Chapter 4- "What's Wrong With Sasuke?"

Hinata had met Sasuke to study at the library but he was about a half an hour late. Hinata checked the clock again and again as she worried about Sasuke. He had been acting a little strange lately and but that didn't seem to bother Hinata, she thought he was fine and that he was just stressed out about exams that were in a month.

'Where is he?' thought Hinata, 'He isn't normally late...'

Hinata grabbed a magazine and began reading about cosmetics and clothes, she hoped to wear lipstick someday but her father didn't want her to until she was sixteen. She still admired the shades of reds, pinks, and blues and other colors of cosmetics, she wondered how Sasuke would react if she wore makeup for one day. The thought tickled her as she read more of the magazine.

As she was about to read more, Sasuke came in as he sat down angry about something. Hinata was now concerned about him, she had never seen a glare that bad on Sasuke before. She thought it had something to do with Ino or Sakura but this didn't seem to be about them, it was about something else.

Hinata looked at Sasuke, "...Did something happen? You look upset..."

Sasuke looked at her, he started to calm down, "It was nothing...I just was mad that was all..."

Hinata showed concern, "No...Something is going on, Sasuke..."

He sighed, he knew he couldn't get away, "Alright...Neji and I were fighting, I don't think he likes me at all..."

Hinata stared at her half-finished flower press, "...He's been at a little out of order, he doesn't think me and you should be together..."

Sasuke eyes widened, "Does your father know? Does he know that we've started to date?"

Hinata looked down, "No...I'm scared to tell him..."

Sasuke grinned a little and frowned, he had just saw Neji outside of the library doors. He didn't want to deal with him now after the way he sounded about Hinata having her soon to be first boyfriend. Hinata began to worry as soon as she saw her cousin walking around outside, angry as ever after the fight. She looked at Sasuke and got up and walked to the door until Sasuke stopped her.

"No, Ina..." He replied, "It will make things worse, I think we should leave it alone..."

Hinata looked at Sasuke, "I...I've been standing up to Neji lately...I'll handle it..."

Sasuke stepped back and smiled, "Alright, if you've got it then I don't need to stop you..."

Hinata walked through the door to see Neji standing in front her as his eyes watched her carefully, Hinata knew this was going to be hard. She looked up as Neji shook his head, he couldn't believe that she intended on letting Sasuke be her boyfriend. He walked out onto the grass as she followed him, he was really mad.

"Hinata..." Neji looked at her, "...I don't think you and Sasuke I ready for a romantic relationship..."

Hinata eyes went wide, "Why? Sasuke cares about me and it's going to happen..."

Neji sighed, "What would your father say? You haven't even told him yet..."

"I-I don't want to yet, it's not time for him to know right now..."

"...Don't you see? Ever since you and Sasuke have been friends, it's caused tension between Sakura, Ino, and now me...I don't even know if it's a good idea to go to the next level..."

"But Neji...Sasuke can deal with all of it...

"What about you? I'm surprised you haven't seen any problems..."

Hinata sighed and looked at the trees and smiled, "...Neji, do you know now it feels to like someone a lot? If you did..."

Neji interrupted her, "Hinata! This is serious. You're not seeing the other side of this..."

"I don't need to, if Sakura and Ino knew what was best...they would just...let it go..."

Neji couldn't believe it but had to agree with Hinata, "You're right on that part, they need to realize that Sasuke doesn't want to date them but I still don't want you with him..."

Hinata got upset and was angry, "Is it because he's an Uchiha?!?! Is that it Neji?!?!

A long pause could be heard. It began to rain as Neji growled and began walking away, he didn't want to argue anymore. He jumped into the trees and headed home, Hinata knew she'd be hearing it tonight when she got home from her day with Sasuke. She walked back inside the library as Sasuke sat at the table still upset over what happened.

He smiled a little, "You know, Hinata. Out of all the girls, you've surprised me the most today by standing up for me and for getting in Neji's face."

Hinata began to blush heavily, "I just didn't want Neji to ruin the chance we might have together..."

Sasuke winked at her, "Thanks Hinata, it would've been worse if I had done it..."

She began to giggle as Sasuke put his arm around her. They sat down and began to study for their exams as Sasuke stopped studying and he began to think about other things like his brother Itachi, he hadn't though about his ambition since he began being friends with Hinata. It was good for him because he needed someone that could understand him about things he was going through.

Hinata was the right person, she was also getting more confident as she spent more time with Sasuke. Sasuke began to feel things that he thought he couldn't feel because he was so focused on his ambition but he was unsure of what he was feeling with Hinata but he knew that she would be his girlfriend. Sasuke had seen many fangirls but not one like Hinata.

Sasuke looked at Hinata, "So, how's English going? Are you getting better?"

Hinata smiled, "Yeah, a lot better..."

Sasuke grinned a little but frowned, Hinata knew there was still something wrong with him. She was unsure how to ask him about Itachi because she knew that was another problem in his life no matter what he did. Hinata felt bad for him having such a burden on his shoulders all the time, she carefully picked the words to pick the conversation.

"Umm...Sasuke, you'd tell me if something was wrong with you, right?" she replied softly.

"Yeah, I would...I wouldn't hide it from you..." Sasuke became serious, "Ohh..I see what this is about..."

"I'm sorry, I-I can't help but wonder about...Itachi..."

"Itachi is evil, alright?" warned Sasuke, "He is really strong and it's hard to surpass him..."

"It must be hard having an evil older brother..."

Sasuke turned away. Hinata was right, it was hard and Sasuke was haunted by it everyday of his life ever since he was little. It was hard to grow up in the shadow of your older brother, one that used to care about you and one that was close to you. Itachi left Sasuke on his own and wanted his hate to grow further before he ever fought him again.

Sasuke sometimes was misunderstood and that was why he was the way he was. He hoped Hinata could understand and she did, she understood way better than others could understand about the situation.

Hinata smiled at Sasuke.

"It's all good, Hinata...I'm glad you understand about what's going on..."

"...You're welcome..."

Sasuke almost cracked a full smile, "So, are you doing anything after school? Naruto and I were going out to get ice cream after school..."

Hinata smiled, "Sure...Oh wait, I don't know..."

"Oh, Neji's bothering you huh? How'd you get a cousin like him?"

Hinata shrugged, "I think it's payback for the picture I would've showed...Tenten..."

"Ignore Neji, this is what you want to do...He can't tell you what to do..."

"Thanks Sasuke...I guess you're right, he is getting out of hand..."

"Of course I'm right..." He replied as he hugged Hinata, "Now stay out of Neji's way..."

Hinata grabbed Sasuke tighter and smiled, she had never felt this good in a long time. She couldn't wait for Sasuke to be her boyfriend, it would be her first and she could brag to the other girls with confidence about dating the hottest guy in school.

Sasuke smiled, "So, are we still on for after school?

"Yeah, I hope they have Cookie dough..."

Sasuke grabbed Hinata's hand as they walked out of the library to the ice cream shop down the road to eat ice cream.

That's Chapter 4, Please R&R.