Mshinata: Sorry for the late update! I've been watching too much Clannad. My favorite character is Tomoyo Sakagami. –Sparkly eyes- SHE'S MY HERO!

Sai: She's student council president, strong, and can kick ass.

Mshinata: YES!! Okay…anyways…I'll give an explanation to why Hinata ended up with the Uchiha family. –hides behind Sai- I'M WRITING AS FAST AS I CAN, Lady Goddess 93-chan! Lol. I fixed the errors…AGAIN. The same errors too (on chapter 3)! I suck. I really do. –Sighs- I'm working on two other fan fics, as well…so…don't sue me! –Cries- One with my cousin and the other for Marshie-chan.

Sasuke: She needs caffeine.

Mshinata: Maybe…

Sasuke: Never mind. Caffeine makes you hyper.

Mshinata: Nu uh!

Sasuke: Ya huh!

Mshinata: I do not own Naruto. Please give me some caffeine and I'll update faster. –Smiles-

Sasuke: DON'T! IT'S A TRAP!

Mshinata: I just finished reading a chapter from one of my favorite authors from her SasuHina story. Hehe, flamers make me giggle…-coughs- I just wanted to point that out. –Sweat drops-

"Ohayo, Hinata-chan." Mikoto smiled as the tired looking Hinata walked in, cutely rubbing her eyes.

"Gomenasai…" She said tiredly and bowed. "I didn't get to wake up early enough and prepare breakfast."

"Iie. It's alright. I bet you've been tired of just being locked up in the Uchiha estate, so it's alright!" Mikoto said happily, flipping pancakes. "Just sit down at the table. It's a Sunday…ne? So just relax."

"Demo…" Hinata started. "I'll feel bad."

"Aww…my cute little Hinata-chan is making me feel bad now." Mikoto pouted. "Fine…would you mind going shopping with Sasuke for food? We're low on ingredients for tonight's dinner." She smiled. Hinata nodded.

"Hai. I'll go get changed." Hinata said and walked back into her room. The door to Sasuke's room was open. She went to go close it, but then she saw his peaceful sleeping face. Sasuke was sleeping on his stomach. Hinata could have sworn he looked like a thirteen-year old sleeping away his worries. His steady breathing made Hinata just want to caress his cheek. Who would have thought he'd look so…innocent and childish?

Hinata thought it was best if he had a few more minutes to sleep. He did put up with the loud Naruto last night. He must have been tired. She inwardly sighed and quietly closed the door behind her.

"Ohayo gozaimasu, Hinata-san." Itachi said, walking passed her.

"Ohayo, Itachi-sama." Hinata bowed.

"Did Sasuke wake up, yet?" Itachi asked. Hinata shook her head. "I see…"

"Is there something wrong, Itachi-sama?" Hinata tilted her head. Now, Itachi shook his head.

"I was just wondering." Itachi said. "Otou-san wants him today."

Today…? Hinata wondered. What does that mean…? "U-um…Mikoto-sama told me to go with Sasuke-sama this morning to go to the market." Itachi sighed.

"I see…well then. I shouldn't be going against my mother's orders, so…carry on." Itachi slightly smiled and walked down the hall into his room.

Hinata didn't feel the need to question herself about Sasuke anymore. It was her butting into his life. She shouldn't worry. When the time comes, Sasuke would be ready to tell his lovely maid about his hardships and then live a happy man.

Tch. Yeah right.

oO0Oo

Sasuke sighed, leaning on the front gates. He hated going to the market. It seemed like a woman's job. Of course…that's why he was going with Hinata, ne? Besides…it was better going with her than his father.

"Gomenasai, Sasuke-sama." Hinata ran over to him. "Did I make you wait?"

"Yes," Sasuke started. Hinata twitched, "but it doesn't matter. Let's go."

They walked down the sidewalk and headed for the nearest market. They entered and Hinata looked around. It was a quaint market. It felt so nostalgic to Hinata…

"Yo," Sasuke snapped Hinata out of her thoughts, "what are we getting?"

"U-um…" Hinata looked at the list that Mikoto gave her before she left. "Tomatoes, rice, chicken broth, cucumbers, wheat bread, meat, fish, and other vegetables." Sasuke sweat dropped. What was that woman think she was making?!

"She wanted some more ingredients for this week's dinner as well…" Hinata saw the look on Sasuke's face and quickly added.

"I see…" Sasuke said and stuffed his hands into his pockets. They went to the place where they put the tomatoes. Hinata gently picked each one up to see if they were bruised. If they were, she'd gently put them back down and grab another one. She was very cautious about this. It made Sasuke almost chuckle.

Almost.

"Onee-chan," A little girl tugged at her sleeve, "I…I don't know where my mommy is." She started to sniff.

"We should probably find an employee, so they can take her to her mom." Sasuke said plainly. Hinata shook her head.

