Wavering Between Forgotten Lines

Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto

– The Darkest Sort of Blasphemy

The door to the old, musty Uchiha mansion creaked open and Hinata Hyuga stepped inside, tentatively, as she had done for the past few days. It wasn't her first time alone in this huge, imposing place, but she still shivered slightly upon entering it. Although the Hyuga complex was about the same size, there were more occupants there than in this ghost town.

One floor above her, Sasuke Uchiha's eyes did not even flicker when he felt another presence in his mansion. He knew who it was; the Hyuga girl to be sure. She came to his compound on a daily basis, by herself, a fact which he found quite strange. However, the girl was quiet and unassuming – a relief compared to the loud Hokage who had come the first time to "check up" on him.

Sasuke found that the Hyuga was no more verbose than himself, resulting in a tense silence between them that he was glad to get rid of every time she exited quietly.

There was a soft knock on the door before Hinata let herself in.

"Hello, Uchiha-san," she whispered almost inaudibly. Sighing when he ignored her yet again, she surveyed poorly lit room and the vast shelves that seemed to have no end.

This library was definitely on par with the one found in the Hyuga compound. There were smatterings of dust on the shelves, although some books and scrolls seemed to be wiped clean and moved. Some were still piled on the desk which Sasuke sat behind, reading intently, as if she didn't exist. She was acutely aware of the strict tension between them and wondered how the Uchiha could sit so still for such a long period of time. It was definitely not good for his body.

Blushing slightly at her own sharp intake of breath, she asked, "H-have you eaten, Uchiha-san?"

She gulped, awaiting an answer both of them knew would never come. The man before her didn't even acknowledge her presence in the room, except for a slight glance at her flushed complexion. Stupid Hyuga, Sasuke thought as his eyes slid down the page of the scroll, she needs to learn how to hide her emotions better. They show through way too easily. He also couldn't help noting that the pink blush on her skin was quite complimentary to his taste.

Noticing that she seemed to be trembling less, Sasuke smirked. He knew that caring and innocent act was just that – an act. The girl obviously had a purpose in coming here other than frightening herself and annoying him. But she was so quiet it was almost painful. The silence rammed down on his head like thunder.

From time to time, he even missed the blond dobe that used to come crashing in every day. He was really the closest thing to a brother Sasuke had ever had. Bile filled his mouth when he remembered the look of emptiness, despair, and something similar to hatred fill those cheerful, blue eyes. Clearly, anger and bitterness did not suit Naruto.

Sasuke sighed in frustration at the ache slowly gnawing at his mind. Then he realized that he couldn't remember the contents of the last scroll he had just put aside. The dreams had haunted him again last night.

"Are – are you alright?"

He jumped out of his seat, knocking his chair down when he felt a soft hand on his shoulder. He looked down and glared that the Hyuga.

"What the hell was that?" He snapped through gritted teeth at the quaking girl.

But if anything, he was furious with himself. How could he let such a person sneak up on him so easily? You're getting soft, Uchiha his ever-so-helpful brain chastised him.

"I…I…I-"she stuttered helplessly for a moment before taking a shuddering breath and stabilizing herself. "You looked like you were in pain…"

For a moment, Sasuke saw through his senseless rage and noticed the worried, albeit terrified, expression on the slight Hyuga's face. Her expression looked so sincere that for a second, Sasuke believed it. He sighed and ran a hand through his thoroughly disheveled hair. "Damn," he muttered, why did she even bother at all? There was no point, provoking him when she knew all that he wanted was to be left alone. What happened to him was none of her business.

Unconsciously furrowing his brow, he stared intently at the small girl beside him. Maybe woman would be a better term. But her shy disposition was akin to a small field mouse, therefore making her a girl no matter what gifts nature had endowed her with.

Without smiling, he replied, "These things are none of your concern." A new wave of pain caused him to grimace again. He stumbled a bit as he walked toward the door. Immediately he felt her soft presence next to him, gingerly touching his arm. He was about to snap at her again, but then decided against it. Looking down, he almost smiled at the determined and worried expression on her face. It really couldn't be that bad, having someone who cared for him.

The next day, she was there again, like always.

