Not a native English writer here… but I am so glad you guys are very understanding when it comes to my grammar mistakes.
I love you guys!
Oh…some readers were asking why Hinata is a little "not-too-shy" in this story and why Sasuke is a little stoic. Well, I am basing their characters in the last Naruto the Movie—since their ages and looks should match with the timeline in this fiction.
Special note: This chapter is dedicated to my awesome reader M.H. Akhlys who will be turning twenty five this July. Happy birthday dear! May you have more birthdays to come! We may not know each other in person but I am so thankful to meet you in Fanfiction world (just like the rest of my ff friends) …where we can share our passion, ideas, and a lot more. Hugs and kisses!
-o-o-o-
Chapter Four
Sasuke let go of the door knob, wondering if it was the Hyuga's voice inviting him for tea or just a bird that croaked its last breath. The voice sounded pretty shaky, almost as if it was said with urgency…nervous urgency.
The voice was also very small… like she was being forced.
Slowly, he turned his head back. The woman behind him has her eyes wide and hands clasped tightly in front of her shirt. When their eyes met, she jumped a little and looked down on the carpeted floor. Her eyes stayed in that same place as she waited for his answer.
When he said nothing, she looked up again but made sure that her gaze doesn't reach his eyes. For him, it was a weird gesture for he always encountered girls who almost slapped their own faces against his face—in an attempt to be close."Would you like to…drink tea with me?" She repeated the invitation hesitantly.
He got a feeling that she really wasn't sure of the invitation herself.
"I have a meeting with Kakashi."
Hinata blinked when she heard Sasuke's answer. It was a second after that she realized he was declining the offer. Nodding her head, she managed a decent smile as she tried her best to look at the very intimidating young man in the eyes. "I see." She said. "Next time then… Sasuke-kun."
"Hn."
"I'll...be on my way then."
Sasuke watched as the young blue haired Hyuga turned her back at him and started walking. Her back was a little stiff but when she was a few feet away, he noticed that her whole body relaxed. Her shoulders slumped like it was released from a heavy burden.
Amused—but not enough to reach his face—Sasuke turned his gaze away from the retreating form and walked out of the house, telling himself not to mind the stares and glares he was going to get on the way.
As if it ever bothered him.
::
Kakashi dropped his pen when he saw Sasuke by the door of his office. He was writing something on the mission report papers when he realized that another chakra signature was near his own. It was cold and dark…and should only belong to the one remaining Uchiha. "There you are." He said with enthusiasm, not matching Sasuke's pensive mood.
"You told the Hyuga heiress to talk to me." Sasuke deadpanned.
Kakashi blinked, a look of surprise passing over his now sharinganless eyes. But just like the man who covered his face every day with a mask, he easily concealed it with an innocent look. "What? You mean young Hanabi Hyuga ?"
Sasuke smirked. "The older one. But you know that Kakashi."
Kakashi smiled. "Correction. Hinata Hyuga is no longer Hyuga clan heiress. She was forced to give up her birthright to her little sister."
"She's weak then."
"I won't say that. She is the only girl after all who managed to fought Pein head on while Naruto was pinned on the ground with metal spikes."
"Pein of the Akatsuki?"
"You are interested?"
"I am not. I am just wondering if it's the same person I have in mind."
"Yes."
Sasuke walked in, stopping by the right side of the room where a tall metal cabinet was placed. He leaned his back on it, staring at the portraits hanging opposite him by the wall. It was the portraits of the past Hokage. If Itachi wasn't ordered to kill the Uchiha clan, Sasuke was almost sure that his older brother would have made it to the Hokage position.
Itachi's passion and skill would surely serve the village well.
Kakashi leaned back on his chair. "What did Hinata-chan do?"
"She did what you ordered."
"And what do you mean by that?"
Sasuke gave the Hokage a smirk that tells he knew everything Kakashi was planning. The Copy Nin was still playing the innocent man and it was really annoying. Years may have passed, but Kakashi was still the smartass Kakashi. "Your Anbu summoned her earlier… and when she saw me the next, she asked me for—"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Asked you for what?"
"Tea." Sasuke said impassively but the answer was enough to make the older man laugh. He watched emotionless as Kakashi slapped his lap, trying to stop his chortles. "What is so laughable?" He asked, not really interested because he knew that Kakashi's answer was going to be stupid.
"You are saying the word 'tea' like it is a death sentence."
"Hn."
"Hinata-chan is not one of your fan girls Sasuke-kun, so her invitation to tea is obviously just…well, drinking tea. You see, she likes guys like Naruto –the sunshiny type…. so you don't have to worry whether she's going to put love potion on your tea and stuff."
