Hi! I'm back and ready to write once again. As I've said in my previous chapter, my chapters will be approximately 2,000 words- or maybe more depending on the situation- from now on since I'll have to go to classes. I will make the time to update though until the very end even if I write 'And Hinata woke up and realized it was all a dream and went back to sleep- The End.'

I really want to finish my fics and I will try very hard until I can click that 'complete' button. I know I'm a sickly person and even as I'm writing this my head is killing me and I feel out of it but I will try, I promise.

Since I'm going to classes now, a new update schedule will be in place. I will update one of my stories every weekend if possible, starting from today with Hina hime. Next week will be Hinata the Vamp and the week after A Happy Ending and so the cycle will continue until further notice.

With that out of the way, I must say that my vacation was very nice and I really enjoyed it. England was a great experience and a huge change from the sun, sea and sand that I'm used to but I'd go back any day and I'll miss my aunt, whom I was staying with, very much.

Now on with the story. Sorry to my Beta but I needed to get this out before tomorrow.

Excuse any errors and R&R!!

Chapter 21: Searching In the World of Dreams

--

Sasuke watched Hinata walk outside with Kiba at her side and felt a pang of jealousy at seeing him hold her so close but brushed it away.

"Hi Hinata!" the small group chimed, with the exception of Neji who simply smiled at seeing Hinata looking so well.

"Hi," Hinata replied with a blush from the attention. At least that had not changed. "It's nice to hear from you all."

Ino and Sakura had only come to say hi because they had to get back to the hospital for work and Naruto went with them so Neji, Kiba and himself were with Hinata and led her to a small training ground since Kiba had wanted to have a 'pick-up' spar with Hinata. He and Neji decided to have a friendly spar as well.

Neji was a very worthy opponent, always on alert and never letting his guard down. Sasuke's Sharingan against Neji's Byakugan was very effective and he held up well. Just like Hinata, Neji tried to shut off his chakra holes but he was able to block some of the attacks. He couldn't copy Neji's moves but he registered them well and Neji had done the same.

"Argh!"

The two doujutsu users stopped what they were doing and ran over to Kiba who was on the ground with disbelief plastered on his face as he stared in Hinata's direction, who had a worried expression. Akamaru was next to his master.

"I didn't hurt him right?" asked Hinata.

"No, Hina. I'm fine," said Kiba. "You just caught me off guard that's all. I had no idea you were that fast or that strong and I was with you for quite some time now."

"Gomen," said Hinata.

"It's fine, maybe I was going easy on you because you have the bandages on," said Kiba, rubbing his behind as he got up. "I'll never use the expression 'hit like a girl' again."

Akamaru barked in agreement and licked the bruise on Kiba's cheek then took their stance.

"Alright, Hina. I'm ready when you are," said Kiba. He looked back to Neji and Sasuke. "You two can go spar again, we'll be okay."

"Actually," said Neji. "We'd like to watch," he said for them both because Sasuke was about to say the same thing.

"Okay, we don't have a problem with that, do we, Hina?" said Kiba and she shook her head, getting into her stance as well to continue the spar.

It was beyond surprise to see Hinata make the first move, she was blindfolded and should have been waiting for Kiba to start and brace herself but she took the initiative to be on the offensive. What the hell happened to Hinata and who was this girl in her place?

Sasuke looked across to see that Neji had a shocked look on his face. Apparently, Hinata either trained when she was kidnapped- which was impossible as far as he was concerned- or she had been hiding her abilities all this time.

She was moving with ease against Kiba in taijutsu accurately as though she could read his every move, even though she was blindfolded and she was doing it effortlessly and smoothly. That was the strange thing as well. Hinata had that bruise on her ankle and surely it was hurting when she put her weight on it to fight, but there was no sign of injury as she masked it.

Sasuke forced his Sharingan to see how she was moving and check for a loop in her style but there was none he could see. It was like when he was just sparring with Neji but he did not know Hinata was to that level yet, to his level. Her fighting style was slightly different though. It was not the usual Hyuuga method of blocking chakra but a blend of heavy offense that was not they way kunoichi usually fought.

