"I heard about your mission yesterday. Congratulations, Hinata-sama." Hiroki gave his usual warm smile. Hinata was practically glowing with pride and joy. She knew, it wasn't that big a' deal; but to think she did it, that she did something for others filled her heart with euphoria. She felt like she was one step closer; one step closer to her goal. Now she had yet another thing to prove.
Her grip on Hiroki's hand tightened as they walked through the hall, heading to the sparring area in the compound. "Don't worry Hinata-sama,"
Hiroki looked down at the girl; eyes filled with worry and fear.
Worried that her father would not take notice of her, fear that she might hurt her younger sister.
"Just fight with your heart. Fight the way you want to." His gentle voice calmed her nerves. She nodded. She knew what she had to do. She knew what she had to prove. She just wished that it wouldn't have to be this painful; torn between hurting her sister and impressing her father. All her life she had been competing with her younger sister; all she knew about her was her fighting style and the extent of her strength. She knew she was a strong girl, brave and beautiful. Everything she was not. She knew who she was, and yet she felt like she didn't know her at all. They haven't really had a "sisterly" relationship. Their relationship is based solely on competition; proving who is stronger. And she didn't like that; she didn't like that at all.
But I have to do it, I have to look strong in father's eyes. But Hanabi...

Before she knew it, she was already in the sparring area where her sister and father were already seated. She looked at her younger sister; her back arched perfectly, her hair flowing gracefully, her features radiating strength and confidence. She couldn't compare. She was a true Hyuuga in her father's eyes. She was everything... I am not.

Hanabi stood up as Hinata entered the room. Hinata bowed out of respect in front of her father. He nodded and gestured her to get into sparring position. She turned on her heel, only to find Hanabi facing her already in appropriate stance. Hinata readied her stance, although she was nowhere near as confident as Hanabi. She glanced over at Hiroki; he smiled and mouthed "Gambate!" She only hoped she wouldn't disappoint him or her father.
Ken san, watch over me. Help me gain strength.
In a blink of an eye, she found Hanabi speeding towards her; with a hand reaching, and her palm outright. They quickly engaged in sparring; both their Byaakugan's had activated, Hinata more to defense and Hanabi more towards offense. Their speed was at par, but Hanabi was much more alert. She easily spotted her sister's weak points and took advantage of them. She was struck a few times already, but she still didn't give up. It was only when Hanabi found an opening and quickly thrust her palm to her chest that her body finally surrendered to the pain. She flew back wards before thumping on to the ground. Hanabi stood straight and bowed before her defeated sister but showed no signs of pride in her triumph or sympathy towards her elder sister. Just like most of the Hyuuga, she remained inexpressive the whole time. Hinata slowly turned her head to the side, looking at her father. Tears immediately trickled down her cheeks, watching her father shake his head in disappointment. She looked into his eyes and saw pure, utter disgust; disgust towards his weak, pathetic daughter. The heiress to the Hyuuga clan... was nothing but a weakling. Just looking into his eyes told her that much. There were not enough words to describe the pain in her heart. As soon as Hanabi and Hiashi left the room, Hiroki quickly approached the young heiress. She was like a sister to him, watching her cry so bitterly only brought him pain. "Hinata-sama..."
Father, I am sorry. I am so sorry. I can't live up to your expectations. I can't make you proud...
Her heart clenched.
Ken san...

"Ha-choo!" Itachi grunted as he pinched his nose.
"Oh~ must be some fan girl out there talking about you," Shisui winked.
"I'm ninety percent sure that it's my brother cursing me right now." Itachi fitted his mask on.
"Heh, whatever you say."
"Just focus so we can get this over with."
"What's with you? You were never one to rush a mission."
Itachi sighed. That's true; he never was one to rush a mission. This is all thanks to a certain raven haired creature who had turned his life upside down after a rescue mission. He was afraid he wouldn't be done in time. He was afraid the mission would go on and he wouldn't get back in time to see her.
Knowing Hinata, she'd probably wait for him. That made him even more worried.

