I said the heat was on this chappie, so the heat is ON people.
Ahem.
Read.Review.
-ink
"Do you have any links?" Sasuke muttered, looking over at Shikamaru with something like impatience, though it was heavily coated with simple impassiveness. Shikamaru didn't bother to take note and shook his head, flipping through another letter that Tenten had sent on their way back from the Rain.
"Nothing. Akatsuki isn't known for leaving trails, however. It makes sense that we would have trouble finding anything."
"Shit." The avenger hissed, showing for a few seconds an uncharacteristic amount of emotion. The others, being Shino, Choji, Naruto, Sakura, Lee and Shikamaru glanced at him in surprise.
Irritated both by his outburst and their looks, the Uchiha dropped the reports on the table, looking out to the bright late spring sun and the cloudless blue sky.
Something just didn't feel right. Tenten and her team had been at the Rain for as much time as they could afford. The examination was to begin the next day, teachers and their students were already arriving at the village gates demanding passage.
Sasuke had had no other choice but to allow the entrance of the students, making sure that the guards at the gates were doubled and that each contestant was clearly recorded. So far there was no one that they had any reason to doubt…
But then again, no one had doubted the Sound nin a few years ago.
"I need you and Shino to go over the amount of shinobi we have at our disposal." Sasuke stated suddenly, turning to look at Shikamaru thoughtfully, his expression back to its usual impassiveness. "Prepare the stadium as well, take Choji and Sakura with you, I need a medical team on standby…"
Naruto nodded in approval, looking seriously uneasy himself. They had discussed earlier in the day the possibility of a full possibly deadly attack from Akatsuki that morning. The odds were against them. Akatsuki was the most sophisticated group of S-class missing nin in the history of shinobi, and they were all hardly old enough to be past Chuunin level…
The information they had gathered was just enough for them to know something was coming, but they had no idea what, nor why. When they had informed the hokage she had not been pleased, reprimanding both the captain's with harsh words and disappointment.
Sasuke and Naruto were still licking their wounds from the verbal abuse, but they had no time for that either. Time was against them…. Akatsuki could already be inside the village for all they knew.
Frustrated Sasuke turned back to Lee. "Meet Tenten and the others at the village gates, tell them to rest and then join the rest of the team in the morning at the examination building to back up the other shinobi stationed there."
"What about Ino and Hinata?" Naruto put in suddenly, thoughtfully pondering over the pretty white eyed kunoichi's disappearance.
Sasuke had said little of the Hyuuga heiress since he and Sakura had returned from the Sand. Ino and Hinata vanished each morning and aside from Sakura's reports that Hinata was still attending the clinic every afternoon to run her department no one saw her.
It wasn't much different from when she had first moved in with Sasuke, but for obviously bitter reasons it irritated Naruto more.
It hadn't taken him long to realize that having Hinata suddenly attached to someone else had made it obvious how dependant he was on her affection….
Jealousy had been making him sour whenever she came into the conversation, despite the fact that his best friend albeit his worst rival was the one who spent most of his time with her.
"I will speak to them about it." Sasuke replied shortly, onyx eyes focusing on Naruto carefully, narrowing in thought. Something passed between them in the silence that followed…
Yes, they both knew. There was new rivalry there.
Sakura watched silently, clenching her jaw in an effort to keep from saying something, anything to break the silence… It was amazing, how invisible she had been become to both of her old team mates.
"That's it for today." Naruto stated suddenly, taking on the leader's baton without difficulty. He stood, pushing the reports towards Sakura slowly, eyes studying them half heartedly, knowing they would be useless once the real struggle started. "We'd better be ready tomorrow in the morning."
"Hn." Sasuke agreed.
The two shinobi ignored each other for the rest of the time they spent in the same building and once outside gladly left each other's presence without a word, despite their being so much to say.
The clinic that Tsunade had founded had been built out of the woman's own money. Something of a miracle, seeing as the blonde was often so broke she couldn't buy her own clothing. But once she had a winning streak while gambling she had made the right choice to use it for something useful and invested in a 'clinic' which was more of a hospital really than a clinic.
Sasuke knew the address, and had actually passed by it several times, and even dropped Hinata off there once or twice after training while she headed to work, however he had never set foot in the place.
