Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: A quick update before 2019 ends.

Warning: This chapter contains Mature Content. You've been warned.

11

It was raining.

The house was quiet, except for the pitter-patter of the raindrops against the window. The man poured over his book, eyes squinting as his sight had deteriorated with his old age. He had trouble sleeping and reading a book before bed had become a way to help him sleep better. As he squinted, fingers tracing the line to keep track of what he was reading, he couldn't help but missing his youthful days when he could read and fall asleep fast.

Fortunately, his hearing was still good and therefore, he could hear among the rain was footsteps. They hurried, probably looking for a place to stay until the rain stopped, and there was no other place in this area except his house. The footsteps were getting closer and soon, there was a sharp knock on his door.

The old man hesitated, not sure if he should welcome them. They were strangers and in this area where bandits and criminals wandered, he wouldn't want to risk housing the outlaws, especially when he had someone to keep safe.

The knocking on his door persisted and finally, he got up, deciding that he got no other choice. The door was not that solid, he was too old to make a new door himself and if they wanted, they could easily break it. He better opened it himself to save him his door. As his wrinkled hands reached for the door and opened it, he had expected to see rugged faces marred with scars, not a heart-shaped one with pearly eyes looking at him. He could almost sigh in relief if the person next to her didn't have such a dark aura. He seemed very irritated, which was understandable because both of them were drenched from head to toes.

"I'm sorry for intruding but can you let us stay until the rain stops?" Her voice was naturally soft, now got drowned out by the rain as it got heavier and Sasuke wondered if the old man could hear her. He would like to help her, activating his Sharingan and the old man would let them in without any questions but the girl insisted on him not doing that because like she said, it would not be nice and it's not how to ask for help. He had suddenly felt like a child being scolded by his mother but in the end, he didn't oppose her.

Seeing the hesitation on the old man's face, especially when he glanced at the man next to her, she quickly added. "W-We have money. Please, we have nowhere to stay. Once the rain stops, we will leave immediately."

The hesitation remained on his face but finally, he opened the door wider to let the two strangers in.

"Thank you," The girl said, gratitude evident on her face while the man's next to her remained indifferent. "We're very grateful."

"You're welcome." The old man said customarily. Motioning towards the hallway, he continued. "You can find a spare room at the end of the hallway."

"Who's that?" A timid voice asked as a little boy about 6-7 years old emerged, small hand rubbing his eye tiredly.

"You're supposed to be asleep." The old man quickly walked to the boy, likely to take him back to his room but he tugged his hand, seeming to want to stay.

"I h-heard the noise." He explained, hazel eyes staring at the two strangers.

There was curiosity written on his young face and noticing this, Hinata realized they hadn't introduced themselves. "I'm sorry I forgot to introduce ourselves. I'm Hinata and he's Sasuke. We're travelers."

"I'm Hajime and this is my grandson Daisuke." The old man said as his grandchild continued to stare at them with curiosity and even a little guard.

A soft smile graced her lips as this boy somehow reminded her of a certain someone standing next to her. Walking toward the boy, she crouched in front of him and wordlessly, her right hand glowed with green light as it hovered over the boy's knee. The bruise on his knee started to fade, much to the boy and his grandfather's astonishment.

"What happened to your knee?" She asked as the green light continued to heal his knee.

"I tripped yesterday." He mumbled, cheeks starting to get pink. He was shy, she noticed.

It didn't take long for the bruise to fade completely and once it did, he tentatively touched it with his small fingers and his mouth opened for a gasp. "I-It doesn't h-hurt anymore."

"You should be careful next time." Despite wanting to pat his head, she decided not to as her wet hand would have ruined his smooth hair.

"I w-will. T-Thank you, Hinata-san." His smile was bright as his small hands grabbed her and started to tug her toward the hallway. "Let me l-lead you to your room."

"You can also find some clothes in the closet that you can change into, that is, if you don't mind wearing clothes of an old man." The old man said, patting his grandson's head. Daisuke was usually very shy around strangers but this girl had managed to gain his trust in just a few minutes. He couldn't blame him though. She seemed very kind, friendly and she even healed his knee.

