Here I am again! I hope you like this chappie although it might be shorter than the previous one. I'm sorry for not writing a chapter last week. I was reading fics from other writers hehe. R&R!!!!


Chapter 8: Thunder

Hinata woke up the next morning ready for a relaxing day. She bathed but decided not to eat until she got to the village. She was not sure about going home during this brief break though. Seeing her father and Hanabi would taint her perfect day.

She crawled out of the tent and started towards the clearing out of habit, just to see what the task would be for the day and found that Asuma was the person in charge for the day. Shikamaru, Sasuke and the sand siblings were there as well to see what they would be missing for the day.


Sasuke was now walking through the village alone with absolutely nothing to do. He had to look over his shoulder once in awhile to make sure none of the silly girls in the place were not stalking him.

After the two free teams got into the village, everyone split up. Shikamaru was with Temari, Kankurou had gone walking around and Hinata, himself and Gaara had parted in their own ways.

While walking, he saw his sensei, nose- deep in his Icha Icha so he had not even bothered to say hi.

After buying a few things to prepare lunch, Sasuke made his way toward his house to eat before he would roam again.


"Looks like we have a day off, yeah," said Deidara, as he eyed the Hyuga as she walked towards her home.

"I suppose so. At least until dark."

Itachi did not want any complications before Deidara met her later that night to train her but he decided to let her have a day to herself as he disappeared in a wisp of smoke, followed by Deidara.


Hinata planned to go to the Hyuga compound to get her money then quickly leave.

She eased passed her father's door when she got in, trying not to be caught. She hated talking to the man. As soon as she did, the insults flew and the degrading never ceased.

"Hinata."

The poor child had no manner of luck at all.

--

Hinata sighed as she turned to face her father, who must have radar on her.

"What?" she asked simply, she was in no mood for whatever he had to say. It was amazing how he brought out the worst in her and she was very rude to him. Not that he noticed though. He was too busy being mean himself.

"Why are you here? Did they send you home?" Hiashi asked.

"Yes. I have the day off with a few others for passing a test."

She figured if she got straight to the point, she could leave.

"What? You? Don't make me laugh. I bet you had help on that," he father said as he scoffed.

Hinata inhaled deeply. "Yes. Me. Can I leave now? Or do you want to annoy me with something else?"

"Watch your mouth."

"Hn," was Hinata's reply, as she turned to leave.

It was really amazing how the shy girl could become the brooding, unmannerly being when she was at home.

"Bring me some water when you're done,"

"Can't Hanabi do that? First time I've had in so long to rest and I have to play maid," said her retreating form. "When I'm going back out I'll bring the water."

Hinata reached her room to find her door ajar. She stepped in cautiously, flicking out a kunai unconsciously. Everything about this house made her alert. She walked through the door but what should she see but her sister sprawled on her bed.

"With shoes on?!"

Hanabi looked to the door where Hinata was and lazily removed herself from the bed, yawning.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the forest getting eaten or something?" asked Hanabi as she looked at her older sister in disgust.

"What are you doing in my bedroom?" asked Hinata, walking to the bed and wrenching off the sheets that had little bits of mud on them.

"It's more comfortable and bigger than my room," said Hanabi, reaching into her pocket and taking out a kunai to spin on her finger.

"You're a nasty little girl. Why can't you just stay away?" said Hinata, as she dug under her bed to find her money. She looked back at Hanabi, who had a bright look on her face. "Don't think I'll be leaving my money here again. Better yet, when I go into the village I'm going to buy a seal for my door so you can't snoop around my things."

With that, Hinata jumped onto the window- sill, leaving Hanabi inside.

"Your father wants water," she called over her shoulder, before she jumped through the window, landing on a limb of the tree next to her window.


Sasuke made himself a simple lunch and was now walking through the village once more for about two hours. He had to dodge the occasional girl now and then but he was content just loitering around.

He had seen Gaara walking around as well and when he asked where Kankurou was, he said he went to return a book he had borrowed from Kakashi some time in the past.

Sasuke had not seen Hinata since everyone had parted. He figured Shikamaru and Temari were at his house probably or lingering through the village somewhere else because he had not seen them either.

He walked around some more then saw an ice- cream stall. Not many knew, but Sasuke liked the treat very much. The old lady there was nice to him also. She knew him from before the massacre and would always give him an extra scoop 'Because he was so cute.'

"Hey Granny-Neko," said Sasuke, giving a rare smile.