As Hinata pushed open the door of the library, she was surprised to find the table empty. She slowly closed the door behind her, wondering where Sasuke could be. Walking a bit further down the dark hallway, she was surprised to see him sitting on his bed, staring out at the window, which was open for the first time. The day was cloudy and the weather was just slightly chilly. She walked in softly, trying not to disturb the pensive man.

He could see her out of the corner of his eye, clearly surprised that he wasn't in the library. After a moment, he turned his head toward her, making her gasp at the red color of his eyes.

"Why-why do you have your Sharingan activated?" She gulped, knowing that her question would probably go unanswered.

"It helps the headache," he murmured in a voice so low she almost missed it. Hinata almost gasped; Sasuke had just answered her question! He sounded much different than he had yesterday. At that time he had sounded strained and tired, as if he had been stretched too thin. Although he didn't sound much better, at least Hinata could detect a slight glimmer of gentleness behind the cool voice.

"Ah…" she whispered, and then without even thinking, she said, "Do-do you need anything?"

"Well, I haven't eaten yet." Again, there was an answer. Dry and brusque, but still, it was a start.

"I-I'll go make you some soup," she stuttered in surprise. As she left the room, he turned his head around and stared out the window, hiding the smile on his face.

A half hour later, Sasuke could smell a delicious aroma wafting up to his room. He didn't know what had possessed him to ask this girl to cook, but at least he wasn't mistaken in doing so.

"Uchiha-san – "There was a soft footstep by his door.

Without turning and apparently without thinking, he interrupted, "Just Sasuke."

"Oh…um…S-Sasuke-san?" She tried saying the name apprehensively, deciding that she liked the way it felt on her tongue. "The soup is ready, i-if you want."

Without replying, he got up and headed out the door, toward the kitchen. She followed him down the stairs and to the kitchen. She stood awkwardly in the large kitchen, wondering where exactly to be. He looked up at her from his seat, "Sit down." She tried to shake her head, but the definite way he had 'asked' seemed to leave no room for argument.

They sat quietly as he drank the soup. Hinata silently observed that the dark circles under his eyes seemed to have lightened up a bit and his skin was not as haggard as it had been. Even the disheveled hair looked like it had been washed and cleaned up a bit. Without knowing the reason why, she felt a little thrill go through her, as if Sasuke were a patient recovering from an illness. The only thing that reminded her that he was not were the glowing red eyes he sometimes glanced at her with.

When he set down his bowl, she asked, a little braver this time, "Would you like some more? S-Sasuke-san?" Her tongue still stuttered over the unfamiliar name. She sighed when he merely looked away, into the distance. Hinata followed his gaze and gasped, the sun was almost ready to set. Her father would scold her to no end if she arrived home late.

Quickly, she got up and bowed hurriedly to Sasuke before rushing out the door.

"Thanks," it was just a soft murmur, but it was enough to stop her in her tracks. Slowly, she turned around, her eyes wide.

"Y-your welcome," she stuttered. Then she continued out. What a strange day…

He looked after her, a little smile on his face. Her cooking was excellent, and he was guaranteed to have a nice, good long sleep for the first time in years. He rinsed the bowl in the sink after washing it with some soap and then placed it in the cupboard. Then, he turned off the simmering stove and poured the contents into a larger bowl and stored it in the large refrigerator. He didn't usually eat leftovers, but her cooking was an exception.

When he returned to his room, he sat down on his bed and stared outside again. The stars were beginning to show and for the first time, a fragile peace settled in his heart.

"Hello, Sasuke-san," Hinata greeted the Uchiha with a shy smile as she pushed open the door to the study, finding him reading a book intently. When he saw her, his eyes flickered back to their obsidian black. As the days passed on, she noticed that she saw less of his Sharingan everyday – perhaps his eyes bothered him a bit less now. She observed happily that his pale skin seemed to have a healthier glow to it and his mood had improved quite a bit. They even had small conversations, now and then.

"Hn," Sasuke closed the book, looking at the Hyuga. "What are you so happy about, Hinata?"

"You just look better now, Sasuke-san," she replied. "We've all been pretty worried. But it looks like you're doing pretty well."

"Yeah," he muttered. "It's okay."

