AN: OK...it's been a REALLY long time since I updated and I sincerely apologize for that. I have no excuse except for writers block. SO, I hope that this chapter makes up for the long wait. Sorry if it's not the best, it's not as good as I wanted to be, but if I decided to change it again, it would have taken even longer. And I'll WARN you now, Naruto is a bit...out of character. Even for my story...

Now! I shall thank all my wonderful reviewers! Just a reminder people, you NEVER have to apologize for giving me constructive criticism or suggestion. I like them. and they give me something to think about.

Side note: I'd like to apologize right now. And give a small warning. It appears that through out my short time as a writer, I've discovered two things I can't write. High intensity action scenes, and competitive boys...yeah. I know, not very helpful. So I apologize for my suckage.

and now, on with the story!


Embarrassment wasn't even close to what she was feeling. If anything, it could be described as pure panic.

Something that most people know and understand about Hyuuga Hinata is that she's a shy, conservative kind of girl. She's not one to show off her mind or her body. It's not unusual to see a light blush dusting her cheeks during any part of the day, or to notice her trade mark habit of pushing her fingers together when she's nervous. And, of course, it's impossible to miss that endearing stutter she has when she talks with that quiet voice of hers.

So, one would think that Tenten, who just so happens to be her best friend, would understand that forcing this shy and reluctant girl to wear a short black mini skirt and tight neon orange spaghetti strap shirt would be bad.

"Tenten, I-I think pe-people are staring." Hinata stuttered, attempting to shrink into herself.

A brown eye quickly glanced out at the crowded hallways around them. Yeah, they were all staring. "No they're not; it's just your imagination."

"You sure?" Another glance around the room, yeah, they were definitely staring.

"Of course I'm sure. I wouldn't lie to you." Well, maybe she would, but most of the time she wouldn't even dream of it.

"Remind me again why I'm w-wearing this?"

"Because, Hina-chan, my dear, dear friend," Tenten spoke, placing a soothing hand on her friends shoulder. "by wearing this stunning outfit, you are accomplishing two of your goals."

Hinata quirked her eyebrow; clearly not understanding what the brunette was getting at. "What I mean, is that this outfit will finally make you look your age. I mean seriously girl, you've got curves!" This shout brought even more attention to the two and an even deeper blush to the Hyuuga's cheeks. "Sasuke's been bugging you about that, right?" She didn't even wait for Hinata to nod in agreement. "And this will surely get Naruto's attention. You do want that kiss right?"

"But Tenten, I told you, I'm n-not even going to see Naruto today." Hinata whispered, her head tilted down. Tenten just grabbed her wrist, hurrying her along as though she hadn't even heard her.

Tenten knew full well that Hinata wasn't going to be spending her lunch break with Naruto. That was the main reason that she chose today to dress her up like this. No Naruto means alone time with Sasuke. And alone time with Sasuke would hopefully make Hinata realize her feelings for the boy.

A smile crept onto her lips thinking about it. Yeah, she would much rather her friend date the brooding Uchiha than that bastard Uzumaki. No matter how many gooey love stories Hinata told her of the two of them, she still didn't trust him with her best friend.

"Oh, look Hinata. It's Sasuke." Tenten called over her shoulder, making a beeline in his direction. "Now, I have to go find your good for nothing cousin. Remember, have fun, be safe, and 'no' really means 'more'."

She pushed Hinata to Sasuke, who caught her with a surprised look, before heading off, pausing long enough to give him a knowing smile.

"H-Hi Sasuke." Hinata choked out, peering up at him. She waited for him to say something, but he didn't. He just stared. "Sasuke?"

"What are you wearing?" His voice was unusually low; like he didn't want anyone to hear what they were saying. Looking down at herself, a subtle blush crawled up her cheeks.

"Y-you don't like it?" Letting her nerves take over she found herself reverting to her habit of playing with her fingers; trying to hide her face behind her bangs at the same time. "I thought that maybe, it w-would make me look more my age."

Sasuke looked down at Hinata in confusion. One reason was because he was expecting her to spend lunch with Naruto so her literally falling into his arms was a bit of a surprise. The second reason was that although she didn't seem to notice it, she was still close enough for him to wrap his arms around her if he wanted. And of course, there was the little fact that she was wearing something he had never even thought to imagine her in. But the most confusing thing of all would have to be the fact that even though he couldn't take his eyes off of her, he felt slightly angry that she would wear something like that.

