Thanks to all who have reviewed , favourite, followed and just in general read the actual story! You are all wonderful xxx Ps. Sorry for the spelling errors, in the last chapter (I was half dead when I posted it, I've gone and fixed it now).

misao97: I'm sorry but this is a sasuhina fanfic, although there will be flashbacks of naruhina. I really love naruhina and it pains me to make him so sad as well! I'm rooting for him as well sometimes ha ha, it's so hard to be cruel to my babies L thanks for the review xx

crystalblue19: aw, I'm a big fan of naruhina so sorry to say but prepare yourself for some naruhina. Yes, there history will be explained real soon! I'm also excited to see Sasuke and Hinata's development J

The Hanami festival is a real festival, which celebrates the sakura trees falling. I'm sorry if I get any details wrong in regards to the festival as I'm using the internet as my resource.

This chapter begins with Kiba and Ino (another crack ship of mine). I love them and writing them was so much fun. So if you're not a big fan of them, I'm sorry but it's important that you do read it as some facts are revealed!

There's a little sasuhina interaction in this, hope you all like it! I promise that there will be many more Hinata and Sasuke moments to come. I really want to develop their relationship in a way that it is not rushed.

Also apologises that the update is late, it was Australia Day on Monday (so I was partying) and school has also started. Since I'm in my final year of school, I will also be quite busy, but rest assured this fanfic WILL continue and will be finished! I'm hoping to continue a streak of weekly updates. Nonetheless, onwards with the chapter – enjoy xx

Chapter 4:

August23rd had been a date Ino Yamanaka would always remember. For the cheerful blonde, it had been a normal day until he walked in. From then on, that day had been special to Ino. She wondered what her life would be if he had never walked in on that particular day. Boring as I wouldn't have a boyfriend. Ino laughed at that thought, it wouldn't necessarily be boring. After all, she had friends, a career in the Interrogation Force and worked at her family's flower shop from time to time.

"What's so funny?"

Ino looked up at her boyfriend and smiled – Kiba Inuzuka. She would never get tired of saying his name. If anyone had told her she would end up dating Kiba when she was twelve, she would have ridiculed them. Now, at the age of nineteen, Ino could admit she was madly in love with him.

Ino poked out her tongue at Kiba, "Nothing, I just remembered something."

Kiba scratched his beard, "I hope it was something stupid that Sai did."

Ino giggled at his reply. Despite the two being together for almost a year, he was quite jealous of Sai simply because Ino had found him attractive. After all the first time he had asked her out, Kiba had to enquire about the whereabouts of Sai which Ino had only replied with a 'how the hell should I know?' Thus, began their relationship. She wrapped an arm around his, gesturing that the conversation was over. She was glad he could read her. Kiba said no more as he continued to lead her to a stall to eat.

August 23rd… what a day it was. For Ino it was precious to her, she remembered how Kiba had walked into her family's flower shop asking for flowers to give to Hinata. Ino sometimes felt selfish that August 23rd was an important day for her. That day was also the day the late Head of the Hyuga clan had passed away from a sudden heart attack. For Hinata it had been a terrible day of mourning. Ino thought the universe was strange like that – to grant happiness to one and grief to another. What made Ino feel even worse was the idea that if Hiashi Hyuga had not passed away, Kiba would not have come in on that day to buy flowers. That only left Ino questioning her relationship with Kiba as it grew. He once told her though that it didn't matter.

I've liked you for a while Ino, I just didn't say anything because I thought you liked Sai. So it doesn't matter if I walked in on that day or not. I would've pursued you eventually.

Ino sighed as her mind started to wander back to the day he walked in. She had been tending to some flowers in the corner when Kiba had barged in, with Akamaru behind him. At the time, Ino remembered that he seemed panicked, as he had been breathing heavily. The concern on his face was another side of Kiba she had not seen before. It intrigued Ino until eventually she realised she was attracted to him.
When she questioned Kiba about his sudden appearance, he had explained that Hinata's father had died and Hinata had locked herself in her room. He needed flowers because Hinata loved flowers and Kiba urgently had to cheer Hinata up. Ino recalled rushing to make a bouquet of white lilies for Hinata and urging Kiba to calm down and breathe. She reminded him that Hinata needed stability and calm right now from her friend. Kiba nodded understandingly as he knew Ino could easily sympathise with Hinata's grief. The pain one feels from a sudden and unexpected death was heartbreaking. It had happened first with Asuma- sensei and then with her Father. Two very important male figures in her life had been taken away from her while on duty. Ino understood this was the way of the shinobi lifestyle. She knew the risks and the consequences.

