The fight was still commencing between the ninja, and kunoichi. Both were driven back from their earlier collision with their jutsus. Sasuke had used his first shot to hit Hinata's Lion Fist only for the two to be canceled out. Sasuke had to think of another way to hit her with the Chidori without her being able to cancel it again with that new jutsu of her. Sasuke was glaring at Hinata angrily. He huffed while narrowing his eyes already having thought of a plan that will guarantee him a perfect shot. 'I'll have to use some of my faster jutsus to create an opening.' The Curse mark on his neck began to glow reacting to Sasuke's desire to beat Hinata. No... Kill her. The markings from the Curse mark began to spread all over his body. 'And then hit her with Chidori…' He smirks. That plan was perfect. If she has no defenses, then she can't defend against it. He'll pierces through it all.

Hinata just stood there watching the Curse mark spread across his face, and throughout his body creating marking everyone on his body. She's not aware of what the CurseMark does to one's body, and since she doesn't have her Byakugan activated, she couldn't tell that Sasuke's chakra's has just increased immensely. 'Sasuke…' She thought to herself while still staring at him intensely.

The Curse mark completely spreads through his body covering most of his body with markings everywhere, increasing his strength and speed to a new level, little did Hinata know. "You know what they say Hinata. When two beings are powerful enough, they are able to read each other's thoughts by an exchange of fists. Without having to say a single word, get it?" He asked with his sinister smirk still across his face. Hinata didn't even respond to his question, she just continues to stare at him with despair in her eyes as the water rolls down her eyes as tears, she sobs, and sniffs trying to hold back the tears. Sasuke hadn't notices the hurt look in her eyes, and even if he did he probably would've pretend to have not seen them. "You've always been weak though Hinata. Still... since you were able to stop my Chidori… then maybe you can read my thoughts. So tell me, can you read my thoughts? Can you tell me what on my mind?!" His sinister smirks spreads across his face as he began to start forming hand signs with both of his hands. "Fire Style Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" Sasuke inhales deeply, and spat out a volley of small fireballs towards Hinata all going in a straight path towards her.

Hinata crouches down, then jumps up dodging all of the fire balls. That was a bit too easy to evade, even for Sasuke... unless, she suddenly looked towards where Sasuke is supposedly at. Sasuke was gone, and she had no clue where he went he's gone. He then noticed a shadow appearing in front of her, and her eyes widens in shock when she realized that Sasuke had appeared right in front of her with that smirk still across his face. Before Hinata had time to react, she received a kick across the face. She let out a small scream as she went flying across the place looking at Sasuke at the side of her eye regardless with the pain stinging on her face. 'Sasuke, I never did enjoy fighting you…I just wanted to be near you. I was happy to have you train with me.' She lands on the water, and became to descend deeper within the water. Sasuke may not know this, but Hinata was grateful to him... 'You saved me from being alone. All of the kids approached you but you always pushed everyone away. I was different. I didn't think I would be able to get your attention even if I tried... but you came to me, and helped me feel better about myself.' She slowly began swim back up to the surface. She emerged from the water, and began to get back up to her feet still wincing.

Sasuke lands on the water a distances behind her. He ran towards her balling up his hand into a fist ready to punch her the amount he get close enough. Hinata senses his presences, and turns around quickly to attempt to parry the attack, or try to block the attack, but the punch came in too fast, and he hit her right in the stomach. Hinata let out a cry of pain, but gritted her teeth trying to endure the punch, which was easier say than done. She turns her head to look at Sasuke still wincing in pain. 'I was always shy, and you always try to open me up. If it wasn't for you, I don't know where I would be right now. I thought I wanted to become like you… But as we got older, and gotten closer… I realize I didn't want to become like you, I just wanted to stay close to you.' Sasuke's fist soon collided with Hinata's face again nearly knocking her off of her feet, but before she knew get knocked by the punch, he then grabbed her by the collar of her jacket again with his other hand. Hinata wincing in pain, as he began to lifted Hinata right off of her feet. Sasuke tighten his grip on her collar so she couldn't get away from him. He could finish her here. 'You, and I don't need to fight to read each other's thoughts anyway. Ever since we first met, we knew what we were getting ourselves into. Yet we didn't care. And now we…'

Sasuke narrows his eyes, as he began to gather lightning to his other hand. He was performing the Chidori again, and this time his shot was point-blank. He held Hinata up by her jacket, and glares directly into her white eyes with his black eyes. Hinata stares back into his eyes. 'We were so close to each other, that we could have became…' She had tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She really wish they didn't have to fight anymore.

Sasuke continued to stares into her eyes before he acknowledged their friendship once more. He narrowed his eyes slightly. 'There's no doubt about it… I have the strongest bond with her…We were…'

The tears from her eyes began to roll down her cheek and towards her chin. The moment they meet at her chin, they dropped down into the water below her. Out of the blue... A strange sapphire blue aura slowly made it way around Hinata's body. It was surrounding her body in like a cloak or some sort. It was faint, yet the aura was becoming visible to Sasuke's Sharingan. It wasn't something he was used to seeing from Hinata. 'But now…You seriously want to kill me…so now, I don't know if you really meant what you say before or not!' Hinata screamed inside of her mind.

