Chapter 12

All noise in the stadium reached new heights when the teams finally entered the field. The vibrations could be felt through the feet of everyone in the bleachers. It was the first match of the season and most, if not all, of the school was out to support the football (soccer). Hinata, Ten-Ten and Temari were no different. All three of them were already in their seats and waiting for the match to start.

"Isn't he cute?" Ten-ten asked just after the kick-off when Neji was taking the ball down to the opponent's goal.

"Chocolate's hair looks like liquid chocolate from here." Temari commented licking her lips. The girls giggled.

"I think that's why you named him Chocolate." Hinata stated turning her attention back to the field just in time to see Neji pass to Sasuke to score a goal. She was on her feet cheering instantly and Ten-ten was right beside her. Temari cheered along with them. It was an early goal after all.

"I feel so left out." Temari said when they sat down again but Hinata and Ten-ten were caught up in the game. Their team's manoeuvring was expert compared to the other team's.

"What?" Ten-ten asked tearing her eyes away from the match for a moment to look at her.

"I feel left out." Temari repeated and Hinata turned questioning eyes on her.

"Why?" she asked and Temari pouted.

"You guys have boyfriends and I don't." she said.

"You had one up to last week." Ten-ten commented.

"Yea but you guys have football team boyfriends." she whined and they both sweat dropped. "Look at you guys cheering your hearts out for them. I don't have any one to cheer for down there.

"Gaara?" Hinata suggested

"Kankuro?" Ten-ten added.

"They're my brothers not my boyfriends." Temari said as if it were obvious that she meant boyfriends instead of just boys.

"I cheer for Neji." Hinata stated confused.

"You used to cheer for Naruto too and now you're cheering for Sasuke."

"You used to cheer for Kiba when you two were dating." Ten-ten pointed out and Hinata

"So?" Temari asked.

"How many people do you want to cheer for woman?" Ten-ten asked

"Can I back track for a moment?" Hinata interrupted before turning to Temari. "You used to date Kiba?"

"Yea. He's cute." Temari said with a smile.

"They were a cute couple." Ten-ten agreed thoughtfully. Hinata stared at her wide eyed.

"Where was I when this happened?" she asked and they both shrugged.

"I guess we weren't friends yet."

"We have been friends for three years."

"Ok. I don't know how you didn't know that."

"Maybe it got lost in the very long list of boyfriends she's had over the years." Ten-ten said Temari gaped at her.

"Hey!"

"My list of them is missing a few too." Ten-ten said.

"You make it sound like a lot."

"Can you count the number of them on your fingers?" Ten-ten asked and Temari had a thoughtful look.

"No." she said embarrassed and Hinata giggled. "It's not like you guys can."

"One hand. Two. Three if you count the three days guy." Ten-ten said matter-of-factly.

"Two." Hinata said and smiled at the look on Temari's face.

"You guys are abnormal." she said and they both laughed.

"It's just you Temari." Hinata told her and Ten-ten agreed.

"Well how about we act like normal girls and admire the football team and I'll tell you who I'm liking now." Temari said smiling with them. They nodded and turned their attention back to the field. "Good. Now Kiba is real cute and sweet and funny and a darn good kisser. I'd date him a second time, we only broke up because of some stuff that had him being too busy, you know. Suigetsu is just creepy. He's half cute but down-right weird and his teeth scare the shit out of me."

"You dated Kiba and he has some huge canines."

"They're not huge they're just a little longer and more pointed than everyone else's, it's a family trait. Besides he's a good kisser." Temari said with a look that said she was reminiscing on those days. "And his teeth don't look like a shark's mouth."

"Hey, I have a friend that has shark teeth and chicks dig him." Hinata said crossing his arms and pouting. Both girls look at her quizzically. "He's blue."

"Did you just say 'chicks'?" Ten-ten asked surprised and Hinata blushed.

"He's blue?" Temari asked trying to imagine the guy. Hinata nodded

"Don't be dissing shark teeth." Hinata said gnashing her teeth in an imitation of Kisame before turning away in embarrassment.

"...Interesting!" Temari laughed at Hinata's embarrassment and ruffled her hair.

"Is he who you got your language just now from?" Ten-ten asked and Hinata blushed again. "Interesting indeed."

