Chapter 9: Mad At Me

Metal… metallic… smell… blood…

Hinata groggily opened her eyes only to gasp in wide horror. Blood! The white curtains were spotted and dripping with blood. There were bloody footsteps on the ground and a bloody heap on the floor.

Hesitating, Hinata crawled to the crumpled, bleeding mass. With trembling hands, she turned over the pile she discerned to be human. Shock and terror filled her to her core when she came face to face with a bloody and pale Uchiha Sasuke.

"S-s-sasu-k-ke…" Hinata whimpered as she cradled his unconscious form. Tears fell freely from her pale orbs dripping into Sasuke's closed eyes. Whimpers escaped her lips as she tried to find a pulse. Her indigo hair brushed across his cheeks soaking up some red as she frantically tried to find the beat.

"P-plea-see…don't d-die…" Hinata whispered finding none. Despairingly, she held him burying her face in his neck to stifle her sobs.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Hinata turned around searching for the sound.

"Hinata?"

Hinata took a sharp intake of breath as she suddenly found herself lying on her pristine kitchen floor.

"Hinata? Open up. I forgot my keys."

Jumping up Hinata bolted for the door. Hesitating only for a second to catch her breath, she opened the door and greeted her cousin with a smile.

"Hello Nii-san,"

Neji stared at her for a few seconds before walking in to take off her coat.

"What took you so long?" He asked mildly irritated. He's been working so much tiny things such as forgetting his keys and having to stand outside for 15 seconds than normal irked him.

"An-no, I c-couldn't hear y-you over the t-tv." Hinata replied blushing and retreating to the kitchen to finish cooking. Neji followed after his cousin glaring at the offensive appliance that flickered scenes of men, women and children playing in the snow.

Hinata leaned onto the counter and took a deep breath. What, what just happened? She asked herself mildly taking in that the chicken was already defrosted.

"Hinata?" Neji asked confused as he eyed her wayward knife off the floor.

"Hm?" Hinata replied turning to look at her cousin. Following his eyesight, she found herself staring confusedly at the knife. Neji bent to pick it up and handed it to her bewilderment written in his silver eyes.

"You dropped this?" Hinata blushed and accepted the knife.

"S-sort of," Hinata started thinking of a quick excuse." You just s-startled me that's a-all." Turning around to wash the knife, Hinata hoped Neji bought her lie. She hated lying. Why was she lying in the first place? Oh right, like Neji would believe her if she told him she was attacked by… by… a what?

Shaking her head Hinata finished chopping her vegetables and began to slice up the chicken.

Neji stared at his cousin a bit longer. Did something happen? With a sigh and a shake of his head, Neji walked to his favorite spot and sat down to enjoy the crisp evening breeze. A few moments later, Hinata offered him a cup of green tea.

Silence soon reigned as the cousins ate their dinner and finished their night in each other's amiable company.

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Hinata found herself the next day in a daze. She had spent all night trying to figure out what had attacked her. Around 12 am she had convinced herself that the whole ordeal was just a figment of her over-active imagination and stress. However, despite the assurance that nothing otherworldly was the cause of her "feinting spell" the dream that it concocted left goose bumps on her skin. The sight of a dying Uchiha left her emotionally shaken.

Of course it was going to affect her. He was her friend! Seeing a dying friend is never a good sight. However, the desperation and pain she felt seeing him like that betrayed something more. Glimpsing him covered in blood and so, so pale struck a chord inside of her. Her heart had wrenched so hard it was painful to breath. Her heart felt like… like it was breaking.

Slowly, Hinata realized that if Sasuke had died she would not have known what to do. The pain was so unbearable she didn't know if she could handle it. Unconsciously comparing the ache she felt when her mother died to that of when Sasuke "died", Hinata realized with a jolt that they were almost the same.

It seems that she cares for him more than she had thought.

Hinata tried to ignore the idea during class but somehow they would invade her mind every so often. It was getting hard to concentrate. Her mind's eye kept sending her images of Sasuke covered in blood so much that she realized in order placate her feelings she had to make sure he wasn't dead. She needed to assure herself that what she saw was just a dream, a horrible, vivid, dream.

So with conviction pushing her along, Hinata briskly walked to the library during her lunch hour hoping that he would be sitting there, reading as if he had not a care in the world.

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Arriving at her destination, Hinata quickly greeted the librarian, signed herself in, and briskly walked to her spot. Please be there, Hinata hoped. As she turned the bend she unconsciously let out the breath she was holding. He's here!

There in his usual spot sat Sasuke seemingly absorbed by the book he was reading. With relief making her worries disappear, Hinata slowed to a stop and stood in front of Sasuke taking in his form. He's alive! Sasuke eyed her oddly from the top of his book. Am I still bothering her by sitting here? With a displeased look, he closed his book with a snap and stood up.

"I thought we cleared this up Hinata. However if me reading really bothers you, fine, I'll move." Moving to leave, Sasuke was surprised by Hinata's reaction.