"Oh no, not at all." She quickly said. "We don't mind at all."

"You can hang your old clothes near the fireplace so it can dry."

She nodded her head and before she could say anything more, the boy tugged her harder, pulling her towards to hallway. Turning her head to make sure Sasuke was following them, she noticed a scowl forming on his face.

"We're here." The boy happily said and even opened the door for her.

"Thank you, Daisuke. But it's late now and you should go to sleep."

"T-Then… Good night Hinata-san." His hazel eyes shifted to the man next to her, feeling intimidated. Gathering all of his courage, he whispered. "… a-and Sasuke-san too." And he quickly left for his room, as if afraid that he would enrage him.

Once he disappeared behind the door, she turned to Sasuke. "He's scared of you."

"Hn." His curt reply clearly didn't satisfy her but before she could say anything, he handed her the clothes that he found in the closet. "Go change, or you will catch a cold."

She bit her lips, seeming to want to say something but held it back. Instead, she nodded, heading to the bathroom. Once the door closed behind her, he let out a sigh and started to undress.

Things were getting more complicated for him. Earlier it had displeased him when all of her attention was on the old man and his grandson. She didn't even spare him a glance for the entire time. Only when the boy started to pull her to the room did she remembered he was there too. If a kid was enough to distract her from him, no wonder she never showed any interest in him before. He knew she didn't mean to ignore him, he just got used to her attention always focusing on him that when it didn't, it displeased him.

Sasuke guessed that had to change sooner or later though. She couldn't be with him forever. They couldn't be together forever.

He sat on the bed, waiting for her to come out. It shouldn't take her long to change. He waited patiently but when 15 minutes passed without any sign of her coming out, he decided something was wrong. Feeling a little anxious, he knocked on the door. "Hinata, you're taking too long. Come out."

There was only silence and when he felt he was ready to break the door, her soft voice came. "I c-can't."

"What's wrong?"

"I-I'm sorry. It's just… I…"

"Just come out."

"N-No. I…"

"Either you come out or I'll break the door."

"F-Fine. Just give me a moment."

She seemed to take his threat to break the door very seriously as he didn't have to wait long before the door started to creak open and he soon understood why she didn't want to come out.

The shirt didn't fit her. It was stretched to its full limit, emphasizing her full breast. She arranged her hair so it hung over her shoulders in a futile attempt to hide her breasts, head lowering because she was too embarrassed to even look at him in the eyes. Her shoulders trembled slightly as if she wanted nothing more than burst into tears. This was so embarrassing.

Of course, how could he forget that those clothes were of an old man? He found himself staring at them, feeling his body heat up. Her lovely face and innocent mind didn't match her attractive body at all. It took him a whole minute until he could find his voice. "It's… fine."

His words didn't ease her at all. Red persisted on her face as she kept refusing to look at him. He could feel her embarrassment, vulnerability, and even fear. Their conversation a few weeks ago only made it worse for her. She was probably having some not so good ideas about him and it displeased him a lot. He was not that kind of man. He didn't even think about women until he met her.

"I won't do anything to you." He said, assuring her of his gentlemanliness.

"I..." She mumbled, mustering all of her courage to look up at him and when she did, a gasp escaped her mouth. "W-Why are you shirtless?"

"The shirt doesn't fit me." He explained.

"I think I should sleep with Daisuke instead." She exclaimed, her face if possible was even redder.

His brows drew together in a scowl. "I said I won't do anything to you."

"I just… I don't think it's a good idea for us to sleep together while we're like t-this."

"Do I look like I'm going to force myself on you?"

"No… b-but it would be very i-inappropriate if w-we…"

"You just met him."

"Sasuke, he's just a kid."

"Fine." Lips pursing into a thin line, he walked away towards the bed. He didn't spare her a glance as he arranged the pillow and cover. "Go sleep with him."

