A/N: Okay, first off, thanks guys for all your support and reviews. It's really motivating and thats the only reason I'm really working on the story. Hehe love ye. And I remember someone asking about whether Itachi keeps the genjutsu on Hinata so that she doesn't see his ANBU tattoo. He only activates it when necessary. And the reason why Shisui didn't tell Hinata that he is also in the ANBU is because he knows that Itachi is uncomfortable about disclosing matters like that to people outside the ANBU. OK I hoped that cleared your doubts :D So, thats it and enjoy the story you guys! Thanks again!

"Konbanwa." Hinata smiled brightly and bowed.
"My name is Hyuuga Hinata."
"Wooo!" Shisui cheered, earning him a soft giggle. Itachi stood with his arms folded, eyes fixated on Hinata, a proud smile etched on his face.
"The Hyuuga festival is held to honour our Hyuuga leader and elders..."
She has improved, a lot. At first it was very frustrating for all of them. She had improved after the incident, but she started talking at such high speeds they couldn't make out what she was saying.
With enough time, patience and determination, somehow they managed to transform her.
She worked extremely hard; she really did want to prove a point.
Though all seemed fine... there is always one problem.
"The current leader, Hyuuga H-H-Hiashi."
There it is. The girl sighed and bowed her head.
"Sorry."
Itachi shook his head. "It's not your fault. But looks like you still have fear for your father."
She nodded and looked at Itachi through her lashes.
"But, so far... so good?" She smiled.
"Hinata-Chan are you kidding?! You are great! You've improved so much!"
Hinata smiled brightly and blushed a little. Never in her life would she have thought that she would improve this much.
"It's all thanks to you two. I am really grateful. Really if I can't say my f-father's name, I don't mind. This is good enough for me..."
Itachi couldn't leave it at that. He wanted it to be perfect; he wanted her to be proud of herself.
If he let it slide then his accomplishment would be incomplete.
"Hinata," Itachi stroked his chin in thought.
"Hm?"
"There is something I would like you to try."
"Great..." Shisui rolled his eyes.
Hinata tilted her head and slightly furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Hinata was really thankful to Itachi. He had done a lot, even though his methods were quite... brutal.
So it was natural that she'd be scared of whatever plan he had next. But everything he did, he did for her own good. She wouldn't say no to Itachi.
"I want you to face your fears."
"Eh?"

This was ultimate torture. Why does he have to do this to her?!
No, no, if Itachi says it will do her good, it will. She is not doubting him but... how is she supposed to do this?!
"I want you to face the people you fear the most."
"Huh?" She blinked.
"Talk to them. Invite them to the festival and no stuttering. Talk to your father, ask him about the festival. Show him you're not that timid little girl anymore."
She felt like pulling all her hair out then and there. People she feared her most...
The first on the list would definitely be her father. If it was four years ago, Neji would have came in second but ever since the Chunin exams he has changed dramatically. He had turned in to a kind and protective cousin. He didn't scare her at all now.
Was there anyone other than her father that she was afraid of? Well she had to admit, Itachi still actually scared her a little. She giggled at the thought.
She wasn't exactly scared of him, just intimidated she reckoned. But the Uchihas' were pretty scary people, with their red eyes and what not... Oh!
A weird grin curved on her lips; it was one of clarity and immense fear and hesitation.
She knew who she was supposed to find, but didn't know where to find him.
First, she has to face her father maybe then she will finally be able to perfect the speech and Itachi will forget about searching for her other 'fear'; because she really was afraid to.
Even though it would be nice to see him at the festival...