"No!" Hinata quickly covered her mouth at her outburst. With red tinting her cheeks, she tried to explain. "I m-mean you r-reading d-doesn't bother m-me." Looking down, Hinata fiddled with her books hoping Sasuke didn't decide to leave. Not hearing a reply, Hinata peaked at the Uchiha between her bangs. He just stood there with an odd look. Closing his eyes, he sighed while running his fingers through his hair.

"Then, what's bothering you?" Hinata met his gaze but quickly averted hers. Embarrassed, Hinata shook her head. She can't tell him! He'd think she was weird, and, and she didn't want to jeopardize the friendship, or the awkward relationship they shared.

"N-nothing," Hinata mumbled.

Sasuke quirked his brow at her response. Nothing? Clearly there's something. But he wasn't going to push it. If she wanted him to know she'll tell him. Maybe it' something private; and Sasuke was a man who valued privacy.

"A-ano…" Hinata gathered all her courage and bravely faced Sasuke. "C-can I h-hold y-y-you? P-p-pleas-se?" Sasuke's eyes grew wide as his mental self did a double take. Despite Hinata catching him off guard, Sasuke never showed his surprise but kept his cool, calm demeanor.

Shrugging a yes, Sasuke opened his arms as an invite. Hinata only needed a second to put her books on the table and with a slightly hesitant first step she walked into his open arms.

Sasuke at first didn't know whether he should pull her close however his body decided for him. Putting one hand in the small of her back and the other cradling her head, he softly pulled her closer until her head rested in the crook of his shoulder and neck.

Suddenly, Hinata was overwhelmed with emotions—the complete opposite of the ones in her dreams. He didn't feel clammy. He felt comfortable. His pulse wasn't weakening. It was a steady beat. And he didn't feel cold like death. But warm like a softly blazing fire in a chilly winter night.

Burying her face in his shoulder, she willed her tears not to come. Needing more assurance that he wasn't dead, Hinata circled her arms around his waist and squeezed.

I just need to know that you're alive and safe Sasuke.

With the towering bookshelves shielding them from the world and the soft, calm silence of the library hugging them, Hinata and Sasuke were able to stay in their little world just a moment longer.

Just a moment longer to linger in each other's warmth.

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The rest of the day passed by in a blur and Hinata soon found herself sitting in Physics next to her blonde, blue-eyed beauty of a friend.

"Ne, Hinata-chan. You seem so happy today, what's up?" Ino asked as she absentmindedly took down Kakashi-sensei's notes. Hinata paused at her own note-taking. And bit the tip of her pencil.

"Umm," She hesitated. Ino may be a good friend but she's a little of a gossip girl. Sensing the indigo-haired girl's inner battle, Ino persisted.

"You can tell me. If it's a secret I won't tell." Crossing her heart with her pencil, Ino gave Hinata her brightest smile. Hinata smiled in return.

"A-Alright, I'll t-tell." Taking a deep breath, Hinata began.

"I h-had a d-d-ream that a g-good friend d-died." Ino frowned as she continued to take down more notes.

"That's horrible!"

"No, no t-that's n-not why I'm h-happy." Hinata fumbled with her words. "I j-j-ust f-found out t-that h-he's ok-kay. I'm h-happy because h-he's s-safe." Hinata shrugged hoping that Ino didn't think it was that important.

"Well, that's good, I guess." Ino replied not thinking any more of Hinata's happiness. However a few more minutes into the class, Ino couldn't help but notice that not only was Hinata happy, but she was blushing too. Getting an idea, Ino couldn't help but giggle.

"So, this friend of yours, Is he a guy?" Hinata gasped and blushed at the same time.

"W-w-what?" Ino giggled at her friend's stutter. That was such a give away.

"Was it Naruto? You had a nightmare about Naruto? Then today you talked to him and then he hugged you and told you 'its okay Hinata-chan, I'm here I'm safe. I love you.'' Ino said trying to imitate Naruto's voice. Hinata shook her head furiously.

"N-n-no… n-n-n-noo t-t-that's n-n-not t-true!" Hinata stuttered still shaking her head.

Ino laughed at Hinata's antics earning her Kakashi-sensei's attention.

"Hm? What's so funny Ino?" Kakashi-sensei asked turning to face the two girls who interrupted his lecture.

"Nothing really Kakashi-sensei. I'm just happy today." Ino replied with a well-trained school girl voice. Kakashi-sensei raised his eyebrows clearly not buying Ino's reply. But he doesn't really care. Both girls were getting good grades in his class anyway. Shrugging Kakashi-sensei returned to talking about electromagnetivity.

"Well? What is it then?" Ino asked whispering to Hinata who had turned into a ripe red tomato.

"A-an-o, it's n-not N-Naruto." Hinata replied following Kakashi-sensei's piece of chalk.

"Oh really? Does that mean you don't like him anymore?"

"I g-guess s-so," Hinata paused before nodding her confirmation. "I s-still c-care about h-him b-but I… I d-don't l-like him that w-way anymore." Hinata smiled. It felt good to confirm it. Ino agreed with her.

