Hey guys. It feels like forever that I updated, but in all honesty it's only been a month. Usually the new Naruto chapter that comes out is a reminder for me to update, but as you might know for the holidays shonen jump took three weeks off, and although I was not planning on it, I also took three weeks off. Im sooooo sorry guys! I feel like a complete asshole.

I was just watching so much anime. Please be patient there's so much going on right now.

Before I forget if you're on reddit go subscribe to /r/animefanfiction/ go submit your own fanfics, and read others. TELL YOUR FRIENDS

On with the show.

"You disgust me."

Sasuke's words wouldn't leave Hinata's mind. The scene just kept playing over, and over in her head.

"You disgust me."

Hinata had learned long ago to not let petty words bother her; after all they were only words. Hinata used to get bullied in grade school, ever since then she learned to ignore people's comments. At first it was hard to deal with, but over the years she had become an expert on keeping her head held high; at school was one thing but at home was a different situation completely. Hinata's father always said harsh things to her, he didn't fancy Hinata one bit, but that didn't stop her from trying to please him. Hinata tried her best yes but to Hiashi Hinata's best wasn't even close to good enough. Hiashi would beat her almost nightly, Hanabi always sat in a corner tucked into fetal position looking pathetic, and crying her eyes out in fear. Hanabi didn't just fear him because she knew that she would be next, but that one day her father would go too far and beat Hinata to death. Hanabi loved Hinata; she couldn't bear the thought of her sister no longer alive. Neji couldn't do a damn thing to help them, he would try and try, but Hiashi would either lock the boy in the basement where he was helpless in the cold dark room, or knock him out completely. When Hiashi would black out from drinking for the night, Hanabi would make sure that he was out for the night. She would go find the key to the basement and unlock it for her brother. Hanabi would always tell him to go check if Hinata was alive, no matter how many nights the situation repeated itself he would rush to his sister always fearing the worst. Neji knew his sister had a strong will, but Hiashi had a knockout punch. When Neji was knocked out cold Hanabi never knew what to do. Hinata would be lying on the floor, gasping for air, it was a painful sight but to Hanabi it was a sign that she was alive. This was somewhat of a relief. Hanabi would try her best to make sure Neji was ok as well. The nights when Neji couldn't carry Hinata back to bed; Hinata would lye in the same spot Hiashi had left her in. She would try her hardest to get up, but she just didn't have the strength.

Hiashi would wake up and find her in that very same spot. If you asked Hiashi himself he couldn't explain it, but he would get so angry his pulse would accelerate into nothing more than uncontrollable rage; and before Hiashi knew it, he would be putting fresh bruises on Hinata's already tender skin. After Hiashi felt he had gotten enough of his frustration out he would take one last look at his daughter. Spit then would mutter one last thing before he left her weak and helpless on the cold floor.

"You disgust me"

The words echoed inside of Hinata's mind again. Hinata sat on the floor stroking Kyo, she had just stopped crying but the more she thought about the situation, the harder it was to keep her tears at the bays of her eyelids. Hinata could tolerate people and they're crude insults, but it was as though those three words held a certain power over her. They weighed her down like an anchor that she couldn't retract, this time the weight was heavier. The blunette wasn't sure why those words cut deeper than ever before; if that was even possible. Sasuke was her friend, and she thought that he would never tell her something so thoughtless. Him and her shared conversations, some were personal, and some were just friendly chatter. They told each other so many details and thoughts about their lives; without really telling each other about themselves at all. Hinata hadn't told Sasuke about Hiashi and the abusive childhood he provided her, or why she lived alone. Sasuke hadn't told Hinata about his older brother and his threating note, or that he even lived alone at all.

Hinata didn't feel like eating that night. She walked passed the kitchen and headed towards her bedroom, turning off all the lights as she walked passed them. She made her way to her bed and lay down. She wasn't very tired but she didn't want to do anything more but to take a long nap. Hinata rubbed her hip; there was still a bit of pain. She thought back to Sasuke's touch, and she felt a bit of warmness.

"You disgust me" The warmness quickly faded as those words echoed through her mind. She struggled to find a comfy position. Kyo felt Hinata's uneasiness the orange cat climbed on top of her stomach and fell asleep.

Sasuke was inside of his shower, one of the only places that he could get any productive thinking done.

