Hi readers! Now it's time for a new chapter. I hope you like it. Sorry about being a little late but I went somewhere and had to revise before I did that so writing was out of the question since I had a test.

Sorry about this fic not being Beta'd but I did send it to be done. Unfortunately, I got no reply so I had to update it as it is since it's already Tuesday. Also I'm sorry if I didn't bar a new p.o.v but the ruler won't work so I skimmed through to try to help confusion.

Excuse any errors and R&R!!!

Chapter 10: An Unexpected Confidant

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It was late in the afternoon when Hinata finished her chores that she had decided to do.

She was very tired as she made her was back to the cabin for a moment's rest, but filled with self-praise over the day's work she had done.

In the last few days, she had managed to somehow stay out of trouble and had even made steps towards making everything alright with Sasuke. He seemed different with her today- not that he had really spoken to her much, but to Hinata, it looked like every time she happened to look up or away from whatever she was doing, he was watching her.

She couldn't tell if it was because he didn't trust her or if he still expected he to get into trouble again, or if it was something…more. The way how he looked at her caused her heart rate to go up every time.

Maybe he had felt what she had felt that6 first night in the cabin?

She tried not to think about it and pushed it aside. Her life was complicated enough, and she was determined to lessen it at all costs but Uchiha Sasuke was a distraction she could do without. She didn't need any man in her life.

And in any case, there were other things to concern herself with at the moment. Thanks to Naruto, the stove was no longer an enemy and she'd managed to cook up a few edible things. She thought perhaps that she had made an improvement though it wasn't really evident in the crews' faces- at least she didn't poison them. She'd work on her seasoning now and maybe before long, she would see them smile at the food she created.

She found Sasuke's cabin empty and slipped in, closing the door behind her. She had one kimono left and wondered if she should change into it since the one she was wearing was terribly filthy. But she didn't dare.

For the first time in her life, she couldn't just 'ask Otou-san for more clothes.' She was not even sure how to wash properly without ruining the soft, silky material. No, she would have to live with it.

Untying the tattered apron, she tossed it over the rope that separated their rooms and dared to go and sit Sasuke's desk. She really should have washed up first, but she was far too tired to actually do it. She sank back in his chair and put her feet up just like she saw him do when he was reading his papers and smiled to herself at the way she must look.

She imagined the look on Sasuke's face if he walked in just that moment and had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. All she needed was a cigar or senbon in her teeth and some sake, along with a pants and she would be just like the other ANBU.

That made her wonder. What would it be like to be Sasuke? To be able to go and come when he pleased? To be in love with his work? To live life not following anyone's rules but his very own?

Her gaze caught the picture of Kiba. She removed her feet from the desk and leaned over to snatch it up. How could she have ever thought herself in love with him? Somehow, he paled in comparison to Sasuke by far. Everything about Sasuke was strong and passionate and Hinata couldn't see him giving up on anything halfway through.

She admired him endlessly.

Hinata set the picture down and scrunched up her nose in disgust at it. His looks were deceiving. He seemed far to angelic when he should be wearing devil's horns, a goatee and a curly mustache.

Not thinking, she picked up Sasuke's pen and took the picture out of the frame. She then drew horns on his head and put the picture at an arm's length to make sure it looked right and then she drew on the beard and mustache. Hinata giggled as she drew, imagining the expression on his face if he had to see what she was doing. Next she drew little money signs in his pupils, so tiny it looked like a gleam in his eyes and then smiled at her finished product, her mood lifted.

It was strange. She was no less determined to face Kiba and get back her pride and honor but somehow, the edge of her anger for him softened.

She no longer felt such bitter fury when she thought of Kiba with other women. It no longer stung at her eyes that he did not think about her or want to see her. It didn't even matter that he had been so willing to leave her on a shelf until whatever time he felt like bearing the burden of marriage.

The one thing that did bother her was that he had used her without thinking twice, and made her father believe he was genuine.

She set the picture down so that it faced her side of the room, thinking that there was nothing standing in her way of becoming a ninja or a med-nin.

Maybe she could pick up from her younger years and take the chuunin exams and go on missions again; maybe even go further. 'Take that Kiba,' she thought and with a flick of her finger, she knocked it on its face and smirked- something she never knew she possessed but it sure felt like one of those evil, knowing grins that Sasuke sported more than once.

She wished she had just as much experience as Sasuke and knew what he knew. Hinata glanced down at the small silver key that stuck out from the drawer. It was so tempting. Her curiosity got the better of her as the unknown contents in the drawer called her name.

