbing as the tears gushed down sideways, off her cheeks. They flooded her ears, creating pools, that overflowed to the ground. She felt another sob crawling up her throat, making it so hard to breathe.

"I love you, but I just can't do this anymore."

"If you loved me…why'd you leave me?", Hinata whispered aloud.

Close, ooh

I want you close, ooh

I want you close, close, and close ain't close enough, no

The music had died and she stared at herself, laid out on the floor, within the long mirrored wall.

She already knew the answer.

Naruto had been loving someone else.

[The Beginning]

I.

"What the—where the hell did I put my keys?!"

Hinata went through this every day after class. She could never find her keys in the mess of a shoulder bag, which she had a habit of throwing them in. Coming down the main staircase, searching for them, wasn't the greatest idea either. Which was probably, why she ran into someone. She ended up flat on her butt, everything flying out of her bag, scattering onto the floor, while hissing through her teeth. This would most definitely leave a bruise.

"I. Am. So. Sorry. I'm such a klutz. It's disastrous, sometimes. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, 'cause I was looking for my keys, but that's no excuse, and I'm sorry—."

She was rambling, crawling around on the floor, trying to pick up her books. She had started to pick up various color pencils- that she knew didn't belong to her when she finally looked up at the person she so rudely ran over.

For just a moment, Hinata was stunned into silence, as the first thing she noticed was the guy's eyes. Within just those few moments, it was easy for Hinata to tell, that the man was observant. He was holding Hinata's gaze intimidatingly, with a silent, yet domineering aura, and he still hadn't said anything. He continued to pick up the colored pencils, along with his sketchbook and canvas, as Hinata watched him unabashedly. If his materials weren't enough to scream tortured artist, then the grim expression, along with the graphite smudges on his right hand, and the leather jacket, and all black outfit had to be major indications.

When he righted, Hinata followed, handing him the coloring pencils, opening her mouth, while sputtering apologies again.

"I'm sorry, I hope I didn't mess anything up. I—"

"It's fine."

His voice was deep and gravelly, nothing like anything Hinata had heard before. She felt compelled to listen. Desired to hear more. Under the cold shock of those feelings, like ice in his veins, Hinata looked down, biting at her bottom lip. The guy must have mistaken the gesture for shame under his rebuking tone, because he offered more, as Hinata began to contemplate.

"I wasn't paying attention either. So, it's just as much my fault.." His voice was slightly softer now, and Hinata nodded, looking back up. Seeing, that Hinata was no longer offended, the guy moved around her without another word, continuing on his way, as if nothing had ever happened.

"I'm Hinata!…By the way." It was as if someone had taken control of her mouth. An out of body experience and Hinata mentally smacked herself, while physically twisting at the straps of her bag from embarrassment. She couldn't really remember the last time she'd had such an issue with word vomit, and the tedious feelings of nervousness and unbidden desire swirling high in her belly.

The guy stopped, turning around, with his brow raised questioningly. He seemed to be back to the silent treatment again, and Hinata tried not to let the disheartening feeling of not hearing his voice again sway the façade of a lackluster expression on his face. It had been a while. Some months actually, but having been a dancer, it was pretty easy for Hinata to read body language, and this guy's said 'fuck off' - loud and clear. Hinata felt, as though, he used the expression quite a few times daily, but couldn't bring herself to listen, as she opened her mouth again:

"I've just never seen you around, and then I ran into you and I just thought, that maybe, it would be nice for you to know the name of the person who 'assaulted' you in the art hallway. Although, I don't know, why anyone would want to talk to someone, who assaulted them. Sorry, bad joke, I guess… You don't really talk much, you just don't seem like the kind of guy, who talks a whole lot at all… You probably do most of your conversation in your sketchbook, right? By the way, are you an artist?…'Cause I noticed all of the the…art supplies…you had…"

Hinata felt breathless, and more than a little foolish, considering she'd been rambling. Again. But she couldn't help it. The guy just stood there, with the same expression, still. It made Hinata feel compelled to continue speaking. To get him to say something back to her. It wasn't nearly an awkward silence within the hustle and bustle of the Art Hall, but their little bubble of conversation seemed to be tension filled enough to cut with a knife. Still, Hinata began to squirm under his silent, judgmental gaze.

