AN: Aright, what an insanely long chapter. I was intending to split this chapter into two, but decided not to and just lump them together. Hope it isn't too overwhelming for sure! I'm intending to input some rough patches between this two cause... nothing comes easy right? hahah, i still enjoy writing this alot so i do not want to end the story this early. Maybe 10 more chapters? I'm not sure either but we will get there!

Till then, do enjoy and review hehe

.::.

Naruto groaned. The light knocking on the door had woke him up from his slumber. After the episode of putting his relationship with Hinata on hold, his body clock hadn't been the kindest to him from all the thoughts and self-imposed pressure on himself to provide Hinata an answer at the fireworks festival. He rubbed his eyes lightly and plodded towards the door.

"It's midnight, who is it?" He questioned in an annoyed tone.

When the door opened, his eyes widened as it fell upon a female dressed in a light pink shirt and a pale skirt. Naruto realized he never noticed how long her hair had gotten. Since when did she return?

"Hinata?"

The usual smile appeared on her face as she nodded. In her arms was a paper bag of items, to which Naruto assumed was food. Something she had done previously when they were still together. It was midnight and as much as Naruto knew that Hiashi had been going on easy with the curfews he had on his daughters, midnight visit to a boy's place still did not ring as alright.

"Gomen, Naruto-kun. Did I w-wake you up?" Her soft voice made him miss her a little.

"No, it's fine!" Stepping aside, he allowed her into his apartment. He should have tidied up a little but for some reason knowing that there was no one worth tidying it for, he decided to leave it as it be. Hence cup noodles left on the table and clothes pile lying all over. "It's late, why are you here?"

She placed the bag of items onto the kitchen counter. "It's your birthday, Naruto-kun. Have you forgotten?"

"Oh." He must have lost track of time and dates. No wonder Kiba had asked him out for a barbeque dinner. "Yea. I've been… busy." He muttered.

"I made a promise to celebrate your birthday."

All Naruto could manage was taking a step forward and pulled the lady into a hug. She gasped, at the sudden movement of him but he did not really care about the fact that they weren't together anymore and that maybe his actions would have been deemed inappropriate.

He remembered celebrating birthday alone back in those genin days, but eventually Shikamaru and the rest joined in and took an effort to bring him every year. He still felt a sense of missing, when he realized what he wanted was a family member who he could spend it with. Someone who held a special position.

And when Hinata was introduced into his life, the first birthday of his which they celebrated together felt different, but full of contentment. She had visited his place, just like how she was doing right now to stir up his favorite food. It was simple, nothing fancy but it was enough because she held a special place.

"Naruto-kun?"

"Thank you, Hinata." There was nothing more he could say. "Thank you."

He could feel her hands slowly rising to return the hug. She rubbed his back slowly, something he once mentioned he truly enjoyed it. "A promise is a promise."

They stood there for a few more seconds before Naruto decided to pull away. "Is your dad okay with it?" Hiashi must have heard about their relationship. He doubted him being so nice to allow her daughter out to visit the place of her former boyfriend even though it was his birthday.

"Ah… about that…" She chuckled embarrassingly as she hung her head low. "I snuck o-out."

"What?" Naruto exclaimed. "That's… No! We can always spend it in the morning! I will clear my day out for you!"

The reason Hinata had decided to make such a bold move to snuck out of the Hyuga estate just so she could celebrate the birthday of her man who held importance to her was because she knew, or at least predicted that there might be a chance of the appearance of Sasuke Uchiha.

Hinata assumed that Sasuke, being the closest friend of Naruto should know that it was his birthday. And that he might show up, to celebrate it even though she rarely heard of that happening other than sending a crow messenger with a letter. She just thought he might, this time round in hope to also look for her, and that was something she did not want.

"It's f-fine! I wish to be the f-first person to celebrate it with you."

And being the simple-minded person Naruto was, he bought it. The two of them made their way to the kitchen with Hinata suggesting baking some small treats as well as preparing his breakfast before she heads home.

"You're not staying over?" Naruto quizzed as he unwrapped the butter.