Sasuke's eyes widens slowly in shock, as he slowly began to watch this strange chakra surround her body. What in the world is this? 'What…?' Sasuke asked himself unsure of what to call this aura. He's never seen this from her before. The aura Sasuke was witnessing began to completely surround Hinata's body. He didn't know why... but there was something ominous yet... pure about it.

Hinata clenches her both of her hands into fist tightly. 'Maybe I was the only who thought that we could have been in love…' She knew about her feelings for the Uchiha. This is why it hurts so much to hurt him. It hurts her at heart, which is much more painful then any punch or kick she received.

Sasuke tightens up his grip on her jacket. He didn't know what she was up to, but at this close range even she couldn't possible stop his Chidori. "Don't bother! It's too late!" Sasuke smirked at her once more before he lifted up the hand with the Chidori in hand. He threw the Chidori towards Hinata to pierce her heart.

"No…" Hinata's eyes widens bigger as she spotted the Chidori heading straight towards her. "It's not!" 'If that's the case…then was I playing the fool from the beginning…? But even if I was…I don't regret it…I still…I still refuses to see you get taken away by a person as cruel as Orochimaru!'

The ground suddenly shook violently, and the water begins to create small ripples from where Sasuke, and Hinata were at. Sasuke couldn't believe what had just happened. His eyes were widen in complete shock. This is impossible... Hinata had caught his hand with the Chidori by the wrist right before it could pierce her. He used full strength just now, and she stopped it? By how? How did she do that? Sasuke tries to pull away from her grip. This can't be happening... "I-Impossible…" He muttered to himself before he started to pull away even harder. Then suddenly Hinata's grip tightens tremulously onto Sasuke's wrist and the bone started to crack from how tight the grip. Sasuke let out a shout from the agony. He managed to finally pulls away from her furiously and began to distance himself from her. He grabbed onto his wrist wincing heavily. Where did that strength come form?

Hinata stood there on the water while looking down at the water with the strange sapphire blue aura surrounding her entire body. Sasuke was still wincing heavily until he felt a massive gust of wind blowing against the water creating tiny ripples, and waves around her feet. The wind slowly grew stronger, and Sasuke began to stare at Hinata in utter disbelief. This strange power was beginning to overwhelm him. He gritted his teeth together feeling this power growing even stronger. He could feel it brushing past his face, and body. This aura Hinata was showing off wasn't normal at all. Sasuke, even with his Sharingan couldn't even tell if it was chakra or not. It felt like it was... alive?

Sasuke was still holding tightly onto his wrist as the wind blows his hair behind his head. 'What in the...? What is that? Is that even chakra...?' Hinata stood there still looking down as the waves began getting bigger, and winds starts blowing past from Hinata's direction towards Sasuke, creating even more tidal waves. The wind was so powerful that Sasuke had to add more chakra to his feet to stick to the water just to prevent himself from getting knocked back. Sasuke's eyes widen in utter shock. What in the world? 'What the…?' Sasuke's eye widen even more starts seeing the image of glowing Byakugan eyes hovering over Hinata's body. They were looking directly at him, as if, they were placing judgment on his actions. The power was placing pressure on his body. It was so powerful... 'W-What is this power…? Where is it coming from…?!'

Hinata slowly lifts her head up, with her eyes directly on Sasuke. The aura surrounding Hinata exploded from her body making an even more powerful gust of wind. The wind was slightly pushing Sasuke back. Sasuke couldn't help but fears what destructive force this aura has in store. Never has he seen Hinata release this much chakra before. He couldn't even tell if it was chakra. What in the world is it? Sasuke starts backing up from Hinata a bit, and glares towards her trying to hide his fear of the power. 'What the…? Is her real power is starting to awaken. But how…?!'

Hinata was unaware of her glare that was aimed towards Sasuke. "Sasuke! I'm not letting you go to Orochimaru!" She declared to him before she slowly crouches down into her signature gentle fist stances. "I'll cut your chakra network off permanently if it means to stop you!" She shouted towards him.

Hinata's word nearly send a chill down the Uchiha's spine. 'This power… Is this really Hinata?' A cold sweat rolls down his cheek. He couldn't make out what this power was. 'Such power… She's different from before… Much different.' He shot a glare right back towards Hinata as he gets into a defensive stance. He braced himself. He had a feeling she was going to attack. "Is this your true power?" He asked hesitantly.

