"Don't forget one thing, Sasuke…" For whatever reason, Itachi's voice slid into his thoughts. "Don't forget."

It took some time before he returned back to reality. Hinata Hyuga—the person he had never even talked to before—had just asked him a question so grave he wasn't sure whether it was just an illusion to check his loyalty to Konoha. But she was real—he heard her quiet breathing, sensed her chakra that didn't feel like the sea but like lightning. Still, her question echoed inside his ear, sending electricity over his skin. It must be a fucking joke.

He scoffed. "Erase memories? Go to Yamanaka."

Those large, light eyes were still fixed on his as she shook her head. "I can't."

"Why?" He frowned, leaning down to intimidate her, hoping it would make her run away. However, she didn't back off like other people usually did. Maybe she was even more foolish. "Why not ask Ino?"

"Because… she would never agree."

Sasuke nodded. No, she wouldn't. The Yamanaka had principles and even if they could erase memories, they most likely wouldn't. Perhaps because of their morals or to dodge responsibility. If the Yamanaka would have, nightmares wouldn't have tortured him, and his brother might still be alive.

To pull himself out of those stinging thoughts, Sasuke studied the Hyuga closely. What could possibly plague her that she wanted to forget? She wasn't the one having nightmares about everybody she knew on the streets lying in their blood–

"Ino wouldn't," Hinata said quietly. "But I thought maybe you would…"

"What makes you think I could?" Sasuke bit out. The Yamanaka were known for their mind jutsu, not the Uchiha. And that should remain that way.

Hinata's glance shifted to the side as if she was choosing her words carefully. "You possess the Sharingan and the Rinnegan, both extremely powerful visual powers. The genjutsu from the Sharingan can be complex, altering the chakra in the brain…"

No way she knows about it. Sasuke cocked his head. "Genjutsu are illusions. All breakable and fleeting. Forget your shitty idea."

"Genjutsu operate on the brain," Hinata said. "They can be an instrument to manipulate the chakra to cause illusions. It could be used to erase them too. I heard that…"

She's bluffing. Clenching his jaw, Sasuke scowled at her. "You heard what?"

"I… heard you could access and extract a memory from another mind." Blinking at him with those moonlike eyes, she tilted her head a bit and lowered her chin.

"What if I could?" Sasuke gritted his teeth at his own prompt response. Why the fuck was he even interacting with her? He shouldn't even talk to her, especially about that topic. The knowledge was beyond S-rank, not that they were even discussing a mission. But it felt like one, leaving a feeling of being accomplices. Even worse.

If anybody would have heard this conversation, he would have been screwed and his atonement abolished in no time. Thankfully, Hinata's voice wasn't more of a whisper and he could barely hear her. He dipped his head a bit further.

Hinata inhaled sharply before she spoke again, "You can see and manipulate them. And if it's possible to alter them… could you try it on my mind? "

"Try it." Like a dish at a local restaurant. Sasuke snorted. Suddenly, the proximity between them became obvious to him again. He was standing way too close, her long hair stroking his neck. Enough. He took a step back. Leave.

Hinata nibbled on her lip. "I think you—"

"What is it you want to wipe out?" Sasuke internally cursed himself for even asking. Her question was idiotic to begin with, a task that could mess up the mind completely. Not that he cared for the integrity of her mind… But he didn't hate her enough to do that to her even if she was asking. That would only add to his list of things to atone for.

"So you would… help me?" Small tears welled as her teeth attacked her plump bottom lip again. Wide, shiny eyes captured his gaze, her glowing skin in the moonshine making him stare like she was some spectral creature. A hopeful smile settled on her lips.

It all made a "yes" strangely tempting.

Sasuke ground his teeth. "No." Without granting her a goodbye, he teleported into his apartment.

Even after he released his breath, the annoying shiver on his skin didn't disappear. What bothered him was the recklessness and stupidity of her not acknowledging the consequences. But it wasn't his task to talk to her about mind manipulation. Of course, he had done it before… to enemies. Never without an adequate reason. He could have easily erased the last ten minutes when she had approached him, but no. He had promised himself––he had promised Naruto to try harder. To be a better person. That included not messing with comrades' minds.

What will she do now?

Settling in his futon, Sasuke examined the little holes in the wooden ceiling. Inside his mind, her calm voice repeated her question. Erase memories. He covered his face with his arm. Out of all the requests women had ever directed at him, this was the most absurd.

What a lunatic. He snorted, wiping away the cold sweat on his forehead. Who would she ask next? It didn't seem easy for her to approach him, for they hadn't spoken before and definitely not about such topics. There was nobody besides him and Ino who would have known about that. Asking Ino was out of the question and he said no; Hinata was on her own. Most likely she would just abandon that idea.

