Love Never Dies

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. The 'votes' were pretty mixed. So I guess I'll just wing it. I did want to give a special shoutout to DarkCherry for their detailed list of suggestions. Oh and I do want you guys to know that I read all the reviews, whether they're from registered accounts or guests and I treasure all of them.

Chapter Notation: As we get further into the story, you'll see more divergence from canon. For example, this is something of a bonus chapter. Oh and as for Sakura, well the jealousy scene suggestion was just too good to pass up. No bashing was intended. Happy reading.

Chapter 11

"S-Sasuke, I'm not sure if it's a good idea for you to go to the party." Hinata frowns at him. "You just recovered from our mission in the Land of Waves." Those beautiful lavender eyes were shining with concern.

Concern that to be fair, he knew was realistic. He had almost died on that mission. That didn't mean that Sasuke wouldn't attend the celebration tonight though.

Neji would never let him live it down, if he didn't. "Hinata, I'm fine." Sasuke smiles at her in what he hoped was a reassuring way. "The medics even gave me a clean bill of health and so did your father."

The bluenette looks less than convinced. It had only been a couple week since their last mission. So he couldn't blame her for being spooked.

"If you go, p-promise me that you won't fight with Naruto or N-Neji." Her lower lip quivers as she pleads with him.

Damn it. He hated the lip quiver. That and the bubble eyes. How the Hell was Sasuke supposed to say no to that?

That was just fighting dirty. "Alright." He sighs, feeling as though he had just lost a battle of some sort. "I promise that I won't fight with either of them." Though Sasuke had no intention of losing the war. "At least not tonight." He adds as an afterthought.

"My father was right." Hinata shakes her head at him. "Uchihas are stubborn."

Damn straight they were. He was going to prove it too by mounting Itachi's head on a pike one day.

So he couldn't really argue with her. "I guess we are." Sasuke gets off his bed and smiles at her. "Don't worry so much." He walks over to her and kisses her forehead. "I'll be fine."

THUD! He probably shouldn't have done that because Hinata falls over onto her backside. Sasuke must have shocked her good with that affectionate gesture.

"Hinata, are you alright." He blinks as he offers her his hand.

The Hyuga Heiress quickly takes it and blushes the deepest shade of red that Sasuke had ever seen. "Y-You kissed me!" Well yeah…on the forehead.

Did Hyugas have some sort of taboo against forehead kissing or something, Sasuke wonders as he helps his teammate stand. Maybe, they did and he just didn't know about it. They could be a really strange Clan sometimes.

"On the forehead." Sasuke nods slowly. "Is that not allowed or something? It's no different than a kiss on the cheek."

He wasn't really sure why he'd done it. Hinata had just looked so cute and Sasuke wanted her to stop worrying so much. He'd be fine.

Hinata pauses as though not sure how to answer that question. "I d-don't think there is a rule against it." Hyugas and their ridiculously complicated rules on social etiquette were so damn confusing.

"Well good." Sasuke smiles at her. "Just stop worrying so much." He heads towards the door. "I don't plan on dying until after Itachi is dead and my Clan is restored and even then, not for a long time after that." She had to know that right?

He'd made that super clear. Not even Haku had been able to fully kill him. So Sasuke was feeling pretty confident about his odds of survival.

"T-That's good." Hinata's blush was still darker than even the reddest tomato. "Because I don't want you to die."

Sasuke nods at her. "That's good because I wasn't planning on it." He looks at her. "You should probably go and find Hanabi. She's going to track you down, if you don't." They both knew she would.

Hinata's younger was by far the more extroverted of the two sisters. Sasuke could easily envision it now. Hanabi kidnapping an unsuspecting Hinata and forcing her to try on dozens of kimonos before the party this evening.

"You're right." The bluenette laughs as she cross her arms. "She'll find me sooner or later, but r-remember your promise about Neji and Naruto." With that being said, the bluenette quickly scurries by Sasuke and down the hallway in the link of an eye.

