Kind reminders:

English is not my native language so forgive any spelling/grammar mistakes.

AND

Please don't forget to tell me what you think! Falem comigo!

She knew the heat on her cheeks were clearly visible but she was able to control her nerves and reply politely "Of course, Naruto-san... hm... we can walk around the inside garden."

Sasuke managed to retrieve from the dining room and escape all the unnecessary small talk. He spotted the couple right about to enter the inside garden.

They were out of his sight for a moment and Sasuke missed right when Naruto slipped on some ice in the path and almost fell on the snow, but managed to rebalance himself in a funny position. Hinata was startled and worried for a second but her expression changed quickly and she couldn't hold back her laughter.

As Sasuke got closer and passed by the entrance of the garden he heard Hinata laughing from afar. Despite the distance, the warmth of that sight landed right into his heart, in a place that was long forgotten.

But then something went off. The couple started talking and he felt a bitter taste in his mouth along with a tight grip on his stomach. They were getting further and he couldn't hear what they were saying. But he didn't have to. He was annoyed by it already so he headed to his bedroom.

"I-I'm sorry Naruto-san. Are you okay?", Hinata finally was able to ask after recovering from the sudden laughter.

"I'm fine hehe", he gave her a nervous smile while scratching behind his head feeling a little embarrassed. "I would offer you my arm, but now I'm not sure if I'm reliable."

A gentle smile adorned her lips. She looked down to her own steady footsteps while slowly walking in front of him.

Naruto also walked slowly with his eyes on his own footsteps. He added without much thought: "You look like a porcelain doll that would break if I hold you the wrong way."

Hinata blushed furiously and continued looking down to the floor, her hands in a tight grip trying to control her nerves. She could feel her heart beating inside her head.

Naruto cleared his throat and continued: "So... Do you want to get married?"

Hinata felt the air was going to explode inside her lungs and her blood was pumping fast inside her chest. Her mind felt dizzy and her sight was getting blurry. If Naruto was saying something, she just couldn't hear him anymore.

"I mean...", Naruto slapped his forehead, still looking down at his feet: "Argh! I'm terrible with words... What I want to say is-"

He looked forward facing her back just in time to see her body swaying slightly and starting to fall to the side.

"Hinata!"

She blacked out.

* * *

Sasuke was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling but his mind were far away from there. He saw Hinata in such a spontaneous moment and in a way he had never seen before. He felt warm just from the thought of her laughter. It made him remember a simpler time when he was a happy innocent kid with no responsibilities. It made him feel lighter and it was a good feeling. Maybe he could make her smile to him like that...

* * *

The next day, Hinata opened her eyes to the ceiling of her bedroom. She blinked. She couldn't remember getting to bed last night. Looking at her surroundings, still sleepy, she saw a small envelope on her bedside table and gently opened it to find a letter. She gasped as the memory of yesterday events quickly came to her:

Dear Hinata,

I deeply apologize for what happened. I never meant to scare you. I was so nervous I can't even recall exactly what I said to you. I'm not good with words, said or written. Please, believe that my only intention is to understand your expectations so I do not promote a situation that you are not confortable with. I wished we could have talked this through in person but by the time you read this I already left. I hope you can write me back.

Naruto

* * *

The morning went on and Hinata's mind was hazy. She didn't know what to reply to Naruto's letter, how to put it in words. She wasn't ready for commitment with someone she just met.

She finished picking some roses in the garden greenhouse at the back of the Hyuuga main house and was heading to ask the maids for a vase.

"Hinata."

She flinched with his low voice suddenly behind her, stopping in her tracks and winced in pain right after. She had instinctively grasped on the branches of flowers and leaves she had in her hands.

She opened one of her hands and spotted a small drop of blood starting to slide down her index finger.

Sasuke saw it too, now standing beside her. 'Great, I already suck at this...'

"I'm sorry. You should wash it.", he stated blankly while taking the branches from her grip.

She nodded and they went back inside the mansion, walking side by side.

A servant brought them a bucket of clean water, a soft cloth and small bandages.

Without much thinking, Sasuke took the cloth, damping it in the water and started cleaning her palms. He could support both of her hands with just one of his.

Taking extra care with her cut finger, he cleaned it and pressed it a little to stop the bleeding. For the first time he looked up and their eyes meet. They were close.

Again he didn't know why but he wanted to kiss her. This time he wouldn't.

Her eyes stared right back at his and she looked a bit surprised. She got out of her thoughts and was now back to reality. She was blushing and looked down to escape his gaze.

Her voice was so soft in his ears, almost like a caress: "Sasuke-san... Um... Thank you... I... Are you feeling better?...You were very debilitated last week...I'm afraid I didn't get the time to properly ask you this before... I apologize." She finished looking back up to him.

Now was his time to feel flattered and avoid her gaze. He caught a small bandage, ripped it in half and tied it in her finger.

"I'm fine." Actually he was annoyed he couldn't act normal and control the situation as he planned.

"I'm glad to know... Thank you for this!", she smiled at him flexing her tied finger playfully.

And he was struck by her. He felt her warmth go up from his heart to his cheeks. He was only able to give her a small nod, turn around and leave her there in pure confusion.

Hi everyone! Thanks for reading!

Please, let me know your thoughts about the story so far! Byee