"Hinata-san?"
Hinata stiffened.
Caught red handed? The excitement and adrenaline was replaced by fear and sadness;
fear because whoever who caught her might rat her out, sadness because she was sure that she'd never see sunlight again if her father found out.
Exaggeration, but quite close to what actually might happen if Hiashi found out about his innocent daughter sneaking out at night to post a letter to an Uchiha male.
Good lord.
"I-I" She gulped, not having the guts to turn around and face the person.
A familiar voice, but she really couldn't think straight at the time. Maybe she should just run for it, since she is already in trouble might as well make it worth it and send the letter to Itachi.
Just as her foot reached out to dash away, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
Her breath hitched. Turning around immediately, responding to the contact; wide pale eyes met huge round orbs, filled with fire and passion.
She sighed in relief. "Lee-kun!" She put her hand on her chest, trying to soothe her pounding heart.
"Hinata-san!" The boy, who was at first very confused stood straight.
"I see you're out late! You must be sneaking out to train to better yourself to go against Neji!"
She flinched as his hand rose, pumping into the air. The intensity of his passion could literally be seen in his eyes.
"Your passion has ignited the fire in my heart in the most beautiful way! The power of youth shall not be defeated! Both of us shall rise up to the challenge and defeat our rival!"
"U-Uh-"
"I, Konoha's beautiful blue beast Rock Lee will be here to help you! That's a promise!" He flashed his nice guy pose.
"Lee-kun – "
"Hinata-san, your rising passion has made my heart overflow with youthful emotions! You are what I would call, Konoha's mesmerizing white beast Hyuuga Hinata!"
This is totally getting out of hand.
"Lee-kun!" She said with her usual soft voice but with a higher tone trying to get him to listen.
"I am not out here for training!" She felt kind of guilty when his smile turned into a slight frown. But why did he feel sad for someone else lacking 'passion'?
The wonders of Rock Lee.
"I see." Lee said solemnly.
"Mm." Both of them stood awkwardly in their positions. Hinata brought her fingers together and paused when she noticed the little envelope in her hand.
Oh!
"Lee-kun!" The boy shot up immediately, his leg raised a little before stomping on to the ground.
"Could you do me a favour?" Hinata bit her lip.
"Yes, Hinata-san of course!"
"Don't you want to hear it first?"
"I will promise to fulfil your request to the best of my abilities! Whatever favour you ask me for; you won't regret coming to me, Hinata-san! This, I promise!"
Hinata smiled at her youthful friend. He was a really nice person, a little deafening but a very nice and kind person.
She tapped the letter on to her hand and inhaled sharply.
"D-Do you know where Uchiha Sasuke lives?"
"You never told me you had a girlfriend." Sasuke smirked as his brother barged in, without even knocking. What a country brute.
"Sasuke."
"You know," Sasuke curled his fingers into his palm. "There is thing civil people do when they want to enter a person's room."
Itachi raised a brow.
"Hn, brief me about it later."
Sasuke snorted.
"More importantly, where have you been? Mother was worried."
"I was out with a friend." He sounded so bored that any other person would have just kept it at that.
But his older brother was different. He could see the glow in his little brother's eyes and the slight twitch on his mouth.
"Hm, fun day?"
"Eh," his little brother shrugged. Sasuke scowled as his brother let out a mocking 'Hmph' and smirked.
"What?" Sasuke spat.
"It's nothing." Itachi shook his head.
"I didn't expect things to move so fast with that girl you liked." A feeling of triumph emerged as Sasuke stiffened, his lips pressed to form a thin line.
"Go away," Sasuke huffed. He rolled to his side on the bed, facing the wall; he has to remind himself to lock the door at all times. If not, he would have to deal with his nosy brother.
Itachi shook his head, smirk still present.
"Nii-san," Sasuke called the moment he heard Itachi's footsteps, walking out.
"I was out with a friend."
"Hn." Sasuke let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding as the he heard the door shut. He wondered if his older brother got the slight hint in his statement.
Lee blinked, then a slight blush formed on his cheeks.