"Sasuke, why you…" As he turned his back to her, she knew he wouldn't listen. He was acting strange and she had long ago given up on trying to make sense of his actions. She wondered if this was the potion's effect again, making him act like a child sulking. If it's not for her embarrassing situation, she would have found it adorable.

She didn't notice his dark eyes following her as she left the room.

Daisuke's room was right next to hers. Although she hated to wake him up, it's necessary to ask if he would agree to sleep with her. She wouldn't want him to wake up with a stranger in his bed and start to freak out, though he seemed to like her a lot.

"Daisuke," She called, gently touching his shoulder and caressing his hair.

"Hmm? Hinata-san?" He mumbled, hand rubbing his eyes. "Why are you still up?"

"I'm sorry for waking you up but can I sleep with you? Sasuke and I are having some problems so we can't sleep together."

His hazel eyes immediately lit up and he scrambled to make room for her. "Y-Yes. You can s-sleep with me."

"Thank you," She said as she settled in the bed. The boy happily snuggled into her and with a smile on his face, he quickly fell asleep again.

Hinata didn't sleep right away but took a moment to look at the boy. She was naturally good with kids. Having a little sister and having to take care of her since she was a little baby had prepared for her a lot. She knew how to deal with kids, when to be gentle and when needed to be firm. Her childhood was not a happy one, she had to train until she was exhausted and still was told that she wasn't good enough, so she always tried her best to make every kid she met have a better childhood than hers.

This boy was shy but kind and genuine. He would make a good man when he grew up. She sometimes wondered if she ever had her own kids, what she or he would look like. She used to wish they would have blond hair and blue eyes, with whiskers on their faces and a very bright smile but now, she didn't anymore. A kid with dark eyes and dark hair would be nice… Wait, what? She almost gasped out loud at the thought. Face on fire, she immediately scolded herself for daring to think of such a ridiculous thing. There could never be anything between her and Sasuke. But why did the father have to be Sasuke? He wasn't the only man in the world with dark hair and dark eyes.

This must be an effect of the potion. She chanted in her head, willing herself to calm down. It had to because if it's not, she would only be hurt again. One time with Naruto was enough and she didn't think her heart could ever heal if she loved again only to be rejected.

Her eyelids began to feel heavy and she couldn't welcome it more. Traveling all day in the rain had exhausted her so sleep was what she needed the most right now. But before sleep could consume her, something touched her. Startled, she opened her eyes, finding herself cradled in Sasuke's arms as he lifted her out of the bed. As if expecting her to struggle against him, his hold instinctively got tighter.

"Sasuke? What are you doing?" She gasped but quickly put a hand over her mouth to muffle the sound in fear of waking Daisuke up.

"I'm not shirtless anymore, am I?"

He didn't lie when he said the shirt didn't fit him. It clung to his body like a second skin, highlighting his lean body and also restraining every of his movement. It must be very uncomfortable for him to wear it.

"No." Daisuke's sudden voice startled both of them. His tiny hands latched on Sasuke's shirt to desperately stop him from taking another step. His lips quivered as if he was about to burst into tears. "I want to sleep with Hinata-san."

"Go back to sleep, kid," Sasuke ordered but the grip on his shirt only got tighter.

"No one slept with me since mother passed away. Grandpa said I have to be a big boy and sleep alone b-but I really miss her. Hinata-san was kind and gentle like her and I-I…"

Her heart tightened at the sight. She saw herself in him, despaired and hopeless after her mother's death. She remembered crying her eyes out every night, clamping a hand over her mouth to muffle her sobbing because the Hyuuga clan deemed crying a display of weakness and weakness was unacceptable. She didn't even have time to grieve her mother properly. Her sister had been just a baby that needed constant care, the elders had started to doubt her ability to become the heiress, which resulted in intensive training that always left her exhausted at the end of the day.

She missed her mother terribly. Her death had left a void in her heart and soul that kept aching until this day. Now all she wanted was to comfort him, giving him the consolation that she wished someone had given her when her mother passed away.

Her hand tugged lightly at Sasuke's shirt, getting his attention. Once his gaze fell on her, she gave him one of her pleading looks that always made Neji give in to her wishes. "Maybe we all can sleep together?"