It had never occurred to him to wonder exactly what the Hyuuga heiress did within the walls of the clinic but at that moment as he stood facing the building made of stone, brick and glass he realized that he actually didn't know…
Frowning slightly he shifted his weight, blinking at the clinic in the dusk sun, surprised that something of such magnitude had passed by him unnoticed.
Pondering what he would say when he entered he started up the steps, pushing the glass door open into the air conditioned lobby that smelled just like any hospital, of bleach and warm breath.
Uncomfortable in the white washed room he walked slowly towards the receptionist, pondering how he would ask for Hinata if he didn't know where she worked…
Still he cleared his throat slightly and forced the girl riffling through files to look up and stare, her young face frozen into something like awe.
"…eh…Sasuke-sama!" she gasped, dropping the folders.
Sasuke started, feeling his inner self give a low warning of fangirl…
"W-what can I do for you?" she stuttered, picking up the fallen folders quickly, dumping them carelessly to the side and focusing on him completely, searching his face for any sign of need.
The Uchiha looked at her hesitantly, unsure of what exactly was happening. "…where would I find Hinata-" he began slowly, blinking as the girl jumped out of her chair.
"I'll take you to Hinata-sama! No problem." She left the desk in a hurry, making him glance around at the empty lobby, wondering just who would man the receptionist desk if there was no one there…
But deciding not to complain he followed, walking through halls of white with carts dotting the sides, heavy with clean towels and other disinfected objects.
"Ne, Hinata-sama has been very busy these last few months, but we're so happy you've allowed her to take some time off her training to be here." The girl continued talking rapidly, her voice was pleasant enough to listen to, and she wasn't exactly clinging to him…
It was comforting to know Hinata worked with girls who had brains.
"Hn." He replied, talkative as usual. The girl didn't seem to mind but continued on, talking about how busy the department was all the time and how it had been hell without Hinata-sama there.
Curious now as to whatever it was that Hinata did, Sasuke listened intently, but she never said.
Suddenly, however, she was stopping at a pair of double doors, nodding inside. "She's probably here." She murmured, knocking very lightly and opening one of the doors quietly, as if to not wake someone inside.
A sweet smell slipped out from the room, making Sasuke frown, trying to place it. There was something familiar about it, but he couldn't pinpoint where he had come across it before.
The girl however was peeking into the bright room. "Hinata-sama?" she whispered. Sasuke frowned again, confused by the secrecy with which she moved.
There was silence for a moment and then Hinata appeared at the door, a white powder stained her shoulder and she had a soft blanket in her hands, but that wasn't what caught his attention.
Her eyes were wide, wider than he ever saw them, brilliant in the light of the dusk sun pouring in from one of the hall windows. Her hair was down, a curtain of dark ink spilling around her, contrasting sharply with her creamy blouse.
Rosy cheeked and smiling she peeked out of the room and started in surprise at Sasuke. "..S-sasuke-kun." She blinked, stepping outside and closing the door behind her quietly.
The nurse just bowed her head slightly at Sasuke and smiled before leaving wordlessly.
Sasuke stared at Hinata for a moment. She seemed different there, in the bright light of the hospital, as though something had been taken off her shoulders.
"I-is everything all r-right?…w-what are you…doing here? " Hinata blinked, playing with the soft blanket in her hands. It was light blue and looked to be fleece, soft like feathers.
The avenger hesitated, opening his mouth to say he had come to ask her about Ino and what role she should play in the mission the next day, but somehow he didn't want to leave, he wanted to see what was inside that made her glow so much…
Surprising them both he gave a careless shrug. "No reason."
The girl stared at him, confused. "Nani-" she began but a soft cry cut her off. The two shinobi tuned themselves to the sound coming from inside the room, a whimper and half sob.
It was a child's cry.
Hinata turned to the doorway, already rushing to get in, but froze, turning to look back at him hesitantly, as though she didn't know what to do with him.
"Ano… I…do you want to come in?" she started, looking back at him cautiously.
The avenger listened again as another cry sounded, the whimper igniting something odd in his chest, something he hadn't felt before.
"…sure." He shrugged again, watching relief flood her face as she slipped into the room, holding the door open for him before closing it again quietly.
