CHP11

Feeling like a zombie, she automatically dressed in the outfit that Tenten had picked out for her the day before, needing to get ready for the party on the docks. It was a classic black dress, but with a sheer violet belt to go around her waist, then she donned the open-toed black heels. She skipped the nylons, not really in the mood to mess with them, applied light make-up to her eyes and some clear cotton-candy flavored gloss to her lips. Not really caring about her hair, she just brushed it out and left it hanging down. It didn't matter to her if half was straight, like normal, and the other half was wavy from sleeping on it. She couldn't even remember walking down the steps, or the weird look from Neji as she walked past him. Going straight to the fridge to get some juice out, then a glass from the cupboard, she poured herself the contents and drank it all in one large gulp.

Feeling slightly better, and a little more refreshed, she put the juice away and washed the glass, dried it, and put it away. She turned to find Neji staring at her, there in the kitchen.

"Um Hinata?"

"Yes Neji?"

"…Never mind…" he said and turned around to talk to Sasuke.

Both men decided to dress in their formal anbu captain gear. Which consisted of an all black tailored pantsuit with a deep blue collared shirt, the stripes showing their rank over the left chest. Both decided to nix the hat. Hinata eyed them and gave them a smile, telling them how happy she was that they were home. Neji knew she must still be exhausted to be including 'them', as if she knew Sasuke her whole life. He was really beginning to worry about her. And the look Sasuke gave him, told him he thought that his cousin was crazy. Looking at her, he decided he might be right.

"Maybe you should stay here Hina, and catch up on your sleep," he suggested.

She air-waved him away, "Nonsense Neji, I'm fine. Where's Tenten and Hanabi?"

"Tenten will meet us there, and Hanabi's too young to go with us. Tenten said it's a series of bars down by the docks, right?" he asked.

She nodded in confirmation. "Well, let's go then. I'll have to trust her for tonight."

Sasuke turned to Neji, "Maybe you should drive."

"I think you're right. Though, I'm not familiar with this side of town."

"Neither am I, but I remember the way back from the docks," Sasuke said, indicating that Neji should also.

"Let's go then."

--

He was already ready to go back to the sanctuary the military could offer. He'd rather be facing countless enemy nin than be here at this exact moment. This was hell, as far as he was concerned. He saw that Neji was having a good time, as he danced with Tenten one hand on her waist, a drink in the other. Why was this hell to him? Because not only did he not drink, but Naruto, Lee, Kiba, Shino, Chouji, Shikamaru, and half the other shinobi he knew were all here drinking and having a good time, again – not to point out the obvious, but he wasn't of the greatest personality for social events. Skimming the crowd of faces, he spotted his childhood friend chatting up the Hyuuga girl, trying to get her to dance with him. She was currently placed at the bar, sitting between Kiba and Shino, sipping a clear glass of something. And her blush was as clear as day. Wanting some water, he headed towards the bar himself, at least he could try to hold a conversation with members of his own squad.

"…come on Hinata, just one dance!?"

"That's o-okay, but thanks for asking Naruto."

"Leave her alone."

Naruto looked over to Shino with confusion laced in his expression, "Ooohhhh…" he wriggled his eyebrows, "I get it Shino, sorry, I didn't know she was your girlfriend…OW! What the hell Sasuke!?"

"Idiot!" he seethed, why did this always happen? "Why does this always happen?"

"I don't know bastard, why don't you tell me!?"

Sasuke stared at him, "…I change my mind. Bartender, get me a shot of whatever."

Hinata was dumbfounded and didn't know how to react. "Um…t-thank you?" she asked.

"You're welcome." Shino AND Sasuke both answered, then looked at each other. That was weird. Figured though, it involved Hinata, of course it would be weird.

"Hey Naruto, that girl over there has been checking you out!" Kiba told him.

"Where!" after Kiba pointed him in some direction near the pool table, and then left to find the girl.

"Why did you do that?" Shikamaru asked.

"Did you want to listen to him go on and on about her?" he nodded towards Hinata, "No offense."

"N-none taken?" Everything she said seemed to come out as a question.

"Hn. You're empty, what are you drinking?" Sasuke asked. Why did he ask her that? That, again, was weird.

"Oh...w-water please," she smiled. So he really was a nice guy!

"Hn. Two waters then," he told the barkeep, taking in that the clear liquid she had been sipping on wasn't alcohol.

"No more shots, …captain?" The bartender asked, looking at his uniform.

Sasuke sent him a blank look, obviously calling him an idiot with his eyes. "I asked for two waters, what do you think?"

Hinata frowned, maybe he wasn't so nice after all. "Maybe the others would like something to drink as well.."

"Sweet! Captain Uchiha is buying the next round!" Kiba yelled.

It had been a while since he glared at a female, or at least – a civilian female. But Hinata was receiving his most deadliest one yet. He saw her squirm under his burning gaze and blush a pretty pink. He watched her sigh, as everyone in the bar, 'hoorayed' and hurried to place their order. She shook her head, still under the heat of his hating eyes, and opened up her small purse. He saw as she pulled out her money and place it on the table.