A No was on his tongue, ready to spat out but just one look at her and it immediately fell into his throat and stuck there.

"Y-Yes. I d-don't mind sleeping with Sasuke-san, as long as Hinata-san sleeps with me." Daisuke exclaimed happily.

Sasuke was defeated. All he could do was put her on one side of the bed and then move to the other side. This girl somehow had become the death of his.

They settled comfortably in the bed and Daisuke quickly snuggled into Hinata again, mumbling a goodnight for the second time in the night. She gently caressed his hair, a content smile gracing at her lips. She was happy to make people happy.

"He's adorable, isn't he?" She asked, carefully using a soft voice to not wake him up again. Her pale eyes didn't leave the boy and therefore, she didn't notice Sasuke staring at her.

She would make a great mother.

"You can take off your shirt." Her gaze shifted to him as she continued. "You seem uncomfortable wearing it."

Wordlessly, he pulled the shirt over his head, carefully to not disturb the boy's sleep.

Caring, gentle, patient, loving…

"So you can heal?" He asked, referring to the event earlier.

"Only slight injuries." She replied. "I'm not as good at healing as Sakura-san."

"Do you specialize in medical jutsu?"

"No," Perplexity fluttered across her face. Didn't she just tell him she could only treat slight injuries? "I specialize in tracking. My team is a tracking team."

"Then don't compare yourself to her." Or anyone.

Warmth seeped into her heart. Pink staining pale cheeks, she shifted her eyes to Daisuke because if she kept looking at him and made contact with his simmering eyes, those stains might burst into flames.

There were butterflies in her stomach and after a moment trying to compose herself from the giddiness, she lifted her gaze to him so he could see the gratefulness shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Sasuke."

She had fallen asleep soon after her thank you to him. His hand reached out, gently tucking an indigo strand behind her ear. She was beautiful, round face, thick eyelashes, pink lips, soft porcelain skin, long hair, and a pair of eyes that spoke loudly of her royal origin. Her beauty was that of a lady that came from a prestigious clan.

He would like his children to have a mother like her.

A mouth-watering aroma woke him up.

Open his eyes, he found himself alone in the bed, his old shirt folded neatly on the bedside table. He grabbed the shirt, quickly putting it on before getting out of the bed in search of the source of the wonderful aroma.

It was coming from the kitchen. The old man was sitting at the table, reading some newspapers. The boy was standing at the counter and from what Sasuke could see, he was having a hard time shaping the rice ball.

She was standing next to the boy, wearing a grey apron. Taking a few steps towards them, he could see Daisuke fuming in indignation at the rice ball and Hinata smiling encouragingly as she told him his rice ball looked cute.

"Oh, you're awake," She said as she noticed him.

"What are you making?" He asked, looking over her shoulders to see the content in the pot.

"It's miso soup," She replied, gently stirring the soup with a ladle. "I'm almost done."

She had made a rice ball as a sample for Daisuke to follow but the boy had given up on trying to shape the rice ball as perfectly as she did and decided to help her bring the complete dishes to the table instead. He had gotten more comfortable around Sasuke and even asked him how his sleep had been last night.

"Good." His curt reply didn't bother the boy much as he was busy to impress Hinata with how much he could help her. His face broke into a huge grin as she patted his head and praised him for being such good help and that she wouldn't be able to complete the breakfast without his help. Sasuke snorted discreetly. He could be of more help to her if she just woke him up and let him know she was making breakfast.

Sasuke took the boy's place beside her. Without a word, he washed his hands and started to shape the rice into balls. "This is how you make rice balls, kid," Sasuke said and when the boy gave him a look filled with admiration, he only smirked.

"You can cook?" Hinata said, couldn't hide the surprise in her voice.

"Only simple dishes." Not many people knew about this but he could do chores and cook well. Living alone for several years certainly had taught him a lot.

Once he completed the rice balls, he opened the cabin above her head, taking out some bowls, chopsticks, and spoons. Although it had been years since the last time since he had had breakfast on a table, he remembered how his mother had set their breakfast table like yesterday.