The two doujutsu users watched amazed as Hinata dodged Akamaru's marking and soon, Kiba was on the ground again panting- Hinata was still breathing steadily. She had blocked his hit and sent him sprawled on the floor from a kick to the stomach.

"What did those people give you at the hospital?" asked Kiba with a laugh. "Soldier pills?"

Hinata smiled and Sasuke could tell that she was proud of herself. Neji showed that he was as well as Kiba and himself that she had grown.

"I think that's enough sparring for Hinata today," said Sasuke. "She's not too long come from the hospital and I won't like it if we were the reason for her going back."

They all agreed and were soon on the way to Sasuke's house. When they got to the door, it was time to say goodbye but before he left, Neji spoke.

"Hinata, Hiashi-sama said that you can come home tonight or tomorrow morning," he said.

"That's ok, Neji but I'm fine. I'll stay the night here and I'll be back in the morning," Hinata replied.

"I understand," said Neji. "See you tomorrow."

Kiba hugged Hinata. "Ja!" she told him and he nodded, causing her to giggle. "I can't see if you nod, Kiba."

"Oh yeah," Kiba said sheepishly. "I forgot. I'll see you then."

After they left, Sasuke led Hinata to the living room to sit down and then went to get water for them both before having a seat himself. They sat in comfortable silence for awhile. Sasuke was one to be quiet but he wanted to talk about something so he started a conversation.

"That was some spar between you and Kiba," he said. "It was almost as though you were holding back…a lot."

"I was not really," said Hinata with her face to the floor.

"Where did you learn taijutsu like that?" Sasuke asked again.

"I just picked it up I guess," Hinata told him. "Why do you ask?"

She seemed collected but Sasuke could tell that she was nervous, hiding the truth as best as possible as though her life depended on it.

"Nothing," said Sasuke. He then sat forward, his knees slightly brushing Hinata's own as he rested a hand on her shoulder. "…Actually, Hina I'd love if you'd just tell me what's been going on with you. I know you've been kidnapped but something's not right here."

Hinata did not look up. "I understand you want to know Sasuke, but I can't tell you right now so please don't make me," she said. "You must understand I'm bound to this."

Sasuke gave a sigh. "You will tell me though, right?"

"Hai, when the time is right you will find out what happened," said Hinata.

Sasuke leaned in and kissed Hinata on the cheek, not wanting to startle her. "I trust you."

Guilt radiated from her and Sasuke couldn't help but think whatever it was she was going to tell him was going to affect him in some way.

"Arigatou," said Hinata and smiled behind her bandages then she reached to take them off.

"Hey, hold on. The med-nin said to wait until tomorrow morning," said Sasuke, but Hinata didn't listen and took them off anyways.

"My eyes are fine," Hinata told him, looking up to reveal her pearl orbs and fluttered her lashed at him. "See? They're fine."

"Ok, just don't strain them too much."

"I'm not a fragile little girl, Sasuke," said Hinata. "My eyes are fine."

"Gomen. I didn't mean to make it sound that way," said Sasuke angry at himself. He really didn't think she was weak or fragile. In truth, he felt that way when he was near her.

Hinata was going to say something but before she even got the chance, there was a white flash through the room. She gasped and not long after, there was a rumble of thunder.

"Maybe I should have kept on the bandage," said Hinata with a weak chuckle.

"It's getting late so we can just sleep through the rain," suggested Sasuke. He himself was afraid of thunder and Hinata was scared of the lighting so that was the best option.

"Hai. Demo…"

"What is it?"

Hinata looked as though she was trying to pick her words carefully before she spoke.

"… I was wondering if I could come sleep with you tonight-that's if you don't mind?" she asked nervously when another flash infiltrated the room.

"Of course I don't mind," said Sasuke. "We'll get to sleep faster than if we're alone anyway."

Sasuke got up and went to the kitchen with Hinata following to get some water before going upstairs where they both brushed their teeth and had a fast shower in their own bathrooms then Sasuke waited on 'his side' of the bed until Hinata came in because the lamp was on the side he was on.