Hinata furrowed her eyebrows. Had she done something weird?
"Hinata-san..." Lee put a hand on his mouth.
"I had no idea you and Sasuke-kun..."
"Hm?" She asked innocently, still unable to understand why... Oh! Oh my -
It was Hinata's turn to blush with what Lee would say, the intensity of a thousand suns.
"Lee-kun! I-I-It's not what you think!" She gulped.
She held out her letter and looked down at her feet. Lee was silent, and when she realized he was going to stay that way until she explained she began.
"U-Um..." her voice was shaky and she cursed herself for stuttering. She had hoped that her stuttering had been completely eliminated, but it seems like it's going to take more than just speech training to get rid of it for good.
"I need to send a letter immediately to Sasuke's brother, I-Itachi-kun; my friend." Her blush reached almost every part of her body. She stressed on the word, hoping he wouldn't take it the wrong way again; though something wasn't quite right about the word. Hm, maybe it was the way she said it.
For awhile, silence.
"I see!" Hinata jumped as the 'beast' exclaimed. He drove his fist in to his palm.
"This letter must be of the utmost importance! That explains the late night out!"
Hinata nodded; well it was to her.
"Yes, I do know the Uchiha residence!" Hinata's face lit up.
"I'll send it for you Hinata-san, that way you won't have to put up with the trouble!"
"O-Oh no, I don't want to trouble you..."
"No trouble Hinata-san! It's nothing. It'll only take me ten minutes I promise!" He flashed his usual nice guy pose and Hinata couldn't help but smile.
"Hm, I-I owe you a favour Lee-san."
"Not to worry Hinata-san! We are friends, and we look out for each other!"
"Mm." Hinata nodded lightly before flashing him a bright smile.
"Thank you, Lee-san."
"Welcome! It's good training for me to go to the Uchiha compound at this hour anyways! I'll see you soon, Hinata-san!"
Hinata's smile faded almost instantly the minute her brain interpreted his words.
He was going to send the mail to Itachi's house on his own, not post it! This is bad! What if someone catches him? What if Sasuke and Itachi catch him and get caught up in a misunderstanding?!
"Lee!" A familiar voice called out.
"Tch, how could he just leave me here like this?!" Hinata turned to see a flustered Tenten. Tenten sighed and put her hands on her hips. Her head swung up, and an eyebrow rose.
"Hinata?"
She would never sneak out again.
She flinched as his finger poked her forehead through her bangs.
She furrowed her eyebrows and rubbed her forehead.
"I-I am sixteen and y-you're still doing that, Itachi-kun." She pouted.
"Age is just a number." Hinata narrowed her eyes as he smirked at her.
Itachi almost jumped out of shock as he felt pressure; something jabbed into his chest.
He turned to the petite figure beside him, slightly irritated by the laughing Uchiha on her other side.
She bit her lip to keep brave as she returned his stare, though nothing could hold back her blush.
"A-Age is just a n-number." She grinned.
"Woo! Go, Hinata-Chan!"
She giggled even though Itachi was initiating his death glare.
"I-I am sorry." She looked at him through her lashes and sported him a shy smile. Looking at her with her rosy cheeks and doe eyed look, he couldn't really fight back could he?
"Hn." She smiled a little naughtily but froze when she felt his breath caressed her skin as he whispered,
"I'll get my revenge you should be certain of that."
She gulped.
Is it weird that he felt like those were the times he was happiest? Itachi was always loose with his family, but never once has he been so close to a person(besides Shisui) outside his family like he is with Hinata.
She cast a weird spell on him and turned him weird around her. She changed him, made him selfish.
After their relationship and his feelings for her developed he wound up wanting to just leave everything and everyone behind for her. He wanted to skip training with his brother just to go see her. He wanted to come home late for dinner just to spend more time with her.
Of course, these terrible thoughts were quickly pushed aside; he would never want to hurt his family members. But he can't deny the fact that he wanted to follow that voice in his head that goaded him into giving in. Though Itachi was never like that. He was never a selfish person.