"It's cute. Is he like your second boyfriend or something?" Temari asked causing the Hyuga to flush.

"Temari!" Ten-ten exclaimed at the absurdity of the statement.

"What? It's a valid question. She never imitates someone she doesn't like." Temari pointed out looking directly at Hinata as she continued. "She took Naruto's determination, she's definitely getting Sasuke's attitude and here she is defending this guy's shark teeth and mirroring his teeth gnashing. She likes him."

"But she wouldn't two time!" Ten-ten asserted with a glare. She turned to Hinata who still looked shocked. "Are you or are you not dating this guy?"

"No." she answered.

"But you like him?" Temari asked bouncing her brows.

"Yea but-" Hinata began but was cut off by Ten-ten.

"Are you crushing on him?"

"No! He's my friend!" Hinata said

"How old is this guy anyway?" Temari asked her voice loaded in suspicion. Ten-ten rolled her eyes.

Hinata shrugged. "21?"

"What?" they both asked. They hadn't thought he'd be that old. Not that he was old but Hinata was 16 and you never knew what kind of 'adults' were around these days.

"How do you know this guy?" Temari asked instantly going into protective mode.

"Sasuke's house." Hinata answered.

"His house?" Temari's eyes narrowed.

"He's Sasuke's brother's friend." the girl explained.

"What kind of guy is this brother?" Temari continued.

"Temari stop it." Ten-ten interrupted the question and answer she knew wouldn't end until Temari was satisfied and even then she would want to meet the person. "Hinata is allowed to have male friends that are above our age group and if he's around Sasuke's house often enough to be her friend, because we both know Hinata doesn't make friends instantly, then obviously they think highly of him and he's probably a good guy."

"Probably." Temari allowed but her suspicion was still evident.

"Exactly now leave the girl alone and get back to your guy commentary." Ten-ten pushed holing in a sigh. Temari could be a handful sometimes.

"Yes dear." Temari answered with a sniff. Hinata smiled at them both, they acted like a mother and father sometimes and it was always amusing to watch them. Temari got back to what she had been saying about the football team. "So yea, Gaara, Kankuro, Kiba and Suigetsu are out. Juugo is just too quiet. Neji, Sasuke and Naruto are obviously out. Chouji is just not my type. Neither is Lee. I have no idea how you and Neji hang with him."

"He's got a good heart." Ten-ten told her.

"He's weird." Temari countered

"He's got a good heart." Ten-ten repeated but said nothing else.

"He plays well," Hinata added staring pointedly at the field. "And he's nice."

"Still weird." Temari said sticking to her argument. Hinata laughed and Ten-ten rolled her eyes.

They talked and cheered for the rest of the match until they left the stands to wait on their respective team members. They watched as the team came out and as Naruto eyed Sasuke suspiciously obviously still trying to figure out his latest relationship. They watched as he instantly quailed under the glare that Neji sent him after Sasuke told him Naruto was looking his way. He was obviously still angry at the blond. How they played so well like this was a mystery to the girls.

XXXXX

Some days later, Sasuke sat in his living room watching a re-run of one of his mother's favourite soap opera from that morning with her curled into his side. To say the show confused him was an understatement. He stopped paying attention after the first guy got slapped for no reason. Now he just stared past the screen and patted Mikoto's head when sobbed for the characters or jumped in shock of something of the other. He pulled out his cell phone when he realised that now that that soap opera was over another of her favourites was starting. He sifted through his contacts until he found Hinata and began texting her.

'Hey u busy?' he asked.

'No. Not much 2 do and dads nt home.' she replied almost instantly and he had an idea.

'Get dressed.'

'Y?' she asked. She was lying in bed reading one of her novels for literature and dressed in a t-shirt and shorts. Needless to say the book was boring.

'We r going out.' he replied and she raised a brow before checking the time.

'It's almost 10.'

'That's the point.' he texted back and Hinata stared at her phone blankly. Was he serious?

'Y?' she asked

'U hav 15 mins 2 get ready im coming 2 pic u up.' was the reply she received. She stared at the phone again. He was serious.

Hinata poked her head out the door and called down the hall. "Hanabi!"

