Yo! First of all thank you so much for all the comments! I'm really glad you took time to read. Please stay by my side till end!

DISCLAIMER: NO, I'M INNOCENT

chapter 3: You'll start new

Hinata cringed at the sunlight bashing at her eyes. The sun was harsh and he could tell that it was way past Her normal routine. Her body was sore and the overuse of Byakugan made her temples cry in pain. Her was body was sweaty and she was sure she had a nest of hair in her head. She groaned and due many excuses of stay limp in bed she sighed and opened her eyes.

She was in no mood for hearing any sort of 'disappointed in you' speech. She just wanted to be left alone but she knew better. The more she delays the more criticism she gets. Other than that she wanted to be presentable. It would help her ease the pain and cheer her up. With a last disgruntled groan she woke up and sat rubbing her eyes and stifling her yawn.

It felt weird like someone was watching you. But she was sure no one would come to her room without permission. Despite their eye perception they sternly believed in privacy. Just to be sure she surveyed her room. She gasped when she saw Sasuke uchiha standing in a corner and eyeing her. Wht the hell!?

'Just a dream just a dream' she chanted in her head and fell back on the pillows.

"So you admit I come in your dreams? " Hinata bolted up hearing the voice. She was still wobbly but shaking her head and concentrating , activating her byakugan she made sure he was real. If it would have been some sort of cruel joke by the name of kami she swears that she would knock the hell of the damn prankster. But he was real and standing and smirking.

"How are you here? " Her throat felt dry and felt like poison was building up there.

"I have got a job. "

"Don't mess with me"

"You look like hell"

"You're not supposed to say such things to a girl first thing in the morning! "" She was annoyed. If she could she would simply tie him up block the points and throw him in the river. She frowned when she realised he was correct she did look like a homeless beggar right now. Why was he in here in the first place!

"Hn"

"Get out! How did Neji nii San didn't stop you"

"Seriously? I was a rogue ninja for years and the whole Shinobi nations couldn't find me"

"It's a district of byakugan wielders! "

"And still couldn't spot me" Hinat rolled her eyes. She knew the man was talented but this went too far.

"I don't want to argue in the morning. If you want to spar I'll take some time to fresh up"

"It's almost afternoon. Freshen up and come down. I have a job to do"

"What job? "

"Get down"

"Get out! " He raised his eyebrows and vanished in a blink of an eye. This made her think if he did go or is he hiding somewhere around. Dismissing the thought she trudged towards the bathroom. She won't lie but she was horror striken when she saw her own face. And now embarrassed as the Uchiha saw her like this. She isn't someone who goes on checking her face and hair from time to time but Hyugas are taught to be graceful and presentable for every thing. To think she would be the heiress.

Brushing her teeth and stepping in the warm shower made her soul return to her body. The bloody hot spring was still in her memories and soon she'll be having nightmares about them too. She was grateful that he saved her life, thrice. It is hard to believe that he is the same uchiha who murdered thousands and even destroyed konoha. The one she sees maybe is a noxious guy but he brings the best of her out. She is more confident around him, she doesn't stutter and definitely doesn't faint.

It's too quick to judge anyone at least after knowing their criminal record. People may loathe him but for her he was a brave individual who had no way but to take after the path of darkness. Standing there she cannot even imagine the state she would be in if at the age of 13 her whole clan was massacred by your own older brother. She would have been devastated and suicidal. Her family may have a cold shoulder but the sense of returning somewhere plays a vital role on our life then we let on.

It was just amazing for her how he made himself strong rather than destroyed. She knows he could have killed her in just a snap but he didn't. He saved her life, understood her feelings that she wanted to let go, he fought with her rather than disregarding her stating she was weak. Yes, he didn't hold back and made her push herself. It's may be the life threatening atmosphere around him that always made her more vigilant. Her blood pump was more athletic and she felt a sort of confidence and excitement. It was weird but true.

She got out of the shower and dressed herself in a off white shirt and a long lavender plaid skirt. She remembered how Hanabi went to shop and brought this for her saying she was way behind fashion. She never bothered to wear it since it made her conscious about her luscious looks. The skirt was a tight fit at the waist and it brought out her curvier figure that she always preferred to hide behind the trench coat. Many girls and boys may be swoon by this figure but it was not ideal for a hyuga who's speciality is combat and fluid movements. She waved off the thoughts.

She is going to start to making good changes in her life isn't she? The first priority should be her confidence. Her hair was still wet but it was brushed and tamed. It would be dry while she haves her breakfast or lunch whatever. She had a medical check up to be done today. Yesterday when she asked her father is she should stay at the hospital her father scowled and strictly commanded her to be back at the hyuga compound. Guess that's what she gets for sneaking out. With a final look at her and a new found confidence she walked outside her room.

