Author's Notes: Hey readers! The next chapter! It's kinda long, but I hope not so long. Man, this took me one night to finish. Haha. Please enjoy and review please! I would love to know what you guys thought of it! (two thumbs up!) lol.
Chapter 2:
Sadness only brings pain.
In which our secret has been kept unspoken.
However, it is this secret grief that gives us guilt
And the reality that lives on that
You can never be mine.
I envied the sun that poured out through the cloud; because in a way, it was smiling for my mother's death-the end of her pain-when I wanted her to still live on this earth and I was crying for her return.
"She was a wonderful woman."
"Her life will be preserved in our memories for time indefinite."
"She will be in a better place now."
Alone, Hinata stood beside her mother's grave. Flowers were over the tombstone and grass with names from family and friends. Her eyes were red and stuffy, crying from the day's event with her step-father, Fugaku by her side. The thirteen year old wore a black skirt down to her knees and a black blouse with black shoes. Her short ebony hair was down and up to her ears.
"Mother," said Hinata, hoping that by calling out her mother, it would relieve some of the pain she felt inside. "Rest in Peace, Mother."
"Keep this family together, Hinata. Please promise me," said Hitomi as she stared at her daughter with weak eyes as she cupped Hinata's face. "Do not break this family apart. You must learn to love with your whole heart now into this family. I know how hard it is for you to move on-however, I trust that you will listen to me."
The words echoed inside Hinata as she stared at the grave, tears welling up in her eyes. Of course, mother. I have no where to go now, I will do my best to love this family. Hinata knew very well that she was never close to anyone in the family. But today, she was surprised when Fugaku placed an arm around her as they cried together for her mother's funeral. Even Sasuke and Itachi stood by her, just to show their respect.
Hinata gave a small smile as she used a hand to wipe her tears," I love you."
She than felt a hand on her shoulder as she turned around to see Fugaku.
"We're leaving now," said Fugaku, looking sadly at Hinata.
Hinata nodded shyly," Yes, Otou-san." She followed as they finally left the cemetery.
A loving mother with a gentle heart.
The Uchiha family entered the mansion. It was silent, no noises from a joyful Hitomi walking in to greet them.
"Hello honey, how was your day? Itachi, you received some letters from the universities offering to take you in. Sasuke, I made your favorite meal."
Hinata couldn't help but feel the ache in her heart as she remembered what her mother would tell her on occasions.
"Hinata, darling, you should smile more in front of your family. A smile from you is like a gift from heaven."
Hinata closed her eyes a bit as she stood behind the three men in front of her after getting inside her house. Oh, mother, thought Hinata as she smiled to herself. As she took off her shoes to change into her slippers, she looked up. Everyone was going their separate ways.
"I need to rest," said Fugaku sighing as he walked up the stairs to his room.
Hinata shyly walked a bit faster to her step-father," Otou-san."
Fugaku stopped, with a brow raised he turned around," Yes, Hinata?"
Hinata shyly looked up as she faced him," Ano…would you like me to get some tea ready for you?"
Itachi and Sasuke looked at Hinata, an eyebrow raised as well.
Fugaku blinked several times before answering. As he stared into his step-daughter's eyes he saw the eagerness in them and he couldn't help but smile. He nodded," That would be wonderful. Thank you." He than started walking to his bedroom.
Hinata smiled slowly and nodded as she than averted her gaze to the floor. "H-Hai!" She than looked up again," Itachi-niisan? Would you like some too?"
Itachi shrugged," Iie. I'm fine." He than walked into his room and shut it. The eighteen year old needed to answer his mails.
"Sasuke?"
As she turned her attention to Sasuke, she stood as if stopped by time and space. Glaring at her, Sasuke smirked and walked up the stairs.
"Tch."
Hinata frowned a bit as she looked up at Sasuke's moving form. I guess not. Hinata slowly moved into the kitchen, boiling the water and getting her green tea assortment that she bought from the store one day after school. She would have one for herself as well.
Hinata sat on the kitchen chair near the table as she rested her head on the table-her eyes staring at the pot on the stove.
I must learn to accept this family, thought Hinata. But hadn't she accepted the family when she started to live here? All alone, Hinata was never in any close relationship with her step-brothers. They were always off in their own lives and never spoken much to each other except on the dinner table a few times. Maybe, in a way, she thought of themselves as just people living in a house.
