A/N: Thanks for all of your kind reviews. The next chapter will be the final chapter. Expect to see that one updated next Monday if not this weekend.

-x-x-x-

Currently Ayame and her husband Kakashi were out shopping for hardwood for their new home. The brown haired female gazed around the area there were in, picking up a sample she tugged on Kakashi's sleeve, "That one"

He turned around eyeing the piece of wood, "No, that's laminate" He explained to her, shaking his head.

"That one isn't real hardwood floor?" She asked, raising her brow up in question.

"No. But it looks exactly the same" He paused, eyeing the piece of wood in her hand once more, "At like one hundredth of the cost" The silver haired male, smile at his wife.

Ayame remained silent, taking in what he was saying. She folded her arms across her chest, "I still want to go with real wood"

"But you can't even tell the difference" He chuckled.

"That's not the point" She frowned at him.

Noticing his wife's expression, he knew that something was wrong but he couldn't place what it was. "Then what is the point, Ayame?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

"I just don't like the way it's pretending to be wood. If you're not wood, then don't try to look like wood" Her dark eyes glared at the piece of wood for a moment before staring into his eyes own dark eyes.

"Um, sweetie that's not pretend—"

"It's a lie, Kakashi. Just be up front and tell people what you really are"

Kakashi noticed the anger in her eyes, he somehow whatever was wrong with her was directed at him. His cheek burn as he looked away from her, "You're right, I'm sorry. You're totally right"

Ayame shrugged her shoulders, "It's okay, let's just go look at some paint and maybe we'll come back" She turns around steering the giant cart around as he began walking down the aisle.

The masked male stood there in silence, he knew that it was either now or never. It was the perfect opportunity to finally bring it up. "I slept with someone"

Ayame stopped walking, her back tensed as she refused to turn to look at him.

"I said—"

"I heard you" She spoke in a cold distant but yet hurt tone. The female couldn't even get herself to look at Kakashi. Her heart was pounding against her chest as she watched him walking closer towards her. "You tell me this at the hardware store because you know how I hate public scenes" She said in a whisper.

"That is not why—"

"I knew it" She shook her head wearing a grim smile, "I just knew it, you asshole!" She shouted out loudly but quickly covered her mouth when she noticed the stares they were getting.

Kakashi walked closer towards her, attempting to hug her but she took steps away from him. Her eyes were forming tears and boy did he feel like the asshole she called him. "I'm sorry; I'm so sorry Ayame…"

"And it's you that's been smoking too, isn't it?"

"What? Why does that even matter?" He frowned, narrowing his eyes at her.

Ayame growled in annoyance, "Have, you, been, smoking?" She couldn't control her raging temper. All this time she knew something was going on but she was never sure what that something could be. The husband she thought was the world's greatest husband is nothing more than a cheating lying bastard. Who she still honestly thinks has been smoking.

"No, I haven't been smoking" He stated with a serious expression. Noticing that Ayame wasn't going to speak any time soon he sighed, "Look, I talked to Neji and he said I could stay in his cabin for a while if—"

"Excuse me? And now you want to move out?" Her eyes widened in disbelief, "You're like…what, leaving me?"

He stared at her obviously confused; he honestly thought she would want nothing more to do with him after finding out of his infidelity. He wanted to be with Rin but now after seeing his wife's expression he wasn't so sure. "No, I just assumed that you wouldn't want me to—"

"We're not going to deal with this? We're not going to figure out a way to work through this?" She knew she was interrupting him a lot but at this time she didn't really care.

"I just assumed that…you would want me out"

"Is that what you want…?"

"No" He replied in almost a whisper. It was a lie but he couldn't get himself to tell her the truth.

-x-x-x-

Naruto looked over at his best friend, "I can't believe you're having a party without me being here" He pouted childishly, folding his arms across his chest. He watched Sasuke walk around the house trying to fix up the house, completely ignoring him. "Hey, are you listening to me bastard?"

