Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Crawling.

...

Weeks had slipped by since their graveyard meeting.

Hinata sighed as she held her warm tea to her lips and watched as delicate snowflakes floated by on the other side of the window.

She had moved.

The change had occurred so quickly; rapidly with much ease. One of the other medic-nin had mentioned that she was putting her home for sale in order to move in with her longtime boyfriend.

Impulsively, Hinata had told her that she wanted it.

It was a beautiful home. Spacious yet cozy. Warm and inviting after a day's work.

There was something strangely satisfying in her lonely state. Four days after her confession, Jin-san had spoken with her father. They had called off the wedding.

Her father had declared her no longer the heiress to the Hyuuga Clan. Not in a malicious move but rather a practical one. He had grown fond of Jin.

Jin-san had what it took to lead the Clan flawlessly with immense, unwavering dedication. And in an unexpected move, her father had declared him his successor.

Hinata hadn't even known such an option was possible.

She had not met Naruto after talking to him that day. But she felt good about their friendship; no longer was there any nagging burden on her heart and conscience. He would bounce back; he always did.

Hinata had seen Sakura once since the confrontation.

It was an awkward and tense moment, but Hinata brushed it off. She walked away as if she'd not noticed the pink-haired girl at all.

She owed nothing to Sakura. She wished earnestly that they could somehow return to talking terms. For them to be casual friends once again; Sakura was a good person at heart. But Hinata knew that such an option was not possible.

Sakura was deeply loyal and protective of those she loved; she thought of Hinata as a threat to both Sasuke and Naruto's happiness, as incorrect as that was. Hinata still admired her for it, though.

Hinata was drawn out of her pensive state as someone knocked her door loudly.

Carefully setting down the tea on her coffee table, she went to open the door. It wasn't exactly pleasant weather, who could it be?

Pulling the door open, she was entirely ready for it to be Ino. Ino was easily her most frequent visitor. Besides, Ino had said that she might come tonight for a 'girls' night' if she could get off guard duty.

But instead of warm, blue eyes, Hinata was greeted by cold black ones.

"Hinata," Sasuke said smoothly. He was wet from the snow and his black hair was sticking up in all directions.

Embarrassingly enough, Hinata's first reaction was that he looked good. He looked cute. And that she missed the sound of his voice. Deep and smooth. Distinctly Sasuke.

"Sasuke-san," Hinata blurted out, using a suffix in her surprise, "Come in." She stepped aside immediately, allowing him inside.

"Ino said she wouldn't be coming." He mentioned as he entered her house.

Hinata led him quietly into her living room. The living room was warm and cozy because of the fireplace.

"I-I...yes, I thought she might not make it." Hinata felt her palms become sweaty from anxiety and nervousness.

"I was on my way back from the store. She stopped me and asked if I could deliver this to you." From his dark black winter jacket, he produced a small envelope.

Curious, Hinata opened it and removed the letter.

Hinata focused on the letter, ignoring Sasuke's intent eyes that were on her.

Hinata,

You must be wondering why exactly I am sending you a letter via Sasuke. Well, to be honest, I have nothing to say. But hey, I got Sasuke to your house! Aren't I an amazing friend? You can thank me later. By the way, I won't stop by later, as I wouldn't want to interrupt you two lovebirds. Good luck!

Ino

Hinata resisted the urge to blush, but despite that, she could felt herself redden noticeably.

"Are you okay?" Sasuke asked. To be honest, he didn't seem particularly concerned, but Hinata thought it was sweet of him to ask.

She pressed a small, pale hand to her cheek.

"It must just be the cold." She mumbled softly, clearly uncomfortable. Sure, Ino's intentions were good, but did she have to do this? This presented an entirely new way for Hinata to embarrass herself.

"A-ano," Hinata said, mustering her own courage, "Would you like something warm to drink? Coffee or tea?"

Sasuke looked pensive for a second before replying that he'd like black coffee.

Hinata almost smiled to herself. She'd always pegged him for a black coffee drinking type of person.

She was out with his coffee in moments, after she fumbled around in her nervous state in the kitchen.

She gave him his coffee, and once again, they were back to square one with their awkward silence. Why was it so hard for them to communicate?

It would be so much easier if one of them was like Sakura or Naruto. Things would be less uncomfortable and more jovial and lighthearted.

"Don't." Sasuke muttered, taking a sip of his coffee.

Hinata shot him a confused look,

"A-ano, don't do what?" She asked softly, not meeting his eyes, instead focusing upon his coffee.

"Don't force conversation. It's unpleasant." He said bluntly.

"B-but...?" Hinata was at a loss as to what to say or think.

She glanced out the window; the snowflakes were larger and coming down with more force now.

"The silence is comfortable. It's refreshing to be in someone's company without them saying something every five seconds." He explained.

