Credits to Yves_Liong (writer from Wattpad) and Masashi Kishimoto (creator of Naruto).


Battling With A Hot Guy

54

"No way!"

I instantly blurted out when Sai, Gaara and Naruto-kun suggested a plan on how to talk to Uchiha Sasuke. Sai told me that there will be a Victory party for the varsities tonight. And Sai said that the party will be partly dedicated for Sasuke since he got the MVP award. The championship happened a while ago but the school decided to hold the celebration tonight. Naruto-kun pointed out that since Sasuke is avoiding me, I should catch him off guard. And Gaara suggested that I speak through a microphone so Sasuke wouldn't have a choice but to listen to me.

But none of them remembers that I am Hyuuga Hinata. Sure I tried several times to ruin Uchiha Sasuke's reputation. And yeah, I was able to make a fool out of the Uchiha but I'm still the same old shy Hyuuga Hinata. I was never gutsy enough to stand on stage in front of a lot of people. Now they wanted me to let out my feelings in front of the whole school?

"Why not? As long as he hears it, right?" Naruto-kun said as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

"Forget it, guys."

"Oh, c'mon, Hinata-chan. How small is it compared to those fake rumors you made up about Sasuke?" I turned to Sai and sighed. He's right.

"I loved them, Hinata-chan. Those rumors are the best!" Naruto-kun chuckled.

"Dumbass, you were also accused of being gay with the Uchiha." Gaara frowns at Naruto-kun. I would have laughed at the look Naruto was sporting after what Gaara said but there is still the problem at hand.

"I can't do it." I said in finality.

Funnily though, at exactly six in the evening, while everyone was having fun at the gym, the music that was blasting off from the huge speakers was cut off and I was standing on the stage, holding a microphone in my hands as I try to keep my knees from trembling.

What am I doing?! Relax, Hinata. You can do this. If this doesn't work then nothing will so speak up!

I took a deep breath before starting. As everyone's attention turned to me, I opened my mouth to speak. It was funny but suddenly, I know exactly what to say without even rehearsing. "H-Hello, everyone. I-I'm sorry for putting a p-pause to the the party. Uhm... Ehem. I just really need to say something. I know that I can just go and talk to Uchiha Sasuke face-to-face but he's been avoiding me so I have no choice but.. Uh, well.." I apologized to the people first. I looked around trying to spot Sasuke. "Look, Sasuke. I know you're avoiding me, and I don't blame you at all. But you have to know something. It's true, I fooled you. I planned to be your girlfriend to take revenge for what you did to Sakura-chan. But when I finally spent time with you, my reason for being your girlfriend changed. Sasuke... I like—"

Before I could finish, the door of the gym suddenly opened. And there he was, Uchiha Sasuke, with a poker face.

And then it all came crashing down on me. Ever since I was a child, I have always hated being the center of attraction. I remembered once Neji-nii and I were supposed to receive a medal for doing so well in academics but since I have to go up to the stage and stand in front of so many people, I decided not to go. I was crying so much because I was so sure Hyuuga Hiashi, my father, was disappointed in me. But he wasn't. He told me Neji-nii received the medal for me. Father even celebrated our achievement and treated us to a dinner in a restaurant. Every year after that, Neji-nii would continue receiving my medals for me.

The feeling of having every eyes watching, criticizing me, makes me feel uncomfortable. Yet here I am, standing in front of everyone in school, pouring my heart out to someone, only to find out that what I did was worthless.

Seeing how I had just made a complete fool of myself, I decided that I needed to save myself from further embarrassment. Not finishing what I was about to say, I left the microphone at the podium and went down the stage. Then I ran out of there as quickly as possible, passing a lot of people who were either about to laugh at me or pitying me. I even heard Sai, Gaara and Naruto's calling out for me, but I ignored them all. Until I passed by Sasuke who now looked confused, not hearing a single thing about what I said through the microphone. He still probably wouldn't talk to me anyway. But as I was heading towards the girls' comfort room, I suddenly heard footsteps following me, and I was hoping it was Uchiha Sasuke. When I turned to see who it is, I didn't know how I would react when I saw it was Haruno Sakura.

"What do you want?" I asked in hostility. My anger towards her magnified due to my humiliation at what I just did.

"Look, Hinata-chan. I know you're still mad at me. And I know I shouldn't be talking to you just yet but I can't help it." She said as her expression shows sincerity. "I think you should go back and still try to talk to Sasuke-kun."

"Funny you should say that after you ruined things not only between Sasuke and I, but also you and me." I snapped at her.