"I've been hearing you for nearly thirty minutes now. I'd be death if I couldn't hear that loud voice of yours" The raven haired male sighed, turning around to get a good look at his friend. "It's not really my fault you'll be gone while the party is going on"

"Well you could at least put the party on hold until I come back"

"Tch, you aren't that special, idiot" He smirked at the angry blonde. Sasuke knew that Naruto loved partying, probably just as much as he loved ramen. Besides with Hinata there he knew things would be awkward not only for Hinata but for Naruto as well. If he knew he invited Hinata he'll throw a fit and assume that he was interested in her. Then he'll become jealous and try to with Hinata. Deep down, Sasuke knew that Naruto wasn't the right guy for Hinata. Maybe if he weren't so obsessed with Sakura and actually decided to give another girl a chance, Hinata would be the girl for him but sadly things weren't like that.

"So who is all coming to the party?"

"Just a few people from work and some of their friends, I think Karin might come here as well" He explained with a sigh. Karin was crazy but she was fun to be around during a party.

"Oh, I think when I come back I might give Hinata a call"

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly, "Did I honestly just hear that? You can't be serious, Naruto. You're completely obsessed with Sakura. If you even got with Hinata you'll probably end up hurting her" He exclaimed. Anger was boiling up within him at the thought of someone hurting her. She was becoming a good friend and if anyone ever hurts her they'll have to deal with him. He narrowed his eyes at the blonde, "Don't get involved with her"

"What's your problem? Why do you suddenly care about Hinata? You never cared about a girl before so why her?" The blonde narrowed his bright blue eyes at the raven haired male. Something was becoming quite strange with Sasuke lately that he has noticed whenever Hinata's name is mentioned. The first few times he didn't really pay much attention to it but around the fourth time he began noticing the small smiles on his façade whenever she was mentioned. The some time ago he had caught Sasuke on his phone and went when he had gotten off there was a rare smile gracing his features. When he had asked who it was, the Uchiha had immediately stopped smiling and sent a frustrated but yet embarrassed glare his way and simply told him it was none of his business.

His blue eyes narrowed, "Well? Are you going to answer me or ignore me?" Naruto asked, growing rather impatient.

"The answer is quite obvious, Naruto. Besides, I'm just helping her out. She's horrible at finding a guy, so…" He trailed off hoping Naruto would catch on. Luckily the blonde did, which is a rare thing. "Are you done pestering me with the twenty-four questions now?"

Naruto frowned for a few seconds before breaking out into a wide grin, "No-no, I don't have any other questions" Glancing down at his watch he let out a tired sigh. "I better get going now. Try not to have too much fun without me at the party" He joked causing Sasuke to roll his eyes muttering something Naruto didn't catch but figured it was a smart remark.

Sasuke watched as Naruto disappeared into his bedroom and seconds later came out with a suitcase. Walking towards the front door the blonde said over his shoulders a 'see you after the weekend' as her soon walked out the door. The raven haired sighed, "This is tiresome" He walked over to his couch and sat down. His dark hues gazed over at his phone, deciding to pick up the phone he dialed the numbers on the keypad and waited until it started ringing.

Hello?

"It's been a while" Sasuke spoke lowly, a small rare smile came to his face.

Ah, it has been. How have you been doing?

"I've been well. I'm having a party tonight. Do you think maybe…you'll be able to stop by?" He asked in a somewhat hopeful tone.

Hm, I would but I have to work tonight. I'm sorry, little brother.

Sasuke pouted childish listening to his older brother. At times he still felt as if he were still that eight year old boy asking Itachi to play with him only to be denied every time. Unfortunately that still happens to this very day. "You're always busy" He mumbled into the phone.

I'm sorry, Sasuke. I'll make it up to you soon. So…I heard from Naruto that you've been talking to this girl. Um, Hinata I believe her name is.

The raven haired male frowned, "That stupid idiot would say something like that. She and I are just friends, nothing more than that" He exclaimed with a frustrated sigh. Did it honestly appear as if he did have feelings for her? Can't he have one female friend without people assuming he's falling in love with someone? Seriously, it was starting to become rather irksome. Hearing his brother chuckling Sasuke couldn't resist the urge to ask him, "What's so funny?"

It's nothing. I have to go now, have fun at the party tonight and don't do anything stupid.

"I never do anything stupid" He retorted back with a glare but slowly broke into a smile. "Talk with you later, Itachi" With that said, the younger Uchiha hang up the phone. Sitting there lost in his old memories, he began thinking about his childhood with Itachi. His older brother had always been someone he had always looked up to. At times he felt like he was in Itachi's shadow but overall he always has cared deeply for his brother.