Her sister stepped into the hall chewing gum obnoxiously and tapping away at her phone. She looked up at Hinata but didn't stop her movement. Hinata gestured for her to come to her and she came close enough that Hinata could show her the last text she received. She read it rapidly before breaking out into a grin.

"Oooo late night tryst. I like it." she said slyly. Hinata blushed before pulling her into the room.

"Noooo. It's not like that." she said closing the door.

"What is it then?" Hanabi asked still smiling. Hinata glared at her.

"I don't know." she admitted.

"Well get dressed then." Hanabi prompted before jumping onto Hinata's bed. Hinata shuffled her feet.

"Um help?"

"Randomise sis." Hanabi told her and Hinata nodded before turning to her closet.

XX

Neji was just about to head into the kitchen for something to eat when the doorbell rings. With a frown he turns to the door and pulls it open a fraction.

"Hey." the visitor stated with a small wave.

"Sasuke?" Neji asked confused.

"Can I come in?" he asked and Neji nodded.

"Sure. What's up?" Neji told him stepping aside to let him in. Sasuke passed into the house easily.

"I'm taking your sister out." he answered as Neji closed the door behind him.

"Ok wait... what?" Neji asked before looking at the clock then back at Sasuke who had made his way to the stairs. "It's ten, in the night."

"I can read the time." Sasuke said continuing up the stairs. Neji was following him up the stairs instantly.

"Then you'll realise it's late."

"It's just about the right time actually."

"No, it's not." Neji said as Sasuke stopped before what he assumed was Hinata's door. He knocked quickly.

"Are you ready?" he asked and received shuffling and a muffled 'coming' from the other side.

"Are you even listening to me?" Neji asked. He could practically feel his blood pressure rising.

"Not really." Sasuke answered and Neji glared at him. The door opened before Neji could say anything and Hanabi smiled at them both.

"Sup?" she greeted Sasuke before turning back into the room. They followed her in and Sasuke ignored the grumbling Neji in favour of looking at Hinata. She looked nice but there was something that needed to change.

"You need a skirt." he said and Hinata blanched.

"What?"

"You need a skirt." Sasuke repeated moving to Hinata's closet. He shifted through a few hangers before pulling out the only suitable skirt he found and holding it to her. She didn't have much of them anyway. "I realise you prefer pants or jeans but you have to wear a skirt tonight. You can wear tights or shorts that match it under it if it will make you feel any better."

Hinata stared at him for a moment. They all stared at him for a moment.

"Well get going Hinata." Hanabi said finally breaking the freeze. Hinata jumped slightly but took the skirt and left the room to the adjoined bathroom. Hanabi grabbed Neji by the sleeve and began pulling him out of the room. "Come on big guy. We have stuff to talk about."

Sasuke watched them go then looked around the room. He hadn't been in Hinata's room before and he had to say it suited her. It wasn't overly girly; the only part that looked relatively girly was a dresser that had a few cosmetics. Everything else was average and absolutely normal until Sasuke turned and caught sight of the fourth wall. This was the wall that the bed faced, the wall that the door swung to, the wall he had had his back to. This wall housed her entire CD-collection, her stereo system and her computer. It was beautiful. Completely, marvellously beautiful.

"How did I not see this when I came in?" he mumbled taking a step towards the music haven. A person generally notices when an entire wall is a different colour than the rest of the room. 'Was I that distracted by Hinata?'

He was snapped out of it by the click of the bathroom door opening but he didn't tear his eyes away from the wall. Hinata stepped out of the bathroom timidly. She didn't like skirts much so it was a little awkward to be wearing one especially in the presence of Sasuke. She shifted uncomfortably by the door. She was thankful he hadn't looked at her yet. She was bound to blush in embarrassment.

"I like your collection." he commented and now Hinata blushed.

"It's obsessive." she said hiding her dejection and embarrassment. She was so weird. No normal person had that many CDs. She was definitely abnormal and he was just being nice, she was thinking. Or he was preparing her for the fall; Sasuke wasn't nice for no reason.

"Is that a bad thing?" he asked putting his hands in his pockets as he studied a few more titles. "I mean, it's not like you're collecting baby's bones or men's underwear and shaving cream, are you?"

"No." she answered. He finally turned to look at her.

"Then you're ok." he said then examined her again. "The skirt fits you. Your legs are nice."