Akamaru barked, breaking Ino from her thoughts. She tilted her head to look down at him, wondering what was wrong.

"Hey Ino, you okay? You look kind of sad." Kiba asked, tilting his head to face her.

Sometimes, Kiba and Akamaru could read her too easily. She didn't want to worry them with her senseless thoughts. Ino removed her arm from Kiba, stepping in front of him to change the subject.

"Are you saying that I look terrible? I thought you said this white yukata looked good on me!"

Kiba raised an eyebrow, knowing that she was purposely avoiding the subject. He decided to tease her.

Grinning, Kiba said "It'll look better on the floor."

Ino blushed, crossing her arms and turned away from him. "Shut up Kiba. You'll be lucky if this," Ino gestured to herself, "even makes it to your bed."

Kiba laughed and walked closer to Ino. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Who says we have to fuck in my bed?"

Ino smirked, playfully shoving Kiba. "Who says we're going to fuck?"

Kiba grabbed her hand, pulling Ino close to him. If it wasn't for Akamaru's bark the two might have kissed. Ino laughed, crouching down to Akamaru and patting him.

"Let's go get something to eat, ne?"

After they had found a stall selling dumplings, the couple sat down on a bench to eat with Akamaru curled at their feet.

"Ne, Kiba … Do you really think Hinata-chan will come?" Ino asked

"Yeah… she's always skipped out on the other festivals purposely but she won't skip out on this one."

"Eh? Did she make some sort of promise?"

Kiba scratched his cheek, "Don't tell anyone Ino, and I meanit. But she and Naruto, after they broke up… they made a promise to one another to speak about something today. So she'll be here, Hinata-chan might have ignored him this past year but she said she'll keep her promise and talk to him at the festival."

"I wonder what they promised each other…." Ino crossed her arms, "and here I thought it really was Hinata-chan's favourite festival."

Kiba looked at her, "It is."

He sighed, elaborating on the promise. "No one else knows but the two of them. Hinata-chan only mentioned it since she could tell that Shino and I were bothered about their sudden break up. She only said it in order to assure us that she and Naruto were still on speaking terms."

"The whole ordeal has been worrying to all of us. I really thought Hinata-chan and Naruto were it."

Kiba smiled sadly, "Honestly, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. Hina –"

Suddenly Akamaru barked, and Kiba paused. Sniffing into the air, "You're right Akamaru. It's her!"

"Hinata-chan!? She's here?" Ino exclaimed excitingly.

"Yeah, she's – Oh shit. Shit, shit."

"What's wrong?"

"She's going to walk straight in to Naruto soon if she doesn't change paths."

Ino was confused, isn't that the reason Hinata-chan mainly came to the festival for, to talk to Naruto? As if reading her mind, Kiba opened his mouth to answer.

"Knowing Hinata-chan she has to mentally prepare herself still to face him. Damn it she's –"

"I can use my jutsu to contact Hinata-chan and –" Ino stopped herself as she realised Kiba's hands had encompassed over hers, stopping her from making the necessary hand signs for the jutsu. He began to rub his fingers on her palms letting out a sigh. It didn't take long for Ino to realise he was worried, she also could easily read him. Then why did he –

"It is unwise to meddle in the affairs of destiny. Why you ask, because it would only delay the inevitable. I'm glad to see that you picked up on that before Ino could perform her jutsu."

Both Ino and Kiba jumped, turning around to face Shino. "How long have you been here?!"

Shino pushed up his glasses, "Since you came to sit at this bench. I was admiring this particular shrub," he gestured towards a shrub nearby, "my insects have taken a liking to it."

Kiba and Ino let out a sigh of relief. Grateful that Shino had not been behind them this whole time. Ino blushed faintly, she was confident girl but she did not want anyone else knowing about her sexual life. Especially her boyfriend's team mate. Too weird. Ino looked up at the sky, exhaling a breath. Good luck Hinata-chan.