Konako looked up from a book. As soon as she saw the boy, her eyes wrinkled with glee. "Hi there, cute little Sasuke-chan."

Sasuke quickly looked around to see if anyone had heard her. "Common now, Granny Neko," Sasuke pleaded. "Don't call me that." He called the woman 'Granny Neko' since she told him she was ANBU when she was younger and her mask was a cat.

"Oh yeah," she whispered, reaching out to pinch his cheek and earning a pout from him. "You're a grown boy now. Right, Sasuke?"

Later, Sasuke was in the park nearby eating his chocolate ice- cream as he watched the children play nearby without a care in the world as they were 'playing ninja.'


Hinata was walking through the village when her stomach gave a growl. That's right, she had not eaten anything and was now feeling the effects. She just needed something sweet until she would go to the park to eat some ramen or something.

It was then that she saw the little stall she recognized.

"Hi, Granny Neko," said a cheerful Hinata.

"Hello, Hinata-chan," said Konako, smiling at the girl as she looked her up and down. "You're a big girl now, but still can't run away from the chubby cheeks."

Hinata found herself walking through the park and sat down in on of the benches. She was still eating her chocolate ice-cream when Kankurou sat next to her.

"Hi."

"Hello."

There was silence for awhile while the two watched the children playing ninja, then Hinata spoke.

"So did you have a good time walking around Konoha today?" she asked.

"Yeah, but I was looking for Kakashi to return something to him. I'll just have to keep it then." He leaned against the back of the bench, getting more comfortable. "Oh well, I could never read it too many times anyways." He started to chuckle to himself.

Hinata never knew he could be so easy going. But before she could think on it, there was a loud grumble, causing the girl to blush.

"Don't tell me you haven't eaten for the day?" asked Kankurou. He reached out and grabbed Hinata's hand and ran off to a nearby stall.


Itachi was polishing his weapons- not that he used them regularly and Deidara was sifting out is clay. He was so bored he thought he would die and he was sure Deidara was feeling the same way.

He did not mind though, because Hinata would be back in a few hours and he would watch over her once more and watch Deidara train her. He would not be training her until he got her to the hideout and that would be in about two weeks.


Kankurou treated Hinata to late lunch and they were once again sitting on the bench watching the children when Kankurou suddenly jumped up.

"I just saw a flash of silver hair. That's gotta be the pervert," he said.

Hinata grinned as he ran off, leaving her to her own thoughts when a shadow blocked the sun.

"What are you doing all alone?" he asked.

She looked up to see Sasuke holding two cups of tea. She accepted the hot beverage as he sat down.

"Kankurou was just here," said Hinata, drinking.

"Oh. You guys are friends?"

She thought for awhile. "I guess so. He's not a bad person at all."

Sasuke smirked. "Just a pervert just like my sensei."

They both started to laugh at that.


Sasuke was truly happy that he finally had the strength to talk to Hinata. There they were, sitting at the same bench and having a normal conversation. Sometimes they talked about past missions or what their plans were in the future.

"I just want to kill my brother so that I can get on with my life," said Sasuke.

He saw Hinata's face fall.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, Sasuke," said Hinata softly. He could tell she really meant it.

"Thank you."

Hinata's face lit up once again to show her shallow dimples and she pointed outwards.

"The sun's about to set," she said as her eyes reflected the colors of the sky, all the pinks and oranges.

Sasuke looked towards the horizon to see the sun halfway behind the mountains miles away and saw the familiar green flash just before the sun disappeared and felt Hinata hold his arm.

"You have to make a wish, Sasuke," she said excitedly and closed her eyes to wish.

Sasuke did not know what came over him, but in that moment he leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on her lips and retreated quickly, not sure how she would react.


As soon as Sasuke kissed Hinata, she opened her eyes.

"I just got my wish," he said simply, an indifferent look on his face, causing Hinata to smile.

Hinata then did something she never thought she would have the courage to do. She leaned in and kissed him again as the rain started to drizzle.

---

"Ah. Young love is it?" came a voice.

They both parted and looked up to see Konako smiling down at them.

They both scooted to their edge of the bench and Sasuke ran his hand through his damp hair as he saw Hinata play with her fingers.

"Hey, Granny Neko," said Sasuke calmly, the rain started to fall heavier now and he stood up.

"Just passing through," she said, as she continued walking towards her home. "Gotta get out of the rain."

Indeed, even as she said that, the rain started to pour and he grabbed Hinata's hand and started to run towards his house.

"Where are we going?" she asked, as she was almost dragged along.

