I love you guys!

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Chapter Three

Sasuke stared impassively at the pricey-looking cup that was placed in front of him by a young Hyuga maid who, by the way, was looking all too nervous when she realized who he was. She filled it with tea, hot and thick with small bits of chamomile floating on it.

Leave it to the Hyugas to be so… royalty-ish.

When the bewildered maid left, Hyuga Hiashi cleared his throat, sporting the same impassive look that Sasuke has on his face. The topic of the one and only surviving Uchiha staying inside the Hyuga clan's premises while the abandoned Uchiha district was being renovated spurred a lot of discussions and disagreements. Fortunately, Uchiha doesn't seem to care.

"Drink while it's still hot." Hiashi said and took a cup. He brought it near his mouth and took a small sip. "I have prepared a room for you to stay and clothes for you to wear." He observed the once S-class criminal subtly by the side of his right eye. "I am glad that you have been….cooperative."

"I don't have a choice." Sasuke answered stoically…almost bored. "And you have been very insistent."

"I have good intentions."

"You have good plans."

A smile crept to the Hyuga clan head's lips as he brought his cup down on the table. Uchiha Sasuke suddenly reminded him of the late Fugaku Uchiha. Sasuke has the same cold demeanor and straight forward attitude like his father. "But in the end, you are still inside my humble home."

"Hn."

"I will treat you as a guest but harm anyone within the village and I won't hesitate to kill you. Uzumaki Naruto's friend or not… Kakashi's student or not."

Sasuke smirked. "Are you that afraid of me?"

"I am that weary of you Sasuke." Hiashi clarified. "The skill and the power that you posses are in league with the Sannins and in match with the current Hokage… or even greater. You and that Uzumaki boy are the gifted ones. "

Sasuke said nothing but his eyes were on Hiashi.

"But unlike the Yondaime's son, you have a tendency to suddenly change your mind and let anger take over your head. Plans aside, I want to keep an eye on you in case you want to wreck havoc again." Hiashi focused his white eyes on Sasuke. "No matter what, the village still comes first."

Hinata carefully took a step back as slowly and unnoticeable as she could. She just poked her head inside the dining room and got the shock that she was sure would last a lifetime. At first, she thought that her eyes were playing tricks on her and just got the whole picture wrong.

But it was unmistakable…

It was Uchiha Sasuke.

What's he doing in our house?

"There is only one way to find out. Go in there and eat you dinner. I bet they already felt our chakra signature and it is rude to keep them waiting."

Hinata jumped back, startled when she heard the sound of Hanabi's voice. When she turned, she found that her sister was already standing next to her. Hanabi was wearing a sly expression on her round face and Hinata mentally kicked herself for being so unware.

Leave it to her to be sneaked upon by her younger sister. Maybe that was one of the reasons why her father has to pick—

"Don't give me that face." Hanabi rolled her eyes as she saw her older sister's face registered disappointment. She knew what Hinata was thinking and it was pissing her off. Hinata was a good kunoichi and has the strength and the skill. She has the widest and farthest range out of all the Byakugan users in Konoha for goodness sake.

She was born to be strong.

Unfortunately, someone has yet to pound Hinata's head with that fact.

"You just tend to become a little bit unfocused every time you're in deep thought." Hanabi said. She also wanted to add that Hinata was too damn kind to hurt anyone—a trait that was good but also a downfall—but she knew she could never say it out loud.

Hinata shook her head. "I'm just startled. I'm sorry Hanabi-chan."

Hanabi rolled her eyes again. "You are that disturbed because Uchiha Sasuke is in the house?"

"I am."

"Father brought him in after the meeting with all of Konoha's important people. I heard that he's going to stay with us for the meantime. Why don't we just go in there and know for ourselves? I'm sure father already knew we're here."

Hinata bit her lip. She was feeling nervous—which was kinda weird since she has no past whatsoever with Sasuke unlike Naruto or Sakura.

But this is Uchiha Sasuke… Hinata thought as she took a deep breath and marched to the dining room with Hanabi behind. "Father." She started, giving a respectful tilt of the head to Hiashi's way. When her father responded with a slight nod, she turned and faced the person that made her nervous by just knowing that he was going to join them for dinner. "Hi… Sasuke-kun."

