Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Crawling

...

Hinata mentally braced herself for what she was about to do.

She felt so stupid, but she had to do it.

For her own happiness. She wanted to do things right this time.

Hinata paused at the door, thinking things through for one last time. After she did this, there would be no second chances, no do-overs.

Did she really love Sasuke? Did she like him?

And when had it even happened? When she was feeling sorry for him? When she wanted to put a smile in his face? When she wanted Sakura to cheer him up?

Hinata couldn't remember. But she knew she cared for him. That he mattered to her. That he wasn't as cold and unbreakable as he pretended to be. And that he needed someone.

And so do I.

Hinata thought. Perhaps that was their bond. They both needed someone. They both were alone. They both had done things in their past that they weren't proud of; things that had hurt others unintentionally.

Hinata pushed all other thoughts out of her mind, and brought a wide grin to her face. Think about what Ino said! She instructed herself.

She knocked on the door. After a minute of waiting, Jin finally came to the door, sliding it open with ease, looking mildly surprised. But almost immediately, his expression turned stoic and emotionless.

"Yes, Hinata-san?" He asked politely, his cold eyes staring down at her.

Hinata swallowed nervously, and tried to avoid wringing her hands, which were sweaty from anxiety.

"Jin-kun!" She said, trying her best to seem happy, and she leapt into his arms.

Hinata could feel herself blush from the contact, and could feel as Jin staggered back slightly.

"Hinata-san." He pushed her away, keeping her at arms length.

"Can we talk?" Hinata asked, trying her best to imitate Ino's "puppy eyes" and sound sweet.

Jin nodded, and led her to a sitting room inside.

She felt awkward, but sat delicately on one of the sofas. She was mildy surprised at him having sofas in his living quarters - most Hyuugas in the Compound preferred very traditional furniture.

"Ano, I have to tell you something." She said softly.

Jin nodded, waiting for her to continue.

"Well," Hinata began. She willed herself to remember Ino, and how Ino would do this, "about the other day. Sasuke-san. I'm very close to him as he is my patient, and he has been in very bad shape lately. When you asked whether I l-loved him, I surprised myself by saying yes. But the truth is...I'm in love you, Jin-san. When I first saw, I t-thought you were the most amazing man I'd ever met. You were like a God," Hinata paused, giving him a look of awe, "and I want to marry you so badly!"

Hinata knew this would be the most important part of the drama. She was disgusted of herself, but she'd do what she had to do. But still, she felt shy and nervous about it. She had to do this, and execute it perfectly. Without notice, she popped off her seat, and rushed over to Jin, and kissed him.

It was certainly not passionate, by any means.

Hinata just kept her lips on top of his - or rather smashed on top of his - long enough to creep him out. And creeped he was. He pushed her away for a second time.

"Hinata-san, this is not proper behavior for the heiress!" He sputtered. Hinata resisted smiling triumphantly - she did feel some pride in the fact that she made him sputter. She had flustered him that much. But Ino had pegged him correctly - he had no people or romance skills, and certainly was not jumping up and down because a girl liked him. He seemed rather troubled by it.

Maybe he'll think I'm a loose woman, now.

Hinata thought, amused.

"I'm sorry," She said, pretending to look ashamed, "I just...you're so beautiful and manly."

Hinata wished Ino could be here to see this performance. Of course, this performance alone wouldn't scare him off marriage. But her and Ino did have a few encore performances planned. She planned to be as annoying and clingy as possible.

"Let's go for a stroll, Jin-san. Please? For fresh air?" She pleaded sweetly.

Hinata shot him what was supposed to be "seductive" smile, but she was sure it came out awkward. Because she's awkward that way. If it was Ino, it probably would've look seductive, but not on her. Apparently, Jin agreed, as he simply looked confused and weirded out at the look.

"Uh. Okay, Hinata-san." He said stiffly, his lips set in a tight, straight line.

Hinata boldly took his hands, and led him outside.

"Let's have a picnic." She said suddenly, pointing to the basket she'd brought, that was hanging loosely in her right hand.

"You brought food?" He seemed surprised, but not entirely displeased. Maybe he was hungry?

Hinata nodded, and led him out of the Compound towards the park.

After a few minutes of walked (and hand holding and incessant rambling from Hinata), they finally reached a place to have the picnic.

Hinata opened the basket, and set up the picnic.

She opened the food she'd brought. And ruined purposely.

"Let me feeeeed you." She said, chirping in an irritatingly high voice.

"Are you feeling well, Hinata-san?" Jin asked, raising both eyebrows. Well, at least he had an expression, Hinata thought.