"I'd feel bad if we did that." Hinata said. "Let's find her mother. What's your name?" Hinata smiled to the girl.

"F-Fuko…" The little girl sniffed.

"Fuko-chan? That's a very pretty name." Hinata smiled warmly. The girl blushed. Hinata took out her hand and the girl hesitantly took it. The three looked throughout the market and finally found her mother.

"M-mommy!" The girl ran over to her mom and hugged her tightly.

"Gomenasai…gomenasai…I promise…I'll never leave you again." The mother replied. Hinata's heart constricted and her hand immediately clutched her chest. Sasuke noticed this.

"Are you okay?" He asked. Hinata was startled by his voice and looked up at him. He was a head taller than her, anyways. Hinata slowly nodded.

"Arigato." The woman turned to Hinata and bowed. "I should have kept a better eye on her…she always runs off." The woman chuckled.

"Onee-chan," Fuko rummaged through her pocket, "this is for you." She took it out and her eyes widened. "Domo arigato!!" She smiled. Hinata reluctantly took out her hand to receive the gift.

"A-arigato…" Hinata said quietly. It was a small wooden star that seemed handmade. It made Hinata smile slightly.

"Well…sayonara. Again…arigato for finding Fuko." The mother smiled and walked away, hand-in-hand with her daughter.

Hinata's hands trembled with the star in it.

"Hinata…" Sasuke said, facing her and touching her hands. Tears started forming in her glossy eyes.

"G-gomen…" Hinata said, trying to hold back the tears.

"Hey! Why are you crying?! Ah damn…" Sasuke said, noticing it was too late. Tears started flowing out of her eyes. "Get a grip! Damn it! Ugh…" Sasuke wasn't the sort of person to know what to do to comfort a girl. C'mon! The only time he'd get close to a girl was if the maid was in his room, taking his laundry. What would…kaa-san do? He thought of the times when Mikoto would comfort Hinata when she was troubled. He slowly put his hands around Hinata and slowly pulled her into a hug.

It felt weird. He never hugged a girl before…unless it was his mother WHO he barely hugged.

Hinata cried her eyes out on his chest.

"Gomenasai…gomenasai…I'll be…I'll be good." Hinata started saying nonsense.

"Hey! Are you going delusional?!" Sasuke panicked. Apparently hugging her wasn't the best choice. "Stupid question…" He muttered as she continued to cry.

"I'll be good…I'll…I'll be obedient…I'm…I'm sorry…" Hinata kept saying. Sasuke put one of his hands on top of her head.

"That's would maids are…you are a good girl." Sasuke said awkwardly. It felt so weird saying it to her…

Her crying softened and it soon subsided.

oO0Oo

"Tadaima." Sasuke mumbled.

"Welcome home, Sas-EH?! What happened to Hinata-chan?!" Mikoto ran over to the sleeping Hinata who was on Sasuke's back.

"Doesn't matter. Take these groceries please." Sasuke handed the two bags to his mother.

"Ah…hai." Mikoto took the bags from Sasuke and put them on the counter. "What happened to the poor girl? Not to mention…you guys are soaking wet!" Mikoto said. "Onegai…get me two towels!" Mikoto ordered a maid. The maid nodded and scurried off.

"It started raining. Stupid weatherman…" Sasuke muttered, his bangs sticking to his wet face.

"No Sasuke," Mikoto rolled her eyes, "you just suddenly wanted to get wet." She said with sarcasm. She caressed Hinata's cheek. "She must be freezing! Go carry her to her room!"

"Hai, hai…" Sasuke said and walked down the hall to Hinata's room.

"I'll go get some clothes for her." Mikoto said. "Sasuke, please don't do anything strange to her."

"Che…do you think I will, kaa-san?" Sasuke raised a brow.

"Yes." She said bluntly with a smile. "Anyways…I'm going to head over to the nearest store and get her some new clothes. Please just…keep her warm!" And she was off.

"Adults…" Sasuke muttered and entered Hinata's room. He gently took her off his back and put her down on her bed. He put the covers over her. Shit…she's going to get sick.

She was breathing unsteadily…that was a sign that she was getting sick.

Stupid girl. Sasuke thought to himself. It was her fault for crying and just passing out. She's so weird…

Sasuke sat on the edge of her bed, watching her unsteady breathing turn into a steady pattern. He guessed she was warmer now.

"Ah damn…" Sasuke almost forgot he was also soaking wet.

"U-um…" A maid peeked inside, holding a towel in her hands.

"Arigato." Sasuke said as he took the towel. He slammed the door shut. He wiped his face clean with the towel. That's all he needed for since his hair was half dry. He was already having chills. He couldn't afford to get sick, so he took off his shirt and threw it on the ground. Hinata wasn't awake so whatever.