She came through the door in his pajamas and Sasuke had no choice but to hide the smile that had crept across his face. She looked really nice.

Hinata got in the bed and pulled the covers over herself as she lay on her back, waiting for Sasuke to turn out the light.

They lay there in silence, neither knowing what to say until Hinata broke it.

"You know," she said. "I usually sleep with the light on."

"Really? Are you alright with mine off or do you want it turned on again?" asked Sasuke.

"Iie. Actually, I don't mind the lights off if someone is with me," said Hinata. "Like when I sleep while I'm on a mission."

"Oh. I like the lights off," said Sasuke. "It blots out all the shadows just beyond my eyelids."

"What do you mean?"

"When I sleep with the light on, I see shadows moving around somehow. I don't like that, but I figure it comes with the doujutsu," said Sasuke. "With the light off, it's just blank. A vast world for me to search until I go to sleep."

"That sounds like what I see," said Hinata. "Maybe we can search for each other."

"Not a bad idea," said Sasuke as he turned as he turned to face her.

He certainly didn't mind searching for her in his sleep at all. But before he could think anymore, he felt himself drift to sleep.

When Hinata woke up, she never thought she would be in the position she found herself in. Her limbs were tangled with Sasuke's, who was still sleeping, when there was an exceptionally bright flash of lighting. From the looks of it, it was quite early in the morning, roughly five in the morning.

Hinata could feel her face heat up and her cheeks tingle with the intense blush that spread across her face and gasped when the thunder rolled, waking up Sasuke.

"Oh, you're up already?" asked Sasuke, then it seemed to dawn on his the position he was in. His hand was snaked around Hinata's waist, pulling her close with his legs entwined with hers. Sasuke immediately moved away. "Gomen."

"Iie! I m-mean I didn't… mind," Hinata stammered. "You were warm."

Sasuke smirked. "And to think you didn't want to be anywhere near me when I first talked to you," he said.

"Do you… still like me, Sasuke," asked Hinata suddenly, catching him by surprise.

"Of course I do, Hina," said Sasuke. "Why do you ask?"

Hinata looked away shyly. She had to start somewhere, didn't she?

Without warning, Hinata grabbed Sasuke's face and pulled it towards her own to place a short kiss on his lips which were opened from shock and smiled as she pulled away.

"I ask because I like you too," said Hinata and she got up and went to the bathroom, leaving him stunned in the bed as she shut the door quickly and leaned on it before rushing to the sink to soothe her flaming face with water from the tap. When she looked in the mirror, it was then that she remembered what Itachi had said. The sooner she got back home, the faster Itachi could get his mission completed.

After she had cooled down, Hinata opened the door to see Sasuke waiting at the door.

"I'm going to my room to get ready to leave," said Hinata as she passed Sasuke, but was held back.

"Ready to leave so soon?" he asked.

"Hai," said Hinata. "You have no idea what my father's like."

Sasuke released her hand. "I guess you're right," he said. "I'll walk you there so just wait if you finish your bath first."

After Hinata met Sasuke at the front door, they walked through the village to the Hyuuga compound, Hinata smiling at friendly persons she passed. She could feel eyes following her and smiled even more, knowing it was Itachi. Her eyes were fine now, just a little delicate from the glare of the sun

The walk to the compound was very pleasant. They talked about everything from the weather to what was Ino's new diet until they reached the entrance where two guards stood watch.

Hinata turned to Sasuke and said goodbye, quickly pecking him on the cheek before going through the gate. "See you soon!"

Sasuke waved her way as he walked away in the direction of his home. What were they now anyway? They certainly were not just friends anymore, that was for sure. She would just think about it later because there were more important things to keep her mind busy.

Like her sister walking in her direction.

"Oh, it's you," said Hanabi. "Back from your little romp, are you?"

"What are you talking about?" asked Hinata, walking faster, but the younger girl just followed.

"You better make sure Otou-san doesn't see you in that horrid Uchiha get up," said Hanabi. "He'd think you're even more of a tramp than you are already."

The younger girl laughed as though she had just told the funniest joke as she continued to follow her sister up the stairs to her room.