"This one?"
"Hn." He agreed even without glancing. He just wanted it to end.
"No!" Naruto screeched. Slightly frustrated, Sakura threw the kimono on the floor and flopped on to the bed.
"I think I need to get a new kimono..." Sakura sighed.
"I am not going to follow you to every shop in Konoha just so you can buy a kimono." Sasuke hissed.
Sakura slapped a hand on to her forehead. Sasuke was always like this. She was happy that they had become closer over the years and he became less cold towards her after all the time they had spent together, but he was still Sasuke; her close friend and team mate. Not Sasuke, her boyfriend.
Naruto was there and she was kind of glad, even though at first she wanted to be alone with Sasuke, she knew that it would be really awkward if they were together alone.
Thinking about all this just got her even more frustrated.
"Just wear the ones you have. It's not like they're old or you can't wear them." Sasuke folded his arms and closed his eyes as he leaned into the chair.
"But I need something bright and elegant! These ones are just dull!" Sakura shot up, while Naruto sitting next to her on the edge of the bed nodded in agreement.
Sasuke sighed and rubbed his temples.
Girls...
"Sasuke-kun, please? Please can't you come?" Sakura pouted.
"No." He scowled.
"Why not?!" Sakura whinned.
"It's bad for my rep." He said honestly though that wasn't the exact reason. He just hated shopping; and knowing Sakura she would take ten hours just to find the 'perfect' kimono.
"Sasuke-kunnnn" Sakura grumbled.
"Oi, bastard! Don't be such an ass! Be supportive for Sakura-Chan for once!"
"Naruto, stop being so noisy!"
"Eh? But Sakura-Chan..."
Idiots. I am surrounded by idiots.

This festival thing really got to his nerves because of two reasons.
One, his dad, mom and Itachi were planning on going.
Two, it was a Hyuuga festival.
Whenever he heard or even thought of the Hyuuga name it would send shivers down his spine. Why? Because that girl was a Hyuuga. He was thirteen, and even after three years he couldn't get over some stupid child-ish curiosity/interest.
Ever since the mission, he realized that there was something different about his feelings towards the girl, and it scared him (But of course he didn't admit it.). He didn't want to feel that way, not about a girl or a boy, or anyone!
He was Uchiha Sasuke, he isn't capable of those kinds of feelings.
So he decided the answer was simple; just avoid her. Avoid her and never engage in any type of communication. He didn't take the effort of making it seem discrete though. Any time he saw her walking in the same direction he'd feel he had just shit bricks but try his best to keep his neutral face plastered on.
Immediately he'd turn on his heel and walk the other way or just enter some random shop nearby.
Even if he did accidently pass by her he'd ignore her to the best of his abilities. Though sometimes he just couldn't because she'd purposely flash her stupid smile and greet him. Worse come to worse he would just grunt "Hyuuga" or raise his hand slightly. The most dreadful times were the times when Naruto had to act extra friendly and start chatting up with her while he was around.
Ugh...
No, he wasn't afraid of confronting her. No, he didn't like her AT ALL. He just...
Ah, these kinds of things aren't important anyways! No point thinking about it.
He had avoided her for three years and he is going to continue doing so, whatever happens he is not going to the festival whether or not his family was attending.

"Hiashi-sama is not in, Hinata-sama." Hiroki looked slightly worried.
"Is... everything alright, Hinata-sama?" Hinata looked like she had just seen a ghost, her face went pale and is she starting to sweat?
"Are you sure? Where is he?"
"He said he had gone for some business elsewhere and he had to visit a few people."
"When will he be back?"
"I am not sure Hinata-sama but I think it is best if you meet him during the festival. Hiashi-sama is really busy with the preparation and certain affairs that he has to take care of."
During the festival?!
It's true that it would be a bad idea to disturb her father to engage in conversation when he is in fact busy. But she really did want to rid herself of her fear towards her father.
"Is there... something wrong Hinata-sama?"
"I-It's nothing. Thank you, Hiroki."
I am not a coward. I am not a quitter. I am going to make sure my speech is perfect. I have to!
She took a deep breath and exhaled, gathering her courage. Facing her fear, eh?
Well then if her father was not here, then it looks like she has to settle for the next best thing.
It's time to find Uchiha Sasuke.