-x-x-x-

Neji stared over at TenTen, who was currently tapping her pencil on the kitchen table repeatedly. At first it didn't bother him as much but after fifteen minutes the noise was starting to become rather annoying. His eyebrow had been twitching for literally five minutes now. Unable to take the noise anymore the male Hyuga reached out and snatched the pencil from the Chinese female's hand.

"Hey!"

"You have been tapping for quite some time now. It's annoying, do you realize you do that every time you do those stupid cross word puzzles" He exclaimed, pointing his finger angrily out at the paper on the table in front of her.

"It's not my fault I like them. And besides, if the noise is so annoying you are always welcomed to leave the kitchen and stop watching me" She stated, puffing up her cheeks as her lips formed a pout.

Neji blushed slightly, slowly making his way towards her as he stood behind her chair and leaned downwards wrapping his arms around her upper body. "Is it such a crime that I like to stare at my beautiful girlfriend?" He whispered hotly into her ear.

TenTen's face lit up into flames, "Neji…" She whispered loving, turning her head to the side as she kissed his cheek softly.

"But that doesn't mean I accept that noise. It's still annoying" He stated in a deadpanned tone.

The brown haired female frowned and pushed Neji away from her. "Way to ruin the mood, Neji!" She frowned and folded her arms across her chest. Ever since her confession to him about wanting to get married things between the two have been closer than ever. Not that they have ever had a bad relationship, but Neji seemed to have been thinking about the marriage thing. She had overheard him once over the phone discussing buying a ring. TenTen wanted to ask him about it but didn't want the Hyuga to know she had heard him.

"Hinata called me earlier; she's going to a party later on tonight. Someone named Sasuke Uchiha" The long dark brown explained, walking out of the kitchen as TenTen followed him leaving her crossword puzzle on the table.

"Ah, I heard of him before from her. I think he likes her" TenTen exclaimed with a sly grin.

Neji remained silent for a few moments before speaking, "Hm, so he likes her?" He asked with that glint in his eye that he normally gets whenever involving Hinata.

The bright brown eyed female sighed and rolled her eyes, "She seems to think he does. I do too but you better stay out of this mister! I know how you and Ko and be whenever it involves Hinata. You two are a bit too overprotective and it annoys her, I hope you know that. She isn't a little girl anymore, so stop treating her like one"

The Hyuga male frowned, "I know that but she is still my younger cousin. I like to look out for her." He explained. "But enough about that…I'm thinking of something. Do you think you can guess what it is?" Neji asked suggestively.

"Mm, I think I can guess what it is" She blushed lightly, slowly leaning forward as she pressed her lips against his own.

-x-x-x-

The night finally came; the female Hyuga had finally arrived at the party Sasuke was throwing. Many people were there, she felt a tad bit out of place especially seeing how Sasuke hasn't spoken much to her since she arrived. Standing in near the kitchen near the Chex Mix her lavender eyes latched on to a red head female wearing glasses walking past her. Trying to appear to be friendly she smiled at her only to get ignored by her. Frowning, Hinata grabbed some of the Chex Mix and began shoving handful of the snack into her mouth. Unknown to her two girls were eyeing her.

"It makes your breath stink"

Turning her head to the side she gazed at the dark haired female, "E-Excuse me?" Standing next to her was a dark red headed female.

The black haired female had unique eyes just like Hinata; they were a bright pink color. She merely directed her head at the Chex Mix in Hinata's hands. "Chex Mix. I learned that the hard way. I made out with a guy after eating like a bag full of the stuff. He said my breath smelled like trout" She exclaimed, looking rather embarrassed.

Laughing nervously, Hinata quickly puts the Chex Mix back down. "Thanks for the tip"

Kurotsuchi shook her head, looking rather apologetic. "I'm sorry. That was rude. And that guy I made out with was a total asshole" She fumed with a frown.

The female with the red head and amber eyes chuckled, "Do you want me to smell you? I'm sure you don't smell like trout" Karui smiled at Hinata's embarrassed face.

The midnight blue haired female shook her head, "No thank you, I-I'm fine" She turned to the side and cups her hand and surreptitiously checks her breath unknown to the Kurotsuchi and Karui.

"I'm Kurotsuchi and this is Karui"

"I'm Hinata. How do you t-two know Sasuke?"

