Hinata's P.O.V.
I looked in the mirror. I was wearing a pleated black skirt, falling about halfway to my knee. I had a purple long-sleeved shirt, along with a black choker. Sakura was pulling my hair into a ponytail.
"Sakura…I don't think I'll win Naruto's heart like this… Not since Sasuke's brother allowed me to move in."
"Trust me, we can win Naruto in a heartbeat. He knows how Hiashi treats you, he isn't mad. Trust me," Sakura replied.
"H-How are you doing with Sasuke?" I asked her.
Her face reddened, matching her pink hair. It was short, her bangs falling to either side. Her green eyes looked down.
"Well… I'm not waiting for that. If he falls, he does. If he doesn't, well many guys will be waiting for him to lose," Sakura answered her voice quiet.
I knew she was trying, but I couldn't ignore that it was hard for her. Sasuke had been the only guy she liked. She and I had become friends based originally on the pursuit of a guy who barely noticed us. After that, we had just… clicked. She was my best friend, and my first friend. I hugged her, grateful for help.
"Hinata! Sakura! Let's go!" Sasuke hollered, probably somewhere downstairs.
"C-Coming! Sorry!" I called back.
"Hinata, do you…"
"Don't worry, Sakura. Even if he doesn't ask, someone will," I assured her.
I smiled at her, hugging her again. She returned the hug, and then dragged me downstairs. Sasuke stood at the door. His eyes fell on me, his eyebrow shot up. I wasn't normally one to dress like this, preferring longer skirts and pants even more so. I normally left my hair down too. Then he looked at Sakura. She was wearing a similar skirt, red instead of black. She had a white strapless top, and a black denim jacket, belly cut.
"You guys look good. Why so dressy for the mall?" Itachi asked from behind.
"I-I… w-we… Sakura…" I stammered, not wanting to tell him I like Naruto, especially in front of Sasuke, Naruto's best friend.
"I was testing out a theory. If I can make us look this good before we shop, imagine after," Sakura winked.
"Well, we're late. Come on," Sasuke said.
We followed him outside, climbing into his car. Rather, his convertible. The top stayed up, the weather cold. It was the end of winter, so it wouldn't be long until spring warmed the earth, brining the plants back to life.
"Hinata, you've lived with us for a year. Why is this the first time you've been shopping?" Sasuke asked.
I looked to Sakura, sitting in the back seat. She shrugged.
"Sakura wasn't free," I said.
The real reason was Neji worked various stores there. I wasn't ready to see my family, not after moving into the Uchiha's. I was only going now because I needed clothes, and Naruto had accepted to join us. My body was tense, anticipating what Neji could say. What he would say.
As we met up with Naruto in the food court, I began to forget my family drama, now more worried about what to say to him.
"Hinata! Sakura! Hey," he said, nodding at Sasuke.
"H-Hello…Naruto," I managed to say. I felt my face warm up.
He smiled at me, then turned Sasuke, "so I'm here. You're here. We must be the pack mules."
"You know it. So, first we'll hit up RedX, then head to Urban Soul, down to Soul Central, and finally XRave. Sound good?" Sakura asked.
"Y-Yeah! Why wouldn't it?" I answered.
After hours of shopping, we headed back to the food court. Naruto sat next to me at the table.
"Hinata, after your outsit today, I didn't think you would need so many clothes. You looked awesome," He said.
"W-Well… I left all my clothes for warm weather at home… So I needed non-winter clothes…" I answered.
"Hinata, I see you're well. Spending the Uchiha's money?" asked the one voice I never thought id here again.
"F-Father…I-I…" I couldn't answer.
"You are coming home. Now. Tell your friends goodbye. You will not be seeing them anytime soon," Father commanded.
"S-Sakura… is my best friend…" I answered. I couldn't give her up.
"I meant the Uchiha and the blonde one. Sakura didn't tell or encourage you to make this mistake," he snapped.
I couldn't speak. I looked at Naruto, and then Sasuke. My eyes watered. What could I do?
Sasuke's P.O.V.
I watched as her eyes filled with tears. If we let her, she was going with him. Naruto put his arm around her.
"Don't touch her. You are no one," Hiashi spat.
"Shut up."
I waited for the voice to say more. Everyone looked at me. I had ssaid it. Now it was me who had to save Hinata. Great.
"She's not your pet dog. She's a human being. She do whatever she wants, and if she wants to stay with us, she will. If she's ok with Naruto touching her, that's fine. You don't own her, Hiashi. So do us a favor and stop barking." I spat, glaring at him.
His glare shot through me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead. Naruto stood, leading Hinata to the door.
Hiashi grabbed her arm, "You will do as I say."
Naruto pulled his arm back, fist ready.
"Don't touch her," Sakura, Naruto and I said, just as Naruto's punch hit alongside mine.
Well, guess I may have been a little mad. Only a little though.