It was funny how determined she was. She was so bent on finding the Uchiha but had absolutely no idea of what she would do if she actually confronts him.
She just wanted to make sure that she lives up to Itachi's expectations. But he would be quite shocked if she told him that the second scariest person in her life was his younger brother.
It wasn't that she didn't like Sasuke, she actually found him to be quite a nice, gentle person when he tries to be. But ever since the Kuro Tsume mission ended, it went back to normal, he was back to the way he was; never talking to her (No, the usual 'Hyuuga' grunt is not talking). Maybe he was just nice to her because she was on his team.
The scariest part about Sasuke was probably his stare. During the rare times that he'd respond to her greeting or the times when he was with Naruto when she was talking to the blonde; the stare that he'd give her gave her nightmares. Not kidding. Sometimes she really felt like he wanted to kill her; though it wasn't accurate.
Sasuke usually gave people stares because he does want to kill or hurt them.
But when it comes to Hinata, his stares usually mean 'Don't come any closer' and 'Come closer'
at the same time.
He really doesn't like that Hyuuga girl. She is ruining his stability and it is really irritating him.
But he knew that the Hyuuga girl wouldn't want to be near him anyways. She was shy, nice, delicate, all the things he wasn't. Which is why he honestly thought his heart stopped when Ino ran to him from her flower shop and told him that Hinata had been looking for him.
Of course, after years of living with Itachi and his deceptive father he managed to keep a straight face. He looked so bored that no one could have guessed what was going through his mind.
'Where did she go?'
'Why does she want to see me?'
'Was this some other Hinata or Hyuuga Hinata?'
'What was she wearing?'
'Are you on a genjutsu?'
All of that; was going through his mind. Shocker.
Instead of sending a barrage of questions, Sasuke decided the best reply would be,
"Oh."

Kiba and Shino were at a total loss.
Their team mate was trying to get hold of Uchiha Sasuke to get rid of her fear? This is a sick joke.
"Hinata, you've really improved. And, really I get it that you want to make it perfect but why do you need to see that guy?" Kiba furrowed his eyebrows and watched his team mate fiddle with her fingers and look everywhere but straight at him.
"I, well, you see..." Kiba sighed and turned on his back, stroking his dog's fur while Shino stood still, impassive as always.
Hinata knew they wouldn't understand. Even she really didn't understand why Itachi would want her to do this. If she did face Sasuke, if she managed to engage in a conversation and politely invite him for the festival, will her fear go away? Will her stutter completely go away?
She didn't even know how to talk to Sasuke.
"Kiba-kun, Shino-kun..."
The two turned their attention to the girl.
"How do you... communicate with Sasuke-san?"
"Communicate?" Kiba raised a brow.
"Mm." Hinata nodded.
"Uh... It just comes naturally to us I guess," Kiba stated.
"It comes naturally to us as compared to you. Why? Because we are boys. Boys interact naturally with boys." Kiba narrowed his eyes at Shino who was far from someone who interacted 'naturally' with anybody. Then he sat up and turned back to Hinata.
"It's going to suck for you to talk with him since you're a girl. Sasuke's not really a girl's guy. In fact, I am pretty sure he's gay." Kiba nodded to himself while Hinata blushed slightly.
"W-well, then how am I going to talk to him?" Hinata said, slightly anxious.
"Don't worry Hinata! Thank god for you, you have me."
"And me," Shino added.
"Yeah, whatever. It's best if you stick with me though." Shino turned to Kiba, and Hinata assumed he was glaring judging by the furrowed eyebrows. She giggled.
"Ah! None of that Hinata!" She immediately stiffened and stopped giggling, holding her breath.
"Knowing Sasuke he'd probably get annoyed with you if you giggled. It's super cute," Cue intense Hinata blush. Kiba was just too straight forward.
"But Sasuke is an Uchiha. They hate cute things." She tried her best not to giggle as the thought of Shisui came to mind. But she did remember Sasuke staring at her weirdly when she giggled, so Kiba must be right.
"Okay, any other advice?" Hinata feels like they're on a roll. She should have thought of asking Kiba earlier.
"Hm, well I guess, don't be so girly. Be more loose with your body I guess."
Cue intense Hinata blush part two.
"OH woahh, no hugging or kissing or stuff like that. You're only allowed to do that to me."
She wondered how she managed to not self-destruct. Kiba flashed a sly smirk before continuing.
"Heh, I mean don't keep to yourself all the time. Like, be more outgoing sort of thing you know?
That way he won't be so uncomfortable and find you annoying. Sometimes maybe after a joke or whatever, just punch him on the shoulder or push him or something."
"P-Punch?" Hinata gasped.
"Yeah, it's the way we guys bond."
Oh my...
"Hinata, you shouldn't do that. Why? Because –"
"Oh and Hinata, make sure you laugh at his jokes." Kiba interrupted.
"But you said – "
"I said don't giggle! I didn't say don't laugh. If you don't laugh at his jokes or sarcasm he'd probably get mad."
Wow, guys are really complicated...
Hinata nodded.
"Maybe go like Haha and less of the Hihi. Yeah, I think that should be right."
"I don't know... Shino-kun what do you think?"
"Hinata I – "
"Oh, come on Hinata trust me!" Shino was on the verge readying his Kikaichu.
"I am the best at this kind of stuff, you know that!"
"I..." She gulped and let out a sigh.
After awhile of sighing and slight conversation,
she bid farewell to her two team mates, informing them that she is going to continue searching for the boy.
It's now or never, she reckoned. Kiba was good at socializing so she was pretty sure he'd be right about these kinds of things. And she herself knew that Sasuke didn't like to be around girls.
Hm, this might just work. If it does she might even get a new Uchiha friend.