Sasuke stared the moment he stepped inside. The room was large and long, two rows of cribs lined both walls, with shelves and cupboards above them heavy with blankets, bottles, diapers and other things he didn't quite recognize. The walls weren't completely white, they were lined with blue and pink balloons and teddy bears that smiled.
There was another door, which was open leading into another room with half the wall made of glass. He could see several other cribs, but these were dotted with IV's and other monitoring equipment. He could not see the children lying within.
Hinata had already moved away from him and was leaning over one of the cribs, her hair glittering by the light of the sun pouring in through the window in the far wall.
"Sshhh, little one..." she murmured, straightening up with a babe in her arms. He was so small that his whole body was as long as her elbow to her fingers. Gently she lay the whimpering boy against her shoulder, crooning soft words of comfort, walking quietly back towards him, looking up to meet his awed expression.
Something about his surprise made her smile up at him, breathing in the innocent smell of the baby's head.
"Ne…" she murmured once she was close enough to whisper and be heard. "Have you ever held a baby?"
Sasuke looked at her a moment, blushing for no apparent reason. This situation was so… unexpected. Nothing he had ever trained for had ever been related to this part of life. Hinata smiled at his wordless response and extended the babe in her arms towards him. "Here." She laughed quietly as he shook his head slowly. "Ne… trust me." She added, watching his cheeks reddening more, if possible.
It was amazing… he was blushing and she was not.
Sasuke fidgeted for a moment, unsure of what to do, but she did not pull the youngster back, and finally giving up he reached out, wrapping his arms around the tiny thing. He couldn't help the fact that his hands were trembling slightly. Glancing nervously at Hinata for assurance he cradled the child in his arms, looking down at the innocent face. The rosy cheeked babe yawned toothlessly, blinking his wide eyes in the bright light, wrinkling his nose slightly.
Slowly he let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, surprised that the small fragile thing had not fallen apart in his arms.
"…see…it's not so hard." Hinata whispered suddenly, making him look up at her, remembering she was standing there watching.
Her eyes met his for a moment with a confidence and comfort he did not recall ever seeing before. The moment stretched out before them, a pain starting in their chests suddenly, like someone was pressing into them forcefully.
Sasuke's gaze flickered down to her lips for half a second and he drew back, startled by the thoughts rushing through his mind…
Don't think it, don't think it…
Hinata let out a surprised breath, pulling back as well, letting go of his arm quickly and turning around to walk over to another cradle, unsure of what to say, her whole face flaming at the realization that they had stared at each other wordlessly for a good thirty seconds or so.
Sasuke watched her for a moment, frowning slightly before looking back down at the child, who was now blinking at him with eyes so big they took up most of his face.
It let out a gurgling wail, reaching it's small hand up towards him.
Now what do I do with him…?
The wail however seemed to ignite several other calls from other cradles, making Hinata look around worriedly. "Uh oh…" she mumbled, watching a few begin to complain, rubbing their eyes in childish frustration.
"Hn…" Sasuke hummed suddenly, looking around in surprise at the amount of sound the small things could make. "They get loud quickly."
At his words utter silence closed in, making Hinata turn to look at him, wide eyed.
The silence held out for a few seconds as the two Shinobi blinked at each other in surprise but was broken again as another child began to let out a cry of discomfort.
"…that was strange." Sasuke muttered, frowning.
And the silence came again.
Hinata's hands came up to her mouth, covering the grin that was tickling her lips. "Ne, ne…" she giggled. "Speak again, quick!"
"What?" he blinked at her. "Why?"
The silence continued, the babe in his arms staring at him wordlessly, large brown eyes fixated on his face.
"…it's your voice…" Hinata began in wonder, listening to the children beginning to whine again, letting out the frustrated whimpers of small people unable to convey their needs and wants.
"…what are you talking about?" Sasuke retorted, panicking slightly. But the moment he spoke he had proved himself wrong, for the children grew silent and listened again. He sighed, breathing softly their smell sweet and innocent as was the room they were in and the eyes that they watched him with.
"Keep talking." Hinata began, turning to walk towards him, listening as the babies began to fidget, making small noises to get the attention of the shinobi at the door.
