Chapter 4: Will Things Ever Be Normal Again?

Two weeks had passed since the encounter between Hinata and Sasuke. During that time, Hinata came every morning to make Sasuke breakfast, which went quietly at first, but the two were able to hold small conversations with time. Sasuke had almost grown accustomed to seeing her every morning because she always came at 6:30 am sharp.

He rather enjoyed her company although outwardly, it was hard to tell. He learned more about what happened during the time he left Konoha and things like that. But he was more interested about the things Hinata said that were about her.

Hinata told Sasuke about how she felt most of the time or her feelings towards her family. She had been hesitant at first, but she remembered that he too had been raised in a powerful clan, so she didn't have too much of a problem opening up to him. He always listened intently too and gave his own impression or opinion, so it made Hinata feel like she truly had someone to talk to, someone who understood… even though his responses were normally few word sentences.

One morning, Sasuke got up and automatically opened his front door, expecting Hinata to already be there, ready to knock… only, she wasn't there. Sasuke looked around and started to worry.

Where is Hinata?' he thought (during the two weeks, he called her by more familiar terms). She's never late, did something happen to her!' he sneered at the thought of anyone hurting Hinata. His eyes turned blood red and he raced into the Village.

Sasuke ran through the streets without acknowledging anyone, not to even stop and glare at his fan-club girls. He ran in the direction of the Hyuuga mansion. When he got there, he tried to remember the way Hinata described where her room was in her stories, so he started around the estate. When he came to her room, he looked through the window.

There, lying peacefully was a sleeping Hinata. Inwardly, Sasuke sighed with relief. He quietly climbed through her window and stood by her side, just watching her.

So, she's just asleep,' he thought as he deactivated his Sharingan, I guess coming to my place every morning to make breakfast wore her out.' He gazed at her as she slept. I happen to always catch her while she's sleeping, don't I?' he pondered, Only this time, she hasn't wept herself to sleep. I wonder…' Sasuke removed a strand of Hinata's hair from her face and observed her face.

Hinata's skin seemed to have a soft glow in the morning's first rays. Her hair was soft and pooled around her. She turned contently in her slumber and a small smile appeared on her face. Sasuke's eyes opened a little while he looked upon her sleeping figure.

I, I never noticed that she…' he thought. He, without his knowledge, was slowly inching towards her face with his. Within a few moments, his face was hovering just above hers. Sasuke could feel her warm breath brush his lips.

Kami, what is this that I'm feeling!' his head screamed. He was already beginning to climb on top of her. Yet still, beneath him, Hinata was soundly sleeping not knowing what lay above her.

His lips were so close to hers now that his senses forcefully told him to capture her lips. Right when he was about to give in, Hinata whispered something almost lovingly that caught him off guard.

I, I can't take this any longer!' he mentally screamed at himself. He could feel his temperature rise and his cheeks grow red. But more alarming to him, he was beginning to arouse. The feel of Hinata beneath him, soft and warm, was increasing his sensuality, and it half-frightened him. As much as his body wanted her, here and now, he didn't want it to be like this. It made him feel disgusted with himself. Sasuke wanted to do this, but he wanted to do it the right way, with a willing Hinata.

In a sort of leap, Sasuke silently got off of Hinata rather quickly. As he headed back towards her window, he turned to get one more look.

Obviously, being near her like this, I just want to take her… but is it just lust? Or do I actually,' he gulped at the thought, do I actually love her?' he thought. Of course not! What was I thinking! I really don't, I really, don't, I really d-don't, I, I really…' he mentally slapped himself, I need to get out of here!'

As he raced out of her room, the word she spoke in her sleep repeated in his head

FLASHBACK

As Sasuke leaned in to kiss Hinata, she whispered something almost lovingly.

"… Sasuke-kun…" she said with a subtle, sincere smile.

END OF FLASHBACK

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It had been about six hours since Sasuke was in Hinata's room. During that entire time, Sasuke was at the training grounds trying to beat the morning's events from his mind. He hadn't eaten anything since yesterday, so the hunger only increased his temper.

Insane! That's what this is! Everything is completely insane!' he cursed himself, What if I had actually done something… to her! Ugh, I don't even want to think about what all the Hyuuga would do to me!' he continued punching the wooden post, which was already crushed into many splinters. I cant believe myself! I really am a teme!'

