Thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews and feedback! Shout out to everyone who reviewed and got excited that I finally updated. I'M EXCITED AS WELL. A lot of exciting things are beginning to happen and I've been waiting since the very start for you to all read the events that occur in this chapter. I realised that many of the next chapters might be short due to my busy schedule but I will try to the best of my abilities to update frequently and to have longer chapters.

This a long chapter so enjoy!

Chapter 8:

A lot and nothing at the same time…

Those words were stuck in Sasuke's mind even after both he and Naruto had gone their separate ways. It was coaxed of hurt and contradiction. What did Naruto mean by that? A lot and nothing at the same time…
He gritted his teeth, Sasuke would just have to patiently wait. Before departing Naruto had promised him he'd tell Sasuke everything. He just needed to recollect his thoughts first. Sasuke stopped walking as he suddenly heard the sound of someone kicking a post. He blinked his eyes, Sasuke hadn't even realised he had walked towards the training ground. He sighed as he pinched his nose, I really need to spar, damn it. As he got closer to the training grounds, he recognised the figure instantly. The long indigo tresses swaying through the wind, the distinct womanly body that clung to her clothing and that irritating lip bite. Sasuke smirked, it seemed that today was his lucky day.

"Hyuga!" he called out.

As he had planned, she had turned around in surprise only to be met with his katana slicing off an inch of her hair. I can't promise I'll hold back, it has been awhile. More importantly, it's her fault that Naruto refuses to spar.
Fortunately for her, Hinata's fast reflexes had allowed her to dodge the katana from actually cutting into her. She flipped away and stood in the Hyuga stance.

"Uchiha-san, what –"

Swiftly, she took out her kunai and began to block the masses of kunai and shuriken being flung towards her. Hinata's eyes popped out in surprise as she quickly saw Sasuke come behind her. It was too late with exponential speed he had elbowed her in the head.

"Pathetic, where's that 360 degree vision of yours."

Hinata winced at the pain, although her byakugan was activated, Sasuke had moved so fast she had completely missed him.

Sasuke grinned as he watched her bite her lip, "Are you going to cry Hyuga?"

Hinata reacted by immediately going straight into eight trigrams sixty four palms. Sasuke cursed at himself as it was too late to move away. He was already in her range of her jutsu. With alarming speed and strength, Hinata had begun to attack him and blocked his chakra pathway from one strike to sixty four strikes consecutively.

Sasuke breathed out as he was pushed back by Hinata. If he was anyone else, he would not be standing. It was ironic, the Hyuga's were famous for their Gentle Fist style yet Hinata's fists had felt anything but gentle.
Sasuke grinned, it was fun while it lasted but perhaps she's reached her limit. He observed Hinata huffing as she stood across from him in her Hyuga stance. He was being unfair, he admitted. She had been training before he had arrived, so it had only made sense that Hinata would be tired. However, that was pointless to dwell on. In real fights, there were no breaks.

Sasuke still had plenty of stamina to use. He stood up straight and wiped the sweat off his forehead. Since he no longer had any chakra to dispose of – not that I was using it in the first place – Sasuke decided that the little spar could continue on with a particular area.

"Taijustu only, surely you can handle that Hyuga?" He questioned at her fatigued form.

Hinata stood up straight and narrowed her eyes at Sasuke, "Hai" she called out sternly.

Xxx

Sasuke liked to think that he had his emotions under control. However, perhaps he was wrong. His hatred and irritation at Hinata had consumed all of his common sense. Anyway could see that during their spar, Hinata was no match for an opponent like Sasuke. Moreover, she was fatigued and most likely injured. She has spirit though. Whilst Sasuke continued to fight with her, he noticed that her willpower and determination was strong. Slowly, her moves became slower, the strength in her hits decreased in force. Yet, she kept on fighting. It had reminded him so much of Naruto that he had gotten annoyed.

She can't give up in a fight she obviously can't win but she can give up on Naruto? Sasuke gritted his teeth and ducked at incoming round house kick from her. He retaliated by grabbing her suspended leg and throwing her across the field.

"Give up Hyuga. It's pointless. You're too weak for me," he called out as he started to walk towards her body. For a second he had though she had died because she was not moving. But he watched her chest rise and then fall slowly. He released a breath of relief. Naruto would murder me if I killed her by accident.

