A/N: Hiya guys! Read all ur reviews and thought they were so sweet. Very sweet, thanks vedy much! On with the story, this chappie ain't really Hinata and Sasuke yet, cos it is the beginning, and he is still recovering after all. So cha! But there will be moments in future chapters to come. SO please keep reading!

Chapter 3: Turning Wheel

" Oka-san, it's annoying."

The beautiful raven-haired middle-aged mother stared at her son. She was feeding the fishes in the small pond that was in their garden. Her youngest son decided to come along with her after he just came home from school. She gave a giggle at his antics.

" What? Oka-san, I don't like it. I hate girls. They stare at me and try to get my attention all the time!" The boy kept whining, crossing his arms defensively.

" Sasuke, I suppose they think you're cute." The mother put a finger on her chin, as if she was doing some hard thinking. The boy pouted at his own mother, who obviously had taken the girl's side.

" I hate it." The boy repeated.

" Sasuke-kun, I suppose you'll have to deal with it somehow. It's normal really, Sasuke-kun, young girls usually like a cute boy who is able to do everything." The mother replied simply.

" ...Because of my looks…That's not a good enough reason. They don't know me oka-san." The boy shrugged.

" Hold it! Sasuke-kun, aren't you too young to be having this conversation? These things usually come across when you're older…however, it is normal. As they get older, the girls will go into personality more but it is human to be drawn to looks." She explained as a matter of factly, slightly surprised that her son is able to distinguish the weakness of humans so early. To be judgmental of people and things they do not know is definitely a huge merit in all humans.

" And." She paused, gathering her full attention at her youngest son. " You will also be vain once you get used to girls getting drawn to you. However, there'll always be someone who doesn't like you because of your looks. That girl probably doesn't even like you because she doesn't know you, she might admire someone else. And you might not like her because of that." The mother kept on saying, unnoticeably talking to the boy as if he were a teenager already.

" If she doesn't like me, why should I like her?" The raven-haired boy answered coldly, crossing his arms.

" Sasuke-kun!" The mother called out his name in warning when he's behaving badly. Although, that time there was a slight smirk playing on her lips as she said his name. Was she thinking of something perhaps? The boy smiled to himself though, he couldn't wait to find that girl.

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" All right, gather around everyone. Quickly, a hokage doesn't have time to dilly dolly you know?" The blonde woman snapped.

Everyone sat at the long round table at her attention. It was protocol to do a weekly meeting of the staff in the hospital. That time, the hokage mentions that was the time to voice all your concerns and needs, and get recognized for your efforts and work. Hinata didn't really care about that however, no one did, except the young and competitive medic-nins that still hasn't surpassed 16 years of age, not fully mature yet therefore it's a big deal for them. Hinata doubted that they would be personally accredited, as they are still trainees. This meeting is only valid for surgeons and experienced medic-nins.

" As you all know, this week we had major emergency treatments to our shinobi. We worked really hard, and we were able to save their lives. For this I feel that you should all feel glad that we have accomplished yet another mission. Anyways, getting to the point of all our patients. I'd like each of you to report what happened to your patients and explain your treatments." Tsunade explained, flipping through her pages of her thick binder that contained registration of every patient in the hospital.

" We'll start with the…" Tsunade announced the first section, it was the surgeons unit who had to go first, come forth and explain their actions. Hinata sleepily rubbed her eye as she pretended to listen to a young med-nin's report on her patient's knee surgery. Sakura also gave her a cheeky smile, and made a hand gesture of her yawning, indicating that she too was sleepy. Ino gently nudged Hinata on the other side to urge her to stay awake.