Reaching out a hand, he stopped her, "Don't."

"But I didn't mean f-for that t-to h-happen…"

"A little too late now," he scowled as even Neji joined in for the free drink.

"I'll pay for the tab, I didn't intend for them to think you had the next r-round."

He shook his head no, wondering why in Kami's name he wasn't letting her pay for her own loud mouth.

But he forgot how stubborn the girl was turning out to be as she put her money back down on the bar. A staring match was now in full swing, and naturally she was the first to look down. He knew she would. However, she didn't move her hand…or her money. Kami, she was too innocent, it was driving him mad!

"How about we split it up then?" she offered.

Well, he could be stubborn too, "I'll get it."

"But that's n-not fair. It was m-my f-fault," she protested.

"Yes, it is your fault."

"Then why won't you let me pay for it?" she was so confused.

He refused to answer her, probably because he was trying to figure that out himself. Instead, he looked out over the crowd again, as the bartender remained busy behind him.

"Sasuke, why won't you let me pay?"

He turned back to look at her. She met his black gaze head on with her own pale orbs. Both were daring each other to back down. Kami, this was the most frustrating woman ever! Was she purposely this ignorant just to him? Was she secretly trying to drive him crazy enough to get him out of her home? He didn't really believe that, but what else was he supposed to think? Even the idiot fell for her charms. He hadn't even spent one whole day in her home or her presence, and already she was getting under his skin.

"You will. Just not right now," he muttered darkly.

"What?" she tilted her head, the confusion increasing on her upturned face.

"As in you will pay for it later. I'll decide when, where, and how."

She looked at him with an odd smile on her face, "I d-don't know what t-to make of y-you, Sasuke."

He grunted and replied, "Same here. You're weird." Oops, he felt a little guilty at her sudden hurt expression.

"I'm s-s-sorry."

"Whatever, stop apologizing," he said crossing his arms, should he tell her she's annoying too? Why not? By the look on her face, he felt like he just kicked a litter of kittens. What else could he do to destroy the stupid chit.

"Um…could you tell Neji that I'm going home? Thank you," she got up and left right away, miraculously weaving through the throngs of drunk morons and out the front door. He couldn't even hear the chime as she exited.

Well shit.

Closing his eyes and counting to ten to calm down, he grabbed a drink from someone's hand and gulped it down. Then took off after her, it was turning out to be a pretty decent evening. Not to cold, not to warm. Just right. He looked left, then right, and saw her walking up the sidewalk. He allowed his long legs to catch up to her, and just started walking along side her. After all, Neji would probably kill him if he found out he'd let her walk home alone, not to mention that he was solely responsible for her sudden departure. After a few minutes of silence, he realized that her home really wasn't that far from the docks. And also that she was holding her arms around herself. Oh. She was cold. Just great. Now he had to pretend to be the gentleman he wasn't.

Taking off his suit jacket, he grunted and shoved it in her arms, "Here."

She didn't say anything, or put the jacket on, just held it where he had placed it, and kept walking.

For crying out loud, "Just put it on," he ordered. She finally complied.

They walked in utter silence for a few more blocks, and Sasuke finally began to feel the cool evening summer air. No wonder she was cold, the girl was a lot smaller than him, despite the curves, and her dress was short-sleeved. Plus…it was a dress. With the quiet…he started thinking to himself. Questioning what the hell he was doing out here with her, walking her home. Oh yeah, Neji would be pissed. Besides, he wanted to get out of there anyway. The longer the silence stretched, the worse he began to feel. Really, she'd been nothing but nice to him since he'd first arrived. Cleaning and preparing a room just for him, making that list for him, telling him she was glad he was home (okay, that one didn't count – she didn't really know what she was saying at the time), including him in her package to Neji, and… taking the time to write a letter to him.

"I'm sorry about what I said, it isn't true." Was that his voice? Was that the first apology he'd ever said?

She finally glanced at the man walking beside her, "No, you were right. I am w-weird. But I really am sorry that you had to pay for everyone."

"Actually…I kind of left before I paid…so, in a way…"

She stopped, turned around and started walking the other way, reaching for the money in her purse.

"Not again…Hinata! It's alright, its Kiba's fault anyway, just let them figure it out, alright?"

"B-b-but…"

"Come on, let's just go home," he grunted and grabbed her arm pulling her behind him, completely missing the small smile on her face.

"You know Sasuke, I did m-mean what I said earlier, I really don't get you."

"Hn. That's a good thing, I'm a shinobi after all."

She giggled, "Thanks for w-walking me home."

"Hn."

More giggles, he smirked. Things were going a little better this time around. It seemed…normal?

"I'm sorry I left l-like that, I just…really didn't want to be there anymore."

He looked at her with his brows creased, "No, you left because of what I said."

