Another chapter! Aren't you just so happy?

I know I am!

So, here's chapter 9! I know you guys have been waiting a long time! I was away . . . On a camping trip for 3 days. And I was able to come up with this!

I hope you enjoy!


"Hinata-chan! Sasu-teme!" Naruto grinned brightly, wrapping Hinata in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you could make it!"

Sasuke promptly shoved Naruto off of Hinata, his glare murderous. "Can you go one minute without touching someone?"

Ino giggled slyly, eyeing Sasuke. "Oh, what? Are you jealous? Never thought I'd see the day you got jealous."

Hinata blushed as Sasuke flipped Ino the bird. Already, she got the impression that coming with these two to dinner was a bad idea. But Chouji's restaurant was debuting tonight and it was nice to support friends. Or friends of Ino anyway. But an act of kindness was much better than sitting at home and watching people rave about it on the television.

Ino smoothed a hand over her tight navy mini halter dress, her bright blue eyes sparkling happily. "You should have seen Chouji's face! He was so happy to finally open up his restaurant. I guess working for his dad taught him something after all."

Naruto nodded, placing an arm around Ino's shoulders. "We'll be here for the whole thing. Chouji's cool, you'll like him, Hinata-chan!"

Hinata nodded, feeling slightly exposed in her own midnight black sheath dress that kissed the pointed tips of Hanabi's black velvet mules. Sasuke brushed past the couple, urging her with his eyes to put a move on. She didn't have to think twice, instead pressing as close to him as she could without seeming clingy. Another rule by Hanabi.

Ino tapped her arm, smiling brightly at the chance for some gossip. "So, tell me how you guys met."

"Nunya," Sasuke said, wrapping his fingers around Hinata's bicep and pulling her close.

"Nunya?" Ino echoed in confusion. Sasuke scowled, an arm around Hinata's waist as he spun around. "That's right; nunya business."

"Hey, teme," Naruto glared at him as Ino's face contorted in suppressed anger, "that's no way to talk to my girlfriend!"

"Guys," Hinata said softly, clutching the leather strap of her black hobo bag.

"Yeah!" Ino huffed. "What is your problem, teme? I asked a simple question. No need to get all pissy!"

"Guys, this isn't necessary," Hinata spoke a little louder, but to no effect.

"Shut up you over processed stick," Sasuke shot back, his scowl dark. "It's none of your business, like I said before."

"Sasuke-kun," Hinata practically pleaded, her fingers closing around Sasuke's. "Can't we just get a table and sit down?"

All three grew quiet, looking to Hinata. She kept her eyes trained on Sasuke, feeling the heat spread up her neck. It wasn't enough that she had to deal with Sasuke and Naruto's fighting, but his girlfriend's as well. Wasn't there anywhere she could get some peace and quiet?

She took a deep breath, tightening her grip on Sasuke's coat sleeve. "We are here to congratulate Chouji-san. Shouldn't we be happy for him and his success, instead of bickering with each other?" She lowered her eyes to the floor, shifting uncomfortably in her shoes, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's what I think anyways."

"Yeah, teme," Naruto mumbled. Ino sighed, slapping the back of his head. "Didn't Hinata-chan just get done saying that we shouldn't be picking fights? How stupid are you?"

"Ma-aw, that hurt," Naruto whined, rubbing his head. "Why does every woman I meet have to slap me?"

"S and M," Sasuke muttered, crossing his arms. "Can we go sit now?"

"Yes." Hinata looped her elbow with his. "Let's sit down."

-

"I'm never doing that again," Sasuke stated the minute they were in the safety of his black Pontiac G5. "Not ever. Next time, it will be with your friends. Or by ourselves."

Hinata smiled, watching as he yanked the gearshift into drive before peeling out of the parking lot. "At least the food was nice. Ino must be so proud of Chouji-san. They sure looked close."

"Whatever," Sasuke muttered, pumping the gas.