"She really doesn't fight fair." Sasuke sighs as he heads downstairs to find Hiashi.


Hiashi would likely want some help planning the celebration. After all, the Hyuga Patriarch had offered to host a party for Neji's team and the Rookie Nine Teams at the Hyuga Estate.

Which could mean only one thing. The Hyuga Clan's pride was on the line in a big way and Hiashi Hyuga would no doubt want everything to go perfectly. Not that Sasuke could blame him. He would have done the same thing, if he was in Hiashi's position.

Neji Hyuga knew that as a Branch Member, it was his destiny to be subjected to the whims of the Main House. He'd accepted that long ago, but this was ridiculous.

"Are you sure that this is a good idea?" He looks up at his uncle, trying to plead mercy. "I'm not entirely sure that our home is the best place for all these people to celebrate. My team alone can be rather eccentric."

Maybe, Hiashi would show some mercy towards him. They were blood. He knew that his uncle was proud of him in his own way.

Hiashi raises an eyebrow. "I'm well aware of all the eccentricities that everyone is bringing to the table tonight." Damn it. "I'm also quite certain that we can handle anything that comes our way. We are Hyugas." This was one time when Neji wished that his Clan wasn't so damn proud. Things would have gone much more smoothly then.

"Yes, Uncle." Neji bows his head towards the proud Clan Head. "You're right. Of course, we can handle anything that comes our way."

Hell, Neji had even managed to handle Sasuke thus far. That damn Uchiha shouldn't even be here. He wasn't even a Hyuga and yet, Hiashi was treating him almost like a son.

"Do you need any help preparing?" As if merely thinking about Sasuke had summoned him, the Uchiha suddenly was striding towards them. "It's going to be a big turnout with all the teams coming alone. That's not even counting their families."

No. Neji did not need help from the Uchiha. Well at least not anymore than the young ninja needed a hole in the head.

He couldn't believe that all the Rookie Teams were actually competing this year. Chunins were supposed to be capable of leading squads and they were all barely out of the Academy!

Hiashi nods at him. "Yes, if you could help the Branch Members set the table, that would be wonderful." He sighs as he looks at his watch. "I'm afraid that I have to go and check on the elders." He looks at Sasuke and Neji. "Do try not to kill each other." With that being said, the other man waltzes off.

Things were bad when even his uncle had picked up for Neji's distaste towards the raven haired Genin. He couldn't help it though. The jerk had even insulted his hair and he was constantly all over his cousin. It was as if they were already engaged or something. Disgusting!

"Don't give me that look." Sasuke rolls his eyes at Neji, once Hiashi was out of earshot. "I already promised Hinata that I wouldn't fight with you tonight. So let's just try to make it through the evening in one piece."

As Neji was saying, it was disgusting. He could only hope that if the two did get married, he wouldn't be forced to attend the wedding. He probably would though. Neji had never been very lucky.

"Fine." He smirks at Sasuke. "Well you heard my uncle, go play fetch. Surely, even an Uchiha can handle such a simple task."

Sasuke had promised Hinata that he wouldn't fight with Neji. Which was a very good thing because it meant the lavender eyed boy could have some f un.

"I would say even an Uchiha could handle the simple task of castrating you with a fireball, but I'm afraid that I would need your Byakugan to see such a small target."

Neji twitches at that. Oh how he hated Sasuke Uchiha. He couldn't wait for the day when the other boy finally moved out of the Hyuga Estate. He quite simply didn't belong here!


A few hours later, Hinata knew that she was likely blushing as red as the roses on her kimono. She couldn't believe that Hanabi had made her wear this.

"Don't worry so much." Hanabi giggles at her elder sister while leading her outside. "You look great." Where everyone would be gathering soon enough.

Hinata wasn't so sure about that. She was wearing a pristine white kimono with red roses on it. Courtesy of her little sister's prodding. She didn't feel like a ninja.

"Thank you." Hinata sighs as she looks around. "W-Well it looks like some people are already here. S-So we should go and say hi to them."

