I just want to say a personal thank you to the reviewers =) thank you:
Worldreminiscence – your constant encouragement for each chapter really keeps me going =)
Lewnna – thanks for the advice about the length of the chapters! And for being the first reviewer =D
Julieyang92 – thanks for the ideas and comments, you've helped me decide how to tell the story
Icescale – thank you for your input~ you've raised a lot of questions, and I was going to write about the girls hounding Hinata, but then the story took a different turn, and I got too caught up with other ideas.
Story-teller666 – really, thank you for the positive review and for being able to stay awake while reading my story!
Bluemoon33 – you are so sweet! * eyes tear up * =P
HinaHyuugaSan – thank you for your kind words =)
Aya – Thanks for the comment about Hanabi~ I hope you still like her characterization and don't think she's too 'boy-ssessed' XP
Clementine – I'm glad you think the plot is intriguing and the set up clever ~my bf thinks it's confusing… haha
Mariketa the wey lock – thanks for the review, one is better than none =P
You reviewers really make my day ^_^
I hope this chapter serves as a treat~ and that Sasuke isn't too OC for you... also, please don't be offended with how I charaterised Sakura. Thanks and itadakimasu! ^O^
I groaned as something annoying began to bounce on my bed.
"Hi-na-ta!" sang a voice.
"Hanabi…" I grumbled. When I finally pried my eyes open I found Hanabi leaning over me, excitement shining in her eyes. "What?"
She giggled. "It's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for."
I frowned, "Hanabi, it's too early in the morning for gibberish and puzzles."
She leaned closer, her breath tickling my ear and whispered. "Last night. What did you and Sasuke-kun get up to?"
I sat up so quickly, I nearly caused Hanabi to topple off my bed, which wasn't a bad idea.
"Hanabi! I exclaimed, feeling myself blush."
"Well?" She wiggled her eyes brows suggestively. "What did you do?"
* Start Flash Back *
"So… why couldn't you sleep?" I asked, tilting my head to get a better look at Sasuke. In the dim moonlight his skin glowed and his features were softer.
"Thinking too much." He glanced at me, and I saw a light blush spread across his cheeks.
"What were you thinking about?"
He smirked, "I didn't know you were so interested in me Hinata."
I stuck my tongue out at him, "Didn't you say you were going to be on your best behaviour?"
He shrugged "I think it's a great improvement." He scratched his head, "How about we take turns asking questions?"
"Okay," I agreed. "So what were you thinking about?"
He looked at me in disbelief, "Don't be so selfish Hinata, it's my turn to ask a question."
I grinned, "You already asked a question."
"Which was?"
"Now who's being selfish?" I replied, my grin spreading. It felt nice being with Sasuke. He took my mind off things… off Naruto and Sakura to be exact.
I saw a vein in his forehead twitch, but he didn't say anything.
We walked in silence until the park came into view.
"Swings?" he asked, as we gravitated towards them.
"You're using up all your questions."
"Are you still going on about that Hinata?"
"Don't blame me. It was your idea."
"You know, you're making it hard for me to be on my best behaviour when you act like that?"
I felt myself frown, "Am I annoying you?"
He sighed, "Sort of." Then mumbled under his breath, "You're too cute."
I stumbled, "Wh-what?"
He jerked his head up; "I said I'll push you on the swings."
"Oh, okay…" I replied uncertainly. "Just be careful that you don't touch me anywhere weird."
He looked at me stunned then laughed out loud. I blushed and scowled at him.
"I'll try not to."
I sat down on the swing warily, but Sasuke didn't touch me inappropriately. He was actually very gentle with his pushes, and I felt mildly surprised. I didn't know this side of Sasuke existed. He had always been rude and arrogant in my opinion.
He cleared his throat after awhile, "You still haven't told me what you were thinking about."
I sighed, and closed my eyes, trying to focus on the feeling of the breeze floating through my hair, myself soaring through the sky, and Sasuke's strong hands on my lower back. "Did you know Naruto confessed to Sakura?" my voice cracked on Naruto's name. The pain was still there.
It was silent except for the sound of insects and the creak of the swing.
"Have you confessed to Naruto?"
I shook my head slowly, my eyes still closed.
"Do you still… love him?" Sasuke sounded hesitant.
I nodded slowly, "He's my best friend. I'll always love him."
Suddenly, Sasuke grabbed the chains, pulling me up short and stopping the swing. I blinked my eyes open in surprise; finding my back pressed against his firm and warm chest. He leaned around to look at me, his face an inch away from mine. I felt my cheeks burn. I had never been so close to a guy intentionally.
"Hinata," he murmured, his eyes flickered to my mouth and back to my eyes, burning deep and intense.
My mouth felt dry, I couldn't say anything. I was caught in his gaze. Was he going to kiss me?
Then his thumb brushed my cheek, and I realized I was crying.
"I was thinking about you Hinata."
"Huh?" I felt utterly confused. Sasuke had just wiped my tears away and hadn't uttered a single jab.
He took a deep breath, "I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about you."
"Why were you thinking about me?"
"I was worried about you." He bit his lip in embarrassment.
"Why?"
"Because, I…care for you." And then before I knew what was happening, Sasuke had leaned in and kissed me… on my cheek!
* End Flash Back*
"Sis, you're blushing. Are you thinking about something naughty?"