"My place. Yours is too far from here, you'll catch a cold if you don't hurry," said Sasuke and increased his speed.

When he got to his door, he searched his pockets only to find out he left his keys back at the campsite and cursed loudly.

"What's wrong," asked Hinata. She was still holding on to his hand and he could feel her shivering.

"I forgot the damn keys," he said. Then he gripped her hand and leaped into the tree next to a window and used a hand seal to open it then dragged her through the window, causing the poor girl to stumble.


The scent that hit her nose was unbelievable. Hinata did not know what the smell was, but it was heavenly. She then realized she was in the boy's bedroom.

Sasuke let go of her hand and went to his drawer and pulled out some of his clothes and gave her. "Take these. You can change right here." Then he pulled out clothes for him to wear.

"Arigatou," said Hinata sheepishly as Sasuke walked through the door and shut it behind him. Then she heard his footsteps going down the stairs.

She held out the clothes to look at them. 'Oh well,' she thought. She did not want to catch a cold so she put on the high collared shirt and kaki shorts, taking in the smell that was intoxicating as she deeply inhaled.

"You done yet?" Sasuke asked from the other side of the door. Hinata quickly shoved on the shorts and toed off her sandals, running to the door. As soon as she opened the door though, she sneezed but quickly covered her face.

There was a snort from Sasuke, who seemed to be trying very hard not to laugh, but when she looked up, his face was schooled into indifference once more as he sighed.

"Well it looks like you caught a cold after a- achoo!"

Hinata giggled as they walked down the stairs and the smell of something cooking caught her attention.

"I was doing some soup for you, but I guess I need some too, ne?" said Sasuke, as he walked t the stove and stirred.

Hinata sat at the counter. "I didn't know you knew how to cook, Sasuke," she said.

"My mother left all her recipes behind so instead of staving myself I learned eventually," said Sasuke. She could tell he loved his mother a lot. "I helped her cook sometimes too and made me wear an apron. Not that my father liked his son looking and acting like a house wife."

They both broke out in laughter.


Sasuke found it very easy to talk to her about his past since she told him of her past as well and soon they were eating soup between the coughs and sneezes and having a great time into the night.

--

It was now very late so Sasuke decided to sleep at home for the night since they did not need to be at the campsite until the morning. He showed Hinata to the spare room and gave her some of his sheets and pillow cases.

He also gave her on of his larger t- shirts to sleep in and a towel then went to his own room to settle in for the night.


Hinata woke up when she heard the crashing boom of thunder. She did not mind the thunder but she absolutely hated the lightning. She pulled the sheets over her head, inhaling deeply allowing sleep to take her again when the lightning flashed and soon after the thunder boomed and heard a gasp from the other room.

Swinging her feet over the edge of the bed, Hinata made her way to Sasuke's room. Opening the door, she saw a bundle on the bed.

"S-sasuke?" Hinata called. First she saw his spiky hair then Sasuke's face appeared from under his sheets.

"What do you want?" he asked, but quickly retreated under the sheets again as another crash of thunder was heard that rattled the glass in his window.

Hinata moved forward and sat at the edge of his bed, smiling. "I had no idea you'd be afraid of thunder, Sasuke," said Hinata.

She heard him sigh. "I never got over it."

"It's ok," she said as her counter. "I'm afraid of lightning.

She heard his muffled chuckle and then he appeared from under his sheets again. "Afraid of lightning? That's new."

Hinata pouted. "Don't throw stones," she retorted and sasuke became quiet.

"You can go back to bed. I've lived through these stupid storms before," said sasuke. "

Hinata smiled at him when he dived under his sheets and pulled a pillow over his head, causing Hinata to have pity on the Uchiha. She tugged the sheets off him and sank herself in his bed.

"What are you doing?" he asked from under his pillow.

"I'll sleep with you until morning," said Hinata, as she faced him.

Sasuke peeped out. "My fear never leaves this room," said sasuke flatly, before he sneezed.

"Agreed."


There is the 8th chappie. I hope you liked it. For those of you who want to ask about Hinata's rudeness to her father, it happens. Take me for example. I am very unmannerly when it comes to my 'Daddy' but he hardly ever realizes it because he's too occupied being the same way towards me.

To HopeoftheForgotten, I put KankuHina in there for you since I couldn't get the oneshot for you.

As I said, I try to reply to all of your reviews so keep 'em comin.'

I will update next week and update my other fic 'Hinata the Vamp' tomorrow.

Until next week….

Ja ne!!

Please review, I love it when you do!