"I told you didn't I? That if you hurt Naruto –"

"I know," she whispered. Hinata brought her arm over her eyes, attempting to cover the tears that followed. She began repeating the words under her breath, ignoring the tears dripping down her face.

Sasuke tapped her shoulder with his foot, "Hyuga, shut up. You look hideous when you cry."

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say since Hinata kept crying. Sasuke watched her bite her lip as they began to tremble and eventually her whole body began to shake. Sasuke squinted his eyes shut, hard, for a moment. He then sighed as he opened them, only to find her still crying. He squatted down beside her and moved to tap her on the shoulder but froze midway.

Hinata's breathing had rapidly increased. Her chest was heaving up and down. Her body was sweating and he could not tell if it was from there spar or due to her sudden attack right now.

"Hey Hyuga, talk to me."

Hinata did not respond though. She continued to whisper that she was a failure. She was hopeless. She was a disappointment to herself and her clan. She was unworthy. She was weak. She was pathetic. She was stupid.

Sasuke wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled Hinata up. He positioned her, so that the side of her body leaned against his chest. He then pressed his index and middle finger on her neck, feeling the beat of her heart. Shit, it's beating fast.

Sasuke immediately deduced that she was having an anxiety attack. There was no point in telling her to relax. Come on Sasuke, think of something. Distract her with something.

"Hey Hyuga, come on look at me," Sasuke grabbed her chin and tried titling it towards his eyes. "Hyuga look at me and count backwards from one hundred."

Hinata removed her arm away from her eyes and met Sasuke's eyes. Hinata was flushed and wide eyed. She turned away immediately, diverting her eyes from Sasuke. He clenched his jaw as he noticed her shortness in breath persisted.
Suddenly, he surprised both himself and Hinata. Placing his palm behind her head, Sasuke pulled her towards him roughly and kissed her.

Hinata tasted like strawberries, her lips were sweet and despite all the lip biting she did they were delicate. His grip on her head loosened and his hand made its way to her cheek. His thumb caressed her face as he deepened the kiss. Hinata closed her eyes, falling into the kiss and wrapped her arms behind Sasuke's head. Sasuke softly moaned into her mouth as she began to run her fingers through his hair. He licked her lips, desiring for more and Hinata complied. She parted her lips and inhaled the air from Sasuke's lungs and allowed his tongue to enter her mouth. Sasuke opened his eyes quickly as soon as he felt the sensation of her tongue on his. He gazed at Hinata quickly, her face was less pale and she had seemed to calm down. He closed his eyes again, allowing Hinata to take the lead. After all, he had never kissed a girl. But if this is what I was missing… I want more. He gently moved his hand behind her head again and began to lower her onto the ground. Hinata opened her eyes in alarm as she felt her back hit the ground lightly. Sasuke parted his lips away from hers as he leaned over her. He placed his forehead on hers, keeping his eyes shut as he released a sigh. I need to control myself.

"Sasuke?" she whispered.

Hinata removed her hands away from his hair and placed it gently on his chest. She pressed on his chest softly, trying to push her off him. However, it seemed that Sasuke had other ideas.

Hinata blushed as Sasuke's nose brushed against hers as he moved his head to lean on her shoulder.

Sasuke's breath tickled her skin as he began to speak, "Hinata… just wait a little longer, okay?"

Hinata's breath hitched as she felt his lips press lightly on her neck. It had seemed like his lips were tattooed onto her skin after that. She could feel his chapped lips on her neck even after he removed it. Another minute had passed and the feeling had not disappeared. Suddenly, he rolled off of her and sat up turning his head away from her. Hinata sat up afterwards as well and ran her hands through her hair, trying to calm her senses down.

"He's gone," Sasuke commented in the silence. He looked back at Hinata, enjoying that she was flustered. I certainly did distract her and in the end I distracted myself as well…

"Was someone else…" Hinata activated her byakugan and scanned the area. Not too far away, was Naruto walking past the training ground. Hinata panicked, flicking her head back to Sasuke only to be met with a smirk.

"Don't worry, he didn't see a single thing Hyuga. If I stopped kissing you earlier, you would have ran straight into him after leaving."