While was destroying the wooden post, hungry eyes stared at him from behind a bush. The sudden rustle in the leaves caused Sasuke to activate his Sharingan and he threw a kunai with dead accuracy at the bush. For a while, nothing happened, until the figure stepped out from behind the bush.

"Hi Sasuke-kun!" Sakura squealed, spinning the kunai around her finger. She walked right up in front of Sasuke who was glaring at her.

I really don't have time for this,' he thought.

"Um, I was wondering Sasuke-kun…" she started.

'Now what!' he was growing impatient.

"… If we could… uh, talk?"

Sasuke looked at her as if she suddenly had grown two heads. 'N-nani?'

"Hn…" he answered her.

She then sat on the ground and gestured him to do the same, but he remained standing.

"Look Sasuke-kun, I think I know the problem in our relationship," she said seriously.

Excuse me?… Our, relationship,' he thought, one eye twitching, what relationship?'

"Why it hasn't started yet," she continued, "and I think it's because of, Naruto," she looked up at him while he remained silent. Sakura took this as him silently agreeing with her when in actuality, he was struggling not to get nauseous. "I was thinking that, if we could get Naruto to like someone other than me, he might leave us alone so we could be together… And I was thinking, we could get him to like, Hinata-san."

When Sasuke heard Sakura mention Hinata, he nearly fell over.

That dobe with… Hinata!' he thought, Well, NO!'

"No," his voice held in most of how he felt and thought.

"…No…" Sakura repeated, "Why not?"

"Sakura, you're my friend, I respect that, but that's all you'll ever be to me," he said sternly.

"See, that's my point!" Sakura stood up, "You don't want to hurt his feelings because he's your best friend. He's between us, and I care for Naruto, I really do, but I want to be closer to you!" Sakura threw herself at Sasuke and buried her head in his chest.

Sasuke kept completely still. He didn't hold her or even push her away. He merely, stood there.

"Sasuke-kun, please, onegai…" she mumbled out.

"Sakura," he tried to say a little softer, "I'm sorry. But I'll never be the man you want me to be."

Sakura's hands slowly, almost reluctantly, began to fall to her sides. She lifted her head off his chest and took a step back. She let him go. Sakura kept her head down to hide her falling tears.

"Sayonara…" she whispered, and then she ran off.

Sasuke looked in the direction she took off briefly, then returned to training. He felt a little bad at first, but he only saw her as a comrade and a good friend, nothing else.

"The, the one I care for is"—he started.

"Sasuke-kun?" a small voice called out.

Sasuke turned around to see Hinata. She had just arrived and was holding a basket.

"Um, I thought that y-you would be getting a little tired of m-my breakfast everyday, s-so, I thought I could m-make you lunch instead today," she replied softly, blushing slightly, "You weren't home, s-so I thought you'd b-be here at the training grounds. I g-guess I was right," she giggled softly.

"Hn," he began, "so that's why I'm so hungry," he joked.

Hinata giggled again causing her heart to beat a little faster.

"Gomen, Sasuke-kun, I should have t-told you before," she said light-heartedly. "Since we're outside, I thought that we could h-have a picnic," Hinata laid down the things. Sasuke walked over and sat down and they began to eat.

Hinata began talking about the strangest dream she had last night where she was with a man and how he softly moved a strand of hair from her face, the way lovers do. Hinata blushed when she came to that part and Sasuke almost choked on his tea and looked away knowing that he had done that last night, or rather, this morning. During her entire story, Hinata couldn't stop smiling and softly giggling. Sasuke found these to be a few of her other "cute" traits, like how she has almost completely gotten over her stutter or her trademark blush.

When the two were done with lunch, a familiar loud voice rang out. Sasuke cringed.

Why does HE have to come, now of all times,' he thought as Naruto burst from the surrounding bush.

"Oi, teme, did Sakura-chan come through here?" Naruto asked, "Oh, hi Hinata-chan!"