She couldn't resist…

His papers were all packed neatly in the drawer and Hinata took out a handful of them carefully. The reports and other information were all titled, some with notes written in the margin. Some caught her attention more than others.

"The Cloud's connection to mysterious attacks," she murmured randomly. She skimmed over the work even more and saw that there was not only written work, but maps and diagrams as well of various countries and villages and pictures of weapons she had never seen before.

There were also sketches of strange creatures next to photos of people. Taking a closer look, she saw that they were tailed beasts. But Hinata always thought that they were not real. She looked at a picture and saw a picture of the Kazekage and a picture of some kind of giant raccoon of sorts- she had no idea what it was and didn't understand it so she skipped all of the others connected to the creatures.

There was also an awful picture of a disfigured body of a ninja and reading the label, she saw that Sasuke had had the mission of finding his murderer. Fascinating.

Had he drawn these himself? Did he really see all of the things he's drawn? She read some more, sucking up all the information like a sponge, losing track of time. It was not until the sun had set that Hinata was forced to light up the lantern on the desk, did she realize how late it really was. But that did not stop her; she had to read more because she couldn't put the papers down for even a second. These were a ninja's work. Written and drawn evidence of all of Sasuke's hard work.

Hinata read until her eyes started to drop, squinting at the letters and reports because the room was not lit well enough to see properly. Craving more knowledge, Hinata risked turning up the lantern more and took the stake from the brace to put it closer to what she was reading.

As she huddled over the flame, heat caressed her cheeks and lips, coaxing her into a daydream. She felt the heat and in her mind it felt like a warm touch.

To her surprise, an image rose in front of her eyes as she wondered what it would be like to kiss Sasuke. Would his lips be as soft and warm? Would he brush his knuckles on her cheeks the same way? Hinata then found herself touching a finger to her lips, thinking what it must be like…

xxx

She never failed to surprise him.

Sasuke had expected Hinata to pout over the loss of her kimonos but she had not complained not even once. Maybe that was just how she was and the old her had never left; the girl who simply made do with what she had. He had also expected her to complain about her cabin but she did the unthinkable and moved into his.

After paying him one hundred thousand yen, Sasuke had never expected her to actually want to do chores on her own. Her dinner had even been edible tonight and Sasuke couldn't help but give her credit for trying.

She was either a very remarkable woman or a conniving little spy wanting to turn his team against him. He had not done a damned thing to her, but anyone could see the suspicious looks he was getting from the other ANBU. She was slowly taking over with very little effort and that smile of hers.

Her smile alone, when she favored them with one, was enough to make anyone's stomach flip. The thing was, Sasuke didn't think she even meant to turn everyone's heads; oblivious to it.

It had been a long day, and he was tired but he was actually looking forward to the rest of the night seeing her. Almost whistling, but humming, he hoped that would be enough warning for her just in case she was changing her clothes or something. There was no scurrying about behind the door so he knocked lightly and opened the door.

His good mood disappeared as soon as his eyes set on Hinata.

She was a lousy spy!

She had obviously fallen asleep while snooping around his work.

"What the hell were you doing?!" Sasuke yelled and stepped further inside, slamming the door shut.

He jumped her up from her sleep and she woke up with a horrified gasp, her hands flying out, papers scattering. His eyes met hers for the briefest of moments; her eyes showing confusion and fear.

It happened too fast to stop it.

She knocked over the lantern and the flame lighted his reports and notes, eating at the papers within seconds. Hinata shrieked in alarm when she realized what she had done and tried to put out the fire, fanning it with her hands.

It's a pity that it made the situation worse.

Sasuke's work was going up in flames, literally and he moved quickly, removing his shirt and began to smack at the flames while yelling for Naruto so he could get water, sand, something to out it.

Was she trying to kill them all?

Hinata ran out the door suddenly, screaming and left him to the fire alone- damn her.

"Yeah sure, save yourself!" he called after her.

He was thankful the ship was so small. Someone shouted at him and Sasuke ordered him to bring water to put out the fire while trying to beat away the flames and cursing Hyuuga Hinata under his breath.

Had he actually softened toward her? No, now was not the time to think about that.

"Naruto!" he shouted. "Dammit, somebody get in here!"

He heard footsteps and spun around to see who was there. Water rushed past him, onto the desk, but doused him first. Before he could say anything, she ran away again with a bucket in her hands.

Sasuke was utterly stunned, but not so much to stop slapping at the flames.

Naruto was right behind her with another bucket and someone else with another. By the time Hinata came back, the flames were out and she just stood in the door frame looking dazed, frazzled and regretful.