"I know I hurt you badly after what I did. But I'm still not sorry about it. Can't you see? I realized that doing that was the thing I needed to free myself from my obsession with Sasuke-kun. At first I was thinking, was the price really worth more than it should? But I had to do it because I'm becoming someone I shouldn't be."

"Was it worth losing your bestfriend just to get over a bad relationship that you forced right from the start?" Her eyes widened at what I said. "Naruto-kun told me everything you did. Was it fun befriending me, urging me to hate Sasuke so you could have him for yourself? Was a boy worth everything for you? How fun was it to watch me trying to ruin the guy who have always had genuine feelings for me even before you came in the picture?"

"I... I regret losing your friendship, Hinata-chan. Yes, I befriended you at first because I found out Sasuke-kun likes you even before I met the two of you. But I really treated you like a bestfriend, a sister. I'm so sorry. But don't you see it, Hinata-chan? If I didn't do what I did, you wouldn't realize that you love him. You'd still be in denial. You wouldn't have the courage to stand on stage and admit your feelings for him."

I see where she is getting at, and she is right. Why else would I go through all these trouble if I don't love him? It hurt that I hurt him and that he's avoiding him. I even miss our arguments, even those stupid rules. I miss Uchiha Sasuke.

"You've gone this far, Hinata-chan. What else would you lose if you try once more?"

Again, she's right. "This doesn't mean we'll be okay. But thanks."

She smiled. "I know. But I really want to make it up to you. You've been a real friend to me."

We separated after that since I still have to go to the comfort room. I have to rebuilt my confidence. I entered the comfort room and splashed my face with water. I still have to go back out there and confess for real this time. I turned the faucet off and the CR door opened revealing Uzumaki Karin.

I just minded my own business as I dry my hands with the tissue paper while Karin turn the faucet on until she broke the silence. "Nice speech." I turned to Karin with a dumbfounded expression. "I really mean what I just said, you know. I guess I was wrong when I said you weren't serious about Sasuke-kun. Even I wouldn't do something like that just for him even if I love him."

Did Uzumaki Karin really complimented me? "Uhm... Thank you?"

She turned the faucet off and faced me. "But don't think I wouldn't be here if you try to hurt him again. I'll always be here to protect him. You got that?" I nodded simultaneously as she sent a genuine smile at me. "Now go get Sasuke-kun and make him happy." Then she left.

Suddenly, my mind and heart felt lighter. After all that happened, even if Karin didn't really become my friend, I appreciate how honest she has been to me up until now. And that's what all it took to bring my confidence back. Sasuke's two major fangirls supported and encouraged me to get him back.

I walked back towards the gym and Gaara immediately approached me. "He's talking to Naruto right now but that's only a stalling technique, thanks to Yamanaka. Go ahead, and good luck." I smiled up at Gaara and then I walked towards Sasuke and Naruto.

It was strange but I felt more nervous right now compared to standing on stage. My knees felt weak and I could almost hear my heart beating crazily. To get his attention, I was going to tap his shoulder but before I could, he suddenly turned from Naruto and walked away. Panicking because he's starting to avoid me again, I suddenly shouted at the top of my lungs to stop him. "Uchiha Sasuke!"

I did expect some people to turn towards me but what I didn't expect was for the music to stop playing again and everyone turning towards me. Sasuke turned to me and gave me a serious look and that made me speechless.

When I finally snapped, I smiled apologetically for disturbing the party again. "Sorry. I just need to talk to Sasuke." I remarked rushing towards Sasuke and grabbing his hand. "Don't worry, this time, I'll do it outside."

I led Sasuke outside the gym, muttering something under my breath until we stopped and I faced him. He has this clueless expression, probably for my mumbling. "What are you saying?"

"I know you have the right to avoid me since you found out the truth but at least give me a chance to explain. I know I really messed up when I planned to be your girlfriend just to get revenge when there really isn't anything to revenge on. However, you never told me the truth about what Sakura did. Instead, you kept leading me into believing that you really did play with her feelings. And as her bestfriend, I tried to give her justice—"

"That's just it. She is your bestfriend. I can't just say something bad about her so I could look cool in front of you. I don't care how bad you see me as. You're happy with her friendship and that's what matters to me."

My tears automatically spilled out of my eyes down to my cheeks. He sacrificed his name just to make me happy. "Sasuke... I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for everything I did to you. I was insensitive. I was horrible to you. I know. I know about all those chocolate almonds now, Sakura-chan really hated them but you were really aiming for me to eat them right? I also know about that cheesecake, and the rose, and that figurine. And I know about those secret looks too, the teasing, everything. I'm sorry."

