Sorry if I hadn't updated soon, but I didn't have much time! I was with my best friends today and I drew Neji on a Smart Board! I didn't draw that well, and L.N drew FANGS on him! ERLACK. M.M drew another nose...wah. L.N and M.M are initials :D

Thanks you for the reviews and keep reading with popcorn ;) Enjoy XD

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Chapter Three - Kiss Me, Kiss Me

Snow Falls Again

- From before -

I reach the restaurant finally; why had I agreed to do this? It's not a good choice! The waitress looks at me as if I were a commoner (which I probably do look like) as I rush past her, breathing hard.

It's already seated; the chairs, the elegant table, even candles, glowing dimly. Somehow it's too seductive. And Kiba's already there, too.

If I survive this...

"You came." He's wearing a tight sweater, jeans, and a white jacket. Once again, Akamaru isn't present, and his hair seems much neater. "I don't believe it."

"Why?" I wonder, sitting down. So much for fanciness - I still look bad compared to the other richer people seated here. On the other hand, though with informal wear on Kiba looks comfortable and presentable in anything. I'd say lucky.

"I don't know." He shrugs, smiles mysteriously. "I didn't think you would. I have my doubts." A menu is propped up by a beautiful iron clasp; Kiba turns it towards me. "What do you want?"

Lobster...Shrimp...Sushi... Most anything. "I don't know."

"You can pick whatever you want."

"I...know..." For the heck of it I choose the most expensive item. "Soba-ya." It's cold noodles dipped in a special kind of sauce, plus a side order of soup.

"Sounds good." He picks a main course of something tuna and I sit there, trying not to look awkward (though I am.) I'd say it's just a matter of time before he tries to make conversation. Either that or a waitress will come along...

The latter happens. A blond, slim waitress of around eighteen - a few years older than me - strides smoothly to our table with a brown clipboard and a pen. One perfectly plucked eyebrow rises and words escape her perfectly plum lips, "What do you want to order?" I notice she's looking directly at Kiba, pen poised.

"Um..." He points to what we've agreed on and the free dinner voucher and adds, "Can we have water along with it? Just water is fine. Thanks." Is it just me or does he seem awfully wordy today?

"That's fine." Just before she turns around she notices me. Her arched eyebrows elongates further, and then she walks away, apparently satisfied that I'm much less than average in terms of physical appearance. And it doesn't only include the face, I suppose...

"So," starts Kiba, and I jump. His hands are folded, the light reflecting dimly off his white jacket that's hung across his shoulders in the perfect angle... "Your hair." He sees my discomfort but doesn't seem to recognize it. "You brushed it."

"Huh?" Maybe it's meant to be an insult, but I feel too deadened today to respond aggressively. "I was - thinking that about yours, too."

A grin. "You don't usually brush your hair, do you? I mean," he adds hastily, "it looks fine the way if you hadn't brushed it, but...it's more...noticeable today?" Uh oh. Add another person to the awkward club.

"Where's Akamaru today?"

To my delight he shoots a dirty look at the waitress who's coming to get our drinks. "He's not allowed in. That's stupid! He's at home. In the yard, probably." The waitress comes, flashing a brilliant smile, setting Kiba's water down subtly, more gently. I don't know how I see these things, I just do. I doubt it's jealousy, but since it's rather obvious in an unobvious-sort of way...

"Thanks," I say loudly enough. She doesn't respond, but nods. An elegant blond curl springs down slightly, and she asks, to Kiba, "Anything else for the moment?" Double meaning.

"No," returns Kiba straightforwardly. I feel a bit more relived. Maybe this "date" won't be so bad after all... I finger a yellow waxy candle that's glowing in the dim light. There's a picture of a dark-haired young man eating a slice of meat; an advertisement.

"Do you know who that looks like?" he asks suddenly.

"Hm? ...No..."

"Sasuke." I'm surprised, but he's right. The dark hair falls exactly in place where Sasuke's does. The only difference is that the ad isn't as good-looking.

"So what do you think of him? Sasuke?"

"He's fine. Nice, I guess." I wish I could turn over the paper and start eating. I am getting hungry...

"You don't like him?" He takes a sip of the ice cold water. "In that way?"

Huh? I stare at him, but he's bering serious. "I - "

"WHOA! Hinata! You guys are on a date, too?"

Ino Yamanaka grins widely, rushing over to us. She's wearing a skimpy purple top with a flowy spring dress, and seats herself down at our table, sitting next to Kiba. "Scooch," she informs him. He sighs, and she looks directly across from me.

"You guys on a date?"

A blush starts before I know it. "N-no. Well, yes. We won the - "

"Really?! Because Sasuke and I won the same gift! Expresserique, free dinner."

"Sasuke...?"

How ironic. Sasuke Uchiha, coming around the corner wearing completely black again. We had just been talking about him, and now...

"Sasuke!" squeals Ino, and I sigh, wondering about the not too subtle hints, "Come sit with me!" She gives the glare to Kiba, who now returns one back ."Scoooooooooooch!" she orders.

"It's fine." Somehow Sasuke's voice always cuts to the heart of the matter, very cold and straightforward. "I'll sit next to Hinata." He doesn't take off his jacket but just sits there, looking stoic as usual, calm.

On Ino's face is a look of regret but also determination. "Sas - "

"What are your orders?" cuts in the waitress to the newcomers. One look at Sasuke and she nearly splits into a huge smirk. "Hello...sir. What can I do for you?"