Her determined face flashed in his mind.

A failed attempt would completely fuck up her mind.

What a stupid thought. Why would he even care? It was her own decision and life. He had to put distance between her and him because at that moment, he realized something: perhaps there was a reason he never spoke to her, not that he particularly liked to talk to anybody. For whatever reason, Hinata Hyuga had managed to get under his skin. He had always been irritated by that quiet and meek demeanor… but their talk stressed that.

Still, hours later, he couldn't forget her face, his reflection in her light eyes, her full quivering lips and shaky fingers. A glance without hate or resentment towards his persona but respectful and… hopeful? He concentrated on stuffing it all into the back of his head.

"You would… help me?" Her quiet voice echoed in his mind.

No. He wouldn't. Her feelings were none of his fucking business.

"What's with Hinata Hyuga?"

"Huh?" Ino's eyes shot up from counting the money in her palm. "What?" She looked at him like she wondered if she was stuck in a genjutsu.

Sasuke sucked his teeth. For whatever fucking reason, the question escaped when Ino handed him the bouquet. And now he contemplated using a genjutsu just to make the Yamanaka forget what she just heard.

"Hinata? Why are you asking?"

"I don't know her."

"We were all in a class together." Ino hummed as if she was trying to recall some distant memories. "She was on a team with Kiba and Shino under Kurenai-sensei…"

Sasuke shrugged at the useless information.

"Why are you aski—Ohh! Wait, don't they say 'birds of a feather flock together?' I never even considered that possibility, but thinking about it now, I get it." Ino smirked, playing with a blond strand of hair. "I mean Hinata became quite a looker, am I right? I bet it's not easy for you…"

Since the conversation seemed to lead nowhere, Sasuke turned and made his way to the door.

"And now you're trying to win her heart? Ah, you two! Always rivals, even in love matters. I mean she loved him since when? It would take magic to make her forget that."

Sasuke stopped, his fingers tightening around the flowers. "Forget what?"

Ino blinked. "Eh… Naruto, of course? He's been her crush since when… school? She's pretty stubborn when her mind's set, I guess. Won't be easy for you to compete with that kind of love––"

He left the store. Love. Crushes. Again. Was that the answer to the why? Sasuke shook his head, walking towards the cemetery. How crazy must that girl be to even think of mind manipulation? Pathetic.

After reaching Itachi's grave, he laid down the bouquet and tried to imagine what his brother would have said to all of this.

"We have to help the weak, Sasuke."

I'm not sure. What would you do, brother? Most likely, Itachi would have talked to her, listened to her, changed her mind. His brother had been a kind soul––too kind for his own good. They were nothing alike.

Sasuke started his usual prayers even if he didn't believe in them. But his mother did.

He was on his way from the cemetery to where the Uchiha compound had used to be when he spotted Hinata in the streets.

Sasuke walked after her, keeping an appropriate distance. With every step he took, the fire inside of him grew, irritation pressing against his chest. It wasn't her game, and he wouldn't be a piece in it. He wanted answers. Perhaps the boredom was the root of his uncharacteristic curiosity. Or maybe he just wanted to forget about his own issues for a while. Or maybe it was already him atoning?

Hinata didn't seem to be surprised when he appeared next to her. Her Byakugan must have announced him when he was miles away.

"Hyuga."

"Good evening, Sasuke." Her voice was smooth and calm, a little smile vibrating on her full lips.

His frown deepened at the obviously forced politeness. "What's your plan?"

"Um… My plan?" Her shoulders tensed up, but her face didn't flinch. She appeared different from last time–lips tightened into a thin line, puffy cheeks, a slightly reddened nose. "I'd like to apologize for… yesterday. It wasn't appropriate, and I hope you can forgive me. I-I can assure you that I won't bother you again. If you excuse me—" She bowed, turned around, and started walking off.

"You didn't answer my question," he said, and she stopped. "What's your plan?"

Tilting her head to the side, she sighed. "It will… be taken care of."

"You found a way?"

There was a slight nod.

Sasuke pressed his teeth together. So she hadn't abandoned her insane plan after their talk. What was she planning to do next? "The Yamanaka?" he asked and could have slapped himself for it. He didn't care why continue the conversation?

"I… no."

"No?"

"No." Her voice sounded soft but assertive. That defiance was annoying as fuck.

"Then what?" Sasuke growled, trying to read that pale face in front of him.

She remained silent, lowering her head.