As soon as the water started to boil, she placed it in a white cup for the tea. She placed the tea bag inside the cup to let it soak. It was one of her favorite teas to drink and hoped it would soothe her step-father. Silently, Hinata went up the stairs and knocked on the bedroom door.
"Come in."
Hinata walked in, carrying the tray with the one cup. "The tea is ready."
She passed the cup to Fugaku as he took it in his hand, sitting on the bed. "Thank you."
Hinata bowed and walked off," Your welcome."
"Wait."
Hinata stopped and turned around.
Fugaku smiled sadly at Hinata," I hope you will fit more into this family. I know how hard it must be for you, but I hope that you can understand that I want this family to work out and that I still want you as a daughter very much."
Hinata nodded," I am grateful, truly and deeply." Even though they never spoke much, those words were so kind that it touched Hinata. She couldn't help but feel a weight lifted away.
"That's good," said Fugaku, smiling," You may go now."
Hinata smiled at Fugaku as he drank the tea and let out a long sigh with a good compliment. Hinata walked out, shutting the door behind her. She closed her eyes, in relief she let out a sigh and opened them again.
"Sasuke!" gasped Hinata whisperingly. There he was, standing across from her leaning on his own door near Fugaku's.
"Tch," said Sasuke, his eyes glared at her intently, making Hinata nervous.
Slowly, Hinata made her way away from the bedroom door, passing near Sasuke, her heart beating fast. I hope he doesn't get annoyed at me. Though she knew no reason why, she just didn't like the way Sasuke was staring at her so angrily.
Suddenly she felt a grip on her hand, stopping Hinata in her tracks. "Who said you could stop and walk away from me so rudely?"
Hinata could hear her head banging on an imaginary wall inside, unknown what to do in this situation and feeling bad about doing such a rude thing. They had never had a conversation before, even after these seven long years. "Ano…I'm sorry…" She winced as she felt the grip on her hand tighten. Why is he doing this?
"I'm glad your mother died," said Sasuke coldly as he stared at the ebony locks blocking her eyes. Those innocent white eyes annoyed him greatly and he was glad he didn't have to look straight at them. "So now her death is just like my mother's. Now we're even."
Shocked, Hinata turned her face to Sasuke, eyes wide. "How…How could you say such a thing?" Tears were welling up in her eyes as she looked at Sasuke's onyx eyes. Why are you being so cruel? I thought you were there to console, not enjoy my mother's death. Hinata didn't know what to do, but she kept on staring at Sasuke. How could her step-brother say such a thing?
Those eyes, thought Sasuke, staring straight at those white eyes. Pain is written everywhere on them. Just like mine when Mother died. Suddenly he couldn't help but feel anger as he remembered the death of his mother when he was merely a child. He was crying, begging for his mother to return to him. However, reality wasn't so kind. Instead, the coffin was shut closed and placed on the deep ground.
It signaled the end of his mother's life.
With no response, Sasuke continued to stare at Hinata. The house was quiet and silent. Fugaku resting and meters away from them. Itachi, downstairs, doing his own business with no noise heard.
He didn't have anything to say to her.
Still Hinata pursued it, hurt by what he said. "Why? Tell me, please, why would you wish someone to die?"
Sasuke's eye twitched, though he continued to be silent.
"I'm begging you, tell me please," said Hinata, not wiping the tears that fell down to her cheeks that were touching the floor. "Why is it that when you told me that, I saw that you also held pain in your eyes? Why would you feel pain when you coldly said those words?" Hinata never wanted her mother to cry, never. However, every living thing will cease to exist some day and at a point in their life. However, why would anyone want someone to die? Life was so precious: A gift to be treasured.
Shut up, thought Sasuke, feeling his fingers that wasn't holding onto Hinata tighten. His grip on hers also tightened. Just shut that mouth. You don't understand anything about me.
"Please," begged Hinata," If my mother's death hurt you that much, than surely there must be a reason behind those words that you spoke." She wanted to know. Of anything in the world right now, she would wish to hear an answer from Sasuke. His pain is deep, thought Hinata sorrowfully, and lonely. For some reason, to just let him let out his pain was enough for her at the moment.
