Chapter 9

The hall was decorated with purple flowers and ribbons. From lavish food to dance party, the Yamanaka clan was really into making Ino's birthday a exorbitant function. Hinata loved the vibe here. It was so joyful and exciting. She found Sakura, Tenten and Ino giggling and gossiping. On the other side, Naruto was challenging Lee and Neji to a drinking competition.

Sai and Shikamaru were pretty engaged in a serious discussion while all their sensei's were busy laughing and talking about their students antics.It was a happy moment for everybody but he was missing.

Pearly eyes looked around for him, and saw him sitting alone at a table, with a bottle of sake. Kiba loudly started grumbling about how the ex-missing nin had dared show up.

"He's part of team seven," Hinata murmured, "and he's not a missing nin anymore."

"He is, Hinata. What do you know?" Kiba said loudly and she winced as heads turned their way. Kiba was her friend, but Sasuke was too, even though no one else was aware of their agreement.

She became aware of the looks people were giving Sasuke and of the murmurs and counter murmurs. She bit her lips nervously.

"You talk as if Uchiha has never done any wrong," Kiba snarled and seemed ready to continue, when Shino interfered and told him to behave.

Hinata walked towards Sasuke, leaving Shino and Kiba staring in her wake.She could feel curious and unfriendly glances directed towards her, and she swallowed nervously.

"Uchiha-san?" she asked politely, hoping that she didn't disturb him.

Sasuke looked up, his eyes meeting hers as she smiled.

"Hn, I thought you wanted to avoid me." he said idly and she felt her hackles rise.

She sat down, pressing her lips together, well aware of Kiba's glares and of muted whispers. She knew he was talking about the time they briefly met at the training grounds.

"I was embarrassed to face you that day " She bit her lips nervously as she told "you are drunk,"

"How can you tell?"

"You don't like talks."

Sasuke chuckled. ' observant '

" I didn't think you will show up, Uchiha-san", she timidly asked him.

"If the so called beautiful and gorgeous heiress of Yamanaka clan sends a personal invitation, who wouldn't?," he grumbled.

Hinata laughed quietly. She knew this was one of Sasuke's ways to crack a joke.

"When should we disclose, Hyuga?" he asked quietly.

She was startled at the sudden change of track. "Well… I…" she faltered. "We should although my… my father wouldn't approve," she admitted slowly. "And my team-mates… they would want explanations and-and pester me and threaten you and… and…" she shook her head as if to clear her head of thoughts.

Sasuke was looking at her narrowly. "Well you are regretting it, isn't it Hyuga?"

"What? No!" Her cheeks burned .

"I want you to speak to father about us ,Uchiha-san, before the clan passes its decision about my future", resumed, looking at him timidly, "If that's ok with you."

Sasuke shrugged to which she smiled happily.

'A-no, I won't regret my decision. It is always better than the clan's." she told him, slightly blushing.

Smirking, Sasuke poured out a glass of sake and pushed it towards her.

"Although I would enjoy seeing your father's constipated face when he knows his obedient princess chose a missing nin."

Hinata nearly choked. "Sasuke!" she spluttered reproachfully. Those pearl-like eyes widened to saucers, her pale face flushed with heat and her mouth dropped slightly in surprise. Her actions were so amusing at times; it was so easy to get a reaction out of her concerning the most simple of things.

Unknown to them, a masked face was watching them with clear astonishment.

Hatake Kakashi was amused to find the Hyuga Heiress chatting with the Uchiha.

Well it was not a everyday sight to see his bad boy student chatting with someone without getting annoyed.

He watched their interaction and found it interesting. He never knew Sasuke could get along with someone for straight fifteen minutes.

Hatake smirked to himself at his new discovery and walked towards his student.

Hinata excused herself as Kakashi and Sasuke talked. She didn't want to disturb them. Just when she made it to the next table, Somebody caught her hand and dragged her to a corner.

When she finally regained her balance, she saw a very pissed off Neji.

"What were you thinking, Hinata-sama? A heiress should not associate with a traitor like him. He doesn't deserve your kindness. " he hissed at her.

Hinata looked at him in surprise but before she could answer, he beat her to it.

'Hinata-sama don't forget that Uchiha is responsible for severe injuries of nearly half of rookie 9,you musn't go anywhere near him!"

Blame it the sake but Hinata felt a sudden spurt of anger. Nobody should judge Sasuke. Noone had the right to do so.

"Nii-san,I know whom to associate with. Everyone deserves a chance. It doesn't matter what he was in the past, all that matters is the present" she glowered.