I was imagining two scenarios in my mind that could possibly happen after what I said. One would be him suddenly hugging me, and telling me it's about time I tell him about my true feelings. The other one was him looking like he got over me already.

But guess what? As always, he never fails to surprise me. "Why are you apologizing a lot? Are you telling me all this because you and your family are moving away?" He asked, as if nothing bad has been going on between us.

My mouth hung open as lack of words to say. "You know what? I think it's just better to tell me straight that you want to break up completely instead of acting that way. But I guess, I deserve it, right?"

I was about to turn and walk away but he was always faster than me. He grabbed my wrist and made me turn to him again. "What? I heard from Itachi that your father is starting up a new business in Osaka. I really thought you're leaving and this is your way of saying good bye."

We stared at each other for some time and then we both started chuckling. But what he said is true. Only, it was Neji-nii who is moving to Osaka, not all of us.

"You're really dense, Hyuuga Hinata." I frowned up at him. "How come you never had any idea I liked you? At Valentine's, I even purposely showed you the rose and the box of almonds, and you still thought it was from Sabaku." He scoffed.

I grinned teasingly at him. "You're jealous, aren't you?"

"No. You have weird taste in guys. And that dobe, really? Do you like colorful hair for a guy? Blonde, and then red-head? Seriously?" Now he's mocking my crushes. What can I do? Naruto is such a breath of fresh air. And Gaara, well... He is handsome and talented. "Stop thinking about them." Sasuke complained.

I raised my hands on his cheeks. "You really are jealous. Wait. Why weren't you answering my calls?"

"Itachi took your phone. I think he was just snooping, maybe he's trying to confirm if you really are the Hyuuga Hinata I was bragging to him about being my girlfriend. But don't worry, I'll buy you a new one."

"You bragged about me to Uchiha Itachi? The Uchiha Itachi?"

He groaned in annoyance. "Yes. Can you not speak of his name in that tone?" He's so cute when he's jealous.

"So you're not mad at me for what Sakura-chan told you?"

He smirked at me. "Is that why you were singing on stage a while ago?"

I felt myself blush. "I wasn't singing! I just thought you were mad so I tried to explain. You suddenly broke up with me and started avoiding me like a plague."

"Wait. Who said we broke up?" He raised a brow at me.

"What do you mean? You were avoiding me, you stopped talking to me and all."

"Remember when I made you put your hand in your heart and asked you if you like me?" I nodded and blushed, remembering that day. "I believed you. I already know you were only getting revenge that's why you agreed to be my girlfriend. And I let you do it because I want you to let out your anger on me. It was my chance to get closer to you so I took it knowing you're just trying to hurt me. But I believed you when you said you like me, and I trusted your feelings so I wasn't mad when Sakura told me the truth. I expected it. I was upset of course, but it's also a way of apologizing to Sakura for not returning her feelings. I avoided you because I thought maybe it was for the best, and you deserve the best."

"I deserve you." I said as tears started prickling my eyes again. "And that's one of the longest I have heard you say. Thank you, Sasuke. Thank you for those feelings you kept for a very long time. And I'm sorry it took so long for me to return it."

"I don't mind. I love you, Hyuuga Hinata."

I couldn't stop my heart from beating so fast, I'm probably sure even Sasuke could hear it pounding. "I love you too. Oh, and you broke your own rule. You didn't talk to me so you should get a punishment."

"Oh, yeah? And what was that?"

"This." I moved even closer to him, letting my left hand slide down to her chest, I tiptoed so that our lips are only merely an inch apart. "Since you broke your rule, I'll break mine too."

I kissed him.

I. KISSED. UCHIHA. FREAKING. SASUKE! IN. THE. FREAKING. LIPS!

I felt him wrap his arms around my waist and dipped his head down to kiss me deeply. My knees felt weak so now Sasuke is carrying all my weight but I think he doesn't mind.

When we broke the kiss, I couldn't help but lick my lower lip. "Don't do that, Hyuuga."

I curiously looked at him. "What? Why?"

"It's tempting, okay?"

"What? What do you mean?" I absent-mindedly licked my bottom lip again, and Sasuke suddenly kissed me.

This time he bit my lower lip lightly, I could even feel him grin in the kiss. When he let my lips go, he whispered in a raspy tone. "Don't think for a second that you will ever get away from me from now on. You can't break up with me. Ever. You're mine now, Hyuuga."