BK: Sooooo sorry guys. College life. High school DID NOT prepare you for bat shit crazy College WORK. I know some people breeze through high school like I did without really ever TRYING even though they took all those crazy AP classes, but even with that, COLLEGE is bat-shit CRAZY. I'm in summer school and taking TWO classes. Apparently, that's BAT-SHIT CRAZY.

Anyways, I apologize. I needed to rant. I am sooo sleep deprived. So I decided I might as well give you guys two chapters. And finish it.

Please two reviews – one for each chapter. Thanks sweeties. It means so much. x|

BK

Hinata stared out at the falling snow and sipped on her warm tea. A snowdrop fell into her tea and made some ripples. The floor at the Hyuuga compound was uncharacteristically warm. Hanabi looked at Hinata's cup and smiled.

"Nee-san... a snowdrop fell into your teacup."

Hinata nodded and she smiled back at her sister.

"Yes... that means that the next year will be filled with happiness."

Hanabi laughed, a rare sound, and moved closer to her sister.

"You're happy this year too. Is there someone special in your heart?"

Hinata looked down at her teacup and smiled. The long lashes that adorned her eyes cast shadows on her cheeks and she then closed her eyes as she told Hanabi about her happiness.

"I feel... protected. I feel like he's given me motivation. He makes me feel like I'm special. Like I've been working this hard all my life... just to be able to meet him."

Hanabi blinked and then smiled, "What is he like?"

Hinata looked up a bit surprised at her sister. Hanabi usually wouldn't be interested in such things.

"Well... he's strong. And very brave. Courageous. He's saved me a few times in my whole life. He's also very handsome. When he holds my hands, they envelop my fingers. I feel safe with him, but I also get excited and nervous."

Hanabi smiled at her older sister's obvious happiness, "Does he love you?"

Hinata's breath stopped short and she looked out at the snow. Her heart felt faint and fluttery.

Hinata... listen carefully... I don't repeat things often... I love you.

"... Yes. He does."

Hanabi smiled and sipped from her teacup. It had been a long time since her older sister visited her. Hinata was always busy with missions, proctoring and helping new Chunnins, and restoring the village. It was always a blessing when she came over to visit.

Hinata's hair had grown longer now. It was also darker. Her eyes were a creamy. They shimmered in different beautiful hues of purple, blues, pinks, and light gold. Her pearly white teeth were added beautiful smiles. Her soothing voice and calm spirit seemed to soar. But most of all, Hanabi could tell that her sister was in love. It heightened everything around her, letting her glow in a glistening aura.

She seemed so mature now. Hinata looked like she could smile at anyone and they would listen to her talk about anything. And what Hinata would talk about would have meaning. She looked like she could glance at a baby and that baby would smile back at her. Just looking at her, Hanabi could hear soft jazz in the background, illuminating her happy life.

Hinata was changed. She was wiser, happier, complete, and very much grown. Hanabi wanted to be just like her.

The snow fell lightly and the sun appeared behind the clouds once in a while. The zen garden the Hyuugas kept clean would have to wait another season before they fixed it again. It was covered with a soft sheet of white snow. No footsteps were visible on the sheet of snow and Hanabi envisioned it as her sister's life years ago.

Hinata was once a shy little girl who had no confidence in her obvious skill. She had motivation, but not large enough to be great. Then she met Naruto who changed her life. And she received friends that supported her and looked after her. She followed her heart and she spoke out when she needed too.

Little by little, escaping Hanabi's busy life, her older sister slipped away from her and grew into a graceful and elegant lady.

Hinata didn't take giant leaps to get to where she was today. She took little baby steps. She looked ahead and then charged. Sometimes she followed her heart and then leaped. Sometimes she stalled and helped the people around her first. Whatever it was, the blank white sheet that Hinata made footsteps in started out small and they grew. They made it from one side to the other and this was who she was today.

Hanabi did not question her older sister's judgment of the man she fell in love with.

She knew that anyone around her would think the same.

Hinata knew what she was doing.

The scent of the tea wafted in the air, creating a small mist of condensation in the air and Hanabi asked a question, enjoying the smell of warm tea.

"Who is the lucky man?"

Hinata didn't answer. Instead she smiled to herself and stared at her little sister who looked questionably back at her serene, elegant sister.

At the entrance of the Hyuuga compound, someone appeared. A man.

He had honey-brown eyes, the shade of amber, and soft brown hair kept warm in a hat. A giant scarf decorated his neck and shoulders, his whole attire warm and maneuverable. He looked intelligent despite the senbon in his mouth and reserved. Above all, he was calm, collected, impartial, proud, and above all, very casual.

His handsome face landed on the lady next to Hanabi and she saw his face transform into something of happiness... and love. His very eyes lit up.

Hanabi blinked and she smiled.

"Nee-san. You're in love."

Hinata stared at Genma who was carrying an extra scarf for her and suddenly it all made sense to her. All these feelings bubbling in her finally made sense as she looked at the man in front of them with her heart pumping fast and her body willing to run across the snow into his embrace.

"I... I am in love." Hinata repeated Hanabi's words.

She said it with a breathy recognition. And Hanabi had a startling realization that her older sister hadn't understood it until now. Her older sister was helplessly in love with the man in front of them.

Hinata blushed and she set down her cup to touch her flaming cheeks.

"Hanabi-chan... how do I look? I didn't even do my hair. I – I was just sick until recently! I must have no color on my face at all!"

Hanabi laughed and stared as her usually calm sister started to panic. Hinata looked extremely beautiful. She even had a healthy blush of petals on her cheek. Her long eyelashes and her dainty fingers, Hanabi knew that the man who was waiting at the entrance was in love with her. It didn't matter if she was sick, bleeding, painted, or gorgeous. He loved her all the same.

With a spring, Hanabi stepped off the Hyuuga compound wooden floors and walked across the white sheet of snow that covered the zen garden. Her footsteps creating her own path.

Walking up to the man, Hanabi smiled at him and welcomed him into the Hyuuga household.

The man stared at her, recognizing her as Hinata's little sister and shook her hand. Hanabi instantly knew what Hinata was talking about when his hand overwhelmed hers. This man was fully capable of doing everything for Hinata.

With a warm smile, contrary to Hyuuga beings, Hanabi led the way back to where her older sister sat.

"Welcome to the Hyuuga compound... Genma Shiranui."

BK

BK: So Hinata finally realizes... Whew...