Hinata slightly gasped and her eyes grew a bit wider. During the past two weeks, whenever she so as much saw a glimpse of Naruto, Hinata would head in the opposite direction. Now she was here, face to face with Naruto. Hinata felt numb all over; not sure if she would start crying or start blushing. She just stood there in shock.

Sasuke half-stepped in front of Hinata so he stood between her and Naruto. He didn't want to see her hurt because of his best friend.

"Konnichi wa, Naruto-kun," Hinata said with a straight face, and without blushing no less. Sasuke turned and looked at her with surprised eyes. Hinata was smiling, but not a smile of excitement, but one of kindness, small, but still.

Naruto was staring at Hinata with curiosity, and tilted his head a little. Hinata was looking at him straight in the eye as well. The two remained this way for a few moments and Sasuke was getting a little annoyed.

"Sakura ran back to the Village," Sasuke said, trying to cut into their silent moment.

"Huh? Oh, thanks teme!" Naruto started heading towards the Village, when he stopped and turned around, "And Hinata-chan."

"M-yes?" she answered.

"You look real pretty when you're not busy looking at the ground," he said kindly.

Sasuke clenched his fist. His eyes kept flashing red. He looked like he was about to pounce on Naruto.

Now she'll never get over you, you dobe! You're just gonna make things worse,' he mentally yelled at Naruto.

"Arigatou gozaimasu, Naruto-kun," Hinata smiled without blushing at all from his complement.

Nani? She's not, not blushing, or stuttering, and she actually responded with a straight face!' Sasuke thought, he was in awe.

"Well, ja ne!" Naruto called back as he ran back towards the Village.

Sasuke turned to face Hinata and tried to see if she was alright. Hinata remained staring in the direction Naruto took from, thinking.

"Daijobu des ka?" he asked her. Hinata took a deep breath, and then exhaled again.

"Hai, I'm fine," she replied back and smiled at Sasuke. She picked up the basket and turned her back toward him.

Naruto-kun, will never truly love me, not the way I wanted him to… and, I'm okay with that. I can never fill that place in his heart, I know that now. But now, I can move on, past that silly crush. It's hard, and it hurts, but I know I can do it, I wont give up,' she thought. Unknowing to her, Hinata had started to tremble.

Sasuke looked at Hinata and saw her shaking. He knew that the weather was warm, so there was no way she could be cold. Hinata looked as though she was taking the deep breath before the plunge, before the battle. He wanted to do something for her, so that she would know that she wasn't alone in this, that he was right here. He wanted to do that with his entire being.

Hinata wasn't sure how long it would take or even how hard it would be, but she knew she was going to get over Naruto, no matter how long or hard, she had to do this. If she couldn't, then she'd never be able to move on. Yet her words gave her no comfort. She felt alone in a battle that could go either way, she needed someone to help her, to hold her and wish her luck, or something at least, she just needed someone. Suddenly, two, strong arms wrapped around her small body from behind.

Sasuke couldn't think of anything to do for her but hold her. That was the only way he could think of that would comfort her. As he held her in his arms, he noticed that, in a way, she fit perfectly in his embrace. He wrapped himself more around Hinata as if to protect her, protect this fragile woman.

Hinata felt him hold her. It didn't feel awkward, but normal, like she belonged here, here in his arms. Here, she felt safe, and wanted, welcomed. She lightly grabbed one of his arms and pulled it tighter over her. The two stayed this way for a few minutes.

"Now, are you sure you're alright?" Sasuke asked softly.

"Right now, yes. And I, I know I will be, soon," she replied back, "Sasuke-kun?"

"Hn."

"Will things ever go back to the way they were? Will things ever be normal again?" she turned to face him while not leaving his hold.

"… I'm not sure, maybe…" he responded. All I know, the one thing I am sure of, is that I don't want you to be alone, or sad. I want you to smile, to be happy throughout the days,' Sasuke thought as he held her even tighter, Hinata-hime, ai, Aishteru.'

Unknown to both heirs, a pair of brown eyes were watching intently on the scene before her.

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AN: Wow, I'm tired… I don't think I've ever typed so much in my life, oh well. Who do you think was spying on them, should be pretty obvious… Next chapter is going to be kinda, probably real short, k? And for the record, I don't hate Sakura; I just don't like her with Sasuke is all. Please R&R, ja ne!