Many branch family members bowed at her and asked her how she was. Her reply was always positive. She went to the dining room and before she could ask for anything they served her a huge plate of salad and meat. She was hungry but not a pig. Gulping under the intense gaze of their cook she quietly ate everything. She might just wobble around somewhere and roll around with the amount of food she was stuffed with. Washing her hands she stood up to go greet her neji nii San. He was so worried about her the other day.

"Good afternoon Hinata sama" She was halted in her tracks by a branch family member. Recognizing who he was she smiled at.

"Good afternoon ko san"

"How are you feeling ? "

"Better ko san. I'm sure I'll be just fine in a few hours"

"Of course you will hinata sama. Hiashi sama asks for you in the living room"

"Otou San is asking for me? Alright I'll be right there"

"Hai hinata sama. " With that she marched towards the living. Reaching there she took a deep breath and knocked at the door.

"Come in" She entered the room and deadpanned at the figures sitting there. There was her father, few of elders, neji nii San and Sasuke uchiha.

"Hinata have a seat" Her father asked her. She simply nodded and did what she was told. Neji was disappointed and was radiating murder.

"Otou san you wanted to see me"

"Yes Hinata. The hokage and uchiha san investigated yesterday's event. " Her breathe hitched. If in anyway they knew why she was there she was so a goner. " And they have a proposal which I accepted "

"What is it otou san? "

"From the investigation they say your byakugan was targeted. We believe it isn't an one time occurrence. So untill we find the root cause we want you to be protected. For that Rokudaime asked Uchiha San to look out for you. So from now wherever you go please take uchiha San with you" Hinata choked on her spit with her father's declaration. At first he sneaks now he has permission to sneak in. Good grief.

"Hai otou San. "

"Hiashi sama I won't mind if you put me in uchiha san's place. After all protecting Hinata sama is my foremost duty" Neji proposed. It wouldn't be really that different since Neji is always this protective person.

"Neji you have byakugan as well. In any case we don't want them cornering the two of you. I do not doubt your responsibilities Neji however uchiha san is more than capable right now. "

"Right Hyuga sama" Hinata could very well see how much neji was dissatisfied from her father's action. For a moment there even she wondered how come they convinced to aid someone as her bodyguard who is a heinous criminal as well .

"Hinata what is on your day? "

"Hai otou San. I have a visit to the hospital and I was thinking to stop by kurenai sensei's house "

"Alright. But for any reasons I don't want to run somewhere on your own. Understood? "

"Hai otou San"

"You're dismissed. Uchiha San please have a look out for her".

" Will do" With that hinata bowed and left the room with Sasuke behind her heels. He was so stealthy that hinata doubted he is there or not. Once in the corridor she turned to check on her new found body guard only to get slammed in some one's chest. It was warm and smelled like forest. If that makes any sense. Regaining her composure she cheeks began bright red when she registered who it was. Hurriedly taking a few steps back. She bowed her head.

"G-gomem U-chi-"

"Hyuga" His intense voice made chills run through her spine. His words from earlier events replayed in her brain.

"Gomen nasai Sasuke sa-"

"Sasuke" She took another deep breath lifted her head and looked in his eyes. Such depth.

"Gomen Sasuke. I didn't mean to" Her blush was back. She never called anyone without Honorifics. It was her first time.

"Move" She blinked and looked at him. Now what?

"Huh? "

"Move hyuga. You have hospital appointment"

"Hai." She nodded and made her way out of the door. Silently walking around the streets. Sasuke had his cloak on and his one eye was covered in his bangs. She won't deny it, he was utterly handsome. Even now there are so many fan girls around. They would die to just take a look of him.

"Its rude to stare"

"Eh? What? " She embarrassed yet again. What happened to the new found afternoon confidence? Sasuke smirked at her and continued walking. Around a turning she halted when she spotted two silhouettes. One was orange shirt and other was red. Subconsciously walking towards them she took in what she saw. Naruto and Sakura holding hands and kissing. Her throats felt dry and hot tears warning to fall down. She was not over him yet. Just how many times she would have to kill herself to escape from the pain? It was hurting so bad.

She was froze and her steps were Unstable. Sasuke noticed what was going on. Though on normal occasions he won't bother but this was different. For some reason his heart clenched at the sight of teary eyed hyuga. He grabbed her wrist and made them turn into another street. A small 'eeep' escaped her mouth but she was grateful for the pull.

"Arigatou Sasuke kun"

"Hn" He responded blandly. His fingers were still around her wrist but they didn't care.

"Are you jealous? " Sasuke asked. Curiosity reaching his peak. Hinata was shocked at first.