"Do you always bite your lip when you're nervous?"

Hinata immediately released her lip from her teeth, smiling as kindly as possible. She unconsciously took a step forward, shrugging. It felt like a major accomplishment, getting this guy she didn't know to speak to her.

"Bad habit, I guess."

The guy nodded in understanding. "Like the rambling?", the question was obviously rhetorical, and Hinata felt her cheeks heat, because of the soft teasing. Looking down at the floor again, Hinata kicked at invisible dust bunnies.

"Also - a bad habit." She mumbled.

The guy chuckled, and Hinata's head snapped up at how beautiful the sound was. Not only was his laugh beautiful, but he was also giving Hinata the smallest sign of a smirk. She could only imagine, what it would be like if the guy actually smiled. For some reason, Hinata wanted to see it.

"Sasuke Uchiha."

Hinata tilted her head a little in confusion, and the guy rolled his eyes, taking a step forward. He tapped the fist, holding his color pencils to his own chest.

"Me, Sasuke. You, Hinata."

Hinata bit at the inside of her cheek, trying not to laugh at his poor imitation of Tarzan. Taking her own step forward, she rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out. Almost immediately after, her eyes went wide, and her cheeks reddened at her childish behavior. She had just met this guy. She shouldn't be so comfortable, but the teasing had felt uniquely routine.

Something within her whispered, how dangerous this was, being attracted to the brooding, pale-skinned man, and Hinata soon found herself taking a small step back, dropping her eyes to the floor. It was useless, though. Sasuke took another step forward, putting them toe to toe.

"You're funny Hinata, how old are you? You sure you're supposed to be in college?"

"Ha. Ha. hilarious, but I'm twenty-three and very mature for my age. I'm an English major. All the knowledge from so many books causes a mature change within a person at a young age."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, still grinning from Hinata's earlier antics. "English major, huh? Now, I get it…"

Hinata nodded proudly, positive Sasuke was about to apologize for his snide remarks.

"That's why you're such a dork."

Hinata gaped at Sasuke, not having a quick enough come back. She turned red as Sasuke laughed at her, fumbling for something to say, before turning around to leave, without so much as a goodbye. Hinata watched him walk away, and couldn't help but smile, a little thrown off by the unusually comforting encounter, before she turned, walking away herself.

"Hey!"

Hinata spun around, one hand holding the door open to step out, looking at the person who was trying to get her attention.

"Key's in your front pocket."

Hinata blanched before biting the inside of her cheek, to fight an embarrassed smile. She walked out of the door. Sasuke's laugh in the wind behind him. She was momentarily grateful for the winter air, as it cooled off the heat from her blush. When she got to the bus stop, she reached for the front pocket of her jeans. More than a little embarrassed to find that the big jewel-encrusted 'H' she had placed on her key ring in high school, was certainly there. Hanging out for anyone to see, keys attached.

Hinata sighed, looking up at the sky. She tucked her earbuds in her ears, waiting. Hinata was mortified, thinking over the whole conversation. The whole incident could've been avoided if she'd remembered where she placed her damn keys. When the bus pulled up, Hinata hopped on paying her fair, before taking a seat in the middle, by the window.

The ride left entirely too much time to think, and Hinata couldn't stop her mind from wandering to just how gorgeous Sasuke was. With a strong jawline and ink black hair, with the most striking black eyes and distinctive facial features. She sighed, running her fingers through her soft, black hair with blue highlights. Had she truly wanted that encounter to never have happened? She knew, she definitely wasn't ready for another relationship, but maybe - she could have some fun.

"Jesus Hinata, pull yourself together."

Hinata flushed, noticing the other people on the bus staring at her because she'd been talking to herself out loud. She pulled herself closer to the window, wishing the seat would swallow her up, but only succeeding in returning to her thoughts. Sasuke Uchiha. Sighing again, she figured, it didn't matter anyway.