Hiashi gestured for his two daughters to sit on their tatami mats. As usual, Hanabi took her place in his right side. In the past, it has been Hinata, but after the birthright has been taken away from her, she has been contentedly sitting on his left side. "As you two could see, we have a guest tonight." He gave the impassive Uchiha a look. "And he will be staying here for a while since his district is not yet fit for someone to live in."

Hinata and Hanabi exchanged glances but both said nothing.

-o-o-o-

Kiba spat the cigarette stick away from his mouth as his hands combed through Hinata's hair, dividing it into three. They were on the stairway of Shino's newly rented apartment and were waiting for the bug user to appear since they made a promise to eat dango together today.

So while they wait, Kiba decided to braid her hair for her. It was nearing noon and was getting hotter and he noticed that her long strands were sticking on her cheeks and neck.

"Damn. And now you are living with the one person I told you to avoid." Kiba growled from behind, calloused hands moving expertly as he twists her hair into a braid. "But really, I'm serious. Even if you two are under the same roof, just try to avoid him as best as you can."

Hinata smiled. Kiba never ceased to be the protective best friend. "I don't think that's really hard. Sasuke-kun doesn't even show his face much. He stays inside his room all day and only goes out if he was summoned by the Hokage… or maybe Naruto."

"It's just two days. You can't really be sure Hinata."

"Maybe…. but I really do believe he is a changed man. I don't see the same bloodlust look in his eyes anymore. It's just apathy."

Kiba clicked his tongue as he pulled a thin chord out from his fury, collared coat. Beside him, Akamaru wiggled his big tail and whined, wanting to earn a scratch. "I know he changed paths, he helped us win the war. It's just… Sasuke created too many mistakes and all of them bloody. I am not at ease with you in the same area as him." Kiba finished tying Hinata's hair and he gave her a pat on the head. "Your father must have something in his mind to come up with such a decision. Mother said he was so insistent about it during the meeting."

"I think I have my ideas…" Hinata admitted grimly. She wasn't able to ask her father about his true intentions concerning Sasuke, but if the new dresses and beauty products being distributed to the young females inside the clan was any indication, she knew her suspicion was right.

"Yeah. Me too." Kiba shook his head and sighed. "We all do."

When Shino came down the stairs, Hinata and Kiba have already talked past the Uchiha and Hyuga clan topic and now in the middle of a slight banter concerning beards and moustaches. Kiba was insisting his opinion that moustache looks good for nerdy guys but beard was for hot men.

Hinata took the side of the moustache for fun.

When they appeared in front of Konoha's famous dango shop, Hinata was surprised to see that team seven was already occupying a table at the farthest corner of the booth, earning much attention from locals and nins alike. As usual, Sasuke was looking impassively bored… like he was dragged to the place without a choice. Beside Sasuke, Sakura was smiling cutely, trying her best to strike a conversation while Naruto was calmly chewing his food.

"I thought Sasuke's staying in your house." Kiba murmured before they stepped inside the food house. "I did not expect him to be…around."

Hinata shrugged. "Just staying… father can never dictate what Sasuke should do." She gave Kiba a small squeeze in the arm. Team seven already spotted them huddled outside the dango shop and now Naruto was gesturing for them to come inside. "Kiba-kun… please refrain from making—"

"Stupid comments." Shino cut in, stepping past them. "You may think it's cool…it's not."

Kiba growled. "I am way cooler than you bug boy."

"There's room for more!" Naruto rose from his seat to get a few more chairs around unoccupied tables. He was ginning wide, not even noticing that Sakura's expression turned a little sour at the sudden intrusion.

Hinata edged her way to the team Seven trio, avoiding Sasuke's mismatched eyes. Even when they were living in the same compound for the time being, they never shared a conversation. The only communicative exchange that they did was shy greetings and cold nods.

Sasuke was just too intimidating for her.

Hinata was about to take the seat next to Shino but was stopped when Naruto placed a restraining hand on her arm. She looked at the blonde quizzically, wondering if he needed anything or if someone was already occupying the chair. "Naruto-kun?"