Despite her compliment, Hinata still knew that wearied look of Sasuke's as if he was carrying the whole world on his back. She walked over to his side of the room and pulled up the blinds. Bright afternoon sunshine filled the room, illuminating the two people and their surroundings. Sasuke squinted his eyes, suddenly blinded by the light. Hinata noticed his discomfort and quickly moved to pull down one of the blinds. The room grew a little darker, but still bright, nonetheless.

"Is this alright, Sasuke-san?" She asked.

He nodded, his eyes now adjusted to the brightness of the previously dark room. Hinata sat down on the leather couch alongside the wall.

"It was better before," he muttered, "And you had to go and make it all bright."

"Sorry," she replied with a gentle smile on her face. She had grown used to his slight complaints – he really was just like a child sometimes.

"Hn."

"I have to go a bit early tomorrow, Sasuke-san," Hinata said after mustering up a bit of courage. "I hope you won't mind."

"Why?" He lifted one graceful eyebrow as though he already knew the answer, which he probably did.

"Um…N-naruto w-wanted to…uh," Hinata's heart sank at how much she was stuttering. She composed herself and tried again, "N-naruto wanted to g-go to the movies and um…"

"You're really attached to that idiot, aren't you?" His voice was amused, but Hinata could hear the sudden coldness underneath it.

"H-he's not an idiot," she bit her lip, nervous that he would snap at her. After a second of tense silence, Sasuke sighed.

"I know."

She gaped at him. Opening up was something the infamous Sasuke Uchiha definitely didn't do, and now, Hinata felt that maybe, Sasuke was finally responding. Hinata didn't know what to say, leading to a bemused smirk on Sasuke's face.

"I probably know better then anyone in this village," Sasuke continued, "How important he is. You really love him, don't you?"

"Yeah…" she nodded, her face suddenly flushing. "I do…" Why is my heart beating so fast?

This is getting boring, Sasuke thought, talking about the blond dobe really puts a damper on my mood. This sucks. There was still that dull pain in his heart whenever he thought of that day. It had been a few months already, but Sasuke was still worried. From Hinata's infrequent mentions of him, Sasuke could gather that Naruto wasn't doing so well either.

"He's been pretty down recently," Hinata whispered, "Ever since…" her voice trailed off, not wanting to mention this sensitive topic. There it was, the tense silence that both of them feared whenever the subject of Naruto was brought up.

"There was no reason for that," Sasuke chuckled bitterly, "he couldn't just move on like everyone else. It would be much easier that way – it's his own fault he's in so much pain."

"That's not true!" Hinata blurted out before she could think. Horrified, she clapped a hand over her mouth. She felt a sudden, red-hot glare directed straight at her before it abated a second later. Sighing with relief, she whispered, "It's really – it's really not his fault. Y-you can't just expect him to forget something like that. Not after you – I mean, he was hurt like that." She tried to lessen the accusation in her voice without much result.

Sasuke's hard expression became bitter. He knew everyone in the village loathed him to some point, but even her…

"Sure," he snapped coldly, "I did hurt him, and you know what? It was fun because I am just a cold bastard who wanted to kill his own brother." He rose from his chair and stalked out of the room, his mood ruined.

"Sasuke…" Hinata whispered as tears rose to her eyes, "…I…I didn't mean to h-hurt you…" it's just that Naruto seems so hurt…I didn't notice how unhappy you were too…

Outside the door, Sasuke heard her soft sobs and the pain in his heart intensified. For a moment, he entertained the thought of returning to the room and apologizing. However, he discarded it quickly when Naruto's head entered his mind. She only has eyes for that blond bastard anyways, he thought bitterly as he reached his room, there wouldn't be any point.

He sighed as his head hit the pillow, thinking, it's not like I really care, anyway.

But he knew that that was the darkest sort of blasphemy.

Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm still unsure if this update schedule will persist, but I finally planned out the story, so it should be better than the other messes I've created and hopefully it'll ward off writer's block. There are still a lot of issues Sasuke has to get through, but at least he and Hinata are interacting, ne? Please review! :]

note: I'm looking for a reliable beta, if interested, please PM or email me!

moonhaku