Apologies that there was no Sasuhina interaction last chapter but I can assure there will be many more moments to come (eg: this chapter ends with an intense Sasuhina moment ooOOooo)

Thank you for the reviews, follows and favourites. The endless support and encouragement I get from you readers is wonderful and motivates me to write. Another late chapter, it seems my updates are quite random.

This chapter will be a continuation of chapter 5.5, so it will begin as a flashback chapter and eventually return to the original timeline ie the festival.

Chapter 6: Chapter 5.5

Hinata could feel her heart pounding as she brought her knuckles against Naruto's door. She let it rest on the door, hesitating whether she should knock or not. I do know where he keeps the spare keys but…Hinata bit her lip and clutched her jacket. It was late and she was positive Naruto would be confused as to why his door was being opened this late at night. Hinata sighed resting her forehead on the door, what do I do? Is this the right thing to do? Suddenly Hinata felt her feet giving way as she fell forward into Naruto's arms.

"Hinata! I thought it was you but I didn't think you'd literally be on the door dattebayo!" Naruto dragged her in, keeping his arms wrapped around her. Closing the door behind him, he nuzzled his face into her neck.

"Did I wake you up?" she asked. Hinata had noticed he was wearing nothing but his boxers.

"Nah, I couldn't sleep…I missed you Hina," he whispered. Before she knew it Hinata felt hot kisses on her neck, she let out a moan and entwined her fingers in his blonde hair. Oh Kami, she missed him. When his lips moved to her collarbone and his hands began to fiddle with the zipper of her jacket she became alarmed and grabbed his hands.

Naruto raised an eyebrow at her, "Hinata?"

Hinata bit her lip and sighed, "I – I can't do this."

Naruto leaned in, resting his forehead on hers and his arms resting above her head. "Sorry, I was being selfish. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you Hina." He ran a finger down her jawline, "I'll make some tea okay?"

Hinata nodded and watched her shirtless boyfriend walk over to his kitchen. For a moment she had thought Naruto was referring to the pregnancy. Fortunately, he had not noticed the surprise in her eyes or perhaps he had. Naruto was always good at noticing small details people tended to overlook. Hinata sat down at his table and waited patiently for her tea. Hinata was unsure if she was grateful or terrified of the silence in the room. She had stared at every other possible object in the room besides Naruto. Meanwhile, she could feel his eyes on her. He leaned against the counter, with his arms crossed as he waited for the water to finish boiling. Before she knew it, Naruto placed a mug of tea in front of her and sat across from her with a similar plain red mug.

She smiled at him as she took a sip of her tea. "How was your mission?"

"I spent most of it in little villages that were heavily affected by the war. Rebuilding and providing resources. You know how it is," he waved his hand as if dismissing the conversation.

Hinata nodded her head and drummed her fingers against the mug.

"Naru –"

"Hina– "

They both laughed awkwardly, Naruto scratched his cheek. "You go first."

Hinata took a deep breath in and fiddled with the fabric of her jacket. "There's something I need to tell you Naruto-kun."

Naruto took a sip of his tea and nodded his head slowly. "Okay."

She closed her eyes, trying to find the right words. She opened them slowly, finding azure eyes to the side of her face. I didn't even hear him move. He crouched down beside her and ran his hand through her indigo hair. "Hinata, you know you can tell me anything. I'll always be here for you."

Hinata glanced at Naruto and felt her eyes begin to water. Suddenly, Hinata felt her lips tremble and her body begin to shake. She threw her arms around Naruto and began to sob. "Gomennasai. Gomennasai," she muffled out through her cries. Naruto's arm encircled around her waist pulling her in a hug and his other hand caressed her hair. He kissed her forehead, trying to comfort her.
She was unsure of how much time had passed when she had finally calmed down. Hinata was sitting on Naruto's lap and had her head leaned against his chest. I need to tell him. I can't just cry and hope for it all to be fixed.

"Naruto-kun," she whispered, "let's go for a walk."