"Nani?" he grumbled. "About what?"
"Anything." She replied, "I need to change most of them, and give a few a bath. They need to be quiet." She looked at him seriously for a moment. "Please?"
Sasuke sighed, looking down at the baby in his arms, watching him open his mouth and let out a frustrated squeal.
"…fine. Demo.." he muttered, looking around. "What do I say?"
"Ne, what's your favorite color, Sasuke-kun?" Hinata smiled suddenly, making him stare. "…blue…"
"Why?" she grinned again, blushing despite herself as she watched 'him' blush.
"…ano.." he muttered, sounding much like her. "…it…reminds me of rain…"
"You like the rain?" she blinked, picking up another of the babies and carrying him over to the changing table by him.
"…hai…" he continued hesitantly, somewhat uncomfortable with the situation.
"So do I." Hinata admitted, unbuttoning the little pajamas on the child. "Why do you like the rain, Sasuke-kun?"
"…ano.." he mumbled, glancing out at the window. "…it…washes away blood…"
The silence continued for a few moments, even Hinata had stopped moving, staring at the baby in front of her with a softened expression.
It washes away blood…
"…why do you like the rain?' He asked suddenly, before the first child could start to complain. He looked down at the baby as a distraction, studying the features on his childish face.
"Because…" Hinata smiled slightly, beginning to change the babe again. "…it cries with you."
Sasuke smirked suddenly, amused by the hilariously poetic versions of their take on rain.
"Why do you say it washes away blood?" Hinata enquired softly, concentrating on both changing the baby and the conversation so much that the stutter vanished, making Sasuke look at her curiously, too distracted by the babe in his hands to notice that he was actually talking.
"It's the only thing that washed away the blood on the Uchiha compound…" he replied, watching for her reaction with care.
Slowly her shoulders tightened, but her hands kept moving, continuing to gently remove the clothing from the child in front of her.
"…I see…" she murmured finally.
He did not say anything for a moment, wondering if she would continue, but the children began their wailing again and she turned, carrying the fully changed boy in her arms.
"What's your favorite food?" at this she flashed him a quick smile. "I know this one, I think."
He colored rapidly, looking anywhere but her, trying not to smirk too obviously. "Tomatoes…"
"How come?"
"Oka-san… used to put them in my lunch when I was younger."
"Did you like them then too?"
Sasuke started in surprise. No one had ever asked him that question. Hinata continued to tuck the baby into it's respective crib, completely unaware of having startled the Uchiha Avenger.
"…no, I didn't."
She let out a laugh. "I understand."
They stood in silence for a moment, wondering if maybe they didn't have to talk anymore… both unsure if they wanted it to stop.
But the babies began their soft whimpers, choosing for them and Hinata turned to look at him, grinning sheepishly.
"Ne, keep talking, Sasuke-kun, please."
Sasuke smirked back, the first half smile he had ever given her, watching with utter satisfaction he could not deny as her cheeks colored.
"Sure…"
"Raspberry ice cream?" Hinata turned to look back at him in utter surprise, folding the blankets carefully. The children had long fallen asleep… but they had not realized it, or if they had they has chosen to ignore it.
The sound of their soft breaths and the sweetening scent of their innocent clean bodies had made even the cold Uchiha slightly less stoic than usual.
He was sitting with his back against the wall, between two cribs across from Hinata, still holding the same baby she had handed him earlier in the day, nearly two hours ago. The sun had long since fallen and the electric lights had had to be turned on but they had not noticed and had not cared.
"Hai." He smirked, looking out at the bright moon. "Raspberry."
"I thought you did not like sweets?" Hinata blinked, taking the pile of blankets in her arms and heading over to the shelf on the other side of the room.
"I don't."
"Nani?" she blinked, letting out a soft laugh. "I don't understand."
"I don't know. I just like it." He shrugged, enjoying the sound of her laughter.
"M-maybe you would like other sweets then, if you tried them." Hinata put in thoughtfully. "After all, the only reason you tried raspberry icecream was because Misa-chan threw it at you when you were little…"
Sasuke smirked broadly, trying not to roll his eyes at the memory. "At the time I was more disgusted with the fact that she had tried to kiss me…"
"You were five, I'm not surprised." Hinata giggled, shaking her head slightly as she shut the cupboard. "Ne, you are very popular."
