Hi there readers! I was—and I am—so stressed but I tried my best, k? Also, since I'm working such long and hard hours, the length of the chapters for my fics from now on will most likely be cut to about 1,500 instead of 2,500, after this one, and there will probably not be a longer one if I update late until further notice. I'm so very sorry but even now as I'm rereading all I'd like to do is sleep or read someone else's fic lol! Trust me, It's not easy typing dictated notes for foreign doctors for EIGHT hours to come home and type again.

Excuse any errors and R&R!!!


Chapter 38: New Year Festivities

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Hinata was glad her period had come and gone and was just cruising through the beginning of the week.

She had actually spent the weekend over at Sasuke's, borrowing some of Sasuke's clothes until he dropped her off at Ino's Monday. She spent the entire day there before her father picked her up and had been home since then.

Now, it was Tuesday and she was chatting away with Sasuke when her bedroom door opened. When Hinata looked to see who it was, she was surprised to see that it was Nikato.

"May I come in?" the woman asked.

"Hai," said Hinata. She sent Sasuke a quick be right back message and then, shutting down her laptop, gave Nikato her full attention. "How may I help you?"

Nikato came to stand next to the bed but Hinata told her she could sit.

"I just wanted to talk to you," said Nikato. "I see you everyday but I doubt I've had a real conversation with you."

Hinata was not sure why Nikato came to talk to her. Maybe she figured out everyone in the house knew why she was there or she knew she had been followed but she was sure that whatever the woman had to say would be of benefit to her; or at least she hoped so.

"Why would that be?" asked Hinata. "You've never seemed to take interest in me before."

"I have always taken interest in you," said Nikato. "I was very close to your mother."

"So why did you let Naomi take away my memories of her?" asked Hinata. She figured it was best to just everything out in the open. The more answers she got, the better and it made no sense pretending to be clueless.

"So you remember?" Nikato said softly.

"Hai," said Hinata. "I don't remember everything, but I know enough to realize what terrible people you are."

Nikato shook her head. "You must understand, I was only Lyvi's personal maid," Nikato said. "I had absolutely no say in what the leader decided and I still do not. When I heard Naomi-sama wanted someone to keep an eye on you, I jumped at the opportunity to see how you were doing."

"Is it true that Naomi just wants to make sure no one else gets my blood?" asked Hinata.

"That is the reason," Nikato replied as though she was ashamed. "But as strict as she is, Naomi-sama knows that a part of Lyvi is inside you, whether you are truly pure or not. You're her granddaughter and I think she just wants you safe."

"I don't think so," said Hinata. "I remember what she was like and my father told me. She hated him and barely tolerated me because I'm her daughters 'offspring.' She probably won't even look at Hanabi because she's not a vampire. Don't try to make her seem better than she really is."

Nikato hung her head and said, "Gomen."

"There's no need for you to apologize," said Hinata. "If anyone should be saying sorry to me, it's Naomi. She doesn't have a clue what I went through, not knowing anything about my mother."

"My father didn't talk about her until only last week. Neji, Hanabi, and me had to live through him taking out his grief on us because he couldn't even go to see where she was buried. Do you think that is fair?" Hinata asked hotly. "Do you?"

"Iie, I do not think what she did was fair to you but Naomi-sama is a strong woman and there's no crossing her. Whatever she says goes without argument, though we may not agree with it."

Hinata flopped back on the bed. "I just wish she would have left my memories, as well as Neji's," she said. "I wish she would have allowed us to see where my mother is, give us a chance to get used to not having her around."

Nikato didn't reply to that.

"I'm planning on going to the Red Gate as soon as this year is over," Hinata said lightly. "Get some answers, see where my mother is, and give Naomi a piece of my mind."

"I thought you might be doing that," said Nikato.

"How?"

"You went and became a stage three vampire and got a mate," Nikato explained. "There was no real need for you to do that unless you were from an outside clan, but it's always better to turn as young a possible to get used to it."