When Hinata got to her bedroom door, she turned around to face her sister. "Don't think you can come in here," she told her.

"Who's going to stop me?"

"I am, so go away," said Hinata, opening her door and stepping through the door frame. Just as she was about to shut the door, Hanabi pushed it open forcefully, nearly knocking Hinata to the floor.

"You can't stop me from doing what I want," said Hanabi. "Otou-san said I can have whatever I want, when and how I want it and right now, I feel like being in my older sister's room so we can catch up on what she missed while she was gone." If Hinata didn't know better, she would think the girl was really sincere with the sweet voice and smile.

"Iie, you cannot have whatever you want, especially from me," Hinata told her, giving a shove back through the door she had eased through. "I'm warning you. Stay away from me."

"Iie!" shouted Hanabi and pushed Hinata roughly, making her lose her balance. If Hinata knew one thing, it was that Hanabi was always up to fight but she was not going to stoop to her level like last time; not when she had a better punishment for her. Just a little longer and Hanabi would never annoy her again.

Hinata narrowed her eyes at Hanabi. "You little witch."

Hanabi was shocked still when she heard Hinata say that. To be truthful, Hinata was quite surprised as well even if she didn't show it. Hinata got up from the floor and stood to face with Hanabi, who had to tilt her head to look at her.

"What did you just call me?!" shrieked Hanabi. "You shouldn't be calling people names when you're Konoha's whore. You must have liked every male in your rookie group. Naruto, Kiba, Sasuke, I've seen you with Gaara and you've been friendly with that genius too. I bet that girl from Suna won't be happy to know that you're after her man."

"Where did you get that from?" asked Hinata. Sure she liked all of those people Hanabi mentioned and cared for Shikamaru as well as the other male population in rookie nine but she didn't want her name and reputation ruined from rumors saying she'd been with every one of them.

"Does it matter?" asked Hanabi. "The point is that everyone's talking about it."

"You started this didn't you?"

"Me? Why would I do such a thing?" said Hanabi faking a hurt expression. "Everyone is saying you must have been on your back the whole time you were gone."

"Look, I don't have time for this," Hinata said more to herself and in one quick motion, she shoved thee smaller girl trough the door and slammed the door.

"Let me in!" shouted Hanabi as she banged on the door. "I'll tell Otou-san and he won't be happy!"

"I don't care!" Hinata shouted back. This house really did bring out the worst in her. "You have a dirty mouth and mind for your age and I want nothing to do with you!"

She heard Hanabi stomp away, probably to her father's office and sighed. Why couldn't she just get a moment of peace when she was here?

x

When Hinata felt the familiar chakra, she knew at one it was Itachi. It was well into the night but she had decided to wait to talk to him when the house was still and sure enough, he appeared right next to her bed where she was sitting reading an old book she found.

Hinata jumped from the bed and hugged Itachi, not caring at the moment about anything. She'd had to endure a lot for the day and she was glad to see a friendly- well not so friendly- face. Itachi slowly returned the embrace before they parted.

"It's good to see you came here as was planned," said Itachi.

"Hai, sensei," said Hinata with a short nod.

"I see you're having some trouble with your sister."

"You have no idea. She's driving me insane and so is my father," said Hinata. "I just want it to be over soon."

"It will be," said Itachi softly. "You'll be happy very soon." He stepped forward and gave her a light kiss on her forehead. "I'll make everything right for you."

Hinata's whole being shivered at the words and the feel on his lips on her skin that were gone as soon as they were there.

"Where's your partner?" asked Hinata. She had not seen him since there first meeting.

"He's in the middle of prayer," said Itachi.

Hinata smiled. "How did his other partner put up with him?"

"I don't know but they didn't get along that well," Itachi said with a tiny hint of humor to his features. "You'll see him soon enough though, but I prefer seeing you alone so he doesn't know about how close we are."

"I understand," said Hinata, feeling heat rush to he face.

"Now, on to the main business. I see you and your sister are always in some kind of heated argument which almost always ends up with a fight," said Itachi. "I don't want you to get carried away. You are stronger now and no one is to find that out unless you want them to."

"You mean Sasuke?"