"Maybe t-that was part of it. But I really d-don't like crowds all that much," she admitted.

He slowed his pace in stunned disbelief. They had something in common? Huh.

"You alright?" she asked, placing a hand lightly on his arm, it was a natural instinct for her, after all she was training to be a doctor. "Sasuke?"

"I don't have good…people skills," he said with a frown.

She smiled at him brightly, then proceeded to do the same to him that he just did to her, drag him forward.

"Neither do I. I stutter."

"You aren't stuttering now," he said, putting his hands in his pockets.

"I just did. When I'm nervous I stutter really bad."

"I make you nervous?" he glanced down at her. It was dark, but he was pretty sure she was blushing.

"Y-yes."

He smirked, "I think you're just shy."

She gave a small smile, "I am."

He never remembered a time in his life, when he talked this much. Only in interrogation training, and the occasional late nights talking to Neji. They continued then, in silence until they reached her home. This time though, it was a much more comfortable silence between them. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all.

Once inside, Hinata went to grab some juice, then offered some to Sasuke. He accepted, and waited in the kitchen while she prepared their cups. Then she stopped and asked if he was hungry, he didn't want to burden her, knowing she was still tired, but when she said she was making herself something, he relented.

She merely sliced some cheese and opened some crackers, then asked him if he'd like to join her outside. Following her, they moved through the home and out onto the deck. They sat together at the small round table, and ate their snack. The view of her backyard was nice in the evening skies. The reflection of the moon rippled across the pool in the yard, and he could subtly see the flowers and trees moving in the quiet summer breeze.

She gave off a huge yawn, as she moved to the two-person wooden canopy swing, wanting to refresh herself. Boldly, he decided to join her, just taking the evening for what it was. A freak incident, that would probably never happen again. He knew he'd let his guard down around the odd girl, and wondered over why he'd done so. He was sure that things would be different tomorrow. But he'd enjoy the nice evening they were sharing. Better than being around a bunch of annoying drunk shinobi and their sleazy girls for the night.

Yawning again, she spoke while looking at the moon, "I'm so sleepy."

He smirked, also peering up at the half moon, "So I gathered, didn't you sleep last night?"

"No. I was up looking for my sister."

Uh oh, this could be potential dangerous territory, "Oh."

She looked at him briefly, before glancing back at the moon, "She snuck out to see her boyfriend."

He chose not to respond, he really didn't want to get involved, he got most of gist earlier.

"Everything was fine and… she was even planning on going into the air force."

That little girl? "She can still enlist, Hinata."

"I'm just worried about her, that's all."

"Hn. I never had a sibling to worry about." So…that wasn't the whole truth, well…it wasn't like he actually ever did worry over his elder, now deceased brother.

She paused, that was right, Neji mentioned that he didn't have a family, "No one?" It was a bold question, and she wasn't even sure if he'd respond. After all, they'd barely met.

He heard her whispered question, just wasn't sure what he should say, "No one." It was a confirmation, no more, no less.

That was enough for her. "It's really beautiful out tonight."

"Hn." He leaned forward, setting his elbows on his knees, watching the small reflections of the water.

"I really am glad you're here Sasuke. And that I met you."

He looked back at her, watching as her eyes focused on his own, not helping to notice how the moon reflected so brightly in her already pale orbs. Not realizing how the breath in his lungs stilled, he took in her beauty, as if in a trance. Her face was made for the moonlight, her pale skin radiated in its glow, her eyes mirroring the light from the moon above. Moving slowly, he turned towards her, his eyes connected to hers the whole time. Without control over his thoughts, he leaned into her further, as if being drawn in by her gaze alone. Closing the lids over his dark eyes, he leaned in closer, wanting … something.

He felt the breath from her lips on his face, and felt his throat tighten. The action forced his mind to recover, and he swiftly pulled away from her. He could see that she was taken aback by what almost happened as much as he was.

Needing room away from this girl, he grabbed their glasses and mumbled he'd be right back, and went off to refill their still rather full glasses.

"I almost kissed her!" he whispered to himself and shaking his head, "What the hell!?"

Once back outside, and returning to her, facing the fact he was going to have to apologize one more time, he found that she fell asleep there on the swing. Sighing, he put down the glasses, and made the fast decision to take her upstairs, so that she wouldn't get sick.

"Kami Hinata, you're so light," he mumbled to himself as he started for the patio door.

"Hmmm…" she whispered, nestling her head into his chest.

He placed the blankets back around her, and swiftly went into his own room. Where he found no peace in sleep.

--

A/N: I know…I said no author comments until the end of the story. But…WOW! Thank you everyone – so much! I'm so motivated by your responses, that I can't stop typing away now. We still have a long way to go for this crackish story, I hope everyone enjoys.

Crack Master didn't get a chance to beta this chapter for me, so I'm sorry for all the mistakes – I did my best. Okay – that's all for now, thanks for the support!