She almost frowned in confusion. It was clear, to her and to everyone else that they weren't a couple at the moment and even before when they were, she never once stayed over. "What?"

"Wait, I mean – " He panicked. "I thought since you're visiting this late, staying over will be better instead of returning back home! I don't want you to wake your dad up."

Observing the flustered man, Hinata giggled. "I don't think it's a good idea for me to stay. I can sneak back in!"

"What if your father catches you?"

"He w-wont! We aren't allowed to use the byakugan in our household unless it's for training." Hinata assured as she worked around with the flour and eggs. "I promise to be here with you on your birthday, and I want to fulfil that."

"Hinata…" His voice softened. The more Hinata did for him, the guiltier he felt. "Why are you being so nice? Aren't you mad that I can't give you a proper answer?"

"Not really." She remarked calmly. "It's hard to choose. It's hard trying to understand the human emotions after all."

Naruto puffed his cheeks and turned away. "How are you always being so nice? And all the guys that have taken a liking for you over the years and you chose me."

"There's guys?"

"Can't believe you didn't notice them. But who am I to say?" He chuckled. "I didn't realize you like me for so long."

She let out a soft laugh as she poured the batter into the muffin tray. "I don't think there's a lot. I'm not really interested too."

"Hinata, are you waiting for me?"

She was, but she wasn't either. She knew if Naruto were to profess that he still wanted her, she would leap back into his arms. Maybe for the sake of not worrying her father, or any of their friends but she knew she would go back to him. Yet, at the same time she was wishing that in the midst of Naruto trying to figure himself out with the options, she could finally come to terms with her feelings and took the bold choice of walking away.

Maybe she really did stay out of comfort. And the decades of building up her love for Naruto going to drain made her feel as if it would have been a waste if she was to just go.

"Do you want me to wait for you?"

The sound of the oven clock ticking filled the air. "I don't have an answer for that."

"It's okay." She smiled and took the apron off. "Let's wait for the muffin to be ready."

.::.

It was Naruto birthday. He was sure about it.

Everyone around the table whom he had been invited to, that one person who he wished to see wasn't around. She should be here. She would be here because it was the birthday of the love of her life, he just needed to wait a little longer. But the dinner seemed to be coming to an end soon and she was still nowhere to be seen.

"Sasuke!" A flushed Naruto jumped onto him, clearly intoxicated from the alcohol. "I wasn't expecting you to come back, but I really appreciate it! It's better than your crows."

"Ah." He shook him off and sipped the sake. Way better than beer. "If I had known it would be this much people, I won't show up."

In fact, he knew when he bumped into Shino who had invited him along, when he returned in the morning strolling through the market towards his small apartment. Shino merely mentioned it was a small get together to celebrate Naruto's birthday and as much as he hated crowd, he still thought that it would mean no harm to finally drink a toast to in person. Naruto was his closest friend after all, someone whom he appreciated a lot.

And behind all those appreciations for his best friend, he thought he could see her. The byakugan princess in hope to get the answer he wanted. How could she just leave him hanging like that, after returning the kiss he had initiated.

"Someone is missing." He stated offhandedly.

"You mean Hinata?" Kiba answered as he stuffed a slice of well grilled meat into his mouth. "We invited her along, even though it's a boys night as you can see. She's an exception because Naruto requested it." Taking a few glances, he leaned in to whisper, not wanting the topic to be brought up to ruin the joyous vibe. "It's a little odd but you do know right? That Naruto and Hinata are…"

"Are what?" Sasuke acted oblivious, clearly not wanting to be questioned.

Kiba held his index and middle finger up before splitting them apart, signaling the break off. "Yea."

He nodded. "Is that why she's not here?"

"Ehh? Hinata?" Naruto slurred. "She came to my place at midnight to celebrate it for me!" He grinned. "She's the first one to wish me."

His place? Sasuke thought he could break the sake cup in his hand. "Kiba mentioned she has curfew."

"Ah. She snuck out to celebrate it for me! She said she wanted to be the first person to wish me. I guess she knew she must have something on too."