"Sasuke?" Hinata asked, placing her hand on his chest to get his attention. Snapping out of his daze Sasuke roughly grabbed her wrist. Glaring harshly ahead he quickly pushed their way through the crowd, dragging Hinata behind him.

He could see people turning to look at them, he could hear the comments they were making, and he didn't like it. Not at all.

"S-Sasuke? Where are we going?" He ignored her, his eyes flashing back and forth looking for something. Turning a corner, he stopped, pushing her harshly against the wall.

She winced when her head smacked against the hard bricks but said nothing. She was waiting for him to speak.

Sasuke didn't even know what to say. Taking off his jacket he shoved it in her direction. "Put it on."

"B-but Sasuke, why?" She honestly looked confused which just confused him even more. And when Uchiha Sasuke got confused he got frustrated. And he tended to take his frustrations out on the people around him; even if he didn't actually mean to.

"Because you're dressed like a slut! Hinata, what were you thinking coming to school like that? I can't believe your dad even let you out of the house! Are you dressing like that for Naruto? I swear to god, if that's the case I'm going to beat his ass." Sasuke paced back and forth, his fists clenched tightly by his sides.

Hinata just stared in shock. That was first time Sasuke had ever actually yelled at her. Then, her shock turned to anger. "I'm dressing like a slut? Are you kidding me? You're the one who told me to dress this way! I did this for you!" And as she said it, Hinata knew it was true. Secretly, she had only agreed to this because she wanted Sasuke to see her in a different light. She didn't want to be the little girl who he always had to save. She wanted to be more, much more.

Tears streamed down her cherub face when her thoughts finally caught up with her. Confusion, anger, sadness, and yet happiness. Those were all the feelings swirling around in her mind.

Strong arms encircled her and she opened her eyes; not realizing she had ever closed them.

"I'm sorry Hinata. I shouldn't have said that." She just buried her face into his chest. He knew that meant he was forgiven. And as quickly as the moment had started, it ended, turning awkward. Naruto was still Hinata's boyfriend, and Sasuke was still, technically, his best friend.

They stood in silence for a moment, a good two feet apart, unsure of what to say. Quietly, Sasuke picked the fallen jacket off the floor and handed to her. "But you really should put it on. I'm sure your boyfriend wouldn't like other guys looking at his girl." Hinata just nodded as she slipped it on, her face burning.

Both walked along the path, neither looking at anything in particular. Lunch was almost over and so was their time together.

Glancing to the side Hinata allowed her thoughts to wander over what had just happened. How she had inadvertently confessed her feelings for Sasuke. How she had cried in his arms. And how whenever she thought he wasn't looking she would quickly smell his jacket, marveling in the scent that was uniquely him. Again, she felt her face flush. Yeah, embarrassment wasn't even close to what she was feeling.

xoxo

Naruto walked down the halls of the school, his foot steps making echoing sounds as his feet smacked against the pavement. He felt confused. He had made the perfect plan, one that could never possibly fail. But now he wasn't so sure.

He had picked Hinata up that morning, trying to make her more comfortable around him so she'd easily surrender to his charm that weekend. He had planned everything ahead. How he would compliment her, what he would say, even the devilish smiles he knew made her melt. And yet, something he hadn't expected to happen, happened.

They were driving, he had complimented her, she had laughed, and then she said it; quietly, confidently, sincerely. 'I really like you Naruto. You're a good person.' He knew that what she said wasn't important. Just like her, her words were only insignificant pieces of the puzzle that made up the bigger picture.

But the way she said it, her eyes looking into his, and her voice smooth and sure; for a second, it made his heart stop. For a second, he fell for Hyuuga Hinata.

Shaking his head he turned down another hallway, his destination in sight. Opening the door he glanced inside the empty classroom. Stepping in he walked to the window and gazed out. The lawn was mostly empty, only a few students were left, all running in hopes of scrambling to class before their teachers realized they were gone.

But one in particular caught his eye. A silver haired boy was leaning lazily against a far wall, a brightly colored book covering most of his face. Hatake Kakashi. The son of his father's closest friend and one of the only people Naruto himself actually looked up to. Kakashi and Sasuke were the ones he always went to when he needed advice. And seeing how he and Sasuke still weren't speaking to each other, Kakashi was the one who he had sought out that morning.

It was Kakashi he had gone to and confessed his sudden uneasiness about Hinata. Yeah, it was true. Uzumaki Naruto, Konoha's own personal Hugh Hefner, sometimes needed advice; not that he'd willingly admit it to anyone.