"Heh." He grunted. "Unfortunately."
The Hyuuga heiress walked over and crouched down, extending her arms out to take the child. "Oh?' she blinked at him, taking the baby without difficulty. "Unfortunate?"
"Do you recall Valentine's Day?" he grumbled, giving her a look as he passed the baby over. A laugh escaped her then and she nodded. "Ne, ne, now I understand."
"Hn." He smirked, pushing himself to his feet.
He stretched, rotating his shoulders as she tucked the last child into it's crib, picking up a clipboard on to the door.
"…ano, have you had dinner yet?" Hinata enquired, walking backwards down the hall. Sasuke shrugged, fiddling with some loose change in his pockets. "No."
"…ano… I didn't make any today." Hinata admitted, turning around to walk beside him. Sasuke shrugged, smirking slightly as he glanced at her thoughtfully.
"Are you hungry?" He asked suddenly as she put the clipboard down on the receptionists counter, signing off something or other.
"…a little." She laughed, glancing up at him as she signed.
They froze suddenly, realizing they had walked completely unaware into a corner.
"…oh…ano…I mean…" Hinata laughed nervously, feeling her whole face begin to heat up. She turned to look at the paper sharply, licking her lips nervously.
"Maybe the others will be at the Ramen Shop." Sasuke shrugged, ruffling his own hair sheepishly, blushing despite his best intentions to remain calm.
"H-hai!" Hinata nodded, reaching over the counter to put the clipboard down.
Uncertainly they both started out the door, Hinata waving good bye at the nurses that peeked from the halls, giggling to one another as they watched the two shy shinobi walk out into the star filled night.
"…they're so cute!" The receptionist giggled. "And he's just like Hinata-sama has been saying these past few months!"
The others nodded. "I thought she thought of him like that because of how badly she was crushing.." one of them muttered, running to the window to watch them walking down the street.
"Ne, ne…" The receptionist grinned. "I don't think that's a crush."
"Ano…" Hinata began, glancing at him curiously. "How did the m-meeting go?"
Sasuke blinked, coming back to the reality of being the captain of the security team. He sighed, shrugging again. "Nothing new. Tenten's team is heading back today, they should be home now."
"Hn." She replied softly, frowning slightly, thinking of her cousin.
"What do you think Ino should do tomorrow?" Sasuke enquired finally, recalling that was the reason why he had gone to the clinic in the first place.
The Hyuuga heaved a sigh, more open than usual with her exasperation. "I don't know… She is listening to my orders, but refusing to think for herself. I…have been considering just pulling her from the team completely." She admitted, rubbing her face. "She… is mad at me."
"Hn." He nodded slowly, glancing at her, knowing full well what kind of situation she was struggling with.
"D-do you think…maybe I should tell her to stay home?" Hinata enquired, looking at him. He bit his lip, looking back at her thoughtfully as they walked. "You may be sacrificing your friendship."
Hinata flinched, looking down at her hands. "H-hai… I know."
"Perhaps you should talk to her about it instead?"
She nodded rapidly, glad to hear the words coming from him rather than having to say them herself. It would have felt like the easy way out if she chose it herself.
They lapsed into comfortable silence for a moment, until the lights of the shops on the street that the Ramen Shop was on came into view, lighting up the road. Nervousness suddenly crawled over them both.
Praying fervently for someone else, anyone else to be there Hinata peeked in, slipping into the shop thoughtfully.
To their utter relief there were Sakura, Naruto and Ino and a bottle of sake between them. Sasuke cocked an eyebrow slightly. Drinking before a mission…?
"Sakura-chan, Ino-chan, Naruto-kun!" Hinata called, walking over to them hesitantly.
Naruto turned sharply at the sound of her voice, breaking into a smile the moment he saw her. "Hinata-chan! Hi!" He called, standing up and to everyone's utter surprise giving her a hug.
Sasuke's jaw tightened as he watched, resisting the urge to shove the blonde away. Hinata stepped back, startled, blushing but only slightly.
"..ano…hi…Naruto-kun…" she blinked, stumbling into Sasuke accidentally as she stepped back.
