One Step Closer To You

Chapter 7

Stepping out of the tea shop and onto the main road of the market district. Both Sasuke and Hinata were welcomed by the mid afternoon sun. The warm summer breeze blew ever so gently around them. Rustling their hair and clothes ever so gently. There gazes directed all around the scenery ahead of them. Viewing as the villagers moved about the market, buying and selling items. Observing as mothers gently tugged on their children's hand. Encouraging their kids to keep pace as they moved along the market. They saw fathers smile down at their sons. They watched as the young boys with much enthusiasm, show their fathers their brand new toys. They noted how couples both young and old mingled about their business on the main road, enthralled in each other's company. Never once paying any attention to their surroundings. The village was bursting with life all around them. It was such a beautiful sight to behold. Everywhere their eyes landed, there was something happening that would ensnare their attention.

Breaking out of his trance. Preparing to leave the area and head to the Inn. Sasuke was about to nudge Hinata forward, but stopped mid way, upon seeing her face. Adorning her supple lips was the most heart-warming and loving smile he has ever seen. He felt like he was witnessing an intimate secret only he was privileged to see. Her eyes spoke volumes of how much the sights before them warmed her heart. She radiated with an emotion he himself has not felt since he was but a mere boy, surrounded by his loving family.

Suddenly, his expression grew melancholic. Flashbacks of his childhood ran rampant across his mind's eye. He was remembering of days where he would run around and play with his younger cousins down the streets of his district. Moments in which he would accompany his mother to the market, afraid that the other village kids would steal her away from him. He feared that one day she would never return home to his father, to his beloved brother, but mostly to him. Those thoughts, though childish, were unfounded. Every single time his mother would reassure him that she would never leave her home, never leave him. That her love for her family was unyielding and never ending. He was content with her answer but wary none the less.

He thought of the time he had finally mastered "The Great Fireball Jutsu", his clan's infamous technique. Within his clan, it was known as a tradition to pass the style down. It was like a right of passage of sorts. If one mastered the jutsu, he or she was then considered an adult. The day he had mastered it, he had to show his father right away, and he did. He had impressed his father with the size of the fireball. It was the first time he had received any sort of praise from him. He could still clearly hear his father say "that's my boy" as he turned and walked away. He couldn't help the glorious feeling surging through his heart at hearing those words from his strict father. It was enough to make him smile broadly from ear to ear, as tiny tears formed in the corners of his eyes. He was at the top of the world. He had taken his first step in becoming a man.

He then recalled the moment when he had accidentally injured his ankle while throwing shuriken at targets. He had asked his older brother Itachi to accompany him to their favorite training ground that day. He wanted to show his beloved brother that he too was as good as he, if not better. He had tried so hard to impress his brother, but ultimately ended up humiliating himself by tripping over a rock and scraping his ankle. The amount of embarrassment he felt after making a complete fool of himself, had him covering his face. Making sure no one saw him. He was positive that everyone around could still see his red face. Itachi being the amazing brother that he was, never once made fun of him. Instead he happily carried him home on his back. He wanted to protest but knew he couldn't. Itachi had explained to him then that he had unluckily sprained his ankle and couldn't put any weight on it for sometime. He could still remember that day vividly. Though the memories took place so many years ago. They were still fresh on his mind.

Lost in his past memories. Sasuke failed to notice that Hinata's once wistful gaze had filled itself with concern once she turned to look up at him. He was in a hypnotic state. Though his body was present to the world, his mind was a million miles away. Stuck in a yesterday filled with love, joy and family. Sasuke was taken out of his memories by a warm and soft hand on his wrist. Glancing at the small appendage. His eyes slowly traveled to Hinata's face, locking eyes with her. What he saw in the depths of her eyes was enough to make his breath hitch. Her eyes were plagued with worry. Her unease was written all over her delicate features. It was enough to give him pause. He couldn't understand why her eyes were filled with worry for him.

"Are you okay Sasuke-kun?" asked Hinata.

" I'm fine" he said looking at Hinata. "Why shouldn't I be?"

"It just looked like you were uncomfortable. You were so lost in your thoughts that I-I got worried" said Hinata looking at him a little shyly.

"You shouldn't worry yourself with me."

"How can I not Sasuke-kun!" protested Hinata. " I just…I just don't want to see you with that hurtful expression on your face. You have been through a lot already Sasuke-kun. Whatever you were thinking about just now, looked like it was hurting you. I saw it in your eyes." fretted Hinata. "They looked so sad."