"Of course, if I'm in your presence! Now let me feeeeed you!" She requested, jamming the food forcefully into his mouth with chopsticks.

She waited for two seconds, waiting for the expression of disgust to surface on his face.

And after two seconds, it did surface.

"Hinata-san, did you cook this food yourself?" He asked, looking a little blue in the face.

Hinata nodded innocently, "Of course, I wanted to cook for my Jin-kun."

He looked surprised at the suffix, but said nothing, and instead asked for a drink of water.

"Here you go, Jin-kun." She said.

While he gulped the water down needily, Hinata bit her lip. She did feel guilty for doing this to him. But he didn't love her; he didn't care if he got married to her or some other Hyuuga girl. They were all the same to him. But it mattered to her; whether she got married to him or...some one else, it made a difference in her life.

...

Hinata stood still, as she let herself into the Uchiha Manor.

She could hear voices.

"...you're looking much better than last time. Sorry I couldn't stay too long...Naruto...he's not in the best shape...I know."

Hinata didn't waste a second in recognizing the voice of the female. Sakura.

Hinata considered just leaving. Was Sasuke still Sakura's? Did he even like or love her? Hinata knew that while she resolved the Jin situation, she would have to be sure of his feelings.

And Sakura?

Hinata didn't like the idea of taking something that wasn't hers. Would that be how Sakura would view her? As stealing Sasuke? Or at least, trying to steal Sasuke?

Why hadn't she consulted Ino before making this impromptu visit? She had brought food. But Sakura probably had, too.

"...well, I should leave...my shift...yes, I know." Hinata strained her ears, but only could hear bits and pieces of their conversation. She resisted the urge to spy on the two of them with her Byakugan. It wouldn't be right; it wouldn't be morally correct.

She had a minute to leave. Hinata knew she wanted to avoid Sakura and a possible confrontation at all costs. But why should she leave? She had taken care of Sasuke when he almost died.

That had to mean something, right?

And Sakura didn't own this Manor. She wasn't Sasuke's wife or girlfriend to tell Hinata to leave, right?

But before she could think of anything else, she found herself face to face with Sakura.

Sakura stared at her coldly. Hinata looked away,

"A-ano, I..." She began, but was cut off by Sakura's strong, sharp voice.

"Why are you here?"

"I w-w-wanted to m-make s-s-sure that S-Sasuke was fine." Hinata mumbled, cursing herself for stuttering.

Sakura seemed mildly amused by Hinata's reply.

"Since when has he been "Sasuke", Hinata? Don't tell me you have your eye on him, too, now. He's Naruto's best friend. Have some decency." Sakura said, her words cutting at Hinata viciously. Hinata remained quiet. What could she say in her own defense? He was Naruto's best friend.

"First, there's Kenji, who you basically killed because you couldn't get over your childish infatuation with Naruto! And then, when finally Naruto comes around, you realize that you aren't really in love like you thought with him either. So, you decide have your father arrange another Kenji for you, right? What's his name? But you can't even be happy with him. Is Sasuke your newest crush? Do you plan on running away from your fiance for Sasuke now? And then who, Hinata? How many guys are left?" Sakura said, her tone was acidic.

Hinata could begin to feel her eyes water. Was she really like that? Heartless? Fickle?

Hinata knew she wasn't perfect; but it never occurred to her that she was a bad person. She'd spent all her life trying please everyone. Trying to make everyone like her.

Trying to make her father proud of her, trying to earn Hanabi's respect, trying to earn Naruto's love, trying to earn Kenji's forgiveness...

Sakura noticed Hinata's tears, now streaming quietly down her face.

"Hinata," Sakura said, her voice had grown softer, "you're such a bitch."

Hinata's eyes widened. Sakura's face was serene; her voice had been soft. She hadn't said that in the heat of the moment.

Hinata turned and ran, dropping the food she had brought on the floor.

...

Author's Notes: While this isn't proofread, and might not be my best writing, I have to say this is my favorite chapter out of the entire story. I hope my portrayal of Hinata is remotely good -- because I wanted her to still be the same, sweet and fragile Hinata we all know, but still be gradually changing. I think we see both sides of her; the bolder side of her, that's been developing throughout this story, and the part that's still delicate and wants others' approval.

I REALLY want to know everyone else thinks, so please review! I worked really hard to put up this chapter, because while I'd already planned what was going to happen, I couldn't really express it in words, if that makes any sense. So, it was difficult for me to write this chapter in a way that I actually liked it (this was my 3rd draft!). So, please, I'd like to know your opinions: did it completely suck or was it okay?

And to all of those people who reviewed on the last chapter: THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I really can't express how much I love you guys...you're the only reason I'm still writing this.