The younger Hyuga girl grins and nods in agreement. "Yeah!" That was all the warning Hinata got before being dragged over towards one of the refreshment tables.

This one was being explored by Team Eight. Kurenai, Shino, Sakura, and Kiba. Sakura was kinda lucky in Hinata's opinion. She was the only 'Rookie Girl' who got a woman for a Sensei!

"I'm g-glad that you could make it." She smiles at them.

Kiba beams at her. "Thanks. Wow, Hinata you look amazing!" The compliment causes her to blush.

Not anywhere near as much as Sasuke's forehead kiss had, but still the Hyuga Heiress found herself blushing. Much to her mortification, the bluenette had long ago discovered that her face could turn red almost instantly and over the silliest of things.

"Why didn't you say that to me?" Sakura pouts.

Oh boy. Hinata could see where this was going and it wasn't anywhere good. Maybe, she should politely excuse herself.

"It was n-nice seeing you all again." She smiles at them. "But we r-really should go and greet our other guests."

Hanabi looks up at Hinata and pouts. "But I wanted to see the puppy." She points to Akamaru who was sitting on Kiba's shoulder as if all Hell wasn't about to break loose. It must be nice to be a puppy and not have to worry about such things, Hinata muses.

"You can see the puppy later." Hinata whispers, but it was too late.

Kiba shakes his head as he looks at Sakura. "Will you stop picking fights?" Hinata gulps at that because she could see Sakura was about to get really riled up. "I was just complimenting her! Not insulting you!"

That was a good point. Though Hinata could see why Sakura would feel slighted in this case. Oh and she really should be going. With that thought in mind, she tugs on Hanabi's arm lightly and tries to guide her sister off.

"Will you two stop fighting?" Shino shakes his head and sighs. "I have no idea how we're going to pass the Chunin Exams, if you keep fighting like cats and dogs."

That might have been the most that Hinata ever heard Shino talk. Of course, she had never tried to talk to him before either. Was it possible that the insect lover was shy?

"I'm really sorry about this." Kurenai sighs and smiles. "We're still figuring out our team dynamics, but they do work well together in the field."

Hanabi gives Hinata a dirty look. "I don't wanna leave yet." She smiles and goes over to pet Akamaru.

Well the bluenette could certainly understand that much. Kurenai brought up a good point there. Her own team was still struggling to balance Sasuke's and Naruto's personalities.

In some ways, the two boys couldn't be more different. In others, they were exactly the same. She certainly didn't envy Kakashi Sensei's job of trying to manage them all. Perhaps that was why he was late all the time.

"Oh. It's alright." Hinata smiles at them. "I completely understand."

Kiba grins wolfishly at her. "It's too bad you're not on our team." He glares at Sakura. "She's so much more easy going than you!"


At that same time, Naruto beams while dragging Sasuke outside. He knew that the antisocial bastard would be lurking inside until someone made him come out and interact with other people. So that's exactly what he was going to do.

"Will you stop being such a Loser?" Sasuke scowls at him as if it was Naruto's fault that Sasuke was an ice prince! "I can walk. You know?"

Wait. Naruto shouldn't have even thought that. It brought back way too many bad memories about the whole 'Haku Incident.' The blonde still had nightmares about it.

"Well then you should prove it." Naruto glares at him. "Look Hinata's over there! We should probably go and say hi!"

Honestly, it was the least they could do. Hinata was probably still frightened half to death about what happened on that mission and Naruto doubted Sasuke had made her feel much better about everything.

It was obvious he cared about Hinata, but he kept putting her at arm's length. Which was closer than he let other people get near him, but still that was no way to treat someone you cared about!

"I live with her, Idiot." Sasuke rolls his eyes at him. "I say hi to her and more everyday."

"Good." Naruto grins at Sasuke as he drags the Uchiha over towards the refreshment table. "Then you shouldn't mind saying hi now."