Their breakfast included steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish, seasoned dried seaweed, fermented soybean, and rice balls. Her cooking was wonderful. It tasted like home.

It was something he didn't think he could ever have the chance to experience again but here he was, enjoying a home cook meal with people who actually wasn't scared of him and didn't deem him a monster. And it was a pleasant feeling.

Something stirred in his heart.

This was what he wanted. A family.

The rain had lessened but didn't stop.

She had been grinding and mixing some herbs to make some ointment for most of the day. It was lucky that Daisuke and his grandfather had gathered some herbs in the forest last week that she could use. The boy never left her side, simply watching her work and asking questions here and there.

They settled in the bed comfortably. She had offered to sleep with the boy again, much to Sasuke's dismay but fortunately, he declined. He had squared his shoulders, putting on a brave smile, and saying that he was a big boy and a big boy had to sleep alone.

Sasuke couldn't believe this was the same boy who had almost burst into tears when he came to whisk Hinata away last night.

He watched her, carefully and closely, a question bubbling in his throat. Their faces were only centimeters from each other. He knew she was asleep yet. Her heartbeat and breath weren't slow and steady enough, pink remaining on her pale cheeks.

"Hinata," His voice was deep and calm, despite the chaos inside him.

"Hm?" Her long eyelashes fluttered to reveal pearly eyes that could make him weak and do what he couldn't imagine himself doing before.

"Do you want me to return to the village?" He had never asked that question before. He did what he wanted and never need others' opinions. But now he wanted and needed hers. Her imminent answer partly scared him because he knew whatever she wanted him to do, he would do it for her. If him returning to the village was her wish, he could picture himself grudgingly do so. She had him in her grip and strangely, he didn't try to break free.

Confusion fluttered across her face, a why question threatening to pass through her lips but she held it back. If it had been months ago, she would have immediately said yes, she wanted him to return to the village because that would make Naruto happy, but not anymore. It would be selfish.

"No, I don't want you to return to the village." Her answer was said in a soft and gentle voice that nearly made him frozen. He had expected a different answer, the one that was what Naruto wanted. It seemed his surprise had been written very clearly on his face as she quickly explained. "You hate Konoha and I don't want to stay somewhere you hate."

"Don't you want to make Naruto happy? If you can bring me back to Konoha, he will notice you, even give you a chance."

"A-About that…" She was suddenly aware of her racing heartbeat. Nervous would be an understatement as the words left her mouth. "I think I don't love him anymore."

"What did you say?" No, he could hear her clearly, he just wanted to hear it again.

"I said I don't love him anym…"

It was immediate. His lips were on hers, kissing her passionately. Her pale eyes widened in shock but it quickly waned off as she began to kiss him back. His tongue slid into her mouth, dancing with the shy one of hers. He bit her bottom lip, eliciting a soft moan before soothing her with a gentle lick at the exact same place. Her lips were soft, moist, rosy and eager for his kiss but that wasn't enough. He wanted more.

"Are you out of chakra?" Her voice was breathless between his kisses.

"No." He replied before giving her a playful bite.

"Then why? Why are you kissing me?"

"I want to." He kept his reply short because that way he would have more time to kiss her.

That was all needed to be said. As if to prove to her that he didn't kiss her for chakra, he left her mouth, trailing his lips down her neck. It was where she was most sensitive as just a light kiss from him and a shiver would ripple over her body, and he didn't plan on giving her just light kisses.

Her neck was just as beautiful as her lips. In fact, he couldn't find anything about her that wasn't beautiful. The porcelain skin glistened in the dim light, stretching elegantly as she turned her head to give him more access to her neck. Her pulse quickened, frantic under his lips with each bite and lick. His teeth left pink marks on her skin and when he looked at them, he felt nothing but proud. They were the proof that she was his only and he would gladly kill anyone who dared to say otherwise.