She thought long and hard whether to go to the field or not. Of course she really did want to go. Seeing him reminded her of the boy, and she wanted nothing more than to see Ken through that Uchiha boy. She wanted to get closer to him. But could she really face him with her eyes swollen and her nose all red? Would he even come?
"I'll be here."
He would. He would come. If he is anything like Ken san... he would come.
Just as she thought, he did come. But she did not anticipate him to be there first. The moment she saw him sitting on the bench, she felt like she couldn't believe her eyes. There he was; resting his elbows on his knees feeling the wind on his skin and letting it brush his silky long black hair, staring off in to the distance.
Her cheeks instantly dusted pink when he glanced at her as she walked towards him.
"No dangos today?"
"N-no... did you w-want some?!" She took him seriously, but calmed down when she heard him chuckle lightly. It didn't take him long to notice her puffy eyes and sore nose.
She looked at him through her lashes and panicked as he furrowed his eyebrows, examining her face.
Itachi wasn't the type to bother people with personal questions. He didn't like butting in to other people's lives.
She has her reasons, just let it be talk about something else.
"Hinata san,"
Don't ask her about it. Don't pester her.
"What happened?"
Damn.
Once again, he did something totally out of character. He was a very caring person; he just didn't usually show it by expressing his concern. But with her, he just had to know.
"I-I, i-its..."
See? She doesn't want to tell you.
"I-I j-just,"
He sighed inwardly.
"It's okay you don't have to tell me."
You shouldn't have asked idiot, you're making her nervous.
"I-I w-want to!"
He raised a brow and watched her look down at her feet. He just couldn't read this girl. He was praised by the ANBU for being a genius and for having outstanding analytical skills, but he just couldn't read her.
"B-but it's e-embarrassing..."
Itachi sighed, and smirked slightly as an idea came to mind. He patted the seat next to him on the bench. She blushed even more intensely at the gesture before taking a seat next to him. He faced his back to her and waited. He smiled as he heard her giggle; knowing that she understood what he was signalling her to do. He tapped his finger on his knee and closed his eyes, deciphering her message. His body was more relaxed today as she traced his back. Slowly, he is getting used to her as she is to him. Progress.
After she stopped, he processed all her words in his mind.
"Your father is disappointed in you?"
She nodded. He remembered her words during the mission, the second time she woke up. She was saying how she would return home a disappointment, is that what this is about?
He kept silent, watching her clutch on to the edge of her sleeves.
"I-I was n-never a-able to l-live up to h-his expectations... I-I can't be a-as good as h-he wants m-me to b-be." She stopped, feeling her tears well up again. She breathed slowly, trying to hold them back.
"Hinata san." He slowly reached out, gently holding her chin lifting her head up to face him. His features softened, intending to comfort the girl. He gazed at her and let go of her chin.
"Believe in yourself." Her eyes widened.
"Being discouraged by others is inevitable in life, but it is your own self belief that will help you overcome your weaknesses."
She wasn't sure she even heard what he said. Her mind was still playing back that particular sentence,
"Believe in yourself Hinata-san."
Ken san... Is it.. really you?
Her hand reached out and caught the boy's sleeve. Her eyes wide, she gulped as she leaned towards his side. She wasn't even sure of what her body was doing. Itachi felt a bit uneasy by the lack of distance between them. He was wondering what was going on in that head of hers?
Ah... So that's it.
He smirked.
Sneaky, very sneaky.
She could feel her slowly lifting up his sleeve, her hands trembling. She stopped as the boy poked her forehead with his finger. He looked down at her, seemingly amused.
"Hinata san?"
She shook her head and continued to lift up his sleeve. His smirk did not fade.
Once she lifted the cloth up to his shoulder, her eyes searched all over his bare unmarked skin. Not there. No spiral tattoo. She blinked wondering if her eyes deceived her. Itachi's lips formed a thin line, holding back his urge to chuckle. "What's wrong Hinata san?"
Am I checking the wrong hand? No, I am sure it's on the left... but...
Hinata sighed.
It's not him.
"Um, Hinata-san forgive me but do you mind letting go of my sleeve?" Itachi smirked.
"H-hai!"
More embarrassed than ever before, Hinata quickly slid back and turned away from the boy. She didn't think what she would do if he wasn't actually the boy she thought he was. At the moment she just needed to know, and now she has to deal with what comes after.
How can I just touch someone like that?! How can I just lift up his sleeve?! What will he think of me?!
Once again she was calmed by the sound of his laughter. She exhaled, and slowly faced the boy only to be captivated his rare, beautiful smile. She swore her heart skipped a beat at the sight of it.
Her face went cherry red in a matter of seconds.
"Hinata – san? What's wrong? Do you have a fever?"
She gasped as she felt the back of his palm on her forehead. Her heart raced and her face was heating up fast. Itachi was amused and slightly frightened by her reaction. He quickly backed up when she squeaked and turned unbelievably red. He tried his best to hide his bewilderment and fear of her suddenly combusting.
Maybe I shouldn't have done that...
"I-I am f-f-fine I-Ita-Itachi kun!" She gulped and continued looking down at her lap until she calmed down. After a few moments of awkward silence, she spoke up again.
"I-I am s-sorry, and... I t-thank y-you."
"Hm?"
"N-not many people a-actually, t-take the t-time to c-comfort someone like m-me." She laughed nervously. "I-I r-really wish t-that I met y-you sooner I-Itachi-kun. Then m-maybe I-I w-would have b-been m-more c-confident." She smiled weakly.
"Well I am here now,"

