Theme and Variation

Pairing: Sasuke x Hinata

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. If I did, Sakura would have died in the Chuunin Exams. XD

Momo-kun-chan: Thanks for the reviews guys, loves ya bunches for it. =D Anyway, I just wanted to say one thing before you start this chapter.

O-key, the dialogue thing. I was gonna say something last chapter but I forgot. Well, the thing is, how should I put this… Hinata and Sasuke are very quiet people. XP Just think about it for a second. Hinata rarely seems to talk cause she's so shy, and Sasuke, hm, he's busy... um brooding or being serious. And the scenes haven't been right for much talking to me yet, but don't worry, it'll get better very soon. I promise. I have everything planned out just right. Thank you. Enjoy. =)

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"Ah... Excuse me...?" The escort seemed genuinely dumbfounded as she gave Hinata a questioningly unclear look.

Hinata cleared her throat again, this time forcing a nervous smile to maintain her politeness. Maybe she hadn't heard her the first time. "I said... there's only one bed..."

The kunoichi honestly thought she would have choked as the aide continued to look bland and clueless. As if a light bulb switched on in her head, the slightly taller woman blinked and peered further into the room, craning her neck past the two guests like it was something so hard to find.

"Well, it seems there is." The red head thought for a second, then smiled at Hinata.

If the Hyuuga was anyone else, she probably would have screamed at the other's blatant stupidity, but she only nodded, hoping this was getting somewhere.

Sasuke all the while held firm to his decision to stay quiet. He had immediately noticed the lone bed too, but didn't bother to speak on it; instead it was more like, 'One bed. Hm...' and nothing more. If he had to share, he really didn't mind. Sasuke never shared a bed before, but look who it was with. Any idiot could see this was sign. As long as the odds were in his favor, why not ride it.

"Ah, I know what happened." The escort finally spoke again, nodding to agree with herself. "You see this is usually the guest house for one person. We didn't know there were going to be two of you until later this evening, and we didn't think you would arrive tonight so I guess the arrangers didn't have the chance to change the room around."

"Oh?" Hinata took in the information curiously.

"Yes. That must have slipped my mind." The guide laughed to herself. Hinata tried her best to hide her exasperation. "I could send for a separate bed if you'd like?"

"Oh, I wouldn't want you to go through all the trouble so late." The Hyuuga began to rethink even speaking about the bed. It was just furniture for crying out loud.

"It's nothing really. I'm sure I could get a futon or something..."

"Futon? Oh no, I'd-"

"Its okay, Hinata. You could take the bed if you want." Sasuke finally spoke up as he walked up the small step of the floor well and fully into the room.

The heiress looked concerned. "But you shouldn't be on the floor with your injury Sasuke."

"...I think the futons are pretty comfortable..." The escort replied but no one was really paying much attention to her.

Sasuke stopped to look at his partner with a hard yet somehow gentle look. "You said it wasn't that serious, and anyway, I can see the thought sleeping with me is making you uncomfortable."

Maybe the odds weren't in his favor. He didn't want to admit it, but it was true. For the second time that night, his presence was making her uneasy, hinted by her wide eyes and massive blushes. The last thing Sasuke wanted was to make it worse by pushing harder.

"But..." Hinata really didn't know what else to argue with. It was pretty much over with before it began. The Uchiha had hit the nail right on head, but not exactly. True Hinata was nervous, but it wasn't exactly because she was absolutely terrified. She was just... worried something might... happen. Hinata didn't truly know what her subconscious was trying to get at, but there was just so many questions buzzing around in her mind from the last time they interacted so closely.

"So... Ah... Have you made a decision? I assure you its no trouble at all." The escort nodded, looking back and forth between the two individuals.

Before Sasuke could answer, Hinata promptly answered, "Ah never mind, its fine. I'm sorry to have bothered you in the first place. Thank you."

Hinata immediately bit her tongue soon after the words spilled out. What did I just say?!

With the escort already leaving with her answer, Hinata resisted the urge to snatch the closing doors back open and say, "On second thought..." She had already given the poor yet slow attendant enough run around for one late night.

All right, just let it go. It's not that bad. Sasuke won't do anything. He doesn't seem to be that type of guy anyway. Hinata couldn't help but think about the hundreds of bachelorettes dying for this chance to sleep with their precious Adonis. They probably would have tossed her out the window if they'd caught wind of it.

"Are you sure about this?" Sasuke asked, his masculine voice carrying through the silence.

