A/N: Remember, last update until December! Please enjoy the chapter!
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"I…I can't, I'm sorry." And I got up and ran.
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He'd be coming after me soon, I know it.
I wasn't ready to tell him everything yet, but there was literally no place to hide from his nose.
I'd be safest somewhere he won't be allowed to enter, and home wasn't an option until I could meet up with Nii-san.
'Though I have already bathed today, I probably will be able to hide in a bathhouse.'
So I headed to the nearest bathhouse I knew of, quickly entering into the safety of the women-only section of the establishment.
I hastily stripped down and made my way into the bath. The warm water soothed me and gave me a chance to think.
'Soon probably Sakura-san, and Ino-chan, and TenTen-chan will be coming bursting in here anytime now. Kiba will have led them all here, and eventually everything will have to come out in the open.'
It was then when I felt a presence unknown to me enter the bathing area. I opened my eyes and through the light steam I saw the most unexpected person approach me.
"Sa-Sasuke-san?" I stammered out. He wore a scowl on his face, obviously displeased with the situation. I blushed as I covered myself up as best I could. "What are you doing here? Isn't…isn't this the women's bath?"
Then I noticed his figure, definitely female, but retaining masculine features such as very shallow curves and a small chest. My eyes widened, realizing that Sakura-san more than likely had to convince Sasuke-san to use Naruto-kun's jutsu and send him in here.
I feel like such a burden. And he still hasn't said a word to me.
"You…you didn't have to come here. I-I just lost my head for a second. Go back to the party, you are one of the hosts after all." I felt so embarrassed.
He finally spoke to me, "TenTen said it was a clan matter. As a member of a clan on equal standing with the Hyuugas, I was elected to come speak with you."
"TenTen-chan said…what else did she say?"
"She said it was an important clan matter that affected you greatly, that is all. Kiba knows nothing. He left with his dog to find you almost immediately after you left." He answered me.
So Kiba still doesn't know, that's such a relief.
"Umm…Sasuke-san, I mean no offense by my statement, but I don't think you'll understand my problem."
He sighed as he finally lowered himself into the adjacent tub. A short silence followed as I waited for his words.
"You'd be surprised what I understand now, Hyuuga Hinata. I owe a lot to this village and it's people. I'm sure there is some debt I owe to you that I can repay. Tell me, I may be able to help."
I was shocked. Completely, utterly shocked. This man and I have exchanged very little words in all the years we've known each other. I recall that even on our first meeting at the age of five, he barely even spoke to me. Now he's offering to help me?
Enough has been strange in the past few days, maybe it's worth the try.
"It's my father, he's arranged a marriage for me, with…an older man. I don't want to go through with it and-" I began.
He interrupted me, "Then don't, you are an adult now, and can choose your own husband."
"It's more complicated than that…" I said, my head facing down towards the water.
"How so?"
"It's the Caged Bird Seal. If I take over the clan, I can get rid of it for good. That's why I have to marry Itsuki-sama. I have to do this for Nii-san's children, and even my own children. And even for me. Do you know how scary it would be for your own flesh and blood to be able to destroy your brain with a simple hand seal?" I got ahead of myself, and a little overexited. Then I didn't think before I spoke, "What if Itachi could have done that to you? And your childr-"
I stopped midway through my sentence when I saw him tense. A reddish glow was emanating from his eyes. Immediately the fear of attack surged through my veins.
Then the Sharingan faded and Sasuke-san took a deep breath.
"You know, at one time he could. The Mangekyou was a terrifying power. He may not have been able to physically destroy me, but he came close to mentally destroying me." Then he turned and looked directly into my eyes. "I see you in a new light now, Hyuuga Hinata, and I'm sure the feeling is mutual." It was then he actually smiled.
"I don't know if I can help you right now, or even at all, but I'll try. And I trust you neither want Kiba nor the dobe to know of your situation as of yet. I respect that."
He rose from the bath waters and draped a towel around his body, the cloth soaking up the water and conforming to his awkward female shape.
As he left the room he turned to me, "Kiba's stationed himself outside the front door, with Akamaru patrolling the perimeter. It's probably be in your best interest to leave your clothing here, as it's the primary source of your scent. Also, I suggest you use the Body Transfer Technique to get to your estate, and even as a short stalling technique you should borrow some of your sister's or Neji's clothing."
"Th-thank you, Sasuke-san. You really have helped me." But he was already gone.
Or so I thought, until his voice once again echoed into my ears.
"It'll work out for you. No one's rooting against you."
I didn't, and still don't, know how to interpret our conversation, but it gave me a little more hope, nonetheless.
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A/N: So yeah, good help really can come from unexpected places, as Hinata has now found out.
Though I do believe I could have executed this whole conversation a little better.
So now I'm set to work on my original novel, wish me luck on my NaNoWriMo journey!