Her lips used to be enough, but not anymore. He was insatiate. He wanted all of hers. No part of hers should be left without his lips kissing it passionately. His lips worked magic on her skin, distracting her from the hands that were undressing her. Her jacket was thrown on the floor and her shirt soon followed.

Her bra was a simple white one, filled with bountiful mounds that he was dying to have a taste of. He quickly unhooked the bra, sliding the straps down her delicate shoulders before letting it join the clothes on the floor. He didn't attack her breasts right away but took his time to plant light kisses on her shoulders and collarbone. He was giving her time to back away from him and stop him. She never did.

His breath hitched in his throat as his eyes landed on her breasts, memorized. They were gorgeous with tiny rosy nipples that hardened under his intensive stare. The sight alone made his mouth water. No wonder she chose to wear baggy clothes.

He lowered his head to her breasts, kissing the supple flesh before taking the rosy nipple in his mouth. She gasped in surprise and then moaned, fingers tangling in his dark hair, caressing and stroking the soft strands which made him groan in delight. Not wanting to neglect the other breast, he squeezed and massaged it with his hand, fingers pinching the nipple to a hard peak. Her breasts were very sensitive if her desperate moans were any indication. He sucked hard, teeth biting and tongue licking, giving her immense pleasure.

Her back arched, pressing herself to him and he wondered if she was aware of what she was doing. Her hands left his hair, reaching under his shirt to caress and trace the taut muscle of his back. Her hands felt so good on his skin that he let out a groan in response.

Her mind was clouded with a fog of pleasure and desires. Kissing him on the lips was already good but this, what he was doing right now, was incredible. She couldn't stop herself from moaning when he ravished her breasts, giving her so much pleasure that she arched her back for him, fingers caressing his dark hair as she knew he loved it when she did that. As if feeling encouraging, he sank his teeth hard onto her skin, earning a squeak from the girl in both surprise and delight.

Something hard was touching her down there and strangely, she didn't feel embarrassed. In fact, she was glad she could excite him. It was hot and hard, pressing against her stomach for attention. Her hands were itching to touch it and feel for herself how much he wanted her but she was too shy to do so. Instead, she focused on the strong muscles under her palms, starting to think of how she could replace her hands with her mouth. She would like to give the same pleasure he was giving her.

She shyly lowered her pale eyes to watch him and the sight made her face burst into flame. His face buried in her breast, mouthing latching on the rosy nipple, pink tongue darting out for lazy licks. Feeling a little bold, she moved her hands from his back to run it across his chest, feeling the taut muscles there and shoving the shirt up in the process. He shuddered as her hands explored his body and a content smile graced her lips knowing that she had the same effect on him as he did her. Noticing her smile, he left her breasts to kiss her lips.

"You are getting bolder." He whispered, licking her lips playfully.

"Is that a bad thing?" She shyly asked.

"No. I like it." He chuckled and the sound startled Hinata a bit. This was the first time she had ever heard him laugh, though very quietly, she decided she liked it a lot and he should do it more.

She whined softly when his hands returned to her breasts, giving them a gentle squeeze before descending slowly. He trailed his lips to her flat stomach, kissing gently and giving a lick or bite here and there.

He couldn't get her out of her pants fast enough and when he finally did, the sight took his breath away. Clad in only a white pantie, she was a work of art that burned his blood with desires. Gorgeous would be an understatement. Plump lips, flushed cheeks, bountiful breasts with rosy nipples, long hair spreading beneath her, highlighting her porcelain skin… Everything about her memorized him. And she didn't love Naruto anymore. He didn't know how desperately he had longed for these words until now. Any restrained he had over himself had broken, setting the desires and craving he had for her free.

There was only one more thing that stood in his way. Staring at the pantie with distaste, he wasted no time in spreading her legs, lowering his head to her most private part. He could feel her nerves in the way her thighs trembled slightly in his hands. Wanting to ease her, he planted light kissed on her inner thighs, fingers caressing the soft skin and soon, she started to relax a little.

She was wet. He found himself staring at the damp patch on her pantie, clear evidence of her arousal. He buried his face between her legs, taking a deep breath, relishing in her sweet scent. When his lips touched her entrance over the thin fabric, she gasped, hands gripping the bed sheet desperately.