Sasuke was definitely not in the mood to be forgiving however.

"What were you doing at my desk?" he asked her not too nicely. "Looking through my papers and searching the drawers that I had locked."

She stood holding on to the bucket for dear life, having the audacity to look hurt and injured by his anger.

"I should have known you could not be trusted1" he told her, slamming his shirt on the floor in front her on the floor. She winced and took a step back. Naruto came up behind her, but Sasuke didn't care. He'd had enough.

"Did Kiba put you up to this?"

He had to know. To hell with waiting to see. If she was spying on him for whatever reason, he wanted to know and he wanted to know this very moment.

"Sasuke," Naruto objected.

"I d-don't know what you are talking about," Hinata answered.

Sasuke ignored Naruto, determined to find out the truth. "Sure you don't."

"I don't know!" Hinata said, her eyes filling with tears. "I fell asleep and then you scared me and then-"

"I know what happened after that," said Sasuke. "What I want to know is why you were going through my things!"

Hinata stood there as still as a board, her eyes showing she was desperately trying to figure out what his accusations meant.

She should not have been snooping around, she admitted to herself, but she did not understand why Sasuke was so angry with her. She had almost burned down his cabin, but that was never what she had intended to do- not in a million years. It was his fault as much as it was hers, seeing that he nearly scared her to death.

Still, it seemed to her that she was missing out on something very important…

"Did your boyfriend put you up to this?" he asked her again and Hinata blinked at the question.

She clutched the bucket in her hand. "Put me up to what? I don't understand what you mean."

What was Sasuke talking about? What did Kiba have to do with anything?

"Like hell you don't!" Sasuke snapped, and his eyes flickered in and out of his Sharingan out of anger.

Hinata felt Naruto's hand on her shoulder and was thankful for the comfort.

"Your boyfriend is a thief, Hyuuga-sama- and you're no better if you think that you can just buy your way here and help yourself to my work!"

Hinata's eyes widened in surprise as understanding finally dawned on her. "You think I am here to steal your work?"

A brow shot up. "Hai, I do." His eyes bored into hers accusingly.

Hinata couldn't believe that he was thinking like that. She couldn't even imagine that someone would think she was a thief and Kiba was a lot of things but she didn't believe that he would stoop so low as to snoop around and steal someone else's work and she doubted that he would put someone to spy on Sasuke, further more herself; it was not possible.

She did feel sorry about starting the fire, but that was slowly ebbing away into anger. The more she thought about it, the more she felt like shouting right back at Sasuke. Except that she had not been raised to be a part of a shouting match with anyone; even so a man.

Her grip tightened on the bucket in her hands. "Let me get this straight," she said as calmly as she could.

His eyes glittered ferociously at her, but he didn't say anything, he just glared.

"You think that Kiba engaged me so that I could spy for him?"

"Why not? It's best to expect anything," said Sasuke, and his glare dared her to deny it… bastard.

"And you think that is why I wanted to travel with you? To spy for Kiba?"

He smiled evilly. "What a bright girl we have here."

Hinata bristled, ready to reply, but there was nothing she could say defend herself if he chose to believe it. There was no proof she could give to him to make him see the truth.

She clenched her teeth, anger seeping into her. She didn't think, just reacted and hurled the bucket at him, tossing the cold water in his face.

It was the very least he deserved and she didn't even bother to apologize. It served him right.

Sasuke yelled in surprise, but Hinata didn't look back as she bolted through the door, leaving him to wipe the salty water from his eyes.

Hinata was gone by the time Sasuke opened his eyes.

Only Naruto and a few others who had come to help with the fire were there and they slunk away when he had begun to shout.

"I know you're not going to like what I'm about to say," Naruto said. "Demo… I think you deserved that, Sasuke."

And then he left too, leaving Sasuke to deal with piecing together the charred remains of his research, and thinking that his entire crew had been won over completely by Hinata, even Naruto.

They'd been blinded by that damned smile of hers, he decided, and that blush as well when she was embarrassed, or angry- basically ninety-nine percent of the day. But that was not going to happen to him at all; he was not going to fall for her.

The problem was… he was afraid he already had.

xxx

It was night and the sky was almost starless, a mirror of the ocean. The moon was not to be seen except for a dull light behind the dark clouds.

The sight and the cool air calmed Hinata as well as her body. She was no expert when it came to the weather but she could see that a storm was coming. All the other storms had blown over and just gave a drizzle, but the chill in the air told her that tonight a thunder storm was blowing their way.

