Complex

Chapter 5 - Blush

' like a pale morning spring, your eyes are clear'

It was nearing 7am and Hinata was rousing from her sleep, something felt different, what she was lying on. 'did I...sleep on his couch? oh my god! I know nothing happened right?'

Questioning herself until a low soft voice was heard granting 'good morning' to her.

" Did I...sleep here, on your couch last night?" Hoping he would explain it, he did.

" yes, you did. I was in the bathroom, when I came out, you were asleep. I left you asleep and thought it'd be best, it's nearly 7?" Making it sound alright and nothing suspicious, she believed him, it's not like he would do anything anyway, she trusted him a little more than she had before.

" did you say it was near 7am?" she asked.

"yes" he replied. " oh god, I better get going, I wanna be ready for work this time. I better go" Getting up, hair slightly ruffled, wanting to be fresh for work unlike yesterday.

" alright, well I might see you later then?" 'wow okay...starting to sound like your in some sort of couple there Sasuke, pull back boy.

" Yeah, Maybe outside the library at lunch, this time I won't smell of salad cream" trying to lighten a somewhat clouded room.

" sure, have to return most of those books anyway." Eyeing several books by the chair.

" oh, right well, I'll see you later then." Heading out the door, before returning a shy smile and saying " Thanks for last night, it was good to have someone to talk to, pizza was great, bye!" 'pizza was great? oh Hinata what a line, jeez...'.

He simply gave a short 'welcome' and 'bye', He felt satified with that, he hadn't had any friends over in some time, maybe even months and this had been refreshing.

Hinata went inside her apartment, which was still dirty and she knew because she had started work, that some things were expected to fall behind in her routine.

" I'll have a clean out tomorrow, right now...teeth, face, hair...oh god my hair!" No wonder he looked at me like that when I got up! look at my hair, great."

After getting freshed up, dressed in a simple long-sleeved red vest and a pair of dark jeans, she felt she really couldn't be bothered to add anything else, this was fine.

'right...time to go'. Leaving her apartment, she glanced over at his door, wondering was he sleeping or what he was doing. her first guess was right. Sasuke was now laying, fully dressed across his bed, flat out. His mind though, was still not off of her.

Hinata had been stocking shelves for what seemed like forever, and lunch was coming soon, secretly excited if she would see Sasuke outside in the library garden. She knew she was attracted to him, but she knew he probaby wasn't to her, so his friendship was more valued now than trying to pursue anything more. 'after all...I remember the last time I told someone I liked them, and that was something I'd rather like to forget' It was a time she really wanted to forget, and was in time.

Tsunade" you know, there's a young man who is always in the libraries garden at this time, he asked earlier when he dropped of those books about you?" Hinata went deathly silent.

'He asked about me? really?' " what did he want Tsunade?" Trying to behave as though she was cool with the whole thing, instead of a little girl inside.

"He asked me if you would meet him in the gardens at lunch time, he says he wants to ask you something?" Now Hinata felt butterflies, a feeling completely alien to her.

'what like? no it wont be anything like that Hinata, just play it cool.'

Tsunade stood there waiting for Hinata to reply, " well...." Looking at her " it's lunch time, go."

Bluntly putting to Hinata.

"Right. I'll get something from the canteen in a while." Then she headed out the back towards the green, where the old willow tree stood, ever over-looking the city and the long walkway of the city bay.

And there he was.

Waiting over near the fencing around the pathways of the garden. Suddenly Hinata felt a little nervous, wondering what he really did want to talk about. 'maybe he doesn't want to be my friend, maybe last night was enough. Great, I meet someone I like, and they might not want to even be my friend!' Arguing with herself and putting herself down.

Sasuke saw her approaching and was also lost in thought 'maybe this was a bad idea, I mean I do like her more than just a friend but...I don't want to jeopardize our friendship. The only person I've come to know personally who hasn't judged me and then fled. Okay, just calm down, it's nothing, it's not a date your asking her out on so cool down.'

"Hay! you wanted to see me?" 'Like you would not believe' To himself, only to himself.

" Yes. I wanted to know if you want to join me and a few other of my friends later tonight?" smooth.

" ehm...yeah, I mean yes." Hinata had never really seen his friends, only heard them a while back, as music, laughter and a lot of noise was being made. She realized his friends must be the loud ones of his group.

"Were meeting up in a bar not far from here, it's a nice place. Just a few drinks, I don' drink much."He said.

" sure, I don't drink at all so, at least if your friends get drunk we can make fun of them when we remember what they did" giggling.

" you have no idea how rowdy they get, especially Naruto." Hinata just realized the name he had just said, she couldn't believe he was friends with someone she used to know and believed she loved, well; felt like love.

"Naruto, did you say Naruto?" She couldn't help it, it just came out.

