I pretty much love you guys, lol
I'm so glad you're all enjoying the story. Sorry about the last chapter, it had very little plot. I think I was trying to make up for lack of fluffiness… but that is over my dear friends. After spending two days reading four books (Tales of the Otori and Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie) I have come back armed with my usual plot AND fluffiness weapons in hand.
And a more aware vocabulary ((grins and gives a thumbs up)) SO. Please leave a message, let me know what you think.
WARNING: my writing may feel a little odd when you read it, less familiar than usual because I have a tendency of sounding like the authors I read. Please inform me if this is true in the fic. Thanks a bunch!
Read. Review.
-Ink
The rain had not stopped. Straight through the evening and well into the night it had not ended. Sasuke had unconsciously remained awake, listening and waiting for the sound of the door opening and Hinata stepping into the house to shelter from the pelting water.
That did not last long however. The tiredness of earlier in the morning and having to endure the memories of his past and of hers seemed to be enough to drag the strength right of him. Sometimes he figured the only reason he trained was because if he didn't the emotion would drag him right under and he would be nothing more than an empty shell staring lifelessly at a wall in some hospital ward, the bill paid by the money that his dead relatives had all left behind.
Such thoughts did not lift the gloom, and so the wariness continued until he had nothing more to say, and nothing more to think, and though he kept waiting, unsure if he was waiting or just sitting there without a thought or care to what happened next. It was only natural that after some hours of lying in his bed, listening to the rain… that he fell asleep.
The sleep was deep, deeper than he had had even with Hinata around. In his drowsy state he allowed himself to admit things he already knew, things that he had been ignoring for some time.
Like the fact that her cooking tasted like home, and that listening to her breathing a room away rocked him into a dreamless sleep that left him more rested than the sake he had forced himself to consume before, and that her smell on his covers and his clothes soothed him when he stared too long out at the sky and wondered where his brother walked.
The dreamlessness continued for some time, interrupted only by odd images in his mind of droplets, the manifestation of what his ears were taking in. The rain was pelting against his window, lightening flashing past and lighting up his room. But the sleeping boy who was really more a man than boy paid it no heed, so deep in sleep was he.
Running, panting, swearing under his breath, cursing the very breath with which he swore, wishing it would vanish, that the air would leave him, mocking him as he dropped to the ground and died, suffering worse than all the others that had fallen.
Unable to avenge his clan, unable to take back what he must, he would die a shamed man, someone who would be buried face down, staring into the hell where his spirit would probably dwell.
The trees passed by, faster as his pace sped up and he managed not to trip. Blood was all over his hands, on his brow, on his lips, metallic in his mouth, pooling there and making him gag.
He could run, run forever if he wished, but he already felt the presence of those eyes, the rotating sharingan that followed him everywhere.
It was there behind him.
"To whom do you run, little brother?" Itachi's voice enquired softly behind him, his breath grazing his neck.
Tension rolled across his shoulders, a pain worse than being stabbed beginning at the base of his throat.
He didn't realize it was the scream that was choking him until his brother's hands were around his neck, lifting him off the ground, cutting off the air before the scream could escape.
If it didn't get out it would consume him like fire.
"To whom do you run?" Itachi asked again, looking him in the eye, meeting sharingan with sharingan. But Sasuke knew exactly what his brother's powerful eyes could do… and what his own could not.
To whom do I run?
"…I-don't know-"
"To whom do you run?"
"I don't…know…"
"To whom do you run?"
"I DON'T KNOW!"
"Sasuke!"
Gasping he shot forward, hands reaching for a knife, for flesh, for a neck, anything that would inflict harm on the voice, on those eyes that would drive him mad.
Hinata's voice reached his ears, gasping as she grabbed his wrists sharply, pulling them away from her neck with force he had not been aware she possessed.
He froze, staring at the pale shocked girl almost on his lap from the short struggle he had caused. Her eyes were wide like a cats and her hair loose, falling like a cascade of dark ink to pull around them both.