Hinata turned around to the center of the room where the Uchiha was tossing his bag into the corner, and plastered a weak smile. "...Yes."

She didn't know why she worried so much, or so easily as a matter of fact, Hinata thought while toeing the heels of her boots to take them off. She'd decided just to leave them in the extra stair well of the bedroom instead of taking them all the way back to the front door. They'd already past that a long time ago and there was always later to move them.

Bending down to turn the boots around, Hinata detected the second pair. She hadn't even noticed when Sasuke had taken his shoes off, so she simply shrugged and turned his too. It was the woman of the house's job to do that, Hinata figured she was the lady this house, sort of speak.

Stepping up, her bare feet met the cold wood floor. It reminded her of the floors within the Hyuuga mansion, but it didn't sound nearly as monotone as it did when she walked across it.

"Hey, I'm pretty sure you want to take a shower or something. Did you want to go first?"

Hinata blinked while in the midst of dropping her backpack in the corner. She finally answered after a moment or two's consideration, shaking her dark blue head.

"You can go ahead if you'd like Sasuke. I have no problem waiting."

He just shrugged and began rummaging in the largest pouch of his bag like he was previously doing while Hinata went back to her own business, which was conveniently nothing. Out the corner of her eyes, she watched as Sasuke was crouched over in the corner. He was taking off the wraps of his hands.

Hinata remembered every time she'd trained, her palms would bleed. She'd tried wrapping them once or twice, but Hinata would always forget by the third day or so. Judging by how many layers they looked, it must have taken a while each morning. Hinata was sure Sasuke's face was set with such passion like he did with everything, even with a task as simple as this. It was something truly to admire Hinata thought at least. Something she'd noticed she did admire.

"Hm?"

The Uchiha looked over to Hinata with a inquiring expression upon his strong, pasty face. Hinata looked away then blushed, noting her mistake of ogling. He must have noticed somehow. It's funny how you get that strange feeling over yourself when you can tell someone was just watching you. The worse part about it is the person staring can never turn away in time.

"Ah... um nothing. Sorry."

Hinata heard the muffled chuckle come from Sasuke and flushed with embarrassment. Why she did some of the things she did sometimes, Hinata didn't know.

To quickly find something to do, Hinata discovered the extra set of door handles on the opposite wall. After walking over to it, Hinata found the partly hidden exit lead to an impressive wooden balcony. She walked out carefully and tipped over to the wood railing.

Hinata could see the hot spring a few meters downs, steaming away in the crisp night, calmly radiating an aquamarine glow with the fluorescent lights at the bottom of it and bubbling faintly in the serenity.

Well, at least the night is quiet.

The Raikage's nephew was in the safety of his own village, and she'd already slept a few good hours, so Hinata wasn't nearly as tired as she should have been. Even thought she was in a foreign village, Hinata was a bit more at ease now that she was temporarily settled.

The chilled breeze picked up, causing her to hug her arms in a shallow attempt for warmth. That didn't work. Its must have been a lot colder outside than she'd originally thought.

And I would stand outside barefoot wouldn't I? Hinata laughed looking down at her blue painted toes. What a great way to catch a cold.

Walking back through the sliding doors, she looked to the bathroom. It was closed and the room lay empty.

Sasuke must have already gone in.

The kunoichi couldn't hear any water running, but it wasn't her business what he was doing in there. Not that she really wanted to know anyhow.

Hinata then picked up their scattered bags and put them into the shelter of the closet. Pulling the silk string to click on the light above, Hinata had spotted one of the top shelves. It was lined with complementary robes, complete with pants and a tie-up top. They were made from fine, thin fleece and all colored a snowy white. Hinata assumed they were there for them, with this being the guest suite and all, so she had grabbed two pairs and tucked them under her arms while turning the light back off.

Hinata went on to place the bigger set on the bed for Sasuke and took the smaller size into her hands for her to wear. Now all she had to do was wait until Sasuke was done. Then she could get her a nice shower, something that was pretty obvious she'd needed, and then…

She swallowed and looked to the bed.

It did appear to be new now that she had a good look at it. Crisp, white sheets as if they had never even been touched, but besides its sterile air, it did look rather inviting.

Just then, she remembered that this wasn't only room in the entire house; this was only the bedroom, and if she'd remembered correctly, there was another bathroom here too. Hinata didn't both to tell Sasuke, she didn't wish to interrupt him, and carried on out of the room quietly.

The hallway was dark, so she turned on a few mini lights in the hall and in the living room, giving rooms a nice glow. Hinata noted the nook kitchen near the back, the living room spaciously in the center; the second bathroom was exactly left of the short hallway.