" yeah, do you know him or something?" -'Know him! she was practically head over heels in love with the guy! I can't back out now! Not after asking a question like that!'

" If it's who I think you mean, then I think I've met him before. If his hair is blonde, then I think were talking about the same guy." If she was going to go, then boy she would as hell make sure she ignored Naruto, or at least act that it didn't bother her, he had broke her heart and then chose the 'miss cherry blossom princess'.

" funny that isn't it? you know someone I know." not that funny...Hinata thought.

" yeah..." well, she thought it best to get back to helping Tsunade, do some extra time over lunch just to block that name out of her head.

" so, meet me in the hallway around 8pm tonight?" Thinking girls liked time to prepare themselves.

" 8's good. Right, I have to get back, I promised Tsunade I'd help a bit more over lunch." lie, but Tsunade could use the help.

" Right, well see you later." Hinata made her way back to the library, giving a small 'later' as she walked away and disappeared inside the library.

'How did Hinata know Naruto, must have been friends, maybe they were a couple? why aren' they talking now?...agh! forget it.'

Hinata had been trying to occupy her mind with working tirelessly around the library, thought thinking 6 O'Clock was coming round soon and still stook in her mind was the thought of seeing Naruto tonight, after over a year of not seeing him. After standing at the romance section, just staring at the endless rows of books, Tsunade came over to snap her out of it.

" You know, since lunch time you haven't stopped, and your completely ovlivious to anything I've said either. So...whats bothering you?" Tsunade didn't beat around about asking what was wrong with someone.

" oh, sorry. I uh, supposed to be going out tonight but-" She didn't know why she was going to to tsunade.

" but what, you don't want to or something?" If only it were that simple.

" no...it's just there's going to be someone there I don't want to see." Answering simply.

"Oh I see. I can usually figure this out, it's a guy right? someone you used to like or something?" Wow, she was good, but it was probably obvious anyway.

" yeah. Someone who I used to like, who chose my friend, well, ex-friend over me" she said.

" sorry you probably don't want to hear this stupid stuff-" hinata was cut off , when Tsunade felt Hinata was messed up about this, most girls would be.

" Just go, but don't go unless you look incredible." Hinata didn't know what that would do.

" you mean, just glam myself up?" It didn't matter, she would never compare to Sakura, so it would hardly make Naruto jealous.

" He has a girlfriend who happens to be the most beautiful women I've ever known" Tsunade looked curiously as Hinata, wondering if she had looked in a mirror recently. Hinata may not realize her own looks, but it was apparent to most, Hinata herself was simply stunning.

" hm, well I don't need to answer that for you, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the way you look Hinata." Taken aback, obviously Tsunade meant that as a compliment in her own way. Hinata simply smiled.

" look, I can finish up here. You go home and get yourself ready to go out and just enjoy yourself, forget someone long out of your life. Think about the people in it now." Tsunade was right. Naruto was long out of her life, She was going with Sasuke, not to meet Naruto. He really didn't matter anymore, did he?

"Thanks Tsunade, I really needed that." giving her a light hug before running gently off to head home.

Hinata reached her apartment, routing for her keys, to start getting ready, until Sasuke opened his door; shirtless. " oh, your back a little early?" Hinata had to concentrate on his face rather than his very nicely toned physique. "hmhm." 'truly pathetic Hinata, restrain yourself'.

"I uhm, just going to take a shower, and I should be ready in about an hour, plus 10?" smiling sheepishly.

" okay. well, just knock at my door, or I'll wait out here around 7.40, that Okay? Nodding again, trying not to look at such a delicious body, now was the time to go get ready.

Hinata had been showering for 20 minutes, not really wanting to take much longer. Getting out, Time was ticking, 'main thing...hair, make-up. Don't do it too heavy though, just enough not to cause buil-up of eye goop!'.

Sasuke had taken a shower, feeling as though he was getting ready for a date rather than just meeting friends. He had to admit, it felt different because he was going to introduce a girl to them, who was just a thought how nervous Hinata must be about meeting these strangers, but maybe it was more about meeting her old friend Naruto?

Hinata was almost ready, she had chosen a dress she had bought but never worn, but now was a good a time as any? It was a red off the shoulder sleeved dress, it fitted rather nicely, hugging at her hips and coming just a little above her knees. It had a extra roll around her shoulders, appearing very similar to a jumper dress. For the look to be complete, she wore some dark brown boot, that didn't have a very big heel, as High heels weren't Hinata's thing. They came just under the knee. Her look was complete.

" now Hinata, you look...good!" Surprised she was able to make herself appear nicely attired, hair and bangs bone straight, make-up light but enough for night wear." Saying to herself in the mirror.

" Now, time to see if Sasuke's ready!" It felt like a date, but didn't want to make it feel like that, making everyone uncomfortable.