But first, she had to find the boy. Without wanting to waste any time, she felt like the best and fastest way to find him was to use her bloodline limit.
A blush tinted her cheeks as she realized that she was using her Byaakugan to find a guy.
She hurried to the streets of Konoha to the patch of green at the edge of the village. She was going to find him no matter where he was. She smiled slightly as she found the dark haired boy. She should have thought of that.

He felt euphoria, hearing the sound of metal embedding into wood.
It came so easily to him now, and he realized how much he has matured since the genin days.
He hit all the targets from different angles. Now it's time for round two. But first he has to catch the mouse lurking in the trees. In just one move the jounin tossed a kunai in to the trees behind him.
He heard a high pitched "EEP" followed by a tumble and a little rustle. He sighed.
Stupid fan girls.
"Listen, I don't have time to pay attention to your nonsense. I am not interested." He said impassively.
"S-Sasuke-san?!" The boy's eyebrow twitched.
The girl was scared half to death. She was on the ground, panting. Did he try to kill her?
She swallowed audibly as she stood up slowly, eyeing the boy. His back was facing her, and he seemed like his usual self.
"Hyuuga." The Uchiha grunted.
Definitely like his usual self, she thought.

So she was looking for me?

Sasuke let out a sigh before turning to face her, making sure his face is neutral.
She flinched slightly, that can't be helped really, as she looked at the boy who was now staring right at her with his crimson eyes and usual dark creepy-ness.
She felt overwhelming relief as he deactivated his Sharingan.
"Why are you here?"
He asked, straight to the point.
Okay... how do I start I conversation?
The Hyuuga was super nervous, she held back the urge to poke her forefingers together and slowly stepped forward, approaching the Uchiha.

I hate this girl.

The Uchiha clenched his fists at his sides as he watched her. He didn't know why or how but she just has an ability to throw him off balance and it pisses him off.
She tilted her head up, looking straight into his eyes. She tried really hard not to break eye contact; so hard that it made her eyes twitch.
Now this was getting a little freaky for Sasuke.
"N-Nice day huh?" She gulped. It was ten times harder not to stutter when she is nervous.
"Get to the point." Sasuke hissed.
"I just want to talk." She smiled, but it was wavering.
"Why?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"Because ... Ah!" Sasuke jerked back.
"Because it's been so long since we've talked! Ehehe."

Yes, yes Hinata! Get the ball rolling!

"And, I never really got to know you."
She used to stutter didn't she?
Sasuke raised a brow.
"You want to get to know me?"
The girl nodded and gave another wavering smile.
"Something's fishy." Sasuke scrutinized.
Oh no... Think of something! What did Kiba say...
"Ah- Hahahaha" Sasuke's eyes widened slightly but quickly went back to neutral.

What kind of laugh is that?!

"W-What are you talking about Sasuke-san? Ahahah,"

Then what else did he say... Ah!