Xxxxxx

Naruto felt anxious about whatever Hinata had to tell him. She had reluctantly took his hand and began to drag him somewhere. It seemed Hinata was dreading whatever she wanted to say. Moreover, Hinata continuously avoided his gaze, looking away whenever he had tried to look her in the eyes. Although she had calmed down, her eyes were still a little red and puffy from crying. Naruto was angered at himself that he would leave his girlfriend alone for five weeks. He felt terrible for leaving her all alone to deal with the death of her father. It was surreal to him because during his return to Konoha he had planned to talk to Hiashi Hyuga about having Hinata's hand in marriage. Nartuto frowned, he had hoped nothing would change during the five weeks he was gone. However, it seemed a lot had changed.

After returning from his mission earlier today and seeing Kakashi-sensei, Naruto had cleaned up and changed his clothes. He then proceeded to the Hyuga compound to visit Hinata only to be denied entry. The guards had said "Hinata-sama has requested to deny entry to outsiders into the compound and her own quarters." That statement had confused Naruto since he was positive Hinata did not have that type of authority. He had arched his eyebrows at the guards and scratched his chin. He questioned them whether he could see the Head of the clan instead. The guards had looked dumbfounded and confused. It was only until another guard had piped in and explained that Naruto most likely had not heard the news but Hiashi-sama had passed away five weeks ago. Hinata-sama was now the Head of the clan. Recently, her demeanour had changed and she had engrossed herself in work and sees no one.

Naruto looked at his girlfriend, recalling that the guards had mentioned that her change in behaviour had only began at the start of the week. Something else is affecting her but what is it? Hinata's grip had tightened on Naruto's hand as they began to head towards the forest. The walk was silent, besides there breathes and his rapid heartbeat. Knowing Hinata though, he was sure she was just as nervous. He glanced at the stars quickly, wondering if fate had entwined him and Hinata together. She's the one. The only woman he would ever love. His feelings for her, albeit they had surfaced late, he realised were always there for her. They had slowly developed but he knew deep down for a long time that he had harboured some sort of feelings for her. Now, as a man he knew he was in love with her. Naruto was terrified as Hinata had been acting strange ever since she came by. I don't know what I'll do if she stops loving me.

He was so lost in thought, he had not noticed that Hinata had stopped walking. He walked right into her, earning him a quiet squeak from his girlfriend.

"Gomen Hina," he said.

Hinata did not reply but rather she walked over to a stone and kneeled down into seiza. Naruto followed behind her, noticing that they were in a clearing that seemed untouched. He knelt beside her and proceeded to pray similarly to Hinata. He felt the sweat on his hands, as his palms came together. He darted his eyes away from Hinata, hoping that she did not notice that he was jumpy. Fortunately for him, it seemed Hinata's mind was preoccupied with other things as she made no comment. Swiftly, his eyes read the kanji engraved on the stone, baby. His breathe hitched as he felt Hinata's hands clutch onto his.

For the first time, excluding the time she cried, Hinata really looked at him. He saw guilt and heartbreak in her eyes and noticed the bags beneath them. It also seemed she had lost some weight. Her beautiful and blissful looking profile was heartrending and terrible. Hinata let go of his hands and shuffled a little away from him. She looked towards the darkness of the forest, taking a deep breath in.

"I've always wanted to be the Head of the clan. I wanted to prove my family that I was capable enough, that I am not a failure. I thought my succession as Head meant that but I was wrong. I'm a failure and incapable of the thing I've always desired. Giving you a family, being your family has always been my greatest desire. I've wanted nothing more. But now, I don't know what I want anymore. I don't want to be Head and I can't give you a family." Hinata felt the tears begin to fall, she clutched her pants, hoping that she could pull herself together.

"It's okay Hina, don't rush it. I'll wait." Hinata snapped her head quickly to Naruto, surprised he had said that. She thought he would interrupt her and ask about what she meant but it seemed he wanted to listen first. Hinata nodded and continued on.

"That night, when we made love to each other… I – I got pregnant. I was pregnant." She whispered out the last bit, it was the first time she had ever said those words aloud.

"I didn't even know I was pregnant Naruto. I miscarried at five weeks, just a few days ago. I'm such a failure, I'm so hopeless." Hinata covered her mouth, trying to smother out her cries.

"We would have had a baby and I killed it. Gomennasai, this is all my fault. I can't give you a family. I can't. I can't." Hinata bowed before Naruto, crying on the ground.