The door was shut and the lights were off within. She reached hand first and flicked the switch that rested on the cool, smooth wall. This bathroom was about the same size as the one in their room, Hinata would guess. There was a marble sink, a toilet, then a shower to the far right corner. There were some fuzzy, blue rugs in front of the shower, and its glass walls had frosted clouds designed on them. It was elegant without over doing it, obviously meant to impress the guests.

Putting her robes on the shelf beside the sink, Hinata then fingered along the different soaps and shampoos on the inner shelves of the shower; there where many assorted varieties, like Tangerine & Pears, and Blueberry, Hinata didn't want to use up anyone else's things, but she really wanted to try that Peaches & Cream kind. She could never seem to find it in stores in Konoha.

I'll... only use a little. She couldn't help but feel a little evil, smiling slyly as she removed her soiled clothes. It was left for them after all. No need of letting it all go to waste.

After figuring out how to work the strange knobs of the shower, she wound up spraying the top of her head with cold water not too long ago, Hinata finally got the shower set. It was amazing how good a hot bath felt. She didn't know how much she'd needed it until after she was done, and on the plus side, her hair was super soft and shiny now, something that Hinata didn't get often with her regular brand.

Hinata felt so relax right now, she didn't even realize she'd been smiling the whole time she was getting re-dressed. Much to her luck, she'd found some slippers in one of the bottom cabinets. Hinata had hoped Sasuke had found himself some too.

Opening the steamy bathroom door, Hinata was automatically chilled by the cooler air outside. Was there a window open or something? Where was that draft coming from?

Maybe it's just me... The Hyuuga shook it off and tossed her dirty clothes down the laundry shoot. She didn't know where they went, but there was time to investigate that tomorrow. It was nearly four-thirty in the morning.

Hinata turned off the lights again and shut the bathroom door while she left. She'd decided to keep a small lamp on in the living room for the time being, just for the sake of being able to see where she was going.

Coming to the bedroom, the paper doors where still cracked, letting the light from inside leak out into the hall. Hinata didn't think to knock or anything, but just before she pulled the door open, she stopped, her eyes growing immensely as she peered into the crack.

The kunoichi was flushed to the point her head must have looked like a tomato. Hinata quickly turn her head and covered her mouth to keep from squealing in shock; let's just say, she should give Sasuke a few more minutes to get dressed. Good thing his back was turned.

I hope he didn't notice me... Hinata smiled at her silly embarrassment, her eyes narrowing with blissful amusement. At least it wasn't that bad. Not bad at all.

She then shook her head to scramble the recent images in her mind. Hinata couldn't help but giggle at herself. Why was she all giddy all of a sudden? Assuming Sasuke had finished by now, she let herself in.

"I was wondering where you ran off to." Sasuke asked aloud, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Oh, I was in the other bathroom." Hinata blushed and stepped up the stairwell. "It seems you found everything okay."

"Oh yeah..."

Hinata paused mid step to her trek toward the closet. Sasuke hadn't bothered to tie the front of the robe top, leaving his nicely chiseled chest in plain view. Hinata felt her head turning red again.

Sasuke blinked. "What?"

Hinata raised her brows in surprise. "Ah, nothing, really... I just never saw you with your hair down as all."

"Oh."

That was partway true. She hadn't ever seen Sasuke with his hair down, due to it always being held in place with his forehead protector, but that wasn't what she was looking at. Now that she was, Hinata noticed it was a few inches above his shoulders in spiky tuffs, a lot longer than it usually appeared.

"Hm, I just never thought it was that long." Hinata nodded to conclude her small fib.

Sasuke snorted. "I hate long hair. I need to cut it soon."

Hinata inhaled and thought. "But... The girls back in Konoha said you liked long hair."

The Uchiha blew through his nose.

"No I don't. It gets in the way too much. I like it shorter better...," He then smirked. "...so I can see their beautiful face..."

Blushing, Hinata cleared her throat. "Well, you look cu- better, with long hair. It fits you best... At least I think so..." Hinata flushed ten fold and hastily busied herself in the closest.

Why was she acting this way? The only thing that Hinata could think of was it really must be time for her to go to bed. The late hour must have been making her crazy. She almost called Sasuke Uchiha cute for God's sakes. To his face!

Hinata couldn't remember being this disoriented in a long time, on second thought, ever. It was definitely time for her lay down.