The curtain was wide open, letting only the moonlight fall in through it, the light twisted by the tendrils of water that trailed its smooth surface leaving veins across it.
"…what…" he began, still stunned, still confused. It had been months his last nightmare. And he had 'never' had anyone wake him from them.
The heat of her flesh around his wrists suddenly burned and the touch sent his mind reeling, aching for the comfort of human contact.
"A-a-are you oka-" Hinata began and then gasped, feeling his arms go around her, crushing her into him.
He was trembling from head to foot, each shiver close enough for her to feel against her skin. Startled out of her mind she froze, trembling herself, her cheeks flaming and eyes wide from utter shock.
"…S-s-sasuke..I-" she began, unsure of what she was going to say.
Sasuke let out a long breath, feeling her tension and her surprise. He forced himself to wake, jabbing at his rationality sharply to make him move backwards away from her, but the feel of her against him and the smell of her jasmine so close was too good to pass up and he moved slowly backwards, feeling heavy as he did so, looking down and trying to find some sort of sentence to take away the strangeness.
"Gomen." He finally settled on, sounding hoarse, as though he had screamed. He realized suddenly that he probably had and that was the reason why she had come.
Hinata sat there, still so close she might as well have been on his lap, but she didn't move, staring at his odd pained expression and the droop of his shoulders.
"A-are you….I….y-you were c-crying out and I…." she stopped, rubbing her arms slightly in the cold, moving to stand, realizing suddenly just how close they were.
"Please do not leave." He stated suddenly, in the same tone with which he said everything, yet the meaning of his words was totally different than his tone. He was defeated for the moment. He had never woken in the night and felt the presence of someone else.
No one had ever been there before. The sensation was intoxicating… And in his still half dazed state he was still frightened enough to beg for her to stay, if only for a few moments more.
Hinata looked at him, swallowing the knot in her throat, looking down at the pair of dark shorts and the baggy t-shirt she wore.
They were not the most modest of items, however she could have been in far worse, and his voice was so broken…
"Hai." She nodded, forcing herself to sound assured. This situation was not so new to her. Hanabi had woken more than once in the middle of the night with a scream of apology.
Though they had never spoken of it Hinata had come to understand that the dreams were of failing their father. It had somehow shamed her that as the eldest daughter she did not nightmare that she failed him.
For some reason she felt vaguely like she didn't need to have nightmares about that circumstance, seeing as she was already living it.
Slowly she sat down beside him, rubbing her arms again, looking at the ground, unsure of what to do. "Do…y-you want something t-to drink?" she murmured, standing again, feeling that without movement she wouldn't know what to do. Slowly she looked at him, seeing that his eyes were closed tight, as if trying to imagine something away.
She didn't realize he was listening to her movements and breathing in her scent.
Her words however made him look up at her, he looked tired. He nodded rubbing his face in the process, realizing he was thirsty beyond reason. "I'll be back." She murmured, seeing the same look of confused need on his face that her sister had had so many times before.
Somehow it felt good to be of some use… of the same use she could be to her sister. Sasuke had always been so distant until that moment.
He just needs someone here… he has enough reasons to have nightmares.
Running her hands slowly through her long hair she filled a cup full of cold water, listening to it's pouring and pondering her sudden situation.
She had gotten home no less than an hour ago, and had been getting ready for sleep when she first heard his cry. It would have been more frightening to hear in the middle of the night.
She had never heard Sasuke make such a noise of panic and pain before, and though the words escaped her she knew he had said something.
Rubbing her own face in worry and wariness she turned, heading up the stairs with the cool glass in her hand.
When she entered the room she heard from his washroom the sound of running water, and the splash of it. The light however was off. Slowly she peeked past the door frame, blinking.
In the haste of the movement she hadn't realized that he was wearing no shirt. The realization made all of her skin rise with goosebumps, recalling the grip with which he had held her.
Blushing furiously she gripped the door frame, biting her lip as she washed him splash his face again with water.
"S-sasuke?" she murmured softly, forgetting the 'kun'.
