PART 17

It had been a year since Naruto had become Hokage. Over time, Sasuke and Hinata had started spending more time together as friends. They often met at the hill to talk or train with each other.

The number of their missions steadily decreased and Naruto seemed to get used to the job of the Hokage. He enjoyed judging the Chuunin and Jounin exams. And he got to criticize Sasuke, Neji, and other easily-provoked people.

Naruto caught up with Hinata at the market and said loudly, "Hey, Hinata! Let's go on a date tonight!"

She gave him an embarrassed look, and said, "Gomen, Naruto-kun. I have plans."

Naruto was disappointed and Hinata hastily added, "How about tomorrow? Ichiraku's? My treat."

Naruto beamed and hugged Hinata tightly. "Youv'e got a date! Thanks, Hinata!!"

Hinata smiled and was about to continue with her grocery shopping, when she sensed Naruto still standing where he was. She turned to him puzzled. "Is something wrong?"

"Well, umm…how do I put this? Ack, forget this." He grabbed her wrists and pulled her into a deep kiss.

In the distance, Sasuke, who was taking his usual walk around the village, turned to see Naruto kissing Hinata. A strange heat enflamed and he turned his head away from the sight. He shut his eyes tight and thought, They're a couple anyway. They have nothing to do with me.

But he still couldn't convince himself.

XXXXXX

Apparently, Hinata's plans for that day were having Sasuke over for dinner.

Hinata prepared delicious dishes and waited for Sasuke to come. She sat on the couch and looked at the clock on the wall. He's late. It's been twenty minutes.

He never came, and Hinata didn't really feel like eating. Never had Sasuke left her waiting. She wrapped the food and stored them in the freezer.

She plopped herself on the couch and stared at the ceiling above her. Her fingers moved to her face and brushed her lips.

The kiss, Naruto had given her. She had been surprised, but she didn't kiss back, and she didn't push him back. She just stood there like a lifeless statue.

But what worried her most was that them moment his lips met hers, she wasn't thinking about Naruto. In her mind was a familiar figure with raven hair and snow white skin.

And she knew perfectly who that was, and that was what scared her most.

She hadn't realized that she had fallen asleep on the couch, dreaming of the possible future.

XXXXXX

Shizune walked in and said, "Nartuo-kun, you have a message. Hinata dropped it by."

Naruto took the slip of paper, and read it:

Naruto-kun,

I'm sorry I can't make it to that date today. I'm not feeling that well today, and I'd like to be alone. Maybe another day.

His heart fell. He tried to think of why Hinata couldn't make it. Was she really sick?

He decided to take a walk around the quiet side of Konoha just to clear his head.

XXXXXX

Hinata lied back on the soft grass and gazed at the cloudless sky above her. She was just about to close her eyes when she heard footsteps.

She sat up and her eyes met cold ones.

"Sasuke…" Hinata whispered for no reason.

He looked at her as if he just realized that she was there. "Hey."

Hinata lied back down and closed her eyes. Sasuke sat beside her and gazed at her. His face softened and he longed to reach out and touch her face.

What am I thinking? We've been good friends for about a year, but why am I thinking these things? He thought frantically.

Realization hit him. I love her. I really do. When did this start?

A voice sounded in his head. When she began standing by your side, when she would listen to you, when she became your friend again.

True, the past year, they had spent a lot of time together. Sasuke always felt that when she was around, his burdens were lifted and he could fly free.

He sighed out loud. Hinata opened her eyes and was staring intently at Sasuke's face. The way his face was built, strong and so beautiful. Like an angel's face. She wanted to reach up and caress his jaw line. But she held back.

"Hinata…I'm sorry about yesterday. Something came up," Sasuke lied. The reason he didn't go because he couldn't face Hinata after seeing her with Naruto like that. It had hurt him terribly.

Hinata sat up and her face was really close to Sasuke's. He felt faint heat rise up to his cheeks.

"It's alright if you repent," she said teasingly.

He smirked. "And what would I have to do?"

"Whatever I want you to do, but only one time. I can't keep you as a prisoner and servant for your entire life."

"And what do you want to do?"

"Haha, I'm saving it, Sasuke. I'm not a fool." She lied back on the grass.

Both of them were unaware of the Hokage standing in the distance watching with a pained heart.

When Naruto returned to his office, he folded his arms over his desk, and laid his head over them.

He saw the looks Sasuke gave Hinata. He could see that Sasuke loved her. Naruto could see that Hinata also loved Sasuke, but she wasn't aware of her own feelings yet.

He raised his head, and stared out of the window behind him. He clenched his fists, and said to himself, "I won't give Hinata to Sasuke. Never."