Then again…

The girl did look peaceful…for a maid.

An afternoon nap didn't sound so bad. Sasuke yawned. Damn.

Hinata squeaked and rolled over to face the wall. She was on her side, leaving a convenient space.

No.

That was wrong. Sasuke knew it was wrong.

But it was so tempting…he was so tired. He couldn't help it.

He quietly lifted up the covers and crawled in there. He faced the other way…not wanting to see the girl.

She of course, enjoyed the warmth and faced the warmth. Hinata cuddled with it and smiled with warmness.

How could Sasuke know better?

He was already asleep by then.

oO0Oo

Hinata enjoyed the warmness a bit more. It was a graceful sensation that filled her body. It was like the day when she found out that she was going to have a little sister. She was so happy that she would always hang with her mother.

She remembered the old days…those sweet memories…

Hinata started to unconsciously cry. She knew she couldn't miss her family. Hinata knew that for a fact. If she did, it would make her weak. The Uchiha family took her in. She didn't need to be selfish and cry! Then again…

"You are a good girl." Sasuke said awkwardly.

Sas…Sasuke-sama? Hinata thought to herself. She pictured the Uchiha family, standing there. Master Fugaku, Mikoto-sama, Sasuke-sama, and Itachi-sama all waiting for her on the other side of a drawn black line. Mikoto was yelling and waving to her, telling her to join them. Fugaku had his serious features but had a slight smile, looking at Hinata. Itachi was warmly smiling, his hands stuffed in his pockets. Sasuke looked the other way with his eyes closed, but one peaked open and acknowledged her presence.

No…she couldn't cry, not in front of Sasuke of course. Not again.

In front of…Sasuke?

Hinata immediately opened her eyes. She made a little gasp. Whatever it was, it conveniently warmed her body. She slightly lifted up her head and saw her master's face.

This is wrong…this is wrong! Sas..Sasuke-sama! Hinata squeezed her eyes shut. Of course…he wasn't touching her. Maybe he was tired? Yeah…that had to be it. Sasuke couldn't have just randomly wanted to sleep…next to her. She quietly gulped.

"Ah…damn." The master was awake. "I fell asleep." He got out of her bed and stood up. Hinata opened one eye open and saw Sasuke half naked. She blushed a crimson red and shut her eyes closed again. "My shirt's dry…" He muttered as the ruffling of clothes was being heard.

Hinata tried her best to look natural and apparently Sasuke bought it. He looked back at the maid who was "soundly" asleep.

Sasuke sighed and put on his shirt. He gently closed the door.

Hinata thought she had heard him say something though…

"Don't…blame yourself?"

oO0Oo

"Hey Sasuke," Itachi made a curt wave; "…what are you doing, coming out of Hinata's room?" He raised a brow.

"I was looking after her after she fainted. That's all. She unconsciously fell asleep." Sasuke bluntly replied.

"I see…" Itachi answered. Sasuke passed Itachi and made his way to his room. "By the way…Otou-san has been asking where you've been."

"…I've been home." Sasuke stopped right at the door of his room.

"You know what I mean…" Itachi muttered. Sasuke didn't answer.

"He doesn't need me…" Sasuke replied and entered in his room.

oO0Oo

"I'm starting to get worried, Sasuke." Mikoto cupped her cheek and sighed. "What happens if my precious little Hinata-chan will never get better?"

"She'll get better. She's a maid after all." Sasuke said, putting on his shoes on the front porch.

"She's a maid this…she's a maid that…that's starting to get old, Sasuke." Mikoto scolded her son.

"Tch." Sasuke replied and stood up. He took his backpack and started to leave.

Hinata was sick on Monday. The fever actually got her hard for some reason. Mikoto kept blaming Sasuke for having to walk in the rain. That was the reason why Hinata got sick. Of course…Sasuke denied it and thought it was just a psychological explanation for why she got sick because of her problems. Mikoto, again, scolded him for indirectly calling Hinata "crazy."

Sasuke sighed. No stuttering…no offering…nothing. How boring.

"Excuse me," A guy with long brown hair and white pearly eyes stopped in front of him.

"…sorry…I don't have enough time to be talking to strangers. I have to get to school." Sasuke said, walking by him.

"Sorry…but…you are Uchiha Sasuke…correct?" The guy about his age asked.

"It's common courtesy for you to give your name out first." Sasuke said, not even looking back at him.

"It's best if I don't reveal my name." He replied. Sasuke scowled and turned back to face the guy.

"Tch. You sure are persistent in knowing my name. Yeah so…it is Uchiha Sasuke. Why?" Sasuke raised a brow.

"Successor to the Uchiha business, yes?" The guy asked.

What the fuck is with this guy? Sasuke scowled again. "Iie. That's Uchiha Itachi."

"Haha…" The guy chuckled. "My mistake. Anyways, nice meeting you…Uchiha-san." The guy bowed and walked away.