"Hn." He sighed. It was the same noise, only lighter, tired.
"H-here." She mumbled as he turned, walking from one dark room into the other. Gently he took the cup from her, looking at the ground still before downing the whole thing. Hinata watched silently, unsure of what to do.
"…arigato." He mumbled, putting the cup carelessly on his dresser and turning to sit at the corner of the bed again, letting his head drop onto his hands, letting out a sigh.
"Gomen…I just…" he sighed, rubbing his face tiredly.
Hinata bit her lip, feeling pity rise up in her so fast it almost hurt. He had been so alienated… it had never occurred to her how he bore the burden of his murdered parents and clan.
This was part of how, she supposed.
Clenching her jaw and steeling herself she sat down beside him, forcing her mind to see him with the same eyes as she saw her sister.
…somehow it was harder than she could have supposed. He was vastly different…
"I-I w-will stay. I-i-if you need me too." She forced herself to say, clenching her hands on her knees as she said it.
Sasuke saw the motion out of the corner of his eye and almost flinched. She was forcing herself, but his need for another presence was too great to be over looked. The idea of her leaving filled him with dread.
Memories of waking, startled, confused and terrified and worse… alone came rushing back.
If she left he would feel that way.
He opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't think of what so instead he nodded slowly, letting out a long sigh of wariness and confusion, still dazed. He had been sweating feverishly throughout the whole time he slept, and he thought perhaps he was ill. The run in the rain might have caused that, and also perhaps the fact that he had not changed from his soaking clothes.
Hinata smiled suddenly, feeling something odd in her chest. Perhaps relief that he was nodding, relief that he did want her there… she had not expected that sensation.
Figuring she would have been worried all night long if he didn't allow her to stay, she stood again, deciding to take charge the way she would have if he were Hanabi.
"It i-is late. P-perhaps you s-should try t-to sleep some more." She suggested, pulling the covers so that they straightened again.
Sasuke looked up at her, watching her silently for a moment.
It surprised him that she wouldn't ask what the dream was about. But Hinata had never pried into the dreams of others, not once.
That was because under all circumstances she wouldn't allow anyone to pry into her own dreams. Those were hers to share with only herself… the images and thoughts of her subconscious were dear to her. No one should share those without their own consent.
"Did I startle you?" He asked suddenly, watching her freeze from spreading out his covers, breathing in a scent that she thought was definitely his, completely unaware of her own jasmine mixed in with the scent that lingered on him and she could never identify.
"…a l-little." She murmured, turning to look at him hesitantly then looking down sharply. "Demo… I-I was just…w-worried."
They were silent for a moment, each trying to figure out what to say next until he stood, rummaging in his dresser for a shirt.
Relief flooded her, along with the heat of her usual blush. It had made her even more tense knowing he was shirtless, now perhaps she could talk to him without fearing too hot a blush.
He stumbled over to the bed, dropping onto it while slipping the dark shirt over his head, noting that she had sat by the bed, resting her head on her arms, watching him because she thought he wasn't watching her.
More glad than he had expected at her company he lay back down, staring up at the ceiling, feeling both childish and satisfied…and frightened.
The lightening kept flashing through the room and the stillness, and as he listened he realized she was dozing, in an out of sleep as the flashes came, her breathing told him so.
I should let her go… she is tired. She will be sore in the morning.
But he didn't, too selfish to do so, the memory of the sharingan eyes still fresh in his mind. Slowly he turned on his side, watching her sleepy face without much shame. She was half asleep and seemingly unaware.
Perhaps it was because he could hear her breathing so much closer than across the hall that allowed him to forget if only for a few minutes the nightmare, and concentrate fully on the fact that this girl was there, and didn't look as though she were leaving.
With those thoughts in mind he felt his eyes begin to close and his senses become dulled.
Too tired to fight it, despite the sickening sensation of fear he allowed sleep to crawl over him like a blanket and was soon again dreaming.
As soon as his breathing slowed Hinata's eyes opened, glittering with awareness and surprise… and curiosity.