'Why? Why did I think something so stupid?' He balled his hand up into a fist as the steam from the shower rose from the hot water. Sasuke thought about nothing but Hinata. He flashed back to walking her home, almost daily from school. He usually skipped his classes, but he looked forward to his last class of the day. Hinata sat next to Sasuke when the teacher would allow them to stray from they're assigned seats. At times the two were quiet working on the work assigned for the day. It was ok. Sasuke felt comfortable around her enough that the silence no longer bothered him. He thought about all the moments they had together in the short time they spent with each other. A gentle smile graced his lips. Sasuke couldn't wait to walk her home again.

"Maybe tomorrow." He spoke, his voice bringing him back to reality. 'I don't think tomorrow is possible at the moment.' He broke the news to himself becoming somewhat disappointed.

'Narutos friends with her, I wonder if he'll know what to d...'

"IM IN LOVE WITH NARUTO-KUN!" Hinata's words echoed through his thoughts like an unavoidable kunai. Sasuke's fist clenched tighter, he angrily hit the bathroom wall. 'Im such a fucktard' He thought as he turned the knob to shut off the shower. 'Ill make it up to her somehow.' Thinking of a way to make things right, as he opened the shower curtain and stepped out of the tub. 'I know, I'll give her back that bracelet that she dropped.' He thought that was a good way to get things between them going again. He tied a towel behind his waist, and rushed to his dresser in search of Hinata's bracelet. He fished it out and put it inside of his book bag so that he wouldn't forget it the next day.

Hinata's alarm made a terrible buzzing noise. She turned to her side and tried to fall back asleep but it wouldn't shut up. The buzzing just kept on going. "Ugh!" She groaned.

Hinata got up and silenced her alarm. She went to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes widened she looked horrible. Bags under her eyes from crying, hair a mess from restless tossing and turning throughout the night, and for some reason she noticed her complexion was paler than usual. Kyo stretched out and rubbed against her leg.

"Ugh Kyo I'm so not looking forward to school today."

What sounded like a simple meow to Hinata was actually Kyo telling her to stay home. She pet him and started to get ready for the day. She was surprisingly making good time today, she fed Kyo and gave him fresh water. She was ready to head out the door, then Hinata realized that both her and Sasuke took the shoelace express to school. Running into him was something that she wasn't ready for yet. She stayed inside her house and waited roughly forty-five minutes before deciding it was safe to venture out. She grabbed her bag flung it around her shoulder and started running to school. She knew she was going to be late, she knew Mitarashi sensei would send her to detention again, but if Hinata kept her pace she would be there by the time second hour started. Making her on time for class. That was only if she kept her pace. Hinata was running her fastest which was quite difficult, since her hip was freshly popped into place. It ached a bit, but Hinata ignored it and kept running.

"Hinata!" a familiar voice yelled. Hinata turned towards the direction her name was called out and saw Kiba's body sticking out of a car window. The car screeched to a stop, and Kiba motioned for her to come to the car. Hinata looked at each end of the highways checking if it was safe to cross. She ran towards Kiba, he was in the back seat, Hinata looked at the tinted window of the driver's side then it began to roll down revealing Shino.

"W-what are you guys doing here?"

"We should be asking you the same question" Shino muttered still looking at the road.

"Im going to school, and who's car is this?"

"Its my cousins" Kiba explained "Im letting Shino drive since he doesn't have anything to drive right now."

"Oh, Why aren't you guys in your uniforms?"

"Oh that's right, were going to the city today, and you're coming with us."

"W-what? I can't, we all have school."

"Nope, today your coming with us Hinata, I mean come on your already late."

"Well I can still make it to my other classes."

"Hinata you need a break. We all do." Shino said

"What if we miss something important for finals?"

"Oh we all know you're gonna pass anyways." Kiba scoffed.

"What about you two?"

"We'll be fine, we have A's in all our classes, I doubt one day will hurt." Shino reasoned.

"Well…"

"Well your coming with us."

"Fine ill go with you, but you'll have to take me back home to change."

"We don't need to, I brought the clothes you left at my house that one time you fell in the mud, my mom washed them and everything."

"Well how convenient." Hinata said, as she got into the passenger seat.

"So why are we going to the city? I mean why not just into town?"

"You kidding? This town is too small. We're gonna go have fun today."

Just then one of Kiba's favorite songs started playing, and he reached forward shoving Shino and Hinata's elbows aside to turn up the dial.

"You could've just asked." Shino scolded.

"No way, I know you both think this song is lame, you would have turned it instead of turning it up."

"You can be so stubborn Kiba-kun." Hinata said giggling.

"How did I end up here?"