It was the idea of his place that irritated him slightly a little more than he wished. Was she still waiting on him after everything he had mentioned? What about the thing they had back in Oto? Even though Sasuke knew that they were no longer a couple but having two person who once loved each other – perhaps still do, alone in a home did not appeal to him at all.

"I thought you two broke up." He asserted.

Kiba almost punched him. "Let's not bring – "

"Yea we did." Naruto responded calmly yet drunkenly, as if not being affected by Sasuke's words. "But she promised me to celebrate my birthday before she decided to go on her travel journey. She's keeping her word."

"You're rubbing off her, Naruto." Shino commented. "Her nindo is not going back on her words too."

The loud blonde chuckled sheepishly. "I hope that's a good thing. I hope Hiashi did not find out."

Sasuke wanted to ask where she could possibly be at but there was no way he could counter the possible questions that would be thrown to him. "Hm. Hope she's fine."

"Are you looking for her?" Shikamaru quizzed suspiciously. Maybe Naruto was right.

Sasuke maintained his composure and countered the attack. "Why would I?"

"Just wondering." The genius shrugged.

Shikamaru knew it best not to bring up his theory in front of everyone else. He could sense something, especially at how the Uchiha just so happened to return to Konoha on Naruto's birthday. Everyone knew how important this day was to Hinata and just by her character purely, she would definitely return to celebrate. And he was right on that, she did return a few days earlier.

Noticing how she was missing wasn't something in Sasuke's nature to bring it up to a group gathering. He did not doubt how observant he was, he was just suspicious on his out of character move. When Sakura was out on a mission previously when he returned to look for Naruto, he did not even bring it up and simply left the village after his message was delivered.

Shikamaru did not want a commotion to happen over dinner, so he held back, thinking whether he should even question Sasuke with regards to this issue. Being a love therapist or coming in anyone's personal problem was something he hated but it seemed like it had been happening a lot lately because everyone thought that a genius would provide a genius opinion.

When the dinner finally ended, Shino decided to walk Naruto home in case he passed out in the middle of the street. Kiba added saying he had to meet his sister at the midnight supermarket to get the groceries for his home, leaving Shikamaru and Sasuke moving on in the same direction.

Best timing to question, but the right-hand man of the Hokage was in contemplation. He really should not probe, but being a friend of Sakura, he thought he could help her out. "Have you been around Hinata?"

"That's a personal question." Sasuke replied, somewhat knowing that he would be interrogated.

"I will take that as a yes." Shikamaru smirked. "I just think that if you're going after Hinata, you should give Sakura an answer. She has been talking to us once in a while about you."

"No one says that I am going after the Hyuga."

"Yea, no one did. But you're too obvious. You are interested in her."

Was he? Sasuke frowned, remembering how Jugo also mentioned that it was clear he had taken some liking to Hinata. Maybe he really did prefer her to everyone else but having that bold assumption of him chasing her annoyed him a little. What made that little genius of Konoha so confident?

"What did Sakura say?"

"About why you haven't been giving her a proper answer." He paused and looked at him before letting out a scoff. "Looks like finally there is something that bothers an Uchiha."

"Do you have intention to tell it to the rest?" He admitted

Bringing his hands up and resting it behind his head as they sauntered down the street, he replied. "I don't get paid to do revelation. It's too troublesome."

Sasuke smirked, internally thanking him. "I heard you're going out with the kazekage's sister."

"Yea, it's been a couple of months."

"Sounds nice." He replied.

"Relationships are overrated. But it indeed is nice."

"Thank you."

"Not a big deal."

.::.

Sasuke found himself standing outside the ruins of the Uchiha compounds. The night had fully fell, and the absence of streetlights around the district made it harder to get a clearer view of how badly untaken care of it must had been, or how much did those termites damaged the wooden structures of each individual home.

He did not have to stop by here, get upset by how much he was missing his family. His initial plan was to stop by the Hyuga estate, just a few minutes from the Uchiha compound in hope to catch the byakugan princess. He was confident that she was still in Konoha. Neji's grave looked freshly cleaned.