He sighed into his pillow; he really didn't want to have thoughts of Hinata now. He'd just get depressed.
That's why it was more of a relief than a distress when he sensed an intruder.
"Tenten-san!" Hinata's eyes widened. Of all the people...
"What are you doing out so late? I didn't think you were the kind of girl to go out at night." Tenten folded her arms.
"Um.. w-well..."
"Ah, so who's the lucky boy?" Tenten grinned. She felt that it was about time Hinata got a boyfriend and let loose. Though Neji would be pretty pissed if he found out... which is why she decided it was a bad idea to let him in on it.
Hinata on the other hand wanted to scream and pull all her hair out.
Why does everybody think like that?
"Don't tell me it's Lee!" Tenten gasped and Hinata almost fainted.
"Hinata seriously... Lee is my team mate and all but – "
"N-no!" Hinata felt breathless. Why did things have to turn out this way?
"I came out to send a very u-urgent letter." She coughed.
Tenten furrowed her eyebrows. "How urgent?"
"Um, well. Very." Hinata looked down at her feet.
"Lee-kun, told me that he wanted to send the letter right now so that it gets sent on time..."
"Oh, now it makes sense." Tenten smiled a little and nodded.
"Sorry about the whole 'Holy shit you're with Lee?!' thing." Tenten giggled.
"I was supposed to meet him here but I guess he forgot all about it by the time he found something 'fun' to do." Tenten rolled her eyes while Hinata plastered a wavering smile on her face.
"I-I am sorry Tenten-san but I need to go." She said, backing away hurryingly.
"Eh? But Hinata where are you – "
"I promise I'll tell you soon Tenten-san! And p-please don't mention this to Neji-Niisan."
Tenten was left in a blur as Hinata ran off.
That girl is really weird, she thought.
It was only when he heard knocking on his window, that he realized that this wasn't an intruder.
Now wonder he didn't sense any hostility. But who is this person? An ANBU messenger?
No. They are way more discreet. They'd never breathe out on your window and write 'let me in' on the vapour.
With a sigh he slid the window open, throwing the green coconut head a little of balance.
Definitely not an ANBU messenger.
"Itachi-kun!" Is it possible for someone to whisper and shout at the same time?
Itachi raised an eyebrow.
"I am here to deliver a very urgent letter!"
"Who are you?" He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"My name is Rock Lee! Konoha's beautiful blue be – "
"You spoke of a letter, where is it?"
"Huh? Oh." The boy reached for the letter he kept in his kunai pouch.
"What is it about?" Itachi asked before grabbing the letter.
"I am not sure. It is a letter from Hyuuga Hinata."
Lee was thrown off balance once again as the letter got snatched out of his hand in a millisecond. It must really be urgent.
Itachi held on to the letter, looking impassive still but his eyes were wider.
"Thank you. You should leave." He said suddenly.
"You might wake – "
A loud thump was heard and Lee was no longer at the edge of his window. Instead there was a kunai embedded into his wall. Another one went flying outside the window.
Hm. This is quite the predicament.
Itachi turned to see his door flung open, and a scowling little Sasuke in an offensive stance.
"Shit, I missed."
"You, know" Itachi cleared his throat, holding back a smirk as he curled his fingers in to his palm in a very familiar manner.
"There is thing civil people do when they want to enter a person's room"
"Brief me about it later,"
"Hmph." The older Uchiha smirked.
"There's no need to be alarmed, he wasn't an intruder." Sasuke relaxed, and stood straight eyebrows furrowed in slight irritation.
"Then who was it?"
"A messenger." Itachi held the letter up slightly. Thank god Hinata wasn't the type who sent letters in floral or some other weird girly envelopes.
Sasuke raised his head, before shrugging.
"Ugh. What a drag." He said as he walked away.
"Good night to you too." Itachi smiled as he heard a door slam.
He walked, calmly and patiently to his room door; closed it, and locked it this time.
The minute the 'click' sound was heard, Itachi's lips curved to form a rather ecstatic smile.
Calmly still, he walked to the bed and sat on the edge slowly opening the envelope.