"Its nothing you should concern yourself with. It has nothing to do with you."

"I'm sorry if it looks like I'm trying to pry into your life. It's not my intention to be a nuisance to you, but I'm trying to reach out to you Sasuke-kun. And I know it may be none of my business, but whatever "it is" that you are going through looks like more then just "nothing" to me" stated Hinata. "I want to be able to help you. Even if its just to listen to whatever aisles you, whatever causes your heart such duress and sadness. Only if you will let me, that is" finished Hinata, determination set in her gaze.

Sasuke stayed silent. Moving his sight from her to the people around them, he thought to himself Maybe she is right? Maybe I just need to…no. This is something I must do on my own. I can't drag anyone into my problems. Sasuke didn't say anything for a couple of minutes, bringing his gaze back to her. He contemplated wether he should give in to her request and give her a glimpse of what his life had become after the massacre. As soon as that thought popped into his head, he tossed it aside. For now though, he will keep his reservations about his past to himself.

"Hn, maybe next time during a cup of tea we can talk about it?"

"O-okay, that would be wonderful"

"Alright, lets go. You must have other things to do. I do not wish to keep you from your other duties" stated Sasuke firmly.

At his seriousness Hinata giggled. "You're so serious Sasuke-kun. Just relax a little. It's a beautiful day. And you don't have to worry about me. You're not keeping me from any of my responsibilities today. I'm actually not on duty today. Usually, I would go and spend time with my teammates, but they're out on a mission together. We would go out to eat or spar at our old training ground. You remember, right? From when we were children, after we graduated the academy? The training ground that was not that far off from the one you and your teammates used to train in." said Hinata.

"Ah, I know which one you are talking about. The one Kakashi used to tell us to go wait on, only for him to show up three hours later" said Sasuke slightly peeved yet jokingly. "Would you believe me if I told you, that he used to come up with the most ridiculous lies. There was this one time he told Naruto, Sakura, and myself that he was late because he was "lost in the road called life". Seriously, he could have come up with something better. But the past is in the past. I don't really remember much from when I was a kid and honestly when I first saw you I didn't recognize you one bit?"

"Really!?"

"Hn, really. I couldn't place, the you before me, with the girl from our academy days. If I remember correctly didn't you have a thing for my idiot of a self-proclaimed best friend?" pondered Sasuke.

"I…um. See about that…um…I…and then he. We…"

Sasuke could see that this topic was making her uncomfortable. She could barely speak coherently, let alone string a full sentence together. Whatever happened with that moron of a best friend of his, clearly had affected her. He just wondered what kind of relationship they had or if any at all.

"Look, you don't have to tell me. Its none of my business anyway, but whatever you guys had going on obviously it still makes you uncomfortable. So I'll drop the subject" said Sasuke, noticing her shoulders relax. "But if one day you need to talk about it. I guess you could tell me. I'll listen I guess."

"Maybe when we go out for tea next time, we could talk about it as well"

"Sounds good. Now lets get going" replied Sasuke relieved knowing that they will meet each other on a later date.

Both were half way to Sasuke's temporary residence, when they suddenly heard two rather loud, distinct and very recognizable voices. They came from none other then Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura. They're voices were unmistakable. To Sasuke, they were like hearing nails on a chalkboard, loud and annoying. To Hinata though, it was one of those voices that brought along some rather unpleasant memories from a past she would like to not remember. These recollections were enough to make her freeze up where she stood. Sasuke seeing as he was trudging along by himself, looked back and saw her as still as a statue. She was hesitant and unmoving. He knew why or because of whom she was reacting in such a way. It was because of his rival and best friend Uzumaki Naruto.

Standing around the corner, at a stall, around one of the side streets stood both of his fellow team seven teammates. It seemed to him, that Naruto was arguing the price on a trinket he wanted to buy, but was becoming increasingly irritated seeing as he was not successful in lowering the price. Sasuke thanked his lucky stars that they hadn't spotted either of them yet. Knowing that she would not move unless nudged. Sasuke approached her slowly. He was about to suggest they walk a different route when he heard his name being called out rather loudly.

"Sasuke!...Sasuke!" it was Naruto. He was approaching quickly with Sakura hot on his trail. She must have heard Naruto yell out his name. The look on her face simply screamed out that she was surprised he was in town.

