Hello! I just realized something not too long ago….Script format is forbidden! And you know what…I write in it all the time!

Sasuke: Then stop.

Hiokami: but I don't wanna! Script format's fun! And it's not like I write the whole story in it or any thing… Am I right Hideki???

Hideki: –Looks through rules with a magnifying glass– You're right.

Hiokami: HA!

Shikamaru: –sighs– Troublesome…

Hiokami: –glares– What did you call me?

Shikamaru: –sighs– nothing Hiokami…

Hiokami: Hmph. Anyways…

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters.

Enjoy!

Ch 9: Fights and Smalltalk

"I'm going out for some fresh air, okay?" Hinata said, sliding open the door. Ten-ten nodded from the sink while Neji and Kiba continued to clean the living room.

She smiled and walked outside. She sat down and wrapped her arms around the pole. Sasuke's home did have a pretty courtyard. It was much better then her family's. At least the Uchihas had taste, or at least Sasuke's mom did. It was peaceful. She stuck her hand out in front of her and gazed at her ring. It nearly made her chuckle from the irony. She was sitting in Sasuke's garden, the garden of the man whose lover was the one she used want to give her the ring currently on her finger, and she was admiring it. She should feel nothing but hatred for the Uchiha but she was admiring his home. Ironic.

She stuck her left hand out to gaze at her engagement ring. It was nothing special. Just a simple band, complete with a small diamond. It was the simple jewelry that she'd always admire. It was funny though. She'd always dream that it'd be Naruto. Naruto who gave her the ring, Naruto's child in her womb. But she was getting used to everything. She didn't even feel much when she looked at Naruto. Her heart didn't beat no where near as hard. She'd even lost her blush around him most of the time. And there was Kiba. She didn't understand what her heart was telling her there. It was painful though, in a numbing way that felt like her heart was throbbing. About a week ago, she would've brushed it away as hormone based emotions, but after that kiss…she just wasn't sure anymore.

"You deserve more."

Hinata shook her head at Kiba. She wanted to tell him how she didn't deserve him, (he was so sure of his feelings), but she knew he would just contradict her. "I think it's beautiful," she said instead, knowing it was a reference to the engagement ring.

He smiled and sat down next to her. "It was my grandma's," he said. "My mom gave it to me the day after she found out. She told me about how it would bring us luck. Despite them both being shinobi, they lived until a ripe old age." He smiled as if remembering something. "My grandparents would tell me and my sister the wildest stories about some missions they went on. How many near death experiences they had and how they always came through in the end, together."

Hinata smiled. "I don't think it's luck. I think love played a more important role in those stories. And now that you've told me, I'm not sure I'm ready to carry that mantel."

"Hinata-chan…"

"You know I don't deserve you, whatever you might think. You…you're too good to be true to me."

"Hinata, I'm no better then you are," he said. "If anything I'm worse." She looked at him doubtfully. "Hinata-chan. I knew how you felt about me. I knew you still loved Naruto, I knew you didn't love me, and I still gave in. I took advantage of you. I don't see how you can trust me."

"Kiba," she said impatiently. "I took advantage of you. I knew how you felt and I used it to my advantage. Do you really think, even if I was that distraught, that I would be that bold? That I would force myself on someone who wouldn't accept me? On someone I didn't know I could seduce like that? Do you even know me Kiba?"

"I've known you since the academy," he growled at her. "We've been on the same team since we were twelve. You've been one of my best friends. How can I not know you?"

"Then why don't you blame me Kiba?"

"Because Hinata, no matter what you do, no matter what you say, I can't. I just can't blame you for things when I could've done something different. Whenever we have a mission and you're hurt, I end up thinking, I should've protected you, I should've helped you train, anything that takes the blame from you. I love you, Hinata, and that's all that matters to me. Why can't you see that?"

He looked at her, watching for anything that might give him an answer. But she wasn't looking at him. She was looking away, the only noise coming from inside the house. When she finally swallowed and looked at him, he was surprised at the hard mask covering her face, making her look emotionless. Only her eyes betrayed any emotion she might feel.

"We both made a mistake that day," she said quietly. "And I don't want to make another one." He watched in horror as she slipped the ring off and put it in his hand. "I'll stay with Neji for a while," she said. "I need to think." And then she walked away, leaving behind a confused Kiba.

"Hinata," he whispered, clutching the ring in his hand. His eyes were watering, but he wiped at them viciously once Neji appeared behind him.