Uchiha Sasuke was so impossible though. She could not believe that he thought she was a spy and a thief. To make matters worse, he thought that Kiba had put her up to it and the fact that she had wanted to defend the damned rat. Yet she felt terrible for destroying Sasuke's work; she had not meant to do that at all and wouldn't have dreamed of it.

Ugh! Men were the ruin of the human race.

"He's really not so bad a person once you get to know him," Naruto said to her, coming up from behind.

Hinata turned to face him, crossing her arms to keep out the chill. She believed Naruto for she had seen a different side to Sasuke more than once, but wasn't feeling the least bit forgiving. "I don't believe you," she said, turning again to face the open sea.

Naruto laughed. "You kinda like him anyway, don't you?" He came to stand next to her and Hinata looked at him through her lashes. It was nice when he was all serious sometimes; he was a good listener as though he went through something similar no matter what it was.

"He doesn't like me," she countered. "That much is clear."

He stared at her and she looked away. "You… don't think I came here to steal anything from you, right?"

"Iie, I don't. Demo, if you don't mind me being blunt, I don't think you're telling us the whole truth about your reason for being here either."

Hinata refused to look at him. It was not their business why she was there so she didn't lie- she just didn't stare her reason. Her reason was that she was going to see Kiba but they did not have to know why.

"Sasuke's incredibly smart and he's sensing something's up," Naruto continued. "He's a good person, Hinata-chan, but he likes to know what's going on around him."

"I didn't lie," she told him. "I'm not a spy either. Why would he think that?"

Naruto hesitated for a moment and Hinata could tell that he was trying to pick out the right thing to say.

"Honestly, I'm not sure it's my place to say it, but he has good reason not to trust your fiancé. That much I can tell you."

Hinata's head tilted to the side in question. "Why?" she asked. "What did Kiba do to him? I thought they were friends or something."

Naruto seemed surprised by what she had said. "Why would you think a thing like that?"

"Because… Kiba mentioned him in his letter to a friend of ours. I thought that he knew him well."

"You thought wrong," Naruto said barely waiting until she had finished and his voice turned harsh, catching her attention. She looked up at him, trying to understand his expression. "I can safely say there is no friendship whatsoever between Sasuke and your fiancé."

"Oh," Hinata breathed, knowing that Naruto didn't have a reason for lying to her. The look on his face was real and it was obvious that he had tries to shield her from that information. Curiosity made her ask, "What did Kiba do?"

It was not like Hinata thought he was a saint because he had long since lost that.

"You'd have to ask Sasuke that," said Naruto. "It's not up to me to tell you, Hinata-chan. Gomen."

"I see," Hinata answered, even though she didn't. Naruto's loyalty was solid and respectable but she was not about to ask Uchiha Sasuke anything any time soon.

"You say you found Sasuke's name in a letter?" Naruto asked her and she could tell he was curious.

It was not like she had anything to hide from him; she trusted Naruto. She somehow understood that whatever was said between them wasn't going to fall on any other ears and Hinata decided that she needed someone to confide in. It wouldn't hurt to tell Naruto the truth.

"I really am going to see Kiba," she told him. "But it's not as I've told you. I don't miss him at all."

"That much is obvious, Hinata-chan."

She stared at him. Was it really that plain to see? She wanted to ask why, but she was not certain she wanted to know the reason why he said that. Hinata told him about the letter, finishing with tears in her eyes.

"You deserve better," Naruto told her, pulling her in for a tight hug.

Hinata was grateful for his support. Her heart ached just a little at the memory of Sasuke's glare. "Please don't tell Sasuke," she begged him. She was upset that Sasuke had thought the worst of her but she couldn't bear it if he pitied her.

"It's not my place to," he said in her hair.

Hinata nodded, thankful for his answer. The last thing she wanted was for Sasuke to feel sorry for her. It would be far easier if he continued to hate her. Seeing how she felt about him finding out about it meant that he was already too close without her even knowing it.

Why did she care that he did not trust her? After the two weeks on board, he wouldn't have anything to do with her anyways. She didn't intend to bother asking about returning with him either. It would be better if she got off the ship and never set eyes on him again.

One heartache in a lifetime was more than enough.

xxx

There you have it, my readers! I'm sorry to say, but I caught another cold. Sad isn't it? The sneezing, itchy eyes and snorting and blowing the nose constantly really wears you out. Plus, I have a headache that's killing me.

If you've never read Hinata the Vamp or Hina hime please do.

Until next update…

Ja ne!

Please review, I love it when you do!