Sasuke stuffed his hands into his pockets.

That guy was weird. Although…his aura that surrounded him did make him…a little intimidating.

oO0Oo

"Ohayo Hinata-chan," Itachi sang in, bringing a bowl of soup.

"A-ah…Itachi-sama…" Hinata's face was flushed.

"My stupid little brother has made you sick, ne?" Itachi said, setting the tray with the bowl of soup down on the desk beside her bed. Hinata sat up and frantically shook her head no. Itachi slightly smiled. "It's alright to admit that it's his fault. He is an idiot, after all."

"You aren't…at school today?" Hinata asked. Itachi nodded.

"No classes today…besides…I don't have to work." Itachi replied. Hinata blinked.

"I was…wondering what…never mind." Hinata brushed aside the thought. Itachi raised a brow.

"Hm? What's wrong, Hinata-chan?" Itachi asked. Hinata shook her head. "You can ask me…" Hinata clenched her fists.

"U-um…" Hinata's face started to heat up. "Sas...Sasuke-sama is…he's not doing anything dangerous for Fugaku-sama…right?" Hinata asked nervously. Itachi was surprised at this.

"What makes you ask that?" Itachi asked.

"Gomenasai…but I heard you guys talking about how Fugaku-sama didn't need Sasuke-sama or something…" Hinata muttered. Itachi's eyes darkened but quickly lit up again.

"It's nothing you need to worry about." Itachi stood up. "But…I'm glad you're starting to worry for Sasuke. Why is that?"

"He's my master." Hinata smiled warmly. "He also carried me back when I passed out. I'm very grateful to him." Itachi smiled back.

"That's good. Well…you better start on that soup. I don't want you to eat it cold." Itachi said. Hinata nodded. He left her room and stopped in front of his room.

"Don't get…too close…Sasuke." Itachi muttered.

oO0Oo

"WHAT A BORING DAY!" Ino groaned, slouching in her desk.

"Shut up." Sasuke said, reading his book.

"Eh?! Weren't you bored?!" Ino exclaimed.

"Shut up…you're making a fuss out of nothing." Sasuke said, turning a page.

"Tch. You're probably so worried that you have to be distracted by little things like books." Ino stood up and took the book from Sasuke's hands. She closed it. "Class is over and all you can do is read?!" Ino said, waving the book around.

"Yes." Sasuke replied bluntly, leaning on his palm on his desk.

"Let's go to your house and visit Hinata-chan." Ino said, picking him up by the collar and dragging him off.

"Hey…HEY!!" Sasuke said, trying to get away from the evil clutches of Ino.

"Ehh…Hinata-chan is sick." Naruto said, looking bored.

"Who's this "Hinata" girl?" A red-haired guy with aquamarine eyes asked. He was also reading a book. He was always stereotyped as another "Sasuke." But of course…he hated Sasuke.

"This really cute girl." Naruto said with a dreamy sigh. "Sasuke-teme probably did something to her."

"Doesn't he always hang out with her?" Gaara asked. Naruto crossed his arms and nodded.

"Too bad…" Naruto sighed dramatically. "She could actually be a good girlfriend."

"Stupid Naruto…he's talking about another girl!" A girl exclaimed.

"Ugh…can't he see he's hurting Sakura?!" Another girl said.

"What a rich bastard…" An angry girl muttered.

"Girls, girls…" Sakura waved her arms in front of her. "I…I broke up with him…that's probably why…he's acting this way." Sakura's bangs covered her expression.

"Aww, but honey, Naruto is being so cruel." A girl commented. "Whoever this Hinata girl is, she's probably paying Sasuke-kun to always hang out with her."

"Or he feels sorry for her being so ugly." A girl said meanly. All the girls giggled except for one pink-haired, jade-eyed beauty.

Sakura stood up.

"I'm going to miss the meeting today." Sakura announced.

"Eh?! But, you're part of the Sasuke fan club! You can't miss out!" One of her friends said as she started to pack her things. Sakura stopped at the doorway.

"If Naruto and Sasuke-kun are really interested in this girl, I suggest you start treating her equally. I won't attend any meetings 'til you do." Sakura said, not even looking back and left.

To be continued…

Mshinata: -bows repeatedly and cries- I REALLY FEEL GUILTY FOR NOT UPDATING. –Cries-

Sasuke: 'Tis your damn fault please.

Mshinata: Oh, don't be talking all smart with me.

Sasuke: This is how I talk…you got a problem?

Mshinata: Yes.

Sasuke: Too bad. I'll vent it all out on a therapist.

Everyone: o.O…

Sasuke: -coughs-

Mshinata: Marshie-chan updated three times before I could even update once. Lol. My updating skills need to be improved.

Sai: Give her nice reviews. She was in writer's block for a month.