Sasuke on the other hand was still wide-awake and amused. Did Hinata really like it better that way? Well, he guessed it wouldn't hurt keep growing it out for her.

The Uchiha stood from the bed and tied his loose drawstrings together just as the kunoichi walked over to the opposite side near the door. Hinata pulled back the sheets and sat on the soft under cover, before Sasuke followed and sat next to her on the left side. He made sure to give her a little more space so she wouldn't get uncomfortable again. Speaking of which, she already looked like she did.

"There is a couch here you know. I could still sleep there."

Hinata shook her head after finding that she was sitting in a blank stare. "No. You don't have to. I'm fine, Sasuke."

Hinata smiled and began fluffing her pillow. She really didn't mind sharing a bed anymore, but rather busy thinking about her surroundings. Just how secure was this place? Hinata had not asked before. Sighing, she placed her fluffed pillow against the headboard and laid on her back. Hinata was tired again, but she wasn't sure if she would be able to get to sleep. Sasuke was already laying on his side, back to her. Hinata didn't know if he was asleep already, but he probably was. She'd taken a few tiny naps today but he had not.

Hinata turned and clicked off the solo lamp the provided the room with light. There was no need to keep it on if they weren't going to be awake.

Pulling her arm back to the warmth of her body, Hinata moved the covers farther up to her chin with her free hand. The air had swiftly turned so cold, and house was just a bit too quiet for comfort. Not a floorboard creaked, not a cricket chirped, not a single sound. For a second, Hinata couldn't even hear herself breathing, maybe because she was holding her breath. The silence quickly was replaced by the pounding her ears; her heart was racing to the point where she heard her heartbeat in them. Oh how quickly her relaxed and content state had dissolved.

Her pastel eyes darted to each dark corner and every obscure shadow on the wall. Not that she was afraid of the dark, just the unknown. Hinata rolled over to her opposite side and stared at the sliding door. It was still, but her eyes remained glue as if expecting it to fly open and a rabid ninja to jump out.

Unexpectedly, a lengthy shadow hovered in front of the door and lingered. Hinata's eyes went wide to the point she thought they might have very well fallen out. Breath caught in her throat as her heart danced rapidly in her chest. Was there someone there?

The heavy breathing coming from behind abruptly awakened Sasuke, who was on the closer verge of dreamland; it sounded panicked. Who was it? Sasuke's brows furrowed in thought as he turned on his sore back and on his right side.

"Hinata?"

The Uchiha was surprised to find the Hyuuga fully awake with wild and tearful eyes. Her hands where balled together tightly and trembling with pungent terror.

Hinata jumped back into her senses only after the wind blew outside, revealing the shadow to be nothing but an animal of some kind, most likely a bat. Too caught up in her fear, Hinata hadn't even heard Sasuke talking to her only a few inches away. His face was etched with a rooted frown of concern when she finally looked upon it.

"Hinata, what's wrong?"

"S-sasuke…" She blinked and looked away, wiping her wet eyes with the back of her finger.

Sasuke frowned again. What the hell was going on? "Tell me what's wrong. Why are you so scared?"

She exhaled. "I'm not-"

"Don't tell me that. Tell me the truth. What's got you so terrified you're practically crying?"

Hinata was trapped. There was no stopping it. She didn't want to lie, she didn't feel like doing it either. What was she going to say? Sasuke wasn't going to take no for an answer. Should she say, or try to ignore him? How would that help her sanity if she'd kept it in.

Maybe if she'd finally gotten out what's been worrying her, she could get a sense of peace. However, what would he say? Sasuke wasn't the type for weakness and mushy stuff, but he did say she could tell him anything…

"Sasuke… I…" Hinata bit her lip. "I can't help… but have this feeling that something is going to happen while I'm here..."

The Uchiha furrowed his brows. "What do you mean 'here'?"

Hinata sighed deeply. "… The truth is… A long time ago, about a week after I turned three a… a shinobi from the Cloud Village…" She paused and swallowed the thick lump in her throat. "Tired to kidnap me…" Her soft voice wavered, as her eyes couldn't help but fill.

"Thank you, Yurei-obasan." Hinata smiled gratefully while falling back into her heap of down stuffed pillows. The fluffy blanket was gathered around her tiny form as her aunt tucked her in.

This happened every evening that the Hyuuga child could remember. One of her branch house relatives, either an aunt or older female cousin, would come in every bedtime and tuck her in. Hinata's father always stood in the door, sternly watching, the same old rosewood cane gripped firmly in his hands. Hinata didn't understand why he always had it. It wasn't like he had walking problems, maybe it was a sign of his reigning power; even Hinata was aware of this although she was barely three. Another thing she wondered was why her father never tucked her in himself, but never had a serious enough reason to ask.