Upon remembering the Inuzuka's words, the girl smiled brightly, raised her fist, and gave the boy a nice punch on the shoulder.
'Bonding.'
The boy jerked back a little from the punch. Shocked, he glanced at his shoulder and grabbed it with his other hand before turning to give the Hyuuga a wide eyed glare.
"What the f—"
No, no cursing might just make her faint.
"What the hell was – What is your problem?!" The boy growled.
The girl jumped and realized that the bonding wasn't going so well.
"S-Sorry!" She gasped.
"D-Does it hurt?" She reached out her hand and rubbed his shoulder slightly. His breath hitched at the feel of her fingers on his shoulder. He hasn't felt her touch since three years ago... But he can't just allow some girl to touch him like that. Especially not one who just punched him!
Despite how 'delicate' she may look, that really hurt!
Irritated, he grabbed Hinata's wrist and absently pulled her towards him.
She squeaked and resisted the pull a bit, afraid of crashing into the boy.
He leaned towards her, making her blush intensely at the close proximity.
Is he even aware that their noses are almost touching?
"I don't like to repeat myself." His glare was practically piercing through her.
She winced in pain as his grip tightened, he wasn't aware of his own strength.
"Why are you here?" He asked coldly.
"I-I..." It was like she was paralyzed under his glare. He is really scary she thought.
"I wanted to a-ask you if you were coming to the Hyuuga f-festival..." That was sort of true.
His eyebrows furrowed and his head titled slightly.
"Why?"

Why did I ask?! I should have just said no!

"I-I ..." She found it hard to breathe.
She didn't look at him; she was too afraid to, but that made him angry. Roughly, without really paying attention to how she might feel or whether she was uncomfortable he used his other hand to lift her chin up. Her eyes glistened, she was clearly shaken up and it was kind of disturbing to him; how he liked seeing her like that in his grasp.
"Look at me and say it."
"I-I wanted you to come. I-I... missed being friends with you." That was the truth.
She really had wondered why he didn't acknowledge her after that, and she was a little hurt feeling like he didn't care.
Shocked by her words, of course not showing it through his expression, the boy's head was filled with lots of question marks.

...What is she trying to accomplish?

"S-Sasuke-san," She breathed. He immediately came back to earth and stared at the girl once again.
Why does she have to be so infuriating?
"Y-You're hurting me..."
Strangely he felt a something when he heard those words.
He loosened his grip, not really wanting to let go but did so anyways. He stood up straight, and immediately after the Hyuuga breathed a sigh of relief. He was still a little blur and irritated.
I really don't like her. I really, really don't.
For awhile she stood there, massaging her wrist with her other hand, staring fearfully at the Uchiha.
So she is guessing mission failed?
Not wanting to aggravate him further, she bowed slightly and turned to walk away.
"Hyuuga." The girl immediately jumped while Sasuke sighed at the sight.
She turned and pointed a finger at herself. Sasuke rolled his eyes; can she get any weirder?
"You're really annoying." He said with a smirk.
The girl's eyes widened slightly and she looked really hurt by his comment.
"I am sorry..."
He had to admit, that made him feel slightly guilty. Just slightly.
Before she could turn again, he said in a much softer tone.
"But I might just come." Hinata's eyes had widened again, but this time they looked much brighter.
Sasuke wondered how anyone was able to widen their eyes to that extent.
Then he remembered, she is Hyuuga Hinata. Nothing she does will surprise him anymore. Well, not that much.
She turned to face him again, smiling genuinely. For a moment he actually felt like he was blushing as she turned and faced him with her stupid huge eyes and her stupid cute smile.
No wait not cute... it was just..
"Really? Really Sasuke-san?!"
Why is she so happy?
He closed his eyes and folded his arms, not wanting to look at her.
"Might."
"Thank you!" She said joyfully. His lips twitched.
He nodded, not knowing how to respond to that.
"Goodbye!" Another nod. With that she scurried off, feeling proud and overjoyed that the Uchiha had 'sort of' agreed to come.
Should she tell Itachi this? Sasuke was his brother... and she was scared he'd get angry if she said she found him scary. But then again, Itachi himself agreed that Sasuke has his faults.
Still...
Maybe it's not such a good idea.