In Sasuke's mind his main reasoning was that if Naruto saw how beat up and flustered Hinata was and knew that it was Sasuke's fault, he would be spending a long time with Sakura waiting for her to heal him. Deep down though Sasuke knew the real reason. He hated to admit it. But even he knew the real reason was due to his lust towards her.

Hinata's mouth formed an 'o'. Sasuke clenched his jaw, trying to punish himself. He had foolishly let his perverted thoughts to wonder to what he could fit in there. He looked away from Hinata, as he began to notice that his intense stare on her mouth were making her fidgety.

"Ah – um – arigato Uchiha-san for helping with my attack and with Naruto," she said fumbling over her words.

Hinata stood up and politely bowed. Sasuke tried to ignore her reddened cheeks as she turned to leave. His egotistical side said that it was due to him yet his logical side said that it was due to embarrassment. At the moment, Sasuke wanted to lean more towards his egotistical side.
Sasuke laid back down on the grass, covering his eyes with his arm. He had tried to supress these urges throughout his teens but it seemed it was of no use now. He gritted his teeth, I hate hormones.

xxx

By the time Sasuke returned home, it was late and the people of Konoha were preparing for their evening meals. Sasuke however, could not stomach anything at the moment. His hands trailed over his lips, I kissed Hinata.
After laying on the grass for hours, contemplating about his life and what in the world was he really doing back in Konoha, for some unknown reason everything kept leading back to her. At first his decision to be here was for Naruto, so the two of them could adjust the shinobi system, he was here to uphold Itachi's sacrifice, and he was here because his only remaining family resided here. Yet he found more reasons for his stay. He was also here because he wanted to re-establish the Uchiha clan, he was here because Sakura needed closure on their strange relationship and he was here because Naruto was an emotional mess and needed him. Somehow Hinata's presence had managed to twist its way into his other reasons. She was the only other person – besides Sakura – that he would consider to be the matriarch of the Uchiha. Every other female had annoyed him, they were nosey and had Sasuke on an idiotic, fanatical pedestal. It irked Sasuke. It was as if he was a piece of meat for all of the females to devour as they pleased. I hate that. Sakura was once like those girls back when they first met, but she had grown and Sasuke did not mind her. The only problem was that he viewed her as a sister or a mother, nothing else. Hinata, had irritated him at first. Perhaps it was due to jealousy since her prestigious clan was alive. Or it was the fact that she had consumed a majority of Naruto's thoughts which used to be consumed by Sasuke. Probably both, he thought. Sasuke was not a fan of sharing and it had felt bizarre for Hinata's bond with Naruto to almost be on par with his bond with Naruto. However, he slowly realised that besides all of that, Hinata was an attractive, well-mannered woman. The only other problem he found was that she was the Head of the Hyuga and his best friend's ex-girlfriend. Though, it didn't stop you from making out with her.

Sasuke sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He felt like a complete and utter dick. Naruto needed support and kissing Hinata was not going to help. Moreover, he needed to stop thinking about her. He slammed the door shut as he walked into Kakashi's apartment. He was startled to find Kakashi on the recliner, reading one of his perverted novels.

"Hello Sasuke, what brings you home?" Kakashi asked, slamming his book shut.

"I do live here Kakashi," he spat out.

"You hardly stay here though," he pointed out.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, it's too late. Kakashi's already figured out something's wrong.

"Sit Sasuke, it's been awhile since I've scolded you."

Sasuke glared at Kakashi, scoffing as he made his way to the couch across from him. He flopped onto the couch, and scowled at his former sensei.

"Well?"

Kakashi smiled, "If you were fighting with Naruto you would've returned battered up," in seconds his smile dispersed and Kakashi narrowed his eyes at Sasuke. "So I'm guessing it relates to Naruto one way or another."

Sasuke scoffed, as he circled his shoulder. Hinata had landed a few hits on his shoulder and even now it still hurt, that damned vixen.

"Does it have something to do with Hyuga Hinata?"

Sasuke paused and quickly glanced at Kakashi. Their eyes met and Kakashi smiled, flicking his book back open.

"I see," Kakashi continued to glance down at his book, "Hinata-chan is a nice girl. Despite looking meek, she's quite formidable. As the Head of the Hyuga, she's already accomplished a lot that her predecessors could not. I heard it was quite a shock for many of the –"

"We kissed," Sasuke suddenly blurted out quietly.