Hinata nodded and instead took to staring out the window like she was before he came.

...

"Stay for dinner." Hinata offered randomly.

They had been sitting for what seemed like hours. Sitting, thinking, and only exchanging a few words when necessary.

"Sure."

...

"That's it?" Ino asked incredulously.

Hinata nodded, unsure of what to say.

"You just sat there and then ate dinner? And at dinner, neither of you said anything either?" She asked again.

"Well," Hinata paused to think, "We did talk a little. But not too much."

Ino shook her head,

"So, what, was it like a we're-passionately-in-love silence or this-is-awkward-as-hell silence?" Ino asked.

Hinata shrugged,

"It was more like I was awkward and Sasuke seemed fine. I don't know. I don't think it was passionately-in-love silence though." She replied thoughtfully.

"Yes, probably not." Ino concurred, playing with a strand of blonde hair.

"You should invite him out to dinner - like a date! You've got to be a little more aggressive about this, Sakura probably is." Ino suggested.

Hinata shrugged again, looking away from Ino at her closed door,

"Maybe. But Sasuke isn't the type of person you can force a connection with. I mean, Naruto and Sakura did it, but it's different with us. We're not like them. I don't want a shallow friendship, Ino. I don't want to be someone he occasionally hangs out with and cares for somewhat. I want to know what he's thinking, his memories, his everything - I want to be part of it. You can't force it; I wish it were that simple with him, but it's not."

...

"Hinata." If he was surprised, as he leaned against the railing of the small bridge, he didn't show it.

In the moonlight, he looked even more striking; even better looking. Hinata wondered briefly how that was possible.

"S-Sasuke." His name - only his name - sounded foreign on her tongue. Like another language. This was the first time she said it deliberately, not on impulse.

I want to be part of this; I want to be part of your everything.

How do you convey such a longing? Hinata couldn't walk up to him and say it. Could she? Would he withdraw from her? Would he brush it off?

But in the end, would it matter? If he didn't like her, he wouldn't like her whether she said anything or not.

Hinata walked up the bridge to join him. She placed herself to his left. She stared at their blurry reflection in the water.

She knew he found her silence, her quiet nature, comforting. But she didn't want to be his comfort. Or rather, she didn't want to be merely his comfort.

She would have to speak up; before he could become open, she had to be first.

"I miss Kenji sometimes." She mentioned randomly. It was true. There were times where she wished she could see him one last time. See his smile, hear his laughs.

Sasuke remained silent.

"I wish I could change things. I wish I could make them better." She continued.

"You are a medic-nin. It's part of your training to want to heal others. To fix them." He pointed out. He didn't bother look at her.

Hinata thought about it for a second,

"A-ano, I-I...I think it's human nature to want to help others." She replied.

At this, he glanced at her, his black eyes meeting her own translucent ones. He held her gaze for a few seconds. He looked haunted.

"Then why are we all so messed up?" He dragged a frustrated hand through unruly black hair.

Hinata smiled for a second. He was referring to himself. She had managed to pull him into a conversation.

"It's human nature to be flawed, too." Hinata said earnestly. She believed it. Even those with the best intentions made mistakes, and big ones at that.

Sasuke turned away from her,

"Hinata. Everyone's flawed. But there are some people that are screwed up beyond repair. They have nothing to offer anyone, if anything they'll probably end up messing other people up."

Hinata bit her lip.

Sasuke began to walk away.

It was a random impulse. She stopped him, reaching out for his shoulder.

"What if both people are screwed up beyond repair? What then?" She asked him softly. She wasn't even sure if he could hear her.

He turned. His dark eyes were cold and untouchable. Like a marble statue. No feeling or emotion.

"Hinata." That's all he said. It wasn't his usual, indifferent tone. There was something different.

"I-I-I l-love you." It was all she could say. "I love you." She didn't know what broke her. What about his tone, his words, his appearance that made her compelled to confess her feelings. But she felt it. And she confessed.

He said nothing. Hinata felt herself shaking from relief, embarrassment, shock, and dread. She felt herself chanting those three words softly again and again, almost as if it were a mantra. She could feel the collapse coming from him.

She knew what would happen next.

He left.

And she crumpled to the ground.

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you...

...

Author's Note: This was an especially difficult chapter for me to write. I knew this was happening, but I really couldn't find a way to describe what was going on properly and nicely. So, I just decided here it goes, whatever I write, I'll post (I've keep you guys waiting too long!). Again, didn't proofread (I know, I'm lazy, but hey, I should really be studying right now, so..."). Anyway, hope you guys liked it. Let me know your thoughts : )

PS. If you have any questions about the events of this chapter, feel free to ask me in a review/pm me. I'll be sure to answer the question (unless it'll be addressed in a future chapter).