" Okay, well next is…. emergency unit and intensive care section. Patient 34567 Shino Aburame, would the med-nin in charge please stand up and explain." Tsunade said, drinking her cup of coffee. Hinata wanted to laugh at the woman's attempt of staying awake by drinking a lot of caffeine. She eyed enviously at her friend Ino as she confidently stood up against all eyes at the meeting. Ino hardly stuttered when she explained Shino's condition, and even from the beginning, Ino looked like she knew what she was doing. Such confidence bedazzles Hinata…

" Patient 34571, Uchiha Sasuke. Will the medic nin rise?" Tsunade suddenly announced, snapping Hinata out of her thoughts. She felt a tug coming from her left, she knew it was Yui and Ami. Suddenly she felt her heartbeat pounding in her ears. She'd never lead a report before, let alone speak in one, as she was the assistant of Sakura or Ino and even Tsunade-sama.

" Hinata!" Sakura whispered, nudging her elbows gently at the gaping young girl.

" …oh..right…" Hinata whispered. She abruptly stepped up. She gulped as all eyes were on her, waiting for her to explain. She glanced nervously at Tsunade who gave her a brisk nod, urging her to start.

" We…we found on Uchiha-san's body, that…there was a fatal cell that degenerates the body, and consumes everything as it spreads. So me, Yui and Ami worked together to stop the cells from spreading. By that, we decided to use Tsunade-sama's chakra treatment potion that helped kill the cells, combining our chakras."

" Only three med-nins?" One of the senior med-nin spoke.

" Uhm…yes.." Hinata answered, desperately trying to put some confidence in her voice. She noticed the senior med-nin raised her eyebrows, perhaps she had never thought the task would be done by just three medic-nins.

" Um...yes…so we managed to destroy the cells. And uh…we found out that some of the cells have entered and began attacking his brain. So I had to enter his mind, and get him to come back. So, his status right now is currently stable. Me and my assistants are still recovering from chakra exhaustion, when we are better, we will continue our treatments on him." Hinata concluded and sat down. She eyed Sakura who gave her a smile and Ino who gave her thumbs up. She finally felt like she was breathing again, perhaps she did okay after all.

" So Hinata how is teme?" Naruto asked, leaning over the sleeping raven-haired young man.

" Baka! He hasn't woken up yet!" Sakura yelled, almost forgetting that the blonde kyuubi container was still injured.

Hinata only smiled at the two bickering people, as she was busy sorting out the different types of medicines for Sasuke. It had been two weeks now since the platoon returned half-dead and everyone managed to survive. Everyone on the team is still in the hospital, bed-ridden, except for Naruto who is bandaged from head to toe but was too noisy so they let him walk around the hospital from time to time. Hinata just happened to be on her visit check on Sasuke when Sakura and Naruto came in. She checked her watch, it was dinnertime now at the Hyuuga household, they probably started without her, no surprise there.

" Na…Naruto…he…yeah…what Sakura said." Hinata stuttered, why does she always forget what she says around Naruto? It annoyed her to no end, yet it still kept on happening.

" H-How is Kiba-kun and Shino-kun?" Hinata asked Sakura. She couldn't deny she was changing the subject to conceal her embarrassment- not that no one knew- it was pretty damn obvious. However, she is very much concerned with her close comrades that she came to love as brothers.

" Oh they're getting better. Akamaru is recovering at most as Kiba really protected him during the mission. Shino is fine but still weak. And Kiba, he did take most of the injuries so he'll be in bed for while. Shino and Kiba told me to say hi to you too." Sakura answered. She molded her shoulders and winced in pain. " Hinata! You and me have been working our asses off, what say we grab Ino and go for a drink now eh, it's like eight o'clock. COME ON."

Naruto gave a childish pout and crossed his arms and his legs as he sat on the edge of Sasuke's bed.

" HMPH! Lucky! …. Say Sakura-chan, you wouldn't be cruel enough to abandon a dying man would you? I mean… you could have me tag along…I want ramen…"

" No. Naruto, I'm not letting you sneak off." Sakura crossed her arms, she then grabbed Naruto by the collar of his shirt, stopping at the door. " And for that I'm personally making sure that you are tied to that bed, in fact I will tie it! Hinata so are you coming?"