"I'm not sure myself… But I'll make use of it, and stop you. Even if it kills me!" Hinata pulled back, then hits the air itself with the palm of her hand, she releases a high speed air blast towards Sasuke. Sasuke's eye widen as he put both his arms up to guard himself from the blast, but when it hit him, he still went flying! He barely saw that coming. Hinata took off running towards him at full speed and hit him right in the stomach with her open palm before his feet could even touch the floor. He couldn't guard against it either. Sasuke choked up blood, while his eyes were rolling behind his head. She had knocked the breath out of him. Hinata wasn't done yet. She began to hit him with a barrage of Gentle fist strikes in the stomach keeping him from off his feet, then kicks him right under the chin with the palm of her hand. Sasuke couldn't do nothing but take the hit before he got send flying.

Sasuke managed to drags his feet against the water to come to a halt, but the pain was immense. She's really gotten stronger! Sasuke gasps as he looked up after her reflection off the water showing her in the air. Hinata came down on Sasuke using both of her hands and hits Sasuke on his head knocking him under the water by force. Sasuke didn't have time to react as he sent down underwater with massive force. He eventually was able to come to a halt. He swam back to the surface then shot himself out of the water before he landed on the water sliding his feet on top of it heading straight towards Hinata.

Hinata took off in a sprint towards Sasuke then she also began to slide against the water heading towards Sasuke. She then jumps through the air then the moment she got close enough to Sasuke, she swung her hand across his face. Her speed has increased tremulously, and Sasuke's Sharingan couldn't keep up with her as she hit with her open palm across the face knocking Sasuke onto his back, but he does a back flip to get back up to his feet and to get some distances! He was still wincing from the sharp pain across his face. Hinata didn't give him any breathing room, she ran in front of Sasuke and kicks him in the stomach then hits him with the palm of her hand in the face, then she hit back against his stomach slamming him towards the water below her while sending herself into the air. Hinata's attacks were doing a lot more damage then her previous ones were. Before Sasuke could get back up to his feet, he spotted Hinata diving back down to him.

He began to form hand signs rapidly before he finished, and inhales deeply. "Fire Style, Fire Ball Jutsu!" Sasuke spat out a giant fire ball into the air to cover him from Hinata. She'll think twice before attack him now! He knew she couldn't dodge it in mid-air. She was his now! Little did Sasuke know, she wasn't planning on dodging that fire ball.

She gathered the chakra towards one of her hands, and thrust her hand forwards sending another powerful wind blast go down towards the fire ball. "Eight Trigrams Air Palm!" The gust of wind blew away all of fire. The air blast hit the water making a small tidal wave on impact. The blast even caught Sasuke by surprised. It knocked the wind out of him temporary. Sasuke was seen laying down against the water, until Hinata landed on top of him with her feet knocking him underwater. That kick woke him right back up. Sasuke grips onto his stomach in agony as he winces in pain again. Everything he does now is getting blow back!

'Her attacks are stronger, and faster now… I can barely keep up!' He began swim back up to the surface of the water, and jumps out of the water. He didn't notices Hinata until next second. She had jumped right in front of him, then kicked him in the back on the head. Sasuke was flipped upside down, before Hinata hit him against his back with another open palm. Blood made it's way out of Sasuke mouth before she was launched through the air, and slammed against the cliff whiling spinning through the air. He created a smokescreen around him on impact to the cliff. The ground was shaking slightly showing just how powerful Hinata hit him. Hinata didn't hesitate as she dashes through the smoke landing in front of Sasuke's body. Sasuke's eyes were closed. His body was in agony. It was in so much pain as he could barely manages to move a muscle.

Hinata stood over Sasuke's body, then she leans down towards him going onto one knee and gently grabs on to his collar. He looks to be willing to listen now. Hinata's eyes slowly softens. "Let's go home. I don't want to fight anymore. I'm not enjoying having to hurt you, Sasuke! I just… don't want to lose you..." She said. She couldn't just stand back, and let him walk. Not to his death.

Sasuke slowly opens his eyes to look back up at Hinata's face. She's still talking about taking back to the Leaf Village? "Just shut up, would you?" He heard enough out of her. Sasuke could feel his rage beginning to build up within him. He was getting so mad, that he forgotten that his body was still hurting. He sits up, and gets in Hinata's face, and grabs her by the collar of her jacket. "You don't even know how it feels to lose a family! It's not like you went and loss your family! You always had your family! I lose mine to my brother!" Sasuke shouted her. How could she even think of comparing herself to him? "You don't want to lose me? I had to lose everything!" The young boy clenches his teeth. "Someone like you could never understand the pain I'm going through!"