"I did not say she is a fan girl. I am asking you why you are ordering her to be nice." Sasuke said, almost tired. Kakashi was not the most decent of conversationalist. He could mess with a person's mind by making the conversation run in circles.
"I did not." Kakashi was still firm. "And I am offended you think I did."
"You are still a liar."
Kakashi smiled. "You need to loosen up Sasuke." He raised a finger. "You're staying for good so people should start warming up to you. It's normal."
"No one warms up to a murderer."
"All this negativity is bad Sasuke-kun."
"Why did you call me?" Sasuke asked, deadpanning the silver haired Hokage for the second time.
Kakashi sighed, shaking his head once for the blunt change of subject. "There is this other thing that the council has decided that I failed to mention to you. It's was not discussed in the meeting last time so I am going to tell this to you personally."
Sasuke's face hardened. He returned to Konoha for good—with plans for a new life and to revive his clan and all—but when Konoha's council was involved, he was still very, very suspicious. "What?"
"You have to do D-class missions."
Sasuke's cheek twitched. "What did you say?"
Kakashi smiled wearily and scratched his head. "The people you see—not at all mind you— are still not so sure about your intentions even with the help you gave during the war. So it was decided that you have to do D-class, so that those who are not so happy with you could see that you are…well, changed for the better."
"D-class missions are for kids." Sasuke said in a dangerous low voice. He did not return to Konoha in order to look for a missing cat or plow rice fields. He had expected that his homecoming welcome was going to be cold, but it did not cross his mind that he was going to stoop so low.
"Ah…not at all. There are farm work and carpentry. "
"Is this payback?" Sasuke asked darkly.
Kakashi looked at Sasuke apologetically, knowing that the young man's ego was tainted. But even if he was a little bias when it comes to Sasuke, Kakashi knew that the council was right. Sasuke has to prove that he means the village no harm this time. "No, but believe it or not, we are actually helping you."
"I don't need any help."
"I believe you, but it's an order Sasuke."
::
Hinata opened her eyes and let out a long exhalation of air. It was past midnight and she was in the middle of a deep sleep when a weird dream had awakened her. The dream was really nonsensical and silly, something about flying cows and swimming ducks.
In her dream, one duck flapped its wings and flew near her face, making her jump back. She then fell into a dark and deep chasm which was very cold and airy.
Then she woke up.
As the dream faded from mind, Hinata smiled at how silly it was. She was almost sure that Hanabi would love to hear it in the morning. Hanabi loves weird things—and weird dreams were not an exception. She even remembered when she and her little sister used to share a dream diary when they were very young.
Hinata rubbed her eyes and pulled half of her body up into a sitting position. She just realized that she was thirsty and there was no water inside the water jug on top of her table— for she drank it all up before going to sleep. The tap water inside her bathroom was clean but it was not for drinking.
So there was no choice but to go down and get a jug of water from the kitchen.
Stifling a yawn, she stretched her arms up as she padded out of her room and into the dark corridor of the Hyuga mansion. Everything was pitch black but she was familiar with all that was inside her home it was just like walking in broad daylight.
However, she forgot one, important detail.
There was something inside her home that she was still not familiar with, and she realized it a little too late when her forehead hit something hard and warm. Instinctively, she jumped back; one hand pressing on the wall to grope for the light switch that she knew was there.
When the lights were on, her jaw dropped.
It was Uchiha Sasuke…again.
Mentally, Hinata marveled at how silent Sasuke was with his movements and how skilled he was in covering his chakra. It was a hard thing to do, especially when she herself was a kunoichi—trained to detect any small movements and how to separate human chakra from other life energies.
It was amazing how he could startle her.
Sasuke looked at the only blue haired Hyuga he has seen in his life. She was looking at him with the same startled big white eyes that were so identical with the way she looked at him a few hours ago—when they encountered each other before he left and see Kakashi.
"I'm sorry." Hinata muttered first, eyes glued on Sasuke's stub of an arm—or what's left of his left arm. He was wearing a black sleeveless shirt and long pants that she took as his sleeping clothes. Sasuke's hair was also a little messy, an indication that he too, was already in bed before walking out of his room. "I…did not feel anything and—"She continued, a little bewildered now that she realized she had seen Sasuke's arm stub. She got to admit that he still looks good despite his disabilities, but it was something… just something… to see Uchiha Sasuke like what she was seeing now.
Sasuke turned his back at her. "It's nothing."
Hinata licked her lower lip, her conversation with Kakashi running inside her head. "Why are you up this late Sasuke-kun?" She dared to ask, wondering why he was up at this time of night. Her father's room was just a few meters ahead so she tried keeping her voice small. Hiashi has good senses.
