The Cut That Always Bleeds

Summary: She will always be the cut that always bleeds. He will always let her. Hinata endures, Sasuke knows she doesn't have to. Here's why exes should remain in the past.

Pairing: Naruto x Hinata x Sakura , Eventual Sasuke x Hinata

World: Alternate Universe, Modern Era without special abilities

I own nothing.

A/N: Please leave me your thoughts! The throwback is strong in this one. Enjoy!

Both parts are flashbacks, the second part is the continuation of Chapter 8. Go figure! Enjoy!


Eleven. Flashbacks and Memories of The Night.

This was the longest night of his life, he thought, as he glanced towards the dark-haired girl walking beside him. Not that he was complaining, he was just stating a fact.

The snow fell over their heads as they strolled through the very empty, damp, and barely lit walkway to her hotel. The warmth of their hot pot food fell heavy on their stomach but the taste of the sweet sake are very much evident on their pink cheeks and reddening lips.

As promised, they had their dinner after recovering from the terror that was the Ferris wheel of that got stuck during a might-as-well-be-called blizzard in the middle of the day. While Hinata insisted that she pay for their lavish dinner at the most well reviewed restaurant in their vicinity, Sasuke took the bill saying that the coffers of the Uchiha is deep and that it would be nothing less of a shame to let her settle it.

The hotpot was indeed a good experience in this kami forsaken country that blew nothing but cold air – paired with a couple or so of beer, finished with a sweet sake that might as well be honey.

Sasuke released a hearty chuckle.

Itachi would be coming tomorrow and as much as he hated to admit, the younger of the two wished that his brother wouldn't. He hoped that he cancels and perhaps he can spend another day with the beauty he can't seem to shake off his mind – but alas, Itachi never cancels commitments at least never on Sasuke. And, deep down inside his rose themed mind, Sasuke knew that it is inevitable to say goodbye… perhaps this was the best to go.

"Anything amusing?" she asks, her eyes drooping low from the height of the night and the alcohol running through her veins.

"I'm just imagining how cold I am today," he blows a breath that fogged midway from his mouth, "and just die a little inside knowing I have to climb a colder mountain tomorrow."

For some reason of the other, he couldn't figure out why on earth did he even ask Itachi to come and hike with him in this cold cold country.

Kaotoshi mountain, he suddenly thinks, would probably the death of him tomorrow. Perhaps the beer and the sake would be something he would curse a thousand times before they reach the peak. But now, it doesn't matter.

What matters is the fact that here they are under the dimming street light a couple of blocks from her hotel, enjoying the little peace they have created around themselves.

"Just know that if I freeze to death, I lived a good life" He mumbled, stealing a glance over Hinata again who gave him a smile that ironically warmed him from the inside.

Goddamn it, woman.

"I had a grand time tonight, Sunny" he says, hands hovering over his head unwrapping a dark blueblack scarf that he bought the other day and without warning – wrapping over her.

Perhaps it was too long a night that everything around seemed slow or maybe it was the alcohol which made it difficult to comprehend what was happening around her until the warmth from his wool scarf snaked around her neck. "You keep it"

"You'll get cold", she barely whispered her voice cracking from the dead of the night.

"Hmm"

"I really enjoyed my stay here in the Cloud, very fitting of its name… and tonight was wonderful too."

Hinata faces him with another smile, this time while feeling the texture of the wool scarf on her gloved hands. Her mouth parts as if picking out the words to say while he waited, watching the rise and fall of her thoughts. "It makes me feel as if I lived another life where no one knows me here. I feel a little bit guilty for not wanting to go back home"

This time he laughs low, if he could just repeat her words knowing he felt the same.

"It's nice to know you in your other life where no one knows you, Hinata"

It was if something burned in her when her heart skipped a beat seeing the genuine smile that fell on his lips. The pristine set of teeth he never really showcases to anyone else was hers for the taking – under the dimly lit streetlight that had set its mood on its own.

She does not know what came first but in between smiles and slow breathing, Hinata found her hand on his, arm pulled to his back and his head leaning in close enough to enable her to count the lashes that fill his overly outlined eyes.

"I wish I knew you first" she hears him whisper close enough to feel the warmth of his breath fanning over her skin.