Sasuke tackled her and they both began to fall from the top of the cliff. Hinata gasped at Sasuke bold movement. She pushes him off of her as they were falling to the river. They were staring at each other as they were falling. Both flipped through the air and lands on top of logs that started to stick out of the water. Sasuke slowly stood up from his log, still looking directly at the young Hyuga. Strangely enough, Hinata knew exactly how Sasuke felt more then he knows and she knew now would be the best time to tell him everything. She looks down towards the water watching her reflection display the expression on her face. "It's true, I don't have a clue what it's like to lose a family. I have my parents and my cousin. I only lose my uncle and I wasn't even very close to him." Hinata's tone began to soften slightly. "My dad was tough on me and I know he expects me to be perfect at everything. He's always striving me to be the Head of the Main Branch. So I had to go through grueling training." Hinata's eye soften as she reminisces on the time her own father gave her a look of disapproval. "You see, I failed at that…"

Sasuke's gaze slowly began to go down towards the water, but he kept his eyes still on Hinata in case she did something sneaky. Hinata had no desire to use tactics like that. She merely closed her eyes and became to explain her reason behind how similar their lives. "I began to lose faith in myself and started to cry..." Hinata started, but paused before a small smile appeared on her face. "But a boy came up to me and offered to help me train, since he didn't like to see me cry or get picked on. I was always told that the Uchiha clan was our enemy, and couldn't be trusted." Her smile softens but it began to widen. "But you were different. You always told me to do my best, and strive to get as strong as I could. You encouraged me. You were alone just like me. You lose your family, and my family doesn't even bother to care about my presences. So I knew we were alike." Hinata starts to remember everything they did together. Her first memory took place at the Training grounds. It was when they were resting from today's training. Sasuke went off somewhere in the village and came back carrying a small lunch box. She was sitting under the tree still panting from their earlier training.

Sasuke was walking over towards her holding out a lunch box. He held it out for the young Hyuga to take. "Here." He offered to her. He brought her a little something. She's been improving, so he figured he'll buy her lunch for today. Think of it as his way of saying... 'He's proud of her.'

Hinata was leaning against the tree resting up from today's training, before she looked up at him then tilts his head innocently to the side. She wasn't aware of him giving her the lunch as a 'job well done'. "W-What's that?"

Sasuke's eyebrow twitches a bit. Can't she tell what it is? Obviously, it's food. "What does it look like? It's a lunch box." He answered flatly almost beginning to question her I.Q. "I brought you food for training so well. Think of it as a reward." He crouched down and held it her in front of her.

Hinata didn't expect this from him. But to see him willingly give her such kindness, made her smile slightly. She slowly takes the boxed lunch from him. "T-Thanks." She was beginning to feel her cheeks burning.

Sasuke huffed before he turned his head away from the young Hyuga. "Just take it…" He was reluctant in willing it to her now, that she's him this strange look. He crossed his arms trying to ignore it. It's not a big deal buying her lunch, is it?

Hinata places the lunch box on her lap, then looks back up at him blushing still. She began to hesitate in her tiny request. Her cheeks began to redden even more, nearly turning her entire face red. "U-Um…" Hinata's word gained Sasuke's attention. He looked at her at the corner of his eye. "W-Would you like to s-share it?" She managed to ask, but she was stuttering again. "I-I mean…you did help me, so I'll give you h-half."

Sasuke turn around towards and raise an eyebrow at her request. Wouldn't that ruin the reason the purpose of buying it? "But I brought for you…" He repeated.

"A-And now, I'm sharing it with y-you…" She looks up at him still smiling but her face was completely red now. She doing her best not to faint at the moment. She wanted to go through with this in the end.

Sasuke let out a small sigh, before a small smile managed to make it's way across his face. He didn't expect this from her. "I can't say no, can I?" Sasuke shrugged his shoulders. Hinata shook her head. She let out a giggle seconds later. Besides, this is her way of saying thank you for helping her with her training. "It's can't be helped…" Sasuke mumbled to himself. Sasuke walks over then took a seat next to Hinata under the tree.

Her second precious memory appeared in her head. It was at a time when night had fallen and it was time to go home. Both Hinata and Sasuke were walking through the streets of the Leaf Village. Sasuke was escorting Hinata home, since she was too afraid to walk home by herself at night, so Sasuke decided to drop her off at her house before heading home himself. The main reason was because he had to go in the same direction as her to his house anyway. He kept on telling himself that, but he secretly wanted to walk with her. But that proved difficult, seeing her walking pace was getting slower and slower with each second.

Sasuke was casually walking through the streets with his hands in his pockets. He was walking slowly so he wouldn't leave Hinata behind. Speaking of behind, Hinata was walking right behind Sasuke with her head down, while twiddling her thumbs.

She kept on sneaking a peek at Sasuke's backside. She was feeling nervous. More nervous than usual. She thought she gotten used to being around him, but this time felt different… Sasuke was beginning to grow irritated of having to slow down his pace just so she could keep up.

Sasuke suddenly stopped right in his tracks, then turns around towards Hinata with a slight hint of annoyances on his face. Hinata hadn't stopped in time and bumped into Sasuke's chest. She stumbles back from the sudden crash, but she kept her balances then looked up at Sasuke. "W-What?" She asked.

Sasuke looks down towards her with his normal stoic looking face. "Walk beside me. It feels weird with you staring at my back." Sasuke answered her flatly. It's annoying.