Of course, Naruto thought this was a great idea. Forcing Sasuke to socialize with people and all. It was for his own good, but that thought didn't last long.

No. It only took a couple minutes for him to get really, really angry. Kiba needed to buzz off and fast.


"So like I said, you should have been on our team." Kiba nods at Hinata.

Sasuke feels his fists clench at that. What was Dog Breath trying to do? Did he seriously think that Hinata should have been on his team?

"Excuse me?" He could feel his eyes bleeding red in anger.

At first, Sasuke hadn't wanted Hinata on his team. It was too dangerous for her to be so close to him all the time, but now things were different. Who did this mutt think he was? How dare he try to steal Sasuke's teammate away from him?!

Kiba blinks and looks up at Sasuke like a cornered rabbit or something. "Oh hey, Sasuke." This was not an 'Oh hey, Sasuke' situation!

"You don't to say that." Naruto was fuming now. "You don't get to greet Sasuke like that when you're trying to steal our teammate away from us!"

Damn right. For once, Naruto was in full agreement with the Loser. Hinata was a part of Team Seven. It really was that simple and anyone who said differently was to have a few (hundred) fireballs and clones sent their way!

Kurenai sighs and shakes her head. "Alright." She gives them all a disapproving look. "That's enough of this." Though it was soon replaced by a smile. "Why don't you all just go and enjoy the party. There is no reason to argue about who is on whose team."

Sakura nods and smiles at Sasuke. "Okay." She offers the Uchiha her hand. "Would you like to dance?"

Sasuke nods at her. "That's a good idea." It was rude, but he'd had enough of this and if he had to spend anymore time around Team Eight, he was probably going to start trying to Chidori people. "Hinata, would you like to dance with your teammates?"

He makes sure to glare at Kiba for good measure. The jerk deserved it for having the unbelievable gall to try to steal Hinata from them. Right under their noses too. Talk about disrespectful.

"I'd l-love to." Hinata smiles sweetly at them.

Sasuke nods and looks at the Hyuga Sisters. "Good. Hanabi, do you want to join us?" Appparently, that was really all he had to say because Hanabi throws herself at Sasuke and Naruto drags Hinata off with them towards where some people were starting to dance. Well that was easy.


Hiashi shakes his head as his head as he watches everyone arrive, even Kakashi. He shoots the silver haired man a rather disapproving look when he sees his daughter's Sensei had brought that ridiculous orange book of his with him.

Couldn't he put that thing down for a few hours? This was absurd. You would think that the man could at least pretend to exhibit a little decorum, but no.

"Hiashi, please stop looking at me like I stole your underwear." Kakashi chuckles as he strides over to him. "It's just a book and a damn good one at that. Here, I've got several copies." He smiles as he offers the Hyuga Patriarch the novel. "You can keep it."

Oh he'd keep it alright. "Thank you." Hiashi would keep that filth and he would burn it the second this party was over. 'Believe it' as Hinata's blonde teammate was so fond of saying.

Everyone seemed to be having a grand time. So far, Hiashi was quite confident that even the elders would consider this celebration a success. So he could overlook Kakashi's deviancy. For now anyway.

"Tell me the truth, Kakashi." He glances at the other ninja. "How are Sasuke and Hinata doing?"

The silver haired ninja would know far more about the subject than Hiashi. Sadly, he couldn't spend nearly as much time with his children as he would have wanted. Being the Head of one of the largest Clans in the Leaf could be quite demanding to say the least.

"Very well." Kakashi smiles at him. "If things go well, I imagine you'll be a grandfather by the time they're twenty."

THUD! "That's not exactly what I meant!" Honestly, why did the man have to be such a lecher?!

Hinata was far, far too young for motherhood to be a possibility. Granted, he had been hopeful they would marry one day. Right now though, Hinata was still a Genin for goodness sakes.

"Oh I know." Kakashi smiles as he glances at the book. "I just figured it was a party and we should focus on more pleasant things for the time being. Like how adorable the children will be."