"You're very welcome, Hinata-sama." The branch member smiled warmly in response just as she finished. The older Hyuuga stood from her stooped positioned and walked to the door before giving a small bow. "Hiashi-sama."

The monarch gave a nod of the head as the branch member exited the young successor's room. Hinata quietly watched the whole scene with serene and sleepy eyes. She was very tired despite it only being nine o'clock; to a child this was very late beside the fact this time of year made the sun set not too long ago.

Hinata couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. She yawned and said with most innocent voice anyone had ever heard, "Goodnight father."

Hiashi turn and grabbed the door handle. "Goodnight Hinata." The rice paper doors slid across, shutting off the lights from the hallway that bled into her bedroom.

Its wasn't before long, Hinata was fast asleep. When Hinata awoke again, it was still the middle of the night. The moonlight shone beautifully through the windows, but the sky was as black as death.

She wiped her groggy, pale eyes with the back of her hand, sitting up to some extent.

'Where are the stars tonight...?'

Hinata usually saw them if she had just happen to have woken up late at night, but this night was eerily different. A draft blew in fiercely as the wind picked up outside, making the curtains rush violently. There must have been a night storm blowing in.

This was confirmed by sudden rush of water against the sturdy mansion. Hinata knew the tatami mats would get wet if she didn't shut the windows, so she peeled back her sheets and ran across the room to close them.

Standing up on her tippy toes, Hinata reached for the knobs of the casement windows. Wind blew again, making water drops splash onto her round cheeks, and the curtains to rise around her. Just as her fingers graced the cold metal handle, Hinata looked to her side where a moving figure caught her eye.

The man's face was masked and wore cloths of a shinobi. His forehead protector tied tightly around his head, but it wasn't of the leaf, it was clouds, like the ones Hinata remembered seeing just a few days ago.

"What...?" Hinata gasped, fear freezing her to the spot.

Vivid green eyes turned to her, making her pause mid stride. They were tainted with an unbelievable amount of evil and greed, none like Hinata had ever seen.

"There you are. Don't try to run." The ninja smirked under his clothed face, revealing a sharpened kunai in his gloved hands. He moved closer, coming in the from the damp windowsill.

Her feet finally freed from its invisible glue and sprinted across the matted floor.

"Get back here!" She heard the man hiss from behind, but didn't look back. Hunting blindly in the dark, Hinata searched for her door. Before she got halfway across, the child was grabbed roughly by her shoulder.

"No! Please let me go!" Hinata pleaded fruitlessly as her arm jerked within his grasp.

"Sorry sweetie, but you have something I want." The shinobi chortled wickedly in her ear and placed the pointed end of the kunai just below one of her large and fearful eyes. "Your Byakugan will make a nice addition to our arsenal."

Hinata choked a stifled mew, horror made her vocal chords weak and muffled. She finally screamed and pushed herself away, kicking the shinobi in his shin. The skin under her eye ripped as a crimson drop fell. They hit the floor with strong sound of the crumpling mats.

Hinata began to scramble to her the sliding door only a few meters away. Her legs like liquid with maddening panic, she crawled digging her fingernails into the floor.

"Father! Please help me! Help me!" The Hyuuga child cried, kicking her small legs as the assailant snatched at them.

"You aren't going anywhere, brat!" The Cloud shinobi's eyes were bloodshot and wild. Who knew a kid could give him such trouble.

"Father!" Tears flooded out of her eyes helplessly. Her vision blurry, Hinata made another dash with the ninja quickly behind.

Footsteps padded rapidly across. The bedroom door flew open.

The shinobi behind her suddenly stopped as a heavy thud filled the room. Hiashi stood firm as the enemy fell face first at his feet. One blow to the chest with his Gentle Fist had stopped this scene; no doubt, it had killed the man instantly.

"Hinata-sama, are you alright?" Her family crowded around with concern, checking the cut on her face.

Hinata couldn't speak. She obviously didn't understand what was happening. What was going on?

"F-father...?" Hinata sniffed as Hiashi turned, thick veins still marring his eyes. "Father... why...?"

"We are a powerful clan, Hinata, and many people want this power. They will try to obtain it any way they can, by attacking the weakest link... meaning you."