Hinata's eyes widen, as her face turned bright red. "I-I wasn't staring!" She exclaimed not wanting to admit that she was staring... a bit.

Sasuke didn't care for her admitting to it or not. Either way, he didn't like it. "Whatever. Just stand beside me." He just wanted her to stand beside him rather not behind him. This isn't how normal people walk home together, not that he knew.

Hinata blush continued along her face as she looks down towards the ground. "U-Um…O-Okay." She hesitantly agreed. Though she was incredibly shy about it. She slowly speed up and stood beside Sasuke this time. She was blushing more now. Sasuke hadn't noticed her red cheeks as he started walking ahead again. Hinata follows after him, this time walking next to him, still twiddling her thumbs.

Her heart was beating repeatedly. Her face was continuously feeling hot. She couldn't even look at him. They both continue to walk in complete silences until Hinata decided to try to muster up the courage a start a conversation, since it was getting a little too awkward between them. Plus she wanted to break out of her shell. Talking with others is the only way to do that. Hinata took a deep breathe before she looked over towards Sasuke. "U-Um…!"

Hinata heard a few noises from behind her that had caught her off-guard. They sounded like a few trash cans rubbing against each other. Hinata's eyes widen as she jumps in fear from the sound she heard. "Ah!"

Sasuke stopped a few feet in front of her and turns to her with a bit of a deadpanned look in his eye. What is she so afraid of? "It's nothing, but a few trashcans. Quit worrying." There's nothing to be afraid of.

"I-I guess so…" Hinata reluctantly agreed as she took another step forward. Suddenly, a trashcan was knocked over, and something black come running out of the alleyway towards Hinata quickly. Sasuke turned around from the sudden sound.

Hinata screamed at t by e sight of the small black figure she managed to spot out behind the trash cans. She was aware of how tightly she clinging to Sasuke's arm Even Sasuke was a little surprised by her actions. "What gotten into you?" He looked up over her head to take a look at what spooked her.

He spotted a black cat running in between Hinata's legs, and continues running down the street into another alleyway. Sasuke couldn't believe his eyes. There was something out there. The young Uchiha stares at where the cat had ran, dumbfounded. "Okay, maybe there was something other than trashcans." He commented under his breath.

Hinata began blushing brightly red as she finally realized what she was doing. She took notices to the warmth pressed against her body, then she pulled away quickly, backing away from him. She bows down to him apologizing rapidly. "S-Sorry!" She shouted.

Sasuke places his hands back in his pockets and clears his throat. "It's okay…" He turns his back to her, still a little dumbfounded that a black cat came out. "Stay close to me…"

Hinata nods slowly. She didn't have a problem with that. "O-Okay…" She just won't get... too close this time.

The young Uchiha turns his head back around to her to say one last thing to her before they start walking again. "That way, if anything does happen, I can protect you." Sasuke faced forward and began to walk ahead again. Hinata was a little taken back from his words. He was going to protect her? She felt a warm feeling inside her body, when he said that. She slowly starts to smile as she runs off after him.

Hinata couldn't help but enjoy the times they had spend together. Those times together were important to her, they were dear to her, something she wish they could have continued doing if they were back in the village. It didn't take much time for Hinata realizes something. She felt a strong bond with Sasuke. A "special" bond. One she wishes to protect no matter what. The name of the bond she was thinking of was "Love.".

Hinata held a hand over her chest with her gaze onto the ground. Her eyes were so softened. "You was more to me, then just a friend through my eyes… I saw you differently than everyone else. I developed a crush on you, and wanted to always stay close to you so we could develop our skills together."

Sasuke looked down letting his hair shadow over his eyes. He knew how he felt about her, but… Is that really the reason why she's fighting so hard for him? Does she… "Why, Hinata? Why would you go so far for me?" Sasuke finally asked. He had to know. What could be that driven her to fight so hard to keep him from leaving? Sasuke's never considered his life so valuable that someone should die for his sake.

Hinata still has her hand on her chest as she looks up towards Sasuke. "Because this is the first time, I've ever felt this way about someone close to me. My heart aches at the sight of you leaving and it feels all fluttered when you're around. It's a special bond that only you and I can create." She smile softly. "I… I love you Sasuke." She confessed her feelings to him right on the spot with her soft smile along her face. This strange aura was giving her was completely in shock from her saying the words 'I love you'. Those words… He couldn't ignore them even if he wanted to. Sasuke was staring directly at her. She loved... him? He's never had something tell him that outside of his family. She felt that strongly for... him? Sasuke couldn't help but remember the first time they ever seen each other when they were kids. Sasuke was alone at the dock while a little girl was walking with her father near the docks.