His shivering hands were probably the only part of his body besides his mouth that was showing his excitement and euphoria.
He took out the letter, unfolded it and took a deep breath.
Dear, Itachi-kun.
Hello.
I miss you.
From, your friend Hinata.
He chuckled lightly and shook his head.
Hinata...
He traced his fingers over her writing; they were beautiful. He ended up reading the very short letter over and over again, his smile stuck.
He leaned back on the bed and let out a sigh as he brought the paper closer to his face.
How he wished he could travel to the future; to tomorrow evening.
Hands were intertwined. She savoured his warmth, his slight smile and his presence.
She didn't want it to end.
She breathed in the evening air and rested her head on his shoulder. Nothing felt better than being next to this person. She felt his hair tickle her face as the wind blew, she felt his hand grasp tightly on to hers, more than anything she felt her heart race like crazy.
"Itachi-kun..." She smiled as she nuzzled his shoulder and hid her blushing face.
"I love you."
It was a dream, but it wasn't any less disturbing.
Why did she dream about that?! Why did she NOT want it to end? It would be understandable if she was dreaming of Ken... but Itachi was just a friend. A really close, kind, sweet, good looking, strong, intelligent – well, he was a friend!
"I love you."
She shuddered as the words replayed in her head. There was so much feeling in her voice that she actually believed herself for a moment.
Maybe it was because... Itachi reminds her of him.
She wrapped her tiny framed in her blanket and sighed into her pillow. She should be worrying about her friend who practically leapt into the Uchiha compound just to deliver a letter for her.
Was he alright? Did he... manage to send the letter? If so, did Itachi like it? Did he smile when he saw it? Did he roll his eyes when he read it?
Is he thinking about me... right now?
She squealed a little into her pillow and clutched on to the sheets. Frustrated and extremely confused all she wanted to do was snuggle with her pillow, close her eyes and drift off in to a world of sleep. Although rather than her pillow she would have preferred Itachi's shoulder...
Oh my...
"Dad,"
"Eh?" Kagami shot up, disorientated.
"What do you think of starting over?" Shisui stared at his forehead protector, waiting for a reply.
Kagami pinched the bridge of his nose and seemed to be in deep thought.
"That's deep son." Kagami was surprised his son would even think of such a thing.
Shisui was always so laid back, he never cared about much; his son was just like him.
"I'd just let the thought go, what's the point of starting over? Sounds like a waste to me..."
"Everything sounds like a waste to you, dad" Shisui sighed, now Kagami is starting to get worried.
"What made you think of such a thing suddenly?" Kagami furrowed his eyebrows.
"It's nothing." Shisui got up on his feet and walked over to the door while securing his forehead protector on his head.
"I am... going out for awhile."
"I-Itachi-kun."
Should he turn? He heard her; heck, he sensed her a long time ago. But what will he do once he sees her? Will he be able to control himself?
He decided it was better than just sitting there, waiting for something to happen, so he tilted his head; looking up at the girl before him.
She was biting her lips, holding back her tears, her cheeks were pink and those eyes...
"Hinata." He stood up and for awhile, they both kept silent.
"I – " Before he could continue she hugged him, tight.
"I am so sorry!" He missed this. He missed her.
Hinata relaxed as he returned the embrace. He was warm, strong and really nice to hug she thought.
"Did you get in trouble because of me?" She looked up at him, concerned.
He shook his head before burying his face into her hair. He was extremely happy when she didn't back away or even flinch when he inhaled her scent; she smelled like something, he didn't know what but it was nice and extremely... addictive. Better distract himself before something else happens.
"My father," Hinata tensed.
"He wasn't angry." The girl sighed into his chest and closed her eyes, relieved.
"He actually allowed me to see you."
"Really?"
"Hn."
"I am glad..."
He mentally raised a brow when he felt her play with the hem of his shirt. Is it weird that that's turning him on right now?
"Hinata?" He reluctantly raised his head to look at the girl who seemed to be pressing her face into his chest. She's hiding something.
"Hinata." He patted her back.