That was true. She was probably the weakest Byakugan user in the room, and Hiashi had already observed Hinata as a bit too timid for her own good in training.

"Father..." The child hung her head in disgracefully, her relatives became deathly quiet. Even though she was young, Hinata had understood this very well.

'They will try to obtain it any way they can, by attacking the weakest link... meaning you.'

Sasuke watched wordlessly as he absorbed Hinata's spill. He had no ideal about that. He'd known about the conflict between the two villages and something about her clan caught in the middle, but nothing like this. No wonder she was so worried.

"And I just think… It's going to happen again… All because of my eyes… These ugly eyes…" She buried her facing into her shaking hands and cried. This was very stressful and it had been bugging her since their mission was assigned.

"Hinata… You're eyes aren't ugly, and nothing is going to happen to you." Sasuke said seriously and moved her hands away from her shielded face.

Hinata made a poor attempt to resist but it failed. She shook her head, a salty tear running from the crease of her eye.

"How… how can you be so sure…? They attacked me in my own home, and my father… He told me, that they would always try to attack the weakest person... Me…" Her eyes downcast then closed with shame. She still was a relatively weak shinobi. Look how pathetic she was, clinging to her childish past. Some ninja and heiress indeed.

"That's bullshit."

Hinata blinked and opened her closed eyes. Sasuke face was set in a determined frown, his eyes blazing with intense passion. She didn't know on the inside, he now had the urge to kick a certain Hyuuga's ass. That was one thing they had in common, bastard relatives.

"Don't you dare listen to that lie. I know you're not weak. You can be strong. You are. I've seen it myself. And I know you'll be okay because…"

Should he say it what he was thinking? What were the chances she might reject him. It was fairly low. Hinata was so vulnerable, so weak, like a defenseless rabbit about to become some predator's dinner. The longing for protection in her eyes blazed like an aching flame, pulsing beyond her control.

Sasuke began to reach, lifting his hand from his side and grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers so that he was gripping hers securely. His own heart raced with fear. "Because… I won't let anything happen to you Hinata."

Amazed to the point beyond speechlessness, Hinata stared breathlessly.

Sasuke… Sasuke why are you… Hinata didn't understand why he was doing this for her. She'd never seen him this gentle with anyone. Why did he act this way toward her?

Hinata instantly thought of Naruto, the fox like boy whom she'd crushed on for years was nowhere near her in this small time of need. Instead it was Sasuke, the boy whom pushed her to be better in his own stern way, the same aloof Uchiha that never let anyone into his world of emotion. Was she seeing a crack to that metal shell?

Why?

Why were her own senses heightening by his touch? The fluttering heart, the extra heat the burned her face with warm blood. She didn't get this flustered even when Naruto was around. What was going on?

"Sasuke…" But despite her minds questions, her heart told her it would be okay. She squeezed his hand with gratefulness, her expression shifting to blushing tranquility. "…thank you…"

Hinata was so relieved to have been able to get that burden off her chest, astounded by the unexpected lit of pressure on her spirit, she forgot about her mind asking why and sleep rapidly began to take over. Her eyelids drooped tiredly and soon, she was resting calmly, still holding Sasuke's hand.

Sasuke made sure to stay awake until she was in a deep enough sleep to be at some peacefulness. The Uchiha used this moment to move in closer. Sliding under the soft sheets, he pulled Hinata closer to his chest until she was resting in his arms, his free hand holding her back. Resting his chin on the top her head, the smell of her new peach fragrance finally swam around his nose, making him at peace as well.

He brushed his knuckle over her soft cheek, catching a few lingering tears, his eyelids lowering slightly in thought.

Hinata… I'm glad you told me. I'm glad you trust me enough with your secrets… Sasuke smirked and kissed her hand tenderly. Yet I didn't miss the question in your eyes, but soon you'll know why… You'll know that… I fell in love with you… along time ago.

The charms of sleep soon began taking him over, it must have been at least five o'clock by now. Before Sasuke could fully fall asleep, he suddenly thought of his fellow Leaf shinobis back home. If anyone of them were here now, he might've had to kill them.

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Momo-kun-chan: Kyaaaa! That is what I like to call "Cotton Candy". Not enough for sap, but too much for fluff. =3 And I think I kept them all in character too. Yay! Much more SasuHina goodness to come! Hehe, Sasuke's a big softy. X3

Review! Laterz!

(Take that SasuSaku! Mwahahaha! XD)

BTW, those who have request the fanart and have not received it, check meh profile for a link.

(Some emails didn't get through…)