"You get caught sleeping in that class you're gonna get stuck here" Sasuke said to Naruto

"Tell me about it, the other day Mitarashi sensei sent Hinata over here. I mean C'mon Hinata? That's going a bit too far if you ask me." Naruto said as he laid his head on the desk in front of him.

Sasuke tensed as he heard Hinata's name. Naruto was too oblivious to notice.

"You have that class with Hinata?" Sasuke questioned

"Yupp. We actually changed our seating yesterday, but it was after Hinata left so she doesn't know that me and her sit next to each other now."

Sasuke gasped. 'Sit next to each other?'

"Wait what do you mean she doesn't know? Wouldn't she have found out this morning?"

"Well she would have, if she came to class. Funny she comes late sometimes, but never that late. I don't think she's missed a day of school yet."

'Is this because of last night?' Sasuke wondered. He remembered her telling him that if he didn't put her hip back into place she would be unable to go to school the next day.

'This has to be because of last night. Ugh way too go Sasuke.'

"Do you still walk Hinata home?"

"Yeah…sometimes."

"We should hang out with her again sometime. Its kinda fun with her around."

Sasuke shot Naruto a stabbing glare. It went unnoticed.

"Why, do you like her or something?" Sasuke said defensively

"Ha you mean Hinata? No way, she's nice and all, but she's way to shy for my taste."

"Whats wrong with shyness?" Sasuke shot at him

"Nothing, I guess. Its just frustrating sometimes."

"If its so frustrating then why do you want to hang out with her again?" Sasuke asked getting annoyed

"Because she's fun to be around, when we hung out the last time she wasn't acting all that shy. Its probably cause she's comfortable around you."

"She still stutters around me though."

"She stutters around everyone, its just a habit of hers. She's more open with you; You and her must be good friends."

'No Naruto, you don't get it. She's only shy around you because she has feelings for you.'

"I wouldn't say that." Sasuke was going to agree but remembered last night's events.

"Ooh did something happen between the two of you?" Naruto said grinning at Sasuke.

"Shut up idiot."

"So something did happen." Naruto joked, not being serious at all.

"Its nothing"

"Oh did you kiss her?"

"Sh-shut up already." Sasuke said with a barely visible blush. Crossing his arms.

"Why you getting all defensive Sasuke?" Naruto said amused

"Who's getting defensive? You're the one who won't back off."

"Was it a bad kiss? Oh that must have been embarrassing, and here I thought you knew how to kiss girls." Naruto said teasingly

"Naruto if you don't shut up about Hinata-

"Then what? You gonna pass that bad kiss syndrome on to me? Hinata should come to my place Ill show her a kiss."

Naruto was amusing himself, not knowing how mad he was getting the Uchiha.

Sasuke stood up and slammed his fist on the desk. Luckily nobody but the two were in the detention room, not even the sensei. Naruto stopped laughing.

"I kissed Hinata better then you ever will!" Sasuke shouted as he left the room. Now Naruto was left alone in the room.

"Oh so they did kiss."

.

[wait for it]

..

[wait for it]

…

[almost]

…

"WHAT!? THEY KISSED!?" Naruto gasped.

"Achoo!" Hinata sneezed.

"You should have brought a sweater Hinata, you'll catch a cold." Shino commented

"So Hinata, where should we eat lunch?" Kiba asked as they arrived to the city by noon. The city was a bit out of the way from town.

"I-I don't know, I don't have much money."

"You won't be paying for anything today." Shino stated

"Shino are you suggesting I s-steal?"

"That's not what he means Hinata, you're not gonnna pay for a single thing today. Think of it as an early birthday present."

"What? I cant let you guys pay for me."

"Why not? Are we not good enough?" Shino asked in a stoic tone

"Ah don't mind him, he's just having a Shino moment."

"Shino moment?" Shino questioned but was ignored when another one of Kiba's favorite songs came on.

"Its ok Shino-kun, lets go eat at the grill house that you're always talking about."

"Are you sure? You don't want to go somewhere else?" Shino asked.

"No you make it sound so great."

"Ok lets go."

Classes broke for lunch and Sasuke started looking for Hinata in case she came late. He was intent on finding her. He was looking everywhere. In empty halls, the bathroom stalls, even the crevices in the walls. He obviously knew she wouldn't be in any of those places especially the last one, but he was just that desperate. He wanted to tell her he was sorry, but he didn't even know how he would do that. The Uchiha never went this far for a woman, he could care less whether he hurt someone. This wasn't just someone though this was his friend, and even though he knew they couldn't be more than that he still wanted her to be a part of his life.