"Y-yes," her smile widened. "y-you are."
"W-well I better g-get going be-before my f-father w-wonders where I-I am." She stood up, and bowed.
"So," She lifted her head up.
"I'll see you tomorrow then?" She smiled, enhancing her adorable blush.
"I-I'll b-be here."
He felt his heart thump. His new friend; was really intriguing. Even though she was odd, he actually really enjoyed having her around. He wanted to listen. He wanted to be there for her and let her know that he would help her. The only people he feels that way about are family and well, that idiot Shisui.
Just like how Hinata was totally in the dark when it comes to Itachi's feelings towards her, Itachi was the same with her. He had no idea how forceful his presence became to her in just a few days. Of course, she always felt like that was because he reminded her of a certain someone. He wondered how she would react if she knew he was the one; he was her Ken. Although he was extremely anxious to find out, he felt like it was best this way. At least he can still get close to her; they are fine as it is. He wasn't wrong on casting a genjustu on her the moment she was suspicious. He knew it was the right thing to do. Maybe one day she will find out, but for now he wanted her to warm up to Uchiha Itachi, not Ken.

The same scenario went on for weeks; they would show up at the field every evening engaging in their weird but enjoyable conversations, deepening their friendship. Of course there were times he had told her that he wouldn't be able to come due to certain missions. But other than that, they've never missed the meetings even once. They became friends faster than they thought they would. They became comfortable with each other faster than they thought they would (though of course Hinata took longer). But he was an Uchiha, and she was a Hyuuga. They couldn't really go out on friendly walks out in the open or spend some time eating something outside in the restaurants (at least something other than Hinata's dangos) even if they wanted to. They had to keep this secret friendship.
But secrets, as we all know, never last long.

