Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters do not belong to me.
Due to the typhoon here, finally got up the determination to sit down and crank out this chapter. On holiday in Hong Kong now; who knew that shopping everyday could actually be so boring? Many thanks to the faithful who still stick with me despite my laziness...
"Watch out, Hinata!"
Startled, the girl jumped back, narrowly avoiding a spinning kunai headed straight for her nose. Kiba ran over, Akamaru barking loudly at his side.
"What's up with you lately? I could have really hurt you!"
"Nothing, Kiba-kun." Hinata stared at the ground, quickly flashing a nervous smile at her teammates. "I'm...I'm just tired, that's all."
"That had better be all."
A tall, black-haired woman walked up, the concern on her face belying the sternness of her tone.
"Your chakra control and speed have improved significantly over the past six or seven months. You should be proud of your accomplishments; there's no need to overexert yourself all at once."
"Yes, sensei."
Kurenai surveyed the girl in front of her for a moment. "That's all for today. You can go home now."
Letting out a loud whoop, Kiba charged off the field, waving goodbye to Hinata while Shino headed off in the direction of the forest.
"Hey, Shino! Where are you headed?"
"Forest. Train my bugs."
"Aw, aren't you hungry?"
"No."
"Come on..."
"Hinata."
She turned as her teacher fell into step beside her. "Yes?"
"Kiba was right, you know. You haven't been yourself lately.Care to tell me what's going on?"
The memory of warm lips and hard hands flooded unbidden into her mind. Shaking her head furiously, Hinata forced a small smile while avoiding those intent red eyes. She hated lying to the woman who had taken her in when no one else believed in her.
"I'm fine, Kurenai-sensei. I'm just wor...worried that I'm not...not improving fast enough."
She could tell that the woman didn't completely believe her but was relieved when she let it slide for the time being.
"If that's the case, I'll organize a special sparring event with another group.I'm going to look at it as both training and as an opportunity to see how far all of you have advanced in comparison with the other genin."
Kurenai nodded, obviously satisfied with her idea.
"Let's see, Asuma's group isn't really suitable since Nara Shikamaru is already a chuunin. So I guess that leaves either Gai or Kakashi."
She grimaced half-heartedly.
"Hmm...I guess Kakashi might be easier to handle than Gai so it's settled."
Glancing down at Hinata, she was surprised at the girl's lack of reaction to the possibility of sparring with that Uzumaki kid.
"Hinata," her tone was serious, "You know that you can come to me if you ever need anything."
"I know."
The reply was quiet but Kurenai smiled as she felt a small hand gently slip in and squeeze her own.
"Goodnight, sensei."
-o-O-o-
She hadn't seen him since that night nearly two weeks ago.
Hinata sighed, absentmindedly stroking the soft tuff of fur on her lap. The stray kitten purred, nuzzling its head into the gentle fingers. The pond was unoccupied, a faint breeze sending light ripples across the mirror-like inky surface. She had not been able to sleep again but was unwilling to stay late at the training field.
That's silly, Hinata. It was Itachi-san who ordered me to stay away from him. Even though he was the one who kissed me, even though he was the one who had been aroused...
She hastily redirected her thoughts. It was not only distressing to think about what had happened that night, it was also dangerous. Dangerous because, in truth, Hinata wasn't nearly as frightened as she knew she should be. He had been rough and relentless yet, at the same time, desperate with some unspoken need.
Maybe what he needs is you.
The idea swam into her conscience but somehow, Hinata doubted that that was the reason. She sighed softly again. Not for the first time, she wished that her Byukugan could read emotions as well as other Hyuuga family members.
"You're out late."
The low voice from her right startled her. She had been too immersed in her thoughts to notice his arrival.
"Sasuke-kun?"
"Hyuuga."
Hinata glanced shyly up at the boy a few feet from her. His dark hair and clothing blended into the night, making him almost invisible. He looked so much like...him...that she couldn't think coherently.
"I couldn't...couldn't sleep so I went for a walk..."
Her voice trailed off when he gave no indication that he was even listening to her anymore. Taking his lead, the girl turned back to face the water, the peaceful stillness of the night broken only by the purring coming from her arms and the whispering of the wind through the reed bushes surrounding them.
"Why do you think people can't sleep?"
The question surprised her; Hinata would never have expected someone so well-known for being anti-social to initiate a conversation, especially with her.
"What...what do you mean?"
He sat down on the grass, his dark eyes fixed steadily on the sky above. It was a clear night, awash with countless twinkling stars.
"Is it because they're scared of what they might see in their dreams? Or because they're scared that when they wake up, they'll find that they've lost everything?"
His voice was so toneless, it sounded almost empty. Hinata tucked the kitten securely inside her jacket before wrapping her arms around her knees. It was cold tonight.
"Maybe they just...have too much to think about."
She shivered involuntarily as she sensed his gaze on her. Steeling herself for an icy retort, Hinata focused her milky eyes on the Uchiha.
"Then what are you thinking about?"
"I...umm..."
She was completely unprepared for the question and couldn't come up with a plausible excuse fast enough. The seconds ticked by while his expression grew sharper, taking in her flushed face and wringing hands.
"I...Sasuke-kun, do you believe that even if someone has done hor...horrible things, they can still change because...because they're good inside?"
The boy stared at her for a moment before flicking his gaze back to the horizon.
"No."
A disappointed breath escaped her lips. She had hoped that he...
"Why not?"
Hinata almost wished the question was too quietly spoken to be heard but the wind carried her words to him.
"Because it's not true."
The bundle against her heart stirred.
"What if it is?"
"Then prove it to me."
He stood up, directing a pair of painfully hard eyes on her. Eyes that had been mercilessly forced to become distant and emotionless. Forced by none other than his own brother.
"Prove it to me. I'd welcome you."
Without another word, he darted off, leaving Hinata alone with her thoughts once again.
Maybe it's what he wants from you.