His hands suddenly came down on her shoulder's gently, relief twisting in her his chest at her withdrawal from the blonde's grip. "Yo." Sakura muttered irritably, swirling a cup of sake in her hand. "You've finally come out of hiding, ne? You're so busy all the time."
"She works like a horse, now don't you, Hinata-sensei." Ino grumbled, looking less than sober herself.
Hinata's shoulders tightened slightly, shrinking into Sasuke unconsciously, feeling quite clearly their hostility.
"Ano… Ino-chan… W-what are you doing o-out so l-late-?"
"What, now I have a curfew?" Ino snapped, giving her a look. Even Sakura stared at the blonde warily. Naruto walked over to her, taking the sake bottle away. "Ino… I think, maybe you've had a bit much…"
"What the hell does it matter? I'm not doing anything tomorrow anyway, ne, Hinata-sensei?" she mocked, trying to grab the bottle back.
Hinata bit her lip, feeling a short shiver pass through her. "C-come on… Ino-chan. I'll help you home, if you want…" she began, forcing her voice to be steady.
"No, I don't think so. Your training session ended a while ago." Ino snapped, crossing her arms. "Not that I learned anything."
"Ino…" Sakura murmured, eyes shifting nervously between Hinata and the drunk blonde. Hinata didn't react, but stared back at Ino, eyes narrowed slightly.
She's not quite drunk…there's logic there…this is another fight.
What do I do? I can't just…snap at her…
The feline woke as Ino stood, giving her a look that stated how irritated she was.
Irritably the feline bit down on the chain holding it down, wishing to be free…and Hinata saw no reason to not cut it some slack.
"You didn't learn anything?' She enquired softly, looking at the blonde thoughtfully, hands clenched at her sides, feeling the assurance of Sasuke's hands still on her shoulder. It was like he had forgotten he had left his hand there.
"Not a thing!" Ino snapped. "You're useless as a teacher- maybe that's why you're so worried that I'll end up screwing up so bad that everyone dies if they go on a mission with me-"
"You. Are the most stubborn, infuriating, headstrong, arrogant, annoying student I've ever been unfortunate enough to meet, you're so incapable of learning that you've put me off teaching forever. No one would want to teach anything after knowing there's the possibility of meeting another one like you. And I even 'know' why you haven't learned anything, and let me tell you something, Ino-chan." She snapped, walking directly into Ino's personal space without a care, jabbing her finger into her chest. "The reason you've learned 'nothing' is because you. don't. want to! And unless you listen to me you are not going to do anything for this Chuunin exam. Do you understand me?"
The silence that followed that little speech was filled with electric tension, but Hinata didn't care, only Ino's look of utter shock was of any importance, shock and sudden respect.
"Do you understand me?" Hinata snapped again, making the blonde jump slightly. "H-hai!" she gasped, nodding. "Gomen!"
"D-d-dattebayo!" Naruto gaped, staring at Hinata with a whole new wave of utter attraction. "Holy hell…"
Sakura just leaned her head over into her arms tiredly, shaking her head at herself. Just my luck…
Sasuke was smirking so broadly it could almost be called a smile. Letting out a resigned sigh Hinata turned around, with her back to the other three she gave him a full out grin, her cheeks red from the exhilaration.
"Ne, I'm going home." She stated, to no one in particular before walking past him into the dark again. Sasuke followed her with his eyes as she walked past, biting his lip painfully to keep from smirking at the others.
Clearing his throat slightly he gave them his trademark impassive glance and turned around to follow, catching up with her down the road.
As soon as he was beside her she started to laugh, burying her face in her hands. "I can't believe I just did that!" she gasped, louder than she had ever said anything before.
Smirking in amusement he nodded. "Ino looked speechless."
"God…" she stopped, looking around in wonder. "Sasuke… I actually did it."
The Uchiha stopped to look back at her, watching her bubbling with the victory, resisting the urge to just kiss her…
Yeah… he wanted to kiss her… and there wasn't a lot he could do about it.
Shocking them both, but mostly him, she hugged him suddenly, shivering with the victory of finally standing up to 'someone', to someone who thought they could dominate her.