" Sakura, I have to do some more work. Tell Ino I say hi…" Hinata smiled.

" Hinata, oh fine! But you're coming with us sooner or later." Sakura gave a wave before closing the door behind her, careful trying not to crush the bandaged blonde. Hinata giggled as he heard Naruto shout something along the lines of " Good night Hinata-chan!"

Hinata ran her tired fingers through her smooth black hair before retying her loose hair into a bun. She then placed the tray on the counter next to the bed. She then sat down next to the young man whose eyes still hasn't opened. Hinata always have this habit on whomever she was in charge of, unconscious or not, she'd keep them company. She always got this empathic feeling that would tell her to stay with them because they are lonely. Especially him. Hinata thought as she stared at the handsome young man.

Out of all the rookies and Neji's team, Sasuke was the least person she had to talk to. In fact, they hardly spoke at all. When she was little, she only knew him as the young boy whom all the girls were crazy for. In fact, Hinata remembered she was the only one who didn't have any feelings for him. And then, there was the tragedy of his clan, every one of them killed except his brother and him. She also knew from her friends that his ambition is to kill his brother, the one responsible for the massacre. That goal made him stride all lengths in order to be powerful, she remembered how Naruto and Sakura was in sorrow and grief when he left the village to seek Orochimaru. Their desperation and struggle to get him back. And he finally did. He came back and spent a year or so trying to regain his status and trust to the village of Konoha. Still, he hadn't changed his cold and quiet self. Hinata wonders if she is even acknowledged by the Uchiha, she highly doubts it. No one knows her. Outside her workplace, her friends, the Hokage and a few ninjas, people just remember her as Neji's cousin or Hanabi's sister.

That thought just made her dwell on the worse things. It annoyed her that all she could do is ponder and reflect, never do anything about it, except train as hard as possible, but it was like trying to find the switch in the darkness for the light to come. That too needs a light so the switch can be found. A guide or a goal perhaps, Hinata just doesn't think of it like that. She was just afraid and unsure of what she wants to do. How she envied her friends.

After Sakura, Hinata would find herself also envying Yamanaka Ino. She had come a long way and is now one of the best kunoichi's in her village. Her medical skills are also excellent alongside with her ninja skills. Not only that, Ino bloomed into a beauty as well. She was always pretty, but Hinata never really found herself to admire a superficial and mean person like Ino when they were kids and young teenagers. Ino is now very mature and is nothing superficial now. Her blonde hair was cut back the same way when she was a kid, very short that it was just below her ears. That only made more guys drools over her. And there was Tenten, a kunoichi's that specializes in combat and weapons. She is now a beautiful woman, with her wavy long dark brown hair, still tied in two buns. Her fine well-developed body that is comparable to Ino's and Sakura's was no exception that added to attraction when the men talk. Hinata frowned, it seemed that everyone just bloomed into a beautiful flower. When was it her turn to bloom? She thought sadly. Her friends could do so much for the village and themselves, but her?

She noticed Sasuke's hands twitching, and looked at his face. She was nearly there, if she could push a little further, Sasuke would recover. She knew he was in his half-unconscious state, like sleeping, but awake, he could not open his eyes, but Hinata had a strong feeling he was listening and was aware of his presence. Even so, that won't be registered as memory when he wakes up. When he wakes up, he will have forgotten of the things he heard and felt during his half conscious state. His eyes still closed, his pale face still the same colour, although Hinata had noticed since she was working tirelessly healing him every single day, was not a deathly white and pale of a ghost. His jet-black hair had grown up to his shoulders, obviously needing a cut. His eyebrows seemed arched together and it looked like he was in a bad dream. Hinata could tell he hates hospitals.

" I wish it would rain right now." Hinata said out loud.