As much as he hated to admit it, he was afraid of the answers he might be getting. She could suggest them to not see each other for the time being, or completely stripped their status as friends and degraded it to strangers or anything but everything just made his chest cringed with mild fear. Hence, he decided to head for his old home, in hope to calm his mind but instead was receiving a wave of depressing feelings hitting him.

Things were not getting better for him. Attachments sure weren't a good thing. He sighed and tucked his hands into his pockets. It was either he lets it out and screws things up, or he keeps it quiet and let things screw him up instead. He needed to stop himself from constantly thinking of her and wondering about her.

Looking towards the direction of the Hyuga's estate, he inhaled and proceeded there. He just needed to get this done. No more of holding backs and no more unanswered questions. He quickly summoned a small snake and made use of the receipt he had somehow kept from earlier on. Biting onto his index finger, he wrote 'OUT' on it and tied it to the reptile before sending it off.

The snake slithered away quickly as Sasuke took his time to stroll towards his destination. If she was willing to see him, she would be there at her gates just as he reached. Maybe he should slow down on his steps, just so he could provide her some extra time for consideration. But taking too long might risk the chance of her returning back home thinking that he was pranking. Even though it was not in his character to be pranking but who knows what Hintata knew about him. Probably not a lot.

He found himself stopping and speeding up at a random rate and realized how ridiculous it must had looked from afar if anyone was to notice. He breathed out a sigh, deciding to put everything behind and just normally made his way towards the estate.

When he caught a glimpse of the entrance, he shifted his direction towards the tree he used to perch on previously as he watched the celebration of the Hyuga head. He waited, assuming that she probably was still in consideration, full of hope she would show up.

He waited, feeling the cold wind against his skin as he counted the amount of leaves that was on the branch. He was sure the time was ticking, but he wasn't sure how long it had been. How he wished he had the byakugan.

He noticed a black figure moving around in the estate suspiciously, causing a relief within him. She showed up and seeing how secretly she was moving amused him in a way he found it rather… funny. She quickly exited her home, her hand on her chest to which Sasuke assumed that she must be calming herself down from the sneaky sin she was doing. Rebelling against her father by once again, sneaking out way passed her curfew.

He leaped off the branch, landing on the ground as silent as possible but it still caught her attention. She looked around the surrounding for a few moments before making her way towards him.

"You showed up."

She placed her index fingers against her lips and grabbed onto his wrist, dragging him further away from her home and towards the direction of the Uchiha compound. He followed her compliantly, all the while staring at the hand that was on his wrist. He had forgotten to collect the bracelet he sent for repair. He should do it the first thing tomorrow. The owner must had been pretty pissed for holding onto it for such a long time.

When they stopped, she dropped her hands and turned to face him. "A s-snake?"

He scoffed. "Are you afraid?"

"No. But it's the type of animal that catches you o-off guard." She argued, a frown marring her face. "Could be your usual crow you s-send for Naruto-kun's birthday previously."

"Maybe you shouldn't let your guard down all the time." He teased, clearly enjoying the mild banter and almost forgetting his reason for approaching her late at night.

She pouted and looked away. Sasuke really enjoyed her presence, and he finally had to admit it to himself. She just always brought tingling sensation around the bottom of his feet, as if calling him to jump around like a happy kid. He smiled, genuinely and subconsciously.

"S-Sasuke-san, how do you know I a-am back?"

"Naruto's birthday. You ought to be back." He responded softly. "Why didn't you show up earlier on?"

"I… I've s-something o-on. Hanabi w-wants to train together."

"Really?" Sasuke doubted. "I was thinking you're trying to avoid me. You knew I would come back to look for you."

"Why would I?"

"Something I would like to know too." He paused. "Hinata." The way he called her name felt heavy. She could sense it.

"I'm not a-avoiding you."

"Stop." Sasuke was annoyed. He needed answer and that was the reason why he showed up. He wasn't going to return back home empty handed. "Can you tell me what you want?"

Hinata's eyes widened as she stared at the Uchiha. The person standing in front of her was asking her the question that she should have been directing to him! "Sasuke-san, I s-should be asking you that. Why is t-that question on me?"

"You weren't denying my actions when we were in Oto, but you left me there. And now you're avoiding me? What exactly do you want?"