Sasuke was looking down at the water. He could see the depressed expression of himself reflecting from the water. This was the time when his brother Itachi had killed his clan and left the village. There was a little girl wearing a kimono walking near the docks where the Uchiha was sitting down at. It was Hinata and she was with her father. She was looking around and happened to noticed the Uchiha at the docks. The boy peer the girl's curiosity. Sasuke felt like somebody was watching him then turned around having spotted a girl with snowy white eyes looking directly at him.

He didn't know who she was, but he could tell just from her eyes alone that she was from the Hyuga Clan. But she was… different. She was a girl but she wasn't like any of the other girls back at the Academy. Hinata realized he was looking at her hid behind her father's leg, while her cheeks redden. She slowly sticks her head out slightly, with a small smile across her face. Sasuke continues to look towards her at the side of his eyes. He found himself smiling back at her. He closed his eyes then turns back to the water.

Sasuke knew the moment they spotted each other that that was when their fates had become one with each other. Hinata felt the same way, even though they're supposes to be enemies, she couldn't see Sasuke as an enemy no matter how much her father told her to never talk or trust a Uchiha.

Hinata still had a soft smile along her face. "That's why I'll do whatever it takes to stop you and bring you back." Because of their bond, this was why she was willing to do whatever it takes to save him. She was willing to even die for him. Her feelings were that strong for the young boy.

Sasuke hung his head over with a shadow hovering over his eyes. Why did she have to fall for a guy like him? She had just make it so much more arduous. He clenched his hand into a tight fist. He slid his hand into his pocket to pull out something. It was his Leaf Village headband. "Sorry, Hinata." His voice was carrying a hint of regret now. He began to tie the headband around his head. "It's just too late." He finishes tying the headband on his head tightly before he looked up towards Hinata with sheer determination. "I can't turn back now…" After her confession, he was not only fighting against Hinata... now he's fighting against his own emotions.

Sasuke suddenly focuses chakra to his feet to spilt the log under him into pieces. He lands on the water then caught a sharpen piece of wood from the log then threw it towards Hinata's log making her's break apart.

Hinata gasps as she fell, but she jumps off of the log at last second landing on his feet, getting into her Gentle Fist stance. Sasuke's Sharingan eyes began changing, and without either one of them noticing, his Sharingan grew another tomoe, becoming fully matured. Sasuke was prepared to continued their fight.

"Come Hinata!" Sasuke was ready to challenge her and her new found strength. He lowered himself into a defensive position holding one hand out towards Hinata, and the other one behind him. "If that's how it is, then I'll have to sever our 'Special Bond'!" Sasuke declared out towards her. As long as this bond between them is there, he'll never be able to strong enough to kill his brother.

Hinata's expression took an opposite turn. She clenches her fist, as she glares towards Sasuke. She was unaware of the glare, but for him to threaten their bond like that... Now this battle was even more serious. "Sever it?" She repeated while closing her eyes. "Just like that? You can't sever our bond, not without having to take my life. Can you really bring yourselves to do that?" She asked him not liking where this conservation was going. He can't do that... can he?

Sasuke had a small cocky grin along his face. He knows that seems near to impossible... "It's possible, but it won't be easy." He chuckled before he began scan her body with his Sharingan. "I'll admit you're strong. You're one of the strongest ninjas I've ever fought so far. The pain we're feeling is what makes us strong, Hinata! I'm going to put it to the test now of which of our desires is stronger." His grin faded away as his expression turned dead serious. "Your love for me… or my hatred of my brother!" Sasuke began to feel a hint of confidences building up inside of him again. "Just to let you know, I put on the headband because I can see you now as my equal." Sasuke lifts up one of his hands, and points at his forehead using his thumb. "All you've got to do is leave one scratch on my forehead and I just might give you the victory. Not that you will be able to."

Hinata reopens her eyes as she stares at Sasuke with her pupils becoming more distinct and the veins near her temples began to bulge. "You're still looking down on me, but I don't care about winning against you anymore. I just want to take you back home, to a place where you truly belong." She narrowed her eyes. She was prepared to charge. "Sasuke!"

"Enough! No more words! From here on out we stick to just fighting!" His eyes widens with rage. "Come!" He demanded. Hinata was more than willing to approach him. She'll end this quickly. She took off running towards Sasuke at her full speed. Hinata ran so fast that she caused the water below her feet shoot up into the air behind her as she ran towards Sasuke.

Sasuke kicks down behind him, and suddenly a piece of the broken log came up. He caught it than threw the plate towards Hinata while she was running. Hinata had pierced right through the plate. It split in half just as quickly as she was running towards Sasuke. Her speed had cut right through it like butter.

Sasuke narrows his eyes, as he watches the log fall into pieces. 'Razor sharp speed, huh?' He thought by to himself before he notices something strange. His eyes widened slightly. For some reason he was able to see her movements now. Hinata thrust her palm forward the moment she's gotten close enough to him. She was aiming for his face.

Sasuke suddenly caught her hand by the wrist, and hits her with his other hand right under her arm making her flip over him in the process. 'I can see.' That caught Hinata by a surprises. How did she see that coming? Maybe if she was going slower he could have, but how did she see then? That was her max speed!