It was never Sasuke's intention to tell him but the bastard kept talking about her and it had irritated him. He needed to shut him up. Unfortunately, he used the wrong words.

Mid way through turning the page, Kakashi looked back at Sasuke surprised.

"It meant nothing anyway. She was having a panic attack and she wasn't listening to anything I was saying." He quickly gave an excuse, hoping Kakashi would buy it. It's not like I'm lying anyway.

Kakashi closed his book shut and leaned forward towards Sasuke. "If it means nothing, why are you thinking so much about it Sasuke?"

Sasuke scowled at Kakashi, "Shut up Kakashi, it meant nothing."

After their bickering, neither males said anything. It was silent for a few minutes until they suddenly heard a knock on the door. Kakashi got up to answer it and Sasuke closed his eyes, welcoming the silence. Abruptly, Sasuke opened his eyes and turned his head to corridor. Naruto…

Standing behind him was Sakura, she had looked a little nervous.

"Is something wrong Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

Naruto slowly nodded his head with a furrowed brow. "I'm going to tell you all about what really happened between me and Hinata."

Xxx

Hinata released a sigh relief as she began to re-organise her papers from today's meeting with the elders. They had just finished going through finalising the agreement of not performing the cursed seal on any newborns in the branch family. Hinata was beaming on the inside. Neji-niisan, Otousan, Okasan, I finally did it. Hinata could feel her mouth hurting her from trying to hold in her grin. She had to remind herself that as a Hyuga, they were infamous for never showing emotions. The elders had agreed that at the next clan meeting, they would announce this new agreement. It had taken Hinata hours and hours, of writing and researching but today it had finally paid off. One step at a time Hinata.

Hinata was standing up to leave until she noticed one of the elders, usher her to sit down again.

"We would like to ask you a personal question, Hinata-sama."

The elder nearest the scribe ordered them to stop writing and to leave the room. Hinata gripped her yukata, trying to hide her nerves. Once the scribe had left, it was her grandfather who spoke to her first.

"What is the relationship between you and Uzumaki Naruto?"

Hinata frowned, are they seriously asking this again. Before she could respond, her grandfather added, "there was word that you were seen together at the Hinami festival, do you care to explain Hinata-sama?"

"As I have answered many times before, Naruto-kun and I are no longer romantically together. I was given a time frame to answer him with my feelings after evaluating a personal situation, which I will add does not affect any of you. During the Hinami festival, I gave him my answer and we have both chosen to remain as friends. We spending some time together at the festival was an example of this desired friendship as well as closure. I am sure many of you have experienced these feelings. I ask that you do not ask about our relationship again."

Normally, the elders dismissed her last statement and ignored it. But today, her grandfather had nodded his head.

"As you wish Hinata-sama."

Hinata stood up and prepared to bow, hoping to take her leave. It had been such a long morning. But it seemed like the elders had even more questions for her.

"Should we send you a list of suitable bachelors then? It's imperative a heir is produced Hinata-sama. The sooner the better. A shinobi life is unpredictable."

Hinata narrowed her eyes at the elders, "There's no need to send a list. I'm still young and do not plan on marrying right away. Moreover, Hanabi-chan plans to challenge the position of head next year. We can discuss heirs and marriage after that."

She listened to the elders bicker amongst themselves, finally her grandaunt repeats the same thing she says every time they get into a discussion about Hinata's love life.

"You should at least be thinking of a suitable partner Hinata-sama."

Hinata faked a smile, "Of course."

"One last thing, what is your relationship with Uchiha Sasuke?"

Hinata's breathe hitches. Not once had they ever asked her about him. Hinata urgently tried to control the blush threatening to surface.

"We are merely acquaintances," she bit her lip and noticed her grandfather narrow his eyes at her. I'm done for, oh kami.

"We've heard a lot about you two being seen together in public, talking like friends."

Hinata fakes a smile, "it's important to be on friendly terms with our neighbours and comrades."

Hinata releases a sigh of relief as she hears the elders nod and mutter between themselves. Hopefully, they would buy that. Oh kami, if they knew that yesterday she had practically made out with him. Hinata shook her head, don't think about it Hinata. Don't think about it.