Her mouth opened slightly, shocked as she knitted her brows together. "I hope you r-remember that you're the one t-that started all of this. You k-kissed me back at the inn without my permission, and then in Oto. You didn't provide me a-any explanation on why you did that, other than the simplest and the most face value answer is that you just w-wanted it. Sasuke-san, I s-should be the one asking you the question. What do you want?"

Sasuke kept mum, clearly noticing where he was standing.

"So?"

And she was getting bolder. He wished he was in a better position to enjoy the current feisty sight of her. "I…"

"You?" The frown hadn't left her face.

"I want you." He finally spoke.

Hinata coughed and inhaled deeply. "What do you mean?"

Sasuke could not help but to roll his eyes. "It is not clear enough? I want you with me. I don't care if you're going to slow me down, or even if I have to give up whatever I am doing now. Every single time we talked, I felt this sense of… comfort and nostalgia. I look forward to seeing you all the time, hoping that you will be in Oto or maybe somewhere lost in the forest again. I just… want you."

"S-Sasuke-san…"

"No." He stopped her. "I didn't come here to profess how I feel towards you because I know you still like that dobe, but you asked for it. I just wanted answers from your side. That's all."

Hinata stood rooted, her eyes still staring into his. She blinked, deep in thoughts trying to process the words that had left him. There was no way this should be happening. There was so many things she had predicted or foresee for this friend of hers but just not him confessing to her in the middle of the night where she had snuck out to meet.

"I…" Was he playing with her again? How could she had forgotten about the bracelet she had taken notice on Sakura's hand yesterday? That seemed like an implication of… love or whatever similar. "Sasuke-san, I'm done."

"Done with what?" His voice was raised slightly. "I came here for answers, and I am going to walk away with it."

"I don't need to e-explain to someone who's just confusing m-me all the time!" Finishing, she spun herself around, intending to sprint back home but was stopped by him grabbing tightly onto her wrist.

"Stop. You're not going anywhere until you tell me why the hell you leave me without providing an explanation. I gave you mine. It's your turn." Sasuke reprimanded sternly.

She winced at the pain when he tightened his grip. "Let go." Her byakugan activated, chakra surrounding her palm.

Sasuke countered by activating his bloodline limit. "Don't fight me."

Hinata pulled her hand up to her ears, dragging his hand along. "You know I can't win."

She could feel his grip loosening. "You can, if I allow you to. And you know I will." He stood there and finally dropping her hand after a couple of seconds, he sighed. "Hinata, I just need answers. I spent my entire life searching and chasing a façade that the world had created for me and look where it had gotten me? I lost my brother. I am done with those. I am going to get answers by myself this time."

"Sasuke-san… what am I supposed to say?" She muttered. "I don't know if you're just playing around, or just wishing to get whatever you w-wish to obtain."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Sakura-san was w-wearing the bracelet I gave you. I know that probably d-doesn't mean anything to you." She could feel tears filling her eyes as her voice shook. "But why would y-you give something that was gifted by me, whom you claim that you w-want to be with."

"The chakra bracelet?" Sasuke cocked his brows, full of confusion. He was sure that he had it left in the accessory shop. Did the owner sell it away? "I sent it to the accessory shop for repair. I did not give it to Sakura."

"It's okay. I just…" Tears begun falling from her eyes. She just wanted to go home. "I really d-don't know why you are doing this but… as confused as I am f-feeling towards you too, I don't go around and play with your mind l-like how you're doing right now."

Sasuke felt gratified when he heard about her confused feelings towards him. But he still wasn't please by the fact that the female Hyuga was constantly accusing him of playing. He was twenty, last of his clan and playing around with female feelings was the last thing he would ever do.

"I don't have the time to play around with you." He hissed. "I want you, and I mean it. I have no idea why Sakura has my stuff. There's a lot of things I still can't quite comprehend in this world, but one thing I can is the reason why I want you."

"Stop, please." Her tears were streaming. "I'm n-not here to be fooled."