"N- no. "

"Hn" By his reaction she was sure he wanted a explanation. In general he is a very vigilant person and won't tolerate any sort of thing he doesn't know. But he would never ask cause he is Uchiha Sasuke and he has reputation to hold. Hinata sighed.

"I- I never get jealous from anyone. I'd rather accept than fret over things. If you are asking whether I was jealous of Sakura chan, I'll tell you I was not. I have accepted their relationship but.. But the wound is still fresh"

"Hn. Totally explains you're reaction earlier"

"Oh about that. It's just looking around there makes me remember all the things I cannot have. "

"Bullshit you're a clan heiress, you can have everything you want. "

"So? You said I'm a clan heiress, say in a few months the elders will fix a arrange marriage for me. Then what? Will he love me? Will he court me? Will he try to understand me? Will he comfort me? Will he make.. Will he make little gestures to make me feel secure? The way Naruto kun does to Sakura chan? Or will he be embarrassed about it and ignore everything, because his ego comes first" Sasuke was taken aback by her sudden outburst. So that's what she is worried about. He frowned and tighten his hold on her wrists.

"If you ask him to do he might do everything"

"No. Such things should come from your conscience if you mean them. It isn't any sort of theory exam that you'll mug up and barf in the paper"

"And what if the guy has no idea about such things? "

"I told you, he doesn't need to have a idea before hand. If you see someone close to you sad it's pure instinct that makes you wrap your arms around them. It's similar like that. If you love someone adore someone your instincts will make you do such things"

"And what if the guy isn't comfortable with physical affections? "

"Oh Sasuke San you're so silly! It's ok if someone is not comfortable. You do not do such things on first meet do you? It takes time to built trust and comfort. Everyone has an insecurity, but we shouldn't avoid them and run. We should take steps, little little slow and steady. And you'll never know when you overcome those insecurities! "

"You know if you love Naruto so much you could have just asked him to return"

"And what would have been the point to that? My love isn't selfish that demands payback. Naruto kun will always hold a place in my heart but-"

"But? "

"But I'll move on. I really wanted a closure you know. And I hoped he would accept my feelings. It stinged when he didn't. I just wanted him to say whatever he wants to in my face. Him ignoring my feelings was a cruel joke. I gave him enough time to deal with it. I was ready to put my steps I'm adulthood and start a new beginning. But in my mind maybe we little but somewhere hoped he my new begining was with him. I expected him sort out his feelings . But you know what they say expectations hurts. " Hinata was crying.

Those shameless disobedient tears flowing without a care. She was unaware of the location she was standing, she was unaware of the people who might have seen her in those unladylike state. She wanted to collapse on the floor and cry. Cry for the last time and let all those concealed sentiment flow out with the tears. Her heart was forming cracks and her body was going numb. She felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her waist. The hold was hesitant but bless whoever it was. She clutched a few drapes of the clothe which was in her range not caring whose it was. Her knuckles were turning white and her shoulders were shaking uncontrollably. She kept her eyes cursing each and every drop that was flowing from it. Her throat was turning dry but she wanted to scream so loudly.

"Hinata" A velvety voice called out. She muffled her sobs in the same clothes which she was clutching. She never knew her hands were in front of her untill her cheeks touched them.

"G-g-go-" She was panting and Hiccuping. Even if her sanity asked her to hold herself together her body wouldn't listen.

"Scream. Scream as loudly as you want" The voice commanded her again. It triggered her so much she couldn't contain herself and screamed. Her voice was muffled but her screams were heart piercing. She screamed as much as she wanted. Her throat was cracking and her face was starting to burn from the hot tears. Her head was aching, her lids getting heavier. She could feel her consciousness leaving her again. Ah man this was going to be the third time in a row. She can't help it anyways.

Hinata shifted uncomfortably. She was feeling so light headed and relieved. She was bubbly and wanted to dance on seriously any music. She opened her eyes expecting to see the off white colours of the wall. She didn't. Her eyes widened when she saw around her. It wasn't her room! The room were gray and she was laying in a freaking huge bed. Sunlight wasn't much through the window so she assumed the morning was yet to begin. Activating her kekkei genkei she examined area. It was freaking huge. Between a jungle with countless door where the hell was she.

"Good morning there" Her head jolted towards the door. There stood Sasuke uchiha in a tank top and trousers with a smug look on the his face.

"Eh? Where am I? "

"In the forest tied with a tree"

"N-noo i-i"

"You collapsed during your pity party yesterday. So I threw you in here"

"Arigatou. I didn't mean to ... Gomen for all the troubles"

"I could have honestly threw you somewhere you know"

"And you still did it in... "

"Uchiha compound" She gasped.