Naruto's voice cause Hinata's body to jolt and tense up more in place. She couldn't even look Naruto in the eye. She was looking at anywhere but him. Seeing as she couldn't focus in one particular location. She settled on her feet. Sasuke watched as she shrunk in on herself. It was like she did a complete 180. He couldn't fathom what had occurred between them, that made the girl he was getting to know, turn into a shy speechless mess.

"Sasuke ya bastard. What are you doing here? When did you get back into town?" asked Naruto coming to a halt in front of the two. The excitement visible on the Uzumaki's face. Naruto, noticing that Sasuke wasn't alone, looked over to the person standing rigid next to his best friend. It was none other than Hyuga Hinata. To say he was shocked was an understatement. There in front of him, was his best friend and next to him was the Hyuga heiress, looking rather close with each other. Seeing them both together unnerved him, made him feel uneasy. He couldn't quite pin point why he was feeling this way. Scratching the back of his neck, Naruto awkwardly greeted her. " Oh…um…Hinata-chan! Hey, didn't see you there…haha?" said Naruto softly "How have you been?"

Not being able to bring herself to look at him. Hinata replied just as awkwardly as he did.

"H-hello Naruto-kun. I-I've been okay. I-It's…um, good to see you."replied Hinata mustering up years of etiquette training form her clan. She just hoped that this chance encounter with Sasuke's old team wouldn't take much longer. She wanted to get out of there and quick. Any longer and she would drop the bags and ditch Sasuke.

Sasuke though, feeling the tense atmosphere around the two, just couldn't take it any longer. It was painful to watch the two try very hard to avoid each other. He was about to open his mouth, when Sakura had finally caught up to everyone. Stopping next to his blond best friend. Surprise written all over her face. Her emotions bare for everyone to see.

"Sasuke-kun"she said barely above a whisper. "How…wha…when did you arrive in the village? Have you been here long? Why, haven't you come to see us yet? Have you spoken with Kakashi-sensei already? Will you be leaving, again? How long will you be staying this time?"

"Hn, its good to see you too Sakura." Said Sasuke interrupting her borage of questions.

"Geez, Sakura-chan let the man breathe. I bet he just got here and already your interrogating the life out of him…"

"What was that just now, Naruto!"said Sakura gritting her teeth, preparing to pound Naruto into the ground for his comment.

"N-Nothing, nothing Sakura-chan"said Naruto waving his hands frantically in front of him. "I was just saying that he probably just arrived home and must've been too tired to come see us. He wouldn't of ignored us for no reason, unless…" trailing off Naruto's eyes automatically went to Hinata's stilled figure. Sakura seeing as Naruto stopped talking, watched as his eyes traveled to the person standing slightly behind her brooding teammate. Recognition strewn across her eyes, as she knew who it was. The person that was standing just off to the side of Sasuke. It was none other then team eight's very own Hyuga Hinata. What is she doing next to Sasuke-kun? Could they…could they possibly be on a date together? I-impossible, she's head over heels for Naruto. Unless…? No, no…there is no conceivable way for her to have feelings for Sasuke-kun, they don't even know each other. Last time I checked they weren't even friends, so how? And even if it was possible, when would they have had the time to meet up without anyone else knowing. Shaking her head. Sakura whipped her head around when she heard her name being called.

"…kura-chan"

"Huh?"

"Sakura-chan, you okay" asked Naruto, concern flooding his impactful cerulean eyes. "I tried calling you a few times but no response."

He had seen her space out once he had seen her eyes lock onto Hinata's paralyzed frame. He had a feeling that she too was trying to process the fact, that both Hinata and Sasuke were in any way connected with each other. There's no way.

"Huh, oh yeah. I'm okay."

"Oh, good! I thought I lost you there for a second."

"No, no I'm fine Naruto. Thanks for worrying."

"No problem what are teammates for Sakura-chan."

Seeing as both Naruto and Sakura were distracted, Hinata managed to snap out of her paralysis. She moved ever so gently closer towards Sasuke, all the while lifting her hand and clasping the corner of his sleeve. Pleading with her eyes, trying desperately to convey to him, the need to get out of there. Sasuke having felt the small tug on his sleeve, looked over at Hinata, witnessing the desperation in her eyes. It was clear as day to him, that she would rather be anywhere else but there in that moment. Sasuke perceiving the situation decided to interrupt his two teammates.