Shut the hell up, thought Sasuke, anger building up inside, Stop begging me. You don't understand it at all. Angrily, he tried to out-stare her. She was looking at him with so many emotions: Pain, Shock, Surprise, and…Empathy.
Hinata dropped the tray, letting it clatter onto the soft carpet-distilling it of any sound. "Sasuke, tell-"
Suddenly, she felt warm lips touch her own as her eyes widened in surprise. His lips touched her for to her, seemed to be like an eternity. Just on each other.
Hinata blushed red, too surprised to do anything.
Sasuke, closing his eyes, tasting Hinata's tears. However, it wasn't salty, but sweet to him. It contained the simple pain that all human beings faced when in agony or at a great sense of loss. It was just so plain to him that it even surprised himself.
This will shut you up. Sasuke's hands were on her face, cupping it. After a minute, he let go, staring straight at Hinata's shocked expression and embarrassment. He smirked, somehow, liking how she went all shocked.
He let her go, leaving Hinata to fall to her knees and onto the floor. A hand went to Hinata's chest, as he saw her breathe hard and fast-still blushing.
"I will continue to hate you and your mother," said Sasuke coldly, looking down at Hinata as if she was trash," However, I will never answer your question. It's something that I intend to keep to myself and to torture you with." He than walked away from her and heading downstairs.
Why? Thought Hinata, still shocked and unable to say a word as she looked at the floor. Her first kiss, stolen away by her step-brother! Hinata couldn't help but blush, knowing that it was the most embarrassing thing and horrible way to quiet a person down. As much as she wanted to scream inside of herself when he kissed her she didn't.
Is this a punishment? Thought Hinata to herself, still on the ground, obviously dumbstruck. She knew it was childish to consider a kiss a punishment.
But somehow, I can't understand why my heart was beating so fast? Thought Hinata to herself.
And she was still blushing.
Hinata slowly got up, taking the tray in her arms again. Hinata walked down the stairs, scared that she would be met with another kiss.
Oh, Hinata, you're unforgivable, thought Hinata to herself, embarrassed that she would think such a thing.
She stopped, seeing him sitting on the couch of the living room. Hinata, like a little girl, hid behind a wall and peeked, still blushing!
She saw his back facing her and she knew it was wrong to pry, but she couldn't help the fast pace of her heart.
Sasuke sighed as he looked at the picture of his mother with the family. She was smiling, an arm around his father and one on Sasuke. Itachi was standing next to her, his arm around her.
"Damn," said Sasuke, running a hand through his hair.
Why did this girl have to make me think so much now, Mother?
Hinata frowned, now realizing that Sasuke was going through a hard time.
Why did she ignore her family so much for these seven years?
I want to love this family now, thought Hinata, determined as she looked at Sasuke, stressfully taking out another picture from the photo album.
Seeing his pain and seeing my own, makes me believe that we can help each other. He lost his mother and now I lost mine. We are going through the same pain of love. I know he might not accept me, but I'm willing to do my best and be a sister to him.
Hinata, knowing that it was not polite to keep staring, stopped peeking and leaned on the wall separating them. She clutched the tray to her tightly. I want to care for you, Sasuke, as a sister. I want to be the family that would help you through the pain. I want us to understand each other.
Hinata knew that it was impossible to think that they would be able to talk so soon after what just happened. However, nervous and timid as Hinata knew herself to be, she wanted to be there for her family now.
Watch over me, Mother, thought Hinata to herself. Give me your silent strength. Hinata walked off, to get herself some tea.
"Damn," said Sasuke, placing a hand on his hair and pulling it lightly. "Damn. Damn. Damn."
He couldn't stop thinking about her. Those tears. They made him want to see those tears again.
I can't stop thinking about her, dammit!
Sasuke was getting annoyed. He would have to do his best to stay away from her.
Author's Notes: Man! A lot of drama! Lol. I hope I wasn't boring you guys. There wasn't a lot of Itachi in here, but he will come in later chapters. NOO. He's going to be so scary. Lol. Anywayz, I hope you enjoyed it. but flames are welcomed, I want to see what you guys thought of it. Peace out! Until next time! I LOVE YOU GUYS! (smiley facey)