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Hinata gently peered over at the lone moon, a habit of hers that has become quite addictive. She felt she owed the moon for always being there for her, to be by her side through her tears and smiles. She felt her eyelids getting heavy, and began to prepare for her sleep. She heard footsteps heading towards her door and found the door to be slid by none other than her own sister.

" Hanabi-chan, come in." Hinata said softly.

She stared at her thin, lanky younger sibling. They were similar with inheriting the byakugan and the same hair colour, along with a few similar features. However, Hanabi has colder and serious features that hardly smiled, and if so, it would look strange on her face. Whereas Hinata, she too was pale, her features were much sweeter and full of life than her sister.

" What's the matter? Are you sick?" Hinata asked as her sister came and sat on the bed with her.

Hinata peeked at Hanabi, obviously trying to read her expression.

" No, I just came in to talk that's all. I want to know…nee-chan…how is life?" Hanabi asked, fiddling with her ribbons.

" Um…the usual…nothing different…why do you ask?" Hinata cocked her head to one side.

" Well, how is your training going?" Hanabi egged on.

" Uh, I am improving despite what otousan says." Hinata explained.

Hanabi gave a brisk nod, lost in her own thoughts.

" Hanabi-chan, really, what's wrong? You don't act like this unless its something serious." Hinata exclaimed. She too was getting nervous by her sister's dark aura.

" Nee-chan, you know. Kiba and Shino and Kurenai-sensei, are they really helping you?" Hanabi seems to have completely ignored Hinata's question.

" Uh, they are being very kind and considerate as my comrades and my teacher, I really couldn't ask for more-" Hinata babbled. Really, what could a limited person like her do except train harder? She was indeed lucky that Shino, Kiba and Kurenai-sensei didn't give up on her.

" Neechan, they aren't helping you at all. I have Father and Neji-nii-san to train me, and you…you're the eldest, to inherit this clan!"

Hinata eye's widened, really what is all this talk? She hated it, everyone keeps saying it to her face and she's damn well sick of it. Hell she knew she HAS to get stronger. And that's why she's working her butt off every day.

" Neechan… I heard…after dinner, Father and a few of the elders talking…they…don't think you are up for it…leading the clan…they think you're weak…it just hurts to see our own father talking of you in such manner-" Hanabi finally explained, but was interrupted by Hinata's voice, tinged with sudden panic.

" So…what are they going to do? Hanabi?" Hinata said.

" …You…are the legal heir…I think they want you to…I don't know…Father…wants me… to become heir…so…"

Hinata's face seemed to have lost its colour. Her own colour had changed to completely chalk white. Was this what fate had planned to her? She was going to be overthrown by her own sister. Her own hands trembled at what was going to happen? Hinata wanted to escape and run and just want to think this all slowly, but it was going too fast. Her mind and rationality seemed to be losing control…what the hell is going on?

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She was woken up by the sound of thunder rippling through the vast midnight sky. It had not been a dream, it was a mere flashback. Yet her own body still shook and her heart pounded in her ears. She tried to calm down by letting her ears listen to the rhythms of the droplets of rainwater falling from the sky and hitting the windows in its own rhythm as rainfall came.

Hinata evened out her own breathing pattern by taking deep breaths slowly. She focused on Sasuke. His body seemed to relax now and there was no longer a frown in his eyebrows nor his lips. His pale hands now lay unclenched besides his body. He seemed to be listening to the rain too, with an almost serene expression on his face.

" So you like the rain too…" She mumbled, and smiled despite what she was feeling at the moment.

What Hanabi told her only a few days ago remained an imprinted inside her mind. It was so unnerving and disturbing that it even entered her dreams. She really was lost. It seemed the only good thing she was a use of would be a daughter only good enough to marry. It seemed that fate had planned on setting her up only as a useful housewife, a shadow to her younger sister who was in charge of her clan she was supposed to take of, but she couldn't because she was weak.

