PART 2

They had been living together for about 2 weeks. They came to learn that they were a lot alike. Sasuke always thought that all girls were annoying. He thought Hinata was annoying in the past because of her irritating stuttering, but since she didn't do that anymore, so he was fine with it.

Hinata felt at peace when she was with Jin, for what reason she didn't know. She felt that he too was hiding something, but she felt that they understood each other. But she found his grey eyes disturbing, as if they weren't real.

Hinata walked out of the bathroom with a towel trying to dry her wet hair. She saw Sasuke laying his head on the table his arms outstretched. She smiled, but froze when she saw him shiver violently.

She rushed to his side and saw that he was covered in sweat, and put a hand to his forehead. He was burning up! She tried to carry him to his room by carrying him on her back, but she fell to the floor under the weight. So she had no choice but to drag him.

Once Hinata got him in bed, she ran into the bathroom and wet a towel. She dabbed at it his face and wiped the sweat off. Hinata heard him murmur, "Gaa-san, Otou-san, Itachi-nii…"

Her eyes widened. Itachi? Perhaps she just heard wrong. Jin couldn't be Uchiha Sasuke! But they do look a lot alike.

Without thinking, her hand had moved to his face and touched his cheek bone. Blushing, she got up to leave, but felt something holding her back. Hinata looked down at her wrist, and saw Sasuke's hand gripping it. She looked into his clouded eyes as he said, "Just stay…for…awhile…"

Sasuke's dream:

He was lying in his own pool of blood. He couldn't defeat Itachi. He had failed to fulfill his revenge. He deserved to die.

Suddenly out of the mist, the same girl walked out. She wore a white kimono with silver flowers embroidered. She knelt down and stroked his face. The minute she touched him, all of his pain seemed to fade. He felt…at peace…he closed his eyes just about to fall into a deep healing sleep when he felt her get up to leave. He grabbed her wrist and begged her to stay. She smiled, said nothing, and sat beside him.

Sasuke opened his eyes slowly. That girl…who was she? She seemed to melt his anger, his pain. He sat up and a towel fell in his lap. He realized that it was on his forehead. He looked around and noticed that he was in his bedroom when he fell asleep at the table. Sasuke sighed and went out to the kitchen. He noticed a note on the table that said:

"Jin-kun,

I know that you are quite ill, and so I'm out to buy ginseng. I'll be back in 15 minutes. There is miso soup sitting on the stove. Just heat it up for 5 minutes if you're hungry.

Hinata"

Sasuke felt like a child. The note brought back memories, how his mother would go out to buy ginseng when he was sick, leaving a note when he woke up.

Usually, Sasuke didn't have much of an appetite. But since he began living with Hinata, he had to admit her cooking was pretty good. Soon, Hinata arrived and prepared him a breakfast and made tea.

As they ate, Sasuke said, "Naruto and I are going to the training grounds to train." He did felt a little guilty since this girl had to accompany him wherever he went. Wait, did he just feel guilty?

Hinata replied, "Alright, I don't have any other plans for the day anyway."

She got up to wash the dishes, leaving Sasuke in confusion with his emotions.

When Sasuke and Hinata arrived, they saw Naruto standing by the 3 wooden poles. He smiled broadly and yelled, "Hi, Jin and Hinata!"

Sasuke cringed and said, "No need to yell. We're right here."

Naruto beamed and said, "Come on, let's go!"

"Where?"

"Well, Sakura-chan's birthday is tomorrow. And we're throwing a surprise birthday party! So we need to get decorations, presents, food, mus-"

"THAT'S our training?"

Naruto nodded happily, and replied, "Think of it as a mission: Mission-make-Sakura-chan's-birthday-a-success!"

Sasuke groaned, and Hinata giggle behind him. Hinata smiled and said, "Well, why not, Jin-kun? Sakura-chan is our friend. If you were so intent on training, I can train with you later today."

"Fine," Sasuke grumbled. He tried to hide the disappointment in his face. He wanted to see how much stronger Naruto had gotten, and how Naruto would fight now. Hinata probably wouldn't be as strong as Naruto, and he wasn't interested in the Hyuuga's fighting style.

They walked into a shopping district of Konoha, and soon, Naruto was out of sight, looking at gifts for Sakura. When they finally found him, Naruto was examining a silver banded ring with a small emerald. Naruto looked up and grinned broadly. "Ne, Hinata, you're hand is the same size as Sakura-chan's. Do you mind if you could try it on?"

Hinata replied slowly, "Well…not really…I guess."

Naruto beamed, "Don't worry. I'm just checking the size!"

The ring fit Hinata well, and Naruto decided to buy it. But when Hinata turned around, Sasuke wasn't there. She looked around the shop, and saw him looking at pearls. She walked up to him and touched his arm. He seemed startled and asked, "You don't seem to like gems as much as other girls do."

Hinata sighed, "Yes, you're right. They make me feel...well…not me. I like pearls better. They're more simple yet pretty."

Sasuke whispered, "Just like you."

Hinata couldn't hear him, which was good. He asked for a small pearl ring. He grasped Hinata's white hands and slipped the ring on with ease. Hinata's eyes widened at his action and he smiled. "You're right. Pearls look better on you." She blushed a light pink.

Sasuke returned the ring, and they left to go find Naruto again. Hinata bought a ninja pouch that could carry weapons and medical equipment for Sakura's birthday. Sasuke couldn't find a present, so Hinata insisted that her gift was from the 2 of them.

That afternoon, Sakura was extremely surprised, let alone happy. It went pretty well except for the dancing part. Sasuke was bored watching others dance. Ino and some of Sakura's friends had flirtatiously asked him to dance, but he had refused.

He saw Hinata sitting near the window gazing outside. He tapped her shoulder and she spun around startled. "What are you looking at?"

She gazed out again sadness echoed in her eyes. "It's raining."

Confused Sasuke replied, "Yes, it is. What of it?"

"The rain brings back memories. Sad memories."

Sasuke felt pity on her, and bent down. He whispered in her ear, "Dance with me? It will take a way the pain for now." At least he hoped so.

Hinata smiled and nodded. Sasuke took her hand, and placed his other hand at her back. They danced to the soft sweet music. Sasuke realized that Hinata was graceful. The way her feet were light along with the music, how she kept her body steady, the way she danced was simply beautiful. Sasuke felt the gaze of others girls on him and Hinata, but he didn't care. A wave of peacefulness washed over him as they danced.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and Sakura opened it to see Kakashi. He noticed the party and turned to Sakura, "Why wasn't I invited? Never mind, no need to answer. I need Motoko Jin."

Sasuke and Hinata broke apart, and Sasuke stepped foreward. "What is it?"

Kakashi looked at him strangely, "Godaime wants to see you. Immediately."