"Sasuke…" She whispered breathlessly. Propping her elbows on the bed, she rose a little, only to see his head between her legs, dark hair tickling her thighs.

Hearing her voice calling his name sent a shiver down his spine. His fingers hooked around the waistband of her pantie, ready to pull it down. Once it was pulled down, there would be no turn back.

What if this was an effect of the potion?

He froze.

His desires for her had made him forget about their situation. He realized he was doing exactly what Orochimaru wanted him to do in the first place, to sleep with her. What if she never stopped loving Naruto and this was simply the potion's doing? It took him a few moments to realize that he was scared, that once the effects of the potion waned off, she would look at him and feel nothing but resentment. She would hate him, be disgusted by him, and regret every moment spent with him.

But he knew he would never regret it. Even if these were effects of the potions, he couldn't deny that he had been happy. He couldn't remember the last time he had ever felt this content and at peace before meeting her. She freed him of his nightmares. She respected him enough not to constantly trying to solve his problems for him. She reminded him of his mother with the way she moved so gracefully, long hair that he just wanted to tangle his fingers into cascading her back in silky strands. Her cooking was amazing, bringing him memories of home. She stirred something that had been long forgotten in his heart.

Chaos erupted inside him. Right now he could make her his. Regardless of the potion, she wanted him just as badly as he did her. His member was rock hard, desperately wanting to be buried deep inside her while she moaned and screamed his name. But that wasn't enough. He wanted more. When he took her, he wanted both of them to be free of the potion. That way he could be sure that this was her who willing to give herself for him and not the potion controlling her.

Biting back a curse, he reluctantly raised his head. It was taking all of his willpower to force himself away from her. "Hinata," He whispered, fingers wove into her long hair. "I'm sorry."

"Sasuke…?" She said with some perplexity, and then something dawned on her. He didn't want her. Filled with embarrassment and shame, she turned her head away. She couldn't look at his eyes without feeling neglected and rejected. It hurt a thousand times more than anything she had ever experienced before. She knew by opening her heart for him, she was risking a chance of being hurt again and that was a risk she was willing to take so she couldn't blame anyone but herself. She hated this body, even when rejected it still longed for him, craving his touch and caress.

His hands caught her face, turning it to him. It pained him to see tears brimming in her pale eyes. Whatever she was having in her mind right now was not true at all. "No. It's not like what you think it is." He gently kissed her cheeks, her eyelids, her forehead, and lastly her lips. But before his lips could touch hers, she jerked away.

"Leave." Her voice cracked, the lump in her throat was making harder for her to speak clearly.

"Hinata…" He ignored her order, again trying to explain. "I want you, but I don't know if you really want me or it's just the potion."

"Just leave, please." She almost screamed at him. The gentle and kind Hinata he knew now could barely keep her calm. Tears streaming her face, shoulders trembling helplessly and hand moving aimlessly, she shoved him aside and covered herself with the blanket.

She felt him shift beside her. He just sat there for a while, waiting for her to calm down and come out of the blanket but when the lump that was her remained unmoving, he could only sigh. She was very stubborn when she wanted to.

Standing up, he collected her clothes on the floor, folding them neatly and putting them on the bed near her. He leaned in, kissing her over the blanket, taking in her sweet scent that he had become addicted to. He wished she could feel at least a little of his feelings through this kiss.

When he left the room, he knew there would be no sleep for him tonight.

A/N: Okay, so I want to clarify something. Some of my readers asked why Sasuke was unsure of Hinata's feelings for him. It's him who took the potion, not her. I actually have addressed this in chapter 7 under Hinata's perspective. Because Sasuke knew that to fully recover his chakra, the potion would take 1/2 chakra from Hinata (this was mentioned in chapter 2), which led him to question if this was the only effect the potion has on her through him. Sure, she didn't take the potion, but it doesn't mean it can't affect her through contact with Sasuke. I hope this can help to clarify things for you guys.