"Ah… want to sit next to me Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked, his smile faltering just a little as a light dusting of pink appeared on his whiskered cheeks. Next to Hinata, Kiba murmured something about 'smooth moves' but she didn't focus on it too much.

"Ah… this side is a little crowded Naruto." Sakura said with false cheeriness. Sasuke was sitting between her and Naruto, and Naruto just placed an extra chair between him and Sasuke. If she could help it, she doesn't want and girls near Uchiha now that he's back. Heaven knows how long and patently had she been waiting to this day… just to be sitting next to him.

Now it won't be a dream come true if another girl was sitting next to Sasuke.

Naruto gave Hinata a weary smile and glanced at his pink haired teammate. "Ah… we can fit perfectly in here. The four of us."

Shino adjusted the dark glasses covering his eyes as he looked at the future Hokage. "Why are you so intent on making Hinata sit next to you Naruto?"

Naruto suddenly smiled and Hinata blinked at Shino for the somewhat controversial question. She knew that Naruto was just being nice. He was always nice… that was why she fell in love with him in the first place. Unlike in the past though, she could handle that 'unrequited feelings' more maturely now since she had given up on it. "Shino-kun…"

Naruto smiled. "Hinata is a nice girl… to be with—I mean. We had a good talk that night when we had that small group party in my apartment. Besides…" He then added in a more jolly and teasing note. "Sakura-chan is too focused on Sasuke to talk to me. While Teme is too serious to join in the conversation."

"I feel you. But come on, don't keep my girl standing. We can find another table if we're disturbing your small team reunion." Kiba said, giving Sakura and Sasuke one swift glance before looking back at the counter where a nervous man with a white apron was gaping at them. Kiba noticed that aside from them, there were no other customers inside the dango shop. Probably because Uchiha is here. He thought as he signaled the man to get them some dango. "Three orders please."

The blond Uzumaki pulled Hinata's arm. "Sakura-chan is just joking. Come sit Hinata."

Sasuke watched in complete silence as the small discussion took place. He stared directly at the Hyuga girl who doesn't even give his place a glance. Inside the Hyuga compound, she was hailed as a princess—even though not so important as her tomboyish little sister. He doesn't give a damn about anything right now but he got to admit that he was curious. He grew up inside a powerful clan too… and has been boiled by village politics since birth.

He knew how heavy the burden was as much as he hated the manipulation that comes with it.

Yet the girl was not spoiled. She was very polite.

The Hyuga sat beside him shyly—thanks to Naruto's persuasiveness. On his other side, he felt Sakura squirming on her seat. He knew the Haruno missed him—and he doesn't mind for he had promised her that he would return. It was more of a friendly promise but Sakura kind of took it the wrong way.

Even if it was hard to admit, he cares for team seven. But they were honestly annoying at times.

The new batch of dango arrived, steaming and sweet-smelling. Kiba passed a plate to Hinata and the other to Shino. Naruto and Sakura still have their sticks and were gnawing on it while Sasuke took a sip of his tea.

Hinata sighed, feeling a light tingling at the pit of her stomach. She doesn't know the problem but there was a certain air of unease that she could feel. It was like some unearthly eyes were on her. Tossing the weird feeling aside, she picked one stick with three skewered dango and bit one off.

"The braid looks good on you Hinata." Sakura said, finally deciding that it was no use getting angry for not being able to sit by Sasuke alone. There was a lot of time for everything since he will be staying for good.

"I like it too." Naruto commented, dropping his dango stick. "Makes her eyes more beautiful."

"Naruto…" Kiba's tone was suspicious. "Do you have something to tell me?"

Naruto chuckled, scratching the back of his head with a bandaged hand. "I'm just saying…"

"Kiba-kun braided my hair for me." Hinata answered with a smile. "He's good."

Sakura pointed a finger at Kiba who looked embarrassed. "Hah! The new captain of tracking division loves braiding hair?"

"That doesn't mean anything Sakura." Kiba crossed his muscled arms. "I do it for my older sister all the time."