"What will you do next? Talk, Hyuga, if you don't want me to sell you out." He activated his Sharingan and smirked when the veins of her Byakugan immediately appeared near her temples.

Her eyes shook slightly as she stared at him. "You… wouldn't…"

"Talk then." He deactivated his Sharingan again.

The veins on Hinata's face receded as well, and she looked away. "There might be a way to do it myself."

"Yourself?" He scoffed with a slight shake of his head. Now that was even more lunatic. "How?"

"A combination of meditation, chakra control, and Tenketsu in the head might be the solution."

A cold breeze crawled across his body, leaving goosebumps on his skin. "You want to experiment on your own Tenketsu?"

She remained silent, not averting her gaze.

"That could be suicidal." What a fool. Operating on her own Tenketsu was dangerous, even for a Hyuga. Especially those in the head area. His tongue itched to point out all the side effects. I shouldn't engage. Just leave. However, his mouth decided to behave on its own accord. "If you mess with your mind, it can cripple you or even—"

"I've got it under control." Hinata's face hardened, hands now tightening into fists. "I… I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable. Thank you for your concern. We should just forget about it. Good night." She bowed quickly before she left him standing alone.

Watching her go, Sasuke scowled at her words. Concern? Uncomfortable? She really was crazy. She really was insane thinking he would care.

He was done. Done with that topic. Done with her. His warnings had been clear, and now it was her responsibility. She said she found a way, and he would continue without being involved.

Back at his apartment, he sat at the table.

Hinata Hyuga and her stupid plan. Did she really think she could walk up to him, ask him that, and then act like it never happened?

He didn't know her. They had been classmates years ago. She was a Hyuga and not the best-skilled fighter. Due to his photographic memory, Sasuke could recall her on the battlefield standing somewhere near Naruto. Apart from that, he knew nothing. Some days ago, he wouldn't have known if she'd be dead or alive. It made no difference.

He wouldn't want to know.

He had to forget about it. But every time the sun set and the moon rose, he thought of her. It was annoying… and idiotic.

At night he had a dream again, Itachi walking in his direction, leaning down to him. "Do not forget, Sasuke…" It was just like in his memory, but this time Hinata Hyuga stood right next to his brother.

"Please."

The next day, he sparred with Naruto again. Since he wasn't used to fighting with one arm yet, it wasn't easy to keep up with Naruto, who'd already gotten his transplant. Still, Sasuke's decision stood. No transplant. It was his way of remembering.

After the fight ended, Naruto and he sat in the grass, catching their breath. Sasuke sighed at the strange new routines he had acquired. Spar, eat, "sleep," cemetery.

Huffing loudly, Naruto laid down on his back to face the sun. His voice brought Sasuke out of his thoughts. "It's still strange, you know…"

"What?"

"To see you back in Konoha."

"Hn."

"Almost like in the good old times. And I think that one day we—" As if he got hit by a bolt, Naruto sat up, and his grin disappeared, a small frown flashing on his face.

Sasuke followed his line of sight that led to Aburame, Inuzuka, and… that Hyuga girl training at the training ground nearby. Their shouts and dog barking were audible as Hinata fought against both the Inuzuka and Aburame. She was spinning around gracefully, dodging and jumping, sometimes lunging at them. Her arms were flying around her, fingers working quickly and effectively. It looked like dancing.

"Look. It's Hinata," Naruto whispered, completely captured by her.

Sasuke lifted an eyebrow at that strange reaction. Ino had said Naruto had been Hinata's crush, but he thought the situation was similar to him and Sakura.

To see Hinata again made his hair stand up; she was everywhere. Or maybe she always had been, but he hadn't noticed? "What's with you two?"

"Nothing." Naruto lowered his head. "I… just… kinda… screwed up."

"Screwed up what?"

"I…, ya know, so I guess… first when Pain attacked the village… She wanted to give her life for me, Sasuke. She said she loved me but… then, the same thing happened on the battlefield. I couldn't… You know…" Naruto's mouth continued to move but Sasuke's thoughts trailed off.

Because suddenly, he understood everything: Hinata had been willing to sacrifice her life for Naruto. But obviously, he had rejected her. His face said it all: blue eyes all watery, whiskers hanging low. Guilt. It was guilt. Sasuke knew that feeling.

Naruto felt the same as Sasuke felt for Sakura. Not enough.

In the end, her crush really was what she wanted to forget.

When Sasuke couldn't sleep, he strolled through the village. He found Hinata at a pond in a small park next to the Hyuga compound. She was sitting on a bench, looking at the water. How was it even possible that he was constantly seeing her?

The voice inside of him told him to turn around. Leave. Just walk away and mind his fucking business.