Hinata flipped over Sasuke still a bit in shock. 'What?' She landed on her feet behind Sasuke and attempted thrust her hand towards him again, but Sasuke dodged her palm with ease. Hinata tried again to hit him, she thrust her hand forward only to be dodged again, but this time Sasuke countered her and punches her in the face twice then trips her off her feet.

Hinata winced as she began to fall over to the water, but she rolled onto her back around him. 'Something's different!' Hinata quickly got back up to her feet and attempts to hit him once more. There's got to be a blind spot somewhere. Like from behind. She thrusts her hand forward towards Sasuke's backside, but he jumped up into the air evading her again with ease. He lands on top of the cliff above her with a smirk along his face.

Hinata jumped up after him landing on the wall and began running up the cliff heading for Sasuke. Sasuke began to change his defensive stance into one necessary for fighting at this latitude. 'Her moves that were too fast before…I can see them now.' He braces himself as the young Hyuga began to thrust both hands creating a barrage of open palms at him.

Sasuke moves to the side dodging each, and every attack she tries to hit him with. Hinata was beginning to grow aggravated at only hitting air! Something was wrong. Sasuke was moving differently then before. She then jumped up to thrust her hand downward to Sasuke's head. 'Why can't I hit him anymore…?!' Hinata was beginning to panic. Sasuke evaded her attack again, but before she touched the ground, he knees her right in the stomach, knocking her down the cliff.

Hinata felt the knee connect with her stomach. She flew back, drags her feet on the cliff slowly coming to a halt. She looked up towards Sasuke panting and wincing from the pain He managed to knock some wind out of her in that last attack. 'What's going on? His moves have changed completely!' She couldn't tell that his Sharingan had matured. She had her Byakugan activated but his chakra looked the exact same this whole time!

Sasuke huffed before he changes his stances once again, and gets ready for Hinata to charge at him again. A cocky grin was still on his face. He was mocking her. Hinata shook her head, biting her bottom lip. 'No… I can't let myself get defeated here! This is a must win!'

Hinata took off running again, but she began to approach him differently. She tries dashing from side to side getting closers towards Sasuke in due time. She had to find way to get past his Sharingan. 'I'll try combining my Gentle Fist, with regular hits!'

She suddenly disappeared in front of Sasuke. Sasuke's body pulsed. He felt a surge of power coursing through his veins each pushing second. Sasuke knew it was the Cursemark leaning him more power. It was allowing him to see Hinata's every move before she could make it. 'The curse mark must be leaning me more power. It's helping me see every move she makes.' Little did Sasuke know it was bypassing Hinata's Byakugan. The young Hyuga appeared in front of the Uchiha and started throwing punches, as well as throwing open palm thrust. She was switching between the two conservatively.

Sasuke happened to noticed she change in strategy. If this were his Sharingan from before, then maybe it'd have worked. Sadly, these eyes were more precise, and he had no problem with telling the difference between the two, and was able to evade both kinds of assault.'Trying to switch it up? Nice try, but that won't work! Your moves are as clear as day to me!' He punches her twice in the face once he spotted an opening her defenses, then he spun around and kicks her in the face knocking her off her feet.

Hinata was knocked off her feet and feel through the air before she landed on the ground feeling the stinging sensation of agony among her face. That last kick that Sasuke given her make her bite her own lip. She slowly began moving. She slowly moved , she looked up with blood rolling down her lip.

Sasuke smirked, as he changes his stances again yet again. 'As long as I have these eyes, there'll be no need for me to use chakra anymore. The curse mark would probably eat too much of it anyway. Hinata would take away my chakra as well.'

Hinata groans as she slowly made her way back up to her feet. She places her hand up towards her lips to wipe the blood. 'With vision like this, I can see the image of Hinata's every moves before it happens...' Sasuke thought to himself with the same cocky grin on his face. Hinata clenched her teeth together and started running towards him again.

Sasuke balls up his hand into a fist, then prepared himself for the next move. 'And time my attacks accordingly!' Hinata opened up her hand, then thrust it towards Sasuke. Sasuke threw his fist forward towards Hinata. Both of them attacked at the same time as the other, but Sasuke's fist beat her to the punch, and collided at her face. Hinata let out a scream from the hit, she went flew down towards the river below them and slammed into the water with a splash.

She slowly began descend deeper underwater wincing heavily from the pain. She could barely move. So much pain... The pain from all of Sasuke's attacks were taking their toll on her body. 'This is bad… He can read my move like an open book! I've got to find a way to get pass his eyes… But how?' Hinata continued to winces in pain closing one eye. Sasuke jumps off the cliff landing on up top of the water. He slowly held his hands together while closing his eyes and takes a deep breathe before he exhaled.

