When the moonlight was replaced by the early morning sunshine, Sasuke struggled to continue sleeping. However, everyone else seemed to be just fine. He wasn't sure if it was the sunshine or Suigetsu's snoring that woke him, both were bothersome. He stretched gently, not having the strength to do anymore than that, and glanced over to his right. Dark, violet hair was literally everywhere despite the fact that it had been shortened. Had it been any longer it probably could've choked him.

He inhaled vanilla and lavender, surprisingly the two smelled good together. Vanilla was enough to wake him up, while lavender nearly lulled him back to sleep. Someone must have woke during the night and cleaned up. Sasuke had to have been tired because he was not a heavy sleeper in the least bit. Normally, the smallest of movements were enough to wake him. Yet Hinata had somehow managed to take a full blown bath in the farm sink, he assumed.

He half smiled at the thought of her forcing her head over into the sink because she couldn't stand the thought of being dirty. But, he couldn't deny that she did smell really good so her struggle surely paid off. Not only that, but she looked better as well. Her fever must have broken while they were asleep.

He reached over and brushed some of her still damp hair off his side of the pillow. Women just had to have everything, even down to the last centimeter of pillow.

Sasuke sighed, seriously contemplating staying on the bunk until they docked. He wasn't sure if it was purely lack of motivation or if he was feeling a little ...depressed.

He watched her pale legs go from white to neon white as the rays of light became stronger through the small window. She had the smoothest skin he'd ever laid eyes on, not to mention the most beautiful and without flaw or imperfection in his opinion. Not that perfect was what he went around looking for, but it was nice to admire it when presented. His doe-like eyes traveled up her body and stopped at her calm, sleeping face.

Sasuke's throat tightened and his chest felt heavy. He knew they would come after her again. Hiashi would just send ninja after ninja until he decided to give up. When would that be though? On his death bed? Why was it so hard to let her go?

He paused and bit his lip. He couldn't let her go either. He had every opportunity to turn her away or run her off, even after he released her from their supposed 'engagement', but he didn't. Instead, he preferred her to stay and he wasn't sure why. Maybe her smart comments were growing on him, but she didn't make those so much anymore. Actually, she really didn't fight with him as much as she used to. Had they really been traveling together that long?

This should be easy, right? He should be able to send her away whenever she posed a threat or hindered the group, but that was the furthest thing from reality. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, she had something he wanted. Every time he looked at her he could see it more and more. He could see his family, and what they used to be.

Hinata's eyes fluttered open gently. The Hyuga's infamous eyes were bright and gorgeous, even from a far off distance, but nothing compared to being up close and personal with them. They were like deep pools of small lavender and white prisms. He could stare at them forever and still never memorize the intricate interwoven patterns of white and lavender streams. "Good morning." She smiled with her hair every bit of a damp mess. Both of his dark brow rose as he fought back the urge to made a snide comment. "Morning."

When they finally docked that night Hinata had never ran faster to a shower in her entire life. She could still feel grime on her skin from the cold tile floor she was forced to lay on for hours. She was unsure why that prompted her to want to scrub the first few layers of her skin off but nothing could stop her now.

The guys got together and went to the public bath, deciding there was really no chance of fighting their way into the bathroom between Hinata and Karin. "I'm coming in!" Karin announced before barging in the bathroom and brushing her teeth. "Can you believe we actually have an air conditioner in this hotel? I mean thank you higher power.." Karin commented while she brushed her teeth roughly, as if she had never brushed them before in her entire life.

"Oh I know.." Hinata responded over the hum of the hot shower. "Sasuke really came through on that one. I think he sort of loves us." They shared a laugh and before long they switched places, Hinata was brushing her teeth while Karin showered. After she rinsed her mouth out and cleaned her tooth brush, she held tightly to her towel and exited the bathroom. Hinata went ahead and closed the bathroom door behind her, not intending to go back in.

She exited the hallway and walked into the open living room where they left all of their travel bags, and she ran smack into Sasuke. Hair slicked back with just a towel wrapped around her, she stared up at Sasuke with wide eyes. "Why are you back in here?"

"Suigetsu forgot his pants..? Why aren't you dressed?"

"My bag..was out here.."

"Riight..well don't get too comfortable just in case we were followed. I don't want a repeat of Kiri."

"Right..Kiri.." Hinata held her towel nervously, "About that.. thank you for coming.."

"Well don't make it awkward or anything.." He scratched the back of his neck, "It wasn't a big deal..plus.. you're an asset so.. I mean I couldn't just let him take you where you didn't want to go..clearly." Sasuke cleared his throat and swiped a pair of trousers for Suigetsu before slipping off. Hinata was left wondering what on earth had gotten into him.

After two nights in the hotel, Sasuke disappeared on one of his important meeting trips. Hinata and the rest of the gang were left to gather their things and be ready to move as soon as he returned. Karin and Hinata were really liking the hotel bouncing life, it sure beat the heck out of camping. Of course, Jugo and Suigetsu told Sasuke that staying in a hotel made them all easier targets so Sasuke put his foot down and said no more hotels.

Hinata sneezed into her small handkerchief as she packed up both her and Sasuke's bag. She still had a cold but it was getting better, the worst part of it had already passed. She had managed to talk Sasuke out of taking her to the doctor. Hinata blushed as she remember how Sasuke fawned over her on the ship. What was wrong with her?

Once everything was packed they were prepared to head out. Sasuke had instructed them to take to the woods and wait for him there, then they would leave for the next town over which was like a two day travel. Hinata groaned as she hoisted the bags over her shoulder and headed for the door with the others behind her.

Before she even made it to the door, it creaked open just slightly. Hinata stopped and craned her head to the side. Naruto was leaned against the doorway and all she could really see was his big blue eyes and his finger motioning for her to come out into the hall.

When did he get there?

Freaking creep.

"We need to talk for a minute, Hinata." Despite him being a creep about it, he looked fairly serious so she dropped her bags and headed out to the hallway. To Naruto's surprise, which he did show on his face, the first questions Hinata asked were, "Is Sasuke okay? Where is Sasuke?" Her face was full of concern as well as annoyance. Naruto was the last person she wanted to speak to.