Laying her head down on the bed she studied him, sleeping with a small frown between his brows and a downward turn of his mouth. Whatever had been hunting him in his dream before seemed to be lingering at the corners of his mind on this one.
Letting out a soft breath she settled down again, ready to spend the night sitting there, listening.
Somehow, the thought didn't bother her, and soon enough she was asleep, worn from the day and from the chat she had had to endure with Sakura.
It would all have to wait until morning.
There was something warm and soft…and comforting in his hand. When he was much younger, perhaps three or four he recalled having a small plush bunny that he had held each night until he turned five and his father had said he was too old for such things, removing the soft object from the grip of his young son.
Sasuke had not cried for it. He had watched it taken away and imagined it's fate. His childish mind figured that it would be given to some other child that needed it, and was young enough and allowed to have it.
Itachi had smirked as his brother stated what he thought would ultimately be the truth. Somehow the smirk had been enough to set Sasuke's mind straight.
The plush bunny was probably somewhere in the garbage. He had never wanted anything warm to hold in his bed since then.
But somehow, the softness of the thing in his hand made him want to stay in bed longer, a rare occurrence.
Even without the fear of nightmares he did not sleep more than he needed to. It was like asking the bloody awful things to enter his mind.
But for the moment he was quite willing to stay there, holding the small soft and warm object.
Curiosity however, is a human trait that cannot be ignored and he couldn't help but open his eyes, if only a little, despite the disturbingly bright sunshine pouring in through the wide glass of his window.
And sure enough his gaze revealed to him the truth of what he held.
A delicate small hand. Hinata's hand, of course. She was using her arms as a pillow, and somehow her hand was in his, not gripping but it looked like she had at one point.
Startled, and now fully awake Sasuke moved to retrieve his hand, then froze before moving, realizing the action would probably wake her.
Shit… shit shit, she must be so tired, and so sore. Why did I ask her to stay, I'm not a bleedin' child.
Frustrated with himself he stared at her hand, frowning and wondering just how to let go without her noticing.
Bracing himself he decided to just pull back, feeling the panic of being held down, being chained. He pulled his hand away and watched as her eyes clenched tighter, against the bright light as she sat up, rubbing her face slowly with her free hand.
"Nani?" she mumbled groggily, recalling sharply the events of the night before and the fact of where she was.
She was blushing as she lowered her hands, staring at the covers forcefully as if wishing she could melt into their softness and vanish.
Her legs however were numb from the position in which she had sat all night and her arms were sore, forcing her to flinch and let out a sigh that in turn forced him to look at her, guilty with her pain.
"Gomen… you shouldn't have had to stay all night."
The heat around her face intensified, but she paid it no mind. There was still a weak tone in his voice. Though he was back to what she figured was 'normal' he was still sore mentally from the stress of sleeping through a nightmare infested night.
"I didn't mind." She mumbled sleepily, pushing herself up slowly, wincing when her legs shuddered under her.
Her eyes turned to the window and the patch of bright blue sky that met her. The sun was out and shinning, with the sound of the sparrows and what she supposed were nightingales singing in the courtyard with the sakura tree downstairs.
She really loved that tree…
Smiling in a very 'older sister' fashion she turned to him and though she didn't meet his eyes there was more strength in her demeanor.
"W-would you like some breakfast?"
Sasuke stared, completely confused by the fact that she was taking this all so calmly. Hinata was the girl who couldn't talk without stuttering, couldn't look at anyone in the face without blushing, who was clumsy, silent and shadowy it a best, hidden by the shinning glory of everyone else.
She wasn't the one that rescued him from his nightmares…
To whom do you run?
"Yes, arigato." He stated suddenly, turning away with a frown on his face. Hinata seemed to miss the expression as she nodded, walking out the door, pulling her hair into a braid as she did so.
She was too unsure of the feeling it gave her to walk out of his room so early in the morning as if it was normal to have slept there.
All she really knew was that it was strange.