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The first thing he felt was a boulder of rock on top of his eyelids, making it difficult for him to open his eyes. His throat felt dry and thirsty, he moved his tongue to find it licking his very dry cracked lips. Every muscle, every bone seemed to hurt just by him breathing albeit slowly. He even had trouble breathing. With his eyes closed he sensed he was back in that all too familiar whitewashed room again. And that nauseating smell of disinfectant seemed to smell worse every time he came here. He moved his right hand a bit to feel the IV stabbing into his vein. What the hell had happened to him?

" He's awake!" He heard a high-pitched yell from his right that made his ears want to bleed.

" ..hell?" He managed to let out the last bit. At least he could speak.

" Teme, what's wrong with you? You made it through alive and the first thing you do is swear?" An all too-familiar annoying voice also yelled into his other ear.

" Shut up, dobe." Sasuke muttered.

His eyes finally opened albeit slowly. Yeah, unfortunately, he really was at the hospital. His vision that was blurred finally cleared up to find he was staring at his best two comrades jumping for joy on either side of him. He stared at his probably only trusted female friend Sakura, she looked relieved. And he stared at his annoying best friend. Naruto, who was bandaged from head to toe, which did not stop him moving about like he had no injury to begin with.

" What the hell happened to me?" Sasuke muttered, he may be able to see, but the sunrays refracting through the window was really bothering him.

" Man, Sasuke, you and me, we were in deep shit for sure! I really thought we were in for it!" Naruto said too lightly despite his words.

" He caused trouble all right." Sakura agreed, crossing her arms and closing her eyes. " The explosion in that medical lab really affected you guys. It created some dangerous fatal cells that worked against the body. Naruto here, the kyuubi inside him nearly escaped. Tsunade had to call Kakashi-sensei, Gai and people with quite an amount of chakra to help Naruto stay in control."

" Oh, it was a failure then. The mission?" Sasuke asked. It was absolutely troublesome, since he came back from Orochimaru, his missions haven't been really successful. The Hokage was already not satisfied with the rate of his success missions decreasing. Even his pride felt ashamed for having the one of the lowest success mission as a jounin. And it seemed he failed yet again…He better start looking forward to those 'talks' with the Fifth.

" Screw the mission!" Sakura yelled. " Both of you, Shino and Kiba acted like idiots. What the hell? What kind of a screwed up plan was that? 'Oh-let's ambush him and have a FIGHT in a medical lab with all those chemicals' You guys better thank your lucky stars you're alive. You too Sasuke! That cells were attacking your brain cells, so our biggest worry was that you'd come back alive, but your mind and memory are lost! I swear if it weren't for her, you wouldn't be here right now!"

Sasuke just blinked and looked straight ahead. Noting to himself that Sakura's temper is already flaring like her master. She hasn't hit him yet, but he wouldn't want her to, he know it'd hurt, a lot. Really, he didn't think he was that close on death's door. Perhaps he was wrong…

Hinata peeked behind the hospital door to see the trio inside having somewhat a marvelous time. Hinata echoed Sakura by breathing out a sigh of relief. Sasuke was finally awake. She was getting quite anxious that he wasn't waking up. But he was alive and well! Hinata felt a sense of achievement gush through her as she watched Sasuke sitting on his bed, wishing he was out of here, the sooner the better. Hinata felt that she should really work on him if she wanted to make his wish come true.

She took a deep breath before entering through the hospital door. She was really nervous, after all Naruto was there.

" Hi…hi Naruto-kun, Sakura-chan…Uchiha-san." Hinata muttered nervously.

Sasuke stared at her passively before turning his head to lie on the bed. He saw her glancing nervously at the clueless blonde boy who seemed to be ranting away. The girl was probably here to visit her beloved. Typical.

Okay, Hinata raised a weird eyebrow, Not exactly the thank you I wanted…but he is that snobby person he always is…looks like it's going to be a little hard…

TBC

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A/N: Hope you like it! Read and review onegai!

Nops