"It is the past that defines a man's present and the future. He was dangerous and he still is. He can't be trusted.", Neji argued trying to convince his cousin.

"Then the same should also apply to you, Nii-san " She said as she glared at her cousin.

Neji paled. This was not the answer he expected. He could see that right now she was not the same Hinata he knew once.

Hinata gasped on seeing her brother's shocked face. Realizing what she said, "N-Neji-nii... I-I'm s-so s-s-sorry I-I " she stuttered, horrified at her own words.

Neji shook his head," It's fine Hinata-sama, You are right . I said this because I was worried. I apologize for shouting at you"

Hinata felt her chest tighten. She hurt him so much. She shouldn't have been so harsh. She hugged him tightly and apologized once again.

Neji tensed at Hinata's actions but then he held his cousin in his arms.

"Hinata-sama, it's alright, I'm not hurt anymore. Further it was nice to see you angry at once but you looked no more intimidating than a rabbit", said Neji as he laughed in a hope to make her smile.

Hinata's eyes widened . She lifted her head from his shoulder to see if it was Neji. It truly was. The stoic prodigy of the Hyuga clan who was considered to be emotionless, was laughing at her.

She pushed him away and folded her hands to her chest, "Hyuga Neji, you just insulted the Hyuga Princess and now you must face the consequences."

"And what is the punishment, princess ?", Neji smirked at her antics. He was relieved that Hinata let go of what happened earlier but still it hurted his pride.

'I'd love to wipe that smirk of yours , Nii-san.' Hinata thought to herself as she said, "Then, you must confess your undying love for Tenten-chan".

Neji's face turned a bright shade of pink as his cousin walked away giggling to herself on seeing his blush.

'How did she even know that?Shit', He cursed himself for blushing in front of Hinata. He never knew he could blush like that. How was he supposed to even look at her now?'

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Meanwhile at the Hyuga House

The youngest Hyuga rummaged through her wardrobe to find a nice outfit for the evening. She was annoyed with the fact that none of her clothes suited her tastes. All her dresses were either too formal or too dull.

The girl wanted to impress her teammate Konhamaru.

How she wished Hinata was here to give her some suggestions. Hinata had the perfect body and looks for any dress that she secretly envied.

Instantly, Hanabi closed her wardrobe and ran to her sisters room in hopes of getting a nice dress for the evening. On entering Hinata's room, she found several maids cleaning her nee-chan's room.

"Hanabi-Sama is there something you need help with?", asked a young maid who was changing the sheets.

"No, continue with your work". Hanabi said as she opened her sister's wardrobe. She didn't want them to poke their noses in her business. Furthermore, she had to find the best dress to impress Konhamaru and win his heart.

Hinata had wonderful dresses. Lots of them were gifts from her father, Kurenai-sensei, teammates, friends and visitors. But her sister always chose to wear a big loose purple jacket.

Hanabi found the dresses of her choice from her nii-chan's closet but they were too loose for her, as Hinata had a curvy figure compared to Hanabi who had a lean figure.

Shutting the doors of the wardrobe, Hanabi then rummaged through the drawers. She found several old unused dresses of Hinata. Smiling victorously, the brown haired girl pulled out a blue dress that was tucked in neatly.

'Huh? Its not a dress but a shirt?'

It didn't look like her sister's since it was too big also she never saw Hinata wear a shirt. She lifted it to examine when she found a symbol.

At the sight of the Uchiha fan on the back Hanabi stared blankly, blinking her pale eyes as she took in the sight of the emblem.

Uchiha Sasuke and Hinata neechan

Impossible.

'Her neechan wouldn't do that. N-no not with Sasuke.'

The long silence that followed was broken by the sound of several gasps from the maids in the room.

Hanabi tensed on forgetting the fact that she wasn't alone in the room. If her father got to know about this, then Hinata will be in trouble. She quickly balled up the shirt and hid it inside the closet not before scolding the maids.

"Stop dallying and do your job."

"Yes, Hanabi-sama."

They immediately engaged in their previous tasks afraid of getting scolded.

The young heiress walked out of the room quickly, thinking about what could have happened between the last Uchiha and the eldest Hyuga heir

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'Nee-chan, what have you gotten yourself into?'

Author's Note

Extremely sorry for the delay. I was busy with college admissions and settling in a different localty. Thank you so much for all your previous reviews. It made me quickly write the next chapter.

Do tell me how you found this chapter.

Do guess what's in the next chapter.

All kinds of reviews accepted.