Only You Understand My Pain

Kakashi x Hinata

Chapter 16

Game, Set, Flirt?

Hinata had to admit to herself it was probably the happiest time she had spent at the monument. Probably the happiest time she had since her life began to crumble. Why was it that Kakashi could make her smile when all she had wanted to do this day was cry? Even after she had drifted off earlier. The memories of them happy yet painful. She thought he would find her stupid or slightly insane as she explained it to him. Instead he listened and then softly told her he felt the same. Even though the memories were painful in once sense in another they were joyful.

"Remembering a happy moment even if just for a second, you can lose yourself and forgot the pain."

He really did understand the pain she felt. As the hours grew later, though she didn't want it to end, she knew it must. How she dreaded going home, it was so peaceful and relaxing when she was with him. Almost like when she spent time with Kiba and Shino. Yet somewhere in the back of her mind, she felt it was different, some how special. She just couldn't grasp why. Giving him a soft smile, she helped him gather up their food. She placed a kiss to each name of her family before starting to leave. They would never just be her teammates but her family. She mused quietly as she watched Kakashi pull up his mask and then tug on his jacket. What would it be like if Kakashi was family like Shino and Kiba? Shaking her head she just could not see him as a brother type. Was it just her hormones talking again? What ever it was she didn't have time for these thoughts. She had a task and mission of her own to fill. She would master her genkai and save lives. She had to for the memory of her family and maybe even for Kakashi's own teammates.

"You are looking awful serious." His deep voice breaking her thoughts. "Everything okay?" She smiled at his kindness. No one at her home would give a damn about her feelings.

"I'm fine Kakashi." She smiled up at him brightly.

"Okay, if you say so. Well let's get going…I'll walk you home." Kakashi moved to walk next to her. Even with his mask now back in place, she just knew he was grinning impishly down at her. Just like she knew arguing with a man like Kakashi, one hundred percent gentleman was useless. She just couldn't help but stand up for herself. Not sure what was bringing out this strong feminine side of her, but liking it all the same.

"I'm fine. I am a kunoichi, if you hadn't noticed." She smiled teasingly. "A big girl, not afraid of the dark…"

"So not afraid of the dark anymore hmm…well…how about you just humor me and let me walk you home anyways."

"Fine… dork." She giggled. His eye went wide, faking being appalled at her words.

"Dork…me?" He asked pointing to himself. "Geesh Hinata, you sure know how to bruise a man's ego." He smirked behind is mask.

"Ego huh." She bit her lips holding in her laughter. She lost, as a finger quickly, silently, darted out and poked her in the side.

"S…stop…" She doubled over with giggles.

"Why Lady Hyuga, I have no idea what you are talking about. Stop….Stop what?" He feigned innocence.

She narrowed her eyes playfully.

"Innocent you are not Mr. Hatake."

"Ouch…there you go bruising my ego again. Make me feel like an ugly, old, withered man." He teased watching happily, as she laughed softly behind her small hand. He could go on all night, making a fool of himself, just to grasp a morsel of her laughter. It sounded like a glass temple chime blowing in the wind. Soft and light like the air moving it.

"You are a far cry from an old man, Kakashi. Not to mention you are no where near ugly. In fact you are a very attractive and sex…" She quickly clamped her hand over her lips. The red blush growing heavy on her cheeks. She started to wish she could melt into the ground. Maybe he hadn't heard her.

"Did you just call me….?" He could not believe his own ears. He must have heard wrong, no way she had tried to say he was sexy.

"Handsome!" Her voice squeaked loudly. "Y…yes I…I called y….you handsome." She sputtered, trying to back peddle her way out of her big mouthed, blunder. " L….like many m…men in Konoha."

"Reallyy..." He drawled slowly, as a mischievous glint twinkled in his blue eye. Stopping he turned to her. "Like who dear Hinata? What other men of this village do you find handsome, as you put it."

"W…well m…men… L…like Genma or….I..Iruka-sensei" Oh he was enjoying this little game now, as he listened to her childhood stutter, growing worse by the minute. Maybe he had heard her right. She was acting just like she use to when trying to talk to Naruto.

"Hmm, I guess they could be considered that. Anyone else Lady Hyuga?…. I'm sure you can give me a few more names. "

"Um…ano…well." Her mind panicked. She couldn't think of a damn name, as she watched him slowly move closer to her. He was so close, she could smell his unique scent. It was a mix of musk and the forest after it rained.

"Well…I'm waiting?" He grinned, taking another step closer. He was only three steps, from being pressed against her. He almost wondered if he had taken it too far. Her face was so red, he began to wonder if all her blood had gone to it. Her stutter was overwhelming her.

'She wouldn't pass out, would she?' He began to wonder.

Pulling herself together. She was not going to make a further fool of herself. Not in front of this wonderful man. She was a woman now dammit, not a little girl, with a stupid crush.

"Gai! Yes Might Gai…He is considered the Great Green beast of Konoha. A very youthful, handsome man." She smiled inwardly at her own genius.

"Huh!" Kakashi voice coming out like a shrill. He seemed to stumble as he took a step back. Hinata turned her head away, unable to hide the huge smile. In her mind she was screaming, 'Score, one point for Hinata.' After clearing his throat he began to walk again.