"I did it! I actually did it!" she pulled back for a moment to stare at him, breathless, realizing he was holding her, not the least bit awkwardly.
…I just hugged Sasuke…
They were close enough to feel the tickling sensation of each other's hair against their faces and feel their breath against their lips, and the not so surprising intentions in their eyes.
And… he's hugging me back…
Sasuke stared, he hadn't been scared while facing Orochimaru, or his minions, or when facing Gaara of the Sand, or when fighting his best friend and rival Naruto, Kyuubii vessel.
He had only been afraid once before, while facing his brother, fearing he wouldn't be able to do what he needed to do.
Now the same fear with a different tinge was gnawing at his insides.
Kiss her… just kiss her…
"Sasuke…I…" Hinata began, struggling for a moment to find the right words. He began to shake his head, trying to tell her not to try to explain it away.
But she was cut off anyway.
"H-Hinata?"
With a gasp the two pulled back, as though burned by each others touch to look at Neji, standing in the fading light of the shops from the street, staring at them silently.
The shock wasn't there, but his eyes were cold, like ice, somehow burning her as they landed on her face.
"Neji-nii-san…" she gasped, lifting her hands up to her lips. "N-nani- ano… W-what are you-"
"Is this how low the Hyuuga heiress has fallen?" Neji snapped, cutting her off sharply. Hinata flinched, stepping back. Sasuke frowned, taking her arm gently.
"Be carefully, Hyuuga."
"I should have known my uncle had reasons for banishing the supposed heiress." Neji snapped, looking at her and ignoring the Uchiha wordlessly. "He must have known the path you were going to choose."
Hinata stared, feeling the chain snap suddenly, fury like she had never felt before boiling within her. Tears began to pour down her face, contradicting her clenching fists, her nails digging half moons into her palms.
"He abandoned me!" she shouted suddenly, startling both the young men. "He left me to fend for myself, to reclaim my name- what need have I for a name like the Hyuugas?" she whispered, shaking her head, hands coming up to her face.
"I've done nothing wrong! Oka-san, she told me this would happen- I thought I wasn't strong enough- I am!" she sighed, rubbing her tears away with the back of her hand. "You have no right to judge me."
Neji stared, taking each word in but not understanding. "You abandoned me too, cousin." Hinata smiled weakly, shaking her head. "You thought I would allow myself to be tainted? I haven't… You thought I wouldn't be strong enough? I am… and now… now you claim I have fallen, when I have worked so hard?"
Sasuke took her arm again, pulling her back slightly, worried her anger would finally unleash the power he knew he had been training in her since the day they formally met, but she allowed him to pull her back without a fight.
"Goodbye, cousin." She muttered, turning around as Sasuke's hands guided, leading her back home.
Neji stood still, watching as they disappeared down the road, neither of them glancing back to look at him. He shivered in the cold, searching the ground for something to help him understand… but there was nothing.
He would have to find the way himself.
They entered the house in silence, Sasuke's hands refusing to come off of her. Her tears were silent, but he could feel each one as it fell almost like it was his own.
Always there was something to harm her, he felt useless standing there.
It wasn't until she hugged him again that something like vague relief flooded him. He might not be able to hold back the words that would harm her more than blows, but he could perhaps heal those wounds… if slowly.
Ignoring the nagging sense that she might panic he picked her up, listening to her slow steady breathing as he hesitated which room to go into in the hallway.
Her arms suddenly tightened around his neck and he knew it was okay. Biting his lip he walked into his room, settling them both down on his bed to stare up through the window at the stars, unmoving.
Though the intentions of any other man had crossed his mind, he didn't dare… not with someone as fragile as her.
He couldn't.
Instead they lay in utter silence, and he watched her cry, playing with her fingers, breathing in her scent without worrying about whether she could see him doing so or not.
It was late when she finally stopped crying and closed her eyes, her breathing slowing down slightly into sleep.
Sasuke watched, studying each feature of her face intently, how it was highlighted by the moonlight and how her hair contrasted sharply with her ivory skin.
He couldn't say it, but he was thinking it, and at least that was enough, for the moment…
Ne…Hinata…I think…I think I love you….
Wow, that was so fluffy/ dramatic that you'll prolly all sneeze ((gasp))
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