Sasuke sighed. He hated the sight of a crying Hyuga, even though it was something he had witnessed multiple times. Maybe it was the sound of her crying that irked him more. How tired she must had been. He brought his hands up to cup her cheeks and rubbed his thumb over the tears that was still falling, smudging it around her apples. "Stop crying."

She leaned into his touch, allowing her tears to fall further. "As if I can."

Sasuke let out a soft chuckle. "You can." Taking a small step forward to close up the distance between them, he tilted her face up. "If you allow me to help you."

Her eyes glistening as she felt her heart rate increased when he leaned down slowly. He rested his lips against the corner of her eye, kissing away the tears that was blinding her sight.

He pulled away, tasting the saltiness of her tears slightly before leaning towards her lips this time. The kiss felt different, something she couldn't quite explain. It didn't feel right, but neither could she deny the spark she was feeling at the moment. Did he intentionally direct his lightning jutsu to his lips? He pulled away and stood a step back, face clearly filled with happiness hidden behind the stoical façade he always tried to have it on.

"You never wait for my p-permission." She replied softly, causing the Uchiha to smirk.

"Sorry. I will wait next time."

"Sasuke-san…" Her hands rested on his to bring it away from her cheeks. "Gomen, there won't be next time. I c-can't. You're disregarding my love for Naruto-kun."

Sasuke blinked. "I don't disregard that."

"You're right that I may have t-taken comfort in liking him, but we have spent so much together. Sakura-san is still waiting for you, t-too."

"Are you trying to tell me that we should let guilt consume us instead?" He questioned offhandedly, obviously not agreeing with her.

"I can't afford a-anyone else to be upset."

"Has Naruto said anything to you?"

She shook her head slowly, causing the annoyance within Sasuke to burn even more. "He doesn't n-need to say anything. Y-You're my friend, Sasuke-san. I don't want to h-hurt you."

"Don't." He commanded. "Don't do that. You know what I want."

Hinata pressed her lips together, trying her best to keep her tears in. "Sakura-san has been waiting f-for you… for more than a d-decade."

"I will talk it out to her."

After the talk he had with Shikamaru, be it showing up at the Hyuga's estate or not, he had it all planned that he would have a conversation with Sakura tomorrow's evening, regarding about the situation between them. Sasuke came to meet Hinata with almost zero expectation, preparing for the worst possible outcome with the only hope of walking away with answer. Yet, the chemistry between them had subconsciously allowed expectations to build up within him, especially the way she explained about her feelings.

But she was still doing him the same. Leaving him confuse, irritated, annoyed and angry by how kind she could be, or by how selfless she was to everyone except for him. Had she not once thought about his feelings?

"I was going to the hospital to look for her. I had it planned." He explained with assurance.

"No… Sasuke-san, please." She pleaded, almost growing tired by how stubborn the Uchiha could be. "I know how it will feel if the person whom I love for decades rejects me. You c-can't go and hurt Sakura, someone whom you had spent so much with through the genin years."

Raging was an understatement. He couldn't understand the unfairness in this situation. "Fine." He husky voice held so much anger. "I'm through. I will accept that there is no way we will ever be together. Tell me that's what you're implying, and I will go."

"It's not – "

"No, Hinata. You can go around every single day, being selfless to every single villager in Konoha thinking about their health and their feelings. You do that to everyone but why are you always disregarding how I am feeling? Am I not human to you?"

"What?"

"You thought about Sakura, about Naruto and everyone else's feelings but you never once considered mine. You threw it aside, thinking that if I were just to accept Sakura, everything will be fine. You think about everyone else except for me." Sasuke backed off, feeling comfort in distance for once.

"Am I really a friend to you? You morphed the outcome you wanted on me, never once thinking about how it would feel like if I were to be with someone that I do not love." He lashed out and as much as he hated, he felt like giving up. "I'm through this, Hinata."

"Wait… That's not – "

"No. That's what you're doing. You don't mean it but that's because you don't see what you're doing to me." He was frustrated. He hated how mistreated he was, especially by the person he finally had come to terms with that he held a special position for.

"I'm sorry to ask you out in the middle of the night. Go home." Finishing, he took off and left the female alone in the midpoint of the Uchiha compound and the Hyuga's estate.

He was done.