"Naruto, Sakura, as fun as this little reunion is. I have things to do. I'll come looking for you guys as soon as I get the chance. So, no need to come looking for me. If anything I will look for you guys tomorrow. Hinata let's go"

"Yes, after you Sasuke-kun" sasuke nodded his head in the direction they were previously heading. With that, they both walked passed the two stunned shinobi. "It was good seeing the both of you." Getting over the shock. Sakura quickly tried to stall Sasuke from leaving. It wasn't fair for her. She hadn't seen Sasuke in a little over three years and the one time she gets to see him, in less then five minutes he is trying to leave again. And with another girl no less. So she did the only thing she could think of in this situation. She tried to stop him. Though her efforts were futile, not once did he look back to see her. He just continued on his way, with Hinata by his side. She noticed, how as they walked away, the look he was giving her and the way she relaxed around him. If she wasn't so infatuated with the raven haired Uchiha. She would have said they made a gorgeous couple, but unfortunately that wasn't the case.

"B-but Sasuke-kun" yelled out Sakura frantically. "We just saw you."said Sakura as she whispered the last part, reaching out her hand towards the Uchiha.

"Let him go Sakura-chan. He said he will see us tomorrow" said Naruto seriously.

He too was seeing what his teammate was looking at. And if he was being honest with himself, he was not liking the view. It felt like he was being abandoned, like he was being left behind and he disliked the feeling. His heart was heavy, very constricted, so he tried to convince himself that there was nothing there. That maybe they were just friends. Their families were very similar, so maybe they had been friends a long time ago. Yeah that has to be it, right? That had to be the case. They were probably just rekindling their friendship.

As Naruto and Sakura watched Sasuke and Hinata's retreating forms. They both couldn't help the foreboding the was taking shape in their hearts.

When Sasuke and Hinata were far enough from being heard. Hinata shyly looked over at Sasuke and couldn't help but be grateful. He had understood what she had wanted to say, without saying a word to him, and for that she thankful.

"Thank you Sasuke-kun, for getting me out of there. I know it may look like I'm running away from my problems, but at the moment I'm not ready to face them. There's just too much hurt surrounding the situation between Naruto and I. And if your willing to wait a little, on our next meeting, I will tell you about it. So for the mean time, can we not talk about what just transpired. It would mean a lot."

"You don't have to tell me anything Hinata. You are not obligated to tell me about your life, but I appreciate that you are willing to confide in me. I know first hand what holding in your emotions can do to a person. It can damage you profoundly. It can fester inside of you until you can't take it anymore."

"Is that what happened with you Sasuke-kun"

"You could say that. All I know is that, if I knew then what I know now, maybe my life would have been a lot different."

"Do you truly believe that Sasuke-kun. Do you truly believe that it would have been different if you had then, the knowledge of today, or would it have been more damaging knowing what was to come and possibly not being able to change a thing."

"What do you mean?"

" I mean. Knowing full well, that if you changed anything, you would be potentially walking down a different path. One you would have no knowledge of. One where you may not be on team 7, may not have the friends you have now, or maybe…just maybe we would not have crossed paths and we wouldn't be talking right now."

"Or maybe my family would still be alive."

"I'm…I'm sorry I didn't think of it that way. I just…I just think that things happen for a reason Sasuke-kun. Wether it be good or bad. They happen and those events are what help us to become stronger. They make us who we are."

"Hm, very insightful."

"Sorry, if I'm rambling on and on. Its just…I don't know. It just seems easy to talk to you. I don't get the feeling of being judged by you, and that's comforting in a way. I don't usually get to experience this outside of Shino-kun, Kiba-kun, and Kurenai-sensei. So its refreshing, liberating even."

"Hn, I feel the same way."

"I'm glad."said Hinata noticing they were leaving the market district and heading to the outskirts of town. It looked like they were going to pass by the Uchiha district. "You mentioned earlier that you were going to start the rebuilding of your compound soon. When will you be starting?"

"I'll be starting tomorrow, why?"

"Oh, no reason. I just want to help that's all. If you'll let me?"

"I don't see a problem with you helping."

"Oh, good. I'm thrilled that we will get to work together to rebuild your home Sasuke-kun. You need a place to call your own. And who knows maybe in the future you will get married and have children. Wouldn't that be wonderful"said Hinata dreamily.

"Hn, it does sound nice."

Sasuke could help but glance her way as she spoke about his future. She had this fanciful look on her face, accompanied by a warm smile. He couldn't help but think that maybe she was right. That maybe everything that has transpired throughout his life, was just Kami's way of leading him to this very moment, this path that lead to her. He just knew he was one step closer to realizing his dream.