"W-what?" she asked going red again. He smirked at her as she moved her hands in an attempt to pull her skirt a little lower.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked and she nodded slowly. He opened the door for her and she hesitantly walked out. He had no complaints about how short the skirt was as he watched her pass. He had seen shorter skirts what didn't fit the person this well and mid-thigh wasn't a bad length. She glanced back at him and he smirked wickedly. He was going to have fun tonight.

They spotted Neji and Hanabi by the door as they came down the stairs. Hanabi was smiling while Neji was fuming and mumbling under his breath. He glared at Sasuke when they reached the landing.

"Take her back in one piece or I'll send you home in pieces, football be screwed." Neji said glaring daggers into Sasuke. Sasuke nodded in acceptance of the terms and Neji stalked away once again grumbling to himself.

Hinata raised a brow at Hanabi. "What did you do?"

"Nothing. Just convinced him that you should be allowed to have at least one late night out while Dad's gone." her sister replied with a shrug and a smile. "Needless to say he was not happy with my methods or reasoning."

"Do I want to know?" Hinata asked worriedly.

"No. Get going." she answered instantly. Sasuke needed no more prompting to take Hinata's hand in his and pull her with him through the door and down the driveway a little ways. Hinata was about to ask where his car was when she saw the yellow? Lamborghini parked on the side of the driveway out of view of the house.

"Neji would have freaked even more if he saw this so I made sure he didn't see it." Sasuke explained leading her to it. She gaped at the sleek vehicle just waiting on them to get in and speed away.

"What happened to your car?" Hinata asked still taking in the beauty that was the car before her.

"This is my car. The one I usually drive is my mother's." he told her opening the door for her and helping her in. He closed the door behind her and moved around to his side of the car. Hinata couldn't help thinking that the Lamborghini went well with Sasuke even if the colour was a little off to her. The other car always seemed like a borrowed thing to her anyway. It wasn't really his style.

"Where are we going?" she asked

"You'll see." he answered cryptically.

"It's nowhere bad right?" she asked with a frown.

"Depends on how you look at it." he told her and said nothing more. They drove to the outskirts of the town and a little further driving into the plains that preceded the dessert territory on the way to Suna. Hinata watched Sasuke nervously. He gave her a sly smile but said nothing. They drove until Hinata saw lights before them and almost thought they were going to Suna but the distance would have been too little and they had come off the road some time ago. Hinata watched in awe as the lights came closer and she began to make out cars, lots of cars and lots of people. She looked around as Sasuke guided the car through the crowd of people and parked cars. She was still looking around when Sasuke parked the car facing what Hinata thought to be the outside. She hadn't even realised they had stopped until Sasuke opened her door for her because of all the people walking past. She stepped out of the car and was surprised to see the large area that was occupied by the people around her. Sasuke smirked at her wide eyed look.

"Hey short stuff!" a voice called from behind her and Hinata spun to see Kisame smiling at her. He was leaning on the black mass of Hummer that belonged to Itachi. Itachi himself was sitting on the top of the Hummer with a slight smile on his face as he looked down at them. Kisame looked at her fuller and grinned. "Well aren't you a cutie."

"Hey Kisame." Hinata greeted.

"You guys missed the first few races so it's just about your turn Sasuke." Kisame said over her head to Sasuke. Hinata turned to look at him surprised. "We signed you up since you said you would be coming this time."

"Races?" she asked looking between both of them.

"Car races." Sasuke told her and his smirk came about when he saw her eyes light up. It was adorable to see her actually excited to watch races.

"Don't worry Hinata. You've got one of the best seats out here." Kisame told her before gesturing to the top of the Hummer. "Near the track and up high."

"The Hummer?" Hinata asked looking up at the vehicle. Kisame nodded noticing her confused look. "Where Itachi is? How am I supposed to get up there?"

"Well normally you climb." Kisame answered and she gaped at him.

"I'm in a skirt!"

"It's alright." Sasuke said approaching the two. He looked from Hinata to Kisame. "We'll just put you up there instead."

"But it's a skirt." Hinata whined and began fiddling with the ends of the skirt again. There was a reason she didn't like skirts. Now on the one day that she would need to actually club somewhere she was in a skirt. Just great.