"Go die somewhere," he mutters so only I can hear, and then clears his voice. "No. I'm not ordering anything. Tea is fine."

"What?" there's astonishment in her voice, but she tries - unsuccessfully - to cover it up with more rambling on, "you're sure? Are you positive? It's best if you order something, sir - "

"I said, just tea."

Clearly he's off limits, and she knows it. She shoots Ino a glance and almost winces at her dress jealously. "That's fine. Thank you. And you?"

"I'm on a diet! Just noodles."

When we finally get rid of the waitress, Ino starts talking excitedly, "Can you believe her?! She looks totally fake! Right, Sasuke?! It's like that time a few months ago when we all went to a restaurant called the Etique Restaurique! Honestly, these restaurants have the worst names! Remember what you ordered? I remember! It was tea, and - and a sandwich! It's Americanized - I think it's cool you chose that! Because, well, I don't know." She grins expectantly and begins another huge line, "And it's so lucky that we didn't switch for partners, right? I mean, like, you wouldn't go with Sakura, right? No way! She's no match for me! That's funny; you know, that next time that she says anything to be mean, I'll - "

"Shut up."

We all look at him at once, his mouth closed, like he'd never spoken. But now they open; his eyes are looking my direction - I turn red, blushing - "The only reason I came was to get you off my back," he says. I don't know if it's pointed towards me or Ino.

But at the dance, he had been very abrupt...and had walked away without another word, without acknowledgment.

If only...if only. I am curious about the mark, the bruise, on his neck. I'm afraid to admit it, but I'm scared for him. Something happened underwater! I know it did. I never noticed, and since now he's caught on and is wearing long-necked shirts...

"Sasuke - I wasn't...your - the m - "

Suddenly he explodes, facing me fully. "I wasn't talking to you, dammit, Hinata!" he shouts at me. "And anyway," His eyes are glacial - "Stop talking about that! Be quiet!"

Another waitress, about middle aged, brown haired, comes over hastily. "S-sir," she stutters, "Please, use an inside voice."

He doesn't talk. He's still looking at me, searching my expression, a furious one on his. I blink, and tears stand in my eyes. Why...? "I wasn't - " I stammer, and quickly look at something else, anything else, than his eyes. Kiba looks at me, concerned, but I can't look at him, either. I stare down at my dress, my arms feeling itchy and hot.

What...I didn't...

"S-sasuke," says Ino in a whispered sort of voice, her tone colored with disbelief. "You didn't have to do that, you know?" Gratefulness floods my heart, but it does not stop my ever-flowing tears. "Hinata didn't say anything to bother you! You di - "

"Just shut up," he snarls. "Leave me alone!" He stands up, rips his jacket from the booth, and walks away. He walks away...from me...once again. Distantly I hear the bells on the restaurant's door clang, then fall silent once more. Silent...

Tears start collecting, but now they've turned into icicles. Outside snowflakes are falling.

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Our dinner comes. Their speed isn't bad. I'm not hungry. I'm not hungry! I won't eat. But I'll do anything to erase this feeling of helplessness, desperation, etched in my soul. But eating won't help...

What's not to like? What's not...? A twisted kind of song falls place in my mind...the song of my subconscious, and I imagine...

What's not to like? What's not to love?

About him, about him.

Dark eyes, dark hair, dark attitude.

What's not to like? What's not to love?

Beautiful face, beautiful body, beautiful voice.

What's not to like? What's not to love?

He's always watching, protecting, I imagine.

What's not to like? What's not to love?

I never though..never realized...he might turn against me...instead.

What's not to like? What's not to love?

...Someone else...

"I..." I utter, and something red catches my eye. 7:30. Kuso... I've been here an hour and a half! With quiet desperation I look around for the exit, and find it. I want to get out of here! No words, nothing more, I quickly stand up, my voice shrill. "No bill, right? It's free? I can go whenever I want?"

Kiba looks startled, Ino sympathetic. I don't wait for an answer. I need to run. Get out of here.

The bell rings angrily when I push against the door, feeling the waves of coldness running through my legs. Why the hell didn't I bring my jacket? Oh yeah...in the process of banging my head and realizing that I had a date!

Tear swell up in my eyes, and I run and run. Ice cold wind brushes and cuts my cheek.

My first date. Hah! It's an understatement to say it went up in flames!

My throat chokes up, and my shoulders rack with unspent sobs.

To think that anyone would go on a date with me; Hinata, the shy, stupid, secluded girl! I'm over my head thinking I could have a good time.

I reach my house, but I don't bother; rushing past, I keep sprinting, ignoring Hanabi's calls, sprinting to nowhere and with no sense of direction.

Neither do I have a direction in life...

There's a thick layer of white, fluffy snow on the abandoned training ground.

Without thinking, I tear off my hat and scarf, stagger a few steps in the blanket of snow, and look up into the gray sky. I drop to my knees and cry.

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That's the saddest thing I've ever written. Please review...I feel like crying XC

Today wasn't so bad! I just felt like writing something sad :X I know I'm a weird person...and I had this huge English draft due and I forgot it! ARGH.

I'm sorry if this was a short chapter. Gomenasai; I could easily add more, but I'm sort of having writer's block right now! Give me new fresh ideas XD

Plus I need to update some other stories, but I don't know if I have the time...

Anyway...

Next Chapter: Hinata goes on a mission, but many people, like Kiba, Ino, and Sakura, her friends, are in missions already! Who's she going to be with?!

Lumberry,

The Cough "Great" Cough One

President of the Neji Luver Squad!!