"Okay, tell me." He rested his head on his palm and stared at the boy with a disturbing grin on his face. "Tell you what?" Itachi raised a brow.
"Who's the girl?"
*Thump*
"What girl?"
"The one you've been seeing."
*Thump*Thump*
Itachi – being Itachi - didn't exactly show it, but he was starting to get really nervous.
"Huh?"
"Don't 'huh' me,"
Shisui sat up straight and leaned towards his best friend trying to get him to look him in the eye.
"I know you have a secret girlfriend you're hiding."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh you know exactly what I am talking about."
Finally the boy raised his head and looked at Shisui dead in the eye; the all powerful Itachi glare.
"No, no, it's not going to work on me. You forget I am an Uchiha just like you stare all you want but I am not backing down, not today!" Itachi smirked.
"Oh?" He folded his arms.
"Yeah! So you can wipe that smart ass little smile off your smug face. You really think you can fool me; Uchiha Shisui?"
"You make is sound as if you're actually a good shinobi." Shisui scowled.
Itachi knew that Shisui's abilities rival if not outshine his own, but he just liked toying with his amusing friend; knowing that he didn't take anything seriously.
"I don't have to be a good shinobi to know that you're acting weird and that you're spotting the glow."
"Glow?"
Is he trying to say I look pregnant?
"Yeah, that glow when you, you know found your special someone."
"Oh please,"
"Hey, hey," Shisui slid closer to his friend.
"You smile sometimes for no reason, obviously because you're thinking of her, you don't smack me as much as you do, and your mom tells me that you're rarely at home doing god knows what at god knows where."
Itachi sighed. How could he deny it all? Inside he was actually feeling embarrassed as hell and he honestly was surprised he managed to hear all that and not show any kind of reaction. Though he had to admit, Hinata was special; probably the girl that means the most to him in his life besides his mother of course. And he definitely couldn't deny the fact that he loved spending time with her even if it was to just listen to her. But he was never going to admit it to Shisui!
"Look, I go walking sometimes and train in the field in the evening."
"Yeah, 'train'. Everyone knows you train in the morning with your dad Itachi."
"Does it hurt to do a little extra?"
"Then what about your creepy smiling? Hm? Hmm?"
Damn you, Shisui.
Itachi sighed and closed his eyes. Shisui literally jumped when Itachi opened his eyes revealing his Sharingan. Shisui stayed quiet and still as Itachi's eyes darted around the room. He stood up and approached the door. He put his hand on the door and closed his eyes.
Shisui sighed in relief to see his usual dark eyes when he had opened them. He does that alot just to check if his crazy parents and beloved brother are eavesdropping when Shisui's around. And it has happened before, seriously.
"Okay, what the hell was that?"
"No one's around here now. They're all downstairs."
"Okay so are you going to – "
"First of all I'll make this clear; she is only a friend."
A sly smile quickly curved on to Shisui's lips. "Yeah, totally believable. If she was a friend – "
"We don't meet each other in public because she is a Hyuuga."
Shisui paused. "The kicker of it all is that she is the heiress."
Shisui blinked. And blinked. And blinked.
"Wait, what?!" Itachi put a finger to his lips, gesturing him to be quiet.
"Are you serious?" Shisui whispered. He didn't particularly have a problem with the Hyuugas, but he knew how Itachi's father felt about them. And he wouldn't be too happy about his friendship with the heiress.
"Where do you guys meet anyways?"
"In the training field."
"And no one ever caught you guys?"
"If I sensed a presence I would leap into the trees, but so far nope no one ever comes when we meet." Itachi's expression remained impassive the entire time.
But Shisui seemed pretty amused by it all. He found it oddly fascinating.
"Well, I want to meet her!"
"No." He said sternly.
"Why not?"
"Because I said so."
"Please, Please, Itachi-Chaaan!"
"Shisui..." Itachi sighed.
"Please! I just want to see the girl!"
"You'll scare her."
"No I won't I promise! I just want to see her!"
"No."
"Please!"
"No!"
"I'll tell your dad!"
Shit...

Well, that was chapter 4 done with :) Thanks for reading! And please don't hesitate to send me your reviews I'd love to read your thoughts and suggestions. Maybe a little bit of constructive criticism could help too. Thanks again guys! Hope you enjoyed it! :D