Upon their arrival in Suna, the siblings of the Kazekage greeted them. They were escorted to Gaara's office, where Shikamaru handed him the package that was supposedly really important. Opening the package, the Kazekage pulled out a handful of documents, which he seemed to recognize even though the others in the room didn't. "So what are they?" Naruto asked interrupting the silence.

"Idiot! You're not supposed to ask about that kind of stuff." Shikamaru reprimanded while hitting him upside the head.

"I was just curious! Jeez…" he yelled back ending in some inaudible mumbling under his breath.

"They're just a few treaty papers I need to sign." Gaara answered his long-time friend.

"Treaty papers? Between here and Konoha?" Naruto asked curiously.

Gaara nodded in reply keeping his gaze on the papers in front of him.

"But…I thought that was already taken care of years ago?"

"It was. Well, the majority anyway." Temari answered. "I think these are basically covering the small things that are less important."

"Oh, I get it."

"I'll finish these tonight and let you take them back to your Hokage tomorrow." Gaara paused turning to his brother and sister. "Temari and Kankuro will show you to your rooms."

"Our rooms?" Naruto asked.

"Yeah, it's the least we could do for you guys. We'd hate to have to make you sleep in one of those crappy inns." Kankuro explained.

"So you can eat dinner with us and than get some rest before heading out tomorrow. Of course, it'd be smarter to head out really early in the morning before the sun hits above you." Temari added.

"Yeah, so follow us."

Kankuro escorted Naruto and Sasuke to their individual rooms while Temari escorted Hinata and Shikamaru to theirs. After fully settling in and taking their much needed showers, each decided to occupy their time in their own way until dinner.

Sasuke walked down the halls taking notice of few things. Naruto and Gaara were talking in his office, and Shikamaru seemed to be spending his time with Temari. Kankuro was seen walking around with a few other sand ninjas, and Hinata was yet to be seen. Hn. She must be in her room…His thoughts drifted until he passed by a small living room decorated with some couches, chairs, and a few bookcases. Sitting on one of these chairs was none other than Hinata Hyuga, who was contently reading a book. A small smile was graced on her lips, as she seemed to be very engrossed in the story. The last remaining light of day peeked in through the window lighting her features. He didn't know how long he'd been gazing at her, but apparently it was long enough for her to notice. She looks so…beautiful…Agh! What am I thinking? God, I think there really is something wrong with me! he cursed to himself. "Sasuke…are you all right?" he heard Hinata ask seeing that she was standing not too far from him now. She looked concerned. "Are you in any pain? D-Do your wounds s-still hurt?" He just stared at her with a blank expression, but his heart seemed to be beating rapidly. "Would you l-like me to t-take a look?"

A look huh? he thought to himself as he watched her lips intently. They look soft…I wonder…what they taste like…NO! What the hell am I thinking? he cursed to himself again, but froze when her hand touched his arm. "Sa-Sasuke?" she questioned, but he pulled away from her. "I'm fine." He mumbled sternly and walked away leaving a very confused Hinata behind.

At dinner, the group sat around the table eating their served food. Gaara remained silent as always while his siblings carried on a conversation with Naruto and Shikamaru. Sasuke stayed as silent as Gaara; Hinata even spoke more than him. They discussed the trip there and the enemy ninjas they encountered. Temari explained that the only plausible reason for the attack was that the Cloud simply didn't like the alliance between Suna and Konoha. "We've heard about a lot of attacks on that road between our two villages." Kankuro added. "We've sent out warnings to all our shinobi telling them to watch their backs."

"So the Hokage didn't warn you about it?" Temari asked.

"No. It's either she didn't know about it, or she just wanted to make our job more troublesome." Shikamaru answered leaning his chin on his palm.

"Maybe the old hag was trying to test us or something." Naruto theorized. "Doesn't matter though 'cause we beat their asses easily! Right Hinata-chan?" he nudged her playfully. She smiled gently towards the blond boy in admiration while nodding her head in agreement. "Hey, by the way Hinata-chan, I saw you fight that one ninja and you did really good! I was impressed!"

"Th-Thank you, Naruto-kun…" She said just above a whisper with her blush ever present.

Sasuke watched her and was once again drawn to her lips as she spoke. He felt a deep hungering, and even he knew that it wasn't for the food. The way he was reacting to even the smallest things she did was angering him to the breaking point. All that seemed to run across his mind was that he wanted her. He didn't exactly know why, but he wanted her for himself. He wanted to claim her as his. He figured he had to if he wanted his consistent thoughts of her to end. So, it was decided. She was to be his, and his alone.

Night rolled around as they were all heading to bed. Hinata had just put on her nightgown and was sitting on the edge of her bed running a brush through it. While her hands moved her thoughts were on other things. She was so excited about this mission the minute she heard it was to be with Naruto. She loved being in his presence. Everything about him just made her so happy. But something else was beginning to plague her mind. She never really knew Sasuke, but she also knew he was always so distant from people…especially women. After their confrontation at the park, she believed that he had hated her now. Although, even with his constant glares and mean remarks, he seemed to act differently around her than she'd seen him act around others. She often caught him staring at her intently, which only seemed to make her beyond nervous. He's probably just determining how he's going to kill me…she thought sadly. But then there were times that something seemed so contradictory to his glares. Even though his face was contorted in a scowl, his eyes held something else…something more. She couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly, but she knew it couldn't have been hate. The way his onyx eyes would capture her's so easily and seemed to hold them should she stare too long. It all made her heartbeat quicken. Not like it did with Naruto, but…what was it?