"It doesn't concern you." Sasuke replied. It was not cold… it was just impassive.
"I…see."
"Hn."
"I have to… go and get some water. I'm sorry to walk in to you for the second time." She tried to smile. "G-goodnight."
Sasuke did not answer her question but continued walking to the door of his room—she knew because Hanabi pointed out to her a few days ago where Sasuke's room was. He opened it, still sporting an impassive face and walked in. He closed it gently but it sounded loud enough to make her blink.
When she was alone again, Hinata sighed. "This is going to be hard."
-o-o-o-
"So yeah…I'm dating Lee." Tenten admitted and curled he fingers together, trying to mimic a pleading girl. "Oh please don't tell anyone just yet Hinata-chan."
Hinata smiled. She was about to go to the academy but the mocha haired girl spotted her on the way. Tenten then dragged her to the sidewalk, muttering the whole time about needing some sisterly advice. In the past, she and Tenten were not very close—since the Weapon Mistress was one of the boys and would rather hang it with them and train, than to spend time with girls.
But when Neji died, her relationship with Tenten changed. Hinata knew that the female member of team Gai was hurting as much as she was when Neji left them. Tenten after all has been there for Neji long before the Prodigy let go of his anger concerning his father's death.
And that's when their close camaraderie began.
It was also like that with Lee. Since the Handsome Green Beast had took it to himself to be her new "protector" since he was Neji's close friend. Hinata remembered how Lee had followed her everywhere the first few months after the war—and that was after he was able to get his injuries healed—all the while exclaiming with tears that he was her new "guardian".
"Lee is a nice guy Tenten." Hinata said. "Why do you want to keep it a secret if you'e going out with him?"
"Ah… I'm not sure that everyone is ready for the news yet." Tenten answered nervously. "You see… everyone never really expect that I would fall for the stupid bushy brows."
"But you did." Hinata smiled, genuinely happy for her two friends. "Lee is a great guy and I'm sure you 're going to be happy with him."
"I know that." Tenten looked away, a light blush on her cheeks. "But if only…"
"Nii-san is going to be happy. " Hinata knew what Tenten was going to say so she decided to say it first. Just like her, Tenten was not really over Neji even after all the years that passed. Neji's memory was just too strong for anyone to just let him go that easy.
"Yeah."
"Tenten-chan?"
"Uh…what?"
Hinata took the girl's right arm and spun her around. "Did you just change your hairstyle?" Tenten's old twin buns were still there but there was a long braid dangling down to her upper back. It was a nice touch, and a good match for Tenten's new sleeveless yukata-styled blouse.
Tenten twirled the end of her braid with a finger. "You like it? Seems like everyone was changing their signature looks so I decided to at least change my hairstyle—and it's not just me. Ino decided to let go of her ponytail. Sakura got a haircut and Naruto too… "
"I do like it…" Hinata touched her long blue locks, girlishly wondering what she would look like with a changed hairstyle. "And yes, I saw Naruto's new haircut."
Tenten smiled slyly, giving Hinata a mysterious look. "Naruto looks hot." She then gave the shy Hyuga a light slap on the side. "He got his own fan girls now you know, following him around like a swarm of bees."
"I…see…" Hinata really doesn't know how to respond to that.
"So if I were you, it's time to make a move."
Hinata's eyes widened a little, now understanding what Tenten's mysterious look means. "Tenten-chan… I—"
"You are a beautiful girl Hinata. Boys are dying to ask you out on a date—and don't you dare deny that because Kiba has been complaining about it every time." Tenten shushed the red-faced Hyuga and continued. "Sure, let's say Naruto has been on Sakura for years…but come on, it was just a crush Hina-chan. People get over their childhood crush."
"Tenten—"
"Hear me out first okay? Did you notice how much Naruto changed through the years? He is more mature now…manly…not to say good looking. And most importantly, I did not see him make a move on Sakura for a long time now…not even once."
"I don't think—"
"You still like him don't you?"
"I like him, sure…"
"Then what's the problem?"
Hinata sighed, but still smiled at her friend. "Tenten… I appreciate your concern but…"
"But what?"
" Naruto is my…childhood hero. I still have feelings for him, I guess. But people get over unrequited emotions in time and…" Hinata paused, her face turning into a puzzled frown. Tenten's eyes were suddenly not on her.
It looks like she was staring at something…
"Tenten-chan?" Hinata turned, following Tenten's gaze—and her eyes went wide too.
For behind her was Uzumaki Naruto, looking at her with a serious face.
-o-o-o-
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-crazychan