The house was alive with the smell of food again, and recalling that he had not eaten last nights dinner he felt the pang of hunger that being deprived of good food could give.
Half groggy from the lack of sleep and unpleasant memories he sat down at the counter, sipping his coffee and glancing out the window at the bright day.
They weren't going to train that day. He had decided that already. She was probably sore from having sat by the bed all night and he couldn't even move without feeling the strain. He was sick, he was sure of it, there was the tickling feeling of a sore throat starting at the base of his neck and the plugged ears that stated it would be a bad one.
Hinata on the other hand seemed to have showered upon returning and had escaped the possibility of catching the murderous cold that the rain could give.
She was humming as she worked, something he had realized she did when she was thinking about something so hard that she forgot he was there. He was slightly insulted at first, having never felt that he was easy to forget, but considering that he spoke so little he supposed it made sense.
And the humming was interesting to listen to anyway, none of the melodies she seemed to be using were familiar to him at first. The first month he was sure she was making them up, but as the days went by he realized they were all the same and could recognize each one.
He never bothered to wonder what each one represented when it came to her thoughts.
Finally finished cooking the hash browns she turned around and placed his plate in front of him, settling down across from him as usual, sipping her tea.
She had not changed from her extra large t-shirt and shorts. Somehow he knew she was aware that they weren't going to do training.
"Tsunade has requested that I lead the security team for the upcoming Chuunin exams." He stated bluntly, watching for her reaction.
There was no other way really to say it. He knew she had been wondering what his business was before and since he didn't talk like the others he couldn't really just smoothly place the conversation where he wanted to deliver the news.
It was as though the nightmarish night had made him more aware of his every defect in comparison to the others… It was irritating.
Hinata blinked repeatedly, looking at him over the rim of her tea. "O-oh!" she stopped, trying to think of something else to say, but all she could think of was how surprised she was… and worried.
What if he couldn't train her as a result…
"We're going to have to reschedule our training sessions." Sasuke continued, fiddling with his food but eating little of it despite his hunger. His stomach had not settled from it's tenseness of the night before. He wasn't feeling up to eating too much.
Hinata cocked her head in thought, looking out the window nervously. They really needed her at the clinic, maybe it was a good thing that he was going to be busy-
"You'll be coming along."
She froze, staring at the sky outside as if it were the cause of her shock. Slowly she turned to look at him again, startled enough to stare right at him.
He looked back, enjoying the view of her eyes for the first time.
They're so big… He realized, a little surprised.
Suddenly aware of the fact that they had been staring at each other Hinata looked down, coloring like a quickly ripening strawberry. What was that?
"Ne." she began, bumping her fingers together. "I…a-am needed?"
"Hn." He smirked, hiding it with his coffee cup.
"Oh." She blinked repeatedly at the table. "Okay."
"The first meeting is in a few hours. You should get ready." He stated, sounding bored, back to his normal self completely, she supposed.
She figured they would forget the incident the night before, and the fact that he had grabbed onto her hand as if he were to fall of a cliff and never return, and the fact that her hand was sore and bruised from his grip.
She hadn't let go, for some reason. It didn't even occur to her to let go, despite the pain of his iron grip.
Smiling, because she was needed in such an elaborate and important activity like the security for the Chuunin exams, she stood, putting the last of her toast in her mouth and beginning to undo her hair, right at the table.
Sasuke started in mild surprise, watching the cascade of black fall around her shoulders like dark blue ink.
"I'll g-go get r-ready." She stuttered, running her hands through the long strands to rid of the knots as she stood.
"Hn." He replied.
Hinata blinked at him as she turned to leave, surprised by the fact that he had replied at all.
Obviously it was going to be a very interesting day indeed…
So… I realize that the style is a little different… It felt a little more choppy, kinda- flowery too…
I'm not sure I like it, but it will go away soon anyway, as soon as I stop reading. Lol. Um… let me know what you guys think.
Wow… I'm a lil worried.
Ne. Be nice and polite please. Arigato.
Read.Review.
-ink