Hinata slowly opens her eye back up, and finally thought of a plan that would work. It was the only plan she could think of at the moment. It maybe the only way to get pass his Sharingan. 'I've got it! It's risky…But that all I got right now.' She digs her hand into his ninja tool bag behind her back. She began looking around inside of the bag until she found what she was looking for.

Sasuke continued to stand completely still on the water, with his eyes closed. He was calming down all of his senses. He exhales deeply again. That's when Hinata shot herself out of the water a pretty far distances behind Sasuke's back. Hinata flew through the very air before she began gliding through the air heading in Sasuke's direction.

Sasuke reopens his eyes then turned around crouching down but it eyes widens in shock as he notices something sizzling from off of her back. 'What?' Hinata had a few explosive tags attached to her back, and continues gliding towards Sasuke about to get in range of him. Sasuke panicked for a spilt second thinking she might have lose her mind!

Sasuke performed a series of back flips, before he jumped up into the air quickly distancing himself from her. Hinata slams down against the water and she exploded making the water shoot up at the exact place where she landed. The water that flew up into the air started coming down like rain on top of Sasuke's body. Sasuke lands on top of the water in front of the explosion with his eyes still widen in shock.

"Is she crazy?!" Sasuke stared through the water trying to see if maybe she was standing up inside of the water. The explosion of water began to come back down creating waves of water. Suddenly a piece of wood went flying past Sasuke. Wait... a piece of wood? "A substitution?"

Sasuke didn't react in time when Hinata's hands came out of the water under Sasuke. She grabbed Sasuke by his ankles. She make sure to have a firm grip on his ankles. Sasuke looked down and was about to jump through the air, but he was too late as Hinata jump out of the water forcing Sasuke to fall over towards the ground. She suddenly started spinning rapidly while holding onto Sasuke's ankles.

"Rotation!" She shouted before she started to spin even faster, using the speed from her rotation to increases her spinning. She created a shield of chakra around herself and Sasuke but Sasuke had no time to brace himself for the rapid spin. She loosens up her grip, and tossed Sasuke away like a rag doll towards the wall.

Sasuke went flying to the wall at unbelievable speed, and slammed against the wall making the whole entire place shake for a moment. Hinata was panting for a bit, as she looks at where she send him flying. She was checking to see if she did any serious damage to him. She could see him against the wall unresponsive. "Did I get him…?" She asked herself, but she felt a little nudge from her jacket. Hinata used her Byakugan to see what was nudging against her jacket, but then she heard Sasuke's voice echoing throughout the Whole Valley.

"Fire Style, Dragon Flame Jutsu!" Fire erupted from where Sasuke was located. Now, he was angry. The flames shot up like a pillar from his body like a pillar, while his eyes intensified in rage. The fire began heading straight towards her, channeling down a thin thread towards her. Hinata looked once more at where the nudge came from and she notices a wire attached to her jacket. She was about to cut the thin with chakra, but before she could do anything about it, the fire from Sasuke's jutsu slam against her, and it exploded into a small fiery tornado around her. The screams from Hinata echoed throughout the entire valley. The scream was of utter agony.

Sasuke let out a heavy grunt and a few groans as he slowly made his way to feet. He had to uses the wall he was jammed against to get back up to his feet. He was panting heavily as he looked over at the bright orange light illuminating from the fire. The flames from the fire were reflecting off of Sasuke's onyx colored eyes. Sorrow was slowly overtaking his eyes. His eyes slowly softens as he took notices to the screams stopping.

There was no response for a while, so Sasuke figured out that the last jutsu must have did the trick. As much as he didn't want it to be true, he began to think she was dead. The fire displayed right in front of him slowly began to die down onto the ground revealing Hinata's body on the ground. Sasuke grew quieter. She was unresponsive. He turns his back to her and starts waking away from her body. "I really did it. I really killed her…" His voice was hollow, it was empty. He continued walking, and closes his eyes while his bangs covered his eyes. Why was did he feel like... he actually died on the inside?

He felt some strange liquid like substances rolling down his eyes. What was this pain he was feeling? This pain was... horrible. Sasuke began rubbing his eyes with his arms to stop this strange substances from rolling down his eyes, but while Sasuke was rubbing his eyes, he suddenly heard a faint voice. A voice he didn't at all imagine that would be heard anymore.

"Sa….suke…"

That voice stopped Sasuke cold right in his tracks. There was no way... His eyes shot open as he felt his blood run cold for the moment. He turned around with his expression expressing utter horror at the sight. He gasped as a powerful gust of wind was blowing past Sasuke's body. He hovered an arm over his eyes before he lowered that arm to witness the wind disbursing the fire and revealed Hinata's body moving. She slowly began to stand up onto her feet, as her jacket started falling into pieces due to the burn holes on it, revealing her traditional Hyuga garb underneath it. She looks up towards Sasuke with her eyes glowing white. Sasuke was now face to face with a fully 'awakened' Hinata. This battle has just taken a deadly turn.