"You didn't think the food was good?" Hinata frowned softly. "Or you don't care?"

"I don't care."

She sighed, brushing back her side swept bangs. With her hair in a messy updo, she hadn't had to worry about her hair getting in her food. But she still had Sasuke's attitude to deal with and that wasn't easily fixable like her hair was. Just like everything else in her life.

"I'm sorry you feel that way," she said after a while, turning to look out the window. Fatigue set in and all she wanted to do was go home and go to sleep. Tomorrow, she went to check up on her apartment. Or maybe just go look for another place all together. Hanabi had said there was another apartment empty across from hers.

The silence engulfing the car didn't come close to comfortable. Sasuke shifted tensely in his seat, wondering how cold Hinata could get. He knew her sister (Who didn't know the fashion/art critic/business woman?) was feisty and just as scary in person as in her YouTube account videos. Many a times she had given his art a thumbs up, but she always had something to get him on.

He sighed inaudibly, sitting back and letting his hand drop to his lap. It used to be he wouldn't deal with a Hyuga unless he had to. In his mind, and just about everyone else's, Hyugans were arrogant and too prideful for their own good. They wouldn't even give out the name of a murderer if they were even cousins of the Hyuga.

But Hinata changed all that. She was totally different from his original mind set. She was quiet, shy and had the lowest self-esteem he had ever seen. Or that's what her page had said. There wasn't a lot she did. And she wasn't outgoing. But her clothing shop was her life and her lifeline. Without it, she'd be headed right back to her father's side, manning a company that she felt she was too inadequate to control.

Rolling his free shoulder, he stared at the red traffic light. Hinata was slumped against the window, asleep. Every time she breathed out, the window fogged, and every time she breathed in, it cleared up. Sasuke watched her from the corner of his eye, wondering how much she had really gone through to get where she was. It must have been tough to have your father call you every insulting name under the rising sun. But then again, he had gone through the same thing. Until that day . . .

Suddenly, the sky was light up by lightening and he blinked, watching as her back stiffened, her eyes clamping shut. He could see her breath quicken as her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag, her eyes fluttering open then shut. Thick black lashes fanned her ivory cheeks as she took deep breaths, unsuccessfully trying to calm her racing heart.

The light changed and Sasuke drove carefully, rain slamming into the car's windshield. The next strike sent shivers down his back as Hinata stiffened again, her eyes focused on her lap. He had the feeling that whenever lightening striked, she was reminded of Hiashi's harsh words. That was probably why she hated lightening, but loved the rain. Rain was soothing, like a lullaby . . .

"My mother used to love the rain," he muttered, ignoring the stab of pain going through his chest.

Hinata's eyes snapped towards him, before cringing as the next one came crashing down. "R-really?"

He nodded, keeping his eyes trained forward. "She used to say it was God watering his plants, cleaning the air. If it wasn't raining, she was singing a lullaby about the rain."

She looked back to her lap. "My . . . my mother died before I could really actually remember her. But I do remember her voice. She used to sing about the rain too."

"Do you know the words? I forget."

She shook her head, her fingers lacing together in her lap. "I don't. I just know the lullaby was about the rain."

"Oh." Sasuke pulled into his parking spot in front of the apartment building and tossed Hinata his jacket. "Use that to cover yourself. That dress doesn't look like it can stand this rain."

She smiled. "Arigato."

"Don't mention it." He slid out, crossing the front and opening the door. Another crash and Hinata was scurrying past him, towards the lobby's doors. He didn't blame her. Being out this kind of weather would scare anyone half to death.


So, you've reached the end! Did you enjoy it?

I hope you did! 'Cause I know I did XD

Anyways, I was thinking this is going to be hitting M soon. Anyone have objections to that?

Tell me if you do. Of course, it's not going to be, you know, really soon, but I'm thinking about it.

Or do you think they're moving too fast? Tell me and I'll see what I can do!

I'm outtie~ CocoaAngel95