"We won't see. Promise." Kisame said offering his pinkie finger. She pouted at the finger. As if that would help her.

"You'll be fine." Sasuke told her wrapping his arms around her from behind. He kissed her in her hair making her blush at the obvious display of affecting. Kisame grinned all the wider and if Hinata could have seem Itachi from that angle she would have noticed the smile he was sporting as well. "Kisame will take you up."

"O-ok." she mumbled and Sasuke smiled slightly into her hair before releasing her and pushing her towards Kisame.

"Up we go." Kisame was the only warning Hinata got before she has lifted like a baby and Kisame stepped onto the Hummer to put her onto the roof as if it was a counter. Itachi offered her a hand to adjust to a place away from the edge. Kisame climbed up after her and Sasuke moved to somewhere where he could see her from his place on the ground.

"I'll be back. I'm gonna go check in with the race master." he said and she nodded.

"Win but be careful." she said supportively giving him a thumbs up. She watched him leave with the car and frowned. "Is this thing safe?"

"As safe as illegal racing can be." Itachi answered and her frown got deeper.

"That's not very safe, is it?" she groused.

"The most he's going to hit out there is probably a wild chicken." Kisame reassured her only to receive a sceptical eye brow raise.

"I actually ran over one last week." Itachi said distastefully as if the very thought of a chicken near his vehicle was a crime. Kisame chuckled and Hinata smiled. They all settled in to watch Sasuke compete and were not disappointed when he came out the winner. Hinata cheered her heart out for her boyfriend. From what she could tell he was good. The whole experience was trilling.

XX

Sasuke smiled to himself as he counted his prize money. The money really wasn't his goal tonight. Tonight Hinata was here. She would be happy he won happy he was safe and would hopefully forget her shyness for a moment, just long enough, to hug him and kiss him and he would be happy. And then she'll realise what she did and turn as red as a tomato and he'd be even happier to see that cute face. Those thoughts and his smile left him though when Itachi's Hummer came into view. Kisame had her sitting between his legs with his arms loosely around her as they both smiled and cheered.

'I'm going to shred him. I'm gonna shred that overgrown smurf to bits.' were the thoughts on his mind as he climbed up onto the roof of the Hummer but no sooner had he sat down and turned to glare at them than Hinata greeted him with a hug. She had crawled away from Kisame grinning widely to wrap her arms around his shoulders and bury her face in his neck. His arms returned the embrace instinctively.

"You were great." she told him leaning away a little to look at his face.

"She was cold." Kisame said as an explanation. He knew all too well the murderous thoughts that had plagued Sasuke just moments before. He would not try to delude himself that Sasuke hadn't seen. "Beside she's too young for me. I like my girls to be at least 19."

Sasuke shot him a glare none the less before removing his jacket and placing it on Hinata's shoulders. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer to him.

"Thanks. Are you still cold?" he asked and she shook her head, snuggling into the soft material of the inside of the jacket and into his side. They stayed like that for the rest of the event until Itachi and Kisame took the Hummer to win their own race. They only stayed long enough after that to congratulate them and say goodbye. By the time they reached the Hyuga home it was already two in the morning. Neji was waiting for them and when they drove up to the house he was at the door with his arms crossed.

Sasuke walked her up to the house with a hand in her back. He was inwardly cursing at the glaring older brother. It was just his luck Neji decided to wait up and make his distaste known. Hinata actually looked chastised. Her expression changed to one of embarrassment and shock when Sasuke gave her a swift peck on the cheek before she rushed into the house. Naruto had never been crazy enough to kiss her in front of Neji. He wasn't suicidal either.

"Never this late ever again. We all have school tomorrow." Neji finally said when Hinata and rushed up the stairs. His glare didn't let up but Sasuke ignored it all together with the intimidation it was wrapped up in. Don't get him wrong, Neji was scary but ignored scarier things on a usually bi weekly basis. Namely his boss but that guy was more freaky than scary most times.

"Is it ok on a Friday night?" he asked instead and he practically saw something burst in Neji's head.

"No! Never!" Neji said instantly and Sasuke didn't even flinch. He had expected that. "Her father would kill me if he knew she wasn't here for this long at this hour!"

"Don't be a priss Neji." Sasuke told him before leaving him on the door step. "Later."

"Ass."