"Hn," Hinata sounded in understanding.

"Although, I don't know what Naomi-sama will say since you have a converted mixed blood as a mate," Nikato finished.

"She'll have to live with it," said Hinata simply. "She has no say in my life."

"She has a say in all our lives," said Nikato. "You have her blood in your veins."

Hinata sat up abruptly. "Nani?" she asked."What do you mean by that?"

"As long as you are a part of the clan, when you are born a ritual is performed where the leader's blood is fused with your own, a hidden seal of sorts. This allows the leader control and utter respect because if you go against them, they could hurt you severely."

"Does it work like that for all clans?" asked Hinata.

She could not really remember, but Madara had taken her blood to keep it within the Uchiha and she was sure she had taken some of his as well. If what Nikato was saying was true, that would mean two different clans had control of her.

"Iie, only purebloods do this," said Nikato and Hinata sighed visibly. "Were you worried?"

"Hai," Hinata answered. "But it doesn't matter because I don't feel any better about Naomi being able to dictate what I do."

"It's not as bad as you think it is," said Nikato. "You're not some puppet."

"Oh," said Hinata, a little relieved.

Nikato then stood up.

"It was so good taking to you," she said. "But I have to get back to work. Is there anything you need?"

"Iie," said Hinata and watched as the pureblooded woman make to leave. "Wait."

"Hai?" said Nikato.

"I know the location of the clan and everything but is there something else I must know or do to get in?" Hinata asked.

"I don't know if you heard," started Nikato. "But you can only enter or exit the gates once a month and that's on the last Friday at sunrise. If you go there, you will have to wait for until the last Friday of the next month to leave unless you get everything you want before the sun sets on the day you arrive."

"Arigatou," said Hinata, and she honestly was. "It was nice talking to you and maybe next time you can tell me more about my mother."

"Hai."

At the click of the door from Nikato leaving, Hinata opened her laptop to resume talking to Sasuke so she could let him know what she had found out.

The New Year was just a few hours away and even though Sasuke was slightly angry with Hinata's father, he couldn't complain.

Hinata had asked Hiashi if she could go to the city with him and the man had said no, stating the reason was because when the New Year came, the wildness people held in all year came out and it would probably not be wise to go with Sasuke alone.

Hinata had begged, and pleaded, and begged some more until the man had finally given in, but it came with a price.

She would be able to go to the city with Sasuke but only if he tagged along with Neji and Hanabi; Neji said he was bringing TenTen.

That was more than a crowd but he couldn't win it all, could he?

They had all hopped in the limo, picked up TenTen, and started for the city and here there were now, walking through the brightly lit streets; all the decorations and festive feel in the air exciting them.

Although Hiashi kept giving them glares every once in awhile, he held Hinata's hand while she rested her head on his shoulder as they walked, both sucking on their bitten tongues.

He looked across at Neji and TenTen and saw that they were keeping their distance but he didn't care. It was not like those two had came to an agreement of whether they were together or not yet; Hinata was his mate.

They walked all over, going in the malls and other stores that were opened for the occasion, hoping to make an extra dollar. Then they had all gone and gotten ice-cream—excluding Sasuke and Hinata—despite the fact that it was cold outside.

"Where should we go next?" asked Hiashi. "We have about two hours left until the countdown."

"Can we go to the amusement park?" asked Hanabi. She had been asking from the moment they got in the car.

"Hai, if that's alright with the others," said Hiashi, looking in their direction.

"It's fine," Neji said, speaking for both himself and TenTen.

"Hai."

"Hn."

Hanabi cheered and darted in the direction of the park, the signs guiding her to the location as the others followed.

"Are you having fun?" Hinata asked him as they walked.

"It's going good," said Sasuke and he bent to kiss her hair. "Better than not being able to go at all."

Hinata laughed and put both arms around him. "I'm glad," she said.

The amusement park sat right on the edge of the small city, the dazzling lights from the rides illuminating the surrounding area.

