Something I Said Long Ago

"What did the dobe tell you," Sasuke asked noticing his visitor. The pale lavender eyed woman stood still in the doorway. She was unsure of how to go ahead now that she got the courage up to face him. It reminded Sasuke of a cat ready to dart away any moment.

It had been years since they spoke last. The innocence of childhood forever destroyed the day his brother murdered his clan and stalled any relationship they might have forged. Be it friends or lovers Hinata was so far from him now they couldn't be considered anything to each other.

She was silent for far too long. He hated the look in her eyes in that moment. She was clearly remembering and thinking about the massacre.

"Why did you come here," he snapped at her.

"S-sasuke-kun I-I…um…I-

"Don't bother I know Naruto said something to you. The idiot shouldn't have this kind of influence on you. You shouldn't have bothered coming here to befriend me or whatever nonsense he spewed to get you here."

"At first…Sasuke-kun…Naurto-kun told me that I was the reason y-you came back…is that true?"

"It was a joke."

"Oh I see. I am sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?"

"Well…'I didn't mean a word I said back then.'"

He said those words to her years ago.

"Hinata-

"Sasuke we can still be friends. I know you hate sitting here alone deep down. So I brought games," she took a backpack from her shoulder and cautiously entered the room adding, "The others care about you too you know."

"Hn."

"They all tried so hard to stop you…m-maybe if I refused to stay away from you all those years ago-

"Nothing would have stopped me back then. Not even my best friend could stop me. What could you do raise the dead…stop Orochimaru? Don't be ridiculous."

"Even if Naruto-kun told me it was still my choice to come here. Maybe I couldn't raise the dead or stop Orochimaru but I could still be your friend."

"To befriend me?"

"I was also curious about what Naruto told me." Her blush intensified and she dipped her head her long dark hair covering her face.

"Are you afraid?"

"No. I mean…," her head shot up and she looked at him softly continuing, "I am just not used to talking to you. I get nervous still."

She's just shy, not afraid and very cute.

He wasn't doing her any favors with the glaring and attitude.

"Maybe you should be afraid of me."

Something clicked in her mind. He was only teasing her to get a reaction out of her like Sakura and Ino did from time to time. She saw this kind of thing with children who had crushes on each other. She blushed.

"Well I am not afraid of you," she said defiantly.

"Bring out the games."

The smallest hint of a smile played on the Uchiha survior's features.

They played a board game that she brought by. At the end she packed up her stuff and leave. He already began to feel lonely.

000

The rain poured down and Hinata found herself with nothing to do so she went to see Sasuke. Somehow it was nice to talk to him again so she did. Simple as that she just talked with him.

"Hinata I have to be honest with you," Sasuke said.

"Are we friends now?"

"Again…yes."

"Good but you know I can't return your feelings. But I will be your friend," she said sincerely. He knew he made some progress beyond just friendship. They still had that childhood relationship playing in the back of their minds.

"I know just let me say I am sorry for pushing our friendship away after…

The massacre.

"You don't have to push any of us away. Sakura-

"Is my teammate and I consider her a friend."

But Hinata I've loved you forever…until I couldn't do it anymore…I should just tell her.

"Naruto-kun really loves her. I know how it feels to have them not return your feelings."

"As a friend I say move on."

"I'm talking about you."

"I am a little different…I thought I cut the ties long ago but now I am back here…So I am trying hard to hold onto whatever is left of my life."

Nervous and suddenly feeling a bit overwhelmed she stood up to leave.

"I should go."

"Yeah." He watched as she started to leave knowing it was still too pointless to try.

"I'll see you around."

000

By now it was clear that Hinata would be spending a lot more time in this place. Spending time with Sasuke wasn't bad. There were times he would revert to an unapproachable man but lately it seemed to her he enjoyed the fact she came around.

"Hinata will you go out with me," Sasuke blurted as they were playing yet another game. It started to get old and he was sure he could convince the Hyuuga to at least allow him a bit of escape.

"As more than friends?"

"Of course."

"I-I don't know-

"Forget it I am still locked away in this place after all."

"I was going to say I don't know how we can go out."

"Oh." This gave him some hope. He was making strides after all.

"But I can when you get out of here."

"Natrually," he moved so close to her now and she made no move to leave. Their lips met in a tender kiss. He wanted more so he crushed his lips to hers once more. She gasped at his closeness her lips parted allowing his exploring tounge entry.

By some miracle she was kissing him back. Her hands were in his hair. She was moving closer to him pressing against him.

Hinata had no clue what she would do. She felt confused and angry with herself. Kissing Sasuke felt perfectly right but what if it were wrong. He could be using her with some ulterior motive. Then why was Naruto so convinced Sasuke had feelings for her still. Maybe she was spending too much time with him and he did things that made her feel so good.

Naruto-kun I always admired him but I don't really know him. I've watched from the sidelines but we barely interacted. But I don't really know Sasuke-kun either. I barely interacted with Sasuke-kun either. However now I remember Saskue-kun from when we were young. Also now all the time we have spent together I feel like I know him so well.