With quick steps, he made his way over to the bench until he stood in front of her.

"Sasuke… I didn't expect to see you again." Her quiet voice shook as her eyebrows furrowed. "Are you following me?"

"Are you following me?" he snapped. Defense was the best offense; nobody knew that better than him. Even if it was stupid, her reaction amused him.

"Um… I…" Light eyes widened at the accusation, a pink blush tinting Hinata's cheeks. She shook her head. "No. I-I wasn't."

"What are you doing here then?" He clenched his jaw as he watched her carefully. He couldn't ask what he really wanted to know. Usually, it was easy for him to be direct, but nothing about that situation appeared usual.

"Mm. This park was a place I'd usually go to—before the war. I stopped after… but today I felt like..." She trailed off, placing her hands on her thighs. "I came here to think, I guess."

"About what?"

"Is there something in particular that you wanted to talk to me about, Sasuke?" Now that soft-spoken directness caught him off guard. She acted as if he had just imagined their last encounters.

Better for me.

But at his next thought, a shiver ran down his spine. Has she already accomplished her goal and really can't remember? Though, as she nibbled on her plump bottom lip, he released a breath. "You know why I'm here."

"Do I?" she asked quietly. "I'm not sure. Why are you here?"

His eyebrow twitched in irritation. Nothing about her was comparable to other people he had met before. Her voice and appearance were calm, soft, and shy, but he sensed that the mind behind it was sharp as a blade. A Hyuga, after all. For a moment, he recalled other Hyuga he had met before. Only a distant memory of Neji Hyuga came into his mind but he hadn't seen him in years. But then he remembered what he was about to tell Hinata.

"You shouldn't do it," Sasuke said.

"Hmm?" Hinata's fingers pressed into the wood of the bench.

"You know exactly what I mean. Stop playing dumb."

A shadow of a smile flashed on her face for a second. It was the moment he understood what Naruto had tried to tell him. Don't run away. Even though the urge was there, he forced himself to stay.

"You shouldn't do it," Sasuke repeated. "It's not worth it."

Her lips parted slightly, a silent Why? on them.

Sasuke sat down next to her on the bench, smirking a little when she scooted away to increase their distance. "Manipulating the mind isn't safe."

"Hm…" Hinata's glance wandered around, halting at a tree branch where an owl was hooting. A quiet sigh was audible. "The life of a shinobi never is."

"Why do you want to do it?"

"The memory… it's… hurting me. Again and again."

She wants to forget Naruto. Sakura and Ino had repeatedly told him how painful unrequited love could be, and the small Hyuga girl was so hurt that she would rather approach him instead of dealing with her broken heart. Sasuke groaned. "Are you really that weak and stupid?"

"S-Stupid?" Tears started to pool, her hands turning into clenched fists.

"Yes. It's idiotic. There are people with real problems." Sasuke shook his head. "You act like it's the end of the world."

"End of the w–– I… see." Hinata stood up abruptly. Thick tears were now streaming down her cheeks, dripping down from her chin. "I just thought you might… understand. But I was wrong." She quickly started to march away, dark hair swaying in the motion.

I should understand? Sasuke snorted. He would never try to manipulate his brain to forget some childish crush. What made this woman think he of all people could empathize with her? She had no idea of real issues. Of real pain. The anger rose inside his chest like bile, threatening to burn him from within. She knew nothing.

But somehow…

That face. Those silent tears. Sasuke ground his teeth. It looked like her pain was really worth forgetting. For a moment he aimed to understand it–that concept of romantic love making people do insane things. He teleported in front of her. "Explain."

"P-Please, I should go…" She side-stepped him, but his hand snapped forward and held onto her wrist. She froze, not drawing back from the touch, her cold skin probably burning under his warm fingertips.

"What exactly do you want to forget? A conversation with him or…" he hissed.

Hinata shook her head. "My brother's death."

Sasuke swallowed. What. The. Fuck? He knew nothing about her in the end.

Itachi. I've been foolish. His arrogance had been endless. He looked at her, watching those tears drop down her chin.

And then another set of four words left his mouth before he could second guess it:

"I'll help you."

Sommer: Hehe, so... Sasuke annoyed me a little bit in this chapter. Still, arrogance, ignorance, and premature judgment are just his flaws, that's why it went the way it did. At least, there's progress and I can't wait for them to work together.

Thank you so much for all the nice comments, wow! It made me so happy and extremely grateful. I'm always glad to hear your thoughts :)

This chapter was again beta-read by my friend and writing idol IcyQueenWriter. Thank you so much for your help and encouragement.