"What is it?" She flinched and shook her head. Her hands clutched on to his shirt.
"N-Nothing." She swallowed.
"Tell me or I'll have to tickle you." He smirked as she squeaked and shook her head.
"I-It's embarrassing to ask..."
"Is it about your letter?" A gasp, a sigh then a nod.
"Mm," Her hands went back to playing with the hem of his shirt before completely freezing when she felt his slender fingers on her back, tracing letters. Itachi was wondering if she could even feel it with all those clothes on. Unless she wasn't wearing anything underneath her jacket... but it's best not to think about that. Judging by her reaction she could feel it, but could she understand it?
He smiled to himself as he wondered what her reaction will be like.
His eyes widened as her hands adjusted to pull him closer. Looks like his father and her might get along; she has a little bone crusher in her too.
Hinata bit her lip as she looked up at Itachi. Her face was probably redder than ever but she didn't care she wanted to see his face.
'I miss you too.'
She wanted to see if he meant it. She looked in to his eyes trying to figure him out, but he was so unreadable it actually flustered her.
"R-Really?"
"Hn." This time his head was on the crook of her neck, and she could feel him smile against her skin.
She stared at his hair, spread out on his back. Her hands slid from his lower back all the way to his shoulder blades.
Itachi closed his eyes, this girl made him feel wonders. Her fingers ran through his amazingly soft silky hair. It felt better than it did during the festival.
He should really pull away, before he does something stupid. Her hands felt so good on his back and he was worried about what he might do.
He patted her on the back before letting go and pulling away. He inwardly sighed as he stood straight and looked at his pale-eyed ...friend. Her eyebrows were furrowed and her hands were clutching on to the hem of her jacket. She liked to hug him?
No, she can't possibly.
"Looks like Shisui isn't coming." He broke the silence.
"Hm? Mm..."
"Do you want to stay here?"
"Eh?" Hinata tilted her head.
"Do you have to go somewhere?" She looked slightly disappointed.
Itachi smiled.
"No," his hand brushed her bangs before resting on her shoulder.
"I meant, do you want to stay here or go somewhere else?"
Hinata gave a small smile and shook her head.
"It's okay, I don't want to trouble you. I'll learn how to distinguish my chakra then we – "
"Hinata," Itachi interrupted.
"Didn't I tell you that my father allowed me to see you?"
She nodded, face still blank.
"That means we don't have to hide here anymore if you don't want to."
Her face lit up instantly. It was strange how easy it was to please her.
"Really?"
Itachi nodded.
"B-But," The girl looked down at her feet.
"What if other people..." She sighed.
"I shouldn't... your friends might – "
"Hinata, why are you so afraid?"
No reply.
"Or is it because you just don't want to be seen with me?" He folded his arms and raised a brow.
The girl shot up and looked at him with both denial and slight anger.
"N-No! How can you think like that?" Itachi smiled inwardly; he knew she'd react that way.
Hinata noticed the amusement in his eyes and pouted, folding her arms; copying her friend's gesture. She didn't dare to try and out stare Itachi; she'd just get nervous and splutter out nonsense.
She looked down at her feet, waiting for an apology. Then she realized, she wasn't going to get one because, well... it wasn't actually an insult or anything. It was more of an insult to him than her really.
"Hm, had enough of hiding?" Hinata didn't look up but her eyebrows were furrowed. Was he directing that to her or...
"I say we go to Asumi!" Shisui exclaimed as he popped out from the trees.
Hinata turned to the source and smiled brightly.
"Shisui-Chan!"
"Hinata-Chaaaaan!" The two hugged each other until Shisui pulled away. Itachi was very thankful that the hug didn't last long but that was so un-Shisui like.
Knowing him he'd probably hang on to her until she runs out of air. Maybe he is in a bad mood.
Or maybe it has something to do with the 'Ken' problem. Best not think about it too much.
He was happy to see his friend in his 'normal' state. "So, what do you say? To Asumi? Just like old times?" Shisui winked.
"Hm. Hinata?"
The girl nodded.
"I'll go where ever you go."