"Oh yeah?"

"What do you mean by that?"

There was a sudden gush of wind, a second after, a masked Anbu wearing a black cardigan-like clothing appeared beside Hinata. Sasuke's body tensed instinctively, his senses all working together as he mentally told himself that it was fine. Habits die hard and he was used to be on guard all the time. The others though, looked perfectly fine.

"Lady Hinata. You are summoned by the Hokage."

Kiba groaned. "She's eating for goodness sake."

"Is it urgent?" Shino asked.

The Anbu nodded and Hinata rose from her seat. She gave everyone an apologetic smile. "I think I have to go first everyone." She saw Kiba scowling, and she shrugged. "I'll call you later Kiba-kun…Shino."

Naruto picked a dango stick from one of the plates. He handed it to her. "Here Hinata-chan. Eat this on your way. If you want to eat more… j-just tell me and I'll… treat you."

::

Kakashi rested his chin on the back of his hands. He smiled at the Hyuga—or at least, smiling behind the mask. "I am not asking you this because it's a mission Hinata-chan. This is more of a favor. Would you do it for me?"

Hinata blinked. "Y-you want me to watch over Sasuke… Kakashi-sensei?"

"Yes."

"May I ask…why?"

Kakashi chuckled, amused at the sight of the shy girl. Hinata has grown much as a woman but if there was one thing that he knew, she was not one of Sasuke's fan girls. Her type was more on the 'blonde idiots' department. "For one, you are living with him in the same compound. Sure your father had promised that he'll be watching for our Sasuke-kun but I want someone who could be nice to him, someone who could show him how to trust the village again. He hates being manipulated and Hiashi-san sometimes sound—"

"A bit manipulative … even with good intentions." Hinata finished, understanding the point Kakashi was making.

"And proud…just like Sasuke. Two proud people can never see eye to eye Hinata-chan, so I want you to be the mediator."

"O-okay…" Hinata murmured wearily. How could she disobey the Hokage when it was a direct request? It was an easy task if only it was a different person that she has to watch over.

"Besides, I think you are the only one who hasn't tried getting his attention… am I right?"

When Hinata returned to the Hyuga compound that night, she couldn't hide her frown at the new purpose Kakashi Rukodaime has given her. It was no easy task, that she was dead sure. No one could talk to Sasuke long enough like Naruto and Sakura, so how could she be close to him enough to be nice?

Especially when—

Hinata gasped, stumbling back as something—or someone—just bumped her straight on. In that split second that she felt her face collided on someone's chest, she wondered who it might be that possessed so much chakra control she haven't even felt any presence.

Not to mention sure-footed.

Reflex on the move, Hinata restored her balance by leaping back and planting her right foot firmly backwards. She sighed, glad that she missed the priceless porcelain vase standing just a foot away from her.

It was a gift from another clan head from the land of Kiri last year. It was considered as a symbol of friendship between the two clans and Hinata could just imagine the lecture she was going to get from her father if she managed to break it.

She turned away from the vase, head already forming an apology—and only to gasp when she saw who it was that stood before her. The words died inside her throat and instead, she muttered a name. "Sasuke-kun…"

Sasuke was much taller and he was looking down on her impassively, his mismatched eyes betraying nothing. He was wearing a casual black long sleeved shirt along with black pants. The bandana around his head was missing so his raven hair hung freely, covering half of his face.

"Hyuga." He said.

"I'm sorry!" Hinata managed—or croaked—and bobbed her head down. That explains the super chakra control and silent feet. "I did not mean to—"

"There is nothing to apologize."

Hinata bit her lip. "Oh…O-okay."

Sasuke gave her a nod and continued on his way. Hinata followed him with her eyes all the while recalling what the Hokage had asked from her.

But I want someone who could be nice to him, someone who could show him how to trust the village again.

Hinata mentally groaned but decided she could at least try her best. "Sasuke-kun…wait!"

Sasuke stopped walking, one hand already on the wooden door.

Hinata decided to dive in face first. "Would you…would you like a cup of tea…with me?"

-o-o-o-

Here ends the chapter! Please review!

-crazygurl12