"WHAT!? Oh no neji nii san and otou san are going to be worried. Gomen gomen I need rush"

" I sent a message to your place stating you were caught up in hokage work"

"Oh. Arigatou . You've been saving my live like your hobby. You didn't need to go through all this. You could have dropped me in the hyuga doors"

"Trust me when I say I tried to. You were leeching to me. " Hinata was red from embarrassment. No words were coming out of her mouth.

"Hyuga"

"H-hai"

'"You never answered my question "

"Eh which one? I told you I was not jealous"

"What do you want to do now onwards?"

"Oh about that. Gomen I couldn't answer. I had a lot of things going on. Now that you asked me what am I going to do? Well maybe ANBU"

"Don't kid with me hyuga. You are a clan heiress"

"I never said I wanted that"

"Explain"

"Neither me nor Hanabi, my younger sister are suitable for the clan head position. We are both naive and the elders manipulative. If things go in their Orthodox way then in this changing times we will soon disintegrate. But neji nii San is not like that. He maybe overprotective sometimes but he has a strong sense of decision making. If we takes over the clan head I can rest assured. And to make that happen somehow I have to leave that position and that too without getting branded"

"So you think enrolling in ANBU will make the clan elders rethink their decision and you get the hokage indirectly backing you up. "

"Hai. Otou San will retire and if I back off then they have to make someone as a temporary head. Hanabi is 13 and is too young for such things. She will stay reserved but Neji niisan will the best choice for the clan leader. Once he becomes for a years and hanabi is old enough the decision is hers. "

"You're very cunning for your face but"

"But? "

"You're the bait here. You're in the risk of getting branded or disowned"

"I know. If I qualify ANBU I can plead rokudaime sama to give a long long term mission. "

"This is where you're master plan fails. You know I too wanted something like that to stay away from here. I personally went through every hokage scroll for any such missions. There is none hyuga none. And ANBU is the dark side of the shinobi world for that I know how deadly their tests could be. Simply putting you're not strong enough for it "

"Hey! I can try. I am training with lots. "

"Hyuga I have a offer for you"

"What? "

"I'll help you train for ANBU. In return I want something too"

"Really? Agreed. Tell me the reason "

"No. I'll tell you in time"

"But but-"

"Take it or leave it" Hinata frowned at his bluntness.

"I need some time"

"Tonight"

"A week"

"Tonight"

"2 days"

"Tonight"

"Tomorrow"

"Tonight"

" Alright Tonight it is" She sighed. The decision was tough but she was tougher. She will figure out something. Now that her head was relieved of many emotional chains she will have a much clearer look out for things today. "What do we do now? "

"You still have your check pending. Take a shower or something we'll complete your errands and you return to your hyuga compound. "

"Or I could return and then complete my errands"

"If you're so eager to explain the reason of your absence then yeah sure"

"Smart. I'll take a shower"

"Hn"

"When you're not busy being pompous you're nice to talk"

"I could have killed you but too smug" Sasuke smirked and left the room. While Hinata was awe struck. Her purse was on the night stand. So grabbed it and entered the washroom. She was sure it had her emergency summon clothes. Which was would be her mission gear.

After her shower and brush for which sasuke was kind enough to leave a pair. She was absolutely terrified of her outfit. Gathering her courage she went to Hall.

Sasuke wore his black full sleeve shirt and pant and was busy enjoying his tea. Hinata breathed again and mustered up her courage which was flying out of the window.

"S-sasuke kun" She squeaked.

"Hyuga what the hell did I tell you about the st-tu- " His eyes went wide at her. Her normal purple trench coat and baggy pants were gone. Now she wore a sleeveless lavender top with a wide waist belt and raven colored shorts. A netted fabric and her high kneed shinobi sandals ran through her legs.

"Gomen Sasuke kun. It is the new mission gear that that Hanabi selected. I trusted her so I had no idea it would turn out like this. I I I'm utterly embarrassed! " She was fidgeting her fingers , something she hasn't done in a long while. Her interest at the floor carpet was suddenly at high stakes and her cheeks were warm. She remembered that day when Hanabi was dead set to bring her a new mission gear. They were on their way when kiba and shino dragged her for a important mission. Later Hanabi never bothered , it was suspicious but she was too glad about it to ask. But never in her thousand years she thought she would do something like this. What if it would have been someone else than Sasuke? Wait what? Where did that come from?Her cheek temperature rose a few degrees more.

Sasuke noticed her self consciousness and frowned. she was looking stunning and -dare he say- tempting. But those stupid insecurities were destroying it all. " I remember someone said something about insecurities and little little steps. Why not start with confidence? "His lips tugged a curve.

" Right" She looked up and him and smiled. He was right.

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END.

GOSH! let me know how you felt about it!