Traitorously, she found herself leaning in.. and what if you knew me first? She wanted to ask but held her tongue.

"… then I wouldn't be in the position to know you," he says, his left free hand on her face clearing it from her wayward bangs, eyes travelling to map her face as if memorizing…

"and have to let you go this way."

When she stopped breathing, she didn't know – how long had she been holding her breath?

"I won't kiss you" he whispered like a sin, mouth hovering over hers a few centimeters near. If he focused- truly focused, he could even feel the slight tremble of her hands in her pocket – on the background the wind blew as if there was no tomorrow.

Her breath was on his skin and if he were a glass, he would have fogged – but alas they only warmed him if anything more.

More.

He prayed he had some supernatural abilities to commit to memory how she looked like right now: wide eyes, red, soft cheeks from either cold or alcohol, cold shivering lips apart as if… as if waiting…

She managed to hum in response although honestly, it was barely there.

There were no words to be uttered, at least none yet. Was it the alcohol? Her friends and Naruto always said she was weak on alcohol.

She felt and heard him swallow, eyes still on her lips as if it were a prize.

It was the alcohol, she tried to convince herself. Because there was nothing, no reason at all, to make her not stop whatever is happening right?

She is with Naruto. In a relationship. A relationship she would not throw away for a man – a godly man – she met a few weeks ago.

Right?

Right.

Her eyes traveled outlining as if zeroing to the smallest of his pores – his permanent frowning but now seemed relaxed forehead, the long straight lashes on his eyes, the tall bridge of his nose that might as well be contoured, the slight freckles on his cheeks, the lines under his eyes, the redness of his cheeks that seemed to travel to his ears…

Whatever it was, whatever this was had to stop.

Right.

Right?

"But I wish I could"

I wish...

I wish...

Hinata's airs left her when Sasuke pulled her into a tight embrace.

Warm.

"Please don't be a stranger," he whispers but she can feel the small frown on his face on her hair.

"I.. I won't."

"Promise?" He pulls back with a soft smile. How could such a mysterious guy be such a boy?

Hinata gives him a smile, this time with a nod. "Promise, I'll be your sunny place"

He nods, leaning in again.."I'd like that"

Something in his words felt empty - such as when he said he won't kiss her, because why was he leaning in? why...

Warm breath fell on her nose as if skimming where she was cold and as if finding its spot, his lips found a way on her skin resting on her forehead like a promise.

"Good bye, my sunny place. I'll be seeing you"

I'll be seeing you.

I wish.


Warm hands stretched and settled on her neck, warming it on the process - pulling her closer to the warmth. Warmth was good, warmth was what she wished and missed. Soft breathing brought her to life, slowly opening her eyes, meeting the ocean blues that she so loved seeing. The sun wasn't even up yet but here he was, fully awake and smiling down on her like an angel from above.

"Five more minutes" she whispers with a smile, nuzzling her cheek on his palm.

"I have to go" He nudges her softly, caressing her still warm cheek and brushing her hair with his fingers.

If anyone told her that this day would come, she would have believed them - because she always knew. She always knew.

This felt right. She knew, this is where she belongs.

She stared at him longingly, fair hands reaching out to his neck massaging the skin on him. His warm tanned skin that has ever been familiar with the sun. Everything felt right.

Their talk... felt right.

Last night, felt right.

She finally felt home.

Only, it wasn't home.

"Do you feel better now?" He asks, his eye looking over at the pale of her skin to the advil on his night stand, an empty cup, and the littered beers on the ground.

She nods. Yes.

"Okay, well.. I have to go now"

"Naruto"

"Just lock your door on the way out. You know where I hide the keys, right?"

She nods.

"... about last night"

He averts his eyes, hands suddenly back to his space and within his pockets as he stands - walking towards the door.

.

"Can we talk about last night?" She whispers as if scared, her hands over her lips as if.. as if..

"We already talked, last night." He turns with a small smile, too small she almost missed it.

There was silence and she only sees his back. She hears him turn the knob, the heavy footsteps of his shoes on his floors, and the closing of the door.

Last night felt right for a moment.

Only it wasn't her home.


A/N: Yay to me, I have been revived! Please leave me reviews so I can feel your love (or hate) either way it makes the world go round!

Sending you all my love and drama!