I was going to update next week but your response has been amazing, so here's the next chapter. It's a bit rushed so apologies if it's not up to scratch.

Disclaimer – Naruto does not belong to me.

Hinata deftly stashed the banana and soft bread into her yukata sleeve as she subtly glanced around the dining hall. She was seated at her usual spot at the furthest corner so no-one paid her any mind. They never spoke to the 'enemy' anyway so she was usually left to her own devices.

Seeing a few uneaten buns a few seats to the left, Hinata stood up to casually put her dirty plates away. She approached the chattering girls and pretended to help them clear their plates since she was 'heading in that direction anyway'. The girls gave her their trays and continued on with the conversation, completely ignoring her presence. Hinata didn't mind; she had what she came for.

Stowing her supplies carefully in her assigned shelf, Hinata made her way to Sasuke's residence. She had carelessly left her cleaning equipment there last night after fleeing abruptly, but now she had an excuse to wander and memorise this section of the grounds in daylight.

Lunch was still in full swing giving Hinata plenty of time to clean his hopefully empty room.

X-X

Sasuke was once again speechless.

He'd been looking for his so-called rival for the past two years without any success and here Madara was telling him that he'd been found?

"Where is he?"

Madara leaned back against his chair as he regarded the irate Uchiha before him. He understood Sasuke's love/hate relationship with Naruto. He too had a lifelong rivalry with his childhood friend and bitter enemy, Hashirama.

Sasuke was more like him than Izuna in that regards. Both felt emotions intensely but Sasuke was reckless and hot-headed whereas Madara was patient and composed.

"For the past two years, my white Zetsus have been scouring the five Nations for signs of the rebels, as you well know." Sasuke tilted his head imperceptibly at this statement. "Sightings have been rare and information, even more so." They both knew the enemy still had many supporters.

"Until now." Madara grinned devilishly.

"So you've received confirmation from white Zetsu?" Sasuke asked impatiently.

"Not precisely, but close enough." At his nephew's perplexed stare, Madara motioned him over.

"Your friend has a talent for recognising White Zetsu's chakra, do you recall?" Sasuke's eyes widened in comprehension as Madara nodded in approval. "It appears there is a forest of them in Snow Country."

Sasuke was about to voice his plans when Madara lifted up his hand to stop him.

"Do not act brashly." Madara cautioned him. "I have sent for Obito and until he makes his appearance, I suggest you use this time wisely to rest and train. We cannot underestimate his abilities like we did last time."

"I can defeat him myself." Sasuke responded resentfully.

"I won't take any chances Sasuke. When you meet him again" Madara emphasized, "be sure to destroy him and his followers, once and for all. No survivors."

X-X

Sasuke stormed back to his room in annoyance. He was strong enough to crush Naruto himself; he did not need anyone's assistance or interference, he thought.

Opening the door violently, he was about to let out some expletives when last night's tormentor fell into his arms.

"Hyuuga." He growled.

"Uchiha-sama." She moved away stiffly.

"Why do I always find you in my room?" She blinked at him with her owlish eyes. Damn those eyes.

"I…I was just cleaning."

Huh. So she's one of the maids. He finally noted as he observed her ugly brown yukata.

Wait a minute. "Do you make it a habit of climbing into stranger's beds?" he asked accusingly as she tried to skitter past him. He knew the maids and guards were regularly hooking up, but he never pegged Hinata for the type. Apparently he was wrong.

"NO!" she replied incredulously. "I..I was just tired and I thought it was empty."

Kami, now she sounded lazy. Hinata flushed in mortification at her words. "I mean, I…it's not…" she bit her lips as she lowered her head in shame. How could she explain her actions?

"I'm sorry, it won't happen again my Lord". She bowed guiltily.

Sasuke lifted her chin so she was looking at him, "How will you make it up to me?" he asked, his former anger now replaced with something else. Hinata stared at him in confusion.

"I don't have anything." She responded quietly.

"Nothing Hyuuga?" He asked more gently this time as he edged closer to her dejected form.

"Nothing" Hinata repeated, as she shook her head dolefully.

She closed her eyes to stop her tears from forming, but they trickled down her cheeks nonetheless. She wanted to run away and hide from her humiliation when she felt his calloused fingers moved to cup her face. Before she could fathom what was happening, his soft lips engulfed her own.

X-X

If you're wondering what that forest thing Madara was referring to, it's the bodies of White Zetsu when they're slayed. Apparently they turn into trees (please correct me if I'm wrong), so a whole bunch of Zetsu trees means someone i.e Naruto has been killing them.

I should've been more clearer with Sasuke's motives for helping Madara but basically, after finding out the truth about his family, he was hell bent on destroying the village. The war started so he helped Madara instead, since he thinks the whole ninja world is corrupt. Madara and Obito are also family, after all.

Hinata thinks Sasuke betrayed Naruto because Naruto was always trying to find him and help him blah blah..

Hope that clears a few things up.

Thank you to my foreign reviewers. I had to download a translating app to understand your comments but I love them! I love all the reviews actually – from my new friends, favourite authors etc…you're all wonderful!

I had my first troll. Who's Ashley? LOL.