"That's good. I'm glad for you. It was so awkward during that time when you still liked him and Sakura started going out with him. I hope you already forgave her." Ino approved smiling at Hinata. "So, who's this friend then?"

"Uchiha-san."

"WHAT?!?" Ino screamed earning her a chalk bullet to the forehead from Kakashi-sensei.

"Ino-chan… shut up." Kakashi-sensei cheerfully reprimanded. Ino blushed in embarrassment wiping away chalk dust from her forehead.

"Sorry Kakashi-sensei."

"Are you serious?! I didn't even know you guys were friends! Since when? Oh my god! I'm so out of the loop!" Ino whispered while glaring at Hinata.

"S-sorry, I g-guess I n-never mentioned it." Ino stared angrily at Hinata's lame excuse.

"You were so trying to keep him to yourself!"

"N-no I w-ah, Ino-chan I'm s-sorry!" Hinata replied suddenly remembering that Ino liked Sasuke. Ino glared at Hinata one last time before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"I'm sorry Hinata-chan. Somehow I suddenly got jealous of you." Ino apologized sadly smiling at Hinata who smiled in return.

"Are y-you okay?" Hinata asked more concerned about her friend than continuing her notes.

"I'm fine. It's just… never mind. I'm okay." Ino smiled at her friend picking up her pencil ending their conversation. Hinata continued to look at Ino until she too picked up her pencil and continued with following Kakashi-sensei's chalk.

However for the rest of the period Hinata couldn't help but sense a strange feeling of animosity from Ino.

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As soon as the bell rang, Ino ran straight out leaving a confused and semi-guilty Hinata to finish packing her things. Hinata was so immersed in her thoughts as she made her way to her locker that she didn't notice an amused Uchiha leaning on her locker.

"Hey," Sasuke said making Hinata jump.

"Ah, Uchiha-san you s-startled me." Hinata replied unconsciously placing her hand on her heart. Sasuke smirked as he moved to give her access to her locker.

"Are you free this Friday?" Sasuke asked staring at his shoes. Hinata opened her locker before replying.

"Well, I'm going to w-watch Kiba's m-match against S-suna."

"Oh," Sasuke frowned. Kiba? Kiba and Hinata? "Well, I hope to see you there then." Sasuke replied curtly.

Hinata paused from gathering her things. Sasuke sounded… angry? Hinata turned to ask Sasuke why he was angry but he had already left. Hinata frowned. Somehow everyone was becoming angry with her today. Finally collecting all her things, Hinata huffed about her complicated day and began her walk home.

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Winter had already settled in and Hinata breathed puffs of white cloud as she trudged on home. Burdened by more books than usual, Hinata decided to take a breather on a bus bench nearby. Frowning, Hinata bit her bottom lip. Ino was a little mad at her and Sasuke too. Although she had somewhat an idea of why Ino was angry with her, she had no clue concerning Sasuke. Maybe it's because she hugged him at the library. Oh no! Maybe I hugged him too long, Hinata wondered. Heaving a dejected sigh, Hinata wondered how she was going to apologize to Sasuke when a stray cat caught her attention.

The grey tomcat had wandered onto the street. It seemed dazed and judging from the way it wobbled on its paws it might be injured. Hinata pursed her lips debating on whether to shoo the cat away or leave it be.

"A-no, p-please g-get off t-the s-street!" Hinata yelled uncharacteristically. However her soft voice couldn't carry over through the winter wind. Heaving a sigh, Hinata dropped her books on the bench and walked over to the cat. Crouching near it, Hinata was about to pick it up when the cat hissed at her in a defensive position.

Hinata was taken by surprise at the cat's heated behavior. Smiling sadly, Hinata couldn't help but mope a little.

"Are you mad at me too?" Hinata sighed and reached out her hand. "Please don't be, I'm only trying to help you." However the cat didn't move. It only screeched some more before turning around and scampering away leaving a trail of small droplets of blood in its wake.

Slowly, Hinata dropped her outstretched hand and stood up. The cat was hurt. Worried, Hinata debated on whether to follow and treat it or leave. However Hinata never got to decide.

Before she could even move her feet, bright lights blinded her as she tried to cover her eyes. The loud frantic honking alerted her to the car speeding towards her. Hinata was suddenly rooted to the spot; her breath stopped and she couldn't move a muscle. Eyes wide, Hinata vaguely wondered if this was how she was going to die.

Then suddenly, she felt strong arms encircle her and force her to the ground where she rolled twice before stopping. The impact made her dizzy and suddenly her world was growing darker. A hazy pair of emerald eyes appeared in her vision… then a voice… Hinata tried to reach out and touch the blurry face…

"Are… you… mad… too?"

TBC

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A/N: Here's the next chapter to CB! Hope you enjoy! Also, I want to thank you to all the people who have reviewed so far. It had kept me going with this story. Thanks for sticking with me. I know it has been hard since I don't update very often but I hope you stay until I finish. Thanks again!