Sighing, he thought back on what Kakashi had told him. Nodding to himself, he made up his mind, determined to listen to his good friend, just as the door behind him swung open.

He hadn't even turned around before long, skinny arms wrapped themselves tightly around his chest and wet kisses were being applied to his neck. He was shocked to realize how revolted he was as the thin, wiry arms unwound themselves and instead their pale, cold hands worked on the buttons of his shirt. He was even more shocked when the kisses now running along his jaw felt more like the wet licking of a dog than the fiery and passionate sensation he was used to.

That's when he realized that Kakashi was right; things had changed. Grabbing the hands from his shirt he spun around to see the expectant face of Haruno Sakura looking back at him. Her pink hair was pulled back into a messy bun and, as always, she had applied too much mascara to her normally pink lashes.

And as he stood there, Sakura's arms once again snaking around him, he realized something. He really was tired of this, and he honestly did want it to stop. He was sick of playing these games. He was sick of trying to match faces with names and always trying to keep his story straight. He realized, that maybe, it was time for him to grow up.

"Sakura stop." He pushed her away, making her stumble back in surprise. Her lipstick was smeared and her clothes were already coming off. He blinked in confusion as he couldn't remember why he ever found her alluring. Even the green eyes that he remembered to be dazzling and bright seemed more dulled and listless.

"What's wrong baby? Did you want to go first?" She offered, beginning to strip off the rest of her clothes. He grabbed her hand, stopping her midway as she moved to unhook her bra.

"No. Listen, I need to talk to you." He kept his voice uncharacteristically low, his face serious. But Sakura was oblivious.

"Oh, I get it. You want to do a little role playing. What will it be this time? Teacher and student? Prisoner and warden? Master and slave?" She giggled at the last one, the same laugh that he would normally find inviting and sexy, but now he just thought it was high pitched and slightly nauseating.

She moved in closer, opening his shirt and kissed along his collar bone, murmuring rehearsed lines to him. He could feel her press her body against his, the skin of her stomach scratching uncomfortably against his own.

Grabbing her shoulders he pulled her away, holding her steady as he spoke. "No, Sakura, listen. I can't," He looked into her face, showing her he was serious. "I can't do this anymore." There was silence.

"What do you mean?" She asked, struggling slightly against him hold. She looked uncomfortable, and confused. Like she suddenly realized she was in the wrong place and wanted nothing more but to leave. "What are you talking about?"

"We can't do this anymore. I have a girlfriend, it's not right." And suddenly, her confusion turned to anger.

"What do you mean you have a girlfriend?" She roughly pushed his arms away, glaring deep into his sapphire eyes. "That never made a fucking difference before!"

"I know, but things have changed." For a second he thought she hadn't heard him. Or at least that's what he thought. That is until he saw her face. It was contorted into something he couldn't quite describe. Anger and sadness mixed together, but with another feeling he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"What do you mean changed? What could have possibly changed? She's still the same insignificant, quiet, weird, freak that she's always been. And you, Naruto Uzumaki, will always be the same horny jerk that you've always been. You can't change that. So don't you dare tell me things have changed!" But she was wrong, things had changed, she just wasn't aware of it yet.

"Hinata is a nice girl, and she doesn't deserve what we've been doing." He paused for a second before correcting himself. "What I've been doing."

"She doesn't deserve this? What about me! I don't deserve this! I've sat back quietly while you've walked around the school with that little whore. I was the one who came over in the middle of the night. I was the girl on the side. I was the one who you fucked every fucking night after you dropped off your precious little girlfriend!" She didn't sound like she was going to cry, and she didn't look like she was going to cry. That's why Naruto was shocked to see tears slowly streak down her face.

"I'm sorry Sakura. You're right. You don't deserve this either. That's why we have to end this now." She didn't answer. She just kept her head down, her body ridged as she tried to keep from breaking down.

"I hate you." She whispered it so quietly, for a second he thought she hadn't said anything. But the way her eyes flashed to his, so filled with hatred and remorse, he knew he had heard correctly. Nodding his head, he left. Maybe, they both had a little growing up to do.


AN: Yeah, you can see what I meant about the Naruto thing...ok. Here's the thing, now that this chapter is done. My next one will be coming soon. I've already started writing it so hopefully that'll help. BUT! I have a question for you. I have another story that I'd like to start, but it's major OOC and a little bit on the...different side. It's not ur tradition fanfic. So, if you do leave a review, just comment on whether or not you think I should post my other story. Thanks, review, and goodbye!