Hinata was sure that the silence meant Naruto detested her. She was too afraid to look up and meet his gaze. What will he say?

"Hinata," he whispered. She felt Naruto's hands on her waist as he pulled her up into a hug.

"It's not your fault, okay? I love you, okay?" He kissed her forehead and then her cheeks and then her lips. "Please, please don't blame yourself. These things happen. I'll talk to Tsunade-bachan and make sure everything's fine with you. We can always try again –"

"No!" Hinata cried out. She pushed Naruto off of her as she shook her head. "We can try again? I know that Naruto. I know that," she heaved out a breath and placed a hand on her stomach. "It won't be the same Naruto. It won't be the same baby that would have grown from our first child. It's my fault. I killed our baby."

Hinata threw her hands in the air, her tone raising louder, in anger "What kind of person doesn't know she's most likely to get pregnant after having unprotected sex? Me! Foolish, ignorant Hinata!"

Naruto grabbed her hands, trying to calm her down. "Hinata –"

"No. Please don't tell me you love me and it's going to be okay. It isn't going to be okay. It hurts so much Naruto. It physically and emotionally aches me Naruto. I look at you and I imagine the baby. I look at your eyes and I feel so guilty and worthless."

Hinata squinted her eyes shut for a moment and sighed. "I don't want to be with you anymore."

She heard the leaves beneath them shuffle. Hinata assumed Naruto was standing up. "You don't mean that, do you Hina?"

She opened her eyes and found Naruto's face centimetres away from hers. His once gleaming eyes seemed saddened and lost.

"Do you love me Hinata?" He quietly asked.

Hinata felt the tears prickle her eyes. She reached out her hand and placed it on Naruto's cheek. He leaned into it as she replied.

"Always. I will always love you. You're my first love Naruto…. I just can't be with you anymore."

He placed his hand over hers and closed his eyes. "I don't plan on giving up on you. I want you to think about us Hina, because I really want you. I really want you to be a part of my life forever. I need you."

It had felt like hours before Hinata had finally replied. The air had gotten colder and dawn was slowly creeping upon them.

"Okay."

Naruto's eyes snapped open as he heard her reply, "Really? You'll think about it?"

Hinata nodded and Naruto cleared his throat. "Good…. Uh how about…" Naruto scratched his cheek pondering on when Hinata should give him an answer. He decided to go with the first festival that came to his mind.

"The Hinami festival? Give me an answer at the Hinami festival, okay?"

End of chapter 5.5

Xxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 6:

Sasuke rolled his eyes as Sakura dragged him off to another mindless game stall. To say that he was annoyed was an understatement. He was agitated. He had planned to spend the day with both Naruto and Sakura. Yet, somehow the idiot had managed to ditch them to spend time with the Hyuga. I thought they had broken up but it seems I was wrong. It was strange though, he was sure that Naruto had looked overly depressed at the mere mention of her when they had trained together. He even noticed the surprise in Sakura's face when Naruto came over to tell them he was going with Hinata to eat. So it seems I'm not the only person in the dark here about those two. Sasuke wondered why Naruto's relationship had bothered him. Perhaps it was because the bond between him and Naruto was so strong that it was peculiar to see him so heavily affected by another bond. In Sasuke's mind, he and Naruto's bond was of the highest degree, nothing and no one would change that. Their paths had strayed yet entwined time and time again. What is his bond with Hyuga Hinata? Sasuke recalled Naruto saying that he was in love with her but what sort of love was that? Was it on the same wavelength as the love he possessed for Sasuke?

"Sasuke-kun, are you even listening?" Sakura said, with her hands on her hips.

Sasuke blinked at her, "Hn."

Sakura plastered on a fake smile, "Have the rest of the candy then." Sakura handed him some candy, to which Sasuke scrunched his nose in disgust.

Sasuke lowered his eyebrows, "Sakura…"

"Didn't you hear? I said do you want some and you said hn," she mimicked. Sakura took the candy out of his hand and popped some into her mouth. "I expect that behaviour from Naruto but from you it was totally unexpected."

Sakura turned on her heel to face Sasuke. She grinned, as she poked his chest. "What's got you thinking so much, eh?"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at her, and pressed his lips into a thin line. Sakura knows me too well. Shit.