It wasn't like she'd ever see him again.

When she jumped off the bus, in front of her building, Hinata ran to get away from the winter air and those very same thoughts of Sasuke.

The building was fairly new. Vibrant violet and black, bricking backing white windows dotted the whole place. Walking up to the front glass door, she entered the four digit pin before stepping into the lobby to check the mail, because Ino never did. She waved at the security guard, who sat tucked beneath a large desk in the corner and entered the elevator, shuffling through bills and advertisements, until she reached the third floor.

When she made it through the apartment door, she made sure to toss her keys back in her bag, while taking off her shoes.

Thankfully the place was warm, the heater still working, and Hinata sighed, as she hopped up the two small steps, exiting the tiny foyer.

"'Sup, love bug? How was a class?"

Rolling her eyes, Hinata plopped down next to Ino, shoving her hand into her popcorn bowl. Ino was comfortably snuggled up on their old yard sale bought a couch, with her favorite comforter, methodically ticking through channels and stuffing her face with popcorn.

"Sucked ass ."

Ino made a disgusted face. "Hinata, that's disgusting, you don't suck ass…you let someone eat yours, tentatively."

Hinata snorted, before laughing obnoxiously, and ate some more popcorn.

"I lost my keys again today."

Ino rolled his eyes. "Tell me something I don't know."

Hinata scoffed and smacked Ino lightly on the shoulder. She paused, as Ino laughed while flipping through three more channels. Hinata looked at the rings on her fingers, as she turned at them nervously.

"I met a really cute guy today…"

Suddenly the TV was off, and Ino was facing her smiling softly. "Tell me everything ."

Hinata nodded, chuckling.

"Come on, spill. What happened?"

Hinata leaned her head back on the couch, as Ino began eating popcorn with more enthusiasm.

"Well, I was coming down the stairs, and just sort of..ran right into him. It was like hitting a brick wall, though- I mean- the guy didn't even budge, and I was laying flat on my butt."

Hinata suddenly got up the recounting, causing fresh feelings to hit, making her antsy. She needed to move around instead of being under her best friends scrutiny.

She crossed the expanse of the white-carpeted living room and walked in the kitchen, opening the fridge.

"Okay, and then what?" The soft patter of Ino's footsteps followed her to the cup cabinet, before she leaned against the sink, arms folded, waiting for Hinata to finish.

Hinata just shrugged, noncommittally, and sipped at her newly poured juice.

"We ended up talking after I awkwardly began the conversation by introducing myself, while he was walking away."

"Okay, who is he?"

"I don't know. He said his name was Sasuke. Looked like an Art major."

Ino grinned, and Hinata could practically see the mischievous wheels spinning in her head, as she digested the information. "Sasuke, the artist, huh?"

Hinata smirked, shaking her head, and heading back to the TV. Of course, Ino followed.

"Sasuke and Hinata. Hinata and Sasuke. That is ridiculously cute."

Hinata sat back on the couch, cracking up.

"You are ridiculous, I just met the guy, and we'll probably never see each other again. It was just a freak accident."

"I'd bet money you guys run into each other again. I'll pray, for you guys, to run into each other again."

Hinata was thrown into another fit of laughter.

Ino's parents are super religious. They thought the devil possessed her, just because she decided to focus on becoming a fashion designer instead of attending college, last year. As of right now, they were currently dead set on casting out the 'gay' within their only daughter. It didn't stop Ino from being a bright and bubbly individual, completely comfortable and confident in her dreams though, but growing up the way she did, did place a damper on Ino believing in any deity. She didn't believe in any kind of Divine Being, so for Ino - to say she'd pray - it was something serious.

"Well, while you say your prayer, I'm going to go shower and get ready for work. You should be too."

Hinata hopped up, off the couch, heading for her bedroom down the hall.

"YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO SEE HIM AGAIN, HINATA HYUGA!"

Hinata chuckled, shaking her head, before slamming her room door.