Disclaimer: I dont own Naruto
Chapter 9
Memory (part II)
Not being able to sleep was the least of Sasuke's problems. All night he had tossed and turned in every direction, not really knowing what his problem was. Only a few hours before, he had slept in that exact spot. So why was he having trouble now?
He opened his eyes only to see that time hasn't passed the slightest. It was still dark and as quiet as ever.
Concentrated on sleeping, the faintest sound could be heard, Hinata's calm breathing. Suddenly Sasuke had sat up and without realizing, he began walking towards her room. Nearing her door, he stopped abruptly.
What was he trying to do? He ran back and lay himself on the empty couch once more, excusing his sudden movements for sleepwalking (or pure stupidity).
Yet after making his way back, he started to wonder why. Why had he liked there closeness, holding her hand as they fumbled their way back into Kohana after trying to escape, being spoken to and taken care of like he was someone she needed to protect, someone she cared for? Why had he found comfort in all this when he felt that none of this would matter, that none of this would show significance in his life, that in the end, the time spent with her would add up to absolutely nothing? And after knowing all of this, him feeling like lying next to her as she slept only made him more confused.
He inhaled slowly and stared blankly up, seeing nothing but ceiling. And he did this until the sun hit horizon. It was only then when he felt sleep creep over him like it did often. Closing his eyes, he finally drifted off into the lightest sleep.
Slowly time passed until he felt a hand brush against his forehead. A sigh was released, sounding much closer now then she was only a moment ago, 'she seems to be staring…' Sasuke thought, feeling indifferent about this after his current epiphany.
She stayed close to him for a while, making him wonder what she was thinking. After moments of complete silence he was starting to ponder if she had left, but abruptly he heard her shift again. This time she stood, and was practically groaning in irritation. Was she frustrated? And if so, why?
And before he could think of a reason she spoke.
"Please," She said, almost like she were begging, "Don't remember what you've already forgotten."
His heart sunk. What exactly did she mean by that comment? That she didn't like the old Sasuke, that he sucked, and she wouldn't even spare time for someone like him?!
He opened his eyes when he knew she left, shuffling to her room, as quite as she came.
Feeling somewhat powerless against this he decided to ignore it. But saddest part of this all was him not being able to.
-
"Are you kidding?"
"Do you think I'm joking?"
"I'm not sure, Shizune. You just seem like your lying. " Sakura confronted. Shizune had told her that Tsunade was currently ill and not able to take anything today. Stating that the only thing she'll be seeing is the inside of her eyelids for the next 24 hours.
"I swear it, Sakura." Shizune put one hand up, pledging her honesty.
"But, Shizune, it's about Sasuke." Naruto interrupted.
"OH!" Shizune suddenly exclaimed. "Tsunade had actually told me to usher you guys down here once she's well, but since you guys are here already, just know, when you hear that the hokage has recovered, come back to see her. She has something really, very important to tell you about him."
"So you know?" Sakura asked, almost unbelieving. Assuming she had known about Sasuke's recovered memory.
"Of course, I'm Tsunade's adviser, I should know."
Sakura looked at Naruto and back at Shizune, confused.
"Well then, if your done giving me these weird looks and inferences you guys should go. Come back in a few days and ask Tsunade personally. OK?" Shizune said stiffly while pushing them out and waving a goodbye.
-
She sat across from him silent.
He sat across from her silent.
Both not having a single word to say, they just stared at each other.
'This is sad.' Hinata thought to herself, commenting on the lack of words this morning.
"How did this happen…?"
Hinata shook her head once, coming out of a trance. "Pardon?"
"This. Me here with you, Hinata." He stated so simply.
Hinata looked down at the table, feeling almost near terrible. He made it sound like it was a sickness, a disease of some sort that she just threw his way. Was it bad that she was here with him? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Wasn't it the other way around?
"Why are you like this?" Hinata suddenly said, feeling annoyed.
He says nothing.
"Your the one that made me stay with you, Sasuke." Emphasizing the words, she corrected him.
And in reaction to this was a slight twitch of his lip. Neither a smile nor a frown, just a plain old twitch.
"Hm"
"Hm." She sounded back and oh did she feel like an idiot. What the hell was she trying to do?
Feeling awkward, and quite out of place she stood, looking at him once with questioning eyes.
But before she could even take a single step he spoke again, another question uttering from his throat, "When I get my memory back, will you remind me of our time together?" today, he was playing his cards.
Hinata couldn't move, her back facing him, she felt her heart tug. "uh…y--sure," She lied. She knew, she wouldn't. After his memory returned, she'd become Hinata again. The one that stayed quiet. The one that did what was asked. The one that was timid and too shy. The one that couldn't help but be nice. The one that had no idea of Sasuke's existence. The Hinata that only grieved at Sasuke's leaving because Naruto was just so upset. The one that loved Naruto and doesn't know Sasuke.
She knew she'd let him be in the end. Let him find solace in running away like she knew he would.
"I will." She said, reassuring him and walking off into the direction of her room.
He expected that.
Was she afraid?
And why did he feel the sudden urge to stop her from walking away, leaving him to sit at the table alone?
Walking away was the only thing Hinata felt content with doing. Strangely she thought it was the easiest thing she had done in the past few days. It was before she hit her room when she felt herself being jerked back.
From behind, she felt him give her an uncomfortable hug. She became stiff at the feeling and was almost in a panic, her instinct to move away was unbelievably strong. But as soon as the hug became weak, almost faltering she relaxed and smiled in one instant.
Sasuke was embracing her. It was something he occasionally did, at random of course. It had made her feel reassured and almost grateful about the situation.
She wanted to turn around, to look at him, but he didn't allow her. He let her keep still, enjoy what she was getting. Yet Hinata didn't take it that way, when someone offered their affection she'd take it all, not a slender piece. Since she wasn't so fond of it, she became greedy when it came to affection. She wouldn't let him have his way. She wanted to turn around and embrace him back, share the moment with him, and that's what she did.
She turned around abruptly and embraced him with her lips, secretly thankful for his sudden actions.
Slowly, Hinata pulled away, feeling an unusual sense of change that made her think this moment was much different from the rest. She smiled meekly and without another thought he kissed her. Pressing his lips softly into hers, not demanding anything from her but the feel against his own lips.
It was new to him, new and familiar all at once. It was immediate comfort as he felt her give into him in one quick movement. She seemed to be offering and it only seemed fair to take her lips as a response.
But before he could do anymore -than he may be able to- he stopped, only to say one thing that ruined it all, " I like you, Hinata."
Beautiful, right? Sasuke (the real one) proclaimed his feelings for the girl and it comes out to be a total BLAH! You'll understand why that's such a bad thing in the next chapter. It's in the works, and I'm feeling the climax. (that's not to sound bad...or anything.)
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