Hanabi skipped and jumped with glee as they came to the entrance and Sasuke could feel that Hinata was quite eager to go inside as well.

Hiashi bought them all tickets and they were ushered through the gates.

"We can split into groups," said Hiashi. "Neji can go with TenTen, I can go with Hanabi, and Hinata can go with Sasuke. We can either meet here before or after the countdown and then we can go home."

"Can we meet after the countdown?" asked TenTen. That was probably the first time Sasuke had heard her speak to anyone other than to greet them when she first got in the limo.

"That's fine," said Hiashi. "Do you all have money in case you want to buy something?"

"Hai."

"See you all next year!" said Hanabi as she ran off.

"What she said," Hiashi had time to say with a light chuckle, before he followed his youngest daughter.

The four left looked at each other.

"Same goes for everyone," said Hinata. "See you guys next year."

After they parted, Sasuke and Hinata went on some rides, with Hinata wanting to try everything she could.

They went on some that had Sasuke's head spinning and his stomach churning while he tried to hold up Hinata and some that had him feeling as though he would drop off to sleep… while he tried to hold up Hinata.

After they were done and had their fair share of everything, Sasuke and Hinata decided to walk around first before going on the Ferris wheel where would be where they would spend the final minutes of the year.

They went around playing several games and now Sasuke was trying to win the largest bear by tossing the ring; so far he had four of five rings on.

"You can do it, Sasuke!" Hinata cheered.

Sasuke focused and made the gamble; it was either going to go over or it wasn't. Either way, they had won the second largest plush there.

With a clang, the ring was on and Hinata rushed to his side, kissing him on the cheek a she hugged him and then he collected the huge panda bear.

He gave it to Hinata, who squeezed it tightly in her arms. Her arms couldn't get all the way around its middle. "Arigatou!" she said happily.

After that, they made a beeline for the Ferris wheel line to avoid the rush and saw TenTen and Neji there as well as Hiashi and Hanabi. TenTen and Hanabi were both holding a plush toy as well.

"I guess we all had the same idea," said Neji.

They waited for about fifteen minutes with Hanabi and TenTen gushing over Hinata's bear since it was a lot larger than their own before they could go in and were separated once again as they got in.

Hinata sat opposite him as she hugged her bear when they got in, giving a little squeak when the wheel began to move.

Sasuke watched as she pressed her hand to the cool glass, looking outside at the beautiful shimmering lights in the distance.

"Wow!" said Hinata. "We're really high up now."

Sasuke got up and sat down next to Hinata so he could see what she could. "It is really nice," he said.

He could feel Hinata trembling from where he was and scooted closer to hold her. "You're shivering. Are you cold?" he asked.

"Iie, it's just that I've never been so high in the air like this before," said Hinata, cuddling Sasuke as they both looked outside. "That, and it's soon going to be another year."

Just then, Sasuke's phone alarmed and he smiled as Hinata turned to him. "Here we go," he said. "Twenty more seconds."

Hinata grinned at him. "Let's count," she said.

They both started to count down, anticipation climbing as they counted backwards.

"Three, two, one…"

There were loud booming sounds and flashes of light from the fireworks, the Ferris wheel coming to a halt.

"Happy New Year!" exclaimed Hinata, kissing Sasuke quickly.

"Happy New Year," Sasuke replied, kissing her back.

Sasuke's phone vibrated and he saw all text messages from his parents, Itachi, Naruto, and cousins. He sent them all back well wishes, glad that they had listened when he told them to send messages and not call.

They turned to look through the glass at the stunning display just outside, Hinata's oohs and ahs at the different bursts of radiance filling the air, her face shining with glee.

Sasuke continued to hold Hinata close as they watched the fireworks and the people below jumping and cheering.

Even as he held Hinata, he could feel both their thirsts rising. They had not had foreign blood since a lot earlier in the day.

He turned Hinata's shoulders and stared into her eyes as he watched the light blossom in her irises.