'This is ridiculous.' A part of Sasuke thought.

'Why are you looking for her? Its not like you have time for her anyway.'

'She's my friend, I refuse to lose a friend.'

'Why not? You've lost so many already what's one more going to hurt?'

'I don't want to lose anymore.'

'She doesn't like you, she said her self that she likes Naruto. No…she didn't say she liked him, she said she loved him.'

"Shut up" Sasuke said loudly

"I wasn't saying anything." A girl with straight dark green locks blurted out from behind. Sasuke's head bucked up and looked at her.

"Yumi, have you seen Hinata?" Sasuke said grabbing her shoulders and moving them back and forth making her head jolt in a similar motion.

"…"

"Tell me!"

Yumi managed to shove him off her.

"Geez Sasuke, that's going to leave a bruise." Yumi said as she gripped one of her shoulders.

"Sorry. Have you seen Hinata?"

"No I don't think she's coming today. She hasn't been in any of my morning classes." She said still rubbing her shoulder.

"Ugh" Sasuke let out a frustrated grunt and walked away.

"Well that was weird." Yumi said to herself as the bell rang. 'Oh I better get to class.'

'She doesn't want to see me, why would she?'

'She doesn't even need you, she has Naruto.'

Sasuke was starting to argue with his inner self more than usual these days, geez did that guy get on his nerves.

Hinata was having the time of her life, the trio did things that they usually wouldn't be able to do in town. They explored the city with the speakers blasting to their favorite songs. They played laser tag with strangers, and then browsed the little shops around the city plaza. They went to a huge planetarium. Hinata liked the planetarium the most. A screen of planets was displayed, then different constellations. The outlines to the constellations were taken off of the screen and nothing but stars were displayed on the screen. She loved looking at the stars, being surrounded by so many different possibilities. Star gazing reminded her of Neji but it wasn't a sad feeling. When her eyes that somewhat reflected the pale moon gazed upon the night sky, it was like Neji was right beside her, and everything was ok. It was like old times with Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji all lying on the comfy grass beneath them on a cool summer's night; a time where everything was horrible, but all of them knew it could be worse. The stars would leave the world appeased, for that moment it was like only the three existed. It was as if they were the only ones who could support each other.

It was day break and the trio started to head back into town. They stopped for dinner at a random restaurant on their way home. Kiba had just alerted the waitress of their table that it was Hinata's birthday (even if it wasn't till the 27th) the staff brought out some fried ice cream and sang Happy Birthday to her at the top of their lungs. Hinata was a bit embarrassed after the song, she said thank you then rushed off to the bathroom. She didn't need to use it, so she just went in and splashed water on her face. She looked in the mirror and noticed she looked happy. She saw smoothed out the clothes that she changed into earlier, and ran a couple of fingers through her hair revealing her neck. She saw a red marking on it.

'Whats this?' she said as she ran a finger over it. Where did this marking come from? An image flashed through her mind.

"Sasuke?" she didn't recall him giving her a hickey, but it couldn't be from anyone else. She hadn't thought about the events from last night at all. She'd been too distracted to do so. Her smile faded into a frown.

'sigh'

She left the bathroom after wiping her face. She started thinking about Sasuke's words, and how they had hurt her.

'He said sorry.'

'He wouldn't have said those cruel things if he didn't mean it.'

'Oh yeah then why did he say sorry?'

'Why didn't you let him apo-

Hinata's thoughts were interrupted when she violently bumped into someone, sending her flying backwards. Hinata would have fallen on her butt, lucky for her the person she bumped into had good reflexes and grabbed her by the arm to prevent her from falling. They must have pulled too hard because Hinata crashed into their body.

"Oh-oh Im s-sorry." Hinata said as she pulled away from the stranger

"No it was my fault, I should have been more careful Miss umm."

"H-hinata."

"Hinata huh. That's a beautiful name, and so fitting for someone as such."

"Th-thank you." Hinata said blushing. "A-and whats your name?"

"Oh excuse me, where are my manners." The stranger extended his arm out grasped her wrist, and pressed his lips to the back of her hand.

"Itachi."

Well I guess Ill stop there for now. Im sorry about not updating in so long. I promise I'll try and be constant. OH DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO /r/animefanfiction/ ON REDDIT!

Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews, you have no idea how much it all means to me. Your reads and reviews are like the power to a super saiyan.

So lend me your power, please review. I accept constructive criticism

Till next time

Geek Bear