Xxxx

Hinata clenched her fists, inhaling and then exhaling. As she neared the Hanami festival, Hinata realised she had been practically running to be there. I hope no one saw me. If word reached the Hyuga elders that the Head of the Hyuga was running to be at festival they would most definitely scold her. She had stopped running and leaned against one of the sakura trees. This is it Hinata, you can do it. She smothered down her lilac yukata, realising she owned more lavender in her wardrobe than anything else. Hinata frowned, she wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. She shook her head – focus Hinata you just have to find Naruto-kun and give your answer to him. She began walking in to the festival, running her hands through her hair, hoping she looked presentable. Activating her byakugan, Hinata began to seek out her team mates. She wanted to find them first and spend a little time with them before making her way to Naruto. Yes, that should help calm down the nerves. Hinata could trust her team mates would offer their full support. She kept her focus on the east side of the festival as she knew Akamaru tended to enjoy that side more often strangely enough.
Hinata pushed through the crowds, I had forgotten that festivals got this busy. The last festival she had attended was last year's Hanami festival at the end of March. Since then, she had made a strong point to avoid festivals. Hinata made excuses – terrible ones – to all of her friends and especially Naruto. Hinata felt terrible but at that time her excuses had seem reasonable enough. None of it benefitted her, it would not help her and it would not fix anything. At that time Hinata had believed she did not deserve to be happy nor enjoy herself. The feelings still lingered, she would admit. However, these past months she spent solely dedicated to herself and her clan had helped. Hinata could rationally think now what she wanted to say to Naruto. She knew now what she could not say to him all those months ago.
She replayed that memory in her mind. Recalling how October had just begun and Naruto had returned after a mission that lasted for five weeks. Her father had passed during the time Naruto had left, leaving him clueless to Hinata's suffering since they could not contact one another. Before Naruto had left they had been intimate, giving themselves to one another. Promising each other their minds, body and soul. Hinata had been so in love with him.

At that time she was prepared to marry him and to be the woman who would give him a family and him vice versa. But when Naruto had returned, Hinata could not keep her promise. She could not give him a family and she could not marry him – I'm so worthless. Hinata gripped her heart, biting her lip. She would not cry, especially in public. The elders would never let her hear the end of it.

Xxx

Sasuke regretted agreeing to coming to the festival. He had felt like he was twelve again as Sakura and Naruto dragged him around. Those two latched on to him as if he was their child. Tch. He had shrugged them off and snarled at them about it. Naruto would only grin and say that they didn't plan on letting Sasuke go again. I'm stuck with these two forever… wonderful.
He wouldn't admit it out loud, but Sakura and Naruto were his only family now. However, sometimes Sasuke needed space and silence. Two things those two could not provide him. Sasuke sighed, as he watched Naruto running off to some stall, dragging Sakura along.

"Come on Sakura-chan! I'll win a prize for you dattebayo!"

Sasuke slowly trailed after them, hoping to put some distance between them for a bit. He had wondered what the point of meeting up with everyone was. Especially if they had all just planned to separate again. Such a waste of time.
His thoughts began to drift off to the Hyuga girl. He had enquired to Naruto just what the hell was all that about earlier, to which Naruto smiled happily that his precious 'Hinata' had promised to meet up with him today. It left Sasuke bewildered as he was sure there was tension between the two. Sasuke gritted his teeth, not liking today one bit at all. He could feel that today would not end well for Naruto. And he knew it would all come back down to a certain little –

"Ah, gomen!"

Speak of the devil. Sasuke scowled as he turned to face Hyuga Hinata rubbing her head after bumping into his back.

"It's pitiful that you're blind whilst you're using byakugan – what a joke Hyuga-sama."

He watched as the woman lowered her head, comprehending that the added honorific was to insult her. Since he predicted that she would hurt Naruto in moments to come, Sasuke thought it would be nice to remind her that as the Head of the Hyuga her vision was not that splendid.

"Gomen Uchiha-san, I was focused on somewhere else." If he hadn't been paying attention to her, Sasuke would not have heard her reply. It was barely a whisper. Surely I didn't hurt her ego too much?

Sasuke looked away from her, "Just don't do it again Hyuga."

Hinata looked up at him with wide eyes. "That- that – You walked into me first!"

Sasuke turned to look back at her and smirked. Somehow, the little vixen had gotten under his skin. It was her shy yet confident personality that intrigued him.

He shrugged, "Guess this makes us even."

Hinata smiled, "Hai."

For a millisecond, his breath hitched as he gazed at Hinata's smile. The first time he had seen her smile he had not been paying attention so much. But now, his focus was solely on her. She's aesthetically pleasing. Sasuke noticed that Hinata had bags under her eyes that she tried to hide but Sasuke knew bags better than anybody else.

"Why don't –"

"Hey teme! Who you talking to?"

Sasuke swore under his breathe, annoyed that Naruto interrupted him. He wanted to ask why she didn't sleep. Yet he was also grateful that Nartuo had interrupted, what was I thinking? Asking her a question like that. However, as he glanced at Hinata he noticed that she had become alarmed and rigid.

Naruto peered over, opening his mouth to begin talking but once he realised whom it was he paused. "Hinata…"

As I said earlier, I'm in my last year of school and it is getting hectic already after the first day back. So I might not get the chance to update weekly unfortunately. This fic will be continued though and will be finished.

Hope you all enjoyed it, please review xxx