"You think Gai is handsome?" His voice incredulous and maybe a little disappointed.

"Oh, sure… why not." She said walking in step with him.

"Oh," was all he seemed to be able to say as silence filled the air. Kakashi felt like kicking himself in the ass. How could he have ever thought that she said he was sexy. No way would she ever find him sexy. He was just an old hentai reading, always late sensei, nothing more. He was such a stupid fool! Not to mention what the hell did he have to offer a woman, as beautiful and wonderful as his Bara.

'Why am I even thinking about, being with her romantically?' Giving himself another mental kick to the ass.

Hinata looked over at him from under her long dark lashes, then back to the road ahead. 'Maybe I should not have said that. Gai is his rival maybe I hurt his feelings, or worse he is angry with me. Stupid…stupid Hinata.' She mentally scolded herself. Why was she always making a fool of herself. Instead of looking strong, she had made him mad. The silence between them grew heavy in her heart. As they neared her home she realized something, her hand reaching to her coat pocket.

"Um…I can go from here…alone." She tried to hold the panic from her voice. "Thanks for everything." Before he could even respond she was gone.

His feet shuffled slowly down the street. " Man I really did fuck it up, tonight." He cringed. "She practically ran to get away from me. I should not have messed with her. Hinata is a refined lady not someone to play games and flirt with. Wait… flirt…" Smacking his head with the palm of his hand he groaned. "Kami-sama, I was actually flirting with…" He nearly gasped with realization. "Hinata Hyuga…real smart Kakashi….real smart." Making his way back home, he prayed he had not driven his Bara away forever.

O.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.O.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.O.

Closing the door to the main house as silently as possible. It was extremely late and with not coming home the night before, and the fact she snuck in and out quickly in the early morning she needed to use caution. Hinata stepped lightly in the darkened hall. Preparing to activate her byakugan, she was suddenly thrown against the wall. She staggered a few steps forward

"Where the hell have you been?" Her father's voice boomed loudly, making her ears sting.

"I was out." She replied short. She felt an anger grow inside her even though she knew better then to lash out at him.

"Only whores are out at this time of night. " His voice turning so icy cold, she could feel it slice through her.

"Now curb that damn tongue of yours and tell me where you have been for the last two nights. Unless it is true and you are a whore. Then again, maybe I should expect nothing less of a half breed like you." She felt his hand grab her shoulders painfully tight before spinning her around to face him. She cringed at his cruel words. She didn't know why he could still do that to her. After so many years of hearing him call her merciless and heartless words, she should be numb to it all. In fact for awhile, she had been but that was all before they died. She could already feel hear skin begin to bruise from his death grip.

"I asked you a question daughter!" The last word he spoke, sounding as if it tasted sour on his lips.

"I have been training father, trying to become stronger." She said softly.

"Bullshit!" His one hand letting go. She knew what was going to happen, before she even felt the biting raw sting of the slap, across her scarred cheek. She bit her tongue, feeling the metal taste of blood fill her mouth. Damn if she would cry out in pain for him.

"You are a liar. Training…humph…I think not. You have no team. You're weakness made sure of that. So do not lie and tell me you were training." His hand once again slapping hard across her pale flesh. She could feel her lip split, but once again refused to show her pain.

"Someone like you will never become stronger ." His voice letting out a short vile laugh. "Since you want to stay out at all hours of the night. Missing main house family dinners, you can spend the next week in your room. You will not speak to anyone, nor will anyone speak to you. Also you will be given no food only water. Maybe fasting for a few days will refresh your memory, to the clan's meal times. Since you have no team to use as alibi for missing them." She continued to stare at her feet, waiting for her dismissal. She didn't care if he starved her, it wasn't like she had any real appetite anymore. Then again she had promised Kakashi she would try and eat more.

'Kakashi… oh no….what will he think when I don't show?'

"Now get out of my site you worthless excuse for a daughter." She slowly turned to walk away. His voice halting her steps.

"Oh Hinata, remember your time is running out. You know what will happen if we can't find a suitable…"

"I know!" Her strained voice cutting him off. Her fists clenching, the nails cutting into the tender flesh. "You don't need to say it." Her voice becoming void of emotion. Let him slap her again, she did not want to hear the rest of his words. Instead he shoved past her. Hinata's small frame bouncing against the wall then dropping to the floor. Lifting herself from the cold matting she slowly made her way to her room. Sliding the door closed behind she dropped to the futon mattress on the floor. A hiss leaving her lips from the pain. Silvery moonlight streamed down on the trees outside her window. The wind stirring them side to side. Staring up at the ceiling she watched the shadows they created flicker across. Let them lock her up. She didn't care she had medical scrolls hidden in her room. She needed to study in quiet. She could also practice her chakra training. With a special genjutsu on her room no one would be wiser. As she closed her eyes, the fatigue of the day quickly claiming her weary body. The only worry on her mind was Kakashi.

"What will he think, when I don't show up?"

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Sorry it so long to write a new chapter for this story. I was going to give you all one of Kakashi's little late lies but nah …too troublesome so if you were wondering…."Life happens!" LOL

Hope you all enjoyed and please review!!