She sighed tiredly telling herself she was thinking too much about it. She put her brush aside and was about to turn off the lights when a knock sounded on her door. She opened it to see Sasuke standing there with a blank expression. He walked in and she closed the door behind her. "Sa-Sasuke, is there…"

"I have a question for you."

"Uh-o-okay."

"You've known me just as long as all the others have, correct?"

"I-I su-suppose."

"And not once did you ever have a crush on me like the others did." It seemed he was stating these as facts more than questions, but she answered nonetheless.

"No, I-I didn't. Why-"

"So, then…you've been head-over-heels in love with Naruto this whole time."

She blushed furiously, "H-How d-did-"

"So, you have." He interrupted again and seemed to be thinking. He looked up at her trailing her body with his narrowed eyes before making contact with her own. She had a look of pure confusion, and at the same time blushing from embarrassment. He walked towards her slowly while she kept her gaze on the ground. "He doesn't know."

"No…" she whispered taking on a depressed gaze. He smirked seeing her vulnerable and continued his slow-pace walk to her. When she finally looked up, she jumped slightly at seeing him less than a foot away from her. His face seemed impassive like always, but his eyes held a different feel to them. The same she had been noticing since this mission began. What is going on? Why is he here? Is he…going to…kill me now? Hinata couldn't help but look into them as if trying to decipher what he was thinking.

He took another step towards her making her step back. He continued until she found herself back against the wall with nowhere to go. Her heartbeat quickened and she found it incredibly hard to focus and breathe. "Sa-Sasuke…wh-what…" he stepped closer and she put her hands against his chest to stop him. "What a-are y-you-" he grabbed onto both her wrists and quickly held them above her head. She whimpered his name again only for him to interrupt a mere inch from her face. "I just want a taste of what you've been saving for Naruto." He spoke and crushed his lips to her's hungrily. Her eyes widened and she seemed to freeze. His left hand moved behind her neck while his right was still holding her wrists. His tongue graced across her lips seeking a forceful entrance. She gasped giving him the opening he needed in order to slip inside and explore. Slowly, she began to lose the strength to resist and somehow found that she was enjoying the kiss. Her eyes closed shut as she began to move her tongue against his. Sasuke would be lying if he said this didn't surprise him. In fact, this only made him want to intensify it. His grip on her wrists loosened allowing her to slip free and place them on his chest. Instead of pushing him away like he was thinking, she instead moved her hands upwards caressing his chest, shoulders, and neck until she had them entwined with his hair. She touched his forehead protector untying the knot at the back. She released it and dropped it to the ground giving her more access to his head. Combing through his hair and pulling him closer to her made his stomach flip backward only increasing his want and appetite. His right hand found it's way to her waist holding her close to him. Their tongues danced with each other while their hands caressed. When they finally broke apart, their breaths were heavy and their eyelids only halfway opened. "S-Sasuke…" she breathed and saw him back away from her bending down to retrieve his forehead protector. He walked towards the door, but stopped before opening it. "This…never happened." He muttered and left the room closing the door securely behind him.

Hinata slumped against the wall trying to return her breathing to normal. What just happened? Did…did that really just happen? As much as she tried to convince herself it couldn't have…she knew it did. And to add onto the shock, she couldn't deny that she really enjoyed it. But wait, wasn't that kiss, her first kiss, supposed to be saved for Naruto? Why than, wasn't she angry that Sasuke had stolen it from her? Why was she suddenly feeling like she wanted more? And…why did he kiss me? Why me? Why…She stopped thinking so much on it and turned off the lights walking towards her bed with the clear intention to sleep it off.

Even with that basic mindset though, that night, it seemed neither of them could sleep. Hinata stayed awake only confused, while Sasuke could only lick his lips reminding him of the way she tasted…and how sweet it was. The whole night he became aware that he wanted more of that taste. He found it quite addicting. As much as he was enjoying the taste that lingered on his lips, he scolded himself for losing control so easily. But he was the Avenger. He knew that when he wanted something, he would do whatever needed to make sure it was his. Right now, that something, or someone, was Hinata Hyuga. It didn't really become apparent until now, but he soon realized that lust was a very powerful emotion. Hn. And all those fools out there prefer love…what ignorance. Lust is so much more enjoyable to indulge.

They all woke up early that morning before the sun even rose. Gaara gave them the documents to take back home with them, and bid them well on their journey. Naruto went on in his normal carefree attitude not even realizing that his best friend and Hinata were unusually quiet. Sure, they were normally quiet, but at least they held the look of focus. Now, their minds had somehow drifted off into a daze. They wouldn't make eye contact with each other and made sure they were no where near each other when walking. Hinata stayed near Naruto letting him ramble on about something or other, while Sasuke remained in the back with his hands in his pockets keeping his stern gaze upon Hinata's back. He smirked in male pride at seeing how distracted she was. He had begun the steps in claiming the Hyuga woman as his own. Even though he had initiated the action, he knew that there were great obstacles in his way. The biggest being the blonde-haired, blue-eyed idiot walking next to her. It was easier knowing Naruto didn't carry the same feelings for her as she did for him, but the feelings she did have for him were strong. So strong that he knew it was going to be a war in it's own in demolishing those feelings and redirecting them to himself. But he was an Uchiha for God's sake! It was in his blood to be enthralled with a good challenge.