I shook my head, "Of course not!"
"You sound a little defensive and worked up," she noted with a cheeky grin.
That was it! Without warning, I launched myself at Hanabi, pinning her down and tickling her.
"No! Stop! Please! Okay, okay! I'm sorry, I'll stop!" she cried.
I released her and she rolled off my bed, glaring at me.
I tried to contain my smile. Hanabi hated being tickled, so she was probably pretty annoyed at me.
"Your punishment for being a mean older sister is to tell me what happened between you and Sasuke."
I raised an eyebrow at her.
"I'll ask Sasuke-kun if you don't, or maybe Itachi-kun will know something."
"Annoying pest," I grumbled quietly.
"What was that?"
"I said Hanabi's the best,"
She raised her chin a fraction, "That's what I thought I heard."
I shook my head slightly. "Let me get ready first, I don't want to be late for school."
"Oh about that. There's a teacher strike on today. School's cancelled. It was on the news this morning." She grinned.
"How convenient." I muttered.
I smiled inwardly as I exited from the bathroom. Since school had been cancelled, I had taken my own sweet time in the shower – mainly to annoy and avoid Hanabi. I peeked inside my room and yelped in surprise when I saw Sasuke sitting on my bed. Then I embarrassingly stumbled back and fell on my butt.
Sasuke smirked, "I've never had a girl literally fall for me."
I stood up quickly, trying to salvage whatever dignity I had left, "That's so corny."
He shrugged, looking unfazed.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. I was still feeling confused and awkward about the kiss – it was my first kiss from a boy, regardless of it being on my cheek.
"Hanabi's revenge," he replied simply.
"Hanabi's what?" I repeated. Then my phone went off. I grimaced when I saw that it was a message from Hanabi:
Ur so MEAN sis! U took so long in the showa! Dun think this is ova. Wen I get home ur gona give me ALL the details. Btw~ I left a present on ur bed ^o^
I looked up from my phone to see Sasuke watching me with his dark eyes.
"Can I help you?" I asked, feeling agitated.
"Don't be so cold to me Hinata. After all, we did kiss last night."
My mouth dropped open. "What, what are you talking about? You kissed me!"
He waved his hand dismissively. "Details."
I blushed furiously. Seriously, it was too early in the morning for this!
DING DONG!
"Stay here. I'm going to get the door." I huffed and quickly left the room. Why was my heart beating so fast? What did Sasuke want?
I took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Hinata!" yelled Naruto, as he captured me in his arms.
"Na-Naruto," I stuttered in surprise. "Why are you using the front door?"
"Sakura-chan wouldn't let me use your window." He said with a pout. Then saw who was behind him. Sakura.
"Hi Hinata," she greeted me.
"Hi," I replied quietly.
Then I saw both of them stare at me, eyes wide, or rather the space behind me, their mouths dropping open.
"Teme!" "Sasuke-kun!" they shouted in union.
I turned in surprise, and there stood Sasuke, leaning on the wall behind me with a smirk.
"What are you doing in Hinata's house?" Naruto asked, his eyes narrowed.
"I'm spending the day with her since you're busy with your new girlfriend." he replied simply.
I heard Sakura take a sharp breath, and saw Naruto blush.
"I'm not too busy for Hinata!"
Sasuke delicately raised an eyebrow, "Stingy aren't we? You want Sakura and Hinata?"
I roughly pushed Sasuke behind me. "Ignore him, he's just being annoying."
"Hn," came Sasuke's reply.
I saw Naruto's face scrunched up in concentration. Was he really thinking about what Sasuke said?
"Naruto-kun?" I asked gently.
He snapped out of his thoughts, "Sorry, Hinata. Uh, have you eaten? Sakura and I were planning on eating out."
"Ramen?" I asked with a small smile.
Sakura frowned, "No way! We ate that yesterday! We're going for sushi."
"Sounds like fun," voiced Sasuke.
I turned my head to glare at him. What was he thinking! How awkward would it be? Did he forget that Naruto had just broken my heart by getting with Sakura?
Naruto crossed his arms, "Your not invited, teme."
"Is that so?" Sasuke replied with a dangerous glint in his eyes, "I guess Hinata and I will find something else to eat."
I watched as conflicting emotions battled across Naruto's face. "Fine, you can come."
"Ask me nicely, dobe."
"Teme!"
"Stop it!" Sakura hit the back of Naruto's head. I winced, and felt my anger boil. How could Sakura treat Naruto like that!
"Ow! Why'd you hit me Sakura-chan? Sasuke started it!"
"Come on Hinata, I need my stuff from your room." Sasuke spoke loudly as he dragged me away from them.
"Teme! What were you doing in Hinata's room!" yelled Naruto. "Ow!" he cursed again as Sakura hit him.
"I told you to stay in my room!" I hissed under my breath as Sasuke and I entered my room.
"I'm not your pet, Hinata."
"Why are you doing this?" I asked, as I gathered my phone and bag.
He pushed his hair back. "I want you to be happy."
"How will this make me happy?" I snapped and turned to glare at him.
Sasuke looked uncomfortable and slightly unhappy. "The dobe likes you. He just hasn't realized it yet. You still have a chance with him." His voice trailed off in a whisper.
Note:
What do you think? Too long winded? Sick of Sasuke and Hinata fighting so much?
Review and let me know =)
