Author's Note: This is the longest chapter, I think And really kinda fluffy/sappy. Um… Bear with me guys! Keep the reviews coming!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto… I get so tired and depressed saying it that I might just not include it in the later chapters. Just kidding. :D

Sasuke stood directly in front of the door, hands folded. Hinata should be coming any minute now. Suddenly, there was knock on the door, and a servant came hurrying to open it. His heartbeat went faster, and he wondered about the curious sensation. His palms were sweating as he anticipated Hinata coming in.

Time seemed to slow for Sasuke. Being in front of the door, he was the one Hinata saw first. Her hair at the top was a little messy, and she seemed oblivious to that fact, which made her all the more attractive to him. Her eyes met his, and he held her gaze. She halted and the two of them just stared, until a crimson stain found its way to Hinata's cheeks and she averted her gaze. Sasuke still watched her, even as she had stopped looking at him, her attention captured by some of the girls she had gotten close to during the exams. They embraced and kissed Hinata, and thanked Kami-sama that she was out of the hospital. Some more people approached her and congratulated her on her bravery in saving the injured shinobi. She smiled and thanked them all and said she was happy to get out of the hospital too.

He shook his head and wondered at her demeanor. If she was any other girl, she would be proud and talk some more about what she had done in a loud voice, to catch his attention. But instead, Hinata just smiled and thanked them for their praises and well-wishes. Well, she wasn't like any other girl. He had arrived on that conclusion since he had kept her company yesterday. They had talked much about their families, exchanged opinions, and became friends. They became comfortable with each other very fast, but Sasuke still felt a knot in his stomach when he saw her.

Looking up, he saw Hinata walking towards him. Before, she tottered in hesitant steps, but now she was taking longer strides, her hands swinging a little by her side. "Sasuke-kun, I'm really glad you could come!" she said cheerfully. She looked at the spot where Naruto and Sakura were talking earnestly, and her face fell. Sasuke felt his stomach sink at the sight of her and wanted to say something, but before he could, Hinata had put on a cheery smile. "Come, we should eat now." He followed her to the dining table, which was laden with food, and surrounded by hungry nins.

After he had piled some food on his plate, he stepped out of the throng and waited a little for Hinata. "I think I want to eat outside," she whispered to him when she had joined him. "There are way too many people here."

"Good idea," he said, and they went outside.

Hinata led him to the training grounds. "People won't come here," she said confidently. They sat down on the ground and started to eat in companionable silence. When they had finished, they placed their plates on the ground. Hinata sighed and looked at the sky, thinking. "Time surely changes people…" she remarked.

Sasuke shook his head. "Yes. But what made you say that all of a sudden?"

Hinata smiled indulgently. "I've been doing some thinking while I was in the hospital. I remember, when we were genins, how I used to stutter and was afraid of anyone and anything. But I'm not like that anymore now," she said.

Sasuke nodded then smiled. "I… quite remember. I didn't mix with you then."

"Yeah…" she said, her eyes taking on a faraway gaze. "I like myself better now. I like you now too. Before… well, I wasn't paying attention to you. I thought that anyone who has a fan club wasn't worth looking at, since he might be conceited. But, you're not such a bad guy after all." She smiled at him playfully.

Sasuke laughed. "Who knows what might happen in the future. The village itself has changed slightly too."

Hinata nodded in agreement. "I wonder what will happen in the future?" she rested her chin in her hands. "I certainly don't want another war."

"Me too," Sasuke said. "But there are more missions when Konoha's involved in a war. And I like going on missions."

"Well, that would give me something to do too," Hinata said. "Healing injured shinobis and all that."

Sasuke felt something brush his finger and looked down. It was a flower, with white petals. It reminded him of Hinata herself, pure and strong. He plucked the flower and gave it to her.

He could see her turn slightly pink. "Thank you," she said, twirling the flower in her hands.

He studied her hands for a while. They were porcelain white, smooth and small. Without his realizing it, his hand had strayed on top of hers and was holding it lightly. Only when Sasuke was snapped out of his thoughts did he realize that he was holding her hand. It was as smooth as he expected. He rubbed her knuckles.

He turned to look at her. She was gazing at him, slightly red. She smiled faintly at him, and he smiled back. It was one of reassurance and an unspoken promise. Hinata… Your hands are so soft… Could I just hold them forever? He shook himself, slightly annoyed. Where had that thought come from? Lately, he had found himself thinking sappy thoughts involving Hinata, even more so when he had been alone with her for the rest of the day the day before, and when he came back yesterday.

Hinata rested her head on Sasuke's lap. He was quite surprised, but didn't let on. He smiled at her again, and she smiled back, focusing on the flower he gave. She's like a child… innocent, and trusting.

The sun slowly set. "I don't get why people like sunsets so much," Sasuke said, breaking them of their silence.

"I do, Sasuke-kun," she said. "It's beautiful."

"Maybe it is, but how can people look at it when they get spots in their eyes?" Sasuke absent-mindedly picked on a patch of grass near his hands, resisting the urge to play with her hair.

"I guess so. But it's interesting to watch light turn to dark. Even more so when it's sunrise. Somehow, it gives one a glimmer of hope."

Sasuke just nodded, comparing Hinata to the sun.

A sigh came from her again.

"Why do you sigh so much, Hinata?"

"I do that when I want to push away sad thoughts in my mind, Sasuke-kun."

"Then why do you always think of sad things?"

"Sometimes I can't help it. They enter my mind, and I don't want to entertain those kinds of thoughts anyway. I think I have too much of them." She laughed, but it wasn't a joyful one.

"I hate it when you sigh," Sasuke said simply.

"I hate it too, but I can't help it when I think of sad things."

"An angel shouldn't be sad," Sasuke murmured.

"What?" Hinata twisted to look up at him. "What did you say?"

"Nothing… My tenshi…" The last two words were more of a whisper, but Hinata caught them anyway.

Hinata turned pink and looked away. "W-why tenshi?"

"You look like one, that's all." Sasuke sighed, wanting to kick himself. Where had he learned to say such things? Was this really the effect of hanging around Naruto and Sakura much? "Now I'm sighing too."

Hinata closed her eyes. "I think I'm going to be comfortable sleeping here."

"Take a nap," Sasuke advised her. "I'll take you back inside if they need you."

"Thank you," Hinata muttered.