Sasuke wordlessly took her hand and took the bear from her to open her palm and gave her his hand.

He immediately felt the thirst radiating from them both and they drank their fill for the first time for the year.

After feeding off Naruto for the past day of so, Sasuke felt as though he had been starved and it seemed like Hinata felt the same way because by the time they were done, their arms were numb.

The fireworks were still going as they kissed again, this time slowly and deeply. The fireworks and the fact that the Ferris wheel had started to move again, made it even better as the world literally tilted for them both as they descended, fireworks exploding just beyond their eyelids.

"I love you, Hinata," whispered Sasuke just before it was their turn to get out. He smoothed her hair down and straightened her shirt.

"I love you too," Hinata whispered back, smiling as she reached to take up the bear.

*

When they got out, Sasuke saw that Hiashi and Hanabi were already out and they had been waiting on them to come out.

"Are Neji and TenTen still inside?" asked Hinata.

"Hai," they should be out soon," said Hiashi. Sasuke could see that he was silently scrutinizing them both to see if they had done anything but, apparently, he could find nothing.

Neji and TenTen stepped out not too long after, TenTen sporting a light blush that was visible even though it was nighttime.

Seeing the glance Neji through Hinata's way who smiled at him knowingly, he could guess something interesting had probably happened and that he and Hinata were not the only one's enjoying their time alone up in the Ferris wheel.

"All ready to go now?" asked Hiashi.

"Hai," everyone said.

"Good, let's go to the front then. The limo is waiting."

Getting in the limo, everyone wore happy smiles and blushed all the way to their homes, reminiscing the good time they had had.

When Sasuke looked through the tinted windows, he could see that there was a light drizzle.

"You know," Hiashi said conversationally. "Hinata and Hanabi's mother said that when it rained in the first hours of the New Year, it is a blessing from Kami."

"Really," asked Hanabi.

"She did," said Hiashi.

"I believe that," Hinata said, smiling at everyone.

Sasuke glanced across to catch TenTen and Neji's hands connect at their sides. If there was one thing that had surprised him for the night, it was the two of them.

Hiashi then turned on some music for the occasion, and they enjoyed the music.

TenTen was dropped off at her house and Sasuke went back to Hinata's since his car was there.

The others got out and went inside while Hinata walked with him to his car.

"I had such a great time," said Hinata and waved the panda's paw at him. "Thanks again for winning the bear for me."

"I had a good time too and no problem," said Sasuke.

He got in and started the car.

"Are you sure you'll be fine driving so late?" asked Hinata. "It's three in the morning."

"I'll drive extra careful," said Sasuke. "I have you waiting to make sure I get home."

"Ok then. See you soon."

"See you soon."

Sasuke shut the door and Hinata leaned over to kiss Sasuke on the cheek. "Bye."

Hinata stepped back to allow Sasuke to reverse and then he was driving away with her waving.

He must say that this was the best New Year's he had had in a couple years.

The year was looking like it would be a fantastic one and it was because Hinata would be with him.

It had already started perfectly and there was no going down from here.

That's it! I actually made a lot of sacrifices to get this out and it was done last night. It was so late though that all I could do was remember to hit save before shutting down and the thing is I had to wake early after going out. Anyway, I hope you liked it as much as I enjoyed writing and I made the chapter a little longer for you.

To Zachary Andrews: Thank you so much for always reviewing and giving your opinions. I know you've asked about Gaara or Hanabi being vampires but the way I have the fic set up, that can't be allowed. Maybe if you had mentioned it in earlier chapters like say in the first ten chapters, I could have steered it that way. Gaara definitely can't be a vampire because he's not that close to any of the main characters here and even in the canon he doesn't have a clan. I will explain in an upcoming chapter why exactly Hanabi can't be a vampire, k?

If you have not read Hina hime,A Happy Ending (now a completed fic) or Following the Sun (a new fic), please do.

Until next update…

Ja ne!

Please review, I love it when you do!