Last chapter:

"Sasuke!!" Naruto shouted, not knowing if he should hug him or slap him or whatever was an appropriate welcome.

"Hn." Was all of Sasuke's reply as he calmly walked past Naruto and opened the door. Sasuke smirked; a thing he hadn't made for too many years. He did not turn his head to face Naruto as he declared, "Still the loud, stupid dobe who doesn't lock doors."

"Yeah," Naruto answered back, "And still the proud, snobbish Uchiha who went away." Sasuke then went on ahead inside the house, as Naruto stood by himself outside. Things are going to be alright after all… his mind muttered.

--

"Why don't you freakin' wanna tell me?!" Naruto's shouts echoed across the whole town. It was the next day after Sasuke's arrival, and Naruto wanted to know the whole story, the whole confusing story, as to how Sasuke ended up delivering Sakura's and Shikamaru's dead bodies at Konoha. Of course he was still upset, and inwardly angry, because Sasuke doesn't seem affected by it. But Naruto knew something was up, and so bothered the prodigy with it all morning.

Obviously Sasuke didn't bother answering him at all, being the proud and snobbish Uchiha that he was. He ignored the loud blonde ninja and kept doing whatever he wanted to do at his friend's house.

Sasuke's mind whirled at the past. He kept thinking how he had stumbled upon Sakura and Shikamaru and another Chuunin from the Suna. He was on his way to Konoha to have his perfect revenge, along with his team mates, Suigetsu, Juugo, and Karin. But it was a story that's supposed to be forgotten, because what matters now is the present.

"Naruto," Sasuke started is his cool and cold tone, "I don't like saying things over and over again."

Naruto slumped back at his chair and pouted. Sasuke, after minutes of rummaging the whole house to find something decent to eat, and finding only instant ramen on Naruto's kitchen and cupboards, sighed and announced that he'll go out to eat lunch. With this Naruto instantly remembered that he, too, needed to go out today. He promised Hinata that he will visit her.

"Say, teme, how about going with me? I'm supposed to visit Hinata-chan today at the hospital. Not that you two are close, but, it's a good start, isn't it? So how about that? After eating at Ichiraku?"

"No, Naruto. If eating Ramen is all that you can think of then no need to bring me along with you."

"TEME! Come on!"

"No."

"Ok, we won't eat ramen, then! Just help me at the hospital, alright?"

"Hn."

"Is that a yes?"

"Hn."

"Arrgghh!" Naruto stomped his foot, pretended to be angry at Sasuke, but failed.

"Let's go." Sasuke said and both of them protruded out of the house.

--

"Whew, I ate a lot! The food's good, but nothing's better than Ramen!" Naruto burped and slumped farther onto his seat. His tummy bloated, he couldn't move an inch at all.

"Hn." Was all that Sasuke said. "Are we going to the hospital or not?"

"Oh, yeah! Can't we bring Hinata-chan some foods, teme?"

"Fine, then. But should have ordered earlier so that we shouldn't wait any longer."

"Why are you such in a hurry, teme? It's not like you want to see Hinata-chan… or do you?"

"Hn. I don't care about her. You're wasting my time."

"Well whatever! She's MINE anyway. Well let's just buy her dumplings, then. It's her favorite."

"Hn."

Little did Sasuke know that Naruto had invited all of their friends at the hospital.

--

"HINATA-CHAN!" who else. Naruto beamed his infamous smile and set the package he was carrying on her bedside table. Inside the room were Shino, Kiba, Akamaru, Kakashi-sensei, Tenten, Neji, Rock Lee, Gai-sensei, and Kurenai-sensei.

"Oh, Naruto-kun… is that for me? Ariga–" Hinata's voice faded as soon as Sasuke stepped inside. Everyone hushed down. They all knew that Sasuke was in Konoha and is staying at Naruto, and although Narutol told them that they are going to meet Sasuke, they had not expected it to be like this at all. To be so close, staring at the person that they had wanted to catch so badly. To everyone's surprise, Sasuke grinned.

"Seems like this is the first time they saw me up close, after 7 years, huh?"

"Yeah," Naruto smiled, "And seven years is an awful long time."

And with the others all warmed up and they all started to chat, like nothing ever happened. Of course one can't avoid being shy to ask Sasuke, afraid that he or she'll just be snobbed by him, after all he was known for it, but it seemed that he was open to everyone.

Hinata stared at Sasuke like a child watching anime on television. She never knew how tall he was and how handsome he was, up close… how his black, glossy hair shines under the fluorescent lights, or how creamy yet pale his skin can be. She had not realized him at all, until now. Her nineteen years of walking at the face of the earth she had not been attracted to him. All she could think of was friendly, cheery Naruto, who, for moments, could help the Hyuuga forget her problems in life.

She felt her heart turning a flip and a blush crawling along her face when she saw Sasuke looking directly at her. She quickly diverted her attention, pretending to listen to Gai-sensei's and Lee's debate on whether they should give Sasuke one of their jumpsuits. Hinata quickly then rested her gaze back to Sasuke, who was already preoccupied with a talk about chakra control with Kakashi.

What am I feeling…? It's… probably nothing… but, no…did I just blush?? What for?? Not that I like him… I LIKE Naruto-kun, not him… Hinata wildly shook her head, as if making her thoughts go away.

"Hinata? Doushita?" Tenten asked, laughing from somebody's lost joke.

"Nandemo nai…" Hinata gave her a smile, "Just refreshing myself"

"Oh, yeah… you're already strained, aren't you? Well, it's no wonder, with us talking out loud like this and all. You better get your rest, since it's already past twelve. It's Tsunade-sama's orders that you take your nap, ne?"

Hinata nodded, but the shook her head again. "It's alright, Tenten-chan. I don't want you guys to go, anyway… I'm enjoying this little party. Please stay."

Tenten laughed then smiled. "You really are an angel. Alright, then, but tell me if you need something."

Hinata nodded.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

Oh you guys… do me a favor and leave a comment, unn?? I'm tired of guessing who Hinata will end up with!

Anyway thanks for the review. Yep. Review.

I may not update soon because I'm still busy watching LIBRARY WAR (Toshokan sensou) it's a good anime, full of comedy, romance, action! It's only 12 episodes, and well, let's just say im watching it for like, three parts per episode, and that makes it longer than it's supposed to be. Anyway, feel free to give me a review. Please?

Hugs and hershies…xoxoxox… sigh