"It's nothing," he replied. Sasuke started to walk past her but Sakura held out her arm to stop him.

"Doesn't sound like nothing. You seem annoyed."

"I am annoyed. You're annoying," he retorted.

Sakura laughed and put her arm down, letting him pass. "I haven't heard that in a while." She followed after him, falling beside him as they walked.

Sasuke glanced at Sakura from the corner of his eyes, if anyone has a slightest clue as to what's going on between Hinata and Naruto it would be Sakura…

He cleared his throat and said, "Naruto and the Hyuga girl, I thought they were separated."

Sakura titled her head at Sasuke, confused at his statement. She then smiled when she realised Sasuke was confiding in her.

"They are," she smiled sadly, "but from what we saw today it looks like they've patched things up…"

"They were fighting?"

Sakura shook her head, "That's not it. They just weren't talking or something. Hinata-chan changed completely after Naruto came back from a five week mission. I have no idea what happened but Naruto always said it was fine. That he and Hinata would sort it out soon. Months passed by and they became just like strangers. Hinata-chan merely became a name to us also. We hardly saw her and if we did, conversation would be short and rehearsed on her part. I don't know what's going on but appearing like that today all of a sudden and with some sort of 'promise' between them to meet today. It makes no sense." He noticed Sakura grit her teeth, annoyed at the situation.

"I really like Hinata-chan but I don't want her to hurt Naruto anymore. For a while he was just a shell of himself. He did missions and what not but he hardly talked or laughed. It was only until recently when we heard that you'd be back soon did Naruto start to return to his happy self… Although, I'm sure some of it is a facade. That idiot, not wanting any of us to worry about him."

Sakura stopped in her tracks and looked down at her feet with clenched fists. "I never want to see him like that again. I'm scared Sasuke-kun, what's going to happen today?" She whispered.

Sasuke placed his hand on Sakura's hair and ruffled it. Unsure if this was the best way to comfort her.

"I don't like it one bit at all Sakura."

Sakura glanced up at him with teary wide eyes. Suddenly the two stepped away from each other as they heard Naruto's voice in the distance calling for them. Sasuke squinted his eyes when he noticed Hinata following behind Naruto, hand in hand. Tch.

"Teme! Sakura-chan!"

Sakura smiled, "Hello Naruto, and Hinata-chan it's really good to see you."

Hinata smiled, Sasuke could tell it was forced as if she was uncomfortable. Good. She deserves to be uncomfortable. "Hello Sakura-chan, Uchiha-san."

"Hn," he greeted.

"Hey, Sakura-chan can I talk to you privately quickly. Please, it'll only take a second dattebayo!" Naruto pleaded. Sakura rolled her eyes and agreed, he watched as the two disappeared leaving him alone with Hinata.

Hinata darted her eyes away from Sasuke, clenching her yukata. Good, I make her nervous.

"Hyuga," he said, "I don't know what the hell you think you're doing but I would stop if I was you."

Hinata glanced at him narrowing her eyes, "You don't have any right to say that Uchiha-san."

Sasuke clenched his teeth, stepping closer to her so he could tower over her. "I do. Naruto's family to me and if I ever hear again that he turns into some depressed –"

"Are you threatening me Uchiha-san? You or no one has no idea what's going on between Naruto-kun and I. Furthermore, it's none of your business and I would prefer if you and the others stopped trying to mediate it."

This woman, I swear to Kami. She was feisty. Her statement was bold but said in such a quiet tone. It was perplexing to him. He understood the notion of not wanting anyone else to be involved. After his family's massacre he did not any want help from anyone. He didn't want their sympathy.

"That's unwise for someone of your standing."

Hinata's head snapped up at him and she met his eyes. "You of all people should understand Uchiha-san. No one can understand how I feel..." Hinata turned away from his eyes at glanced at Naruto and Sakura's figures in the distance.

"Do you dislike me Uchiha-san? It's okay. I hate myself more so than anyone, so it doesn't bother me if you do," Hinata softly said. She stepped away from him as Naruto and Sakura began to approach them.

She's wrong. I don't dislike her. I hate her.

xxxx

ahhh, this was a really difficult chapter for me to write. I hope you all enjoyed it.

Please review , until next time xxx