"Where's Hinata-chan?" he asked.

"She went to your apartment," he said quietly. "She needed to sleep and you're closer."

"And you let her go alone?" he said. Kiba could hear the viciousness in his voice.

"She told me she'd be fine," he lied. "She didn't want me to leave you and Ten-ten doing all the work."

"We'll be fine," Neji said. "Make sure she gets there safely."

Kiba nodded and ran out of the compound. When Hinata was in sight, he jumped to the nearest building, watching the girl he loved from a safe distance. But he still wasn't close enough to see her crying.

"I can't believe she's getting married," Ten-ten sighed for the sixth time that night. Neji finally chose to ignore her which was apparently the wrong choice because she immediately asked, "Do you think Hiashi-sama is ever going to apologize? I mean, he might not be the best but what girl doesn't want her father there when she gets married?"

"I doubt he's ever going to realize he did something wrong," Neji said, knowing that Ten-ten might start ranting. "He's too proud."

"Still. He should realize he did something wrong. She doesn't go off like that. Ever."

"I know. But he's still to proud. He won't swallow it. He's probably still waiting for us to come back groveling."

"But… Don't you ever get scared they're going to come after you?"

Neji looked at her calculating. She was obviously nervous, even though she tried to hide it. And all that nervousness…almost fear…it was for him. It made him uncomfortable. "It's not your problem Ten-ten. It wouldn't be good for you to get involved. Besides, I'm still protecting the main branch so it would be difficult for them to really say anything."

"But the curse," she said quietly. "Even if you're stronger, if they use it on you-"

"They would've done it already," Neji interrupted. "Listen Ten-ten, there's no need for you to worry. It will happen or it won't. It's just how it is."

"But Neji-"

"Enough. It's not your problem Ten-ten."

"Only because you won't let it be," she snapped at him. Kami, she was getting sick of his attitude. "Just because you won't let anyone help you doesn't mean they don't want to, Neji."

"And if you get hurt?" he asked, glaring at her. "You should know by know the power of the Hyuga clan. If someone comes and you're in their way, they won't show mercy. Especially if it's to protect someone like me."

"Someone who's from a branch family you mean? Why don't you get over that mentality already before you drive me crazy!? You've proven you're not inferior. You're stronger and smarter. By all accounts, you should be neither. But you worked hard. You became strong. They're not better then you and by my books you're a far better man then Hiashi, so what does it matter!?"

"The seal on my forehead matters Ten-ten. It's why, no matter what, in the long run, I'll never be able to beat Hiashi. Because, even if I am stronger, faster, and smarter then him, he'll have full control. It's just how it works."

"Maybe it's time that it's changed," Ten-ten said.

"You can't change destiny Ten-ten," Neji snapped at her.

She smiled lightly. "Maybe Hinata's the one destined to change it," she considered.

He shook his head. "The elders wouldn't allow it. Give it up Ten-ten. You're fighting a losing battle."

She's smirked. "Like when we were fighting ourselves? Last I checked we won that though…"

Neji glared at her. "There's a lot about this you don't understand, Ten-ten." He sighed and decided to go back to the original topic of his safety. "All that matters is that they won't bother me yet. Hiashi does know one thing. If he destroys me, he destroys any chance of gaining his daughter back. And unless he's completely heartless, which I doubt, he won't have me harmed. That's all there is Ten-ten."

Ten-ten nodded, knowing the pointlessness of arguing. It would only lead her back to this circle again and again. Why did she even bother anymore? All the pointless trial and error of attempting to get the stubborn Hyuga to open up was useless and it was really starting to annoy her. So instead she began cleaning again in silence. It wasn't comfortable or awkward, just there, almost like being home alone. Music was starting to sound really good. She started humming as she took cups back into the kitchen to be washed.

"Why don't you ever open up?" was what she wanted to ask, but she knew she wouldn't get a reply so she kept her mouth shut. She really sucked at small talk anyways.

dodges kunai/shuriken Please don't roast me cuz I still have more chapters to write before this is all tied up into a nice pretty present…maybe… I haven't completely decided how nice it's all going to be. It might just be completely emo if I'm in the mood. Just as a hint: roasting puts author in bad mood. Critique that is helpful is encouraged. Please be nice and review. I really like all the reviews I've been getting. It makes me feel guilty that I can't write more often. School is so….sigh troublesome. I know. I sound like Shikamaru. Anyways, before I begin to rant about school, please review! Byebyes!