She turned her head to the door when a servant walked in, bowing towards them.

"Pardon the intrusion, but Hinata-sama, Uchiha-sama has been asking for you my lady."

Hinata's eyes became wide, no, no, no.

"Please tell Uchiha-san I am in the middle of a meeting."

"I have told him that, but he has been here since the morning and refuses to leave."

Hinata bit her lip, "Very well, tell him I'll be with him in a moment. Bring him to my private quarters."

She flicked her head back to the elders and bowed. "Please excuse me, this meeting is over correct?"

The elders nodded and dismissed her. On her way out she heard them talking between themselves.

"Acquaintances? Hinata-sama has gotten better at lying."

"She's never brought another man into her private quarters that was not a Hyuga."

"Let her do as she pleases, she's the Head after all."

"Uchiha Sasuke though… how very interesting. Imagine if they were to get married. We could end up running the Uchiha clan as well if we wanted to."

"A child of two different dojutsus though… that would be fascinating."

Furious by their comments, Hinata turned her head back to them, "I nor Uchiha-san would ever produce a child for your own selfish desires and benefits. Uchiha-san is not the type of person to let himself be manipulated again by the likes of you elders."

It was her grandaunt who laughed and gave her a mischievous grin, "She did not deny that they were not acquaintances. Something truly is going on."

Hinata stormed out – as ladylike as she possibly could – and smacked herself on her cheeks. Pull yourself together Hinata. Somehow the elders always knew how to get under her skin.

Hinata took deep breathes in and out as she made her way to her private quarters. Ever since yesterday's incident, Hinata had tried to distract herself from anything that related to Uchiha Sasuke. It was impossible though. She could not stop thinking about him and his stupid lips against hers and on her neck.

I wonder what he wants though. Hinata came to her door and opened it and closed it behind her once she was inside. She observed Sasuke sitting against the wall with his eyes closed. He opened his eyes once her footsteps got closer, he opened his mouth to talk but Hinata had immediately blocked his tenketsu points, so he could not move.

"The hell is this Hyuga?"

Hinata kneeled in front of him, her head cast downwards. "You have waited outside since morning, I'm sure you have the capability to wait a little a longer."

"What did you –"

She snapped her head up at him, her cheeks were reddened. Eventually, she blurted it all out. "I was just – just embarrassed because of you! In front of the whole council, I've been made a laughing stock in a matter of seconds because of you," she shook her head, "they think we're dating!" She said incredulously while laughing awkwardly.

Sasuke raised his eyebrows at her and it irritated Hinata, she hated when he did that. It was as if she was a fool because he could not understand what she was trying to say.

"I don't understand Uchiha-san. First, you – you run into me and blame it on me. Then you insulted me and stared at me for a while without any words and then just leave."

Without realising it, Hinata had moved closer to Sasuke's face, until her fists were slamming against his chest and tears were flooding her face.

"Then you're rude again to me and then yesterday…you you start attacking me and – and – and you kiss me! YOU KISS ME."

Hinata dropped her head onto his shoulder and continued to cry and hiccupped.

"I just don't understand Uchiha-san. Don't you hate me? Why?"

She heard Sasuke sigh, "You're right, I do hate you. But I came here to apologise. It's something I rarely do, so stop crying so you can hear me. "

Hinata flicked her head back up Sasuke, her eyes wide with surprise "Nani?"

"I'm sorry," he said quietly and sincerely.

Hinata's mouth was agape as she gripped his shirt. "I don't understand," she whispered.

"I'm not going to repeat it Hyuga."

"You called me Hinata last night…"

"Hn"

"Uchiha-san, I don't understand."

"Hinata… get off of me, you're ruining my shirt."

Hinata released her clutch on his shirt and wiped her tears away. "Oh, gomen… Thank you Uchiha-san."

Suddenly he pulled on her yukata until their faces were inches apart. Hinata blushed at the intensifying stare of his eyes, never breaking eye contact with him. She had always managed to lose herself in his eyes.

"Last night," he whispered, "I heard you call me Sasuke,"

Hinata's breathe hitched as she watched Sasuke lick his lips.

"Sasuke-kun," she replied.

"Just Sasuke, no honorifics, I hate that."

Before she knew it Sasuke's lips were hovering over hers.

xxx

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