Karui flips her red hair over her shoulders, shrugging in reply. "We don't. Our friend Mei heard about it from some guy named Naruto"

Hinata looked down at the mere mention of his name. In their last run in together it had been slightly awkward but she couldn't help but to notice his sudden interest in her. Returning her attention to the two females she offered them both a small smile.

"So how do you know Sasuke?"

Hinata flushed, "I hope…I-I mean I'm pretty sure something is about to happen between us…" She trailed off, eyeing the guy from across the room associating with his friends.

Kurotsuchi raised her brow up in question. "So you're here as a guest or his date?"

Karui nodded her head in agreement, "I hate that. When you don't know if you're a date, so you don't know if you should bring a friend or if you're like a co-host or if you should stay until the end to have alone time"

A look of doubt flashes through Hinata's face, "He didn't really say…" She began biting on her bottom lip nervously as she reflexively grabs for the Chex Mix once more and started gorging on it until Kurotsuchi stopped her. "But I'm sure I'm more than just a guest…I mean, there have been signs" She exclaimed.

The dark haired female shrugged, "Cool, I guess"

Karui smiles weakly at the female, "I did get a slight wave of trout. Take a mint" She reached into her purse and pulls out a mint and hands it to Hinata who smiled gratefully.

"Thank you"

-x-x-x-

As the party went on the place was becoming more and more packed. Hinata was currently smashed into a hallway, trying her hardest to remain calm until Sasuke came up from behind her wearing that famous smirk of his. "I had no idea it would be such a madhouse"

Turning around she looked up to see the raven haired male looking down at her, "Hey, g-great party" She smiled shyly at him.

"Are any guys hitting on you? Do you need me to evaluate their level of interest?" He asked, eyeing the room to see if he could pick out any guys who could have flirted with her.

"N-No, not any so far" She stated, trying her hardest not to combust under his gaze. Sasuke really knew how to make her feel nervous.

Sasuke sighed, running his fingers through the locks of his spiky hair. "Well…too bad Gaara couldn't make it. I still think you guys would hit it off"

Hinata smiled knowingly, "Oh, okay right. 'Gaara'" She said with air quotes when she said Gaara's name.

His dark eyes stared at her oddly, not really sure what she meant by the air quotes but decided to ignore it. "Anyway, I'm on my way to put out some more liquor. But it looks like the food could use some refreshing" He stated gazing over at the food table noticing how everything was empty. "Would you mind helping? I mean, just refill the chips and everything?"

"You mean like…co-hosting?" She asked, seeming rather excited.

"Um…okay. The chips are on the top of the fridge" He said, still being confused by her odd behavior as he turned around to walk away, leaving Hinata wearing a big widened smile.

-x-x-x-

The party was finally coming to an end as many of the guests began to leave. Kurotsuchi and Karui smiled encouragingly at Hinata as they leave out the door. Hinata smiled shyly back as she watched the crowd lessen more and more until it was only Hinata, Sasuke and Karin left. Spotting Sasuke in the kitchen, Hinata made a beeline towards the Uchiha. Her eyes latched onto the underwear in the toaster over as she smiled, "When someone's underwear end up in your toaster over, it's been a good party" She joked lamely.

Sasuke glanced over at the object chuckling, "I guess people had fun". His dark coffee eyes eyed Karin as she was making her way towards them wearing that flirtatious smile on her face.

"Sasuke, do you want me to start cleaning?"

Hinata frowns, "T-That's sweet of you. But I thought I'd stick around, so I'll take care of it" She knew that she was coming out of her element but being so vocal about it but she felt threatened by this red head female.

Karin decides to ignore her as she grabbed the trash bag, "No, I got it" She glared harshly at Hinata who too grabbed a bag as well.

He wasn't quite sure what was going on but he could tell that Karin was being jealous over the fact Hinata was there. Normally whenever he has parties Karin tends to stay after for very obvious reasons…"Whatever knock yourselves out"

As the hours passed on the tension between Hinata and Karin was very thick that Sasuke tried his best to avoid the two. It wasn't until he began playing his video game that Karin decided to join in and play with him. From the looks of it they were really into the game, almost didn't even hear Hinata when she came into the living room. "I rounded up most of all the beer bottles" She stated only to be ignored by both Sasuke and Karin. "So…um what game is this?" She asked; only to be ignored once more. It was clearly very awkward for Hinata, she felt like a third wheel when around the two.