"Hai, he's the only person I see you can trust with our secret, but you must be careful when you tell him and how much information you give him."

"He's been asking me lots of questions since I got here for a report to the Hokage but he knows he can't tell her the truth, even though he does not know what it is himself," said Hinata.

"He has always been smart," said Itachi. "I'm sure he knows you've changed.

They were both silent for awhile until Itachi cleared his throat. "There's someone stirring in the west wing of the house so this is where I say goodbye."

Hinata wanted to talk more but didn't speak her mind. "Oroyasuma, sensei." (1)

She tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek because he was a little taller than she was.

"Oroyasuma, Hime."

Hinata watched as he disappeared in a wisp of smoke and sighed. Maybe she couldn't have them both in reality, but she was surely going to search for him as well in her dreams.

Itachi left the Hyuuga compound before anyone caught sight of him or his chakra and hid his chakra fully as he waited outside for Hinata to go to sleep. He could tell it was eating her up upside what's been happening lately and that she was confused with himself and his brother and he was only making it worse with his words and touches and allowing her to do as she pleased.

It was up to her what she wanted and he would not stop her no matter what decision she made, even though Sasuke was the right choice.

A life with him would not be easy and she'd had just a tiny taste of that already when she was at the hideout. She would constantly be hiding from the outside world because she would either be thought to be dead or a missing nin. He did not know how to show affection and emotion, hardening himself from young; Hinata would always be on the run, not seeing her friends or family and either be at the hideout when he was out on missions or with him risking her life.

Yes, Sasuke was right for her and that was that.

Despite wheat others thought, Itachi did like his younger brother. He reminded him of himself a little. He did what had to be done and that was it.

When Hinata was still, Itachi reached into his pocket and took out a slip of folded paper. He had not written her a note in a while and was sure that she would like one. Reappearing in her room, he placed the note carefully under her pillow only pausing when she mumbled something incoherent. He brushed away the hair from her face and stared for just a moment before leaving her to her dreams.

He went to the inn he was staying at to find Hidan arguing with the inn-keeper.

"I don't give a fuck what you say," Hidan shouted. "I'll pray whenever I like as loud as I like and you can't stop me!"

"You're waking up the other people!" the man shouted back.

Itachi figured he had to stop the commotion before it got out of hand so he walked to the two men.

"I apologize for my friend here," he said politely. "He'll try not to make so much noise from now on."

"Like hell I will!" Hidan protested, but Itachi flashed his Sharingan at him and he stopped. "…Whatever."

The inn-keeper seemed satisfied with the apology but grudgingly snorted and went back to the front desk. Itachi and Hidan walked back to their room in silence until they got inside and closed the door when Hidan finally said something.

"What the hell was that?!" he asked angrily flattening down his spiked hair to how it was originally. "That man has something to say about my rituals. It's not my fault they may be noisy but he should mind his own fucking business!"

"I know that, but we have to keep a low profile without any disturbances if we want this mission to go smoothly," Itachi explained. "That's the second time the innkeeper had to complain about you and soon he'll want us to leave. This is the best option we have for now."

"Yeah, I know that," said Hidan. "But these people who are staying here really need to get outside or something."

Itachi could say the same thing in Hidan's case, who had not gone outside much since the mission started except to stalk that loud blonde girl or go to with his on watch. Instead he took of his clothes and went to have a bath before getting into bed, putting his hand over his face to block the light out since Hidan insisted he needed the light on at night so Jashin could find him.

It was not long until Itachi fell into the arms of slumber and into in dreamless sleep. At least he thought it was dreamless until the sound of his name played in his head they way Hinata had said it when they were alone in the soft way she always did, her voice trickling over his skin leaving goose bumps in their wake.

Itachi pulled his sheets over him unconsciously as though cold and continued to sleep, trying to follow the voice so sweet he could taste it. He smiled as he knew he already had.

What if he wanted to again?

And that is the end of the chapter. I hope you liked it.

(1) Oroyasuma- Goodnight

If you have never read Hinata the Vamp or A Happy Ending, please do.

Until next update…

Ja ne!

Please review, I love it when you do!