I am back after a very long hiatus. I promise you after all of this time I intend to finish this story until the end. From here on out I plan to have a chapter uploaded every one or two weeks until I am finished. I am motivated again with this story. A bonus would be your support with reviews and literary criticisms if you have them :) I would love to hear if you are enjoying this story and hear your thoughts.

Sasuke could barely recall his first week in the Hyuuga household. Most days were spent pretending to sleep in the shadows of his unfamiliar room. It was the reason he refused to turn the lights on in the evening; choosing to stay in the dark was a comforting alternative to remembering his real home. When he did sleep, he was distressed by the nightmares of his family's slaughter. He was repeatedly living the memory he couldn't escape. It was changing him. Sasuke couldn't really remember himself on the days he sat catatonic in the corner. He was too young to understand the psychological shock that consumed him; his mind a whirlwind of toxic emotions, yet his body limped like the undead.

The clock would tick for hours without a single movement from the little black haired boy. Tick…Tlick…Tlick… Until one day he heard a nervous knock on his door. The knock had occurred before, but Sasuke was too warped in his brain to notice it. He stared at the hardwood sliding door as if he had just realized that it was there. It existed. He wasn't confined to a prison. It took him twice as long to process that he should open the door and see who it was. He rose to his feet but stumbled with difficulty; his weakened state made it difficult to maintain his composure, another fact he was realized. When was the last time he stood on his two feet?

The door slid open in an effortless gesture. He looked left and right seeing no one at the door. As if instincts had called him, he looked down and saw a neatly arranged breakfast plate on the floor. He blinked once. Blinked twice. Then his stomach grumbled at the scrumptious sight before him. It had been an unhealthy amount of days since he had last eaten. Four bright red slices of tomatoes made him salivate.

With a hand trembling from lack of proper nourishment, he reached down and picked up a slice. When it bit into it, the taste felt foreign yet impeccably delicious. He swallowed and ate another. Then the third. Each piece more satisfying than the he picked up the last slice he heard the sound of heavy footsteps from around corner. On impulse, he slammed his door shut and stuffed the last tomato into his mouth. Pressed cautiously against the wall, he chewed furiously like it was his last meal. The sound of two men conversing muffled on the other side of his door, the seemingly relaxed tones distant to Sasuke. It was only when the voices disappeared down the hall did his panic subside within him. That's right, he was sent to the Hyuga clan; dropped off as a nuisance no doubt.

Sasuke was wretchedly tired. Although his legs still wavered, he was able to walk over to his new bed and collapse with a light thud. It might have been a result of a not-so-empty stomach, but for the first time he was able to close his eyes and dream of nothing. Just for a brief moment he was numb to everything that existed. There was no blood. No screams. No image of his dead clan flashing through his mind. He learned apathy was the best feeling he had the pleasure of having in what seemed like forever. Forever is a very long time for a 7 year old, mind you. Death was the only memory he owned.

In his half lidded sleep he could hear the sounds of a little girl scampering outside his door. A familiar voice filled with a quiet excitement took over all his other senses. I know that girl. What was her name again?

"Koko-Neesan!" Hinata softly cheered, "Sasuke-kun ate my tomatoes."

The proud look on her face was not hard to read and as a result, it was very contagious. The young branch woman smiled down at her little lady.

"You've done very well, Hinata-sama." Koko encouraged, "What are you going to do now to keep it up?"

Hinata walked her funny walk to Sasuke's room, doing her best to balance his breakfast tray with her tiny gentle hands. A secret wave of confidence swept her, for she has planned this morning's food carefully with precision and delight. She hoped more than anything that today would be the day he ate his whole meal. Then maybe another day he would eat lunch. Maybe even dinner! Yes, little Hinata was a little bit optimistic today.

Little Hinata wasn't as scared this time. Well, maybe just a little bit nervous, but she has managed to walk up to this door the last couple of days without impulsively running. She fumbled when the glass of juice almost tipped from the uneven weight on the tray. She made a motion to kneel and lay down the tray when-

A sudden thud of sliding door opened. The door burst open so suddenly, the morning birds from the court garden behind her flew from their nests. Hinata froze like a deer in headlights, truly unprepared for this unexpected turn. She stood wide eyed, face-to-face with Sasuke. His empty black eyes stared at her round plump face without a word, and for a very long minute nothing was said between the two children.

"G-g-g-good m-morning Sasuke-kun," Hinata stuttered.

He had heard the subtle clattering of plates accompanied by her recognizable shuffle. Sasuke looked down that the tray Hinata clutched very tightly in her hands. Tomato omelets, stuffed cheese tomato, tomato slices, and of course, tomato juice. His breakfast also arranged in a shape of a face with a funny hat. Hinata began to regret her meal decision in fear that maybe he really didn't like tomatoes all that much. Maybe she put too much this time. Maybe he hated breakfast. Oh no, she thought with panic.

The trembling tray steadied itself as Sasuke grasped it in his hands. His actions surprised Hinata out of her anxiety, relaxing her gaze enough to properly look at him. It was only then that she could visibly the terrible shape he was in. His hair distorted and his week old clothes ragged and dirty. She tried not to wrinkle her nose at the smell coming from him and his room; the result of locking yourself up for so long.

Unsure of what to do, Hinata made an awkward nodding gesture towards the food and Sasuke, using her darting eyes to speak for her. This is for you, her fumbling expression said. Little Sasuke caught her eye and in response nodded only once. I know, his gesture told her. Calm relief was all Hinata felt as she released her grip on his food, the tray separating their awkward connection. Neither of them noticed how close their thumbs were to touching while they supported the tray together. A rather cute scene if anyone were around to witness it.

Thus, Sasuke wordlessly retreated back to his room and Hinata scurried off from their first interaction, not knowing that this was the beginning of an unlikely friendship.

Until next week my SasuHina lovers!