"Well, maybe I should j-just you know…leave. It's already past two and—"

"Yes! In your face Sasuke, suck it!" Karin yelled out in victory as Sasuke growled to himself and tossed his controlled over to the side.

"You are sensational" He commented glancing over at Karin who visibly beamed whereas Hinata flinched at the compliment he gave her.

Karin looked over at Hinata, noticing how she was looking rather out of place. "What are you still doing here anyways?" She spat out, "Sasuke will be busy with me tonight and shouldn't you be leaving already?" She asked harshly.

Hinata stiffened as she attempted to say something but was cut off by Sasuke, "Karin, Hinata here is my guest. And as for you and I, we don't have anything planned. I'd appreciate it if you leave. You aren't needed tonight" He smirked at her shocked but yet saddened expression.

"Tch! Like I care" She stood up from the couch ad gave Hinata one more last glare before storming out of his apartment.

"Sorry about that" He sighed.

"I-It's okay" She walked around his couch and took a seat down next to him, wearing a small smile on her face as silence engulfed the room.

Sasuke yawned loudly, leaning back in the couch as he struggled to keep his eyes opened. "Thanks for staying and helping clean up, but I really need to get to bed"

"Is that an invitation…?"

The Uchiha's eyes widened slightly, "What?"

Hinata shook her head, "I'm sorry. T-That was really cheesy. I'm not that good at this sort of thing" She stared at his lips; they really looked very tempting at the moment. Hinata felt the sudden need to feel his lips against hers and as an impulse something she knows that is out of her character she lunged towards Sasuke and wrapped her arms around his neck, as she pressed her lips against his. Pulling away for a moment, she gazed into his confused eyes, "Yes…I knew it. That best relationships grow out of friendships" She goes in to kiss him again but it stopped by the Uchiha.

"Wait, what?"

Hinata noticed his confused expression and pulled away from him, "Um…"

"Now you and I are in a relationship?"

"W-Well, I'd say if we're not at relationship station…ship, we're at least on track" She exclaimed.

Sasuke immediately stood up from the couch, his dark eyes narrowed at the female. "And why would you think that, exactly?"

Hinata could sense that something was going wrong; the way he was looking at her currently…he really liked upset. "B-Because there were signs…"

"Oh really? Like what Hinata, please enlighten me on these so called signs"

"It was good to hear from me. You talked to me even when you were with a girl. I felt something…"

Sasuke sighed out of frustration, "What are you talking about? What have I been saying since I met you? If a guy wants to date you he will make it happen. He will ask you out! Did I ask you out?" He shouted angrily at her.

Hinata flinched, "No…." She whispered softly.

"Why would you do this? Why do women do this? Why do they build this stuff up in their minds, take each little thing a guy does and twist it into something else? It's so stupid and you of all people, I thought that I could trust you to know this after I revealed it to you. I guess I was wrong about you" He frowned, glaring at the Hyuga.

Hinata could no longer hold the tears that were in her eyes as she stood up from the couch, "I'd rather be like that…than you"

"Excuse me?"

"M-Maybe I dissect each little thing and put myself out there too much, and maybe I even thrive on the drama of it all. But at least that means I still care. You think you've won because women are expendable to you? Sure, you don't get hurt or make an ass of yourself that way, but you don't fall in love that way. You haven't won, Sasuke. You're alone" She grabbed her purse and headed towards his doors, ignoring the tears that were streaming down her cheeks. She was beyond embarrassed but at least she stood up to herself and defended herself against him. That's all she cared about at the moment. Before heading out the door she gazed back at Sasuke, "I may to a lot of s-stupid things but I know I'm a lot closer to finding someone than you are" With that said she turned away from him and heads out the door leaving Sasuke alone in the apartment.

The male Uchiha stood there in shock, thinking over her words. They held a big impact on him leaving him speechless. He knows the pain he tends to give women and he never cared because just like she said, women are expendable to him. He never cared one once about any of them. But Hinata…she was different, very different and he liked that fact.

"I'm sorry, Hinata…I never meant to hurt you" He mumbled to no one in the empty apartment.