Sasuke was outside sitting on the top stairs near the elevator, wondering why it really did take longer than usual for women to get ready just to go on a night out. His question was answered when Hinata walked out the door.

'dear god! this is going to be harder than I thought, she really is beautiful. Control yourself Uchiha! She's not your girlfriend?...I wish she was' Sasuke stood up as Hinata walked towards him, not wanting to be obvious that he thought she looked unbelievably stunning, he simply said" you look...good" 'Nice line, boy no wonder you don't have any luck with women anymore, lines like that'.

"Thanks, I had this, but never wore it, so now's a good a time as any?" Smiling with peachy gloss on her lips that made Sasuke think of how long he could kiss them succulent lips for, and they certainly looked inviting now. Her eyes were sultry and slightly darker, which only made her eyes stand out more, making him draw his attention from her lips and into her gaze.

" you look great, got a date or something?" Trying to make a joke of it, but he did look good in that black polo neck and matching trousers, with the same shoes he'd worn before, polished as usual. He did look very handsome , he really did; and Hinata thought her eyes may not actually be able to focus on Naruto if Sasuke was by her side tonight.

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They'd been walking down the main road by the river for a few minutes, Sasuke with his hands in his pockets, Hinata clasping her small bag; until someone who was calling very loudly to them from across the road. Sasuke seemed to know him and waved over, without thinking he grabbed her hand to cross over. ' He's grabbed my hand! oh my god! Did he want to do this or was it just instinct?' alone in her thought about what he had done.

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Across the road his friends were certainly eyeing up the girl he was with "man she's hot, like really hot" one said, anothe replied " You know it never lasts with him, but I might just ask for her phone number when hes finished with her". Then one said with noticeable blonde hair " that wont be long. Sure she's really hot but you know him, He likes to be alone" It was Naruto. He didn't even recognize it was Hinata, until they met them on their side of the road.

" hay, how you all been, good yeah? This is my Hinata my- my friend, thought it was time you met a part of the group now." She didn't know what to make of his introduction of her, but the look on Nartuo's face was enough to make her beam. Maybe this would be fun after all.

He couldn't believe it was Hinata, when did she become so, unbelievably hot!

The others were, Lee, Sai and Kakashi. They were all pretty handsome in their own way, but nothing like Sasuke, which made Hinata smile for some reason.

"Hi, I'm lee" feeling completely smitten to be shaking her hand.

I'm Sai" Not very much emotion was shown, but he shook her hand anyway.

"Yeah I'm Kakashi, I know. I'm much older, But don't let that fool you, I cand drink most these under the table" making a slight joke, which made her smile, and made Kakashi smile right back.

"And this is Naruto, I think you two know each other?" Sasuke had to say it, he wondered who would say how they knew each other.

" Yeah, we used to know each other awhile back, good to see ya again Hinata" Not shaking her hand for many reasons he thought.

" It's good to see you again too Naruto, how's Sakura?" She couldn't believe she said it, but it couldn't be helped when her curiosity got the better.

Naruto was pretty surprised himself that she would ask after her, " As far as I know shes doing good." Hinata had to think a moment on how he meant that, then she realized they must have broken up at some stage.

"oh, well. It's nice to see you again." Cutting it short and heading in after Lee and Sai, Lee been particularly interested in Hinata. Sasuke looking at Naruto as he walked by, eyeing him suspiciously.

They got seat at the back of the bar, everything was going quite smoothly, a little quiet but running smoothly. Talk had been going good, Lee was rambling on to Hinata, who smiled politely back not quite getting everything he said, but looking interested in his strange topics. Sai was talking to Sasuke and Naruto was talking to Kakashi, Naruto not paying much attention, eyeing Hinata an awful lot; which didn't go unnoticed by Sasuke. The atmosphere was good, light and casual. Hinata decided to go to the ladies room to freshen up, excusing herself passing Sasuke, who momentarily watch as her rear crossed him, he couldn't help it, that dress was damn fine on her. He couldn't think of anyone looking as good as she did in it. He even watched as she walked away around the corner, not gone unnoticed by Kakashi, " boy do you have it bad. Once you start following her with your eyes all the time, you know you have it bad" Sasuke was caught red handed, and tried to brush it off. " She's just a friend, besides I think I'll take my time, I respect her too much to go running into this." Kakashi " so there is something between you two then?" knowing he caught him, Naruto wasn't listening, much. He had got up and headed to the gents, " I'd like to think so, but I wont push anything. It's different with her, stop questioning me" Now turning to see where Naruto had gone, seeing him headed in the same direction as Hinata had gone. He knew the toilets were in there, but something told him Naruto was going for another reason, a very beautiful reason.

Continued in Part 6--Blush part II